Barnes 2

I’ve got all behind with everything again.

Spent Monday updating the important people at work about what is happening; not a lot really, all progress seems to have come to a stop. The local 'specialist' has now referred me back to Oxford. I feel like a lump of meat in a game of pass the parcel.

And I stopped for a chat with some work colleagues too.

Yesterday I went swimming, then a quick stroll round the local, and the afternoon……can’t remember  lol  and then the evening I went to watch a ‘presentation’ at the local Natural History Society, about one of our local lakes, Willen.

It was quite interesting, especially as they used one of my pictures in the talk. (I hadn’t mentioned I was going; just went out of curiosity, and no-one knew I was the ‘author’ of the picture  lol)

I seem to be taking too many pictures these days, and not sorting them out quick enough; and getting behind with catching up on blogs.

I used to be so organised once.

Anyway, here’s a few more pictures from the great day I spent at Barnes, with fellow blogger Tricia. These are all from the ‘collection areas’

A couple of sleeping Eider Ducks

Can’t remember the name of these.
Update!! 
Ok, now thanks to Roy, Bob and Chris......these are Eurasian Wigeon.
Why couldn't I see that?  lol 

Mr. And Mrs. Hooded Merganser.  I love these ducks.

Another one I don’t know; but he looks like he ate all the pies!
Update!!
Thanks Bob, it's a Puna Teal

Rosybill, and partner, I believre.

White-faced Whistling Duck

 Egyptian Goose

Ringed Teal

Not sure. I guess some sort of Teal?
Update!!
Thanks again Bob ......you are The Man!! These are Chiloe Wigeon 

Ne-ne or Hawaiian Goose

And I’ll finish with the biggest Dragonfly I’ve ever seen,

Imagine one of those flying around!

Enjoy the rest of the week.

Barnes

Yesterday I spent a very enjoyable day with fellow blogger Tricia. I’ve always enjoyed her posts from one of her ‘local’ places, LondonWetland Centre, in Barnes, and yesterday it certainly lived up to its name. It was a very wet day.

An early morning start, and a torturous journey through rush hour and London traffic, finally had me at my destination, after 2 and a half hours. And then it rained! Oh well, at least I got there, after wanting to visit for so long.

I’d mentioned to Tricia before, that a bird I was looking forward to seeing, was the Rose-ringed Parakeet; having only seen a fleeting glimpse of one once before, a couple of years ago, as it flew overhead whilst out walking Jim.

I wasn’t disappointed. It was one of the first birds I saw while I waited at the car park; and a small group were constantly flying around and calling to each other.

We made our way inside, a quick coffee, and then set off through the rain, with Tricia being the guide. On the way to various hides, and sheltering spots from the rain, we stopped at various spots to take a few pictures.

An Aster of some sort. The rain drops helped here.

Update.....Thanks for the ID Jan ........

Verbena Bonariensis

But the birds………what about the birds. Well, we watched a very wet Cormorant from one of the hides, constantly diving, presumably fishing; but unsuccessful while we were there.

A glimpse of a Willow Warbler, flitting through the trees; a beautiful Blackcap, with his shiny black crown, treated us to some views amongst the branches; a count of about a dozen Snipe, viewed from the top of the Peacock Tower, overlooking the suitably named ‘Wader Scrape’; and everywhere we walked, there seemed to be Moorhen running around. But only one like this.

A yellow bill. First time I’ve seen one like that, but Tricia mentioned that he’d been around there for a while.

I think for me, one of the favourite bits of the reserve, was the area called ‘World wetlands.’ Little lakes and pools with various geese and ducks from around the world. A real treat to see these birds.

 A Cape Teal. What a beauty.

Hooded Merganser. It was raining a bit here.

White-faced Whistling Duck.

I’m pretty certain this one is a Red-billed Whistling Duck.

I can’t remember the names of these two beauties.

Update .... Thanks Bob, top one is a Rosybill 

A Demoiselle Crane

Barnacle Goose

And this last one for now,

Update .... Ringed Teal  (thanks Bob)

Lots of others too, but maybe I’ll post some of the other pictures another time.

A lot of birds seen as we made our way to and from the hides, and plenty seen from the shelter of the hides also.

Gadwal, Tufted Duck, Coot, Jackdaw, Crow, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Robin, Teal, and a few Heron. There were more, but it will turn into a list otherwise. Worth a mention though, was the good flock of Starlings flying round in a swirling mass. Ok, not Brighton roost standards, but good to watch; and a Sparrowhawk that flew overhead.

And was that a Hobby that glided round a hide, as we left? 

Aha, the unknown bird that got away.

And as we left, a farewell from my ‘target’ bird.

 

 

  He sat in the tree, and posed beautifully for a while.

I had a great visit Tricia, and thanks for being my guide for the day. I’d love to come back another time.

Going home a different way, to avoid the crazy London traffic, I got stuck in a tail back from an accident on the motorway. Two hours stationary. A long 3 and a half hour journey home in total.

Maybe a train next time.

Getting down to it

Had plans to go and see some deer today, but due to roadwork’s, I couldn’t find a way into Woburn. My patience being what it is, I turned back, so today’s post is back to the birds.

Some low shots. Getting down is fine; it’s the getting back up again that takes the time these days.

Mr. Mallard, enjoying some morning sunshine. He was so comfortable, he couldn’t be bothered to move.

Two sides of a Moorhen. These are usually a little more wary of people.

Out on the water,

  
some Coots; not fighting for a change. Shooting into the sun isn’t ideal, but sometimes we have to make the best of what we have.

Tufted Duck, and Coot. 

Canada Geese

And last one for now. This one was having a good clean up, and wasn’t bothered by me one bit. Into the sun again.

   

Enjoy the rest of your week.

  

Start the week

A bit of a mixture for today, and late in the day too.

I’ve got some new tablets, that are playing havoc with my body clock at the moment, so this selection kind of reflects how my head is currently………….mixed.  lol

I’ll just post ‘em.

That’s it.

Another weekend

Another weekend upon us; they come round so quick. The days must be getting shorter; or I’m getting older.

An early morning scene, a few days ago, from my local lake.

A lovely time of the year.

And a few birds for the weekend,

Blue Tit

 

Treecreeper 

  

Mrs Pheasant

Nuthatch

 

 

Mr. Chaffinch

 

and a Grey Heron, flying into the morning sun.

 

Have a great weekend.