East India Dock Basin NR

This small reserve is situated just East of the Isle of Dogs and immediately across the Thames from the Millennium Dome. It is at the Southern end of the Lea Valley Park. There is a tidal lagoon with a shingle island and mudflats which can disappear at high tide. This is fringed on one side by a narrow band of reeds and trees adjacent to the main road (Lower Lea Crossing). There is also a small wooded area about half the size of a football pitch.

Specialities include Black Redstarts in Autumn/Winter, Peregrine visible on and around the Millennium Dome, Kingfisher, Passage Warblers, Breeding Common Terns and occasional Little Egrets. Barred Warbler, Firecrest, Whimbrel, Honey Buzzard and Roseate Tern have also been seen.

Nearest station is East India on the DLR. From the station walk directly towards the Thames and then turn left and walk alongside the river to enter the reserve. It is possible to park in the sliproad leading to Orchard Place and then enter the reserve at the NE corner through the small gate (This road has yellow lines, so be vigilant).

My 2007 list is currently 54 (up to July 2nd). Blue Tit, Great Tit, Long Tailed Tit, Wren, Robin, Dunnock, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Starling, Black Redstart, Reed Bunting, Carrion Crow, Magpie, Wood Pigeon, Feral Pigeon, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Pied Wagtail, Sand Martin, Swallow, Swift, Heron, Cormorant, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Coot, Moorhen, Tufted Duck, Mallard, Teal, Shelduck, Pochard, Black Headed Gull, Common Gull, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black Backed Gull, Common Tern, Kingfisher, Little Ringed Plover, Oystercatcher, Mute Swan, Canada Goose, Peregrine, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Blackcap, Sedge Warbler, Whitethroat, Reed Warbler. (Richard Harrison)

The 2007 site list is (to the best of my knowledge): 71 (As above plus) Little Egret, Common Sandpiper, Merlin, Mistle Thrush, Grey Wagtail, Stock Dove, Greylag Goose, Lesser Whitethroat, Garden Warbler, Lapwing, Hobby, Arctic Tern, Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Wheatear, Spotted Flycatcher, Meadow Pipit.

My final 2006 list was 66: Blue Tit, Great Tit, Long Tailed Tit, Wren, Robin, Dunnock, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Linnet, Starling, Swallow, Swift, Carrion Crow, Magpie, Jay, Wood Pigeon, Stock Dove, Feral Pigeon, Heron, Little Egret, Cormorant, Little Grebe, Coot, Moorhen, Tufted Duck, Mallard, Teal, Shelduck, Gadwall, Shoveler, Pochard, Black Headed Gull, Common Gull, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Great Black Backed Gull, Herring Gull, Common Tern, Roseate Tern, Little Ringed Plover, Whimbrel, Oystercatcher, Common Sandpiper, Kingfisher, Mute Swan, Canada Goose, Black Redstart, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Great Spotted Woodpecker, House Sparrow, Blackcap, Willow Warbler, Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, Reed Warbler, Garden Warbler, Barred Warbler, Reed Bunting, Peregrine, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel. (Richard Harrison)