A Brief History about the Manton Bay Nest and Stats:
The nest was first occupied by White 08(97) and Green 5N(04) in 2007 who successfully raised 2 chicks. They paired up again in 2008 but the nest failed. In 2009 Green 5R(04) made his claim on the nest attracting an unringed female with a distinctive “X” on her head however she soon left settling at another nest. Green 5R(04) returned in 2010. He was joined by the same unringed female who was soon nicknamed Mrs 5R and over the next 4 years the pair 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 ousted 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 paired up each year and to date have successfully raised 27 chicks.
All captures and videos in this thread are © Leicestershire & Rutland Wildlife Trust
March has arrived and within the next few weeks we should start seeing the ospreys return.
Hopefully Maya and Blue 33(11) have enjoyed their winter vacation in the sunshine and are in tip top condition ready for another season.
Maya was the first osprey back last year – will she be first again? Time will tell.
Here’s Wishing Maya and Blue 33(11) a safe journey home.
Quick check on the nest, which was prepared a few days ago all ready for our super stars and no surprise - the EGs are back and all settled down for the night.
Think I preferred seeing the bin lid
EG rose few minutes ago - looks like there's an egg !!!
close up
Definitely looks like she has laid an egg. Something we really don't want to see.
Thanks once again Karen for all your diligence.
Yep definite egg for the EG, will they never learn, poor things.
As you say new month and hopefully not too long for the true residents to arrive.
Morning Kate and ALL
Thanks for the snap Kate - what a frosty but calm start to the beginning of the month.
And as the old saying goes - "when it comes in like a lamb it goes out like a lion" and vice versa.
Couple of snaps before the EGs took off at 06:55
As I type the egg is still alone. I wonder if they sit on the eggs or just abandoning them in any nest. If they do incubate then suspect they will be more aggressive when Maya and 33 return.
I really do wish Rutland had left the bin lid.
I noticed The female EG, unlike the osprey who use over the nest, pooped on the nest before flying off.
They've returned!!
Quickly settled down to incubate - could we see another egg?
Have just watched a video about the EGs - Seemingly they are actually ducks not geese who pair up for life, can live up to 25 years and are very territorial aggressively defending their patch/nest. The male is brighter and larger than the female and makes hissing sounds where the female honks. More alarmingly they can lay between 5 and 11 eggs which both adults take turns incubating over 28 days. The young, known as Goslings quickly become independent.
While they are not a protected species, I'm unsure if Rutland would approach this nest now with there being egg(s). So tough times ahead for 33 and Maya when they return - something they don't want after a long migration!!
Thanks for the very informative opening Karen. I follow many of the nests, since several years now, it it is good to have a reminder about each, as it is sometimes hard to keep up! Looking forward to the pair returning and to follow what this year has in store.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Oh dear, not what we want, it is a shame that the bin lid was not down like last year