It's been another busy week here at Abernethy. Our internet and email went down last Friday and we didn't get it back up and running until Yesterday (Wednesday) - hence the slightly later in the week than usual update. Having no emails to deal with is a fantastic motivator to get out and work through some of the other jobs on the list - I've been busy checking fences (which are happily all still there, if needing the odd minor repair), the goldeneye nest boxes are nearly all ready for the upcoming season and the volunteer accommodation has passed it's annual inspection. There was time to get out with a few volunteers and continue with our exotic removal programme - we've reached an area of bog I usually walk to from the other side - so it feels like we're really getting towards the end of the area. And today it's sunny and springlike (so typically I'm back in the office - though only temporarily!)
Rothes is still on Ilha de Unhocomozinho. So not much to report from her. I would like to thank Sue C for her helpful comment pointing out the deliberate mistake in last week's data entry - being told exactly which point is wrong saves a lot of time when you go back to correct it. It's amazing the effect that leaving out a decimal point can have! Hopefully I've not made any mistakes with the data entry this week.
The webcam is back online - though out of focus - we're still trying to resolve this. It's not actually that the camera is out of focus, but I think the blurryness is caused by a lead being plugged into the wrong place and so is causing interference (hopefully I sound like I know what I'm talking about!).
That's all for now, more next week.
ALICE is the osprey nest in pristine condition or is there some repair work to do
Thank you Alice for update - sorry about all the things going wrong but I am sure we are all patient and we know you do your best . Not long now and EJ and Odin will be winging their way back along with Rothes ??? we shall see !!!
Thank you Alice. This time next month we will all be glued to the computer again waiting for (hopefully) EJ's return. It is good to know they let you out of the office occasionally.
Thank you for the update Alice, glad that you are out there and getting all your jobs up to date. Just looking forward to looking at the web cam and seeing our famous pair, and hopefully it will be EJ and Odin who return once more. We have just had a sudden turn around in our rush to Spring, some snow falling this morning and more forecast for tonight, hope it doesn't blow over to Scotland. Looking forward to seeing you all.
Pretty sure it will hit Scotland.
Thanks for your update Alice and glad you have been able to get more of your outdoor jobs done due to lack of internet access. Glad all is ok with Rothes and not long now until the first osprey sightings will be coming in from all across the UK. There was one sighting in Holland yesterday so any day now..............
Thanks for the update Alice...not long to go now!!!:))) Counting the days!
Hi and thanks Alice for this update - good to know that Rothes is still transmitting info and hopefully she will make a move northwards.
Thanks for the update Alice and you have been busy but helped by the lack of internet access. Always grateful for the updates and Rothes is still doing fine. Not longnow and we will be glued to our screens watching every twist and turn with our beloved ospreys. Hope you do don't get too much snow which they have just forecast. I am sure EJ would prefer to have her nest not covered in snow again as it was last year.
Thank you Alice for the ever welcome update. Very exciting to think that EJ and Odin will be on their way back. Just cant wait. Im in Aberdeen and no snow here as yet anyway. Think the forecast is mostly for hill snow. However in the North East the weather can be very unpredictable. Hoping to visit Strathbeg this next week to try out the binoculars that I got for my Christmas. In the meantime enjoying the frantic activity in our garden with the birds feeding regularly. Occasionally a hawk swoops down just to keep them all on their toes.
As always Alice, thanks for your update on Rothes. Good to hear that you can possibly see the end to your
exotic removal programme. This is the time of year when I start getting nervous and hoping that both EJ and Odin do return this year.
Hi Alice and thanks for the update - we are looking forward to our annual visits to the reserve to catch up not only with Osprey news but also with old friends (and new) who like you have put so much time and effort into keeping everybody up to date throughout the year and not only that but also all the behind the scenes work that goes on to keep the place ship shape for all that visit Loch Garten. Many thanks to all of you.
Thanks for all the updates.
Is anyone else still having problems viewing the webcam?
hi dickie i have just tried the webcam and its still down,,they know they have a problem but i understand it is being attended to
36 and counting
Thank you for your news Alice. It sounds as though you have all been extremely busy in Richard's absence. Not long now before 'our' birds return, but this is only the first nail biting hurdle to climb over. No doubt only one of many during the forthcoming season. Clearly Rothes is in no hurry to head north. Well why would she when life on Ilha de Unhocomozinho looks totally idyllic! I am looking forward to being introduced to the new team for the 2011 season. Well done to you all for your hard work. I was unable to view the webcam Dickie, but I often have problems with broadband.