Soggy Sunday at the London Wetland Centre

 

Nearly didn't go out today but weather forecast promised sunshine and showers. So I did. And they were wrong. It was mainly showers and heavy rain at the London Wetland Centre. At least there are plenty of hides there to shelter from the weather.

 

Did get to see a lot of familiar faces. Philip (of course), John and Therese, Martin, Joe, Rick, Bernie and Jackie, Paul and Sheila, Spig and Sue and Laurence the Lizard Man.

 

Because the weather was so awful, hardly got any decent pics today, and bird-wise there wasn't a great deal about. High-light of my day was when Simon (one of the 'big' birders there) told me he had seen a Jack Snipe flying towards the Headly hide. I was in the WWF hide at the time, where I was praying for a good view of a Water Rail. Half an hour after Simon left, I saw a male Sparrowhawk dive into the reed bed on the right, and flushed another Jack Snipe, which zig-zagged its way towards the observatory. I think the Sprawk got wet, as it didn't chase the JS, but instead went back into the reeds, and re-appeared a few minutes later with no prey. So was the bird Simon saw, and the one I saw, the same Jack Snipe, or are there two on site ?

 

There was also a Redshank around today, but it was seen in various places across the site, so again, there could be more than one bird on site. I saw one from the Peacock Tower, and again from the WWF hide. Four Common snipe could be seen from the Peacock Tower too.

 

I spent a good couple of hours in the Headly hide when the heaviest of the rain fell. If you want a comfortable hide to spend your time in, the Headly is it ! Padded chairs, great sized viewing windows that don't creak when you open them or make a noise when you force them shut. Only downside is these facilities are only on the left hand side. On the right is floor to ceiling glass. I got some gorgeous close up views of a Gadwall from the Headly today.

 

Great numbers of Tufted Duck and Shoveller on site today. As the day went on, I saw more and more flying in. I scanned every Tufty I saw, but not one had a nasal saddle (bill-tag).

 

The bird feeders by the Headly and Wildside hides were deserted. The feeders along the way from the WWF hide was much busier with Chaffinches, Great and Blue Tits. A lot of Robins were seen and heard singing all across the site. Several pairs of Long-tailed Tits were also seen.

 

Cetti Warblers could be heard everywhere. In the WWF hide, there is one calling to your left and another to your right. I heard them at every hide I stopped in.

 

Today's pics are dreadful. Had the light been better, or if I used Photoshop, they might have been a bit more pleasing to the eye, but I never edit my photos except to crop them and add a little focus.

 

Got a nice end result to my day though, Paul and Sheila gave me a lift back all the way to my front door ! Thanks peeps :)

 

soggy Lapwing

soggy male Gadwall. Such an under-rated duck, look at those lovely markings

pair of soggy Little Grebes

soggy Cormorant

soggy Great Crested Grebe

distant view of male Sprawk in the rain

distant view of Redshank and Common Snipe in the rain

distant view of soggy Redshank in front of the WWF hide

One of the wild Mandarins that is in the Whistling Duck enclosure.

Rain and sun with the expectant parents....the Fulham and Barnes Peregrines

Woke up to heavy rain today, but the forecast promised a bit of sunshine later on, so I kept to my plans to meet up with Nathalie (the famous Fulham and Barnes Peregrine Lady) and two of her friends, Maggie and Sarah.

 

It was dry but overcast when I arrived after a brief visit to the London Wetland Centre. But within minutes it rained, and it rained and it rained.

 

 Theres great excitement at the moment for the FaBs. Charlie laid her first egg in the early hours of March 14th, and her second egg in the early hours of today. And she mated with Tom at least another three times today, so egg number three could be expected this Monday.

 

Peregrines generally lay three-four eggs, but can lay up to five. Last year Charlie laid four but one egg was eventually abandoned. It appeared to have a crack in it. But she and Tom successfully hatched three eyases. The three were ringed and called AK, AL and AJ and appeared to be all male. Sadly AJ disappeared not long after fledging, and what happened to him will always remain a mystery. AK and AL fledged well, and eventually went off to start their own life stories.

 

Once the last egg has been laid by Charlie, the serious period of incubation begins which lasts around 30 days, and Tom, being a bit more mature this year than last, should do his fair bit. He was very attentive today, but then again it was raining hard so he could have been just using the rain as an excuse to appear to be the 'good father figure' lol. He's proved his 'manliness' a couple of times recently. He was spotted seeing off another peregrine just the other day by executing a short sharp 'body-slam' on the intruder.

 

Charlie spent most of the afternoon sitting on the corner of the hospital. She's never been bothered by rain, and once it stopped she spent another hour or so preening in the sun. Tom was off the eggs and spreading his wings when the sun eventually came out. He practised a couple of flying swoops, but we didn't see him catch anything, and he arrived back at the hospital a few times after flying around. The last time we witnessed this, he landed and appeared to be 'calling' Charlie. I was really hoping this would mean some more 'mating that I could capture on camera but she didn't really respond until just before we left, and then she came down to the nesting ledge to do a bit of egg-sitting. Tom flew off at around the same time to the nearby Ark building.

 

Luckily for all of us, Tom and Charlies nesting progress can be viewed by webcams. I have added two links below, to the webcams. One is 'nest box cam' and one is 'ledge cam'. The 'nest box cam' is infra-red so can be viewed throughout the night. Because its infra-red, the colours of the eggs look mainly white, but in fact they are actually more of a red colour. The infra-red setting is left on 24 hours as changing it would cause the 'nest box cam' to make noises, which could disturb Tom and Charlie. Also on 'nest box cam' you will see a 'smudge' on the screen. Believe it or not, this is actually caused by when Charlie sneezed recently. So that little smudge is real true peregrine snot !!!! Bless her, but in her defence, she had just sat through quite a horrendous snow blizzard !!!

 

A very pleasant afternoon for me. I never tire of going to see Tom and Charlie. And every time I see Nathalie, I learn a little bit more. Another lady with incredible knowledge of peregrines is Carol, but sadly she couldn't make it today. Maggie and Sarah were great company, and I look forward to seeing them more when Fledge Watch comes into force.

 

Obviously there are no dates set for Fledge Watch yet as we don't know when the last egg will be laid, and when the true incubation period will begin. Nathalie reckons it'll be the same as last year, as so far Charlies egg laying is right on course. So if anyone has a spare few days around 5th-10th June this year, please keep them free and volunteer for a day or two on Fledge Watch duties. Nathalie cannot promise sunshine, but she can definitely promise some heart-stopping moments and maybe even the chance to actually see a young peregrine leave the safety of its nest for the first time. If you have a camera, bring it with you. Moments like this only happen once !

 

On a sadder note, the building known as Charing Cross Hospital is under serious threat from being knocked down. I don't know the full facts but it appears the NHS are bringing about closures of some A&E departments at local hospitals. For more information please read Andy Slaughters website (link below). He is the local Labour MP for Hammersmith. Unfortunate name.......good job, we're not discussing the recent fox or badger culls !!!!! But seriously, if that part of the building of Charing Cross Hospital is demolished, where will Tom and Charlie go ?????   

Andy Slaughters website.

 

So lastly, my photos from today. And they are crap !! No good light at all, but as always when I take photos, each one to me is a personal memory of that day. My favourite has to be of Tom when he was flying back to the hospital. You can clearly see his missing tail feather, and what appears to be the beginning of a new one.

 

Thank you Nathalie Mathieu for another great informative afternoon. If I have stated anything wrong on here, please feel free to correct me Nathalie.

 

 

Charlie in the rain, on the corner of the hospital

 

Charlie preening on the corner of the hospital once the sun came out
 

Tom (silhouette due to light) in 'swoop' action but didn't catch anything
 

Tom making his way back to a perch. Note the tail feathers.
 

Tom on one of his favourite perches
 

Charlie on the nesting ledge
 

Again Charlie on the nesting ledge.

Tom and Charlies nest cam

Tom and Charlies ledge cam

Tom and Charlies Facebook page

Sunny but chilly day at work





I woke to thick frost everywhere this morning, and it was bitterly cold. Got to work, and it really looked like it had been snowing. But as the sun got higher, the frost thawed, and the birds came out to play. I managed half an hour in the paddocks in the morning, and an hour in the afternoon, around my work duties. One of the best moments was when Star and I were having a chat at the fence, near her water tank, and all these Starlings, completely unaware I was there (maybe they think I look like a horse !!?!?.......actually, don't answer that !) came down and started bathing in the muddy puddle caused by an overflow in the tank. Water was flying up left, right and centre.

 

Starling bath time

There were also really high numbers of Fieldfares today. Over 40 were at the back of the paddocks, with a few individuals a bit nearer. When I went back in the afternoon, I managed to grab this photo below by hiding behind Stevie. It wasn't until I downloaded it, that I realised in the background are a couple of rabbits. 

Fieldfares in afternoon sun, with rabbits in background

More Fieldfares

Nelson and Kates owner turned up while I was there this morning, and while we were having a chinwag about the horses, the male Kestrel flew over our heads and settled in its usual tree. He really is an incredibly photogenic bird.

 

Mr Kes

We get quite a few Ring-necked Parakeets over the yard and paddocks, but I don't often see them perching. This fine male below, hadn't seen me when I entered the paddock in the afternoon, so I managed to quite a decent shot of his profile, including that stunning long tail, before he spooked and flew off squawking.

 

 

Last, but by no means least, are some photos of Kate. I'm always raving on about Nelson and Star and Stevie, but poor Kate always gets left out. Shes still fairly new, so Ive been letting her get to know me and my camera. Today she posed for me, still in her coat, and showed me just how beautiful she is. She's all different colours. Her nose is almost the same colour as Nelsons, but it blends into a much darker brown. And look at those huge soppy eyes, she really is a lovely docile mare. As it was such a nice day, Nelsons and Kates owner took their coats off for a few hours, and it was like watching a couple of primary school kids let loose in a playground. So lovely to watch.

 

The beautiful Kate

 

Kate and Nelson playing

Apart from the large flock of Fieldfares, Starlings and Mr Kes, I also saw the Goldcrest in its usual shrubby tree, just two Redwing, three Mistle Thrush, lots of Blackbirds, Chaffinches and Dunnocks, the usual birds on the feeders and lots of Cormorant flying overhead. Some of these Cormorants have more white on their heads than black, which Ive told shows they've come over from Europe. A lot of the usual all black Cormorants are flying in groups, mainly threes or fives. Egyptian Geese are also very active with trios screeching and flying around so low, its really lucky they don't get hit by one of my trucks ! Also had two Heron over, and several Black-headed Gulls, though none that I could see that had leg rings. I also saw one of the foxes by the skips, but it saw me before I saw it, and was soon off over the grassy banks. Not a bad day, not a great one. It does make me wonder what I would see if I was to actually spend a whole day out in the paddocks. I'm seriously considering going down there on one of my days off.

 

P.S - in reply to Susans comment on yesterdays blog, yes the Turkish Tumbler has been re-united with its owner in Wembley. I'm hoping to hear from the owner soon.

News from Wembley and France !

 

Following on from my blog yesterday (the cryptic e-mail from Alan Hayes at the local Gazette), I stopped off on the way home from work to purchase the said Gazette. I had spotted a white dove/pigeon with dyed purple tail feathers and markings around its eyes, on the 28th Feb at Lake Farm (see my blog entry for that date). A couple of days ago, a couple from Ruislip (eight miles away from Lake Farm) called the Gazette to say the very same bird was in their back garden. They also couldn't get near it, but had managed to corner it well enough to read the tiny writing on its blue leg ring (which I had actually thought was unmarked). It read 'GB 2013' and a phone number. Mr Burns (the gentleman from Ruislip) called the number, and it was answered by a gentleman from Wembley, Mr Cengiz Burmali, a Turkish hobby pigeon breeder and importer who works for a roofing company. Mr Burmali was apparently amazed as he never expected to see this bird again. It had escaped on a windy day and they apparently don't feed well from the street, unlike its feral cousins. It transpires this little bird is actually a prized Turkish Tumbler, 'valued for its distinctive flight and widely bred by enthusiasts'. Ive put a link to Mr Burmalis website below, and have asked the Gazette to forward to him, an e-mail from myself. I want to know why the bird is dyed with purple. Is it part of a mating programme ? And just how much is this bird worth ?

 

Turkish Tumblers

 

the Turkish Tumbler 28.02.13

the un-readable blue leg ring

 

Last week, I also received an e-mail from Alain Caizergues from France, regarding the male Tufted Duck with the 'bill-tag' (or to use the proper techno speak, the 'nasal saddle') that I had spotted and photographed at the London Wetland Centre on the 22nd Feb (see my blog post for that date).

He sent me a very informative pdf read out of the details of this duck. It was ringed and 'bill-tagged' as a 2 year old back on 27th Jan 2009, in Saint-Phibert-de-Grand-Lien in France. The 'nasal saddle' actually reads BLEUE, and there is a leg ring that reads EA675634. It was spotted in Walton-on-Thames in the UK in July 2011, and has since been seen at several places in South West London, including a spell on the Thames.

 

Not everyone agrees with the 'nasal saddle' form of tagging, and it's not something the BTO carry out, but it is still used in some European countries. I don't have an opinion either way, the 'nasal saddle' obviously does not affect the ducks ability to feed (or else it wouldn't be around in 2013, after being hatched in 2007) and it obviously doesn't affect the ducks ability to fly (or else it wouldn't have been spotted several times across the channel from where it was 'tagged'). So, like all other birds that have been fitted with leg rings (any garden birds, woodland birds, even Peregrines), wing tags (ie Red Kites), and fitted with tiny transmitters (ie Cuckoos, Ospreys etc), all the proof goes toward showing no birds are harmed during this process, but that the information we gather from their 'tags' can prove invaluable to understanding the birds habitats, migration routes and is pretty much, invaluable.

 

So thank you Mr Caizergues, and thank you Nathalie Mathieu for pointing me in the right direction.



male Tufted with nasal saddle 22.02.13 at LWC

male Tufted as above.

 

So that brings me to a Black-headed gull that I spotted and photographed in my work yard on the 3rd Feb this year (again, see my blog post for that date). It was with a small colony of gulls that descended on my yard one day, while I snapped away with my camera from the comfortable confines of my desk. I came home that evening, and duly followed the procedure on the BTO website for reporting gull leg rings...................and have never heard a word from them !!

my work yard leg-ringed BHG

 

My work yard BHG leg ring TLXR, plus one metal closed ring

So that's the end of todays blog. I haven't mentioned anything about the birds Ive seen at work today, because I was so incredibly busy, I only got out of the office for a brief half hour late afternoon, and apart from the usual handful of Redwings and Fieldfares at the back of the paddocks, and a Mistle Thrush, Green Woodpecker, loads of Blackbirds and the usual birds on the work yard feeders, there was nothing more of interest around. I didn't get any photos as I neglected to take my camera to work, but while my office door was being repaired (long story, the glass in it shattered for no reason today), I did watch a Kestrel flying over and being mobbed again by several crows.

 

Tomorrow is a new day at work, my camera is already packed, lets just hope I can get a few breaks from the ever ringing phone.

Cheers.

Another day, another Kestrel at work

Not a lot to report from work today. There are still several Fieldfares and Redwings around, along with a Mistle Thrush and loads of Blackbirds. All the winter Thrushes were too far away to photograph, and it was so bitterly cold, that even I didn't fancy hanging around to see if they were going to come any nearer.

 

At lunchtime I saw from the office window, a kestrel being mobbed by five crows. It was headed towards the paddocks, so as I had a few spare moments, I wandered off down there. No sign of the kestrel anywhere until it all of a sudden flew up from the grass, I had been less than six feet away from it, and somehow failed to spot it.

 

It landed on one of the trees in the paddocks just a few feet away, seemingly not bothered by my presence. I have a good feeling this is the same male I photographed not so long ago. So long as you don't move suddenly it happily sits for you.

 

shame about the twig in front of its head !

staring at the horses

getting the 'falcon stare' (again shame about the twig in front)

So not a great day wildlife watching, but not a total failure.

 

I've also had some news from the local Gazette about the white and purple dove at Lake Farm. The news is fairly cryptic, Alan Hayes says in an email 'See tomorrows Gazette, Brilliant story Wendy. Page 21'. So I'm going to have to wait until I get home tomorrow night to buy the paper, and see what it says. Watch this space !

 

I also received emails from the secretary at Cranford Park Friends. A link to my blog is now on their website, and my blog is again mentioned in the Cranford Park Email News Letter. So thank you Bob Barton and the CPF Webmaster, Ian.

 

link to Cranford Park Friends website

Snow flurrys at Lake Farm, and webcam watching

I'm not lying when I say it was absolutely freezing at Lake Farm this morning. Unlike Cranford Park, Lake Farm has very very little shelter and is very exposed. The wind was incredibly cold and strong. Snow fell several times but didn't settle, to be honest it couldn't really as the wind was whipping the flurries around so much. Not one sign of any birds attempting to nest within the proposed school building site, not even the reliable pair of Dunnocks were around. Had it been a proper spring day with blue skies and that yellow orb, then I would have expected to see much more activity.

The Reed Buntings were hunkered deep into the hedgerow, exactly where I thought they would be. The local House Sparrows were in there too, so trying to get a decent count of either proved difficult today. I estimate at least 15 of each, which is what I would expect considering the recent count levels Ive had at LF.

Not one Stonechat to be seen, but they dislike this weather as well, so still no reason why they're not present, they could be just not visible.

The gulls were all down low in the 'gull field'. Good numbers of both Common and Black-headed again, with the odd juvenile Herring.

Heard very distant drumming from a GS Woodpecker, but in the wind, it was very hard to locate. I'm guessing it was coming from one of the old trees alongside the canal.

Three Skylarks came up and tried that beautiful sky-dance that only they can do, but which today, looked almost comical in the strong wind. But their song carries, especially in this weather, so twice I was looking for them in completely the wrong direction.

No photos at all today. And I was home by 2pm after a particularly heavy snow flurry made me yearn for the warmth of my onesie and a large glass of wine or three, and to check which bird nest box web cams were operational.

This time of year means Barn owls are starting to settle in for a bit of loving and nesting. I followed a few web cam sites last year, and am happy to report they are all up and running again now. Around April the Barn owls will start laying eggs, with hatching due late May and with the youngsters eventually fledging in late July or early August.

One of the best ones, is the Heligan web cams. At the moment they have two cams operationally. The Barns, and a new one, Mouse Cam. Ive just checked on them now, and Mouse Cam is empty (though it wasn't earlier with at least two little rodents inside the stump), and the Barns are peacefully sleeping.

link to Heligan web cams

The Dorset Wildlife Trust also have a great web cam. They had a resident pair of owls, Bob and Brenda but Brenda disappeared. From what I can remember Bob was left to rear the owlets himself. This year however, just a few days ago, Bob was sighted in the box with a new female. So well done Bob on your new lady friend ! I watched them earlier doing some mutual grooming and soft calling. Bless them. I almost felt like an intruder watching their love story unfold !

Dorset Wildlife Trust web cam....Bob and his new girlfriend

The last Barn owl web cam link is quite new to me. Its from a secret location in Cheshire where they have cameras in three nest boxes. None of the boxes have ever been used before by owls, but Stock Doves have nested in them in previous years. Maybe one to keep an eye on this spring.

Cheshire web cams - three boxes

Both the Heligan and Dorset Wildlife Trust also have web cams in other owls and raptors nest boxes. The Heligan Little Owl web cam was very popular with me last year, it was very hard to work and watch them at the same time ! The new web cams will be added on to each site as the birds settle in and start to lay.

Other web cams of interest are the ones the RSPB put up every year. Last years New Forest Goshawk cam was fantastic, and the famous Loch Garten Ospreys was even better. I was addicted to the Arne Kestrels, so much so that my boss actually caught me watching it as I was so engrossed I hadn't heard him come in the office. The RSPB also do feeder cams, so well worth exploring their web cam page for some gems.

RSPB web cams

Last, but by no means least, is my favourite web cam of all, the Fulham and Barnes Peregrines. Last year was the first for the web cam, but I know from talking to my fellow birder friends, that it was definitely one of the most popular web cams. Charlie and Tom, the famous peregrines, have been mating regularly on their ledge for a few weeks now. The first egg to be laid is imminent this week, even Simon King is placing guesses on what date the first egg will be laid. The web cams on this site are situated both looking at the ledge, and inside the nest box, so you are guaranteed some extraordinary close up views. Today Charlie spent some time inside the nest box, so egg laying is definitely due soon.

Charlie and Toms web cam

So that's me sorted for today then. Going to clean my camera and all my lenses, have a couple of glasses of wine, and watch Barn owls sleeping and snoring. Back to work tomorrow for four days, then I have a packed weekend planned.

So cheers and bottoms up Bloggy friends :)

The day that nearly wasnt ! Warnham Nature Reserve

When I retired to my bed last night after a great day out with the Barnes Birds at Rainham, my feet were aching, my knees were sore and I was shattered. I had made no concrete plans for today but I half wanted to get to Barnes (the London Wetland Centre) to catch up with some friends. When I woke up at 6am this morning, the weather was very overcast, and cold, and chilly. So, I thought to myself, I'll stay in today then. No point in going to Lake Farm either in this weather, I knew the Reed Buntings would be hunkered down in the hedgerow, and there wouldn't be a lot else around as the site is so exposed. Mulling over my first coffee of the day I had second thoughts and checked the sightings at Barnes. A solo Black-tailed Godwit was around plus Bearded Tits had been heard 'pinging'. Stay in or go out ? Stay in the warmth with cat cuddles and a good book, or go out, catch up with some old friends and maybe get a photo of Black-tailed Godwit, which I hadn't managed to get a decent photo of for a few months. The Godwit and old friends won. I got washed and dressed and layered up with my hat, snood and gloves and made my way to Barnes.

 

When I got there I found Philip, John, Therese (my old friends) and Joe were enjoying a cuppa in the cafe. Phillip volunteers at Barnes so if you ever visit on a Sunday, head for the Peacock Tower between 11am and 2pm and look out for the Guide in the Hide - that's our Phillip - feel free to give him some grief, he gets lonely up there sometimes hehehehehe.

 

 I hadn't seen any of this crowd for some weeks, so after a brief catch up, John then told us about the good views of Brambling and Siskins he had seen at Warnham Nature Reserve a few days earlier. Ive not seen a Brambling this year, and Joe had never seen one, and so when John suggested we pop down there for a couple of hours, Joe and I nearly bit his hand off ! Godwit versus Brambling ? Sorry, no competition ! Poor Phillip had to stay behind to honour his volunteer duties, but John, Therese, Joe and I shot off without a guilty glance (sorry Phillip but you know how it is mate x)

 

It took just over an hour to get from the London Wetland Centre to Warnham Nature Reserve. And I was so glad I decided to go out this morning. What a wonderful place ! From the minute you park up, you can see the site has been very carefully managed and maintained.....not for humans, but for what matters, the wildlife. I've added a link to their website after my photos. All I can say is, after meeting several staff members and volunteers, this is a nature reserve that is purely built on dedication. The staff are well informed and more than happy to share their knowledge with you. Not one of them cut us short or tried to move on, they happily stood in the cold wind chatting to you, and pulled up a seat to chat to you inside the small but well equipped cafe, even though you could see they were obviously busy. I thought the staff at Rainham were great, but that's a managed RSPB site, Warnham depends almost entirely on donations. My £1 entry fee was very well spent !

 

The bird feeding area was definitely the high-light of my short visit. I really like the one at Rainham, I like to see natural wood being used in its setting but the Warnham one is spectacular. A hide stretches about 20 feet all around one side of the feeders. Lots of trees are incorporated withing the feeding area, so its a photographers dream. The birds perch on the trees and branches and log stumps before either going to the feeders or feeding on the floor. Because you're hidden by the hide, some of the birds are literally feeding on the floor just feet away from you.

 

This was just a flying visit, I don't think we were there longer than three hours. I had to be dragged away from the bird feeders to have a brief and quick stroll around some of the rest of the site. This is a place where you can easily spend a whole day, and still feel you've missed out on something.

 

The food in the cafe was delicious and very reasonably priced considering everything was made while you waited. The soup that John and Therese had, was home made and presented beautifully. Joe and I had paninis, and they came with enough salad and home made coleslaw, to ensure you didn't need a big dinner later that day.

 

 Also in the cafe area are three enclosures containing Harvest mice. Two of them are for breeding, and one is for the youngsters before they are released back into the wild at a nearby farm. While we were there today, the staff were also busy setting up a webcam on a Herons nest, with a screen showing the nest in the cafe.

 

I really cant wait to go back there for a full day (or even two if I decide to stay overnight in nearby Horsham). Between John and the staff at Warnham, Ive been told where are the best places to see Treecreepers and Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers, where the best dragonfly ponds are, where the Hobbys like to hunt in summer, where the best walks are around this beautiful site and I already know where to get a great cup of coffee and a decent warming meal. And the cake portions are so generous that one slice apparently feeds two !

 

So here are a few of my favourite photos from today. I got the Brambling and Siskin, and more.

 

 

 

 

female Siskin and male Lesser Redpoll

male Redpoll in full plumage

Lesser Redpoll - female ?

Nuthatch

Coal Tit

male Siskin

Brambling

female Brambling

Brilliant day out even if it was short and sweet. Huge thanks to John for suggesting it, and using his own petrol to take us there, and refusing petrol money. Big thanks to Therese for making me laugh as always and being such great company. And congratulations Joe, on getting your first Brambling.

 

link to Friends of Warnham Nature Reserve