Rutland Water

Thursday 4 April

Following last night's stay in Nottingham to attend the Andre Rieu concert, we travelled back to Warsash in glorious bright sunshine and clear blue skies but the warm weather offset by the strong cool wind.  However, time to make a brief thirty minute stop at Rutland Water to introduced family to this marvellous site.  And rewarded we were, too, with a good sighting of a quartering Red Kite as it checked out the far side of the lake outside the Visitors Centre for, perhaps, a mid-day snack.

Red Kite Milvus milvus

Jackdaws on the field and trees to our left along with a Chaffinch as we approached the Visitors Centre and before stopping at the feeding area we noted the Rooks at their rookery behind the far hide.  A number of Blue but mainly Great Tits were visiting the feeders and then joined by a male Reed Bunting.  Immediately below the feeders a foraging cock Pheasant with the female right in front of the hide.  

On the water a few Mallard but more Tufted Duck along with a Cormorant, handful of Coot and about a dozen Canada Geese.  Resting atop the "Osprey Pole" on the far side a pair of Egyptian Geese.  Black-headed Gulls were moving about the site and the occasional Woodpigeon. A pair of Mute Swan were seen to our left.

Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiaca

Moving on from the main car park we made our way to Manton Bay, passing a number of Blackbirds and a Robin on the way, the regular visiting Ospreys were back at their nest platform with and the female already sitting but, as yet, no eggs laid.  On the water around the Osprey very many Black-headed Gulls along with a good number of Great Crested Grebes, a few Mallard and the occasional Coot. More Woodpigeons seen along with a Carrion Crow and on the water at the other side of the road from the bridge a feeding Little Egret.

Osprey Pandion haliaetus

Moving on towards Duddington to stop for lunch, taking the narrow country lanes to connect to the A47 we slowed to admire the single Grey Partridge crossing the road and within ten minutes also had a passing Sparrowhawk gliding slowly over the tall hedge to our left. naturally, a number of magpies and more Rooks and Carrion Crows seen.  Then, parking up in car park for our lunch a pair of Greylag Geese landed on the small lake below and a handful of Greenfinches in the trees at our side.  Wonderful end to the Rutland bird spotting!

Birds seen:

Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Egyptian Goose, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Grey Partridge, Pheasant, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Osprey, Red Kite, Sparrowhawk, Coot, Black-headed Gull, Woodpigeon, Robin, Blackbird, Chiffchaff, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Reed Bunting.

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