Weekly Chat, Sunday March 27, 2011

Before I get too far behind, I must say what beautiful photos of the Barnacle geese OG.  I am sure I saw the same species on Spitsbergen four years ago!  Along with snow bunting and ptarmigan in their township, Longyearbyen.  I think they are such pretty geese.

Trish2. Between you and me it was quite good and I think we will go back next week before youngest goes back. I hate shoes and get hard skin and really should go to a farrier to get sorted out but this could be a good alternative!!!

Hi  OG sorry to here about  your fish,re: two westies i tried that one once when casper was a few years old said to OH about getting another one then but he wouldn't go for it then so i don't think he will go  with that this time either

50,000 + viewers on Decorah cam:

Hi everyone.

Thanks for all the posts and pics.  I've been reading them but I'm affected by Ospreyitis at this time of year, so individual replies tend to diminish in number.  I hope to get into the habit of posting here more often.  All the very best to everyone :-) 

OG:  A very Happy Bithday to you.  I hope you're having a fantastic day :-)


Paul.

hi, realplayer has topped working on my laptop too,, have tried uninstalling and reinstalling but to no avail, any solutions woild bemost welcome or another similar downlaoder we could use-please!

Unknown said:

Morning all,

Alicat : I am very sorry to hear about Casper.

Thanks for all the chat etc. 

Not been on this thread for a few days as I have also had computer problems. Mainly with RealPlayer which seems to have stopped working so I cant record any clips. I have tried to get it working by reloading most of my software and bringing it all up to date but nothing seems to work. Having read other forums on the matter I am not the only one with this problem. I have found a way round it but it is a bit messy at the moment.

After a few nice days when we got the gardening done the weather has turned dreich again.

Last few hours of daylight were really sunny, with less wind.  Birds were here in force each time it was dry – even back up to four Goldfinches – recently they have been coming in relays, just two at a time while a second pair queued on the roof!

Joan – sorry to read that the Barn Owls are underweight – I guess the result of the long winter, as well as all the other factors such as barn conversions and farming practices.  Are the likely to reach breeding condition this year?

Diane – so you have an extra day for watching the cameras – hurrah!

Lynette – Hope often seems to have one of the younger cubs by the throat, but Lily doesn’t seem to mind, so I guess it’s okay!

Wendy – will you be taking Daughter to LG VC while she is with you?  I hope the better weather returns before she flies home next week.  Our hairdresser has invested in a fish-nibbling tank, but it seems to be upstairs, where they go for tanning, so no chance to try it.  I would imagine it would be tickly at the time, and feel wonderful afterwards – much gentler than the farrier – or even the chiropodist!

Terry – so, I got a second “Happy Birthday” from you!  We enjoyed a very nice takeaway, and it was good not to have to “dress up” to go out for a meal!  Am sending four photos for competition: Mrs Blackbird in the December sun, Curlew from Caerlaverock, Lapwing ditto and the recent Grey Heron from Mersehead.

Trish – good to see Roy is updating regularly again – miss his Blog in the top RH corner, but he said he really doesn’t have time for that because he is so busy – one day he might get around to tidying that segment away!

Sheila – almost all the Svalbard / Spitsbergen Barnacle Geese winter here on the Solway coast in SW Scotland – they are a lovely sight – and sound too, as they chatter away to each other, especially when keeping together in the air. 

Here’s another picture of synchronised flying:

Heron – I think we all have some degree of Ospreyitis!  The tension right now, awaiting the menfolk, is almost unbearable!

Just seen the time – back tomorrow – probably after coffee morning at church.

Good to hear that you enjoyed your Birthday takeaway, OG -  and that you had a lazy day, for once!   Buzz did indeed have a Rich Tea biscuit or two rather than his usual Digestive - I think Auntie had run out of those. Good pics of the Barnacle Geese - I heard on a TV programme not long ago that they were called that because the local people thought that they were hatched from Barnacles because of the way they arrived magically as if from nowhere each year!  They are a most attractive bird, anyway.

Welcome back, Wendy - good to hear that you enjoyed your trip.  Interesting about the 'fishy manicure' -  I wondered what it would be like!!

Just heard over the phone from my Youngest, and had a cooing background coming from Sweetpea, who I am told is now a giggly little bundle.  We have not seen him for a month due to our being away, so I'm now impatient to get down there on Sunday, we hope, for cuddles and more giggles.

Hi everyone.

mama g:  I hope Realplayer gets fixed for you.  I'm not an expert in these matters but I'd check all programmes to make sure they're up to date.  Just on the off chance it gets Realplayer working again.

OG:  Your weather sound like its been much the same as our's this evening.  Love the Barnacle Geese pic.  I was lucky enough to be down in Dumfrieshire in October 2009 to see the Geese at Carlaverock, and Mersehead.  Absolutely wonderful :-)  The male Ospreys will be here soon.  They're just trying to perfect their "sorry I'm a bit late..." excuses ;-)  Glad you enjoyed your birthday.

Linda:  That's a brilliant story about the Barnacle Geese, which I never tire of hearing.  Good to hear Sweatpea is doing well.

Here's a pic from the Hampton cam.

Paul.