NewsDec2006

From Londonbirders

December 31st 2006

• Rainham Marshes RSPB: 4 White-fronted Goose at 08.00hrs (reserve open to 16.30hrs) (Birdguides).
• Broomfield Park: Adult Med Gull, Kingfisher, 8 Shoveller (m).Grovelands Park: Little grebe, 3 Stock Dove, 4 Mandarin. ( per Robert Callf).
• Staines Res: Great Northern Diver, adult on the south basin and juvenile on the north, early afternoon. Also a first-winter Yellow-legged Gull (Rob Innes).
• Alexandra Park: 2 adult Med Gulls on Wood Green Res(Gareth Richards).
• Selsdon Wood Local Nature Reserve: Marsh Tits & 1 Male Lesser Spotted Woodpecker drumming along The Wend path near Forestdale Estate seen by local birder (Ernest Thomason).

December 30th 2006

• Rainham Marshes RSPB: 3 White-fronted Geese still present (Birdguides). Stone Barges: 1 Water Pipit, 1 Rock Pipit, 5 Stonechat, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Green Sand (Paul Hawkins); also 2 Little Egret, Peregrine (probable male) hunting Starling over Ferry Lane/landfill, 19 Pheasant, 16 Redshank (Des McKenzie, Nick Tanner).
• Brent Res: Lesser Spotted Woodpecker in North Marsh (Andrew Self)
• London Wetland Centre: Bittern showing from the Headley Hide (Birdguides)
• Queen Mother Res: adult Great Northern Diver still (Birdguides)
• Wraysbury GPs: drake and two redhead Smew on Blenheim Angling Pit (Birdguides)
• Littlebrook Lake (Dartford): 3 Caspian Gull (KOSNET).
• Stocker's Lake: Goosander 3 (2 males), Red-crested Pochard 1 drake, Siskin 1, Goldeneye 10+
• Woodoaks Farm, Maple Cross: 1 juvenile male Peregrine flew over road from Springwell carrying a Moorhen - it proceeded to devour this on the fields adjacent to the M25 motorway (Andrew Moon)

December 29th 2006

• Central Park, East Ham: Great Spotted Woodpecker - drumming (Kate Fallan)
• Rainham Marshes RSPB: Penduline Tit again a.m. but no further sign by late afternoon. NB reserve open until 16:30 (Birdguides)."Female" Penduline Tit present behind Aveley Pools until 10:05am showing v.well near pylon, also 3 adult White-fronted Geese, 4 Fieldfare, 1 Little Egret. At least 2 Water Pipits Stone Barges, 200 Redshank, 100 Dunlin, 30+ Blackwits,1 Barwit, mostly on one stone barge (Bob Watts).
• Connaught Water: drake Smew (Birdguides)
• Walthamstow Marshes: 12 Goldfinches, 5 Meadow Pipits, 1 Green Woodpecker, 37 Greylags (over), 2 Little Grebes (Mark Pearson)
• Broomfield Park: Adult Med Gull, 9 Shoveller (8m,1f).( per Robert Callf).

December 28th 2006

• Richmond Park: Dartford Warbler (accompanying f stonechat) north side of Pen Ponds (Hugh Bradshaw)
• Wraysbury GPs: 3 Smew, including a drake on pit adjacent to railway station (Birdguides).
• Surrey Quays - riverside: 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Peregrine (Peter Fallan).
• Hampton Court Park: 4 drake Red-crested Pochard on Hampton Wick Pond, 1 ad Yellow-legged Gull on The Long Water, 7 Wigeon, 42 Shoveler, 100 Tufted Duck, 32 Pochard, 28 Gadwall, 83 Mute Swan, 142 Canada Goose, 176 Coot, 50 Lapwing. 27 Fieldfare over Surbiton (Andrew Skotnicki).
• Cheshunt, Bowyers Water: 2 'redhead' Smew (Paul Whiteman).
• East India Dock Basin: Male Black Redstart, Kingfisher, 2 Shelduck, Little Grebe, 40 Teal (Richard Harrison).
• Walthamstow Res: 5 Can/grey/farmyard hybrid geese, 2 Egyptian Geese (the regulars - finally got the ring numbers!), 4 Shelduck, 19 Gadwall, 142+ Teal, 18 Goldeneye (inc. 5 ad drakes & 2 1st win drakes), 68 Ruddies, 30 Little grebes, Green Sandpiper, 4 Com Sands, Kingfisher, 2 Mipits, fem Stonechat, 2 Goldcrests, 15 Goldfinches (David Callahan & Mark Pearson).
• Rainham RSPB: Hen Harrier, Peregrine, 7 Golden Plover, 5 Blackwit, 2 Ruff, 2 Green Sand, 1 Curlew, 1 Little Egret, 1 Kingfisher, 11 Stonechat, no sign of White-fronts early morning (Paul Hawkins). Penduline Tit still present in reedbed behind Aveley Pools at 3.35pm, and 3 WF Geese also on site (per RBA).
• Hyde Park/Kensington Gardens: 2 Nuthatch, Coal Tit, Dunnock, Green Woodpecker, Yellow-legged Gull, c.8 Common Gull, Black Swan, 2 Egyptian Goose, 6 Wigeon, 4 Gadwall (Paul Bruty).
• Bentley Priory: Firecrest by Boot Pond, 5 Goldcrests, Shovelers on Summerhouse Lake (Alan Lewis).
• Corbets Tey: 52 Tufted, 96 Pochard, 237 Fieldfare, 14 Redwing and 9 Yellowhammer (Dave Morrison).
• Trent Park: Goosander (f),3 Bullfinch (2m,1f),C65 BHGull,4 Tufted Duck (2m,2f),Pochard (f) ( Pete Lowman).
• Staines Res: Great Northern Diver - 1 adult flew onto King George VI Res, 2 Black-necked Grebes, 1 Oystercatcher (Andrew Moon).
• Queen Mother Res: 1 adult Great Northern Diver, 1 Peregrine (Andrew Moon).

December 27th 2006

• Rammey Marsh, Enfield Lock: pair Stonechat, Bullfinch, Chiffchaff, Snipe, Reed Bunting, Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Kingfisher (Martin Shepherd).
• King George V Res: 3 Great Northern Divers, 1 Slavonian Grebe (Birdguides).
• Thames Barrier Park: 40 Teal, 60 Shelduck, GBB Gull, 2 Mute Swan (Pete Fallan)
• Rainham Marshes RSPB: Little Egret, 2 adult White-fronted Geese, 28 Pintail, female Marsh Harrier (missing several outer primaries on right wing), ring-tail Hen Harrier, female Peregrine, 2 Golden Plover, 5 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Curlew, 2 Ruff, 80 Dunlin, Common Snipe, 6 adult Yellow-legged Gulls, 6 Rock Pipits, 5 Fieldfares, 30 Redwings (Dominic Mitchell et al); also male Peregrine (per Dave Morrison), Sparrowhawk and 2 Water Pipits at Stone Barges (per John Archer) and Cetti's Warbler at Aveley Pools (per Howard Vaughan et al); and Penduline Tit on reserve until 11.28hrs when it flew off high toward Aveley Pools (per Howard Vaughan) - this bird was apparently first seen on 22nd December, but not since.
• Banbury Res: Slavonian Grebe one at the southern end (Peter Lambert).
• Brent Res: adult Little Gull at 09.20, also 1 Skylark over (Andrew Self).
• Walthamstow Marshes 0730-0930: Lapwing, 2 Stonechats, 3 Mipits, 43 Greylags (S & W), 96 Cormorants (S), 5 Stock Doves (N), 13 Goldfinches (David Callahan).
• Hyde Park/Kensington Gardens: escaped Black Swan, 3 Egyptian Goose, 6 Wigeon (3m/3f), 7 Gadwall, 13 Shoveler, m Ruddy Duck, Little Grebe, adwint Black-headed Gull (stained green), 2 ad Yellow-legged Gull (the 'yellow-legged' bird showing features associated with atlantis to 14.30hrs at least and a regular michahellis), partially melanistic Great Tit (Des McKenzie).
• Amwell GP's: m Smew at Hardmead Lock (Birdguides).
• Broomfield Park (Palmers Green): ad Mediterranean Gull on boating lake at 12.45hrs (Birdguides).
• Geldeston Road, Stoke Newington: Rose-ringed Parakeet south (Mark Pearson)
• Trent Park Area: Lesser Spotted Woodpecker(f),Kingfisher,Goosander(f),4 Bullfinch,4 Nuthatch,4 Treecreeper. ( per Robert Callf)
• Staines Res: Great Northern Diver, ad and juv still on the N basin this afternoon; on the S basin two Black-necked Grebes, Oystercatcher and two Green Sandpipers (Rob Innes, Ken Purdey).
• Wraysbury GPs: four Smew at mid-day including 2 drakes; also 2 drake Goosander (Birdguides)
• Connaught Water: drake Smew; also drake Red-crested Pochard and 10 Mandarin (Birdguides)
• Queen Mother Resr: 2 Great Northern Divers & 2 Med Gulls (Birdguides)
• Island Barn Res: 2 Great Northern Divers (Birdguides)

December 26th 2006

• Queen Mother Resr: juvenile Glaucous Gull in the roost, also Purple Sandpiper, 2 Great Northern Divers and Red throated Diver (Birdguides)
• Island Barn Res: 2 Great Northern Divers (Birdguides)
• Staines Res: 2 Great Northern Divers (Birdguides)
• London Wetland Centre: Bittern still present (Birdguides)
• Rainham Marshes RSPB: 2 White-fronted Geese in cattle field (DM per AS).Also Hen Harrier showing over Silt Lagoons.(Paul Hawkins)
• Walthamstow Marshes: Little Owl, 6 Meadow Pipits, 27 Goldfinches, 2 Linnets, 40+ Chaffinches, 2 Kestrels, 7 Greylags (Mark Pearson)Stonechat;Cow field. Water Rail; calling from dry Reedbed area. (Paul Whiteman)
• Brent Res: 2 Wigeon, 12 Ring-necked Parakeets, 1 Jackdaw & 13 Snipe (Andrew Self)
• East India Dock Basin: Kingfisher, m Black Redstart (Nick Tanner).
• Isle of Dogs: ad Ring-billed Gull on Thames foreshore at the end of Glen Affric Ave up to 13.45hrs at least (Nick Tanner).
• Hyde Park/Kensington Gardens: escaped Black Swan, 5 Gadwall, 8 Wigeon (5m/3f) on Longwater, m Ruddy Duck, Sparrowhawk, ad 'Yellow-legged' Gull (showing features associated with atlantis) mobile between sites but present to 13.20hrs at least, Great Spotted Woodpecker (drumming), 2 Pied Wagtail, Chiffchaff (Des McKenzie, David Jeffreys).
• Ingrebourne Valley: 50+ Yellowhammers, 100 Reed Buntings, 7 Lesser Redpoll, Goldeneye, Peregrine, 3 Ring Necked Parakeets, 3 Goldcrest, 4 Water Rail,drumming Great Spot,10 Redwing and 8 Fieldfare.(Dave Morrison)
• Enfield Town Park: 1 Gadwall (per Robert Callf)
• Broomfield Park: Adult Med Gull,10 Shoveller (9m,1f), Teal(m).( per Robert Callf)

December 25th 2006

• Brent Res: 2 Wigeon, 1 Chiffchaff & 21 Snipe (Andrew Self)
• Clissold Park, Stoke Newington: 1 Pochard, 1 Shoveler, 2 Grey Herons, 12 Chaffinches, 1 Goldcrest (Mark Pearson)

December 24th 2006

• Brent Res: 1st-winter Med Gull again in North Marsh at 10.30 (Andrew Self).
• Stoke Newington Reservoirs: 1 Teal, 1 Water Rail, c1500 Black-headed Gulls (from first light), 9 Shoveler (Mark Pearson & Paul Robinson).
• Alexandra Park: Female Teal briefly Wood Green Res (Andrew Gardener) and a belated record of Woodcock flushed from beneath a cherry laurel on a fungi foray November 5th (via Keir Mottram Dec LNHS Newsletter), making it 108 species for the year (Bob Watts).
• Barking Outfall: Goldcrest, 93 Tufted, 82 Shelduck, 29 Redshank, Rock Pipit and Green Sandpiper (Dave Morrison).
• West Thurrock Marshes: 19 Curlew, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 187 Dunlin, 2 Knot, Rock Pipit, Snipe and 42 Redshank (Dave Morrison).
• Walthamstow Reservoirs: Ring-necked Parakeet north over Ferry Lane Estate, just west of East Warwick Res. 17 lapwing on High Maynard, Stonechat, 2 Egyptian Geese, 4 Shelduck, 9 Goldeneye, 2 Common Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper (Pete Lambert).
• Trent Park: 15 Skylark, 13 Goldcrest, 10 Nuthatch, 6 Red-legged Partridge, 6 Treecreeper, 4 Bullfinch, 2 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Grey wagtail, 1 Meadow pipit (Robert Callf / Phil Rhodes).

December 23rd 2006

• Hoddesdonpark Wood: f. Lesser Spotted Woodpecker at 08.15 (Martin Shepherd).
• Brent Res: 1st-winter Med Gull in North Marsh, also 5 Wigeon & 23 Snipe (Andrew Self).
• Alexandra Park: Drake Teal was the 106th site species for the year thus breaking a record of 105 species in 1987! Frequenting the margin of Wood Green Reservoir closest to Tunnel Reservoir. Also 12 Gadwall, Coal Tit in with the long-tailed tits (unusual at this end of the park). (Bob Watts) Adult Yellow-legged Gull till 11:20am, the 107th species for the year (Andrew Gardener). Good work, enjoyed the posts from there this year (DMc).
• Island Barn Res: 2 Great Northern Divers still (Dave Harris).
• Walton Res: drake Pintail and 2 Goosander (Dave Harris).
• Trent Park: 4 Nuthatch, 3 Treecreeper, 11 Golcrest, 1 Goosander, 8 Pochard, 2 Sparrowhawk, 1 Brambling and 5 Teal (per Robert Callf).
• Grange Waters Complex: Blackcap, 2 Stonechat, 8 Wigeon, Goldcrest, Drake Smew, Kingfisher, 8 Redwing and 18 Red-legged Partridge (Dave Morrison).
• Rainham RSPB: 300 Dunlin, 5 Rock Pipit, Water Pipit, 3 Curlew, 2 Ringed Plover, 19 Pintail, 11 Black Tailed Godwit, 2 Water Rail and 3 Stonechat (Dave Morrison).
• Trent Park: 2 Bullfinch, 23 Mandarin (14m, 9f), 5 Teal ( 3m,2f) ( same birds as above), 8 Pochard (7m,1f) ( same birds as above), 3 Tufted Duck ( 2m,1f ). ( Pete Lowman)
• Barnes WWT: Bittern showing well from Obs and Peacock Hide, 2 (m+f) Pintail, Avocet, 2 Snipe, 94 Lapwing, c75 Wigeon, c160 Teal, c45 Shoveler (Matthew Palmer).
• Corbets Tey: Kingfisher, 29 Redwing, 66 Pochard, 11 Wigeon and 86 Fieldfare (Dave Morrison).
• Tottenham Marsh: Peregrine on pylon at south end of Banbury Res (Pete Lambert).

December 22nd 2006

• Walthamstow Marshes: 1 Little Owl, f Stonechat, 2 Linnets, 16 Chaffinches, 7 Goldfinches, 2 Meadow Pipits, 3 Greylags, 1 Little grebe (Mark Pearson)
• Trent Park: C 20 Lesser Redpoll( Nature Trail),14 Mandarin (8m,6f),7 Pochard (m).( Pete Lowman)
• Tottenham Marshes: 2 Goosander in channel between Lee and Wild Marsh East, Green Sandpiper in channel between Lee and Clendish Marsh, 2 Stonechat on Clendish Marsh.(Pete Lambert)

December 21st 2006

• Walthamstow Marshes: f Stonechat, 2 Chiffchaffs, 3 Linnets, 14 Goldfinches, 26 Common Gulls, 5 Meadow Pipits (Mark Pearson)
• East India Dock NR: male Black Redstart on buildings between here and Virginia Quay, Kingfisher, 24 Teal (34 Bow Creek), 1 Great Black-backed Gull, 4 Shelduck, c35 Greenfinches (Bob Watts & Phil Hissey).
• Tottenham Marsh:Brambling in with chaffinches on Clendish Marsh (Pete Lambert)
• Horsenden Hill: 1 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker in Horsenden Wood (Andy Culshaw).

December 20th 2006

• Staines Reservoirs: at least one Great Northern Diver still on north basin early afternoon and a Black-necked Grebe on south basin (Birdguides).
• Hyde Park/Kensington Gardens: Egyptian Goose, pr Mandarin, 5 Gadwall, fem/imm Goldeneye, Green Woodpecker, 5 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 4 Pied Wagtail (Des McKenzie); ad 'Yellow-legged' Gull (showing features associated with atlantis) in the Lido area (Birdguides).
• East India Dock: 155 Teal, 1 Goldeneye (Bow Creek), 46 Redshank, 2 Common Sandpiper, 1 male Black Redstart. (Gary A James).
• Trent Park: 2 Wigeon ( 1m,1f), Gadwall (m),2 Mandarin (1m,1f),3 Pochard (m), 4 Tufted Duck (3m,1f), Teal(m). ( Pete Lowman).

December 19th 2006

• Staines Res: 2 Great Northern Diver on the north basin, 5 Black-necked Grebe on the south basin, 6+ Goldeneye (Birdguides).
• Beddington SF: 2 Mediterranean Gull (ad & 2w), 2ad Yellow-legged Gull, 2 2w Caspian Gull, fem Goldeneye (Dip or Glory).
• Holyfield Lake: 4 Bewick's Swan, 3 Goldeneye, 7 Ruddy Duck, Fieldfare, pr Bullfinch (ELBF).
• King George V Res: juv/1w Great Northern Diver, Slavonian Grebe, Black-necked Grebe, 2 Goosander (ELBF).
• Friday Lake: 85 Wigeon, m Goldeneye (ELBF).
• Hyde Park/Kensington Gardens: escaped Black Swan, 2 Egyptian Goose, 3 Gadwall, 16 Shoveler, Little Grebe, ad 'Yellow-legged' Gull (showing features associated with atlantis) to 12.30hrs at least but mobile between sites, Stock Dove, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker (including a drumming fem), at least 1 Redwing, 3 Mistle Thrush, 3 Goldcrest (1 singing), 3 Coal Tit (1 singing), 41 Great Tit (including a partially melanistic bird), singing Treecreeper (Des McKenzie).
• Hampstead Heath: 12 Shoveler, Grey Heron, 3 Nuthatch, 40+ Ring-necked Parakeet, 4 Chaffinch, Ruddy Duck, Pied Wagtail, 4 Great Crested Grebes, 5 Coal Tit, 2 Kestrel (Oliver Simms).
• Wanstead Park: 1 Kingfisher, c50 Shoveler, 100+ Gadwall, 8 GS Woodpecker, 4 Green Woodpecker, 1 Sparrowhawk, 5 Goldcrest, 30+ Goldfinch (Jonathan Dean)

December 18th 2006

• William Girling Res: 1w Red-throated Diver, 25 Black-necked Grebe, 4 Common Scoter, 3 Goosander (ELBF)
• Rainham Marshes RSPB: Marsh Harrier flew through early afternoon and continued up the Mardyke Valley; also Bearded Tit and Merlin (Birdguides)
• Amwell GPs: Bittern showing well from the main viewpoint this afternoon (Birdguides)
• Beddington SF: fem Goldeneye, 1w Mediterranean Gull, 2w Caspian Gull (Dip or Glory).
• Broomfield Park (Enfield): ad Mediterranean Gull again present; on model boating lake at 15.25hrs then flew off east (Birdguides).
• Regents Park: Water Rail the bird is still present plus pair Eygptian Geese, 10 Gadwall and 8 Ruddy Ducks(Tony Duckett).
• Island Barn Res : 2 Great Northern Divers still present (Steve Spooner)
• Staines Res: 2 Great Northern Divers also 2 Black-necked Grebes (Ken Purdey).

December 17th 2006

• Walthamstow Reservoirs: Great Northern Diver on Lockwood Reservoir (Peter Lambert). Still present 1330, plus f Stonechat, 2 f/imm Goldeneye, Mipit, Com Sand (David Callahan). Still at 3pm, plus female Goosander on High Maynard (David Bradnum). Possible white-phase Gyrfalcon on pylon on No.3 reservoir at 2pm, flew south on Walthamstow Marsh and landed on another pylon (Peter Lambert, Dan England, Stephen Harris & Earl Johnson finder).
• Rainham Marshes: female Hen Harrier over silt lagoons at 08.45 (DM per AS).
• Beddington SF: 2 White-fronted Goose flew SW, 1 Common Snipe, 1 Water Pipit (Dip or Glory).
• Totteridge Valley: One Firecrest seen this morning at Oakfields wood, Mill Hill, associating with Long-tailed Tits. c20-40m along the footpath that starts at the junction of Partingdale Lane and The Ridgeway/Bittacy Hill (TQ236923) (Ian Ellis/John Colmans).
• Bookham Common: Firecrest showing well at 10:00 hrs; from Tunnel car park, take the main track for 100 yards. Bird was feeding on left side of track, and associating with large mixed flock (Simon Buckingham).
• Wormwood Scrubs: 1 winter male Reed Bunting, c20 Stock Dove over from the south, c350 Woodpigeon from the SW, 2 Collared Dove over & c10 Meadow Pipit. (David Lindo).
• Trent Park Area: 15 Skylark, 11 Lesser redpoll, 2 Bullfinch, 1 female Goosander on Lower Lake, single Shoveler and 8 Mandarins on Upper Lake (Robert Callf and Phil Rhodes).
• Staines Reservoirs: Adult Great Northern Diver still on north basin, 1+ Black-n Grebe, also 1 ad Mediterranean Gull late afternoon on north basin (Andrew Moon).
• Rainham Marshes: Female Peregrine, Short Eared Owl, 226 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Water Pipit and 10 Rock Pipits Stone Barges to Aveley Bay, 3 Tree Sparrows, Green Sandpiper, 3 Curlew, Ruff and 2 Lesser Redpolls. Hen Harrier showing well this morning (per Les Harrison) over Silt Lagoons 8.00 - 9.15am (Dave Morrison).
• Queen Mary Reservoir: Arctic Skua, dark-morph seen harassing the roosting gulls from 1600-1607hrs. Was hoping it would be a Pom Skua, but no such luck! Also Peregrine. Note reservoir is permit-only (Rob Innes).
• Staines Moor: 4+ Water Pipit south east corner, north of R. Colne favouring flooded area; also 2 Great Northern Diver Staines Res 11.30am at least (Andrew Culshaw, David Howdon).
• Queen Mother Resr: 2nd-winter Caspian Gull again mid-morning; also Kittiwake at 09:45 and 2 Yellow-legged Gulls (Birdguides)

December 16th 2006

• South Norwood CP: Ring-billed Gull on pontoon near sailing club boat yard at Woodvale Avenue entrance for 25 mintues before flying off at 13:30 (Birdguides) If this was on a pontoon near the sailing club this must be South Norwood LAKE, NOT South Norwood Country Park (John Birkett)
• Totteridge Valley: 1 (possibly 2) Firecrests in mixed tit flock at Oakfields wood, Mill Hill, this afternoon. Also 2 Nuthatch and 2 Treecreeper. (Ian Ellis)
• West Thurrock Marshes: 10 Fieldfare, 16 Redwing, Jack Snipe, 2 Snipe, 260 Dunlin, 292 Redshank, 25 Curlew, Rock Pipit, 2 Stonechat, 2 Grey Wagatils and 64 Shelduck.No sign of Grey Phalarope at high tide.(Dave Morrison)
• Trent Park Area: 3 Lesser Redpoll,2 Bullfinch, 1 Goosander, Skylark. ( per Robert Callf)
• Rainham Marshes: female Hen Harrier, 19 Pintail, 10 Linnet, 20+ Shelduck, 4 Reed Buntings, 5 Meadow Pipits, 4 Stonechats, 500 Wigeon, 600 Lapwing, 200 Teal, 4 Pochard. On The River: 10 Redshanks, 1 Curlew, 20 Knot, 1 Ruddy Duck, Two Grey Plover, 5 Rock Pipits. (observer?).
• Queen Elizabeth II Res: 1st-winter Glaucous Gull late afternoon, earlier in day at Beddington SF (Dave Harris/Steve Spooner)
• Island Barn Res: 2 Great Northern Divers (Dave Harris)
• Staines Reservoirs: juvenile Great Northern Diver still on North Basin today; also 5 Black-necked Grebe (Birdguides). Adult and juvenile Great Northern Divers both showing, late afternoon - north basin (Ken Purdey).
• Wraysbury GPs: three Smew; also Little Egret and drake Goosander (Birdguides)
• Hyde Park: ad 'Yellow-legged' Gull (showing features associated with atlantis) still present (Birdguides).

December 15th 2006

• Rainham Marshes: fem Hen Harrier showing again this morning plus Caspian Gull (Birdguides).
• Walthamstow Res (whole site covered - 55 species): 58 Greylags, 2 Egyptian Geese (W - inc. the pale-headed bird), 20 Gadwall, 44 Teal, 44 Shoveler, 96 Pochard, 3f/2imm. Goldeneye, pair Goosander (High Maynard), 40 Ruddies, 14 Little Grebes, 51 GCGrebes, m & f Sparrowhawk, imm. Peregrine south (prob. male), 2 Water Rails calling, 3 Com Sands, 1000+ BhGulls south (from pre-dawn), 5 Stock Doves, 440+ Woodpigeons leaving No1 roost, 2 Kingfishers, 2 Mipits, Rock Pipit (E side of no4), 4 Grey Wags, 23 Pied Wags, fem Stonechat, 3 Mistles singing, 2 Chiffchaffs, Reed Bunting (David Callahan).
• Staines Res: 2 Great Northern Divers, adult and juv - north basin (Ken Purdey).
• Island Barn Reservoir: 2 Great Northern Divers (Birdguides)
• Broomfield Park ( Southgate): Ad Med Gull, 4 Shoveller (m). ( per Robert Callf).

December 14th 2006

• Wraysbury GPs: 3 Smew(1 drake), Little Egret & drake Goosander (Birdguides)
• Richmond Park: Pen Ponds: 1st W Med Gull with 50 Common + c200 B.h. Gulls, 4 Egyptian Geese, 1 Barnacle Goose, 205 Gadwall, 4 Wigeon, 4 Shoveler. (Neil Anderson)
• Walthamstow Res (N side): 2 Green Sands, 2 Com Sands, 5f/imm Goldeneye, 2 Shelduck, 2 Mipits, 1 Canada/Greylag hybrid (David Callahan).
• Walthamstow Marshes: f Stonechat, 5 Meadow Pipits, 13 Goldfinches, 1 Little Grebe (Mark Pearson)
• Hyde Park/Kensington Gardens: 65 Mute Swan, escaped Black Swan, 2 Egyptian Goose (usual pair), 3 Gadwall, 11 Shoveler, 8 Pochard, 106 Tufted Duck, 54 Common Gull, 2 ad Yellow-legged Gull (the 'Yellow-legged' bird showing features associated with atlantis (still retaining head-streaking) to 14.00hrs at least and a typical michahellis), 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Pied Wagtail, heavily leucistic m Blackbird, 3 Mistle Thrush (2 singing), 3-4 Goldcrest (Des McKenzie).
• Millenium Bridge: Peregrine high over at 08.20 (Gabriel Jamie)

December 13th 2006

• Queen Mother Resr: juvenile Great Northern Diver still present (Birdguides)
• Wraysbury GPs: Smew, plus Little Egret and Red-crested Pochard (Birdguides)
• Amwell GPs: Bittern flew in from north to roost in front of hide at 16:17 (Birdguides)
• Broomfield Park: adult Med Gull showing down to 15 feet - bread assisted (David Darrell-Lambert).
• Hyde Park/Kensington Gardens: escaped Black Swan, 3 Gadwall, 11 Shoveler, 2 ad Yellow-legged Gull comprising the bird showing features associated with atlantis (to 14.00hrs at least but mobile between both sites) and a typical Mediterranean michahellis, fem Great Spotted Woodpecker (drumming), 3 Pied Wagtail (Des McKenzie).
• Stoke Newington Reservoirs: imm. male Peregrine, Chiffchaff, Fieldfare (Mark Pearson & Paul Robinson).
• Tottenham Marshes: pair Shoveler, pair Stonechat, 2 Little Grebes (David Callahan).
• Walthamstow Res (S side): Green Sand, 3 Com Sands, 2f/1imm Goldeneye, Chiffchaff, 7 Stock Doves, 29+ Pied Wags (mostly on filter beds), 2 Mipits (David Callahan).
• Trent Park Area: Brambling (m),4 Yellowhammer,3 Red-legged Partridge, Little Grebe. ( per Robert Callf)

December 12th 2006

• Rainham Marshes: 60 Greylag Geese, 17 Pintail, Little Egret, Sparrowhawk, Peregrine Falcon, 1,000+ Lapwing, Curlew, 1/2 Ruff, Common Snipe, 2 ad + 1w Yellow-legged Gulls, 85 Stock Doves, Kingfisher, 2 Stonechat (Dominic Mitchell); Merlin, 1 Water Pipit, 2 Rock Pipits (per Tim Harris); ring-tail Hen Harrier at approx 1pm and 1.15pm near Target Pools (per Ruth Barnes)
• Beddington SF: 4 Mediterranean Gulls (Birdguides)
• Bookham Common: 2 Firecrest (SBYG).
• Walthamstow Res (N side): 2f/2imm Goldeneye, f Stonechat, Green Sand, Com Sand, 5 Song Thrushes (4 singing) (David Callahan).
• Island Barn Res: 2 Great Northern Diver still off the sailing club 1500-dusk. Also 2 Yellow-legged Gulls in roost. (Geoff Barter/Steve Spooner)
• East India Dock: 2 Shelduck, 2 Little Grebe, Grey Wagtail, 2 Song Thrush (Richard Harrison).
• Walthamstow Marshes: f Stonechat, Reed Bunting, 7 Meadow Pipits, 5 Mistle Thrushes, 1 Little Grebe (Mark Pearson)
• Staines Res: 2 Great Northern Divers still, north basin (Ken Purdey).
• Regent's Park: Water Rail still in reed bed by the blue bridges (Tony Duckett)
• Hackney Marshes: 2 Stock Dove, 51 Teal, 12 Gadwall, 8 Mistle Thrush (Paul Cook).

December 11th 2006

• Walthamstow Res (S side): Rock Pipit, drake Goldeneye, 2 Shelduck, Green Sand, Com Sand (David Callahan).
• Broomfield Park ( Palmers Green): Adult Med Gull, 12 Shoveller (m).( per Robert Callf.)

December 10th 2006

• Beddington SF: m Pintail, Water Rail, Jack Snipe, 6 Common Snipe, 3 Green Sandpiper, ad Mediterranean Gull, 8 Skylark, Water Pipit, Chiffchaff (Dip or Glory).
• Connaught Water: m Smew (ELBF).
• West Thurrock Marshes: 6 Yellow-legged Gulls, 2 Jack Snipes, 1 Little Egret (David Darrell-Lambert).
• Queen Mother Res: 2 Great Northern Diver, 2w Caspian Gull (Birdguides).
• Rainham Marshes RSPB: 12 Pintail, female Hen Harrier at the rear of Target Pool, fem Merlin, fem Peregrine, Black Redstart, 4 Bearded Tit (ELBF).
• Brent Res: 3 Lapwings on rafts (Andrew Self).
• Island Barn Res: 2 Great Northern Divers still - although sailing today so will presumably depart (Dave Harris).
• Broomfield Park (Southgate): ad Mediterranean Gull at 13.00hrs (Birdguides).
• Bookham Common: Firecrest still present (SBYG).
• Bedfont Lakes CP: Jackdaw 725 flew into roost 3.35pm - 4.05pm (Ken Purdey).
• Staines Res: adult and juvenile Great Northern Divers still on the north basin, also Peregrine there (Rob Innes).

December 9th 2006

• West Thurrock Marshes: 3 Brent Geese, adult Kittiwake, 1 Lesser Redpoll & 1 Little Egret (David Darrell-Lambert).
• Rainham Marshes RSPB: first-winter Glaucous Gull on target pools again early afternoon, also Black Redstart (Birdguides)
• Staines Reservoirs: adult and juvenile Great Northern Diver on North Basin again this morning; also 7 Black-necked Grebes (Birdguides)
• Sevenoaks Wildfowl Reserve: Firecrest, also Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (Birdguides)
• Grange Waters Complex: 3 Fieldfare, 12 Redwing, 4 singing Song Thrush, 2 Yellowhammers, Stonechat, 3 Redhead Smew, 4 Snipe and 28 Wigeon.(Dave Morrison)
• Chafford Hundred (Lion Gorge EWT): Firecrest (Birdguides).

December 8th 2006

• Rainham Marshes: 1st winter Glaucous Gull, 3 Kingfisher, 21 Curlew, Ruff, 20 Pintail, 520 Wigeon, 32 Ringed Plover, 3 Green Sandpipers, 290 Blackwit, 50 Redshank, 1200 Lapwing, 400 Dunlin, Grey Plover, 20 Golden Plover, 9 Snipe, 2 Water Pipit, 9 Rock Pipit, 46 Meadow Pipit, 35 Blackbird, 8 Song Thrush, 35 Redwing, 3 Fieldfare, 5 Mistle Thrush, 52 Canada Geese, 89 Greylag, 7 Stonechat (RSPB)
• Queen Mother Reservoir: 2 Great Northern Diver present this morning (Bill Haines).
• West Thurrock: Grey Phalarope still present this morning off Stone Point (two birds were present there yesterday early afternoon) (Birdguides).
• Brent Res: Great Northern Diver still by the dam early morning from 0653 when ambient lighting from North Circular Road bright enough to illuminate bird; gave views. Not present by 10:30 so quite likely to have been 3rd bird at Staines Res (Bob Watts, Andrew Self). Also a Water Rail feeding beside the children's playground & Yellow-legged Gull nr. Cool Oak Bridge (Fraser Simpson).
• Island Barn Res: 2 juv Great Northern Divers together, female Common Scoter (Dave Harris).
• Walton Res: Slavonian Grebe on Bessborough (Dave Harris). Walton Res: A third juv Great Northern Diver flew in from south at 1045 (Steve Spooner); 2 Great Northern Diver still on Island Barn at 1115 (Steve Spooner).
• Staines Res: 3 Great Northern Diver (one on south basin, two on north basin, mid-morning), 6 Black-necked Grebe (north basin) and Peregrine over (Peter Naylor, Ken Purdey).
• King George VI Res: 3 Black-necked Grebe, Slavonian Grebe, 246 Teal, 52 Wigeon and 11 Goldeneye (P Naylor).
• Walthamstow Res: 2 Egyptian Geese (inc. pale-headed bird) - calling and displaying on old heron nest in heronry; 2 Shelduck, 12 Gadwall, 63 Teal, 28 Shoveler, 63 Pochard, fem & imm Goldeneye, drake Goosander, still 37 Ruddies after DEFRA's attempted massacre yesterday, 20 Little Grebes, 58 GCGrebes; imm Peregrine south harassed by Kestrel, 2 Green Sandpipers, 2 Com Sandpipers, Mipit, 5 Grey Wags, 2 Stonechats, 3 Song Thrushes (2 singing), Mistle Thrush, 2 Goldcrests (David Callahan).
• Hyde Park: ad 'Yellow-legged' Gull (showing features associated with atlantis) present to 12.50hrs at least (though likely to be mobile toward Kensington Gardens) (Birdguides).
• Regents Park: Water Rail present in reed bed, ad Yellow legged Gull with head streaking at 1.20pmphoto on blog(Tony Duckett).

December 7th 2006

• Brent Res: Great Northern Diver on main res late afternoon, seen up to 18.00 (Roy Beddard, Andrew Self)
• Thames: Leach's Petrel 300 yards southeast of Tower Bridge mobbed by gulls at 12:35 (Birdguides)
• Queen Mother Res: Leach's Petrel up to 09.30hrs at least (Birdguides).
• Staines Res: Leach's Petrel on south basin at 10.40 still present at 11.40 also Great Northern Diver and 5 Black-necked Grebes (Ken Purdey) also Goldeneye and 19 Ruddy Ducks (SBYG).
• Walton Res: Leach's Petrel access by T.Water birding permit but no sign between 1pm & 2 pm (Geoff Barter)
• Queen Mary Res: Leach's Petrel (FJM).
• West Thurrock: Leach's Petrel flew upriver at 11.50, also Grey Phalarope still off Stone Point (Birdguides).
• Rainham Marsh: Leach's Petrel on Thames in Aveley Bay at 15.42 (Birdguides)
• Banbury Reservoir 'Leach's Petrel' flying low over water mobbed by black headed gulls 09.05 (Chris Wright)
• Walthamstow Res (S. side only): Imm. Goldeneye, 2 Com Sands, 2 Shelduck (David Callahan).
• Hyde Park/Kensington Gardens: 2 ad Yellow-legged Gull comprising the bird showing features associated with atlantis (to 12.00hrs at least) and a typical Mediterranean michahellis; also, escaped Black Swan, 2 Egyptian Goose, pr Gadwall, 10 Shoveler, 3 Pied Wagtail (Des McKenzie).
• Walthamstow Marshes: 1st winter Mediterranean Gull (with BHG's, southern area), also f Stonechat, 7 Meadow Pipits (Mark Pearson).
• Island Barn Res, Great Northern Diver, c3pm, still no sign Leach's Walton Res 3pm (Tony Quinn, Steve Spooner, Pete Naylor).
• Ingrebourne Valley: 2 Water Rail, 14 Redwing, 50 Stock Dove and imm male Goldeneye (Dave Morrison).
• Rainham Marshes RSPB: Leach's Petrel, 1st-Winter Kittiwake and 200+ Black-tailed Godwit up river (Dave Morrison).

December 6th 2006

• Wraysbury GPs: two redhead Smew on Blenheim Pit (Birdguides)
• Broadwater Lake, Harefield: Peregrine flew south at 08:45 hrs, also Lesser Redpoll, 3 Goldeneye and 2 Little Egret (Simon Buckingham).
• Rainham Marshes: Leach's Petrel flew downriver past the Tilda factory at 08.30hrs; also, Shag, 82 Greylag Goose, 42 Canada Goose, 420 Wigeon, 18 Pintail, Hen Harrier, m Peregrine, Ruff, 4 Curlew, 250 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Green Sandpiper, Kingfisher, 6 Rock Pipit, Water Pipit, Black Redstart, 11 Stonechat, fem Blackcap (ELBF).
• West Thurrock: Grey Phalarope still present off Stone Point this morning; also, 8 Teal, Peregrine, 58 Lapwing, 50 Dunlin, 218 Redshank, Rock Pipit (Birdguides).
• Walthamstow Res (N side only): Green Sandpiper, 4 fem/imm Goldeneye, fem Stonechat, 40 GCGrebes (David Callahan).
• Hyde Park/Kensington Gardens: ad 'Yellow-legged' Gull (showing features associated with atlantis) on the Serpentine up to 12.00hrs at least but mobile; also, escaped Black Swan, 2 Egyptian Goose (usual pair, Round Pond), 10 Shoveler, 61 Common Gull (peak of 33 for 2005), Green Woodpecker, Red Admiral (Des McKenzie).
• Beddington SF: 7 Common Snipe, Green Sandpiper, 2 ad Yellow-legged Gull, ad Mediterranean Gull (Dip or Glory).
• Bookham Common: Firecrest still present, 2 Marsh Tit, 3 Lesser Redpoll, m Bullfinch, Brimstone (SurreyBirders Yahoo Group).
• Queen Mother Res: juv Great Northern Diver still present (Birdguides).
• Staines Res: Great Northern Diver still north basin (Ken Purdey).

December 5th 2006

• Walthamstow Marshes: f Stonechat, 6 Meadow Pipits, 20 Goldfinches, 2 Kestrels (Mark Pearson).
• Brent Reservoir: 2nd winter Med. Gull, 19+ Snipe, 182 Tufted Duck, 74 Pochard (Roy Beddard/Leo Batten).
• West Thurrock: Grey Phalarope, 2 Redwing, Peregrine, 18 Curlew, 27 Dunlin, 26 Shelduck and Grey Wagtail (Dave Morrison).

December 4th 2006

• Wraysbury GPs: Great Northern Diver to 14:30 when flew east (Birdguides)
• Beddington SF: Little Egret, 2 ad Mediterranean Gull, 1w Caspian Gull, Water Rail, 2 Common Snipe, Green Sandpiper (Dip or Glory).
• St. James's Park: Rook on grassy areas near Duck Island (Andrew Self, David-Darrell Lambert per DMc).
• Hyde Park/Kensington Gardens: 2 ad Yellow-legged Gull comprising the bird showing features associated with atlantis (to 12.00hrs at least but mobile) and a typical Mediterranean michahellis (at the east end of the Serpentine); also, escaped Black Swan, 2 Egyptian Goose (usual pair, Round Pond), 12 Shoveler, m Red-crested Pochard, c25 Ring-necked Parakeet, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker (drumming fem), m Blackcap (Peter Pan enclosure), Treecreeper, singing Goldfinch (Des McKenzie).
• Broomfield Park: Adult Med Gull, 7 Shoveller. ( per Robert Callf)
• Bookham Common: Firecrest still present (Birdguides).
• Staines Res: Great Northern Diver still present; also, 4 Black-necked Grebe and 2 Goldeneye on north basin (Birdguides).

December 3rd 2006

• Staines Res: juv Great Northern Diver on South Basin (Birdguides).
• Queen Mother Res: juvenile Great Northern Diver (Birdguides).
• Rainham Marshes: ringtail Hen Harrier lingering this afternoon (viewable alternately from Ferry Lane and RSPB visitor centre) and a Water Pipit on stone barges, Green Sandpiper, Kingfisher, 35 Linnet, 20 Skylark, 30 Stock Dove, 20 Collared Dove (David Bradnum); plus, Ruff, adult Kittiwake flew up-river, 15 Golden Plover (Birdguides/RSPB); female Merlin, female Peregrine and 14 Pintail (Dave Morrison).
• Beddington SF: Kittiwake, also Jack Snipe (Birdguides).
• Isle of Dogs: adult Ring-billed Gull feeding on shore by Glen Affric slipway mid-afternoon (Birdguides).
• Lee Valley CP: eclipse/1st-winter drake Smew, on Herts Young Mariners Pit, south of Cadmore Lane, viewed from the River Lee towpath (Birdguides).
• Grange Waters Complex: 28 Redwing, 19 Stock Dove, 3 Goldcrest, 3 Redhead Smew (Scuba diving lake), 7 Snipe, Water Rail, 4 Fieldfare, Grey wagtail and 8 Wigeon (Dave Morrison).
• Dagenham Riverside: 136 Redshank, 53 Dunlin, 5 Curlew, 2 Turnstone and Little Egret (Dave Morrison).
• Mudchute Farm: At least six Monk Parakeets plus nest-building/repairing behaviour (Fraser Simpson).
• London Wetland Centre: Bittern (main lake), 120 Wigeon, Jack Snipe (LWC website).

December 2nd 2006

• Staines Res: juv Great Northern Diver on South Basin; also 7 Black-necked Grebes (Birdguides).
• Queen Mother Res: juvenile Great Northern Diver still from the yacht club car park this morning but distant; also 1st-winter Mediterranean Gull (Birdguides).
• Rainham Marshes: 0845-1130: Little Egret, 40 Greylag Geese, 18 Pintail, Sparrowhawk, Curlew, Jack Snipe, 10 Common Snipe, first-winter Yellow-legged Gull, male Blackcap, plus Red Admiral (Dominic Mitchell); ringtail Hen Harrier at 13.00 at Ferry Lane end (DM per AS); also, 3 Sparrowhawk, 120 Redshank, Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, ad Mediterranean Gull, total of 11 Yellow-legged Gull, 20 Skylark, 2 Rock Pipit, 2 Water Pipit, 10 Stonechat, 250 Linnet, 5 Corn Bunting (ELBF).
• Kensington Gardens: ad 'Yellow-legged' Gull (showing features associated with atlantis) on the Longwater to 08.40hrs at least when it flew toward Hyde Park (Birdguides).
• Ten Acre Wood, Hillingdon: Pair Stonechat, 4 Snipe, 7 Reed Bunting and a Yellowhammer in meadows north & west of wood (Steve Pash).
• Horton: Black-necked Grebe on lake at TQ023762 this afternoon; access from Foundry Lane in Horton (Birdguides).
• Alexandra Park: Adult Mediterranean Gull on Wood Green Reservoir (Andrew Gardener).
• Beddington SF: 5 Common Snipe, Green Sandpiper, ad Mediterranean Gull, 2 Yellow-legged Gull (Dip or Glory).
• London Wetland Centre: Bittern at east end of the main lake to right of the observatory at mid-day best viewed from Headley Hide (Birdguides)
• Horsenden Hill: 3 Egyptian Geese flew NE at 8.45am (Andrew Culshaw)

December 1st 2006

• Rainham Marshes RSPB: one Brent Goose flew up the Thames and 15 Avocet, 17 Pintail, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 34 Greylags, 500 Wigeon, 57 Gadwall, 2 Little Egret, 3 Curlew, Water Pipit, 8 Rock Pipit, 1000 Lapwing (RSPB) .
• Chafford Hundred: 10.35hrs Firecrest with tit flock at Lion Gorge EWT (Ruth Barnes).
• Walthamstow Res: 4 Goldeneye (3 fem & 1 drake), Water Rail, 2 Shelduck, 49 Shoveler, 20 Gadwall, 38 Ruddies, 3 Grey Wags, 37 Com Gulls, 1 GBBG (David Callahan).
• Hyde Park/Kensington Gardens: 2 ad 'Yellow-legged' Gull (the bird showing features associated with atlantis to 11.30hrs at least nr. the Lido ~ now into its tenth month of residency ~ plus a typically white-headed bird at eastern end of Serpentine), Little Grebe, escaped Black Swan, 11 Shoveler, 37 Herring Gull, Kingfisher (Des McKenzie).
• Queen Mother Res (permit only): juv Great Northern Diver (Birdguides).