A Day with the Ospreys

6th July 2022

It is early July, the three Osprey chicks at Rutland Water have all fledged so time for our annual visit. After they have fledged the chicks stay close to the nest, only returning to the nest to feed on fish brought back by the adults. They don't fish themselves until they are forced to when the adults leave the site on their return migration.. Here is one of the chicks returning to the nest with one of the adults sitting on the camera stand.

While we were there the chicks were remarkably inactive, occasionally flying from the adjacent trees to the nest, a distance of no more than 30 yards. Luckily the male 33(11) was particularly active today and went on several flights around the bay providing some great opportunities.

Occasionally he would fly low over the water and drag his talons in the water. This was not a fishing attempt but more to do with washing the fish scales off his talons.

At one stage he was called into action to see off a Heron that had strayed too near the nest. It's absolutely amazing just how agile a Heron can be,

But by far the most bizarre behaviour that I have ever witnessed was when he would be flying lazily around quite high in the sky when he would fold his wings and go into a stoop like a Peregrine, pulling out from the dive about 15 feet above the water. I have idea what this was about but it was most spectacular.

Well Rutland never disappoints and this was by far the best visit ever!!!!