Ops-Normal.org

The thing is - do they peck off the downy bits? does it just fall out and blow away in the wind? There's not much evidence of it littering the tray. Do they eat it? Yesterday I did see a couple of them getting a bit adventurous and teetering a tad close to the front as I muttered "come back you stup...

That's a fairly esoteric tune to have lying around in your head! Any more like that?

The Ancient Mariner
PS and where and when was the TV series "Maupassant"? I've never heard of it other than the 19th century writer from first year French at uni.

They are beginning to look really "hawk-ish" now - they have a fierce look about them.

The Ancient Mariner

Thanks for that. I'd figured that it was probably something like that but didn't know the acronym.

The Ancient Mariner

Somewhere connected with whaling in the past. USA east coast somewhere??

The Ancient Mariner

...... for those of us not dispatching what is HOS please?

The Ancient Mariner

.....despite the mess they do seem to have done very nice job. There is always going to be a bit of a mess given the type of materials being used. As long as they do the clearing up I would be happy with that job. The real test will be your first rainstorm.

The Ancient Marier

On my last visit the hell hole I took madame over the creek on one of the little bum boats and sat as near as I could get to the water with SWMBO asking "Why are we here??" Behind us it was skyscrapery and a 4 lane dual carriage-way heaving with traffic. I was able to say that 40 years before, to th...

Having had a closer look at the ringed leg in the middle of the tray/platform - maybe someone is missing a racing pigeon?
"I hear that Cedric bought it this afternoon chaps, we'll raise a glass to him tonight" stiff upper lip and all that.

The Ancient Mariner

Nice fresh looking area. Good. As lapsed Free Presbyterians say in Morayshire, Ma Shallah!

The Ancient Mariner

Ooooer missus someone seems to have lost a ringed leg in the middle of the tray!!

The Ancient Mariner
PS could (gulp) they have turned cannibal??

I too think we should have a Traab VI.
I think Kararea should run it, a sensible,sensitive woman. (no disrespect to the current team)

The Ancient Mariner

And some brave soul has been up there and ringed them!

The Ancient Mariner

They seem to have spent the night alone and appear to be concentrating on GROWING with more proper feathers appearing.

The Ancient Mariner

The authors C S Lewis and Tolkien used to drink in the pub the Eagle and Child in Oxford. OH if correct.

The Ancient Mariner

The venue was the L'Escargot Rouge - our beloved redsnail?

The Ancient Mariner

Yeah but no but...Is it true?

The Ancient Mariner

.....was reddo at the venue too?? Ponder that for a minute.

The Ancient Mariner

The chicks are at the stage that all comparable young'uns are. Eat, sh1t, sleep. Their outer wing feathers are beginning to show and the "fluff" is slowly disappearing. Fascinating watch.

The Ancient Mariner

They serpently are! The parent can't cover all four now to keep them warm at night. I see there is another webcam at a big building in Glasgow, the Gilbert Scott tower, with four peregrine chicks. They are proposing to abseil to the nest (which is a big proper nest) to electronically tag the chicks ...