London Wetland Centre.

With a forecast of a few hours of decent weather on Friday morning I paid another visit to the London Wetland Centre at Barnes in the hope of catching up with a Bittern but it was not to be. Nevertheless there was still plenty of birds on view, both wild and captured species.

My southerly route towards the main reed-beds provided an opportunity to snap a few of the captive species including Hooded Merganser, Marbled Teal and White-headed Duck.

A male Tufted Duck

A scan over the flooded grazing marsh produced Grey Heron, Mute Swan, Cormorant, Wigeon, Gadwall, Pochard, Coot, Moorhen, Mallard, Teal, Canada Geese, a single Egyptian Goose plus numerous Northern Shoveler, many enjoying a preening session in the sunshine.

The centre which opened in 2000 occupies the site of the former Barn Elms reservoirs covering a total area of about 100 acres including open water, muddy banks, grazing marsh, some woodland and an extensive reedbed right in the heart of the south London urban landscape. Three quarters of the site was designated an Site of Scientific Interest in 2002.

My route back to the centre only produced one additional sighting, an over flying Little Egret. The northern part of the reserve has several hides overlooking the open water enabling decent views, albeit often distant of the ducks, gulls and and a much reduced number of Northern Lapwing.

My only raptor sighting was a male Sparrowhawk who made a brief appearance on one of the small islands and from the first floor of the Peacock Hide I spotted a male Pintail (below) in its elegant finery fortunately within reach of the lens.

Despite the lack of a Bittern sighting (again!) it was a joy to be out in the winter sunshine enjoying our native wildlife. FAB.

Linking to Saturday's Critters and I'D-Rather-B-Birdin' 

London Wetland Centre.

A location that I often visit throughout the year is The London Wetland Centre at Barnes. As you cross the bridge astride the entrance pools the statue of Sir Peter Scott always serves as a reminder of his dedication to education, research and the conservation of wildlife. His establishment of the Wildfowl Trust in 1946 has allowed millions of people to enjoy getting close to living wildfowl from all round the world.

A mix of habitats throughout the 'World Wetlands' area provides an opportunity to watch and photograph species such as White-faced Whistling Duck, Black-bellied Whistling Ducks chilling out, Ferruginous Duck, plus Red-breasted and Barnacle Geese. Just a a few of the many and varied captive species.

The various hides around the 'Wildside' areas produce an array of our native and migrating avian species throughout the year. A few regulars depicted here .. Tufted Duck, Black-headed Gulls, Canada Goose, Moorhen And Coot.

During a break for coffee and cake during a visit earlier this week we were joined by a young Carrion Crow constantly opening and closing its beak but not uttering a sound. It hung around for a while before flying off to another table to pick up a discarded scrap.

Elsewhere there was interest from colour in the wildlife garden, Frogs and resting Common Darter.

 But all too soon it was time to head home via the entrance bridge.  FAB.

Linking to Good Fences hosted by TexWisGirl.

Norfolk Review (Part 4) - Pensthorpe Wildlife Park

Day 6 saw us visiting Pensthorpe Wildlife Park, near Fakenham.

Lots of interesting areas to encourage the large number of school children who were also visiting including the 'Bug Trail'. As you can see some of the specimens were far larger than expected!

There was clear evidence everywhere that the BBC Springwatch was in residence; hides on the scrape occupied by wildlife cameramen monitoring the breeding Avocets and Little Ringed Plovers; seat and bridges with posters stating 'BBC Property - Not for Public Use'; camera and sound system with its own brolly top being set up over the stream plus many visitors eagerly scanned any occupied vehicle moving around the park in case it contained a well known personality!

Evidence that some breeding species have been very successful this season; Canada and Greylag Geese...

.....AND an Oystercatcher with chick nesting in the water garden which was cordoned off.

No excuses for showing more images of one of my favourites....Barnacle Geese.

Plus masses of Ox-eye Daises everywhere.

I must admit that I didn't stop to take many pics of the 'collection' species apart from a few in the 'endangered' pens but I'll leave them for a quiet moment sometime in the future.  If you haven't visited it is certainly worth making the effort if you are in the vicinity of Fakenham. I can definitely recommend the very reasonably priced on site catering. I ordered traditional sausages and mash which was served up with an unexpected additional side dish containing peas, green beans, carrots and red cabbage..delicious.   FAB.

Barnes WWT (Part 2)

To keep thing ticking over here are some images taken of a few captive species seen during our recent stroll around the Wildlife and Wetlands Centre at Barnes. Another chance to get close to a few species that I have only seen from a distance in the wild.

Red breasted Goose.

(I would love to see a large flock of these beauties in the wild sometime.)

Barnacle Geese

A pair of friendly faces that came to check us over.

I wish I could still whistle as well as this White-faced Whistling Duck and before you ask I haven't ever seen this one in the wild.

Tomorrow morning I will be strolling around the grounds of a National Trust property in preparation for a guided walk next month so hoping to hear and see a few interesting species.  FAB.