I JUST HAD TO HAVE ANOTHER  OSPREY VISIT TO SEE 33/11.

I decided as I was not on duty this week to have a visit back to the Lyndon Reserve and go to see the male Osprey 33/11 to welcome him back from his Winter holiday in West Africa.

On arrival I had a chat with the two new girls we have at the centre and then got underway to visit the hides on the way down to Waderscrape hide. On the walk down it was a beautiful Spring day with Butterflies {wrong lens} and plenty of Chiffchaff calling.

On arrival in Waderscrape I had a chat with the two volunteers on duty and got up to date with all that had been happening at the nest, several matings having taken place and a considerable amount of nest building having taken place since my duty last Thursday.

Earlier on they had intruder Osprey who was soon seen off by 33 but he didn't seem over bothered by three Buzzard that circled over Manton Bay, with no eggs or chicks he didn't seem over bothered where as another Osprey could be after this prime nest site.

After a short time I decided to visit the new Shallow Water hide where you are actually closer to the nest and was most impressed with the two Hides, the ground floor section is extremely comfortable with new higher seats to suit the  large shutter openings, and the upstairs hide is superb for the Osprey nest.

Male Osprey 33/11, Waderscrape Hide.

On arrival this was the view of the Male sitting on the 'T' post to the left of the nest. You can see from last weeks images how much nest building the male has carried out.

Female Osprey, Waderscrape Hide.

The female sat on the nest and after a short time commenced food begging.

Both birds. 

Female Osprey, Shallow Water Hide, Upstairs.

She then became more demanding and we had a continuous calling. 

So the male flew to the hedge and out of her view and threw a deafy, this however did not stop the food begging. 

So after a short time he flew around the back of the trees and landed on the female. 

Then after a quick mating. 

He was away fishing, I think he went to Eyebrook Reservoir in the direction he flew. 

33/11 heading away on a fishing trip, to hopefully silence the female. 

I was lucky as he came within approximately 150 metres of the new hide. 

The female remained on the nest but stopped food begging and it was time for me to head back to the centre and car park and get underway for home.
  

Male Osprey, Deep Water Hide.

On my way back to the Car Park I saw another Osprey , so it was a quick visit into the hide and get an image even though this bird was a silly distance away. Other than the bird is a male, at the distance no chance of reading the ring number.

Female Mallard, Tufted Duck Hide.

Not much going on to the front of the hide but this duck swam past within about 40 metres. 

Male Mute Swan, Tufted Duck Hide.

This bird swam again about 40 metres away past the Hide. 

Male Mute Swan, Shallow Water Hide, Ground Floor.

This bird swam by looking very proud and ready for battle but nothing else was about. 

Teal Male, Shallow Water Hide, Ground Floor.

This single male was messing around near the area where two Great Crested Grebes were building a nest.  

Badger activity just up the track from Waderscrape Hide. 

The well hidden hole in the undergrowth. 

Great Crested Grebe, Shallow Water Hide, Ground Floor.

 This pair have started nest building not far from the hide and all afternoon were about with all the normal bobbing and facing each other.

I was never looking in the right direction when they were in full crests. 

Pied Wagtail, Shallow Water Hide, Ground Floor.

This bird just had a very quick visit and was only about 15 metres away .

Black Headed Gull, Shallow Water Hide, Ground Floor.

At one point we had ten of these birds on the fence posts extending out into the reservoir.




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



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