Sunday, March 04, 2007
Friday, March 02, 2007
2nd March 2007
again, two local patches covered today:
Walthamstow Marshes 1050-1240 MJP
sunny, clear, mild. light SW.
Little Owl - 1
Redwing - 1 (in song)
Siskin - 1 female
Stonechat - 1 male
Linnet - 7
Meadow Pipit - 8
Jackdaw - 1 south
Reed Bunting - pair
Carrion Crow - 290+
Kestrel - pair
Sparrowhawk - 1
A mild, sunny and entertaining on the marshes, with several notable records: a female Siskin has joined the mixed finch flock along the western edge of the riding centre, a Redwing broke into full song several times near the central railway line, and a Little Owl - initially heard calling - was attending a suitable nest site (in a different location to records over the past few months).
Other records included a Jackdaw south over Lea Bridge roundabout, and a male Stonechat in conflict with a male Reed Bunting in the bombcrater field.
Clissold Park 0900-1000 MJP, TB
sunny, clear. light SW.
Goldcrest - 2 (one in song)
Shoveler - 11
Pochard - 18
Little Grebe - pair
Mistle Thrush - 4
GS Woodpecker - 4
Walthamstow Marshes 1050-1240 MJP
sunny, clear, mild. light SW.
Little Owl - 1
Redwing - 1 (in song)
Siskin - 1 female
Stonechat - 1 male
Linnet - 7
Meadow Pipit - 8
Jackdaw - 1 south
Reed Bunting - pair
Carrion Crow - 290+
Kestrel - pair
Sparrowhawk - 1
A mild, sunny and entertaining on the marshes, with several notable records: a female Siskin has joined the mixed finch flock along the western edge of the riding centre, a Redwing broke into full song several times near the central railway line, and a Little Owl - initially heard calling - was attending a suitable nest site (in a different location to records over the past few months).
Other records included a Jackdaw south over Lea Bridge roundabout, and a male Stonechat in conflict with a male Reed Bunting in the bombcrater field.
Clissold Park 0900-1000 MJP, TB
sunny, clear. light SW.
Goldcrest - 2 (one in song)
Shoveler - 11
Pochard - 18
Little Grebe - pair
Mistle Thrush - 4
GS Woodpecker - 4
Thursday, March 01, 2007
1st March 2007
Stoke Newington Reservoirs 0745-1000 MJP, PR, TB
bright, mainly sunny. Mod/gusting WSW.
Green Sandpiper - 2
Chiffchaff - 1
Water Rail - 1
Reed Bunting - pair (male singing)
Sparrowhawk - 1
Kestrel - pair (displaying)
Shoveler - 3
Gadwall - c25
Little Grebe - 3
Great Crested Grebe - 3
Walthamstow Marshes 1115-1320 MJP
sunny. mod-gusty WSW.
Skylark - 1 (over)
Fieldfare - 11 (riding centre field)
Meadow Pipit - 4
Kestrel - pair
bright, mainly sunny. Mod/gusting WSW.
Green Sandpiper - 2
Chiffchaff - 1
Water Rail - 1
Reed Bunting - pair (male singing)
Sparrowhawk - 1
Kestrel - pair (displaying)
Shoveler - 3
Gadwall - c25
Little Grebe - 3
Great Crested Grebe - 3
Walthamstow Marshes 1115-1320 MJP
sunny. mod-gusty WSW.
Skylark - 1 (over)
Fieldfare - 11 (riding centre field)
Meadow Pipit - 4
Kestrel - pair
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
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
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
Thursday, February 22, 2007
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
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).
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
mild, o/c. light-mod sw.
Stonechat - 1 female
Fieldfare - 3
Meadow Pipit - 6
Goldfich - 35
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
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.
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.
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
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.
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.
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
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
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
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
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
31st January 2007
Stoke Newington Reservoirs 0735-0915 MJP,PR
cold, clear, sunny. light NW.
Green Sandpiper - 1 (West Res)
Gadwall - 47
Shoveler - 9
Little Grebe - 4
Great Crested Grebe - 4
Greylag - 3 (over)
Song Thrush - 4
Goldfinch - 7
Green Woodpecker - 1
GS Woodpecker - 3
cold, clear, sunny. light NW.
Green Sandpiper - 1 (West Res)
Gadwall - 47
Shoveler - 9
Little Grebe - 4
Great Crested Grebe - 4
Greylag - 3 (over)
Song Thrush - 4
Goldfinch - 7
Green Woodpecker - 1
GS Woodpecker - 3
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
30th January 2007 (add.)
Walthamstow Marshes 1200-1315 MJP
mild, o/c. light W.
Meadow Pipit - 14
Jackdaw - 1
Reed Bunting - 1
Green Woodpecker - 2
Great sp. Woodpecker - 2
Goldfinch - 25
Chaffinch - 15
Greylag - 5 (over)
Kestrel - 1m
Song Thrush - 3
Mistle Thrush - 4
Long-tailed Tit - 9
An increase in the number of Meadow Pipits today, most of which were preening and resting in the trees at the SW corner of Bombcrater Field.
Many passerine species were in song, including Song Thrushes, Chaffinches, Dunnocks, Robins and tits.
above and below: Bombcrater Field, looking north up the valley. This roughly-grazed, marshy, fenced area is popular with feeding birds including finches, pipits, corvids, gulls and Stonechats. In spring the habitat will hopefully attract migrants such as Yellow Wagtails, Whinchats, pipits, larks and Wheatears.
mild, o/c. light W.
Meadow Pipit - 14
Jackdaw - 1
Reed Bunting - 1
Green Woodpecker - 2
Great sp. Woodpecker - 2
Goldfinch - 25
Chaffinch - 15
Greylag - 5 (over)
Kestrel - 1m
Song Thrush - 3
Mistle Thrush - 4
Long-tailed Tit - 9
An increase in the number of Meadow Pipits today, most of which were preening and resting in the trees at the SW corner of Bombcrater Field.
Many passerine species were in song, including Song Thrushes, Chaffinches, Dunnocks, Robins and tits.
above and below: Bombcrater Field, looking north up the valley. This roughly-grazed, marshy, fenced area is popular with feeding birds including finches, pipits, corvids, gulls and Stonechats. In spring the habitat will hopefully attract migrants such as Yellow Wagtails, Whinchats, pipits, larks and Wheatears.
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
23rd January 2007
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.
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.
Monday, January 22, 2007
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
6th & 9th January 2007 (add.)
6th January, Bow (Sounding Alley): a female Peregrine harried pigeons several times outside the window of the studio where we've just completed our debut album..... (www.morningbride.co.uk)
9th January, Walthamstow Marshes (1145-1300) o/c, strong WNW
Peregrine - immature male
Meadow Pipit - 6
9th January, Walthamstow Marshes (1145-1300) o/c, strong WNW
Peregrine - immature male
Meadow Pipit - 6
Thursday, January 04, 2007
4th January 2007
Stoke Newington Reservoirs 0730-0930 MJP, LP
sunny, mainly clear. mod SW.
Chiffchaff - 1
Redwing - 5
Jay - 3
Goldcrest - 3 (2 in song)
Arrived on patch before dawn, with a full moon in the west as the sun rose in the east. A quiet, but sunny, early session; Black-headed Gulls again streamed over at first light, with at least 1200 (and 70 Common Gulls). wildfowl unremarkable, with numbers slightly lower than a few days ago. The conifers on Lordship Road, a hundred metres or so south of the reservoirs, again held singing Goldcrests.
sunny, mainly clear. mod SW.
Chiffchaff - 1
Redwing - 5
Jay - 3
Goldcrest - 3 (2 in song)
Arrived on patch before dawn, with a full moon in the west as the sun rose in the east. A quiet, but sunny, early session; Black-headed Gulls again streamed over at first light, with at least 1200 (and 70 Common Gulls). wildfowl unremarkable, with numbers slightly lower than a few days ago. The conifers on Lordship Road, a hundred metres or so south of the reservoirs, again held singing Goldcrests.
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
3rd January 2007 (add.)
Walthamstow Marshes 1145-1345 MJP
dull, o/c, blustery SW.
Stonechat - 1 female
Meadow Pipit - 7
Sparrowhawk - 1 female
Carrion Crow - 45
on the canal:
Mute Swan - 23
Coot - 32
Little Grebe - 1
dull, o/c, blustery SW.
Stonechat - 1 female
Meadow Pipit - 7
Sparrowhawk - 1 female
Carrion Crow - 45
on the canal:
Mute Swan - 23
Coot - 32
Little Grebe - 1
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
2nd January 2007
Stoke Newington Reservoirs 1415-1600 MJP
o/c, blustery SW.
Shoveler - 5
Pochard - 23
Gadwall - 31
Tufted Duck - c60
Kingfisher - 1
Water Rail - 2
Coot - 210
Great Crested Grebe - 3
Little Grebe - 3
Goldcrest - 1, in song
Jay - 2
Greenfinch - 16
Goldfinch - 4
A predictably quiet beginning to the year on patch. c1200 Black-headed Gulls & 60 Common Gulls headed to roost in the 45 minutes before dusk, in the direction of Walthamstow Reservoirs.
Additional records: Redwings were heard overhead on the evenings of both the 31st and 1st (a nice first species for 2007). The chiffy was in its favoured area in the NW corner of the ER on 31st (PR). The House Sparrow flock in the gardens behind Geldeston Road numbers at least 25, up on the last few months.
o/c, blustery SW.
Shoveler - 5
Pochard - 23
Gadwall - 31
Tufted Duck - c60
Kingfisher - 1
Water Rail - 2
Coot - 210
Great Crested Grebe - 3
Little Grebe - 3
Goldcrest - 1, in song
Jay - 2
Greenfinch - 16
Goldfinch - 4
A predictably quiet beginning to the year on patch. c1200 Black-headed Gulls & 60 Common Gulls headed to roost in the 45 minutes before dusk, in the direction of Walthamstow Reservoirs.
Additional records: Redwings were heard overhead on the evenings of both the 31st and 1st (a nice first species for 2007). The chiffy was in its favoured area in the NW corner of the ER on 31st (PR). The House Sparrow flock in the gardens behind Geldeston Road numbers at least 25, up on the last few months.
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