How many species of bird do you think live in West Ham Park? You may be surprised to know that on any day of the year you will be able to see 16 species!

The Friends of West Ham Park record the birds we see there every month – and this is our score of “regulars”. Over a year, we see around 37 species as the birds move around between their winter and summer homes.

Why do we record the birds? Well, birds are at or close to the top of the food chains, so if they are doing well so are the plants and insects that they eat.

In recent years, the park has encouraged wildlife with long grass, flower meadows and more variety in the trees we plant. This also provides more food for the birds.

Well-known to park regulars are the bright green and very noisy parakeets. They are ring-necked parakeets, originally from the foothills of the Himalayan mountains. They are the offspring of birds brought over to the UK as pets which then escaped and found London to their liking.

They nest in holes, so may compete with our Great Spotted Woodpeckers and Nuthatches. But, as you can see in this picture from June, the woodpeckers had found a home and raised at least this chick, looking out to see if dinner was on its way.

To learn more about birds and get tips on how to use binoculars (it’s not as easy as it looks), come along to the guided bird watch in January. Details will be available on the website and social media.

Friends of West Ham Park: www.friendsofwesthampark.co.uk

Facebook @FriendsOfWestHamPark

Instagram @fwhp_e9

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