Breeding at Site B in 2008

Below is the story in words and pictures of the breeding at the Site B Osprey nest in 2008. The nest is on private land with no public access.
All the pictures on this page were taken by John Wright.

The Adult Birds

The male 03(97) was translocated to Rutland Water in 1997, returned first in 1999 and he has bred at Site B every year since 2001.
The female 05(00) is three years younger than her mate having been translocated in 2000. She first bred at this site as a three-year old in 2003.
Together 03 and 05 have now raised a total of 17 chicks at the Site B nest.

28th March At 9:30am 03 returned to the Site B nest having completed his tenth spring migration. Assuming he spends the winter somewhere on the West African coast, he had now covered somewhere in the region of 60,000 miles on migration since his first autumn flight in 1997!
	Upon arrival 03 was forced to evict 09(98) who had spent most of the previous day on the Site B nest. 09 quickly relented upon sight of 03 and retreated to his own territory. As the photo on the left shows, an amazing amount of grass had grown from the centre of the nest - so 03 needed to do plenty of gardening work in preparation for the return of 05.
4th April After a day of sporadic nest-building, at 3:40pm 03 suddenly took off from the nest and began to display high above. Perhaps he had seen a female? Sure enough, a minute or so later a second bird appeared from the south and landed on the nest...it was 05(00), 03's mate of the past five years! The photo on the right shows the moment 05 landed on the nest after her long flight from West Afrcia.
	03 continued to display high above the nest for almost half an hour, before landing next to the female and performing the classic mantling display. Clearly tired after her long journey, 05 took little notice of her mate - after aggressively fending off his mating attempts she took a part-eaten fish out of the nest and carried it to a nearby perch where she remained for much of the afternoon. The photo on the left shows the female resisting another of 03's advances!
Spurred into action by the arrival of his mate, 03 continued to nest-build for much of the evening, taking numerous sticks and clumps of turf to the nest. Like 08 in Manton Bay, 03 carried some extremely long sticks to the nest; the one in the photo on the right probably measured over six foot in length.

15th April Following the arrival of 05, cold weather made fishing extremely difficult for 03. In cold conditions fish become less active and often favour deeper water, making them difficult for Ospreys to catch. With 03 often absent from the nest for prolonged periods as he struggled to make a catch, 05 resorted to accepting fish from displaying non-breeding males. The photo on the right shows her carrying off a fish presented to her by 09(98).
	Shortly after 05 had returned to the nest with 09's fish, her mate finally arrived back with a catch. Unusually the fish proved to be a Zander. Zander were introduced into eastern England as a sport fish, and are thought to have been present in Rutland Water since the late nineties. Despite this, this was the first time we had recorded any of the Rutland birds catching this elusive species.
When not fishing, 03 continued to add sticks and turf to the huge nest. This nest building sometimes continued long into the evening, as the photo on the right indicates. Happily for 03, 05 had now become more receptive to his courtship and we suspected that the start of incubation was imminent...

19th April
Sure enough, less than three weeks after returning from migration, 05 laid a clutch of eggs. 05 was observed sitting low in the nest for much of the morning of 19th April and confirmation that she had laid a full clutch came a few hours later when 03 returned with a fish. After eating the head he carried the remainder of his catch to the nest and took over incubation duties, as shown in the photo on the right. It is interesting that 05 laid eggs at least four days earlier than 5N, despite returning almost a week later than the young female - experience was obviously paying off.

19th May
	Incubation continued without hiccups during May, but there was something different about 03... All of the Ospreys at Rutland Water are fitted with colour rings as chicks, enabling us to identify them in later years, and monitor the population in detail. Occasionally this colour ring drops off, and that's exactly what happened to 03.


26th May
Without the of a camera looking down into the nest, the best means of identifying that hatching has occurred at an Osprey nest is to look for changes in the adults' behaviour. Throughout incubation barely a second passes without one of the adult birds sitting tightly on the eggs. However as hatching approaches and the young start to call from inside the eggs, the adults become more restless, sometimes standing up and looking down into the nest cup. Incubation usually lasts between 35 and 40 days, and so by 24th May - day 35 of incubation at Site B - anticipation had grown and we were watching 03 and 05 closely for signs that a chick may have hatched.

The first signs that hatching may have been imminent came on Saturday night (24th May); the nightwatchmen on duty reported that the female was restless for much of the night, frequently standing up and looking down into the nest. Our suspicions grew further when, at 12 noon on Sunday, both adult birds stood on the edge of the nest for more than ten minutes, looking intently into the nest cup (see photo on right).

	Perhaps triggered by what he had seen, 03 then flew off towards the reservoir in search of a fish (see photo on left). Heavy rain must have made fishing difficult, but after two and a half hours he eventually returned with a large trout. After consuming the head himself, 03 finally flew to the nest with the remains of his catch at about 5pm. During incubation this would prompt a change-over, with the female flying off with the fish and the male settling down on the eggs. However this time the female carefully took the fish from her mate, and, after swallowing several pieces herself, very delicately offered a piece down into the nest. After 36 days of incubation, it was clear that the first chick had hatched!

Although the chick must be very small, it appeared to accept several morsels from the female, before she settled back down to brood the chick and protect it from increasingly heavy rain. An hour later the rain relented sufficiently for the female to again offer fish to the tiny youngster (see photo on the right).

11th June
After several days of tantalising views, we were finally able to confirm that there were three chicks in the nest on 11th June. Although only two weeks old, the chicks were already very mobile - scuttling across to the female when 03 delivered a fish to the nest. The oldest of the three was just starting to develop feathers and already had the characteristic eye stripe. It was noticeably dominant over its two younger siblings, pecking aggressively at them at feeding time. Despite this 05 was careful that all three chicks received their fair share of fish. Not that they were likely to go hungry anyway - on Sunday 03 brought five fish back to the nest.

18th June


With three hungry mouths to feed, 03 needed to work harder than ever during June- spending many hours each day searching for fish. Unlike during incubation, he usually delivered fish straight to the nest - the photo above left shows him arriving with a newly caught trout. On this occassion he offered fish to his mate (above right); a tender moment, helping to strengthen the pair bond. Thanks to this regular supply of fish the chicks were now growing fast and becoming increasingly active. The photo on the right shows the largest of the three stretching its downy wings.

1st July
By early July the chicks were almost six weeks old and nearing the size of their parents. Though somewhat unsteady on their feet, they began to exercise their wings, helping to strengthen the muscles in preparation for leaving the nest. This video shows one of the youngsters flapping its wings as the two other chicks look on. As with adults, female Osprey chicks are larger than males, with heavier bills and thicker legs. Careful observation of the nest in recent days has indicated that there is one male and two female chicks in the nest. The size difference is apparent in the video - the chick standing at the front right of the nest is not only smaller than the other two, but also has a slimmer bill. To see more videos from the nest, visit the video page.



4th July
On 4th July with the help of local tree surgeons, Mark Ashman and Garry Jones, the Site B chicks were ringed. You may think that reaching a nest situated at the top of a 60 foot oak tree would prove difficult, but not when Mark's around. A qualified arborist, Mark uses a Mobile Elevated Work Platform (or cherry-picker) for much of his work, and as luck would have it, this brilliant machine is able to reach the nest. So, once in position under the nest, Garry was able to raise himself up to the nest in a matter of minutes. The three chicks were then placed in individual bags, and lowered to the ground. The photo on the right shows Garry beside the nest, with one of the adult birds circling above.

	Once on the ground the birds were ringed with a metal BTO ring on their left leg and a white identification ring on the right. They were then weighed and their wing length measured. Two of the chicks were thought to be females and the third a male. The photo on the left shows one of the female chicks - 01. Compare her very heavy bill and thick legs with the slimmer male chick in the photo below. The orange eye and pale fringing to the feathers, characteristic of juveniles, is also obvious in both photos. The two female chicks (01 and 03) weighed in at 1850g and 1860g respectively and their smaller brother (05), 1650g. All seemed to be in fantastic condition. After ringing, the birds were quickly placed back in the nest and the ringing team made a hasty exit. The whole process took less than an hour and, to our relief, female 05(00) returned to the nest within two minutes of the vehicles departing.

The project is very fortunate to have a team of over 150 volunteers who help monitor the birds thoughout the summer. Each year a small number of volunteersare invited to the ringing. We asked two of the volunteers present on 4th July to record their thoughts. To read about their experience visit the Osprey Observer page, by clicking here.
	17th July Now over seven weeks old, the chicks' wing-flapping was becoming more vigorous by the day, sometimes causing them to lift off the nest and hover uneasily above. The photo on the left shows that the chicks' flight feathers were now almost completely fully-grown, suggesting their first flights were just a matter of days away.

20th July
By the morning of 20th July, encouraged by a fresh north- westerly wind, all three chicks were 'helicoptering' above the nest. It was clear that all three were ready for take-off, it was just a question of who would pluck up the courage to take the plunge first? 05 was only too aware that her youngsters were about to leave the safety of the nest. At one point, with 03(08) on the nest edge apparently ready to take to the air, 05 left the nest and completed a short circuit of the nest area herself- obviously showing her young daughter how it was done. This time though 03(08) just couldn't muster the courage to leave the nest...

	A few minutes later, the young male 05(08) suddenly lifted off the nest cup. Could this be the moment? He hovered a few feet above the nest, and then, suddenly, he was away! The photo on the left shows the moment he decided it was time to leave the nest.

Uneasy in the air at first, the young male visibly grew in confidence during the course of his minute-and-a-half flight, soaring with incredible ease over the field in front of the nest (see photo on right). Landing often proves the most difficult aspect of an Osprey's first few days on the wing, but 05 landed safely back on the nest as his two sisters and mother looked on.

	Having watched their brother take to the air for the first time, surely it wouldn't be long before 01 and 03 took the plunge? Visibly encouraged by the exploits of 05, both hovered above the nest several times, and then 25 minutes after 05's maiden flight, 03 took to the air. Like her brother, 03's first flight was remarkable. For two minutes she circled the nest area, gaining in confidence by the second, before returning to the nest and landing with ease next to her siblings. Meanwhile, having grown in confidence, 05 made four short flights in the course of seven minutes, returning to the nest each time to perch next to his sisters (see photo on left).

With 03 and 05 making numerous flights, it seemed almost certain that 01 would follow suit on Sunday afternoon. She watched intently as her two siblings flew between the nest and perches nearby, but never quite plucked up the courage to join them. Next morning though she finally joined the flying squad, all three youngsters clearly enjoying their new-found freedom, and flying with increasing skill.

	Now that the chicks were flying, the non-breeding adult Ospreys summering in Rutland become more inquisitive than ever, intruding at the nest with increasing frequency. On 21st July six different individuals visited the nest, including an unidentified male. The male had a metal ring on his left leg, but the right leg was obscured by a fish. Could this be maroon AA - the 2006 Site B male chick? Only time will tell... The photos left and below left show 05 chasing 5R, her four-year-old son. The size difference between male and female is obvious - the female (top) clearly larger than 5R. The photo below shows the unidentified male.



30th July
The chicks visibly grew in confidence in the week after fledging and began to venture further from the nest. The post-fledging period is critical in the imprinting process - it is during this time that the youngsters really begin to learn about their surroundings and recognise Rutland as home. Although increasingly confident on the wing the chicks were still very much dependent on their father for food. When hungry they were quick to return to the nest, food-begging incessantly until 03 returned with his latest catch. Despite his experience, It seemed that 03 found it hard to keep up with his youngsters insatiable appetites - sometimes spending three or more hours away from the nest as he searched for food. The photo on the right show the three chicks and their mother (far right) waiting for 03 to return with a fish.

	On 28th July, with her mate spending prolonged periods away from the nest as he searched without success for a fish, 05 also headed off towards the reservoir. Evidently she had decided to go fishing herself. It is unusual for both adults to be absent from the nest simultaneously and two intruding Ospreys took full advantage; 32(05) and an unringed female landing close to the nest alongside the three juveniles. As time wore on 32 became even more mischievous, actually landing on the nest beside one of the female chicks. Eventually though, 03 returned with a small fish and had no hesitation in giving the young male (his son) his marching orders. Soon afterwards 05 also returned, without a fish - perhaps she had enjoyed a secret meal away from the nest site! The photo on the right shows 32 (bottom) and the unringed female in flight close to the nest.

7th August
The chicks had now been on the wing for more than a fortnight, and were spending prolonged periods away from the nest as they explored the Rutland countryside. Sadly this increased adventurousness coincided with the diappearance of 01. The timing of the young female's disappearance was very similar to that of 7T who vanished a week after fledging in 2006. It is unusual for a chick to disperse away from the nest site at this early stage, and so the most likely explanation is that 01 became lost after venturing too far from the nest - perhaps after following intruding Ospreys. Intruders continued to provide a constant nuisance for 03 and 05 - and it wasn't just other Ospreys who were causing problems. Red Kites and Buzzards were frequent visitors to the nest and one day a female Marsh Harrier buzzed the nest for 10 minutes. As the chicks became more confident on the wing they sometimes defended the nest themselves. As if to prove his growing skill, it was the young male, 05(08), who gave chase when the Marsh Harrier appeared, dive-bombing it with astonishing skill. The harrier responded by turning in mid-air, talons-raised. However she soon realised she was no match for the larger Osprey chick, and made a hasty retreat!
	Despite periods of almost constant food-begging from the chicks, 03 rarely delivered more than two fish to the nest each day. Even at this late stage in the summer, female Ospreys rely on their mate to feed them, and because she usually allowed the chicks to feed first, 05 received very little fish some days. Over the weekend of 5th/6th August, with 03 again struggling to provide a meal for his family, 05 suddenly became very aggressive towards the chicks - chasing them off the nest, perhaps to ensure that she received the fish first when her mate eventually returned. Thankfully things were far more harmonious by the following Tuesday. 03 returned to the nest with three trout - 05 ate the first, 05(08) the second and then finally, after food-begging incessantly for more than three hours, 03(08) eagerly accepted the third.

18th August
The chicks were now ranging widely, often only returning to the nest in the evening. On 8th August, John Wright watched 03 make two unsuccessful fishing attempts in the North Arm of the reservoir. She hit the water twice, but failed to come up with a fish on each occasion. This of course is not uncommon - young Ospreys often set out on migration without ever having caught a fish. The chicks certainly seemed to be enjoying their freedom. The photo on the right shows the two youngsters playing together in the wind. With her chicks absent for prolonged periods and largely independent, 05 began the long journey to West Africa, heading south during the morning of 14th August. Females usually leave the nest early to ensure that the chicks receive plenty of fish before they themselves head south.

23rd August

By late August it was clear that the youngsters were close to leaving and when 23rd August dawned sunny and clear - a perfect migration day - we suspected that one of them would go. Both chicks were present during the morning, food-begging to their father and tussling playfully above the nest. Eventually 03 returned with a good-sized trout, and the female chick quickly devoured it. After digesting her meal, the young female began circling above the nest, slowly gaining in height - perhaps this was the moment? Slowly but surely, she began drifting south. John Wright followed her until she was no more than a dot on the horizon. It seemed that, just five weeks after making her maiden flight, she had begun the long migration to West Africa.

	With many Ospreys heading south from Scotland, migrant birds were passing over Rutland every day. Sometimes (like Beatrice in Manton Bay) these migrants intrude at the Rutland nest sites, and shortly after 03 had headed off south, her father was forced to chase an unringed female away from the nest. As the male dive-bombed the intruder, the size difference between the two birds was very obvious - this was a real bruiser of a Scottish female! The birds were embroiled in a spectacular aerial dispute for several minutes, before the female flew off south to continue her journey. These encounters are crucial to the future growth of the Rutland colony. With luck, this female will remember there are Ospreys in Rutland, and perhaps even return in the future.

Having seen off the female, 03 was forced to defend the nest again, this time against a Buzzard...or was it an Osprey? Buzzards can show remarkable plumage variation, with some individuals very dark, and others extremely pale. This particular bird was so white that it bore remarkable resemblance to an Osprey - see photo on right. Even 03 was not sure of its identity - usually he ignores Buzzards, but this time he was quick to take off and give chase! Next day the Buzzard was back again, and this time, with 03 absent, the male chick decided to give chase (see photo on right).

5th September
Ospreys usually wait for a clear, sunny day before beginning their migration and, having watched his sister head south on 23rd August, we expected that the male chick would take advantage of a settled spell of weather at the end of August to begin his own journey. However, it soon became apparent that he was not quite ready. Over the course of the week a familiar pattern began to emerge. The young male would often disappear for prolonged periods during the middle part of the day, but by late afternoon, hunger would drive him back to the nest. After several hours of food-begging he would then be presented with a fish by his ever-attentive father.

	Males usually wait until the last of their chicks have headed south before beginning their own journey, but we wondered how long 03 would be prepared to wait? After a murky start, Saturday 30th August quickly developed into a beautiful day - clear skies and a light southerly breeze. Perfect migration weather. Perhaps sensing a change in the weather (rain was forecast for Sunday), 03 evidently decided to seize the moment and head south. He had provided fish for the young male all week, but it seemed that this was too good an opportunity to miss. By evening 03 had not returned to the nest and it was clear that the chick was now on his own. We were suprised that 03 had not waited for the youngster, but perhaps he was merely encouraging the chick to head south? 05 seemed to take his father's departure in his stride, next morning defending the nest against an intruding buzzard (see photo on left). However with his father now flying south, surely 05 would quickly follow suit?

Rain fell for most of Sunday and overcast, murky conditions followed on Monday. However when Tuesday 4th September dawned sunny and clear, 05 was off. After roosting close to the nest, he flew south at 7:30am and by dusk he had still not returned. Six weeks after fledging, it was clear that he had now set out on the marathon three thousand mile journey to West Africa.