January 2023 Big Garden Bird Watch in Fairlop Waters – report

Once again this year, we teamed up with Vision RCL to run a Big Garden Birdwatch walk at Fairlop Waters. It was a bit of a murky, overcast January day but that didn’t stop a group of 25 enthusiastic birders, both young and old, joining us.

As we set off from the cark park, we were greeted by a mixed group of geese, Canada, Greylag and Egyptian, as they grazed on the grass surrounding the main lake.  We then moved into the nature area and saw groups of tits as they foraged in the tree line. This area has a small lake, as we scanned across it, a Red Kite appeared above us, graceful twisting and soaring to the delight of the group. As we moved away from this area, a Skylark could be heard signing from an adjacent farmer’s field, followed by the sight of a large flock of Lapwings rising from the same area.  

In the open meadow area, a flock of Redwing were spotted, a group of Goldfinch “tinkled” overhead  and a Grey Wagtail was flushed from the adjacent relief channel. As we arrived back at the main lake, Grey Herons and Cormorants could be seen perched in the trees on the island, whilst a couple of Little Grebes feed busily under a willow and Great Crested Grebes moved serenely across the surface of the water. A quick count up when we got back the car park revealed that 40 species had by seen or heard.

It’s always a privilege to share our birding passion, with others, so many thanks to those who came along and particular thanks to Tajinder from Vision RCL for arranging the event. Here’s looking forward to next year!