LatestNews

'''Please do not post details of scarce breeding birds (those included in Schedule 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, amended 2000). Any such reports will be removed. Please list rarest sightings at top rather than alphabetically.'''

Note that records submitted here may be added to the London Natural History Society database for use in the London Bird Report; by posting your news here you are agreeing to have your records copied by the LNHS recorder.

Thursday 19th August

 * Wanstead Flats: Hobby, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Common Whitethroat, 3 Blackcap, 5 Willow Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff, 30+ Long-tailed Tits, 15 Blue Tit, 8 Great Tit (J Lethbridge)
 * Muswell Hill: Communal gardens off Colney Hatch lane: Spotted Flycatcher, 2 coal tits, 1 Goldcrest (P.A)
 * Alexandra Park: 12+ Willow Warblers (6+ Grove, 4+ Top Field, 2 Cricket Scrub), 4+ Blackcaps (2 Grove, 2 Cricket Scrub), no sign of yesterday's Whinchat 0700-0915 (Dominic Mitchell, Bob Watts).

Wednesday 18th August

 * Crayford Marshes: Avocet, Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Ruff, Whimbrel, Curlew, Green Sandpiper, Greenshank, 6+ Oystercatcher, 10+ Common Tern. TWITTER:@londonbirder (KJM).


 * Parklands Fishery, Upminster: Honey Buzzard highish south west at 10.25am.( Dave Morrison)


 * Alexandra Park: Garden Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroats cricket scrub 7am (Bob Watts), Whinchat, Garden Warbler & "many warblers" mid am (Alan Gibson), 2 Whinchat, 2 Spotted Flycatcher and possible Pied Flycatcher late afternoon cricket scrub (James Palmer).


 * Brent Reservoir: 2 Green Sandpiper, 3 Common Sandpiper, 8 Lapwing, 6 Sand Martin (Andrew Verrall). Like the man said, plus a few Chiffchaff (Andrew Haynes).


 * Bromley-by-Bow: 2 Yellow Wagtail over (7am), 2 juv Sparrowhawk, 7 Stock Dove, 2 Sand Martin, 1st yr Great Black-backed Gull, 10 Lesser Black-backed Gulls (2 noisy families), male Common Whitethroat, juv Chiffchaff, flock of Long-tailed Tit, Kingfisher on bridge near 3 Mills Green at 05.30, 2 Grey Wagtail, 10 Coot, 2 Mute Swan (S Fisher)


 * Brookmill Park, Lewisham: 1 Grey Heron, 9 Mallard, 1 Mandarin, 4 Moorhen, 6 Coot, 2 Black-headed Gull,1 Herring Gull, 8 Woodpigeon, 1 Stock Dove, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Grey Wagtail, 4 Wren, 1 Dunnock, 5 Robin, 6 Blackbird, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Blackcap, Blue & Great Tit flock, 2 Starling, 2 Magpie, 2 Carrion Crow, 10 Greenfinch (Conrad Ellam).


 * Crossness: 2 Black Tern still, 1 adult Yellow-legged Gull, Sparrowhawk, also two (at least) Harbour Porpoises from 06.40 - 06.50am off the golf centre (Martin Birch). Still present 18.15 1f C. Scoter, 2 Black Tern + 1 C. Sandpiper (TeRNS).


 * Fulham by Thames 1pm: Yellow Legged Gull. (Michael F)


 * Fulham Reach (Thames and path, c 8am): very little but 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Tufted Duck, a flock of 5+ Goldfinch with juvs, a tit flock with very young Blue Tits, a few House Sparrows - pr Peregrine (Nathalie Mahieu).


 * Fulham Sands End: 1 Common Tern going upriver at 2pm (Nathalie Mahieu),


 * Hammersmith, by Hammersmith Bridge: at least 2 juv at HouseMartin nest, 2 Egyptian Goose still with 4 goslings (very apparent now that one is developping a lot slower than others) (Nathalie Mahieu).


 * Hampstead Heath, Parliament Hill: Spotted Flycatcher, 10 Chiffchaffs, 2 Willow W, 2 Whitethroats, 8 Blackcaps, Swallow and Tree Pipit (W), G C Grebe with one very young (days old) chick on parent's back + another juv from earlier brood. (Pete Mantle)


 * Hyde Park - Serpentine/Longwater: check for BTO NRS Scheme, 2 new broods of Great Crested Grebe - 1 brood still on the adults back and a 3rd pr sitting on nest, copulated did a penguin impersonation, but no eggs as adult stood, 5+ House Martins, 1 immature Lesser Black-backed Gull very tame - no other birds on nests or very young birds about that I saw apart from Moorhen (Michael Mac).


 * Lonsdale Road Reservoir early PM: 2 Common Sandpiper, 4 Mistle Thrush over E, 1 Blackcap, 2 Stock Dove, Teal, Heron, Cormorant, Usuals. (Louis Freeland-Haynes)


 * Mitcham Common: 2 Kestrel (1m, 1f - happy to see her after long gap), Sparrowhawk (f), Green Woodpecker, 10 Goldfinch, Grey Heron at One Island Pond along with 8 Mallard, 4 Coot and 3 Moorhen and a Canada Goose with a pronounced limp in right leg (no obvious sign of injury though) plus usuals and lots of lovely blackberries - yum (Stuart M)


 * Paddington Green: fem Grey Wagtail feeding a single dependent juv (Des McKenzie).
 * Pinner Park Farm: 2 Whinchat, 2 Whitethroat around the main pond, 1 Little Owl, Swallow (Jon Ridge, John Gates, Jon Reveley). Also 1 Hobby, 2 Yellow Wagtail over south, 2 Cormorant over, 25 Mistle Thrush, Green Woodpecker & 5 Grey Heron (JR).
 * Richmond Park: up to 4 Hobbies hunting over Upper Pen Pond by MOONLIGHT, for 15 minutes or so from 20.40. On other recent nights the focus of activity has been over woodland (Stefan Czapski); Peregrine Falcons certainly utilise ambient light after dark, never previously heard of Hobby doing so. Interesting; thanks for posting (DMc).


 * South Norwood Lake: Mute Swan, 3 Cormorant, 20 Tufted Duck, 4 Green Woodpecker, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Nuthatch, c8 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap, 15 Long-tailed Tit, 12 Ring-necked Parakeet, 1 Song Thrush, 4 Swifts, 2 House Martins, 2 House Sparrow, (John Watson)


 * Springfield Park, Hackney: Hobby north up the valley 1400hrs, Willow Warbler, 3 Blackcaps, 2 Goldcrests, Coal Tit (MJP)


 * Stoke Newington Reservoirs: hybrid drake Common Pochard x Tufted Duck, Teal, c20 Swifts, 6 Willow Warblers, 8 Chiffchaffs, 3 Blackcaps, Common Sandpiper, Kingfisher, Common Whitethroat (Mark Pearson & Tony Butler)


 * Tyttenhanger GPs: Wheatear, 2 Tree sparrow, 7 Sand Martin, 5 Common Tern, 3 Kingfisher, 2 Buzzard 14 Mistle Thrush. (Steve Blake)


 * Wanstead Flats: Peregrine south-west at 10:30am, 2 Wheatears (J Lethbridge)


 * Willows Farm (cow field: Whinchat, Wheatear, 14 Pied Wagtail. (Steve B)

Tuesday 17th August

 * Crayford Marsh: Sandwich tern, 40+ Common Tern, 5 Sanderling, 21 Black-Tailed-Godwit, 5 Ringed Plover, 2 Ruff, 2 Greenshank, 4 Redshank, TWITTER: @londonbirder (KJM).
 * Rainham Marshes RSPB: juv White-winged Black Tern on Aveley Pools at 10:18 am (RBA); still showing well from first viewing platform at 15.20 (RBA) but chased by Peregrine at 16.30 and flew towards Thames, where lost to view (per SH). Photos at http://www.pbase.com/127553585 (and subsequent). Also 2 Ruff and several Black-tailed Godwit. Also Curlew Sand on Aveley briefly at 13h30, 1+ Bearded Tit northern boardwalk near Bog Wood sign; no sign thereafter, but male Black Redstart behind Royal Hotel, Purfleet (David Callahan).
 * Crossness: 2 juv Black Tern, fem Common Scoter still in Barking Bay, 2 Sandwich Terns flew east along Thames, 3 Yellow-legged Gulls, 2 Wheatears in the paddocks. (Kev Jarvis, I Stewart, S Carter, R Bonser); Whinchat late p.m on the Thames path (John Archer, Kev Jarvis).
 * Stoke Newington Reservoirs: 2 Common Sandpipers, 4 Blackcaps, 12 Willow Warblers, 5 Common Whitethroats, 15 Reed Warblers, 12 Chiffchaffs, Teal (still on East res), 35 Swifts, 15 Sand Martins, 5 Common Terns, 5 House Martins, Kingfisher (Mark Pearson Hackney Wildlife).
 * Cambridge Circus W1: Swift overhead c10:00 (Des McKenzie).
 * Wanstead Flats: 40+ Mallard, 120 Canada Geese, Little Grebe, 2 Cormorant east, Hobby, 15 ad & 1 juv Herring Gull, 18 ad LBB Gull, 1 ad Yellow-legged Gull (patch tick), 60+ Black-headed Gull, 30 Coot, 5 Moorhen, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Green Woodpecker, 30+ Woodpigeon, House Martin SW, 5 Meadow Pipit, 8 Wren, 3 Robin, Blackbird, 20 Mistle Thrush (19 & 1), 5 Lesser Whitethroat, 7 Common Whitethroat, m & f Blackcap, 4 Willow Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff, 4 Long-tailed Tit, 20+ Blue Tit, 8 Great Tit, 9 Greenfinch, Goldfinch, 9 Magpie, Jay, 2 Jackdaw, 50+ Crow (J Lethbridge). 15:45 - 16:20 - 3 Wheatear, 2 Whinchat, 23 Mistle Thrush, 7 House Martin, Sparrowhawk (S Fisher).
 * Hampstead Heath (06:30-08:30): Nuthatch, 2 Stock Dove, 3 GS Woodpecker, 3-4 Green Woodpecker (heard calling), 4 Willow Warbler, 3 Jay, 5 Black-headed Gull, c60 Woodpigeon, c5 Canada Geese, 8 Egyptian Geese, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 5 Mute Swan, c20 Tufted Duck, c 30 Mallard, c24 Mandarin Duck + numerous Coots, Robins, Wrens, Carrion Crow and tit flocks (Charlie Farrell).
 * Lake Farm CP (Hayes): Whinchat, 3 Wheatears, Hobby over, 3 Skylarks, 2 Reed Buntings and 6 Common Whitethroats (Pete Naylor).
 * Richmond Park: Wheatear, Bog area, juv Hobby flew W early am. (FJM)
 * Paddington Green: Peregrine Falcon (probably a fem; not aged) stooped on and gripped an ad Black-headed Gull 16:05. The gull put up an enormous fight, both quickly dropped out of view below rooftops. PF watched carrying a lifeless BHG low east with some diffuculty half a minute later (finished the gull off on a rooftop?). My 310th London encounter with this raptor since 1988; seen 28 London area hunts, this one being only the 8th that's resulted in success; Pied Wagtail, at least 40 Goldfinch (DMc).
 * Broadwater Lake:1 Little Grebe (R Colne), GC Grebe, 1 Yellow-legged Gull, c6 LBB Gull, 2 Reed Warbler (Roger Dewey).
 * Alexandra Park: 2 Lesser Whitethroat (Cricket Scrub), 8 House Martins (Reservoir) (Mike Benyon); Spotted Flycatcher, 3+ Willow Warblers, 1-2 Whitethroat, 2 Blackcap in mixed flock (Top Field 1740), Swift south below golf course, adult Common Tern Wood Green Res (Bob Watts); 1 Whinchat on W playing field perimeter bushes, 10.00hrs, flew off high SE (J.Cooke).
 * Tower Hamlets Cemetery: 4 House Martin north 1215, RN Parakeet, juv Sparrowhawk; (Ystdy) 2+ Willow Warblers in mixed flock (Bob Watts).
 * Greenwich Park: Willow Warbler, 2 Spotted Flycatchers, the usual species plus at least 5 Swifts (Joe Beale).
 * London W1: Black Redstart alarm calling all day, 4 wader sp. over distantly north 1529 - unIDd, but felt like Green Sands (James Astley).
 * Pinner Park Farm: 1 Spotted Flycatcher along the River Pinn, 2 Little Owl, 2 Sparrowhawk, 7 Grey Heron, 32 Jackdaw, Chiffchaff, Swallow, 1 House Martin over Woodridings Avenue (where it should be) & Green & Great Spotted Woodpecker (Jon Ridge).
 * Roding Valley Park: Sparrowhawk (perched, good views), 2 Willow Warblers, Whitethroat, flock of Long-tailed Tits (Alan Hobson).
 * South Norwood Lake: 1m Sparrowhawk, 3 Mute Swan, 3 Cormorant, 20 adult Tufted Duck + 14 juv, 2 Sand Martins, 4 House Martins, c10 Common Swifts, 3 Green Woodpecker, 4 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Nuthatch, c20 Goldfinch, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap, 4 jay, 1 Pied Wagtail, 2 House Sparrow, also 1 Painted Lady (John Watson).
 * Brookmill Park (Lewisham): 1 Heron, 16 Mallard, 7 Moorhen, 6 Coot, 2 Black-headed Gull, 6 Woodpigeon, 1 Kingfisher, 4 Wren, 4 Robin, 7 Blackbird, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Great Tit, 2 Blue Tit, 2 Magpie, 2 Carrion Crow, 1 Goldfinch, 1 Greenfinch (Conrad Ellam).
 * Wormwood Scrubs: 3 Winchat (Neville Smith ~ 18:00, also Charlie Farrell @ 20:00), 2 Swift, 4 House Martin, c14 Black Headed Gulls, c5 pr LBB Gull, c200 Ring-necked Parakeet getting ready to roost (Charlie Farrell).
 * Mucking landfill site to be turned into nature reserve - according to the BBC website (http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/essex/hi/people_and_places/nature/newsid_8918000/8918517.stm) Essex Wildlife Trust have raised the £100,000 they needed to get the full quota of grants on offer, work will begin by the end of the year when the tip is decomissioned. Next up the Norfolk Wildlife Trust (just outside London) is looking for small change amounting to £144,636 for their Land Purchase Scheme to connect up their reserves in the Bure Valley (http://www.norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk/Support-us/Appeals.aspx). (Nick Croft)
 * Walthanstow res (Lockwood): Greenshank feeding N bank 18.30 + min 4 Common Sands, Kingfisher (water channel N of Banbury) (LB).
 * St James's Park (late Webs Count): 1 Bar-headed x /Greylag with full use of wings, 5 Cormorants (highest count since early 2009), 135 Grey-lag Geese, 19 Canada Geese, 2 Egyptian Geese, 1 Great Crested and 1 Little Grebe, 6 Gadwall, only 2 Lesser-Black-backed Gulls - one flew over several Coots as if checking for any young, but as it went over it took a slight dip in flight as if focusing in? 1 Common Shrew - really minute creature scuttled into cover (Michael Mac). ? Any questions ;)
 * Stockers Lake: 100's of House Martin, Sand Martin & Swallow feeding over the lake accompanied by 2 Swift. Also, 2 Little Egret present on one of the islands with 4 Common Tern. 4 Blackcap feeding near the Shoveler Hide and Little Owl in Stockers farm field (Steve Pash)

Monday 16th August

 * Crossness: fem Common Scoter still on the Thames opposite the golf centre a.m., Sandwich Tern flew west 10:15 (Birdguides); Common Scoter still present in Barking Bay at 15:50 and 3 Common Sandpipers there (Dominic Mitchell, Gareth Richards).
 * Rainham Marshes: Garganey, 2 Avocet, 2 Oystercatcher, 30+ Northern Lapwing, 7+ Ringed Plover, 1/2 Ruff, 2 Dunlin, 5 Greenshank, 4 Redshank, Whimbrel, 15 Black-tailed Godwit, 7 Green Sandpipers, 2 Common Sandpipers, 39 Yellow-legged Gulls Aveley Bay area and 8 Aveley Pools, leucistic Herring Gull with red ring Aveley Bay, 3 Common Gull, single Arctic Terns upstream at 12:00, 12:09 and 12:14 (all seen off Belvedere 15-20 mins later), numerous Common Terns, 3 Northern Wheatear (Dominic Mitchell, Gareth Richards, Andy Tweed, Dave Smith et al).
 * Alexandra Park: Sedge Warbler w perimeter cricket pitch 7pm, 2 Swift & sev House Martins Top Field, 2 Swift Grove, 1+ Willow Warbler in mixed flock Deer Enclosure, 1+ mixed flock near filter beds, several phylloscs in mixed flock near cricket scrub (Gerry Rawcliffe, Bob Watts, Gareth Richards).
 * Staines Reservoirs: 2 Greenshank, juv Arctic Tern, 1st W Little Gull. evening visit. (FJM)
 * Brent Res: Whinchat, Wheatear, Black-tailed Godwit, Ringed Plover, Snipe, 4 Common Sands, Green Sand, 6 Lapwings (Andrew V, Lydia W, Roy B).
 * Ealing W13: Willow Warbler; 1 juv in the garden mid-morning loosely associating with a Long-tailed Tit flock (2nd record for the garden - last one was discovered in my mist net in 2008!). Also Great Spotted Woodpecker - becoming a commoner species in the garden through probably only relating to two or three individuals. (Bill Haines)
 * Fulham Reach, Crabtree Wharf (c9am): 20 Cormorant (most I have seen there in a while), 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull juvs begging from adult - pr Peregrine (Nathalie Mahieu).
 * Hammersmith (not far from Hammersmith Bridge): House Martin feeding young at nest (at least 2nd brood), pr Egyptian Goose still with 4 goslings (Nathalie Mahieu).
 * Hampstead Heath: Whinchat on thistles on Parliament Hill Fields nr Athletics Track. 4+ Green Woodpeckers, Mistle Thrush, 3x Kestrel (Sash Tusa).
 * Houses of Parliament: Peregrine circling over at 09:30 (Paul Boult)
 * Hyde Park / Kensington Gardens: 5 Sand Martin, Swallow, c15 House Martin, Whinchat (in tree canopy nr Old Police House 08:00), Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Blackcap, 8 Willow Warbler, 6-7 Chiffchaff, Spotted Flycatcher (trees west of Kensington Gardens Nursery), also 3 Greylag x Canada Goose, 18 Egyptian Goose, Gadwall, 3 Shoveler, Red-crested Pochard now reduced to 3, juv Grey Wagtail, c60 Long-tailed Tit, c40 Great Tit, 2 Coal Tit, Treecreeper, c750 Starling throughout, at least 20 Chaffinch (15 attending feeders) (Des McKenzie).


 * Pinner Park Farm: 1 Hobby, 1 Little Owl, 15 Stock Dove, 10 Swallow, 7 Grey Heron, Chiffchaff & Green Woodpecker. Quiet again (Jon Ridge).
 * Ruislip: Hobby over Poors Field (Dick Middleton/Steve Pash). Along River Pinn, Ruislip GC - 3 Spotted Flycatcher, 4 Linnet, Blackcap, Whitethroat, 6 Chiffchaff/Willow Warbler, Nuthatch, Sparrowhawk and Kingfisher (Steve Pash).
 * Sainsbury's Nine Elms: Feral Pigeon trapped in the supermarket flying above the checkouts at 1pm (Michael Mac).
 * South Norwood Lake: Mute Swan, 4 Cormorant, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 12 Tufteed Duck, 4 Swallows 6 House Martins, 3 Green Woodpecker, 4 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 4 Chiffchaff, 6 Long-tailed Tit, 5 Ring-necked Parakeet, 3 Jay, 4 House Sparrow (John Watson)
 * Stoke Newington Reservoirs: Common Sandpiper (West Res), Teal (East Res), c40 Swifts (for 20 mins, a.m.), 8 Sand Martins, 10 Willow Warblers, 8 Chiffchaffs, 2 Blackcaps, 6 Common Terns; low-flyover Green Sandpiper and 2 Common Sandpipers onto gull pipes in mid-morning; more Swifts & hirundines evening, also drake hybrid Common Pochard x Tufted Duck, 227 Coot, 89 Tufted Duck, 117 Common Pochard, 31 Shoveler (Mark Pearson & Tony Butler Hackney Wildlife)
 * Tyttenhanger GP's: Little Egret, Greenshank, 6 Common Tern, 4 Little Grebe, (inc 3 fledgling). (Steve Blake)
 * Willows Farm (cow field) : 2 Wheatear, 2 Linnet, 5 pied Wagtail. (Steve B)
 * Wanstead Flats (06:00-09:00;13:00-14:00): Hobby (early pm north side) 2 Kestrel, 2 Goldcrest (in yew by cemetry yay! patch year tick 101), c.80+ Black-headed Gull, 7 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 2 Common Gull, 3 Herring Gull (1 juv), 2 Collared Dove, 4 Green Woodpecker, 2 GS Woodpecker, 3 Mistle Thrush, 12 Greenfinch, 5 Cormorant, 5 Willow Warbler, 7 C. Whitethroat, L. Whitethroat, Chiffchaff, 1 Sand Martin, 4 House Martin, 1 RN Parakeet, 1 Meadow Pipit (Carrying food!) (Nick Croft); 1 Hobby, 3 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk - in the air together over Centre Road at 3:30pm (J Lethbridge)
 * Walthamstow Reservoirs (16:00-20:30): Wheatear (juv), 3 Common Sandpiper, Oystercatcher (h), many Common Terns (and young on rafts), 2 Grey Wagtail, juv Pied Wagtail, an unsurprisingly large number of Gulls, Cormorant, Coot, Tufted Duck and unsurprisingly I didn't count them, some Pochard (including 1 female who looked to be under the effect of the blue-green algae toxins), 1 Teal, Sand Martin, House Martin, Swallow, 1 Swift, 1 Ring-necked Parakeet, some Heron, some more Little Egret... hang on I could have seen all this on Wanstead... and not seen an Osprey (Nick Croft). Lockwood from 16:25 - Juvenile Cuckoo unexpectedly flushed on bank at about 4 metres flew off low onto Totenham Marsh, Wheatear (juv), 4 Little Egret, family of Pied Wagtails, 1 Swallow. Res No 4 - 2 juvenile Black necked Grebe? (record was logged in the book from several days earlier) with slightly bigger bird that appeared all black, due to fading light couldn't figure out what was going on, also wanted to get back to tube station, Oystercatcher heard but not seen, 10 Swifts and about 10 House Martins, noisey Cormorant colony's (Michael Mac)
 * Wanstead Park (09:00-13:00): Whinchat (old sewage works), 3 Song Thrush, 10 Robin, 3 Blackbird, 4 C. Whitethroat, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Willow Warbler, 10+ Chiffchaff, 6 Blackcap, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (osw), 7 G Woodpecker, 2 GS Woodpecker, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Common Gull, c.20+ Black-headed Gull, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 2 Herring Gull, 18 Cormorant, Little Egret (osw down the Roding), 3 Stock Dove, 2 Collared Dove, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, 2 Gadwall (Perch), 8 Pochard (Heronry), Tufted Duck, Teal and Shoveler (SoM), 12 Little Grebe (incl. young), c. 40 House Martin and Sand Martin (the later being in the majority - over Heronry), and the Turacao whom I wooed out of the trees, never seen him flying before and he has pretty wonderful red underwings (Nick Croft 57 sp in total). Hobby along River Roding and 4 Swift over c15:00 (S Fisher)
 * Ingrebourne Valley: 2 Snipe, 4 Green Sandpiper, Hobby, 4 Teal.(Shaun Harvey)
 * Streatham Common: 2 green woodpecker, 1 great spot (RB)

Sunday 15th August

 * St Johns Way, near Caxton, Archway - Male Tawny owl calling 2am followed shortly after by female.
 * Stoke Newington Reservoirs: Teal,GBB Gull, 8 Willow Warblers, 6 Chiffchaffs, 10 Reed Warblers, 3 Swifts, 30 Sand Martins, 5 House Martins, 3 Swallows. Also unID'ed wader, v probably Ruff (....), west early a.m., and c15 Purple Hairstreaks (Mark Pearson)
 * Peabody Hill Estate, SE21: Little Egret high and NW, 3 Willow Warblers, Chiffchaff, Coal Tit, Goldcrest; Jersey Tiger in community centre garden (Mark Pearson)
 * Crayford Marsh: Marsh harrier,(f) Black Tern, (juv) 3 Sandwich Tern, 4 Avocet, Whimbrel, 7 Greenshank. TWITTER: @londonbirder (KJM).
 * Beddington Farmlands: 1 Osprey moving southwest, 1 Marsh Harrier south, 4 Whimbrel west, 1 juvenile Ruff circling, a flock of 21 Cormorants drifted southwest, 2 Common Terns flew south and 27 Teal, 10 Shoveler and 3 Snipe arrived on site. There was also 17 Green Sandpiper, 4 Common Sandpiper, 3-4 Greenshank and 1 Whinchat photos here
 * Brent Reservoir: Black-tailed Godwit again in east marsh but elusive, also 6 Green Sands & Wheatear, juv Marsh Harrier over East at 11.20 (Brent Birders)
 * Ruislip Lido/Woods: 84 Mute Swan, 192 Mallard, m Gadwall, 20 Tufted Duck, 10 Pochard, 6 + juv Great-crested Grebes, 3 Comorant, 2 Kestrel, 2 possibly 3 Hobby (1 Lido + others eastern open areas Bayhurst Wood), 2 juv Sparrowhawks calling (1 seen briefly), 282 Coot, ad + juv Common Tern, c30 Swallow (fields Mad Bess Wood), 30+ House Martin, 3 Grey + 20+ Pied Wagtail, Spotted Flycatcher (Poor's Field), 10+ Chiffchaff, 26 Jackdaw (in field) (Neil Anderson)
 * Wanstead Flats: ad Yellow-legged Gull with 7 Lesser Black backs early am, Yellow Wagtail NW, 2 Kestrel, 2-3 Sparrowhawk, 10 Greater Whitethroat, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Meadow Pipit (S Fisher, T Harris)


 * Wanstead Park: Kingfisher, 12 Stock Dove, Hobby, 4 Shoveler, eclipse Teal, 9 Pochard, Willow Warbler, 6 Chiffchaff, 12 House Martin, Little Egret (Roding), 5 Swift S, 6 Blackcap (S Fisher) 18:00-21:00: Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (Old sewage works), 5 Swift (3 over Heronry going north), Hobby over Reservoir Wood (later 2 over golf course - Tim Harris), Sparrowhawk (juv) calling NE Bush Wood, Teal still on SoM, 3 Shoveler, 2 Pochard (Heronry), 7 Tufted Duck, 18 Little Grebe (11 juv), Lesser Whitethroat, Blackcap, C. Whitethroat, Chiffchaff (osw), 6 Sand Martin, 5 House Martin (Nick Croft) Pipistrelle (T Harris)
 * Crossness: female Common Scoter, 4 Sandwich Terns, juvenile Black Tern, 2 juvenile Mediterranean Gulls, 2 adult Yellow-legged Gulls, 9 Common Sandpipers, Wheatear, Sedge Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, 5 Swallows flew north (John Archer, Kev Jarvis, Ian Miller, Richard Bonser)
 * East India Dock Basin NR: 3 Sandwich Terns east, 85 Common Terns, 7 Common Sandpipers, 3 House Martins, Sparrowhawk, 5 Teal. (Gary A James, Nick Tanner).
 * Rainham Marshes: 10 Ringed Plover, 30+ Northern Lapwing, 3 Green Sandpipers, 2 Common Sandpipers, 3 Greenshank, 6 Redshank, 10 Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Avocet, 3 Common Snipe, 2 Ruff, 3 Dunlin, 2 Yellow-legged Gulls, 2 Sandwich Terns (one off Coldharbour Point, the other heading upriver with Common Terns), 6 Yellow Wagtails, Whinchat near sea wall 125 m from Aveley Bay car park, Bullfinch briefly in scrub at c 6.45 am (Dominic Mitchell) 3 Whimbrels dropped in to roost on main pool at 6pm (Ian Bradshaw); overall: Marsh Harrier (Wennington Mound), 3 Black Terns, 6 Sandwich Terns, juv Mediterranean Gull, 2 Wheatears, 3 Whinchats, 12 Yellow-legged Gulls, 9 Common Sands, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 4 Avocets, 6 Green Sands, 100+ Stock Doves, 152 Common Terns, 3 Greenshanks, 11 Black-tailed Godwits, 11 Ringed Plover, 50+ Teal, 2 Dunlin, Ruff, 7 Kestrels, Grey Seal (David Callahan, with Jonathan Wasse, Ruth Barnes, Howard Vaughan for the seabirds).
 * King George V Res: 2 juvenile Little Gulls on south basin this morning (per RBA)
 * Alexandra Park: Yellow Wagtail SW 0950 (1st of year!), Garden Warbler & 2 Willow Warblers Cricket Scrub, Willow Warbler Boating Lake, 15+ House Martins, juv Rook (Bob Watts, Gerry Rawcliffe, Andrew Gardener, Gareth Richards, Dominic Mitchell, Alan Gibson et al).
 * LVRP: Red-crested Pochard (eclipse male) - Bowyers Water. 3 Green Sandpipers - Hall Marsh. 2 Wigeon, 2 Teal - Friday Lake (Mike Oakland)
 * Ingrebourne Valley: Little Owl (Shaun Harvey,Dave Morrison)Evening only Wood sandpiper(DJeffries)2 Greenshank(Shaun Harvey,Dave Morrison)
 * Walthamstow: 2 juv Black Terns and 2 juv Wheatears Lockwood. 57 spp this morning. (Paul Whiteman)
 * Greenwich Peninsula: Whinchat by Beckham Academy
 * Staines Reservoir: female Marsh Harrier came in from the west (over King George VI Res) at 12.14, then drifted over the south basin and off to the SE - lost from view at about 12.20; also juv Little Gull and juv Arctic Tern (Andrew Moon, Pete Naylor). Photos of harrier on London Birders.
 * Pinner Park Farm: 1 Hobby, 1 Little Owl, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Whitethroat, Chiffchaff, 8 Grey Heron & 17 Swallow (Jon Ridge).
 * Location Withheld: 150+ Ring-necked Parakeet - there appears to be a pre-roost gathering in the southeast corner of this site, with 142 counted flying into trees between 19:30 & 19:55. At 19:58, the whole swirling mass (at least 150+) took to the air & headed off southeast (JR).
 * Hampstead Heath: 3 Hobbies (1 Juvenile) excellent views of them hunting insects at tree height at dusk, 1 Nuthatch and 5 Tawny Owls calling at seperate locations within about 10 minutes (Michael Mac).
 * Broadwater: 2 Kingfisher (along the river Colne), 5 Common Tern, pr Ringed Plover, 5 Common Tern, 2 Swallow, 2 Common Buzzard, 2 Egyptian Geese, c20 Greylag Goose, c20 Lapwing, c400 Coot, c150 Tufted Duck. On Harefield: Little Egret, 1 Pied Wagtail, 7 Common Tern, c340 Black Headed Gull. (Charlie Farrell)
 * Stocker's Lake: c20 House Martin, c12 Swallow, Sparrowhawk, c40 Great Crested Grebe, c70 Canada Goose, 6 Goldfinch, 2 Ring Necked Parakeet, 1 Common Tern (Charlie Farrell)

Saturday 14th August

 * Stoke Newington Reservoirs: 2 Common Sandpipers, Garden Warbler, 3 Swifts (Tony Butler & Mark Pearson)
 * Beddington Farmlands: 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Wheatear, 6 Greenshank, 17 Green Sandpiper, 5 Common Sandpiper, 1 Red-crested Pochard, 7 Teal, 1 Garden Warbler Photos here
 * Broadwater lake. 8 Ad+Sub Ad. Y L Gull, 400 Coot and 80 Lapwing, not much else ( John Edwards )
 * Bedfords Park LNR: Wood Warbler (site tick) with mixed tit-flock EWT car park area, from 17.55hrs. Bird showed well for 10 minutes in a sycamore and silver birch in NW corner of car park then lost when more birds joined the flock (becoming more mobile) until one final brief glimpse at 19.00. As well as the Long-tailed, Blue and Great Tits the flock included 4 Chiffchaffs, 1 Willow Warbler, 2 Treecreeper, 2 Coal Tit, 1 Nuthatch, 1+ Goldcrest and several Chaffinch. Also 5 Swift over at 18.45. (Colin Jupp)
 * Brent Reservoir: Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Green Sands, 3 Common Sands, 8 Lapwings, Snipe & Hobby (Brent Birders)
 * Crossness: Black Tern Juvenile near outfall, Juv Med Gull, Wheatear, Willow Warbler, Redshank this morning (Kev Jarvis); juv Little Gull flew west @ 16.05, Wood Sandpiper flew high east along Thames @ 16.30, 4 Black Terns (ad + 3 juvs) feeding at Power Station outfall this evening, 420+ Common Terns (200 at Poer Station outfall, 220+ flew west 1515-1715), juv Med Gull still this evening (John Archer).
 * Limetrees Park Golf Course (Northolt): 4 juv Mute Swan, Dabchick + 4 well grown juv, Snipe, 4 Stock Dove, Whitethroat, pr Jays (Neil Anderson)
 * Rainham Marshes: Wood Sandpiper, 5 Green Sandpipers, 4 Common Sandpipers, Greenshank, 4 Redshank, 10 Black-tailed Godwits, Whimbrel, 7 Common Snipe, 3 Oystercatchers, 4 Avocets, 10 Ringed Plover, ad Little Ringed Plover, 50+ Northern Lapwing, 6 Dunlin (3 juvs), Sanderling, 2 Ruff, Eurasian Wigeon, 10+ Little Egrets, 5 Yellow-legged Gulls, 2 ad argentatus Herring Gulls, 10 Common Terns, Marsh Harrier, Ring-necked Parakeet, Yellow Wagtail, Northern Wheatear and numerous warblers, including many Acrocephalus, 3 Cetti’s, and single Lesser Whitethroat and Willow Warbler (Dominic Mitchell); 2 more Wood Sandpipers later in the morning (Dave Smith) before all three departed; juv Yellow-legged Gull, 2 female/eclipse Garganey, Whinchat (David Callahan); Black Tern and Little Tern upriver mid-afternoon (Ruth Barnes).
 * Alexandra Park: Whinchat until 10am at least west perimeter cricket pitch, juv Rook, 4+ Willow Warblers & Chiffchaff in mixed tit flock Boating Lake, also 4 juv Dabchicks there too, Willow Warbler Wood Green Res (Bob Watts, Andrew Gardener). Raven seen 15 June mobbed by crows flying towards site from Weston / Coburg Road (Paul Rawlins).
 * Sharvel Lane (Hillingdon): f. Sparrowhawk, f. Kestrel, pr Swallow feeding 5 juvs on stable roof (I was shown nest site used inside), Pied Wagtail + 2 juv (stables), Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat, 2 Chiffchaff, 60+ Goldfinches feeding on thistles (Neil Anderson)
 * Wanstead Flats (07:00-09:00; 12:00-14:30): 2 Northern Wheatear, 2 Whinchat (m, and f pm), Robin, Blackbird, Song Thrush, flocks of 14, 16 and finally 24 Mistle Thrush, 6 Madow Pipit, 4 Skylark, 4+ Blackcap, 10+ Common Whitethroat, 3 Willow Warbler, 6+ Chiffchaff, 2+ Lesser Whitethroat (hurrah for tit flocks!), 4 House Martin, 8 Collared Dove (some kind of record surely?), 4 Stock Dove, Wood Pigeon, Kestrel, 4 Sparrowhawk (including 1 juv calling ffrom the cemetry), 7 Cormorant, 100+ Black-headed Gull (inc. 81 in Alex day roost), 4 Common Gull, 10 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 2 Herring Gull, Little Grebe, Jay, Jackdaw etc. (42 species - no sign of the Wheatear in the afternoon) (Nick Croft, Stuart Fisher, Jonathan Lethbridge)
 * Wanstead Park (09:00-12:00): Hobby (Reservoir Wood - 2 on the White Tower, Bush Wood- JL), 2 Sparrowhawk (and having finally seeing a female in the same situation as the biguns of yesterday I am of the conclusion Goshawk, or in this case -hawks and as such "yay! patch tick/London tick 100/155"), Kestrel, Common Sandpiper (Heronry), 2 Little Egret (R. Roding - one doing the feet paddly thing to great success), flock of c20-30 Sand/House Martins (Heronry - mainly Sand), c.10+ Willow Warbler (1 singer), c.10+ Blackcap (more than 1 sotto singer), 10+ C. Whitethroat, 2 + immaculate Lesser Whitethroat, 10+ Chiffchaff (mainly down the old sewage farm, but hurrah for tit flocks!), Chaffinch, 3 Goldfinch, Greenfinch, 5 Tufted Duck, 1 Shoveler, Little Grebe, Kingfisher (Perch), 2 Stock Dove, 6 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 10+ BH Gull, 6 Ring-necked Parakeet, 4 Cormorant, Jay, Jackdaw etc. (The mystery warbler still remains a mystery but is likely to be either a C.W, L.W, or Bcp - pity I'd just about crossed the t's and dotted the i's on Icterine, ah well lose some, lose some!) (Nick Croft, Stuart Fisher and all too briefly Jonathan Lethbridge)
 * Pinner Park Farm: 1 Whinchat behind the yard, 1 Wheatear on farm buildings, 1 Hobby, 1 Little Owl, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Willow Warbler, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 5 Whitethroat, 4+ Chiffchaff, 17 Swallow, 23 Jackdaw, 4 Grey Heron & 51 Black-headed Gull. Also 2 Sparrowhawk (inc one juvenile), at Headstone Manor (Jon Ridge).
 * Wormwood Scrubs: 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Sedge Warbler along the railway embankment, other warblers also present included Lesser Whitethroat, Common Whitethroat, Garden Warbler, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Blackcap, plus 1 fem Sparrowhawk and a flock of 60+ Goldfinch. (N.Smith)
 * Crossness: 7 Black-tailed Godwit, 5 C0mmon & 1 Green Sandpiper + Black Tern still present (Conrad Ellam)
 * Brookmill Park, Lewisham: 16 Mallard, 1 Mandarin, 6 Moorhen, 6 Coot, 2 Black-headed Gull, 1 Ring-necked Parrakeet, 6 Woodpigeon, 1 Stock Dove, 1 Grey Wagtail, 3 Wren, 10 Robin, 4 Blackbird, 2 Great Tit, 1 Blue Tit, 2 Magpie, 1 Carrion Crow, 2 Greenfinch. (Conrad Ellam)
 * Rotherhithe: cracking juv Little Gull lingering off Greenland Pier at 1645-1655; 2 Sandwich Terns east at 1702 (thanks to whoever put these on the pager as they passed Tower Bridge at 1643). Best 20 minutes of Rotherhithe birding (Richard Bonser)
 * Ingrebourne Valley: 2 Common Tern ( Shaun Harvey)
 * Lea Valley - Netherhall / Glen Faba: Lesser Whitethroat (2), Whitethroat (30+), Garden Warbler (2), Blackcap (10), Chiffchaff (4), Willow Warbler (2), Reed Warbler (2), Green Woodpecker (8), Stock Dove (2), Tufted Duck (207), Shoveler (6), Gadwall (1), Egyptian Goose (3 - inc 1 juv), Black Swan (1 on flood relief channel), Great Crested Grebe (35) (Nigel May).
 * Lea Valley: Hall Marsh Scrape: 3 Green Sandpipers (James Anderson)
 * Hampstead Heath: 1900-2030: Whitethroat, Blackcap, Common Tern (year tick), 1x Swift over, 4x Egyptian Geese (Highgate Boating pond), fem & imm Kestrel, Heron, several Tawny Owls calling (Sash Tusa)
 * Clapham Common (bit of a goose chase): Eagle Pond, pr Egyptian Geese with 7 half grown goslings, 38 Canada Geese, 1 Cormorant drying wings. Mount Pond - 28 Grey-lag Geese, 5 Canada/Grey-lag hybrids, 1 singing Robin, 1 Ring-necked Parakeet - rennovation of this pond with new area of reeds planted, will it attract warblers? Also new reeds along banks and all round island, could explain lack of Egyptian Geese on the island as reeds block flight from bank onto the island where they used to gather in numbers in previous years, also as work took place middle of spring seems to have interrupted Coot breeding as not one juvenile seen (Michael Mac).
 * Lonsdale Road Res: brief visit... lotsof bird activity, with a large mixed flock of Long-tailed, Great and Blue Tits, with Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler and Blackcap all alongside. Brief views of a possible Garden Warbler but not conclusive. Also 1 Common Tern, 2 Little Grebe, 2 Cormorant, 4 Teal, 15+ House Martin, 2 Stock Dove,. No Kingfisher yet though (that'll teach me to go away for a few days and miss 2 site ticks last week - congrats to MB and LF-H!). (Rich Petley).
 * Walthamstow res (Lockwood viewed from house 16.30-17.30): juv Little Gull & juv Arctic Tern with a few C Terns & Sand Martins, Common Sandpiper (Lol Bodini).

Friday 13th August

 * Beddington Farmlands: 15+ Willow Warbler, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 10+ Whitethroat, 8+ Blackcap, 1 Greenshank, 10+ Green Sandpiper, 4 Common Sandpiper, 4 Teal, 4 Shelduck Warbler pics
 * Crayford Marsh: 4 Avocet, Black-Tailed-Godwit, 5 Greenshank, Curlew, Redshank.TWITTER: @londonbirder (KJM).
 * Hyde Park / Kensington Gardens: no sign of yesterday's Ruff at Round Pond early a.m.; Little Egret west over north end of Longwater 06.57 (second of the year), 4 Common Tern (2 ad and 2 well-grown juv), 3 Sand Martin, at least 20 House Martin, Northern Wheatear, 7 Blackcap, 4 Willow Warbler, 9 Chiffchaff, Spotted Flycatcher; also 66 Mute Swan, 21 Egyptian Goose, 2 Mandarin Duck (fem and juv), 12 Gadwall, 2 Shoveler, 19 Red-crested Pochard (at least 11 eclipse m), juv Little Grebe, 4 juv Lesser Black-backed Gull (inc a very dark individual), 4 Green Woodpecker, 2 Song Thrush, Nuthatch, 5 Treecreeper (1 singing) (Des Mckenzie).
 * Hammersmith flyover A4 Little Egret flew west along road @ 7:00am presumably des's bird.(Paul Hawkins)
 * Crossness: 2 Wheatear, Garden warbler, Hobby, 3 Willow warblers, 6 Black-Tailed godwits, 5 Chiffchaffs, ad Yellow-legged gull. (Kev Jarvis, John Archer).
 * Rainham Marshes: female Merlin low and fast north over seawall at 815, lost it as it reached the railway, 4 Avocets and 8+ Yellow-legged Gull in Aveley Bay, Lesser and Common Whitethroats, Willow Warblers and Chiffchaffs on the Serin Mound with the finch flock (James Astley).
 * Alexandra Park: Whinchat on western perimeter of cricket pitch 9.40 am (Gareth Richards). 2 Willow Warblers, 2 Lesser Whitethroat Cricket Scrub 7am (Bob Watts).Whinchat still present 2005 western perimeter cricket pitch, also juv Rook and 25+ House Martins over Circus car park (Bob Watts).
 * Clissold Park: very tolerant juv Northern Wheatear (found by LP 1000hrs, still present 1140) - first of the year and less than annual in Hackney, Swift, Hobby (Laurence Pitcher & Mark Pearson Hackney Wildlife). (photos on site, also of yesterday's presumed confused mixed singing Chiffchaff)
 * Brookmill Park (Lewisham): 1 Heron, 20 Mallard, 6 Moorhen, 6 Coot, 1 Black-headed Gull, 1 Herring Gull, 2 Kingfisher, 6 Woodpigeon,1 Stock Dove, 1 Grey Wagtail, 3 Wren, 7 Robin, 6 Blackbird, 2 Song Thrush, 1 Blackcap, 2 Great Tit, 4 Blue Tit, 3 Starling, 4 Magpie, 1 Carrion Crow, 4 Goldfinch, 5 Greenfinch, 1 Chaffinch (Conrad Ellam).
 * Forest Gate- ondaroof (19:00-20:45): 2 Peregrine Falcon scaring the doodie out of the pigeons on a tower block down the Romford Road, 1 Sparrowhawk, Little Egret (NW - house and patch tick - yay!), 2 Sand Martins, 16 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 2 Greater Black-backed Gull, 10 Herring Gull, 1 Common Gull, Robin (h), Greenfinch, 5 Collared Dove, 20 Wood Pigeon, 2 Cormorant, 12 Starling, 8 Carrion Crow, Magpie - now = 16 best site in London (Nick Croft)
 * Ingrebourne Valley: Greenshank over 09:25 (patch tick), 2 Green Sandpiper from viewing platform (James Astley).
 * London Wetland Centre: 22 Teal, 15 Shoveler, Sparrowhawk, 45+ Lapwing, Common Snipe, 7 Common Tern (inc a juv), 60+ Sand Martin, 10+ House Martin, Cetti's Warbler, 6 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler (LWC website).
 * Paddington Green: imm fem Sparrowhawk, fem Peregrine Falcon p.m., 1-2 Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail (DMc).
 * Pinner Park Farm: 2 Little Owl, 30+ Swallow - not a single House Martin in sight inexplicably since 28th July, 9 Grey Heron, several Chiffchaff, 1 Whitethroat, 40 Black-headed Gull & 37 Canada Goose. Nearby at Headstone Manor: 3 Sparrowhawk, including one juvenile (Jon Ridge).
 * Fulham, by Wandsworth Bridge - 1pm. Yellow Legged Gull. (Michael F)
 * Tyttenhanger GP's: 6 Black-tailed Godwit (over SW), Green Sandpiper, Wheatear, 2 Buzzard. (Steve Blake)
 * Crystal Palace Lake (Yesterday): not much very dead, final check for BTO NRS Scheme - 1 Grey Heron, pr Great-crested Grebe together but not bred as one turned up very late this season - water level very low, pr Mute Swans also failed this year, 1 ill looking Black-headed Gull, 1 brood Moorhens, 1 brood Coots, 20 Mallards (Michael Mac).
 * Wanstead Flats (06:00-10:00): Yellow-legged Gull (yay patch tick) on football pitches next to the changing rooms @06:15 for ten minutes then flew off south, c.80 Black-headed Gull, 26 Lesser Black-backed Gull (including 14 in day roost by Alex), 4 Common Gull, 5 Herring Gull, 5 Sparrowhawk (group of 3 over cemetry, north), 2 Kestrel, Hobby over Bush Wood/Reservoir Wood but seen from the flats, Carrion Crow, 6 Jay, 10+ Magpie, 4 Jackdaw, 6 Cormorant, 3 Green Woodpecker, 2 Greater-spotted Woodpecker, 4 Mistle Thrush, possible Whinchat on the SSI (briefly in flight and unable to track down), 5 Chiffchaff, 6 Willow Warbler (including 1 singer), C. Whitehroat, 2 Lesser Whitethroat east of Long Wood, Blackcap, 4 Meadow Pipit, 2 Collared Dove, 3 Stock Dove, 2 House Martin (Nick Croft)
 * Wanstead Park (10:00-15:00):Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (old sewage works), 2 Greater-spotted Woodpecker, 4 Green Woodpecker, c. 20 Sand Martin, c.10 House Martin (over Heronry), numerous Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, C. Whitethroat, 10+ Blackcap (old sewage works), and the sub-song mystery bird from the flats has now re-appeared but mobile in the old sewage works area, Kingfisher (Roding/osw), Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, 2 Shoveler, 3 Tufted Duck and 2 Gadwall (on Perch), Little Egret (west over), Heron, 2 Kestrel (osw), Hobby calling over Bush/Reservoir Wood and later Ornamental Waters, 2 suspiciously large Hawks doing display type stuff over osw and woods to north, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 2 Herring Gull, c.20 Black-headed Gull, Song Thrush, Ring-Necked Parakeet, Stock Dove, Goldfinch, Greenfinch (Nick Croft)
 * Trent Park: 5 Lesser Whitethroat, 6 Common Whitethroat, 2 Garden Warbler, Willow Warbler, 7 Chiffchaff, 3 Mandarin (f). ( Pete Lowman).
 * Stoke Newington Reservoirs: c16 Chiffchaffs (inc. mixed singer again, LWT garden), 10 Willow Warblers, 2 Common Whitethroats, 15+ Reed Warblers, Sedge Warbler, Garden Warbler, c30 House Martins, 15 Sand Martins, 8 Swallows, 21 Shoveler, 2 Goldcrests, 20+ Common Terns through, 2 Swifts (MJP); also 2 Common Sandpipers (am) West Res (D Holden).
 * Walthamstow res (Lockwood): adult + juv Dunlin this pm (Gavin Coultrip via L Bodini).

Thursday 12th August

 * Crayford Marsh: Avocet, 2 Whimbrel, 5 Ringed Plover, Lesser Whitethroat. (KJM).
 * Blackheath: 1 calling Crossbill over, west, midday (Joe Beale).


 * Hyde Park / Kensington Gardens: juv Ruff showing down to 3ft range (initially) having pitched down at 11:40, then feeding amongst the algae at the eastern side of Round Pond until 13:00 at least, Yellow Wagtail over at 12:40 landed on grass at south-west corner of Round Pond but soon departed (Des McKenzie et al), 10+ House Martin, Spotted Flycatcher with large tit-flock, c10 Blackcap, c9 Chiffchaff, 5 Willow Warbler; also 18 Red-crested Pochard, juv Little Grebe, 15 Great Crested Grebe, ad Grey Heron mauled by dog (only sustained feather damage), 190 Coot, 289 Black-headed Gull (DMc). Ruff still present 17.00 (DMc per JA); and still present and showing down to 3ft at 18:00 (DMc, Nick Tanner); still present at 18:45 when it was observed walking over the fingers of an observer who was laying down whilst trying to photograph it (Noel Lever per DMc).
 * Regent's Park: Pied Flycatcher still showing in the northeast enclosure early morning, possibly glimpsed again at 10.30am but not since, also Spotted Flycatcher, Garden Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, 7 Common Whitethroats plus Willow Warblers, Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps (Tony Duckett & Birdguides)
 * Staines Reservoir: Black Tern still till 5.13pm at least. Also drake aythya, probably a hybrid, but vermiculation on back appears a little coarse for Tufted x Pochard which is presumably what it would be and a bit too soft for Lesser Scaup ... also not sure if there's too much of a tuft. Has anyone seen and identified this bird before? photo here (David Campbell).
 * Canons Farm and Banstead Woods: 3 Golden Plovers flew low NNW, calling, at 8.40am, 1+ Hobby, 2 Common Buzzards, 1+ Sparrowhawk, 4 Yellowhammers (including 2 juvs), 22 Pied Wagtails, 11 Chiffchaffs, 10 Common Whitethroats, Blackcap, 6 Swallows, Skylark, 2 Bullfinches, Treecreeper, 5+ Nuthatches, 4 Coal Tits, 4+ Stock Doves, c.25 Linnets, 4 Green Woodpeckers, Great Spotted Woodpecker, 22 Black-headed Gulls on Legal & General playing field (David Campbell).


 * Alexandra Park: 2 Willow Warblers & Lesser Whitethroat 7am but no sign of yesterday's Whinchats (Bob Watts) Juv Rook on cricket pitch from 1830, also 6+ House Martins, 6+ Willow Warblers Top Field (Gerry Rawcliffe et al).
 * Crossness: juv Med Gull, juv Yellow-legged Gull, 2 Garden Warblers, Wheatear, Willow Warbler, 20+ House Martins (Kev Jarvis & John Archer).
 * Pinner Park Farm: 1 Hobby, 43 Swallow, 1 Little Owl, 2 Swift, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Whitethroat, 73 Black-headed Gull & 45 Canada Goose (Jon Ridge).
 * South Lodge Farm, Enfield: 1 fem/imm Northern Wheatear, (my first of the autumn!) (Robert Callf).
 * Tower Hamlets Cemetery: 2+ Willow Warblers in mixed tit flock early pm (1+ Tuesday) in Cherry Glade (Bob Watts).
 * Vicarage Farm, Enfield: 1 Sedge Warbler, (my first record of the year locally!) (Robert Callf).
 * Stoke Newington Reservoirs: mixed singing (Chiffchaff / Willow Warbler) Phylloscopus warbler in LWT garden (appearance apparently much as for Chiffchaff - photos on site later), 4 Willow Warblers, 6 Chiffchaffs, 1 Swift, 7 Sand Martins west, Blackcap, plus the usuals (MJP)
 * Ruislip Lido: Wheatear on willow lawn north of Waters Edge pub, also 3 Common Tern, 2 Pochard and 5 Blackcap (Martin Sullivan).
 * Brent Res: Snipe, 3 Common Sands, 6+ Lapwing, 50+ Swifts, Willow Warbler (Andrew Verrall, John Gravatt)
 * Tyttenhanger GP's: Wheatear, Little Owl. (Steve B)
 * Ingrebourne Valley: Sparrowhawk, 2 Teal, Green Sandpiper, LBB,(Shaun Harvey)
 * Westminster Bridge: 2 Peregrine at about 1700. Harassing juv LBB/Herring Gulls and a Cormorant! Anyone ever seen this behaviour before? (KB)
 * Fulham: FOUR Sparrowhawks, after a few days watching, assumed as two juveniles and a pair. Proof of breeding? a few blog posts about them (Michael F)
 * Richmond Park: 1 Wheatear, 1 Reed Warbler, 2-3 Willow Warblers (Hugh Bradshaw)

Wednesday 11th August

 * Brent Reservoir: Wood Sandpiper still in East Marsh all day, plus 1m Wigeon, 8 Lapwing, 1 Common Snipe, 1 Greenshank, 5 Green Sandpiper, 3 Common Sandpiper, 1 Swift, 1 Kingfisher, 4 Sand Martin (Brent Birders).
 * Kempton Nature Reserve: Spotted Flycatcher mainly seen resting on the fence near the east viewing screen.


 * Regent's Park: Pied Flycatcher 1st w in small enclosure at NE end of lake, still present at 6.30pm, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, Garden Warbler, 6 Reed Warblers, 14 Willow Warblers, 8 Chiffchaff, 12 Blackcaps, 4 C. Whitethroats, Kingfisher, 20 Swifts (Tony Duckett ,Birdguides).
 * Ilford: Osprey over Ilford Golf Course this afternoon (Birdguides)


 * West Thurrock: Osprey circled over Alexandra Lake, Lakeside at 13:15 (Birdguides).


 * Staines Reservoir: Black Tern with Little Gull, Arctic Tern and 3 Black-necked Grebe (Birdguides). Mediterranean Gull, juvenile, evening (KLP).


 * Staines Moor: fem/imm Redstart in hawthorns at north end, 2 Little Egret (Oliver Metcalf).


 * Alexandra Park: 2 Whinchat western perimeter cricket pitch 1910 and at least one until 2035, also 8+ Willow Warblers (6+ Top Field, 2 West end Lower Slopes) 1800-1900, 6 Swifts north over CS 8pm, Garden Warbler Conservation Pond am (Bob Watts, Dave Callahan, Dominic Mitchell, Gareth Richards, Gerry Rawcliffe).


 * Bromley-by-Bow: Green Sandpiper NW (Walthamstow bound I bet, 05.40), 1 Common Sand (Channelsea), Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (only 2nd sighting), 4 Stock Dove, Grey Wag, Pied Wag, 32 Mallard, 4 Sand Martin plus usuals (S Fisher)


 * Brook Green Common: Kestrel spotted at 9am (Tesco side)! It was sitting on the grass then flew happily into a tree where it perched for 10 seconds then disappeared into other, nearby, trees (K.J. Beddows).


 * Canons Farm and Banstead Woods: Hobby, Common Buzzard, Meadow Pipit, 3 Willow Warblers, 12 Common Whitethroats, 12 Chiffchaffs, 4+ Blackcaps, 2+Swifts, 24+ House Martins, 8+ Swallows, imm. Cormorant over, 5+ Yellowhammers, Sparrowhawk, 1+ Bullfinch, Pheasant, 3+ Goldcrests, 4 Treecreepers, 4+ Nuthatches, 8+ Coal Tits, 2+ Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 8 Green Woodpeckers, 16+ Linnets, Black-headed Gull, Rose-ringed Parakeet (David Campbell).


 * Crayford Marshes: 3 Avocet, 6 Black-tailed Godwit, 7 Greenshank, 3 Dunlin, 4 Oystercatcher, 6+ Common Tern. TWITTER: @londonbirder (KJM).


 * Fairlop Gravel Works: 10 Teal, 100 Lapwing, 6 Green Sandpiper, 5 Common Sadnpiper, 2 Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, 10 Stock Dove, 2 Swallow, 2 Whitethroat, 7 Linnet, 20 Goldfinch (DEH)


 * Fairlop Waters: GCGrebe, Common Tern, Yellow Wagtail (DEH)


 * Fulham Sands End (Thames): 2cy Herring Gull ringed A6LK, 1 Common Gull, 1 Egyptian Goose, a few House Sparrow (Nathalie Mahieu).


 * Hampstead Heath (Parliament Hill): 2 Garden Warblers, 15 Blackcaps, 4 Willow Warblers, 4 Chiffchaffs, 2 Whitethroat, Tree Pipit (S); also Common Blue and Hornet seen (Pete Mantle).


 * Heber Rd, East Dulwich: Whitethroat feeding in buddleia - flat tick (Tom Smith)


 * Hyde Park & Kensington Gardens (a.m.): Common Sandpiper, Swift, at least 10 House Martin, Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Common Whitethroat, 2 Garden Warbler, 13 Blackcap, 9 Chiffchaff, 7 Willow Warbler; also 15 Egyptian Goose, fem type Mandarin Duck, pr Gadwall, fem type Teal, 2 Shoveler, 20 Red-crested Pochard, imm fem Sparrowhawk, 2 juv Lesser Black-backed Gull, 12 Stock Dove (7 singing), Tawny Owl, 2 Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, Grey Wagtail, 8 Mistle Thrush, 2 Goldcrest, Coal Tit, 3 Nuthatch, 2 Treecreeper, Jay; plus singles of Meadow Brown, Speckled Wood, Vapourer and Silver Y ~ and the usual shedload of irresponsible 'professional' dogwalkers combined with a distinct lack of Royal Parks Police (Des McKenzie); earlier this year a dog (lurcher) was running free along the Serpentine and ran into a flock of geese and tried to grab one, causing them to scatter, right under the nose of a Met Police Car and they drove off and ignored the event, the owners were walking near the dog but hard to pick out in the crowd (Michael Mac).


 * Ingrebourne Valley: 6 Green Sandpiper, 2 Sand Martin, 27 Moorhen (Shaun Harvey).


 * Lonsdale Road Reservoir: 1 Kingfisher (patch tick for me!) 4 Pochard, 4 Teal, 2 Shoveler, 3 House Martin, 1 Common Tern, 1 Chiffchaff (M Bourne); Kingfisher, 1 Garden Warbler midway up river side of res (both site ticks), 3 Common Tern, 5 Goldfinch over, 2 Stock Dove. (Louis Freeland-Haynes)


 * Paddington Green (early a.m.): unusually large imm fem Sparrowhawk, pr Peregrine Falcon in the area, Willow Warbler with small tit-flock (DMc).


 * Pinner Park Farm: 2 Hobby, 1 Little Owl, 38 Swallow over & around the rubbish tip - a large increase, 3 Swift, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, Chiffchaff, Goldfinch, 5 Grey Heron & several Green Woodpecker (Jon Ridge).


 * Queen Elizabeth II Res (permit access): Turnstone through early a.m. (Birdguides).


 * Rainham Marshes: 2 Whimbrel, 3 Avocet, 6 Black-Tailed Godwit, 2 Ruff, 1 Common Sandpiper (all Aveley Pool); 18 Little Egret; 1 Whinchat with curious white head-spotting. (Tom Smith)


 * South Norwood Lake: 3 Mute Swan, 4 juv Black-headed Gull, 5 Cormorant, 2 Swift, 2 Green Woodpecker, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Nuthatch, 1 Song Thrush, 6 Ring-necked Parakeet, 3 Jay, 4 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap, c10 Goldfinch, 2 Collared Dove, 4 House Sparrow (John Watson)


 * Trent Park : 1 Reed Warbler (my first of the year locally!) (Robert Callf). Treecreeper in hedge among tit-flock (unusual), Tawny Owl calling and flying at dusk (Michael Mac).


 * Walton Res (permit access): juv Black-necked Grebe (Birdguides).


 * Vicarage Farm - Enfield: 6 Linnet, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Ring-necked Parakeet, 1 Swallow, usual Buzzard not seen, in usual area, but a lot of shotguns being fired, incompatible? (Michael Mac).


 * Wanstead Flats: 1 Wheatear, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 9 Swift through, House Martin, 3 Mistle Thrush, 2 Kestrel. Wanstead Park: 3 Swift, 2 House Martin, c40 Long tailed Tits, 7 Chiffchaff, 25+ Blue Tit, 20 Great Tit, 10 Little Grebe, etc (S Fisher)

Tuesday 10th August

 * Crayford Marshes: 3 Avocet, Turnstone, 4 Greenshank, 6 Ringed Plover, 6 Common Sandpiper, 2 Whimbrel, Curlew, Dunlin. TWITTER;@londonbirder (KJM).


 * Brent Reservoir: Wigeon eclipse male, Wood Sandpiper all morning, 5 Green Sandpiper, 3 Common Sandpiper, Snipe, 8 Lapwing, Hobby at 12.10 (Andrew Verrall).


 * Bromley-by-Bow: Common Sandpiper, 2 Common Tern south (05:55), 11 Robin, 14 Blackbird, Dunnock, 2 Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, 4 Sand Martin, Song Thrush, 2 Blackcap (ad male and juv), juv Chiffchaff, 2 Chaffinch, 25+ Black-headed Gull (S Fisher)


 * Brookmill Park, Lewisham: 1 Heron, 5 Mallard, 4 Moorhen, 7 Coot, 1 Black-headed Gull, 1 Herring Gull, 8 Woodpigeon, 1 Stock Dove, 1 Grey Wagtail, 3 Wren, 7 Robin, 10 Blackbird, 1 Blackcap, 2 Great Tit, 2 Blue Tit, 4 Magpie, 3 Carrion Crow, 2 Greenfinch. (Conrad Ellam)


 * East India Dock Basin NR: 1 Sedge Warbler, Garden Warbler, Chiffchaff, Sand Martin, 2 Common Terns (Gary A James).
 * Eastcote, Abbotsbury Gardens: 48 Ring-necked Parakeet over at 19:25 (JR).
 * Fulham Reach: pr Peregrine Falcon (perched most of the day), 1 Sparrowhawk (tried to catch small bird in back gradens, loitered a bit, then flew towards Margravine Cemetery), 1 Jay (very manky, on peanut window feeder) (Nathalie Mahieu)


 * Hampstead Heath, Parliament Hill: Wheatear at 1030 flushed by Kestrel. Otherwise quiet (Pete Mantle).


 * Ingrebourne Valley: 4 Green Sandpiper, 2 Teal (Shaun Harvey)


 * Mitcham Common: Sparrowhawk (f), Cormorant (over), 6 Swift, 6 Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 8 Long-Tailed Tit, 16 Canada Goose, 8 Coot, Moorhen, Dunnock, 2 Whitethroat, c50 Goldfinch plus usuals and 4 rabbits (Stuart M).


 * South Norwood Lake: 1 m Sparrowhawk, Mute Swan, 5 Cormorant, 12 Tufted Duck, 2 Swifts, 8 Long-tailed Tit, 4 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap, 3 Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Nuthatch, c20 Goldfinch, 12 Ring-necked Parakeet, 2 Collared Dove, 4 House Sparrow (John Watson).


 * Thorney CP: 2 Greenfinch, 3 Treecreeper, 1 Reed Warbler, 4 Goldcrest, 1 Dunnock, 1 Common Tern, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Cormorant, 5 Pochard, 2 Great Crested Grebe, flock of Long-tailed Tit (Sue Giddens).

Monday 9th August

 * Bedfont Lakes CP: Black-tailed Godwit (new species for site), Common Sandpiper, 4 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Moorhen, Egyptian Goose, 29 Canada Geese 17, Tufted Duck, 8 Gadwall, 56 Mallard, 62 Coot. (Adam Cheeseman)
 * Alexandra Park: 4 Willow Warblers Cricket Scrub, 3 Common Terns (2 juvs) Wood Green Res 7am (Bob Watts).


 * Brent Reservoir: Wood Sandpiper still in East Marsh this morning, plus 8 Lapwing, 2 Common Snipe, 1 Greenshank, 2 Green Sandpiper, 4 Common Sandpiper (Andrew Haynes).


 * Brookmill Park, Lewisham: 1 Heron, 14 Mallard, 1 Mandarin, 7 Moorhen, 6 Coot, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Black-headed Gull, 1 Lesser Blackback, 6 Woodpigeon, 1 Collared Dove, 2 Grey Wagtail, 3 Wren, 1 Dunnock, 7 Robin, 5 Blackbird, 1 Blackcap, 2 Great Tit, 3 Blue Tit, 2 Starling, 5 Magpie, 2 Carrion Crow, 4 Goldfinch, 6 Greenfinch. (Conrad Ellam)


 * Canons Farm and Banstead Woods: 2 Hobbies, 5 Sparrowhawks, Common Buzzard, 3 Kestrels, 4 Willow Warblers, 8 Common Whitethroats, 8 Chiffchaffs, 4 Blackcaps, 3+ Bullfinches, juv Swallow, c.12 House Martins, 2 juv Goldcrests, 2 Treecreepers, 5+ Nuthatches, 6+ Coal Tits, 3 Yellowhammers, c.26 Linnets, 4 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 7 Green Woodpeckers, 3 Rose-ringed Parakeets, 3 Stock Doves, juv Dunnock (David Campbell).


 * Crayford Marshes: Avocet, 3 Curlew, 2 Whimbrel, 4 Greenshank, 4 Ringed Plover, Redshank, 8 Common Sandpiper.TWITTER:@londonbirder (KJM).


 * Collier's Wood: (Merantun Way seen from Sainsbury's Merton Car Park) male Kestrel variously on street lamps and roof of Premier Inn around site of old Merton Priory (Stuart M)


 * Paddington Green: m Peregrine Falcon in area a.m., c25 House Martin p.m. (Des McKenzie).
 * Lonsdale Road: Tufted Duck brood, 5 Teal, 1 Common Tern (M Bourne)


 * Pinner Park Farm: 2 Hobby, 2 Little Owl, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Whitethroat, 2 Chiffchaff, 4 Swallow, 2 Swift, 4 Green Woodpecker & 42 Canada Goose (Jon Ridge).


 * Rainham Marshes RSPB: No Long-tailed Tit, 2 Ruff, 4+ Green Sandpiper, 2 Common Sandpiper, 1 Redshank, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Whimbrel, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 10+ Black-Tailed Godwit, 5 Dunlin, 2 Greenshank, 20 + Lapwing, 2 Ring-necked Parakeet, 2 Stonechat, 3 Yellow-legged Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Kestrel, Perergrine Falcon, Gadwall, Shoveler, Teal, Shelduck family (man have they grown since last week), 10+ Little Egret, Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, Common Whitethroat, Chiffchaff, 10+ Swallow and a grey seal riding the tide (Nick Croft). 4 Whimbrel on Thames outside visitor centre, Grasshopper Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, probable female Serin in finch flock, Curlew Sandpiper. Also young fox annoying Lapwings. (S. Haslem)


 * Regent's Park: Hobby, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 3 Garden Warblers, 7 Common Whitethroats, Blackcaps, Willow Warblers & Chiffchaffs. If anyone is interested in what happens to some of Beddingtons birds check blog (Tony Duckett).


 * South Norwood Lake: Mute Swan, 4 Cormorant,10 Tufted Duck+ (new brood of 6) 2 Swallow, 4 Common Swifts, 1 Collared Dove, 3 Green Woodpecker, 6 Great Spoted Wodpecker, 3 Nuthatch, 7 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap, 5 Jay, 4 Ring-necked Parakeet, party of 6 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Coal Tit, 3 House Sparrow, (John Watson)


 * Staines Reservoir: Dunlin, 5 Common Sands on South Basin 10:30 (Oliver Metcalf)


 * Stoke Newington Reservoirs: 13 Willow Warblers, 11 Chiffchaffs, Garden Warbler, c20 Reed Warblers, 12 Swifts, 4 House Martins, 8 Sand Martins (MJP et al)


 * Uxbridge: Red Kite over Brunel University campus at approx 12.00 (Steve Pash)


 * Vauxhall BT: m Peregrine perched on corner for 30mins, 2 pr close to fledging Woodpigeons at nests at BT building and 1 pr close by in park (Michael Mac).


 * Wandsworth Road/Vauxhall: Herring Gulls fledged over the weekend (Michael Mac).


 * Wanstead Flats: Tawny Owl (roosting and disturbed by Jay, site tick), 6 Wren, 2 Robin, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Green Woodpecker, f Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, 60+ Long-tailed Tits, 20+ Blue Tit, 15+ Great Tit, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 20+ Whitethroat, 2 Willow Warbler, 5 Chiffchaff, 30+ Greenfinch, 2 Chaffinch (J Lethbridge) c.10+ Willow Warbler, some singing, (same tit flock west of centre road 09:30), 10+ Chiffchaff, Kestrel sparring with Sparrowhawk, Black-headed Gulls making the most of the ants again, on the model airplane runway and other unusual sites (for them), 1 Common Gull, 1 Stock Dove again on the dead tree in Long Wood, no repeat of yesterday's mystery singer (Nick Croft/Steve Thorpe)


 * Wanstead Park: In an attempt to vindicate my Probable/possible Wood Warbler back to chasing Long-tailed Tit flocks (5 in the area encompassing SoM, Heronry and Perch), struck out with WWs but good numbers of Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler and a couple of Blackcap. I wasn't the only thing interested in the flocks as twice a Sparrowhawk male crashed through leaving empty handed. Also Heron, Tufted Duck, Great Crested Grebe, 6 + House Martin, 8 + Sand Martin over Heronry (Nick Croft/Steve Thorpe)

Sunday 8th August

 * Brent Reservoir: Wood Sandpiper showing from Heron Hide; also Greenshank, 2 Green Sands, 8 Lapwing, Snipe & 2 Common Sands (Andrew Self & Andrew Verrall). Wood Sand moved to mud opposite main hide, East Marsh and still presnt 1255, also 2 Swift, 3+ Willow Warbler (Bob Watts). Wood Sand still present from main hide at 17:25 - many thanks (JR).
 * Alexandra Park: 15 Swifts north over Pitch n Putt early pm (Gareth Richards).


 * Brookmill Park, Lewisham: 1 Heron, 18 Mallard, 7 Moorhen, 6 Coot, 1 Black-headed Gull, 1 Herring Gull, 4 Woodpigeon, 1 Great-spotted Woodpecker, 4 Wren, 4 Robin, 3 Blackbird, 1 Song Thrush, Blue & Great Tit flock, 1 Magpie, 4 Carrion Crow, 6 Goldfinch, 2 Greenfinch. (Conrad Ellam)


 * Crayford Marshes: 2 Marsh Harrier, one of which flew straight over going sw at 1.55pm, Common Buzzard west over, Peregrine, Hobby, Avocet, Turnstone, 5 Whimbrel, Ringed Plover, 2 Greenshank, Curlew, 11 Common Sandpiper, 3 Tufted Duck, Great Crested Grebe,3 Yellow-legged Gull, 3 Little Egret, 10+ Common Tern (KJM/RDW).


 * Crossness: juv Mediterranean Gull, juv Yellow-legged Gull, 2 Green Sandpiper, 9 Common Sandpiper, Ringed Plover, juv Cuckoo, female Ruddy Shelduck, 3 Shoveler, 26 Teal (John Archer & Kev Jarvis).


 * Dagenham Chase LNR: 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 male Bullfinch, several Lesser Whitethroat. No waders as the slack is very near dry. ( V.Halley-Frame ).


 * Forest Lane Park (Forest Gate): male Lesser Whitethroat, male Willow Warbler, juv Chiffchaff, 3 Long-tailed Tit (S Fisher)


 * Hampstead Heath: Highgate Pond No 1 and Men's Bathing Pond: pr Great-crested Grebe + 2 juveniles, 2 Common Terns and Pr Mute Swans with 2 cygnets very exciting ;) but got to keep up with the BTO NRS records (Michael Mac).


 * Kenwood: 1 Hobby airbourne and perched, Green Woodpecker feeding a juvenile, noticable abscence of Ring-necked Parakeet, Egyptian Geese and Jackdaws from the area (Michael Mac).


 * Hornsey: 2-3 Swift (Bob Watts).


 * Ingrebourne Valley: 3 Green Sandpiper, 3 Teal, Lapwing (Shaun Harvey)


 * Mayesbrook Park: 2 Common Sandpiper.(Paul Hawkins)
 * Mitcham Common: Kestrel (young male bird on ground for long spell in field south of Ecology centre), 2 Green Woodpecker, 6 Swift, c25 Goldfinch around Seven Islands Pond, 24 Canada Goose plus 1 Fox (Stuart M)


 * Paddington Green: Lapwing east 08:40 (Des McKenzie).


 * Pinner Park Farm: 1 Hobby, 1 Little Owl, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Green Woodpecker, Swallow, Chiffchaff & 41 Canada Goose (Jon Ridge).


 * Rainham Marshes (05:50 to 09:40): Grasshopper Warbler (east side of Wennington Mound), Hobby, 2+ Chiffchaff (with finch flock!), 2 Whimbrel, Avocet, Common Sandpiper, 6 Yellow-legged Gulls, Turnstone, 2 Green Sandpipers, female Teal, Great Crested Grebe, a distant seal sp. on Thames (thought to be Common), plus large numbers of common finches, Reed Buntings and marshland warblers feeding on the marsh on the east side of the mound (David Callahan).


 * Regent's Park: 2 Willow Warbler, possible Wood Warbler? but light fading, 10 Swifts and 6 House Martins hunting insects low over lake - this was Saturday evening (Michael Mac).
 * Ruislip: Red Kite over garden at 14.35 followed by Hobby at 18.50 (Steve Pash)


 * South Norwood Lake: Kestrel, Mute Swan, 20+ Tufted Duck, 4 Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Collared Dove, c4 Nuthatch, 8 Chiffchaff (pair at nest feding young) 2 Blackcap, 1 Coal Tit, c8 Long-tailed Tit, 4 Ring-necked Parakeet, 3 Jay, (John Watson & Gavin Hawgood)


 * Springfield Park: House Martin, Swallow, Swift (MJP); nearby in Clapton, Common Buzzard over, Hobby hunting dragonflies (Jamie Partridge per MJP)


 * Stoke Newington Reservoirs: 12 Willow Warblers, 10 Chiffchaffs, 10+ Reed Warblers, 2 near ad Great Black-backed Gulls, c30 Swifts, 4 Swallows, House Martin, c10 Common Terns, c30 Black-headed Gulls (Mark Pearson)


 * Vauxhall BT: 1 perched adult Peregrine, pr ready to fledge Woodpigeon's in tree on corner (Michael Mac).


 * Wanstead Flats (06:00-12:00): c.70 Black-headed Gull in day roost next to Alex, then a group of 70+ scoffing grounded flying ants north of Long Wood @18:00, 1 Common Gull, 12 Lesser Black-backed Gull 3 juv), 1 Herring Gull, 1 Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, 3 Swift, 6+ House Martin, Carrion Crow, 22 Jackdaw, 7 Jay, Magpie, Wood Pigeon, 1 Stock Dove, 1 Collared Dove, 20+ Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Wren, 20+ Common Whitethroat, 10+ Chiffchaff, Lesser Whitethroat (east of Long Wood), and a very peculiar sounding bird with a sub song somewhere inbetween blackcap and whitethroat (here we go again!) - shared this experience by phone with Stuart who agreed "peculiar!", never did catch sight of the bird which although very mobile kept hidden, 5 Cormorant, Great Tit, Blue Tit, c.100 Starling, 6 Green Woodpecker, 4 Greater Spotted Woodpecker, 7 Mistle Thrush, 6 Robin, 3 Blackbird, 1 Song Thrush, Dunnock, 4 Meadow Pipit, 2 Skylark (yay!), Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Mallard, Shoveler, Coot, Moorhen, Little Grebe, House Sparrow, Pied Wagtail, and 16 "quiet" Ring-necked Parakeet (Nick Croft).


 * Wanstead Park (12:00-18:00): Probable/possible Wood Warbler in with one of many roaming LTT flocks (why is there never a grown-up around when you need one), 20+ Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Blackcap, Hobby west over SoM, then 2 calling over Reservoir Wood/Bush Wood, 1 Sparrowhawk ( juv SoM) - so 2 families it is then! c .50 Black-headed Gull, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 5 House Martin, Little Grebe (4 in the latest brood south of the main island on Heronry), 3 Tufted Duck, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (heard Bush Wood), Green Woodpecker, Greater Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Cormorant and the Turacao (Nick Croft).


 * Wimbledon Common: two vocal Common Crossbill south over the Causeway (David Wills).
 * Coppetts Wood: Honey Buzzard over East at 15.30( Tony Clancy)

Saturday 7 August

 * Lea Valley: Turtle dove, Green sandpiper, Little ringed plover, Yellowhammer and Hobby at Landridge scrape (J.murray).
 * Alexandra Park: Little Egret SE over Wood Green Res 0745, Willow Warbler Conservation Pond (Bob Watts), Swift (Andrew Gardener).
 * Crayford Marsh: 3 Turnstone, 2 Ruff, 2 Whimbrel, Black-t-Godwit, Curlew, 2 Greenshank, Ringed Plover, 4 Little Egret. TWITTER:@londonbirder (KJM).
 * Brent Reservoir: Wood Sandpiper still in East Marsh from hide to at least 10.00, also 2 Greenshank, 8 Lapwing, 3 Common Sands, Green Sand, Snipe & Hobby (Brent Birders).
 * Crossness/Barking Bay: sum plum Grey Plover, Sanderling, 2 Whimbrel, 2 Curlew, 5 Blackwits, 19 Common Sandpipers, female Ruddy Shelduck (Kev Jarvis & Dave Morrison per JA).
 * Crossness: Ad Yellow-legged gull, Lesser Whitethroat, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff. (Kev Jarvis).
 * East India Dock Basin NR: 2 Arctic Terns north, 3 Peregrines, Sparrowhawk, 2 Sand Martins,Gt Spotted Woodpecker. (Gary A James).
 * Rainham RSPB: 3 ad Turnstone in aveley bay mid morning also 3 Ruff, 2 Whimbrel, 5 Common Sand, 2 Green Sand, Blackwit, 2 Oystercatcher, 8 Dunlin, 2 Wheatear (also Jersey tiger trapped last night (Paul Hawkins, Jono Lethbridge). Female Serin briefly on east side of Wennington Mound at 18:30, then heard calling twice with huge finch flock feeding on the marsh (but could not be relocated when searched for until 20:00), plus 5 Green Sandpipers over during showers, 2 Whimbrel, Chiffchaff, Water Rail, 200+ Goldfinches and Linnets in one flock with many juveniles (David Callahan).
 * Thameside Nature Park – Restore, Recreate and Reconnect: Essex Wildlife Trust needs to raise vital funds to turn the largest landfill site in Essex into a superb nature park, where wildlife will flourish and people will have open access to a wonderful green space. This is a UNIQUE project. Essex WT needs to raise £100,000 to unlock grants of £2.85m (currently the total stands at £87,400 - so hands in pockets time). Just copy following into your browser http://www.justgiving.com/michele-kench or follow the instructions (and to find out more details) on the Essex WT home page (Nick Croft).
 * Bushy Park: 1 Sedge Warbler, 6 Willow Warbler, 11 Whitethroat, 2 Sand Martin, all in or over the area of bracken south of Heron Pond (Roger Unite).
 * Moscow Road W2: Grey Wagtail (Des McKenzie).
 * Ingrebourne Valley: 5 Green Sandpiper (Shaun Harvey)
 * Pinner Park Farm: 1+ Hobby, 1 Little Owl, several Chiffchaff, 1+ Willow Warbler, 2 Whitethroat, 4 Grey Heron, 30 Goldfinch, Green & Great Spotted Woodpecker (Jon Ridge).
 * Queen Mary Res: Little Egret, Ad Yellow-legged Gull, Common Sandpiper, 11 Reed Warbler, 4 Chiffchaff, 4 Willow Warbler, 15 Blackcap, 8 Whitethroat, 3 Sedge Warbler, 2 Garden Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat (Steve Chastell)
 * Staines Res: 1 juv Black-necked Grebe on the North basin,1 juv Little Gull on the South.
 * Tyttenhanger GP's: Greenshank, Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, 4 Common Snipe, 3 Teal, 6+ Common Tern, 4 little Grebe,(2 ad+2 Juv) (Steve Blake)
 * Woodside Park Station, North Finchley: 3 Swifts NW this am (John Colmans)
 * Wanstead Flats (12:30-18:00): c.80 Black-headed Gull, 1 Common Gull, 4 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 4 Herring Gull (3 juv), 1 Great Black-backed Gull over west), Hobby, 2 Sparrowhawk (over cemetry to south and cemetry to north), Kestrel, c. 30 Swift, 10 House Martin, Carrion Crow, c. 30 Jackdaw, 4 Jay, c. 20 Magpie, Wood Pigeon, 1 Stock Dove, 3 Collared Dove, 2 Greenfinch, Wren, 4 Common Whitethroat, 6 Chiffchaff (2 young), 5 Cormorant, Great Tit, Blue Tit, c.100 Starling, 2 Green Woodpecker, 2 Greater Spotted Woodpecker, 14 Mistle Thrush, 4 Robin, 1 Blackbird, Dunnock, 3 Meadow Pipit (yay!), Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Mallard, Shoveler, Coot, Moorhen, Little Grebe, House Sparrow (Nick Croft).
 * Wanstead Park (18:00-21:00): Hobby calling over Reservoir Wood, 1 m Sparrowhawk ( 2 juv SoM) and there could be a second family on Rook Island on the Ornamental Waters as a juv was heard calling there, 1 large brown female/juv hawk (about the same size as a Carrion Crow) flew languidly westward just north of Perch @ 19:30 (I am not going to say the "G" word), c .20 Black-headed Gull, 4 Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, House Martin, Little Grebe (a new family south of the main island on Heronry), Great Crested Grebe on Heronry), Wood Pigeon, Chiffchaff c. singles calling with many more latched on to Long-tailed Tit flocks (why do they always chase them?), Willow Warbler again with tit flocks (and a few that could have looked good for Woody's if only I'd got more than a fleeting glimpse), 7 f Tufted Duck, 7 Gadwall (Ornamental Waters), Mallard, Mute Swan (3 families), Canada Goose, Magpie, Jackdaw, Jay, Crow, Blue Tit, Great Tit and lots of Long-tailed Tit (whom I chased round the park all afternoon!), Robin, Song Thrush, Wren, 2 Heron, 3 Greenfinch, Green Woodpecker, Greater Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Cormorant and no Nightjar on the way back over the flats - just rain (Nick Croft).
 * Walthamstow res (Lockwood): 1 juv Black-necked Grebe, 6 Common Sandpipers, 350+ Tufted Ducks, 24 Mute Swan (High Maynard), Garden Warbler (Billet Rd access path by allotments), Blackcap & Chiffchaff heard & a steady 'trickle' of Sand Martins S but no Swifts (also Redshank yesterday - Lol Bodini).

Friday 6 August

 * Brent Reservoir: Wood Sandpiper in east marsh from main hide at 08.45, also Greenshank (Andrew Verrall per AS), Wood Sandpiper stayed all morning, to at least 12.00, plus 2 Greenshank, 3 Green Sands, 4 Common Sands, 5 Lapwings, 1 Snipe, 1 Swallow (A. Verrall, Lydia, Ruth).
 * Rainham Marshes: Marsh Harrier, juv Mediterranean Gull, 10+ Yellow-legged Gulls, juv LRP, juv Avocet, Curlew, 5 Whimbrel, 2 Ruff, 6 Dunlin, 3 Green Sandpipers, 9 Common Sandpipers, Greenshank, 2/3 Redshank, 10 Oystercatcher, Common Snipe, 50+ Northern Lapwing, 15+ Little Egrets, Garden Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Hobby, Peregrine, male Eurasian Wigeon, Great Crested Grebe on river (Dominic Mitchell and Roy Beddard via Twitter).
 * Crossness: Sanderling Barking Bay this afternoon, Turnstone briefly off Golf Centre midday then in Barking Bay, Hobby, 2 Ringed Plovers, Dunlin, 14+ Common Sandpipers (John Archer & Ian Miller).
 * Canons Farm and Banstead Woods: Tree Pipit at Canons along track running south from derelict barns, Hobby in Banstead Woods, 3 Yellowhammers (2 singing males +juv), 35+ Swallows, 4 House Martins, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Treecreeper, Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaffs, Coal Tit, Rose-ringed Parakeet, c.30 Linnets, 2 Common Whitethroats, Great Spotted Woodpecker, 4 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Stock Doves (David Campbell).
 * Hyde Park ; Hobby over Meadow, mid afternoon (D.Jordan)
 * London Eye: Common Sandpiper (Steve Chastell)
 * Rainham: Common Buzzard over heading SE @10:15 (Richard Harrison).
 * Regent's Park: Wood Warbler still present (Birdguides)
 * Crayford Marshes:Marsh Harrier, Avocet on Far bank of Thames, Wheatear, Little Owl, 2 Greenshanks, Willow Warbler, Ringed Plover, Peregrine, Great Crested Grebe, 7 Common Sandpipers, 6 Little Egrets, Redshank, Curlew, Whimbrel. (Kev Jarvis, KJM).
 * Brookmill Park, Lewisham: 2 Heron, 4 Mallard, 1 Mandarin, 4 Moorhen 7 Coot, 1 Black-headed Gull, 6 Woodpigeon, 4 Wren, 1 Dunnock, 4 Robin, 7 Blackbird, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Chiffchaff, 3 Great Tit, 2 Blue Tit, 2 Starling, 3 Magpie, 2 Carrion Crow, 6 Goldfinch, 4 Greenfinch. (Conrad Ellam)
 * Pinner Park Farm: 1 Little Owl, 5 Swallow, Chiffchaff, Green & Great Spotted Woodpecker - the windy conditions didn't help (Jon Ridge).
 * Tooting, Figge's Marsh: 6 Black-Headed Gull (Stuart M)
 * Tyttenhanger GP's: 9 Little Egrets. 10 Common Tern. 2 Egyptian Goose. (Steve Blake)
 * Stoke Newington Reservoirs: 2 Teal (first of year), female Tufted Duck x Common Pochard, 3 Willow Warblers; 43 Sand Martins battling south late on (first hirundine movement of the autumn here), 3 Swifts (MJP)
 * Greenwich: Yellow-legged Gull on Thames foreshore by the O2 arena at low tide. (Conrad Ellam)
 * Staines Reservoir: 1 Oystercatcher over North Basin at 0905hrs. 1 Juv Black-necked Grebe. 5 ad Yellow-Legged Gulls (on pier at King George VI (but viewable from Staines causeway). (Richard Seargent)
 * Beddington Sewage Farm: 21 Green Sandpipers, 2 ad Yellow-legged Gulls. (Richard Seargent)
 * Wanstead Flats (15:30-19:00):c.100 Black-headed Gull (including two roosts), 2 Common Gull, 4 Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull (juv), 2 Sparrowhawk (over cemetry to south), Kestrel (Still hunting at 21:00 in the gloom), 9 Swift (south), 5 House Martin, 3 Collared Dove, Woodpigeon, Stock Dove, Carrion Crow, Magpie, c. 20 Jackdaw, Jay, Starling (c. 150), Moorhen, Coot, juv Little Grebe, Mallard, Shoveler, Canada Goose, Mute Swan family, 2 Robin, 3 Mistle Thrush, Great Tit, Blue Tit, 3 Chiffchaff, 3 c. Whitethroat, 3 Green Woodpecker, 2 Greater Spotted Woodpecker, Greenfinch, House Sparrow, Wren, 2 Cormorant and no Skylark, Meadow Pipit,or even a Blackbird and all-in-all a lack of small things (Nick Croft).
 * Wanstead Park (19:00-21:00): Hobby calling over Reservoir Wood, then 4 over Heronry at 20:30 (presumably ad and juv), 3 Sparrowhawk (1 ad + 2 juv SoM), c .40 Black-headed Gull (including two roosts), 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, 3-5 Sand Martin, 5 House Martin, Woodpigeon, Carrion Crow, Magpie, Jackdaw, Jay, Starling, Moorhen, Coot, 5 juv Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Mallard, Canada Goose, 2 Mute Swan families, Robin, Blackbird, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Long-tailed Tit (parties in Bush Wood, SoM, Perch, and at the old sewage works), 3 Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, 2 Green Woodpecker, 2 Greater Spotted Woodpecker, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Wren, Cormorant, 2 Heron, and Dunnock (Nick Croft).
 * Camden to Regent's Park: in this area out of 5 Lesser-black Backed and Herring Gull nests only 1 Herring Gull chick still at nest site others fledged (Michael Mac).
 * Stoke Newington Station: Hobby west, 1945 (MJP)

Thursday 5th August

 * Crayford Marshes: Marsh Harrier female being mobbed early a.m. 3 Greenshanks, Green Sandpiper, 3 Little Egret, Curlew, 6 Common Sandpipers. (Kev Jarvis). 2 Marsh harrier (f) Late Afternoon,Curlew, Whimbrel,Greenshank,8 Common Sandpiper.(KJM)


 * Alexandra Park: 2 Garden Warblers, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 8 Whitethroat, 6 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaffs Cricket Scrub 7am (Bob Watts). Very yellow Willow Warbler Cricket Scrub 1.30pm (Mike Benyon) Swift & 2 House Martins 1830 (Bob Watts).


 * Brent Reservoir: 2 Greenshank in afternoon, 1 at each hide morning, 3 Green Sandpipers together, 4 Common Sandpiper, 5 Lapwing (Roy Beddard, Andrew Verrall, John Gravatt). All four wader species still present late afternoon - many thanks (JR).
 * Staines Reservoirs: 2 Arctic Terns ad & juv till 17.15 only also 1st W Little Gull S basin and juv Black-necked Grebe N basin.4 Common Sandpipers ( Dave Morris, Pete Naylor and FJM.)


 * Brookmill Park, Lewisham: 1 Heron, 19 Mallard, 1 Mandarin, 3 Moorhen, 6 Coot, 2 Black-headed Gull, 1 Herring Gull, 6 Woodpigeon, 3 Collared Dove, 1 Grey Wagtail, 4 Wren, 1 Dunnock, 4 Robin, 7 Blackbird, 1 Song Thrush, 2 Blackcap, 2 Great Tit, 1 Blue Tit, 2 Magpie, 5 Carrion Crow, 5 Goldfinch, 1 Greenfinch. (Conrad Ellam)


 * Chorleywood Common: 3 Chiffchaff, Spotted Flycatcher by the Black Horse public house (Des McKenzie, Joanne Biscomb).
 * Colliers Wood: 16:00 Sparrowhawk circling over small park/children's playground near tube stn - seen from car (Stuart M)
 * Dagenham Chase LNR: 2 sparrowhawks calling and soaring nr river rom/ wet meadow (Dominic Allen)T


 * Holyfield/Langridge: 2 Buzzards, 2 Common Sandpiper, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Turtle Dove. The Turtle Dove seems to be hanging around Langridge, two visits in the last week, two sightings. On both occasions it has been on the telephone wires that cross the scrape. (Mike Oakland)


 * Pinner Park Farm: 1 Wheatear (the first autumn bird) by the electric gate, 1 Hobby, 1 Little Owl, Chiffchaff & Swallow (Jon Ridge).


 * Rainham (Ferry Lane to Wennington): 77 Cormorant, 2 Peregrine, Hobby, 5 Kestrel (incl juvs), Cetti's Warbler, young Reed Warblers heard calling, 4 Common Sandpiper, 2 Whimbrel, 1 Curlew over, ad Yellow-legged Gull, c80 Goldfinch (many juvs), c1500 Black-headed Gulls, brood of Pheasant (2 chicks seen), Song Thrush, pair of Stonechat (Ferry Lane) (S Fisher)
 * Roding Valley Park: 2 Sparrowhawks, gd views of the male. The other may have been a juvenile, but only saw it fleetingly. Very interestingly, they were calling to each other - Sparrowhawks are normally silent outside early breeding season, I gather (certainly I've hardly ever heard them call before). Also Green Woodpecker, Herring Gull, LBB Gull, LT Tit (Alan Hobson).


 * South Norwood Lake: Mute Swan, 20 Tufted Duck +(1 brood of 7 and 1 of 9) 2 Cormorant, 2 Black-headed Gull, 5 Green Woodpecker (2 juv) 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 4 Nuthatch, 2 Collared Dove, 1 Song Thrush, 5 Ring-necked Parakeet, 4 Long-tailed Tit, 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap, 2 House Sparrow, 1 Jersey Tiger, 4 Common Blue, c30 Gatekeeper, 1 Cinnabar, ( John Watson)


 * Stoke Newington Reservoirs: ad Great Black-backed Gull, Sedge Warbler, c20 Reed Warblers, 3 Willow Warblers, 15 Swifts (Mark Pearson)


 * Tower Hamlets Cemetery: 3 Swifts west 1220 (Bob Watts).


 * Tyttenhanger GPs: Green Sandpiper, Ringed Plover, 171 Lapwing, Wigeon (eclipse male), Red Kite, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, 2 Kestrel, 2 Kingfisher (FL), Little Grebe. (Steve B)


 * Wanstead Flats & Wanstead Park (05:30-11:00): Hobby (over Heronry 09:30), 2 Kestrel, 3 Sparrowhawk (+ 2 vocal juveniles SoM), c.50+ Black-headed Gull, 12 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 7 Herring Gull (4 juv), 30+ Common Whitethroat (Long Wood and SSI), Chiffhcaff, Blackcap (South of Heronry), parties of Long-tailed Tit in Long Wood, by Jub, Bush Wood and N/S of Heronry, Little Grebe (family of 4 chicks on H, 2 SoM), Great Crested Grebe (H), Swallow (west over Alex), House Martin over H, 2 Tufted Duck (Alex), Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Mistle Thrush, 8 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 7 Green Woodpecker, 3 Ring-necked Parakeet, and not very much of the usuals (No signs of any Skylark or Meadow Pipit on the flats), 3 new scorched areas including a smouldering one in Bush Wood (I used my initiative, which sadly having used my initiative before I left the house was not the greatest of help!), 1 headless Canada Goose on the playing fields (Nick Croft).

Wednesday 4th August

 * Sevenoaks Wildfowl Reserve: juvenile Black Stork flew southwest at 12:30 (Birdguides)
 * Regent's Park: Wood Warbler from 7.45-10.30am at least, Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Garden Warblers, plus other warblers (Tony Duckett)
 * Staines Reservoirs: 19 Bar-tailed Godwits flew over, then S at 19.30. 1 juv Little Gull on S basin roost. 1 juv Black-necked Grebe N. basin and 5 Common Sandpipers. (FJM)


 * Alexandra Park: Willow Warbler and Lesser Whitethroat, Cricket Scrub (James Palmer), 2 Lesser Whitethroats Cricket Scrub 6pm (Bob Watts).
 * Brent Reservoir: 2 Greenshank, 4 Common Sands, 4 Lapwings (AGV per AS). In addition 2 Green Sands 2045, with at least 1 Greenshank still present East Marsh, 4 Ruddy Duck NM (Dominic Mitchell, Bob Watts)


 * Bruce Castle Park N17: 9 Mistle Thrush (James Palmer).
 * Fairlop Gravel Works: 3 Teal, 3 broods of Little Grebe, 18 Lapwing, Snipe, 8 Green Sandpiper, 3 Common Sandpiper, several Stock Dove, fKestrel, Whitethroat (DEH)
 * Tottenham Cemetery: family of Little Grebes (James Palmer).


 * Tottenham Marsh: Egyptian Goose, 2 Green Sandpiper (James Palmer).
 * Hyde Park / Kensington Gardens: 16 Egyptian Goose (inc. 2 juv suffering from angel-wing), 2 Mandarin Duck (fem and juv), 22 Red-crested Pochard, juv Pochard, pr Gadwall, ad Little Grebe, ad Common Gull, 3 juv Lesser Black-backed Gull, 10 Herring Gull, Common Tern, 6 Stock Dove, Collared Dove, Kingfisher, at least 10 House Martin, Common Whitethroat, 6 Blackcap, 10 Chiffchaff, 4 Willow Warbler, 3 Goldcrest, Treecreeper; also 7 Meadow Brown, 3 Common Blue, Silver Y (Des McKenzie). By the way, is there any news about the ill GC Grebe that was taken into care? (Joe Beale) Hi Joe, although it was meant to be collected by the RSPCA it was eventually taken into care by the wildlife officer from St. James' Park and, according to Hyde Park staff, is still alive (DMc). Hi, thanks for the update! (JB).
 * London Wetland Centre: 6 Teal, 5 juv Little Grebe, juv Great Crested Grebe, 39 Lapwing, 4 Common Tern (3 ads and a chick), singing Cetti's Warbler (LWC website).
 * Crayford Marshes: 12 Yellow-legged gulls, 3 Greenshanks, Whimbrel, 2 Little egret, Common Sandpiper,6 Swallow, 2 Oystercatcher. (Kev Jarvis)
 * (Locality withheld) Hobbies passing prey (David Wills)
 * Pinner Park Farm: 1 Hobby, 1 Little Owl, Chiffchaff & Swallow. Quiet again (Jon Ridge).


 * Stoke Newington Reservoirs: small arrival of warblers inc. Sedge Warbler (first since spring), 6 Willow Warblers, 4 Chiffchaffs and 3 Blackcaps; also 80+ Tufted Duck and 60+ Common Pochard. breeding pairs of Great Crested Grebes have two full-grown and three still young chicks respectively. (MJP)thumb|right|300px|Hobby pass

Tuesday 3rd August

 * Regent's Park: Wood Warbler still in small enclosure at north-east end of lake (Birdguides) No sign between 1.00 and 1.30, but plenty of Willow Warblers. It's probably still there... (James Astley). Possibly 2 Wood Warblers reported at 3.00pm, seen this morning 20 Willow Warblers, 10 Chiffchaffs, Common Whitethroats, 6 Blackcaps (Tony Duckett).
 * Alexandra Park: Willow Warbler and Lesser Whitethroat Cricket Scrub, also 5+ Blackcaps, 3+ Whitethroats 7am. Willow Warbler Cricket Scrub, whilst in mixed tit flock adjacent to Wood Green Res Willow Warbler, Coal Tit, Whitethroat and 2 Chiffchaffs 6pm (Bob Watts).
 * Brookmill Park, Lewisham: 1 Heron, 12 Mallard, 1 Mandarin, 5 Moorhen, 6 Coot, 2 Black-headed Gull, 10+ Woodpigeon, 1 Grey Wagtail, 3 Wren, 3 Robin, 5 Blackbird, 1 Song Thrush, Blue & Great Tit flock, 2 Magpie, 3 Carrion Crow, 6 Goldfinch, 2 Greenfinch. + 2 Jersey Tiger Moths (Conrad Ellam)
 * Canons Farm and Banstead Woods: Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Hobby showing well on top of pine, 2 Bullfinches (male +fem), 2 Goldcrests, Treecreeper, Nuthatch, 2 Yellowhammers, 27 Linnets, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 5 Green Woodpeckers, Mallard, 40 House Martins south, 2 Rose-ringed Parakeets, Common Whitethroat, 2 Blackcaps, 4 Chiffchaffs, 4 Stock Doves. 2 Roe Deer (David Campbell).
 * Clapton Common: Reed Warbler singing from meagre stand of phragmites (MJP)
 * Crossness: Green Sandpiper, ad Yellow-legged Gull, 2 Black-Tailed Godwit, Chiffchaff, 12 Common Sandpipers. (Kev Jarvis).
 * Dagenham East: Hobby over low by the station about 7.20 am. (V.Halley-Frame).
 * East India Dock Basin NR: 1 ad Mediterranean Gull west 08.20, 2 Teal (1st since April), Peregrine, 1 Garden Warbler, loads of juv Reed Warblers. (Gary A James).
 * Hampstead Heath: Hobby chasing crow and calling, pr Kestrels (Parliament Hill Fields) (Michael Mac).
 * Hampstead Ponds Number 1 and 2: 1 Common Tern, 20+ Black-headed Gulls winter plumage, 3 Egyptian Geese, 1 fishing Cormorant later seen flying high towards Walthamstow,Pr Mute Swans with 4 big cygnets, Great Crested Grebe sitting on nest other feeding single chick (Michael Mac).
 * Highgate Pond Number 1: f Red-crested Pochard (yesterday report from Ray Swan, never seen species here), 2 broods Tufted Duck, pr Mute Swans + 2 small cygnets, pr Great Crested Grebe and 2 young gone after young appear to have been predated, pr Sparrowhawks high up of Parliament Hill Fields (Michael Mac and the Swan Men).
 * Margravine Cemetery: pr Peregrine Falcon (evening) (Nathale Mahieu).
 * Mill Hill NW7: 15 Ring-necked Parakeet over SW toward Brent Res @ 1935. (Steve B)
 * Paddington Green: pr Peregrine Falcon a.m. (fem with a kill) (Des McKenzie).
 * Pinner Park Farm: 2 Hobby, 1 Little Owl & 1 Sparrowhawk. Very quiet on the Warbler front (Jon Ridge).
 * Rainham Marshes: Green Sandpiper, 2 Ruff, 6 Dunlin; Peregrine with damaged leg trailing (Tom Smith)
 * Roding Valley Park: Great Spotted Woodpecker, Common Tern (Alan Hobson).
 * South Norwood Lake: Peregrine Falcon, Mute Swan, 12 Tufted Duck (1 with brood of 9), 3 Cormorant, 1 Black-headed Gull, 2 Herring Gull, 3 Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Swift, 5 Nuthatch, 6 Ring-necked Parakeet, 4 Long-tailed Tit, 4 Chiffchaff, 2 House Sparrow, 1 Jersey Tiger Moth, (John Watson)
 * Springfield Park: Oystercatcher low and west, 0913 (a very big deal around here), c50 Swifts, 12 House Martins, five Blackcaps, Chiffchaff singing, families of Green Woodpecker and Sparrowhawk among the usuals (Mark Pearson Hackney Wildlife)
 * Walthamstow Reservoirs: Dunlin and juvenile Little Ringed Plover together on Lockwood Reservoir this evening. Also, Common Terns have chicks on one of the rafts and are quite happy to dive-bomb hapless birdwatchers. (Katy M.)
 * Wanstead Park: Hobby, 19 Swift, 5 House Martin, 2 Goldcrest and not a lot else (S Fisher)

Monday 2nd August

 * Alexandra Park: 2 Common Terns flew in from west 0635, Lesser whitethroat, 5 Whitethroat, Blackcap Cricket Scrub, Willow Warbler 7pm, also pair of Zebra Finches (Bob Watts).


 * Beddington SF: Wood Sandpiper (Birdguides).


 * Brent Reservoir 1 juv Black-necked Grebe, 5 Lapwing, 3 Common Sandpiper, 1 Green Sandpiper (Roy Beddard) No sign of Black-necked Grebe at 15.00 but adult Yellow-legged Gull (North Marsh) and substantial warbler flock including Lesser Whitethroat and Willow Warbler. (Oliver Simms)


 * Brookmill Park, Lewisham: 1 Heron, 16 Mallard, 4 Moorhen, 6 Coot, 2 Black-headed Gull, 1 Herring Gull, 10+ Woodpigeon, 1 Stock Dove, 1 Grey Wagtail, 4 Wren, 1 Dunnock, 7 Robin, 6 Blackbird, 5 Blue Tit, 1 Starling, 1 Jay, 5 Magpie, 3 Carrion Crow, 12 Goldfinch, 6 Greenfinch. (Conrad Ellam)


 * Hyde Park & Kensington Gardens: 14 Egyptian Goose, 2 fem / imm Mandarin Duck, pr Gadwall, 10 Red-crested Pochard, 46 Tufted Duck, ad Great Crested Grebe taken into care (appeared to be suffering from botulism and wasn't helped by two youths trying to hit it with sticks), 202 Black-headed Gull, Tawny Owl, c30 House Martin, Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaff, 4 Willow Warbler; also 2 Speckled Wood, Red Admiral, Holly Blue, 13 Silver Y (Des McKenzie).


 * Leyton Flats: 1 ad Mediterranean Gull, small fall of migrants, 4 Willow Warblers, 5+ Chiffchaffs, 2 Blackcaps. (Gary A James).


 * London Wetland Centre: 23 Teal, 8 Shoveler, Hobby, 51 Lapwing, 2 Common Snipe, Redshank, Kingfisher, Yellow Wagtail east, 7 Chiffchaff (LWC website).


 * Paddington Green: m Peregrine Falcon in area a.m.and still present p.m., joined by fem at 18:12, Common Sandpiper heard passing over 01:20, 4 Goldfinch (DMc).
 * Pinner Park Farm: 2 Hobby, 1 Little Owl, 1 Garden Warbler in the middle hedge, several Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler, 1+ Whitethroat, 4 Swallow, 2 Swift & the usual charm of Goldfinch (Jon Ridge).


 * Rainham Marshes : 6 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Greenshank, 20 Common Sandpiper, 40 Yellow-legged Gull, juv Arctic Tern (Birdguides).


 * Regent's Park: 2 Wood Warblers between enclosure at NE end of lake and St Johns Lodge, plus 2 Garden Warblers, 5 Common Whitethroats, 4 Blackcaps, 12 Willow Warblers, 8 Chiffchaffs, Yellow Wagtail and 80 Swifts(Tony Duckett).


 * Roding Valley Park: Kingfisher, Blackcap, Jay, Kestrel, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Common Tern, small flock of Long-tailed Tits (Alan Hobson).


 * South Norwood Lake: (10:35) Peregrine Falcon, 3 Mute Swan, 4 Cormorant, 8 Tufted Duck,2 Common Swift, 5 Green Woodpecker (2juv) 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, c5 Nuthatch, 1 Pied Wagtail 7 Ring-necked Parakeet, 1 Song Thrush, 6 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap, 6 Long-taileed Tit, 4 House Sparrow, (John Watson)
 * Tower Hamlets Cemetery: 6+ Swifts (Bob Watts).


 * Tyttenhanger GPs: Wood Warbler, in trees behind car park by the snack bar - present around 9:30am. (Herts Bird Club website) Hobby, 3 Buzzard. (Steve B)


 * Vauxhall BT: adult f Peregrine same time every day perched (Michael Mac).
 * Walton Res: adult Caspian Gull on causway 1500-1600 when flew off north, thought to be same as KGVI bird (DMH).


 * M25/M40 intersection, Bucks: 3 Common Buzzard circling at 5.15pm (Andy Culshaw).

Sunday 1st August

 * Crayford Marsh: Avocet, whimbrel, 3 greenshank, 6 oystercatcher, 6 common sandpiper, 3 lrp.(KJM).
 * Alexandra Park: Wheatear briefly perched on bramble in SW corner cricket pitch before being flushed into oblivion by dogwalker 8am, also Common Sandpiper (only 2nd of year) Wood Green Res on water feature before flying high off south 0838, Lesser Whitethroat 'Whitethroat' tree near Cricke Pavilion car park, also 20+ Swifts (mostly very high), c4 House Martins (note pair still nesting opposite bus stop near vet/fish n chip shop Hornsey High Street (Bob Watts). Garden Warbler and Willow Warbler Cricket scrub 6pm (Gareth Richards).


 * Barnet - near Dyrham Park -- Buzzard swooping low over trees, then rested on pylon crossbar. (Geoff Crabtree)


 * Brent Reservoir: Black-necked Grebe, Little Egret, Green Sandpiper, 5 Common Sandpiper, 5 Lapwing (Brent Birders)


 * Brookmill Park, Lewisham: 1 Heron, 19 Mallard, 5 Moorhen, 7 Coot, 2 Black-headed Gull, 1 Herring Gull, 6 Woodpigeon, 1 Grey Wagtail, 3 Wren, 4 Robin, 7 Blackbird, Blue, Great & Long-tailed Tit flock, 2 Magpie, 1 Carrion Crow, 8 Goldfinch, 4 Greenfinch, 1 Chaffinch. (Conrad Ellam)


 * Crossness: Sandwich Tern east along Thames, Garden Warbler, Willow Warbler, juv Med Gull, juv Cuckoo, ad Yellow-legged Gull, Dunlin. (Kev Jarvis & I. Miller).


 * Grays Chalk Pit: Little Grebe with 3 well-grown young, Reed Warbler, 2 Willow Warbler; also Painted Lady, Fritillary sp (probably Silver-washed), Ringlet, 2 White-letter Hairstreak, Purple Hairstreak (Des McKenzie, Nick Tanner).


 * Hampton Ferry: Hobby, calling very loudly as it flew upstream. (Adam Cheeseman)
 * Holyfield Farm, Lee Valley 15.00:Turtle Dove, first observed perching in dead tree along footpath towards watch point, 150 yards North of farm. Flew towards farm and down into grass field north of farm house. Also 3 Common Buzzard, 2 Yellowhammer, 1 Little Owl. (N.Smith)


 * Ingrebourne Valley: Peregrine over @ 6.40pm(Shaun Harvey), Hobby circling and calling, 3 Swift (west, just north of Rainham), c. 30 Lapwing, f Red-crested Pochard on Berwick Pond, Great Crested Grebe (on Berwick and Albyne Farm pond), Bullfinch, and 4 Little Egrets (Albion pond, something missing...) Wasp Spider (nasty piece of work it looks too) (Nick Croft)


 * Iver village: 1 Red Kite low over; also on 27 July. (Roger Dewey)


 * Limetrees Park Golf Course (Northolt): Mute Swan + 4 juv, pr Little Grebe + 3 well grown juv, 2 Hobbies hunting dragonflies, f.Kestrel, 6 Stock Dove, c10 Swift, 2 calling Chiffchaff (Neil Anderson)
 * Lonsdale Road Reservoir: 3 Reed Warbler, 2 Blackcap, 1 Pied Wagtail, 3 Pochard, 4 Cormorant, 1 Song Thrush, 3 Stock Dove plus a flock of 80-100 gulls above the reservoir at high tide (mostly Lesser Black-backed and Black-headed Gulls, from what I could see). (Rich Petley).


 * Lower Chingford (footpath off Russell Road): 14 Green Sandpiper, 2 juvenile Shelduck, 1 Teal, 2 Lapwing, Stock Dove, lots of Sand Martin, several House Martin (James Palmer).


 * Pinner Park Farm: Hobby, 1 Garden Warbler around the main pond, several Chiffchaff, 1+ Willow Warbler, 2+ Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Whitethroat, 35+ Goldfinch & 33 Canada Goose (Jon Ridge).


 * Rainham Marshes 10.30-11.30: 3 Marsh Harrier, 1 adult with what looked like a white tag on right wing and light blue on left wing, and two other birds that looked like juveniles. Adult bird circled very high and dissapeared South over river, the other two birds remained hunting, observed from shooting butt hide west side. (N.Smith) 2 Avocet, 1 Black wit, 4 Whimbrel, Ruff, 5 Green Sand, 2 Common Sand, 6 Redshank, 1 Greenshank, 3 Snipe, 8 Dunlin, 6 LRP, 12 little egret, 5 teal, 3 shoveler, 1 wigeon.(Paul Hawkins) Yellow-legged Gull, Curlew, 4 Common Sand, 2 Ringed Plover, Peregrine east, bag fulls of Linnet and Goldfinch, Common Whitethroat with a wagtail's tail (hmmm!) Water Vole north of flyover (Nick Croft 14:00-20:00 - threw myself out this time).


 * South Norwood Lake: m Peregrine Falcon, 3 Mute Swan, 12 Tufted Duck, c12 Swifts, 4 Chiffchaff, c4 Nuthatch, 1 Green Woodpecker, 4 Great Spotted Woodpecker, c8 Long-tailed Tit, 12 Ring-necked Parakeet, 1 Jay, 2 House Sparrow (John Watson & Gavin Hawgood)


 * Tufnell Park (Anson Road N7) 1 Sparrowhawk (juvenile) today - 7.30am and perched in open for 1 hour+ this afternoon (Adrian Platt)


 * Wanstead Flats (04:30-09:00) Saturday figures (1): Saturday beaten to the flats by a man with an ironing board, as for the birds not much to see, too early for Larks and pipits (sensible creatures). 1 Swift (circling over Alex), Willow Warbler (1), possible Crossbill (probable slow Greenfinch), 20 Ring-Necked Parakeet (10), 3 Kestrel (2), Shoveler (1), 1 Heron (2), gulls, woodpeckers and very little else to tempt me out of bed early this week (at least till I forget - Nick Croft) - ooh and a Noctule (over Jub Jub).


 * Warren Gorge (Chafford Hundred): 9 Little Egret, 2 Gadwall, Kingfisher, Reed Warbler, Common Whitethroat, Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler; also 2 Painted Lady (Des McKenzie, Nick Tanner).