two local patch watches today:
Stoke Newington Reservoirs 0750-0910 MJP,PR
v cold, o/c, some sun. mod NE.
Teal - 1 male
Shoveler - 3
Gadwall - c50
Pochard - c30
Greylag - 5 (over)
Little Grebe - 1
Great Crested Grebe - 3
Grey Heron - 2
Song Thrush - 5 (2 singing)
the first time back on patch for a couple of weeks, and predictably quiet. Duck numbers, esp. Gadwall, are higher than of late, and the (perhaps temporary) resurgence of the West Reservoir continues, with a significant proportion of wildfowl feeding. Water levels are still too high to attract waders (although a Green Sandpiper visited briefly ten days ago - GJ). The wind has created shallow, marshy phragmites 'platforms' on the ER, which at least offer hope of seeing Snipe or rails in the coming days.
Walthamstow Marshes 1200-1315 MJP
cold, mainly sunny. mod NE
Little Owl - 1
Lapwing - 9 (north)
Gadwall - 104 (north, in small parties)
Teal - 5 (north)
Greylag - 6 (north)
Mallard - c30 (north)
Goldfinch - 25
Meadow Pipit - 2
The large number of Gadwall heading due north over the marshes (and several other species) is unprecedented since I've been covering the site since Sep 2006, and the Lapwings and Little Owl made for a relatively entertaining mid-winter session.