6th APRIL 2007.
THE LONE GOOD FRIDAY. (By Leon Rusk)
Good Friday, a day off, Reg works Bank Holidays so I go on my own to the Wetland Centre.
I popped up the road to the hospital to meet Reg and see the gutted look on his face as I was and he wasn’t, if you get me! Queen Marys’, Roehampton, is where we ply our trade Monday to Friday. I am a brain surgeon and Reg, well, looking for a donor! I am on call 24/7 so if there is anyone out there!
Anyway, back on planet Earth, I just went to say ’hello’ and pick up my camera. I arrived a bit late at the WWT; Reg locked me in a storeroom because of the smug look on my face!
Phew! Out! Got there at 10:15, that’ll teach me! As is our way, I checked the birds upon entering the site, always nice; there was a Heron on the Entrance Pond and, nearby, some Mallard ducklings. Victims to be I am afraid!
THE LONE GOOD FRIDAY. (By Leon Rusk)
Good Friday, a day off, Reg works Bank Holidays so I go on my own to the Wetland Centre.
I popped up the road to the hospital to meet Reg and see the gutted look on his face as I was and he wasn’t, if you get me! Queen Marys’, Roehampton, is where we ply our trade Monday to Friday. I am a brain surgeon and Reg, well, looking for a donor! I am on call 24/7 so if there is anyone out there!
Anyway, back on planet Earth, I just went to say ’hello’ and pick up my camera. I arrived a bit late at the WWT; Reg locked me in a storeroom because of the smug look on my face!
Phew! Out! Got there at 10:15, that’ll teach me! As is our way, I checked the birds upon entering the site, always nice; there was a Heron on the Entrance Pond and, nearby, some Mallard ducklings. Victims to be I am afraid!
MALLARD DUCKLINGSPhoto: Leon Rusk.
THE LOG CABIN AREA 
FIRST IN A COLLECTION OF DEAD RAT PHOTOS!
THR FRITTILARY MEADOW
SPRING BLOSSOM
In and off to the Observatory. Again the usual but nothing that I was hoping to see. From there I went on our tried and trusted route.
The day was mild and sunny so I was hoping to see a few new arrivals. Boy, was that hope shot to pieces!
The day was mild and sunny so I was hoping to see a few new arrivals. Boy, was that hope shot to pieces!
THE LOG CABIN AREAPhoto; Sue Blair.
Off to the conifers by the log cabin to maybe see the Goldcrest and more lbj’s, but, again, not much was showing. From there I headed to the Wildside and moved around the banking where I was rewarded with a lovely view of a Chiffchaff at the top of a tree. As Reg would have told you, once you get familiar with the call, it does help with spotting the bird. On to the Summer Walk, not much happening, at least not while I was passing through. A few butterflies, but then again, too few to mention, I went on my way (sorry!) getting nearer to the Wildside hide I was to find a dead rat, just off the path, not welcome! Our mate Tim would be pleased, he hates rats!
FIRST IN A COLLECTION OF DEAD RAT PHOTOS! Photo; Leon Rusk.
Reached the hide and, again, quiet; maybe it was me and my crap timing! I then decided to go to the other side of the centre, on my way passing quite a few of Regs’ favourite small people.
Once again, apart from seeing the few remaining Teal and Wigeon which was nice, nothing to get me, apart from the fact of being at the wetlands. The birdfeeder was exceptionally quiet and so I went on around the Lagoon, stopping at a bench to listen to the song.
Reached the hide and, again, quiet; maybe it was me and my crap timing! I then decided to go to the other side of the centre, on my way passing quite a few of Regs’ favourite small people.
Once again, apart from seeing the few remaining Teal and Wigeon which was nice, nothing to get me, apart from the fact of being at the wetlands. The birdfeeder was exceptionally quiet and so I went on around the Lagoon, stopping at a bench to listen to the song.
THR FRITTILARY MEADOW Photo; Sue Blair.
From there, on to the Wader Scrape hide. Zilch! Near enough by then, sun over the yardarm sort of thing, I ‘phoned our mate, Tim, to see what he was doing. Tim tells me that he is on Wimbledon Common with his granddaughter, Sadie, walking the dog. So, I arranged to meet him in ‘the office’, 12:30ish.
I quickly check the Peacock Tower but whatever as happened I’ve seemed to miss it. Wrong place, wrong time I guess. I leave the wetlands, a bit disappointed, but it’s always a special place.
I reach ‘the office’ at 12:40 to find Tim and Sadie already there, Lush!
Mmmm… chi Doh! Mmmmmmmm…… beer!
From there, on to the Wader Scrape hide. Zilch! Near enough by then, sun over the yardarm sort of thing, I ‘phoned our mate, Tim, to see what he was doing. Tim tells me that he is on Wimbledon Common with his granddaughter, Sadie, walking the dog. So, I arranged to meet him in ‘the office’, 12:30ish.
I quickly check the Peacock Tower but whatever as happened I’ve seemed to miss it. Wrong place, wrong time I guess. I leave the wetlands, a bit disappointed, but it’s always a special place.
I reach ‘the office’ at 12:40 to find Tim and Sadie already there, Lush!
Mmmm… chi Doh! Mmmmmmmm…… beer!
SPRING BLOSSOM Photo: Sue Blair.
BIRDS SEEN: Wood Pigeon, Greenfinch, Coot, Carrion Crow, Moorhen, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Canada Goose, Teal, Cormorant, Mute Swan, Great Crested Grebe, Feral Pigeon, Heron, Egyptian Goose, Robin, Chiffchaff, Wren, Blackbird, Greylag Goose, Little Grebe, Wigeon, Gadwall, Starling, Sand Martin, Blue Tit, Reed Bunting, House Sparrow, Magpie, Great Tit, Chaffinch, Song Thrush, Ring Necked Parakeet, Goldfinch, Shoveller, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Black Headed Gull, Pochard, Redshank, Stock Dove.
BIRDS SEEN: Wood Pigeon, Greenfinch, Coot, Carrion Crow, Moorhen, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Canada Goose, Teal, Cormorant, Mute Swan, Great Crested Grebe, Feral Pigeon, Heron, Egyptian Goose, Robin, Chiffchaff, Wren, Blackbird, Greylag Goose, Little Grebe, Wigeon, Gadwall, Starling, Sand Martin, Blue Tit, Reed Bunting, House Sparrow, Magpie, Great Tit, Chaffinch, Song Thrush, Ring Necked Parakeet, Goldfinch, Shoveller, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Black Headed Gull, Pochard, Redshank, Stock Dove.
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