Another well-led London Natural History Society bash, this time to the Waterworks Nature Reserve and Golf Course in the Lea Valley
http://www.leevalleypark.org.uk/EN/Default.aspx?n1=3&n2=65&n3=68
the Lea Valley Riding Centre over the road, and Walthamstow Marshes.
The former includes a ring of old filter beds allowed to reach various stages of succession, from largely open water, to increasing amounts of reeds, wet meadow and Willow carr. There is a circular walkway in the middle, ringed by a bird hide 'wall' with lift-up flaps and viewing 'windows' opposite each bed.
Before entering the site proper, two Sparrowhawks were seen overhead, and a Grey Wagtail was by the canal.
On the filter beds, great views were had of Teal (the males have some fantastically cream feathering), Snipe, Shoveler, Little Grebe and Green Sandpiper. A Cetti's Warbler was heard (not that I would have known that's what it was without the leader saying so), ditto Water Rail.
Unprepossessing grass and horse-trampled fields in the Riding Centre were awash with large numbers of Redwing and Fieldfare, also a few Mistle Thrushes. Here we also had good views (through another members' telescope) of a Little Owl well camouflaged in a big old Willow tree and a pair of Stock Doves, both 'firsts' for myself.
Apart from a Kestrel, there wasn't anything of note on Walthamstow Marsh South.
Plant-wise, the stand-out was the large amount of Tansy bordering the canal channel, at both the Filter Beds and Riding School sites.
A worthwhile trip to a location well-served by buses, and a reasonable walk from Clapton railway station.
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