Brief History of Manton Bay:
The nest at Manton Bay was first used in 2007 by White 08(97) and Green 5N(04) who successfully raised 2 chicks. In 2008 they paired again but the nest failed and in 2009 it was unused.
In 2010 a new pair, Green 5R(04) and an unringed female nicknamed Mrs 5R, took up residence and over the next four years successfully raised 11 chicks.
Green 5R(04) failed to return in 2014 and Mrs 5R paired with a new mate, Blue 28(10) and laid 3 eggs. Blue 33(11) arrived determined to claim this nest and evicted Blue 28(10). Blue 33(11) kicked out the eggs and spent the remainder of the season bonding with Mrs 5R who was then officially named “Maya”.
In 2015 Maya and Blue 33(11) returned and to date have successfully raised 18 chicks including two broods of four the previous two seasons.
© Leicestershire & Rutland Wildlife Trust
Here’s wishing Maya and Blue 33(11) a safe journey home and for another successful season.
Unknown said:did I read 33 is back??????
Where? I mean - where did you read it and where has he been spotted?
IMAGICAT
Thanks JANE and MARY - always a relief when you know you were not imagining things LOL And a lump in my throat seeing and thinking of Lassie. Lovely capture btw. She was so easily identified with her "Y" head mark.
Cirrus - I am just back in from walking my dog and when posting above, the EG was on the nest.
It did leave rather smartly and there is something flying around - top right hand corner of the capture!!
Karen W said:there is something flying around - top right hand corner of the capture!!
But it looks more like a distant Spitfire than an osprey
Checking on the return date chart for Maya and Blue 33(11) they both arrived back this day - March 16 - last year.
Yes, 33 arrived early morning and greeted not by his Mrs but by Blue 25(10) who is also an early returnee! Quick fling and 33 even brought 25 a fish!! But it was instantly nipped in the bud when Maya flew in early afternoon!! I did feel for Maya as 33 left her to go and get her own fish!!