I recently visited London with my huge microphone and camera to see what birds I could find. The last time I visited was in 2004 and it rained every day. This time I got lucky with sunshine!
This blog posts shows where I went to see birds and how it was for bird photography and audio recording.
Quick Jump
Next stop, London Wetland Centre
Did you know there is a wetlands in London? The London locals I mentioned it to didn’t seem to know it existed. They were all non-birders, though. I rode the bus there!
London Wetlands
📷 Photography: Easy with lots of large birds in open spaces. Bird feeders and vegetation attract many smaller birds.
🎙 Recording: Tricky on busy days. Noisy planes fly overhead frequently from Heathrow.
The bright red bus, number 485, stopped directly in front of the London Wetlands Centre. I jumped off and got in line for the 10 AM opening
An elderly dragonfly photographer asked about my giant parabolic microphone while we waited in line. He asked if it can hear insect noises (it unfortunately can, lol).
I visited the wetlands twice during my trip, the first time it was packed with families, but the second time it was basically empty. The property is large and divided into two halves with numerous wildlife hide buildings you can use to observe birds without disturbing them. On both visits I chose to start on the west route and walk toward the “Wildside” area.
There were many birds scattered along the west route and the water birds caught my eye first.
Eurasian Coot
The coot goes honk, honk, honk.
Common Shelduck
Common Pochard
There are a bunch of short trails to take on both sides of the wetlands where you’ll hear birds singing in the trees and shrubs.
Common Kingfisher
The Common Kingfisher was one of the highlights of my whole trip. I was lucky to spot two kingfishers while visiting the wetlands. The first one appeared while I was in one of the hides. I saw a small bird zip by just above the water. I suspected it might be a kingfisher and walked down the trail after it until I saw it perched on a dragonfly art installation protruding above the pond.
Long-tailed Tit
Common Wood Pigeon
The Wood Pigeon goes “hrrruu-hoo-who-whop.”
Carrion Crow
The Carrion Crow has a higher-pitched caw.
Common Chiffchaff
The “Chiffchaff” is a Pokémon bird. It sings its name.
Beddington Farmlands
Beddington Farmlands is a nature reserve in South London that is a hotspot for birds. It is easily accessible via the train and is heavily wooded with nice footpaths.
Beddington Farmlands
Photography: challenging due to dense trees and lighting. Heard more birds than I saw.
Recording: very challenging due to trains passing right next to the farmland, bicyclists and other city noises.
European Herring Gull
A flock of gulls call out into the morning air. So relaxing.
Eurasian Jackdaw
The jackdaw makes a squeaky cry.
Great Tit
The Great Tit’s song is a fast sequence of notes.
The Great Tit’s rising call
Hyde Park & Kensington Gardens
Hyde Park is spacious and had many birds all over the park. I saw almost 30 species of birds while there.
Hyde Park & Kensington Gardens
📷 Photography: It’s easy to find birds around the lake and in many of the trees in this huge park. The lighting is nice in good weather.
🎙 Recording: It’s challenging because of noisy visitors and its location in the middle of the city.
Great Crested Grebe
This grebe mother was busy fishing and feeding her babies.
Eurasian Magpie
Brampton Cemetery
The Brampton Cemetery attracts a lot of birds with lush trees and plant overgrowth. The old mausoleums and tombstones offer a unique backdrop for photos. It’s a popular place for a stroll and has a coffee shop on one end.
📷 Photography: There are good opportunities to see Carrion Crows and other small birds among the tombstones and plant overgrowth.
🎙 Recording: There are noisy crows and other singing birds easily spotted around the property but they compete with the ambient city sounds in this urban cemetery.
European Robin
The Robin’s warbling song
The Robin’s call is a ‘pew’ sound
Dunnock
The Dunnock is unassuming at first glance. But its colorful eyes caught my attention and I realized it warranted a closer look.
The Final London Bird List
Click here to view my London Trip Report on eBird
| My London Bird List |
|---|
| Mute Swan |
| Common Shelduck |
| Mandarin Duck |
| Tufted Duck |
| Rock Pigeon |
| Common Wood-Pigeon |
| Eurasian Moorhen |
| Eurasian Coot |
| Black-headed Gull |
| European Herring Gull |
| Lesser Black-backed Gull |
| Great Crested Grebe |
| Great Cormorant |
| Little Egret |
| Gray Heron |
| Western Marsh Harrier |
| Red Kite |
| Common Kingfisher |
| Great Spotted Woodpecker |
| Eurasian Green Woodpecker |
| Peregrine Falcon |
| Rose-ringed Parakeet |
| Eurasian Magpie |
| Eurasian Jackdaw |
| Carrion Crow |
| Eurasian Blue Tit |
| Great Tit |
| Common Chiffchaff |
| Cetti’s Warbler |
| Long-tailed Tit |
| Eurasian Blackcap |
| Eurasian Wren |
| European Starling |
| Eurasian Blackbird |
| European Robin |
| Dunnock |
| White Wagtail |
| European Greenfinch |
| European Goldfinch |
| Common Pochard |
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