Rutland Ospreys 2011

Thanks Sandy, great clip. Meanwhile at Egleton:

"The staff and visitors in the Egleton centre have just had fantastic views of two Ospreys and one of them caught a fish in Lagoon 2!"  

Big thanks to Alan and Sandy who insisted I had to go the reserve - I made it to the reserve yesterday with my hosts for the weekend and it was just superb. We got to the hide about 8am and we were the only ones there. Two juvies in the nest, one adult and juvie on T perch and another just to the left on another post. For the next 2 hours we were all enthralled by the flying and soaring. One of the adults brought a fish to the T Perch and had view of them eating. The they all started flying and landing in the water and one in particular had a good old wash. Then on of the adults started playing with a crested grebe who was minding its own business. It must have dive-bombed the poor thing 5 times - never hitting it just sweeping across its head. The Grebe was not amused. Then a group turned up at the hide that had been on the dawn cruise - they didn't see much at all and were amazed that we had had 2 fabulous hours of entertainment. Having been to Lock Garten and LOTL - the Rutland set up is far better and the view from the hide were brilliant. So for all those that have not been there - it is a must - especially at this time of the year when the young have just fledged.

Harelady : I am so glad you enjoyed your visit to Manton Bay. I think you probably went at the best time of the day for all the action and I also agree that Rutland has the best set up for viewing the ospreys.

Alan/Harelady, completely agree but never quite sure whether to say so on the Loch Garten site; but from the sites I've been to the Rutland views are by far the best in the UK, especially at this time of year when they often use the dead tree. A pleasant walk to get to the hides as well!!

Harelady: So pleased you enjoyed your visit to Manton Bay. I would have replied earlier but just got back from there myself. Had a laugh at your description of 5R divebombing the grebe, he was doing that last week - it was funny that out of the hundreds of birds on the water he decided to pick on one poor individual.

Site O update:

www.ospreys.org.uk/site-o-update

Unknown said:

Site O update:

www.ospreys.org.uk/site-o-update

Thanks Alan sad that one chick did not survive but great news that the fostered chick has made it and is now in flght. 

Tweeted earlier:

"06(09) visited Manton Bay this morning, meaning we've seen all four 2009 birds in the past couple of weeks. Great news!"

I was at Manton Bay this morning so must have seen 06(09) although it was hard to tell as there were 7 ospreys in total in the bay this morning. When we got to the Shallow Water hide , 2 of the juvies were in the dead tree near the Waderscrape Hide. Luckily they did not stay long and flew back to the nest where they had a lazy morning. Mrs 5R started on the perch to the left of the nest then alternated between there and the T perch. 5R was not about at first but we did see at least two other ospreys flying around. 5R eventually returned and sat on the far left perch.

5R on the far left perch:

Mrs 5R keeping an eye on juvies on the nest:

5R takes off:

Osprey in dead tree, could be 5R or ?:

Good afternoon Alan I am so envious, 7 ospreys how wonderful.  I had hoped when I went out and about while at LG I would be lucky enough to see some but the only other osprey I saw was from the hide when it was being a bit of a nuisance.  Thanks for the pics.  After reading about how good it is there I think it has to be somewhere I should try and visit at some time in the future, maybe next year.

Overcrowded nest at Manton Bay: