BACK TO OUR OLD ROUTINE.

 Richard and myself had another of our weekly visits out after his holiday break, but decided to have another visit to Rutland Water looking for Dragonflies.

We left our house that bit earlier than usual due to the evenings closing in, and had a look at a few little owl sites on the way, planning to visit the remainder on our return.

It was still murky on our outward journey but very warm and muggy but by the time we were at Rutland the sun was starting shine. 

We started looking for dragonflies just after 15.00hrs having indulged in the usual ice cream. We were hoping to see and get some images of the common brown, this we saw but were unable to get any images, the little so and so's wouldn't settle. We thought we saw one was taken by a Hobby.

Little Owl wise we were not over successful only seeing three {this being our worst count since last Winter} but we didn't spend much time with them, so hopefully next weeks outing will be more for Little Owls that is unless the weather is sunny again and we go for Dragonflies again.

Little Owl Site No. 13. 
Again visited my farmer friend and his wife, had a cup of tea and went down the farm to see his pigs and hopefully a Little Owl. He had again not seen any owls for a day or two but upon going into one of his barns what should be greeting us?? he reckons they must like me.

Not the most picturesque of positions but have tried to have a word with them to sit elsewhere but I suppose you have to be grateful they are still at the farm. 

Little Owl Site No. 17.
We visited this site both on the outward trip and on return. This image is from our outward journey. Richard spotted the bird as it was on his side of the car and kindly took the above image for me with my camera.

This image was taken on our return, we stopped to finish our tea but the light was disappearing so quick shots were taken before the cobs likewise disappeared.

Little Owl Site No. 9.
We stopped here for our  first cob and a cup of tea, we only saw one adult here today but are sure the second bird was around and watching us.


RUTLAND WATER.

As we walked down the track towards the hides I suddenly spotted something move in the hedge and to Richards surprise it turned out to be a Hawthorn Shield Bug. Not the prettiest of bugs with its eyes out on stalks either side of its body but wonderful to find and see.

Male Migrant Dragonfly, such a beautiful creature, always land {when and if they do} with the beauty of the wings outstretched.

These pair of mating Southern Hawker Dragonflies were spotted by Richard and as much as he tried to explain to me as to where they were I couldn't see them. I think it was getting to the point where he was going to take my camera and take the image and in return give me the honouree white stick. The blue being the male and the green the female.

Another pair of mating Migrant Hawker Dragonflies again spotted by Richard, first seen flying {hoping to join the mile high club} and then settling in a tree on the other side of an adjacent track

Two more images of Migrant Hawker Dragonflies. 

Two images of a Common Darter Dragonfly {Male} 

Two Images of a Common Darter Dragonfly {Female}. 

 Whinchat That Turned out to be a Wheatear near Little Owl Site No. 17.
Having finished our first tea session we set of from Site 9 and as we started to go down the road Richard said hang on whats that on the road, I stopped and the bird flew down the road. Initially we thought it was a Whinchat but when it eventually landed on a fence post in the field to our right and it was a Wheatear. Unfortunately it landed with the sun behind it so our shots were into the sun but what a lovely bird.

Meadow Pipit Near Little Owl Site No. 5.
Saw the bird after visiting Site 17 last week and after having my tea and getting some images of the nosy Little Owl, I left the site and headed towards Site 5 and the birds were on the road. I was unable to see what they were but when they flew onto the fence I drove the car sideways across the road and got the two images.

Was not over sure this was a Meadow Pipit but have had confirmation that it is due to the long hind claw that separates it from the much shorter clawed Tree Pipit.