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St James Park

London  >  United Kingdom

A 23 hectare park in central London. Please note that many birds in the park are captive zoo birds.

Added* by Brodie
Most recent update 2 June 2024

Description

St James's Park is a 23 hectare park in central London. The park is bounded by Buckingham Palace to the west, the Mall to the north, Horse Guards to the east, and Birdcage Walk to the south. The park has a small lake with two islands, West Island and Duck Island, the latter named from the lake's collection of captive waterfowl. The majestic fountain protects Duck Island, which Grey Heron and Great Cormorant use as refuge. Among the wild birds you can see are Greylag Goose, Mute Swan, Egyptian Goose, Northern Shoveler, Gadwall, Tufted Duck, Common Goldeneye, Ruddy Duck, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Common Wood Pigeon, Rock Dove, Eurasian Moorhen, Eurasian Coot, Common Snipe, Common Sandpiper, Black-headed Gull, Great Cormorant, Grey Heron, Sparrowhawk, Common Kingfisher, Eurasian Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon, Rose-ringed Parakeet, Eurasian Jay, Magpie, Eurasian Blue Tit, Blackcap, Eurasian Nuthatch, Mistle Thrush, Song Thrush, European Robin, Grey Wagtail and Pied Wagtail.

A resident colony of captive Great White Pelican has been a feature of the park since a Russian ambassador donated them to Charles II in 1664. Other captive birds, mostly distinguishable from wild birds by being pinioned (half of one wing amputated), include Bar-headed Goose, Snow Goose, Ross's Goose, Barnacle Goose, Red-breasted Goose, Ruddy Shelduck, Common Shelduck, Wood Duck, Eurasian Wigeon (occasional wild birds can occur, distinguishable by being full-winged), Northern Pintail (occasional wild birds can occur), Red-crested Pochard (occasional feral or wild birds can occur), Common Eider, and Smew. These captive birds are not included in the bird list below.

Details

Access

The London transport underground train (Green Park or St James Park) and bus. It is hard to find parking round there. You can cycle and walk around the park and view the lake perfectly. There are cafes to buy luxurious pastries.

Terrain and Habitat

Lake , City/village , Reedbeds , Scattered trees and bushes

Conditions

Flat

Circular trail

Yes

Is a telescope useful?

No

Good birding season

All year round

Best time to visit

Winter , Summer , Spring , Autumn

Route

Wide path

Difficulty walking trail

Easy

Accessible by

Foot , Bicycle , Wheelchair

Birdwatching hide / platform

No

View other birding spots in the area that are published on Birdingplaces

Map

Top 5 birds

Other birds you can see here

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