By November almost all of our summer visitors will have left. With the park's position by the Thames and the large water bodies in SW London, there is still the chance that a late House Martin or Swallow may fly through. These species follow the rivers and canal systems in London allowing them to feed as they head south to Africa.
Chiffchaff, a summer visitor and breeder in small numbers in the park may also be found feeding alongside the Longford River. These birds however, may have bred in north-eastern Europe and have chosen not to continue their migration to southern Europe and northern Africa. They will be hoping the slight increase in temperature during the winter months in the UK will allow them to winter here. Their diet consists entirely of insects and spiders and a period of cold weather will almost certainly mean death.
It is also a time to check the park's lakes for the arrival of our less common waterfowl, e.g Teal, Shoveler and Gadwall. The scrape (a shallow grassy pool) viewed from Dukes Head Passage is a favoured location for Teal. The species is quite flighty and one that wildfowlers like to shoot as they are fast flyers. The scrape, as long as it remains ice free also gives you the best chance to view Common Snipe and Water Rail.
Another favourite of the shooting fraternity is the Woodcock; these birds are already arriving by the start of the month but large numbers navigate on clear moonlit nights. They will have to be on the lookout for our local Peregrine Falcons.
The best time to be out in the park looking for birds is when the wind is blowing from the east or south-east. These winds bring birds from the continent and can produce spectacular movements.
By November almost all of our summer bird visitors will have left, but there's still a chance to find a number of bird species in the park.
