Manton Bay lies at the south-west corner of Rutland Water. In the bay, there is pole where an artificial nest was built in the late 1990s. From the very beginning of the translocation project, this nest became a focus of attention for returning Ospreys, but it was the male 08(97) who made the nest his own. You can read the story of his attempts to attract a female to the nest here. Eventually, in 2007, 08 was joined by the young female 5N(04) and they produced two healthy chicks. Click for full 2007 story and pictures, The Manton Bay nest is close to two birdwatching hides on the Lyndon Reserve (details). |
|
13th September |
|
After two weeks of wet and windy weather, this morning dawned sunny and clear. Having remained at Rutland Water for almost two weeks longer than last year, 08 was clearly now impatient to leave. At 11:30 he took off from his nest-side perch, slowly gained height over Manton Bay and then glided off south in perfect migration conditions. Satellite tracking in previous years has shown that he may have reached Kent or Sussex by dark. We wish him well! |
|
8th September |
|
 |
Like his mate two weeks ago, 08 is now preparing for his migration. Over the past week 08 has spent nearly all his time sitting quietly on a t-bar perch a few hundred metres from the nest, waiting for the weather to improve. In recent days Roy Dennis's satellite tracking has demonstrated the very real dangers facing Ospreys on migration if they attempt to set-out in bad weather, and having completed eleven autumn migrations, 08 will know to wait until conditions improve. Although the forecast is fairly unsettled for the week ahead, a short clear spell could be enough to persuade him to depart. In the meantime he will continue to catch at least one large trout every day, helping to build up his body fat before migration.
|
25th August |
|
In the days leading up to the weekend, 5N spent very little time away from the nest, apparently preparing for her autumn migration. Last year she began her journey on 29th August, and so we suspected that a clear, sunny day could prompt her to leave. Saturday quickly became a beautiful sunny day with just a scattering of high cloud and a light southerly breeze; perfect conditions for migration. Perhaps sensing that this was a good opportunity to leave, 5N circled high above the bay and drifted south. By dusk she had still not returned, and so it seems that she has now begun the marathon journey to her wintering grounds. |
 |
18th August |
|
Intruding Ospreys have made regular visits to the nest in recent days. On Tuesday last week three year-old Rutland female, 30(05), attempted to land on the nest. 30 has been present in Rutland for much of the summer and in recent weeks she has been ranging widely, visiting both breeding nests. The photos below show the young female (far right in each photo) coming into land on the nest. Amazingly 5N made no attempt to drive her away, and 08, not sure quite how to react, brought a clump of nest-lining to the nest! After five minutes though 30 took off again, and was followed away from the nest by 08 and 5N.
|
 |
 |
 |
Other visitors to the nest in recent days have included 32(05) (below left) and DE(05) (below right). DE is a three-year old female who fledged from a nest in the Tweed valley in the Scottish borders in 2005. She first arrived in Rutland in June last year and has been present again from mid-April this summer. It's very encouraging that a young Scottish female has joined the population and bodes well for the future growth of the colony. There are currently 12 adult Ospreys present around Rutland Water, and as the population grows we hope that more Scottish birds will take up residence. This kind of immigration has been important in the expanding population in central France where several German birds have joined the breeding population in Orleans Forest. |
|
 |
 |
 |
Many Scottish females leave their nest in early August to begin the long migration to West Africa. This autumn Roy Dennis has satellite radios on three adult females. One, Beatrice, left her nest in Morayshire on 10th August and, after spending several days in northern England where she was held up by bad weather, she reached southern Lincolnshire on 15th August. After roosting in a wood to the north of Bourne, she changed course and headed directly towards Rutland Water next morning. The volunteers watching the Manton Bay nest were alerted, and sure enough, shortly after 1pm she landed on the nest! Although 08 and 5N were absent when the intruder first arrived, 5N had obviously seen her drop-in and soon returned to chase her off. The two birds headed south, followed by 08. Satellite transmission showed that Beatrice then caught a fish at Eyebrook reservoir and roosted nearby. Then next morning John Wright found her eating a fish close to the reservoir (see photo on left). Around midday she circled high, still grasping the partially-eaten fish, and headed south. Two hours later she was passing Bedford, and by evening she had reached Surrey. |
It may be late in the season, but 08 continues to add sticks to the huge nest. The photo on the right shows 5N taking evasive action as 08 arrives with one particularly large stick!
|
 |
7th August |
|
Over the past two weeks, both 08 and 5N have spent most of their time in Manton Bay, usually perched close to the nest. 08 is continuing to provide his mate with fish - often catching two large trout each day. As usual he eats the head first before presenting the remainder to 5N. 5N's brother, 5R, is also often present in the bay, particularly early in the morning. The young male usually divides his time between two artificial nests - one near Heron hide and the other on the south side of Lax Hill. 08 and 5N usually tolerate his presence but this morning 08 spent several minutes displaying high above his neighbour - perhaps just reminding the young pretender exactly who is boss! |
|
For previous news from the nest, click here. |
|
Last updated: 24th September 2008