Rutland Water in April 2013

Ospreys Pandion haliaetus are back

Rutland Water; 12 and 13 April 2013

Back home for a week in early April 2013 and by the time I had finished travelling up and down to Southampton only a couple of days left fr any birding.  A visit to Rutland Water on Friday12 April was accompanied by damp weather and, after an our or so, I gave up and returned to our little Stamford house to get on with some other jobs.  Wouldn't you just know it, no sooner back home and the weather cleared up to give a fine afternoon!  So, not withstanding, I returned to Rutland Water for the Saturday when, at least, better weather was forecast and actually arrived and stayed with me for the duration.  All in all then I managed to find a total of 45 species but without ant real help from the scope which, more and more, seems to be a hindrance rather than a help, not to say extra weight to carry around.  But at least I did get to see the recently -returned Ospreys on Manton bay at the south of the water and a second pair checking out their nest site of the new lagoon.  Similarly, the trip down to Southampton did, in addition, also produce Red-legged Partridge, Kestrel and Yellowhammer.

Finches; Golfinch Carduelis carduelis with male and female Greenfinches Carduelis chloris

As above, the first day was damp an miserable but, nevertheless, I managed to record a total of 31 species, mainly form the feeder hide, Visitors' Centre, Manton bay for the Osprey nest and North Bay where I could check out the water from the car.  Come the second day, Saturday, after checking out the feeding station it was a question of walking over to the northern lagoons to look for ducks and swans.  However, it was good to seek a Jay at close quarters and then to be able to watch the feeding antics of a Treecreper.  Another Red Kite on the way home was an added bonus.

Dunnock Prunella modularis

The feeder station contained the usual Blue and Great Tits plus a number of Chaffinches and Greenfinches.  Feeding on the ground were Dunnocks and a trio of Pheasants.  Even a Robin came to take advantage of the spilt seed for the various hoppers.

Treecreeper  Certhia familiaris

It was on the long walk to the far pools that I found , first, the Treecreeper and then the Jay sat on a fence with all the time in world.  Numerous Jackdaws were flying about and I even had a couple of Carrion Crows.

Given the beady eye by a gorgeous Jay Garrulus glandarius

The new lagoon had my first Common Tern of the year plus a few Dunlins and a Redshank in addition to the Mute Swans, a single Barnacle Goose and the second pair of returned Ospreys.

Up in the corner, no sign of the recent Bittern but good numbers of Gadwall, Wigeon, Great Crested Grebes and Goldeneye.  A single Little Egret strutted his stuff whilst a handful of Snipe were grazing on the grassy slopes to the left of the hide.

Male Tufted Duck  Aythya fuligula

However, most of the Teal and Tufted Ducks along with both Greylag and Canada Geese plus more Cormorants and both Little and Great Crested Grebes were found on the North Arm off the Hambledon road.

Canada Goose  Branta canadensis

Greylag Goose  Anser anser pair

This second produced a total of 43 species including a further twelve that had not been seen the previous day, so giving a final total for Rutland Water of 45 species.

More pictures from Rutand Water:

Female Chafinch  Fringilla coelebs

 

A most inquisitive Dunnock Prunella modularis

Male Greenfinch  Carduelis chloris

 

Male Gadwall  Anas strepera

Male Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniculus

Hen Pheasant Phasianus colchicus below feeders

Birds seen during the UK visit:
Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Barnacle Goose, Mute Swan, Egyptian Goose, Shelduck, Gadwall, Wigeon, Mallard, Teal, Goldeneye, red-legged partridge, Pheasant, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Osprey, Red Kite, Kestrel, Moorhen, Coot, Ringed Plover, lapwing, Dunlin, Snipe, Redshank, Black-headed Gull, Common Tern, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Treecreeper, Jay, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Crow, Common Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Yellowhammer.


For more observations form the Axarquia Birder check out the home website/blog in southern Spain:

http://www.birdingaxarquia.weebly.com  or  http://birdingaxarquia2.blogspot.com

(There is a link between both sites - CLICK on either address.)