Bird place of the month,  Birds,  London,  Monday walks,  Nature and wildlife

A return to the Wetlands

May 13, 2025 / 15 Comments

Nothing in the world is quite as adorably lovely as a robin when he shows off – and they are nearly always doing it.

Frances Hodgson Burnett

Robins are the friendliest of our wild birds, or at least they are friendly to us. They are fiercely territorial and will aggressively defend their domain against other robins, but we invade it they seem positively pleased to see us. They have learned to follow gardeners, for instance, in anticipation of freshly dug-up worms to eat.

The little chap above joined us on a recent walk around the London Wetlands Centre. We were last there on a chilly November day and had resolved then to return in better weather. So last week saw us again meeting up with our friend to explore the centre in this very different season.  

Some of the residents

While most of the birds that winter here have long since flown further north for the summer, there were still plenty to be seen, enough to justify linking this to Georgina’s Bird Place of the Month as well as to Jo’s Monday Walks. Many of the species are resident here, a permanent collection of ducks and other water birds from various parts of the world. I only took a few photos in that area however, as I had so many from our last visit. One exception was the Cape Barren Goose who was preening by the water’s edge.

Cape Barren goose

And I couldn’t resist capturing some more shots of the cute Asian Short-clawed Otters when we went (again) to watch them being fed.

Asian Short-clawed Otters

One notable difference from our winter visit was the proliferation of beautiful flowers to be seen in various parts of the centre.

Around the wetlands

After a good lunch in the café we explored the south route which follows the wetlands proper. We spent some time in one of the hides with excellent views across the water to a small island. A pair of Canada Geese were shepherding their brood of five goslings along the water’s edge in search of food. And we were thrilled to spot a Northern Lapwing with its striking crest and iridescent feathers.

Canada Geese and Northern Lapwing

There were damselflies too; I believe these are a couple of Azure Damselflies and a Blue-tailed Damselfly.

Damselflies

It was near here that we met our friend the robin. And a final treat as we made our way back towards the entrance was the sighting of a Green Woodpecker on a side path, which lingered long enough for me to get a couple of shots.

European Green Woodpecker

I last visited the London Wetlands Centre in May 2025 when all these photos were taken

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