ANOTHER VISIT TO EGLETON, FOLLOWED WITH A TRIP TO EYEBROOK.

I decided on Thursday the 18th to have an afternoon visit to Egleton to see what was around, on arrival at the centre and a quick talk with David it appeared very much the same as the previous week, apparently the Great White Egrets had risen to nineteen in number. So after a quick walk down to Shoveler Hide where nothing other than well in excess of a  thousand Tufted Ducks  well out in the lagoon was evident.

I then made my way around to Lapwing Hide, this hide covers both the Main Arm of the reservoir {South Arm 3} and Lagoon 2 from the other side, at times later in the year it get large numbers of ducks but very little was evident in the main area so I then looked into Lagoon two where I could see some Shoveler ducks.

I then finished up in Crake Hide for most of the remaining time.

Shoveler Duck, Lapwing Hide, Lagoon 2.

This was the only bird that was in a reasonable distance, but she unfortunately swam away and tucked herself away in some reeds instead of coming closer, why do they always do this.

   

Chiffchaff, Lapwing Hide, Lagoon 2.

Then after a few minutes waiting to see if any of the Shovelers came any closer or anymore flew in, all of a sudden I saw some movement to my right and this little beauty flew in to a bush within 15 metres of the hide.

It sat for a good five minutes and most certainly had me spotted but made no attempt to fly away.

It eventually flew away when another couple entered the hide but not until I had had my fill of getting some images. I then moved to Crake Hide as a Jack Snipe had been visiting in the morning and for several days previously, but not for me.

  

Great White Egret, Crake Hide, South Arm 3.

Nothing like the numbers that were evident previously, I counted twelve around the bay. This bird I caught just as it flew in and still has the air brakes and flaps out. 

This bird perched itself on a pile of weed that was no doubt washed up during the windy day a week ago. Decided just to have a quick scratch.

This bird also had just flown in and this time joined up with another GWE on a heap of weed.

Little Egret, Crake Hide, South Arm 3.

Here striding out with a purpose. 

Who's that down in the water!!!!

Grey Wagtail, Buzzard Hide, Lagoon 3.

Not the best of images, the bird sat on an island just over thirty metres away but I just had to try for some images, they are really such a lovely bird.

I suppose not that bad for saying the distance and the amount the image has been cropped.

Thufted Ducks, Shoveler Hide, Lagoon 3.

This image shows about a third of the birds that were way out in the lagoon, this is an uncropped image and they extended a  similar distance to both left and right.

EYEBROOK RESERVOIR.

25th October.

I decided to have a visit to Eyebrook Reservoir, it was a beautiful sunny and warm day and likely to to be the last for a while to the forecast that has said we could have snow a bit farther North over the weekend.

Several reports of Whooper Swans visiting really swung my decision and again I would have the bonus of some Red Kite.

On arrival I met with a gent who I have met numerous times who likewise had not seen any Whooper, he said the same as me and also had seen no Kite.

During the afternoon I saw six, five of which would have been shots direct into the sun and the sixth was so high in the sky, I attempted and failed miserably, we did however manage some flight shots with both Canada and Greylag geese and in general had an entertaining and enjoyable afternoon and chat. 

Greylag Goose, Eyebrook Reservoir opposite Stoke Dry.

A large area of the top part of the reservoir  had large numbers of both Greylag and Canada geese that would take off and fly into the fields behind us on a regular basis. 

These four in close formation, how they were not touching wings.

Starting to split up a little.

At last getting more into a line. 

Three Canada and a single Greylag in this image, more were in the flight but this one I had to crop a great amount.

This is the bird of the left of the above pair, cropped for the above image and then some more for this.





I hope you have enjoyed your visit as much as I did in the getting of the images.

I may try for the Deer Rut at Calke Abbey next week.

A VISIT TO A VERY WINDY EGLETON RESERVE AND THEN TO REG AND JILL FOR THE TAWNY.

I decided to have another visit to Rutland Water on my Thursday visit out, the forecast was for it to be dry but windy with the chance of a shower late on, the rain appeared after I got home luckily.

On arrival I was walking down to the centre when a lady and gent told me a Glossy Ibis was in reasonable view from the upstairs hide, so after booking in, as I went to go upstairs to the hide three gents were walking down and after I had waited for them to clear the stairs they stopped and had a quick chat and eventually asked if they could have a walk around the reserve with me for the afternoon. I had a quick visit upstairs and sure enough the Ibis was away to the left some 160 metres away but you have to try for an image. After this I met up with the three gents outside and we got under way for what would be a good afternoon.

After this we had a general walk about visiting the Hides and being buffeted by the very gusty wind. 

Normally Shoveler Hide is the most productive but lately Crake Hide has been better for me, whilst at Crake we had a count up and counted sixteen Great White Egrets in the bay, this is by far the greatest number I have ever seen.

Glossy Ibis, Egleton Centre, Upstairs Hide, Lagoon 1.

Having been told this bird was about and had come much closer to the hide, it was still 160 metres away and could have done with a little more sun on it to bring out the colours. It is thought this is the same bird that was on the Measham trail in late September, it was considerably closer for getting images whilst at this site.

A little more colour showing.

Greater Black-backed Gull, Shoveler Hide, Lagoon 3.

They are such a large bird that shows with it sitting with the Cormorants. 

Grey Heron, Shoveler Hide, Lagoon 3.

Just missed a flight shot but caught it just on landing, I always find it hard to resist an image of a Heron. 

Snipe In a Tyre, Crake Hide, South Arm Three.

This bird sat in the tyre all the time we were in the hide, I think it acted as a wind break for the bird.

These Snipe were on the far side of the bay and not at all bothered by the wind. 

Little Egret, Crake Hide.

This bird ventures a little closer to an area where the water runs out of Lagoon 3.

Greater Black-backed Gull, Crake Hide.

More than likely the same bird I saw with the Cormorants in Shoveler Hide. 

Great White and Little Egrets, Crake Hide.

Five Great White Egrets and Thirteen Little Egrets in this shot, we had a count of all the GWE in the bay and all came up with sixteen, I have never seen so many previously.

 Great White Egret, Crake Hide.

This bird also ventured up towards the shore line and that much closer. You can see a wave rolling in to the right of the image.
  

Marsh Harrier, Crake Hide.

Unfortunately this week the bird was even farther away, upon checking it was in excess of 290 metres away but again for what followed I had to show the images.
Again images are not that good due to the distance.

 For several of these images the bird was virtually stationary being held in the air by the strong head wind.

It then suddenly dropped down again towards the water. 

And certainly looked as if it was going to attack the Heron, it certainly shows the size comparison of the Harrier to the Heron.

All four of us were firing images a an enormous rate by this time to try and see the outcome of this encounter. Still looked as if it was going to attack the Heron.

It then landed just to the side of the Heron and appears to be standing on the weed. 

It appears to be sinking slightly into the weed. 

And so up and away. 

Again just hovering on the strong wind. 

Hebridean Sheep, By the Egleton Centre.

This beautiful Ram was is the field next to the centre and I just could not resist getting an image.

A VISIT TO REG AND JILL.

My friends had mailed several times to say they still had the Tawny Owl in a tree in the garden and had seen two birds sat close together in the top of the tree, so after a quick call I had a visit to see as to what I could find.

Initially I could not find the bird but then Jack the gardener arrived and  this pair of young eyes managed to help and find the bird. It was well hidden in amongst branches and leaves but it was tripod up , camera on and try to find a clear path through, the results follow.

Tawny Owl, Juvenile.

This was first attempt squeezing an image through the tree, and so it called for a move.
  

Position two, again squeezing a shot through the branches, the bird had got me spotted far better than I the bird!!!! 

A little clearer but still not how I wanted. 

Getting better and the bird looking at me on my knees under the tree.

Then it decides to go back to sleep. 

.

And eventually after four moves, still with a lot of debris in the shot, a little clearer image with it watching me. I will hopefully have another visit and eventually get a clear image.

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