VISITS TO EYEBROOK, CALKE PARK AND AN OSPREY DUTY.

I decided as we were still experiencing the warm weather to have an afternoon at Eyebrook Reservoir on the 12th of July, I could hopefully see some birds but also it meant not walking any great distance in the 28 degree heat, that I must admit I did not fancy.

I arrived and after a short time  male Osprey 03/09 arrived and had a quick fly around in front of me and then flew farther down the reservoir only to return later with a very large fish. Other than that it was very quiet, I think the same for the birds as us humans and they were all keeping cool in trees.

EYEBROOK RESERVOIR.
12th July.

Male Osprey 03/09. Opposite Stoke Dry.

Luckily for me this bird has become a regular visitor for me, He first arrived not many minutes after I arrived, I had just set up the tripod and was then going to have my lunch when he turned up so lunch had to wait. Bird about 200 metres away.

Here returning with what I think is a very large perch, this should keep the young fed for a while. 

Spitfire, Eyebrook Reservoir.

This plane suddenly appeared over the far side of the reservoir. I think it is a different aircraft than previous but unable to read the number,  as its on the far side.

CALKE PARK.

10th July.

I had a quick evening visit again hopefully to see the Badgers and anything else that was about.

On arrival at the Badger areas I found two ladies already in place and asked if they had seen anything, up to then nothing had appeared.

Unfortunately they were a very chatty pair and even though I was in excess of fifty metres away from them I could hear everything they said, as I'm sure the Badgers could likewise.

By the time it got to 20.00 hrs I had seen a Badger a good distance away and could see several others moving in the bracken but they would not come close, so I had a visit to the ladies and suggested that for a while they could stop chattering, i'm sure we are not disturbing them said the older lady, I bet you cannot hear us, I have heard all about your Uncle Tom and his boils I said, and then returned back to my camera.

Needless to say they didn't stop a continuous chatter so by 21.00 hrs I decided to move on and head for home, I will have another visit and see what happens. 

Adult Male Great Spotted Woodpecker, Car Park Bird Hide.

I had a quick visit into the hide and only this bird showed so I got under way into the wood for the Badgers.

Badger.

This was the only Badger I managed and image from, it was about 80 metres away and well hidden in the trees and bracken.

OSPREY DUTY.
19th July.

I got away from home a little earlier as I was meeting up with some relations to take them to see the Ospreys, on arriving at the Lyndon Centre and meeting up with Lesley and John, we got under way and arrived at the hide for about 13.00 hrs to meet Shelagh who was already in place.

At this time the only bird we could find was the adult female, after a short time the juvenile male 3AU appeared from in one of the polar trees and then the adult male 33/11 but we never saw the juvenile female unfortunately, I think she was keeping herself well hid in the poplars trying to keep cool, as we were all trying to do and failing. 

With how hot it was we were amazed as to how busy it was with several parties of people arriving and numerous couples, more strength to them, in this heat.

Adult Female Osprey.

All the time we were on duty she never moved from this post, just turned round twice.

All the Osprey images are in the area of 300 metres away so please excuse the quality.

  

Juvenile Male Osprey 3 AU.

This is when he first appeared and had a quick short fly about and then landed on the fallen poplar  tree, a favourite spot for all the Ospreys.

Male Osprey 33/11. Waderscrape Hide.

We were not sure where he came from but he came in very low and had a short fly around the trees and past the Juvenile Male.

Juvenile Male sitting on the fallen poplar watching 33. 

You could almost hear him say " watch this son, this is how you catch a fish".

An embarrassed 33 flying to the back of the trees with a "sod it, missed it" as 3 AU watches on hoping for a meal.

33 hiding himself away towards the top of one of the polar trees.

3AU then flew onto the nest for 33 to bring the fish to him. 

He then flew onto the camera post and started food begging and 33 then went away fishing. 

Snipe, Waderscrape Hide.

We had been told by the people we took over duty from that they had seen a Snipe inthe channel in the front of the hide, and sure enough it turned up for us several times but usually hiding in the reeds to the edge.

Still just on the edge of the reeds but a little closer.

Grey Heron, Waderscrape Hide.

This bird flew into the end of the channel to the front of the hide. One had visited earlier in the week and was seen taking a Water Vole.

Little Egret, Tufted Duck Hide.

Closest I have seen one for a considerable time sat on a small island that has appeared in the last two weeks as the reservoir level falls.  

Hateful when the breeze blows your  feathers up.

Egyptian Geese, Tufted Duck Hide.

This pair sat on the same island as the Egrets.



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



One bit of bad news, we lost our youngest dog this week with what the vet said was a heart attack.