Apr 2011

Saturday 30th April 2011[]

Alexandra Park: Swift (1st of year), Yellow Wagtail, 2 Sand Martin, 4 House Martin, Common Tern, 2 Linnet (Andrew Gardener, Gareth Richards, Bob Watts).
Beddington SF: 2 Wood Sandpiper pics here , 11 Greenshank, 1 Curlew, 4-5 Common Sandpiper, 1 Green Sandpiper, 3 LRP, 4 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Wheatear, (Peter Alfrey)
Battersea Park Lake: Looking for Swift - but not seen just a pr Egyptian Geese, 3 Little Grebe, 6 broods Mallard, lot of Coots starting to hatch out, 12 Grey-lag, 9 Canada Geese, 2 singing Blackcap, Grey Heron's fledging (Michael Mac). Also Grey Wag over NE carrying food (Matt Palmer).
Bow Creek and East India Dock Basin area: 3/4 Common Tern inc 1 pair, Shelduck, pair of Sand Martins, M Kestrel hunting over the Ecology Park, imm GBB Gull, 1+ Goldfinch, Greenfinch. (Charlie Farrell)
Brent Reservoir: Spring Birdcount, a record 81 species seen including: Shag, 5 Bar-tailed Godwit, Whimbrel, Curlew, Greenshank, 6 Little Ringed Plovers, 4 Lapwings, Dunlin, 2 Common Sandpipers, 3 Green Sandpipers, pair of Peregrines, Hobby (Brent Birders); also Swift, Redwing over the dam a.m. (D. McKenzie) latest Brent Date, Yellow Wagtail flew N (Dominic Mitchell). 147 Carrion Crow, West Hendon Playing Fields, Swallow north (Nick Tanner).
Creekmouth: 6 Grey Plover in Barking Bay, Curlew Sandpiper east 10:45, 17 Bar-tailed Godwit, Greenshank, 2 Turnstone (BirdGuides).
Crossness: sum plum Curlew Sandpiper briefly in Barking Bay then flew E at 10.45, Wood Sandpiper flew E at 14:40, Ruff flew E at 13:35, 2 Turnstones, Greenshank, 9 Grey Plovers, 24+ Barwits, Whimbrel, 4 Dunlin, Ringed Plover, 2 LRPs, 3 Common Sands, 6+ Oystercatchers, 9 Black Terns, Arctic Tern, 150+ Common Terns, Turtle Dove N at 10:38, Tree Pipit N at 10:45, Little Egret E, 2 Cuckoos, 6 Swifts, 3 Sand Martins NE, 17+ Swallows NW, Yellow Wag E, 5 Lesser Whitethroats (84 species in total) (John Archer, Ian Miller, Conrad Ellam, John Bushel, Paul & Sharon Moss).
Dagenham Chase LNR: 10-45am - 7.20pm 64 species recorded, 4 Whimbrel ( not calling ) flew east at 1.03pm, 2 Garden Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Common Tern, Common Sandpiper, Peregrine over at 2.22pm, 4+ House Martin, 3 Swift, pr Gadwall, pr Pochard, 6+ Stock Dove. ( V.Halley-Frame ).
Danson Park: 5 Stock Doves with 21 Wood Pigeon, 55 Starlings, 1 or 2 adult and 1 juvenile Great Crested Grebe, 1 Egyptian Goose, 1 Mute Swan, 2 Pied Wagtails, 1 Collared Dove, 2 Chaffinch, 1 Feral Pigeon and the other usuals. (Chris Rose).
Greenwich Peninsula Ecology Park: Lesser Whitethroat m singing just outside park, Sand Martins busy feeding, Common Whitethroats, Reed Warblers, fledgling Song Thrush (probably others heard but hidden away), young Little Grebes and Canada Geese (Joe Beale and Yu-Hsuan Lin)
Hackney, Clapton pond, Peregrine, 2 swift mid pm (JamieP)
Hampstead Heath: 3 male Whitethroats all singing and displaying on Pryor's Field: the most I have ever seen in one area here (Sash Tusa) + 5 Bar t Godwit NE and 5 Arctic Terns E this morning (PeteM)
Hemans Estate Community Garden: 4 Goldfinch and pr Robins at 8:30am (Michael Mac).
Kempton Park NR: Permit access. 1 Bar-tailed Godwit late evng in front of W hide. (FJM)
King George V Res (permit access): 2 Greenshank, 6 Little Gull, Black Tern, Arctic Tern (South Basin). Also Whimbrel, 3 Little-ringed Plover, 5 Common Sandpiper, Swift (Martin Shepherd).
London Wetland Centre (WWT) , Barnes: Bar-tailed Godwit (full breeding plumage), Greenshank, Green Sandpiper, 4 Ruff, 2 Whimbrel (eventually lured up and away by passing small flock of other Whimbrel), Redshank, Lapwing (breeding), Reed, Sedge, Cettis, Lesser Whitethroat, Blackcap and Chiff Chaff, Yellow Wagtail (Angus Innes). Also Dunlin pm (Matt Palmer).
Margravine Cemetery: 1 Swift, pr Mistle Thrush (feeding young) (Nathalie Mahieu).
Minet CP: Bar-tailed Godwit north-east 08:30 (BirdGuides).
Muswell Hill: 1 Swift over Colney Hatch Lane/Alexandria Park Road junction. (P.Angus)
Pinner Park Farm: first-summer male Wheatear by the electric gate, 1 Little Owl, 2 Whitethroat, Swallow, Green & Great Spotted Woodpecker, 8 Canada Goose over & 4 Grey Heron (Jon Ridge).
Queen Mother Reservoir (permit access): Bar-tailed Godwit west 08:40 (Birdguides).
Rainham Marshes:Minimum of 22 Hobbies through between 12:00 and 14:35, with most moving north in ones and twos over dump and Wennington Marsh, but 5 lingering around dump and 4 on reserve; also drake Garganey (Target pools), Cuckoo over Rainham Station, singing Grasshopper Warbler (West Marsh) , Common Sandpiper, 3 Black Terns, 4 Arctic Terns, 4 Common Terns, 12 Whimbrel, 5+ Swift, 44 Bar-tailed Godwits (inc flock of 43 on Kent side), Grey Plover over targets, first-summer Yellow-legged Gull, pair of Teal (Aveley Marshes), steady flow of Swallows and Sand Martins, 7 Cetti’s Warblers, numerous Reed Buntings, Reed and Sedge Warblers and Whitethroats (David Callahan). Also greenshank, wood sandpiper (James A)
Regent's Park: 22 Whimbrel east @ 7:20, Wryneck reported in small wood in north-west corner to 13:30 at least still present at 16.30pm, pr Sparrowhawks, 10 Swallows plus regulars (Tony Duckett,BirdGuides).
South Norwood Lake: pair Mute Swan, pair Great Crested Grebe (with 2 young) 1 Grey Heron (over) 2 Swallow, 1 House Martin, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 singing Willow Warbler, 7 singing Blackcap, 5 singing Chiffchaff, c6 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Jay, 2 Song Thrush, 8 Ring-necked Parakeet, c10 Goldfinch, c10 Greenfinch, 1 Collared Dove, 1 Stock Dove, 6 House Sparrow, (John Watson & Gavin Hawgood)
Staines Reservoirs: 11 Little Gulls 10 adults, 1 1st summer, from 07.00 till 19.00 at least on S basin. Also 1 Slavonian Grebe and Great Northern Diver still on S basin. (Ken Purdey & FJM)
Staines Moor: 1 Swift N, 1 Peregrine N, 3-4 Common Buzzard NE, 20+ Barn Swallow N, 1 Northern Wheatear, 3 Cuckoo, 2 Garden Warbler and 2 Lesser Whitethroat. (Lee Dingain - some pics here)
Tyttenhanger GPs: 13 Whimbrel east early a.m., 9 Greenshank, 4 Redshank, 3 Ruff, 3 Little Ringed Plover, Ringed Plover, Oystercatcher, Dunlin, Shelduck, Swift+, 50+ Sand Martin, 4 Swallow, 3 Swift, Hobby, 2 Red Kite (L Drummond/T Smith/R Flesher/S Blake).
Wanstead flats: Swift, swallow (BV)
Watford: Swift over, singing Garden Warbler along industrialised section and from allotments of Cardiff Road p.m. (D. McKenzie).

Friday 29th April 2011[]

Alexandra Park: 2 GC grebes; 3 cormorant (1 juvenile); 4 common whitethroat (cricket scrub); 1 chiffchaff; 1 kestrel (James Laddie)
Beddington: 2 Bar-tailed Godwit pics here 2 Greenshank, 4-5 Common Sandpiper, 1 Green Sandpiper, 3 LRP, 20+ Reed Warbler, 40+ Common Whitethroat, 4 Lesser whitethroat, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Hobby
Bow Creek and East India Dock Basin: singing Sedge Warbler near garage (Marco Johnson), c7 singing Reed Warbler, 2 singing Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Blackcap, Little Ringed Plover, 2 Shelduck, drake Teal, male Reed Bunting, 3 Greater Whitethroat, 2 Sand Martin, pair Common Tern (S Fisher, Marco Johnson)
Barking Bay: 20 Bar-tailed Godwit, Greenshank, 3 Wheatears, Corn Bunting, Dunlin, 4 Swallow, Common Sandpiper, 2 Ringed Plover, Mediterranean Gull, 3 Yellow Wagtails, Whimbrel and 4 Oystercatchers.(Paul Hawkins and Dave Morrison)
Blackheath: 2 Egyption Geese landed on the heath by the burger hut just after 8.00 (Conrad Ellam & John Bushell). Also 12 (possibly more) Waxwings in trees, trilling before heading off E, around 6pm (edge of Blackheath village) (Joe Beale)
Brent Reservoir: Greenshank, 2 Dunlin, 8 Lapwing, 5 LRP, Common Sandpiper & 5 Swifts (Brent Birders) 4 Bar-tailed Godwit through lunchtime (S. Leeke)
Bromley-by-Bow and Abbey Creek: singing Sedge Warbler near Greenway (site tick), Garden Warbler (Abbey Creek all too briefly, another site tick), 2 singing Lesser Whitethroat, one in Tesco Car Park near the Lea Canal the other near Abbey Creek, 4 Whitethroat, 7 singing Blackcap, singing Reed Warbler on territory, 4 Stock Dove, Grey Wagtail, 10+ Sand Martin (Stuart Fisher)
Brookmill Park (Lewisham) 1 Heron, 14 Mallard, 8 Moorhen, 4 Coot, 8 Woodpigeon, 1 Great-spotted Woodpecker, 3 Wren, 2 Dunnock, 4 Robin, 10 Blackbird, 1 Song Thrush, 3 Blackcap, 5 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Great Tit, 2 Blue Tit, 4 Starling, 2 Magpie, 2 Carrion Crow, 6 Goldfinch, 4 Greenfinch. (Conrad Ellam)
Crayford: Grey Wagtail on the river Cray + Whitethroat, 4+Blackcap, Chiffchaff along Cray valley path (Ian Stewart)
Crayford Marshes: Spotted Redshank flew along Darent creek at 12:30. 31 Bar-tailed Godwit, 5 Greenshank, 2 Whimbrel, 4 Lesser Whitethroat. male Corn Bunting, 4 Little Ringed Plover, Common Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, 2 Swift, 4 Ringed Plover, Common Tern, 3 Sedge Warbler, 18 Reed Warbler, c37 Whitethroat, 2 Cetti's Warbler. (Kev Jarvis). + Wood Sandpiper still present by University Way at 8.30 with 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Redshank, 1 Greenshank & 3 Little-ringed Plover (Conrad Ellam & John Bushell). 2 Wood Sandpipers still present under pylon on Uni. Way flood 14.00 plus Greenshank still, Green Sandpiper, 6 LRPs, Jackdaw, Hobby S along Darent, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Whitethroat, 10+Pied Wagtails, Swallow N (Ian Stewart)
Crossness: 10 Bar-tailed Godwit & 20+Common Tern (Conrad Ellam et al)
Dartford: (Flooded field off University Way) Spotted Redshank 2 Wood Sandpiper 4 Little Ringed Plover, Greenshank, Green Sandpiper. (Kev Jarvis per B.Wright & A.Lawson).
Dagenham Chase LNR: 63 species recorded this morning, 2 Nightingale, 1 Garden Warbler, 2 Sedge Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Peregrine Falcon, 2 Hobby, 2 Shelduck, 2 Gadwall, 2 Common Tern, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Swift. ( V.Halley-Frame ).
Fairlop Waters CP : 3 Chiffchaff, 16+ Sand Martin, 2+ House Martin, Greylag geese pr with 4 gosling's, coot with 2 ducklings, 2 Linnet, Kestrel, Chaffinch, 4 Collared dove, Cormorant, 2 Great-crested grebe, (Brandon Anderson).
King George V Reservoir: 8 adult Little Gulls, 1 Arctic Tern, 2 Dunlin, 3 Common Sandpipers and Hobby (late afternoon)(R Woodward & D Hutley).
London Wetland Centre: Hobby, BarTailed Godwit, Redshanks, 2 Collard Dove, M Ruddy Duck (summer route) plus good numbers of Sand Martin, House Martin, Swallow, Reed Warbler, Blackcap. (S. Haslem); Oystercatcher flew in at 10.55, remained at least an hour, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1+ Lesser Whitethroat (Martin Daniel)
North Ockendon: Ring ouzel half way between N.Ockendon and Bulphan in mown field adjacent to Corner Farm (I. Woodward)
Northolt + Greenford CP: 2 Cormorant, Kestrel, 2 high Common Tern, 10 singing Blackcap, 11 singing Whitethroat, 2 singing Chiffchaff, singing Sedge Warbler, Linnet (Neil Anderson)
Pinner Park Farm: 1 singing Lesser Whitethroat, 3 singing Whitethroat, 1 Linnet over, 4 Swallow, 6 Canada Goose goslings & 7 Coot chicks on the main pond (Jon Ridge).
Rainham Marshes: 45 Bar-tailed Godwits through by 12:00, Curlew, 2 Whimbrel, 10 Oystercatcher, 2 Greenshank, 2 Common Sandpipers, Ringed Plover, pr Little Ringed Plover, 4-5 Hobbies, 2 Yellow-legged Gull (both second-summers), Ring Ouzel, male White Wagtail, 3 Northern Wheatears, reeling Grasshopper Warbler, Swift (Dominic Mitchell, Andy Tweed, David Bradnum, Ruth Barnes et al) Whimbrel (over approach to the reserve), later c.32 Bar-tailed Godwit on south side of Thames, Ringed Plover, Wood Sandpiper (on new cycle way drainage ditch), Red Kite, Peregrine, Kestrel, Garden Warbler, f Ring Ouzel showing well at c.18:00 (NC et al)
Regent's Park: Common Sandpiper, Garden Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, pr Common Whitethroats, Trere Pipit, 16 House Martins, 4 Jackdaws, Linnet (Tony Duckett).
Richmond Park: 1 Eurasian Buzzard, 2 Sparrowhawk, 1 Common Sandpiper on Pen Ponds (Martin Daniel)
Ruislip: Lesser Spotted Woodpecker and Cuckoo in Copse Wood, 3 Garden Warbler on Poors Field, Common Sandpiper on raft at Lido, Lesser Whitethroat in field adjacent to Lido car park and 2 Swift feeding with House Martins (Steve Pash).
Sidcup: Singing Blackcap at station (Ian Stewart)
Shrewsbury Park (Plumstead): singing Garden Warbler, 4+ Common Whitethroat, 3 Blackcap, 2 Willow Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff (Gus Wilson)
Staines Moor: Highlights were 2 redshank, 2 hobby, 1 cuckoo (h) (F Symons)
Staines Reservoir: Great Northern Diver on the south basin. (K.P.Duncan)
The Glade (Sidcup): 4 G/C Grebes (2 juv), Grey Heron, pair Mute Swans, 8 Canada Geese, 10+Mallards, 2 pairs Tufted Ducks, Moorhen, 6+Coots, 2 LBB Gulls to south, 6+Pigeons, 100+Woodpigeons, 4+Stock Dove, 3+Collared Dove, 3+R/N Parakeets, G/S Woodpecker or 2, Swallow N, Pied Wagtail, 3+Wren, Dunnock, 5+Robin, 8+Blackbird, Song Thrush, 2 Mistle Thrush, Whitethroat, 4+Blackcap, 4+Chiffchaff (1 silent), 2+Long Tailed Tit, Coal Tit, 4+Blue Tit, 6+Great Tit, Jay, 6+Magpie, 4+Carrion Crow, few Starlings, 4+House Sparrow, 3+Chaffinch, 2+Greenfinch (Ian Stewart)
Walthamstow Reservoirs: all-leucistic Starling with small flock by Maynard overflow, 1 Common Sandpiper on Lockwood, lots of Sandmartins. (Quentin Given) Little Egret over Ferry Lane 0945 ( PeteM)
West Harrow: 13 Waxwing briefly in West Harrow Rec 10.20am then off NW (Alex Massey)
Woodland's Farm (Shooter's Hill) 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Chiffchaff, lots of Blackcap & Common Whitethroat (all singing) + GreenWoodpecker, Kestrel (Conrad Ellam & John Bushell).
Wormwood Scrubs: 9 Bar-tailed Godwits east at 0722 - 2nd record ever. Plus 1 Common Tern north, c5 Swallow, 2 Stock Doves & the usual suspects. (David Lindo) Lesser Whitethroat, Common Whitethroat, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Meadow Pipit, Reed Bunting, Great Spotted Woodpecker plus other common species.
South Norwood Lake: pair Mute Swan, pair Great Crested Grebe (with 2 young) 18 Tufted Duck, 1 House Martin, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Collared Dove, 1 Stock Dove, 1 Common Whitethroat, 2 Singing Willow Warbler, 8 singing Blackcap, 4 singing Chiffchaff, Long-tailed Tit, Jay, c10 Goldfinch, Song Thrush, 12 Ring-necked Parakeet, (John Watson & Gavin Hawgood)
Ingrebourne Valley: Grasshopper Warbler, 2 Cuckoo, Hobby, 3 Garden Warbler, Green Sandpiper. (Shaun Harvey)
Wanstead Flats: Hobby, Yellow Wagtail, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, Willow Warbler (still SSSI), still good numbers of House Sparrow foraging in the broom fields, juv Common Gull, 7 Mallard ducklings, 10 Coot chicks and the rest (NC/Tim Harris)
Wanstead Park: Reed Warbler still
Can somebody please identify who they are. AS ALL OBSERVERS HAVE. THANKS. (FJM)

Thursday 28th April 2011[]

Alexandra Park: singing Lesser Whitethroat Cricket Scrub 7am, 3 House Martins 6pm (Bob Watts).
Barons Court: Kestrel (over Talgarth Road and then hovering over tube lines) (M Ruscoe).
Brent Reservoir: pair of Peregrines over res (Andrew Self).
Broadwater: summer plumage Dunlin on Korda Lake, 2 Oystercatcher, 32 Common Tern, singing Reed & Sedge Warbler (JR).
Brookmill Park (Lewisham) pm: 1 Heron, 11 Mallard, 8 Moorhen, 4 Coot, 6 Woodpigeon, 3 Wren, 1 Dunnock, 2 Robin, 10 Blackbird, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Mistle Thrush, 3 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, 3 Long-tailed Tit, 4 Great Tit, 1 Blue Tit, 5 Starling, 1 Magpie, 1 Carrion Crow, 4 Goldfinch, 4 Greenfinch, 1 Chaffinch. (Conrad Ellam)
Camden Town: Hobby hunting around the Lock / Market for 10-15 minutes from 12:05 (Francis Tusa).
Chalk Wood and Ruxley area: Hobby flew into Chalk Wood from south, 2+Swallow around Honeydale farm, 4+Whitethroat, 2 Cormorants N along Cray valley + another circling very high over the wood(!), plenty Woodpigeons, 4+Stock Dove, 3+Collared Doves, 2+R/N Parakeets, heard L/S Woodpecker calling, G/S Woodpecker, 3+Green Woodpecker, 1 or 2 Skylarks singing, Pied Wagtail, Wrens, Robins, Blackbird, Mistle Thrush, 8+Blackcap, 2+Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrest, 4+Long Tailed Tits, few Blue and Great Tits, Jay, 6+Magpie, Jackdaw, 10+Carrion Crow, Starlings, Chaffinch, Greenfinch. No sign of Montys but bit of a long shot! (Ian Stewart - 24 hours late!)
Crayford Marshes: 16 Bar-tailed Godwit (4 on the foreshore,12 west), Arctic Tern west along the Thames, 2 adult Mediterranean Gulls west along the Thames.6 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Wheatear, Cuckoo, Greenshank, Little Owl at 05:56, Green Sandpiper, 2 Common Sandpiper, 6 Swallow, 2 House Martin, 3 Sedge Warbler, Common Tern, 2 Rook (Kev Jarvis).
Crayford, Thames Road Wetland: singing male Reed Bunting (site tick), 2 Greylag Geese (site tick) onto 'lake' but left immediatly (pugnacious Coot?), 1 Little Grebe, 1 Coot, 1 Grey Heron, 4 Mallard, several Reed Warblers (heard), 2 or 3 male Whitethroat, 1 Ring-necked Parakeet (over), 1 Collared Dove, Starlings (over) - max 10 at once, Carrion Crows (over) max 10 at once, 1 Magpie, 1 Great Tit. (Chris Rose).
Dartford: 2 Wood Sandpiper still on flooded fields by University Way a.m. (Kev Jarvis). Still present 1500, plus a Greenshank (Francis Tusa).
Enfield / Southgate: single singing male Goldcrests at Chase Rd N14, Enfield Road EN2 and Hadley Road near Pumping Station (Robert Callf).
Greenwich Park: a pair of Egyptian Geese were my first in the Park (Joe Beale and Yu-Hsuan Lin).
Holmethorpe Sand Pits: 2 Shelduck, Lapwing, Common Sandpiper, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 10 Stock Dove, c70 Sand Martin, 6 Swallow, House Martin, 3 Reed Warbler, 16 Common Whitethroat, 5 Blackcap, 6 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler, Coal Tit, 9 Linnet, 2 Bullfinch, Yellowhammer, 4 Reed Bunting (HSP blog).
KGV Reservoir: drake Garganey, 3 Arctic Terns, 20 Swifts, 2 Whimbrel, 2 Hobbies (Ian Lycett).
London Wetland Centre: Ruff, Bar-tailed Godwit, 7 Common Tern, 2 Swallow, 4 House Martin, Northern Wheatear, Lesser Whitethroat (LWC website). Hobby feeding on dragonflies, diving low over reeds close to path [Les Mccallum]

Margravine Cemetery: 1pr Mistle Thrush (feeding young at nest) (Nathalie Mahieu).
Paddington Green: Peregrine Falcon a.m. (D. McKenzie).
Rainham: Little Egret over Upminster Road South at 08:20 (Richard Harrison).
Rainham Marshes: 12 Bar-tailed Godwit at the Thames, 2 adult Little Gull flew upriver (Birdguides).
Redbridge Lakes (Woodford Bridge): Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat (Alan Hobson).
Roding Valley Park: up to 3 Linnets, up to 4 Whitethroats, Chiffchaff, Lesser Whitethroat, Mistle Thrush, Blackcap (Alan Hobson).
Ruislip Lido: 2 Little Ringed Plover on the main raft, 8 Swallow & 1 House Martin. Also; several singing Willow Warbler nearby on Poor's Field (JR).
Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park: male Whitethroat still Scrapyard Meadow and Goldcrest calling from Sanctuary Wood (Bob Watts).
Vauxhall BT: Peregrine Falcon on building (Michael Mac).
Walthamstow res (Lockwood): 4 Arctic Terns N at 18.22 (L Bodini).
Wanstead Flats: good numbers of House Sparrow foraging in the broom fields, 3 Egyptian Goose, Tufted Duck, Greylag Goose, 4 Little Grebe, Chiffchaff, C. Whitethroat, Blackcap, 4 Rose-ringed Parakeet, 3 Linnet, 2 Reed Bunting and some others (NC).
West Thurrock: 80 Waxwing by the bus station at Lakeside a.m. Crikey! they'll be breeding if they hang around much longer.(Birdguides).
Wormwood Scrubs: 2 displaying Common Whitethroat, 2 singing Chiffchaff, 3+ Song Thrush (inc 1 young bird), 2+ Linnet, 8 Greenfinch, Green Woodpecker - all on Little Scrubs (Charlie Farrell).
Wyvil Estate (Stockwell): Starlings feeding young at nest (Michael Mac).

Wednesday 27th April 2011[]

Bankside (SE1): 17 Arctic Tern north at 6.50am (Simon Fogg).
Brockley (SE4): It's Lewisham day. Great Spotted Woodpecker in my garden by Ladywell Cemetery, 2 Green Woodpecker (north up tracks) and a singing Blackcap at Brockley Station (Sorry Phil Laurie).
Brockwell Park (SE24): 5 Goldfinch near Lido 7.12 am (William Marshall).
Brookmill Park (Lewisham) early morning: 2 Heron, 9 Mallard, 7 Moorhen, 4 Coot, 10 Woodpigeon, 2 Collared Dove, 5 Wren, 4 Dunnock, 4 Robin, 15 Blackbird, 1 Song Thrush, 5 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Long-tailed Tit, 4 Great Tit, 4 Blue Tit, 2 Magpie, 2 Carrion Crow, 2 Goldfinch, 4 Greenfinch. (Conrad Ellam) not really worth getting up at 4.am for. — On the contrary, in my opinion it was well worth getting up for. You had some fresh air and exercise on a beautiful spring morning, and you presumably heard some wonderful birdsong from warblers, thrushes and other parkland species. What a fantastic way to start your day! (Edgar de Jarnac); Yes, shame about the hangover (Conrad Ellam). I returned at the more civilised hour of 10.00 and saw a Goldcrest; not sure if theyr'e nesting within the park or in some nearby conifers, in to which they keep flying. Also saw a pair of Long-tailed Tits carrying food and mobbing a Magpie so, it seems the nest is still intact.
Bury Lake (Rickmansworth Aquadrome): male Red-crested Pochard (Birdguides).
Bushy Park (near Cobblers Walk car park): heard 1 Skylark, 2 Treecreepers very close and the usuals (Penelope Paxer).
Chafford Hundred: 70+ Waxwing on the corner of Devonshire Road / Elizabeth Road 07:00 then c100 at the Hogg Lane / Devonshire Road junction to 08:00 before flying off (Birdguides).
Claybury Park: Lesser Whitethroat, up to 6 Whitethroats, Blackcap, Green Woodpecker, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Long-tailed Tit, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 5 Stock Doves (Alan Hobson).
Crayford Marshes: Whimbrel, 2 Wheatear, 6 Little Ringed Plover, Greenshank, Little Owl, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Sedge Warbler, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 12 Swallow, 2 House Martin, Sand Martin (Kev Jarvis).
East India Dock Basin area: 1 Common Buzzard SW at 11.45, male Pochard, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 5 House Martins, 5 Swallows (Gary A James).
Grays: 11 Waxwing still near The Bricklayer's Arms public house on Bridge Road 07:30 with 123 there at 18:06 (Birdguides).
Greenways (E13): Whitethroat, 2 House Martins (KJM).
Hampstead Heath: 1 Kestrel, 1 Mistle Thrush, 1 Goldcrest, multiple Blackcap and Chiffchaff singing (Aaron C-Partridge).
Holmethorpe SPs: 11 Mute Swan, 2 Egyptian Goose, Shelduck, 2 Teal, male Shoveler, 2 Sparrowhawk, Lapwing, Common Snipe, 6 Stock Dove, Turtle Dove north / north-east 07:33, c20 Sand Martin, Swallow, 2 Reed Warbler, 13 Common Whitethroat, 2 Garden Warbler, 3 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler, 3 Yellowhammer (HSP blog).
Islington: 3 Swifts and a single Swallow N over Gloucester Drive midday ( Pete M)
Lavender Hill Cemetery (Enfield): 2 singing male Goldcrest (Robert Callf).
Lewisham: Swallow north 9.00 (Conrad Ellam).
Lloyd Park: 2 Greylag Goose over, Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Common Whitethroat, Garden Warbler, 10+ Blackcap (Croydon Birders).
London Wetland Centre: 2 Sparrowhawk, 3 Kestrel, 2 Hobby, 3 Common Snipe, 4 Redshank, Common Sandpiper, third-summer Yellow-legged Gull, 12 Common Tern, 2 Arctic Tern north-west, 5 Swift north, 74 Swallow north-west, 16 House Martin north-west, Yellow Wagtail north, 5 Cetti's Warbler, c10 Sedge Warbler, 20+ Reed Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 8 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, Linnet (LWC website).
Osterley Park: Lesser Spotted Woodpecker 1, Common Tern 2 (possibly 4) (K.Fisher). [I'm hoping to get down here tomorrow morning - I'd be really grateful if anyone could give me some pointers on the best areas to find the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker in the park... I've not been before, so apologies if its 'obvious' to the regular visitors- thanks - Rich Petley].
Pinner Park Farm: 1 House Martin, 3 Swallow, 3 singing Whitethroat, several Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Green & Great Spotted Woodpecker & 4 Jackdaw (JR).
Purfleet Railway Station: Willow Warbler sung briefly (D. McKenzie).
Queen Mother Reservoir (permit access): Great Northern Diver circling north-west of the reservoir 06:15 (Birdguides).
Rainham Marshes: several Shelduck, 2-3 Little Egret, Sparrowhawk, at least 5 Hobby showing well (though possibly more present), Bar-tailed Godwit (Aveley Bay), 2 Whimbrel (Aveley Bay and Marsh Discovery Zone), 4 Redshank, adult Yellow-legged Gull (Target Pools), Cetti's Warbler, Grasshopper Warbler reeling at the western end of the river wall, Lesser Whitethroat (D. McKenzie).
Riddlesdown area: Garden Warbler, Bullfinch pair, 4 Skylarks, 4 House Martins visiting past nests (Peter Newmark).
Ruislip Lido: 2 Little Ringed Plover on raft. Several Swift with Swallows, House & Sand Martins (Steve Pash).
Scadbury Park, Chislehurst - female Montague's Harrier present 13.00 - 13.30. Eventually flew off in the broad direction of Ruxley. Great views as it hawked over fields. Caused a huge reaction from resident Ring-necked Parakeet and Jackdaw. (Charlie Carpenter - full details will be sent to the Recorder). Observer has a lot of experience of this species in France. Viewed from as close as 30 metres. This is an underwatched site.
Sewardstone: c40 House Martin this morning over the north-east corner of the KGV reservoir (Martin Shepherd).
Sidcup (York Avenue): Swallow N, Cormorant circling very high, Sparrowhawk plus usuals (Ian Stewart)
South Norwood CP: 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull, Pied Wagtail, Garden Warbler (Croydon Birders).
South Norwood Lake area: singing Lesser Whitethroat 08:30 (Croydon Birders).
Staines Moor: 12.30-14.00. Little Egret, Cuckoo, Kestrel, Reed Bunting, Meadow Pipit, Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Whitethroat, Grey Wagtail (A.Luscombe). 16:30-18:15: 2 Little Egret, Cuckoo, Reed, Sedge & Cetti's Warbler, Blackcap & Chiffchaffs, 4 Lapwing, 2 Hobby, c15 Linnet, 15 Swallow, Common Whitethroat, Common Tern, + usuals - Meadow Pipit, Skylark, Reed Bunting. Also Small Copper, Small White and Red Admiral butterly, and lots of Yellow Dung-beetle now about (Nigel Sluman)
Staines Reservoir: Little Gull (Nigel Sluman). Slavonian Grebe E bank of S basin and Great Northern Diver still in evng. (FJM). 6 Little Gull and 2 Oystercatcher on the south basin @ 20:00 (K.P.Duncan)
Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park: Territorial male Whitethroat still patrolling Scrapyard Meadow (Bob Watts).
Uxbridge: Lesser Whitethroat in the Bicentenary Garden at Brunel University (Steve Pash, Ron Jackson & Andrew Kershaw).
Wanstead Flats: 6 House Martin, 2 Sand Martin, 4 Swallow, 1 Willow Warbler, 2 Linnet, 5 Grey Heron and others (NC).
Wanstead Park: Reed Warbler (SoM still singing his little heart out), 4 Great Crested Grebe,1 Swallow, Sparrowhawk, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker etc (NC).
Waterlow Park (Highgate): 31 Waxwing a.m. (Birdguides).
Wormwood Scrubs: 1 Turtle Dove on the deck with 2 Stock Dove plus usuals (Rob Ayers).

Tuesday 26th April 2011[]

Alexandra Park: 2 Sand Martins, 5 Swallows, 3 House Martins Filter Beds (Andrew Gardener). 1.30pm around 15 Sand Martins and 10 Swallows plus Yellow Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, Pochard, Little Grebe (Wood Green Reservoir) (Mike Benyon)
Blackheath "Dips": At least 1 Common Whitethroat holding territory still, also Greenfinch presumed nesting, just vainly hoping that the arsonists hold back (Joe Beale)
Brent Reservoir: 2 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Lapwing, Common Sandpiper & 4 Swallows through (Brent Birders)
Brookmill Park (Lewisham): 1 Heron, 11 Mallard, 8 Moorhen, 4 Coot, 8 Woodpigeon, 2 Collared Dove, 5 Wren, 2 Dunnock, 4 Robin 12 Blackbird, 1 Song Thrush, 3 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Long-tailed Tit (adult but minus tail feathers - I suspect the nest was predated), 4 Great Tit, 4 Blue Tit, 2 Starling, 1 Jay, 1 Magpie, 4 Carrion Crow, 4 Goldfinch, 6 Greenfinch, 1 Chaffinch (Conrad Ellam) + 2 Swallows west over Morden Hill at 9.00.
Clapham Common: Pied Wagtail catching flies on pond, new pr Mute Swans, pr Egyptian Geese plus 3 well grown young (Michael Mac).
Crayford Marshes: 2 ad Mediterranean Gull, 2 Greenshank, 4 Lesser Whitethroat, c 30 Whitethroat, 5 House Martin, 6 Sand Martin, 12 Swallow, 6 Little Ringed Plover, 12 Reed Warbler, 3 Sedge Warbler, Common Sandpiper, Cetti's Warbler. (Kev Jarvis & Ian Stewart).
Crystal Palace Park (5pm): Red Kite flying NW past TV mast at 200ft, plus circling f Sparrowhawk (Gavin Hawgood)
Dagenham Chase LNR: 1 Common Swift this evening, 4 House Martin, 2 Nightingale, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Lesser Whitethroat. ( V.Halley-Frame ).
Dartford: 3 Wood Sandpiper in flooded fields off university way. (A.Lawson, Kev Jarvis)
East India Dock Basin: 2 Shelduck, 46 Tufted Duck, Common Tern, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 2 Reed Warblers, Blackcap (John Archer).
Foots Cray meadows: 6+Whitethroat, 3+Swallow, Mute Swan, few Mallards, female Tufted Duck, Kestrel, 3+Moorhen, 6+Coot, 2 LBB Gulls over, few Pigeons, plenty Woodpigeons, 4+Stock Dove, Collared Dove, plenty R/N Parakeets, Wrens, Dunnock, Robins, Blackbirds, Song Thrush, 4+Blackcap, 3+Chiffchaff, 2+Long Tailed Tit, Blue and Great Tits, 2+Jay, 8+Magpie, 6+Jackdaw, 20+Carrion Crow, 6+Starling, 2+House Sparrow, 3+Chaffinch, 2+Greenfinch, 2 Linnet (Ian Stewart)
Harmondsworth Moor: 16 Blackcap, 3 Whitethroat, 7 Chiffchaff, 3 Willow Warbler, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Cuckoo, 2+ Sand Martin (Simon Cumming).
Isle of Dogs: Pair of Great Black-backed Gull, 5 Swallows, Common Whitethroat, 2 Greylag, Kestrel, 2 Song Thrush, 2 Long-tailed Tit, Great Spotted Woodpecker. (Richard Harrison).
Lee Valley Park: Turnford Pits area - several Sedge Warbler, 1 Cetti's Warbler. Grebe Hide, Holyfield Lake - 1 Kingfisher. Fishers Green area - several Common Whitethroat. (Roger Dewey)
Leyton Flats: Red Kite NW at 09.50, 2 Swallows. (Gary A James).
Pewley Down: 5 Whitethroat, Green Woodpecker, Kestrel, Skylark, 7 Linnet, Pied Wagtail, Swallow
Pinner Park Farm: 1 Red Kite over north at 16:43, singing Whitethroat, Blackcap & Chiffchaff, Swallow around the farm buildings & Green Woodpecker (Jon Ridge).
Queen Mother Reservoir (permit access): Great Northern Diver (Birdguides).
Rainham Marshes: Grasshopper Warbler singing almost continuously this evening, west end of sea-wall (James A)
Rainham Village: 3 Swallow north, Lapwing south, Whitethroat, Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap, Song Thrush, House Martin (Richard Harrison).
Richmond Park: 1 Common Sandpiper Upper Pen Ponds all day. Also several Swallows in evng. Garden Warbler singing in Upper Pond Plantation adjacent to Middle road. (Mike Lewis & Steve Read per FJM)
Roding Valley Park: 5 Blackcaps [3 m, 2 f], 2 Whitethroats, Chiffchaff, Lesser Whitethroat, Little Egret, Stock Dove, Jay, 3 Song Thrushes, Mistle Thrush, Pied Wagtail, Long-tailed Tit, LBB Gull, at least 2 Greenfinches, 2 Canada Geese, brood of 10 Mallard ducklings with parents and helper (Alan Hobson).
Ruislip Lido: 4 Swift with 15+ House Martin & 6 Swallow. 2 Common Buzzard circling high (Steve Pash). 2 LRPs @ 8 pm (Dick Middleton).
Sidcup (York Avenue): 6+Swallow N, 4+Mallard early am, Sparrowhawk, 6+Pigeon, 4+Woodpigeon, Stock Dove N, 4 Collared Doves, few R/N Parakeets, Dunnock, Robin, male Blackbird, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Magpie, 2+Carrion Crows, 6+Starling, 5+House Sparrow, heard Chaffinch, 4+Greenfinch, 2 Goldfinch (Ian Stewart)
South Norwood CP: Lesser Whitethroat and 3 Swallow (all singles) (Steven Robinson).
Staines Reservoir : Slavonian Grebe and Great Northern Diver on south basin, 10 Common Tern on north basin (Tony Sweetland) Also 2 Ad Mediteranean Gulls 19.00 and 2 Oystercatchers reptd. (FJM)
Staines Moor : Hobby, Little Egret, Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler, 2 Wheatear, 8 Lapwing, 7 Stock Doves, c20 Black headed Gulls feeding on fly emergence on river Colne, Cuckoo calling (Tony Sweetland) Swift, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Cuckoo, 2 Common Buzzard, 3 Wheatear, 4 Lesser Whitethroat, Garden Warbler. (Adam Cheeseman)
Streatham rail station: 7 goldfinches (R Bell)
Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park: singing male Common Whitethroat Scrapyard Meadow, singing male Goldcrest High Glade (Bob Watts).
Tyttenhanger GPs: 3 Little R Plover, Common Sandpiper, 4 Redshank, 12 Common Terns, 3 House Martin, 15+ Swallow, 30+ Sand Martin, Red Kite, 2+ Buzzard, Kestrel. (Steve B)
Walthamstow Filter Beds: 10+ Swifts, Yellow Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, 8 Sand Martins (D Barrett)
Wandsworth Common: Kestrel (or was it a Hobby?) - alarm calling Blue Tit drew my attention to a few seconds of distant view, before gone behind trees, no young Mallard on either ponds, pr Mute Swan but no Egyptian Geese, very quiet - a few low singing Blackcap, no Long-tailed Tit nests in the usual spots this year (Michael Mac).
Wanstead Flats: f Wheatear, Hobby, 2 Willow Warbler (SSSI), Lesser Whitethroat, dozens of Common Whitethroat, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, 16 Rose-ringed Parakeet (north), Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, 10+ Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, 2 Swallow, Sparrowhawk, 2 Linnet, 5 Reed Bunting, Tufted Duck, m Shoveler, Little Grebe, 11 Herring Gull (juvs), 5 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 2 Stock Dove, Skylark (51 sp NC/Sally Hammond)
Wanstead Flats: Reed Warbler (stil on SoM) (Sally Hammond), 2 Hobby over Heronry + a number of Sand Martin (Natalia B)
Watford: singing Common Whitethroat at allotments off Occupation Road (D. McKenzie).
West Molesey: Hobby over the Thames (Adam Cheeseman)

Monday 25th April 2011[]

Barking Bay: Greenshank, 11 Wheatear, Tree Pipit, Ringed Plover, Cuckoo, 3 pair Oystercatchers and 3 Swallow.(Dave Morrison) Reed Bunting, 3 Reed Warbler, Pair of Kestrels. ( G.Harding )
Beddington Sewage Farm: Common Crane over for 20 minutes and eventually drifted NW at 13.55. (Johnny Allan per FJM)
Brent Reservoir: Lesser Whitethroat & 5 Garden Warblers (Andrew Self & Andrew Verrall)
Bookham Common: 1 Nightingale singing. (Adam Cheeseman)
Brookmill Park (Lewisham) 2 Heron, 7 Mallard, 1 Kestrel flying about. 6 Moorhen, 4 Coot, (3rd attempt at nesting by the shopping trolley birds) only 2 Woodpigeon! 2 Collared Dove, 2 Swallow north west, 4 Wren, 4 Dunnock, 3 Robin, 6 Blackbird, 1 Song Thrush, 4 Blackcap, 1 Goldcrest, 4 Great Tit, 1 Blue Tit, 3 Starling, 2 Magpie, 2 Carrion Crow, 4 Goldfinch, 4 Greenfinch. (Conrad Ellam)
Bushy Park: (Near Cobblers Walk Car Park) 1 Skylark - singing in flight, 1 Bullfinch, 1 Greenfinch and the usuals. (Penelope Paxer)
Claybury Park: Lesser Whitethroat [showing well at times], 2 Whitethroats, 4 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Blackcap (Alan Hobson).
Cowley: River Frays / Cowley Business Park - 1 Lesser-spotted Woodpecker calling. (Roger Dewey)
Crossness: Arctic Tern east, 2+ Hobbies, 2 Swifts, Cuckoo, "mixed singing" Chiffchaff-type heard only (John Archer).
Dagenham Chase LNR: 1 male Wheatear ( my 1st this year ), Red Kite over at 3pm ( 3rd day in a row ), 2 singing Sedge Warbler, 2 Common Tern, Common Sandpiper, 2 Egyptian Geese, 2 Shelduck, many Common Whitethroat. ( V.Halley-Frame ).
East India Dock Basin area: 6 Common Tern, ! male Teal, House Martin. (Gary A James). 4 Shelduck, 2 Common Teal, 40 Tufted Duck, 3 Common Sandpiper, Sedge Warbler singing from hedge by security hut in Saffron Avenue, 7 Reed Warbler, 3 Blackcap, 5 Common Whitethroat (Nick Tanner)..
Hornsey: Red Kite very low between New river village and Hornsey train station, gaining some light attention from two corvids and two gulls at 18:30 (J.Murray).
Ingrebourne Valley: Garden Warbler, Grasshopper Warbler, Cuckoo, 2 Little Egret (Shaun Harvey) Wood Sandpiper this evening. ( Dick Jeffree per VHF ).
Lee Valley Park: 7 Hobby, 1 Buzzard, 2 Sparrowhawk over Friday Lake/Turnershill Marsh area approx 2.30pm. Garden Warbler and Cuckoo (heard) on Rammey Marsh (Peter Beckenham & Jo Lewis)
Little Britain Lake, Cowley. 2 Common Tern (John Randall)
Osterley Park male Lesser Spotted Woodpecker seen drumming and calling; Little Owl; Sedge Warbler (unusual here), 8 Whitethroat, 5 Blackcap, 4 Chiffchaff; 2 Swallow; male Reed Bunting singing; 7 Mandarin, 4 Egyptian Goose including pair with 5 goslings (Tom Smith & Keith Fisher) Barn Owl (?) moulted primary handed to me this morning by local dog-walkers, and found in the paddocks here last week (KFr)
Oxleas Woods: Common Buzzard circuling above Welling area 12.00 also Garden Warbler seen & singing 13.10 (John Reid)
Pinner Park Farm: male Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Whitethroat, pair of Swallows & 3 Grey Heron (JR).
Rainham Marshes: 7+ Hobby, 2 Peregrine, adult male Marsh Harrier over high, north (JA) Female Ring Ouzel by sea-wall carpark/Serin Mound early AM (per HV)
Regent's Park: Common Buzzard, Red Kite, Linnet plus the regulars,(Tony Duckett) 2 House Martin, 2 Common Sandpiper flew in enclosures end from a distance - didn't follow up and a House Sparrow out side the zoo, pr Great-crested Grebe one carrying young - late pm (Michael Mac).
Richmond Park: 3 Red Kite (2 at 7.15am flying low north over Conduit Wood, and 1 flying north at 8.30am over Pembroke Lodge), 1 Whinchat at gorse enclosures. (Tim Howard, Jan Wilczur & Hugh Bradshaw)
Ruislip Woods (Poor's Field): 2 Buzzards, Sparrowhawk, House Martin, min 2 singing Garden Warbler (Neil Anderson/Steve Pash)
Selhurst Park: 1 kestrel (R Bell).
Sidcup (York Avenue): 3+Swallows NW, 4 Canada Geese S, 4 or 5 Mallards late on, seemed to land nearby, 20+Herring Gulls plus usuals (Ian Stewart)
Staines Moor: 14:30-15:30 – 2 Hobby, 1 Peregrine, 2 Cuckoo, 1 Wheatear, plus Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, Garden Warbler, Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, Cetti's Warbler along footpath north of the moor. (Neil Randon)
Staines Reservoir: 13:00-14:00 – 11 Little Gull, 2 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Great Northern Diver, plus 1 Slavonian Grebe not seen by me at 07:45. (Neil Randon)
The Glade (Sidcup): Whitethroat, pair G/C Grebes with 2 juvs (on mums back), Grey Heron, Mute Swan, 10+Canada Geese, 20+Mallards inc brood of 6, Kestrel, Moorhens, Coots, Pigeons, 30-50 Woodpigeons, 6+Stock Doves, Collared Dove, few R/N Parakeets, G/S Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker, Pied Wagtail, few Wrens, Dunnock, Robins, 8+Blackbirds, Song Thrush, 4 Mistle Thrush (2 juvs), 4+Blackcaps, 2+Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, few Long Tailed Tits, Coal Tit, few Blue and Great Tits, 6+Magpie, 20+Carrion Crows, Starlings, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, 2 Greenfinch (Ian Stewart)
Totteridge Fields LWT: Cuckoo, Buzzard, 2 Garden Warbler, 2 Willow Warbler. (Ian Ellis)
Totteridge Valley: 4 Common Buzzard: 2 Lapwing: Kestrel: Swallow (1S), plus many singing warblers including 4 Lesser Whitethroats (John Colmans)
Trent Park Area: Ring Ouzel (m) on Vicarage Farm ( can be viewed from the NE edge of Williams Wood looking north over the first hedgerow to the field behind),3 Skylark,Green Woodpecker, Swallow, Red Legged Partridge ( South Lodge Farm), Garden Warbler, 4 Common Whitethroat, many Chiffchaff and Blasckcap, 2 Stock Dove. ( Pete Lowman).
Wanstead Flats: Whinchat, Wheatear, Garden Warbler, 3 Willow Warbler, Stock Dove, Kestrel - a brief visit (NC)
Wormwood Scrubs: 1 Turtle Dove seen briefly (1st for several years) and no sign of yesterday's Nightingale. Plus c4 Swallow, 2 Stock Doves, 3 Collared Doves & the usuals. (David Lindo)

Sunday 24th April 2011[]

Bedfont Lakes (South Side - private access): small westerly movement of Common Swift between 09:15 and 12:00 - 10 birds seen and others heard, probably totalling 20+ birds, 2 House Martin NW, 7 species of warbler (Blackcap, Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Garden Warbler and Reed Warbler), 2+ Common Tern (Bill Haines).
Barking Bay: Whinchat (male), 15 Wheatear, Lesser Whitethroat (Paul Hawkins).
Brent Reservoir: 3 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Lapwing, 1 Common Sandpiper (Brent Birders).
Brookmill Park (Lewisham): 6 Mallard, 4 Moorhen, 4 Coot, 1 Herring Gull, 8 Woodpigeon, 2 Collared Dove, 1 Grey Wagtail, 4 Wren, 1 Dunnock, 3 Robin, 10 Blackbird, 1 Song Thrush, 3 Blackcap, 4 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Great Tit, 2 Blue Tit, 6 Starling, 1 jay, 5 Magpie, 2 Carrion Crow, 4 Goldfinch, 4 Greenfinch, 1 Chaffinch (Conrad Ellam).
Crossness: 2 Hobbies high & hawking for insects c13.00, 1 possible Common Buzzard distant and heading W 11.00, 1 Yellow Wagtail and 1 Cetti's Warbler calling (John Reid et al).
Dagenham Chase LNR: Red Kite circling between 4.45-4.55pm, 2 Nightingale, 3 Common Tern, Common Sandpiper, 2 Sedge Warbler, 2 Egyptian Geese, 2 Shelduck, numerous common warblers. ( V.Halley-Frame, Gary Polain, Steve Bacon ).
Dulwich Park: 4 Blackcap, Little Grebe on nest, Reed Warbler (Dave Clark).
East India Dock Basin/Bow Creek Ecology Park: 3 Shelduck, male Pochard, 36 Tufted Duck, 3 Little Ringed Plover, 4 Common Sandpiper, 7 Sand Martin, 2 Swallow west, 2 House Martin, 6 Reed Warbler, 5 Common Whitethroat, 5 Blackcap (Nick Tanner).
Eltham: Kite species NW 15.50 thought to be Red Kite (John Reid).
Fairlop Waters: 2 Yellow Wagtail, House Martin, Swallow, 4 Gadwall, Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Willow Warbler, Pheasant, Kestrel (NC). Red Kite circling over main lake 8.10-8.15am then drifted south. ( Alan Bell per VHF). Alan waited 32 years for this patch tick, so congrats to him ! ( VHF ).
Hampstead Heath: 2 Waxwing, Buzzard, Green Woodpecker, Greater-spotted Woodpecker, Nuthatch, Chiffchaff (R Ulph. Pleased with that since I wasn't even birding but playing hockey)
Harefield: 2 Hobby & 2 Common Tern over my house in Jacks Lane (Simon Buckingham).
Hilly Fields, Lewisham: Red Kite, high west, 4pm (Andrew Birks).
Ingrebourne Valley: 11 Blackcap, 30+ Common Whitethroats, 6 Lesser Whitethroats, male Ring Ouzel, Cuckoo, 6 Little Egrets, Common Snipe, Common Tern, unusual sight of 8 Jays moving through, 14 House Martin, 2 Sand Martin and 6 Shelduck. Also Large Red Damselfly, 12 OrangeTips, Holly Blue and 6 Speckled Woods (Dave Morrison).
Margravine Cemetery: pr Mistle Thrush (1 feeding 2 chicks +? at nest), Sparrowhawk soaring over A4 drifting W (Nathalie Mahieu).
Pinner Park Farm: 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Swallow, 1 Whitethroat, Blackcap, Jackdaw, Long-tailed Tit, 3 Grey Heron & very little else (JR).
Rainham Village: Hobby, 2 Shelduck over garden (Richard Harrison).
Rainham Marshes: 1 Hobby, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Cuckoo, 4 Swift, 1 Bearded Tit, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, not much else. + Wall Brown Butterfly (Conrad Ellam & John Bushell).
Rammey Marsh: Nightingale singing, also Garden Warbler and Lesser Whitethroat (T. Clancy).
Richmond Park: Yellow Wagtail male in horse paddocks at Holly Lodge late am. No sign of Garganey. (Mike Lewis per FJM). 2 Swallow, 2 Skylark around Holly Lodge. 2 Red-crested Pochard, Upper Pen Pond (J. Dickerson).
Roding Valley Way: 2 Grey Wagtail (NC/ST).
South Norwood Lake: pair Mute Swan, pair Great Crested Grebe (with 2 young) 15 Tufted Duck, 12 Ring-necked Parakeet, 1 Nuthatch, 2 Green Woodpecker, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 singing Willow Warbler, 6 Blackcap, 5 Chiffchaff, 2 Song Thrush, 1 Coal Tit, 2 pair Long-tailed Tit, 1 Stock Dove, 1 Pied Wagtail, c10 Goldfinch, c6 Greenfinch, 4 House Sparrow (John Watson & Gavin Hawgood).
Staines Reservoir: 1 Great Northern Diver (South Basin), 2 Common Tern, low over causeway. 18.00 (A.Luscombe).
Teddington: Red Kite over east 4.30pm (R. Gowrley).
Wanstead Flats: Whinchat, Garden Warbler, Reed Warbler (on Alex), 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Willow Warbler (the others), 4 Swallow, 30 + Sand Martin (over Jub but predominantly Alex) and others (total 51sp NC/JL/TH/ST).
Wanstead Park: Sparrowhawk, Lesser Whitethroat, Reed Warbler (SoM), Willow Warbler, Little Egret, Kingfisher, 4 Great Crested Grebe, m Shoveler (NC/JL/ST).
Wimbledon Common: Ring Ouzel, female on the Meadow's (TQ234723) heather patch (Adrian Podmore). 4 Whitethroat, 2 lesser Whitethroat, 1 Blackcap - S. end of The Plain. (J. Dickerson). Also Red Kite over West 6pm, Circling Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Willow Warbler,lots Chiffchaff, 2 Swallow over NW 5.30pm (Mark H).
Wormwood Scrubs: Nightingale singing for its 2nd day (different male to last week's bird), c4 Swallow, c3 singing Lesser Whitethroat, only 1 singing Willow Warbler, 2 Stock Doves + the usuals (The Scrubbers).
Yeading Brook Meadows: low Red Kite (tree height) moving through mobbed by small birds 07.25, singing Skylark, Whitethroats + Blackcaps everywhere! (Neil Anderson).

Saturday 23rd April 2011[]

Alexandra Park: Common Tern briefly Wood Green Res, 1 later 2 House Martin North View Road (Andrew Gardener, Bob Watts).
Barking Bay: Corn Bunting, Little Ringed Plover, 4 Wheatear, Yellow Wagtail, Lesser Whitethroat, Cuckoo.(Paul Hawkins)
Battersea Park Lake: 2 pr Egyptian Geese - last year there was one pair, but not all summer. Now there are 2 pairs all the time, pr Red-crested Pochard, calling Little Grebe, 3+ Blackcap (Michael Mac).
Beddington SF: 1 Tree Pipit (local scarcity - photos here), 1 Red Kite, 3 Common Buzzard, 1 Swift
Brent Reservoir: 2 adult Kittiwakes 07.20-07.45, also Common Buzzard west at 15.12, Hobby at 18.55, Common Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 4 Lapwing, 1 Snipe, 2 Pied Wagtail (Brent Birders)
Broadwater Lake: 4 Egyptian Geese, 1 Red Kite, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 1 LRP, 5 Common Tern, 7 Garden Warbler, 8 Sedge Warbler, 10 Reed Warbler, 17 Blackcap & 13 Chifchaff (Simon Buckingham).
Dagenham Chase LNR: Red Kite over at 5.10pm, Hobby seen twice this evening, 1 Common Sandpiper, Grasshopper Warbler, Nightingale, 4 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Sedge Warbler, 3 Bullfinch, 2 Common Tern, drake Pochard. ( V.Halley-Frame ).
East India Dock Basin area: 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 6 Common Terns, 2 Ostercatcher, 4 Reed Warblers. (Gary A James).
Ham Lands: Garden Warbler 1 (John Herbert)
Ingrebourne Valley: Grasshopper Warbler reeling, 5 Little Egret (Shaun Harvey)
Isleworth: 6 Waxwings at West Middlesex Hospital, 5.30 pm (I Darbyshire)
Lee Valley: Honey Buzzard riding on thermal over Galley Hill at 10:30am, pale phase bird on show for 10 mins before disapearing from view; showing classic pigeon head, long tail, pinched wings & wing barring, also 4 Buzzard, Sparrowhawk & Peregrine seen. Grasshopper Warbler reeling at Rammey Marsh at 07.30am; 8 Nightingale around Fishers Green, 4 Cetti's Warblers singing & 3 Hobby over Seventy Aces (J.Murray & J.Murray Snr).
London Wetland Centre: 4 Blackcaps (3m, 1f), Lesser Whitethroat (singing), seen from riverside path (M Ruscoe)
Margravine Cemetery: pr Mistle Thrush (1 on nest, a first for me) (Nathalie Mahieu).
Molesey Heath: 0530 to 0800, Cormorant 5, Crow 19, Magpie 15, Jay 2, Mallard 4, Coot 10, Redshank 1, Canada Goose 2, Great Crested Grebe 1, Woodpigeon 36, Blackbird 11, Song Thrush 1, Starling 17, Pheasant 1, Rose-ringed Parakeet 200+, Dunnock 3, Wren, 16, Whitethroat 16, Blackcap 9, Chiffchaff 11, Sedge Warbler 1, Reed Warbler, 1, robin 9, Blue Tit 11, Great Tit 3, Greenfinch 3, Chaffinch 1, Goldfinch 3 (Richard Inch).
Pinner Park Farm: 1 Common Buzzard over west at 16:14 - which may have been the same bird seen over Brent Reservoir earlier, 1 Sparrowhawk, singing Lesser Whitethroat & Whitethroat, pair of Swallows back in nesting area & 3 Grey Heron (JR).
Rainham Marshes: 4 Wood Sandpiper, f Ring Ouzel (still), Tree Pipit (over centre), Whimbrel, Greenshank, Cuckoo - but I didn't see any of that or the Red Kite, or the Raven, or the Stonechat (again!), but did see Lesser Whitethroat, Hobby, Peregrine, 3 Kestrel, Pintail, Wigeon, 2 Dunlin (NC) 2 Whimbrel on foreshore + apparently 5 singing Grasshopper Warblers (I heard 2 of them) (Neil Anderson)
Richmond Park: Garganey drake on Upper Pen Pond till 10.30 am at least. Best viewed from car park side of pond, on opposite bank. (Tim Howard per FJM). Still there at 3-30 pm and close to island in middle of lake. (David Bradshaw)
Ruislip: Swift over my garden in Heathfield Rise at 15.15 and 3 Common Buzzard including a pale individual at 18.00hrs (Steve Pash).
Sainsbury's Nine Elms Car Park: see Peregrine on Vauxhall BT, 4 noisey territorial Herring Gulls perhaps nest is on supermarket roof, Kestrels seemed to have disappeared this year and have not been seen at the other site used in previous years - it's a mystery as to why? (Michael Mac).
Sidcup (York Avenue): Hobby N @14.45 (first of year), Common Buzzard N just before Hobby, 3+Swallows W, female Sparrowhawk, 5+Herring Gulls, Stock Dove, Chaffinch plus usuals (Ian Stewart)
South Norwood Lake: pair Mute Swan, pair Great Crested Grebe (with 2 young), 2 Cormorant. 12 Tufted Duck, 1 Swallow (over) 10 Rose-ringed Parakeet, 1 singing Wiillow Warbler, 1 singing Common Whitethroat, 8 singing Blackcap, 5 singing Chiffchaff, 2 Green Woodpecker, 4 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 5 singing Chaffinch, 2 Song Thrush, Goldfinch, 3 House Sparrow (John Watson & Gavin Hawgood).
Staines Res: Summer-plumaged Slavonian Grebe, Great Northern Diver, 2+ Shoveler, 1 small wader (looked like Dunlin but only seen briefly in flight), 3+ Common Tern (late afternoon visit), No sign of the Velvet Scoter, nor the Black Tern or Little gull reported on BirdGuides today. (Bill Haines).
Teddington: 2 Swift over Windsor Road (R.Gowrley).
Walthamstow: Greenshank, Little Ringed Plover, Yellow Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Lockwood. Pheasant, Wheatear, Whimbrel over at 16:00, Walthamstow Marsh. 66 spp (Paul Whiteman, Lol Bodini, Roy Woodward et al)
Wanstead Flats: Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker, Common Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, 2 Yellow Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, 4 Swallow, 3 Linnet, Reed Bunting, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Kestrel, Stock Dove and some others (NC/JL/Roy Woodward and his gang).
Wanstead Park: Reed Warbler (SoM - he's back and with any luck he'll pull this year!), C. Whitethroat, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Little Egret, Stock Dove and stuff (NC).

Friday 22nd April 2011[]

Alexandra Park: Lesser Whitethroat, male, cricket perimeter, Rook NE 8:03, H. Martin Northview Rd, 2 Linnets NE (Andrew Gardener, Gareth Richards).
Barking Bay: 3 Whimbrel, 2 Common Sandpiper, Dunlin, Oystercatcher, 10 Wheatear, fem Ring Ouzel still tho mobile, 4 Lesser Whitethroat, 30 Whitethroat, 2 Sedge Warbler, 4 ad Med Gull flew upriver at 10am, Sand Martin, 2 Yellow Wagtail, Swallow.(Paul Hawkins) access of Renwick rd follow river path east.
Battersea Power Station: Yellow Wagtail over and 3 Common Sandpipers roosting on jetty.(Dave Morrison)
Beddington SF: 1 Grasshopper Warbler , 2 Common Swift, 1 Greenshank, 1 Common Sandpiper, 4 Lesser Whitethroat, 30+ Common Whitethroat, 15+ Reed Warbler, 4 Common Buzzard, 1 Wheatear pics here
Bedfont Lakes CP: circling Harris Hawk mobbed by pr Herring Gulls, pr Common Terns, c 15 Reed Warblers singing, 1 singing Lesser Whitethroat, lots of Whitethroat + Blackcap, 3 singing Willow Warbler, 1 singing Chiffchaff (Neil Anderson)
Blackheath: "The Dips" area - Male Whitethroat collecting nesting material and singing, Chiffchaff singing, 1 pair of Song Thrushes, with another singing male nearby recently (Joe Beale)
Brent Reservoir: 3 Greylags, 11 Common Terns & lots of warblers (Brent Birders)
Bushy Park: Many Blackcaps, Whitethroats and Chiffchaffs, Hobby, 7 Waxwing! (Roger Theobald)
Crayford, Braeburn Park (Old Orchard/Gun Club): Whitethroats all around this extensive site, 1 male Blackcap, 2+ Greenfinch, Chiffchaffs, Ring-necked Parakeet (over), Grey Heron (over), Song Thrush, Robin, Blackbird, Great Tit, Blue Tit, House Sparrows, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Wood Pigeons. (Chris Rose).
Crayford Marshes: Garden Warbler, Tree Pipit, Hobby, 4 Little Ringed Plover, Cuckoo, 3 Wheatear, Yellow Wagtail, Common Tern, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Sedge Warbler, c38 Whitethroat, 16 Reed Warbler, 3 Cetti's Warbler, Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, 2 Greenshank, 4 Swallow. (Kev Jarvis).
Crayford, Thames Road Wetland: 2 Coot, 2 Moorhen, 1 Little Grebe (on 'lake'), four Mallard, Reed Warblers calling, 5 and later 14 Ring-necked Parakeet (over, heading SW), near dusk 1 Swallow (or poss House Martin) circling site (poor views). Lot of racket from Marsh Frogs. (Chris Rose).
Crossness: Wood Sandpiper briefly then flew E at 07:50, Tree Pipit NW at 07:10, Red Kite SW at 09:45, 4 adult Med Gulls W at 10:05, Common Buzzard W at 17:45, 2+ Yellow Wags E, 3 Whimbrel, Green sand, 2 Common sands, 11+ Jays E, drake presumed Mallard x Gadwall hybrid (John Archer).
Dagenham Chase LNR: 65 species recorded 6.15am-12.15pm. 2 Nightingale, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 1 Garden Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Common Tern, 1 Green Sandpiper, 4 Egyptian Geese, 1 Little Egret, 1 Ring-necked Parakeet near old Woodpecker hole, 2 Pochard, 1 male Bullfinch, Cuckoo heard, 4 Lapwing, 3 LRP. ( V.Halley-Frame/ M.Blow ). 2 additional species pm, Common Buzzard & House Martin. ( VHF ).
Footscray Meadows:25+Blackcap singing, 11 Whitethroat, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Garden Warbler, 15+Chiffchaff, Nuthatch. (Peter Kite)
Ingrebourne Valley: Common Tern, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Cuckoo, 3 Snipe, 4 LRP, 3 Little Egret, Hobby and Green Hairstreaks (Shaun Harvey)
King George Res: 6 Black Terns on Sth Basin, Ring Ouzel (F) Black Redstart (F) Yellow Wagtail (6) & Wheatear all on west bank of Sth res (J.Murray).
Lea Valley: Six Hobby together over Seventy Acres; five Nightingales singing Fisher's Green area in early evening. Told about Black Terns (8?) on Holyfield Lake around lunchtime. Also told of Greenshank on the Goose Fields pools. (David Bradshaw)
Paddington Green: Peregrine Falcon in the area a.m., and into p.m. (D. McKenzie, Nick Tanner).
Pinner Park Farm: female type Black Redstart still in the middle hedge showing well, 21 Jackdaw, singing Whitethroat, Blackcap & Chiffchaff, 8 Herring Gull/Lesser Black-backed Gull about two miles up & 1 Nuthatch (Jon Ridge).
Rainham Marshes: highlights - Wood Sandpiper, Ring Ouzel (F), Grasshopper Warbler (5 were recorded on site earlier today) and Wheatear (F) (Steven Robinson).
Redbridge Lakes, Woodford Bridge: 2 Linnets, Whitethroat, 2 Mute Swans (Alan Hobson).
Regent's Park: 2 Fieldfares flew north (Tony Duckett)
Richmond Park: Lapwing flew east, Linnet heard o/h + the usuals, such as Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Little Owl, Swallow & Skylark (J. Pacula, J. Wilczur).
Ruislip: Garden warbler (Dick Middleton) and Cuckoo on Poors Field. Lesser Whitethroat, 8 Whitethroat, Blackcap, Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff along the River Pinn at Ruislip GC. Cuckoo, 20+ Swallow, 2 Yellow Wagtail, Skylark, Bullfinch and Common Buzzard in fields west of Bayhurst Wood (Steve Pash)
Sewardstone Marsh: 3 Garden Warbler (Martin Shepherd).
Sidcup (The Glade ): Singing Whitethroat (patch y.t. at last), 2 Swallows NW, pair Great Crested Grebes (female with juvs on back), Grey Heron, e Mute Swan, 6+ Canada Geese, 20+ Mallards inc new brood of 6 or 7, pair Tufted Ducks, Kestrel, prob Buzzard distant to E heading S 13.05, 6+ Moorhens (3 having dispute broken up by Coot!), 6+ Coots (2 nests), 4+ Pigeons, 10+ Woodpigeon, 4+ Stock Doves, Collared Dove, few Rose-ringed Parakeets, 2 Swallows W, Pied Wagtail, Wren, 2 Dunnocks, 4+ Robin, 4+ Blackbird, 4-6 Mistle Thrush inc 2 juvs in nest, heard 3 Blackcaps, 2 Chiffchaffs, 4+ Long-tailed Tits, Coal Tit, Blue and Great Tits, heard Nuthatch, 6+ Magpie, 10+ Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrows by school, 2+ Chaffinch, 4 Greenfinch, 2+Goldfinch (Ian Stewart)
Sidcup (York Avenue): 3 Swallows W, 2 Mallards to NE, Sparrowhawk, 20+ Herring Gulls, 6+ Pigeons, 3+ Woodpigeons, 5 Stock Doves 3NE,2E, 4 Collared Doves, plenty Rose-ringed Parakeets (mainly heard- didnt see main roost passage), Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, 3 Blue Tits, Jay, Magpie, 4+ Carrion Crows, 4+ Starling, 5+ House Sparrow, heard Chaffinch, 4 Greenfinch, 2 Goldfinch. Also heard Coot, Little Owl (poss. sighting) and Marsh Frogs in early hours 1-3am (Ian Stewart)
South Norwood Lake: pair Mute Swan, pair Greylag Goose, pair Great Crested Grebe(with 2 young) plus 1ad, 2 Cormorant, 1 Black-headed Gull, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1m Kestrel, 1singing Common Whitethroat, 1singing Willow Warbler, 7singing Blackcap, 5singing Chiffchaff, 4singing Chaffinch, 3 Jay, 10 Ring-necked Parakeet, 1 Song Thrush, 4 House Sparrow, (John Watson & Gavin Hawgood)
Staines Moor: Ring Ouzel female still in bushes at NW end near abandoned trailer early am (per FJM). Fairly quiet this evening. No sign of the Ring Ouzel but 1 Hobby, 2 Cuckoo, 1 Garden Warbler and 6 Northern Wheatear (Lee Dingain).
Staines Reservoir: 1 Black Tern feeding over S basin till mid am at least, also 1 Slavonian Grebe summer plumage, along E bank of S and 1 Great Northern Diver. Velvet Scoter female still on N basin at N end, also 2 Oystercatchers and 9 Common Terns. (FJM et al)
Walthamstow Res: quick visit, 5 Reed Warblers, 10+ Common Tern, Little Egret, Grey Wagtail, 10 Sand Martins. 8+ Orange-tip, Green-veined White, Peacock. (Dan Barrett) Lockwood: Pr LRP, Greenshank, 16 Common Tern, Yellow Wagtail, Peregrine, Lesser Whitethroat (Paul Whiteman)
Walthamstow Marsh: Little Owl, Wheatear, 2+ Lesser Whitethroat, Buzzard, many House Martins. 2 Snipe (Paul Whiteman)
Wanstead, my garden: Sparrowhawk, Common Buzzard, 2 Hobby (J Lethbridge)
Waterworks NR: 1 Garden Warbler, c20 Blackcap, c12 Whitethroat, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 6 Sedge Warbler, 3 Reed Warbler, c8 Common Tern over reservoirs and River Lea plus a group of 10 Swifts early on (Laurence Pitcher - whoever removed my previous posts by all means email me to explain why laurence.pitcher1@mac.com); 7 Swift high over about 16.00hrs (Richard)
Large Paddock (WHERE'S THAT?): Wheatear, 4 Yellow Wagtail (thanks to Anon for pointing these out) 6 Sand Martins, 2 Linnets, 4 Whitethroat (David & Zac)

Thursday 21st April 2011[]

Alexandra Park: Sedge Warbler (Wood Green Reservoir), at least 8 Whitethroat (Reservoir/Cricket Scrub), Kestrel, Goldcrest (Avenue Gardens) (Mike Benyon). Wheatear cricket pavilion and then perimeter briefly 7:50 am (Gareth Richards).
Barking Bay: Whimbrel, Cuckoo, Swallow, Ring Ouzel, 2 Wheatears, 3 summer plumed Dunlin, Short-eared Owl, Common Sandpiper, pair of Teal and 1 Sedge Warbler.(Dave Morrison) Dave, please can you advise best access point for this, thanks. (Dan Barrett)
Beddington SF: 1 Yellowhammer (local rarity), 1 Greenshank, 1 Redshank, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Green Sandpiper, 1 Snipe, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 20+ Lapwing, 1 Peregrine, 30+ Whitethroat, 15+ Reed Warbler, 2 Sedge Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat Some pics here
Bethnal Green: Common Swift (Richard Harrison).
Brent Reservoir: Common Buzzard flew SE at 14.40 (Andrew Self)
Brookmill Park (Lewisham): 8 Mallard, 4 Moorhen, 4 Coot, 8 Woodpigeon, 2 Collared Dove, 1 Ring-necked Parrakeet, 5 Wren, 3 Dunnock, 3 Robin, 10 Blackbird, 2 Song Thrush, 4 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Goldcrest, 3 Long-tailed Tit, 5 Great Tit, 4 Blue Tit, 4 Starling, 1 Jay, 1 Magpie, 1 Carrion Crow, 6 Goldfinch, 3 Greenfinch, 1 Chaffinch. (Conrad Ellam)
Crayford Marshes: Whimbrel, Cuckoo, 6 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Greenshank, fem Wheatear, 36 Whitethroat, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 5 Cetti's Warbler, 12 Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler, 2 Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, Common Tern, 5 Swallow, 2 Rook. (Kev Jarvis).
Ewell Village: Red Kite (no wing tags) flying low SSE over centre of village at 07.35 (Neil Batten)
Hammersmith, St. Peter's Square: Flock of c15 Waxwings trilling in trees within the square at 15:45, then flew off N and appeared to land in Private Garden at 15:50. (Louis Freeland-Haynes)
Hampstead Heath (0800-0900): 3 displaying Whitethroats (2 on Pryor's Field, 1 on Parliament Hill, 1 Swallow. No sign of Waxwings. Possible Lesser Whitethroat singing briefly towards top of Parliament Hill. 2+ Kestrels (Sash Tusa)
Harmondsworth Moor. Reed Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat (singing male), 3 Whitethroat, ca 9 Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler. (SImon Cumming)
Hemans Estate Community Garden: Robin ticking away at the cats so obviously has a nest first time for years, pr Blackbirds building a nest also alarm calling at cats (Michael Mac).
Hillingdon, Gutteridge Wood: female Redstart on the southern side by horse field. Ten Acre Wood: dozens of Whitethroat, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 6 Rook, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, 4 Wheatear, 2 pr Linnet, 2 displaying Meadow Pipit, Reed Bunting, Skylark and 3 Lapwing in territory on the GC development site (Steve Pash).
Hyde Park : Grey wagtail, Common Tern, 3 Red-crested Pochard, 3 Grey heron, 5 Gadwall, Jay, 3 Pochard, 7 Great-crested grebe, 14 + Ring-necked Parakeet, Willow warbler, 3 Mandarin, 5 Egyptain geese ( including a pr with 2 gosling's), Moorhen (Brandon Anderson).
Isle of Dogs: 2 Great Black Backed Gulls at last year's nest site, Common Tern, Sedge Warbler, Common Whitethroat, Kestrel (Richard Harrison).
KGV Reservoir: female Ring Ouzel still on west side of south basin early morning, Hobby, Cetti's Warbler on Ponders End side, 8 Common Tern, 3 Yellow Wagtail, Little Egret (Martin Shepherd).
Pinner Park Farm: female type Black Redstart in the middle hedge showing well, 3 Yellow Wagtail by the electric gate - flew off north, male Whitethroat, Green & Great Spotted Woodpecker, 9 Jackdaw & 2 Grey Heron (Jon Ridge).
Richmond Park: 1 Whinchat hawking insects from tops of trees on Lawn Field above Lower Pen Pond. (Susanna Ramsey & FJM)
Scadbury Park: female Wheatear on paddocks, Swallow over, 3 or 4 Whitethroats, 6+Mallard, 10+Blackcap, 6+Chiffchaff (Ian Stewart)
Sidcup (York Avenue): Red Kite circling and gaining height heading slowly W 14.30-14.35, Kestrel low W, Swallow W, 2 Sparrowhawk, 2 male Mallards, 10+Pigeon, 4+Woodpigeon, 2+Collared Dove, 200+R/N Parakeets W 19.40-20.00, heard Wren, Dunnock, Robin, 3+Blackbird, heard Long Tailed Tit, 2+Blue Tits, pair Great Tits, Jay, Magpie, 2 Jackdaws N,4+Carrion Crow, 6+Starling, 4+House Sparrow, heard Chaffinch, 4+Greenfinch, 2 Goldfinch (Ian Stewart)
Staines Moor: Female Ring Ouzel still present until midday at least (in and around hawthorns on west side of Colne, ranging between the two wooden bridges and the abandoned trailer), also 1 Red Kite NW at 11:30, 2 Common Buzzards N, 1-2 Hobby over, 1 Yellow Wagtail over W, 1 Cuckoo, 5 Lesser Whitethroat, 11 Northern Wheatear, 12 Sand Martin, 1 House Martin, 5 Swallow, 2 Redshank and 1 Little Egret. (Lee Dingain - a few pics here)
Staines Reservoir: 8 Black Terns on S basin by mid am, also Great Northern Diver. Velvet Scoter female still on N basin and Oystercatcher. (Bob Warden & Ken Purdey per FJM).
Stoke Newington Reservoirs: 3cy Yellow-legged Gull, 2cy Great Black-backed Gull, odd adult 'yellow-legged' gull, either michahellis or (prob more likely) hybrid in unexpected build-up of LBB & HG's during afternoon on East Res (photos on blog later), Common Buzzard (with damaged tail) south 1310, House Martin, Common Whitethroat singing, 10 Blackcaps, 8 Reed Warblers, plus the usuals (Mark Pearson)
Trent Park: 2 Common Tern, Sparrowhawk (m with prey item), 3 Common Whitethroat, 2 Garden Warbler, Many Chiffchaff and Blackcap. ( Pete Lowman).
Tyttenhanger GPs: Greenshank, 3 Little Ringed Plover, Ringed Plover, 6 Redshank, Wheatear, 2 Tree Sparrow, 2 Garden Warbler. Sedge, Willow, Chiffchaff and Blackcaps around the site, with a few Sand Martins and Swallows. (Steve B)
Walthamstow Filter Beds: 4 Yellow Wagtails (bog standard British race) 15 Sand Martins, f Brimstone (Dan Barrett)
Walthamstow Marshes: 2 Yellow wagtails, Lesser Whitethroat. (Peter K)
Wanstead Park: Little Egret, 12 Common Whitethroat (inc. 9 singing males) in old sewage works (Tim H.)
Wick Woodland, Hackney E9: 18 sp. incl. 3 Willow Warblers. Also 9 Brimstone. (TeRNS)
Wormwood Scrubs: 1 Wheatear, 1 Swallow, c3 singing Lesser Whitethroat + usuals. (The Scrubbers).

Wednesday 20th April 2011[]

Alexandra Park: 15-16 Waxwing SE over cricket pitch towards New River Village at 8.30 am. Also 2 Jackdaw high E, 1 Yellow Wagtail N, 2 singing Common Whitethroat (Cricket Scrub and Balancing Pool). No sign of Fudged Duck on Boating Lake (Gareth Richards).
Beaverwood 17.40-18.40: Kestrel, 3 Moorhens, 10+Woodpigeon, 2+Stock Dove, Collared Dove, 10+R/N Parakeets, 2 G/S Woodpeckers, 3 Green Woodpeckers, 4+Wren, Dunnock, 6+Robin, 6+Blackbird, 3+Song Thrush, 1 Mistle Thrush, heard 2 Blackcaps, 3+Chiffchaff, heard Goldcrest, 6+Long Tailed Tits, heard 2 Coal Tits, 4+Blue Tits, 6+Great Tits, Treecreeper, 4 Jays, 7+Magpies, 2+Jackdaws, 10+Carrion Crow, Starling, 3 Chaffinch, 4 Greenfinch, heard Goldfinch (Ian Stewart)
Brent Reservoir: single Shelduck and Snipe, 08:15 (F.Simpson); (11:00) 1 Sheldrake, 3 drake Pochard, 4 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Lapwing, 2 Black-headed Gull, 9 Common Tern (Andrew Haynes); 1 male Ruddy Duck, 3 Common Tern (1800, L Wormald).
Brookmill Park (Lewisham): 5 Mallard, 6 Moorhen, 4 Coot (the pair on the river are rebuilding their nest on the shopping trolley - good luck to them), 10 Woodpigeon, 2 Collared Dove, 5 Wren, 1 Dunnock, 3 Robin, 8 Blackbird, 1 Song Thrush, 4 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Goldcrest, 2 Long-tailed Tit (carrying food), 2 Great Tit (carrying food), 2 Blue Tit, 1 Starling, 2 Magpie, 6 Goldfinch, 2 Greenfinch, 1 Chaffinch (Conrad Ellam).
Canons Farm & Banstead Woods: Grasshopper Warbler, Whinchat & Garden Warbler in scrubby area at SE end of Banstead Woods; White Wagtail, presumed Greenland Wheatear & Lesser Whitethroat at Canons Farm - see link (David Campbell/Ian Jones/Roy Weller et al).
Chiswick: 1 Swift headed low east 16:25, 2 Buzzard, 1 high East c13:30 with falcon species ridiculously high directly above it, 1 high east 14:25, 1 Sparrowhawk S, 1 Kestrel. (Louis Freeland-Haynes Photos ).
Crayford Marshes: 4 ad Mediterranean Gull flew west along the Thames. 2 Hobby, Common Tern, Cuckoo, 6 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Greenshank, 3 Wheatear, 15 Reed Warbler, 34 Whitethroat, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Sedge Warbler, male Corn Bunting, 2 Swallow, Little Owl, 4 Cetti's Warbler (Kev Jarvis).
Crayford Marshes pm; 50+ ring-necked Parakeets in LH field off Moat Lane Path, Cuckoo, Corn Bunting, Linnets, Whitethroats, Reed Warblers, Reed Bunting, Redshank, Shelduck,4 Kestrels, Swallows, Lapwing,1 Male Marsh Harrier flying over fields to left of Darenth (Nick Eades)
Dagenham Chase LNR: 1 poss 2 Nightingale, Grasshopper Warbler reeling and showing well this evening, ( a few naff record shots ). ( V.Halley-Frame ).
East India Dock Basin: 63 Tufted Ducks, 2 Blackcaps (1 singing), 5+ Sand Martins, pair of Linnets on Orchard Wharf (John Archer).
Finsbury Park: singing Stock Dove (not a species I thought bred in the park) (Ian Bradshaw).
Fulham Sands End: 17 Herring Gull (inc 3 colour-ringed, 1 from Hastings, 2 from NTGG), vocal House Sparrows, 1 Greylag, 2 Coot (Nathalie Mahieu).
Gillespie Park LNR, Highbury, N5: 1 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 singing Willow Warblers. (TeRNS).
Greenwich Park: a Black Redstart (patch tick) lasted about 20 seconds before a dog walker got to it and was not relocated despite searching, 2 Linnets also (Joe Beale).
Hammersmith: Hobby north over Apollo Theatre 13:26 (D. McKenzie).
Hampstead Heath: Parliament Hill 7:00-8:30 13 Waxwing N, 2 Swallow NW, Linnet E, 2 Meadow Pipit NW, Wheatear (f) and later on Pryors Field where there was also a singing Whitethroat (CB et al.) + Pair of Hobby at 1500 and a Buzzzard flying E ( PeteM)
Holmethorpe SPs: Egyptian Goose, Shelduck, Teal, Common Buzzard, 2 Hobby (first of the year), Dunlin, 4 Common Snipe, 2 Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, 2 Reed Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, 13 Common Whitethraot, Garden Warbler, 2 Blackcap, 6 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler, Bullfinch (HSP blog).
London Wetland Centre: Sparrowhawk, 6 Redshank, 30+ Sand Martin, 5 Cetti's Warbler (LWC website).
Millwall Park/Mudchute: c10 Monk Parakeets including several carrying nest material, 2 singing Blackcaps, 1 singing Chiffchaff (John Archer).
Pinner Park Farm: 2 Sparrowhawk, 1 Swallow over, male Whitethroat, Green & Great Spotted Woodpecker, 10 Jackdaw & 2 Grey Heron (JR).
Pollard's Hill: singing Blackacp and Chiffchaff (Croydon Birders).
Queen Mother Res (permit access): Great Northern Diver (Birdguides).
Rainham Marshes: female Ring Ouzel still along river wall a.m. (Birdguides). Still showing well at 16:00, 2 Hobby, Kestrel, Raven (circled over Cordite and floated East), 3 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Little Ringed Plover, Common Sandpiper, 4+ Redshank, 1 Wigeon, Med Gull reported on Aveley Pools (NC/Keith Rayment et al), 2 Whimbrel, 3 Little Egret, 1 Wheatear, 1 Cettis Warbler, Pintail, and (pass me the Purdey!)..1 f Ruddy Duck (Nigel May). Grasshopper Warbler reeling between one way gate and sea wall (B.Anderson)
Rammey Marsh: Grasshopper Warbler reeling this morning at 07.45. Also two Meadow Pipit song-flighting (Martin Shepherd).
Ruislip: Swift over my garden at 12.30, also Red Kite at 12.10 and 2 House Martins (Steve Pash).
Sidcup (York Avenue): Very quiet! Single Swallow W @15.30, Sparrowhawk distant to north, 6+Pigeons, 6+Woodpigeons, 7 Stock Doves E, 2 Collared Doves, 150+R/N Parakeets W to roost 19.30-20.05, 2 Robins, pair Blackbirds, 3+Blue Tit, Jay, 2 Magpies, Jackdaw, 3+Carrion Crows, 4+Starlings, 5 House Sparrows, 6+Greenfinch, 2 Goldfinch. Also heard Dunnock, Long Tailed Tit, Coal Tit, Great Tit, Blackcap and Chaffinch. Butterflies- Holly Blue, Orange Tip, Speckled Wood (Ian Stewart)
South Norwood Lake: pair Mute Swan, pair Great Crested Grebe (with 2 young), 10 Tufted Duck, 2 Cormorant, 2 Swallow, 1m Kestrel, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker (1f at nest hole) 4 Ring-necked Parakeet, pair Collared Dove, 1 singing Willow Warbler, 8 singing Blackcap, 5 singing Chiffchaff, 4 singing Chaffinch, c8 Goldfinch, 6 Jay, 2 Song Thrush, Long-tailed Tit, 5 House Sparrow (John Watson & Gavin Hawgood).
Staines Moor: fem Ring Ouzel still on north side of River Colne near disused trailer 8.30 am. 1 Yellow Wagtail, c8 Wheatear, at least 3 Lapwing. On the path north on the Moor - 3 Sedge Warbler, 2 Cetti's Warbler, Reed Warbler, plenty of Blackcap and Whitethroats, 2 Common Tern over, heading west (Neil Randon). 1 Cuckoo calling, 1 Hobby (K.P.Duncan)
Staines Res: female Velvet Scoter to mid-day at least, Slavonian Grebe, Little Gull (Birdguides). 2 Oystercatcher on North basin & Common Sandpiper on South basin @ 14:45. (K.P.Duncan)
Stoke Newington Reservoirs: Arctic Tern low and east 0530, 18 Blackcaps, 12 Reed Warblers; p.m. skywatch yesterday produced Goshawk east (with no jesses - photos on site later), Common Buzzard and c25 Swallows (Mark Pearson Northern Rustic).
Tyttenhanger GPs: 2 Garganey still on the main pit a.m. (Birdguides).
Wanstead Flats (06:00-09:00): male Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (Esso Copse), some Skylarks, some more Meadow Pipit, Yellow Wagtail (over), singing Lesser Whitethroat, 10+ singing Common Whitethroat, singing Willow Warbler, 2 Swallow, Sand Martin, 5 Ring necked Parakeet, 3 Linnet, Reed Bunting, Lesser Black-backed Gull etc. (NC)
Wormwood Scrubs: male Ring Ouzel in grassland 0830 (Birdguides), 1 Yellow Wagtail over, 8 Swallow, 2 Collared Dove, c.10 Chiffchaff, c.10 Whitethroat, c.15 Blackcap, 2+ Lesser Whitethroat, 1 incredibly high Buzzard and 1 Peregrine soaring together SE at 1445 - presumed Chiswick birds (The Scrubbers). Photos I think show my Buzzard to be missing some central tail feathers(not that I noticed it with Bins) did the scrubs bird? (L.F-H)
Ingrebourne Valley: Grasshopper Warbler reeling again tonight (Shaun Harvey)

Tuesday 19th April 2011[]

Addington (Kent Gate Way): singing Skylark (Croydon Birders).
Amwell GP: immature male Red-breasted Merganser briefly before flying south 07:00 (Birdguides).
Barking: Grey Wagtail on derelict flats near town centre (Alan Shearman).
Barking Bay: fem Ring Ouzel, Fieldfare, 12 Wheatear, Cuckoo.(Paul Hawkins)
Biggin Wood: Carrion Crow entering Rose-ringed Parakeet nest holes in search of food. (R Bell)
Blackheath: 2 m Wheatears (1st-years), Whitethroat singing, Swallow overhead, Willow Warbler singing, 2 Song Thrushes singing, 2 Chiffchaffs, Peregrine E (Joe Beale and Yu-Hsuan Lin)
Brent Reservoir: 2 Common Buzzards over at 15.10, Yellow Wagtail on rafts, also Wheatear & 2 Greylags (Andrew Self), 1 Lapwing, 7 Common Terns, singing warblers,18 Blackcap, 8 Whitethroat, 1 Lesser Whitethroat (first of year), 11 Chiffchaff, 3 Sedge Warbler, 2 Reed Warbler, (Roy Beddard).
Brookmill Park (Lewisham): 16 Mallard, 1 Mandarin, 1 Peregrine flying over, 8 Woodpigeon, 2 Collared Dove, 5 Wren, 4 Dunnock, 6 Robin, 8 Blackbird, 1 Song Thrush, 3 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Great Tit, 4 Blue Tit, 2 Starling, 1 Jay, 8 Magpie, 4 Carrion Crow, 2 Goldfinch, 4 Greenfinch, 1 Chaffinch (Conrad Ellam).
Canons Farm: fem Marsh Harrier flew NE at 12.28pm (Ian Jones/David Campbell).
Chafford Hundred: 91 Waxwing from Mayflower toward Lakeside 07:06 plus 40 over Sainsbury's 08:05 (LBYG).
Crayford Marshes: 2 Whimbrel on the foreshore 07:50, 2 Sandwich Tern east along the Thames. 6 Wheatear, 2 Cuckoo, Lesser Whitethroat, 6 Little Ringed Plover, 32 Whitethroat, 9 Reed Warbler, 2 Sedge Warbler, 2 Swallow, 3 Green Sandpiper, Little Owl, male Stonechat, 3 Cetti's Warbler. (Kev Jarvis).
Crayford (Thames Road Wetland): 3 (possibly more) male Whitethroat singing, Kestrel very low over east end, heading north, 1 Little Grebe, 2 Coot, 2 Moorhen, 1 male Mallard with 1 hybrid female, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Magpie, Blackbird, 1 Wren, Wood Pigeon, several Carrion Crows over, 6 Ring-necked Parakeets over. (By-way 105 by River Cray): Song Thrush seen singing, Chiffchaff heard. (Chris Rose).
Crossness: Greenshank on Norman Road scrape at 17:20 (Mick Southcott per JA).
Dagenham Chase LNR: Nightingale & Grasshopper Warbler singing/reeling simultaneously this evening, Nightingale showed briefly, also Cuckoo heard, Green Sandpiper heard, 2 Shelduck on the slack with another 4 flying in and 2 Ring-necked Parakeets. ( V.Halley-Frame & Alan Bell ).
East India Dock Basin: Wheatear, Shelduck, 47 Tufted Ducks, 2 singing Blackcaps, 6+ Sand Martins, 1st winter Common Gull (John Archer).
Finsbury Park, N4: 35 sp. incl. pr Greylag + 3 goslings, c15 Pochard, 6 Blackcap. Also 1 Comma. (TeRNS) Goshawk over park mid afternoon, short jesses, often inconspicuous. (Tyler Smith)
Foots Cray Meadows 05.50-06.40: 2 Common Whitethroats (year tick), 4 Egyptian Geese (patch year tick), pair Mute Swans 1 on nest, 2 Canada Geese over, c20 Mallards most on dry land, 10 Tufted Ducks, c8 Moorhens, 10+ Coots (2 nests), 30+ Woodpigeon, Stock Dove, Collared Dove, 8+ Rose-ringed Parakeets, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 10+ Wren, Dunnock, 6+ Robin, 12+ Blackbird, 2+ Song Thrush, 1 Mistle Thrush, 12 Blackcaps (1 female), 4 Chiffchaffs, 1 Goldcrest, 2 Long-tailed Tits, 6+ Blue Tit, 6 Great Tit, heard Nuthatch, 4 Jays, 6+ Magpie, 4+ Jackdaws, 30+ Carrion Crows, 4 Chaffinch, 2 Greenfinch, 2 Goldfinch (Ian Stewart)
Greenwich Park: M Blackcap collecting nesting material, other males singing. Seem to be 3 pairs of Song Thrush, including one adult feeding a newly-fledged juvenile (Joe Beale and Yu-Hsuan Lin)
Greenwich Peninsula: 2 male Wheatear in meadow north of Bugsby's Way.(Conrad Ellam)
Gutteridge Wood: Hobby, Buzzard, pr Sparrowhawk. 10 Blackcap, 8 Chiffchaff, 4 Willow Warbler, 8 Whitethroat. 2 Swallow (G Westley).
Holmethorpe SPs: Shelduck, 2 Gadwall, 4 Teal, 2 Sparrowhawk, 4 Common Buzzard, Kestrel, female Peregrine Falcon took a Woodpigeon, Lapwing, 3 Common Snipe, 3 Green Sandpiper, 8 Stock Dove, 2 Skylark, 30+ Sand Martin, 2 Swallow, House Martin, 3 Northern Wheatear, Sedge Warbler, 4 Reed Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, 22 Common Whitethroat, 11 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler, 2 Goldcrest, Coal Tit, 3 Rook, 2 Bullfinch, 2 Yellowhammer (HSP blog).
Island Barn Res: Little Tern 1600-1650 at least (DMH).
King George V res: 3 Yellow Wagtail, 20+ Sand Martin, 3 Wheatear, 4 Common Tern, Cuckoo. (Andrew Thomas)
Lee Valley: 2 Cuckoo at Fisher's Green on west side of the lake, 5 Nightingale (Birdguides).
London Wetland Centre WWT. Avocet on wader scrape and Yellow Wagtail male still am. (John Arbon per FJM) Has this flava wagtail been re-identified? If so can the person who ammended the record please acknowledge this. Thanks Franko J Maroevic; 6 Redshank (LWC website). Wheatear heard calling and Female Blackcap seen in bushes. 10+ Lapwings. 6 newborn Coots in one of the ponds. (P Jackson & C Maidment) 1 Greenshank, 1 YL Gull (TH) . 1 Lesser Whitethroat on riverbank path side of reserve singing amongst brambles (P.Angus)
London W1: Wheatear briefly on rooftop of tall apartment building. Amazing. (James A)
Nine Elms Sainsbury's: at least 4 adult Herring Gulls and a couple of juveniles on extra high car park lights - last year bred nearby for first time and there is a definite increase this year - I think they may have a nest on Sainsbury's which is not visible, when last year it was on a house chimney, is this the start of a colony? (Michael Mac).
Margravine Cemetery: pr Mistle Thrush (Nathalie Mahieu).
Pinner Park Farm: 1 Yellow Wagtail north, Lesser Whitethroat tuning up, pair of Whitethroat nest building, female Wheatear by cattle sheds, Little Owl, 1 Sparrowhawk, Great Spotted & Green Woodpecker, 1 Herring Gull, 3 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 3 Grey Heron, several Orange-tip & 2 Speckled Wood Butterflies (Jon Ridge).
Rainham Creek: Cetti's Warbler, 2+ Reed Warbler, Rook over, Mistle Thrush, Long-tailed Tit, 3+ Blackcap (Richard Harrison).
Queen Mother Res (permit access): Great Northern Diver (Birdguides).
Rainham Marshes: 2 Garganey on Target Pools, Ring Ouzel on sea wall (Birdguides).
Raynes Park: Swift over Grand Drive (S Haslem)
Regent's Park: 2 Wheatears, 3 Reed Warblers, Common Whitethroat, 11m Blackcaps, 6m Chiffchaffs, Jackdaw, Linnet, 30 Stock Doves (Tony Duckett).
Richmond Park: Ring Ouzel female, Hawthorn Valley 7.15 (C. Dorleac per J. Wilczur); a 60-minute watch from Lawn Field (starting at 12.10) yielded one Swallow, two Hobbies larking around at altitude; at ~13.35 Tim Howard pointed out 2 Buzzards over Pond Slade - together very high a few minutes later; then two Hobbies at moderate height over Upper Pen Pond, insecting in July temperatures (Stefan Cz). Evening: one Hobby hawking insects over and around Upper Pen Pond marsh, after sunset (Stefan Cz., Steve Reid)
Sanderstead: singing Blackcap and 6 Jay in private garden (Croydon Birders).
Sevenoaks WFT, Kent : 1st Summer Whooper Swan (Dave Thrussell)
Shadwell Basin, Wapping: c7 Sand Martins around mid-day - possibly East India Dock birds further west (John Colmans)
Sidcup (York Avenue): 1 male Mallard S 17.40, Sparrowhawk NE @07.15, 6+ Pigeons, 6+ Woodpigeons inc 2 juvs starting to flap, 2 Stock Doves W, 2-4 Collared Doves, few Rose-ringed Parakeets, heard Green Woodpecker + Wren a.m., Dunnock, pair Robins, pair Blackbirds, Long-tailed Tit, 4 Blue Tits, 1 Great Tit, Jay, 3 Magpies, 2 Carrion Crows, 4 Starlings, 3 House Sparrows, male Chaffinch singing then E, 6 Greenfinch, 2 Goldfinch (Ian Stewart)
Staines Moor: female Ring Ouzel between the river and an abandoned trailer a.m. (Birdguides); no sign of Ring Ouzel p.m. but Little Egret, 7 Lapwing (2 on site, 5 over), 5-6 Northern Wheatear, Lesser Whitethroat (D. McKenzie, Rob Skinner).
Staines Reservoir: 2 Shelduck through, female Velvet Scoter on North Basin to 14:10 at least, Great Northern Diver, 5 Little Gull comprising 4 toward King George VI Res and 1 dip-feeding on South Basin, Black Tern (North Basin), 4 Common Tern, several Swallow through (D. McKenzie, Rob Skinner, Bernie Whiskin); Little Ringed Plover (Birdguides).
Sutcliffe Park:m Wheatear, 2 Whitethroat, 1 Lesser Whitethroat. (Peter Kite)
Trent Park: 2 Common Whitethroat, Willow Warbler, Garden Warbler, Many Chiffchaff and Blackcap, Stock Dove ( Pete Lowman).
Tyttenhanger GPs: 2 Garganey still on Main Pit, Little Egret (Birdguides).
Ten Acres Wood: 3 Wheatear, pr Reed Bunting (G Westley).
Wanstead Flats (06:00-08:15): male Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (West Copse and Esso Copse), 14 Skylarks, 8 Meadow Pipits, 2 singing Lesser Whitethroat (SSSI), 5/6 singing Common Whitethroat (SSSI/Long Wood), 2 singing Willow Warbler (SSSI) (Tim Harris/Steve Thorpe); female Common Redstart at the end of Long Wood, Wood Sandpiper at Bandstand Pool 10:05 but departed (NC/JL), 3 Wheatear, probable Tree Pipit (east end of Long Wood), 10 singing Common Whitethroat, 5 Linnet, 4 Reed Bunting, Grey Heron, Sparrowhawk (f), Stock Dove (NC/Birdguides) -- 100 up for the whole patch four months earlier than last year, Yay!.
Wanstead Park: 3 Great Crested Grebe, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Lesser Whitethroat (OSW), 6+ Common Whitethroat, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull (waiting for young coot), Grey Heron, f Sparrowhawk (NC)
Wormwood Scrubs: 2 female Northern Wheatear, 1 singing Lesser Whitethroat, c8 Common Whitethroat, 1 Stock Dove, 4 Jackdaws + usuals (David Lindo).

Monday 18th April 2011[]

Battersea Park Lake: 6 singing Blackcap [Singing], pr Red-crested Pochard, 3 broods Mallard (12 and two nines), pr Little Grebe, 2 Chiffchaff, pr Egyptian Geese (Michael Mac).
Barking: 14 Waxwing briefly outside flat at 17:00 hrs (Longbridge Rd / Sudbry Rd junction) before flying north, plus Hobby through at 17:40 (Paul Hawkins).
Biggin Wood: 1 Blackcap, 7+ Rose-ringed Parakeets, 3 Great Tits, 2 Blue Tits, Carrion Crows, Woodpigeons (R. Bell).
Blackheath "Dips": 1st-year m Wheatear, also Robin with at least 2 fledged young (Joe Beale and Yu-Hsuan Lin)
Brent Reservoir: 13 Common Tern at dusk (F. Simpson).
Brookmill Park (Lewisham): 1 Cormorant flying over, 2 Canada Goose, 9 Mallard, 5 Moorhen, 4 Coot (the nest on the shopping trolley has been washed away by a high tide), 8 Woodpigeon, 3 Collared Dove, 2 Stock Dove flying over, 5 Wren, 3 Dunnock, 3 Robin, 10 Blackbird, 1 Song Thrush, 4 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, 3 Long-tailed Tit, 4 Great Tit, 2 Blue Tit, 5 Starling, 3 Magpie, 2 Carrion Crow, 5 Goldfinch, 5 Greenfinch, 1 Chaffinch (Conrad Ellam).
Canons Farm: c20 Waxwing still at in Canons Wood early morning (Birdguides).
Clapham Common: pair Reed Bunting at Mount Pond, probably investigating newly planted reedbeds, no sign of nesting activity, will monitor (patch-tick); also 2 pr Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaff plus usuals (Mark H).
Crayford Marshes: Wheatear, 5 Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler, 6 Blackcap, 20 Whitethroat, 3 Cetti's Warbler (Kev Jarvis).
Dagenham Chase LNR: Grasshopper Warbler this evening reeling behind Bardag Lake and seen well briefly ( VHF ), 4 Green Sandpiper on the slack, 2 Rose-ringed Parakeet flew over and the usual 2 Egyptian Geese. ( V.Halley-Frame & Martin Blow ).
Ealing (Haven Green): Waxwing. Birds heard trilling opposite Ealing Broadway station late morning. Didn't have time to look for them and none apparent in road-side trees so no idea of numbers (Bill Haines).
Hemans Estate Community Garden: pr Robins building a nest yesterday. Today one caught a Holly Blue, the butterfly managed to get free and seemed undamaged, these Robin can hunt like a flycatcher (Michael Mac).
Holmethorpe SPs: Shelduck, Teal, Shoveler, Sparrowhawk, 5 Common Buzzard, 3 Green Sandpiper, 4 Stock Dove, c20 Sand Martin, 2 Northern Wheatear, 2 Reed Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, 14 Common Whitethroat, 5 Blackcap, 2 Willow Warbler, 6 Chiffchaff, Bullfinch, Yellowhammer, Reed Bunting (HSP blog).
Ingrebourne Valley: Red Kite south-west 12:10 (Birdguides).
Islington Green: 3 Grey Wagtails on building behind Screen on the Green, late morning (Tim Harris).
Kempton NR (Private): 2 Shellduck, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Redshanks, 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Swallows, 10+ Lapwings, 1 Pied Wagtail, Swan cygnet. (C Maidment & P Jackson.)
KGV Reservoir: female Ring Ouzel on west side of south basin late afternoon (Martin Shepherd).
Lee Valley: Green Sandpiper, Little Ringed Plover, Little Owl, two Pink-footed Geese, Redshank, Yellowhammer, Hobby (Holyfield area and farms). 3 Nightingale, Garden Warbler, several Whitethroats, around Fisher’s Green Island (Mike Oakland).
Lea Valley - Netherhall / Glen Faba: 1 Grasshopper Warbler reeling in brief bursts from bramble patch on W side of Glen Faba pit (between pit and Lea Flood Relief), also (singing birds) 6 Willow Warbler, 30 Chiffchaff, 35 Sedge Warbler, c40 Blackcap. 1 Little Egret associating with small heronry on southernmost island (Nigel May); excellent post, Nigel. 30 Chiffchaff in anyone's money is enviable (DMc),
London Wetland Centre: 2 Common Snipe, 3 Redshank, 30+ Sand Martin, 5 Cetti's Warbler, 3 Willow Warbler (LWC website); Honey-buzzard north-east 16:20, 3 Yellow-legged Gull, first-summer Caspian Gull, male Blue-headed Wagtail on the grazing marsh (BirdGuides); Sedge Warbler, Little Ringed Plover running through grazing marsh before quickly vanishing 14.00, House Martin, Reed Bunting, male Wheatear (S Haslem)
Nags Head Lane Fishery (Brentwood): 20 House Martin, 20 Swallow, 8 Sand Martin, 2 Common Tern, 1 Black-headed Gull, pr Mute Swan, pr Greylag Goose, 12 Tufted Duck, fem Mallard with brood (10), Grey Wagtail heard (Colin Jupp).
Paddington Green: Common Buzzard north-east 16:40, Peregrine Falcon toward Regent's Park 13:40, 6 Black-headed Gull south-west c16:05 , first-summer Common Gull with unusual head pattern (strong black bar over crown), fledged Blackbird (D. McKenzie).
Palmers Green N13 (Eaton Park Road): 3 of a hirundine species over NW at 12:40 - weren't Swifts because they had white on them (Katy M).
Pinner Park Farm: female Common Redstart briefly in the main pond field hedge, before flying off into a large Oak some 250 yards away, 2 female Wheatear by the electric gate, 1 Little Owl, 3 Swallow north, singing Whitethroat, Green Woodpecker & 2 Grey Heron (Jon Ridge).
Queen Mother Reservoir (permit access): Great Northern Diver 07:30 (Birdguides).
Rainham Marshes: 2 Garganey (1 male) on Target Pools a.m. (Birdguides).
Raynes Park: possible Honey Buzzard at 16.45 bhanger%20GPs%5D%5D%22%7D" href="/wiki/Tyttenhanger_GPs" title="Tyttenhanger GPs">Tyttenhanger GPs: 2 Garganey (1 male) still on Main Pit a.m.; by Cormorant tree 15:20 (Birdguides).
Walton Res (permit access): male Scaup, Oystercatcher, Dunlin, Whimbrel (SBC).
Walworth: Common Buzzard flew W to E 12.30 (William Marshall).
Wanstead Flats: 4 Wheatear (3f), 10+ C Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Blackcap, Yellow Wagtail (over), 10+ Meadow Pipit, 10+ Skylark, Swallow, 13+ Linnet,10+ Goldfinch, 3 singing Chaffinch, numerous Greenfinch, 6+ Reed Bunting, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, 6 Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Heron, 4 Little Grebe, Stock Dove and the others (NC).
Watford (Cardiff Road): female Sparrowhawk over, singing Blackcap in private garden (D. McKenzie, Joanne Biscomb); 12 Waxwing in Sycamores near Watford Junction station along the unofficial path that runs parallel to the main railway line between the tunnel leading to the station car-park and St. Alban's Road 15:00 (BirdGuides).
Welwyn Garden City: Firecrest along College Way a.m. (BirdGuides).

Sunday 17th April 2011[]

Abney Park Cemetery: ad Tawny Owl with single chick (owl also hooting in sunshine), c12 Blackcaps, 3 Chiffchaffs, c20 breeding Stock Doves (including the leucistic individual), plus the usuals (Mark Pearson, Roy Woodward and LWT group)
Alexandra Park: Male Yellow Wagtail cricket pitch 0808-0818 then flushed by dogwalker, also 2 singiing male whitethroats + female (Bob Watts, Gareth Richards).
Barking Bay: 2 Whimbrel, Greenshank, Green Sandpiper, 12 Wheatear, Fieldfare, 8 Blackcap, 6 Whitethroat, Reed Warbler, Yellow Wagtail, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel.(Paul Hawkins)
Beverley Brook Walk: (Putney end) 3 Chiffchaffs, 4 Blackcaps (2m, 1 pair m + f). (M Ruscoe)
Biggin Wood: 1 heron (over low, chased off by crow), 2 house sparrows, 2 blue tits, 7+ RN parakeet, 5 wood pigeon, 9 carrion crow (Rob Bell)
Blackheath: 1 m Common Whitethroat singing (first of year for me) on the "Dips", always back around Marathon Day! Also Chiffchaffs, Greenfinches there and Song Thrush apparently nesting (Joe Beale)
Brent Reservoir: Black-necked Grebe still, also 5 Shelduck & 5 Common Terns (Brent Birders)
Putney Cemetary: Blackcap, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers (1 female), 2 Goldcrests. Green Woodpecker heard. (M Ruscoe).
Rainham Marshes RSPB: pair of Garganey, Target Pool, singles of Greenshank, Whimbrel and Wheatear, 2 Peregrines, Whitethroats and Sedge Warblers galore (other observers had singing Grasshopper Warbler by new turnstile) (Ian Bradshaw) 5 Green Sandpipers at the back of Aveley Pool
10.00am, 3 chased off by Redshank almost immediately (Richard Jones).
Ruislip Lido: 2 Yellow Wagtail (m,f). (Dick Middleton)
Ruislip: Cuckoo, Whitethroat, 9 Blackcap, 4 Willow Warbler on Poors Field, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker in Park Wood. 4 Sparrowhawk (together) and 2 Common Buzzard over Copse Wood (Steve Pash).
South Mimms M25 Service Area: Rookery with about 12 occupied nests. (Roger Dewey)
Staines Reservoir: Velvet Scoter female still on N basin. Also 2 Great Northern Divers, 30 Little Gulls on S basin early am. (Birdguides per FJM). At 12:00, 1 Velvet Scoter, on North Basin in line with Terminal 5, 2 Great Northern Divers, 1 Black Necked Grebe, Several Little Gulls. At 4pm also 1 Slavonian Grebe, 1 Goldeneye, 1 'Commic' Tern (M Bournat and several other observers)
Staines Moor: 1 Blue-headed Wagtail @ 1505hrs feeding amongst cattle at the noth end of the moor. 2 Cetti's Warbler, 5 Sedge Warbler, 2 Reed Warbler, 4 Chiffchaff, 5+ Blackcap, 4 Common Whitethroat, 4 Barn Swallow, 9 Northern Wheatear 1 (m) of Greenland race, 1 Little Egret (N. Smith)
Stoke Newington Reservoirs (Lincoln Court): 4 Common Buzzards over between 1330 - 1415, Peregrines, plus the usuals (Mark Pearson & Jamie Partridge); yesterday 1100-1400 - at least 7 Common Buzzards, the usual Peregrines, Kestrels and omnipresent Sparrowhawks, several House Martins etc. (Mark Pearson & LNHS group)
Ten Acres Wood: Grasshopper Warbler.(G Westley) Also 3 Pheasant (1 white), Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, 4 Lapwing 2 singing Skylark, Meadow Pipit, 2 Sand Martin, 2 Wheatear, 2 Nuthatch, Singing warblers: 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 9 Whitethroat, 14 Blackcap, 3 Willow Warbler, 6 Chiffchaff, 1 Goldcrest, m Reed Bunting, pr Bullfinch, 7 Linnet, malent_Birders" title="Brent Birders">Brent Birders).
Brookmill Park (Lewisham): 4 Waxwing, 1 dead, half eaten Heron, 5 Mallard, 5 Moorhen, 4 Coot, 8 Woodpigeon, 1 Collared Dove, 5 Wren, 2 Dunnock, 2 Robin, 10 Blackbird, 5 Blackcap (4 males and a female) 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Long-tailed Tit, 4 Great Tit, 3 Blue Tit, 4 Starling, 4 Magpie, 2 Carrion Crow, 8 Goldfinch, 8 Greenfinch, 1 Chaffinch (Conrad Ellam).
Camley Street Nature Park: 1 Sedge Warbler 16.00 to 16.45 flitting around small reed bed at the pond.
Canons Farm: 25+ Waxwings at Canons Wood at 7.00am, Grasshopper Warbler reeling just south of Lunch Wood in morning (David Campbell, Richard Garrett, Ian Jones et al).
Chafford Hundred: c100 Waxwing flew along Mayflower Road in three flocks a.m. (BirdGuides).
Chiswick: 18 Waxwing in trees by junction of Acton Lane and Chiswick High Road (Simon Fogg)
Coppetts Wood: Red Kite flying west a.m. seen while doing birdwalk (T.Clancy).
Dagenham Chase: Nightingale singing intermittently in old allotment site this evening but unseen (only my 2nd patch record), also female Common Redstart in old allotments and a singing Lesser Whitethroat there. 2 Egyptian Geese on crowfoot marsh close to District Line/C2C railway (V. Halley-Frame).
Danson Park: Song Thrush (heard), 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Egyptian Geese, reduced numbers of Canada Geese, 1 Mute Swan, 3 Pied Wagtail, 7 Ring-necked Parakeets, 43 Carrion Crows, 1 Grey Heron, 6 Tufted Duck, Mallards, Coots, Moorhens, 3 Starlings, 2 Blackbirds, Great Tit, Blue Tit. (Chris Rose).
East India Dock Basin area: 1 Arctic Tern, 5 Common Terns, 4 Common Sandpipers, 2 Oystercatchers, 9 Sand Martins, House Martin, Meadow Pipit, 2-3 Common Whitethroats, 2 Willow Warblers, Blackcap (Nick Tanner and Gary A James).
Fairlop Waters: female Redstart, Tree Pipit, Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Wheatears (Alan Bell).
Fairlop Gravel Workings3 :Little Ringed Plover, 1 Green Sandpiper, 4 Shelduck, 1 White Wagtail, 1 Yellow Wagtail (Steve Bacon).
Fisher's Green: Wood Warbler male singing and showing well right of footpath to substation early afternriver (Stefan Czapski).
Battersea Park Lake: years 1st 2 broods of Mallards - a 8 and a 9. pr Red-crested Pochard, pr Egyptian Geese, 10 Grey Lag Geese, pr Goldcrest, pr Great-crested Grebe on main lake and spare bird on Lady's Pond calling, Mistle Thrush chicks at nest near to fledging, visible male Blackcap and many singers (Michael Mac).
Beaverwood (Chislehurst): Tawny Owl showing well at usual spot, Grey Heron over mobbed by crow, 4+Mallard, 4+Moorhen, few Pigeons over, 10+Woodpigeon, heard Stock Dove, few R/N Parakeets, Green Woodpecker, 3+Wren, 4+Robin, 2+Blackbird, singing Song Thrush, heard Blackcap, Chiffchaff, 2+Goldcrest, 4+Long Tailed Tits, few Blue and Great Tits, 2 Nuthatch, Treecreeper, 4+Jay, 4+Magpie, few Carrion Crows, Chaffinch, Greenfinch (Ian Stewart)
Beddington SF: Greylag Goose, 8 Shelduck, 2 Green Sandpiper, Yellow Wagtail, 7 Northern Wheatear, 4 Common Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler (Dip or Glory).
Brent Res, 3 Shelduck (1pr, 1 drake), 2 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Lapwing, 2 fem. Wheatear (Roy Beddard)
Brookmill Park (Lewisham): 10+ Waxwing in plane tree by duck pond, unfortunately they didn't stay long enough to be counted but still a nice patch-tick, 1 Heron, 5 Mallard, 8 Moorhen (one pair nesting in willow tree,) 4 Coot (2 nesting pairs, one on the duck pond & one on a shopping trolley on the river), 1 Herring Gull, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 10+ Woodpigeon, 2 Collared Dove, 1 Ring-necked Parakeet, 1 Pied Wagtail, 6 Wren, 3 Dunnock, 4 Robin, 8 Blackbird, 1 singing Song Thrush, 3 Blackcap (2 singing males & a female), 2 singing Chiffchaff, 2 Long-tailed Tit, 4 Great Tit, 2 Blue Tit, 3 Starling, 1 Jay, 2 Magpie, 2 Carrion Crow, 4 Goldfinch, 4 Greenfinch, 1 singing Chaffinch (Conrad Ellam).
Canons Farm & Banstead Woods: Grasshopper Warbler reeling at north end of small grassy field just west of Canons Farmhouse - seen only once, briefly - also Yellow Wagtail, 2 Wheatears, 11 Fieldfares, Cormorant over, 2 Swallows through, Tawny Owl singing mid-day, Goldcrest, Bullfinch, 2 Pied Wagtails, 3 Little Owls, 2+ Sparrowhawks, 2+ Yellowhammers, 5 Skylarks, singing Meadow Pipit, 5 Common Buzzards, 2 Treecreepers, Mistle Thrush, 3 Nuthatches, 3 Common Whitethroats, 6 Willow Warblers, 5 Blackcaps, 4 Chiffchaffs, c.30 Linnets, Grey Heron, 19+ Stock Doves, 6 Pheasants, 3+ Goldfinches, Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 4 Song Thrushes, 2+ Rose-ringed Parakeets (David Campbell/Ian Jones/Johnny Allan et al).
Chiswick: 18 Waxwing in trees by junction of Acton Lane and Chiswick High Road (Simon Fogg)
Crayford Marshes: Nightingale singing along Moat lane at 06:20, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 17 Wheatear, 32 Whitethroat, 2 male Corn Bunting, 8 Little Ringed Plover, 4 Reed Warbler, 4 Swallow, Little Owl, Common Sandpiper, 2 Green Sandpiper, 4 Cetti's Warbler,10 Blackcap (Kev Jarvis).
Fairlop Waters: Green Sandpiper, 9 Yellow Wagtail (ELBF).
Finsbury Park (N4): Willow Warbler still singing on boating lake island, 7 Ring-necked Parakeets flying east, pair of Little Grebes, 2 Egyptian Geese minus any of their dwindling brood, singing Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs still around in good numbers so are probably local breeders (Ian Bradshaw).
Greenwich Peninsula Ecology Park: Yellow Wagtail north 5 p.m., several Reed Warblers, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Willow Warbler & 5 Sand Martins (Conrad Ellam).
Hayes Kingshill avenue: 1 Common Buzzard over (Jim Fell).
Hampstead Heath: 20 Waxwings very active and feeding on buds in tall trees behind the gardens of the houses on South Hill Park / Parliament Hill. Also seen in the same place yesterday (Johny D).
Holmethorpe SPs: 2 Egyptian Goose, 2 Shelduck, 2 Gadwall, 6 Teal, Red-legged Partridge, Sparrowhawk, 3 Common Buzzard, 2 Lapwing, 2 Common Snipe, 2 Green Sandpiper, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 10 Stock Dove, Little Owl, 6 Skylark, 5 Northern Wheatear, 2 Reed Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, 11 Common Whitethroat, 6 Blackcap, 7 Chiffchaff, 3 Willow Warbler, Rook, Bullfinch, Yellowhammer (HSP blog).
Ingrebourne Valley: 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 5 Wheatears, 8 Common Whitethroats, Green Sandpiper, 2 Common Buzzards, 3 Little Egrets, and a Hobby. (Dick Jefferies, Les Harrison and Dave Morrison)
King George V res (permit access): White Wagtail, 4 Ring Ouzel a.m. (Birdguides).
King George VI Reservoir: 5 Little Gulls and 5 CommonTerns late a.m., permit only (Dave Morris per FJM). 3 Wheatear (K.P.Duncan).
King George's Reservoir: 2 female Goosander on flood relief channel, 4 Sand Martin (Millicent Harper)
Lion Gorge (Chafford Hundred): pr Shelduck, 6 Coot, 9 Wren, 7 Blackbird, 2 Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Common Whitethroat, 10e: 1 singing Willow Warbler (pt), 1 Grey Wagtail, Mistle Thrush, 1 male Shovelor - 2nd male this year at two separate lakes to have overstayed normal season, 3 young Grey Herons on the nest and a new nest with 2 adults displaying on it, pr Great Crested Grebe adding material to a nest platform - all late pm (Michael Mac).
Fairlop Waters CP: summer plumaged Black-necked Grebe on Main Lake, also Swift, Oystercatcher (Alan Bell).
King George V Res: 1 female Ring Ouzel, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Green Sandpiper,1 Wheatear, 5 male Yellow Wagtail, 3 male White Wagtail, 1 C Buzzard, 1 Hobby (T. Clancy).
King George VI Reservoir: 8 Wheatear. (K.P.Duncan)
London Wetland Centre: 2 Shelduck, female Wigeon, 2 Common Snipe, 6 Redshank, 40+ Sand Martin, 4 House Martin, 5 Cetti's Warbler (LWC website). Late evening: 2 Swallows over wader scrape, at least 6 singing Reed Warbler around south side of main lake, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler, 1 Blackcap. 1 singing Garden Warbler (reported) (Martin Honey).
Lyttleton Playing Fields, N2: falcon/hawk species, flew high over at 15.30 towards East Finchley. It appeared to have jesses (or a broken tail) so is almost certainly an escapee. It flew very like a Buzzard and was about the size of a female Sparrowhawk. Any ideas? (Oliver Simms).
Paddington Green: Egyptian Goose toward Regent's Parkm a.m., male Pochard over p.m., Peregrine Falcon early a.m. (D. McKenzie).
Parkside Farm (Enfield): 5 Fieldfare (Robert Callf).
Pollards Hill: female Kestrel north, 2 singing Blackcap (Croydon Birders).
Queen Mary Reservoir: 2 Great Northern Diver a.m. (BirdGuides).
Queen Mother Reservoir (permit access): 2 Great Northern Diver 07:30 (BirdGuides).
River Lee Country Park: Cuckoo (Bowyers), Common Tern, Barn Owl, Little Ringed Plover, Yellowhammer, Nightingale. Water Vole at Cornmill Meadows. (Mike Oakland)
Sidcup (York Avenue): Grey Heron NE, 4+ Herring Gulls, 10+ Pigeons, 6+ Woodpigeons (2 juvs), 5+ Collared Doves (1 tail-less causing confusion!), few Rose-ringed Parakeets, heard Wren, 1 or 2 Dunnocks, Robin, pair Blackbirds, heard Song Thrush, Goldcrest singing all day, 2 Long-tailed Tits, 6+ Blue Tits, pair Great Tits, Jay, Magpie, 2 Jackdaws S, 4+ Carrion Crows, 4+ Starling, 4+ House Sparrow, 6+ Greenfinch, 2+ Goldfinch (Ian Stewart).
Southgate (Chase Road, N14): 1 Waxwing, calling from Lime tree, flew off E, 06:15 hrs (Robert Callf).
Wormwood Scrubs: female Ring Ouzel early a.m., 1 Whinchat, 6 Wheatear, 1 Fieldfare, 1 Redwing, c3 Swallow & 3 singing Common Whitethroat, 1 singing Willow Warbler (The Scrubbers); 5+ Song Thrush, Blackcap singing, Chiffchaff, Meadow Pipits displaying + usuals (JH).

Wednesday 13th April 2011[]

Battersea Park: pr Red-crested Pochard still, c10 Gadwall, c10 Pochard, 1 Egyptian Goose, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 20+ Tufties, singing Blackcap and Chiffchaff (M Bournat)
Blackheath: female Wheatear, Meadow Pipit over (Joe Beale)
Bow Creek Ecology Park: 3 Little Ringed Plover, 4 Shelduck (Yu-Hsuan Lin and Joe Beale)
Brent Reservoir: Yellow Wagtail on dam wall in evening (Andrew Self)
Canons Farm & Banstead Woods: Wood Warbler singing at SE end of Pages Acre (Canons Farm) till late morning, House Martin, 7 Wheatears, Lapwing, 4 Swallows, 2 Little Owls, 3 Mallards, Grey Heron, Treecreeper, 4+ Yellowhammers, 2 Little Owls, 3 Common Buzzards, 3 Goldcrests, 5+ Skylarks, 2 Linnets, 2 Blackcaps, 3 Willow Warblers, 5 Chiffchaffs, 3 Nuthatches, Collared Dove, 3 Green Woodpeckers, Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Rose-ringed Parakeets, Song Thrush (David Campbell/Johnny Allan/Ian Jones et al).
Cheshunt: 6+ Nightingale around Seventy Acres, mainly near power station, 2 Cuckoo & pair of Redshank on goosefields (J.Murray & C.Freddi).
Chafford Hundred: 36 Waxwing at the station end of Saffron Road 08:36 (BirdGuides).
Crayford Marshes: 8 Waxwing in a tree by Slade Green Road near Howbury Centre a.m. male Corn Bunting, Wheatear, 4 Cetti's Warbler, 10 Whitethroat, 2 Swallow,5 Blackcap. (Kev Jarvis).
Crouch End to Finsbury Park: (7:15-8:00) lots of Blackcap singing (one female being pursued by male), 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler (another observer), plus 2 Swallow low over railway line heading north (G. Sawtell).
Hampstead Heath: 12 Waxwings feeding in very tall trees just below Parliament Hill at 8.30 a.m. (Greengrandad).
KGV Reservoir: 4 Common Tern, 2 Yellow Wagtail, male Wheatear, c150 Sand Martin and c50 Swallow (Martin Shepherd).
Lavender Hill Cemetery (Enfield): 1 Treecreeper, caught a small moth (Robert Callf).
Lee Valley CP: Seventy Acres Lake - Sedge Warblers & Reed Warblers, + Nightingale singing between Hooks Marsh and Fishers Green car parks. Fishers Green Island - Hobby, 3 singing Nightingales, Common Whitethroat, Willow Warblers, Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps. Still quite a few Teal around (Roy Woodward).
Lyttleton Playing Fields, N2: Male Grey Wagtail on Bowls green (Oliver Simms).
Pinner Park Farm: 4 Wheatear - adult male on cricket pitch & adult male, first-summer male & female in the middle hedge field, 1 Linnet over, 10 Jackdaw, Green Woodpecker & Nuthatch (JR).
Rammey Marsh: Barn Owl at 09.18 (Martin Shepherd).
Regent's Park : Tawny Owl + 3 owlets and another adult roosting, Ring Ouzel 7.30am, Swallow, 9 Chifchaffs (Tony Duckett).
Sidcup (York Avenue): 2 Swallows W, 2 Sparrowhawks displaying to N, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls S, 2 poss Great Black-backed Gulls SW, 13+ Pigeons, 6+ Woodpigeons inc 2 juvs (first local young), 2-4 Stock Doves N, pair Collared Doves, few Rose-ringed Parakeets, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Wren in bird bath 19.40, 1 or 2 Dunnocks, 2 Robins, pair Blackbirds mating and looking at 2nd nest site of year, singing Blackcap early, 4+ Blue Tits, Great Tit, Jay making owl-like noises, 2 Magpies, 3 Jackdaws N, 6+ Carrion Crows, 4+ Starlings, 5+ House Sparrows, 4+ Greenfinch, 2 Goldfinch (Ian Stewart).
South Norwood CP: 3 Greylag Goose, pr Little Grebe, pr Great Crested Grebe, Grey Heron, Pheasant, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 3 Swallow, male Northern Wheatear, 2 Reed Warbler, 3 Common Whitethroat, 10 Blackcap, 6 Chiffchaff, 2 Linnet, Reed Bunting (Croydon Birders).
Hackney Marshes: 2 Wheatear, Common Buzzard over east at 7.55am, the lowest and earliest in the day I've ever seen in London, 10 Sand Martin, 1 House Martin, 2 Willow Warbler, 7 Blackcap, 4 Chiffchaff, pr Sparrowhawk displaying (J. Partridge).
Ham Lands: Blackcap (11 singing males), Chiffchaff (4 singing males), Red admiral 1, Orange-tip 4 males, Speckled Wood 1, and lots of Bee-flys Bombylius major (John Herbert).
Hall Place; Chiffchaff, 1 Green Woodpecker (section north of Bourne Rd), 1 Goldfinch, 9 'Greylag' Geese, Canada Geese, 1 Mistle Thrush, Magpies, Carrion Crows, Wood Pigeons, male Chaffinch, Long-tailed Tits, Robin, 20 Ring-necked Parakeets heading SW. (Chris Rose).
Heston: c20 Waxwing on south side of M4 just east of Heston services, landed in bushes immediately adjacent to M4 08:45 (Birdguides).
Highgate (Southwood Lane): 1 singing Whitethroat, 1 Blackcap 07.55 (P. Angus).
Hillingdon: 1 Little Egret N over Hillingdon Circus at 06.25 (Andy Culshaw).
Hounslow: 12-15 Waxwings again near the Railway Station, feeding in large tree by Kingfisher Court just over the railway bridge at 08.15 (I. Darbyshire).
Hyde Park/Kensington Gardens: Tawny Owls showing well (M Bournat, thanks to DMc et al); Redshank west along Serpentine c11:30, adult Tawny Owl and owlet showing well into p.m., 2 House Martin, 11 Blackcap, 4 Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler; plus 4 adult Egyptian Goose with 2 well-grown young, 4 male Mandarin Duck, pr Gadwall, 6 Red-crested Pochard, Sparrowhawk, first-summer Black-headed Gull, 16 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 3-4 Nuthatch, 5 Treecreeper, 3 Linnet over (D. McKenzie); Common Buzzard drifted north 14:15 (BirdGuides).
London Wetland Centre: 2 Shelduck, 4 Redshank, 40+ Sand Martin, 9 House Martin, Tree Pipit, Yellow Wagtail, 5 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Sedge Warbler, 7 Reed Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler (LWC website) Also 1 Swallow, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel (L.F-H).
Middx Filter Beds NR (28 sp.): 3 Blackcap, I Chiffchaff (h), 1m Orange-tip (TeRNS).
Nine Elms Sainsbury's: 7:30am 1 Ring-necked Parakeet over very fast (pt) (Michael Mac).
Kempton NR (private): 2 or 3 Little Ringed Plovers, 2 Redshanks, 1 Snipe, 1 possible Green Sandpiper. (P Jackson & C Maidment).
Rammey Marsh: Willow Warbler, Whitethroat, c6 Chiffchaff, 4 Blackcap in a quick walk round am. (Chris and Pete Langsdon)
Osterley Park: male Lesser Spotted Woodpecker drumming, Nightingale singing brilliantly from dense scrub 7:50-8:00 am, 2 Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, 5 Blackcap, 2 StoNewington Reservoirs">Stoke Newington Reservoirs: 3 Reed Warblers, c30 Black-headed Gulls west early on, 4 Chiffchaffs, Willow Warbler, 5 Blackcaps, 8 House Martins, 2 Sand Martins (MJP)
Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park: Goldcrest singing Sanctuary Wood (Bob Watts).
Tower of London: Blackcap singing North-east corner of moat 08:30 (Paul Whiteman).
Trent Park: Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (f), 3 Stock Dove, 12 Blackcap, 5 Chiffchaff, Green Woodpecker, 3 Mandarin (m), 2 Canada Goose. ( Pete Lowman).
Tyttenhanger GPs: 7 Common Tern, 8 Redshank, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Oystercatchers, 9 Lapwing, 2+ Red Kite, Peregrine Falcon, 3+ Buzzards, 2 Herring Gull, 5 LBB Gull (Steve B).
Valentines Park, Ilford : Mallard pair with only 3 ducklings now, 2 Pied wagtail, 3 Moorhen, 18 + tufted ducks, 2 starling, 20 + Canada goose, Mute swan still on eggs (boating lake island), 2 Egyptain goose (single adult with gosling's, and one ringed bird on longwater,) (could be the male taking a wonder), Herring gull, 1st summer Black-headed gull, Green woodpecker, m chaffinch, Mistle thrush, Robin, chiffchaff singing, Magpie, many coot with nests, (Brandon Anderson).
Wandsworth Common Ponds: 1 male Shovelor unusual at this time of year, singing Blackcap and Chiffchaff, 1 juvenile Grey Heron - no sign of any Egyptian Geese (Michael Mac).
Waterlow Park (08.00): 1 Whitethroat , 3 Willow Warblers, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Nuthatch, 2 Mistle Thrush, Rose-ringed Parakeets over, Green Woodpecker calling, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Coal Tit, 2 Stock Doves, plus usuals (P. Angus).
Wormwood Scrubs: 1 singing Chiffchaff, 1 singing Blackcap, c6 Linnet, Great Spotted Woodpecker all on Little Scrubs (Charlie Farrell).

Monday 11th April 2011[]

Alexandra Park: Lesser Redpoll N 0655, Greylag Wood Green Res (Bob Watts). c20 Ring-necked Parakeet, Sparrowhawk. Plus Goldcrest & Coal Tit in Avenue Gardens (Mike Benyon)
Amwell GP: male Blue-headed Wagtail from watchpoint 15:40 (BirdGuides).
Barnet Hospital: Tawny Owl calling at 10.00 pm from tall trees near the bus stop (home area patch tick for me) (Geoff Crabtree).
Battersea Park: Cricket pitch - 1 Swallow, 1 Pied Wagtail. Lake - pr Red-crested Pochard and 1 Egyptian Goose, 6+ prs Gad
Richmond Park: 25 Wheatears; comprising 10 in cattle enclosure near Holly Lodge late a.m. and 8 at Pond Slade early a.m. (Tim Howard, Steve Reed & FJM); at least 7 Lawn Field bracken; 2 Sand Martin W over Lower Pen Pond, 13.52; Red Kite over Sidmouth Wood at 15.57 (in from E), headed NW over Richmond, mobbed by Jackdaws then by parakeets (Stefan Czapski with Mike Lewis).
Ruislip Woods (Lido/Poor's Field): 87 Mute Swan, pr Greylag, 25 Tufted Duck, 3 pr Great-crested Grebes, Buzzard (high over golf course), m Kestrel, 5 Herring + pr Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 1 Swallow, m Redstart (Poor's Field), f Wheatear (PF), 15 singing Blackcap, 9 singing Chiffchaff, 5 singing Willow Warbler, c 20 Jays, 6 Jackdaws, m Bullfinch (Neil Anderson); LRP on main raft, 2 Sparrowhawk (m+f), 5 Swallows, Treecreeper, Lesser Redpoll (PF), 2 Teal (pr) at c.19:00, but didn't see Redstart or Wheatear. (Joe Dickens)
Sidcup (York Avenue): heard singing Chiffchaff and Blackcap am, 2 Canada Geese S, 4+Herring Gulls, ad LBB Gull, 20+Pigeons, 8+Woodpigeon, 2 Stock Doves, 4 Collared Doves, 50+R/N Parakeets E am, heard GSW am, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, pair Blackbirds, 1 or 2 Goldcrests, heard Long Tailed Tits, 4+Blue Tit, Great Tit heard only, 2 Magpies, 4+Carrion Crows, 4+Starling, 6+House Sparrow, 4+Greenfinch, 2 Goldfinch (Ian Stewart)
South Norwood CP: 4 Greylag Goose, 2 Egyptian Goose, Sparrowhawk, 2 Little Grebe, 2 Great Crested Grebe, Grey Heron, 3 Pheasant, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull, Reed Warbler, 4 Common Whitethroat, 8 Blackcap, 4 Chiffchaff, Linnet, Reed Bunting (Croydon Birders).
Staines Moor: 13 Wheatear, 1 Little Egret, 1 Red Kite over (K.P.Duncan).
Staines Reservoir: 2 Great Northern Diver (BirdGuides).
Stocker's Lake: singing Sedge Warbler, singing Reed Warbler (Maple Cross Birding).
Stoke Newington Reservoirs: 2 Sedge Warblers, 2 Reed Warblers, 8 Chiffchaffs, 6 Blackcaps, plus the usuals; Lincoln Court 0915-1230: 117 Meadow Pipits (all north, most eye-level; almost constant up to around midday); 2 Tree Pipit north, calling at 0937; Common Buzzard east,a few Swallows, Sand Martins and Linnets, etc. (MJP)
Stratford (Chanelsea Walk): Goldfinch, Greenfinch, singing Blackcap, singing Chiffchaff. At least 3 Orange-tips and a Brimstone (Phil Laurie).
Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park: Common Buzzard SE 1250 - v high i.e. not visible with the naked eye (Bob Watts).
Tylers Common Fishery (Brentwood) 3 Common Tern, at least 3 Swallows, Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler heard, many Green Woodpecker (also heard), Kestrel, Grey Heron.(GJF)
Tylers Hall Farm (Upminster): 2 (m&f) Wheatear, 14+ Swallow commuting between farm and nearby fishery. Also pair Little Owl at the farm at dusk on 5th April (Colin Jupp).
Tyttenhanger GPs: 2 Wheatear, 2 LR Plover, 4 Redshank, 5 Snipe, 2 Oystercatcher, 3 Common Tern, 7 Blackcap, 11 Linnet, 5 Swallow, 3 Sand Martin (Steve Blake).
Valentines Park (Ilford) : 8 Egyptain Goose (pr with 3 goslings on boating lake, 1 fish pond and 2 by fish pond on small lake), Mallard with 4 chicks, 4 Mute Swan, one on eggs on boating lake island, many Coots nests, 2 Great Crested Grebes, Little Grebe, Stock Dove, pr of Mandarin mating, 5 Moorhen, Chiffchaff, 2+ Herring Gull, 2 Black-headed Gull, 5 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 2 1st-winter Common Gull, Magpie, 14+ Canada Geese (Brandon Anderson).
Vicarage Farm (Enfield): 1 female Northern Wheatear, Hog Hill, 08:45 hrs (Robert Callf).
Wanstead Flats: 6 Wheatear (4m,2f), 2 Willow Warbler, 3 C Whitethroat, numerous Chiffchaff and Blackcap, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (excavating a hole in west copse till chased off by GSW), 3 Reed Bunting, 5 Linnet, Common Gull, 5 Lesser Black-backed Gull, Sparrowhawk (NC/Lydia Willocks), 1 Swallow (Steven Robinson).
Wanstead Park: 1 Ring Ouzel, 2 Common Buzzards, 1 male Wheatear, 2 Little Egrets, 5 Whitethroats, Swallow (Mike Messenger).
Watford: Common Buzzard circling over Cardiff Road 08:55 (Joanne Biscomb per DMc).
Waterlow Park (quick visit): 8 Tufted Duck. Jays, Magpies and a crow mobbing something in a Lower Pond tree, 1 Chiffchaff singing (P. Angus).
Withy Beds LNR: drumming Great Spotted Woodpecker, male Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, singing Chiffchaff (Maple Cross Birding).
Wormwood Scrubs: 4-5 Wheatear, 8 House Martin (Paddington birds?), a Peregrine chasing a pigeon over the prison & a Buzzard circling overhead drifting east (The Scrubbers).

Sunday 10th April 2011[]

Brent Birders).
Broadwater Lake: 5 Egyptian Geese, 2 Shelduck, 1 Red Kite, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Oystercathcer, 2 Common Tern, 1 Kingfisher, 14 Sand Martin, 12 Blackcap, 1 Willow Warbler & 4 Chiffchaff (Simon Buckingham).
Canons Farm & Banstead Woods: male Hen Harrier reported north, male Ring Ouzel, Red Kite flew SE, 4 Wheatears, 8 Swallows, Kestrel, 5+ Yellowhammers, 2+ Skylarks, 2 Sparrowhawks, c5 Common Buzzards, 3 Little Owls, 2 Meadow Pipits, 2 Treecreepers, 2 Nuthatches, Mistle Thrush, Song Thrush, Goldcrest, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, 2 Common Whitethroats, 4 Blackcaps, 2 Pheasants, Cormorant over, Mallard over, Grey Heron over, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker, 9 Stock Doves, Goldfinch (David Campbell, Ian Jones, Roy Weller, Paul Manville et al).
Crayford Marshes: 8 Wheatear, male Corn Bunting, 2 Common Tern, 6 Little Ringed Plover, Reed Warbler, 3 Swallow, 10 Whitethroat, 4 Cetti's Warbler, Little Owl, 2 Green Sandpiper, 2 Ringed Plover, 8 Blackcap, 7 Chiffchaff. (Kev Jarvis).
Crossness: Sandwich Tern flew east @ 09:00, 20+ Common Terns, 2nd winter Yellow-legged Gull, 5 singing Whitethroats, Sedge Warbler, 2 Cetti's Warblers singing, c20 Blackcaps, Willow Warbler, 2 Swallows N (John Archer). Reed Warbler trapped & ringed (Roger Taylor per JA).
Cowley (near Brunel University): Common Buzzard, flying north high 3.20 p.m. (A Randall).
Croxley Common Moor: Common Buzzard, adult Black-headed Gull, 4 Green Woodpecker, 2 Common Whitethroat, c10 Blackcap, 7 Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, 7 Linnet, 4 Reed Bunting (D. McKenzie).
East India Dock Basin / Bow Creek Ecology Park: 2 Shelduck, 9 Common Teal, 51 Tufted Duck, Peregrine, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Common Sandpiper, 4 Sand Martin, Reed Warbler, 7 Blackcap, e%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22South%20Norwood%20Lake%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22South%20Norwood%20Lake%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BSouth%20Norwood%20Lake%5D%5D%22%7D" href="/wiki/South_Norwood_Lake" title="South Norwood Lake">South Norwood Lake: pair Mute Swan, pair Great Crested Grebe, 12 Tufted Duck, 1 Cormorant, 2f Sparrowhawk, 1m Kestrel, 2 Green Woodpecker, 2 Pied Wagtail, 2 Song Thrush, 2 Mistle Thrush, 8 Blackcap, 7 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler, 6 Jay, 2 House Sparrow, 6 Goldfinch, 4 Greenfinch (John Watson & Gavin Hawgood).
Staines Reservoir: 2 Yellow Wagtails, 3 Little Gulls and 2 Great Northern Divers still on S basin (Bob Warden per FJM). Five Common Terns on the S basin at 1500hrs, then six there in the evening (Rob Innes).
Stoke Newington Reservoirs (1540-1800 only): cream-crown Marsh Harrier east 1552, Common Whitethroat, 15 Blackcaps, 12 Chiffchaffs, 2 Willow Warblers, plus the usuals (Mark Pearson).
Stondon Park (SE23) 2 Swallows north @ 18.40 (Conrad Ellam)
Thorpe Park: Black Redstart still present at Thorpe Park Farm (TQ026687). View from public footpath. Also 2 Redshank, 2 Ringed Plover and 4 Snipe. K.P.Duncan)
Totteridge Valley: 2 Common Buzzards very high W: 3 Swallows NE: 2 singing Whitethroats: 11 singing Chiffchaffs: 20 singing Blackcaps: Grey Wagtail (John Colmans)
Wanstead Flats: 2 Wheatear, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Common Whitethroat, 3 Swallow, 5 Sand Martin, 2 Teal, 10 + Linnet, possible Tree Pipit (checking pics!), Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (usual places), 4 Reed Bunting, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull, several small flocks of Black-headed Gull, Sparrowhawk (NC/JL/ST/TH et al).
Crayford Marshes: male Ring Ouzel, male Corn Bunting, 12 Wheatear, Little Owl, 6 Whitethroat, 2 Swallow, 7 Curlew, 2 Fieldfare, 6 Blackcap, 3 Cetti's Warbler (Kev Jarvis & A.W).
Dagenham Chase LNR: pair of Garganey on the slack 8.50am-5.05pm at least, 2-3 Reed Warbler now in, 1 Sedge Warbler, several Willow Warbler and Common Whitethroat, Green Sandpiper briefly, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 3 Lapwing, pair of Shelduck, pair of Bullfinch, 1 Swallow but no Martins all day; 61 species recorded ( V. Halley-Frame).
East India Dock Basin/Bow Creek Ecology Park: 3 Shelduck, 9 Common Teal, 43 Tufted Duck, Peregrine, 4+ Little Ringed Plover, 2 Common Sandpiper, 2 Sand Martin, male Northern Wheatear, singing Reed Warbler, 6+ singing Blackcap, Chiffchaff, singing Reed Bunting (Nick Tanner). 1 Common Snipe - Bow River (G. Harding).
Enfield Lock: male Wheatear at 10.00 on the paddock north east of the KGV Reservoir (Martin Shepherd).
Fairlop Waters: 1 m Ring Ouzel seen on painters lane gravel workings N side 9.30am still present 3pm a different bird to one earlier in week at paddocks also 3 Green Sandpiper,1 Little Ringed Plover,2 Common Snipe,4 Lapwing,4 Shelduck,1 Common Whitethroat,3 Sedge Warbler (Steve Bacon)
Finsbury Park, N4: 31 sp. incl 1 Grey Wagtail (lake island), 1 Chiffchaff (TeRNS).
Foots Cray meadows: (brief walk through) Grey Heron, pair Mute Swans, 2 Canada Geese (patch year tick, believe it or not), c20 Mallard, 8 Tufted Ducks, Moorhen, 8+ Coots, few Woodpigeons, Stock Dove, plenty Rose-ringed Parakeets, Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2+ Robin, 3+ Blackbird, Mistle Thrush, 3+ singing Chiffchaffs, 4+ Blackcaps, 4+ Long-tailed Tit, Blue and Great Tits, Jay, 6+ Magpie, 25+ Jackdaw, 20+ Carrion Crow (Ian Stewart).
Regent's Park, 13.00-15.00 (Mainly area 26 Cricket Pen): Peregrine Falcon, 4 Lesser Redpoll in Alders, 1 Common Whitethroat, 4 Chiffchaffs, 1 Willow Warbler, 10+ Blackcap, 3 Stock Dove, pair Kestrel at nest box fem shielding large rat kill from male (Rob Ayers). Also of interest this week: Marsh Harrier, m Common Redstart 7th, Cuckoo 8th (Tony Duckett).
Roding Valley Park: Sparrowhawk, 4 Blackcaps [2 m, 2 f], 2 Chiffchaffs, Song Thrush, Jay, 2 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Grey Herons, 2 Goldfinches, 2 Greenfinches. Also 3 Orange-Tip butterflies. (Alan Hobson).
Rotherhithe: 1+ pair of Sand Martin back again, nesting in riverbank near Old Salt Quay pub (only breeding site in Inner London); 5 Swallows, Peregrine, pair of Sparrowhawks and several singing Blackcaps & Chiffchaffs Stave Hill mid a'noon (Richard Bonser).
Ruxley (Foots Cray): 2 Northern Wheatears on paddocks at Honeydale Farm, singing Skylark, Grey Heron over, Collared Dove, male Pied Wagtail, pair Mistle Thrush near roundabout, 8+ Magpies, few Jackdaws and Carrion Crows (Ian Stewart).
Sewardstone Marsh: Sedge Warbler and 3 Whitethroat (Martin Shepherd).
Sidcup (York Avenue): Chiffchaff, Coal Tit, Stock Dove N, 2 Jackdaws (Ian Stewart).
Southgate N14 (Chase Road): 4 Waxwing perched in top of Lime Tree, calling, 06:20 hrs, flew off W (Robert Callf).
Stockwell (Hemans Estate Community Garden): pr Herring Gull one sitting, very noisy at am and a lot of screaming noises plus pair of Magpies round nest, pr Robins around garden - all 3 species not bred in this garden/area in at least 20 years, 2 tiny blue butterflies - Common Blue? (Michael Mac). Probably Holly Blue (MRH).
Stoke Newington Reservoirs (brief visit): 3 Common Buzzards (w 0940, s1012, sw 1023), Peregrine, Red-crested Pochard, plus usuals (MJP). 13:00hrs - 17:00hrs: 5 Common Buzzard (possible duplication, although most at well spaced intervals, including two together), 2 ad Great Black-backed Gull, 1 Red-crested Pochard (Jamie Partridge, Laurence Pitcher).
Thorpe Park: 2 Redshank, Ringed Plover, 3 Snipe, Shelduck (K. P. Duncan).
Totteridge Valley: Common Whitethroat (Tony Clancy).
Trent Park: Northern Wheatear (m) (Ferny Hill Farm), 2 Nuthatch, 4 Stock Dove, many Chiffchaff and Blackcap, 2 Mistle Thrush, Great Spotted Woodpecker (Pete Lowman).
Tyttenhanger GPs: 1 Pink-footed Goose, 1 Common Tern, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Ringed Plover, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 8 Redshanks, 2 Oystercatchers, 1 Sedge Warbler, 2 Whitethroat, 2 Willow Warbler, 10+ Blackcap, 6+ Chiffchaff, 2 Swallows (Simon West).
Watford: 2 Waxwing over Cardiff Road 08:22, singing Willow Warbler (D. Mckenzie).
Walthamstow Reservoirs (south) 7:30-8:30, 4+ Sedge Warbler, 2 Green Sandpiper, Kingfisher, lots of Blackcap and Chiffchaff (George Sawtell).
Wanstead Flats: Lapwing over east, male Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, f Wheatear, Coat-hanger Goose (thoughts on how/why?) + the usuals (JL/NC/DBr et al).
Wanstead Park: Little Egret (Roding), Kingfisher, Common Whitethroat, Stock Dove (NC/JL).
Waterworks NR: Reed Warbler, singing from reedbed (JP,LP).
Whitewebbs Park: Nightingale singing mid afternoon (Reuben Braddock)
Worcester Park: 2 Wheatear, 10 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, 3 pairs Little Grebes (Bob Smith).
Wormwood Scrubs: 1 (f) Ring Ouzel seen at the east end of long grass area flying between small haw/blackthorns, last seen at 0930; also 2 Lesser Redpoll, 2 Yellow Wagtail & a male Northern Wheatear (M. Bournat, R. Ayers, N.Smith & C. Farrell).

Friday 8th April 2011[]

Alexandra Park: e-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Paddington%20Green%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Paddington%20Green%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BPaddington%20Green%5D%5D%22%7D" href="/wiki/Paddington_Green" title="Paddington Green">Paddington Green: Egyptian Goose toward Regent's Park, 5 Sparrowhawk (including a displaying pair), Skylark north-east, 3 Meadow Pipit north, singing Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, 3 Jay, singing Chaffinch (D. McKenzie).
Pinner Park Farm: 1 Red Kite over north-west at 19:30, 8 Wheatear (all males) in the middle hedge field, Little Owl in the usual tree (Jon Ridge, Joe Dickens); Also: 2 Linnet, 1 Fieldfare, Nuthatch, Green Woodpecker, 28 Jackdaw, 3 Jay, 2 Grey Heron & a report of a female Mallard with 5 ducklings crossing the dual carriageway - they somehow all survived (JR).
Regent's Park: 1 Cuckoo calling by the outdoor theatre at midday. (N. Smith)
Richmond Park: 1 Common Redstart, male feeding below 4 horse chestnuts at Lawn Field late am. Also Common Buzzard flew NW at11.20. (Susanna Ramsey & FJM) 3 Wheatears (all m) riding ring, 1 Swallow (Holly Lodge) (Hugh Bradshaw); 2 Greylag Goose and 1 Barnacle Goose flew E over Pen Ponds at 09:15 (Andrew Skotnicki). 6 House Martins through -> N over Pen Ponds at 12.53 - otherwise, plenty of Sparrowhawk activity (including some display) during a 1-hour sky-watch, but only one Kestrel seen (Stefan Czapski). Little Owl - two seen and calling at dusk north of Holly Lodge (paddocks), another also heard closer to the Sheen Gate), Tawny Owl - calling shortly in woodland NE of Holly Lodge (Marcin Sek)
South Norwood Lake: 3 Common Buzzard circling high above wooded area, 1m Kestrel, pair Mute Swan, pair Great Crested Grebe, 10 Tufted Duck, 8 Ring-necked Parakeet, 3 singing Willow Warbler, 4 singing Blackcap, 5 singing Chifchaff, 2 Green Woodpecker, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Song Thrush, 1 Mistle Thrush, pair Gioldcrest, 5 Jay, 6 Goldfinch, 2 House Sparrow, (John Watson)
Staines Moor: Very good day with 1 Red Kite over heading S at midday, joined by a Short-eared Owl that proceeded to mob it before moving off NE!! Also, 7 Common Buzzard over NE at 10:25, 1 Yellow Wagtail over W, 5 Sand Martin, 2 Redshank, 8 Wheatear, Green Sandpiper flushed from the Colne, 1 Little Egret, 2 Common Whitethroat, 2 Sedge Warbler, 2+ Cetti's Warbler. (Lee Dingain - a few photos here)
Stoke Newington Reservoirs (& Lincoln Court): Marsh Harrier south-west, Red Kite north, Common Buzzard south-east (all between 1445-1515), the usual Peregrines, Kestrels and Sparrowhawks - almost all raptors very high today; Swallow, Siskin, 2 Skylarks and a Rook (all north); very high Great Spotted Woodpecker north-east. Quiet around the res, with 5 Chiffchaff, 5 Blackcap and 5 Willow Warbler left (Mark Pearson)
Surbiton: c.45 Waxwing flew SE over Surbiton Crescent at 08:35 (Andrew Skotnicki).
Tottenham Marsh (8-10am): f Sparrowhawk, pr Gadwall, 6 Blackcap, 4 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler, Sedge Warbler, 2 Whitethroat, 30 Sand Martin, Green & Great Spotted Woodpeckers (h) (Lol Bodini).
Tower Hamlets Cemetery: singing Goldcrest, 2 Speckled Woods (Bob Watts).
Tyttenhanger GPs: 1 Common Tern, 1m Yellow Wagtail, 5 Oystercatchers, 5 Redshanks, 1 Red Kite, 1 Buzzard, 4 Willow Warbler, 60+ Sand Martins and plenty of Blackcaps & Chiffchaffs (Simon West)
Walthamstow: 3 Lapwings on the marsh before the joggers got to them. Lesser Whitethroat by Horseshoe thicket, Whitethroat singing by railway line. Many Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs. Yellow Wagtail flew North. Little Owl. Lockwood p.m. 3 Yellow Wagtails, 4 Meadow Pipits North, 2 Swallow, 40-50 Sand Martins, Peregrine, 3 Pheasant (2 sparring cocks & 1 hen), pair Sparrowhawks, f Goosander, 4 Green Sandpipers (flood relief channel), m Wheatear, Buzzard North (Paul Whiteman, Lol Bodini, George).
Wanstead Flats: 2+ Wheatear, 1 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Swallow (Jonathan Dean); Tree Pipit (south of Long Wood in broom before flying west), 20+ Meadow Pipit, 3 Willow Warbler, Common Whitethroat (SSSI), Chiffchaff collecting nesting materials, 4 Reed Bunting, 10+ Linnet (over), Lesser Redpoll, Sparrowhawk, 3 Heron, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (east & west copse), 1 Wheatear, coat-hanger goose, Swallow, (NC/JL/Steve Thorpe); Wednesday night: Nightjar (ST) hawking round environs of Long Wood, east/west copse/SSSI - I have just been out and I believe this relates to Noctule Bat (JL)
Wanstead Park: 1+ Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (not sure if 2 birds or same bird in 2 different places!), loads of Blackcap and Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler, Nuthatch (where? - NC), Ring-necked Parakeet (Jonathan Dean); 3 Common Whitethroat (osw, the plain), 5 Willow Warbler, 2 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker drumming (allotments/cem, golf course), 3 Sparrowhawk, 2 Great Crested Grebe (NC/ST); Nuthatch calling persistently around 10am then stopped - coming from woods roughly between temple and ornamental waters (JD) (Many thanks, would have just missed it, bum! NC)
Waterlow Park: 2 Stock Doves, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Nuthatch calling, usual Greenfinches, Ring-necked Parakeets, Tufted Duck, etc (P. Angus)
Wimbledon Common: 3 Blackcaps singing, 1 Whitethroat singing, 5+ Chiffchaffs singing. Probable Tree Pipit flying over (J. Dickerson)
Wormwood Scrubs: 3+ Whitethroat, 1 Swallow north (8am), singing Song Thrush, singing Blackcap. (JH) Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Canada Geese over. No sign of Whinchat, Wheatear, Redstarts from yesterday (Charlie Farrell). 9:05am rough grassland: 1 m Wheatear, 1 m & 1 f Reed Bunting, c6 Meadow Pipits (Anders Price).
W11, Holland Park: Common Buzzard, high SE at 14.20 (Laurence Pitcher)

Thursday 7th April 2011[]

Alexandra Park: 1 male Wheatear on Pitch & Putt (07.50) (Davey Leach); 2 Willow Warblers - SW corner Pitch n Putt and opposite Blandford (no sign Wheatear 7am) (Bob Watts); another Willow Warbler by con pond, plus briefly singing Whitethroat on edge of cricket pitch and a Swallow north (David Callahan).
Battersea Park Lake: 3 pr Greylag Geese - one dead in the water with mate next to it Photo Here!, 4 singing Blackcap, 1 Peregrine near by, 1 Egyptian Goose very noisey and active flying around in the pm (Michael Mac).
Beddington SF: 2 Egyptian Goose, 2 Shelduck, c6 Common Buzzar22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BHyde%20Park%5C%2FKensington%20Gardens%5D%5D%22%7D" href="/wiki/Hyde_Park/Kensington_Gardens" title="Hyde Park/Kensington Gardens">Hyde Park/Kensington Gardens: Common Buzzard soaring north over Parade Ground 13:27, pr Grey Heron now with three young in the nest (Serpentine Island), 2 adult and 3 young Tawny Owl (third owlet discovered a.m.), flock of 10 House Martin north, 6 Meadow Pipit over, Yellow Wagtail north, Sedge Warbler (never an easy species to find here), 15 Blackcap, 5 Chiffchaff, 4 Willow Warbler (all warblers singing); also 3 Egyptian Goose, 7 Mandarin Duck, 3 Gadwall, 3 Red-crested Pochard, Sparrowhawk, Little Grebe, 2 Black-headed Gull, 40+ Ring-necked Parakeet, 4 Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, pr Nuthatch, 5 Treecreeper, plus Comma, Holly Blue (D. McKenzie, Joan Thompson et al).
KGV Reservoir: 4 Yellow Wagtail, White Wagtail, Common Sandpiper, Little Egret (Martin Shepherd).
Lincoln's Inn Fields: 1 Willow Warbler (Hugh Bradshaw)
London Wetland Centre: 5 Redshank, 14+ Sand Martin, 2 Northern Wheatear, 5 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Blackcap, 6 Chiffchaff, 4 Willow Warbler (LWC website). Curlew overhead 4.30pm (BE)
Osterley Park: Red Kite 12.35, drifted south mobbed by local corvids, Common Buzzard 1 west, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker M, Blackcap 14, Wheatear 2, Willow Warbler 2, Chiffchaff 2, Common Whitethroat 1, Little Grebe 3, Gadwall 2 (K. Fisher).
Paddington Green: male Peregrine Falcon a.m., 2 pairs of Herring Gull copulating at local rooftop colony (D. McKenzie).
Pinner (East Towers): Tawny Owl over at 20:41 (JR).
Pinner Park Farm: adult male Wheatear along the main bridleway, 2 Little Owl copulating again, 1 Nuthatch, Green Woodpecker, singing Chiffchaff, Jackdaw & 2 Grey Heron (JR).
Queen Mary Res: Reed Warbler (SBC).
Rainham Marshes: male Pied Flycatcher in the cordite (BirdGuides).
Redbridge Lakes (Woodford Bridge): 2 Jack Snipe, Chiffchaff (Alan Hobson).
Roding Valley Park: Little Egret, Bullfinch, up to 4 Blackcaps, up to 3 Chiffchaffs. Also 7 Orange-Tip butterflies (Alan Hobson).
Rotherhithe: Red Kite fairly low west over Greenland Dock at 18.45 (Richard Bonser).
Sidcup (York Avenue): 4+ Meadow Pipits NW (first of year), 3 Swallows 1N, 2W, fem Blackcap through garden + male singing, heard Willow Warbler 19.34, Mallard W, Grey Heron N, ad Herring Gull, 3 juv LBB Gulls, 30+ Pigeons, 6+ Woodpigeons, 3+ Stock Dove W, 4 Collared Doves, 25+ Ring-necked Parakeets, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, pair Blackbirds, Song Thrush briefly, Goldcrest, 4-8 Blue Tits, Jay, pair Magpies, 6 Jackdaw 4S, 2N, 6+ Carrion Crow, 10+ Starling, 8+ House Sparrow, 8+ Greenfinch, 2 Goldfinch, heard Redpoll sp over, bat sp NE 19.30 (hopeless at bats- sorry! Looked martin-sized) (Ian Stewart)
South Norwood Lake: pair Mute Swan, 8 Tufted Duck, pair Great Crested Grebe, 3 singing Willow Warbler, 4 singing Blackcap, 5 singing Chiffchaff, pair Goldcrest, 2 Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker (1 drumming), 1 Collared Dove, c8 Jay, 6 Goldfinch, 4 singing Chaffinch, also 2 Peacock Butterflies (John Watson).
Staines Res: 2 Great Northern Diver (SBC).
Stoke Newington Reservoirs: Siberian Chiffchaff present SW corner of East res perimeter this a.m., but very elusive and not (yet) singing or calling - access via LWT office - also Reed Warbler, Common Whitethroat and Sedge Warbler (all firsts for year), 15 Blackcaps, 10 Chiffchaffs and 3 Willow Warblers (Mark Pearson). further updates on the Hackney Wildlife site. Sibe Chiff reported as singing by two visiting observers early p.m.; still present 1445 but extremely elusive (MJP). Briefly sang and showed at 13h20 but that was the only sniff since 1215 (James Lowen: thanks, Mark!)
South Norwood Country Park: 2 singing Willow Warbler, 3 singing Blackcap, 4 singing Chiffchaff, 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 drumming Gs + usuals (The Scrubbers). Hi, can anyone tell me the best location to look for Whinchat, Redstart & Wheatear? Will be visiting tom early a.m. Thanks (JH). The Redstarts are best looked for in the grassland or along the embankment. Stand at the 'Pipit sign' at the eastern edge of the grassland (nearest the football pitches) and scan the blackthorns etc. David Lindo

Wednesday 6th April 2011[]

Alexandra Park (07:15 - 08:30): 1 male Wheatear on pitch and putt, 1 Willow Warbler by conservation pond (Tony Wileman) Rook east over cricket pitches at c.9:30 am (Gareth Richards).
Beaverwood (Chislehurst): 2+ Swallow, Willow Warbler, 6 singing Blackcaps (all site year ticks), 3 singing Chiffchaffs, Grey Heron, 5 Canada Geese, 3 Mallards, Sparrowhawk, 3+ Kestrel, 6+ Moorhen, 20+ Pigeons over, 20+ Woodpigeon, 4+ Stock Dove, Collared Dove (another tick- strange), 5+ Ring-necked Parakeets, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2+ Green Woodpecker, 6+ Wren, Dunnock, 6+ Robin, 4+ Blackbird, Goldcrest, 6+ Long-tailed Tits, heard Coal Tit, plenty Blue and Great Tits, pair Nuthatches at nest hole, 2 Jays, 6+ Magpie, 30+ Carrion Crows, 2+ Jackdaws. Also Brimstone (Ian Stewart)
Beddington: 1 Red Kite, 12 Wheatear, 1 Whitethroat, 5 Common Buzzard (observer ?) few pics here
Bedfont Lakes Country Park LNR: 2 Wheatear (Adam Cheeseman)
Brent Reservoir: 1 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Lapwings, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 male Pheasant, 15 singing Blackcap, 9 Chiffchaff, 6 Willow Warbler (Roy Beddard, Andrew Verrall)
Canons Farm & Banstead Woods : male Ring Ouzel still at Legal & General playing field (DKC et al), 3 Common Redstarts along path south of Lunch Wood (Colin Manville et al), 10 Wheatears, 18 Fieldfares, Swallow, 5 Willow Warblers, 3 Common Buzzards, Sparrowhawk, 4 Little Owls, 3+ Yellowhammers, 25+ Meadow Pipits, Bullfinch, Mistle Thrush, Grey Heron over, 2 Cormorants over, 2 Canada Geese over, 2 Nuthatches, 22 Stock Doves, 4 Skylarks, 2+ Linnets, 4 Chiffchaffs, 4 Blackcaps, 2 Goldfinches, 3 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 3 Song Thrushes, Rose-ringed Parakeet, 2 Long-tailed Tits (David Campbell et al); Short-eared Owl flew from Harrier Field headed casually NE at 8.20pm (David Campbell/Roy Weller/Chris Northwood).
Cassiobury Park: pr Mandarin Duck (Joanne Biscomb per DMc).
Chiswick House Grounds: 1 Swallow NW c08:50, 2 Common Buzzard low W at 13:50, 1 Sparrowhawk, 5 singing Blackcap, 1 singing Willow Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff (1 singing), c5 Song Thrush singing, 4 Goldcrest, 3 Nuthatch, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Stock Dove, 2 Grey Herons. Butterflies: 2 Small White, 1 Peacock, 2 Orange-tip (Louis Freeland-Haynes).
Crayford Marshes: ringtail Hen Harrier at 6.40am, 26 Wheatears, 2 Little Ringed Plover, male Corn Bunting, 2 House Martin, 12 Swallow, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 3 Blackcap, Green Sandpiper (Kev Jarvis & Steve Carter).
Crossness: male Redstart in Protected Area this afternoon (Roger Taylor per JA); 1 Cetti's Warbler in and out bushes by ditch on way to reserve mid-afternoon (Nick Eades).
Crouch End to Finsbury Park: (7:30 - 8:30) many singing male Blackcap and Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler in Park (George Sawtell).
East India Dock Basin: Willow Warbler, Blackcap, 2 Sand Martins, 55 Tufted Ducks, 5 Teal (John Archer) plus 1 male Northern Wheatear (pura), 2 Oystercatchers (early a.m.) (Gary A James).
Fairlop Waters: 1 male Wheatear on driving range,1 Egyptian Goose in field E of fishing lake, 2 Blackcap, 3 Willow Warbler, 6 Chiffchaff (Steve Bacon)
Greenwich Park: 3 male Blackcaps, Willow Warbler, 1 Fieldfare SW a.m. (Joe Beale and Yu-Hsuan Lin).
Holborn WC1. 1 Common Buzzard fairly low and east at 13.50 (Laurence Pitcher).
Holmethorpe SPs: Shelduck, 3 Gadwall, 2 Shoveler, pr displaying Sparrowhawk, Common Buzzard, Little Egret, Lapwing, 3 Common Snipe, 2 Green Sandpiper, Stock Dove, Little Owl, Skylark
Pinner Park Farm: 5 Wheatear (three male two female) together on mud just off the main bridleway with 5 Meadow Pipit, 1 Linnet over, Little Owl, 3 Green Woodpecker, 1 Cormorant, Jackdaw, singing Chiffchaff, 4 Grey Heron (JR).
Plumstead (Lakedale Rd gardens) : 3 Blackbirds, 2 Blackcaps (male) singing well, 8 Blue Tits, 10+ Crows, 5 Great Tits, 3 House Sparrows, 3 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Magpies, 1 Willow Warbler (Nick Eades).
Potters Fields SE1: Singing Black Redstart (given security around here I don't think this is too sensitive, likely to be shot if seen climbing roofs), another north of London Bridge seen in flight (Paul Whiteman).
Richmond Park: 2 Ring Ouzel (large hawthorn enclosure then flew North into trees just outside the Park), 8 Wheatears (riding ring / Holly Lodge) (Hugh Bradshaw).
Shepherd's Bush: Common Buzzard (per David Lindo).
Sidcup (York Avenue): first Swallow of year here (2 S am, 2+ W pm), singing Blackcap, Grey Heron S, Cormorant S, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel soaring to NE, juv Lesser Black-backed Gull, 10+ Pigeons, 4+ Woodpigeon, Stock Dove W, 2-4 Collared Doves, 10+ Ring-necked Parakeets, Great Spotted Woodpecker or 2, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, 3+ Blackbirds, Goldcrest with beak-full of feathers, 2 Long-tailed Tits, 4+ Blue Tits, Great Tit, Jay, pair Magpies, 2 Jackdaws N, 5+ Carrion Crows, 10+ Starling, 6+ House Sparrow, 6+ Greenfinch, 2 Goldfinch + several u/i finches N (Ian Stewart)
South Norwood Lake: 1 Swallow, 8 singing Willow Warbler, 5 singing Blackcap, 5 singing Chiffchaff, pair Mute Swan, pair Great Crested Grebe, 15 Tufted Duck, 2nd-winter Herring Gull, 1f Sparrowhawk, 1m Kestrel, 2 Green Woodpecker, 4 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Mistle Thrush, 2 Song Thrush, 4 Long-tailed Tit, c20 Ring-necked Parakeet, 6 Jay, 1 Stock Dove, 1 Collared Dove; also 1 Small White, 1m Orange-tip) (John Watson & Gavin Hawgood).
Stoke Newington Reservoirs: cream-crown Marsh Harrier overhead then north up the valley 1150; Common Buzzard SW 1358; escaped Goshawk SE 1245; loads of Peregrine / Sparrowhawk / Kestrel action; totals of c20 Linnets and 15 Meadow Pipits all north, Male Siberian Chiffchaff in full song by East Reservoir p.m. - access available from 0930-1700 tomorrow via London Wildlife Trust East Reservoir Community Garden (photos on site as and when), also Cetti's Warbler (first for several weeks), drake Red-crested Pochard (Mark Pearson) SNR birds
The Glade (Sidcup): 6+ Willow Warbler (all over Sidcup today!), 3+ Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff (all singing), 8 Egyptian Geese (pair + 6 juv), pair Great Crested Grebes, 2 Cormorant, 3 Canada Geese, c20 Mallards, 4(3m 1f) Tufted Ducks, Kestrel, 6+ Moorhen, 8+ Coot, 4+ Pigeon, 20+ Woodpigeon, 4+ Stock Dove, 5+ Ring-necked Parakeets, heard 2 Wrens, 4+ Robin, 4+ Blackbird, singing Mistle Thrush, heard 2+ Goldcrest, 4+ Long-tailed Tits, Coal Tit, plenty Blue tits and Great Tits, Nuthatch, 6+ Magpies, 10+ Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, 2+ Greenfinch (Ian Stewart)
Tower Hamlets Cemetery: Willow Warbler High/Fern Glade, 3 Chiffchaffs, 5 Blackcaps, Painted Lady Scrapyard Meadow, Orange Tip, Holly Blue (Bob Watts per JA).
Trent CP: 2(adult male & female) Northern Wheatear, on ploughed field S of Rough Lot 15:45 hrs (Robert Callf).
Tyttenhanger GPs: 2 Hawfinch briefly, 200m upstream from Willow Farm 17:15, also seen 2m & 1f Wheatear, 1 Red Kite, 1 White Wagtail, 3 Redshank, 2 Tree Sparrow, 6 Buzzards (Simon West)
Uxbridge, Brunel University: 2 Common Buzzard over, Sparrowhawk, 2 -3 singing Blackcap and 2 Chiffchaff in the Bicentenary Garden (Steve Pash).
Vicarage Farm, Enfield: 1 Red Kite, flew over; 3(1m,2f) Northern Wheatear, along horse gallop, Hog Hill (Robin White per RMC).
W2: male Black Redstart singing adjacent to last year's breeding site p.m. (D. McKenzie).
Wanstead Flats:Stone Curlew flew low south over Alex before turning west where it landed in the long grass south of Long Wood and west of West Copse at 7.25am - could not be refound but we did not walk the area as Skylarks nest in it (NC/JL), 5 Wheatear, Common Whitethroat (SSSI boggy bit), 3 Willow Warbler, 10+ Chiffchaff, 10+ Blackcap, 5 Swallow (west), Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Peregrine Falcon, 4 Sparrowhawk, 2 Ring-necked Parakeet, 10+ Linnet, 3 Reed Bunting, Coal Tit, Grey Heron, 3 Little Grebe having a barny, Pied Wagtail and others (52sp NC/JL/S Thorpe/Tim Harris/Mike Taylor/Keith Rayment).
West Molesey: At least 5 Waxwings present still in tree in front garden of 408 Hurst Road. originally 9 birds that have been around for a week (Adam Cheeseman).
West Thurrock: 36 Waxwing at Lakeside Retail Park in willows by Alexandra Lake (observer ?)
Winchmore Hill (Enfield): 1 Song Thrush carrying food along New River Path between Barrowell Green and Carpenter Gardens, 2 Coots building a nest and Mistle Thrush on rooftops on NRP between Highfield Road and Farm Road, female Sparrowhawk headed N over Esso on Green Lanes (Katy M).
Wormwood Scrubs: 1 male Common Redstart in the grassland (we've had up to 2 Redstarts present since Sunday). Also c10 Chiffchaff, several Blackcap & 2 Willow Warbler. Yesterday had singing Garden Warbler (Anders Price & The Scrubbers). Northern Wheatear (M) on eastern edge of grassland at 5.15pm (John Fordham).

Tuesday 5th April 2011[]

Alexandra Park: (lunchtime visit) 3 Swallows (W G Res), Willow Warbler (con pond), c10 Chiffchaffs, c8 Blackcaps (David Callahan).
Bankside SE1: 3 Willow Warbler in the birches in front of Tate Modern (Simon Fogg)
Battersea Park Lake: 5 Swallows straight through east to west at 17:15pm - last year 1 bird seen on 31st March, 1 Goldcrest, 3 singing Blackcap, pr Red-crested Pochard settled in like the Egyptian Geese (Michael Mac).
Bow Creek Ecology Park and East India Dock Basin: 4 Wheatear (NW end of Pura Foods opp Canning Town Stn c14:30 - happy happy joy joy), Common Sandpiper (Bow Creek), Blackcap male, Willow Warbler (both EIDB) (Stuart Fisher).
Boxer's Lake, Enfield: 1 immature Little Egret, perched in Alder on island - my first for this site! 2 male Shoveler, 2(m&f) Pochard, 17(11m,6f) Tufted Duck, 1'1st-summer' Black-headed Gull, 1 fem Sparrowhawk, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 singing male Willow Warbler, 1 male Nuthatch (Robert Callf).
Brookmill Park (Lewisham) 1 Heron, 7 Mallard, 4 Moorhen, 4 Coot, 10 Woodpigeon, 1 Collared Dove, 3 Ring-necked Parrakeet, 5 Wren, 2 Dunnock, 3 Robin, 10 Blackbird, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Blackcap, 2 Willow Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Long-tailed Tit, 4 Great Tit, 4 Blue Tit, 1 Starling, 4 Magpie, 4 Carrion Crow, 6 Greenfinch, 1 Chaffinch. (Conrad Ellam).
[http://cfbwbirds.blogspot.com *Putney: 30 Waxwings in a sycamore in Huntingfield Road 15.00, flew towards Roehampton Lane (J. Avery per R. Kaye per J.Wilczur).
Rainham Marshes RSPB: 2 Wheatears, Yellow Wagtail, Ring Ouzel, Reed and Sedge Warbler.(Dave Morrison)
Richmond Park: short early morning visit - 1 male Wheatear (riding ring) and 1 Willow Warbler. In Hawthorn enclosure by Cambrian Gate 4 Redpoll (2 of which were Lesser and 1 Mealy type) (Hugh Bradshaw)
Roding Valley Park: 2 Little Egrets (Alan Hobson).
Roehampton: 30 Waxwings Roehampton Lane near junction with Upper Richmond Road feeding on left hand side near college prior to 08.00 at least.Still in trees 09.00 (Justin Quail, Dave Harris per FJM)
Sidcup: small falcon flew at rooftop height over Elm Road @06.25 - prob. Kestrel but.... (Ian Stewart)
Sidcup (York Avenue): ad LBB Gull, 20+Pigeons, few Woodpigeons, Collared Dove, few R/N Parakeets, heard Wren, Dunnock, Robin, pair Blackbirds, heard Goldcrest, 2+Blue Tits, Great Tit, Jay, pair Magpies, 4+Carrion Crows, 2 Jackdaws S, 10+Starlings, 6+House Sparrow, 4+Greenfinch, 2 Goldfinch (Ian Stewart)
South Norwood Lake: pair Mute Swan, pair Great Crested Grebe, 15 Tufted Duck, 10 Ring-necked Parakeet, c10 Jay, 2 Green Woodpecker, 3 Great spotted Woodpecker (1drumming) 1 Nuthatch, 2 Mistle Thrush, 3 Song Thrush, pair Goldcrest, 3pair Long-tailed Tit, 8 singing Willow Warbler, 6 singing Blackcap, 5 singing Chiffchaff, 2 Pied Wagtail, (John Watson & Gavin Hawgood)
Staines Reservoir: 2 Bar-tailed Godwits flew over and circled N basin at 07.15. Also 2 Oystercatchers still and 2 Great Northern Divers on S basin. (Bob Warden per FJM)
Stocker's Lake: Singing Sedge warbler, 1 Common Tern over ( MartinSmith) . Also from 12.00. 2 Oystercatcher, a few House Martins & Swallows, 1 Fieldfare. ( Richard Francis)
Stoke Newington Reservoirs: 6 Swallows, 13 Sand Martins, 3 Willow Warblers, 3 Chiffchaffs, 2 Blackcaps, 2cy GBBG, plus the usuals (MJP)
Walthamstow Filter Beds: f Wheatear (DBarrett)
Wanstead Flats: Stone Curlew south towards Forest Gate at ~8 am, Brent Goose over east, 2 Egyptian Goose, 11 Greylag Goose, 4 Wheatear (John Whele), Kingfisher (Alex), singing Willow Warbler, 10+ Chiffchaff, 10 + Blackcap, 12 RN Parakeet, Lesser Redpoll, Linnet, Siskin, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Sparrowhawk, Peregrine Falcon. Record shots of SC at http://wansteadbirding.blogspot.com/ (NC); 7 Wheatear (3m 4f) model aircraft field, 14 Meadow Pipit, 3 Swallows NW (JL/AP)
Wimbledon Park (late pm): 20 House Martin and 14 Swallow (lake), singing Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff (edge of golf course), 2 singing Blackcap and two GSWoodpecker (copse on eastern edge of park) (Martin Honey)
Wood Green: dark morph Common Buzzard minus most of its tail heading low east at 10.25 am (Ian Lycett, David Callahan, Dominic Mitchell).

]

Monday 4th April 2011[]

Alexandra Park: Red Kite NW 0700, Fieldfare NE 0658 (Bob Watts). 2 Wheatears, Swallow and Yellow Wagtail all north over cricket scrub between 08.25 and 08.45, 10+ Blackcaps, 6+ Chiffchaffs (David Callahan).
Battersea Park Lake: pr Red-crested Pochard, 1 singing Chiffchaff, 1 Egyptian Goose. Old English Garden - 1 singing Blackcap, woman setting up nut dispensers and 3 Ring-necked Parakeet eating from them about 2metres away, 1 male Kestrel breezed through. Fountain Lake - pr Egyptian geese mating then flew off into River Thames, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker (Michael Mac).
Bedfords Park LNR: 2 Crossbills flew SE calling over the Nursery at 10.55 (Colin Jupp).
Broadwater Lake; 2 Common Buzzard, 2 Red Kite, pair Sparrowhawk displaying, 40+ Sand Martin, 3+ Swallow, 2 Little Egret (Bill Haines).
Bromley-by-Bow: singing Willow Warbler, 2 male Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaff (including a brownish individual), 4 Stock Dove, female Kestrel, 3 Great Black-backed Gulls over, 3 Pied Wagtail, 1 Grey Wagtail (S Fisher)
Bow Creek Ecology Park and Osterley Park: 09.45. 3 Common Buzzard high over the park and drifting vaguely NE (K.Fisher)
Pinner Park Farm: female type Black Redstart still at the far end of the middle hedge - a half second flash of orange & soot was as good as it got, 4 grounded Linnet, 1 Meadow Pipit, 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Nuthatch, 55 Jackdaw, 130 Carrion Crow & 3 Grey Heron (JR).
Plumridge Farm, Enfield: 1 Swallow, flew NW, 16:15 hrs (Robert Callf).
Richmond Park: 1 Blackcap singing, Sidmouth Wood, 1 Hobby overhead. (J. Dickerson)
Roding Valley Park: 3 Little Egrets, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, 2 Pied Wagtails (Alan Hobson).
Rotherhithe: Willow Warbler singing by Greenland Dock along Trident Street in Surrey Docks Adventure Playground 7am (Richard Bonser).
Sidcup (York Avenue): Green Woodpecker SW over my house (year tick 50), Canada Goose NE towards The Glade, ad LBB Gull, 20+Pigeons, 10+Woodpigeons, 2 Stock Doves W, 1 or 2 Collared Doves, 20+R/N Parakeets E from and W to roost, pairs of Dunnock, Robin and Blackbird nesting in gardens, Goldcrest, 2+Blue Tits, pair Great Tits, pair Jays (1 in garden most of day), pair Magpies, 4+Carrion Crows (now 2 nests local), 6+Starlings, 8+House Sparrows, 8+Greenfinch, 2 Goldfinch (Ian Stewart)
Staines Reservoir: 3+ Little Gull, 1+ Common Tern, 2 Black-necked Grebe (only 1 seen by me); 2 Great Northern Diver, 2 Oystercatcher (Bill Haines). 1 White Wagtail and 6 Linnet also. (Adam Cheeseman) 1300-1345hrs 1 (f) Velvet Scoter (north basin).19 Little Gull and 1 Black-necked Grebe still present (N.Smith)
Staines Moor: 1 Blue-headed Wagtail @ 1505 feeding amongst the cattle at the north end of the moor. Also 5 Sedge Warbler 2 Reed Warbler, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 5 Common Whitethroat, 5+ Chiffchaff, 7+ Blackcap, 4 Swallow hunting south of Hithermoor estate, 9 Northern Wheatear and 1 (m) of Greenland race. 1 little Egret by river. (N.Smith)
Upper Bedfords Farm (Romford): 2 singing Skylark (Colin Jupp).
Walthamstow Filter Beds/Coppermill Lane: 10:45 large, hefty Accipiter went west, probable Goshawk. (Dan Barrett)
Wanstead Flats: 3-5 Wheatear, Fieldfare (north - JL), 8 + Mistle Thrush (some carrying food,/faecal sacks, others trying to collect nesting material), 20-30 unidentified small lark/bunting sp flew south along central road and into Forest Gate), 15+ Meadow Pipit, 2 Pied Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, 10 + Skylark, 6 Linnet over (singles), Lesser Redpoll, 2 Reed Bunting, Stock Dove, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Little Grebe, 3 Gadwall, Grey Heron,10+ Chiffchaff, 6 + Blackcap, Sparrowhawk (NC/JL/Mike Taylor and Keith)
Waterlow Park: 1 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker female - large hollow tree by lower pond, singing Goldcrest, 12+ Greenfinch by Conservation field, 2 calling Chiffchaff, 13 Tufted Ducks, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, possible flyover Waxwing (heard only), 2 Lesser Redpoll and a large Terrapin (middle pond). (P. Angus)
Wormwood Scrubs: 2 male Common Redstart, 6 Willow Warbler, 12 Blackcap, 10 Chiffchaff, 2 Reed Bunting, 10+ Linnet, 8+ Meadow Pipit, 4 Jackdaw, 2 Sparrowhawk. 1 Peacock butterfly. (Rob Ayers/Anders Price)

Sunday 3rd April 2011[]

Aldenham CP: 5-6 Common Buzzard including a bird bringing in nest-material and showing down to 10 metres, 5 Swallow over "100 Aker Wood", 9 Blackcap, 6 Chiffchaff; also 4 Gadwall, pr Kestrel, 2 Pheasant, Ring-necked Parakeet, Stock Dove, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker (1 drumming), Meadow Pipit, Coal Tit, 2 Linnet; plus Small White (D. McKenzie).
Alexandra Park: 5 Wheatears (4 ad males, 1 imm male) - 3 Pitch n Putt, 1 Palace building, 1 filter beds, Swallow N, Reed Bunting singing from Balancing pond until 0915, 2 Linnets, Siskin, 2 Willow Warblers, 7+ Chiffchaffs, 2 Greylag, pair Shoveler Boating Lake (Bob Watts, Andrew Gardener, Gareth Richards).
Barking Bay: 4 Common Snipe, Green Sandpiper, Chiffchaff, 2 Northern Wheatears and 2 Common Tern off Crossness.(Dave Morrison)
Beddington: 9 Wheatear, 2 LRP, 8 Common Buzzard, 1 Red Kite, 2 Water Pipit, 3 Swallow, 7 Sand Martin some photos here
Blackheath (all sightings morning): Meadow Pipit N and 2 Redpolls W over heath, Blackcap and 2 singing Willow Warblers - Vanbrugh Fields (every year, 3rd April!), Sparrowhawk over the village, Chiffchaff and Song Thrush singing in the Dips, another Chiffchaff singing near Point Hill (Joe Beale)
Brent Reservoir: Marsh Harrier west at 16.05, 3 Green Sandpipers behind dam, 2 House Martins, 18 Blackcap, 12 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warblers, also Skylark over (Andrew Self)
Broadwater: 10 Egyptian Geese (1 pair with 2 young, 1 pair with 4 young), 2 Shelduck, 1 Goldeneye, 4 Common Buzzard, 1 Common Tern, 80+ Sand Martin, 2 House Martin, 11 Blackcap & 8 Chiffchaff (Simon Buckingham).
Brockwell Park: Mistle Thrush x 1, Chaffinch x 7, Wren x 2, Greylag Goose x 1, Green Woodpecker x 2, Mallard x 14, Nuthatch x 1 (singing). No sign of yesterday's Egyptian Geese. (Charlie Kitchen)
Brookmill Park (Lewisham) 6 Mallard, 4 Moorhen 3 Coot, 3 Herring Gull, 6 Woodpigeon, 1 Collared Dove, 4 singing Wren, 2 singing Dunnock, 3 singing Robin, 6 Blackbird 1 singing Song Thrush, 1 singing Blackcap, 1 singing Willow Warbler, 4 Great Tit, 2 Blue Tit, 2 Starling, 1 Jay, 6 Magpie, 4 Carrion Crow, 2 Goldfinch, 6 Greenfinch, 1 singing Chaffinch. (Conrad Ellam) + 1 Small White.
Canons Farm & Banstead Woods: 2 Ring Ouzels (1 all day at Legal & General playing field, 1 mid afternoon in big stubble field just north of Lunch Wood then flew towards Legal & General), fem/imm Black Redstart, 2 Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers reported, Peregrine, 2 Lapwings, Woodcock, Willow Warbler, Sand Martin, 2 Fieldfares, 7 Lesser Redpolls, 4+ Common Buzzards, 2 Little Owls, c.4 Yellowhammers, 6+ Skylarks, 1w Common Gull, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls over, c.5 Linnets, 3 Sparrowhawks, 2 Treecreepers, Coal Tit, 4 Nuthatches, Pheasant, 5 Blackcaps, Goldcrest, 7 Chiffchaffs, 2 Cormorants over, 7+ Mallards over, 2+ Grey Herons over, 2 Mistle Thrushes, 2 Pied Wagtails, Greenfinch, Stock Dove, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, 4+ Rose-ringed Parakeets, Collared Dove, 2 Goldfinches, 3+ Song Thrushes; 2 Small Tortoiseshells, Brimstone (David Campbell, Ian Jones, Roy Weller, Paul & Colin Manville, Kevin Guest et al).
Chiswick House Grounds: 1 Swallow NW, 3 Chiffchaff (2 singing), 2 Male Blackcap singing, 1 Song Thrush, 2 Mistle Thrush, 1 Nuthatch, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Great spotted Woodpecker, 17 Tufted Duck, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Cormorant. Also pair Egyptian Geese with 4 Goslings on river by Chiswick Eyot. 1 Holly Blue and 1 Small Tortoiseshell. (Louis Freeland-Haynes)
Crossness: male Marsh Harrier flew NW at 16:00, 2 Common Terns, 2 Wheatears, 3 Swallows west, 6 Curlew (John Archer).
Crystal Palace Park Lake; 2 Shoveler, 2 Greylag Geese, 6 Canada Geese, 3 Great Crested Grebe up from last year when only 1 was present all through season, 2 young Grey Heron's in nest 1/3 grown, 3 Coot on nests, Moorhen, Mallard, Tufted Duck, 1 Mistle Thrush, 1 Nuthatch, 4 Chaffinch - no Mute Swans this year (Michael Mac).
Dagenham Chase LNR: 7hrs obsevation 60 species recorded, 3 Little Ringed Plover, Willow Warbler singing briefly but not showing, Ring-necked Parakeet feasting on cherry blossom,1 Swallow, 1 Sand Martin, pr Shelduck, se poers church. Also 2 Pied wagtails. (P.Angus)
Northolt + Greenford CP: m Wheatear (on Northala hill), 3 singing Chiffchaff, 5 Blackcap (3 singing males, 2 females), (Neil Anderson)
Osterley Park: 1m 1f Wheatear; 3m 2f Mandarin, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Nuthatch, Goldcrest (Tom Smith)
Pinner: Merlin heading NW at 07.30 (Richard Francis) Total luck no question.
Pinner Park Farm: 2 male (adult & first-summer) Wheatear along the middle hedge (Joe Dickens) & later in main pond field (Jon Ridge, Joyce Staines), 2 Little Owl showing well at 19:34 (JR, JS), female type Black Redstart seen very briefly flying from the middle hedge towards the River Pinn at 17:12, 1 Snipe, 2 Green Woodpecker, 24 Jackdaw & 1 Grey Heron (JR).
Sewardstone: House Martin at 07.45 over River Lea relief channel (Martin Shepherd).
Sidcup: singing Blackcaps at Edgington Way + Sidcup Place, singing Chiffchaffs at Sidcup Place and The Hollies (Ian Stewart)
Sidcup (York Avenue): 3 Mallards flew NE towards The Glade, Grey Heron N, Sparrowhawk, 2 ad LBB Gulls, 10+Pigeons, 10+Woodpigeons, pair Collared Doves, few R/N Parakeets, heard Wren, Dunnock, Robin, pair Blackbirds, heard Coal Tit, 4+Blue Tits, pair Great Tits, pair Magpies, 4+Carrion Crows, 5+Starling, 6+House Sparrow, singing Chaffinch, 4+Greenfinch, 2 Goldfinch (Ian Stewart)
Staines Reservoir: 2 Great Northern Diver, 2 Black Necked Grebe, 1 Little Gull, Wigeon, Shoveler, Linnet.
Stoke Newington Reservoirs: skywatch from Lincoln Court 1240-1630 - Short-eared Owl thermalling to the east 1428, 2 Red Kites (west 1250 and west 1400), Goshawk (of unknown origin; no jesses visible, full crop, with prey item) south-east 1526, 7 Common Buzzards, Linnet north, c25 Sand Martins, 8 House Martins, 2 Swallows, Peregrine, plus the usuals (Mark Pearson, Laurence Pitcher & Jamie Partridge)
Ten Acre Wood. Peregrine. Red-Leged Partridge in field north of woods.(G Westley) Also 3 Pheasant, Sparrowhawk, m Kestrel, min. 3 Lapwing,3 Skylark,5 Stock Dove. 3 Green + 5 Great-spotted Woodpeckers, singing Willow Warbler, 5 singing Chiffchaff, 13 singing Blackcap, Fieldfare, Nuthatch, pr Rooks in Wood (another 2 over field), pr Reed Bunting, pr Bullfinch, 15+ Linnet (Neil Anderson)
Thames Chase, Harold Court: 5 Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, 4 singing Chiffchaff, 2 singing Willow Warbler, singing Blackcap, 2 Linnet. Also 5 Comma, 3 Peacock (Colin Jupp).
The Glade (Sidcup): 9 Egyptian Geese (pair with 6 young + another ad flew in), pair G/C Grebes, 2 Cormorant, Grey Heron, pair Mute Swans, 8 Canada Geese, c20 Mallards, pair Tufted Ducks, 6+Moorhen, 8+Coot, 20+Woodpigeon, 6+Stock doves, 3 GSW, Pied Wagtail, 8+Wrens, 6+Robin, 6+Blackbird, singing Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaffs, 2 Long Tailed Tits, few Blue and Great Tits, Jay, 2+Magpie, 30+Carrion Crows, few Starlings, 3+Chaffinch,2+Greenfinch, 2 Goldfinch (Ian Stewart)
Thorpe Park: 2 Redshank, Ringed Plover, 2 Snipe, Willow Warbler, 4 Blackcap and 4 Egyptian Geese (KPDuncan)
Totteridge Valley: 2 Swallow, 3 Lapwing, 2 Common Buzzard, 2 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 4 Mandarin, 18 Common Gulls, c80 Jackdaw (Ian Ellis).
Tylers Hall Farm (Upminster): 6 Swallow, Kestrel, m Pheasant, 6 Pied Wagtail, 3m Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, 12 Linnet; also 2 pair Skylark on Tylers Common (Colin Jupp).
Walthamstow Res: Osprey West at c13:40, 3 seperate Buzzards vaguely North-west between 13:00-14:30, Peregrine, c14:15, struggling with large prey eventually dropped towards Walthamstow, mobbed persistently by a small Falcon (nobody mention the M word), Short -eared Owl at c14:45, low over Leyton (after a tip off from Stoke Newington, thanks Mark), displaying Kestrels, Sparrowhawks, narrowly missed a Goshawk with prey being watched from Stoke Newington somewhere over our patch c15:30. 50+ Sand Martins mainly over Low Maynard, Wheater Lockwood, 2 more East Warwick. 2 Scaup West Warwick. Kingfishers No.3. Many Chiffchaff and Blackcap now in, singing Sedge Warbler by railway line East Warwick. (Paul Whiteman, Lol Bodini +help) Walthamstow Birding
Wanstead Flats: 5 Wheatear, Common Buzzard (P Davies), Kingfisher over broom field (S Thorpe), 3 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (east copse - T Harris), 5 Blackcap singing, 5 + Chiffchaff, 2 Swallow, Sand Martin (J Lethbridge), House Martin (NC), 5 Linnet, 2 Reed Bunting, 2 Stock Dove, Little Grebe, Gadwall, 3 Heron, 2-3 Sparrowhawk (NC/JL/ST, TH, Stuart Fisher, Harry & Barry, Keith - getting a bit crowded here with an extra four or five birders in addition to those listed!)
Wanstead Park: 2 singing Willow Warbler, 10 + singing Blackcap, 10 + Chiffchaff, 3 Sand Martin, 2 Swallow, Fieldfare (east), 2 m Teal, 2 Gadwall, 3 Great Crested Grebe (pr copulating and building a nest), Little Grebe, Meadow Pipit (OSW), Kingfisher, Coal Tit, Goldcrest, Kestrel, 3-4 Sparrowhawk (pr displaying over golf course to north) (NC/JL/ST/Paul Davies)
West Molesey: 9 Waxwing on aerial of 408 Hurst Road (Blackcaps, 11 Chiffchaffs, 2 Mistle Thrushes, Treecreeper, 5 Nuthatches, 3+ Pheasants, 4 Stock Doves, 3 Greenfinches, 3 Goldfinches, 2 Coal Tits, Canada Goose, Cormorant, 5+ Mallards, 2 Grey Herons, 2+ Rose-ringed Parakeets, 2 Mistle Thrushes, 3 Pied Wagtails, 2+ Rose-ringed Parakeets, 3 Goldcrests, Collared Dove, 5 Song Thrushes, 7 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers (David Campbell, Ian Jones et al).

Saturday 2nd April 2011[]

Brent Reservoir: Little Ringed Plover, Swallow, Sand Martin, Wheatear, 13 singing Blackcaps, 12 singing Chiffchaffs & 1 Willow Warbler (Andrew Self & Roy Beddard)
Brockwell Park: Egyptian Goose x 2, Tufted Duck x 8, Canada Goose x 6, Chaffinch x 2, Mistle Thrush x 2 + Holly Blue x 1 (Charlie Kitchen).
Brookmill Park (Lewisham): 1 Heron flying over, 1 drake Mallard, 5 Moorhen, 2 Coot, 8 Woodpigeon, 2 Collared Dove, 1 Ring-necked Parakeet, 6 Wren (4 singing), 2 singing Dunnock, 5 Robin (3 singing), 8 Blackbird, 1 Redwing, 3 Song Thrush (1 singing & 2 bathing), 4 Blackcap (3 singing males & 1 female), 1 singing Willow Warbler, 1 Long-tailed Tit, 4 Great Tit, 4 Blue Tit, 3 Starling, 1 Jay, 4 Magpie, 4 Carrion Crow, 4 Goldfinch, 8 Greenfinch, 1 singing Chaffinch (Conrad Ellam) + 1 Brimstone & 1 Small White.
Cassiobury Park: female Northern Wheatear on rugpy playing field adjacent to nature reserve, singing Blackcap, 4 singing Chiffchaff (D. McKenzie).
Clapton Pond: Mallard with 8 Ducklings, 2 Grey Wag (JP)
Crossness: 2 Common Terns flew west off the golf centre this evening, 2 Wheatears, Swallow, Sand Martin, 3 singing Blackcaps, 2 singing Cetti's Warblers, Common Buzzard, 6 Curlew, 9 Oystercatchers, 90 Redshank, 4 Wigeon, 5 Shoveler (John Archer & Kev Jarvis).
Dagenham Chase LNR: 62 species recorded, Tree Pipit flew over and called once at 11.35am, Red Kite flew over at 4.52pm, Common Buzzard over at 3.03pm,1 Green Sandpiper,2 LRP, 1 Ring-n Parakeet, 25+ Sand Martin, 2 House Martin, 2 Jackdaw, Pheasant heard, plenty of Blackcap and Chiffchaff. ( V.Halley-Frame ).
East India Dock Basin area: Northern Wheatear (Pura Foods), 4 Sand Martins, Willow Warbler (copse), 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Oystercatchers, Collared Dove. (Gary A James).
Fairlop Waters: 20+ Sand Martin, 10 + Greylag geese, 18+ Canada geese, 3 Chaffinch, 2 Dunnock, Moorhen, 20+ Coot (a pair nest building), 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackbird, 30+ Mallard (Brandon Anderson)
Fulham: dead (and very flat) Pheasant on Crabtree Lane (Nathalie Mahieu).
Hackney Marshes/ Middlesex Filterbeds: 2 Common Buzzards, 1 @ 14.40 high and west, 1 @ 15,20 high and NE, 3singing Blackcaps, c10 singin ChiffChaff, 1 redwing over. 8 teal remain on the river lea, (Jamie Partridge)
Hampstead Heath: 3 Wheatear, 1 Swallow, 1 Skylark, 3 Meadow Pipits, numerous Chiffchaff and Blackcap singing (Dave Porritt)
Hornsey Bowling Club: Willow Warbler singing late am (Bob Watts).
Horsenden Hill: 1 Common Buzzard S at 07.55, 2 Great Black-backed Gull E at 07.45 with another sighting of single bird at 08.30, 19 Chiffchaff, 15 Blackcap, 2 Lesser Redpoll, 2 Snipe; also 8 Slow worm (Andy Culshaw)
Hyde Park/Kensington Gardens: 2 Sparrowhawk, Peregrine Falcon circling Longwater / Buck Hill with prey, 2 adult Tawny Owl and single owlet showing well, female Northern Wheatear west over Round Pond then landed on Kensington Palace (third of the spring) 09:40, Redwing, 2 Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler; also 7 adult Egyptian Goose and 2 goslings, 6 Mandarin Duck, 11 Red-crested Pochard, 7 Mistle Thrush, 3 Goldcrest, pr Nuthatch, 3 Treecreeper (D. McKenzie, Nick Tanner).
Ingrebourne Valley: 10 Chiffchaff, 8 Blackcap, singing Sedge Warbler, Willow Warbler, 2 Redshank, 3 Green Sandpipers, 6 Fieldfare, Common Buzzard, Common Snipe and 2 Sand Martins.(Dave Morrison)
Larkhall Park (Stockwell): pr alarm calling Mistle Thrush seeing off pair of Magpies, seems only 1 of the 3-4 fledglings has survived and was looking strong in defended tree (not the nest tree) at 11am [details here!]
London Wetland Centre: 6 singing Cetti's Warbler, 6 Redshank, 8 Wigeon, 5 Common Snipe, Mistle Thrush eating a newt, 1 Bar-headed Goose, 6 Sand Martin visiting nest bank plus 110+ in groups flying over NW, pr Goldcrest, 4 singing Chiffchaff, 2 Sparrowhawk, at least 2 pr nesting Lapwing, pr Great Black-backed Gull mating (Martin Honey)
River Lea (near King George's Reservoir): abundant Sand Martin along the river this morning at 08.00, Grey Wagtail 1 pair (Millicent Harper)
Mill Hill: first Swallow back on site at Mote End Farm (Ian Ellis).
Orsett Fen: 3/4 Common Buzzard, Ring-necked Parakeet, Swallow - first of year (James A)
Paddington Green: third-summer Yellow-legged Gull foraging on tiny grassy area along Adpar Street 07:45 (appeared to be the recent HP/KG bird) (D. McKenzie, Nick Tanner).
Pinner Park Farm: 1 female type Black Redstart in the middle hedge - very elusive, showing just twice, 3 Wheatear (two male, one female), 1 Common Buzzard over north-west, 1 Swallow over north-west, 1 Snipe, 2 Little Owl, 1 Cormorant, singing Chiffchaff, 2 Nuthatch, Green & Great Spotted Woodpecker, 43 Jackdaw, 147 Carrion Crow & 1 Grey Heron (Jon Ridge).
Rainham Marshes (RSPB): Northern Wheatear, Yellow Wagtail (reported), Sedge Warbler singing briefly, 7 Cetti's Warbler, Willow Warbler, c. 6 singing Chiffchaff, 3 Blackcap, 2 Sand Martin, 12 + Little Ringed Plover, 2 Dunlin, 2 Curlew, 100 + Redshank on river east of Stone Barges, Green Sandpiper (reported), 4 Oystercatcher, Grey Wagtail, Little Gull, 3rd summer Yellow-legged Gull (Roy Woodward - gets about a bit! -only round LNHS Essex(RW)!), 2 Great Crested Grebe, 10 + Little Egret, 2 Redwing, Peregrine Falcon (m), f Sparrowhawk, 2-3 Kestrel, Marsh Harrier and Buzzard (both reported), no sign Garganey (NC)
Rotherhithe: Willow Warbler singing by Globe Pond, Russia Dock Woodland. Also 2+ Chiffchaff, female Sparrowhawk, Peregrine, Great Spotted Woodpecker (Richard Bonser).
Sidcup (York Avenue): Cormorant S, Sparrowhawk, Herring Gull, juv Lesser Black-backed Gull, 10+ Pigeons, 4+ Woodpigeons, 3 Stock Doves W, pair Collared Doves, few Ring-necked Parakeets, heard Wren singing, Dunnock, Robin, pair Blackbirds, Goldcrest, heard Long-tailed Tits, 4+ Blue Tits, Great Tit, heard Jay, pair Magpies, 6+ Carrion Crow, 10+ Starling, 4+ House Sparrow, 6 Greenfinch, 3 Goldfinch + singing Chiffchaff in Little Birches area (Ian Stewart)
Sidcup (The Glade): pair Egyptian Geese with 6 young - first breeding record here, pair G/C Grebes, Cormorant, Grey Heron, pair Mute Swans, 6+ Canada Geese, c20 Mallards, pair Tufted Ducks, Sparrowhawk low over Halfway Street, 8+ Moorhen, 6+ Coot, Lesser Black-backed Gull over, 2 Pigeons, 20+ Woodpigeons, 3+ Stock Dove, Collared Dove, few Ring-necked Parakeets, drumming Great Spotted Woodpecker, Pied Wagtail, 6+ Wren, 6+ Robin, 3+ Blackbird, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, singing Blackcap, Chiffchaff, heard 2+ Goldcrest, 4+ Long-tailed Tits, Coal Tit, few Blue and Great Tits, Nuthatch or 2, 2+ Magpie, 10+ Carrion Crow, 2+ Chaffinch, singing Greenfinch, 2+ Goldfinch (Ian Stewart)
South Norwood CP: 2 Shoveler, Sparrowhawk, Common Buzzard 07:45, 2 Little Grebe, 2 Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Pheasant, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 7 Blackcap, 10 Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Goldcrest, Reed Bunting (Croydon Birders).
Staines Reservoir: 2 Great Northern Divers, 1 Black-necked Grebe, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 1st summer male briefly on S basin prior to 12.00 only. 1 Avocet N basin W bank and swimming and feeding on S basin late am. Sandwich Tern flew over 13.20 then W. Common Tern early am only. 9 Sand Martins over. 1 Swallow N. (Bob Warden, Rob Innes & FJM) Also 9 Goldeneye, Corrmorant, Great-Crested Grebes (Penelope Paxer)
Stoke Newington Reservoirs: 2 Common Buzzards over (1303 & 1332), 17 Sand Martins north, Swallow (first of year), 10 Lapwings east, plus the usuals (MJP, LP)
Tyttenhanger GPs and Willows Farm: Wheatear, Shelduck, Ruddy Shelduck, 2 Oystercatcher, 2 Little ringed Plover, 7 Redshank 2 Snipe, 3+ Buzzards, Red Kite, 2 Tree Sparrow, Willow Warbler, Blackcap. 5 Sand Martin. 10+ Fieldfare (Steve B)
Walthamstow Reservoirs: 2 Scaup West Warwick; 2 Wheatear East Warwick; Sedge Warbler singing railway line; 40 Sand Martins Lockwood; Peregrine and Sparrowhawk (David Bradshaw)
Wanstead Flats: 2 Ring Ouzel (south of Long Wood), male Redstart, male and female Northern Wheatear, Swallow north, 7 singing Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap, displaying Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, male Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, House Martin (Roy Woodward, S Fisher, J Lethbridge, S Thorpe, Marco Johnson)
Wanstead Park: male Lesser Spotted Woodpecker drumming (the Plain), many singing Blackcap and Chiffchaff, 3 pr Gadwall (Ornamental Waters) (C Legge)
Whitton: c. 20 Waxwing 9.30ish on Kneller Road in trees along the edge of the grounds of Kneller Hall. Also 1 Green Woodpecker (I. Darbyshire).

Friday 1st April 2011[]

Alexandra Park: Willow Warbler singing occasionally 7am from willows between platforms 2 & 3, also 4+ Blackcaps Conservation Area (Bob Watts); also pair Stock doves, 6+ Chiffchaffs. Incidentally, variation fans, the Willow Warbler is an interestingly dull-plumaged individual with legs as dark as a Chiffchaff, tinged with wine red - comes down to a few metres if you're patient; Sand Martin north 11.12, pair Little Grebe (David Callahan).
Archway: 15.15 - Tern sp over east. (PA)
Brookmill Park (Lewisham): 1 Heron, 5 Mallard, 4 Moorhen, 4 Coot, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 8 Woodpigeon, 1 Collared Dove, 1 Ring-necked Parakeet, 5 singing Wren, 5 Robin (only 1 singing), 8 Blackbird, 2 singing Blackcap, 1 Goldcrest, 2 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Great Tit, 3 Blue Tit, 1 Starling, 1 Jay, 6 Magpie, 4 Carrion Crow, 4 Goldfinch, 6 Greenfinch (one pair nest building) 1 singing Chaffinch (Conrad Ellam).
Catford: Red Kite over 11:15 (BirdGuides).
Crayford Marshes: 2 Cetti's Warbler, 3 Little Egret, male Stonechat, Water Rail. 2 Oystercatcher,3 Chiffchaff. (Kev Jarvis).
Custom House (Newham): 50 Waxwings at the Prince Regent Lane A13 interchange. South side of A13. (Pete Fallan)
Eltham: 17 Waxwing at the Rochester Way / Grangehill Road a.m. (BirdGuides). 20 birds at 12.00 (Conrad Ellam)
Foots Cray Meadows: 11+ singing Chiffchaffs, 8+ singing Blackcaps, Grey Heron, pair Mute Swans, 20+ Mallard, 6 Tufted Ducks, 4 Kestrels, few Moorhens, 10+ Coots, 2 Common Gulls, many Woodpigeons, 10+ Stock Doves, many Ring-necked Parakeets, Great Spotted Woodpecker, 4 Green Woodpeckers, Skylark and Meadow Pipits heard near Riverside Road, 10+ Wren, 4+ Dunnock, 10+ Robin, 10+ Blackbird, 2 Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, 2+ Goldcrest, 6+ Long-tailed Tit, Coal Tit, many Blue and Great Tits, Magpies, Jackdaws, Carrion Crows, Starling, House Sparrow at Riverside Road, Chaffinch, 3+ Greenfinch, few Goldfinches, 2 Linnets Riverside Road (Ian Stewart)
Forest Hill: 13 Waxwing on Marler Road a.m. (BirdGuides).
Hampstead Heath: 6 Lesser Black-backed singing Chiffchaff (Ian Stewart)
Sidcup (York Avenue): 1 Redwing S @07.40, pair Greylags, 10+ Canada Geese, Sparrowhawk, 2 Black-headed Gulls N, Common Gull, 2+ Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 22+ Pigeons, 4+ Woodpigeons, Stock Dove N, pair Collared Doves, few Ring-necked Parakeets, Wren, Dunnock, pair Robins, pair Blackbirds, pair Goldcrests, 4+ Blue Tits, pair Great Tits, Jay, 4 Magpies, 4+ Carrion Crows, 30+ Starlings, 4+ House Sparrows, heard singing Chaffinch, 6+ Greenfinch, 3 Goldfinch (Ian Stewart)
Staines Moor: Water Pipit (s/p) and Little Egret (KPDuncan).
Staines Reservoir: 2 Great Northern Diver on South Basin a.m. (BirdGuides).
The Glade (Sidcup): pair Great Crested Grebes, Cormorant, Grey Heron, pair Mute Swan, few Canada Geese, c20 Mallards, pair Tufted Ducks, Sparrowhawk, Moorhens, 6+ Coots, Herring Gull over, Woodpigeons, 8+ Stock Doves, Collared Dove, few Ring-necked Parakeets, Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming, Green Woodpecker, Pied Wagtail, 6+ Wrens, Dunnock, few Robins, 6+ Blackbirds, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, singing Blackcap, 2 singing Chiffchaffs, 4+ Goldcrest, 4+ Long-tailed Tits, Coal Tits, plenty Blue and Great Tits, Jay, 4+ Magpies, 10+ Carrion Crows, Starling, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, 2+ Goldfinch (Ian Stewart)
Vauxhall BT: 1 Peregrine on eggs [RSPB Web Cam here!] (Michael Mac). (or here?)
Walthamstow: Waterworks N.R. Singing Blackcap, Willow Warbler. Marsh; Meadow Pipit. Reservoirs; Singing Blackcap N. end of East Warwick another in old orchard. Singing Sedge Warbler between railway and East Warwick, 2 Scaup West Warwick. 4+ Sand Martin over. 2 Kingfisher No.3. 9 Little Egret 'bubbling' on No.1 island. Singing Blackcap by Fisherman's hut. Singing Willow Warbler N. end of No.4. Female Goosander NW late afternoon. (Paul Whiteman, Lol Bodini, Pete Lambert)
Wanstead Flats: Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (m calling and drumming in Esso, centre, east and west copse TH/NC), 7 singing Chiffchaff, 4 singing Blackcap, 10+ Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, 10+ Skylark, Stock Dove, 2 Shoveler, 1 m Gadwall still, Greylag (7 on Alex, then 6 flew west with 3 returning), Heron, Little Grebe(s), 10 + Cormorant over, Linnet, Reed Bunting, Sparrowhawk, Snipe (Cat & Dog), Mistle Thrush collecting food (NC).
Waterlow Park (07.50): 1 Wheatear, 7 Tufted Duck, 1 Nuthatch, 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 1 Chiffchaff calling from Cemetery (PA).
Whitton: approx 80 Waxwings in tree outside Bishop Perrin school on Hospital Bridge Road at 08.45 (Andy Roberts)
Woodland's Farm (Shooter's Hill): 2 Treecreeper in Clothworker's Woods + at least 2 Nuthatch, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Green Woodpecker, 4 singing Chiffchaff and the usual woodland stuff (Conrad Ellam)