Good Friday with Rutland Water's Ospreys

33 & Maya on the Manton Bay nest

Goldeneye

Wigeon flock

Mediterranean Gull

Osprey Centre

Lunch stop

Normanton Church

Distant Osprey Shot

Four days off for Easter started with a trip to Rutland Water. We hadn't been for a couple of years so we thought we would see as much of it again as possible. Thick fog greeted us on arrival so we decided to walk south along the dam and then to the stunning Normanton Church. The foggy background set an atmospheric church built between 1826 & 1829. With the fog easing we saw our first Red Kite hunting above the lambs, singing Skylarks whilst a number of the Great Crested Grebes & Tufties came into view.

We then headed to the North Arm where the first bird to stand out was a Mediterranean Gull that was calling loudly. This particular Gull had been seen on the main reserve and was actually ringed in Poland. There were still excellent numbers of Wigeon along side Gadwall, Goldeneye, Common Gull, Little Egret and Great Crested Grebes.

We then headed down the peninsula to where I saw the Cory's Shearwater last year. This little spot came up trumps as a thorough scan found 5 Scaup in the bay (year tick). From here we headed into Oakham where we enjoyed a fantastic lunch at Otters Smokehouse and Deli. The reviews met all our expectations. 

The main reserve was a little disappointed to be honest, 17 Sand Martin were busy over Lagoon 4 and there were three Chiffchaffs in full song. Other sightings included 6 Oystercatchers, Shelduck, Shoveler & other wildfowl. 

As we left it rained very heavily but thankfully it passed over when we reached the Lyndon Reserve that sits on the south side of Manton Bay. The feeders were very busy with Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Greater Spotted Woodpecker, Chaffinch & Tree Sparrow (bonus year tick). 

The walk to the Osprey viewpoint took around 15 minutes which was an upgraded hide since our last visit. They also plan to upgrade another of the hides to a double tiered hide with no vibration. We are really pleased that both of the birds, Maya and 33, were on the nest or in close vicinity. Whilst we were there both birds took turns to incubate the egg laid two days previous. The male bird did a super circuit before returning to the nest. (Second egg laid 31/3). The volunteers reported at least 7 Ospreys have returned to date and they expect a total of around 30. A scan from the same point found four Egyptian Geese were on the bank, 2 Great Northern Divers & a winter plumage Slavonian Grebe. 

The rain started again as we return to the visitor centre making the drive home difficult but we were grateful of another top day in Rutland.