Grousemore
Senior Member
A fellow Bird Forum member,Larry Lade was in London for a few hours today on a stop-over before flying to Kenya this evening.
He posted on BF that he'd like to see some UK birds,so I arranged to pick him up at Heathrow Airport this morning.
Having never met him,life was made easier when, on entering the Car Park,I noticed a chap with binoculars gazing intently at a scruffy tree with a Wood Pigeon sitting in it.
Introductions were quickly completed and along with Larry's friend,Steve,a fellow Missourian,we drove back into London to the WWF Wetlands Centre at Barnes.
Several Rose-ringed Parakeets viewed from the car park started things off and we then spent a very pleasant 3 or 4 hours observing a fair selection of birds.
The birds were nearly all new to Larry and Steve and their genuine delight in seeing such birds as Blue Tit,Great Tit,Robin etc. showed they were real enthusiasts;very skillful birders too,with a good eye for detail.
Towards the end of the time there,close views of a Green Woodpecker and some Siskins had been the highlight;until another birder told us of a Bittern showing well at another hide.We went there and immediately saw the Bittern through the obliging scope of a fellow birder,which rounded the day off well.
Back to Heathrow and Larry and I swapped notes and agreed on 42 species as the final count,before goodbyes were said on a very enjoyable day.
He posted on BF that he'd like to see some UK birds,so I arranged to pick him up at Heathrow Airport this morning.
Having never met him,life was made easier when, on entering the Car Park,I noticed a chap with binoculars gazing intently at a scruffy tree with a Wood Pigeon sitting in it.
Introductions were quickly completed and along with Larry's friend,Steve,a fellow Missourian,we drove back into London to the WWF Wetlands Centre at Barnes.
Several Rose-ringed Parakeets viewed from the car park started things off and we then spent a very pleasant 3 or 4 hours observing a fair selection of birds.
The birds were nearly all new to Larry and Steve and their genuine delight in seeing such birds as Blue Tit,Great Tit,Robin etc. showed they were real enthusiasts;very skillful birders too,with a good eye for detail.
Towards the end of the time there,close views of a Green Woodpecker and some Siskins had been the highlight;until another birder told us of a Bittern showing well at another hide.We went there and immediately saw the Bittern through the obliging scope of a fellow birder,which rounded the day off well.
Back to Heathrow and Larry and I swapped notes and agreed on 42 species as the final count,before goodbyes were said on a very enjoyable day.
