It is New Years Eve, 31st December 2021, and my last opportunity to add to my 2021 year list.
Each year, I would typically expect to record between 220 and 235 bird species in the UK but, due to the Covid-19 pandemic and travel restrictions, I only recorded 194 species in 2020 and 183 species in 2021 prior to this visit.
At least this years total included 2 incredible records of extremely rare birds …. Black-browed Albatross at RSPB Bempton Cliffs (see here and here), an addition to my UK life list, and a White-tailed Lapwing (see here), only my second UK record.
My trip today was to the WWT London Wetland Centre in south west London, a site that I can reach easily by public transport, albeit a fairly long journey by bus and train to London and then the Underground or another train followed by another bus. It is a site that I normally visit twice a year, in spring and in winter.
The WWT London Wetland Centre literally brings the countryside to London. Although close to the heart of the capital, it is a haven of tranquillity for both wildlife and people.
During the winter months, amongst numerous other species, 3 very notable and uncommon species are recorded annually, although none of them are easy to find …. Bittern, Jack Snipe and Water Pipit.
I had already recorded Bittern at RSPB Ham Wall in the Somerset Levels earlier in the year, so Jack Snipe and Water Pipit were my primary targets.
After much careful and repeated scanning of the grazing marsh from the Peacock Hide, I was successful and saw 5 Jack Snipe and a single Water Pipit. These 2 species took my 2021 year list to a final total of 185. I had excellent telescope views of both species but unfortunately they were far too distant for any photos.
On this occasion, I failed to see any Bitterns from the Headley Hide or Wildside Hide but here is a photo from the former which I took in January 2017.
In addition to the Jack Snipe and Water Pipit, there were several other highlights from my visit …. Pintail (2 males), Wigeon (c.75), Shoveler (c.100), Tufted Duck (c.100), Gadwall (c.30), Teal (c.50), Mallard (c.50), Common Pochard (5), Great Crested Grebe (2), Little Grebe (1), Moorhen (c.20), Coot (c.200), Cormorant (c.25), Mute Swan (6), Canada Goose (c.30), Egyptian Goose (8), Lapwing (c.50), Common Snipe (5), Grey Heron (5), Black-headed Gull (+), Herring Gull (1), Common Gull (1), Lesser Black-backed Gull (7), Cetti’s Warbler (2 singing males heard), Redwing (1), Ring-necked Parakeet (c.10)
Here are some photos from my visit ….
Photo: male Pintail
Photo: male Pintail
Photo: male Pintail
Photo: male Wigeon
Photo: male Tufted Duck
Photo: male Tufted Duck
Photo: female Tufted Duck
Photo: Coot
Photo: Grey Heron
Photo: Grey Heron
Photo: Grey Heron
Photo: Grey Heron
Photo: Grey Heron
Photo: Grey Heron
Photo: Black-headed Gulls
Photo: Black-headed Gulls
Photo: Lapwings
Photo: Cormorants
Photo: Robin
Photo: Robin
Photo: Ring-necked Parakeet
Photo: Ring-necked Parakeet
Photo: Ring-necked Parakeet
💚🦆 🦉🦋🐝🦊🦡🌼 🌳💚
Stay safe, stay well, stay strong, stay connected with nature
