Ospreys at Rutland Water

10th June 2015

The middle of June so time for a visit to Rutland Water to see and hopefully photograph the Ospreys. We headed straight for the Shallow Water Hide and en route managed to connect with Chiffchaff and Yellowhammer. The Yellowhammer, although very vocal, was fairly shy and preferred to remain hidden in the foliage at the top of an Ash tree. When we did eventually arrive at the hide we were surprised to find that we had the place almost to ourselves, and therefore we were able to choose our positions before settling down for a long wait.

Conditions were just right with lots of sun coming from behind the hide and a lot of bird activity in front to entertain us while we were waiting for the Ospreys to perform. There were lots of Black-headed Gulls patrolling up and down hawking insects off the algae and their more delicate and gracious cousins the Common Terns were searching for fry in the shallows.

This female was too lazy to look for her own food so just kept on begging food from her partner.

I think this is the most black and white Pied wagtail I have ever seen so no doubt about the sex. Amazing contrast with the slimy-green algae.

Wildfowl were well represented with this female Gadwall and a female Shoveler which was escorting her brood of eleven ducklings.

Just to the right of the hide a pair of Great Crested Grebes were playing mums and dad around a nest. The nest was not finished and was certainly empty, so it is not clear whether this was a pair having a late second attempt or a young pair just practising for next year. Just looking at the size of that webbed foot it is not hard to see how that can swim so fast underwater.

A Lapwing appeared to be holding territory nearby but for me the most exciting arrival was a small party of Sand Martins which after they had finished their insect hunting thought it would be a good idea to sit on the barbed wire fence and have a preen. This was rather special for me as they were the first Sand Martins that I have ever photographed at close quarters.

But now to the business in hand, the Ospreys. When we arrived in the hide both birds were sitting on the nest with little activity, apart from a few flaps and changes in position.

However, eventually the male did go for a fly-about and came back with..........a twig. The female looked very impressed. In fact all the time we were there he brought in a twig several times but never a fish. Probably not necessary as there was already a large fish lying in the nest which they snacked on throughout the day.

Well, what a fantastic day and another successful annual pilgrimage to this most fantastic reserve. Not only were the Ospreys entertaining as usual but there was also a very cooperative supporting cast allowing some close-up photography. I will definitely be back next year.

A Heron Falling Off His Perch.......and a Purring Dove

4th June 2015

The first week of June and time for a visit to Fowlmere in search of the increasingly rare Turtle Dove. Unbelievably a Turtle Dove could be heard purring from the car park but then flew towards Drewers Hide. A quick look around that area only got me closer to the bird, but even from the hide it could not be seen. After about 20 minutes I gave up and headed for the Reed-bed Hide.

On the eastern trail and looking back over the reed-bed I could see a large bird of prey wheeling around over the reed-bed. It was soon identified as a Marsh Harrier and then a second bird appeared, both females, and proceeded to quarter the reed-bed before disappearing as quickly as they had appeared.

Once inside the Reed-bed Hide, a Grey Heron flew in with a rather large fish in its mandibles and close inspection revealed that it had caught a rather large Perch. Now, assuming that the bill of a Heron is 6 inches long, then this Perch is 11 inches, a truly magnificent ex-fish. The trouble is that the first thing that the Heron did was to drop the fish. It didn't seem too bothered as it knew that the fish was now in shallow waters, which is probably why it brought it here.

There on in followed a fight that went on for some time until the fish was eventually brought under control and swallowed.

And I am not quite sure whether the bulging neck is a sign of pain or satisfaction.

As I left the hide I could hear a second Turtle Dove purring to the right, which is where I photographed it a couple of years ago high in a dead tree. I turned right at the main track and walked 50 yards or so I could see the tree and there it was, almost on the same branch as it was two years ago.

I love Fowlmere. Even if it is quiet, it is such a lovely walk through diverse habitats, and for Turtle Doves it is by far the most reliable site I know of in the south-east for this declining species.

A Visit to Amwell for all things Reedy

3rd June 2015

A couple of hours to spare, the rain had stopped, the sun had come out so off to Amwell to see what was happening in the James Hide. As I opened the flap all seemed to be quiet with only a single male Tufted Duck sitting quietly on the water in front of the hide. These are late breeders and therefore the female was probably on eggs nearby.

I was then alerted to some ripples emanating from the edge of the reeds some way out. A quick look through the bins revealed an adult Water Rail moving around, mostly hidden by the vegetation. I lifted my camera in case it broke cover enabling a shot. It did indeed break cover but not quite as I had hoped for as, instead of walking calmly from the reeds, it flew at top speed across the pool and dived into the reeds at the other side. I said "bother".

However, at that point I was distracted by a couple of Reed Warblers either feeding young in the nest or around the nest. Luckily they would occasionally shin up a reed allowing a few shots to be taken

I then made my way to the viewpoint where a Redshank was feeding in the pool in front of the ramp. It had a ring on its right leg which it had probably picked up at Rye Meads.

But the stars of the show today were a male Reed Bunting and one of its off-spring which it was feeding right in front of the gate. Here is the juvenile begging for food. What a cracking pair of posers to finish off the day.

A Return Visit to The Brecks.......and Yellowhammers!!

30 May 2015

Following my most successful visit to the area of clear-fell between Santon Downham and Grimes Graves on the 27th April, a return visit was always on the cards. I didn't hold out much hope for Wood Larks as they would probably be on second broods by now, but I was hopeful that more Tree Pipits would now be on territory. As I walked down the woodland track the most numerous items of wildlife were the very colourful Speckled Yellow day-flying moths. Well, what a good start to the day.

The same Tree Pipit was still the only singing male on site despite the whole of the large area seemingly being ideal. Unfortunately, it was just as unapproachable as before so the only shots I was able to get was from on high. It was evident that the birds here are the subject of a colour ringing scheme.

A little further along by one of the many linear piles of tree roots came the "chat, chat, chat" of what appeared to be a large number of juvenile Stonechats. One of the local birders said that it was a single family party, although subsequent inspection of my photos suggest that two families were involved, as some the young bore colour rings but some didn't, and were of different ages.

Eventually the male appeared and posed for a few shots, not to be out-done by his off-spring.

But the stars of the show today were the Yellowhammers which were obviously breeding in the brambles in the linear piles and were quite happy to sit up perched on an array of dead wood to give quite an artistic effect. What I didn't understand is why they were not evident on the last visit but I was delighted either way as these were the first Yellowhammers I have ever photographed. Magic!!

Redshank - Warden of the Electric Fence

26th May 2015

It was a last minute decision today to go to Rainham Marshes in the hope of photographing some of the newly fledged Bearded Tits. I was advised that they had been showing best on the Northern Trail so set off around the circuit in an anticlockwise direction. The first bird to put its head above the parapet was a Sedge Warbler that was singing enthusiastically from the top of a stand of Hemlock. When they first arrive they tend to be more skulking and keep hidden in sedges and reeds, but as the season progresses they become more visible often singing from a vantage point.

As I approached the Bearded Tit area, the usual male Reed Bunting was also singing out loud and as before was fairly confiding allowing an approach to within just 8 yards. Unfortunately there was no sight or sound of any Beardies although eventually a female did appear with food and disappeared into the reeds, only to depart from the same spot minus the food. Later on the male repeated the process and re-appeared with a faecal sac showing that they were indeed feeding young in the nest deep down in the reeds. I therefore left them to it. Unfortunately, still no sign of the reported fledged young.

As I was walking past the Target Pools a Hobby was buzzing around overhead, initially flying away, but then decided to do another circuit purely for my benefit. Don't they always look fantastic against a clear blue sky?

But the star today was the humble Redshank which I encountered as I approached the Purfleet Hide. Clearly a potential predator had spooked the whole marsh, as all the Redshank and Lapwings were in the air giving out alarm calls. Once the danger had passed, this particular Redshank decide to settle on one of the electric fence posts to maintain its vigil. It was obviously more intent on seeing off the danger rather than worrying about me as I was able to approach to within just 8 yards once again. The country name of the Redshank is the "Warden of the Marshes" but this one is obviously the "Warden of the Electric Fence".