London Wetlands Centre (6 February 2023)
As well as being a beautiful, sunny, winter’s day we also had a good number of sightings – 54 in total.
Standing on the bridge at the entrance we looked across to the feeders but sadly they were empty – haven’t seen them filled for some time which is a shame as Bramblings have been seen there in the past.
Once inside the Centre we looked at the sightings board and then went into the Observatory to see what was on the main lake. No Bittern by the window this time but plenty else to see. Lots of Tufted Duck, a few Pochard, a couple of Mute Swans, various gulls, Mallard and Lapwing. Five Reed Bunting were spotted busily feeding on the reed seed heads and a Green Woodpecker flew over and landed on a distant tree.
Moving on to the Dulverton hide, we hoped for a Bittern but activity outside this and the WWF hide was rather scant. Closer views of the gulls, a Great Crested Grebe and a Stock Dove on one of the nearby islands were, I think, the highlights. The edges of the reeds were thoroughly checked for a Bittern but to no avail.
We stopped at the feeding station both on the way to the Peacock Tower and back. It was good to see Chaffinch, Dunnock, Blue and Great Tits and around 10 Greenfinches. Siskins had been seen feeding on the alders in that area at the weekend but they deserted us today. However, a Peregrine flew over and gave good views for those of us lucky enough to look up quickly.
The Peacock Tower hide was, as usual, the place to be. With people scanning for birds in all directions and with a number of scopes available we soon spotted good numbers of Teal, Shoveler, Wigeon and a few Gadwall. “A Dartford Warbler” shouts Tony and everyone rushes over to look. Of course, the bird had disappeared into the dead Michaelmas Daisies on one of the islands and we had to wait several minutes for it to pop up again. Fortunately it did pop up and down several times and everyone got to see it, albeit at a distance. On the same island, two Water Pipits and several Meadow Pipits were seen. Using binos and the scopes most people got to see a Water Pipit. The same island also provided us with Snipe. A couple of other Snipe were also spotted in other areas.
A male Stonechat was on the fence just below the hide. They often associate with Dartford Warblers but it seemed to be keeping its distance. The female Goldeneye which has been hanging around for a couple of months now was on the Reservoir Lagoon along with a Little Grebe. Two Peregrines were seen distantly soaring, then stooping over Charing Cross Hospital.
Walking back towards the centre for lunch we saw Redwing and Blackbird around the Sheltered Lagoon. Some of us sat outside for lunch which was very pleasant. You could actually feel heat from the sun. During lunch someone heard that a Bittern had been seen from the WWF hide and a Water Rail from the Headley Hide. The majority of the 23 attendees headed home after lunch leaving just half a dozen or so to decide which way to go. We opted to go to Headley Hide but made a quick exit when about 30 children came in! To their credit I would say that they were very well behaved. No shouting or pushing and keen to see what was about.
Goldcrests were seen in the usual conifers by the Otter Enclosure and on route to the Wildside hide a Water Rail was heard. Having scanned the reeds along the edge of the Reservoir Lagoon and not spotted any new birds we went back to the centre as time was getting on. Four of us decided on a last quick look from the WWF hide and we were rewarded with the Bittern. After watching it for a few minutes it flew out of sight and John Strachan got some great photos. Whilst I was pleased to see it, I was disappointed that it hadn’t been there earlier for everyone to see.
There’s always something to see at the London Wetland Centre and today was no exception. All in all, a good day.
by Sandra Hucks