TWO VISITS TO RUTLAND PLUS A QUICK VISIT TO EYEBROOK.

I had an afternoon visit to Rutland Water on the 24th of May, leaving home at about 12.40 and driving straight through so as to make the most of the time available in the hides. On arrival and a quick chat with Kayleigh, I made my way straight through to Shallow Water hide, by the time I arrived the sun was some what absent and a cool wind had got up, so no Damsel flies or Butterflies. After a short time in the hide, and intruder Osprey arrived but only caused a minor problem and was soon on its way with 33 giving chase. The light was very poor and so are the images from this visit.

My next visit out was on the 26th of May, Richard was busy trying to catch up with some jobs so I had a visit to Rutland Water on my own. I arrived at 14.00 hrs having passed through our normal route and visiting the Little Owl Sites, I only managed a single bird at Site No. 2 and the image is very poor as the bird was buried behind leaves. On arrival and a quick a word with Paul I got on my way down to Shallow Water hide, again it was cloudy and a bit windy so no Damselflies or Butterflies on my way down tho the hide. After arriving in the hide after a very short time the sun started to break through and was with me for the rest of the afternoon so that was a bit of a bonus. After about an hour I had a slow walk back up to the centre and managed two Butterflies on my way back. Another chat with Paul and told him I was going over to Eyebrook Reservoir, he told me that most evenings Ospreys had been going over to catch fish, so with that I got on my way and arrived at about 17.15 hrs and had not been on site long when the first Osprey arrived. So I stood behind an area of railway sleepers taking images of an Osprey and eating my tea, what a wonderful way to spend and evening.  

RUTLAND WATER.

24th May.

Male Osprey, Waderscrape Hide.

Sorry for the poor quality of the image, Male Osprey 33 removing an intruding bird from Manton Bay, as you can see he means it with talons outstretched.

Returns to the nest  female and the young, mission accomplished. 

Greater Black Backed Gull.

This bird then arrived and flew over the nest so up went the Male again. 

And again was duly evicted from the Bay.

RUTLAND WATER.

26th May.

Male Osprey, Shallow Water Hide.

Bringing another stick to build up the nest. 

Great Crested Grebe, Shallow Water Hide.

Female sitting on the nest. She never moved so unsure as to any eggs.

Male seeing off a Mallard away from the nest. 

Male Osprey, Manton Bay.

He eventually decided to have a fly around the bay so was slightly closer. 

And then a quick fly behind the trees and back with another stick. 

Male and Female and you can just make out a little head sticking up between them. 

The huge youngsters.  

Green Veined White Butterfly. 

Shallow Water Hide.

Female Common Blue Damselfly. 

Oyster Catchers, Shallow Water Hide.

Several about the area, these landed not far from the hide. 

Red Admiral Butterfly, Shallow Water Hide.

First seen this year but already the wings are damaged.

EYEBROOK RESERVOIR.
26th May.

Male Osprey.

Stood and ate my tea whilst taking the following Images, what a wonderful end to the day. 

Thank you for your visit, I hope you have enjoyed your visit as much as I  did in getting the images.