Crossword Help Forum
Forum Rules

Hello, Elle and Pigale,
There is a new blog up at the loch.
There is a link to the male chick's first flight.
They expect Lassie to leave for Africa soon.
Her work is done.
I thought it would be August before she left.

Hi, Rusty!
I didn't realise that the family of ospreys 'travelled' independently.
I had imagined that they flew 'in convoy' to Africa.

Now for the latest in the Russian doping scandals.........BBC breaking news.......
A new report says that Russia carried out a state-sponsored doping programme in 2014 at the Sochi Winter Olympics.
WADA's investigation says that Russia's sports ministry "directed, controlled, and oversaw" the manipulation of urine samples from its athletes.
The former head of Russia's national anti-doping laboratory, Grigory Rodchenkov (now hiding out in the US) claimed he doped dozens of athletes before the Games.
He also said he was helped by the Russian Secret Service.
Rodchenkov claimed they had worked out how to open and reseal the (supposedly tamper-proof) bottles for urine samples, so the contents could be replaced with "clean" urine.
I quote from the article........
"The damning report will fuel calls for a complete ban on Russia from the 2016 Summer Olympics, which start in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil on 5 August".
But it does go on to say that, whatever happens, a few Russian athletes who can prove they are clean will still be allowed to compete under the flag of the IOC.
(So still , even after all this, allowing room for some "fudge"?)

That really is shocking, isn't it, about the Russians?
I don't watch the Olympics and don't care who wins but those poor athletes- made to take drugs (which may have harmed them) and knowing they didn't deserve to win.
How can you prove you're "clean"??? It's unfair on the individuals but I think Russians should be banned for a long time.

The parent ospreys always go before the youngsters. How such a journey could be hard-wired into them is beyond imagining, I think

Good afternoon, Elle!
I am not certain, but I think Mother Osprey leaves first.
Then each chick independently, I think.
Lastly goes Father Osprey who feeds the chicks until they leave. That is what I think, not certain, but we shall find out soon.
Yes, there will be a fudge.
Not heard from Seb Coe or Dick Pound for a while?
Wonder why this Russian is in the US?
What are they up to?
Peter Sagan won today's stage to Bern.
What a lovely city Bern is.
I was impressed!

Hello again Rusty,

I agree about Berne.

The French TV interviewed Peter Sagan and as his wife was standing close to him, the reporter asked her to come with her husband. She is an attractive young lady, and she spoke in fluent English. I don't know what nationality she is.

Hello, Pigale!
Yes, she is very attractive,
Her name is Katarina and I think she is Slovakian, too.
They wore Slovakian national dress for their wedding.
For a little bit of fun, Pigale, go to YouTube, and type "Peter Sagan Dance" into searchbox.
You will find Katarina and Peter doing "You're the One That i Want" from the film "Grease".
I really liked it, but then, I am a fan of Peter Sagan!

Hi, Rusty!
I have been browsing facts about osprey migration.
Apparently, an osprey pair, such as Lassie and Laddie, will winter apart, only meeting up when they return to their nest next year.
It is thought that the youngsters migrate to the same place as their parents by following inherited genetic programming which tells them where to head on their first migration.
Sadly, in the wild, between 40-60% of the young die in their first year.
They do not return for the first three or more Summers, but begin their return journey when they are old enough to breed.
It is not known exactly how ospreys navigate but it is thought possibly by a a combination of inherited genetic instinct, visual clues, stars and geomagnetic perception.
How incredible it all is!
Fingers crossed for a safe survival for the three chicks - and Lassie and Laddie!
I have really enjoyed following their progress through the last months!
You will be pleased by Peter Sagan's win today, as he is one of your favourites.
Time for dinner........

Good evening, Elle!
You will be able to keep Pigale and me on song regarding the pending migrations!
Now, geometric perception is something that I know nothing about, like logarithms.
You did not make it up, did you?
It sounds impressive!
The previous female at the loch was a legendary bird called Lady.
She was thought to be the oldest breeding osprey, and nested at the loch for 24 consecutive years, raising over 50 chicks.
Yes, Sagan was impressive today.
Rest day tomorrow, then on to the Alps!

Hi, Rusty!
Whew, the heat seems to be increasing , not lessening as the night draws in!
We have the fans going in the lounge and in our bedroom.
I do not like this!
Re the ospreys and migration......I know nothing about geomagnetic perception other than the very little I have read....
I'm assuming that the birds are sensitive to the magnetic field ? using clues such as the earth's magnetic field to orient themselves?
(Is 'orient' correct - it sounds a little odd?)
But enough science.......
Daughter and family arrived safely in Christchurch - only ten miles to travel.
The holiday site is very attractive.
She has emailed photos.
Are your son and his wife home again now?

Hello, Elle!
I would have used "orientate" but I think you were at school longer than me, so you are probably correct!
I understand your meaning and that is all that is required!
I am lost regarding magnetic fields.
I have heard it said that salmon use magnetic fields returning to their home rivers, though.
Nobody knows for sure though.
Now, do not quote me on this, Elle, but at the back of my mind there is an inkling that a species of flutterbys (if I may borrow a word from Dr Spooner!) migrate from USA to MexIco each year and back again. They do not like cold winters.
I seem to be missing out on this heat.
Hope the family enjoy Christchurch.
My son and wife and dog came home at lunchtime.
They liked Glen Clova but missed the phone signal!
They had to climb a hill to text me!