Re-visiting Barnes - London Wetland Centre

Had an urge to visit Barnes today... first time since I moved away four years ago.  Nothing much had changed but it seemed 'tidier' which is a shame.  And a new construction is underway.. some sort of 'tent'... I don't really like this type of thing

Just a few pics today.. I bumped into a couple of guys I know.. so it become more social than birding...not much about today.

Many Parakeets about.. it's obviously Spring!!

Rick and I headed of to where Goldcrests are seen.. we weren't disappointed... took dozens of pics... deleted most of them.. :)

and a very friendly robin

London Wetland Centre... was quiet

The plan was to go to LWC to see the Bittern and the Smew..  dipped on both.  Had a wander - not much about in terms of picture taking.. quite quiet in fact.

Watched the otters being quite active which was nice.

Was going onto Bushy Park afterwards but as I drove nearer the traffic, both going to and coming from, was quite heavy and black clouds were gathering.  So I cut my losses and headed for home.  Bit disappointing really...

Shovelers were on the water as you walked over the bridge to the visitor's centre!

and this Owl didn't move a muscle!

London Wetland Centre.....

Richmond Park, Bushy Park or London Wetland Centre.  Driving up I was going to Richmond Park... but changed mind and headed off to Barnes.  Fairly quiet on the whole.

Heard several Cettis and saw a few Long-tailed Tits.  A Goldcrest entertained for a while - great little bird :D

The light was odd; it seemed bright but probably more glary.  The dark clouds at times didn't help with photography.  But... managed a few pics..

A couple of Great Crested Grebes about in their winter plumage.

Cormorants preened viewed from the Wildside Hide

A Grey Heron got in on the act..

a bit of Cormorant wing stretching..

which the Grey Heron copied.

Dancing...

Elswhere a Mute Swan hoovered up the greenery..

A collection bird dozed in the sun..(it came back)

Late flowering blooms shone in the sunshine

Decided to go over to Bushy Park... by the time I got there dark clouds threatened rain and the traffic was awful.  Time to call it a day.. and home I went!

London Wetland Centre... Dragons, Very Little Grebes and Otters

The sun shone and the early morning coolness turned into a scorching hot day.  I headed north to Barnes.  I had limited time as I'd promised Mum I would take her to Findon Sheep Fair.. (we went, it was packed, we came home...)

I espied Norman in the car park and later I met up with Rosemary (great to see you again!) with Chris and Anne.  Later on I was to come across Corinna, and also to meet (for the first time) Wendy and Duncan, and also Ian. Good to meet you guys 'in the flesh' so to speak.

We were after Dragons - and were rewarded... dozens (literally) of Migrant Hawkers about.

Whilst standing and watching, this Great Spotted Woodie flew up into the tree.  Pity it didn't choose to come 'my' side of that branch!!

Dragons!!

From the Wildside Hide... a Grey Heron cooling!

Black-headed gull in reflection

And on leaving the Wildside Hide I noticed a Little Grebe...then heard several squeaky cries..
'Hang on' thinks I, 'What is the bump on the back of the Grebe?'

Ah... 1 little grebe chick!

Oops no... 2 little grebe chicks!

Oops no.... 3 little grebe chicks!

They were tiny and could only have been a day (or two) old...

food time (and another of those annoying bits of reed!)

Wandered back towards the visitors centre, in time to see the Otters..  There are four females but I could only get 3 in shot at any one time.

Around the 'other' side, a very large dragon... still trying to ID it!

and finally, on the way out, about 11 Marsh Frogs.. remarkably quiet basking in the lunchtime sun!

 The traffic going home was..... awful!  But didn't detract from a rewarding morning....