Tag Archives: bizarre

Rare birds nesting in underwear

12 Tuesday Aug 2008

Posted by in birds

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http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/tyne/7556971.stm


Some of the items found in nests

A bizarre range of clothing and other items have been recovered from the nests of rare birds of prey reintroduced to the North East.

A pair of underpants, an England football flag, two white socks and a soft toy were among objects recovered from the nests of red kites.

The birds are known for stealing items from washing lines to make nests.

 

Knicker nickers!

Bizarre, but wonderful to know that these beautiful birds are starting to make a comeback in the north of England, following their reintroduction after becoming extinct in the region in the early 1800s. I’m now wondering if my phantom odd sock pilferer is one of the avian residents of the garden!

Fermented fashion

15 Thursday Mar 2007

Posted by in bizarre, science

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http://www.abc.net.au/science/news/stories/2007/1872191.htm?tech

 

“Australian researchers have combined art and science to make dresses from fermented fabric, using bacteria to ‘grow’ slimy dresses from wine and beer.”

The process involves the use of an inflatable doll which, I have to admit, I haven’t seen in many lab supplies catalogues!

Bodyguards for threatened piper

11 Saturday Jun 2005

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http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/tyne/4075998.stm

Saw this link on Herald‘s page:

Bodyguards for threatened piper

From the page: “A musician who plays heavy rock on the Northumberland pipes has hired bodyguards after death threats from people angry at her style of music.

Jacqui Powell-Swinburne, who uses the stage name Ryofu, covers the likes of Black Sabbath and Frank Zappa.”

….. Death threats and bodyguards? Crazy. I’m surprised anyone gives a shit. I echo Herald in suspecting her music is ‘freaking awful’ (description suggests it could be played to hostage-takers to elicit swift surrender and release of hostages) but as long as she isn’t busking in the street, driving passers-by insane by inflicting this on them, then she should be free to express herself however she wishes.

It is extremely unlikely that I will be buying her cd (currently in preparation) or attending her performance at Buddle Arts Centre, Wallsend, on 18 June.

Powder mix-up fools sniffer dogs

21 Saturday May 2005

Posted by in dogs

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http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4568321.stm

Oops!

Powder mix-up fools sniffer dogs

A team of Australian drug sniffer dogs has been sent back for retraining, after it was found they could only track talcum powder, not cocaine.

Melbourne police found that the white powder used to hone the dogs’ nostrils was not in fact an illegal substance.

“They’re very good at detecting talcum powder,” joked Assistant Commissioner Paul Evans. “If there’s any missing kids, we’ll find them fairly quickly.”