27th APRIL 2007.

RESCHEDULED REPTILE WALK. (100th Blog entry!!!!)

Tim was waiting for us when we reached WWT Barnes; a pleasant surprise as he was not supposed to be there until about ten o’clock! The other pleasant surprise was that the yellow Flag Iris were blooming on the Entrance Lake. Leon and I had been to the Leg O’Mutton LNR earlier to see the Sparrowhawks and had had quite a good morning. The weather was not as good as we had been told it would be; it was quite chilly and there was a bit of a breeze. I had, in fact, had to put my fleece on to keep out the chill!

A NICE SURPRISE, FIRST FLAGS 2007

Photo: Reg Norman

Making our way inside we went straight to the restaurant to get a hot drink and to talk about the possibility of the Reptile Walk being cancelled. We had been here a month ago and the weather was just like todays’ although it was not raining.
It was still chilly and a bit breezy when we left the restaurant although Tim and I thought that it seemed a little brighter. We popped into the Observatory for a quick ‘scan’ of the area; there were quite a few bids to be seen. We didn’t stay long as there was a school group present and we needed to ‘lose’ them!

'OLD CHARLIES' LEFTOVERS!

Photo; Reg Norman

Making our way to the Wildside area we were a little dismayed to find that there was very little birdsong and even fewer birds! This improved a little when we stared walking around the Summer Walk; there were certainly plenty of warblers around. They had arrived at last and jolly pleased we were to hear them! We had a go at teaching Tim the difference between Reed and Sedge warblers; I think that he got it!
From the Wildside hide I was pleased to see that the Cowslips on the Thames-side bank were still in flower; a sight that never disappoints me. We could see the warblers in the reedbeds flitting from place to place, their song increasing in volume all the time. Whilst we were at the hide the site office ‘phoned to say that the Reptile Walk had been cancelled due to the cold weather! Although a little disappointed again we could understand the reason for calling it off. Tim ventured that the weather would now improve dramatically.

A COOT FAMILY OUTING

Photo: Reg Norman

We moved on to the Waterlife area, stopping briefly at the Headley hide, to see if our luck would improve. On the way we were treated to some great views of a Kestrel hunting over the Main Lake boundary. In the short time that it took to reach the Waterlife area the weather had improved dramatically! The wind had dropped somewhat and the sky had lightened. The sun even managed to poke its’ face through the clouds every now and then!
Lots of spring flowers had started to flower; I pointed out Ragged Robin and Leon found Ox-eye Daisy for Tim. It will not be long before the daisies will blanket the Grazing Marsh borders.

FIRST OXEYE DAISIES 2007

Photo: Reg Norman

There were only a few birds at the feeder; we saw the Brown Rat (he seems to have an injured / deformed back leg) which made Tims’ blood run cold! He is not keen to say the least!
The Sheltered Lagoon walk was very quiet; you can usually guarantee some good sights along here, perhaps the weather was keeping the bids quiet. We walked along, slowly and quietly but saw very little. As we reached the Wader Scrape hide Tim and I saw a Blackcap; it was there one second, gone the next!
Inside the hide it was quite busy; people had obviously come specifically to see the Little Ringed Plovers. There was only one on show; sitting on a nest under a wire ‘crow-stopper’. One of the people kindly let me have a look through his ‘scope at the bird.
There was a nice group of people in the peacock Tower; I believe they may have been a visiting ‘birding’ group. They all seemed very knowledgeable and were keen to help everybody else to find different birds.
We had stunning views of a Sedge Warbler; he was sat on the edge of some reeds, singing his heart out. Everybody in the hide was entranced.

FIRST ARUM LILIES 2007

Photo: Reg Norman

We had had an interesting day and as it seemed that we were destined not to see too much more we made our way out of the centre and on to ‘the office’. It was now a glorious afternoon blue skies and the sun beating down!

BIRDS SEEN: Wren, Canada Goose, Coot, Moorhen, Pied Wagtail, House Martin, House Sparrow, Blackbird, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Sand Martin, Wood Pigeon, Great Crested Grebe, Little Grebe, Lapwing, Robin, Pochard, Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Starling, Mute Swan, Feral Pigeon, Carrion Crow, Ruddy Duck, Greylag Goose, Swift, Kestrel, Cormorant, Redshank, Stock Dove, Magpie, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Dunnock, Gadwall, Little Grebe, Long Tailed Tit, Blackcap, Sparrowhawk, Great Black Backed Gull, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Herring Gull, Common Gull, Green Woodpecker, Ring Necked Parakeet, Blue Tit, great Tit, Coal Tit.