Back up to London Wetland Centre and Bushy Park

Had a wander along the beach the other day and saw a Wheatear... pity it was so far away.


Today I went back to Barnes... have to travel further to get there now I'm down in Sussex. Few birds around but the Autumn colours as I arrived were lovely.







A robin proclaimed a beautiful day with its wonderful song!

and a Green Woodpecker remained elusive in the distance

I headed off for Bushy in the hope of seeing something of the rut.... all was quiet though.

This Mum and youngster seemed quite agitated... it might have been they were looking for the rest of the herd.

The weather - was glorious and the sun was so warm..... lovely :D

A Ruff day at London Wetland Centre

Firstly, just to explain that the lack of "collection" birds at Barnes on my previous visit was purely that they were having a day of attention by enjoying their "health checks"... excellent attention they all get and subsequently not so many staff/volunteers to fill up feeders throughout this hive of bird-welfare activity.

I popped back on Saturday morning with limited time for my visit. The first two birds were a chiff-chaff and a black cap - both hiding in the bushes but lovely to hear and see them as this time of the year.

A young Robin entertained me for quite a while. It's parent was in the bushes on the opposite side of the path - deep under cover.

However, a real highlight was a Ruff on the scrape and did come somewhat closer to the Wader-Scrape hide. Now if only the sun had come out...

Lucky to get these record shots however and pleased to have got them :D

(these pictures best viewed by clicking on them to enlarge them)

A short visit but rewarding....

London Wetland Centre... quiet? or was it

Went over to the London Wetland Centre at Barnes today to meet a friend of Pete's who was visiting the centre for the first time.

It was very very quiet in terms of birds. Several Cormorants and Grey Herons - the numbers are buildng now. Several Teal around in addition to the numerous ducks that are regulars there.

Was great to see a Ruff and Snipe from the Peacock Tower and another Snipe elsewhere.

A Great Spotted Woodpecker dropped by onto one of the feeders (which needed filling!! - please note WWF Barnes if you're reading this?)

A pair of Great Crested Grebes and a family of Little Grebes also added to the day's sightings.

I'd suggested to Trev that even though the wild birds were short on supply at least there would be some photo opportunities in the Collection birds. Wrong!! This was the day that they were giving health checks to most of the birds and, not only were there a lack of birds on display, but some of the water areas had been drained to enable easier captivity of the birds. Another time perhaps!!

However, these youngsters were growing up (Whistling ducks I think) and being protected from predators.

The pair of Black Swans entertained for a bit

And Mute Swans were reasonably active.

This was the only non-bird wildlife around today.. a Migrant Hawker?

One of two Little Grebe chicks growing up...

An enjoyable day even though the lack of birds; thanks for your company Trev and... better luck next time! (Glad you enjoyed using the lens ;) )

Where have all the birds gone?

Happy Birthday Pete ;)

I went over to Barnes today; the weather and light weren't very good and it was very light of birds.

A Female Pochard sleeps with one of its two young.

And not that far away, a very new family of four young Little Grebes. They could only be a couple of days old and, in the main, they stayed hidden with Mum in the reeds. One did venture out cautiously but...

The flowers provided most of the interest for the day :)

The Wild Flower Garden is looking beautiful and very colourful.

And that's about it - a short post today.

Birds, beasties and bloggers block!

Before I start - Kay and Pauco.... thinking of you!

Well, it's a strange time at the moment and I've never had such a long absence from blogging. Not sure why but..... Not been helped over the last few days by the April-like weather in June; whereas April was more like June!! If that makes any sense at all!!

I've been down in Sussex quite a bit which has been lovely but I'm also separated from the PC and the pictures... but I've a few days at home again now.

Last Monday I popped over to Painshill... Tim had advised that a Hobby has been around but it was not to be seen by me. Not many youngsters about at the moment but the two Great Crested Grebe chicks are really growing up and beginning to get their adult plumage now.

As I crossed the bridge on my way in, a family of House Sparrows were darting about.

On the lake this one, of two, cygnets was "grazing" with Mum and Dad

These two mallards against the reflected blue sky caught my eye..

Last Tuesday I was due down in Sussex later in afternoon so I headed over the Barnes in the morning. I usually tend to concentrate on the birds and details, so this time I took a few pictures of the reserve itself.

The cheery yellow against the backdrop of blue sang out.

En route to Sussex in the afternoon, I dropped in to see what was about at Warnham Nature Reserve.

A (large) Skipper flitted about

and a Mute Swan swam by lazily in the still waters

One of the Great Crested Grebes (I think there are 2 pairs) dived for a meal, but was unsuccessful

I walked on around the reserve and heard a very young call...

A Woodie still in its nest in the tree. In the whole time I stood quietly watching, no parent was to be seen...

On my way back, the Great Crested Grebe was still sitting on her nest.

And one of the Common Terns was fishing

Whilst we sat in the hide, a keen eyed "watcher" saw the Grass Snake and I was just able to grab a couple of shots before it disappeard underneath the hide.

Along the path is a "Bug Hotel" and a clever carving of a beetle in on one of the posts.

A view out over the water..from the first hide.

The Great Crested Grebe's nest is at the end of the rushes (to the right of the mute swans). Hopefully it's a safe spot.

Back home a couple of days ago so I headed over the Barnes this morning. It rain was torrential at times but in a drier period...

One of about 7 moorhen youngsters.

Amazing experience with this tern. We were standing on one of the bridges over the channel and the tern was fishing. Constantly flying backwards and forwards, it then dived on two different occasions and came down under where I was standing. Awesome to see these wonderful birds up so close.

The surviving lone Little Grebe chick..

One of the parents was busy diving..

and finally, a gap in between the rain showers as I left, passing a few of these on the way.

Marsh Orchid

Hopefully I'll be out with the camera more in the next few days - weather permitting of course!