April 29th 2009

Wanstead Flats:

• 6 Skylarks including 3 singing birds (am) (Tim Harris)
• Hobby (TH)
• 11 Skylarks later in the day
• Grey Wagtail, singing Meadow Pipit,
• Singing Reed Bunting
• Singing Lesser Whitethroat, also Whitethroat, Chiffchaff and Blackcap (TH)

Roding Valley Park:

• Little Egret, near Woodford Bridge (Alan Hobson)

Fairlop Waters:

• Male Whinchat, 3 Wheatear and Grasshopper Warbler (Alan Bell)

Valentines Park:

• U3A Birdwatching walk report: (Jacqui Millea)
• Little Grebe on both lakes,
• Great Crested Grebe on boating lake,
• Mute Swan on boating lake found both hen sitting on nest . We were told there are 8 eggs.
• Canada Geese on small lake a few on the bank of boating lake,
• Mallard with young,
• Pochard on small lake,
• Tufted Duck, Moorhen,
• Coot still no young lots sitting on nests,
• 2 Herring Gull & 2 Lesser Black-Back Gulls on boating lake, No Black Headed Gulls,
• Feral Pigeons, Wood Pigeons, Collared Dove,
• Wren, Robin, Blackbird, Mistle Thrush,
• Goldcrest we wonder if they are breeding in the park,
• Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit,
• Magpie, Carrion Crow Starlings, House Sparrows,
• Chaffinch, Greenfinch lots near the Perth Road entrance.

Pics - April 29th 2009

12 Mallard ducklings on the small lake in Valentines Park

29th April 2009, pic by J Millea

April 26th 2009

Hainault Forest:

• Mute Swan, Canada Goose, Greylag Goose, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Moorhen, Coot (James Anderson)
• Buzzard soaring over
• Lapwing on the fields near the golf course
• Great Spotted Woodpecker and Green Woodpecker
• Pheasant, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Robin, Wren
• 10+ Blackcap, 10+ Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler, 4 Whitethroat
• 6 Linnet, Chaffinch
• Carrion Crow, Magpie, Jackdaw, Jay, Starling
• Blue Tit, Great Tit, Long Tailed Tit.

Roding Valley Nature Reserve: (just outside the borough)

• Whitethroat, Blackcap, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff
• Little Egret (over)
• 3 Great Crested Grebes and the usual waterfowl
• Great Spotted Woodpecker
• Chaffinch, Wren

Woodford Green:

• Mistle Thrush flying very fast and low through Broadmead Estate

Wanstead Park:

• Sand Martin over Heronry Pond (PF)

Wanstead Flats:

• Little Owl (PF)

Fairlop Waters CP:

• Mute Swan, Canada Goose, Coot, Moorhen, Tufted Duck, Mallard, Great Crested Grebe,
  
• Blackbird, Robin, Wren, Blue Tit, Great Tit, House Sparrow, Chaffinch,
  
• Carrion Crow, Jay, Magpie, Collared Dove, Feral Pigeon, Wood Pigeon,
  
• Kestrel, Grey Heron,
  
• Whitethroat,
  

April 25th 2009

Wanstead Flats:

• 9 Swifts over Wanstead Flats (first of the year) (Jonathan Lethbridge)
• 2 Sparrowhawk and a Kestrel
• Whitethroat, Blackcap, Chiffchaff
• Little Ringed Plover (over) (SFisher)
• 1 Tree Pipit, 1 Whinchat, 2 Wheatear, 2 Lesser Whitethroat (SFisher)

Clayhall:

• 2 Kestrels over Beale School (JMakengo)

Gants Hill:

• 2 Adult Dunnock and a juvenile in a garden (AThomas)
• 4 Swifts at 7pm (AT)
• Grey Heron in the direction of Woodford Avenue.

Chigwell: (just outside the borough)

• Chigwell Car Boot Sale (near David Lloyd)
• Kestrel and Chiffchaff both very active
• Jay
• Grey Heron being mobben boy Carrion Crows

Hainault Forest:

• 5 Sparrowhawks, including 1 pair defending their territory against another pair (Peter Gordon)
• Cuckoo calling for over an hour near Hainault Golf Course
• ** Wryneck ** feeding on the ground, near the 12th hole on the lower golf course.
• Swift (over) (PGordon)

Fairlop Waters:

• Grasshopper Warbler reeling, 50 yards into the scrub beyond the end of the Fishing Club car park (Neil Twyford/Alan Bell)
• 20 Swifts (Alan Bell)

April 24th 2009

Roding Valley Park, Redbridge Lakes:

• Little Grebe (site tick)
• Willow Warbler (Alan Hobson)

Wanstead:

• Buzzard and 2 Sparrowhawks (over) (Jonathan Lethbridge)

Wanstead Park:

• no sign of Garganey (DE-H/Don Shepherd)
• 5 Little Grebe, 3 Great Grested Grebe on Heronry Pond
• Tufted Duck, Mallard, Moorhen and a fat rat!
• 3 House Martin over Heronry Pond
• Blackcap and Chiffchaff singing
• 1st Coot Hatchlings on Heronry Pond (only 1 chick)

Fairlop:

• Short Eared Owl still present 6pm (Alan Bell)
• 1 Wheatear. (AB)

April 23rd 2009

Gants Hill:

• Buzzard drifting over at 14.50 (unconfirmed, but likey as also seen elsewhere),
• Jackdaw, and Blackcap in private garden (Alan Thomas)

Wanstead:

• Buzzard drifting over garden at 13.40pm (northwards) (Jonathan Lethbridge)
• Greylag Geese (over)

Fairlop Waters:

• Hobby over in the distance (Steve Bacon)
• pair of Great Crested Grebe on the main lake. (DE-Hull)
• Mallard Brood 1 - 12 ducklings present (1 missing)
• Mallard Brood 2 - 9 ducklings still present
• Mallard Brood 3 - 7 ducklings still present
• No sign of the 2 Canada Geese broods
• 1st Brood of Greylag Geese (6 goslings)
• Brood of Coot still all present (6 chicks)
• Also: Tufted Duck, Moorhen, Mute Swans present
• Grey Heron (over)
• Short Eared Owl present behind the lagoon agtain today, being mobbed by 3 Carrion Crows at 4.30pm
• Starlings, Swallows, Green Woodpeckers, 10 Linnets, 20+ Stock Dove, Feral Pigeons, Collared Dove and Wood Pigeons all present by the stables
• Chaffinch, male Reed Bunting, Blue Tits, Great Tits, Long Tailed Tits all present on the reserve.
• 2 Kestrels, male hunting, and another bird calling from somewhere..
• 6 Skylark singing around the reserve.
• Also: Jay, Magpie, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit,
• Lesser Whitethroat, many Whitethroat, Chiffchaff, Willow Warblers, and a few Blackcap.
• Pheasant calling in several places on the reserve. (DE-H)

Fairlop Gravel Pits:

• 4 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Redshank, 4 Lapwing were joined today by a Whimbrel! the Whimbrel was standing in the mud for about 30 mins, and then flew off east, calling as it went. (DE-H/Steve Bacon)
• 2 Black Headed Gulls, a Herring Gull and a LesserBlack Backed Gull.
• 3 Grey Heron.
• pair of Shoveler, Tufted Ducks, Mallards, Moorhen, Coot, pr of Mute Swan and severel pairs of Canada Geese.
• Shelduck and Green Sandpiper seen to have finally left.
• Still lots of Pied Wagtails flying in to roost. (DEH)

Wanstead Park:

• pair of Garganey on Heronry Pond this evening. (Pete Davies/JLethbridge)
• Also, escaped Goshawk (with jessies attatched)

Wanstead Flats:

• lots of singing Skylarks (Tajinder L)
• 1 Sparrowhawk flying south over Alexandra Lake (early am) (PF)
• 2 Whitethroat singing east of Alexandra Lake (PF)

April 22nd 2009

Woodford Bridge:

• plenty of male Mallards on the grass by the pond at St. Pauls Church
• Moorhen on a nest
• Greenfinches and Goldfinch singing

Woodford:

• Goldfinch singing in Ray Lodge Primary School playground, and several House Sparrows nearby

Woodford Green:

• Goldfinch also singing on Broadmead Estate

Wanstead:

• Peregrine Falcon over my house at c3.10pm, (Jonathan Lethbridge)
• Also, Sparrowhawk and Goldfinch (JL)

Wanstead Flats:

• 8 Greylag Geese with the Canada Geese on Alexandra Lake (DEH/JMak)
• 3 Ring Necked Parakeet flying towards Manor Park (PF)
• Also, Mallards, several pairs of Tufted Duck, Coot, Moorhen, Mute Swan and 5 Little Grebe (DEH/JMAk)
• 200+ Feral Pigeons being fed Gungu Peas and Red Kidney Beans!
• Green Woodpecker in the scrub just south of the lake
• Also, Chiffchaff calling, and at least 4 Whitethroat.
• male Blackcap
• Also, Carrion Crows, Magpies, Pied Wagtail, Robin.
• Song Thrush in good voice south of Alexandra Lake
• 2 male Blackbirds having a fight. (DEH/JMak)

Fairlop Waters:

• 2 pairs of Great Crested Grebe, one on the main lake and one on the fishing lake.
• 1 pair of Little Grebe on the lagoon.
• 5 Gadwall present on the main lake (3m, 2f)
• 8 pairs of Tufted Duck (no ducklings yet)
• Mute Swans, Greylag Geese, Moorhens a plenty
• Mallard brood 1 - 13 ducklings still all present! (main lake)
• Mallard brood 2 - 9 ducklings still all present! (main lake)
• Mallard brood 3 - 7 ducklings (hatched today i think)
• Canada Goose brood 1 - 4 goslings still all present (main lake)
• Canada Goose brood 2 - unknown number of goslings, as sheltering on the island (hatched today)
• Coot brood 1 - 6 'cootlings' on the fishing lake (1 or 2 days old)
• Lesser Black Backed Gulls flying over.
• Grey Heron (over)
• male Pheasant by the stables, another by the farm pond, and others calling distantly.
• Green Woodpecker calling near the stables, another seen by the lagoon.
• Female Kestrel hunting over the plain, and a male perched on a tree.
• 3 Pied Wagtails near the club house.
• Skylark displaying above the plain behind the lagoon.
• Short Eared Owl seen carrying dried grass on the reserve behind the lagoon, where the grass has been cut. Also perched for about 15 mins, looking around (and at me) also seen it attempt to divebomb something, then landed on the ground out of view...
• 4 Yellow Wagtails on the paddock to the southeast of the lagoon. (DEH) - 10 Yellow Wagtails seen later (Alan Bell)
• 10 Stock Doves in various places accross the reserve, also a lot more than usual Feral Pigeons. Also, Wood Pigeon and Collared Doves. (some juvenile Wood Pigeons are on the farm land,and can be mistaken for Stock Doves, as they have no white neck patch... look out for the green shimmering neck to confirm Stock Doves.
• Starlings present around the stables, a few pairs of Swallow and about 10 Linnet today.
• Also: Chaffinch, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Robin, Wren, Blackbird, Carrion Crow, Jay, Magpie, House Sparrow.
• 1 female Reed Bunting on the plain behind the lagoon.
• at least 12 Whitethroat on the reserve, and a Lesser Whitethroat.
• Blackcap and Chiffchaff both present, but way outnumbered by Willow Warbler.
• 1 Garden Warbler also present near the west end of the lagoon.
• 1 Snipe heard somewhere on the flooded plain.

Fairlop Gravel Pits:

• Mute Swan, Canada Geese, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Coot, Moorhen and a pair of Shoveler
• 4 Grey Herons becoming very boisterous.
• 4 Little Ringed Plover, 6 Lapwing, and 2 Redshank still present
• Green Woodpecker and Chiffchaff both calling from the Scout Camp
• Whitethroat on site (1 or 2)
• A few Pied Wagtails and Linnet (over)
• Swallows, from the nearby stables, and also 4 or more Sand Martins lingering in the west end, looking like they might be nesting there.
• 2 Herring Gulls over.

City of London Cemetery: (just outside the borough)

• Pheasant, near the Aldersbrook Bridle Path. (Paul Ferris)

Claybury Park:

• Great Spotted Woodpecker, Blackcap, Whitethroat, Stock Dove, Jay, Treecreeper, Chiffchaff. (Alan Hobson)
• 2 Tawny Owls calling to each other. (AH)
• Sparrowhawk (AH)

Ray Park/Roding Valley Park:

• Council run walk, led by Alan Hobson
• Kingfisher, Little Egret, Grey Heron
• Mistle Thrush, Song Thrush, Blackbird, Robin, Wren, Dunnock
• Blackcap, Whitethroat,
• Also: Mallard, Moorhen, Jay, Jackdaw, Pied Wagtail, Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Starling, Collared Dove, Wood Pigeon, Great Tit, Blue Tit, House Sparrow, Carrion Crow, Feral Pigeon, Magpie. (AH)

Wanstead Park:

• Willow Warbler on the plain (Paul Ferris)

April 21st 2009

Bush Wood:

• Willow Warbler and Blackcap singing in Bush Wood this morning. (Tim Harris)

South Woodford:

• Cormorant flying over South Woodford Tube Station this morning. (Peter Gordon)

Hainault Forest CP:

• drake Mandarin Duck on the main lake. (Steve Bacon)

Fairlop Waters:

• 1 Little Owl in the usual place,
• also: Green Woodpecker and Starlings nesting in holes in the trees near the stables.
• several pairs of Swallow very active, and drinking from the puddle.
• 5 Linnet still present near the stables.
• Also, 2 Stock Dove, Wood Pigeon and Collared Dove.
• male Kestrel on a lamp post on Painters Road.
• 3 Chiffchaff, Blackcap, and 5 Whitethroat around the plain/lake areas.
• Skylark calling on the plain behind the lagoon.
• pair of Tufted Duck, Moorhen, Mallard and Mute Swan on the lagoon.
• pair of Great Crested Grebe on the main lake,
• the brood of 13 Mallard ducklings are all still present, and a second family also present near the club house on the main lake, with 9 ducklings.
• Also, the first Canada Goslings had ventured out onto the main lake, mother with 4 goslings.
• 3 Gadwall near the island (2m 1f)
• 3 Pied Wagtails around the lake (2f, 1m)
• House Martin (over)
• male Reed Bunting on the plain
• 2 Herring Gulls, Cormorant and Grey Heron over, and another Cormorant on the island.
• male Pheasant near the stables.
• Also: Carrion Crow, Magpie, Blackbird, Robin, Wren, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Long Tailed Tit, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch. (DEH/JMak)

Claybury Park:

• Female Kestrel on nest (site undisclosed, but confirmed) also another (probably the male) seen hunting over the park. (Alan Thomas)
• 2 male Blackcap seen (others heard)
• 3 Whitethroat seen and a male Reed Bunting.
• Chiffchaffs heard.
• Grey Heron on the pond with Mallard and Moorhens
• 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker seen (others heard) and Green Woodpeckers heard
• 3 House Sparrow, 1 Dunnock, Blue Tits, Great Tits, Robins, Greenfinches,
• 2 Jay, Magpies, Carrion Crows, Wood Pigeons, Feral Pigeons,
• Small flock of Starlings
• Blackbirds and Wrens heard. (AT)

Wanstead Park:

• Coot with 4 chicks on Ornamental Waters (Paul Ferris)
  

April 20th 2009

Fairlop Waters:

• Parked near the Stables and immediately heard the Green Woodpecker that is nesting in the trees there.
• Also, Starlings, Greenfinches and Chaffinches in the trees round the stables.
• several pairs of Swallows present there now.
• male Pheasant in the field to the east.
• In the paddock there was a mixed flock of c30 Linnet and c10 Goldfinches, also 8 Stock Dove, and a few Feral Pigeon, Wood Pigeon and Collared Doves.
• 1 Grey Heron flew over, in the direction of the Gravel Pits.
• Chiffchaff calling near the lagoon, and another 3 in total.
• 5 Willow Warbler, a few Blackcap and at least 6 Whitethroat around the lagoon/lake.
• Great Crested Grebe on the main lake with the Mute Swans, Canada Geese, Greylag Geese, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Coots and Moorhens, also, a pair of Gadwall.
• 1 Common Sandpiper flew from the south side, to the island on the main lake.
• 1st Fairlop Brood of Mallards on the main lake, mother with 13 ducklings! (day old)
• pair of Great Crested Grebe on the fishing lake.
• 3 male and 1 female Shoveler on the scrape (private farmland)
• 2 ore Stock Dove nearby
• male Reed Bunting on Fairlop Plain.
• back to the car.... and found a fellow Birder (Alan Hobson) who was looking at the Little Owl near the nest site...
• Also: Jay, Carrion Crow, Magpie, Blackbird, Robin, Wren, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Long Tailed Tit, Pied Wagtail. (DEH)

Fairlop Gravel Works:

• 2 pairs of Lapwing, 2 pairs of Little Ringed Plover, 2 Redshank.
• pair of Gadwall, pair of Shoveler, Mute Swan, Canada Geese, Mallards, Tufted Duck, Moorhen, Coot.
• Swallows over (from the stables nearby)
• 4 Grey Heron, looking like last year juveniles. (non breeders)
• Green Woodpecker calling from near the scout camp.
• female Sparrowhawk low, over the site.
• still many Pied Wagtails flying in to roost.
• several Pheasant in the area calling.

Gants Hill:

• Grey Heron (over) 6pm

Wanstead Flats:

• Song Thrush, 4 male Blackbird, 10 male Skylark
• 2 Whitethroat, 3 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff
• 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Green Woodpecker
• Pied Wagtail, 3 Jackdaw, Jay (JLethbridge)

Wanstead Park:

• Hobby (PS)

Pics - April 19th 2009

Kestrel, Eagle Pond, 19th April 2009

photo by Peter Gordon

Ring Ousel on Wanstead Flats, 19th April 2009

photo by Paul Ferris

April 19th 2009

Fairlop Gravel Pits:

• 2 pairs of Lapwing displaying, also 2 Redshank, 5 Little Ringed Plover and 1 Green Sandpiper still present.
• 1 Shelduck, pair of Gadwall, pair of Shoveler, and a few Mallard, Tufted Duck, Mute Swan, Canada Goose, Moorhen and Coot.
• a few Swallows and 2 Sand Martins.
• 1 female Wheatear near the gates.
• several Skylark singing, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail and Chaffinches also present.
• Green Woodpecker and Chiffchaff calling from near the Scout Camp
• 3 Grey Heron (DEH)
• Sparrowhawk (Jonathan Makengo/Ryan Rnlanda)

Wanstead Flats:

• male Ring Ousel on the northern playing field, Willow Warbler, 3 Whitethroat and 4 Blackcap (JLethbridge/SFisher)

Seven Kings Park:

• Mistle Thrush gathering worms

Eagle Pond:

• Kestrel eating a vole or mouse in the woods by Eagle Pond. (Peter Gordon)
• Great Crested Grebe

South Woodford:

• Sparrowhawk soaring over South Woodford (PG)

Fairlop Waters:

• Common Sandpiper (AAB)
• 2 Lesser Whitethroat (AAB)

City of London Cemetery: (just outside the borough)

• 2 Lesser Whitethroat behind the Cemetery, 1 giving a lot of subsong (PF)

April 18th 2009

Fairlop Waters:

• Oystercatcher on the island on the main lake (Steve Bacon)
• 2 Common Tern flying North East (SB)

Wanstead Flats:

• 2 Whitethroat singing near Alexandra Lake (Paul Ferris)
• 2 Little Grebes on Alexandra Lake (PF)
• 1 Song Thrush near Alexandra Lake
• 2 Wheatear, 3 male Reed Bunting (S Fisher)
• 1 Yellow Wagtail over (north) at 6.30am (SF)
• probable White Wagtail over (SF)
• 1 male Stonechat flew east from the copse (SF)
• 6 Swallows through (SF)

Wanstead Park:

• 2 Willow Warbler in the park, and a 3rd in the Sewage Works
• 2 Sand Martin over Heronry Pond
• lots of Chiffchaffs and Blackcap (Paul Ferris)

Aldersbrook: (just outside the borough)

• Lesser Whitethroat in Alders Brook, just opposite Ilford Golf Course (PF)

South Woodford:

• Grey Heron flying low over South Woodford (Peter Gordon)

April 17th 2009

Wanstead Park:

• 2 drake Pochard, 1 on Heronry Pond and 1 on Shoulder of Mutton Pond (JL)

Wanstead Flats:

• Whitethroat in the scrup near Alexandra Lake
• 3 Blackcap and 4 Chiffchaff
• female Wheatear south of the lake
• 15 Swallows feeding abover the trees by the Council of London yard on Aldersbrook Road.
• Song Thrush (JL)

April 16th 2009

Wanstead Park:

• 2 Egyptian Geese still present till at least 3.30pm, then moved to Alexandra Lake on the flats by 6pm (Jennifer Charter)
• 1 Whitethroat near Ilford Golf Course (SFisher)

Wanstead Flats:

• 2 Grey Heron, 2 Egyptian Geese
• 3 Blackcap, Whitethroat
• Mistle Thrush, 3 Swallow (JL)
• 2 Lesser Black Backed Gulls near Alexandra Lake (PF)
• 3 Wheatear (2f, 1m)

Aldersbrook: (just outside the borough)

• pair of Kingfisher (SFisher)
• male Bullfinch behind the City of London Cemetery (SF)

April 15th 2009

Fairlop Gravel Pits:

• 3 Little Ringed Plover, 4 Lapwing, 2 Redshank (SBacon)
• 2 Gadwall, 3 Shelduck
• 1 Wheatear and 2 Sand Martin (SB)

Wanstead Flats:

• 2 Ring Ousel (male at the northern end, female on the grass near the centre) (SFisher)

April 14th 2009

Bush Wood:

• female Great Spotted Woodpecker, Mistle Thrush, Stock Dove
• 2 Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaff (Jonathan Lethbridge)

Roding Valley Park:

• from Woodford Bridge to Luxborough Lane
• 1 Little Egret from the river to the treetops.
• 1 Grey Heron
• Moorhens and Mallards on the river (mostly male Mallards)
• Carrion Crows, Magpies and a pair of Jay
• Heard a Grey Wagtail
• Also heard Song Thrush, Pheasant, Chiffchaff and Blackcap
• Linnet, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Long Tailed Tit
• 1 Cormorant flying up river.

Fairlop Gravel Works:

• brief 8pm visit.
• Little Ringed Plover, 2 Redshank, 2 Lapwing, Green Sandpiper
• Shelduck.
• Several Pheasant
• 1 Black Headed Gull with injured foot, having trouble taking off, landing and walking.
• 2 Grey Heron on the site
• 1 Cormorant (over)
• 30+ Pied Wagtails flying in to roost.
• Chiffchaff calling somewhere in the direction of Hargreaves Scout Camp
• Also: Mute Swan, Canada Goose, Mallard, Moorhen, Blackbird, Robin, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Wood Pigeon.

Wanstead Flats:

• Ring Ousel on the northern end in the evening (S Fisher)

Ilford:

• Observer was 'dive bombed' by 3 very ferocious Goldfinches in her garden in Ilford! (MS)

April 13th 2009

Fairlop Gravel Works:

• Daniel Erickson-Hull, Jonathan Makengo, Tajinder Lachhar and Alan Thomas sightings from Fairlop Works and Fairlop Nature Reserve 8am-11am
• 1 Shelduck, also Mallard, 6 Tufted Duck, Coot, Moorhen.
• a few Lesser Black Backed Gulls, 1 being mobbed by Little Ringed Plovers.
• Grey Heron flew from site and 1 Cormorant (over)
• 4 Little Ringed Plover (being very vocal and impressively displaying)
• 6 Lapwing, including 1 doing it's broken wing trick.
• a few Swallows, 5 Linnet, 2 Meadow Pipit and about 10 Skylark.
• 2 Green Woodpeckers calling
• 4 Pheasant seen (1m, 3f) others heard distantly.
• at least 2 (probably 4) Wheatear (2m, 2f).
• 3 Stock Dove (over) (DEH/JM/AT/TL)
• Also, 2 Redshank, am (Steve Bacon)
• 6 Redshank seen at 4pm (Jonathan Makengo/Ryan Rnlanda)
• 2 Buzzard seen flying high at 4.30pm (JMak)
• 1 Kestrel hunting... (Jmak)
• 2 Green Sandpiper and 3 Snipe at 7pm (DEH/TL/AT)
• 2 Sand Martin nest prospecting (it looked like)
• Long Tailed Tits feeding on Hainault Road
• 10 Tufted Duck, 6 Shoveler on the northern works site, with 1 Little Grebe (Shoveler flew to southern site)
• 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker (heard)
• 30+ (maybe a lot more) Pied Wagtails flying into roost at 7.30pm among which were at least 2 White Wagtails
• 3 Wheatear still present at 7.30 (2 male, 1 female)

Fairlop Waters NR:

• 9 or 10 Swallows around the Riding School barns. Also, in thier paddock there was an impressive collection of birds: 12 Meadow Pipit, c30 Linnet, c20 Goldfinch, 1 beautiful female Yellow Wagtail, 10 Collared Doves and a few Feral Pigeons. Also: 10 Greenfinch, 5 Chaffinch, Great Tits, Blue Tits, Robins, Blackbirds and Wrens.
• Many Rabbits in the field opposite, including young.
• 4 Blackcap and 5+ Chiffchaff in the vicitity of the lagoon, and a Willow Warbler.
• 3 male and a female Reed Bunting, 2 Jays and 1 Dunnock.
• 2 Moorhen and a Coot near the Lagoon, and Mute Swans.
• 4 Stock Doves (over)
• a further 2 Green Woodpeckers.
• Also: Carrion Crow, Magpie, Starling, Wood Pigeon. (TJ/AT/JMak/DEH)
• 2 Little Owls seen copulating (again) at the usual place at 7.40pm
• Great Crested Grebe and Long Tailed Tit (Madeline Sevoir)

Clayhall:

• Grey Heron flying over Woodford Avenue

Wanstead Park:

• 2 Egyptian Geese
• male and female Blackcaps (J-P Elms)

Roding Valley Park:

• Little Egret seen standing in the middle of the river, while I drove accross the bridge at Woodford Bridge (DEH)

Claybury Park:

• 3 Blackcap including a pair, 2 Chiffchaff. (Alan Hobson)
• Green Woodpecker, 5 Great Spotted Woodpecker (AH)
• 5 Stock Dove, 6 Jays, 4 Lesser Black Backed Gull. (AH)

City of London Cemetery: (just outside the borough)

• 2 Swallows over
• 3 Redwing
• 3 Coal Tit, including a pair at a nest hole, alarm calling at Magpie and Jay (SFisher)

Aldersbrook: (just outside the borough)

• Little Egret (SFisher)

April 12th 2009

Claybury Park:

• 7am visit: Great Spotted Woodpecker, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker Song Thrush and Jays (Jonathan Makengo)
• 5.30pm visit (DEH & JMak): 5 Green Woodpeckers, 6 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, no sign of Lesser Spotted....
• 5 Chiffchaff, Blackcap (heard), 2 Nuthatch, Treecreeper.
• Great Tit, Blue Tit, Blackbird, Robin, Wren,
• 2 Stock Dove on the burnt ground.
• 3 Moorhen and 6 male Mallard on the pond
• Cormorant and Lesser Black Backed Gull (over)
• Carrion Crows, Magpies, Jays, Wood Pigeon, House Sparrow, Collared Dove, Song Thrush. (DEH/JMak)
• Brambling with 2 Chaffinches in the trees just outside the park on the green opposite the main entrance on Roding Lane North. (Alan Hobson)

Valentines Park:

• first brood of Mallard Ducks, with 15 Ducklings! (TJ/AT)

Hainault:

• 1 House Martin over Greenwood Gardens (Jonathan Makengo)

Wanstead Flats:

• Willow Warbler in Long Wood (PF)

April 11th 2009

Wanstead Flats:

• Snipe flushed from near Long Wood
• a few Blackcaps and nearly 10 Chiffchaff
• Song Thrush (Jonathan Lethbridge)
• 5 Linnet and 33 Meadow Pipit, (S Fisher)

South Park:

• Willow Warbler, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Wren, Long Tailed Tit.
• Several Pochard, 3 Lesser Black Backed Gull (Alan Hobson)
• 3 Mistle Thrushes.

Fairlop:

• 40 Swallow, 4 House Martin (Alan Bell)
• 3 Whitethroat, (the first Whitethroat sightings of the year) 3 Wheatear, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 3 White Wagtail (Pied Wagtail subspecies)
• 15 Siskin! (AB)

Roding Valley Nature Reserve: (just outside the borough)

• 2 Whitethroat, 17 Blackcap, 12 Chiffchaff, 3 Willow Warbler (BJ)

April 10th 2009

Wanstead Park:

• Green Woodpecker flew out of the park, and landed on the grass on the middle of Redbridge Roundabout. (DEH)
• Song Thrush in Reseviour Wood (PF)
• 2 male Reed Bunting, (SFisher)
• Siskin (over)
• 10+ Jays including a group of 8 (SF)

Claybury Park:

• Green Woodpecker (JMak)
• Rabbit with no eyes. (presumably lost a fight!)
• Blackcap singing prominantly, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Sparrowhawk (AHobson)
• Mistle Thrush, 3 Goldfinch, 3 Jay, Wren
• Speckled Wood Butterfly (AH)

Hainault:

• Pheasant in the fields east of Hainault Road

Roding Valley Park:

• Little Egret on the River Roding near Woodford Bridge

South Park:

• Mistle Thrushes feeding young.

Fairlop Gravel Works:

• 1 Yellow Wagtail still present, flew from the south side to the north side (Daniel Barrett)
• 2 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Redshank, 2 Lapwing
• Sand Martins, 3 Linnet, Little Grebe (DB)

Wanstead Flats:

• 5 Mute Swan on Alexandra Lake (PF)
• 2 Little Owls on Wanstead Flats
• 4 Green Woodpecker and a Great Spotted Woodpecker
• 8 Skylark (PF)

Fairlop Waters CP:

• Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Mute Swan, Canada Goose, Shelduck, Tufted Duck, Mallard, Coot, Moorhen,
  
• Cormorant, Great Crested Grebe,
  
• Blackbird, Robin, Dunnock, Wren,
  
• Sand Martin, Swallow, Skylark,
  
• Blue Tit, Great Tit, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Linnet, House Sparrow, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Reed Bunting,
  
• Carrion Crow, Magpie, Collared Dove, Wood Pigeon, Feral Pigeon, Starling,
  
• Kestrel, Little Owl,
  
• Lapwing, Little Ringed Plover, Redshank,
  
• Lesser Black Backed Gull,
• (Tony Leaderman)
  

April 9th 2009

Wanstead Park:

• 2 Egyptian Geese around Heronry Pond (Jim Martin/AT/IW/TL)
• 2 Greylag Geese (AT/IW/TL)
• female Lesser Spotted Woodpecker: at first we heard it's call then saw it fly over from one woodland to the opposite side of the woodland area between the open green which leads down to the Ornamental Waters area - It was near the top of tree which we manage to get a good look at and noticed it was a female....What a fantastic surprise and of course my first time in seeing one - Great!! (Alan Thomas/IW/TJ) male also seen by S. Fisher
• Green Woodpecker, various sightings and of course the usual yaffle noise which you can distinguish with the bird.
• Great Spotted Woodpecker, various sightings seeing both female and male in woodland and in flight.
• Female Sparrowhawk: in flight over open field and sitting on a branch in the woodland.
• Jays, up to eight in one area in the woodland also six of them in display with a couple also in territorial dispute.
• Grey Wagtail, A pair near the sub station opposite the river Roding in a small water area with a pylon in the background.
• Stock Doves, various pairs seen in the woods.
• Ring Neck Parakeet, single bird in the tree.
• Chiffchaff, singing just above where we were standing plus hearing a couple more whilst walking around in different areas.
• Jackdaw, we saw a couple in flight over open area.
• Blackcap, we heard and saw just briefly but couldn't see if it was a male or female as it was well hidden in behind some foliage.
• Song Thrush, we heard two singing within the same vicinity but unfortunately could not see them once again well hidden in foliage.
• Swallow, a pair seen flying and swooping over the pond feeding which was again very brief.
• Greylag Goose, a pair in the Ornamental Waters, and also the same pair seen flying from the lagoon over to another area which was within the vicinity. (Report: Alan Thomas)
• House Martin (over) (SFisher)

Fairlop Gravel Works:

• 5-7pm sightings from Alan Hobson, Steve Bacon, Jonathan Makengo and Daniel EHull
• 4 Shelduck together.
• 2 pairs of Lapwing, 2 Green Sandpiper, 7 Snipe, 4 Redshank, 5 Little Ringed Plover being very vocal, and also displaying and showing very well.
• 2 Grey Herons
• Mallard, Mute Swan, Canada Geese, Tufted Duck, Coot and Moorhens on the works
• Also, 20 Canada Geese and 2 Greylag Geese on the field opposite with 2 male Pheasants.
• at least 3 other Pheasant calling around the site.
• a few Lesser Black Backed Gulls.
• 3 Yellow Wagtail (2 male and 1 female) and 1 male Wheatear amongst the 20+ Pied Wagtails. (a lot more Pied Wagtails flying in at dusk.
• 3 Linnet, 2 Meadow Pipit and at least 4 singing Skylark.
• 1 Kestrel hovering.
• 2 Sand Martin lingering around the site.
• Green Woodpecker calling.
• 1 Stock Dove (over)

Barking: (just outside the borough)

• 8 Sand Martin around the River Roding near the A406 Barking/East Ham exit.

April 8th 2009

Eagle Pond:

• The usual several Mute Swan, Canada Geese, Mallard, Tufted Duck, and Coot.
• 1 male Pochard, and 1 Great Crested Grebe
• Great Tit and Greenfinch singing.

Wanstead Flats:

• 07.50-08.00 brief stop at Alexandra Lake (DEH)
• pair of Mute Swan, many Canada Geese, pair of Greylag Geese, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Coot and Moorhen on Alexandra Lake.
• 1 pair of Little Grebe.
• Greenfinch singing.
• Starlings collecting nesting material by the lake, then flying with it up Wanstead Park Avenue.
• Skylark singing between Alexandra Lake and Capel Road
• Buzzard flying south becuase it was being mobbed by a large number of Jackdaws and Carrion Crows.
• 3 House Sparrows near the lake.
• Pied Wagtail heard, and 1 Linnet flying over. (DEH)
• 1 Little Owl, Willow Warbler, Swallow and 3 Chiffchaff (Jonathan Lethbridge)

Wanstead:

• Cormorant flying over at 7.30am

Leyton Flats: (just outside the borough)

• Buzzard over at 10.00am (flying north)
• 1 Little Egret, 2 Egyptian Geese, 1 Swallow, 4 Willow Warbler 2 Blackcap and 2 Chiffchaff (Gary James)

Wanstead Park:

• 2 Egyptian Geese by Heronry Pond (Alan Hobson)
• 2 Little Grebe (AH)
• Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Stock Dove, Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap. (AH)
• Sparrowhawk (AH)
• several Jays (AH)

Wanstead Flats:

• Mistle Thrush (PF)

April 7th 2009

Roding Valley Park, Redbridge Lakes:

• (off Roding Lane North, Woodford Green)
• Blackcap singing, Chiffchaff, and Willow Warbler (Alan Hobson)
• Sparrowhawk (AH)
• 2 Cormorant (AH)
• 2 Song Thrush (AH)
• Common Gull and Pheasant (AH)
• 2 Blackcap at 5.30pm, plus a lot of Carrion Crows. (DEH)

Claybury Park:

• 5pm-6pm (Daniel Erickson-Hull)
• Grey Heron flying over.
• 5 Great Spotted Woodpecker and 4 Green Woodpecker
• 3 Stock Dove, 2 pairs of Collared Dove and loads of Wood Pigeon.
• 2 pairs of Jay, 1 Jackdaw (over) and lots of Magpie and Carrion Crow
• 1 Lesser Black Backed Gull (over)
• 3 male Blackcap singing, and at least 4 Chiffchaff calling.
• Nuthatch, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, 2 Goldcrests.
• 25 Starling and 10+ House Sparrows around the biggest pond.
• 12 Mallard and 1 Moorhen on the pond.

Woodford Green:

• pair of Mistle Thrush on Broadmead playing field (JMak)

Clayhall:

• 1 Kestrel over Woodford Avenue, near Beale School. (JMak)

Fairlop:

• 2 Yellow Wagtail (first passage Yellow Wagtails of the year) (Alan Bell)

Roding Valley Nature Reserve: (just outside the borough)

• 4 Gadwall
• pair of Grey Wagtail
• male Redstart (BJ)

Hainault Forest:

• 2 Mute Swan, 2 Great Crested Grebe, m Shoveler, 12 Tufted Duck, Canada Goose, Mallard, Coot, Moorhen.
• 2 Swallow, 6m Blackcap, 7m Chiffchaff
• 5 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 4 Green Woodpecker, 2 Nuthatch,
• 3 Mistle Thrush, 2 Song Thrush, 4 Jay
• Sparrowhawk (CIS)

Aldersbrook: (just outside the borough)

• 2 Lesser Redpoll and a Kingfisher (SFisher)

April 6th 2009

Bush Wood:

• Willow Warbler, 3 Blackcap and 3 Chiffchaff at 10am this morning (Jonathan Lethbridge)

Fairlop Gravel Works:

• 6.15-7pm in the Gravel works site on the south side of Painters Road.
• 3 Shelduck, a few Teal, 1 pair of Gadwall, 8 Tufted Duck, Mallard, Mute Swan, Canada Geese, Coot, Moorhen, (DEH/Daniel Barrett)
• 6 Little Ringed Plover being very vocal and flying round a lot, 2 Green Sandpiper, 4 Redshank, 13 Snipe, a few Lapwing. (DEH/DB/Steve Bacon)
• 1 Green Woodpecker heard calling from in the direction of Hargreaves Scout Camp, also several Pheasant calling in the surrounding fields. (DEH/DB)
• still 20 or so Pied Wagtail, 2 Meadow Pipit, 4+ Skylark, 3 Linnet. (DEH/DB)
• 2 Grey Heron fishing around the works (not that there are any fish).... (frogging?)
• 1 male Kestrel hunting over Painters Road. (DEH/DB)

Fairlop Waters:

• Little Owl, on guard in the tree next to the nest site at 7.10pm (mate has been incubating for 21 days now)... (DEH/DB)
• 3+Swallow flying in and out of the barn at the Riding School. (DEH/DB)
• pair of Collared Doves on the lamp columns on Hainault Road.

Woodford Green:

• 1 Stock Dove and 1 Collared Dove over Broadmead playing field (JMak)

City of London Cemetery: (just outside the borough)

• 3 Lesser Redpoll (SFisher)
• 2 Sand Martin (north)

April 5th 2009

Ilford Golf Course:

• Great White Egret flew high over Ilford Golf course this morning (This is the first reported sighting of a Great White Egret in the borough). (birdguides)
• 1 male Bullfinch (SFisher)

Woodford Bridge:

• Yellow Legged Gull on the grass outside Broadmead Baptist Church with 2 Herring Gulls.
• Chiffchaff calling from near St. Pauls Church.

Bush Wood:

• Stock Dove, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, Jay (Jonathan Lethbridge)
• Willow Warbler (borough's first of the year), also, male Blackcap, 4 Chiffchaff

Fairlop Gravel Works:

• 3 Shelduck, 10 Teal, 2 Gadwall, 1 male Shoveler, Mallard, Canada Geese, Mute Swan, Moorhen and Coot.
• 2 Grey Heron, pr Lapwing (displaying), 2 Green Sandpiper, 5 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Redshank
• 30+ Pied Wagtail still, pair of Linnet, pair of Meadow Pipit, and 2 Skylark
• Pheasant calling in a few places, and a Green Woodpecker calling from Hargreaves Scout Camp
• pair of Stock Dove (over)
• 6 Lesser Black Backed Gulls (including a pair in an impressive areal display)

Fairlop Waters:

• Willow Warbler and 6 Chiffchaff (Bob Jenner)
• 3 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Reed Bunting, (Peter Ross)
• 18 Tufted Duck, 1 pair of Great Crested Grebe (PR)
• Lesser Redpoll, 4 Chiffchaff, and Swallow (PR)
• Buzzard (over) and Blackcap (Alan Bell)
• Skylark
• Great Crested Grebe,
  
• Greenfinch, (Tony Leaderman)
  

Hainault Forest:

• James Anderson:
• House Sparrow, Song Thrush, Blackbird, Robin, Wren, Dunnock
• Mute Swan, Canada Geese, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Shoveler, Coot, Moorhen, Great Crested Grebe
• Magpie, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Jay, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove
• Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker
• Nuthatch, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Long Tailed Tit, Chaffinch,
• Grey Heron, Pheasant
• Chiffchaff, Blackcap
• Fieldfare

Wanstead Park:

• Peregrine over the park at 10am
• 1 Buzzard over at 1pm (SFisher)

April 4th 2009

Fairlop Gravel Works:

• 1 Greenshank, 7 Redshank, 2 Little Ringed Plover and a pair of Lapwing (Peter Warne)
• 5 Linnet, 2 Sand Martin and 2 Pied Wagtail. (Peter Warne)

Gants Hill:

• female Siskin feeding in a private garden (Alan Thomas)

Fairlop Waters:

• Mallard, Tufted Duck, Great Crested Grebe, Mute Swan, Coot and Moorhen on the lake. (AT)
• Shoveler on the wader scrape, also Canada Geese on the grass near there. (AT)
• Green Woodpecker, Blackbird, Robin, Dunnock, Wren (heard), around the lake. (AT)
• Chaffinch, Long Tailed Tit (nestbuilding near the lake), Blue Tit, Great Tit, Chiffchaff all near the lakes. (AT)
• Starling, Wood Pigeon, Magpie, Carrion Crow, around the lakes. (AT)
• Skylark heard calling on the surrounding farmland. (AT)
• Reed Bunting seen on Fairlop Plain, also Jay present there and 2 House Martins (first of the year in the borough!) (AT)
• also: Terrapin seen in the fishing lake! and 3 types of Carp (Common, Leather and Mirror) (AT)

Roding Valley Nature Reserve: (just outside the borough)

• pair of Great Crested Grebe, 2 Cormorant, 10 Mute Swan, 39 Canada Geese, 18 Mallard, 20 Tufted Duck, 2 Moorhen, 10 Coot. (BJ)
• Kestrel, Herring Gull, 13 Wood Pigeon, 4 Collared Dove, 4 Green Woodpecker, pair of Grey Wagtail (BJ)
• 13 Wren, 9 Dunnock, 17 Robin, 10 Blackbird, 9 Song Thrush. (BJ)
• 7 Blackcap, 8 Chiffchaff, 13 Blue Tit, 9 Great Tit, (BJ)
• 2 Jay, 22 Magpie, 16 Carrion Crow, 47 Starling, 10 House Sparrow. (BJ)
• 6 Lesser Redpoll, 5 Chaffinch, Reed Bunting. (BJ)

Wanstead Park:

• 1 Siskin (over) (SFisher)
• 3 male Blackcap, 1 Willow Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff
• 1 Reed Bunting singing
• 1 Buzzard soaring in the distance at 2pm (SF)

Pics - April 4th 2009

Long Tailed Tit on the nest at Fairlop Waters,

4th April 2009, Tajinder Lachhar

female Siskin in a Garden in Gants Hill

4th April 2009, photo by Tajinder Lachhar

Little Ringed Plover, Fairlop Gravel Works

4th April 2009, photo by Peter Warne

April 3rd 2009

Valentines Park:

• pair of Mute Swan, and many pairs of Canada Geese
• Mallards, Moorhens and Coots. (the Coot that was sitting on 1 egg last week, is now sitting on 3)
• 20 or so Tufted Duck, 2 pairs of Gadwall, 1 pair of Little Grebe and a male Pochard on the small lake
• pair of Grey Wagtail on the boating lake
• Great Spotted Woodpecker seen in the tall trees near the small lake, and a Green Woodpecker heard calling distantly.
• many Carrion Crows, Magpies, and a pair of Jay in a hollybush near Valentines School
• Great Tit, Blue Tit, Long Tailed Tit, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, and a Mistle Thrush.

South Park:

• pair of Mute Swan, many Canada Geese, 1 pair of Greylag Geese, many Mallards, 30 or so Tufted Duck, 1 female Pochard and a Little Grebe.
• several pairs of Greenfinch by the southern entrance.
• pair of Stock Dove, (plus many Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove and Feral Pigeon)
• the pair of Mistle Thrush is still feeding young, a third adult was seen on the playing field and a fourth at the junction with Green Lane/South Park Drive.

Fairlop Gravel Works:

• no sign of Spotted Crake, but kicked out 10 Snipe, 1 Green Sandpiper, 3 Redshank, 2 Little Ringed Plover (Steve Bacon)
• 18 Gadwall, 2 Shoveler, 2 Teal, 2 Shelduck.
• 7 Sand Martin and 3 Swallow. (SB)

April 2nd 2009

Roding Valley Park:

• 9.00-9.45am walk up the section from Woodford Bridge to Luxborough Lane
• 1 Little Egret roosting in the trees that overhang the river.
• a few Mallards and Moorhens on the river, and along the path.
• lots of Wood Pigeon, a pair of Collared Dove, and a pair of Stock Dove.
• 1 Pheasant heard calling from inside Luxborough Lane Storm Drain Works.
• 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker heard calling.
• Blackbirds, Robins and Wrens everywhere, and at least 3 pairs of Dunnock
• 1 Song Thrush singing, and a pair of Mistle Thrush heard in Ray Park.
• at least 4 singing Chiffchaff and 2 male Blackcap
• a few pairs of Blue Tit, and Great Tit and a small party of Long Tailed Tit.
• 3 Jackdaw in the trees by the river, on the Ray Park side, and another Jackdaw over (being mobbed by a Carrion Crow)
• 1 pair of Jay, and a few Magpies.
• Small parties of Starling flying over.
• Greenfinch heard in several locations along the river, also 3 Goldfinch, a male Bullfinch and 4 Linnet including one singing male (near the Storm Drains)
• 1 male Reed Bunting, still in transition from winter to summer plumage (very small bib)

Gants Hill:

• Winter Plumage male Brambling still present at 7am feeding in a Garden near Gants Hill roundabout. (Alan Thomas)
• Grey Heron attempted to land in a garden pond, but was 'seen off' by the rogues (4 Carrion Crows) early morning. (AT)
• 2 pairs of Jackdaw flying over, and 'rooftopping' near Gants Hill roundabout at 6.20pm (DEH)

Wanstead Flats:

• 2 Little Owls (one calling at 12.45pm) (Paul Ferris)
• 5 or 6 Skylark singing over the flats, and 1 Meadow Pipit (PF)
• 2 Swallow (PF)
• 1 female Wheatear (PF)
• pair of Shoveler on Alexandra Lake

Fairlop Gravel Works:

• **Spotted Crake** flushed from the western bank of the flooded pit on the northern gravel works site on Painters Road, Fairlop at 7pm. (it called, and only flew about 10 meters into a cluster of bullrushes at the base of the large gravel mound). I saw it clearly, it was short billed, smaller than a Water Rail or Moorhen, consistant markings and call as per the RSPB site, It called only once when I flushed it, I wrote down "a cross between a croak, and a Jack Russell's yap!". Could not relocate once it landed, but it did not fly off. I remained on site till 7.50pm (This site is not accessible to the public, and does involve jumping a fence.) Good Luck! (This may have been the first ever sighting of this bird in the borough)
• Also on the northern site, 10 Gadwall, 10 Shoveler, 20 Tufted Duck, 10 Teal, Coots Moorhen, 2 Redshank and 2 Snipe, and 1 male Reed Bunting.
• Also: Blackbird, Robin, Dunnock and Wren.
• On the south side of painters road, the main gravel works site, were 8 Lapwing, 2 more Redshank, 3 Green Sandpiper, 4 Little Ringed Plover, 6 Snipe, several Pheasant calling, 2 Grey Heron 'fishing' (DEH/SB)
• Chiffchaff, Green Woodpecker and Great Spotted Woodpecker both in the trees to the south (near Hargreaves Scout Camp)
• female Sparrowhawk in the trees bordering the field to the east of the Gravel Works
• 4 more Gadwall, 20+ Teal, plenty of Canada Geese, 4 Mute Swan, 4 Shelduck.
• 4 Skylark singing, 8 Meadow Pipit and still over 40 Pied Wagtails, many flying in to roost at dusk (DEH)
• 6 Chiffchaff, 2 male Blackcap and a Swallow (SB)
• 2 Sand Martin lingering at the site today.
• 1 Lesser Black Backed Gull

Ilford:

• possible Peregrine sitting on the roof of the BT building, seen while driving past on the A406 at 6pm, but not clearly enough to be 100% sure. (DEH)
• 10 Lesser Black Backed Gulls around the office block rooftops.

Roding Valley NR: (just outside the borough)

• 42 Pied Wagtails, and a Blackcap (BJ)

Pics - April 2nd 2009

Brambling in a Gants Hill garden, 1st April 2009

Photo by Tajinder Lachhar

Skylark, Wanstead Flats, 2nd April 2009

photo by Paul Ferris

Little Owl, Wanstead Flats, 2nd April 2009

photo by Paul Ferris

April 1st 2009

Bush Wood:

• Blackcap singing (first one heard in Bush Wood this year) (Tim Harris)

Eagle Pond:

• pair of Grey Wagtail (BJ)

Fairlop Gravel Works:

• 2 Cormorant (over)
• 1 Grey Heron on the site
• 2 Lapwing mobbing a Carrion Crow, (4 Lapwing in total), 1 Snipe, 1 Green Sandpiper, 3 Little Ringed Plover.
• Mute Swan, 3 Shelduck, Canada Geese, Mallards, pair of Gadwall, 20+ Teal, Coot, Moorhen.
• 4 Lesser Black Backed Gulls on the mud.
• 2 Skylark singing, 5 Meadow Pipit, 4 Linnet and 40+ Pied Wagtail
• also: Carrion Crow, Magpie, Wood Pigeon, Robin. (DEH/JMak)
• 1 Sand Martin (over) (Alan Bell)
• 3 Green Sandpiper, 6 Snipe and 5 Little Ringed Plover (Steve Bacon/Alan Bell)
• 5 Gadwall and 4 Shoveler (SB)

Wanstead Flats:

• at least 4 Skylark (singing) and 4 Meadow Pipit (TH)
• 1 Little Owl (TH)

Gants Hill:

• female Brambling feeding for 20-25 minutes on the peanut feeder in a private garden near Gants Hill roundabout at 6.25pm. (Alan Thomas)