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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 on entering sightings can be found HERE. A scalable map of the London recording area is available HERE. More London bird news can be found on the London Bird Club page on Twitter here, or by drawing together messages from many observers using the established #londonbirds hashtag here  (no Twitter account necessary for either).

Please follow the standard format used by everyone else when entering your records in order to assist automatic compilation of your records into the LNHS database - see new formatting guidance.

Saturday 25th May 2013

 * Alexandra Park: 80+ Swift, 3 Swallow, c5 House Martin Wood Green Res (Andrew Gardener, Bob Watts, Henry Wyn-Jones).
 * Battersea Park Lake:  singing Reed Warbler first time heard here - in bank with thick cover narrow reeds, hardly audible, Great-crested Grebes carrying young (Michael Mac).
 * Beddington Farmlands: 1 Red-rumped Swallow till 07.30 when flew off. (via S.S per FJM), Hobby, 3 CommonBuzzard, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, Tree Sparrow (Nick Croft/Stu Fisher/Marco Johnson)
 * Brent Reservoir: Little Ringed Plover, 3 Swallows, 25 Common Terns still avoiding rafts (Andrew Verrall)
 * Crossness: Sanderling by sewage outfall then off Golf Centre, 2 Lapwing, 100+ Swift, 4 Ringed Plover (John Archer).
 * Ealing (W13): Peregrine soaring over garden before heading off N - long overdue garden tick! (Bill Haines)
 * East India Dock Basin/Bow Creek Ecology Park: Blackcap, 5 Reed Warbler, 8 Common Tern, Kestrel, Gadwall (m) (Paul Hyland)
 * Hampstead Heath: Reed Warbler at both Sanctuary Pond and Highgate 1 Pond, Mute Swan cygnets at Highgate 1 now reduced from 4 to 1(Frank Nugent).
 * Harefield: 1 Red Kite (Patty Briggs)
 * Ladywell Cemetery SE4: Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Whitethroat, Coal Tit, Sparrowhawk and Swallow over. (T Wilson)
 * London Wetland Centre: 1 Red-backed Shrike male 12.28 showing from Headley hide (via Birdguides per FJM). Still showing 16.33 (BirdGuides); hawking mainly from lower perches in shrubs, brambles and stumps  adjacent to reed beds to left of Headley; Grey Plover over early am (per Jan Wilczur) Lapwing chicks on Wader Scrape and Main Lake islands and Grazing Marsh, late afternoon Martin Honey reports newly hatched 3 Redshank chicks on WS; dozens of Swifts over all day - and all common hirundines; Common terns vying for space with recent raft nesting invaders - BH Gulls; numerous Cettis and Reed Warblers singing, several Sedge Warblers and a Garden Warbler:  (Angus Innes). Kestrel and Peregrine seen. Red-backed Shrike still showing at lock-up 18.00 (Martin Honey)
 * Queen Mother Reservoir: No sign of y.day's ad Long-tailed Skua early am. (Mike Mckee per FJM)
 * Redbridge Lakes and Roding Valley Park: 2 Reed Warblers, 2 Blackcaps, 2 Whitethroats, up to 2 Little Egrets, Great Spotted Woodpecker, around a dozen Swifts (Alan Hobson).
 * Richmond Park: 1 Little Egret along Beverley Brook early am, 1 Kingfisher. (Justin Quail per FJM). Common Buzzard over Pond Slade 10:00am (Phil Davies).
 * Shooters Hill: Common Buzzard 12.45, Red Kite 1.15, 2 Hobby 2.45, Sparrowhawk 3.00 + a few Swallows over Oxlease Cafe, Reed Warbler, Garden Warbler, 3 Blackcap, 3 Witethroat, Chiffchaff @ Woodlands Farm (John Bushell & Conrad Ellam)
 * Staines Moor: 1 Greenshank along Colne early morning, 4+ Hobby, 1 Redshank, 1 Lapwing, 1 Red Kite, 1 Little Owl, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Little Egret and 1+ Kingfisher. Also 1 Spotted Flycatcher in NE corner later afternoon (not seen by me) (Lee Dingain).
 * Staines Reservoir: 3 Black-necked Grebe (1 calling), 400 + Swift, Turnstone (Nick Croft/Stu Fisher)
 * Totteridge/Dollis Valley:  2 Hobby, possibly a third: Common Buzzard: Sparrowhawk: Kestrel: Lesser Whitethroat singing: small numbers of Swallow and Swift: Chiffchaff, Whitethroat and Blackcap all heard, plus a Fox (John Colmans/NW London RSPB group)
 * Trent Park: 1 singing male Spotted Flycatcher, Shaws Wood, 1315 - 1345 hrs, 3 singing male Garden Warbler (1 Moat Wood, 1 by Lower Lake, 1 near Dew Pond)  (Robert Callf & Robin White). Spotted Flycatcher still present at 19:00 hrs (Phil Rhodes)
 * Tyttenhanger GP: 5 Ringed Plover, Little Ringed Plover, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 8+ Lapwing + one fledged, 8 Buzzard, Red Kite, (Steve Blake)
 * Walthamstow:Lockwood Black Redstart,2 Buzzard (KJMcmanus). 2 Little Ringed Plover, seen mating (north end of Lockwood, 7pm) (Martin Hill)

Friday 24th May 2013

 * Beddington Farmlands: 1 Red-rumped Swallow feeding over main lake till 10.58 at least (Jason Simpson per D.C & FJM); still 12:45 at least, 5 Ringed Plovers circled (Paul Whiteman); still 14.28 (Surrey web tweet); and 17.40 (BirdGuides).
 * Brent Reservoir: Egyptian Goose & Greylag Goose (Andrew Self)
 * Gallions Reach: 2 Arctic Terns upriver @ 09.45, 20 Common Terns, 2 Oystercatcher, 22 Mute Swans. (Gary A James).
 * London Wetland Centre: Yellow Wagtail, Garden Warbler, 15-20 House Martin, 3 Redshank, 2+ Lapwing chicks, 8 Common Tern jostling BH Gulls for space on the rafts on Main Lake and Reservoir Lagoon (Matt Palmer)
 * Walthamstow Reservoirs (Lockwood): 4 Arctic Terns N (1 @17.15, 3 @18.10), pr Shelduck, f Sparrowhawk with prey (Lol Bodini)
 * Westminster, Victoria Tower Gardens: drake Gadwall over E at 08:40, male House Sparrow (rare here), Great Black-backed gull & pair of Greylag Goose on forehore, pair Grey Wagtail over, Peregrine on Victoria Tower Palace of Westminster, 6 Swift careening over Lambeth Palace and environs (Frank Nugent).

Thursday 23nd May 2013

 * Alexandra Park: 7+ Swallows, 3+ House Martins Wood Green Res 1725(Bob Watts).
 * Arkley/Barnet Gate Fields: Good to see that Lapwings have returned again this spring to the cultivated land. Three seen today on the ground. (Mr Crabtree).  TQ218952
 * Biggin Wood (Streatham): 2 mistle thrush (patch tick), 1 green woodpecker (heard) (R Bell).
 * Ewell (Hogsmill Open Space): 4 singing Blackcap, 1 Juvenile Herring Gull e. (Neil Batten).
 * King George V Reservoir: 1 female Black Redstart by sailing club, 1000+ Swifts inc 1 part albino bird with all white belly and vent and pale mantle. (I Lycett)
 * Ladywell Cemetery SE4: 1 or perhaps 2 singing Common Whitethroats, Great Spotted Woodpecker.
 * London Wetland Centre: 1 Red Kite(over NW) 1540hrs, 3 Whitethoat, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 6 Common Tern, 100 Swift, 2 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 6 Blackcap, 20+ Reed Warbler (Adam Salmon)
 * Margravine Cemetery: 1st Starling fledged young, 1m House Sparrow (rare here) (Nathalie Mahieu).
 * Norbury SW16: Red Kite drifting over NW 17.00 (Mike Netherwood)
 * Queen Mother Reservoir: Sanderling, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 4 Ringed Plover, 4 Common Tern (Nigel Sluman)
 * Staines Reservoir: 4 Ringed Plover through early am. 2 Arctic Tern (Bob Warden per FJM);  c 6 Common Tern, 2 Black-necked Grebe, 2000+ Swift, 2 Egyptian Goose (Nigel Sluman)
 * Wanstead Flats: Large buzzard-sized raptor circling high over Bush Wood, being mobbed by crows at first then west, straight flat winged with kink at wrist apparent sometimes, Kestrel, 3 Sand Martin, 3 House Martin, 50 + Swift, Lesser Whitethroat, Willow Warbler, 2 Little Egret north (Nick Croft). Flat wing! sounds like a Honey (Richard Francis). Was hoping someone on the Lockwood might have seen it and confirmed what it was! When it was avoiding the crows it did look somewhat owl-like in the way it flew (NC).
 * Wanstead Park: Garden Warbler, m Pochard, Peregrine being mobbed by Lesser Black-backed Gull (Nick Croft)
 * Woodford Station (IG8): 2 Red Kite drifting NE over Woodford station (there can sometimes be benefits from a defective train on the Central Line!) (Simon Papps)

Wednesday 22nd May 2013

 * Brixton SW2: House Sparrow (pair of) over Villa Road, Brixton Hill (Tony Stones)
 * Brookmill Park, SE8: 10 Swift, 4 Swallows, 3 Blackcap, Chiffchaff, 2 House Sparrows (Conrad Ellam)
 * Bushy Park: 2 Shelduck, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Little Owl, 1 Common Tern (6.45am over Diana Fountain) (Ian R Watson)
 * Clapham SW4: Swift, pair calling / displaying over Clapham Common Tube Station (Tony Stones).
 * Ealing (W13): Hobby high N over garden this evening - 2nd garden record (Bill Haines).
 * East India Dock Basin: 6 Shelduck, drake Teal, 15 Tufted Duck, 3 Common Terns (including pair at nest on raft), singing Reed Bunting (John Archer).
 * EC2 (Broadgate area): 1 or possibly 2 Black Redstarts singing from rooftops (Simon Papps)
 * Enfield EN2 (Park Farm): 1 singing male Spotted Flycatcher, 10:10 hrs (Robert Callf)
 * Enfield EN2 (Parkside Farm): 1 fem/imm Marsh Harrier, flew NW, 09:58 - 10:00 hrs (Robert Callf)
 * Enfield EN2 (Vicarage Farm): 2(m f) Shelduck, flew N, 09:20 hrs (Robert Callf)
 * Greenwich (Enderby's Wharf area): 2 Common Terns feeding, pr Canada Geese with 5 young, pr Greylag Geese with 1 young, 1 adult Great Black-backed Gull not popular with breeding Lesser Black-backed (Joe Beale)
 * Laleham Village: Red Kite 16:00hrs (David Combes)
 * Pinner Park Farm: 1 Little Owl, 1 Cormorant over, 2 Whitethroat, Jackdaw, Great Spotted Woodpecker, 18 Canada Goose & 4 Grey Heron (Jon Ridge).
 * Potters Bar EN6 (Fir & Pond Woods): 1 singing male Spotted Flycatcher (Robert Callf)
 * Queen Mother Reservoir: 2 Roseate Terns till 11.22 when flew off NE.via Berks Birds, 10 Sanderling, 1 Dunlin early am (Mike Mckee per FJM)
 * Regent's Park: 4 Reed Warbler, in reeds around Boat Lake areas 2, 5 and 11; 6 Swifts (Daniel Bosch).
 * Staines Reservoir: 06.15 - 09.30: 2 Arctic Tern (south basin), 3 Black-necked Grebe (south basin), 1 Dunlin (north basin), 4 Common Tern, 1 possible Capian Gull (KGVI Reservoir gantry), 2 Pochard (1m 1f south basin). (Bob Warden, Neil Randon); 14.00 - 15.00 1 Turnstone (N.Basin), 1 Shelduck (N.Basin), 2 Pochard (S.Basin), c1000 Common Swifts (Keith Kerr); 17.30 - 19.00 3 Black-necked Grebe (S. Basin), 1 Ringed Plover (S. Basin, west bank), 2 Pochard (S. Basin), 2 Common Tern (S. Basin) (A.Luscombe).
 * Tooting Commons: group of 9 Stock Dove (including 2 young) groundfeeding near Rastell Ave (Nick Granger-Taylor)
 * Walthamstow Res: c.50 Common Terns Lockwood/Low Maynard, Yellow Wagtail High Maynard, Little Ringed Plover & Common Sandpiper Lockwood, Scores of Swifts, much to-ing & fro-ing of Little Egrets. (Paul Whiteman)
 * Totteridge Valley (Darlands Lake): 12 Lapwings counted on adjacent fieds - one field had 5 adults + a chick and was being intensively rolled with tractor and machine for seeding. The birds seemed to dodge every pass of the tractor, but I prayed for the chick's safety as it couln't fly!, 1 White Wagtail also seen on same field.(Geoff Crabtree and Tony Clancy).

Tuesday 21st May 2013

 * Alexandra Park: Hobby low over Boating Lake 1810 (Henry Wyn-Jones per Bob Watts). 2 Sand Martins, 2 Swallows Wood Green Res mid am (Dave Callahan per Bob Watts).
 * Battersea Park Lake:  2 Swifts, 1 Peregrine (Michael Mac).
 * Brent Reservoir: Hobby over dam at 11.05 (Andrew Self)
 * Brookmill Park, SE8: Stock Dove, 4 Swift, Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Blackcap, Chiffchaff, 2 House Sparrow (Conrad Ellam)
 * East Barnet (Oak Hill Wood): 5(m f 3 juv) Tawny Owl, 2100 hrs (Kit Jones, Bob Husband & Robert Callf)
 * East India Dock Basin: Little Ringed Plover, 2 Swift, Great Crested Grebe, drake Teal, 4 Shelduck, 38 Tufted Duck, Common Tern on nest on raft (John Archer).
 * Elephant and Castle: at least 5 House Sparrows in the allotments behind Lamlash Street (Tony Stones).
 * Greenford UB6: Hobby flew beside house as I got home 16.20 (Neil Anderson)
 * Greenwich (Enderby's Wharf): pr Grey Wagtails (the male displaying to the female), Pied Wagtail, 2 Linnets, 2 Goldfinches, Wren, Dunnock, Canada Goose pr with 5 goslings, Mallards, 3 Ring-necked Parakeets over (Joe Beale)
 * Greenwich Wharf: Active Starling nest in new flats by Thames footpath; House Sparrows in nearby gardens and also Banning Street (Joe Beale)
 * London Wetland Centre: Marsh Harrier headed NW and 2 Greenshank (website)
 * Mudchute Farm: Reed Warbler singing in area of dry scrub (rare here as no suitable habitat), 2+ singing Blackcaps, Ring-necked Parakeet (John Archer)
 * Pinner Park Farm: 1 Cormorant, Whitethroat, 12 Jackdaw, 10 Swift, 2 Swallow &  3 Grey Heron (Jon Ridge).
 * Pool of London: Canada Goose on Thames between Tower of London & City Hall. A few Swifts (scarce here) flying around Potters Field. (Paul Whiteman)
 * Plumstead: 2 Swallows north 07:00. Hobby north 20:00, 4 Swift. (Gus Wilson)
 * Rainham Marshes RSPB : Hobby, Whimbrel, Greenshank (James Lowen)
 * Staines Reservoir: 2 Whiskered Tern S basin then headed NE c11:00 (not seen by me!), 2 Common Tern, Black-necked Grebe, c2500 Swift (Nigel Sluman)
 * Sutcliffe Park Eltham: 6 Reed Warblers, 1 Reed Bunting (m), 4 Song Thrush. (P Kite)
 * Swanley Park: Turtle Dove calling 8pm (AM)
 * Totteridge Valley: a pair of Kingfishers seen/heard performing display chases 30ft above gardens bordering the Dollis Brook at Woodside Park. (Ian Ellis)
 * Walthamstow Reservoirs (Lockwood): 2 Shelduck, Common Sandpiper, c20 Common Tern, 40+ Swift, Swallow, Yellow Wagtail (TeRNS)

Monday 20th May 2013

 * Barnes Common, SW13: 1 Kingfisher (Beverley Brook by Barnes Green), 1 Nuthatch, 2 singing Blackcap, 2 singing Chiffchaff (Nick Granger-Taylor).
 * Brixton: Male House Sparrow on Porden Road (dusk) plus 10+ Swifts Brixton Hill (Tony Stones).
 * Chertsey Bridge: Hobby, feeding over Thames near M3 flyover (David Combes).
 * Crossness: Whimbrel on foreshore on Barking side of river, 2 Oystercatcher, 30+ Common Terns upriver, 3 Swallow, 40+ Swift (Conrad Ellam)
 * Deptford: evening, singing Blackcap (Sue Godfrey Park), Copperas/ Creek Road junction 2 House Martins, male Kestrel perched atop new flats and then on derelict buildings opposite hunting over remaining undeveloped habitat. Kestrels now uncommon here since loss of habitat, and conversion of Mumford Mill near Deptford DLR from prime Kestrel breeding site to human residences, it could have been both (Mike Paice).
 * East India Dock Basin: 4 Swifts N, 2 Swallows NE, Great Crested Grebe, 4 Shelducks, Teal, 38+ Tufted Ducks (including female with Portuguese nasal saddle), c8 Common Terns, 2+ singing Reed Warblers, Reed Bunting (John Archer). Collared Dove (rare here), 26 Swift, Blackcap. (Gary A James).
 * Greenwich (Enderby's Wharf): Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, pr Canada Geese with 5 goslings, Shelduck over the Thames, adult Great Black-backed Gull, 4-6 Swifts. Peregrine soaring south of the O2 Arena. All mid-morning. (Joe Beale)
 * King George V, William Girling (Chingford Reservoirs), Lea Valley Road E4: 100s of Swifts flying across from one reservoir to the other (Mick Charles)
 * London Wetland Centre: 2 Greenshank, 1 Marsh Harrier (NW), 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Whitethroat, 4 Willow Warbler, 1 Peregrine (killed Pigeon over marsh), 60 Swift (Adam Salmon).
 * Pinner Park Farm: 1 Little Owl, 2 Whitethroat, 8 Jackdaw, 2 Green Woodpecker, 2 Swift, 1 Swallow, 3 Coot chicks & 4 Grey Heron (Jon Ridge).
 * Regent's Park: 4 Swifts (John Colmans)
 * Rotherhithe: Yellow-legged Gull 2nd-summer Greenland Dock on pontoon by the sailing club this evening; also 3 Great Black-backed Gulls, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 50 Herring Gulls,  2 Sand Martins and 2 Swifts (Richard Bonser)
 * SE1: singing male Black Redstart this morning (Peter Beckenham, Tony Wileman, Rich Woolley et al)
 * Staines Moor: Kingfisher, Common Redshank, 12 Common Tern, Reed Bunting, Linnet, Skylark, Lapwing (A Luscombe).
 * Staines Reservoir: 3 Black-necked Grebe (S Basin), Swift, Swallow, House Martin, Common Tern, Pochard (A Luscombe)
 * Stanwell Moor: 1 Cuckoo, Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, Blackcap, Common Whitethroat, Chiffchaff, Common Redshank, Song Thrush, Swallow, Swift (A Luscombe).
 * Swanley Park: Turtle Dove still calling, 2 Cormorant, 2 Grey Heron, Swallow, Swift, House Martin (Andy Meaton)
 * Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park: 5+ Swift (Bob Watts).
 * Trent Park: Common Buzzard, Sparrowhawk(m), c20 Common Swift, Chiffchaffs, Blackcaps, 3 Mute Swan. ( Pete Lowman)
 * Walthamstow (Wood Street): 6 Swifts (Daniel Whitelegg).

Sunday 19th May 2013

 * Alexandra Park: 2 Common Tern Wood Green Res (Bob Watts); Honey Buzzard drifted lazily west, soaring occasionally 19.10 (Josh Jones, James Lowen).
 * Barking Bay: 4ad Kittiwake up river at 08:21, Whimbrel, Cuckoo, Lesser Whitethroat, Sand Martin, House martin, 2 Wheatear, 2 Jackdaw, Cetti's Warbler, Corn Bunting. (Paul Hawkins)
 * Bushy Park: Tawny Owl mobbed and harrassed by Jackdaws and Crows 7.20am. 2 Green Woodpecker inc 1 juv near Round Plantation looking lost. 6 Mistle thrush, 2 Goldfinch, 3 Greenfinch, 1 Skylark, 1 Swallow, 6 Swifts, 2 House Martins, 1 Kestrel. 1 Whitethroat, Buzzard flying over from Kingston direction 7.19pm, noticeable feathers missing between primaries and secondaries on one wing. (Ian R Watson)
 * Hampstead Heath: 12 Lesser Redpoll (that's more than was seen here all winter) feeding in tree on Parliament Hill at 07:30 for 25 mins before flying off NW, at least 14 Swallow NW, some Swifts mating (Frank Nugent).
 * Ilford IG1 (Valentine's Park): 1 Pintail on Long Water sitting on the bank. Photo added. (Mick Charles) (this is part of the ornamental duck collection in Valentines Park, a pet, not a wild bird)
 * London Wetland Centre: (early evening) 4 pairs of Common Tern on main lake rafts, jostling for nest sites with the Black-headed Gulls (Martin Honey)
 * Lonsdale Road Reservoir: 2 Blackcaps, 5 Chiffchaffs, 4+ Reed Warblers, 8 Swifts, 6 House Martins (Rich Petley)
 * Pinner HA5 (Marsh Point): 2 Coal Tit (Jon Ridge).
 * Pinner HA5: 2 buzzards high overhead (L Pike)
 * Pinner Park Farm: 2 Whitethroat, Blackcap, 13 Swift, 1 Swallow, 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 11 Jackdaw & 1 Grey Heron (Jon Ridge).
 * Staines Reservoir: COLOUR RINGED 1st summer Black-headed Gull White ring with Black T6VA Ringed as pullus on 07/06/2012 at Borowko, Pobiedziska, POLAND. (Kevin Duncan)
 * Stanwell Moor:Grasshopper Warbler - 1 reeling intermittently from boardwalk 07.30-09.30  (Phil Jackman)
 * Stoneleigh KT17: 1 Hobby low north at rooftop level over The Glade. 14 Herring Gull sw, 9-10 Swift (Neil Batten)
 * Sutcliffe Park, Eltham: 6 Reed Warblers, 2 Reed Bunting (m), 100+ Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 60+ Swift, 4 Song Thrush, 2 Mistle Thrush, 1 Kestrel (m) (P Kite).
 * Totteridge Valley: Cuckoo calling in meadow north of Darlands Lake (Tony Clancy)
 * Walthamstow Marshes: 1st Common Tern finally making the trip down from the reservoirs - flying back north upriver at 12.20, c20 Swift, 4 Sand Martins, Whitethroat, Jay, Kestrel, Sedge Warbler, 2 Reed Warbler, 4 House Sparrow (G Howie)
 * Wanstead Flats: Willow Warbler, 3 Swallow N, 5 House Martin, 30+ Swift (Nick Croft)
 * Wanstead Park: 50+ Swallow before 09:00, 4 House Martin, 40+ Swift, Kestrel, Little Egret N up Roding and then again over Heronry S later, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, Linnet (Nick Croft); Buzzard (J Lethbridge)

Saturday 18th May 2013

 * Blackheath: Peregrine over 1400, 3 Swallow N at 2000 (James Lowen);
 * Clapham Common: up to 20 Swifts, lack of young waterbirds except Coot with 2 newly hatched (Michael Mac)
 * Ealing W5 (Walpole Park): 2nd BBS visit - 3 pairs Tufted Duck (never present on first visit but always here on second), 2 pair Stock Dove, Collared Dove used to be common here but none today, c10 Swift, 3 Pied Wagtail, Swallow over, 3 Mistle Thrush + juvenile, 2 singing Goldcrest (Neil Anderson).
 * Epping Forest EN9, Pynest Green Lane: 10 Rook, 7 Swallow at High Beech Riding Stables (Martin Shepherd).
 * Ewell Village: dark phase Common Buzzard drifted low w over London Road 12.10 (Neil Batten)
 * Forest Hill, SE23: Kite (sp), flying west at 19.15. Quite a dark looking bird with worn secondaries, although my view of it was brief. (Andrew Birks)
 * Hampstead Heath: Lesser Whitethroat at 07:00-13:30 at least - 2nd hedge up from bandstand, Hobby over Cohen's Field at 11:30, Common Buzzard drifting slowly NE 13:00-13:15, Common Tern at Men's Pond, Reed Warbler at Highgate 1 Pond (Frank Nugent).
 * Harmondsworth Moor UB7: 2 Blackcap, 1 Buzzard over, 2 Canada Geese with 4 chicks, 1 Cetti's Warbler (h), 1 Cuckoo, 1 Great Black-backed Gull, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Greenfinch, 10+ House Martin, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Pochard, 2 Swallow, 20+ Swift (Richard Woolley).
 * Kentish Town NW5: Grey Wagtail repeatedly gathering insects from wall of Church opp Fire Station on Highgate Rd & taking them somewhere close by then returning for more (Frank Nugent).
 * London Wetland Centre: 19 Lapwing chicks, 1 Ringed Plover, 4 Redshank (Martin Honey)
 * Lower Chingford E4: 5 Little Egret (James Palmer).
 * Old Town, Clapham SW4 (Maritime House): Swift went into ventilation shaft indicating nest site for first time (Michael Mac).
 * Osterley Park: 1 Common Tern, 1 Kingfisher, 8 Great Crested Grebe (4 juvs), 1 Gadwall, 1 Pochard, 1 Reed Bunting, 2 Linnet (K Fisher).
 * Pinner Park Farm: 2 Hobby, 1 Little Egret, 1 Little Owl, 2 Rook N 18:20, 12 Jackdaw, 4 Green Woodpecker, 5 Swift, 2 Swallow through, 5 Stock Dove, 3 Whitethroat, 1 Goldcrest & 1 Muntjac Deer - my first here for 18 years (Jon Ridge).
 * Plumstead: Red Kite south and 4 Swifts at 18:45 (Gus Wilson).
 * Rainham Marshes RSPB: m Garganey, 2 Bar-tailed Godwit, Whimbrel, 2 Turnstone, 6 Ringed Plover, Grey Plover, 200-300 Swift, Hobby, Cuckoo, 2 Common Tern (Nick Croft et al); Kittiwake, Mediterranean Gull, Little Ringed Plover (RSPB) Red Kite, Buzzard, 5 House Martin, 2 Sand Martin (John Richardson)
 * Sewardstone EN9: Cuckoo calling at 10.00 from Avey Lane Nurseries area (Martin Shepherd).
 * Staines Reservoir: S Basin - 3 Black-necked Grebes showing well beside causeway, 1 Black Tern, 1 Hobby interacting with a Peregrine to W; Greenshank, Common Sandpiper.(Phil Jackman 08.30-10.00)       Also     3 Sanderling  early am. Bob Warden)
 * Ten Acre Wood area: 3 Buzzard, 2 Little Egret, Pheasant, Reed Bunting, 3 Swallow, 20+ Swift, Stock Dove, Skylark (Nigel Dodd)
 * Thorney CP: 13 Common Terns on raft 1 egg can be seen (Sue Giddens)
 * Totteridge Valley: 11 Lapwing (+ 1 young chick), 21 Whitethroat, 12 Chiffchaff, 1 Little Egret, 2 Swift, c20 Swallow, Kestrel, 2 Mandarin (Ian Ellis); Common Buzzard, 3 singing Lesser Whitethroat at Mill Hill end (John Colmans).
 * Swanley Park: Turtle Dove, 4th Mallard brood appeared with 4 survivors (Andy Meaton)
 * Wandsworth Road - Stockwell: 2 Swallow low over roofs season first for me (Michael Mac).
 * Waterworks NR: Green Woodpecker, 2 Little Egret, 5 Reed Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 7 Swift, Collared Dove, 3 Song Thrush, 8 Pochard, 2 Tufted Duck, 2 Little Grebe, 2 Mute Swan with eggs, Fox and rabbits (G Howie)

Friday 17th May 2013

 * Alexandra Park: Hobby low over Wood Green Res 1730, Sand Martin joined flock 1830, also 150+ Swift, 35+ House Martin including 4 collecting mud from cricket pavilion car park, also 20+ Swallow (Bob Watts, Henry Wyn-Jones).
 * Brookmill Park SE8: drake Mandarin, female Kingfisher, 40 Swift, Song Thrush, 3 singing Blackcap, Chiffchaff, 3 House Sparrow (Conrad Ellam)
 * Greenwich SE10 (Enderby's Wharf): 2 Pied Wagtails, pr Shelduck, pr Blackbird, 1st-summer Great Black-backed Gull. Grey Wagtails were still there yesterday. (Joe Beale)
 * East India Dock Basin: 2 Egyptian Geese, 20 Swifts south (1st of year for site), Great Crested Grebe, drake Teal, 56 Tufted Ducks, 2 Shelducks, 6 Common Terns including pair at nest on raft, 4 singing Reed Warblers (John Archer).
 * Harrow on the Hill HA1: Nuthatch, Jackdaw, 2 Jays, 3 Stock Doves & singing Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Goldcrest (Alex Massey)
 * High Barnet: 2 Siskin on feeders in garden for past three days (Roy Beddard)
 * Limehouse E14: 50+ Swifts north @15.30 (Paul Hyland)
 * Limehouse Basin: 2 Sand Martins entering holes in wall, Mute Swan with 6 cygnets, 6 Tufted Duck (John Archer).
 * London Wetland Centre: 2 Oystercatcher, 40+ Swift, 1 Garden Warbler (Lee Smith)
 * North Finchley N12: Hobby flew low over my house Summers Lane (Tony Clancy)
 * Pinner Park Farm: 1 singing Sedge Warbler, 2 Blackcap, 2 Whitethroat, 1 Linnet over, 8 Jackdaw, 4 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 7 Swift, Long-tailed Tit & 1 Goldcrest (Jon Ridge).
 * Potters Bar EN6 (Chequers Mead): 1 male Bullfinch, feeding in Oaks (Robert Callf)
 * Regent's Park/Primrose Hill: 1 Peregrine drifting high NW 0805, 1 Common Tern, 60 Swift (birdman_euston)
 * Richmond TW10 (Ham Lands): 4 Common Whitethroat, 9 Blackcap, 8 Chiffchaff, 7 Swift, 3 Sand Martin, 3 Barn Swallow, 3 Common Tern, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker (Spencer Neal)
 * South Lambeth Road - Lambeth: f Peregrine seriously harassing crows round their nest site (Michael Mac)
 * Staines Moor: 1 Redshank, 2 Garden Warbler, 150+ Common Swift feeding low over moor, 1 Hobby, 1 Sand Martin, 1 House Martin, 10+ Swallow, 1 Shelduck, 2+ Gadwall, 4+ Lapwing, 2+ Little Egret, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Bullfinch, lots of Linnet, Skylark, Meadow Pipit and Reed Bunting (Lee Dingain)
 * Stanwell Moor: 1 Grasshopper Warbler still, reeling east of boardwalk at 13:00 (not seen), 2 Garden Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat (Lee Dingain)
 * Streatham Hill SW2 (Thornton Ave): c15 Swift heading slowly N (Nick Granger-Taylor).
 * Swanley Park: Turtle Dove, 2 Cormorant, Grey Heron, Mute Swan, Swallow (Andy Meaton)
 * Tooting: 8 Swift screaming low over my house 8:45. (James Hudson)
 * Walthamstow Reservoirs: Lockwood Res - Oystercatcher, Yellow Wagtail, a few Swallows through (KJMcmanus).
 * Wapping: 40+ Swifts over Cable Street screaming late morning (John Archer).
 * Wanstead Flats: 50 + Swift, 5 House Martin, Sand Martin, Linnet, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, Willow Warbler (Nick Croft)
 * Wimbledon Park (Lake): 40 Swift, 14 Swallow, 3 House Martin, 2 Gadwall, 1 Sparrowhawk f (Martin Daniel).

Thursday 16th May 2013

 * Alexandra Park: 2 Common Terns 7am, 50+ Swift, 8+ House Martin (Bob Watts).
 * Barking Bay IG11: 2 Whimbrel, Ringed Plover, Cetti's Warbler, Yellow Wagtail (Tony Brown)
 * Enfield EN2 (Vicarage Farm): 2(m f) Whinchat (Robin White per RMCallf)
 * Ewell (Hogsmill Open Space): 5 Common Swift, 2 Swallow, 2 House Martin all over N, 3 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Nuthatch, 1 Grey Wagtail. Numerous Starlings and House Sparrows hawking insects along the river (Neil Batten).
 * Kentish Town NW5: 2 Jackdaw sitting on my roof from 07:30 (Frank Nugent).
 * Limehouse Marina E14: pair of Mute Swan with 6 cygnets, Common Tern (Richard Harrison).
 * London Wetland Centre: 4 Little Grebe chicks, 10+ Lapwing chicks, 6 Common Tern, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Garden Warbler (WWT website)
 * Margravine Cemetery: singing Goldcrest, 14 Swift (screaming), 8 Starlings collecting food (Nathalie Mahieu)
 * Mayesbrook Park, Barking: 2 Chiffchaff, 1 ad Grey Heron at nest, 3 Jay, 1 Little Egret, 1 Sand Martin, 12+ Swift, 1 Whitethroat (Peter Beckenham)
 * Pinner Park Farm: 1 Hobby, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Little Owl, 15 Swift, 3 Swallow through, 3 Whitethroat, 11 Jackdaw, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Goldcrest, 3 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, Long-tailed Tit, juvenile Dunnock & 1 Grey Heron (Jon Ridge).
 * Potters Bar EN6 (Fir & Pond Woods): 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 3 ad Little Grebe + a brood of three chicks (Robert Callf)
 * Rainham Marshes RSPB: adult Little Gull up river, Common Tern, 3 Ringed Plover, 3 Common Sandpiper, 2 Whimbrel, Greenshank, Oystercatcher, Wheatear, 3 m Cuckoo and 2 Garden Warbler singing at Purfleet Station (Nick Croft); 5 Hobby, m Garganey, Cetti's Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Linnet, Cuckoo plus Common Lizard, Water Vole & 5 Water Shrew (Andy Meaton) Was there one place for the Water Shrews or 5 separate sightings? Any locations would be appreciated (SW) 4 - mum with babies just after the viewing platforms on the Northside where the Garganey was showing and a single under the corrugate in the bug zone  with lizard (AM).
 * Regent's Park/Primrose Hill: 1 Common Sandpiper on Heron Is area 8, 2 Common Tern, 1 Sedge Warbler singing quietly in hedge bordering Goose/Wetland Pens a32/33 (fide Regent's Pk Birds blog)
 * Sanderstead CR2: local Swifts back today - at least a week later than usual (John Birkett)
 * Southfields SW18: local (i.e. breeding) pairs of Swift arrived this morning with 8 birds circling over the station (Martin Honey)
 * Stoneleigh KT17: local Common Swifts returned this morning with 7 birds over The Glade (Neil Batten).
 * Swanley Park: Turtle Dove still showing (Andy Meaton)
 * Tooting: First 2 local Swifts of the year noted. 2 birds. (James Hudson)
 * Tower 42 EC2: 1 male Marsh Harrier E, plus ringtail Hen Harrier in loose association at 11.45 - site ticks, plus unid'd Harrier sp with them (T42BSG)
 * Walthamstow Reservoirs: Lockwood Res -  6 Buzzards all ESE mostly singles, 2 Peregrines, 1 Hobby, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, 1 Common Sandpiper, 29 Common Tern (Paul Whiteman 11:00-12:30); The last time there was a steady (south)easterly  {7 May}  I too had single Buzzards heading E - gliding swiftly into the wind high over Primrose Hill with nary a wingflap! {b_e}
 * Westminster: 7 Swallow N over Palace of Westminster at 08:50 (Frank Nugent).
 * Wimbledon Park (Lake): 2 Common Tern, mating this am, but present less regularly now (Martin Daniel)

Wednesday 15th May 2013

 * Alexandra Park: 150+ Swifts the highest total of the year included c30 Boating Lake with the majority over Wood Green Res, 20 Swallows, Common Buzzard nearby harried by crows in Wood Green perched 8 ft up in tree (Josh Jones, Ian Lycett, Dominic Mitchell, Bob Watts, Sarah Wyn-Jones).
 * Brixton SW2: 3 Swifts Brixton Railway Station (Tony Stones).
 * Dulwich Park SE21: 5 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, 6 Goldcrest all in song, Garden Warbler, pr Little Grebe, 2 Song Thrush, 2 Mistle Thrush, pr Great Spotted Woodpecker feeding young (Martin Stevens).
 * East India Dock Basin: Great Crested Grebe still present, drake Teal, 4 Shelduck, 47 Tufted Duck, 2 pairs of Common Terns, 2 singing Blackcaps, 1+ singing Reed Warbler, singing Reed Bunting (John Archer).
 * Hackney E10 (River Lea at Lea Bridge Rd): 3 Common Tern, 20+ Swifts 17:00 (S Barry)
 * Hayes UB3 (Lake Farm CP): c20 Swifts, Hobby over headed towards Stockley Park, c20 Common Whitethroats singing, 3 pairs Blackcap, 3 pairs Reed Bunting, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 calling Chiffchaff, female Sparrowhawk, 8 Linnet, 5 Goldfinch, 10+ singing Skylark 0600-0900 (Wendy Marks)
 * Hilfield Park Reservoir: Hobby, c400 Swift (Herts website).
 * Horsenden Hill UB6: 1 fem Whinchat, 1 Swallow W, 1 Common Buzzard SW 19.05, 8 Swift, 2 Tawny Owl, 1 Little Owl (Andy Culshaw).
 * Lewisham SE4 (Ladywell Cemetery): Ring-necked Parakeet, Blackcap singing, Chiffchaff singing, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Dunnock, Wren, Jay nest building, Goldcrest (Phil Laurie)
 * Lewisham SE4 (Ladywell Fields): 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Little Egret, 5 Blackcaps, 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Goldcrest, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Stock Dove, 3 Grey Wagtail, 8 Swift W, 1 Swallow W, 6 House Martins W (Chris White)
 * London Wetland Centre: 2 Shelduck, 2 Teal, 3 Redshank, at least 6 Lapwing chicks still (8 confirmed yesterday), 1 Chiffchaff (WWT website)
 * Lordship Rec: Swift, single bird over main field. Also rare hoverfly Meligramma euchromum in woods (Jeremy Richardson)
 * Ludgate Hill/St Paul's area: male Black Redstart (Ian Bradshaw)
 * New Cross Gate Cutting NR, SE4: 6 Blackcap (pr + 4 singing males), Chiffchaff, 4 Swift, Kestrel both over Vesta Road 1210 (Peter Beckenham)
 * Regent's Park/Primrose Hill: 2 Common Sandpipers around the lake, Cuckoo flew low east 7.50am, Garden Warbler Cricket Pen area 31, 4 Common Whitethroats (Tony Duckett); 1 Garden Warbler Wildlife Pen a39 (birdman_euston); Common Sandpiper, 2 Common Terns, Grey Wagtail, several House Martins, c30 Swifts both over lake 13.30-14.30 (Alex Massey)
 * Rainham Marshes RSPB: m Garganey (Sam Shippey, Mike Dent); 400 Swift, 50 Swallow, 60 House Martin, 20 Sand Martin, Cuckoo, 2 Dunlin, 2 Sanderling, Curlew Sandpiper, 12 Ringed Plover (Howard Vaughan); 3 Little Stint, Whimbrel (RSPB); 2 Turnstone, 2 Greenshank (David Smith)
 * Rickmansworth WD3 (Stocker's Lake): Osprey (Herts website).
 * Southwark SE1: At least 4 House Sparrows along Roupell Street (Tony Stones).
 * Staines Reservoir: 3 Turnstone, 3 Dunlin both through am, 1 Arctic Tern, 28 Common Tern, 2 Black-necked Grebe, 3000+ Common Swift (Dave Morris per FJM); 17.30-19.00 S Basin - 1 Black Tern, 3 Black-necked Grebe, 2 Arctic Tern, 1 Common Sandpiper; N Basin - 1 Turnstone, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Egyptian Goose (W bank) (A Luscombe).
 * Stoneleigh KT17: 1 Hobby low NW over Chadacre Road 08.40 (Neil Batten).
 * Swanley Park: Turtle Dove, Kestrel, 2 Cormorant, Heron, 4 Swallow (Andy Meaton).
 * Tooting Commons: 1 male Sparrowhawk at nest, 3 singing Blackcap, 4+ singing Chiffchaff, 16 Stock Dove (my highest count here), 3 Egyptian Geese, 1 Jackdaw (James Hudson).
 * Walthamstow Reservoirs: 07:00-08:45 Lockwood - 2 Hobby, c30 Swallow, c10 House Martin, many Swift; Low Maynard - 30 Common Tern, 1 Arctic Tern; E Warwick - c20 Common Tern, 2+ Arctic Tern, Yellow Wagtail (Paul Whiteman); 800+ Swifts, 5 Sand Martins 1030hrs (Pete Mantle); Banbury res 6-7pm - 4 Common Terns, 2 Common Sandpipers, 4 Sand Martin, 2 singing Reed Warblers (in tiny reedbed on N side), 2 Shelduck, Peregrine, Jackdaw, numerous Swifts over (Lol Bodini).
 * Wanstead Flats: 2 Lesser Whitethroat, Willow Warbler, 50 + Swift, 5 Stock Dove, 3 Linnet (Nick Croft).
 * Wanstead Park: Common Tern first record this year, 4 Little Egret on Roding, Willow Warbler, 30 + Swift (Nick Croft).

Tuesday 14th May 2013

 * Alexandra Park: 2 Common Terns arrived from SE c12:30 and moved straight through, also 50+ Common Swifts, 15+ House Martins, several Swallows (Dominic Mitchell, Josh Jones, Ian Lycett).
 * Brent Reservoir: Greylag, Egyptian Goose, 4 (2 pr) Teal, Common Sandpiper, 1st-sum Black-headed Gull, 200+ Swift, Kingfisher, Garden Warbler (Andrew Haynes).
 * Brookmill Park SE8: Stock Dove, 9 Swift, Song Thrush, 3 Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, 2 House Sparrow (Conrad Ellam)
 * Burgess Park: 1 swift (Fernley Symons)
 * City Hall: 2 Egyptian Geese on Thames foreshore at 08:30 (Paul Whiteman)
 * Dalston E8: 25+ Swifts calling and flying between Amhurst Rd and Kingsland High St 11.30 onwards (S Barry)
 * East Acton: 07.15 Red Kite drifted over north to south west (f.Mck)
 * Greenwich Park: Little Grebe still present, 1 Coot, 2 Mallard broods totalling 14 young (Joe Beale)
 * Grovelands Park: 2 Swallows hawking over the lake mid-afternoon, Egyptian Geese with a brood of 4 (Katy McGilvray)
 * Kensington Gardens: 1 Swallow, 2 Swift 10 House Martin all low over Round Pond in rainy conditions 1715 (Matt Reed)
 * London Wetland Centre: Lapwing - 3 broods of 3 young each on scrape (an old brood has re-appeared), 5 pairs of Black-headed Gull nesting on rafts, Linnet low over (J Wilczur); 1 Oystercatcher (WWT website)
 * Mile End E3: Red Kite over Burdett Road (Steve Stride per John Archer)
 * Queen Elizabeth II Reservoir, Surrey KT12: Red-throated Diver circled 0628-0638, gradually getting higher and moving SE (DMH).
 * Rainham Marshes RSPB:  Temminck's Stint at the Marshland Discovery Zone and Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Little Stints, 6 Sanderling, 26 Dunlin in Aveley Bay at 14:30 (Andy Tweed per John Archer & Dominic Mitchell).
 * Regent's Park/Primrose Hill: 1 Swallow, 1 Willow Warbler; new Mandarin brood of ten (birdman_euston)
 * Southall UB1: Hoopoe reported heard in Avenue Rd TQ128801 (BirdGuides). I know the person who found and reported this and he is a good birder with a lot of European & middle-eastern birding experience (but I haven't given his name, in case he doesn't want me to). He apparently heard it calling for 30 minutes but couldn't locate it in the myriad of small, high-fenced gardens there. It stopped calling at c11am and wasn't heard again (Bill Haines).
 * Staines Reservoir: 05.45hrs-09.00hrs - 3 Black-necked Grebe (S basin), 8 Dunlin (circled N basin before flying off at 6.30am), 5 Ringed Plover (flew NW), 1 Redshank, 5 Shelduck, c20 Common Tern, c1000 Swift (Neil Randon and Bob Warden)
 * Stockwell SW8 (Larkhall Park): singing Blackcap, 5 House Sparrow nests and 1 Robin nest all feeding young, on one house and pr of Mallard on grass (Michael Mac).
 * Swanley Park: Turtle Dove showing well at 9am & still calling!, Stock Dove, 2 Cormorant, Grey Heron, Mallard broods at 4/9/8, Canada Goose creche at 11, Song Thrush nest building (Andy Meaton)
 * Trent Park: Hobby by the Water Tower (Pete Lowman).

Monday 13th May 2013

 * Alexandra Park: Common Buzzard flew SE at c10:40 (Dominic Mitchell, David Callahan, Ian Lycett). Sand Martin (Henry Wyn-Jones).
 * Brent Reservoir: Common Sandpiper, pair of Shelduck, 30+ Common Terns, 200+ Swifts (Andrew Verrall).
 * Enfield EN2 (Parkside Farm): 1 female Northern Wheatear (Robert Callf & Robin White)
 * Greenwich Park: 2 active Goldcrest nests, 2 other probable territories, 2 Starling nests with young in a Sweet Chestnut avenue, Swifts overhead (Joe Beale).
 * Greenwich (Enderby's Wharf area): pr Grey Wagtails, the male singing (Joe Beale)
 * Hampstead Heath: at least 5 Common Whitethroat territories, Swallow, 30+ Swift over Hampstead No1 pond, pr Common Tern on Highgate ponds, Sparrowhawk over (Sash Tusa)
 * Heathrow Aiport: 1 Common Sandpiper. (Adam Cheeseman)
 * Limehouse: Porpoise, north bank heading upriver at 17.20 (Paul Hyland)
 * London Wetland Centre: Snipe - grazing marsh (Mary-Anne et al), Lapwing - no sign of recent broods on wader scrape but two new ones of three & at least one young, 2 Peregrine over (J.Wilczur).
 * New Cross Gate Cutting Nature Reserve, SE4: Red Kite over, mobbed by crows at 1100 (Peter Beckenham)
 * Peckham Rye Park: 1 Swallow darting overhead from the Common towards Friern Road (Daniel Greenwood).
 * Staines Reservoir: 1 Little Tern on S basin till 09.00 at least, 2 Ringed Plover and Turnstone through early am (Bob Warden per FJM).
 * Stoke Newington Reservoirs: Common Sandpiper, 3 House Martin (TeRNS)
 * Swanley Park: Turtle Dove, Stock Dove, Herring Gull, Swallow (andy Meaton)
 * Tooting Commons: 1-2 Swallow, 2 Swift, 1 Blackcap (Nick Granger-Taylor)
 * Walthamstow E17: 20-30 Swifts flying low over the houses north and west of Lloyd Park at 9.30 am (Jayne T).
 * Walthamstow Reservoirs: Wheatear on West Warwick bank - seen from train! (Tom Smith)
 * Wanstead Flats: m Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (first confirmed record this year) by Centre Road north of Long Wood, 60-100 Swift, 4 Sand Martin, 2 House Martin, Swallow, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, Willow Warbler, 5 Pochard, Sparrowhawk (Nick Croft)
 * Wanstead Park: Peregrine Falcon (OSW), 50 + Swift Ilford Golf course, House Martin, Little Egret W over heronry (Nick Croft)

Sunday 12th May 2013

 * Alexandra Park: Willow Warbler Top Field, 35+ Swifts, 6+ House Martins, 2+ Swallows (Dominic Mitchell, Bob Watts).
 * Beddington Farmlands: Red-rumped Swallow over 100 Acres briefly at 11.00, Whimbrel (Surrey website).
 * Blackheath: 26+ Common Swifts, also Common Whitethroat singing in the Dips (Joe Beale and Yu-Hsuan Lin)
 * Brent Reservoir: Egyptian Goose, Greylag Goose, c200 Swifts, 33 Common Terns (Brent Birders)
 * Canons Farm: Common Redstart, Whinchat, Wheatear (David Campbell)
 * Crossness: Little Egret N, 2 Ringed Plover, Common Sandpiper, 8 Swallow, 150 Swifts, female Wheatear (John Archer, Richard Bonser, Ian Millar et al).
 * Gallions Reach: 2 Ringed Plover, Curlew, 2 Common Sandpiper, Swift, 8 Swallow, Lesser Whitethroat (Gary A James).
 * Greenwich Peninsula Ecology Park: Blue Tit eggs hatching live on nestbox camera, 2 singing Reed Warblers, 4 (2 pr) Common Tern (one turning two eggs at one point), 2 Swallows, Sand Martin, 2 Coot broods - one brood of 5 plus 1 brood of just 1 bigger young (Joe Beale and Yu-Hsuan Lin)
 * Gutteridge Wood: Pheasant heard, Little Owl calling + seen flying to adjacent tree where mobbed by 2 Long-tailed Tits, 5 Whitethroat, 2 Blackcap, 4 Chiffchaff (Neil Anderson/K Bull)
 * Hampstead Heath: Red Kite S low over Parliament Hill at 08:00, Reed Warbler at Highgate 1 Pond, 2 Common Tern, 6 Swallow NW (Frank Nugent & Pete Mantle).
 * Harmondsworth UB7 (field near garden centre): 3 Egyptian Geese, 2 Lapwings, 2 Canada Geese, Mute Swan (Sue Giddens)
 * Harrow-on-the-Hill HA1: Red Kite (flying west), Swallow, Swift, Cormorant, Sparrowhawk, Whitethroat, Blackcap, Chiffchaff - Harrow Hill Trust bird walk (Michael Robinson)
 * Holyfield Hall Farm, Lea Valley: 2 Red-legged Partridge, 2 Rook, Yellowhammer, 3 Common Buzzard (Martin Shepherd).
 * Holyfield Lake, Lea Valley: 2 Hobby north east corner at 11.00, Cuckoo, 15 Common Tern, 50 Swift (Martin Shepherd).
 * Horsenden Hill UB6: Red Kite W 12.15, 1 Garden Warbler, 2 Tawny Owl (Andy Culshaw).
 * King George V Reservoir: Sanderling, Ringed Plover, Hobby, 200+ Swift this evening (David Bradnum)
 * London Wetland Centre: 2 Little Grebe chicks, 1 Kestrel, 2 Redshank, 3 Lapwing chicks, c60 Swift, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Rook S (WWT website); Hobby (J Wilczur).
 * Middlesex Filter Beds: Red Kite drifted over west, fairly low, at 11.00 (Alastair Dent)
 * Regent's Park/Primrose Hill: 4+ (2 nesting pr) Great Crested Grebe, 6+ (3+ nesting pr) Little Grebe, 1 Spotted Flycatcher Community Gdn area 14 behind water-cascade 1025, 2 (nesting pr) Grey Wagtail (birdman_euston); 1 Common Buzzard N 1050, 1 Little Owl, 1 Swallow, 2 (pr) Reed Warbler Wetland Pen a32, 1 Spotted Flycatcher pm a34 as yesterday, 2 (nesting pr) Pied Wagtail (fide Regent's Pk Birds blog)
 * St James's Park: Grey Wagtail, 1 Egyptian Geese brood of 3 (2-3 weeks old), 1 Coot brood of 3 (very young chicks), at least 3 other Coot nests, 1 Mute Swan on nest, Carrion Crow eating recently killed Feral Pigeon. (Matt Reed).
 * Staines Moor: 1 Dunlin along Colne early morning, 1 female Whinchat, 4 Wheatear, 1 Redshank, 1 Hobby, 1 Red Kite, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Little Egret, 5 House Martin, 50 Swift (Lee Dingain - few pics here ).
 * Staines Reservoir: 1 Little Ringed Plover (S Basin), 2 Dunlin, 2 Common Sandpiper, Swift, Swallow, House Martin (A Luscombe); Alpine Swift 15.15 over causeway for 10 mins (Surrey website)
 * Stanwell Moor: 1 Cuckoo, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Garden Warbler (Lee Dingain)
 * Swanley Park: Turtle Dove, 3 Stock Dove, Parakeet with young in nesthole, 2 Cormorant (Andy Meaton)
 * Ten Acre Wood area: 3 Pheasant, Red-legged Partridge (birds here wary!), 2 Hobby briefly over wood, m Kestrel, 5 Lapwing, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 10 Stock Dove, 6 Swift, 3 Skylark (1 singing), 9 Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Blackcap, Chiffchaff, 5 Reed Bunting, 2 Linnet. No Willow Warbler here this spring. (Neil Anderson/K Bull/G Westley)
 * Tooting Bec Common, N end, SW16 (by Rastell Ave): 1 singing Blackcap (heard only), 4 Swift, 1 Swallow (Nick Granger-Taylor). (I am getting irate with someone editing my entries and adding wrong postcodes: I was asked to put in postcodes, so I have tried to do so; I wrote SW16 for this entry, but someone changed this to SW2; SW16 was correct for the area in which I saw the birds; I have looked at the poscode map and the area of the common where I saw the birds, near the south end of Rastell Ave, is marked as SW16 - even that part of Rastell Ave itself seems to be in SW16; please stop changing my entries with erroneous information. Thank you. NGT.) (PS: I notice that the majority of entries here DO NOT HAVE POSTCODES: maybe the answer is to NOT add postcodes, especially where an area spans four separate postcodes as do the Tooting Commons (SW2, 12, 16, 17); surely it is far better to simply say "Tooting Bec Common, N end, by Rastell Ave"; I will do this in future; i.e. I will not enter postcodes, and will delete any wrong additions of postcodes. Or I'll just write "Tooting Commons" and leave it at that. NGT)   Tooting Commons   has a page on the Wiki Patchlist section. Therefore it is not necessary to put a postcode against the site name. Postcode editing person please note. NGT please use link. (Thanks - how do I use the link? Not done it before. NGT) Easiest way is to copy and paste a previous entry. (Many thanks: that seems to work, and I'll use it it future. NGT). An alternative, surefire way of making the link where it exists is to go to Edit mode, click the Source tab at the top of the webpage, and put the (letter-perfect) location name in double square brackets (b_e).
 * Upminster RM14 (Damyns Hall Aerodrome): 5 Common Buzzards, Kestrel (Richard Harrison).
 * Wanstead Flats: 2 Little Ringed Plover east over Long Wood, f  Wheatear, 50 + Swift, 15 Swallow, Sand Martin, Lesser Whitethroat, Willow Warbler, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, Linnet, 35 + subadult Herring Gull in dawn roost (Nick Croft/Marco Jonhson/Bob Vaughan)
 * Wanstead Park: Hobby, Sparrowhawk, Little Egret, 5 Pochard, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 4 Little Grebe (Nick Croft/BobVaughan)
 * Wood Street: 1 female Sparrowhawk in private garden (Daniel Whitelegg).
 * Yeading Brook Meadows: 4 Swift, 2 singing Skylark, Meadow Pipit, 3 Swallow, singing Garden Warbler, 5 Blackcap, 4 Whitethroat, Chiffchaff. No Willow Warblers this spring here. (Neil Anderson/K Bull)

Saturday 11th May 2013

 * Alexandra Park: 2 Hobby, Skylark, 5+ Swallow, 7+ House Martin, 10+ Swift, 1-2 Linnet (APOG).
 * Barking Bay IG11: 3 Sanderling, 1 Red Kite, 1 Cuckoo, 2 Dunlin, 2 Ringed Plover, Common Sandpiper, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, fem Whinchat. (Paul Hawkins)
 * Brent Reservoir: 2 Egyptian Geese, Greylag Goose, 21 Common Terns, c200 Swift (Andrew Self & Andrew Verrall)
 * Brookmill Park SE8: Mandarin, Song Thrush, 3 Blackcap, Chiffchaff, 2 House Sparrow (Conrad Ellam)
 * Camden: 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls on rooftop nests on Gloucester Terrace & Regents Park Terrace (both very residential areas). Numerous other birds on nearby rooftops, including one singing (Matt Reed).
 * Crossness: 2 Teal, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Swallow west, 12+ Swift, 2 female Wheatears and Yellow Wagtail (heard) in the paddocks (John Archer, Richard Bonser)
 * Gutteridge Wood UB10: 2 Cuckoo (G Westley).
 * Highams Park E4: 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull on nest on roof of Highams Park Industrial Estate. Other birds present and attracting significant mobbing from Carrion Crows (Matt Reed).
 * Isle of Dogs: 4 Herring Gull nests, 5 Lesser Black-backed Gull nests on roof of industrial building in NE section just S of Blackwall Basin, 11 Common Terns on one small raft, Greylag Goose possibly on nest on  Blackwall Basin (Matt Reed).
 * King George V Reservoir: 09.00-10.40 - 1 drake Scaup at S end of S basin, 6 Arctic Tern, 40+ Common Tern, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Common Buzzard N 10.15, 2 Hobby (Ian Lycett)
 * Lee Valley - Netherhall / Glen Faba (WeBS Count): 1 Common Sandpiper, 34 Tufted Duck, 7 Gadwall, 6 Common Tern, 2 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 1 m Cuckoo calling, 2 singing Cetti's Warbler, 15+ singing male Garden Warbler, 2 s m Blackcap, 20+ s m Whitethroat, 20+ s m Sedge Warbler, 6 s m Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler.  Also a complete 'blizzard' of 300+ Swift, 200+ Swallow, 200+ House Martin, and the odd Sand Martin all feeding at low level (Nigel May).
 * Lee Valley RP (Three Mills) E3: 2 Common Tern flying low, 3 Grey Wagtail poss nest in walk on other side of path (S Barry)
 * London Wetland Centre: Red Kite at 11.25 approached from over Fulham heading W, Peregrine male caught a Feral Pigeon over Fulham at 10.20 returned to Hospital to eat (JW), 4 pairs Black-headed Gulls nesting on Tern rafts - a 5th pair building, pair Common Tern, male Wheatear Greenland-type, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 3 Redshank, Lapwing brood reduced from 4 to 3 young and another brood still of one, singing Garden Warbler, Willow Warbler, Common Whitethroat, Chiffchaff (J Wilczur, MR Honey & A Innes).
 * Regent's Park/Primrose Hill: 2 Shelduck, 2 (pr) Common Tern, 9 Swift, 4 Jackdaw NE 0800, 1 Willow Warbler singing, 1 Common Whitethroat singing, 1 Spotted Flycatcher (patch yr-1st) feeding 0730-1745 at least @ NE end boating lake area 34 (birdman_euston)
 * Staines Moor: 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Greenfinch, 2 Green Woodpecker, 2 Lapwing, 2 Little Egret, 2 Mistle Thrush, 2 Reed Bunting, 2 Skylark in song flight, 2 Swallow, 10+ Swift, 1 Wheatear, 1 Whitethroat. (Richard Woolley).
 * Staines Reservoir: 3 Black-necked Grebe, 2 Little Gull, 2 Arctic Tern, 1 Turnstone, 1 Dunlin (followed by 5 more at about 10am that flew over the south basin), 3 Whimbrel (circled the north basin at 10.20am then flew west) (Bob Warden, Adrian Luscombe, Neil Randon, Simon Edward et al)
 * Surrey CR0 (Beddington Farmlands): 100+ Swift, 30+ Swallow, 1 Garden Warbler, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 30+ Whitethroat, 8 Reed Warbler, 4 Sedge Warbler, 15+ Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff few pics (Peter Alfrey, BFBG)
 * Surrey KT23 (Bookham Common): 1 Nightingale, 3+ Cuckoo (Bill Dykes)
 * Swanley Park: Turtle Dove calling but elusive, 2 Swallow, 4 House Martin, 1 Coot unusual here (Andy Meaton)
 * Walthamstow Reservoirs: Lockwood - Honey Buzzard (KJ Mcmanus).
 * Wanstead Flats: m Cuckoo SSSI, Garden Warbler (Jonathan Lethbridge/Tony Brown)
 * Waterworks NR: 1 Kestrel, 4 Little Grebe, 1 Swift, 6 Reed Warbler, 2 Willow Warbler (Daniel Whitelegg)
 * Wimbledon Common SW19: Common Buzzard over SW corner at 11:00 am (Phil Davies).
 * Woodford Green IG8 (Claybury Park): 2 Garden Warblers, 3 Lesser Whitethroats (one of them unfortunately catching and eating the first Brimstone butterly I had seen of the year), Blackcap, up to 2 Chiffchaffs, up to 6 Whitethroats, 3 Stock Doves, 3 Mistle Thrushes (2 adults and a recently fledged juvenile), Long-tailed Tit (Alan Hobson).

Friday 10th May 2013

 * Alexandra Park: Sand Martin N over Wood Green Res, 2 House Martins, several Swallows through, numerous Common Swifts (Dominic Mitchell, David Callahan, Ian Lycett); 8+ Swallow, 3+ House Martin 7am (Bob Watts).
 * Barnet EN4 (Cat Hill): Red Kite flying south 0910 (Rob Wallace)
 * Bedfont Lakes CP: 5 Swift, 1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Tern sp high over E towards Staines Res, 1 Cuckoo heard close from Bedfont Rd car park - first I've ever heard here (Keith Kerr); Not a common visitor to BLCP. Not always recorded annually. Suspected breeding but not proven. (Adam Cheeseman)
 * Bexley, DA15: fine views of a Hobby over at 10.30 (Charlie Carpenter)
 * East India Dock Basin: Great Crested Grebe (surprisingly rare here), 2 Shelduck, 48 Tufted Duck, 5 Common Tern, 2 singing Blackcaps, singing Reed Warbler, singing Whitethroat, Sand Martin, 2 Oystercatchers on mud by O2 (John Archer).
 * Ewell (Hogsmill Open Space): 10 Common Swift, 3 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Herring Gull, 1 Grey Heron (Neil Batten).
 * Forest Hill Station SE23: light phase Buzzard heading NE at 2.21 (Paul Moss)
 * Greenwich Dome: only 5 (3 plus a pair) Linnets on river walk from Cutty Sark pub to Dome, 4 Common Tern; Common Porpoise in Thames 20.00-20.30 (presumably the same one John Archer saw yesterday from the north side) - so far it has not been chopped in two by the frequent passing fast boats (Mike Paice).
 * Greenwich Park: Moorhen with 3 small young, Mallard broods of 8 and 5 still, Mistle Thrushes with at least 1 fledged juvenile, Little Grebe on lake for 3rd day, Swallow W, light W movement of Swifts (Joe Beale)
 * Hackney Marshes: River Lea - Little Egret (JW Davies)
 * Isle of Dogs: 2-3 Common Tern, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Swift, Swallow, 2 Mistle Thrush, 2 Long-tailed Tit (Richard Harrison).
 * Staines Reservoirs: 1 Red-throated Diver on N basin from early am, 7 Arctic Tern on S basin 14.08, 2 Little Gull, 3 Black-necked Grebe (Bob Warden, Dave Morris, Ken Purdey, per FJM)
 * Sutcliffe Park SE9: singing Song Thrush, 2 singing Reed Warblers, singing Reed Bunting, 2 male House Sparrows (Conrad Ellam)
 * Tower Bridge: Black Redstart (Harry Boorman)
 * Tyttenhanger GP: 3 Little Ringed Plover, Ringed Plover, Dunlin, 5 Common Tern, 2 Garden Warbler, 2 Sedge Warbler, good numbers of Swallow & Sand Martin & House Martin, only 1 Swift (Steve Blake)
 * Walthamstow Reservoirs: Lockwood - Dunlin, Little Ringed Plover (KJ Mcmanus); 70+ Swift over Lower Maynard 4pm (Paul Bee)
 * Wanstead Flats: Lesser Whitethroat, Willow Warbler, 5+ Swift, Swallow, 4 Meadow Pipit, 3 Pochard (Nick Croft/Tim Harris/Bob Vaughan)
 * Wanstead Park: 2 Little Egret, Great-crested Grebe have abandoned nest and moved to another and presumably eggs have been predated, Swift (Nick Croft/Bob Vaughan)

Thursday 9th May 2013

 * Alexandra Park: Red Kite viewed from garden near Boating Lake for 3 minutes at c0730 (Henry Wyn-Jones); Turtle Dove low NE over Wood Green Reservoir 6:00pm, 6+ Swallow, 3 House Martin, 2 Swift (Bob Watts).
 * Brent Reservoir: Hobby 08.20, 150+ Swifts, 30+ House Martin, 28 Common Terns on rafts (Andrew Verrall).
 * Brookmill Park SE8: 2 Swift, singing Song Thrush, 2 singing Blackcap, 2 singing Chiffchaff, 2 House Sparrow (Conrad Ellam)
 * East India Dock Basin: 6 Shelduck, 54 Tufted Duck, 4 Common Terns, singing Blackcap; Common Porpoise upriver at 13:15 (John Archer).
 * Enfield EN2 (Town Park): 2(m f) Grey Wagtail along New River, 1 adult Long-tailed Tit carrying food, 18 adult Starling, 2 (male feeding recently fledged juv) Greenfinch - delightful (Robert Callf)
 * Ewell (Hogsmill Open Space):  4 Common Swift nw 12.30 - 13.00,  2 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap, 2 Stock Dove, 2 Herring Gull sw (Neil Batten)
 * Ewell Village KT17 (Beggars Hill): 3 Common Swift N, 21 Herring Gull high SW 08.40 (Neil Batten).
 * Greenwich SE3 (Westcombe Woodlands, Lasseter Place): Great Spotted Woodpecker - active nest in tree hole, Blue Tits - active nest in nestbox, Blackcap singing, Goldcrest singing, Carrion Crow nest, Jay, 3 Robin territories, 1 Blackbird territory, 2 Long-tailed Tits, Great Tits singing (Joe Beale)
 * King George V Reservoir: 3 Arctic Tern, 54 Common Tern, 3 Hobby, 1 Dunlin, 1 Yellow Wagtail, several hundred Swift, 50+ Swallow, 2 House Martin 12.00-13.15 (I Lycett)
 * Mayesbrook Park, Barking: 90+ Swift, 5 House Martin, 7 Sand Martin, 20+ Swallow - high count with movement all day, 1 recently fledged Grey Heron, 1 Stock Dove (Peter Beckenham)
 * Osterley Park:  an unusually large flock of c500 Ring-necked Parakeets feeding in one of the farmers fields 06.30 ( K Fisher)
 * Stoke Newington Reservoirs: c8 Swift, Grey Wagtail (TeRNS)
 * Sutcliffe Park, Kidbrooke: Common Buzzard, 2 Stock Dove, Swallow, Reed Warbler, Reed Bunting (Conrad Ellam)
 * Swanley Park: Turtle Dove, 2 Herring Gulls, Swallow, Canada Geese Creche (11) Mallard broods at 4,9 & 9 (Andy Meaton)
 * Walthamstow Reservoirs: Marsh Harrier N through (KJMcmanus).
 * Wanstead Flats: 30 + Swift, 4 Sand Martin, 5 Swallow, Willow Warbler, Hobby, Kestrel, pr Pochard, 2 Little Egret, Linnet (Nick Croft/Bob Vaughan)
 * Wanstead Park: 20 + Swift, 4 House Martin, Sand Martin, 5 Swallow, 2 Little Egret, 3 Linnet (Nick Croft/Bob Vaughan); Broom Tip Moth in trap - first for metropolitan Essex (Tim Harris)
 * Westminster: 2 Swift & 3 Swallow N over Victoria Tower Gardens next to Palace of Westminster at 08:30, Great Black-backed Gull on foreshore, Hobby for 5 mins over Thames then N at 14:30 (Frank Nugent).
 * Wimbledon Park (Lake): 2 Common Tern, 2 Gadwall (1m 1f), 1 Pochard (m), 30 Swift, 5 House Martin, 1 Swallow, 3 Pied Wagtail, 1 Blackcap in song (Martin Daniel)

Wednesday 8th May 2013

 * Alexandra Park: male Tawny Owl vocalising 04:50-04:52 (Dominic Mitchell); 2 Common Terns, Reed Warbler singing Conservation Pond 7am (Bob Watts, Henry Wyn-Jones); new Common Whitethroat in Cricket Scrub (Gareth Richards).
 * Buckhurst Hill CM16 (Connaught Water): brief visit - Egyptian Goose, male Mandarin Duck, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker; single Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Goldcrest all in song; Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Lesser Redpoll (Dominic Mitchell).
 * Burgess Park, Southwark: c20 Swifts over lake (Chris Elders).
 * Brent Reservoir: Little Ringed Plover, Lapwing, 60+ Swifts, 30+ House Martin (Andrew Verrall).
 * Dulwich Park SE21: 5 Chiffchaff, 7 Blackcap, pr Little Grebe, pr Greylag Goose, 3 Swift (Martin Stevens).
 * East India Dock Basin: 6 Shelducks, 58 Tufted Ducks (including female with Portuguese nasal saddle), singing Reed Warbler, 3 singing Blackcaps, Oystercatcher on jetty on south side of river west of the O2 (John Archer).
 * Enfield EN1 (Southbury Road): Swift nesting in house next to Town Cars (Martin Shepherd).
 * Ewell (Hogsmill Open Space): 1 Turtle Dove low east over at 12.33, 5 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Stock Dove, 1 adult Lesser Black-backed Gull SW over (Neil Batten).
 * Greenwich Park: 1 singing Reed Warbler, 1 silent Garden Warbler, 1 Little Grebe (all first yr-site), 1 Linnet over, 3 singing Chiffchaff - local breeders, 4 singing Blackcaps - local breeders, Song Thrushes gathering food for young, Goldcrests with active nest in pine tree (Joe Beale).
 * King George V Reservoir: 1 first-sum Mediterranean Gull with damaged wing, 2 Wheatear, 100+ Swift, 1 Goldeneye, 30 Common Tern (T Clancy/B Dawton)
 * London Wetland Centre: 5 Lapwing chicks, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Redshank, 1 Hobby, c90 Swift, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 3 Garden Warbler, 1 House Sparrow (yesterday) (WWT website).
 * Queen Mother Reservoir: 2 Whimbrel (C. Lamsdell).
 * Rainham Marshes: 4 Eurasian Wigeon still, 3 Northern Shoveler, 4 Eurasian Teal, drake Common Scoter again on Thames (12th day), 3 Marsh Harriers (one male) together over Wennington from Mound, Hobby, Peregrine, 2 Ringed Plover, 3 Grey Plover, 10+ Dunlin, 6 Eurasian Whimbrel, Wood Sandpiper heard calling repeatedly over seawall during shower at 07:45, 3cy Yellow-legged Gull on river, 4+ Common Terns, Green Woodpecker (woodland), singing male Willow Warbler (woodland), singing male Corn Bunting (Aveley Bay area), plus good views of Brown Hare from stone barges car park (Dominic Mitchell); 3 Bar-tailed Godwits, Eurasian Curlew (Sam Shippey, Howard Vaughan et al).
 * Richmond Park: 1 Buzzard, 1 Peregrine, 1 Kestrel, 2 Hobby from 3-4pm at Bog Lodge (J Murray Snr).
 * Staines Moor: 1m Blue-headed Wagtail, 3 Yellow Wagtail both around cattle before flying NW, 1 Hobby, 1 Northern Wheatear, 1 Red Kite, 1 Kingfisher, 3 Little Egrets (@akkwildlife via Twitter #londonbirds)
 * Staines Reservoir: 1 Sanderling, 2 Little Gull, 1 Black-necked Grebe all on S basin early am (Bob Warden per FJM); 2 first-sum Little Gull still on S basin 14:30hrs ( John Edwards); 3 Black-necked Grebe (C Lamsdell)
 * Swanley Park: Turtle Dove, sitting with Stock Dove & Woodpigeon, calling tree 14.30 (Andy Meaton)
 * Thurrock RM16 (Orsett Fen): Hobby, 4 Red-legged Partridges, 30+ Stock Doves (Dominic Mitchell).
 * Wanstead Flats: f Wheatear, Yellow Wagtail, Lesser Whitethroat, Willow Warbler, 5 Swallow S, Sand Martin, 4 Swift, Kestrel, Pochard, 8 Tufted Duck, Little Grebe (Tony Brown/Nick Croft)
 * Wimbledon Park (Lake): 3 Gadwall (2m 1f), 14 Swift, 4 Swallow, 2 House Martin (Martin Daniel)

Tuesday 7th May 2013

 * Brent Reservoir: Little Ringed Plover, Common Buzzard over 13.55, 16 Common Terns (Andrew Verrall)
 * Broadwater Lake: 1 Great Crested Grebe on nest (R Colne), 1 pr Gadwall, 3+ Common Tern (no sign of nests), 2-3 Cuckoo (1 seen), several Sedge and Reed Warbler, c3 Whitethroat, 1 or 2 Blackcap, c10 Garden Warbler singing, 1 Chiffchaff, 2m Reed Bunting (Roger Dewey)
 * Brookmill Park, SE8: Kingfisher, Song Thrush, 3 Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Goldcrest (Conrad Ellam)
 * Bushy Park: Lesser Spotted Woodpecker still at east end of Round Plantation, also Wheatear and several Green Woodpecker (Michael Rank and other members of RSPB Central London Group)
 * Crayford, Thames Road Wetland: 1, probably 2 different Water Rail heard (very occasional short 'pig squeal') - one seen later near dusk, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Common Whitethroat, 3 Reed Warblers singing (plus one adjacent, on west bank of Cray), 1 Song Thrush, 11 Ring-necked Parakeet (over), Chiffchaff on Stanham Farm (Chris Rose)
 * Dalston E8:  3 Swift. Dalston swifts are back around St Mark's church, one calendar year plus one day after last year's arrivals (Jon Agar).
 * East Barnet EN4: Common Buzzard, Common Swift (first day). ( Pete Lowman)
 * Farningham Woods NR, Kent DA4: 1 Red Kite, 2 Buzzards, 1 Hobby (L Aldrich) Where is this Nature Reserve please? Nr Farnington, nr Sevenoaks, Kent on google searchCalfstock lane,Farningham Kent.
 * Finsbury Park N4: The Finsbury Park swifts returned this morning, 8+. This evening I saw one enter a brick cavity on Charteris Rd (G Sawtell).
 * Fulham Reach: 1 Swallow (NE) (Nathalie Mahieu).
 * Kenwood: pr Egyptian Geese with 8 gosling, Canada Geese with 6, 3 Little Grebes (Dave Porritt).
 * Lee Valley RP (River Lee CP, Fishers Green): 4 Dotterel flew N calling over Goosefield (Birdguides)
 * Little Britain: 5 Greylags, 3 Egyptian Geese, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Mistle Thrush, Song Thrush, Hobby over, 2 Goldfinch, Gadwall (m), 3 Swallows, Green Woodpecker (Sue Giddens)
 * London Wetland Centre: 5 Buzzard, Lapwing families of 4 and 1 small chicks on scrape, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Rook N, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Wheatear, 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Lesser Redpoll; 1 Hairy Dragonfly (R Kaye)
 * North Finchley N12: First Swift of the year this morning - three days before last year's first (John Colmans)
 * Regent's Park/Primrose Hill: 5 Buzzard glided singly high over Hill early pm - 3 E 1205/1340/1405 & 1 SW 1315 & 1 NE 1440, 2 Common Tern over lake 0745 onward, 1 Turtle Dove SW 0745, 9 Swift over lake, 4 Swallow NW (birdman_euston).
 * Richmond Park: Honey Buzzard over centre of Park then drifted W 14.05-14.20, same or another 15.10; 17 Common Buzzards, 3 Buzzard-types, 1 Red Kite over 11.45- 15.20; 3 Hobby (J Wilczur & S Czapski); Common Buzzard over at 8.30 (S Read).
 * South Norwood CP: Common Sandpiper, Reed Warbler, Reed Bunting, 2 House Martin, 18 Swift, Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrel (Steven Robinson, Martin Stevens)
 * Staines Reservoir: 17.30-19.00 2 Black-necked Grebe (S Basin), 3 Arctic Tern, 25+ Common Tern, 1 House Sparrow (on causeway) (A Luscombe)
 * Stanwell Moor: 2 Garden Warblers, Lesser Whitethroat, Kestrel, 7 Swallows (Keith Kerr); 2 Egyption Geese, 2 Yellow Wagtail, Cuckoo and first Lapwing chick (C Lamsdell)
 * Sutcliffe Park SE9: 3 Reed Warbler, 1 Sedge Warber, 1 Blackcap (P Kite)
 * Swanley Park: Turtle Dove calling at 8am in the Limes but difficult to see now in leaf (Andy Meaton)
 * Totteridge Valley/Darlands Lake: Grasshopper Warbler, 2 Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, many Chiffchaff, Whitethroat and Blackcap singing, drake Mandarin, also Chinese Goose on Darlands Lake and seven species of butterfly (John Colmans).
 * Trent Park: Osprey in direct flight NNE 15:50pm, Common Buzzard, Garden Warbler, many Chiffchaff, Blackcap(s), 6 Common Whitethroat, Ring-necked Parakeet, 3 Mute Swan, 7 Canada Goose, 2 Skylark; Jubilee Path - Swallow (Pete Lowman)
 * Valentines Park Ilford: Heron at nest feeding one nearly grown youngster; 2 pr Egyptian Geese plus 4 ducklings still.Pr Great Crested Grebes, Little Grebe (Barbara Miller)
 * Walthamstow Marshes: boardwalk - Reed Bunting, Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler; horse paddocks (evening) - 9 Stock Dove, 1 Collared Dove (JW Davies)
 * Walthamstow Reservoirs: Lockwood - 3 Buzzard, 2 Little Ringed Plover (KJMcmanus); Reservoir No 1 - mink seen 4pm (ADH)
 * Wanstead Flats: m Whinchat broomfields, singing Sedge Warber (Jub) (J Lethbridge); f Wheatear (Tim Harris)
 * Westminster: drake Gadwall briefly on Thames by Palace of Westminster before flying off E at 14:15, Peregrine W a minute later (Frank Nugent).

Monday 6th May 2013

 * Alexandra Park: Sparrowhawk, 50+ Swift, 30+ Swallow, 2 House Martin, 3 Jackdaws N at 10:25, pair Greylag south causeway Wood Green Res (Dominic Mitchell, Gareth Richards, Bob Watts). 2 Common Tern (Alan Gibson).
 * Banstead Woods: 2 Hobby, Red Kite, Lesser Redpoll, Willow Warbler, 2 Swallows (Ian Jones, David Campbell).
 * Brent Reservoir: 2 Lapwing on mud, Linnet & Lesser Redpoll over (Andrew Self)
 * Brookmill Park SE8: Mandarin, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, House Sparrow (Conrad Ellam)
 * Bushy Park: Lesser Spotted Woodpecker drumming at top of tree on east side of Round Plantation, Meadow Pipit, 5 Swallow over Heron Lake (Martin Stevens).
 * Canons Farm: ringtail Hen Harrier drifting high over border with Banstead Woods 10.48am, 2 Whinchats, Hobby, Peregrine, Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Wheatears, 21 Swallows (David Campbell, Paul Goodman, Ian Jones)
 * Chigwell, Essex IG7 (Roding Valley Meadows NR): 2 Common Buzzards 13.00, circling high, drifting south (Barry Jones)
 * Crayford Marsh: 7 Bar tailed Godwit, 2  Common Sandpiper, 8 Whimbrel. (P. Kite)
 * Crossness: Dunlin, 2 Curlew, 15+ Common Tern, 3 Teal, 2 Sparrowhawk, 3 Swift, c.10 Swallows (John Archer, Richard Bonser)
 * Clapton e5: Buzzard high over garden. (Marcus Mitchell)
 * Elstree, Herts WD6 (Aldenham Reservoir): 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Common Tern (Ian Ellis).
 * Fulham Reach (Winslow Road): House Sparrow bringing food to nests (Nathalie Mahieu).
 * Gallions Reach: 1 Arctic Tern, 2 Whimbrel, 3 Common Sandpipers, 30 Swallow. (Gary A James).
 * Greenwich: 07:30 Swifts & House Martins (Richard Lord). Mistle Thrush feeding two fledged young, Bardsley Green (Bardsley Lane/Creek Rd) (Joe Beale)
 * Hampstead Heath: Common Buzzard 13.00 (Dave Porritt).
 * Hornsey N8: Common Buzzard over garden NW 1140 (Bob Watts).
 * Ingrebourne Valley: 0730 Just started my first visit to this site. Cuckoo singing in the Abbey Wood area, showed well at one point. Also plenty of Reed Warblers and Cetti's Warblers (Andrew McCafferty); Hobby in the evening (Shaun Harvey).
 * Lake Farm CP, Hayes, UB3: c20 Common Whitethroat, some displaying, 5 Meadow Pipits including one pair displaying, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, 2 m Blackcaps, 7-8 Skylarks singing (Wendy Marks).
 * Lee Valley RP (Fisher's Green): 3 Garden Warblers, 3 Hobby, Whimbrel, up to 6 Reed Warblers, 2 Egyptian Geese, Buzzard, 2-3 Common Terns, Blackcap, Willow Warbler, Lapwing, 2 Shelducks, Lesser Whitethroat (Alan Hobson). Female Sparrowhawk in aerial display to male, Common Buzzard, at least 5 singing Nightingales, 3 Hobby, Cuckoo, Cetti's Warbler singing near "Bittern Hide"  (Bob Husband, NW London RSPB Group).
 * Muswell Hill: Siskin in flight and calling towards gardens opposite Fortismere primary school mid pm (Bob Watts).
 * Muswell Hill golf course N22:  2 Common Buzzards 08.00 W - 1 pale and the other dark, 2 Swift, 1 House Martin (P Angus).
 * London Wetland Centre: 3 Shelduck, 1 Buzzard E, 1 Kestrel, 15+ Swift, 3 Whitethroat, 2 Willow Warbler (pair), 1 Garden Warbler (WWT website).
 * Northolt/South Harrow border: BBS survey. 24 species recorded including 2 Swallow, 3 Swift and flyover Rook (very unusual here). (Alex Massey)
 * Putney: Thames foreshore. Pair of egyptian geese (one with wing deformities that is always in the area) with 5 goslings. (Mark Ruscoe)
 * Rainham Marshes: 2 Cuckoo, 5 Common Buzzard, 2 Marsh Harriers, 6 Whimbrel, Common Scoter, Black Swan, 15+ Whitethroat, 5 Bar-tailed Godwits over river with Whimbrel (G.Gram). 14 Whimbrel, 7 Bar-tailed Godwit, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 1m 1f Cuckoo (the latter being mobbed by Meadow Pipit), at least 2 Lesser Whitethroat, numerous Sedge & Reed Warblers, 2 Peregrine, 2 Hobby, 2 Swallows, Cetti's warblers, Chiffchaff, Willow Warblers, one Rook over (M. Honey et al.) 1 green sandpiper (target pools), 8 arctic tern (Thames foreshore) (Fernley Symons)
 * Regent's Park: 12 Great Black-backed Gulls, Turtle Dove 7.30am, pr Grey Wagtails, Swallow, House Martin, 3 Reed Warblers, C.Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Willow Warblers, 5 Chiffchaffs, 5 Lesser Redpolls (Tony Duckett).
 * Richmond Park: 2 Northern Wheatear Holly Lodge horse paddocks late am (Franko J Maroevic); 3 Hobby, 2 Buzzard, 2 (m & f) Lesser Spotted Woodpecker just W of Upper Pen Pond, 5 Common Tern, Shelduck flew E, Linnet over, singing Willow Warbler still (J Wilczur, P Davies, P Burrowes-Smith et al).
 * Rotherhithe: 1st-summer Yellow-legged Gull Greenland Dock, 80 Herring Gulls, 1 Great Black-backed Gull, 2 Common Terns, 2 Common Buzzards circling 14.15, 2 Egyptian Geese, 2 Ring-necked Parakeet, Swallow, 2 Sand Martin, Lesser Redpoll over 06.25 (John Archer, Richard Bonser)
 * Rye Meads RSPB Reserve: Drake Garganey, pair of Little Ringed Plovers, 2 Hobby, Cetti's Warblers, Sedge Wablers, Reed Warblers (Bob Husband, NW London RSPB Group)
 * Sidcup; Hollyoak Wood Park, Haddon Grove: 2 male Blackcaps singing, Chiffchaff singing, Wren singing and "parachuting", pair Mallards on River Shuttle (Eric Brown)
 * Staines Moor: 2 Whimbrel on the grass east of the Colne at 07:30 for 5 minutes before flying off west, 1 Treecreeper along Bonehead Ditch (NE corner), 1 Common Swift W, 3 (1m 2f) Northern Wheatear in NW corner, 1 Cuckoo, 2 Hobby, 1-2 Redshank, 2+ Common Tern, 1 Sand Martin, 9+ Swallow, 3+ Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Red Kite, 1 Common Buzzard, 2+ Lapwing, 3 Little Egret along the Colne (Lee Dingain).
 * Staines Reservoir: 1 Black Tern on E side of S Basin, 1 Little Tern through early am, 3 Common Sandpiper, 1 Ringed Plover, 1 Northern Wheatear (Bob Warden per FJM)
 * Stanwell Moor: 1 Grasshopper Warbler reeling east of boardwalk, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Red Kite, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Garden Warbler by burnt out car, 3 House Martin, 10+ Swallow, 5 Lapwing (Lee Dingain)
 * Stokes Field LNR (Long Ditton): pr Bullfinch went to roost by entrance along Bankside Drive at 20:15 (Bill Dykes).
 * Swanley Park: Turtle Dove showing well 8 to 9.30am, 2nd Canada Goose brood (6), 3rd Mallard brood (9), Stock Dove, Blackcap (Andy Meaton)
 * Walthamstow Reservoirs: Lockwood - 3 Whimbrel, Oystercatcher, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 12+ Common Tern, Buzzard (KJ Mcmanus).
 * Wanstead Flats: 27 Swallow through, singing Sedge Warbler, Willow Warbler, Linnet, singing Goldcrest Capel Point, 2 Common Pochard (Nick Croft)
 * Wanstead Park: 2 Hobby, 6 Common Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, 20+ Swift, 4 Swallow, 2 Lesser Whitethroat (Jonathan Lethbridge/ Nick Croft)

Sunday 5th May 2013

 * Alexandra Park: Red Kite 0810-0827 flew in low from the east viewed from Filter Beds then rode the ridge thermals circling and gaining height before drifting off NE towards Boating Lake, also Reed Warbler Conservation Pond, 3 Swift, 2 House Martin, Swallow (Gareth Richards, Bob Watts, Henry Wyn-Jones).
 * Barking Creek IG11 (Wickes store): c20 Sand Martins (Geoff Harding).
 * Bexley DA6 (Danson Park): 1 Lesser Whitethroat in song (scarce here), also 1 Sedge Warbler (again unusual for this site), 3 singing Blackcap, 4 adult and 1 young Egyptian Geese - one of the April hatchlings has disappeared presumed dead (Charlie Carpenter).
 * Blackheath SE3 (Vanbrugh Park area): 32 Swallows over pm - most W, 9+ Common Swifts, 3 Common Buzzards over (high up but looked like Commons), 1 Peregrine over; also egg-laying f Orange-Tip (Joe Beale).
 * Brent Reservoir: Red Kite drifted NW 10.35-10.43, Common Buzzard W at 12.00, 30 Swallows N (Brent Birders)
 * Byng Road Countryside Centre, Barnet, EN5; Pair of Bullfinches, Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs, Cuckoo - NW London RSPB Group / FoBCC Dawn Chorus (Bob Husband)
 * Canons Park, Middx. HA8: 1 Swallow flying N. Blackcap singing, Chiffchaff singing, juvenile Mistle Thrush (Shailesh Patel, Bob Husband, Robin Morden, Fay Broom, Mike Cawthorne - NW London RSPB Group). The nearest tube station to this park is Canons Park (Jubilee line).
 * Clapton E5: 2 Red Kite, 2 Buzzard, Hobby, 10 Swallows, a few Swifts and local Sparrowhawks counted in 2 hour skywatch from 11am to 1pm (Jamie Partridge)
 * Coulsdon CR5: Osprey slowly drifting S 12.10 v high (Paul Sell)
 * Crystal Palace: Buzzard thermaling with large gulls before drifting off north east, shortly followed by Red Kite gliding low to the south west 12:30-12:35 (Andy Holden)
 * Dagenham Chase LNR: 1 Whimbrel on the slack 11:15am- 4:25pm at least, 1 little Egret, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Common Tern, 4 Lapwing, 4+ Cetti's Warbler, 2 (pr) Gadwall, drake Teal (VH-F & S Drake).
 * Dartford Marshes: Hobby hawking high over Littlebrook Power Stn at 13:00 viewed from Rainham side (Dominic Mitchell)
 * Elstree, (Pages Farm, Dagger Lane) Herts: Pair of Bullfinches (Bob Husband & Fay Broom)
 * Fairlop Waters: Common Sandpiper, Lesser Whitethroat, Wheatear, Cuckoo, Little Owl, Sedge Warbler (Neil Twyford)
 * Finsbury Park: male Red-crested Pochard on boating lake (Gabriel Jamie)
 * Gallions Reach: Little Egret, 1 Common Buzzard, Curlew, 4 Common Sandpipers, 4 Swift, 32 Swallow, 4 House Martin (Gary A James).
 * Greenwich Peninsula: (Dawn Chorus Walk) Central Park - 1 Garden Warbler, Ecology Park - 1 Sedge Warbler, 3 Sand Martin, river - 2 (pr) Oystercatcher (John Bushell, Conrad Ellam & Richard Green)
 * Hampstead Heath: Common Tern at the Men's Bathing Pond, 3 Swift, 2 House Martin NW, 6 Swallow NW (Frank Nugent).
 * Lloyd Park E17: 0500-0700 Dawn Chorus event for local TCV group - most common garden species heard + 1 Swift north at 0650, 1 Swallow briefly, 5 Shelduck E 0620 (Peter Beckenham) Please note this is NOT the Lloyd Park referred to in the link. The link is for Lloyd Park in Croydon not E17! (John Birkett)
 * London Wetland Centre: 1 Buzzard, 4 Lapwing chicks, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 3 Redshank, 5 Common Tern, c30 Swift, 1 Whitethroat (WWT website); 2 Little Ringed Plover (scrape), singing Garden, Willow, Cetti's, Sedge, Reed Warblers, Blackcap and Chiffchaff (Martin Honey)
 * Rainham Marshes: c6 Hobby (one of which was unusually pale on the upperparts), 5 Common Buzzard through including 2 together and another with extensively pale tail base, 2 Kestrel, female-type Marsh Harrier, 1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Cuckoos, Ross' Goose back again with 2 Greylags, also 1 Black Swan. Singing Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Blackcap and numerous Common Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler and Reed Warbler, Steady Swallow passage and fewer House Martins, c 7 Common Swifts, 4 Whimbrel, 2 Avocet, 1 Dunlin, Lapwing and 3 Oystercatcher. 40+ Shelduck and Tufted, Gadwall, Mallard, Pochard and Shoveler all present along with c5 Eurasian Wigeon and 4 Eurasian Teal. Common Scoter originally reported on far side of Thames, then Aveley Bay 10:30-12:15 at least (Sean Alfi, Alan Hobson, Dominic Mitchell, John Richardson et al); a distant ring-tailed Harrier sp was seen from Serin Mound being mobbed by Crows flew over tip towards the river and Kent 18:00 (Tony Brown)
 * Regent's Park: 3+ Mistle Thrushes along Prince Albert Road at northern edge of park (John Colmans)
 * Richmond: 1 Hobby flew low over Manor Road 18.00 (Franko J Maroevic)
 * River Lee CP: Seventy Acres Lake - Whimbrel N 05.20, 5 waders that were probably Knot N 06.10, 3-4 Hobby, Lesser Whitethroat; substation - Raven N towards weir c12.15, 2 Cuckoo, 6 Nightingale; North Met Pit - Nightingale, 'mixed singing' Willow Warbler (Roy Woodward).
 * Ruislip Lido/Poors Field: 71 Mute Swan, Black Swan (1st I've seen here), 7 Great Crested Grebe, m Kestrel, 2 (pr) Common Tern on raft, Swift, Swallow, 3 House Martin, 8 singing Blackcap, 3 singing Garden Warbler, 2 singing Whitethroat, 2 singing Willow Warbler, 3 singing Chiffchaff; Muntjac (Neil Anderson)
 * Southfields, SW18: first Swift over the garden for the year (M. Honey)
 * Surrey Quays: 2 Sand Martin, 2 Common Tern, 2 Whitethroat, 2 Egyption Geese, 2 Reed Warbler (Graeme Wright)
 * Swanley Park: no sign of Turtle Dove, 1st Canada Goslings (6), Mallard brood of 5 have lost Mum, Mistle Thrush with fledged youngster, Greylag, Stock Dove, Blackcap (Andy Meaton)
 * Ten Acre Wood area: 2 Pheasant heard, 2 soaring Buzzard, Red Kite up higher, Sparrowhawk, 4 Lapwing, 7 Stock Dove, Swift, House Martin, 6 Swallow, 2 m Wheatear, 10 Whitethroat, 5 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Rook, 3 Reed Bunting, 2 Linnet (Neil Anderson/G Westley)
 * Walthamstow Reservoirs: Lockwood - Whimbrel, Little Ringed Plover, 9 Common Tern, White Wagtail (KJMcmanus); East Warwick - 2 Grey Wagtail, 1 Common Whitethroat, 2 Reed Bunting; 1 Mink along river adjacent to buildings with rodent prey (G Gram).
 * Wanstead Flats: 05:00-05:30 Lesser Whitethroat, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Common Whitethroat (Nick Croft)

Saturday 4th May 2013

 * Alexandra Park: Common Sandpiper Wood Green Res, Swift, 5 House Martin, 4 Swallow, Lesser Redpoll (Andrew Gardener, Dominic Mitchell, Bob Watts, Henry Wyn-Jones).
 * Barking Bay IG11: Whinchat (Paul Hawkins).
 * Brent Reservoir: 8 Arctic Terns at 07.55, also 5 Dunlin through (Brent Birders)
 * Canons Farm: Curlew, 3 Red Kite both over, Whinchat, Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Wheatears (David Campbell et al).
 * Chessington (KT9): 12 Mallard ducklings hatched today on garden pond (an annual event for more than 25 years), but already reduced to 9 by the predations of damned magpies - probably more will follow (Nigel Jackman). Have you actually witnessed Magpies physically take the ducklings (because that would be an interesting and very unusual observation)? If so, presumably they were on land when taken? (Roy Woodward).
 * Clapham Common SW4: nice male Reed Bunting at Mount Pond, 20 Tufted Duck (Mark H)
 * Clapton (Upper) E5: 3 Swallows over house (David Collins)
 * Crayford Marshes: 2 Avocet, 5 Whimbrel, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, Wheatear, 4 Sedge Warbler, 10 Reed Warbler, Common Sandpiper, 2 Swift, 3 House Martin, 20 Whitethroat (Kev Jarvis).
 * Crossness: 2 Arctic Terns W past outfall 10.12am, male Whinchat in paddocks, 6 Teal, 3 Curlew W, 15 Common Tern. 4 Swallow W, Lesser Whitethroat (John Archer, Richard Bonser & Gus Wilson).
 * Enfield EN2 (Vicarage Farm): 2 female Whinchat together 10:10-12:20 at least, 11 Barn Swallow N 11:04-11:50, 2+ House Martin, 2 singing male Sedge Warbler, 1 Siskin (Robert Callf & Robin White)
 * Fairlop Waters: Long-tailed Duck, Ring Ouzel (Neil Twyford/Alan Thomas)
 * Gallions Reach: Curlew, 3 Common Sandpiper, 3 House Martin, 17 Swallow, 1 Whinchat, Willow Warbler (Gary A James). Firecrest between Gallions Point Marina and the Lock (Frank Nugent).
 * Ingrebourne Valley: Common Sandpiper, 2 Common Tern, Garden Warbler, 2 Common Buzzard; eve- Grasshopper Warbler, Kingfisher (Shaun Harvey)
 * London Wetland Centre: 2 Dunlin early, Oystercatcher (MR Honey); Hobby W, Common Sandpiper, 2 Yellow Wagtail N (R Kaye) Four lapwing chicks, one on grazing marsh and three hatched during the morning on the scrape (M. Honey)
 * Hampstead Heath: Whinchat on Parliament Hill, 2 Swift, 19 Swallow NW (Frank Nugent), Hobby low over houses on Constantine Road at 20.30, heading onto the Heath (Huw Prior)
 * Kingston KT2 (Canbury Gardens): 1 Blackcap, 1 male Grey Wagtail, with 3 Barn Swallow, 3 Sand Martin close by at Kingston Train-Bridge (Spencer Neal)
 * Kingston Cemetery KT1: 4 Blackcap, 4 Barn Swallow N, 2 Chiffchaff, Coal Tit, 2 Whitethroat, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk (M Bournat)
 * Lea Valley (Fishers Green/Holyfield Farm area): Red Kite, 2+ Buzzard, Peregrine, 5 Common Tern, Cuckoo, 7 Swift, c20 Swallow, 15 House Martin, Cetti's Warbler, 3 singing Garden Warbler, 2 singing Nightingale, m Yellowhammer (Neil Anderson)
 * Peckham Rye Park SE15: Swallow over low NW (Martin Stevens).
 * Rainham Marshes RSPB: Ring Ouzel (Serin mound) RSPB, 2 Cuckoo, Hobby, Marsh Harrier, Peregrine Falcon, Sparrowhawk, 3 Kestrel, Common Buzzard, 10 Dunlin, 2 Ruff, Whimbrel, Curlew, 2 Oystercatcher, 2 Avocet, 2 Little Ringed Plover, Ringed Plover, 30 + Swift, House Martin, many Swallow through, Arctic Tern, Common Tern, Yellow Wagtail (Nick Croft/RSPB)
 * Regent's Park/Primrose Hill: 3 Willow Warbler, 2 Common Whitethroat, 2 Swallow NW (birdman_euston)
 * Richmond TW10 (Ham Lands): 2 Common Whitethroat, 8 Blackcap, 8 Chiffchaff, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker (Spencer Neal)
 * Richmond Park: 1 male Wheatear, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Common Buzzard (Hugh Bradshaw)
 * Roding Valley Meadows NR: 1 Swift (Barry Jones)
 * Rotherhithe SE16: Canada Water - 2 Common Tern, 2 Egyptian Goose, Greenland Dock - 100 Herring Gulls and Sand Martin, Southwark Park - Egyptian Goose, 2 Mistle Thrush (Richard Bonser).
 * Staines Moor: 05.45-06.30 2 Northern Wheatear, 5 Little Egret, 2 Common Redshank, Common Whitethroat, Reed Bunting, Lapwing, Skylark, Linnet (A Luscombe).
 * Staines Reservoirs: 1 Little Tern through 06.15, 7 Turnstone, 2 Sanderling, 11 Dunlin, 1 Black-necked Grebe (Staines Birders); Raven flew W 1050 (Rob Innes) Grey Plover from19.40 on W bank of N basin.
 * 3 Red Kite flew W mid pm over Staines. 2 Hobby hunting Swifts mid pm.(Franko J Maroevic)
 * Stanwell Moor: Grasshopper Warbler (reeling constantly & offering intermittent views - also easily heard from the Bonehead Ditch area of Staines Moor). 2 Cuckoo, 1 Hobby, 1 Garden Warbler (opposite burnt out car), 1 Lesser Whitethroat, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler (A Luscombe).
 * Swanley Park: Turtle Dove, showing 9am, now taken cover, 1 Swallow. (Andy Meaton)
 * Totteridge Valley: Grasshopper Warbler, Garden Warbler, 2 Kestrel, pale morph Common Buzzard, 2 Bullfinch (Ian Ellis)
 * Walthamstow Marshes: Galah flying W - seen a couple of times in recent weeks, displaying Meadow Pipit (Paul Whiteman)
 * Wanstead Flats: Short-eared Owl (Marco Johnson/Bob Vaughan), Swift, House Martin, Swallow (Dan Hennessy)
 * Wimbledon Park (Lake) SW19: 14 Swift, 2 House Martin, 42 Starling, 1 Common Tern, 1 Pochard, 2 Gadwall, 4 Mallard young - first on water this year, 1 Arctic Tern 13:00-13:20 (Martin Daniel)

Friday 3rd May 2013

 * Abney Park Cemetery: 1 Red Kite low N 18:30 (Laurence Pitcher)
 * Alexandra Park: Peregrine circled Wood Green Res 10am, also Lesser Whitethroat heard briefly Lower Slopes, 2 singing Whitethroat, 1-2 Swift, 3 Swallow (David Callahan, Bob Watts); Reed Warbler Conservation Pond (Alan Gibson).
 * Brookmill Park SE8: Mandarin, Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, House Sparrow (Conrad Ellam)
 * Crayford Marshes: drake Common Scoter on the Thames; 5 Whimbrel, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Sedge Warbler, Corn Bunting, Wheatear, 3 Cetti's Warbler, Common Sandpiper, Lesser Redpoll, 3 Sand Martin, 14 Reed Warbler, 32 Whitethroat (Kev Jarvis); 2 Raven, Yellowhamer (Tom Clarke)
 * Dartford Crossing: Eurasian Whimbrel N c12:20 (Dominic Mitchell).
 * Dartford Marshes: drake Common Scoter in Thames downriver of Rainham RSPB - presumably the same bird noted by Kev Jarvis at Crayford; 9 Reed Warbler, 3 Cetti's Warbler, 11 Whitethroat, 4 Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Meadow Pipit, 2f Wheatear, 6 Linnet, 2m Reed Bunting, 11 Skylark, 6 Sand Martin, 3 Swallow, Kestrel, Hobby, Peregrine Falcon calling at Littlebrook Power Station, 2 Little Egret, 2 Greenshank, 7 Lapwing, 2 Oystercatcher, 9 Shelduck; also Harbour Porpoise in Thames (Martin Stevens).
 * East India Dock Basin/Bow Creek Ecology Park: 3 Whitethroat, 3 Blackcap, 8 Reed Warbler, Little Ringed Plover, 5 Common Tern, Sand Martin, Great Black-backed Gull in the basin (Paul Hyland)
 * Forest Hill SE23: Red Kite low and W at 17.50 (Paul Moss)
 * Holland Park: Peregrine over E, 3+ Swift (Bill Haines).
 * London Wetland Centre: 1 Shelduck, 2 Buzzard, 1 Red Kite, 5 Redshank, 3 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Greenland Wheatear, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Rook NW, 3 Linnet (R Kaye).
 * Margravine Cemetery: 1 Wood Warbler, 2 (pr) House Sparrow, 1 Mistle Thrush, 1 partially leucistic f Great Spotted Woodpecker (Nathalie Mahieu).
 * Rainham: Common Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Swallow, House Martin, 2 Swift all over garden (Richard Harrison).
 * Peckham Rye : Common Buzzard mobbed by crows over Colyton Road 11:30am flying North eastly (Tom Stone)
 * Richmond Park: 2 Red Kite - wing-tagged bird S at 10.20 & un-tagged SW at 12.40, 2 Buzzard, Hobby; Pen Ponds - 2 (pr) Shelduck, 4 (2 pr) Gadwall (J Wilczur).
 * Staines Moor: 2 Cuckoo high over N calling early morning, 4 Northern Wheatear, 2 Hobby, 1 Common Tern E, 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Red Kite, 1 Swallow S, 2 Gadwall, 5 Northern Lapwing, 2 Little Egret (Lee Dingain)
 * Stanwell Moor: 1 Cuckoo, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Garden Warbler, 3 Swallow (Lee Dingain); 7.30-8.30am Grasshopper Warbler E side of boardwalk seen reeling intermittently, 4 Garden Warbler, Cuckoo (Steve Woolfenden). Snipe (C Lamsdell)
 * Stokes Field (Long Ditton, KT7): 1 Bullfinch, 3 Swallow, 3 Common Whitethroat, 6 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Buzzard (Bill Dykes)
 * Sutcliffe Park, Kidbrooke: Song Thrush, 3 Reed Warbler, Willow Warbler, 3+ Reed Bunting (male by boardwalk & one possibly two pairs along stream), female House Sparrow (Conrad Ellam)
 * Swanley Park: Turtle Dove showing well top of the Limes, friendly with Stock Dove but chasing Collared Doves, 10.30 (Andy Meaton); watched the Turtle Dove till 11.15 (Paul Sell)
 * Walthamstow Reservoirs: Lockwood - 1 Arctic Tern, 4 Common Tern, 6 Buzzard, Hobby (KJ Mcmanus); 3 Hobby, Black Redstart (Paul Whiteman)
 * Wandsworth Common: singing Lesser Whitethroat in alder by lake (Neil Anderson)
 * Wanstead Flats: 3 Swallow, Willow Warbler, Linnet over brooms, pr Kestrel, 2 Sparrowhawk, 2 m Pochard (Nick Croft/Tim Harris)
 * Wanstead Park: Hobby (ornamental waters) (Bob Vaughan): Peregrine Falcon west over Bush Wood, 3 Swift (Jonathan Lethbridge) monthly round up here http://wansteadbirding.blogspot.co.uk/
 * Westminster: 2 Sand Martin over Thames 08:30, 1 Swallow 14:30 seen from Victoria Tower Gardens (Frank Nugent).
 * Wimbledon Park (Lake) SW19: 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Gadwall, 5 Swallow N 09.00, 40 Herring Gull (16 Herring Gull SE 08.50 & 24 NW 18.00-18.45), 1 Red Kite high NW 18.20, 2 Swift, 1 Sand Martin (Martin Daniel)
 * Wormwood Scrubs: 2 Little Egret E 0910, 5 Lesser Whitethroat including 3 singers, 2 Collared Dove, 2 (pr) Bullfinch, c22 Whitethroat, c20 Blackcap, 1 Grey Wagtail (The Scrubbers)

Thursday 2nd May 2013

 * Alexandra Park: 4 Swifts high over Conservation Pond (Dave Callahan per Bob Watts); another 5-6 through mid-morning (Dominic Mitchell, David Callahan); 2 Common Buzzards N 1810 (Bob Watts, Henry Wyn-Jones).
 * Brent Reservoir: Common Buzzard circling W 09.25, 20+ Swifts (Andrew Verrall).
 * Brimsdown EN3: Cetti's Warbler calling at 08.40 from scrub between power station and canal (Martin Shepherd).
 * Crayford Marshes: drake Common Scoter on the Thames; Whimbrel, 2 Wheatear, 3 Curlew, 5 Reed Warbler, 14 Whitethroat (Kev Jarvis).
 * Crossness: Turtle Dove west over golf centre 6.45pm; also Green Sandpiper in the paddocks, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 9 Teal, 5 Common Tern (Richard Bonser).
 * Ewell KT19 (Hogsmill Open Space): 6 Chiffchaff, 3 Blackcap, Nuthatch, Green Woodpecker, Grey Heron, 2 Stock Dove. Orange Tip, Peacock, Comma and Small White Butterflies (Neil Batten)
 * Ham KT2 (rear of YMCA Hawker Centre): Whitethroat (Phil Davies).
 * Hampstead Heath: Swift over Parliament Hill at 07:00 (Frank Nugent).
 * Harmondsworth UB7: 2 Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler, 89 Stock Dove, c5 Whitethroat (Nigel Sluman)
 * King George V Reservoir: 35+ Arctic Tern (Ian Lycett).
 * London Wetland Centre: 1 Blue-headed Wagtail (main lake), 9 Swift, 14 House Martin, 2 Garden Warbler, 8 Blackcap, 1 Wheatear (Adam Salmon).
 * Regent's Park/Primrose Hill: 2 ad Great Black-backed Gull low E away from boating lake 0715 - patch tick (birdman_euston)
 * Richmond Park: skywatching from 11.50am, Lawn Field - 2 Hobby together from 12.25, high, mostly over Pond Slade.  Those led me to a single Buzzard at 12.35, which was joined by two more - 3 Buzzards together from 12.39, sparring high over Pond Slade/Ponds Plantation.  Last seen 12.51.  No Swifts, very few hirundines in 90 minute watch.  (S.Czapski)
 * Staines Moor: 1 Hobby, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Common Tern E, 1+ Lesser Whitethroat, 5 (2m 3f)  Wheatear, 2 Swallow, 1 Lapwing (Lee Dingain - a few Hobby pics here ).2 Little Egret ( C LMasdell)
 * Staines Reservoir: 20 Arctic Tern from 06.30 till 07.13 only, 1 Black-necked Grebe S basin SE corner usually, 2 Little Ringed Plover (Bob Warden per FJM).
 * Stanwell Moor: 1 Grasshopper Warbler still present east of boardwalk singing occasionally, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2+ Garden Warbler, 1 Red Kite N, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Egyptian Goose W, 2 House Martin, 3 Swallow, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Lapwing (Lee Dingain) 3 Buzzard (C Lamsdell)
 * Swanley Park: Turtle Dove calling but elusive 12.00 (Andy Meaton); continued to call on and off, without showing, until 15.15, when it was spotted from the avenue of limes, it was perched in an elder bush from where it flew up in to one of the limes, where it perched briefly before flying off in pursuit of a Woodpigeon (John Bushell & Conrad Ellam)
 * Thorney CP: 5 Common Whitethroats, 9 Blackcaps, Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Canada Geese, 5 Common Terns, Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Reed Warblers, Song Thrush, Little Egret, Red Kite over at 12.37pm (Sue Giddens).
 * Tooting: Common Buzzard circling above my garden at 19:40 (James Hudson)
 * Walthamstow: still 5+ Waxwings at Waltham Crown Court at 18:00 today (Joe Dickens) JD, there's no Crown Court by that name - did you mean Waltham Forest Magistrates' Court (or Snaresbrook Crown Court)? oops. Yes I meant Waltham Forest Maigstrates Court - right by where they've been next to the Town Hall. (Joe Dickens).
 * Walthamstow Reservoirs: Common Buzzard low East over Lockwood (and house) @ 14.00 (Lol Bodini).
 * Wanstead Flats: Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Lesser Redpoll, Linnet, Kestrel, pr Sparrowhawk displaying over the park (Bob Vaughan/Nick Croft) Which area do you usually see the Redpoll & Linnets (and Whinchat before)? (A Smith) Redpolls anywhere, but today SSSI, Linnets on the police scrape mostly but again today flyover, Whinchat mainly in the broom fields (check website for map) - NC That's really helpful, many thanks! (AS)
 * Wanstead Park: Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Little Egret (Mike Messenger)

Wednesday 1st May 2013

 * Alexandra Park: 1 Lesser Whitethroat, last seen singing at bottom of slopes to west of cricket pitches at 09:35 (Bob Watts, David Callaghan, Gareth Richards).
 * Brent Reservoir: only 2 Common Terns, feeding flock 24 Swifts, 17 Swallows north, 8 House Martins, 2 Sand Martins, most common warblers (Brent Birders).
 * Canons Farm: female Whinchat, male Wheatear (David Campbell)
 * Cheam Village: Singing Grey Wagtail on rooftops 12.15 (Neil Batten).
 * Crayford Marshes: Short-eared Owl again hunting between Crayford and Dartford Marshes at 06:20; drake Common Scoter feeding in the Thames; 3 Whimbrel, 6 Sedge Warbler, Greenshank, Corn Bunting, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, Wheatear, 3 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Common Tern, 16 Reed Warbler, 28 Whitethroat (Kev Jarvis).
 * Dartford Marshes: 2 Hobby, Cuckoo, 20+ Swift, 10+ Sand Martin, Swallow, Wheatear, 4 Blackcap, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 10+ Common Whitethroat, 3 Cetti's Warbler, 4 Reed Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, Reed Bunting (Conrad Ellam)
 * Fulham Sands End: 5 House Sparrow on Thames Path by supermarket (a small miracle after most habitat destroyed with building work) (Nathalie Mahieu)
 * Hampstead Heath: Yellow Wagtail over ploughed field at 07.00, 2 Whitethroat (1m 1f) (Huw Prior)
 * Heathrow Airport: 5 Waxwings in the trees by the bus stop at Northern Perimeter Road, near the junction with Hatton Road North at 0610 (Wendy Marks via AS); Thank you Wendy / AS - Adam Cheeseman Biodiversity Manager, Heathrow; Probable Black Kite over heading north at 13:20 (one was seen over Sunbury an hour earlier) though seen distantly through heat haze, Hobby feeding near Compass Centre and 2 Kestrels. (Adam Cheeseman); possible black kite seen flying over the animal reception centre at Heathrow airport around 12 (stuart king)
 * Lee Valley RP (River Lee CP, Seventy Acres Lake): 20-25 Common Terns + 1 Arctic Tern through late afternoon mainly 2-3 at a time (all came in high from S then went off high to NE when chased off by Black-headed Gulls), 2 Nightingales, North Met Pit: mixed singing Willow Warbler near canal on causeway (often starting with Chiffchaff song), Electricity substation: at least 5 singing Nightingales. (Roy Woodward); Cuckoo calling 19:30 S of substation, recently fledged broods of Mallard (River Lea), Canada Goose (Seventy Acres). (Matt Reed).
 * London Wetland Centre: 2 Kestrel (displaying), 1 Buzzard (SE), 2 Little Ringed Plover, 5 Redshank, 5 Common Tern, 7 Collared Dove, 14 Swift, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Garden Warbler, 5 Blackcap, 3 Redpoll sp. (WWT website)
 * Morden Hall Park: 2 Common Whitethroat (display and courtship), 3-4 singing Chiffchaff, 1 Grey Wagtail (Andy Lamb)
 * Plumstead: 3 Swift north at 14:00 first of the year here. (Gus Wilson)
 * Regent's Park/Primrose Hill: 2 Swift, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Sedge Warbler (patch yr-1st) singing in lakeshore dogwoods just R of boathouse café area 5 0745 onward, 2 Grey Wagtail (birdman_euston); 1 Hobby N 0705, 2 Common Tern over lake 0620 (fide Regent's Park Birds blog)
 * Ruislip Lido: 6 House Martin collecting mud (Nigel Sluman)
 * Staines Moor: 2 Hobby, 2 Little Egret, 2 Lapwing, Redshank, Kingfisher, Wheatear, Sedge and Reed Warbler (Paul Boult)
 * Staines Reservoir: 1 Black-necked Grebe (S. Basin), 1 Ringed Plover (N Basin west bank), 2 Little Ringed Plover (S Basin) (A.Luscombe)
 * Stanwell Moor: Grasshopper Warbler, Garden Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, 8 Swallow, 3 Red Kite, Cuckoo and a Weasel (Keith Kerr)
 * Stokes Field KT7: pr Bullfinch, 1 Buzzard over, 5 Whitethroat, 6 Chiffchaff, c10 Blackcap (Bill Dykes)
 * Stoneleigh (Chadacre Road): Herring Gull east, Blue-fronted Amazon Parrot again in gardens stripping blossom from trees (Neil Batten).
 * Swanley Park : Turtle Dove showing well 9.30 usual tree see link, Stock Dove, Egyptian Goose (patch 1st), Mute Swan, 2 Slow worm ...thanks CE (Andy Meaton)
 * Walthamstow South Marsh: 5 Ring-Necked Parakeet, 2 Sedge Warbler, 5 Blackcap, 1 Reed Warbler, 2 Swift (John Sellar)
 * Wanstead Flats: 7 Swallow, 2 House Martin, Sand Martin, 2 Swift, 2 Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, singing Reed Bunting, Linnet, Lesser Redpoll, 7 Pochard (Nick Croft/Tim Harris); Could Brandon Anderson get in touch regarding his Common Redpoll in Wanstead Park on the 3rd April by the website
 * West Brompton SW5: Nuthatch (very vocal) opposite station in small area of railway embankment scrub by Earls Court (unusual here, no doubt on away day from cemetery) (Matt Reed).
 * Wimbledon Park (Lake):  2 Gadwall, 2 Common Tern, 1 Swift, 3 Swallow, 1 House Martin, 5 Herring Gull over, 1 Blackcap in song (Martin Daniel).08.40-09-00

Archived News
LONDON BIRDING NEWS FROM ALMOST EVERY PREVIOUS MONTH SINCE JULY 2002 {C}

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