Great Crested Grebe.

Despite the dull overcast sky a short detour along the River Thames towpath recently provided a very brief opportunity for me to watch a Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus) at reasonably close quarters for once.

This is the largest of our Grebes with its distinctive long low body, long slender neck and the long slim bill that is extensively pinkish and paler than our other species.

In full breeding plumage the rusty orange-red head ear tufts are very distinctive and during courtship the dark head plumes are raised and vigorously shaken.

Its typical relaxed pose is with the head and bill pointed downwards. (Reminded me of of someone peering over their spectacles perched on the end their nose!)  The Great Crested Grebe is common sight on inland lakes, reservoirs and rivers plus large numbers congregate along our coasts in winter.

This individual is slowly changing into its winter garb when the colourful ear tufts will completely disappear and its head, foreneck and flanks will become more extensively white.

All too soon it was time for it to head to the other side of the river and for me to move on after another brief but enjoyable wildlife encounter.   

Whilst not a particularly notable milestone the statistics indicate that this is my 400th post. I had no idea when I started blogging on 3rd Jan 2009 that it would become so addictive but it has definitely helped me to adapt to the various changes in my lifestyle over the past year. More importantly I wish to thank all my regular readers and blogging friends for continuing to leave their very supportive comments. To all those who may casually drop by I also appreciate you taking the time to visit.   FAB.

Barnes WWT.

On Wednesday I visited Barnes WWT around midday. The bright blue sky reflected in the colour of the water but out of the sun the cold northerly breeze quickly chilled the fingers. The buildings in the background are on the other side of the River Thames which forms part of the boundary to this urban wetland reserve acknowledged to be the best in Europe. So here are a few images of some of the species that were around.

 A Little Grebe continually pointed its behind towards the sun

 Only spotted a few Common Pochard but I guess more will appear as winter approaches.

 A female Tufted Duck taking a midday nap.   

 A male Northern Shoveller with its distinctive spatulate bill and puffed out white breast. 

 Time to tidy up those feathers.

 Mrs. Shoveller floats by totally unimpressed by the males.

Shortly after entering the Dulverton Hide I surveyed the distant reeds on the northern side of the main lake through the bins and eventually locked onto a brown shape ... one of the two Bitterns that arrived, probably from Norther Europe, about a week ago. Sorry, no photos as it was far too far away!  Other sightings included Mallard, Teal, Gadwall, Coot, Moorhen, Mute Swan, Canada Geese, Cormorant, Grey Heron, Common, Black-headed and Great Black-backed Gulls, Starling, Blackbird, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Cetti's Warbler (heard only), Great Crested Grebe, Lapwing, Jackdaw, Crow and Parakeet.

After some patient waiting a couple of Common Snipe appeared from the vegetation on a nearby island and spent a short time feeding before disappearing again, probably for their afternoon snooze. (Not the sharpest of shots as these guys were really too far away for the lens so original cropped.)

Finally from the first floor in the Peacock Hide I watched these Highland Cattle, which are being used to graze the grassland, slowly move to a fresh feeding location. Certainly no indication that they were feeling any effect from the biting wind!   FAB. 

Lakeside Colours.

Earlier this week I paid a visit to Wraysbury Gravel Pits which comprises a mosaic of open water, islands, grassland scrub and woodland within an area of former gravel extraction.

This was my initial view over Hythe Lagoon. Initially very little to be seen on the water but as I know from previous visits first impressions can always be deceptive. As I slowly walked along the pathway some wildlife came into view using the bins. Cormorants resting in the distant trees, a Grey Heron hidden in the reeds plus at least 50 Tufted Ducks, a few Mallard, Coot, Pochard and Shovellers resting way over on the far side. 

A little closer were Mute Swan, Black-headed Gulls and numerous Great Crested Grebes but contantly swimming well away from my side of the lagoon so distant shots only on this occasion.

When the sun broke through the waterside foliage showed its true colours by spreading its tints across the still waters.

There were plenty of autumnal colours lining my route to provide some interest plus sightings of Wren, Blue and Great Tits, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Blackbird, Jay, Magpie, the usual noisy Parakeets, Jackdaw, Crows, Dunnock and Kestrel.
In any event I will probably return later this year as this location regularly supports good numbers of Wigeon, Pochard, Goldeneye plus a few Goosanders and the Smew, one of my favorite wintering ducks.    FAB.