Friday 1 November 2013
Argentina was good, the food was great, much
better than India that is for sure and I fell for the Chimango Caracara’s who
are enchanting birds of prey. The trip there was pretty reasonable, no
disasters which is always good, although it is a bloody long way that is for
sure. 
The conference was excellent, the World
Working Group for Birds of Prey and Owls did not show up, which I have to say
did not surprise me. Miguel was more tolerant about it than I would have been.
However I will say no more, but I will think it! The Neo tropical Network were
there and it was great to see them. The papers were excellent, the company very
good, the wine first class and all in all it was a great success. Ruth and I
had planned to go on three trips, we did two of them and they were very good,
but tiring, and I am not a serious birder in comparison to many on the trips,
who were very serious. There are only so many ducks I need to see before I get
bored, now raptors, that is a different matter, but LBJ’s – hummmmmmmmmmm. We
cancelled the last trip as we realised that with the trip and the travel,
meaning that we would arrive back in Buenos Aires after midnight, this was not
a good idea. So on the Sunday we went with friends to the airport to see if we
could get an earlier flight. The whole trip back was amazing, we kept thinking
that something would go wrong but it didn’t. We got on the 10.30 am flight,
went to the hotel that Miguel had recommended and it was great, had a lovely
lunch and a walk, rested for the rest of the day, got to the airport on time,
got through immigration and security like a breeze, got on the plane home and
got upgraded to business!!! Hooray, what a pleasure, thank you BA. 
I got home at about 12,00 noon on Tuesday, in
time to fly birds, have tea and see all the staff who were in. The hospital has
come on a treat, it is looking really good on the outside and right now the
plasterer is in and hopefully it will be completely plastered by the end of
Sunday. The boxes should arrive soon as well.
We have to wait until the plaster is dry
before we can paint and the tiles on the floor can’t be done until the painting
is complete. I wish I was going to be here for it, it is very frustrating not
to be.
The birds were all well, the dogs pleased to
see me, and I hope the staff as well. It is lovely to be home. It has been a
little damp towards the end of the week, but was a stunning autumn day when I
arrived back. My Hobby is going really well, and so are both the Merlins, the
Red-footed Falcon has a way to go, but he will be fine and Helen’s American Kestrel
is going really well. All three Lanners are coming on as are the two new
eagles, Steppes and Steller’s. My Red Kite is good but bitey! Holly’s is a
brilliant flyer but not focusing yet. The owls are all pretty much ready for
the first Owl Evening which starts while I am still away.
This next trip to India is mainly a big
meeting and reporting from all countries involved with SAVE to see where we
are, and what we need to do to get to the point where we can release vultures
back to the wild, and stop worrying about NSAIDs. It will be a while yet that
is for sure. I leave on Monday and am back at about the same time as the last
trip on the 11th, and then apart from a couple of meetings, I am
going nowhere!!
Everyone has worked really hard on the
hospital, and although there is still some stuff to do, it is getting there. It
will be a huge relief when it is done, it will also make a huge difference to
us all to have a proper facility to deal with injured and sick birds.
The aviaries are being sorted out ready for
the next breeding season already!! The volunteers and staff have been doing
really well with the nest building, Holly had a picture of John wearing one
which I think has gone on Facebook. I still have not worked out how to get onto
Facebook. Some of the birds may lay early, so we want to be ready. The
incubation and brooder rooms will be refurbished after the hospital is done and
Holly is looking forward to getting it all neat and tidy and ready to go.
The grass seed on the front lawn is coming up
nicely and we start pruning in the gardens next week. We still don’t know if
Sorrel is pregnant or not, I am certainly not laying any money on it anyway.
However by the time I get back things should be much more obvious.
Still have to get clothes ready for India, so
I must put in the last of the washing now.
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