It rained at Barnes!

Today I met Elizabeth & Malcolm, Pete and Hugh at the London Wetland Centre, Barnes.

• rain had been forecast
• the forecast was correct
• it rained
• for most of the morning
• forecast said "clearing by midday"
• it did (I knew it would)! :D
  
• for about 15 minutes
• the sky had some blue in it
• briefly
  
• and the sun shone
• for about 1 minute!
• it rained heavily thereafter.......
• in the car and leaving - the sun shone again..
  

The usual culprits about on and in the water. Nothing surprising except for a lone Pipit! But, we're still not sure as to it's identity - could be Rock? or Water? The pipit merged with the surrounding stones so well, it was difficult to focus the shot; a record shot only for ID purposes (and even that's pushing it!)

Needless to say, the following pictures come with the usual health warning of bad light and bad weather!
Cormorants - about 15 in total.

Grey Heron

A couple of Mute Swans take off over the houses.

The are White faced whistling ducks and are collection birds. However, they seemed to be going in for a spot of mutual preening - didn't know birds did this!
Aw bliss; just the spot........


Male Teal


One of the many Lapwing (with a couple of starlings)

A cormorant who had finished fishing (successfully) then took off for a different part of the reserve..






A pleasant, if somewhat damp visit, in good company..