Hackney

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: The Siberian-type Chiffchaff is still feeding and calling along the New River footpath (between Lordship Road and Bethune Road) today, in much calmer, sunny and clear conditions. A steady trickle of visitors have made the trip to see the bird since this morning, and while (typically) somewhat more elusive today, most have enjoyed both views and calls.

Ice cover on both reservoirs has encroached further, with almost all ducks staying on the West; a Common Snipe got up from near the LWT classroom this morning and flew south, and both Fieldfare and Redwing are present in the same area, with three Reed Buntings now visiting the feeders. Two Common Snipe and three Water Rails were recorded at dusk. (MJP, TB, DMc, NT, DDL et al)

Clissold Park: 20 Collared Doves were on the island roost this evening (DMc, NT)

Hackney

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: very cold, initially blustery conditions with a mod NE wind and snow showers gave way to mainly sunny skies by early afternoon (and then further storms and gusts later), and once again the tristis-type Chiffchaff showed very well along the New River path.

This morning we played mp3 calls of tristis via a mobile phone, which immediately provoked an answer from our bird, approaching us and then proceeding to call (as on the 2nd) with a response unmistakably identical to the recording. Mp3's of other races of Chiffchaff garnered no such reaction.

The East Res is 85% ice-covered, and has only Coots, Gulls and a couple of Tufted Ducks on the very limited open water, although at least two Water Rails are calling noisily from the reedbed. A female Reed Bunting and the usual common finches are visiting the LWT feeders.

The West Res is about 40% ice-covered, and has large concentrations of wildfowl and gulls - especially numerous are Common Pochard (50), Gadwall (80) and Tufted Duck (35), with 16 Shovelers also present. (MJP, PC)

Hackney

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: The eastern-type Chiffchaff remains along the New River east, loosely associating with Long-tailed Tits, and typically feeding in the willows along the river itself. The sun broke through for a while, inspiring the bird to thankfully begin calling for the first time - a call that is best described as a high-pitched, weak 'feep' or 'peeep', similar to Bullfinch (but somewhat weaker), and very slighty downslurred.

The bird called seven or eight times, and responded to impressions of its call soon after disappearing into the reeds for a few minutes (it also again responded to the MP3 call of Yellow-browed Warbler). Several photos are uploaded below, and full description will be posted in due course; in the meantime, the bird is well worth a look, and is a strong candidate for one of the eastern subspecies.

107 Gadwall (a very high site count), 17 Shoveler, 8 Goldcrests, and a female Reed Bunting were also recorded. (MJP, TB)

Abney Park Cemetery : Two Firecrests showed well on and off today, and at least 10 Goldcrests were also present, (MJP, TB, RM)

Hackney

Firecrests pictures from New Year's Eve 2008. Abney Park Cemetery

Hackney

The year kicked off with at least one Firecrest in Abney, the cold-plumaged Chiffchaff still along the New river East, and Redwings at both sites and Clissold Park. (MJP, TB)

Hackney

Happy New Year from Hackney Wildlife!

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: Another frosty morning locally, with about a third of the East Res covered by ice. Signs of more cold-weather movements were evident especially on the West Res, with wildfowl numbers having increased significantly, and several of the less common species putting in welcom appearances - a drake Wigeon and two female Teal joined the three drake Red-crested Pochards and plenty of Gadwall, Common Pochard, Tufted Duck, and 16 Shoveler.

Oddities of the day included an adult Grey Heron with a somewhat bizarre purple colouration overall and a bright, deep orange bill, and a female Mallard - probably the same bird seen several times last year - which manages a very passable impersonation of a Black Duck.....

Bird of the morning however was a Chiffchaff, feeding along the New River east - a cold, grey-brown and white individual overall with plumage features suggesting an easterly origination. Photos and more details of this bird, which will hopefully stick around, will follow tomorrow. (MJP, TB, PC)

Hackney

The cold snap continues, with a deep frost in the borough again and ice covering the lakes in Clissold Park, much of the New River, and even a substantial area of the West Reservoir. Temperatures are set to remain low, and even drop further, over the coming week, and so cold-weather visitors are worth looking out for.....

Abney Park Cemetery: Three Firecrests were present today in weak mid-winter sunshine; photos helped sex them as two males and a female. A single Redwing and, bizarrely, a Moorhen were also recorded. (MJP)

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: A Common Snipe was on the fringe of the West Res., the first of the year; An abietinus-type Chiffchaff was along the New River path, 12 Egyptian Geese were on the West Res., as were three drake Red-crested Pochards. (TB)

Hackney

Abney Park Cemetery: Two Firecrests today (MJP).

Hackney

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: A quiet beginning to the final week of the year, with (comparitively) milder weather now dominating. The gang of four Red-crested Pochards remain happily feeding on the West Res., a Chiffchaff was calling along the New River east (where a Kingfisher remains), and nine Shoveler, c40 Tufted Duck, 27 Common Pochard, c20 Gadwall and three Grey Herons were counted.

Today's highlights remained unseen - a brief playing of MP3 calls via a mobile phone from the LWT garden immediately gained the responses of three Water Rails from the reedbed. (MJP, PC, TB)

Abney Park Cemetery: Two Firecrests performed beautifully today, with the male proudly fanning his crest at close quarters. A Chiffchaff called loudly and a redpoll flew over. (MJP et al)

Clissold Park: A Kingfisher gave good views on Beckmere this morning. (TB, CS)

Hackney

Abney Park Cemetery: Considerably milder over this weekend, after the extended cold spell which has dominated recent weeks. Two Firecrests and a vocal Chiffchaff were present today. (MJP)

Hackney

Abney Park Cemetery: Two Firecrests today (MJP, TB).

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: A Chiffchaff, a female Blackcap and four Red-crested Pochards today, as well as the usuals. (MJP, TB)

Hackney

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: No sign of the Iceland Gull today (between 0830 and 1600); no sign of the drake Goldeneye either, but the Red-crested Pochards remained on the West Res, which were joined by three Egyptian Geese (which then flew east at 1230).

Several sessions sorting through the gulls on the East Reservoir yielded an adult Yellow-legged Gull from 1230 til dusk, and at least two argentatus Herring Gulls. (MJP, TB, LB et al)

The female Brambling was at the feeders first thing. (MJP, TB)

Hackney

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: In what has been far and away the most enjoyable and productive year in the area ornithologically, matters unexpectedly improved further today. A late scan of the West Reservoir immediately revealed a drake Goldeneye, only the second record in recent years (after a female in Nov 2006), giving close views from the New River footpath.

Four Red-crested Pochards (three drakes and a duck) were feeding just a few metres away, and while watching this relative bonanza of winter wildfowl, arguably the bird of the year so far duly flew within a field of view of the Goldeneye - a second winter Iceland Gull headed low and east over Lordship Road.

After quickly putting word out, and summoning TB (who cycled way beyond the speed limit with camera and 'scope in tow - cheers Tony!), I checked the East Reservoir from the main gate, and thankfully relocated the bird, initially bathing in the water, and then preening and snoozing on the gull rings (the exposed pipes by the tern raft).

Please note the East Reservoir is STRICTLY NO ACCESS, but can be viewed from outside the fence - see directions below.

Looking comfortable roosting alongside congeners, we left the bird as the light completely failed. Hopefully it'll be around in the morning - if so, information will added here as and when. (MJP, TB, DM)

Directions for viewing the Iceland Gull: The best place to view the gull rings is from the London Wildlife Trust classroom, which is at the eastern end of Newnton Close - where it meets Bethune Road. The classroom will be open from 0930 in the morning.

Alternatively, the East Res. can be viewed from Lordship Road, by the main gate. Please do not park along the road itself, which is very busy and notoriously dangerous.... park beyond the gate, by the shops, just north.

Abney Park Cemetery: Hard work as is their way of late, two Firecrests were eventually viewed in their usual area this morning. A Tawny Owl was also calling at dusk. (MJP, CH, JE)

(The quality of the pictures leaves quite a bit to be desired (!), but they were taken as record shots in rapidly failing light, a long way off, and through a fence...... )

Hackney

Hackney Marshes: A pre-dusk watch produced two Redwings, 30 Chaffinches, 65+ Herring Gulls, 101+ Lesser Black-backed Gulls, and four adult Great Black-backed Gulls. (DDL)

Hackney

Abney Park Cemetery: Three Firecrests were recorded today on a very cold, frosty and overcast morning. It took a good 45 mins to pin them down, after being led a dance by calling birds, but all three finally gave good views. The birds are increasingly reclusive, feeding mainly within the depths of holly, ivy and privet, often with Goldcrests. (MJP)

Hackney

Abney Park Cemetery: Two Firecrests today, although hard work in the wintry conditions; a singing Chiffchaff and a male Blackcap were also recorded. It wasn't just the chiffy which had spring on its mind, with Stock Doves displaying, Great Spotted Woodpeckers constantly drumming (a common species locally which is especially easy to find at the moment), and Dunnock, Song Thrush and Robin all in song. (MJP, TB)

Hackney

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: another frosty early morning in Hackney, with pleasant wintry sunshine. A second-winter Great Black-backed Gull was on the West Reservoir pontoon, two Chiffchaffs were along the New River west with another by the LWT classroom, a female Brambling (first seen yesterday) again visited the feeders briefly early on, and a Kingfisher was along the New River east. (MJP, TB)

Abney Park Cemetery: Two Firecrests were watched in the usual area today (TB et al).

Hackney

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: Another cold, frosty morning (continuing a week or more of such conditions), and a few good, presumably weather-related new arrivals to break the mid-winter monotony.

A female Blackcap and a Chiffchaff were in the NE corner by the LWT classroom, a rare treat in mid-December; a female Brambling visited the feeders briefly on two occasions with Chaffinches; and 12 Redwings were in trees along the New River path, where a Kingfisher darted past late morning. 53 Common Pochard were also counted.

Allens Gardens: A quick look early on produced two Lesser Redpolls feeding with congeners in the tree-tops, and two Redwings on the deck with Blackbirds. (MJP)

Abney Park Cemetery: three Firecrests showed beautifully in their usual area. Despite being into their ninth week in Abney, it's very unlikely we'll ever tire of them. (MJP)

Hackney

Abney Park Cemetery: two Firecrests were in the usual area today, showing well in frosty, sunny and very cold conditions. Also recorded - six Goldcrests, 15 Chaffinches and c20 Long-tailed Tits. (MJP)

Hackney

Abney Park Cemetery: an early frosty morning in Abney, with three Firecrests feeding along Yew Walk. Also one Chiffchaff, 20 Long-tailed Tits, 25 Chaffinches, 10 Goldcrests and four Stock Doves. (MJP)

Clapton Common: The drake Mandarin was back on the pond again today (NV).

Hackney

Abney Park Cemetery: at least three, possibly four, Firecrests were performing very well in the cemetery today, to 1530 at least. The birds have recently shown a preference for the eastern end of Yew Walk, which joins the perimeter path. Also recorded: six Goldcrests and a female Blackcap. (MJP)

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: two Chiffchaffs, 205 Coot, 28 Common Pochard, c35 Goldfinches, four Goldcrests and 12 Greylags among the usual species. (MJP, TB)

Directions for the Firecrests: From the High Street / Stamford Hill main entrance, walk c50 metres and take the first left. Walk another c25 metres to the bench, with a bin next to it. The birds have been feeding within about 10 metres of this point, in all directions. From the Church Street entrance, bear right along the main perimeter path until reaching the same point.

Hackney

Clapton Common: The adult Mediterranean Gull was present again today (PR).

Hackney

November's ornithological summary is now live - click on the link to the left.

Hackney

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: an adult Great Black-backed Gull was present on the tern raft, and a Chiffchaff was at the eastern end of the new river path. (MJP)

Hackney

Abney Park Cemetery: At least two (perhaps three) Firecrests were showing very well, down to a couple of metres, at the eastern end of Yew Walk today. With us now for seven weeks, hopes remain high of the birds over-wintering in the cemetery; although even after dozens of sightings, each successful visit to refind these beautiful birds remains a treat.

Also present: a single Siskin, 15 Goldcrests, and Dunnock and Song Thrush both in full song. (MJP)

Hackney

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: two Water Rails were in good voice today, and high counts of 10 Goldcrests and 12 Song Thrushes indicate a small arrival. Eight Little Grebes were also present among the usual waterbirds. (MJP)

Hackney

Abney Park Cemetery: Two Firecrests were again present this morning; the birds are increasingly mobile and are associating with Goldcrests on most occasions of late, perhaps an understandable response to the much colder weather and maximising feeding opportunities. (MJP, TB)

Hackney

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: one Chiffchaff, three Goldcrests, 15 Long-Tailed Tits, one Redwing, c550 Black-headed Gulls and c90 Common Gulls (flying to roost) (MJP)

Hackney

Abney Park Cemetery: In very cold, sunny conditions with a blustery NW wind, two Firecrests were watched today, at the eastern end of Yew Walk. (MJP, PC, LP et al)

Clapton Common: A brief visit to hand-feed the adult Mediterranean Gull was successful, and as an unexpected bonus, a drake Mandarin was competing for the same bread.... the latter is a first for the area, and makes a brief visit to this frankly ugly local site - a concrete pond hemmed in by a busy road one side and a housing estate on the other - more than worthwhile. (MJP, LP)

Hackney

Abney Park Cemetery: Two Firecrests today, showing well by the lion (a little further west from the Watts memorial). (TB et al)

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: one Chiffchaff, three Goldcrests, and a build-up of c270 Coot today. (MJP)

Clapton Common: No sign of the Med Gull today, but no less than 51 Greylags were present, as well as 12 Common Gulls, c40 Black-headed Gulls and 15 Canada Geese. (MJP)