News November 2009

From Londonbirders


Monday 30th November

  • Staines Moor: 1w BROWN SHRIKE 14;30hrs at least (51st day); park at south end of Hithermoor Road, Stanwell Moor and take concrete footpath south by KGVI Reservoir fence, fork right through kissing gate and across boardwalk to the bridge to view. Please do not cross the river or disturb the bird in its favoured feeding areas (Birdguides).
  • Beddington SF: 3 Common Snipe, ad Mediterranean Gull, ad Caspian Gull, ad Yellow-legged Gull (Dip or Glory).
  • Bromley-by-Bow: 1 Green Sandpiper, Sparrowhawk (seen chase and catch a House Sparrow), Kestrel, Kingfisher, Great-spotted Woodpecker, 1 Chiffchaff, 14 Greenfinch, 6 Goldfinch (S Fisher)
  • London Wetland Centre: Bittern, 42 Wigeon, Pintail, Jack Snipe, 9 Common Snipe, Yellow-legged Gull, 1w Caspian Gull, 3 Cetti's Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff, Lesser Redpoll NW (Birdguides/LWC website).
  • Queen Elizabeth II Res: Brent Goose circled 1240-1246 then flew SW, pr Pintail, ad Yellow-legged Gull (SBC).
  • Rainham Marshes: fem/1w Serin still just west of the mound this a.m. (Birdguides).
  • Rainham Ferry Lane to Stone Barges pm: male Cetti's Warbler, Short-eared Owl, 220 Black-tailed Godwit on mud near Tilda Factory, 15+ Redshank, 1 Teal, 2 Snipe, 2 Lapwing, 5000+ Starling flew west from direction of tip, 2 (now thought to be) Goosander flew upriver at dusk (S Fisher)
  • Staines Res: 2 Scaup still south basin - mid morning (KLP).
  • Crossness: Black Redstart on concrete c50m west of the incinerator at 1pm (Ian Miller per JA); 4 adult Yellow-legged Gulls off Golf Centre this afternoon (John Archer).
  • Kensington Gardens (brief visit): ad Mediterranean Gull on Round Pond to 12:05hrs at least but fairly mobile (Des McKenzie).
  • Regent's Park: Black Redstart on the roof of Regent's College before flying off towards the south end of the park 13:15hrs (Birdguides).
  • River Roding (Creekmouth): 41 Shelduck, 33 Teal, Curlew, 138 Redshank, Rock Pipit (ELBF).
  • River Roding, Woodford Bridge: Kingfisher (Alan Hobson).
  • Seventy Acres Lake (Lee Valley): fem Goldeneye, Little Grebe, Cetti's Warbler, Greenfinch (ELBF).
  • Tower Hamlets Cemetery: 2 Firecrest (incluing male) still in Horse Chestnut Glade. Also male Peregrine west at 1215, 1w Song Thrush (Bob Watts).
  • Tyttenhanger GPs: Goldeneye (f), 5 Little Grebe, Kingfisher, 9 Tree Sparrow, 6 Yellowhammer, 11 Fieldfare, 178 Lapwing (Steve B).
  • Whitewebbs Wood, Enfield: 1 male Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, 12:54 GMT; 3 Firecrest, feeding in Holly,(2 together, 12:58-13:05 GMT, one, 13:48 GMT); 3 Goldcrest; 4+ Coal Tit; 2 Nuthatch; 4 Treecreeper; 1 Common Buzzard, over, 12:53 GMT (Robert Callf).
  • Little Britain:2 Jay,5 Wigeon,30+ Gadwall,2 Little Grebes,1 Gt Sp Woodpecker,1 Redwing,1 Grey Wagtail,1 Pheasant in field.2 Pied Wagtails.(Sue Giddens).

Sunday 29th November

  • Staines Moor: 1w BROWN SHRIKE again this a.m. (50th day); park at south end of Hithermoor Road, Stanwell Moor and take concrete footpath south by KGVI Reservoir fence, fork right through kissing gate and across boardwalk to the bridge to view. Please do not cross the river or disturb the bird in its favoured feeding areas (Birdguides).
  • Amwell GPs: ad Caspian Gull in roost (Birdguides).
  • King George V Res (permit access): Great Northern Diver still (J. Murray).
  • London Wetland Centre: Bittern still today, ad Kittiwake at mid-day then flew west; also 4 Yellow-legged Gull, 2 Water Pipit, Firecrest, m Mealy Redpoll (Birdguides).
  • Rainham Marshes: fem/1w Serin still 100m west of the mound this p.m. (Birdguides); 1+ Serin 2:45pm 200yds west of mound (D Bradnum, J Lethbridge); m Dartford Warbler opposite Silts (P & R Hawkins, S Harvey, J Lethbridge, M Blow), 1 C.Buzzard Old Lagoons (Steve Bacon), m Marsh Harrier (LondonBirdersYahoo).
  • Staines Reservoir: 2 Scaup S basin (adult drake and first-winter female); did not see GN Diver today. Also Common Sandpiper N basin (Rob Innes).
  • Woodford Green: m Goshawk over, 2 Little Egret over, Firecrest in private garden a.m. (Birdguides).
  • Woolwich: ad Caspian Gull on pontoons at George V Dock again this a.m. (Birdguides).
  • Crossness: 1st winter Caspian Gull briefly off golf centre at 1.30pm then flew east, also 7 Yellow-legged Gulls (4 adults, 3rd winter, 1st winter), 2 Curlew, 89 Black-tailed Godwits, 300 Dunlin, 10 Shoveler, Fieldfare (John Archer).
  • Beddington SF: Peregrine, Little Egret, 6 Common Snipe, 9 Green Sandpiper, 4 Water Pipit (Dip or Glory).
  • Bedfords Park: fem Firecrest between C.P and visitor centre + Goldrest 2 Nuthatch (Steve Bacon).
  • Crayford Marsh: 3 Little Egrets, 18 Fieldfare, Common Sandpiper, 3 Stonechats, 30 Black-Tailed Godwits, c70 Dunlin, 48 Redshank, Little Grebe (Kev Jarvis).
  • East India Dock Basin / Bow Creek Eco Park: 3 Little Grebe, c175 Teal, 6 Tufted Duck, 17 Redshank, Common Sandpiper (waders in high tide roost), Stock Dove N, 2 Pied Wagtail, Song Thrush, Redwing, Chiffchaff (Nick Tanner).
  • Grovelands Park, Southgate: 94 (63m, 31f) Mandarin Duck; 1 Treecreeper; 3 Jay, together (Robert Callf).
  • Hyde Park/Kensington Gardens: ad Mediterranean Gull on Round Pond to 11:13hrs at least (not the German bird of recent winters and different to the ad at nearby Hyde Park on 14/11); 5 Egyptian Goose, 4 Gadwall, 8 Shoveler, 4 Red-crested Pochard, 2 Little Grebe, 27 Cormorant, 4w argentatus type Herring Gull, Tawny Owl showing well at day-roost (despite the weather), 2 Stock Dove, Pied Wagtail, Song Thrush, singing Mistle Thrush, Chiffchaff, Coal Tit, Nuthatch at feeders, c400 Starling (Des McKenzie).
  • Margravine Cemetery: 1 Coal Tit with c20 mixed Tit flock, 20-25 mixed Goldfinch-Chaffinch flock, 1 Mistle Thrush, 2 Jay, fem Great Spotted Woodpecker, fem Peregrine (Nathalie Mahieu).
  • Oakwood Park, N14: 1 Sparrowhawk; 3 Stock Dove, flew over; 2 Mistle Thrush, including one collecting nesting material; 3 male Chaffinch, together (Robert Callf).
  • Paddington Green: c130 Starling (Des McKenzie).
  • Wanstead Flats: 3 Teal, 17 Herring Gull, 90ish LBB Gull, 400+ Common Gull, 300+ BH Gull, male Stonechat (J Lethbridge, S Fisher).
  • Wanstead Park: 25 Redpoll sp near Glade (ELBF, JL, SF); Coal Tit, Firecrest in Reservoir Wood (JL, SF).
  • Waterworks NR: 21 Teal (James Palmer).

Saturday 28th November

  • Staines Moor: 1w BROWN SHRIKE again this a.m. (49th day); park at south end of Hithermoor Road, Stanwell Moor and take concrete footpath south by KGVI Reservoir fence, fork right through kissing gate and across boardwalk to the bridge to view. Please do not cross the river or disturb the bird in its favoured feeding areas (Birdguides).
  • Rainham RSPB: 2 Serin still at west end 200yds west of mound at 09:30, also Common Buzzard low over Wennington mobbed by crows, Peregrine, Green Sandpiper, 7 Fieldfare (Paul Hawkins).
  • Alexandra Park: 55 Redwing, 2 Mipit, Kingfisher W.G. Res, Chiffchaff near middle platform W.G. Res, 2 Pied Wag, Jackdaw Cricket Pitch, pr Shoveler on Boating Lake (Bob Watts, Stuart Harrington, Andrew Gardener).
  • Hammersmith Bridge: 1 Little Grebe (Nathalie Mahieu).
  • Lonsdale Reservoir: 1 m Kestrel, 2 Jackdaw, 3 Collared Dove, 2 Egyptian Goose, pr Shoveler, pr Gadwall, 4 Tufted Duck, ca 80 Teal, ca 25 Mallard, ca 70 Black Headed Gull, 5 Common Gull, 1 Lesser Black Backed Gull, 13 Cormorant, 2 Mute Swan, 1 Little Grebe, 3 Grey Heron, 6 Moorhen, 6 Coot, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker chasing each other (also calling & pecking), numerous Ring Necked Parakeet, 1 'vicious' Robin (Nathalie Mahieu).
  • Margravine Cemetery: 2 Mistle Thrush (1 singing) (Nathalie Mahieu).
  • Tyttenhanger GP's: 5 Red-crested Pochard (4m + 1f), 2 Goldeneye (m+f), Green Sandpiper, 2 Water Rail, 3 Little Grebe, 12 Fieldfare, Linnet, Bullfinch (m) (Steve Blake).
  • Canon's Farm: c.15 Yellowhammers, c.300 Linnet, c.15 Skylark, 3 Lesser Redpolls, 2 Coal Tit, 2 Nuthatch, 1 Bullfinch, up to 5 Meadow Pipits, 20+ Redwings and c.40 Fieldfares (DKC, KJM)
  • Crossness: ad Med Gull off the Golf Centre late afternoon plus c11 Yellow-legged Gulls (c7 adults, near-adult, 3rd winter, 2nd winter, 1st winter); 50 Gadwall at outfall (John Archer). Water pipit at incinerator outfall, late pm (P. Grin).
  • Vauxhall: Male Blackbird singing in front garden (Michael Mac)
  • South Norwood Lake: 1 Mute Swan, 12 Tufted Duck, 8 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 40+ Black-headed Gull, 2 Common Gullm 2 Lesser Blacked-backed Gull, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Song Thrush, 10+ Long-tailed Tit, (John Watson & Gavin Hawgood)
  • Trent Park: 2 Firecrest, together feeding in Holly, Williams Wood, 10:29 - 11:00 and 13:14 - 13:40 GMT; 6 Goldcrest; 7 Great Spotted Woodpecker; 1 Grey Wagtail, Camlet Moat; 6 Nuthatch; 2 Treecreeper; 1 Lesser Redpoll, feeding in Birch, by Lower Lake (Robert Callf).
  • Claybury Park: Firecrest, 3 Redpoll, 2 Coal Tits, Nuthatch, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 2 Green Woodpeckers, Sparrowhawk, large flock of Long-tailed Tits, 2 Jays (Alan Hobson).
  • Brent Res: Water Rail (15:10). (Michael F)

Friday 27th November

  • Staines Moor: 1w BROWN SHRIKE again this a.m. (48th day); park at south end of Hithermoor Road, Stanwell Moor and take concrete footpath south by KGVI Reservoir fence, fork right through kissing gate and across boardwalk to the bridge to view. Please do not cross the river or disturb the bird in its favoured feeding areas (Birdguides).
  • Bromley-by-Bow: Imm Shag on River Lea near Tesco bridge at c14.00 (not seen from 14.30), 4 Cormorants, 48 Teal in Channelsea part of River, 118 Mallard, 1 Gadwall, 2 Grey Herons, 2 Kingfisher, 1 Great Black-backed Gull (attempting to eat species of flatfish until chased off by Lesser Black backed Gull, the fish was later eaten down in one by a Cormorant), 1 Redpoll west, 1 Chiffchaff (S Fisher)
  • Fulham Reach (Thames): 1 Gadwall (1st of winter), 22 Tufted Duck, 2 Great Black-Backed Gull, 3 Common Gull, 10 Cormorant, 2 Moorhen, 1 Great Crested Grebe, Pied & Grey Wagtails, House Sparrows, 1 Thames Clearwater II (Nathalie Mahieu).
  • Hampstead Heath: Hampstead No 1 pond - pr of Gadwall, 60+ Black-headed Gulls. Hampstead No 2 pond - Mute Swan family 5 Cormorants on raft. Mixed Bathing pond - pr of Kingfishers flew over woods. Bird Bridge - 1 Coal Tit, 1 Dunnock, 2 Robins, Great Tit (no Blue Tit), 1 G S Woodpecker, 8 Woodpigeon, 2 Carrion Crow, 2 Magpie after bird seed (Michael Mac).
  • Tyttenhanger GPs: 2 Green Sandpiper, 15 Redwing, 9 Fieldfare, 3 Tree Sparrow, 4 Yellowhammer, c200 Lapwing (Steve B).
  • Walthamstow Reservoirs (north side): 5 Goldeneye (4 High Maynard, 1 Lockwood), 2 Shelduck, Meadow Pipit, c20 Teal, Water Rail calling from East bank of Lockwood, 2 Green Sandpipers (flood relief channel), 4 Grey Wagtails (Mark Pearson)
  • Ferny Hill Farm, Enfield: 17+ Yellowhammer (Robert Callf).
  • Trent Park: 1 Woodcock, flushed, Williams Wood, 15:29 GMT; 2 Firecrest, feeding in rhododendrons & holly, Williams Wood; 2 Goldcrest, together, feeding in Holly, Rough Lot; 10 Fieldfare, feeding on Rowan berries, edge of Moat Wood; 4+ Lesser Redpoll, Williams Wood (Robert Callf).

Thursday 26th November

  • Staines Moor: 1w BROWN SHRIKE again this a.m. (47th day); park at south end of Hithermoor Road, Stanwell Moor and take concrete footpath south by KGVI Reservoir fence, fork right through kissing gate and across boardwalk to the bridge to view. Please do not cross the river or disturb the bird in its favoured feeding areas, also Water Pipit by concrete bridge (Birdguides).
  • King George V Res (permit access): Great Northern Diver on South Basin this a.m. (Birdguides); still present at 11am on east side, viewed from Mansfield Park Hill - distant (J Lethbridge).
  • London Wetland Centre: Bittern showing well NW shore of Sheltered Lagoon a.m.; Shelduck, Jack Snipe (Marsh), 12 Common Snipe, 3 Skylark NW, 11 Fieldfare west, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Mealy Redpoll (m/f at entrance area), 10 Lesser Redpoll (entrance area) (LWC website). Also 2 Woodcock and 4 Goosander into the site at dusk (James Bray).
  • Rainham Marshes: 2 fem/1w Serin again this a.m. between the 1.8km and 2km signs (Birdguides).
  • Staines Reservoir: Great Northern Diver south basin early AM. Also 3 Goldeneye (Nigel Sluman)
  • William Girling Res (no access): Leach's Storm-petrel one in northwest corner early a.m. (Birdguides); still at 10am but almost invisable when sitting on water, where head and bill were drooping into the water & only flitted in flight twice. 212th London Year Tick (J Murray); no sign from Mansfield Park hill from 10:10-11:00am, but 6+ Black-necked Grebes (J Lethbridge), the KGV Res Great Northern Diver relocated to here later in the day, 12 Black-necked Grebe present (LondonBirders Yahoo Group).
  • Alexandra Park: 2 Fieldfare high north 0728, 12 Redwing west 0740 (Bob Watts).
  • Banstead Heath: 3 Firecrest showing well at golf club still along wooded footpath between post 657 and post 678 (Birdguides).
  • Bedford's Park: 2 Firecrest still showing well at EWT car park (Birguides).
  • Bromley-by-Bow: 2 Redshank, 43 Teal, 40+ Mallard, drake Pochard, drake Gadwall, 2 Little Grebe, Kingfisher, 2 Chiffchaff, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Peregrine over early afternoon, c80 Fieldfare west & 28+ Redwing west during morning, 1 Redpoll west (S Fisher).
  • Crossness: 5 Yellow-legged Gull (1w/2w/3ad), Water Pipit by Incinerator Outflow p.m. (Birdguides).
  • Fulham Sands End (supermarket): 1 Sparrowhawk, 20+ House Sparrow (Sparrowhawk made 1 attempt at them) (Nathalie Mahieu).
  • Hampstead Heath: Sparrowhawk, Dabchick (Men's Swimming Pond), 17 Shoveler, 60+ Tufted Duck. No winter thrushes or Goldcrests apparent (Sash Tusa). Kenwood: 20+ Redwing feeding in wood flew to tree tops very illusive, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Coal Tit, 4 Nuthatch, Blue and Great Tit feeding from hand, Treecreeper, m Kestrel, f Sparrowhawk spooked 100+ Woodpigeon, 2+ Jackdaw, 20+ Ring-necked Parakeet, 2 Egyptian Geese, Song Thrush singing briefly but possibly Starling mimicking? 30+ Starling. 250+ Carrion Crow. Hampstead No 1 Pond: Pair Mute Swans still have 9 cygnets (Michael Mac).
  • Little Britain: c30 Gadwall, 2 Wigeon, 2 Little Grebe, 3 Goldcrest (Nigel Sluman).
  • Maple Cross: Black Redstart at Woodoaks Farm (Birdguides).
  • Margravine Cemetery: 1 Coal Tit with small Long Tailed & Blue Tit flock, pr Peregrine (Nathalie Mahieu).
  • Paddington Green: Collared Dove north 14:10hrs, 2 Grey Wagtail, 12-15 Goldfinch (Des McKenzie).
  • Roding Valley Park: Kingfisher, Green Woodpecker, Goldfinch, 2 LBB Gulls, 2 Pied Wagtails, flock of Long-tailed Tits (Alan Hobson)
  • Stoke Newington Reservoirs: Cetti's Warbler still in front of obs platform, male and female Red-crested Pochard, presumed hybrid female Greater Scaup x Tufted Duck (present intermittently over the last fortnight or so), presumed hybrid drake aythya superficially showing several characteristics of Ring-necked Duck (video to follow), c80 Tufted Ducks, c50 Gadwall, c45 Shoveler, c60 Common Pochard (Mark Pearson). (Hybrid photo on Surfbirds - Uk scarce birds) but with head tucked in! (J.murray).
  • Waterloo Bridge: Sparrowhawk (Steve Chastell)
  • South Norwood Lake: 2 Mute Swan,20 tufted Duck, c50 Black-headed Gull,2 Common Gull,2 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 6 Cormorant,1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Siskin 20+ Long-tailed Tit, 12 Ring-necked Parakeet,
  • Vicarage Farm, Enfield: 2 Grey Wagtail, flew over, together, Sidhil's Field; 7 Linnet, together, Barracks; 2(m&f) Bullfinch, together, Sidhil's Field (Robert Callf).
  • Ferny Hill Farm, Enfield: 68(37 males, 31 females) Mallard, on pond; 18 Red-legged Partridge; 13+ Yellowhammer (Robert Callf).
  • Trent Park: 2 Common Buzzard, together, over Ride Wood, 11:00; 2 Green Woodpecker; 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker; 4 Nuthatch; 3 Treecreeper; 2 Siskin; 4 Lesser Redpoll; 1 male Bullfinch, by Lower Lake (Robert Callf).

Wednesday 25th November

  • Staines Moor: 1w BROWN SHRIKE again this a.m. (46th day); park at south end of Hithermoor Road, Stanwell Moor and take concrete footpath south by KGVI Reservoir fence, fork right through kissing gate and across boardwalk to the bridge to view. Please do not cross the river or disturb the bird in its favoured feeding areas (Birdguides).
  • Hyde Park: Short-eared Owl flew east along northern edge of park at 2.45 (chased by crows and gulls). Also two Egyptian Goose, two Red-crested Pochard, 15 Ring-necked Parakeet (Simon Papps), the owl is first site record since 11th April 1974 (DMc).
  • London Wetland Centre: Bittern still; also 1w Yellow-legged Gull, Water Pipit, Mealy Redpoll (Birdguides).
  • Rainham Marshes: m Marsh Harrier, 2 fem/1w Serin still 200m west of mound late morning, Water Pipit (Birdguides). Also 3 Stonechats, Curlew, 2 Meadow Pipits, 2 Skylarks (Alan Hobson).
  • Staines Res: Leach's Storm-petrel on South Basin to 07:45hrs but not seen then to 08:30hrs (Bob Warden).
  • Fulham 7am-8am: 4600 Starlings emerging from roost under Wandsworth Bridge, 100+ Cormorants moving upriver (Michael F).
  • Mayesbrook Park: 2 Chiffchaff, Meadow Pipit, Grey Wagtail, Little Egret, 35 Gadwall, 8 Pochard, 3 Little Grebe, 2 Cormorant (Paul Hawkins).
  • Tower Hamlets Cemetery: 2 Firecrest including male Poplar Wood. Also 2 Redwing (Bob Watts).
  • Banstead Downs Golf Course: 1+ Firecrest still present along the wooded footpath at 16:00 between post 657 and 678. Also c.5 Redwings. Access via Burdon Lane (DKC).
  • Tyttenhanger GPs: 5 Tree Sparrow, 2 Buzzard, Kingfisher (Steve B).
  • Wanstead Park: f Goldeneye still present but no other storm-assisted waifs (J Lethbridge).
  • West Drayton: 3 Lesser Redpoll in private garden birch 08:00hrs (Des McKenzie).
  • Whitewebbs Wood, Enfield: 1 female Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, seen and heard singing, 11:10 - 11:15 GMT; 2(m&f) Great Spotted Woodpecker; 1 female Sparrowhawk; 1 Goldcrest; 1 male Firecrest, feeding in Holly, 11:23 - 11:29 GMT; 3 Nuthatch, together; 2 Treecreeper; 1 Lesser Redpoll (Robert Callf).
  • Woodford Bridge: Sparrowhawk (male) landed in a tree right outside my flat - v. good views (Alan Hobson).

Tuesday 24th November

  • Staines Moor: 1w BROWN SHRIKE 13:00hrs at least (45th day); park at south end of Hithermoor Road, Stanwell Moor and take concrete footpath south by KGVI Reservoir fence, fork right through kissing gate and across boardwalk to the bridge to view. Please do not cross the river or disturb the bird in its favoured feeding areas (Birdguides).
  • Rainham Marshes: at least 1 Serin the 'Serin Mound' this a.m. (Birdguides).
  • Hayes: Egyptian Goose SE toward Minet CP 08:05hrs (Des McKenzie).
  • Island Barn Res: ad Yellow-legged Gull (SBC).
  • Little Britain: 2 Little Grebe, 2 Kingfisher, 2 Egyptian Goose (Nigel Sluman).
  • London Wetland Centre: Shelduck, 38 Wigeon, 77 Teal, 60 Shoveler, Jack Snipe, 235 Black-headed Gull, Stonechat (LWC website)
  • Margravine Cemetery: 3 Peregrine, 1 Pied Wagtail, 25-30 Chaffinch/Goldfinch flock, 2 Jay (Nathalie Mahieu).
  • Mitcham Common: Firecrest at seven ponds (KJM).
  • South Norwood CP: 15 Fieldfare, Chiffchaff, Reed Bunting, Little Grebe, Grey Wagtail and 18 Shoveler (Steven Robinson).
  • Tower Hamlets Cemetery: 2 Firecrest including one male showing well in Monument Glade 1pm at least and calling frequently (Bob Watts).
  • Walton Res: m Goosander (SBC).
  • Wanstead: 54 Gadwall on the Basin; also 3 GC Grebe, 6 Little Grebe, 2 Mute Swan, 4 Mallard, 3 Tufted Duck, 3 Moorhen, 50+ Coot (J Lethbridge).
  • Roding Valley Park and Roding Lane North, Woodford Bridge: Kingfisher, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Mistle Thrush, Pied Wagtail, flock of Long-tailed Tits (Alan Hobson).

Monday 23rd November

  • Staines Moor: 1w BROWN SHRIKE 10:30hrs at least (44th day); park at south end of Hithermoor Road, Stanwell Moor and take concrete footpath south by KGVI Reservoir fence, fork right through kissing gate and across boardwalk to the bridge to view. Please do not cross the river or disturb the bird in its favoured feeding areas (Birdguides).
  • Brent Res, 41 Common Snipe, 38 Wigeon 3 R-C Pochard (Roy Beddard)
  • London Wetland Centre: Bittern, 66 Lapwing, 2 Jack Snipe, 16 Common Snipe, Water Pipit, Stonechat, 31 Fieldfare (playing fields opposite the reserve) (LWC website).
  • Rainham Marshes: 2 Serin still west of the mound early afternoon; m Marsh Harrier, ad Mediterranean Gull, 5 Yellow-legged Gull (Birdguides).
  • Dagenham Chase LNR: Woodcock flushed near River Rom,1 Little Egret, 26 Gadwall, several Teal and Shoveler, 10 Redwing, 1 Fieldfare. ( V.Halley-Frame ).
  • Duke of Northumberland's River, Isleworth: 2 Kingfisher, Grey Wagtail (Tom Smith).
  • Hyde Park/Kensington Gardens: pr Egyptian Goose, 7 Shoveler, 5 Red-crested Pochard, 2 Little Grebe, 34 Cormorant, at least 600 Black-headed Gull, 22 Great Tit coming to the hand for food, Goldcrest (Des McKenzie).
  • Tyttenhanger GPs: Jack Snipe, 2 Kingfisher, 41 Redwing, 4 Meadow Pipit, Grey Wagtail (Steve B).

Sunday 22nd November

  • Staines Moor: 1w BROWN SHRIKE still (43rd day); park at south end of Hithermoor Road, Stanwell Moor and take concrete footpath south by KGVI Reservoir fence, fork right through kissing gate and across boardwalk to the bridge to view. Please do not cross the river or disturb the bird in its favoured feeding areas (Birdguides).
  • Rainham Marshes: Serin also Marsh Harrier (Birdguides). 2 Serins, by mound, 3 Water Pipits and 1+ Rock Pipit on saltmarsh/boulders - Aveley Bay , 5 Curlews, 9+ Pintails (Ian Bradshaw)
  • Brent Res: Cetti's Warbler singing, 4 Water Rails, Adult Med Gull, 33 Snipe, 30 Wigeon (Roy Beddard, Andrew Verrall).
  • Margravine Cemetery: 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Mistle Thrush, pr Peregrine (Nathalie Mahieu).
  • Thorney Park: Bullfinch (m)at main entrance to park at 11.30am(Sue Giddens)
  • Osterley Park: Chiffchaff, c50 Redwing including several singing, m Sparrowhawk with prey in talons. (Tom Smith)
  • St James's Park: Male Peregrine circling low over trees (War Cabinet End) 15:05, flew north to dot, then came back continued circling at tree level mobbed by crows, so obviously after a meal. Carrion Crows 40+, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets. WeBs Count (15-15:55): 13 Shoveler, 9 Gadwall, 18 Red-crested Pochard, 42 Mallard, 3 Hybrid Mallard, 41 Tufted Duck, 22 Pochard, 5 Mandarin, 1 Ruddy Duck, 2 Egyptian Geese, 58 Greylag, 39 Canada's, 1 Mute Swan, 5 Little Grebe, 1 Great-crested Grebe, 3 Cormorant, 2 Grey Heron, 49 Moorhen, 108 Coot, 1 Great-black backed Gull (other gulls not counted) (Michael Mac).
  • Grovelands Park, Southgate: 131(90 male, 41 females) Mandarin Duck, 15:45 GMT; 4(3m,1f) Pochard; 6 Ring-necked Parakeet; 3 Stock Dove (Robert Callf).

Saturday 21st November

  • Staines Moor: 1w BROWN SHRIKE still 14:45hrs (42nd day); park at south end of Hithermoor Road, Stanwell Moor and take concrete footpath south by KGVI Reservoir fence, fork right through kissing gate and across boardwalk to the bridge to view. Please do not cross the river or disturb the bird in its favoured feeding areas (Birdguides).
  • Beddington SF: Merlin; 4 Little Egret, 11 Green Sandpiper, 2 Water Pipit, 2 Stonechat (Dip or Glory).
  • Rainham Marshes: Serin (Birdguides).
  • Alexandra Park: 23 Fieldfare, 27 Redwing, 2 Lesser Redpoll, 2 pairs Gadwall, Water Rail conservation pond (Bob Watts).
  • Brent Res: Cetti's Warbler singing by hide, Water Rail feeding in open for third time in week (Brent Birders).
  • Crossness: 2nd-winter Yellow-legged Gull, 205 Black-tailed Godwits, 100 Lapwing, 68 Dunlin, 190 Redshank, 3 Curlew, 1 Snipe, 23 Gadwall, 320 Teal, 88 Shelduck (John Archer).
  • Fulham Reach (Thames Path): ca 200 Black-headed Gull, 1 Common Gull, 1 Great Black-Backed Gull, 4 Herring Gull, 4 Lesser Black-Backed Gull, 81 Mallard, 53 Teal, 15 Tufted Duck, 1 Moorhen, 1 young Great Crested Grebe, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Pied Wagtail, 2+ Grey Wagtail, 37 Cormorant, Starlings, x House Sparrow in 2 bushes, 1 Peregrine along Thames then rising high above Hammersmith (Nathalie Mahieu).
  • Leytonstone: Peregrine hunting near Langthorne Park 14.00 (S Fisher).
  • Margravine Cemetery: 1 Coal Tit with mixed Tit/Chaffinch flock, 1 Jay (Nathalie Mahieu).
  • Paddington Green: 2 Egyptian Goose low toward Regent's Park, 2 Fieldfare west, 1-2 Grey Wagtail, 2 Pied Wagtail (m/f) (Des McKenzie, Nick Tanner).
  • Queen Mary Res: 1 Black Redstart, 2 Shelduck, 6 Gadwall, 2 Mandarin, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Sparrowhawk (Steve Chastell).
  • Trent CP: 1 Sparrowhawk, Williams Wood; 1 Kingfisher, Lower Lake; 5 Great Spotted Woodpecker,(including a pair together, Camlet Moat); 2 Firecrest, feeding in Rhododendrons & Holly, Williams Wood, 13:57 - 14:18 GMT; 1 Goldcrest, Shaws Wood; Lesser Redpoll, heard calling; Siskin, small flock (Robert Callf).
  • Vicarage Farm, Enfield: 1 female Kestrel; 1 Green Woodpecker; 15 Redwing, over Allot; 30+ Fieldfare (Robert Callf).
  • Wanstead Park: 2 Firecrest still, south east end of Reservoir Wood with Tit flock, female Goldeneye still present, 12 Siskin, 2 Goldcrest, 50+ Long-tailed Tit, Coal Tit, 4 Fieldfare, 12 Redwing, 5 Song Thrush (S Fisher).
  • Staines Res: two juvenile Great Northern Divers on the S basin early afternoon (Rob Innes).

Friday 20th November

  • Staines Moor: 1w BROWN SHRIKE still (41st day); also Cetti's Warbler; park at south end of Hithermoor Road, Stanwell Moor and take concrete footpath south by KGVI Reservoir fence, fork right through kissing gate and across boardwalk to the bridge to view. Please do not cross the river or disturb the bird in its favoured feeding areas (Birdguides).
  • London Wetland Centre: Bittern (north edge of Sheltered Lagoon in reeds in front of Sand Martin bank entrance, c15:00hrs; Shelduck, 23 Wigeon, 20 Gadwall, 82 Teal, 48 Shoveler, 120 Black-headed Gull, 3 Cetti's Warbler; 13 Egyptian Goose on playing fields to the south (LWC website).
  • Queen Mother Res (permit access): Great Northern Diver this a.m. (Birdguides).
  • Rainham Marshes: m Marsh Harrier, fem Serin again in elders west of Serin Mound early a.m. before flying toward tip; also 6 Yellow-legged Gull on river (Birdguides); still present mid-morning in elder by Coldharbour Lane near Aveley Bay car park but mobile; also 3 Water Pipit (Birdguides).
  • Staines Res: Great Northern Diver south basin mid morning, 2 Black-necked Grebe (FJM,KLP,BW).
  • Wraysbury GPs: juv Great Northern Diver' on North Pit early p.m., view from path north from Douglas Lane (Birdguides).
  • Alexandra Park: Water Rail giving excellent views 0740 (waist high in water) Conservation Pond, also 2 Little Grebe Tunnel Res, 2 prs Gadwall Wood Green Res (Bob Watts); rail still showing off until 08:45 (David Callahan).
  • Banstead Downs: 2 Firecrest still on the wooded path at Banstead Downs Golf Course (1 at post 678 and 1 at post 3) late p.m. (DKC).
  • Beddington SF: 4 Yellow-legged Gull (3ad, 1w) (Dip or Glory).
  • Larkhall Park/Inner London: Up to 15 Magpies on open ground (plus several birds chattering in trees nearby) in a "lek" with 2 - 3 central birds fighting, 3 Mistle Thrush, 30+ Starling (Michael Mac).
  • Paddington Green: 2 Egyptian Goose low toward Regent's Park 09:30hrs, 1-2 Grey Wagtail, 12 Greenfinch, c10 Goldfinch (Des McKenzie).
  • Tower Hamlets Cemetery: 2 (1m) Firecrest still in Monument Glade (Birdguides).

Thursday 19th November

  • Staines Moor: 1w BROWN SHRIKE still (40th day); park at south end of Hithermoor Road, Stanwell Moor and take concrete footpath south by KGVI Reservoir fence, fork right through kissing gate and across boardwalk to the bridge to view. Please do not cross the river or disturb the bird in its favoured feeding areas (Birdguides); also c40 Fieldfare, 2 f Goosander, 3 Water Pipit, Rose-ringed Parakeet (Nigel Sluman).
  • London Wetland Centre: Bittern (Sheltered Lagoon; showing well at 12:20hrs); Shelduck, Jack Snipe, Water Pipit, Chiffchaff (LWC website).
  • Queen Mother Res: 1w Red-necked Grebe still at E end early am. Permit access only (FJM).
  • Rainham Marshes: m Marsh Harrier, Serin (ELBF).
  • Staines Reservoirs: 2 Black-necked Grebe still on S basin and 9 Goldeneye. (Bob Warden and FJM), Gadwall, Shoveler, Pochard, Teal (Nigel Sluman).
  • Alexandra Park: 0705-0740: 3 Fieldfare, 15 Redwing, Kingfisher Tunnel Res, 2 pairs Gadwall south end W G Res (Bob Watts); Water Rail (conservation pond), 2 Goldcrests (David Callahan).
  • Beddington SF: Peregrine, Common Snipe, 3 Yellow-legged Gull (2ad, 1w) (Dip or Glory).
  • Bromley-by-Bow: 1 drake Pochard, Little Grebe, 95 Mallard, 8+ Teal, 17 Goldfinch, 17 Fieldfare flew East, 2 Redwing west, 2 Cormorant, 3 Grey Wagtails, Kestrel, Mistle Thrush (singing, as were a male Blackbird and a male Great Tit) (S Fisher).
  • Broomfield Park (Palmers Green): 2 Shoveler (1m, 1f), 300+ Black-headed Gull, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 2 Goldcrest (Ian Woodward).
  • Little Britain: 25 Gadwall, 1 Shoveler, 3 Wigeon, 3 Mistle Thrush (Nigel Sluman).
  • Clissold Park: Cetti's Warbler (TB per MJP).
  • Fairlop Waters: Shelduck, 25 Teal, 30 Tufted Duck, 2 Gadwall, 4 Little Grebe, 2 GCGrebe, 25 Fieldfare, Chiffchaff, 52 Lapwing, Green Sandpiper, 2 Snipe, 2m Pheasant, Kestrel, Pied Wagtail, nuff Long Tailed Titz! (DEH).
  • Grovelands Park (Southgate): 158 (98 males, 60 females) Mandarin Duck, at 16:15 GMT (although I estimate that there are at least 200 birds present); 17 Cormorant, roosting on island; 4 (2m, 2f) Shoveler; 26 Ring-necked Parakeet; 1 Goldcrest; 2 Nuthatch; 7 Jay (Robert Callf).
  • Pymme's Park (Edmonton): 4 Shoveler (3m, 1f), 4 Tufted duck, 1 Pochard, 7 Mute Swan (pr + 5 imm), 5+ Redwing (Ian Woodward).
  • South Norwood Lake: Mute Swan, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 18 Tufted Duck, 16 Cormorant, 50+ Black-headed Gull, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 20 Ring-necked Parakeet, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Nuthatch, 30+ Goldfinch, 3 House Sparrow (John Watson).
  • Stoke Newington Reservoirs: 2 drake Red-crested Pochards, female Brambling near western feeding station, Cetti's Warbler still, Fieldfare (Mark Pearson Hackney Wildlife).
  • Tower Hamlets Cemetery: 2 Firecrests (inc male, 24th day) still loosely associating with mixed tit flock 1230pm Monument Glade and contact calling continuously. Also male Peregrine overhead (Bob Watts).
  • Walton Res: 5 Goldeneye (2m), ad Mediterranean Gull (SBC).
  • Wormwood Scrubs: Mediterranean Gull on pitches between 0730 till 0810 until it flew off north plus 1 Great Black-backed Gull (Neville Smith).

Wednesday 18th November

  • Staines Moor: 1w BROWN SHRIKE still (39th day); park at south end of Hithermoor Road, Stanwell Moor and take concrete footpath south by KGVI Reservoir fence, fork right through kissing gate and across boardwalk to the bridge to view. Please do not cross the river or disturb the bird in its favoured feeding areas (Birdguides); also 2 Goosander, 1 Water Pipit and 90+ Fieldfare - sadly, bikers seem to have re-discovered the moor and were roaring up and down the west side, although fortunately not near the shrike area (Andrew Moon).
  • London Wetland Centre: Bittern, 4 Jack Snipe, Water Pipit, 5 Cetti's Warbler (SBC).
  • Queen Mother Res (permit access): 1w Red-necked Grebe still present but no sign of Great Northern Diver (Birdguides).
  • Rainham Marshes: still 1 Serin at western end of sea-wall 12:30hrs (Birdguides).
  • Staines Res: 1 Short-eared Owl flushed from bank along causeway at 09.55, eventually flew off NE at 10.10 (Andrew Moon). Also 2 Black-necked Grebes S basin and 7 Goldeneye. (FJM)
  • Alexandra Park: 2 pairs Gadwall Tunnel Res (Bob Watts); [lunchtime] Siskin with Gold- and Greenfinches (tunnel res), 3 Chiffchaffs (David Callahan).
  • Beddington SF: Peregrine, 3 Common Snipe, ad Yellow-legged Gull, Stonechat (Dip or Glory).
  • Brookmill Park (Lewisham): Kingfisher (best views I've ever had, watched it catching a fish a couple of times), Grey Wagtail, drake Mandarin on pond (Philip Lowden).
  • Fulham Reach (Thames): m Peregrine hunting on river ca 7:40, 1 pale head Egyptian Goose, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Coot, ca 14 House Sparrow in new bush (Nathalie Mahieu).
  • Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens: 6 Egyptian Goose (inc injured juv), pr Mallard copulating on Long Water, 4 Shoveler, 2m Red-crested Pochard, 3 Little Grebe (1 trilling), 232 Coot, 4w argentatus type Herring Gull, Kingfisher, Chiffchaff, singing Goldcrest (Des McKenzie).
  • Minet CP: Firecrest in ivy-covered oaks and scrub near Yeading Brook in the southwest corner; park on Springfield Road and walk southwest TQ109796 (Birdguides).
  • Tower Hamlets Cemetery: 2 Firecrest (1 male)(23rd day) still with the highly mobile tit flock between Ash and Poplar Woods at 1230pm. Also male Blackcap near entrance in ivy at Linden Graves (Bob Watts).
  • Wormwood Scrubs: adult-winter Mediterranean Gull in the playing fields with c180 Black-headed Gulls & c15 Common Gull (Anders Price).
  • Vauxhall/Sainsbury's Car Park: About 15 Starlings on Industrial Lamp Post joined by about 25 (Total 40+) more and they flew north. (Michael Mac).
  • South Norwood Lake: 16 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 12 Tufted Duck, 45 Coot, c70 Black-headed Gull, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 2 Common Gull, 8 Ring-necked Parakeet, 12 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Nuthatch, 1 Collared Dove, (John Watson)
  • Trent Park: 6(1 male, 5 females) Teal, Lower Lake; 1 Green Woodpecker; 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker; 1 Song Thrush; 3 Coal Tit, together, Williams Wood; 2 Treecreeper (Robert Callf & Robin White).
  • Vicarage Farm, Enfield: 2(m&f) Yellowhammer (Robert Callf & Robin White).

Tuesday 17th November

  • Staines Moor: 1w BROWN SHRIKE still this p.m. (38th day); park at south end of Hithermoor Road, Stanwell Moor and take concrete footpath south by KGVI Reservoir fence, fork right through kissing gate and across boardwalk to the bridge to view (Birdguides).
  • London Wetland Centre: Bittern on Sheltered Lagoon, 4 Jack Snipe, Water Pipit (Birdguides); Shelduck, Peregrine, 7 Water Rail, 51 Lapwing, 4 Jack Snipe, 20 Common Snipe, Kingfisher, Water Pipit, 100+ Fieldfare south and SW, 5 Cetti's Warbler, 7 Lesser Redpoll (Birdguides).
  • Queen Mother Reservoir: Great Northern Diver prior to 9.40am but not relocated by 11.05am. Diving frequently along N shoreside. Also 1st- W Red-necked Grebe still at E end and ad Peregrine on large tower. Earlier a Great Northern Diver (presumably same bird) was seen flying N at Wraysbury Reservoir at approx 8am (Paul Cropper per FJM).
  • Rainham Marshes: 2 Serin again 10:00hrs (Birdguides), Twite feeding with 70+ Linnet & 4+ Corn Bunting on foreshore opposite tip (RBA); male Marsh Harrier again over Wennington c1pm, + Brambling (AT, PS, JL, LGRE and others); 6pr Pintail, 45 Golden Plover, 700 Lapwing, 300 Dunlin, 2 Curlew, pr Stonechat, 13 Fieldfare, 3 Siskin, 70 Linnet (ELBF).
  • Wraysbury GP: Great Northern Diver at Wraysbury Res flew north 08:00hrs (Birdguides).
  • Alexandra Park: 40 Redwing, 9 Chaffinch, Lesser Redpoll (Bob Watts); 2 pairs Gadwall, female-type Aythya-hybrid (Tufted Duck x Pochard, I fancy, but possibly with some Scaup in it - yes, it's an ugly mess!), Chiffchaff (David Callahan).
  • Belhus Woods CP: 20 Wigeon, 10 Gadwall, 12 Teal, 30 Shoveler, 8 Pochard, 150 Fieldfare (ELBF).
  • Berrylands Railway Station (a.m.): c220 Woodpigeon NE, c60 Redwing south (Nick Tanner per DMc).
  • Stoke Newington Reservoirs: drake Red-crested Pochard, Cetti's Warbler, 6 Wigeon, aythya hybrid still (Mark Pearson Hackney Wildlife)
  • Brent Res: Adult Med Gull, Green Sandpiper, 27 Snipe, Water Rail seen, Cetti's Warbler, Chiffchaff (Patrick Hagglund, Andrew Verrall).
  • Clissold Park: Cetti's Warbler still (TB per MJP)
  • Hampstead Heath, 4 Shoveler, pair Mute Swans and their only cygnet which took off flew to other pond - Highgate No 1 pond, 1 Great Crested Grebe on Men's Bathing Pond, 6 Shoveler, 1 Wren, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Kestrel - Sanctuary Pond (Michael Mac).
  • Harold Hill: Goldcrest, 2 Firecrest (ELBF).
  • Horsenden Hill 7-10am: Egyptian Goose 2 NE, Curlew 1 W, Woodpigeon 1440 S 870 NW, Fieldfare 762 mostly S-W, Redwing 185 S-SW, Meadow Pipit 4 SW, Rock/Water Pipit 1 S, Chiffchaff 3, Lesser Redpoll 2 S, Redpoll Sp 1 S, Chaffinch 35 WNW, Brambling 2 W, Siskin 2 SW (NPS).
  • Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens: Firecrest briefly with tits in holly at north side of Old Police House around mid-day; 66 Mute Swan, Canada Goose (blue, left, AYH), 7 Egyptian Goose (1 of which was rung 1420677), 5 Shoveler, 18 Pochard, m Ruddy Duck, 3 Little Grebe (1 trilling), 53 Cormorant, 67 Common Gull, 4w argentatus type Herring Gull, Tawny Owl showing well in beech (regular area), Meadow Pipit (h), 1-2 Grey Wagtail, Coal Tit, Nuthatch, 3 Treecreeper - no sign of recent Red-crested Pochard flock (Des McKenzie).
  • Kenwood: 1 Firecrest (juvenile), 1 Goldcrest m, 2 Coal Tit, 2 Nuthatch, 250+ Carrion Crows, 300+ Woodpigeon. Kenwood Pond: 2 Egyptian Geese, 45 Black-headed Gull, 6 Tufted Duck, 2 Drake Mandarins (Michael Mac). Juvenile Firecrest? It had a distinct white line above the eye but not colors, and was flitting around same way as they do.
  • Little Britain: 32 Gadwall, 4 Wigeon, c50 Tufted Duck, 5 Pied Wagtail (Nigel Sluman)
  • Raynes Park Railway Station (a.m.): c95 Redwing south, 153 Jackdaw NW (Nick Tanner per DMc).
  • South Norwood CP: Water Rail, 10 Shoveler and Grey Wagtail (Steven Robinson).
  • Staines Res: 2 Black-necked Grebe S basin still and 9 Goldeneye (DJM & FJM).
  • Stocker's Lake: 1 Little Egret, c60 Gadwall, c40 Pochard, 3 Wigeon, Shoveler (Nigel Sluman)
  • Stoke Newington Res: m Red-crested Pochard on East Res, Cetti's Warbler still by observation platform this p.m. (Birdguides).
  • Tower Bridge: Peregrine on golden pinnacle of North tower before 09:00 then flew off (Paul Whiteman).
  • Tower Hamlets Cemetery: 2 Firecrest (male & female) still in holly/ivy near yew on Monument Glade this p.m. with mixed tit flock (Bob Watts).
  • Wanstead Flats: Shoveler, ~240 Black-headed Gulls, ~290 Common Gull, 25 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 4 Herring Gull, 2 Green Woodpecker, 8 Skylark, Reed Bunting, 41 Fieldfare, 10 Redwing, 3-4 Mistle Thrush, 3 Jay, Jackdaw, 300+ Starling (J Lethbridge, T Harris, N Croft).
  • Woodford Green: Firecrest in private garden (Birdguides).
  • South Norwood Lake: 12 Cormorant, 14 Tufted Duck, m f Pochard, 20 Black-headed Gull, 2 Common Gull, 2 Herring Gull, 1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, c20 long-tailed Tit, 4 Coal Tit, 1 Nuthatch, (John Watson)
  • Forty Hall, Enfield: 2 Lesser Redpoll, flew over calling (Robert Callf).

Monday 16th November.

  • Staines Moor: BROWN SHRIKE 1st W still mid a.m. (37th day); park at south end of Hithermoor Road, Stanwell Moor, and take concrete footpath south by KGVI Res fence. Fork right through kissing gate and cross boardwalk and wooden bridge to view hawthorns N of River Colne. Please do not cross river or disturb bird in its favoured feeding area. Wellies Best (Birdguides); also Little Egret and 34 Fieldfares mid a.m. (FJM).
  • Banstead Down GC: Firecrest still near post 3 along the wooded footpath late p.m. (Birdguides).
  • Bedford's Park: 3 Firecrest between the west end of Nursery Wood and the EWT car park late p.m. (Birdguides); pr Stonechat, pr Mistle Thrush, 2 Goldcrest, 20 Long-tailed Tit, 25 Great Tit, Coal Tit, 3 Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Bullfinch (ELBF).
  • Brent Reservoir: Jack Snipe x1 (David Howdon)
  • Bedfont Lakes Country Park: Firecrest (Adam Cheeseman)
  • Rainham Marshes RSPB: Brent Goose, m Marsh Harrier (Birdguides), Serin at west end of sea wall from 'Serin Mound' at 9.20 am (RBA), two reported to Birdguides yesterday; Twite at west end of the sea wall, flew SW over the serin mound with Linnet at 11:35am (J Lethbridge); 2 Lapland Bunting seen twice with Skylarks on Purfleet scrape this morning, but very mobile and not seen since mid-morning (RSPB); 1 Lapland Bunting still 200 metres west of the visitors' centre by cattle feeder at 1.45 pm, with 3 Skylarks (news from John Murray via DC), until just before 3pm when errant 'trespassing' visitor flushed (Bob Watts & John Murray); Serin still 2.30 pm briefly in flight also 3 ad Yellow-legged Gull on Wennington (Paul Hawkins); 210 Greylag Geese, 42 Canada Geese, 250 Wigeon, 600 Teal, 7 Pintail, 3 Sparrowhawk, 4 Little Egret, 20 Golden Plover, 800 Lapwing, 280 Black-tailed Godwits, 5 Curlew, 25 Common Snipe, 4 Ring-necked Parakeet, 2 Kingfisher, 25 Skylark, Fieldfare, 25 Greenfinch, 50 Goldfinch, 50 Linnet (ELBF).
  • Staines Res: at least 2 Black-necked Grebes S basin and 13 Goldeneye late am (FJM).
  • Wanstead Park: 2 Firecrest; fem Goldeneye, 8 Ring-necked Parakeet, 25 Fieldfare (ELBF).
  • Beddington SF: 3 Common Snipe, Woodcock, ad Yellow-legged Gull, 11 Fieldfare, Redpoll (Dip or Glory).
  • Hammersmith: poss m Peregrine hunting over King Street (Nathalie Mahieu).
  • London Wetland Centre: 150 Teal, 5 Jack Snipe, Water Pipit, 23 Fieldfare (mainly west), 4 Chiffchaff, 2 Siskin SE (LWC website).
  • Margravine Cemetery: 10-12 Chaffinch flock (inc 1 with papilloma virus), pr Peregrine (Nathalie Mahieu).
  • Paddington Green: 38 Herring Gull NW at dusk, several Redwing heard passing over 00:20-30hrs, c10 Greenfinch in the area (Des McKenzie).
  • Stoke Newington Reservoirs: Cetti's Warbler still; also 4 Wigeon, Redwing (Mark Pearson)
  • Tyttenhanger GPs: Ruddy Shelduck again on Willows Farm Pool today (Birdguides).
  • Wanstead Flats: Woodcock (ELBF).

Sunday 15th November

  • Staines Moor: 1w BROWN SHRIKE still this evening (36th day); park at south end of Hithermoor Road, Stanwell Moor and take concrete footpath south by KGVI Reservoir fence, fork right through kissing gate and across boardwalk to the bridge to view. Please do not cross the river or disturb the bird in its favoured feeding areas (Birdguides).
  • King George V Res: 2 redhead Red-breasted Merganser on North Basin early afternoon, 7 Goosander, 2 Black Redstart (Birdguides).
  • Queen Mother Res (permit access): Red-necked Grebe still today; also Little Gull at 08:00hrs (Birdguides).
  • Rainham Marshes: Hen Harrier (ELBF); female-type Serin showing near the view point over Wennington Marsh early evening, working the grass and elders to the west, plus male Yellowhammer flushed from seawall to dump 11.30, Jack Snipe, 6 Water Rails, 6 Cetti's Warblers, 6m2f Pintail, Green Sandpiper, 9 Dunlin, c1600 Lapwing (David Callahan); 2 Curlew, 36 Redshank, ad Mediterranean Gull, 3 Rock Pipit, Water Pipit, 4 Corn Bunting (ELBF).
  • Tower Hamlets Cemetery: both Firecrests in trees immediately north of Monument Glade at 14:50hrs, loosely associating with a mixed tit flock of c25 birds, mostly Long-tailed Tit, both birds were not vocal (Nick Tanner).
  • Wanstead: Woodcock west end of Flats early a.m. (S Fisher); Firecrest Reservoir Wood, east end of Wanstead Park (T Harris, N Croft), f Goldeneye still present on Heronry - first record since 1985 (SF, PF, JL et al); 25 Fieldfare in Old Sewage Works, 8+ RN Parakeet Rook Island, Wanstead Park (J Lethbridge).
  • William Girling Res: female type Red-breasted Merganser and 5 Black-necked Grebes (John Murray).
  • Woolwich: adult Caspian Gull at King George V Dock on south side, view from drawbridge on A117 Woolwich Manor Way at 3pm (Richard Bonser).
  • Wormwood Scrubs: Woodlark still present this a.m. in grassland near Chats Paddock (Birdguides).
  • Alexandra Park: 125 Fieldfare West (including flocks of 80 & 38), 30 Redwing, Lesser Redpoll, c50 Woodpigeon, 10 Jackdaw, Chiffchaff Scrub, 3 Goldcrest between Top Field & Deer Enclsures (Bob Watts). Lesser Redpoll over Grove (Andrew Gardener, Stuart Harrington). 2 Siskin, 2 Chiffchaff (Gareth Richards).
  • Banstead Downs: 6 Fieldfares and 1 Lesser Redpoll over also 2 Goldcrests and 1 Coal Tit along the wooded footpath at the golf course, 1 Blackcap, 4 Green Woodpeckers and 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers (DKC, KJM).
  • Brent Reservoir: 45 Wigeon, 1 Jack Snipe, 39 Common Snipe, 1ad Med Gull, 1 Cetti's Warbler (Roy Beddard).
  • Clissold Park: Cetti's Warbler (Mark Pearson & Laurence Pitcher)
  • Dagenham Chase LNR: Green Sandpiper flew over calling at 3.38pm (V.Halley-Frame).
  • Grovelands Park, Southgate: 3 male Gadwall; 10 Redwing, flew over (Robert Callf).
  • Hyde Park/Kensington Gardens: 6 Egyptian Goose, 5 Shoveler, 15 Red-crested Pochard (11m), Little Grebe, 46 Cormorant, Tawny Owl in regular area (beech), 4 Goldcrest, Nuthatch, 2 Treecreeper (Des McKenzie).
  • Leyton: 09:10 c.60 Fieldfare - East (Paul Whiteman).
  • London Wetland Centre: Pintail, 52 Shoveler, 6 Water Rail, 60 Lapwing, 5 Jack Snipe, 21+ Common Snipe, 380 Black-headed Gull, 63 Fieldfare SE (0800-0900hrs), 5 Cetti's Warbler, 5 Siskin (LWC website). At least 31 Common Snipe, 2 Sparrowhawk, also Bittern showing (Martin Honey).
  • Margravine Cemetery: juv Greenfinch begging from parents, pr Great Spotted Woodpecker, pr Peregrine (Nathalie Mahieu).
  • Bedfont Lakes CP: Woodcock, Firecrest, Kingfisher, 5 Teal, 227 Tufted Duck, 2 Sparrowhawk. Martin Gray per Adam Cheeseman).
  • Mayesbrook Park: Little Egret, 10 Shoveler, 24 Gadwall, 6 Pochard, 21 Tufted Duck, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Meadow Pipit, Chiffchaff (ELBF).
  • Middlesex Filter Beds: 2 Chiffchaffs with tit flock 1pm (frogandlisa).
  • Mill Hill Park, NW7: male Pheasant feeding in the Flower Lane section of the park 2.30pm (Andrew Haynes).
  • Oakwood Park, N14: 3(ad male, 1st-w male, female) Blackbird; 2 Song Thrush, together; 1 Mistle Thrush; 1 Jay; 2(m&f) Bullfinch, together - my first record here for several years (Robert Callf).
  • Paddington Green: flock of 8 Wigeon NW 09:29-30hrs (new addition to window list), 25+ Herring Gull in the area, Grey Wagtail, Fieldfare (h) (Des McKenzie).
  • Stoke Newington Reservoirs: Cetti's Warbler still (Mark Pearson & Laurence Pitcher)
  • Totteridge Valley: 20 Redwings, 6 Fieldfare, 2 Meadow Pipits, 2 Sparrowhawks and 1 Skylark over (John Colmans).
  • Woodside Park N12: 35 species in/near/over garden today including 2 Blackcap, 2 Siskin, Kingfisher, 21 Fieldfare, 18 Redwing, Tawny Owl, Sparrowhawk, Green Woodpecker, Nuthatch (Ian Ellis).
  • Trent Park: 1 Woodcock, flushed, Williams Wood; 1 Kingfisher, Lower Lake (Robin White per RMC).
  • West Molesey: Kingfisher. Not unusual in itself other than it nearly took my head off flying over whilst I was hanging out the washing in my back garden of 411 Hurst Road, 200+ metres away from the Thames and reservoirs. (Adam Cheeseman)

Saturday 14th November

  • Staines Moor: 1w BROWN SHRIKE (35th day), fork right through kissing gate and across boardwalk to the bridge to view. Please do not cross the river or disturb the bird in its favoured feeding areas. Wellies Best 10.30 (Birdguides).
  • Brent Res., 1 Jack Snipe (Heron hide), 39 Common Snipe, 44 Wigeon, 1fem Scaup, 1 Cetti's W (Roy Beddard).
  • King George V Reservoir: 2 brownhead Red-breasted Merganser; also 160 Pochard, hybrid fem Scaup type, 450 Tufted Duck (inc bill marked m A3), 8 Goldeneye, 5 Goosander (1m), Peregrine (LondonBirders Yahoo).
  • Alexandra Park: 10 Fieldfare, 2 Redwing, 5 Chaffinch, pair Gadwall W G Res, Chiffchaff (h), male Blackcap in garden behind deer enclosure (Bob Watts, Stuart Harrington).
  • Burgess Park: 3 Egyptian Geese (Richard Bonser).
  • Horsenden Hill: 4 Teal, 1 Little Grebe (David Howdon).
  • Hyde Park/Kensington Gardens: ad Mediterranean Gull on Parade Ground to 11:15hrs at least; Canada Goose (blue AXB on left), 7 Egyptian Goose (inc 2 pale-headed birds and injured juv), pr Gadwall, 7 Shoveler, 17 Red-crested Pochard (11m; 16 at Round Pond), Little Grebe, 48 Cormorant (close views of 1 sinensis type), Nuthatch (h), Treecreeper (Des McKenzie).
  • Isle of Dogs: 1w Mediterranean Gull flew upriver 12:00hrs Saunders Ness (Birdguides).
  • London Wetland Centre: 4 Jack Snipe (SBC).
  • Markfield: at least 600 Woodpigeon NW over Selsdon Wood 07:30hrs (CroydonBirders).
  • Nazeing GP: 210 Tufted Duck, 75 Great Crested Grebes (LondonBirders Yahoo).
  • Rotherhithe: 7 Shoveler Southwark Park; 89 Tufted Duck (67 Surrey Water, 22 Canada Water) (Richard Bonser).
  • Stoke Newington Reservoirs: 1200-1530 - female Peregrine; also 12 Wigeon and the presumed Scaup x Tufted Duck still (Mark Pearson)
  • Queen Elizabeth II Res: 2 Peregrine (SBC).
  • Vauxhall/Inner London: pr Dunnock hawthorn in garden (Michael Mac).
  • Wanstead Park (a.m.): female Goldeneye on Heronry Pond, 45 Gadwall, 13 Little Grebe, 2 Great Crested Grebe - Wanstead Flats: 11 Skylark, 8 Mipits, 2 male Stonechats, 4 Fieldfare, 130 Common Gulls (S Fisher); Goldeneye still there at dusk, also 15 Pochard and 30 Tufted Duck on Heronry and Perch, 7 Mute Swan, 80+ Jackdaw (J Lethbridge).

Friday 13th November

  • Staines Moor: BROWN SHRIKE (34th day), fork right through kissing gate and across boardwalk to the bridge to view. Please do not cross the river or disturb the bird in its favoured feeding areas. Wellies Best Also 3 Little Egrets, Water Pipit and Chiffchaff still N end. Cetti's Warbler still singing Fishing Pit. (Ken Purdey and FJM) (RBA)
  • Wormwood Scrubs: Woodlark (3rd site record) showing well on grass south of Chat Paddock 0904 at least (Anders Price via Dave Lindo).
  • Clissold Park: Cetti's Warbler showing well and singing (Tony Butler per MJP)
  • Fulham Reach, Thames: 28+ House Sparrow (max I have counted in that bush), 2 juv Pied Wagtail, 1 Little Grebe (Nathalie Mahieu).
  • Margravine Cemetery: 1 m Peregrine and 20+ Carrion Crow on hospital at same time (Nathalie Mahieu).
  • Middlesex Filter Beds NR: Cetti's Warbler in scrub along the wall between the beds and Hackney Marshes (close to the bed with the fish sculptures) (Birdguides) (observer? would be good to know, cheers - Mark)
  • Regents Park: 1w Mediterranean Gull (BirdGuides)
  • Stoke Newington Reservoirs: Cetti's Warbler for third day in front of Obs platform, also 13 Wigeon, 2+ Water Rails, 3 Reed Buntings, presumed Greater Scaup x Tufted Duck still Mark Pearson & Tony Butler)

Thursday 12th November

  • Staines Moor: 1st-winter BROWN SHRIKE still (33rd day); park at the south end of Hithermoor Road, Stanwell Moor and take the concrete footpath south by the KGVI Reservoir fence, fork right through the kissing gate and across the boardwalk to the bridge to view. Also 3 Water Pipit, 4 Stonechat, c70 Fieldfare, 5 Redwing. (Nigel Sluman) Peregrine ad m flew W mid am, 1 Cetti's Warbler heard at fishing pit, 2 Goldcrests W end disused railway track, 120 Fieldfares Chiffchaff heard N end Wellies best (Mike Mckee and FJM)
  • Brent Res., 1 fem Scaup, 41 Wigeon, 17 Little Grebe, 1 Green Sandp. 30+ Common Snipe, 1 Cetti's Warbler (Roy Beddard).
  • Cassiobury Park: Raven today (HertsBirding).
  • Banstead Downs Golf Course: 3 Firecrests along wooded footpath (1 near post 3 and 2 near post 678)Access via south end of Burdon Lane where wooded footpath is immediately on the right as you enter (DKC)
  • Tower Hamlets Cemetery: Male & female Firecrests still present (17th day) in holly adjacent to yew in Monument Glade. Contact calling very infrequently and elusive, loosely associating with mixed tit flock (Bob Watts).
  • Rainham Marshes RSPB: probable Lapland Bunting flew from Reserve at 2.55pm giving a short 'prrrt' call note. Then flew over the tip. (V.Halley-Frame), 1yr Caspian Gull; 4 Little Grebe, 14 Cormorant, 11 Grey Heron, 5 Little Egret, 5 Mute Swan, 185 Greylag Goose, 32 Canada Geese, 4 Shelduck, 155 Wigeon, 12 Gadwall, 125 Teal, 30 Mallard, 7 Pintail, 86 Shoveler, 2 Sparrowhawk, 3 Kestrel, fem Peregrine, 14 Pheasant, 3 Water Rail, 131 Moorhen, 34 Coot, 3 Ringed Plover, 700 Lapwing, 700 Dunlin, 33 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Curlew, Jack Snipe, 22 Common Snipe, 120 Redshank, 2000 Black-headed Gull, 35 Common Gull, 500 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 200 Herring Gull, 64 Great Black-backed Gull, 12ad & 2 1yr Yellow-legged Gull, 2 Feral Pigeon, 38 Stock Dove, 135 Woodpigeon, 21 Collared Dove, 2 Kingfisher, 13 Ring-necked Parakeets, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 19 Skylark, 14 Rock Pipit, 2 Water Pipit, 26 Meadow Pipit, 2 Grey Wagtail, 34 Pied Wagtail, 4 Wren, 2 Dunnock, 2 Robin, 8 Stonechat, 11 Blackbird, Fieldfare, 3 Song Thrush, 3 Redwing, 14m Cetti's Warbler, Chiffchaff, 6 Long-tailed Tit, 11 Blue Tit, 6 Great Tit, Jay, 16 Magpie, 4 Jackdaw, 2 Rook, 8 Carrion Crow, 3000 Starling, 46 House Sparrow, 9 Chaffinch, 20 Greenfinch, 60 Goldfinch, 32 Linnet, 19 Reed Bunting (ELBF).
  • Alexandra Park: Viz Mig 0700-0800: 191 Woodpigeon, 20 Redwing, 3 Song Thrush, 32 Starling, 6 Goldfinch, 3 Chaffinch, Jackdaw. Also Chiffchaff calling WG Res, Kingfisher fishing 0715 at Tunnel Res from metal gate near tunnel, pair Gadwall, c15 Tufted Duck (no Scaup!), c10 Pochard (Bob Watts); lunchtime - 3 Little Grebes, 4 Chiffchaffs (David Callahan).
  • Beddington SF: Peregrine, Mediterranean Gull (Dip or Glory).
  • Claybury Park: Grey Heron, 2 Sparrowhawk, 2 Stock Dove, Nuthatch, 5 GSWP, GWP, 5 Treecreeper, Meadow Pipit (DEH).
  • Crossness: ad Mediterranean Gull east a.m. (Birdguides).
  • Fairlop: male Red-crested Pochard, c30 Teal, c10 Gadwall, 4 Little Grebe, 2 GCGrebe, 3 Heron, c70 Lapwing, Green Sandpiper, Skylark, 2 Meadow Pipit, 2 Reed Bunting, c30 Chaffinch, 15 Goldfinch, 15 Greenfinch, 4 Linnet, 5 Goldcrest, 2 Chiffchaff, c10 Song Thrush, Redwing, c40 Fieldfare, 4m Pheasant, Kestrel, Jay (D-EH).
  • Staines Reservoirs: 1 B-n Grebe S basin, 4 Goldeneye (FJM).
  • Hainault Lodge NR: Jay, c10 Jackdaw, 4 Goldcrest, Goldfinch, 2 GSWP (DEH).
  • Hainault Forest CP: 27 Shoveler, GC Grebe, 10 Cormorant, 3 Skylark, 2 Meadow Pipit, 6 GSWP, GWP, 6 Nuthatch, c100 Jackdaw, c50 Rook, 2 Stock Dove, and 1 female Mallard with 14x day old chicks. (on the golf course pond) (DEH).
  • Harrold Hill: 14 Ring-necked Parakeet (ELBF).
  • Hyde Park/Kensington Gardens: no sign of yesterday's Scaup to 10:30hrs; Coscoroba Swan on Round Pond then flew west (no idea who keeps fully-winged examples of these), 9 Egyptian Goose, 7 Shoveler, 16 Red-crested Pochard (10m), 2 Little Grebe, Peregrine (prob fem) west 09:12hrs, 94 Woodpigeon (mainly south, a few north), 2 Tawny Owl (regular roost tree and adjacent beech), 4 Song Thrush, 8 Redwing west, 6 Mistle Thrush, m Blackcap, Chiffchaff (collybita bird giving truncated heet calls), c400 Starling on site, c15 Chaffinch on site (Des McKenzie).
  • London Wetland Centre: Shelduck, fem Pintail, 2 Jack Snipe, 300 Wood Pigeon SW, Meadow Pipit west, Water Pipit, 2 Stonechat, 5 Cetti's Warbler, 5 Chiffchaff, Bullfinch (LWC website).
  • Margravine Cemetery: c20 Starlings, up to 18 Carrion Crow on top of hospital, some battling with 2 Peregrine beforehand (Nathalie Mahieu).
  • Regent's Park: Mediterranean Gull 1stw, 2 Ruddy Duck, 3 Gadwall, 1f Teal, 12 Fieldfare, 1 Siskin (Tony Duckett). Eclipse Garganey with no ring, with collection birds (R.Steed).
  • Stoke Newington Reservoirs: Cetti's Warbler still in front of observation platform; also Water Rail, Blackcap; p.m. - Cetti's intermittently until at least dusk; Redwing, 2 Water Rails, 13 Wigeon; aythya hybrid, s.c.o Greater Scaup x Tufted Duck (Mark Pearson, Jamie Partridge, Tony Butler & Ian Woodward).
  • South Park: 101 Canada Geese, 1m Shoveler, 1m Pochard, 2 Little Grebe, 1 GCGrebe, Grey Heron, 3 Kingfisher! (yes 3, arguing) (DEH).
  • Walton Res: Shelduck, 2 Goldeneye, Common Sandpiper (SBC).
  • Watney Market, Shadwell: Fairly large, Lanner- or hybrid-type falcon flew onto adjacent tower block at 07:35, but only seen in silhouette - obviously an escape, but still an impressive sight in East London! (David Callahan).


Wednesday 11th November

  • Staines Moor: 1st-winter BROWN SHRIKE still (32nd day); park at the south end of Hithermoor Road, Stanwell Moor and take the concrete footpath south by the KGVI Reservoir fence, fork right through the kissing gate and across the boardwalk to the bridge to view. Also Firecrest with Long-tailed Tit flock along Bonehead Ditch half way towards S end from wooden bridge mid am, 2 Cettis Warblers singing, 1 in reeds S of wooden bridge and another at Fishing Pit, Water Pipit along River Colne and Chiffchaff . 30 Fieldfare, 7 Song Thrush, 2 Redwing and 9 Blackbirds in Sloe bushes along muddy entrance track early am. Wellies Best (FJM and Ken Purdey).
  • Amwell GPs: fem Common Scoter from Viewpoint (HertsBirding).
  • Brent Res: female Scaup on main res, Cetti's Warbler by hide & Green Sand behind dam (Andrew Self)
  • Grays: 2 adult Spotted Redshank, 3 D B Brent Goose (John Murray).
  • Hyde Park/Kensington Gardens: 4 fem/imm Scaup on Serpentine (between island and Fisherman's Keep) to 11:00hrs at least (Des McKenzie), all 4 flew from near Fisherman's Keep and landed far east end of Serpentine 13:50hrs (Jonathan Dean), 4 still present 15:05hrs at least, also 1w Mediterranean Gull showing well on Parade Ground 15:10hrs at least (DMc, Sash Tusa), 274 Greylag Goose, 64 Canada Goose, 9 Egyptian Goose, 3 Wigeon on Long Water (2m/1f), 7 Shoveler, 15 Red-crested Pochard on Round Pond (8m), 32 Pochard, 52 Cormorant, ad fem Sparrowhawk, c35 Ring-necked Parakeet, 2 Tawny Owl (beech adjacent to regular roost tree), fem Green Woodpecker, Grey Wagtail, Redwing (h), 2 Chiffchaff, singing Goldcrest, 2 Nuthatch, 10 Goldfinch (1 singing) (DMc). Still prior to dusk, with grey mantles on two birds in flight (photos on Birdguides) (J. Murray), actually appears to be 3 juv fem and a juv moulting to 1w m (DMc).
  • Mitcham Common: Firecrest still (seven ponds) (KJM).
  • Rainham RSPB: Twite with Linnet flock of 40+ birds, which often mixed with 40+ Greenfinch and 30+ Goldfinch. Other Linnet flocks of 20+ by dump and 20+ by stone barges. 8 Rock Pipit and 1 Water Pipit on foreshore, plus 2 Water Rail and Kingfisher. 90+ Golden Plover flew onto reserve. Averley Bay held 1 Avocet, 6 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Curlew, 10 Dunlin and many Redshank (John Murray), Twite again 1pm with Linnets by rubbish tip (Birdguides).
  • Staines Reservoirs: 2 Black-necked Grebes S basin. 5 Goldeneye and 2 Grey Wagtails W end (FJM and Ken Purdey).
  • Stoke Newington Reservoirs: male Merlin low and close past observation platform, then SSE, 1623; Cetti's Warbler singing in reedbed in front of platform (presumably a different bird to the long-stayer in nearby Clissold Park - TBC); 2 Water Rails calling after dark; 4 Wigeon, plus then usuals (Mark Pearson).
  • Tower Hamlets Cemetery: Male & female Firecrests (16th day) Monument Glade adjacent to yews. Also Mistle Thrush (Bob Watts).
  • Alexandra Park: 2 Redwing, 3 Song Thrushes, 10+ Blackbirds, 2 Chiffchaffs (all first ramp), pair Gadwall, 3 Little Grebes, 47+ Common Gulls, 300+ Black-headed Gulls, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets (David Callahan).
  • Barnes WWT: 1m Peregrine, 26 Greylags high SW, 31 Common Snipe, 5 Jack Snipe, 1 Dunlin, 3 argentatus type Herring Gulls, 17 Stock Doves SW, 1 Water Pipit, 7 Fieldfare N, 3 Redwing W, 5 Cetti's Warblers, 3 Chiffchaffs, 2 Siskins, 8 Lesser Redpolls (wildside), 5 Reed Buntings high S (NPS et al).
  • Beddington SF: Peregrine, Woodcock, ad Mediterranean Gull, ad Yellow-legged Gull (Dip or Glory).
  • Bromley-by-Bow: 8 Stock Dove, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 6 Goldfinch, 5 Greenfinch, 13 Long-tailed Tit, several Teal in Channelsea at low tide (S Fisher).
  • Clapham Common: 1 Heron, 2 Cormorant, 4 Egyptian Geese, 1 pair Tufted Duck, all Shoveler gone possibly due to algae infection in water and extremely low water level, Numerous Grey-lag and Canada's, 35 Mallard (on Long Pond) 1 Ring-necked Parakeet (flew off the common), 120+ Carrion Crows, Possible Meadow Pipit flew onto Island but didn't get good enough look at it (Michael Mac)
  • Colney Heath Common: 4 Redpoll, 6 Siskin (Steve B).
  • Fulham (Thames foreshore opposite WWT): 1 Shelduck (Nathalie Mahieu).
  • Hampstead Heath: 30 Fieldfare NW 0800, 5 Song Thrush N, 2 Greylag Geese dropped in to top ponds, 19 Shoveler, 17 Tufted, 30 Mallard, 3 Pochard and 3 Gadwall on Ham + High Ponds, 5 Redpolls and 3 Siskins feeding, 20 Greenfinches and 30 Chaffs mobile (Pete M).
  • Little Britain: 3 Wigeon, 2 Egyptian Geese flew down, 2 Siskins in with a flock of Goldfinches, 3 Heron in field, 10+ Gadwall (Sue Giddens).
  • Margravine Cemetery: 2 Peregrine (at one point up to 7 Crow above hospital with fem perched below) (Nathalie Mahieu).
  • Pollards Hill: Chiffchaff and Goldcrest with Long-tailed Tit flock in garden (CroydonBirders).
  • Regent's Park: Mediterranean Gull 1stw present until 11.40am when flew south, 2 Water Rails, 18 Fieldfares, 30 Redwings, Tree Creeper, 4 Lesser Redpolls, 2f House Sparrows (Tony Duckett).
  • South Norwood Lake: 19 Cormorant, 30+ Black-headed Gull, 3 Common Gull, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 12 Tufted Duck, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 6 Jay, 18 Goldfinch, 9 Ring-necked Parakeet, 3 Pied Wagtail, 1 Nuthatch, 2 Mistle Thrush, 4 House Sparrow (John Watson).
  • Tyttenhanger GPs: Goldeneye, Water Rail (Steve Blake).
  • Vauxhall Sainsbury's Car Park: 30 Starling on lamp post (Michael Mac).
  • Wanstead Flats: 3 Meadow Pipits, 17 Skylark, 112 Carrion Crow, pair of Stonechats, 3 Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker (S Fisher).

Tuesday 10th November

  • Staines Moor: 1st-winter BROWN SHRIKE still (31st day) (Birdguides).
  • Rainham: Adult Caspian Gull on Wennington, 2 adult Yellow-legged Gulls on tip, Merlin over west end of reserve, 350+ Dunlin, 30+ Lapwing, 40 Golden Plover, 5 Ringed Plover, 3 Black-tailed Godwit, 14 Snipe, f Sparrowhawk, 2 Skylark, 4 Pied Wagtail, Rock Pipit. (J Lethbridge)
  • Staines Reservoirs: 1 Black-necked Grebe S basin and 10 Goldeneye. (FJM)
  • Regent's Park: Mediterranean Gull, Yellow-legged Gull, 1400 Wood Pigeons, Ring Ouzel 7.20am, 60 Redwings, Lesser Redpoll (Tony Duckett)
  • Hyde Park/Kensington Gardens: 1w fem Scaup on Long Water, flew toward Serpentine with c15 Tufted Duck 10:40hrs, then back on Long Water to 13:05hrs at least (Des McKenzie); also 9 Egyptian Goose, m Wigeon, 10 Shoveler, 15 Red-crested Pochard (8m - a very high site count), 37 Cormorant, 2 Little Grebe, argentatus type Herring Gull, Tawny Owl at roost (near regular area), still at least 8 flighty 1w m Blackbird, 6 Mistle Thrush, 2 Coal Tit, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, 4 Jay (DMc, David Darrell-Lambert). Lunchtime, ca. 140 Greylag on Longwater (Martin Honey).
  • Alexandra Park: Viz mig 0705-0730: 114 Woodpigeon NE & SW, 2 Redwing, 5 Starling (Bob Watts); Water Rail (Con Pond), Little Grebe (WG Res), Chiffchaff, Jackdaw (David Callahan).
  • Banstead Downs Golf Course: 1 Firecrest still along the wooded footpath between posts 1 and 3 at 4:12pm. As entering via Burdon Lane, the wooded footpath is immediately to your right. Posts along the path are labelled with numbers (David Campbell)
  • Brent Res: Jack Snipe from main hide, also Cetti's Warbler, Oystercatcher & 2 Lapwing (Andrew Self)
  • Bromley-by-Bow: 1 Little Grebe, 1 Pochard, 63 Teal, 11 Coot, 7 Moorhen, 77 Mallard, Kingfisher, 1 Snipe over, Grey Heron, 17 Blackbirds, 3 Wrens, 8+ Redwing over, 2 Siskin, 2 Pied Wagtails, 2 Grey Wagtails (S Fisher)
  • Clissold Park: Cetti's Warbler still, Woodcock flushed from 'Cetti's Hedge', 4 Shoveler, 2 Little Grebe; VM from 0705 - 130 Woodpigeons, 27 Redwings, 5 Meadow Pipits (Mark Pearson, Jamie Partridge & Tony Butler).
  • London Wetland Centre: 1 Water Pipit, 5 Jack Snipe, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 4 Chiffchaff, 13 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Shelduck, 1 Pintail, 258 Teal (just counted Wader Scrape), 56 Lapwing, 21 Common Snipe, 1 Stonechat, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Reed Bunting, 1 Redwing, 2 Fieldfare, 2 Skylark over E (James Bray).
  • Paddington Green: 230+ Woodpigeon SSW by 08:00hrs (with 5 Stock Dove), Fieldfare NE (Des McKenzie).
  • Wanstead Flats: 220 Canada Goose, 2 Mute Swan, 50 Mallard, Moorhen, 25 Coot, 80+ Common Gull, 45 BH Gull, 3 Cormorant over, 100+ Woodpigeon S in two large groups, Green Woodpecker, 2 GS Woodpecker, 30+ Wren, 2 Pied Wagtail, 5 Meadow Pipit, 4 Blackbird, 2 Fieldfare, 2 Mistle Thrush, 100+ Woodpigeon S, Chiffchaff, 25 Long-tailed Tits, 8 Blue Tit, 3 Great Tit, 150 Starling, 4 Jackdaw, 35 Crow, Jay, 7 Magpie (J Lethbridge).

Monday 9th November

  • Staines Moor: 1st-winter Brown Shrike still at 13:30hrs (30th day); park at the south end of Hithermoor Road, Stanwell Moor and take the concrete footpath south by the KGVI Reservoir fence, fork right through the kissing gate and across the boardwalk to the bridge to view Wellies Best(Birdguides).
  • Rainham Marshes RSPB: Snow Bunting on the River Thames foreshore at 13:00 (Birdguides). 300 yds west of visitor centre and showing well on foreshore mid pm (RBA). Still 4.30pm & 208th sp for year (John Murray). Also DB Brent Goose on river at 4.15pm (J Lethbridge).
  • Wraysbury GPs: Slavonian Grebe still on the east side of BA Sailing Pit today but no sign of Yellow-browed Warbler by Heron Lakes (public footpath 400m beyond the bridge) photos of grebe on birdguides. (J.Murray & F.J.Maroevic).
  • Queen Mother Res (Datchet): Red-necked Grebe still on reservoir near N shore in morning. (Bill Haines).
  • Tower Hamlets Cemetery: 1+ Firecrest still in mixed roving tit flock Monument Glade 1400 but no sign of reported Lesser Spotted Woodpecker seen with tit flock around Chestnut Glade at 0945 (Bob Watts).
  • Banstead Downs Golf Course: male and female Firecrest still 4:15pm by post.3 along wooded footpath also 1 Bullfinch and 2+ Goldcrests (DKC)
  • Mitcham Common: Firecrest (Seven Ponds) (KJM).
  • Staines Reservoirs: 3 Black-necked Grebes and 2 Dabchicks S.basin, late am (D.J.M. and F.J.M.)
  • Springfield Park: VM 07:00-09:15 - 225 Starlings, 1 Skylark, 1 Lapwing, 6 Fieldfares, 18 Redwings, 20 Chaffinches, 3 Song Thrushes, c40 Woodpigeons; also Orange-winged Amazon, 2 Chiffchaffs with LT Tit flock, 88 Greylags on the deck (highset count locally), c100 Canada Geese, Goldcrest, c200 Black-headed Gulls on cricket pitch (Mark Pearson & Jamie Partridge).
  • Clapton Common: c200 BH Gulls, 12 Common Gulls, pair of Jackdaws now 'resident' by the pond (MJP)
  • Abney Park Cemetery: Siskin, 2 Goldcrest, 2 Coal Tits (MJP)
  • Alexandra Park: Viz Mig 0700-0740: 120 Starling, c50 Woodpigeon, 5 Redwing in misty conditions (Bob Watts); Water Rail squealing (Conservation Pond), male Sparrowhawk (tunnel reservoir), 2 Chiffchaffs, juv Jackdaw (First ramp) (David Callahan).
  • Brent Res.: 2 Lapwing, 27 C. Snipe, 3 Water Rail, 44 Wigeon, Chiffchaff, Cetti's W. near main hide (Roy Beddard).
  • Hyde Park/Kensington Gardens: 9 Egyptian Goose, pr Gadwall, 9 Shoveler, pr Red-crested Pochard, imm m Sparrowhawk, 2 Little Grebe, Green Woodpecker, Meadow Pipit (h), c10 1w m Blackbird (all very flighty in canopy; Sparrowhawk flew through them), 5-6 Mistle Thrush, Chiffchaff, Nuthatch in owl roost tree (Des McKenzie).
  • London Wetland Centre: Shelduck, 140 Teal, 59 Shoveler, Jack Snipe, 5 Cetti's Warbler, Linnet, Lesser Redpoll (LWC website).
  • Margravine Cemetery: 1 Coal Tit with mixed Tit flock, many Chaffinch, 1 Mistle Thrush, 2 Jay, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker (first fem calling, then pair feeding in same tree with tits and finches), 6 Magpie in 1 tree (Nathalie Mahieu).
  • Paddington Green: 17 Herring Gull in vicinity of local rooftop colony (Des McKenzie).
  • Regent's Park: Meditterranean Gull 1stw, Yellow-legged Gull, 2 Water Rails, 2 Fileldfares, 25 Redwings, Meadow Pipit, Tree Creeper, 5 Lesser Redpolls, 2 Siskins (Tony Duckett).
  • South Norwood Lake: 1 Mute Swan, 1 Grey Heron, 20 Tufted Duck, 25 Cormorant (record number for this site), 1 Great Crested Grebe, c80 Black-headed Gull, 3 Common Gull, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 15 Ring-necked Parakeet, 4 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Pied Wagtail, 1 Nuthatch, 4 Redwing,2 Mistle Thrush, 4 House Sparrow (John Watson).
  • Southwark Bridge: Peregrine flew by office window carring prey (LondonBirders Yahoo).
  • Totteridge Valley: 1 Common Buzzard on fence post: 7 Siskins: c35 Redwing NW + c20 in area: 1 Skylark: 6 Mandarin and 4 Teal on Darland's Lake (John Colmans).
  • Tyttenhanger GPs: Goldeneye, 3 Snipe, 3 Little Grebe, 2 Bullfinch(f), 9 Redwing (Steve B).
  • Walthamstow: Woodcock pitched into private garden the flew toward Lockwood Res flood relief channel (LondonBirders Yahoo).
  • Wanstead: Coal Tit nr Bush Wood (J Lethbridge).
  • Wanstead Park 15.45 - 17.15: 1 Woodcock, female Tawny Owl, 36 Gadwall, Teal, 15 Ring-necked Parakeet over, 25 Tufted Duck (S Fisher)
  • Bromley-by-Bow: Female Peregrine, 1 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk, Kingfisher, 58 Teal, Great-spotted Woodpecker, 1 Redpoll over, 1 Redwing over, 7 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Chiffchaff (S Fisher)
  • Vauxhall Sainsbury's Car Park: 1 Common Gull 1st Winter (Michael Mac).
  • Trent Park/Williams Wood: 1 Woodcock, 1 Common Buzzard, Cock Pheasant calling, 2 G S Woodpecker, 7 Canada Geese flew northish (Michael Mac).

Sunday 8th November

  • Staines Moor: 1w BROWN SHRIKE still this a.m. (29th day); park at south end of Hithermoor Road, Stanwell Moor and take concrete footpath south by KGVI Reservoir fence, fork right through kissing gate and across boardwalk to the bridge to view; also 2 Water Pipit by River Colne 13:50hrs (Birdguides).
  • Beddington SF: fem Marsh Harrier SW (NG), Peregrine, Golden Plover, Jack Snipe, 9 Common Snipe, 5 Green Sandpiper, Mediterranean Gull, 300 Woodpigeon, 4 Skylark, 100 Redwing, 2 Brambling, 4 Redpoll (Dip or Glory).
  • Brent Res: male Merlin flew over, Little Egret over, Cetti's Warbler singing by hide; also c1000 Woodpigeons over, 2 Jack Snipe briefly from Heron hide & 1 Green Sand., 10 Siskins in birches (Andrew Self, Andrew Verrall & Roy Beddard).
  • Queen Mother Res: Red-necked Grebe (Birdguides).
  • Rainham Marshes: 152 Greylag Goose, 55 Canada Goose, 17 Gadwall, 4 Pintail, 25 Shoveler, 340 Lapwing, 2 Curlew, Black-tailed Godwit, Great Spotted Woodpecker, 5 Rock Pipit, 2 Water Pipit, Grey Wagtail, 2 Mistle Thrush, 7 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Bearded Tit, 40 Goldfinch, 30 Linnet (Birdguides/ELBF)40 Redshank,2 Curlew,1 Jack Snipe,5 Rock Pipit (Steve Bacon)
  • Wormwood Scrubs: 1 female Ring Ouzel still in Chats Paddock looking settled & 5 Brent Goose over from the north heading SW - site tick! also c12 Song Thrush, c20 Blackbird, c120 Woodpigeon over with c3 Stock Dove, c10 Meadow Pipit, 1 Skylark, 1 Stonechat & c20 Chaffinch (Kim Dixon, David Lindo & Roy Nuttall).
  • Wraysbury GPs: Slavonian Grebe still at the north end of BA Pit mid-morning; also Yellow-browed Warbler yesterday at Heron Lakes (public footpath c400m beyond the bridge (Birdguides), Slavonian Grebe still prior to dusk on BA pit (207th London year tick) (J. Murray).
  • Abney Park Cemetery: female Siskin, 9 Goldcrests, c170 Woodpigeons over (in one group, 1415hrs) (Mark Pearson).
  • Alexandra Park 07:15-09:45: 168 Woodpigeon, 125 Redwing, 8 Starling, 4 Fieldfare, 5 Jackdaw, 1 Mipit, 1 Blackbird, 1 Grey Wagtail over. Also 3 Chiffchaff, 4 Blackbirds with 2 Song Thrushes in bushes opp WGRes, pair Gadwall WGRes, juv Jackdaw Cricket Pitch (Stuart Harrington, Bob Watts).
  • Barking Bay: 38 Redshank, Curlew, 2 Stonechat, 60 Linnet, 2 Skylark (Paul Hawkins).
  • Bedford's Park: 2 Goldcrest, 2 Firecrest in holly near the Visitor Centre car park late afternoon (Birdguides/ELBF).
  • Bedfont Lakes CP: Woodcock and 2 Common Snipe. (RRG per Adam Cheeseman)
  • Burgess Park: ad Mediterranean Gull on the lake early afternoon (probably for the winter again); also an Egyptian Goose. Park on Cobourg Road (Richard Bonser).
  • Crescent Mews (N22): 13:30 female/immature Black Redstart until at least 15:00 (Stuart Harrington, Gareth Richards).
  • East India Dock area: VIS MIG - Skylark (first site record), Meadow Pipit, 9 Stock Doves (all N), 151 Woodpigeons (S); plus 26 Linnet, 3 Yellow-legged Gulls, 4 Pied Wagtails, Sparrowhawk, Kingfisher, 2 Redshank, 2 Chiffchaffs, 64 Teal, 15 Goldfinches (David Callahan, Gary A James, Nick Tanner).
  • Epping Forest (Strawberry Hill Ponds): 23 Mandarin, Mallard, 6 Moorhen, Grey Heron, Kingfisher, fem Tawny Owl (ELBF).
  • Fairlop: 10 Teal, Shoveler, 2 Green Sandpipers, 300 Lapwing, 4 Golden Plover (ELBF).
  • Grovelands Park, Southgate: 2 Ring-necked Parakeet; 1 male Green Woodpecker; 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker; 2 Goldcrest, together; 1 Nuthatch; 1 Siskin (Robert Callf).
  • Hillfield Park Res: fem Firecrest trapped and ringed on the north bank this a.m. (Birdguides).
  • Horsenden Hill 0700-1130: Vis Mig - Brent Goose 5 SW (same as Scrubs birds) and 2 SW late morning, YL Gull 1 first-winter over, Woodpigeon 2100 S & 310 NW, Alba Wagtail 3 S, Fieldfare 730 mostly SW including a flock of c500, Ring Ouzel m SW with Fieldfares, Blackbird 4 dropped in, Redwing 24 SW, Song thrush 8 SW, Chaffinch 42 NW, 12 Linnets SE. also 3 Chiffchaffs, 3 Bullfinches (NPS).
  • Hyde Park/Kensington Gardens: 107 Woodpigeon NW, 2 Meadow Pipit (h), 44 Redwing SW (three flocks), Jackdaw (h), 5 Chaffinch NW; also 69 Mute Swan, 244 Greylag Goose, 7 Egyptian Goose, pr Gadwall, 63 Mallard (lots of display), 14 Shoveler, 5 Red-crested Pochard (3m), 24 Pochard, 53 Tufted Duck, 2 Little Grebe, 25 Great Crested Grebe, 24 Cormorant, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, m Pied Wagtail, 2 Fieldfare (on site), 2-3 Coal Tit, Nuthatch at feeders, 3 Treecreeper (Des McKenzie), 2 Peregrine (m/f) soaring over Kensington Gardens c14:25hrs (David Lindo per DMc).
  • Ingrebourne Valley: 2 Siskin, 40+ Meadow Pipit, Sparrowhawk (Shaun Harvey).
  • London Wetland Centre: Shelduck, 5 Red-crested Pochard, Peregrine, Water Pipit (Main Lake and Marsh), 2 Stonechat, 4 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Siskin west (LWC website); 4 Jack Snipe, 20 Common Snipe, Water Rail all from Peacock Tower (Dave Holden). Plus two Grey Wagtail and a Red-crested Pochard x Mallard(?) hybrid with the above group of five (Martin Honey).
  • Margravine Cemetery: Coal Tit, 20+ mixed tit flock, many Goldfinch & Chaffinch, 1-2 Greenfinch, 2 Jay (Nathalie Mahieu).
  • Mayesbrook Park: 2 Fieldfare, 2 Mipit, Goldfinch, Grey Wagtail, Chiffchaff, fem Sparrowhawk, c200 Woodpigeon (north), 30+ Gadwall, 15 Shoveler, 2 Teal, GBB Gull (Paul Hawkins).
  • Oakwood Park, N14: 1 imm Grey Heron; 1 female Sparrowhawk; 1 Song Thrush; 32+ Fieldfare, flew E, 10:10 GMT (Robert Callf).
  • Paddington Green: possible flock of Brent Goose distantly to the south 12:56-13:00hrs and moving east (maybe numbering 15 birds?); range too great to make a positive identification, 2 Egyptian Goose low toward Regent's Park (probably commuting from HP/KG), 320+ Woodpigeon (mainly SE) by 13:10hrs, 2 Jackdaw east (Des McKenzie).
  • Pembury Estate, Hackney: c80 Woodpigeons over, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel (Mark Pearson).

Saturday 7th November

  • Staines Moor: 1w BROWN SHRIKE still present a.m. (28th day), park at the south end of Hithermoor Road, Stanwell Moor and take the concrete footpath south by the KGVI Reservoir fence, fork right through the kissing gate and across the boardwalk to the bridge to view (RBA). Wellingtons adviseable, also 3 Goosander along River Colne early am and Water Pipit (Bob Warden per FJM).
  • Wraysbury: 2 Slavonian Grebes on the sailing pit (Birdguides).
  • London Wetland Centre: 15 Wigeon, 111 Teal, 84 Shoveler, Bittern (12:30 opposite Headley Hide), Water Rail, 18 Common Snipe, 2 Cetti's Warbler (LWC website).
  • Alexandra Park: Viz mig 0700-0915: 337 Woodpigeon, 41 Fieldfare, 103 Redwing, 4 Mistle Thrush, 3 Song Thrush, 3 Blackbird, Skylark (h), 128 Chaffinch, 3 Greenfinch, 4 Mipit, 13 Jackdaw (also 12 @ 0930, Alan Gibson). Also R N Parakeet, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrest, m Kingfisher fishing at Conservation Pond (Stuart Harrington, Bob Watts). Immature Rook with Crows Newland Field (Paul Rawlins).
  • Beddington SF: 11 Lesser Redpolls, 1 Peregrine, 1 Skylark (DKC KJM).
  • Brent Res: Water Pipit over at 09.45 (almost landed on raft), Jack Snipe from heron hide, Cetti's Warbler calling; 390 Woodpigeon, 118 Fieldfare, 46 Redwing, 94 Starling & 7 Jackdaw over (Andrew Self).
  • Fulham Reach (Thames Path): 1 Little Grebe (patch tick), 35 Cormorant, 48 Mallard, 47 Teal, 13 Tufted Duck, 200+ Black Headed Gull, 8 Common Gull, 3 Great Black-Backed Gull, 8 Lesser Black-Backed Gull, 5 Herring Gull, 1-4 Grey Wagtail, Starlings, 16 Woodpigeon going SW (Nathalie Mahieu).
  • Horsenden Hill vis. mig. 0620-1040: Common Buzzard 1 W, Woodpigeon 5773 mostly S, Stock Dove 117 SW, Water Pipit 1 S, Meadow Pipit 27 SW, Fieldfare 133 W, Song Thrush 7 SW, Redwing 10 SW, Linnet 8 SW, Goldfinch 19 S, Chaffinch 56 mostly WNW, Bullfinch 2 SW, Siskin 4 SW, Lesser redpoll 5 S, Redpoll sp 4 SW, Yellowhammer 1 m SW. also 1 Woodcock flushed from summit and 3 Chiffchaffs (NPS)
  • Hyde Park/Kensington Gardens: Water/Rock pipit over round pond at 07:30, 6 Fieldfare, 4 Redwing, 4 Eygptian Geese, 2 Nuthatch, 1 Treecreeper. No sign of Tawny owl at day roost (J.Murray & J.Murray Senior).
  • Little Venice to Wormwood Scrubs (canal): 7 Mute Swan, 2 Greylag Goose, 61 Canada Goose, 2 Egyptian Goose, 11 Mallard, Pochard, 5 Tufted Duck, 2 Sparrowhawk, 13 Moorhen, 39 Coot, c165 Black-headed Gull, 2 Common Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, 2-3 Ring-necked Parakeet, Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, several Long-tailed Tit, c10 Goldfinch (2 singing), Siskin over (Des McKenzie, Nick Tanner).
  • Mitcham Common: 1 Firecrest showing well along path from Beddington SF to Mitcham Common train station at 2:15pm (DKC KJM).
  • Regent's Park: 1st winter Mediterranean Gull, 2 Water Rails, Skylark.(Tony Duckett).
  • Springfield Park: Ring Ouzel low SW with 6 Redwings 1012hrs, 2 male Blackcaps, Chiffchaff, 4 Goldcrests, 4 Coal Tits, 2 Fieldfares, c25 Long-tailed Tits (Mark Pearson).
  • Stoke Newington East Res: Kingfisher (new river); 3 GBB Gulls, 5 Com Gulls, 6 Wigeon, 310 Coots, plus usuals (Dave Holden).
  • Trent CP: 2 (m&f) Shoveler, Lower Lake; 1 female Teal, Lower Lake; 3 Goldcrest, (2 Camlet Moat, 1 Williams Wood); 1 female Firecrest, feeding in Holly, Rough Lot, 11:18-11:23 GMT; 2 Small Copper, (our latest record by one day!) (Robert Callf & Robin White).
  • Wormwood Scrubs: 1 Ring Ouzel at noon in Chats Paddock (Rob Ayers), hunting m Sparrowhawk, 2 Peregrine (m/f) over NE side 12:05-12:07hrs, 3 Meadow Pipit, Song Thrush, Jackdaw low NE, also a confiding fem Budgerigar (yellow) (Des McKenzie, Nick Tanner).
  • Hampstead Heath(pm) 21 Mandarin and 4 Egyptian Geese(Wood Pond and Stock Pond).Also,14 Shoveler on Hampstead No1 plus 2 drakes on Sanctuary Pond.3 Gadwall on Highgate No1 -8 Cormorants,100 Black h and 5 Common Gulls here too.5 Redpolls over (PeteM)

Friday 6th November

  • Staines Moor: 1w BROWN SHRIKE still present a.m. (27th day), park at the south end of Hithermoor Road, Stanwell Moor and take the concrete footpath south by the KGVI Reservoir fence, fork right through the kissing gate and across the boardwalk to the bridge to view (Birdguides).
  • Fairlop: 2 Hawfinches, Linnet, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, 8 Skylark, 3 Mipit, 3 Kestrel, 2 Snipe, 3 Woodcock, 80 Lapwing, Ring-necked Parakeet, 3 Reed Bunting, Chiffchaff, 80 Fieldfare (north), Redwing, 2GWP, GSWP (DEH).
  • Rainham Rspb: 2 Corn Bunting with small flock of Reed Bunting, feeding along path by silt lagoons off ferry lane (J.Murray).
  • Stockers Lake: Black-necked Grebe from Tern Hide (Birdguides).
  • Walthamstow Res: 3 Green Sandpipers and a Little Egret in the flood relief channel next to the Lockwood, the Black-necked Grebe still on the Lockwood and 3 ff Goldeneye on the Low Maynard (Paul Whiteman).
  • Alexandra Park: 4 Chiffchaffs (2 Ckt Scrub, WGRes, Boating Lake), Fieldfare, Redwing, Mipit (Bob Watts).
  • Bromley-by-Bow: 1 Little Grebe, 64 Mallard, 27 Teal, 1 Pochard, Peregrine, Kestrel, Redwing, 2 Redpolls, 4 Greenfinch, 2 Song Thrush, 6 Mistle Thrush, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Meadow Pipit south, 15 Blackbirds, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Heron, Kingfisher, flock of Long-tailed Tits (S Fisher).
  • Crayford Marsh: c150 Woodpigeon, 2 Little Egret, 7 Stonechat, Common Sandpiper, 14 Wigeon, c70 Dunlin, 68 Redshank, 27 Ringed Plover, 2 Song Thrush, Jay, c120 Lapwing (Kev Jarvis).
  • Mitcham Common: 1 drake Pintail with Mallard (KJM)
  • Oakwood Park, N14: 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Pied Wagtail, 2 Song Thrush, 5 Redwing, flew over; 2 Mistle Thrush, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Coal Tit, 1 Nuthatch (Robert Callf).
  • Raphael Park, Romford: 2 Kingfisher (John Palmer per Ania Kusnierz)
  • Regent's Park: 1st winter Mediterranean Gull, 2 Water Rails, 1 Chiffchaff, 12 Siskins (Tony Duckett).
  • Stockers Lake (south end): Gadwall, 1 pr Ruddy Duck, 2 Egyptian Goose. (Roger Dewey)
  • Stoke Newington Reservoirs: 11 Wigeon, c75 Gadwall, c50 Tufted Duck, c30 Common Pochard, 6 Little Grebes, c500 Black-headed Gulls heading to roost (Mark Pearson).
  • Tower 42 (top of), The City (0600-1000): c250 Woodpigeon, 4 Stock Dove, 1 Little Egret (W'stow), Peregrine (Barbican), 2 Great Black-backed Gulls (Hackney), Grey Wagtail (David Lindo, Des McKenzie, Mark Pearson et al).
  • Tyttenhanger GPs: 5 Tree Sparrow, 12 Redwing, 2 Fieldfare (Steve B).
  • Vicarage Farm, Enfield: 1 female Brambling, with a few Greenfinches (Robin White per RMC).
  • Woodoaks Farm: 1 Red Kite seen for c 1 hour, sometimes on ground, 1 m Kestrel, 1 pr Stonechat, c 50 Skylark, 1 GS Woodpecker. (Roger Dewey)

Thursday 5th November

  • Staines Moor: 1w BROWN SHRIKE still present 11.15 a.m. (26th day) (Birdguides). 3 Water Pipit along River Colne banks (Nigel Sluman) also 3 f Goosander on river early am, 2 f Goosander over, then on Wraysbury Res. Cettis Warbler heard only on Fishing Pit late am. Wellies best (FJM)
  • Banstead Downs Golf Course: 1 male and 1 female Firecrest back for the winter along the wooded footpath near post 678 access via Burdon Lane (David K Campbell)
  • Beddington SF: Short-eared Owl over (KJM200).
  • Epping Forest, Knighton Woods: 20+ Mandarin, pr Wood Duck, Redwing, Nutchatch, Coal Tit, 3 Goldcrest, Firecrest (DEH)
  • Hyde Park/Kensington Gardens: excellent view of an Osprey moving due south over Serpentine, east of Island, 11:27hrs (c350-75ft up); 4 Egyptian Goose, 16 Shoveler, 2 Little Grebe, 20 Great Crested Grebe, 19 Common Gull, Fieldfare, Linnet (h) (Des McKenzie).
  • Tower Hamlets Cemetery: Male & female Firecrest with mixed tit flock (mostly L T) near High Glade west of small pond @ 1230 (Bob Watts).
  • Wormwood Scrubs: Water Pipit over a.m (site tick!) plus Ring Ouzel still present in the Chat Paddock but elusive (Birdguides).
  • Abney Park Cemetery: c30 Long-tailed Tits, 6 Goldcrests, 3 Coal Tits (Mark Pearson)
  • Alexandra Park: Viz mig 0700-0800: 14 Fieldfare, 20 Redwing, c250 Woodpigeon, Mipit, Lesser Redpoll, 15 Chaffinch, also 2 Chiffchaff, pair Gadwall (Bob Watts, David Callahan).
  • Brent Res: Viz-mig: c4110 Woodpigeons, Mistle Thrush 8SW, 158 Fieldfares, 6 Redwings & 12 Jackdaws; also adult Med Gull, Cetti's Warbler & 3 Red-crested Pochards (2 drakes, 1 female) (Andrew Self)
  • Bromley-by-Bow: 1 Little Grebe, 1 imm drake Pochard, 25+ Herring Gulls, 2 Great Black-backed Gulls, 90 Mallard, 2 Chiffchaff, Great-spotted Woodpcker, 2 Song Thrush west, 1 Linnet, Sparrowhawk, 2 Cormorants (S Fisher)
  • Clapton Common: 30 BH Gulls, 12 Common Gulls, Jackdaw perched in overhanging willow (Mark Pearson)
  • Bedfont Lakes CP: 7 Siskin, Lesser Redpoll. (Adam Cheeseman)
  • Hertford: 3 Little Egrets this a.m. on south side of River Lea, near Horns Mill Pub (Birdguides).
  • Horsenden Hill 0630-1000: 9660 Woodpigeons mostly S, 2 G S Woodpeckers high SW, 12 Meadow Pipits SW, 3 'Alba' Wagtails SW, 319 Fieldfares W/SW, 4 Redwings W + 10 grounded, 9 Song Thrushes SW + 8 dropped in, 3 Chiffchaffs, 1 Blackcap, 10 Goldcrests, Coal Tit 2, 34 Chaffinches W/NW, 5 Bramblings W, 31 Goldfinches S/SW, Lesser Redpoll 6 S (NPS).
  • Lee Valley RP: (Holyfield) 1 Little Owl, 3 Buzzards, 14 Egyptian Geese, 78 Collared Doves. (Friday Lake) 3 Goldeneye. (Mike Oakland)
  • London Wetland Centre: Jack Snipe, Water Pipit (Birdguides).
  • Margravine Cemetery: ca 30 Goldfinch-Chaffinch flock, 1 m Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Jay, 2 Peregrine (Nathalie Mahieu).
  • Paddington Green (07:00-09:00hrs): Egyptian Goose flew toward Hampstead, Ring-necked Parakeet, c2380 Woodpigeon south (some SE; also 72 north or NW), 12 Meadow Pipit south, 2 Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, 30 Fieldfare SW, 19 Redwing WSW, 14 Magpie low south (probably local birds), 40+ Starling SW, 11 Chaffinch west, up to 10 Goldfinch in area, Siskin SW (Des McKenzie).
  • Regent's Park: Woodcock, 2 Water Rails, 12 Redwings, 10 Siskins (Tony Duckett).
  • St James's Park: 1st Winter Med Gull still present on south side of west end. Also 1 Common Gull, 9 Herring Gull, 2 Little Grebe, 1 GC Grebe, 2 RN Parakeet (Robin Dryden)
  • Staines Reservoirs: 1 Black-necked Grebe, S basin late am. 10 Goldeneye. (FJM)
  • Southfields (Girdwood Road 07.15): 6 Egyptian Geese flew over heading SE (probably to Wimbledon Park) calling (Martin Honey).
  • Springfield Park: VM, 06:50 - 09:00 - 1,281 Woodpigeons, 131 Fieldfares, 66 Redwings, 127 Starlings, 52 Chaffinches, 14 Linnets, 11 Stock Doves, 15 Goldfinches, 9 Greenfinches, 2 Meadow Pipits, 16 redpolls, 7 Jackdaws, 2 Lapwings, 4 Pied Wagtails, 3 Grey Wagtails, 6 Mistle Thrushes. Also Orange-winged Amazon still, 4 Goldcrests, 2 Coal Tits; 103 Canada Geese (highest borough count by some distance) and 46 Greylags leaving roost around pond (Mark Pearson).
  • Tyttenhanger GPs: Goldeneye (Steve B)
  • Walthamstow Marshes: c50 Chaffinches (most in feeding flock at riding centre), 35 Pied Wagtails (ditto), 2 Bramblings (one over, one with Chaffinch flock), 2 Siskins over, 5 Linnets; 4 Stonechats (two pairs) & 7 Meadow Pipits (Bombcrater field); 20 Long-tailed Tits and one Jackdaw (horseshoe wood) (Mark Pearson)
  • Wanstead Park, The Basin: 30 Gadwall, 6 Great-crested Grebes, 9 Little Grebes. Wanstead Flats: pair Stonechat, 6 Meadow Pipits (S Fisher)

Wednesday 4th November

  • Staines Moor: 1w BROWN SHRIKE still present late a.m. (25th day), also Barn Owl along Bonehead Ditch 6.20am (Bob Warden per FJM), Cettis Warbler heard only and Water Pipit (Birdguides).
  • Fairlop: Buzzard, 3 Kestrel, Merlin, Sparrowhawk, 161 Lapwing, 4 Snipe, 30 Gadwall, 44 Teal, 15 Pochard, 69 Tufted Duck, 2 Shoveler, 5 Little Grebe, 8 GCGrebe, 132 Coot, 41 Moorhen, 9 Cormorant, 7 Grey Heron, 5 Fieldfare, 2 Redwing, pr Stonechat, Skylark, 2 Mipit, c60 LTTit, Chiffchaff (calling), Reed Bunting (DEH).
  • London Wetland Centre: two Jack Snipe on grazing marsh with Common Snipe and a Water Rail, also the Bittern still in reedbed this afternoon (Birdguides).
  • Rainham Marshes RSPB: ringtail Hen Harrier low over Ferry Lane and towards silt lagoons at 10:00, Marsh Harrier over rubbish tip late morning, Merlin over stone barges and across river (poor photos of the harriers on Birdguides), also 2 Water Pipit, 5 Black-tailed Godwit and flock of 25 Linnet (John Murray & John Murray Snr), 180 Greylag Goose, 7 Pintail, 4 Kestrel, 2y Mediterranean Gull, ad Caspian Gull, 20 Fieldfare, 3 Water Pipits (ELBF).
  • Aldwych: 50 Fieldfare west prior to 08:00hrs (Dave Morrison per DMc).
  • Alexandra Park: Viz mig 0700-0810: c600 Woodpigeon, 2 Fieldfare, 22 Redwing, 3 Mipit, 2 Jackdaw, 15 Chaffinch, 8 Goldfinch, Skylark, Lesser Redpoll, also Chiffchaff Ckt Scrub, pair Gadwall WGRes (Stuart Harrington, Bob Watts).
  • Bromley-by-Bow: 58 Mallard, 1 Pochard, 1 Great Black-backed Gull, 1 Chiffchaff, 5 Mistle Thrush, Kingfisher, Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Kestrel, Sparrowhawk (S Fisher).
  • Clissold Park: VM (til leaf blowers stopped play): 390 Woodpigeons, 25 Redwings, 5 Fieldfares, 11 redpolls, 28 Chaffinches, 12 Mistle Thrushes, 32 Starlings, 1 Skylark, 3 Meadow Pipits; large bunting west, possibly Lapland, didn't call .... also 4 Shoveler, 2 Common Pochard (Mark Pearson & Tony Butler).
  • Crayford Marsh: Little Egret, 2 Green Sandpiper, 4 Fieldfare, 2 Snipe, 17 Ringed Plover, c70 Lapwing, 8 Pied Wagtail, 7 Skylark, 12 Wigeon, male Sparrowhawk, fem Kestrel, c40 Greylag Geese (Kev Jarvis).
  • Hackney Downs: adult Mediterranean Gull low and circling over clapton Pond area 1400 before drifting over downs (possibly returning bird from previous years at Clapton Common) (Mark Pearson).
  • Hampstead Heath: 4 Goldcrest, 5 Coal Tits, 2 Kestrels, 17 Shoveler (Highgate No1 Pond), Skylark over Parliament Hill Fields (patch tick) (Sash Tusa). Sanctuary Pond: 1 juvenile Cormorant. Hampstead No 1 Pond: still 9 Mute Swan cygnets with adults, 1 GC Grebe with 1 calling juvenile, 1 pr Gadwall (Michael Mac).
  • Haringay: Red Kite over Mattison Road N4 at 09.00 (J. Sermet per AS).
  • Hyde Park/Kensington Gardens (late a.m.): 6 Egyptain Goose, 8 Shoveler, 4 Red-crested Pochard (3m), imm m Sparrowhawk, fem Kestrel (earthworming on Buck Hill, briefly mobbed by Sparrowhawk), 3 Little Grebe, 28 Cormorant, 6 Goldcrest, 3 Siskin west, redpoll sp west (Des McKenzie).
  • Kenwood: 1 Coal Tit, 2 Nuthatch, 250+ Carrion Crow (West Meadow area), Approx 600 - 1,000 Woodpigeon took to the air after some kind of military jet (after 1600) flew low over wood, prior to that not noticable, 4+ Jackdaw, 10+ Ring-necked Parakeets, 1 Green Woodpecker (Michael Mac)
  • King George V Res: 3 Goosander, 1 Rock Pipit (Tony Clancy).
  • Minet CP: m Firecrest showing well in ivy-covered oaks south-west of Minet CP at 10:00hrs. Park at Springfield Road Car Park TQ114807 and walk southwest past pond, through gap in first hedgerow and follow path to gap in oaks near Pump Lane TQ112806 (Birdguides).
  • Park Farm, Enfield: 7 Fieldfare (Robert Callf).
  • Regent's Park: 1f Firecrest, 24 Fieldfares, 36 Redwings, 2 Water Rails (Tony Duckett).
  • St James's Park: 1st-winter Med Gull at lunchtime & 3 Egyptian Geese (Andrew Self)
  • Staines Res: Water Pipit showing well this a.m. (Birdguides).
  • Totteridge Valley: 1 Woodcock over; 10 Fieldfares; 2 Skylarks, also 4 Meadow Pipits grounded (John Colmans).
  • Tower Hamlets Cemetery: 1+ Firecrests still present (male definitively sighted) in predominately L T Tit flock Monument Glade 1230 (Bob Watts).
  • Trent Park: 5 (3m, 2f) Mandarin Duck, Upper Lake; 3 (1m, 2f) Teal, Lower Lake; 1 male Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, feeding in Rough Lot, 11:05-11:10 GMT; 2 (m&f) Firecrest, feeding in Holly, Rough Lot, 11:28-12:27 GMT; 3 Nuthatch; 3 Treeceeper; 1 Weasel, Camlet Moat; 1 Small Copper, (my latest record for eight years) (Robert Callf & Robin White).
  • Valentines Park (Ilford): ad Mediterranean Gull, also 7 Mute Swan (family group), 2 Greylag Goose, 2 Egyptian Goose, Gadwall, Shoveler, Pochard, Little Grebe, 5 Cormorant, Grey Heron, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Kingfisher, 2 Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, 2 Mistle Thrush (ELBF).
  • Wormwood Scrubs: 2 Ring Ouzel still in Chats Paddock, plus c1,200 Woodpigeon, 2 Stonechat, c6 Redwing, c5 Fieldfare, 1 Redpoll, c30 Chaffinch, 2 Jackdaw & c10 Meadow Pipit (Rob Ayers, David Lindo & Anders Price).

Tuesday 3rd November

  • Staines Moor: 1w BROWN SHRIKE still present a.m. (24th day). Please view only from south of the River Colne (RBA) Also 2 Little Egrets, 1 Water Pipit, Kingfisher chased Brown Shrike briefly at roosting bush. 4 Partridge sp seen briefly along Bonehead Ditch before flying into trees bordering KG VI Res early am. (FJM)
  • Alexandra Park: Pair Gadwall WG Res, Chiffchaff singing from hedge opposite 0715 (Bob Watts); Kingfisher (David Callahan).
  • Brent Res: Ad Med Gull, 27 Snipe, 2m 1f Red-crested Pochard, Cetti's Warbler singing, 3 Redwing, Skylark, Meadow Pipit (Andrew Self, Andrew Verrall), plus 45+ Wigeon, 1 Green Sand (Roy Beddard)
  • Bromley-by_Bow: 1 Pochard, 66 Mallard, Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrel, Kingfisher, Great-spotted Woodpecker, 1 Chiffchaff (singing), Linnet (S Fisher)
  • Crossness: ad Mediterranean Gull on the Thames from Thamesmead Golf Centre (Birdguides).
  • Hatch End Arts Centre: Little Egret present mid day by 'new'course of River Pinn (Tony Donetti)
  • Hyde Park/Kensington Gardens: pr Egyptian Goose, 3 Gadwall, 4 Shoveler, pr Red-crested Pochard, imm m Sparrowhawk, 2 Little Grebe, still 7 semi-dependent juv Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant with remains of plastic bag around neck, Common Snipe (Hyde Park Meadows), Grey Wagtail, 2-3 Pied Wagtail, Song Thrush, Chiffchaff, at least 90 Long-tailed Tit, Coal Tit, Reed Bunting (heard from Long Water Sanctuary) (Des McKenzie).
  • Little Britain Lake: Little Grebe, Cormorant, 2 Heron, pr Mute Swan & 4y, 2 Egyptian Goose, Gadwall, R-n Parakeet, GS Woodpecker, Pied Wagtail, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Redwing over, Goldcrest, tit flocks, c20 Chaffinch in flock, Goldfinches (Roger Dewey).
  • London Wetland Centre: 2 Jack Snipe, 1 Water Pipit, 1 Grey Wagtail, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 4 Water Rail, 1 Stonechat, 1 Chiffchaff, 56 Lapwing, 24 Common Snipe (James Bray), 20 Wigeon - grazing marsh and channel (observer?).
  • Margravine Cemetery: 1 Jackdaw, 1 f Peregrine, 2-3 Jay, ca 20 Goldfinch, 1 Chaffinch (Nathalie Mahieu).
  • Mudchute Farm (Isle of Dogs): flock of 24 Monk Parakeets, 3 Mistle Thrushes (Sean Huggins).
  • Myddelton House Gardens, Bulls Cross: 1 Brambling; Siskin, small flock (Robert Callf).
  • Rainham Marshes: 66 Black-tailed Godwits, 3 Curlew, 140 Wigeon, 30 Dunlin, 7 Snipe, 80 Golden Plover, 3 Peregrine (2m, 1f) (ELBF).
  • Regent's Park: 3 Little Grebes, 57 Egyptian Geese, flock of 45 Red-crested Pochards, 3 Water Rail, 12 Redwings, Tree Creeper, ?Meally Redpoll (Tony Duckett).
  • South Norwood Lake: 12+ Cormorant, 8 Tufted Duck, c30 Black-headed Gull, 1 Common Gull, 1 Pied Wagtail, 2 Mistle Thrush, c20 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Nuthatch (John Watson).
  • Stockers Lake: 2 Scaup (HertsBirding).
  • Stoke Newington Reservoirs: 7 Wigeon, 1 Jackdaw, plus the usuals (Mark Pearson).
  • Vauxhall: m Peregrine alighted on building briefly then flew towards Brixton 14:20 (Michael Mac).
  • Wanstead Flats (9.30-10.30): no sign of Dartford Warbler; Stonechat, Skylark, Meadow Pipits, Mistle Thrush, Jay, Snipe (flushed) (P Fallan). Wanstead Flats pm: still no sign of Dartford Warbler, male Stonechat, 6 Meadow Pipits, 11 Skylark, 2 Fieldfares in Hawthorn, 10 Shoveler in Alexandra Pond (S Fisher)
  • Weald Park: 50 Siskin, Grey Wagtail, 14 Mistle Thrush, 4 Fieldfare (ELBF).
  • Wormwood Scrubs: 1 Red-legged Partridge flushed from Chats Paddock - 2nd site record plus 1 Stonechat, 3 Jackdaw & c13 Meadow Pipit (Roy Nuttall & Anders Price).
  • Woodford Bridge: Kingfisher, Great Spotted Woodpecker (Alan Hobson).

Monday 2nd November

  • Staines Moor: 1w BROWN SHRIKE still present 15:00 (23rd day). Please view only from south of the River Colne (Birdguides)
  • London Wetland Centre: Jack Snipe, 31 Common Snipe, Water Pipit, Rock Pipit, 2 Stonechat, 4 Cetti's Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff, 3 Siskin, 2 Lesser Redpoll (LWC website). Bittern 14:15 showing well on island opposite from Dulverton Hide then flew over water into reeds right of hide then disappeared, 17 Wigeon grazing on meadow, GBB Gull adult and 1st winter juvenile, Snipe zipping about, odd Barnacle Goose type Hybrid with yellow legs, feral or escapee? (Wildside hide), 3 Egyptian Geese went from main lake to wildfowl enclosures, 1 Green Woodpecker (Michael Mac); recent tame Barnacle Goose intermittently at Hyde Park/Kensington Gardens but not a hybrid (DMc). Looking at this page it could be Barnacle and Grey Lag Hybrid [1](Michael Mac).
  • Bromley-by-Bow: 6 Cormorant, 1 Little Grebe, 3 Teal, c100 Black-headed Gulls, 1 Meadow Pipit, 6 Redwing over, 1 Fieldfare west, Kingfisher, 2 Grey Wags, 7 Goldfinch (S Fisher)
  • Rainham Marshes: Little Stint, Jack Snipe, (Dark-bellied) Brent Goose, 2 Bearded Tit (Birdguides).
  • Staines Res: 5 Goldeneye, Black-necked Grebe still on South Basin late p.m. (FJM).
  • Trent CP: 4 Firecrest, (a pair feeding in Holly, Rough Lot, 11:10 - 11:38 GMT, another pair feeding in Holly, Williams Wood, 12:28 - 12:32 GMT); 2 Goldcrest (including one singing male); 1 Kingfisher, perched, Lower Lake, 12:05 GMT; 4 Small Copper (Robert Callf).
  • Wanstead Flats: Dartford Warbler, still in same area seemed to be associating with Stonechats this am 8.15 am - see image on Surfbirds at http://tinyurl.com/sxi4 (JP Elmes).
  • Wormwood Scrubs: flighty female Ring Ouzel at Chats Paddock 08:00 plus c400 Woodpigeon over, c30 Redwing, c20 Meadow Pipit, 2 Stonechat, c4 Skylark, c8 Jackdaw & 1 winter male Reed Bunting (David Lindo, Roy Nuttall & Anders Price).
  • Alexandra Park; 2 Chiffchaffs, one singing (WG res) (David Callahan). Viz mig 0715-0755: 366 Woodpigeon, 7 Jackdaw, 6 Mipit, 26 Redwing, 2 Linnet, 5 Goldfinch, 15 Chaffinch, drake Gadwall WGres (Bob Watts).
  • Barnes Sports Field: 2 Pied Wagtail - adult and juvenile, 1 Grey Wagtail (in brook), 67 Feral Pigeons flocking on running track (Michael Mac).
  • Beddington SF: 3 ad Yellow-legged Gull, c350 Woodpigeon, 1350 Ring-necked Parakeet, 36 Redwing, 3 Siskin (Beddington Farm Bird Group).
  • Bedfont Lakes CP: 34 Gadwall, Kingfisher, Redwing (Adam Cheeseman).
  • Brent Res., 25+ Common Snipe, 36 Wigeon, 3 R-C Pochard (2m, 1f), Cetti's Warbler singing on S bank, 12 Redwings E. Marsh, 1 v late Common Darter (Roy Beddard).
  • Crossness: ad Mediterranean Gull on the Thames (Birdguides).
  • Fairlop: 10 Teal, 100+ Lapwing, 15 Snipe, Woodcock, Water Rail, Little Owl, 3 Kestrels (DEH).
  • Hampstead Heath: 1 Kingfisher, 2 slightly odd looking Pochard (possible hybrids? Worth having a look if anyone is in the area), 6 Shoveler (all on Highgate no.1 pond), 1 Coal tit (Tumulus) (Reuben Braddock); also pair of Gadwall here. I saw the Pochard one has not completed moult (Pete Mantle).
  • Hogsmill SF: female Peregrine 08:06hrs, 7 Redwing S, c70 Wood Pigeon SW early morning (Nick Tanner).
  • Hyde Park/Kensington Gardens: 8 Egyptian Goose, 5 Shoveler, 5 Red-crested Pochard, 3 Little Grebe (1 trilling), 25 Cormorant, c550 Black-headed Gull, 15 Herring Gull, Tawny Owl showing well at roost, 6 Redwing west, Jackdaw calling nr Kensington Palace, 7 Goldfinch (2 singing) (Des McKenzie).
  • Kings Road SE25 (09:20hrs): 1 Jackdaw over S/SW (John Watson).
  • Limehouse (07.25): 700+ Wood Pigeons (S) (Paul Hyland).
  • Margravine Cemetery: 1 f Peregrine perched on hospital mobbed by Crow and standing her ground, 2 Jay (Nathalie Mahieu).
  • Osterley Park: Buzzard, drake Teal, 2 Coal Tit, 3 Nuthatch (Tom Smith).
  • South Norwood Lake: 12 Tufted Duck, 4 Cormorant, 65 Black-headed Gull, 2 Common Gull, 1 Lesser Blacked-backed Gull, 10 Ring-necked Parakeet, 1 Pied Wagtail, 20+ Long-tailed Tit, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker,2 Collared Dove, 2 Nuthatch, 2 House Sparrow (John Watson).
  • St. James's Park: 1w Mediterranean Gull at west end late afternoon (Birdguides).
  • Totteridge Valley: Common Buzzard high in sky being chased by large flock of Jackdaws and Crows,Darlands Lake: Common Darter (Tony Clancy)
  • Tyttenhanger GPs: Stonechat, (m) Bullfinch (m) Goldeneye, (m) Wigeon, (f) Green Sandpiper, 6 Little Grebe, Buzzard (Steve B).
  • Vauxhall: fem Peregrine perched on building 7:15 then flew north 15 mins latter (Michael Mac).
  • Wanstead Park: In Reservoir Wood - 2 GS Woodpecker, Treecreeper, 40+ LT Tits, 20 Blue Tit, 30+ Great Tit, 1 Coal Tit, 8 Jays (J Lethbridge), 20 Little Grebe (16 on The Basin), 4 Great Crested Grebe (The Basin), 24 Gadwall, 12 Pochard, 24 Tufted Duck, 1 Kingfisher over Shoulder of Mutton pond, 96 Coot (S. Fisher)

Sunday 1st November

  • Staines Moor: 1w BROWN SHRIKE still present 14:45 (22nd day). Please view only from south of the River Colne (Birdguides).
  • Brent Reservoir: 2 Jack Snipe from heron hide, also female Red-crested Pochard & Cetti's Warbler (Andrew Self).
  • East India Dock: Yellow-legged Gull (the regular bird), 2 Little Grebes, Common Sandpiper (David Callahan).
  • Hogsmill SF: ad fem Peregrine NE mobbed by Jackdaws c13:20hrs (only 2nd site record in 13 years) (Nick Tanner per DMc).
  • Wanstead Flats: Dartford Warbler still east of Centre road c15:20, m Stonechat in same area. Also 2 Teal, 6 Shoveler, 50+ Common Gull, 5 Herring Gull, 10+ LBB Gull, 1 adult GBB Gull (rare here and a year tick), 2 Kestrel, 2 Pied Wag, 8 Mipit, Song Thrush, 2 Green Woodpecker, 27 RN Parakeet over heading north, 2 Goldfinch, 10+ Greenfinch, 500+ Starling, 3 Jay, 2 Jackdaw (J Lethbridge).
  • Wanstead Park pm: Firecrest calling with large flock of (mainly) Long-tailed tits from Reservoir wood towards dusk, also Goldcrest, Coal tit amongst them. 11 Pochard, 14 Tufted Ducks, 8 Gadwall (S Fisher)
  • South Norwood Lake: 8 Tufted Duck, 8+ Cormorant, c30 Black-headed Gull, 1 Common Gull, 6 Ring-necked Parakeet, 2 Pied Wagtail, c12 Long-tailed Tit, (John Watson & Gavin Hawgood)
  • Fairlop: 10 Teal, 7 Shoveler, 3 GBBGulls (adult), Rook, 5 Mipit, 2 Skylark, 17 Linnet, 12 Snipe, 1 Green Sandpiper, 70+ Lapwing (DEH)
  • Queen Mary Res. pm: G.C. Grebe 142, Goosander pr circling at dusk, Peregerine 1 f, Common Buzzard 1, Caspian Gull 1 first-winter, Y.L.Gull 5 (2 ads, 3 first-winters), Herring Gull 6 argentatus types Common Gull c.350 at roost, Rock Pipit 3, Cetti's Warbler 1, Chiffchaff 2 (NPS)
  • London Wetland Centre WWT: 2 Jack Snipe,(Wader Scrape) 11 Common Snipe, 21 Lapwing, Water Pipit, Peregrine Falcon, ad f hunting over early pm. Chiffchaff with Long-tailed Tits Sheltered Lagoon. (Mike Lewis & FJM.)
  • Fulham. 25 Pied Wagtail flew over at dusk. (Michael F)
  • Horsenden Hill. Water rail still on Canal Ponds. 1 Little Grebe on canal. (Andy Culshaw and David Howdon)
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