Have a look at this," the bird expert said, beckoning to me with commendable understatement. "Not many people H see it live, so you're extremely lucky.
So I was - borrowing his binoculars, I could see a splendid adult male osprey sitting in a tree, with a huge trout thrashing about in his talons.
"He's waiting for it to die," the expert added, while I watched nature taking its course. It was so mesmerising, I found it hard to step back and let someone else view a scene that could have been vintage David Attenborough footage.
But that wasn't the only thing I learned about ospreys during our visit to Rutland Water Nature Reserve, a 10-minute stroll from our campsite, The Paddock. This magnificent species was first introduced there from 1996 onwards, with chicks from Scotland, and since 2001, more than 200 young ospreys have fledged.
Adults tend to pair for life, and one avian couple has successfully raised 20 chicks together since 2013. I was saddened to discover that this year, they had hatched four, but only three fledged, as one had been killed in the nest by a dying pike, deposited as food by the overenthusiastic male.
The chicks hatched in spring, and we visited in August, but there was no sign of them. Our expert explained that they had probably already migrated more than 3000 miles to West Africa, and the adults would follow in the autumn.
"But why do the chicks leave first?" I asked. He smiled and said that when the chicks can fly, the parents stop feeding them, to encourage them to find their own food - more nature in the raw.
The Nature Reserve is a great place to spend a morning, taking a leisurely stroll and spotting birdlife ranging from bitterns and buzzards to sandpipers and shelducks.
Denne historien er fra March 2024-utgaven av Practical Motorhome.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Denne historien er fra March 2024-utgaven av Practical Motorhome.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
CREATE A HANDY SHELF
Ingenuity can turn garage clutter into useful additional storage space in your van
CREATE A TILED KITCHEN
Nigel Donnelly discovers it is entirely possible to achieve a sharp-looking kitchen refurb for less than 50
BUYING SECONDHAND
There are bargains to be had if you know where to look and can avoid the pitfalls of buying used. Former salesman Peter Rosenthal shows you what to watch for
Motorhome DASH CAMS
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PILOTE P720U EXPRESSION
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TALE OF THE LIZARD
Charming fishing villages and beautiful coastline are among the many attractions of Britain's southernmost point, Victor Charles discovers
JERSEY? SURE!
Superb beaches, fascinating history and Royal potatoes – what’s not to love about this island nation?
ANOTHER ILE WITH APPEAL
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TAKE ME TO THE RIVER
Caroline Mills journeys through Périgord in search of one of France’s most popular tourist destinations, the Dordogne