Hackney

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: (light S, overcast, mild; sunny periods by 0800). An excellent morning at the reservoirs, with a rich and varied cast of migrants of all shapes and sizes.

Pied Flycatcher - 1 (presumed new bird, dropped into oaks, left after 5 mins)
Spotted Flycatcher - 1 (right by Lordship Road gate)
Siskin - 1 (approachable, in willows 25m east along new river path)
Hobby - 1 east, 0750
Swallow - 86, all south (mostly in groups of 5-15)
Meadow Pipit - 73, all south (in groups of 2-20)
Jackdaw - 2 (onto tower blocks , then north)
Sand Martin - c50
House Martin - c50
Common Sandpiper - 1
Willow Warbler - 6
Chiffchaff - 3
Sedge Warbler - 1
Blackcap - 2
Reed Bunting - 2
Reed Warbler - c10
Common Pochard - 210
Shoveler - 24

Hackney

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: A late evening visit in humid, dull conditions yielded a smart Peregrine, at least 140 House Martins, c40 Sand Martins and a Willow Warbler. (MJP)

Hackney

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: A dull, showery, breezy morning, with much the same cast as the previous few days; two Common Sandpipers were new in, and Shovelers now number at least 15. The Pied Flycatcher remained in the same area (with the Spotted Flycatcher in close attendance), c80 House Martins and c20 Sand Martins were overhead, a Kingfisher was again along the new river, two Common Terns were fishing around the East Res perimeter, and a single Blackcap was in the scrub. (MJP, LP)

Abney Park Cemetery: No sign of the Pied Fly today, or indeed much else, in heavy rain during the early afternoon. (MJP)

Hackney

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: A similar cast to yesterday, with both Pied and Spotted Flycatchers feeding in the same area along the New River east, large numbers of Hirundines congregating overhead (c80 House Martins and c25 Sand Martins), several Willow Warblers, a Blackcap and several Reed Warblers. The year's 15th and 16th Hobbys spent several minutes chasing martins during the late morning. (TB)

Abney Park Cemetery: Several visits today, and the area's other Pied Flycatcher - found on the 2nd - also remained in it's favoured area until 1845 at least. No sign of yesterday's Redstart, but a Reed Warbler feeding in elders (in the same area as the flycatcher) was a surprise, and two Goldcrests, one Willow Warbler, and two Blackcaps were also recorded. Five Jackdaws flew low and north at 1845. (MJP, LP, TB)

Clissold Park: Two Goldcrests, and 12 Collared Doves on the island roost. (MJP, LP, PR)

Hackney

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: You wait three years, and then four come along at once.... Another early morning visit, and fairly quiet, until a group of birds were encountered feeding in the sallows and whitebeams along the New River path; as well as numerous tits, several Phylloscopus warblers and a few other common species, both a Pied Flycatcher and Spotted Flycatcher were located (20m east of the Lordship Road gate) at around 0800hrs.

Both birds remained viewable, and often together, in bright sunshine and blustery south-westerly winds until at least 1300, often chasing each other, and occasionally in the same field of view (see photos). Also recorded: three Chiffchaffs, about eight Willow Warblers, two Blackcaps, one Common Whitethroat, four Common Terns, c80 House Martins, c25 Sand Martins, and one Swallow. (MJP, LP, TB)

This is our fourth Pied Fly of the autumn (after two in Abney on 12th to 14th August, and one found yesterday at the same site), an amazing haul of this locally very rare trans-Saharan migrant.

Abney Park Cemetery: A late afternoon visit in warm sunshine (but still with a brisk wind), and the day's already very satisfying returns became substantially better. Yesterday's Pied Flycatcher was feeding in the same area (although showing more of a preference for an oak, just behind the silver birch) - and shortly after, the year's first Common Redstart put in an appearance in the same area (using the same oak, and feeding mainly out of sight on or near the ground). The Redstart is, amazingly, exactly a year to the day since our last local record. Also recorded: at least 12 Goldcrests. (MJP)

After our mutterings on this page recently regarding a lack of interesting records this autumn, well, patience is a virtue....

Hackney

Abney Park Cemetery: After heavy rain for many hours and strong winds, respite came by early afternoon, and a visit to the cemetery brought the first scarce passerine highlight of September. A Pied Flycatcher was found in the tall silver birch 20m south-east of the chapel at 1320, and remained in the same area until at least 1720. The last few weeks have been somewhat hard work for autumn passerine migrants locally (excluding Phylloscopus and odd Sylvia warblers, and Hirundines), and so today's bird breaks a fairly barren period as the season's migration begins proper. (MJP, TB et al)

It's also the third Pied Fly of the autumn - a far from annual occurence in recent years (the last being recorded in 2005) - and, bizarrely, the species currently outnumbers it's far commoner congener the Spotted Flycatcher 3 to 1 this year.

Also recorded: A single Blackcap, six House Martins, one Swallow and a single Linnet over, as well as an ever-increasing tit flock (with c25 Long-tailed Tits and numerous Blue and Great tits today).

Clissold Park: A locally significant (and record high) 15 Collared Doves were roosting on the island of the main lake this evening. (MJP)

Hackney

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: A cool, breezy morning at the reservoirs produced few passerine migrants (except four Willow Warblers and two Blackcaps), but duck numbers have increased appreciably - a single Red-crested Pochard was in the company of 11 Shovelers and no less than 176+ Common Pochards.

Single Kingfisher, Common Tern (juvenile) and Common Gull (2nd year) were recorded at the East res, and as the morning warmed up beyond 0800, the skies provided encouraging signs over the West Res, with two Jackdaws NW (the first of the autumn), six House Martins, and a superb adult Peregrine low overhead. (MJP, LP, TB)

Hackney

Hackney Marshes: A dawn visit in thick, enveloping fog made for interesting watching, but conditions slowly improved; two Yellow Wagtails went overhead, and two Blackcaps, two Chiffchaffs, a Kingfisher, a Grey Wagtail and a Rose-ringed Parakeet were recorded. (MJP, TB, PC)

Middlesex Filter Beds: one Lesser Whitethroat, one Common Whitethroat, four Chiffchaffs, a Willow Warbler and five Blackcaps were present amongst mixed feeding flocks (MJP, TB)

Hackney Borders

Waterworks NR: In humid, windless, simultaneously bright and drizzly conditions (with violent thunderstorms to the south), 28 Teal, three Shovelers, three Chiffchaffs and a Blackcap were among notable species present. (MJP, PC, TB)

Walthamstow Marshes: a single Wheatear, four Yellow Wagtails and 30+ alba Wagtails were all recorded in the horse field, and five Chiffchaffs, three Common Whitethroats, five Sand Martins, and 20+ Goldfinches were elsewhere on the marsh. (MJP, TB)

Walthamstow Reservoirs: 14 Black Terns and a Little Gull were recorded (PL).

Hackney

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: three (female-type) Red-crested Pochards were fresh in today, on the West Res; otherwise quiet, with three Willow Warblers and a Chiffchaff plus the usuals. (TB)

Clissold Park: An hour's late evening sky-watch produced a single Swift and three House Martins, all quickly through and heading south. (MJP)

Hackney Borders

Walthamstow Marshes: one adult Whinchat, two Wheatears, one Yellow Wagtail, five Common Whitethroats, three Lesser Whitethroats and eight Blackcaps (PC).

Hackney

Again quiet; the reservoirs held nothing except the usuals, Abney Park Cemetery hosted a single Willow Warbler, and Clissold Park's best offerings were four Rose-ringed Parakeets and a couple of Green Woodpeckers. (The latter species are especially ubiquitous at the moment, and juvenile birds are easily approached in the park). (MJP, TB)

Hackney

Little new to report at any site, the highlights being a Sedge Warbler (the first in a while), five Willow Warblers, a newly-fledged Little Grebe with parents, a Chiffchaff and seven Common Terns at the Reservoirs, and Willow Warbler in Clissold Park.

Hackney

Abney Park Cemetery: The Tawny Owl was roosting in the same place today, and one Willow Warbler and two Goldcrests were recorded. (MJP, TB)

Hackney

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: A mainly cloudy morning with a moderate SW wind and warmer sunny breaks. The highlight was yet another Hobby, in from the NE, hawking insects for a few minutes and then drifting SW at 0805hrs; including a late report of a single over Abney on Sunday (24th), this brings the year's total so far to an unrivalled 14 - almost three times the annual totals of recent years. This always impressive falcon is now comfortably the third commonest raptor in the borough.

Also recorded: a single Red-crested Pochard (eclipse drake), five Shovelers, two Swallows, seven Sand Martins, one House Martin, seven Willow Warblers, one Chiffchaff, eight Common Terns (still feeding juvs), one Kingfisher and a Purple Hairstreak. (MJP, TB)

Hackney

Abney Park Cemetery: Quiet today in dull, cloudy conditions, the highlight being a Tawny Owl hidden in the canopy, mobbed by Jays, Tits, Blackbirds and Robins. (MJP, TB, LP)

Clissold Park: Also very quiet, although the autumn's second Budgerigar (a blue variant this time) raises hopes that the Azores high pressure system will bring more sub-tropical vagrants...... (MJP, LP)

Hackney

Abney Park Cemetery: seven House Martins fed overhead at 1930. (MJP)

Hackney

Hackney Marshes:A very successful several hour stint (from first light) on the marshes produced another fine raptor record this morning - a juvenile Marsh Harrier flew south around 1100hrs. Good back-up was provided by a Common Buzzard, two Wheatears and several Yellow Wagtails. A trickle of Swallows and Swifts were overhead. (DDL) (photos to follow)

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: An impressive 20 Willow Warblers were present early this morning. (TB)

Clissold Park: several Swifts moved through during the late morning (LP).

Hackney

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: After showers in the early hours continued beyond dawn, hopes were high of new migrants this morning, and a fall of warblers were scattered throughout the reservoirs area as the rain eased. A minimum of 14 Willow Warblers, six Chiffchaffs, Two Common Whitethroats, and three Blackcaps were recorded, the majority being in the trees and scrub along the southern perimeter of the East Res, and along the New River East. Both these areas are excellent for migrant warblers, especially Phylloscopus - Willow Warblers and Chiffchaffs - and this year has seen healthy numbers move through the borough in the spring and (especially) early autumn.

The first record of Red-crested Pochard this autumn came from the West Res, where an eclipse male and a female were with Common Pochards. Every year around this time, for a 'window' of about three weeks or so, this species arrives in small numbers at the reservoirs. (MJP, TB)

Evening update: A Red-crested Pochard was on the East Res (viewable from the New River path); an adult Hobby flew south-east over the reservoirs at 1630 hrs (MJP).

Abney Park Cemetery: Surprisingly quiet despite an intensive search, but a Hobby over (west at 1330hrs) was fine consolation, and our 11th this year (an annual record).

Hackney

Abney Park Cemetery: As at all sites today, most records of passerines concerned birds within mixed feeding flocks; five Willow Warblers and six Blackcaps were amongst the tits and other common species today, as were four Goldcrests. A Swift was overhead and a Purple Hairstreak gave brief but good views in the canopy.

Clissold Park:Four Willow Warblers, one Chiffchaff and a single Swift were recorded.

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: Three Willow Warblers, one Chiffchaff, 28 Common Terns, one Swift and four Shovelers were present today.

Hackney

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: A milder and less windy morning, although still overcast and breezy. Swifts were present in good numbers, with a minimum of 25 recorded, and Sand Martins and House Martins numbered about 15 each. Six Chiffchaffs, two Willow Warblers, a Common Sandpiper, two Blackcaps, 21 Common Terns and four Shoveler were also counted.

Several interesting spider species were observed today (see photos below). Afemale Bruennichi's Argiope (or Wasp Spider) Argiope Bruennichi was active within her web on the north bank of the East Res; this dramatic and beautiful spider is common on the European mainland, but up until 10 years ago was only known from the south coast of England, with a rapid range spread since then. (MJP, TB)

Hackney

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: Another blustery, cool and changeable early morning, and pretty quiet as a result. Hirundines were fairly numerous, with 25 House Martins and 20 Sand Martins; five Swifts passed through, 19 Common Terns were present, and three Shovelers were on the East Res. (MJP, TB)

Abney Park Cemetery: Today's highlight was a Garden Warbler (the first of the autumn of this regular but hard to pin down migrant), loosely associating with a mixed passerine feeding flock with also included two Willow Warblers and a Chiffchaff. A pair of Blackcaps were watched feeding young in the nest, the female of which being ringed on her right leg. (MJP)

Hackney

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: Another windy, stormy morning with sunny breaks. Two Hobbys, play-fighting over the East Res, were the morning's highlight; three Teal were fresh in at around 0930, and seven Swifts, two House Martins, two Willow Warblers, three Brown Hawkers and a Painted Lady were also recorded. (TB, MJP)

Clissold Park: Five Willow Warblers (TB).

Abney Park Cemetery: Three Willow Warblers, 16 Long-tailed Tits, two Goldcrests (MJP).

Hackney

Stamford Hill: A Hobby flew west at 1255hrs (MJP).

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: A cool, cloudy late afternoon visit with a brisk SW wind made finding passerines particularly difficult, and what few migrants were found were keeping a very low profile. Five Willow Warblers and two Chiffchaffs were recorded, as well as about eight Reed Warblers, but the surprise of the day was a mostly white Budgerigar (!) in the willows.

Swifts were, happily, still in attendence, with at least 10 moving through, as were five House Martins and four Sand Martins. Duck numbers are still high - especially Tufted Ducks and Common Pochards - and the weed on the East Res is becoming more extensive, raising hopes of an interesting duck or possibly grebe in the coming few weeks (it's been a long time, and we can but hope). Two Shovelers were the best of today's species.

The highlight however was the record numbers of Common Terns counted. A minimum of 25 were feeding on the reservoirs, and a flock of 16 came in from the NE and flew straight through to the SW, bringing the count to a minimum of 41 birds today.

Our friend from Essex (the colour-ringed, three and a half month old Cormorant from Abberton Reservoir) was back on the platform - see pictures below. (MJP, TB)

Hackney

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: a still, sunny, cloudless morning (the first in some time) produced 11 Willow Warblers, six Chiffchaffs, three Blackcaps, one Sedge Warbler, c15 Reed Warblers, four House Martins, three Sand Martins, two Swifts, four Goldcrests, and 11 Common Terns. (MJP, TB)

Abney Park Cemetery: The first clear, warm, sunny and relatively still day of the week (following a clear night with an almost full moon) provided good conditions for migrants to move on, which more than likely explains the lack of passerines which were present for the last few days - no sign of the Pied Flycatchers, and just a single Willow Warbler represented the formerly numerous Phylloscs in the same area. Two Goldcrests and several Swifts were also recorded. (MJP, TB)

Clissold Park: c15 Swifts and a Willow Warbler were recorded today. (LP)

Hackney

Colour-ringed Cormorant

After communications with Stuart Newsom at the BTO, a juvenile colour-ringed Cormorant, seen and photographed at Stoke Newington East Reservoir on the 1st of this month, is now known to originate from the large, well-established colony at Abberton Reservoir, Essex. Ringed on the left leg with an orange colour ring bearing the letters ACY (and metal-ringed on the right leg), this is the first sighting of the bird away from it's natal area. It was ringed in the nest as a chick on 27th April this year. Thanks to Stuart (who also ringed the bird!) for the information. (MJP)

Abney Park Cemetery: Two Pied Flycatchers are still (assuming the same birds are involved) frequenting the same area in the cemetery, giving good views on and off again today. One of the birds is showing more of a preference for the stand of Silver Birches closer to the Church St. entrance. Also present - seven Willow Warblers, three Chiffchaffs, two Goldcrests and two Swifts. (MJP, RM)

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: 15 Willow Warblers, three Chiffchaffs, three Blackcaps, four House Martins and four Swifts were recorded today, as well as several Brown Hawkers, Common Darters and a Purple Hairstreak. (TB)

Hackney

Abney Park Cemetery: In very windy, changeable conditions (with heavy showers and odd breaks of sun), yesterday's Pied Flycatchers were relocated again this morning. Both are viewable, feeding in silver birches, sycamores and oaks, from a stretch of a path approx. ten metres south of the Isaac Watts statue, itself a few metres from the WWII memorial and within site of the central chapel. Exacerbated by the difficult conditions, both are quite shy and hard to pin down, but tend to appear briefly in more open canopy when the sun comes out.

Also recorded - six Willow Warblers, two Chiffchaffs and two Goldcrests, as well as two Commas, a Red Admiral, many Speckled Woods and several Holly Blues. (MJP, LP, TB)

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: An early session once again provided many signs of movement, with Willow Warblers again numerous and often within mixed feeding flocks (with e.g. Blue Tits and Long-tailed Tits); at least 11 were present today (some again in song), as well as four Chiffchaffs (two in song), a Common Whitethroat, two Blackcaps and several Goldcrests.

A Hobby passed through quickly and south-west at 0745, and all three hirundines were overhead, with c15 House Martins, one Sand Martin and one Swallow. A Kingfisher was again along the new river, and Swifts linger on - eight were hunting around the reservoirs today (and several have been recorded on each day this week). duck numbers continue to swell, with c110 Common Pochards, c130 Tufted Ducks, 16 Gadwall and four Shovelers. 13 Common Terns and c25 Black-headed Gulls were also recorded. (MJP, TB)

Hackney

Abney Park Cemetery:

Two Pied Flycatchers, feeding in Silver Birches ten metres south of the Isaac Watts memorial between 1345-1400hrs, were the highlight of the day, and the month, so far - indeed, as an early bar-raiser for rare local passerines, they may take a lot to surpass this autumn. As is often the case in the cemetery before the leaves begin to fall, finding migrants is especially hard in such an extensive, thickly-foliaged patch, and today was no exception - the site was as quite as a graveyard (...) before a feeding flock appeared in the birches, consisting mainly of tits, with Willow Warblers, Goldcrests and Chiffchaffs in tow.

A few minutes scrutinising the flock produced two birds in the tops of the trees, chasing each other; instantly recognisable as Pied flys, they're the first record of this locally extremely rare migrant since 2006. Viewable on and off for 15 minutes or so at least, the very windy conditions (with heavy rain overnight / early morning) made observing difficult, but was no doubt responsible for bringing the birds down. (MJP)

Hackney

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: A host of new warbler arrivals at the reservoirs today on a cooler, breezy, cloudy morning. At least 17 Willow Warblers (a high site count for the year) were joined by a smart Lesser Whitethroat, four Chiffchaffs, a Blackcap and about eight Reed Warblers.

Wildfowl numbers are still high, a single Shoveler was on the East Res, and four House Martins and c15 Swifts were overhead. (MJP, TB)

Hackney

More moths from Abney Park Cemetery, 6th August

Hackney

Hackney Marshes at the river Lea: One Common sandpiper on the river today (PR).

Hackney

Abney Park Cemetery: Slightly cooler today, with overcast skies, brief light showers and a light northerly wind, but still mild in the cemetery, where a single Willow Warbler was with one of several passerine feeding flocks.

Good news regarding the Sparrowhawk family - the juveniles are now out of the nest, very noisy, and test-flying around the cemetery together. (MJP, TB)

Abney Park Cemetery

Moth trapping in the Cemetery, 6th August 2008

Wednesday's night's moth-trapping session in Abney Park Cemtery was a great success, and thankfully the electrical storms skirted just beyind us throughout the evening. A Skinner Trap was used between 2115 and 0000. A list of the species caught and examined appears below (with the exception of some micro-moths). Thanks to Russell Miller, Tony Butler and Mike Trier for organising the evening, to Abney Park Trust for allowing us access and facilities, and to David Howdon for identification and guidance.

Cyclophora punctaria - Maiden's Blush

Pleuroptya ruralis - Mother of Pearl

Cameraria ohridella

Hofmannophila pseudospretella - Brown House Moth

Blastobasis adustella

Pandemis corylana - Chequered Fruit-tree Tortrix

Epiphyas postvittana - Light Brown Apple Moth

Cydia splendana

Agriphila straminella

Pyrausta aurata

Pleuroptya ruralis - Mother of Pearl

Endotricha flammealis

Trachycera advenella

Phycita roborella

Idaea rusticata - Least Carpet

Idaea dimidiata - Single-dotted Wave

Eupithecia tripunctaria - White-spotted Pug

Gymnoscelis rufifasciata - Double-striped Pug

Opisthograptis luteolata - Brimstone Moth

Ourapteryx sambucaria - Swallow-tailed Moth

Notodonta ziczac - Pebble Prominent

Ochropleura plecta - Flame Shoulder

Noctua pronuba - Large Yellow Underwing

Noctua janthe - Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing

Cryphia algae - Tree-lichen Beauty

Cryphia domestica - Marbled Beauty

Amphipyra pyramidea - Copper Underwing

Mesoligia furuncula - Cloaked Minor

Hackney

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: an early session in overcast, mild conditions, with more early autumn migrants having freshly arrived. Seven Willow Warblers (mostly pristine, sulphur-coloured juveniles), four Chiffchaffs, three Blackcaps, a Sedge Warbler and approx. 18 Reed Warblers (many feeding in trees and scrub) were recorded, as well as a Kingfisher on the New River, a Common Sandpiper on the West Res, 10 Common Terns, eight House Martins, two Sand Martins, c25 Swifts, a juvenile Common Gull, 20 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, and 15 Black-headed Gulls. (MJP, TB, PC)

Clissold Park: nothing to report except c10 Swifts overhead.

Abney Park Cemetery: a gathering for a moth-trapping evening (of which, more soon) was serenaded by two calling Tawny Owls (various obs).

Hackney

Clissold Park: little to report from the park today, but for a single Chiffchaff and a Common Tern fishing on the main lake. (MJP)

Hackney

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: A warm, overcast day with occasional light showers, and some surefire signs that autumn migration is finally underway in the shape of the year's first Spotted Flycatcher and at least three Willow Warblers.

Around eight Common Terns, three Sand Martins, two House Martins, c25 Swifts, three Grey Herons, two Blackcaps and seven Reed Warblers were also recorded. (MJP, LP, TB)

Swifts, while still overhead across the borough in variable numbers, have become steadily less numerous over the last five or six days.

Hackney

Middlesex Filter Beds / Hackney Marshes: another very humid day with showers (some light, some heavy) and brighter periods was the first to show real evidence of passerine movement in the borough this 'autumn'.

At least seven Chiffchaffs and a single Willow Warbler were recorded, as was a Lesser Whitethroat, the latter in the hedge dividing the two sites. No less than three Common Sandpipers and a family party of Grey Wagtails were along the river. (MJP, PB)

Hackney

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: Another warm and humid day, although punctuated by brief showers and a blustery S wind. Wildfowl numbers continue to rise, with a high count of (at least) 69 Common Pochards, 80+ Tufted Ducks, and 150+ Coots on the water, as well as an eclipse male Shoveler, 11 Cormorants (one ringed - see below), three Grey Herons, 14 Common Terns (including five juveniles), three Herring Gulls and four Reed Warblers.

Species with recently fledged young include Great Crested Grebes (two pairs), Lesser Black-backed Gulls (two pairs), Mute Swans (two pairs), Coots, Mallards and Moorhens.

Gatekeepers, Speckled Woods, Meadow Browns, Large Skippers, various Whites and several Peacocks were all on the wing.

Abney Park Cemetery: A quiet day in the cemetery, although butterflies were out in force again. The highlight was a female Purple Hairstreak, and numbers of Meadow Browns, Holly Blues, Speckled Woods, Small Whites, Green-veined Whites and Large Whites were all high; several Peacocks and Red Admirals were also recorded. A few Emperor and Common Darter dragonflies were on the wing. (MJP, TB)

Hackney

23rd - 31st of July - update

Despite good coverage of various sites, it's been predictably quiet in the borough of late, although real signs of 'autumn' migration are finally beginning to show.

Very few migrant passerines have been recorded as yet, with the exception of a trickle of Chiffchaffs in the NW of the borough. The main interest has been provided by the sudden (if expected) build-up in duck numbers at Stoke Newington Reservoirs, with Common Pochards and Tufted Ducks (as well as Coots) all much more numerous now than during the late spring and summer.

Abney Park's Sparrowhawks are seemingly doing well, as are both pairs of Kestrels in the NW (with Clissold Park providing their overlapping range). There have been a few cases of the one(s) that got away this last week, with a large raptor and a small group of waders - over Stoke Newington on different days - going unidentified.

Butterflies, moths, dragonflies and damselflies have more than alleviated the mid-summer bird lull however. Ten days or more of particularly warm, often sunny days has provided variety and quantity at several sites. (TBC)

Hackney

Abney Park Cemetery: A very warm, sunny lunchtime session in the cemetery produced a couple of notable sightings, most dramatically a Peregrine flying over with prey. While not a rarity in the area, it's perhaps only the fifth or sixth recorded this year. Another brief stake-out of the Sparrowhawk nest site (very well hidden this year) provided the day's highlight, when the female flew in with prey, and the presence of two chicks was finally visible (after several confirmed 'audible' records over recent weeks....).

The commoner btterfly species were on the wing in good numbers, and a family party of Goldcrests were feeding noisily along the western perimeter. (MJP)

Hackney

A very quiet few days in the borough, as usual at this time of year - we're in the midsummer lull before autumn migration steadily begins to build. seven Common Terns (inc. one juv.) and four Sand Martins were at the West res today (LP, GG), and all sites have been particularly quiet for some time now.

Hackney

NW Hackney: LP and several other Hackney Wildlife contributors counted approx. 270 Soprano Pipistrelles this evening, leaving the maternity roost in the eaves of a house.

Hackney

Another warm, partially sunny day, and once again very quiet in the borough, with e.g. Clissold and Abney producing little but for the expected breeding species and good numbers of the commoner butterflies. (MJP, LP)

Hackney

Springfield Park: A couple of hours lunchtime sky-watching produced little of note, but a family party of Goldcrests were in the conifers by the cafe, the Rose-ringed Parakeets were near their nest site, 16 Common Terns were fishing over the canal & Walthamstow Res area, and approx. eight Emperor dragonflies and 12 Meadow Browns were around the grassland area of the park. (MJP)

Little to report from the last few days, except the impressive count of Soprano Pipistrelles at a maternity roost, and a Hobby, both from NW Hackney on Thursday and Friday respectively (see below).

Hackney

NW Hackney: A Hobby was seen just west of Stoke Newington Reservoirs this morning, the sixth so far this year. (LP).

Hackney

Private house, NW Hackney: Laurence Pitcher, regular HW contributor and local naturalist, again counted the maternity roost of Soprano Pipistrelles in the eaves of his house (exiting barely a metre from his bedroom window) and clocked an impressive 375 this evening.

Hackney Borders

No sightings today (torrential rain not helping), but late news from yesterday:

Walthamstow Reservoirs (North Side; 1200-1500hrs): 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 1 Green Sandpipers, 2 Common Sandpipers, 120 Sand Martins, 200+ Swift, 2 prs Shelduck (1 with 4 chicks), 1 Egyptian Goose, 40+ Common Terns (at least 12 juveniles) (Paul Cook)

Hackney

Abney Park Cemetery: An unexpected and fantastic spectacle occurred in the cemetery today, at 1350hrs, as the skies cleared immediately after a very heavy downpour. Hearing the psychotic (and now locally infamous) Lesser Black-backed Gulls creating a commotion overhead, i looked up into a clearing in the canopy, and before having the chance to focus my binoculars, a Common Buzzard - evidently having lost patience with the dive-bombing Lesser Black-backs - entered the cemetery by its northern perimeter, glided within the trees barely 10 metres away, and briefly settled nearby on an open branch. Almostly immediately haranged by the resident female Sparrowhawk (having landed unknowingly within a few metres of the latter species' nest), the Buzzard took to the wing again, remaining within the cemetery and well below treetop height. Despite searching, it couldn't be re-found, although the site is large and dense enough for it to have been easily missed subsequently.

This constitutes the first large raptor, at least as far as we know, to have made landfall in the area. Despite passing interests shown by e.g. the Osprey in spring 2006 at the reservoirs, the Honey Buzzard this May at the same site, and a Common Buzzard in April (very) low over the cemetery, none have been seen to actually put down.

Interestingly, Birds of prey sightings have dominated highlights throughout the spring and early summer in Hackney (see monthly summaries, left) - so much for our vague theory of large raptor sightings 'drying up' beyond mid-May (!) - and when possible, regular sky-watching will continue throughout the summer and autumn.

It also constitutes a (perhaps brief) change of heart towards the aforementioned gulls, which have made watching the East Reservoir this spring akin to dodging bullets in Basra; worse still for the local residents of Bethune Road, who have reported regular, unwanted contact with the pair in question......

Throughout this year, we've made a concerted effort to 'cover' Abney more, with at least three several-hour visits per week - perhaps the best coverage the site has recived during a given spring. While the site can be off-putting post-April on account of the density and extent of the foliage (making birding very difficult), observer effort has paid off well, simply by putting the time in. This year's highlights in the cemetery - so far - include three Woodcock records in March, a Red Kite low and north at the end of the same month, two Common Buzzards (including the above) low and/or down, two Firecrests (together) in April, confirmed successful breeding of Tawny Owls, Green Woodpeckers and Sparrowhawks, good Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler passage, a migrant Lesser Whitethroat in May, as well Bramblings, many Redwings and occasionally Fieldfares and Siskins up until April.

Stoke Newington West Reservoir: A late morning session at the WR (with 30 enthusiastic schoolkids in tow) was notable mainly for the impressive congregation of Swifts and Hirundines hunting low over the water. Swifts numbered at least 250, with perhaps more involved; a high count of 35 Sand Martins was the most for some weeks, and 15 House Martins and a single Swallow were also present. (MJP)

Hackney

Several sites covered around the lower Lea valley today, in changeable conditions (storms, warm sunshine, heavy rain etc.) and brisk SW winds.

Today's highlight was (yet) another adult Hobby, this time hunting for a few minutes over the Lea Navigation and Walthamstow Marshes from around 1500hrs; our fifth of the year and the fourth in less than a fortnight, it's been a truly bumper year for this stunning small raptor in the borough. (see pretty dreadful photo below)

Other notable records included a breeding pair of Common Whitethroats in the NW corner of Hackney Marshes, benefitting from the area of 'setaside' and probably the only other breeding pair away from Stoke Newington Reservoirs; two singing Chiffchaffs at Middlesex Filter Beds; two Common Gulls and c20 Black-headed Gulls on Millfields Park South; Sand Martins once again breeding in a drainage pipe along the Lea Navigation, Hackney's only breeding pair (and a triumph of adaptability!); and just east of the borough, four singing Linnets, many Common and a single Lesser Whitethroat at Walthamstow Marshes.

Hackney

Stoke Newington reservoirs: A long morning session at the Reservoirs in warm sunshine with a light southerly wind was notable mainly for Common Terns and non-avian fliers. Common Terns numbered 24, second only to yesterday (see below) and a much greater presence than usual at this (or any other) time of year.

Swifts were numerous early on, with at least 80 together before 0800; all three species of British Hirundine arrived together at around 1000hrs, with 12 Sand Martins, five House Martins and a single Swallow over the West Res. Wildfowl numbers are beginning to build, with 31 Common Pochards, 10 Gadwall and c20 Tufted Ducks today, and a pair of Little Grebes have young on the East Res.

Also recorded: a Common Whitethroat, a Sedge Warbler, eight Black-headed Gulls, a Sparrowhawk, Kestrels (feeding young nearby), three Rose-ringed Parakeets and all the usual breeding species.

Much interest was provided by dragonflies, damselflies and butterflies today. A single Common Darter (the first of the year) was recorded, as well least six Emperors and three Black-tailed Skimmers, with several Red-eyed, many Blue-tailed and healthy numbers of blue Damselflies on the wing.

Butterflies were out in force, with Commas, Meadow Browns, Small Whites, Large Whites, Speckled Woods, Large Skippers & Red Admirals all recorded.

Clissold Park: All the usual breeding species were present, as well as several Black-headed Gulls, three Emperors, two Black-tailed Skimmers, a Comma, a Red Admiral and two Large Whites.

Abney Park Cemetery: The male Sparrowhawk attended the nest, and butterflies were numerous - Holly Blues, Speckled Woods, Red Admirals, Small Whites and a Brimstone were recorded. (MJP, TB)

Hackney

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: 29 Common Terns (a site record), 2nd summer Common Gull, three Shovelers, five Sand Martins (TB).

Hackney

Clissold Park: An afternoon sky-watch provided yet another Hobby sighting today, another adult high and SW at 1515hrs - our third record in a week. A Common Tern was fishing over the main lake. (LP, MP)

Hackney Borders

Walthamstow Reservoirs: 3 Redshanks, 2 Common Sandpipers, 2 Lapwings. 100+ Common Pochard, mostly males. At least five Little Egrets. An adult summer Mediterranean Gull flew South at 16:20. (Paul Whiteman)

Hackney

Stamford Hill: Another sighting of a Hobby, always a welcome visitor to the borough, came today with a bird chasing and dramatically catching a Swift (from a feeding flock of c20), over urban streets c500 metres east of the East Reservoir. (MJP)

Abney Park Cemetery: notable sightings included a Brimstone, six Speckled Woods, two Large Whites, three Holly Blues and three Red Admirals. (MJP)

Hackney

Stoke Newington High Street: Today's highlight was, not for the first time, a raptor over a busy local street, immediately after a concerted sky-watching session at a local open space produced no such luck...... a stunning adult Hobby flew low and west over the High Street at 2016hrs this evening, giving brief but excellent views.

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: a mid afternoon session at the reservoirs in warm, sunny conditions with a moderate southerly wind was notable mainly for the passage of Sand Martins, 13 of which flew south in one and twos within a 90 minute period, perhaps constituting the first sign of return migration this year (is it autumn already?). Four Common Terns were (omni)present, and Common Pochard numbers are again higher, with 20 recorded today.

Also at the reservoirs today: A six-spot Burnet moth was, well, accompanied by a Burnet Companion along the New River West, many Common Blue and Blue-tailed Damselflies were on the wing, three Red Admirals and four Speckled Woods were present and three Black-tailed Skimmers were recorded (see pictures).(MJP. LP)

Abney Park Cemetery: Little to report but for two singing Chiffchaffs and seven Blackcaps, and six Speckled Woods. (MJP)

Private House, NW Hackney: It was with great pleasure this evening we hung out of the windows of a local private residence and counted no less than 225 Soprano Pipistrelles, leaving a maternity roost found by Laurence Pitcher. All the bats were counted between 2127 and 2210, and provided a fine spectacle. Thanks to Cindy, Hazel and Ian from the London Bat Group / Bat Conservation Trust.

Hackney Borders

Walthamstow Reservoirs: Brent Goose on Lockwood, a.m. (Pete Lambert)

Hackney

NW Hackney: A well-grown Kestrel chick was observed at a traditional breeding site (LP); otherwise, little to report over previous days, as expected at this time of year.

Hackney

Abney Park Cemetery: nothing new to report today, with the usual breeding species accounting for most records and c8 Speckled Woods on the wing.

A few photographs from the area over the last few days:

Hackney Borders

Hornsey: Red Kite low over roof top of garden calling; drifted slowly and appeared to head towards an area east of new river village at 16:35 (John Murray).

Hackney

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: A lunchtime session at the reservoirs, in overcast, windy and occasionally showery conditions. Another Common Buzzard - at least the fifth this year - glided SW at 1110hrs, chased by Carrion Crows, and continues the outstanding spring/early summer for large raptors in the borough. Otherwise, the Garden Warbler was again in song near the West Res., a total of five Common Terns were present together, two Swallows flew NE, seven House Martins were with a minimum of 60 Swifts hawking low and en masse over both Reservoirs, and the family of Grey Wagtails continues to frequent the shores of the West Res.

Numbers of Common Pochard have increased (to 19), both male and female Kestrels were attending a traditional breeding site, and four Blackcaps were recorded. (MJP)

Abney Park Cemetery: Both Sparrowhawks were observed attending a newly-discovered nest site. Nine Speckled Woods and two Red Admirals were also recorded. (MJP)

Hackney

Clissold Park: An hour or so sky-watching provided today's highlight, and more evidence that large raptors are always worth looking for over the borough - a Common Buzzard flew high and west at 1520hrs, hit a thermal briefly over Green Lanes, and was soon on its way. Hardly as gilt-edged as the Honey Buzzard a couple of weeks ago, with hardly the excellent, protracted views provided by the latter, but another good record nonetheless, adding to our best year by far for birds of prey in Hackney.

Also recorded in the park were eight Common Pochards (and a brood of six ducklings), seven Grey Herons west (two groups of two and one of three), c20 Swifts, a single House Martin and the local Sparrowhawks and Kestrels. (MJP)

Stoke Newington reservoirs: An early afternoon session at the reservoirs produced a singing Garden Warbler (in the old playground - either a very late migrant or a potentially overlooked breeding presence?), two Common Terns (courtship feeding and resting on the platforms, as they've been prone to for several weeks now), two Common Whitethroats, a family party of Grey Wagtails, a single Sand Martin (the first for some time), three Blackcaps, three Reed Buntings, c30 Swifts, a Sparrowhawk and a Kestrel. (MJP)

Hackney

Springfield Park: Two pairs of Rose-ringed Parakeets are now breeding in the park. (MJP)

Hackney

Hackney Marshes: A Red Kite was seen at 0537 this morning (DDL).

Hackney

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: an afternoon session in mild, overcast but sometimes bright conditions was much as expected, with breeding species dominating; a Kingfisher along the New River was the first for several weeks. Two Common Terns on the East Reservoir (an omnipresent species over recent weeks), a Common Whitethroat, numerous Reed Warblers, a Sedge Warbler, 30+ Swifts, three House Martins, three Reed Buntings and small numbers of Gadwall, Common Pochards and Tufted Ducks were also present, as were juvenile Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Starlings and other common breeding birds.

The pair of Lesser Black-backed Gulls on the East Res have three chicks, and interestingly, a second pair are breeding on a tower block nearby. Two Red Admirals, and four Speckled Woods were also recorded. (MJP)

Hackney

Abney Park Cemetery: another warm and sunny day in the borough. The male Sparrowhawk was once again watched bringing prey to the nest, again contact-calling with the female at length. Two Chiffchaffs, nine Blackcaps (including a family party), six Great Spotted Woodpeckers (including recently fledged juveniles), two Green Woodpeckers (attending the nest hole), five Speckled Woods, a Large White and three Holly Blues were also recorded. (MJP)

Hackney

Abney Park Cemetery: another gloriously sunny day in a month so far dominated by warm, summery conditions (although punctuated by odd days of heavy rain), and as expected, not much to report apart from breeding birds and butteflies.

Today's highlight was the male Sparrowhawk, carrying a juvenile Robin and noisily announcing his presence near the nest; other species recorded included a Chiffchaff, three Blackcaps, five Speckled Woods and a Peacock. (MJP)

Hackney

NW Hackney: Little to report over recent days in the borough, with several sky-watches producing just the usual species over Clissold Park (Kestrels, Sparrowhawks, between 20 and 40 Swifts, several locally-breeding House Martins, and a single Swallow today); Likewise Abney Cemetery and the Reservoirs remain quiet, although the year's first Black-tailed Skimmer dragonfly was recorded at the latter site today (TB).

A Bee Orchid was found in flower at a site in the NW of the borough today. (TB)

The park's first Emperor dragonfly was on the wing today, and a singing Chiffchaff in Clissold Park was also noteworthy, possibly indicating a second breeding presence in the NW of the borough (with the pair in Abney). (MJP)

Hackney

Clissold Park: An early afternoon sky-watching session produced little but for a Swallow, two House Martins and c30 Swifts. (MJP, LP)

Hackney

Abney Park Cemetery: An overcast, humid afternoon in the cemetery between heavy showers (a feature of the month so far); little to report except for breeding species, which included c10 Blackcaps and a Chiffchaff. Two Holly Blues and a Red Admiral were also present. (MJP)

Hackney

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: Truly a red-letter day at the reservoirs - a brief mid-afternoon visit, between sessions at the London Wildlife Trust classroom, and a quick scan overhead yielded the bird of the year so far.

Looking up above the tower blocks on the eastern side of the reservoirs, a large raptor was immediately in view, soaring at medium height over the ER. Appearing immediately long- and broad-winged, long-tailed and small-headed, Honey Buzzard automatically sprang to mind; several minutes passed as the bird soared overhead, allowing good views in overcast, humid conditions and also allowing the opportunity for the photos below, taken (with a digital camera) through 10x binoculars as it drifted ENE, harassed by Lesser Black-backed Gulls.

Characterisitics allowing positive identification included: proportionally longer, broader, fuller wings than Common Buzzard, with a particularly obvious 'pinched in' effect at the wing bases, creating a noticeable 'bulging' of the secondaries; obviously pale bases to the primaries; a noticeably longer tail than the latter species, with rounded edges, appearing especially narrow at the base; and a proportionally small, narrow, cuckoo-shaped head, paler and greyer in colouration than the rest of the underparts.

Certain features of the birds behaviour and flight were also very helpful for identification; especially obvious was the manner in which the bird used its tail as a 'rudder' (see photos), a characterisitic kites are especially well known for, and a diagnostic habit of Honey Buzzard.

A first for the borough and the fourth large raptor species of the spring; a memorable day, and one which makes the many hours of sky-watching this spring more than worthwhile. (MJP)

(click on photos to enlarge)

Also recorded: two singing Common Whitethroats, one Sedge Warbler, three Common Terns, a female Sparrowhawk and seven Gadwall.

Hackney

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: an early afternoon visit in warm, dull conditions produced a Common Tern, a Sedge Warbler, a Chiffchaff, two Blackcaps, three singing Common Whitethroats on territory (two along the fringe of the ER, one other nearby), c60 Swifts and the usual breeding species, including many singing Reed Warblers (with birds engaged in various seasonal activities, including food-carrying and nest-building), and Mallards, Mute Swans, Coots and Moorhens all with young along the New River.

Non-breeding birds which are present all year round at the Reservoirs include Cormorants, Grey Herons and Gadwall, with all recorded as usual in small numbers today. Various other common species have had young out of the nest for some time, including Wrens, Blackbirds, Dunnocks, Long-tailed Tits, Robins and Blue Tits, and the female Lesser Black-backed Gull has been sitting on the nest on the arificial island for more than a week. (MJP)

Hackney

Abney Park Cemetery: a muggy, humid day with little new to report. Five Blackcaps, a Chiffchaff and two Holly Blues were recorded. (MJP)

Hackney

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: A warm, humid day with a light to moderate SE wind became brighter as the afternoon wore on, and there was a good selection of birds at the reservoirs. Warblers were represented by a Lesser Whitethroat, three Common Whitethroats, one Sedge Warbler, 10 Reed Warblers and two Blackcaps; c40 Swifts, seven House Martins and one Swallow were hawking insects above the water.

Three gull species were present, with 16 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, five Herring Gulls