Problems for ospreys in Tampa Bay:

This is from the Dunedin Cam nesting notes:

"

3/31/11 - She is still hanging in there despite some very nasty weather. Heavy winds and rain today. One nearby platform has been blown from the pole and is hanging at an angle. The mother osprey and either eggs or young cling on while they wait for help. We are working on that now. Lots of wires down and blown transformers today throughout the county. Trucks tipped on their sides. Accidents and emergency calls heavy in Indian Rocks Beach, Seminole, Largo areas. The Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary has made it through the storm in tact and have rescuers out and active today. This reminds me of the April 14, 2009 storm when we had plenty of losses of osprey young. BW"

Alan  that is not good news, high winds everywhere and I hope they don't lose too many ospreys again.

Afternoon all ... not quite as windy today as yesterday, but still not pleasant. They forecast 18C for us today ... my car said it was 14.5C ... and it feels like 4C :-((

Alan - that is awful havoc those storms are causing for osprey ... and people ... in Tampa Bay. Glad to hear that Hamish is feeling better!

dibnilb - that wasn't a very pleasant happening at your place of voluntary work ... glad they caught the culprit though.

Alicat - pleased to hear that you are eating ... and coping a bit better. I will be thinking of you tomorrow. Sounds like a good idea to get another dog after your holidays.

margobird - I did enjoy reading about Billy's antics ... he sounds quite a character! Enjoy your concert.

patriciat - sorry to hear your OH has a chest infection ... I hope the doctor came out to see him. You seem to have such a lot of problems.

OG - glad you enjoyed your birthday ... and your birthday takeaway meal! The Barn Owl people said the birds weren't ready to breed 'YET' ... so maybe later. Neither bird has been seen in the box or barn today, so maybe they have been scared off. They are a new pairing this year.

Thanks to everyone for pics, chat etc.

Take care.

Just witnessed a changeover at Decorah but despite the zooming could not see the eggs. An astonishing 95,000 viewers now.

Butterfly swarm attacks man.

Branson buys Pluto, reinstates as planet

Morning all:

Auntie: Encounter with whooping swans sounds very special. Isn't it nice when we get such unexpected treats?

Jay-Me: I don't fancy fish treatment either. I've never heard of it here.

Wendy: Is it good for fishes to be eating - um - feet? Wouldn't they rather be swimming in a pond? Enjoy time with youngest.

Margobird: Smiled at Billy's antics. Must be springtime!

Alan: Good to hear that Hamish is doing better. Earthquake in Blackpool? Good grief. Dunedin news not good - don't like to think of Mom and eggs/chicks hanging on for dear life.

Alicat: Where are you going on vacation in June? That's something to look forward to.

Lynette: Sounds like a bittersweet visit from bro - I'm sure there'll be smiles in there somewhere.

patriciat: Hope you get to see doc. Take care of yourself too!

dibnlib: How distressing to find money missing and just as distressing to find young people doing stupid things. Oh dear.

jsb: Butterfly attack? Please tell me that's an April Fool event! :-)

Off to gym and grocery store; back later.

Back from a very sunny but blustery walk around Loch Morlich. Well not round really as one side is on the main road so we tend to take various routes about 7 miles in total avoiding main road but not coffee shop. It was about 16 degrees and we were totally overdressed. Took a trip up to main Cairngorm carpark to use the facilities and it was a bit of a ghost town as the wind was so strong the funicular railway and ski lifts were shut. Snow diminishing fast but BBC is forcasting more overnight. Hope not as I do remember EJ in that blizzard last year.

I think the fish thing originated abroad somewhere but is taking off over here. I think they are called Rafi fish and it is thought to help some skin conditions like psorasis. I think it only works in conjunction will some TLC at home.

Margo youngest has just got some vouchers to use a fish place in Boscombe...going to fit it in around Toby carvary...how the other half live. Anyway give it a whirl.

Dibnlib that sort of thing leaves a nasty taste but better to find the culprit and move on.

Hi Annette we are going to scotland we were going to take casper with us, we got him from scotland and there is a park in inverness were we used to take him he loved it on there,don't know if i want to go now