Ospreys

 Originally Alan Shorrock and I were planning to visit Fermyn Wood today in search of butterflies but an unfriendly weather forecast put those plans on hold. One of the options that came up when I was discussing alternatives with Al was Rutland Water. I'd never been there just to see the Ospreys before and thought it might be worth paying them a call. Shozzer agreed and so we made our way over to the Lyndon reserve at Rutland Water.

Ospreys

Our mission was a successful one as we saw not only the veteran female Maya but also her mate and their recently fledged offspring. We had distant but good views of all three, at one point a fourth bird appeared but it was driven off by Maya. Aside from the Ospreys it was pretty quiet, two Green Sandpipers and a Great White Egret were the best of the rest. At least one Spotted Flycatcher was heard but we didn't manage to see it. Insects were scarce in the challenging conditions but I managed to see my first Gatekeeper of the year, other butterflies were Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Speckled Wood, Comma and Green-veined White. Odes fared even worse and just one Common Blue Damselfly was noted. Apart from a Muntjac there was little else to report and we made our way back to Corby where I watched the England game on the telly.

Muntjac and Gatekeeper