Essence of Wetland Centre Captured in New Book

Local photographer Andrew Wilson picked the best of 20,000 pictures


A foggy morning at the Wetland Centre Barnes. Picture: Andrew Wilson

Putney-based photographer Andrew Wilson has spent the last three years working on what he describes as his biggest and most ambitious book to date.

After publishing two books already, his latest work is Wild about The Westlands, a homage to the nature reserve in Barnes. It could make the perfect Christmas present for someone you know who lives in the area.

Andrew took over 20,000 pictures during over 200 visits, often in the cold and wet, and has whittled them down to what he considers to be the best 450.

Andrew says, “On every occasion I visited this extremely special place, I always came away with something that might be used.”

Persistence, and some luck, was required to capture the wide spectrum of wildlife that choose to inhabit the 100 acres of urban green space. For example, a kingfisher – an ever-elusive subject - was frightened away by a lady pushing a pram before Andrew could crawl close enough to nail his shot but his patience was rewarded months later with a remarkable image of the bird with a trophy fish dangling from its beak.

An otter at the Wetland Centre in Barnes
An otter at the Wetland Centre in Barnes. Picture: Andrew Wilson

The book is packed full of fascinating content and over 450 full colour images. Contributions from local fans, such as Gyles Brandreth, are included as well as a foreword by the broadcaster and naturalist, Mark Carwardine, a friend of WWT’s founder, Sir Peter Scott.

Mark Carwardine said, “The London Wetlands Centre celebrates its 21st anniversary this year, so it’s splendid to have a book that honours such a phenomenal success. Andrew has captured the essence of this wonderful slice of urban wilderness with his fabulous collection of photographs. He knows the reserve well – and it shows. He has clearly spent an inordinate amount of time capturing some truly wonderful images and the result is a sensational celebration of the jewel in London’s crown.”

“Seeing the book for the first time in all its glory, makes up for all those mornings when it was freezing and my hands were so cold that I couldn’t suppress the shutter on my camera”, said Andrew Wilson.

A grebe makes a catch at the Wetlands Centre
A grebe makes a catch at the Wetland Centre. Picture: Andrew Wilson

The award-winning London Wetland Centre is run by WWT - The Wildfowl and Wetland Trust charity which celebrated its 75th birthday last monthand the 21st birthday of London site. Like many organisations WWT has suffered from the worst effects of the pandemic so Andrew is donating 10% of each book sale outside of the charity’s own shops. Books sold through WWT’s own shops will take a larger donation from each sale.

Snow at the Wetland Centre
Snow at the Wetland Centre. Picture: Andrew Wilson

Wild about The Wetlands is now available for £24.99 through WWT shops nationally, Waterstones, Barnes Bookshop and independent gift shops in London and direct (plus postage and packing) from WildLondon.co.uk and can be purchased online.

 

Like Reading Articles Like This? Help Us Produce More

This site remains committed to providing local community news and public interest journalism.

Articles such as the one above are integral to what we do. We aim to feature as much as possible on local societies, charities based in the area, fundraising efforts by residents, community-based initiatives and even helping people find missing pets.

We've always done that and won't be changing, in fact we'd like to do more.

However, the readership that these stories generates is often below that needed to cover the cost of producing them. Our financial resources are limited and the local media environment is intensely competitive so there is a constraint on what we can do.

We are therefore asking our readers to consider offering financial support to these efforts. Any money given will help support community and public interest news and the expansion of our coverage in this area.

A suggested monthly payment is £8 but we would be grateful for any amount for instance if you think this site offers the equivalent value of a subscription to a daily printed newspaper you may wish to consider £20 per month. If neither of these amounts is suitable for you then contact info@neighbournet.com and we can set up an alternative. All payments are made through a secure web site.

One-off donations are also appreciated. Choose The Amount You Wish To Contribute.

If you do support us in this way we'd be interested to hear what kind of articles you would like to see more of on the site – send your suggestions to the editor.

For businesses we offer the chance to be a corporate sponsor of community content on the site. For £30 plus VAT per month you will be the designated sponsor of at least one article a month with your logo appearing if supplied. If there is a specific community group or initiative you'd like to support we can make sure your sponsorship is featured on related content for a one off payment of £50 plus VAT. All payments are made through a secure web site.


December 10, 2021