With Spring’s arrival, this is the perfect time to pull on those walking boots, pack a pair of binoculars and explore London’s hidden birdwatching spots. So long range optical specialist Swarovski Optik has revealed five of the best spots including some unlikely sites to help nature enthusiasts get up close with the local wildlife.
From spotting Kingfishers feeding along Regents Canal to Peregrine Falcons swooping above Battersea Power Station, there are many surprising places around the city for urban birdwatching.
- Kingfishers along Regents Canal – This elusive river bird will catch the eye when it does make an appearance, thanks to its bright blue and orange colouring. The best time to see Kingfishers is from April – August, during and after breeding season when they can be seen flying across the water in search of food. For a better chance of spotting Kingfishers in their natural habitat head to the area from Islington towards Tower Hamlets and Victoria Park along Regent’s Canal.
- Peregrine Falcons at Battersea Power Station – Despite once endangered in the UK, London’s peregrine falcon population has made an incredible recovery and the best place to find them is high up, perched on tall buildings. A resident pair have taken up home in the Battersea Power Station and can be found flying in and out of a permanent nest house built into the northeastern wash house.
- Great Spotted Woodpeckers at Kensington Gardens – Located in the heart of London, Kensington Gardens is home to more than 50 species of birds from Mute Swans to colourful Parakeets. Head to the more remote parts of the park, and you’ll have a good chance of seeing (or hearing) a Great Spotted Woodpecker. Easily recognisable from its black and white plumage, and red markings on the head of males and young birds.
- Firecrests at Tower Hamlet Cemetery – This Woodland cemetery can be found in East London and is one of the Magnificent Seven cemeteries of London, as well as a Local Nature Reserve (LNR) made up of grassland and five wildlife ponds. Walk along the mausoleums and architecture and keep an eye out for the small but incredible Firecrest flittering among the trees. Competing for the title of smallest bird in the UK, they can be hard to see so look for a green back, white belly and a yellow and black stripe on their heads.
- Northern Lapwings at London Wetlands Centre in Barnes – The lakes, pools and gardens at the London Wetland Centre in Southwest London are the ideal place to see a variety of wildlife in Spring. The sounds of Northern Lapwings can be heard from Spring as they attempt to breed across the reserve. With secluded spots and six hides, it’s the perfect location to spend time comfortably waiting to see and hear the distinctive call of the Lapwings as they arrive back on their breeding territory.
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SEE THE UNSEEN.