I decided on Monday the 26th as the sun was shining to have a quick trip across to Eyebrook Reservoir, firstly to meet up with a friend and also hopefully see some Ospreys closer. The friend I met up with but I missed the Ospreys by about an hour, mind it was wonderful to be out on this lovely sunny afternoon with really mild temperatures, I just stood about in just a shirt and thin sweater, I thought make the best of it with what is forecast for Easter, they say more snow.
EYEBROOK RESERVOIR, FIRST VISIT.
26th March.
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Red Kites. These three birds appeared very high, this image on 600mm lens prior to cropping. |
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Red Kite very heavily cropped. |
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| Getting lower but farther away. |
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I had really gone to visit hoping for the Ospreys but Red Kites are a good second best. |
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After this time was going by and so I started to head for home. |
EYEBROOK RESERVOIR, SECOND VISIT.
29th March.
The weather forecast said sunshine and showers, they were partially correct with the showers bit, at one time it absolutely poured just as my first Osprey arrived, I managed a couple of shots in the rain but then it poured and the bird just went out of view, blocked by this wall of rain.
I spent about half an hour waiting for this storm to subside and when it eventually did we had about ten minutes of sun then the clouds returned but then a second Osprey turned up looking for fish.
Even though cloudy I stood a better chance of seeing this bird, I was told later on that the first bird fished by the dam, caught a fish and headed away.
Later on a a very pale Buzzard flew by.
I spent about half an hour waiting for this storm to subside and when it eventually did we had about ten minutes of sun then the clouds returned but then a second Osprey turned up looking for fish.
Even though cloudy I stood a better chance of seeing this bird, I was told later on that the first bird fished by the dam, caught a fish and headed away.
Later on a a very pale Buzzard flew by.
Red Kite, Near Horninghold Village.
This bird was flying around a field just outside the village.
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Black Headed Gull, Eyebrook Reservoir. This was a practice shot for when or if the Osprey turned up, shame the Osprey didn't come as close, but I'm sure through the Summer they will. |
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First Osprey to visit. By this time it was raining really hard, hence the bad quality, after these two images the bird just disappeared, engulfed in the rain. It was flying just over the Tern raft which on checking is 180 metres from me. |
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Second Osprey to arrive. No rain but very cloudy, I had to work at ISO 3000, not the best. The bird was again in the area of the Tern raft so in the region of 180 metres away. |
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They are such a wonderful bird to watch, mind if I had the choice, I think I would have stayed in Africa a little longer. |
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After this the bird went down the reservoir towards the dam.
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Common Buzzard. When I first saw this bird, with it being so pale I thought it may have been a Honey Buzzard. Honey Buzzards will not pass through until May and it has not got the dark banding on the tail. Just a very pale bird. |
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It did just a few circles and was then gone on the wind. |
Little Owl Site No. 8.
What with Osprey duties and other things, this is the first time for a week or two I have passed through the Little Owl sites. Saw a couple of farmers who have seen birds but this was my only positive sighting.
Thank you for your visit, I hope you have enjoyed the images as much as I did in the getting of them.
Hi John, you have a pleasant time to watching the Red Kites, wow, that is wonderful, no need to worry, even with cutting I wouldn't tell.
ReplyDeleteHi Bob,
ReplyDeleteI had two excellent visits out and it was most enjoyable just to watch these birds.
I really pushed to the limit cutting these images.
All the best, John
Great flight photos of the migrants arriving, wish they could bring dryer weather with them! LOL!
ReplyDeleteThe 2 species of butterflies are indeed very common and in great numbers in February in Kenya.
I am not surprised you saw many in East Africa.
I hope you enjoy many more interesting obs this spring and.... may the sun be with you ;-)
Keep well John!
Hi Noushka,
ReplyDeleteI think the Ospreys must be wishing they had remained in Africa, it seems do have done nothing but rain and snow on them since returning.
Hope to see more of these wonderful birds. The birds I help with to date have laid three eggs, lets hope they all can be kept warm and hatch.
May the Sun be with all of us.
Look after yourself and keep well, John
Hi dear John,
ReplyDeleteMeeting friends is also a good thing:). Both are better, I agree, lol.
I hope you get some nice observations from the Ospreys, but at the moment, the kite are beautiful !
The little owl is superb, knowing a good site is great.
Bye :)
Hi Nathalie
ReplyDeleteIt was good to meet up with my friend, he is a gent I have been seeing for a while and this time he came with his wife, so a double bonus.
As you can probably note, I am very fond of the Ospreys and I will be with them tomorrow, observing a nest site. The birds never fail to amaze me, to travel the distances they do and be so accurate in the return.
Red Kites are also a favourite, but the Little Owls are beauties, I am unfortunately nit seeing them in the numbers I did previously.
All the best, John
Extraordinario reportaje, las fotos del milano en vuelo son fantásticas. Enhorabuena John, todo lo mejor desde España.
ReplyDeleteHola German,
DeleteGracias por la visita y al commentario sobre el Red Kite,son un ave maravillosa para observar en vuelo. Espero que estes teniendo un mejor clima que nosotros, demasiada iluvia.
Todo lo mejor de Inglaterra. John
Hi John,
ReplyDeleteso beautiful to be able to see the osprey from so beautiful and to be able to photograph. It is a beautiful bird and what he is really great when he completely puts out his wings. Beautiful to see. Your last photo with the little owl is also such a beautiful photo.
I have enjoyed with you again.
Greetings, Helma
Hi Helma,
ReplyDeleteThank you for taking the time for a visit.
I find the Ospreys incredible birds and so wonderful to watch, the pair I watch are sitting on three eggs with both birds taking turns in the incubation.
They are a large bird and as you say with the wings out they are impressive.
The Little Owl was unfortunately the only one I saw on the day.
All the best to you and your family. John
Enjoyed these lovely birds in flight John. Super shots! Thank you also for the nice welcome back. It is good to be visiting again.
ReplyDeleteLovely one of the owl too I might add :)
DeleteHi Denise,
DeleteSo pleased you have returned to us, look forward to your posts.
We have had some awful weather and the results of being out with the camera have at times not been over good.
Pleased you enjoyed the flight shots, even whilst taking these, one of the Ospreys disappeared from view in the heavy rain.
All the best, John
Hi John: I continue to be impressed by just how common Red Kite has become. I remember that about fifteen years ago I visited the UK and even as recently as then, outside its stronghold in Wales, this species was rare. It is quite remarkable how it has spread throughout the country.
ReplyDelete