The purpose of this thread is to record the day-to-day activity at the Manton Bay nest thus freeing up the Rutland Osprey Project 2018 thread for general news on all the other birds, nests and projects.
Details about the Manton Bay nest, including a table of the breeding data, can be found here.
Last year we were thrilled to see both Maya and Blue 33(11) return within hours of each other on the 22 March and I am sure I speak for us all in wishing them both a safe journey home and for another successful season at Manton Bay.
Patily, good to see you on here. I heard you were a little excited!!
I think the reason for sign in etc. is because there has been a lot of work done on the main site which has undergone a major revamp.
Birdies LG DU update.
Tweet advising us that although Maya has not been on the nest, she has been in the bay all day.
Hi Patily - nice to see you back on-line.
Thanks, Karen. I imagine that Maya is spending her days on one of the perches or in one of the nearby trees, making sure that no other Osprey tries to claim her nest! I hope 33 arrives early, but Maya is good at waiting if need be. She waited for ages in 2014 when 5R did not return.
Kind regards, Ann
She is more likely to be on the perches. I don't recall seeing her in the trees at the back previously. 33 hides in them when the kids are getting older tho... his version of the garden shed perhaps ;)
Hi Ann - 2014 was a terrible year!
I too think she is not far away and she will be watching over her nest and ready to give any bird, especially those EGs what for if they dare land on it LOL
LOL, Sandra! And I thought 33 was just enjoying the shade rather than avoiding the kids!
Karen, Yes, 2014 was a horrible year for Manton Bay. I was heartbroken when 5R did not return and then with all the fighting between 33 and 28 but by 2015 33 had won me over, especially when he settles down on the nest next to Maya--so touching (even if a bit anthropomorphic!)
Sandra, You are right--I have not seen Maya in the trees, but then I've only ever watched from the Waderscrape hide for a few hours on a couple of days each year from 2013. What she gets up to otherwise I've no idea!
Unknown said: ..... but by 2015 33 had won me over, especially when he settles down on the nest next to Maya--so touching (even if a bit anthropomorphic!)
Ann, what else could we do but take to him! 33 won us all over LOL
Here is one of my favourite capture of 33 from 2015 settling with Maya and the chicks ....
(c) Rutland Osprey Project
Maya could not have wished for a better partner after 5R.
Agreed, Karen. And I should have mentioned that, importantly, 33 is an excellent provider as well. Of course, unless the weather is truly terrible, all he has to do is drop off his perch to catch a fish underneath--a tad exaggerated, of course, but you know what I mean; he does not have to fly for miles to go fishing.