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!

Spring is here..... but the northerly wind needs to be told that!

I've been down in Sussex for a couple of days in the bitterly cold Northerly wind. Had a walk along the beach on Saturday morning and saw dozens of Sanderlings, Dunlin and a single Plover on the waterline as the tide was just starting to go out - lovely. No pics as the light was dreadful and they flew off every time I approached!

After I got home early this morning I headed off for Bushy Park. I dipped on the Lesser Spotted Woodies that I'd hope to see but did see a Little Grebe which is a first for this location!

The sun was coming in and out and when out, the warmth was lovely!

Ring-necked Parakeets are very evident and obviously in pairs now.

"Hello" - "Will you be my Valentine?"

"Well, I'll have to think about that!"

"Oh please......?"

"Well, I do rather like you"

(no further narrative necessary ;) )

"OK, friends then :D "

The Egyptian Geese as usual were the first to produce any goslings that I have seen this year. But they were very new and wanting to hide under Mum.

Later on, they got a bit braver and headed towards the water.

"Hmmmm, it does look rather wet!"

Walking through the Woodland Gardens, a Jay perched high up in a tree..

A Canada Goose was "double the trouble" as it dozed.

And I came across a flock of siskins; the sound was wonderful as they dashed through the trees and bushes - there must have been about 40 of them... these two stayed still for a few seconds only so I was lucky to get the shot!

Along the pathway and up a tree, a Grey Squirrel had found something tasty.

At a divide in the pathway, fungi (Shelf Fungus I think?) adorned the dead tree trunk.

And on the way to the Visitor Centre and Cafe, magnolia flowers were in bud - lovely :D

And pink blossom decorated the day!

By now it was lunchtime and I stopped for Leek and Potato Soup with crusty bread and a rather wicked slice of Chocolate Fudge Cake! Oooops...