RHS Wisley and a birdy surprise

It's cold.... which I don't mind if it's sunny but it's not that either! I'm wondering if Winter is ever going to release its icy hold and let Spring put a toe through the door...

I went to RHS Wisley - haven't been there since about last November. I decided to start by going through the Pinetum to see if I could spot the Kingfisher - erm, erm.... no!!

I like it through the Pinetum - there's not usually many people about.

I wandered through with the River Wey on my left. As I neared the Wildlife Preservation area this beauty was hopping about looking for worms..

I stood looking at the wildlife area considering how to go about getting permission to venture in when I spotted, what I thought was a rather odd looking Moorhen... Got the Binocs up to discover, much to my surprise and delight that it was a....

Water Rail!! Never seen one of those here before and never expected to, come to that!

(Inserts here the photographic qualification of "record shots; poor light and subject a long way off")

The Wildlife area needs special permission to be entered but.... around the other side up on the hill overlooking it, Wisley are building a Bird Hide!! A first. It's due to open in Spring but looking at the area that seems to me, to be a bit further off completion than that; so evidence of the hide yet. Watch this space....

Well that was good!! I seem to be having a Water Rail time at the moment.

The Mallards were looking rather colourful as the light improved a little..

I walked up through the herbacious borders - looking as though they were resting. Robins seemed to be everywhere and singing their little hearts out!!

Further round, the crocuses were abundant and colourful.

Various other Spring plants were standing up to be counted..

This squirrel perched up on the tree was trying to hide from the camera..

Witch-hazel in many colours gleamed through the murk of the day..

as did the Lichen.

The Hellorbores sang out as the sun peeped out from behind a cloud

In the Glasshouse, this Banana Plant was bearing fruit.

A climbing plant (Wysteria?) was looking woody whilst waiting for the buds to appear..

A gnarled tree trunk in the Pinetum

And after a quick snack a lunch time, a walk back past the gravel borders where Crocus and Dwarf Iris leant some blue to the day where the sky was sadly lacking it!

Not a bad stroll; but not the same without being able to say hello to Frank and David.

Dipped and spotted!

Edit: I think my title might be a tadge misleading. The "dipped" relates to Firecrests... (one day perhaps) and the "spotted" refers to a Tree Creeper that I finally got a picture of)..

I woke up this morning to a clear sky.... rubbing my eyes I looked out of the window again.... and yes, clear skies.

I'd had a message from a friend yesterday alerting me to 2 x Firecrests in Bushy Park and a possible Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. Both being on my "much wanted list" I headed off this morning.

The wind was icy cold but "the sun was brilliant and the skies were blue". I rather like saying that - it's a rare occasion :D

Parked the car, and these two Egyptian Geese were up in the tree calling loudly as usual. I don't know if they're the same pair, but there's usually a pair in this tree!!

Signs of Spring starting were everywhere (I'm delighted to say :D )

Coots were fighting and often in groups of 4.

I headed off for the pond and the two Grebes from yesterday were still together. I watched for a while but nothing much was happening. Not long afterwards, Ian caught up with me; he'd come with the same purpose..

This Canada Goose had been chased off its patch of water (where it sat quietly minding its own business) by..

a very aggressive cobb Mute Swan. Only the adults remain now, the 7 cygnets from last year were nowhere in evidence today - I'm assuming they've now moved off to pastures new. Obvious signs of aggression by this cobb, means, hopefully, they will breed again this year..

Eventually I headed off to the Woodland Gardens enroute to the Plantation to look for Firecrests.

In preparation for Christmas this year, the mistletoe was putting on a show!

and beside one of the ponds, these Polyanthus were in full bloom. I suspect someone has planted these as they were alone and looking somewhat out of place!

As I walked listening to the bird song, this Great Tit wondered what all the fuss was about!

I got into the wood and the number of woodpeckers I heard/saw was amazing. This Great- Spotted was up in a tree, when with a flurry...

this Green Woodpecker arrived in the same tree!

As I entered the Plantation, these crocus were enjoying the sunshine.

I spent a considerable amount of time in the Plantation enjoy the wildlife and sun. Woodpeckers were everywhere; at one time three Great Spotted Woodies were drumming in the same tree! Still no sign of the Firecrests so I walked through to a favourite spot. I'd been advised by a fellow birder/photographer who visits Bushy, of the favoured spot for treecreepers and, until today, they'd not appeared for me.

I was wandering along, quietyly and slowly. watching Woodies and Wrens when, I saw....

I've never managed a decent shot of a Treecreeper so to get something acceptable today, was a great bonus!

Having spent some time there, I was then joined by Ian again and eventually we headed off for the visitor centre and a welcome bowl of soup.... yummy!

On our way back to the car park, these two (very loving) Rose-ringed Parakeets were ensuring continuation of the race..

He (on the left) then gave her an affectionate kiss..

then She decided to disappear into the hole in tree. Having inspected it she then flew off.

HE realised she'd gone and carried out his own inspection before flying off as well.

The two Great-crested Grebes were still around, but nothing much was happening so I headed off for home. I'd arrived at 10.30 and left about 2.30...

In addition, saw all the usual suspects on the water and several small flock of Long-tailed and Blue tits, Great Tit. Wrens seemed to be everywhere darting about as is their way!

I'm beginning to think that Bushy Park is THE place to go birding. A really great albeit unplanned trip!

Dancing grebes!

I'm a little out of sequence in posting my blog as I haven't posted the pictures from last Saturday when I was "north of the Thames". However, they will follow in due course.

Yesterday, Spring happened!! I went off to Painshill to try to photograph the Goosanders in good light. Good light there was in abundance; Goosanders had left 10 minutes before I arrived!! They seem to be coming and going so I'm still hoping for a bright day before too long..

All the usual birds about but I concentrated mostly on landscapes which I will save for another day.

After Painshill and some necessary food shopping I headed off for Bushy Park. By now it was mid afternoon and the sun was beginning to sink. I hear and saw a Great Crested Grebe - it was calling for its mate. After searching I saw the second bird and so did the Grebe. And now it is getting towards 4.30 p.m. and the sun is low.

The Black-headed Gulls were beginning to show why they are called such!

At the top of the pond, a Grey Heron was sunbathing..

I took a chance and took this shot straight into the sun; I quite liked the sunlight lightening the Heron's beak.

The low sun made for some interesting colours and reflections..

And now the stars of the day. This Grebe was calling and sinking its head and neck low along the water..

It's mate joined it and they faced each other; heading-turning then started..

accompanied by stretching the neck upwards..

and then backwards along its body..

They then both dived and came up with some weed. By now the sun was really low although it was a wonderfully warm colour..

and the dancing began..

This was obviously only a practise run as it lasted for just a few seconds before they stopped and swam off together. Great to watch and I shall go back. Last year the coots chased the Grebes off the nest and I saw no evidence that they had had any young. Perhaps this year, although it's a very open area and not that good for Grebe nesting I would have thought.

As they swam to the far end of the pond I kept pace with them, but there was no further dancing.

And today? By complete contrast it was grey again with a bitingly cold wind. I needed to get some more printer ink from Tesco's so as it was on the way to Barnes (London Wetland Centre) I headed over there first. Very very little about in terms of bird activity.

A Green Woodpecker sat immersed in the branches of a tree

and a singular Redpoll landed high above my head.

Just have to wait for the Spring migrants now......