Almost forgot about starting this one! Off to read last few posts of last week.
How sad, Diane. At least Phoenix has risen, from the disastrous nest. Don't do too much in the heat, or you'll get heatstroke!
Lovely pics of goslings from Alan. How cute!
EDIT: make that 'cygnets' - I'm in such a hurry, tryng to be in two places at once, today!
Afternoon all ... back from our trip up the coast ... and I'm still buzzing with excitement after seeing my very first, real, live avocet!! We stopped at Cresswell Pond on the way back from Hauxley Reserve and there they were :-)) They were a bit far away for clear pics but I did get some. We did get chatting to a chap who was a serious bird photographer, with serious gear, and he promised to email us some of the pics he took.
Alan - lovely pics of the cygnets .. we saw lots at Hauxley today. Loads of serious photographers there today looking for the terek sandpiper which has been sighted for the last few days ... but didn't appear today! I wouldn't know one of them if it bumped into me :-))
OG - shame your gardening got spoiled this morning. I have more spring onions and beetroot to sow ... may do that later today. I am getting my hair cut tomorrow ... seems to be the week for hairdresser appointments!
margobird - I can sense your mounting excitement for your trip to LG! These pets of ours do make life at the keyboard difficult :-))
Annette - how wonderful to see the bobcat family!
Must go and catch up on other things now.
Take care.
Joan - avid bird and nature watcher in Northumberland!
Index Thread
Hi folks. Glad to see you're back with us Alicat.
Lovely pics of the cygnets Alan.
Went to the gym this morning and managed my usual swim having not got there last week. Won't be going next week as OH is envigilating again but after that I am pretty sure he is free on a Tuesday morning.
Next week sees our central heating system being installed, out with the warm air heating and in with the new. Following week, our friendly builder is coming in on the Monday to make up furniture and build some shelves for me, so its all go.
With regard to the old letters, it was one letter all about the D-Day landings and what was happening. I did however find the love letters my Dad sent my Mum, during one of my visits to my family home, when he was stationed up in the Shetlands during the war, they made lovely and emotional reading. Just got to sieve through what needs to be kept and what can be thrown away and then archive it.
http://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/things-to-do/wildlife-webcams/loch-of-lowes/
RSPB Giving Nature a Home
Lovely pics , DJoan, and really pleased you managed to see your first Avocet, they are truly lovely birds.
Goodafternoon everyone...it's me I am back probably the laziest blogger in the world. I promise I have been reading and looking at all the super photos but life has been a bit hectic and very little time to sit.
OH had a couple of extra days off over the BH and we got so much of our "to do" list ticked off it has been time well spent.
Decorated spare room (youngest calls it her room) and hallway, weather eventually let us finish front door and get the handle back on, got garden up to scratch and survived probably one of the worst gales for a long time on Sunday.
Yesterday I met up Liz who hails from the shadow of Ben Nevis. Met her at the Boat of Garten Hotel for coffee and then went to listen to Roy Denis's talk on "Raptortrack". So many people turned up they had to move us to a bigger meeting room. Superb talk from one amazing guy. Talk did get onto Osprey's and eggs not hatching...his theory is that it is down to the cold damp weather and not infertile eggs. The same thing happened in 1977 and the Osprey numbers still carried on growing.
I assumed that Liz was staying the night locally as it is a longish journey back...but no she drove home after the meeting...so even nicer to meet her after such an effort.
Day out today Osprey sighted as we went on to our main road. A trip round Lochindorb to see if RD's Talisman might be fishing but no luck. Buzzards galore as we went to Logie Steading for coffee and cake. Fort George and although the tide was right no dolphins but a solitary seal. Lunch there and watch a Tree Pippit feeding it's young so cute.
Home to Tiger cat waiting for Tuna and as always starving pheasants.
Sorry to prattle on.
dibnlib Have just read your news. I am so very sorry you have to have so much therapy. you will be in my thoughts and prayers. Do keep in touch when you get 'parole'.
Wendy: You are not 'prattiling on' - its interesting, hearing about your day/ bank hols.
Annette: I have a hammock, its a very basic kind, just a metal frame & a cover you sling between, but although I've had it for about 4 years, I've only lolled in it two or three times! Re the disposable BBQs- they are as described, just a tin tray really with charcoal in -you remove the packaging, then light the fuel - and throw it away afterwards. Useful when picnicking, or travelling, and the supermarkets all sell them, sometimes at a bargain price if you buy more than one. I have a little frame for it to stand in, to raise it from the ground. Was amazed to hear that you don't have them there, as you have better weather for outdoor cooking than we do! How exciting to see the Bobcats playing.
Joan: glad you got to see an Avocet - my 1st glimpse was last year, at the reserve at Southport - but they were too far away for a decent photo. They are an elegant bird.
Terry: Thanks for description of your wonderful tour - don't blame you for taking shelter in a B& B in that sort of wind and rain!. Very interesting about the stone Circle at Callanish.
margo: I have a lovely picture in my mind of Billie sitting on your mouse mat.
Sorry if I've missed anyone - there has been such a lot on here and I have been rather distracted today, trying to keep up with the Ospreys and the housework at the same time.
Diane that is such sad news but Phoenix has risen above all the awful weather you have been having. Mind how you go in all that heat.
Margobird
DjoanS wonderful for you to see advocet for the first time. They are such dainty birds. We get a lot in Poole Harbour where they have been very succewsful of late. Thanks for the pics. As I type Billy is swinging from the cable on my PC. She has the devil in her this afternoon and is racing about everywhere. Anytime now she will crash out and go to sleep for the next few hours.