two sites today:
Walthamstow Marshes 0850-1040 MJP
cool, cloudy. mod NNW.
Hobby - 1
Cuckoo - 1
Sand Martin - 5
Swallow - 1
Swift - c40
Common Whitethroat - 15+
Blackcap - 7
Lesser Whitethroat - 1
Sedge Warbler - 5
Willow Warbler - 2
Chiffchaff - 2
Linnet - 4
Reed Bunting - 3
Sparrowhawk - 2
Kestrel - 1
Another pretty good day on the marshes, although the highlights echoed yesterday's sightings; the Cuckoo is almost certainly the same male which has been present for 12 days now, and the Hobby - great views again, as it harried Swifts and Sand Martins above the railway line - may or may not be yesterday's bird. Otherwise, warbler numbers remain high, with the density of Common Whitethroats apparently on territory (or in dispute for) particularly healthy.
Clissold Park 1300-1450 MJP
sunny, warm, mod NW.
Lesser Whitethroat - 1
Blackcap - 3+
Pochard - 9 (inc. pair mating)
Swift - c60
Sparrowhawk - pair
Kestrel - 1
Little Grebe - pair
A second record of Lesser Whitethroat, again the NW corner of the park was the highlight; otherwise, the encouraging presence of Blackcaps occupying almost all suitable habitat in the area continues, and Coots & Moorhens (as well as Mallards) all have broods on the lake.
Still no large raptors, despite regular sky-watches throughout April and now into May....