Hi All,
WWT Barnes7th JuneWeather: Warm, Sunny with clouds, becoming distinctly overcast towards the end of the day.
Again, I would have written this yesterday evening but I was exhausted after getting home. (I must get out more).
I had a surprisingly decent return journey to Barnes which made for a nice change.On the walk down to the reserve I noticed, sadly, that all the Bluebells had gone.
On gaining entrance to the reserve I opted to walk around the Wildside area this time, thinking that if the threatened rain came I could shelter under the Hides on the other side.
It was a real chickfest today. Lots of them. Mallards, Cygnets, Grebes, Terns, Pochards, Barnacles and Lapwings. I was even told of 3 baby Voles but couldn't find them.
Broke for lunch: Mmmm, Carrot Cake.
Made my way to the Hides on the other side. The flowers were in full bloom! I even spotted a magnificient Bee Orchid.
Special birds seen for me (other than the usual ones): Lapwings; Little Ringed-Plover; Jays; Great Crested Grebes; Red-breasted Goose on a nest; Reed and Sedge Warblers; Redshank; Common Terns; Egyptian Geese; Grey Herons; masses of Starlings and lots of Great and Blue Tit fledglings pestering mums and dads for food. Heard a couple of Cetti's and a Chiffchaff. I may have forgotten a few.
A few Common Blue butterflies; lots of Damselflies; a Broad-bodied Chaser and an Emperor Dragonfly. Frogs calling; Bee Orchids and, last but not least, a pair of Lesser Spotted Barnesian waders (found in the water opposite the waterfall, looking decidedly sheepish).
The only niggle I had were the children that were there. Lots of them. And very noisy. But it was good to see most of them taking an interest. And I guess it was a chickfest day too.
Another great day, lots of chicks, sunshine, fair photos, fair train journey and carrot cake. It doesn't get much better!
So, where are those Bees?
More tea, Vicar?
Where's my Mum?
I think I've lost my Fez!
Come on Mum, faster, faster!
Is this it? Where's my egg?
Well, they were here yesterday!
Ah good. No Oxen about!
Best Wishes, Graham
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What a lovely post Graham, I really enjoyed it.
Stunning photos and the captions are great..........I am going to be chuckling at 'more tea vicar' for a while.
The orchid is beautiful, as are the Ox-eye daises (love the caption).
Poor little soul "where's my mum?" baby birds look so vunerable.....
Superb.
Kind regards Jane.
Thanks Graham. Super photographs with some brilliant and amusing captions.
Excellent photos Graham, thanks for posting them, that third one of the little chick what a little cutie. Definitely sounds like a fantastic day.
Regards
Kerry
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kezmo6310/
What a great day out (carrot cake! Yummy!) and a superb set of photos too! Excellent! Never heard of the wader though! Going to look it up! :-)
Edit: Ok well I feel like a right twit now!! Yes, the waders!! I get it... Doh!
"All weeds are flowers, once you get to know them" (Eeyore)
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Thankyou Graham for that splendid and funny report and stunning photos. What a great place to visit. I love the little coot chick on the water lily, and all those beautiful daisies.
Cheers, Linda.
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Hi Graham,
Nice photos and captions of your day out,thanks for sharing your day!
It had been an ambition of mine to see WWT London for many years (am a member of WWT but live about 600miles north and I am really not a fan of urbanity!) and I at last managed to see it for the first time in May 2008, so I too saw all the ducklings (etc!). I was also lucky enough to get back there in 2009. It is a fantastic example of a wildlife reserve in the middle of a huge city - under the flight path for Heathrow, but not too noisy! I think Sir Peter Scott had remarkable vision with the idea of this place and it is really interesting to read how it was all created from no longer needed water reservoirs.
Many thanks for your interesting post and really good photos.
Hi Graham
Great update with some wonderful photos that gives us all an insight to what sounds a great day.
Carrot Cake as well............
Robert
Thanks for all the kind comments, everyone!
It's a great place to visit if you are in the area. The wildlife if fantastic. And the carrot cake.
8-)
Best wishes, Graham