This spring it seems that Mrs Osprey has decided it is time to move to a new nest. The pair are setting up home on the opposite side of Bassenthwaite Lake on one of the new nest platforms built by the Osprey Project team last year. No camera has been set up yet to show the new nest, but the birds can still be seen fishing in the Lake from the Dodd Wood viewing platform.
The Bassenthwaite Ospreys arrived back at the nest yesterday after overwintering in North Africa. The pic is from the nestcam yesterday, just after they arrrived from their 3,000 mile journey. Both birds arrived within a few minutes of each other, something not seen before. Usually there is a least a few days between arrivals.
The viewing point and video display at the Whinlatter Center opened 10 days ago while the arrival of the birds was awaited.
Last year this couple raised three chicks, and there is hope of a repeat performance.
A new bus service, called the Osprey Bus has been introduced this year to connect Keswick with the viewpoint at Dodd Wood and around the lake through Thornthwaite. Running at weekends, bank holidays and school holidays, a timetable can be downloaded from here.
These lambs were photographed in the field next door to us yesterday. Driving into Keswick there are lambs in almost every field you look at, some newly born and others old enough to be running and jumping about.
Spring really is here - althought there is still ice & snow on the fells.
I noticed there had been some damage to plants just coming through the soil, which I thought may have been due to birds eating them - then I saw this little chap eating my lawn. I don’t know if he has been eating other plants. Florrie saw him go into a hole next to our garden wall so it may be that we have another resident!
We missed out on a White Christmas, but the snowfall at Easter made up for it. It did not hang around for long, but in the sunshine the fells looked magnificent.
This pic was taken in the garden at breakfast time on Easter Sunday. The snow had vanished from the garden by lunch time. Our regular Easter guests enjoyed the scenery that day even more than usual and made a request for more snow next year!
At the tender age of 17yrs 2mths and 2wks Alice has passed her driving test at the first attempt. She is now the proud owner of a little Toyota Aygo purchased out of her own money. The added advantage is that we now have our own personal taxi driver. After taking her here, there and everywhere for so long, she can now take us!!!!!
A pair of squirrels have been feeding regularly in the garden from the beginning of November. Unfortunately one of the squirrels was killed on the road outside a neighbouring property, but the survivor is continuing to take the nuts from the feeder for burying.
Thanks to those who have asked about Alice’s GCSE results. We are pleased to report that she optained 4 A*, 3 A, 3 B and 1 C - not surprisingly one of the A*s was in Music. She has now started her A levels.
As part of our continuing improvement program, the guest bedroom carpets have now been replaced. The new ones are somewhat softer than the old, and much better colours!
Following judging of gardens in late June we have been awarded a Commended! Despite the indifferent weather at times and the chickens eating several plants this was a pleasant surprise.