LatestNews

From Londonbirders

Revision as of 14:25, 12 December 2009

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 London Natural History Society 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.

Saturday 12th December

• Staines Moor: 1w BROWN SHRIKE early AM (63rd day); park at south end of Hithermoor Road, Stanwell Moor and take concrete footpath south by KGVI Reservoir fence, fork right through kissing gate and across boardwalk to the bridge to view (footpath extremely wet and muddy, a lot of the moor is flooded, wellies best). Please do not cross the river or disturb the bird in its favoured feeding area (Birdguides)
• Brent Res: drake Mandarin at 08.35, also 65 Pochard & 30 Snipe (Andrew Self & Andrew Verrall)
• East India Dock Basin / Bow Creek: 2 Little Grebe, 267 Teal, 4 Redshank (Nick Tanner).
• Paddington Green: c40 Herring Gull in the area (Des McKenzie).
• Lee Valley (Fishers Green - Grebe Hide): F Goldeneye, F Goosander (Mike Benyon)
• Wetland Centre: Red Kite flew west late morning (Birdguides)

Friday 11th December

• Staines Moor: 1w BROWN SHRIKE early AM (62nd day) (Birdguides)
• Rainham Marshes: probable Azorean Yellow-legged Gull in Aveley Bay then flew west 10:20hrs (Birdguides).
• Bedfords Park: Firecrest (BirdGuides)
• Crossness: Water Pipit still by incinerator outfall p.m. (Birdguides).
• East India Dock Basin/Bow Creek Eco Park: 3 Little Grebe, c185 Teal, 3 Redshank, Common Sandpiper, 2 Song Thrush, 2 Chiffchaff, 12 Linnet, 9 Reed Bunting (Mark Pearson, Nick Tanner).
• Greenwich: m & f Peregrine roosting on waterfront building (Mark Pearson, Nick Tanner).
• Harold Hill: Firecrest on Chestnut Crescent (BirdGuides)
• Isle of Dogs: Sparrowhawk, Ring-necked Parakeet (rare here), 21 Monk Parakeet, Coal Tit (Mark Pearson, Nick Tanner).
• London Wetland Centre: Shelduck, 40 Wigeon, 111 Teal, Kestrel, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, 3 Reed Bunting (LWC website).
• Paddington Green: ad fem Sparrowhawk unsuccessfully attacked Starling flock, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, c130 Starling, 6-8 Goldfinch (Des McKenzie).
• Rotherhithe: drake Gadwall on Greenland Dock late a'noon (my first site record!) (Richard Bonser).
• South Norwood Lake: 9 Cormorant, 30+ Black-headed Gull, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1 Common Gull,c10 Long-tailed Tit,Ring-necked Parakeet, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Nuthatch, c20 Goldfinch, 1 House Sparrow (John Watson)
• St James's Park: 3 Egyptian Geese and a Ring-necked Parakeet (Andrew Self)
• Tower Hamlets Cemetery: Pair RNParakeets in flight 1315 (first since summer)but again no sign of Firecrests (Bob Watts).
• Vauxhall nr Sainsbury's: 1 Ring-necked Parakeet first time one seen over here, 2 Goldfinch (Michael Mac).

Thursday 10th December

• Staines Moor: 1w BROWN SHRIKE early AM (61st day); Also 5 Greylag Goose SW, 3 Water Pipit, 2 Little Grebe, 1 Little Egret, 4 Common Pheasant, c1500+ Black-headed Gull, 15 Redwing, 20 Teal. Also a fox looking for breakfast (Nigel Sluman)
• Amwell GP: Bittern, Smew, Red-crested Pochard (Birdguides).
• Broadwater Farm GP: Smew; pair present early afternoon favouring the end near the Sailing Club. Also 1 redhead Goosander, 6+ Chiffchaff and c15 Goldeneye (Bill Haines).
• Queen Elizabeth II Res: Great Northern Diver late afternoon, Redshank & Peregrine (feeding on a female Shoveler) (DMH).
• Rainham Marshes: Marsh Harrier, 3 Corn Bunting (Birdguides).
• Alexandra Park: f Shoveler (Conservation Pond), Kingfisher, 7 Pochard, 2 Gadwall, LBB Gull, Common Gull, 4 Great Spotted Woodpecker (Mike Benyon).
• Beddington SF: Chiffchaff, 10 Redpoll (Dip or Glory).
• Brixton: Painted Lady trying to sun itself on my office wall (Steven Robinson).
• Burgess Park: Mediterranean Gull (ad) on boating lake (Richard Bonser).
• Fulham Sands End: f Kestrel hunting in & around supermarket car park, perching on lamp-posts (Nathalie Mahieu).
• Richmond Park: Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (male) showing very well, plus Gt Spotted & Green Woodpecker, Treecreeper, Nuthatch, Coal Tit, Goldcrest, Mistle Thrush, Sparrowhawk (over) + usuals. All in woodland c300m south of Roehampton Gate from path following stream. (Stuart Darbyshire)
• Roding Valley Country Park: Blackcap (male), Kingfisher, Long-tailed Tit, flock of a dozen Goldfinches (Alan Hobson).
• Stoke Newington Reservoirs: 4 Reed Buntings at the feeders, plus the usuals; group of at least 4 Redwings dropped out of the sky and into the LWT garden well after dusk (lit by the office light), with several others heard en route home (Mark Pearson Hackney Wildlife)
• Tyttenhanger GPs: Peregrine Falcon, Goldeneye, 6 Snipe, 11 Fieldfare, 28 Common Gull (Steve Blake).
• Wanstead Park: f Firecrest (JL, SF, PW).
• Walton Res: 11 Goosander roosted (DMH).

Wednesday 9th December

• Staines Moor: 1w BROWN SHRIKE 10:45hrs at least (60th day); park at south end of Hithermoor Road, Stanwell Moor and take concrete footpath south by KGVI Reservoir fence, fork right through kissing gate and across boardwalk to the bridge to view (footpath extremely wet and muddy, a lot of the moor is flooded, wellies best). Please do not cross the river or disturb the bird in its favoured feeding area (Birdguides).
• Amwell GPs: Great Northern Diver briefly before flying over King's Meads towards Hertford 11:40hrs (Birdguides)
• Queen Mother Res (permit access): Slavonian Grebe (Birdguides).
• Rainham Marshes: m Marsh Harrier, 1y Caspian Gull; 9 Mute Swan, 250 Greylag Goose, 120 Canada Goose, 700 Wigeon, 400 Teal, 9 Pintail, 7 Pochard inc bird with blue-green nasal saddle, 11 Tufted Duck, 3 Little Egret, Sparrowhawk, 3 Kestrel, 2 Peregrine, 160 Golden Plover, 1300 Lapwing, 5 Common Snipe, ad Mediterranean Gull, 1y Yellow-legged Gull, 13 Rock Pipit, 2 Water Pipit, 2 Grey Wagtail, 8 Pied Wagtail, 7 Stonechat, 11 Blackbird, 3 Song Thrush, 11 Redwing, 8 Cetti's Warblers, m Blackcap, Chiffchaff, 13 Long-tailed Tit, Brambling (ELBF).
• Avenue Gardens (by Alexandra Palace Station): Coal Tit, Goldcrest, 4 Mistle Thrush (Mike Benyon).
• Banstead Downs Golf Course: 1+ Firecrest still 16:07 along the wooded footpath near post 1, c.350 metres or so along the wooded footpath. Access via Burdon Lane (DKC).
• Bedfords Park: Woodcock, 12 Redwing, Firecrest, Coal Tit, 2 Nuthatch, Coal Tit (ELBF).
• Boxers Lake (Enfield): 1 female Blackcap, 6 Shoveler, 5 Tufted duck, 6 Redwing, 1 Grey wagtail (Ian Woodward); 2 (ad, 1 imm) Grey Heron; 7 (2 ad, 5 imm) Mute Swan; 9 (4 ad male, 2 imm male, 3 female) Shoveler; 3 (ad, 2 '1st-winter') Common Gull; 1 Grey Wagtail (Robert Callf).
• Brent Reservoir: 41 Common Snipe, 14 Wigeon, plus the usual suspects (Andrew Haynes).
• Claybury Park: Redpolls (flock of around 25, inc. a male still in breeding plumage), Sparrowhawk, 5 Green Woodpeckers, 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Song Thrush, 4 Mistle Thrushes, flock of Redwings, Grey Heron, Long-tailed Tit, half a dozen Jays (Alan Hobson).
• Crayford Marsh: Water Pipit, Little Egret, c90 Fieldfare, 5 Redwing, c350 Dunlin, 60 Redshank, 18 Ringed Plovers, 25 Linnets, 6 Wigeon, 10 Teal (Kev Jarvis).
• Harold Hill (Paines Brook): Grey Wagtail, 2 Lesser Redpoll (ELBF).
• Harold Wood Park: 6 Lesser Redpoll (ELBF).
• London Wetland Centre: Shelduck, 40 Wigeon, Kestrel, Water Pipit, 8 Redwing NW, 3 Chiffchaff, 5 Reed Bunting, 6 Lesser Redpoll (LWC website).
• Lonsdale Drive EN2 (Enfield): 3 (2 males, 1 female) Blackcap, together, feeding in Ivy, 12:25-13:00 GMT; 1 male Great Spotted Woodpecker; 2 Goldcrest; 1 Coal Tit (Robert Callf).
• Paddington Recreation Ground: 7 Redwing, Coal Tit (Des McKenzie).
• Regent's Park: 56 Mandarin Duck, 52 Red-crested Pochard, 16 Shoveler, 4 Gadwall, 152 Tufted Duck, 116 Pochard, 1 hybrid aythya (pic on www.regentsparkbirds.blogspot.com), Tawny Owl, 2 Water Rails, 94 Redwing, 4 Fieldfare (Tony Duckett).
• Ruislip Lido: 2 Smew (1 male, 1 redhead), 28 Redpoll in Birch trees on willow lawn (Tim Clark).
• Thames Barrier: ad Mediterranean Gull on the shore from Thames Barrier Park (Birdguides).
• Trent Park: Woodcock (Williams Wood), Fieldfare (s), Redwing (s), 2 Pochard (m), 2 Tufted Duck (f), 2 Siskin, 3 GS Woodpecker, 4 Goldcrest, Nuthatch, 2 Treecreeper...plus common regulars (Pete Lowman/Robin White).
• Walthamstow Reservoirs (all south side): 4 Water Rails (1 No3, 1 ditch below West Warwick, 2 East Warwick), 2 Siskins, 2 Kingfishers, c30 Redwing, 23 Little Grebes (all res), 3 Grey Wags, 2 Great Black-backed Gull, slightly odd adult argentatus-type Herring Gull (ill, West Warwick - photos on site a little later), Green Sandpiper (No 5) (Mark Pearson http://northernrustic.blogspot.com).
• Woodford Green: Firecrest (ELBF).
• Burgess Park: 2 Egyptian Geese (Richard Bonser).

Tuesday 8th December

• Staines Moor: 1w BROWN SHRIKE still a.m. (59th day); 2 Water Pipit (Birdguides).
• King George VI Res (permit only): 6 Great Northern Divers this afternoon (Pete Naylor, Ken Purdey).
• London Wetland Centre: Bittern showing well on the Sheltered Lagoon from the main path (Birdguides); Shelduck, Kestrel, 2 Stonechat, 2 Pied Wagtail, 2 singing Cetti's Warbler, 4 Chiffchaff (LWC website).
• Rainham Marshes: m Marsh Harrier, 2 Serin, 200 Greylag Goose, 600 Wigeon, 400 Teal, 10 Pintail, 2 Peregrine, 140 Golden Plover, 1200 Lapwing, 22 Curlew, 60 Common Snipe, 30 House Sparrow, 75 Greenfinch, 55 Goldfinch (ELBF); Short-eared Owl over the west side viewed from the south side of the Thames 14:25hrs (Birdguides).
• William Girling Res: 8 Black-necked Grebe still; permit only, non-permit holders can view from Mansfield Park accessed from Valleyside (Birdguides).
• Alexandra Park (WG Reservoir and surrounding area): Kingfisher, 4m 1f Pochard, Common Gull, LBB Gull, Herring Gull, 2 Song Thrush, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker, Lots of Green-Gold-Chaff-inches (Mike Benyon); Water Rail Conservation Pond showing well from main path at back 1545 (Bob Watts).
• Barking Bay: 36 Shelduck, 1 Goldeneye (male), 2 Curlew, 5 Lapwing, 2 Black Redstart, 1 Stonechat, c200 Linnet, 30 Goldfinches, 1 Skylark (Ian Woodward).
• Beddington SF: fem Goosander, 2 ad Yellow-legged Gull, 9 Redpoll (Dip or Glory).
• Bedfords Park: 3 Firecrest, 2 Goldcrest, 35 Great Tits, 20 Redwing, Goldfinch (ELBF).
• Belvedere: 2 Black Redstart by the large green shed opposite the factory this p.m. (Birdguides).
• Creekmouth: 6 Shelduck, 1 Chiffchaff (Ian Woodward).
• Epping Forest, Hatch Forest, Woodford: Sparrowhawk, 2 Grey Wagtail, Song Thrush, 8 Redwing, 5 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Green Woodpecker, Chiffchaff, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch (ELBF).
• Greenwich Peninsula: 2 ad Yellow-legged Gulls on Thames shore by O2, Chiffchaff by David Beckham Football Academy, 21 Grey Herons (Sean Huggins).
• East India Dock Basin NR: 106 Teal, 20 Tufted Duck, Chiffchaff, Gt Spotted Woodpecker, Collared Dove, 2 Long-tailed Tits (Gary A James).
• Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens (brief visit): Emperor Goose (esc), 4 Egyptain Goose, 5 Gadwall, 11 Shoveler, 8 Red-crested Pochard, 3 Little Grebe, fem Sparrowhawk, Water Rail (calling from Temple Gate reeds), ad Yellow-legged Gull, 5 Stock Dove, Tawny Owl showing well at day-roost, c40 Long-tailed Tit, 8-10 Chaffinch, 3 Goldfinch http://hpkg.blogspot.com (Des McKenzie).
• Little Britain Lake: 1 Little Grebe, 16 Wigeon, 40+ Gadwall, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker (Nigel Sluman).
• Perivale Wood: 1 Firecrest - showing well in holly at end of Gilbert White path and Peckers Path (David Howdon).
• St. James' Park: pr Gadwall, 8 Shoveler, 2 Little Grebe (1 trilling) (Des McKenzie).
• Potter's Field (next to City Hall): 1 Chiffchaff poss. abietinus (possibly for 10 days, not seen, nor looked for in between) (Paul Whiteman).
• Saxon Lake (near Heathrow): 15+ Redwing, Song Thrush, Gt S Woodpecker, Jay, 7 R N Parakeet flew over (Sue Giddens).
• Stoke Newington Reservoirs: presumed hybrid drake Ring-necked Duck x Tufted Duck still, 37 Shoveler, Chiffchaff in LWT garden, 2 Reed Buntings at feeding station (inc. ringed male) (Mark Pearson Hackney Wildlife); 3 Water Rail, ad Yellow-legged Gull on East Res late p.m., Cetti's Warbler calling by observation platform at dusk (MJP).
• Town Park (Enfield): 9 (5 males, 4 females) Pochard; 25 (20 males, 5 females) Tufted Duck; 3 Mistle Thrush, including one singing male; 1 singing male Goldcrest (Robert Callf).
• Wandle Delta Creek: male Pintail (first of winter), male Gadwall, 1 Egyptian Goose, c10 Tufted Duck, 5 Species of gull, 3 Great Crested Grebe (Michael F).
• Bushy Park (east side): 3 Chiffchaff, 10 Song Thrush, 1 Grey Wagtail, plus usual stuff (Roger Unite).
• Brunel University, Uxbridge: 4 Redpoll (2 Lesser, the other 2 flew before I could get positve id), 2 pair Bullfinch, 10 RN Parakeet, 2 Fieldfare, 12+ Redwing and several Goldcrest. All seen in the Bicentenary Garden (Steve Pash)
• Roding Valley Country Park: Kingfisher, Song Thrushes [x 2], LT Tit, Herring Gull, LBB Gull, Common Gull, BH Gull (Alan Hobson).

Monday 7th December

• Banbury Reservoir: fem/imm Red-breasted Merganser present late a.m. (Birdguides).
• Beddington SF: ad Caspian Gull; also 2 ad Yellow-legged Gull (Birdguides).
• Rainham Marshes: fem/1w Serin still present; also 3 Yellow-legged Gulls (2ad/1w), no sign of Snow Bunting (Birdguides), 500 Wigeon, 3 Peregrine, 140 Golden Plover, 10 Pintail, 2 Kingfisher, m Wigeon x Pintail (ELBF).
• London Wetland Centre: Shelduck, Water Pipit, 3 Cetti's Warbler (SBC).
• Highams Park Lake: 1 Little egret (flying over), 19 Gadwall, 17 Pochard, 9 Tufted duck, 1 Little grebe, 1 Great-crested grebe, 2 Nuthatch, 3 Treecreeper, 1 Coal tit (Ian Woodward).
• Rotherhithe: 2 Ring-necked Parakeets over Surrey Quays Shopping Centre (Richard Bonser).
• Stockwell/Inner London: 5+ House Sparrows (silent) bush in back garden (Michael Mac).
• Stoke Newington Reservoirs: Cetti's Warbler still by observation platform intermittently throughout; also female Greater Scaup x Tufted Duck hybrid still (Mark Pearson Hackney Wildlife).
• Woodford Green: Firecrest again on ivy in a private garden this a.m. (Birdguides).

Sunday 6th December

• Staines Moor: 1w BROWN SHRIKE to 15:30hrs at least when falconer's Peregrine X Gyrfalcon was seen over shrike's favoured area for several minutes (57th day); park at south end of Hithermoor Road, Stanwell Moor and take concrete footpath south by KGVI Reservoir fence, fork right through kissing gate and across boardwalk to the bridge to view (footpath extremely wet and muddy, a lot of the moor is flooded, wellies best. Please do not cross the river or disturb the bird in its favoured feeding area (Birdguides).
• Amwell (Lee Valley): Bittern, 14 Little Egrets roosted (Birdguides); 5 Common Buzzard, Marsh Tit (ELBF).
• Rainham Marshes: 2 Short-eared Owl over the old lagoon and tip this p.m., fem/1w Serin briefly early p.m. from viewing mound but elusive (Birdguides) 2 Short-eared Owl, m Marsh Harrier, Snow Bunting; Common Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrel, Peregrine, 30 Ring-Necked Parakeet, 2 Rock Pipit, 3 Meadow Pipit, 2 Skylark, 3 Reed Bunting, 2 Cetti`s Warbler, 150 Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, 50 Golden Plover, 600 Lapwing, 2 Common Snipe, Water Rail, 18 Shoveler, 363 Wigeon, 375 Teal, 46 Gadwall, 24 Shelduck, 10 Pintail, 72 Canada Goose, 276 Greylags, Curlew, Yellow-Legged Gull, Barn Owl (ELBF).
• Ruislip Lido: 2 (1m) Smew late p.m. and showing well TQ087894 (Birdguides).
• Staines Res: 2 fem Scaup (Birdguides).
• Beddington SF: 3 Water Pipit (Birdguides), Stonechat, 3 Redpoll, 10 Green Sandpiper, Common Snipe, Little Egret, Peregrine (Dip or Glory).
• Cummings Hall Farm Reservoir (Noak Hill): 22 Mandarin, 3 Great Crested Grebe (ELBF).
• Epping Forest (Strawberry Hill Ponds to Loughton Camp): Firecrest; 9 Mandarin, fem Sparrowhawk, Coal Tit (ELBF).
• Hogsmill Open Space (Ewell): Little Egret (SBC).
• Ingrebourne Valley: 21 m Cetti's Warbler; Kingfisher, 3 Bullfinch, 6 Wigeon, 6 Lapwing, , 8 Water Rail, 10 Stock Dove, Redwing, Fieldfare, 2 Kestrel, Sparrowhawk (ELBF).
• London Wetland Centre: Shelduck, 38 Wigeon, 80 Teal, 7 Common Snipe, Water Pipit, 6 Redwing west, 3 Cetti's Warbler, 4 Lesser Redpoll (LWC website).
• Stoke Newington Res: m (presumed) Ring-necked Duck X Tufted Duck still this p.m. (Birdguides).
• Woodford Bridge: Yellow-legged Gull (ELBF).

Saturday 5th December

• Staines Moor: 1w BROWN SHRIKE (56th day); park at south end of Hithermoor Road, Stanwell Moor and take concrete footpath south by KGVI Reservoir fence, fork right through kissing gate and across boardwalk to the bridge to view (footpath extremely wet and muddy, a lot of the moor is flooded, wellies best. Please do not cross the river or disturb the bird in its favoured feeding area; Red Kite over late a.m., 2 Green Sandpiper, ad Mediterranean Gull early p.m., Water Pipit (Birdguides).
• Alexandra Park: 10 Lesser Redpolls, 5+ Siskin Scrub/Lower Slopes, 2 Fieldfare, 20+ Redwing, pair Shoveler Boating Lake (Stuart Harrington, Bob watts, Andrew Gardener).
• Beddington SF: Mealy Redpoll with 15 Lesser Redpolls (Birdguides), Peregrine (Dip or Glory).
• King George VI Res (permit access): 5 juv Great Northern Diver (Birdguides).
• Rainham Marshes: 1y Caspian Gull, 2 fem Serin also 1y Mediterranean Gull, 12 Yellow-legged Gull (ELBF).
• Staines Res: 1w fem Scaup on the South Basin (Birdguides).
• William Girling Res: 13 Black-necked Grebe, 1w Mediterranean Gull (Birdguides).
• Bedfords Park: 3 Firecrest, Goldcrest, 20 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Coal Tit, 2 Nuthatch, 2 Treecreeper (ELBF).
• Belvedere: Black Redstart by the River Thames near large green shed opposite the Tilda factory 13:00hrs (Birdguides).
• Burgess Park: adult Mediterranean Gull still on the lake early a'noon (Richard Bonser).
• Claybury Park: Firecrest, Nuthatch, 2 Treecreepers, Sparrowhawk, Green Woodpecker, 5 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Redwing, Song Thrush, 4 Jays, 5 flocks of Long-tailed Tits, Common Gull, Bullfinch, LBB Gull (ELBF).
• Crossness: Water Pipit with 2 Rock Pipits by the main sewage outfall (Birdguides).
• Grange Waters (South Ockenden): 10 Fieldfare, 70 Lapwing, 8 Wigeon, 214 Tufted Duck, 51 Gadwall, 40 Pochard, 541 Coot, 10 Great Crested Grebe, 8 Shoveler, 4 Ring Necked Parakeet, Peregrine, 46 Skylark, 2 Yellowhammer, Common Snipe (ELBF).
• Harrow on the Hill: 2 Firecrest in ivy along Peterborough Road, just northeast of Football Lane at TQ155875 (Birdguides/Andy Culshaw).
• King's Wood: Kestrel, 5 Red-legged Partridge, Pheasant, 19 Fieldfare, 43 Redwing, 4+ Marsh Tit (CroydonBirders).
• London Wetland Centre: Shelduck, 34 Wigeon, 10 Redwing, 2 Cetti's Warbler, alba Wagtail (LWC website).
• Rotherhithe: 2 drake Shoveler Southwark Park, 2+ Ring-necked Parakeets. c.70 Tufted Duck Surrey Water (Richard Bonser).
• Wanstead Park: 3 Little Grebe, 1 GC Grebe, 4 Cormorant, 2 Grey Heron, 8 Mute Swan, 13 Gadwall, 10+ Mallard, 12 Pochard, 28 Tufted Duck, Goldeneye, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, lots of Moorhen & Coot, 2 Common Gull, 2 LBB Gull, 156 Black-headed Gull, 40+ Wood Pigeon, 2 RN Parakeet, 2 GS Woodpecker, 3 Green Woodpecker, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, 8 Wren, 7 Dunnock (in the same hedge!), 20+ Robin, 17 Blackbird, 6 Redwing, Song Thrush, 2 Mistle Thrush, 2 Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, 3 Firecrest, 50+ Long-tailed Tit in 3 flocks, 1 Coal Tit, innumerable Blue & Great Tit, 6 Chaffinch, 9 Greenfinch, 2 Goldfinch, 25 Starling, 1 Jay, 10+ Magpie, 3 Jackdaw, 20+ Crow (J. Lethbridge).
• Stockwell/Inner London: 2 Herons flew over calling 17:15 (Michael Mac).
• Trent Park: 2 Firecrest, together, feeding in Holly & Rhododendrons, Williams Wood; 6 Goldcrest; 1 Ad male Sparrowhawk, Camlet Hill; 5 Great Spotted Woodpecker; 5 Nuthatch; 5 Treecreeper; 2 Lesser Redpoll, feeding in Birch, Williams Wood; 1 Weasel, Narure Trail (Robert Callf).
• Ferny Hill Farm, Enfield: 40+ Yellowhammer; 1 male Muntjac (Robert Callf).
• Vicarage Farm, Enfield: 5 Ring-necked Parakeet, flew over; 12 Linnet, Barracks; 1 female Bullfinch, Sidhil's Field (Robert Callf0.

Friday 4th December

• Staines Moor: 1w BROWN SHRIKE this p.m. (55th day); park at south end of Hithermoor Road, Stanwell Moor and take concrete footpath south by KGVI Reservoir fence, fork right through kissing gate and across boardwalk to the bridge to view (footpath extremely wet and muddy, a lot of the moor is flooded, wellies best. Please do not cross the river or disturb the bird in its favoured feeding area (Birdguides).
• London Wetland Centre: Water Pipit, 2 Mealy Redpoll (Birdguides).
• Osterley Park: tristris type Chiffchaff - very grey and white, obvious green edgings to primaries, no calls; Blackcap 1, Common Buzzard 2, Stonechat 1, Nuthatch 2, Coal Tit 2, Gadwall 25+, Fieldfare 2, Redwing c30, Little Owl 1 (Keith Fisher).
• Rainham Marshes: female/1st-winter Serin still c.200m west of the small car park by the tip this morning (Birdguides)
• Crayford Marsh: Cetti's Warbler, 3 Little Egrets, Curlew, c80 Fieldfare, 18 Redwings, 4 Stonechats, c30 Linnets (Kev Jarvis).
• Dulwich Park: 25 Fieldfare, 3 Lesser Redpoll, 30+ Redwing, 2 Mandarin, 2 GS Woodpecker, 4 Nuthatch, 3 Little Grebe (Dave Clark).
• Greenland Dock (Rotherhithe): 2 Little Grebe, 7+ Common Gull, usual others (Philip Lowden).
• Kilburn High Road: 2 Grey Wagtail on rooftops (Des McKenzie).
• Middlesex FBs: Cetti's Warbler still calling from bed with fish sculptures this a.m.; also Little Egret on old River Lea just below where the flood relief channel joins (Birdguides).
• Tower Hamlets Cemetery: still 2 Firecrest (at least one male but both bright birds)in Monument Glade in holly & yew until 1250 at least (Philip Cliffe & Bob Watts).
• Tyttenhanger GPs: Green Sandpiper, 2 Snipe, 7 Fieldfare, 11 Redwing, Chiffchaff, 150+Lapwing, White cheeked Pintail (esc) (Steve Blake).
• Wanstead (my garden): f Blackcap, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets over SE, both garden ticks; also 7 Redwing (J Lethbridge).
• Regent's Park: 36 Egyptian Geese, 48 Red crested Pochards, 12 Shovelers, 2 Gadwall, 28 Mandarin Ducks, 3 Ruddy Duck, 128 Redwing, 2 Fieldfare, 1 Siskin, 1 Grey Wagtail (Tony Duckett)
• Vauxhall Sainsbury's Car Park: 1 adult Common Gull (Michael Mac).

Thursday 3rd December

• Staines Moor: 1w BROWN SHRIKE early a.m. (54th day); park at south end of Hithermoor Road, Stanwell Moor and take concrete footpath south by KGVI Reservoir fence, fork right through kissing gate and across boardwalk to the bridge to view (footpath extremely wet and muddy, a lot of the moor is flooded, wellies best. Please do not cross the river or disturb the bird in its favoured feeding area. Also Water/Meadow Pipit, 4 Little Egret, c2500 Black-headed Gull, 3 Shoveler, 36 Teal, 2 Common Pheasant, c75 Fieldfare/Redwing mix, Green Woodpecker (Nigel Sluman).
• Rainham Marshes: fem Serin a.m. with Goldfinch flock (Birdguides), 20 Golden Plover (ELBF).
• Banstead Heath: 3 Firecrest between posts 657 and 678 along the wooded footpath late p.m. (Birdguides).
• Beddington SF: ad Mediterranean Gull, 3 ad Yellow-legged Gull (Dip or Glory).
• Bedfords Park: 2 Firecrest; 15 Redwing, 2 Mistle Thrush, Goldcrest, 12 Long-tailed Tit, 20 Great Tit, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Lesser Redpoll (ELBF).
• Belhus Woods CP: 38 Wigeon, 23 Gadwall, 13 Teal, 55 Mallard, 24 Shoveler, 43 Pochard, 36 Tufted Duck, Kestrel, 150 Coot, 5 Green Woodpecker, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 110 Fieldfare, 130 Redwing, 13 Goldfinch, 8 Siskin, 4 Lesser Redpoll (ELBF).
• Fairlop: 45 Teal, 63 Mallard, 4 Shoveler, 7 Pochard, 47 Tufted Duck, 2 Little Grebe, 3 Cormorant, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, 55 Moorhen, 134 Coot, 39 Lapwing, Stock Dove, 4 Green Woodpecker, 2 Meadow Pipit, 12 Blackbird, 48 Fieldfare, 3 Song Thrush, 3 Redwing, 3 Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, 3 Wren, 2 Dunnock, 7 Robin, 11 Long-tailed Tit, 20 Blue Tit, 3 Great Tit, 8 Chaffinch, 3 Greenfinch, 6 Goldfinch (ELBF).
• Ferny Hill Farm, Enfield: 32 Stock Dove; 25+ Chaffinch; 40+ Yellowhammer (Robert Callf).
• Fulham Sands End (Thames by supermarket): 3 Pied Wagtail (2 juvs), 1 Grey Wagtail, 5 Common Gull, 1 Lesser Black-Backed Gull, c50 Black-headed Gull, 1 Dunnock (Nathalie Mahieu).
• Harold Hill (Sedgefield Crescent): Firecrest; Stock Dove, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Song Thrush, 6 Redwing, 2 Mistle Thrush, 15 Long-tailed Tit, Nuthatch (ELBF).
• Little Britain Lake: 8 Wigeon, 4 Jay, 2 Pied Wagtail, c30 Gadwall (Nigel Sluman)
• London Wetland Centre: Cetti's Warbler (Birdguides).
• South Norwood Lake: 2 Mute Swan, 16 Cormorant, 130 Black-headed Gull, 2 Common Gull, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1 Grey Heron, 20 Tufted Duck, 1 Collared Dove, 2 Nuthatch, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Jay (John Watson).
• Stoke Newington Reservoirs: Cetti's Warbler still in front of obs platform (22nd day), presumed drake Ring-necked Duck x Tufted Duck still, Water Rail, Coal Tit singing (Mark Pearson Hackney Wildlife).
• Trent Park: 2 Firecrest, together, Williams Wood, 12:32 GMT (although possibly another one or two present here); 2 Goldcrest, including one singing male, Williams Wood; 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker; 1 Grey Wagtail, Dew Pond; 6 Nuthatch; 3 Treecreeper (Robert Callf).
• Vicarage Farm, Enfield: 3 (1 male, 2 females) Great Spotted Woodpecker; 15 Lesser Redpoll, feeding in Birches, Sidhil's Field; 3(1m,2f) Bullfinch, together, Sidhil's Field; 2 Yellowhammer (Robert Callf).

Wednesday 2nd December

• Staines Moor: 1w BROWN SHRIKE still 11.00. (53rd day); park at south end of Hithermoor Road, Stanwell Moor and take concrete footpath south by KGVI Reservoir fence, fork right through kissing gate and across boardwalk to the bridge to view. Please do not cross the river or disturb the bird in its favoured feeding area.(Birdguides). Also at least 4 Little Egrets, 3 Water Pipits, 2 Egyptian Geese and 200+ Fieldfares (Roger Morton).
• Queen Elizabeth II Res: pr Red-breasted Merganser late p.m.; 4 Shelduck, 2 Peregrine (SBC).
• Rainham Marshes: fem Serin (ELBF).
• William Girling Res: Great Northern Diver still, 7+ Black-necked Grebe, 14 Great Crested Grebe, 40+ Tufted Duck (J Lethbridge).
• Alexandra Park: Pair of Gadwall; Kingfisher hovering over Wood Green Reservoir (I didn't realise that they hover) (James Palmer).
• Beddington SF: ad Yellow-legged Gull, Water Pipit, 2 Redpoll (Dip or Glory).
• Bedfords Park: 15 Redwing, 2 Mistle Thrush, 3 Song Thrush, Nuthatch, 2 Goldfinch (ELBF).
• Brent Reservoir: Green Sandpiper, 31 Snipe, Chiffchaff seen, 25+ Lesser Redpolls, 1 Siskin (Andrew Verrall).
• Chafford Hundred (Drake Road): 60 House Sparrow (ELBF).
• Chafford Hundred (Saffron Road): Woodcock (ELBF).
• Epping Forest (Strawberry Hill Pond): Firecrest; 15 Mandarin, Nuthatch, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Redwing, Sparrowhawk, Goldcrest (ELBF).
• Grays Chalk Pit: Firecrest; 2 Goldcrest, 10 Redwing, 14 Blackbird, 14 Robin, 7 Wren, 8 Greenfinch, 7 Chaffinch, Green Woodpecker, 10 Great Tit, 17 Blue Tit, 16 Long-tailed Tit, Sparrowhawk, Jay, 12 Magpie (ELBF).
• Grays (Lion Gorge): 9 Blackbird, 21 Fieldfare, 12 Robin, 4 Dunnock, 2 Wren, 6 Great Tit, 15 Blue Tit, 5 Greenfinch, 4 Tufted Duck, 17 Coot, 5 Moorhen, 2 Jay (ELBF).
• Hainault Forest CP: 38 Shoveler, 8 Tufted Duck, Pochard, 72 Canada Geese, 2 Cormorant, 4 Mute Swan, 30 Mallard, 12 Moorhen, 5 Coot, 50 Black-headed Gull, 2 Common Gull, 2 Great Crested Grebe, Blackbird, Blue Tit, 10 Redwing, 10 Fieldfare (ELBF).
• Little Britain Lake: 1 Herring Gull, 1 Mistle Thrush, 12 Wigeon, 2 Shoveler, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Little Grebes, 3 Wrens, 55+ Gadwall, 3 Herons, 2 Jays, 2 Egyptian Geese, 1 Song Thrush, 10+ Ring-necked Parakeets, 1 Grey Wagtail (Sue Giddens).
• London Wetland Centre: Shelduck, 32 Wigeon, Kingfisher, 3 Cetti's Warbler, Chiffchaff, redpoll sp west, Brambling nr wildside hide (LWC website).
• Paddington Green: singing Goldfinch (Des McKenzie).
• Trent Park: 1 Firecrest, feeding in Holly, Williams Wood, 13:33-13:40 and 15:45 GMT; 4 Lesser Redpoll, Williams Wood (Robert Callf).
• Tower Hamlets Cemetery: female Blackcap at Turning Circle but no sign of Firecrests 1215-1315 (Bob Watts).
• Tyttenhanger GPs: Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (m), Green Sandpiper, c.300 Lapwing, c.60 Redwing, 2 Little Grebe, Herring Gull (Steve B).
• Walton Res: 3 Shelduck, 8 Goosander in to roost (SBC).
• Wandsworth Bridge: 15:40 c3500 Starlings being gently hassled by Sparrowhawk. (Michael F).
• Wanstead Park: 3 Great Crested Grebe, 8 Little Grebe, 8 Mute Swan, 12 Pochard, 30 Tufted Duck, 51 Gadwall, 40 Mallard, Kingfisher, 3 Siskin, Goldfinch (J Lethbridge).
• Warren Gorge: 10 Blackbird, 4 Song Thrush, 10 Redwing, 4 Fieldfare, 6 Chaffinch, 4 Goldfinch, Goldcrest, 3 Chiffchaff, Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, Ring-necked Parakeet, 11 Robin, 6 Wren, 3 Dunnock, 17 Great Tit, 20 Blue Tit, 15 Long-tailed Tit, pr Pochard, pr Gadwall, 15 Shoveler, 17 Tufted Duck, 12 Mallard, 4 Greylag Goose, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 4 Moorhen, 2 Water Rail, 15 Coot, Mute Swan, 9 Cormorant, 18 Magpie (ELBF).

Tuesday 1st December

• Staines Moor: 1w BROWN SHRIKE still mid p.m. (52nd day); park at south end of Hithermoor Road, Stanwell Moor and take concrete footpath south by KGVI Reservoir fence, fork right through kissing gate and across boardwalk to the bridge to view. Please do not cross the river or disturb the bird in its favoured feeding areas, also Firecrest at northern end this p.m. (Birdguides).
• Alexandra Grove N4: Goshawk south am, 42 Redwings west in 20 mins 0740 - 0800 (D Holden).
• Beddington SF: Mealy Redpoll; Peregrine, ad Yellow-legged Gull, Water Pipit, c30 Lesser Redpoll (Dip or Glory).
• KGVI Res (permit only): 4 Great Northern Divers this afternoon (Pete Naylor, Ken Purdey).
• London Wetland Centre: Bittern at west end of Sheltered Lagoon; Shelduck, 47 Wigeon, m Pintail, 62 Shoveler, Kestrel, 15 Common Snipe, Woodcock flew across the Reservoir Lagoon from the NW corner, Water Pipit, fem Stonechat, 47 Redwing NW, 3 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, 11 redpoll sp flew towards waterlife (LWC website).
• North Woolwich: ad Caspian Gull on pontoons at George V Dock between City Airport car park and eastern end of dock 10.30-11.00 am at least (John Archer and Kev Jarvis).
• Rainham Marshes: at least 1 fem/1w Serin still showing well at mid-day (Birdguides).
• Staines Reservoir: 3 Common Scoters N basin (Pete Naylor, Ken Purdey), juv Great Northern Diver on South Basin a.m. but disturbed by Ruddy Duck cull and flew off (Birdguides).
• William Girling Res: Great Northern Diver still present at 13:00hrs, 9+ Black-necked Grebe and pair of Goosander. View from Mansfield Park (Birdguides).
• Alexandra Park: 10 Redwing, Fieldfare (h) 0720-0750, Kingfisher @ 0730 south end Wood Green Res (Bob Watts).
• Banstead Downs GC: Firecrest (SBC).
• Bromley-by-Bow: lone Fieldfare flew east, 3 Siskins west, Great Spotted Woodpecker, 12 Greenfinch, Grey Heron, 2 Stock Dove, a small number of Redwings west in the dark early morning (S Fisher)
• Clissold Park: Cetti's Warbler still - photos on site (Mark Pearson & Tony Butler Hackney Wildlife).
• Crossness: 4th winter Yellow-legged Gull, 8 Stonechats, 15 Shoveler, 54 Gadwall (John Archer and Kev Jarvis).
• Dulwich Park: 20 Redwing, 4 Little Grebe, 4 Mandarin (Dave Clark)
• East Croydon: Pied Wagtails in roost at 20:00hrs but numbers seem well down on last week (CroydonBirders).
• Hampstead Heath: Parliament Hill, 35 Redwing NW, 4 Fieldfare NW, Stock Dove E, Meadow Pipit and 5 Chaffinches over, 15 Siskins and single Redpoll feeding, totals of 51 Tufted Duck and 19 Shoveler on lower ponds, 3 GC Grebes and Kingfisher too (Pete Mantle).
• Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens: ad Mediterranean Gull on Boathouse Pier to 13:20hrs at least (same bird as on last two site visits), Woodcock flushed from Hyde Park Meadows 14:40hrs (ditched again nr horse drinking trough); 70 Mute Swan, Emperor Goose (esc), 5 Egyptian Goose (inc pale-headed fem and injured juv), 7 Gadwall, pr Mallard copulating, 19 Shoveler, 10 Red-crested Pochard, 17 Cormorant, 7 Grey Heron, 3 Little Grebe, 9 Great Crested Grebe, 58 Common Gull, Tawny Owl showing well at day-roost, Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Dunnock (1 singing), at least 5 Redwing, 3 Mistle Thrush (1 singing), 3 Goldcrest, singing Coal Tit (Des McKenzie).
• Little Britain Lake: 2 Little Grebe, c30 Gadwall, 8 Wigeon (7m, 1f), 3 Mistle Thrush, c20 LT-Tit, 20 Blue/Great Tit (Nigel Sluman). 08.30-09.30: 2 Little Grebe, 1 GC Grebe, 3 Egyptian Goose, c30 Gadwall, c12 Wigeon, 1 Common Gull, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Wren singing, Blue, Great & Lt Tit. (Roger Dewey)
• Old Street: Woodcock low east over HAC cricket pitch this a.m. (Birdguides).
• Paddington Green: 10 Redwing NW, c15 Long-tailed Tit (Des McKenzie).
• Pedley St E1: male Black Redstart by railway footbridge 10am (DH).
• Regent's Park/Primrose Hill: 2 Water Rails, 70 Fieldfares, 40+ Redwings, Lesser Redpoll plus small 1stw Common type Gull (pics) (Tony Duckett).
• Sanderstead: Fieldfare and Redwing heard, redpoll sp over Briton Hill Road early a.m. (CroydonBirders).
• Southmere Lake, Thamesmead: 35 Tufted Ducks, 5 Little Grebes (John Archer).
• Thorney Park: 5 Ring-necked Parakeets, 1 Dunnock, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 15+ Pochards, 20+ Tufted Ducks, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Goldfinch, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Bullfinch (f), 1 Little Grebe, 1 Wren, 1 Jay, 2 Chaffinch, 9 Cormorants & flocks of Long-tailed, Great and Blue Tits (Sue Giddens).
• Tower Hamlets Cemetery: still 2 Firecrest (36th day); one in Monument Glade and the other in Horse Chestnut Glade (per Bob Watts re Michael & Phil).
• Tyttenhanger GPs: Goldeneye (f), Green Sandpiper, 6 Snipe, 2 Chiffchaff, White-cheeked Pintail (esc) (Steve B).
• Verulamium Park: hybrid Anas, possibly Shoveler x Cinnamon Teal (HertsBirding).
• Walton Res: Shelduck, 2m Goosander, ad Yellow-legged Gull (SBC).

Archived News

• News November 2009
• News October 2009
• News September 2009
• News August 2009
• News July 2009
• News June 2009
• News May 2009
• News April 2009
• News March 2009
• News February 2009
• News January 2009
• News December 2008
• 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