Trip reports

OUTING TO RUTLAND WATER March 29TH & 30TH

Monday, 31 March 2008

The mini-bus trips arranged to coincide with the return of the Osprey to their breeding grounds at Rutland got off to a good start, as information received on Friday 28th that 3 males had returned that day.
With a very iffy weather forecast for the Saturday trip, we headed up the A1 to Rutland Water. 3-4 Buzzards were seen, an indication of their expansion over the last decade. Passing RAF Wittering a few of the passengers saw, not the Red Arrows , but a Red Kite taking off from the airfield, presumably one of the birds from the Rockingham release scheme.
Arriving at the Egleton visitors centre and with very overcast clouds we headed off towards the hides, if the rain forecast did arrive , we would at least be dry.
Out in the lagoons, there was a good selection of duck including Teal, Gadwall, Pochard,Tufted and Goldeneye. Canada Goose and Greylag were present as well as Lapwing, Oystercatcher and Redshank.
The artificial Sand Martin bank was a hive of activity.
After squelching through the mud visiting most of the hides, and avoiding most of the rain, we moved onto the Lyndon Visitor Centre on the South shore of Rutland Water, where just as we entered, through the panoramic windows and within 50mtrs an Osprey flew back and forth, hunting for fish in the shallows.
On the feeders in front of the windows, amongst the many chaffinches was a lone Brambling and darting in and out , a few nervous Tree Sparrows fed .
Moving on to the Waderscrape hide, the closest to one of the active Osprey nest, it wasn't long before one reappeared and was confirmed as 08(97), one of their most prolific breeding males. At one point there were 2 male Osprey in the air, looking for food.
Our last port of call was at the dam, but a combination of strong, cold wind and choppy water made viewing very uncomfortable and we soon headed back to the minibus and home.