14th JANUARY 2007.
PEEK-A-BOO BITTERN.
Leon and I had started the day well with a visit to the Leg of Mutton Nature Reserve, Barnes, and had left there in good time to arrive at opening time. The weather was lovely, a bit chilly but with a clear blue sky and the sun shining brightly.
We started with a walk around the Waterlife area, then to the feeder station and finally a walk around the Sheltered Lagoon. We chose to go this way round because the sun was still very low and we thought that we might see more easily from this end of the site. There were plenty of birds about and they all seemed intent on making as much noise and being as boisterous as possible. When we called into the ‘Dulverton’ hide we were rewarded with a fine view of a Common Snipe that was parading just outside the window!
PEEK-A-BOO BITTERN.
Leon and I had started the day well with a visit to the Leg of Mutton Nature Reserve, Barnes, and had left there in good time to arrive at opening time. The weather was lovely, a bit chilly but with a clear blue sky and the sun shining brightly.
We started with a walk around the Waterlife area, then to the feeder station and finally a walk around the Sheltered Lagoon. We chose to go this way round because the sun was still very low and we thought that we might see more easily from this end of the site. There were plenty of birds about and they all seemed intent on making as much noise and being as boisterous as possible. When we called into the ‘Dulverton’ hide we were rewarded with a fine view of a Common Snipe that was parading just outside the window!
CATKINS WERE SEEN EVERYWHEREPhoto: Reg Norman
Having had such an early start we found that we were both very hungry and so we visited the restaurant for some breakfast. I didn’t realise just how hungry I was, even though the meal was delicious and the portions generous, I still felt a little hungry as we left!
We called into ‘The Lodge’ area to see if we could spot a Goldcrest but were to be unlucky. We had more luck at the ‘Headley’ hide where we were to see the Bittern. He kept appearing briefly and then vanishing just as quickly. You could, however, just make him out if you looked through a ‘scope, which we were able to do due to the generosity of some of the ‘regulars’ who were in the hide.
The Lapwings on the Main Lake were constantly going up and although we scanned the sky we could see no threatening raptors. Perhaps they were just very ‘jumpy’.
The ‘Wildside’ hide was to be our next stop and we reached it following a circituitous walk around the Wildside area itself. There were lots of small birds around, some we missed because they were behind us and therefore we had to look into the sun. This was a shame because we both realised that we didn’t know the calls of some of the birds and so could possibly have been new to us!
We called into ‘The Lodge’ area to see if we could spot a Goldcrest but were to be unlucky. We had more luck at the ‘Headley’ hide where we were to see the Bittern. He kept appearing briefly and then vanishing just as quickly. You could, however, just make him out if you looked through a ‘scope, which we were able to do due to the generosity of some of the ‘regulars’ who were in the hide.
The Lapwings on the Main Lake were constantly going up and although we scanned the sky we could see no threatening raptors. Perhaps they were just very ‘jumpy’.
The ‘Wildside’ hide was to be our next stop and we reached it following a circituitous walk around the Wildside area itself. There were lots of small birds around, some we missed because they were behind us and therefore we had to look into the sun. This was a shame because we both realised that we didn’t know the calls of some of the birds and so could possibly have been new to us!
STRANGE DUCK IN THE 'WILDSIDE'!Photo; Reg Norman
NO WAGTAILS HERE THEN!
FIRST CROCUSES OF THE YEAR!
The ‘Wildside’ hide was crowded with visitors and most of them seemed to be well upon there ‘birding’. It was nice to be able to point out to some of them where they could see some Snipe among the reeds and to offer some suggestions about where else they might see different things.
We could only see the female Stonechat and that was only very briefly as she kept well into the cover of a reedbeds. We spent quite some time at the hide and noticed that the Lapwings on the Main Lake were still very jittery and taking flight every so often. There was still no sign of any bird of prey although we did spend a fair amount of time scanning the sky.
Leaving the hide we made our way back to the ‘Headley’ hide for another quick look at the ‘peek-a-boo’ Bittern. There was, by now, a good sized crowd in the hide and most had had at least a glimpse of the bird. I think that, of all the birds that I have seen, the camouflage of the Bittern is the most perfect. It never ceases to amaze me, every time that I see it, just how wonderful it is.
We revisited ‘The Lodge’ area and were pleased to see a Goldcrest. We then took a rare walk around the ‘New Zealand’ area to view the waterfall. We did this because I had heard that it was a good place to see Pied Wagtails and thought that we should see for ourselves if it were true. On this occasion it was not!
We could only see the female Stonechat and that was only very briefly as she kept well into the cover of a reedbeds. We spent quite some time at the hide and noticed that the Lapwings on the Main Lake were still very jittery and taking flight every so often. There was still no sign of any bird of prey although we did spend a fair amount of time scanning the sky.
Leaving the hide we made our way back to the ‘Headley’ hide for another quick look at the ‘peek-a-boo’ Bittern. There was, by now, a good sized crowd in the hide and most had had at least a glimpse of the bird. I think that, of all the birds that I have seen, the camouflage of the Bittern is the most perfect. It never ceases to amaze me, every time that I see it, just how wonderful it is.
We revisited ‘The Lodge’ area and were pleased to see a Goldcrest. We then took a rare walk around the ‘New Zealand’ area to view the waterfall. We did this because I had heard that it was a good place to see Pied Wagtails and thought that we should see for ourselves if it were true. On this occasion it was not!
NO WAGTAILS HERE THEN!Photo; Reg Norman
On reaching the Observatory we were disappointed to find that we were unable to go in as there was a private function in progress. We find that this is one of the most productive spots, in terms of waterfowl and duck species numbers, on the whole site. So, we moved on towards the Peacock Tower stopping at the feeder station once again and were rewarded with some excellent views of more Goldcrests! We popped briefly into the ‘Wader Scrape’ hide just to see if there was anything about but could only see a large flock of Wigeon grazing the Thames-side bank and what appeared to be an enormous number of gulls.
At the tower we were to be surprised at just how many gulls there were. There were hundreds of them! Although mostly Black Headed Gulls, there were several other species represented. I was also pleased to see ’Mr and Mrs’ Stonechat away off in the distance.
At the tower we were to be surprised at just how many gulls there were. There were hundreds of them! Although mostly Black Headed Gulls, there were several other species represented. I was also pleased to see ’Mr and Mrs’ Stonechat away off in the distance.
FIRST CROCUSES OF THE YEAR!Photo; Reg Norman
We had had a good day and it was now time to make our way home. Leon had to buy some seed for his ’pigs’ and I wanted to buy another strap for my bins. Leon got his seed but the ‘InFocus’ shop was so busy that I gave up trying to get my strap.
We made our way to ‘the office’ where we discussed the events of the day. We thought about terry and Liz who had gone to Pulborough and hoped that they had had a good day. At least the weather was much better for them than it was for us last week! No doubt we would hear all about it via email or the ‘BirdForum’ site.
We made our way to ‘the office’ where we discussed the events of the day. We thought about terry and Liz who had gone to Pulborough and hoped that they had had a good day. At least the weather was much better for them than it was for us last week! No doubt we would hear all about it via email or the ‘BirdForum’ site.
BIRDS SEEN: Blackbird, Chaffinch, Wood Pigeon, Mallard, Coot, Moorhen, Magpie, Starling, Robin, Feral Pigeon, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Common Snipe, Shoveller, Tufted Duck, Great Black Backed Gull, Black Headed Gull, Lapwing, Teal, Canada Goose, Carrion Crow, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Ruddy Duck, Little Grebe, Ring Necked Parakeet, Goldfinch, Coal Tit, Wren, Dunnock, Long Tailed Tit, Gadwall, Wigeon, Heron, Herring Gull, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Common Gull, Reed Bunting, Stonechat, Pochard, Bittern, Goldcrest, Kestrel, Green Woodpecker, Jackdaw, Greenfinch, Greylag Goose.
2 comments:
Hi Reg,
Nice blog! Interesting reading about someone else's exploits around the Wetland Centre.
Fraser
Hi Fraser!
Thanks for your comment! As you can see I have been watching your exellent site for some time! We are not 'scientific' as such, we just enjoy being out and about,watching birds. We do spend quite a bit of time talking about what we have seen in 'the office' Hope to see you there sometime.
All the very best,
Reg
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