The marsh at the London Wetland Centre - anyone familiar with it?

[murmuration]

After my third visit to the Wetland Centre last Saturday, I've treated myself to the WWT membership. It will be worth it, I think. I spent close to an hour in the Wildside hide, where I saw my first Cetti's warbler and stonechat.

And yes, the cafe is good too

[Za]

Hi Murmuration, I see you are in Kingston, have you been to the new hide at Berrylands? I have passed it on the train and wondered who built it and if it was officially open yet.
Za

[murmuration]

Hi Za
I don't head up that way, so didn't know there was one. It shouldn't be far from me though, so I might wander over there on the weekend and see what's going on.

[Adam Cheeseman]

Make sure your wallet is fully stocked. It's bleedin' expensive there.

Cheers,

Adam

[aeshna5]

Charing Cross Hospital is visible from LWC + is north across the river + worth scanning if you have a scope as Peregrines are often on the building (the pair successfully raised 3 young last year) though of course they are fairly regular on the reserve + occasionally sat on the grazing marsh.

LWC is one of the best places to see Jack Snipe + also a good place for Bittern at this time of year though probably due to the mild winter there's only been a max of 2 birds (+ mostly one) reported compared with a max of 6 last year.

[Deb London]

I missed the Jack Snipe here and I'd love to see one there. Thanks all for the input. I think most people are impressed; I certainly was. And I would love to get down to Arundel at some point.

It always worries me that I won't see much without a scope, and one is definitely on my to buy list, but for next year as I have to budget. But from what I remember, it's a good place to look for insects in the summer so I'm fairly sure I'd get value for money. It's a shame that it opens so late. I'm often back home by 9:30. I've not looked to see if I can combine a visit with somewhere nearby.

Thanks all.

PS Cute little vid lori!

[aeshna5]

There is a small local nature reserve- Lonsdale Road Reservoir- fairly near; also Barnes Common + even Richmond Park isn't that far away or alternatively there's a lot of waterbirds on the adjacent Thames (especially when some shore is exposed) at this time of year which you can access from Putney or Hammersmith Bridges.

[Deb London]

Oh, of course the Thames. Lots of interest there, never thought of that. Ta aeshna5.

Thanks all, and I have joined the WWT now - sounds like a worthy cause to me.

[Flywaver]

Just noticed on Google Earth that at the London Wetland centre you can look around the reserve in Street View mode!
I have Welney about 10mins drive from where i live. Just to go and have a Coffee there is a pleasure. lovely view for miles across the Fens too.

[Deb London]

This is interesting. I wasn't aware that Google Earth had this feature. I may have to update I guess. Thanks Flywaver.

EDIT sorry I was being a dum bass - got it now! Very good tool.