April again lived up to its reputation as the best birding month of the year, Although there was no outright rarity, black-necked grebes, osprey, tree pipit, ring ouzel and avocets were among the…

A flock of crossbills and a nuthatch - both genuine rarities at the Wetlands - were the stand-out birds in March. The month also saw the first brent geese since 2021, an unprecedented three…

The first long-tailed duck for five years helped get the New Year off to a flying start. January also saw the first red-crested pochard since 2022 as well as a visit from a drake scaup and a…

A long-staying oystercatcher - an unusual winter record in London - was the highlight of a very dull month at the Wetlands. December also brought a small cold-weather passage of wigeon and lapwing…

November saw a nice run of scarcities including the second pintail and third and fourth woodcocks of the year.

October saw five species added to the Wetland's year list with three smart drake common scoter and a pintail - both the first for two years - as well as a grey plover the highlights. Lesser…

The spectacular sight of 11 Spoonbills over the Wetlands was the undoubted highlight of September. A long-staying Caspian Gull, two Garganey, the second Short-eared Owl of the year and a good…

Summer saw excellent breeding records including the first ever fledged barnacle goose, solid wader passage and the usual crop of out-of-season oddities, wigeon, spotted flycatcher and black…

What does a Conservation Officer do?

Based at Walthamstow Wetlands, a reservoir complex within the lower Lee Valley, I joined the London Wildlife Trust in this role in 2021. To help…

May produced quality birds from the beginning to the end of the month with flocks of both sanderling and turnstone the highlights. In another blaze of colour, the month also saw black terns, black…