A morning to kill in London

[markstenton]

Hi All

I am staying with some friends this weekend in central London prior to a "do" on Saturday evening. will probably have a few hours spare & could do with some birding time - where would you recommend? I don't know London at all . Would like to see a parakeet which would be a lifer - not too common in York! Had thought about the wetland centre as some other good birds there recently according to birdguides. Are there parakeets in the wetlands reserve? Am very grateful for any suggestions!

Regards

Mark

[paulwfromtheden]

Hi All

I am staying with some friends this weekend in central London prior to a "do" on Saturday evening. will probably have a few hours spare & could do with some birding time - where would you recommend? I don't know London at all . Would like to see a parakeet which would be a lifer - not too common in York! Had thought about the wetland centre as some other good birds there recently according to birdguides. Are there parakeets in the wetlands reserve? Am very grateful for any suggestions!

Regards

Mark

Hi Mark,
You could try the wetland centre for Parakeets, I was there Sunday and saw just the one. Beddington Park in South London is full of them, but you would be a bit pushed for time.
PM me if you want some directions.
Paul

[JoanT]

Hi All

I am staying with some friends this weekend in central London prior to a "do" on Saturday evening. will probably have a few hours spare & could do with some birding time - where would you recommend? I don't know London at all . Would like to see a parakeet which would be a lifer - not too common in York! Had thought about the wetland centre as some other good birds there recently according to birdguides. Are there parakeets in the wetlands reserve? Am very grateful for any suggestions!

Regards

Mark

There were plenty in Hampstead Heath when I was twitching the Alpine Swift a while ago and also saw them in Kew Gardens last year.

Joan

[Tanager]

Hi,

I regularly see parakeets in Tooting Bec common, just south of Balham, a short walk from Balham tube station

cheers,

Mark

[Marmot]

If you don't manage to seethem down in London, when you return there is some at Hartlepool.

[Thing]

Wandworth Park is not too far from Barnes and there are/were a pair nesting in one of the Planes by the bank. To be honest they are hard not to see. I don't know the east of town that well, but pretty much any large park in the west should produce one or two. (Kew Gardens?)

[Johnny Allan]

The London Wetland Centre is definitely your best bet. I never fail to see them there (ask the wardens where to look). It is twenty five minutes from central London and a bus takes you right there. You will also see lots of other stuff. Google "Barnes WWT" for directions.

Regards

Johnny Allan

[Woody]

Plenty of parakeets in St. James's Park and Hyde Park too. Just listen for them!

Mike

[markstenton]

Thanks all - that's very helpful!

Mark

[markstenton]

The walk from Hammersmith to the WWT got me several parakeets! had a greatafternoon birding and saw just short of 50 species including LR plover , great view of male sparrowhawk carrying an unfortunate great tit, and common tern!

thanks for your help!

Mark