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!

In search of Banded Demoiselles

A friend sent me a invite text on Saturday morning so I started out to Bushy Park. We were in search of Banded Demoiselles.

On the way through the "wildwoods" (my name) a Wren popped up on top of a branch. I hadn't set the camera up so just a pot-shot!

My first Small Skipper

And dozens of these caterpillars which, I think, are those of the Peacock Butterfly.


We'd spent sometime in searching for the Demoiselles and as the sun got warmer they started to appear.

Female.

Male

Female

Male

A "couple" of damselflies..


Having found they were about in the anticipated spot, and following a welcome cuppa, we headed off to London Wetland Centre.

Birds of Prey were being flown on Saturday and a Barn Owl was the star not long after we arrived.


The Wildflower Meadow is full of Marsh Orchids at the moment making a very pretty sight.

And with that I had to head off so I didn't get out onto the reserve which was a shame.

But a good day in good company. Thanks R.

And today? well it's raining which is quite welcome for the gardens etc.

Sussex and Surrey... just a few birds

I was down with Mum during the week and we drove to a local lake.. this is private property but there's a service road where we can park and look out along the lake.

A very proud Mallard Mum with her 5 children

There have been 2 runner ducks on the lake for some years; and they came up to us as soon as we arrived.

There's a family of Great Crested Grebes who now have 3 young. They are a few weeks old and getting bigger so it looks promising for their future.



Today I managed to get to Painshill Park for a couple of hours. It was the afternoon so mostly everything was quiet.

A Black-tailed Skimmer... (originally got it wrong and posted as Broad-bodied chaser... that'll teach me to do things in a rush)
First dragon pic of the year!!

A Canada Goose had a lazy preen in the afternoon heat

and one of the two Goslings was eating grass

And the stars of the park - the two young Great Crested Grebes... still both doing well and really growing up now. You can hear their constant calling before you see them..

Mum and Dad indulging in a little synchronised drinking

In the main, there seems to be 1 adult with 1 youngster..

A Canada Goose arrived!!

And the lilies are starting to flower... they don't last for long but are lovely to see

And that was it! There's road works around the Painshill area in Cobham (new Gas mains)... so it was a slow journey!! But it won't last forever thank goodnes