Warnham LNR Revisited.

After a gap of around 20 years and prompted by images posted on Mike's blog I recently decided it was time I made a return visit to Warnham Local Nature Reserve  situated on the outskirts of Horsham in West Sussex. (You can click these links for more information and of course view Mike's superb wildlife images.)

Dunnock  (Prunella modularis)

By way of background this 92 acre site, comprises a 17 acre millpond (which was originally created as part of the Sussex iron working industry), marshland, reedbeds, grassland and mixed woodland so an abundance of flora and fauna can be seen throughout the seasons. There are 3 hides, plus boardwalks through the wetland areas leading to the woodland walks with various 'birdie' signs to indicate good photo or wildlife watching points around the site.

I started by spending a while in the Tern Hide watching the distant Grey Herons and a small variety of ducks, Greylag and Canada Geese while an obliging Dunnock perched outside.

Lesser Redpoll (Carduelis cabaret)

As many of my readers will know most of my birding is carried out in locations that do not have bird hides so it was a different experience for me to sit and wait to see what might come in range of my small lens.


The Woodpecker Hide overlooks an area littered with various feeding stations and perches so I waited in anticipation and it wasn't long before a Lesser Redpoll perched briefly on a distant feeder but it was to get much better ......

A closer view of a male Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis).

 Then two for the price of one ... a Goldfinch and the Lesser Redpoll.

Chaffinch  (Fringilla coelebs)

This next shot of a male Chaffinch revealed that this individual had warty growths on both legs and feet.


These growths may vary in size from small nodules to larger warts that engulf the whole leg. The warty growths  (Fringilla papillomavirus) aparently develop slowly over a long period and affected individuals, like this one, may otherwise appear quite healthy. Some individuals, of course, may become lame or lose the affected digits.

Finally, two common garden species that I don't often get the opportunity to get such close up views ...............

Great Tit  (Parus major)

Blue Tit  (Cyanites caeruleus)

I'm not sure who this tiny fellow had its eyes on .... could it be me?

Of course these weren't the only species seen so I have saved a few more images for a follow up post.   FAB.

For more images from around the globe ... check out WORLD BIRD WEDNESDAY. 

Sunshine Stroll.

As the sun was shining at long last I decided to make a relatively early start on my local patch and was soon watching a flock of 20 plus Lesser Redpoll actively feeding directly above my head. 

 I never find it easy to photograph pointing directly upwards and this was the best I could do while trying to

 focus on an individual that might show the distinctive red cap.

Although the sun was shining it is still very damp underfoot. Limited activity on the ponds with only Mallard, Coot, Moorhen, Grey Heron, Canada Geese plus overflying Cormorant and Parakeet. No sign of the Mandarin or Teal but I suspect they were well hidden away.

 Grey Heron lurking on the pond margin.

Through the woodlands I watched six Nuthatch busily feeding and chasing one another; several pairs of Great Spotted Woodpeckers displaying plus brief sightings of a Goldcrest and various Tits including the Long-tailed. The usual Corvids, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Robin, Wren and Lapwing  were also seen. Hearing a distant but distinctive mewing call helped me to locate a pair of Common Buzzard (another patch first for 2011) perched in trees on the farm fields just before they took flight and headed north-west. Soon after they departed the birds started singing again including the Skylarks.

 Final photo-op was a confiding Blue Tit before heading home for a cuppa and lunch.    FAB.

Ashtead Common Patchwalk.

Another afternoon patch walk around Ashtead Common today. Not a massive species count but I did notch up some additions to the year list: 

Coal Tit (3), Marsh Tit, Fieldfare (5), Sparrowhawk, Treecreeper (3), Starlings and two seperate flocks of Lesser Redpolls (approx 40 in all) flitting about high over the birches plus another sighting of a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. Unfortunately the light and constant movement of most of the birds as they fed furiously did not help me getting many photos.

 Lesser Redpolls

 A very flighty Goldcrest. One of 3 travelling with a flock of 20 Long-tailed Tits.

 The quick climbing Treecreeper.

 Fieldfare.

So that brings the patch list total up to 29 for two brief visits.  FAB.