FAIRLOP WATERS

Fairlop Waters is the Boroughs most recognised birding hotspot. With 5 lakes and ponds, a stream, farmland, quarry, woodland and heathland it is suitable for a wide variety of birds throughout the year. It is possibly best known for the long staying Humes Warbler in 2004 or for its important flocks of Golden Plover and Lapwing that have both reach over 1000 in former winters, although are normally up to 250 Golden Plover and 500 Lapwing Lapwings during recent years. Usually around 110 species are recorded here each year.

The Gravel Works Site on the south side Painters Road has become the best part of the site for waders and other birds. Please bare in mind that this is private land, and although it is accessible, due care should be taken at all times.

Resident all year: Great Crested Grebe, Little Grebe, Canada Goose, Greylag Goose, Cormorant, Grey Heron, Pheasant, Lapwing, Little Owl, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Stock Dove, Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Linnet, Reed Bunting.

Winter: Regular wildfowl include good numbers of Teal, Gadwall, Pochard, Shoveler, Tufted Duck, and occasional Wigeon, or rarer duck (Slavonian Grebe, Black Necked Grebe, Shelduck, Goldeneye & Gooseander in 2009). 1000+ of various Gulls, 500+ Lapwing and 200+ Golden Plover in the adjacent fields. up to 8 Green Sandpiper, 30 Snipe and occasional Jack Snipe and Woodcock. Short Eared Owl often present and hunting at dusk. Large influx of Long Tailed Tits and Goldcrests. c100 Redwing and Fieldfare. Stonechat and Yellowhammer sometimes present. Occasional groups of Siskin and Lesser Redpoll. Occasional Water Rail or Kingfisher. Barn Owl, Merlin, Peregrine and Marsh Harrier all possible, but not regular.

Passage: Wheatear, Whinchat, Hobby, Common Tern, Arctic Tern, occasional rarer Tern, Lesser Whitethroat, Spotted Flycatcher, Yellow Wagtail, Cuckoo. Any wader could show up but usually only on their own. Occasional Osprey, Black Necked Grebe, Wryneck, Pied Flycatcher, Redstart, Yellow-Browed Warbler.

Summer: Breeding Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Blackcap, Whitethroat. Breeding Little Ringed Plovers. House Martins, Sand Martins, Swifts and Swallows all usually present around the lake.


Map of Fairlop Waters