August 2006 - summary

Highlights:

Black-necked Grebe - one at the East Res. from 28th to months end
Hobby - two singles at the reservoirs, 13th & 26th
Spotted Flycatcher - one to two on several dates from 22nd to 31st
strong hirundine passage errratically throughout the month
regular Common Terns on return migration
Curlew - at least two calling overhead on the night of 29th
Red-crested Pochard - two from 25th to months end



Being in Scandinavia for much of the month prevented patch coverage on my part, but Laurence (and several other observers) maintained a regular presence at our favoured local sites - the Reservoirs, Clissold Park and Abney Park Cemetery.

Details of the above highlights can be found in Laurence's daily entries below.


A more systematic summary at the end of each coming month, with photos, highlights and full counts, will resume from September onwards.



Mark


(additional: another Hobby reported on 26th - TeRNS)

30th August 2006

Clissold Park 1700-1830hrs MJP
mild, mainly sunny. light W.

Spotted Flycatcher - 2 (in the deer enclosure)

Clissold Park 5.30am - 7am.

Very disappointing morning!
c120 Wood Pigeon.
12 BH Gull
3 LBB Gull
2 Green Woodpecker
1 Blackcap

Laurence pitcher

Geldeston Road, 2320hrs (29th)

at least two Curlew over MJP

29th August 2006

East Reservoir: Black-necked Grebe still present.
Clissold Park: 1 Spotted Flycatcher still in the deer enclosure late pm.

Laurence Pitcher.

28th August 2006

SNR 1400-1600hrs MJP

mainly sunny & mild, odd sharp showers; mod W.

Black-necked Grebe - 1

After much of the last three months in the highlands of Scotland and Scandinavia, a Black-necked Grebe on the East Resevoir somewhat softened the blow of having to return to Mother Hackney. The bird, probably present since yesterday, fed in the centre of the reservoir and could be seen from the new river path.


Hirundines were present in good numbers, with around 50 House Martins, 30 Sand Martins and 12 Barn Swallows; wildfowl numbers are also high, and weekly counts (along with entries at least every few days) will recommence from next week. Other migrants included several Willow Warblers and eight Goldcrests, and a Kingfisher has returned to the East Res.


Little Grebes are feeding three chicks, and Great Crested Grebes are still on the nest.

23rd August 2006

Clissold Park 7am - 8am

Overcast, light westerly wind. 1 possibly 2 Spotted Flycatcher in the deer enclosure, cafe side, often using the large dead tree as flycatching post. 2 Blackcap, 1 Goldcrest. Juvenile Green Woodpecker. 1 brood of 3 little Grebe on main pond.

Laurence Pitcher

19th August 2006

Birding very predictable and dull!
50 Sand Martin and perhaps 15-20 House Martin, most of the later probably being made up of mostly local breeders. Although, apart from 3 birds prospecting on Mountgrove Rd,I have not seen any active nests locally.
2 Common Sandpiper on the west Reservior and also a single Kingfisher on that section of the New River.
Wildfowl on the East Reservior made up of Gadwall, Tufted and Ruddy Duck, Pochard and 8 Shoveler. The ubiquitous Coot and Moorhen. Numbers of Cormorant remain high (perhaps 30 birds) indicating good fish stocks. Gull numbers low 1 BH Gull and perhaps 2-3 fly over LBB Gull. No Common Tern. Reed Warblers still present in good numbers.
1 Canada Goose had been taken by the local foxes... they were still eating it.
A few Swift noted high on the evening of the 19th and 20th.

Laurence Pitcher

13th August 2006

With strong NE winds and sudden heavy showers the weather was nothing if not lively.
The main feature of todays birds was the presences of c200-220 Martins, made up of 80% Sand Martin and the rest House Martin. There was also a maxima of 2 Swifts present over the East and West Reserviors.
During the heavy showers, Sand Martins gathered in the reed beds fringing the East Reservior creating an iconic image of migration even in deepest Hackney!!.
Bird of the day goes to a Hobby which sent terror through the Martin flock as it singled out a victim from the group.
A very welcome addition to the local list for me and another credit to this inner London space for providing quality birds.

Usual numbers of wildfowl, Coot etc. At least one new brood of Mallard and Ruddy duck, infact 3-4 male Ruddy's still actively displaying. Many Cormorant present 30+. Reed Warblers begining to venture out of the reed bed and into berry bearing bushes.

Common Sandpiper 3
Red crested Pochard 2
Shoveler 3
Sparrowhawk 1

13th August 2006

With strong NE winds and sudden heavy showers the weather was nothing if not lively.
The main feature of today's birds was the presence of c200-220 Martins, made up of 80% Sand Martin and the rest House Martin. There was also a maxima of 2 Swifts present over the East and West Reserviors.
During the heavy showers, Sand Martins gathered in the reed beds fringing the East Reservoir, creating an iconic image of migration even in deepest Hackney!!.
Bird of the day goes to a Hobby which sent terror through the Martin flock as it singled out a victim from the group.
A very welcome addition to the local list for me and another credit to this inner London space for providing quality birds.

Usual numbers of wildfowl, Coot etc. At least one new brood of Mallard and Ruddy duck, infact 3-4 male Ruddy's still actively displaying. Many Cormorant present 30+. Reed Warblers begining to venture out of the reed bed and into berry bearing bushes.

Common Sandpiper 3
Red crested Pochard 2
Shoveler 3
Sparrowhawk 1

5th August 2006

A large scale Swift "clear out" took place on the 31st July. Only stragglers and migrants now present. Very little else bird wise, a Lesser Whitethroat was seen within the boundary of the east reservoir on the 4th August. Despite a long staying male holding teritory into late spring breeding was not confirmed this year. Most ducks are now in full moult, Black headed Gull numbers are slowly increasing to c10-15 birds. Ruddy Ducks are still displaying and the Common Tern "traffic" still evident.

Banded Demioselles are still dancing around the wooden bridge at the start of the new river path near Green Lanes, Brown Hawker, Migrant Hawker and Black tailed Skimmer Dragonflys all seen along the New River path. Also the newly discovered Small Red Eyed Damselflys can be seen with ease along the New River path west reservoir side. Waterlevels very high dashing any hopes of an exciting wader. 2 impressive Volucella Zonaria hoverflys seen on budliea along the path.
"Of note" a high flying raptor seen from Clissold Park (without optics) looked good for Common Buzzard but eluded conclusive ID on the 6th August.

Laurence Pitcher.