Rutland Water

We visited Rutland Water today with 10 photographers from the RPS Nature Group. The conditions were difficult with a very strong wind which kept a lot of birds on the ground or water. We did see a very occasional Hobby pass very quickly and certainly had a very enjoyable time at the reserve with enough birds to keep the cameras clicking. The fields of buttercups are at their best. The Damselflies and Dragonflies were staying close to the shelter of vegetation.There were more butterflies than expected - Speckled Wood, Tortoiseshell, Red Admiral, 3 types of White, Brimstone and Peacock all on the wing.

 

Launde Abbey in the Rain

The journey to Launde Abbey (near Rutland Water) for a Nature Photographers convention involved a large number of flooded roads both near home in Cambridgeshire and around the Abbey itself. I took a paddle around the grounds before the first session started.

Rutland Water Walk 2. Other Birds

The variety of birds that we saw at Rutland was great but the viewing distance and photographing into the sun for most shots means they definitely come into the 'for ID and Memories' category only. The Osprey(s) kept us entertained most of the day, soaring and hovering in the distance while Kestrel and Marsh harrier also hunted in the distance plus the usual wetland species.

Rutland Water Walk 1. Grebes and Egrets

Plenty to see and photograph on our RPS Nature Group outing to Rutland Water though most of it was fairly distant. Here images of Great Crested Grebes at various stages with some pairs on nests, others showing courtship behaviour or arguing over territory. Lots of Little Egrets and one Great White Egret entertained us.