.......but the most evocative, for me anyway - 18 "kronking" ravens passed over me on the walk to work this morning, a sound that's the epitome of wild land and remote places. In the stillness of another harsh, frosty morning here at -11 degrees C, it resonated around the surounding hills and forest and was the only sound to begin with until the sun's first rays started to slice through the frosty forest with shards of sunlight, prompting chaffinches to pipe-up, crested tits to chatter away too and chipping crossbill fly-bys also. Two rival great spotted woodpeckers began to strike-up a territorial contest, their drumming echoing through the trees. It's not a bad commute.
Anyway, a quick osprey up-date: In short, alas no-change or good news re Bynack. Tore has dropped a ways south from within Senegal to SW of Quedanga in Guinea Bissau and Rothes still languishes in the Bijagos Islands off Guinea on Ilha de Unhocomozinho. When will she make her move?
That's it for now, more anon.
Richard thanks for the update. Lovely description of your walk to work. Hope Tore will be OK having moved from where she has been for quite a while. It will be interesting when Rothes makes her move. Still sad about Bynack but this is the downside of watching these wonderful birds. Your weather has certainly changed back to winter, keep warm and stay safe.
Richard you should write a book!!! That was a great update. Really sorry about Bynack but I live in hope! It won't be long until Spring now. The birds around here are much more active and I have had a blackcap in my garden for weeks. Not a usual site here at all.
Great update Richard, there can't be many commute's to work as great as yours, you describe it well. Sorry you had no good news to tell about Bynack, I dont want to face the reality of losing him so I will always be praying that he still alive and well. Now we will be worrying about Tore moving south and whether she will find a suitable place to fish, just wish she could find her way to where Rothes winters as it seems she is fairly settled there. (I will call her a she until it is proved she is a he LOL)...
You took the words out of my thoughts Valc, Richard does write extremely well.
Thank you for a great up date Richard.
Thanks Richard for the update.
Sounds sublime coming to work - just the sounds of nature and the sun rising, what can be more evocative as you say.
Richard - you describe your 'commute' so beautifully. How far is it from home to work for you? What a fantastic way to start and finish the day. Any chance of a snap or two of LG in this frosty weather please??
Richard, I also love to hear the Raven's" Kronking" when I opened your post this morning I had just come off the Loodskalender site getting my daily fix of the Raven's on the White Tail Eagle cam. Many years since I saw a Raven in the flesh as most of my bird watching is in my garden or online, I'am so glad I have my computers,looking forward seeing our two back soon.
Richard, I must agree with Valc - the way you speak about your surroundings and the various birds paints such a vivid picture that I wish I could see it, despite the temperature. Sadly the Suffolk coast doesn't have any ravens (yet) but our local crow population seem to be making the most of the wind and snow - their acrobatics are something to behold! Haven't seen any of them snowboarding, though.
I'm really enjoying the snow as it has brought so many birds into and around the garden - the blackbirds are about in such numbers, it's lovely to watch. Lots of great/blue/coal,long-tailed tits, robins, dunnocks - and for the first time ever, a pied wagtail! Are wagtails usually known for their utter lack of fear? He didn't seem to mind whose feeding he interrupted, even the crows! Happily they didn't try to add him to their menu.
I'm so sorry about Bynack - my family have been regularly following the news and movements of the ospreys - but I'd like to say that if people like you didn't do such a wonderful job of protecting these fantastic birds then I doubt that he, Tore, and other birds like them would have ever hatched. Please keep up your excellent work - I could hardly think of anything more worthwhile.
Thanks Richard for the update - It won't too long now for EJ and Odin to be thinking of coming home !
Lovely description of your walk to work, Richard, but I bet you weren't in your shirt sleeves with a temperature of -11c.
Thanks also for the update.
Thank you Richard for the update--I could so easily picture your walk to work in my 'mind's eye'. You have such a good way with words.
One more little word about dear Bynack--I can't help thinking of how hard EJ and Odin worked last summer towards his successful migration, in really dreadful weather. We are all so very sad at his loss, but come March, all being well, those two wonderful birds will be back again doing their very best to raise yet another family against all the odds----makes you feel quite humble really.
Your update very much appreciated Richard. And oh! the description of your walk to work was sheer poetry. My heart longs to visit Abernethy forest.
How awesome to hear ravens on your commute to work, they are indeed the epitome of wild places, my wife and I recently went for a walk in th Wyre forest where we heard three ravens high above the trees, we then saw them tumbling and giving us an amazing aerial display. I look forward to visiting Loch Garten in June when my wife and myself will be volunteering for two weeks. Roll on June