What a day, stunning weather. Very warm, blue skys, sunny. What more could I wish for to view Ospreys in this most beautiful part of the country.
At the hide by 8.30am and already reports were in of mum feeding the one remaining young with a fish breakfast.
The live cam' gave us a brilliant view of the nest. I stayed for an hour completely taken in by the atmosphere. Pretty tiring as a long walk was required to access the hide but well worth it.
A most brilliant, interesting weekend. Already booked tickets and lodgings for next year.
Pictures 1 & 2 - My photographs from the hide.
" 3 - Still my photograph but through the cam'. This shows the young bird finishing the fish breakfast.
Weather behaved again today, sunny, warm, just a little breezy by late afternoon.
A good full day at the Birdfair, sat in at three of the lectures, all very interesting on their particular subjects. Impressed with Simon Kings view on the Badger Cull, standing ovation on that subject.
I attended this year hoping to invest in a scope. Came away with a waterproof jacket, funny story that. Clear I need to research on scopes in more depth as at the moment I'm not so sure it would be used that much. I am so much a camera man. May be best to invest in a quality pair of bins.
The jacket, could not afford one of those either at sale offer of £95 so bought a pair of waterproof trousers instead at £22 sale offer. Get back to the lodgings to find they have wrapped up a jacket!
Did purchase an additional trail camera with detachable lenses, viewing screen etc. Will still use my current one, at least there are no cables to be chewed with this system.
Looking forward to seeing the Ospreys tomorrow.
Picture 1 - Simon King in action.
" 2 - Amusing plate to an ice cream van.
A beautiful day for the start of the Birdfair at Rutland. I arrived late afternoon, staying at The Pheasant in a delightful village called Glaston.
RSPB and many other exhibition companies staying at this pub so plenty of talking on the agenda along with a Kangaroo Steak and a few pints of Rutland, brewed in Oakham.
Picture 1 - The Pheasant, my lodgings for two days.
" 2 - Why so much fuss about the Ribblesdale Viaduct, this one is longer & older, in the village of Seaton just minutes from The Pheasant.
A beautiful day. Warm, dry & sunny.
Day spent in Windsor with Janet & Colin before enjoying a Tina Turner life story and concert at the Theatre. Tina really was/is simply the best. Can you believe now aged 73. Ike sadly died in 2007.
A great show, if you get a chance - make a point of seeing the show.
Looking forward now to three days in Rutland for the annual Bird Fair.
Lovely morning, terrible afternoon and evening.
Morning spent at PCW, after some deliberating it was suggested I backed up everything on to a hard drive then re-install. This of course is a dark cloud to me, not a clue where to start. Thankfully Neil was prepared to have another look and has installed some software which enables me to continue. Thanks again Neil.
Despite the awful conditions I still enjoyed the organised evening bird walk at Fobney. Only two of us turned up (which was predictable) to see a Heron, the only bird we saw! By the end of the evening my legs were stinging at 100% by gnats and nettles. How can I enjoy such an evening?!
Picture 1 - Rats, Squirrels and now Crows after the fruit.
" 2 - So in love? Please note, no poison involved.
" 3 - 6 - All taken during the day in the new Observatory.
" 7 - In reflective mood at Fobney.
Dry, warm and sunny day.
Computer on the blink, google chrome given up on me. PC World suggested I had pressed F2 in effect blocking 'gc'. Yea right, guess what? Get home and no google chrome. HiTech' Neil kindly offered to have a look.
Neil, sadly was unable to find the cause, suggesting back to PCW I go.
This has taken up most of my day, grrrr.
A glorious day. A fabulous sunset last night at Fobney. Spend so much time there these days it has become my second home!
Mundane sort of day, hair cut, town and tidy up round the garden. Not just squirrels nicking fruit the crows are at it now. I encourage wildlife so must accept the odd annoyance I guess?
Almost for sure I have won this years sunflower competition.........?
Picture 1 - Tallest sunflower.
" 2 - 5 - Sunset at Fobney.
6 - Moth
7 - Bee on a cosmos.
True to her word Celie was ready at 5am with two cheese toasties, camera and dressed for winter, bless!
It was a good experience for her with a splash of sunrise colour, flypast by some geese, mother swan up and about with four young and sight of the heron. By 7am however Celie was feeling a little tired so home to bed it was. Thanks Celie, was a good morning, see you at sunset?
Rest of the day remained warm & sunny, a restful day it is best described. Another good night for moths.
Pictures 1 & 2 - Celie at Fobney for the sunrise.
Rest of pictures a selection of moths in last nights trap.
Still being treated to fabulous weather.
Day spent just pottering, re-staked tomatoes and sunflowers, cut lawn and edges.
Bbq in the evening sat on the woodland decking lighting the fire bowl late evening when the Mullen's joined us for evening drinks and putting the world to right!
Left at midnight with Celie telling me she was up for a 5am Fobney walk. I wonder?
Another beautiful day, loving it.
Unexpected visit from the builders today, arrived to replace the 9 panes of glass. Unless in the next ten years we encounter remedial issues this should be the last we see of Leekes now. Down to us now to decorate and create a patio outside the Observatory.
Good to see Sue & Jorge and catch up on ALT news over a pie and a pint at The Southcote. After listening to their stories I am just so pleased I am retired!
Had a bucket full of Moths last night, these are just a few I managed to photograph.
Another lovely day. Dry, sunny, slight breeze and the most stunning sunset.
Lazy day pottering and watching Butterflies, Damsel Flies, Dragon Flies and Grasshoppers.
By evening it was the most stunning sunset so Fobney beckoned. The photographs say it all.
Picture 1 & 2 - Fobney.
" 3 & 4 - From last nights Moth Trap.
" 5 - Grasshopper on the Observatory floor.
A beautiful day spent at Chartwell. Weather warm and dry, temperature just right for lots of walking in the 800 acre site.
Chartwell of course being the home of Sir Winston Churchill now managed by the National Trust.
Winston was a prolific oil painter. Subjects included many of his beloved Chartwell Grounds, Portraits, Places of interest from his visits around the world & Paintings from photographs. Was very much a hands on man having spent labouring hours digging out the lake, building the wall surrounding the gardens, building a child's house and planning/designing the grounds.
This of course on top of his Government commitments.
The house and grounds are simply stunning, even if you have no interest in Sir Winston, the grounds alone are worth a visit.
Weather pretty good today, no rain and plenty of sun.
Day spent spreading another layer of slate chippings on the pathways. Thank you Steve at ALT for the deal, saved me a lot of money.
Four Swifts spent the day ducking and diving so not departed just yet. I will miss the sounds and sightings.
Despite the awful weather last night there was a good response from the moth trap.
Photographs on Thursday as off for a walk now to Fobney and tomorrow a day at Chartwell.
Builders finished and visitors now back home so after three pretty stressful months we can start getting our lives back together again.
Weather this last ten days has still been pretty good with only last Wednesday as being wet. Today has been a mix of sun and showers.
Enjoyed a great week with the Yorkshire Folk, plenty of walking, bbq's, family pic nic in the garden (40+ turned up. My, how the youngsters have grown up!), and a good day on the South Coast visiting Fishbourne and Bosham.
Garden Wildlife been brilliant, the sun has produced good results with Butterflies and Dragonflies. Moth Trap has seen some good results. Swifts been very active with seven being the most seen at any one time. Yesterday was the first day since April 27th they were not seen, not seen today either so perhaps now that is it for this year. Must thank Doug for enlightening me on Swifts some four years ago now, end of April now is etched in my mind! Roll on April 2014!
On a negative, not seen Jays or Woody since I stopped leaving out monkey nuts due to the Squirrels. A real pest now having stripped the pear and two apple trees and destroying so far two bird feeders. At the stage now I am thinking of caging them and moving them to local woods.
Have also ordered a new car (due mid October) and bought a new camera. Camera still in box but perhaps now I have a little more time I can enjoy the experience of understanding/using it. Took advantage of early release offer as an existing Fuji owner.
Caught up now I think.........
