1:30pm. Weather: dull, breezy, cold.
A free weekend allowed me to take Kim to the LWC for the first time. Closer than Rainham but not with the same variety of species, nonetheless a good day out.
Entrance Area:
Great Spotted Woodpecker - heard from the trees adjacent to the carpark.
Magpie, Crow, Starling, Moorhen, Coot, Mallard, Tufted Duck.
Goldfinch, Blackbird, Ring-Necked Parakeet.
Wildside:
Egyptian Goose - a pair over & away from the reserve.
Greenfinch, Wren (heard), Cormorant (over).
Hide:
Grey Heron, Teal, Little Grebe, Great-Crested Grebe.
Black-Headed Gull, Gadwall, Lesser Black-Backed Gull, Shoveler, Common Gull.
Wildside:
Green Woodpecker, Robin, Blue Tit, Kestrel, Jackdaw, Mute Swan.
Towards Peacock Tower:
Bittern - along the path we passed a couple of obliging birders who pointed out its whereabouts & when we arrived at the viewing place another birder helped us point in the right direction. Although only a few reedstems from the water's edge the amazingly cryptic plumage still meant that it was perfectly well-concealed, just a suggestion of density with the naked eye & difficult to see even with a 'scope, though I could pick out the detailed plumage & was impressed with its almost russet & dark upper head & neck. It then skulked back & forth before the cold persuaded us to move on.
Water Rail - also heard from the reedbeds nearby.
Peacock Tower:
Wigeon - feeding on a grassy bank.
Woodpigeon, Lapwing, Herring Gull (1st winter).
36 species.
Showing posts with label wetland centre. Show all posts
Showing posts with label wetland centre. Show all posts
Sunday, 13 December 2009
Saturday, 10 October 2009
WWT London Wetland Centre, Barnes, London, 10/10/2009
1pm. Weather: bright, warm, some cloud; still.
Lured by reports of spotted crake I made my first visit to the LWC & I also met Sian there. It's nearer to home than I realised, still, driving through Shepherd's Bush & Hammersmith to get there means it's no easy trip out. A worthwhile one nonetheless & with the high WWT entrance fees I decided to join up so I'll be visiting again!
Carpark & Entrance:
Ring-Necked Parakeet, Robin, Blackbird, Coot, Moorhen.
Wildside:
Teal, Gadwall, Mallard, Mute Swan, Cormorant, Little Grebe, Lapwing, Shoveler, Kestrel.
Water Rail - squealing from the reeds but not seen.
Goldcrest - heard singing from pines next to the path then seen flitting amongst the foliage.
Next hide:
Snipe, Wigeon, Starling - over.
Peacock Tower:
Grey Heron, Woodpigeon, Robin, Jackdaw.
Unfortunately no spotted crake, yesterday was the last day it was recorded, but a nice introduction to the centre, although like the entrance fee, the cafeteria is also expensive!
23 species.
Lured by reports of spotted crake I made my first visit to the LWC & I also met Sian there. It's nearer to home than I realised, still, driving through Shepherd's Bush & Hammersmith to get there means it's no easy trip out. A worthwhile one nonetheless & with the high WWT entrance fees I decided to join up so I'll be visiting again!
Carpark & Entrance:
Ring-Necked Parakeet, Robin, Blackbird, Coot, Moorhen.
Wildside:
Teal, Gadwall, Mallard, Mute Swan, Cormorant, Little Grebe, Lapwing, Shoveler, Kestrel.
Water Rail - squealing from the reeds but not seen.
Goldcrest - heard singing from pines next to the path then seen flitting amongst the foliage.
Next hide:
Snipe, Wigeon, Starling - over.
Peacock Tower:
Grey Heron, Woodpigeon, Robin, Jackdaw.
Unfortunately no spotted crake, yesterday was the last day it was recorded, but a nice introduction to the centre, although like the entrance fee, the cafeteria is also expensive!
23 species.
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