A BIG SURPRISE CLOSE TO OUR LAND.

My birding pal Rhys  Dandy having done some shopping for us  called by to drop it off and asked if I had seen anything of any Peregrine Falcons, I had earlier that morning seen a pair of Buzzards being attacked by a Peregrine over to the corner where the Barn Owl boxes are situated. Rhys said he was seeing them on a regular  basis over his garden, he lives about 400 metres from us farther into the village. He handed over our shopping and then spotted the female Peregrine a good distance away, he says they are nesting within  about 500 metres of our land, hopefully when all this Covid 19 trouble is over I will manage to get closer to the nest , he then gave his farewell and went  on his wayhome. We are so very lucky with having Rhys and to do shopping for us, we also have our friend Kate , she trains guide dogs and calls by at least twice a week to let them have a safe run on our land with no danger of her meeting any other people, she has done a large shop for us today and then we also have a couple that live opposite, Steve and Donna who also will shop for us so food wise we are well covered , just freedom to wander is limited. I have since spent some time sitting and waiting to see the Peregrines and it does seem that if the Buzzard appear, the Peregrine soon follow.  Not sure as to how the Barn Owls will react but hopefully they won't mind, we are getting pellets under mostly the smaller box .One positive  thing that is happening is the enormous reduction in the number of pigeons sitting in the trees all over our land.

Buzzard When fist appearing.

It appears these birds are nesting in the trees about 400 metres East of our land.

The second bird then appeared. 

They circled about for a time, unfortunately my camera with the large lens was upstairs in the house so I had to grab the first camera that came to hand. 

Both Peregrines flew in to attack the Buzzards but I only managed to get an image of one, the skirmish was very quick and then it was over

Barn Owl Box,
This is the box we think the pair are in, we are finding pellets on a regular basis  under the front of the box. Hopefully the Peregrines will leave the Barn Owls in peace.



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

Osprey Up date

We have twenty adult Osprey returned to Rutland Water, The Manton Bay female is sitting on four eggs . It will be wonderful once these restrictions are lifted and I can visit these birds.

THE LAST PLACE I WANTED TO BE.

I was awoken last Friday the 27th very early in the morning with a terrible crippling pain in my right groin, as the day went on the pain got worse so we eventually  called  our Doctors and it was decided by late afternoon to send an ambulance and to admit me to the Leicester General Hospital, the last place I wanted to be with this awful Corona virus about. they apparently had only four small wards open, these being wards 26, 27, 28 and 29, the Maternity hospital was fully open but not for me. I was placed on Ward 29 a male surgical admission ward, on arrival I had all the normal tests and then about 21.30 hrs I was sent for a CT scan, on my return I found my consultant, an absolutely delightful gentleman waiting for me and he proceeded to take some blood, upon asking as to why he said you will be having surgery very soon and we need  your blood group ,just in case, after this they filled me with morphine to sort out the pain, the next thing I remember was entering the operating theatre and talking with the surgeon and the lady anaesthetists, the next thing after this was waking up and I was back on the ward and being told the surgery had taken 2 hours, still unaware as to what they had done. I apparently had  an incarcerated Hernia that had done some other damage that will have to sorted out at a later date after this virus has departed.  Having been on the ward until the afternoon of Sunday the 29 th my consultant visited me  and told me I was to move from the admission ward to the general ward 27 for a few days unless I wanted to go home, I opted for the home option so my drains were were very quickly removed and  my dressings were replaced, a discharge letters to my GP  was prepared and letters for the District nurse to visit  and check me and change my dressings, so by 20.00 hrs I was in a Taxi and heading for home. this was a real shock for my poor wife who had no idea as to what had been going on during Sunday  only then to be informed I was coming home, I think it put the fear of god into her such a short time after my operation. I can only but thank my Consultant Mr. Deepe J Maide,    all the Doctors and Nurses on Ward 29 for the  way I was looked after and sent home almost in one piece.

I am still suffering a reasonable amount of  pain but as the District Nurse  its still early days and I am taking the medication I was sent home with which is helping.

AN AFTERNOON VISIT TO SWITHLAND RESERVOIR.

I decided to have  an afternoon visit to the Reservoir as it would be  hopefully devoid of people, which it was, having been on site fo about twenty minutes and seeing very little  a voice suddenly made me jump with hello John, it was my GP doctor Sill   out for a bike ride with his two children he had been on duty at the village surgery in the morning whilst his wife looked after the children they then reversed duties, he had the children and she took an afternoon surgery, we had a long distance chat for a while whilst his children ate a picnic and he then  was away as he had to take take the  evening surgery.

Male Goldeneye, sitting near to a Mute Swan on the Overflow weir.

This duck did not move whilst I was on the Dam near the overflow.

Pair of Mallard.

This pair walked along the top of the overflow, unfortunately not much else to see.

So on my way home I visited Cropston Reservoir and saw an Osprey at the far end but unfortunately  straight into the sun so no image.

ANOTHER VISIT WITH THE RED KITES.

I decided on the following Thursday to have another visit with the Red Kites, I could get my images out of the car window and keep myself isolated and safe. I have a feeling this could be my last visit for a considerable time. I admit to having had the most wonderful time with these birds in this beautiful little village.

Several white wing tagged birds were around during the afternoon.

Another East Midland tagged bird.

This bird flew directly over the top of the car but only came into view about 60 metres away but most certainly had me spotted, unfortunately I was not as alert.

This bird flew parallel to the road but about  40 metres away so I started to track it with the camera only to come to a sudden stop as the lens hit the left side of the open window and I pressed the shutter button, more through surprise than intent.

A QUICK VISIT TO EYEBROOK RESERVOIR TO CHECK FOR ANY OSPREY.

Upon leaving the Red Kites I had a visit to Eyebrook  to see if any of the Osprey had arrived, we have eleven adults arrived at Rutland Water and the Manton Bay pair are already sitting on two eggs. 

Blue Tit.

As much as I dislike images of birds on feeders, I just could not resist this one.

Great Tit.

These birds were about the tree all afternoon.

Chaffinch Female.

Kept themselves out of the open, difficult to get a clear shot.

Male Chaffinch.

Several birds on the ground picking up the seed dropped from the feeders by other birds.

Osprey Nest Site 'O'.

This when I first arrived but no sign of any Osprey.

An hour later and a gull in residence, having just checked on the volunteer web site we have eleven adult birds returned but neither of the Site O birds have as yet returned.


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


I think this could be my last post for a while until we are allowed back out I intend to stay with my wife in isolation. May we all survive these awful times and return to normality.