Weekly Chat, Sunday March 27, 2011

Here is Toffee and her sister Caddi on a playdate...

Unknown said:

3 eggs for Nottingham peregrines now:

http://www.ntu.ac.uk/ecoweb/ntu_doing/falcons/103295.cfm

2 eggs for London peregrines:

http://www.carnyx.tv/CarnyxWild/WildlifeCameras/London.aspx

Alan: 4 eggs now for the Indianapolis peregrines: http://www.indystar.com/section/WEBCAMS 

That is very reassuring Lindy!  This will be the third time we've done it now.  I started 'training' it  when I first planted it, first as a pompom, then it got too big to trim and once it was 20 feet and creating too much shade from the evening sunshine, I asked OH and his university friend to come and saw it back.  The friend is wonderful for helping with 'manly' tasks in the garden!  Again, this year it was beginning to get too big anyway, but a huge part of it had dead or dying leaves.  OH has done a magnificent job and I have to say eucalyptus burns extremely well on the bonfire - no neighbours nearby to annoy!  I've also had to cut back the escallonia today.  All the branches were very brittle, but there might just be some growth appearing at the bottom, so I haven't dug it up.... yet.  I think the choysia will be the next victim. 

My jottings today on the nestbox forum, for info.

"I had tried three sites in the back garden, which faces northeast, for a new woodcrete birdhouse, since mid-February. Although some birds took a look at it, none moved in. There are multiple feeders in the garden.

So yesterday in desperation I tried the 30 year old silver birch in the front garden, which only had one feeder for suet/insect pellets. Having put the box about 18 feet from ground level, I returned to the garage about 10 yards away, to get a garden hoe to use to straighten the box and as I turned round to return, there was already a blue-tit on the entrance and her mate was sitting on my ladder, all this happened in a few seconds. So I just watched in amazement.

Later in the day there was no sign of any activity, so I put up a sunflower feeder, which is one of their favourites. But then I became a bit despondent, as there was little sign of the new lodgers. However I note that this morning, they are back and hopefully are in the process on moving in.

I plan to put some cat defences round the trunk at about six feet, as there are several cats in the area. It is a cul-de-sac and the tree is only about 10 feet from the heel of the kerb. I shall post the outcome in a few days.

EDIT: The tree is now fitted with a polystyrene disc about two feet in diameter, around the trunk to deter cats."

Gary my, hasn't she grown, but still beautiful.  Thanks for the update!!

jsb birds are so contrary, aren't they.  After a few years' aborted attempts at nesting in our log shed, OH put up one of those look-alike swallow's nests, all nice and comfy, in the right position and we thought YES this year.  Well they did that year - but made a new nest adjacent to it!!  How ungrateful.  Sadly we haven't had nesting swallows since although they are at the neighbours barn each year and return by clockwork, the first one singing from the telegraph wires.

Hi dibnlib i have left a message on your page

Looks like Lady is back at LOTL!!!

That's absolutely brilliant Annette.  Where did you come across this wonderful news?  I have just checked LotL blog and there's nothing there, but their final blog for the day remains optimistic.

SheilaFE - she's on the nest now ... eating a fish ... and on the LOTL2011 thread Tiger and others have identified her as Lady :-))

I take it all back Annette - THERE IS AN OSPREY, LOOKING VERY MUCH LIKE LADY (but what do I know) EATING A FISH ON THE NEST!  If it is her, how absolutely amazing is that.