Radisson - 2010 / Ivy & Princess

[The Peregrine Chick]

Not sure that all the attention we can give her will keep her warm in the winter. I vaguely remember people knitting coats or something for ducks or birds that had gotten into an oil spill (my memory is a bit hazy of the circumstances but think it was in Australia). Maybe we need to knit something for Sandy?

Your memory is fine Sami - folks were knitting little vests for fairy penguins near Australia that were affected by an oil spill.  The vests are used in two ways 1) to prevent them from preening and ingesting the oil until they could be washed; 2) some organizations were using them to help the penguins thermoregulate after having the oil-oil washed off.  The washing process also strips natural oils from their feathers and since penguins are diving birds they are very reliant on their "waterproof" feathers.  My understanding is that the vests were made of natural wool which is warm even when wet and that those who wear them after cleaning wore them until they biodegraded at which time their natural oils would be back at normal or near normal levels.

http://www.newstatesman.com/society/2007/09/penguin-jumpers-blume-oil

http://www.penguins.cl/little-penguins.htm

http://seapics.com/feature-subject/birds/fairy-penguin-pictures.html

http://sisu.typepad.com/.a/6a00d834518c7969e201156f62fd5f970c-800wi


Forewarning - I'm going to move this post shortly so that folks DON'T GET OFF TRACK HERE!! 
Good question though Sami!

[des]

Great ideas.  Two great images.  Knitting, and feather beds!  Love it!
"Now just lift that wing up and stay still while I measure you."

[bcbird]

She could defeather her prey in the nest box, and have a cozy feather bed for the winter.

[sami]

Not sure that all the attention we can give her will keep her warm in the winter. I vaguely remember people knitting coats or something for ducks or birds that had gotten into an oil spill (my memory is a bit hazy of the circumstances but think it was in Australia). Maybe we need to knit something for Sandy?

[allikat]

She really seems to like it here. Maybe it's all the attention she's getting

Well, I am counting on the phanatics to give her plenty of attention.   

[bccs]

She really seems to like it here. Maybe it's all the attention she's getting

[bcbird]

so Sandy could stick around for this heat wave, then.

[bccs]

Predicted earliest departure was yesterday.  What is the travel forecast for the weekend?

Just checked bcbird, looks like today is the coldest for a while. It's suppose to climb every day starting tomorrow with a high of 10 by next Friday.
Looks like I'll have at least another week of shorts.

[bcbird]

Predicted earliest departure was yesterday.  What is the travel forecast for the weekend?

[The Peregrine Chick]

1443 hrs (local) - she's at the south end of the west sign on the green slash under the "n" - right at the end of the slash in fact.  Dead birdie parts (pigeon) on one of the upper surfaces of the sign, so she's been nibblin ...

[des]

Thank you so much for reporting the continued sightings.  I guess I'd better restart some walks down there. 

[Pam]

On the north Rogers sign now.....interesting!

[The Peregrine Chick]

I've been holding off starting the "countdown timer" until she's gone, but maybe I just start it up anyway ...

[Pam]

Still here today - sitting on the tower atop the Radisson!

[Kinderchick]

Wow..can't believe she's still sticking around.   

I can't believe it either, carly... It's been quite windy and very cold these past few days here in Winnipeg.