Marsh Frogs? and other things..

Yesterday was absolutely wonderful in terms of weather, warm and sunny - the best weather day of the year so far :D I headed off to Barnes (London Wetland Centre) to see what was about.

Sand Martins have started nesting; 3 Redshank were chasing each other about. A Little Ringed Plover was out on the scrape. Common Terns had been seen but not by me. Cetti's and Sedge Warblers - warbled and Blackcaps seemed to be everywhere. Still haven't managed to photograph a Cetti's - one day perhaps.

What I did see, and hear, were Marsh Frogs.

But this was is very green. Is this still a Marsh Frog?



There's a hybrid Goose which is a cross between a Canada and Greylag Goose - and very odd it looks too. And on this occasion it also looked quite ferocious as it chased off a Canada Goose.

It has rather a "bald" look.

The pair of Great Crested Grebes were doing nothing but sleeping today. Still no eggs laid and there's a school of thought that suggest the varying height of the water may be having an adverse affect on the nest.

I wondered where this Greylag was heading off to..

It seemed to want a meal of reeds!

One of many Speckled Woods but looking a bit battle scarred.

A Brimstone..


And today is Sunday - and it rained this morning. Although it did liven up the garden somewhat. There's more colour at this time of the year than any other season.

And later on I had some shopping to do. I decided to take my new camera into Kingston-upon-Thames...

This is the Ancient Market place which has some interesting buildings

The Market Hall. During the week there are many market stalls. It used to be all fruit and veg but now it's a mish-mash of everything it seems! (Closed on a Sunday)

Just off the market place, you can take various short routes through the buildings to reach the River Thames. This alleyway sandwiched between the shops is just one of them.

(if you've noticed the "Borders" sign. Regretfully this is one of the bookshops that became victim of the recession - it also had Woolworths as a neighbour)

You can walk a little further, and go down the pathway along side the River Mole which runs into the Thames.

This is Clattern Bridge

and you can read about it here..

Having gone down the steps and turned around to look back, you can see the arches referred to in the notice above.

Walking further away towards the Thames and looking back at the Clattern Bridge, the newer developments on the riverside come into view.
Br

Turning around to face where the two rivers meet, some of the multitude of Mute Swans. I gave up counting after 70!!

Coming out now into the River Thames and this is a bit of the view with Kingston Bridge on the right.

I became mindful that I was paying to park so called it a day and headed off to pay my dues for the car park..... next time I'll get the bus (but there's only 1 per hour!) Nonetheless it was good to be out now the rain had stopped and the sun shone fitfully.

Staying local

On Thursday (22 April) I had a wander around Painshill. There is now another Great Crested Grebe's nest and a pair on the eastern end of the lake. This looks a much better spot than the original one. Whether it's the same pair or another I don't know (they wouldn't give me their names!); and there was a lone one up the other end of the lake so... I shall keep an eye on them and await developments.

I didn't go much further than the lake. Most of the birds were on nests and smaller birds flitted about, just out of my camera's reach.

Blackcaps seem to be everywhere at the moment and their song is wonderful! I'd spent some time trying to find this one and get a clear view but this is all it would allow be to see of it!



Further around, a Robin was hiding in a tree but stayed about for a photocall.

And today, I headed off for Bushy Park. I'd promised myself it would be a short walk as I've loads to catch up on at home but..... the sun was warm, the sky was blue - oooooh too lovely!

The 2nd family of Egyptian Geese... just three in this case.

The first Goslings I saw a few weeks ago (originally four but now only two), are now getting much more grown up and like Mum and Dad!

In the warmth of the sun, a Mandarin sat sleepily under a tree by the bank of the stream.

Further around a Robin was gathering nesting material..

and looked quite affronted at having its picture taken in the process

Around the Boating Pond, a female Mandarin showed that she had some bright colours too.

A Coot with two offspring.. one was sticking close to Mum however whilst the other tested out the water.

And yet another Grey Heron... this one had designs on becoming a Lapwing judging by its head feathers!

and just a few views of the Woodland Gardens (or Pheasantry Plantation as it's now known!)

Out on the Boating Pond someone had left these flowers. I've seen flowers in this spot before, but I don't know why they've been put there.


And finally home... did do a bit of domestic stuff. But not too much.... don't want to overdo it ;)

(and..... I've still got to catch up on previous days pictures for posting to my blog!!)