Evening all: Been out all day; now starting to think about dinner. Back later to catch up.
Annette wrote -Chloe: We had all kinds of crops sprouting under our feeder when it was over soil. I don't know if the "no mess/no waste" birdfood is any tidier, but I've bought a package and plan to use it when the old stuff is gone. When we started the landscaping project, I moved the feeders over a concrete pathway where it's still very messy, but at least nothing is growing.
I find that the seeds sprout up with barley, corn etc - I tend to let them grow and wait till they ripen and then pick and take them indoors for display - picked up quite a collection over the last 3 years. Makes quite a nice display. Do realise though, Annette, that you do not want them growing in your nice new garden.
You've put your clocks back already Annette, ours is not for another fortnight - lose an hour but gain early morning - birds are beginning to sing much earlier now.
http://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/things-to-do/wildlife-webcams/loch-of-lowes/
RSPB Giving Nature a Home
I know I've not replied to everyone but do appreciate all the "gossip". A pic or two coming up.It looks like they are building the nest up.
Hi, all. Dreich, dismal, drab, dank, and disgusting here today. But they're promising very warm weather by the end of the week.
Annette: I just watched What Happened Before the Big Bang? on the Science Channel. Fascinating! I loved it. If you need something to watch later, you might check it out. I agree with AQ. I have about 150 channels and rarely can find anything that I really want to watch. Hope the whale count went well today.
dibnlib: "Sorry I have a barn owl to catch." Not often you hear that reason for ending a conversation! LOLOL! Hope she has a good rescue sanctuary. In the U.S., a license is required to keep raptors.
Trish: I'm in complete agreement on the subject of dog poo. What's wrong with people? And don't even get me started on Spot, the neighbor's Jack Russell Terrier, who thinks it's his personal mission in life to pee often and vigorously on my tulips and daffodils when they come up in the spring!!!
Alan: Glad the dog-washing mission is complete. My dog so hated that Malaseb shampoo. He used to roll his eyes at me pitifully when I would grab the bottle. I am glad Hamish is improving. Wonderful!
Auntie: Hope you are getting some rest and work isn't too demanding.
Brenda: Sorry about the bananas and flies. :-))) I must have caught the cam at just the right time. I was going to take a screen capture, but I was afraid of violating copyright -- especially for a South American cam. Not sure how rigidly they apply the copyright laws there. Sorry I neglected to say: My very best wishes to your nephew's in-laws in Japan, living in such horrific conditions. Lynette is absolutely correct. The people there are behaving with great dignity.
OG: You had an abundance of feathered friends for companionship today. I like blackbird music. Wowee! That must be humbling to be that close to a nuke reactor being decommissioned. Fascinating in an ominous sort of way. Stay strong in your struggle with the solar panel guys. Make them fix it until it's right. That's ridiculous. You try to do the right thing and preserve the planet, and then you have to suffer such incompetence. Dang! By the way, how did your grandson like Texas? :-)))
Everyone have a good Tuesday!
Evening all: Managed to get in 1 1/2 hours of whale counting today before very strong wind blew up and made viewing impossible.
Diane: Thanks for more info; have been watching various new programs and am hearing that radiation traveling such a distance would likely be too diluted for U.S. folks to worry about. Like Brenda, I too saw bananas w/flies - still Peruvian bananas and flies!!
OG: Funny to imagine solar men prowling outside your house; not funny at all to hear that the solar panels aren't grounded! Nice that your garden is ready to greet summer.
Wendy: Hope you wake up to clear sky and dry roads! Enjoy your dinner in Bath.
Lynette: Heard two news reports on the Japanese earthquake today that included mention of how well-mannered and considerate the survivors are. Courtesy is obviously an important part of that culture. Some of the plants that were in the "old" garden apparently feel it's safe to poke their heads above the mulch; must have a word with them!
Another busy day tomorrow, but nothing too crazy. Take care all!
Diane: You snuck in! I've been watching (with one eye) something on the Hope Diamond. You mean there was something before the Big Bang? :-) Thanks for asking OG how her grandson liked Texas - I meant to and forgot. Wonder what part he was in..... Just checked Big Rig Steve - he's overnighting in Illinois in the rain en route to Wichita.
Have little mixed feeling posting this to Osprey-page 'cause Eagle Owls are the only natural enemy of ospreys here. But there are no osps nests in Helsinki LOL
article http://www.tringa.fi/fi/uutiset/tuoreimmat-uutiset/eagle-owls-are-nesting-in-downtown-helsinki.html
and photos http://www.birdlife.fi/tiedotteet/kuvat/huuhkaja%207.3.2011%20Marja%20Saarinen.JPG
http://www.birdlife.fi/tiedotteet/kuvat/kaupunkihuuhkaja%20huhuilemassa%20Jukka%20Koskelainen.JPG
Have a nice day all!
my photos in flickr
A huge hello to everyone , especially those of you who are new (as I am not, :) ) . I justs HOPE I really AM back online for the season, especially since there are only 10 days to go until EJ returns..
Can't stop but.................. Does anyone know when the video camera goes live at the nest ? It isn't already is it? If so I can't access it.
Have to go as I'm expecting a friend for the day shortly but I wish you all a really good day yourselves and trust I can get back online this evening to see if there are any replies to my question.
WC is expected to start on the 17th.
ChloeB & Tiger's Osprey Data Site
Sat track schedule Spring 2014
LG 7 days; RW & SWT nil; LDOP varies
Electrician arrived at 7:30 am – all the way from Hartlepool. He’s disconnected where necessary, and explained that panels don’t get grounded – something to do with the type of inverter in a domestic installation. He’ll call in on the way back from Stranraer to reconnect and check everything and answer a couple more queries. Roof guys arrived an hour later – from spending the night only 5 miles up the road – complained about the wet weather and set off to local building supplier to get spare roof tiles!
Wendy – I hope the weather is more encouraging today for you to make final decision and set off tomorrow morning as planned.
Tiger – great pictures of Blackwater birds – especially Herons.
Brenda – hope situation improves for Nephew’s in laws to get some sleep – impossible to imagine trying to have any normal life with aftershocks so strong and frequent – apart from the devastation and now nuclear risk.
Lynette – we had some very pretty oats in one of our flower beds last year from where we had used normal bird seed previously – and I have mentioned here before that we have also had some “plants which we shouldn’t grow” appearing from time to time!
Diane – Chapelcross Power Station was the main employer in the town for many years, bringing a doubling of the population as workers moved in. There was protest when it was built and then consternation when closure was announced – 4,000 jobs reducing to 400. The cooling towers were a local landmark until they were demolished in 2007 – shown live on national television! The British government in London has had (maybe Fukushima will change this) a policy of building a new generation of nuclear plants, but the Scottish Parliament is opposed to this and says we won’t have them on Scottish soil.
Annette – did you see any Whales to count?
Must email Grandson about his trip to Texas - I’m interested in hearing more about the research he was visiting anyway. Information from his mother is very limited - she described it as “in the desert”, but she might just mean miles from anywhere, which could be anywhere in Texas! She did say he didn’t get any free time, because the evenings were taken up with writing reports for assessment towards his degree. (She also told me he needs an Upper Second to confirm his place for an oil technologies Masters in Aberdeen next year) This wasn’t his first time in Texas. He, and his brother 2 years later, took part in Space School in their teens, and both were selected for “Scottish Space School” in Houston, which they thoroughly enjoyed. In G#1’s year, we were able to catch up with him in live webcasts each evening, which was very exciting; this didn’t happen with his brother – I think they were cutting costs.
Auntie – thanks for those links to the wonderful Owls in Helsinki!
Cirrus – pleased to see you back online –you haven’t missed anything from LG! I hope you are enjoying your friend’s visit – “see” you later!
“Workmen” have now been missing about 1½ hours – and it’s still raining. It's going to be a l o n g day!
Ospreys Rule OK, but Goldfinches come a close second!
ood morning all: Dull start to the day and OH has taken a day off work as it or WA. We got married on red nose day my girls thought it was a good idea to all have one on in some of the photos. Not too sure what the in laws thought but they couldn't get out of it. OH has just moved the lumpy snow from the front of the drive and then we might get round to making a decision on how to spend the day.
Watching the weather especially the traffic camera trained on Drumochter Pass....will make my final decision on when to leave at 4.30 am tomorrow.
OG You do have my sympathy on workman and the length of time they take to do anything. My theory is twofold..I either go out for the day leaving it all to OH or would rathet have had it done yesterday!!
Will be taking lap top with me so I can keep an eye on EJ's journey. You never know she might come over Arne...if so will keep you posted.
Hope you all have good day.