AT LAST AN IMAGE AT LITTLE OWL SITE NO. 19.

Yes having visited Eddie & Margaret on Wednesday afternoon, as I drove into the farm down the drive, sat in the tree was a juvenile, so having the camera at the ready I took some quick images. Mind I had already had an email from Margaret to say she had already taken an image herself of an adult taking the sun on the outside of the tree. I then drove down towards the farm and sat on the television aerial was a Little Owl, tried for an image but it beat me to it and flew away. We then went down to the barns and saw another two adults in the roofs of two barns, twenty minutes spent and more birds than we have seen on some afternoons.

I then had another visit to Rutland Water on Thursday and joined up with Richard and David {his Canadian friend} whom at the Egleton centre I was told "your friend Richard is already here with his New Zealand friend"???. I however met up with them just as they were leaving Osprey Hide and walked round with them to Shoveler Hide. Having spent some time with them, I returned to the Egleton Car Park and got on my way to the Lyndon Centre. On arrival I was met by Paul who again had to show me some video of the Osprey young, my they are becoming feisty. I set straight for Shallow Water Hide and after a quick walk down settled myself to see what the young were doing, other than flying from the nest to a tree that was basically it, then the female was airborne again chasing away an intruder Osprey, again the male was I'm sure sound asleep and left the female to remove the offending bird.

I then visited Waderscrape Hide to see the couple on duty, had a quick chat and then got on my way back to the car park, hopefully to see some Little Owls and have some tea. Saw a reasonable amount of Dragonflies but again none were landing and on the track it was very difficult to get them in focus so I'm afraid at Rutland the Dragonflies were a flop. On my journey out to Rutland Water I only saw one Little Owl at Site No. 6. On my return I saw none.

Then on Friday afternoon I visited a lake near Heather that Arthur had recommended for Damselflies and Dragonflies. I was only on site for a short time as I visited only after cutting the grass at home so was a bit late in leaving. Damselflies were like midges all over the place and saw large numbers of Dragonflies, these being Brown Hawkers, Southern Hawkers and Emperors. took large number of flying dragonflies but finished with only one usable image of an Emperor. Thanks Arthur for the tip, will visit again this week.

Then Friday evening we had a meeting at the bird club to sort out a few things  for the Winter Season of shows and after this Richard had asked if he could visit with David to see if our Barn Owls would show for him. We sat David in a chair at the end of a patio and sure enough after a very short time out from the small box popped the female so he went away happy to say the least.

The following morning both David and Miriam visited to try to see our Tree Sparrows and Jays. they spent most of the morning with us and managed to see the tree sparrows but the Jays would not play ball. The Jays were with us all afternoon, and again this afternoon {Sunday} that's birding.



MANTON BAY OSPREYS.

Osprey Juveniles, Shallow Water Hide.

This is the position the birds were in when I arrived at the hide and unfortunately they did no flying about whilst I was in the hide. 

Male Osprey 33/11, Shallow Water Hide.

He had been preening prior to this image, after this I'm sure he went to sleep again as last week. 

Female Osprey, Shallow Water Hide.

She sat on the T post closest to the nest to keep an eye on her young. 

Juveniles having flown from the nest onto an Adjacent Tree. Waderscrape Hide.

Whilst in the hide a lady called them the "Three Wise Monkeys" how they had lined up in the tree. They then started food begging but 33 took no notice, still asleep??. 

Female up from T post chasing an Intruder. Shallow Water Hide.

Again she saw off the intruder single handed.

 Rutland Water, Egleton & Lyndon Centres.

Ruddy Darter, Lyndon Centre, Dipping Pond.

Saw a reasonable number of Darters at both Egleton & Lyndon. 

Common Blue Damselfly, Egleton Dipping Pond. 

Gatekeeper Butterfly, near Shallow Water Hide.

Not in perfect condition but its wonderful to see so many Butterflies about this year,

Starlings, Front of Shallow Water Hide.

I was amazed at how bright the markings were on the birds. 

Female Black Cap, on the path from Shallow Water Hide.

Very pretty bird, sat for a few seconds whilst I managed the image.

Arthurs Lake, Near Heather.

Only a Single Swan and a few Coot but wonderful for Dragonflies and Damselflies. 

Emperor Dragonfly.

Had numerous attempts at Dragonflies but this the only really usable image. Will visit earlier in the day next time and hopefully get some images of some Hawkers. 

Tandem Common Blue Damselflies. 

Common Blue Damselfly. 

Peacock Butterfly, Eddie and Margarets Farm.

Lots of these butterflies around the plants.

LITTLE OWLS. 

Little Owl Site No. 4.

We are still only seeing a single bird at this site. 

Little Owl Site No. 6

 Had a quick trip out on Monday Evening and saw this bird, sat in the guttering.

 Here on the Thursday sat on the guttering on the same side of the barn.

My New Little Owl Site No. 19.

Juvenile Little Owl sat in tree in front of the box, must try to get images of the adults. 

Little Owl Site No. 13.

Saw this bird and the image below within minutes of each other so different birds in different barns.

Second bird with Barn Owl pellet on angle iron. 

Barn Owl Box No 8.

Packing case converted into Barn Owl box by Eddie and myself and erected in place by his son Paul. Just a case of leaving the visiting bird to decide it looks a good place to reside.  




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