February 28, 2010

February 2010 Highlights

Redbridge Birdwatching - February 2010 Round up

Considering the viciousness of the cold that continued form January right through February, we have had another pretty hot month when it comes to birds visiting the borough. By the end of February we have seen 96 species so far this year, which is 2 ahead of this time last year!

Wildfowl: We should start with mentioning the weak 'at deaths door' juvenile Mute Swan which was rescued from Fairlop Waters on the 13th. This Swan was so weak it was unlikely to make it to the end of the day, but now stands a great chance of survival (very likely a Eagle Pond, sometime in the near future). The number of Mute Swans has remained consistant with Januarys count of 53. The additional pair at Valentines Park have remained throughout on Long Water and the Ornamental Pond, bringing hopes of 2 breeding pairs there this year. Bizzarely, a Barnacle Goose put in a brief appearance at the Pond in Woodford Bridge outside St. Pauls Church on the 5th. Rarer still a Brent Goose (dark bellied race) was at Fairlop Waters from 12th-21st, this was the first site record in 19 years. The pair of Egyptian Geese has remained resident in Valentines Park although appear to be missing the last few days. Duck numbers increased during February, especially at Fairlop Gravel Works (Area D) where a peak of 87 Teal and 56 Shoveler were reported as well as strong numbers of Pochard, Gadwall and Tufted Duck. At least 1 pair of Mandarin remained at Knighton Woods. The influx of Wigeon at Fairlop Waters in January continued over into February with the last sighting (of 11 birds) on the 14th. Also the site hosted a female Goldeneye which was a presumed migrant as it was feeding so enthusistically so close to the bank of the boating lake on the 27th. The Water Rail in the Dell at Wanstead Park continued to show well throughout and an unusual sighting for the location was a male Pheasant on Wanstead Flats that put in an appearance for a few days in mid-February.

Waders: The Lapwing flock in the Fairlop Gravel Works (Area D) peaked at over 500 birds, and the sites Golden Plover flock increased back up to at least 48 birds. Up to 4 Green Sandpipers have remained present there too and a record number of Snipe returned there after the thaw, with nearly 30 being recorded on several occasions. A few Snipe were also present on Wanstead Flats and Fairlop Waters CP. February brough us 2 more Woodcock sightings, firstly at Area D on the 13th, and latterly by the lagoon in Fairlop Waters CP on the 27th. Little Egrets put in 3 appearances in spite of the cold and height of the swelled rivers, firstly on the River Ching (Hatch Forest on the 10th) and then back at its traditional 2009 haunt on the Roding at Woodford bridge on the 11th and the 13th).

Gulls: Valentino the Meditteranean Gull has continued to show well at Valentines Park almost until the end of the month, staying longer than usual. He was last seen on the 25th, and is now presumed to be on his way back toward his summer-house at Anwerp. All our sightings this winter are being passed on the the ringers in Belgium. Also a Great Black Backed Gull was reported over Wanstead Flats on the 23rd. That location has held increasingly larger numbers of Gulls as migrant birds were added to our winter flocks, and recently there have been c1000 Common Gulls and up to c1500 Black Headed Gulls there in some impressively large flocks.

Birds of Prey: Sparrowhawk sightings increased in number with 14 birds being located in the borough. Kestrels also continued to show well areound Fairlop, Area D and Wanstead Flats especially. Single sightings of Buzzard(7th, Eagle Pond) and Peregrine (24th, Valentines Park) were noteworthy. A Tawny Owl was seen in Wanstead Park on the 4th and 2 Little Owls were present near last years breeding site at Aldborough Riding Stables on the 2nd, but have not been seen since.

The Rest of em: Area D has held an impressive flock of Stock Doves throughout February, peaking at 44 birds, other Stock Doves have been recorded in Fairlop Waters (2), Bush Wood (5) and Wanstead Park (4) and Valentines Park (2). Ring Necked Parakeets have continued to show frequently in Wanstead Park and Wanstead Flats, and have been nesthole prospecting at both locations. The Lesser Spotted Woodpecker in the Dell at Wanstead Park contined to present. Skylark and Meadow Pipits have both begun displaying at Area D, Fairlop Waters and Wanstead Flats with a total of about 40 of each species being recorded. 6 Grey Wagtails remained in the borough and Kingfishers were recorded at Hatch Forest (1st), Wanstead Park (5th & 9th) and Valentines Park (12th & 16th). Over 1000 Redwing were recorded accross the borough and Fieldfare remained in smaller numbers. Stonechat and Chiffchaff were notably absent but Blackcap were recored in 4 locations (totalling 6 birds). Coal Tits were recorded singing in Wanstead Park, Hainault Forest and Knighton Woods. Nuthatches were also reported at the same 3 locations and Treecreepers were seen again in Claybury Park. Up to 12 Siskin were present in the Dell at Wanstead Park, and another 3 birds regularly visited a Woodford Green garden. 6 Lesser Redpoll were at Wanstead Flats on the 5th and another 2 were at Fairlop Waters on the 15th with a very probable Common Redpoll. Linnet numbers begain to pick up, with around 20 being seen at Fairlop Waters and Area D. 3 were also on Wanstead Flats on the 20th. A female Brambling was in Knighton Woods on the 10th A male Bullfinch was in Roding Valley Park on the 5th, and 2 days later a pair were seen in Hainault Forest. Reed Buntings remained present on Wanstead Flats and at Fairlop.

Number of species seen by the end of January: 93
Number of species seen by the end of February: 96 (Barnacle Goose, Little Egret & Common Redpoll were added to the tally during February)

February 28th 2010

weather: 6C, showers, overcast,

Valentines Park:
  • no sign of Valentino who is assumed to have began his journey back to Antwerp, also no sign of the Egyptian Geese.
  • 12 Pochard
  • Sparrowhawk (over)
  • Redwing
  • 8 Mute Swan, (including the additional pair still on Long Water) (PHopkins)
Wanstead Flats:
  • 2500+ Gulls on playing fields/puddles at 2:30pm. Predominantly Black-headed but also record count of Herring Gulls at 82 (J Lethbridge, T Harris, P Ferris)

Wanstead Park:

  • 2 Little Grebes (not a pair)
  • Green Woodpecker
  • 2 Cormorants
  • 4 Shoveler (2 prs)
  • Song thrush
  • pr Gadwall (Barbara J)

February 27, 2010

February 27th 2010

weather: max 9C, showers, overcast

Fairlop Gravel Works:

  • 5 Canada Geese,
  • 8 Mallard, 21 Gadwall, 26 Shoveler, 35 Tufted Duck, 61 Teal, 8 Pochard,
  • Little Grebe
  • 28 Coot, 2 Moorhen
  • male Pheasant
  • c200 Lapwing, 48 Golden Plover
  • 4 Green Sandpiper
  • 7+ Snipe
  • Many Common Gulls and Black Headed Gulls with 15 Lesser Black Backed Gulls and a few Herring Gulls
  • 45 Wood Pigeon, 42 Stock Dove
  • Song Thrush, 3 Blackbird, 3 Robin, 2 Wren, Dunnock
  • Green Woodpecker
  • 6 Skylark including 1 singing
  • 4 Blue Tit, 4 Great Tit, 4 Long Tailed Tit
  • 11 Carrion Crow, 4 Magpie, 2 Jay
  • 3 Goldfinch, Chaffinch, 4 Linnet
  • Brown Hare, Fox

Fairlop Waters CP:

  • 155 Canada Geese, 22 Greylag Geese
  • 85 Mallard, 10 Gadwall, 44 Tufted Duck, female Goldeneye, 26 Teal, 1 Pochard,
  • 6 Little Grebe, 3 Great Crested Grebe
  • 1 Woodcock flushed by the lagoon
  • 60 Coot, 21 Moorhen
  • 1 Grey Heron on the plain
  • c100 Black Headed Gulls, 160 Common Gulls, 2 Lesser Black Backed Gulls
  • 11 Skyark, (a few in song), 14 Meadow Pipit
  • 11 Pied Wagtail mostly on the golf course
  • male Kestrel by the main entrance
  • 51 Wood Pigeon, 2 Stock Dove, 1 Feral Pigeon (over)
  • 8 Blackbird, Song Thrush, 15 Robin, Wren,
  • c70 Fieldfare on the paddock by the stables feeding with 10 Redwing, c20 Starlings
  • 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 4 Green Woodpecker
  • 7 Long Tailed Tit, 10 Blue Tit, 4 Great Tit,
  • 4 Chaffinch, 2 Goldfinch, 1 Greenfinch, 16 Linnet on the plain behind the lagoon
  • 12 Magpie, 20 Carrion Crow, Jackdaw (heard) (DEH)
  • Reed Bunting (Alan Bell)

Hainault Recreational Ground:

  • c300 Black Headed Gulls

Valentines Park:

  • 16 Pochard (PHopkins)

Wanstead, Northumberland Avenue:

  • 6 Lesser Redpoll in a garden (JCharter)

Whitehall Plain:

  • 2 Little Egret (Andrew Perrin)

Woodford Green, Broadmead Estate:

  • 35 Wood Pigeon,
  • 3 Mistle Thrush
  • 4 Blue Tit
  • Pied Wagtail
  • 50 Black Headed Gull, 2 Common Gull, 2 Lesser Black Backed Gull

Barking, Sudbury Road: (just outside the borough)

  • male Blackcap in my garden (Paul Hawkins)

February 26, 2010

February 26th 2010

weather: max 7C, wind 24mph (W), showers

Ray Park:
  • Song Thrush singing outside the James Leal Centre (TLachhar)

South Park:

  • Green Woodpecker
  • Mistle Thrush
  • 2 Mute Swans
  • 10+ Tufted Ducks (TLachhar)

Woodford Green, Broadmead Estate:

  • 33 Feral Pigeon
  • Pied Wagtail
  • 2 Jackdaw (heard, early morning)

February 25, 2010

February 25th 2010

weather: 9C, cloudy, slight wind (8mph)


Bush Wood:

  • Sparrowhawk, being mobbed by a few Crows
  • 4 Wren, 7 Robin, 10 Blackbird, Song Thrush, Redwing
  • 13 Blue Tit, 21 Great Tit, 1 Long Tailed Tit
  • 5 Stock Dove, 14 Wood Pigeon, 2 Feral Pigeon (over)
  • 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Green Woodpecker
  • 15 Carrion Crow, 11 Magpie, Jay, 2 Starling (TLachhar/DE-Hull)

Claybury Park:

  • Woodcock
  • Song Thrush singing (in the rain)
  • Canada Goose, Mallard, Moorhen, Coot
  • 2 Stock Dove, Woodpigeon
  • Great Spotted Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker
  • Jay, Magpie, Carrion Crow
  • Great Tit, Blue Tit, Long-tailed Tit
  • Wren, Blackbird, Robin
  • Chaffinch, Greenfinch (PHart)

Valentines Park:

  • Valentino the Mediterranean Gull still present!
  • 13 Pochard (PHopkins)
  • pair of Egyptian Geese
  • Great Crested Grebe
  • 6 Cormorant!
  • Grey Heron
  • 2 Stock Dove
  • Song thrush
  • Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker,
  • 3 Goldfinch, 3 Greenfinch, 2 Long Tailed Tit
  • 2 Jay, Jackdaw (Barbara J)

Wanstead Flats:

  • the area either side of Centre Road
  • c990 Common Gull (600 near Alexandra Lake, 200 nearer Bush Wood and others scattered. c650 Black Headed Gull, 5 Lesser Black Backed Gulls, 1 Herring Gull
  • 136 Carrion Crows mostly in 2 large groups, 3 Magpie, 7 Jackdaw, Jay, 43 Starling
  • 28 Wood Pigeon
  • Ring Necked Parakeet, calling very enthusiastically from a hole in a tree in the plantation east of Centre Road.
  • 15 Blue Tit, 10 Great Tit, 1 Long Tailed Tit
  • 2 Greenfinch (pair)
  • Blackbird, Song Thrush, 2 Mistle Thrush, c20 Redwing, Robin, Wren, 2 Dunnock
  • male Kestrel
  • 5 Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker
  • 11 Skylark, including 5 singing males!
  • 2 Meadow Pipit (TLachhar/DE-Hull)

Woodford Green, Broadmead Estate:

  • 51 Black Headed Gulls
  • 35 Feral Pigeon
  • 2 Pied Wagtail
  • Blackbird
  • Jackdaw (heard)

Connaught Water: (just outside the borough)

  • 50+ Tufted duck
  • 1 male Red Crested Pochard
  • 2 Pochard (m)
  • Swan menacing Canada geese (PWarne)

February 24, 2010

Pics - Feb 2010

the long staying male Red Crested Pochard at Connaught Water (above) and a Mute Swan telling a Canada Goose wagwaan (below) (pics by PWarne, 25th Feb 2010)



February 24th 2010

weather: slightly warmer, up to 10C but still overcast and rainy


Ilford, garden:

  • 2 Grey Wagtail
  • 4 Blue Tit, 2 Great Tit
  • 2 Robin, Wren
  • Goldfinch
  • Grey Heron on the roof (cue check of the Koi pond!)
  • Great Spotted Woodpecker
  • 8 Starling (Barbara J)

Valentines Park:

  • 19 Tufted Duck, 35 Mallard, 2 Mute Swan on Long Water/Fish Pond
  • Green Woodpecker and Greater Spotted Woodpecker both heard (TLachhar)
  • Grey Heron, 3 Cormorant
  • Valentino the Mediterranean Gull still present with the Gull Flock
  • 6 male Shoveler, 2 (pair) of Shoveler
  • 2 Mistle Thrush
  • Jackdaw
  • 3 Greenfinch
  • 4 Long Tailed Tit
  • Cricket Pitch: 9 Pied Wagtail, Stock Dove with the Wood Pigeons, 2 Fieldfare (Barbara J)
  • female Peregrine Falcon SE at 3.48pm! (PHopkins)

Wanstead Park:

  • Water Rail (The Dell),
  • 1 Greylag Goose
  • 50 Tufted Duck, 4 Pochard, 8 Gadwall, 4 Shoveler, 110 Coot,
  • 2 Little Grebe (The Basin)
  • 3 Ring Necked Parakeet,
  • 4 Stock Dove,
  • male Coal Tit (golf course), (SFisher)

Wanstead Flats:

  • 13 Fieldfare, 35 Redwing,
  • 6 Greylag Goose,
  • 500+ Common Gulls, 600+ Black-headed Gulls, 12 Lesser Black-backs,
  • 2+ singing male Skylark (S Fisher)
Woodford Green, Broadmead Estate:
  • 32 Feral Pigeon
  • 2 Pied Wagtail
  • Blackbird
Woodford Green, garden:
  • 3 Siskin
  • 2 Greater Spotted Woodpecker
  • 5 very active Dunnock
  • 1 female Blackcap
  • 10 Greenfinch
  • plus the usual Blue Tits, Great Tits, Blackbirds and Starlings (PWarne)

Pics - Feb 2010

female Blackcap in a Woodford Green garden, February 24th 2010, (PWarne)


The Great Black Backed Gull that flew over Wansted Flats on Feb 23rd 2010, (JLethbridge)


February 23, 2010

February 23rd 2010

weather: 4C mostly raining
Fairlop Gravel Works:
  • 56 Shoveler, 37 Tufted Duck, 28 Teal, 14 Pochard, 11 Gadwall plus the usual Mute Swans, Canada Geese, Mallard, Coot, Moorhen
  • Gull flock included 10+ Lesser Black Backed Gulls and c25 Herring Gulls
  • c300 Lapwing (possibly a lot more), 32 Golden Plover, 2 Green Sandpiper
  • 26 Snipe mostly on the wet meadow
  • Pheasant (heard)
  • Skylark
  • Song Thrush
  • 7 Pied Wagtails
Roding Valley Park, central:
  • Song Thrush
  • 6 Long Tailed Tits (AHobson)
Valentines Park:
  • 8 Mute Swans (the extra pair are still on Long Water/Ornamental Pond)
  • 39 Canada Geese, 2 Egyptian Geese (grazing)
  • 1 Grey Heron (boating lake island), 5 Cormorant
  • 411 Black Headed Gulls, 11 Common Gull, 1 Lesser Black Backed Gull,
  • 1 Mediterranean Gull (Valentino) (on the playing field behind the cafe/playground with about 60 of the Black Headed Gulls.
  • 141 Mallard 41 Tufted Ducks, 9 Pochard (8m, 1f), 2 Shoveler (Long Water), 2 Gadwall (Ornamental Pond),
  • 61 Coot, 20 Moorhen
  • 80+ Carrion Crow, c100 Starling
  • 50+ Redwing
  • 2 Great Tit, 4 Long Tailed Tits, 19 Goldfinch
  • also: Magpie, Wood Pigeon, Feral Pigeon, Collared Dove, Blue Tit, Blackbird, Chaffinch

Wanstead, Northuberland Avenue:

  • 2 pairs of Lesser Redpoll in a garden (JCharter)

Wanstead Flats:

  • adult Great Black-backed Gull flew S at 8:20am.
  • Snipe,
  • 12 Meadow Pipit, 15+ Skylark (3 Song-flighting),
  • 11 Fieldfare, Redwing,
  • 2 Kestrel,
  • 4 Goldfinch (J Lethbridge).
Woodford Bridge, Roding Lane North:
  • playing fields off Roding Lane North
  • 22 Common Gulls,
  • 6 Redwing
  • Great Spotted Woodpecker (AHobson)
Woodford Bridge, Vicarage Road:
  • Mistle Thrush on the green outside St. Judes Court (AHobson)
Chingford Plain: (just outside the borough)
  • 1 Buzzard (Ian Woodward)
Connaught Water: (just outside the borough)
  • 1 female Lesser Spotted Woodpecker,
  • 1 Nuthatch, 3 Treecreepers,
  • 2 Wigeon, 32 Tufted Duck, 2 Pochard (Ian Woodward)

February 22, 2010

February 22nd 2010

weather: 6C, showers

Ray Park:
  • 56 BlackHeaded Gulls (TLachhar)
Redbridge, Beal School:
  • c50 Wood Pigeon feeding on the grass
Roding Valley Park, Central:
  • 2 Fieldfare flew out of the park and went to Tesco (well, a tree in the Tesco carpark)
Valentines Park:
  • 8 Pochard
  • a charm of 23 Goldfinches by the boating lake (5pm) (DEH)
  • Valentino the Mediterranean Gull is still around. Summer plumage almost there, just a very small pale patch over the bill. Around 150 gulls throughout park, many taking advantage of the waterlogged grass, but Valentino normally on Boating Lake, or small area of grass near bridge.
  • Pair of Gadwall on Fishing Lake, not unusual, but a beautifully understated bird.
  • Mistle Thrushes very vocal.
  • No nesting behaviour from Egyptian Geese. (PHopkins)
Woodford Green, Broadmead Estate:
  • 23 Wood Pigeon
  • Blackbird
Woodford Green, garden:
  • Starling by far the most numerous species
  • 3 Siskin (on feeders now)
  • 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker
  • 3 Blackbird
  • 2 Jackdaw, 2 Jay
  • 1 Chaffinch (f), 10 Greenfinch, 1 Goldfinch
  • Song thrush going through the full repertoire of its song sheet (PWarne)

February 21, 2010

February 21st 2010

Fairlop Gravel Works:
  • c300 Lapwing, 35 Golden Plover

Fairlop Waters:

  • Brent Goose (Alan Bell)

Gants Hill:

  • Sparrowhawk - Seen at 11.00am hunting over back gardens - one female being mobbed by a Crow after all the other birds took to flight. The crow harassed the hawk for around five minutes dive bombing it and chasing it but also the hawk chased the crow back as well - plus two smaller birds decided to put their beaks into the affray by joining in the action from time to time but in the end the Sparrowhawk was driven well away from the surrounding area into the distance....It made for good action & watching I tell ya!
  • Great Spotted Woodpecker - 1 male.
  • Greenfinches - 12, Chaffinches - 10, Goldfinches - 4
  • Blue tits - 5, Great tits - 3,
  • Blackbirds - 6, Robins - 2, Starlings - 6, House Sparrows - 9, Dunnock - 1, Wren - 1
  • Magpie - 1, Feral Pigeons - 7 (Alan Thomas)

Ilford, Ingleby Road:

  • male Blackcap and Great Spotted Woodpecker seem daily visitors at the moment usually at same time as the crowd of Goldfinches, Tits, Starlings, Chaffinches and Robins.
  • Also Dunnock and Collared Doves today. (John Crick)

Ilford, Tavistock Gardens:

  • 2 Blackcap (pair) P&L Vaughan
South Park:
  • 2 Greylag Geese (by the outdoor Gym)

Valentines Park:

  • Valentino the Mediterranean Gull still showing well!
  • c200 Black Headed Gulls
  • c90 Redwing
  • Pair of Mute Swan still on Long Water (PHopkins)

Wanstead Park:

  • WREN wildfowl count:
  • 94 Black Headed Gull
  • 2 Mute Swan, 2 Canada Geese
  • 4 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron
  • 55 Mallard, 3 Shoveler, 22 Tufted Duck
  • 41 Coot, 12 Moorhen
  • 6 Little Grebe
  • 1 female Teal on the Basin (PFerris)

Woodford Bridge, Vicarage Road:

  • Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker
  • 4 Canada Geese (over)
  • Lesser Black Backed Gull
  • Jay (AHobson)
Epping Forest, Honey Lane Quarters: (just outside the borough)
  • Buzzard (Nigel May)

Pics - Feb 2010

Great Spotted Woodpecker (above), and male Blackcap (below), in an Ilford garden (JCrick)



February 20, 2010

February 20th 2010

Valentines Park:
  • Grey Heron, 5 Cormorant
  • c80 Black Headed Gulls, 15 Common Gulls
  • 1 Song thrush, 4 Mistle thrush, 30+ Redwing
  • 2 Stock Doves
  • Grey Wagtail
  • Jay
  • Green woodpecker, Great spotted woodpecker
  • 3 Greenfinch, 4 Chaffinch, 6 Goldfinch
  • 20+ House Sparrows
  • 2 Long Tailed Tits (Barbara J)

Wanstead Park:

  • 2 Ring Necked Parakeet (pair) (1 in hole in tree, as per last year)
  • 3 Siskin at the dell
  • Grey wagtail by the hut
  • Moorhen, Coot,
  • Green woodpecker x 2, (1 at dell), Great Spotted Woodpecker x 5
  • Chaffinch, Goldfinch (dell)
  • Robin, Dunnock
  • Black Headed Gull, 5 Common Gull
  • 2 Grey heron
  • Blue Tit, Great Tit, Long Taailed Tit
  • Redwing - small flock
  • Pochard, Gadwall, Tufted Duck, Little Grebe, Mute Swan, Mallard, Canada Geese,
  • Starling, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow (Sally Hammond)
Wanstead Flats:
  • Ring Necked Parakeet,
  • 8 Skylark, 9 Meadow Pipit,
  • 2 Mistle Thrush,
  • 3 Linnet,
  • 1m 2f Reed Bunting (J Lethbridge)
  • Herring Gull
  • 60 Redwing & 20 Fieldfare on the field near Heatherwood Close
  • 9 Greylag Geese on Alexandra Lake
  • 3 Shoveler (2m, 1f) on Alexandra Lake (Paul Ferris)

Wanstead, Gordon Road:

  • Great Spotted Woodpecker on the peanut ball in our garden (Ann Williams)
Woodford, Monkhams Lane:
  • Green Woodpecker on the cricked pitch (ECharles)
Woodford Green, Holly Crescent:
  • c20 Redwings on the Green (ECharles)

February 19, 2010

Pics - Feb 2010

male Shoveler (coming out of eclipse plumage), Knighton Woods, Feb 19th 2010 (PWarne)

Mandarin Pair, Knighton Woods, 19th Feb 2010 (PWarne)




February 19th 2010

Claybury Park:

  • Redbridge Rangers Childrens Birding Walk
  • Robin, Dunnock, Wren, Blackbird
  • Blue tit, Great tit, Long tailed tit x 2
  • Black headed gull x 22, Common gull x 1
  • Mallard duck x 22, Canada goose x 3,
  • Grey Heron
  • Coot x 1, Moorhen x 2, Tufted duck x 4 (unusual for here)
  • Carrion Crow, Magpie, Woodpigeon
  • House Sparrow
  • Green Woodpecker (heard)
  • Song Thrush (heard) (TLachhar)

Knighton Woods:

  • 1 Shoveler, 7 Mallard, 5 Moorhen and 2 Mandarin (1 pair)
  • 12 Great Tit, 20 Blue Tit, Coal Tit
  • 1 Nuthatch
  • Great Spotted Woodpecker (DEH)

Ray Park:

  • 22 Black Headed Gulls, 1 Common Gull
  • 10+ Redwing (TLachhar)
Roding Valley Park, north:
  • Pair of Mute Swans present just north of Chigwell Road (bridge)

South Park:

  • 163 Black Headed Gull, 21 Common Gull, Lesser Black Backed Gull,
  • 83 Canada Goose, 6 Greylag Geese,
  • 34 Mallard, 2 Pochard, 19 Tufted Duck
  • 46 Coot, 23 Moorhen
  • Cormorant, Grey Heron,
  • 2 Mute Swan, (Richard Leighton)

Valentines Park:

  • Gull numbers down to about 100 (down 66%), but Valentino the Mediterranean Gull still poresent! (pHopkins)

Barking Park: (just outside the borough)

  • 348 Black Headed Gull, 172 Canada Goose, 31 Common Gull, 120 Coot, Little Grebe, 2 Greylag Goose, 3 Herring Gull, 3 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 88 Mallard, 18 Moorhen, 2 Mute Swan, 2 Pochard, 15 Shoveler, 77 Tufted Duck (Richard Leighton)

February 18, 2010

February 18th 2010

weather: 4C, overcast, showers
Fairlop Waters CP/Gravel Works
  • February WEBS count (Steve Bacon)
  • 7 Little Grebe, 2 Great Crested Grebe
  • 2 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron
  • 4 Mute Swan, 13 Greylag Geese, 73 Canada Geese
  • 25 Gadwall, 20 Teal, 43 Mallard, 45 Shoveler, 15 Pochard, 86 Tufted Duck,
  • 25 Moorhen, 48 Coot
  • 44 Golden Plover, 175 Lapwing, 13 Snipe, Green Sandpiper,
  • 195 Black Headed Gull, 57 Common Gull, 11 Lesser Black Backed Gull, 16 Herring Gull
  • 2 (escaped) Red Billed Teal
Hainault Forest CP:
  • February WEBS count (Steve Bacon)
  • 2 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Cormorant
  • 3 Mute Swan, 3 Greylag Geese, 99 Canada Geese
  • 11 Pochard,
  • 10 Moorhen, 10 Coot (SBacon)
  • 16 Blackbirds, 3 Song Thrush, 5 Robin, Wren
  • 10 Blue tits, 6 Great Tit, 8 Long Tailed Tit,
  • Nuthatch,
  • 2 Chaffinches,
  • 7 Great Spotted Woodpeckers drumming, 2 Green Woodpeckers,
  • 8 Carrion Crows, 4 Magpies,
  • 32 Mallard, 14 Tufted Ducks, 6 Pochard,
  • Lesser Black back Gull, 4 Common Gulls, 60 Black Headed Gulls (CIS)
Ilford:
  • female Sparrowhawk over South Park Drive (JMakengo)
South Woodford:
  • Blue Tits nest prospecting in a nestbox on our wall
  • Grey Heron (over) (PGordon)
Valentines Park:
  • Valentino the Mediterranean Gull still present and in 95% summer plumage now
  • 2 Egyptian Geese busy doing nothing
  • Pair of Mute Swan on Long Water (PHopkins)
Woodford Green:
  • 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker (male and female)
  • many Starlings
  • 5 Blackbird, 3 Dunnock, 2 Robin, Wren
  • Blue Tits and Great Tits
  • 5 Chaffinch, 7 Siskin (PWarne)
Woodford Green, Broadmead Estate:
  • 25 Feral Pigeon
  • Goldfinch
  • 3 Blackbird

February 17, 2010

February 17th 2010

weather: 5C, cloudy, sunny spells but cold (ice on cars by 8pm)


Ilford, Ingleby Road:
  • male & female Blackcap on the pyracantha today! (JCrick)
Knighton Woods:
  • 3 Nuthatch including 1 male singing very loudly from a nest hole
  • 2 Shovelers
  • 6 Jay
  • Great Spotted Woodpecker
  • 3 Redwing
  • 5 Chaffinch
  • very many Bue Tits and Great Tits (PWarne)
Valentines Park:
  • Song Thrush singing by the Mansion (TLachhar)
  • No sighting of Valentino today. Gull numbers down suggesting some movement.
  • 16 Pochard,
  • Egyptian Geese grazing on Wonderloaf.
  • Redwing in single figures (PHopkins)
South Woodford:
  • Cormorant (over) (PGordon)

February 16, 2010

Pics - February 2010


Valentino, Mediterranean Gull, Valentines Park - 14th Feb (PHawkins)



Grey Heron, looking as cold as I felt at Valentines Park (15th Feb 2010, Paul Ferris)

February 16th 2010

weather: 4C, light rain most of the day


Fairlop, Hainault Road:

  • female Kestrel flew up onto a lamp column
  • male Pheasant on Hainault Farm

Gants Hill:

  • Song Thrush in our neighbours tree, it was singing for at least 30 mins, so we hope to continue to see it over the next few weeks/months. (TLachhar)

Hainualt Recreational Ground:

  • 50+ Fieldfare, viewed from Forest Road
Valentines Park:
  • Kingfisher (via PHopkins)

Woodford Bridge Pond:

  • Pied Wagtail

Woodford Green, Broadmead Estate:

  • Pied Wagtail

Chingford: (just outside the borough)

  • male Blackcap in the garden (Ian Woodward)

February 15, 2010

News - Feb 2010 (Swan Rescue at Fairlop Waters)

Swan Rescue at Fairlop Waters
.
On Saturday 13th Feb 2010, 17 of us were just starting out on a 3 hour bird watching walk around Fairlop Waters. Not long after leaving the car-park, and while looking at the various birds on the lake (by the jetties), one of last summers brood of Mute Swans joined our party (on foot), making feeble attempts to peck at the gloves and coat of one the birders. The young Mute Swan looked weak, and underweight. Matters were made worse when a dog-walker made no attempt to stop her Staff from threatening the defenseless bird, it seemed an attack was moments away. Tajinder encouraged the dog-owner to controll her dog and leave the area, and then phoned a friend who arranged to rescue the Swan.



This Swan was pushed off of the main boating lake a few weeks ago by its parents in an attempt to encourage its independence, and retain their (large) territory. It spend a lot of its time 'swimming' on a puddle on the golf course, just a few metres away from the lake, and within view of it. And frequently returned to the lake when the adults were 'out'. This inexperience, combined with the lack of food due to the prolonged cold spell had rendered the swan starving.

The rescuer later reported: "He was ravenously hungry, eating a lot of mixed corn. He was taken to the sanctuary on Sunday by Laurent, so had spent overnight in our bath due to not having our usual keeping place because of building works."


We hope that this speedy action will give the swan a good chance of survival, and that it will soon be released back into the 'slightly warmer' wild.



Our thanks to Tajinder Lachhar, Simon Litt, Barbara Edwards, Ian Cranston and Laurent for their speedy action, and to those looking after our Swan! ... If we hear any info on its progress we will let you know..

February 15th 2010

weather: 4C light showers, cloudy

Claybury Park:
  • 3 Nuthatch, 1 Treecreeper
  • 8 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Green Woodpecker
  • 20 Redwing,
  • c20 Chaffinch (Ian Woodward)
Fairlop Waters CP:
  • 2 Lesser Redpolls and 1 probable Common Redpoll (larger than Lessers and with pure white wing bars but plumage tone seemed too warm brown in brief view) [feeding in birches to south-east of main lake],
  • 6 Gadwall, c40 Tufted duck,
  • 5 Fieldfares. (Ian Woodward)

Roding Valley Park, central:

  • 2 Mute Swan on the River
  • 3 Song Thrush,
  • Goldfinch
  • 2 Jays (Alan Hobson)
Valentines Park:
  • 2 Egyptian Geese grazing on the grass to the east of the pavillion
  • Grey Wagtail by the outflow of the boating lake
  • Grey Heron (Paul Ferris)
Wanstead Flats:
  • 10 Ring Necked Parakeet (over)
Woodford Green, Broadmead Estate:
  • Mistle Thrush (around last years nest)
  • Goldfinch
Epping Forest, Copped Hall: (just outside the borough)
  • Barn Owl (Martin Smith)
Leyton Flats: (just outside the borough)
  • 3 Shoveler,
  • 10 Redwing,
  • Stonechat,
  • 14 Lesser Redpoll, 3 Goldfinch (Gary A James)

February 14, 2010

February 14th 2010

weather: 5C mostly cloudy
Fairlop Waters CP:
  • dark bellied Brent Goose* (3rd day)
  • 11 Wigeon (Alan Bell)
Hainault Golf Course:
  • 50+ Fieldfare in the field next to the golf course (there the Car Boot usually is)
Valentines Park:
  • Black-headed Gulls, Herring Gull (Juvenile), Common Gulls,
  • Mediterranean Gull** (Valentino, near- full hood, standing on a boat, preening then sleeping, in amongst Black-headed Gulls)
  • 4 Cormorants, 2 Grey Herons
  • Tufted Ducks, Pochards, Mallards, Coots, Moorhens
  • Great-crested Grebe
  • Mute Swans, Canada Geese
  • Carrion Crow mobbing a Heron
  • Blackbirds,
  • Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail
  • Green Woodpecker, Great-spotted Woodpeckers fighting
  • Mistle Thrushes fighting, 100+ Redwings
  • Starlings,
  • Blue Tits and Great Tits on the feeders (Emma Charles)
  • Pochard number has risen even further to a record 24! (PHopkins)
Wanstead Park:
  • Lesser Spotted Woodpecker near the Dell this morning (Marco Johnson)
Woodford Green, Broadmead Estate:
  • Mistle Thrush and Goldfinch calling early this morning
Chigwell, High Meadows: (just outside the borough)
  • garden sightings on Limes Farm (LJeffries)
  • 4 House Sparrows (normally seen in the garden)
  • Unusually there was 1 male Blackcap with them - I've never before seen a Blackcap in my garden.
  • Also saw a Dunnock, a Robin, a Blue Tit and 9 Starlings.
Epping Forest, Queen Elizabeth Hunting Lodge: (just outside the borough)
  • Ring Necked Parakeet (Patrick O'Donnell)
Epping Forest, Connaught Water: (just outside the borough)
  • Mandarin, Wigeon, 36 Teal, Red Crested Pochard,
  • Great Spotted Woodpecker. (PHa)


* This is the first sightings of Brent Goose at Fairlop Waters since 1991 (19 years ago!)

** Valentino is likely to leave this week... and head back to Antwerp in Belgium where he spends his summer (via France). The latest winter sighting of him the last 2 years has been on the 15th Feb and 17th Feb respectively. We hope that he returns for his 11th consecutive winter in Valentines Park sometime during mid-October.

February 13, 2010

February 13th 2010

weather: cold, overcast, sunny spells, light snowy showers.
Fairlop Waters CP:
  • 9am-midday: RSPB NE London Local Group guided walk with TLachhar and DEHull (17 in attendance).
  • earlycomers saw Fieldfare fly over the carpark
  • 2 Cormorant on the jetty, 1 was wing-spread and both were marked with white plumage on the flanks and head.
  • c12 Lapwing on the gravelled island,
  • juvenile Mute Swan on the bank, looking very weak, attempted to join our party, and was being hasstled by some dogs. (Tajinder phoned for help, the Swan has been rescued, well fed, and is on its way to a Swan sanctuary!)
  • Canada Geese and Greylag geese scattered throughout.
  • yesterdays Dark Bellied Brent Goose was still present in the same place, (in the field to the east of the Fishing Lake)
  • 55 Tufted Duck on the fishing lake, with a further 10 on the boating lake (male to female ration 2 to 1)
  • c10 Gadwall, 32 Shoveler (over), 5 Pochard on the boating lake, 6 Teal on the spit (Hainault Farm)
  • Mallard, Coots and Moorhens as exected
  • 4 Little Grebe
  • Black Headed Gulls and Common Gulls, with 1 single Lesser Black Backed Gull.
  • Green Woodpecker (heard) and Grey Heron (over)
  • Great Spotted Woodpecker flew over the plain
  • c200 Lapwing and 30 Golden Plover seen flying over the gravel works site (from near the spit)
  • 13 Meadow Pipit and 5 Skylark in the field by the spit
  • 2 Snipe flushed from a flooded section of the plain
  • male Kestrel perched on the driving range fence
  • 2 parties of Long Tailed Tits (at least 15), Blue Tits and Great Tits, 5 Wren, many Robins a few Blackbirds and Redwings (of which 1 was a real close-up) and a Song Thrush
  • Flock of c40 Carrion Crows tree-roosting which included 2 Jackdaw
  • 3 Stock Dove (over)
  • also: Magpies, Starlings, Pied Wagtail, Feral Pigeon, 2 Collared Dove, Wood Pigeons, Chaffinch
  • 2 (possibly 3) Brown Hare seen near the spit. 45 Bird Species seen!

Fairlop Gravel Works:

  • 2 Mute Swan, Mallard, the 32 Shoveler (above) were swimming here now, 13 Teal, 4 Gadwall, Coot and Moorhen
  • Cormorant (over)
  • c400-500 Lapwing (at least 400, other small groups seemed to keep joining the flock), 30 Golden Plover, 1 Green Sandpiper and at least 25 Snipe! (25 flushed, probably a lot more present)
  • 1 obliging Woodcock circled the site.
  • Great Spotted Woodpecker heard drumming in Hargreaves Scout Camp
  • 1 female Pheasant
  • 2 Meadow Pipit
  • 23 Stock Dove (a flock of 22, flying around a lot, but remaining present, and a single bird resting on the mound)
  • 10 Lesser Black Backed Gulls in the gull flock (DEH/TJ/AT/CG)

Ilford, Ingleby Road:

  • Blackcap (M) on ivy and pyracantha berries,
  • Great Spotted Woodpecker on fat feeder,
  • Wren,
  • 5 Long-tailed Tits passing through plus usual Goldfinches, Greenfinches, Chaffinches, Robins, Great Tits and Blue Tits on feeders. (JCrick)

Roding Valley Park, Central:

  • Little Egret on the roding, near Woodford Bridge
  • c20 Redwing on the grass outside Broadmead Baptist Church (DEH)

Valentines Park:

  • 50+ Redwing flock + 1 Fieldfare
  • 2 Mistle Thrush
  • 20+ Goldfinch
  • 1 Herring Gull in flock
  • 3 Cormorants, 2 Grey Herons
  • pr Egyptian geese (Barbara J)
  • Valentino the Mediterranean Gull is still present, showing well, nearly in complete summer plumage*
  • 120 Redwing**
  • 21 Pochard*** (PHopkins)

Wanstead Flats:

  • 6 Greylag Geese
  • Fieldfare, Redwing (JLethbridge)

Epping Forest, High Beech Golf Course: (just outside the borough)

  • Woodcock, Corn Bunting (Mike Benyon)
Epping Forest, Strawberry Hill Ponds: (just outside the borough)
  • male Australian Wood Duck (Maned Duck), 4 Mandarin; 6 Coal Tit; 2 Nuthatch. (BJ)

* Valentino is likely to leave this week... and head back to Antwerp in Belgium where he spends his summer (via France). The latest winter sighting of him the last 2 years has been on the 15th Feb and 17th Feb respectively. We hope that he returns for his 11th consecutive winter in Valentines Park sometime during mid-October.

** This sighting takes the total number of Redwing in the London Borough of Redbridge to over 1000 (taking the highest count recorded at each site) (DEH)

*** This is the highest count of Pochard in Valentines Park this year (and for several years)

February 12, 2010

February 12th 2010

weather: cold, light rain, cloudy

Claybury Park:

  • Great Spotted Woodpecker (A Hobson)

Fairlop Waters CP:

  • 10.30am-1pm prep walk for tomorrows RSPB walk (DEH/TLachhar)
  • 5 Mute Swan, c200 Canada Geese, 18 Greylag Goose
  • 1 surprise dark bellied Brent Goose* on the field behind the fishing lake (with a few Canadas)
  • 2 Cormorant on the jetty
  • 20 Lapwing on the Jetty/Island, and a further 207 Lapwing on Hainault Farm, behind the spit
  • 20 Meadow Pipits and 8 Skylark on the field behind the spit
  • Pied Wagtail
  • 3 Teal on the spit, 5 Gadwall, 7 Pochard, Mallards, Tufted Ducks, 3 Shoveler
  • Coots, Moorhens
  • 1 Lesser Black Backed Gulls, c10 Common Gulls, c100 Black Headed Gulls
  • 1 Great Crested Grebe, 4 Little Grebe
  • 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker calling near the stables
  • 3 Stock Doves, many Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Feral Pigeons
  • Carrion Crows, Magpies, 4 Jay, Starlings
  • c10 Blackbirds, 7 Robin,
  • 3 Fieldfare, c20 Redwing near the stables
  • Blue Tits, Great Tits, 4 Chaffinch, 2 Greenfinch, 13 Linnet

Roding Valley Park, Central:

  • female Kestrel on a lamp column on Chingwell Road, by the bridge over the Roding (10am) (DEH)
  • 4 Redwing and Goldfinch in the playing field near Roding Lane North
  • 20 Redwing, 8 Greenfinch in Roding Valley Park itself

Valentines Park:

  • Cormorant, Grey Heron,
  • Great Crested Grebe,
  • Kingfisher (boating lake canal)
  • 14 Tufted Duck, 12 Pochard, 1 Shoveller, Mallard, Coot, Moorhen, Canada geese,
  • Common Gulls, Black Headed Gulls, 1 Mediterranean Gull (a good time to view - hood now distinctly black not brown),2 Lesser Black Backed Gulls
  • 2 Egyptian geese grazing
  • 8 Mute Swan including 2nd pair on Long Water
  • 1 Song Thrush nr mansion, 2 Mistle Thrush
  • 1 Jay, 3 Magpies, 50+ Carrion Crows, 10 Jackdaw
  • 2 Blackbirds
  • 3 Goldfinch, 2 Greenfinch,1 Chaffinch, 1 House Sparrow
  • 30 Wood Pigeon, 1 Collared Dove
  • 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Green Woodpecker
  • Starlings, Blue Tits, Great Tits, Robins (Barbara J)
  • Egyptian Geese confirmed to be nest building (MSevoir)

Woodford Green, Broadmead Estate:

  • 2 Blackbirds singing at 3am this morning!
  • 13 Starling and 10 Wood Pigeon on the field (10am, not 3am!)
  • Blue Tit
* This is the first sightings of Brent Goose at Fairlop Waters since 1991 (19 years ago!)

February 11, 2010

February 11th 2010

weather: 1C (cold), cloudy with sunny spells, light snow on the ground


Fairlop Waters CP:

  • only 1 Mute Swan around today (1 juvnile)
  • 195 Canada Geese, 10 Greylag Geese
  • 33 Mallard, 13 Pochard, 10 Gadwall, 61 Tufted Duck, 4 Shoveler, 2 Teal
  • 64 Coot, 31 Moorhen
  • 6 Little Grebe
  • 5 Cormorant
  • many Black Headed Gulls, a few Common Gulls, 3 Lesser Black Backed Gulls, 1 Herring Gull.
  • 16 Lapwing on the island, 1 Snipe over Hainault Farm
  • 1 Pied Wagtail, 2 Meadow Pipits
  • 6 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
  • male Kestrel being mobbed by a Carrion Crow over the lake
  • male Sparrowhawk over the central line tracks, and a female over the field between the gold course and St. Peters Church (Aldborough Hatch)
  • 43 Wood Pigeon, 2 Stock Doves, 5 Collared Doves and 7 Feral Pigeon
  • 13 Blackbird, 3 Song Thrush, 1 Mistle Thrush on the gold course,
  • only 3 Redwing and 3 Fieldfare around today
  • 19 Carrion Crow, 16 Magpie, 3 Jay, 2 Jackdaws, 1 Starling
  • a few House Sparrows by the car park
  • 3 Robin, 2 Wren, Dunnock
  • 20 Blue Tit, 15 Long Tailed Tit (in 2 parties), 6 Great Tit
  • 16 Chaffinch, 4 Goldfinch, 2 Greenfinch

Ilford:

  • garden sightings (BarbaraJ)
  • 8 Chaffinches (5f, 3m), i Greenfinch
  • 1 Wren,
  • Grey Wagtail (still regular!)
  • 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
  • 20 Starlings
  • 1 Blackbird, 2 Robins, 1 Dunnock
Ilford, South Park Drive:
  • Sparrowhawk (JMakengo)

Knighton Woods:

  • 2 Nuthatch (pair) remain interested in nest site and are excavating (see pic of obliging bird on next post)
  • 2 Carrion Crow, 2 Jay, Magpies of course,
  • Great tits very voluble
  • 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker (Peter Warne)

Roding Valley Park, central section:

  • Little Egret is back! (half way between Charlie Browns and Broadmead Church)
  • Fieldfare on the playing field near Roding Lane North
  • Kestrel
  • flock of 60 Redwings (Alan Hobson)

South Woodford, High Street:

  • 3 Redwing on the grass outside Waitrose (JMillea)

Valentines Park:

  • There are 3 pairs of Shovelers on the Long Water today and the Egyptian Geese were sitting on the grass in front of the Pavilion just like a pair of Dogs. (SLitt)
  • Valentino the Mediterranean Gull (RIles)

Woodford, Library:

  • Redwing (AHobson)

Pics - Feb 2010

This Nuthatch has chosen his/her nest site already, and is making preperations. Knighton Wood, Feb 11th 2010 (PWarne)

February 10, 2010

February 10th 2010

weather: cold, light snow showers & sunny spells

Fairlop, Aldborough Road North:

  • 10 Fieldfare
Hainault Recreational Ground:
  • 7 Fieldfare

Hatch Forest:

  • Little Egret and Grey Wagtail both along the river Ching
  • Great Spotted Woodpecker

Knighton Woods:

  • 7 Mallard, 1 male Shoveler in eclipse, 7 Moorhen and 2 Mandarin (1m, 1f)
  • 6 Great Spotted Woodpecker
  • 3 Jay,
  • female Sparrowhawk
  • 10 Wood Pigeon
  • 8 Blue Tit, 4 Great Tit (just before dusk, so the majority were inactive)
  • 8 Blackbird
  • female Brambling feeding with 2 Chaffinches and 2 Greenfinches (DEH)

Ray Park:

  • 77 Redwing (TLachhar)
Valentines Park:
  • 7 Mute Swans (family of 6 on the Boating Lake still and a single adult on Long Water)
  • c25 Canada Geese,
  • 2 Egyptian Geese on the fish pond, and later grazing nearby
  • Mallards, Tufted Ducks, 5 Pochard, (no Shoveler), Coots, Moorhens
  • 2 Great Crested Grebes (on the boating lake, 1 at each end)
  • 2 Grey Heron (1 on each lake)
  • 2 Green Woodpeckers seen, and 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker heard drumming
  • c100 Carrion Crows, 2 Jackdaws, few Magpies, 1 Jay
  • 5+ Mistle Thrush, 10+ Blackbird, 1 Song Thrush, c70 Redwing
  • 1 Stock Dove feeding with the Wood Pigeons
  • c12 Blue Tits, 7 Long Tailed Tits, 7 Great Tits
  • several Robins, 2 Dunnock, 6 House Sparrow, c40 Starling
  • 6 Chaffinch, 12+ Goldfinches, 2 Greenfinch
  • Black Headed Gulls, a few Common Gulls (no sign of Valentino)
  • Feral Pigeons (obviously) (Redbridge U3A Birding Group)

Woodford Green Ponds:

  • 2 Canada Geese, 4 Mallard, 6 Moorhen

Connaught Water: (just outside the borough)

  • 2 Mute Swan, c20 Canada Geese, c60 Mallard, c20 Tufed Duck, c30 Teal
  • Cormorant, Great Crested Grebe
  • 26 Mandarin (18 male, 8 female)
  • male Red Crested Pochard
  • 3 Robins

February 09, 2010

February 9th 2010

Fairlop Gravel Works:
  • 200 Lapwing (PVaughan)

South Woodford, High View Road:

  • female Sparrowhawk in the garden (DLittlejohns)
  • "about 11am the feral pigeons were too occupied eating to notice her and she took one as we watched, carried it 5 metres away across the lawn to pluck and kill, while the pigeon made noises I have not heard from a pidgeon - would have done for a magpie.
    At which, two magpies came out of the Forest behind the garden (Gilberts Slade) and mobbed the sparrowhark, which lost its concentration and let the pigeon go (minus a few neck feathers). We could not see the end of the story, which ended noisily with the pidgeon flying off towards another garden, pursued by an irritated sparrowhawk, in turn tailed by the two magpies, expressing indignation."

Valentines Park:

  • 6 Shoveler (2 on long water, 4 on the fish pond)

Wanstead Flats:

  • 3 Egyptian Geese, 7+ Greylag Geese, 150+ Canada Geese,
  • 4 Gadwall, 6 Shoveler, 5 Pochard, 11 Tufted Duck, 30+ Mallard,
  • 300+ Common Gull, 100+ Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull,
  • Cormorant,
  • m Pheasant,
  • Green Woodpecker, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker,
  • 3 Skylark,
  • 4 Redwing
  • Reed Bunting (J Lethbridge)

Wanstead Park:

  • 8 Pochard, 12 Gadwall, 3 Shoveler, 15 Tufted Duck, 30+ Mallard,
  • Grey Heron,
  • f Kingfisher,
  • 4 Ring-necked Parakeet,
  • Grey Wagtail,
  • 30+ Redwing, 4 singing Song Thrush, Dunnocks, (J Lethbridge)
  • 5 Ring Necked Parakeet
  • Sparrowhawk (over the Dell)
  • 2 Robin, 2 Wren,
  • 2 Green Woodpecker
  • 2 Jay
  • 2 Chaffinch
  • Mistle Thrush, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Long Tailed Tit, Blacbird
  • Coots, Moorhens, Black Headed Gulls, Cormorant, Grey Heron, Carrion Crows
  • Goldcrest (near the Grotto) (Sally Hammond)

Wanstead, Windsor Road:

  • female Blackcap in the garden (JL)

Leyton Flats: (just outside the borough)

  • Little Grebe (rare here), 15 Shoveler, 11 Pochard,
  • Stonechat,
  • 22 Redwing, 1 Fieldfare. (Gary A James).

Barking Park: (just outside the borough)

  • 33 Magpie,
  • 4 Shoveler, Pochard (Howard Vaughn)

February 08, 2010

February 8th 2010

Bush Wood:
  • 46 Redwings (Bush Wood),

Valentines Park:

  • Grea Crested Grebe, Grey Heron and Cormorant all fishing within 10 feet of each other (Barbara J)
Wanstead Flats:
  • 7 Greylag Geese (Alexandra Lake),
  • 16 Shoveler,
  • 244 Black-Headed Gull, 604 Common Gull, 10 Lesser Black-backed Gull, and 2 Herring Gulls.
  • 8 singing Song Thrushes,
  • 16 Goldfinches (Angel Pond),
  • female Reed Bunting (Jubliee Pond)
  • Skylarks! (THarris)
  • 13 Greylag with Canada Geese on Alexandra Lake (J Lethbridge)
Wanstead Park:
  • 12 Siskins (The Dell), (THarris)
  • Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, 2 Mute Swan, 4 Shoveler, 4 Gadwall, 3 Tufted Duck on the Basin (J Lethbridge).
Mayesbrook Park: (just outside the borough)
  • 3 Jackdaw, 42 Gadwall, 12 Shoveler, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 5 Fieldfare, Redwing (PHa)

February 07, 2010

February 7th 2010

Eagle Pond:
  • Buzzard (per Graham Dawson)

Gants Hill:

  • Sparrowhawk - Female again second time around and unlucky yet again much to the relief of the other birds.
  • Greenfinches - 17, House Sparrows - 14, Chaffinches - 6, Goldfinches - 4
  • Blue tits - 5, Great tits - 2
  • Blackbirds - 2, Robins - 2
  • Starlings - 5, Wren - 1
  • Woodpigeon - 1, Feral Pigeons - 10
  • garden sightings - Alan Thomas
Goodmayes, King George Hospital:
  • 8 Blackbirds singing at 4am at King George Hospital
  • 1 Robin
Hainault Forest CP:
  • Sparrowhawk; 3 Fieldfare; 114 Redwing; 3 Coal Tit; pr Bullfinch. (BJ)
South Woodford:
  • Sparrowhawk flying around and Cormorant over (PGordon)
Valentines Park:
  • Black-headed Gulls, Mediterranean Gull (Valentino - getting breeding plumage), 6 Common Gulls
  • 3 Mute Swans, 2 Cormorants, 1 Grey Heron
  • Tufted Ducks, Canada Geese, Moorhens, Coots, Mallards, 8 Pochards
  • 1 Great Crested Grebe
  • 2 Carrion Crows
  • 1 Great Tit
  • 1 Robin, Mistle Thrush, 2 Blackbirds
  • 7 Pied Wagtails on the Cricket Pitch
Wanstead Flats:
  • 1 male Pheasant,
  • 1 Snipe,
  • 3 Lapwing flying east,
  • 19 Skylarks (including 3 singing), 12 Meadow Pipits,
  • 66 Redwing, 11 Fieldfare
  • 5 Reed Buntings (2m, 3f) (Tim Harris)
Wanstead Park:
  • Water Rail and Grey Wagtail in the Dell (THarris)
  • 2 Grey Heron flew low over the Kiosk (PFerris)
Epping Forest, Earls Path Pond: (just outside the borough)
  • 5m 2f Mandarin (MDD)
Epping Forest, Strawberry Hill Pond: (just outside the borough)
  • 4m 3f Mandarin (MDD)
Epping Forest, Woodredon Hill: (just outside the borough)
  • 2 Buzzard (Martin Smith)
Epping Forest, Warren Wood: (just outside the borough)
  • pr Wood Duck, 2pr Mandarin, 80 Ring-necked Parakeet (B&MC)
Chigwell Brook: (just outside the borough)
  • Little Egret (CIS)

February 06, 2010

February 6th 2010

Fairlop Waters CP:
  • Little Grebe x2
  • Cormorant x2
  • Mute Swan, Greylag Goose x18, Canada Goose x15
  • Mallard, Gadwall x6, Wigeon x2, Tufted Duck x40
  • Coot, Moorhen
  • Kestrel x1 female
  • Common Gull x25, Black-Headed Gulls, Lesser Black-backed Gull x2, Herring Gull x3
  • Wood Pigeons
  • Green Woodpecker x1
  • Pied Wagtail, Skylark x1
  • Fieldfare x30, Redwing x40, Blackbird, Robin, Wren
  • Blue Tit, Great Tit
  • House Sparrow, Starling x300
  • Magpie, Jackdaw x2, Carrion Crow (MBraun)

Gants Hill:

  • garden sightings (Alan Thomas)]
  • Sparrowhawk - Female in our garden which tried and failed to capture any birds, surprising considering the sheer numbers there were that day.
  • Greenfinches - 15, House Sparrows - 10, Chaffinches - 6, Goldfinches - 4
  • Blue Tits - 10, Great tits - 3
  • Blackbirds - 2, Robin - 1, Dunnock - 1
  • Starlings - 5, Feral Pigeons - 7

Roding Valley Park, South:

  • in the South Woodford area
  • Green Woodpecker
  • 3 Jays
  • c20 Redwing
  • mixed flock of Great Tits, Blue Tits and Long Tailed Tits
  • Robins, Blackbirds, Carrion Crows, Magpies (PGordon)
South Woodford:
  • Sparrowhawk (over) (PGordon)

Wanstead Flats:

  • 3 Snipe,
  • 2 Mistle Thrush,
  • 13 Skylarks (several males in song) (S Fisher)
  • 16 Goldfinch by Angel Pond
  • 604 Common Gulls, 244 Black Headed Gull, 10 Lesser Black Backed Gulls, 2 Herring Gulls (THarris)
Wanstead Park:
  • 46 Redwing in Resevoir Wood (THarris)

Forest Gate, Forest Lane Park: (just outside the borough)

  • 1 Chiffchaff, Pair of Blackcap, Great-spotted Woodpecker, 4 Long-tailed Tit, 12 Mallard, Coot, Pied Wagtail, 7+ Greenfinch, 5 Chaffinch, Lesser Redpoll (S Fisher)

Roding Valley Park: (just outside the borough)

  • Red Crested Pochard
  • 110 Redwing (BJ)

February 05, 2010

Pics - Feb 2010

Fieldfare & Redwing, Fairlop Waters CP: Feb 6th (Mark Braun)

Pied Wagtail, Fairlop Waters - Feb 6th 2010 (MBraun)

female Kestrel, Fairlop Waters CP - Feb 6th 2010 (MBraun)

.

Valentines Park's pair of Egyptian Geese, 5th Feb 2010 - TShearman



February 5th 2010

weather: light showers, mostly dry, cloudy, 10C

Hainault Forest CP:

  • 6 Robins, 6 Blue Tits, Great Tits,
  • 18 Jackdaws, 4 Jays, 8 Carrion Crows, 6 Magpies, 10 Starlings
  • 2 Blackbirds,
  • Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker,
  • Chaffinch
  • 16 Coot, 52 Canada Geese,10 Moorhens, Cormorant, 22 Mallard, 8 Pochard, 6 Tufted Duck, 2 adult Mute Swans and 2 young, 2 Great Crested Grebes,
  • 40 Black headed Gulls, Common Gull. (CIS)

Roding Valley Park:

  • male Bullfinch (SFisher)

South Woodford, St. Aubyns School:

  • Jay (over)

Valentines Park:

  • 2 Egyptian Geese, seem to be preparing a nesting site in a large hole in an oak tree. (ToddShearman)
  • Mediterranean Gull,
  • Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker,
  • Grey Wagtail,
  • 100 Redwings, 5 Mistle Thrush, 2 Song Thrush,
  • Goldcrest (DBa)

Wanstead Park:

  • Water Rail in the Dell
  • Grey Wagtail in the Dell (Paul Ferris)
  • Kingfisher at the west end of Perch Pond (Kathy Hartnett)
  • Lesser Spotted Woodpecker near Coronation Bridge (Paul Davies)
Wanstead Flats:
  • 6 Lesser Redpoll
  • 19 Meadow Pipit
  • 2 Skylark, (one in song-flight)
  • Green Woodpecker (SFisher)
  • Snipe (THarris)

Wanstead, Windsor Road:

  • female Blackcap in the garden (JLethbridge)

Woodford Bridge, St. Pauls Church Pond:

  • a Barnacle Goose has joined the 6 Canada Geese. (DEH)

Epping Forest, Stubbles: (just outside the borough)

  • pr Firecrest (DBa)

Mayesbrook Park: (just outside the borough)

  • Little Egret (Barbara J)

February 04, 2010

February 4th 2010

weather: 7C, light showers, cloudy
Claybury Park:
  • Grey Heron flew low out of the park over Tomswood Hill, and seemed to land in a Hainault garden

Fairlop Waters:

  • 8 mute Swan, 311 Canada Geese, 14 Greylag Geese
  • 60 Mallard, 56 Tufted Duck, 13 Shoveler, 13 Teal, 9 Gadwall
  • 6 Little Grebe
  • 52 Coot, 40 Moorhen
  • 1 Grey Heron
  • 84 Black Headed Gull, 71 Common Gull, Herring Gull, Lesser Black Backed Gull
  • 2 Pied Wagtail (golf course/boating lake)
  • 4 Robin, 2 Dunnock, Wren
  • Song Thrush,
  • 11 Great Tit, 5 Blue Tit, 8 Long Tailed Tit, 4 Chaffinch
  • 2 Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker
  • 2 male Pheasant on Hainault Farm, by the spit
  • few Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, 3 Stock Dove
  • female Kestrel
  • flock of 500 Starlings on the paddock behind he stables with a c30 Redwing and 30 Fieldfare
  • 7 Linnet by the clubhouse
  • 70+ Carrion Crow, 15 Magpie, 2 Jackdaw
  • 3 Skylark flying over Fairlop Plain (calling)

Hainault Recreational Ground:

  • c30 Redwings on the ground with a few Starlings

Ilford, Tavistock Gardens:

  • pair of Jackdaw prospecting (PVaughn)

Wanstead Park:

  • female Tawny Owl, near COL Cemetery at 6pm (SFisher)

Woodford Bridge, St. Pauls Church:

  • Robin singing on a gatepost.

Barking Park: (just outside the borough)

  • Little Egret, Kingfisher (PVaughn)