October 2012

Highlights of the month

There was no headline rarity this month. Perhaps the outstanding event was a large movement of Ring Ouzel. This began on the 13th with four birds at Canons Farm. The next couple of weeks produced 40 sightings from 15 sites, compared with only four sightings from three sites in October 2011. There were also over 50 records of Brambling, compared with only nine in October 2011. And a movement of Hawfinch late in the month resulted in sightings at several London hotspots. September’s Garganey stayed at Staines Reservoir until 3rd October, but the month was more notable for the arrival of winter wildfowl. A Long-tailed Duck settled in at William Girling Reservoir on the 7th and stayed for at least three weeks. It (or another?) was also seen at Long Water, Kensington Gardens, on the 10th. And later in the month London’s rivers and reservoirs produced sightings of Whooper Swan, Pink-footed Goose, Brent Goose, White-fronted Goose, Common Scoter (including 26 on the Thames on the 28th), Scaup, Goosander and Goldeneye. On the 23rd Regent's Park was host to a female Red-breasted Merganser (its third record). The winter population of Black-necked Grebe at William Girling Reservoir began to build up, with at least 13 present on the 27th. A first-year Gannet flapped lazily over Staines Moor on the 7th and an Arctic Skua was at Gallions Reach on the 26th. A  Glossy Ibis turned up at Rainham Marshes in the middle of the month (during a small influx into southern England) and London Wetland Centre’s first Bittern of the season showed itself on the 20th. On the 15th, Crayford Marshes saw the return of the Spotted Redshank that spent much of last winter feeding on the Thames foreshore there. It was present on and off to the end of the month. The 25th was a good day for Little Gull, with six at Beddington SF, one at Brent Reservoir and up to 14 seen from various Thames-side sites. On the next day Thames watchers saw more Little Gull, plus a Kittiwake and an Iceland Gull. Short-eared Owl numbers built up, with 16 sightings spread across the LNHS area. A male Hen Harrier flew over Crayford Marshes on the 29th.

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Wednesday 31st October 2012

• Alexandra Park: Viz mig 0655-0720: 120 Starling, 28 Woodpigeon, 7 Fieldfare, 4 Redwing, 4 Blackbird, 2 Song Thrush, 3 Lesser Redpoll, Siskin (h), 15 Chaffinches (Bob Watts).
• Borough: Grey Wagtail over Cole Street (Tony Stones).
• Brent Reservoir: Viz-mig 06.30-09.15: Brambling, 63 Chaffinch, 78 Starling, 67 Woodpigeons, 4 Stock Dove, 2 Pied Wagtail, 6 Redwing, 6 Jackdaw, 7 Lesser Redpoll (Andrew Verrall).
• Brookmill Park: Mandarin, Kingfisher, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Chiffchaff, Goldcrest (Conrad Ellam)
• Crayford Marshes: Spotted Redshank, juvenile Marsh Harrier, 16 Brambling, 97 Golden Plover, 3 Lesser Redpoll, 4 Rock Pipit, 2 Yellow-legged Gull, Greenshank, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, Peregrine (Kev Jarvis).
• Rainham Marshes: 2 Rock Pipit, 1 Curlew, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Marsh Harrier, c20 Wigeon, c50 Lapwing, 12 Fieldfare and 1 Redshank (Shailesh Patel).
• Regent's Park: Woodcock (first autumn migrant) flushed from thicket at NW corner of Holford Field, area 40 over Outer Circle toward Regent's Canal embankment 08:20 (birdman_euston). 2 Rook S, 2 ♂ Brambling at Park lodge feeder, area 17/18 (fide Tony Duckett).
• River Pool Linear Park, Catford: Siskin, 2 Lesser Redpolls, probable Woodcock (Paul Moss per JA).
• Staines Reservoir: 3 Black-necked Grebe, Oystercatcher (surrey website).
• Thorney CP: Little Egret by wooden bridge, Kingfisher between 2 bridges, 2 Common Gulls, Kestrel, Red Kite over at 11.20am, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Ring-necked Parakeet, 2 Greenfinch, Jay, Lesser Black-backed Gull, 5 Stock Doves over (Sue Giddens).

Tuesday 30th October 2012

• Aldgate (East): Short-eared Owl, mobbed by Carrion Crows, west over Back Church Lane 07:35 (D. McKenzie).
• Barking Bay area: 2 Curlew in bay, c12 Lesser Redpoll & 1 Goldcrest in Ripple Nature reserve (Ian Woodward)
• Alexandra Park: Drake Gadwall Wood Green Res (2nd record this year), also Little Grebe, 23 Woodpigeon SW, Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Siskin (h) (Bob Watts). Grey Heron perching in Res. Buzzard soaring high over the park 11.45am (Neill Hoskins)
• Amwell GP: 2 Pink-footed Goose (Herts website).
• Brent Reservoir: 9 Common Snipe; updated Viz-mig 06.30-08.30 +later: Green Sandpiper W, 66 Woodpigeon, 15 Jackdaw, Skylark, 2 Meadow Pipit, 11 Redwing, 14 Fieldfare, 44 Chaffinch, 15 Lesser Redpoll, Siskin, 2 Linnet, 8 migrant Song Thrush (Brent Birders).
• Brookmill Park: Drake Mandarin, female Great Spotted Woodpecker, Song Thrush, Chiffchaff, Goldcrest (Conrad Ellam) Some late news on the mystery gull from earlier in the year, Photos were sent to Dave Walker at Dungenesse & Paul Larkin. They both identified it as a Herring Gull / Lesser Blackback hybrid.(Conrad Ellam)
• Crayford Marshes: Spotted Redshank on the Thames foreshore near the Yacht Club; Firecrest in the hedges at the top of Moat Lane near the creek, Brambling, 92 Golden Plover, 2 Grey Plover, 4 Rock Pipit, 6 Siskin, 2 Lesser Redpoll, Greenshank, Peregrine, 2 Kingfisher, Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Cetti's Warbler. (Kev Jarvis, Philip Cliffe).
• Crossness: Northern Marsh - 1 Kingfisher, 1 Snipe, 1 Little Egret, 1 Water Rail (heard), 12 Shoveler, 8 (+?) Wigeon, 35 Lapwing, 1 Grey Heron. Sea Wall (Thames) - 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Redshank, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret (probably same bird as prev.), 56 Teal, 18 Lapwing (over), 9 Cormorant, 1 or 2 Pied Wagtail. (Chris Rose).
• Ewell (Hogsmill Open Space): 2 Grey Wagtail, 10 Black Headed Gull, two flocks of 29 & 14 Goldfinch, 6 Stock Dove, Sparrowhawk (Neil Batten).
• Greenwich, Foyle Road SE3: 15 House Sparrows in front gardens (Joe Beale).
• Greenwich Park: c40 Chaffinch W, 4-6 Brambling over, 1 Blackbird migrant and 2 Song Thrush migrants, Redpolls and Siskins heard over, Meadow Pipit, c85 Woodpigeon over, Greenfinch and 4 Goldfinch W, 15 Fieldfares (Joe Beale).
• Hampstead Heath: C.Buzzard SW, 2 Rook S, 5 Swallows S, 75 Fielfare over, 1 f Wigeon (High No1), 13 Shoveler, 12 Gadwall, 200 Chaffinches, 50 Goldfinches, 10 Siskin, 5 Redpoll, 2 Linnet ( Pete Mantle, Frank Nugent)
• London Wetland Centre: Water Pipit (Birdguides). 1 Pintail, 33 Wigeon, 32 Brambling NW, 13 Lesser Redpolls S, 123 Chaffinches NW (website). Bittern, Jack Snipe, Caspian Gull (Surrey website). Goldeneye, 1st-winter male (LWC website).
• Redbridge Lakes and Roding Valley Park: 2 Snipe, 5 Jays, Grey Heron, flock of Long-tailed Tits, Fieldfare, 2 Common Gulls, Great Crested Grebe (Alan Hobson).
• Totteridge Valley: c60 Redwing W (one flock): 2 Skylark: 2 Meadow Pipit: 9 Rook: Grey Wagtail: Bullfinch (John Colmans)
• Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park: c80 Woodpigeon SW, also 5 Chaffinch, 6+ Goldcrest, female Kestrel hunting Scrapyard Meadow yesterday pm (Bob Watts).
• Wanstead Flats: 200+ Woodpigeon south, 20 + Chaffinch, 10 + Lesser Redpoll, 5 Siskin, 4 Linnet, m Bullfinch (first this year) Alex/pub scrub, 3 Reed Bunting, 5 Fieldfare, 3 Redwing, 10 + Meadow Pipit, 5 Pied Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, 7 + Goldcrest, Kestrel, Stock Dove, 5 Shoveler, 10 Gadwall, f Teal, 10 + Skylark (Nick Croft/Jonathan Lethbridge)
• Wanstead Park: Nuthatch reservoir wood, 3 Lesser Redpoll, Siskin, Reed Bunting, Fieldfare, 65 + Pochard, 30 + Gadwall, 10 + Shoveler, Little Egret, 10 + Goldcrest, 5 Little Grebe, Grey Wagtail (Nick Croft)
• Wimbledon Common: Woodcock, Little Owl (David Wills).
• Wormwood Scrubs: 1 male Stonechat & 2 Lesser Redpoll. (Paul Thomas)

Monday 29th October 2012

• Blackheath: 2 Jackdaw on green alongside Mounts Pond Road, before Aberdeen Terrace, 10:45. (Daniel Greenwood). Also 8 Skylark over (6W, 2 S) and 1 Meadow Pipit (Joe Beale).
• Brent Reservoir: Viz-mig 06.30-09.00: (2 late Swallows feeding near hide 09.40), 59 Chaffinch, 11 Redwing, 3 Fieldfare, 82 Woodpigeon, 5 Jackdaw, 46 Starling, 3 Lesser Redpoll (Andrew Verrall).
• Crayford Marshes: male Hen Harrier flew low south-east at 07:40; Spotted Redshank feeding on the Thames foreshore near the Yacht Club; 79 Golden Plover, Common Buzzard, 3 Rock Pipit, Greenshank, 5 Yellow-legged Gull, 5 Siskin, 4 Lesser Redpoll, Kingfisher, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 82 Fieldfare, 50 Redwing, 140 Dunlin, 3 Curlew.(Kev Jarvis).
• East India Dock Basin: 280 Teal, 6 Tufted Duck, Meadow Pipit south, Grey Wagtail, Goldcrest (John Archer).
• Greenwich Park: Brambling calls heard twice, also 60+ Chaffinch W before 08:00, Meadow Pipit over, 15 Starling W and just 8 Redwings. Pair of Egyptian Geese have returned (Joe Beale).
• London Wetland Centre: 2 male Pintail, 1 female, 1Water Rail, 9 Snipe (Les Mccallum)
• Rainham Marshes: 2 Black-tailed Godwit, Little Egret, Kestrel, Pochard, Shoveler, Green Woodpecker, Lapwing, Fieldfare, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Brambling, Siskin, Grey Wagtail  Sorry! New to this site and to bird watching. '(Penny Spencer)
• Redbridge Lakes and Roding Valley Park: Jack Snipe, Grey Wagtail, Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Jay, flock of Long-tailed Tit, Fieldfare, Common Gull, Great Crested Grebe, Goldfinch, 3 Song Thrushes (Alan Hobson).
• Regent's Park/Primrose Hill: ♂ Brambling (feeding in Old Golf School wildlife pen, area 39 before flying toward zoo 08:15), 11 Chaffinch, 4 Teal (low over Longbridge sanctuary viewing platform, area 34 at 06:50), 8 Shoveler, 1 Gadwall, 2 Fieldfare S, 2 Redwing S, 2 Common Gull (birdman_euston).
• Snaresbrook: Male Firecrest, Brambling, Siskin, Lesser Redpoll, 7 Redwing, drake Shoveler (Stuart Fisher).
• Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park: Viz mig 0805-0825 - 13 Chaffinches Nw or W, 3 Woodpigeons, NW, also female Sparrowhawk, 6+ Goldcrests (Bob Watts).
• Wanstead Flats: Ring Ouzel (Long Wood heard only - JL), juv Stonechat (Alex, pub scrub), 3 Fieldfare, 3 Redwing, 9 Lesser Redpoll, 15 Siskin, 20+ Chaffinch, 5 Linnet, 3 Reed Bunting, Chiffchaff, 7 Goldcrest, 20 Meadow Pipit, 4 Pied Wagtail, 6 Skylark, Sparrowhawk (Jonathan Lethbridge/Nick Croft)
• Westminster Abbey: 1 Goldcrest in trees near entrance (Andrew Self)
• Woodlands Farm: 20+Lesser Redpoll by the pond, possible Brambling (Conrad Ellam)

Sunday 28th October 2012

• Alexandra Park: Viz mig 0650-0905 - 1777 Woodpigeon, 206 Fieldfare, 39 Redwing, 621 Starling, 114 Chaffinch, 21 Goldfinch (also 25 flocking), 8 Lesser Redpoll, 2 Siskin, 5 Linnets, 14 Jackdaw, 7 Song Thrush, 7 Blackbird, Stock Dove, 8 Meadow Pipit, 7 Magpies. Also Peregrine hunting from transmitter, pair Egyptian Geese flew south from Wood Green Res 0655, Little Grebe and c5 Common Gull Wood Green Res, 2 Chiffchaff (Gareth Richards, Bob Watts), 1 juv Kittiwake 0915-0930 at pond near the railway line, 1 Grey Wagtail (Shailesh Patel, Andrew Peel and London Bird Club birders).
• Barking Outfall: Viz Mig 06.40 - 8.45am - 907 Woodpigeon mostly south, 28 Jackdaw, Siskin, 3 Redpoll sp, 284 Fieldfare mostly north west, 11 Redwing, Wigeon, Chiffchaff, 3 Curlew, 2 Common Sandpiper, Rock Pipit, Kingfisher, 453 Teal, 200 Starling, 2 Goldcrest and 29 Redshank (Dave Morrison).
• Brent Reservoir: Crossbill over, also 1,080 Woodpigeon, 425 Starling, 340 Fieldfare, 158 Redwing, 70 Chaffinch, 25 Jackdaw & Common Buzzard etc, also 16 Wigeon (Brent Birders).
• Broadwater Lake: Egyptian Goose, Pintail (drake), 8 Red Kite, 2 Kingfisher, 3 Swallow, 2 Chiffchaff, 3 Goldcrest, Treecreeper, 20+ Siskin, Lesser Redpoll & Brambling (Simon Buckingham)
• Brookmill Park: Mandarin, Great Spotted Woodpecker, 8 Fieldfare west, Coal Tit (Conrad Ellam)
• Bushy Park: 2 Little Grebe (Heron Pond), 20+ Siskin, 35 Meadow Pipit, 5 Redwing, 8 Goldcrest, Kestrel (Bill Dykes)
• Gallions Reach: 26 Common Scoter upriver @ 11.22, then back down @ 11.40. 202 Redshank, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Curlew, 880 Fieldfare NW, 20 Redwing, 60+ Chaffinch, 20 Brambling. (Gary A James).
• Greenwich Park: viz mig; 130+ Redwing over, also 45 Starling, 7+ Skylark, 5-6 Redpoll, 260+ finches mostly Chaffinch, 350+ Fieldfare, 330+ Woodpigeon, Meadow Pipit, 1 Snipe went high NE and 11 Blackbird on the move. Yesterday's Woodcock seen briefly in flight (Joe Beale) Also 1 Rook (rare here) over, Siskins (Martin Hallam).
• Greenwich Peninsula: Probable Auk spp, seen distantly at 8.00 drifting upriver with the incoming tide, very frustrating since it was already upriver when I spotted it and I failed to catch up with it for a closer view, it was being harassed by gulls and kept diving. otherwise quiet though some vis mig 7.00-9.00: 500+Woodpigeon, 60 Fieldfare with another 10 landing in the Ecology Park, 30 Chaffinch. Also 2 Song Thrush & 1 Chiffchaff by the Beckham Adademy (Conrad Ellam)
• Hampstead Heath Extension: Viz-mig 07.30-08.30: 530 Woodpigeon SW with 62 high N and 75 East, 2 Stock Dove, 124 Chaffinch, 138 Fieldfare, 11 Redwing, 2 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Siskin, 3 Meadow Pipit all NW. Also 2 Mistle Thrush, 4 Goldcrest, 2 Jackdaw, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Nuthatch. (Rob Ayers) Very similar from Parliament Hill until 9.30 although at least 300 Fieldfare, a few Linnet and 4 Swallow (Chris Bird, Frank Nugent)
• Ladywell Cemetery SE4 : Mixed Finches, Tit and Thrushes including Chaffinches, Goldfinch, Gold Crests, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush feeding on the Yew trees at the Ladywell Entrance. (Phil Laurie)
• Leyton Oliver Road/Orient Way: Viz mig: 333 Fieldfare (N-NW), 770+ Woodpigeon, 5 Skylark, 500+ Starling plus 120 on tip, 123 Redwing, 7 Song Thrush, 3 Siskin. 12 Linnet, 7 Redpoll, 30+ Goldfinch plus 2 Chiffchaff (Stuart Fisher)
• London Wetland Centre, vis-mig 0630-1330: Rook 1st winter SE; 2 Crossbill W; 3 Collared Dove N & SE; 3,160 Woodpigeon SW & small nos. NE; Swallow S, 8 Skylark, 1,060 Fieldfare, 170 Redwing, 10 Song Thrush, 15 Brambling, 510 Chaffinch, 25 Greenfinch, 1,550 Starling, 7 Reed Bunting- all W/NW; 50 Linnet, 10 Siskin, 15 Redpoll & a Mealy Redpoll S/SW. Also a Little Egret over reserve (R. Kaye, J. Wilczur & M. Andrews).
• Queen Mary Res: Hawfinch flew low -> W over Littleton Farm/Shepperton Studios at 1010hrs (Rob Innes).
• Redbridge (Valentines Park): Nuthatch in tall plane tree up by the Mansion (B Miller).
• Redbridge Lakes and Roding Valley Park: Great Spotted Woodpecker, Grey Heron, Goldcrest, 3 Jays, Long-tailed Tit, 2 Common Gulls, Great Crested Grebe (Alan Hobson).
• Regent's Park/Primrose Hill: c3080 Woodpigeon S (mostly 07:00-07:30GMT along two parallel flight paths c1km E & W of Primrose Hill lookout), c90 Fieldfare NW, 14 Redwing NW, 90 Chaffinch W/NW; also 3 Lesser Redpoll, 2 Common Gull, 2 Shoveler (birdman_euston).
• Richmond Park: 1 Black Redstart Holly Lodge horse paddocks early am. 1 Woodcock hawthorn valley near Cambrian Gate (Hugh Bradshaw per FJM).
• Staines Moor: 5 Swallows over, 100+ Fieldfare and Redwing, 2 Skylarks, Reed Bunting, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Ring-necked Parakeet, 10+ Goldfinch, 2 Grey Wagtails, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Linnets and Starlings (Sue Giddens).
• Staines Res: in the evening, a female Scaup N basin, and two drake Common Scoter still S basin; also four Black-necked Grebes S basin, Green Sandpiper and adult Mediterranean Gull N basin (Rob Innes, Ken Purdey).
• Ten Acre Wood area: 3 Pheasant (1 all white apart from wattle), Buzzard (with full crop), 2 Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrel, 20 Lapwing, 145 Woodpigeon W, 15 Stock Dove, Kingfisher, c20 Skylark, 6 Meadow Pipit (big reduction from yesterday), 10 Pied Wagtail, 235 Fieldfare, 5 Redwing, 8 Song Thrush, pr Stonechat, 136 Starling W, Rook, 40+ Jackdaw, Lesser Redpoll W, c55 Linnet, 2 Brambling in hedge with Chaffinch flock (Neil Anderson)
• Tottenham Cemetery: Sparrowhawk with wriggling prey. Also thru sept/oct lots of Leopoldius flies and 2 Didea. (Jeremy Richardson)
• Wanstead Flats: 600 + Fieldfare, 50 + Redwing, 1700 Woodpigeon south, 158 Chaffinch, 50 + Linnet, 6 Lesser Redpoll, Brambling, 2 Siskin, 4 Reed Bunting, 500 + Starling, 20 + Skylark, 10 + Meadow Pipit, Grey Wagtail, 4 Pied Wagtail, Peregrine Falcon (Bob Vaughan), 2-3 Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Snipe (Jonathan Lethbridge/Nick Croft/Bob Vaughan)
• Wanstead Park: Kingfisher (Steve Thorpe)
• Yeading Brook: Little Egret, Sparrowhawk, 400+ Woodpigeon, 2 Skylark, 130 Redwing (c20 feeding in hedges), 74 Fieldfare (few down), Lesser Redpoll (Neil Anderson).

Saturday 27th October 2012

• Alexandra Park: Viz mig 0745-0955: 64 Lapwing W (flocks of 18, 25, 21), 133 Fieldfare, 31 Redwing, 392 Starling, 451 Woodpigeon, 29 Chaffinch, 9 Redpoll (of which at least 3 certainly Lesser as they landed though all strawberry jam on breasts so initial thoughts to confirm not Mealy), Linnet, Siskin (h), 3 Skylark, 11 Jackdaw, Snipe, Swallow, Song Thrush, Meadow Pipit, Stock Dove, 2 Jays (Bob Watts).
• Beddington SF: Woodlark south (Surrey website).
• Blackheath: Meadow Pipit, Siskins heard over, Skylarks heard x2 (late morning) (Joe Beale).
• Brent Reservoir: Little Egret, Peregrine, Common Buzzard, 13 Wigeon, 5 Snipe; Viz-mig 07.30-09.30: 1,320 Woodpigeon S, 550 Starling W, 79 Redwing, 49 Fieldfare, 21 Chaffinch (Brent Birders).
• Brookmill Park: Drake Mandarin, 2 Fieldfare west 11.00 (Conrad Ellam)
• Brunel University: 1 Little Egret, R. Pinn, 1 Redwing over. (Roger Dewey)
• Gallions Reach: 6 Common Scoter, 2 Curlew, 51 Lapwing, 1 Common Snipe, 165 Redwing, 74 Fieldfare. (Gary A James).
• Greenwich Park: 2 Peregrines play-fighting at first light, drifted E. Redpoll/s heard, Goldcrests.Mainly 08:00-10:00: Min 520+ Fieldfare mainly W, 190+ Redwing mainly W, 220+ Woodpigeon S, 150+ Starlings W, 45 Lapwings in four flocks was a good number, between N and W, some Chaffinch movement W and 2 Swallows over; much more viz mig than this over a wide area, could see distant flocks, so these counts are underestimates (Joe Beale). Woodcock flushed from deer park c915am (Martin Halllam per James Lowen)
• Hampstead Heath: c40 Lapwing over W at 10:50; Common Buzzard over N at 11:20 (Frank Nugent).
• Hilfield Park Reservoir: Kittiwake (Birdguides).
• Leyton Oliver Road/Orient Way: 2 Brambling over, 41 Lapwing west, 600 Starling (500 north), fem Peregrine, 3 Lesser Redpoll, Siskin, 40+ Goldfinch, 2 Skylark (one in field nr Orient Way), 42 Fieldfare, 380 Woodpigeon (mostly west) (Stuart Fisher)
• London Wetland Centre: Woodlark 1 W 8.05, also Jack Snipe (very elusive), 3 Pintail etc. (website) Pair Grey Wagtail, pair Stonechat, Goldcrest, m. f. Sparrowhawk, m. Kestrel (Martin Honey)
• Lower Chingford (off Russell Lane): 1 female Goosander (James Palmer).
• Orchard Estate SE13: 50+Redwing & 4 Fieldfare west 9.00 (Conrad Ellam)
• Regent's Park/Primrose Hill: c160 Redwing N, c40 Fieldfare N, c120 Woodpigeon W/SW, 20 Chaffinch, 4 Common Gull, 7 Gadwall, 1 Shoveler (birdman_euston).
• Richmond Park, Pen Ponds: Shelduck, 29 Wigeon, 11 Teal, Shoveler male, 14 Red-crested Pochard. Vis mig, 8.15-9.15: 490 Redwing, 85 Fieldfare, 60 Song Thrush, 230 Starling, 50 Chaffinch, 12 Redpoll- all WNWish (J.Wilczur).1 Barn Owl hunting between Cambrian Gate horse track and Hawthorn valley @ 18.50 in the dark without bins. Perched on stake fence for 5 mins. (Franko J Maroevic)
• South Norwood Lake: 1m Wigeon, 1f Kestrel, 4 Chiffchaffs, 4 Lesser Redpoll, 2 Redwing (John Watson & Gavin Hawgood)
• Staines Reservoir: 2 Common Scoter, Goldeneyes, 1 Green Sandpiper, 12 Fieldfare and 5 Lapwing flying N. (Shailesh Patel).
• Stocker's Lake: 5 Goldeneye 4fem 1m (Herts website).
• Ten Acre Wood area: covey 5 Red-legged Partridges, Sparrowhawk, 15 Lapwing, Snipe, 18+ Skylark, 25+ Meadow Pipits, 100+ Fieldfare W (few feeding on site), 5 Redwing, pr Stonechats, c30 Jackdaws, c15 Linnets (Neil Anderson)
• Totteridge Valley: lots of vis mig: 1 Curlew, 1 Snipe, 42 Lapwing, 3 Yellowhammer, 1 Linnet, 14 Redpoll, 33 Siskin, 25 Meadow Pipit, 11 Skylark, 450 Woodpigeon, 120 Fieldfare, 45 Redwing, 60 Starling. Present: 1 Reed Bunting, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Sparrowhawk, 5 Mandarin, 28 Rook, 1 Little Owl. (Ian Ellis)
• Trent Park: 1 immature male Wigeon, Lower Lake - our first of the year for the local patch (Robert Callf & Robin White).
• Tyttenhanger GP Green Sandpiper, Water Rail, Little Grebe, c500 Starling, 41Redwing, 12 Fieldfare, 56 Skylark,c50 Linnet. (Steve Blake)
• Vicarage Farm (Enfield): 2 Bullfinch, including a juvenile/1st-winter female, Sidhil's Field; 2(m&f) Yellowhammer, here also; 2 Fieldfare and a few Redwing; 1 Lesser Redpoll (Robert Callf & Robin White)
• Wanstead Flats: 125 Lapwing west, 2 Snipe, 10-15 unidentified med-large waders west roughly over West Ham park tracked through Bow Creek, c. 300 Fieldfare, c. 150 Redwing, 20 Song Thrush, 500 + Wood Pigeon south, 30 + Chaffinch, 1 Brambling, 3 Linnet, Siskin, Lesser Redpoll, Reed Bunting, 20 + Meadow Pipit, 10 + Skylark, 2 Chiffchaff, 5 Goldcrest, 3 Teal, 23 Shoveler, 5 Gadwall, Common Pochard, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, 2 Swallow north - 54 sp (Wanstead Birding)
• Wanstead Park: Little Egret, 2 Grey Heron, Wigeon, 4 Shoveler, 40+ Common Pochard, similar numbers Tufted Duck, 30 + Gadwall, 4 Little Grebe, 8 + Goldcrest, Siskin (Nick Croft/Jonathan Lethbridge)
• William Girling Reservoir: 1 Long-tailed Duck, 2 Whooper Swans, 2 Goosander, 1 Dunlin, 13+ Black-necked Grebes (Graham White via Londonbirders)
• Worcester Park: (0900-1100) 270 Fieldfare W, 110 Redwing W, Redpoll, 50 Stock Dove, Red Kite east (Bob Smith)
• Yeading Brook: Buzzard hunting 7.50 mobbed by Crow, Kestrel, Skylark, 3 Meadow Pipits, c180 Redwing W, 2 Fieldfare W, 14 Jackdaw, 4 Linnets (Neil Anderson)

Friday 26th October 2012

• Alexandra Park: Redwing passage noted in the dark at 7am (Bob Watts).
• Battersea Park: 4 Skylark over high 08:20, 4 Shoveler on the lake (Michael Mac).
• Beddington SF: 200+ Brent Goose flew west (Birdguides), 2 Knot E, 3 Pintail E, 4 Little Gull, 1 Rock Pipit, 2 Brambling (PA, RB, RD) pics
• Brent Reservoir: 6 Snipe, 6 Wigeon, Lapwing; Viz-Mig 07.30-09.40: 91 Redwing W, 72 Fieldfare W, 305 Woodpigeon S, 2 Meadow Pipit, 33 Chaffinch, 2 Lesser Redpoll, Siskin (Andrew Verrall, Andrew Haynes).
• Brookmill Park: Mandarin, Kingfisher, 2 Goldcrest (Conrad Ellam).
• Canon's Farm: 500+ Fieldfare on ground late pm (twitter/blog).
• Crayford Marshes: adult Iceland Gull landed near the creek barrier briefly then flew up river; 12 White-fronted Goose flew high down river; 28 Brent Goose over the Thames; 1st winter Kittiwake flew up the Thames; Water Pipit, juvenile Marsh Harrier, 2 Mediterranean Gull, 62 Golden Plover, Knot, 13 Grey Plover, 2 Rock Pipit, 5 Yellow-legged Gull, 2 Greenshank (Kev Jarvis,Ian Stewart)
• Dagenham Chase LNR : 1 Yellowhammer flew over the slack calling at 12:41pm, 4 Black-tailed Godwit circled the slack briefly at 2:27pm then flew towards Hornchurch CP, 1 male Stonechat on the travellers field, Lapwing build up to 36 birds, Water Rail and Cetti's Warbler heard, 1 Little Egret over, a scattering of Fieldfare and Redwing, a few Redpoll over (V.Halley-Frame).
• Gallions Reach: Arctic Skua downriver @ 09.20, 5 Little Gull, 1 1W Kittiwake, Arctic Tern, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Knot, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Curlew, 127 Redshank, 3 Wigeon, 54 Redwing. (Gary A James).
• Greenwich Park: 130+ Fieldfare mainly W, 230+ Redwing mainly W with some lingering, also c50 thrush sp W and 2 Song Thrush migrants. Redpoll heard, 165+ Woodpigeon S/SW, plenty of Goldcrest around (Joe Beale).
• London Wetland Centre: Snow Bunting flew NW at 08.05 (BirdGuides).
• Snaresbrook: male Firecrest, 5 Goldcrest, 9 Siskin, 2 Lesser Redpoll, 16 Redwing (Stuart Fisher).
• Regent's Park/Primrose Hill: 100+ Redwing N, 50+ Fieldfare N, 200+ Woodpigeon, 20+ Chaffinch, 1 Redpoll, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Common Gull on lake, 2 Wigeon (the first of the autumn here was seen sometime last week, I'm told), 1 Gadwall, 8 Shoveler (birdman_euston).
• Staines Moor: 2 Golden Plover N, 11 Common Snipe, 1 Swallow S, 5 Stonechat, 7 Wigeon, 3 Grey Wagtail, 8 alba wagtail, c100 Fieldfare, c60 Redwing, 5 Redpoll and c200 Woodpigeon (Lee Dingain)
• Stoneleigh (The Glade & surrounding roads): 14 Redwing (Neil Batten).
• Thames Road Wetland: 1, possibly 2 different, Water Rail seen. 1 Kestrel from Stanham Farm direction hovered over site briefly, then flew north. 1 Goldfinch. 1 Chaffinch. (Chris Rose).
• Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park: Viz mig 0800-0825: 82 Redwing mainly W including flock of 60, 51 Woodpigeon W, 12 Chaffinch mainly W, 8+ Goldcrest (Bob Watts).
• Walthamstow Reservoirs: f Goosander, 3 Goldeneye (m & 2f), Teal & 3 Wigeon all at N end of Lockwood this am (Lol Bodini).
• Walton Reservoir: White-fronted Goose over; also Brent Goose and Sanderling (BirdGuides).
• Wanstead Flats: m Stonechat, 200 + Redwing, 66 Fieldfare (mainly north), 30 + Song Thrush, 3 Brambling, 4 Siskin, 6+ Lesser Redpoll, Linnet, Reed Bunting, 10+ Skylark, 40+ Meadow Pipit, 7+ Goldcrest, 1000+ Woodpigeon south, Sparrowhawk, Snipe, 14 Shoveler, 3 Swallow (north) (Nick Croft/Tim Harris/Jonathan Lethbridge, Rob and Doug).
• Wanstead Park: 36 Fieldfare, 10 Redwing (north), Siskin, 3 Meadow Pipit, 17 Pochard, 33 Tufted Duck, 10+ Gadwall, Teal, 5 Little Grebe, 10+ Goldcrest, Sparrowhawk (Nick Croft).
• Wormwood Scrubs: Short-eared Owl flushed underfoot in the grassland at 0740. Still present at 0900. Also female Ring Ouzel still, 2 Bullfinch, c50 Fieldfare, c80 Redwing, 1 Skylark, c300 Black-headed Gull & c20 Meadow Pipit (The Scrubbers).

Thursday 25th October 2012

• Barnes Thames Path: 3 Teal on the river (Mark H)
• Beddington SF: 6 Brent Goose, 6 Little Gull, 8 Golden Plover, 1 Dunlin, 80+ Woodpigeon (BFBG)
• Brent Reservoir: adult Little Gull by rafts 10.42 then around dam, 10 Snipe, 12 Wigeon; Viz-Mig 07.30-10.00: single Swallow, 3 Skylark, 2 Meadow Pipits, 76 Redwing, 11 Fieldfare, 125 Starling, 73 Woodpigeon, 13 Lesser Redpoll, 2 Siskin, 76 Chaffinch (Andrew Verrall).
• Brookmill Park: Mandarin, Kingfisher, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Goldcrest (Conrad Ellam).
• Crayford Marshes: 2 drake Common Scoter on the Thames; 2 Bearded Tit flew over calling, then headed towards the Yacht club reed bed; 21 Dark-bellied Brent Goose flew down river; 12 Little Gull flew down river; Spotted Redshank near the creek barrier at high tide; Knot, 42 Golden Plover, 2 Rock Pipit, 2 Curlew, 2 Greenshank, Lesser Redpoll, 2 Stonechat. updates @Kevmjarvis  (Kev Jarvis)
• East India Dock Basin: Peregrine, 185 Teal 4 Tufted Duck (John Archer).
• Ewell (Lower Mill & Hogsmill Open Space): Kingfisher, Juv. Grey Wagtail, 2 Redwing, 7 Stock Dove, 2 Herring Gull over, 32 Goldfinch in one flock (Neil Batten).
• Greenhithe: 2 Dark-bellied Brent Goose downriver plus 14 Little Gulls (D. Darrell-Lambert, chatgroup).
• Greenwich Park: 6 Brent Goose SW @ around 08:50, seen soon afterwards heading SW over Beddington, around 09:00. 2 Bramblings over, Meadow Pipit, Song thrush and Blackbird (migrants over), 25+ Redwing over, 2-3 Redpolls over, 54 Woodpigeon SW, 2+ Skylarks, c85 Starlings W (Joe Beale).
• Gunpowder Park: 2 Common Buzzard, 2 (m&f) Kestrel, 1(m) Yellowhammer same place as yesterday, but flew off east. 1 Mistle Thrush, 23 Fieldfare north,1 Bullfinch, 2 Reed Bunting. 1 drake Mandarin roosting at Osier marsh (Neville Smith)
• Hampstead (Spaniards Close near Heath): 3 Lapwing over c3pm (Neil Anderson)
• Island Barn Reservoir: adult Gannet 1540-1636 when flew west. photo (DMH).
• KGV Reservoir: 1 Greenshank and 1 Dunlin on the causway,1 Lapwing north basin, 4 Goosander, 8 Goldeneye, 6 Little Grebe.1 Brambling feeding with Chaff's on the west bank by metal fence near causway (Neville Smith).
• London Wetland Centre: Jack Snipe, Brambling (website); Water Pipit (Birdguides).
• Mudchute Farm: 4 Jackdaw in sheep enclosure, 5 Monk Parakeet, Common Gull (Richard Harrison).
• Orchard Estate, Greenwich: I saw the 27 Brent Goose flying west @ about 4pm, I wasn't sure what they were since they were flying high (in a V formation) and I didn't have my bins (Conrad Ellam)
• Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park: 6+ Goldcrests (Bob Watts).
• Rainham Marshes: 9 Little Gull, 27 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 2 drake Common Scoter all heading out of Thames Estuary, also Knot, Spotted Redshank (Rainham blog).
• Staines Moor: 27 Dark-bellied Brent Goose E (pics here ), 1 Wigeon E, 2-3 Swallow, 31 Fieldfare, 25+ Redwing, 13 Redpoll, 3 Siskin, 5 alba wagtails, 2 Grey Wagtail, 5 Reed Bunting, 2 Stonechat, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Little Egret and 1 Common Snipe. (Lee Dingain).
• Stoke Newington Reservoirs: 1 drake Teal, 9 Redwing east, 1 Sparrowhawk. (TeRNS)
• Thames Road Wetland: 1 or 2 Water Rail heard, 1 Little Egret (over). (Chris Rose).
• Walthamstow: Crossbill NE over Acacia Rd at midday (Pete Mantle)
• Wanstead Flats: 4 Brambling, c. 100 Chaffinch manily north again, 13 Lesser Redpoll, 6 Siskin, 8 Linnet, Reed Bunting, 60 Fieldfare, 30 + Redwing, 35 + Song Thrush, 20 + Meadow Pipit, 10 + Pied Wagtail, 18 Skylark, 3 Goldcrest, 2 Chiffchaff, c 1,000 Starling through north, 4 Gadwall, 2 Shoveler yesterday Hawfinch seen at 17:20 over Esso Copse and west along Long Wood (Nick Croft/TOny Brown/Jonathan Lethbridge/Doug  Eve Wei)
• Worcester Park (train station): 40-50 geese in v-shaped skein, assumed Brent Goose (smallish, impression of Brent but quite high, murky, no calls, no bins) E @ 08.42. Does not seem to tally with other day sightings in terms of numbers, times or direction. Anyone else see these? (Simon Osborn)
• Wormwood Scrubs: 1 Brent Goose from the north and headed SW plus a female Ring Ouzel seen briefly on the embankment. Viz mig: c5 Fieldfare, c6 Redwing, 5 Lesser Redpoll including 2 on the deck within the grassland, 1 Skylark, c12 Chaffinch, c84 Wood Pigeon, c250 Starling. Also c60 House Sparrow leaving their roost, c40 Meadow Pipit & c3 Reed Bunting. (The Scrubbers)

Wednesday 24th October 2012

• Beddington: 1 ad, 1 2nd win Mediterranean Gull, 2 Golden Plover, 3 Snipe, 1 Dunlin, 1 Green Sandpiper, 46 Lapwing, 7 Siskin, 10 Redpoll, 105 Redwing, 37 Fieldfare, 4 Swallow, 4000+ Starling (PA BFBG)
• Blackheath: 12 Meadow Pipit feeding, 21+ Pied Wagtail (Joe Beale).
• Brent Reservoir: viz-mig: Brambling, 2 Fieldfare & 3 Skylark over, 12 Lapwing south, 32 Redwing, 119 Chaffinch, 17 Siskin, Linnet; also Green Sandpiper, 6 Common Snipe (Brent Birders).
• Brookmill Park: Drake Mandarin, 3 Goldcrest (Conrad Ellam) +pm: Kingfisher, Great Spotted Woodpecker.
• Catford SE6 (River Pool): Little Egret, cock Pheasant (tom)
• Crayford Marshes: Dark-bellied Brent Goose on the Thames a.m; Spotted Redshank feeding on the Thames foreshore near the Erith Yacht Club; juvenile Marsh Harrier, 4 Brambling, 39 Golden Plover, 3 Greenshank, 3 Rock Pipit, Green Sandpiper. (Kev Jarvis).
• Dagenham Chase LNR : 2nd Winter Mediterranean Gull on the slack for about 20 mins until 3:10pm, Peregrine over, many Skylark over inc flock of 7 and lots of singletons, 1 Common Snipe, 30+ Redwing, 2 flocks of Fieldfare, 17 Lapwing over + 16 different on the slack, Cetti's Warbler heard, Siskin heard, poss Brambling heard, a few Redpoll over. ( V.Halley Frame ).
• Greenwich Park: 5+ Skylarks over late morning, Meadow Pipit over, plenty of Goldcrests still (Joe Beale).
• Hampstead Heath: Parliament Hill (0930-1100) Curlew high N at 1030, 5 Lapwing W, 40 Skylark N, 150 Chaffinch N, 75 Meadow Pipit N, 25 Redpoll N, 50 Goldfinch N, 40 Redwing over, 30 Black-headed Gull W, 10 Common Gull W ( Pete Mantle).
• KGV Reservoir: 10 Little Grebe,1 (redhead) Goosander, 9 Goldeneye, 4 Wigeon, 1 Water Rail calling by Mossop's Creek, 2 Kestrel, 1 Peregrine on a pylon north basin. 2 Swallow south, 9 Skylark north, 4 Grey Wagtail, 20+ Meadow Pipit, 1 Fielfare west, 1 Mistle Thrush north, 1 Brambling north, a flock of 60+ Goldfinch west bank, 4 Lesser Redpoll and 1 Siskin over (Neville Smith).
• Rainham Marshes: Pink-footed Goose (Birdguides)
• Snaresbrook/Leyton Flats: 2 Firecrest (Snaresbrook), Brambling East, 5 Skylark NW, 32 Redwing, Reed Bunting SW, 3 Lesser Redpoll, 9 Goldcrest, Siskin, 11 Fieldfare North, Coal Tit (Stuart Fisher)
• Staines Reservoir: 2 Common Scoter (08:35 at far side of South basin, light fog made view a bit difficult). (PFM with Bob Warden).
• Sewardstone Marsh: 1 Little Egret in relief channel, 2 Egyptian Goose and 2 Greylag Goose over onto the KGV reservoir, 2 Common Buzzard, 2 Sparrowhawk, 6 Lesser Redpoll, 5 Fieldfare, 1 (m) Yellowhammer by Sewardstone Road. (Neville Smith).
• Tolworth (A3 junction): 1 Peregrine over west at dusk (Lee Dingain)
• Tooting Bec Common (north end, Triangle Field, 12.10pm): 1 Sparrowhawk mobbed by 2 gulls (Nick Granger-Taylor).
• Totteridge Valley: 1 Swallow S around 9.15: viz-mig between approx 10 and 11am produced c50 Skylark; c50 Starling: c20 Chaffinch: 1 Meadow Pipit: also c25 Redwing in the area; 1 Bullfinch (hd): 1 drake Mandarin on Darlands Lake (John Colmans).
• Walthamstow Marshes: Firecrest (1 with Goldcrest near filter beds), 9 Ring-necked Parakeet, 4 'probable' Crossbills over (too brief a view, dang!), Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, 2 imm. Great Black-backed Gulls (filter beds). Earlier Skylark & Jackdaw over house. (Lol Bodini).
• Wanstead Flats: 57 Lapwing west, c. 200 Chaffinch, 44 Siskin, 8 Lesser Redpoll, 10 Linnet, Reed Bunting, 46 Redwing, 63 Fieldfare, 20 Meadow Pipit, 8 Pied Wagtail, c. 20 Skylark, 6 Goldcrest, m Sparrowhawk, m Kestrel, 10 Gadwall, f Teal, 7 Shoveler, Chiffchaff, Swallow north, and a Ferret on a lead (Nick Croft/Steve Thorpe et al).
• William Girling Reservoir: Long-tailed Duck (Birdguides)
• Wormwood Scrubs: c2 female-type Ring Ouzels on the embankment and in the grassland respectively late morning. Plus c10 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Lapwing, c30 Redwing seen with others just heard, 1 Fieldfare (our 1st of the winter), 1 Skylark & c30 Meadow Pipits. (Roy Nuttall & David Lindo)

Tuesday 23rd October 2012

• Alexandra Park:  Viz-mig 08.00 - 09.00 very strong, though most birds tracking NE and audible only. 60+ redwings, 12 Fieldfare, 6 blackbirds, 15 skylarks, many more meadow pipits, chaffinches, goldfinches visible and identified by call (Jonathan Cooke).
• Beddington: 1 ad Little Gull, 1 Redshank, 1 Wheatear (PA)
• Borough: Grey Wagtail over Borough tube station. Great Spotted Woodpecker in St. George's Church garden (Tony Stones).
• Brent Reservoir: Viz-mig 07.20-10.20: 109 Redwing, 5 Fieldfare, House Martin, 3 Skylark, 131 Starling, Linnet, 252 Chaffinch, 2 Siskin, 3 L.Redpoll + 8 seen in trees by Steve; also 4 Lapwing, 1 Green Sandpiper on raft and mud, 6 C.Snipe, 6 Wigeon (Steve Blake, Andrew Verrall).
• Brockwell Park: 7 Redwing and 2 Fieldfare NW, 1 Grey Wagtail (Tony Stones)
• Bushy Park: 2 Skylarks, 40 Meadow Pipits, 150 Redwings, 30 Fieldfares, 40 Song Thrushes, 2 Lesser Redpolls, 10 Siskins (Tony Duckett).
• Crayford Marshes: Spotted Redshank feeding on the Thames forehore near Erith Yacht Club; 3 Brambling, 4 Knot, 3 Siskin, 16 Lesser Redpoll, 26 Golden Plover 4 Rock Pipit, Greenshank, 6 Black-tailed Godwit, 7 Swallow, Kingfisher, 24 Redwing. (updates @kevmjarvis)
• Dagenham Chase LNR: 2 Swallow flew NW, 50+ Redwing, a few Goldcrest and Chiffchaff, 1 male Blackcap, 1-2 Grey Wagtail. ( V.Halley-Frame ).
• East India Dock Basin: juv Wigeon (just the 4th record since 1998, I'm reliably informed!), Little Grebe, 120 Teal, 12 Tufted Ducks, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Grey Wagtail (John Archer).
• Edgwarebury, Edgware, Middx: male Ring Ouzel (Fay Broom per Bob Husband).
• Ewell (Hogsmill Open Space): 13 Redwing and 3 Meadow Pipit SE, 2 Nuthatch, 4 Song Thrush, 1 Scandinavian type Blackbird, 12 Stock Dove, 24 Goldfinch in flock, 1 Common Gull, 4 Herring Gull (Neil Batten).
• Greenwich Park: 2 Hawfinches over W @ 15:30. Also 4 migrant Song Thrushes. (Joe Beale and Yu-Hsuan Lin).
• Greenwich: Siskins, Redpolls, 1 Redwing and Song Thrush all seen/heard over (Joe Beale)
• Greenwich Peninsula: Male & female Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaff & 1 Goldcrest with Tit flock (mostly Long-tailed) around the Ecology Park + Stock Dove flew out of the Alder Carr, 3 Yellow-legged Gulls by the O2 Arena (Conrad Ellam)
• Hampstead Heath: 2 Lesser Redpoll ,Parliament Hill 08:30. (Allan Stewart)
• Leyton Oliver Road: From my balcony 7:30_ 9:00am: 2 Snipe over, 10 Redwing, 1 Fieldfare, 2 Blackbirds, 5 Song Thrush, 115 Chaffinch (most north), Skylark NW, Mistle Thrush (Stuart Fisher)
• London Wetland Centre: Ring Ouzel circled lagoon, Mealy Redpoll in trees, Jack Snipe, Brambling over etc (website).
• Oakwood Park, N14: 2(m&f) Green Woodpecker, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Song Thrush, including one singing, 1 Chiffchaff, with 4 Long-tailed Tits, 3 Goldcrest, 1 Nuthatch, 10 Goldfinch (Robert Callf).
• Osterley Park: 09.18 1 flyover Hawfinch heading vaguely NW (a local patch lifer!) . 2 Stonechat, and also a notable influx of Goldcrest. (K.Fisher)
• Rammey Marsh: 2 Fieldfare feeding, 100+Redwing over, 5 Bullfinch, 30+Siskin - north, 80+Chaffinch - north, 5 Goldcrest, 1 Grey Wagtail, Kingfisher. (Neville Smith)
• Regent's Park: female Red-breasted Merganser (Park's 3rd record), Short-eared Owl 2.30pm, 8 Lapwings, Woodlark, 285 Redwings, 50 Blackbirds (Tony Duckett).
• South Norwood Country Park: Sparrowhawk, Water Rail, Short-eared Owl, Grey Wagtail, 2 Siskin, 7 Lesser Redpoll (J.A. Hughes)
• Staines Reservoir: 3 drake Common Scoter (website) also 3 Swallow, Skylark, 20 Linnet, 2 alba Pied Wagtail (M Bournat)
• Tooting Bec Common (north end, Triangle Field environs) 2.10 -3.20pm: Goldfinch, House Sparrow, Long-Tailed Tit, 1 singing Goldcrest, 1 Song Thrush, several Jay, c 45 Black-headed Gull on field; 1 probable Little Owl flying south over field, heard calling only (not seen through trees of Triangle Wood; call at c 5 sec intervals sounding like the "gooek" querying call of Little Owl) (Nick Granger-Taylor).
• Wanstead Flats: Hawfinch, again circling over Esso Garage, 2 birds heard (NC/AH), f Brambling, 3 Woodlark west, 2 Golden Plover north (both TB), 1st winter Ring Ouzel north of Long Wood (ST), also 100 + Chaffinch, 4 Lesser Redpoll, Linnet, Reed Bunting, 30 + Song Thrush, 60 + Redwing, Fieldfare, 15 Meadow Pipit, 6 Pied Wagtail, 5 Skylark, 7 + Goldcrest, 2 Chiffchaff, 9 Gadwall + unidentified large game bird type flushed from Alex scrub - record shots of Hawfinch and slightly better Brambling here. (Nick Croft/Tony Brown/Adam Hudson/Steve Thorpe et al)

Monday 22nd October 2012

• Brent Reservoir: Limited vis-mig in patchy fog 07.20-09.20, single Brambling, 26 Chaffinch, 9 Redwing, Skylark, Lesser Redpoll, Pied Wagtail, 2 Jackdaw, Song Thrush, 7 Greenfinch, 17 Goldfinch (Andrew Verrall).
• Brookmill Park: Mandarin, Kingfisher, Goldcrest (Conrad Ellam).
• Crayford Marshes: Rock Pipit, Greenshank, 3 Golden Plover, 2 Curlew, 36 Redwing (Kev Jarvis).
• Danson Park: 2 Great Crested Grebe, 1f Tufted Duck, 2 Egyptian Goose adults with 2 three inch tall downy chicks grazing with 1 Greylag and 51 Canada, plus 1 lone Egyptian adult, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Mute Swan, approx 70 Coot, 5 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Jay, 1 Goldfinch, 91 Ring-necked Parakeet (over) (Chris Rose).
• Dulwich Park: 3 Jay, 9 Redwing, 7 Blackbird, 2 Song Thrush, 1 Mistle Thrush, c50 Redpoll, 2 Siskin, c24 Long-tailed tit, 2 Coal tit, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Cormorant, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1st winter Herring Gull. Also one Ring Ouzel like alarm call from neighboring gardens on Frank Dixon Way (Martin Stevens).
• East India Dock Basin: Kingfisher, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrest, 2 Redwing, 6+ Song Thrush, 30 Chaffinch, Grey Wagtail, Jay, 30 Teal, 3 Tufted Duck (John Archer).
• High Point Village, Hayes Town: Peregrine Falcon on window ledge around 7.45am (T James).
• London Wetland Centre: Jack Snipe, 8 Common Snipe, 37 Redpoll, 28 Siskin, 1 Peregrine, 107 Shoveler, 17 Redwing, 27 Chaffinch (website).
• Lord's Cricket Ground: Grey Wagtail again present - also there yesterday (John Colmans).
• Rammey Marsh: 1 Swallow south @10:30, 80+ Redwing by the canal 44 over west, 6 Goldcrest, 3 Bullfinch, 8 Siskin, 2 Lesser Redpoll over (Neville Smith).
• Richmond Park: Ring Ouzel still, 24 Blackbird, 5 Song Thrush, Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, 9 Goldcrest. Hawthorn Valley-Sawyer's Hill-Sidmouth Slope (J.Wilczur).
• Snaresbrook: ad winter Mediterranean Gull Eagle Pond at 12:35 then flew south, 2 Firecrest (male giving partial song) in Ivy 12:50 then moved north, 8+ Goldcrest, Kingfisher (Eagle Pond), Siskin, 17 Blackbird, 2 Song Thrush (Stuart Fisher)
• Tooting Common: 2 Egyptian Goose, 2 Green Woodpecker, 2+ Stock Dove, Cormorant, Grey Heron (James Hudson).
• Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park: Chiffchaff with mixed tit flock, alos 10+ Chaffinches north (Bob Watts).
• Wanstead Flats: Hawfinch (circled over Esso Copse calling before going north - NC), 2-3m Ring Ouzels (+ female), 20+ Redwing, 30+ Song Thrush, 9 Gadwall, 6 Shoveler, f Teal, Reed Bunting, 4 Chiffchaff, f Blackcap, 5 Goldcrest (Nick Croft/Jonathan Lethbridge).

Sunday 21st October 2012

• Alexandra Park: vis-mig 0730-0910, Brambling N 0808, Peregrine circled then NE 0855, pair Egyptian Goose over towards res, 21 Redwing, 36 Starling, 2 Linnet, 4 Greenfinch, 4 Redpoll, 29 Chaffinch, alba Wagtail, 6 Song Thrush, 7 Meadow Pipit, 2 Blackbird, 17 Woodpigeon, 4 Mistle Thrush (Bob Watts).
• Beddington SF: 2 Ring Ouzel (Twitter per David Campbell), Marsh Harrier, 10 Golden Plover, Water Pipit, Brambling pics (PA BFBG)
• Barking Bay: 3 Ring Ouzel, Lesser Redpoll, Siskin, Goldcrest, 5 Jackdaw (P Hawkins, S Harvey)
• Blackheath: 2 Skylark (Martin Hallam), also 4 species of gull, Meadow Pipit, male Kestrel hunting around the Dips, mobbed by Parakeets and Magpies (Joe Beale); 4 Siskin over late morning (James Lowen).
• Brent Reservoir: vis-mig 07.20-09.20: 2 Brambling (one landed), 89 Chaffinch, 124 Woodpigeon, 25 Redwing, 9 Mistle Thrush, 5 Song Thrush, 3 Lesser Redpoll, Siskin; also Green Sandpiper west over Dump (Andrew Verrall).
• Canons Farm: 2 Ring Ouzel at Slangs (Ian Magness per David Campbell); Brambling in field NE of Lambert's Shaw (Paul Goodman per DC).
• Cheshunt (Theobald's Park and New River): c100 Golden Plover, 1 Buzzard, 3 Meadow Pipit, 1 Grey Wagtail, 4 Redwing (Brian Dawton and Shailesh Patel).
• Chingford Hatch/Woodford golf course: 8 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Pheasant [unusual here] (Ian Woodward).
• Dagenham Chase LNR : Adult winter Mediterranean Gull flew over the travellers field at 11:15am then dropped into the slack then flushed by a Sparrowhawk, 1 Wigeon, 5 Jackdaw, 3-4 Chiffchaff, several Redwing, 2 adult Great Black-backed Gull on Eastbrook school playing fields (1 with red band on left leg), Water Rail and Cetti's Warbler heard and a few Redpoll over (V.Halley-Frame).
• Enfield (EN2): Little Egret flew south along London Road at 10.15 (Simon West).
• Gallions Reach: 1 Brent Goose upriver @12.57, 2 Curlew, 133 Redshank, 1st winter Mediterranean Gull, 2 Rock Pipit, 24 Redwing, 4 Lesser Redpoll (Gary A James & Paul Davis).
• Grange Waters Complex: 17 Redwing, 2 Chiffchaff, 112 Tufted Duck, 2 Common Buzzard, 5 Goldcrest, 2 Yellowhammer, 17 Song Thrush, Stonechat, 60 Skylark, 7 Wigeon, 3 Redpoll sp, 2 Cetti's Warbler and 57 Siskin (Dave Morrison).
• Greenwich Park: Meadow Pipits over, two Siskin parties (maybe 10-12 total), 1 Redpoll, 3-4 Redwing, Chiffchaff, Goldcrests, 2 migrant Song Thrush and others which were probably fresh in (Joe Beale).
• Hampstead Heath: Pair of Bullfinch uphill from bandstand + 2 Blackcap at 0900 (Pete Mantle).
• Herne Hill: Ring Ouzel (Birdguides). Where exactly was this? According to RBA it was in Brockwell Park
• Leyton Oliver Road and Orient Way: 3 Egyptian Goose north over my flat, 4 Teal in drainage dyke near Orient Way, Meadow Pipit, 9 Siskin, 5 Lesser Redpoll, 5 Mistle Thrush, 3 Song Thrush, 5 Goldcrest (S Fisher).
• London Wetland Centre: 2 drake Pintail. 14 Blackbirds, male Blackcap & 2 Chiffchaff en route to tower hide (J.Wilczur); Bittern seen on resr lagoon am then later flying across main lake 16.45 (Adam Salmon).
• Regent's Park: 16 Pink-footed Goose flew east at 8.55am, Peregrine, 2 Sparrowhawk, 34 Common Gull, 36 Meadow Pipit, 2 Ring Ouzel 8.48am & 9.02am, 11 Redwing, 16 Mistle Thrush, 10 Song Thrush, 2 Chiffchaff, 60 Chaffinch, 48 Goldfinch, 11 Siskin, 3 Lesser Redpoll (Tony Duckett).
• Richmond Park: Ring Ouzel 10.25 (Birdguides), still present 1pm in hawthorns near top of slope NW of Pen Ponds, Short-eared Owl over at13.30 (S. Read per JW).
• Staines Reservoir: 3 Black-necked Grebe, 6 Goldeneye (1 male) 1.00pm (Jim Sweetland).
• Tooting Bec Common (northern edge, by Emmanuel Road), 2.30 - 2.50pm: 2 Goldcrest (heard), several Jay, 2 Nuthatch, c130 Woodpigeon feeding on ground (Nick Granger-Taylor).
• Wanstead Flats: 2 Ring Ouzel (Birdguides), 7 Fieldfare north over SSSI, Short-eared Owl (sw chased by crows), 10 Pied Wagtail, 14 Meadow Pipit, 2 Snipe, 10 Skylark, 5 Swallow, 3 House Martin, 2 Blackcap, 4 Chiffchaff, Lesser Redpoll, Siskin, Kestrel, 2 Sparrowhawk (The Wanstead Collective)
• Wanstead Park: Wigeon reported Shoulder of Mutton, 9 Shoveler, Gadwall, Tufted Duck and Pochard in good numbers on heronry, 6 Goldcrest, Blackcap, Chiffchaff (Nick Croft/Jonathan Lethbridge)
• Wormwood Scrubs: vis-mig 0715-0900, 3 Skylark (W) c40 Chaffinch (E) 3 Redwing (W) 2 Redpoll, 2 alba Wagtail (E), c40 Starling (NW); on the ground, fem/imm Ring Ouzel flushed from central grassland onto embankment, influx of Song Thrush and Blackbird, Sparrowhawk, c8 Jay, c20 Meadow Pipit, Goldcrest, 2 Common Gull with 90+ Black-headed Gull on pitches (Rob Ayers/David Lindo).

Saturday 20th October 2012

• Alexandra Park: Viz mig 0745-1050: 8 Skylark, 780 Starling, 380 Chaffinch, 9 Redpoll, 6 Siskin, several Linnet, 208 Redwing, 8 alba Wagtails, 20 Meadow Pipits, several Song Thrushes and Blackbirds (Andrew Gardener, Bob Watts).
• Barking Bay: Viz Mig 07:00-10:00 c20 Skylark, c500 Starling, 12 Reed Bunting, Yellowhammer, 6 Rock Pipit, 80 Meadow Pipit, 12+ Siskin, 5 + Lesser Redpoll, 20 Redwing, c20 alba Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, 40 Blackbird, 15 Song Thrush, many Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Linnet.(P.Hawkins)
• Banstead Woods: 5 Redwings, 6 Lesser Redpolls, Siskin, 3 Meadow Pipits, 2 Little Owls (David Campbell).
• Blackheath: 1 Hawfinch over (Martin Hallam per James Lowen)
• Brent Reservoir: Viz-mig 07.15-10.45: single Brambling, 542 Chaffinch, Linnet, 5 L.Redpoll, 3 Siskin, 10 Jackdaw, 2 Skylark, 161 Redwing, 4 Mistle Thrush, 469 Starling, 5 Swallow south, etc (Andrew Verrall).
• Canons Farm: Ring Ouzel mobile between Slangs, Legal & General and Broadfield. Also c2 Bramblings, 800+ Redwings, 3000+ Starlings, Reed Bunting, Red-legged Partridge, Fieldfare, c15 Mistle Thrushes, 4+ Little Owls, 7+ Lesser Redpolls, 6 Siskins, 2 Chiffchaffs, 2 Cormorants, 20+ Skylarks, 15+ Meadow Pipits, (Steve Gale, David Campbell, Ian Jones et al).
• Dagenham Chase LNR : Short-eared Owl from 10:00am until 2:10pm on the travellers field, also 15+ Skylark over, numerous Redpoll over, 2 Grey Wagtail, 1 Little Egret, 2 Bullfinch, 2 Jackdaw, Water Rail heard, 16 Lapwing 20+ of Gadwall and Shoveler, several Redwing about (V.Halley-Frame & S.Drake).
• Greenwich Park: steady viz mig today: 2 Skylarks S, 100 plus Starlings W, parties of Chaffinch W all morning, Redpolls and Siskins around and good numbers of Siskins W, Meadow Pipit, 2 Grey Wagtails, Redwing flocks over, Brambling, 6 Jays W, Goldcrests (Joe Beale)
• Hampstead Heath: 0730- 1130- 10 Skylark N, c.1,000 Chaffinches N, 100 Greenfinch N, 150 Goldfinch N, 500 Meadow Pipits N, 100 Siskins (one flock of 60 at Sanc.Pond), 30 Alba Wagtails, Grey Wagtail W, 500 Redwings N, 15 Song Thrushes, 2 Mistle Thrush S, Swallow W, Reed Bunting at P.Hill briefly, 5 Redpolls, 3 Common Gulls ( Pete Mantle / Frank Nugent)
• Harmondsworth Moor: Little Grebe, 2 Dunnock, 3 Ring Necked Parakeets, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Grey Herons, Common Gull, Cetti's Warbler, 5 Gadwall, 2 Greenfinch, 2 Redwing over, 75+ Linnets, Chaffinch, 2 Skylarks, Sparrowhawk, 2 Rooks,.(Sue Giddens)
• Leyton Oliver Road and Orient Way: Viz mig: Female Ring Ouzel west over Orient Way 07:55, 1200+ Redwing W/NW, most over in 30 mins after dawn, 950 Starling, Skylark NW, 15+ Song Thrush over though small number of Blackbirds, 105+ Chaffinch, 7 Meadow Pipit, 23 Siskin, 10 Lesser Redpoll (Stuart Fisher)
• London Wetland Centre: Bittern (first of the season) showing well at top of a tree by Sheltered Lagoon. Also 1 female Marsh Harrier flew east (LWC website). Very mobile on site, evetually ending up in reeds fringing the reservoir lagoon. Also 1 Jack Snipe (wader scrape), 6 Common Snipe, 1f. Peregrine, 1m. Sparrowhawk, 34 Redwing W, 30+ Siskin, 60+ Goldfinch, 1 probable Rock Pipit, 1m. Pintail (Martin Honey)
• Osterley Park: 2 Nuthatch (Rob Mills)
• Parliament, Victoria Tower Gardens: Viz Mig (majority flying west) 07.00 - 09.30: 12 Siskin, 71 Chaffinch, 830 Starling (1 flock of 600), Short-eared Owl s/west, 35 Redwing, 4 Jackdaw, 110 Meadow Pipits, Grey Wagtail and 4 Ring-necked Parakeets all over. Song Thrush and 2 Goldcrest in Gardens (Dave Morrison).
• Richmond Park: Ring Ouzel male in hawthorns at top of slope NW of Pen Ponds (T. Howard per J. Wilczur). Still present 3.30pm in ornamental hawthorn nearest Sidmouth Wood (JW)
• Staines Moor: 1 male Ring Ouzel still along hedge bordering Stanwell Moor 11.00am (Jim Sweetland)
• Stocker's Farm: 2 Swallow (Stephen Middleton, Herts website).
• Southall, Warren Farm: 15 Rook feeding along with a good number of Pied Wagtail, Jackdaw, Woodpigeon, Goldfich & Starling (Rob Mills)
• Tooting Bec Common (north end), 3.50- 4.50pm: flock of 6+ Goldfinch, flock of 4+ (prob c 6-8) Goldcrest, several Jay, 1 Nuthatch, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker (Nick Granger-Taylor).
• Totteridge Valley: 16.00-17.00: 4 Siskin, 6 Redpoll, 30+ Meadow Pipit, 20+ Pied Wagtail, 3 Redwing, Pheasant, 4 Goldcrest, Chiffchaff, 40+ Rook, c55 Jackdaw, 43 Common Gull, 6 Ring-necked Parakeets, Great Spotted Woodpecker, c50 Chaffinch coming in to roost, 1 Snipe, 2 Mandarin Duck, 3 Teal (Rob Ayers)
• Tyttenhanger GP: Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Green Sandpiper, 3 Swallow, c60 Siskin, 15+ Redpoll, c650 Redwing (all flying W-SW), Peregrine (seen catching then feeding on woodpigeon) (Steve Blake)
• Wanstead Flats: f Ring Ouzel (long wood - 5th day), 500 + Redwing west, 30 + Song Thrush, c. 100 Chaffinch, 6 Lesser Redpoll, 6 Siskin, 20 + Goldfinch, 3 Linnet, 3 Reed Bunting, 9 Chiffchaff, 3 Blackcap, 5 Goldcrest, c. 500 Starling, 24 Skylark, c. 30 Meadow Pipit, Grey Wagtail, 14 Pied Wagtail, 8 Gadwall, 6 Shoveler, Snipe, 2 Sparrowhawk, Kestrel (A Wanstead Collective)
• Wanstead Park: Nuthatch (Res. Wood - Kathy Hartnett), 8 Siskin, 2Lesser Redpoll, 3 Meadow Pipit, 3 Ped Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, 5 Skylark, Chiffchaff, 13 + Goldcrest, Kingfisher, 42 Tufted Duck, 61 + Gadwall, 6 Shoveler, 32 Common Pochard, f Teal, Redwing, 3 Grey Heron, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel (Nick Croft)

Friday 19th October 2012

• Brent Reservoir: Viz-mig 07.30-09.30: Ring Ouzel male flying south 08.10, 8 Redwing, 2 Song Thrush, 3 Mistle Thrush, 620+ Starling (1st big day), 76 Chaffinch, 14 Jackdaw, 8 L.Redpoll, Jay (Andrew Verrall).
• Canons Farm: Ring Ouzel (Nigel Sluman, David Campbell et al). 2 Brambling (Ian Jones per DC). Red-legged Partridge, 10+ Lesser Redpoll, Siskin, Bullfinch, Chiffchaff, 28+ Meadow Pipit, 2 Cormorant over (DC/IJ).
• Crayford Marshes: Spotted Redshank feeding on the Thames foreshore near Erith Yacht Club; 3 Rock Pipit, 2 Greenshank, Little Owl, 20 Golden Plover, 2 Egyptian Goose, Green Sandpiper, Peregrine, 2 Redwing, Kingfisher, 4 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Curlew (Kev Jarvis).
• Ewell (Hogsmill Open Space): Kingfisher, Nuthatch, Song Thrush, 9 Herring Gull SE over (Neil Batten).
• Greenwich Park: First Kingfisher since Sept 2000 glimpsed very briefly at dawn; also Siskins heard over twice, Goldcrests and 1-2 Redwing present (Joe Beale)
• Hyde Park/Kensington Gardens: 86 Mute Swan, 23 adult Egyptian Goose with 6 goslings, male Mandarin Duck, 9 Shoveler, 5 Red-crested Pochard, 37 Pochard, Little Grebe - a Manx Shearwater was found exhausted and released at the Long Water on 28th September (D. McKenzie).
• Leyton Oliver Road/Orient Way: Reed Warbler still, Reed Bunting North, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, 6 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Siskin over, 33 Linnet over, 22 Redwing, 2 Meadow Pipit over, 5 Goldcrest (Stuart Fisher)
• Paddington Green: 2 Peregrine Falcon, Grey Wagtail singing briefly, Jackdaw, c40 Goldfinch in area (D. McKenzie).
• Osterley Park: 06.16 Barn Owl, 2 Little Owl, Common Buzzard H, f Sparrowhawk, 1 flyover Redpoll (KFr).
• South Norwood Country Park: Brambling again at visitor centre feeders at 11.15 (for 4th day but now visting less frequently), 2 or 3 Redwing, Great Spotted Woodpecker (David Mercer).
• Staines Moor: 1st winter male Ring Ouzel in NW corner along hedge bordering Stanwell Moor - pics here  2 Brambling over, 1 Grey Wagtail, 11+ Redpoll, 1 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Little Egret, 5 Meadow Pipit, 80+ Linnet.   (Lee Dingain).
• Totteridge Valley: 6 Redwing, 2 Siskin, 2 Meadow Pipit, 1 Chiffchaff (John Colmans).
• Wanstead Flats: f/1st winter Ring Ouzel (4th day), south of Long Wood, 20+ Song Thrush, 51 Redwing west in one flock, 3 Chiffchaff, Blackcap, 5 Goldcrest, 17 Lesser Redpoll, 6 Linnet, 20 + Chaffinch, Reed Bunting, 15 Pied Wagtail, 25 Meadow Pipit, 7 Skylark, 27 Gadwall, 4 Teal, 6 Shoveler, Little Egret, 3 Grey Heron (Nick Croft/Tim Harris)
• Worcester Park: Peregrine then flew east, 2 Goldcrest, 2 Redwing, 12 Mistle Thrush, 40 Stock Dove (Bob Smith).

Thursday 18th October 2012

• Alexandra Park: Noctule and 2 Pipistrelles sp over Tunnel Res 7am, also 2 Little Grebe, Chiffchaff 1745 (Bob Watts).
• Brent Reservoir: 9 Wigeon, 10 Greylag, Green Sandpiper, 7 Snipe, Water Rail; vis-mig 07.00-09.00, 8 Redwing, 74 Starling, 34 Chaffinch, 4 Meadow Pipit, Siskin, 2 Lesser Redpoll (Andrew Verrall, John Gravatt).
• Canons Farm: Ring Ouzel flew from derelict barn towards Legal & General (Ian Jones per David Campbell).
• Crayford Marshes: Spotted Redshank feeding on the Thames foreshore near Erith Yacht Club; 2 Rock Pipit, 24 Golden Plover, 2 Greenshank, 2 Lesser Redpoll, 5 Yellow-legged Gull, 2 Curlew, 4 Goldcrest, 4 Cetti's Warbler. (Kev Jarvis).
• Dulwich Park: 14 Redpoll, 10 Redwing (Dave Clark).
• East India Dock Basin: Little Grebe (1st of the year here, present for its 3rd day), 175 Teal, 4 Tufted Ducks (John Archer).
• Greenwich Park: Very quiet again: 5+Goldcrest, Redpoll/s heard over (Joe Beale).
• Lamorbey Park, Sidcup: 2 Nuthatch, 3 (possibly more) Coal Tit, at least 7 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Goldcrest, 2 Grey Wagtail (over), 1 Redwing, 1 adult and at least 2 juvenile Song Thrush, 1 Jay, 2 Cormorant, 2 adult Egyptian Goose, 5 Black-headed Gull, 182 Ring-necked Parakeet (over, heading west, most probably coming from Sidcup Golf Course) (Chris Rose).
• London Wetland Centre: 4 Meadow Pipit SW, 1 Rock Pipit over, 14 Siskin S+SW, 9 Redpoll W+SW, 6 Redwing SW, 2 Skylark NW, 2 Linnet SE (website).
• South Norwood Country Park: Grey Wagtail, Brambling on feeder at visitor centre, 3 Bullfinch (J. A. Hughes).
• Stoke Newington Reservoirs: 16 Shoveler, 19 Pochard, 1 Grey Wagtail, pr Egyptian Goose (TeRNS)
• Tooting Common: 1 Redwing (1st of the autumn), 5+ Jay, 2 Egyptian Goose, noticeable build-up of Blackbirds congregating around hawthorns (James Hudson)
• Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park: 12 Ring-necked Parakeet NE 0800, 3+ Goldcrests (Bob Watts).
• Trent Park (Hadley Road): Chiffchaff, Mandarin Duck (1m 2f), Shoveler (m), Kestrel, Nuthatch, 2 Buzzard over Enfield Chase north of the park (Bob Husband & Robin Morden).
• Victoria Park: Little Grebe, 50 Pochard, 14 Tufted Duck, 2 Greylags, 2 Chiffchaffs, 4 Goldcrests (John Archer).
• Wanstead Flats: 1 probably 2 Ring Ouzel in Alex scrub, one flew on to Alex island then north, the other presumably still in the scrub, 20 + Song Thrush, Redwing, Yellowhammer (2-3 bird ofthe year) circled twice over brooms, 2 Reed Bunting, 15 Siskin, 20+ Chaffinch, 3 Lesser Redpoll, 2 chiffchaff, 6+ Goldcrest, Grey Wagtail (Nick Croft/Bob Vaughan/Dan Hennessy)
• Wanstead Park: 30 + Pochard, 40 + Gadwall, 7 Shoveler, Reed Bunting, Blackcap, Siskin, Lesser Redpoll, Kestrel (Nick Croft)
• Worcester Park: 1 Redpoll, 40 Stock Dove (Bob Smith).

Wednesday 17th October 2012

• Bexley Woods: 1 Sparrowhawk clattered into by Carrion Crow and chased by several Ring-necked Parakeet, 2 (probably 3) Nuthatch, 6(+) Long-tailed Tit, 1 Jay (Chris Rose).
• Brent Reservoir: Little Egret, Green Sandpiper, Lapwing, 10 Wigeon; vis-mig 07.30-09.30, 16 Redwing, 2 Swallow, 3 Meadow Pipit, 21 Chaffinch, Siskin, 3 Lesser Redpoll, Jay (Andrew Verrall).
• Canons Farm: Ring Ouzel at Legal & General then flew to & showed at the derelict barn late afternoon (Neil Randon & David Campbell).
• Crayford Marshes: Spotted Redshank feeding on the Thames foreshore near Erith Yacht Club; Rock Pipit, 6 Golden Plover, 2 Greenshank, Yellow-legged Gull, 4 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Curlew, Kingfisher, 3 Redwing. 2 Goldcrest (Kev Jarvis). Can I just ask where the best place to park for access to the Yacht Club & Spotshank? Thanks (Nigel Sluman) (Hi Nigel.2 places to park,either Moat Lane and then walk around to the Thames & the Yacht Club,or park as close as you can to the Yacht club entrance.There is a gate barring drivers to drive down,but this is often left open.There are a couple of estates near by where you can park.The Spotted Redshank itself is keeping company with Greenshanks at the moment,the low tide in the morning means it's best viewed then.It keeps to within 100 yards of the Yacht Club on the foreshore and among c100 Common redshank.Hope this helps? Kev.) Very much so thank you Kev, I will try on Friday morning (NS)
• Hall Place North: 4, probably 5 or 6 Jackdaw (glimpsed later through hedge of school field to north), 1 or 2 Jay, 1 Goldcrest, 3 Goldfinch, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Collared Dove (Chris Rose).
• Hayes: Peregrine over Hayes and Harlington Train Station 09.15 heading towards Heathrow (W.Marks)
• Kensal Green Cemetery and St Mary’s Cemetery: Goldcrest, 8+ Jay, 2 Green Woodpecker (Charlie Farrell)
• Kingston: Little Egret E over Villiers Rd at 0845, adult Peregrine, 4 Lesser Redpoll at Addison Gardens before flying S, 2 Siskin S, Linnet heard (Andrew Skotnicki).
• Regent's Park/Primrose Hill: 2 Yellow Wagtail (calling while landing on NE slope of Barrow Hill Reservoir, area 48 at 10:00; species is probably a regular albeit scarce stopover migrant here), 1 Pied Wagtail, 6 Redwing, 2 Chiffchaff (birdman_euston).
• Russell Park (Bexleyheath): 1 Goldcrest (Chris Rose).
• South Norwood Country Park: 2 Little Egret, pr. Sparrowhawk, Brambling (J.A.Hughes)
• South Norwood Lake : c20 Redwing SW, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Lesser Redpoll, (John Watson & Gavin Hawgood)
• Staines Moor: Male and juvenile Ring Ouzels still present this morning. (Roger Morton)
• Walthamstow Reservoirs: 20 Little Egrets counted going to roost over Lockwood this evening 17.00-18.30 (Lol Bodini).
• The Warren (Bexleyheath): 1 Nuthatch (Chris Rose).
• Wanstead Flats: f Ring Ouzel being elusive in Long Wood (Tim Harris), Redwing, 4 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, 6 Goldcrest, 4 Lesser Redpoll, 10 Siskin, Linnet, Reed Bunting, 10 + Meadow Pipit, 7 Pied Wagtail, possible Yellow Wagtail over, 5 Shoveler, Gadwall, Kestrel, f Sparrowhawk (Team Wanstead)
• Worcester Park: Peregrine flying SE, 35 Stock Doves (Bob Smith)

Tuesday 16th October 2012

• Alexandra Park: 2 Egyptian Geese in flight, Siskin, Song Thrush, 2 Jay (Bob Watts).
• Canons Farm: 3 Redwing west, Red-legged Partridge, 5 Pheasant, 5 Skylark, 3 Chaffinch, 250+ mixed Gull flock (Nigel Sluman). Ring Ouzel flew from Legal & General towards derelict barn at 5.10pm (David Campbell).
• Crayford Marshes: Spotted Redshank feeding on the Thames foreshore next to Erith Yacht Club; Grey Plover, 12 Golden Plover, 2 Greenshank, 3 Curlew, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, Lesser Redpoll, 2 Redwing, 24 Dunlin, 12 Ringed Plover, 2 Goldcrest (Kev Jarvis).
• London Wetland Centre: 1 Crossbill (over W), 8 Meadow Pipit, 14 Redwing, 8 Song Thrush (Adam Salmon).
• Regent's Park/Primrose Hill: 1 Little Owl (feeding inside NE gate to Wetland Pen, area 32 at 07:50 - unusual time & place but not unprecedented), ♂ Kestrel (birdman_euston).
• South Norwood Lake: 2 Redwing, 1f Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, c5 Lesser Redpoll, (John Watson & Gavin Hawgood)
• Trent Park: 1 Firecrest, feeding & calling, in Holly, edge of Moat Wood, near dead Beech - a third of the way down the 'vista' from the Obelisk, 15:15 - 15:22 hrs (Seen in the same area in the previous two Octobers) (Robert Callf).
• Vicarage Farm (Enfield): 3 (2m,1imm) Yellowhammer, Hawthorn near Firing Range, 16:40 hrs (Robert Callf).
• Wanstead Flats: Ring Ouzel (long wood), 12 Redwing, Firecrest (first on the flats) in with numerous Goldcrests, 2 Chiffchaff, Lesser Redpoll, 2 Linnet, Siskin, 20+ Chaffinch, Swallow, 7 Meadow Pipit, 4 Pied Wagtail, 5 Shoveler, 7 Gadwall (Nick Croft/Jonathan Lethbridge/Josh Selfe).
• William Girling Reservoir: drake Long-tailed Duck still at 8.10am (scoped from Mansfield Park), also 1 Swallow S at Mansfield Park (Davey Leach). No sign of Long-tailed Duck from Mansfield Park 14:35-15:30. 2 Swallow flying E (Katy McGilvray). Present between 16:45-16:53, viewable from Mansfield Park looking west towards the 4 coloured tower blocks. Favors the area close towards the west bank and has predominantly since at least Sunday. Can become flighty occasionally, moving from this area for lengthy periods. Also 4 Black-necked Grebes in same vicinity (Neville Smith).
• Wormwood Scrubs: Female/Immature Ring Ouzel (no sign after 07:30), male Sparrowhawk, 6 Chaffinch, c15 Meadow Pipit, 4 Jay, Snipe over (The Scrubbers).

Monday 15th October 2012

• Bankside SE1: 3 m Blackcap in bushes over the garages at east end of Tate Modern (Simon Fogg).
• Blackheath: 3 Meadow Pipit feeding, 1 Redpoll over to and fro, c20 Pied Wagtail (Joe Beale).
• Brent Reservoir: Viz-mig 07.00-09.15: Short-eared Owl flying south 07.58, 51 Redwing, 139 Woodpigeon, 37 Chaffinch, 2 Siskin, 2 Redpoll, Meadow Pipit; & 9 Wigeon, 2 Lapwing (Andrew Verrall, Andrew Haynes).
• Brookmill Park: Drake Mandarin, Sparrowhawk, Goldcrest (Conrad Ellam).
• Bushy Park: Fieldfare, 2 Redwings, 120 Siskins (Tony Duckett).
• Crayford Marshes: Spotted Redshank on foreshore near Erith Yacht Club, 29 Golden Plover, Greenshank, 2 Lesser Redpoll, 2 Curlew, 3 Black-tailed Godwit (Kev Jarvis).
• Greenwich Park: c100 Woodpigeon over (with 2+ Stock Dove) - their passage starting, c140 Starling W, 20+ Chaffinch W, 1 Grey Wagtail W, 2-4 Redpoll over/around, 2 House Martin, 7 Goldfinch S, Skylark heard over, c10 Redwing in ones and twos, at least 3 migrant Song Thrush with them, Goldcrest numbers also up, fewer Chiffchaff (Joe Beale).
• Kings College Hospital: Female Sparrowhawk circling then travelling NW (Jack Underwood)
• Mayfield Farm, Bedfont: 1 Common Sandpiper. (Adam Cheeseman)
• Paddington Green: 2 Peregrine Falcon, 2 Meadow Pipit, 9 Chaffinch and 12 redpoll sp. over a.m (D. McKenzie).
• Rainham Marshes RSPB: Glossy Ibis again on Target Pools then flew SE towards Crossness but returned to Rainham at 9.40am (Andy Tweed per JA); flew off high 11.30 (Birdguides)
• Regent's Park: 2 Collared Dove at NE corner of park near car-park - don't recall seeing this species here before (John Colmans). Thanks, John. Till today in the Park, apart from a pair on the Inner Circle last seen in July, only two flyovers all year - historically, it has bred here but tends to shun this area (birdman_euston).
• Richmond Park: 2 Crossbill over, 5 Stonechat, 5 Linnet, 6 Reed Bunting, 20+ Redpoll and Siskin over (all species so far between Ham Cross and Pond Plantation, 2 Lark sp. (had a funny, chirrupy call, any ideas? Cheers) Have you ruled out Skylark? Only got on them for about 4 seconds, so no, but they didn't sound like Skylarks, 4 Redwing . Thanks Oscar, that area is known as Pond Slade, JW. (Oscar Dewhurst)
• Sainsbury's Nine Elms: 1 Kestrel mobbed by crow (Michael Mac).
• Stoneleigh (The Glade): 1 Siskin low south, calling, at 08.30, 1 Pied Wagtail south at 09.05 (Neil Batten).
• Walthamstow Reservoirs (Lockwood): 16 Little Egrets going S to roost 17.50-18.45 plus a very large looking bat species...Noctule? (Lol Bodini). Most likely, Lol. Noctules are in that area (D. McKenzie).
• Wanstead Flats : 6 Goldcrest, 2 Chiffchaff, 16 Meadow Pipit, 7 Pied Wagtail, 5 Grey Wagtail, 20+ Chaffinch, 5 Lesser Redpoll, 2 Reed Bunting, 2 Kestrel (Nick Croft/Jonathan Lethbridge).
• Wanstead Park: f + 1st winter Goldeneye (Heronry), 30+ Pochard, 30+ Gadwall, 2 Shoveler, Kingfisher, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Redwing, Siskin, Lesser Redpoll, Yellow Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, 3 Chiffchaff, 5+ Goldcrest, 2 Coal Tit, 3 Kestrel (Dan hennessy/Tim Harris/Jonathan Lethbridge/Nick Croft/Steve Thorpe).
• William Girling Reservoir: drake Long-tailed Duck still at 8.15am (RBA). Still present til 13.30 at least (Lol Bodini).
• Worcester Park: Lesser Redpoll, Swallow south, Sparrowhawk (Bob Smith).

Sunday 14th October 2012

• Alexandra Park: 3 Skylark, 2 Little Egret, 73 Jackdaw, 53 Woodpigeon, Stock Dove, 8 Meadow Pipit, 10 Jay, 4 Siskin, 2 Redpoll, 12 Chaffinch, 2 Song Thrush, Linnet, 8 alba Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, 3 Pied Wagtail, also Chiffchaff (Bob Watts, Andrew Gardener, Gareth Richards, Alan Gibson). Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Grey Heron perching in reservoir (Neill Hoskins).
• Barking Outfall: 55 Redshank, 9 Black-tailed Godwits, 6 Common Sandpiper, 419 Teal, Rock Pipit, Skylark, 11 Meadow Pipit over south, 2 Redpoll sp, Curlew and 2 Goldcrest (Dave Morrison).
• Brent Reservoir: 8 Wigeon, 174 Gadwall, 140 Shoveler, 122 Teal, 6 Snipe; 2 Lapwings, 4 Water Rail, 1 Grey Wagtail, 3 Chiffchaff; viz-mig 5 Swallow, 3 House Martin, 3 Siskin, 2 Redpoll (Brent Birders).
• Brookmill Park: Drake Mandarin, Kingfisher (Conrad Ellam).
• Canons Farm: 2+ Ring Ouzels (Chris Northwood/Phil Wallace per David Campbell).
• Cranford Country Park (J3, M4): 12 Mistle Thrush, 1 Kestrel, 2 Green Woodpecker, many Ring-necked Parakeet, several Jay (T. James).
• Cranham: (Folkes Lane Wood - M25 J29 /A127) 1 Buzzard over. (Tony Kenelly)
• Dagenham Chase LNR: 63 species recorded, 1 Brambling over calling, several Redpoll over, 3 Common Buzzard, 1 Peregrine Falcon, 2 Cetti's Warblers heard, 1 Water Rail heard, 1 Grey Wagtail, 3 Jackdaw, several Rook, 1 Little Egret, 2 Egyptian Geese, a few House Martin and Swallow (V.Halley-Frame).
• Foots Cray Meadows: Drake Gadwall by Five Arches (Conrad Ellam).
• Gunpowder Park & Sewardstone Marsh: 1 (m) Goshawk, from Sewardstone Road looking east towards Epping forest at 1530 and again at 1600hrs. 5 Common Buzzard, 1 Bullfinch, 4 Goldcrest, 2 Lesser Redpoll (Neville Smith).
• Hampstead Heath: 13:00 possible Ring Ouzel in bushes near running track thistles - looked good in flight but not so sure after poor views whilst in the bushes. Also a few Meadow Pipit about, 15 Goldfinches, callings Siskins, 4 Swallows N (Chris Bird).
• Ingrebourne Valley WEBS Count: 140 Canada Goose, 197 Mallard, 28 Shoveler, 100 Moorhen, 26m Cetti's Warbler, 22 Greylag Goose, 62 Teal, 12 Wigeon, 15 Herring Gull, 16 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 41 Black-headed Gull, 16 Mute Swan, 4 Water Rail, 44 Lapwing, 186 Coot, 6 Cormorant, 84 Gadwall, 5 Grey Heron, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Snipe, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Little Grebe, 2 Great Black-backed Gull, 1 Buzzard, 2m 1f Sparrowhawk, 1m Bullfinch, 2m Chiffchaff, many calling willowchiffs, 20 Stock Dove, 50 Jackdaw, 2 Kestrel, 12 Linnet, 4 Yellowhammer, 6 House Martin. (Tony Kennelly)
• Joydens Wood: Treecreeper, Nuthatch, lots of Goldcrest, Coal Tit etc (Conrad Ellam).
• Lewisham Bus Station Bridge: Grey Wagtail (Phil Laurie)
• Lewisham (Ladywell Cemetery): 2 Mistle Thrush and 3 Redwing feeding in the yew trees by Ladywell Gate; also Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, lots of Jay (Terry Wilson).
• Leyton - Oliver Road/Orient Way: fem/imm Black Redstart on rooftops Alpine Close area, 3 Skylark North, 1 Rook west, 40 Jackdaw west, 7 Siskin over, 2 Lesser Redpoll, 13 Redwing, 106 Chaffinch NW, 10 Jay, 5 Linnet, 14 Stock Dove, 4 Chiffchaff, 2 Reed Warbler in bulrushes north of Leyton Mills, 2 Common Whitethroat, 3 Blackcap (Stuart Fisher)
• London Wetland Centre: Pintail drake, 6 Snipe, c80 Wood Pigeon SW in half hour @ dawn, Whinchat, Stonechat male, 23 Blackbird & 7 Song Thrush en route to Tower Hide- a notable influx, c85 Goldfinch, c15 Lesser Redpoll (J.Wilczur). Also 1 Buzzard (mobbed by crows high west), Sparrowhawk, 1 Jack Snipe (Oscar Dewhurst).
• King George V Reservoir: 1 (m) Goshawk, from the north east corner of the north basin over Sewardstone marsh at 0950-1000hrs, drifted off east; 3 Common Buzzard, 3 Sparrowhawk, 3 Kestrel, 5 Goldeneye, 1 juv Wheatear (Neville Smith, Harry Lacey & Stewart Hamilton).
• Paddington Green: 2 Peregrine Falcon, 2 Great Black-backed Gull south, Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Fieldfare, 5 Chaffinch and a Linnet over (D. McKenzie).
• Rainham Marshes: Glossy Ibis on Purfleet scrape then flew south (BirdGuides).
• Richmond Park: Hobby (before dawn), 2 Tawny Owl, 5 Linnet over, 15 Siskin over, 3 Lesser Redpoll over, 8 Skylark over, 8+ Stonechat, 6 Meadow Pipit over, 2 Reed Buntings, 4 Redwing over (Oscar Dewhurst).
• Staines Moor: 2 Ring Ouzels, 2 Stonchats, Kestrel, 3 Skylarks, Grey Wagtail, 2 Meadow Pipits, Goldfinch and Linnets, Great Spotted Woodpecker. (R Ouzel are where the other one was in April) (Sue Giddens). Which was where please?. (K.Kerr) Go over concrete bridge where the new fencing is walk to the left and over the boardwalk keep going and they were in some Hawthorn bushes. (Sue Giddens)
• Staines Reservoir: 1 Green Sandpiper (S.Basin), 3 Black-necked Grebe (S.Basin), 1 Kestrel, Meadow Pipit (A.Luscombe).
• Stanmore Common: 6 Mandarin (3m, 3f) on small pond in woods. (Matt Reed).
• Ten acre wood/Downe barnes farm: Little owl in shooting buck field, several jays (Jim Fell).
• Tolworth Tower: Peregrine perched on southwest corner of building at 17.35, approx. 6 floors from the top (brief view whilst sitting in traffic) (Neil Batten).
• Tooting Bec Common 5.00 - 6.15pm: Ring-Necked Parakeet, Jay, Long-tailed Tit, Tufted Duck, Black-headed Gull, 4 Egyptian Goose, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Nuthatch, 1 Green Woodpecker (Nick Granger-Taylor with Nidge Ince).
• Totteridge Valley: 1 Stonechat, 4+ Skylarks over, 20+ Meadow Pipits, c12 Swallows lingering still, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Redwing, 4 Little Owls, 15+ Siskins, 1 Linnet, 2 Common Buzzards (1 being mobbed by up to 8 Carrion Crows and 13 Jackdaws!). (Ian Ellis).
• Trent Park: 3 Common Buzzard, Kestrel, 7 Goldfinch, 2 Nuthatch, 2 Goldcrest, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker (Pete Lowman).
• Uxbridge: 1 Red Kite over Uxbridge Industrial Estate, 4m & 1f Mandarin on R Frays, Rockingham Rec. (Roger Dewey)
• Vauxhall: 2 Peregrines eating a bird - 9am (Michael Mac).

Saturday 13th October 2012

• Alexandra Park: Viz mig 0735-0920 - 34 Chaffinch, 24 Redwing, 7 alba Wagtail, 2 Grey Wagtail, 4 Redpoll, 2 Siskin, 7 Meadow Pipit, 7 Jackdaw, 3 Blackbird, 3 Song Thrush, 7 Jay, also 12+ Siskin between Conservation Pond and Wood Green Res, 3 Chiffchaffs (Bob Watts).
• Brent Reservoir: Vizmig 07.00-09.00: 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 95 Woodpigeon, 10 Pied Wagtail, 15 Meadow Pipit, 3 Swallow, 52 Redwing, 2 Song Thrush, 10 Mistle Thrush, 4 Jay, 2 Jackdaw, 81 Starling, 39 Chaffinch, 20 Greenfinch, 12 Siskin, 14 Redpoll, 2 Linnet & 1 Reed Bunting; also 11 Wigeon (Brent Birders)
• Brookmill Park: Drake Mandarin, 2 Kingfisher, Chiffchaff, 3 Goldcrest (Conrad Ellam)
• Canons Farm: 4 Ring Ouzels, Brambling, Marsh Tit, 65+ Redwings, 9 Swallows, 3 House Martins, c5 Lesser Redpolls, Siskin, Chiffchaff, Tawny Owl, Cormorant over (cfbwbirds).
• Crossness: Woodlark SE at 08:55, 2 Arctic Tern E at 09:30, 2 Common Tern W, c40 Lesser Redpoll S, some landing briefly (site record count), 7 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 adult Yellow-legged Gull, 4+ Chiffchaff, Blackcap, 3 Goldcrest, House Martin W, 8 Jay SW, 100+ Linnet, 2 Little Egret, 2 Wigeon, 19 Shoveler, 420 Teal (John Archer).
• E5: 11 House Martins flying over in south-easterly direction towards Walthamstow Marshes (David & Zac)
• Greenwich Peninsula Ecology Park: 4 Chiffchaff in area, 3 (2m, 1f) Blackcap and flock of Long-tailed Tit just outside park, Meadow Pipit, Little Grebe, 1 Grey Heron (Joe Beale)
• King George V Reservoir: 0730-1200hrs- 3 (redhead) Goosander, 3 Wigeon, 3 Little Grebe, 2 Little Egret, 5 Common Buzzard, 4 Kestrel, 1 Kingfisher, 56+ Redwing, 15+ House Martin, 4 Skylark - over , 10+ meadow Pipit, 8 Grey Wagtail, 15+ Pied Wagtail, 1st winter Wheatear - north basin. 4 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, 3 Willow Warbler, 7 Goldcrest, 2 Redpoll sp, 3+ Siskin, 2 Reed Bunting. (N.S. & S.H.)
• Hampstead Heath: viz mig - 1 Swallow, 50 Redwing, 3 Song Thrush, 30 Starling, 3 Meadow Pipit, few Chaffinch and Greenfinch but not exactly in a hurry! (Greengrandad). Stonechat opposite the running track @ 16:00 (Frank Nugent).
• Ladywell Cemetery SE4: c20 Swallows SW (Phil Laurie)
• Leyton Oliver Road/Orient Way: 6 Little Egret east, 1 Siskin East, 5 Lesser Redpoll South, 74 Redwing over, 13 Blackbird, 1 Fieldfare, 8 Mistle Thrush, 7 Song Thrush over, 3 Meadow Pipit, 4 Chiffchaff, 3+ Blackcap, 1 Common Whitethroat, 10 Pied/White Wagtails over, 7 Pied Wagtails, 2 Grey Wagtail, 1 Reed Warbler still in bulrushes near Leyton Mills, 3 Goldcrest (Stuart Fisher)
• London Wetland Centre: Short-eared Owl seen in flight twice during the morning being mobbed by gulls, etc., Sparrowhawk, 20+ Chiffchaff, at least 6 singing Cetti's Warbler, 2 Pintail, 28 Wigeon, 6 Common Snipe, 1 Jack Snipe (very elusive), 1 Stonechat and 1 Whinchat (Martin Honey). One colour-ringed Black-headed Gull, ringed on 20 March 2008 as a 1st year (EURING code 3) in Denmark, its first sighting outside of Denmark (Martin Honey)
• Lord's Cricket Ground: Grey Wagtail in Coronation Garden (John Colmans)
• Redbridge Lakes and Roding Valley Park: Grey Wagtail, Goldcrest, over a dozen Jays (Alan Hobson)
• Richmond Park: Ring Ouzel male briefly @ 9.00 in hawthorns by Pen Ponds (J.Wilczur), 30+ Lesser Redpoll by Richmond Gate carpark, 15+ Siskin over, 3 Skylark, 10 Stonechat, 5 Meadow Pipit, 4 Linnet, 1 House Martin, 3 Redwing, 2 Reed Bunting . Did you mean Pemboke Lodge car park and what time were your observations? (Phil Davies).(Oscar Dewhurst)
• Stoneleigh Broadway: 1 Cormorant low N, 14 House Martin low SW 09.45-10.00 (Neil Batten).
• Stoneleigh (Cuddington Rec.): 07.55-08.45 - 4 Pied Wagtail south, 11 Meadow Pipit south, 8 Redwing west, 866 Herring gull or Lesser Black-backed Gull east, four very large birds, possibly swans, high wnw distantly at 08.25 (Neil Batten).
• Streatham Common: mid-morning passage of small groups of House Martin, high SW (Peter Newmark).

Friday 12th October 2012

• Alexandra Park: 4 Greylag Goose late afternoon (Wood Green Reservoir) (James Palmer). Hobby in tree near Deer Enclosure 11.25am. I thought at first it was a Kestrel but was paler. (Neill Hoskins)
• Brent Reservoir: Viz-Mig 07.00-9.15: 20 House Martin, 96 Redwing, 22 Chaffinch, 8 Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, 4 Lesser Redpoll, Siskin; also 2 Lapwing, 6 Wigeon, 2 Chiffchaffs (Andrew Self, Andrew Verrall).
• Bromley: 40 Pied Wagtail in pre-roost swirling over the High St. (Matt Reed).
• East India Dock Basin: 151 Teal, 3 Tufted Duck (John Archer).
• Erith Cemetery (east): 1 Green Woodpecker (heard), between 25 and 37 finches, including at least 12 Goldfinch (2 juveniles), 1 Greenfinch and 1 Chaffinch. (Chris Rose).
• Fir & Pond Woods, near Potters Bar: 5(2m,3f) Bullfinch, 1 Nuthatch, 2 Treecreeper, 1 Goldcrest (Robert Callf).
• Rainham, Launders Lane: Barn Owl sitting on post 5.50am.(Dave Morrison)
• Redbridge Lakes and Roding Valley Park: Green Sandpiper, Snipe, 2 Long-tailed Tits, Great Crested Grebe, over a dozen Jays, Pied Wagtail (Alan Hobson)
• Regent's Park/Primrose Hill: 3 Redwing, 1 Pied Wagtail, 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap, 4 Goldcrest, 1 Gadwall. No sign of yesterday's Firecrest in Queen Mary's Gardens (birdman_euston).
• Staines Reservoir: 08.00-10.15 3 Black-necked Grebe (S.Basin), 5 Goldeneye (S.Basin), 1 Dunlin (S.Basin), 1 Little Grebe (N.Basin), Meadow Pipit, Goldfinch, Linnet (A.Luscombe).
• Sutcliffe Park, Greenwich: Kingfisher, 2 Grey Herons, Little Egret south. ( Phil Laurie)
• Totteridge Valley: c20 Siskin in trees: 3 Chiffchaff: 4 Rook: 2 Meadow Pipit: 7 Pied Wagtail; also Red Admiral (John Colmans)
• Wanstead Flats: m Stonechat still broom fields, 82 Redwing, 5 SongThrush, 20 + Blackbird, 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap, 4 Goldcrest, 7 Lesser Redpoll, Siskin, 2 Swallow, 5 House Martin, possible Hobby east over Lake House Road estate, 2 Sparrowhawk, 8 Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, 2 Grey Wagtail (Nick Croft)
• Woodside Park: 1 Swallow flew West this morning (Ian Ellis).
• Worcester Park: 2 Redwing, 1 Chiffchaff (Bob Smith)

Thursday 11th October 2012

• Alexandra Park: Viz mig 0655-0730 - 90 Redwing mostly WSW, 3 alba Wagtail, also 30+ Siskin feeding at rear of Conservation Pond (presumably roosted here overnight), Blackcap Cricket Scrub (Bob Watts); c30 Siskin still present at 9 am, commuting along whole length of reservoir in alders, poplars and willows; Water Rail calling in the Conservation Pond at lunchtime, and also a notably 'hooded' Common Gull over south (David Callahan). Heron on fence by boating lake 13.00, then flew and disappeared into foliage on smaller island (Naomi Stadlen).
• Brent Reservoir: 3 Fieldfare, 112 Redwing, Meadow Pipit, 8 Lesser Redpolls, 4 Siskin, 32 Chaffinch; also 6 Wigeon and 2 Lapwing still (Andrew Verrall).
• Brunel University Bicentenary Gardens: c.25 Redpolls including two unstreaked individuals but still considered to be Lessers, many new Song Thrushes and Blackbirds including a black-billed adult male, 15+ Robins singing, mainly new arrivals causing much stress amongst the residents, 6+ Chiffchaffs, 200+ Woodpigeon put up by an overflying Common Buzzard being mobbed by 11 Ring-necked Parakeets. Most of the above birds were not present yesterday. (Roger Morton)
• Crayford (River Cray, By-way 105): 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Mute Swan, 9 Collared Dove; (pylon by Thames Rd Council depot): 130 Starling. Later 154 Starling on pylon in Crayford Town centre and 30+ over (Chris Rose).
• East India Dock Basin: Goldcrest, Chiffchaff, 4+ Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Song Thrush west, 111 Teal, 5 Tufted Duck (John Archer).
• Hampstead Heath: 38 Redwing West at 08:05, Parliament Hill (Allan Stewart).Morning: 60 Redwing, single Meadow Pipit and Chiffchaff.No dawn Wood Pigeon flight this year so far. (Greengrandad)
• Paddington Green: still at least 7 Chiffchaff (D. McKenzie).
• Regent's Park/Primrose Hill: 1 ♂ Firecrest (NW side of Rose Wheel, area 17 and Mediterranean Border of Queen Mary's Gardens, area 18 from 10:10; calling but elusive), 4 Goldcrest, 1 Fieldfare (first I've seen feeding in the Park this autumn, in rowans just W of Old Golf School wildlife pen, area 39 before 08:00), 5 Redwing, 3 alba Wagtail, 4 Chiffchaff, 3 Blackcap, 3 Shoveler. The Firecrest was first spotted gracing the same holly tree in which another observer discovered a Ring Ouzel on 28 September. The holly now enters the Park's birding-botanical Hall of Fame :) (birdman_euston).
• Sunbury: 12 House Martin over Tesco at c11.00 (Tony Sweetland).
• Thames Road Wetland (Crayford): 2 Water Rail heard, including one within a few yards of a team of eight Reedmace-pulling volunteers, Grey Heron (over), 10 Long-tailed Tit, 3 Chaffinch (Chris Rose).
• Wanstead Flats: Woodlark (heard calling over centre path of brooms south at 08:10: JS/NC), 10+ Skylark, Tree Pipit (Alex scrub), 10+ Meadow Pipit, 10 Pied Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, Stonechat still brooms, 125+ Redwing, Fieldfare, 20+ Song Thrush, good movement of finches: 20 Chaffinch, 7 Siskin, 6 Lesser Redpoll, Goldfinch, Linnet and Greenfinch, 3 Reed Bunting, 10+ Goldcrest, 8 Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Barnacle Goose (plastic fantastic), 5 Shoveler, 3 Pochard, 7 Gadwall, 3 House Martin, 12 Swallow  [60sp]. (Tim Harris/Tony Brown/Nick Croft/Josh Selfe)

Wednesday 10th October 2012

• Alexandra Park: 0650-0720 negligible viz mig bar 3 Blackbird, also 2 Chiffchaff, Blackcap, several Goldcrest, later 10+ Siskin feeding at back of Conservation Pond 1730 (Bob Watts).
• Bedfords Park LNR: Crossbill high over SE calling 12.30pm (C.Jupp).
• Brent Reservoir: Little Egret flying over allotments, Viz-Mig 07.15-09.15: 2 Swallow, 2 Skylark, 52 Redwing, 67 Jackdaw, 3 Lesser Redpoll, 4 Meadow Pipit, 29 Chaffinch, Linnet (Andrew Verrall).
• Brunel University: 12.45 Red Kite over field south of Bicentennial Gardens and over garden in Church Road. (Alex Randall).
• Catford, River Pool, SE6: Kingfisher, Grey Wagtail, Chiffchaff calling, 8 Jays, Sparrowhawk (Terry Wilson).
• Claybury Park: 2 Treecreepers, Coal Tit, Goldcrest, 18 Jays, Great Spotted Woodpecker (Alan Hobson).
• Dulwich & Sydenham Hill Woods: 2 Coal Tit, 7 Goldcrest, 3 Nuthatch, 1m Sparrowhawk, among all the usual stuff (Martin Stevens).
• Dunstans Road (SE22): 1 m Blackcap on feeders (Martin Stevens).
• Friern Bridge Retail Park N11: 2 Lesser Redpoll (James Palmer).
• Hampstead Heath: c16 Goldfinch at Parliament Hill, c18 Redpoll and 4 Redwing in birches near Sphagnum bog at 17:30 (Chris Bird) Morning: 4 Swallow,12 Redwing, 3 Song Thrush, 4 Meadow Pipit, single Redpoll and Linnet (Greengrandad)
• Kensington Gardens: Long Water: drake Long-tailed Duck possible escapee? as fairly tame and always following female Tufted Duck, 1 d Shovelor, pr Great Crested Grebe still with 3 calling young. Round Pond - pr Egyptian Geese with 9 2-3 wk old downy young, pr Mute Swan took off with 4 cygnets (Michael Mac).
• London Wetland Centre: 2 Mealy Redpoll, 14 Lesser Redpoll, 2 Swallow S, 3 Redwing SE (website).
• Riddlesdown (South Croydon): 60+ Stock Dove feeding in a mixed flock. Also 100+ Woodpigeon, about half of which were juveniles, Male Stonechat near quarry, 13 Meadow Pipit, 10 Skylark, 3 Bullfinch, 1 Chiffchaff, 30+ Goldfinch, 50+ Jackdaw. Overhead - a few Siskin and Redwing, steady trickle of Chaffinch, 3 Pied/White Wagtail, 5 Swalllow south.(JB)
• Ruislip Woods: Treecreeper, 4 Nuthatch, 3 Goldcrest, Chaffinch, several Tit flock of Blue, Great, Long-tailed and Coal, 2 Great Spotted and 3 Green Woodpecker (Nigel Sluman)
• Snaresbrook Crown Court/Leyton Flats: Woodlark South at 08:50, c4 Meadow Pipit, 15+ Chaffinch, 2 Lesser Redpoll, 7+ Redwing, 8 Linnet over, 8+ Goldcrest, Reed Bunting (Stuart Fisher)
• Thorney CP: 4 Teal, 2 Redwing, 4 Gadwall, 2 Jay, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker, Lesser Black-backed Gull, 6 Stock Dove, 3 Ring-necked Parakeet (Sue Giddens).
• Wanstead Flats: Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Peregrine Falcon showing some interest in a large flock (90+) Jackdaw, small movement of finches: Lesser Redpoll, Siskin, Linnet, 20+ Chaffinch, Reed Bunting, Redwing, Fieldfare, 5 Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Goldcrest, 6 Stock Dove south, 10+ Meadow Pipit, 6 Pied Wagtail, m Stonechat still in brooms though elusive, 7 Skylark (Tim Harris/Dan Hennessy/Nick Croft)
• Whitewebbs Wood: 1 male Firecrest, in sub-song, feeding in Holly & Hornbeams, 10:20 - 11:15 hrs (Robert Callf).
• Worcester Park: 0900-1100 15 Redwing west, 5 Fieldfare, Goldcrest, Little Grebe (Bob Smith).

Tuesday 9th October 2012

• Alexandra Park: 0700-0720: 2 Redwing W, Redpoll S, Chiffchaff, Jackdaw (Bob Watts).
• Brent Reservoir: viz-mig: 3 Rook, 48 Chaffinch, 32 Goldfinch, 12 House Martin, 8 Swallow, 60 Redwing, 4 Jackdaw, Skylark, 8 Pied Wagtail, 8 Siskin; also 6 Wigeon (Brent Birders)
• Brunel University Bicentenary Gardens: At least 5 Redpolls, first of the season, 2+ Redwings, 4+ Bullfinches, also still a few Blackcaps and Chiffies (Roger Morton)
• Canons Farm: Brambling among 200+ flock of Chaffinch & Linnet, Buzzard, 2 Kestrel, Pied Wagtail, 4 Canada Gosoe N 10:00 (Nigel Sluman). Marsh Tit still on north side of Ruffett Wood, Chiffchaff, 3 Swallows, c5 House Martins (David Campbell).
• Cranford CP (J3 M4): c30 Redwing over St Dunstan's church 1600-1615 (Wendy Marks)
• East India Dock Basin: Goldcrest (rare here), Swallow south, Chiffchaff, 84 Teal, 5 Tufted Duck (John Archer).
• Hampstead Heath: Wigeon pair (pic) on Highgate No. 1 (Jo Edwards). Parliament Hill to 0900 - few Meadow Pipits, Greenfinch and Chaffinch, 10 Swallows belting south, 1 Skylark (Greengrandad)
• Heathrow Airport: Pied Wagtail, Grey Wagtail (1st I've seen around here), 17 Linnett, Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon, 2 Common Buzzard (Rob Mills)
• Kenwood House: 14.45: Buzzard W, mobbed by two crows. (Neil Bowman).
• Lake Farm CP: 2 Red Kites flew over around 13.00 hrs, 3 Stonechats at eastern side, 100s of Woodpigeons in all directions, Common Buzzard yesterday (Wendy Marks, Peter Naylor).
• Morden Park: 2 Redpolls, Chiffchaff (David Campbell).
• Rainham Marshes RSPB Reserve: Some very good viz mig stuff from 0745 to 0845 then quietening down: 13 Chiffchaff, 6 Goldcrest, 11 Lesser Redpoll, 2 Siskin, 7 Brambling, 130 Goldfinch, 189 Linnet, 10 Greenfinch, Rock Pipit, 45 Meadow Pipit, 44 Skylark, m Yellowhammer, 26 Reed Bunting, 12 Fieldfare, 5 Redwing, 4 Song Thrush, 230 Wood Pigeon, 18 Stock Dove, 13 Swallow, 2pr Pintail incl. leucistic f, 2 Avocet, Greenshank, Little Ringed Plover, Green Sandpiper, Ruff, Short-eared Owl, Blackcap, Curlew, 2 Kingfisher, pr Stonechat, 3 juv Marsh Harriers (no tags) (mostly Howard Vaughan and Dave Smith, RSPB).
• Regent's Park/Primrose Hill: ♂ Marsh Harrier SE past Primrose Hill lookout 07:40, 11 Redwing (incl. ten over NE 07:30), 1 Pied Wagtail, 4 Chiffchaff (birdman_euston).
• Sewardstone Marsh: 0815-0900: 6 Swallow, 4 House Martin, 2 Siskin, 15 Meadow Pipit, 11 Song Thrush, Goldcrest, Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaff, 4 Linnet, Kestrel, Reed Bunting (Martin Shepherd).
• Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park: 0805-0840: 2 Redwings W, 7 Redpoll S, 12 Chaffinch, 3 Greenfinch, 22 Woodpigeon, 2 Jays, Alba Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, 2 Meadow Pipits, 3 Starling, also 1+ Chiffchaff and 3+ Goldcrests in mixed flocks (Bob Watts).
• Trent Park: A flock of c 60 finches comprising mainly Siskin with some Goldfinch at S end of Moat Wood and then W edge of Ride Wood. Lesser Redpoll over S end of Moat Wood. Kestrel, Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, Pochard, Chiffchaff (Pete Lowman).
• Victoria Park: 36 Pochard, 15 Tufted Duck (John Archer).
• Wanstead Flats: vis-migging 2-4 Brambling, 15 Lesser Redpoll, 5 Siskin, 2 Linnet, 20 + Chaffinch, 10 + Goldfinch, 14 Greenfinch, 5 Reed Bunting, m Stonechat, 20 + Redwing, 2 Fieldfare, 6 Song Thrush, 8 Skylark, 20 + Meadow Pipit, 10 Pied Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, 11 Chiffchaff, 3 Blackcap, 9 Swallow, 6 House Martin, 9 Goldcrest, 5 Gadwall, 4 Shoveler 2 Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrel (Tony Brown/Steve Thorpe/Dan Hennessy/Nick Croft).
• West Drayton: 2 Red Kite near Heathrow Airport at 2pm (Sue Giddens).

Monday 8th October 2012

• Alexandra Park: 0700-0720 - 2 Meadow Pipits, Chiffchaff, also 6+ Goldcrests in Conservation Pond area 1745 (Bob Watts).
• Blackheath: 4 Meadow Pipits feeding, 20 Pied Wagtails, 8 Common Gulls, 1 Egyptian Goose (Joe Beale)
• Brent Reservoir: male Stonechat on dump, male Peregrine carrying prey, VisMig 07.00-09.15: 3 Swallows, 2 Redwing, 2 Siskin, 53 Chaffinch, 36 Redpolls, 3 Meadow Pipits before rain (Andrew Verrall).
• Canons Farm: Marsh Tit at north edge of Ruffett Wood (David Campbell).
• Enfield Lock: Goldcrest in garden at 14:45 (Martin Shepherd).
• Greenwich Park: Meadow Pipits over (6 or 7, various directions), 2 Chiffchaffs, 10+ Goldcrests, 16+ Redwings in small groups over, also 6 migrant thrushes over contained both Redwings and Song Thrushes, 19 Goldfinch south, 4 Jays W and many more around (Joe Beale).
• Heathrow Airport: 2 Wheatear; 2 Black Redstart (Rob Mills)
• Hilly Fields SE4 : Sparrowhawk (Phil Laurie)
• Paddington Green: 2 Peregrine Falcon, 13 Jay (D. McKenzie).
• Regent's Park/Primrose Hill: 2 Jackdaw over SW 08:55, 2 Redwing, 3 Lesser Redpoll, 3 Meadow Pipit over S 07:35, 3 Pied Wagtail, 4 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap. First time this autumn I've seen either Redwings or Redpolls feeding in the Park (birdman_euston).
• Rye Meads: Garganey (Birdguides).
• Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park: 3+ Chiffchaffs, 2 Goldcrest, 2 Jays over (Bob Watts).
• Wanstead Flats: 32 Chaffinch, 65 Goldfinch, 22 Siskin, 36 Lesser Redpoll, 4 Linnet, 23 Meadow Pipit, 15 Pied Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, 7 House Martin, 11 Swallow, 14 Chiffchaff, 3 Blackcap, 5 Goldcrest, 7 Redwing, 6 Shoveler, f Teal, 4 Gadwall, 2 Lapwing, Common Snipe, 2 Sparrowhawk, Kestrel (57sp). (Nick Croft/Tim Harris) 

Sunday 7th October 2012

• Amwell: 40 Siskin, 8 Redpoll sp, 1f Mandarian, 1 Reed Warbler ( Chris & Pete Langsdon)
• Blackheath: Night - Song Thrush and Redwings heard migrating overhead (Joe Beale)
• Brent Reservoir: vizmig 07.00-12.00 Brambling, Rock Pipit, Skylark, 21 Jackdaw, 92 Redwing, 25 Siskin etc, also 8 Wigeon & 11 Ruddy Ducks (Brent Birders).
• Clapham Common: 12 Redwing over at 15:30 flying North West. Also big Jay movements last few days. (Mark H)
• Dagenham Chase LNR: 2 Siskin,1 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 fem Blackcap, a few Chiffchaff, Cetti's Warbler heard, Water Rail heard, 9 Lapwing, 3 Jackdaw. ( V.Halley-Frame ).
• Greenwich: adult Mediterranean Gull lingering in the ASDA/Retail Park car park off Bugsby Way late a'noon and coming to bread (ringed PJN0, probably in Poland, and seen on the River Thames off Anchor & Hope last Saturday); also male Black Redstart still on the peninsular (Richard Bonser).
• Greenwich Park: 9 Redwing, 1 Siskin, 2 Pied Wagtail, 4 Jay, 10 Meadow Pipit - all flyovers, 1030-1200 (James Lowen)
• Hounslow Heath: 4 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, 6+ Jay (Catherine & Minna Beazley)
• Leyton Oliver Road/Orient Way area: 5 Redwing NW, 2 Song Thrush N, 21+ Meadow Pipit over, 2 Skylark N, 2 Lesser Redpoll over, 8 Siskin N, 21 Pied Wagtail Marsh Lane, 2 Reed Warbler, 3 Common Whitethroat, 4 Blackcap, 5 Goldcrest, 13 Mistle Thrush, Coal Tit, Yellow-legged Gull off from tip (Stuart Fisher)
• KGV Reservoir: 1 drake Long-tailed Duck- on the south basin from 0658hrs, disappeared by 0708hrs. 3 Goldeneye, 4 Wigeon , 4 Little Grebe, 1 Wheatear all on the north basin. (Neville Smith)
• London Wetland Centre: 08.15 c.22 Redwing over W. 5 Meadow Pipit, ♂ Sparrowhawk, 2 Pintail, 16 Wigeon, 1 Snipe (Martin Honey).
• Pinner Park Farm: 1 Little Owl, Meadow Pipit, 7 Jay, 1 Green Woodpecker & 2 Grey Heron (Jon Ridge).
• Rainham Marshes: Bearded Tit (Birdguides). Short-eared Owl, Marsh Harrier, Ruff, ad Yellow legged gull, (Jamie_Partridge Lol Bodini).
• Richmond Park: 30+ Redwing over, 4 Siskin, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 3 Stonechat, 10 Skylark, 20+ Meadow Pipits (Oscar Dewhurst). Also pr Red-crested Pochard, Buzzard high on thermal near Pembroke Lodge 13.00 joined by second bird over 5 minutes later with both drifting SW; 3rd bird then hunting low mobbed by Crows, Kingfisher + Grey Wagtail lower Pen Ponds, 2 Chiffchaff, 22 Siskin actively pecking at leaf mines on Horse Chestnut by Bishop's Pond for over 5 minutes before flying to Alders- new behaviour feeding on these larvae? (Neil Anderson).
• Rye Meads: 2 Snipe, 1 Cetti's Warbler, Green Sandpiper, 2 Common Buzzard, Bittern reported. (Chris & Pete Langsdon)
• Staines Moor: 1 1st-year Gannet south low over the moor at 12:45. Also, 1 Short-eared Owl on east side, 2 Stonechat, 9 Redwing, 5 Swallow N, 1 alba Wagtail N, 1 Redpoll, 2 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, 15 Meadow Pipit, 2 Grey Wagtail along the Colne, 5 Jay and 1 Reed Bunting (Lee Dingain - terrible Gannet pics here ).
• Streatham Common: 1 Tawny Owl (R Bell)
• Tooting Bec Common Lake: 1 Kestrel over and 5 Jays - according to RSPB European Jays are coming here due to acorn failure abroad (Michael Mac).
• Totteridge Valley: 6 Chiffchaff (3 singing): 5 Meadow Pipit: 2 Reed Bunting: 1 Rook: 1 Treecreeper: 1 Grey Wagtail: 1 Sparrowhawk (John Colmans).
• Uxbridge: Red Kite north low over Swakeley's Roundabout (A.40) at 13.45. (Alex Randall)
• Wanstead Flats: Tree Pipit, 30+ Meadow Pipit, 18 Pied Wagtail, 4 Wheatear, 56 Redwing, 10 Chiffchaff, 3 Goldcrest, 16 Chaffinch, 14 Lesser Redpoll, 3 Linnet, 6 Siskin, m eclipse Teal, 3 Gadwall, 2 Shoveler, 16 Skylark, Common Buzzard as seen from the park, Common Snipe (A Wanstead Collective).
• Wanstead Park: 10+ Meadow Pipit, 2 Grey Wagtail, 2 Kingfisher, 22 Gadwall, 31 Tufted Duck, 20 Pochard, 13 Goldcrest, 3 Chiffchaff, Reed Bunting, 8 Lesser Redpoll, 3 Siskin, 2 Common Buzzard (Nick Croft/Paul Davis)
• West Harrow: Common Buzzard over north mobbed by 5 Ring-necked Parakeets & Carrion Crow 16.30 (Alex Massey).
• West Hyde: Peregrine hunting over arable fields. Seen three times during the afternoon, at one point almost catching a feral Pigeon but the bird somehow managed to escape. Small passage of Skylark over NW also (John Edwards).
• Whitewebbs Wood: 2 (m&f) Firecrest, together, feeding in Holly & Hornbeams, 13:20 - 13:30 hrs (Robert Callf).
• Wimbledon Common: 11.30-15.00 - Lesser Redpoll 1, Chiffchaff 2 (Large Mound); 1 Buzzard over, 30+ Redwing over (Plain); stopped counting Jays at 30 with large numbers dispersed across the Common; Tawny Owl calling at 15.00 just outside the Common at top of Bathgate Road (Martin Daniel).
• Wormwood Scrubs: c50 Redwing west, c25 Song Thrush, 1 male Blackcap, c6 Chiffchaff, c20 Meadow Pipit, 1 Skylark, c3 Jackdaw, c10 Jay & 2 Kestrels together. Y/day 2 Stonechat - 1st for the winter & c1,000 House Martin heading north in a dense flock (The Scrubbers).

Saturday 6th October 2012

• Alexandra Park: 1 Tawny Owl heard calling and seen flying between trees in The Grove at 8.15 p.m. (James Palmer).
• Bedfords Park LNR: male Firecrest in laurels along bridleway near Nursery Wood at 15.10 (C.Jupp)
• Blackheath: swirl of c12 House Martins and Swallows mid-morning drifted south, also 2-3 Meadow Pipits. Dips: at least 2 Siskins heard over, Green Woodpecker, 2 Red Admirals (Joe Beale).
• Brent Reservoir: viz-mig: 74 House Martin, 3 Swallow, 2 Meadow Pipit, 8 Pied Wagtail, 7 Chaffinch, 4 Greenfinch, 29 Siskin, 11 Redpoll, 2 Bullfinch, 2 Reed Bunting, 9 Jay; also 6 Wigeon & Peregrine (Brent Birders).
• Canons Farm: 3 Woodlarks (Steve Gale via David Campbell). Barn Owl (DC).
• Chingford: f, type Redstart seen mid-morning flying from hawthorn into higher canopy south of pitch and put course - viewed from KGV reservoir (Martin Shepherd).
• Crayford Marshes: 3 Greenshank, Kingfisher, Redpoll, Buzzard, Marsh Harrier (Tom Clarke).
• Crossness: 2 Wheatears (1 reserve, 1 Southern Marsh), Green Sandpiper (reserve), 15 Black-Tailed Godwit (13 river inc 1 with 2 leg rings; red above yellow, 2 reserve), 300+ Teal (100+ river, 200+ reserve), 75+ Redshank (river), Great Crested Grebe (outflow), 32+ Lapwing (20 river, 12 reserve), Dunlin (outflow) Cetti's Warbler (James Hudson)
• Danson Park: 2 Little Grebe, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 1 female Tufted Duck, 2 Mute Swan, 6 Egyptian Geese, 2 Grey Heron. (Chris Rose).
• East Wickham (Welling): Junction Central Av/Wickham St - 1 Sparrowhawk, EW Open Space - 1 Green Woodpecker (Chris Rose).
• Greenwich Park: Minimum 16 Jays over west, around 10 am, but more present - counted only these to avoid duplication, also Goldcrests, 2-3 Chiffchaff, Nuthatch, Green Woodpecker, Stock Dove, Meadow Pipit over, Speckled Wood (Joe Beale).
• Hampstead Heath: Parliament Hill vis mig 08:00-08:45, 2 Redpolls (N), 15 Swallow (N), c20 Meadow Pipits (mostly W), a few Chaffinches and Greenfinches, 2 Mistle Thrush and a Siskin heard. Elsewhere, 25 Goldfinches, Sand Martin with c40 House Martins (Chris Bird).
• Ingrebourne Valley: 220 House Martins spread out all over the marsh (flooded), 2 Common Buzzards, 8 Goldcrest, 11 Chiffchaff, Kingfisher, 2 Snipe, 6 Cetti's Warblers, 35 Shoveler, 4 Redpoll sp over, 7 Yellowhammers and 12 Jay (Dave Morrison).
• King George V Reservoir: Kingfisher, Little Egret, Grey Wagtail, Grey Heron on flood relief channel (M Harper). Also Wheatear and 4 Meadow Pipit (Martin Shepherd).
• Larkhall Park - Stockwell: 30 Ring-necked Parakeets feeding on sycamore tree, highest count to date here (Michael Mac).
• Leyton (Oliver Road/Orient Way): Short-eared Owl flew off from edge of field near Orient Way North west towards Oliver Road allotments pursued by a Crow (07:35), 12 Jay incl groups of 3 and 8 over, 2 Goldcrest, 3 Blackcap, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Reed Warbler in bulrushes in fenced 'pond' near Asda, 38+ Pied Wagtail (Marsh Lane), 10 Pied/white wags over, 2 Grey Wagtails (Stuart Fisher).
• London Wetland Centre: Hen Harrier flying SW 09.10, 2 Pintail, Wheatear (website). 5 Siskin, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 4 Blackcap (Oscar Dewhurst).
• Pinner Park Farm: 1 Reed Bunting over, 7 Meadow Pipit, 1 Little Owl, 4 Jay, Green Woodpecker & Grey Heron (Jon Ridge).
• Rainham Marshes: Short-eared Owl over Wennington Marshes (Ruth Barnes et al), 4 Northern Pintail, 56 Northern Shoveler, only 1 Little Egret in evidence, 97 Northern Lapwings and 3 Common Snipe Aveley Pools, plus 11 Swallows and 4 House Martins (mainly moving west into wind), Mistle Thrush and numerous (presumed immigrant) Blackbirds in the Cordite area, 3 Reed Warblers in large willow nr old MOD buildings still, 3 singing male Cetti's Warblers, 5 Blackcaps, 10 Common Chiffchaffs, 3 Goldcrests, 7 Lesser Redpolls, 2 Siskins over, oddly marked female Reed Bunting with strongly chestnut face pattern and narrow flank streaking recalling Little_Bunting on E side of Cordite, great views of Water Vole from the northern boardwalk, and Red Admiral still (Dominic Mitchell, Ruth Barnes et al))
• Regent's Park/Primrose Hill: 2 Jackdaw over SW 08:05, c15 Chiffchaff, 7 Blackcap (birdman_euston).
• Richmond Park: Spotted Flycatcher c.4:00pm on black railings alongside lower paddock within Holly Lodge grounds (Phil Davies).
• Ten Acre Wood area: 2m Pheasants, 2 Sparrowhawk (male mobbed by c15 House Martins + also a large female later), c15 Lapwing, c40 Meadow Pipits, 5 Swallow S, c30 House Martins, 2 Treecreepers, Nuthatch, Reed Bunting, c35 Linnets, 2 m Bullfinch, 11 Comma on 1 Ivy bush (+ 2 Red Admirals) + other observer also had Kingfisher + f Stonechat (Neil Anderson).
• Wanstead Flats: 07:30-09:30, probable Short-eared Owl over east, heading towards Ilford, at 9:10 (Steve Thorpe); 19 Swallows and 37 House Martins mostly W/SW between 8:30-8:45, 28 Meadow Pipits (resident birds), few Chiffchaffs, 2 Chaffinch over, 2 Reed Buntings (broom) (Tim Harris) 15:45-17:15 Wheatear police mud bath (nr Alex), 2 Blackcap Long Wood (Bob Vaughan).
• Woodford Green, Knighton Woods: 1 Firecrest - possibly 2, single birds seen in different locations within the wood, 8 Mandarin Duck - 3 male, 5 female (Tony Brown).
• Yeading Brook Meadows: 2 Kestrels flushing pipits, etc from grass, 2 Sparrowhawks, Skylark, 7 Meadow Pipits, 2 Swallows S, 2 Chiffchaff, Linnet (Neil Anderson).

Friday 5th October 2012

• Alexandra Park: 4+ Chiffchaff, 4+ Goldcrest mostly in mixed flock near Conservation Pond 0700-0720 (Bob Watts).
• Brent Reservoir: Viz-mig 07.00-9.30: 22 Meadow Pipit, 15 Pied Wagtail, 9 Swallow, 21 House Martin, 4 Linnet, 4 Siskin, Reed Bunting, etc; also 6 Wigeon, 2 Lapwing (Andrew Self, Andrew Verrall).
• Brookmill Park: Drake Mandarin, Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrest (Conrad Ellam)
• Canons Farm: Brambling (cfbwbirds). Stonechat, 6 Canada Goose, 2 Meadow Pipit, c50 Linnet, 2 Kestrel, 3 Skylark, flocks of Chaffinch & Goldfinch, 200-250 mixed flock of Black-headed Gull, Common Gull and Herring Gull (Nigel Sluman).
• Greenwich Peninsula: Female Wheatear on O2 Helipad, at least 6 Chiffchaff in the area (Conrad Ellam)
• Hilly Fields, SE4: Sparrowhawk, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Jay, Long-tailed Tit (Phil Laurie).
• Maple Cross. 3 Golden Plover south mid morning plus 100+ House Martin, several swallow and a Sand Martin also south.. 50+ Linnet and 10+ Skylark on stubble beside M25 (John Edwards).
• Oakwood Park, N14: 1 Sparrowhawk; 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker; 3 Swallow; 1 Meadow Pipit; 1 Chiffchaff; 4 Goldcrest; 3 Nuthatch - 11:00 - 12:00 hrs (Robert Callf).
• Pinner Park Farm: 1 Kestrel, 9 Swallow, 8 Jay, 6 Mistle Thrush, 3 Song Thrush & 1 Grey Heron (Jon Ridge).
• Snaresbrook Crown Court/Leyton Flats: 5 Little Egret east after the storm, 2 lone House Martin (1 south, 1 north), 2 Swallow NW, Pochard, 19 Tufted Duck on Eagle Pond plus usuals (Stuart Fisher)
• Trent Park: 20 Siskin, 15 House Martin, 2 Shoveller (m f), Tufted Duck(f), 3 Blackcap,2 Chiffchaff, Kestrel, Green Woodpecker. ( Pete Lowman).
• Wanstead Flats: (07-00-07.45) 1 Yellow-legged Gull, 10+ Herring Gull, 20+ Common Gull, 50+ Lesser Black-backed Gull and even more Black-headed Gull, alba wagtail (Bob Vaughan) (0800-0845); Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Herring Gull and Lesser Black-backed Gull in roost, 1 Skylark, 1 Swallow NE, 4 Meadow Pipit, 9 Chiffchaff (SSSI/Long Wood), 2 Goldcrests (Long Wood) (Tim Harris).

Thursday 4th October 2012

• Alexandra Park: 10+ Meadow Pipits, 3 Chiffchaff, Alba Wagtail, 6 Greenfinch (Bob Watts).
• Bentley Priory: 1f Wheatear on field south of lake 3:15pm, Kingfisher on Lake (Richard Francis).
• Bexleyheath: circa 85 Feral Pigeon on Woolwich building roof, junction Erith Rd/Watling St. (Chris Rose).
• Brent Reservoir: Little Egret feeding, Hobby seen 3 times after Migrant Hawkers, 6 Wigeon; also Meadow Pipit, 2 House Martin, 35 Chaffinch, 1 Siskin over; plus 3 female-type Ruddy Duck with two small ruddyducklings, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Red Fox with young Moorhen in its mouth (Andrew Haynes, John Gravatt, Andrew Verrall).
• Brookmill Park: Kingfisher, 2 Chiffchaff (Conrad Ellam)
• East Acton (Western Circus/Bromyard): 2 Grey Wagtails, Chiffchaff, 2 Jackdaw NE (Neil Anderson)
• Greenwich Park: 2 Siskin, 1 Redpoll, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap (James Lowen)
• Kings Cross: immature Peregrine perched on balcony of Kings Place building (near my window) at 16:40 then flew towards St Pancras station (Ian Ellis).
• Paddington Green: Redwing over c21:00, 2 Jackdaw over a.m. (D. McKenzie).
• Pinner Park Farm: 1 Little Owl, 84 House Martin south-west, 7 Swallow, 18 Meadow Pipit, 3 Jay, 1 Grey Heron (Jon Ridge).
• Ravenscourt Park: A single Redwing over east 0655hrs. (Neville Smith)
• Snaresbrook Crown Court/Leyton Flats: Vis mig: 80+ Chaffinch south, 11 Meadow Pipit South, 12 Swallow NW, 15 Linnet South, 1 Redpoll North, 1 Siskin NW, c3 Pied/White Wagtail over. Also 1 Firecrest, 10 Goldcrest, Coal Tit, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, 1 Pochard (Stuart Fisher)
• Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park: Meadow Pipit SW, 3 Chiffchaffs, Mistle Thrush, male Sparrowhawk, 2 Goldcrests (Bob Watts).
• Vicarage Farm (Enfield): 1 male Stonechat (Robert Callf & Robin White).
• Waltham Abbey church: Crossbill west at 4pm (Simon Papps).
• Wanstead Flats: two flocks 40 &10 Meadow Pipits collecting at dusk (Bob Vaughan)

Wednesday 3rd October 2012

• Alexandra Park: 0700-0720: 6 Meadow Pipits, Alba Wagtail, 2 Chiffchaffs (Bob Watts).
• Brent Reservoir: viz-mig: 261 House Martin, 21 Chaffinch, 15 Swallows, 16 Starling, 17 Greenfinch, 5 Siskin; also 6 Wigeon (Andrew Self & Andrew Verrall).
• Camden Lock NW1: 60+ House Martins feeding and moving slowly SW at 1730 (Francis Tusa)
• Erith Cemetery (east section): 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 4 Greenfinch, 3 Chaffinch, 2 Goldcrest (Chris Rose).
• Finsbury Park: Male Mandarin, 2 Coal Tit by skate park, 7 Siskin in trees briefly football pitch. (Chris Langsdon).
• Northumberland Heath, woodland along Carlton Rd behind Our Lady of the Angels church: 1 Nuthatch, 2 Jay. 28 Feral Pigeon flying over Carlton Rd near Thorne Close/settling on house roofs. (Chris Rose).
• Nunhead Cemetery, SE15, 0815-0930: 5 House Martin (south), 16 Jay (inc 9 in a loose flock from south), c10 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap, 8 Chaffinch (over  East), 4+ Goldcrest, Nuthatch (Peter Beckenham).
• Paddington Green: 6 Egyptian Goose toward Regent's Park, 2 Peregrine Falcon, Meadow Pipit and Siskin over (D. McKenzie).
• Rotherhithe: 3 Egyptian Goose Greenland Dock early morning (Richard Bonser).
• Snaresbrook Crown Court/Leyton Flats: 55 House Martin south then lunchtime a few flew North west, 2 Swallow south, 10 Meadow Pipit south, drake Gadwall, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, 7 Goldcrest, Coal Tit, 15 Goldfinch, 21 Jay (seemed to be flying in from an eaterly direction in 2's or 3's) (Stuart Fisher)
• South Lodge Farm (Enfield): 1 Whinchat, here for third day (Robert Callf).
• Staines Reservoir: 18.00-18.40 juv Garganey still on west bank of north basin. (Neil Randon)
• Tooting Bec Common (north end, 2.55-3.45pm), 21 Swallows, singly and in small groups heading W and S; 2 Chiffchaff (Nick Granger-Taylor).
• Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park: 3+ Chiffchaffs (Bob Watts).
• Tufnell Park N7 0930: A single Redwing first of the season (Neil Bowman).
• Uxbridge town centre: 1 Red Kite (Roger Dewey).
• Wanstead Flats (Bush Wood playing fields, 07:00-07:30): 1 Grey Heron (over), 22 Black-headed Gulls, 3 Common Gulls, 28 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 21 Herring Gulls, 1 adult Yellow-legged Gull (Dan Hennessy, Tim Harris).
• Woodlands Farm: Steady trickle of Swallows & House Martins between 1pm & 5pm + a few Chiffchaffs but otherwise very quite (Conrad Ellam)

Tuesday 2nd October 2012

• Alexandra Park: 2 Meadow Pipits, Chiffchaff 0655-0720 (Bob Watts).
• Barking Bay: 121 Meadow Pipit (41 south across river), 2 Tree Pipit south, 6 Jay south, 110 Linnet, 3 Grey Wagtail, Corn Bunting, Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Redpoll sp over, Yellow Wagtail, Black-tailed Godwit, 112 Redshank and 93 Shelduck. Also Grey Seal with what looks like a large Bass or Mullett (Dave Morrison).
• Battersea Park: male Sparrowhawk (1st seen this year), 11 Shoveler, Great Crested Grebe with 1 young just before dusk. Last year feral Egyptian Geese and Red-crested Pochard bred for 1st time - this year neither bred (Michael Mac).
• Bottom Wood, nr Maple Cross: 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Red Kite, 1 Kestrel (Roger Dewey).
• Brent Reservoir: viz-mig: 185 House Martins, 33 Chaffinch, 23 Meadow Pipits, 22 Goldfinch etc; also 6 Wigeon & 2 Snipe (Andrew Self & Andrew Verrall).
• Canons Farm: 10 Swallow, 11 House Martin, 4 Skylark, 4 Chaffinch, 3 Stock Dove, 2 Rook, Kestrel, 32 Herring Gull (Nigel Sluman).
• Ewell (Hogsmill Open Space): 1 Swallow & 4 House Martin nw, 1 Sand Martin sw, Blackcap, Nuthatch, Kingfisher (Neil Batten).
• Finsbury Park: 7 Pochard, 6 Tufted, 1 male Mandarin Duck, 2 adult Egyptian Geese, 6 Greylag, 20 Canada, 2 Mute Swan (Chris Rose).
• Gillespie Park: Yellow Wagtail over mid am. (Chris Langsdon)
• Paddington Green: c80 Goldfinch (D. McKenzie).
• Pinner Park Farm: 2 Little Owl, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Jay & 5 Grey Heron (Jon Ridge).
• Staines Reservoir: 17.30-18.25 1 juv Garganey (N. Basin, west bank), 2 Black-necked Grebe (S. Basin), 35 House Martin (S. Basin) (A.Luscombe).
• Stoneleigh (Chadacre Road): 08.35 to 09.05 - 3 Meadow Pipit sw, 2 Sparrowhawk east (Neil Batten).
• Tufnell Park N7: Grey Wagtail 0845 (Neil Bowman)
• Trent Park: 25 House Martin, 2 Swallow, Kestrel, Chiffchaff(s), 2 Shoveller (f), 2 Tufted Duck (f), 12 Siskin.(P.S Neil ! what were you doing in Tufnell Park??)  ( Pete Lowman) 
• Wanstead Flats: 0645-0800, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrel, 4 Swallow, 12 Meadow Pipit, 1 Grey Wagtail, 4 Chiffchaff, inc. 1 singing bird (Tim Harris, Dan Hennessy)
• Woodoaks Farm, Maple Cross: 1 Little Owl, 100+ Swallow and 100 + House Martin & a few Sand Martin. (Roger Dewey).
• Woodside Park: 2 House Martin, 3 Siskin, 2 Grey Wagtail (Ian Ellis).
• Wormwood Scrubs: 1 Kingfisher low over the football pitches heading NE, 1 Redwing (1st for the season), c30 Swallow mostly SW, c2 House Martin, c6 Chiffchaff, 1 female Blackcap, 1 Peregrine, 2 Jackdaw, c7 Jay, c30 Meadow Pipit, c6  alba wagtails south (The Scrubbers).

Monday 1st October 2012

• Alexandra Park: 6 Swallows 1745-1815 mostly NW (Bob Watts).
• Brent Reservoir: (morning) 6 Wigeon, 3 Common Snipe, Green Sandpiper, 2 Lapwing, Sand Martin (Bill Haines); (afternoon) 4 Chiffchaff, 4 Swallow, House Martin, Siskin over (Andrew Verrall).
• Brookmill Park: The Gull does indeed appear to be a Lesser Black-back (a rather pale individual). Otherwise very quiet in the park - Mandarin still emerging from eclipse, 2 Goldcrest (Conrad Ellam).
• Danson Park: 2 Shoveler (pair - eclipse male), 9 Pochard, 3 Tufted Duck, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 8 Egyptian Geese, 41 Canada Geese, 2 Mute Swan, 2 Grey Heron, 3 Cormorant, 1 Green Woodpecker, 168 Ring-necked Parakeet apparently converging, in various groups, on 'woodland' in main wildlife area (Chris Rose).
• East Dulwich: 50 House Martin west (Steven Robinson).
• Enfield: Whinchat (Birdguides).
• Greenwich, Highbridge Wharf: 50+ House Martin 09:30 high up heading west (observer?).
• Hampstead Heath: Common Gull, 5 Gadwall, 3 Shoveler (Highgate no. 1), mixed tit flock with Chiffchaff and Spotted Flycatcher (hedgerow adjacent to Highgate no. 2) 4-5pm (Adrian Platt).
• Lewisham: 15 House Martin west 10.50 (Conrad Ellam).
• Norwood Grove Recreation Ground: 1 tawny owl (heard) (R Bell)
• Paddington Green: Hobby south-west / south 15:25 (from Hampstead direction), 2 Peregrine Falcon, 3-4 Grey Wagtail (1 singing), at least 7 Chiffchaff (1-2 singing) (D. McKenzie).
• Pinner Park Farm: 5 Jay, 4 Misttle Thrush, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Chiffchaff (Jon Ridge).
• South Norwood CP: 56 House Martin west (Steven Robinson).
• Streatham Hill (Telford Avenue, near Tooting Bec Common, 3.30pm): 50-60 Carrion Crow in noisy congregation on rooftops; 1 Sparrowhawk mobbed by 2 Carrion Crow; 4 Swallow heading S (Nick Granger-Taylor).

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