Thursday 7 February 2013


Shanny died today, a sad day for us. She was 17 years old, Mark brought her in the night before this because she was looking a little down. Her weight was OK, she was not thin, but it was a very cold night last night so we were happy to have her inside. This morning we gave her some skinned food with antibiotics, which she took readily and looked very cheerful and an hour later she had died. Seventeen is a good age,  and she went with her normal grace. She taught many people both staff and experience days, she came to the US with me and back again, she was of our old breeding line, a real lady with charming personality and manners. We all went down to the field just before dark and buried her and toasted her with some wine.

Holly got back today, she must be very tired as she went straight into work, but it was lovely to see her. She has learnt a great deal and is very excited about the coming breeding season. We candled some of the eggs this evening and she has a fertile African Fish Eagle egg to manage and a fertile Tawny Eagle as well – so a good start to the season.

We have a zoo inspection tomorrow, which should go OK, the place is looking fine considering how short staffed we have been in the last six weeks. Everyone has worked really hard and we have achieved a great deal particularly while struggling with winter weather as well.

The flying team are going well, Pleiades flew particularly well today – much better than the other day when she ended up in the wood! The owls are doing well and are ready for our last two early year Owl Evenings. The Saturday is nearly full and the Friday looking pretty busy as well. They have booked up well in the last couple of weeks.

The flats are done all but a new front door which we are waiting for, and a light and extractor fan in the bathroom. They do look nice and are very snug and warm as well, I am pleased we took the time and effort to get them back to being nice again. Jimmi said the new shower is great even if they have to shower by candle light, but it is very pleasant!
 
My trip to Edinburgh went well, it was lovely to see Anna and David for a couple of days and they looked after me very well. I was taken to a concert and the cinema, neither of which I have done for a long time. The lecture went well and it was nice to go to the Veterinary College and see where it was situated. I was a little concerned as there are 74 steps up to their very beautiful flat and I did not know how I would manage them, but surprisingly I managed fine and did not die of lack of breath at the top either!

It is good to be open again and see old friends visiting.

0 comments:

Hello

I have to say that keeping a weblog can at times become compulsive and at other times a chore. Sometimes I am berrated for not keeping it up and sometimes I get wonderful comments from people who follow the news of the Centre.

It is fun to share the daily goings on here, some good and some bad, some funny and some sad, but all a part of our daily lives.
And as I said before its a pretty cool to be here and it is a great place to visit, you should try coming and watching the birds and meeting the staff and of course the dogs.

An interesting video on Lead

An interesting video on Lead

I find it staggering that people who want to hunt don't see the value in changing their ammunition from lead to a safer product. We have stopped using lead in petrol, in paint, in our water pipes, but they still want to use lead - ah well, apparently eating it not only kills birds but leads to reduced intelligence in humans......................

NO ONE is asking you to stop legal and genuine hunting, they are just asking you to change your ammunition!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHZGQ8i8AwI

HC

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