The rain that had been falling steadily since yesterday evening had not long stopped. We were waiting, at three forty five in the morning, for the cab that would take us to the WWT. We had chosen to take the cab because neither Leon nor myself were sure how reliable the night-bus service might be. As we waited the odd student, still worse for wear, snaked out of the college and away down the Lane.
The cab was late but we still managed to get to the Centre a few minutes before the event start time of four o’clock. Both Leon and I were astonished by the amount of noise generated by the Marsh Frogs. How the people living nearby got any sleep is a complete mystery. Apparently there were to be several different parties, each moving off several minutes apart. The guides for our particular party were called Wendy and Dan.
We set off just after four; it was still fairly dark and not at all chilly. The birds had, of course, already started singing. In fact we had been listening to them whilst awaiting our cab. We stopped every now and then for Wendy or Dan to point out various birdcalls. Many were instantly recognisable and some we thought that we knew after the walk with Rupert a couple of weeks ago. We were both glad that we had booked a place on this walk, again it was good to hear the experts chatting happily about the subject they love and the centre has a lovely feeling about it when it is dark. The calls of the waders have a kind of eeriness about them. The only thing that was a little annoying was the constant mumblings and chatting of some of the members. At some points it was loud enough to drown what the guides were saying. We both, however, did manage learn to recognise some more birdsongs.
The party stopped at the ‘Peacock Tower’ and, in the early morning light, we were able to see that the Avocets were still in residence, their brilliant-white plumage cutting through the grey morning gloom.
We spent about half an hour at the tower and, as the party seemed to have fragmented somewhat, Leon and I struck out on our own (as many others had it would appear) and made our way to the ‘Wildside’ hide. Everywhere about us the birds had now started to sing at full volume, the ‘Dawn Chorus’ at its glorious best. I am glad to say that we could now pick out most of the birds that were calling although there were some that we did not know.
At the hide we were able to watch the birds as they busied themselves for another day of finding food, courting and, of course, squabbling. Here, too, we were surprised by the noise of the Marsh Frogs, although not continuous any longer they burst into raucous life every ten minutes or so. Again I felt for the residents nearby, although I must admit that I would swap that sound for that of the ‘planes coming in to land at Heathrow.
Breakfast was scheduled for seven thirty so we thought that we would go back at eight o’clock, as there would be some serious queuing. We stopped on the way back to the centre, at the ‘Headley Hide’. There were a few ducks about but little else. Perhaps the gulls and Cormorants roost elsewhere and fly in a little later?
At the restaurant we were in for a big surprise. The tables were already being cleared away and it was only just gone eight o’clock! The manager was apologetic but everything was gone! So, not only had they started serving early (they would never have got forty covers served, eating their meal and getting the tables cleared and stacked in thirty minutes!) but they had not prepared enough in the first place! Well, they will not catch me again. I usually have breakfast there every time we visit but never again. We made our way back along ‘Waterlife’ calling in at each hide that we passed. All around, Nature was waking up ready to face a new day and what a lovely one it was. The sun kept breaking through for more extended periods and it was shaping into a lovely warm day. We had both brought our light rain gear but it looked set to stay in our bags.
Leon had to pop out to the newsagents for a short while, he knew somebody who had had an article on Bluebells printed in one of the papers today and was determined not to miss getting a copy! Whilst he was gone I walked around the ‘Sheltered Lagoon’ and was able to record many more birds than had been around earlier. There was a Willow Warbler and a Blackcap who seemed determined to outdo each other with their songs. I could have stood there for hours but had made arrangements to meet up with Leon at the ‘Peacock Tower’. I popped into the ‘Wader Scrape’ hide for a few moments noting that the waders were starting to show themselves. The Avocets were still feeding in the channel by the bank alongside the Thames.
I met up with Leon, who must have been on roller-skates to have been back so quickly, on the way to the ‘Peacock Tower’. I informed him that we should get some great views of the Avocets, as they appeared to be moving towards the Tower itself. On the way there we bumped into Wendy, the guide, who asked what we had seen and told us that there was a group of eight Dunlin in the Wader Scrape. I had not been able to see them from the other hide. To have this many is considered unusual here and whilst talking of the unusual we related the story of the Kestrel at the Sandmartin Bank from last week. Wendy (and her companion) were both as surprised as we had been, considering the birds’ usual habits.
We had a wonderful time in the Tower. The Avocets did indeed come in from the far side of the Scrape towards us and we were treated to some lovely views of them. The Dunlin, too, were very easy to watch as they stayed almost directly in front of the Tower, although they moved to a small pool halfway across the Scrape a little later on. They were in their full summer plumage.
On the islands we could see the Little Ringed Plovers sitting on their eggs, the birds being protected by wire cages. There was an abundance of Redshank as well; they gave many displays of courtship and mating. I only saw one Common Sandpiper which was surprising as there had been any number around in the last few weeks. We did add to our list of ‘firsts’ though, a group of Common Terns had moved onto the site and were checking out the floating pontoons as nest sites and giving some great flight displays.
It was now about half past nine, we had been here for five and a half hours and the doors were only just opening for general admission! As the day still had all the promise of being very fine, many youngsters were being brought in by their mums and dads.
We moved back to the ‘Wildside’ hide stopping at all the others on the way. Wherever we looked now there seemed to be lots of ‘action’. Many birds were still nest building while some of the same species had young broods to look after. We spent some time watching some Moorhens feeding their two chicks. They would dive down and retrieve some weed and then hold it up while the youngsters pecked around it.
The Reed Warblers seemed to have grown a little accustomed to having people about as they did not seem to hide themselves way as much as usual. Quite a few of them could be seen moving backwards and forwards with beakfulls of nesting material.
We stayed at the ‘Wildside’ hide for quite some time and must have scanned every inch of the visible site many times. Sometimes it is quite surprising just how busy the birds are at this time of year. There doesn’t seem a moment when they are still, especially the Coots and Moorhens who seem to have added responsibilities. The slightest infringement on their territory sends them into an indignant frenzy, the interlopers seen off in a few moments and, in no time at all as if nothing had happened, they are back to work once again.
Leon remarked that we had seen no raptors today. Although we were about to start making a move towards the ‘office’, I said that I thought that we still had time to see something. Sure enough, as we reached the Centre, a Kestrel flew over circling and hovering above the Main Lake.
We only stayed at the ‘office’ for a couple of quick pints as I had to get to Fulham for the last game of the season against ’Boro. I could see that the early start was beginning to tell as we were generally both quite quiet.
BIRDS SEEN: Lapwing, Avocet, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Reed Bunting, Reed Warbler, Coot, Moorhen, Canada Goose, Shoveller, Mallard, Redshank, Starling, Blackbird, Goldfinch, Heron, Sandmartin, Little Ringed Plover, Tufted Duck, Greylag Goose, Little Grebe, Pochard, Common Tern, Gadwall, Wood Pigeon, Great Tit, Robin, Jay, Mute Swan, Ruddy Duck, Cormorant, Great Crested Grebe, Feral Pigeon, Ring Necked Parakeet, Swift, House Sparrow, Teal, Herring Gull, Blue Tit, Coal Tit, Willow Warbler, Wren, Blackcap, Common Sandpiper, Dunlin, Song Thrush, Pied Wagtail, Sedge Warbler, Lesser Black Baked Gull, House Martin, Greenfinch, Kestrel, Stock Dove.
EARLY MORNING EVENT.
The cab was late but we still managed to get to the Centre a few minutes before the event start time of four o’clock. Both Leon and I were astonished by the amount of noise generated by the Marsh Frogs. How the people living nearby got any sleep is a complete mystery. Apparently there were to be several different parties, each moving off several minutes apart. The guides for our particular party were called Wendy and Dan.
We set off just after four; it was still fairly dark and not at all chilly. The birds had, of course, already started singing. In fact we had been listening to them whilst awaiting our cab. We stopped every now and then for Wendy or Dan to point out various birdcalls. Many were instantly recognisable and some we thought that we knew after the walk with Rupert a couple of weeks ago. We were both glad that we had booked a place on this walk, again it was good to hear the experts chatting happily about the subject they love and the centre has a lovely feeling about it when it is dark. The calls of the waders have a kind of eeriness about them. The only thing that was a little annoying was the constant mumblings and chatting of some of the members. At some points it was loud enough to drown what the guides were saying. We both, however, did manage learn to recognise some more birdsongs.
The party stopped at the ‘Peacock Tower’ and, in the early morning light, we were able to see that the Avocets were still in residence, their brilliant-white plumage cutting through the grey morning gloom.
We spent about half an hour at the tower and, as the party seemed to have fragmented somewhat, Leon and I struck out on our own (as many others had it would appear) and made our way to the ‘Wildside’ hide. Everywhere about us the birds had now started to sing at full volume, the ‘Dawn Chorus’ at its glorious best. I am glad to say that we could now pick out most of the birds that were calling although there were some that we did not know.
At the hide we were able to watch the birds as they busied themselves for another day of finding food, courting and, of course, squabbling. Here, too, we were surprised by the noise of the Marsh Frogs, although not continuous any longer they burst into raucous life every ten minutes or so. Again I felt for the residents nearby, although I must admit that I would swap that sound for that of the ‘planes coming in to land at Heathrow.
Breakfast was scheduled for seven thirty so we thought that we would go back at eight o’clock, as there would be some serious queuing. We stopped on the way back to the centre, at the ‘Headley Hide’. There were a few ducks about but little else. Perhaps the gulls and Cormorants roost elsewhere and fly in a little later?
At the restaurant we were in for a big surprise. The tables were already being cleared away and it was only just gone eight o’clock! The manager was apologetic but everything was gone! So, not only had they started serving early (they would never have got forty covers served, eating their meal and getting the tables cleared and stacked in thirty minutes!) but they had not prepared enough in the first place! Well, they will not catch me again. I usually have breakfast there every time we visit but never again. We made our way back along ‘Waterlife’ calling in at each hide that we passed. All around, Nature was waking up ready to face a new day and what a lovely one it was. The sun kept breaking through for more extended periods and it was shaping into a lovely warm day. We had both brought our light rain gear but it looked set to stay in our bags.
Leon had to pop out to the newsagents for a short while, he knew somebody who had had an article on Bluebells printed in one of the papers today and was determined not to miss getting a copy! Whilst he was gone I walked around the ‘Sheltered Lagoon’ and was able to record many more birds than had been around earlier. There was a Willow Warbler and a Blackcap who seemed determined to outdo each other with their songs. I could have stood there for hours but had made arrangements to meet up with Leon at the ‘Peacock Tower’. I popped into the ‘Wader Scrape’ hide for a few moments noting that the waders were starting to show themselves. The Avocets were still feeding in the channel by the bank alongside the Thames.
I met up with Leon, who must have been on roller-skates to have been back so quickly, on the way to the ‘Peacock Tower’. I informed him that we should get some great views of the Avocets, as they appeared to be moving towards the Tower itself. On the way there we bumped into Wendy, the guide, who asked what we had seen and told us that there was a group of eight Dunlin in the Wader Scrape. I had not been able to see them from the other hide. To have this many is considered unusual here and whilst talking of the unusual we related the story of the Kestrel at the Sandmartin Bank from last week. Wendy (and her companion) were both as surprised as we had been, considering the birds’ usual habits.
We had a wonderful time in the Tower. The Avocets did indeed come in from the far side of the Scrape towards us and we were treated to some lovely views of them. The Dunlin, too, were very easy to watch as they stayed almost directly in front of the Tower, although they moved to a small pool halfway across the Scrape a little later on. They were in their full summer plumage.
On the islands we could see the Little Ringed Plovers sitting on their eggs, the birds being protected by wire cages. There was an abundance of Redshank as well; they gave many displays of courtship and mating. I only saw one Common Sandpiper which was surprising as there had been any number around in the last few weeks. We did add to our list of ‘firsts’ though, a group of Common Terns had moved onto the site and were checking out the floating pontoons as nest sites and giving some great flight displays.
It was now about half past nine, we had been here for five and a half hours and the doors were only just opening for general admission! As the day still had all the promise of being very fine, many youngsters were being brought in by their mums and dads.
We moved back to the ‘Wildside’ hide stopping at all the others on the way. Wherever we looked now there seemed to be lots of ‘action’. Many birds were still nest building while some of the same species had young broods to look after. We spent some time watching some Moorhens feeding their two chicks. They would dive down and retrieve some weed and then hold it up while the youngsters pecked around it.
The Reed Warblers seemed to have grown a little accustomed to having people about as they did not seem to hide themselves way as much as usual. Quite a few of them could be seen moving backwards and forwards with beakfulls of nesting material.
We stayed at the ‘Wildside’ hide for quite some time and must have scanned every inch of the visible site many times. Sometimes it is quite surprising just how busy the birds are at this time of year. There doesn’t seem a moment when they are still, especially the Coots and Moorhens who seem to have added responsibilities. The slightest infringement on their territory sends them into an indignant frenzy, the interlopers seen off in a few moments and, in no time at all as if nothing had happened, they are back to work once again.
Leon remarked that we had seen no raptors today. Although we were about to start making a move towards the ‘office’, I said that I thought that we still had time to see something. Sure enough, as we reached the Centre, a Kestrel flew over circling and hovering above the Main Lake.
We only stayed at the ‘office’ for a couple of quick pints as I had to get to Fulham for the last game of the season against ’Boro. I could see that the early start was beginning to tell as we were generally both quite quiet.
BIRDS SEEN: Lapwing, Avocet, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Reed Bunting, Reed Warbler, Coot, Moorhen, Canada Goose, Shoveller, Mallard, Redshank, Starling, Blackbird, Goldfinch, Heron, Sandmartin, Little Ringed Plover, Tufted Duck, Greylag Goose, Little Grebe, Pochard, Common Tern, Gadwall, Wood Pigeon, Great Tit, Robin, Jay, Mute Swan, Ruddy Duck, Cormorant, Great Crested Grebe, Feral Pigeon, Ring Necked Parakeet, Swift, House Sparrow, Teal, Herring Gull, Blue Tit, Coal Tit, Willow Warbler, Wren, Blackcap, Common Sandpiper, Dunlin, Song Thrush, Pied Wagtail, Sedge Warbler, Lesser Black Baked Gull, House Martin, Greenfinch, Kestrel, Stock Dove.
EARLY MORNING EVENT.
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