Birdwatching on Hampstead Heath: What to Look For

Hampstead Heath is one of London's most important sites for birds. Its 790 acres of mixed habitat — ancient woodland, meadow, reed beds, open water, and scrub — support over 180 recorded species, including a number of rarities that make the dedicated birder's heart beat faster.

Resident Species

The woodland holds all three native woodpeckers — green, great spotted, and lesser spotted — along with treecreeper, nuthatch, and the full suite of common tits. The open heath supports skylarks, a rarity in inner London, and the meadows hold good numbers of goldfinch, linnet, and greenfinch. The ponds support little grebe, great crested grebe, and tufted duck year-round.

Spring Migration

Spring brings warblers in numbers — chiffchaff, willow warbler, blackcap, garden warbler, and lesser whitethroat all breed or pass through. The North Wood in May, when the migrants are singing from every bush, is one of London's great birding experiences. Spotted flycatcher arrives in May, one of the last summer visitors to appear.

Winter

Winter brings redwing and fieldfare to the berry-bearing trees, along with occasional siskin and redpoll in the alders by the ponds. The open water at Parliament Hill Lido can attract unusual wildfowl in hard weather. Long-eared owl has been recorded in several winters roosting in the dense scrub of the West Heath.

Best Spots

The North Wood is consistently the best area for woodland species. The Mixed Pond and its surroundings are excellent for waterbirds and reed warblers. Parliament Hill gives good views over open ground and is the best spot for raptors, including the occasional peregrine passing over.