Hackney

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: back after a few exceptional days on the Yorkshire coast, and overnight conditions looked promising for bringing in new arrivals. And despite limited coverage, more top quality migrants - the southern perimeter of the East Res held loose flocks of feeding passerines which included both a Common Redstart and a Pied Flycatcher.

As mentioned recently, until the last couple of years, both these species were barely annual and real rarities in the borough - a situation which has dramatically and happily changed of late. Back-up was provided by at least eight Willow Warblers, 10 Chiffchaffs, a Garden Warbler (often in song), two Common Sandpipers and three Goldcrests. (MJP et al)

Below - today's Pied Flycatcher and Garden Warbler (c Mark Pearson)

Stoke Newington Reservoirs

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: again warm and sunny with a light easterly and a little wispy cloud, and again the NE corner (especially the LWT garden) was crawling with birds.

Although often elusive, the Pied Flycatcher and both Common Redstarts remain, with a strong supporting cast of four Spotted Flycatchers, 20 Chiffchaffs, at least eight Willow Warblers, a Garden Warbler (which sang increasingly as the day wore on), four Blackcaps, a Sedge Warbler and two Reed Warblers.

A juvenile Hobby hunted early on, three Common Terns (adults still feeding a juvenile) were around the East Res, two Common Sandpipers were on the West, and a Tree Pipit flew low and west at 1650. However, today's highlight was a Little Egret which sauntered east at 1155 - only the second record for the reservoirs. (MJP, JL, TB et al)

Below - Little Egret, Sedge Warbler and Spotted Flycatcher from today at the reservoirs (c Mark Pearson)

Hackney

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: .... and your author returns to a warm and sunny day with light easterlies in Hackney, and some fine birds to report at the reservoirs. Coverage was limited, with just the LWT garden and immediate surroundings recieving enough attention - but as is often the case, this area held plenty of migrants and there were several jewels among good numbers of warblers.

Two species which, just a couple of years ago, were less-than annual and real rarities locally, two Common Redstarts (a female / immature and a moulting male) and a Pied Flycatcher graced the garden this morning. Whether increased coverage of key sites has changed their status, or whether we're actually recieving more individuals is hard to tell, but each is very welcome.

Warblers were pleasingly numerous, with at least 10 Willow Warblers, eight Chiffchaffs, three Reed Warblers, four Blackcaps and single Lesser Whitethroat and Common Whitethroat roving around, as well as three late Common Terns and several Swallows over the reservoir and a Spotted Flycatcher along the New River.

Our neighbouring patch-worker up at Alexandra Palace Dominic (Mitchell) caught up with the flycatcher this afternoon, a welcome addition to his 2010 London list - and in the process, amazingly came across two Sandwich Terns overhead at 1655 - only the second ever site site record. (MJP, TB, DMi)

A round-up of last week's sightings will follow tomorrow.

below - one of today's Common Redstarts, and male and female Blackcaps (c MJP)

Hackney

Springfield Park: an early session in a mercifully still-ish Springfield was notable primarily for the first Tree Pipit of the year, which flew low calling over the park and west at 0740hrs. A Spotted Flycatcher was briefly by the bandstand, and three Willow Warblers, three Blackcaps and a Hobby carrying prey were also recorded. (MJP, LP)

Hackney Wildlife is in southern France for the next week - full local summaries on return, and you can follow our adventures at http://northernrustic.blogspot.com/

Hackney

Springfield Park: Blustery SW winds continue to dominate, and with them plenty of changeable conditions; changeable enough to continue bringing in early autumn migrants to the borough overnight, and today it was Springfield's turn for the spotlight.

An early session gradually revealed plenty of birds, confined to traditionally productive sheltered and sunny pockets; the bandstand area was particularly busy, with the highlight being no less than two Common Redstarts.

A rare but now pretty-much-annual migrant in the borough, it still remains a hard bird to catch up with, and is usually very elusive; of last year's record three individuals, two were in Springfield, and both showed only intermittently.

Today's double act included one stunning male, always accompanied by the female / immature, which were found at 0820hrs and (although going missing for long periods) were last seen at 1315. Also recorded: six Willow Warblers, a Garden Warbler, four Blackcaps, two Chiffchaffs, three Goldcrests and two Coal Tits.

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: brief visits in the morning and evening produced two Common Sandpipers, good numbers of Phylloscopus warblers, and a strong passage of 120 House Martins and 30 Sand Martins. (MJP, TB)

Hackney

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: again dominated by strong SW winds and changeable conditions. Limited coverage today, but even with the wind hammering the vegetation, there was evidently plenty of warblers sticking it out, with at least 16 Willow Warblers, 10 Chiffchaffs, three Blackcaps and 10 Reed Warblers.

A minimum of 65 Swifts fought their way through (mainly in the evening) along with 40 House Martins, 30 Sand Martins and two Swallows; three Kingfishers were again present.(MJP)

There was a late report on the London Birders latest news site of a Pied Flycatcher yesterday along the New River.

Hackney

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: after heavy showers around dawn, the morning was humid, damp, still, and mainly sunny - conditions which conspired to bring a memorable fall of migrating warblers to the reservoirs. The best early autumn fall since at least 2005 included all eight common UK warblers, which were scattered liberally around the perimeter, New River and especially LWT garden.

Time was unfortunately limited, but we managed to record a minimum of 30 Willow Warblers (a site record), two Lesser Whitethroats, three Common Whitethroats, four Blackcaps, 15+ Reed Warblers, three Sedge Warblers and 10 Chiffchaffs before having to leave.... also, no less than three Kingfishers were in tandem along the New River.

By late evening conditions had changed to leaden skies, a brisk SW wind and occasional showers, and plenty of the above had already slipped away (although at least 15 Willow Warblers remained); highlights, however, included the first Spotted Flycatcher of the autumn along the northern perimeter / New River and two Hobbys, one of which performed beautifully while chasing Swifts.

The latter numbered an impressive 60+ through the day (20 a.m., 40+ p.m.), and hirundine passage was dominated by 45 Sand Martins, mostly through around dusk. A memorable day. (MJP, LP, JP)

below - Spotted Flycatcher this evening (c MJP)

Hackney

Another day of warm, blustery south-westerlies, odd showers and mainly battleship-grey skies in the borough, and for once, a southerly bias to the highlights....

Hackney Marshes / River Lea: a juvenile Cuckoo was flushed - the first borough record in many years and a long hoped-for migrant in the area; two Little Egrets were feeding in the Lea, and a Kingfisher, a Willow Warbler, five House Martin and two Sand Martins were recorded. (JP)

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: no such exotica today, but combined totals for the day recorded 60+ Swifts, c50 Sand Martins, 25 House Martins, 6 Willow Warblers, four Chiffchaffs, two Blackcaps, five Reed Warblers, a Garden Warbler, five Common Terns, a Kingfisher, a Great Black-backed Gull, c200 Starlings and 53 Shoveler (including the bird with the abnormal bill, which has a very unique feeding method...). (LP, MJP)

Abney Park Cemetery: five Willow Warblers were amongst the commoner species (LP).

Hackney

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: a humid, mainly overcast day with a brisk SSW produced a few more new arrivals today, with the highlights being a minimum of 20 Willow Warblers (many very tame, some in song) and a equally obliging Lesser Whitethroat - the first of the autumn of a scarce bird locally this year.

Othewise, much as is - three Common Sandpipers, and similar numbers of other warblers, Common Terns, Swifts and hirundines, a Kingfisher and a Great Black-backed Gull. (MJP, TB)

below - Shoveler with deformed bill yesterday, Common Sandpiper and Great Crested Grebes today; also a selection of moths from the reservoirs traps on the 17th. Southern Wainscot (two photos, new for Hackney), Old Lady, Lattice Heath (new for the site), Brown-veined Wainscot (local / rare), Agriphila tristella (new for the site), and two examples of The Crescent (another local and rare species). (c Mark Pearson)

Hackney

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: a generally mild day with fast-moving banks of cloud, some brief sunny intervals and a brisk SW wind produced the first stand-out large raptor (and indeed, the first large raptor of any kind) of the autumn so far. Initially mobbed by a Hobby, a dark-morph Honey-buzzard gunned north at great speed at 1110hrs, on retracted wings and at some height.

August always seems to take longer than expected to produce the goods (although this month has at least produced a few notable records), and it's usually the last week or so before a bit of quality appears amongst the quantity; it's also been a long time since the heady days of spring and the last large raptors to grace Hackney airspace.

Otherwise, a fresh arrival of Willow Warblers overnight resulted in a minimum of 17 counted, as well as six Chiffchaffs, 10 Reed Warblers, a Garden Warbler (again singing away in the LWT garden), 10 Swifts, eight Sand Martins, four House Martins, five Common Terns and three Common Sandpipers (the latter flying around together). (MJP)

Below - distant record shots of today's Honey-buzzard - unfortunately very distant by the time a photo opp became available (c MJP)

Hackney

Springfield Park: Hobby north up the valley 1400hrs, Willow Warbler, 3 Blackcaps, 2 Goldcrests, Coal Tit (MJP)

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: hybrid drake Common Pochard x Tufted Duck, Teal, c20 Swifts, 6 Willow Warblers, 8 Chiffchaffs, 3 Blackcaps, Common Sandpiper, Kingfisher, Common Whitethroat (MJP, TB)

Hackney

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: a still, fairly mild and overcast early morning soon became breezier (from the SW), and by the afternoon the sunshine dominated. Again, positive signs of new arrivals today, without a real stand-out to report.

At least two Common Sandpipers were buzzing around both reservoirs (and briefly also on the New River path and on the top of a nearby block of flats), the Teal remains, a Swallow, 15 Sand Martins, three House Martins and 35 Swifts lingered temporarily (the latter always a pleasure so late in the season), warbler numbers were high with 12 each of Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff, 15 Reed Warblers, four Blackcaps and no less than five newly-arrived Common Whitethroats, and a Kingfisher performed beautifully along the New River. (MJP)

Hackney

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: plenty of coverage again today, from just after dawn and through the day; the morning began cold and overcast with a brisk northerly, and stayed quite dull and breezy.

More signs of movement and plenty going on, although still very much with the usual suspects - two, or likely three common Sandpipers, 10 Willow Warblers, eight Chiffchaffs, two Blackcaps, six Common Terns, the Teal still, a group of about 40 Swifts over the West Res, three Sand Martins, and a Green Sandpiper flying low over the East Res.

Waterbird numbers are predictably high - 225 Coot, 117 Common Pochard, 89 Tufted Ducks, 31 Shovelers, 20 Mallard and the male hybrid Tufted Duck x Common Pochard has returned. (MJP)

Hackney

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: A mainly sunny evening with a brisk NW wind. A Teal, a near adult Great Black-backed Gull, eight Willow Warblers, six Chiffchaffs, 10 Reed Warblers, three Swifts, 30 Sand Martins, five House Martins and three Swallows were recorded; an unidentified wader (very likely a Ruff) flew west in the morning.... with wader passage peaking in London and with a (very) small amount of temporary habitat available for a brief drop-in at the West Res, hopefully we'll have better luck over the coming days or weeks. (MJP)

Hackney

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: two Common Sandpipers were on the West Res (TB) and and a singing Garden Warbler, three Swifts, and good numbers of phylloscs were around the East (MJP).

Hackney

Clissold Park: A day of storms (some heavy, some thundery, some light) and mostly cooler and breezy conditions produced a star bird in the park this morning - a juvenile Northern Wheatear dropped in at 1000hrs (found by LP), and proceeded to feed in the middle of the park, despite the usual constant disturbance.... the bird was still present at 1140, deftly dodging packs of dogs and pushchairs. This is the first borough record of the year of a species which is recorded less than annually in Hackney.

Also recorded - an immature Hobby and a single Swift. (LP, MJP)

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: with migration picking up steadily, the conditions looked good for new arrivals today, and there was an impressive arrival of expected species.

The reservoir's capacity for attracting good numbers of leaf warblers is well known, and today's tally reached at least 16 Chiffchaffs and 10 Willow Warblers; at least 15 Reed Warblers were well spread in the reedbed and scrub, and other newly-arrived warblers included two Common Whitethroats, two Blackcaps and a Garden Warbler.

Hirundines are also starting to move, and the storms brought in 30 House Martins, 15 Sand Martins and eight Swallows, as well as two Swifts. A total of 20+ Common Terns were counted (with most moving quickly through), and duck numbers are high, with e.g. 20 Shovelers present today. (MJP)

below - today's Northern Wheatear in Clissold, and juvenile Green Woodpecker and Goldfinch at the East Res (c MJP)

Hackney

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: a mixed singing (Chiffchaff / Willow Warbler) Phylloscopus warbler was in the LWT garden for much of the day - on appearance the bird is apparently a confused Chiffchaff... also four Willow Warblers, six Chiffchaffs, a Swift, seven Sand Martins west, a Blackcap, plus the usuals. (MJP)

below: the (presumed) Chiffchaff giving alternate bursts of both Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler song, and one of the many foxes active today (c MJP)

Hackney

Hackney Marshes / River Lea: Two Little Egrets were feeding in the river alongside Middlesex Filter Beds today; the second time in the last month, and rapidly becoming the likeliest site to catch up with this (still very rare) species in the borough. (JP)

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: a good showing of phylloscs again today, with a minimum of 13 Willow Warblers and 11 Chiffchaffs, as well 20 Reed Warblers, a brief Garden Warbler, and southbound passage of 12 Swifts, three Swallows, four House Martins ans eight Sand Martins. (MJP, TB, JP)

Regents Canal: the disused building which (apparently) holds the borough's only House Martin colony had approx 25 birds in the area today (MM).

the Stoke Newington Reservoirs moth traps caught some quality moths last night - more to follow, but the pick was our first Jersey Tiger. After two sight records at a similar time last year, this is the first to be attracted to light. (MJP)

below: Jersey Tiger, Dark Arches and Grey / Dark Dagger, Caloptilia sp., Tree Lichen Beauty (c Mark Pearson)

Hackney

Clapton: A Common Buzzard flew and low and north-west early afternoon, and a Hobby hawked dragonflies overhead (JP)

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: a hot and humid afternoon and evening at the reservoirs saw a little activity indicative of the early autumn, mainly thanks to Phylloscopus warblers - good numbers of both Willow Warbler (at least 12) and Chiffchaff (at least ten) were around the East Res, with most concentrated along the northern willows and in the LWT garden.

Also recorded - two near adult Great Black-backed Gulls (on the East Res), about 30 Swifts (mainly moving through), four Swallows, a House Martin, 10 Reed Warblers, 10 Common Terns and 30 Black-headed Gulls (MJP).

Springfield Park: single Swallow, Swift and House Martin this lunchtime (MJP).

Hackney

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: another dull, cooler, breezy day with occasional light showers. Today's pick were two Teal, feeding on the East Res - never a common bird at the reservoirs (with a handful of records each year at most), they're the first of the year here.

Otherwise, pretty much as is, although 43 Sand Martins battling the wind and heading south in the evening represent the first hirundine movement of the autumn, at least three Swifts did likewise, and several Willow Warblers and Chiffchaffs were concentrated mainly around the LWT garden, (MJP)

recent highlights from the moth trap include two new species for the site this morning - a Broom moth and a Ringed China-mark, taking the reservoirs species list to at least 151.

Clapton: a Hobby pursued six or seven Swifts over a garden this afternoon (JP).

Stoke Newington Station: a Hobby drifted west at about 1945 this evening (MJP).

Below - one of several fresh-in Willow Warblers from the 4th at the reservoirs (c Mark Pearson)

Hackney

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: the cooler, duller and breezier conditions continued today; notables included an adult Great Black-backed Gull, a Sedge Warbler, c20 Reed Warblers, three Willow Warblers, and 15 Swifts, as well as the usuals. (MJP)

Hackney

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: a small arrival of warblers was evident today, including a Sedge Warbler (the first since spring), six Willow Warblers, four Chiffchaffs and three Blackcaps; also 80+ Tufted Duck and 60+ Common Pochard on the East Res, and the breeding pairs of Great Crested Grebes have two full-grown and three still young chicks respectively. (MJP)

below - today's Sedge Warbler, intermittently attacked by a local family of Wrens (c MJP)

Hackney

Springfield Park: An early session in the park, ostensibly for early migrants in the trees and scrub, was generally quiet, with the glittering exception of a real local rarity.... the first Hackney Oystercatcher for many years (with the exception of a flyover heard at night in 2007) flew low and west at 0913, initially picked up thanks to its call.

Otherwise, few signs of movements, with the exception of about 50 Swifts and 12 House Martins overhead, and five Blackcaps and a Chiffchaff in the park. (MJP)

Below - Oystercatcher over Springfield this morning, Sand Martins at nest site on the Lea Navigation last week, and Swifts, also over Springfield this morning (c MJP)

Hackney

Middlesex Filter Beds NR: signs of migration finally beginning today, with a Garden Warbler, three Common Whitethroats, three Chiffchaffs and a Blackcap, as well as a Kingfisher, 40 Swifts, a House Martin, nine Mistle Thrushes and a Lesser Stag Beetle. (JP)

Hackney

Hackney Marshes / River Lea: few birds to speak of (except for just-fledged Sparrowhawks being fed by their parents, and a few Blackcaps), but plenty of other interest, including many butterflies on the wing - Small, Large and Green-veined Whites, Red Admirals, Holly Blues, Meadow Browns, Small / Essex Skippers, Commas and Peacocks.

Damselflies included a group of five Banded Demoiselles - as far as we know, the only colony in the borough (after the disappearance of the New River colony because of prolonged drainage several years ago). (MJP)

Hackney

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: yet another warm, humid day - which would describe 95% of the last nine weeks - with cumulus cloud and sunshine at the reservoirs, and yet another random auto-pilot scan of the day produced that most precious of sights in the borough....

....a wader. Dropping briefly onto the tern raft of the East Res, a Common Sandpiper spent the best part of half an hour there, alongside two full-grown Lesser Black-backed Gull chicks and their parents, and a dozen or so Cormorants.

Otherwise as is, with a steady trickle of Black-headed Gulls and Swifts heading through and the usual breeders present. (MJP et al)

below - reservoir photos from the last day or two: fledgling Chiffchaff, Reed Warbler, juvenile Blue Tit, Common Swift, juvenile and adult Common Terns with a thirst for human blood, and Pale Prominent (all c MJP)

Hackney

Reservoirs Moths update: we've been able to run the traps most nights over the last week or so, with some good results. New species for the site have included Least Yellow Underwing, plus the micros Micropterix tunbergella, Pyrausta aurata, Trachycera advenella and Pammene aurita; regulars have included Dun-bar (very common), Least Carpet, Bright-line Brown-eye, Tree Lichen Beauty, Cloaked Minor, Smoky Wainscot, Rustic, Common Wainscot, Silver Y (with four on the 22nd), and Common Rustic, along with plenty of other macros. Several Diamond Back moths are also notable, as are European Corn-borers and Calamatropha paludella.

Butterflies in the LWT garden and around the reservoirs include Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell, Holly Blue, Speckled Wood, Red Admiral, Meadow Brown, Small / Essex Skipper, and Small and Large Whites.

(photos to follow)

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: the male hybrid Common Pochard x Tufted Duck is still on the East Res, where the second breeding pair of Great Crested Grebes have no less than three downy young riding on their backs; otherwise, pretty much as you were, with about 30 Swifts and 20 Black-headed Gulls hawking overhead, and some particularly aggressive, dive-bombing Common Terns (despite not actually breeding here....). Only in Hackney. (MJP)

Hackney

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: again warm and humid, and today's bird-walk around the East Res (with thanks to attendees) produced a long overdue and very welcome Green Sandpiper, which circuited the reservoir a couple of times before heading off north-west at 1210. After multiple checks of the West Res banks recently, it's a relief to report a wader sp. of any kind.

The aythya hybrid female Common Pochard x Tufted Duck was also on the East Res. (MJP, MR, DA et al)

Little to report from other sites of late, which is to be expected at this time of year; the reservoirs provide a much better chance of early migrant waterbirds, and thus most attention is aimed there for the time being. But come August....

Hackney

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: more extensive coverage today, and for the first time in what seems like many weeks, a real highlight to report. The unmistakable sound of a group of Common Crossbills was audible overhead at 1002hrs, which were then located dropping into a treetop on the opposite side of the East Res - six birds, which remained in situ for about 20 seconds.

Enough time to grab a couple of distant record shots before they headed off south, they're a rare, less-than-annual occurence in the borough - the last record being a week shy of one year ago. A small influx has taken place over the preceding couple of weeks into the UK, but stastically our chances were microcosmic, so once again these fantastic finches save July from being distinctly un-notable in Hackney. (MJP)

Hackney

This Sunday - Swift Watch at the East Reservoir

Mark will be leading a Swift Watch this Sunday the 25th at 11 a.m. - free of charge, but pre-booking is necessary. Contact David Mooney on 0208 802 4573 or dmooney@wildlondon.org.uk to reserve your place.

And if there's no Swifts around, there's plenty of other wildlife to watch....