Around SW London and the fringes of Surrey there are many parks,commons and open spaces where wildlife, sometimes surprisingly perhaps, abounds.

However, for me and indeed many people the jewel in the crown of all such habitats is the wonderful London Wetland Centre.

A dream of the late, great Sir Peter Scott became reality ten years ago when the centre opened.

In just a decade it has matured into a magnificent and varied site attracting a wealth of bird species from bluetits to bitterns and grebes to gadwall.

But the centre is not just for the birds. Water voles, bats, marsh frogs, lizards, slow worms, grass snakes, butterflies, dragonflies and damselflies, bush crickets and grasshoppers are there to watch to say nothing of the host of colourful wild flowers and extensive reed beds which form ideal habitats.

Both adults and children are well catered for with hands-on activities such as pond dipping and varied interactive exhibits.

Even on cold, rainy days, comfortable hides facing the water bodies offer great opportunities for bird watching after which a visit to the restaurant will satisfy even the most demanding palate.

A great variety of events are organised from bat watching, photography workshops and butterfly and dragonfly walks which can be found on the centre's website at wwt.org.uk/london or telephone 020 8409 4400.

I know from experience that whatever the weather, readers will really enjoy a visit whether they are beginners or experienced wildlife watchers.