Birds, Bees, Butterflies, Flowers and Frogs

Went over to the LWC at Barnes today. The Mute Swans were still on their nest and a member of staff advised that they were expected to hatch some time today. It seems that the official version is three eggs.

I'd arrived as the centre opened and it was very quiet in terms of birds and people.

Amazing colour greeted me as I started my walk




This (I believe Pyramidal Orchid) was amongst an area of wild flowers.
Edit: Thanks Maurice for identifying this as a Marsh Orchid

Marsh frogs were everywhere and making themselves heard in no uncertain terms

and here we can see the inflated vocal sacs - multiply these by several frogs around the reserve and it's easy to understand that it was quite noisy today.

A young Mallard has mastered the art of "bottoms up"

and this is my usual picture of a Common Tern
perhaps one day I'll get a decent one... sigh.....

A Lapwing was crying and flying backwards and forwards. Apparently "they" think that it's lost its young. From the plaintive cries I could well believe this.


Now - I always get Reed and Sedge Warblers confused. This, I believe, is a Reed Warbler.
(but if I'm wrong, please do correct me :D)

Edit: Thanks Warren for confirming it's a Reed Warbler


I came across this nest box that was occupied and a parent was busy feeding the young ones inside.
(If you "click" to enlarge the picture, a small beak can be seen inside the entrance)


One of the collection Cranes

A female Mandarin having a preen

And this Robin parent sat with a beakful of a meal for its young. As it wouldn't move until I left - I left and it immediately flew into the tree; hopefully to feeds its young.

Sadly, of the four young Little Grebes that I saw last Saturday, only one was left. Mum and Dad were both very much in evidence so it wasn't a case of sibling division between the parents. Sad - but that's nature for you.



A family of three cygnets were watching a "how to dive for food" demo by Dad.


Dad was definitely keen to provide food for his familyd


Another "collection" bird is the White Headed Duck who looks more aggressive that he was

Various flutters about - I want to say this is a Red Admiral?
Edit: and thanks to Pete and Maurice for the ID of Painted Lady!

and this one - I'm still consulting the books......
Edit: Pete's suggestion of Common Blue seems a likely suspect - a female

This amazing insect coloured a metallic green was enjoying the daisy. I'm not even going to guess what it is - but if anyone knows....

and Bees were being busy




It may be a Wetland Centre but to me, its very much a Wildlife Centre - all we need now are a few Dragons......

....and I might not be able to get back there for a couple of weeks so it will be interesting to see how the Mute Swans (nesting at the foot of the statue of Sir Peter Scott) do and how many cygnets they have.