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. 

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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.