ONE MORE TRY FOR THE GREAT WHITE EGRET.

We decided to have one more trip to Rutland Water before we change the clocks, to attempt to get a closer image of the Great White Egret. We arrived at Rutland Water having visited some Little Owl Sites on the way out and planned to do the same on the return visiting the sites we had not seen birds at.

On arrival, where else was the G.W.E. other than in the position or within metres of it from where I first saw the bird several weeks ago, so we stayed a while in the Egleton Centre hide watching and waiting for it to move. This it decided to do but not to come any closer to us and just patrolled the far bank of the lagoon so we took a few record shots and then went for a walk around the hides seeing what if anything special or rare was in attendance. Surprisingly we still saw some dragonflies but no Hobby to chase them.

We took a few shots some of which are below and then set off to see if we could see anymore Little Owls on our return.

Our tally on Little Owls was three in total. Two on the outward journey and one on our return. These being one at Site 5, this being on the far side of the field in a hedge so no image was attempted, one at Site 17 and one at Site 9. Not the best numbers but better than a round zero!

UPDATES:

Had some concerns on a previous Post dated 20/09/14 "BACK IN OUR OLD ROUTINE" with the Meadow Pipit and some kind lady and gentleman in Norfolk have confirmed my thoughts due to the Meadow Pipit having the long hind claw where the Tree Pipit has much shorter claws.

Also have had an E Mail from Arthur Bird saying that the images I got of the Hobby on Post " A SINGLETON TO RUTLAND WATER" Dated 11-10-14. The bird is a juvenile as it has no red trousers, thank you Arthur.

Little Owl Site No. 17.

As we drove down the farm track, we saw the bird in its favourite position, keeping out of the breeze and not in the faintest bothered by our presence. We both took our images whilst it kept its eye on us to see we behaved and then we got on our way to Rutland.

Little Owl Site No. 9.

We visited this site on our return  and the light was leaving us so with a high ISO and + 2 EV I managed the above image of the bird in the nest hole. Is a second bird sitting in the nest hole to the left and farther in the cavity, difficult to say.

Great White Egret, Lagoon 1, Rutland Water from the Egleton Centre.

Again the bird is a silly distance away, 460 metres plus. 

Started on the right and then headed to the left and started to disappear behind the headland.

Came out from behind the headland and set off left.

And still farther left but no closer unfortunately. Always another time!!!!! 

Green Sandpiper,Lagoon 3, Rutland Water.

Awful light but not a bad image for saying.

Redshank, Lagoon 3, Rutland Water.

Two or three of these birds in the shallows area to the front of the lagoon.
Pretty bird.

Gadwall Drake, Lagoon 2, Rutland Water.

Gadwall, sound asleep and at peace with the world. 

Then a lady joined us in the hide, who within seconds dropped or knocked over her tripod and scope. A really large bang, the other birds scooted off very quickly and the Gadwall awoke. Both Richard and myself thought it sounded a very loud and expensive bang???


A shorter post than normal but hopefully you will enjoy. 

Thank you for your visit and please leave a comment .