[Peewit]

Osprey boat Cruise at Rutland Water - Saturday 21st July 2012

At 5am today, OH and I drove to Rutland Water in the early morning for some Osprey watching.

We had planned to attend the early Rutland Belle Cruise at Whitwell Harbour, Rutland Water.

Sadly, due to our slow, disorganised start, we did not make it to the boat trip on time. This had been planned in advance, so we could meet up with a couple of our friends for a catch up on events. Instead we arrived late –shame on us. As we where late, we decided to wait at Whitwell Harbour for our friends on their return from the boat trip, as and when they did.

The weather was going to be much improved today. A blue sky gave a good feeling that we where going to enjoy our day out birding, especially after all the wet weather we have been getting. Just a great way to raise the spirits, and give the feel good factor. We sat and watched the world go by until the return of the Rutland Belle. We watched for bird life over the ‘glistening’ water. There was a lot going on to entertain us as we sat on our bench. just wiling the time away in a relaxed frame of mind. We felt comfortable in this setting, as we commented more then once between ourselves about what we thought of this trip.

We where awarded by a pair of nesting Swallows in the confines of the roof space of the nearby Restaurant. A nest had been built within the confines of the eaves of the roof. We got some photos of the birds flying around, and landing on the same wooden slat banister over and over again. They are such agile birds, and very graceful. They mated in front of us so it would mean more chicks in the nest LOL.

As time wore on, more Swallows appeared in the sky above us chirruping to one another on the wing. It was such a great chance to see the bird close up, and personal in their busy lives. We could also see individual Swallows landing close to the to waters edge to scoop up the mud in their bills, and take it back to their nest. It was very interesting to watch, and that is what we did – observe the birds.

On the beach front a pair of breeding Pied Wagtails strutted around quickly. They wagged their tails up and down, along with a little flit of the wings every so often to catch insects on the wing. One of the adult birds looked like he/she had been hen-pecked due to feathers missing in the head area. Oh dear… a new age punk hair do came to mind. The birds head was bald, with only a couple of feathers showing on top. I wondered who wore the trousers in the relationship LOL. What superb parents looking after their babies ( I counted at least 4 juvenile birds). The parents fed their offspring constantly over and over again. A thankless task for the parents involved, because they must have been tired out themselves by now. Bringing up a family is hard work, and the parents need to have their rest time, and have their feathers renewed along with their annual moult for the year.

There was a background noise of fish moving about. Every so often a ‘loud’ plopping noise was heard. The noise drew my attention over the waterway. A few Mallards floated about in the water, not in any rush to go anywhere. A Common Tern flew above the ‘shiny’ surface of the water. It dived every so often and circled over and over again for its food.

1. Swallows
2. Swallows
3. Cormorant in flight
4. Pied Wagtail
5. Pied Wagtail

to be continued...

[Peewit]

Osprey boat Cruise at Rutland Water - Saturday 21st July 2012

A Crow made a fuss while it sat on the top most point of the restaurant building. It flew to a broken branch close to the edge of the water a few times, then back and forth between perches. It continued cawing in a loud frenzied way. I wondered if it was a youngster wanting to be fed by its parents, as they seemed to be around in the area calling back to the lone bird – so it was not alone at all in anyway,

Lots of Goldfinches moved around the trees –‘tinkling’ to one another. The sun seemed to transfer nature into another mode, and all the birds where singing at their best. Nice to hear a Chiffchaff, and a Willow Warbler calling in one area though they where rather sparse in all other areas for any calling birds in one place.

Black Headed Gulls flew about making their ‘crackling’ calls to on another. Unmistakable! A few Rabbits bounced about in the area under the trees. Other birds in the area included Blackbirds, Great Tits, Blue Tits, Collared Doves, Woodpigeon, Blackcaps, Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Greenfinch, Dunnocks, Chaffinches, Wrens, and a fleeting ‘blue’ glimpse of a Kingfisher flying about in the car-park area. A Cormorant flew low above our heads, and we had a great view of its undercarriage and silhouette in motion over our heads like the black phantom in the sky. eek LOL.

The Rutland Belle returned to the harbour, and our friends met up with us at the car-park. They went to have their breakfast as part of the ‘boat’ trip, and we made our own way to Lyndon visitor Centre and Nature Reserve. Once at Lyndon, we had a look about the place. I was pleased to hear many Sedge Warblers calling to one another in the area close to the visitors centre. We where lucky to see the Sedge Warblers land in a tree closer to the path, but they disappeared very quickly too from our sight.

After a short time, we met up with our friends once more. We walked through Lyndon Visitors Centre to see what was around. We where told that one of the Osprey chicks was in the disable toilet (in a cage) being looked after due to one of its parents attacking it. There was a ‘hum’ in the air as it was mentioned that the chick was to be returned to its nest very shortly, and we wanted to see how everything went to plan.

I noted that there was no sign of the ‘breeding’ Kestrels nest box from last year. So sad, as I believe this was due to the wet weather slowing all breeding birds down and causing all sorts of problems for all wildlife. Good to see that the garden visitors where still happy to feed of the feeders outside the windows, so they are the satisfied customers.

We joined up with our friends, as a small group, and made our way towards the Osprey Hides to see the nesting Osprey as the highlight of this trip. We walked slowly, and looked at all the flowers and insects on the way. The track underfoot was muddy, slippery, and was difficult to walk on due to all of the rainfall. We all had to tread carefully as we made our way to each hide so not to slip, or worse fall over. Eeek!!

Our first sighting of a Butterfly was of a Ringlet having a rest on the gravel pathway. It sat with its wings open for a while, and remained there sunning itself. We could take a photo easily while it sat quietly for us. A few Gatekeepers, and Meadow Brown Butterflies flew about the clump of thistles close to us at the left side of the pathway. The Butterflies revelled in the sun, and where fluttering like fury everywhere we looked at the clumps of Thistles. A larger number of Ringlets joined in, and it was Butterfly heaven all of a sudden. We could see two or more Butterflies sharing the same flower head along with Bumble Bees, and other insects of all types.

6. Pied Wagtail
7. Pied Wagtail
8. Swallow
9. Pied Wagtail (juvenile)
10. Ringlet Butterfly on gravel

to be continued....

[Peewit]

Osprey boat Cruise at Rutland Water - Saturday 21st July 2012

We stopped off at the Deep Water Hide, and we sat down together. A couple of Mute Swans remained close together as one, and looked although they had formed a strong bond between them. A Coot swam about with gusto although it was on a mission to go somewhere, or anywhere it could go. The waters where open and shining in the sun. The air was filled with Mayflies, or a similar species catching up on the dry spell we are having today, and they clogged up the air in the hides.

We decided to move on to the Tufted Duck Hide. We noted a Great Crested Grebe nesting the rushes. The nest well hidden from view, in the rushes outside the hide window. That was the best way for the bird to be safe, hidden from prying eyes. Cannot wait to see the humbug chicks, maybe in the next week or so as that is what we plan to do in the near future.

A few Female Mallard Ducks moved about in the green algae water just beneath the hide window. They wallowed in the green algae over the surface of the water. One duck made a show of herself and her image showed up well on camera. She was a curious, photogenic duck – what a poser

Lots of Coots patrolled the area. A Cormorant made a blustered wet splashing noise to get itself airborne, and it moved into flight mode. It paddled, clumsily along the surface of the water, and took off into the sky above. A leafless tree was centre stage for one Cormorant battle, and a couple of birds made it clear what part of the tree they wanted to be in. They chased each other off with lots of grunting noises much to our amusement.

A few Great Crested Grebes moved about the area looking their best at the moment. The Female Tufted Ducks looked very different in their moult, and looked very bedraggled looking along with the males showing little white in their plumage. One Female Tufted Duck had three ducklings to look after and they where so cute to watch from the hide window. Lovely to see anyday.

We continued on our way towards Waderscrape Hide. We past a lot more Butterflies, Bees and Common Blue Damselflies in the low scrub at the side of the path. Everywhere we looked was busy with lots of insect activity. I took one photo of a Gatekeeper, a Small Skipper Butterfly, and two Bees on one flower head. My OH spotted a Southern Hawker Dragonfly hanging from under a wooden fence pole. This poor creature had only 3 wings… poor thing. What a chance of a photo shot and that is what we could do.

We paid a visit to the Waterscrape Hide to see what was going on. We were not disappointed to see a Great Crested Grebe nest close up to the hide window.

A Common Tern flew its flight of fancy in the sky, and entertained us when my OH got his camera clicking at the birds aerobatics in the sky – so we are pleased with the photos we got of the bird in action.

The tall bull rushes where alight with calling birds. The Reed Buntings where in fine fettle, and one bird showed well. A Sedge Warbler was heard, but it remained a lot further out away from the hide than the Reed Buntings

Once we moved on to the last and final hide, this was now Osprey territory – the Shallow Water Hide.

A Great Crested Grebe is nesting close to the Hide window. What a fabulous view we had of all the bird life. A family of Pied Wagtails flitted about, then landed quietly on the fence post at the waters edge. The young birds begged for food non-stop and kept both parents very busy. A Woodpigeon sat on the furtherist post, and looked so out of place with the water underneath its perch.

11. Meadow Brown
12. Great Crested Grebe
13. Coot
14. Cormorant water takeoff
15. Mute Swans courting

to be continued....

[Peewit]

Osprey boat Cruise at Rutland Water - Saturday 21st July 2012

Swallows filled the air and flew about in all directions – great to hear their little chirrups while they flew about on the wing. A blue ‘metallic’ flash of a Kingfisher shooting past the hide window caused a stir amongst people – great to see one even though they are like little torpedo’s, and it hard to see them at all.

The Ospreys had to be the stars of the show from this hide and we where treated to some entertainment from the young Osprey, who decided to fly the nest, and land on a nearby pylon. I really hope that the ‘other’ youngster who had a hard time is alright in the future and is looked after by both its parents.

A flying Grey Heron lumbered past the Ospreys nest, and carried on its way out of our sight. The S shaped neck gave the bird a compacted look while it flew by, and continued into the distance.

The highlight of the day was the two Wimbrels calling to one another in flight, as they passed over the hide we where in. I could see the bird’s flying side by side, flying together in unison at some speed.

We counted three Little Egrets flying by, and making their presence known in the area, but they disappeared far beyond the hide to an area that they remained aloof from humans watching them…especially with that white plumage.

We made our way back, stopping every so often to look at some of the insects that where about the area. We noted a Common Female Blue Damselfly sitting vertical on a thick post – so well disguised…it was easy to miss her. A few Wrens sang as we walked along – their trilling carried on for miles.

Once back at the carpark, we had our packed lunch. We departed, leaving our friends to continue their journey over the weekend, and we headed home to Bedford once more.

We arrived back home to relaxed, and enjoy the rest of our Saturday.

We must go back to Rutland Water to see how the Great Crested Grebe chicks are doing in the coming weeks –maybe this weekend…. depending on the weather and what we are doing. We shall see!

Thank you for reading this report.

Regards
Kathy
x

16. Female Tufted Duck
17. Common Blue Damselfly
18. Meadow Brown Butterfly
19. Southern Hawker
20. Common Tern in flight

to be continued with photos only....

[Peewit]

Osprey boat Cruise at Rutland Water - Saturday 21st July 2012

21. Reed Bunting
22. Skipper Butterfly
23. Pied wagtail and juvenile
24. Great Crested Grebe
25. Great Crested Grebe

to be continued...

[Peewit]

Osprey boat Cruise at Rutland Water - Saturday 21st July 2012

26. Female Tufted Duck and her ducklings (3 of them)
27. Osprey
28. Whitwell Harbour area at Rutland Water
29. Swallow with mouth open
30. Toadstool

To be continued...

[Peewit]

Osprey boat Cruise at Rutland Water - Saturday 21st July 2012

31. Wildflower
32. Honeybee
33. Bracket Fungas
34. Gatekeeper Butterfly
35. Skipper, 2 Bees, and a Meadow Brown Butterfly on one flower head

to be continued...

[Peewit]

Osprey boat Cruise at Rutland Water - Saturday 21st July 2012

36. Soldier Beetle
37. Female Mallard Duck
38. Honey Bee
39. Grey Heron
40. Hoverfly

to be continued...

[Peewit]

Osprey boat Cruise at Rutland Water - Saturday 21st July 2012

and finally...

41. Common Blue Damselfly (Female)
42. Tree with Red Berries (Cherry comes to mind) - to ID
43. Woodpigeon
44. Small moth
45. Tree with small berries - to ID

Thank you once more

Regards
Kathy
x

[Spotter]

I used to live next to Rutland Water and this time of year it is at its best. A comprehensive report, well done

[Peewit]

Originally Posted by Spotter

I used to live next to Rutland Water and this time of year it is at its best. A comprehensive report, well done

Thank you Spotter

It would be a lovely area to live in. Do you miss it at all?

There is so much to see and do, and we would like to visit Egleton sometime.

We have hardly broke the surface of the area yet, look forward to many more visits now, and in the future.

Regards
Kathy
x