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Please list sightings in alphabetical order by site. Only report sightings that are of wider interest, rather than listing all common birds. However, DO NOT post details of nesting by scarce breeding birds (those included in Schedule 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, as amended). Any such reports will be removed. Please submit them instead to the appropriate London Natural History Society bird recorder'''. Note that records submitted here may be added to the LNHS database for use in the London Bird Report; by posting news here you agree to have your records copied by the LNHS recorder. Further information HERE.'''


 * CHURCH WOOD (TRENT PARK) PETITION: Details HERE
 * LONDON OWL SURVEY: Details HERE
 * THREAT TO BOTWELL COMMON: Details HERE - PROTEST DATE! - There will be a protest at the site on Saturday 25th February. See link and 'news' section for more details.

Tuesday 21 February 2012

 * Regent's Park: Smew still in wetlands area, 3 Wigeon, Sparrowhawk. (Charlie Farrell)

Monday 20th February 2012

 * Bentley Priory, Summerhouse Lake: 7 Goosander (3m), Mandarin m&f, Common Buzzard (Richard Francis).
 * Bushy Park: Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, 50+ Redwings, 7 Fieldfares, 110 Siskins(Tony Duckett)
 * Crayford Marshes: Spotted Redshank on foreshore near yacht club. 3 Ruff, Water Pipit, 2 Little Owl, 2 Green Sandpiper, Rock Pipit, 8 Pintail, Common Sandpiper, Kingfisher, 90 Black-tailed Godwit. (Kev Jarvis).
 * Greenwich Park: 5 Teal (3 male, 2 female) was a surprise, a good record here (Joe Beale and Yu-Hsuan Lin)
 * Hampstead Heath: Bittern still showing very well this morning 07:45.(Allan Stewart). Good views of Bittern 8-9.15am, also f Sparrowhawk (Adrian Platt, Frank Nugent). Around 14.00 it did a tour of the eastern shore facing the reedbed. Consensus was that this was an unusually showy bittern - almost an exhibitternist (James Levy). Boom boom!
 * London Wetland Centre: 2 Bitterns, 6 Cetti's Warblers (website).
 * Lonsdale Road Reservoir: 1 Cetti's Warbler, singing on and off, 1 Shelduck (both patch ticks), 5 Pochard, 2 Kestrel (Rich Petley)
 * Leyton: Marsh Lane fields, Little Owl wailing in the early hours. (Paul Whiteman)
 * Mill Hill NW7: 100+ Fieldfare on lawns in front of Copthall sport stadium, 5pm (Andrew Haynes).
 * Northumberland Heath (LB Bexley): 122 House Sparrows in Erith School Hawthorn/Privet hedging along Ramsden Rd/Avenue Rd (none in Beech hedge Hurst Rd side). (Chris Rose).
 * River Lee Country Park: Bowyers Water - pair of Goldeneye, 2 Little Egrets. Friday Lake - 1 drake & 2 redhead Smew. Seventy Acres - Bittern & Water Rail in front of the Bittern Hide. (Mike Oakland)
 * Streatham (Oakdale Road): 1 (very noisy) wren, 1 gs woodpecker, 1 ring necked parakeet (R Bell)
 * Totteridge Valley/Darlands Lake: Little Egret along Folly Brook eventually flew off N; 1 Woodcock flushed: 1 Common Buzzard N over Dollis Brook: Sparrowhawk: 8 Teal: 5 Mandarin: winter thrushes massively reduced, only 17 Fieldfare and 8 Redwing (John Colmans).
 * Trent Park: 8(2 ad males, 6 females) Goosander, Lower Lake, 13:40 hrs (Robert Callf & Robin White).
 * Tufnell Park N7 (Huddleston Road): Bullfinch flew over railway cutting (Adrian Platt).
 * Tyttenhanger GP: 2 Ringed Plover, 2 Green Sandpiper, 2 Goosander, Shelduck, Buzzard, 6 Meadow Pipit, Red Kite, !5 Fieldfare, 3 Bullfinch. (Steve Blake/Kevin Cheadle)
 * Walthamstow Reservoirs: Lockwood, Black-necked Grebe, f Goosander (Kevin J Mcmanus).
 * Wanstead Flats: 3 singing Skylark, Meadow Pipit, 3 Lesser Redpoll, Siskin, Reed Bunting, singing Song and Mistle Thrush, Fieldfare, Redwing, Kestrel (Nick Croft)
 * Wanstead Park: Displaying Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Stock Dove, 11 + Teal, 8 Egyptian Goose, 4 Little Grebe, Bullfinch, Siskin, Grey Wagtail (Nick Croft/Steve Thorpe)

Sunday 19th February 2012

 * Brent Reservoir: 2 drake Pintail again in north marsh (Brent Birders).
 * Brompton Cemetery: Goldcrest, Coal Tit, m&f Great Spotted Woodpecker (Charlie Farrell).
 * Crouch End: Tawny Owl calling last night (behind Edison Rd, 40+ Redwing last week) (G Sawtell).
 * Grovelands Park, Southgate, Middx N14: Little Egret flying SW (Bob Husband & Robin Morden)
 * Hampstead Heath: Bittern out & about by 06.30 (Frank Nugent). Bittern on edge of reed bed at c8:30am (G Sawtell). Photos here. Showing much further west along the reedbed than previously, but made its way back east to roost at 17.40 clambering up its favoured tree for all to see (Frank Nugent).
 * Ickenham Marsh: 30+ Rooks, Reed Bunting, Little Egret, Kestrel, 50+ Fieldfare (Joe Dickens).
 * Lonsdale Road Reservoir: 1 Shelduck, Sparrowhawk, c.20 Gadwall, c.20 Shoveler, c.50 Teal, 4 Pochard, Grey Wagtail over, Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Redwing (M Bournat).
 * London Wetland Centre: 3 Pintail, Snipe, Stonechat, Water Rail (M Bournat) Jack Snipe and Bittern seen by others. Also 2 Goldcrest by the Lodge, mixed flock of Redpoll, Siskin and Goldfinch in the Wildside, great views of the Bittern from the Headley Hide which later flew and landed on the marsh (W.Marks)
 * River Thames, Wandsworth Park: 6 Pintail (3 drakes), 55 Cormorants roosting on barges and in Plane tree on Fulham side of river (J. Wilczur).
 * Regent's Park: Smew. 11 Teal, 2 Wigeon, 40 redwing, 7 Siskins (Tony Duckett).
 * Richmond Park: 2 Shelduck flew over Pen Ponds E. On Pen Ponds c.30 Wigeon, c.30 Gadwall, c.20 Teal, 10+ Shoveler & 3 Pochard. At least 7 Green Woodpecker on the Model Aircaft Flying Field. Goldcrest, Great Spotted Woodpecker & 2 Nuthatch by Roehampton Gate (M Bournat).
 * Staines Reservoir: in the morning, no sign of yesterday's Slavonian Grebes, but five Black-necked Grebes S basin, plus on the N basin three Scaup and the immature Shag still; also in total seven Smew (two drakes) (Rob Innes, Ken Purdey).
 * Tooting Bec Common: 1 Redwing (my first sighting of Redwing on TB Common this winter (N. Granger-Taylor).
 * Totteridge Valley: 18+ Lapwings on fields, 2 Common Buzzard, Little Owl, Skylark over, 7 Siskin, 50+ Fieldfare, 30+ Redwing, 8 Mandarin, 2 Teal. (Ian Ellis)
 * Upper Walthamstow Road garden: male Blackcap, Greenfinch, Long-tailed Tit (Paul Burden).
 * Walthamstow Reservoirs: Black-necked Grebe on Lockwood still (Stuart Fisher).
 * Walpole Park, Ealing: 1 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (spotted around 11am), two Long-tailed Tits at the Walpole Park/Lammas Park junction (Becky Powell).
 * Wanstead Flats: Woodcock c18:20 flew low east across broom fields, 3 singing Skylark, Meadow Pipit, 10 + Lesser Redpoll, 7 Shoveler, 6 Tufted Duck, 4 Egyptian Goose, 40+ Jackdaw (Nick Croft).
 * Wanstead Park: Peregrine Falcon (high east over old sewage works), Common Buzzard 15:00 (high east over Shoulder of Mutton - PD/ST), pr Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, Water Rail, 4 Grey Heron, 7 Lapwing (west), Meadow Pipit (north over old allotments), Grey Wagtail, 12 Egyptian Goose, 20+Gadwall, 8 Teal, f Bullfinch (TB), Siskin, sub-song Redwing, Fieldfare, 4 Little Grebe, Kingfisher (Nick Croft/Steve Thorpe/Paul Davis/Tony Brown).
 * Wanstead: Common Buzzard high over Lakehouse Estate 10'ish mobbed by four corvids (Bob Vaughan)
 * Waterlow Park: Firecrest, Goldcrest, Siskin, Coal Tit, Nuthatch, drumming Great Spotted Woodpecker 8:00am (G Sawtell). Firecrest still 10.00. Shrubbery around Highgate High St entrance ( check near the back of the houses) the favoured spot, always in company of roving mixed flock of Tits & Nuthatches. Siskin, Alders around the small Conservation Pond at top of Park (Allan Stewart & Frank Nugent).
 * Tyttenhanger GPs: 2 Goosanders (1m & 1f) on main pit near rushes; c100 Lapwings on quicksands. Also Pochard, Greylag and Shelduck (Geoff Crabtree).

Saturday 18th February 2012

 * Beddington SF: At least 3 Iceland Gulls so far today. Updates and pics here.
 * Brent Reservoir: Bittern flew in and landed in reedbed at 08.50, also 2 Pintail in north marsh, pair Wigeon, 1 Peregrine (Brent Birders), also Woodcock flushed from woodland to the north west of north marsh (Deb Jackson).
 * East India Dock Basin area: 21 Shelduck, 210 Teal, 39 Tufted Duck, 14 Redshank, 1 Common Sandpiper, Kingfisher. (Gary A James)
 * Hampstead Heath: Bittern descended from roost 7.20 and moved slowly west along edge of reedbed. (Liz Valentine). Bittern still in western end of reedbed on Bird Sanctuary pond. Showing intermittently 8.30-09.30. Also Water Rail, Siskin, Treecreeper, Nuthatch (Rob Ayers). Bittern showing well before going to roost, 17:40 (Frank Nugent)
 * Highgate, Waterlow Park: Firecrest still 10.00 am near Highgate Village entrance with c.4 Goldcrest and 2 Coal Tit. Also c.15 Siskin on alders by ponds. (Rob Ayers)
 * Lee Valley CP: Bittern showing well at the Watchpoint along with a single Water rail. (James Anderson)
 * London Bridge (Golden Hinde): Grey Wagtail (Alan Hobson).
 * Lonsdale Road Reservoir: 1 Shelduck, 35 Shoveler, 14 Gadwall, 50+ Teal, singing Cetti's Wabler (John Gordon).
 * Kingston, Villiers Road Ind Est: Probable Willow Warbler on Hogsmill River, opposite last warehouse feeding on vast numbers of flies. (Phil Davies)
 * Staines Reservoir: 2 Scaup (1 drake, 1 female) (N.Basin), 2 Smew (1 drake, 1 female) (N.Basin), juv.Shag (N.Basin), 3 Black-necked Grebe (S.Basin), numerous Goldeneye, Shelduck (A.Luscombe). Also two winter-plumaged Slavonian Grebes on the S basin early afternoon (Rob Innes).
 * Trent Park: 6 (2 ad males, 1 imm male, 3 females) Goosander, Lower Lake, 13:00 hrs (Robert Callf).
 * West Harrow: female Blackcap in my garden (male yesterday - pair overwintered but 1st sighting of female in 2012) (Alex Massey)

Friday 17th February 2012

 * Blackheath: singing Blackcap in village = first of winter (James Lowen)
 * Broadwater: Smew (f), pr Goosander (Savoy Lake), 5+ Chiffchaff, 2 Common Buzzard, Little Egret,c50 Lapwing, Grey Wagtail, Kingfisher, 8+ Goldeneye, Siskins, Bullfinch. (Joe Dickens).
 * Bushy Park: 9 Common Teal, 1m Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Skylarks, 80 Fieldfares, 135 Redwings, 56 Stock Doves (Tony Duckett). Further details here
 * East India Dock Basin: 4 Shelduck, 70 Teal, 41 Tufted Ducks (John Archer).
 * Greenwich Peninsula Ecology Park: 1 Water Rail, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Reed Bunting, Little Grebes being territorial, 16 Teal including 12 on nearby River (Joe Beale)
 * Hampstead Heath: Bittern finally emerged just after 10am at Bird Sanctuary Pond, skulking at the western end on the reedbed (David Bentley, Frank and Adrian Platt). Seen again in same area 11-11.15am (Alex Massey, but first seen by other observers), also Kingfisher (Adrian Platt). Catching and struggling to swallow large fish c.17.00. Seen up in nearby tree to roost 17.20. (Liz Valentine & others.)
 * Hounslow, Green Lane: large flock of Redwings (c100) being pursued by male Peregrine going from the A30 towards Hounslow Heath, Red Kite over, 5 Redpolls in the bushes around Lawrence Rd and Green Lane (W.Marks - not bad considering this is my work place, a dirty dusty lorry park !)
 * Leyton (Oliver Road) ad Mediterranean Gull over from Bywaters tip (Stuart Fisher)
 * Regent's Park: Smew, Woodcock (Tony Duckett)
 * Staines Moor: 2 Water Pipit, 1 Woodcock, 1 Snipe, others seen Little Grebe, Coromorant. Mute Swan, Mallard, Black-headed Gull, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Dunnock, Robin, Wren, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Fieldfare, Redwing, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Reed Bunting, Linnet, Meadow Pipit, Skylark, Green woodpecker, Ring-necked Parakeet, Carrion Crow, Magpie, Jay, Moorhen, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit & Great Tit. (Paul Boult)
 * Stockers Lake: (Innes Lake) 4m 1f Goosander, 3m 4f Goldeneye, c50 Shovelar (Chris Bessant).
 * Thorney CP: 6 Ring-necked Parakeets, 6 Gadwall, Jay, 3 Song Thrush, Little Grebe, Little Egret by wooden bridge, 7 Stock Doves over (Sue Giddens).
 * Trent Park: 2(m&f) Goosander, Lower Lake (Robin White per RMC).
 * Walthamstow Reservoirs: Lockwood Black-necked Grebe, No1 2 Goosanders, No2 17 Shelducks (Kevin J Mcmanus).
 * Wanstead Flats: 4 Singing Skylark (Tim Harris).
 * Wanstead Park: possible Goosander first thing then flew towards park (Steve Thorpe).
 * Waterlow Park: Firecrest (near Highgate High Street entrance), also Siskin, Nuthatch, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Coal Tit 12-12.45pm (Adrian Platt).
 * West Harrow: male Blackcap in my garden (Alex Massey).
 * Wimbledon Common: Woodcock, 6 Shoveler, 6 Reed Bunting (David Wills).
 * Woodoaks Farm: 5 Yellowhammers, 2 Buzzards (Chris Bessant).

Thursday 16th February 2012

 * Alexandra Park: 2 Bullfinch (an obvious pair) in small trees at front of conservation pond, 16.00 hrs., and Aythia hybrid male back at boating pond (Jonathan Cooke).
 * Brent Reservoir: 1 male Shelduck, 2 male Pintail, 2 Great Black-backed Gull (Roy Beddard)
 * Bedfont Lakes CP: Bittern, 25 Shoveler (good site total). (Adam Cheeseman)
 * Bushy Park: 1 Common Buzzard calling over Canal Plantation, presumably same bird that has been seen on and off for the last few weeks. 25 Meadow Pipit in grassland by Rugby pitch, 40+ Siskin also in Canal Plantation. No sign of Lesser spot in Canal Plantation, does anyone know if there is a favoured time/tree that the bird(s) frequent? (Billy Dykes) Common Buzzard was again in the Brew House Field area 12.25pm along with Common Snipe, 2 Water Rails, 11 Teal and 25 Redwing (Tony Duckett)
 * Chase Farm Hospital (Enfield): 95 Pied Wagtail, pre-roost gathering on lawn, 17:05 hrs - near AE Dept (Robert Callf & Dobrina Dobreva).
 * Crayford Marshes: Spotted Redshank on foreshore near Yacht Club. male Corn Bunting, Water Pipit, Ruff, 6 Avocet, Little Owl, 3 Green Sandpiper, 2 Stonechat (Kev Jarvis).
 * East India Dock Basin/Bow Creek: female Pintail, 17 Shelducks, 250 Teal, 42 Tufted Ducks, 2 Redshanks, 3 Greylags, Reed Bunting (John Archer).
 * Ewell Village: 2 Cormorant south at 08.30, Kingfisher, 2 Stock Dove, 4 Coal Tit (Neil Batten).
 * Gallions Reach): 130 Black-tailed Godwits, 4 Grey Plover, 12 Dunlin, 140 Redshanks, 2 Oystercatcher, 2 Curlew, 4 Common Snipe, 80 Linnets (Gary A James).
 * Greenwich Ecology Park: Little Grebe, Grey Heron, 20+ Goldfinch (Matt B).
 * Hampstead Heath: Sanctuary pond Bittern skulking by blue football 9.00-9.30 (Jo Edwards). Located in reed bed to west of ball 3:00. Water Rail skulking by blue football 2:00 (K.Phillips). Bittern still showing at 17:30 on Santcuary Pond, 3 Tawny Owl on same tree all calling loudly by Millfield Gate Kenwood 17:55.(Allan Stewart).
 * Hyde Park (by island on Serpentine): drake Aythya bearing resemblance to Redhead – orange eye, rounded head, bill with smallish black tip and white subterminal band. However, there was a little bit of dark patterning on the bill around the nostril, but nowhere near as extensive as in drake Common Pochard. I suspect it’s probably a hybrid and/or a visitor from one of the collections in other central London parks, and it also seemed fairly tame. An interesting bird though. Also seen: 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Redwing, 2 Siskin (Simon Papps).
 * KGV1 Res (near Stanwall Moor): probable Eurasian Bittern though reported as Little and photographed on Thursday 9th Feb but not since (from SBC per Bob Watts). My initial view, after a very quick look at the photos, is that they show a Common Bittern, but I could be wrong (John Archer). Also the view of Andrew Moon. Where can we see the photos? I don't think they're anywhere online yet - ask Bob Watts to forward them
 * London Wetland Centre WWT: 3 Bittern, 1 Buzzard, 424 Teal, 1 Dunlin, 16 Snipe, 5 Pintail, 1 Rock Pipit W, 3 Skylark W/SW, 3 Meadow Pipit, 16 Redpoll, 10 Siskin, 2 Stonechat (Adam Salmon).
 * Longland's Park (Sidcup): No sign of the Waxwing but a flock of 20+ Redwing flew out of a tree in the south west corner of the park and disappeared before I could check them all (Conrad Ellam).
 * Mill Hill NW7 (Flower Lane): Redwing singing from roadside tree 0930 (Andrew Haynes).
 * Regent's Park: Smew still present (Tony Duckett).
 * Staines Reservoir: North Basin: Great Northern Diver, Shag, 2 drake Scaup, Ringed Plover; South Basin: 4 Black-necked Grebes (1 in near full sum.plum); Causeway: 5 Redshank (Brian Stretch).
 * Stocker's Lake: 1m,2f Smew, 3m,4f Goosander, 3m,4f Goldeneye, pr. Teal, 47 Lapwing, 2 Egyptian Geese, Little Owl, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker (2 drumming) (Martin Smith).
 * Sutcliffe Park (Kidbrooke): 2 Common Snipe (Conrad Ellam) Little Egret, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Cormorant (James Lowen).
 * Trent Park: 1 male Goosander, Lower Lake (Robin White per RMC).
 * Walthamstow Reservoirs: Lower Maynard Smew (Kevin J Mcmanus). East Warwick m Scaup, 2 m Goosanders, 4 Goldeneyes (Dan Barrett).
 * Wanstead Flats: 3 singing Skylark, Fieldfare, 20 + Redwing, 4 Gadwall, Teal, 3 Sparrowhawk, Little Grebe (first of year onAlex) (Nick Croft).
 * Wanstead Park: f Smew flew down river, 6 Teal, 2 Egyptian Goose, Water Rail, 3 Little Grebe, Siskin, 2 Grey Wagtail, pr displaying Kestrel, 2 Sparrowhawk, Little Egret, 4 Bullfinch, Siskin, Weasel (Nick Croft).
 * Waterlow Park: Firecrest still at Highgate Village (High Street) entrance; Goldcrest too. Siskin at bird feeder by small conservation area/pond just below same entrance (K.Phillips).
 * West Acton W3: 1 male blackcap (Nick Miller).

Wednesday 15th February 2012

 * Bow Creek: Common Sandpiper, 4 Redshank, 50+ Teal (Conrad Ellam).
 * Bushy Park: Lesser Spotted Woodpecker on south side of Canal Plantation at 8.50 (Roger Unite).
 * Chiswick-Gunnersbury area: Great Spotted Woodpecker in garden pecking at tree. (says who?)
 * Crayford Marshes: Spotted Redshank on foreshore near Yacht Club. 3 Ruff, 6 Avocet, Grey Plover, Little Owl, Green Sandpiper, 3 Rock Pipit, 5 Curlew. (Kev Jarvis).
 * East India Dock Basin: female Pintail (then flew across Thames to mud in front of O2), 7 Shelduck, 44 Tufted Duck, Jay (John Archer).
 * Ewell, Hogsmill Open Space: Little Egret (Neil Batten).
 * Greenwich Park: Pheasant, Tufted duck, Red Crested Pochard (Matt B) Hi Matt, just to say the Tufties and Red Crested Pochards are pinioned birds (Joe Beale).
 * Hampstead Heath : Water Rail showed briefly on Sanctuary Pond at 08:00 (Allan Stewart). Another Water Rail at top of Ladies Pond at 0900. Bittern on Conservation Pond in N W corner at 09:45 (BirdGuides); Bittern watched by ST and FT from 0915 to 0950; moves from right to left of reedbeds at Sanctuary Pond- chased a Water Rail across the ice. Also pr Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, Siskin. (Sash & Francis Tusa) Bittern showing very well between 17:20 and 17:40 in western section of Sanctuary Pond Standing on ice in full view (Allan Stewart).
 * Highgate, Waterlow Park: 1 M Firecrest (P.Angus).
 * Hemans Estate Community Garden/Stockwell: Mistle Thrush on roof first time seen here (Michael Mac).
 * Ingrebourne Valley: 2 Drake Goosanders found by Les Harrison (Dave Morrison).
 * Mudchute (Isle of Dogs) Great Spotted Woodpecker, Goldcrest (Conrad Ellam).
 * Rainham Creek: Cetti's Warbler, Chiffchaff, Sparrowhawk, 2 Jay (Richard Harrison).
 * Stockers Lake: 2 male Goosander, Treecreeper, Nuthatch, female Kestrel (John Woolston).
 * Stubbers OPC: Drake Scaup, (found by P. Hawkins and S. Harvey yesterday), redhead Goosander, 3 redhead Smew, 2 female Goldeneye and 129 Pochard (Dave Morrison). Please book into reception on arrival.
 * Teddington: Blackcap singing on Queens Road opposite entrance to NPL (Roger Unite).
 * Totteridge: Kingfisher below bridge in valley near Totteridge & Whetstone Station 11.30am (Geoff Crabtree).
 * Valentines Park: Valentino the local Med Gull still around. Heron returned to nesting site on ornamental water. Lots of house sparrow activity in streets north of the park. (Barbara Miller)
 * Walthamstow Reservoirs: Lower Maynard m Smew still. (Kevin J Mcmanus).
 * Wanstead Flats: 4 Meadow Pipit, 3 singing Skylark, 20 Fieldfare, 4 Gadwall, pr Kestrel, Sparrowhawk (Nick Croft).
 * Wanstead Park: 2 Goosander, Snipe, Sparrowhawk, 17 Teal, 10 Egyptian Goose, Water Rail, Kingfisher, Little Grebe, Siskin, Grey Wagtail, Kestrel, Goldcrest (Nick Croft/Steve Thorpe).
 * West Thurrock Marshes: 67 Black-tailed Godwit, Bar-tailed Godwit, 8 Oystercatcher, 24 Curlew, Knot, 3 Sanderling, 16 Common Snipe, 7 Avocet, 52 Redshank and Jack Snipe (Dave Morrison).
 * Wraysbury Village: 2 Goosander flying over 8am (David Combes).

Tuesday 14th February 2012

 * Alexandra Park: Drake Aythya hybrid still Tunnel Res 7am (Bob Watts).
 * Arrandene (Mill Hill): Woodcock (Steve Blake).
 * Battersea Park: 45 Gadwall, 25 Shoveler, 75 Cormorant, 70 Magpie in one tree, Grey Herons [|carrying sticks], 1 Little Grebe, 2 Egyptian Geese. Woodland area: 1 drumming Great Spotted Woodpecker, singing Song Thrush (Michael Mac).
 * Bentley Priory: Mealy Redpoll with siskins at Boot Pond. 2 Lesser Redpolls, Bullfinch, Coal Tit, displaying Stock Doves (Joe Dickens).
 * Brent Reservoir: Shelduck (drake), 3 Common Snipe) (Steve Blake)
 * Bromley-by-Bow (Abbey Creek): Jack Snipe on island bank, then flew west, 4 Snipe, Redshank, Green Sandpiper, Reed Bunting over, 68 Gadwall, 3 Tufted Duck, 18 Linnet, Chiffchaff (Stuart Fisher).
 * Brookmill Park (Lewisham): drake Mandarin, 2 Kingfishers (male & female) 20+Redwing, 1 Song Thrush, 10+Chaffinch (Conrad Ellam).
 * Crayford Marshes: Spotted Redshank, 3 Ruff, 4 Avocet, 8 Grey Plover, Little Owl, Egyptian Goose, 72 Black-tailed Godwit, male Peregrine, 3 Yellow-legged Gull, 3 Rock Pipit, 3 Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper (Kev Jarvis).
 * East India Dock Basin/Bow Creek: 2 Yellow-legged Gulls (ad + 2nd winter) on foreshore by O2, Kingfisher, 40 Tufted Ducks, 18+ Shelduck, 240+ Teal, 5 Greylags, 17 Canada Geese (John Archer).
 * Ewell, Hogsmill Open Space: Male Blackcap in song, Kingfisher. Also several Ring-necked Parakeets prospecting possible nesting holes in trees at The Lower Mill (Neil Batten).
 * Fairlop Waters:Goosander (3) 1 drake 2 females (Steve Bacon)
 * Grays RM17: Waxwing circled low over station 7.27am (James Astley).
 * Hampstead Heath: Bittern showing very well. On Ladies pond at far end by reeds, walking on ice. 07.30 (Allan Stewart).
 * Highgate, Waterlow Park: 1 m Firecrest, with mixed flock inc Goldcrests near Highgate village entrance. (P.Angus)
 * Kensington Gardens: Little Owl (is this rare here?) in tree just west of northern tip of Round Pond at 09:10 (Matt Reed). I think it probably is, Tawny being the resident species. They are resident in Regent's Park though (Martin Honey)
 * Leyton (Coronation Gardens): male Goldcrest singing since at least Sunday, 2 Long-tailed Tit (S Fisher)
 * London Wetland Centre: 2 Peregrine (One male, one female), 1 Bittern, 50+ Lapwing, 20+ Shoveler, c50 Tufted Duck, c4 Gadwall, c6 Tea, 44+ Mute Swan (C.M & P.J).
 * Longlands Road Recreation Ground, Sidcup: Waxwing briefly early morning then flew off with Redwings (Ian Stewart per JA).
 * Margravine Cemetery: 1 Goldcrest, 2 Mistle Thrush (1 singing), 1m Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming, 20-30 Redwing (Nathalie Mahieu).
 * Northumberland Heath (LB Bexley): Group of 9 Redwing around Mill Rd, also 2 Pied Wagtail. 20 House Sparrow in usual garden/Japanese Knotweed 'hedge' behind Co-op. 30-33 Common Gull Erith School playing field (Chris Rose).
 * Osterley Park: first singing Skylark of the year, 2 Stonechat, 2 Siskin, 1 Linnet, first singing Goldcrest of the year, 1 Pochard, Egyptian Goose pair with 6 young (probably hatched yesterday), 2 Teal, 1 Little Grebe, 4 Reed Bunting, c200 Fieldfare, c50 Redwing (K. Fisher).
 * Roding Valley Park and Ray Park: 2 Goosanders , Kingfisher , 2 Little Grebes, 3 Linnets, Water Rail , 2  Cormorants, over 30 Fieldfares and Redwings, Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 2 Song Thrushes, up to a dozen Long-tailed Tits, half a dozen Goldfinches , 20 Common Gulls, Herring Gull (Alan Hobson and Eric Beaumont).
 * Stoke Newington Reservoirs: 62 Gadwall, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2m Reed Bunting (TeRNS).
 * Tooting Bec Common: Goldcrest (2), Great Spotted Woodpecker (K.Phillips).
 * Thamesmead west lake: Bittern in far reeds, flew over once in two hours. 30+ Tufted ducks, Greylag goose and 40+ Shoveler. (Matt B) ...yeah
 * Thorney CP: 2 Red Kites over at 12.20pm also Kingfisher, Great Spotted Woodpecker, 20+ Gadwall, 2 Canada Geese, 2 Mute Swan, Buzzard over, Stock Dove, 30+ Pochard, 30+ Tufted Ducks, 5 Great Crested Grebes (Sue Giddens).
 * Totteridge Valley/Darlands Lake: c275 Fieldfare: c120 Redwing, 5 Siskin, 4 Lapwing, 3 Reed Bunting, 1 Skylark over, 1 Teal & 1 drake Mandarin (lake mostly frozen) - also one dead Fox (also frozen) (John Colmans).
 * Walthamstow Reservoirs: (Lower Maynard) m Smew, (West Warwick) m Scaup (Kevin J Mcmanus).
 * Wanstead Flats: 4 Reed Bunting, 20 Goldfinch, 2 Meadow Pipit, Skylark, 20 Fieldfare, 30 + Redwing, Mistle Thrush, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, 11 Tufted Duck (on very small open patch on Alex), 4 Shoveler, 2 Gadwall (Nick Croft)
 * Wanstead Park: 3 Goosander, 2 Little Egret, 6 possible Golden Plover (ST), Snipe, pr Sparrowhawk, 3 Teal, 2 Water Rail, 2 Kingfisher, Little Grebe, Bullfinch, Siskin (Nick Croft/Steve Thorpe)
 * Wimbledon Common: 120 Redwing (J. Dickerson)

Monday 13th February 2012

 * Alexandra Park: Drake Aythya hybrid still Tunnel Res 7am (Bob Watts).
 * Bromley-by-Bow: Female Pintail over, at least 96 Gadwall, 400+ Teal, 10 Snipe, 1 Redshank, 5 Shelduck, 75+ Redwing over, 55 Fieldfare SW, 14 Linnet, Meadow Pipit over, 2 Chiffchaff (Stuart Fisher)
 * Bushy Park: Male Lesser Spotted Woodpecker in Canal Plantation at 9.30, then flew towards Bushy House (Roger Unite).
 * Crayford Marshes: Spotted Redshank, Water Pipit, Ruff, 10 Grey Plover, 6 Avocet, Little Owl, Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, Cetti's Warbler, 14 Pintail, 2 Stonechat, Yellow-legged Gull. (Kev Jarvis).
 * Dagenham Train Station: 1 Kittiwake over approx 10.50 (S. Haslem)
 * East India Dock Basin/Bow Creek: 9 Shelduck, 230 Teal, 24 Tufted Duck, 1 Redshank, 1 Canada x Greylag hybrid (yuk!) (John Archer).
 * Fenchurch Street Stn: Peregrine circling low, just east of station 8.10am (James Astley)
 * Gallions Reach: 228 Black-tailed Godwit, 6 Grey Plover, 8 Dunlin, 94 Lapwing, 64 Redshank, 3 Curlew,, 2 Common Snipe, 180 Teal, Sparrowhawk, 1 Skylark. (Gary A James).
 * Greenwich Park: m Firecrest, also Goldcrest, 3 Song Thrushes in usual territories (Joe Beale)
 * Grovelands Park (Southgate): 2(m&f) Firecrest, feeding in Holly, 11:50 - 12:15 hrs - at times almost close enough to touch! (Robert Callf).
 * Hampstead Heath: 2 Lapwing over sanctuary pond 07:00 ,Tawny Owl calling by Ladies Pond 17:30 and Woodcock flying by Cohens Fields 17:40 (Allan Stewart)
 * Ingrebourne Valley: Common Buzzard, Golden Plover, 2 Kingfishers, 4 Bullfinch, White Fronted Goose, 10 Snipe, 160 Redwing and 70 Fieldfare.(Dave Morrison)
 * London Wetland Centre WWT: 3 Bittern, 1 Herring Gull argentatus, 1 Caspian Gull ad., 1 Peregrine, 251 Tufted Duck, 330 Teal, 3 Skylark, 7 Meadow Pipit, 180 Redwing (Adam Salmon).
 * Mayfield Farm, Bedfont: 45 Golden Plover, 55 Lapwing, 145 Starling, 18+ Skylark, 17 Fieldfare in field immediately north of A30 and east of blue footbridge. (Adam Cheeseman)
 * Rainham Marshes: Pair of Bearded Tits, 20+ Golden Plover, Common Sandpiper, Spotted Redshank, 2 Stonechat, Peregrine, large numbers of Wigeon and Teal on river, Pintail, Gadwall, plenty of Reed Buntings, Skylark and Redwing. Plus the usual collection of gulls. (S. Haslem)
 * Roding Valley Park: Woodlark for fifth day [under the southbound M11 flyover near southern end of Uplands Road]; also Little Egret, Kingfisher, Green Woodpecker, around 50 Fieldfares, 2 Song Thrushes, 3 Long-tailed Tits, and Sparrowhawk being enthusiastically mobbed by a flock of around 30 Starlings (Alan Hobson).
 * Sewardstone: Woodcock flushed from Sewardstone Marsh, 2 Buzzard, 12 Goosander, Chiffchaff, Bullfinch (Martin Shepherd).
 * South Bank (Tate Mdern): 1 Peregrine (James Palmer).
 * Staines Moor: 2 Water Pipit, Little Egret, 3 Little Grebe (Nigel Sluman, Lee Batten)
 * Staines Reservoir: 4 Smew (1m, 2f) (S basin), Shag (on rafts), Green Sandpiper (S basin), Redshank (S basin), good numbers of Goldeneye, (Nigel Sluman, Lee Batten), Lunchtime walk up and down the causeway 1 Fieldfare, 1 Redshank (N Basin), 8 Lapwing over, 3 Black-necked Grebe (1 in SP, S Basin), 1 drake Scaup close to the causeway (S Basin), 6 Smew (1 Drake, S Basin) (Paul Boult)
 * Tooley Street, SE1: Black Redstart on rooftops (nr. Unicorn Theatre & perched on Unicorn sign), (G. Sutton)
 * Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park: 35+ Redwing, 2 Fieldfare (Bob Watts).
 * Tower Hill: m Kestrel (Charlie Farrell)
 * Wanstead Park: redhead Smew, 2 Goosander on Roding (ST), 2 Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, Little Egret, Bullfinch, Linnet (MJ), Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Kingfisher (Steve Thorpe/Marco Johnson/Nick Croft)

Sunday 12th February 2012

 * Alexandra Park: Buzzard SW (Andrew Gardener), also drake Aythya hybrid Tunnel Res, 2 drake Shoveler Wood Green Res, 9 Fieldfare, 20+ Redwing (Bob Watts).
 * Beddington SF: 2w Iceland Gull (updates at http://www.diporglory.co.uk)
 * Blackheath: 200 Redwing around hospital (James Lowen)
 * Brent Reservoir: 1 Peregrine, 3 (2m1f) Goosander (flew in 12.10, East Marsh river channel), 1m Shelduck, 14 Snipe, 7 Lapwing, 1 Green Sandpiper,100+ Redwing (Roy Beddard & monthly bird walk group); 2m Pintail (far end of North Marsh 1230) (Andrew Haynes).
 * Chingford (off Russell Lane): 3 Dunlin, 1 Redshank (James Palmer).
 * East India Dock Basin area : 27 Shelduck, 7 Wigeon, female Pintail, 374 Common Teal, Shoveler, 13 Tufted Duck, Peregrine, 6 Lapwing, 10 Redshank, 3 Common Sandpiper, 4 Meadow Pipit, 3 Fieldfare W, 19 Redwing mostly W, 3 Reed Bunting (Gary A James, Nick Tanner).
 * Fairlop Waters: 1 Water Rail, 22 Shoveler, 7 Golden Plover, 20 Teal, 185 Lapwing, 36 Tufted Duck, 1 Little Owl, 25 Linnet, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker (Steve Bacon).
 * Grays Riverside, RM17: Sanderling at 10.30, then flew across river, c50 Dunlin in various groups, 4 Turnstone, 4 Ringed Plover, 5 Grey Plover, Lapwing, Redshank, 2 Oystercatcher, 3 Curlew, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 25 Teal (James Astley).
 * Greenwich Park: f Shoveler very briefly was a long-awaited patch tick and the first here as far as I know for over 16 years, maybe longer. Plenty of Redwings around in various flocks. (Joe Beale)
 * Greenwich Peninsula: 7 Wigeon, 5 Shoveler &1 Tufted Duck on Thames. 7 Lapwing & 5 Redshank on north foreshore next to Thames Barrier. Common Snipe flew in to O2 Arena compound. Didn't have time to look for the Jack Snipe but male Kingfisher on Ecology Park outer lake. Flock of 100+ Linnet in wasteland next to O2 Arena. (Conrad Ellam & John Bushell).
 * Hampstead Heath: An Egyptian Goose at Kenwood, and lots of parakeets prospecting for nest holes! (Ian Ellis)
 * Highbury: Highbury Fields: Small numbers of Fieldfare with the more regular Redwing. (David Bradshaw)
 * Ingrebourne Valley: Jack Snipe in stream behind play ground, 8 Common Snipe, Grey Wagtail, Kingfisher, Little Owl, Buzzard and 3 Pochard (Shaun Harvey).
 * Isle of Dogs: Common Snipe flushed from nature trail at Mudchute Farm, drake Shoveler on Thames shore at Saunders Ness (Sean Huggins).
 * London Wetland Centre: 3 Bittern, 2 Shelduck, 1 redhead Goosander, 8 Pintail, 538 Teal, 356 Tufted Duck, 47 Wigeon, 2 Golden Plover, 104 Lapwing, 1 Peregrine, 1 Coal Tit, 1 Stonechat, 8 Lesser Redpoll (LWC website).
 * Nine Elms Sainsbury's Car Park: 1 Kestrel (Michael Mac).
 * Oakhill Park, East Barnet: Grey Wagtail, Fieldfare c20 (D Bates).
 * Oakwood Park, N14: 1 fem/imm Mealy Redpoll, feeding in Birches with 4 Lesser Redpoll and 6 Goldfinches (Robert Callf).
 * Osterley Park: 1 Common Snipe, 2 Siskin, 1 Little Owl, c300 Fieldfare, c200 Redwing, 2 Stonechat, 9 Reed Bunting, 49 Shoveler, 1 Teal, c100 Lapwing (K. Fisher).
 * Piccadilly: 60+ Redwing N 1130 (Bob Watts).
 * Rainham, Stone Barges: 2 Water Pipit, 1 Jack Snipe, 10 Common Snipe, 1 Green Sandpiper. (Alastair Rae)
 * Roding Valley Park: Woodlark for fourth day [under the southbound M11 flyover near southern end of Uplands Road]; also Little Egret, Kingfisher, Water Rail, 2 Goosanders, Teal, 2 Little Grebes, around 50 Fieldfares and Redwings, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 2 Song Thrushes, pair of Mistle Thrushes, 6 Long-tailed Tits, at least a dozen Goldfinches, 3 Jays (Alan Hobson).
 * Staines Reservoir: 07.20-08.45 19 Smew on both basins (7 Drake, 12 female), 3 Black-necked Grebe (S.Basin), 2 Dunlin, 2 Redshank, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Ringed Plover (all S.Basin), 1 juv.Shag (N.Basin, raft), 3 Little Grebe (N.Basin), 1 Pheasant (causeway embankment) (A.Luscombe). Also Jack Snipe (in flight along S causeway bank), three Scaup (two drakes) N basin; five Black-necked Grebes S basin late morning (Rob Innes).
 * Streatham (playing fields at south east corner of common): 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Mistle Thrush (R Bell).
 * Teddington (residential garden in Wilcox Road) 2 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Linnet (A.Stewart).
 * Thames (Putney-Barnes Bridges) WeBS: 2 Great Crested Grebes, 68 Cormorant, 10 Heron, 222 Canada Geese, Greylag, 3 Shelduck, 620 Mallard, 477 Teal, 24 Gadwall, 2m Shoveler, 322 Tufted Duck, f Pochard, f Scaup (opposite Lonsdale Rd Res with 100+ tufties), 3 Lapwing, 5 spp gull (Neil Anderson).
 * Walthamstow Reservoirs: 3 (2 drakes) Goosander, 4 Goldeneye on East Warwick, 1 Water Rail at West Warwick (Fraser Simpson).
 * Wanstead Park: 2 redhead Smew on Roding, Goosander (redhead the Basin) (Steve Thorpe), Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Water Rail, Coal Tit (Stuart Fisher).
 * Wimbledon Common: Firecrest in Holly near Wych Elm Cottage, 10 Redpoll (Steve Woolfenden). Is this private land? No - was around on one of the trails going into the open access woods on the westish side nearby - the cottage was just a location ref - SW

Saturday 11th February 2012

 * Alexandra Park: 70+ Redwing, several Fieldfare, 2 Redpoll sp (presumed Lesser but Mealy still Muswell Hill garden 9th Feb) (Andrew Gardener, Bob Watts).
 * Archway (suburban garden): male Blackcap (A. Bailey)
 * Barnehurst (my garden, Thirlmere Rd.): - Goldcrest singing (Chris Rose).
 * Beddington: 3 Iceland Gull, 1 Kumlien's Gull, 1 Caspian Gull, 3 Curlew, 1 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, 750+ Fieldfare. 200+ Redwing photos here (PA, BFBG) Other sightings, photos and updates here: Dip or Glory
 * Brent Reservoir: 2 drake Pintail and Shelduck still, 13 Lapwings on ice, 5 Snipe, Woodcock (Brent Birders).
 * Bushy Park: 1 Woodcock in Waterhouse Plantation this morning, lots of Redwing movement with some Fieldfares too. Small parties of Siskins at Canal Plantation and Woodland Gardens. Usual supporting cast of tits, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker, Egyptian Goose etc. No sign of any Lesser Spots despite decent search of the site. (Paul Cox)
 * Clapham Common: 25 Redwing and 1 Fieldfare (Mark H).
 * Crayford, River Cray footpath 106: 40 Redwing near east end by Riverkeeper's yard (Chris Rose).
 * Dulwich / Belair Park: 3 Golden Plover, viewable from northern perimeter fence in sportsground playing fields @1500-1530 at least (Ant G).
 * East India Dock Basin / Bow Creek Ecology Park: Woodcock. 18 Shelduck, female Pintail, 442 Common Teal, 3 Lapwing, 8 Redshank, 3 Common Sandpiper, Grey Wagtail, Song Thrush (Nick Tanner).
 * Fulham Reach (low tide, 8.30am): 3 Shelduck, 65 Tufted Duck, 61 Mallard, 74 Teal, 21 Gadwall, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Greater Black-backed Gull, 350+ Black-headed Gull, 1 Pied Wagrail (Nathalie Mahieu).
 * Gallions Reach: 20 Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Curlew, 2 Grey Plover, 100 Redshank, 50 Lapwing, 9 Snipe, 30 Shelduck, 3 Gadwall, 140 Teal. (Gary A James).
 * Gidea Park Sports Ground (Romford): 100 Redwing, 50 Fieldfare, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, singing Goldcrest (C.Jupp).
 * Greenwich Ecology Park: Jack Snipe showing well from the East Hide, 3 Lapwing downriver. (Conrad Ellam & John Bushell) also 2 Common Snipe with the Jack Snipe earlier (from mid morning) and 3 Teal on Thames nearby, Water Rail in alder carr, Green Woodpecker on nearby parkland. Jack Snipe record shots (Joe Beale) + Common Seal on Thames (Conrad Ellam)
 * Greenwich/Trafalgar Road : flock of 9 Lapwings feeding on former Greenwich District Hospital site, which has become a grassy field and is awaiting development (Joe Beale)
 * Hampstead Heath: 2 Treecreeper, 6+ G-S Woodpecker, numerous Redwing, 1 Fieldfare. Most ponds totally frozen. Buzzard mobbed by 30+ mixed crows and Jackdaws at 1530 over East Heath (Sash Tusa)
 * Harmondsworth Moor: Great Spotted Woodpecker, 100+ Redwing, 75 Fieldfare, Teal, 3 Goldfinch, 3 Little Grebes, 30+ Lapwing, 15+ Common Gulls, 3 Skylarks, 10+ Rooks, 2 Jackdaws, 15+ Stock Doves, 3 Reed Buntings, 33 Canada Geese, 3 Chaffinch. 3 Song Thrush (Sue Giddens).
 * Hayes town (Middx), Cormorant drying wings on canal towpath.
 * Hemans Estate Community Garden/Stockwell: 40+ Redwing over east to west 8am (Michael Mac).
 * Hornsey: 100+ Fieldfare over Priory Park at 11.20am (James Palmer).
 * Horsenden Hill: 1 Firecrest Perivale Wood, 1 Treecreeper Horsenden Wood, 1 Tawny Owl at daytime roost, 420+ Fieldfare, 250+ Redwing, 35+ Meadow Pipit, 1 Snipe, 1 Pheasant, 53 Magpie at roost, 9 Mute Swan at Alperton (Andy Culshaw & David Howdon).
 * Ingrebourne Valley: Jack Snipe, Woodcock, 2 Common Snipe and Buzzard (Shaun Harvey)
 * Larkhall Park/Stockwell: Peregrine visible on the Battersea Power Station, 2 House Sparrows (Michael Mac).
 * Ladywell Fields SE6: Kingfisher, 2 Mistle Thrush, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 30 Redwing (Terry Wilson).
 * Lea Valley - Netherhall / Glen Faba: (WeBS count highlights - c85% ice cover) 6 Pintail (3m 3f - 3 on ice-free area near 'heronry' island at S end, 3 on ice-free area near two islands in NE of pit), 1 Goldeneye, 60 Wigeon, 245 Gadwall, 1 Water Rail (on shore N end GF pit), 6 Little Grebe. Also 1 Cettis Warbler, and curious sight of Dunnock feeding off / from head of carcass of largely devoured Muntjac - what killed it? A fox?...or the 'Beast of Broxbourne'? (Nigel May).
 * London Wetland Centre: Peregrine going for a coot, Bittern on the ice. 1315hrs Red Kite heading south [Les Mccallum] Bittern flew onto grazing marsh chased by crows, later seen crossing through electric fence then into reedbed across frozen water channel [2 others seen on Reservoir lagoon], pr Stonechat, Peregrine on gravel island picking up small stones then onto hospital, several 100 Fieldfare mainly heading SW, a few local Redwing, 7 Pintail (6m 1f), at least 8 Water Rail (Martin Honey)
 * Margravine Cemetery: 100s of Redwing and Fieldfare, some leaving SW or W in big waves, or in trees and berry bushes (Nathalie Mahieu).
 * Napsbury: 2 Red Kite, drifted east along A141 @ 0755hrs. (Neville Smith)
 * Osterley Park: 14.48 superb views of a low-flying Curlew which landed briefly on Brentford FC's training pitches, and 2 Golden Plover there at 16.00. Little Owl 1. Lapwing 100+. Fieldfare 300+. (K.Fisher)
 * Muswell Hill: 60+ Redwings feeding on berries in gardens (S.Upcott)
 * Muswell Hill: Redwings in flight all the way up Colney Hatch Lane in good numbers. 2 Lesser Redpoll in Sydney Road garden, Siskin over Pembroke Road. (P.Angus)
 * Mayesbrook Park: 1 Water Rail ( Main Lake nr. Boat Sheds ), 1 Common Snipe, 3 Lapwings on ice ( Main Lake ), 1 Smew ( Redhead ) on Main Lake ( G.Harding ).
 * Perry Street Farm, Crayford: 4 or 5 Stock Dove, 1 Lapwing, c80 Starling in bramble patch plus 1 Pied Wagtail on nearby shop roof. (Chris Rose).
 * Rainham Marshes: Peregrine, 6 Snipe, 4 Stonechat, large flocks of Skylark, Fieldfare and Redwing and all the usual wildfowl. Crafty fox trying to hunt Coots on the ice. (S Haslem) pr Bearded Tit showing well from southern boardwalk, 3 Grey Plover, 20 Black-tailed Godwit, 20+ Snipe, 2 Curlew. (D Bradnum)
 * Regent's Park: 4 Goosander, Smew, 650 Redwings, 500 Fieldfares (Tony Duckett).
 * River Lee Country Park: Smew - pair on Holyfield Lake, 3 on Seventy Acres Lake, 2 on the flood relief channel, south of the David Stoker Sluices, along with 11 Goosander (4M 7F). 2 Little Owls at Holyfield Hall Farm & 3 Buzzards. (Mike Oakland
 * Rye Meads RSPB: White-tailed Eagle juv seen flying SE at 12.10 (Birdguides+Herts), seen yesterday at East Hyde, reported on Herts website as flyover.
 * Roding Valley Park and Redbridge Lakes: Woodlark for third day [under the southbound M11 flyover near southern end of Uplands Road], Little Egret, half a dozen Fieldfares, Grey Heron, Song Thrush, 3 Goldfinches, Pied Wagtail (Alan Hobson).
 * Southfields (Granville Road): Small flock of Redwing to roost in evergreen trees at the bottom of my garden and those nearby (Martin Honey)
 * Stoke's Field LNR (Thames Ditton): Woodcock flushed from undergrowth near pond, 100+ Redwing, 40 Fieldfare, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel (Billy Dykes)
 * Sutton - Rosehill Park East: Little Owl calling 8pm (A.Kellett)
 * Thames Ditton (garden): 1 Fieldfare, 35 Redwing, 1 Coal tit, 2 Collared Dove (Billy Dykes)
 * Thames Road, Bexley Council depot: 18 Fieldfare taking Hawthorn fruits, possibly same birds as seen later at Thames Road Wetland (Chris Rose).
 * Thames Road Wetland (Barnes Cray/Crayford): 3 Water Rail together on icy Reedmace-pulled pool at west end 15.21, 1 or 2 highly visible for next hour (first definite record for site), c14 Fieldfare (new site record), 2 Redwing, 11-14 Teal, very mobile, 1 or 2 Common Snipe (2 more further south on River Wansunt), 7 Chaffinch, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Great-spotted Woodpecker in adjacent Willows, 1 Lapwing (over), 1 Jay (Pallet Yard), 1 Collared Dove (over), 1 Dunnock (Chris Rose).
 * Tottenham Ferry Lane: 20 redwing plus 20 fieldfare, mixed flock moving NE (Jon Agar)
 * South Norwood Country Park: Woodlark again on Ryelands Field at 11am associating with a flock of Meadow Pipits, 1 Woodcock by Harrington Road stream at 9am, 1 Snipe, 2 Teal, 1 Reed Bunting, 1 Kestrel, 200+ Fieldfares, 100+ Redwings, 20+ Shovelers. (John Birkett)
 * Waltham Abbey: - several 100 Fieldfare and some Redwing all around S & E of town - especially along A121 'Dowding Way' and feeding on Cotoneaster planted in centre of roundabout near Sainsburys Distribution Centre. Also 1 Buzzard on hedge between A121 & M25 (Nigel May).
 * Walthamstow Reservoirs: Bittern flew in from direction of Warwicks c11.15 pursued by many gulls (sorry Noel!), landed in Coppermill Stream c50 metres from bridge south of Marine centre on West side under small tree, also here 2 Water Rail calling, Kingfisher, drake Scaup on East Warwick, 9 drake Goosander (7 north, 1 on No2 and one on Coppermill stream), c250 Fieldfare on berries, Green Sandpiper over Ferry Lane and into relief channel (Stuart Fisher) Bittern still showing wonderfully well on Coppermill Stream at 3-30 pm. Black-necked Grebe around north island of High Maynard (fear it may have fishing line round its bill), 4 Lapwing, 5 Meadow Pipits and 4 Goldeneye on Lockwood. (David Bradshaw)
 * Wanstead Park: Smew 08.30 on Roding but wary, flew downstream, 3 Bullfinch, Water Rail, Teal. (Bob Vaughan & another guy); Smew on Roding again at 2:30pm, flew downstream again; Kingfisher, Kestrel (Roding); 2 m Goosander flew over Heronry heading towards the Flats 3pm; Goldcrest, Great Spotted Woodpecker (near the Dell); Little Grebe on the Basin (Chris Legge).
 * Wanstead, private garden: 2 Lesser Redpoll, 5 Siskin on bird feeders, at least 12 Redwing (Chris Legge).
 * Woodlands Farm (Shooter's Hill): 1 Woodcock, 8 Lapwing, 2 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 4 Bullfinch, 1 Redpoll, 30+ Fieldfare, 10+ Redwing (Conrad Ellam & John Bushell).

Friday 10th February 2012

 * Bexleyheath: Horsham Road garden: male blackcap 10.30, single lesser redpoll 12.30 - flocks of between 30 and 250 redwings all morning (Ralph Todd).
 * Bedford Hill, Tooting SW17: 20 Redwing feeding in holly bush (Michael Mac).
 * Bushy Park: 30 Siskin (Silver Birch Glade), 35+ Redwing, 50+ Fieldfare (Brewhouse Fields) (Billy Dykes)
 * Catford: ~50 Redwings in back gardens (Philip Lowden).
 * Connaught Water: 17 Mandarin (Paul Whiteman).
 * Crayford Marshes: 2nd winter Iceland Gull on recycling plant, seen from footpath to marshes (Conrad Ellam & John Bushell); Spotted Redshank, 2 male Ruff, Turnstone, Bar-tailed Godwit, 6 Avocet, Little Owl, 8 Grey Plover, Golden Plover, 12 Pintail (Kev Jarvis).
 * Crossness: Ruff, Bar-tailed Godwit, 50+ Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Grey Plover, Rock Pipit (Conrad Ellam).
 * East India Dock Basin/Bow Creek: 2 Greylag, 14 Shelduck, female Pintail, pair of Gadwall, 340+ Teal, 16 Tufted Duck, Common Sandpiper, 3 Redshank, 35 Redwings west, Reed Bunting (John Archer & Ian Stewart).
 * Ewell, Hogsmill Open Space: 84 Redwing, 21 Fieldfare, Stock Dove (Neil Batten).
 * Fulham Reach: 1 Shelduck, 11 Gadwall, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Chiffchaff (Nathalie Mahieu).
 * Grange Waters Complex: 2 Bullfinch, 22 Wigeon, 47 Shoveler, drake Smew, 212 Tufted Duck, 6 Goosander (2 drakes, 4 redheads), 3 Lesser Redpoll, 60 Redwing and 185 Fieldfare (Dave Morrison).
 * Greenwich Park: Still many Redwings, 450+ (east, west and around), also 20-30 Fieldfares over, 1 Siskin over (first of year), 9 Meadow Pipits over, and 2 Peregrines (first of year) circling high over Maze Hill/Greenwich Park (Joe Beale).
 * Houndsden Ditch, Winchmore Hill: Woodcock flushed at 13.15, pr Grey Wagtail, pr Great Spotted Woodpecker, Nuthatch heard nearby (Davey Leach).
 * London Wetland Centre: 2 Bittern, Red Kite (over main lake 10.30am), Water Rail, 4 Common Snipe, flock of 200+ Fieldfare (over reservoir lagoon 11.30am), Green Woodpecker, 600+ Redwing (Queen Elizabeth Walk & entrance area, feeding on berries in trees) 09.00-09.30 (A.Luscombe).
 * Margravine Cemetery: 100+ Redwing, 24 Fieldfare (Nathalie Mahieu).
 * Osterley Park: Common Buzzard in low flight on N side of M4 near the footbridge over the motorway (J.Wilczur).
 * Regent's Park: Smew still present (Tony Duckett).
 * Richmond Park: Red Kite flew over NE @ 10.35, seen a few minutes later at LWC, possible the bird seen yesterday; Peregrine; Wood Pigeon, very approx 2,500 (J.Wilczur).
 * Roding Valley Park: Woodlark for second day [under the southbound M11 flyover near southern end of Uplands Road], Snipe, Water Rail, 3 Little Egrets, a dozen Redwings and Fieldfares, Grey Heron, Song Thrush, 3 Mistle Thrushes, Cormorant, 3 Goldfinches, Pied Wagtail, 12 Common Gulls (Alan Hobson). Woodlark still present this afternoon [under the southbound M11 flyover near southern end of Uplands Road] (I.Woodward).
 * South Norwood Country Park. Woodlark for second day - see Croydon Birders website for details (J Birkett).
 * Staines Moor: 2 Dunlin, 1 Green Sandpiper, 2+ Common Snipe, 3 Water Pipit, 1 Water Rail, 2 Pintail and 1 Little Egret all the along the Colne. 1 Woodcock along footpath between Stanwell Moor and King George VI Reservoir, 1 Buzzard and 59 Lapwing over (Lee Dingain).
 * Stubbers OPC: 117 Pochard, 3 Redhead Smew, 6 Goldeneye, Scaup, 2 Little Grebe (Dave Morrison).
 * Tooting Bec Common: 5 Redwing, 2 singing Mistle Thrush. Pond - 4 Shoveler, 4 Egyptian Geese, 3 Stock Dove, 1 Common Gull (Michael Mac).
 * Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park: c120 Redwing, c80 Fieldfare mostly NW 0755-0825 (Bob Watts).
 * Waltham Abbey: 1 Barn Owl @ 10.25pm over A121 Waltham Abbey by-pass 'Dowding Way' (Nigel May).
 * Walthamstow Reservoirs: m Smew, 4 Lapwing Low Maynard, Little Egret High Maynard, f Red-breasted Merganser flew North and dropped into drainage channel. f Goosander, m Peregrine Lockwood. 7 Lapwing Banbury. m Goosander No.1. Bittern in same place as Wednesday 100m South of Marine House, fishing along Coppermill Stream (17:00) also Water Rail and Kingfisher (Paul Whiteman).
 * Wanstead Park: f Smew roosting on bank of R. Roding. Park at end of Empress Ave. follow track to river and walk South down West side of river for 400m (Paul Whiteman).
 * William Girling Reservoir: 7 Black-necked Grebe, viewable from Mansfield Park (Paul Whiteman).
 * Woodside Park: Little Egret flew up Dollis Brook at 13:30, also Green Woodpecker and 30+ Redwings plus 50+ Fieldfares still in the area (Ian Ellis).
 * Wraysbury Gravel Pits, Hythe Lagoon: 12 Smew (including 5 drakes); 11 Goosander (including 4 drakes) (J.Wilczur).

Thursday 9th February 2012

 * Abney Park Cemetery: 7 Redwing. (TeRNS)


 * Alexandra Park: Tawny Owl heard; standing at Conservation Pond sounded distant (Blandford Hall?) at 0708 (Bob Watts).
 * Blackheath: Redwings present and numerous, with groups of eg 60+ on Cotoneaster. Also female Sparrowhawk caught a Starling (Joe Beale and Yu-Hsuan Lin)
 * Bromley-by-Bow: 73 Gadwall on river, Lapwing, 550 Teal, 5 Shelduck, Kingfisher, female Pochard, 8 Redshank, 4 Snipe, Green Sandpiper, 25+ Fieldfare, 170+ Redwing over, Chiffchaff (Stuart Fisher)
 * Brook Green (Hammersmith): 1 pr Mistle Thrush (on small green with 3 Goldfinch & 2 Starling) (Nathalie Mahieu).
 * Brookmill Park (Lewisham): Cormorant, Mandarin, Sparrowhawk, Kingfisher, Great-spotted Woodpecker, 5 Song Thrush, lots of Redwing, 30+in the park & a few similar sized flocks flying around. (Conrad Ellam)
 * Bushy Park: 14 Lapwings, 180 Redwings, 95 Fieldfares (Tony Duckett). Grey Wagtail (Penelope Paxer)
 * Charing Cross Hospital (Fulham): 1 Grey Wagtail by entrance pond (Chris Rivers per Nathalie Mahieu).
 * Crayford Marshes: 2nd winter Iceland Gull near recycling plant. Spotted Redshank, Water Pipit, Turnstone, 4 Avocet, 16 Grey Plover, Lesser Redpoll, male Peregrine, 14 Yellow-legged Gull, 12 Pintail, 2 Stonechat. (Kev Jarvis, Ian Stewart,Phil Cliffe).
 * East India Dock Basin/Bow Creek: 4 Shelducks, 327 Teal, 5 Tufted Ducks, 1 Common Sandpiper, 5 Redshanks (John Archer).late afternoon high tide visit: 2 Greylag Goose, 16 Shelduck, 2 Gadwall, female Pintail, 460+ Common Teal (site record count), 10 Tufted Duck, 10 Redshank, 7 Common Sandpiper (winter record count), 3 Reed Bunting (Nick Tanner).
 * Finsbury Park - Pair of Egyptian Geese and 2 Shoveler about 1.30pm (Dawn Painter)
 * Greenwich Park: 150+ Redwings and 6 Fieldfares, m Kestrel, Goldcrests (Joe Beale).
 * Headstone Manor (Harrow): Mallard, Sparrowhawk, Moorhen, Coot, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Feral Pigeon, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Ring-necked Parakeet, Robin, Blackbird, Fieldfare, Redwing, Mistle Thrush, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch (Paul Boult)
 * Hilfield Park Reservoir: 6 Scaup still, Buzzard (Derek Turner)
 * King George V: Adult Med Gull, 2 Great Northern Divers (north end of N basin), 4 Pintail, 35 Wigeon, 120+ Gadwall, 3 Goosander, 28 Lapwing, 250+ Fieldfare, 50+ Redwing on the bank. (I Lycett)
 * Lake Farm CP, Hayes: 224 Fieldfares (Pete Naylor).
 * Limehouse Basin: 2 Egyptian Geese, 21 Tufted Ducks (John Archer).
 * Osterley Park: female Blackcap, Teal 1, Lapwing 60+, Redwing c150, Fieldfare c100, Stonechat 2, Reed Bunting 6, Shoveler 49, Linnet 23, Heron incubating (K.Fisher)
 * Ponders End: Green Sandpiper over Mollison Avenue calling at 17.35 (Martin Shepherd). Please could someone clarify the criteria for use of bold text on this website?
 * Regent's Park: Smew still present, 29 Common Teal, 6 Wigeon, 2 Laapwings, 190 Redwings, 150 Fieldfares, 2 Siskins (Tony Duckett).
 * Roding Valley Park: Woodlark [under the southbound M11 fllyover near southern end of Uplands Road], Snipe, over 200 Fieldfares, 4 Redwings, Grey Heron, 3 Jays (Alan Hobson). Still showing very well at 13.25 (I Lycett)
 * Southgate (Minchenden Court, High Street, N14): 2(m&f) Blackcap, feeding on Ivy berries, 15:25 - 15:35 hrs; 3 Coal Tit, including two singing males (Robert Callf).
 * Thorney CP: Kingfisher on lake, Green Woodpecker, Ring Necked Parakeet, 20+ Gadwall, 3 Common Gulls, 17+ Siskins, 3 Redwing Song Thrush,Little Grebe, Jay, Grey Heron, 3 Goldfinch.(Sue Giddens)
 * Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park: 40 Fieldfare, 27+ Redwing (Bob Watts per JA).
 * Walthamstow Reservoirs: Scaup, 11 Goosanders,7m/4f. (Kevin J Mcmanus). Bittern crossing path between No.2 and No. 1 reservoirs. Goldeneye (female) East Warwick. (Caroline Nash).
 * Wanstead Flats: Grey Plover over at 8:30am (N Croft) You want Smew? Don't go no further http://wansteadbirding.blogspot.com/2012/02/smew.html
 * Wanstead Park: 5 Goosander on Basin at 7:15am but gone by 7:45am (J Lethbridge), later one spotted on Roding south of sluice (Paul Ferris), Common Snipe and 2 Water Rail in Reservoir Wood ditch (JL, N Croft, T Harris), and redhead Smew still on Roding, just south of large foot/vehicle bridge to Ilford (JL for NC) again at 15;09 (/Stuart Fisher), 2 Kingfisher, 3 Linnet, 4 Bullfinch (2 male), 14 Siskin, Reed Bunting, Buzzard (h from Cemetry - TH), Grey Wagtail, Sparrowhawk (NC/TH)
 * West Harrow: Common Buzzard over heading E turned N after being mobbed by crow @ 08.30 (Alex Massey)
 * Woodside Park: male Peregrine over West at 11:40 plucking thrush-sized prey; Kingfisher along the Dollis Brook; male Blackcap again in Westbury Road gardens, female Sparrowhawk. Very few Fieldfare/Redwing in gardens now that berry supplies have been almost 100% consumed over the last few days, but c110 Fieldfare and c30 Redwings over towards dusk. (Ian Ellis)

Wednesday 8th February 2012

 * Alexandra Park: Male Aythya & 2 female Aythya hybrids Tunnel Res, 3 drake Shoveler Wood Green Res, 170+ Redwing, 20+ Fieldfare, Snipe Conservation Pond (Bob Watts, Gareth Richards).
 * Barking Bay: 8 Wigeon, 9 Curlew, 300 Dunlin, 112 Black Tailed Godwits, 105 Fieldfare, 9 Grey Plover, adult Mediterranean Gull, 5 Common Snipe, Ringed Plover and 121 Redshank.(Dave Morrison)
 * Barnes Playing Fields (opposite Rocks Lane): 9 Lapwing mid-afternoon (Peter Jay).
 * Brent Reservoir: (still 60% frozen) 1 Shelduck, 5 Wigeon, 190+ Tufted Duck, 70+ Pochard, 2 male Pintail, 5 Snipe, 3 Lapwing, 15 Fieldfare W, 40+ Redwing (Roy Beddard).
 * Bromley-by-Bow: 13 Redshank, 7 Snipe, 1 Lapwing west, 52 Gadwall, 450+ Teal, f Pochard on canal, 2 Shelduck, 2 Little Grebe on canal, 160+ Redwing incl 20 on at Abbey Creek, 23 Fieldfare west, 2 Chiffchaff (S Fisher).
 * Bursted Woods (Barnehurst): 2 Nuthatch together, 1 (presumed) Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming (Chris Rose).
 * Claybury Park: 2 Treecreepers, up to 2 Nuthatches, Goldcrest, around 30 Fieldfares, Sparrowhawk, Redwing, up to 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Jay, Long-tailed Tit, 3 Goldfinches, a dozen Common Gulls among the Black-headed (Alan Hobson).
 * Cowley: 1 Red Kite over Cowley Road (A408) @ 10.35. Poss. same West Drayton one below. (Roger Dewey) Also over Curry's & Argos at 12.45pm. (Sue Giddens).
 * Crayford Marshes: 3 Slavonian Grebe; Spotted Redshank near yacht club at high tide, 6 adult Little Gull ; drake Goosander down river, Water Pipit, Woodcock, Bar-tailed Godwit, 2 Avocet, 9 Grey Plover, Rock Pipit, 14 Pintail.(Kev Jarvis).
 * Crossness: 6 Little Gulls (5 adults + 1st winter), male Ruff, female Goosander upriver, 4+ Grey Plover, 6 Yellow-legged Gulls (2 adults, near-adult, 2 2nd winters, 1st winter) (John Archer & Ian Miller).
 * Dollis Brook: 1 Greater Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Grey Wagtails, 40+ Redwings, 1 Little Egret, 1 Kingfisher, 16 Long tailed tits, 11 ring-necked Parakeets. (S. Tash)
 * Erith Rd, Bexleyheath (opposite Woolwich building): 2 Redwing in garden tree (Chris Rose).
 * Ewell, Hogsmill Open Space: 203 Redwing, 8 Fieldfare, 4 Stock Dove, Coal Tit, and 1 Woodcock flying very low north following course of river at 12.50 before dropping into shrubby/wooded area 250 metres north of railway line. First ever personal sighting of Woodcock in Ewell (Neil Batten).
 * Gravel Hill (Bexleyheath): 3 groups of Ring-necked Parakeets over, heading west, totalling c42 birds, 22 House Sparrow in school hedge at dusk (Chris Rose).
 * Grovelands Park (Southgate): 1 male Firecrest, feeding and displaying in Holly, 13:17 - 13:24 hrs - opening and closing crest with glowing intensity to unseen female nearby or Goldcrest? 1 male Sparrowhawk, perched up; 4 Goldcrest, including a singing male; 7 Siskin, feeding in Alders (Robert Callf).
 * Hall Place North: Unsettled flock of c23 Redwing, 5 Mistle Thrush, 24 Ring-necked Parakeets left heading west 16.30 onwards, 1 Dunnock (Chris Rose).
 * Houndsden Gutter (Winchmore Hill, N21): 1 Woodcock, flushed, 12:30 hrs; 1 'partial albino or leucistic' Redwing, bathing; 2 Grey Wagtail; 1 Goldcrest (Robert Callf).
 * Hounslow, Green Lane area: male Peregrine, Red Kite (W.Marks)
 * Kew Gardens: 100 Redwing plus Peregrine over Kew Bridge (James Lowen)
 * Mayfield Farm, Bedfont: 116 Skylark feeding in a field just north of the A30. (Adam Cheeseman)
 * Rainham Marshes: 3 Slavonian Grebe on the Thames; 14 Little Gulls downriver by 12.40. Also Mediterranean Gull and Jack Snipe (RBA).
 * Ruislip (Park Avenue): Common Buzzard over south-west at 15:00 (Jon Ridge).
 * Streatham (Oakdale Road): 1 GS woodpecker (R Bell)
 * Tyttenhanger GPs: 2 Woodcock, Green Sandpiper, Water Rail, Peregrine Falcon, 2 Red Kite, 2 Buzzard, 2 Kestrel, 2 Little Owl (Steve Blake).
 * Valentines Park: 9 Fieldfare (Barbara Miller).
 * Walthamstow Marsh: 3+ Bullfinch 400m south of Coppermill Ln. car park. 15+ Meadow Pipits Cow Field. 7 distant Geese flew SW, may have been White-fronts (Paul Whiteman).
 * Walthamstow Reservoirs:Drake Scaup West Warwick, Grey Plover on bank of East Warwick, Peregrine over, 9 (all drakes) Goosander No. 3. Lapwing No. 5, Bittern, Water Rail and Kingfisher in Coppermill stream (Paul Whiteman).
 * Wanstead Park (River Roding): Redhead Smew on River Roding(S Fisher for Steve Thorpe/J Lethbridge)
 * Wanstead Flats: 2 Golden Plover (Tim Harris); hundreds of Redwing all day (J Lethbridge)
 * West Drayton: Red Kite over near Heathrow (Sue Giddens).

Tuesday 7th February 2012

 * Alexandra Park: c50 Redwing SW @ 7am, flushed Common Snipe from Conservation Pond 1735 (Bob Watts); c130 mixed flock Redwing & Fieldfare over Conservation Pond 0845 (Dave Callahan).
 * Baker Street Station: 12 Fieldfare north at 2.30pm (James Astley).
 * Barnes Common: Firecrest and 2 Goldcrest. On junction of Mill Hill Road (S Haslem).
 * Belair Park: Common Buzzard circling at 11.00am then high south west (Dave Clark).
 * Blackheath: 100+ Redwing pootling around (James Lowen).
 * Bow Creek: 1 Common Sandpiper, 15 Redshank, 172 Teal (East India Dock Basin frozen and birdless!) (John Archer).
 * Broadwater: 6+ Chiffchaffs, c.20 Goldeneye, Common Buzzard, Siskins, Bullfinch. At least 10 Goosander on lake south of Moorhall road. On the Colne adjacent to Broadwater a strange-looking tufted duck (pic added). Scaup-like but with too much black on bill and rather dark back. Still stood out as much paler than Tufteds with it and had no hint of a tuft at all. Any ideas? (Joe Dickens). Can't make out much detail from the pic, Joe, but I think the two features you mention - bill pattern and blackish mantle - point firmly to Tufted Duck. The tuft can be almost lacking, though I admit this is seen more often in juveniles, and your bird has an adult-like pale eye. But I'm surprised you say the bird looked much paler than other Tufteds; the photo doesn't make it look unusually pale at all (Rob Innes). I've resized the image. I think you're right. The bird was with 4 much darker birds which made it stand out. Thanks (Joe Dickens). I think thats a female pale base to bill variant of Tufted Duck so the book says ;) (Michael Mac)
 * Brookmill Park: Mandarin, Kingfisher, 3 Jays (Conrad Ellam).
 * Bushy Park: 24 Mandarin, Common Buzzard 15th day?, Sparrowhawk, Woodcock (flushed from long grass bordering the Longford River), Little Egret (Longford River), 3 Common Snipe (by pools in Brew House Fields), 28 Lapwing (flew W over the paddocks), 4 Meadow Pipit (paddocks), 2450 Redwing before midday, 300 Fieldfare, 3 Siskin (Woodland Gardens) (Tony Duckett).
 * Cockfosters (Belmont Open Space) Herts EN4: Male Blackcap in garden (Anna & Bob Husband).
 * Crayford Marshes: 16 Dark-bellied Brent Geese flew north over the Thames; Spotted Redshank on the foreshore near yacht club; Turnstone, Avocet, 4 Grey Plover, 12 Golden Plover, Little Owl, Cetti's Warbler, 14 Pintail, Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, male Peregrine, 2 Rock Pipit, Kingfisher (Kev Jarvis).
 * East Barnet: Fieldfares and (mainly) Redwings feeding all day on holly berries in garden - they have virtually stripped the bush (S. Javes).
 * Fairlop Waters: Dunlin (1) SE corner of main lake @12:50pm,Gadwall 18,Shoveler 4 (Steve Bacon).
 * Foots Cray Meadows: (10.30-12.45) 8 Little Grebe, 3 Cormorant, Little Egret, pr Mute Swan, 2 Egyptian Geese, 2 prs Shoveler, 6 prs Gadwall, 33 Mallard, 8 Tufted Duck, Grey Heron, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, 2 Snipe, Green Sandpiper, 13 Moorhen, 14 Coot, 94+ Black-headed Gull, 6 Common Gull, Stock Dove, 19+ Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, 11+ Ring-necked Parakeet, 2 Green Woodpecker, 5 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Kingfisher, Pied Wagtail, 5 Wren, Dunnock, 6 Robin, 13 Blackbird, 4 Song Thrush, Redwing (3 flocks – 12, 36 and 4), 3 Mistle Thrush, 6 Long-tailed Tit, 6 Blue Tit, 6 Great Tit, Jay, 6 Magpie, 18 Jackdaw, 39+ Carrion Crow, 3 Starling, 2 Chaffinch, 3 Greenfinch, 5 Goldfinch (Ralph Todd). Ralph: a special page for Foots Cray Meadows has now been created HERE but it needs you to add further useful information to it. Please use that page (or create a further site page) for your general observations, and only use the Latest News page for really newsworthy sightings, such as your Green Sandpiper, for example.
 * Gallions Reach: 12 Common Scoter flew downriver @ 11.45, 33 Black-tailed Godwit, 9 Grey Plover (5 at roost), 4 Dunlin, 2 Common Snipe. (Gary A James).
 * Grays, RM17: several hundred Redwing/Fieldfare in mixed flocks, SW, 7.15-7.30am; smaller groups seen heading in same direction from train (James Astley).
 * Greenwich Park: impressive Redwing movement W/SW, over 2150 birds to late morning (1850+ to 10.30), still continuing towards noon, Fieldfares through (300+) in smaller numbers, counts likely to be underestimates. Also 4 Meadow Pipits, 10 Lapwings, Redpoll/s heard and m Firecrest still present (Joe Beale). 200 Redwings going over W at 13h30 (James Lowen).
 * Greenwich Peninsula: 2 Lapwing landed briefly in Southern Park 2.50 (Conrad Ellam).
 * Hampstead Heath: 3 m +3 f Wigeon,Highgate No 1 Pond, 23 Gadwall,50+ Fieldfare,50+ Redwing 08:00 and Tawny Owl calling Highgate Stock Pond 17:30 (Allan Stewart).
 * Hilfield Park Reservoir: 6 Scaup incl 4 adult drakes, Peregrine Falcon (Steve Blake).
 * Kentish Town Station: 120+ Redwing in 5 flocks (W) at 7.30-7.45am (Chris Bird).
 * London Wetland Centre: 2 Bittern, Mealy Redpoll, Siskin, Green Woodpecker, the usual wildfowl and what can only be described as a plague of Redwing (S. Haslem).
 * Nine Elms Sainsbury's Car Park: 2 Mistle Thrush on factory roof, a first. Also Kestrel earlier on (Michael Mac).
 * Osterley Park: Little Owl 1, Golden Plover 1, Lapwing 50+, Linnet 21, Stonechat 2, Teal 1. (K.Fisher)
 * Regent's Park: Redhead Smew, 25 Teal, 2 Wigeons, 100+ Shovelers, 40 Gadwalls, 110 Redwing (Tony Duckett)
 * Ruislip Lido: Male Smew (Richard Francis).
 * Stoke Newington Reservoirs: 1 Water Rail, 2 Redwing, 2m Reed Bunting. (TeRNS)
 * Totteridge Valley: c210 Fieldfare: c110 Redwing: 2 Bullfinch: Meadow Pipit: 1m Sparrowhawk - also many mobile Redwing over house in North Finchley (John Colmans)
 * Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park: c40 Redwing N @ 0810 & 6 perched 1230, 1 Song Thrush (Bob Watts).
 * Trent Park: 1 Woodcock, flushed, near Triangular Wood, 15:51 hrs; 10(6m,4f) Mandarin Duck, Lower Lake; 4 Goldcrest,(2 Church Wood, 2 Water Grdn); 1 Treecreeper, near Cockfosters entrance (Robert Callf).
 * Wandsworth Common Ponds: 2 flighty Redwing, 11 Shoveler, 2 Egyptian Geese, pr displaying Stock Dove high fluttering flight, 1 Cormorant flew out, 18 Ring-necked Parakeets. Common area - 40 Redwing flew off common, 1 Kestrel over road (Michael Mac).
 * Wanstead Flats: c.1,200 + Redwing, c.300 Fielfdfare, Woodcock flushed from SSSI (Nick Croft for J Lethbridge).
 * West Harrow: 3 Redwings feeding in holly bush in garden @08.00 + c45 over West Harrow tube in 2 flocks @08.30 (Alex Massey).
 * West Norwood Cemetery: at least 15 Redwing, 2 Green Woodpecker, 2 or 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, Goldcrest (Lynn Leadbeater).

Monday 6th February 2012

 * Alexandra Park: Tawny Owl called from Conservation Area 7am (Bob Watts).2 Egyptian Geese west 1013 (Dominic Mitchell).
 * Brent Reservoir: Shelduck again, Lapwing over (Andrew Haynes).
 * Bromley-by-Bow: drake Shoveler, Woodcock, Jack Snipe, 4+ Snipe, 7+ Redshank, 2 Shelduck, 29 Gadwall, 300+ Teal, 24 Redwing over (Stuart Fisher)
 * Brunel University Bicentenary Gardens; 11 Lesser Redpolls, male Bullfinch, 50+ Fieldfares and several hundred Redwings, mainly moving south-west, with 52 counted in 10 minutes around 1.00pm. (Roger Morton)
 * Brookmill Park: Mandarin, Kingfisher, 100+ Redwing west (Conrad Ellam).
 * East India Dock Basin/Bow Creek: 6 Shelduck, c240 Teal, female Sparrowhawk, 14 Redshank, Common Sandpiper, Grey Wagtail, c50 Fieldfares south with c10 Redwings (John Archer).
 * Enfield Town: 1 Woodcock in garden all day (WHOSE GARDEN?)(MY GARDEN!!) (Name rank and serial number?)
 * Ewell, Hogsmill Open Space: 277 Redwing, 1 Common Snipe, 8 Stock Dove (Neil Batten).
 * Golders Green: 30+ Lapwing high SW (James Levy).
 * Greenwich Park: 640+ Redwings W/SW, 40+ Fieldfares W, Redwings around as well, 4+ Meadow Pipits heard over and Slylark heard over (Joe Beale).
 * Hampstead Heath: 2 Golden Plovers Parliament Hill, landed briefly, 3 Lapwing also landed and 12 more high W. 5 Wigeon ( 3 drakes) on High No.1, 1,000+ Redwing, 600+ Fieldfare, Peregrine, 4 Meadow Pipits (Pete Mantle).
 * Ladywell Field SE6: Kingfisher, Grey Heron, 2 Mistle Thrush, lots of Redwings going south. River pool, catford Snipe (Terry Wilson).
 * Lake Farm CP, Hayes: flock of 250+ Fieldfares in treetops and on ground, 16 Lesser Redpolls in Silver Birch yesterday, up to 70 Redwings and 250 (mostly Common) Gulls (Pete Naylor). (See HERE for news of a threat to this site.)
 * London Wetland Centre: 2 Bittern, 220 Teal, 2 Shelduck, 3 Mandarin, 400 Redwing, 23 Fieldfare, 2 Skylark, 23 Siskin (Adam Salmon). 5 shelduck, 5 m pintail, c. 20-30 wigeon, coal tit, water rail. No sign of mandarin, only 1 fieldfare, perhaps 3-400 teal, only 1 tufted duck and 2 little grebe. 28 lapwing on playing fields, few more on reserve (Fernley Symons)
 * Osterley Park: Common Snipe 2, Fieldfare flock of c400, Lapwing 82 (previous best count here was 7), Meadow Pipit flock of 52 (previous best 30) ,Stonechat 2, Redwing c200. (K.Fisher)
 * Pinner Park Farm : 1 Little Egret along the River Pinn, 1 Little Owl in usual tree, 1 Snipe around main pond, 1 Lapwing south-west at 12:00 & 3 Nuthatch (Jon Ridge)
 * Potters Fields SE1: 3 Egyptian Geese NW over GLA building then upriver (G Sutton)
 * Rainham RSPB, along seawall: Late afternoon visit, most counts approximate. Peregrine, 200 Dunlin, 50 Golden Plover, 5 Curlew, 4 Grey Plovers, 1 Ringed Plover, numerous Redshank, 9 Great Crested Grebe. Also the expected waterfowl, including Pintail, Wigeon, Teal, etc. c400 Fieldfare, mostly around visitor centre, 18 Ring-Necked Parakeet over, c200 Skylark on tip. (James A)
 * Ravenscourt Park: c30 Redwing, 1 Nuthatch (Michael Robinson)
 * Regent's Park: 1st winter male Smew has possibly been present for longer than today, 6 Wigeon, 13 Teal, 90+ Shoveler, Common Snipe, Lapwing, 600 Fieldfares, 1060 Redwings, Reed Bunting, 4 Siskins (Tony Duckett per D Johnson)
 * Richmond Park : 1 Red Kite, 22 Lapwing over ( Bob Snellgrove)
 * Staines Reservoir: South Basin - Great Northern Diver, Black-necked Grebe, female Smew, Shelduck; North Basin - Shag, Causeway - Water Pipit, Green Sandpiper, Redshank, 5 Dunlin (Brian Stretch).
 * Stockers Lake: 4 Partridge (across R Colne), 20+ Siskin, 30+ Lapwing, 2 Eygptian Goose, Female Mallard with 6 ducklings walking on the ice! (John Woolston)
 * Southgate N14 (Winchmore Hill Road): 1 Woodcock flew low and then away towards the park, c 4 pm. Also, massive migration / invasion of Redwings in N14 gardens today and for last couple of days, most appeared to have gone 5 days later (Thomas Donegan).
 * Streatham (Gleneldon Road): 1 heron (over), 5 house sparrow (R Bell).
 * Tower Bridge: 3 Egyptian Geese flew North over Potters Field at 09:35, work patch tick (Paul Whiteman)
 * Valentines Park: 8 lapwing over heading north. Kingfisher on Horse Pond.(Barbara Miller)
 * Wanstead Flats:c. 1,000 + Redwing in and around the park and flats, 200 + Fieldfare, 14 Skylark (fairground - TH), 2 Lesser Redpoll, Siskin, singing Chaffinch, 20 + Goldfinch (Capel point), 5 Teal, 8 Shoveler, Egyptian Goose (Nick Croft/Tim Harris)
 * Wanstead Park: Common Sandpiper (Roding - ST), Mediterranean Gull (west over Shoulder of Mutton - MM), 3 Lapwing, Kingfisher, 5 Egypian Goose, Gadwall, Pochard, Shoveler (THe Basin), 3 Teal (Roding), Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Goldcrest, Siskin, 12 Lesser Redpoll, Sparrowhawk, pr of Kestrel (Nick Croft/Steve Thorpe/Mike Messenger)
 * Walthamstow Reservoirs: 4 Goosanders, 70 Lapwing, 3 Reed Bunting (Kevin J Mcmanus). No sign of Goosanders late afternoon. 5 Meadow Pipits, 6 Lapwings (1 landed), 4 Goldeneye, 2 Common Sandpipers (all birds on Lockwood). (Katy M.)
 * Wormwood Scrubs: 08.00-11.00 - 325 Redwing west and south, incl one flock of c.80, 32 Fieldfare, 1 Mistle Thrush, 4 Skylark (2 down onto pitches), 2 Mallard, 9 Meadow Pipit, 1 Jackdaw, 16 Chaffinch incl 2 singing males, 2 drumming Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Green Woodpecker (Rob Ayers).

Sunday 5th February 2012

 * Alexandra Park: 1 male Teal (on bank next to Tunnel Res., later in New River), 1 Water Rail (James Palmer). Also Little Egret west, 11 Lapwings west (2 landed in channel at back of Wood Green Res but chased off by Common Gulls), high flying Snipe NE over WG Res, 170+ Feldfare mostly N or NE (largest flock c 50), 60+ Redwing, drake Shoveler, 45 Tufted Duck, 12 Pochard, 2-3 Little Grebes, 3 Ring-necked Parakeets (1 Boating Lake) (Bob Watts, Gareth Richards, Dominic Mitchell).
 * Barking Reach, from Thamesmead: 10 adult Little Gulls upriver 12.30 + Lots of Ducks around Barking Creek - 400+ Tufted Duck, 10+ Pochard, 30+ Gadwall, 20+ Shoveler, 20+ Teal, 100+ Lapwing flying around (Conrad Ellam).
 * Battersea Park Lake: 34 Shoveler [|mainly on ice], 5 Gadwall, 1 Peregrine on gasometer, 1 Jay, 5 Common Gulls, no Tufted Duck - they don't like ice, 1 Pochard (Michael Mac).
 * Beddington: 3 Goosander, 4 Curlew, 2 Woodcock, 1 Mandarin, 1 Jack Snipe, 1 Ruff, 2 Green Sandpiper, 50 Golden Plover W, 40 Lapwing, 1 Water Rail, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 2 Little Egret, 1 Redpoll sp pics (PA, BFBG)
 * Blackheath: 14 Lapwing over N/NW, late morning (Joe Beale), 20 Redwing in my garden plus 7 Meadow Pipit over (James Lowen).
 * Brent Reservoir: 2 Lapwing on ice, 16 Snipe, Shelduck, 3 Wigeon (Andrew Verrall). also Green Sandpiper on rafts at 16.00, Peregrine over East Marsh, 2 Bullfinch. (Rob Ayers). Green Sandpiper & Common Sandpiper behind the dam, 20 Lapwing & 55 Fieldfare over 14:00 (Fraser Simpson).
 * Bromley-by-Bow: Merlin perched on birch on Abbey Creek island early am, seen off by noisy Ring-necked Parakeet (also a rarity here), Jack Snipe directly below Channelsea Business Centre, c130 Lapwing (1 present on creek, the rest south or west, 7 Skylark over, 7+ Snipe, 14 Redshank, Green Sandpiper, 5 Shelduck on river, c500 Teal, 34 Gadwall, 2 Fieldfare, 7 Redwing, 30+ Linnet, 2 Meadow Pipit, f Sparrowhawk (Stuart Fisher)
 * Crayford Marshes: Adult Caspian Gull, 2 Yellow-legged Gull, pair Stonechat, Ruff, 14 Pintail, 10 Ringed Plover, 2 Grey Plover, 1 Golden Plover, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit (Allan Stewart).
 * Crossness: 1st-winter Caspian Gull off the golf centre early a'noon, 5 Goldeneye on the river early morning before flying off downriver, 11 Golden Plover north mid-morning and 2 more by the outfall this evening, 8 Grey Plover, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 30+ Meadow Pipits east, 5+ Skylark, Water Pipit (John Archer and Richard Bonser).
 * Crouch End: 4 Common Snipe low heading north over Ridge Road, N8 late afternon (Gareth Richards)
 * Dagenham Chase LNR: 20 Redpoll including a couple which could've been Mealies, feeding in birches at 4pm (pale flanks and slight streaking and clearish wing bars and paler looking back but rumps not seen). Access through green bars by row of houses by S bend in Dagenham Road. Birches are behind houses in small enclosure on hill. 2 Golden Plover over calling, 76 Lapwing on ice, 48 Teal on ice, several Meadow Pipit over, 2 Jackdaw, 1 Little Egret, 1 male Bullfinch (V. Halley-Frame).
 * East Barnet: Flock of about 50 Redwings and Fieldfares feeding on holly berries in my garden this am, also briefly, Waxwing taking wild rose hips also in garden (S. Javes).
 * East India Dock Basin area: 7 Shelduck, female Pintail, c.70 Lapwing east, 2+ Redshank, Common Sandpiper, Sparrowhawk, Kingfisher, 10+ Chaffinch, 9+ Reed Bunting (Gary A James, Nick Tanner).
 * Gallions Reach: 4 Jack Snipe (feeding on foreshore with C. Snipe), 10 Common Snipe, 62 Grey Plover (48 upriver, the rest at roost), 49 Golden Plover, 420 Lapwing ( most moving inland), 4 Dunlin (roost), 40 Redshank, 1 Common Sandpiper, 26 Wigeon, 2 Pintail, 6 Gadwall, 300 Teal, Kingfisher, 60 Redwing, 6 Meadow Pipit, 50 Linnet. (Gary A James & Nick Tanner).
 * Grays riverside, RM17: 2 adult Little Gulls upriver 12.57. Also the regular Kittiwakes on and off through the morning (adults and 1 1st winter), 2 Great Crested Grebes, Grey Plover, Lapwing, Redshank, Dunlin, Shelduck, Wigeon and Teal (James A).
 * Grovelands Park (Southgate): 1 Woodcock, flew from daytime roost, 16:20 hrs (only my fourth record at this site); 1 Little Grebe; 19(12m,7f) Mandarin Duck; 50(28m,22f) Mallard; 3(2m,1f) Tufted Duck; 1 Sparrowhawk; 17 Moorhen; 43 Coot; 12 Ring-necked Parakeet; 1 male Nuthatch (Robert Callf).
 * Horsenden Hill: 2 Egyptian Geese S and the back N over Paradise Fields, 19 Lapwing SW at 14.30, 1 Snipe, 1 Pheasant, 1 Water Rail, 85+ Fieldfare, 35+ Redwing, 3 Meadow Pipit (Andy Culshaw, David Howdon).
 * Ingrebourne Valley: Kingfisher, 6 Bullfinch, 2 White-fronted Geese, 6 Ring-necked Parakeet, Common Buzzard and 64 Lapwing (Dave Morrison).
 * Kensal Green Cemetery and St Mary’s Cemetery: Green and Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Meadow Pipit (Charlie Farrell).
 * King George's Reservoir: 2 Lapwing, 4 Goosander, 2 Gadwall, Green Woodpecker, female Reed Bunting. (Millicent Harper)
 * London Wetland Centre: 1 Bittern, 3 Shelduck, 15 Pintail, 1 Golden Plover, 12 Water Rail, 1 Ruff, 5 Dunlin, 13 Common Snipe, 1 Woodcock, 1 Tawny Owl, 2 Yellow-legged Gull, 21 Common Gull, 9 Meadow Pipit, 4 Skylark, 2 Stonechat, 7 Cetti's Warbler, 10 Fieldfare, 120 Redwing, 1 Mealy Redpoll, 2 Lesser Redpoll, 23 Siskin (LWC website).
 * Margravine Cemetery: c6 Redwing (Charlie Farrell) flock of 18 Redwing ca 9am, 1 Mistle Thrush (Nathalie Mahieu).
 * Muswell Hill: 12 Lapwings west (P.Angus).
 * Osterly Park: 5 Egyptian geese, one swan, two robins (CM)
 * Regent's Park: Curlew north 10.40am, 75 Redwings (Tony Duckett).
 * Roding Valley, Loughton: 3 Mandarin, 7 Wigeon, 5 Teal, 3 Little Grebe, Kingfisher, Water Rail, Snipe, 2 Bullfinch, 70+ Fieldfare, 20 Skylark west, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Goldcrest, 2 Treecreeper, 3 Ring-necked Parakeet (David Bradnum)
 * Sewardstone: Rock Pipit feeding on vegetation at side of River Lea Relief Channel (Martin Shepherd)
 * Staines Reservoir: 1 Great Northern Diver (S basin), 2 male, 1 female Smew (S basin), 4 Dunlin (along causeway bank), 1 juv Shag (N basin), Goldeneye, Meadow Pipit (A Luscombe). Late afternoon, also the two recent Scaup (drake and immature female) still N basin; four Smew (one drake) S basin; and two flocks of Golden Plover through, 15 at 1552hrs and 28 at 1649hrs (Rob Innes).
 * Hampstead Heath: 2 Snipe flushed from tiny fenced pond near bird feeders 0945. 50 Lapwing (single flock) N over Parliament Hill 1000, Little Grebe on Ham No 1 ( Pete Mantle), 2 Snipe flew up from same spot again at 16.00, also 4 Shoveler, 2 Egyptian Geese, 6 Lesser Redpoll, 20+ Jackdaw (Rob Ayers)
 * Thamesmere Lake: 2 Grey Plover (Conrad Ellam).
 * Tottenham Hale: at least 21 Little Grebes on River Lea at confluence at bottom of Bream Close where sludge main crosses river (Quentin Given).
 * Totteridge Valley: 36 Lapwings over West (25+10+1), 2 Little Owls at Folly Farm, 2 m Kestrels, Cormorant, 11 Mandarin, Treecreeper (Ian Ellis).
 * Uxbridge (Baxter Close): c50-60 flock of Fieldfare and Redwing around my road/garden (Nigel Sluman).
 * Wanstead Flats: Jack Snipe (Alex), 2 Snipe (south), Woodcock, 6 Golden Plover (west), c. 400 Lapwing (mostly west), Mediterranean Gull (Alex), 6 Meadow Pipit (west over Alex) (Nick Croft/Jonathan Lethbridge/Tim Harris/Steve Thorpe et al) pics at http://wansteadbirding.blogspot.com/2012/02/cold-weather-movement-part-ii-omg.html
 * Wanstead Park: 2 Snipe, Water Rail, 3 Kingfisher, 2 Grey Wagtail, 5 Little Grebe, 4 Stock Dove, Siskin, Lesser Redpoll, Bullfinch, hundreds of Redwing, Kestrel mating (Nick Croft/Jonathan Lethbridge/Tim Harris/Steve Thorpe et al)
 * Walthamstow Marsh: 2 Snipe flushed, approx. 30 Golden Plover SE at 15:00hrs (LP).
 * Walthamstow Reservoirs (N). Pr Goosanders, 3 M (displaying) and 6+ F Goldeneye, 1 Snipe, 4 Lapwings, 1 Green Sandpiper, Green Woodpecker bouncing around in snow, 6 Meadow Pipit (Quentin Given). Chiffchaff in flood relief channel, 1 Lapwing over, 2 Shellduck (Rob Ayers). 1 Dunlin (Alastair Rae). Also c150 Lapwing S, 2 Golden Plover N, 3 Shoveler, f Goosander S, pair Peregrine (all from house 14.30-15.30). Banbury res: pair Red-breasted Merganser asleep on S bank (perhaps the regular f has now found a mate? - L Bodini).
 * Waterworks NR: Woodcock, flushed from near public footpath and flew just over headheight into cover within the reserve. 34 lapwing over north (Jamie Partridge).
 * Woodford Green: 1 Chiffchaff - Garden (Tony Brown)
 * Woodside Park: 3 Siskin on nyjer feeder, 31 Fieldfares, c10 Redwings in gardens + f Sparrowhawk over. (Ian Ellis).

Saturday 4th February 2012

 * Alexandra Park: c60 Fieldfares, 70+ Redwings, Aythya hybrid male (Tuftie x Pochard) Wood Green Res, Water Rail Flood (Bob watts, Gareth Richards).
 * Beddington: 1 2nd win Iceland Gull, 9 Pintail SW, 1 Curlew, 2 Grey Plover S, 1 Ruff, 2 Dunlin, 10 Snipe, 2 Green Sandpiper, 170+ Redwing, 60+ Fieldfare, 15 Skylark pics here (PA)
 * Brent Reservoir: 95% ice, 14 Snipe, Shelduck, Kingfisher, 38 Redwing, 20 Fieldfare (Andrew Haynes, Andrew Verrall).
 * Broadwater Lake, Harefield. 1000 Tufted Duck, 35 Goldeneye, 80 Shoveler, 2 Goosander and 2 Smew around the ice late morning ( John Edwards).
 * East India Dock Basin area: 1 Common Snipe, 17 Redshank, 1 Common Sandpiper, 250 Teal, 3 Reed Buntings. Basin is totally frozen. (Gary A James). 397 Teal, 2 Common Sandpiper (Nick Tanner).
 * Fairlop Waters:Woodcock 1,Wigeon 4,Shoveler 4 (Steve Bacon)
 * Fulham Reach (Thames at 8.30am): 160 Tufted Duck, 6 Gadwall, 9 Teal, 108 Mallard, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 4 Coot, 1 Moorhen, 2 Pied Wagtail, 6 Common Gull, ca 320 Black-headed Gull, 4 Herring Gull, 3 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1 Greylag (Nathalie Mahieu).
 * Gallions Reach: 2 Grey plover (Ben Green).
 * Grays Riverside, RM17: 2 Turnstone, 3 Dunlin, 8 Grey Plover, 1 Oystercatcher, numerous Lapwing/Redshank, 1 Kittiwake (James A)
 * Greenwich Park: influx of Redwing, with various different flocks flying around (c120-150). (Joe Beale)
 * Hampstead Heath: Highgate Pond no. 1 - 1m wigeon (Adrian Platt)
 * Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens: Tawny Owl, Nuthatch, 4+ Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, c200 Greylag Geese, c70 Canada Geese, c25 Shoveler, c10 Pochard, Pied Wagtail, 4 Coal Tit. 200+ Fieldfare over plus c10 Redwing (Charlie Farrell).
 * King George's Reservoir: 3 Lapwing, 34 Fieldfare, 2 Redwing, 1 Little Egret (Millicent Harper).
 * KGV Reservoir: 2 Great-northern Diver, Black-necked Grebe, Chiffchaff calling from Sewardstone, 3 Ruddy Duck, 2 Shelduck, 2 Snipe, 8 Goosander, c270 Fieldfare, c130 Redwing (Martin Shepherd)
 * Margravine Cemetery: 1 singing Miistle Thrush, 1 Fileddfare + ca 30 Redwing passing through then off East (Nathalie Mahieu).
 * Regent's Park: 68 Red-crested Pochards, 46 Mandarins, 70 Fieldfares, 380 Redwing, 4 Siskins, 36 Goldfinches (Tony Duckett). Also Kestrel hunting at dusk (Aaron C-Partridge).
 * Rotherhithe: 134 Tufted Duck (84 on Greenland Dock), 2 Pochard Greenland Dock, 2 Egyptian Geese Canada Water (Richard Bonser).
 * Sainsbury's Car Park - Nine Elms: 1 Kestrel (Michael Mac).
 * South Norwood Country Park - 3 Teal, 25 Shoveler, 60 Fieldfare, Siskin (Steven Robinson).
 * Sewardstone Marsh: 3 Water Rail, 1 Little Egret, 4 Little Grebe, 2 Gadwall, 6+Teal, 6 Goosander, 1 Dunlin all in relief channel. 520+ Redwing and 108 Fieldfare passed over east within 2 hours. 1 Stock Dove, 10 Meadow Pipit, 8 Skylark, 1 GS Woodpecker, 3 Green Woodpecker, 1(m) Sparrowhawk, 2 Treecreeper, 4 Siskin, 1(m) Bullfinch 1-2 more heard calling. 2 (m&f) Reed Bunting. (Neville Smith)
 * Totteridge, Dollis Greenwalk (Tube station to Underhill): c100 Fieldfares, 12 Redwings, Chaffinch singing (first one heard this year), Goldfinches, Ring-necked Parakeets, Common Gulls among Black-headed Gulls and Lesser Black-backed Gulls; Buzzard arrived and about 100 crows and pigeons took to the air from trees - the clamour and sight was amazing (Geoff Crabtree).
 * Trent Park: 3(2m,1f) Teal, Lower Lake, 14:10 hrs; 2 Woodcock; 8 Nuthatch; 1 singing Treecreeper (Robert Callf).
 * Tyttenhanger GPs: Dunlin, Green Sandpiper, 3 Snipe, 2 Shelduck, 2 Little Owl, 2 Golden Plover. (Steve Blake)
 * Walthamstow, Lockwood Reservoir: 2 drake Red-breasted Merganser disturbed by vehicle from drainage dyke north of reservoir early am, flew towards Banbury, 6-8 Goosander (5 f, 1 m and possibly another pair), 8 Goldeneye (Stuart Fisher)
 * Wanstead Park: 5 Wigeon (the Basin) Jonathan Lethbridge/Tim Harris
 * Wandsworth Road - Stockwell: 35 Redwing over from east to west 1st of winter (Michael Mac).

Friday 3rd February 2012

 * Alexandra Park: Little Grebe, c10 Tufted Duck, 2 Pochard Boating Lake (90% frozen), 30 Tufted Duck, 7 Pochard, 2 drake Shoveler Wood Gree/Tunnel Res (Bob Watts).
 * Bankside, SE1: Peregrine on tower of Tate Modern, north-facing. (D. Greenwood)
 * Crossness: Bar-tailed Godwit, 7 Grey Plovers off Golf Centre this morning (John Archer).
 * Bromley-by-Bow: Green Sandpiper, 6 Redshank, 400+ Teal, 2 Snipe, 15 Gadwall (Stuart Fisher)
 * East India Dock Basin/Bow Creek: 2 Shelduck, female Pintail, 159 Teal, 3 Tufted Ducks, 4 Redshank, 10 Linnet, Reed Bunting (John Archer).
 * Greenwich Peninsula Ecology Park: Fieldfare, 1, maybe 2 Water Rails showing well intermittently, Little Grebes, Linnets just outside park, also one Fox. The warden reports he flushed a Jack Snipe (Joe Beale)
 * Grovelands Park (Southgate): 2(m&f) Firecrest, feeding in Holly, 13:28 - 13:50 hrs; 1 Little Grebe; 1 Great Crested Grebe; 4(2m,2f) Teal; 8(5m,3f) Shoveler; 5(2m,3f) Pochard; 8(3m,5f) Tufted Duck; 1 Sparrowhawk; 1 Green Woodpecker; 4 Coal Tit, including one singing; 1 singing male Greenfinch (Robert Callf).
 * Hampstead Heath (NW corner of men's pond/Highgate no 2.): Siskin, Lesser Redpoll, 1 f Bullfinch, Nuthatch, Fieldfare, pair Kestrel (Adrian Platt).
 * Horsenden Hill: 1 Treecreeper, 1 Tawny Owl, 2 Little Owl, 130+ Fieldfare, 80+ Redwing (Andy Culshaw).
 * Isleworth Thames, Syon House: Peregrine hunting Teal [Teal dropped like stone into the river] seen from Kew Gardens (Les Mccallum).
 * Ladywell Field SE6: Kingfisher, Kestrel m, 4 Redwing.2 Goldcrest, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker (Terry Wilson).
 * Leyton Flats: 20 Shoveler, 100 Redwing, 24 Fieldfare, 1 Bullfinch. (Gary A James).
 * Little Britain Iver/Cowley: Nuthatch heard, 50+ Redwings, 10+ Fieldfare, 2 Song Thrush, 3 Little Grebes, 16 Shovelers, Ring-necked Parakeet, Grey Wagtail, Common Gull, Kestrel, Green Woodpecker (Sue Giddens
 * London Wetland Centre: Great views of one of the Bitterns, and at least 5 Water Rails out on the ice, Siskins, Goldfinches, Redpolls, Peregrine (Nathalie M - I think it was Tom but couldnt get clear photo), Pintail pair, lots of Shoveler displaying, 3 Common Snipe flying around, at least 3 Cettis seen but more heard, Redwings seen from car-park (W.Marks).
 * Osterley Park: 16.00-16.55 prolonged views of a hunting Barn Owl. An amazing performance with views down to 15 feet on more than one occasion. Also 6 Lapwing. (K.Fisher)
 * River Lee Country Park: Bowyers Water - 1M Smew, pair of Goldeneye. Hall Marsh - Woodcock, 2 Snipe. Holyfield area - pair of Bullfinch, Pintail (weir), 2M Goosander in front of the Grebe Hide. One with a red fishing float and line trapped in its bill. (Mike Oakland)
 * Stockers Lake: 2M Smew, 2 Little Egrets on river, 1 Cettis Warbler along river at the point furthest NW on the lake, Inns lake on other side of river.Little Owl on farm field despite w..k.rs cutting down and burning its nest site.(Richard Francis)
 * Thamesmere Lake: 7 Wigeon (Conrad Ellam)
 * Thames foreshore, Thamesmere to Woolwich: 30+Lapwing, 10+Redshank (Conrad Ellam)
 * Thorney C P: 6 Siskins, Greenfinch, 10+ Redwings, 3 Little Egrets on lake, 2 Grey Herons, Wigeon, 4 Gadwall.(Sue Giddens)
 * Walthamstow Reservoirs (north side): female Red-breasted Merganser, 6 Goosander (2m, 4f), 6 Goldeneye (2m, 4f), 2 Lapwings, 2 Chiffchaffs, c50 Teal (Mark Pearson Northern Rustic)
 * Wanstead Flats: 100+ Redwing (north), 30 + Fieldfare (north), Reed Bunting (Nick Croft)
 * Wanstead Park: 2 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (north of Heronry pics: http://wansteadbirding.blogspot.com/2012/02/wansteads-iconic-birds-no1-lesser.html), hundreds of Redwing and Fieldfare, 7 Little Grebe, Little Egret, Kingfisher, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, 5 Teal (Nick Croft)
 * Wimbledon Common: Firecrest in holly thickets from path which runs alongside Putney Vale Cemetry.100+ Redwing, 1 Fieldfare (Peter Carlill).
 * Woodside Park: 2 Blackcaps (m+f), 60+ Redwings, 55 Fieldfares, 8 Blackbirds, f Sparrowhawk in Westbury Road gardens, plus a Rook and 3 Lapwings over (Ian Ellis).

Thursday 2nd February 2012

 * Bexleyheath (Broadway) - Christchurch Cemetery: 8 Greenfinch, 1 Goldfinch, 1 Chaffinch. Library - 2 Pied Wagtail (Chris Rose).
 * Bow Creek: 5 Shelduck, 152 Teal, 1 Redshank (John Archer).
 * Bromley-by-Bow (Abbey Creek): 10 Redshank, 6 Common Snipe, 400+ Teal, 26 Gadwall, 19 Fieldfare West, 1 Reed Bunting South west (Stuart Fisher), 2 Common Sandpiper (Marco Johnson)
 * Bushy Park: Water Rail, 40 Meadow Pipits, 200+ Redwings, 100 Fieldfares, 40+ Siskin (Tony Duckett). Any chance I could get a location for the Water Rail? Would be nice to have a pop over for this one. Thanks. (Billy Dykes)
 * Cranford CP, J3 M4: Kingfisher, Buzzard, Kestrel, c10 Goldcrest, 4 GS Woodpeckers, Green Woodpecker, several large Long-tailed Tit flocks, c70 Redwings (W.Marks)
 * Crayford Marshes: 8 Little Gull (all 1st winter) downriver this morning, Spotted Redshank on the foreshore near the yacht club a.m. 6 Grey Plover, 2 Pintail, 7 Curlew, 3 1st winter Yellow-legged Gull (Kev Jarvis).
 * Crossness: 1st winter Little Gull lingering off golf centre around power station outfall (Paul Hawkins per JA).
 * Danson Park (Bexleyheath): circa 10 Siskin, 2 or 3 Nuthatch, 2 Stock Dove, 1 male Teal, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 - probably 2 - Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Jay, 3 Egyptian Goose, 58 Canada Goose, 1 Mistle Thrush, 4 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 4 Lesser Black-backeds Gulls, a few Common Gulls, 1 Chaffinch, 3 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Collared Dove, 1 Wren plus usuals (Chris Rose).
 * East India Dock Basin: 22 Teal, 8 Tufted Duck (basin mostly frozen) (John Archer).
 * Fulham Reach: 1 Lapwing over going W, 3 Redwing (Margravine cemetery) (Nathalie Mahieu).
 * Horsenden Hill Fields: 100+ Fieldfare and Redwing, 2m/2f Bullfinches, Sparrowhawk (Martin Smith).
 * Lordship Rec: 4 Lapwing flew low over the park southward at 14:45 (Jeremy Richardson).
 * Morden Park: fem Reed Bunting (David Campbell).
 * Mudchute (Isle of Dogs) 20 Monk Parakeets, 1 Chiffchaff, 10 Chaffinch, 3 House Sparrow (Conrad Ellam).
 * Muswell Hill: Tawny Owl just caught something outside my back window. 9.30 pm (P.Angus).
 * Oakwood Park, N14: 1 Mealy Redpoll feeding on Hawthorn buds with 2 Lesser Redpolls, 12:28 - 12:35 hrs (Robert Callf).
 * Osterley Park: 16.46 Barn Owl seen hunting in daylight for c10 minutes. Local dog-walkers report regular dawn and dusk sightings over the last month. (K.Fisher). This is interesting. Barn Owls were present in the late 1960's / earlier 1970's. Nested in dead tree in "West Fields" south of M4. Tree long gone. (Roger Dewey)
 * Rainham Marshes: 3 Caspian Gull, 5 Yellow-legged Gull and 1 Mediterranean Gull at stone barges on falling tide this am. (Ghost Birders) Jack Snipe flushed by Southern Boardwalk at 15.50 but not relocated. Short Eared Owl flew over NW Corner of Pennington Marsh (Near A13/Ferry Lane Junction) at 17:15. (Davey Leach)
 * Stockers Lake: M&F Smew, Little Egret, Goosander on river. Black Necked Grebe briefly on Bury Lake.(Richard Francis, who missed the Grebe)
 * Sutcliffe Park: 3 G Heron, 1 Common Snipe, 1 Kingfisher (James Lowen).
 * Stockley Park Golf Course, Uxbridge: Mallard, Coot, Black-headed Gull, Feral Pigeon, Woodpigeon, Ring-necked Parakeet, Green Woodpecker (2), Great Spotted Woodpecker (2) Drumming heard, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Feildfare (5), Long-tailed tit, Great Tit, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Goldfinch (Singing). Bullfinch (Male) (Paul Boult)
 * Wanstead Flats: 21 Lapwing (south in small groups), 60 + Jackdaw, large numbers of Fieldfare and Redwing, 17 Goldfinch, 2 Stock Dove, 2 Greater Black-backed Gull (east) (Nick Croft et al)
 * Wanstead Park: Water Rail, 12 Egyptian Goose, Gadwall, Pochard, Shoveler, 4 Little Grebe, Lesser Redpoll, Kestrel, 1 Lapwing (Nick Croft)

Wednesday 1st February 2012

 * Bromley-by-Bow (Abbey Creek): Water Rail (feeding on mud with Teal south of reed bed on island, am), Snipe, 2 Redshank, Green Sandpiper, c400 Teal, 16 Gadwall, drake Tufted Duck, 18 Linnet, Chiffchaff, 2 Sparrowhawk (m and f), imm Great Black-backed Gull (S Fisher)
 * Bushy Park: 46 Meadow Pipit, 3 Fieldfare, 60+ Redwing, 40+ Siskin (Tony Duckett).
 * Crayford Marshes: 3 1st winter Little Gull down river p.m. Spotted Redshank on foreshore near Yacht Club. Water Pipit, Knot, Grey Plover, 15 Golden Plover, 2 Little Owl, Peregrine, 6 Pintail, 2 Rock Pipit, 6 Yellow-legged Gull's, Green Sandpiper (Kev Jarvis).
 * East India Dock Basin: 106 Teal, 28 Tufted Duck (John Archer).
 * Green Lane, Hounslow: male Peregrine (W.Marks)
 * Hampstead Heath: 2 male and 1 female Bullfinch in shrubs on bank to south of Kenwood (Liz Valentine)
 * Margravine Cemetery: 1 Goldcrest, 1 Coal Tit (Mark Ruscoe).
 * Oak Hill Woods (LWT) LNR, East Barnet, Herts. EN4: Common Buzzard perched in wood late afternoon per Kit & Carl (Bob Husband)
 * Park Farm (Enfield): 1 Woodcock, 21 Lapwing (Robert Callf & Robin White).
 * Rainham Marshes: Iceland Gull, Snipe, Dunlin, Curlew, Golden Plover, Pintail, Wigeon, Gadwall, Water Rail, very tame Reed Bunting - almost stood on it! No luck finding the Bearded Tits - too windy for them and for me (S. Haslem); juv Gannet on Thames, 3 Caspian Gull, 8 Yellow-legged Gull, 1 Mediterranean Gull, all at the barges (Ghost Birder).
 * Roding Valley Park: Kingfisher, 3 Little Egrets, Sparrowhawk, Green Woodpecker, Fieldfare, Mistle Thrush, around 20 Goldfinches, around a dozen Long-tailed Tits (Alan Hobson).
 * Stoke Newington Reservoirs: 27 Shoveler, 1 Sparrowhawk (TeRNS).
 * Streatham (Oakdale Rd): 1 Wren, 1 drumming Great Spotted Woodpecker (R Bell).
 * Sutcliffe Park (Kidbrooke): 2 Jack Snipe, 4 Common Snipe (Conrad Ellam).
 * Thorney CP: Little Egret, Bullfinch (m), Red Kite over, Grey Heron, Stock Dove, 10 Redwing, 2 Gadwall, 2 Shoveler, Kingfisher, 2 Chaffinch, 2 Goldfinch, 5 Siskin, Common Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, Jay, 5 Great Crested Grebe (Sue Giddens).
 * Totteridge Valley: 13+ Mandarin on Darlands Lake (Steve Blake). Late afternoon: Water Rail (my first one here :-), 14 Mandarin, 7 Teal at Darlands Lake; 5/6 Reed Bunting, 200+ Fieldfare, 60+ Redwing, male Sparrowhawk in/over adjacent fields (Ian Ellis).
 * Trent Park: 1 female Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, feeding in Hornbeam, 13:45 - 13:55 hrs - our first sighting of the year! (Robert Callf & Robin White).
 * Walthamstow Reservoirs: Male Goldeneye displaying on East Warwick (although nearest females on No 5).(Quentin Given).
 * Wanstead Flats: c. 40 Lapwing through (various small groups in various directions, though a group of 12 did land on the fairground briefly), 2 Linnet, 7 Skylark (fairground), 2 Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, 23 Fieldfare, Redwing, 2 Egyptian Goose, Sparrowhawk (Nick Croft/Jonathan Lethbridge from his home)
 * Wanstead Park: 2 Firecrest (Bush Wood still), 2m Wigeon (The Basin- JL c. 08:45, still at 10:00), 9 Egyptian Goose (The Basin), 2 Teal, Shoveler, Pochard, 100s Redwing in the woods, c.100 Fieldfare over west, Coal Tit, Siskin, 3 Lapwing, Sparrowhawk (Nick Croft/Jonathan Lethbridge).
 * Woodside Park: 8 Fieldfares and c20 Redwings in gardens this morning (Ian Ellis).
 * Wraysbury Gravel Pits: 4 Smew (2 pairs, courting and mating on Heron Lake), 6 Goosander, 12 Goldeneye, c20 Siskin (Rob Ayers).

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