Visit to Rutland Water to see the Ospreys
On a summer Saturday in July a party of 28 members, partners and guests visited Rutland Water and went for a cruise on the 'Rutland Belle'.
We met initially at the Anglian Water Wildlife Centre at Egleton for light refreshments and an interesting and entertaining briefing on the Osprey project by Tim MaCrill the project leader. Following this we made our way to Whitwell on the North shore to catch the boat.
The weather was very good which made for a pleasant and relaxing boat trip and good sightings of many of the bird species that live by the reservoir including Cormorants, Egrets and Grebes.
Following discussions with the nature centre, the boat headed for what was considered the likeliest place to spot an Osprey fishing. In the event, although lots of fish were jumping out of the water, no Ospreys came close to the boat, but we did see one Osprey flying with a fish in it's talons a few hundred yards away.
The skipper of the boat kindly extended the trip by 10 minutes in the hope of seeing an Osprey close to, but this was in vain. We finally disembarked at about 6.55pm.
Earlier in the day some of the party had visited the Wildlife reserve on the south shore, and were rewarded with views of a pair of Osprey chicks on the nest being fed by their mother on a fish brought by the father. in all the combination of the weather, the talk and the boat trip provided an enjoyable day for everyone who went.
