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.