Ever since Maya and male 33(11) arrived back to the Manton Bay nest on 19^th March, we have eagerly been watching the webcam, waiting for a sign that the first egg has been laid. On average over the past three years, Maya has laid the first egg after just 11 days of her and 33(11) returning from their migration. This year was no different as Maya laid her first egg, at 11:45am on Tuesday 30^th March, just 11 days after she and 33(11) were reunited! What a fantastic pair these two are.

Here is Maya's big reveal...

Ospreys will usually lay eggs on alternate days, so we knew that she wouldn’t lay a second egg until at least Thursday. Thursday came and went, but this all changed early on Friday 2^nd April at around 06:00, when Maya laid egg number two – just in time for Easter! Bearing in mind that since Maya first starting breeding in Rutland in 2010, the vast majority (70%) of the time, she has raised more than two chicks, we were looking out for egg number three, which eventually came at 07:05am on Monday 5^th April. We are all now asking the question, will she lay four eggs again this year? I guess we will find out in the next day or two.

Maya and 33(11) have been taking it in turns with incubating the three eggs, with 33(11) sometimes physically pushing Maya off so he can have a go! Cheeky!

In other news, satellite tracked male 4K(13) is well underway with his migration back to Rutland from his wintering grounds in Guinea. He set off on 21st March and is now working his way through Europe, so we will look forward to welcoming him back soon.

Rutland Water Nature Reserve Reopening

Under the current Covid-19 restrictions, Rutland Water Nature Reserve, including the Lyndon Visitor Centre and Nature Reserve and the Anglian Water Birdwatching Centre will remain closed until after the Easter Break. We appreciate this is disappointing but hope you understand our need to comply with government guidelines.

We are aiming to reopen for visitors and welcome everyone back to this special place on April 12^th.

In the meantime, those interested in the local wildlife can view our wonderful ospreys online via our new webcam by following the link below.

LRWT Rutland Osprey Project Live Webcam