W E ARE GETTING EVER CLOSER TO THE 29TH OF MARCH BUT WILL WE  BE ALLOWED TO GET OUT??

PLUS THE MANTON BAY OSPREYS HAVE RETURNED, BOTH  THE MALE 33/11 AND FEMALE MAYA.

So sad that I am just waiting for the government to announce a  relaxation in the Lockdown rules so we birders can after such a long time get out and about  again, a trip to Eyebrook Reservoir  would be just what the doctor ordered.

The Osprey are returning in reasonable numbers so lets hope for a bumper year with young.

The Manton Bay pair are being monitored from Waderscrape Hide, the volunteers must be either in the same bubble or singletons, lets hope this works without any Covid  cases.

I am in the starting blocks to monitor the Site O birds and to see how good a provider the new Male turns out to be.  

The following images are from early season 2016, but this year will be a carbon copy, you can follow the bird on the CCTV cameras to the right of this.

Please remember the nest is in excess of 300 metres from the hide.

All the following images are from 2016.

Male Osprey  arriving at the nest with nest lining material.

Male arriving with a stick to build up the nest, luckily the female ducks. The nest before the birds return is reduced in height and the remaining sticks held in place with cable ties.

The Male flying past the nest, you can see both the CCTV cameras.

An inquisitive Corvid is given the Osprey get out of my patch treatment even though no eggs have as yet been laid.

Male finishing  what was a Rainbow trout of reasonable size.

Muntjac Deer, Waderscrape Hide.

These  are becoming reasonably  common around the reserve.

Blue Tit, Waderscrape Hide.

Marbled White, Former Ketton Quarry.

A truly delightful Butterfly.

Common Darter, Waderscrape Hide.

Bee Orchid, Ketton.

Juvenile Heron, Waderscrape Hide.

This bird appeared and attempted to stalk a young Moorhen.
but a lady in the  hide coughed very loudly and it moved on.

The young Moorhen  with Mum that was the target of the  Heron.

Lapwing, Shallow Water Hide, Lyndon Reserve.

A favorite of a friend of mine, so for you Margaret.

Gadwall, Shallow Water Hide.

Not a Duck I see in great numbers , but a real beauty.

A quick flap to dry off after bathing.

Juvenile Marsh Harrier, Crake Hide.

Birds we see in reasonable numbers usually being chased by Crows. Th largest of the Harriers.

Robin. Eyebrook Reservoir.

Always a favorite and always follow me about at home. 

In 2016 no Barn Owls returned so a pair of Kestrels took the opportunity to take over the box and raise three young, not the excitement of Barn Owls  but still very entertaining and the large box was still in use. the following images are from when I first saw the young through to after fledging. The only good thing being they appeared in the daylight.

Thank you for your visit, I hope you have enjoyed  as much as I have in searching through the archives, it really is much easier with new images.

You all stay safe and well.

 WE ARE OUT OF LOCKDOWN BUT STILL ARE UNABLE TO TRAVEL FAR

It really is becoming seriously worse in the area where we live, today we had a circular from our Doctors surgery warning us as to how serious the virus is in our village so even though the law says we cannot travel far, it would be foolish to do so . We have to wait until the 29th of March to find out our destiny, but how things are looking at the moment, I can see us being put into Tier 4 , which basically is lockdown with a different name, so its back to my archives for another post, how I am missing getting out and about, it would be such a boost to get some normality back into our lives and get some images of birds.

Buzzard, Eyebrook Reservoir.

Taken well away from the reservoir on top of the hill to the West.

Different bird, different day in a tree about 500 metres from above.

This bird flew over the reservoir from the village of Stoke Dry.

This bird on the ground near the inlet stream.

Red Kite , Eyebrook Resrvoir.

All the following birds are flying over the Reservoir.

Male Smew, Eyebrook Resrvoir.

A bird I have missed seeing this year, from the reports they have had several visiting pairs throughout the Winter months.

Male Teal, Crake Hide, Egleton Reserve, Rutland Water.

Beautiful duck to photograph.

Short Eared Owls, Eyebrook Resrvoir.

These three Owls eventually moved up from the reservoir to an area not far from the tree where the first Buzzard perched.

We saw these birds for several visits, my pal from Dubai  was with me on this visit and took an immense number of images, the first time he had seen SEO's.

Even though I'm flying away from you, I can still watch you.

We saw them catch numerous voles and mice during our visits.

Swallow, Eyebrook Reservoir.

Caught in flight which is a feat on its own.

Great-black Backed Gull, Manton Bay, Rutland.

A formidable species of Gull, the most serious predator of the gulls, regular victims include Rabbits, rodents, other seabirds smaller food will be swallowed whole.

Hobby, Eyebrook Reservoir.

Made the mistake of flying over the Tern raft twice, then the Terns were up and gave chase.

Indian Muntjac Deer, Wderscrape Hide, Rutland.

A deer we see on a regular basis from the Hide whilst watching the Osprey.

Mute Swan with Cygnets, Tufted Duck Hide.

All keeping close together whilst Mum has a quick preen.

Water Vole, Waderscrape Hide.

Whilst on Osprey Duty we see these little beauties on a regular basis.

Goldfinch, Waderscrape Hide.

Common Tern, Waderscrape Hide.

A  bird we see in large numbers at the Reservoir.

Male Kingfisher, Kelham Bridge Reserve.

Regular visitors at the reserve, later on with young.

Sparrowhawk, at the side of our House.

Reasonably regular visitor as our neighbor to that side feed the birds, hence the visit.

Female Ruff, Shoveler Hide.

A bird that visits in reasonable numbers.

Little Grebe, Kelham btidge.

Delightful little bird, invariably shows during a visit.

Male Goosander, Crake Hide, Rutland Water.

This pair arrived, had a quick hunt about and soon departed.

TawnyOwl, My friend Reggies  Garden.

Had a recent e mail saying they had returned to his box in his garden, once things have got better I must visit. 

I hope you have enjoyed your visit, it has been an adventure for me searching for these images and it has amazed me as to what I have found, mind I would much rather be out and watching the birds.
You all keep yourselves safe and well.