Thing 2: Barnes Wetland Centre

This is the perfect example of why I'm doing this this year.  It's on the way to/from work, it's been open for years, it's full of wildfowl (long term member of the RSPB) and yet, somehow, I've never been.  So at 9.30 this morning I turned up with my binoculars ready for bitterns, cranes, bustards and all manner of rare stuff to greet me with open wings.

What a great place!  If you don't know what it is, it's the site of some old concrete reservoirs that's been returned to nature, featuring lagoons, islands, reedbeds and all sorts of great wildlife habitats.  It's a large area surrounded by city and gives birds some much needed space and feeding opportunities.

Didn't see a bittern, natch, but things I was particularly pleased to see were gadwall, shoveler, teal, shelduck, lapwing and (can't quite believe this in SW London, a buzzard).  Am doubting myself on the buzzard, tbh, as no-one else appears to have noted it.  They also have various themed areas featuring wildfowl from across the world - had a pleasant chat with a pair of blue-winged geese who were either welcoming me or telling me to fuck off and had a stand-off with a black-necked swan who was most definitely not keen on me talking to his missis.

Despite, like the rest of poor old West London, being on the Heathrow flypath, the peace and quiet is palpable - definitely worth a visit to recharge the batteries.  Have now joined the WWT - Slimbridge next!