Stoke Newington Reservoirs

Map:

Website: The Reservoirs Nature Society (TeRNS) for records, news, and site information.

Website: Hackney Wildlife (Hackney Wildlife Group) provides regular, reliable bird reports from Stoke Newington Reservoirs (and other Hackney sites). Hackney Wildlife studies the site intensively, leads educational and community activities here (including guided bird-watching and moth trapping), and conducts various surveys (e.g. for the BTO, Butterfly Conservation, Bat Conservation Trust and other organisations). Daily news appears on the latest sightings page, with photographs and results of surveys also published. Monthly and annual summaries provide full overviews of the site's avifauna. The reservoirs are one of the best-studied urban sites as a result, and published reports are forthcoming. See lower section of page for a comprehensive overview; this year's (2010) highlights are as follows:

January 2010

GREATER SCAUP - 19th; 

BITTERN - 7th; 

Cetti's Warbler - one all month (from Nov 2009); 

Yellow-legged Gulls - two, 12th; one, 16th; one, 17th; 

Common Buzzard - one, 7th (first January record); 

presumed Ring-necked Duck x Tufted Duck - drake all month (from Nov); 

presumed Greater Scaup x Tufted Duck - female all month (from Nov).

 February 2010 

JACK SNIPE - one, 16th;

presumed Common Pochard x Tufted Duck - drake, 26th;

both other Aythya hybrids intermittently all month; 

Cetti's Warbler - two all month.

March 2010

BITTERN - one, 1st; one, 13th;

Common Buzzards - one on 2nd; one on 13th; one on 16th.

April 2010

ALPINE SWIFT - one on 1st;

(Mark Pearson - Hackney Wildlife)

The Reservoirs Nature Society (TeRNS)

Access is restricted. However good views of most of the two basins are possible from the New River public path, which runs for approximately one kilometre along the north side of the site, and from the main gate on Lordship Road (telescope advised). More than 110 species have been recorded.

Completed in 1833 there are 17 hectares of open water - Hackney's largest wetland area. They are designated a Site of Metropolitan Importance for Conservation, and were given legal protection in 1986.

Recent highlights:

2005: A Slavonian (Horned) Grebe on April 3rd; a Pied Flycatcher, September 3 – 4th; an (imm.) Garganey on September 5th.

2006: A (juv) Mediterranean Gull on February 4th; a female Golden Oriole on May 12th; a Black-necked Grebe on August 27th; and four Sandwich Terns over on September 3rd.

2007: Three Green Sandpipers on February 6th; two Whimbrel over on August 21st; a Common Redstart on September 3rd.

2008: Two Brambling (male and fem.) from the 11th March to the 5th April; a Little Gull over on August 31st; a Whinchat on September 27th; an (imm.) Iceland Gull on December 15th.

2009: A (juv) Great Northern Diver between the 4th and 13th February; two female Common Scoter on October 21st.

Background and habitats
For a comparatively small, central London site set against such an urban backdrop, SNR's have produced great rewards for local patchworkers, and a strong upsurge in regular coverage in recent years has greatly improved the local ornithological picture. Prior to the beginning of this century, records from the site were erratic and occasional; since then, however, it has become one of the best studied sites in the capital. However, regular effort is strongly advised, and the area can be quiet for the visiting birder, especially outside migration periods. Access is currently limited, but good views of the West Reservoir are possible from both the West Reservoir Centre and the New River path, which runs along the northern perimeter. The East Reservoir - managed as a nature reserve - can be viewed best (and in its entirety) from the observation platform in the London Wildlife Trust Community Garden. For further information and to arrange access to the observation platform, feel free to contact us here.

The reservoirs are two small neighbouring water bodies (17 ha of open water), bisected by Lordship Road, and surrounded by an urban landscape of tower blocks and busy streets; hence their appeal is greatly restricted by size, geography and habitat limitations. The West Reservoir is used for commercial purposes (sailing, windsurfing etc) and is regularly disturbed as a result. However, the few inches of exposed concrete bank provided the best chance of coming across a wader, and the open water is attractive to plenty of wildfowl and gulls, many of which seek sanctuary on the East Reservoir when disturbed. The West is arguably more attractive to species which prefer more expansive water bodies, and viewing from the WR centre cafe or the New river path gives a good panorama. A telescope is recommeded for scanning the banks.

The New River path (temporarily closed presently as part of the huge Woodberry Down Estate development) along the northern perimeter of the West Reservoir follows the New River, and despite having very limited cover, attracts passerine migrants in spring and autumn; Kingfisher is regular here in all seasons except summer. The path continues on the other side of Lordship Road, along the New River, and along the northern perimeter of the East Reservoir - views of the latter along the path are frustratingly limited for the visiting birder, but the trees and scrub either side of the path are a magnet for migrant passerines as well as breeding Reed Warblers, Mute Swans and wintering Kingfishers.

The East Reservoir is managed as a nature reserve, and access is unfortunately now restricted. However, London Wildlife Trust occupy the north-east corner of the site (East Reservoir Community Garden), and the observation platform here overlooks the reservoir in its entirety. The platform is open to the public on most weekdays (but call ahead to check access), and is an unrivalled viewpoint to watch the open water, its surrounding habitats, and the sky for e.g. raptors and visible migration. We provide free use of binoculars and telescopes for visitors (just ask in the office). The garden itself is another excellent spot for migrants, and has a feeding station which attracts plenty of birds, especially in the winter.

The East Reservoir is bordered by a shallow bank which which is dominated by phragmites, as well as patches of willow and bramble scrub. Beyond this, a ring of mature oaks and other broad-leaved trees are scattered around the site's boundary. The open water has two tern rafts, long since having fallen into disrepair and now dominated by Cormorants, Coots and a pair of breeding Lesser Black-backed Gulls.

Other local sites worth watching include Abney Park Cemetery (an excellent mixed woodland off Stoke Newington High Street) and Clissold Park (an amenity parkland off Green Lanes/Stoke Newington Church St). Getting there: Manor House, on the Piccadilly Line, is five minutes walk via Green Lanes (or 106, 141, 341 buses).

Species
144 species have been legitimately recorded at the site since 2000 (excluding probable escapes, hybrids etc), with at least a further 6 previously. Between 90 and 100 species are recorded in the area annually.

Waterbirds - breeding waterfowl include Mute Swans (on both reservoirs and along the New River), Mallards, Little & Great Crested Grebes, Coot, Moorhens, Canada Geese, Tufted Duck, Common Pochard (irregularly) and Gadwall (2009). Visiting geese include regular Greylags and Canadas, as well as increasingly regular Egyptian Geese. Ducks are numerous throughout the year but especially July - April, when good numbers of Common Pochard, Shoveler, Tufted Ducks, Gadwall and Mallard congregate. Less common visitors which occur annually in small numbers include Wigeon, Teal, Shelduck and Ruddy Ducks (the latter common before several culls in 2006/7). Red-crested Pochards are a curiously consistent visitor in small numbers, with early autumn arrivals occuring since at least the early 1960's; they also occur in winter on occasion. Grey Herons and Cormorants are omnipresent non-breeders. Escapes and hybrids are increasingly noted, including a presumed hybrid Ring-necked Duck x Tufted Duck, a presumed hybrid Greater Scaup x Tufted Duck, several hybrid Greylag x Canada Geese, Black Swan, Northern Shoveler x ? and several others. (see site for full details).

Historically the reservoirs were best known for wintering Smew, which ceased to occur beyond the late 1980's; other old records include Velvet Scoter, Red-breasted Merganser and Goosander, mostly recorded during (now distant) hard winters. Modern-day waterbird scarcities include:

GREATER SCAUP (January 2010)

GARGANEY (September 2005)

GREAT NORTHERN DIVER (February 2009)

COMMON SCOTER (two, October 2009)

RUDDY SHELDUCK (May 2009, of unknown origin)

GOLDENEYE (November 2006, December 2008)

BITTERN (October 2009, January 2010, February 2010, two, March 2010)

SLAVONIAN GREBE (April 2005)

BLACK-NECKED GREBE (August 2006)

Waders - a lack of suitable habitat prevents many wading birds visiting the site, although a slight drop in water levels on either reservoir would doubtless attract many more. This is borne out by the rare occasions when the level has temporarily dropped; Little Ringed Plovers attempted to breed on the temporarily drained East Reservoir several years ago, and commoner species instantly appeared. As recently as early spring 2009, the briefly exposed mud on the East Reservoir attracted Redshank, Little Ringed Plover, Common Snipe and Lapwings over the course of just a couple of days. For the best chance of locally scarce passage waders, however, the small area of exposed bank around the West Reservoir is the favoured site, with regular Common Snipe, Green Sandpipers and Common Sandpipers occuring annually in small numbers, plus recent records of GREENSHANK (May 2009) & Redshank (March and April 2009).

Common Snipe are also annual in small numbers on the East Reservoir, where occasional JACK SNIPE are also recorded (and are probably an annual visitor, with e.g. three during Dec 2009-Jan 2010). Lapwings are recorded in variable numbers on passage, and occasionally down, every year, while Woodcocks are also annual (although rare). GOLDEN PLOVERS were recorded for the first time in December 2009, when c80 flew low and south, and two WHIMBRELS flew over in August 2007. Perhaps the best wader of recent years was a BLACK-TAILED GODWIT, which circled low over the East Reservoir several times (before giving up on account of lack of habitat) in September 2006.

Birds of Prey - Sparrowhawks and Kestrels are ubiquitous; both species breed close to the site and it's an unlucky day if you don't see one or the other. Peregrines are increasingly regular visitors, with an average of around 10-15 records per year in recent times; birds occasionally use neighbouring tower-blocks as plucking posts. Hobbys are pleasingly regular during the spring and summer - up to 20 records per year (and several birds together) is no longer unusual, this species being especially fond of congregations of Swifts and hirundines. Pioneering raptor-watching studies at the site over recent years will be covered in more detail in forthcoming publications, and full details are available on the latest news page, but highlights have included dozens of Common Buzzards and Red Kites, plus -

MARSH HARRIER (April 2009)

OSPREY (April 2006)

SHORT-EARED OWL (April 2009)

HONEY-BUZZARD (May 2008)

GOSHAWK (March & April 2009, one escape and one of unknown origin)

MERLIN (November 2009)

and one of the star birds of our studies so far at the reservoirs, a BLACK KITE in April 2009. Escaped falcons are occasionally recorded, with e.g. a Saker-type present on three dates in spring 2009.

Gulls and Terns - only Lesser Black-backed Gulls breed at the reservoirs, but Herring, Common and Black-headed Gulls are all numerous (except for mid-summer), and pre-roost gatherings in mid and late winter are impressive. Great Black-backed Gulls are scarce but regular (about 10 records per year), and Yellow-legged Gulls are annual in small numbers. Mediterranean Gull remains oddly rare (although a bird wintered at nearby Clapton Common in 2007/8 and 2008/9). Common Terns are exactly that, with birds present throughout from May-September (and up to 35 recorded on a good day in late summer). Other gulls and terns are rare, with highlights including:

ICELAND GULL (December 2008)

LITTLE GULL (April 2009)

BLACK TERN (September 2009)

ARCTIC TERN (43, September 2008; singles on two dates, April 2009)

SANDWICH TERN (4, September 2006).

Gamebirds, pigeons and doves - somewhat incredibly for an isolated central London site, two species of the former have graced the site in recent years - several Pheasants and a RED-LEGGED PARTRIDGE (April 2009). Woodpigeons are common residents (augmented by winter visitors), but passage overhead in late October and early November is often very impressive - several hundred per early morning session is average, and several thousand is not uncommon given favourable conditions. Collared Dove and Stock Dove are both resident in small numbers, with some passage of the latter in autumn.

Corvids - Carrion Crows, Jays and Magpies are all common residents. Jackdaws are regular, with most records in spring and (especially) autumn, often involving flocks (of up 60) on passage; occasional birds hang around for a few days. Rooks are a rare, less-than-annual passage migrant, usually accompanying Jackdaws in autumn. A welcome first for the site flew over the obs platform in September 2009 - a RAVEN, pursued by two Carrion Crows.

Woodpeckers, Parakeets, Swifts and hirundines - Great Spotted and Green Woodpeckers are omnipresent at and around the site; since arriving in the area in 2007, Ring-necked Parakeets are equally hard to avoid (although mercifully still in small numbers). Swifts are a speciality of the reservoirs, with a seemingly healthy local breeding population augmented by impressive numbers of ranging birds, with several hundred feeding over the water again not unusual between May and August. Swallows, House Martins and Sand Martins are all common summer migrants, with variable numbers between March and October - all have reached three-figure counts on occasion.

Another exceptional visitor in recent years was the RED-RUMPED SWALLOW, which spent about 30 minutes over the reservoirs on the evening of 9th May 2009, before leaving with the large party of Swifts it arrived with.

Other passerines - aside from the common garden / parkland species breeding at the reservoirs, a healthy population of Reed Warblers thrive in East Res reedbed (with 12-15 pairs in recent years), one to two pairs of Sedge Warblers, and two to four pairs of Reed Buntings. Grey Wagtails are almost always present, with at least one pair breeding on site every year. Lack of suitable habitat restricts other breeding warblers, but Blackcap, Common Whitethroat and Chiffchaff have bred in recent years. Passerine migration through the site, both overhead and on the deck, has been studied intensively in recent times through greatly increased site coverage and visible migration watches throughout the autumn. Warblers are attracted to almost any cover around the reservoirs, the commonest migrants being Willow Warblers, Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps; less common but regular species include Garden Warblers, Lesser Whitethroats and Common Whitethroats. Spotted Flycatchers are a feature of every August and September, and Pied Flycatchers are now annual in the same period; Common Redstarts, however, are only just about annual.

Visible migration studies - usually involving several-hour, multi-observer watches from first light during autumn (and less regularly, spring) mornings - have revealed some fascinating trends best dealt with in depth elsewhere, but the commoner species include Chaffinches, Meadow Pipits, Redwings, Fieldfares, Greenfinches and Goldfinches, as well as Woodpigeons, Jackdaws and hirundines. Less numerous but reliable and regular passage species every autumn include Siskins, redpolls, Bramblings, Skylarks, Song Thrushes and Reed Buntings.

Local scarcities recorded during such watches include several RING OUZELS (2006, 2007), YELLOWHAMMER (2006), ROCK PIPITS (3, 2006), and COMMON CROSSBILLS (2, 2009). Several of these species have also been observed on the deck at the reservoirs, including Ring Ouzels (2006, 2007, 2009) and Rock Pipits (2006, 2007). Habitat limitations restrict the possibilities of uncovering various passerines, including chats - having said that, sheer bloody-mindedness on the part of local observers has resulted in the discovery of both WHINCHAT (April 2007) and STONECHAT (October 2008) in the reedbed, and several Northern Wheatears in recent years. Other notable passerines include Firecrests (recorded for the first time in 2009) and Cetti's Warblers - individuals were present at the East Reservoir in October 2007, January 2008 and November 2009 - January 2010.

Truly scarce passerines are notoriously hard to come by at such an urban site, but there are several examples in recent times of extraordinary occurrences. A WATER PIPIT in April 2009 (on the same day as Black Kite and Red-legged Partridge) is a good example, as is the score of TREE SPARROWS in October 2006; however, the recording of two other species in particular hopefully offer inspiration to the beleaguered urban patch-worker. An otherwise tedious morning on 12th May 2006 resulted in the discovery of a cracking GOLDEN ORIOLE in the oaks around the East Reservoir; while for a week in late December 2008 - early January 2009, a SIBERIAN CHIFFCHAFF took up residence along the New River. Hope truly springs eternal.

As well as the occasionally mind-reeling long-shots which occur through sheer effort and time-investment, it is perhaps the anomalies that are most surprising: no Little Egret (which breed less than 2km away), but two Bitterns; no Black Redstart, but Siberian Chiffchaff; no Greater Scaup*, but Great Northern Diver; no Tawny Owl (which breed a couple of hundred metres away), but Short-eared Owl; no Treecreeper (again, a couple of km away), but Golden Oriole.

(*NB about 10 hours after writing this sentence, the site's first Greater Scaup in almost 50 years appeared on the reservoirs on Jan 19th 2010. Proof of a higher force at work?!)

Mark Pearson - Hackney Wildlife, London Wildlife Trust, London Natural History Society

Mark Pearson's rolling total in the 2010 patchlist challenge for north-east Hackney (incorporating Stoke Newington Reservoirs): TARGET - 100

January: 1 Mute Swan - 2 Canada Goose - 3 Gadwall - 4 Mallard - 5 Shoveler - 6 Common Pochard - 7 Tufted Duck - 8 Little Grebe - 9 Great Crested Grebe - 10 Cormorant - 11 Grey Heron - 12 Sparrowhawk - 13 Water Rail - 14 Moorhen - 15 Coot - 16 Black-headed Gull - 17 Common Gull - 18 Lesser Black-backed Gull - 19 Herring Gull - 20 Feral Rock Dove - 21 Stock Dove - 22 Woodpigeon - 23 Collared Dove - 24 Ring-necked Parakeet - 25 Tawny Owl - 26 Great Spotted Woodpecker - 27 Meadow Pipit - 28 Grey Wagtail - 29 Pied Wagtail - 30 Wren - 31 Dunnock - 32 Robin - 33 Blackbird - 34 Fieldfare - 35 Song Thrush - 36 Redwing - 37 Mistle Thrush - 38 Cetti's Warbler - 39 Common Chiffchaff - 40 Goldcrest - 41 Long-tailed Tit - 42 Coal Tit - 43 Blue Tit - 44 Great Tit - 45 Jay - 46 Magpie - 47 Carrion Crow - 48 Starling - 49 House Sparrow - 50 Chaffinch - 51 Greenfinch - 52 Goldfinch - 53 Siskin - 54 Lesser Redpoll - 55 Reed Bunting - 56 Ruddy Duck - 57 Common Buzzard - 58 Greylag Goose - 59 Peregrine - 60 Skylark - 61 Bittern - 62 Kestrel - 63 Brambling - 64 Lapwing - 65 Common Snipe - 66 Eurasian Wigeon - 67 Egyptian Goose - 68 Green Woodpecker - 69 Eurasian Teal - 70 Yellow-legged Gull - 71 Kingfisher - 72 Great Black-backed Gull - 73 Greater Scaup 

February: 74 Blackcap - 75 Jack Snipe

March 76 Jackdaw - 77 Linnet - 78 Sand Martin

April: 79 Swallow - 80 Willow Warbler - 81 ALPINE SWIFT

races, subspecies, escapes, hybrids etc: 'Northern' (argentatus) Herring Gull - female presumed Greater Scaup x Tufted Duck hybrid - male presumed Ring-necked Duck x Tufted Duck hybrid - Northern Shoveler x ? hybrid - male presumed Common Pochard x Tufted Duck ('Lesser Scaup type') -

Site visits so far, 2010 - 48