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Monday 28th February 2011[]

  • Amwell GP: 4 Smew (2 male) p.m. (Birdguides).
  • Brookmill Park (Lewisham): 8 Mallard, 1 Mandarin, 7 Moorhen, 3 Coot, 20+ Black-headed Gull, 10+ Woodpigeon, 1 Collared Dove, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Wren, 4 Robin, 6 Blackbird, 8 Redwing, 1 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Great Tit, 4 Blue Tit, 6 Magpie, 4 Carrion Crow, 2 Goldfinch, 10 Greenfinch (Conrad Ellam).
  • Central Park (Harold Hill): pair Nuthatch, Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers in Long Wood (CRJ).
  • Crayford Marshes: fem Merlin hunting near landfill site, adult Little Gull and adult Kittiwake west along Thames a.m., adult Caspian Gull near landfill site, Cetti's Warbler, 3 Golden Plover, 2 Grey Plover, 2 Rock Pipit, 2 Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper (Kev Jarvis).
  • Danson Park: 2 Stock Dove, 2 Egyptian Geese, 6 or so Greenfinch, 1 Redwing, 5 Cormorant, 2 (+?) Common Gull, lots of Black-headed Gull, 4 Tufted Duck, 2 Mute Swan, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Grey Heron, c25 Starling, lots of Wood Pigeon, Carrion Crow, 29 Canada Geese, Mallard, Coot, Moorhen, Blackbird, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Long-tailed Tits, Ring-necked Parakeets. (Chris Rose).
  • Gillespie Park: 2 Chiffchaff (LBYG).
  • Golders Green: 35 + Waxwing on Dunstan Road rooftops. Please respect residents' privacy (Birdguides).
  • Grovelands Park (Southgate): 2 (m&f) Firecrest feeding in Holly, 10:50-12:10 hrs (Robert Callf) - Plea from a more roving birde r; re: your next Firecrest submission; there's an awful lot of Holly in Grovelands!
  • Holmethorpe SPs: Little Egret, Curlew (SBC).
  • Holyfield Hall Farm: 110 Fieldfare, 120 Siskin over into alders at sailing club, 2 Shelduck on Goosefield (Martin Shepherd).
  • London Wetland Centre: 57 Wigeon, 7 Pintail, 3 Fieldfare, 35 Redwing (LWC website).
  • Richmond Park: >3 Mealy Redpolls in a flock of >35 Redpolls feeding in birches in Pond Plantation. Viewable at times from Pondslade although flock does move further into wood (J.Wilczur & M. Pfeiffer).
  • South Norwood CP: 18 Shoveler, Little Grebe, Cormorant, Grey Heron, 4 Pheasant, 7 Pied Wagtail, 70+ Fieldfare, 6 Redwing, Coal Tit (Croydon Birders).
  • Staines Res: first-winter male Scaup, 2 Great Northern Diver on South Basin, Red-necked Grebe at western end of South Basin 10:23 (Birdguides).
  • The Mores, Bentley (near Brentwood): 5 female Goosander on fishery south side of wood, 60+ Redwings sub-singing in trees, 5+ Goldcrest, 2 Treecreeper, 10 Long-tailed Tit, pr Mistle Thrush (Colin Jupp).
  • Tyttenhanger GPs: Goosander (f), Great BB Gull, 11 Golden Plover, Oystercatcher, c40 Siskin, Kingfisher (Steve Blake/Simon West).
  • Wanstead Park: Water Rail (Perch Pond), drumming Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (The Plain), 20+ Waxwings (Westmorland Close, just south of park) (Natalie Benajeh).
  • Watford: 30 Waxwing on The Avenue, outside No:79 07:30 (Birdguides); also 82 by 62 The Avenues 11:30; also 17 in a tall tree opposite the entrance to Herga Court (Birdguides).
  • Welling: 60 Waxwings on Tenby Road at 11:30 (RBA).
  • Willows Farm: Shelduck, Ruddy Shelduck (SB/SW).

Sunday 27th February 2011[]

  • Aldborough Hatch: 47 Waxwing on Aldborough Rd North (London Birdwatching).
  • Amwell GPs: 7 Smew (3 male), Bittern, 4 Little Egret (Birdguides).
  • Archway / Hornsey: Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming 10am (Dawn Painter).
  • Banbury Res: female Red-breasted Merganser (D. McKenzie, Nick Tanner).
  • Brent Reservoir: 25 Redwing, 2 Fieldfare & 3 Ruddy Ducks (Andrew Self). 6 Snipe near Heron hide (L Wormald)
  • Bookham Common: 2 Hawfinch (SBC).
  • Bushey Arches: c60 Waxwings and 2 Long-tailed Tits at Lower High Street entrance to Oxhey Park (behind Mercedes showroom) (Tessa and Doug Stafford).
  • Cheshunt: 80+ Waxwing showing well in trees opposite Goff's School (Goff's Lane) (Birdguides).
  • Chessington: 11 Waxwing on Kelvin Grove 15:05 (SBC).
  • Clayhall: 4 Waxwing on Longwood Gardens (London Birdwatching).
  • Copped Hall: 2 Ravens showed well 0955-1005 from usual viewpoint; one flew in low from south directly overhead calling and low NW over favoured field and a short while later joined by second bird, gently sparring in air with 7 Buzzards (12+ present) and Red Kite, disappearing around farm in distance slightly NW from viewpoint (Bob Watts et al).
  • Dagenham Chase LNR: 57 species recorded, drake Pintail still on the slack, male Blackcap in sub song and briefly in full song in ivy covered trees, 4 Siskin over, 2 Wigeon,1 Shelduck, 2 Little Egret, usual commute of Rooks, several Jackdaw inc 2 on the slack, 2 singing Song Thrush, 10 Stock Dove (V.Halley-Frame).
  • Ealing: 220 Waxwing at Roseacre Close 12:00 (Birdguides).
  • Forest Gate: mixed flock of Goldfinch, Greenfinch and Lesser Redpoll (34 birds) (Observer?).
  • Great Warley (Foxburrow Wood): Firecrest near Beredens Lane, 6 Goldcrest (2 singing), 6 Long-tailed Tit, Coal Tit, Siskin, Redpoll over, Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Jay, Stock Dove in display flight. Elsewhere in Gt Warley area: 2 Firecrest at Headley Common including singing male, 6 Goldcrest, 60 Redwing (Warley Lea Farm), 4 Stock Dove, singing Mistle Thrush (Colin Jupp).
  • Harrow-on-the-Hill: 8+ Siskin in alders by conservation pond (Michael Robinson).
  • Holmethorpe SPs: Little Egret (SBC).
  • Horsenden Hill: 1 Common Buzzard SE over Perivale Wood at 09.45 (Andy Culshaw).
  • Leytonstone / Leyton: 45 Waxwings Grove Green Road, then into the garden (Gary A James).
  • London Wetland Centre: 52 Wigeon, 4 Pintail, 2 Sparrowhawk, 2 Bittern, 64 Woodpigeon north-east, Water Pipit, 45 Waxwing east, 4 Cetti's Warbler, 30 Siskin, 3 Mealy Redpoll with 23 Lesser Redpoll, 10 Reed Bunting (Birdguides).
  • Mayesbrook Park: Chiffchaff, 2 Skylark (over), Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 6 Little Grebe, 12 Shoveler, 6 Gadwall, Sparrowhawk (Paul Hawkins).
  • North Harrow: 20 Waxwing in Cambridge Road 16:00 (Richard Francis).
  • Prince George Avenue, Oakwood, N14: 9 Waxwing, feeding on cotoneaster, 09:00 hrs (Robert Callf).
  • Richmond Park: 4 Lesser Redpoll and 3 Goldfinch Prince Charles Spinney midday, a Goldcrest. (FJM)
  • South Norwood CP: 13 Shoveler, 3 Little Grebe, Pheasant, 3 Common Gull, 18 Fieldfare, Redwing, Goldcrest, 124 Carrion Crow, 5 Jackdaw, 3 Siskin (Croydon Birders).
  • South Norwood Lake: pair Mute Swan, 1 Little Grebe, pair Great Crested Grebe, c30 Tufted Duck, 2 Common Gull, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull (over) 1 Goldcrest, 2 Green Woodpecker, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Siskin, 3 pair Long-tailed Tit, 1 singing Coal Tit, 3 singing Chaffinch, c4 singing Dunnock, 12 Ring-necked Parakeet, 2 House Sparrow (John Watson & Gavin Hawgood).
  • Staines Res: first-winter male Scaup, Great Northern Diver on South Basin 09:50 (Birdguides) 14:00 also Skylark west, Goldeneye, Sparrowhawk (M Bourne).
  • Stoke Newington: 1 m Blackcap, in back gardens, Winston Rd/Albion Rd. (Penny Walker) Confirmation of reported sightings from neighbours over last 2 weeks.
  • Thorpe Park: 1st-winter drake Smew, 6 Goldeneye, 1 Shelduck and 1 Barnacle Goose on Manor Lake. 3 Goldeneye and a drake Red-crested Pochard on St. Ann's Lake (K.P. Duncan).
  • Totteridge Valley : 1 Woodcock flushed on two separate occasions, 2 Common Buzzards enjoying the sunshine, 1 Sparrowhawk ditto, c50 Redwing, 4 Bullfinches, 1 Skylark over (John Colmans).
  • Tylers Common: Woodcock flushed, 2 Skylark, 3 Meadow Pipit, Siskin over, 272 Common Gull & 15+ Black-headed Gull in fields around Tylers Hall Farm (Colin Jupp).
  • Uxbridge (R Frays at Cowley Road): 1 Little Egret (Roger Dewey).
  • Walthamstow Res: female Eider on southern end of Lockwood (D. McKenzie, Nick Tanner).
  • Wanstead Flats: ad Mediterranean Gull still, 7 Meadow Pipit, 10+ Skylark, 2 L Redpoll, 3 Siskin, 2 m Reed Bunting chasing each other, 3 Little Grebe, 15 Tufted Duck, 4 Gadwall, Pochard, 2 Shoveler, 4 Greylag Goose, 6 Redwing, 2 Fieldfare, 30+ Jackdaw, G Heron, 2 GBB Gull (north), Sparrowhawk (J. Lethbridge, Tim Harris, Steve Thorpe, Nick Croft).
  • Wanstead Park: 7 Waxwing in housing estate just south of Perch Pond, calling Lesser Spotted Woodpecker Dell, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, 3 singing Goldcrest, Coal Tit, 3 Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, 3 Linnet, Siskin, 4 Stock Dove, 3 Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe (Perch), 69 Tufted Duck, 16 Gadwall, Teal, 10 Shoveler, 2 Egyptian Goose, 2 Redwing, singing Mistle Thrush, Water Rail (J. Lethbridge, Tim Harris, Steve Thorpe, Nick Croft).

Saturday 26th February 2011[]

  • Alexandra Park: 2 Water Rail Conservation Pond 'Flood' (Bob Watts).
  • Battersea Park Lake: quick walk through - 10+ pairs of Gadwall, 30+ Magpies, 30 (low count) Cormorants in the roost (Michael Mac).
  • Bedfords Park LNR: 3 Pochard, pr Tufted Duck, 2 singing Goldcrest, Treecreeper, 8 Long-tailed Tit, fem Siskin, 2 Goldfinch, plus flock of Redwings sub-singing in Deer Park (Colin Jupp); also pair Greylag Geese on the lake yesterday (Pam D).
  • Brent Reservoir: c30 Siskin still on North Bank, also first Reed Bunting of the year and a Greylag Goose (Andrew Self)
  • Brookmill Park (Lewisham) 13 Mallard, 1 Mandarin, 7 Moorhen, 3 Coot, 10+Black-headed Gull, 10+Woodpigeon, 2 Collared Dove, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Great-spotted Woodpecker, 1 Wren, 1 Dunnock, 6 Robin, 10+Blackbird, 2 Great Tit, 3 Blue Tit, 1 Starling, 4 Magpie, 4 Carrion Crow, 1 Goldfinch, 1 Greenfinch. (Conrad Ellam)
  • Broomfield Park, Palmers Green, N13: 11 (7 ad., 4 '1st-w') Mute Swan; 1 Greylag Goose; 6 (4m,2f) Shoveler; 10 (6m,4f) Tufted Duck; c15 Waxwing, flew over calling, 09:55; 1 Pied Wagtail; 1 singing male Dunnock; 37 Redwing; 4 Mistle Thrush, including one singing male; 1 pr Long-tailed Tit (Robert Callf).
  • Brundell Road, Edgware. Red Kite high over west yesterday morning. ( John Edwards)
  • Bushey Arches (Watford): 100 Waxwings to the front and rear of the Mercedes showroom at the north end of South Oxhey Park 12.45 onwards (Tina Stafford/Tony Nayager)
  • Copped Hall: 2 Ravens still just beyond the hall around midday. Turn right just past the hall and view the fields beyond the teasle bed with the pond directly behind you.Nuthatch just inside the white gates. ( V.Halley-Frame ). No sign 1330-1700 but Red Kite, 4 Buzzards, 4 Golden Plover (Bob Watts, Andrew Moon).
  • Crayford Marshes: Water Pipit, 3 Rock Pipit, Yellow-legged Gull, 2 Oystercatcher, 2 Curlew, 32 Redwing. (Kev Jarvis).
  • Dagenham Chase LNR: 17-18 Waxwings flew over the slack calling at 1.55pm, then commuting between trees by the no through road on Dagenham Road and Fels Field near gorse enclosure by the first bend. ( At long last Waxwing on my patch life list ! ), also 1 drake Pintail on the slack ( only my third record ), 3 Wigeon 2 m 1 f, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Little Egret, 2 Goldcrest and 1 singing Skylark. ( V.Halley-Frame ).
  • East Barnet in between Oakhill Park and Brunswick Park: 15-16 Waxwings flew west 17:00, Grey Wagtail by stream (4th sighting in last month). (Dom B)
  • East Dulwich: 2 m Blackcap. First sighting this winter so maybe early spring movement? (Tom Smith)
  • Fulham Reach (high tide, 8am): very little, local male Mute Swan seeing off a pair, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Gadwall, 8 Coot, 27 Cormorant over (1 group of 18), 12 House Sparrow in back streets (Nathalie Mahieu)
  • Greenwich Peninsula: Rock Pipit briefly on Thames foreshore (Joe Beale).
  • Grovelands Park, Southgate: 2 Little Grebe; 11(7m,4f) Mandarin Duck; 2(m&f) Shoveler; 1 male Pochard; 9(6m,3f) Tufted Duck; 2 prs Stock Dove; 1 pr Collared Dove; 5 Ring-necked Parakeet; 2(m&f) Great Spotted Woodpecker; 1 singing male Blackbird; 1 Song Thrush; 3 Goldcrest, including two together and one singing male; 2(m&f) Firecrest, together, in Holly, 14:20 - 14:30 hrs; 3 Long-tailed Tit,together; 2 Nuthatch; 1 Treecreeper; 3(1m,2f) Greenfinch; 2(m&f) Siskin; 2 Lesser Redpoll (Robert Callf).
  • Harold Court (Thames Chase): female Pheasant, Green Woodpecker, Grey Wagtail, 9 Fieldfare, 2 Song Thrush, Goldcrest, 3 Lesser Redpoll, 12 Greylag Geese high south at 17.14 (Colin Jupp).
  • Harold Park: c80 Waxwings flew over A12 then south at 13.20, couldn't relocate flock in local area. 120+ House Sparrows roosting in dense cypress Harold Court Road, arriving rapidly in groups of 10-15 birds 17.20-17.25hrs. Male Sparrowhawk landed on roof showing interest after birds had occupied roost (Colin Jupp).
  • London Wetland Centre: 6+ Pintail, Water Pipit, Stonechat, Peregrine (M Bourne)
  • Lower Bedfords Road (Romford): Leucistic Herring Gull on Covered Reservoir, singing Skylark, 13 Meadow Pipit in adjacent setaside field (Colin Jupp).
  • Lee Valley CP: Water Rail & 2 Reed Bunting from Bittern hide, (didn't hang around in hide after discovering guy asleep on the far bench after opening hatch to let some light in). Green & Great Spotted Woodpeckers in trees by car park, 30+ Teal, 50+ Wigeon, 2 Shelduck, on Goose Fields, 2 Common Gulls on Holyfield Lake, c43 Pied Wagtails feeding in field alongside sailing club, 9 Yellowhammers in the hedgerows also 5 Skylarks feeding in same field. 2 Red-Legged Partridge on top field. (J Anderson)
  • Margravine Cemetery: 6 Redwing, 4 RIng-necked Parakeet (Nathalie Mahieu).
  • Rainham Marshes (08:00-18:00): Wasted most of a horrible day getting sucked in to looking for that bird. The Slaty-backed Gull reported on Target Pools, Wennington and the tip during the course of the afternoon, which I may or may not have seen along with a lot of other people. Regular things I missed: Hen Harrier, Kingfisher, Stonechat. Also Yellow-legged Gull (tip and on the river), Caspian Gull (juv on tip AM), 20+ Rock Pipit, Peregrine Falcon (on pylon at Rainham and then scaring gulls in the afternoon), Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Rook, 2 Fieldfare, 4 Cetti's Warbler, Chiffchaff, Pintail, RN Parakeet... ... the best thing a Weasel showing no fear of us, and a Hare (NC); plus 2 Turnstone, Ruff, 4 Oystercatcher, 2 Corn Buntings; also, having been in the hide at the time the SBG was allegedly on show, I'm pretty convinced that it wasn't there ... (David Callahan). Having spoken to Dave after the first sighting from the new hide I was beginning to have doubts, I never really got a good look at the birds IDed as the gull on the targets or later Wennington and certainly nothing matched the photos on BG or Dom's blog (NC).
  • Richmond Park: Red Kite flew NW over Dans Pond late am (Steve Reed) per FJM and a Common Buzzard flew W over Pond Slade 13.55. Also male Reed Bunting there. (FJM)
  • Sainsbury's, Winchmore Hill (N21): 10 Siskins in the car park roving through the trees at 13:00, 1 singing Blackbird. (Katy M.)
  • Selhurst Park: 5 black headed gulls. (R Bell)
  • South Norwood Lake: pair Great Crested Grebe (courtship display) pair Mute Swan displaying, c150 Black-headed Gull, 20 Tufted Duck, 1 Goldcrest, 12 Ring-necked Parakeet, 2 singing Chaffinch, 1 singing Coal Tit, 2 Pied Wagtail, 2 Jay, House Sparrow, (John Watson & Gavin Hawgood)*Sunbury Cross roundabout: 12 Waxwings preening and in flight at 1115. (Tina Stafford/Tony Nayager)
  • Staines Reservoir: 2 Gt. Northern Diver on south basin late afternoon and far apart (John Edwards); also late afternoon two first-winter drake Scaup on the S basin, one feeding on freshwater mussels just by the causeway, the other with Tufted Duck in the SW corner of the basin (Rob Innes).
  • Tyttenhanger GPs: Ringed Plover, Redshank, Sparrowhawk, 2 Skylark. (Steve B)
  • Vauxhall BT: 1 Peregrine perched openly in the drizzle around 1pm (Michael Mac).
  • West Ealing (W13): flock of 30+ Waxwing flew low South over Rosemount Road at 08:35 and may still be in local area. Also a single Siskin SW. (Bill Haines)..
  • Wanstead Flats: 10 Greylag Geese, ad Caspian Gull briefly on football pitches opposite Empress Avenue at 14:15 - will submit desc (J Lethbridge)
  • Wanstead Park: 43 Waxwings (T Harris); m Reed Bunting, Bullfinch, 2 Mistle Thrush Old Sewage Works (J Lethbridge)
  • Willows Farm: Shelduck, Ruddy Shelduck. (Steve B)

Friday 25th February 2011[]

  • Alexandra Park: 2 Water Rails, Litrtle Grebe (David Callahan).
  • Brookmill Park (Lewisham) 12 Mallard, 1 Mandarin, 8 Moorhen, 3 Coot, 10+Black-headed Gull, 10+Woodpigeon, 2 Collared Dove, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Great-spotted Woodpecker, 3 Wren, 4 Dunnock, 6 Robin, 10+Blackbird, 2 Song-Thrush, 10+Redwing, 2 Mistle Thrush, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Long-tailed Tit, 4 Great Tit, 4 Blue Tit, 2 Starling, 6 Magpie, 6 Carrion Crow, 10+Goldfinch, 8 Greenfinch, 6 Chaffinch. (Conrad Ellam)
  • Connaught water, Buckhurst Hill : m Gadwall, 2 Egyptian geese, 2 Greylag gesse, 30+ Canada geese, 3 Mute swan, 28+ Coot, 4+ Moorhen, Great-crested grebe, 20+ Black-headed gull, 16 Teal, 2 Mandarin, a drumming great spotted woodpecker, 9+ Tufted duck (Brandon Anderson).
  • Crayford: 108 Waxwing by the Citroen garage on London Road a.m. (Birdguides).
  • Greenwich Park: Peregrine south 14.15 (Conrad Ellam)
  • Dagenham Chase: 10 Shoveler, 5 tufted duck, 2 teal, 2 shelduck, 1 pintail on slack, 2 redwing, 1 greater spotted woodpecker (Dominic Allen)
  • Dagnam Park, Hatters Wood: 2 Goldcrest, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, singing Mistle Thrush, drumming Great Spotted Woodpecker. Also Tawny Owl heard near my garden at 01.20hrs (Colin Jupp).
  • Ealing Broadway: sub-adult Peregrine Falcon on the spire of Christ the Saviour church at 8.50am, eating a pigeon. First time I have seen her there in weeks (Andrew Birks). It's a him according to its ring if it's still the same bird (Nathalie Mahieu).
  • East Finchley Allotments - 2 Goldcrest, dunnock, robin, wren, blue tit, great tit, blackbird, f chaffinch, several long-tailed tit, crow, wood pigeon (Dawn Painter)
  • Enfield Chestnut road 65 to70 waxwings 3pm but mobile [Brian Dawton]
  • Hainualt Forest CP: 2 Great-crested grebes, a singing Song thrush, 60+ Common gulls, 2 Lesser Black-Backed gulls, 45+ Black-headed gulls (Brandon Anderson).
  • Hampstead Heath: Firecrest in bushes in South Meadow, 2 Fieldfare, 6+ Redwing, c30 Redpolls, c30 Siskin, 3 Great Crested Grebes, 4+ GS Woodpecker, 2 Green Woodpecker, 4 Treecreeper (CB, Jez Bird)
  • Harold Park: 39 Waxwings Thurso Close near the subway (A12) at 3.30pm (Marion Wyatt).
  • Horsenden Hill: 25+ Waxwings SW over Canal Ponds at 13.20. Also 2 Sparrowhawk, 1 Snipe, 1 Coal Tit, 1 Nuthatch (Andy Culshaw).
  • Kensington Gardens (lunchtime): Tawny Owl showing well in usual tree, pair Mandarin on Longwater almost opposite Peter Pan, 3 m 1 f/j Red-crested Pochard (Martin Honey)
  • Leyton Flats: Little Grebe, 26 Gadwall, Egyptian Goose, 2 Redwing, Coal Tit, 15 Lesser Redpolls. (Gary A James)
  • London Wetland Centre: 48 Wigeon, 200+ Teal, 2 Pintail, 2 Redshank, 8 Common Snipe, Mediterranean Gull, 3 Cetti's Warbler, 6 Siskin - additional sightings for yesterday: Goshawk circled playing fields before flying south-east, 2 Ringed Plover south-east, 5 Black-tailed Godwit east (Birdguides).
  • Lower Bedfords Road (Romford): 2 singing Skylark, over Upper Bedfords Farm N side & Covered Reservoir S side (+ 1 Meadow Pipit in setaside here) (CRJ).
  • Margravine Cemetery: 1 Sparrowhawk hunting in the cemetery, 3 Redwing (Nathalie Mahieu). M + F Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 2 Ring-necked parakeets investigating holes, wren collecting nest materials (M Ruscoe).
  • Oak Hill Woods, LWT NR & Oakhill College, East Barnet / Cockfosters, Herts. EN4: Sparrowhawk reported displaying, Kestrel hovering, Nuthatch singing, Goldcrest singing, Long-tailed Tits pair nest building, Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming, Green Woodpecker calling (R. A. (Bob) Husband).
  • Paddington Green: Peregrine Falcon a.m., female Sparrowhawk, Grey Wagtail, 10+ Goldfinch (D. McKenzie).
  • Rainham Marshes: 'adult' Slaty-backed Gull on the River Thames off Riverside car park before flying off east mid-a.m. (Birdguides).
  • Richmond Park: 6 + Mealy Redpoll amongst 25 Lesser Redpoll and 7 Siskin in Isabella Plantation along perimeter fence, near gate E of Pegs Pond at midday. One large white male with pink breast and few streaks on underparts, although rump not seeen sadly. ( FJM & Susanna Ramsey.) No sign of Firecrest seen Y.day in Prince Charles Spinney. ( Tim Howard, Mike Lewis, Jane Braham, Susanna Ramsey.) per FJM
  • Rectory Farm, Enfield: 19 Pied Wagtail, 1 singing male Mistle Thrush, 2 Jay, 1 singing male Yellowhammer (Robert Callf).
  • River Crane, Baber Bridge, Feltham: Little Egret. (Adam Cheeseman)
  • Ruislip: Red kite circling over High Street 13.15h (William Marshall)
  • Southfields (back garden) am: Blackcap in full song (Martin Honey).
  • South Norwood CP: 14 Shoveler, Sparrowhawk, 2 Little Grebe, Grey Heron, 4 Pheasant, Water Rail, 7 Pied Wagtail, 2 Coal Tit, female Brambling, Linnet (Croydon Birders).
  • Sunbury Cross: c.50 Waxwings still on the roundabout this morning. (Adam Cheeseman)
  • Staines Reservoir : Scaup and 1 Great Northern Diver still present on the South Basin, both reasonably close to the causeway, the Diver at the Stanwell end and the Scaup at the other end. Also nearby a Red Kite flew over Shortwood Common at 12:50 (Tony Sweetland)
  • Tower Hamlets Cemetery: Firecrest (probably male) Hurricane Woods 1240 (Bob Watts).
  • Waterlow Park (08.00): 1 male Firecrest singing on Highgate Cemetery side, 2 Goldcrests, 1 Grey Heron, 5 R-n Parakeets, 12 Tufted Duck, over 20 House Sparrows plus lots of finches & tits (PA).
  • Tyttenhanger GP's: Little Egret, Shelduck, Ruddy Shelduck, Little owl, c80 Fieldfare, 5+Yellowhammer, 2 Redpoll. (Steve Blake/Simon West)
  • Wanstead Flats: Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (Marco Johnston), 4 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Green Woodpecker, 10+ Meadow Pipit, 4 Pied Wagtail, 20+ Redwing (more sub-song in Long Wood), 2 singing Song Thrush, 4 Mistle Thrush (1 singing), 4 Reed Bunting (2 singers SSSI), 13 Siskin, Lesser Redpoll, 9+ Goldfinch, 8 Skylark (4 singers), Kestrel (south over Forest Gate), 3 Coal Tit (Wanstead Park Avenue), Long-tailed Tit, 12 Shoveler (8 east over Long Wood), 5 Gadwall, 6 Tufted Duck, 2 Pochard, 1 Egyptian Goose (juv), 7 Greylag Goose, trilling Little Grebe, 2 G Heron (NC)
  • Wanstead Park: 2 Water Rail (w end Perch, River Roding), Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (the Dell), 2 Bullfinch, 12 Linnet, flocks of Siskin (OSW, Dell, Perch, Reservoir Wood), 2 Fieldfare (north), 20+ Redwing (sub-singing in trees next to the cemetry), singing Mistle Thrush, 3 Stock Dove, 2 Coal Tit, 2 Grey Heron, 2 Little Grebe, Teal, 4 Gadwall, 33 Tufted Duck, 3 Pochard (NC) (Jenny Chandler reported a Tree Sparrow that visited her garden on two consecutive days this year)
  • White City: 9 Waxwings at Hammersmith Park 10am in trees around pond (Andy Culshaw).
  • Willows Farm: Grey Partridge. female, (probable surviver from winter shoot) Steve B
  • Woolwich Common: Kestrel, 2 Meadow Pipit, 6 Redwing, pair of Bullfinch (D. McKenzie).
  • Regent's Park: Water Rail, 2 Rooks, 7 Jackdaws (Tony Duckett).

Thursday 24th February 2011[]

  • Alexandra Park: male Aythya hybrid (probably Pochard x Tufted Duck) on the boating lake 11:30 (BirdGuides).
  • Banstead Woods: Mealy Redpoll with 150 Lesser Redpoll on west side, 100m north of the pond. Also singing male Tawny Owl late morning, Common Buzzard, Sparrowhawk etc. See here for full sightings (David Campbell).
  • Bexleyheath: 21 Waxwing in Russell Close mid-p.m. (BirdGuides).
  • Bookham Common: 6 Hawfinch behind the railway station 15:00 (BirdGuides).
  • Chiswick House and Grounds: 1 Grey Heron, 9 Cormorant overhead, 4 Shoveler, 2 metal-ringed Coot, 1 Sparrowhawk, c8 Goldcrest, 1 Treecreeper, 4 Coal tit, c8 Long Tailed tit, 7 Blue tit, c15 Great tit, 2 Nuthatch, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 9 Greenfinch (some display flight going on)), 5 Chaffinch, 3 Dunnock singing, c14 Redwing, 4 Song Thrush, 2 Stock Dove. 1 Red Admiral butterfly. (Louis Freeland-Haynes)
  • Crayford: 25 Waxwings on London Road by Citroen garage (RBA).
  • Crayford Marshes: Ruff, Siskin, Avocet, Grey Plover, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 4 Yellowhammer, Kingfisher, fem Peregrine, Rock Pipit, 3 Oystercatcher (Kev Jarvis & Phil Cliffe).
  • Gants Hill: only 1 Waxwing left at Redbridge Institute car park this morning, and no berries left! (London Birdwatching).
  • Greenwich Peninsula: Common Seal in Thames by O2 Arena, 12.30 (Conrad Ellam)
  • Harold Park: at least 61 Waxwings Thurso Close area p.m. but flock mobile (Roy & Marion Wyatt). Flock seen in poplars from R & MW's front garden in Elgin Avenue till 16.25 when they flew off south (CRJ).
  • Harold Wood: 2 Waxwings central reservation of A12 near Sackville Crescent 15.55 (CRJ).
  • Isle of Dogs: 57+ Cormorant, 39+ Coot, 19 Great Crested Grebe, singing Song Thrush, Goldcrest, Long-tailed Tit; also Brimstone, 15+ Common Frogs (Richard Harrison).
  • Kensington Gardens: pair of Egyptian Goose with 2 goslings (Noel Lever per DMc).
  • London Wetland Centre: 52 Wigeon, 2 Bittern, Redshank, adult Mediterranean Gull, c350 Black-headed Gull, adult Yellow-legged Gull, adult Caspian Gull on Main Lake a.m., 4 Fieldfare, 18 Redwing north, 3 singing Cetti's Warbler, Firecrest behind Dragon Pond a.m., 4 Siskin (BirdGuides).
  • Oakwood Park (N14): 2 (m&f) Blackcap together, 08:55 hrs (Robert Callf).
  • Prince George Avenue (N14): 30+ Waxwing, 09:00 hrs (Robert Callf).
  • Rainham Marshes: 'adult' SLATY-BACKED GULL again briefly on landfill south of Coldharbour Lane 11:27; still present 11:43 but no futher sign by 13:53 (BirdGuides).
  • Sevenoaks WR: Black-necked Grebe (BirdGuides).
  • South Norwood Lake: pair Great Crested Grebe, 2 Mute Swan, 15 Tufted Duck, c30 Siskin, 2 Green Woodpecker, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 pair Long-tailed Tit, 2 singing Coal Tit, 1 Pied Wagtail, 2 Jay, 2 singing Dunnock, 2 singing Chaffinch, 4 House Sparrow (John Watson).
  • Staines Reservoir: male Scaup close to causeway on South Basin, 4 Smew (incl. a male) on South Basin at 08:20 but flighty (could not be relocated at 08:45) and a Curlew flew over North Basin at 08:25. Several Goldeneye about as well (males displaying) (PFM); 2 Great Northern Diver on South Basin 15:00 (BirdGuides).
  • Stoke Newington Reservoirs: two groups of 7 & 9 Lapwings over, Peregrine with large prey over to Walthamstow, male Red-crested Pochard still, 80+ Shovelers (Mark Pearson)
  • Thames Chase, Harold Court: 40+ Waxwing on east side of site 3.30pm, presumed same flock as Harold Park after they flew in this direction (Roy & Marion Wyatt); c40 feeding in poplars 16.40 then most flew off south; still 4 at 17.10, possibly roosting. Also 6 Lesser Redpoll, 2 Meadow Pipit (Colin Jupp).
  • Tower Hamlets Cemetery: Brimstone (2nd of year - 1st on 8th Feb), 10+ Redwing, Goldcrest, 2 Stock Dove (Bob Watts).
  • Tufnell Park N7 (back gardens in triangle between Anson Road, Carleton Road & Dalmeny Road) 08:00-08:30 c30 Waxwings (Adrian Platt).
  • Vauxhall BT: Peregrine briefly round midday (Michael Mac).
  • Wanstead Park: Water Rail (Perch Pond marsh, 07:25), drumming male Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (the Plain, 07:40), 20+ Siskins (by tea hut, 08:00) (Tim Harris).
  • Watford: c20 Waxwing in tree at entrance to Oxhey Park on Lower High Street (Birdguides).
  • White City: 9 Waxwing in trees at junction of South Africa Road / Wood Lane 12:00 before flying north-west (BirdGuides).
  • Woodford: Grey Wagtail nr the tube station (London Birdwatching).
  • Wanstead Flats: 4 Greylag Geese, 8+ m Shoveler, 2 f Shoveler, 10 Mute Swan (6 imm, 4 ad), 5+ m Gadwall, 2f Gadwall, 75+ Black-headed Gulls, 80+ Common Gull, Ring-billed Gull ??? (Brandon Anderson).
  • Wanstead Park: 3 Pochard, 2 Gadwall, 1 Black-headed Gull, 3 Long-tailed Tit, a Cormorant flying overhead, and 2 Egyptian Geese (Brandon Anderson).

Wednesday 23rd February 2011[]

  • Alexandra Park: 2 Water Rails (con pond 'swamp'), Jackdaw (willows), 7 Redwing (David Callahan).
  • Borehamwood: 15 Waxwing at Elstree / Borehamwood railway station in the tree just south of the station complex, by the new permit holders car park 08:55 (Birdguides).
  • Brookmill Park (Lewisham): 1 Dabchick, 1 Heron, 8 Mallard, 1 Mandarin, 8 Moorhen, 2 Coot, 10+ Black-headed Gull, 10+ Woodpigeon, 2 Collared Dove, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Wren, 4 Dunnock, 4 Robin, 8 Blackbird, 10+ Redwing, 4 Long-tailed Tit, 4 Great Tit, 4 Blue Tit, 6 Magpie, 4 Carrion Crow, 10+ Goldfinch, 4 Greenfinch, 1 Chaffinch (Conrad Ellam).
  • Crayford Marshes: Ruff, Avocet, 2 Grey Plover, 3 Golden Plover, 3 Oystercatcher, Turnstone, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Green Sandpiper, 4 Yellow-legged Gull, fem Peregrine, 2 Goldcrest, 30 Redwing. (Kev Jarvis).
  • Crayford (various): Perry St farm - 155+ Starlings. Thames Rd Wetland - 1 Dunnock, 2 Coot, 3 Mallard, Robins, Blackbirds. Farm/land to south of TRW - a number of Teal, Song Thrush calling rather half-heartedly. River Cray, By-way 105 - Goldfinches, Song Thrush singing loudly mid p.m. and again at dusk, 6 Mallard, 1 female Pochard, Moorhens, 4 Ring-necked Parakeet, Great Tit, 2 Blue Tit, a few Carrion Crow. River Cray, Footpath 106 - 2 Collared Doves. (Chris Rose).
  • Ealing (W13): male Blackcap in garden (1st of this year) (Bill Haines).
  • Enfield (EN2): 12 Waxwings on Chase Ridings feeding on berries in a front garden. Seen briefly while on the bus at 10am. Suspect the other 50ish from yesterday must be somewhere nearby (Rob Wallace).
  • Gants Hill: 70 Waxwing drinking from puddles in Redbridge Institute Car Park (London Birdwatching).
  • Harleyford Road Community Garden (Kennington): 4 Dunnock displaying, pr Wren, 10+ Common Frogs in the small pond (Michael Mac).
  • Harold Hill: 38 Waxwings (c7 adults) perching in tall poplars and feeding on cotoneaster and hawthorn in gardens, alongside A12 near southern end of Alverstoke Rd (11.45-12.30); also female Blackbird with nest material. Paines Brook: Grey Wagtail (Colin Jupp).
  • Harold Wood: 2 sub-singing male Blackcaps in close proximity, Lister Avenue (h) & Bartholomew Drive (seen); also 2 Rook high over SW, 11.20 (Colin Jupp).
  • Hyde Park/Kensington Gardens: 4 Egyptian Goose, 2 pairs of Mandarin Duck, 2 pairs of Gadwall, 19 Shoveler, pair of Red-crested Pochard, m Ruddy Duck, 2 Little Grebe, first-winter Mediterranean Gull on Parade Ground then flew toward Serpentine and relocated on moored boats (but mobile), adult-summer Black-headed Gull (white E2RZ, probably from The Netherlands), 2 Meadow Pipit flushed from Parade Ground, 2 Pied Wagtail (D. McKenzie).
  • KGV Reservoir: Grey Plover, Curlew (Martin Shepherd).
  • London Wetland Centre: 36 Wigeon, 90 Cormorant, 6 Common Snipe, c200 Black-headed Gull, 2 singing Cetti's Warbler (LWC website).
  • Oakwood (N14): 4 Waxwings on Prince George Ave at junction with Merrivale at 2.40 p.m., 64 here at 16:15 hrs., RMCallf. (Tony Clancy)
  • Paddington Green: Grey Wagtail, singing Mistle Thrush (my first singing bird in this area in 13 years) (D. McKenzie)
  • South Norwood CP: 5 Greylag Goose, 19 Shoveler, Pochard, 2 Little Grebe, 3 Pheasant, 16 Common Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Grey Wagtail, 9 Pied Wagtail, 20 Fieldfare, Chiffchaff, Coal Tit, Reed Bunting (Croydon Birders).
  • Stoke Newington Reservoirs: male Red-crested Pochard, singing Cetti's Warbler, 70+ Shovelers, plus the usuals (Mark Pearson)
  • Sunbury Cross: c50 Waxwings on roundabout this morning (Adam Cheeseman).
  • Tyttenhanger GPs: 6 Dunlin, 28 Golden Plover, Peregrine Falcon (S Blake/Simon West/Rick Flesher.V
  • Valentines Park, Ilford: Egyptian Goose, 6 Pochard, 2 Grey Wagtail, (London Birdwatching). Mistle Thrush, 2 Cormorant, 6 Pochard, 3 White-cheeked Pintals, and the hybrid Tufted Duck x Pochard plus pinioned ornamental birds: Muscovy duck, 6 Mandarins (4m,2f), 5 wood duck (3m,2f), (Brandon Anderson).
  • Vauxhall BT: f Peregrine perched in the drizzle 1pm (Michael Mac).
  • Walthamstow res (S side): f Eider still present on no.5 res pm, and 2 Scaup (fem/imm) still on West Warwick; at least 3 Little Egrets back in breeding colony...plus Water Rail, 35 Fiedfare, 15 Redwing & the usuals (L Bodini/P Whiteman).
  • Wanstead Park: male Bullfinch, 10 Linnet, 40+ Siskin, 30+ Redwing (a lot of sub-song going on), singing Mistle Thrush, Coal Tit, 3 Goldcrest, 6 Little Grebe, 30+ Gadwall, 30+ Tufted Duck, 10+ Pochard, 6 Teal, 10+ Shoveler, Water Rail, 3 Grey Heron (NC).
  • Watford: 107 Waxwing north-west over King George V playing fields 11:30 (Birdguides).
  • Willows Farm: Shelduck, Ruddy Shelduck (SB/SW/RF).
  • Worcester Park: 25 Waxwing flew over Colborne Way a.m. (Birdguides).

Tuesday 22nd February 2011[]

  • Beddington SF: adult Caspian Gull, 2 Firecrest (Birdguides).
  • Brookmill Park (Lewisham): 1 Dabchick, 12 Mallard, 1 Mandarin, 8 Moorhen, 3 Coot, 15 Black-headed Gull, 10+ Woodpigeon, 1 Kingfisher, 3 Wren, 4 Dunnock, 6 Robin, 8 Blackbird, 1 Song Thrush, 2 Long-tailed Tit, 4 Great Tit, 2 Blue Tit, 1 Starling, 5 Magpie, 4 Carrion Crow, 6 Goldfinch, 6 Greenfinch, 3 Chaffinch (Conrad Ellam).
  • Bushy Park: Little Grebe on main pond, 1 Grey Heron, lots of Ring-necked Parakeets (Penelope Paxer).
  • Chafford Hundred: 13 Waxwing in the station car park plus another 8 along the railway line toward Grays p.m. (Birdguides).
  • Clapham Common: 15 Redwing, 1 GS Woodpecker, 3 LT Tit, 2 Mistle Thursh plus usuals. No sign of yesterday's Stock Dove. On the ponds: 11 Shoveler, 4 Pochard, 11 Tufties, Common Gull, LBB Gull, loads of geese (>30 Greylag, >30 Canada, 6 Egyptian) (Mark H).
  • Crayford Marshes: Ruff, 6 Avocet, 2 Grey Plover, Turnstone, 4 Oystercatcher, Cetti's Warbler, 2 Little Owl, 7 Golden Plover, 2 Yellowhammer, Water Rail, 4 Rock Pipit, Kingfisher, Green Sandpiper, m Peregrine, 3 Yellow-Legged Gull, 3 Pochard (Kev Jarvis & Ian Stewart).
  • East India Dock Basin area: 62 Tufted Ducks, 2 Redshanks, 2 argentatus Herring Gullls, 14 Chaffinch. (Gary A James).
  • Enfield (EN2): 63 Waxwings on Chase Ridings feeding on berries opposite skip at 3.50 p.m. and a further 5 Waxwings on Drapers Road opposite Acorn Close at 4.00 p.m. (Simon W).
  • Finchley: 20-25 Waxwing seen in flight just W of the A504 road tunnel on the A406 (North Circular) at 09:55. Was driving at time so didn't get a more accurate count (Bill Haines).
  • Grays: 8 Waxwing at the junction of London Road / A126 p.m. (Birdguides).
  • Hainault: 15 Waxwing on TV areals in Manford Way (London Birdwatching)
  • Harold Park (Romford): 32 Waxwings (4 ad & 28 1st-w) ranging along the A12 between Geoffrey Avenue and Thurso Close where briefly fed on Cotoneaster berries (15.20-16.10) (Colin Jupp, Roy & Marion Wyatt).
  • Hyde Park / Kensington Gardens: 3 Egyptian Goose, pair of Mandarin Duck, 37 Shoveler, pair of Red-crested Pochard, 2 Little Grebe, first-winter Mediterranean Gull on the Parade Ground to 16:30 at least, 90 Common Gull including a first-winter showing a deep blood-red, black-tipped bill, Nuthatch, 2 singing Treecreeper - no sign of recent Ruddy Duck on Longwater (D. McKenzie).
  • Ilford: 10+ Waxwing on the fence by the railway line bordering the playing field east of Goodmayes station a.m. (Birdguides).
  • Little Britain Lake: at least 8 occupied nests in heronry, 12 Mute Swan, 2 Greylag Goose, 1 pr Egyptian Goose, 1 m Goosander, 1 m Pochard, 1pr + 1 GS Woodpecker, 3 Stock Dove, 1 LBB Gull (Roger Dewey).
  • London Wetland Centre: 45 Wigeon, 77 Cormorant, Oystercatcher, Dunlin, 4 Cetti's Warbler, 4 Siskin, Lesser Redpoll, 9 Reed Bunting (LWC website); Bittern, second-winter Caspian Gull on Main Lake (Birdguides).
  • Lower Sydenham to Catford Bridge (River Pool Linear Park): 1 Fieldfare, 1 Chiffchaff, Stock Dove, (Ernie Thomason)
  • Mill Hill (The Ridgeway): Red Kite heading south-east at 15:45 (Andrew Bailey).
  • Northaw Great Wood: 3 Marsh Tit including a singing male; 1 Tawny Owl being mobbed by Jay in flight 10:17 hrs; 2 Woodcock; 4+ Great Spotted Woodpecker; 1 singing male Mistle Thrush; 14 Goldcrest; 6 Nuthatch; 4 Treecreeper including a singing male; 150+ redpoll sp., only a small proportion of the flock were specifically identified as Lesser Redpoll; 1 buck Muntjac (Robert Callf).
  • Oakwood (N14): 5 Waxwings on Prince George Ave at junction with Merrivale at 3.40 p.m. (Simon W).
  • Paddington Green: Peregrine Falcon, singing Grey Wagtail, 14 Goldfinch and 2 Siskin in birches on Adpar Street (D. McKenzie).
  • Pinner Park Farm: 141 Redwing, 1 Coal Tit, 1 Green Woodpecker & 7 Canada Goose (JR).
  • Rainham Marshes: adult Little Gull, second-winter Caspian Gull on landfill (Birdguides); adult Mediterranean Gull on river (Bill Haines); Slaty-backed Gull reported as showing well for 30 minutes at 'the western end of the RSPB, at the edge of the pool area' 12:00 but no further sign to dusk (Birdguides).
  • Roding Valley Park: pr Bullfinch (London Birdwatching).
  • Sanderstead: female Brambling in garden at 11.30. At 13.30 1 Brambling, 1 Lesser Redpoll plus Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch and Ring-necked Parakeet all in same tree! About 14.30 finches back again this time with the added bonus of a Mealy Redpoll (J Birkett).
  • Sainsbury's Nine Elms Car Park (Stockwell): Kestrel seeing off a crow 12:30pm (Michael Mac).
  • Southgate: 20 Waxwing at the junction of Merrivale / Prince George Avenue at Oakwood a.m. (Birdguides).
  • South Norwood CP: 3 Greylag Goose, Gadwall, 20 Shoveler, Sparrowhawk, 2 Little Grebe, Cormorant, Grey Heron, 5 Pheasant, Water Rail, Common Snipe, 2 Common Gull, Stock Dove, 7 Pied Wagtail, Fieldfare, 3 Redwing, 2 Mistle Thrush, Goldcrest, Siskin, 5 Linnet (Croydon Birders).
  • Staines Reservoir: Scaup (lovely views close to the causeway), flyover Grey Plover, Goldeneye (M Bourne).
  • Tyttenhanger GP's: 9 Dunlin, 9 Golden Plover (Steve B).
  • Valentines Park (Ilford): Egyptian Goose, 9 Pochard, 2 Shoveler, Grey Wagtail, 2 Goldcrest, 13 Siskin, Bullfinch, 2 Waxwing, Mediterranean Gull now in full summer plumage (London Birdwatching).
  • Vauxhall BT: perched Peregrine in the p.m. (Michael Mac).
  • Walthamstow Reservoirs: female Eider still on No:5 until 09.00 at least, plus 4 Black-tailed Godwit north, Dunlin, 4 Green Sandpipers, 3 Little Egrets (all Lockwood), 6 Lapwing (East Warwick), 2 female Goosander, 5 Goldeneye (inc. one drake) (David Callahan).
  • Wanstead Park: male Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (Natalia Benajeh).

Monday 21st February[]

  • Alexandra Park: 10 Lapwings at the far end of Wood Green Res until at least 08.50, plus Skylark over (David Callahan). Lapwings heard at 0650; possibly on football pitch or in flight (Bob Watts).
  • Barkingside: c20 Waxwing on Sunnydene Drive, by Gearies Primary School at 3pm (London Birdwatching).
  • Beddington SF: Grey Plover (briefly before flying south), adult Caspian Gull (Birdguides).
  • Bromley-by-Bow: drake Mandarin on the river, 3 Shelduck, 38 Teal, 9 Gadwall, 3 Stock Dove, Great-spotted Woodpecker, 9 Greenfinch (S Fisher)
  • Bushy Park (Canal Plantation): 2 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, but only female seen (Steven Robinson).
  • Clapham Common: 1 Stock Dove (new patch tick for me) on island of Mount Pond, 12 Tufted Duck, 13 Shoveler, 3 Pochard, 10 Common Gull plus usuals (Mark H); I've not seen one here, but if you go to Battersea Rise Cemetery, just down the road, they are present in spring / summer (Michael Mac).
  • Crayford: adult Caspian Gull still on redevelopment ground behind The Jolly Farmers pub on Thames Road (Birdguides).
  • Crayford Marshes: Water Pipit, 9 Avocet, Turnstone, Little Owl, 2 Rock Pipit, 6 Green Sandpiper, Water Rail, 2 Snipe, Oystercatcher, Goldcrest, Little Egret (Kev Jarvis & A.W).
  • Crossness: adult Little Gull east past golf course 14:45 (Birdguides).
  • Dagenham Chase: 20 Waxwings in Ash tree near Millennium centre flew off towards Fels Field. Returned later to eat rosehips (D. Allen and ranger staff ).< Thanks VHF.
  • Erith Cemetery (east side): c40 Redwing, 5 Chaffinch, 2 Greenfinch, 2 Magpie, 2 Blue Tit, 1 Great Tit, Blackbird, lots of Woodpigeon, 1 Song Thrush singing in copse at foot of nearby Hollyhill Open Space, about 70 Starlings in Poplars between cemetery and Carlton Rd., 1 Common Gull on North Heath Recreation Ground (Chris Rose).
  • Gants Hill: 5 Waxwing in Redbridge Institute Car Park a.m. (London Birdwatching).
  • Golders Green: 17 Waxwing alighted in tall trees in Ravenscroft Avenue backing onto Eagle Lodge 16:20, heading off W, 16:40 (James Levy).
  • Greenwich Park: singing Goldcrest, Song Thrush, Blue Tit and Great Tit and best of all the first Firecrest (a male) since the cold snap (Joe Beale and Yu-Hsuan Lin).
  • Grovelands Park (Southgate): 2 (male and female) Firecrest 11:45-13:00hrs (Robert Callf).
  • Hanworth: 20+ Waxwing in trees by A316 flyoverat the end of Bear Road 16:30 (Birdguides).
  • Hornchurch: 10 Waxwing at Derby Avenue a.m. (Birdguides).
  • London Wetland Centre: 48 Wigeon, 78 Cormorant, 3 singing Cetti's Warbler (LWC website); 2 pairs Reed Bunting, 8+ Siskin, 5 Pintail (3 males), Sparrowhawk (male in great colour), 110 Cormorants (Angus Innes).
  • Paddington Green: singing Grey Wagtail (D. McKenzie).
  • Pages Farm (Harold Wood): 18 Stock Dove, Green Woodpecker, 3 singing Song Thrush, 7 Redwing, 6 Long-tailed Tit, 8 Greenfinch, 6 Goldfinch, 3 Lesser Redpoll, male Yellowhammer (Colin Jupp).
  • Queensmead / Martins Hill (Bromley BR2): 50+ Redwing, 40+ Starling, 40+ B-headed Gulls, 2 Wren, 3 Long-tailed Tits, Mistle Thrush, several Chaffinch, Blue & Great Tits, 3 RN Parakeets (Barry Wooding).
  • Rainham Marshes: no sign of Slaty-backed Gull by 14:20 but 4 Yellow-legged Gull and an adult Caspian Gull on the landfill (Dominic Mitchell).
  • South Norwood CP: 3 Greylag Goose, 16 Shoveler, Little Grebe, 3 Pheasant, 165 Black-headed Gull, 5 Common Gull, Collared Dove, 4 Pied Wagtail, 73 Fieldfare, Redwing, Goldcrest, 18 Greenfinch, 5 Siskin, Linnet (Croydon Birders).
  • South Norwood Lake: pair Great Crested Grebe, 20 Tufted Duck, 3 Cormorant, c150 Black-headed Gull, 3 Common Gull, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, c50 Redwing, 1 Song Thrush, 2 Pied Wagtail, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, c20 Goldfinch, 3 singing Chaffinch, 3 Jay, c6 Long-tailed Tit (John Watson & Gavin Hawgood).
  • Stoke Newington: c10 Waxwing on Albion Rd 8.30am (Neil Verlander).
  • Sunbury Cross: at least 80 Waxwings still on the roundabout this morning (Adam Cheeseman).
  • Tower Hamlets Cemetery: 25+ Redwing, 30+ Chaffinch, 2 Goldcrests (Bob Watts).
  • Twickenham: 12 Waxwing in garden cherry tree on Riverway but also ranging to Crane Park (Birdguides).
  • Tyttenhanger GPs: 14 Golden Plover (Steve B).
  • Wanstead Flats (07:00-09:00): 2 Siskin, 20+ Greenfinch, 2 singing Chaffinch, 3 Goldfinch, singing Reed Bunting, sub song Redwing (Long Wood + 5 others), singing Mistle Thrush, 2 Meadow Pipit, 3 singing Skylark, 2 Stock Dove, Collared Dove, 12 Shoveler, 26 Tufted Duck, 7 Gadwall, 5 Pochard, 5 Greylag Goose, G Heron, Snipe (NC).
  • Wanstead Park (09:00-11:00): 2 singing Mistle Thrush, 3 Cormorant, 57 Tufted Duck, 24 Gadwall, 7 Teal (SoM), 2 Egyptian Goose, 3 Pochard, 2 Coal Tit, Goldcrest, Heron, 2 Stock Dove, Grey Wagtail, Kestrel, Siskin, 2 Little Grebe (NC).

Sunday 20th February[]

  • Rainham Marshes: SLATY-BACKED GULL back on the tip again this afternoon at 14.30 (London Birders Twitter)
  • Barking Bay: 12 Avocet, 12 Curlew, Golden Plover, 28 Common Snipe, 1 Jack Snipe, 4 Oystercatchers, 260 Dunlin, 2 Wigeon, Great Crested Grebe, 109 Shelduck and 89 Redshank.(Dave Morrison)
  • Barkingside : 5 Waxwings on Clayhall Avenue (Brandon Anderson)
  • Biggin Wood (SE19): 1 jay, 1 green woodpecker, 2 GS woodpeckers, crows, wood pigeons, great and blue tits, 10-12 ring neck parakeet. (R Bell)
  • Brent Reservoir: 6 Lapwings (Andrew Self), male Blackcap, Chiffchaff, 30 Siskin (Roy Beddard)
  • Bushy Park: 2 Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers in Canal Plantation, also Sparrowhawk, 2 Egyptian Geese, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Nuthatch and 20-30 Siskins. (Paul Cox).
  • Canons Farm & Banstead Woods: Curlew in Broad Field 8.53am-8.59am when flew SW (2nd site record), 2 male Bramblings with c.400 Chaffinches, 3 Little Owls, Common Buzzard, 2 Meadow Pipits, 6 Yellowhammers (1 singing), Stock Dove (singing), 4+ Skylarks (1 singing), fem Kestrel, 100+ Fieldfares, c.135 Redwings, c.15 Redpolls (c.150 yesterday), 6 Nuthatches, 2 Coal Tits, 2 Treecreepers, Goldcrest, 3 Bullfinches, 2+ Linnets, 4 ad Lesser Black-backed Gulls over, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Green Woodpecker, 2+ Rose-ringed Parakeets, Song Thrush, 2 Mistle Thrushes (both singing) (David Campbell, Johnny Allan & Paul Goodman).
  • Crayford Marshes: fem Black Redstart near landfill site early a.m. 11 Avocet, Turnstone, 7 Oystercatcher, 4 Green Sandpiper,Little Owl, 3 Yellowhammer, 3 Rock Pipit, Water Rail, 2 Yellow-legged Gull. (Kev Jarvis).
  • Crossness/Belvedere: 2 adult Little Gulls flew east at 13:30, Water Pipit, 8+ Rock Pipits, ad Yellow-legged Gull, Green Sandpiper, 5 Curlew, 15+ Oystercatchers, 12+ Blackwits, Chiffchaff (plus Dave Mo's 12 Avocets viewable across the river!) (John Archer)
  • East India Dock Basin area: male Peregrine, 212 Teal, Common Sandpiper, 3 Redshank, 4 Shelduck (David Callahan). Water Rail (western reeds and open ground) (Paul Hyland). High Tide: 16 Redshank, 3 Common Sandpiper (waders in roost), female Pintail, 56 Tufted Duck (Nick Tanner).
  • Gants Hill: 1 Waxwing in Gants Hill Cres (London BIrdwatching)
  • Great Warley: 2 Firecrests, inc cracking male, east side of Foxburrow Wood (Coombe Green) in Rhododendrons and ivy-clad trees late afternoon; also 4 Goldcrests. Private wood with limited public access, permissive bridleway from Warley Road to Beredens Lane (Colin Jupp).
  • Greenwich Peninsula: Two Oystercatchers and a Rock Pipit on Thames shore by O2. But no gull roost due to beached Thames Clipper and associated activity. (Sean Huggins)
  • Greenwich Park: Four Nuthatches, four Redwings, four Mistle Thrushes, two Song Thrushes, three Goldcrests. (Sean Huggins)
  • Ingrebourne Valley: 54+ Waxwings behind bus depot on Suttons Lane (Shaun Harvey)
  • Hampstead Cemetery & UCL Sports Grounds: 17 species; regulars including 20+ Greenfinch, 10-15 Redwing, singing Song Thrush & Robin, plus 1 Black-headed Gull on Fortune Green park. 1320-1440 (Marcus Hunt).
  • Hornchurch: 54+ Waxwings over my garden (Shaun Harvey)
  • Horsenden Hill: 200+ Common Gull (playing field), 3 Stock Dove, c15 Ring-necked Parakeet, 2 Green + 3 drumming Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 2 Nuthatch, 4 Redwing, 2 pr Mistle Thrush, pr Coal Tits, Jay (Neil Anderson)
  • Island Barn Reservoir: adult Kittiwake on the water 0850-0945 at least & Great Northern Diver (DMH).
  • Lea Valley: 20+ Teal (Hackney Marshes), Green Sandpiper, 4 Snipe (Walthamstow Filter Beds NR), 20 + Redwing, Fieldfare, Mistle Thrush (stables), Shelduck, f Eider (relocated to Lockwood - thanks Harry - also got a Curlew over), Goldeneye, Chinese Goose (don't suppose this is tickable?), 2 Egyptian Goose (looking a lot like the two that have been on the flats), f Goosander (south - S. of William Girling), 6 Black-necked Grebe, 3 Goldeneye, Great Crested Grebe (William Girling), 40+ Lapwing, 20 + Wigeon (Hall Marsh), 3 Goldeneye (Friday Lake), m Smew (70 Acres Lake), no sign of Pinkfoot or Whitefronted Goose), Bittern (reported at view point lunchtime), Water Rail, Goldcrest, 100+ Fieldfare coming in to roost (NC/Steve Thorpe showing incredible patch loyalty!); m & 2 redhead Smew, c100 Siskin (70 Acres), 1 Pink-foot with c50 Greylags on Hooks Marsh Lake at c13:30 (Ian Woodward).
  • Perivale: c30 Waxwings in poplars at edge of playing field by A40 west of Horsenden Lane flushed by Sparrowhawk 8.45, then c 80 returned feeding actively on poplar buds; flew north 9.10 + c150 Waxwings found sitting in cherry (9.30- 10 approx) on industrial estate by Metroline bus garage. (Neil Anderson/K. Bull).
  • Pinner Park Farm: 2 Snipe, Redwing & Fieldfare, 7 Jackdaw, 10 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1 Green Woodpecker, 4 Coot, 7 Canada Goose (last years family?) & 2 Grey Heron (Jon Ridge).
  • Pinner: 14 Waxwings in poplar at the junction of Cannon Lane and Whittington Way at about 17:00. A few minutes previously, a large flock of 150+ birds flying over Pinner Memorial Park were probably also waxwings, but I as unable to find where they had landed (JD).
  • Redbridge, Woodford Avenue: c50 Waxwing nr Clayhall Park 10am (treetops, but mobile) (London Birdwatching)
  • South Norwood Lake: pair Great Crested Grebe, 1 Egyptian Goose, 1f Pochard,15 Tufted Duck, 4 Cormorant, 320 Black-headed Gull, 4 Common Gull 1adult 1imm Herring Gull, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 6 Redwing, Long-tailed Tit, 1singing Song Thrush, 2 drumming Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 singing Chaffinch, Greenfinch, c20 Goldfinch, (John Watson & Gavin Hawgood)
  • Staines Moor: 2-3 Water Pipit and 6 Goosander along River Colne and a singing male Blackcap in bushes at north end of site (Andy Culshaw and David Howdon).
  • Stoke Newington: Up to 60 Waxwing flitting b/w tall Sycamore in Winston Rd back garden and Lavell St and surrounds, 2-4pm (Neil Verlander, Mark Pearson).
  • Thames Chase, Harold Court: 20 Redpoll over, 18 Goldfinch, 13 Fieldfare, 2 Song Thrush, singing Stock Dove. Also, when I returned at dusk: Woodcock over and calling Little Owl (Colin Jupp).
  • Tufnell Park (Anson Road N7): c25 waxwings flew over my house 3.30pm (Adrian Platt).
  • Tufnell Park (Huddleston Road N7): 1 f Blackcap, 2 Goldcrest - in my back garden (Reuben Braddock)
  • Vicarage Farm, Enfield: 9 Golden Plover, on field N of 'Barracks', 14:35 - 14:40 hrs., at least (Jim & Robert Callf).
  • Valentines Park, Ilford: 2 Common gull, 30+ Black-headed Gull, 5 Pochard 2f 3m, 4 Mute Swan, Great Crested Grebe, Little Grebe, 3 Cormorant, 3 Mandarin 1f 2m, 3 Wood Duck 1f 2m, Mistle Thrush, 6+ Tufted Duck, 2 Whitecheeked Pintail (Brandon Anderson).
  • Walthamstow res (Lockwood & surrounds 1-3pm): 4 f Goosander, 8 Goldeneye (1 drake), pair Wigeon, 2 prs Shelduck, c10 Gadwall, c15 Teal, 2 GBB Gulls, 4 Green Sandpiper (by flooded relief channel), Grey Wagtail, 6+ Pied Wagtails, 2 singing Song Thrush (Tott Marsh), 16 Fieldfare & the usuals (What time was Eider seen on here? - Lol Bodini. According to Birdguides it relocated to No.5 at about 12:05, we had it about an hour before that - NC).
  • Watford: 20 Waxwing over Wiggenhall Road; alighted in trees adjoining petrol station 12:00 (D. Mckenzie).

Saturday 19th February[]

  • Brookmill Park (Lewisham): 17 Mallard, 8 Moorhen, 3 Coot, 1 Black-headed Gull, 10+ Woodpigeon, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Grey Wagtail, 3 Wren, 1 Dunnock, 4 Robin, 10+ Blackbird, 20+ Redwing, 4 Great Tit, 1 Blue Tit, 5 Magpie, 4 Carrion Crow, 1 Goldfinch, 1 Greenfinch, 4 Chaffinch (Conrad Ellam).
  • Crayford: adult Caspian Gull on waste ground near The Jolly Farmer public house by Thames Road a.m. (Birdguides).
  • Crayford Marshes: Turnstone, Green Sandpiper, 2 Rock Pipit, Oystercatcher, 6 Curlew, c500 Dunlin, 10 Ringed Plover (Kev Jarvis).
  • Crouch End: Male Blackcap, feeding in garden. 9.20 (Crann-Ay)
  • Gants Hill: 20 Waxwing on Cranbrook Road (London Birdwatching)
  • Forest Hill (SE23): single Waxwing briefly in poplar at the back of houses on Levendale Road 11.45 (Andrew Birks)
  • Grays: 66 Waxwing between The Harvester and Treacle Mine roundabout on the A1306 early a.m. (Birdguides).
  • Hackney: 25 Waxwing in trees by the bridge over the overground line at Navarino Road 08:05 (Birdguides)
  • Highgate tube station: around 40 Waxwings in tall tree behind Boogaloo Bar. Plenty of berries on shrub beneath 08.30 (PA)
  • KGVI Res (permit only): Velvet Scoter (immature), two 2CY Great Northern Divers, Red-necked Grebe, Slavonian Grebe (Rob Innes).
  • London Wetland Centre: Sparrowhawk, Fieldfare, 6 Redwing, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 16 Siskin (LWC website).
  • Lonsdale Res: 2 Shoveler, 2 Pochard, 1 Egyptian Goose, c.50 Tufted Duck, 10 Grey Heron (3 on nests), 10 Cormorant, 15 Teal, 2 Gadwall, GS Woodpecker, 25+ RN Parakeet, 2 LT Tit, 1 Song Thrush (M Bourne).
  • Lower Bedfords Road (Romford): 4 Herring Gull on covered reservoir site, including leucistic individual (with red colour-ring) which I also saw near Broxhill Centre, Noak Hill Road on 3/1/11; Reed Bunting in adjacent field (Colin Jupp).
  • River Lea (North Chingford): 1 female Goosander, 1 Grey Wagtail (Millicent Harper).
  • Muswell Hill: 2 Goldcrest feeding on Scots Pine in Highgate Wood 11:45 (Dan Simmons).
  • Perivale: 140 Waxwing in Perivale Park Industrial Estate in cotoneaster bushes close to metroline bus depot 15.00-15.20, when they flew SE. Still a few berries left (Andy Culshaw and David Howdon); Little Grebe on canal (David Howdon).
  • Pinner Park Farm: 4 Curlew in fields before flying off south at 14:41 - (last record 26/12/1987), 11 Snipe, 1 male Kingfisher on the main pond, 1 Tufted Duck (drake) over at 15:53, 171 Redwing, 75 Fieldfare, 2 Meadow Pipit & 1 Cormorant (Jon Ridge); also 1 Little Egret (Jon Reveley).
  • Rainham Marshes: adult SLATY-BACKED GULL on Wennington Marsh flew toward landfill site on Coldharbour Road 10:08 (Birdguides).Any reliable observers for todays sightings of SBG seeing as it was at Pitsea ? 6 Brent Geese flew down stream past stone barges car park about 1.45 pm ish, ( VHF ).
  • South Norwood CP: 10 Shoveler, Pochard, 2 Pheasant, 7 Pied Wagtail, Fieldfare, 2 Mistle Thrush (Croydon Birders).
  • South Norwood Lake: pair Great Crested Grebe, 4 Cormorant, 15 Tufted Duck, 1m Siskin, c70 Redwing, c100 Black-headed Gull, 4 Common Gull, 1 Lesser Black-bscked Gull, 1 Herring Gull, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker (1 drumming), 3 singing Chaffinch, 1 Song Thrush (John Watson & Gavin Hawgood).
  • Staines Reservoir: Scaup (male) showing well, North Basin, half way along, close to near bank. 14:00 (A.Luscombe). Also late afternoon a redhead Smew on the S basin and an adult Mediterranean Gull on the old rafts on the N basin (Rob Innes).
  • Walthamstow Res (No:5): 10 Teal, female Eider showing well, 20 Fieldfare. (West Warwick): 19 Gadwall, 15 Goldeneye, 5 Little Grebe but no sign of Scaup. (High Maynard): 2 Shelduck. (Lockwood): 2 Shelduck, 16 Gadwall, 79 Teal, at least 12 Goldeneye, female Goosander, adult intermedius-type Lesser Black-backed Gull, 3 adult Scandinavian Herring Gull, 15+ Pied Wagtail, 17 Fieldfare, 4 Redwing (D. McKenzie, Nick Tanner).
  • White City: 6 Waxwings on South Africa Rd feeding on cottoneaster, c6 Goldfinch, c12 Greenfinch (Charlie Farrell)
  • Wormwood Scrubs: Kestrel + usuals (Charlie Farrell)

Friday 18th February 2011[]

  • Bedfords Park LNR: 2 Firecrests & 3 Goldcrests (1 singing) Bridleway / Nursery area late afternoon, 100+ Redwings (inc 90 in Deer Park), singing Goldfinch, 3 Stock Dove, Bullfinch (h), 4 Pochard (3 drks), 5 Coot (Colin Jupp).
  • Bushy Park: 1 Shoveler, 8+ Gadwall, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Cormorant, lots of Red-crested Pochard and 1 Skylark (seen singing on ground) (Penelope Paxer). Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (female) in Canal Plantation at 13.30-13.45 at least (Roger Unite).
  • Cassiobury Park: Little Egret a.m. (Joanne Biscomb).
  • Copped Hall: 3 Common Buzzard, 2 female Pheasant, 2 Raven showing well in field (containing Roe Deer) north of pond 15:30-15:50, 2 Siskin over (D. McKenzie, Nick Tanner).
  • Cowley Business Park / R. Frays: 2 Little Egret flying over at 08:10 (Roger Dewey).
  • Crayford Marshes: adult Caspian Gull to 13:45 when it flew toward Dartford Marshes (Birdguides).
  • Gidea Park Sports Ground: Sparrowhawk over, 2 Goldcrest, 8 Long-tailed Tit, Greenfinch, 2 Lesser Redpoll (Colin Jupp).
  • Hemans Estate Community Garden (Inner London): 1 Dunnock, 1 shrilling Greenfinch (Michael Mac).
  • Hounslow Heath: Common Buzzard. (Adam Cheeseman)
  • Larkhall Park (Inner London): 5 Redwing - first seen in Stockwell this winter as opposed to last year when there were over 100 seen regularly on a daily basis (Michael Mac).
  • London Colney: 20 Waxwing by Arsenal FC training ground on Bell Lane (Birdguides).
  • London Wetland Centre: 46 Wigeon, Aythya hybrid (Tufted Duck x Scaup), Peregrine Falcon, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, 30+ Goldfinch, 12 Siskin (LWC website).
  • Oakwood Park (N14): 2 Mealy Redpoll, with a flock of six Lesser Redpoll, 07:55 and 08:45 hrs; 60+ Waxwing 08:10 hrs (Robert Callf).
  • Palmer's Green: 8 Waxwing on Eaton Park Road 10:25 (Birdguides).
  • Pinner Park Farm: 92 Redwing, 1 Green Woodpecker, 5 Ring-necked Parakeet & 4 Grey Heron (JR).
  • Rainham Marshes: SLATY-BACKED GULL reported "mid-morning" on dump but not since (RBA); also 1st-winter Iceland Gull (Andrew Self); Ringed Plover, 80+ Redshank, adult Yellow-legged Gull, adult Caspian Gull, 166 Stock Dove, several Rock Pipit, Cetti's Warbler (D. McKenzie, Nick Tanner).
  • Risebridge Golf Course (Romford): 17 Waxwings in poplars (feeding on buds) on E side of GC 15.10-15.20 then flew off low over Keats Avenue, possibly remaining in the area (Colin Jupp).
  • Regent's Park: pair Firecrest still present (Tony Duckett).
  • Roding Valley Park: 3 Little Egrets, Kestrel (first one I've seen here for months), mini-flock of 5 Fieldfares and 4 Redwings, another flock of around 30 Redwings elsewhere, Jay, 2 Long-tailed Tits, Mistle Thrush, 2 Mute Swans, 2 Greenfinches, half a dozen Goldfinches (Alan Hobson).
  • South Norwood CP: Mute Swan, 10 Shoveler, 2 Pochard, 2 Little Grebe, Sparrowhawk, Pheasant, Water Rail, 5 Common Snipe, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Grey Wagtail, 10 Pied Wagtail, 23 Blackbird, 8 Fieldfare, 10 Song Thrush, 5 Redwing, 2 Mistle Thrush, 18 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Coal Tit, 9 Siskin (Croydon Birders).
  • South Norwood Lake: pair Great Crested Grebe, 1m Pochard, 8 Tufted Duck, pair Sparrowhawk (displaying) pair Mistle Thrush, 3 Redwing, c100 Black-headed Gull, 1 imm Common Gull. 1 Siskin, 2 Jay, 8 Ring-necked Parakeet, 1 pair Great Spotted Woodpecker plus 2 drumming, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 singing Coal Tit, 6 Long-tailed Tit, 3 singing Chaffinch (John Watson & Gavin Hawgood).
  • South Woodford: 6 Waxwing over South Woodford Tube Station at 7.15am (London Birdwatching).
  • Staines Res: first-winter male Scaup on South Basin a.m. at least (Birdguides).
  • St James's Park: pr Great Black-backed Gulls at midday - 1 trying to dive for fish by flying up about 1 metre and then diving under water (Michael Mac).
  • Stoke Newington: 18 Waxwing in trees by the bridge over the underground line at Navarino Road 08:10 (Birdguides); and 20 Waxwing on aeriels on Lavell St. c12.30, 4 Goldfinches in Winston Road back gardens, same time (Penny Walker).
  • Sunbury Cross: c150 Waxwings on roundabout still this morning (Adam Cheeseman).
  • Tyttenhanger GP's: 43 Golden Plover, Little Egret (Steve B).
  • Wanstead Flats: 10 Skylark (6 singers), 24+ Meadow Pipit, 2 Pied Wagtail, 5 L Redpoll, 11 Siskin (s), 20+ Greenfinch, 8+ Reed Bunting (1 singer), 4 Redwing, 7 Gadwall, 2 Pochard, 14 Shoveler, c20 Tufted Duck, 2 Egyptian Goose (ad/juv), 5 Greylag Goose, Snipe, Sparrowhawk, no sign of Med Gull because of of aforementioned hawk who kept putting all the gulls up, Goldcrest, Little Grebe (trilling) (NC).
  • Wanstead Park: 11 Linnet, 20+ Siskin, 42 Tufted Duck, 2 Egyptian Goose, 2 Gadwall, 5 Pochard, 3 Little Grebe (2 trilling), singing Goldcrest, Coal Tit, Stock Dove, Sparrowhawk (52 sp in total) (NC).
  • White City / Shepherds Bush: up to 56 Waxwings at junction South Africa Road / Wood Lane 08.20-11.00 at least, feeding on low cotoneaster bushes at roadside. Also seen in nearby Hammersmith Park, feeding on poplar buds in SW corner and 25 seen flying roughly SW over Westfield shopping centre (Andy Culshaw / Birdguides).

Thursday 17th February 2011[]

  • Abney Park Cemetery: Common Buzzard low and south over Church St. entrance 1242, Tawny Owl, 3 Coal Tits, 4 Goldcrests, lots of singing Stock Doves (Mark Pearson).
  • Brookmill Park (Lewisham): 1 Dabchick, 13 Mallard, 1 Mandarin, 6 Moorhen, 3 Coot, 10+ Black-headed Gull, 10+ Woodpigeon, 1 Collared Dove, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 4 Wren, 3 Dunnock, 4 Robin, 10+ Blackbird, 20+ Redwing, 1 Goldcrest, 2 Long-tailed Tit, 4 Great Tit, 6 Blue Tit, 4 Magpie, 4 Carrion Crow, 4 Goldfinch, 4 Greenfinch, 4 Chaffinch (Conrad Ellam).
  • Chafford Hundred: 80 Waxwing on Griffin Road (Birdguides).
  • Clissold Park: pair of Peregrines in the area (and over adjacent Church St.), male Red-crested Pochard, Ring-necked Parakeets excavating nest hole, singing Coal Tit (Mark Pearson).
  • Copped Hall: 3 Common Buzzards & a flock of 3,000 Woodpigeons but no sign of any Ravens (Andrew Self)
  • Crayford: 12 Waxwing by the Ghandi Spice Restaurant on London Road 07:45 (Birdguides).
  • Crayford Marshes: Water Pipit, Little Owl, 4 Rock Pipit, Oystercatcher, c700 Dunlin, c50 Redwing (Kev Jarvis).
  • Dagenham: possible Slaty-backed Gull reported at the south end of Chequers Lane, flying west over Ford motor works a.m. (Birdguides).
  • Enfield: Waxwing at the south end of Bertram Road 07:45 (Birdguides).
  • Eversley Crescent (N21): 2 (male and female) Lesser Redpoll feeding in Birch (Robert Callf).
  • Finchley: 36 Waxwing by the A2198, Long Lane 12:00 (Birdguides).
  • Grays Gorge: Firecrest (Birdguides).
  • Greenford: 7 Waxwing on trees junction of Horsenden Lane North and Burwell Avenue at 14:155 (John Fordham).
  • Grovelands Park (Southgate): 2 Firecrest including a singing male 16:35-17:00 hrs (Robert Callf).
  • Hackney: 2 Waxwing in trees beside the bridge over the overground line at Navarino Road 08:10 (Birdguides).
  • Hanworth: 65 Waxwing at south end of Hounslow Rd, feeding outside Oriel Primary School 0930. Presuambly some of the Sunbury Cross birds (DMH).
  • Harold Hill Industrial Estate: 305 Pied Wagtails roosting in three trees 18.15-18.25hrs (Colin Jupp).
  • Hillfield Park Res: Mediterranean Gull in the roost this evening (Birdguides).
  • Lee Valley: 1 Pink-footed Goose and 1 White-fronted Goose in amongst c80 Greylag Geese in the field next to Fishers Green Lane (TL 377025), just before Hooks Marsh car park (Mike Oakland).
  • London Wetland Centre: 2 Bittern, Curlew circled the site 08:05 then headed north-west, Mediterranean Gull on river, first-winter Caspian Gull reported on Main Lake, Stonechat, 4 Cetti's Warbler, 7 Goldcrest, 26 Siskin, 3 Lesser Redpoll (LWC website).
  • Muswell Hill (Grosvenor Road): 11 Waxwing at 7.45 a.m. (James Palmer)
  • New Covent Garden Market: Kestrel on usual perch (Michael Mac)
  • Paddington Green: singing Grey Wagtail p.m. (D. McKenzie).
  • Palmers Green (N13): c30 Waxwings on Eaton Park Road at junction with Green Lanes. Moving between a tree in back garden on corner and three trees at junction (Katy M).
  • Perivale: 19+ Waxwings in trees outside Londis on Bilton Road at 15:00 (John Fordham).
  • Pinner Park Farm: 2 Common Buzzard over south-west, 1 Little Owl showing well from 17:06, 5 Snipe, 122 Fieldfare, 67 Redwing, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker & 3 Grey Heron (JR).
  • Rainham Marshes: 2 Penduline Tit still from northern boardwalk before flying toward back of reedbed a.m. (Birdguides); SLATY-BACKED GULL back on Wennington 11:21 (from east end of Coldharbour Lane though very distant; still present at 12:10, also a juvenile Iceland Gull; Slaty-backed Gull still on Wennington Marsh 15:15 when it flew off east, with no further sign by 15:45 (Birdguides).
  • Roding Valley Park: 3 Little Egrets, Water Rail, Little Grebe, Green Woodpecker, mixed flock of around 70 Fieldfares, Redwings, Song Thrush, Starlings, Blackbirds, Robins; mixed flock of around 30 Common Gulls and Black-headed Gulls, 2 Long-tailed Tits and a separate flock of Long-tailed Tits, several flocks of Goldfinches, 2 Pied Wagtails (Alan Hobson).
  • South Croydon (Castlemaine Avenue): Little Egret low north-east 07:40 (Croydon Birders).
  • South Norwood CP: Mute Swan, 10 Shoveler, Pochard, Cormorant, Pheasant, Water Rail, 4 Common Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Kingfisher, 10 Pied Wagtail, 27 Wren, 11 Fieldfare, 38 Redwing, 3 Goldcrest, Coal Tit, 18 Siskin (Croydon Birders).
  • South Norwood Lake: pair Great Crested Grebe, 1 Egyptian Goose, c20 Tufted Duck, 100 Black-headed Gull, 1 Common Gull, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Nuthatch, 1 Song Thrush, 8 Ring-necked Parakeet, 3 singing Chaffinch, c10 Long-tailed Tit, Coal Tit (John Watson & Gavin Hawgood).
  • Staines Reservoir: 1 male Scaup with Tufted Ducks on South Basin near the tower 9am (PFM).
  • St. John's Wood: 6 Waxwing at the junction of Marlborough Place / Abbey Road 14:10 (Birdguides).
  • Sunbury Cross: 150+ Waxwing still (Tony Sweetland).
  • Totteridge Valley / Darlands Lake: 12 Mandarin, 7 Teal, 3 Ring-necked Parakeet, 3 G S Woodpecker, 2 Green Woodpecker, 2 Stock Dove, 2 Jay, 30+ Common Gull (Steve Blake).
  • Uxbridge / Cowley: c40 Waxwing resting & preening in birch tree in Cowley Road service road by SMC Ford dealership - 11.00 (Roger Dewey).
  • Watford: 67+ Waxwing at Leavesden Green school 15:50 (Birdguides); 2 singing Song Thrush along Cardiff Road 01:00 (D. McKenzie).
  • White City: c30 Waxwing on South Africa Road near BBC (observer?).
  • Winchmore Hill (N21): 35 Waxwing perched in tree and dropping down to feed on cotoneaster 15:30 at Stone Hall Road (Robert Callf).

Wednesday 16th February 2011[]

  • Alexandra Park: Water Rail, Goldcrest, 3 Redwings (David Callahan).
  • Arrandene Open Space, Mill Hill, NW7: Woodcock flushed from edge of northern wood at 14:30 (Edgar de Jarnac).
  • Barkingside: 12 Waxwing on Fullwell Ave (London Birdwatching)
  • Brent Reservoir: 1 Skylark flew north (Andrew Self).
  • Burgess Park: 3 singing Song Thrush late pm (Michael Mac).
  • Bushy Park: several Gadwall, 2 Shoveler, 1 Cormorant plus the usuals (Penelope Paxer).
  • Chafford Hunded railway station: 35 Waxwing (ELBF).
  • Claybury Park: Treecreeper, up to 2 Nuthatches, Coal Tit, Goldcrest, at least 6 Stock Doves, Grey Heron, up to 4 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, around 8 Jays, 2 Canada Geese, Redwing, Song Thrush, half a dozen Goldfinches, 3 flocks of Long-tailed Tits (Alan Hobson).
  • Copped Hall (Epping Forest): 2 Raven, 14.55-15.05. Nice display included seeing off a Common Buzzard, a few barrel rolls, and a call. (TeRNS).
  • Claybury Park: Goldcrest, 2 Coal Tit, Green Woodpecker (London Birdwatching)
  • Crayford Marshes: ad Yellow-legged Gull, 2 Little Owl, Green Sandpiper, 3 Yellowhammer, Water Rail, 2 Common Sandpiper, 2 Peregrine, pr Stonechat (Kev Jarvis & Steve Carter).
  • Ealing Broadway: 09.30 Peregrine sitting on top of empty office block next to ealing council's Perceval House. (f mckinnon)
  • Enfield (Chase Ridings, EN2): 13 Waxwing at Upland Park Road junction 16:20 (Birdguides).
  • Grays: 32 Waxwing Wharf PH (ELBF).
  • Hampstead Heath: c26 Redwings & c20 Redpolls in West Meadow of Kenwood, 35+ Siskins by Sanctuary Pond and others throughout, 2 Gr Crested Grebes (Chris B).
  • Harvington Woods (Beckenham): 1 Firecrest (possibly 2), 10+ Goldcrest, 60+ Redwing, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, Mistle Thrush (singing) (David Mercer).
  • Holmethorpe SPs: Little Egret (SBC).
  • London Wetland Centre: Shelduck, 42 Wigeon, 130 Shoveler, Aythya hybrid (Tufted Duck x Scaup), 50 Cormorant, Bittern, Sparrowhawk, Kingfisher, 2 singing Cetti's Warbler (LWC website).
  • Mill Hill, NW7 Arrandene Open Space: see above for Woodcock sighting (RAH)
  • Oakwood, N14: 32 Waxwings on Prince George Avenue at the junction with Merrivale, also commuting to South Lodge Drive. (Simon. W)
  • Paddington Green: Peregrine Falcon a.m. (D. McKenzie).
  • Pinner Park Farm: 1 Snipe, 180+ Redwing & 127+ Fieldfare - counts interrupted by 1 Sparrowhawk, just 1 Meadow Pipit, 4 Jackdaw, 7 Canada Goose & 5 Grey Heron (Jon Ridge).
  • Rainham Marshes: SLATY-BACKED GULL intermittently showing on landfill site from 13.20 (Andy Tweed); still present 14:10; on Wennington Marsh (Andy Lawson) 15:34; flew east from pools at 16:40 (Adrian Kettle); 9 Mute Swan, 6 Pintail, 32 Pochard, 5 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Little Egret, 42 Golden Plover, 2 Curlew, 2 Common Snipe, 400 Redshank, first-winter Caspian Gull, 15 Skylark, 17 Rock Pipit, Water Pipit, 2 Redwing, 3 Cetti's Warbler, 12 Reed Bunting (ELBF).
  • Regent's Park: male Firecrest in Holm Oak by fence around Leafyard Wood (Birdguides).
  • Sevenoaks WR: Black-necked Grebe (Birdguides).
  • South Norwood CP: 7 Shoveler, 2 Pochard, 2 Little Grebe, 2 Pheasant, Water Rail, Common Snipe, Common Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, 5 Stock Dove, 10 Pied Wagtail, 28 Dunnock, 11 Fieldfare, 4 RedWing, 2 Goldcrest, Coal Tit, 2 Siskin (Croydon Birders).
  • South Norwood Lake: pair Great Crested Grebe, pair displaying Sparrowhawk, 1m 1f Shoveler, 15 Tufted Duck, c100 Black-headed Gull, 3 Common Gull, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 2 Cormorant, c12 Redwing, 1 Song Thrush, 1f Siskin, 2 singing Chaffinch, 2 Goldcrest, 2 Coal Tit, 8 Long-tailed Tit, 9 Ring-necked Parakeet, (John Watson & Gavin Hawgood).
  • Streamway (Northumberland Heath/Erith): 1 Song Thrush heard, in trees between allotment site and Erith Cemetery west side, first I've heard anywhere in this area for ages. 1 Redwing. 6 Ring-necked Parakeet. 5 Blue Tit. 1 Great Tit. Several Wood Pigeon. 7 Starlings. Blackbird. Robin. Circa 11 House Sparrows in various hedging. (Chris Rose).
  • Sunbury Cross: c150 Waxwing (Adam Cheeseman).
  • Totteridge Valley: c200 Redwings and Fieldfares in one flock eventually went NE, 2 Skylarks (1 over and 1 grounded), 10 Siskin, 1 fem Bullfinch, and a Muntjac (John Colmans). Muntjac also seen crossing Partingdale Lane 17:45 (Laura Haynes)
  • Trent Park Area: 1 hybrid dabbling drake (Teal x Mallard? - although none of the images I have seen fit this bird) (Robert Callf & Robin White).
  • Tyttenhanger GPs: Shelduck, Ruddy Shelduck, Woodcock, 2 Buzzard (Steve B).
  • Uxbridge: Peregrine over Whitehall Road, heading in direction of Cowley Road at 17.25 (Steve Pash).
  • Valentines Park (Ilford): Egyptian Goose, Tufted x Pochard, 8 Pochard, Mediterranean Gull, 12 Siskin, (London Birdwatching).
  • Wanstead Flats (07:20-08:00): Mediterranean Gull (6th day),14 Skylarks, including 6 singing birds, east of Centre Rd; 19 Meadow Pipits west of Centre Rd; 2 singing Reed Bunting in SSSI (Tim Harris/NC/ST), Little Owl (west end of Long Wood), sub-song Redwing, Fieldfare, Mistle Thrush, Song Thrush (NC/Steve Thorpe).
  • Wanstead Park: 6 Waxwing at the junction of Seagry Road / Overton Drive by The Basin 09:24 (NC/ST/Birdguides), Great Crested Grebe (basin), 2 Little Grebe, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Siskin, singing Mistle Thrush, singing Goldcrest, Coal Tit, 4m Teal (SoM)..
  • Woodlands Farm (Shooters Hill, Welling): Waxwing heard calling overhead (AW).

Tuesday 15th February 2011[]

  • Alexandra Park: c20 Redwing, Jackdaw (David Callahan).
  • Bedfont Lakes CP: 15 Waxwing. (Adam Cheeseman)
  • Biggin Wood (SE19): 2 green woodpecker, 3 greater spotted woodpecker, 1 wren, 1 great tit, 3 blue tits, 10+ ring necked parakeet, 15+ wood pigeon, 9 crow, 3 magpie (Rob Bell).
  • Bookham Common: 2 Hawfinch behind railway station (Birdguides).
  • Chafford Hundred: 6 Waxwing flew over Mayflower Road a.m. (Birdguides).
  • Clapham Common: at least 100+ Waxwing in low trees at Windmill Pub when I drove past at 3.30pm. Not there at 17.30 but probably roosted. Will check again tomorrow morning (Mark H).
  • Crayford: 61 Waxwing at Bourne Meads 08:05 (Andy Lawson).
  • Crayford Marshes: Turtle Dove flew south-east at 11:40. 5 Rock Pipit, Little Owl, 3 male Yellowhammer, Green Sandpiper, Water Rail, pr Stonechat, Goldcrest, Oystercatcher, 35 Fieldfare (Kev Jarvis).
  • Golders Green: 23 Waxwing, West Heath Avenue around low berry trees near Golders Hill entrance, 16:00; flock departed at 16:35. The birds were not present on many intervening visits after two other recent sightings there, but berries still plentiful (James Levy).
  • Hainault: Tawny Owl hooting, heard from garden (London Birdwatching)
  • Hampton Court Park: 1 redhead Goosander flew SW, 11 Fieldfare W, 80 Redwing (56 N-NE), 14 Meadow Pipit, 52 Lapwing circled (Andrew Skotnicki).
  • Hyde Park/Kensington Gardens: 2 Egyptian Goose, 2 pair of Gadwall, 33 Shoveler, 10 Red-crested Pochard (6 male), Scaup-like Aythya hybrid (imm / fem), m Ruddy Duck, trilling Little Grebe, 82 Common Gull (including a colour-ringed first-winter), 3 Stock Dove, 4 Great Spotted Woodpecker (2 drumming), Redwing, singing Goldcrest, Nuthatch, 2 singing Treecreeper (D. McKenzie).
  • London Wetland Centre: Shelduck, 67 Cormorant, 2 Cetti's Warbler, singing Chiffchaff, 10 Siskin (LWC website).
  • Maryon-Wilson Park LNR: male Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (intermittently drumming) in wooded area on right side from Charlton Park Road entrance, 6 Chaffinch (4 in 'rain-song') (D. McKenzie).
  • Parkside Farm / Res (Enfield): 1 drake Teal (first of the year for the patch!) (Robert Callf).
  • Pinner Park Farm: 120 Fieldfare, 48 Redwing, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker & 2 Coot (JR).
  • Prince George Ave (Oakwood N14): 12 Waxwing feeding on cotoneaster at junction with Merrivale 09:20hrs (Robert Callf).
  • Regent's Park: minimum of 51 Red-crested Pochard, Little Grebe, 14 Grey Heron taking scraps from public (including Nacho Cheese flavoured Doritos), drumming Great Spotted Woodpecker; also, 3 fully-winged Barnacle Goose with 3 'pinioned' individuals (D. McKenzie).
  • Sidcup: 25 Waxwing in back gardens along Lyndon Avenue 08:15 and viewable from the A2 (Andy Lawson).
  • South Norwood CP: 6 Shoveler, 2 Pochard, 2 Little Grebe, Cormorant, Grey Heron, 7 Pheasant, Common Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, 2 Stock Dove, Grey Wagtail, 5 Pied Wagtail, 71 Fieldfare, 25 Redwing, Goldcrest, 20 Siskin (Croydon Birders).
  • South Norwood Lake: 2 Mute Swan, pair Great Crested Grebe (displaying), 2 Cormorant, c150 Black-headed Gull, 2 Common Gull, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1 singing Song Thrush, 2 singing Chaffinch, 12 Ring-necked Parakeet, c10 Long-tailed Tit (John Watson & Gavin Hawgood).
  • Staines Reservoir: first-winter male Scaup (SBC).
  • Stoke Newington: 9 Waxwing on aerial in Lavell St at 8.30am (Penny Walker, Neil Verlander); 20 Waxwing back on aerial in Lavell St at 12:00 (Andrew Tyers).
  • South Woodford: 20 Waxwing in a private garden (London Birdwatching).
  • Sunbury Cross: 100+ Waxwing brief view whilst driving round roundabaout (Adam Cheeseman); c200 Waxwing (SBC).
  • Waterlow Park: 14 Tufted Duck, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Goldcrest, usual finches / tits (PA).
  • Wanstead Park: 11 Pied Wagtail together (momentous), 1 poss 2 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (first drumming, then seen in flght, 'second' 400yds from first an hour later drumming but not seen), 25 Siskin (J Lethbridge)
  • Woodford Bridge (playing fields off Roding Lane North): large mixed flock of over 50 birds including Fieldfares, Redwings, Song Thrushes, Green Woodpecker, Blackbirds, Robins (so 5 species of thrush), Common Gull, Starlings and Woodpigeons. Mistle Thrush nearby (making 6 species of thrush) (Alan Hobson).
  • Wood Green: 14 Waxwing at Bowes Park Nursery on Whittington Road (London Birdwatching).
  • Woolwich Common: 3 Meadow Pipit, Fieldfare (D. McKenzie)
  • Wormwood Scrubs: c200 Black-Headed Gull, c20 Common Gull, Pied Wagtail, Redwing, c5 Greenfinch, 4 Song thrush (2 singers), 4 Dunnock (2 singers), Meadow Pipit (Charlie Farrell).
  • Wyvil Estate (Stockwell) singing Dunnock, 4 Blackbirds on grass (Michael Mac).

Monday 14th February 2011[]

  • Abney Park Cemetery: Tawny Owl, 2 singing Blackcaps, 8 pairs of Stock Doves on territory / at holes, including wholly leucistic bird attending nest hole in poplar by High St. entrance (Mark Pearson)
  • Battersea (Thames footpath): 2 Peregrine, female Sparrowhawk (hunting evening Starling flock - daily occurance), 4 Coal Tit in plain trees in park, Goldcrest (Jamie Partridge).
  • Bedfont Lakes CP and Princes Lakes: 10 Smew (4m, 6f), 221 Coot, 90 Black-headed Gull, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 8 Mute Swan, 4 Dabchick, 4 Egyptian Goose, 160 Tufted Duck, 9 Common Gull, 48 Mallard, 15 Cormorant, 12 Great Crested Grebe, 16 Shoveler, 48 Pochard, 4 Canada Goose, 3 Herring Gull, 2 Moorhen, 4 Gadwall, 7 Teal, 3 Grey Heron, 2 Green Sandpiper, 1 Redshank, 3 Mistle Thrush, 3 Song Thrush, 30+ Ring-necked Parakeet, 2 Redwing, 5 Siskin, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Harris Hawk. (Adam Cheeseman)
  • Bursted Woods and former Pitch and Putt course (Barnehurst): 2 or 3 Redwing, 2 Mistle Thrush, Ring-necked Parakeets, Woodpigeons, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Carrion Crow (Chris Rose).
  • Battersea Park Lake: 110 Cormorants at roost, 30+ Magpies in roost, alot of Grey Heron nest activity, plenty Gadwall (though didn't count), very few Shoveler, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Great Crested Grebe, singing Song Thrush plus usuals (Michael Mac).
  • Bexleyheath: 28 Waxwing at Russell Close 08:25 (Birdguides).
  • Bexley Woods: 12 Waxwing off Bourne Road, on Bourne Mead briefly 12:10 (Birdguides). [See Bourne Mead (Crayford) below]
  • Bookham Common: 2 Hawfinch behind railway station mid-p.m. (Birdguides).
  • Bourne Mead (Crayford) - off Bourne Rd, opposite Hall Place playing fields: 15 Waxwing 10.30 to 12.10 when flew South towards Bexley. Plenty of berries left! (David Mercer); 30 birds counted in trees at same location circa 16.10. Feeding on Cotoneaster. Eventually flew south east, beyond railway line. Possibly up to 40 birds in total (Chris Rose).
  • Brookmill Park (Lewisham): 1 Dabchick, 18 Mallard, 1 Mandarin, 10 Moorhen, 2 Coot, 4 Black-headed Gull, 10+ Woodpigeon, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 singing Wren, 3 singing Dunnock, 4 singing Robin, 10+ Blackbird, 10+ Redwing, 1 singing Song Thrush, 2 Goldcrest, 4 Long-tailed Tit, 5 Great Tit, 5 Blue Tit, 2 Starling, 6 Magpie, 6 Carrion Crow, 10+Goldfinch, 4 Greenfinch, 6 Chaffinch (Conrad Ellam)
  • Chafford Hundred: 64 Waxwing along the cycle track between Saffron and Mayflower Roads 08:44 (Birdguides).
  • North Chingford: 3 Waxwings in suburban road near forest (waited 56 years to see 1 and 3 come along at once - N Mussett)
  • Clapham Common: 13 Shoveler, 12+ Redwing plus lots of spring activity, especially the Starlings, crows and pigeons all paired up (Mark H).
  • Copped Hall (Epping Forest): 2 Raven still present at 2.30pm, and 1 Little Owl (Simon Papps).
  • Crayford Marshes: ad Mediterranean Gull, Water Pipit, 2 Rock Pipit, Ruff, 2 Oystercatcher, 3 Yellowhammer, Little Owl, Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, 5 Rook (Kev Jarvis).
  • Forest Gate: Grey Wagtail singing in my back yard (NC).
  • Grovelands Park (Southgate): 1 male Firecrest feeding in Holly 12:25-12:30 and 12:51-12:53 hrs (Robert Callf).
  • Hall Place North (Bexleyheath): 22 Redwing, 2 Mistle Thrush, Great Tit, Wood Pigeons. 28 House Sparrows in hedge of adjacent school. 18 Ring-necked Parakeets over north end of Gravel Hill (Chris Rose).
  • Harold Wood (River Ingrebourne): Jack Snipe flushed (at my feet) from flattened vegetation / mud at rivers edge, dropped down near Cockabourne Bridge but couldn't relocate it. No sign of any Waxwings in H.Wood area pm (Colin Jupp).
  • Islington: at least 7 Waxwing feeding at crab apples and rowan at Barnsbury Road early p.m. (Birdguides).
  • London Wetland Centre: Aythya hybrid (Ring NeckedxTufted Duck), 2 Common Buzzard north-west, Bittern, Jack Snipe, near-adult Caspian Gull (Main Lake 09:20), 3 Collared Dove, 8 Fieldfare south, 40 Redwing north, 3 Cetti's Warbler, Chiffchaff, 3 Goldcrest, 25 Siskin (LWC website); adult Mediterranean Gull (wader scrape c11.45-12.05) with green numbered ring (ringed as a pullus from Calais, France, in 1999) (Nik Borrow).
  • Martens Grove (Bexleyheath): 2 or 3 Redwing, 1 Mistle Thrush, 1 Blackbird, 2 male Chaffinch, 8 Goldfinch, Ring-necked Parakeets, Blue Tits, Great Tits, Robin, Magpie, Carrion Crows (Chris Rose).
  • North Finchley: 5 Waxwing at Grange Avenue 08:10 (Birdguides).
  • Prince George Avenue (Oakwood N14): 20 Waxwing feeding in ornamental shrubs 08:30-09:00 hrs (Robert Callf).
  • Princes Lakes, Bedfont: 10 Smew 4 Nuns and 6 Redheads. (Adam Cheeseman)
  • Purfleet: adult Mediterranean Gull flew downriver at the Thames at 15:10 (D. McKenzie).
  • Roding Valley Park: Kingfisher, 2 Mistle Thrushes, 3 Fieldfares, 3 Song Thrushes (Alan Hobson).
  • Sevenoaks WR: Black-necked Grebe still on East Lake (Birdguides).
  • Sidcup: 25 Waxwing in back gardens of Lyndon Avenue a.m., viewable from the A2 (Birdguides).
  • South Norwood CP: 2 Egyptian Goose, 4 Shoveler, 3 Pochard, 2 Little Grebe, 2 Pheasant, Water Rail, 2 Common Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, 6 Ring-necked Parakeet, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker (1 drumming), Grey Wagtail, 10 Pied Wagtail, Coal Tit (Croydon Birders).
  • South Norwood Lake: 2 Mute Swan, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Cormorant, c120 Black-headed Gull, 3 Common Gull, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker (1 drumming), 6 Redwing, 1 Song Thrush, 2 Long-tailed Tit, Coal Tit, 6 Ring-necked Parakeet, 2 singing Chaffinch, Goldfinch, c4 Greenfinch, 2 House Sparrow (John Watson & Gavin Hawgood).
  • Sewardstone Marsh: 9 Waxwing 1700hrs by paddocks at the end of Godwin Close (N.Smith).
  • St James's Park: Smew drake present again this morning at 0720hrs at the Buckingham Palace end of the lake. Appeared shy and I would be grateful if anybody could look and check if this bird is fully winged. It was not present late last week but was on Tuesday 8th. Connect with my previous post but beginning to think this might be a captive bird (Richard Seargent). I was there round midday I think there are 2 pairs of captive Smew at this park - perhaps if you e-mail the office they may be able to provide a list of captive birds they have as there are often 4 Ruddy Duck which I think are also part of the collection (Michael Mac).
  • Stoke Newington Reservoirs: c20 Waxwings around West Res 1330 (could be same as Penny's regular visitors below), Cetti's Warbler, 77 Shovelers, plus the usuals (Mark Pearson)
  • Stoke Newington: 20 Waxwing coming and going in back gardens Winston Rd / Albion Rd, 09.45-11.00 and again 13.30-14.30, back c15.30 in Lavell St on aerial (Penny Walker).
  • Sunbury Cross: 150-200 Waxwing in trees around the Green Street exit. Going to berries on the roundabout opposite (Tony Sweetland).
  • Tufnell Park (Huddleston Road, N7): regular resident Goldcrest back and singing loudly, first time this year (Reuben Braddock).
  • Waterlow Park: 3+ Goldcrest, 1 Nuthatch nr cemetery, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Fieldfares (PA).
  • West Ealing: 1 Waxwing high E over garden at 07:15 (Bill Haines).
  • Wormwood Scrubs: singing Song Thrush, singing Dunnock and not much else on little Scrubs (Charlie Farrell).

Sunday 13th February 2011[]

  • Alexandra Park: 30+ Waxwing flew north towards site over Nightingale Lane at 1153, also 2 Water Rail Conservation Pond (Bob Watts).
  • Amwell GP: 2 redhead Smew (1 attacked by Sparrowhawk) (Birdguides).
  • Barking Bay: 2 Green Sandpiper, 2 Oystercatcher, 2 Ringed Plover, 8 Curlew, 16 Fieldfare, Chiffchaff, 4 Skylark. (Paul Hawkins)
  • Bedfont Lakes CP: 50 Waxwing and f. Firecrest (Carolyn Hoole per Adam Cheeseman)
  • Bedfords Park LNR: 2 Firecrests along bridleway near Nursery (up to 16.45hrs), 7 Fieldfare over W, singing Mistle Thrush, Coal Tit near lake (Colin Jupp).
  • Belhus Woods CP: 70 Waxwing flew toward Lakeside a.m. (Birdguides). *Bexleyheath: 11 Waxwing in Russell Close 07:40 (Birdguides).
  • Bourne Mead (Crayford): 150 Waxwings this morning at 7.50am (Martin Birch).
  • Brent Reservoir: 1 Common Snipe (high water level), Teal, Gadwall, Shoveler, Tufted Duck, Common Pochard, Mallard, Great Crested Grebes (weed dancing), 2 Little Grebes, Fieldfare & Sparrowhawk - reported, 2 Redwing, Ring-necked Parakeets, L. B.b.Gull, Herring Gull, Common Gull, B.h. Gull, Grey Heron. (NW London RSPB Group - Bob Husband & John Colmans)
  • Brockley SE4: 2 Ring-necked Parakeets investigating a hole in a Plane Tree, used by Great Spotted Woodpecker last year near the Prendergast School Gym in Adelaide Ave. Is this a matter of concern? (Phil Laurie). Woodpeckers excavate a new nest hole each year so it's not a concern unless they are ousted from an occupied hole. However they can still excavate another. (Bob Husband, RSPB Group Leader, NW London RSPB Group)
  • Brookmill Park (Lewisham): 1 Dabchick, 14 Mallard, 1 Mandarin, 1 male Pheasant (walking around in duck pond enclosure) 8 Moorhen, 2 Coot, 10+ Black-headed Gull, 10+ Woodpigeon, 1 Kingfisher, 4 Wren (3 singing), 3 singing Dunnock, 7 Robin (4 singing), 10+ Blackbird, 10+ Redwing, 1 singing Song Thrush, 2 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Great Tit, 4 Blue Tit, 10 Magpie, 2 Carrion Crow, 8 Goldfinch, 6 Greenfinch 1 Chaffinch (Conrad Ellam).
  • Canons Farm & Banstead Woods: 2 Mallards flew over, 3 Little Owls (1 Lambert's Shaw, 2 Legal & General), 16+ Yellowhammers (1 singing), Pheasant (B.Woods), Mistle Thrush, 7 Goldcrests, 3 Green Woodpeckers, 4 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Nuthatch, Coal Tit, 3 Bullfinches (1 Legal & General, 2 The Scrub), 4 singing Song Thrushes, ad.Lesser Black-backed Gull over, 2 singing Skylarks, 3 Stock Doves, Linnet, Greenfinch, good numbers of Fieldfares and Redwings. Legal & General Gulls: c.113 Black-headed Gulls, 3 Common Gulls (David Campbell).
  • Cassiobury Park: Little Egret, 32 vocal Waxwing in wetland area near green bridge at 11:30 but mobile, 2 singing Goldcrest (D. McKenzie, J. Biscomb).
  • Central Park (Harold Hill): c20 Waxwings flew low SE towards Petersfield Avenue shops at 11.38 (Colin Jupp).
  • Copped Hall (Epping Forest): 2 Raven midday, and at least 17 Common Buzzards (follow the footpath across the M25 and carry on walking past the Hall and outbuildings towards a private road and a duckpond/thistle field) (P. Whiteman, J. Lethbridge & D. Bradnum - per R. Woodward). Seen again at 13:30 (G Ekins)
  • Dagenham Chase LNR: 1st-winter Mediterranean Gull on the slack 2.40-3.00pm at least, pair of Wigeon and 1 Little Egret (V.Halley-Frame).
  • Edgware, Middx. j/n Hale Lane / Broadfields Ave (mini roundabout): 6 Waxwings briefly in large tree 13.10 (Fay Broom via Bob Husband)
  • Hackney Marshes: 13 Linnet, very vocal, flew off towards Walthamstow Marshes early p.m.; also 2 Goldcrest, 3 Chiffchaff (Jamie Partridge).
  • Hanwell: 42 Waxwing by the ambulance station on Boston Road. c35 had been reported up to 13:00, but no sign when I got there at 14:00. Flock returned at 15:24 (Bill Haines).
  • Harringay (Cavendish Road): c30 Waxwings flying east 12.10pm (Simon Bradley).
  • Hatfield: 150+ Waxwing in trees along Comet Way 16:00 (Birdguides).
  • Holmethorpe SPs: male Red-crested Pochard, 2 Little Egret (SBC).
  • Hyde Park/Kensington Gardens: 5 Egyptian Goose, 3 Gadwall, 17 Shoveler, pair of Great Spotted Woodpecker, pair of Mistle Thrush, Coal Tit, Goldcrest, 1-2 Treecreeper, c4 Chaffinch, 2 Goldfinch, pair of GC Grebe (Charlie Farrell).
  • Horsenden Hill: 1 Little Grebe (David Howdon)
  • Kilburn Grange Park: 52 Waxwing counted 09:30 as they flew in groups to next tree, NE corner by exercise gear, calling, then flew to poplars near entrance NW corner (Andrew Verrall).
  • Leg of Mutton Pond (Lonsdale Road Reservoir LNR): 2 Mandarin Duck, female Scaup (SBC / Birdguides).
  • London Wetland Centre: 45 Wigeon, 53 Gadwall, 128 Teal, 162 Shoveler, 274 Tufted Duck, 3 Little Grebe, 7 Great Crested Grebe, 51 Cormorant, 165 Black-headed Gull, singing Cetti's Warbler, singing Chiffchaff, 3 Reed Bunting (LWC website). Afternoon: 80+ Gadwall (mainly on flooded Wader Scrape), 120+ Cormorant on site with more still arriving mid-afternoon, 15-20 Siskin, f Sparrowhawk, Bittern (Matt Palmer)
  • Mudchute Park and City Farm: 36+ Monk Parakeets with 4 nests, 19 Redwing, singing Goldcrest plus third-winter Yellow-legged Gull on the Thames nearby (David Callahan).
  • Oakwood N14 (Prince George Avenue): 7 Waxwing alighted briefly in ornamental shrubs 10:20 hrs (Robert Callf).
  • Paddington Green: Peregrine Falcon p.m., Grey Wagtail, c20 Goldfinch (D. McKenzie).
  • Rainham Marshes: ringtail Hen Harrier (Birdguides); still present mid-late afternoon hunting over Target Pools / Wennington Marsh (James A).
  • Regent's Park: Water Rail (ditch), Sparrowhawk over wetland area, Green Woodpecker (Wetland Area) (Charlie Farrell).
  • Romford: Peregrine in flight over Brewery shopping centre (Tom Smith)
  • Sevenoaks WR: Black-necked Grebe (Birdguides).
  • South Norwood CP: 2 Egyptian Goose over, 6 Shoveler, Pochard, 2 Little Grebe, Pheasant, 3 Common Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, 12 Pied Wagtail, 6 Fieldfare, 4 Redwing (Croydon Birders).
  • South Norwood Lake: pair Great Crested Grebe, 1m Shoveler, 2 Cormorant, c150 Black-headed Gull, 2 Common Gull, 8 Ring-necked Parakeet, Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Song Thrush, 6 Redwing, c10 Goldfinch, 4 Long-tailed Tit, (John Watson & Gavin Hawgood).
  • Stanwell: c60 Waxwing in Diamedes Avenue / Elizabethan Way area before flying towards the village. Also Scaup still present at Staines Reservoir (Jim Sweetland).
  • Stoke Newington: 20-30 Waxwing in tall trees and aeriels between Albion Rd and Winston Rd, coming and going since 09.30 (now 15.10). Moved on by corvids from time to time (Penny Walker / Neil Verlander) *Sunbury Cross: 160 Waxwing (Birdguides).
  • Sutcliffe Park: 1 Little Egret, 2 Egyptian Goose (site first, I think), 30 LBB Gull, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Mistle Thrush, 1 Redwing (James Lowen).
  • Valentines Park (Ilford): Aythya hybrid (Tufted x Pochard) (Paul Hawkins).
  • Wanstead Flats: Mediterranean Gull (still on football pitches until @10:00 when the football kicked off), 2-3 Teal, 2 Siskin (J Lethbridge, Nick Croft, Tim Harris).
  • Waterworks NR: 22 Redwing, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Snipe (both on bed 16), 3 Fieldfare, 2 Chiffchaff (Jamie Partridge).
  • West Thurrock: 25 Waxwing near Toys R Us (Lakeside) (Birdguides).

Saturday 12th February 2011[]

  • Alexandra Park: 3 Water Rail Conservation Pond, 4 Shoveler Boating lake (Bob Watts).
  • Banbury Res: 1 female Red-breasted Merganser, 1 Black-necked Grebe, 2 Goosander, 5 Green Sandpipers (R Woodward, D Hutley).
  • Battersea Power Station: Scaup up river @ 7.32am, pair adult Great Black-backed Gulls nest site prospecting on bridge, 8 Linnet and 2 singing Grey Wagtails. (Dave Morrison)
  • Bourne Mead, Crayford: c160 Waxwings this afternoon till 2.30pm when flew west, but still plenty of berries so they'll be back (John Archer, Kev Jarvis et al).
  • Bushy Park: Female Lesser Spotted Woodpecker in Canal Plantation (south side of plantation near western end of rugby pitch) 1.45pm - 2pm at least (Roger Unite)
  • Bury Lake: 19 Wigeon, 7 Red-crested Pochard (D. McKenzie, Nick Tanner).
  • Canons Farm & Banstead Woods: male Stonechat on Reads Rest Lane just before Lunch Wood, Little Owl at Lambert's Shaw, Common Buzzard north of Lambert's Shaw, 16+ Yellowhammers, 10+ Lesser Redpolls, 3 Rooks, c.20 Linnets, 10 Skylarks (3+ singing), singing Mistle Thrush, 100+ Fieldfares, several Redwings, Treecreeper, 2 Coal Tits, 7 Nuthatches, Goldcrest, 6 Great Spotted Woodpeckers (1+ drumming), 3 Collared Doves, 8 singing Song Thrushes, 2 Pied Wagtails, 7 Stock Doves (1 singing), 3+ Goldfinches, 3 Green Woodpeckers, c.5 Rose-ringed Parakeets, 7 singing Chaffinches, hundreds of Starlings. Gulls at Legal & General in morning: 2 Herring Gulls (both 1st winters), 9 Common Gulls, c.118 Black-headed Gulls (many more of each species seen flying overhead) (David Campbell/Ian Jones).
  • Crayford Marshes : Black-headed Gull 200+, c6 Lesser black-backed Gull , Common Gull 100+, 10 Ringed Plover, c 20 Redshank, 50+Dunlin, 2 Adult & 1 Juv Muute Swan, Reed Bunting (Ernie Thomason & Tom Stone)
  • Crossness: 3 Yellow-legged Gulls (3rd winter, 2nd winter, 1st winter), 7 Oystercatchers, 6 Curlews, Chiffhchaff, 2 Cetti's Warblers (John Archer, Kev Jarvis).
  • Crystal Palace Park Lake: pr Egyptian Geese site first, not seen here before over many visits, 1 Kestrel 5pm, 2 singing Song Thrush, 1 Great-crested Grebe, 12 Shoveler, 31 Tufted Duck, 11 Canada Geese, 1 Grey Heron on nest, 1 Common Gull, Mute Swans have gone, male died and female flown off, info gleaned from walker (Michael Mac).
  • Dartmouth Park Hill, Tufnell Park (opposite the covered reservoir): 12 Waxwings feeding in lowish tree (some sort of hips?) 16:00 (Reuben Braddock)
  • Enfield Grammar School Playing Field, Enfield Town: 1 adult Mediterranean Gull, with Black-headed Gulls, 16:10 hrs (Robert Callf).
  • Fulham Palace Meadow Allotments: singing Song Thrush(es), 1 Jackdaw, 4 Grey Heron over (Nathalie Mahieu).
  • Harold Hill / Harold Wood: Up to 70 Waxwings at Gooshays Drive and along the A12, flock mobile and splitting into smaller groups, particularly after Sparrowhawk flew over at 13.00 (Colin Jupp, Marion Wyatt).
  • Gunpowder Park, Sewardstone: c25 redpoll, most definitely Lesser, possible Mealy seen briefly (r Woodward).
  • Highgate: Common Buzzard over, late a.m. (Andrew Bailey).
  • Horsenden Hill: 13 Waxwing at Paradise Fields feeding on budding poplars either side of Grand Union Canal just west of the wooden bridge. Could possibly also visit poplar trees on the canal side of former Glaxo buildings just west of Greenford Road, viewable from canal towpath. 15 Waxwing at 14:05 in Perivale Industrial Park (near Metrobus depot). Also 2 Siskin NW, 1 Skylark SW, 1 Little Grebe canal, 1 Teal. 2 dead Mute Swans and 6 dead Foxes in Canal - to be reported to British Waterways (Andy Culshaw and David Howdon).
  • Ingrebourne Valley: Common Buzzard (Shaun Harvey)
  • Lea Valley Park - Netherhall / Glen Faba: 1 f Smew, 6 Goldeneye (4m, 2f), 1 Cettis Warbler, 1 Bullfinch (Nigel May).
  • London Wetland Centre: Bittern, Yellow-legged Gull, Redwing and Fieldfare flocks, Mistle Thrush, Green Woodpecker at entrance, Siskin flock, pair of Reed Buntings (S Haslem)
  • Lonsdale Road Reservoir LNR WeBS: f Scaup (very obviously different from Tufties, probably bird that's been at LWC), 25 Mallard, pr Shoveler, 5 Gadwall, 83 Teal, 107 Tufted Duck, 10 Pochard, 3 Cormorant, 8 Herons (mating + nests attended), 8 Coot, 8 Moorhen (Neil Anderson)
  • Park Wood, Ruislip: Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (male) (Dick Middleton).
  • Parkside Farm/Res, Enfield: 7 (2 adult males, 2 immature males, 3 females) Wigeon (the highest number I have seen on my local patch since nine in Trent Park in December 2002!) (Robert Callf).
  • Pinner Park Farm: 2 Snipe, 126 Fieldfare, 45 Redwing, 7 Jackdaw, 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker & 7 Grey Heron (JR).
  • Putney-Barnes Bridges WeBS: 2 Mute Swan, 16 Canada + pr Egyptian Geese, 145 Mallard, 192 Teal, 11 Gadwall, 5 Tufted Duck, Great Crested Grebe, 9 Cormorant, 26 Coot, 3 Moorhen, c1600 Black-headed Gull, 15 Common Gull, 31 Herring Gull, 32 Lesser Black-backed Gull + 3rd-yr Great Black-backed Gull, 1 Lapwing (Neil Anderson)
  • Rainham Marshes RSPB: Oystercatcher (heard on approaching Stone Barges), 4 Little Egret, c.20 Pintail (NC) and things I missed: Jack Snipe, Stonechat, Marsh Harrier and Hen Harrier
  • Regent's Park: pr Firecrests (Tony Duckett)
  • Ruislip Lido: pair of Smew (Dick Middleton).
  • Springwell Lake: Red Kite, 2 Common Buzzard, 1-2 Kestrel, c30 Fieldfare, several Siskin heard (D. McKenzie, Nick Tanner).
  • Staines Res: Great Northern Diver, m Scaup. (Adam Cheeseman)
  • Stockers Lake: 4 Egyptian Goose, at least 2 male Goldeneye, Little Egret, c145 Lapwing (D. McKenzie, Nick Tanner).
  • Stoke Newington: c15 Waxwing on tall tree in back garden, Albion Rd / Winston Rd 9-9.10am, (Penny Walker/Neil Verlander).
  • Thorpe Park: 1st winter drake Smew on Manor Lake.(KPDuncan)
  • Tower Hamlets Cemetery: Firecrest [on a path between Monument Gade and the s/e corner], around 4 Ring-necked Parakeets, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Jay, Goldcrest, 4 Cormorants (Alan Hobson).
  • Vauxhall BT: 2:30pm male Peregrine - fly by (Michael Mac).
  • Wanstead Flats: adult Mediterranean Gull (JL), adult Yellow-legged Gull briefly (NC/BirdGuides), Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (calling and in flight between copses), 4 Skylark (singing), 2 Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Fieldfare, Redwing, Reed Bunting (NC/JL/TH)
  • Wanstead Park: Highlights - 2 Egyptian Geese Heronry, Little Egret on Roding, Lesser Spot drumming north end Ornamentals, Kingfisher on Roding (J Lethbridge)
  • William Girling Res: 1 Slavonian Grebe, 21 Black-necked Grebes, 2 Goosander, 17 Goldeneye, 86 Common Teal, 7 Green Sandpipers (R Woodward, D Hutley).
  • Wormwood Scrubs: 6 Linnet, 2 singing Song Thrush, c8 Greenfinch (inc 2 singers) (Charlie Farrell)

Friday 11th February 2011[]

  • Alexandra Park: Water Rail, 5+ Redwings (David Callahan).
  • Ashford: pair of Smew seen from train on lake near St. David's School (D. McKenzie).
  • Belhus Woods CP: 25 Waxwing flew west late a.m. (BirdGuides).
  • Borehamwood Retail Park: 20 Waxwing in tree opposite Halford's before flying toward Theobald Street 12:30 (BirdGuides).
  • Brookmill Park (Lewisham): 12 Mallard, 1 Mandarin, 6 Moorhen 1 Coot, 10+ Black-headed Gull, 10+ Woodpigeon, 1 Collared Dove, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Wren, 5 Robin, 4 Blackbird, 1 Redwing, 1 Song Thrush, 2 Long-tailed Tit, 3 Great Tit, 2 Blue Tit, 1 Starling, 20 Magpie, 6 Carrion Crow, 6 Goldfinch, 2 Greenfinch (Conrad Ellam).
  • Bushy Park: Little Grebe, Cormorant, Grey Heron, Mute Swan, Canada Goose, Egyptian Goose, Gadwall, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Pochard, Red Crested Pochard, Moorhen, Coot, Black-Headed Gull, Common Gull, Feral Pigeon, Woodpigeon, Stock Dove, Ring-Necked Parakeet, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Wren, Robin, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Redwing, Mistle Thrush, Long-Tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Coal Tit, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Starling, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Greenfinch (Paul Boult)
  • Clapham Common: 25 Greylag Geese, 3 pr Egyptian Geese (up the revolution), 13 Shoveler, pr Mute Swans, 21 Common Gull, pr Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 1 GS Woodpecker, pr Ring necked Parakeets at woodpecker hole. (Michael Mac).
  • Clissold Park: Red Crested Pochard (James Kyllo).
  • Crayford Marshes: 2 Turnstone, Little Owl, Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, fem Stonechat, Rock Pipit, 13 Ringed Plover, 3 Yellow-legged Gull, 2 Little Egret, Curlew (Kev Jarvis).
  • East India Dock Basin area: 30 Tufted Duck, 2 Redshank, 11 Gt Black-backed Gulls (8 ad, 1 2w, 2 1w), Gt Spotted Woodpecker (1st for 2011) (Gary A James).
  • Edgware (as yesterday): 3 Waxwings reported early morning in back garden of 72 Harrowes Mead, HA8 (Marion Rastelli via Bob Husband).
  • Enfield: 30 Waxwing on Slade's Hill opposite Windmill Gardens 15:00 (BirdGuides).
  • Hemans Estate Community Garden (Stockwell): 3 Goldfinch 1st to come back into area after winter, 1 Greenfinch. (Michael Mac).
  • Harold Hill (Gooshays Drive): 22 Waxwings in tall Silver Maples near A12 traffic lights 14.00-14.05, feeding on flower buds and 1-2 birds occasionally flycatching (winter gnats?) (Colin Jupp).
  • Isle of Dogs: 6 Gadwall, Peregrine, Sparrowhawk, Gt Spotted Woopecker, 15 Redwing, 10+ Gt Crested Grebe (inc pair on eggs), 25+ Monk Parakeet (Richard Harrison). * King George VI Res: 10 Fieldfare and 2 Redwing on reservoir bank (D. McKenzie).
  • London Wetland Centre: Sparrowhawk, Peregrine Falcon, 2 Fieldfare, 20 Redwing, 3 Cetti's Warbler, 15 Siskin (LWC website).
  • Northolt, Yeading Brook Meadows (Hillingdon side): 1 Jack Snipe, 17 Snipe, 44 Lapwing, 15 Teal, 1 Little Egret, 2 Pheasant, 13 Meadow Pipit, 4 Skylark, 12 Goldfinch, 1 male Reed Bunting (Jon Ridge).
  • Northwood Hills: 12 Waxwings in vicinity of Eastcote Cricket Club 9.00am. My fourth separate find of this notable species. (Richard Francis).
  • Paddington Green: singing Grey Wagtail a.m. (D. McKenzie).
  • Roding Valley Park and surrounding area: 3 Jays, mixed flock of around a dozen Redwings and Song Thrushes, separate Song Thrush, Greenfinch, mixed flock of around 50 Common Gulls and Black-headed Gulls, 2 Mute Swans, 2 Long-tailed Tits (Alan Hobson).
  • Regent's Park: pr Firecrests, 4 Goldcrests, Water Rail, Little Owl, Wigeon (Tony Duckett).
  • South Norwood CP: 6 Shoveler, Pochard, 4 Pheasant, 5 Common Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Grey Wagtail, 11 Pied Wagtail, 13 Fieldfare, 3 Goldcrest, Coal Tit, 11 Siskin (Croydon Birders).
  • Staines Moor: Little Grebe, Little Egret, 4 Common Snipe, Green Woodpecker, 4-5 singing Skylark, 2 Meadow Pipit, 2 Water Pipit, 3 Fieldfare, singing Chiffchaff, 4 Reed Bunting (D. McKenzie).
  • Staines Res: first-winter male Scaup showing well with Tufted Duck close to causeway on North Basin to 12:50 at least (D. McKenzie, Ian Grant).
  • Stoke Newington: 2 Waxwing briefly on tall tree in back garden, Albion Rd / Winston Rd (Penny Walker).
  • Ten Acre Wood area: 87 Fieldfare, 22 Redwing, 1 Sparrowhawk, 4 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Coal Tit & 12 Long-tailed Tit (JR).
  • Thames Chase, Harold Court: Sparrowhawk (low over), 2 Common Snipe, 50 Redwing, singing Song Thrush, a few Greenfinches, Redpoll over (Colin Jupp).
  • Uxbridge: c.30 Waxwings at junction of Rockingham Road and Waterloo Road at 16.00 (Roger Morton).
  • Wanstead Flats: possible Ring-billed Gull (west of Alex with C Gull. Looked much larger even though it was at the back of the flock, upright stance, heavier bill and not so cute looking as a common while not so menacing as Herring, thick black ring, streaked neck and back of the head. It reminded me of Rossi. Flew south and couldn't relocate it), adult Mediterranean Gull a.m. (NC/JL/TH/BirdGuides) still at Alex after being flushed west by a dog, singing Reed Bunting, 4 Chaffinch (2 singing), 3 singing Skylark, 4 Meadow Pipit, 2 Pied Wagtail, 4 singing Song Thrush, 7 Mistle Thrush, 11 Redwing, singing Blackbird, 2 Stock Dove, 12 Greylag Goose (3 NE), 8 Pochard, 19 Tufted Duck, 11 Shoveler, 12 Gadwall, 2 Egyptian Goose (1 imm, not the same as on the Park), Snipe (NC)
  • Wanstead Park: Siskin, 9 Goldfinch, 10+ Song Thrush (6 singers), singing Mistle Thrush, 65 Tufted Duck, 10 Pochard, 19 Gadwall, 6 Teal, 6 Shoveler, 2 Grey Heron, 5 Little Grebe, Stock Dove, Grey Wagtail, Coal Tit, 3 Goldcrest (NC)
  • Wormwood Scrubs: Peregrine (heading along the railway towards Paddington), drumming G.S. Woodpecker, Goldfinch, c10 Greenfinch (inc 3 singers), c10 Chaffinch, 4 Dunnock inc 2 singers, 4 Song Thrush inc 2 singers. 2 swans over and 3 prob Canada Geese (Charlie Farrell).

Thursday 10th February 2011[]

  • Acton: c35+ Waxwing in berry bushes at the junction of Joseph Avenue / Sparks Close 11:30; also c70 at the junction of Friary Road / Dean Court a.m. (BirdGuides).
  • Alexandra Park: Firecrest and Water Rail still (con area) and 15+ Waxwings west over cricket pitch at lunchtime (David Callahan).
  • Belhus Woods CP: 40 Lesser Redpoll (ELBF).
  • Brookmill Park (Lewisham): 3 Mute Swan east, 14 Mallard, 5 Moorhen, 1 Coot, 6 Black-headed Gull, 10+ Woodpigeon, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Wren, 6 Robin, 4 Blackbird, 3 Redwing, 2 Great Tit, 5 Blue Tit, 1 Starling, 1 Jay, 6 Magpie, 4 Carrion Crow, 2 Goldfinch, 2 Greenfinch. (Conrad Ellam).
  • Chafford Hundred: 30 Waxwing near Sainsbury's (ELBF).
  • Cockfosters / East Barnet (Belmont Open Space behind 49 Carson Road EN4): Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, 4 Long-tailed Tits (Bob Husband).
  • Crayford: c40 Waxwing on Bourne Mead p.m. (BirdGuides).
  • Crayford Marshes: Water Pipit, 3 Rock Pipit, Golden Plover, Turnstone, Water Rail, Little Egret, c53 Redwing, 13 Ringed Plover, c 400 Dunlin, 8 Fieldfare (Kev Jarvis).
  • East Dulwich (Marsden Road): 3 Mute Swans overhead (Ernie Thomason).
  • Edgware (HA8): 24 Waxwings in back garden of 72 Harrowes Mead. Reported yesterday & today at 10.30am. View from 57-59 Bullescroft Ave or Broadfield Ave (Fay Broom, Marion Rastelli via Bob Husband (RAH)).
  • Golders Green: c35 Waxwings, West Heath Avenue, visiting berry trees overhanging pavement close to Golders Hill park entrance, 15:30 (James Levy)
  • Grovelands Park (Southgate): 1 Little Grebe, 1 summer-plumaged Great Crested Grebe, 13 (10 males, 3 females) Mandarin Duck, 4 (2m,2f) Tufted Duck, 12 Moorhen, 7 Stock Dove including three pairs and a singing male, 1 pr Green Woodpecker together, 5 Great Spotted Woodpecker including three together, 4 singing male Song Thrush, 2 Redwing, 1 singing male Mistle Thrush, 1 pr Long-tailed Tit, 15+ Siskin, feeding in Alders, 5 Lesser Redpoll (Robert Callf).
  • Gunpowder Park (Waltham Abbey): Mealy Redpoll with 20 Lesser Redpoll a.m. (BirdGuides).
  • Herne Hill (Burbage Road): Waxwing (Steven Robinson). *Holmethorpe SPs: 3 redhead Smew, 2 Little Egret (SBC).
  • Islington (170 Drayton Park): 27 Waxwings at 11.00 - No berries left on Rowan trees (Lawrence Lawry)
  • Kensington Gardens: male Ruddy Duck again (Ralph Hancock per DMc). *London Wetland Centre: 3 Bittern, Woodcock, 4 Fieldfare, 21 Redwing, 3 Cetti's Warbler, 19 Siskin (LWC website).
  • Margravine Cemetery: 3 Redwing, 1pr Mistle Thrush, 1pr Great Spotted Woodpecker (m drumming), 3 Jay, lots Blackbirds out in the rain (Nathalie Mahieu).
  • Pinner Park Farm: 85 Fieldfare, 42 Redwing, 1 Green Woodpecker, 9 Canada Goose, 2 Coot & 1 Grey Heron (JR).
  • Rainham Marshes: 5 Little Egret, Ruff, 15 Ring-necked Parakeet, pair of Stonechat (ELBF).
  • Sidcup: 20 Waxwing in back gardens on Lyndon Avenue this a.m. and viewable from the A2, possibly also viewable from Sutherland Avenue on the other side of the A2 (BirdGuides).
  • South Norwood CP: 3 Shoveler, 2 Pochard, Cormorant, Grey Heron, Pheasant, Common Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Grey Wagtail, 6 Pied Wagtail, Reed Bunting (Croydon Birders).
  • Staines Res: Red-necked Grebe still on South Basin, Black-necked Grebe (BirdGuides).
  • Stoke Newington: c25 Waxwing in Sycamore tree in our garden (again) just north of Newington Green at 9am. Eating buds? (Neil Verlander); 20 on Woodstock Road (BirdGuides).
  • Upminster: 32 Waxwing at Hall Lane (ELBF). *Walthamstow: 20 Waxwing at Woodstock Road (ELBF).
  • Walthamstow Reservoirs: female Scaup on No.4 a.m., plus feral Barnacle Goose, 5 Goldeneye, 52+ Gadwall, 3 Teal, Shelduck, 22 Fieldfare, 4 Redwing, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 15 Stock Dove, first-winter Great Black-baked Gull; no sign of female Eider, but north side closed for Ruddy Duck cull (only one male left here!) (David Callahan).
  • West Thurrock: c120 Waxwing flew from Lakeside and toward Grays late a.m. (BirdGuides).

Wednesday 9th February 2011[]

  • Alexandra Park: c30 Waxwings from Birdwatch office window in flight near the usual sycamores on the railway embankment, heading NE; appeared to be licking sugary sap off the buds, as no vegetable material was dropping down at all (David Callahan, Ian Lycett).
  • Battersea Reach (wharf, from Fulham): 105 Cormorant (many in breeding plumage, courtship posture & calls heard, 4 Grey Heron (Nathalie Mahieu).
  • Bexley Woods: 50 Waxwing off Bourne Road on Bourne Mead (BirdGuides).
  • Bookham Common: at least 2 Hawfinch behind the station mid-p.m. (BirdGuides).
  • Brentwood: single Waxwing briefly in Queens Road near Ursuline High School at 1pm (Andrew Stroud).
  • Broadwater: 1 Goosander (drake) along the River Colne, 23 Little Egret at 17:30, 81 Lapwing, 6 Goldeneye, 4 Teal, 18 Wigeon, 5 Chiffchaff, 2 Kingfisher, 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Jay, 3 Goldcrest, 9 Long-tailed Tit & c600 Jackdaw at 17:25 (Jon Ridge). *Brunel University: 3 Little Egret and pair Sparrowhawk over campus. Probable Mealy Redpoll with flock of 23 Lesser Redpoll, 2 Siskin, pr Bullfinch, 2 Goldcrest, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker and Kestrel in Bicentenary Garden (Steve Pash).
  • Cassiobury Park: Little Egret (Joanne Biscomb per DMc).
  • Chafford Hundred: c30 Waxwing flew over Sainsbury's 08:00 (BirdGuides).
  • Claybury Park: Nuthatch, 3 Stock Doves, Green Woodpecker, 4 Jays, 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Grey Heron, 2 Long-tailed Tits, Song Thrush, 2 Canada Geese, Cormorant, Tufted Duck (only about second time ever seen one there) (Alan Hobson).
  • Crayford Marshes: Water Pipit along the creek early p.m. 3 Avocet, 2 Turnstone, Little Owl, 7 Yellow-legged Gull, 14 Black-tailed Godwit,13 Ringed Plover, 6 Rook. (Kev Jarvis).
  • Dagenham: 21 Waxwing by Barking & Dagenham College on Dagenham Road. ( Ron Cook ELBF ) . Would be a patch tick for me !, maybe at the weekend ? VHF.
  • Fulham Sands End: 1 Sparrowhawk (mobbed by Carrion Crow, drifting towards Fulham Broadway), 11 House Sparrow (1 m calling at nest) (Nathalie Mahieu).
  • Gunpowder Park, Sewardstone: Mealy Redpoll with a flock of 23 Lesser Redpoll in birches near the flood relief channel (+ other Lessers in area) (R Woodward).
  • Harold Park (Elgin Avenue): Goldcrest in garden - came down to pond to bathe (M.Wyatt).
  • Harold Hill Industrial Estate: 200+ Pied Wagtails (at roost); also singing Blackbird 18.00hrs (CRJ).
  • Hertford: 70 Waxwing in Brickendon Lane 09:50 plus 15 by the Esso garage on the A405 by Sheepcott Lane 11:50 (BirdGuides).
  • Highbury Fields (Islington): 3pm - 50+ Redwing on grass and area, 1 calling Chaffinch - down at Drayton Park no sign of any Waxwing (Michael Mac).
  • Hyde Park/Kensington Gardens: 4 Egyptian Goose, pair of Mandarin Duck, 3 Gadwall, 14 Shoveler, pair of Red-crested Pochard, 4-5 Little Grebe (1 trilling), Green Woodpecker, Skylark over, Nuthatch, 3 singing Treecreeper, c10 Chaffinch (4 singing), c15 Goldfinch; no sign of the recent Ruddy Duck (D. McKenzie).
  • Islington (170 Drayton Park): 10 Waxwings in tree, flew off over Gillespie Park at 11.15 (Lawrence Lawry)
  • London Wetland Centre: 60 Wigeon, 202 Shoveler, female Scaup on Sheltered Lagoon, Sparrowhawk, Bittern, Water Pipit, 2 singing Cetti's Warbler, Mealy Redpoll behind Dulverton Hide (LWC website / BirdGuides).
  • Margravine Cemetery: 1 pr Mistle Thrush, 1 Redwing, drumming Great Spotted Woodpecker (Nathalie Mahieu).
  • Paddington Green: Peregrine Falcon in the area a.m. (D. McKenzie).
  • Pinner (East Towers): 1 Tawny Owl emitting the 'kewick' call at 20:29 (JR).
  • Rainham Marshes: 3 first-winter Yellow-legged Gull, adult Caspian Gull on landfill at noon (BirdGuides).
  • Romford (Main Road): 17 Waxwings in tall plane tree outside Havering Magistrates Court for a few minutes then flew off at 16.40 (Colin Jupp).
  • Ruislip Lido: drake Smew near bank opposite to woodland centre (Anand Ramesh)
  • South Norwood CP: 55 Canada Goose, Teal, 2 Shoveler, 3 Pochard, Grey Wagtail, 12 Pied Wagtail, 9 Redwing, 4 Goldcrest, Siskin (Croydon Birders).
  • South Norwood Lake: 2 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Egyptian Goose, 1m 1f Shoveler, 3 Cormorant, c100 Black-headed Gull, 2 Common Gull, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1f Sparrowhawk (displaying), 2 Goldcrest, 1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker (2 drumming), Goldfinch, 2 singing Chaffinch, c8 Long-tailed Tit (John Watson & Gavin Hawgood).
  • Staines Reservoir: Red-necked Grebe and Black-necked Grebe - south basin 09.00 (KLP).
  • St James's Park: See yesterday's post. Drake Smew not present at 1340hrs yesterday and not this morning after exhaustive search. Possibly a wild bird seen at 0730hrs yesterday (Richard Seargent).
  • Streatham Common: flock of 25 feeding Goldfinches accompanied by 1 Siskin, my first for the site (Peter Newmark).
  • Trent Park: 3 (2 ad male, 1 female) Goosander, Lower Lake; 2 Sparrowhawk, including adult male low over lower lake; 7 Long-tailed Tit (including a party of five in dispute); 7 Lesser Redpoll; 1 female Bullfinch (Robert Callf).
  • Wanstead Flats: 9 Meadow Pipit (fairground), 2 Pied Wagtail, 4 Skylark (2 singers - broom field), 3 Song Thrush (3 singers), 2 Redwing, 9 Tufted Duck, 14 Shoveler, 7 Gadwall, 13 Greylag Goose (+ 4 over west), 7+ Goldfinch, 9 Reed Bunting (SSSI), 5 Collared Dove, 2 Stock Dove, 3 Heron (east), 4 Cormorant, Sparrowhawk (NC).
  • Wanstead Park: Siskin, 9 Linnet, flock of 15 Goldfinch, 8 Song Thrush (5 singers), 12 Redwing, Mistle Thrush, 40 Tufted Duck, 7 Pochard, 12 Gadwall, 1 f Teal, 2 Egyptian Goose, Grey Heron, 4 Little Grebe, Stock Dove (NC)
  • Waterlow Park, Archway: 11 Siskins, 4 Goldcrest, 2 Coal Tits, 7 Tufted Ducks (Mark Pearson)
  • West Drayton: c30 Waxwing in tree by railway bridge next to railway station 08:05 (BirdGuides).

Tuesday 8th February 2011[]

  • Alexandra Park: Peregrine NW at 10 am (Ian Lycett); 15+ Redwings (DC).
  • Amwell GPs: first-winter White-fronted Goose a.m. (BirdGuides).
  • Battersea Bridge: Common Buzzard, medium phase bird, high and SW at 14.40 (Jamie Partridge).
  • Bexleyheath: 39 Waxwing at Bourne Road a.m. (BirdGuides).
  • Bookham Common: Hawfinch late p.m. (BirdGuides).
  • Brayside Farm / Pond (Enfield): 1 Grey Heron; 2 (m&f) Shoveler; 2 Stock Dove; 2 Pied Wagtail (Robert Callf).
  • Brookmill Park (Lewisham): 1 Dabchick, 10 Mallard, 1 Mandarin, 10 Moorhen, 1 Coot, 4 Black-headed Gull, 20+ Woodpigeon, 1 Collared Dove, 2 Kingfisher, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Wren, 2 Dunnock, 7 Robin, 10+ Blackbird, 10+ Redwing, 1 singing Song Thrush, 3 Long-tailed Tit, 4 Great Tit, 6 Blue Tit, 2 Starling, 8 Magpie, 20+ Carrion Crow, 10+ Goldfinch, 6 Greenfinch, 6 Chaffinch (Conrad Ellam).
  • Cheshunt: 1 Waxwing briefly (about 07.20) opposite Coop in High Street (R Woodward).
  • Crayford Marshes: Common Buzzard, Turnstone, Little Owl, 3 Yellowhammer, 5 Rock Pipit, 2 Water Rail, Green Sandpiper, 3 Rook, 18 Ringed Plover, 4 Curlew, Yellow-legged Gull (Kev Jarvis, Steve Carter, Phil Cliffe).
  • Cricklewood: 23 Waxwing south-east over Westbere Road 08:00 (BirdGuides).
  • Ealing Broadway: 3 Egyptian Goose over Uxbridge Road (Anand Ramesh).
  • Harold Hill / Harold Wood: 27 Waxwings along Gooshays Drive near A12 traffic lights at 10am (Roy & Marion Wyatt); at least 65 Waxwings on both sides of the A12 (Kersey Gardens on H.Wood side) just W of the traffic lights up to 14.00 at least; feeding on rosehips and haws - excellent views in sunshine but low flying birds a bit too close to traffic! Also a few Redwings & single Fieldfare (Colin Jupp, RW & MW, Jason).
  • Harold Park: male Blackbird in full song at 17.30hrs (CRJ).
  • Hertford: 3 Waxwing in the churchyard at Bramfield 08:45 (BirdGuides).
  • Ingrebourne Valley: 3 Common Buzzards together.(Dave Morrison)
  • Islington: 50 Waxwings still in Drayton Park N5, outside Arsenal entrance / number 165 09:30 (Quentin Given). 5 on TV aerial came down to feed on fruits in tree outside No. 184 Drayton Park about 16.30 but soon took off. About 10 flashed overhead a little while later. Song Thrush singing from other side of railway line from Gillespie Nature Park towards dusk. (Chris Rose).
  • Lakeside: 90 Waxwings by TGI Friday (Roy & Ian Woodward).
  • Lavender Hill Cemetery (Enfield): 1 Woodcock flushed, 09:30 hrs (Robert Callf).
  • London Wetland Centre: 51 Wigeon, 70+ Teal, 150+ Shoveler, Bittern (LWC website).
  • Old Redding: 2 Common Buzzard over distantly at 14:40 & 15:53 - seen from Pinner Park Farm (JR).
  • Paddington Green: pair of Peregrine Falcon in area a.m., 38 Herring Gull at local rooftop colony, Grey Wagtail (D. McKenzie).
  • Pinner Park Farm: 1 Common Buzzard over at 15:10, 1 Little Egret south-west at 15:19, 1 Little Owl, 6 Snipe, 17 Fieldfare, 11 Redwing, 9 Jackdaw, 7 Stock Dove, 5 Great Spotted Woodpecker (two drumming), 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Nuthatch, 2 Coot & 5 Grey Heron. Also at Headstone Moat: 1 Kingfisher, 1 Sparrowhawk & 15 Fieldfare (Jon Ridge).
  • Redbridge Lakes, Woodford Bridge: 4 Waxwings (Alan Hobson).
  • Regent's Park: m&f Firecrests in Holm Oak, area 40, at 1345 (Ian Grant); Water Rail (Tony Duckett).
  • Roding Valley Park: 50 Waxwings (along the river, and in the shallows drinking), 2 Little Egrets, Grey Wagtail, 3 Redpolls, 2 Goldfinches, 6 Song Thrushes, 3 Fieldfares, 6 Redwings, 2 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Jays, 3 Greenfinches, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Pheasants, Goldcrest (Alan Hobson).
  • Richmond Park (Beverly Brook): Kingfisher, Grey Wagtail (Y. Simmonds).
  • River View, Enfield Town: 1 male Blackcap, in sub-song, 16:30 hrs, 1 Goldcrest (Robert Callf).
  • Roding Valley Park: 2 Little Egret, 50 Waxwing by River Roding, between Broadmead Baptist Church footbridge and the road bridge 11:00 (BirdGuides). [this was also from me - see above - Alan Hobson]
  • Ruislip: 2 redhead Smew, 3 Teal and 8 Shoveler on Lido. 9 Lesser Redpoll, 2 Siskin, 2 Goldcrest and Bullfinch in LNR. 6 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Nuthatch, Treecreeper and Sparrowhawk in Park Wood (Steve Pash).
  • South Norwood Lake: 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Egyptian Goose, c20 Tufted Duck, 1m 1f Shoveler, 5 Cormorant, c150 Black-headed Gull, 2 Common Gull, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1f Sparrowhawk, 6 Redwing, 4 Song Thrush (3 singing) 3 Green Woodpecker, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker (1 drumming) 2 Collared Dove, 2 Goldcrest, 15 Siskin, 2 singing Chaffinch, 20+ Goldfinch, 3 Jay (John Watson & Gavin Hawgood).
  • South Ockendon: 1 Waxwing (western end of Mollands Lane nr junction with main road) (Ian Woodward).
  • St James's Park: drake Smew drake present this morning at 0730hrs which appears fully winged. Did not come to bread as the red heads did and was wary of movement on the bridge. Grateful if someone could look at this bird during day light hours and confirm pinioned or otherwise. (R Seargent); checked park for Smew between 13.00-13.45, without success. (A.Luscombe).
  • Stockers Farm / Stockers Lake: 1 f Goosander, 2m & 3f Goldeneye, 1 f Sparrowhawk, 1 Little Owl at the Farm. (Roger Dewey) Also 9 Little Egrets in to roost 5.00pm. (Richard Francis) *Stoke Newington: 25 Waxwings on tall sycamore tree between Albion Road and Winston Road (P Walker).
  • Strayfield Road (Clay Hill, Enfield): 5 Yellowhammer; 3 Fieldfare; 5 Redwing (Robert Callf).
  • Sutton Town Centre: Peregrine sitting on tall office block and then in flight (Steven Robinson).
  • Tooting Bec Common: adult Mediterranean Gull in near summer plumage, on lake and adjacent football pitches. Also Little Owl, Nuthatch, 7 Redwing, 2 Mistle Thrush (Observer).
  • Tower Hamlets Cemetery: 1 possibly 2 Brimstone near Turning Circle (earliest ever), male Green Woodpecker, singing Mistle and Song Thrushes, Goldcrest (Bob Watts).
  • Town Park, Enfield: 1 pr Egyptian Goose, Carr's Basin, 2(m&f) Shoveler, 6(3m,3f) Pochard, 4(3m,1f) Tufted Duck, 6(5 ad., 1'1st-winter') Moorhen, 1 fem Blackbird, 1 singing male Song Thrush (Robert Callf).
  • Tyttenhanger GPs: 2 Ringed Plover on sand spit 12:15, Shelduck, Wigeon, 4 Tree Sparrow, 6+ Skylark, 6+ Reed Bunting (Steve Blake).
  • Valentines Park, Ilford: Valentino the Mediterranean Gull (London Brdwatching)
  • Waddon Ponds: 50+ Canada Goose, 2 Egyptian Goose, 5 Little Grebe, 50+ Coot, 100+ Black-headed Gull, 3 Herring Gull (Croydon Birders).
  • Walthamstow Res': 30+ Teal, female Scaup on West Warwick before flying north with Tufted Ducks, at least 16 Goldeneye, m Ruddy Duck, 16 Little Grebe, Green Sandpiper, first-winter Great Black-backed Gull, Grey Wagtail, c30 Pied Wagtail, 19 Fieldfare (D. McKenzie).
  • Waterlow Park: 5 Stock Doves, 4 singing Greenfinch, 1 Goldcrest, large mixed tit flock, 11 Tufted duck plus 1 Rook over Highgate village (PA).
  • Wormwood Scrubs: 2 Song Thrush (inc 1 singer), Redwing, 12+ Greenfinch (inc several singers), 5+ Dunnock (inc several singers) - all on Little Scrubs (Charlie Farrell) *William Girling Res (from Mansfield Park): At least 15 Black-necked Grebes + 12 Goldeneye (R Woodward).
  • West Hampstead: 45 Waxwings at junction of West End Lane and Woodchurch mid afternoon. Two bushes here with lots of berries (Pete Mantle)

Monday 7th February 2011[]

  • Amwell GPs: 3 Smew (1 male) (BirdGuides).
  • Brookmill Park (Lewisham): 1 Heron, 14 Mallard, 1 Mandarin, 8 Moorhen, 1 Coot, 10+ Black-headed Gull, 10+ Woodpigeon, 1 Collared Dove, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Grey Wagtail, 4 Wren, 4 Robin, 8 Blackbird, 6 Redwing, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Goldcrest, 3 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Great Tit, 3 Blue Tit, 1 Starling, 2 Magpie, 2 Carrion Crow, 10+ Goldfinch, 6 Greenfinch, 4 Chaffinch (Conrad Ellam).
  • Caterham-on-the-Hill (Tesco carpark, next to Coldstream Way): c30 Waxwing briefly in tall tree then flew north at 12.20pm. Not found in 'The Vllage' in subsequent searching, so probably headed on over Coulsdon Common (Alan Pearson).
  • Crayford Marshes: Penduline Tit calling from landfill site reed bed at 11:00. Rock Pipit, 4 Curlew, 10 Ringed Plover, 32 Redwing, 2 Yellow-legged Gull, 3 Fieldfare, c320 Lapwing (Kev Jarvis).
  • Dagenham Chase: Siskin, Shelduck, 15 Teal, 10 Wigeon, 12 Gadwall, c20 Shovelers, Water Rail, 5 Redwings, 3 Fieldfares (Mark Pearson, Dominic Allen et al)
  • East Dulwich: Waxwing in top of next door's horse chestnut tree (much hoped for garden tick!) (Steven Robinson).
  • Finsbury Park (N4): flock of 15+ Waxwings flying low SE over Finsbury Park station platforms at 7.40am (Ian Bradshaw).
  • Grovelands Park, Southgate: 1 Firecrest in Holly, 13:22 hrs (Robert Callf).
  • Harold Hill: 58 Waxwings along Gooshays Drive near the A12 traffic lights 15.00-15.15 but flock mobile; also seen in Melksham Drive and Camborne Avenue. Still c30 at 4.30pm. Waxwings on the Hill at last! (Colin Jupp, Roy and Marion Wyatt).
  • Holmethorpe SPs: 2 Goldeneye, 2 redhead Smew, Little Egret (SBC).
  • Islington (156 Drayton Park 9.50am): flock of 40 Waxwings on tv aerials and feeding on Rowan trees (Lawrence Lawry). *London Wetland Centre: 50 Wigeon, Bittern, Fieldfare, 13 Redwing, 3 Cetti's Warbler, 17 Siskin (LWC website).
  • Oxhey Lane: 45 Goldfinch, 10 Chaffinch, 10 Redwing & 2 Fieldfare (JR).
  • Pinner Park Farm: 6 Snipe, 1 Sparrowhawk, 14 Stock Dove, 105 Redwing, 56 Fieldfare, 2 Canada Goose over, 1 Coot & 4 Grey Heron (Jon Ridge).
  • Rainham Marshes: 2 Penduline Tit (1 male) north of the new hide in the far corner of the pond 14:00 (BirdGuides). *South Norwood CP: 3 Shoveler, 4 Pochard, Cormorant, 2 Grey Heron, Woodcock, 255 Black-headed Gull, 27 Common Gull, Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Stock Dove, Kingfisher, Grey Wagtail, 14 Pied Wagtail, 30+ Fieldfare, Goldcrest (Croydon Birders)
  • South Norwood Lake: Peregrine, 1 Sparrowhawk, Great Crested Grebe, 1 Egyptian Goose, 1 Mute Swan, c30 Tufted Duck, 5 Cormorant, c150 Black-headed Gull, 2 Common Gull, 6 Redwing, 2 singing Song Thrush, 1 singing Dunnock, 2 Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 8 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Coal Tit, c20 Goldfinch, 1 singing Chafffinch, c20 Starlings, 2 House Sparrow (John Watson).
  • Thorpe Park: 1st winter drake Smew on Manor Lake.(KPDuncan)
  • Victoria Embankment Gardens: c25 Goldfinches feeding in trees above York Watergate (John Colmans).
  • Wanstead Flats: 1 Snipe, 2 Meadow Pipit, Mistle Thrush, 5 Song Thrush (3 singers), 4 Pochard, 23 Tufted Duck, 24 Shoveler, 10 Gadwall, 9 Greylag Goose, 10+ Goldfinch, 3 Chaffinch, 9 Greenfinch, Little Grebe, 1 Stock Dove (NC).
  • Wanstead Park: pr Kingfisher, m Blackcap, 10+ Siskin, 4 Linnet, 6 Song Thrush (4 singers), Redwing, 97 Tufted Duck, 18 Pochard, 37 Gadwall, 6 Shoveler, 2 Egyptian Goose, 2 G Heron, 5 Little Grebe, 6 Cormorant, 4 Goldcrest, Little Egret (again on the Roding), f Sparrowhawk, singing Treecreeper, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, 6 Stock Dove (NC)

Sunday 6th February 2011[]

  • Alexandra Park: 30+ Waxwing east of railway line viewed across Wood Green Res from platform 3 just south of Conservation Pond 0855 then flew south, 2 Water Rail Flood, 30+ Redwing Deer Enclosures, 6 Shoveler Boating Lake, 30+ Goldfinch Cricket Scrub (Bob Watts).
  • Barking: 20 Waxwing (London Birdwatching)
  • Brent Reservoir: Ruddy Duck, c5 Shoveller, 14 Gadwall, 16 Teal, c11 Pochard, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 24 Mallard, 100+ Tufted Duck, 200+ Bh Gull, 60+ Common Gull, 3 LBB Gull, 7 Grey Heron, 7 Cormorant, c25 Mute Swan, c12 Canada Geese, Jay, c4 (singing) Mistle Thrush. 14:30 to 16:30 (Charlie Farrell)
  • Cassiobury Park: c50 Redwing, 8 Mistle Thrush, 2 Goldcrest, 2 Coal Tit, 2 Treecreeper, c40 Goldfinch, 10+ Siskin; also a Muntjac (Des McKenzie). *Claybury Park: 2 Stock Dove, GSWP, Sparrowhawk, Jay, Goldcrest (London Birdwatching)
  • Crayford Marshes: Green Sandpiper, Turnstone, 3 Yellow-legged Gull, 2 Curlew, Rock Pipit, c300 Lapwing, 10 Ringed Plover. (Kev Jarvis).
  • East Dulwich (Darrell Road): 5 Waxwing in tree in garden of Gumboots Nursery. Flew off at 10.30am (Steven Robinson).
  • East India Dock Basin / Bow Creek Ecology Park: 2 Shelduck, c180 Teal, 43 Tufted Duck, 2 Redshank, Chaffinch (Nick Tanner).
  • Fairlop: 400 Lapwing (London Birdwatching) *Grovelands Park: Two Firecrest, inc singing male. 1 Mealy redpoll with 12 Lesser, Sisken flock of 30+ birds. Also 2 Mandarin Duck (J.Murray & J.Murray Snr). *Horton Country Park Epsom:100 Redwing, 10 Fieldfare, 10 Siskin (Bob Smith)
  • Finsbury Park N4: pair of circling Peregrines over Wilberforce Road at 1.00pm (Ian Bradshaw)
  • Hanwell, Wickes car park, Boston Road, 21 Waxwing feeding in pyracanthas and also trees outside pub opposite. 09.00 (Fiona M)
  • Highbury: Flock of 80+ Redwings feeding on Highbury Fields. No Waxwings on a brief visit to Drayton Park. (David Bradshaw)
  • Hornchurch, Randall Drive: 3 Waxwings over towards St Andrews Church @ 12.52pm.(Dave Morrison)
  • Horsenden Hill: Male Peregrine harassing pre-roost gathering of crows at Paradise Fields 15.50 before disappearing towards Perivale ca. 16.00. Also 1 Little Grebe, 3 Nuthatch, c.30 Redwing, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Teal (Andy Culshaw and David Howdon).
  • Ingrebourne Valley: 4 White-fronted Geese still present, feeding in field adjacent to Berwick Manor @ 12.05pm. (Dave Morrison)
  • Lee Valley CP: 4+ Smew (2 males) on Hooks Marsh, 1 Water Rail seen, 1 Cetti's Warbler heard by 70 Acres (David Capper)
  • London Wetland Cente: Greater Scaup, keeping close company with a second bird which is either a juv Greater Scaup or a hybrid - views too distant to be sure, but I'd favour the former - is there definitive photos of the second bird?), pair Pintails, 11 Siskin by feeders (inc. 3 males in full song, all v tame), plus the usuals (Mark Pearson et al)
  • Lonsdale Road Reservoir LNR: pr Mute Swan, pr Egyptian Geese investigating poplar, c40 Teal, c60 Tufted Duck, 4 Pochard, 3 Cormorant, 3 prs Heron at nests (pr copulating), f Kestrel, 3 Stock Doves, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Goldcrest, 11 Long-tailed Tits, Jackdaw, 40+ Goldfinch (Neil Anderson)
  • Molesey Heath: 47 tufted duck,20 Gadwall, 5 Mute swan, 2 Canada Goose, 2 Cormorant, 3 Pochard,1 Heron, 1 kingfisher flying upstream R Mole, 1 Reed Bunting, 3 Greenfinch, 2 Goldfinch, 5 Meadow Pipit, 3 Song Thrush, c 20 Redwing, 2 Fieldfare, 2 GS woodpecker, 1 Green Woodpecker. (Richard Inch)
  • Northwick Park, HA1: 20+ Fieldfare, c20 Goldfinch, 4 House Sparrow, 150+ BH Gull, 30+ Common Gull (Charlie Farrell)
  • Pinner Park Farm: 4 Snipe, 1 Sparrowhawk, 112 Redwing, 45 Fieldfare, 5 Jackdaw, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker (one drumming), 7 Canada Goose flew in & 5 Grey Heron. Also at Headstone Moat: 55 Redwing, 8 Fieldfare & 1 Goldcrest (Jon Ridge).
  • Preston Park (N Wembley, HA9): 2 Goldcrest, 96 Redwing, 14+ Fieldfare, c7 Chaffinch (inc 2 pairs), 2 Greenfinch, c50 Goldfinch, Coal Tit with 4 Long Tailed Tit, 2 Mistle Thrush inc 1 singer, Kestrel over briefly (Charlie Farrell)
  • Rainham Marshes: 5 Corn Buntings on the saltings by coldharbour Point, Watrer pipit (barges), 3rd-winter Yellow-legged Gull (tip), 2 Ruff, 13 Ringed Plover, 50+ Blackwit, c150 Dunlin, 3 Curlew (all from new hide) (David Callahan).
  • Staines Res: two Scaup, a first-winter drake N basin and first-winter female S basin this afternoon (Rob Innes).
  • Valentines Park, Ilford: 3 Egyptian Goose, 3 Siskin, 14 House Sparrow, Mediterranean Gull (London Birdwatching)
  • Thorpe Park: 1 Smew(rh), 8 Goldeneye and a 1st winter drake Scaup on Manor Lake. (KPDuncan)

Saturday 5th February 2011[]

  • Alexandra Park: Water Rail Conservation Pond, Grey Wagtail over Tunnel Res, 2 Goldcrest Conservation area (Bob Watts).
  • Brookmill Park (Lewisham) 1 Dabchick, 14 Mallard, 1 Mandarin, 6 Moorhen, 1 Coot, 10+ Black-headed Gull, 10+ Woodpigeon, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Ring-necked Parakeet, 2 Wren, 2 singing Dunnock, 4 Robin, 10+ Blackbird, 10+ Redwing, 1 female Blackcap, 1 Goldcrest, 2 Long-tailed Tit, 4 Great Tit, 6 Blue Tit, 2 Starling, 6 Magpie, 8 Carrion Crow, 10+ Goldfinch, 4 Greenfinch, 6 Chaffinch. (Conrad Ellam)
  • Connaught Water: reported male Green-winged Teal (or possibly hybrid - pale horizontal flank stripe visible) still present at 17.20 in dying light + c50 Common Teal, Woodcock. (Roy Woodward, David Hutley, Mike Dent). Male Pintail (possibly female as well - pair present, RW), pair of Egyptian Geese, 6 teal, pair of Mandarin ducks (at least 5 at dusk - RW). (David Paul)
  • Crayford Marshes: Turnstone, 2 Lesser Redpoll, 3 Yellow-legged Gull, 3 Curlew, c300 Dunlin, 88 Redshank, c200 Lapwing (Kev Jarvis).
  • Crossness: 1+ Water Pipit, 6 Yellow-legged Gull (2 ads, 3rd winter, 2 2nd winters, 1st winter), 44 Blackwit, 6 Curlew, 270 Gadwall, 910 Teal (John Archer)
  • Dagnam Park LNR: 15+ Redwing, 4 singing Song Thrush, singing Mistle Thrush, 2-3 Goldcrest(h), singing Coal Tit, pr Bullfinch, Reed Bunting, m Pheasant, 50+ Carrion Crow in pre-roost gathering (Colin Jupp).
  • Fulham Reach (Thames): 98 Teal, 9 Gadwall, 136 Black-headed Gull, 8 Coot, 5 Tufted Duck, (Winslow Rd) 12 House Sparrow at nests (Nathalie Mahieu)
  • Golders Green: 12 Waxwings, West Heath Avenue in trees close to entrance of Golders Hill park at around 16:00, some visiting a flat roof known to have standing water (James Levy).
  • Grovelands Park, Southgate: 1 singing male Firecrest, 12:25 - 12:55 hrs, intermittently; 1 Little Grebe; 2 (m&f) Mandarin Duck; 1 Sparrowhawk; 3 Stock Dove; 4 Ring-necked Parakeet; 2 Green Woodpecker; 1+ Great Spotted Woodpecker; 2 singing male Goldcrest; 4 Nuthatch, including two together; 1 singing male Greenfinch; 1 Goldfinch; 6+ Siskin; 10+ Lesser Redpoll (Robert Callf).
  • Hampstead Heath: 65 Redpolls by Vale of Health pond (CB).
  • Hayes: c20 Waxwing on tree at bottom of Denziloe Avenue (Nigel Sluman)
  • Islington: Still 40 Waxwings at 2.45 around 150 Drayton Park but few berries left. (David Bradshaw)
  • Lavender Hill (Clapham area): 1 Peregrine Falcon seen off bus, heading north (Michael Mac). * Lee Valley CP: 7+ Smew (2 males) on Hooks Marsh + pair of Goosander am (Mike Wheeler)
  • Loughton: 50+ Waxwings feeding on edge of Rectory Lane near junction with Newmans Lane (Jean-Patrick Elmes)
  • Maple Cross 14 Waxwing in trees by Renault building from 11:00 to 11:30 at least (John Edwards)
  • Margravine Cemetery: 2 Goldcrest, 2 Mistle Thrush, 3 Redwing, 1pr Great Spotted Woodpecker (m drumming), Long-tailed Tits in 2 or 3s (1 pr in nesting bush) (Nathalie Mahieu).
  • Muswell Hill: 100+ Waxwing outside 71 Grove Avenue 0840 (Gerry Rawcliffe)
  • Oakwood Park, N14: 1 adult Herring Gull, flew over; 1 Green Woodpecker; 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker; 2 Fieldfare; 39 Redwing, on Pitch & Putt Course; 2 Mistle Thrush; 2 Long-tailed Tit; 3 Jay; 1 singing male Greenfinch; 12 Goldfinch; 2 male Siskin (Robert Callf).
  • Queens Park: 32 Waxwings in Plane tree on east side of park, periodically feeding on Rowan tree in Montrose Avenue (all berries now gone) 11.30 - 12.45 (Will Webb)
  • Rickmansworth (Bury Lake): 10 Gadwall. (Stockers Lake): 16 Wigeon, at least 10 Gadwall, good numbers of Shoveler, pair of Red-crested Pochard, c20 Goldeneye, 3 Smew (2 male), 4 Goosander (2 male), Red Kite over north side, Little Egret, female Pheasant, 1-2 Nuthatch, 40-50 Siskin. (Inns Lake): 2 Wigeon, c60 Gadwall (D. McKenzie).
  • South Norwood CP: Mute Swan, 4 Shoveler, 3 Pochard, Sparrowhawk, 6 Cormorant, Grey Heron, Pheasant, Common Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Kingfisher, Skylark, Grey Wagtail, 12 Pied Wagtail, 31 Fieldfare, 3 Redwing, Goldcrest (Croydon Birders).
  • Stoke Newington Reservoirs: Cetti's Warbler, 2 Yellow-legged Gull (adult and 3rd-winter), a minimum of 3200 Black-headed Gull in pre-roost flightline and gatherings (Mark Pearson)
  • Ten Acres Wood: 1 Green Sandpiper (GRW)
  • Thamesmere Lake (by Morrisons car park): 50 Pochard, 130 Tufted Duck (John Archer)
  • Wanstead Flats: 2 Snipe, 2 Kestrel, 1 Meadow Pipit, 5 Mistle Thrush, 3 singing Song Thrush, 11 Redwing, 3 Pochard, 18 Tufted Duck, 9 Shoveler, 17 Gadwall, 11 Greylag Goose, 11+ Goldfinch, 3 Chaffinch (1 singing), 12 Greenfinch, Reed Bunting, Heron, 3 Comorant, 2 Stock Dove (NC).
  • Wanstead Park: 40+ Siskin, Song Thrush (4 singers), Mistle Thrush, 104 Tufted Duck, 16 Pochard, 31 Gadwall, 10 Shoveler, 2 Egyptian Goose, 4 Teal, 2 G Heron, 8 Little Grebe, 5 Cormorant, 6 Goldcrest, Little Egret (first of the year), Kestrel, f Sparrowhawk, Coal Tit (NC)

Friday 4th February 2011[]

  • Crayford Marshes: Water Pipit, 2 Rock Pipit, 5 Yellow-legged Gull, Green Sandpiper, 2 Curlew, c400 Lapwing, c50 Redwing (Kev Jarvis). * Ealing: 30 Waxwing east over Brentmead Road (BirdGuides).
  • Hampstead: 25+ Waxwings still at junction Platts Lane / Finchley Road 11.45am - 12.15pm (Alex Massey)
  • Hampstead Heath: Treecreeper, 2 Siskin, Coal Tit, c20 Long-tailed Tits all in one flock at Leg of Mutton pond, 3 pairs Mallard on pond (Alex Massey).
  • Harold Hill Industrial Estate: 230+ Pied Wagtails at roost 17.45hrs (Colin Jupp).
  • Hogsmill SF: c35 Waxwing north 12:20 (Nick Tanner). * Hooks Marsh Lake (Lee Valley): 8 Smew from the bridge at TL375025 (BirdGuides).
  • Island Barn Res: Great Northern Diver (SBC).
  • Isle of Dogs: Great Spotted Woodpecker, Goldcrest, Sparrowhawk, 7 Long Tailed Tits, 2 Mistle Thrush, Redwing, 30+ Monk Parakeet (Richard Harrison).
  • Kilburn: 44 Waxwing in poplars at entrance to Grange Park, near building with clock face. Flew off toward Lowfield Road at 13:32. Originally 28 birds at 13:18. Note: Lowfield Road has a plentiful berry supply at present. Also, 3 Redwing (D. McKenzie).
  • Larkhall Park (Stockwell): 2 1st Winter Common Gull with 4 Black-headed Gulls (feeding), 1 singing Goldfinch, 3 bulked up look freshly added to Magpie nests - indicate population increase in last couple of years (Michael Mac).
  • London Wetland Centre: female Scaup, Peregrine Falcon, 9 Redwing, 20+ Siskin (LWC website).
  • Muswell Hill (Parkland Walk): 90+ Waxwings on Sycamore on Old Railway Viaduct SW of Muswell Hill Primary School (Davey Leach). * Paddington Green: Peregrine Falcon a.m., Grey Wagtail (D. McKenzie).
  • Queens Park (NW6): 14 Waxwing in Montrose Ave from 13.30, rising to 23 by 15.00 feeding on last remaining Rowan berries (poss same birds as Des had in Grange Park above) (R. Ayers and D. Lindo).
  • Rainham Marshes: albino Herring Gull, 2 Yellow-legged Gull on the tip, third-winter Caspian Gull on Target Pools 15:00 (BirdGuides).
  • South Norwood CP: 5 Shoveler, 3 Pochard, 6 Cormorant, Grey Heron, Pheasant, 10 Common Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, 3 Stock Dove, Kingfisher, 7 Pied Wagtail, 3 Fieldfare, 4 Redwing, 2 Mistle Thrush, 2 Goldcrest (Croydon Birders).
  • Stockers Lake: 3 Smew (2m) (BirdGuides). * Tower Hamlets Cemetery: 1+ Firecrest still Monument Glade 2pm (Bob Watts).
  • Wanstead Flats: possible Jack Snipe (flushed from fairground), Snipe, m Peregrine Falcon (east along south side of fairground, over Centre Road into Forest Gate), Kestrel, 1 Meadow Pipit, 4 Mistle Thrush, 1 singing Song Thrush, 14 Redwing, 6 Pochard, 13 Tufted Duck, 10 Shoveler, 9 Gadwall, Greylag Goose, 8+ Goldfinch, Heron, 5 Comorant, 3 Stock Dove, Goldcrest (NC).
  • Wanstead Park: 50+ Siskin, 5 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Redwing, Song Thrush (2 singers), Stock Dove, 32 Tufted Duck, 5 Pochard, 5 Gadwall, 8 Shoveler, 2 Egyptian Goose 2 G Heron, 5 Little Grebe, 3 Cormorant, 4 Goldcrest, Water Rail (NC)
  • Walton Res: first-winter male Scaup (SBC).

Thursday 3rd February 2011[]

  • Alexandra Park: 9+ Waxwings in sycamore by recycling centre behind Wood Green Res at 10.40 before they dropped out of view (Dominic Mitchell, David Callahan, Rebecca Armstrong). *Anerley: 15-20 Waxwings in a garden near Birbeck Station (per ASMS)
  • Battersea Park Lake: from 3:45pm 89 Gadwall, [Peregrine Falcon at 4:30pm] over Gasometer and in the park, pr Egyptian Geese, Canada Goose red ring XJA, 5 Grey Lag, 56+ Tufted Duck, 8 Common Pochard, 5 Shovelor, 1 singing Song Thrush, 5 Greenfinch (Michael Mac). *Bounds Green: 38 Waxwings - very mobile up and down Blakes Road and on side streets (Davey Leach).
  • Burgess Park: adult Mediterranean Gull (James Lowen).
  • Crayford: 5 Pied Wagtail Perry St. farm by Gascoyne Drive, 133+ Starlings in Bramble thicket here and lots of Wood Pigeon and 2 House Sparrow. Thames Rd Wetland: 1 male Chaffinch, 2 Goldfinch, close views (8-10 feet) of 2 Warblers on Reedmace seed heads - as Site Manager (and not a bird expert) would welcome a positive ID from more experienced birders, 3 Blue Tit also feeding at Reedmace seed heads, 1 Robin, 1 male Blackbird, 2 Coot, 3 Mallard. By-way 105 by River Cray - Long-tailed Tit, 2 Collared Dove. Riverside Gardens, Crayford town centre: 2 Grey Wagtail. (Chris Rose).
  • Crayford Marshes: adult Caspian Gull on foreshore near creek barrier mid a.m. 2 Bearded Tit calling from the Reedbed near landfill site.Turnstone, 4 Yellow-legged Gull, male Peregrine, 2 Water Rail, 2 Green Sandpiper, Chiffchaff, Goldcrest. (Kev Jarvis & Steve Carter).
  • Danson Park: 40 Waxwing nearby on Sutherland Avenue 08:00 (BirdGuides). *Dagenham Chase LNR: 30 Goldfinch, 2 GS Woodpecker, 5 teal, 8 shoveler, 2 collared dove (DAllen) *Edgware: 26 Waxwing at 2.05 pm on Deansbrook Road by TA Centre. ( Colin Evans per VHF ).
  • Hammersmith: Common Buzzard south-west over Black's Road 13:50 (Des McKenzie).
  • Hampstead: Finchley Road Platts Lane junction 41 Waxwings (Tony Duckett).
  • Hampstead Heath: c40 Redpoll, 60+ Siskin in 3 flocks, 4 Gr Spot Woodpecker, 2 Green Woodpecker, 4 Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Goldcrest, c20 Redwing, 2 Mistle Thrush, 6 Song Thrush, 3 Coal Tit, 5 Stock Dove (Chris Bird)
  • Harringay: 2 Waxwings in a private garden, Cavendish Road, 14.55. Flew off south (Simon Bradley).
  • Isle of Dogs: Goldcrest, 17 Great Crested Grebe including a pair sitting on 4 eggs, 2 Redwing, 2 long Tailed Tit, 2 Moorhen, 2 Greylag, plus 35 Monk Parakeet which is my highest count (Richard Harrison).
  • Islington (140 Drayton Park, 8.55am): 14 Waxwings (Lawrence Lawry).
  • Kilburn: 5 Waxwings in Grange Park 13.50--14.00 gone 14.30 (Andrew Verrall).
  • London Wetland Centre: 70 Wigeon, 195 Shoveler, Collared Dove, 15 Redwing, 2 Cetti's Warbler, Goldcrest (LWC website). *Muswell Hill: 60+ Waxwings on Roseberry Avenue on large tree half way towards entrance to Alexander Palace (Davey Leach).
  • Regent's Park: pair Firecrests, Skylark, 2 Redwings, 5 Teal, 86 Mandarin Ducks, 78 Red crested Pochards, 48 Shovelers, 24 Gadwall, 210 Pochard, 190 Tufted Ducks (Tony Duckett).
  • Romford Golf Course: at least 1 Firecrest in ivy-covered trees on north side of golf course (Colin Jupp).
  • Stanwell: Bittern flew E @16:30 from the direction of Staines Reservoir, looked as if it was going toward Bedfont Lakes- Garden Tick!! (Jim Sweetland)
  • Stoke Newington Reservoirs: pair of Peregrines hunting much of a.m. - this pair is now in temporary residence nearby, and will hopefully stick around.....; third-winter Yellow-legged Gull (v likely same bird as on 20th Jan) (Mark Pearson)
  • Totteridge Valley: Darlands Lake: Large flock of Siskins in Alders (Tony Clancy)
  • Town Park, Enfield: 1 Kingfisher, perched, Carr's Basin, 13:30 - 13:35 hrs (Robert Callf & a member of the public).
  • Trent Park: 1 adult male Goosander, Lower Lake; 4(3m,1f) Pochard, Lower Lake; 1 Sparrowhawk; 1 female Kestrel; 1 Green Woodpecker; 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker; 3 Goldcrest; 4 Coal Tit; 3 Nuthatch; 6 Treecreeper (Robert Callf).
  • Wanstead Flats: (09:30) 8 Meadow Pipits on Fairground and 5 Shoveler on Jubilee Pond (Tim Harris).
  • Wanstead Park: (07:30-09:15) Water Rail, 24 Goldfinches, 8 Siskins, 2 Lesser Redpolls (Tim Harris). *Waterlow Park: 1 male Gadwall, 5 Siskins, 3 Redpoll, (PA)
  • Watford: 20+ Waxwing still at Woodside Leisure Centre car park, off Horseshoe Lane a.m. (BirdGuides).
  • South Norwood Lake: 1 Chiffchaff, 3 Egyptian Geese, 1 Great Crested Grebe, c20 Tufted Duck, 2m 2f Shoveler, 2m 1f Pochard, 3 Cormorant, c80 Black-headed Gull, 2 Common Gull, 3singing Chaffinch, 2singing Song Thrush, 1 Pied Wagtail, 3 Jay, 6 Ring-necked Parakeet, 4 Long-tailed Tit, 2singing Coal Tit, 1 House Sparrow, (John Watson)

Wednesday 2nd February 2011[]

  • Abney Park Cemetery: Tawny Owl, 4 Goldcrests (Mark Pearson)
  • Alexandra Park: 3+ Skylarks north over WG Res in low cloud, Redwing (David Callahan); 11.05: Hawfinch south-east past Birdwatch office (Dominic Mitchell, David Callahan, Ian Lycett, Rebecca Armstrong).
  • Arnos Park, N11: 1 pair Stock Dove; 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker; 3 Song Thrush, together, feeding; 1 Mistle Thrush; 6 Redwing; 40+ Siskin; 8 Goldfinch (Robert Callf). *Bookham Common: 3 Hawfinch p.m. (BirdGuides).
  • Bounds Green: c40 Waxwing feeding up and down Blake Road N11(photo) (Bill Lockhart).
  • Broomfield Park, Palmers Green , N13: 6(4 adult, 2 '1st-winter') Mute Swan; 43 Canada Goose; 5 male Shoveler; 8(5 males, 3 females) Tufted Duck; 1 adult Lesser Black-bkd Gull; 12 Moorhen; 1 Pied Wagtail; 1 Song Thrush; 1 singing male Mistle Thrush; 1 male Greenfinch; 6 Goldfinch (Robert Callf).
  • Crayford Marshes: Water Pipit, Turnstone, 2 Little Owl, 2 Grey Plover, Green Sandpiper, 2 Peregrine (Pair), 4 Rock Pipit, 4 Yellow-Legged Gull, 20 Black-tailed Godwit, c400 Dunlin. (Kev Jarvis).
  • Grays: 10 Waxwing at London Road, near railway bridge a.m, plus 1 Waxwing over Travis Perkins (Shaun Harvey) (BirdGuides). *Hampstead Heath: 37 Waxwing still at the junction of Finchley Road / Platt's Lane before flying south 07:55 (BirdGuides). *Highgate / East Finchley: 10 Waxwing 11:30 at junction of A1 / North Hill B519. (Ian Cater)
  • Highgate: 10 Waxwings over Southgate Rd at 1250, earlier 2 Peregrines chasing each other ( PeteM)
  • Hyde Park / Kensington Gardens: 181 Greylag Goose, 4 Greylag x Canada Goose hybrids, 4 Gadwall, 28 Shoveler, m Ruddy Duck, 2 Little Grebe, 4 pairs of displaying Great Crested Grebe, 2 Pied Wagtail, Mistle Thrush, c40 Long-tailed Tit, Nuthatch (Des McKenzie).
  • Ingrebourne valley: Little Egret, Shelduck (Shaun Harvey).
  • Islington (140-150 Drayton Park and adjacent Elfort Road: 140+ Waxwings1.45pm- appx 2.15 (Lawrence Lawry).
  • KGV Reservoir: Canada Goose, Gadwall, Wigeon, Mallard, Teal, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Goldeneye, 3 Goosander, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Coot, Common Gull, Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Black-headed Gull, Woodpigeon, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Blue Tit, Wren, Starling, Blackbird, Meadow Pipit, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Linnet. (London Birdwatching)
  • London Wetland Centre: Shelduck, 56 Wigeon, 136 Shoveler, Bittern, 2 Collared Dove, Cetti's Warbler, 30 Siskin (LWC website).
  • New River Path (Winchmore Hill): 2 Redwing (Barrowell Green - Carpenter Gardens section), 1 Little Grebe and 2 female Gadwall (Highfield Road - Farm Road section). The Gadwall are highly unusual and I haven't seen a Little Grebe here for three years! (Katy M.)
  • Penge Road (SE25): 30 Redwing over 14:00 (Croydon Birders).
  • Potters Bar: 48 Waxwing at 15 Cranborne Crescent but mobile (Hertsbirding).
  • Rainham Marshes (landfill): adult Mediterranean Gull, first-winter Yellow-legged Gull, 3 Caspian Gull (third CY and 2 forth CY) (BirdGuides).
  • South Norwood Lake: 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1m Wigeon, 2m 2f Shovler, 1m Pochard, c100 Black-headed Gull, 2 Common Gull, 8 Cormorant, 1 Goldcrest, 6 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Coal Tit, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 singing Song Thrush, 2 Jay, 1 House Sparrow (John Watson).
  • South Woodford: 30 Waxwing in a private garden a.m. (London Birdwatching).
  • Tower Hamlets Cemetery: 4 Ring-necked Parakeets, Goldcrest, 30+ Chaffinch, 20+ Redwing (Bob Watts).
  • Wanstead Flats: 5 Skylark (feeding on the Fairground), 5 Meadow Pipit, 8 Mistle Thrush, 2 singing Song Thrush, 6 Redwing,3 Pochard, 26 Tufted Duck, 6 Shoveler, 17 Gadwall, m Teal, 12 Greylag Goose, 2 Snipe (SSSI), 15 Goldfinch, singing Chaffinch (Alex Lake wood), Heron, 3 Comorant, Kestrel (NC).
  • Wanstead Park: 9 Linnet, 10 + (a lot more heard) Siskin, 3-5 Coal Tit, 10 Redwing, 5 Song Thrush (4 singers), Mistle Thrush, 2 Stock Dove, 90 Tufted Duck, 15 Pochard, 32 Gadwall, 21 Shoveler, 2 G Heron, RN Parakeet, 5 Little Grebe, 3 Cormorant, 5 Goldcrest (NC)
  • Watford: 40+ Waxwing on Horseshoe Lane, Woodside Leisure Centre car park a.m. (BirdGuides).
  • West Wickham: 47 Waxwing on Bromley Road a.m. (BirdGuides). There isn't an actual Bromley Rd in West Wickham - probably a local name, do you have any better gen - There isn't any other gen on BirdGuides.
  • Woodford Green: Firecrest in private garden a.m. (BirdGuides).

Tuesday 1st February 2011[]

  • Alexandra Park: c12 Waxwings 08.45, over park playing field and along Campsbourne Road N8, but didn't settle (David Callahan).
  • Bedfords Park LNR: 2 Firecrests feeding together in holly, calling, along bridleway near Nursery (16.30 onwards). Also 3 Goldcrest, pr Coal Tit, 110 Redwing on short grass between Visitor Centre and Deer Park (my biggest flock this winter), Sparrowhawk over, Grey Heron at the Lake + 1 flew over (Colin Jupp).
  • Cassiobury Park: 2 Nuthatch (Joanne Biscomb).
  • Crayford Marshes: Little Owl, 6 Pintail, Peregrine, 2 Green Sandpiper, 2 Grey Plover, fem Stonechat, 12 Ringed Plover, 2 Curlew, c24 Fieldfare, c50 Redwing (Kev Jarvis & Steve Carter).
  • Dulwich (Alleyn`s Playing Fields): 76 Redwing, 2 Mistle Thrush, 38 Starling, 3 Goldfinch, 2 Collared Dove (Dave Clark).
  • Hampstead Heath: c100 Waxwing at the junction of Finchley Road / Platt's Lane (TQ251858) 08:35 (BirdGuides). 100+ there 10.35 until 10.45am, when all departed south (Alex Massey); 31 present 11:50 (BirdGuides); 50+ Siskins by Sanctuary Pond (Pete Mantle).
  • Holmethorpe SPs: 2 redhead Smew, Little Egret (BirdGuides).
  • Ingrebourne Valley: 28 Waxwing over Bonnetts Wood a.m., flew toward Parklands (LBYG); 150 Lapwing, 57 Fieldfare, 42 Redwing, Mistle Thrush, 18 Goldfinch (ELBF).
  • London Wetland Centre: Shelduck, 73 Wigeon, 128 Teal, 119 Shoveler, Scaup, Sparrowhawk, 6 Siskin; also Lesser White-fronted Goose hybrid on playing fields with 4 Bar-headed Goose (LWC website). This could be the free-flying White-fronted x Bar-headed Goose from St James's Park (ASMS).
  • Loughton: 18 Waxwing on Colebrook Lane and 80 Redwing at Rectory Lane (BirdGuides). *Paddington Green: pr Peregrine Falcon a.m. (Des McKenzie).
  • Pinner Park Farm: 5 Snipe, 2 Meadow Pipit, 63 Fieldfare, 8 Redwing, 22 Jackdaw & 3 Grey Heron (JR). *Rainham Marshes: 80 Waxwing south 16:11 (BirdGuides).
  • Riddlesdown Col Area (10.00 - 12.00): 13 Waxwing (in paddock nearest quarry), 50+ Redwing, 12+ Goldfinch, 3 Greenfinch, 4 Chaffinch, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker (drumming), 2 Goldcrest, 1 Treecreeper, 1 Nuthatch, 1 Song Thrush, 2 Jay, plus Robins, Blackbirds, Wrens, Blue Tits, Great Tits, Long-tailed Tits, Crows, Magpies and Woodpigeons (Croydon Birders).
  • River Lea (at Chingford) 1 pair of Goosander, Grey Wagtail (Millicent Harper). *Risebridge Golf Course (Romford): Woodcock flushed from boggy area near driving range at dusk (CRJ).
  • Roding Valley Park: Little Egret, pair of Bullfinches, 2 small flocks of Long-tailed Tits, half a dozen Fieldfares, 20 Redwings, 2 Mistle Thrushes, LBB Gull, Herring Gull, Greenfinch, Song Thrush, Common Gull, Jay (Alan Hobson).
  • Shepperton: 80 Waxwing on Acacia Road and Preston Road then flew south-east 14:50 (BirdGuides). *South Norwod Lake, Peregrine: 1f Sparrowhawk, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2m 2f Shovler, 3m 2f Pochard, c20 Redwing, c12 Siskin, c80 Black-headed Gull, 4 Common Gull, 2 Lesser Back-backed Gull, 20 Tufted Duck, 5 Cormorant, 6 Long-tailed Tit, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Nuthatch, c30 Goldfinch, 2 singing Chaffinch, 1 Song Thrush, 2 Jay, 2 House Sparrow (John Watson & Gavin Hawgood).
  • Stoke Newington Reservoirs: adult Yellow-legged Gull and c2500 Black-headed, 220 Lesser Black-back, 140 Herring and 350 Common Gulls in (incomplete) pre-roost count; 4 Water Rails, pair Peregrines, Chiffchaff (latter first of year at site) (Mark Pearson)
  • Teddington: male Blackcap in gardens
  • Totteridge Valley (Darlands Lake): 7+ Mandarin, Ring-necked Parakeet (Steve B).
  • Trent Park: Goosander (m) , Redwing (flock of 80 birds), Fieldfare , Tufted Duck (m) (Pete Lowman). *Waddon Ponds (Croydon); 5 Little Grebe, 3 Egyptian Geese, Canada Goose, 20 Pochard, Mallard, c60 Coot, Moorhen, Tufted Duck, 100+ Black headed Gull, 3 Herring Gull, 2 Ring-necked Parakeet, 1 Grey & 1 Pied Wagtail, Starling, possible Sparrowhawk overhead (Ernie Thomason).
  • West Thurrock: 70 Waxwing at Matalan, Lakeside Retail Park 11:30 (BirdGuides).
  • West Thurrock Marshes/Stone Ness: 53 Avocet, 17 Curlew, 9 Grey Plover, 400 Redshank, 2 Woodcock, 1 Snipe (Ian Woodward).
  • Whitewebbs Area (private site): 2 Woodcock flushed 10:50 hrs (Robert Callf).
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