Getting To Know The Local Bird Life

Variety of species obligingly strutt their stuff during riverside walk

Despite a bitter easterly wind whistling up the river, there was an excellent turn-out for a walk led by Keith Martin of the London Wildlife Trust aimed at introducing local people to the local bird life.

Three hours later, over 36 different species of birds had been spotted or heard and most of the group was able to tell the difference between the song of the robin and wren. Many were amazed at the sheer variety of bird life in the area.

First stop was Chiswick Pier where a variety of river birds obligingly strutted their stuff: even the local Egyptian Geese did a sail past and at the top of the pier, Keith pointed out a kestrel soaring overhead.

The pier has established itself as a big favourite for local birds: it’s open during hours of daylight to the public, so if you want a close look at river wildlife, this is a good place to visit.

On the walk up to Barnes Railway Bridge, four different kinds of gull were identified.

On the other side of the river, opposite Chiswick Pier, the Leg o’ Mutton Reservoir Nature Reserve provides a home for many birds, including flocks of ring-necked parakeets who sometimes annoyingly drown out the sound of the more restrained species! The event proved very popular, so may be run again.

If you’d like to know more about summer events at Chiswick Pier, go to www.chiswickpier.org.uk.

You can also sign up for the regular newsletter – e-mail trust@chiswickpier.org.uk.

April 23, 2008