27th February 2007

Stoke Newington, Clissold Park (0900-1030)
14 Shovelers, 19 Pochards, 20 Goldfinches, 2 Little Grebes, 13 Tufted Ducks, 21 Moorhens, 4 Song Thrushes, 1 Redwing, 3 Mistle Thrushes, pair Goldcrests (1 singing), 3 GS Woodpeckers, m Kestrel

Walthamstow Marshes (1100-1300)
3 Egyptian Geese (over, south), 32 Fieldfares (Riding centre field), 4 Redwings, Little Owl, 4 Meadow Pipits, 2 Kestrels, f Sparrowhawk, 25 Goldfinches, 1 Reed Bunting, 165 Carrion Crows, 2 Little Grebes, 35 Greylags, 10 Canada Geese, 30 Chaffinches (inc. flock of 25); also Red Admiral on the wing (in drizzle), and melanistic Rabbit (!)

Millfields Park south (Lea Bridge Rd)(1310)
1st w. Mediterranean Gull with c30 Common and 20 BH Gulls

Stoke Newington, early hours: Redwings passing over at average rate of one (calling) every 90 seconds between 0100 and 0120

22nd February 2007 (add.)

Walthamstow Marshes 1200-1300 MJP
o/c, showers. mod W.

Stonechat - 3 (1m, 2f, all in Bombcrater Field)
Fieldfare - 9 (horse field)
Redwing - 3 (-"-)
Grey Wagtail - 3
Meadow Pipit - 4

21st February 2007

Stoke Newington Reservoirs 1515-1715 MJP, PR, LH
high cloud, some sun, mild. light SW.

Green Sandpiper - 1 (ER)
Shoveler - 11
Little Grebe - 3
Great Crested Grebe - 3
Herring Gull - 12
LBB Gull - 10
Common Gull - 30
Black-headed Gull - 300+
Green Woodpecker - 2
GS Woodpecker - 2
Song Thrush - 3

a late visit to both reservoirs, and little of note (but for a Green Sand flushed from the shallows of the ER, more typically found over on the WR). Many passerines are in song, including three Song Thrushes, and the seemingly doomed pair of Mute Swans are once again constructing their nest on the New River east.

Geldeston Road, Stoke Newington: at one a.m. this morning, an Oystercatcher flew overhead, calling loudly. (the first record for the area).

February 20th 2007 (add.)

Walthamstow Marshes 1100-1250 MJP
mild, o/c. light-mod sw.

Stonechat - 1 female
Fieldfare - 3
Meadow Pipit - 6
Goldfich - 35

8th February 2007

Walthamstow Marshes 1200-1400 MJP
settled snow, overcast, flurries. v cold, mod NE.



Peregrine - 1 male
Common Snipe - 5
Water Rail - 1
Little Owl - 1
Meadow Pipit - 16
Goldfinch - 55
Linnet - 3
Grey Wagtail - 1
Kestrel - 3
Sparrowhawk - 1



A pleasure to be out in the first (and probably last) real snowfall of the winter, with at least 12 cm on the ground, and more flurries came and went before the thaw and sleet began later in the day. The conditions provied some good birding, with Snipe showing well against the snow and dropping into the Bombcrater Field, an increase in the number of Meadow Pipits, and a Water Rail feeding in the shallow stream underneath the railway bridge giving views down to two metres being the highlights.

7th February 2007

Stoke Newington Reservoirs 0735-1000 MJP, PR
heavy frost, clear, sunny, still.



Green Sandpiper - 1
Teal - 1 male
Redwing - 4
Chiffchaff - 1
Gadwall - 45
Shoveler - 18
Little Grebe - 8
Great Crested Grebe - 4



Up on patch early a.m. after the sharpest frost of the winter so far; however, the cold spell has as yet brought no related movements, and will probably need to last a few more days to produce anything notable.

6th February 2007 (add.)

Walthamstow Marshes 1200-1330 MJP
some cloud, mainly sunny, cold. light NE.

Peregrine - 1 female
Little Owl - 1
Kestrel - 2 (m & f)
Meadow Pipit - 12
Little Grebe - 1
Reed Bunting - 1

1st, 2nd & 4th February 2007

1st Feb
Walthamstow Marshes

Stonechat - 2 females
Fieldfare - 1
Meadow Pipit - 8
Little Grebe - 1
Wigeon - 3 (over)

also male Brimstone on the wing along the main southern path

2nd Feb

Abney Park Cemetery
Coal Tit - 1 singing
Goldcrest - 2
Stock Dove - 1
Sparrowhawk - 1

4th Feb
Clissold Park

Shoveler - 10
Pochard - 4
GS Woodpecker - 2
Green Woodpecker - 1
Mistle Thrush - 4
Kestrel - 1m