Urban oasis: 48 bird species spotted at Dukes Meadows

After teaming up with RSPB Central London, Dukes Meadows Trust has completed a full year of monthly bird monitoring. Led by RSPB volunteer Andrew Peel, the survey has provided a fascinating overview of the diverse avian life in the heart of Chiswick.

From the seasonal Redwing spotted in January to the year-round Grey Heron, a total of 48 species were recorded. This variety highlights the vital role of urban parks like Dukes Meadows—with its mix of grassland, hedges, and river frontage—in supporting bird populations that have seen a decline of 73 million since the 1950s.

The year-long survey captured a diverse range of avian life, including:

• Waterbirds & gulls: Mute Swan, Mallard, Gadwall, Teal, Tufted Duck, Coot, Cormorant, Grey Heron, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull.
  
  
• Birds of prey & specialist species: Goldcrest, Blackcap, Redwing.
  
  
• Garden & woodland favourites: Robin, Dunnock, Starling, House Sparrow, Goldfinch, Pied Wagtail.
  
  
• Tits & finches: Blue Tit, Great Tit, Long-tailed Tit.
  
  
• Common residents: Wood Pigeon, Carrion Crow, Magpie, Canada Goose, Egyptian Goose, Ring-necked Parakeet.

The walks will now move to a quarterly schedule, with the next one taking place on Sunday 31st May at 11am. RSPB Volunteer, Andrew Peel said: “Ongoing monitoring is vital to understand what is happening to bird numbers and to inform efforts to help them survive and thrive. This is a great initiative by Dukes Meadows Trust, and I am pleased to support it.”

Dukes Meadows Trust Director, Kathleen Healy, thanked Andrew and RSPB London for its support. “We couldn’t have done the walks without Andrew. They have enabled us to discover a whole new and wonderful aspect of the Meadows, as well as contributing to efforts to protect birds which have declined in numbers and are under threat.”