19TH OCTOBER 2006.
ANOTHER MEMBERS WALK
Before meeting Leon for our day at WWT Barnes, I made a short trip to Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens. The sole purpose of this trip was to ‘recce’ the place for a future day-visit by Leon and myself. I had been reading some reports about the place on the ‘London Birders’ website and thought that it might be a good place for the two of us. A chap called Des McKenzie had posted several reports so I emailed him and received a smashing reply suggesting places to go and what I might expect to see. Just what we novices need! Anyway, I had a lovely time thanks mostly to the help I had been sent. I arrived at 06:30 ……..it was still dark! I entered the park by the ‘Albert’ gate and was resting my bag on a mounting block when two youngish coppers said “Alright sir?” they had been standing just feet from me and I had not seen them! “Er… yes” I said, “I am just doing a bit of birdwatching!” whilst taking my binoculars from my bag. ”What you looking for, Owls?” said one of them! I couldn’t stop laughing and carried on my way. By the time I reached the Serpentine, about ten minutes, it was getting lighter and I could see the birds on the lake well enough.
After about two and a half hours and not covering half of what I had intended I made my way towards Barnes. The best memory of the day was a flock of Tits, mostly Long Tailed, that were busy in the trees around me near the Peter Pan. We see these birds quite regularly Barnes but never quite so close, they seemed totally absorbed in what they were doing.
BIRDS SEEN: Blackbird, Carrion Crow, Coot, Mallard, Mute Swan, Shoveller, Tufted Duck, Greylag Goose, Great Crested Grebe, Canada Goose, Robin, Magpie, Wood Pigeon, Blue Tit, Chaffinch, Great tit, Little Grebe, Cormorant, Wren, Long Tailed Tit, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Black Headed Gull, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Mandarin Duck, heron, Starling,
Upon reaching WWT Barnes I made my way straight to the Observatory to await Leons’ arrival. I only had to wait for a few minutes before he arrived and we set off for the ‘Wildside’ hide. We did not go by way of the Summer Walk as we thought that that might be covered by the Members Wildlife walk later in the day. We could see a good variety of ducks at the far end of the lake but could not get any detailed views because of the distance. I mentioned that it was a shame that they were so far away to Leon. A few moments later a Sparrowhawk flew straight across the lake, most of the birds took flight and landed almost outside the hide! Leon grinned. The next time that I want something I shall mention it to Leon, perhaps he has friends in high places.
Leon reminded me that it was my turn to pay for breakfast and that we only had fifteen minutes left before they shut the breakfast bar. We hot-footed it to the restaurant, bypassing the ‘Headley’ hide in our eagerness for food, only to be told that they only cooked breakfast at the weekend! We made do with coffee and cake.
After our light breakfast we made our way through to the ‘Waterlife’ section. There were quite a few small birds around and we were aware that there were several songs that we did not know. However hard we looked though, we could not see the birds that were making the unknown calls.
We stopped at all of the usual places on the way to the ‘Peacock Tower’ noting many small birds on the way. Once or twice the flock of Lapwings, Starlings and some Teal took off, but we could see no evidence of the presence of a raptor.
Staying at the tower until just before one o’clock, we could see many birds all around the site. It wasn’t until just before we left for the walk that the Snipe came out to feed and the stonechats made their presence felt. Singing at first and the by flitting through the dead stalks of the Purple Loosestrife. This was a particularly good part of the day as we were able to point out some of the birds to a group of ladies who obviously had the same sort of level of knowledge as ourselves but lacked the experience of the site. It always pleases me when we can do this as we have had so much help ourselves in the past and this seems a good way of repaying the debt.
We made our way back to the Visitor Centre courtyard to meet up with the rest of the Wildlife Walk group. Our guide for the walk was to be Richard who we have been with before and had enjoyed his instruction immensely. We were not to be disappointed this time either as he kept us entertained, once again, for the whole of the walk. It was nice to go onto the Bank once again, this enabled us to see some of the ‘behind the scenes’ work that is carried out at the centre. Looking under sheets of hardboard and others of corrugated iron Leon was eventually able to see his first Slow Worm. We had to look under quite a few before we found one but the look on his face was priceless! He took some photos of the little creatures (about five, I believe) and if they are clear enough I will ask if I might stick one or two up here. We covered a lot more of the site than on other walks (including the Summer Walk) and we ran over time, but, our guide kept us enthralled with his fantastic knowledge of wildlife, especially of things botanical.
After the walk we had a quick look in some of the hides that we had visited earlier in the day before heading off to the ‘office’. You can always tell when Leon would like a beer, his tongue lolls out of the side of his mouth! On the way, Leon was once again disappointed to find that the shop, once again, did not have the seeds that his birds seem to prefer. I suggested to him that when he gets paid at the end of the month he might like to stock-up on their ‘favourite’! “It will only mean that they eat more!” was his reply. I guess that they will just have to go ‘hungry’.
We certainly had lots to talk about at the ‘office’ and we were joined later in the day by both Tim and Sue who both popped in after work.
BIRDS SEEN: Great Tit, Mallard, Coot, Moorhen, Mute Swan, House Sparrow, Ring Necked Parakeet, Shoveller, Teal, Cormorant, Lapwing, Great Crested Grebe, Gadwall, Little Grebe, Tufted Duck, Greenfinch, Wood Pigeon, Feral Pigeon, Heron, Canada Goose, Black Headed Gull, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Ruddy Duck, Carrion Crow, Starling, Jay, Magpie, Goldfinch, Wren, Blue Tit, Greylag Goose, Green Woodpecker, Barnacle Goose, Sparrowhawk, Wigeon, Pied Wagtail, Collared Dove, Common Snipe, Herring Gull, Kestrel, Stonechat, Chaffinch, Pochard, Coal Tit, Dunnock, Long Tailed Tit.
ANOTHER MEMBERS WALK
Before meeting Leon for our day at WWT Barnes, I made a short trip to Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens. The sole purpose of this trip was to ‘recce’ the place for a future day-visit by Leon and myself. I had been reading some reports about the place on the ‘London Birders’ website and thought that it might be a good place for the two of us. A chap called Des McKenzie had posted several reports so I emailed him and received a smashing reply suggesting places to go and what I might expect to see. Just what we novices need! Anyway, I had a lovely time thanks mostly to the help I had been sent. I arrived at 06:30 ……..it was still dark! I entered the park by the ‘Albert’ gate and was resting my bag on a mounting block when two youngish coppers said “Alright sir?” they had been standing just feet from me and I had not seen them! “Er… yes” I said, “I am just doing a bit of birdwatching!” whilst taking my binoculars from my bag. ”What you looking for, Owls?” said one of them! I couldn’t stop laughing and carried on my way. By the time I reached the Serpentine, about ten minutes, it was getting lighter and I could see the birds on the lake well enough.
After about two and a half hours and not covering half of what I had intended I made my way towards Barnes. The best memory of the day was a flock of Tits, mostly Long Tailed, that were busy in the trees around me near the Peter Pan. We see these birds quite regularly Barnes but never quite so close, they seemed totally absorbed in what they were doing.
BIRDS SEEN: Blackbird, Carrion Crow, Coot, Mallard, Mute Swan, Shoveller, Tufted Duck, Greylag Goose, Great Crested Grebe, Canada Goose, Robin, Magpie, Wood Pigeon, Blue Tit, Chaffinch, Great tit, Little Grebe, Cormorant, Wren, Long Tailed Tit, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Black Headed Gull, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Mandarin Duck, heron, Starling,
Upon reaching WWT Barnes I made my way straight to the Observatory to await Leons’ arrival. I only had to wait for a few minutes before he arrived and we set off for the ‘Wildside’ hide. We did not go by way of the Summer Walk as we thought that that might be covered by the Members Wildlife walk later in the day. We could see a good variety of ducks at the far end of the lake but could not get any detailed views because of the distance. I mentioned that it was a shame that they were so far away to Leon. A few moments later a Sparrowhawk flew straight across the lake, most of the birds took flight and landed almost outside the hide! Leon grinned. The next time that I want something I shall mention it to Leon, perhaps he has friends in high places.
Leon reminded me that it was my turn to pay for breakfast and that we only had fifteen minutes left before they shut the breakfast bar. We hot-footed it to the restaurant, bypassing the ‘Headley’ hide in our eagerness for food, only to be told that they only cooked breakfast at the weekend! We made do with coffee and cake.
After our light breakfast we made our way through to the ‘Waterlife’ section. There were quite a few small birds around and we were aware that there were several songs that we did not know. However hard we looked though, we could not see the birds that were making the unknown calls.
We stopped at all of the usual places on the way to the ‘Peacock Tower’ noting many small birds on the way. Once or twice the flock of Lapwings, Starlings and some Teal took off, but we could see no evidence of the presence of a raptor.
Staying at the tower until just before one o’clock, we could see many birds all around the site. It wasn’t until just before we left for the walk that the Snipe came out to feed and the stonechats made their presence felt. Singing at first and the by flitting through the dead stalks of the Purple Loosestrife. This was a particularly good part of the day as we were able to point out some of the birds to a group of ladies who obviously had the same sort of level of knowledge as ourselves but lacked the experience of the site. It always pleases me when we can do this as we have had so much help ourselves in the past and this seems a good way of repaying the debt.
We made our way back to the Visitor Centre courtyard to meet up with the rest of the Wildlife Walk group. Our guide for the walk was to be Richard who we have been with before and had enjoyed his instruction immensely. We were not to be disappointed this time either as he kept us entertained, once again, for the whole of the walk. It was nice to go onto the Bank once again, this enabled us to see some of the ‘behind the scenes’ work that is carried out at the centre. Looking under sheets of hardboard and others of corrugated iron Leon was eventually able to see his first Slow Worm. We had to look under quite a few before we found one but the look on his face was priceless! He took some photos of the little creatures (about five, I believe) and if they are clear enough I will ask if I might stick one or two up here. We covered a lot more of the site than on other walks (including the Summer Walk) and we ran over time, but, our guide kept us enthralled with his fantastic knowledge of wildlife, especially of things botanical.
After the walk we had a quick look in some of the hides that we had visited earlier in the day before heading off to the ‘office’. You can always tell when Leon would like a beer, his tongue lolls out of the side of his mouth! On the way, Leon was once again disappointed to find that the shop, once again, did not have the seeds that his birds seem to prefer. I suggested to him that when he gets paid at the end of the month he might like to stock-up on their ‘favourite’! “It will only mean that they eat more!” was his reply. I guess that they will just have to go ‘hungry’.
We certainly had lots to talk about at the ‘office’ and we were joined later in the day by both Tim and Sue who both popped in after work.
BIRDS SEEN: Great Tit, Mallard, Coot, Moorhen, Mute Swan, House Sparrow, Ring Necked Parakeet, Shoveller, Teal, Cormorant, Lapwing, Great Crested Grebe, Gadwall, Little Grebe, Tufted Duck, Greenfinch, Wood Pigeon, Feral Pigeon, Heron, Canada Goose, Black Headed Gull, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Ruddy Duck, Carrion Crow, Starling, Jay, Magpie, Goldfinch, Wren, Blue Tit, Greylag Goose, Green Woodpecker, Barnacle Goose, Sparrowhawk, Wigeon, Pied Wagtail, Collared Dove, Common Snipe, Herring Gull, Kestrel, Stonechat, Chaffinch, Pochard, Coal Tit, Dunnock, Long Tailed Tit.
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