A Morning of Birdlife at Warnham Local Nature Reserve

On a beautiful spring morning, I visited one of my favourite local spots for wildlife photography – Warnham Local Nature Reserve. The reserve never fails to deliver, and 24th May was no exception. Within just a few hours, I was treated to a wonderful display of bird activity, both on the water and in the air.

One of the highlights was witnessing an Aylesbury Duck in flight, its white feathers catching the light as it soared gracefully over the water. These ducks are usually more known for waddling near ponds, so seeing one take to the sky with such elegance was a rare and memorable moment.

Equally striking was a Great Crested Grebe in flight. These birds are typically admired for their elaborate courtship displays and sleek swimming posture, so capturing one mid-flight felt like a special reward. There's something about the motion and precision of grebes in the air that always leaves me in awe.

I also spent time observing a pair of Grey Herons – one perched calmly on a wooden post, the other silently gliding overhead. The contrast between their stillness and movement was a lovely reminder of the diverse behaviours birds exhibit, even within the same species.

It's mornings like these that remind me why I keep coming back to Warnham. The abundance of wildlife and the ever-changing light offer endless photographic opportunities. Nature has a way of surprising and delighting us when we least expect it – and this visit was a perfect example.

Tags: #WarnhamLocalNatureReserve #BirdPhotography #AylesburyDuck #GreatCrestedGrebe #GreyHeron #WildlifeMoments #NatureInFlight #UKWildlife #BirdsInFlight