I like the London Wetlands. Have been to the one in Llanelli where you can feed the geese and ducks and see the fantastic flamingoes. It’s about preserving wetlands and conservation. Great to visit as you see so many different species of wildfowl. Half of the worlds wetlands have been drained. Wetlands are an ecological necessity. And they are disappearing….fast.
An enjoyable day out in pleasant summer weather. Not as many birds around as the Llanelli wetlands which is based on old industrial workings and natural salt marshes but it does provide an area of peaceful wilderness within the London sprawl (plenty of big silver birds droning their way into Heathrow Airport).
Just watching the birds on the main lake and its islands is relaxing. It is an education and a place to learn especially good for children. Also being able to observe all these different species of wildfowl and birds, there’s also information pinned up at the centre saying which birds of prey have been sited! But to gain entrance is expensive which defeats the object as experiencing these wetlands ought to be free or very cheap, all maintained and funded collectively by the state
To the extent that it was thought provoking we need to protect environments such as wetlands which should have the same status in our collective consciousness as mountains and dramatic coastlines. We also need to have plenty of affordable places such as the London wetlands so that more people get to experience nature within their communities as opposed to far-away places on holiday and on TV.
Thanks for the beautiful pictures (and the SE20 ones too) really brightened up your blog
Thanks FND. It was a lovely day at the wetlands.