4 September 2023
I visited the bird watching centre at Rutland Water this morning. Although the ospreys had already started their migration to West Africa the staff told me an osprey was visible on the platform in lagoon 4 visible from Dunlin Hide. I walked to the hide and immediately saw there were 2 ospreys visible – 1 on the platform (that apparently has never been used as a nest) and one on a pole to the left of the platform. After a while I was able to read the ring numbers – Blue 3H7 ( A 2023 juvenile from the Rutland translocation cohort and Adult 6K (Breeding male in the area but not the parent of 3H7).
3H7 spent much of the time calling which presumably was aimed at the adult. The juvenile flew off a couple of times returning after half an hour each time.
Early on though we were treated to 3H7 entering the lagoon below the platform and spending 16 minutes having a very thorough bath (this day was very warm for early September).
Please see below some pictures, GIFs of the bathing and a couple of short movies showing 3H7 calling.
Pictures of 3H7 and 6K
A couple of short videos of 3H7
Animated GIFs
3H7 having a bath and then flying off. Please note these GIFs are quite large but you’ll love them if, like me, you like ospreys and have decent internet.
Stuart Wilson Photography 