RUTLAND OSPREY PROJECT 2015

Snap Patily :-))

33 didn't go far!  He returned quickly with a stick 

(c) Rutland

And now he's away hopefully fishing.

I could watch him all day but cant :-(  Must go out now - SYL

I think 33 is a delight and he and Maya seem so laid backin each others company

Maya has just delivered some nesting material and is having a tidy up.

Maya back to take over 33 flies off.

© RUTLAND WATER OSPREY PROJECT

I took myself off to RW yesterday - pity it wasn't today, as the sky was grey (until I left) and the wind was chilly from the east across the water.  The 'waves' had white peaks to them. Despite that, a brisk walk to the hide warmed me up, particularly when I had my first sight of a Whitethroat for the year.  The air was full of bird song, and the hedgerow full of blossom.  The hide wasn't terribly busy which gave me an opportunity to chat to three volunteers over two shifts.  The news of 03 was still very much in their minds.

Maya and 33 were very laid back.  I learned that earlier in the day 33 had brought a small perch to Maya, who took it to the T bar and promptly dropped it.  He did go on one fishing expedition but came back empty taloned. He spent a lot of time on the wonky perch before finally going off for another fish.  He was a little sneaky in my opinion, as he just appeared on the wonky perch with a HUGE fish.  No one saw him arrive!  He had a spot of trouble hanging on to the fish - witness flapping wings and rearranging himself on the perch, first the down side, and then the up side, eventually flying to the nearer T bar.  After an hour's eating he took it to Maya to went to the T bar to eat her long waited for fish.  I was hoping to use my phone to report interesting things, but found the battery was flat - as you do!  Maya took another hour to finish the fish before taking over incubation duties once more.  And then I watched my highlight of the day.  33 took off, and flew around before dropping to the water to trail his feet in the water, clearing them of scales and blood I guess.  He did this a couple of times and them to my amazement he dropped into the water, not shallow water, but some metres deep, to have a bath.  He rose slightly from the water before shaking himself and flying around again to repeat the bathing!  It was magical.  Nicely clean he alighted on the T bar to dry himself off.  It was on that note that I decided to head home before the heavy traffic started, and of course the skies began to clear and the sun came out.  But I really had to go.  Back at the Centre I had a word with Kayleigh about the day's events and asked how 03 had fared.  Apparently he had brought in fish and mated with Unringed female, so hopefully all will be well.

Well, that was until I saw this tweeted photo!  Poor 03.

I believe Jamie Weston manages the local fish farm and often sees 03 fishing there.

I had a lovely day, and will go back in a couple of weeks, hopefully on a sunny day this time.

Lovely photos SK2.  We won't have a problem identifying Egg #3 with that beautiful red colouring!

I forgot to say you click on them to enlarge.

Thanks Sheila for your write up on your visit, so very lucky to see them in the environment that we arm chair viewers can only enjoy via the cams, though we are of course extremely appreciative.

Interesting tweet from Tim Appleton

At least Blue 51(11) is not bothering 03!

Sheila, I was one of the volunteers. I can't believe that having told you how the Ospreys clean their feet and how they bathe, you got to see all of that after I left, that is amazing. I think we said 'Hello', my name is Lynda.