Day 18.119: Hawk-watch update

Our broad-winged hawks are nesting. We've seen one (presumably the female) almost constantly on the nest for the last few days. It's not clear whether the other times are when she takes a brief break or just beds down out of our sightline.

The nest - often just the adult's head is visible lower than in this shot. This is with my long lens, but we've mostly been using the spotting scope to get our view.

One day, recently I saw the other one (presumably the male) swoop into a nearby branch and went out to see if I could get a good view.

 I noticed he was pecking at something so I moved to get a clearer view. It looks like one of our gray squirrels was the meal this time.

After this, he picked up the remainder and carried it up to the nest. Apparently the eggs take about a month to incubate. I'm almost sure we'll lose our view of the nest to leaves long before then, but good to see this part of the process.

Day 18.104: Back in the neighborhood

…not me - I’m still in Wisconsin for work, but our neighbors who moved in last spring are back. I took these photos of one of them doing some home improvements a few days ago and Exile #2 reported hearing some distinctive vocalizations yesterday. 

Broad-winged hawk

…bringing a new stick to the nest. We watched this behavior several times

Then off in search of another one

Up on the nest we watched the bird moving the sticks around 

Day 18.061: Work in progress

Exile #2 has been trying to get someone to remodel our main bathroom for years and it’s finally happening. 

Of course, it’s mildly inconvenient while it’s in progress. 

Day 18.044: Exile #2's Sunday Column #514

Exile #2 writes...

When we go out to our nature group early on a Thursday morning, it is not unusual for me to be wearing two thermal layers, a shirt, a sweater, a fleece vest, another fleece layer and my big coat, along with all the gloves and hats and wool socks and insulated boots that come as standard at this time of year. Even with all of that, there are some mornings when I have to nurse a hot water bottle for some hours afterwards, slowly thawing from some pretty challenging temperatures.

Yesterday morning, however, for the first time in what seems like forever, Exile #1 and I got to enjoy a walk on a beautiful blue sky day with temperatures above freezing. It was a much appreciated hint that spring might eventually arrive and, as always happens at this year, it gave the illusion of warmth, because our big coats, at last, were enough!

Bonus picture of the horned larks from that outing

Day 17.281: And just like that…

This happened before work this morning:

Not some strange broken glass situation, just a circle of ice from the bird bath. So I spent a few minutes getting the heater plugged back in. 

And just like that, we’re back into winter mode. 

Day 17.176: Fun and games

Our gathering had grown by three today - my niece and family - including a first meeting with my eight nonth-old grand nephew. He tried out a couple of spectacular old chairs that belong here in the manor house. 

We also played croquet:

and ping-pong:

Day 17.169: Initial birding

No birding outings yet - but here are some initial photos of the common birds we've seen near the house or at the feeders.

Common swift

Red kite

Red kite (couldn't choose one to post)

(Eurasian) jackdaw (not sure why my best photo is with my phone)

The male pigeons were showing off today

And a (Eurasian) collared dove was getting in on the action (or hopes of action) too

He kept trying - without apparent success

A European robin came to see what we were doing

A quick snap at an interesting fly-by proved to be a common kestrel with something (perhaps) tasty to eat

A young common starling...

...brought the drama

Dunnock

Also seen but not photographed: carrion crows, magpies, common blackbirds (probably nesting in near the feeders) and western (a.k.a. common) house martins. Thanks to my only-recent keeping of such a list, many of these (except those that have made it to the US, or ones I saw in South Korea) are new to my life-list.

Day 16.352: Christmas gaming

There have been various video games getting some attention over the last few days, but today's post is about the new board games. I guess technically, only two of the three have a board, but you get the point.

Just One is a fun quick word game - we've played it several times.

Exile #2 has been on the winning team for Really Loud Librarians each time we've played - we suspect she has an unfair advantage (being a qualified librarian if not - in general - really loud)

At the more serious end, Wingspan is a classic that we have somehow avoided until now. Birding and gaming - not sure how we only put them together now. This was from our first game. We played again today with much less confusion. 

Day 16.349: Christmas fun

We had a lovely Christmas Day, including gifts, games, TV and a movie, lots of lovely food including the ritual ignition of the pudding. We had two video calls with family in the UK including a scene-stealing debut from my grand-nephew. 

Day 16.329: Lights; but not much action

It’s not much progress, but (thanks to Exile #2), it’s not no progress. 

Christmas tree with lights but no other decorations 

Day 16.326: Advent Eve

We scheduled our first real service in our new church building for tomorrow as the season of Advent starts. Today, I was there to get the last (hopefully) few tech issues addressed. As far as I know we are ready.

Day 16.303: Very New England

There is something very New England about raking leaves while the snow falls, and that is what I found myself doing at 7:30 this morning.

In the end this first fall of snow amounted to a coating. When the precipitation returned later in the day it was rain.