WWT London Wetlands & London Zoo

Hoped to do this blog on the train back to Lincolnshire from Kings Cross but the connection wasn't great so here it is now.
Apologies for it being a bit long as I was going to do two separate posts but its just easier to scroll down the same page anyway;)
We had a couple of days to spend in London so the obvious choice was to first visit the WWT Wetland Centre in Barnes.
A half hour Tube journey to Hammersmith followed by a 10 minute bus trip dropping us off outside the Wetlands.
Within 2 minutes I had a new "Lifer" with the sighting of 7 Ring Necked Parakeets at the front of the centre.

The view across the Wetlands.(Photo by Majella Fox)

A lapwing admiring itself in the lake.

Lots of Coots in the smaller pools near the trail.

Crow seen calling from Peacock Tower.

There were a few Common Lizards basking in the warmth of the sun on the walls of the WWF Hide.

A Green Woodpecker flew across the Sheltered Lagoonand landed in the trees nearby.

Mallard trying to catch a nap on one of the fences but keeping an eye on me.

Smews at The Lodge.
The Male returning to the water surface after a quick dip.

The Female Smew resting.

The Moorhen were out collecting nesting material while others already had their offspring chasing them for food.

Bewick Swans at the centre.

A pair of Male Pintails after feeding.

The rain started to come down not long before we left but I managed to get this shot of a Little Grebe before getting too wet.

The following day we met up with some friends who had flown over from America and spent a good day at London Zoo.
We got off at Regents Park Station and had a nice walk up through Regents Park seeing 3 Jays, and a few more Ring Necked Parakeets flying over.
Majella(the other photographer)(2nd from left) with her friends from America.

London Zoo Aquarium.
Copperband Butterfish

Common Angelfish

Ring Tailed Coati

Great White Pelican

Lioness enjoying her afternoon nap.

Humboldt Penguins

Having a Spin Dry:)

This wild Grey Heron took the opportunity to join the feeding session and managed to snap up a few fish before the Penguins.

The African Plains area.
Okapi(Photo by Majella Fox)

Giraffes were out in the sun munching on the grass.

Northern Bald Ibis in the stunningly large aviary over the canal.

One of the world's fastest and deadliest snakes, the Black Mamba

We were all very lucky that we arrived in Tiger Territory at just the right time as the female brought out her 3 cubs for a quick walk around the enclosure before heading back in with them..

It was a great couple of days in the Capital and fantastic to meet up with some friends.
I'm not sure where the next blog will come from but hopefully it will include some more new wildlife.

Thanks for browsing the blogposts again.:)

Back at YWT Potteric Carr

My first blogpost since returning from the Scottish Highlands and a bit delayed as it was over a week ago I was at YWT Potteric Carr near Doncaster.
I finally got chance to do it today, actually I started to post while on the train down to London but the laptop died on me so now at the hotel near Kings Cross I am attempting the post again.

So Potteric Carr reserve.
On the way to the Willow hide from the centre there were 4 Chiffchaffs singing in the birches.

The Willow feeding area was alive with the birds like this Male Reed Bunting.

Grey Squirrels fought with Pheasants for bird table supremacy.

Mallards were in breeding mode and one poor female tried desperately to avoid the males attentions.

They even managed to get into photos they weren't supposed to be in.lol

A Great Spotted Woodpecker graced us with her presence.

It was also a good day at the feeding area for Corvids.
This Magpie wanting to be in its own photo.

A colourful Jay turned up looking stunning in the sun.

This Carrion Crow landed on a nearby tree and started to call.

Numerous Long Tailed Tits flitted through the branches and up trunks.

The Kingfishers were out, first this one was seen on Mothers Drain between the usual bridges.

Then a pair on Piper Marsh with the Male bringing in fish for the Female outside the nest.

Greylag fly by on Piper Marsh.

The Coots were having their own Royal Rumble on Piper Marsh too.

As were the Canada Geese.

A quick bath was needed after all the excitement.

Mute Swan on the drain by Huxter Well.

The Black Headed Gulls were making plenty of noise on Decoy Marsh and one regurgitated food for its partner.

Another great day at this fabulous reserve where a whole day is easily passed watching the numerous birds and their behaviours.
The warmer seasons will soon make it even more interesting as Butterflies,Dragonflies,Demoiselles & Damselflies take flight.

Thanks for reading and looking at the pics.:)