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.
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Male Osprey arriving at the nest with nest lining material. |
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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. |
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The Male flying past the nest, you can see both the CCTV cameras. |
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An inquisitive Corvid is given the Osprey get out of my patch treatment even though no eggs have as yet been laid. |
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Muntjac Deer, Waderscrape Hide. These are becoming reasonably common around the reserve. |
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Marbled White, Former Ketton Quarry. A truly delightful Butterfly. |
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Common Darter, Waderscrape Hide. |
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Juvenile Heron, Waderscrape Hide. |
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This bird appeared and attempted to stalk a young Moorhen. but a lady in the hide coughed very loudly and it moved on. |
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The young Moorhen with Mum that was the target of the Heron. |
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Lapwing, Shallow Water Hide, Lyndon Reserve. A favorite of a friend of mine, so for you Margaret. |
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Gadwall, Shallow Water Hide. Not a Duck I see in great numbers , but a real beauty. |
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A quick flap to dry off after bathing. |
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Juvenile Marsh Harrier, Crake Hide. |
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Robin. Eyebrook Reservoir. Always a favorite and always follow me about at home. |
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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.
Thankyou John, A most entertaining visit. I too, am looking forward to when I can get out to my favourite spots and not have to worry about breaking laws or catching anything. Stay safe.
ReplyDeleteMike.
Hello Mike,
DeletePleased you had an entertaining visit, we are both ready to get out and about but without the worry of being policed or getting involved with this damned virus.
Stay safe.
John
COVID seems to be a moving target, doesn't it? Just when you think you understand the regulations around it, and when conditions might improve it all seems to change again. And then there are the new variants to deal with. It has been a trying year to say the least, John. But take heart. The Ospreys have returned and will go about their business, monitored or not, and that's the important thing really. I expect that you can confidently predict that COVID will not bother them at all! All the best. David
ReplyDeleteHello Both,
DeleteThese damned variants are causing so much trouble, as you say, a moving target but the experts are working on another Vaccine to apparently cover the gaps, I m reliably informed by a friend. The Osprey are getting on with life as normal in nest building and with him feeding the female up to produce good eggs, which is wonderful to watch on the CCTV. They do not haver the inconvenience of social distancing or masks.
You stay safe.
John
Hello John, yes I had to think of you when I read on the FB site of Rutland that the Ospreys are back for another breading season. Lets hope it will besuccesful for them and us. Great to be able to watch them at least on the cam.
ReplyDeleteStay safe and lets hope this will be the last year of having to deal with this virus.
Regards,
Roos
Hello Roos,
DeleteI totally agree with your sentiments, we have had to deal with this virus for so long, lets hope it soon disappears. The Osprey are getting on with life without any help or hindrance from us and lets hope for another four egg year,
You stay safe.
John
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteWow John, you captured really well, Osprey, Muntjac Deer, and Kestrel, Marbled White of course.
ReplyDeleteHello Bob,
DeleteSo good in seeing the returned Osprey, just hope we will soon be able to get out with the cameras and be safe.
You stay safe,
John
hello John
ReplyDeleteone is an advantage and that is that you can see the nest well, great shots of the eagle and the falcons in the owl box have turned out very nice, if you were able to take pictures in better light like the owls, nice review
Greetings Frank
Hello Frank,
DeleteThe nest unfortunately is a considerable distance from the viewing hide, pleased you enjoyed the images and the review.
You stay safe.
John
Hi John!... Beautiful and varied compilation of pictures...I love all the images because I love nature... I hope you're well and healthy... Someday will be safe and free of this horrible covid... Have a peaceful day and week ahead...😊
ReplyDeleteHello Ana,
ReplyDeleteWe all I'm sure can't wait for Covid to go away and release back into enjoying nature. You have a good week.
Stay safe and well
John
Hello John!
ReplyDeleteThese species are incredible and your photos are awesome. Congratulations!
Greetings, Alasco.
Hello Alasco,
ReplyDeleteI just wish we were allowed to go out and travel to see some of our migration arrivals.
You stay safe,
John
Super shots of the Osprey John! The Corvid was sent on his way in short time. The Muntjac Deer has a sweet face, and the Blue Tit is a beauty, a very colorful bird. I also thought the Marbled White was a delight. I loved seeing the lacy wings in such detail on your Common Darter. The Bee Orchids are stunning. The Juvenile Heron has such sharp, brilliant eyes, and no doubt the young Moorhen is thanking the lady for her help and yes I am empathizing:) I could go on and on about your photos and am happy to pop in today. With grateful thanks to you for sharing from your archives. All the best to you and good health to you both.
ReplyDeleteHello Denise,
ReplyDeleteThe Osprey are doing well this year with the female already sitting on eggs, its really surprised me in finding all I have in my archives. I'm afraid we still are not allowed to travel and as previously people are having driving licenses seized by the police for breaking the rules, the lady certainly d=saved the young Moorhen bless her.
All my best wishes to you and yours, stay safe.
John
Hi John,
ReplyDeleteI am called away so I have to leave soon but I have just looked at your photos. Lovely to see the ospreys but also the other birds and the beautiful deer. Your marble white butterfly is truly a gem of a butterfly and so beautifully photographed! The Blue Heron series is also very cool, but I have rarely seen a nest of young kestrels as beautiful as these young kestrels. Beautiful to see. And then you have the young church onion; and. Really enjoy with a very big G.
Stay safe John,
Kind regards, Helma