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- '''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.

Sunday 23rd May

 * Wormwood Scrubs: 2 Red Kites (1st site record) at midday. One high and east, the other low and south. 1 Tree Pipit, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Skylark, 1 Garden Warbler (Martin Bell's Wood), 5 common warblers, Swifts and Swallows (D Lindo, R Nuttall, R Spencer, A & S Price, Bob..., M Bourne, et al)
 * South Norwood Lake: 2 Hobby's, Mute Swan, Great Crested Grebe, 10 Tufted Tufted Duck, c12 Common Swift, c8 singing Blackcap, 5+singing Chiffchaff, Long-tailed Tit, 2 Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker(pair at nest feeding young) Nuthatch (feeding young) Goldfinch, Greenfinch, 4+ House Sparrow, (John Watson & Gavin Hawgood)
 * Grovelands Park, Southgate: 2 broods Mandarin Duck,(3+13 ducklings) (Robert Callf).

Saturday 22nd May

 * Alexandra Palace: Honey Buzzard flew E with Common Buzzard at 12.47, plus 2 Little Egrets thermalling one hour later; also Hobby, 1 Swallow N and Spotted Flycatcher in large fenced oak in Grove (Bob Watts, Andrew Gardener, Dominic Mitchell and Gareth Richards).
 * North Hillingdon. Afternoon in garden Common Buzzard @ 12.00, 2 Red Kite's. Hobby. Honey Buzzard @ 18.45. Sparrowhawk to finish. (G Westley)
 * Crossness: Red Kite west at 11:15, 2 Hobby's, 2 swallows. Kev Jarvis, AW.
 * Rainham Marshes: Red Kite west over Wennington Mound at 11 am, plus Cuckoo, 9 Ringed plovers, 8+ Hobbies, Whimbrel, 3 Grasshopper Warblers, Peregrine (David Callahan).
 * London W1T: singing Black Redstart (David Callahan - news from an old friend).
 * London W1F: another different singing Black Redstart photographed on the chimney pots (David Callahan per same old friend and her Facebook page).
 * Greenwich Park: 1 Common Buzzard SSE (approximately) @ 13.00. Perhaps the same one as at Waterworks NR earlier? (Joe Beale).
 * Wormwood Scrubs: (08.00) 1 Lesser Whitethroat in Cha'ts padock, 1 Chiffchaff, also Willow Warbler with incorporated Chiffchaff verses in song, 12 Blackcap, 4 Whitethroat, 5 Linnet, 6 Greenfinch, 5 meadow Pipit 1 singing, 1m Reed Bunting, 1f Sparrowhawk, 2 Pied Wagtail, 1 Grey Wagtail flew East, 1 G.S. Woodpecker. (N.Smith).
 * Brent Res: Ringed Plover, 3 Little Ringed, 4 Lapwings, a lot of Tern activity, Mute Swan 7 cygnets (Andrew Verrall).
 * Harefield village centre: 1 Red Kite over @ 11.15, soaring low over escarpment. (Roger Dewey).
 * Green Lane allotments, Cowley (by Brunel University): c 6 Linnet. (Roger Dewey).
 * Mitcham Common: (15:00) Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrel, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker, 4 Long-Tailed Tit, 3 Jay, c20 Swift, 3 Greenfinch, 2 Whitethroat, 2 Chiffchaff, Ring-Necked Parakeet (Stuart M)
 * Lonsdale Road Reservoir: 1 Common Sandpiper, 4 Common Tern, c.30 Swift, 3 House Martin, 1 Swallow, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 GC Grebe, 5 Reed Warbler, plus usuals (M Bourne and Louis Freeland-Haynes)
 * Pinner Park Farm: 2+ Hobby, 1 Common Buzzard east at 12:12, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Little Owl, 1 singing Whitethroat, 4 Swallow, 2 House Martin & 8+ Swift (Jon Ridge).
 * South Norwood Lake: 3 Mute Swan, Great Crested Grebe (on nest) 2 Greylag Geese, 4 Cormorant, 2 Herring Gull, 1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Great Spotted Wodpecker (pair feeding young) c6singing Blackcap, 4 singing Chiffchaff, c10 Common Swift, House Martin, Nuthatch, Long-tailed Tit, Coal Tit, 2 Collared Dove, 2 Jay, 8+Greenfinch, c12 Goldfinch, 1Mistle Thrush, 2 Song Thrush, 4 House Sparrow, (John Watson & Gavin Hawgood)
 * Waterworks NR: Common Buzzard S @ 12.50, Little Egret,5 Swallow. (Gary A James).
 * Mayesbrook Park: Hobby, Lesser Whitethroat. (Paul Hawkins)
 * Stoke Newington Reservoirs: 3 Buzzard sp. together v high and way to the north c1305 (unIDable), Hobby, Peregrine, 4 Common Terns, plus the usuals (MJP)
 * Sainsbury's Nine Elm's Car Park: male Kestrel on lamp fittings, nest site close by but not been seen last few days (Michael Mac).
 * Hampstead Heath: 0745- 1245 : Turtle Dove (N), 2 Yellow Wagtails (N), 2 Common Buzzards (1 N, 1 E), 2 Hobbies, 6 Swallows, 1 Sand Martin, Lesser Whitethroat heard not seen (Pete Mantle)
 * Staines Res: in the evening, drake Ferruginous Duck S basin (this is the long-term resident escape/backcross from E Berks, with quite extensive black bill tip); also Knot N basin W bank, Turnstone through, three Sanderling, second-summer Little Gull, etc (Rob Innes, Ken Purdey).

Friday 21st May

 * Harrow-on-the-Hill: singing Wood Warbler in wooded area N of church at 5.50am (Andy Culshaw).


 * Stoke Newington Reservoirs: Intermediate-type Honey-buzzard west pursued by crows 10.50 am; Kittiwake east 12:00 (first site record); second Honey-buzzard west (also pursued by crows) at 12:10 (different bird on account of missing inner primaries); 3rd year Great Black-backed Gull on East res early a.m.; unID'ed buzzard sp. very high and north 1620 (prob Common); 2 House Martins, 10 Swallows, c150 Swifts (Mark Pearson & Tony Butler et al Hackney Wildlife).


 * Wood Green: Intermediate-type Honey Buzzard high from west heading east, then turning north towards Lea Valley 11.10 am - probably same bird as Stoke Newington, returning (David Callahan, Ian Lycett).


 * Rotherhithe: Turtle Dove low northwest over Stave Hill heading towards Bermondsey 4.50pm; also a Swallow. 3 Common Terns Surrey Water (no breeding appears to be taking place on Canada Water as Southwark council failed to sort out the position of the tern raft after last year's vandalism) (Richard Bonser).


 * Forest Gate (too lazy to go to Wanstead so skywatching again 08:30-11:00: No Honey Buzzard, quiet really: 20 Cormorant, whole heap of Gulls over Bow direction, but too hazy to ID, 4 Lesser-Black Backed Gull, 4 Mallard pitching down on the round pond Wanstead Flats, numerous Swift, Kestrel, Sparrow Hawk, 2 Pied Wagtail, Greater Spotted Woodpecker (h), Blackcap (h), 2 Jay collecting nesting material 1 twig at a time, the Great Tits have chosen someone's foul drain to nest in (wonder how the chicks will get out of that!) now I wish I'd gone to the flats (Nick Croft)


 * Willows Farm Pool: 2 Little Ringed Plover, Redshank, Oystercatcher, 2 Shelduck, 5 Canada Goose, Common Buzzard (over). (Steve B)orn


 * Crayford Marshes: fem Black redstart, Greenshank, Corn bunting, Cetti's warbler, Dunlin, 3 House martins, 4 Swallows, Lesser whitethroat, 4 oystercatchers, Rook. (Kev Jarvis).


 * London EC4: Singing Black Redstart (9th day). Neil Batten


 * Pinner Park Farm: (Afternoon skywatch): 1+ Hobby, 1 female Kestrel, 8 Swift, 3 House Martin, 4+ Swallow & a handful of Lesser Black-backed & Herring Gulls. Also 1 Little Owl back in the usual tree & 1 singing Whitethroat around the rubbish tip (Jon Ridge).


 * Sainsbury's Nine Elms Car Park: odd sight of a House Sparrow persueing a Feral Pigeon flying round the car park (Michael Mac).


 * Holyfield area, Langridge Scrape: 1 Dunlin, LRP’s, Egyptian Geese with 3 young, Little Owl (same area as last week, seems to favour the line of uprooted trees). Egyptian Geese with 6 young on Goosefield. (Mike Oakland)


 * Mitcham Common: AM (South side) 2 Common Buzzard (over), 4 Kestrel (two of each, hens easily distinguishable from each other as one has moulting tail feathers) - super morning spent watching them hunting in the glorious sunshine; one flew up to mob the buzzards then crows took over duties, Green Woodpecker, 2 Swallow, Jay, Long-Tailed Tit, lots of Swifts, Whitethroat and Greenfinch (Stuart M, bit sunburned)


 * South Norwood Lake: pair Great Crested Grebe, 10 Tufted Duck, Mallard (with brood of 8) 2 Herring Gull. 1 Cormornt, 2 Green Wooddddpeecker, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker,(pair feeding young) 7 singing Blackcap, (pair feeding young) 5 singing Chiffchaff, 4 singing Chaffinch, Nuthatch (feeding young) 6 Long-tailed Tit, 7 Ring-necked Parakeet, Greenfinch, Goldfinch. 6 House Sparrow, (John Watson)

Thursday 20th May

 * Canons Farm: Honey-buzzard flew over at 11.30am also Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (f.), 2 Common Buzzards (resident pair) (KJM).


 * Rainham Marshes: Raven over A13 at RSPB at 13:40 pm (Brian Churches per Howard Vaughan).


 * South Norwood Lake, Red Kite 10:35am N/NW circled Lake for about 45 sec then drifted S/SW, 3 Mute Swan, 2 Greylag Geese, Great Crested Grege (on nest) 2 Green Woodpecker 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, Nuthatch (at nest feeding young) 4 Common Swift, 2 House Martin, 1 Grey Wagtail, 7 singing Blackcap, 6 singing Chiffchaff, c8 House Sparrow, (John Watson).


 * Tower 42 (City of London): dark-morph Honey-buzzard slowly west 1030-1036hrs, lost to view towards Wembley Stadium; second Honey-buzzard ('medium-morph') west 1215-1218, dropped dramatically in height past Houses of Parliament and then appeared to land in either grounds of Lambeth Palace or Imperial War Museum; Common Buzzard west 1230hrs; various Peregrines etc - report and photos on the blog (http://t42bsg.blogspot.com/)


 * London Wetland Centre WWT: Honey Buzzard 14.00 (Birdguides).


 * Barnes Common: 2 Honey Buzzard south 14:00 with 3 Common Buzzards. Otherwise quiet with 3 Kestrel, 2 Sparrowhawk, 1 m Peregrine, 2 Kingfisher, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 8 Swallow SW the highlights. (Dan Monk).


 * Wimbledon Common: Turtle Dove, one singing in woods on the northside of Memorial Ride (southern end) 0730 (David Wills). Probable Honey Buzzard c1630-45, first seen circling over Richmond Park then drifted south-eastish over Windmill area. Also Peregrine circling high overhead and 5 Swallows through (SWLS, South-west London Stringers).


 * Regent's Park: Marsh Harrier female low north at 10.45am, 2 Hobby's, Peregrine, Sparrowhawk, Skylark, Wheatear(greenland race), 2 Swallows, 6 Reed Warblers (Tony Duckett).


 * Barbican: probable Honey Buzzard west and descending c12:00 (Ed Keeble) - see Tower 42 above - second bird the same as this?


 * Bromley-by-Bow: 3 Common Tern south plus the usuals and someone's put a plastic Peregrine on their flat balcony, so throughout the morning at least 30 Lesser Black backed (mainly) Gulls have been dive bombing it (S Fisher)


 * Alexandra Park: Sedge Warbler (4th day) still Cricket Pavilion car park amongst cow parsley @ 0700 (Bob Watts), still there 1330 (Mike Benyon) Viz mig 1750-1900 just 6 Swallows north, 3 House Martins low over south end houses (Bob Watts).


 * Forest Gate (roof top vigil 09:30-11:30); No H. Buzzards but check out the quality here: 32 Cormorant, 20-30+ Black-Headed Gull hawking riverwards, 5 Lesser Black-Backed Gull, c.50-100 Swift, 1 Heron (over Wanstead Flats), 3 Greater Spotted Woodpecker, family of 5 Mistle Thrush, 2 Mallard (east down river), 2 Jay, Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Blackcap (H), Collared Dove, Pied Wagtail and the list goes on... ... a bit (Nick Croft)


 * King George V Reservoir: buzzard sp drifted north up the valley, distantly to the west of the reservoir (Ian Lycett)


 * London EC3: Singing Black Redstart (James Astley)


 * London W1: 2m 1f Black Redstart - having a good day for these! (James Astley)


 * Mitcham Common: Kestrel (f), 2 Heron (both over), Lapwing (over), Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Green Woodpecker, c20 Swift, Jay, Dunnock, 4 Greenfinch, Tree Sparrow, 3 Chiffchaff, 10 Whitethroat, 2 Song Thrush, 4 Canada Goose + 4 Goslings (One Island Pond), 4 Mallard, 2 Tufted Duck, 2 Coot, 2 Moorhen, 6 Ring-Necked Parakeet plus 2 Rabbits and 4 Foxes (Stuart M)


 * Pinner Park Farm: 2 Little Owl remain in the disaster area with 4 Swallow (two breeding pairs). Also, 3 House Martin, 8 Swift, 2 Whitethroat (pair), 1 singing Lesser Whitethroat, 2 singing Blackcap & 2 singing Chiffchaff (Jon Ridge).


 * Staines Moor: Cetti's Warbler (possibly 2), 2 Reed Warbler, 3 Sedge Warbler, Shelduck & Lapwing over, c10 Swallow (Nigel Sluman)


 * Tower Hamlets Cemetery: Sand Martin north 1240 & then same or another south 1310 (Bob Watts).


 * Grovelands Park, Southgate: 1 pr Mute Swan plus 6 cygnets (Robert Callf).


 * Brent Res: Ringed Plover feeding with LRP and Lapwing. 4 Lapwings, 2 LRPs, pair Shoveler (Andrew Verrall),


 * Leytonstone: Common Buzzard over station, west at 16.55. (Gary A James).


 * Battersea Park Lake: from 7pm - 2 Common Sandpiper (site tick) perched on boats piping, 3 singing Blackcap on 3 islands, 1 singing Song Thrush, 4 pr Gadwall, 4 pr Common Pochard, numerous Tufted Duck, 3 broods Mallards, Great-crested Grebe still sitting - last year failed to raise young, pr Grey-lags with 5 big goslings, cob Mute Swan chasing geese, 5+ tree perched Cormorants, 23+ occupied Coot nests some cleaned out by the fledging Grey Herons - no Buzzards seen. (Michael Mac).

Wednesday 19th May

 * Berrylands: Red Kite drifted slowly east at 11:00hrs (Nick Tanner).


 * Orsett Fen: m Quail singing 08:50hrs (Birdguides).


 * Wanstead 07:00-11:00: So little going on I counted things; 100 Carrion Crow on playing fields west of Alex pond, 40 Cormorant, 6 Lesser Black-Backed Gull (the coots survived today), 3 Ring Necked Parakeet, 3 Swallow, couldn't count the Starlings they were so numerous, 1 Heron (no trouble there!), 1 Stock Dove, 5 singing Meadow Pipits, 1 f Kestrel and other stuff. Yesterday someone emptied a bucket load of ornamental fish into the Alex... (Nick Croft); Turtle Dove singing from copse west of Long Wood 12:30-12:45 (J Lethbridge)


 * Canons farm: Cuckoo, 3 Common Buzzard. (KJM).


 * Bromley-by-Bow: 1 LRP flew over towards Olympic site, Pair of Shelduck north plus the usuals (S Fisher)


 * Alexandra Park: Hobby east over Birdwatch office 09:10 (Ian Lycett). Sedge Warbler still (3rd day) singing from hogweed north part of Cricket Pavilion car park 0700 (Bob Watts).


 * Chiltern Street W1: singing Grey Wagtail on old fire station (Des McKenzie).


 * Crossness: 2nd summer Med Gull by outfall @ 12.09 (Ian Miller per JA).


 * Mitcham Common: (South side am) Common Buzzard (mobbed by 6 Crow), 3 Kestrel (smashing views all morning of one hen in particular hunting successfully around Bidders Pond), Great Spotted Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker, Jay, c20 Swift, 6 Greenfinch, 2 Song Thrush, 2 Ring-Necked Parakeet, 2 Chiffchaff, 5 Whitethroat, 2 Canada Goose (Stuart M)


 * Pinner Park Farm: 2 Little Owl in & around the disaster area, 1+ Whitethroat, 2 Swallow, 5 Grey Heron, Jay, several pairs of Stock Dove & 1 Green Woodpecker. Quiet again. (Jon Ridge).


 * Stoke Newington Reservoirs: early a.m. - Yellow Wagtail east, 2 Common Terns, 'movement' of 7 Grey Herons west (all heavily mobbed); breeding passerines include 3 pairs Chiffchaff, 4 pairs Blackcap, 12 Reed Warbler territories, 1 Sedge Warbler territory, 3 pairs Reed Bunting (MJP)


 * Rush Green: Common Buzzard Circling and then gliding South towards Dagenham Chase at 11.35am (Paul Ewin).


 * Ruislip: Common Buzzard over at 10.20, Cuckoo at Golf course (Steve Pash).


 * London W2 (location witheld): singing Black Redstart (Des McKenzie).


 * Oxford Circus: 2 Peregrine Falcon over (Des McKenzie)


 * Vauxhall/RSPB Web Cam: Peregrine Falcon's young very hungry at 11:20am and both adults dissapeared for several minutues, during which the 3 biggest were pecking at the smallest, until food was providing at about midday (Michael Mac).


 * Crayford marshes: 2 male Corn buntings, 2 Little egret, Cetti's warbler, 5 House martins, 5 Swallows, 2 Cuckoo, 4 Ringed plovers, 5 Dunlin, 3 Lesser whitethroats. (Kev Jarvis).


 * Trent Park: 1 pair Treecreeper, feeding young in nest (Robert Callf & Robin White).


 * River Avenue, N13: Very probable Hobby flying east low and fast - put the frighteners on the local Swifts. (Katy M.)


 * London EC4: Singing Black Redstart - 7th day (Neil Batten)


 * Elephant and Castle: pair Shelduck over east @ 5.50am.( Dave Morrison )

Tuesday 18th May

 * Alexandra Park: Common Buzzard, 2 Sparrowhawks, Kestrel drifting east at the same time, 11:15; also Sedge Warbler still present and singing in hogweed by scrub car park 08:45 (David Callahan et al). Lesser Whitethroat singing in cricket scrub, 4 Grey Wagtail, 2 Common Tern, 16 Swift, 6 House Martin - Wood Green Reservoir (Mike Benyon) 2 Jackdaw 7am (Bob Watts).


 * Bushy Park: Turtle Dove purring in Oval Plantation till 10.30 at least. Patch tick for me! (Roger Unite)


 * Hornsey: Female Siskin at feeder Nightingale Lane 2015 (is the species breeding in the area?) (Bob Watts).


 * Isle of Dogs: Sedge Warbler (singing opposite McDonalds), Oystercatcher, 5 Great Crested Grebes, 5+ Common Tern, (Richard Harrison).


 * London EC1: singing Black Redstart (Ian Bradshaw) - do we really need to be so cloak and dagger about these? That would be down to the judgement of the individual observer. Nationally It's a rarer breeder than Golden Eagle (Eds)


 * London EC4: Singing Black Redstart (present since 13 May). Also Buzzard Sp. very low north over at 12.55. Underwing pattern, size, etc. suggested Honey Buzzard (viewed wthout optics). Briefly mobbed by Kestrel before drifting north in direction of Alexandra Palace (Neil Batten)


 * London W1: singing Black Redstart, also Great Tit - patch tick, mega! (James Astley).


 * London W2 (location withheld): singing Black Redstart (Des McKenzie).


 * London NW1: Male Black Redstart - also seen Sunday singing. (David Bradshaw)


 * London Wetland Centre: 2 Teal, 4 Little Ringed Plover, Common Sandpiper, 14 Common Tern, Kingfisher, White Wagtail, Northern Wheatear, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat (LWC website).


 * Lonsdale Road Res: Swift 50+, Gadwall 2, House Martin 2, Swallow 10+, 1 Common Tern, plus usuals (M Bourne)


 * Mitcham Common: Kestrel (male), 4 Grey Heron (all over), Green Woodpecker, 6 Whitethroat, c15Swift, 2 Chiffchaff, 3 Greenfinch, 3 Ring-Necked Parakeet, Jay, 2 Long-Tailed Tit (adult + juvenile), 3 Dunnock, 2 Song Thrush, 19 Canada Goose + 24 Goslings, 2 Tufted Duck, 4 Mallard, 4 Coot and a rabbit (Stuart M)


 * Paddington Green: 5 Little Egret SW 12:56hrs (Des McKenzie).


 * Pinner Park farm: 1 Little Owl on buildings in the disaster area, 2 Whitethroat, 6 House Martin, 2 Swallow, 4 Ring-necked Parakeet, 2 Green Woodpecker & 7 Swift (Jon Ridge).


 * Rainham Marshes: 4 Sanderling visible distantly on the Kent side of the Thames at midday (Andy Tweed et al).


 * Richmond Park: Turtle Dove flying around early morning between the Riding Circle and Hawthorn Valley, male Lesser Spotted Woodpecker + the usual suspects (Bill Haines).


 * Staines Moor: Cuckoo, Cetti's Warbler, 2 Reed Warbler, 6+ Sedge Warbler, Wheatear, 3 Lapwing, 2 Common Tern, Whitethroats/Chiffchaffs galour! (Nigel Sluman)


 * Tyttenhanger GPs: Little Ringed Plover, Ringed Plover, 3 Redshank, 6 Common Tern, 2 Swan + 7 cygnets, 3 Buzzards, 3 Garden Warbler, 4 Willow Warbler, 4 Reed Warbler 3 Blackcap. (Steve B)


 * Uxbridge, Brunel University Bicentenary Garden: Cuckoo, 2 Whitethroat, 2 Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Linnet, Kestrel, 4 Swallow and 6 Swift over (Steve Pash)


 * Wanstead Flats: 2 Lapwing east at 7am. Rock and Roll. (J Lethbridge); Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Green Woddpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrel, loads of Mistle Thrushes, House Martin, Canada Goose (1 pair with 20 gossers), c.12+ Long Tailed Tit family, Linnet, Reed Bunting etc. Coot update (pair with 6 new targets on Alex, and pair with 4 gull snacks on Jubilee), 5 Cormorant over, possible White Wagtail (small pond - JL not so convinced) other deffo Pied Wagtail (Nick Croft)


 * Crayford Marshes: Wood Sandpiper on the flooded area to the east, 2 Corn Buntings singing, Hobby, Whimbrel, Peregrine, Cetti's Warbler, 2 Little Egrets.12 Swallows (Kev Jarvis).


 * Stoke Newington Reservoirs: Common Buzzard medium height thermalling then south 1420, Hobby, plus the usuals (MJP)


 * Fulham: Drake Pintail on the Thames. Very unseasonal for here. (Michael F)


 * Regent's Park: Whinchat, Northern Wheatear(Greenland race), 6m Reed Warblers (Tony Duckett).


 * Hyde Park - Serpentine - Long Water: 1 Common Tern, Lesser-black Backed Gull had chinese takeaway!: f Mandarin with 5 ducklings put in a good fight but unable to stop the maurader take one, another f Mandarin with 1 duckling, 7 Great-crested Grebe nests 5 have young, Mute Swan with one egg, woman feeding 16 Grey Herons on the tarmac, pr Egyptian Geese flying around and pr with 6 chicks, Red-crested Pochard with 1 duckling, pr Grey-lag and pr Canada Geese with 1 gosling each, noticable lack of Swifts/House Martins? (Michael Mac).

Monday 17th May

 * Canons Farm: Red Kite, 2 Common Buzzard (KJM).


 * Alexandra Park: Sedge Warbler (year tick for the site on the edge of the scrub by car park, found by Bob Watts), 6+ Blackcaps singing, Red Kite westish over filter beds at 09:10 (David Callahan, Dominic Mitchell); Sedge Warbler still singing lunchtime, plus Jackdaw with main crow flock still (DC).


 * Rainham Marshes: Red Kite west, fem Marsh Harrier, 4 Hobby (Birdguides)


 * Crayford Marshes: Corn Bunting, Whimbrel, 2 Little Egrets, Cetti's Warbler, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, 10 Swallows, 4 Sedge Warblers, 10 Reed Warblers, 6 Common Terns, male Sparrowhawk (Kev Jarvis).


 * Crossness: Common Buzzard north @ 0800 (having roosted by the Engines), 1st summer Common Gull, c70 Common Terns, 7 House Martins & 14 Swallows NW (John Archer).


 * Hyde Park/Kensington Gardens: Hobby purposefully north-east, 5 Red-crested Pochard (plus 1 duckling), Collared Dove (Parade Ground), 2 Tawny Owl, c15 Swift, 2 House Martin, singing Reed Warbler, singing Lesser Whitethroat (Lido), 10 Blackcap, Chiffchaff; also 63 Mute Swan (plus a brood of 5 cygnets), 2pr Egyptian Goose with broods (6 and 1) plus a further ad, 5 Mandarin Duck (2pr / 1m), 4 Gadwall (pr / 2m), 3 broods of Great Crested Grebe, 6 Grey Heron (3 juv), 5 Black-headed Gull south-west, c10 Stock Dove, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Song Thrush (1 singing), Coal Tit, Nuthatch attending nest-hole, 2 Treecreeper, 6 Chaffinch, 2 Goldfinch ~ no sign of recent injured m Pheasant (Des McKenzie, David Jeffreys).


 * London W1: pair Black Redstarts (James Astley)


 * London W2 (location witheld): singing Black Redstart (Des McKenzie).


 * London Wetland Centre: 2 Shoveler, 4 Little Ringed Plover, 3 Lapwing chicks on the scrape, Redshank, 13 Common Tern, 2 Swallow, Cetti's Warbler, Chiffchaff (LWC website).


 * Lonsdale Road Reservoir: 3 Common Tern, 2 Shoveler, 1 Egyptian Goose, 20+ Swift, 10+ Swallow, Blackcap, Reed Warbler, Chiffchaff (M Bourne)


 * Mitcham Common: Kestrel (male), Cormorant (fly over), Grey Heron (fly over), Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Green Woodpecker, 5 Greenfinch, 17 Swift, 2 Swallow, 8 Ring-Necked Parakeet, 2 Chiffchaff, 13 Whitethroat and a Michael Mac ;-) (Stuart M)


 * Riddlesdown (corner behind Attwood School): 2 Song Thrush, Common Whitethroat, several Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warblers (all singing) (CroydonBirders).


 * Stoke Newington Reservoirs: Turtle Dove 1140 flying between oaks around East Res (not relocated) - a welcome first for site at last; Hobby successfully catching Swift West Res, four Black-headed Gulls, 2 House Martins, plus the usuals (MJP); p.m. - pair of Hobbys, steady trickle of Swallows, large unID'ed raptor distant and north, unID'ed sterna sp. v high and east (MJP)


 * Totteridge Valley: 1 Cuckoo calling persistently, 2 House Martins through, plus the usuals and a Fox carrying a rabbit (John Colmans)


 * Tower Hamlets Cemetery: Collared Dove (1st for year), 6+ Swifts, 2 House Martins (Bob Watts).


 * Regent's Park: Unidentified raptor 1.30pm pictures on www.regentsparkbirds.blogspot.com, 8 Swallows, 5 Reed Warblers, 4 Jackdaws plus the usual (Tony Duckett) TONY: it's hard to tell from the images but the tail shape, and the suggestion that it was twisted from side-to-side make me wonder whether you eliminated Black Kite? (James Lowen)


 * Coppetts Wood: Red Kite north at 12.00 ( Tony Clancy)


 * Stockwell: m Sparrowhawk flying towards Brixton (Michael Mac).


 * Mitcham Common: m Peregrine circling slowly north, hovering male Kestrel, 4 pr Canada Geese with goslings and Stewart M (Michael Mac).


 * Beddington Park: another Peregrine gliding towards Sutton, 2 Egyptian Geese, pr Little Grebe that are together but don't seem to have attempted breeding, 1 Swift, 1 House Martin, 2 pr Canada Geese with young (Michael Mac).


 * Beddington Sewage Farm: as walking by 6 Shelduck, flock of fledged Starlings calling for food, 100's of gulls of various species more than I've seen at any time so far this year (Michael Mac).


 * Wanstead Park: singing Reed Warbler by the Roding, found by Tim Harris (J Lethbridge)

Sunday 16th May
Canons Farm: 3 Red Kites, White Wagtail, 2 Garden Warblers (David Campbell and Kevin McManus)

Horsenden Hill: Red Kite 13:25, Greylag Goose, 2 Garden Warbler. (Andy Culshaw & David Howdon)

London Wetland Centre, Barn Elms: Red Kite approx 12.20pm flew NW. Possibly same bird as above. (E.Brodie) per FJM. 4+ Little Ringed Plovers. 1 Dunlin. Pair of Shoveler.

Alexandra Park: Pair Greylag Geese, 3 Dabchicks Boating Lake, Swallow (Bob Watts).

Belair Park: singing Chiffchaff, pr Mandarin Duck, 1 Little Grebe, Blue Tit nest of about 7 in obvious place, pr Canada Geese with 7 young (Michael Mac).

King George V Reservoir: 2 Hobbies (excellent views of 1 perched), pr Shelducks, 2 Gadwalls, pr Reed Buntings, 2 Reed Warblers, Grey Heron, dozens of Common Terns, 100s of Swifts (Alan Hobson).

Lee Valley, Langridge Scrape and Goosefields: 6 Little Ringed Plovers, 2 families of Egyptian Geese, 2 Lapwings (Alan Hobson).

Lonsdale Road Res: 2 Gadwall, 2 Shoveler, Reed Warbler, Chiffchaff (M Bourne)

Paddington Green: Peregrine Falcon, singing Goldfinch x Canary (Des McKenzie).

Pinner Park Farm: female Northern Wheatear (different to yesterday's bird) along the main bridleway, 3 Swallows & 10 Swifts (Jon Ridge).

Staines Reservoir: 2 Dunlin, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Little Gull, near ad early am. (FJM)

Sydenham Wells Park: (1st ever visit) Spotted Flycatcher, singing Chiffchaff, Blackcap and Song Thrush, pr Collared Doves (Michael Mac).

Town Park, Enfield: 4(3m,1f) Mandarin Duck plus a brood of 10 ducklings, Carr's Basin - my first breeding record for this site! (Robert Callf).

=== Saturday 15th May===

Lee Valley: Langridge Scrape; Temminck's Stint, viewed from middle strip on shingle islands until chased off by LRPs, when it flew to small rocky area in front of middle stony bank. Best viewed from the back of the scrape, NOT the front area. (James Anderson). Common Buzzard, seven Hobbies, four Little Ringed Plovers, female Yellow Wagtail, Garden Warbler, Yellowhammer (Dominic Mitchell and Jonathan Lethbridge).

Blackheath: 1 Lesser Whitethroat rattling near Princess of Wales pub (James Lowen)

Alexandra Park: 5 Swallow, 2 House Martin, 40+ Swifts (Bob Watts).

Brent Reservoir: 4 Lapwings on mud (mating seen), 1 Snipe, 2 Common Sandpipers, 1 Little Ringed Plover (Brent Birders).

Canons Farm and Banstead Woods: White Wagtail (f) mated with Pied Wagtail (also f Pied Wagtail present), 3 Northern Lapwings, 4 Common Buzzards, 3 Cormorants, 7 Common Whitethroats, c.20 Common Swifts, 3 Chiffchaffs, 2 Skylarks, 3 Yellowhammers (2m, 1f), 2 Swallows, 3 Mallards, 3 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 4 Blackcaps, up to 20 Rose-ringed Parakeets, c.60 Stock Doves, Nuthatch, Coal Tit, 2 Pheasants (both m), 6 Mistle Thrushes (family group 2 ad, 3 imms +singing male), ad Lesser Black-backed Gull, juv Grey Heron, 3+ Linnets (David Campbell and Kevin McManus).

Dagenham Chase LNR: Common Cuckoo. ( V.Halley-Frame ).

Greenwich (Point Hill): 2 Peregrines over circled roughly West, around 4pm (Joe Beale)

Hyde Park/Kensington Gardens (brief visit): at least 5 Egyptian Goose, 2m Mandarin Duck, pr Gadwall, pr Red-crested Pochard, m Pochard x Tufted Duck (06:00hrs Serpentine Island ~ appears to be the same bird as that seen at Regent's Park), 2 Common Tern, several Stock Dove, c25 Swift, Tawny Owl, 3 Blackcap, Chiffchaff, singing Goldcrest, Nuthatch, Treecreeper (DMC, JA, DC, MP for Oystercatcher Bird Race).

King George V Reservoir: Yellow Wagtail in horse field east of north basin, from Sewardstone Hill (Dominic Mitchell). f. Black Redstart, 4 Wheatear, Yellow Wagtail, Common Sandpiper. Waltham Abbey: Hobby (Martin Shepherd)

London Wetland Centre: 1 Dunlin, 6 Little Ringed Plover, 18 Common Tern, 4 Redshank, several broods Lapwing, Cetti's Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, Chiffchaff, Blackcap. On the exotic front, 1m Ruddy Duck and 1 Bar-headed Goose (Martin Honey).

Nine Elms - Sainsbury's Car Park: male Kestrel on floodlights and roof (Michael Mac).

Paddington Green: Peregrine Falcon (Des McKenzie).

Perivale Wood: 1 Whimbrel over during National Moth Night event (NMN group).

Pinner Park Farm: 1 female Whinchat & 1 female Northern Wheatear around the rubbish tip, 1 Little Owl, 4 Swallow, 4 House Martin, 1 Linnet over, 1 Cormorant, 4 Grey Heron, Great Spotted Woodpecker, 6 Coot chicks on the main pond & 6 goslings still (Jon Ridge).

Rainham Marshes: drake Eurasian Wigeon, Common Buzzard, Peregrine, Hobby, Oystercatcher, Little Ringed Plover, ad intermedius Lesser Black-backed Gull, ad and two 2s Yellow-legged Gulls, colour-ringed albino Herring Gull, 3 Common Terns, Cuckoo, female Northern Wheatear, Grasshopper Warbler, 8 singing Cetti's Warblers (Dominic Mitchell, David Callahan, John Archer and Mark Pearson); also Yellow Wagtail, 4 Ringed Plovers, 2 Whimbrel, Punkbirder-style Black-headed Gull with superficially Grey-headed Gull-ish type wing pattern near barges, and a male otherwise typical Stonechat with pure white rump and huge white wing patches near Rainham railway station (DC, MP, JA).

Regent's Park: Hobby, 3 Peregrines, pr Little Owls, pr Grey Wagtails, 50+ Swifts, 30+ House Martins, 8 Swallows, Whinchat, 4 Reed Warblers, 3 Chiffchaffs, 7 Blackcaps, 4 Bar-headed Geese dropped in at 5.50am, cracking drake Tufted x Pochard photos at www.regentsparkbirds.blogspot.com (Tony Duckett).

South Norwood CP: Sedge Warbler, 4 Reed Warbler, 11 Whitethroat, 6 Blackcap, 1 Reed Bunting (Steven Robinson).

South Norwood Lake: pair Great Crested Grebe: 3 Mute Swan, 2 Herring Gull, 8 Tufted Duck, 1 Cormorant, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, pair Nuthatch (at nest feeding young) 6 Common Swifts, 2 House Martin, 1 Swallow, c7 singing Blackcap, 6 singing Chiffchaff, 6 House Sparrow, (John Watson & Gavin Hawgood)

Sutcliffe Park: 1 Grey Heron, 5 Tufted Duck, 2 Swift, 1 Jay, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Whitethroat, 2 Grey Wagtail (James Lowen)

Walthamstow Reservoirs: (brief visit for Oystercatcher Bird Race) Common Sandpiper, Kingfisher, Peregrine, 2 Grey Wagtails, 1-2 singing Lesser Whitethroats, Sparrowhawk (DC, MP, JA).

Wandsworth Road, SW8: House Sparrow colony round back of houses over 4 males chirping and 4+ nests (Michael Mac)

=== Friday 14th May===

Ingrebourne Valley: Spoonbill over towards A13 11.35 (Birdguides).

London Wetland Centre: Kittiwake 14.30 (Birdguides).

Alexandra Park: Hobby over Wood Green Res 7am, also Common Tern, 40+ Swifts, 2 Jackdaw, singing Lesser Whitethroat Cricket Scrub (Bob Watts).

Oakwood Park, N14: 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker; 4 Swift; 1 singing male Blackbird; 1 juv Song Thrush; 1 ad Mistle Thrush; 4(3m,1f) Blackcap; 1 singing male Willow Warbler; 2 Dunnock; 3 ad Long-tailed Tit (Robert Callf).

Holyfield area: (Langridge Scrape) 1 Dunlin, 2 Red-legged Partridge, 6 LRP’s, 1 Little Owl, 1 Cetti’s Warbler, 1 Shelduck with 4 flying over and a pair of Egyptian Geese with 3 young. (Goosefield) 2 Oystercatchers, pair of Egyptian Geese with 6 young. (From Holyfield Viewpoint) 2 Yellowhammers, Greenshank flying over (heard). Little Egret seen in amongst the cormorant nests on Holyfield Lake (Mike Oakland)

Crayford Marshes: 2 Whimbrel, Corn bunting, 2 Cuckoo, 2 Little egrets, 2 Common sandpipers,6 Oystercatchers, 3 Lesser whitethroats, 4 House martins, 6 Swallows, c80 swifts (Kev Jarvis).

Paddington Green: pr Peregrine Falcon in area (Des McKenzie).

W2 (location witheld): singing Black Redstart (Des McKenzie).

South norwood Lake: pair Great Crested Grebe (nest building) 2 Cormorant, 2 Herring Gull, 8 Tufted Duck, 6 Ring-necked Parakeet, 1 Pied Wagtail, 2 Song Thrush, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 pairs Nuthatch, family of 8 Long Tailed Tit, 1 Coal Tit, 6 singing Blackcap, 6 singing Chiffchaff, c20 Swifts, 8 House Sparrow, (John Watson)

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: Spotted Flycatcher (intermittently singing), female Common Redstart (both first spring records in many years), Garden Warbler, Common Whitethroat, drake Shoveler, 4 Common Terns, plus the usuals (MJP)

Parkside Farm, Enfield: 1 male 'Greenland race' Northern Wheatear (Robert Callf).

Pinner Park Farm: 1 Little Owl, 1+ Sparrowhawk, 10 Swift, 4 House Martin, 2 Swallow & 5 Grey Heron (Jon Ridge).

Trent CP: 1 singing male Lesser Whitethroat; 2 singing male Garden Warbler; 1 male Bullfinch (Robert Callf).

Tyttenhanger GP's: Red Kite, 2 Hobby, 2 Buzzard, 2 Garden Warbler, 2 Reed Warbler, c60 Sand Martin, Swift, Swallow present. (Steve B)

Wanstead Flats: Peregrine (south at 11:30), Kestrel, Reed Bunting, House Martin, Sand Martin, Swallow, Swift (Nick C)

Wanstead Park: 2 Common Sandpiper (J Lethbridge & Tim Harris), one still at 10:44, also Sparrow Hawk, Great Crested Grebe, Heron, Willow Warbler (Nick C)

Walthamstow: f Peregrine, Red Kite, Hobby, Sparrowhawk. (Paul Whiteman) http://walthamstowwildlife.blogspot.com/

Brent Res: 2 Lapwings, 2 LRPs, 2 Common Sands (Patrick Hagglund). Pair of Lapwings mating 3pm (Andrew Verrall).

Gallows Corner, Romford. 1 Cormorant over heading N (G Francis)

Staines Res: 3 Avocets, Bar-tailed Godwit, 2 Ringed Plovers and second-summer Little Gull on North basin during early afternoon (Peter Naylor).

Rainham: 3 Kestrel, 2 Cuckoo, 2 Common Tern (J Lethbridge)

=== Thursday 13th May===

Alexandra Park (Wood Green Reservoir): 5 Greg Wagtail, Common Tern, 16 Swift, 2 House Martin, Whitethroat, Sparrowhawk over (Mike Benyon) Red Kite distantly from east to west 1755, also 80+ Swifts, 4 House Martins (Bob Watts)

Pinner Park Farm: 1 Red Kite over northwest, 1 Common Buzzard over northeast, 1+ Hobby, 1 Sedge Warbler (rare at this site) in the middle hedge, 1 Little Owl, 2 Swallow, 6 House Martin, 30 Swift, 2 singing Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff & 1 singing Whitethroat around rubbish tip (Jon Ridge).

Regents Park: Honey Buzzard SE 1247 (RBA).

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: dark morph Honey-buzzard very low and north 1646 (MJP)

Mitcham Common: Hobby (10:35 over hill to S of One Island Pond), 2 Kestrel, Green Woodpecker, 22 Swift, 3 Grey Heron (circling over), 12 Whitethroat, 3 Chaffinch, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Ring-Necked Parakeet, Greenfinch, Dunnock and four rabbits (Stuart M)

Horsenden Hill: 2 Little Egret flew low E over Paradise Fields at 6.15am (Andy Culshaw).

Erith: Nightingale singing opposite the old Erith library at 05:20 hrs. (Kev Jarvis).

Crossness: 3 Sanderling on Thames foreshore, ad Med gull, Common buzzard north-east at midday. (Kev Jarvis,John Archer).

Staines Moor: 2 Hobby, 2 Shelduck over, Redshank, 4 Lapwing, Common Tern, 4/5 Sedge Warbler, 2 Reed Warbler heard, Willow Warbler, lots of Whitethroat & Reed Warbler (Nigel Sluman)

Streatham Rail Station: 5 swifts - our residents have finally arrived, very late (RB).

Brent Reservoir: 3 Lapwings on mud, 1 Common Sand, later pair of LRPs displaying, 5 Jackdaws North (John Gravatt, A. Ramesh, Andrew Verrall); evening - Little Ringed Plovers still displaying, plus 3 Lapwing, 2 Common Sandpiper and 1 Greylag (Andrew Haynes).

South Norwood Lake: pair Great Crested Grebe (nest building) 3 Mute Swan, 2 Cormorant, 2 Herring Gull, pair Collared Dove, c20 Swifts, 4 House Martin, 1 Pied Wagtail, 3 Song Thrush, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2pairs Nuthatch (both at nest sites feeding young) 5 singing Blackcap, 5 singing Chiffchaff, 2 Jay, 3 House Sparrow, ( John Watson)

Tower Hamlets Cemetery: House Martin north (50th species for year), Sand Martin SW (Bob Watts).

Ingrebourne Valley: 4 cuckoo, 3 hobby, nightingale (scrub by Berwick car park, where the farm trail/paddock ends) 3 lesser whitethroat, numerous blackcaps/common whitethroats/chiffs/willow/reed/sedge warblers, 8 green woodpeckers, 3 GS woodpeckers. (James Astley).

Holyfield area: (Langridge Scrape) 6 LRP’s, 1 Shelduck and a pair of Egyptian Geese with 3 young on the smaller, west, pool. Also, 2 Turtle Dove on the track and bare ground next to the west pool. At least 12 Hobbies seen from Holyfield Viewpoint, plus 2 Yellowhammer in the fenced off scrub. (Mike Oakland)

Paddington Green: Common Buzzard south 12:40hrs, pr Peregrine Falcon (Des McKenzie).

W2 (location witheld): singing Black Redstart (Des McKenzie).

Grovelands Park, Southgate: 1 Little Grebe; 2(m&f) Egyptian Goose, Pitch & Putt Course; 1 female Mandarin Duck plus eight ducklings; 4(2m,2f)Pochard; 4 Stock Dove; 1 Green Woodpecker; 6 Great Spotted Woodpecker, including four females carrying food; 2 Blackbird (singing male, 1 juvenile); 3 Song Thrush; 2(m&f) Blackcap; 2 Goldfinch; 10 Long-tailed Tit, including 4 juvs being fed; Pair Nuthatch, feeding young in nest-hole; 3 Jay (Robert Callf).

Walthamstow Reservoirs (south of road): 1 feral Barnacle Goose, 4 singing Reed Warblers, 4 Whitethroats, 2 Little Egrets nesting in heronry, Ring-necked Parakeet calling from island, 4 Shelduck, 1 2nd/3rd winter Great Blacked-Back Gull, 10 Common Tern, 5 Swifts over road (Katy M.). 3 Arctic Terns N over lockwood @ 17.30 (Lol Bodini).

St James's Park: pr Red-crested Pochard with 4 young, pr Grey-lag Geese with 3 young, 30 occupied Coot nests, many with young and 1 in daffodil stubbs on grass with 1 egg (fox food?), 1 Great-crested Grebe (didn't see a nest?), pr Egyptian Geese with 7 well grown young, Great-spotted Woodpecker alarm calling and drumming, Mute Swan sitting on a very large nest see photos, White-fronted Goose type hybrid? Has white forehead with Grey-lag plumage, possible Grey-lag/Canada hybrid? (Michael Mac).

West Ham Park(08:00-09:00): Blackbird, Robin, 6 Mistle Thrush, Carrion Crow, Magpie, Starling, Pied Wagtail, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Wren, c.10 Swift, House Sparrow, Greater Spotted Woodpecker, Collared Dove, Wood Pigeon, Chaffinch and that's yer lot (Nick C)

Wanstead Flats (09:30-12:00): Hobby over south (may have been the same bird seen later over Forest Gate station at 1:20), Buzzard being mobbed by @20 crows, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Chiffchaff, numerous Whitethroat, 4 Blackcap, c.20 Swift, 1 Swallow, 4 Sand Martin, 6 Black-headed Gulls (first for a long time) plus the usuals.For Coot lovers everywhere Wanstead Flat's breeding update: Round Pond; 1 occupied nest (gull food); Alexandra Pond: 2 nests I could see, 3 coots with 1 chick, 2 with larger chicks (singles), two with 2 chicks, c. 20 idle; Jubilee Pond: 2 nests, 1 pair with 1 chick (probable gull food) (Nick C)

Boston Manor Park (19:00): 2 Common Terns, 2 pairs of Canada Geese with 4 Goslings, 3 pairs with nests. c6 Tufted Duck. Chiffchaff, Blackcap and Goldcrest singing. No sign of recent Pochard population (which had peaked at 7 birds). (Michael F).

=== Wednesday 12th May===

Crayford marshes: Wood sandpiper, Turnstone Feeding on Thames foreshore early a.m, 3 Lesser whitethroats, 2 Common sandpipers, Little egret, 2 oystercatchers. (Kev Jarvis).

Alexandra Park: 4 Ring-necked Parakeets (slope), 3 Lesser Whitethroats (inc . pair in scrub) (David Callahan). Pair of Egyptian Geese displaying on Wood Green Res until 815pm at least (Bob Watts, Gareth Richards).

Brent Res: Peregrine male East, 3 Common Sands, 1 Lapwing on mud, 3 pairs of Teal, 50+ Swifts (Andrew Verrall). Kingfisher, 6 warbler species (A Ramesh)

Fulham Reach (Thames, c7:30-8:30): 4 Pochard, 27 Tufted Duck, 12+ Swift (some screaming), 8 Sand Martin, 1 Swallow, 1 House Martin, fledged House Sparrows in 2 spots, Starling bringing food to nests in wharf piles, 3 Lesser Black-Backed Gull, 13 Herring Gull (various ages) INathalie Mahieu)

Fulham Sands End: 1 Great Black Barck Gull, 2 Egyptian Goose, 2 Greylag Goose, many very active House Sparrows (Nathalie Mahieu)

Harmondsworth Moor: 1 Cuckoo, 5 Reed Buntings, 2 Reed Warblers,17+ Common Swifts,2 Common Whitethroats, 3 L B B Gulls,2 Chiffchaff,2 Blackcaps, 1 Gt Sp Woodpecker, 4 Lapwings in field,1 Cormorant,2 M Swans one on nest,15+ House Martins.2 Pochards,1 Gt C Grebe,(Sue Giddens).

Harold Court, Thames Chase: Nightingale singing well, also Whimbrel over calling at 23.00 (Colin Jupp).

London Wetland Centre WWT: Turnstone (Birdguides).

Margravine Cemetery: 4 House Sparrow (Nathalie Mahieu).

Mile End Stadium: 30+ Swifts 1830 (Bob Watts).

Nags Head Lane S.W., Brentwood (private, no access): 80+ Swallows, 60 House Martins & 1 Sand Martin low over filter beds and over trees adjacent to the fishery early evening,also 40+ Swifts high overhead, pair Common Terns (Colin Jupp).

Paddington Green: Peregrine Falcon (Des McKenzie).

Pinner Park Farm: 70+ Swift, 5 House Martin, 1 Swallow, 1 singing Lesser Whitethroat & Chiffchaff, 1 Cormorant & 3 Long-tailed Tit (Jon Ridge).

Richmond Park: 1 Wheatear. Bog area early am. (FJM)

South London/Vauxhall: Peregrine had pigeon in and feeding young at 7:30am (Michael Mac).

South Norwood Lake: pair Great Crested Grebe, 12 Tufted Duck, 2 Cormorant, 2 Herring Gull. pair Collared Dove, 1m Sparrowhawk, c30 Common Swift, 2 House Martin, 2 Green Woodpecker, Great spotted Woodpecker (at nest feeding young) 1 Pied Wagtail, 2 Song Thrush, 3 singing Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, pair Nuthatch (at nest feeding young) 4 House Sparrow, (John Watson)

Staines Res: Sanderling, Ringed Plover, 4 Dunlin, 2 first-summer Little Gulls, drake Goldeneye and Shoveler, many Swifts (Peter Naylor).

Tooting Common: 2 mistle thrush, 3 chiffchaff, 1 blackcap, 1 Egyptian goose (RB)

Vicarage Farm, Enfield: 1 female Chaffinch, collecting nesting material (Robert Callf).

Walthamstow Filter Beds: (private, no access) f Black Redstart, m Greenland Wheatear, Kingfisher (D Barrett) Lockwood: sum. plum. Turnstone (finder Lol Bodini, Paul Whiteman)

Warley: 2 + Whimbrel flew N, heard calling at 21.25hrs (Colin Jupp).

Potter's Field, City Hall: Swift, Sparrowhawk both only seen once in 2009 (Paul Whiteman)

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: Hobby, Peregrine, 4 Comon Terns, plus the usuals (MJP)

Rotherhithe: 2 Whitethroats singing on wasteground adjacent to doctor's surgery at end of Downtown Road (Richard Bonser)

Hampstead Heath: Singing Garden Warbler and Song Thrush, numerous Chiffchaff, Green Woodpecker, 20+ Swifts, Magpie feeding fledged chick, 2 Lesser-black Backed Gull maurauding on Hampstead No 1, male Mute Swan killed by Rotweiller last Thursday on Vale of Health, news from Ron Vester, 3 prs Great-crested Grebe, Sparrowhawk coming off the heath into residential area at dusk (Michael Mac).

Kenwood: 1 Swift, 1 f Kestrel at hole, 3+ pr Jackdaw feeding young, f Egyptian Goose now down to 3 young and male gone probably killed by a dog? another pr Egyptian Geese moved in near by, Tawny Owl calling in daylight (Michael Mac).

Trent Park: Hadley Rd (Plumridge Farm area ) a Marsh Harrier in direct flight east at c 16.00hours.( Pete Lowman).

=== Tuesday 11th May===

Bushy Park: 2 Common Cranes drifting east very high over Hampton Hill at 13.10, seen from the park. Presumably same ones as seen near Maidenhead at 12.00 (www.berksbirds.co.uk). (Roger Unite)

Dagenham: possible Black Stork 12:35 (RBA) (any details anyone?) [One seen Mote Pk, Kent 10.40 (Birdguides).

Alexandra Park: no sign of yesterday's Black Redstart nor Whinchat. Hobby low over Wood Green Res 0710 (Bob Watts); singing Lesser Whitethroat 08:40 (David Callahan).

Bellingham Pond: Cetti's Warbler in reeds at Bellingham Pond, west of Pool River, south of Winsford Road (Philip Lowden).

Bromley-by-Bow: Little Ringed Plover over at 08.00, Swallow, 10+ Sand Martin, 5 Stock Dove (S Fisher)

Canons Farm and Banstead Woods: Whinchat (m) at south west corner of Big Field, 2 Lapwings (displaying m, +f), Bullfinch, 2 Treecreepers, 4 Swallows, Common Swift, Willow Warbler, fledgling Robin, 5 Common Whitethroats, c.5 Blackcaps, 5 Chiffchaffs, 2+ Yellowhammers, Coal Tit, Nuthatch, Pied Wagtail, Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1+ Green Woodpecker, singing Mistle Thrush, Pheasant, Skylark, good numbers of Stock Doves (David Campbell). Garden Warbler, 2 Common Buzzards (Kevin McManus).

Crayford Marshes: Hobby, Corn bunting, Bar-tailed godwit, 2 Whimbrel, 3 Lesser whitethroats, Cetti's warbler, 12 swallows, 3 House martins. (Kev Jarvis).

East India Dock Basin / Bow Creek Eco Park: singing House Sparrow (local mega), Common Swift NE, 5 Swallow NW, 6 Reed Warbler, Common Whitethroat, 6+ Blackcap (Nick Tanner).

Grovelands Park, Southgate: 2(m&f) Grey Wagtail; 1 Swallow, flew E, 09:42hrs; Nuthatch, at nest-hole; 1 Treecreeper (Robert Callf).

Kensal Green Cemetery: f Green Woodpecker, Jay, Mistle Thrush, Blackcap. Family of Blackbird with 4 young, Robin with 1 juvenille. 4 pairs of Canada Geese all with 4/5 goslings, 3 Mallard with 2 young (all on Regents Canal) (Charlie Farrell).

Langridge Scrape, Lee Valley CP: (0930-1100) 1 Greenshank, 4 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Yellow Wagtail. (TeRNS)

Mitcham Common: 2 Kestrel, 2 Grey Heron, 9 Swift, Green Woodpecker, 3 Whitethroat, Chiffchaff, Dunnock, 4 Greenfinch (adult feeding juvenile) plus 4 rabbits and a lone fox cub (Stuart M)

Pinner Park Farm: 1 Little Owl, first two Coot chicks noted on the main pond, GSW, 1 Swallow & 1 juvenile Robin along the main bridleway. Epic stuff. (Jon Ridge).

Potter's Field, City Hall: Singing Reed Warbler in hedge on the South side by the Grassy bank. (Paul Whiteman)

Regent's Park: Little Owl, Common Whitethroat, 3 Reed Warbler, 4 Chiffchaffs (Tony Duckett).

Ruislip: Hobby, 2 Common Tern, 40+ Swift, 35+ Swallow, 10+ House Martin over Lido early evening. Garden Warbler, 3 Blackcap, 3 Willow Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff and Whitethroat on Poors Field (Steve Pash).

Totteridge Valley: 1 Red Kite E at around 10.55: 5 Swifts and 1 Swallow through: singing Garden Warbler and Willow Warbler plus at least 5 singing Lesser Whitethroats, as well as the usuals (John Colmans)

Wanstead Flats: 3 Swift, pr Meadow Pipit, 8 Skylark, 12+ singing Whitethroat, 4 Blackcap (J Lethbridge)

Wanstead Park 15.10 - 16.00: Common Tern over Heronry Pond, Red Kite soaring and drifted high NE towards Ilford, 24 Sand Martin, 4 Swallow, House Martin, Lesser Whitethroat (S. Fisher)

W2 (location witheld): singing Black Redstart (Des McKenzie).

Walthamstow res (Lockwood from house): 4 Arctic Terns N @ 18.45 + another 18.55, 30+ Swallows, m Shoveler, vixen with 5 cubs + usual suspects (Lol Bodini).

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: interesting hirundine with an arrival of Swallows and martins late eve (photos on site); otherwise the usuals (MJP Hackney Wildlife

=== Monday 10th May===

Alexandra Park: Black Redstart 1st summer male 1820 at least from 1st platform south end Wood Green Res on Thames Water building (Bob Watts). Whinchat (1st for year) flushed from cricket pitch to scrub, then gone after two minutes, then again 1750 at end of elms in Cricket Scrub (Bob Watts) plus 2 singing Lesser Whitethroats (Cricket Scrub) am, 5+ House Martins, 3+ Swallows, 20+ Swifts (all WG Res) (Dave Callahan). Common buzzard, descending NE from high above Palace mast at 09.55 (J. Cooke). 8+ House Martins W G Res 1820 (Bob Watts). Black Redstart still present at 1930. 4 Swallows at 1730. Also a Hobby over at about 1900 (James Palmer).

Bromley-by-Bow: Arctic Tern N at 13.20, Lesser Whitethroat, 2 male Reed Warblers (one singing from suburban garden near Abbey Mills), drake Pochard in Channelsea (S Fisher)

Dagnam Park, Harold Hill: male Firecrest singing and showing well near the round pond in yew, holly and ivy-covered sycamores 15.45-16.15 at least. Also singing in area - Garden Warbler, 2 Blackcap, Chiffchaff, 2 Song Thrush, Treecreeper + pr L-t Tits and pr Nuthatch (not seen with food; in nearby Hatter's Wood pair feeding young at nest hole); 30 Swifts feeding low over trees, 4 R-n Parakeets,now well established in park (Colin Jupp).

Holyfield Farm, Lea Valley: Turtle Dove in paddocks of educational farm at 09:55 (RBA); Heard near Carpark entrance at 11ish, but not found (J Lethbridge) Turtle Dove seen feeding on road opposite Young Calf Barn @5.45pm, before flying off behind 1st young cow barn. At 6pm 2 Turtle Doves seen feeding on the concrete area in front of the 1st young cow Barn. Also seen in this area were 2 Yellowhammer, and single Little Owl, Linnet and Red-legged Partridge. (James Anderson)

Canons Farm and Banstead Woods: Lesser Whitethroat (m) singing at Canons Farmhouse, 2 Common Buzzards, c.74 Stock Doves, 3 Mallards, 1 singing Goldcrest, 2 Pheasants, Kestrel, 6 Mistle Thrushes, 2 Common Whitethroats, 6+ Blackcaps, 4+ Chiffchaffs, 2 Willow Warblers, 2 Skylarks, Treecreeper, 2 Nuthatches, 3+ Green Woodpeckers, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 14 Rose-ringed Parakeets (David Campbell).

Grovelands Park, Southgate: 1 Little Grebe; 2(m&f) Egyptian Goose, on Pitch & Putt Course; 10(9m,1f) Mandarin Duck; 5(3m,2f) Pochard; 10 Stock Dove, together, on lawn; 6 Ring-necked Parakeet, together; 2 Great Spotted Woopecker; 2 Pied Wagtail; 4 Song Thrush; 1 singing male Mistle Thrush; 3 Barn Swallow; 1 singing male Chiffchaff; 2 Nuthatch; 6 Goldfinch, together (Robert Callf).

Kensington Gardens: 1 injured male Pheasant by Lancaster Gate 7pm. (Colin Flapper & David Lindo)

Margravine Cemetery: at least 2m House Sparrow calling and eating insects at edge (not seen/heard HS there for years) (Nathalie Mahieu)

Mitcham Common: 3 Kestrel, 3 Grey Heron, Swallow, 5 Swift, 10 Whitethroat, 2 Green Woodpecker, Greenfinch, 2 Long-Tailed Tit, Jay, 2 Chiffchaff, 3 Ring-Necked Parakeet, plus the usuals and sadly a Vixen lying dead at side of road between Bidder's & One Island Ponds (Stuart M)

Pinner Park Farm: 1 Little Owl, 15 Swift, 10 House Martin, 1 Swallow, 14 Jackdaw & 4 GSW. Very quiet. (Jon Ridge).

Streatham Common: one swift over Nettlefold Field (first seen for the year), 2 nuthatches, 4 stock doves, 2 great spotted woodpeckers, plus commoner species (RB)

Regent's Park: of interest yesterdays Nightjar was observed hawking at 8.45pm. Today 4 Reed Warblers, pr Grey Wagtails, (Tony Duckett).

Richmond Park: 1 Wheatear 1st Yr male probably Greenland race. Bog area early am. (FJM)

Roundwood Park (Harlesden): f Green Woodpecker, drumming Great Spotted Woodpecker, Lesser Whitethroat, family of Mistle Thrush inc 2 young birds, 3 Swift and 3 Swallow. (Charlie Farrell)

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: Hobby, c100 Swifts, 2 Sand Martins, Swallow, 4 Common Terns (MJP et al)

Stanmore Spring Ponds (Grove) 16.30 Mandarin Ducks 3 M+1 F+1 Duckling (Mike Johnson)

Tower Hamlets Cemetery: 2 Swallows north 1230 (Bob Watts).

Walthamstow Filter Beds: (private, no access) 2 m Greenland Wheatears, Grey Wagtail (Dan Barrett)

Walthamstow Reservoirs: (east shore of Lockwood) Ringed Plover, + usuals (Dan Barrett)

Wanstead Flats and Park: c100 Swift, 33 Sand Martin (The Basin), Swallow, f Whinchat, 4 f Wheatear, Sparrowhawk (S Fisher)

Willows Farm: Black Redstart (m). (Mark Reynolds/Steve Blake)

(little) Wormwood Scrubs: Green Woodpecker, singing Common Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, Chaffinch, Song Thrush + usuals. Grey Heron, Cormorant & 2 Swift over (Charlie Farrell).

=== Sunday 9th May===

Regent's Park: Nightjar (Birdguides).

Beddington: Curlew Sandpiper (Birdguides).

Crossness: 4 Wood Sandpipers still on flooded West Paddock all day, 7 Barwits, 3 Grey Plovers, Knot, 2 Turnstone, 3 Common Sandpipers, 3 Ringed Plovers, Dunlin, female Black Redstart, male Wheatear, c70 Common Terns (Kev Jarvis, Ian Miller & John Archer).

Langridge Scrape, Lee Valley CP: (08.30) 1 Wood Sandpiper, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 3 Yellow Wagtail. (James Palmer) Wood Sandpiper still at 16:00, 5 Little Ringed Plover (Nick Croft)

Lee Valley: 2 Nightingales, Garden Warbler, Sedge, Reed, Willow, Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Hobby, loads of Swift, Swallow and House Martin, 3 Cuckoo, Little Egret. Sadly dead Tawny Owl tangled in fishing gear. (Nick C)

Holyfields Farm 11.25: 1 Turtle Dove feeding on road leading to farmhouse adjacent to calf barns, reports of up to 4 birds near by @ 10.30. (Goosefield pools) 1 Green Sandpiper. (N.Smith)

Canons Farm: Red Kite, Rook, Northern Wheatear, 51 Common Swifts, Blackcap, Cormorant, 3 Mallards, Common Buzzard, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Sparrowhawk, Linnet, 2 Rose-ringed Parakeets, Skylarks, Yellowhammer, 2 Grey Herons, 7 Stock Doves, Common Whitethroat (KJM/DKC/RDW).

Rainham Marshes: ad summer Knot, 13 Whimbrel, Curlew, 10 Bar-tailed Godwit, four Redshank, 16 Ringed Plover, several Northern Lapwing, six Dunlin, four Common Sandpiper, Oystercatcher, Common Snipe, three Little Ringed Plover, Turnstone, three Little Egrets, 10 Common Terns, two Cuckoos, two Yellow Wagtails, three Northern Wheatears (Dominic Mitchell, Ruth Barnes et al).

Warlies / Upshire 11.10am: 1 Little Owl - flew from trees and along road (Nigel May).

Alexandra Park: Lesser Whitethroat Ckt Scrub, 15+ Swifts, 3 House Martins, Swallow, Common Tern, 15+ R N Parakeets (Bob Watts, Andrew Gardener, Gareth Richards).

London Wetland Centre WWT: Common Sandpiper, LRP, Yellow Wagtail (M Bourne). Oystercatcher, LRP, 3 Common Sands,3 Peregrines,10+ Common Terns (KJM/RDW).

Battersea Power Station: Oystercatcher up river at 7.10am, also Common Tern and pair Gadwall.(Dave Morrison)

Bedfont Lakes CP: 22+ Reed Warbler, 3+ Willow Warbler, 6+ Blackcap, 6+ Whitethroat, 3+ Garden Warbler, 2 Sedge Warbler, Reed Bunting, Swift, Swallow, House Martin, 4+ Common Tern, 4 Herring Gull. 48 species to 12:30 (Adam Cheeseman)

Coppetts Wood: 2 Rooks on playing field. (P.A)

East India Dock Basin area: 3 Arctic Terns up river 07.50,, 3 Common Sandpipers, 3 Swift, Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat. (Gary A James & Nick Tanner).

Fulham Reach (Thames): Oystercatcher (flying up river just before 8am), c20 hirundines mostly Swallow with at least 2 Sandmartin & 2 Housemartin, 2 Swift,21 Tufted Duck, 1 Gadwall, 2 Black-headed Gull (flying down river), first House Sparrow fledglings (Nathalie Mahieu)

Hampstead Heath: Gadwall & 2 Egyptian Geese on Highgate no.1 pond, also Blackcap and Chiffchaff. (Anon) m Kestrel (seen eating prey in a tree and also hunting), Goldcrest, Treecreeper, Coal Tit, Swift, pair of Green Woodpecker, c5 Great Spotted Woodpecker, several singing Common Whitethroat (Charlie Farrell)

Lonsdale Road Res: 6 Reed Warbler, 7 Swift, plus usuals (M Bourne). 20+ Swift, 2 Swallow and 1 GS Woodpecker at 7pm (Rich Petley).

Greenford (Beechwood Avenue): Hobby hunting low over rooftops 7.05 (Neil Anderson)

Limetrees Park Golf course (Northolt): Pr Dabchick, Little Ringed Plover, 2 Swallows feeding low over pond, singing Lesser Whitethroat (Neil Anderson).

Brent Res: 3 Common Sandpiper, Little Ringed Plover, 35 Common Terns, Aberrant partial albino Swift back with flock of 20+ Swifts (seen 24th to 26th Apr), 24 Swallows (Nigel Biggs, Andrew Verrall). White Wagtail (male feeding on mud opposite main hide 14.30 hours (Bob Husband (RAH), Fay Broom. Mike Cawthorne.

Pinner Park Farm: 1 Little Owl, 10 Swift, 2 Swallow, 5 Grey Heron & still 6 young Canada Goose in the main pond field (Jon Ridge, Brian Leech).

Town Park, Enfield: 1 ad Mistle Thrush (Magpie feeding on dead juv); 1 Goldcrest (Robert Callf).

Dagenham Chase LNR: 1 Dunlin on the slack in the afternoon, 1 Hobby hunting, 2 Rook over & a pair of Shelduck. ( V.Halley-Frame ).

Walthamstow: 2 Oystercatchers, 2 Common Sandpipers on Lockwood. 1 Turtle Dove flushed from north bank and flew North, 2 Yellow Wagtails over. 9 Yellow Wagtails, including at least 4 Blue-headed Wagtails (or hybrids though not 'channel' types) on the West bank of the East Warwick. (Paul Whiteman). Also Hobby over @ 8am (Lol Bodini). http://walthamstowwildlife.blogspot.com/

Ingrebourne Valley: 6 Wheatear in top paddock and top ploughed field (Shaun Harvey,Dick Jeffries)

Cowley (Frays Island): 1 m Cuckoo heard. (Roger Dewey)

Staines Res 11.00 1 Black Tern, 1+ Arctic Tern, 3 Little Gulls (2 juv and 1 adult), 1 sum plum Grey Plover (Andy Roberts)

Staines Moor 12.30 3 Whinchat, 5 Wheatear (Andy Roberts)

New Covent Garden Market: 20 Herring Gull of various ages and 4 Lesser-black backed Gull scavenging off market left overs (Michael Mac).

Battersea Park Lake: 6 pr Gadwall, pr Egyptian Geese, pr Grey Lag Geese and 5 young, 20+ Swifts circling over the area, 1 Ring-necked Parakeet in old woodpecker hole, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, 1 cob Mute Swan being territorial, Great-crested Grebe on nest, first Coot chicks starting to reveal themselves (Michael Mac).

=== Saturday 8th May===

Crossness: 8 Wood Sandpipers: 4 on flooded West Paddock till 15:00 at least and 4 more flew NW @ 06:30 (Kev Jarvis per JA). 2 Yellow wagtail, Turtle Dove, LRP, Cuckoo (AW, KJ)

Langridge Scrape, Lee Valley CP: (13.00) 1 Wood Sandpiper, (report from Harry Lacey to N.Smith) was joined by a second bird around 14.00 but then one dissapeared after ten mins. (N.Smith)

Alexandra Park: 4 Common Terns W G Res (Gareth Richards).

Barking Outfall: 53 Whimbrel flew downriver in a single flock @ 07:15 (Dave Morrison per JA).

Canons Farm: 2-3 Northern Lapwings, 2 Northern Wheatears (both f), 2 Pied Wagtails (both m), Blackcap, 25+ Stock Doves, Mistle Thrush, c.20 Linnets, 4+ Skylarks, 4+ Yellowhammers, 3 Common Whitethroats, 3 Mallards, 2 Sparrowhawks, Kestrel (m), Cormorant, 5+ Goldfinches, Grey Heron (juv) mobbed by 2 Carrion Crows (DKC/KJM).

Staines Res: 51 Whimbrel through prior to 0600hrs (38, 13), plus two feeding W bank of N basin; 3 Grey Plovers -> W at 0903hrs. Also Black-necked Grebe, 4 Little Gulls, Black Tern, 2 Arctic Terns, 6 Dunlin through, etc. (Rob Innes, Ken Purdey).

Horsenden Hill: 16 Whimbrel flew low NW just before 8am; also 26 Whitethroat, 25 Blackcap, 11 Chiffchaff, 5 Reed Warbler, 3 Swift (Andy Culshaw).

KGV Res 16.00: Peregrine hawking hirundines over south basin, also on pylons, viewed from Sewardstone Road.(N.Smith)

Lea Valley CP: m Marsh Harrier hunting over Seventy Acre at 8:30am this morning chased off north by a crow, sighted again from Bittern hide flying south, again mobbed by crows @ 15.30 (N.Smith) 2 Hobbies, 6 common tern, Nightingale singing,5 Whitethroat, good numbers of reed and sedge warbler, Kestrel. (B.Anderson)

Lincoln's Inn Fields: 1 singing Blackcap and 1 singing Goldfinch (John Colmans)

Ferny Hill Farm, Enfield: 1 Greylag Goose, flew N, 10:20hrs (Robert Callf).

Pinner Park Farm: 1 female Wheatear on the cricket pitch, 2 Hobby, 1 Little Owl & just 2 Swift (Jon Ridge).

Rainham RSPB (11:00-21:00): Ring-Tailed Harrier sp (Monty I reckon: narrow wings, er, it was quite a long way off over Purfleet going East while being mobbed by a crow, which wasn't too much smaller), Hobby, 10+ Whimbrel, 6 Dunlin, 5 Ringed Plover, 2 Little Ringed Plover, Greenshank, 8 Yellow Wagtail, 4 Wheatear (1 a cert for a Greenland type), Lesser Whitethroat, 2 reeling Grasshopper Warblers, Cetti's, Reed, Sedge etc.6 Ring Necked Parakeet, Common Tern and some more besides... (Nick Croft)

Trent CP: 1 male Garden Warbler, singing; 1 male Reed Bunting, by Lower Lake (Robert Callf).

Vauxhall/South London: Peregrine RSPB Web Cam of my local Peregrine site (Michael Mac).

Walthamstow Reservoirs (permit required): Three Common Sandpipers (south edge of West Warwick Reservoir) (Chris Kennington) Common Sandpiper on fish cage No.5. 3 Common Sandpipers and a Greenshank Lockwood, latter flew off North-west. Yellow Wagtail and Hobby also Lockwood. (Paul Whiteman, Lol Bodini) http://walthamstowwildlife.blogspot.com/

Tyttenhanger GP's: 31 Whimbrel (27 over NE, 4 on main Pit), 3 Sanderling (flew 0730), Dunlin, 2 Ringed Plover, Common Sandpiper, 4 Redshank, Hobby, Buzzard, Little Ringed Plover, Oystercatcher, (Tyttenhanger Spring Bird Count day - recorded 73 Species) (Steve Blake/Ricky Flesher/Terry Smith))

Richmond Park: 1 Hobby flew N at 6pm. (FJM))

Larkhall Park: pr Mistle Thrush seeing off a Carrion Crow near their nest, 2nd pr Mistle Thrush feeding at least 2 fledged young, 2 Goldfinch, 1 Greenfinch, 1 House Sparrow (Michael Mac).

Hillingdon: Meadows adjacent to Ten Acre Wood, 3 - 4 pair Lapwing breeding (2 young seen) and LRP on scrape created by GC developmnent. 10+ Whitethroat, 4+ Lesser Whitethroat, Blackcap, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, 4+ Reed Bunting, 2 -3 pairs Skylark, Wheatear, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, Rook, RN Parakeet and Pheasant (Martin Gibbons & Steve Pash).

Wanstead: 2 Turtle Doves (over Alexandra pond) (Tim Harris)

Wormwood Scrubs: Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 singing Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Song Thrush, Whitethroat, 2/3 Lesser Whitethroat (Charlie Farrell)

=== Friday 7th May===

Alexandra Park: Golden Oriole heard (4x) at 10:57 in the Grove but no further sign by 1320 (1st record for patch). Also Reed Warbler NE corner football pitches (Andrew Gardener). Lesser Whitethroat in cricket scrub (Mike Benyon). 2 Hose Martin, Swallow Wood Green Res 1815 (Bob Watts).

Crossness: 3 Wood Sandpipers flew NE @ 11.00 (one had been in the flooded paddock, but flew off to join 2 which flew over calling), 2 Yellow Wags north, LRP, 2 Common Sands (John Archer).

Belmont: Yellow Wagtail NE over Hulverstone Close. Coal Tit and Blackcap near The Belmont (DKC).

Canons Farm: White Wagtail, Hobby, 2 Northern Wheatears (both f), 3 Common Buzzards, male Pied Wagtail (KJM). 4 Swallows, 3 Mallards, Pheasant, 2+ Yellowhammers, Skylark, 4 Common Swifts, 2 Common Whitethroats, Blackcap, 19 Rose-ringed Parakeets, c.6 Stock Doves, c.10 Linnets (DKC).

South Norwood Lake: pair Great Crested Grebe, 10 Tufted Duck, 1 Cormorant, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Collared Dove, c30 Common Swifts, 6 Swallows, 2 House Martin, 2 Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, pair Grey Wagtail, 1 Pied Wagtail, 2 singing Song Thrush, 7 singing Blackcap, c3 singing Common Whitethroat, 4 Chiffchaff, pair Nuthatch (at nest feeding young) 8 House Sparrow,(John Watson & Gavin Hawgood)

Crayford Marshes: Bar-tailed Godwit, Turnstone, Corn Bunting, 4 Little Ringed Plovers, 2 Whimbrel, Cuckoo, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, 2 Little Egrets. (Kev Jarvis).

Lee Valley: Goosefields; 2 Oystercatchers, Pair of Egyptian Geese with 7 young, Lapwing, Langridge Scrape; 4 LRP's, 2 Lapwing, Cetti's warbler, High counts of swallow & Swift, c12 House Martins, Lesser Whitethroat, Bar-Headed Goose in field before Langridge Scrape, & had moved to field alongside farm buildings on my return. (James Anderson)

Mitcham Common: (09:40 - 11:00) 2 Kestrel, 2 Swift, 4 Whitethroat, Greenfinch, Ring-Necked Parakeet, Mistle Thrush (thanks Desmond), lots of Crow, Mags & Starling; a chilly, quiet morn.. (Stuart M)

Oakwood Park, N14: 1 singing male Willow Warbler (Robert Callf).

Pinner Park Farm: 1 Hobby & 1 Little Owl (Jon Ridge).

Richmond Park: 1 Wheatear male still Holly Lodge and Bog. (FJM)

Forest Gate (Sky watching 09:30–10:30): 25 Cormorant, 10 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 6 Swift, 4 Herring Gull, 2 Jay, 2 Heron, 3 Collared Dove, 2 Chaffinch, Pied Wagtail, Garden Warbler (h) and the usual residents (N Croft)

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: 2 Arctic Terns east 1530 (finally), 4 Common Terns, singing Common Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler, plus the usuals (MJP)

Tyttenhanger GPs: 3 Sanderling, Curlew, 2 Ringed Plover, Oystercatcher, 4 Redshank, Marsh Harrier, 2 Red Kite, 3 Hobby, 7 Common Tern, 3+ Buzzard. (Steve B)

Walthamstow Filter Beds: (private, no access) LRP, 3 m Greenland Wheatears (D Barrett)

Willows Farm Pool: 2 Little Ringed Plover, Redshank, Shelduck, 4 Greylag Goose (Steve B)

Richmond Park Golf Course: 1 Tawny Owl calling in daylight (Michael Mac).

Queensmere - Wimbledon Common: 3 Egyptian Geese, pr Canada Geese with 3 goslings - not bred here for at least 2 years because of swans which have now gone. Noticed warblers very quiet (Michael Mac).

Sainsbury's Nine Elms Car Park: pr of House Sparrows (Michael Mac).

Walthamstow res (Lockwood, from house) 2 Arctic Terns North @ 19.10, 3 Little Egrets in flood relief channel, 2 Shoveler, 4 Shelduck, Peregrine, f Sparrowhawk (Lol Bodini).

Tottenham marshes: Garden Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, 6+ Whitethroat, 3 Chiffchaff, 4+ Blackcap (Lol Bodini)

Walthamstow Reservoirs (permit required): Grasshopper Warbler (in channel alongside west edge of East Warwick Reservoir) (Chris Kennington)

=== Thursday 6th May===

East India Dock Basin NR: Osprey drifted over slowly NE 09.50, 1 Swift, 2 Common Sandpipers, Whitethroat, 2 Blackcaps. (Gary A James).

Brent Res: Pair of Little Ringed Plover displaying, 3 Common Sands, 33 Common Terns, 100+ Swifts, all 8 common warblers singing (Patrick Hagglund, Andrew Verrall).

Fulham Reach (Thames at high tide): 4 Pochard (3m&1f, patch tick) (Nathalie Mahieu)

Greenwich Park: Swift, 1 Swallow, also male Whitethroat feeding in nearby gardens just outside park (Joe Beale).

Holyfield area: 2 Yellowhammers, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Hobbies. Bar-headed Goose in amongst the Greylags. Langridge Scrape: 6 LRP’s, 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Shelduck, Cetti‘s Warbler. 3 Greenland Wheatear together, in the garden of Langridge Farm. (Mike Oakland)

Hounslow Heath LNR: m. Whinchat in heather pen. (Adam Cheeseman and Chris Slack)

Isle of Dogs: 2 Common Sandpiper flew from North to South bank of Thames, 6 Common Tern (Richard Harrison).

King George V Reservoir: 25+ Arctic Terns, 2 Hobbies, 3 Wheatear by 13:00 (Ian Lycett).

Mitcham Common: Hobby (wonderful show hunting field behind Mill House Ecology Centre 14:14 - 15:15, twice mobbed by Hen Kestrel), 4 Kestrel (two M, two F), 3 Grey Heron, 10 Swift, Green Wooodpecker, 5 Greenfinch, 2 Blackcap, 4 Whitethroat, 3 Long-Tailed Tit, 6 Ring-Necked Parakeet and a Fox (Stuart M)

Pinner Park Farm: 1 Little Owl, 1 Sparrowhawk, 10 Swift & 2 Swallow (Jon Ridge, Jon Reveley). Earlier: 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 1 Cormorant, 18 Jackdaw, 1 Linnet over & 1 Nuthatch (JR).

Rammey Marsh 1600: 1 Little Egret feeding in brook west of marsh,1 Cetti's Warbler calling nea R.Lee side, 2 Garden Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 12 Whitethroat, 6 Blackcap, 4 Willow Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Reed Warbler, 3 Sedge Warbler, 1m Reed Bunting, 4 Linnet, 3 singing Greenfinch. 2 Mistle Thrush. (N.Smith)

Richmond Park: 1 Wheatear male, Holly Lodge early am. (FJM)

South Norwood Lake: pair Great Crested Grebe, 2 Hering Gull, 1 Cormorant, 10 Tufted Duck, 1 singing Whitethroat, 6 singing Blackcap, 4 singing Chiffchaff, 2 Song Thrush, 2 Nuthatch, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 4 House Sparrow, (John Watson)

Sewardstone Marsh 18.00: 1m Northen Wheatear of "Greenland" race, on the north of KGV res. 10 Arctic Terns leaving res heading northwards, 10+ House Martin, 1 Cuckoo singing. (N.Smith)

Staines Res (early afternoon): 1 Black Tern, 3 (all sub-adult) Little Gull, 10+ Arctic Tern, 15+ Common Tern (all on S Basin). Also, 150+ Common Swift and some distant hirundines - prob House Martin. (Bill Haines).

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: Hobby, Peregrine, pr Egyptian Geese, 3 singing Sedge Warblers, c15 Reed Warblers, 230+ Swifts, 2 House Martins, 1 Swallow, 2 Sand Martins, plus the usuals (MJP).

Walthamstow Filter Beds (private, no access) m Greenland Wheatear (D Barrett)

Wanstead Flats (05:00–10:00): Reed Warbler (Alexandra pond), Tree Pipit (west of East Copse), Blackbird, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Robin, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, 6 Jay, Magpie, Mallard, Tufted Duck, 6 Shoveler (over NE–Tim Harris), Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Mute Swan, 12 LBB Gull (one who made off with a Coot chick), 1 Common Gull, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, possible Peregrine, 13 RN Parakeet, 10 Swallow, 1 Sand Martin, 4 Swift, Lesser Whitethroat, Common Whitethroat, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Blackcap, 30+ Cormorant (over), Linnet, Chaffinch etc. (Nick C)

Westminster Bridge: Peregrine, approx 1715 hours

Wormwood Scrubs: 1 female Common Redstart. (Roy Nuttall).

Walthamstow res (Lockwood, from house 18.30-19.15): 10+ Arctic Terns low North (Lol Bodini).

=== Wednesday 5th May===

Canons Farm: Osprey over north, 4 Northern Wheatears (KJM).

Pinner Park Farm: 1 Red Kite over ne/e at 12:45, 1 male Whinchat in the Wakehams Hill hedge, 90+ Swift seemingly over north, 12+ House Martin, 1+ Sand Martin & 2 Swallow (Jon Ridge).

Alexandra Park: 2 Hobbies circling north at 13:25 (Ian Lycett and Birdwatch staff). Ne

Brent Reservoir: LRP, Common Sand & Snipe (Andrew Self)

Crayford Marshes: Turtle Dove in bushes north of Howbury moat, 3 Greenshanks, 8 Whimbrel, female Wheatear, 11 Dunlin, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, c 80 Swifts, 10 Reed Warbler, 5 Sedge Warblers. (Kev Jarvis).

Cornmmill Meadows 17.00: 15-20 House Martins collecting mud at south end of meadows, Garden Warbler, 1 LRP,

Hampstead Heath - Model Boating Pond: 3 Common Tern (yrs 1st for me) 2 landed on raft, 3 m and 1 f Mandarin bobbing in a tree where Kestrel nest box installed to replace hollow branch, traditional Kestrel nest site that snapped last year, will Mandarins use it? 1 Kestrel, 5+ Swifts on Parliament Hill, 3 pr Tawny Owls - 2 with audible young. Kenwood: 1 Egyptian Goose with 4 young and another 3 adults nearby having some territorial shin dig. Chiffchaff and Blackcap. 2 pr Mute Swan and 3 pr Great-crested Grebe apparently had nests flooded out over the weekends rain (Michael Mac)

Harold Court ,Thames Chase: Turtle Dove flew into trees along boundary with fishery ,1 Nightingale(singing occasionally 19.45 onwards), 1 Garden Warbler, 5+ Blackcap, 6+ Whitethroat, 4 Willow Warbler, 4 Chiffchaff, 2 Swift, 3 Swallow, 5 House Martin, 2 Green Woodpecker, 2 Song Thrush, 2 Jay, 3 Goldfinch, 2 Linnet, pr Bullfinch. Also pair of Common Terns over fishery + distant Hobby (Colin Jupp).

Holyfield Farm Area 19.00: (goosefield pools) 2 Oystercatcher, Greenshank, (Langridge Scrape) 6 LRPs, Cetti's warbler, Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, Blackcap, Common Whitethroat, Chiff and Willow Warbler all present. (N,Smith)

Kensal Green Cemetery and St Mary’s Cemetery: vocal f Green Woodpecker, pair of Jay, several singing Chaffinch, 20+ Ring-necked Parakeet (Charlie Farrell)

Mitcham Common: Common Buzzard, 2 Kestrel, 3 Grey Heron, 7 Swift, 2 Green Woodpecker (present), 5 Blackcap, 7 Whitethroat, 2 Chiffchaff, Jay, 3 Long-tailed Tit, 9 Ring-necked Parakeet, Wren, 4 Canada Goose, 7 Rabbits and a Fox (Stuart M)

Rammey Marsh 09.00: 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Garden Warbler, 18 Common Whitethroat, 2 Blackcap, 4 Chiffchaff, 3 Willow Warbler, 8 Sedge Warbler, 7 Linnet, 2 Reed Bunting, 1 Meadow Pipit, 1f Sparrowhawk, 1 Green Woodpecker. (N.Smith)

Sewardstone Marsh 07.00: 20+ House Martin, 2 Garden Warbler, 3 Reed Warbler, 8 Sedge Warbler, 21 Common Whitethroat, 4 Chiffchaff, 4 Willow Warbler, 12 Blackcap, 1 Meadow Pipit, 2m Reed Bunting, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Linnet, 4 Lapwing, 2 G.S. Woodpecker. (N.Smith)

South Norwood Lake: pair Great Crested Grebe, 2 Cormorant, 2 Herring Gull, 12 Tufted Duck, 1 singing Lesser Whitethroat, 1 singing Common Whitethroat, 5 Blackcap, 4 Chiffchaff, 1 Nuthatch (at nest feeding young), 3 singing Song Thrush, 1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, C20 Swift, 8 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Coal Tit, 6 Ring-necked Parakeet, 4 House Sparrow (John Watson)

Staines Moor: Cetti's Warbler, Cuckoo, 3 Sedge Warbler, 2 Wheatear, 3 Common Tern, Common Snipe, Whitethroats, Reed Buntings, Linnets, Blackcaps, Skylarks, Meadow Pipits. (Nigel Sluman)

Staines Reservoir: Late pm: 1 Black Tern, 3 Little Gulls, 1st yrs. 2 Common Sandpipers, ( Ken Purdey & FJM ) c15 Common Tern, 100 Swift, Sand Martins. (Nigel Sluman)

Tower 42 (City of London): Common Buzzard N 1350, Hobby W, 2 Peregrines, Kestrel, 2 Sparrowhawks, c60 Swifts mainly N (T42BSG)

Tyttenhanger GPs: 2 Egyptian Goose, Oystercatcher, Shelduck, 9 Common Tern, Wheatear (m), Garden Warbler, 2 Sedge Warbler, 2 Reed Warbler. (Steve B)

Wanstead Park: Little Egret, 2 singing Goldcrests from suburban gardens, 1 Buzzard SW persued by Crow 15.55 (S Fisher)

=== Tuesday 4th May===

East India Dock: 2 Common Cranes distantly towards Crystal Palace c13:25, Common Buzzard, Peregrine, Sparrowhawk, 6 Pochard, Sedge Warbler, 2 Sand Martin, 3+ Common Tern, Shelduck (Richard Harrison).

Alexandra Park: 2 Hobbies north to park, and then south again, circling, just after 11 am (Dominic Mitchell et al); 13:35 - kite sp. (presumed Red - very distant), while scanning for reported cranes (Birdwatch staff).

Bedfords Park LNR: 1 calling Cuckoo, 6 Garden Warbler, 2 singing Goldcrests, m Linnet, 1 singing Yellowhammer (Colin Jupp).

Harold Court Woods: Nightingale on east side of Thames Chase - Forestry Commission site; full song sounded magnificent between 22.50-23.30hrs (Colin Jupp).

Brent Reservoir: Bar-tailed Godwit still present (Andrew Self); Barwit present to at least 12.30pm, plus 3 Common Sandpiper, 1 Little Ringed Plover (Andrew Haynes)

Fairlop Gravel Works: 5 Shelduck, 4 Gadwall, 2 Shoveler, 20 Tufted Duck, 2 Little Grebe, GHeron, 10 Lapwing, 4 LRPlover, 2 Redshank, Common Sandpiper, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Wheatear, 5 Linnet, 2 Sedge Warbler, Reed Warber (Red Bird)

Mitcham Common: 2 Kestrel, Grey Heron (mobbed by 2 Crows), 8 Swift, 2 Swallow, 2 Green Woodpecker (present), 2 Greenfinch, 3 Whitethroat, Blackcap (male), 2 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Chiffchaff, Dunnock, 2 Jay, Ring-necked Parakeet (Stuart M)

Pinner Park Farm: 1 Rook on the River Pinn field with 12 Jackdaw, 1 Little Owl, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Cormorant, 7 Swift over north, 2 Swallow & 2 Canada Goose with 6 goslings in the main pond field (Jon Ridge).

Rammey Marsh 15:00: 2 Grasshopper Warbler one in same small Elderberry bush half way up marsh, the other further North 150 yards from M25, Cetti's Warbler calling in N/E corner of marsh close to River Lee. 1f Wheatear, pr Bullfinch, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Garden Warbler, 18 Common Whitethroat, 2 Blackcap, 5 Willow Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Mipit Singing, 4 Linnet, 1m Reed Bunting, 3 Green Woodpecker. (N.Smith)

Sewardstone Marsh 12:00: 50+ House Martins, 200+ Swifts about, 2 Garden Warbler, 3 Reed Warbler, 11 Whitethroat, 17 Blackcap, 6 Chiffchaff, 4 Willow Warbler, 2 Sedge Warbler, 2 Mipits, 2 Pied Wag's, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Shelduck, 4 Linnet, 2 GS Woodpecker, 3 Green Woodpecker, Fox with 4 cubs, 1 Mink. (N.Smith)

Staines Reservoir: 500+ Swift, c20 Arctic Tern, c40 Great Crested Grebe (Nigel Sluman)

Walthamstow Marshes: 3 Whinchats together, 7.45 am. (Jean-Patrick Elmes)

Walthamstow Reservoirs: Dunlin, 2 Common Sandpipers, Common Terns (D Barrett)

Wormwood Scrubs: 2 Swift + usual singing birds (Blackcap, Song Thrush, Common Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, Willow Warbler, ChiffChaff, Chaffinch, Wren), 2 Canada Geese, 5 Meadow Pipit (Charlie Farrell)

North Hillingdon: 6 Rook south across A40 6.20am and dropped into fields west of Gutteridge Wood. Possibly commuters from the recently discovered rookery? (Andy Culshaw).

South Norwood Lake: pair Great Crested Grebe, 20 Tuftrd Duck, 1m Sparrowhawk, 1 singing Reed Warbler, 1 singing Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Common Whitethroat, 6 Blackcap, 5 Chiffchaff, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Nuthatch, 30+ Swift, c10 Swallow, c10 House Martin, 8 Ring-necked Parakeet, 2 Pied Wagtail, 8 House Sparrow, (John Watson)

Little Britain Lake & Yiewsley GP's: 1 Common Tern, 1 Cuckoo, a few Sand Martins, Swallows, Whitethroats, 6-8 Garden Warblers, Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs, 1m Reed Bunting. (Roger Dewey)

Thorney Country Park: 12 Common Tern; 6 Swift, 2 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, Kingfisher (Nigel Sluman)

Regent's Park: Common Snipe, Common Sandpiper, Grey Wagtail (Tony Duckett)

Richmond Park: 1 Garden Warbler singing at Holly Lodge paddocks in trees nearest riding ring late pm. (FJM)

Town Park, Enfield: 2(m&f) Pochard, copulating, Carr's Basin; 12 Long-tailed Tit,(3 adults, including one bearing a metal ring on right leg and 2 adults feeding 7 recently fledged juveniles) (Robert Callf).

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: 2 Hobbys, Peregrine, plenty of swifts and hirundines (MJP)

RSPB Rainham: 6 Wheatear, 9 Sand Martin and a Swallow (Steven Robinson).

=== Monday 3rd May===

Brent Reservoir: Bar-tailed Godwit from hide all morning, also Turtle Dove through (Andrew Self, Roy Beddard & Andrew Verrall). Bar-tailed Godwit still present at 18:45, many thanks. Also 4 Common & 1 Green Sandpiper from Heron hide (Jon Ridge).

Alexandra Park: Marsh Harrier (fem/imm) pursued by 3 crows from southern end playing fields @ 0945, fairly low heading towards Queens Wood (1st record for site), also 3 House Martin, 3 Swallows, Lesser Whitethroat & Willow Warbler singing from Cricket Scrub, Buzzard sp west noon (Bob Watts, Gareth Richards, Andrew Gardener). Honey buzzard viewed closely as it crossed Garden Centre W., mobbed by crows @11.57; cuckoo-face, carpal pattern, long banded tail and flexible wingbeats as it avoided crows all clearly seen (Jonathan Cooke).

Fisher's Green: Red Kite ( a very tatty individual) west at 1345. (David Bradshaw)

Rainham Marshes: ad fem Marsh Harrier west marsh, Hobby west (dump), 4 Greenland Wheatears (2 foreshore, 2 dump), 8 Wheatear (3 foreshore, 5 dump - together with the Greenlands, so ...), 5 Whimbrel, (foreshore), 39 Dunlin (two separate flocks Thames-side) plus tons of hirundines but sadly no RR Swallow! (David Callahan)

Hillingdon: Ten Acre Wood, meadows north and east of wood: Whinchat, 2 Wheatear, 3+ Lesser Whitethroat, 6+ Whitethroat, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, 2 Hobby, Kestrel, Little Owl, Skylark, Linnet, 4+ Reed Bunting, Swifts, LRP and 3 pair Lapwing on GC development scrape (Steve Pash).

Hillingdon, Gutteridge Wood & meadows: Hobby, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 5+ Whitethroat, Reed Bunting, Blackcap, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Bullfinch, Stock Dove & RN Parakeet (Steve Pash).

Hornsey: Male Siskin again bird feeder Nightingale Lane (Bob Watts).

King George V Reservoir: Arctic Terns, Common Terns, Yellow Wagtail, Shelduck, 4 Gadwall, Grey Heron, 100s of Swifts, Sand Martins, House Martins and Swallows (Alan Hobson).

Lonsdale Road Res: 1 Green Sandpiper (on tern raft), 1 Common Tern, 5 Swift, 2 Reed Warbler, 1 Sedge Warbler, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, plus usuals (M Bourne). Could not find the Sandpiper at 6pm, but 2 Common Terns and the regular species were present (Rich Petley)

London Wetland Centre: 1 Dunlin, 4 LRP, 4 Yellow Wagtail (inc. male Blue-Headed Wagtail) (M Bourne) Also Common + Green Sandpiper, Peregrine across river (Neil Anderson) + 11 Arctic Terns thru north (NPS). 6 Yellow Wagtail (incl. 1 ad and 1 imm male Blue-headed), male and female Peregrine and 3 Common Tern on rafts (Martin Honey).

Walthamstow Reservoirs - East Warwick. 1 Oystercatcher at7am. Many swifts. (Quentin Given)

Little Wormwood Scrubs: 1 female Northern Wheatear, c2 Lesser Whitethroats on territory plus usuals. (Roy Nuttall).

Vicarage Farm, Enfield: 1 male Northern Wheatear (probably 'Greenland' race) (Robert Callf).

Pinner Park Farm: 1 Little Owl & 2 Swift. Very quiet (Jon Ridge).

Ruislip: LRP (on shore by pub) & 2 Common Tern at Lido, Cuckoo on Poors Field and Lesser Whitethroat in field west of Lido car park (Steve Pash).

South Norwood Lake: pair Geat Crested Grebe, 2 Herring Gull, 1 singing Reed Warbler, 1 singing Lesser Whitethtoat, 2 Common Whitethroat, 4 Blackcap, 5 Chiffchaff, c40 Swift, 10 Swallows, c8 House Martin, 1 Nuthatch, 2+ Long-tailed Tit, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, c4 singing Song Thrush, pair Mistle Thrush, 10 Ring-necked Parakeet, 3 Pied Wagtails, 4+ singing Chaffinch, 3 House Sparrow, (John Watson & Gavin Hawgood)

Staines Res, South basin 10:00: 1 Kittiwake, 1 Black Tern. (N.Smith). Also 2+ Little Gull around 19:00 (Andy Culshaw and David Howdon)

Staines Moor 12:00: 5 Whinchat grouped together, 9 Northern Wheatear together 1m probabal Greenland race, at the North end of marsh. 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Redshank, Cettis calling, Cuckoo. Little Egret, 3 Stock Dove. (N.Smith). 18:00 At least 6 Whinchat in group, 1 Common Sandpiper (Andy Culshaw and David Howdon)

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: Common Sandpiper, Hobby, pair of Peregrines, 140+ Common Swifts, 12+ Swallows, 10 House Martins, 5 Sand Martins (MJP)

Cowley: 3m & 1f Mandarin on R Frays at Cowley Business Park; 2 Common Swift flying under fascia board, Cowley House. (Roger Dewey)

Rotherhithe: Arctic Tern on River Thames east of Greenland Pier at 7.10pm before gaining height and heading NW over Canary Wharf (Richard Bonser)

Dagenham Chase LNR: Hobby hunting during the afternoon. ( V.Halley-Frame )

=== Sunday 2nd May===

London Wetland Centre: adult summer plumage PACIFIC GOLDEN PLOVER (Wendy Newnham via FJM); shows all black flanks at rest, identified by Bob Arnfield & Roger Riddington on primary projection (note not all observers present agree with this identification - NPS). Flew off high West at 10.37. Earlier seen flying NW at Beddington (Roger Browne, Pete Alfrey, Johnny Allan et al - see photos on [http://peteralfreybirdingnotebook.blogspot.com(details from FJM).Kindly phoned through by Johnny Allan to alert others. Also Yellow wagtail on the grazing marsh (M Bourne). Blue-headed Wagtail (1st Summer male) with 2 Yellow Wags, on grazing marsh with Highland Cattle (several observers). Arctic Tern through North (NPS/RK). Also 4 LRP, 3 Redshank, 1 Common Sand & 1 Dunlin. Needless to say the PGP did not reappear in the afternoon (Jon Ridge).

Rainham marshes: RED-RUMPED SWALLOW 14h but not 1620 (Birdguides). 11 Bar-tailed Godwit, 6 Grey Plover, 30+ Dunlin, 2 Knot, 15+ Whimbrel, 6 Common Sand, several Swift through, 3 Black Tern, Arctic Tern, 2 Common Tern, female Marsh Harrier (near Ferry Lane), several singing Cetti's Warblers, Redshank, lots of hirundines, 9 Wheatear, Water Rail with chicks (S Fisher, J Lethbridge et al)

KGV Res: Arctic Skua until about 11.50 when it flew north, 1 Little Tern, 1-2 Black Tern, several Arctic Terns (Ian Lycett et al)

Seventy Acres Lake: singing Wood Warbler near bittern hide also 2 Hobbys, 2 Cuckoos (inc rufous female), 8 singing Nightingale nearby around electricity substation, c50 Swifts, c10 House Martins, various 'common' warblers (R Woodward + others).

Crossness: 7 Black Terns, c70 Common Terns, Common Sandpiper, 11 Dunlin (John Archer, Kev Jarvis & Ian Miller).

Hornsey: male Siskin again on bird feeder, Nightingale Lane (Bob Watts).

Lonsdale Road Res: Common Tern, Reed Warbler, GC Grebe plus usuals (M Bourne)

East India Dock Basin NR: 2 Arctic Terns east, 18 Common Terns, 2 Swallows NE, Blackcap. (Gary A James & Nick Tanner).

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: Common Sandpiper (1st of year), Willow Warbler, c30 Swallows, c80 Common Swifts, 2 drake Shovelers, plus the usuals (MJP)

South Norwood Lake: pair Great Crested Grebe, 1 Greylag Goose, Tufted Duck, 2 Cormorant, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Common Whitethroat, Willow Warbler, c5 singing Blackcap, c6singing Chiffchaff, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, Stock Dove, Pied Wagtail. 6 Ring-necked Parakeet, c6 singing Song Thrush, Greenfinch, 5singing Chaffinch, Long-tailed Tit, c4 House Sparrow, (John Watson, Gavin Hawgood, & Ernest Thomason)

Sutcliffe Park: 1 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Reed Warbler, 2 Reed Bunting (Martin Hallam, James Lowen)

Ingrebounre Valley: Little Owl (Shaun Harvey)

Staines Res (prior to 1015hrs): Great Northern Diver immature still, waders thru: Ringed Plover 3, Grey Plover 2, Dunlin 20, Bar-tailed Godwit 1, Whimbrel 3, Redshank 7, Turnstone 5; ad Kittiwake lingering S basin; Little Tern 2 -> N at 0700hrs, Black Tern 1, Sandwich Tern 1 early on, Arctic Tern up to 40 S basin in the rain; in the evening max count of Arctic Terns 76, also Black Tern 4, Little Tern 3, Whimbrel 1 -> N, Turnstone 4, Dunlin 8, etc (Rob Innes).

Wanstead (07:00): Tree Pipit (Birdguides). f Wheatear on the flats (Nick Croft)

Walthamstow Res - East Warwick. 100+ Swallows, 6+ Sandwich Terns battling wind and rain. (Quentin Given)

Hyde Park - 1 Hobby darted south east at 6.20pm. (David Lindo)

Dagenham Chase LNR: 2 Hobbies at 5.20 pm. ( V.Halley-Frame ).

=== Saturday 1st May===

Wimbledon Common: Wood Warbler, a singing male in the wood south of Somerset Ride at its junction with Bluegate Ride (Andrew Harding, David Wills).

Brent Reservoir: Spring Birdcount, currently 69 species inc. Turtle Dove, 2 Common Buzzards, Peregrine, 2 Oystercatchers, c300 Swifts & 8 species of warbler (Brent Birders)

Lee Valley, Seventy Acres Lake: 4 Hobbies, 6 Swifts, 3 Nightingales (heard!), many Whitethroats, Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs. (Andrew Thomas). Nightingale (excellent views), 2 Garden Warblers (excellent views of one), 4 Hobby hawking low over the lake (Alan Hobson).

Staines Reservoirs: 1 Turnstone, 1 Dunlin, 1 Little Gull 1st W, 30 Common Terns, Great Northern Diver, 2 Wheatears, 400+ Common Swifts, 10 Swallows, 20 Sand Martins.( Bob Warden & FJM)

Rainham Marshes RSPB: Little Stint, 2 Sanderling, 8 Whimbrel, 4 Oystercatcher, 12+ Dunlin, drake Garganey, Cuckoo, 3 Whinchat, 6+ Wheatear, 2 Common Tern.(Paul Hawkins, Dave Morrison, Jono Lethbridge, Les Harrison) Common sandpiper, common buzzard, marsh harrier.

Rammey Marsh 12:00: 1 Grasshopper Warbler half way up marsh sitting in same small Elderberry bush as when last recorded earlyer in the week. (N.Smith)

Sharvel Lane/Ten Acre Wood: 3 Buzzards together, m Kestrel, pr Pheasant, 3 Lapwing, 8 Stock Dove, 5 Great-spotted + 2 Green Woodpecker, c80 Swift, 2 singing Skylark, Meadow Pipit, 9 Swallow, 15 s Blackcap, singing Garden Warbler, 3 singing Lesser Whitethroat, 14 singing Whitethroat, 5 singing Chiffchaff, singing Willow Warbler 2 Wheatear, 7 Jay, 15+ Jackdaw, 8 Linnet, 2m 1f Reed Bunting (Neil Anderson)

Wanstead Flats: f Whinchat, 11 Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, male Garden Warbler, Yellow Wagtail NW, c8 Swift NW, 3 Swallow NE, f Wheatear. Wanstead Park, River Roding area: 3 Little Egret (S Fisher)

Leytonstone, Cann Hall Rd: f Sparrowhawk, Hobby SW (c13.30), 10+ Swift, 2 Sand Martin SW (S Fisher)

Fairlop Gravel Works: 5 Shelduck, Teal, 2 Gadwall, pr Shoveler, 8 Lapwing, 2 Redshank, LRP heard, Common Sandpiper, 7 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Linnet, 3 Reed Bunting, 5 Swallow (RedBird)

East India Dock Basin NR: 1 Garden Warbler singing (Copse), 5 Sand Martins,Swallow, 3 Oystercatcher, 6 Common Terns,6 Reed Warblers, Blackcap,Whitethroat. (Gary A James).

Hornsey: Male Siskin on feeder in garden, Nightingale Lane (Bob Watts).

Alexandra Park: Wheatear west over Top Field, Lesser Whitethroat between Cricket Scrub & Tunnel Res, 2 Willow Warblers, sev Swallow, 10+ Swifts, pair Common Terns (Andrew Gardener, Bob Watts, Paul Rawlins).

Sewardstone Marsh 09:00: 2f Northern Wheatear, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 2m Reed Warbler,1 Lesser Whitethroat, 11 Whitethroat, 4 Sedge Warbler,15 Blackcap, 5 Chiffchaff, 3 Willow Warbler, 3m Reed Bunting, 1 Meadow Pipit, at least 6 House Martin, abundant Swallow, Swift and Sand Martin. 5 Lapwing, 2 Green Woodpecker. 1m Kestrel. (N.Smith)

Lee Valley: Hall Marsh Scrape; 2 LRP's, Cetti's Warbler. Kingfisher along flood relief channel.Turnershill Marsh area; 2 Nightingale, 3 Bullfinch, + many willow Warblers, Chiffchaff's, Blackcaps. Seventy Acre's Lake: Common Sandpiper, c24 Common terns, 4 Reed Warblers, Cetti's warblerLangridge Scrape: 4 LRP's, Yellow Wagtail, Swallow, Lapwing, Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler. (James Anderson)

Tyttenhanger GP's: Little Egret, Cuckoo, Common Sandpiper, Little Ringed Plover, Ringed Plover, 4 Redshank, 2 Shelduck, Garden Warbler, 4 Reed Warbler, 3 Sedge warbler, Wheatear(f), (Steve B)

Willows Pool: 2 Redshank, Shelduck, 2 Pied Wagtail, Greylag Goose, 2 Canada Goose. (Steve B)

Lake Farm CP: 2 Hobbies soaring high for 30 minutes, 2 Sparrowhwaks together, one Kestrel, a large long-winged raptor too high to identify (kite/harrier shape) being mobbed by smaller bird for ten minutes, 50+ Swifts and 8 Swallows (Peter Naylor).

Pinner Park Farm: 2 Common Buzzard high over the main pond with 70+ Swifts at 13:45, 1 female Wheatear, 1 Little Owl, 1 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 male Whitethroat, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 singing Blackcap, 1 singing Chiffchaff, 21 Jackdaw, 2 House Martin & 2 Swallow (Jon Ridge).

Town Park, Enfield: 1 singing male Lesser Whitethroat; 2 singing male Blackap (Robert Callf).

Yeading Brook Meadows: 3 Sparrowhawk in air together (1 much lower than other 2), 5 singing Blackcap, singing Lesser Whitethroat, 7 Whitethroat, singing Garden Warbler, singing Chiffchaff + Willow Warbler, m Bullfinch, Linnet (Neil Anderson)

Wormwood Scrubs: 2 Whinchat - our 1st for the spring, 1 female Northern Wheatear, 1 singing Sedge Warbler, c10 Swallow, c20 Swift, 3 Stock Dove, 1 Collared Dove + usuals. (David Lindo & Roy Nuttall)

Bushy Park: 1 Whitethroat, 4 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff- Woodland Gardens, 5 Meadow Pipits, 2 Skylark, 2 Stock Doves by Heron Pond

Stockers Lake: Male Goldeneye (1030am), Whinchat (male in weedy field north of R.Colne early am - Andrew Moon), Pheasant, Egyptian Goose, copulating Black headed Gulls on new tern raft, c 12 Common Terns, Reed, Sedge warblers, Blackcap, Chiffchaff plus usuals ( Martin Smith)

Enfield Playing Fields: Tawny Owl(s) heard hooting and 'kewicking' a few nights ago (Tuesday evening- Phil Rhodes)

Ingrebourne Valley: 4 Hobbies,Common Buzzard,Cuckoo.(Shaun Harvey)

Crossness: male Whinchat, Cuckoo, 150+ Swifts NE, 11 singing Sedge Warblers, Lesser Whitethroat, c60 Common Terns, Dunlin, 4 Ringed Plovers, 1 Teal, 13 Gadwall (John Archer).

Romford RM1: Hobby over south, 1725. House tick! (James A)

Regent's Park: 2 Sparrowhawks, 25+ Swifts, 3 Swallows, Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Reed Warblers, 14 Blackcaps, 3m Chiffchaffs, Linnet (Tony Duckett).

Rotherhithe: stunning Hobby (my 1st for the site) low over end of Downtown Road by the doctor's surgery heading south 1750 (Richard Bonser)

Staines Moor 18:00: 1m Whinchat, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Reed Warbler, 2 Little Egret, 2 Stock Dove. (N.Smith)

Brockwell Park: 1 Blackcap singing, 10 House Sparrows round the ponds plus other commoners. 1 Swift and 2 House Martin over the house (Michael Mac).

Orient Way, Leyton: m singing Blackcap (in scrub by railway) (Graham Francis)

Ingrebourne Valley: Common Buzzard(Shaun Harvey)

Rainham RSPB: 2 Yellow Wagtail,3 Wheatear(Shaun Harvey)

=== Archived News===

[[Category:Barnet Common (now corn fields): Skylarks have now returned after an absence. (3 seen rising today). Also Lapwings have recently become resident in the fields. Garden Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat and Willow Warbler heard in adjacent bushes. (Geoff Crabtree) ]] [[Category:Barnet Common (now corn fields): Skylarks have now returned after an absence. (3 seen rising today). Also Lapwings have recently become resident in the fields. Garden Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat and Willow Warbler heard in adjacent bushes. (Geoff Crabtree) ]] [[Category:Barnet Common (now corn fields): Skylarks have now returned after an absence. (3 seen rising today). Also Lapwings have recently become resident in the fields. Garden Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat and Willow Warbler heard in adjacent bushes. (Geoff Crabtree) ]] [[Category:Barnet Common (now corn fields): Skylarks have now returned after an absence. (3 seen rising today). Also Lapwings have recently become resident in the fields. Garden Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat and Willow Warbler heard in adjacent bushes. (Geoff Crabtree) ]] [[Category:Barnet Common (now corn fields): Skylarks have now returned after an absence. (3 seen rising today). Also Lapwings have recently become resident in the fields. Garden Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat and Willow Warbler heard in adjacent bushes. (Geoff Crabtree) ]] [[Category:Barnet Common (now corn fields): Skylarks have now returned after an absence. (3 seen rising today). Also Lapwings have recently become resident in the fields. Garden Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat and Willow Warbler heard in adjacent bushes. (Geoff Crabtree) ]] [[Category:Barnet Common (now corn fields): Skylarks have now returned after an absence. (3 seen rising today). Also Lapwings have recently become resident in the fields. Garden Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat and Willow Warbler heard in adjacent bushes. (Geoff Crabtree) ]] [[Category:Barnet Common (now corn fields): Skylarks have now returned after an absence. (3 seen rising today). Also Lapwings have recently become resident in the fields. Garden Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat and Willow Warbler heard in adjacent bushes. (Geoff Crabtree) ]]