Brent Birders

Brent Birders is a loose description used when reporting sightings by groups of birders at Brent Reservoir (commonly known as the “Welsh Harp”). When only one or two birders are involved they are normally named individually. Regular Brent Birders in recent months have included Roy Beddard, the Three Andrews (Andrew Self, Andrew Verrall and Andrew Haynes), Leo Batten, John Colmans, John Gravatt, Patrick Hagglund, Bob Husband and Pete Lowman. [Please add your own name if you feel you have been unfairly left out of this list.]

Local group Brent Birders are mainly members of the Welsh Harp Conversation Group, chaired by Roy Beddard, which was formed in 1972 to help preserve the status of the reservoir and its surroundings as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and as an important breeding site for wildfowl. The WHCG works closely with British Waterways, which owns the reservoir, and the London Boroughs of Brent and Barnet, which own the surrounding open spaces.

Conservation work During the winter months, Brent Birders arrange work parties (usually on the second Saturday of the month) to carry out maintenance jobs such as clearing overgrown paths, removing saplings from the gorse patch and tidying up the reservoir's rafts. In early summer, work parties may be organised to uproot or cut down stands of the invasive Himalayan Balsam. In late summer, once nesting has finished, volunteers cut down the reeds in front of the hides to restore the view. Anyone is welcome to join in this work.

Bird counts The WHCG also holds twice-yearly bird counts, attempting to find as many species as possible in one day from (pre-)dawn to (post-)dusk. The spring count usually takes place on the last Saturday in April or the first Saturday in May; the autumn count is usually on the last Saturday in August or the first Saturday in September. The exact date is always posted up in good time within the main hide. Over the years some fascinating birds have been found on these intensive days of observation. All birders are welcome to join us and help us find some even more exciting birds.

Bird walks In association with the North-West London RSPB Group, the WHCG hosts regular bird walks, which usually start at Cool Oak Lane bridge at 10am on the second or third Sunday of the month. For dates, see here. In recent years the group has also arranged at least one bat walk during the summer.