ANOTHER VISIT TO RUTLAND WATER.

Richard and myself decided to have another visit to Rutland Water on Thursday to get some more images of Dragonflies. This was unfortunately unsuccessful due to the wind. We saw dragonflies but these were mainly uncooperative and no images of use were taken by me. However we had a visit to Lagoon Three and had an enjoyable afternoon with waders Little Egrets and others. 

On our trip outbound we saw no Little Owls and on our return we only saw one, this being a bird some 245 metres away from Little Owl Site No. 1. This is an area where I had seen a bird some weeks ago when I was out on a singleton visit and again the bird had flown away into some park land. As it was almost dark and no image was achieved, only time will tell as to whether it is one of the birds from Site 1, a displaced juvenile, or a new site, watch this space.

We had another trip to Rutland Water on Saturday evening for the end of season meeting for the Osprey Project. On this trip we saw four Little owls on the way out at Little Owl Sites Nos. 4, 5, 9 & 12 but again it was dark so no images. We took a shot with my camera at Site 9 to confirm the bird.

On our return trip we saw a Badger not far from Site 9 and followed it for roughly 50 metres up the road.

Green Sandpiper Lagoon 3 Rutland Water.
We unfortunately could not get very close to these birds as the water level is considerably low.

Snipe at Lagoon 3.
This bird was out on a spit and the first shots we got were over a good distance. We both said we wished the bird would come closer and sure enough it did.

Trouble was when it came closer it buried itself in a clump of reeds and was very difficult to see. When it first flew over towards us it landed in a clear mud area but quickly disappeared into the reeds.

However in time it did become a little more in view and these two images were quickly taken before it disappeared again.

Little Egret, Lagoon 3.

Little Egret Lagoon 3. 

Hobby Lagoon 3 Rutland Water.
Very difficult birds to get an image , they always travel at the speed of a bullet chasing dragonflies.

You have just set the camera up to take an image on the water and low and behold a Hobby turns up so its a quick change of settings and hope for the best, no time to do a check on the set up and then take a shot.

Buzzard near Little Owl Site No. 7.
Shot at a silly distance.

Wheatear male at the same area as last week near Little Owl site No. 17.

Whilst at Rutland Water this became the largest bird we saw!!!! 

The only remaining flying Vulcan Bomber XH558 flew over when we weré attempting some shots of dragonflies. The aircraft was based up until July 2014 at RAF Waddington, where it was delivered in 1960 but due to the runway at Waddington being out of use in 2015 due to major repairs it has been moved to the Robin Hood Airport near Doncaster.
It was a wonderful site and sound.

Common Darter Dragonfly, male our garden.

Common Darter Dragonfly, male our garden. 

Common Darter Dragonfly, female our garden. 

Southern Hawker Dragonfly, male our garden.

Dragonflies have such beautiful wings, you can't but stand and admire them.

Thank you for your visit, please leave a comment if you like.