Osprey Migration Update
March 2nd, 2011 by jonathan
Afternoon folks,

I’ve been rushed off my feet so far today with orders flying in for the new book. Over 30 have been reserved already so get your request in quick if you don’t want to miss out on the first batch! (see previous posting for details of how to order).

As we’re now only weeks away from the return of our beloved ospreys I thought I would take the opportunity to give you an update on the whereabouts of the Bassenthwaite & Loch Garten tracked birds, plus news of a couple of early arrivals!

Chick no. 12 from last year’s Bassenthwaite brood is currently in Gambia. The last we heard was that at 7am on the 27th February he was sat 31 metres up in a tree on the edge of a forest. The wonders of satellite technology! There has been no further news of his sibling, chick no.11 since contact was lost in January.

Meanwhile Rothes, the 2nd year female from Loch Garten, is still on the Ilha de Unhocomozinho off the coast of Guinea-Bissau.

Elsewhere there have already been two reported sightings on Birdguides of osprey in the UK! One bird was spotted just yesterday at Kincraig by Loch Insh, near Kingussie. This follows an earlier sighting down in Devon on the 23rd February.

I’ll bring you more news as and when I hear of any movements.

Jonathan

(from the Scottish Wildlife Trust - sure hope the Lady is among them!)

I have completely had it with soccer players. They make millions per week and behave like they own the world. Well, not my world! Give me Irish Rugby any day. I hope this sorry little creep gets what he deserves. But of course... some judge will decide, like Officer Krupke, that he is "depraved because he's deprived". Right. This ole Sixties Liberal is getting less so with each passing day.

He's pushing it

I keep looking for a white feather, if Archer still has it.

Told ya - we better fasten our seat-belts! This is going to be some breeding season.

Sonamabitcha! I justa boughta million acres ina da Suddern Teera to builda buncha condos ana McMansions for mia famiglia. Now I gotta sua New Yorka.

Welcome home, Shaky!!

Good news - and pix too...

http://www.pressconnects.com/article/20110301/NEWS01/103010382/Bald-eagle-spottings-soaring-Southern-Tier?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE

sad thing is I like Mr T I don't want him to get hurt . But I love Archer its as close to having Mariah and Kaver as we are likely to get having their grandson.

That's how I feel too!   

Me too! Can't help liking Mr T... but also want to see Archer back with us... Nature sure can keep us on the edge of our seats.

Yes, there were good links too...

Ruth,
in the album, you asked where the picture of the Magee Volunteer Firehouse was taken. That was near the Montezuma Wildlife Refuge in a rather obscure spot off route 89. It was on Mays Point Road and East Rd. We sometimes venture down old Towpath Road which is in the area; an off-road ride that offers more wildlife viewing opportunities.
Lou

Home of the Magee Diner!!

Fine photos from UK Winter Watch... almost as good as Lou's!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/natureuk/2011/02/winterwatch-flickr-favourites.shtml

This was all over our radio news today, but I did not see it online. Horrid little man! Un hombre muy malo!!

So its March first. When exactly did Archer  come back last year?

March 21

That little guy better get a wiggle on...

[MAKfalcon (MAK):]

MAKfalcon (MAK): After a closer look I can say it is B on TS

Link:
http://twitter.com/MAKfalcon/statuses/42548807610810368

Hey, MAK! Happy you are back! Feeling better??
 

Loch of the Lowes Wildlife Blog 28th February 2011
February 28th, 2011 by jonathan

Good morning all,

The sun is shining on us once again here at Loch of the Lowes this morning.

The past month has flown by and we’re now rapidly gearing up for the hopeful return of our Lady & her Laird!

Excitement yesterday morning came in the form of another of our treasured birds of prey. One of our eagle-eyed regular visitors spotted a Red Kite flying above the treeline on the loch shore. This graceful bird is unmistakable with its reddish-brown body, angled wings and deeply forked tail. At one time they were confined to just a small population in Wales but have been saved from national extinction by one of the world’s longest running protection programmes. A reintroduction scheme has brought them back to many parts of England and Scotland.

Have a good day,

Jonathan

Owl boxes in Greece - great stuff!

http://www.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2011102270367

Rockin' pix, Lou - that Belted Kingfisher is among the top for me. No visit home is complete without one.