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Park .. Birds & Wildlife
Thames
Park
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As the park overlooks the River Thames many bird species associated with the river can be seen, especially in winter. Grey Herons feed along the shore at low tide and large numbers of Teal and Shelduck join the ubiquitous Mallards at both low and high tide. Cormorants common throughout London can be seen drying themselves at low tide or feeding in the river when the tide is up.
Sparrowhawks, Kestrels and occasionally Peregrines can be seen flying over the park There are several wading birds , which are uncommon on the river such as Redshank, Ringed Plover and Oystercatcher. There are many gulls to be found on the foreshore including Herring, Common, Greater Black backed, Lesser Black backed and Black headed Gulls. For a number of years a Ring billed Gull [from North America] has been seen in the area. Common terns can be seen fishing in the river and in the autumn and spring these are joined by other rarer terns particularly the delightful Black Tern that picks insects of the surface of the water. Wood Pigeons can be seen feeding in the pick along with small flocks of Pied Wagtails and Linnets. The latter is in serious decline in the countryside. Another rare bird which used to breed on the site before the park was built, the black redstart, might be seen singing in the spring from the new buildings around the park. This species is an Action Plan species for the London Biodiversity Partnership along with the House Sparrow, which the park is hoping to encourage into the park. Summer birds such as Swallow, House Martin and Swift can be seen migrating and feeding over the park. Other migrants you are likely to se are Wheatears and warblers. There will of course be the 'common and garden' birds in the park which can be seen all year round such as Robin, blackbird, mistle thrush and dunnock. Tits flit between the trees and finches such as goldfinch and green finch will be found feeding on seed rich plants.
Thames Barrier Park are corporate members of the Essex Wildlife Trust*Visit this site regularly to see the results of our wildlife surveys on bees, bats and small mammals |
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