Paddling peregrines and baffled daffodils at WWT London Wetland Centre
The warm winter weather has caused a flurry of unseasonal activity at WWT London Wetland Centre.
Temperatures of 16C and clear blue skies proved too much for a couple of peregrines which were seen paddling, up to their breasts, off a shingle island in the main lake. These spectacular falcons, famed for their efficient hunting skills, looked more like a couple on a beach holiday than birds which are capable of decapitating their prey in flight.
However, in the reed beds on the other side of the lake a bittern was showing, having arrived at the Centre three weeks ago in order to spend the winter here.
What’s more, some very dazed daffodil shoots sprang up within the grounds of the wetland centre, fooled into thinking that spring has arrived before winter has even started.
Richard Bullock, ecologist at London Wetland Centre, reports hearing grasshoppers, crickets and marsh frogs in October and early November. “This sound is really more associated with when the frogs breed, when they are territorial. They are normally most vocal in May and June,” he explained.
Apart from these unusual wildlife sightings, this is also a wonderful time to visit London Wetland Centre because the colourful water birds that do choose to spend the winter here – such as teal, wigeon and shoveler - are arriving in full force.
