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England Greater London

Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus �Ian Coleman http://www.quantumtiger.org

The area of Greater London is covered by the London Natural History Society who publish the London Bird Report. The report being based on a 20-mile radius form St Pauls cathedral has covered the same area since it`s first publication. It therefore extends into parts of Berks/Bucks, Essex, Herts, Kent and Surrey. The report covers an area of Surrey, that was previously in Middlesex that is not covered by the Surrey Bird Report (which is based on the old vice County of Surrey). The report also covers other small areas that are omitted from other reports due to county boundary changes, but also overlaps with the bird reports covering these respective Counties.

Despite the areas urbanised state, a surprising tally of 349 species have been seen in London, of which 336 have been recorded this century. Whilst undoubtedly central London is Ornithological speaking rather poor, a surprising variety of birds can be seen in some of the parks and on the River Thames that runs east-west through the whole recording area. The Thames dominates the east, where it is tidal, flowing through the remnants of the Thames-side marshes in Essex and Kent, through Central London up to Ham Lock, where the tidal flow stops and the river becomes fresh water. The presence of the tidal Thames has brought many coastal birds into central London. An influx of Guillemots in 1986, were seen as far up as Brentford. The gales of October 1987 brought an influx of sea birds into all parts of the London area, with many Sabine`s Gulls being seen, along with Leaches Petrels, Red-necked and Grey Phalaropes; and Pomarine and Great Skuas, along with other birds as a supporting cast. In 1994 a Fulmar was even seen flying under Tower Bridge.

The East, both north and south of the Thames is dominated by the remaining Thames-side marshes, which still attract, but in much reduced numbers Raptors, Owls and other coastal species. The north is dominated by the Lea Valley with it`s complex of Gravel Pits and Reservoirs. The West by the gravel pit complexes in the Colne Valley and the West London and Surrey reservoirs and adjacent gravel pits that extend from the M4, southwest towards Molesey. The south is primarily known for Beddington Sewage Farm, which is in the slow process of being turned into a Country Park, and remains to be seen whether ornithologically it will remain important as it is at present.

Changes have occurred, as they have elsewhere through out the UK. Wryneck and Red-backed Shrikes have long since disappeared as London breeding birds, Tree Pipits are declining, Redstarts are now rarely found on territory in the summer, and Willow Tit is declining. But, on the other hand since the 1940s Little Ringed Plover, Collared Dove and Black Redstarts now breed in the area. Wood Larks that disappeared with the Wryneck are making a come back in the West and South on suitable heath land type habitat. Buzzard and Peregrine have bred in the area in recent years. Avocets even managed to breed in 1996 when their usual sites in Norfolk were unsuitable due to winter storm damage, but unfortunately they never repeated the event. Some of the declines are due to habitat loss through expanding urbanisation; others are in line with those experienced in other parts of the UK.

So despite its apparent lack of appeal, London has a wealth of birds to offer, whether it is for the casual birdwatcher, or to those who hunt rarities.

A number of top birding locations in and around the capital follow - for further details and more sites see the London ornithology website: http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/calidris/sitesindex.htm

top sites

*Top Birding Locations within the Greater London area...

The sites below are within the Greater London area and carry brief accounts of what might be seen at each location. These sites are those that on a regular basis turn up the more interesting birds, as per the London Bird Report:

Alexander Park

(TQ302900)Migrant passerines in spring and autumn.

Barn Elms WWT Reserve

(TQ228770)The new London Wildfowl & Wetlands Reserve. Migrants and winter wildfowl.

Battersea Park

(TQ282772)Migrant passerines in spring and autumn.

Bedfont CP

(TQ076726)Migrants in spring and autumn. Bittern and Smew in winter.

Brent Reservoir

(TQ215870)Migrants in spring and autumn, including wildfowl, raptors, terns and passerines. Large Common Tern colony. Wildfowl in winter with the occasional rare Grebes, Bittern and Smew. Moderate sized Gull roost.

Broadwater GP

(TQ045892)Occasional migrant Terns in spring and autumn. Winter wildfowl including Smew and occasionally other rare Grebes and ducks. Grey Heron and expanding Cormorant colony.

Bushy Park

(TQ160690)Migrant passerines in spring and autumn. Occasionally wintering Stonechat and Dartford warbler. Goosander in winter.

Hampstead Heath

(TQ273866)Migrant passerines in spring and autumn. Also a good site for celebrity watching.

Hounslow Heath

(TQ123745)Migrant passerines in spring and autumn. Jack Snipe and Stonechat in winter.

King George V Reservoir

(TQ374964)Large London reservoir at which anything can turn up at any time if conditions are right. Permit required from Thames Water.

Rainham Marsh

(TQ525800)The new RSPB reserve. Potential as yet to be fully utilised. An excellant site over the years. Migrant waders in spring and autumn. Wintering passerines, Water Pipit, Twite, occasional Bearded Tit and Lapland Bunting. Large infill site, which attracts white-winged Gulls. The River Thames can turn anything up with seabirds such as Skuas, and wildfowl, including wild Geese, Scooter etc. Virtually a mini inland coastal site, due to the effect of the tidal Thames.

Regents Park

(TQ277830)Migrant passerines in spring and autumn. Also has an impressive record of raptors during passage periods.

Richmond Park

(TQ200730)Migrant passerines in spring and autumn. Breeding Mandarins.

Royal Albert Dock

(TQ425807)Good site in winter for wildfowl, including Divers, sea ducks and Smew.

Royal Victoria Dock

(TQ410807)Good site in winter for wildfowl, including Divers, sea ducks and Smew.

Staines Reservoirs

(SU045731)Viewing from the causeway between the two reservoirs... good for wintering black redstart, passage migrants and winter wildfowl etc. Park very carefully off the road near the old water pumping station.

Walthamstow Reservoirs

(TQ353980)Large London reservoir, made of a number of smaller areas of water. Does not turn up quite so many good water birds as King George V Reservoir, but has a large Grey Heron and Cormorant colonies. Smew regular in winter.

Wraysbury

(SU010740)See Berkshire Page

contributor

Chris Lamsdell
lamsdell@tiscali.co.uk
http://www.birding-in-london.co.uk

county recorder

Chairman of Records Committee: David Darrell-Lambert
david@ddcl.demon.co.uk

Surrey (old vice County - within London): Steve Spooner
32, Berkley Drive, West Molesey, Surrey. KT8 9RA.
0208 224 0971
sjspooner@ntlworld.com

Middlesex (old vice County): Mark Pearson
176a Stoke Newington Road, London N16 7UY
middxrecorder@googlemail.com

Kent (within London): John Horton
lucycjames@hotmail.com

Inner London: Des McKenzie
28 Braithwaite Tower, Hall Place, Paddington Green, London W2 1LP
onebluegull@ntlworld.com

Herts (within London): Adam Wilson
7 Douglas House, Davison Drive, Cheshunt, EN8 0SZ
widswilson@hotmail.com

Essex (within London): Roy Woodward
62C High Street, Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, EN8 0AH
roy.rkwoodward@ntlworld.com

Berks/Bucks (within London): Andrew Moon
46, Highfield Way, Rickmansworth, Herts. WD3 2PR
01923 711927
andrew.moon@talk21.com

numbers

Number of bird species: 354
[There is no county bird as yet, but several have been suggested including the cockney sparrow, London pigeon (columba livia); Kestrel (symbol of the OS) and Black Redstart which colonised the bombed out buildings after the second world war...]

useful reading

Bird-Watching in London - A historical perspective

EM Nicholson 204 pages, map. London Natural History Society 1995
ISBN: 0901009059
Buy this book from NHBS.com

The Breeding Birds of the London Area

Edited by Jan Hewlett 294 pages, line illus, distrib maps. London Natural History Society 2002
ISBN: 0901009121
Buy this book from NHBS.com

Where to Watch Birds in the London Area

Dominic Mitchell, Jan Wilczur (Illustrator) Paperback - 240 pages (28 October, 1997) Christopher Helm
ISBN: 0713638680
Buy this book from NHBS.com

useful information

London Bird Report (sales)

Catherine Schmitt, 4 Falkland Avenue, London, N3 1QR.

Proact

Coordinator: none (why not apply?)
see http://www.proact-campaigns.net/coordinators
Members: 10
Join us at http://www.proact-campaigns.net/team

clubs

Army Ornithological Society

http://www.aos-uk.com/
The Army Ornithological Society is open to all serving and retired members of the Army of any rank, including TA and Commonwealth forces plus MOD Civil Servants or Civil Servants who have served with the army anywhere in the world and their spouses. Others with close connections to the Army may also be eligible at the discretion of the AOS Committee. Members of the RNBWS and RAFOS are also welcome to join AOS expeditions. To join, write to the Secretary AOS, Headquarters Defence Logistics Organisation, Room 7261, MOD Main Building, Whitehall, London, SW1A 2HB Hants, or e-mail ArmyOS@aol.com.

Dartford Ringing Group

http://www.dartford-ringing.co.uk/
We are a group of amateur ornithologists, ringing (banding) wild birds in the counties of Kent and Surrey in the southeast of the United Kingdom. The Dartford Ringing Group was formed in 1968...

East London Birders Forum

http://www.elbf.co.uk
ELBF was set up in August 1997 as a forum for local birders to network more easily and to accumulate data on the local avifauna and most importantly to promote the importance of local patch birding. Meetings: On the 2nd Tuesday in every month at 8pm. Upstairs in the County Arms, Hale End Road, Highams Park, E4.

Linnean Society of London

http://www.linnean.org/
As we enter the 21st century the Linnean Society of London remains a leading forum for contemporary discussions on genetics, natural history, systematics, biology and the history of plant and animal taxonomy. As the world`s oldest extant biological society, we are also proud of our heritage.

London Biodiversity Partnership

http://www.lbp.org.uk
The LBP co-ordinate the formulation and implementation of species plans for the protection of habitats and species within the Greater London Authority area.

London Wildlife Trust

http://www.wildlondon.org.uk/
The London Wildlife Trust fights to sustain and enhance London`s wildlife habitats to create a city richer in wildlife.

London Natural History Society

http://www.lnhs.org.uk
The London Natural History Society (LNHS) has 1,300 members whose activities range from the social to the scientific. If you live in or near London; are interested in wildlife and keen to learn more about it; like to visit interesting new places at the week-end; do not necessarily have a car you should join us...

London's Swifts

http://www.londons-swifts.org.uk/
This is the web site of London's Swifts. Our aim is to protect and encourage the Capital's Swifts, truly amazing birds that live with us for just three months every Summer. We provide advice to homeowners, construction professionals, educators, and government. Find out why Swifts matter, what they give us, and how you can get a great deal of pleasure and satisfaction helping them survive and thrive...

Marylebone Birdwatching Society

http://www.birdsmbs.org.uk
Marylebone Birdwatching Society is a society for birdwatchers who live or work in and around central London, with meetings and field trips to sites such as Minsmere. You are welcome to join us, whether you are an experienced ornithologist or just wanting to learn a little more about the birds around you...

RSPB Central London Members Group

http://www.janja.dircon.co.uk/rspb/
The Central London RSPB Members Group website, if you are interested in birdwatching, conservation, natural history, the environment or the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and you live or work in London or are planning a visit...

Wildlife Gateway

http://www.wildlifegateway.org.uk/
Wildlife Gateway has been created by the Wildlife Trusts in Thames Gateway as part of their commitment to high quality regeneration which delivers for people and wildlife...

Zoological Society of London

http://www.zsl.org
In Africa, Asia and the Middle East, ZSL staff are involved in many projects where there are threats to wildlife, but few resources to address them. Find out about ZSL's projects in Ethiopia, Nepal, Rwanda and Saudia Arabia, where our staff work closely with the country's local people and train them to protect and manage their own wildlife...

museums

Capel Manor College - HND Ornithology

http://www.capelmanorcollege.co.uk/
A two year ornithology diploma course is available in the London School of Arboriculture, Countryside and the Environment - Capel Manor College offers enviable experience of sites � including our own 160 acre farm, country parks and private grounds � to practise skills and develop projects. Students also benefit from a wide-ranging programme of visits to contrasting woodland, freshwater and grassland habitats, nature reserves and urban greenspace.

reserves

Beddington Farmlands and the Beddington Farm Bird Group

http://beddingtonfarmlands.org.uk
Beddington Farmlands, which incorporates Beddington Sewage Farm and Viridor waste management is situated in Greater London / Surrey. Longitude: 00.11w- Latitude: 51.21N- Grid ref: TQ29766581. The site covers about 400 acres of mixed habitats. From a small lake, reed beds, scrubland, sludge beds, shallow pools, meadowland and eventually a flooded grassland area...

Bentley Old Vicarage Nature Reserve

http://www.harrowncf.org/BOV_home.html
Bentley Old Vicarage Nature Reserve is a small woodland reserve in Harrow, in the north west suburbs of London. (go to How to find it...) Where the reserve is now was the vicarage of All Saints Church, built along with the church itself in 1848. The vicarage fell out of use in 1924 and was finally demolished in 1955. A few of the trees you see now are relicts of the vicarage garden while most have grown up since that time. In 1987 a group of volunteers took over the site and were soon sponsored by the Herts. and Middx. Wildlife Trust...

Hounslow Heath Nature Reserve

http://www.hounslow.info/parks/hounslowheath/index.htm
Hounslow Heath is a large area of open heathland and scrub woodland of ecological value and was declared a Local Nature Reserve in 1991...

Lee Valley Park

http://www.leevalleypark.org.uk/
Covering a thousand acres on either side of the River Lee between Waltham Abbey (Essex) and Broxbourne (Herts) River Lee Country Park is a unique patchwork of lakes, waterways, green open spaces and countryside areas all linked together by paths, walkways and cycle tracks. The River Lee Country Park abounds with wildlife throughout the year and is the perfect venue for informal, outdoor recreation.

RSPB Reserve - Rainham Marshes

http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/r/rainhammarshes/index.asp
There are only a few ancient landscapes left in London and this RSPB reserve is one of them. Bought from the Ministry of Defence in July 2000, its former use as shooting ranges has preserved much of the original medieval land-form and marshland wildlife and is now the largest remaining expanse of wetland bordering the upper reaches of the Thames Estuary...

Thames Barrier Park - The Birds & Wildlife

http://www.thamesbarrierpark.org.uk/wildlife.htm
As the park overlooks the River Thames many bird species associated with the river can be seen, especially in winter. Grey Herons feed along the shore at low tide and large numbers of Teal and Shelduck join the ubiquitous Mallards at both low and high tide. Cormorants common throughout London can be seen drying themselves at low tide or feeding in the river when the tide is up. Sparrowhawks, Kestrels and occasionally Peregrines can be seen flying over the park. There are several wading birds, which are uncommon on the river such as Redshank, Ringed Plover and Oystercatcher...

Wimbledon & Putney Commons

http://www.wpcc.org.uk/
Birds are well represented with more than 80 species observed annually of which 42 species were known to have bred. Since bird records began in 1974 there have been sightings of 122 species.

WWT Wetland Centre

http://www.wwt.org.uk/visit/wetlandcentre/
Twenty-five minutes from Westminster in the heart of London, the Wetland Centre is unique in being the first created wetland habitat (105 acres) to have been developed in any capital city throughout the world.

trip reports

Travelling Birder
http://www.travellingbirder.com
The Travellingbirder.com birding trip report search engine guides you to 7,000+ birding trip reports on the Internet. You can search for trip reports from a specific country and time of year. Not all these reports are in English. So, if you can�t find the trip report you want on this Fatbirder page� give them a try!

2004 [February] - Fraser Simpson

http://www.fssbirding.org.uk/londontrip2004a.htm
Walton-on-Thames � Barn Elms WWT � River Lee Country Park

2009 [July] - Hans Schick

http://www.ornithos.de/Ornithos/Trip_Reports/England-London2009/England2009-Excursions.htm
From July 19 � 27, 2009 I was in Oxford and London. Although this visit was not devoted to birdwatching all birds seen on walks through the cities of Oxford and London were registered. Most of the birds were seen in the ornamental waterfowl collection of Regent's Park in London...

tour operators

Birding London

http://www.birdinglondon.co.uk/index2.html
If you are planning to visit London, for business or pleasure, and would like an escorted trip to top birding sites around the city and south-east England, then please browse through our website to see what we can offer...

Birding Pal

http://www.birdingpal.org/Unitedkingdom.htm
Local birders willing to show visiting birders around their area...

places to stay

Woodpecker Cottage - Nr Heathrow Airport

http://www.woodpeckercottage.com/
Woodpecker Cottage sits in acre of pretty garden, with lawns, surrounded by woods which are carpeted by bluebells in spring. There is a rich variety of birdlife (including woodpeckers) and deer, foxes and other wildlife are often to be seen.

mailing lists

London Birders Yahoo Group

http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/londonbirders/
To post to list:londonbirders@yahoogroups.co.uk
List contact:londonbirders-owner@yahoogroups.co.uk
To subscribe to list:londonbirders-subscribe@yahoogroups.co.uk
Bird Chat and Information Email Group...

Birding in London

http://www.birding-in-london.co.uk
This web site aims give information on Londons birds. What can be seen, where to see them, who to contact and which other web sites will assist you in your quest.

Black Redstarts

http://www.blackredstarts.org.uk/
Since 1997, conservation of the black redstart has raised its red tail above the parapet as an issue in urban Britain, specifically London. This website aims to draw on all the recent successes and information available in this field, one that is more pressing since the publication of the Government`s Urban White Paper in 2000. Amongst many welcome proposals, this targets urban brownfields for development and regeneration. Such areas support many of the strong holds of the black redstart in the UK.

BLOG - Comic Terns

http://comicterns.co.uk/index.html
Birding in Lomndon and beyond...

BLOG - Counting Coots

http://countingcoots.blogspot.com/
Urban patch watching in West London and beyond, and rubbish pictures to go with it�

BLOG - Parus� Birding BLOG

http://idontthinkanybodyreadsthis.blogspot.com/
In which we discuss all sorts of birding failure�

BLOG - Pretty Birdies

http://featheredupstart.blogspot.com/
Birding Tower Bridge so you don't have to! Harrow Lodge Park isn't exactly renowned locally for its abundant bird life, but it has a lake and its 5 minutes walk away so with the evenings getting lighter it makes for a nice hour and a half's stroll with the chance of a couple of Pochard, and the certainty of a whole load of Tufties

BLOG - Quantum Tiger

http://quantumtiger.blogspot.com/
An amateur photographer. I started this blog to follow the buildup to a visit to the Falklands to shoot penguins. I'm now back and my next big trip has not yet been defined!

BLOG - The Urban Birder

http://www.theurbanbirder.com
Birds are everywhere in the city, you just have to look... an excellent site proving the webmaster's maxim - never leave home without your bins...

BLOG - Wanstead Birder

http://wansteadbirder.blogspot.com/
Re-born birder working a sub-urban patch...

East Finchley And Hampstead Garden Suburb Birding

http://efhgsb.weebly.com/
Big Wood is the best part in london for Great Spotted Woodpecker! It is also home to the tawny owles and Goldcrests. It is located on Oakwood Road (see below.) It has free entrance and is a barnet nature reserve...

Fraser's Birding Website

http://www.fssbirding.org.uk/
This site primarily contains reports of my birding trips from the last few years. Sightings from the London area and Ayrshire in SW Scotland are posted regularly...

Garden Birds

http://www.birds.deansfamily.com/
Photos of British garden birds taken from our back garden in West Wickham which show the variety of garden birds that we've seen over the past couple of years (39 photographed species so far). For a few birds I've also put a link to an additional overflow page where I think that I've got more than five reasonable shots worth sharing...

London's Birding

http://website.lineone.net/~andrewself/news.htm
Welcome to the home page of London's Birding - the only website you need to look at to find out all about birding in London. If it`s the latest news you are seeking, details of what events are being held, links to birding sites in London, what books and reports are available, or how to tell someone what you`ve seen then this is the site for you.

Metropolitan Police

http://www.met.police.uk/wildlife/index.htm
There is a trade in illegally caught wild birds, both in the UK and internationally. With few exceptions it is an offence to be in possession of a British wild bird unless it has been bred in captivity, in which case it will wear a special ring. Birds of prey are particularly sought after and every year cases come to court where people are accused of taking birds from the wild, taking eggs, shooting, trapping or poisoning birds. Unlike many wild mammals, the vast majority of British wild birds are specifically protected by law but, again, large sums of money are involved and a flourishing illegal market exists.

SponsoredBirdwatch.org

http://www.sponsoredbirdwatch.org/jamie/
Hello! I'm Jamie, a keen amateur birdwatcher. From 9 - 12 March 2007 I'll be exploring London, trying to see as many different bird species as possible to raise money for Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust's London Wetland Centre...

The BTO London Bird Project

http://www.bto.org/survey/special/londonbirds.htm
London is a surprisingly green city and its many parks and open spaces are major contributors to urban biodiversity. Birds are the most frequently encountered urban wildlife, yet, despite their popularity (an estimated 75% of households provide food for birds in their gardens), little is known about the populations of birds in cities and suburbs...

Widerscoped

http://www.freewebs.com/widerscoped/
We're a bunch of birders from South London who over the past few years have all become a bit jaded with our local bird club. They couldn't offer us what we wanted. They weren't hardcore enough for us. They wouldn't kip in a car each night for three months (actually, only one of us did that) They couldn't do overnight drives to Scotland for White-tailed Plovers. They wouldn't twitch The Gower AND Anglesey in the same day (who in their right mind would?) We bloody well could though!!!

artists

Artist - Andy Maguire

http://www.andymaguire.com/
This site contains my paintings and drawings. There are five sections each containing a different aspect of my work. To access each just click on the titles above, e.g., Wildlife. There are approx 60 paintings and about the same number of drawings...

Photographer - Fraser S. Simpson

http://www.fssbirding.org.uk/photos.htm
DSLR and digiscoped Bird Photographs

Photographer - Ian Coleman

http://www.quantumtiger.org
Some very nice bird portraits from this Middlesex based photographer...

Webcam - Blackbird Nest

http://www.mpservices.demon.co.uk/blackbird.htm
Regularly updated pictures from the nest...

Webcam - London Feeder

http://www.super-reload.com/super-cam/
Some nice shots of London's feeder using birds...

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