Trip reports

Barnes WWT - by Geoff Allan

Wednesday, 10 September 2008

Weather: - Overcast some light rain with a light wind. - I arrived at the wetland centre at about 10 o' clock not knowing what to expect because of Peter's unfortunate accident. As a result there was only one other person who turned up and that was the redoubtable Brian (our new indoor leader).
We waited a further 20 minutes to see if anyone else arrived but we were to be alone. So we set off for the first hide, the Dulverton Hide, where to our surprise work was going on cutting down the vegetation on the islands. Because of the work going on there was not much to be seen in front of the hide. Little grebe being the best of the bunch.

We moved onto the WWF hide and again, because of the work, it was very quiet but we added lapwing and ruddy duck to the list. On the way to the tower hide our attention was grabbed by a grey heron which unbelievably was trying to swallow a nearly fully grown coot chick. We stood there watching this spectacle for at least 20-25 minutes and when we finally left it was still trying to swallow it.

In the Peacock Tower we had a pair of hobbies giving a flying display for 10-15 minutes. There were the usual duck; shoveler, teal, mallard, gadwall and tufted, but the numbers were very poor. However what was noticeable was the total lack of any waders. We walked around the loop around the back of the sheltered lagoon and picked up on willow warblers and a flock of mixed tits (long-tailed and blue).

We had been struggling for what was now nearly two hours so that meant (in my terms) refreshments. After being suitably refreshed we moved off (slowly) to the hides on the wild side. We missed out the Headley Hide because of the work being carried out next to the hide itself and moved to the Wildside Hide. This was better and there were more duck plus great crested grebe, mute swans but still no waders. After about an hour in the hide and remembering that it was only a half day trip and it was now 4 pm, we called it a day. Now it may sound pretty poor but I totally enjoyed it, more so because of the very good company. Thank you Brian.

Geoff A.