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WWT London Wetland Centre
WWT London Wetlands Centre is a wetland reserve managed by the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust in the Barnes area of the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, by Barn Elms.
The centre occupies more than 100 acres (40 hectares) of land which was formerly occupied by several small reservoirs. These were converted into a wide range of wetland features and habitats before the centre opened in May 2000. It was the first urban project of its kind in the United Kingdom. It became a SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) in 2002 and supports nationally significant numbers of gadwall and shoveler duck.
The London Wetland Centre is one of the best wildlife habitats in the country, attracting more than 150 different bird, 20 dragonfly and damselfly, 6 bat, 4 amphibian and over 300 butterfly and moth species each year.
Each area of The London Wetland Centre has been designed with different wildlife in mind: the small pools in WildSide are ideal for dragonflies and amphibians (loud croaking of Marsh Frogs can be heard on hot summer days). The reedbeds support large numbers of breeding sedge and Reed Warblers in the summer and the occasional Bittern in winter, while the Grazing Marsh attracts breeding Lapwing.
The aptly named Wader Scrape is a breeding ground for Little Ringed Plover and a welcome muddy stop off point for migrating Godwit, Sandpiper, Ruff and Spotted Redshank – best seen during early spring and late summer. In winter the Main Lake supports nationally important numbers of Gadwall and Shoveler duck.
The London Wetland Centre was featured on the television program Seven Natural Wonders as one of the wonders of the London area, with focus on the region's parakeets, in an episode presented by Bill Oddie. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London_Wetlands_Centre)
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