IS THIS THE DEMISE OF LITTLE OWL SITE NO 5.????

We decided with storm Doris that was forecast for our normal Thursday trip out to defer our trip out {luckily} to the Friday. And so after the storm had passed we ventured forth with trepidation to see if any damage had been done to any of our sites. As you can see Site 5 had a major problem, but the birds have survived the damage and Richard managed to get some images of them, I was driving and missed the opportunity. From here we travelled on through our normal route and saw a bird next at Site No. 8. and then onto Site No. 9 for lunch where we saw two birds. We then had a very quick visit to Rutland Waters Lyndon Centre and a visit to Teal Hide but nothing was very close so we decided to travel across to Eyebrook Reservoir for another try for the Kingfishers, we saw nothing but another gent had seen a Kingfisher prior to us arriving. The weather again was not so good as the afternoon progressed, so I finished with very few images that I felt I could use for the blog, it was another case of rain stopped play. 



24 th February.      

What was and hopefully will be still be Little Owls Site No. 5.


This is a site we have been watching where a crack has been developing for going on for two years. When the tree had its previous disaster, Richard and myself erected the nest box, I have only seen a bird sat on top of it once but after loosing home, lets hope they decide to take up residence. These poor birds have had three episodes of sections of the tree falling. Its a wonder they have survived  and not disappeared from the area. We first found this site when the tree had a previous disaster some years ago and the farmer was complaining the wind had taken down some of his Owl tree.,  

Little Owl Site No. 8.

This site was still intact and the bird was eventually found by Richard after getting out of the car, sitting in the car I could not find it, so out of the car and get an image and the bird was not bothered at all. Camera did well to focus on the bird. More tree than bird! 

Little Owl Site No. 9.

When we arrived just the single bird sat in the nest hole, but as we sat and enjoyed our lunch, her indoors arrived from deeper in the hole.

So we sat and finished our lunch watched by both birds. We then visited the last of our Sites and no more birds were seen, we really must not complain as we has seen five which for how the weather had been the previous day was very good.

VISIT TO MY FARMER FRIENDS.
1st March.

Kestrel Near Little Owl Site No. ???

As I drove down the access road to the farm, I spotted two Kestrels sitting together in one of the trees, I always have the camera at the ready when on the drive but after getting the car at an angle on the road where I could see the birds, one flew away, so had to make do with a singleton.

RUTLAND WATER.

2nd March.

We decided to have a visit to Rutland Water after a considerable break in visiting, as we had our pre season Osprey Meeting in the Volunteer Centre at 19.00 hrs that evening. As we were going to be late home we didn't get under way until 13.30 hrs with it being Richards turn to drive. We headed for our Little Owls Sites and not until Site No 8 did we see a bird, so we carried on through the remaining sites before heading to the Egleton Centre but we saw no more Little Owls, we put this down to a cold wind, this being our worst numbers count for a considerable time.

We arrived at Egleton and booked in with our friend David and then made our way out into the reserve and hides.  We wandered around the hides until late and tea time so we headed back to the car park and made our way round to the Volunteer Centre after eating our teas having enjoyed a wonderful afternoon.

Little Owl Site No. 8.

We really have to hunt within the tree to find this bird, it always tucks itself well into the branches, a bit more bird and less tree this week.

Goldeneye Drake, Lagoon 2, Redshank Hide.

This bird sat well out into the lagoon but what a delight to see it in some sunshine.

It then started its courtship display, throwing its head back. 

And then kicking water into the air. 

Coot, Grebe Hide. Lagoon 2.

Nearly everywhere you look on the reservoir, you are more than likely to see some Coot, but I find you still finish up getting an image or two of these delightful birds. 

Moorhen, Lagoon 2. Grebe Hide.

This bird was eventually chased away by the above Coot. Again a common bird that is hard to resist getting an image from. 

Greylag Goose, Lagoon 2, Grebe Hide.

 Around the Lagoon in reasonable numbers, also were being very noisy

Canada Geese, Lagoon 2, Grebe Hide.

These were being extremely noisy as they bathed whilst swimming out into the Lagoon. 

Gadwall Drake, Lagoon 2, Grebe Hide.

Another common duck but really eye catching

Duck and Drake together. 

Volunteer Training Centre, Next to Lagoon 4. Sandpiper Hide.


This building was only completed and opened last year by Sir David Attenborough and this is where we were having the pre-season Osprey Meeting. The reason we visited this Hide is because Richard saw the Peregrine fly past and we found it sat on the Osprey nest, we both had problems in getting the cameras to focus on the bird, a little dark think.



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


I have kept some of the images from the visit to Rutland Water for next weeks Blog as I am involved on both Wednesday and Thursday at Crufts.