Out with my camera... WWT London (Barnes)

To-date, my blog has mainly focused on my (relative lack of) success in microstock photography, as well as updates on significant new gear which has been launched.  Obviously, the most significant part of photography is actually being 'out there' taking shots, so I thought I'd share updates on this.  Even if nobody else reads it, it serves as a bit of a diary for my own use!

Although I'm a member of the Wetlands Trust, I don't often make it down to WWT London (Barnes), but fancied a jaunt yesterday, so gave it a go.  Optimistically, I'd set myself up for a fall by tweeting at @UK_Richard that I'd like to see Bittern and Lesser Redpolls.

For those haven't visited yet, the London Wetlands Centre is well worth a visit, as it's a bit of an oasis, only 19 minutes by train from Waterloo (then a walk from Barnes station).  The site looks a little something like:

It's very well setup for kids and there are loads of areas with wetland species from around the world to which you can get really close.

For seeing wild birds, there are several hides dotted around the site, with the Peacock Tower offering a 'birds-eye view'.

The reality of doing bird photography from the hides is that you're likely to need either a huge amount of luck, and/or a very high magnification telephoto lens in order to get cracking photos.  It's still worthwhile going of course, especially if you see something for the first time - binoculars will help you find something.  (The other top tip is to listen... not just to the birds calling, but others in the hide, who are usually more than happy to share what they've found!)

Yesterday, I was pretty lucky with sightings - two bitterns (one flying, both a long way away), a Jack Snipe (through someone's telescope), a Water Rail (directly below the Peacock Tower), a brief Peregrine Falcon and eventually some Redpolls.  I also got a shot of a Little Grebe.