Previously “Diary of a Birding Medic”; “Rugby Birder”; "Bempton Birder”. All views expressed in this blog are my OWN and do not represent the opinions or policies of any organisations or entities whatsoever with whom I have been, am now or will be affiliated. Reference to Bempton Cliffs in NO way promotes the organisation known as RSPB Bempton Cliffs, but rather the FREEdom of the cliffs.

Tuesday, 10 August 2010

Rutland Water - Distance, Disappointment and Despair!

Water Rail


I enjoy Rutland Water and its reserves at Lyndon and Egleton but know from previous visits that most birds will be distant making images difficult. I really needed to get Osprey on my year list as I tend to miss them visiting local waters, so I headed over and waited outside the visitor centre to get my permit (now £5) when it opened at 0900 (rather late in my opinion as I like to be birding much earlier). Starting at Lyndon I walked to the waderscrape hide and was pleased to see the two adult and three juvenile Ospreys, albeit distant.

Typical view of the three juv Ospreys

Typical view of the two adult Ospreys

Juv Osprey

Juv Osprey


My disappointment is that what looked like decent images of the juv Osprey flypast on the camera was not so good when placed on the computer! and I am beginning to despair that I will never get a really "class" image, worthy of praise!!!

While waiting in the hide, a rather obliging Water Rail performed in the reeds, giving reasonable views. It was also rather nice to be in the company of Monica who with husband Tony are regulars at Brandon Marsh and publish images on Flickr.



I decided that it was getting rather busy at Lyndon with a "Family Osprey Day" taking place so I moved over to the Egleton Reserve. Here, progress was being made erecting the huge marquee's for the Bird Fair at the end of the month. A quick trot up to the new lagoons saw me watching two Spotted Redshank, a further solitary Osprey, Ringed Plover but little else. The hides overlooking the older lagoons gave good views of Little Egret, Green Sandpiper, Ruddy Shelduck, Greenshank, Ruff, Redshank, Black Tailed Godwit, Snipe and Common Sandpiper.

A few more images of the commoner birds that remained still long enough for me to capture them!


Goldfinch

House Sparrow

Mallard

Collared Dove

Great Tit

My main objective of Osprey was met, so I am quite happy. Problem with Rutland Water is its shear size, one day or part day obviously cannot do it justice. Seeing the preparations for the Bird Fair made me want to attend this year - guess what? - I am working! (Again)


(More images on my website - see link opposite)



Todays Sightings:

Magpie; Long Tailed Tit; Carrion Crow; Robib; Wood Pigeon; Wren; Black Headed Gull; Pheasant; Rook; Swallow; House Martin; Chaffinch; Goldfinch; Mallard; Mute Swan; Lapwing; Great Crested Grebe; Coot; Moorhen; Grey Heron; Blue Tit; Common Tern; Cormorant; LBB Gull; Little Egret; Tufted Duck; House Sparrow; Great Tit; Dunnock; Willow Warbler; Pochard; Canada Goose; Osprey; Egyptian Goose; Sand Martin; Pied Wagtail; Blackbird; Reed Warbler;Jackdaw; Buzzard; Water Rail; Oystercatcher; Reed Bunting; Greenfinch; Collared Dove; Green Woodpecker; Kestrel; Spotted Redshank; Grey Lag Goose; Ringed Plover; Green Sandpiper; Ruddy Shelduck; Gadwall; Wigeon; Shoveler; Snipe; Greenshank; Stock Dove; Whitethroat; Blackcap; Sedge Warbler; Black Tailed Godwit; Common Sandpiper; Starling; Shelduck; Sparrowhawk; Blackbird; Great Spotted Woodpecker.
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4 comments:

  1. Max Silverman12 August 2010 at 15:53

    Good stuff Kevin.I also find that everything is way off at Rutland Water and too far for decent shots.

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  2. Kevin Groocock12 August 2010 at 16:25

    Cheers, Max. Was lucky with the Water Rail!

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  3. Monica and Tony17 August 2010 at 21:38

    Hi Kevin, good to meet you at Rutland, thanks for the mention in your blog. Like reading about where you have been and what you see.
    Agree re the 9am opening - half the morning is gone! (We pay membership so do not have to wait).
    Sorry that you were so disappointed, thought your Osprey flight shot was alright and the Water Rail ones very good of such an obliging bird. Surely you were also pleased to see 2 Spotted Redshank.
    Hope to meet you again soon, maybe at Brandon.
    Regards
    Monica & Tony.

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  4. Kevin Groocock18 August 2010 at 07:07

    Hi Monica & Tony, thanks for your comment. Yes, I was very happy with the day overall just sad that what should have been a good image was poor - ahh well! The Spotshanks were a bonus, though but too distant for an image. I like Rutland very much, but tend to get carried away with its size, and attempt too much in a short period. I suppose the answer is to visit more often and concentrate on specific areas. Lok forward to seeing you again soon.

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