Autumn colour

Is it just me or do the Silver Birch trees look particularly glorious this autumn? The best ones I've seen so far have been on the way into Milton Keynes town centre... and I haven't been able get a picture of them, but they are still covered in leaves of a deep yellow hue. Maybe that's what's different.... they haven't all been blown off yet.

I'm not too good with my tree identification, but driving along the A5 towards my exit, I spotted an avenue of trees which had for the most part dropped their leaves in a stunning golden yellow carpet. Once again, it seems the leaves have been spared our usual autumn winds.

The following were all taken at Loughton Park, Milton Keynes. 

Wisley

I am so lucky to lie where I do, not least because the RHS Gardens of Wisley are within a half hour drive. Whatever time of year I go, there is always something to see. At the moment, obviously there is the Autumn colour, some of which is spectacular. I actually went to suss out their bird hide, but wasn't overly impressed as the windows are slightly too high and the benches slightly too low for the windows, but then Wisley has never been about birdwatching.

A visit is never complete without a walk around the glass house. Many of the plants there are regularly changed so you never quite know what you'll see. An unexpected treat this time was a display of Chrysanthemums... not usually my favourite flower, but I have been won over, and was particularly taken with flowers that looked almost like fireworks.... Just beautiful.

 

Sevenoaks Nature reserve

 Sunday looked to be a good day weatherwise, and I was right. The Sun shone for the whole afternoon, though there was a pleasant autumnal nip in the air. 

Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve is somewhere I've meaning to go for quite a while. It has several bird hides dotted around the lakes all with good views, and some lovely walks around the edge of the water through wooded areas, with one of the hides quite a bit higher than the lake so you're looking down on everything. That hide is also adjacent to some bird feeders which attract in the woodland birds and it's possible to get some clear, up-close shots. All in all, a great afternoon!

 

London to Brighton Veteran Car Run 2013

What can I say? Always one of the highlights of the year!  More can be found out about here: http://www.vccofgb.co.uk/lontobri/general.html

 

The London Wetland Centre

I have been promising myself a day out at the London Wetland Centre for some years and finally got round to going there on Friday. Armed with a  20% off voucher , camera, spare batteries and SD card I arrived about half ten. The forecast was true to it's word and the earlier morning rain had stopped.

                              A lovely statue of the wetlands founder, Sir Peter Scott.

The centre itself is extensive with some 'themed' areas, all with a chance to get quite close to the birds. There is also a large area given over to wild birds with hides dotted all over the reserve, including the most luxurious hide I've been in...... carpeted! Some are also equipped with binoculars and books to help you identify what  you're seeing and some on more than one level. The peacock hide is on three levels complete with a lift to the upper floors. My advise would be to allow a day to see everything.

                                                  The herons seem to like it here!

Google map

Another satisfying afternoon at Warnham

                                             (A grass snake making it's way across the lake)

A very peaceful few hours spent yesterday in the kingfisher hide at Warnham. A real treat was seeing a grass snake (which is sometimes called the water snake) making it's way across the mill pond leaving a beautiful regular pattern in it's wake.






 


After a couple of hours the dazzling Kingfisher finally made an appearance sitting for a short while on one of the posts










He seemed quite happy there for about 15 minutes  before
taking off and flying out across the water. The only thing visible, an eye catching iridescent blue streak.















He then disappeared for about half an hour before he or another arrived, this time sitting in a branch of a tree right on the water's edge. He was the closest I've ever been to him (probably less than 20 feet), but he didn't seem fazed at all and stayed there for about half an hour with an occasional fishing dive into the water. Mesmerising.

                                          (On his perch in the tree)

 

                                          (Successful trip number one...)

                                          (Two......)


 

                                         (and three......)

Warnham

Yesterday I headed over to the Warnham Nature Reserve near Horsham ( http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/uk/warnham-reserve.html#cr ). I only discovered this little gem a few weeks ago, but can see myself becoming a regular visitor there. 

                                             ( View from the Kingfisher hide)

There are three hides to choose from, two on the water and one focusing on woodland birds. It's surprising just how quickly time flies by once settled. Yesterday most of my time was spent in the Kingfisher hide where I saw Cormorants, Tufted ducks, Herons, Buzzards, some very young Grebes,  pigeons, gulls, and joy of joys.... Kingfishers!

                                                (My best shot yet of a Kingfisher)