Dukes Meadows Bird Survey Enters New Phase

Quarterly walks resume this month as part of citizen-science initiative

A swift

May 22, 2026

The Dukes Meadows bird-monitoring project will take its next step on Sunday 31 May, when volunteers gather for the first quarterly survey walk of 2026.

The walk begins at 10am from the Bowls Club café beside the Farmers Market and marks the start of a new phase in a citizen-science initiative that has steadily grown in scope and ambition over the past year.

The surveys began in March 2025 as a monthly programme designed to build a detailed baseline of bird activity across the park. Over twelve months, volunteers recorded species across the meadows, hedgerows, orchard and riverbank, creating the most comprehensive picture yet of how birds use the site throughout the seasons. With that baseline now complete, the project has shifted to quarterly walks to monitor long-term trends and ecological changes.

The initiative is organised by Dukes Meadows Trust in partnership with RSPB London and is led by RSPB volunteer Andrew Peel, who has guided the walks since their launch. He says the site offers an unusually rich mix of habitats for an urban park. “Dukes Meadows is an interesting place to see birds, as it has many different types of habitat,” he explains. “Dukes Meadows Trust has planted what was a bare space, with native hedgerows, trees and an orchard and planted up meadow areas. That has enhanced the area for wildlife.”

The Thames, which runs alongside the park, adds another layer of ecological interest. “The river creates an opportunity to see waterfowl, and the river is a useful corridor for birds,” Andrew says. “Last year we saw Sand Martins nesting in the river wall. These may have spread out from birds that have been migrating to the London Wetland Centre. We may also see Swifts, another summer visitor that has been seen flying over the Meadows.”

Last year’s monthly surveys recorded a wide range of species, from resident Robins and Wrens to seasonal visitors such as Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps. The discovery of Sand Martins nesting in the river wall was one of the most notable findings, offering a rare glimpse of a species more commonly associated with larger wetland reserves. Volunteers also observed how the Trust’s long-term habitat-creation work — including the orchard, hedgerows and meadow areas — has steadily increased biodiversity, providing food and shelter for birds throughout the year.

The move to quarterly surveys reflects the project’s shift from baseline data-gathering to long-term monitoring. Organisers say this is where citizen science becomes especially valuable, helping to track how wildlife responds to changes in habitat, climate and land management over time.

The walks are open to anyone with an interest in nature, regardless of experience. Participants learn how to identify birds by sight and sound, and the data collected contributes to a growing record shared with conservation partners.

Residents can sign up for the May walk and receive updates about future surveys online.