London Wetland Centre (3 October 2022)

Fourteen of us gathered at the Centre as it opened on a lovely sunny October day. After a quick look at the notice boards, to see what was about, we started in the Observatory and then moved onto the Headley Hide. All the usual suspects were on view including a lovely flight of lapwings.
We took the longer, summer, route around the Wildside to try and see a Cetti warbler but only managed to hear several. They are elusive. One special sighting was 5 Mandarin ducks perching on branches just above water level. At the Wildside Hide we were rewarded with good views of duck, geese and other waterbirds including two green sandpipers.

We then walked back through the Centre to the Dulverton Hide for an excellent view of a bittern. He was out in the open, in front of the reedbed, enjoying the sunshine. What a marvellous sight in the centre of London.

Next, we went to the top of the Peacock Tower to search for snipe. There were plenty, but we only got fleeting glances when they moved in and out of the undergrowth.

Finally, we walked round the Sheltered Lagoon where an industrious jay was burying nuts. He was quite unconcerned that fourteen birders were within twenty feet.

It was a good morning’s bird walk, seeing forty-seven species and ending up with a wholesome snack on the terrace outside the café in the Autumn sunshine.

By Christo Impey