TWO TRIPS TO EYEBROOK RESERVOIR.

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.

Red Kites.

These three birds appeared very high, this image on 600mm lens prior to cropping.

 Red Kite very heavily cropped.

Getting lower but farther away.

I had really gone to visit hoping for the Ospreys but Red Kites are a good second best.

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.   

Red Kite, Near Horninghold Village.

This bird was flying around a field just outside the village.

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.

  

 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. 

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. 

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. 

After this the bird went down the reservoir towards the dam.

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. 

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.