Words by Smiley Team
Walking through the reeds, meadows and around the reservoirs of Walthamstow Wetlands, conservation officer Peter Salter has always felt a sense of ease and tranquillity. For him, the area’s nature and wildlife offer a natural relaxant of environmental importance that must be cherished.
One thing he loves about wetlands is their diversity. “People often think of ponds, rivers and lakes when picturing wetlands,” he says to Smiley News. “But they’re actually much more than this: mudflats, estuaries, saltmarshes mangroves in the tropics, the list goes on. And each wetland habitat supporting its own set of flora and fauna, making them very biodiverse.”
While Peter’s particular passion is birdlife, he also enjoys the number of other species that make their homes in wetlands. “Dragonflies, fish, aquatic mammals and even reptiles such as grass snakes. Which can be seen at the Walthamstow if you are lucky,” he says, adding: “Wetlands support a real wealth of wildlife.”
Located in densely populated northeast London, Walthamstow Wetlands also offer an important leisure space for local people. The site has a rich history of industry and water provision, dotted with listed buildings including an engine house and mill. “It has become a hotspot for birds and people,” he says.
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“In the wetlands, you look at the sky a little differently and it makes you feel calmer and happier,” he says.
Peter himself enjoys spending time on the reservoir banks, sipping a coffee and keeping an eye out for birds that may pop up particularly during migration. The waterways and surrounding nature offer sightings of herons, terns, warblers and overwintering waterfowl including duck species such as gadwall and shoveler which the reservoirs are a haven of international importance.
Day-to-day he works alongside volunteers to maintain habitats for birds and other wildlife across the wetlands. This involves conserving small meadows, reed beds, scrub, woodland copses, as well as maintaining manmade structures such as rafts that offer breeding habitats for terns and ducks.
Additionally, the wetlands volunteers also conduct fortnightly surveys, carefully monitoring and mapping the waterbirds living on the site as well as their nests to ensure that the area continues to offer wildlife a safe space to breed, roost and overwinter.
Wetlands are important habitats, they are biodiverse, store carbon, reduce flooding, protect our shores, absorb pollutants and improve water quality.
With all the wildlife, open skies and natural beauty, Peter enjoys sharing the space with others, saying: “I encourage people to put on their layers and go for a walk here on a gorgeous World Wetlands Day like today. I promise it will be worth it.”
Find out more about Walthamstow Wetlands through the London Wildlife Trust.
Support Peter’s work by donating at wildlondon.org.uk/support-us.
