One of the most exciting ways of seeing Ospreys at Rutland Water is to take a guided trip with members of the project team aboard the Rutland Belle. The idea is simple; we sail to the parts of the reservoir where we stand the best chance of seeing fishing Ospreys and, with a bit of luck, are rewarded with spectacular views. On many occasions we have enjoyed breathtaking views of the birds diving for fish very close to the boat, making it an evening to remember for those lucky enough to be on board.

Even on those rare occasions when Ospreys prove elusive, there is always a good range of the reservoir's other wildlife on view. Recent highlights have included Arctic Tern, Shag, Sanderling and Knot. In spring there is also every chance of hearing singing Nightingales, and this year we will be running a special Nightingale cruise in early May.

2008 Cruises

During 2008 we will be running a series of eighteen cruises, including a special Osprey and Nightingale cruise, and three cruises to coincide with the Birdfair. Each cruise begins with refreshments and an introductory talk at the Anglian Water Birdwatching Centre at 3:45pm. We then ask you to drive to Whitwell, where the Rutland Belle sets sail at 5:15pm for the hour and a half cruise. The dates for our regular cruises in 2008 are as follows:

Saturday 26th April Fully booked

Saturday 12th July Fully booked

Saturday 17th May Fully booked

Wednesday 16th July Fully booked

Wednesday 28th May Fully booked

Saturday 19th July Fully booked

Saturday 7th June Fully booked

Wednesday 23rd July Fully booked

Wednesday 18th June

Saturday 2nd August Fully booked

Saturday 28th June Fully booked

Saturday 9th August

Saturday 5th July Fully booked

Saturday 23rd August

The cruises cost £15 per person (£10 for under 16s ) and to book please phone 01572 737378 and ask for a member of the Osprey team. Alternatively you can send us an email with your preferred date and we will phone you back.

Ospreys and the Birdfair

If you're planning to visit the Birdfair in 2008, why not combine your trip to Rutland with an Osprey cruise? We will be running Birdfair cruises on Thursday 14th August and Saturday 16th August at the usual time. Tickets are priced at £15 per person (£10 for under 16s) and can be booked in the usual way.

In addition there will be a special Simon King Wildlife Cruise on Friday 15th August. For more details phone the Birdfair office on 01572 771079 or email sherridge@birdfair.org.uk.

Some testimonials

" Thank you on behalf of myself and my parents for what was a smashing afternoon on Saturday ... For them, seeing ospreys for the first time in about 35 years was wonderful. Great weather you arranged for us too."

" The preliminary talk was first class - really made the sightings more meaningful and added to the drama of the day." " We would just like to say a thank you for the lovely evening cruise we had on Wednesday. It was very wet and windy but this was soon forgotten when 09 was seen catching his fish. It fulfilled a life ambition for my husband to see a wild osprey and I am sure we will be back again soon. Thank you to the friendly and informative staff and we hope that everyone booked on the forthcoming cruises have as much luck as us."

" On behalf of my wife and two friends we would like to say many thanks to you and your team for an excellent cruise despite the inclement weather. The view of the osprey diving and catching a fish was breathtaking and well worth the wait."

" Just a quick note to thank all concerned for a really smashing trip! You had thought of everything in planning it, so it was only right that you should be rewarded with such an exciting series of viewings."

" Congratulations. What a brilliant event. How you follow that I have no idea! "" Thank you for a most enjoyable cruise, it was a fantastic experience and one that we'd like to repeat. We found the whole evening most informative. The passion and knowledge shown by Tim, John and yourself were major factors in making the evening such a success."

" This is to thank you all for a superb evening on Wednesday. It was wonderful to have the rare opportunity of watching ospreys fishing. All wildlife trips are gloriously unpredictable, but it's great when they turn out so perfectly. The fly-past of the second osprey, clutching its catch, as we headed for home, was breathtaking. We hope those who take the subsequent cruises will be as fortunate."