Whimbrel

Yesterday turned out to be a very exciting day at Warnham. I got there about mid-dayish and thought I'd spotted a friend's car in the car-park, so set off to find her. I was in the Heron hide when there was a bit of a commotion on the mill pond and I looked up to see the terns chasing a bird up and down the length of it. The terns are very persistent and this poor bird was doing everything it could to escape. Eventually, the terns left it alone, and the very tired bird decided to perch right outside the hide. I had no idea what it was, but learned a little later it's a Whimbrel. It was only there for about a minute as try as it might, it could not get a purchase with it's footing which kept just sliding down the branch. It caused quite a stir! Apparently, the last time one was seen there was about 15 years ago!

Demoiselles

Up until last week I had never heard of this beautiful insect, let alone seen one. Then last week spotted the incredible blue of it's wings but didn't manage to get a shot of it despite my best efforts..... Today however, I went with a good friend who knew where to find this beautiful creature. They were entrancing and she and I were there for quite some time simply mesmerised by them.

 I think I'm in love!

Redpoll

Though I love a day of bird/nature watching, I'm not really au fait with everything that I'm seeing, and probably miss quite a lot because I don't recognise what I'm seeing... but this week I went along with a keen bird watching friend of mine who became quite excited while we were in the Woodpecker hide when she spotted what she identified as a Redpoll. What a pretty little thing it is, and something I'm sure I haven't seen before. Looking on the RSPB website for more info, I see that it is "Red Status" which they describe as:- .... the highest conservation priority, with species needing urgent action. 

Handsome creature isn't it! Hopefully, I'll see it again.

A chilly afternoon

The forecast for today was sunny and clear, so in the afternoon I headed over to Warnham. I was hoping to see the woodpeckers and settled down for an hour or two in the woodland hide. It wasn't long before a couple of woodpeckers came in to feed at the tree stump which has had holes drilled in it, which are filled up daily with a fat food mix for the birds. After having had their fill they then flew up into the trees before flying off.

 I then moved on to the kingfisher hifde. The lake was very still today with just a few ducks and a grebe. The kingfishers did put in a few appearances, but only to dart passed, the only thing visible, the flash of blue as they flew by, so I headed to the tern hide where I was treated to a visit by a heron.

By now, the sun was setting and the temperature was steadily dropping.... so by this time, very cold, I headed home. A lovely afternoon.

A beautiful late autumn day

                                          The view out of  Tern Hide.


As I seem to be going here regularly, I thought it I might as well give the Warnham Nature Reserve  a page in it's own right. Another lovely afternoon was spent there today with the hope of seeing a Woodpecker and a Kingfisher. I wasn't disappointed and was thrilled with photos I managed to get of the Woodpecker.

It's easy to forget that the reserve isn't just about birds, and you can never tell what you'll be treated to. As I was mulling life, the Universe and everything, I saw something across the lake out of the corner of my eye... I trained my camera on the spot and watched as a fox stalked a heron...... which got away!

                                                          Fox stalking a heron...

                                                 The heron's not daft and flies off!


Even the Kingfisher put in a few appearances, but unfortunately, he tends to stay on the furthest post, so he's more of a splodge of colour in the middle of the picture!

                                                       Colourful splodge with a fish!

                                            Colourful splodge flying off!


A good day!