UK help with birding spots

Platypusboy

Platypusboy

Well-Known Member
I'll be visiting London for a bit over a week in the start of July this year and I was wondering if anyone knew any good birding hotspots in or around the city. These spots should preferably by max an hour and a half drive away from the city. Additionally I'll be going down to Dover for a day or two, so please tell me if there's any good spots down there too! :D

Here's also a list of target species I have for the trip, which might help in the suggestion giving:

- Common shelduck
- Little grebe
- Ring-necked pheasant
- Pied avocet
- Black-tailed godwit
- Little egret
- Common kingfisher
- Barn owl
- European green woodpecker
- Cetti's warbler
- Gray wagtail
 
Platypusboy said:
I'll be visiting London for a bit over a week in the start of July this year and I was wondering if anyone knew any good birding hotspots in or around the city. These spots should preferably by max an hour and a half drive away from the city. Additionally I'll be going down to Dover for a day or two, so please tell me if there's any good spots down there too! :D

Here's also a list of target species I have for the trip, which might help in the suggestion giving:

- Common shelduck
- Little grebe
- Ring-necked pheasant
- Pied avocet
- Black-tailed godwit
- Little egret
- Common kingfisher
- Barn owl
- European green woodpecker
- Cetti's warbler
- Gray wagtail
Click to expand...

London-wise:

For shelduck, avocet, godwit, egret, little grebe, & Cetti's warbler - your best bet would probably be RSPB Rainham Marshes - easily accessible via public transport from Fenchurch Street Station. Go to Purfleet, and the marshes are a 15 minute walk away. It would be worth checking tide times to ensure you see godwits and avocets. There is also a 'visible' barn owl nest box there, but you would need a scope, and to ask a staff member where to set it up (I've never been quite sure of the exact tree). There are also ring-necked pheasants there, but I have only seen them infrequently - heard more often than seen. Up the road, the fields around Ockendon should produce pheasants easily.

Green woodpeckers are all over, but Hampstead Heath and Richmond Park are particularly good spots (the latter is one of the remaining redoubts for lesser spotted woodpecker too).

Kingfishers are hit-or-miss. Relatively reliable places are the Sanctuary Pond on Hampstead Heath, or along the River Wandle near Morden. The latter would be a good spot for grey wagtail too, though they are relatively reliable along the shores of the penguin pool in London Zoo too, presuming that you will be visiting! There are little grebe on the boating lake in Regent's Park too.

Happy to help with any other target birds too.

Dover should be good for basically everything above as well.
 
oflory said:
London-wise:

For shelduck, avocet, godwit, egret, little grebe, & Cetti's warbler - your best bet would probably be RSPB Rainham Marshes - easily accessible via public transport from Fenchurch Street Station. Go to Purfleet, and the marshes are a 15 minute walk away. It would be worth checking tide times to ensure you see godwits and avocets. There is also a 'visible' barn owl nest box there, but you would need a scope, and to ask a staff member where to set it up (I've never been quite sure of the exact tree). There are also ring-necked pheasants there, but I have only seen them infrequently - heard more often than seen. Up the road, the fields around Ockendon should produce pheasants easily.

Green woodpeckers are all over, but Hampstead Heath and Richmond Park are particularly good spots (the latter is one of the remaining redoubts for lesser spotted woodpecker too).

Kingfishers are hit-or-miss. Relatively reliable places are the Sanctuary Pond on Hampstead Heath, or along the River Wandle near Morden. The latter would be a good spot for grey wagtail too, though they are relatively reliable along the shores of the penguin pool in London Zoo too, presuming that you will be visiting! There are little grebe on the boating lake in Regent's Park too.

Happy to help with any other target birds too.

Dover should be good for basically everything above as well.
Click to expand...
Thank you so much for this amazing advice! I'll definitely look in to all these places when planning my trip.
 
Platypusboy said:
Thank you so much for this amazing advice! I'll definitely look in to all these places when planning my trip.
Click to expand...


One other point - in July, you might get barn owls just as it starts to get dark at Beddington Farmlands, near Mitcham in South London.
 
Your list of species ALL can be seen at Egleton Reserve - Rutland Water I visit regular and enjoy may days there.
It's a big place with many hides (20+) and many different habitats you will probaly get more in the summer as well
 
AdrianW1963 said:
Your list of species ALL can be seen at Egleton Reserve - Rutland Water I visit regular and enjoy may days there.
It's a big place with many hides (20+) and many different habitats you will probaly get more in the summer as well
Click to expand...
I've heard of Rutland Water and I'm aware of the incredible diversity there. Unfortunately though it's just a bit too far from London for me, but thanks a lot for the suggestions anywat!
 
Hi Platypusboy,

Not sure why you will be in London but assuming if it is touristy type things, then one of my favourite places in the centre of the city is the St James Park duck lake adjacent to The Mall in front of Buckingham Palace.

A mix of wild birds and captives, including pelicans.

I don't think you will tick much (if anything) from your target list there but it's an overlooked gem if you are touring round the tourist places anyway.

Duck Island

Enjoy your trip!
 
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