Isn’t it interesting the way rain comes in so many different forms. It’s all water but some is more wetting than others.Yesterday’s for example came down out of the sky with drops the volume of  tin tea-mugs. Luke-warm canteens of them! Viewpoint Staff went home quenched to the essentials.

Despite these downpours we are noticing that Mrs. is not sitting on the chicks anymore, which at this stage is a good sign as it shows that they are well grown and well feathered. We seeing more and more of the chicks through the foliage, both through the telescopes and on the Big Screen at Whinlatter, as they tentatively stretch out a wing or do wobbly press-ups. From these signs and our estimated dates we hope to ring them in the near future. However, this will be the first time that the Lake District National Park climbers have attempted to work from this tree. Those of you who have watched our ringing videos from previous years will know that it is a very specialised and potentially dangerous business, given the height. The first priority will be for safety to both people and chicks. We have every confidence that the team will make the right safety decisions at the time – even if this means we do not ring this year. Cross your fingers that everything goes smoothly everybody!