OLDER IMAGES.

HEADER, LITTLE OWL SITE No. 2.

These are images taken over the previous two years whilst out on trips on my own or with Richard. Some are whilst on Osprey duty at Rutland Water, others just owling sessions.

Female Adult Osprey, Manton Bay July 2013.
Called Maya in 2014.

Adult Male Osprey 5R/04 seeing off intruder at Manton Bay site July 2013.
Unfortunately 5R did not return in 2014.
Due to this the Manton Bay nest was unsuccessful with different male birds attempting to take over the nest . These being 28/10 and 33/11, 33/11 is still resident with Maya and will hopefully mate and raise young next year.

Little Owl Site No 3.
Last bird seen here on Boxing day 2013.
This image taken when virtually dark so hence the quality?
We still monitor the site awaiting hopefully another pair to take up the nest hole.

Little Owl Site No 9.
Taken on Boxing day 2013.

Little Owl Site No 12.
First time of seeing a bird at this site. I had sat and waited for about half an hour when I suddenly noticed a lump on the roof which eventually turned out to be this little fellow. Even though I was a good 100 metres away he had got me spotted.  These birds have always been extremely nervous and difficult to even try to approach.
Taken Boxing day 2013.

Little Owl Site No 2.
These birds have always been dependable but of late we have not seen a bird until last Thursday when a bird sat in the nest hole. Very difficult to see for all the leaves and branches so no image taken despite Richards efforts in trying with the car to get me into a clear shot position.

Little Owl Site No. 5.
Over the previous 12 months these birds have had problem upon problem. About 12 months ago half the tree came down in a windy night, some of the branch is still laid up the tree. Then earlier this year the tree split in half at the nest hole, thus the large scar on the tree in some of my posts. Richard and myself erected within days a little owl box but for a while the birds were only seen on the far side of the field either in the hedge or the hole in the tree in my first image above. However as you have seen the birds came back to the original tree, rudely ignored all our efforts with the box and found another hole and raised three young.

Little Owl Site No. 10.
These birds have been difficult to track down as through the Winter they frequented two sites and we were not sure as to whether we had two pairs or one travelling. It turned out to be the latter.  

Kestrel near to Little Owl Site No. 6.

Juvenile Green Woodpecker, our garden.

Tufted Duck drake, Rutland Water, to the front of Waderscrape Hide.

Gadwall Duck, Drake, Rutland Water.

Muntjac Deer Rutland Water, to the front of Waderscrape Hide. You wouldn't see them today due to the height of the reeds at the moment.

Water Vole to the front of Waderscrape Hide, Rutland Water.

Pair of Greater Crested Grebes mating dance, Shallow Water Hide, Rutland Water.