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Please do not post details of scarce breeding birds (those included in Schedule 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, amended 2000). Any such reports will be removed. Please list rarest sightings at top rather than alphabetically.

Thursday 9th April

  • Kimber Road, Southfields: ♂ Red Kite ay 08.50 quite low (just above the height of a crane) first seen heading SW then veered to due W (i.e. north of Wimbledon Village) (Martin Honey).
  • Rotherhithe: 3 singing Willow Warblers and a Song Thrush Russia Dock Woodland/Stave Hill early morning; drake Pochard still on Surrey Water, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets and 2 Mistle Thrush Southwark Park (Richard Bonser).
  • East India Dock: 2 LRP, 2 Oystercatcher, 3 Sand Martin, 2 singing Willow Warblers 3 Shelduck (Paul Hyland).

Wednesday 8th April

  • Crossness: Iceland Gull juv still on Thames off golf centre 3.55-4.10pm (per RBA).
  • Hampstead: Red Kite (Pete Jones, 15:00)
  • Haverstock Hill (north of Primrose Hill): 2 Red Kites flew SW at 2pm (per RBA).
  • Queen Mother Resr: Whimbrel northwest over at 07:45 (Birdguides)
  • South Norwood Lake: pair Great Crested Grebe, 4 Cormorant, 12 Tufted Duck, 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Nuthatch, 3 singing Willow Warbler, 3 singing Chiffchaff, 4 Singing Blackcap, 2 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Coal Tit,1 Song Thrush 4 House Sparrow,(John Watson)
  • K.G.V Res (London): 4 Sandwich Terns drifted South at 11.10am and headed towards W.Girling; also 4 Little gulls (2 1st summers & 2 2nd summers), on South basin. Also 1 House Martin, 15 Sand martin, Yellow wagtail & pair of Mandarin this morning (John Murray).
  • Wanstead Flats: Buzzard over at 7.50am, being mobbed by Carrion Crows and Jackdaws, pair of Little Grebe on Alexandra Lake, Skylark, Greenfinch, Linnet. (Daniel Erickson-Hull);also Little Owl, Swallow, Willow Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff (J Lethbridge).
  • Finsbury Park: 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 singing Blackcaps and 1 Willow Warbler (possibly all FP breeders) 4 singing Song Thrushes along railway embankment,1 Long Tailed Tit, small flock of 8+ Goldfinches, usual plastic waterfowl and Little Grebes on boating lake (Ian Bradshaw)
  • Osterley Park: 1 m Wheatear (Tom Smith)
  • Dulwich Park: GSW, 4 Nuthatch (2 nest building) 4 Little Grebe, 2 singing Blackcaps, Willow Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff (Dave Clark)
  • Leyton Flats: Common Buzzard over at 10.00am flying north, 1 Little Egret,2 Egyptian Goose, ! Swallow, 4 Willow Warbler,2 Blackcap,2 Chiffchaff. (Gary A James).
  • Victoria Park: 1 Willow Warbler, drake Ruddy Duck and c.10 Sand Martins (Bob Watts).
  • Stoke Newington Reservoirs: Reed Warbler singing in front of LWT platform, 1245 - 1630; Woodcock (flew low along river twice, pitched down on north bank of East Res, flushed by Magpie, ditched down near West Res, 1325); 2 Swallows, c12 House Martins, c35 Sand Martins, 3 Willow Warblers, unID'ed large raptor distant and east, 1240; Jackdaw west (Mark Pearson & Tony Butler Hackney Wildlife).
  • Tyttenhanger GP's: Common Tern 2 Wheatear, 2 Chiffchaff, 3 Willow Warbler, 2 Blackcap, House Martin, Sand Martin, Swallow, 8 Redshank, 3 Snipe, 2 Oystercatchers. (S Blake)
  • Willows Farm Pool: 2 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Redshank, 2 Shelduck. (Steve B)
  • beddington sf yellow wag male wheatear red kite c.buzzard green sand shelduck etc ([1]).
  • Lambeth Bridge: adult Yellow Legged Gull on the north shore of the River Thames (Linturn Hopkins per AS)
  • Ingrebourne Valley: Whitethroat singing,2 House Martin(Shaun Harvey)Evening 2 Little Ringed Plover,Swallow,Barn Owl(Shaun Harvey,Dick Jeffies)
  • Dagenham Chase LNR: 1 Common Whitethroat singing,1 Reed Warbler still singing,1 Lesser Redpoll 1 LRP,4 Common Snipe, 1 Fieldfare,2 Grey Wagtail. ( V.Halley-Frame ).
  • Alexandra Park: House Martin NE @ 1812 (Bob Watts).
  • Wormwood Scrubs: 1 male Northern Wheatear, c2 Swallow, singing Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff & Blackcap, plus c12 Meadow Pipit, c3 Jackdaw & 1 Weasel - a site tick! (Kim Dixon & David Lindo)

Tuesday 7th April

  • Isleworth: Osprey flew north over station at 08.00 (per FJM)
  • Beddington SF: Osprey flew west this morning at 07:30 (KJM)
  • Isle of Dogs: Ring Ouzel Millwall Park, Merlin just S of Canary Wharf towers, three Willow Warblers Mudchute Park. No sign of odd chiff in brief search of Spindrift Ave area. Sean Huggins.
  • Ealing GC: m Ring Ouzel, 2 Redwings, 2 Chiffchaffs (NPS)
  • Crossness: 2 juv Iceland Gulls still on Thames off Thamesview Golf Centre (per RBA).
  • Rotherhithe: 2+ singing Willow Warblers at Stave Hill Ecological Park (Richard Bonser)
  • East India Dock: 2 Common Terns (e), 2 LRP, 2 Sand Martin, 2+ Willow Warbler, 2+ Chiffchaff, GSWP, Sparrowhawk, Peregrine, Kestrel, Reed Bunting, 2 Linnet, 2 Greylag (Paul Hyland, Gary A James), Blackcap (Gary A James)
  • Scrubland and Redbridge Lakes, off Roding Lane North, Woodford Bridge: Blackcap (very good views of it singing in the open), Chiff-chaff, Willow Warbler, Sparrowhawk, 2 Cormorants, 2 Song Thrushes (Alan Hobson)
  • Stoke Newington Reservoirs: 6 House Martins, 2 Sand Martins, 3 Willow Warblers, 1 Meadow Pipit N (Mark Pearson & Tony Butler Hackney Wildlife).
  • South Norwood Lake: pair Great Crested Grebe, 2 Cormorant, 12 Tufted Duck, 2 singing Willow Warbler, 4 singing Blackcap, 3 singing Chiffchaff, pair Grey Wagtail, 1 Coal Tit,2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Nuthatch, 1f Siskin (John Watson)
  • Tyttenhanger GP's: 2 Oystercatcher, 8 Redshank, 3 Snipe, 2 Chiffchaff, Blackcap,Willow Warbler, 10+ Sand Martin, 4 Swallow, House Martin, 5 Buzzards. (Steve B)
  • Willows Farm Pool: Little Ringed Plover. (Steve B)
  • Bankside: Chiffchaff calling by Tate Modern 12.50. (Alan Lewis)
  • Dagenham Chase LNR:Red Kite between 12.40-12.47 pm mobbed by a Carrion Crow then flew high towards Hornchurch CP,Common Buzzard over just before the Kite sighting. 1 Yellow Wagtail calling at 4.22pm and seen briefly in flight, Reed Warbler still singing but again unseen, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Swallow, 1 Sand Martin,5+ singing Willow Warbler. ( V.Halley-Frame ).
  • Wormwood Scrubs: c5 Swallow, c5 Blackcap, c8 Chiffchaff, c3 Willow Warbler, 1 'WillowChiff' singing, 1 Greylag, 2 Stock Dove, 1 Collared Dove - scarce here, c8 Meadow Pipit & Skylark. (David Lindo & Roy Nuttall)
  • Abney Park Cemetery: male Siskin, singing Redwing, 4 Blackcaps (3m 1f), 2 Chiffchaffs, 2 House Martins (Mark Pearson)
  • Walthamstow Res, North side 5.30 to6.50pm: Oystercatcher on raft on Lockwood, also 2 LRP, Yellow Wagtail, Little Egret, pair Teal, 24 Shelduck. Greenshank and 4 Green Sands on channel between Lockwood and Banbury (Pete Langsdon).
  • London Wetland Centre (late pm): apart from the usual birds there were 2 Wheatear on the edge of the grazing marsh/wader scrape, 2 Little Ringed Plover in front of WWF hide and a ♀ Sparrowhawk hunting across the main lake (Martin Honey).
  • Trent Park: 1 Swallow; 1 Willow Warbler; 80+ Chaffinch, on ploughed field E of Water Grdn (Robert Callf & Pete Lowman).

Monday 6th April

  • KGV Reservoir: 22 Little Gulls (2x1st summer, 1x2nd summer,19 adults), 2 Common Tern, 3 Goldeneye (Paul Cook HackneyBirder).
  • Bankside: 1320 - 1 Firecrest - killer views, in birches at west front end of Tate Modern, also 1 Chiffchaff (Reuben Braddock, also seen by Simon Fogg, Alan Lewis). 1400 - Willow warbler in subsong (Reuben Braddock only). Firecrest and Chiffchaff still there at 1740 (RB)
  • Brent Reservoir: 1 Greylag, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Lapwing, 15 Snipe, 1 Fieldfare (Andrew Haynes).
  • Ruislip Woods: escaped Bald Eagle watched for 30 mins from 10.30, sitting in tree after being pursued by Rooks (per AS)
  • Wormwood Scrubs: Short-eared Owl at 7.15am watched for around 5 minutes as it circled overhead before heading SW - 6th record in 17 years. Also, singing Blackcap, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, c8 Meadow Pipit and Skylark. (David Lindo)
  • Stoke Newington Reservoirs: Short-eared Owl low and east at 0838-0842hrs, circled several times and headed towards Walthamstow Marsh (2nd ever record); adult Little Gull coming into summer plumage, from south at East Res at 0915-1530 (our 1st record); 3 Willow Warblers, Chiffchaff; adult Great Black-backed Gull on rafts 1450, 2 Siskins north, 6 Sand Martins . lousy photos of gull and owl on site later. (Mark Pearson & Tony Butler Hackney Wildlife).
  • Stamford Hill, N16: female Peregrine low and circling, 1845 (MJP, IB)
  • Osterley Park: 3 Greylags, 2 Blackcaps, 1 Chiffchaff, 7 Mandarin, 4 Pochard, 1 Nuthatch, 1 Little Owl. (Tom Smith)
  • Finsbury Park : singing Willow Warbler and Blackcap(railway embankment), Green Woodpecker and 2 pairs of Little Grebes. (Ian Bradshaw). 5 Egyptian Geese west over tube station at 09.00hrs (Laurence Pitcher)
  • Crossness: Iceland Gull juv off golf centre @ 15:30, plus male Redstart in riverside brambles(Richard Bonser per JA), male Redstart near nature reserve protected area (Ian Miller per JA)
  • Rainham RSPB: 2 pairs of Garganey on Target Pools, Sedge Warbler, Yellow Wagtail (Dave Darrell-Lambert per JA);5 Great Crested Grebe, 2+ Little Gull on Aveley Pools, Wheatear, Willow Warbler, Blackcap, Cetti's, 4 Chiffchaff (J Lethbridge)
  • Bush Wood, Wanstead: Willow Warbler, 3 Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaff (J Lethbridge)
  • East India Dock: m Blackcap, 2 Willow Warbler, 2 Sand Martin, Peregrine (Paul Hyland).
  • Rotherhithe: 2 Willow Warblers - one at north end of Russia Dock Woodland, 1 Stave Hill Ecological Park. 2 Sparrowhawk Old Salt Quay, 1 Ring-necked Parakeet Southwark Park, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 1 Mistle Thrush, 2 Song Thrush and lots of Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps (Richard Bonser)
  • Thorney Lake, 1 mile south of Little Britain: 2 Kingfisher wheeling overhead again and again (John Palmer) 1 Male Blackcap singing in tree, 2 Chiff Chaff,17 Cormorants, 1 Jay [Sue Giddens].
  • Island Barn Reservoir: 12 Little Gulls, 5 Common Terns (per RBA)
  • Staines Res, 1 Common Tern,1 Little Ringed Plover,1 Northern Diver,2 Black Necked Grebes,1 Little Gull, 1 Ruddy Duck [Sue Giddens]. Little Gull 21 in the evening (KLP).
  • Spindrift Avenue, Mudchute (E14): Singing Willow Warbler, 3 singing Blackcap, one singing nominate Chiffchaff & 6 Monk Parakeet this morning. Also an "odd" chiff. Very grey, only green-tinged bits I could see were on the alula, prominent pale supercilium, no wingbars and looked big & long for normal Chiff. It also had an odd song - slow & drawn out "churr-iff churr-aff" & some Willow Warbler like notes. Probably nothing unusual, but might be worth checking out if someone lives in that area. Last seen at N end of Taeping Street by the big block of flats at TQ377789 @ 10:20 (Bill Haines).
  • Trent Park Area: 2(m&f) Mandarin Duck, Upper Lake; 1 Common Buzzard; 1 Kestrel; 7 Green Woodpecker,(including three together, 'Three-bridges'); 2 singing male Skylark; 15+ Redwing, Water Grdn; 1 singing male Mistle Thrush; 1 Meadow Pipit, heard calling; 3 singing male Blackcap; 5 singing male Chiffchaff; 4 Nuthatch; 2 singing Treecreeper; 1 Siskin; 2 Linnet, at Vicarage Farm; 2(m&f) Bullfinch, together, near Shaws Wood (Robert Callf & Robin White).
  • Tyttenhanger GP's: Wheatear(m), 2 Oystercatcher, 8 Redshank, 6+Snipe, Water Rail, Ruddy Shelduck, 3 Shelduck, 2 Chiffchaff. (Steve B)
  • Regents Park: Peregrine(m)1.05pm, 5 Sparrowhawks(3 migrants), Woodcock, White Wagtail, 8 Willow Warblers, 2 Chiffchaffs, 3 Blackcaps, 1 Linnet. Yesterday Woodcock, Hawfinch 6.40am, 2 Willow Warblers (Tony Duckett)
  • Walthamstow Reservoirs, north side: 2 Little Egret, 3 LRP, 80+ Sand Martin, 2 Grey Wagtail, m Wheatear, 2 Chiffchaff (J Lethbridge).
  • Banstead Downs: 1 Lesser Redpoll, 1+ Siskin, 2 Bullfinch, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap (David K Campbell)
  • Dagenham Chase LNR: 7 hr patchwatch produced 63 species, ( 4 heard only ).1 Reed Warbler singing from the Slack reedbed but not seen, ( earliest by about 9 days),1 Swallow, 1 House Martin,5+ Sand Martin, male Wheatear on a small hawthorn for at least half an hour,1 Common Buzzard,1 Little Egret, 2 Common Snipe, pair of Shelduck, 5 Fieldfare, 3 Redwing, 3 Willow Warbler and ad Herring Gull ringed with A3AY. ( V.Halley-Frame ).
  • Fairlop: Kestrel, Pheasant, 3 Shelduck, Lapwing, 5 Snipe, 4 Lil Ringed Plovers, 2 Green Sandpiper, 2 Redshank, 2 Meadow Pipit, 4 Skylark, 3 Swallow, Little Owl, GWP, 3 Linnet, 30+ Pied Wagtail. (Daniel Erickson-Hull)
  • London Wetland Centre (late pm): ♂ Ring Ouzel main lake on headland below Peacock hide but elusive, 'leucistic' Greylag goose on Reservoir Lagoon (Martin Honey).

Sunday 5th April

  • Hampstead Heath: BOP, probable marsh harrier (no bins to ID positively). Seen flying c. 80m high, brown body and clearly visible creamy head. Right size, shape, jizz and time of year. (Pete Jones)
  • Bedfont Lakes CP LNR: Pair of Mandarin Ducks, Peregrine, Tawny Owl, 5+ singing Blackcaps, 7+ singing Chiffchaffs, 5 Skylark (James Herd)
  • Staines Res: Great Northern Diver (north basin), Shelduck, c10 Goldeneye, Little Gull, Common Tern, 2 Redshank (Neil Anderson)
  • Ilford: Great White Egret flew over Ilford Golf Course from the northwest soaring high over Ilford town centre this morning (Birdguides)
  • South norwood Lake:pair Great Crested Grebe, 18 Tufted Duck, 1 singing Willow Warbler, 4 singing Chiffchaff, 2 singing Blackcap, 1female Siskin,1male Sparrowhawk, 8 Ring-necked Parakeet, 1 Green Woodpecker 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Pied Wagtail, 2 Nuthatch, 2 House Sparrow,(John Watson Gavin Hawgood)
  • Stoke Newington Reservoirs: 4 singing Willow Warblers (1st of year, at last), 2 Chiffchaffs, 15 Shoveler (Mark Pearson & Tony Butler Hackney Wildlife). 1200hrs - 1600hrs, 3 Common Buzzard, all west, 1 Red Kite drifted east at 13.30hrs, 1 Peregine, 1 Goshawk south 12.45hrs (this bird was too high to see jesses, possibly the same escaped individual seen here a few weeks back), 1 Little Ringed Plover flew in at 14.35hrs - first since 2003!, c10 Sand Martin, 62 Tufted Duck, 4 Gadwall (Laurence Pitcher, Tony Butler) Little Ringed Plover still present at dusk (ta chaps) (MJP)
  • Brent Res: Black-Necked Grebe still present (photo: [2]), singing Willow Warbler by main hide, 2 Greylag, 3 Lapwing, 1 Bullfinch, many Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs (Thom Shannon & Nigel Biggs); also 2 LRPs, 5 Lapwing & 2 Sand Martins (Brent Birders)
  • Totteridge Valley: 9 singing Chiffchaffs: 8 singing Blackcaps: 12 Redwing (in tree): 3 Mipits, plus single Comma and Peacock (John Colmans)
  • Trent Park Area: 1 Willow Warbler, 8 Chiffchaff, 2 Black Cap (m,f), 7 Yellowhammer, 2 Greater Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Green Woodpecker, 4 Sky Lark, 1 Linnet, 3 Goldfinch, 1 Song Thrush (James Arquette, 8:00am to 12:00pm)
  • Dagenham Chase: 4 Willow Warbler, 8+ Chiffchaff, 8+ Blackcap, Sand martin, Jackdaw, m Bullfinch, Redwing, Shelduck, 3 pr Teal, Snipe.(Paul Hawkins), also 5 Fieldfare and ad Herring Gull ringed A3AY.No new migrants in the last few days. ( V.Halley-Frame ).
  • Rainham stone barges: Yellow Wagtail, Cetti's Warber, 2 Oystercatcher.(Paul Hawkins)
  • Bush Wood, Wanstead: Stock Dove, 2 GSWP, Willow Warbler, m Blackcap, 4 Chiffchaff, Jay (J Lethbridge)
  • Ingrebourne Valley: House Martin,3 Singing Blackcaps,Jackdaw,2 Great Spot.(Shaun Harvey)Also Common Buzzard and Swallow.(Dave Morrison)
  • Beddington SF: C Buzzard, 2 Redshank, 6 Green Sands (KJM).
  • Stockwell: 1 male Peregrine, 2 Swallows (1st in the area09) Mistle Thrush with 2 fledglings. Clapham Common: 5 Egyptian Geese, 2 Pied Wagtail. Wandsworth Common: 5 Egyptian Geese(2 young) 1 GSWP, 1 Stock Dove.(Michael Mac)
  • Battersea Power Station: calling Yellow Wagtail west at 7.53am, 3 Linnet and 3 Grey Wagtail.(Dave Morrison)
  • Barking Outfall:very pale Common Buzzard, 24 Gadwall and Grey Wagtail.(Dave Morrison)
  • Rotherhithe: drake Pochard on Canada Water with c.25 Tufted Ducks (Richard Bonser)
  • Alexandra Park: Female Brambling Grove until 0830 at least, 2 Willow Warblers (Andrew Gardener, Bob Watts).
  • Grovelands Park, Southgate: 1 Little Grebe; 3 Great Crested Grebe,(including pr displaying & copulating); 3 male Mandarin Duck; 2(m&f) Pochard; 3 Stock Dove; 2 Green Woodpecker; 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, drumming; 1 Song Thrush; 1 singing male Blackcap; 4 singing male Chiffchaff; 2 singing male Coal Tit; 4(3m,1f) Nuthatch,(including male collecting bark from tree); 3 Treecreeper,(including one singing); 1 male Holly Blue; 3 Peacock; 1 Comma (Robert Callf).

Saturday 4th April

  • Greenford CP:2 Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, Snipe, 2 singing Chiffchaff, singing Blackcap, pr Reed Bunting, 2m Brimstone, Large, Small + GV Whites, 8 Peacock, 2 Comma, 2 Speckled Wood (Neil Anderson)
  • Walton Reservoir: Short-eared Owl briefly at 14:25 (Birdguides)
  • Wormwood Scrubs: 2 singing Willow Warbler, 1 Swallow (both species first for the year) & 1 male Wheatear. (David Jeffreys, David Lindo,Roy Nuttall et al)
  • Crossness: juvenile Iceland Gull off Golf Centre 10am-1pm then flew to Ford Works, Red Kite flew upriver @ 11.25 am, Common Buzzard, Willow Warbler, 7 Chiffchaffs, 4 Blackcaps, 2 Swallows (John Archer & Kev Jarvis).
  • Brent Res: summer-plumaged Black-necked Grebe on main res until early PM at least, Rock Pipit on rafts early morning only, Oystercatcher flew in at 12.00, LRP, Lapwing, female Wheatear on playing fields in early PM, 12 singing Chiffchaffs, 8 singing Blackcaps, 2 Sand Martins & Swallow; also Orange Tip, Comma & G-V White (Brent Birders)
  • Staines Res: 2 Great Northern Divers on North basin, 1 Little gull on South basin (Jim Fell)+ 1 black-necked grebe (sum plumage) South Basin (am) (Mike Wheeler)
  • London Wetland Centre: 9 Chiffchaff, 3 Willow Warbler, 2â�� Blackcap, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 12 Redshank, many (c. 40) Sand Martin, 1 Swallow, 13 Greylag Geese, 1 Little Egret (Martin Honey). Also 4 Rook circled for 10 minutes then off high SW @ 1240, 1 Common Buzzard circling to the south, 1 m Peregrine over, 5 Common Snipe, 1 House Martin, 16 Linnet N, 19 Meadow Pipit NW (Dan Monk).
  • Broadwater Lake: 1 Willow Warber, 1 Brambling (female), also 2 Goldeneye, 1 Goosander, 1 Common Buzzard, 4 Blackcap, 7 Chiffchaff, 3 Goldcrest & 3 Reed Bunting (Simon Buckingham).
  • Chafford Hundred: 30 Waxwing in Rainbow Road at 10:25hrs but mobile, 3 Willow Warbler at Warren Gorge (Birdguides).
  • Stoke Newington Reservoirs: early a.m. - House Martin, 4 Egyptian Geese, Chiffchaff (MJP, LP, TB, PC Hackney Wildlife).
  • Island Barn Res: 1st Common Tern of the year & vocal ad/s Med Gull dropped in mid-morning (DMH)
  • Rainham RSPB: early a.m, 4 House Martins west, 4 Avocet on Target Pools, 7 Little Egret, Green Sandpiper, Blackcap and 2 Chiffchaff.(Dave Morrison)
  • Rotherhithe: 30+ House Sparrows on Quebec Way in the evening; also 2 Blackcaps and c.5 Chiffchaffs Stave Hill Ecological Park (Richard Bonser)
  • West Thurrock Marshes: Blackcap, 2 Goldcrest, 2 Oystercatchers, 2 Siskin, Chiffchaff and Curlew.(Dave Morrison)
  • Maple Cross: 1st-winter male Black Redstart still at Woodoaks Farm (Birdguides)
  • East India Dock Basin / Bow Creek Eco Park: 4 Shelduck, 15 Teal, 2 Oystercatcher, Sand Martin, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler (Nick Tanner).
  • Lee Valley: Bowyers Water - 4 Willow Warblers. Hall Marsh - 4 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Redshank, 2 Snipe, 1 Cetti�s Warbler, 1 Little Egret and still a few of Wigeon hanging about. (Mike Oakland) 2 Kingfishers close to weir (Mike Benyon)
  • Horsenden Hill: 1 Willow Warbler, 14 Chiffchaff, 11 Blackcap, 1 Siskin east; also 1 Red Admiral, 1 Orange Tip, 1 Small White, several Peacock, Comma, Brimstone (Andy Culshaw).
  • Stamford Hill, N16: Peregrine (prob male) over Morrisons (MJP)
  • Ruislip: 5 Buzzard over Copse Wood @ 11.00, 5 Blackcap, 4 Chiffchaff & Lesser Spotted Woodpecker heard calling (Steve Pash).
  • Alexandra Park: 2 Rooks west & NW @ 0945 (Andrew Gardener, Alan Gibson & Bob Watts).

Friday 3rd April

  • Crossness: juv Iceland Gull (pale bird from Sunday) flew east past incinerator at 10.00 (Ian MIller per JA).
  • Hampstead Heath: 2 Blackcap (nr Viaduct Pond), 5+ Chiffchaffs, 2 Coal Tit, 3 Collared Dove (flyover), 1 Tawny Owl (heard at 0555), 2 Stock Dove, 3 Green WP, 5 GSWP, 1 Pied Wagtail (tennis courts), 1 f Kestrel, 2 Shoveler, 2 Mandarin (Reuben Braddock).
  • Osterley Park: m Blackcap singing, f Sparrowhawk over, 6 Skylarks (Tom Smith).
  • Richmond Park: 2 Wheatear (m+f) Riding Ring (Hugh Bradshaw).
  • Victoria Embankment Gardens (Charing Cross) Pair of Long-tailed Tits nest building (Hugh Bradshaw).
  • West Molesey: Willow Warbler singing in garden in Hurst Road (Adam Cheeseman).
  • Brent Res: Wheatear male, LRP, Lapwing, 16 Snipe, Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps (Andrew Verrall).
  • East India Dock: Willow Warbler, Collared Dove (hard to get here), 2 Jay, 2 Peregrine, 6 Shelduck, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 LRP (Paul Hyland).
  • Little Britain: 1 Gt sp Woodpecker, 4 Jays all in 1 tree, 3 Swallows flew over, 18 Redwings, 1 Red Kite being chased by a crow (Sue Giddens).
  • Denham: 2 Red Kite Flying near Aerodrome at 3.20pm.[Sue Giddens].
  • Stoke Newington Reservoirs: a.m. - 3 Sand Martins, 16 Shoveler, 5 Gadwall, c20 Common Pochard, c40 Tufted Duck, Mallard with brood of seven (3 'normal', 4 bright yellow ducklings); p.m. - Chiffchaff, c35 Shoveler, 3 Egyptian Geese (Mark Pearson, Tony Butler et al Hackney Wildlife).
  • Hyde Park/Kensington Gardens: 2pr Egyptian Goose (1 pair with 6 goslings), 2pr Mandarin, 2m Gadwall, 2pr Shoveler, 4 Red-crested Pocahrd (1pr and 2m), 127 Tufted Duck, pr Ruddy Duck, typically-marked Common Buzzard circling over Speaker's Corner around mid-day, 5 Tawny Owl (both ads/3 owlets; elusive), fem Great Spotted Woodpecker, Swallow NE, Dunnock carrying food, 3 singing Song Thrush, 2 singing Mistle Thrush, singing Chiffchaff, 4 Blackcap comprising 3 singing and a fem, 6 rain-singing Chaffinch (Des and Holly McKenzie); I'd agree about the owls as I could unfortunately only find 1 adult, 1 Treecreeper was a nice addition (Martin Honey); Hi Martin, only found an ad initially, tucked up against horse chesnut trunk (first line of them in from Lancaster Walk). Other ad and 3 young were in second line of horse chestnuts in from path (near a beech) but on opposite side of tree (facing Round Pond) and difficult to discern due to leaf-growth (DMc).
  • London Wetland Centre: Peregrine, m Kestrel, m Sparrowhawk, 12 Redshank, 8 Common Snipe, Jack Snipe, 80 Herring Gull, ad Yellow-legged Gull, Water Pipit, 10 singing Chiffchaff, 4 singing Blackcap, singing Willow Warbler, 3 Goldcrest, 8 Lesser Redpoll, Siskin north, Redwing NE, c35 Sand Martin, 4 Swallow north, House Martin; 2 Comma, 3 Peacock, 1 Brimstone (LWC website). Also 1f Brambling (Wildside at noon) (Peter Gray)
  • Tyttenhanger GP's: 4 Shelduck, 3 Chiffchaff, Blackcap (at last); 5+ Snipe, 4 Redshank, 4 Swallow (Steve B).
  • Willows Farm: Ruddy Shelduck, 2 Redshank; 2 Ringed Plover, Little Ringed Plover, 2 Oystercatcher, 3 Swallow, 5 Linnet, Kingfisher (Steve B).
  • Trent Park Area: 1 Sparrowhawk, over 'Old Golf Course'; 1 female Kestrel; 1 Lapwing, at Vicarage Farm; 1 Ring-necked Parakeet; 1 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, singing & drumming, chased off by Great Spotted Woodpecker; 2 Skylark, at Vicarage Farm; 4 Song Thrush; 5 singing male Blackcap; 8 singing male Chiffchaff; 1 Nuthatch; 1 singing Treecreeper; 1 Siskin, 'Three-bridges'; 1 Bullfinch, at Vicarage Farm; 1 singing male Yellowhammer, Hog Hill, Vicarage Farm (Robert Callf).
  • Lee Valley: Cornmill Meadows - 5 Snipe, 1 Redshank, 4 Siskin, 4 Lesser Redpoll, 9 Fieldfare. Holyfield Hall Farm & Viewpoint - pair Yellowhammer, 2 Buzzards, 2 Little Owl. (Mike Oakland)
  • Banstead Downs: 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Siskin, 8+ Chiffchaffs, 2+ Blackcaps, 2 Green Woodpeckers (David K Campbell)
  • KG Res (Chingford): Spring birding resulted in 43 Goldeneye! 2 Little Ringed Plover & many Sand martins, also Common Sandpiper, 2 Shelduck and a pair of Mandarin on Sth basin (J.Murray).
  • Dagenham Chase LNR: 4 Lesser Redpoll feeding on blossom,2 singing Willow Warbler, numerous Chiffchaff and Blackcap singing, 2 Common Snipe and a Herring Gull with a white ring and black lettering on its right leg A 3 A Y,and a small silver ring on its left leg. ( V.Halley-Frame ).
  • Rotherhithe: drake Pochard Surrey Water and a Mute Swan on a nest with 5 eggs there; 2 Blackcaps Stave Hill (Richard Bonser)

Thursday 2nd April

  • Fairlop Waters: Spotted Crake (Details), 2 Grey Heron, 4 Shelduck, 10 Shoveler, 10 Gadwall, 30 Teal, 8 Lapwing, 2 Snipe, 3 Green Sandpiper, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 4 Redshank, Pheasant, 2 Sand Martin, 4 Skylark, 5 Meadow Pipit, male Reed Bunting, GWP, GSWP, Pied Wagtail. (Daniel Erickson-Hull)
  • Crossness: juv Iceland Gull (the darker bird from Sunday) again 09:15-10:00 on Thames by Thamesview golf centre then flew to Ford Works (John Archer).
  • Finchley: 2 House Martin over Hampstead Garden Suburb market place mid-morning (Birdguides).
  • South Norwood Lake: pair Great Crested Grebe, 8 Cormorant, 20 Tufted Duck, 12 Ring-necked Parakeet, pair Grey Wagtail, 3 Pied Wagtail, 3 Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spottwd Woodpecker, 3 Nuthatch, 4 singing Chiffchaff, 2 Song Thrush, 3 House Sparrow (John Watson).
  • Stoke Newington Reservoirs: Redshank (West Res), 6 Sand Martins, Water Rail, Chiffchaff, 21 Shoveler, 18 Common Pochard (Mark Pearson, Laurence Pitcher and Tony Butler Hackney Wildlife).
  • Clissold Park (skywatch 1230-1500): 5 House Martins east (first of year) (MJP, LP)
  • Abney Park Cemetery: 5 Blackcaps, 2 Chiffchaffs, ad Tawny Owl (MJP)
  • Roding Valley Park (Woodford Bridge-Luxborough Lane): Little Egret, pr Stock Dove, Pheasant, GSWP, pr Jay, 3 Jackdaw, pr Mistle Thrush, Song Thrush, 3 prs Dunnock, many Robins and Wrens, 2 m Blackcap, 4 Chiffchaff, male Bullfinch, 3 Goldfinch, 4 Linnet (including one singing male), Greenfinches, male Reed Bunting. (Daniel Erickson-Hull).
  • Fulham Reach: partially albino Starling on my balcony, also Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming on aerial nearby (Nathalie Mahieu).
  • Tyttenhanger GP's: Ruddy Shelduck again at Willow Farm this a.m. before flying off (Birdguides).
  • Totteridge Valley: Red Kite moving SW c10.15, 10 singing Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap, 1 Mipit, 3 Lapwing, 1pr Mandarin (John Colmans).
  • Waterworks NR: 1 Willow Warbler, Swallow, Sand Martin, 28 Teal, 10+ Snipe (Paul Cook).
  • Brent Res: 3 LRPs flew in 10.05 and stayed, Lapwing, 15 Snipe, Pheasant, male Peregrine, 2 Fieldfares, 5 Sand Martins N, 8 Chiffchaffs, 4 Blackcaps (Brent Birders).
  • Trent Park Area: 4 Little Grebe, at Parkside Res; 2 Sparrowhawk,(1 ad male, along Leeging Beech Gutter near Water Grdn, 1 Hog Hill); 3 Common Buzzard, at Parkside Farm; 4 Green Woodpecker; 4 Great Spotted Woodpecker; 1 female Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, drumming, 11:50 BST; 1 singing male Skylark, at Vicarage Farm; 9 Meadow Pipit,(3 flew N, Hog Hill, 6 Ferny Hill Farm); 2 singing male Song Thrush; 2 singing male Mistle Thrush; 2 singing male Blackcap; 2 singing male Chiffchaff; 2 Goldcrest,(including one singing male), Uni-lawns; 2 Nuthatch; 1 singing Treecreeper; 1 fem Bullfinch, at Parkside Farm; 1 male Reed Bunting, at Parkside Farm (Robert Callf & Robin White).
  • Little Britain Lake, Cowley: 1 GC Grebe, Cormorant, 8 Grey Heron nests occupied (1 with 2 young visible - chattering heard in others - part of Heronry Census), Mute Swan on nest, 1 Egyptian Goose, pr. Gadwall, 1 Sparrowhawk, Green Woodpecker, several Blackcap and Chiffchaff, (Roger Dewey)
  • Inner London (5 to 5:45pm) - New Covent Garden Market: 1 Peregrine circling. Battersea Park: 6 pairs Gadwall, 2 pair Pochard, 30+ Tufties,1 female Sparrowhawk - circling, 1 singing male Blackcap, 12+ occupied Heron nests. 6 Rose-ringed Parakeets. (Michael Mac)
  • Lee Valley: Holyfield Viewpoint - 2 Little Owl, 5 Buzzards, 2 Swallows, 1 House Martin. Hall Marsh - 4 Little Ringed Plover, 3 Redshank, 1 Little Egret. Normanâ��s Pond - Blackcap, 3 Great Crested Newts. (Mike Oakland)
  • Dagenham Chase LNR:5 singing Blackcap, 2 singing Willow Warbler,several Chiffchaff singing, 2 Sand Martin, pair of Shelduck, 1 Little Egret and 2 Common Snipe. ( V.Halley-Frame ).
  • Greek Street, Soho: Kestrel S along rooftops, 19:26 (Stuart Harrington).
  • Denham Country Park: Buzzard (John Palmer)
  • London Wetland Centre: 2 Chiffchaff, 1 sum. plum. Water Pipit, 12 Wigeon, 11 Common Snipe, 1 Jack Snipe, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Sparrowhawk, 12 Redshank, 30 Sand Martin (Martin Honey).
  • Alexandra Park: Rook south over playing fields then New River Village 1847 (John Murray).

Wednesday 1st April

  • Ingrebourne Valley: still 3 White-fronted Goose this p.m. still associating with Greylags; cross over the Black bridge heading for Berwick and they are on the immediate left hand marsh; also dark and pale Common Buzzards, Lesser Redpoll, 7 Common Snipe, 3 Sparrowhawks, 2 Kestrels, male Peregrine north @ 12.52 (possibly a migrant), 4 Blackcap, 11 Chiffchaff, 15 Peacock Butterflies and 7 Comma's (Dave Morrison).
  • Bedfords Park: fem Marsh Harrier, Sparrowhawk, Common Buzzard, Kestrel (ELBF).
  • Clissold Park (0630-0715): drake Mandarin, Peregrine south at 0715, 6 Meadow Pipits east, Siskin, 8 Common Pochard, 4 Little Grebe (Mark Pearson, Laurence Pitcher and Tony Butler Hackney Wildlife). skywatch 1230-1530: Osprey high and northwest 1320hrs; Goshawk (no visible jesses) in from northwest, 1405, circled several times before divebombing pigeons and lost behind tower blocks; Common Buzzard, dark phase, in conflict with female Peregrine before both drifted west, 1420-1430; several Kestrels and 3+ Sparrowhawks, one high and west, 1310 (six raptor spp. in 2 hours); Egyptian Goose, northwest, 1245; photos on site (Mark Pearson & Tony Butler).
  • Lea Valley (9:30am-18:00pm) (79 species seen) highlights: female Goshawk low Nrth West over Holyfield at 15:10 mobbed by Rook, also 3 Common Buzzard, 2 Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrel, 20+ Feildfare, 15+ Redwing and 2 Yellowhammer; 1 Mealy Redpoll with white rump, 1 Little Egret, 3 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Redshank & Cetti's Warbler at Hall Marsh. Also Osprey reported by others over the Bittern Watchpoint at 14:10 (John Murray).
  • Crossness: juv Iceland Gull off Thamesview Golf Centre at 7.50am (Ian Miller); no further sign by 11:30hrs (Birdguides). Also Marsh Harrier through (Paul Moss per JA).
  • Broadwater Lake: 2 Shelduck, 2 Goldeneye, 4 Sand Martin (Simon Buckingham).
  • Rainham Marshes: 8 Greylag Goose, 230 Wigeon, 132 Shoveler, 16 Little Egret, 4 Common Buzzard south 11:00hrs, Grey Plover north, 27 Curlew, 5 Sand Martin, 3 Blackcap, 4 Chiffchaff (ELBF).
  • Eagle Pond (Leytonstone): pr Grey Wagtail (ELBF).
  • South Norwood Lake: pair Great Crested Grebe, 5 Cormorant, 20 Tufted Duck, 12 Ring-necked Parakeet, pair Long-tailed Tit, 1 Coal Tit, 1 singing Willow Warbler, 3 singing Chiffchaff, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Nuthatch, 4 House Sparrow (John Watson).
  • St Andrews Rd (Coulsdon): small flock of c5 Siskin over (CroydonBirders).
  • Pittville Gardens SE25 (07.00hrs): male Blackcap (probably in situ since since 30th March) (CroydonBirders).
  • London Wetland Centre: m Peregrine, 8 Redshank, 20 Sand Martin, Swallow, Northern Wheatear, 3 Blackcap, 11 Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler (LWC website).
  • Beddington SF: 4 Shelduck, Common Buzzard, fem Peregrine, Common Snipe, Redshank, Green Sandpiper, 3 Sand Martin, 2 Swallow, m Northern Wheatear, 2 Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaff (Dip or Glory).
  • Queen Elizabeth II Res: m Aythya hybrid, imm male Red-breasted Merganser (SBC).
  • Tyttenhanger GP's: Ruddy Shelduck again at Willows Farm to 09:05hrs (Birdguides); 2 Oystercatcher, 4+ Redshank, 5 Snipe, Water Rail, 2 Shelduck, Little Egret, 2 Sand Martin, 2 Chiffchaff, Red Kite, 5 Buzzard (Steve B).
  • Wormwood Scrubs: 1 female Reed Bunting, 2 Collared Dove (1st for the year) 4 Jackdaw, 5 singing Blackcap, 3 singing Chiffchaff, c12 Meadow Pipit & singing Skylark (David Lindo).
  • Stoke Newington Reservoirs: Common Snipe, c12 Shoveler (MJP, LP).
  • Abney Park Cemetery: 3 Chiffchaffs, 2 Blackcaps, 1 Lesser Redpoll (MJP, LP).
  • East India Dock: 3 Sand Martin, 2 Jay, 44 Tufted Duck, Little Grebe, m Linnet (Paul Hyland). Sparrowhawk,Peregrine,2 Oystercatcher, Mistle Thrush (Bow Creek).(Gary A James). late afternoon: 2 Little Grebe, 5 Shelduck, 52 Teal, singing Chiffchaff (Bow Creek Eco Park) (Nick Tanner).
  • Osterley Park: Peregrine NNW 09.24 (Keith Fisher).
  • Paddington Green: fem Sparrowhawk, fem Kestrel, Peregrine west 12:08hrs, singing Grey Wagtail, 9 Goldfinch (Des McKenzie).
  • Finsbury Park: Green Woodpecker, 3 Little Grebes, no sign of any Blackcaps yet (Ian Bradshaw).
  • Little Britain: 2 Egyptian Geese, 2 Greylag, 2 Gadwall, 1 Scaup, 4 Heron (Sue Giddens).
  • Thorney Lake, 1 mile South of Little Britain: 2 Bullfinch (John Palmer)
  • Southwark Bridge (12:30pm): 1 near-adult Yellow-legged Gull briefly on shore on west side of Southwark bridge before heading down river (Reuben Braddock).
  • Brent Res: 2 Lapwings, 16 Snipe, 2 Blackcaps, 8 Chiffchaffs (Andrew Verrall).
  • Purley Beeches (Sanderstead): fem Kestrel, 5 Lesser Redpolls feeding in larches (CroydonBirders).
  • Trent Park Area: 4(2m,2f) Mandarin Duck, Lower Lake; 1 Common Buzzard, over Williams Wood; 1 Lapwing, at Vicarage Farm; 1 Ring-necked Parakeet, flew over Bramley Rd; 17 Stock Dove, on ploughed ffield E of Water Grdn; 1 fem Green Woodpecker, Icehouse Wood; 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker; 2(m&f) Grey Wagtail, flew from water outlet, Lower Lake and perched on overhanging branches; 2 Redwing, Water Grdn; 2 Mistle Thrush; 3 singing male Blackcap; 4 Chiffchaff; 1 male Brambling, acquiring summer-plumage, with flock of 43 Chaffinch, on ploughed field E of Water Grdn; 4(1m,3f) Siskin, feeding in Alders, along Leeging Beech Gutter near 'Three-bridges' (Robert Callf).
  • Holyfield Viewpoint: 12 Fieldfare, 3 Buzzards, 1 Little Owl, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Swallow, 1 Yellowhammer (Mike Oakland).
  • Bentley Priory: Common Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, 4 Ring-necked Parakeets, 6 Canada Geese. Butterflies included: Peacock (10); Brimstone (2), Comma (2); Finally, dead rat by Boot Pond and dead female fox full of mange by farm (Alan Lewis).
  • King George V Res (east banks only; 4.45 to 6.30pm): Yellow Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, Swallow, lots of Sand Martins, 2 Green Sands, 8 Meadow Pipits, Goldeneyes (Pete Langsdon).
  • Mayesbrook Park: fem Bullfinch (site tick), Lesser Redpoll (Paul Hawkins).
  • Romford: Siskin (ELBF)
  • Gidea Park: Siskin (ELBF).
  • Warren Gorge: m Blackcap, 2m Chiffchaff, Song Thrush, 5 Blackbird, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker, 8 Robin, 7 Wren, 5 Dunnock, 14 Great Tit, 10 Blue Tit, 6 LT Tit, 50 Greylags, 14 Canada Goose, 28 Coot, 10 Moorhen, GC Grebe, 8 Mallard, 9 Tufted Duck, 3 Stock Dove (ELBF).
  • Lion Gorge: 2m Blackcap, 3m Chiffchaff, 2m Song Thrush, 9 Robin, 9 Wren, 6 Dunnock, GS Woodpecker, 7 Blue Tit, 9 Great Tit, 4 Shelduck, 5 Coot (ELBF).
  • Grays Chalk Pit: m Blackcap, 3m Chiffchaff, 2 Mistle Thrush, 2 Song Thrush, 8 Blackbird, pr GS Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker, 6 Jay, 22 Blue Tit, 13 Great Tit, 4 LT Tit, 2 Stock Dove, 14 Robin, 10 Wren (ELBF).
  • Fairlop Waters: 3 Shelduck, Grey Heron, Cormorant, 4 Lapwing, Snipe, Green Sandpiper, 3 Lil Ringed Plover, Skylark, Mipit, 4 Linnet, 40+ Pied Wagtail, Pheasant (Daniel Erickson-Hull) Sand Martin (AAB); 3 Green Sandpiper, 4 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Redshank, 6 Snipe, Grey Heron, Teal 7, Gadwall 5, Shoveler 4, Shelduck 3 (Steve Bacon).

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