Rutland Water

Saturday 18 April

Ospreys Pandion haliaetus back on their nest in Manton Bay

Another beautiful start to the day with clear blue skies and lovely sunshine, albeit a cool breeze if you were out of the sun.  With cases to be packed this afternoon, and watch the F1 "Pole" race, in readiness for a very early start to the airport in the morning, just time for a fond farewell to Rutland Water so off to the reserve by 8.30 for a couple of hours.  Crows, Wood Pigeons and a gorgeous Red Kite as I approached the Water and then straight to the road bridge at Manton Bay to check out the Osprey nest.  Both adults were present, even if the light was against me, and on reaching the Visitors Centre I read the notice that there were now 19 individuals in residence and that the Manton Bay pair, as below, had already produced two eggs.  I knew that the reservoir was just about full but I was very surprised to see how deep the water was here where, under normal circumstances, there is always a little exposed banking and mud to attract waders.  Not today, just deep water which produced Mute Swans, Tufted Duck and Shelduck along with a couple of Teal and a Moorhen on the pool on the other side of the road.

As ever, numerous Jackdaws Corvus monedula all over the area

Back to the Visitors Centre where I was greeted by the resident Jackdaws and the ever-increasing Rooks from the adjacent rookery along with a solitary Collared Dove.  Very little at the feeding station but I did pick up both Great and Blue Tit along with a trio of Mallards and a couple of Chaffinches.  The occasional Blackbird flitted about and then a short walk down to the Mallard Hide produced a Marsh Tit.  On the water a good number of both Canada and Greylag Geese along with Mallards and Teals plus Coot, Cormorants and Black-headed Gulls.  Before returning I also managed to find a few Lapwing.

Even a Rook Corvus frugilegus managed to present itself in a relatively clear view

Walking back through the woods I could hear both Pheasant and Great Spotted Woodpecker calling/drumming respectively and then I made my way a little to other side of the Visitors Centre where I found both Blackcaps and a Chiffchaff.  Still very many Jackdaws and regular Blackbird sightings and my visit to just the one hide produced a Great Crested Grebe.

Was the Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita ringed this year or last?

Time to go home and a final revisit to the feeding station manage to add both Greenfinch and Dunnock.  As I drove back towards Stamford I pondered on the thought that I had NOT seen a Robin, Magpie, Starling or House Sparrow all morning!

Just the one Dunnock Prunella modularis this morning.

Birds seen:
Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Shelduck, Mallard, Teal, Tufted Duck, Pheasant, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Osprey, Red Kite, Moorhen, Coot, Lapwing, Black-headed Gull, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Dunnock, Backbird, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Marsh Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Jackdaw, Crow, Rook, Chaffinch, Greenfinch.

Check out the accompanying website at http://www.birdingaxarquia.weebly.com for the latest sightings, photographs and additional information.