sunny, clear, warm (25oC). light NE.
Common Swift - 1
Linnet - 9
Meadow Pipit - 4 (over)
Reed Bunting - 3
Blackcap - 2
LBB Gull - 18
Herring Gull - 6
Gadwall - 4
Pochard - c20
A lengthy sky-watching session on a very warm, clear day failed to produce any raptors of note (although the time and place are everything, see below....); A Common Swift hawked briefly over the West Res., and Linnets (a flock of seven and two singles) and Meadow Pipits (four singles) represented some signs of movement.
other recent reports:-
2 Red Kites and a Common Buzzard were seen by Laurence Pitcher over Clissold Park around midday, with a further Red Kite sighting soon after (very likely one of the same birds) over Walthamstow Marshes.
The first Common Swifts of the spring were recorded by Tony Butler at the Reservoirs yesterday. The Tawny Owl has been seen several times recently in Abney Park Cemetery, and all local sites have held Blackcaps and Willow Warblers throughout the last week. Small numbers of hirundines continue to trickle through.
Butterflies have been out in force at all sites for the last ten days/two weeks, with Brimstones, Red Admirals, Commas, Speckled Woods, Peacocks, Holly Blues, Common Blues, Orange Tips and all the common Whites regularly recorded.