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Revision as of 10:30, 12 August 2009 by David.campbell (Talk | contribs)


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. Note that records submitted here may be added to the LNHS database for use in the London Bird Report; by posting your news here you are agreeing to have your records copied by the LNHS recorders.

Wednesday 12th August

  • Beddington SF: 5 Black-tailed Godwits flew north then turned east (JA KJM)
  • Alexandra Park: Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Chiffchaffs, 4+ Blackcap, 3+ Whitethroat Cricket Scrub but clearout of willow warblers, also 2 Chiffchaff W G Res (Bob Watts), Whitethroat Top Field (Dominic Mitchell), 15 House Martins over The Grove and 1 Willow Warbler in sizeable Tit flock (Gareth Richards).
  • Paddington Green: c30 House Martin south (Des McKenzie).

Tuesday 11th August

  • Island Barn Res: fm/imm Marsh Harrier drifted low west 1352-1355 (DMH).
  • Wanstead Flats: Wood Sandpiper flushed from south side of Alexandra Lake at 5:50am, flew low east but could not be refound anywhere on the margins. Patch tick for me (basically any wader is a patch tick), well pleased. Also Kestrel, calling Tawny Owl, 24 Jackdaws, 5 Jays (J Lethbridge).
  • Bush Wood, Wanstead: m Hobby calling (J Lethbridge).
  • Alexandra Park: Juvenile Cuckoo (still with some down on hindneck) in sycamore and on ground Deer Enclosure towards Blanford near 'Do Not Feed Deer' sign until 0855, Spotted Flycatcher & Garden Warbler, Ring-necked Parakeet, several phylloscs Top Field but no sign of yesterday's Wood Warbler (Gaz Richards, David Callahan); Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Willow Warblers, Chiffchaff, 2 Whitethroats, R N Parakeet Cricket Scrub, Willow Warbler south end Cricket Pitch, Chiffchaff W G Res (Bob Watts); Cuckoo seen again in area between enclosure and rose garden at 8.55 (John Murray per Gaz Richards); Cuckoo again flushed from ground in clearing at Blandford Hall 1210 (Bob Watts).
  • Brent Res: Little Egret 09.15 & 11.30 North Marsh (hiding in river channel), Snipe, Green Sand, 12 Common Sands, 3 Lapwings, Male Banded Demoiselle by hide (Leo Batten, Roy Beddard, Andrew Verrall). Little Egret still present at 16.00 (Andrew Self)
  • Trent Park: 1 Kingfisher, perched, Lower Lake (Robert Callf).
  • Vicarage Farm, Enfield: 1 Little Owl; 1 Willow Warbler (Robert Callf).
  • Cross Ness: 4 Black Terns (2 adults, 2 juvs) off Thamesview Golf Centre mid-morning; also a juvenile Mediterranean Gull, near-adult Yellow-legged Gull, 3 Dunlin, several Common Sandpipers (Richard Bonser).
  • Tyttenhanger GP's: Greenshank, Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, Grey Wagtail, 12 LBB Gulls, 5 Herring Gull (inc 3 juv), 3 Buzzard. (Steve B).
  • RSPB Rainham Marshes: Marsh Harrier (Steven Robinson).
  • Abney Park Cemetery: 6 Willow Warblers, 3 Blackcaps, 2 Tawny Owls, c25 Long-tailed Tits, 4 Sparrowhawks (family, together near nest), 5 Coal Tits (Mark Pearson, Laurence Pitcher, Tony Butler Hackney Wildlife)
  • Clissold Park: skywatch - 45 House Martins SW, 25 Swifts SW and 15 loitering; 2 Willow Warblers, 2 Little Grebes (MJP)
  • Stoke Newington Reservoirs (west): Common Sandpiper, 8 Common Terns, singing Chiffchaff (MJP)
  • Horsenden Hill: 1 Wheatear around 'The Plough' 6.45-7.15pm at least (Andy Culshaw, David Howdon).

Monday 10th August

  • William Girling Res. (from Mansfield Park): 14 Black Terns (flock dropped in at 1900 after rain), 21 Black-necked Grebes. Flood Relief Channel (Russell Rd): 22 Green Sandpipers, 10 Little Egret, 9 Grey Heron. (Paul Cook)
  • Brent Res: 1 Little Egret ((still present N Marsh), 3 Lapwing, 2 Green Sandp, 9 Common Sand, 2 Garden Warbler, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Common Whitethroat, 6 Blackcap, 2 Reed Warbler, 7 Chiffchaff, 5 Willow Warbler, 50+ House Martin, 2 Sand Martin, 1 male Banded Demoiselle (scarce at this site), (Roy Beddard).
  • Alexandra Park: Wood Warbler NW corner of old football pitch just south of Boating Lake, also Willow Warbler & Whitethroat, 3 Chiffchaffs nearby (John Murray). Garden Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Willow Warblers, 4 Chiffchaff, 2 Whitethroat, 5+ Blackcaps Cricket Scrub (Bob Watts, John Murray), 4 Willow Warblers, 5 Chiffchaffs by Wood Green Res (Bob Watts, John Murray), 3 Ring-necked Parakeets, Chiffchaff Grove, 2 Swallows over Obs (John Murray). Wood Warbler again by the deer enclosure late morning (R. Steed); no sign lunchtime, but several Willow Warblers and Chiffchaffs, Sparrowhawk, Common Tern (David Callahan). Wood Warbler again at 3pm by dear enclosure & then elusive (Birdguides). 2 Lesser Whitethroat late evening in the scrub (Bob Watts). Common Sand FB (Alan Gibson).
  • Rye Meads RSPB: two Garganey still present (Birdguides)
  • Abney Park Cemetery: 6 Willow Warblers, 2 Blackcaps, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Tawny Owls, 3 Coal Tits, c25 LT Tits, 7 Goldcrests (Mark Pearson, Laurence Pitcher & Tony Butler)
  • Beddington Farm: Greenshank, Common Buzzard and Snipe (+2 ad. Common Gull) (KJM)
  • Paddington Green: m Kestrel, local Herring Gull colony with 6 juvs (probably from 2 broods), Grey Wagtail, Willow Warbler with small Long-tailed Tit flock (c15), 10 Goldfinch (inc 6 juv); 5 Painted Lady, 15 Small White, Vapourer Moth - nearby a count of c25 Painted Lady on Buddlieh in the Little Venice area (Des McKenzie).
  • Trent Park: Spotted Flycatcher(juv), 25 Goldfinch, 3 Stock Dove, Sparrowhawk, Ring Necked Parakeet, 4 Chiffchaff plus Small White, Large White, Meadow Brown, Common Blue, G V White, Painted Lady, Gatekeeper. ( Pete Lowman)
  • Wanstead Flats: 5 Litte Grebe (3 ad, 2 juv), 161 Canada Geese, 2 Tufted Duck, 20+ Mallard, Cormorant over SE, 2 Herring Gull (1 juv + parent), 4 LBB, ~40 BH Gull, 4 Coot, 5 Moorhen, 4 Green Woodpecker (2 juv), 1 Great Spot, Stock Dove, juv Sparrowhawk heard, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Whitethroat, 2 Blackcap (1m 1f), 3 Chiffchaff, Robin, Song Thrush, 4 Mistle Thrush, 3 Blackbird, 4 Wren, 8 Mipit, 9 Skylark, Goldfinch, 3 Greenfinch, 2 Chaffinch, 25 Long-tailed Tits in 2 flocks, Blue Tits & Great Tits, 10+ Jackdaw, 6 Jay, 100+ Crow (J Lethbridge).
  • Stoke Newington Reservoirs: Willow Warbler, Blackcap, Coal Tit, Jersey Tiger (first record) (Mark Pearson Hackney Wildlife)
  • Heathrow: 60+Swifts feeding over a field next to A4 opposite Heathrow (DC)
  • East India Dock Basin / Bow Creek Eco Park: eclipse drake Gadwall, female Teal, Common Sandpiper, adult Yellow-legged Gull, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Chiffchaff, Red Underwing (Nick Tanner).
  • Mayesbrook Park: 2 Common Sandpiper, 20 Swift, 12 Sand Martin, 3 Williow Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, Reed Warbler, 3 juv Green Woodpecker, 2 Painted Lady.(Paul Hawkins)
  • Staines Res (late afternoon/evening): Turnstone flew S 16.15, 2 Black-tailed Godwits SE at18.20, 11 Common Sandpipers, Greenshank, 3 Dunlin over, juv Black Tern on N basin, 2 juv Arctic Terns on S, B-n Grebe seen by REI on N basin and 2 Hobbys hunting swifts late afternoon. (Dave Morris, Pete Naylor).

Sunday 9th August

  • Wanstead Flats am: 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Blackcap, 12 Whitethroat, 2 Little Owl, 1 Green Sandpiper flew off from edge of Alexandra Lake, 2 juv Crossbills south, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 juv Swallow west, 12 Swift South east (S. Fisher)
  • Clissold Park: Common Buzzard north around midday, c40 Swifts moving through (Laurence Pitcher per MJP)
  • Abney Park Cemetery: 4 Willow Warblers, 2 Blackcaps, c10 Swift, Silver-washed Fritillary (Laurence Pitcher & Tony Butler per MJP)
  • Stoke Newington West Reservoir (new river path): Spotted Flycatcher, Garden Warbler, 3 Blackcaps (Tony Butler per MJP)
  • Hampstead: 6-8 Swifts feeding high to W of Heath at 1830 (Sash Tusa)
  • Chiswick Eyot:2 Common Sandpiper along this stretch of river (Neil Anderson/Kathryn Bull)
  • Alexandra Park: Pied Flycatcher next to the racecourse behind the cricket scrub, Common Sandpiper (James Palmer). No sign of pied flycatcher or Common Sandpiper by 11am, but Garden warbler and Chiffchaff behind Cricket Scrub (J.Murray & A.Gardener).
  • Brent Res: Little Egret still in north marsh, also 10 Common Sands & 2 Green Sands (Brent Birders)
  • East India Dock: 17 Common Terns (west), Kingfisher, ad Yellow-legged Gull, fem Teal, 4 Reed Warblers, 3 Linnet, 2 Common Sandpipers, 7 GBB Gulls, 7 Common Gulls, Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Blackcaps (David Callahan).
  • Blackheath (private garden): Jersey Tiger Moth on Buddliea + 7 Painted Ladies + 8 volucella zonaria. Also Garden Warbler, Willow Warbler and 1 Swallow S. (many obs)
  • Oakwood Park, N14: 1 Pied Flycatcher, seen briefly in Oak, 10:08 BST and again in Ash, 10:32 - 10:35 BST (My first record for this site!); 1 Tawny Owl, calling, in evening; 5 Ring-necked Parakeet; 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker; 4(3 males, 1 fem/imm) Blackcap; 2 Willow Warbler; 3 Coal Tit (Robert Callf).
  • Crossness: Pied Flycatcher trapped and ringed this morning + 5 Garden Warblers (Roger Taylor et al per JA). Adult Black Tern and juv Med Gull off golf centre (RBA). Evening, 25 Gadwall, 25 Teal on Great Breach Lagoon. 1 Kestrel. 3 Common Sandpipers, 3 Lapwings, 1 Oystercatcher, 4 Great Crested Grebes, 8 Grey Herons, 15 Cormorants, 30+ Mallard, 10 Teal, 30+ Common Terns Thames Rivershore.(Patrick English).
  • Barking Outfall: Oystercatcher, 7 Common Sandpipers, 6 Common Terns, Yellow Wagtail over, Sparrowhawk, Little Egret and a family of Kestrels.(Dave Morrison)
  • Broadwater: Peregrine over 12.15, 5 Little Egret, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 ad Yellow-legged Gull, 3 Great Black-backed Gull, 2 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker and 77 Great Crested Grebe (Martin Sullivan).
  • Ruislip: Spotted Flycatcher with big tit and Phyllosc flock at Poor's Field (Martin Sullivan).
  • City of London Cemetery: 3 Sparrowhawk, inc 1 juv (J Lethbridge)
  • Staines Res: Ruff, three flew SW at 1912hrs, then two more arrived S basin at 2015hrs; also Shoveler 80, Common Scoter female still S basin, Ringed Plover through, Turnstone adult late morning, Little Gull 2CY through, Black Tern adult (Rob Innes, Franko Maroevic, Ken Purdey).

Saturday 8th August

  • over Hampstead 1930-2010hrs: a large very pale falcon circling with a crow. Its body was the same size as the crow, and appeared very heavy, and the wingspan appeared slightly less, with the wings pointed and very deep at the root. Against a dark cloud the bird appeared almost pure white underneath, with the upper wing and body cream, with some pale brown dashes. It was slightly darker under the relatively short, thick tail, but had no visible barring. The head appeared white, with no falcon "moustache", but a small black eye patch. The bird circled high in the area for at least 40 minutes, with relatively short rapid wing beats, and while being mobbed ineffectively by the crow. Any suggestions, anyone? (Sash Tusa)- what direction did it fly? Eventually lost sight to the South. [We've had this bird over Brent Res twice - it's an escape hybrid falcon. AS]
  • Stoke Newington Reservoirs: 6 Egyptian Goose (West res.), 2 Common Sandpiper, 3 Shoveler, Great Crested Grebe, Jay (East res.) (James Palmer) 4 Willow Warblers, Blackcap, c7 Reed Warblers, 18 Shoveler, plus the usuals (Mark Pearson, Laurence Pitcher)
  • Rainham RSPB: Juv Marsh Harrier (Birdguides).
  • Brent Res: Little Egret in north marsh, also 4 Green Sands, 4 Common Sands, 3 Lapwing, 13 Blackcaps, 9 Common Whitethroats, 9 Chiffchaffs, 6 Willow Warblers, 3 Reed Warblers, Sedge Warbler & Lesser Whitethroat (Brent Birders)
  • Tottenham Marshes: 5 Sedge warbler, 3 Whitethroat and 2 Chiffchaffs early morning (J.Murray).
  • Crossness: female Ruddy Shelduck still in Barking Bay, 2 juvenile Mediterranean Gulls (one off Thamesview Golf Centre, less advanced bird off outfall), Black-tailed Godwit, 27 Common Sandpipers (John Archer).
  • East India Dock: Garden Warbler, 8+ Reed Warblers (inc brood of 4), Whitethroat, 2 Blackcaps, 2 Oystercatchers, 2 Yellow-legged Gulls, 3 Common Sandpipers, House Sparrow, Common Gull, 5 GBB Gulls (David Callahan)
  • Abney Park Cemetery: 2 Tawny Owls, 2 Willow Warblers, Blackcap, Sparrowhawks around breeding site, Coal Tit, Purple Hairstreak, plus the usuals (Mark Pearson, Nick Tanner, Pete Lambert et al Hackney Wildlife)
  • Stoke Newington Station: Coal Tit (MJP)
  • Dagenham Chase LNR: 2 Greenshank on the slack briefly at 2.10pm, then flew off east. ( V.Halley-Frame ).
  • Wormwood Scrubs: 1 Kingfisher - 2nd ever record, 20+ Whitethroat & Willow Warbler. (Mathew Bournat)
  • Vicarage Farm, Enfield: 3 juv Kestrel, together; 1 Little Owl; 1 Lesser Whitethroat; 8 Common Whitethroat; 2 Garden Warbler; 4+ Blackcap; 1 Willow Warbler; 2 Bullfinch; 1 dead Weasel (Robert Callf).
  • Trent Park: 3(ad, 2'1st-winter') Lesser Whitethroat; 3 Common Whitethroat (Robert Callf).
  • Tyttenhanger GP's: Red Kte, Little Egret, Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, Egyptian Goose, Buzzard, 3 juv Little Grebe, 2 Kingfisher. (Steve Blake)
  • Kenwood: 1 Lesser-spotted woodpecker, 4 Green woodpecker, 2 Nuthatch, 1 Hobby (very high) heading north, possibly to Brent Reservoir? 1 Chiffchaff, Moorhen on eggs. (Michael Mac)
  • Malden Rushett (near Epsom), meadow next to Chessington World of Adventures: Clouded Yellow butterfly, many common butterlies, Whitethroat, Hornet (Philip Lowden).
  • Catford: Kestrel perched on top of Catford Library, 2 Hobbies seen here also on Wednesday this week (Philip Lowden).

Friday 7th August

  • Staines Res: White-winged Black Tern on north basin with Black Terns (via FJM). WWBT still present at midday. It is an adult (Ken Purdey per Rob Innes). WWBT still present 1330hrs, also 23 Black Terns, juv Arctic Tern, Black-necked Grebe (Pete Naylor per REI). WWBT, perhaps most likely a 3CY, till 1945hrs then flew very high out of sight with all 17 Black Terns present. Also juv B-n Grebe N basin, Common Scoter female S basin, two Dunlin -> S, juv Mediterranean Gull S basin late on (Staines birders).
  • Crossness: female Marsh Harrier at bottom of Great Breach Lagoon at 09:30, also 4 Black Terns off the Thamesview Golf Centre this morning (Birdguides)
  • Walthamstow Res, Lockwood 08:00-09:30: 15+ Common Sandpipers, 1 Dunlin, 1 Snipe, 6+ Little Egrets (Paul Whiteman); Black Tern on High and Low Maynard late afternoon (found by MJP) (David Callahan).
  • Alexandra Park: No sign Pied Fly Grove by 0735. Garden Warbler, 4 Willow Warblers, 4 Whitethroat, 2 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff Cricket Scrub; Spotted Flycatcher & Willow warbler near 2nd platform W G Res (John Murray & Bob Watts); 2 Kingfishers lunchtime (David Callahan) and at 6 p.m. (James Palmer).
  • East India Dock: eclipse drake Gadwall (not fem as previously stated), 2 ad Yellow-legged Gulls (inc Indiana), 2 Oystercatchers, 8 Common Terns (SE) (David Callahan).
  • Abney Park Cemetery: 2 Willow Warblers, 3 Blackcaps, 2 Coal Tits (Mark Pearson & Tony Butler Hackney Wildlife)
  • Oakwood Park, N14: 6 Ring-necked Parakeet; 7 Mistle Thrush, on Pitch & Putt Course (Robert Callf).
  • Brent Res: Hobby 10.10 caused 8 Swifts, 20+ House Martins to fly up high, 4 Common Sands (Andrew Verrall).
  • Westminster: 6 Common Terns flew west past House of Parliament at 12.50 and two more flew east at 13.03 (Andrew Self)
  • Stoke Newington Reservoirs: Garden Warbler, Common Whitethroat, 3 Willow Warblers, 1 Chiffchaff, c10 Reed Warblers, 3 Blackcaps, 3 Coal Tits, c30 Long-tailed Tits, 21 Shoveler, 6 Gadwall (Mark Pearson)
  • Allens Gardens, N16: Willow Warbler (MJP)
  • Beddington SF: 2 Whimbrel over, 1 Common Tern west, 2-5 Greenshanks, 1 Dunlin, 3 Ringed Plover, 1 Redshank, 18+ Green Sandpipers, c.10 Common Sandpipers, 1 Hobby, 7 Snipe (JA, FP, GP, KG etc)- 3 large raptors over yesterday together, mobbed by Peregrine, probably Marsh Harrier (RDW)
  • Tyttenhanger GP's: Sanderling, Black Tern, Little Tern, Mediterranean Gull (Juv), Redshank, 2 Green Sandpiper, 2 Common Sandpiper, White cheeked Pintail (esc). (Steve Blake)
  • Wormwood Scrubs: 3 Willow Warbler, 1 Stock Dove and the usuals this am. (David Lindo & Roy Nuttall)
  • Walthamstow Reservoirs (north side): juvenile Black Tern on High Maynard (film on site), 11 Common Sandpipers, 1 Green Sandpiper, c30 Common Terns (inc many juvs), 3 Kingfishers, 6+ Little Egrets (Mark Pearson & Ian Woodward northern rustic)
  • Hampstead Heath Extension: Grey Wagtail, Kingfisher, 3 young Garden Warblers. *Fairlop: 7 Green Sandpiper on gravel workings,1 Common Sandpiper,1 Common Tern main boating lake (Steve Bacon)

Thursday 6th August

  • Alexandra Park: Pied Flycatcher at the Grove this pm, also 3 Lapwing over low North, Swift, Willow Warbler, Nuthatch (John Murray & David Callahan). And again @ 1905 though elusive (Bob Watts).
  • Queen Mother Res: 54 Black Terns late morning and a juvenile Mediterranean Gull flew SE (Birdguides)
  • Rainham Marshes RSPB: Redstart 8am in woodland (HV).
  • Staines Res: 24 Black Terns (per FJM) still present late afternoon, also Common Scoter still on south res. (PN).
  • Queen Elizabeth Res: 8 Black Terns (per FJM).
  • Crossness: Black Tern, Med Gull (per RBA).
  • Highgate Wood: Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Great Spotted Woodpecker, juvenile Sparrowhawk being mobbed by Magpies and a Jay (James Palmer).
  • Hornsey: Common gull with about 30 Black headed gulls on the cricket pitches (James Palmer)
  • Wormwood Scrubs: adult Cuckoo - 2nd autumn record in 18 years & 1st ever autumn adult, Hobby, Sedge Warbler, Willow Warbler, c25 Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, c12 Blackcap, c10 Meadow Pipit, c120 Goldfinch & c6 Linnet. (David Lindo)
  • Alexandra Park: Willow warbler singing Cricket scrub, also 3 Chiffchaffs with mixed tit flock between platforms edge of W G Res (Bob Watts); lunchtime - juv Yellow Wagtail flushed from Wood Green Res verge to warehouse roof by Thames Water worker, but disappeared after a few minutes, plus juv Grey Wagtail, 140+ Black-headed Gulls, Common Gull, 2 Common Terns (David Callahan).
  • East India Dock: ad Yellow-legged Gull, 4 Common Terns (David Callahan).
  • Stoke Newington Reservoirs: Garden Warbler, 3 Willow Warblers (2 singers), c8 Reed Warblers (all in trees/scrub), 2 Blackcaps, 13 Shovelers (MJP)
  • Mayesbrook Park: 5+ Garden Warbler, Reed Warbler, 3 Willow Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff, Blackcap, 2 Common Gull, first morning with no swifts.(Paul Hawkins)
  • Vicarage Farm, Enfield: 1 Sparrowhawk; 3(Ad., 2 juvs) Little Owl; 2(ad., juv) Green Woodpecker; 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker; 3 Song Thrush, together, Allot; 1 Sedge Warbler, 'Barracks'(First of the year); 5+ Common Whitethroat (Robert Callf).
  • Trent Park: 1 Lesser Whitethroat; 1 Garden Warbler; 3 Common Whitethroat (Robert Callf).
  • beddington sf greenshank 1 also green sands and common DKC KJM.
  • Tyttenhanger GP's: Greenshank, Metiterranean Gull (juv), Marsh Harrier (f juv), 2 Green Sandpiper, 3 Common Sandpiper. Steve Blake/Steve Murray)
  • Wanstead Park (5-6.30am): Little Egret, 3 Grey Heron, 3 Sparrowhawk (2 juv), 2 Kingfisher (J Lethbridge).
  • Horsenden Hill: 2 Little Owl, 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Reed Warbler, 3 Willow Warbler, 15 Whitethroat, 12 Chiffchaff, 9 Blackcap, 80+ Goldfinch (Andy Culshaw).
  • Hampstead Heath (5pm to 6pm) 2 Hobby, 1 Common Tern, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Egyptian Geese with 3 juveniles + Great-crested Grebe on nest. (Michael Mac).
  • Hainault Lodge NR 1 Little Owl (Steve Bacon)

Wednesday 5th August

  • Alexandra Park: Hobby, Sparrowhawk (James Palmer)
  • Wormwood Scrubs: 1 Hobby briefly hunting over the grassland, c30 Swift, c20 Whitethroat, c10 Blackcap, 1 Willow Warbler, c6 Meadow Pipit, 3 Collared Dove & c120 Goldfinch. (David Lindo & Roy Nuttall)
  • Staines Res: Curlew Sandpiper (per FJM), partial summer-plumaged adult on west side of North Basin reported still present 12 noon (John Murray per Bob Watts); still present on E bank of N basin (Stanwell end) 1500hrs (John Gates, Ken Purdey, per Rob Innes). Common Scoter still south basin 15.40hrs (KLP).
  • Abney Park Cemetery: Tawny Owl (first sighting in a couple of months), Coal Tit, 3 Blackcaps, 3 Purple Hairstreaks (Mark Pearson & Laurence Pitcher).
  • East India Dock: female Gadwall (on island with Mallards), Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Oystercatchers (Dome), ad ("Indiana") and 2 x 1cy Yellow-legged Gulls (youngsters in front of the Dome), Common Sandpiper, 2 Reed Warblers, 8 House Sparrows (visible flycatching and squabbling above a Dome doorway from across the Thames!) - no terns at all this morning (David Callahan).
  • Oakwood Park, N14: 1 Sparrowhawk; 1 Ring-necked Parakeet; 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker; 2 Song Thrush; 2 Common Whitethroat; 1 Garden Warbler; 5+ Blackcap; 1 Nuthatch; 2 Coal Tit; 4 Purple Hairstreak (Robert Callf).
  • Tower Hamlets Cemetery: 80+ Swift just due west of this site with 50+ B H Gulls hawking ants over site (Bob Watts).
  • Fulham/Thames. Greenshank flew over approx 8am. (Michael F)
  • Lake Farm CP, Hayes:12 Whitethroats, 3 Willow Warbler, 2 Blackcaps and a Chiffchaff, 12 Swifts overhead with 40 Black-headed Gulls (flying ants); butterflies - 58 small/green-veined whites, 4 large whites, 8 Common Blues, 2 Peacocks, 12 Painted Ladies,39 Meadow Browns, 12 Gatekeepers and 2 Migrant Hawker dragonflies. (Peter Naylor).
  • Crossness: female Ruddy Shelduck, moulting juv Med Gull and near-ad Yellow-legged Gull all still off Golf Centre. 4 Willow Warblers around site (John Archer).
  • Stoke Newington Reservoirs: Lesser Whitethroat, Common Whitethroat (both first of autumn), Sedge Warbler, Garden Warbler, 3 Willow Warblers, 3 Blackcaps, c10 Reed Warblers, 11 Goldcrests (2 families), 10 Shoveler; c70 Black-headed Gulls and 30 Starlings hawking ants, c40 Swifts, Purple Hairstreak and many Painted Ladys amongst a large number of butterflies (Mark Pearson Hackney Wildlife)
  • Wanstead Park: 2 Little Egret on Heronry, plus Hobby over my garden (J Lethbridge).
  • Wanstead Flats: Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Whitethroat, 12 LTTits, 4 Jackdaw (J Lethbridge)
  • Tyttenhanger Gp's: 5 Common Sandpiper, 4 Green Sandpiper, Buzzard. (Steve B)
  • Epping Forest/Copped Hall Green: Hobby, 3 Green Woodpeckers, 3 Jays, Grey Heron, Song Thrush, Great Spotted Woodpecker, flock of Long-tailed Tits, Kestrel, House Martins, Swallows, and female Fallow Deer (Alan Hobson)
  • Trent Park: 1 Kingfisher, perched, near Merryhills Brook (Robert Callf).
  • Vicarage Farm, Enfield: 1 juv Little Owl (Robert Callf). *Fairlop:2 Common Sanpiper main boating lake,1 CommonTern,1 Common Sandpiper,1 Kingfisher small fishing lake(Steve Bacon)

Tuesday 4 August

  • Brent Res: Whimbrel flew over dam at 12.15, also Hobby chasing Swift (Andrew Self), from hide 4 Common Sand, 2 Lapwing,60+ Swifts.2 Green Sandp. N.Marsh (Andrew Verrall, Roy Beddard)
  • Crossness: 2 Sandwich Terns flew down the River Thames at 08:15, Med Gull (juv moulting to 1st winter), female Ruddy Shelduck, Yellow-legged Full (near-ad), 14 Common Sandpipers, 2 Curlew, 80 nLapwings, 12 Oystercatchers, 3 Redshank, 130+ Common Terns, 50 Teal, 17 Gadwall, 49 Shelduck, juv Stonechat, 50 Goldfinches, Sparrowhawk (John Archer).
  • Alexandra Park: no sign of Wood Warbler up till 09:10 am, but Garden Warbler by ramp 1, plus Lesser Whitethroat, Willow Warbler, Goldcrest, and 3 Chiffchaffs loosely associating with tit flocks, with 3 Common Terns and 37 Tufted Duck on the reservoir; Kingfisher reported by another observer (David Callahan).
  • Little Britain: (Cowley)1 Kingfisher,26 Canada Geese,100+ House Martins,2 Swallows,1 Heron,1 Common Gull flew over,7 Tufted Ducks,(Sue Giddens).
  • Dagenham Chase LNR: Common Sandpiper on the slack at 1.35pm. ( V.Halley-Frame ).
  • Stoke Newington Reservoirs: Spotted Flycatcher (with passerine flock along New River, just north of LWT garden, 1330), Coal Tit, 4 Willow Warblers, 1 Chiffchaff, 10 Shovelers, c12 Reed Warblers, c25 Long-tailed Tits, c30 Swifts (Mark Pearson Hackney Wildlife)
  • South Norwood CP: Hobby chasing Swift (Steven Robinson).
  • Walthamstow Res: 3 Dunlin, 6 Common Sandpiper, 6 Little Egret, 5 juvenile Shellduck, Male Sparrowhawk. (Michael Mac)
  • Brent Res.: c50+ Swifts & c50+ House Martins, c12 Gadwall, Common Terns, LBB & BH Gulls, Great Crested Grebe, inc. at least on on nest, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Kestrel. (Roger Dewey)
  • Parkside Farm/Res, Enfield: 1 Green Sandpiper, flushed, 13:09 BST (Robert Callf).
  • Park Farm, Enfield: 1 Whimbrel, heard calling only as it flew over, 13:37 BST (Robert Callf).
  • Trent Park: 3 Willow Warbler (Robert Callf).
  • Vicarage Farm, Enfield: 2 Little Owl; 2 juv Green Woodpecker, together; 1 Willow Warbler (Robert Callf).
  • Limehouse: 7.30pm 10-20 Swift moving south (Paul Hyland), then 100+ between 8 and 8.04pm - definite big movement(PH)
  • Clissold Park: 6 Willow Warblers, 2 Little Grebes, 7 RR Parakeets, c20 Swifts (Mark Pearson)
  • Staines Res (evening): 20 Whimbrel flew SSW at 1955hrs, also Greenshank, 10+ Common Sandpipers, three Hobbies and 20+ Shoveler (Rob Innes, Franko Maroevic, Oliver Metcalf).

Monday 3 August

  • Alexandra Park: Wood Warbler near 2nd platform by Wood Green Reservoir at 18:05 in willows with tit flock and showing well (Bob Watts). No further sign of Wood Warbler at 18:40 but Spotted Flycatcher (Bob Watts, Gaz Richards). Wood Warbler again 19:12 in oak with Long-tailed Tits briefly between 2nd and 3rd platforms by Wood Green Reservoir (John Murray).Also Lesser Whitethroat Cricket Scrub (John Murray) and 2 Willow Warbler & 2 Chiffchaff in with tit flock.
  • Wormwood Scrubs: 2 Hobby, 1 Tree Pipit over, 6 Sand Martin, 1 Sedge Warbler, c4 Willow Warbler, 1 Collared Dove (scarce here), 1 Stock Dove, 1 Jackdaw, c30 Whitethroat, c18 Blackcap, c10 Chiffchaff, c8 Meadow Pipit, c250 Goldfinch, c300 Starling & c 5 Linnet. (David Lindo)
  • Vicarage Road, Woodford Bridge: family of Green Woodpeckers, juvenile safely fledged (Alan Hobson)
  • East India Dock Basin NR: 3 Arctic Terns west at 08.40, then high over Canary Wharf,Little Egret (over), Oystercatcher, Common Sandpiper, 3 Swift, 2 Garden Warbler (copse). (Gary A James).
  • Vicarage Farm, Enfield: 2 Kestrel, together; 2 Little Owl; 1 Skylark; 11+ Common Whitethroat; 2 Willow Warbler, together (Robert Callf & Robin White).
  • Fulham (Thames) 7:50am. Yellow Legged Gull, Kingfisher flying upstream. (Michael F)
  • Tower Hamlets Cemetery: Female Kestrel, 2 Swifts, Green Woodpecker heard (sounded like a juvenile) (Bob Watts).
  • Clissold Park: 2 Garden Warblers (both feeding on elderberries on Runtsmere island), 5 Willow Warblers (most with passerine flock in NW corner), Reed Warbler (in scrub by one o'clock club), 3 Goldcrests, Little Grebe, c30 Swifts (Mark Pearson Hackney Wildlife)
  • Abney Park Cemetery: 3 Willow Warblers, 1 Coal Tit, 2 Blackcaps (Mark Pearson)
  • Stoke Newington Reservoirs: Common Sandpiper (West Res), 3 Willow Warblers, 4 Shovelers (East Res) (Mark Pearson, Tony Butler, Paul Cook)
  • Kew Bridge. Hobby over and heading downstream at 5:45pm. (Michael F)
  • Thorney Park: 1 Greenfinch,6 Common Terns 1Juv,3 Pochards,1 Scaup,2 Gt C Grebes 1Juv.(Sue Giddens)

Sunday 2 August

  • West Molesey: 3 (at least) Common Sandpiper flew west over my house into the Molesey Reservoirs complex at 22:00. (Adam Cheeseman)
  • Brent Res: 4 Common Sands, 2 LRP, 3 Lapwing, 7 Willow Warblers & juv Water Rail (Brent Birders)
  • Wormwood Scrubs: 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Willow Warbler,5 Sand Martin + c22 Whitethroat, 1 Lesser Whitethroat & c250 Goldfinch. (David Lindo)
  • Hampstead Heath: Cuckoo at Parliament Hill@ 0740, Common Sand on raft at Highgate Ponds,50+ Swifts over fishing lake, 2 Willow Warblers, 6 Chiffs, Hobby ( Pete Mantle)
  • East India Dock Basin NR; 1 Sandwich Tern (1w) west at 09.25,Little Egret, 1 Garden Warbler feeding on elderberries (copse), 3 Common Sandpiper(dock), Yellow-legged Gull, Sand Martin, Blackcap. (Gary A James); GW and YLG stll present 17:00 to 18:30, plus another YL Gull and an Oystercatcher in front of Dome, 2 adult sum Sandwich Terns and 12 Common Terns west, and a very conservative estimate of 580 Black-headed Gulls and an adult Common Gull around the area at low tide, mostly distributed on the River Lea mud in many stages of moult (David Callahan).
  • Crossness: 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 3 Common Sandpipers, 10 Lapwings, 40 Common Terns, 27 Teal, 5 Shelduck, 1 juv. Mediterranean Gull. (Patrick English)
  • Abney Park Cemetery: 2 Willow Warblers, Reed Warbler (unusual, 2nd or 3rd site record), 2 Coal Tits, 4 Blackcaps (Mark Pearson & Laurence Pitcher Hackney Wildlife)
  • Clissold Park: skywatch 1145-1400 - ad Common Gull north, 7 Sand Martins west, 2 House Martins, c20 Swifts; also several well-grown Common Pochard young on Beckmere (MJP, LP)
  • Regent's Park: drake Garganey still present, 3 Crossbills W at 6.25am, 4 Garden Warblers, 1 C Whitethroat, 3 Blackcaps, 3 Willow Warblers, 1 Chiffchaff, 1f Sparrowhawk, 18 Goldfinches of interest 5 Tree Lichen Beauties yesterday and 1 Migrant Hawker today (Tony Duckett).
  • Alexandra Park: 4+ Willow Warblers (2+ Cricket Scrub, 1 opp Conservation Pond, 1 in tit flock along edge W G Res), pair Greylag on far bank W G Res found earlier by Andrew Gardener, 1 Swift (Bob Watts).
  • Ingrebourne Valley: 5 Black Tailed Godwits on the viewing area @5.20(Shaun Harvey)
  • Rainham Marshes: 5 Whimbrel, 3 Black Tailed Godwit, 1 Green Sand, 2 Common Sand, 4 Sandwich Terns West, 1 Oystercatcher + usuals. Also 2 Clouded Yellow (Stuart Darbyshire)
  • Staines Res: Marsh Harrier drifted W at 1845-1855hrs. Also Common Scoter female still S basin, seven Black-tailed Godwits 1815-1835hrs. KGVI Res: Caspian Gull, near-adult again seen, this time on SW bank with up to 55 Yellow-legged Gulls. Also drake Scaup still (flightless, in full wing moult), Goldeneye, six Dunlin, Turnstone two flew S at 1040hrs (Rob Innes, Dave Morris, Ken Purdey).
  • London Wetland Centre, Barnes (pm): At least 3 Common Sand present, juv. Hobby on grazing marsh (again), 1 Black-tailed Godwit dropped in at 15.35 but flew off NNE at 15.42 (Martin Honey).

Saturday 1 August

  • Barnes Wetland Centre: Purple Heron on grazing marsh (Birdguides), also 3 Wood Sands (via FJM) juvenile Purple Heron still present to 3.00 pm, also 1+ Garganey, 2 juv Hobbies (NPS & many other observers); Heron, Wood Sands and 2 Garganey all showing from Peacock Tower to 1730hrs at least (Jonathan Dean), & AM - 2 Common Sands, 1 Green Sand, pr Goldcrest, Sedge and Reed Warblers (Martin Honey/Angus Innes)and (per Terry Wright) Blackcap and Chiffchaff. Also 3 Green Sands flew south over site, calling, at 06.47 (Martin Honey).
  • Brent Res: Wood Sandpiper from main hide, also 2 LRP, 3 Lapwing & 3 Common Sands, plus Green Sand in north marsh (Brent Birders)
  • Willows Farm Pool: 4 Green Sandpiper, Egyptian Goose (juv), 19 Greylag Geese. (Steve B)
  • Hainault forest CP: Yellow Wagtail on verge by entrance track @11am.(Paul Hawkins)
  • Staines Moor: Dartford Warbler, Tree Pipit, Willow Warbler, Hobby & Peregrine. Nearby Oystercatcher & 8 Lapwing at Staines Res, with Common Scoter reported by others (J.Murray & J.Murray Snr).
  • Vauxhall Thames Path: 1 Common Sand (Stuart Darbyshire)
  • Wandsworth Common Ponds: 1 female Tufted Duck with 22 (medium ducklings) 2 female Tufted Duck with 17 (small ducklngs) joint brood. + Pair Egyptians with 3 full size juveniles (Michael Mac)
  • Crossness: female Ruddy Shelduck again in Barking Bay this morning, moulting juv Med Gull off Golf Centre, 2 Yellow-legged Gulls (ad + near-ad), 140 Common Terns, Curlew, Green Sandpiper, 14 Common Sandpipers, Redshank, 50 Lapwings, 4 Oystercatchers, 3 Teal, 9 Gadwall, 70 Shelduck, Stonechat, Little Egret (John Archer, Kev Jarvis).
  • Stoke Newington Reservoirs: Garden Warbler, 3/4 Willow Warblers (one in song), Common Sandpiper (West Res) - all firsts for autumn; 1 Shoveler, c50 Swifts, eve (Mark Pearson & Tony Butler Hackney Wildlife)
  • Priory Green estate, Kings Cross: 2 Willow Warblers (Mark Pearson)
  • Osterley Park: 1 Buzzard, 3 Gadwall (Keith Fisher)
  • East Creekmouth/Dagenham Dock: Ruddy Shelduck (presumably after it was in Barking Bay, above), 5 Common Sandpipers, 4 Oystercatchers, Common Terns, 5 Grey Herons, dozens of Shelducks (including juveniles), 2 Great Black-backed Gulls (Alan Hobson)


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