Willow Warbler credit Ian Phillips
Birds at Walthamstow Wetlands
Walthamstow Wetlands is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). It also forms part of the Lee Valley Special Protection Area and is a Ramsar wetland designated site of international importance.
The ten reservoirs on-site offer a haven for overwintering wildfowl such as pochard and gadwall and are regionally important for breeding birds such as grey heron, tufted duck and little egret. Swifts visit during the summer and kingfisher and peregrine falcon can be seen all year round.
Bird sightings
Birds come to the site for a variety of reasons - to feed, to breed, to roost, to moult, for safety from predators. The areas of open water and the islands are particularly attractive for them. Birds also come here at different times of the year. In the winter, when waters in northern Europe freeze and the ground is covered by snow, wildfowl such as ducks, geese and swans come south to the UK for water and feeding. By the spring, many of these will have gone back but others such as warblers, terns, martins, and swift, come north to breed here, returning south before winter. Others can be seen here all year.
54 key wetland bird species have been identified at Walthamstow Wetlands between 2004-2009 as part of the Wetland Birds Count (WeBS). The WeBS count is undertaken by local volunteers, working to the British Trust for Ornithology’s methodology. Out of these 54 birds, 37 of these were considered rare including garganey, kingfisher and green sandpiper. Additional surveys are undertaken by London Wildlife Trust every fortnight to ensure the Wetlands’ conservation status is effectively monitored. The site also provides suitable nesting sites and foraging terrain for a number of terrestrial birds, in particular the trees and scrubland around reservoirs 1,2 and 3.
Bird Monitoring Reports
The Bird Monitoring Report 2020-21 is the third report on the populations and distribution of key bird species at Walthamstow Wetlands published by London Wildlife Trust. The Trust has continued monitoring beyond the five-year monitoring plan required by the Habitat Regulations Assessment and after discharging Planning Conditions 20 & 21 for Walthamstow Wetlands. This is due to the Trust recognising some changes to distribution and populations of species since the site opened in 2017. The Trust will continue to monitor key bird populations, distribution and disturbance in response to increased public access and will present findings in future annual monitoring reports.
Click the links below to read the last three Bird Monitoring Reports:
Birdwatching permits
Walthamstow Wetlands is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), a Ramsar wetland designated site of international importance and forms parts of the Lee Valley Special Protection Area. The ten reservoirs offer a haven for overwintering wildfowl and are regionally important for breeding birds.
Permits entitle you to visit restricted areas and outside of public opening hours to observe and enjoy wildlife found at Walthamstow Wetlands. Spaces are limited and the cost is £10 for the year which goes towards bird ringing activities at the reserve. We are not accepting renewals, current bird permit holders and new applicants complete the same form and are entered into the same lottery draw.
Please only apply if you fit the following criteria:
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Visiting for bird or wildlife watching
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Will visit at least once a fortnight
This is to ensure the limited permits available are enjoyed by people who visit the reserve regularly to watch wildlife. We encourage people from all backgrounds and communities to apply. If you do not meet these criteria or are unsuccessful, you are welcome to visit during our regular opening hours.
Please note: If you are found to be participating in activities outside of these agreed parameters, your permit will be revoked. You may be asked to show proof of your permit, so please always carry it with you when on site.
For wildlife monitoring purposes, please notify one of the reserve staff if you find anything of ecological interest to add to our records. We thank you for your contribution.
The annual bird application process for 2024-25 is now open, please complete and return the application form to wawbirdpermits@wildlondon.org.uk by 7th May. We encourage online applications, but paper copies are available at the Engine House visitor centre reception desk if needed.
For any enquiries, please check our FAQs below first.
Cormorant at Walthamstow Wetlands Credit Ian Phillips
Bird watching permits FAQs
1 What is the cost of the permit?
The cost for an annual permit is £10. Day permits will no longer be distributed.
Walthamstow Wetlands BH Gull Credit Ian Phillips
2 What does the annual permit include?
The permit entitles permit holders to increased access to Walthamstow Wetlands. For example, the site is usually open between 9.30 am – 4/5 pm whilst the bird watching permit entitles you access to the reservoirs at the following times:
OPENING TIMES FOR 2023/24
- 1st June - 23rd July: 7am - 10pm
- 24th July - 17th Sept: 7am - 9pm
- 18th Sept - 15th October: 7am - 7:30pm
- 16th October - 25th Feb: 8am - 5pm
- 26th Feb - April 29th: 7am - 7:30pm
- April 30th May 31st: 7am - 10pm
- Closed: Christmas Day and Boxing Day, and reduced to visitor centre hours on New Year’s Day
The permit will also give you access to sensitive wildlife areas which are closed to the general public at certain times of the year to protect the wildlife, breeding grounds and habitats.
Great crested grebe credit Tom Hibbert
3 Why is there now an application process?
Walthamstow Wetlands is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), a Ramsar wetland designated site of international importance and forms part of the Lee Valley Special Protection Area (SPA). Following the 2017 opening of the site to the wider public, there has been an unprecedented interest in visiting the reserve out of normal visitor centre hours (910:30 am - 4/5 pm). As a result, the application process allows us to manage the number of people visiting the site out of hours and the number of people with access to sensitive habitats and wildlife areas.
Kingfisher at Walthamstow Wetlands credit Ian Phillips
4 How do you apply for a bird watching permit?
Permits commence 01 June each year valid until 31 May the following year.
The annual bird application process for 2022 is now closed
Successful applicants will be notified by 21st May.
Matthew Rich
5 Who will be reviewing the applications and deciding?
The Wetlands team will review all applications and will be issuing a total of 75 permits based on a lottery style draw. Numbers are limited to 75 and not all applications will therefore be successful. This process will be reviewed each year.
Whitethroat at Walthamstow Wetlands credit Ian Phillips
6 When should I apply?
Applications for new permits must be submitted by 7th May each year.
Willow warbler juvenile credit Ian Phillips
7 When will you know if your application has been successful?
Successful applicants will be notified by 21st May each year.
Willow Warbler credit Ian Phillips
8 Who should I contact for further details?
Please contact wawbirdpermits@wildlondon.org.uk – we will get back to you as quickly as possible.
Bird ringing
A newly formed volunteer group whose aim is to study the birds of Walthamstow Wetlands, to understand their breeding success, longevity, and movements in the wider Lee Valley catchment area and as an important stepping-stone for resident and migratory species by trapping and ringing them.
Male blackcap credit Pete Salter