Grey and deserted Barnes - well - almost!

Well - just when is this weather going to improve.

Please could someone

a) paint the sky blue;
b) create a wonderful orange globe in the sky; and
c) turn the heating on again.

d) help to get rid of my winter blues....

Just a small plea really....

My camera is suffering from neglect and my car is feeling deprived of going anywhere other than local. Today was another "local" as I ignored the skies and headed off to Barnes.

Very quiet in terms of birds; very noisy in terms of children - The Wetland Centre are playing host to small animals this weekend - small enough for children to pet.

Nonetheless there were a few birds of interest about but "few" is the word of today. And (please imagine a rather suspect French accent here;) "I shall say this once, and only once" - the light was dreadful!!

There were two of these Cormorants near to one of the hides. Someone identified them as "European Cormorants". Later on in the day one flew past, so whether there are 2 or 3 remains to be seen..

A water rail was playing with a rather dejected-looking fish not that far from the hide.

These lovely tactile pussy-willow buds made me want to reach out and touch them

A Blue Tit gazed down on me from its lofty perch..

before flying off for adventures new..

Further on a Great Tit perched for a while..

A Gadwall swam lazily around.

And this Great Crested Grebe, in breeding plumage, swam by. A volunteer had witnessed a "weed dance" by a pair of Grebes - so they obviously think it's spring! I must start checking the usual Grebe hotspots during the coming week!

It dived and caught a fish - pity it turned its back on me!

With freezing cold fingers and toes I decided enough was enough and headed off for a coffee and some chips before setting off for home.

Not a bad trip out albeit a chilly one!

Dull, dull, dull....but

Well - the morning dawned. The only evidence of this was the slight improvement in the light from the total darkness of night. Another grey grey day. I really faffed about this morning trying to decide what to do. Whilst I was staring out into the garden, a bird landed on the fat feeder which is not far from the (very dirty!!) window. And - to my surprise and delight - it was a Reed Bunting - in my garden!! I'm still trying to believe this. I think it's a male his winter clothing; but, as usual, if anyone knows different then I'm very pleased to learn more.

My garden list for 2010 is not looking too bad at the moment.

Blue, Great, Long-tailed and Coal Tits

Green and Goldfinches and Chaffinches

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Siskins

Magpies

Feral Pigeon

Ring-necked Parakeets

Jackdaws

Wood Pigeons

Ring-necked Doves

Nuthatch

Blackcap (male)

Song Thrush and

Reed Bunting

and, equally amazingly, a Redpoll

Blackbird

Starling

Jay

Dunnock

Robin

Edited to add Starling, Jay, Robin and Dunnock - how could I have forgotten them - they're all regular visitors!

24 species so far - quite happy about that considering we're only 23 days into the year :D

plus: Fox, Squirrel and Common Frog (yes - 1 in the pond!!)

Today's little star in the garden.

I finally decided on a trip over to Barnes (London Wetland Centre) - arriving a bit later than usual.

I started out around the Wildside as this is where the Bitterns have been seen mostly. I then spotted a rarity (aka) - the Pete!! We wandered on.

These American Whistling Ducks were having a mutual preen but the light was dreadful and I was too late in getting the "aw" shot!

In the Wildside hide a Bittern was in view - skulking as usual but definitely there! Masses of Tufties, Shovellers, and Teal and several of the other regulars.

In a few weeks, these male Mallards won't be content sitting next to each other on a fence!

Nothing much about in terms of small birds. We headed off for the cafe for a cuppa (and some chips! oh dear.....!! :D)

Pete then left to enjoy his journey back and I wander around the other side. There have been two Water Rails in the same spot for a few days now; and you can hear them - very easily. See them - ah now that's a different story. BUT today I was in luck. Another birder/photographer was watching and listening - I wandered around the side and found - perched up -

That's the picture that made the day.....:D

I then wandered over to the Peacock Tower; a Jack Snipe was bobbing about and someone let me have a sighting through their scope - lovely.

And that was it. At the risk of sounding very very boring (or even more boring than usual) PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE could we have some sun!! Preferably at a weekend so everyone can enjoy it.