[TAMPA — Setting out to do a job expected to take only a few days, a salvage crew spotted trouble last week when a bird swirled menacingly around its gear.Atop the crew's crane, ospreys had built a nest and had chicks.]

http://www.tampabay.com/news/environment/wildlife/osprey-nest-in-crane-vexes-contractor-at-port-of-tampa/1163142 continued

TAMPA — Setting out to do a job expected to take only a few days, a salvage crew spotted trouble last week when a bird swirled menacingly around its gear.

Atop the crew's crane, ospreys had built a nest and had chicks.

http://www.wausaudailyherald.com/article/20110411/WDH0101/104110463/1587/William-Robert-Rhyner/New-peregrine-falcon-nest-Rothschild-sparks-hopes-continued-comeback?odyssey=nav|head

ROTHSCHILD -- A new female peregrine falcon is nesting at the Wisconsin Public Service Weston Power Plant in Rothshild, and biologists and falcon fans hope she will be successful this spring in her first attempt at nesting. Wisconsin

Another Power Plant Falcon

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ceCVWK5_a10# A total OOPS!! Poor thing

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsxkaztk74A# Resolved

They have been busy getting ready. Nice fluffy soft cup for eggs.

Events from the nest today: 4-11

Today has been an extremely eventful day for our osprey pair so far. The male osprey was seen spectacularly catching a fish in front of the hide early this morning. An interloper was seen mid-morning in the vicinity of the nest. In reaction, 7Y made to chase the interloper away from the nest and did not return for several minutes. Thanks to the male’s efforts, the intruder has not been seen since.

In reply to a question we received via ospreys@swt.org.uk, we do have the ability to reposition the camera during the day and once the eggs are laid we will be zooming in to examine them more closely. However, this will be done intermittently and only during daylight hours as the night vision camera cannot be repositioned.

Another question we were asked was why the female osprey upon receiving a fish from her mate, promptly flies off with it to eat elsewhere. This behaviour is normal for the period before the eggs are laid as it is essentially going through the motions of incubation. Once incubation has started, the male will consume the head of the fish himself, and will then deliver the other half to the female, who will leave the nest, allowing the male to take over her duties. This gives the female a welcome break and a chance to get some exercise.

Events from the nest today: 4-10

The day-to-day task of keeping his mate well nourished continues for the male osprey. At 11:08am a fish was delivered, which the female then flew away with to eat elsewhere. Then at 12:51pm the male visited the nest again, bringing with him another fish. This was rejected by the female and was taken away 10 minutes later.

Despite the pressures of providing constantly for his mate, the male osprey seems to have taken to his task with fervour, displaying the same dedication which he showed the previous year when the female was fighting to hold onto life.

The pair have attempted to mate throughout the day. This behaviour will most likely continue until the eggs are laid to ensure that there is every chance the female will produce a healthy clutch.

Events from the nest today: 4-9

It has been a somewhat routine day for our pair of opreys, with the male bringing in fish this morning for our female to keep her strength up. This is a very important job as a regular intake of protein is necessary for her to produce healthy eggs, something which we are all hoping for!

Later this morning the male visited the nest twice bringing in the occasional stick to add to the nest. Though his most important job is to bring in food for the female, this is also useful as she can remain on the nest and continue create the nest bowl where the eggs will be laid.

Around lunchtime the male attempted to mate with our female but was not entirely successful. This may be a sign that the eggs are already developing and she is refusing his advances because of this.

Events from the nest today: 4-8

During the early hours of this morning, our female osprey could be seen adjusting and building the nest. We are all still looking forward to the possible prospect of eggs in the next few days as our female has been displaying positive behavioural signs.

I believe I found it.
10.33pm until 10.47 (10.48pm?) on cam #3.

I was watching at that time and I thought maybe but wasn't sure. You could be right Annette. We'll have to figure it out or just do a Norfolk like Ei said.

Archer approaching eggs

Just wondering what time that 3rd egg was laid. Here she is up and looks like pushing

At 4:43 is when she heard Archer arrive and got up. She had the egg already by that time.

Wonder if he's proud poppa X's2?

http://www.whec.com/news/stories/S2060039.shtml?cat=566

Dern Vermin! Thanks jeanne

[Six uses for coffee cans and coffee grounds.]

Six uses for coffee cans and coffee grounds.

   1. Make a feeder with an empty can. Remove the top and bottom, place on its side, fill with seed and hang.
   2. Put an empty open can over your tender plants to prevent cutworms from harming them.
   3. Use a can to raise a ripening watermelon or squash off the ground so the bottom of the fruit doesn't rot.
   4. Measure the rainfall your garden receives by placing empty coffee cans around the area. If there is at least 1-inch inside, no supplemental watering is needed.
   5. Sprinkle a thin layer of coffee grounds around the base of certain plants to improve the soil.
   6. Use coffee grounds at the base of some plants to deter slugs and snails.

Uses for Plastic Bags

Does it seem as if plastic shopping bags multiply in your closets and cupboards? Here are some garden uses for them so they don't go to waste.

Protect plants from frost. Cut a hole in the bottom of a plastic bag, slip it over a plant and anchor it with small rocks. Tie it closed or close it with a clothespin or paper clip. You can open the bags when the weather warms up.

Protect your shoes from mud. Just cover them with plastic bags before you head outside to garden; secure them with rubber bands.

Store equipment manuals. Stash all your outdoor equipment warranties and owner's manuals in a plastic bag, label it and hang it in your garage. Next time you need information, you'll know exactly where to look.

Get ready for nesting season with these clever seed eggs! Angie Dixon from Blaine, Washington, has mastered this technique and sells the eggs on her website. To try these yourself, just follow Angie's simple recipe.

    * 1/3 cup gelatin
    * 1-1/2 cups water
    * 8 cups birdseed

Mix gelatin and water over low heat until the gelatin is melted and clear. Remove from heat and stir in birdseed. Stir until there is no dry seed. Form mixture into egg shapes. Use plastic Easter eggs as a mold to get the egg shape. Refrigerate for two to four hours and dry on baking rack for three days.



Oodles of Orioles

I burn a lot of candles in my home and many of them come in jars with a glass lid. I wanted to find a good use for all the accumulated lids instead of throwing them out. My idea was to use them to feed orioles. They are great for holding an orange, or to fill with jelly. The orioles can't get enough of these treats!


Birds & Blooms

Oops!

VETS at a Camden animal hospital hope a powerful peregrine falcon will be back in the skies soon.

The bird of prey has been receiving treatment at the University of Sydney Avian Reptile and Exotic Pet Hospital at Brownlow Hill since March 21 after being discovered by a resident in their shed at Tahmoor earlier that day.

The falcon was taken to the hospital by staff from Sydney Metropolitan Wildlife Services.

The bird’s story follows the tale of another peregrine falcon who was treated at the hospital after becoming impaled on a television antenna in 2009 in Bradbury.

Hospital director Associate Professor David Phalen said the bird had most likely had a scrap with another bird of prey because it had remnants of talons in its wings and back.

“It (the falcon) was quite thin and was refusing to fly,� he said.

He said the bird had been treated with antibiotics and had wounds treated with stitches before being allowed to recuperate.

He said the falcon would remain at the hospital for another two weeks before going into rehabilitation to prepare it for a return to the wild.

“These animals are like Olympic athletes and if you can imagine putting a prime athlete in a cage for a week, they need to get back to peak performance to catch their prey,� he said.

“I’m very happy with the progress this bird has made.� Associate Professor Phalen said peregrine falcons were found regularly in southwest Sydney and had been seen around cities as they fed off possums and small rodents.

He said peregrine falcons fed mostly on other birds such as ducks and were found around the world.

They can reach speeds up to 320km/h in a dive.

Associate Proffesor Phalen said the hospital had treated three peregrine falcons for various injuries in the past four years.



MacArthur Chronicle

http://www.kodakgallery.com/gallery/sharing/shareRedirectSwitchBoard.jsp?token=2156970440105%3A2110247023&sourceId=533754321803&cm_mmc=eMail-_-Share-_-Photos-_-Sharee

Here's some of my pics I took over the weekend. FUN times!!!

It was very nice seeing you again Donna.  I remember the first time I met you and your daughter on the pedestrian bridge watching Mariah and Kaver's young tear up the gorge.  Come again soon!   

Thanks Carol and I will be back! 

I hope so!  and next time we'll ALL go to Dan's favorite restaurant, Ponderosa!   

I'm in!!