WWT Photography Competition

[davidb]

For all you nature lovers out there check out this competition run by the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust. It's a worthwhile prize to be won and the opportunity to visit one or more wetland centres around the country. (Photographs have to be taken at one of the WWT centres.)

http://www.wwt.org.uk/waterlife/waterli ... mpetition/

Have I just made my job harder by telling the Club of this compo?

[davidc]

Last I knew of, only three of us had been to the Barnes WWT on an outing so it could be your odds aren't that much lowered!

[Mike Farley]

Last I knew of, only three of us had been to the Barnes WWT on an outing so it could be your odds aren't that much lowered!

Not only that, but there was not much to photograph when we got there. Thames Water was planning some work on the main supply from East London which feeds the site which meant it would be disrupted for some months. In anticipation the centre had raised the water levels, which meant that the areas by the walkways and hides where the birds would normally congregate were submerged. All in all, a disappointing day, more remarkable for the excellent company than the wildlife. I have not bothered going back on my own.

[davidb]

Mike

I must agree with you on the disappointing displays at Barnes. The last few occasions I've visited have not been particularly productive. The captive birds have been lacking for several months (at since the last roundup in March) and the lagoons don't seem to attract many visitors. Perhaps I'm visiting at the wrong time but as I frequent it quite a few times each year my luck can't be all bad. There must be something else going on here.

There are a number of centres spread around the country and I occasionally visit the one at Arundel. I've visited the Slimbridge reserve once but it was one of the worst November days I've ever seen and got nothing worthwhile there. I'd love to return there one day - perhaps on the 30th September on the return trip from Wales! I am a member of WWT and can get one non-member in at no charge.

[Mike Farley]

Mike

I must agree with you on the disappointing displays at Barnes. The last few occasions I've visited have not been particularly productive. The captive birds have been lacking for several months (at since the last roundup in March) and the lagoons don't seem to attract many visitors. Perhaps I'm visiting at the wrong time but as I frequent it quite a few times each year my luck can't be all bad. There must be something else going on here.

You are not the only person who has commented to me that the Barnes centre is lacking in wildlife and even a few years ago I heard people saying that not much was happening when they were there. I thought it might be a seasonal thing, but as you say maybe there are other factors involved.

I had a quick look at TripAdvisor and generally those who have commented enjoy the outing, possibly as expectations are different, although others have found the same as us. It looks as though the centre might again be having problems with its water supply, so maybe right now is not the best time to go.

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction ... gland.html

[davidb]

Mike

I know that the Barnes centre are doing some renovation work, particularly around the Headley Hide but that doesn't explain the lack of wildfowl in other parts of the World Wetlands Trail. The otters are always a draw.

I do enjoy the walk through the Wildside. No captive birds but a lot of wildlife including butterflies, dragonflies and amphibians as well as the birds. In the past I've been to Barnes without the intention of taking photographs (even though I'm carrying my camera), just enjoy a quiet day out surrounded by nature. Doesn't always work especially if I come across an animal or bird that I've not caught before.

Arundel seems to be better for the captive birds and much the same as Barnes for visitors.

[Mike Farley]

The otters are always a draw.

I suspect that the otters were added to provide an additional attraction and make up for the lack of critters elsewhere, although I would have thought it more appropriate to have had the british rather than eurasian variety.

I do enjoy the walk through the Wildside. No captive birds but a lot of wildlife including butterflies, dragonflies and amphibians as well as the birds. In the past I've been to Barnes without the intention of taking photographs (even though I'm carrying my camera), just enjoy a quiet day out surrounded by nature. Doesn't always work especially if I come across an animal or bird that I've not caught before.

That was really what I meant by people having differing expectations. Some are happy just being surrounded by nature, whereas we togs are normally looking for something interesting to photograph. Apart from the otters, which spent a lot of time hidden away at the back of the enclosure until feeding time, that did not really happen while I was there.

Arundel seems to be better for the captive birds and much the same as Barnes for visitors.

I have not been to Arundel for many years, so maybe a return visit is due, but I think that I'll wait for the school summer holidays to finish.

[davidc]

I suspect that the otters were added to provide an additional attraction and make up for the lack of critters elsewhere, although I would have thought it more appropriate to have had the british rather than eurasian variety.

From some research I did a while back, they are the same and the UK had/has more than one species anyway, of which the short clawed ones are one of the types.

[Mike Farley]

I suspect that the otters were added to provide an additional attraction and make up for the lack of critters elsewhere, although I would have thought it more appropriate to have had the british rather than eurasian variety.

From some research I did a while back, they are the same and the UK had/has more than one species anyway, of which the short clawed ones are one of the types.

Looks like I should have checked my facts before posting.

Apparently there are thirteen species of otter extant, but only one which inhabits Europe and Asia, Lutra Lutra, hence its common name.

http://www.otterspecialistgroup.org/Spe ... lutra.html

Thanks for the correction.

[davidb]

The otters at Barnes are Asian Short-claws. There are, as previously stated, thirteen species.