Alexandra Park: Firecrest male still singing from Conservation Area just below old conservation hut 0730, Peregrine SW 1753 (Bob Watts).
Bedfont Lakes CP: Firecrest still in reserve woodland. Kingfisher on South Lake. Kingfisher and Common Snipe. (Adam Cheeseman).
Hyde Park / Kensington Gardens: juv White-winged Black Tern still by the bridge at Serpentine a.m. at least (Birdguides); still present at 1pm (Andrew Self).; also 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Meadow Pipit (James Lowen); Common Buzzard west over Longwater 14:21 (Simon Papps per DMc); tern still present and showing well 16:05 at least, 9 Shoveler, Little Grebe, 16 Cormorant, Meadow Pipit over, 6 Mistle Thrush (DMc). Nice patch, no dog mess, nicely dressed people, Nuthatches flying between the throng, OK one tramp inspecting his feet, Goldcrests, showy little marsh tern, Coal Tit, even the recorded woman's voice in the Underground's lift was posh. Must be good early doors (NC). Excellent views of White-winged Black Tern in sunshine all afternoon and Grey Wagtial feeding near Lido cafe (Bob Husband).
London Wetland Centre: Merlin south-west, 3 Golden Plover west, Short-eared Owl perched at far east end of Reservoir Lagoon, 43 Meadow Pipit south-west / west, Ring Ouzel present, 11 Song Thrush west, Redwing south, 4 Cetti's Warbler, 3 Blackcap, 22 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler, Raven north upriver, 3 Brambling (LWC website / Birdguides).
Rainham Marshes: ring-tail Hen Harrier, Merlin, fem Red-footed Falcon over mid-afternoon (Birdguides).
Staines Moor: Lapland Bunting - distant views but vocal (LondonBirds Twitter); flew from W of Colne to E side with Meadow Pipits at about 1510hrs, not relocated but may still be in the area; also female Merlin SW, Jack Snipe, Hobby, Wheatear etc (Rob Innes, Ken Purdey).
Wanstead Flats (06:30-09:00): Stonechat, 2 + Ring Ouzel (1 in broom fields flushed and flew north, 2 1w m just east of Long Wood) (Tim Harris / NC), Redwing (south), 7 Song Thrush, c.10 Mistle Thrush, c.50 Meadow Pipit, 1 Tree Pipit (in with MPs in broom field), Grey Wagtail over, 10+ Skylark, 6+ Chiffchaff, 3 Repoll over, good numbers of Greenfinch and Chaffinch, Goldfinch, f Reed Bunting (broom), 2 Shoveler (west), 7 Swallow (north west), 5 Cormorant (NC).
Wimbledon Common: Short-eared Owl 1045hrs; quartered Large Mound for a couple of minutes before heading south. May have been the same LWC bird (David Wills).
Wormwood Scrubs: Ring Ouzel in bushes on railway embankment, Lesser Whitethroat (Birdguides); migrant Blackbirds seen plus 1 Redwing, 4 Siskin west, 4 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Grey Wagtail, c70 Meadow Pipit with some arriving from the east, 22 Swallow west, 4 Mistle Thrush, 2 Reed Bunting (Scrubbers).
Brent Res: Redwing, 19 Jackdaws, 3 Meadow Pipits, 6 Swallows; 14 Snipe; 2 Common Buzzard West then East 12.55 (AGV, JCG, MCF).
Bromley-by-Bow: 2 Tree Pipit nervously flying about Channelsea, early am, 3 Meadow Pipit over, Siskin east, Kingfisher, 2 Great Spotted WP's, 3 Chiffchaff, 140 Woodpigeon on Green, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk (S Fisher).
Canons Farm: Stonechat, Little Owl, 5 Meadow Pipits, 5+ Skylarks, Rook, Kestrel, Common Gull, 2 Pied Wagtails, Pheasant, Yellowhammer, 3+ Swallows, 3+ House Martins, Chiffchaff, Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 60+ Linnets, c.4 Rose-ringed Parakeets, 3 Stock Doves, Song Thrush. Also bat sp (David Campbell).
Colney Heath: Hobby, Sparrowhawk (Steve B).
East India Dock Basin NR: 130 Teal, Green Woodpecker (meadow) unusual here, Sparrowhawk, 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap. ( Gary A James).
Hampstead Heath: 15 Meadow Pipit, 2 Nuthatch, 2 Chiffchaff, 3 Kestrel, Gr Spot Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker (Chris B). 2 Whinchat and 3 Meadow Pipit in thistles above sports track area and 1 hovering female Kestrel at 14:35pm. Lots of Jay activity, carrying acorns about flying out of cover (Michael Mac).
Highgate Tube station junction: large skein of geese (40 + ) flying high south-west 08.00ish (P.Angus).
Kentish Town Road: 1 Jay flying high (seen off bus, unusual to see so open) (Michael Mac).
Kenwood (1,000 Pound Pond): 9 Egyptian Geese and 30+ Mandarin Ducks (both highest counts to date at this pond), also Kestrel over, Jackdaw and the Ring-necked Parakeets, Nuthatch and tits being fed by passers by (Michael Mac).
Paddington Green: fem Peregrine Falcon caught a pigeon 12:28 (Des McKenzie).
Pinner Park Farm: 1 Wheatear around the farm buildings, 14 Swallow over south, 1 Little Owl, 2 Grey Wagtail, 1 Chiffchaff, Green Woodpecker, 5 Grey Heron, 94 Black-headed Gull, 2 Common Gull, 6 Herring Gull, 3 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 19 Jackdaw & 103 Ring-necked Parakeet over south-east (Jon Ridge).
Richmond Park: Lawn Field - in bracken, 3 Stonechats (inc. a juvenile) and a Whinchat, all catching insects on the wing, flycatcher-style. Stonechats regularly breed in the Park but have been missing since last winter, so these were a welcome find, 4 Meadow Pipits over (Stefan Czapski).
Ruislip Lido & Poors Field: 19 Wigeon, 30+ Gadwall, 6 Shoveler, 4 Little Grebe, 6+ Chiffchaff, 14 Swallow, 8 House Martin, 4 Goldcrest, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel (Steve Pash).
Alexandra Park: Firecrest still on forested side of British Rail entrance track by Ally Pally station at 10 am, calling loudly and associating with a Goldcrest, plus Blackcap (David Callahan). No sign of any Rouzels in scrub, pitch n putt or cricket pitch, res banks 0650-0735 but Firecrest singing from same spot (Bob Watts); 14:30 - Firecrest with roving tit flock along racetrack, plus Treecreeper and 5+ Blackcaps, and Meadow Pipit over (DC).
Crayford Marshes: 10 Dark-Bellied Brent Goose at the mouth of the creek this a.m. 12 Grey Plovers flew E along Thames @ 12.30pm, 4 Wigeon, 10 Yellow-Legged gulls, 35 Common Terns, 3 Curlew, c60 Dunlin, 45 Swallows. (Kev Jarvis).
Hyde Park / Kensington Gardens: juv White-winged Black Tern still at Serpentine, generally between the bridge and the Lido and often favouring north side but now regularly covering length of lake (also visited Longwater for 10 minutes). Occasionally showing down to 6ft and present to 10:45 at least (Des McKenzie, Pete Naylor, Fraser Simpson). Showing extremely well and close to the bank at 0900hrs whilst I was out on a run (bring a camera) (Richard Seargent); also Green Sandpiper at Longwater 09:40, 9 Shoveler, 2 Little Grebe, Swallow south, 5 Meadow Pipit over, Grey Wagtail (DMc et al). Tern still present early afternoon (JR). Yeh - I took a camera here is a video of it from yesterday [Black Tern] (Michael Mac); tern still showing well at Serpentine to 17:20 at least (DMc). 17.30 to at least 18.00 resting every so often on posts below bridge, (but was flying to and fro across the water by the lido almost non-stop from 13.00 to 17.00 -Joe Beale).
Leyton Flats: Ring Ouzel in scrub south of site, Little Egret, 7 Teal, 2 Gadwall, 2 Redwing, 2 House Martins, 5 Swallows south, 2 Chiffchaff, Skylark. ( Gary A James).
Walthamstow Filter Beds: Merlin, doing classic 'disguised as a Mistle Thrush approach flight', Grey Wagtails also. (Dan Barrett)
Wanstead Flats (07:00-11:30): Stonechat, 5 + Ring Ouzel just east of Long Wood a.m. (1+ copse east of Alex), 7 Redwing (5 over NW, 2 Long Wood), 10+ Song Thrush (some with Ouzel associations), 15+ Mistle Thrush, 20+ Blackbird (seemingly a thrush fall last night!), 3 Snipe (broom fields), 20+ Meadow Pippit, Pied Wagtail, 13 + Skylark, 15+ Chiffchaff, Lesser Whitethroat (scrub E end of Long Wood), 3 + Blackcap (pssible Willow W and others I couldn't get a handle on, all with mixed tit flocks), 5 L Redpoll, Goldfinch, 10+ Greenfinch, 6 Chaffinch, Heron, Little Grebe, 6 Pochard, 11 Mute Swan over, 3 Cormorant (none yesterday), Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, 5 Swallow (east), 10 House Martin (north east), 3 Common Gull, G and GS Woodpecker, 6 RN Parakeet (54sp NC/Birdguides); could only find 1 Ring Ouzel at 11am, near Petrol Station (JL) (8:15 - 9:15): 3 green woodpecker, great-spotted woodpecker, 100+ starling, 2+ jay, 6 ring-necked parakeet (Rod Dean, visiting Notts birder.
Mile End: Peregrine flew south towards Isle of Dogs 1715 (Bob Watts).
Brent Res: very late Swift 12.25 watched for 10 mins with 40+ House Martins, then off South (Andrew Verrall).
Crossness: adult Med Gull and 4 juv Black Terns at power station outfall off Golf Centre early afternoon (Ian Miller per JA).
London Wetland Centre: 21 Wigeon, 80+ Teal, 25+ Common Snipe, Grey Wagtail, 3 Cetti's Warbler (LWC website). Also 48 Lapwing, 2 Little Grebe, 10+ Chiffchaff, Green & Great Spotted Woodpecker, 7 Swallow & 1 Sand Martin over & 2 Egyptian Goose (JR).
Tyttenhanger GP's: Green Sandpiper, 8 Wigeon, 4 Tree Sparrow, 2 Yellowhammer, Grey Wagtail, 20+ Pied Wagtail, 7 Yellow Wagtail, 6 Meadow Pipits, 100+ House Martin and a few Swallow. (Steve Blake)
Markfield Park N15. 100% leucistic Starling in large Starling flock. (Quentin Given) Had one of these at Walthamstow Filter Beds a month ago or so, possibly same bird? (Dan Barrett)
Wimbledon Common: Hobby, 7 Redwing (David Wills, Adrian Podmore).
Regent's Park: 8 House Martins, 4 Redwings, 14 Song Thrushes, 4 Siskins (Tony Duckett) I have also added a few shots of the WWB Tern that show it slighlty differently.
Woodlandsfarm Trust: Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tits, Goldfinch 20+, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker, Jay, Swallows, House Martins, Blackcap [m], Kestrel [f], Sparrowhawk, 2 Mistle Thrush, Chiffchaff. [R Turner]
Dagnam Park LNR: Hobby, 8 Swallows and 27 House Martins SW, Grey Wagtail, 3 Blackcap, Siskin over (Colin Jupp).
Noak Hill: 100+ House Martins over Carter's Brook area mid-afternoon (Colin Jupp).
Bedfords Park LNR: juv Mute Swan, 12 Swallow S, 100 House Martins over Wildflower Meadow and Visitor Centre area to early evening, 3 Mistle Thrush, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Bullfinch (CRJ).
Tuesday 28 September 2010[]
Alexandra Park: 8:10-8:50: Firecrest (heard only) in Conservation Area; Aythya hybrid Tunnel Res; Kingfisher on 'Water Feature' on WG Res; c.15 H. Martin departed from WG REs to south (Gareth Richards); 2+ Goldcrests lunchtime, but no sign of Firecrest (David Callahan); Firecrest still 1830, on edge of CA on small road just south of Alexandra Palace station leading down towards railway (Gareth Richards).
Beddington SF: 3 Egyptian Goose, 2 Shelduck, Dunlin, 6 Common Snipe, 7 Green Sandpiper, 2 Common Sandpiper, imm / fem Common Redstart, Siskin
Brent Reservoir: male Ring Ouzel west 08:25, 4 Redwing west at 9.35, plus over 200 House Martins & a Green Sand (Andrew Self & Andrew Verrall).
Canary Wharf: Firecrest at Canada Gardens 9am (James Lowen).
Cely / Belhus Woods: Osprey south / south-west over Aveley Road 16:25 (LondonBirders Yahoo Group).
Hyde Park: juv White-winged Black Tern showed extremely well to 08:05 at least; still favouring the stretch of Serpentine between the bridge and Lido and regularly perching on posts adjacent to bridge (at one point dip-feeding amongst the swimmers at the Lido and very vocal when turfed off a post by a Lesser Black-backed Gull); also 10 Egyptian Goose, 2 Shelduck south-west 07:15, trilling Little Grebe, c475 Black-headed Gull on Parade Ground, first-winter Common Gull, 20+ House Martin west a.m. and c50 near dusk, Redwing west, Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, singing Treecreeper, several pipistrelle sp(p) at dusk (Des McKenzie); tern still in situ 09:20 (David Callahan and Jono Lethbridge); 10:35 (Simon Papps per DMc), 12:00 (Birdguides); seen flying off at 2 pm (RBA); showing well in usual area 14:45 (Birdguides); flew toward Round Pond 17:17 where it showed down to 5ft (DMc, Pete Spencer) flew back to Serpentine 17:57 then back toward Round Pond at 18:21; not seen again before dark (DMc, Andrew Culshaw); Des at 19:20, just after you left, the tern flew low over water from Serpentine end and alighted on the post it favoured earlier so that must be it's roost (Michael Mac), thanks Michael, will check again at dawn (DMc). Meadow pipit heard but not seen over trees south of Serpentine at 12.15 (N Millar).
London Wetland Centre: 19 Wigeon, 70+ Teal, 45+ Lapwing, 25 Common Snipe, Curlew over, 2 Ring Ouzel (north-east corner), 3 Redwing, Firecrest (Wildside) (LWC website).
Rainham Marshes: Pink-footed Goose on Aveley Pool late a.m., 24 Wigeon, 6 Pintail, Curlew, 2 Green Sandpiper, 2 Common Sandpiper, 2 House Martin, Rock Pipit, 40 Meadow Pipit, 5 Grey Wagtail (Birdguides).
Wimbledon Common: Osprey over, flying SW towards Parkside at 4.50pm (Adrian Podmore).
Wanstead Flats (06:00-10:30): Singing Lesser Whitethroat (confused me for about half an hour), 10+ Chiffchaff (3 singers), 1 Blackcap, Goldcrest, Stonechat, 5 Song Thrush, 20+ Mistle Thrush, Spotted Flycatcher, Little Owl, 2 Little Egrets (over east), Heron, 16 Meadow Pipit (10 in 1 group), Pied Wagtail, 6 Grey Wagtail (west), 2 Linnet, Chaffinch, 16+ Skylark (again 10 in one flight), 2 Pochard, 4 Gadwall, 11 Mute Swan on a training flight, Little Grebe, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, 5 RN Parakeet, 2 Common Gull (NC); 2 (poss 3) Ring Ouzels west of Long Wood at 2:30pm, also 2 Spotted Flycatchers (J Lethbridge).
Dagnam Park LNR: 30+ Meadow Pipits high over S (most heard only), 1 Grey Wagtail, 10 Blackbird (small influx), 10 Song Thrush including 3 high over W, 3 Redwing, 5 Blackcap, 4 Chiffchaff, 5 Goldcrest, 6 Nuthatch, 1 Rook over, 1 Reed Bunting (Colin Jupp).
Greenwich Park: light hirundine passage a.m., 6 migrant Song Thrushes flew around then finally off W, at least 4 Chiffchaffs; quiet, with surprisingly no rare marsh terns (Joe Beale).
Hampstead Heath: c30 House Martin, 3 Kestrel, Green Woodpecker, Treecreeper, Nuthatch (Chris B).
Holmethorpe SPs: Redwing (SBC).
Margravine Cemetery: 2 Jays, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Peregrine Falcon (M Ruscoe); pr Peregrines was in area most of the day, influx of Blackbirds and Robins (lots of them singing, even at night fall), many juv Woodpigeons (Nathalie Mahieu).
Mitcham Common: 2 Sparrowhawk, Kestrel (m), 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker, 20+ Meadow Pipit, 3 Jay, 12 RNP (Stuart M)
Tyttenhanger GP's: Ruddy Shelduck, 4+ Chiffchaff, Ring-necked Parakeet, Hobby, 3 Buzzard, 2 Little Grebe, 5 Green Woodpecker (Steve B).
Vauxhall BT: daredevil Kestrel mobbing f Peregrine Falcon perched on railings - repeated attacks while circling building, even went up to about 70metres and stooped on to the Peregrine, which remained perched but was forced to flap its wings and struggle to maintain balance several times @ 12:55, Peregrine remained perched for about 30 mins after attack (Michael Mac).
Woodlandsfarm Trust,7Mallard[4drakes],Nuthatch,Skylark,Goldfinch20+,Kestrel[f],Sparrowhawke,3Moorhen,Greenwoodpecker,Greatspottedwoodpecker,Chiffchaff (could you please supply an observer name?).
Bedfont Lakes CP: Firecrest with tit flock in reserve woodland. Also 3 Redwing in trees there and a Siskin over. Kingfisher on New Lake. (Adam Cheeseman)
Bromley-by-Bow: Yellow-browed Warbler with roving tit flock and 12 Chiffchaff 10 am (S Fisher); hi - whereabouts? - I'm local (David Callahan)Where they used to do big brother, the TV and recording studio place (NC). Was on private property so rather tricky, then seen near the Clock Mill in the cafe garden, then flew east in the direction of Channelsea River. Tit flock found again later by the Greenway opposite Abbey Mills Pumping Station but no sign of Yellow browed, but Coal Tit there (a 1st). I would suggest worth checking the area along Channelsea, Three Mills Green and Wall River and any of the public rights of way along there (S Fisher)
Harrow: Common Crane reported briefly before flying off east (Birdguides)
Hyde Park: juv White-winged Black Tern09:38 on Serpentine in front of Lido Restaurant. It was probably there yesterday - work meant that it couldn't be checked out (Dave Johnson, Tony Duckett) photos here ; seen yesterday by Ralph Hancock - still present and showing well both in flight and perched (occasionally down to 20ft) to 12:10 at least favouring the Serpentine between the bridge and Lido area; (Des McKenzie, et al); still present 13:30 (EssexBirders), tern flew east along Serpentine 15:30 and not seen subsequently though extensively searched for (DMc, Nick Tanner, John Tilbrook, Bob Husband, Fay Broom et al); returned to Serpentine 17:30 then flew to Round Pond where it showed very well until 18:45 at least (L.F-H); flew from Round Pond toward Serpentine 19:04 (Birdguides); Little Egret west 13:00 (per DMc); juv Little Gull reported from Lido area but not found by two obervers who were opposite the spot at the time (DMc, Alan Stewart); Shoveler, juv Little Grebe, 2 Swallow, 30+ House Martin, Skylark over, 2 Meadow Pipit over, Grey Wagtail, 6 Mistle Thrush, Chiffchaff, singing Goldcrest, Nuthatch, 3 Treecreeper, several Jay (DMc, NT).
Alexandra Park: No sign of B N Grebe in brief search of Wood Green Res and Tunnel Res by 0740 but Kingfisher.. 50+ House Martins, 5+ Swallows milling about playing fields and over res. 0730. Presume they roosted on site as conditions for arrival dire (Bob Watts); still 2 Swallows lunchtime (David Callahan).
Brent Res: viz mig 7.55 - 9.30 420 House Martins, 7 Swallows, 3 Mipits; also 8 Snipe E. Marsh (Andrew Verrall).
Crayford Marshes: 5 Yellow-Legged gulls, Peregrine, Curlew, Kingfisher, 2 Little egrets, Snipe, c100 Swallows, 12 House Martins, 24 Dunlin, 20 Ringed Plover.(Kev Jarvis & Steve Carter).
Dagnam Park LNR: 6 Redwings in yews near the Lily Pond, 8 Song Thrush, 9 Mistle Thrush, m Blackcap, 8 Chiffchaff, 2+ Goldcrest, 11 Ring-necked Parakeet. Also 5 (4drake) Mandarin - flew in and settled briefly on the L.Pond then took off again (Colin Jupp).
Wanstead Flats: Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (h), 3 L Redpoll (2 SSSI), 5 Chaffinch, Stonechat (broom field), Song Thrush, 10+ Mistle Thrush, Spotted Flycatcher still (end of Long Wood), 13 + Skylark, 14 + Meadow Pipit, 2 Pied Wagtail, flock of 20+ H and S Martin feeding and moving North, Goldcrest, 7+ Chiffhcaff, 2 Blackcap, 2 Pochard, Teal (very low east), 3 Gadwall, 2 Little Grebe, 2 Sparrowhawk, Kestrel (having a bath on the edge of Alex) and t'others (NC)
Pinner Park Farm: 3 Little Owl, 4 Meadow Pipit over, 2 Chiffchaff, 3 Jackdaw, 4 Jay, Green & Great Spotted Woodpecker & 4 Grey Heron (JR).
South Norwood Lake: 2 Mute Swan, 1 Little Grebe, 12 Tufted Duck, 14 Cormorant, 7 Shoveler (over) Sparrowhawk, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Nuthatch, c8 Long-tailed Tit, 15 Ring-necked Parakeet, 2 House Sparrow, 4 jay, 2 Chiffchaff, fem Blackcap, c30 Starlings, ( John Watson)
Tate Modern: 2+ Chiffchaff and 1 Blackcap with tit flock, 2 Peregrine in normal place (Reuben Braddock)
Willows Farm: 6 Yellow Wagtail, c50 meadow pipit, 20+ Pied Wagtail. 4+ House Martin, Swallows(Shed loads). Buzzard. (Steve B)
Nine Elms Sainsbury's Car Park: just came out the door at 4pm and flock of seagulls over the car park - 30+ Black-headed, 2 Lesser-black backed and several Herring Gulls and f Kestrel and 2 Magpies on chimney, looking at the BT building m Peregrine and on Saturday pair on and male caught a pigeon then both perched close at 5:50pm (Michael Mac).
South Lambeth Road: 3 Mistle Thrush low over (Michael Mac).
Barnes WWT: juv White-winged Black Tern 0835-0847 when flew off NW and out of Surrey, presumably the Hyde Park bird (Nick Senior)
Rainham Marshes: juv Gannet west (Jono's 200th London year tick - congratulations!), plus 5 Grey Plover (2 north am - DC), 9+ Dunlin, 2 Ringed Plover, 60+ Redshank, 200+ House Martins west overall (DC), Sand Martin (David Callahan, Nick Tanner, Nick Croft, Jono Lethbridge, Andy Tweed, et al); another Gannet (darker than first) out east at about 5pm (JL per Phil Street)
Grays from 3.15-4.45pm: juv Little Gull and Grey Plover upriver, and four Brent Geese upriver then turned and flew back out (Dominic Mitchell)
Alexandra Park: Firecrest still in Conservation Area but no sign of Black-necked Grebe on Wood Green Res (Bob Watts), 1 Common Sandpiper (Tunnel Basin - seen off by a Magpie) 100+ House Martins, 20+ Swallows (James Palmer). Black-necked grebe present 09.15 skulking near bank at Tunnel Res end of Wood Green res.(Graham Doone), 2 Common sandpiper seen on the Tunnel Res on the end nearest the Wood Green Res @ 1345. (Rob Wallace)
Arctic St, Kentish Town: c.250 House Martins and 50 Swallows N between 0815 and 0845 (Pete M)
Brent Reservoir: 28 Wigeon, drake Pintail, 8 Common Snipe, Green Sand and large passage of hirundines, 10 Chiffchaff (Brent Birders). Swift overhead from main Hide (Bob Husband)
Hampstead Heath: By Vale of Health / Sandy Heath, 6 Meadow Pipit, 5 Mistle Thrush, Nuthatch, Goldcrest, 3 Coal Tit, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap (Chris Bird)
Hyde Park (Serpentine): excellent views of (juv) Little Gull feeding in front of Lido restaurant at 12.10hrs (Dave Jordan and Dave Johnson)
East India Dock Basin NR: 197 House Martins, 12 Sand Martins, 1 Swallow (all NW), 5 Skylark NW, 1 1w Common Tern, 120 Teal, Gt Spotted Woodpecker, Chiffchaff. (Gary A James & Nick Tanner).
Pinner Park Farm: 1 Little Owl, 6 Jay, 9 Grey Heron, Great Spotted Woodpecker & 1 Swallow over south-west - another soaking wet session (Jon Ridge).
Lonsdale Road Reservoir LNR: 1 Chiffchaff, 7 Teal, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Kestrel, 1 GBB Gull, 23 House Martin 18N 5W. And usuals. (Louis Freeland-Haynes). At around 5pm : 3 Shoveler, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Green Woodpecker briefly on reservoir bank, river-side - site tick! (Rich Petley).
Duke's Meadows: 1 juv. Yellow Wagtail on deck with 13 Pied Wagtail during rain 15:10. Also 8 Mistle thrush, 7 Jay N (probably local birds but at least 6 individuals), c46 House Martin N in groups of c36, 2 and 8. Very wet but also no seabirds! (Louis Freeland-Haynes)
South Norwood Lake: 2 Mute Swan, 3 Cormorant, 12 Tufted Duck, 1 Grey Heron, c70 House Martin NW, 1 singing Chiffchaff, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Nuthatch, c20 Goldfinch, (John Watson & Gavin Hawgood)
Wanstead: No Sea birds but 2 Golden Plover north west over Flats (09:50), 26 Meadow Pipit, 17 Chiffchaff, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Spotted Flycatcher east of Long Wood still, 14+ Swallow through, 14+ House Martin through, Cockatiel calling from City of London Cemetery (mega!), Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, 28 Gadwall (S Fisher), Stonechat m (broom fields), 3 Swallow north (Nick Croft)
Lee Valley: Holyfield Farm area; Red Kite being mobbed by 4 Jackdaw, Common Buzzard, 3 Yellowhammer's, 50+ Goldfinch, Stonechat (finally), (f) Kestrel hunting over bottom field by sailing club, 2 Grey Wagtail's at holyfield weir. Goose Fields; Common Snipe, 7 Teal, 20+ Egyptian Geese. (J Anderson)
East Finchley Allotments - Dunnock, great tit, robin, ring-necked parakeets(many), lots of common frogs and one smooth newt in the strawberry bed (DPainter)
Woodlandsfarm Trust 2 Mistlethrush,Greenwoodpeckers,Greatspotted woodpecker,7Mallard[4drakes],Chiffchaff,20+Goldfinch,Greenfinch,Longtail,Blue and Great tits,Swallows,Kestrel.[Ron Turner]
Chase Road, Southgate: 1 Common Snipe, flew NNW, 09:08 hrs (Robert Callf & Elizabeth Sanders).
Alexandra Park: Black-necked Grebe found 10am, mainly north end Wood Green Res (cleaner flanks and cheeks cv last Sunday's bird). Male Firecrest ranging around Conservation Area and singing. Also 100+ House Martins, 20+ Swallows, some lingering around res, 15+ Mipits, Willow Warbler with 5 Chiffchaffs Top Field. 1 Sparrowhawk (f) in SW corner. (Alan Gibson, Gareth Richards, Gabriel Jamie, Stuart Harrington, Bob Watts).
Wanstead Park: Juv Gannet flew over the Ornamental Waters west at 10.53 am. (Nick Croft, wow yeagh patch tick etc. R.B.A ), oh well....female Wigeon on the Ornamental Waters (waddya mean oh well, I dipped a wigeon! NC), calling Nuthatch with tit flock Reservoir Wood, Kingfisher (reported along Roding, 2 Ornamental Waters), Goldcrest, Little Egret, 4 Coal Tit, Swallow through, 19 Gadwall, Shoveler, Redpoll over, 2 Siskin over OSW, Spotted Flycatcher OSW, 4 RNP's, Kestrel, 3 Stock Dove (S Fisher, N Croft, J Lethbridge), in addition Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (OW), 43 Gadwall, 4 Heron, 2 Little Egret, 6 Mistle Thrush, 2 House Martin (North), 3 Pochard (Heronry), Goldcrest in leyllandi in gardens south of Reservoir Wood, Grey Wagtail, L. Whitethroat, Blackcap (OSW), 15+ Chiffchaff. (Nick Croft) Snipe, Meadow Pipit (both on The Plain - Mike Messenger) (58sp total)
10Acre/Gutteridge wood area: 1 common Buzzard, small parties of swallow passing through. (Jim Fell)
Brent Reservoir: 2 Siskin over, 200+ House Martins, 125+ Swallows, 6 Wigeon & Green Sandpiper (Brent Birders)
Chorleywood Common: steady passage of Swallow amounting to c100 west, Common Crossbill west at 13:50hrs (Des McKenzie).
Dagnam Park LNR: 2 Common Buzzard, 38 Swallow and 20 House Martin NW, 22 Meadow Pipit, 2 Song Thrush, 2 Blackcap, 6 Chiffchaff (Colin Jupp).
Fairlop Gravel Works: Knot, 4 Snipe, 4 Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, 50 Lapwing, 4 Wigeon, 30 Teal, 40 Pochard, 20 Tufted Duck, few Lil Grebe, juv Stonechat, 2 HMartin, 3 Swallow, m Pheasant, 10 Stock Dove, 3 GWP, 15 Goldfinch, 24 Linnet, 18 Meadow Pipit,
Horsenden Hill: Buzzard spp. distant from top of hill mid-afternoon. (David Howdon)
Margravine Cemetery: 1 m Blackcap, 1-2 House Martin (lingering), 1pr Peregrine Falcon (Nathalie Mahieu).
Mitcham Common: 2 Kestrel (f), Sparrowhawk (f), Grey Heron, 2 Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Meadow Pipit, 5 House Martin, 2 Swallow, 6 Ring-Necked Parakeet, 8 Long-Tailed Tit, 3 Jay, 17 BH Gull and 5 Lapwing on scrape (Stuart M)
Hampstead Heath: 0730-1000 100+ Meadow Pipits, mainly passing through, but one flock of c25 feeding in Tumulus field. 5 House Martin, 1 Sand Martin, 20+ Swallows, 2 Chiffchaff, 2+ Kestrel, 2 Bullfinch (Sash Tusa)
Kelsey Park, Beckenham, female Wood Duck (presumed South Norwood CP bird) on north lake. Also 23 Mandarins. Hobby over W.Wickham mid morning. (Martin Birch)
South Norwood Lake: Peregrine Falcon, Kestrel, Little Grebe, 2 Mute Swan, 4 Cormorant, 12 Tufted Duck, 6 Ring-necked Parakeet, 1 Nuthatch, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Chiffchaff, c10 Goldfinch, + Jersey Tiger lutescens, ( John Watson & Gavin Hawgood)
Staines Moor Cetti's Warbler at extreme north end in phragmites area. 50 House Martin and 50+ Meadow Pipit on the moor ( John Edwards).
Trent Park: 2(m&f) Shoveler, Lower Lake; 1 Swallow; 26 House Martin, flew N, 08:17 hrs (Robert Callf).
Vicarage Farm, Enfield: 1 Whinchat and 1 male Stonechat, together, Hog Hill, 08:15 hrs (Robert Callf).
Wanstead Flats: Not sure on status of Wryneck, hadn't been seen at 11:00ish - gave up looking round 17:00 (NC). Possible Turtle Dove SW early morning, 2 Spotted Flycatcher east of Long Wood, 2 Whitethroat, 3+ Blackcap, 10+ Chiffchaff, Lesser Whitethroat, L. Redpoll, 4 Goldfinch, 4+ House Martin and 12+ Swallow North, Little Egret over, Unidentified Large falcon sp North West (possibly a hybrid), 3 Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrel, 50+ Meadow Pipit, 10+ Skylark, 1-2 Coal Tits, stacks of Robins, 5 Pochard (Alex), 4 Gadwall, 1 Shoveler, 1 Yellow Wagtail, Snipe (heard broom fields), 10 Cormorant, (Stuart Fisher, Nick Croft, Jonathan Lethbridge) - 54sp total
Willows Farm (Tyttenhanger): Yellow Wagtail, 20+ Meadow Pipits, 8 Pied Wagtail, c100 Swallow, 2 House Martin, Red Kite 3+ Buzzard, Tree Sparrow, Chiffchaff, Blackcap. (Steve B)
Islip Manor Meadows, Northolt: 1 Common Buzzard W, mobbed by crows, at 13.30 (Andy Culshaw).
Denham: 1 Common Buzzard over M40 just W of Denham roundabout at 13.35 (Andy Culshaw).
Friday 24 September 2010[]
Alexandra Park: Firecrest at 7.30 am in Conservation Area c.40 yards north of wooden bridge. Spot Fly Cricket Scrub and Aythya hybrid Tunnel Res. (Gareth Richards and Bob Watts). No sign Firecrest 08.30, but 3 Jackdaws, 6+ Chiffchaffs (David Callahan). Firecrest with Goldcrest in same area but v mobile 1030-1100 (ADH); Firecrest calling but elusive around Conservation Pond associating with tit and chiff flock at 13.30, plus 70+ mixed House Martin and Swallow flock over WG Res (DC). c60+ Swallows mostly around platform 1 & 5+ House Martins 1830 (BW).
Rainham Marshes: prob Pectoral Sandpiper, seen distantly in flight with a Ringed Plover and heard calling, then briefly with c 30 Dunlin and c 15 Ringed Plovers on Kent shore, 4 Greenshank, c 30 Redshank, 4 Common Snipe, 4 Yellow-legged Gulls, Hobby, Peregrine, 10+ Common Terns upriver on rising tide (Dominic Mitchell et al), 2 Sandwich Terns (AT).
Crayford Marshes: 2 Greenshanks, Green Sandpiper, 4 ad Yellow Legged gulls, Peregrine, 2 Black-Tailed Godwits, 28 Common Terns, Snipe, 26 Dunlin,18 Ringed Plover. (Kev Jarvis).
Brent Res: 4 Black Terns all morning, Whinchat shrike field, 2 Meadow Pipits (Andrew Verrall, Lydia W, Stephen L).
Tower Hamlets Cemetery: No sign Firecrest in search 1210-1300 but weather inclement, 3 Chiffchaffs (Bob Watts).
Wanstead Flats (06:30-11:30): (13:20) Wryneck (9th day) burnt out scrub, east of Alex (Tim Harris), 2 Whinchat (1 east of Alex in burnt scrub, 1 broom fields - very pale bird), 2 Spotted Flycatcher (east end of Long Wood), 2 Hobby (calling and circling over the Esso garage area), 2 Song Thrush, 10+ Mistle Thrush, 9 + Chiffchaff, Blackcap, C. Whitethroat, 2 Swallow (south west), 5 Pochard, 2 Gadwall, 10+ Skylark, 8 Meadow Pipit, 2 Pied Wagtail, 8 Chaffinch, 1 Goldfinch (Nick Croft). Wryneck still present 16.00 to 17.00 at least. Patience (and standing still) rewarded by it flying down to feed 2m in front of us. Thanks to Nick and others for the welcome. (frogandlisa)
Crossness/Barking Bay: Six Black Terns, two Sandwich Terns (west then east), 17 Common Terns, five Yellow-legged Gulls, 1 Common Sandpiper, eight Black-tailed Godwits, 50 Lapwings, three Ringed Plover, 28 Redshanks, 134 Shelduck, 440 Teal, 18 Gadwall, 50 Mallard, 46 Cormorants, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Moorhen (Sean Huggins).
Headstone Manor: 24 Pied Wagtail on the cricket pitch & 1 House Martin relentlessly flying back & forth low over the area (JR).
Lake Farm CP: 3 Stonechats, Spotted Flycatcher, flock of c.80 House Martins drifted SW,6 Swallows, 3 Chiffchaffs, Blackcap and Common Whitethroat (Pete Naylor).
River Wandle, Plough Lane SW19: (09:00) Cormorant flying N (Stuart M)
Thursday 23 September 2010[]
London Bridge - Tower Bridge: Great Spotted Woodpecker flew West over Tower of London at 08:30-Patch tick. (I was quite chuffed until the Skua got reported!) (Paul Whiteman); Arctic Skua east 1030 (RBA).
Grays: probable juvenile White-winged Black Tern over Thames briefly; also 2 Black Terns and 5 Arctic Terns (Birdguides0
Wanstead: Wryneck (day 8) again on grass NE of The Golden Fleece pub pub at 10.14, (originally found by Sarrinder Jahmal in a patch of burnt out broom/bramble, a Leyton Flats birder, so thanks to him, later flushed in front of the pub, the only place I didn't look for it yesterday, doh!) (NC/RBA). Wheatear, Spotted Flycathcer, 8 Skylark, movement of Swallow (Tim Harris, via Redbridgebridwatching); (06:30-11:30): 18+ Skylark, 15+ Mistle Thrush, 5 Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Reed bunting (h broom fields), Spotted Fly (possibly 2), north of west end of Long Wood in with a mega tit flock of over 200 birds, including 10+ Chiffchaff, 2+ Blackcap, 10+ Meadow Pipit, 2 Yellow Wagtail (1 north!), Pied Wagtail, 5 Stock Dove, 7 Collared Dove, large and increasing numbers of Wood Pigeon, 7 Swallow (south), 1 House Martin (Steve Thorpe), 9+ RN Parakeet, Hobby, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, 2 Little Grebe, 17 Gadwall, 3 Shoveler, 3 Pochard, Mute Swan (the SOM cygnets -3- had a circuit round the flats + 2 adults over), 2 Egyptian Goose (over broomfields east), also Goldcrest in with mixed tit flock by Alex, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (ST), probable Willow Warbler (TH) (50+ sp Nick Croft). Wryneck refound in scrub east of Alex at 15:30, feeding on dead branches and often in company with Whitethroat, Song Thrush and Blackbird. Also Spot Fly east of Long Wood (S Fisher)
Alexandra Park: Firecrest 1750-1820 at least near Network Rail gate to east of Conservation area and north of Conservation Pond. Calling incessantly, possibly a second bird present. Aythya hybrid Tufted x Pochard drake , probably last winter's bird but not looking so dapper, on Tunnel Res (Bob Watts).
Brent Reservoir: 14 Black Terns dropped in with start of heavy rain at 09.25, stayed 20 mins (Andrew Verrall).
Duke's Meadows 17:15-18:40: 51 Swallow W and NW (13, 1 + 10 NW; Big group of 27 W 18:35), 1 Hobby hunting over Lonsdale Road Res, 17 Pied Wagtail on field, c128 Canada Geese, 1 Greylag, 2 GreylagxCanadas, 2 Great Black Backed Gull, 1 Lesser Black Backed Gull, 63 Black Headed Gull, 12 Mistle Thrush S. (Louis Freeland-Haynes)
Parkside Farm, Enfield: 1 fem/imm Northern Wheatear, on ploughed field (fourth day here) (Robert Callf).
Pinner Park Farm: 2 Little Owl, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Mipit over, 13 Herring Gull & 8 Lesser Black-backed Gull on the cricket pitch, Jay, Jackdaw & 11 Grey Heron in fields (Jon Ridge).
Southwark Bridge: 2 Common Terns in heavy rain (Reuben Braddock)
Tower Hamlets Cemetery: 1+ Firecrest until 1305 at least, lots of squeaky toy contact calling and thought that one individual brighter than the other though no two birds seen simultaneously, in Sanctuary Wood with 2 Chiffchaffs and loosely with small tit flock (Bob Watts).
Crayford Marshes: 3 Sandwich Terns east along Thames, Avocet, Knot, Hobby, Common Buzzard, Greenshank, 2 Curlew, c120 Swallows, c60 Common Terns. (Kev Jarvis).
Alexandra Park: 5+ Meadow Pipits south, 3 Goldcrests behind cricket scrub; 100s of Swallows passing through early afternoon high and in well-spaced flocks. (David Callahan)
Chiswick Eyot 16:40-17:40: 67 Swallow through S/SW. 2 Great Black Backed Gull, 4 Lesser Black Backed Gull, 1 Sparrowhawk, usuals.
Hampstead Heath: 10 Meadow Pipit, Hobby, 4 Kestrel, 2 Blackcap, Gr Spot Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker, 8 Mistle Thrush, Coal Tit, 2 Nuthatch, 2 Goldcrest (Chris Bird)c.1,000 Swallows S or SW over P. Hill area + 500 H.Martin and 100 S. Martin. 100 Meadow Pipit mostly S. 10 Chiffchaffs but quiet otherwise ( Pete Mantle)
Hyde Park :Hobby high over Marble Arch roundabout at 12.30pm.Dave Jordan.
Leyton Flats: 420 Swallows 08.50-09.45, all south, 25 House Martins, Skylark. (Gary A James).
Mitcham Common: Hobby, 2 Kestrel (both fem), Sparrowhawk, Grey Heron, 4 Jay, 2 Ring-Necked Parakeet, 2 Jackdaw over (uncommon here), 4 Meadow Pipit (all flushed from ridge nr One Island pond), 2 Green Woodpecker, c20 Swallow, 10 House Martin and at muddy gravel scrape next to south side of Golf Course: 1+ Common Snipe, 2 Ringed Plover, 2 Lapwing, Yellow Wagtail. 7 Egyptian Goose at Three Kings pond. 2 rabbits (Stuart M)
Pinner Park Farm: 2 Common Buzzard over south-west at 12:25, 1 Little Owl, 13 Swallow over south, 2 Meadow Pipit, 7 Jay, 1 Chiffchaff & 7 Grey Heron (Jon Ridge).
Queen Elizabeth II Res: 4 Little Terns 1430-1620 at least (DMH)
Rainham: 17 Swallows SE over New Road @ 08.10 (Richard Harrison).
Richmond Park: I counted 95 Swallows heading S (possibly SSE) in a 3 or 4 minute spell at about 13.30 - and I'm sure there were more. I'd seen only 5 in the previous half hour, and saw none in the following 20 minutes. (Stefan Czapski)
Staines Reservoir: 06:30-09:00: 2 Black Tern, 8 Arctic Tern, Common Sandpiper, 2 Lapwing, 5 Dunlin through (Nigel Sluman)
Wanstead Flats (06.30-07.45): No sign of wryneck, but Kingfisher on Alex, 4 RN Parakeet, 4+ Green Woodpecker, 3 great spot, fem sparrowhawk (James Astley); still no sign of Wryneck by 11 (JL per NC), while the Wryneck may have been a no-show, good to meet up with Russ Sherriff and Frog (one part of Frog&Lisa), and apologies to the other two observers who I didn't get to talk to. (06:30-1130): 2 Hobby (1 by Angel pond, the other over W Park), 2 Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, f Stonechat (broom fields), 10+ Mistle Thrush, 6+ Skylark, 10+ MeadowPipit, Yellow Wag (over), 2 Pied and 2 Grey Wagtail, 15 RN Parakeet, 80+ Swallow (south), 6+ Chiffchaff, 5 Shoveler, 19 Gadwall, 2 Pochard, 1 Tufted Duck, 2 Little Grebe, 4 Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Coal Tit (heard in with mixed tit flock) - looks like the party's over (Nick Croft), Wryneck reported early evening! (Via Redbridgebirdwatching)
Wanstead Park: Little Egret, juv Hobby (via Redbridge Birdwatching)
Wanstead, my garden: Great Black-backed Gull over this afternoon, garden tick; also 2 Sparrowhawk, 4 Mistle Thrush (J Lethbridge)
Wormwood Scrubs: male Ring Ouzel in Chat Paddock. (LondonBirds Twitter)
Archway: 2 Grey wagtail on Whittington hospital ledge. (P.Angus)
Covent Garden,WC2: 45+ hirundines (mostly swallows) in several flocks flying S, seen from 5th floor office (Hugh Bradshaw)
Archway - Muswell Hill: 17.30 - 18.30. Loads of swallows and House Martins plus a fair few starlings. (P Angus)
Battersea Gasometer: m Peregrine diving off hunting, caught what I think was a Starling after 3rd dive and retured to lower ledge to eat @ 18:00 (Michael Mac).
Battersea Park Lake: 7+ Shoveler, no Gadwall, 25+ Magpies in flock (Michael Mac).
Bedfords Park LNR: 130+ Swallows SE late afternoon and evening, 30 House Martin, Hobby, m Kestrel, Little Owl (Colin Jupp).
Dagnam Park LNR: 78 Swallows SSE during brief visit mid afternoon, 10 House Martin, 1 Linnet NW, 1 Meadow Pipit, 4 Goldcrest, 4 Blackcap, Sparrowhawk (Colin Jupp).
Trent Park; 1 Osprey, flew W; 1 juv female Goshawk (Robin White per RMC).
Tuesday 21 September 2010[]
Muswell Hill Broadway: 07.45: Hobby heading towards Alexandra Park. (P.Angus.
Alexandra Park: Buzzard north v low c100 feet over pitch n putt 1805, few Mipits am, no hirundine passage late pm (Bob Watts).
Brent Res: Common Terrn still, Sedge Warbler, 15 Jackdaw, 9 Meadow Pipit, 38 House Martin (Andrew Verrall, John Gravatt).
Brookmill Park, Lewisham: 1 Heron, 22 Mallard, 1 Mandarin, 8 Moorhen, 5 Coot, 2 Black-headed Gull, 10+ Woodpigeon, 1 Stock Dove, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Great-spotted Woodpecker, 1 Grey Wagtail, 5 Wren, 2 Dunnock, 10 Robin, 8 Blackbird, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Blackcap, at least 4 Chiffchaff, 1 Goldcrest & 1 Coal Tit (patch tick) feeding with large flock of Blue, Great & Long-tailed Tits, 2 Magpie, 5 Carrion Crow, 10+ Goldfinch, 4 Greenfinch, 1 Chaffinch. (Conrad Ellam)
Dagnam Park LNR: Firecrest at the Lily Pond 15.00, low in sallows with roving tit flock + chiffs, Peregrine over heading W at 15.25, Common Buzzard circling distantly E with Jackdaws 16.50. Notable hirundine passage p.m. - 450+ Swallows S-SE (first flock of 150 descended low over park at 13.45 when overcast and several more flocks thru to 17.30), c100 House Martins inc 55 high SE at 17.15, 1 Sand Martin S 17.30. Also juv Grey Heron, Little Owl, 5 Stock Dove, 3 Collared Dove, several Green and Great Spot Woodpeckers, 4 Mipit, 1 Grey Wagtail, 4 Song Thrush, 21 Mistle Thrush, 1 Whitethroat, 2 Blackcap, 10 Chiffchaff, 4 Goldcrest, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 5 Nuthatch, 30+ Jackdaws hawking insects above Hatters Wood, 15 Chaffinch, a few Greenfinch and Goldfinch (Colin Jupp).
Wanstead Flats (06:30-11:30) (Those of a serious disposition should look away now!): Wryneck still (6th day), Peregrine Falcon (Jubilee pond stooping at pigeons 7AM - Tim Harris), Hobby over Bush Wood, then SSSI and finally broom fields hawking for crane fly with BH Gull, Starling and Jackdaw), 2 Kestrel, 2 Sparrowhawk, 17 Meadow Pipit, Yellow Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, 12+ Skylark, 10 + Chiffchaff, 3 Blackcap, 3 C. Whitethroat, Goldcrest (heard with mixed Tit flock in the SSSI), 9 Mistle Thrush, 19 Gadwall, 3 Shoveler, 1 Pochard, flight of 11 Mute Swan south before circling north again, 1 juv Little Grebe, 5 Chaffinch, 5 Goldfinch, Little Egret over broom fields, Heron, 13 RN Parakeet, 1 House Martin (N Croft/Tim Harris/Paul Ferris); Wryneck still at 2:15, plus Coal Tit (JL) Keep up the nonsense Mr Croft. Informative AND fun.(RN) Wryneck reapeared at about 18:15pm in small oak and scrub more closer the lake, than the anthills, 5 minutes after Bob Husband et al left, was visible for about 10 minutues before disapearing again, was pointed out by J.murray who managed to find it with a tit flock containing Whitethroat (Michael Mac). Lesser Whitethroat noted while searching for Wryneck. We should have stayed longer for second views of Wryneck instead of keeping pub/football appointment (Bob Husband).
South Norwood Lake: 2 Mute Swan, 2 Black- headed Gull, 5 Cormorant, 12 Tufted Duck, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Nuthatch, 8 Ring-necked Parakeet, c15 Long-tailed Tit, 2 House Martin (south) c20 Goldfinch, c9 Greenfinch, c15 Jay, c 7Chiffchaff (3 singing) 1 Blackcap, 2 House Sparrow, (John Watson)
Forty Hall, Enfield: 1 'eclipse' male Shoveler (Robert Callf).
Mitcham Common: 3 Hobby (sharing air space over One Island Pond feeding and moving NE), 2 Kestrel (m+f), Grey Heron, 2 Jay, 12 Long-Tailed Tit, 2 Green Woodpecker, Ring-Necked Parakeet. Love your posts Nick. (Stuart M)
Mudchute Farm, Isle of Dogs: Flock of 26 Monk Parakeets flew SW (Sean Huggins)
Myddelton House Grdns., Bulls Cross: 4 Mistle Thrush, in Yew tree (Robert Callf).
Pinner Park Farm: 2 Rook on the cricket pitch, 9 Yellow Wagtail in the cattle, 1 Hobby, 1 Little Owl, 1 Grey Wagtail around the cattle sheds, 2 Meadow Pipit over, 15 Jackdaw, 5 Jay, Green & Great Spotted Woodpecker, 5 Grey Heron & just one Swallow (Jon Ridge).
Richmond Park: Pen Ponds area, lunchtime - hundreds of Jackdaws in the air, noisy, some catching insects, but that didn't seem to be the full explanation; single Hobby in from SW, eventually chased off SW by a couple of Jackdaws. One Martin sp. ->N (Stefan Czapski)
Arctic St, Kentish Town: 20 Sand Martins S at 1845 ( Pete Mantle)
Monday 20 September 2010[]
Wanstead Flats (07:00-11:30): Wryneck still, plus 6 G Woodpecker, 3 GS Woodpecker and a possible LS Woodpecker in the scrub by Long Wood (possibly a four woody day), possible Ring Ouzel (over SSSI south, flushed by a doggy on the very path I would have taken but for its canine existence. It didn't stop.), Song Thrush, 15 + Mistle Thrush, 3 Tree Pipit (1 SSSI calling, 2 scrub east of Alex - Steve Thorpe), only 11 Meadow Pipit, 2 Yellow Wagtail, Grey Wag and Pied, 8+ Skylark, Spotted Flycatcher (west end of Long Wood in the Lime and Oak canopy, just where Sally Hammond had seen one Saturday so presumably the same one), 14 + Chiffchaff, 3 + Blackcap, 2 Goldcrest (scrub east of Alex), 33+ Swallow (North-NW), 6 + House Martin (ditto), Sand Martin (Steve Thorpe - ditto), 3 Chaffinch, 5 Goldfinch, 6+ Greenfinch, 1 Reed Bunting (SSSI), 1 RN Parakeet (over Long Wood), Kestrel, 2 Sparrowhawk, 2 Cormorant, 7 Collared Dove, 10 Gadwall, 1 Shoveler, 4 Pochard, 2 Little Grebe (all Alex) (50+ sp Nick Croft). Wryneck still present 16:30 and showing well on ant hills again. Also Hobby over (S Fisher)
Wanstead Park: Little Egret, Spotted Flycatcher along Ornamental Waters (S Fisher)
Alexandra Park: No sign of Black-necked Grebe by 0705, just 3 Mipits viz mig, c50 hirundines mostly House Martins a few Swallows distantly south from obs 1815 drifting west (Bob Watts).
Warley (Barrack Wood / Eagle Way): 12 Goldcrest, 10 Coal Tit, 1+ Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler (fairly late), 2 Treecreeper, 2 Nuthatch, 15+ Long-tailed Tit (large mixed flock on south side of road). Wood Ant nest-mound in Barrack Wood. Also, 2 Nuthatch Woodman Road, Warley and 6 House Martin over (Colin Jupp).
Great Warley: 4 Goldcrest, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Nuthatch along Dark Lane. 110+ House Martin and c10 Swallow drifted south high over Boyles Court Farm 18.25-18.40hrs (Colin Jupp).
Staines Res: Marsh Harrier to the south, also two Goldeneye (KLP).
Watford: prob Common Buzzard south-east (briefly, no optics) mobbed by corvids over Cardiff Road 13:10; Vicarage / Cardiff Road area: fem / imm Kestrel, 3 Jackdaw, c25 House Sparrow; also Angle Shades (Des McKenzie, Joanne Biscomb).
Sunday 19 September 2010[]
Alexandra Park: Black-necked Grebe on Wood Green Res in north east corner, from 0850 until 1900 at least - 1st record since 10 February 1979 and 2nd or 3rd record ever. Also 54 Swallow, mainly south west, 2 Mipit north and 3 Pied Wagtail south (Gareth Richards, Stuart Harrington, Bob Watts, Dominic Mitchell, Paul Rawlins, John Murray et al).
Beddington: Pectoral Sandpiper still, though mobile, and Knot. Also good passage of hirudines and 25+ Tree Sparrow noted. My thanks to Johnny Allan. (J Lethbridge)
Bedfont Lakes CP: Wryneck trapped ringed and released at 11am. Flew into bushes by path alongside railway line. (Dave Harris RRG per Adam Cheeseman) Firecrest with mixed tit flock in reserve woodland. (Seamus O'malley per Adam Cheeseman)
Brent Reservoir: Common Swift & 300+ House Martins (Brent Birders).
Crossness: Guillemot flew west along Thames at 07:18. 3 Juv Little Gulls west, 4 Black Terns, Spotted Flycatcher, Wheatear, 2 Egyptian Geese, Kingfisher. (Kev Jarvis,Ian Miller, John Archer).
Rainham RSPB: Raven being mobbed by 15 jackdaw across Wennington flew north east towards aveley tip (on north side of A13) and appeared to land at 10:45, 3 Whinchat, 4 Stonechat at west end, 50 Swallow, 35 House martin all west.(Paul Hawkins)
East India Dock area: male Black Redstart in copse, female Peregrine, Great Crested Grebe east, juv Yellow-legged Gull west, 15 common terns west (8 then 7), 3 Chiffchaffs, 4+ Meadow Pipits south, 2 Swallows west (David Callahan, Gary A James, Nick Tanner) 4 Common Sandpipers (Bow Creek) 5 Swallows west (GAJ,NT).
Limehouse Park Golf Course (Northolt): 4 juv Mute Swan, Cormorant over, Hobby, f Kestrel, 2 Stock Dove, Great-spotted Woodpecker, 6 Meadow Pipit, 7 Chiffchaff, m Blackcap, 15 Linnet (Neil Anderson)
Magravine Cemetery: 3 Swallow over, pr Peregrine Falcon, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker (repeatedly visiting the suet window feeder) (Nathalie Mahieu).
Pinner Park Farm: 1 Little Owl, 27 Swallow & 4 House Martin over north-west, 7 Jay, 11 Jackdaw, Great Spotted Woodpecker & 8 Grey Heron. A very quiet weekend (Jon Ridge).
Ten Acre Wood area:Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, 3 Stock Dove, 8 Ring-necked Parakeet, 4 Green + 2 Great-spotted Woodpeckers, 14 Meadow Pipit, Grey Wagtail, 50+ House Martin S, 5 Swallow, 4 Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Rook, pr Bullfinch (Neil Anderson)
Wanstead Flats: No sign of Wryneck by 10:00, but then miraculously reappeared at 12:06 (Tim Harris) normal service, f/imm Wheatear (broom field), Hobby, 2 Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrel, 3 Yellow Wagtail (south), Pied Wagtail, 10+ Meadow Pipit, 14 Swallow (NW), flock of Sand Martin (reported over), 6+ Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Song Thrush, 7 Mistle Thrush, 6 R N Parakeet, 10 Gadwall, 1 pr Shoveler, 3 Little Grebe, 2 Heron, G Woodpecker, GS Woodpecker, 4 Cormorant, 5 Skylark, Stock Dove, 2 chaffinch, Greenfinch etc. (Nick Croft). Wryneck showing well up to 15-20 feet feeding on ant hills up to 14:30 (S Fisher). Still present around ant hills in scrub near Capel Rd entrance until 18:30 at least (Stuart Harrington).
Wanstead Park: Tree Pipit (golf course), Lesser-spotted Woodpecker (OSW), Hobby, 20 Sand Martin south (S Fisher)
South Norwood Lake: Hobby, 2 Mute Swan, 2 Cormorant, 17 Tufted Duck, 1 Black-headed Gull, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Nuthatch, 6 Ring-necked Parakeet, 4 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Coal Tit 2 House Sparrow, 8 House Martin, 2 Swallow ) 4 Chiffchaff (1 singing) (JohnWatson)
Tottenham Marsh: 2 Kestrels, 4 Jays (Quentin Given)
Horse Guards Parade - Whitehall - St James's Park: m Peregrine soaring round this area from 19:00 to 19:10 when took a long dive towards the London Eye (Michael Mac).
St James's Park WeBs Count: 4 Shoveler (wild), 5 Gadwall, 40 Mallard, 21 Pochard, 25 Red-crested Pochard, 6 Tufted Duck, 2+ Ruddy Duck but could be from the collection? 126 Greylag, 29 Canada's, 2 Egyptian Geese, 4 Mute Swan (2 cygnets), 7 Cormorants, 2 Grey Heron, 172 Coot, 33 Moorhen, 3 Little Grebe =1 adult, 2 juveniles all seperate, 1 Great-crested Grebe, 5 Black-headed Gull, 2 Herring Gull, 2 Lesser-black Backed Gull, 1 Great-spotted Woodpecker and Peregrine briefly at end of count - 17:10 to 18:09 (Michael Mac).
Saturday 18 September 2010[]
Wanstead Flats: Wryneck still east of Alexandra Lake to 6:30pm at least, showing well at times (many observers); Redstart east of Long Wood at 7:20am (J Lethbridge); First bird on my list this morning was a Chiffchaff by Angel Pond, migration by stealth - it'll be in France in time for the olympics (10+ others), C. Whitethroat, Blackcap, Lesser Whitethroat, Wheatear (on toy plane field and later when toy plane players came middle of broom field), Stonechat (thanks to Paul Ferris for the heads up on that little gem), Mistle Thrush, Song Thrush, 50+ Mipit over, around, everywhere, 3 Pied Wagtail, 6 Swallow (North and West), new influx of Reed Bunting on the SSSI (5+), Goldfinch, 8 + Chaffinch, Greenfinch, 6+ Skylark, 2 Heron, 2+ Coal Tit (east of Alex), LTT Tit, G Tit, B Tit, G Woodpecker, GS Woodpecker, House Sparrow (east of Alex which had people looking at it through scopes, myself included), Collared Dove, 2 pr Shoveler, Gadwall, 1 Lee Evans (What the comedian? M Mac - yeagh him off the telly, didn't look like him at all and not so funny by half! Was he just walking or looking for the Wryneck?) (who arrived just as the Wryneck disappeared for about an hour) etc. (c.50 sp NickCroft). Nice to meet so many familiar names from these pages and a special thanks to Paul Hackett for showing how to get the best (or better) out of my camera (still take sh**e picks though) and an example of how to digiscope can be seen on the new pics page.
Alexandra Park: (7:30-9:15 am) Viz mig from Cricket Scrub: at least 51 Meadow Pipit, mainly heading north, as were 12 Swallow, 6 House Martin and 2 Grey Wagtail. 1 Jackdaw headed south-east. (Gareth Richards, Stuart Harrington).
Battersea Power Station: 2 adult Great Black Backed Gulls, 36 Goldfinch, 2 Swallow, Chiffchaff, Grey Wagtail and 14 Meadow Pipits over.(Dave Morrison)
Canons Farm & Banstead Woods: up to 70 Meadow Pipits, 2 Northern Wheatears, juv Hobby, Common Gull, Rook, Common Whitethroat, 4+ Chiffchaffs (1 singing), Sparrowhawk, 4+ Yellowhammers, 30+ Stock Doves, 2 Goldcrests, 4 Nuthatches, 2 Treecreepers, 2 Coal Tits, 30+ Linnets, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 5+ Green Woodpeckers, Pied Wagtail, 4+ Rose-ringed Parakeets, Kestrel (David Campbell & Paul)
Crossness: Tree Pipit west calling, 5 Black terns, Nuthatch, 18 Redshanks, Swallow, Sand Martin, c28 House Martins, 2 Kingfishers. (Kev Jarvis).
Dagnam Park LNR: Sparrowhawk, 6 Ring-necked Parakeet, 50+ Swallow, 150+ House Martin, 20+ Meadow Pipit, 13 Mistle Thrush, 4 Blackcap, 5 Chiffchaff, 1 Spotted Flycatcher with mixed tit-flock (inc Coal) near the Lily Pond, also Goldcrest, Nuthatch and Treecreeper. A large pre-roost gathering of Magpies - peak count of 73 birds at c19.00 with another 5 in view away from the gathering site (Colin Jupp).
East Finchley allotments - 2 circling buzzards 4pm (DPainter)
Hampstead Heath: 30+ Meadow Pipit, 6+ Swallows, 2 Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Nuthatch, Green Woodpecker, Treecreeper, Goldcrest, 3 Kestrel (Chris B)
Horsenden Hill 07.25-09.50: 2 Yellow Wagtail NW, 1 Tree Pipit NE, 45 Meadow Pipit S or SW, 12 Swallow SW, 2 Mistle Thrush, 7 Jackdaw SW, 6 Jay high SE, 11 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap, 1 Lesser Whitethroat (Andy Culshaw).
Leyton: 07:00-08:00 viz mig; 9 Meadow Pipits, a couple ofd Chaffinches. Local streets full of Chiffchaffs and more Meadow Pipits flying over during morning. (Paul Whiteman)
Lonsdale Road Reservoir: 4 Chiffchaffs, 15 House Martin through, otherwise the usuals (Rich Petley)
Mayesbrook Park: viz-mig 0630-0830 40 Meadow Pipit, Reed Bunting, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 6 Swallow, Sand Martin mostly south plus 6 Chiffchaff, Grey Wagtail, Kingfisher, 2 Jay.(Paul Hawkins)
Parkside Farm, Enfield: 1 Red Kite, flew over, W then N, 09:15 hrs (Robert Callf).
Pinner Park Farm: 2 Hobby still, 7 Swallow & 5 House Martin over north-west (Jon Ridge).
Staines Res.: Hundreds of hirundines, mainly swallows. 2 Hobby and 3 Yellow Wagtail. (Adam Cheeseman)
Walthamstow Marsh: c20 Meadow Pipits, including one flock of 15 over, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 6 Reed Buntings, m Peregrine over and later on pylon by No.2 Res. (Paul Whiteman, Lol Bodini)
Wimbledon Common: 1 Common Buzzard (patch tick) started tree height and circled high east at 15:50. Queensmere: 1 drake Gadwall, Moorhen with 2 juveniles - 1st successful brood since before 2008, unfortunately no Wombles (Michael Mac).
Richmond Park: Cow enclosure - 3 Stonechat (1m,2f) and 1 m Wheatear, enough Little Owl feathers to suggest one had been killed but no body. Hollylodge riding ring 3 Wheatear and 30+ Meadow Pipits in the long grass and thistle lower down the hill (Michael Mac).
Lee Valley CP: 8 Egyptian geese on Goose Fields, Kingfisher, Grey Wagtail, at Holyfield Weir. 10+ Lapwing, 6 Reed Bunting, 30+ Swallows, G & GS Woodpeckers Common Whitethroat, m Blackcap on and around Langridge scrape. 4 Whinchat, Yellowhammer, Little Owl, mixed flock of 500+ Canada & Greylag Geese around farm area fields, along with m Sparrowhawk and pair of Kestrels. (J Anderson)
Lea Valley - Netherhall / Glen Faba: 2 Green Sandpiper, 1 Common Sandpiper, 227 Tufted Duck, 30 GC Grebe, 1 Yellow Wagtail (around small herd of cattle), 3 Green Woodpecker, 10 House Martin (Nigel May).
Sewardstone: c1300 House Martin and 700 Swallow between 08.00 and 10.00, 3 Hobby, Sparrowhawk, Whinchat, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 25 Meadow Pipit, 12 Chiffchaff, 6 Willow Warbler, 6 Blackcap, Whitethroat, Little Egret, 5 Grey Wagtail, Kingfisher (Martin Shepherd).
Friday 17 September 2010[]
Beddington SF: Ringed Plover, Pectoral Sandpiper still present, 2 Greenshank, 2 Lapland Bunting still present (SBC).
Crayford Marshes: Red Kite north-west, 7 Black Terns west, 2 Knots, Curlew, Wheatear, Sedge Warbler, Yellow Wagtail, 3 Greenshanks, Kingfisher (Kev Jarvis, Steve Carter, KJM).
Crossness: Red Kite east, Little Gull at outfall mid-p.m., second-winter Yellow-legged Gull, 9 juv Black Tern (Birdguides).
Leyton Flats: Common Redstart, 1 Yellow Wagtail NW, 12 Meadow Pipits, Skylark, Swallow, 1 Willow Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff (Gary A. James & Mike Messenger).
London Wetland Centre: 13 Wigeon, 37 Teal, 2 Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrel, Ruff, 8 Common Snipe, 4 Swallow, 32 House Martin, 2 Rock Pipit south-west, 170 Meadow Pipit south-west, 17 Yellow Wagtail south, 5 Cetti's Warbler, 4 Blackcap, 32 Chiffchaff, juv Wood Warbler (beside WWF hide) (LWC website).
Pinner Park Farm: 1 fem Common Redstart along the middle hedge, 1 Wheatear around the rubbish tip, 3 Yellow Wagtail in cattle, 24 Swallow over, 18 Mipit over & 1 Bullfinch by the Garden Centre (Jon Ridge).
Tower 42 (City of London): Red Kite north-west 08:55, Peregrine Falcon, c50 Meadow Pipit (T42BSG).
Wanstead Flats (06:30-11:30): 08:40 -Wryneck still east of Alexandra Pond at 11.30 am showing rather nicely (Nick Croft/Paul Ferris/Tim Harris/Jonathan Lethbridge/Dominic Mitchell/Paul Whiteman/LondonBirds Twitter). Also Common Redstart, 2 Whinchat both east of Alex in scrub. Prior to all the hooha, Common Redstart (heard east of Long Wood), m Goshawk mobbed by crows over east plantation where it landed clearing out all the pigeons in the process, 4 Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Snipe (broom fields), Lesser Whitethroat, C. Whitethroat, Blackcap, 13 Chiffchaff, Goldcrest singing Alex island and later in wood north of Alex, 8+ Yellow Wagtail (south), Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, 50+ Meadow Pipit, 3 Skylark, 11 Swallow (south), 2 Goldfinch, 4 Linnet, 6 + Chaffinch, some unidentified finches flying south (possibly Siskin), 7 G Woodpecker, 3 GS Woodpecker, Mute Swan (the cygnets on Alex have taken their first experimental flights), 8 Gadwall, 2 pr Shoveler, Little Grebe, 3 Mistle Thrush, Wheatear (on model aircraft runway - JL), 16 RN Parakeet, Common Gull (51 sp Nick Croft et al). Wryneck still showing well till 16:30 then became increasingly elusive, also 2 Willow Warbler, Yellow Wag over, 15+ Sand Martin, 12 House Martin, 2 Swallow through (S Fisher).
Canons Farm: Grasshopper Warbler showing well @ 4.46pm, Stonechat, 12 Canada Geese, Swallow, Yellowhammer, 11+ Meadow Pipits, Goldcrest, Coal Tit, Chiffchaff, Linnets, 2 Rose-ringed Parakeets (David Campbell, Steve Gale et al).
Alexandra Park: Yellow Wagtail west 0654, 15+ Mipits, 2 Swallow 0650-0710 (Bob Watts). Viz mig 1645-1815: 53 House Martins, 17 Sand Martins both predominately north, 27 Swallow SW, 6 Mipits east, Hobby west (Bob Watts).
Five Oaks Lane Scrubland (Chigwell): 4 Whinchat, 60 Mipit, 50 Linnet, Spotted Flycatcher (RedbridgeBirdwatching).
Grovelands Park: 1 House Martin flew over heading east about 15:30 (site tick), 1 Willow Warbler in tit flock and female Sparrowhawk flying over woodland area (Katy M.)
Hyde Park: at least 1 (sounded like more) juv Hobby in trees between Hyde Park Meads and West Carriage Drive 11:30 at least (Noel Lever per DMc).
Lake Farm CP (Hayes): 61 Meadow Pipits, 28 Swallows, 1 House Martin, 3 Skylarks and 8 Jays, all W or NW during the morning; also 1 Whinchat, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, Sparrowhawk etc (Pete Naylor).
Wimbledon Common: Stonechat (male), juvenile Hobby feeding at Bluegate GP for at least an hour this morning (David Wills).
Wormwood Scrubs: (08.00-12.00): 4 Whinchat, c.140 Meadow Pipits through grassland (92 in one flock), 2 Reed Buntings, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 95 Swallow (SW), 38 House Martin (SW), 6 Sparrowhawk, 2 male Kestrel, 1 Jackdaw, 1 Stock Dove, 6 Blackcaps, 1 C. Whitethroat, 8 Chiffchaff, 1 juv Linnet (Rob Ayers and Anders Price).
Thursday 16 September 2010[]
Beddington SF: Pectoral Sandpiper this a.m., still present p.m. (Birdguides).
Catford: 19 Glossy Ibis west 08:30 (Birdguides).
Crossness: Short-eared Owl east early p.m., juv Little Gull, 14 Black Tern, Whinchat, Wheatear, Curlew, Green Sandpiper. (Kev Jarvis & Ian Miller).
Ingrebounre Valley: Common Redstart, 4 Wheatear, 2 Little Egret, 12 Meadow Pipit (Shaun Harvey).
Romford: fem Goshawk (ELBF).
Stoke Newington Reservoirs: female-type Common Redstart with large passerine flock along northern perimeter / New River, 3 Spotted Flycatchers, c15 Meadow Pipits, 3 Yellow & 7 Grey Wagtails over, 15 Chiffchaffs, 2 Willow Warblers, Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Sedge Warblers, 6 Reed Warblers (Mark Pearson) 9 Lapland Buntings low over calling, south, 1610; female RED FOOTED FALCON over high and south, 1559-1600 (poor photos to on the site and birdguides) - the second in four days..... (MJP)
Wanstead Flats (06:30-11:00):Wryneck sitting in Elder bush for about ten minutes after I got on to it, then flew from east end of Long Wood toward the south side mid-a.m. and is currently being searched for, Common Redstart, 4 Wheatear, 2 Whinchat (1 Alex scrub, 1 south end of broom field), 3 Spotted Flycatcher (E end of LW), Tree Pipit (over Alex), Yellow Wagtail (over broom field north end), Grey Wagtail, 25+ Meadow Pipit, 4+ Skylark, 7+ Green Woodpecker, 4+ Great Spotted Woodpecker, 20+ Mistle Thrush, 12+ Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Blackcap, 4 Chaffinch, 10+ Greenfinch, Linnet, 2 Kestrel, 4 Sparrowhawk, 2 Heron, 9 Gadwall, 2 pair Shoveler, Common Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, 5 adult Mute Swan on Alex (ooh there be trouble!), 28 Ring-necked Parakeet and some other stuff which pales into insignificance (53 sp - a good day, Nick Croft/ Steve Thorpe). Nearly forgot yayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy patch year/all time/site year/ London year and all time ticks a plenty, and might I say what a cracking little bird). 14:30 - 16:45: Honey-buzzard south 15:00 approx, also Hobby and Pied Flycatcher briefly, 3 Spotted Flycatcher still E of Long Wood, 3 Wheatear still there and Whinchat, no sign of Wryneck (Stuart Fisher)
West Hyde GPs: Osprey flew over The Oaks pub and Lynster's Farm towards Harefield (Birdguides)
Alexandra Park: Hobby over a.m., Tree Pipit, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Spotted Flycatchers, several Mipits, 3 House Martins 0650-0735, c20 House Martins 1830, several Mipits (Bob Watts); 10+ Chiffchaffs, 3+ Whitethroats, 4 House Martins, 2 Swallows, 5+ Blackcaps (David Callahan), 21 Mipits into cut grass 1911 (John Murray).
Archway (St. John's Way): Tawny Owl calling in early hours (D. Painter).[I have heard a tawny owl several times over the last few weeks in central Crouch End - G Sawtell] Was in Garden few weeks ago listening to one male Tawny in the tall trees and I saw another(f) fly in - excellent slhouette against the night sky (D.Painter).
Bedfords Park LNR: c80 Meadow Pipits over (mainly S-SW up to midday, more NW during pm), 2 Spotted Flycatcher, 10 Chiffchaff, 1 Whitethroat, 3 Goldcrest, fem Bullfinch, pr Kestrel, Little Owl (Colin Jupp).
Blackheath: 5 Wheatears was a good count, also Meadow Pipits overhead (heard only, a few times), Blackcap and, with tit flock, 2 Chiffchaffs (Joe Beale).
Chiswick House Grounds (12PM): 1 Sparrowhawk being mobbed by Crow, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 4 Common Gulls (Chiswick School), 3 Jay, 2 Heron N, 3 Swallow W, 7 House Martin S, 1 Grey Wagtail SE, 3 Pied Wagtail. Very large mixed tit flock of 3 Nuthatch, c8 Goldcrest, 4 Coal Tit, 12+ Blue Tit, 18+ Long Tailed Tit, c14 Great Tit, 1 + Chiffchaff, 1m Blackcap. (Louis Freeland-Haynes)
Hemans Estate Community Garden: 1 House Sparrow - seen here few times a year, 40 - 50 Feral Pigeons. m Peregrine on BT Building seen from outside 18:55 (Michael Mac).
Highgate Wood: 1 Rook, 1 Nuthatch (P. Angus).
Hyde Park & Kensington Gardens: fem Wigeon, 4 Hobby comprising an ad west over Round Pond 08:14 and 3 highly vocal juvs in London Plane (all morning) between Hyde Park Meads and West Carriage Drive (afforded excellent and sustained views), fourth-winter argentatus Herring Gull (my earliest at this site), 4 Great Black-backed Gull south, c20 House Martin, 23 Meadow Pipit mainly west, 13 Mistle Thrush low west 08:28, 3 Blackcap, 8 Chiffchaff, Linnet over, 2 Reed Bunting over; also 17 Egyptian Goose, 5 Shoveler, 4 Red-crested Pochard, juv Little Grebe, Green Woodpecker, at least 10 Goldcrest, Nuthatch, 3 Treecreeper, 5 Jay http://hpkg.blogspot.com (Des McKenzie), ad Hobby at 11:00 and 12:15, 10-20 Sand Martin (Noel Lever per DMc).
London Wetland Centre: 11 Meadow Pipit W / SW, Northern Wheatear, 3 Cetti's Warbler (LWC website).
Mill Hill (Sheepwash Pond): Rosybill juvenile still present for further ID? (Bob Husband & Fay Broom).
Paddington Green: hunting ad m Sparrowhawk, Ring-necked Parakeet, 20-25 House Martin 07:00, Grey Wagtail, 2 Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, c30 Long-tailed Tit, Coal Tit (DMc).
Pinner Park Farm: 1 Rook on the cricket pitch, 2 Wheatear along the Wakehams Hill track, 2 Yellow Wagtail flew off north-west, 2 Mipit over & 1 California Quail enjoying new found liberation around the farmhouse gardens - I believe the owner has now been informed! (Jon Ridge).
Parkside Farm (Enfield): 2 Whinchat; 6 Northern Wheatear, on ploughed field (Robert Callf).
Queen Elizabeth II Res (permit access): Black-necked Grebe still today, 9 Yellow Wagtail, 5 Northern Wheatear (SBC).
Rainham Marshes: Knot, 10 Yellow-legged Gull in Aveley Bay (Birdguides).
South Lodge Farm (Enfield): 1 Northern Wheatear (Robert Callf).
Staines Moor: c12 Yellow Wagtail, Whinchat, Common Snipe, Little Egret, Kingfisher, c20 Linnet, c20 Meadow Pipit (Nigel Sluman)
Totteridge Valley: 2 Whinchat: 3 Yellow Wagtail N: 2 House Martin W : 2 Bullfinch: 7 Blackcaps: 2 Chiffchaff: 1 Grey Wagtail (John Colmans).
Walthamstow Marsh: 5 Wheatears, 7 Meadow pipits in the horse paddock 18.45 (frogandlisa)
Waterlow Park: 2 Yellow Wagtails (P. Angus).
Woodlands Farm Trust: 3 Mallard (2 drakes), 2 Moorhen, many Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 2 dozen plus Goldfinches, flocks of Greenfinches, many Jays, Long-tailed, Blue and Great Tits, 3 Chiffchaff (more calling), Lesser Black-backed Gull, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel (fem), 2 Jackdaw (Ron Turner).
Wednesday 15 September 2010[]
Alexandra Park: 2 Spotted Flycatchers in cricket scrub (David Callahan) 1 Little Egret SE over cricket scrub at 5.30 p.m. (James Palmer).
Battersea Gas Works: 1 Peregrine again in same spot, seen from about 1 mile away, through binoculars while I was on a bus, this might be juvenile bird using the spot to develop it's hunting skills (Michael Mac)
Beddington SF: 2 Lapland Buntings this a.m. (Birdguides). 2 Lapland Buntings still late afternoon (David Campbell).
Crayford Marshes: Osprey south-east a.m. Manx Shearwater on the Thames, Hobby, 2 Wheatears, 2 Greenshanks, 130 House Martins west (Kev Jarvis, KJM, Steve Carter).
Fulham Reach: pr Peregrine Falcon all day (Nathalie Mahieu).
Fulham Sands End (supermarket car park): c30 House Sparrow in bush (many juvs) (Nathalie Mahieu).
London Wetland Centre: 16 Wigeon, 90+ Shoveler, 9 Common Snipe, 3 Collared Dove, 30+ House Martin, singing Cetti's Warbler (LWC website).
Mitcham Common: 3 Kestrel (2m, 1f), Sparrowhawk (f), Grey Heron at Bidder's Pond, 2 Jay, 4 Long Tailed Tit, 6 House Martin, Green Woodpecker (Stuart M).
Paddington Green: 6 Meadow Pipit over prior to 08:30 (Des McKenzie).
Pinner Park Farm: 2 Wheatear (electric gate & disaster area), 1 Yellow Wagtail over, 1 Grey Wagtail & very little else (Jon Ridge).
Queen Elizabeth II Res: Ringed Plover, flock of 19 small waders west (probably Ringed Plover), 2 Yellow Wagtail (SBC).
Rainham Marshes RSPB: Manx Shearwater past the visitor's centre at 10.44 am (Andy Tweed, Paul Whiteman) then in Aveley Bay (JL, Mike Dent, HV et al); again from Visitor's Centre 13:00 (Birdguides). Still present 1330 but Howard Vaughan noted it flew upriver shortly afterwards and no further sightings (Bob Watts).
Springfield Park (Hackney): Spotted Flycatcher in holly tree by the upper shelter 10.15 (frogandlisa).
Staines Moor: Cetti's Warbler (Nigel Sluman).
Staines Reservoir (before 9am): Kestrel, Hobby, two Black-necked Grebe, three Stock Dove, Little Gull, Black Tern, Northern Wheatear and several Yellow Wagtail visible on King George VI Reservoir (PFM).
Stocker's Lake: 1 Honey-buzzard (15.51-15.54) - watched from the west (Springwell) end. Flew pretty much north to south across the lake and lost from sight over Garretts Wood (photos to follow on the email group), 1 Hobby, 17 Ring-necked Parakeets, 200+ House Martins, 50+ Sand Martins (Andrew Moon).
Stoke Newington Reservoirs: 2 Hobby, Siskin S (overdue first of autumn), c25 Meadow Pipits W/SW pre-1000, 10 Chiffchaffs, Willow Warbler; three (ie, one extra) presumed hybrid Ferruginous Duck x ? hybrids in from the west and straight into the reedbed this evening; 2 Kingfishers (MJP)
Trent Park: 1 Whinchat, 'Old Golf Course'; 1 fem/imm Stonechat, 'Old Golf Course' (First bird of the autumn); 1 Sedge Warbler, in Sallows, set-aside field N of Williams Wood (My first record of the year here!) (Robert Callf).
Wanstead Flats (06:30-11:30): f Common Redstart at east end of Long Wood, Northern Wheatear, 2 Spotted Flycatcher (East end of Long Wood), 22 Meadow Pipit, Grey Wagtail, Yellow Wagtail, 8 + Chiffchaff, 4 + C. Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, Blackcap, 8 Mistle Thrush, 5 House Martin (4 North), 1 Swallow, Kestrel, Sprrowhawk, 10 Herring Gull, 20 LBB Gull, 70+ BH Gull, 7 Cormorant, 3 RN Parakeet, 4 Goldfinch, 3 Chaffinch, Greenfinch, 2 Shoveler, Gadwall, Mute Swans (two cobs battling out on Alex, the interloper getting a right pasting, but still coming back for more - idiot!), G Woopecker, GS Woodpecker (48sp Nick Croft/Steve Thorpe).
Wildhill (near Hatfield): 4 Raven heading over Nine-acre Wood (TL279062), one persistently mobbing/pestering another member of the group from below (from Herts Bird Club website).
Woodlands Farm Trust: 1 Sparrowhawke (fem), Kestrel (fem), 1 Grey Heron, 2 Chiffchaff (many more calling), 5 Swallows feeding amongst sheep, 2 Green Woodpeckers,1 Great Spotted Woodpecker,1 Meadow Pipit, 1 Moorhen, Goldfinch, flock of Greenfinch (Ron Turner).
Wormwood Scrubs: m Sparrowhawk, Peregrine Falcon, 3 Stock Dove, 23 House Martin north-west, 18 Meadow Pipit, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, 2 Whinchat, 8 Chiffchaff, 2 Jackdaw, fem Linnet, 3 Reed Bunting (RA).
Tuesday 14 September 2010[]
Alexandra Park: 3 Spot Fly in Cricket Scrub, 1 Yellow Wagtail and 80 House Martins north in two seperate flocks (J.Murray).
Battersea Park: male Kestrel amongst the trees - 1st I seen in this park - believe it or not, 1 Green Woodpecker - 1st seen for several years. Lake - 2 Little Grebe juveniles practising flight, 3 Shoveler, Gadwall apocalypse this year, last year at this time was full of full grown broods this year none, 7 1/2 grown Mallards, brood of 3 1/2 grown Moorhen, 3 Grey Herons visible out of the lot that breed here, Cormorants drifting in to roost, pr Canada Geese type of hybrids with almost white heads, pf Mute Swans with 3 full size cygnets (Michael Mac).
Brent Res: Garganey juv, 8 Wigeon, Green Sand, 3 Snipe, 2ad, 1juv Common Tern (Andrew Verrall, Lydia W).
Bedfords Park LNR: 3 Grey Wagtails over, 11 Meadow Pipit, Whitethroat, 3 Blackcap, no hirundines seen early to mid afternoon (Colin Jupp).
Bromley-by-Bow: Red-footed Falcon 11:45 (presumed juv male) soared over Three Mills before heading west, male Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, 2 Common Sandpiper, 2 Grey Wags, 350 Starling, Stock Dove, Great Spotted WP, 2 Chiffchaff (S Fisher).
Brookmill Park (Lewisham): 2 Heron, 18 Mallard, 1 Mandarin, 7 Moorhen, 6 Coot, 3 Black-headed Gull, 6 Woodpigeon, 1 Stock Dove, 1 Ring-necked Parakeet, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 80+ House Martin flying west, 2 Grey Wagtail, 2 Wren, 1 Dunnock, 7 Robin, 6 Blackbird, 2 Song Thrush, 2 Chiffchaff, Blue, Great and Long-tailed Tit flock, 5 Magpie, 2 Carrion Crow, 3 Goldfinch, 5 Greenfinch (Conrad Ellam).
Hogsmill SF: Wood Sandpiper, view from the London-bound platform of Berrylands railway station; c.180 House Martin over NNW in one flock at 07:55hrs (Nick Tanner).
Hyde Park / Kensington Gardens: Hobby over Round Pond and toward Holland Park, 30+ House Martin, 5 Meadow Pipit west, Common Whitethroat, 8 Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, 15 Goldcrest (a distinct upturn in number); also 14 Egyptian Goose, 2 Shoveler, 2 Red-crested Pochard, 3 Little Grebe (1 juv), Grey Wagtail, 3 Treecreeper (1 singing) (Des McKenzie).
Leyton Flats: 50+ House Martins NW (in one flock), 70+ Swallows, Garden Warbler, Blackcap (Gary A. James).
London Wetland Centre: 19 Wigeon, 60+ Gadwall, 52 Teal, 5 Common Snipe, 4 Swallow, 70+ House Martin, 3 Cetti's Warbler, 5 Chiffchaff (LWC website).
Paddington Green: 3 Grey Wagtail (1 juv) (DMc).
Pinner Park Farm: 1 Little Owl & 5 Swallow over north-west (JR); Later: Green & Great Spotted Woodpecker, Jay & 7 Grey Heron (JR).
South Norwood CP: 4 Mute Swan, Wood Duck, Little Grebe, Sparrowhawk, 5 Pheasant, Lesser Black-backed Gull, 311 House Martin (CroydonBirders).
Stoke Newington Reservoirs: 2 aythyas showing many characteristics of Ferruginous Duck briefly on East Res, at least one with apparent hybrid influence; Peregrine, 430+ House Martins (mainly 1000-1100, mainly west, including c250 over the West Res for 20 mins), 4 Grey Wagtails over, 8 Chiffchaffs, Lesser Whitethroat, Garden Warbler, 2 Blackcaps, 2 Spotted Flycatchers, 10 Meadow Pipits, small number of Swallows and Sand Martins (Mark Pearson & Paul Cook Hackney Wildlife)
Trent Park: 1 'eclipse' male Gadwall, Lower Lake; 1 male Whinchat, 'Old Golf Course' (Robert Callf & Robin White).
Wanstead Flats: Kestrel, 12 Meadow Pipit, 2 Yellow Wagtails over, Whitethroat, 2 Blackcap, 6+ Chiffchaff, Reed Bunting (J Lethbridge) (06:00-11:00): Whinchat (Broom Fields), Wheatear (NE end of Long Wood), 6 Mistle Thrush, north-westward movement of House Martin this time c.500+ in groups of c.50 and one large group of over 300 with some Swallow (separately 1 flock of 19 and a trickle of others), as for the rest I see your Kestrel, raise you one Mipit, Whitethroat (Alex scrub, JL's LW or SSSI), 9+ Chiffchaff, Blackcap (Alex Scrub), Skylark, 3 Sparrowhawk, 5 Collared Dove, 2 Stock Dove, 8 Greenfinch, 3 Chaffinch, 1 f Tufted Duck, 1 Shoveler, 4 Gadwall (Alex), 1 Teal west, Little Grebe, 27 RN Parakeet (13 in one flock) (Nick Croft).
Wellington Barracks (Birdcage Walk): 1 Grey Wagtail (juv) at the pond next to the Guards Chapel (Richard Seargent).
Mill Hill Sheepwash Pond, The Ridgeway, London, NW7: Rosybill Duck juvenile still present for anyone interested in checking the features first hand. In head on view the bill appears right for Rosybill and there is just a touch of pink showing on the tip. Gape may also be slightly pink. (Bob Husband, Fay Broom)
Paddington Green: Peregrine Falcon south 07:20 (carrying prey), 10 Meadow Pipit over prior to 08:15, Grey Wagtail, Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, 2 Jackdaw south 08:16 (Des McKenzie).
Pinner Park Farm: 2 Yellow Wagtail over west, 1 Grey Wagtail over, 2 Meadow Pipit over north & 2 Jay. Quiet (JR).
Rainham: 2 Knot on foreshore, 10 Dunlin, 5 Wheatear on sea-wall, 20+ Swallow, Mistle Thrush over cordite, Spotted Flycatcher cordite (J Lethbridge)
Richmond Park: 12.15-13.45 Overcast with brisk SW'ly. Small parties of Swallows heading thru every minute or so, just over the grass/bracken, mostly heading WNW, some SW. Fair-sized flocks of Martins (hundreds) feeding up at a higher level, direction of passage unclear. Whinchat and Wheatear in Lawn Field bracken. Only raptors seen were local Kestrels. (Stefan Czapski, Tim Howard)
South Harrow (Roxeth Rec): Wheatear dropped on to cricket field (1st of autumn), 4 x Meadow Pipit over (3s, 1w), 7 Pied Wagtail (4juvs), 3 LBB Gull (2imm), 2 Chiffchaff ( 1 singing) NB: steady passage of Swallows and Mipits in small groups over Roxeth allotments yesterday afternoon 2-6.30pm (Alex Massey).
Tylers Common: 14 Swallow, 43 Meadow Pipit, 10 Yellow Wagtail over at 18.25, 1 Whitethroat, 3 Blackcap (Colin Jupp).
Brent Res: Whinchat, Wheatear, 3 Snipe, 5 Wigeon, 30+ House Martins, Hobby (Andrew Verrall, Lydia, John Gravatt, Andrew Haynes).
Wanstead Flats: Short-eared Owl flushed from the grass south of Long Wood (c. 07:00) landed again then mobbed by a crow and two Bh Gulls circled up over Long Wood before slowly moving off over wanstead park (oh yeaghhhhhhhh patch year tick, site tick and london year and life tick and after all those early mornings and late evenings at Rainham, hah! 107/123/158), Little Owl, unidentified small falcon high north over broom fields calling funny, stooped on a probable Meadow Pipit north of long wood before disappearing over the park, sounded not too unlike the RF on my Bridguides DVD, hmmm!, 3 Hobby, 2 Sparrowhawk, Kestrel,.2 Whinchat (1 broom field, 1 alex scrub), 8 Mistle Thrush, 8 Yellow Wagtail (south), 2 Grey Wagtail, 2 Pied Wagtail, c. 50+ Meadow Pipit, 10+ Skylark, 2 Spotted Flycatcher (at either end of Long Wood), Garden Warbler, Blackcap, 10 Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler (Alex scrub), Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (in trees east of Centre Road, N of Long Wood), 6 Green woodpecker, 5 GS Woodpecker, 4 House Martin, 7 Swallow (north), 7 RN Parakeet, Gadwall, Shoveler, Little Grebe, Greenfinch, 3 Chaffinch, 5 Goldfinch, f Reed Bunting (SSSI) and the supporting cast making a grand total of 59 species - a good morning (Nick Croft/Steve Thrope)
Walthamstow Marsh: 2 Wheatear, 5 Yellow Wagtail in the horse paddock; Whinchat, 3 Swallows by the underpass. (frogandlisa)
Wormwood Scrubs: (am) 1 Whinchat, 67+ Meadow Pipit many pasing through, 44 diched in long grass at 0715, 2 Reed Bunting, 6 Yellow Waglail over s/w, two dropped in. 1 Grey Wagtail over n/e, 30 Swallow moving through in small groups, 2 Blackcap, 7 Chiffchaff (2 singing), 2 Jackdaw, 1 (m) Sparrowhawk. (N.Smith)
Ingrebounre Valley: Red kite @ 3.20 (Dave mcgough per Shaun Harvey)
Battersea Gas Works: Peregrine same spot as few days ago - dived off, back on, "waited on" (in falconry means stay motionless in the air looking for prey) then dived into Battersea Park with intent and didn't come back (Michael Mac).
Sunday 12 September 2010[]
The Woodlands Farm Trust: Nuthatch, Kestrel, a charm of Goldfinches, 5+ Meadow Pipits, Willow Warblers, Chiffchaff, 6+ Green Woodpeckers. (Ron Turner)
Stoke Newington Reservoirs: (0750-1715) RED-FOOTED FALCON west 1316, Pied Flycatcher (along New River), Spotted Flycatcher (ditto), Wheatear low and NW 0810 (first site record in 4 years), Common Buzzard SW 1432, male Wigeon, 167 Meadow Pipits over (many N & NW, peak between 1200-1330), 4 Reed Warblers, 15 Chiffchaffs, trickle of hirundines throughout the day (Mark Pearson et al)
Amwell GP: Osprey over at 07.00 (Birdguides); also at 10:30, 12pm and 1pm. 3 separate birds, 7am and 10:30 am sightings possibly the same bird (JL - didn't see any of them!)
Alexandra Park: Pied Flycatcher still in Grove 815 at least. Also up to 7 Spot Fly and 5+ Willow Warbler, 20+ Chiffchaffs around Park. Steady trickle of Swallows moving south west early pm and Mipits throughout day (APOG). 4 Meadow Pipits flew low over the cricket scrub at about 17:30. (Katy M.)
Banstead Woods: Osprey flew south at 12.28pm, Hobby, Common Buzzard, Swallow, Chiffchaff, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker, many Herring & Black-headed Gulls flying over (David Campbell, Paul Goodman, Phil Wallace et al).
Brent Reservoir: Ruff in east marsh until 08.33 when flew north, also Green Sand, 5 Snipe, Water Rail & Swift (Andrew Self & Andrew Verrall)
Bushy Park:Hobby hunting over Leg of Mutton Pond at 1.30pm. (Billy Dykes)
Crossness: 26+ Black Terns off golfcourse outfall early evening (Richard Bonser); also 2 Yellow wagtails, 2 Wheatears, Green Sandpiper, Willow Warbler, 4 Swallows. (Kev Jarvis). Reed Warbler showed well briefly in reedbed during late afternoon visit, plus pair of annoying children tearing up an down the Thames Path on a motorbike (Stuart Harrington).
East India Dock area: Sedge Warbler (east reedbed), 2 Meadow Pipits (flushed west from meadow), 1 + Reed Warblers, Whitethroat, 4 Chiffcchaffs (David Callahan). 1 Rook over east 11.05 (1st site record) 7 Common Terns. (Gary A James).
Sanderstead: Osprey drifted slowly south over Plantation at 9.05. (John Birkett)
Greenwich Peninsula Ecology Park: Pied Flycatcher still feeding in Alders.(Conrad Ellam). Also Redstart, Lesser Whitethroat and Common Whitethroat in scrub to south of Ecology Park (James Lowen).
Grays: Wryneck near King Edward's Drive in SE corner of Hangman's wood. ( R.B.A ).
West Ham Park: Pied Flycatcher at 9.00am in ornamental gardens. ( R.B.A ).
Tyttenhanger GP's: Wryneck between main pit and farm. ( R.B.A ).
Totteridge Valley: 1 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker: small numbers of House Martins N plus 3 Sand Martins: 2 Sparrowhawks (John Colmans)
Hampstead Heath: 3 Whinchats and Spotted Flycatcher around Parliament Hill -another Whinchat on West Heath, 75 House Martins, 50 Swallows, 3 Sand Martins( mostly W), 50 Meadow Pipits W, 2 Tree Pipits over, Whitethroat and L. Whitethroat (Hedge 2) Also at least 40 Chiffchaffs, 5 Blackcap and single Linnet (Pete Mantle/ Sash Tusa) 17:00 - 3 Whinchat around hedge 3, same area Redstart seen previously and lots of people trying to enjoy the last days of sunshine (Michael Mac).
Pinner Park Farm: 1 Wheatear in the middle hedge was seen to regurgitate a tiny elliptical pellet - never seen that before, 11 Yellow Wagtail in cattle by the electric gate were thought to be yesterday's birds, 2 Hobby, 24 Swallow over & just 4 Meadow Pipit over north (Jon Ridge).
Ruislip: Common Buzzard over Lido @ 9.30, Spotted Flycatcher, Blackcap in Copse Wood, Whitethroat on Poors Field and Kingfisher in LNR (Steve Pash).
Wanstead Flats: 7 Whinchat, 2 Wheatear, 1 m Stonechat, Lesser Whitethroat, 8 Whitethroat, the White-cheeked Turaco appeared briefly, 3 Blackcap, 4 Meadow Pipit, 1 Tree Pipit (SSSI), 2 Skylark, 3 Hobby, 1 Sparrowhawk (S Fisher, J Lethbridge)
Staines Moor: 1-2 Redstart, 30+ Yellow Wagtail, Hobby, Tree Pipit, steady trickle of Swallows SW from 15:00-17:00 (J Sweetland)
Trent Park: 1 fem type Redstart on edge of stubble field bordering Old Golf Course c.4:00 pm. Also 1 RN Parakeet flying over twice. 3 Spotted Flycatcher together in main scrub area on Old Golf Course. (Gareth Richards)
Chiswick, W4 (all seen whilst gardening): 2 Common Buzzard came in reasonably high, thermalled and departed W c11:00 + c13:30 very high, 3 Yellow Wagtails N 14:52 (garden airspace mega + tick!), 1 Sparrowhawk, c16 Swallow W/SW, 5 Meadow Pipit over N (garden tick!). (Louis Freeland-Haynes).
Duke's Meadows (c15:30-16:30): 13 Pied Wagtail, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Buzzard sp. low on horizon very far away, 6 Meadow Pipits in 1 small group heading N quite high. (A good day locally. Louis Freeland-Haynes)
Tottenham Court Road: Black Redstart seen from bus, flying at height of buildings, down centre of road then landed round Chenies Street area, most likely a juvenile (Michael Mac).
Bedfords Park LNR: Common Buzzard W 13.30, steady trickle of Swallows west pm and 20+ House Martins high over early evening, 20+ Meadow Pipit NW, 3 Siskin N, 2 Whinchat, 8 Chiffchaff, 4 Goldcrest, calling Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, male Tufted Duck (Colin Jupp).
Lower Bedfords Road: 27 Meadow Pipit in field south side of road, Hobby and Sparrowhawk over (Colin Jupp).
Holyfield Farm: 2 Wheatears in the farmyard. Small flock of Yellow Wagtails (17+) in with the cattle near the Viewpoint. Several Hobbies overhead. (Mike Oakland)
Alexandra Park: Pied Flycatcher at Top Field briefly below Boating Lake c. 9.30 am. Also 2 Willow Warbler, Reed Warbler and c. 12 Chiffchaff there. Also Pied Flycatcher in pines in Grove briefly c.11.30. 3 Spot Fly cricket scrub. (APOG).
Brent Reservoir: 1st-winter Yellow-legged Gull, Green Sand, 5 Snipe & 5 Wigeon (Andrew Self & Andrew Verrall)
Crossness: 20 Black Terns off Golfcentre outfall, Wheatear, ad Yellow-legged gull, Kingfisher, 2 Green sandpipers,12 Redshanks.(Kev Jarvis, A.W ,S.Carter)
Dagnam Park LNR: pr Mandarin, juv Hobby, pr Ring-necked Parakeet, 1 Sand Martin, 23 Swallow, 12 House Martin, 13 Meadow Pipit, 4 Blackcap, 5 Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrest, 2 Rook over with Jackdaws, 10 Goldfinch (Colin Jupp).
Limetrees Park Golf Course (Northolt): f Sparrowhawk (probably same bird seen on 3 occasions), 11 Collared Dove W. 9 Meadow Pipit, 3 Chiffchaff, 3 Jackdaw, 3 Linnet (Neil Anderson)
London Wetland Centre: 13 Wigeon, 2 Garganey, 10 Common Snipe, 3 Curlew east, 190 Sand Martin, 350 Swallow, 150 House Martin (all hirundines south-west), 3 Tree Pipit west, 8 Meadow Pipit west, 3 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat (LWC website).
Paddington Green: imm fem Sparrowhawk, Peregrine Falcon in area a.m. into afternoon, c120 Starling (Des McKenzie, Nick Tanner).
Pinner Park Farm: 2 Egyptian Goose south-west at 10:06, 13 Yellow Wagtail (inc a small flock of ten which fell out of the sky into cattle at 08:43), 3 Hobby, 2 Little Owl, Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat, Blackcap, Chiffchaff & just 12 Swallow over (Jon Ridge). Later: A rather placid immature Egyptian Goose was found around the main pond at 15:30. Also 9 Grey Heron (JR).
Pinner (Streamside Open Space): 1 Kingfisher along the Yeading Brook (JR).
Raynes PArk tennis courts - Female Sparrowhawk finishing off one of my very well fed sparrows. (S Haslem)
Riddlesdown: c40 Swallows west at 7.14, 1 Tree Pipit south at 7.43. (John Birkett)
Wanstead Flats (06:00-10:00): Merlin (east of Alex half-heartedly chasing Meadow Pipit before carrying on eastward, you know what's coming...yay! etc.), Hobby (north towards Reservoir Wood east of Centre Road), 3 Sparrowhawk, 7 Gadwall, Shoveler, Little Grebe, 18 Meadow Pipit (6 by Alex and east, 6 SSI, 6 broom fields), 4 Whinchat (broom field), 11 Mistle Thrush, 18 RN Parakeet, 2 House Martin, 4 G. Woodpecker, 5 Cormorant, 7 Chiffchaff, 2+ Blackcap, 30+ LBB Gull, 20+ Herring Gull (including 2 with very dark grey mantles and pinky legs), 3 Chaffinch, Greenfinch (Nick Croft)
Dagenham Chase LNR: Ruff still on the slack at 1.30pm, 1 Whinchat on travellers field, 2 Bullfinch and 2 Rook over. ( V.Halley-Frame ).
Stoke Newington Reservoirs: Tree Pipit low over West Res, 1305; exceptional hirundine passage 0930-1300 with minimum counts of 650 Swallows, 130 House Martins and 20 Sand Martins (if memory serves the swallow count is the highest ever here), hybrid female Commmon Pochard x Tufted Duck, quite a clearout of warblers with just 10 Chiffchaffs, 1 Willow Warbler, 3 Blackcaps and 1 Reed Warbler today, Spotted Flycatcher (gardens along southern flank) 2nd year Great Black-backed Gull, 3 Meadow Pipits, 1 Common Sandpiper (West Res) (Mark Pearson)
Crayford Marshes: Tree Pipit over calling, Ruff feeding on Thames foreshore at 06:30, 3 Yellow wagtails, 2 adult Yellow-Legged gulls, Wheatear, Lesser Whitethroat, c500 Swallows, c100 House Martins, c40 Sand Martins. (Kev Jarvis).
Crossness: Short visit this evening - highlights; green sandpiper (3), yellow legged gull, chiffchaff, swallow (1! last of the days movement west?), wheatear, black tern (8), shoveller (6). (AW)
St Johns Way, Archway - large flock of long-tailed, coal, blue and great tits feeding in the small trees and bird feeders - 10.50am (DPainter)
Greenwich Park: several hundred Hirundines roughly West, especially late morning: 140+ between 10 and 11a.m., 170+ between 11.30 and 12.15, 160+ from 12.30 to 13.50 (and continuing steadily thereafter, also visible across a broad front and along the river in the distance). These were majority Swallows but House Martins were a close second in numbers. One or two Sand Martins were amongst them. Also Meadow Pipits in various directions, 18+ including a group of 5N. 1 Swift, 1 Grey Wagtail W and a hunting Kestrel also seen (Joe Beale).
Hampstead Heath: 2 Kestrel (mobbed by 7 Mistle Thrush), 6 Swallows SE, 3 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Green Woodpecker, Gr Sp Woodpecker (Chris B)
Harold Park: Hobby W 17.30, also Grey Wagtail over (Colin Jupp).
Hogsmill SF: Wood Sandpiper, view from London-bound platform of Berrylands railway station, 80+ Wood Pigeon over mainly south (Nick Tanner).
Dagenham Chase LNR: Ruff on the slack still at 9am, still present early evening with 1 Green Sandpiper and 1 Common Snipe also on the slack. ( V.Halley-Frame ).
Alexandra Park: Yellow Wagtail south over Nightingale Lane just south of park 0645, 3 Mipits SE, Sand Martin SE 0705 (Bob Watts).
Hyde Park: 2 x Hobby over Meadow/New Lodge area (frequent sightings this summer) (Dave Jordan); at least 3 Hobby between Meadow and Old Police House c14:25 (Simon Papps per DMc); a continual autumn presence here isn't unprecendented (DMc).
Leyton Flats: Hobby, 125 Swallows, 50 House Martins, 4 Sand Martins ( all hirundines NW), Whitethroat, 3 Willow Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff. (Gary A James).
Tower Hamlets Cemetery: Sedge Warbler (site tick) flushed from Scrapyard Meadow and settled in hawthorn near pond (nice record Bob - DMc),, also probable Spotted Flycatcher flew into limes here and Swallow N (Bob Watts).
Wanstead Flats (06:00-11:30): 6 Whinchat (2 scrub by Alex, 4 broomfield), c.1000+ Swallow (North along a broad front cover the width of the flats, kicking off around 09:00 and still ongoing when I left, the number represents an estimate of those passing over where I walked, along the whole area this could easily be multiplied several times), 100+ House Martin (likewise with the Swallow mainly north some birds kettling), 2 Yellow-legged Gull, 40+ LBB Gull, 1 GBB Gull, 20+ Herring Gull, 100+ BH Gull (all the large interesting ones soon scarpered ones the dog walkers started to arrive - they're just big gull's blouses), 38 Meadow Pipit (4 south over Alex, 16 SSSI, 20 broom field), 3 Yellow Wagtail (south), Pied Wagatail, 6 Skylark, 16 Chiffchaff, 7 Blackcap, 1 Willow Warbler, 1+Lesser Whitethroat, 8 Green Woodpecker, 3 GS Woodpecker, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (on southern edge of flats by Golden Fleece), 15+ Mistle Thrush, Song Thrush, Robin, Blackbird, 3 Collared Dove, 7 Cormorant, 10 Gadwall, 1 Shoveler, Tufted Duck, Mallarad, Mute Swan, C. Goose, 16 RN Parakeet, 2 Little Grebe, 3 Chaffinch, Greenfinch, 3 Goldfinch, Hobby (not surprisingly chasing Swallow over Bush Wood), Kestrel, Sparrowhawk and the usuals (52 sp, Nick Croft)
Wormwood Scrubs:Viz mig of 60 Swallow passing over S/W throughout the morning (18 @ 0720, 21 @ 0735, 9 @ 0735, 7 @ 0900 and 5 @ 0950) 1 Yellow Wagtail through today (21 Yesterday), 3 Whinchat. (N.Smith)
Hemans Estate, Stockwell: 1 Grey Heron heading south to north east (Michael Mac).
South Norwood Lake: 3 Mute Swan, 6 Cormorant, 15 Tufted Duck, 4 Chiffchaff (1 singing) 1 Blackcap, 2 House Martin (south) 4 Jay, 1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Nuthatch, c15 Goldfinch, 12 Greenfinch, 3 House Sparrow, (John Watson)
Trent Park: 1 female/immature Common Redstart, 'Old Golf Course',09:59 - 10:16 hrs (new bird); 1 Common Whitethroat (Robert Callf).
Mitcham Common: 3 Kestrel (2m, 1f) again a m+f pair in tree in field behind Ecology Centre, 2+ Sparrowhawk, Cormorant (over heading SW), Grey Heron (Seven Islands), 2 Jay, 8 Greenfinch, 3 RN Parakeet, 7 Green Woodpecker, c30 House Martin plus usuals (Stuart M)
Paddington Green (skywatch): 130 Swallow, 30 House Martin, 4 Meadow Pipit and 2 Pied / White Wagtail through by 15:00 (Des McKenzie).
Pinner Park Farm: 1 Wheatear by the electric gate, 1 Yellow Wagtail south-west, 3 Hobby, 1 Little Owl, 16 Jackdaw & 47 Swallow (a poor count, I know) over mainly south-west - Flying visit (JR).
Trent Park: 2 Common Redstart, 2 Green Woodpecker, Swallow. ( Pete Lowman, Bob Husband).
Lonsdale Road Reservoir LNR (Late PM visit): 3 Pochard, Tufted duck, Teal, c5 Swallow, large mixed tit flock of c35 birds of Great Tit, LTT, Blue Tit. 1 Grey Wagtail. Very quiet. (Louis Freeland-Haynes).
Thursday 9 September 2010[]
Alexandra Park: Tree Pipit (1st of year) in cricket scrub 0715-0725 but no further sign by 0830, also 3 Mipits SE (Bob Watts), plus 10+ Chiffchaffs, 2+ Whitethroats, 5+ Blackcaps, as well as 2 Whinchats cricket field perimeter (David Callahan).
Hampstead Heath: Hobby, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, 3 Green Woodpecker, 1 Gr Sp Woodpecker, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap, 5 Jay, Grey Heron (Chris B); Pied Flycatcher at the Conservation Pond 08:30, Wheatear by the fenced area north of running track, 15 Chiffchaffs, 5 Willow Warbler, 10 Blackcap, 7 Swallow SE. Yellow Wagtail over, 4 Shoveler and 46 Tufted Duck on Highgate 1 pond (Pete Mantle); Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Common Redstart, Lesser Whitethroat (all hedge 2), 3 Wheatear and 1 Whinchat in and around fenced area (Dave Porritt).
Hogsmill SF: Wood Sandpiper, view from the London-bound platform of Berrylands railway station (Nick Tanner).
Hyde Park & Kensington Gardens: 6 Shoveler, 4 Red-crested Pochard, Sparrowhawk, m Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon circled south, 3 Little Grebe (2 ad, juv), juv Great Black-backed Gull (Round Pond), Swallow north, 4 House Martin, Tree Pipit south 08:20 (first of the year), 11 Meadow Pipit (mainly south and west), 2 Yellow Wagtail (1 south and 1 flushed off Parade Ground), Whinchat (trees on east side of Buck Hill but mobile), Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Blackcap, 6 Chiffchaff, 5 Willow Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher, Nuthatch, 5 Treecreeper (1 singing), 5 Jackdaw west, Linnet flushed from Buck Hill, 10+ Goldfinch; also Peacock Butterfly, 3 Speckled Wood, annoying dog owner with bad attitude and a monstrous St. Bernard, plus 2 dubious blokes in shorts at Hyde Park Meads (Des McKenzie); prob Marsh Harrier over Round Pond 12:05 when lost against the sun (Noel Lever per DMc).
Lake Farm CP: 146 Swallows and 39 House Martins flew mostly S during 2 hour watch around midday, some very high, also 15 Meadow Pipits, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Jays, 2 Sparrowhawks and 2 Jackdaws; also 4 Whinchats, 1 Wheatear, 2 Common Whitethroats, Blackcap, Chiffchaff and Reed Bunting on the ground (Pete Naylor).
Lonsdale Road Reservoir: 1 Common Sandpiper (southern bank), Little Grebe family, plus the usuals (Rich Petley)
Mill Hill, Sheepwash Pond (north-west of St Paul's, The Ridgeway, NW7) ([1] map): Unusual duck on this small pond (first seen by Bob Husband, Fay Broom, Ken Brook, Mike Roberts) is now considered by a German duck expert to be a juvenile Rosybill Pochard (escapee) rather than a Ferruginous Duck as first suggested (Bob Husband reports). Thanks for uploading the images. Not sure what this duck is, but I think the head shape isn't pointy-crowned enough for Ferruginous Duck, and the broken whitish eye-ring doesn't seem right either. I hope to take another look at the pics, though. Thanks again, Rob Innes. What my photographs don't show is the bird's distinctive white under tail-coverts, which I saw clearly, or the long white wing-bar seen by Bob Husband et al (Andrew Haynes). Hi Andrew - sounds as though it must have some Ferruginous Duck in it, but as well as the points I mentioned, the bill looks too broad. I think it must be a hybrid, perhaps with Pochard, though not sure. Will happily discuss further on the Yahoo group if anyone's interested. All best, Rob. I am not happy with the Rosybill identification. Internet sources suggest that the Rosybill feeds by dabbling, upending and grazing rather than diving. But when I watched the Mill Hill bird it frequently dived (nicely showing its white under tail-coverts as it submerged). And the head and bill shape (see my rubbish photos) do not seem to match images of Rosybill on the internet. I agree with Rob that it is probably a hybrid (Andrew). Afterthought: right behind the Sheepwash Pond is Belmont Children's Farm, which may well keep some freaky ducks among its smorgasbord of exotica such as quails, budgies, storks and owls (Andrew);' I only know this sp from captivity but would agree with the Rosybill identification. Rosybills do dive though not commonly (but if it's diving constantly it might have some Aythya mix in it). Both sexes show white utcs. A similar individual lacking white in the face was in the Wensum Valley in 2007 (DMc).
Regent's Park: Tree Pipit, 14 Yellow Wagtail, 90 Swallows, Whinchat, Greenland Wheatear, 2 Common Redstart, Pied Flycatcher, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 3 Common Whitethroats, Garden Warbler, 16 Willow Warblers, 24 Chiffchaffs in enclosure at north-east end of the lake all day this (Tony Duckett) & (Birdguides).
Richmond Park: 2 Common Redstarts still in Hawthorn clump just west of Holly Lodge enclosure though elusive; Buzzard sp. glided high across centre of park heading SW @ 1305; Common Buzzard low NW @ 1235 mobbed by juv male Peregrine; Hobby; Wheatear (Bog) (J. Wilczur).
Beddington SF: 2 Shelduck, Common Buzzard, Peregrine Falcon, 2 Common Snipe, Greenshank, 2 Green Sandpiper, 4 Common Sandpiper, 48 Swallow through (Dip or Glory).
Brent Reservoir: 5 Wigeon, 2 Lapwing, 4 Snipe, Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, 3 Common Tern (2 ad, 1 juv), Sand Martin, Swallow, several House Martin, Reed Warbler, Chiffchaff (Brent Birders).
Dagenham Chase: 1.00 - 6.45pm, Ruff on The Slack 1.40- 4.55pm, 8 Yellow Wagtails south at 3.45pm plus another over low at 6.20 pm.1 Fem Common Redstart at 5.45pm, 1 Whinchat at 6.20pm, 20+ Teal, 2 Reed Bunting, 2 Lesser Whitethroat and 1 Common Whitethroat. ( V.Halley-Frame ).
Dagnam Park LNR: Spotted Flycatcher, Lesser Whitethroat, 5 Blackcap, 12 Swallow, 9 Meadow Pipit NW (my first of the autumn); no sign of the 2 Common Redstarts (Colin Jupp).
East India Dock Basin NR: 70 Teal, Kingfisher, 2 Common Sandpipers, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Blackcap (Gary A James).
Greenwich Park (11.20-12.20): 1 Spotted Flycatcher busy feeding, 5 Yellow Wagtails over together (south), 1 Meadow Pipit south, also 1 Siskin S/SW (my first for the autumn); also Common Blue, Speckled Wood (Joe Beale).
Paddington Green: fem Peregrine Falcon in area p.m., briefly fed on cached prey item before unsuccessfully attacking a pigeon (from a flock of c130) (DMc).
Pinner Park Farm: 1 Whinchat along the main bridleway, 4 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Common Buzzard over, 2 Hobby, 2 Sparrowhawk, 1 Little Owl, 77 Swallow over (42sw & 35w), 1 Sand Martin, 1 Meadow Pipit over (first of the autumn), 8 Grey Heron & Chiffchaff (Jon Ridge).
South Harrow (Roxeth Rec): Little Owl (Mega - for me anyway! - patch tick) mobbed by Great Spotted Woodpecker and Magpie. Also: 7 Pied Wagtails, Green Woodpecker, 4+ Blackcaps, Willow Warbler, 24 BHG, Sparrowhawk (0820-0845) (Alex Massey)
South Norwood CP: Wood Duck - had a look at the bird reported in the area since August 31st. Good for Wood Duck with clean unstreaked head and glossy sheen to cap, ragged white tear-drop eye ring, black nail, clean neat white throat and dark flanks. Lack of extensive white on inner secondaries also. Good article on female Wood Duck ID in May 2010 edition of Birding World. Origin obviously suspect but a nice bird anyway and worth seeing if in the area. Seems to favour the vegetation in the north-west corner of the lake disappearing behind the submerged fence for periods (Martin Birch); Mute Swan, 4 Shoveler, Sparrowhawk, Little Grebe, Kingfisher, 2 Stonechat, Mistle Thrush (CroydonBirders).
South Norwood Lake: 3 Mute Swan, 4 Cormorant, 12 Tufted Duck, 12 Ring-necked Parakeet, c15 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, c8 Chiffchaff (3 singing), 1 Collared Dove, c25 Goldfinch, 6 Jay, 4 House Sparrow (John Watson).
Stoke Newington Reservoirs: 2 Common Buzzards soaring and then south 1115 - 1119hrs, Garden Warbler (often singing), 20 Chiffchaffs, 8 Willow Warblers, Common Whitethroat (reedbed), 5 Reed Warblers, 2 Blackcaps, male Wigeon (Mark Pearson)
Vicarage Farm, Enfield: 2 Yellow Wagtail, flew S, (06:42 and 07:07 hrs); 3 Grey Wagtail, flew W, calling, 07:13 hrs; 8 Whinchat, 11:57 hrs, highest count of the autumn, so far (five together, hedgerow along track and at least three 'Barracks'); 1 Lesser Whitethroat; 4 Common Whitethroat - access restricted at this site (Robert Callf).
Wanstead: 2 Hobby over (Birdguides).
Wormwood Scrubs: 2 Sparrowhawk, Common Buzzard east (over Little Wormwood Scrubs), Hobby, 2 Collared Dove, Swift, 8+ Swallow, 15+ Yellow Wagtail, 3 Whinchat, juv Northern Wheatear, Spotted Flycatcher (DL per DMc).
Battersea Park Lake: from 18:15 - male Peregrine on gas works dived over lake and retured to gas tower, then taking dives off but not catching anything so perhaps holding territory as drove off a crow, 3 pr Shoveler and 3 females - 1st of season, 1 drake Gadwall well down on numbers, 2 juv Little Grebe, pr Great-crested Grebe and 2 dependent juveniles + 1 single adult over other side, 3 Cygnets + adults, 1 Chaffinch making winter call, 1 Dunnock, 4 Black-headed Gulls, all the usuals, except no Egyptian Geese and never seen a Mandarin here (Michael Mac).
Wednesday 8 September 2010[]
Alexandra Palace: Garden Warbler and 4 Willow Warblers with tit flock by first viewing platform early evening (J. Murray). Hobby 1350 (Ian Lycett); Little Egret north 1810 directly over cricket pitch - 5th record this year (Bob Watts).
Beddington SF: 5 Egyptian Goose, 2 Shelduck, Little Egret, 3 Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Ruff east, 3 Common Snipe, Curlew north-west, 4 Greenshank, 3 Green Sandpiper, 5 Common Sandpiper, first-winter Caspian Gull, 4 Swift, 7 Yellow Wagtail (Dip or Glory).
Canons Farm: Little Owl, 3 Yellowhammers, c.98 Linnets, Chiffchaff, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 3 Green Woodpeckers, Stock Dove, Nuthatch, many Black-headed Gulls including 46 on Legal & General (David Campbell).
Crossness: 13 Black Terns at outfall, ad Yellow-legged Gull, Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Green Sandpipers, 18 Redshank, c280 Teal (Kev Jarvis).
Dagnam Park: Common Redstart, Firecrest near car park late a.m. (Birdguides); no further sign of Firecrest pm (my earliest ever local autumn record), 2(1st-w m&fem) Common Redstart, Buzzard W 13.20, 1 Swift S, 10 House Martin, 18 Swallow S, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 6 Whitethroat, 16 Blackcap (lots of 'tac' calls around the park), 10 Chiffchaff and 3 Willow Warbler (Colin Jupp).
Fairlop Waters: Black-necked Grebe again this eve (Birdguides).
Fulham Reach (Thames): 1pr Egyptian Goose with 4 goslings (little one still with lump under beak but catching up), 1 poss Common Sandpiper on other side of Thames, pr Peregrine Falcon in area (Nathalie Mahieu).
Hogsmill SF: Wood Sandpiper, showing well between 16:35 & 17:00 hrs, 16 Teal, 2 Shoveler, 2 Little Grebe; view from London-bound platform of Berrylands railway station (Nick Tanner).
Hyde Park / Kensington Gardens: 2 Little Egret low south-east over Parade Ground 11:10 (third site record for 2010), 6 House Martin, 2 Whinchat (flushed from Buck Hill grassland and into a Lime 09:05 at least), Northern Wheatear (concert fencing at Parade Ground), 3 Blackcap, 5 Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, 2 Spotted Flycatcher (Buck Hill and near owl trees); also 17 Egyptian Goose, 9 Shoveler, 5 Red-crested Pochard, 15 Stock Dove (1 singing), c50 Ring-necked Parakeet, Tawny Owl calling 10:06, 3 Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 16 Mistle Thrush attending Mountain Ash then south-west, 6 Goldcrest (2 singing), 3 Coal Tit (1 singing), 400+ Starling (Des McKenzie).
Island Barn Res: Whinchat (SBC).
London Bridge: 2 Black Terns east towards Tower Bridge at 09.10 (RBA).
London Wetland Centre: Garganey, Sparrowhawk, Hobby, Kingfisher, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, Common Whitethroat (LWC website); plus 1 Black Tern at 09:45, 1 Tree Pipit (calling) at 09:10 (Peter Gray).
Oxted: Osprey perched c30m back from road on circular concrete landfill vent c3ft above ground level by M25, c5km west of Clacket Lane services 08:04; possibly injured? (Birdguides / SurreyBirdersYahooGroup).
Pinner Park Farm: Osprey (thought to be an adult) over to the north at 16:28 - presumably to avoid the showers, 1 Tree Pipit over calling, 1 male Common Redstart along the bridleway, 5 Yellow Wagtail northeast, 3 Hobby, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Little Owl, Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat, Willow Warbler & 3 Swallow south (Jon Ridge).
Queen Elizabeth II Res: Knot, Greenshank, 10 Yellow Wagtail (SBC).
Rotherhithe: adult Yellow-legged Gull on River Thames east of Greenland Pier 7pm (Richard Bonser).
Ruislip: Yellow Wagtail over this evening (Martin Sullivan).
Staines Reservoir (early a.m.): 5 Yellow Wagtail, Sparrowhawk (Nigel Sluman); 4 Sandwich Terns intermittently 09.06 to 09.55, Hobby 3+, Little Gull 1 juvenile, 7 Swift, 3 Common Tern (Andrew Moon)
Stoke Newington Reservoirs: Pied Flycatcher with warbler flock along New River, just east of Lordship Road (a different bird to yesterday's on plumage), Spotted Flycatcher, Yellow Wagtail east, Garden Warbler (often in song), c20 House Martins and 5 Sand Martins, drake Wigeon (first of autumn) (MJP).
Trent Park: 3 Common Redstart; 2 Whinchat; 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Common Whitethroat, 'Old Golf Course' (Robert Callf). please cld you give directions to Old golf course, is it near the new one? thanks M.Turner. Ha-ha, I had this problem last week; go to the first pond and it is the area of shrubs and grass sort of half way between the pond and the woods towards the obelisk, nowhere near the golf course (M. Mac); 2 Common Redstart, Whinchat, Spotted Flycatcher, Chiffchaff(s), Willow Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Blackcap, Goldcrest (Pete Lowman).
Walthamstow Marsh: 4 Yellow Wagtails in the Horse Paddock, 2 Whinchats by the Boardwalk early pm (frogandlisa).
Coppetts Wood: 2 Bullfinch (1 male and 1 juvenile) (James Palmer).
Crossness: Grey Plover east along Thames, Avocet on Thames foreshore by golf centre, 11 Black Tern at golf centre outfall, Garden Warbler, Curlew, Kingfisher (Kev Jarvis).
Dagnam Park LNR: 1st-w male Common Redstart (new bird - different to 1st-3rd); an increase of Sylvia warblers: 15+ Blackcap (some sub-singing), 5 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Whitethroat. Also Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Willow Warbler, 3 Goldcrest with large mixed tit flock Lily Pond and Round Pond area, Sparrowhawk, 60 Jackdaw, several R-n Parakeet, plus Weasel seen (Colin Jupp).
East Acton (Old Oak Road): 1 Grey Wagtail over (JR).
East India Dock NR (pm): Common Sandpiper on Lea, 45 Teal on island, 2 juv Common Terns on Thames (David Callahan).
Hogsmill SF: Wood Sandpiper, til 5:50pm at least, Green Sandpiper, Lapwing, 10+ Teal; view from London-bound platform of Berrylands railway station (Nick Tanner).
Holmethorpe SPs: Honey-buzzard ESE 10:06 (SBC).
Horsenden Hill, Perivale: Hobby drifted SW late afternoon. Apart from that very quiet with only c3 Chiffchaff, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Blackcap (last 2 species heard only) and the usual residents (Bill Haines).
[[Ingrebourne Valley[[: 23 Teal, 3 Shoveler, 2 Little Egret, Green Sandpiper, 40 House Martin, Common Redstart, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Common Whitethroat, Blackcap, 5 Chiffchaff (Dave Morrison).
London Wetland Centre: 13 Wigeon, 112 Shoveler, Peregrine Falcon, Lesser Whitethroat, Common Whitethroat, still 7 Ruff, Kingfisher (LWC website). Also Cetti's Warbler & Snipe (JR).
Mitcham Common: 2 Kestrel (m + f) together in field behind Ecology Centre - lovely barred hen feather on ground, House Martin (over Bidder's heading S), Ring-Necked Parakeet, 2 Jay plus usuals before deluge (Stuart M).
Mudchute Farm (Isle of Dogs): 20 Monk Parakeet (LondonBirdersYahooGroup).
Maylands Golf Course: 3 Whinchat, 20 Long-tailed Tit, 7 Green Woodpecker, 30 Swallow over at 19.10, Little Owl (Colin Jupp).
Paddington Green: 4 Sparrowhawk (imm fem in area all morning and 3 north), 2 Hobby south-east (13:40 and 13:57; the latter dropping and skimming rooftops), Peregrine Falcon (prob m) low south 14:30, 4 Collared Dove east 08:35, 3 House Martin, juv Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Goldcrest, singing Coal Tit (unusual), Jay, 12-15 Goldfinch (1 singing); also Lancaster Bomber and Spitfire north 12:35 (en route to Coningsby) (Des McKenzie).
Queen Elizabeth II Res: juv Knot, 2 Dunlin, 9 Yellow Wagtail (SBC).
Rainham Marshes: 66 species inc Oystercatcher, 6 Ringed Plover, 30 Dunlin, 2 Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, 2 Black Tern in Aveley Bay a.m., 12 Yellow Wagtail, Garden Warbler, 3-4 Lesser Whitethroat (J Lethbridge).
River Wandle (Plough Lane, SW19): 17:20 Grey Heron (over W), probably same bird landing on river by road bridge an hour later (Stuart M)
Staines Reservoir: 2 Black Terns (ad & juv) 1 Little Gull (1st W) 1 Greenshank, 1 Common Sandpiper, 7 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Dabchick. (Pete Naylor & FJM)
Staines Moor: 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 5 Whinchats, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Chiffchaffs all in hawthorns near bend in River Colne at N end of moor late pm. Also 1 Little Egret, 8 Meadow Pipits, 5 Skylarks, Cettis Warbler singing at gravel pit along track by 5 bar gate. (FJM)
Stoke Newington Reservoirs: fresh in Pied Flycatcher & Common Redstart (both along southern perimeter, Garden Warbler (LWT garden), 13 Chiffchaffs, 8+ Willow Warblers (Mark Pearson et al Hackney Wildlife).
South Norwood CP: 5 Mute Swan, 2 Little Grebe, 28 Goldfinch (CroydonBirders). Also Sparrowhawk trying (and failing) to catch a bat - believed to be noctule - at 19:38. (J Birkett)
Tower Hamlets Cemetery: 1st winter Spotted Flycatcher still Chestnut Glade, Willow Warbler still in large mixed tit flock High Glade, also male Balckcap (Bob Watts).
Trent Park: at least one 1st-winter male Common Redstart, 'Old Golf Course', 09:39 - 10:09 hrs; 2 Common Whitethroat (Robert Callf). Two Common Redstarts present early afternoon including the adult male. (R.A. (Bob) Husband & D. (Pete) Lowman.
Trent Park: 2 Common Redstart (Ad.m and 1stWm), Old Golf Course, Also in the area 4 Whinchat, Common Whitethroat, Blackcap on Vicarage Farm barracks area 4 Little Grebe, 3 Tufted Duck, 4 Mistle Thrush, Common Buzzard(Juv) from Parkside Farm PYO. ( Pete Lowman, Bob Husband)
Tyttenhanger GPs: Common Snipe, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, 30+ Swallow, 2 House Martin, 4 Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, 110+ Starling (Steve B).
Wanstead Flats (05:30-09:30): Tree Pipit (SSSI - Steve Thorpe/Nick Croft), 8+ Meadow Pipits also west of Centre Road (1 Alex, 1 Long Wood), Whinchat (Alex scrub still), Song Thrush, Blackbird, Robin, 10+ Mistle Thrush, Spotted Flycatcher (S of Long Wood in Hawthorn again), 11+ Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler, Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, 7+ Blackcap, Chaffinch (becoming more regular), 8+ Greenfinch, Goldfinch, c.30 RN Parakeet (mostly north), 8+ Gadwall, 2 Shoveler (Alex), 4 Mute Swan adults (+4 Cygnets), Little Grebe, c.20 LBB Gull + 5-10 Herring Gull (morning roost west of Alex), BH Gull, 2 GBB Gull, Common Gull, Collared Dove, White-cheeked Turaco (Long Wood), 6+ G Woodpecker, 4 GS Woodpecker, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, Great, Blue and LT Tit, Heron (Nick Croft). PM: 2 Hobby over SSSI (NC)
{{Wormwood Scrubs]]: ad-wint Mediterranean Gull east, Swallow, c4 Meadow Pipit, Yellow Wagtail, Common Redstart in shrubs along Baybrook Street 11:50 (N.Smith), 4 Whinchat, c3 Lesser Whitethroat, c5 Common Whitethroat, Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, c5 Jay, c3 Reed Bunting (Birdguides).
Monday 6 September 2010[]
Hogsmill SF: Wood Sandpiper til 3pm at least, Lapwing, 4 Teal; view western end of lagoon from London-bound platform of Berrylands railway station (Nick Tanner).
London WC1. Black Redstart, f/juv, feeding in trees/rooftops in Bedford Avenue, north side (Simon Bradley).
Holmethorpe SP's: Great White Egret circled The Moors at this morning at 0940 mobbed by Gulls, seen by Graham James - DMH).
Walthamstow Filter Beds: m Merlin through at 8.53 am (Dan Barrett).
Walton Res: Garganey (SBC).
Crossness: c8 Black Terns off Golfcentre. Avocet and Greenshank in Barking Bay, Black-Tailed Godwit, 2 Yellow Wagtails, Green Sandpiper (Kev Jarvis & I.Miller).
Canons Farm & Banstead Woods: Spotted Flycatcher at Lunch Wood 9.16am, 3 Hobbies, 2 Meadow Pipits, up to 3 Sparrowhawks, c.73 Jackdaws, Treecreeper, 5+ Goldcrests, 5 Nuthatches, Coal Tit, Blackcap, Common Whitethroat, 5+ Chiffchaffs (1 singing), c.20 Stock Doves, 2 Yellowhammers, 40+ Linnets, Swallow, 3 Green Woodpeckers, 4 Rose-ringed Parakeets. 2+ Lesser Black-backed Gulls, c.3 Herring Gulls and 50-60+ Black-headed Gulls in stubble flax fields (David Campbell).
Hyde Park / Kensington Gardens (a.m.): 2 fem Teal, 6 Shoveler, c35 House Martin through, 2 Grey Wagtail, 5 Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaff, 5 Willow Warbler, 8 Goldcrest (2 singing); also 289 Greylag Goose, 18 Egyptian Goose, m Gadwall, 3 Red-crested Pochard, ad fem Sparrowhawk, 2 Little Grebe (ad and juv), 4 Stock Dove, Green Woodpecker (Des McKenzie).
Island Barn Res: Black-necked Grebe (SBC).
Leyton Flats: Little Egret, 1 Whinchat, 7 Swallow, 2 Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff (Gary A James).
London Wetland Centre: 13 Wigeon, 3 Garganey, 112 Shoveler, Peregrine Falcon, 7 Ruff, 10 Common Snipe, Common Whitethroat, 8+ Chiffchaff (LWC website).
Rainham Marshes: 8 Greenshank, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Willow Warbler, 13 Swallow (reserve); 4 Common Sandpiper, 1 Wheatear, 1 ad Yellow-Legged Gull (shore); 3 Reed Warbler (west marshes) - (Tom Smith).
Pinner Park Farm: 2+ Hobby, Little Owl, 8 Jackdaw. Also 23 Swallow & 1 House Martin mainly southwest (Jon Ridge).
Queen Elizabeth II Res: 3 Dunlin (SBC).
Tower Hamlets Cemetery: Spotted Flycatcher Chestnut Glade (1st for year), also Willow warbler in mixed tit flock Cherry Glade but extremely elusive (Bob Watts).
Wormwood Scrubs: (am) 2 Whinchat, 1 Skylark, 4 Meadow Pipit, 4 Reed Bunting, 1 Common Whitethroat and a flock of 30+ Goldfinch all in the long grass, 2 Yellow Wagtail (one over west and one south). 4 Swallow through south. 1 Willow Warbler, 6 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap, 1 (m) Sparrowhawk (N. Smith).
Trent Park: 2 (ad male and 1st-winter male) Common Redstart, 'Old Golf Course', 10:00 - 10:11 BST (Robert Callf): also Enfield, somewhere: Wryneck
Sewardstone: Hobby, Common Tern, 30 Swallow, 5 House Martin, 7 Sand Martin, Common Sandpiper and Green Sandpiper on relief channel basin, 30 Teal flew onto KGV reservoir from the north, good numbers of common warblers (Martin Shepherd).
South Norwood CP: Mute Swan, Shoveler, 2 Little Grebe (CroydonBirders).
Sunday 5 September 2010[]
Beddington Farmlands: 25+ Chiffchaff, 10+ Willow Warbler, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Reed Warbler, 10+ Whitethroat, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Blackcap, 1 Wheatear, 1 Whinchat, 4 Swift, a passage of 90+ Swallow, 10+ Sand Martin, 15+ House Martin, 4 Greenshank, 4-5 Green Sandpiper, 2 Dunlin, 3 Ringed Plover, 1 Snipe, 1 Common Buzzard , 2 Hobby , 3 Kestrel, 3 Sparrowhawk and 1 Goldcrest. Photos and more info here
London Wetland Centre: Osprey 07.24 - possibly the Regent's Park bird, headed south. 3 Sparrowhawk, 2 Peregrine, 5 Swift, all day passage of Sand and House Martin (some lingering) with a few Swallows, Cetti's warbler, Garganey, 2 Lesser Whitethroat also seen (Martin Honey). Also juv Black Tern (Mike Wheeler)
Brent Reservoir: Tree Pipit in shrike field, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker behind dam; also 5 Wigeon & 7 Swift (Andrew Self & Andrew Verrall).
Lower Chingford (footpath off Russell Road): 10 Green Sandpiper, 1 Common Sandpiper, 3 Little Egret, 1-2 Sand Martin, 1 Kingfisher (James Palmer)
Kingston Sewage Farm: Wood Sandpiper still present on settling pond from western end of London-bound platform at Berrylands Station this afternoon. Also 3 Teal (Bill Haines).
Alexandra Park: Little Egret SE over New River Village 0818, c50 Swallows south or SE, Spotted Flycatcher & Lesser Whitethroat cricket scrub, Hobby chasing passerine, Mipit SW, Commic Tern Wood Green Res 0915 (Bob Watts, Gareth Richards, Andrew Gardener).
East India Dock Basin NR: 1 Black Tern off dock 09.45-10.15, 25 Common Terns. Peregrine, 2 Sparrowhawks. (Gary A James).
Wanstead Flats (05:30-11:00): Green Sandpiper (heard over the SSSI - year patch tick, and year site tick, yay! 105/121 - watch out Rainham we're on a roll!), Common Sandpiper on Alex (from 06:30-9:00), 60+ Swallow (mainly south, some east), 1 Sand Martin (east), 4 House Martin (happy to stay put for the moment), 4 + Whinchat (1 Alex scrub, 3+ on broom field), Song Thrush, Robinsssssss, Blackbird, 8 Mistle Thrush, 4 + Yellow Wagtail, Grey Wagtail 2, Pied Wagtail (and I only saw the last PW, and that was through the scope, makes me wonder why I lug all this baggage around with me!), 1 Spotted Flaycatcher (Long Wood), 8 Chiffchaff, 6 C. Whitethroat, L. Whitethroat, Blackcap, 1 Linnet (over Alex), Goldfinch, 3 Chaffinch, 10+ Greenfinch, 4 GS Woodpecker, 7 Green Woodpecker, LBB, Gull, 2 GBB Gull, BH Gull, Herring Gull, 7 Cormorant, 3 Kestrel, 5+ Sparrowhawk, 3 Meadow Pipit, 7 Gadwall, 1 Greylag Goose (over east), Little Grebe, 2 Heron (1 on Jub at 06:00), 45 RN Parakeet (55 sp, Nick Croft)
Trent Park: 2(ad male and 1st-winter male) Common Redstart, 'Old Golf Course', 10:21 - 10:45 BST (Robert Callf). 2 male Common Redstart summer plumage, active from 15:15 to 15:45pm - in two different bushes apart, Hobby, flock of 30 Black-headed Gulls over. 1 Kestrel over Hadley Road fields also a Little Owl feather (but no sign of rest of the bird), Ring-necked Parakeets up the Cockfosters end but I've never seen/heard one up the North East area for some reason (Michael Mac).
Rainham Marshes RSPB: 2 Sandwich Tern up river @07:20, 6 Black Tern out @ 10:30, 4 Knot, 40+ Dunlin, 20+ Ringed Plover, Blackwit, 4 Common Sand, Green Sand, 2 Greenshank, 20+ Yellow Wag, 3+ Lesser Whirtethroat, Whinchat.(P Hawkins, J Lethbridge) Pintail, 7 Little Egret, Marsh Harrier, 2 Hobby, 2 Water Rail, c90 Lapwing, 3 Cetti's Warbler (Nick Tanner). 4 Whinchat, 2 Wheatear, Garden Warbler (Mike Benyon)
Pinner Park Farm: 4 Hobbies continue to terrorise the area, often giving spectacular views - on the down side, everything else seems to have been scared off from this site (Jon Ridge). Also Little Owl & just 1 Chiffchaff (JR).
Ruislip Lido/Woods: 99 Mute Swan, 107 Canada Geese, 120 Mallard, 25 Gadwall, 6 Shoveler, 28 Tufted Duck, 20 Pochard, 4 broods Great-crested Grebe (15 juv), Dabchick, 2 Cormorant, 4 Heron, 2 Hobby ( 1 swiftly over tree tops Poor's Field, other catching hawker in wide ride Park Wood, then calling briefly mobbed by Magpie), 3 Stock Dove, 2 Green + 5 Great-spotted Woodpecker, 6+ Sand + c15 House Martin, 4 Chiffchaff, Goldcrest. 7 Nuthatch (Neil Anderson)
Regent's Park: Osprey 7.05am, Hobby 9.00am, 12 Grey Herons in a line, 6 GBB Gulls, 2 Swallows, 2 Common Whitethroats, Blackcap, Willow Warbler, 6 Chiffchaffs (Tony Duckett).
Dagenham Chase LNR: 2 Whinchat on bramble patch in travellers field, 2+ Willow Warbler, several Chiffchaff and 2 Bullfinch briefly. ( V.Halley-Frame)
Maylands Golf Course: Whinchat but no other migrants, 2 Green Woodpeckers (Colin Jupp).
Queen Mary Res (permit only): fair amount of tern passage during the day - Black Tern two late morning, then up to 31 late afternoon; Common Tern flock of 31 thru late morning, then eight thru later plus flocks of c8 and c12 probables; Arctic Tern juv. Also seven Dunlin thru, Greenshank, Little Gull juv, two Yellow Wagtails, three Whinchats, two Wheatears, etc (Rob Innes, Andrew Moon).
Crouch End, N8: Swift low around houses at north end of Ferme Park Road for second time in a week (a traditional nesting area - v. late brood?) (Gareth Richards).
Saturday 4 September 2010[]
Beddington Farmlands: 1 Whinchat, 3 Common Buzzard, 1 Common Tern, 4 Ringed Plover, 1 Golden Plover, 1 Dunlin, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Wigeon (first birds of the autumn), 10-15 Chiffchaff, 3-4 Willow Warbler, 2 Blackcap, 1 Lesser Whitethroat[[2]]Photos here
Canons Farm & Banstead Woods: Northern Wheatear, Hobby, 3 distant Common Buzzards, 4 Meadow Pipits, 3+ Yellowhammers, up to 150 Linnets, Rook, 3 Bullfinches, 4+ Goldcrests, c.4 Treecreepers, 6 Nuthatches, 4 Coal Tits, Common Gull & Herring Gull with c.45 Black-headed Gulls, 6 Chiffchaffs, 3+ Blackcaps, Common Whitethroat, Great Spotted Woodpecker, 4 Green Woodpeckers, c.15 Rose-ringed Parakeets, 3+ Pied Wagtails, distant Kestrel (David Campbell).
Crossness: 15 Black Terns off golf centre, 2 Yellow wagtails, 2 Green Sandpipers, 5 Yellow-legged Gulls (3 ads + juv), Kingfisher, Little Egret, 4 Common Sandpipers, 12 Redshank. (Kev Jarvis, S.Carter, John Archer, I.Stewart).
Fairlop CP: Black-necked grebe still on main boating lake at 2pm, yellow wag over.(Paul Hawkins)
Fulham Palace Meadow Allotments, 18.15: 2 big flocks of Starlings (1000+ then 500+) low over trees & roofs, from North to South, probably to Wandsworth Bridge roost. (more Starlings seen on Craven Cottage floodlights c18.30) (Nathalie Mahieu).
Fulham Reach, Thames: 5 Housemartin, 66 Mallard, 2 Teal, 9 Tufted Duck (inc 2 juv almost adult size), 22 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Pied Wagtail (1 juv), 3 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1 Herring Gull, 1 Mute Swan, 5+ House Sparrow, at least 88 Black-headed Gull including 1 Dutch (returning visitor, red A1) & 1 Finnish (new one, white CC1H) - pr Peregrine Falcon in area, pm (Nathalie Mahieu)
Kensington Olympia: 1 Pied Wagtail over the road (Nathalie Mahieu).
Paddington Green: Peregrine Falcon in area a.m., juv Grey Wagtail (Des McKenzie).
Richmond Park: one Common Buzzard ->S over Pond Slade/Isabella Plantation at 13.10 (active flight, not high). One Hobby over Upper Pen Pond (Stefan Czapski) also Buzzard 8.00am Cambrian Gate flying into trees, 2 male common redstarts in hawthorns just west of Holly Lodge (Hugh Bradshaw)
River Wandle (Garratt Lane, SW19): 18:00 Kestrel f in frantic aerial combat with several corvids for over 15 minutes (Stuart M)
Rainham Marshes (along Thames path to mound): Hobby, Wheatear, 2 Whinchat, Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Whitethroat, 2 Reed Warbler, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Black-tailed Godwit, 7 Lapwing, Redshank, 3 Sand Martin and 8 House Martin (Steven Robinson). Curlew Sandpiper flew thru Ave bay at 07:20 also 3 Knot, 2 Ringed plover, c30 Dunlin, Oystercatcher, Green Sandpiper, 5 Common Sandpiper, ad Yellow Legged Gull, probable Honey Buzzard south (didnt pic it up till late!) Bearded tit by new turnstile, Tree Pipit over + 12 Yellow Wagtail.(P Hawkins, J lethbridge, D Morrison)
Stoke Newington Reservoirs: 1 Common Redstart, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 4 Willow warblers and 3 Common Sandpipers early evening (J. Murray).
Trent Park: 1 juv/1st-w Turtle Dove, flew from stubble field and alighted in Oak, edge of Ride Wood, 08:30 - 08:40 BST, observed thro'scope - my first record locally for six years! 2(ad male and 1st-w male) Common Redstart, 'Old Golf Course', 10:20 - 11:00 BST (Robert Callf). Also Whinchat, Sparrowhawk, 4 Chiffchaff. ( Pete Lowman)
Wanstead Flats (05:30-11:00): Golden Plover (circled twice calling over Alex before before heading east at@09:00, yay! patch tick, year patch tick, year site tick; 104/107/120) Little Owl (Coronation copse), 1 Whinchat (east of Alex in burnt scrub), Mistle Thrush (flock of 17 on footba pitch east of long Wood), 5 + Song Thrush, Blackbird, Robins singing and chasing each other everywhere), Pochard, 2 Teal, 6 Gadwall, Mallard, Mute Swan (residents plus 3 adults that flew SW), Canada Goose, 1 Greylag Goose, 6 Grey Heron, 8 Cormorant, Coot, Moorhen, Little Grebe, Blue tit, Great Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Wren, 30+ LBB Gull, 3 GBB Gull, 50+ BH Gull, 5 Herring Gull, 5 Common Gull, Carrion Crow, +20 Jays (one which appeared to have a Dunnock in its gob), Magpie, Jackdaw, Starling (including pre roost flock around 200 on playing fields), 3 Meadow Pipit, Skylark, 8 + Chiffchaff, 7+ C. Whitethroat, 5+ Lesser Whitethroat, 7+ Blackcap, Garden Warbler, 2 Sparrowhawk, 4 Kestrel, 1 Spotted Flycatcher (south of Long Wood in hawthorn), 3 Chaffinch, 10+ Greenfinch, Collared Dove, Stock Dove, 2 House Martin, 10+ G Woodpecker, 7 GS Woodpecker, 32 RN Parakeet (52sp Nick Croft)
Wanstead Park (11:00-17:00): 10 Yellow Wagtail (east - old sewage works), 3 + Hobby (Bush Wood, Reservoir Wood, SoM, Heronry, OSW), 6 Swallow (south, Bush Wood), 2-3 Coal Tit (in roving tit flocks in Bush Wood, south of Perch and south of Heronry), 4 Greylag (North over Reservoir Wood), 8 Tufted Duck, f Pochard, 4 Gadwall, 3 Shoveler, 1 Grey Heron, Stock Dove, Collared Dove, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, more Jays, C. Whitethroat, L. Whitethroat, Blackcap, 8 Chiffchaff, Song Thrush and many many Robin (42 sp Nick Croft) Kingfisher on Perch (Tim Harris)
Bedfords Park LNR: Two large mixed flocks Round Pond area and near the Visitor Centre: 2 Spotted Flycatcher, 5 Willow Warbler, 10 Chiffchaff, 3 Blackcap, 2 Nuthatch, 2 Treecreeper, 3 Coal tit, 2 Goldcrest with lots of Long-tailed, Blue and Great Tits. 1(calling) Tree Pipit and 1 Whitethroat in the Wildflower Meadow. 1 Reed Warbler, 7 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff at SE corner of Lake. A light hirundine passage, 20+ Swallow south. Single flock of 26 Cormorants soaring high over at 11.15 continued W in 'v' formation. Also 2 Hobby, 2 Kestrel and Sparrowhawk over. (Colin Jupp, Sid Petts).
Friday 3 September 2010[]
London Wetland Centre: Ringtail Montagu's Harrier flew through NE at 11:00, plus 2 Marsh Harriers, 3 Garganey (RBA). 1 Hobby showing well catching dragonflies 15.00-15.30. 6 Snipe. (S Haslem)
Queen Elizabeth II Res: juvenile Knot still present (DMH).
Richmond Park : a single Swift ->S past Thatched House Lodge at 14.00, soon feeding over Kingston. There can't be many more. One Hobby over Pen Ponds, another around Ham Clump. (Stefan Czapski)
Woolwich Ferry: 1 Black Tern & 4 Common Terns at 2.30 (Conrad Ellam)
Vauxhall BT Building: 1 Peregrine at 16:20 (Michael Mac).
Totteridge Fields: 3 Common Redstart, 2 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Common Buzzard (Tony Clancy)
[Trent Park]]: 4 Common Redstart ( Adult m, 2x 1st Wm,1 x f ) all Old Golf Course, 4 Spotted Flycatcher, Hobby, 2 Willow Warbler, Blackcap, 2 Sand Martin. ( Pete Lowman, Bob Husband, Robert Callf).
Dagnam Park LNR: 1st-w m Common Redstart, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, several Blackcap, large hirundine flock of 100+ (mainly Swallows) and patrolling Hobby (Colin Jupp).
Thursday 2 September 2010[]
Rainham Marshes: female Hen Harrier on silt lagoons at 09:30 (no public access), male Marsh Harrier over Wennington, 3 juvenile Ruddy Shelduck on Aveley Pools from the new hide at 12:00, but flew at 12:04 (Londonbirders Twitter).
Crayford Marshes: 2 Knot and 3 Avocets on Foreshore, Spotted Flycatcher, 5 Black Terns, Cetti's Warbler, Little Owl, Hobby, 6 Greenshanks. (KJM & Kev Jarvis).
Alexandra Park: Spotted Flycatcher, Lesser Whitethroat, Swallow Cricket Scrub 7am (Bob Watts); Spot Fly still, plus Coal Tit with huge mixed flock feeding on scale insects (racetrack) (David Callahan).
Canons Farm: Common Redstart and 2 Whinchats near farmhouse, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 1+ Meadow Pipit, Common Buzzard, 3 Sparrowhawks, Kestrel, Rook, 7 Yellowhammers, c.70 Linnets, singing Goldcrest, singing Coal Tit, Treecreeper, Nuthatch, House Martin, c.3 Swallows, Chiffchaff, 4+ Common Whitethroats, 1+ Stock Dove, 2 Rose-ringed Parakeets, 7+ Pied Wagtails, Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2+ Green Woodpeckers, Greenfinch (David Campbell).
Crossness: 5 Black Tern, Green Sand, Kingfisher (O Bourne)
Dagnam Park LNR (Harold Hill): 1st-w male Common Redstart, Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Whitethroat, 6m Blackcap, pair Bullfinch (Colin Jupp).
Bedfords Park LNR: 3 Spotted Flycatcher between Deer Park and Visitor Centre, 1 Willow Warbler, 6 Chiffchaff. At 19.00 3 Mandarin flew over plus 25 Swallow south and 1 Yellow Wagtail (Colin Jupp).
Fairlop Gravel Works: 5 Green Sandpiper, 2 Common Sandpiper, 80 Lapwing, 38 Teal, 30 Gadwall, 4 Stock Dove, 50 House Martin (Redbridgebirdwatching)
Five Oaks Lane, Chigwell: Kestrel, Little Owl, Tree Pipit, 100 Swallow, 2 Linnet (Redbridgebirdwatching)
Hammersmith Bridge: 1 Grey Wagtail, 1pr Egyptian Goose + 4 goslings, 8 House Sparrow by Riverside Studio & 7 House Martin over Barnes (Nathalie Mahieu).
Paddington Green: 3 Swift south (Des McKenzie).
Pinner Park Farm: 4 Hobby, 1 Kestrel, 2 Little Owl & 2 Swallow - very quiet again (JR).
South Harrow (Roxeth Rec): male Bullfinch briefly, Whitethroat, Chiffchaff, lots of juvenile Greenfinches - this species seems to have done well here this year (Alex Massey).
Stoke Newington Reservoirs: 2 Common Redstarts, Pied Flycatcher, 3 Spotted Flycatchers, Sedge Warbler, Garden Warbler, Hobby, lots of phylloscs, etc; Little Egret east, 1155 (Mark Pearson et al); Pied Fly, Redstart, at least 2 Spot Flys still present 1415 (J Lethbridge, MJP); all the cast still present 1510 (MJP); 4 Spotted Flycatchers, roughly together, 1600; Tree Pipit low over Behune Road, 1650 (MJP et al)
Potters Field: Chaffinch flew East (1st I have seen in over a year of (poorly) watching the area) Kestrel flew towards Tower of London. (Paul Whiteman)
Tower 42 (City of London) 06:00-10:00: Grey Heron high south, Buzzard sp (flew behind building pursued by crows and didn't emerge from the other side, identification not resolved), Great Black-backed Gull south, up to 5 Peregrine Falcon, 2 Swift, c50 Swallow, House Martin (Swifts and hirundines south) (T42BSG).
Tower Hamlets Cemetery: Common Buzzard (dark individual) flew east 1215 (from direction of Tower 42), also House Martin and Sand Martin (Bob Watts).
Totteridge Valley: c60 - 70 House Martins, 25 Swallows and at least 1 Sand Martin generally ESE this pm, accounting for continued presence of a Hobby: also 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 whitethroat and 1 Grey Wagtail (John Colmans)
Regent's Park: 7 Common Buzzards, Peregrine, 3 Hobby's, 2 Kestrels, 5 Sparrowhawks, 3 Yellow Wagtails(interesting photo at www.regentsparkbirds.blogspot.com), Spotted Flycatcher, Chiffchaffs and Willow Warblers (Tony Duckett)
Wednesday 1 September 2010[]
Brent Reservoir: Little Stint in east marsh from main hide at 09.55 (AGV per AS); Little Stint still present late morning, plus Garganey for second day, 3 Wigeon, Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, 2 Snipe, 8 Lapwings (5 observers); also Whinchat on Dam & 2 Little Egrets over in evening (Andrew Self).
Rainham Marshes RSPB: Marsh Tit on woodland feeders, first for the reserve. ( ELBF & LBYG ). Observer Tony Coombs.
Dagnam Park LNR: imm male Common Redstart, 1 Whinchat; good hirundine passage pm with 100+ Swallow and 20+ House Martin. Also 6+ Ring-necked Parakeets (Colin Jupp).
Fairlop Waters: Black-necked Grebe, juv Hobby, Common Sandpiper (Redbridgebirdwatching)
Fairlop Gravel Works: 3 Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper (Redbridge Birdwatching)
Five Oaks Lane, Chigwell: 100+ Swallow, 3 Whinchat, Wheatear, Spotted Flycatcher, Tree Pipit (Redbridgebirdwatching)
Hyde Park & Kensington Gardens: very vocal juv Hobby circling c40ft above Hudson Memorial (possibly one of the birds seen by SP on 26/08; this sp has been known to roost at Buckingham Palace Gardens previously and hang about Hyde Park), 6 House Martin, fem / imm Common Redstart (Kensington Gardens Flower Walk, constantly chased by Robins to 07:48 at least. Probably the same bird as present on 26/08), Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Blackcap, 4 Chiffchaff, 6 Willow Warbler (2 singing), Spotted Flycatcher, Pied Flycatcher (occasionally showing well in trees north of Serpentine Island and toward Old Police House to 10:00 at least), Reed Bunting; also 62 Mute Swan, 18 Egyptian Goose, ecl m Mandarin Duck, 3 Shoveler, 10 Red-crested Pochard, juv Little Grebe, ad fem Sparrowhawk, Peregrine Falcon carrying prey low north-east over Buck Hill, 4 Stock Dove (1 singing), 4 Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, 30-35 Robin, Song Thrush, 5 Mistle Thrush, 6 Goldcrest, 5 Coal Tit (3 singing), Nuthatch, 2 Treecreeper, Jay, 3 Goldfinch (1 juv) (Des McKenzie).
London Wetland Centre: Garganey still on the scrape, Snipe, Cetti's Warbler, etc (M. Bourne); 96 Shoveler, Sparrowhawk, 7 Common Snipe, 3 Cetti's Warbler (LWC website).
Richmond Park: 1 Common Redstart in Holly/Bog Lodge Enclosure (Hugh Bradshaw). A Wheatear late am. (Steve Reed & Tim Howard) Spotted Flycatcher Thatched House Lodge.
Stoke Newington Reservoirs: 2 (female / immature and moulting male) Common Redstarts associating with Pied Flycatcher in LWT garden and New River trees 1040 - 1340 at least; 10 Willow Warblers, 8 Chiffchaffs, Common Whitethroat, 4 Blackcaps, 3 Reed Warblers, Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Common Terns, Spotted Flycatcher (TB) plus the usuals (Mark Pearson Hackney Wildlife); Pied Fly still present 16:30, also 2 Sandwich Terns over (second ever site record) (Dominic Mitchell per MJP, the latter now in tears at missing the terns)
Alexandra Park: 2 Spotted Flycatchers, Linnet (poss 2), 7 Chiffchaffs (10+ overall) in cricket scrub (David Callahan). Hobby with prey (larger than martin sp) flew west 1800 (Bob Watts).
KGV Reservoir: Whimbrel, Common Snipe, 15 Yellow Wagtail, Whinchat, Wheatear, 4 Little Egret, Hobby, Sparrowhawk (Martin Shepherd).
Lonsdale Road Reservoir: 1 male Wigeon in eclipse (patch tick!), 1 Kingfisher at eastern end-flew off east, 1 Sedge Warbler at eastern end, 1 Common Sandpiper at western end, 1 Grey Wagtail flyover N onto Thames, juv Little Grebe (indicative of breeding?) (I've been seeing at least 2 Little grebes present regularly over summer, L. F-H), 40+ Teal, 15+ Gadwall, 10+ Pochard (M Bourne).
Mitcham Common: 3+ Kestrel (female perch and hover hunting at close quarters for hour around Bidder's Pond; juv male and female in tree with me underneath near old factory site; another? two seen distant over One Island pond then SW direction Beddington plus two other distant single bird sightings), Sparrowhawk(fem) near Seven Islands (Stuart M)
Paddington Green: Peregrine Falcon (probable m) in area early a.m. and still present late p.m., Stock Dove high south, 1-2 Grey Wagtail (DMc).
Pinner Park Farm: 3 Hobby, 2 Little Owl, 2 Chiffchaff & not a single Swallow in sight (JR).
Rainham Marshes RSPB: Marsh Tit on woodland feeder am (Londonbirders Twitter).
Staines Moor: 9.30am. 2 Little Egret, 2 Kestrel, 8 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Wheatear (Neil Randon). 26 Yellow Wagtails around feeding cattle at N end, at dusk. Also Wheatear, 2 juvenile Hobbies, Little Egret, 5 Common Snipe. (FJM)
Staines Reservoir (06:30-08:30): 5 Ringed Plover, 3 Dunlin, Kingfisher (Nigel Sluman); 8.30am: Peregrine Falcon (sitting on top of pylon between Staines and KGVI reservoirs), 2 Ringed Plover, 2 Yellow Wagtail (on bank of KGVI reservoir), 1 Common Tern (Neil Randon)
Tower Hamlets Cemetery: Sand Martin hawking and Collared Dove calling opposite Soanes Centre (Bob Watts).
Trent Park, Cockfosters, Enfield: 6 Spotted Flycatcher, Blackcap, 2 Willow Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff, Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Swallow, 2 Common Buzzard. (Pete Lowman, Bob Husband (RAH).
Wanstead Flats (06:00-10:00): Hobby (north over Alex), 4 Sparrowhawk (inc. 3 together over Wanstead Park), Kestrel, Yellow Wagtail over, 2 Pied Wagtail, 1 Spotted Flycatcher (mid way down Long Wood on the south side), 8+ Chiffchaff, 7+ C. Whitethroat, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 2+ Blackcap, 2 Garden Warbler (east of Alex), numerous Robin making their presence known, 3 Song Thrush (in the same tree), 4 + Blackbird, no sign Whinchat or Wheatear, Dunnock, Wren, very few Starling (the flocks and associated Mistle Thrush absent), Blue Tit, Great Tit (both very numerous), 13 + Jay, Carrion Crow, Magpie, Jackdaw, 7 GS Woodpecker, 7+ G Woodpecker, Swallow heard, 2 House Martin, Skylark, 10+ Greenfinch, Goldfinch, 2 Shoveler, 4 Gadwall, Mallard, Mute Swan (4 adults again and three others flying over, + cygnets of resident pair), Canada Goose, Little Grebe, Coot, Moorhen, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, 26 RN Parakeet, 2 Heron, 40 + BH Gull, 8 Herring Gull (6 Juv), 10+ LBB Gull, 8 Cormorant (Nick Croft).
Wanstead Park pm: Spotted Flycatcher at old sewage works, 12 Sand Martin, 3 Swallow south (S Fisher)
