London Wetland Centre

Tuesday 13th September 2011

First visit to the London Wetland Centre at Barnes today. Turned out to be a quiet day not too many birds to be seen. The heavy showers kept coming during the afternoon, before clearing up and feeling quite warm the sun came out.

Photographed this Juvenile Moorhen that was very inquisitive with the pond weed. There has been a Juvenile Ruff present for the last few days on the main lake.

The Ruff seen bottom left of the Grey Heron. Soon after it just vanished to one of the islands and went missing for hours. Overhead a Hobby was chasing some of the House Martins and a Peregrine was also chasing a meal, not sure if either was successful.

The numbers of Gadwall are now increasing I had counted 103 with 67 Teal and 65 Shoveler. Also present was a single Widgeon.

A solitary Common Sandpiper showed up briefly, these are distant views so apologies for the poor quality of some of the shots.

This stunning Little Grebe gave very good close views on the main lake, the female was close by.

Away from the hides, overhead the noisy but charming Ringed-necked Parakeets flew around the reserve. a Single Blackcap and three Chiffchaff's were seen in the bushes near the Wader Scrape hide.