Brief history of Manton Bay:
The nest was first occupied by White 08(97) and Green 5N(04) in 2007 who 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 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”. Since 2015, Maya and Blue 33(11) have returned reuniting their partnership and to date have successfully raised 23 chicks.
© Leicestershire & Rutland Wildlife Trust
Here’s wishing Maya and Blue 33(11) a safe journey home and for another successful season.
Some have asked about 25's partner: 25(10) bred with Glesni/Blue 12(10)'s brother, Blue 11(10) in 2013, 2014 and 2015 at nest C (info on ukospreys and on the new UKOspreyinformation)--Rutland was still giving out information of all nests in 2015 but nothing since, apart from the Manton Bay nest. He, 11, and 25 were parents of 4K(13) (the tagged bird seen by Conservation Without Borders in Africa at the end of their trek last year). It looks like 2013 was 11's first breeding year, possibly 25's first year as well. We were at Birdfair from 2014 through 2019 and at one of 2016, '17, '18 or '19 (so sorry, have forgotten just which, probably 2017 or later) I happened to chat with someone connected with Rutland birds and I was assured that 11(10) had gone on to sire more chicks after 2015. Sadly, I have no idea if 11 was still with us by last year--he may have been...but I've no evidence. He may have been reported fishing at River Gwash since 2015 and someone may know--please post here if you know! Also, please correct me if you know that any of the above is wrong--thanks! I trust it was all long enough ago that secrecy is no longer necessary (or so I hope--Lol!) I have no problem with 33 and 25 hedging their bets--why wouldn't 25 take advantage of the free fish bar?! However, I do hope both of their partners appear and that we do not have any fights. But what will be, will be.
Kind regards, Ann
Thanks for the info, Ann. I've just scrolled back through River Gwash Ospreys Fb (Horn Mill Trout Farm) and found last season's round-up of visiting Ospreys - 11 was on the list!
Ooooo, Sandra, thanks sooo much! That is fabulous news. I probably should have scrolled through their Facebook page myself, but we have had lots of distractions today! I know Ospreys occasionally split up, but my guess is that 25 and 11 have probably been together for all those intervening years. Lovely that he has been passing on some of the genes he shared with his sister, Glesni/Blue 12(10). Hope he makes it home soon and Maya, too, of course.
Edit: Just saw this confirming note on Rutland's Facebook page, posted 10 hours ago, about 2:43 then:
Rutland Osprey Project
Yesterday - I think this was Blue33's first mating attempt with B25 - it wasn't successful and it made her sneeze:
I'm not going to do any more catchup for this cam, but i won't delete the footage just in case anyone's desperate for a clip of something specific.
IMAGICAT
Nest building 2.0.. 33 is amazing!This next vid in 30 seconds what he has done yesterday (and still have energy left for blue 25 and catching a fish for her!)
https://ospreycam.net
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Morning ALL
some captures from earlier
05:17 33 arrives
05:19 closely followed by Blue 25(10)
05:58 both remain on the nest and looking comfortable
06:05 33 in his favourite spot
09:31 33 resumes work on the nest and 25 helps placing a stick - eeek !!!
11:10 Mating attempt - 25 flipped 33 off
33 flies off leaving a very comfortable looking 25 on the nest
Great update Karen thanks.
I wonder if/when B25’s mate (B11) arrives, will he come looking for her? How far away are the Rutland nests on private sites?