WWT London Wetland Centre

WWT London Wetland Centre is a wetland reserve managed by the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust in the Barnes area of the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, by Barn Elms.

In 2002 the Centre was recognized as a 'Site of Special Scientific Interest', a tribute to the positive environmental impact on the local area. Many birds have now made their home in the Centre that cannot be found anywhere else in London. The Centre was first opened in 2000, the London Wetlands Centre is host to regular lectures and events concerned with preserving Britain’s wetland animals.

The centre occupies more than 100 acres (40 hectares) of land which was formerly occupied by several small reservoirs. These were converted into a wide range of wetland features and habitats before the centre opened in May 2000. It was the first urban project of its kind in the United Kingdom. It became a SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) in 2002 and supports nationally significant numbers of gadwall and shoveler duck.

Other wild birds that can be found on the reserve include: great bittern, pintail, lapwing, water rail, ring-necked parakeet, sparrowhawk, sand martin, kingfisher, little grebe and great crested grebe.

It was featured on the television programme Seven Natural Wonders as one of the wonders of the London area, with focus on the region's parakeets, in an episode presented by Bill Oddie.

Image gallery

External links

* [http://www.wwt.org.uk/visit/wetlandcentre/ Official website]
* [http://flux.org.uk/projects/wetland/ Unofficial Wetland Centre Diary]