Wisley Gardens has a new Bird Hide

A new bird hide has been under construction for a while at RHS Wisley and I've been awaiting its opening. Well yesterday, 18 November it opened... and just 10 minutes before I stepped inside! Apparently I was the first "proper" birder and visitor to the hide; the dignitaries being there for the opening!

When I arrived at the gardens the sun was shining but that wasn't to last for that long.

This is probably one of the most photographed and regular pictures upon entry to the gardens.

I walked by the large pond on my way to the riverside walk

Having gone under the bridge the River Wey comes into view; this runs along the borders of part of the gardens with a golf course on the opposite bank.. a good place to spot a Kingfisher but I didn't see one from here.

Further along the path wends its way through the trees. On my way through a Great Spotted Woodie flew across in front of me and then a Jay kept me entertained for a while. A Wren was singing lustily but hidden well out of view. A group of Long-tailed tits flitted across through the trees.

Having walked along the river path and come to the end the hide comes into view.

Once inside, you can see the "wildlife conservation area" and this is the only views you can have so great to see it properly for the first time.

It's built on a very steep slope and on two levels - the entrance being the upper level and once inside, down the staircase to the lower level.

I'd spent sometime in the hide once the dignitaries had left and whilst speaking to another visitor he drew my attention to a bird on a very nearby branch overhanging the water. As I turned towards it, the Kingfisher (yay!!) flew across in front of us to the trees beyond and then out of view across the River Wey. Apparently there are two pairs of Kingfishers that breed around the area; there's also a pair of Kestrels which bred again near the hide this year.

From the hide - I saw my first Siskins of the season - about 7 of them :D

Time to wander back as hunger was taking over. A friendly robin sang as I walked.

Out across the River Wey, a family of Mute Swans was using the golf course as a resting place.

By now the sky was rather threatening..

I had Pea Soup and bread with a coffee (very nice) and then walked through the gardens on my way to the Fruit Fields.

I paid a quick visit to the Glasshouse... it was very warm compared to outside although the sun up to now had been lovely.

Outside again, the sky was getting blacker by the minute

I wanted to check out the Fruit fields for winter birdy visitors... as I walked through the Arboretum I was rewarded with the sight of a flock of some 20 Fieldfares... (no Redwings on this occasion) but the Fieldfares made a lovely sight - no pictures as my camera was safely in the bag as it was now raining quite steadily. The Fruit Fields had plenty of windfalls of apples so hopefully they can be left about for a bit to give the Fieldfares a tasty meal.

An enjoyable visit and I shall be back in the hide to watch for those Kingfishers again before too long...

Birds of Bushy and ID confirmation please.

Well - today has been thick fog all day.!!

Yesterday I went wandering in Bushy - it was very misty and therefore dull.

I heard and saw about 5 Mistle Thrushes up in the trees again.. there seem to be quite a few around at the moment.

Record shot only!!

And whilst I was walking toward some Red Deer that were in the (now mostly flattened) bracken, a group of about 5/6 small birds flew up. I watched them flit about for some time, bobbing up and down in the bracken, and eventually they came a little nearer; I managed to get (yet another!) record shot and I believe these are female Stonechats?

(If anyone could confirm/disagree I would be grateful please)

Edit: Thanks to Oscar, Midland Birder and Pete for identifying this as

Meadow Pipit!!

I rather liked the way the, now weak, sun, lit the branches of the tree. It wasn't until I had the picture on the PC that I noticed the bird in the bottom right-hand corner of the picture.

And in the same area as the Mistle Thrushes and Stonechats (?) were two very active Goldcrests! Woo hoo

(If Brian and Jenny are reading this, it was all happening in the usual spot over by the house with the fence)

and yet another (yes, you've sussed it!) record shot!!

After a hearty lunch of lentil and vegetable soup and some warm bread (very nice) in the Pheasantry cafe, I headed off into the Woodland Gardens.

Most of the photo opportunities were provided by the regular Bushy inhabitants!

Female Mandarin.

Bathing Female Mallard - she seemed happy :D

A grey squirrel stopped to watch me, watching it!

Over in the other section of the gardens, two Mute Swans preened.

and now, on the way back and around the Boating Pond..

I was entertained by a pair of Jackdaws.

"Ok, what's happening in the world today then"

"Anyone around then?"

"Ah, what's down there do you reckon?"

"Not anything very interesting"

"You watch that way, and I'll watch this"

"Well, let's have a clean up then"

"Do you really have to do that in public !! "

"It's not THAT bad is it?"

"I shall say nowt"

"Hmm, a good friend you turned out to be!"

and finally, a Red Deer Hind watching.....


A pleasant stroll even if the sun arrived a little too late .