LatestNews

From Londonbirders

Revision as of 16:53, 9 December 2008

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.

Tuesday 9th December

• Sidcup: eight Woodlark still in stubble field opposite the pumping station at end of Riverside Road (Birdguides)
• London Wetland Centre: Bittern showing well in the middle channel of the main reed bed this a.m., last seen entering reeds at the back of the channel and slightly to the left; also, Shelduck, m Pintail, Common Snipe, Kingfisher, Rock Pipit, Water Pipit, fem Stonechat, 4 Siskin (LWC website).
• Beddington SF: 2 Wigeon, fem Peregrine, 2 Green Sandpiper, 1w Caspian Gull, 2 ad Yellow-legged Gull, Short-eared Owl NE, 3 Stonechat, Chiffchaff (Dip or Glory).
• Island Barn Res: fem Red-breasted Merganser (SBC).
• Richmond Park: Little Egret on the Beverley Brook at 10:20hrs just inside the Roehampton Gate on road toward Sheen (Birdguides).
• Stoke Newington Reservoirs: 3 Chiffchaffs, 2nd winter Great Black-backed Gull, female Brambling again at feeders, Kingfisher, 3 Goldcrests; also 7 Goldcrests in nearby Allens Gardens (Mark Pearson & Tony Butler Hackney Wildlife).
• Hornchurch CP (to 11:00hrs): Firecrest in scrubby bushes by picnic benches overlooking the river channel briefly at c10:15hrs; also, c8 calling Water Rail, 2+ Common Snipe, Redshank, 1-2 Tawny Owl 06:45hrs, fem Kingfisher, 6 Green Woodpecker, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 8+ Cetti's Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, 3 Bullfinch, c20 Yellowhammer (fields to east of river), Reed Bunting, Corn Bunting (with Yellowhammers) (EssexBirders).
• East India Dock area: 2 Meadow Pipits (south), 5 Long-tailed Tits, 5 Redshank, 247 Teal (90 in the basin), fem Sparrowhawk. (David Callahan)
• Westferry DLR: male Sparrowhawk (DC).
• South Norwood Lake: 2 Mute Swan, 12 Tufted Duck, 16 Cormorant, 45 Black-headed Gull, 1 Common Gull, 8 Ring-necked Parakeet, 12 Long-tailed Tit, 6 Jay, 4 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Nuthatch, 2 Collared Dove, 4 House Sparrow (John Watson).
• Hyde Park/Kensington Gardens: ad Mediterranean Gull (German-ringed) showing well at Round Pond to 13:20hrs at least; 2 Egyptian Goose, 12 Shoveler, Little Grebe, 74 Common Gull (including 52 on Round Pond), Grey Wagtail (Des McKenzie).
• Abney Park Cemetery: 2 Firecrests (TB et al per MJP)
• Camberwell: 2nd-winter Mediterranean Gull showing well on the lake at Burgess Park early a'noon. Also 5 drake Pochard, 12 Tufted Duck & 2 Little Grebe there (Richard Bonser).
• Rotherhithe: 9 (8m,1f) Shoveler & 22 Greylag Southwark Park; 42 Tufted Duck Canada Water (Richard Bonser).
• Hatfield: Short-eared Owl at disused airfield (Birdguides).

Monday 8th December

• London Wetland Centre: Bittern flew north across the main lake and dropped into the middle of the main reedbed 08:30hrs; 52 Wigeon, Pintail, Kestrel, 5 Water Rail, 53 Lapwing, Common Snipe, 11 Redwing NW, 4 Chiffchaff, 9 Siskin (LWC website).
• Sidcup: 8 Woodlark still at Albany Park in stubble field at end of Riverside Road opposite pumping station, also Redpoll over (Chris Wilkinson).
• Leyton Flats: 40 Lesser Redpolls, 1 Mealy Redpoll, Stonechat (Gary A James).
• Brent Res: 6 Red-crested Pochard on main reservoir 3m, 3f (flew in at 10.30) (AGV & RB per AS).
• Wanstead Flats (8-8.15): 2 LBB, 49 Common Gull, + lots of comedy Canada Goose landing-on-ice action (J Lethbridge).
• Stoke Newington Reservoirs: female Blackcap, Chiffchaff, 12 Redwings, 3 Goldcrests, female Brambling twice at feeders with Chaffinches a.m., Kingfisher, 53 Common Pochard (Mark Pearson Hackney Wildlife).
• Allens Gardens: 2 Lesser Redpolls, 2 Redwings (Mark Pearson).
• Abney Park Cemetery: 3 Firecrests (together, showing v well in usual place), 7 Goldcrests (Mark Pearson Hackney Wildlife).
• Seventy Acres Lake (LVRP): Lesser Whitethroat from the Bittern Watchpoint early afternoon still TL374030 (Birdguides).
• Paddington Green: 6 Jay (Des McKenzie).
• Rainham Marshes: no sign of Penduline Tits between 08:30hrs and 10:30hrs; 3 Brent Goose on the river, 2 Water Rail, Kingfisher, 2 Grey Wagtail, 4 Cetti's Warbler, Chiffchaff (EssexBirders).
• St James's Park: 2 Egyptian Geese (Andrew Self)
• South Norwood Lake: 2 Mute Swan, 12 Tufted Duck, 18 Cormorant, 60 Black-headed Gull, 2 Common Gull, 4 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Nuthatch, 8 Ring-necked Parakeet, 1 Pied Wagtail, 12 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Goldcrest (John Watson).
• Fulham/Wandle Creek (lunchtime): 28 species including Kingfisher, Little Grebe, Grey Wagtail, Chiffchaff, Goldcrest & 6 Gadwall (Michael F).
• Regents Park: Water Rail at least one present, 4 Redwings, about 20 Siskins, 10 Goldcrests feeding together(Tony Duckett).
• Rotherhithe: 7(4m,3f) Shoveler, 21 Greylag, 1 GS Woodpecker & 4 Ring-necked Parakeet Southwark Park. 91 Tufted Duck - 29 Greenland Dock, 50 Canada Water and 12 Southwark Park; also 1 Little Grebe on River Thames off Durand's Wharf (Richard Bonser).
• Greenwich: 2nd-winter Yellow-legged Gull and 14 Teal off the yacht club (Richard Bonser).
• Stockers Lake (Rickmandsworth): 10 Red crested Pochard 5m-5f. 3 Water Rail. 3+ Goldeneye. (Steve Blake)
• Banstead Downs Golf Course: 3+ Firecrests along the first half of the wooded footpath 16:00 (David Campbell) A grid reference would be much appreciated. Is the path west or east of the A217? Many thanks (JW).
• West Thurrock Marshes: 4 Curlew, singing Mistle Thrush, Chiffchaff, 3 Rock Pipits, 2 Grey Plover, 6 Common Snipe, 2 Jack Snipe, 15 Avocets, 1000 Dunlin, 500 Redshank and 134 Lapwing.( Dave Morrison )

Sunday 7th December

• Waltham Abbey: Rough-legged Buzzard at Holyfield Farm till 12:45hrs when it flew toward Nazeing, Peregrine (Birdguides/LondonBirders yahoo group), 10 Egyptian Goose, 3 Common Buzzard, 4 Red-legged Partridge, c200 Fieldfare; also 8 Goosander on Holyfield GP (LondonBirders yahoo group).
• Seventy Acres Lake (LVRP): at least 1 Bittern, at least 12 Water Rail, Cetti's Warbler (LondonBirders yahoo group).
• Morden Park: Caspian Gull 3rd-yr possible, Yellow-legged Gull 1st-w, Herring Gull >c150, L b-b Gull >c30, G B-b Gull x3, B-h Gull c1,000?. Movement of large gulls from east (Beddington?) then westwards (J.Wilczur).
• Beddington SF: m Goosander, 3 Green Sandpiper, 5 Common Snipe, ad Mediterranean Gull, 3 Long-eared Owl, Short-eared Owl, Water Pipit, 3 Stonechat, Dartford Warbler Dip or Glory).
• Richmond Park: Short Eared Owl high east from pen ponds carpark at 7:10am, 2 Tawny Owls & 2 Little Owls calling from Roehampton Gate prior to dawn, 2 Dartford Warbler in ferns 100 yards south of Pen Ponds car park & 6 Stonechats, 7 Red-crested Pochard including 4 drakes on upper pen pond, 2 Water-rail calling from reedbed & 2 Siskin with Goldfinch flock in surrounding trees, Little Egret & Kingfisher along Beverley Brook (J.Murray & J.Murray Snr), 14 Shoveler, 6 Redwing, 5 Stonechat (Neil Anderson, Jovita Kaunang) Short-eared Owl briefly 16.10, R-c Pochard x8 (4 drakes) (JW), Jack Snipe at Upper Pen Pond this morning (M. Lewis per JW).
• Isle of Dogs: adult Ring-billed Gull late a'noon (at low tide) 100 yards east of Glen Affric slipway (Richard Bonser).
• Thorndon CP: 100 Mealy Redpoll by second car park (from Lion Gate) 08:30hrs (Birdguides).
• Sidcup: 8 Woodlark still at Albany Park in stubble field at end of Riverside Road opposite pumping station (Birdguides).
• Bedfont Lakes CP: f Smew, 6 Common Snipe, 16 Fieldfare, 175 Black-headed Gull, 5 Herring Gull, 20 Common Gull, 2 Water Rail, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Kingfisher (Adam Cheeseman).
• Bittern Watchpoint (LVRP): Lesser Whitethroat (LondonBirders yahoo group).
• Hall Marsh Scrape (LVRP): Peregrine, Barn Owl (LondonBirders yahoo group).
• Alexandra Park: c15 Fieldfares N, Water Rail (h) Conservation Pond, 5 ad Herring Gulls (Bob Watts).
• Tottenham Marsh: 1 f Stonechat, 2 Kestrels at Clendish Marsh near allotments; 6 Mipits on Wild Marsh West (Quentin Given).
• Kensington Gardens: ad Mediterranean Gull (German-ringed) at Round Pond; 11 Shoveler, Nuthatch, Treecreeper (Des McKenzie, Fraser Simpson, Noel Lever et al), Water Rail seen p.m. (Marie Gill per DMc).
• Ingrebourne Valley: 2 Kingfisher, 7 Lesser Redpoll, Sparrowhawk (Shaun Harvey).
• Rotherhithe: 30 Tufted Duck Canada Water, 25 Tufted Duck Surrey Water and influx of Black-headed and Common Gulls into the area (Richard Bonser).
• East India Dock Basin: 3 Little Grebe, c200 Teal (120 Bow Creek, 80 EIDB), Water Rail, Goldcrest, 6+ Long-tailed Tit (Nick Tanner).
• Wanstead Flats: GS Woodpecker, 5 Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Skylark, Reed Bunting, 2 Meadow Pipit (J. Lethbridge).
• Stoke Newington Reservoirs: c35 Gadwall, 1f Kestrel, 1 RN Parakeet. 27 sp. recorded (TeRNS).
• Abney Park Cemetery: 2 Firecrests, 6 Goldcrests, 20 LT Tits, 15 Chaffinches (Mark Pearson Hackney Wildlife).
• Holmethorpe SP's: Goosander, Goldeneye & Barn Owl (SBC).
• Island Barn Res: Red-breasted Merganser (SBC).

Saturday 6th December

• Staines Res: Great Northern Diver on South Basin (J Fell. J Schmidt).
• Cheshunt GP: Bittern (North Met), 8 Goldeneye, Goosander, 2 Cetti's Warbler, Chiffchaff (HertsBirders).
• Beddington SF: Peregrine, 1w Caspian Gull, 3w Yellow-legged Gull, 4 Long-eared Owl, 2 Water Pipit (Dip or Glory).
• Sidcup: 9 Woodlark in stubble field opposite the pumping station at end of Riverside Road today for their 4th day (Birdguides); still at 16.00 (SJG, GJ).
• Rainham Marshes: 2 fem Sparrowhawk, 3 Little Egret, 5 Water Rail, 420 Golden Plover, 1,200 Lapwing, 200 Dunlin, 23 Common Snipe, 30 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Curlew, 80 Redshank, near-ad Caspian Gull, 2nd or 3rd-year Glaucous Gull flew over the reserve toward the tip, Short-eared Owl, 2 Water Pipit, 40 Blackbird, 3 Fieldfare, 7 Song Thrush, 50 Redwing, 6 Cetti's Warbler, Dartford Warbler, m Blackcap, 6 Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrest, 2 Penduline Tit showing well to mid-day when they flew off high north, 27 Jackdaw, Serin briefly by Visitor Centre 13:45hrs, 6 Siskin north (Birdguides/ELBF).
• London Wetland Centre: Bittern, Mealy Redpoll in Wildside with 5 Lesser Redpoll; fem Stonechat, Peregrine, Common Snipe, Water Pipit, 4 Chiffchaff including an abietinus bird, 8 Goldcrest (SBC).
• Thorndon CP: 6 Siskin (EssexBirders), c200 Redpolls in one flock SW of 2nd car park 0900, c60 identified as Mealy Redpoll (Bob Watts).
• Richmond Park: Short-eared Owl - again hunting over bracken/grassland E of Lower Pen Pond 15.40-50 when it flew off to another part of the Park. Best viewed from end of Pen Pond causeway. Little Egret flew to reedbed of Upper Pen Pond at 15.45, later chased off by Grey Heron (J.Wilczur, T. Howard).
• Brent Res: adult Med Gull from main hide, drake Pintail in North Marsh, Brambling briefly & Little Owl on dump (Andrew Self, Roy Beddard & Andrew Verrall).
• Kensington Gardens: ad Mediterranean Gull (German-ringed) at 13:00hrs at least (Birdguides).
• Ilford: pr Blackcap (ELBF).
• Grays (Southend Road): 4 Blackcap (ELBF).
• Holmethorpe SP's: 2w Mediterranean Gull briefly (SBC).
• Islington: 2 Firecrest in willows along New River Walk again at mid-day (Birdguides).
• Ashtead: Firecrest late morning; take track on right of electrical station at east end of Craddocks Avenue and view holly bushes on right after c50m (Birdguides).
• Banstead Downs GC: Firecrest this afternoon at start of wooden path Birdguides).
• Island Barn Res: fem Red-breasted Merganser (SBC)
• Paddington Green: Peregrine 13:45hrs, 18 Herring Gull, Stock Dove, Grey Wagtail, 2 Pied Wagtail, 11 Goldfinch (Des McKenzie, Nick Tanner).
• East India Dock: 4 Little Grebe (Paul Hyland).
• Mayesbrook Park: 2 Little Egret, 15 Herring Gull, 4 Little Grebe, 12 Gadwall, 2 Shoveler, 15 Pochard, Jay, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker, 2 Redwing, 2 Chiffchaff, Goldcrest (Paul and Jack Hawkins).
• Ingrebourne Valley: 3 Woodcock, 5 Water Rail, 4 redpoll spp, 6 Goldcrest, Bittern seen at 7.43am, 30 Yellowhammer, 100+ Reed Bunting, Tree Sparrow on the Farm Trail, Bullfinch, 19 Ring-necked Parakeets, Peregrine, 4 Redwing, 2 Grey Wagtail, Stonechat and 30 Stock Doves (Dave Morrison).
• Trent Park: 5 Goosander (4f,m), Brambling (f), Tufted Duck (m), 4 Goldcrest (Pete Lowman).
• Tyttenhanger: 61 Cormorant on Main Pit (HertsBirders).
• Chafford Hundred (Warren Gorge): 25 Mallard, 14 Shoveler, Pochard, 15 Tufted Duck, 2 Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, 16 Cormorant, 3 Grey Heron, 18 Moorhen, 22 Coot, 60 Black-headed Gull, Kingfisher, 2 Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, Grey Wagtail, 6 Wren, 3 Dunnock, 8 Robin, 11 Blackbird, 5 Fieldfare, Song Thrush, 10 Redwing, fem Blackcap, 2 Goldcrest, 8 Long-tailed Tit, 16 Blue Tit, 12 Great Tit, 42 Magpie, 8 Chaffinch, 3 Greenfinch, 20 Goldfinch, 2 Siskin, 16 Linnet, 32 Lesser Redpoll, 2 Jay (ELBF).
• Chafford Hundred (Lion Gorge): 21 Coot, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, Meadow Pipit, 15 Blackbird, 7 Redwing, 16 Long-tailed Tit, 12 Blue Tit, 6 Great Tit, Goldcrest, 5 Jackdaw, 7 Magpie, 7 Linnet (ELBF).
• Chafford Hundred (Drake Road): 87 House Sparrow (ELBF).

Friday 5th December

• Staines Res: Great Northern Diver still present (Birdguides).
• Richmond Park: Dartford Warbler x3 in bracken surrounding grassland 100-400m S of Pen Ponds car park, 2 other birds seen in last few days at Pond Slade & Lawn Field (J. Wilczur, S. Holdsworth & T. Howard).
• Rainham Marshes: Serin still midway along the river wall; fem Goosander west, Short-eared Owl (Birdguides).
• Abney Park Cemetery: 3 Firecrests, 1 Chiffchaff, 20 Long-tailed Tits, 25 Chaffinches, 10 Goldcrests, 4 Stock Doves (Mark Pearson Hackney Wildlife).
• Dagenham: Mistle Thrush singing briefly by Central Park at 6.45 am (Vince Halley-Frame).
• Willesden Lane NW6: 2 Grey Wagtail (Des McKenzie).
• Leyton Flats: 22 Shoveler, Stonechat, 25 Lesser Redpoll, 3 Goldcrest (Gary A James).
• East India Dock Basin: Great Spotted Woodpecker, imm Sparrowhawk, 5 Little Grebes. (David Callahan)
• Stoke Newington area - Abney Park: 2 Firecrests. Clissold Park: 3 Shoveler (2m, f) (PC, NV, TB, GJ TeRNS).
• Hyde Park/Kensington Gardens: ad Mediterranean Gull (German-ringed) showed well at Round Pond 13:30hrs at least; 7 Egyptian Goose, 8 Shoveler, Tawny Owl showed well at day-roost, Skylark over, Meadow Pipit over, Grey Wagtail, Chiffchaff - following species rung: Canada Goose (1); Tufted Duck (2), Coot (2); Black-headed Gull (3); Starling (2) (Des McKenzie, Roy Sanderson).
• London Wetland Centre: 3 abietinus Chiffchaff; also 2 Sparrowhawk, m Kestrel, m Peregrine, Kingfisher, 7 Skylark over, 1+ Rock Pipit, Water Pipit, fem Stonechat, 3 Fieldfare west, Brambling SW with 14 Chaffinch, 20 Goldfinch, 10 Siskin (LWC website).
• Whitewebbs Wood, Enfield: 4 (1m,3f) Great Spotted Woodpecker; 1 female Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, feeding in Hornbeams and Oak, 13:15-13:25 GMT; 8 Goldcrest; 1 Nuthatch; 1 Coal Tit; 2 Lesser Redpoll, in Birches; 1 Bullfinch (Robert Callf).
• Amwell GP's: 2 Smew (m and redhead), 2 Goosander on Great Hardmead Lake from the viewpoint, Mediterranean Gull (Birdguides).
• Trent Park: 4 Goosander (m)(Lower Lake), 5 Ring Necked Parakeet, 2 Goldcrest,2 Common Gull.(Pete Lowman).
• Brent Res: Little Owl showed superbly around perimeter of bund East Marsh from 1510-1600, also 4 Fieldfare (Bob Watts, Andrew Self).

Thursday 4th December

• Beddington SF: 1w Caspian Gull, 2 Long-eared Owl; fem Peregrine, 2 Yellow-legged Gull (ad/3w), 2 Chiffchaff (Dip or Glory).
• Stoke Newington Reservoirs: ad Great Black-backed Gull, Kingfisher, plus the usuals (Mark Pearson Hackney Wildlife).
• Amwell GP's: Mediterranean Gull in roost (Birdguides).
• Hyde Park/Kensington Gardens: ad Mediterranean Gull (German-ringed) showing well at Round Pond 11:40hrs; 2 Egyptian Goose, 2pr Gadwall, 24 Mallard, 8 Shoveler, Tawny Owl at day-roost briefly before being mobbed by parakeets and Jays, 2-3 Redwing, Nuthatch, singing Goldfinch (Des McKenzie).
• Trent Park Area: 1 male Shoveler, Lower Lake; 1 fem/imm Goosander, Lower Lake; 1 Sparrowhawk, at Park Farm; 1 Common Buzzard, at Vicarage Farm; 1 fem Kestrel; 1 Kingfisher, perched, Lower Lake; 1 male Great Spotted Woodpecker; 18 Fieldfare, at South Lodge Farm; 11 Redwing, at South Lodge Farm; 1 Mistle Thrush, at South Lodge Farm; 1 Grey Wagtail, at Park Farm; 1 Pied Wagtail, at Park Farm; 21 Goldcrest; 4 Treecreeper; 3 Coal Tit; 1 female Bullfinch, at Park Farm (Robert Callf).
• Lakeside, N14: 2 Goldcrest (Robert Callf).
• East India Dock Basin/Leamouth: Yellow-legged Gull, 4 Redshanks, Common Sandpiper, imm Sparrowhawk, 220 Teal, 7 Canada Geese. (David Callahan)
• Wandle Creek Area (lunchtime): 32 species including 5 Gadwall, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Kingfisher (Michael F).
• Clapton Common: (1500) 40 BH Gulls, 25 Mallards, 12 Common Gulls, 5 Moorhen, 6 Coot, 21 Greylags; no sign of Med Gull (but usually present before 1400) (Mark Pearson).
• Walthamstow Reservoirs: (20 mins around entrance before dusk) 4 Kingfishers, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrests, Green Sandpiper (Mark Pearson).
• Brent Reservoir: 25 Snipe, male Pintail, Little Owl this eve (first since 1964), Chiffchaff (Roy Beddard)

Wednesday 3rd December

• Esher: Red Kite over c08:20hrs (SBC).
• Hampstead Heath: second-winter Ring-billed Gull on Hampstead No.2 Pond 11:30hrs-12:15hrs at least but becoming mobile (Birdguides).
• Thorndon CP: 60 'redpoll', mostly Mealy Redpoll (ELBF) - no sign of Arctic Redpoll today.
• Rainham Marshes: Serin; 300 Greylag Goose, 160 Canada Goose, 400 Wigeon, 130 Gadwall, 220 Teal, 22 Pintail, 127 Shoveler, Water Rail, 88 Golden Plover, 2 Grey Plover, 11 Great Black-backed Gull, 600 Lapwing, 47 Common Snipe, 15 Black-tailed Godwit, 105 Redshank, 2 Kingfisher, 6 Rock Pipit, 2 Water Pipit, 8 Stonechat, 30 Blackbird, 5 Fieldfare, 21 Song Thrush, 30 Redwing, 3 Cetti's Warbler, Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, 2 Bearded Tit, Corn Bunting (ELBF).
• Richmond Park: Short-eared Owl again - disturbed from roost at 15.15, hunted over Lawn Field 16.05-15. Please keep to perimeter of Field, enough disturbance from dog-walkers, joggers etc. No sign of yesterday's Red Kite (JW).
• Beddington SF: fem Peregrine, 3 Long-eared Owl (no directions), ad Yellow-legged Gull (Dip or Glory).
• Queen Elizabeth II Res: fem Red-breasted Merganser late p.m., Peregrine (SBC).
• Mill Hill NW7: Woodcock landed on patio this morning (Steve Blake) SHOCKED!!!
• Stoke Newington Reservoirs: 2 Chiffchaffs, 205 Coot, 28 Common Pochard, c35 Goldfinches, 4 Goldcrests, 12 Greylags (Mark Pearson & Tony Butler Hackney Wildlife).
• Hyde Park/Kensington Gardens: German-ringed ad Mediterranean Gull at Round Pond 10:10hrs at least but mobile, no sign of recent Brent Goose; 259 Greylag Goose, 2 Egyptian Goose, 5 Gadwall, 11 Shoveler, 8 Pochard, 99 Coot, 54 Common Gull, 2 Stock Dove, Tawny Owl showing well at day-roost, Green Woodpecker, Meadow Pipit on Parade Ground, Grey Wagtail, 3 Pied Wagtail, 7 Fieldfare west, 3 Redwing on site, 2 Siskin west (Des McKenzie).
• River Thames, Tower Bridge: Rock Pipit flew upriver @ 12:10pm (John Archer).
• East India Dock area (a.m.): 1W Black Redstart (copse), Water Rail (west reedbed), 2 Goldcrests (Bow Creek Ecology Park), 2 Yellow-legged Gulls (in front of Dome), 250+ Teal, 5 Little Grebes, 15 Moorhens. (David Callahan)
• South Norwood Country Park: Stonechat (f) (Steven Robinson).
• Walton Res: 15 Goosander (SBC).
• London Wetland Centre: 2 Sparrowhawk (fem took Goldfinch), m Peregrine, 6 Common Snipe flew off the reserve and headed south, Skylark east, 4 Fieldfare north, 2 Redwing, 35 Long Tailed Tit, 8 Chiffchaff, 10 Goldcrest, 11 Siskin (LWC website).
• Connaught Water (Epping Forest): 14 Mandarin, Red-crested Pochard, 2 Grey Heron, Kingfisher, Nuthatch (ELBF).
• Mardyke Valley-Stifford Davy Down: 6 Mute Swan, 7 Wigeon, 10 Teal, 33 Mallard, 4 Little Grebe, 2 Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, 20 Moorhen, 7 Ring-necked Parakeet, 4 Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, Meadow Pipit, 15 Wren, 12 Dunnock, 18 Blackbird, 19 Fieldfare, 2 Song Thrush, 3 Redwing, Chiffchaff, 9 Goldcrest, 28 Blue Tit, 29 Long-tailed Tit, 9 Great Tit, 5 Jay, 16 Jackdaw, 14 Chaffinch, Greenfinch, 32 Goldfinch, Bullfinch (ELBF).
• Abney Park Cemetery: 3 (poss 4) Firecrests, together (1 male singing briefly), eastern end of Yew Walk by the bench near the SE perimeter, to 1540 at least (Mark Pearson Hackney Wildlife).
• Banstead Downs GC: Firecrest (SBC).
• Holyfield Lake (LVRP): Wigeon, Gadwall, Pochard, Goldeneye, 3 Goosander, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Water Rail, Green Wodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Goldcrest, Long-tailed Tits, Treecreeper, Siskin (ELBF).
• South Norwood Lake: 2 Mute Swan, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Little Grebe, 18 Cormorant, 12 Tufted Duck, 60 Black-headed Gull, 3 Common Gull, 2 Goldcrest, 2 Mistle Thrush, 4 Redwing, 8 Long-tailed Tit, 17 Ring-necked Parakeet, 1 House Sparrow, 5 Jay (John Watson).
• Brent Res: Adult Med Gull back after 2 week absence, Tawny Owl hooting from ivy-covered trees, 16 Snipe (Andrew Verrall).
• Lavender Hill Cemetery, Enfield: 1 Chiffchaff; 1 Goldcrest (Robert Callf).
• Whitewebbs Wood and Forty Hall, Enfield: 2 Green Woodpecker; 4 Great Spotted Woodpecker; 14 Goldcrest; 2 Nuthatch; 2 Treecreeper; 1 Song Thrush; 1 female Bullfinch (Robert Callf).
• Regents Park: 1f Firecrest feeding in the Avenue Gardens in Lime trees 8.30am, 1 juv male Peregrine over at 8.20am, 8 Redwings (Tony Duckett).
• Trent Park: Goosander (f) (lower lake), Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (Animal Sanctuary trees), 5 Ring Necked Parakeet (Church Wood), 2 Common Gull (Lime Avenue) (Pete Lowman).

Tuesday 2nd December

• Staines Res: Great Northern Diver (SBC).
• Rainham Marshes: Merlin, 100 Black-tailed Godwit, Kingfisher, 2 Water Pipit, 45 Chaffinch, 60 Greenfinch, 60 Goldfinch, 45 Linnet, 45 Chaffinch, Kingfisher (ELBF).
• Isle of Dogs: regular adult Ring-billed Gull c100yds NE of Glenaffric Avenue slipway at low tide mid-morning (London Birders yahoo group).
• Bloomsbury: probable Raven seen in plane trees with Carrion Crows a.m. (direct size comparison made, heavy bill and wedge-shaped tail noted), flew off west (John Edgington per DMc).
• Thorndon CP: ad m Arctic Redpoll (exilipes) again with large mixed flock of 400+ redpoll 07:40hrs (Birdguides).
• Amwell GP's: redhead Smew on pool just north of Hardmead Lock this afternoon (Birdguides).
• Nazeing GP: 1w Mediterranean Gull (HertsBirders yahoo group).
• Cheshunt GP: 7 Goosander over, 2 Cetti's Warbler; also, pr Red-crested Pochard, Peregrine (HertsBirders yahoo group).
• London Wetland Centre: m Pintail, m Peregrine, 2 Tawny Owl calling at dusk near the entrance lake, fem Lesser Spotted Woodpecker in trees along the sheltered lagoon, fem Stonechat, 5 Chiffchaff, 10 Goldcrest - 10 around the reserve (LWC website).
• Bowyers Water: 252 Wigeon, 150 Gadwall (HertsBirders yahoo group).
• Holyfield Marsh GP: 275 Gadwall, 'few' Ruddy Duck, 955 Coot (HertsBirders yahoo group).
• Beddington SF: fem Peregrine, 3 Long-eared Owl (Dip or Glory).
• Richmond Park: Short-eared Owl hunting Lawn Field (grassland E of Lower Pen Pond); 15.40-16.00; present for 6th day. NB: Park vehicle gates close at 16.00, pedestrian gates open until 20.00. Please view from edge of field. Also Red Kite appeared to drop into adjacent Spankers Hill Wood at 16.15 (Jan Wilczur et al).
• Brent Res: 89 Ring-necked Parakeets flying SW to roost (Andrew Self).
• Sydenham Hill Woods: Firecrest (Dave Clark).
• Banstead Downs GC: 1 female Firecrest showing very well 16:50 c80 metres along the wooded footpath (David Campbell).
• Tyttenhanger GP's: Water Rail, 11 Snipe, 63 Cormorant (Steve B).
• Mudchute Farm: 5 Redwing, 4 Goldcrests, 10 Monk Parakeets, Sparrowhawk taking a Starling in mid-air. (David Callahan)
• Trent Park Area: 1 Sparrowhawk; 1 Common Buzzard; 1 fem Kestrel; 1 Kingfisher, perched, Lower Lake; 1 Green Woodpecker; 5 Great Spotted Woodpecker; 44 Fieldfare, (1 Vicarage Farm, 18 Parkside Farm, 25 South Lodge Farm); 2 Song Thrush, at Parkside Farm; 2 Redwing,(1 Vicarage Farm, 1 South Lodge Farm); 1 Mistle Thrush, at Parkside Farm; 17 Goldcrest; 2 Nuthatch; 5 Treecreeper; 1 Coal Tit; 1 Redpoll, Williams Wood; 25 Goldfinch, at Vicarage Farm; 5 Bullfinch,(2, male & female, Vicarage Farm, 3, 2 males, 1 female, by Lower Lake) (Robert Callf).
• Southgate, N14: 2 Fieldfare, flew W, calling, 09:15 GMT (Robert Callf).
• Osterley Park: Common Buzzard 1, Common Teal 3 (Keith Fisher).
• Clapton Common: Ad Med Gull again (PR per MJP)
• East India Dock: 4 Little Grebe, Grey Wagtail, 100+ Teal (Richard Harrison).
• Donkey Lane Plantation (Warley): c10 Redwing, Coal Tit, several Siskin heard (Des McKenzie).
• South Norwood Lake: 2 Mute Swan, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 12 Tufted Duck, 14 Cormorant, 50 Black-headed Gull, 2 Common Gull, 12 Redwing, 1 Song Thrush, 20 Goldfinch, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Nuthatch, 8 Ring-necked Parakeet, 8 Long-tailed Tit, 4 Jay, 2 Goldcrest, (John Watson).
• Queen Elizabeth II Res: Peregrine (SBC).

Monday 1st December

• Staines Res: Great Northern Diver still on South Basin this a.m. (Birdguides).
• Rainham Marshes: 2 ad Caspian Gulls, Dartford Warbler (new bird), 2 Bearded Tit; also 11 Ringed Plover, 126 Golden Plover, 3 Grey Plover, 512 Dunlin, 98 Black-tailed Godwit, 112 Redshank, 2 Rock Pipit, Water Pipit, 150 Linnet, 4 Corn Bunting (ELBF).
• Thorndon CP: ad m Arctic Redpoll (exilipes) with c400 Mealy Redpoll at c11:00hrs (very pale grey and white with a touch of pale pink on upper breast. White rump tinged pale pink. Upper flanks lightly streaked grey, clean white on rear flanks. Undertail coverts unmarked white, wing and tail feathers edged white. Prominent white greater-covert bar and narrow white lesser-covert bar. Buff tinge on throat and ear-coverts. Bill stubbier than 'Mealies' present; a possible fem Arctic is also present but wasn't conclusively identified); from Lion Gate use second car-park and walk SW, in birches; also a possible female Arctic Redpoll (EssexBirders yahoo group).
• Beddington SF: ad Yellow-legged Gull, 2 Long-eared Owl no directions (Dip or Glory).
• William Girling Res: 20 Black-necked Grebe (no general access here), couple of Little Egrets (HertsBirding)..
• East India Dock Basin: 4 Little Grebes, Goldcrest, c60 Teal, pair Kestrel (David Callahan, Gary A. James). Afternoon visit: 6 Little Grebe, c140 Teal, Water Rail (showed well preening in the open at front of western reedbed for 5 minutes), Chiffchaff, 8+ Long-tailed Tit and a Magpie carrying nesting material (Nick Tanner).
• Bow Creek Ecology Park: 30 Redshank in high tide roost, Chiffchaff, Firecrest (vocal but elusive, frequenting scrub on eastern side by main pond) (Nick Tanner).
• Ingrebourne Valley: Woodcock, Firecrest (ELBF).
• Laleham Park: 12 Redwing (David Combes).
• London Wetland Centre: Meadow Pipit SE, 2 Fieldfare NW, 2 Redwing NW, 6 Chiffchaff (including one pale and brown individual resembling abietinus), 6 Siskin (LWC website).
• Queen Elizabeth II Res: fem Red-breasted Merganser, Peregrine (SBC).
• South Norwood Lake: 2 Mute Swan, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 16 Cormorant, 15 Tufted Duck, 100+ Black-headed Gull, 3 Common Gull, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Nuthatch, 2 Song Thrush, 3 Redwing over, 2 Pied Wagtail, 12 Long-tailed Tit, 9 Ring-necked Parakeet (John Watson).
• Stoke Newington (Abney Park): 1 Tawny Owl (H, dusk). (TeRNS).

Archived News

• News November 2008
• News October 2008
• News September 2008
• News August 2008
• News July 2008
• News June 2008
• News May 2008
• NewsApr2008
• NewsMar2008
• NewsFeb2008
• NewsJan2008
• NewsDec2007
• NewsNov2007
• NewsOct2007
• NewsSept2007
• NewsAug2007
• NewsJuly2007
• NewsJune 2007
• NewsMay2007
• NewsApr2007
• NewsMar2007
• NewsFeb2007
• NewsJan2007
• NewsDec2006
• NewsNov2006
• NewsOctober2006
• NewsSept2006
• NewsAug2006
• NewsJuly 2006
• NewsJune2006
• NewsMay2006
• NewsApr2006
• NewsMar2006
• NewsFeb2006
• NewsJan2006
• NewsDec2005
• NewsNov2005