I Wonder How The Harriers Are Getting On?

10th July 2025

A couple of weeks since my last visit on the 25th June and the first thing to note was that the female was away from the nest for most of the time even leaving the site at one point to hunt, and therefore we can hope there are young in the nest. She was certainly a lot more active this time.

The male was also very active and brought in food a few times but the food pass was always carried out behind the bushes, so the aerial pass will have to wait for another day.

Here is the male dropping into the nest, but without food.

At one point the female dropped deep into a bush quite close to the nest and tried to keep out of sight. Obviously been watching the Fast Show "you ain't seen me.......right?!

The construction of the new nest started at the end April/early May and allowing 2 weeks for the first egg and 11 weeks for the average incubation and fledging suggests the first youngster could be seen in the 1st week of August at the earliest.

Well, another great day with the harriers and also good to meet Jammy Bugger Daniel and rest of the Luton U3A crew. Great company.

My Annual Pilgrimage to Rutland for the Ospreys

7th July 2025

The Rutland Ospreys have had a good year this year raising four young. I was monitoring the webcam and when all four had fledged, time to get into the car for a visit. This first photo shows all birds present on the nest, but there are only five. This is because the second juvenile to fledge was found dead on the shoreline this morning. The cause of death is currently unknown, but after a night of heavy rain exposure can't be ruled out.

There was much toing and froing.

Here is one of the juveniles stretching its wings. Juveniles can be identified from the barring on the wings, both upper and lower wing.

At one point one of the adults (dark brown uniform wings) brought in a fish but instead of taking it to the nest for the juveniles, took it to a nearby branch and started to eat it itself.

Luckily today there were plenty of flights around the bay so let's start with some shots of the adults.

Also unusual to see a Great Crested Grebe photo-bombed by an Osprey!!!

And then the speckley juveniles.

I have seen Ospreys plunge into water several times, both catching fish and washing their feathers, but today was the first time I have seen an Osprey having a bath in the shallows.

Not so much thrashing about as other birds and no wing flap at the end, but still entertaining to watch.

And finally some shots of birds carrying fish, starting with an adult bringing a fish into the nest.

And now one of the juveniles, but not as it may seem. Juveniles do not catch their own fish while the adults are about and rely on the adults to bring fish to the nest. Then, when it is time to migrate south the adults leave the site and start their long migration. When the youngsters realise no more food is being provided they too leave for Africa and catch their first fish en route, probably somewhere in southern England.

This juvenile has picked up the fish the adult brought in and took to the branch, and is in a rather circular route taking it back to the nest.

Well, a lovely day with the Ospreys and that will have to do until next year.