OSPREY & WILDLIFE CRUISES

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, Fulmar, Sanderling and Knot. In spring there is also every chance of hearing singing Nightingales.

Each cruise begins with refreshments and an introductory talk at the Anglian Water Birdwatching Centre. We then ask you to drive to Whitwell, where the Rutland Belle sets sail.

Saturday cruises meet at 3:45pm with the Rutland Belle setting sail at 5:15pm. Wednesday (and Birdfair) cruises meet at 4.30pm with the Rutland Belle setting sail at 6:00pm. All cruises last 1.5 hours.

This year, in addition to the standard cruises, we will be running two special EARLY MORNING CRUISES, starting at 6am and including breakfast. More details to follow soon!

Cruise dates for the afternoon cruises in 2010 are-

Cruises cost £17 per person (£10 for under 16s ). Places are sure to sell out quickly so book early to avoid disappoitment!

To book please phone 01572 770651 and ask for a member of the Osprey team. Alternatively you can send us an e-mail with your preferred date and we will phone you back. We are also able to offer Osprey cruise vouchers - a perfect Christmas or birthday gift!

For more information about the Rutland Belle, check out their website.

GUIDED WALKS

During 2010 we'll be holding a series of exciting guided walks on both the Egleton and Lyndon reserves. Please note that some of the venues are still to be confirmed. For more details, or to book a place on any of the walks please phone 01572 770651 or send us an email.

Friday 9th April - Signs of Spring (Egleton/Lyndon) 10am-12noon, £5 By April, spring is in the air at Rutland Water. On this two-hour guided walk we'll be on the look out for newly-arrived summer migrants, and the first butterflies of the year. We'll then head to Lagoon 4/Manton Bay where we should be able to enjoy fantastic views of the Ospreys at the nest. Friday 16th April - Signs of Spring (Egleton/Lyndon) 10am-12noon, £5 Friday 23rd April - Signs of Spring (Egleton/Lyndon) 10am-12noon, £5
Saturday 24th April - Dawn Chorus with breakfast (Lyndon) - 6-8am, £12.50 An early start will be rewarded by the sound of a memorable dawn chorus. We'll also have time to visit the Osprey nest before returning to the visitor centre for a well-earned breakfast. Saturday 1st May - Dawn Chorus with breakfast (Egleton) - 6-8am, £12.50
Friday 7th May - Nightingales (Lyndon) - 6:30-8:30pm, £7.50 Each year several pairs of Nightingales breed on the Lyndon reserve. On this two-hour evening walk we'll be able to enjoy hearing (and perhaps seeing) this incredible songster at its best. Wednesday 12th May - Nightingales (Lyndon) - 6:30-8:30pm, £7.50
Saturday 15th May - Dawn Chorus with breakfast (Egleton) - 6-8am, £12.50 Sunday 16th May - Nightingales (Lyndon) - 6:30-8:30pm, £7.50
Wednesday 16th June - Wildflowers and Butterflies (Lyndon) 2-4pm, £5 An afternoon walk will take us through the traditionally managed hay meadows on the Lyndon reserve. Here we will point out the range of wildflowers that flourish thanks to careful management. The meadows also support a wealth of butterflies and we'll also be on the look out for Turtle Doves, and of course, Ospreys. Wednesday 23rd June - Wildflowers and Butterflies (Lyndon) 2-4pm, £5 Friday 9th July - Wildflowers and Butterflies (Lyndon) 2-4pm, £5 Friday 23rd July - Wildflowers and Butterflies (Lyndon) 2-4pm, £5
Friday 6th August - Autumn Waders (Egleton/Lyndon) 10am-12noon, £5 By August many waders have left their northerly breeding grounds and are heading south. During peak periods it is possible to see up to 20 species in a single day at Rutland Water. On this two-hour guided walk we'll point out the various different species that are feeding up before continuing their journey. As ever we'll also have time to visit the Osprey nest. Friday 13th August - Autumn Waders (Egleton/Lyndon) 10am-12noon, £5 Friday 27th August - Autumn Waders (Egleton/Lyndon) 10am-12noon, £5

OSPREY FAMILY FUN DAYS

Your chance to be an osprey for the day!

Bring the whole famiy to one of our Osprey Family Fun Days and learn all about the life of an Osprey at Rutland Water Nature Reserve.

Children will get their very own numbered Osprey ring, just like Ospreys 08 and 5N, and can then spend the day catching fish, nest-building, feeding their chicks and then trying to safely migrate from Rutland Water to their winter home in Africa.

There will also be the chance to make Osprey masks and mobiles to take home, and to use some of the Osprey Project's special radio tracking equipment to help the osprey team find an 'osprey' lost somewhere on the reserve.

Entry to the Family Day costs just £10 for the entire family and includes access to the reserve and the chance to see Ospreys at their nest. This year's dates are: Saturday 10th April, Thursday 3rd June and Tuesday 10th August. There is no need to book; just turn up on the day! For more information phone 01572 770651.

Whole site ©2010 Rutland Osprey Project
The project is a partnership between Anglian Water and the Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust, with additional funding support from the Peter De Haan Charitable Trust