27th APRIL 2007.
MORE GREAT VIEWS OF SPARROWHAWK.
The weather was a little disappointing as we had been promised blazing sunshine and record April temperatures. It was, however, overcast and just a little chilly as we waited for the ‘bus. Our visit to the Leg O’Mutton today was specifically for the chance too see the Sparrowhawk nest again before the foliage grows too thick to see it anymore. We would be going on to the WWT Barnes centre afterwards where we were booked in for a Reptile Walk.
MORE GREAT VIEWS OF SPARROWHAWK.
The weather was a little disappointing as we had been promised blazing sunshine and record April temperatures. It was, however, overcast and just a little chilly as we waited for the ‘bus. Our visit to the Leg O’Mutton today was specifically for the chance too see the Sparrowhawk nest again before the foliage grows too thick to see it anymore. We would be going on to the WWT Barnes centre afterwards where we were booked in for a Reptile Walk.
RECYCLING NATUREPhoto: Reg Norman
EGYPTIAN GOOSE IN TREE
The wind had risen a little by the time we arrived and it continued to get cooler. It was much quieter than when we were here last week; there was still affair bit of birdsong but the birds seemed to be keeping out of sight. There were also fewer joggers but the dog walkers were much in evidence; the dogs around here seem to be, generally, well behaved.
All around us the fresh green foliage was bright and cheery even though the sun was not out. It was very pleasant just walking around early in the morning. We stood still in some places; letting the birds get used to us and allowing them to go on about their business. People, too, were going about their business; some stopping to say ‘hello’ and others to offer little gems of information about the reserve itself.
We arrived at the point where we watched the Sparrowhawk last week and were a little worried to find no activity in the nest area. There was no need to worry; one of the birds soon showed up carrying yet more nest material. We thought that we could only see the one bird and wondered where the other might be. On the nest and out of sight? We watched for a good fifteen minutes before moving on.
All around us the fresh green foliage was bright and cheery even though the sun was not out. It was very pleasant just walking around early in the morning. We stood still in some places; letting the birds get used to us and allowing them to go on about their business. People, too, were going about their business; some stopping to say ‘hello’ and others to offer little gems of information about the reserve itself.
We arrived at the point where we watched the Sparrowhawk last week and were a little worried to find no activity in the nest area. There was no need to worry; one of the birds soon showed up carrying yet more nest material. We thought that we could only see the one bird and wondered where the other might be. On the nest and out of sight? We watched for a good fifteen minutes before moving on.
EGYPTIAN GOOSE IN TREEPhoto; Reg Norman
RECYCLED FENCING
The Thames was very low although it was flooding very quickly; no gulls or waders were visible on the far bank though which was a disappointment.
Resuming our walk around the reservoir, around the ‘thin’ end, we stopped to look into the clearing in the wooded area that bounds the water. There was certainly a lot of activity although identifying the myriad small birds was a little difficult in the gloom. There was one Wren that kept up its’ ‘Tick, tick, tick’ warning all the time that we were there.
We came to another vantage point where we might see the Sparrowhawk nest once again. This time we were able to see one of the birds firmly settled deep in the nest itself. We would not have been able to see the bird from where we were earlier. We thought of Terry and how he might get some fabulous ‘digiscope’ pictures from this point. We were planning to come back on Sunday and hoped that he might join us.
The Heron nests, on the rafts on the water, were interesting in the fact that they were all at different stages of development. Some had a couple of very large chicks; others were clearly still at the ‘sitting’ stage. Some really good shots would be available to ‘digiscopers’.
Resuming our walk around the reservoir, around the ‘thin’ end, we stopped to look into the clearing in the wooded area that bounds the water. There was certainly a lot of activity although identifying the myriad small birds was a little difficult in the gloom. There was one Wren that kept up its’ ‘Tick, tick, tick’ warning all the time that we were there.
We came to another vantage point where we might see the Sparrowhawk nest once again. This time we were able to see one of the birds firmly settled deep in the nest itself. We would not have been able to see the bird from where we were earlier. We thought of Terry and how he might get some fabulous ‘digiscope’ pictures from this point. We were planning to come back on Sunday and hoped that he might join us.
The Heron nests, on the rafts on the water, were interesting in the fact that they were all at different stages of development. Some had a couple of very large chicks; others were clearly still at the ‘sitting’ stage. Some really good shots would be available to ‘digiscopers’.
RECYCLED FENCINGPhoto: Reg Norman
The weather had turned really quite chilly and just before we left the site I was forced to put my fleece on to keep warm! Weather forecasts? Huh!
BIRDS SEEN: Blackbird, Blue Tit, Robin, Wren, Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Carrion Crow, Great Tit, Egyptian Goose, Coot, Ring Necked Parakeet, Cormorant, Heron, Moorhen, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Coal Tit, Long Tailed Tit, Stock Dove, Pochard, Mallard, Starling, Sparrowhawk, Jackdaw, Tufted Duck, Ruddy Duck.
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