Phew! Finally sifted through the 560-odd shots I took last week on my first (but definitely not last!) visit to fabulous Rutland Water. My immediate motivation and priority was to see Ospreys 'in the flesh' and to get a perspective of the location - one thing we don't see from the excellent webcams. I did manage this, and saw loads of other amazing sights including a couple more ticks for my life list. My only regret is that many of my shots don't do justice to what I saw and experienced. This is partly down to the shortcomings of my equipment - but mostly just down to my own shortcomings. Nevertheless I hope there's something for you to enjoy.
A good place to start is the first bird I heard as I headed down the lane towards Manton Bay - a gorgeous little Whitethroat
...closely followed by a Blue Tit
and then, there it was - the Manton Bay nest of Maya and 33. This is the site that greeted me from the hide:
As you can see the perching post is quite close to the nest - and I was thrilled to be able to see both birds. Unfortunately the distance from the hide is a challenge for all but the biggest lenses. This is my take of 33 on the perch
and the nest, clearly showing the webcam but sadly only just the top of Maya's head :(
At this point my mobile rang (luckily I was alone!) and as I was answering it I heard a commotion and looked up to see one of the birds in the water! I dropped my mobile and managed to get this shot. I think it's Maya and I was told later that she wasn't fishing but simply having a bath.
As you can imagine it was a thrill to witness this and although it was only 10am my day was already made!
By the way if anyone can identify her two "admirers" in the background I'd be very grateful!
Another commotion alerted me to a Mute Swan, cleared for takeoff and steaming down the runway
Shelduck
Looking out of the side window of the hide I was delighted to see, not 10 metres away, a nesting Great Crested Grebe
As I watched her partner glided in and she jumped off the nest, revealing at least two eggs. He came bearing a gift of weed (no, not wacky baccy!)
Next I turned my attention to a pair of Common Tern, one with a fish
Immature BHG with something fished out of the water
Cormorant Tree in bloom!
A first for me, Egyptian Geese
At the opposite end of the Lyndon site I saw a pair of Moorhens having a real ding-dong, which lasted for several minutes. Thankfully the only thing hurt was the loser's pride!
Having 'done' Lyndon (and had a whale of a time) I adjourned to the car for refreshments, looking forward to spending the afternoon at Egleton.
Thanks for looking
Ian
Fantastic variety there, Ian. As you say, you can't really beat seeing the Ospreys 'in the flesh'. I've been lucky enough to see them myself on several occasions although not as far south as Rutland. I think you've perhaps already answered the question as to who the bathing Osprey's admirers are; they look to me to be an Egyptian Goose and a Cormorant. I'm off for a look at part 2 now.
Paul
My bird photos HERE
SG, haven't read it all thoroughly yet but wanted to ask if you had posted the Osprey pics on Rutland thread??
2013 photos & vids here
eff37 on Flickr
great set and photos Ian and what a brilliant first days sightings; I visited Rutland a couple of years ago and your photos bring back those lovely memories of Manton area and the Ospreys only I wasn't lucky enough to see one taking a bath, how fabulous to capture it on camera.
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Regards, Hazel
Hi Wendy, no I haven't posted them elsewhere; these were the best I could get and they bear no comparison to the terrific webcam captures.
Regards
There is nothing to compare with 'shots taken in the field' & I feel sure all the followers of Rutland Ospreys would be very pleased to see them & have your first hand account of your time there, so many of us would love to go but can't ... Hope you will post on there!
And now, finally, I have had the opportunity to read through in peace & quiet & I have to say SG that I am pretty envious of your visit (& it's only lunchtime!) Some fine captures there & such a variety, it looks to be a grand place for a visit & is on my 'to do' list, would be good to get there before Ospreys fledge!
Great set of photo's Ian, pleased you got to see your Ospreys and glad you had a great day.
cheers Terry
my photo's here
Really enjoyed looking through your photos Ian, thanks for posting for that will be the closest I get to see the osprey I'm sure. Great selection too.
Lot to learn
Great photos, Ian! I've taken the liberty of posting links to your two threads on the Rutland thread as it is always lovely to see photos of the ospreys from a different perspective. I love the blooming cormorant tree as well!
Our herring gulls are red listed birds. Think about that the next time you hear some flaming idiot calling for a cull of them.
Truly charminng Photos Ian, thank you so much for sharing. Sorry I can't i d the watching admirers. Your captures really make me want to visit even more