HATCH FOREST CENSUS: 12th March 2011

HATCH FOREST, Woodford Green, Saturday 12th March 2011

17 of us met in Woodford Green at 8am to walk through Hatch Forest and Plain along the River Ching (and back) to census the birds in this very underwatched but lovely remnant of Epping Forest.

We clocked up 31 species, which is not bad for a woodland walk. The hightlights were 4 drumming Great Spotted Woodpeckers, a pair of Nuthatch, 2 singing Goldcrest, and a singing Treecreeper.
Some of us also had a quick sighting of 3 Waxwing the flew over the Plain.
The following counts were recorded: 1 Canada Goose (flying over), 1 Grey Heron (flying over), 2 Mallard (on the river Ching), 1 Common Gull and c20 Black Headed Gulls on a playing field, 20 Woodpigeon, 7 Stock Dove including a singing male, 2 Collared Doves, and a Feral Pigeon, 2 Green Woodpeckers and 4+ Great Spotted Woodpeckers drumming, 7 Wren, 11 Robin, a Dunnock, 6 Blackbird, 6 singing Song Thrush, 22 Blue Tit, 9 Great Tit, 10 Long tailed Tits including a pair nest building, 2 Nuthatch, 2 Treecreeper, 2 Goldcrest, 17 Magpie, 3 Carrion Crow, 4 Jackdaw (flying over), 3 Waxwing, 1 House Sparrow calling from a nearby street, 12 Jay, 13 Greenfinch, 2 Chaffinch and 5 Goldfinch.

A great time was had by all... and we were back at the cars with 10 mins to spare.

The next bird census walk is taking place on Thursday 24th March, 8-10am at Knighton Woods in Woodford
£1 fee
to book your place, please email redbridgebirdwatching@hotmail.co.uk or call/text 07862 140777