Hackney

Stoke Newington Road: A Red Kite drifted very low and west at 1725 on another very hot and sunny evening (LP).

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: A Coal Tit was in the conifer by the LWT entrance this morning (MJP).

Hackney

General Update, 26th June - 1st July

The first half of the year drew to a close in suitably sunny and very warm conditions (except for the thunder- and hailstorms on Saturday, of course), reflected by wildlife sightings - plenty of butterflies and moths, an increase in dragonflies and damselflies, and avian activity pretty much confined to the exploits of local breeding species.

Following the pattern established in 2008, we're blessed with regular visits from Hobbys - a bird which is always a pleasure to see so far into the urban sprawl; Stoke Newington Reservoirs has become a regular hunting site for this dramatic falcon (with one over Clissold Park on the 30th). Kestrels are breeding at several local sites (including a new pair in the borough), and Abney's Sparrowhawks are doing well - for example, the female was observed taking food to the nest today (1st).

Coal Tits, always a very scarce bird in the borough, have suddenly become very noticeable - after this years first record of a family party at the NE corner of the East Res on the 12th of June and a single bird at a nearby feeder on the 15th, two juveniles were feeding together in Abney Park Cemetery on the 1st.

The Cemetery also hosts good numbers of fledged passerines, and many species seem to have had a successful breeding season thus far; Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs remain pleasingly easy to find there. Clissold Park has several broods of Common Pochard young, including a new brood of five - fingers crossed some survive the next few weeks.

The reservoirs have been quiet, but for numerous and omnipresent Common Terns (mostly commuting to and from Walthamstow Reservoirs), an increasing presence of Black-headed Gulls (including the first juvenile on the 29th), and steadily building Coot numbers (now over a hundred). Tufted Ducks and Common Pochards are also increasing as expected at this time of year, and a pair of Gadwall have successfully bred for the first time in at least several years.

Swift numbers, despite an alarming decrease nationally, appear quite high across the borough; House Martins are evidently breeding at several sites, which will be made clearer by our ongoing surveys.

Butterflies have been out in force, with Large, Small and Green-veined Whites, Holly Blues, Speckled Woods, Gatekeepers, Meadow Browns, and Large and Small Skippers all common in suitable areas; in addition, a Common Blue was at the East Reservoir on the 30th, Red Admirals have surged in numbers over the last few days, and several Painted Ladies have been recorded.

Studies of Hackney's moths have been greatly stepped up this year, with encouraging results from the MV trap running regularly at the East Reservoir, and moth nights in Abney Park Cemetery. A full update will follow in the next few days - as will many new photos of recent wildlife highlights.

Hackney

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: Little to report ornithologically, except for the confirmation on a further two breeding pairs of Lesser Black-backed Gulls - both pairs on rooftops along neighbouring Bethune Road, with three and one young on view respectively.

Moths continue to entertain, with another six new species in the trap this morning - (TBC)

Hackney

Abney Park Cemetery: A successful night's moth-trapping into the early hours also yielded several calling Tawny Owls, and the leader of the dawn chorus pre-0400 was a Blackcap (mo).

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: Another warm and sunny day, and again quiet despite lengthy sky-watching sessions, without even a Hobby dropping by for lunch....

Black-headed Gull passage continues, with at least 30 birds through this evening, as well as another 30 west over south Hackney and several birds loitering on the East Res.

The moth trap held two more Smoky Wainscots, a Dark Arches, five Heart and Darts, plus many micros, including a new species - Celyphs striana. (MJP)

Hackney

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: A warm and sunny day with little to report except for a Hobby hunting for 15 minutes around midday, a Peregrine (with prey) around 1600, 23 Black-headed Gulls west (plus c10 more loitering throughout), a singing Sedge Warbler, plenty of Reed Warblers, and numerous Lesser Black-backed Gulls (including the pair with three well-grown chicks on the 'tern' raft).

A couple of Emperor dragonflies were in the LWT garden, as were several Commas, Red Admirals, Large Whites and Speckled Woods.

The moth trap held plenty of interest this morning, with no less than seven new species - Smoky Wainscot, Lime-speck Pug, Ambliplitilia punctidactyla, Dusky Brocade, Euzophera pinguis, Crambus lathoniellus and an Obscure Wainscot - as well as eight Heart and Darts, four Light Brown Apple Moths, 10 Straw Dots, 1 Brimstone, one Dark Arches, two Riband Waves (one remutata), and several other to be identified. Photos to follow. (MJP)

Hackney

Last week: Very little to report, with the quietest time of year now very much with us. Perhaps the best news is the presence of three Common Pochard broods in Clissold Park (a three, a three and a one); otherwise, several Peregrine sightings over the NW of the borough, an influx of Red Admirals early in the week, and a Coal Tit on a feeder near Allen's Gardens on the 15th (AW) - very likely part of the same family party from the reservoirs a couple of days before.

Hackney

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: A warm, bright day with a light variable wind, and the highlight of the day was a family of Coal Tits, feeding in the conifer by the LWT entrance, including several recently-fledged juveniles - a rare bird in the borough, and the first proven breeding in many years.

Talking of fledglings, the first young Reed Warblers are out of the nest, and the reedbed is increasingly alive with this species (as well as our three breeding pairs of Reed Buntings, assemblies of local House Sparrows, and various other breeding species).

The Lesser Black-backed Gulls have two downy young on the tern raft, two Egyptian Geese were present for a hour this morning, and other records included counts of 10 Common Terns, 15 House Martins, five Sand Martins, c50 Swifts, four Gadwall, eight Common Pochard, 15 Tufted Ducks and 74 Coot.

Blue-tailed and Common Blue / Azure Damselflies are now common, and two Emperor dragonflies were also on the wing. (MJP)

The moth trap held another three new species - Silver Y, Dark Arches and Dingy Shears - as well as six Straw Dots, five Light Brown Apple Moths, a Cyclamen Tortrix, a Middle-barred Minor, a Heart and Dart, a Setaceous Hebrew Character, a plume sp., a Scoparia pyralella, a Small Square-spot, and a Chrysoteuchia culmella. Photos to follow. (MJP)

Abney Park Cemetery: The Sparrowhawks are doing well (with the female on the nest and the male bringing in prey), an Emperor dragonfly was recorded, as were the common butterfly species and breeding Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps. (TB)

Hackney

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: Four Hobby sightings of at least two individuals between 1530 and 1730 this afternoon - following the pattern established last year, birds are now being seen regularly over the north-west of the borough during the summer months. (MJP)

Hackney

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: A Hobby hunted hirundines for ten minutes around midday; otherwise, business as usual. (MJP)

Thr moth trap held two new macro species - a Setaceous Hebrew Character and a Riband Wave - as well as a Middle-barred Minor, two Willow Beautys, a Small Square-spot, five Straw Dots, a male White Ermine, two Heart and Darts, a Small Clouded Brindle, and three new micros - Homoeosoma sinuella, Eudonia angustea and Celypha lacunana. (MJP)

Hackney

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: Another quiet day bird-wise, with the usual numbers of Swifts and Martins present; Coot numbers are beginning to rise, and there are a few more Tufted Ducks appearing on the East Res.

The moth trap was at its most productive yet, with 26 moths of 15 species. Highlights included no less than seven new species: Lychnis, Uncertain, (Tawny) Marbled Minor, Bee Moth, Scoparia ambigualis, Timothy Tortrix and Green Oak Tortrix. Photos to follow.

Hackney

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: Another quiet day bird-wise, in changeable conditions with a moderate southerly wind, but for a couple of notable exceptions - in the late morning, a Hobby spent about ten minutes half-heartedly hunting around the reservoirs, and seemed to have disappeared before suddenly reappearing and deftly snatching a Sand Martin over the LWT garden; in the afternoon, a mini-influx of hirundines consisted of about 40 Sand Martins and 25 House Martins.

Otherwise, business as usual despite long shifts sky-watching.

The moth trap continues to hold good numbers and new species - today's haul as follows:

White Ermine - 1 male

Straw Dot - 5

Small Square-spot - 1

Pale Mottled Willow - 1

Bramble Shoot Moth - 1

Heart and Dart - 1

Flame Shoulder - 1

Brimstone - 1

(and three other micro's to be IDed)

The photos below show the same fox cub photographed today as on the 22nd May (interesting to see the size difference), as well as the Wren family, residing in the office wall up at the East Res - spending ten minutes or so observing the adults entering the nest, they delivered food items at an average of every 75 seconds; most of which were adult moths, including a Flame Shoulder and a Brimstone!

Hackney

Stoke Newington: An exceptional congregation of at least 800 Swifts were high over the station / Abney Park area around 1100 this morning - by far the largest count we've ever recorded. (MJP, LP, AJD et al)

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: A five-hour sky-watch in mixed conditions (sunny intervals, showers, light southerly winds) produced few returns again, but for a Hobby and a Peregrine. Blackcaps were feeding recently fledged young in the LWT garden, and c10 Common Terns, 3 Swallows, c15 Sand Martins, c10 House Martins and c200 Swifts were also recorded. (MJP, JP)

Late news from last week:

A male Marsh Harrier came in low and circled the East Reservoir several times at 1305 (a great record and the third of the year so far), and a Hobby hunted over the West Res on the 1st June. (JP)

Hackney

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: A quiet morning of light rain and dull skies after a very wet night, with 250+ Swifts, c10 House Martins, five Swallows, six Sand Martins and six Common Terns.

The moth trap, despite the overnight conditions, was very productive, with 13 moths of seven species - four of which were new for the site. Totals were:

Willow Beauty - 1

Straw Dot - 1

Small Square-spot - 3

Middle-barred Minor - 1

Flame Shoulder - 1

Pale Mottled Willow - 1

Heart and Dart - 4

Hackney

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: 150+ Swifts in with a shower mid-morning, c8 Common Terns, singing Sedge Warbler, 5 House Martins

Short films from Spring 2009

With the site now able to hold embedded videos, here's a selection of short films (shot through binoculars or a telescope) of local scarcities this spring.

Hackney

Stoke Newington: A Red Kite drifted slowly west over Stoke Newington rail station and then Abney Park cemetery at 1530, viewed from the Manor Road traffic lights - hastily taken record shots (through pocket camera and binoculars) below. (MJP)

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: A mild, sunny day with a Hobby hunting over the East Res for ten minutes around midday, plus two Common Terns, c50 Swifts, two Sand Martins and the usual breeding species. (MJP, JP)

Normal service resumed!

Most of the main contributors to Hackney Wildlife's latest sightings pages have been birding away from home over the last ten days or so (in Extremadura, the Outer Hebrides and Shetland), but normal service is now almost restored; a summary of sightings from our 'skeleton crew' will appear later.

Traditionally a quiet time of year, we expect less of interest regarding bird migration and movements in the borough over the coming months, but we'll be documenting various local subjects over the summer, including moths, butterflies, dragonflies and damselflies, and will be shedding light on other areas including bats and flowers. We'd also appreciate participation in our public surveys (see home page), and as usual will be conducting BTO breeding and wetland bird surveys.

Raptor-watch totals - 2009 so far

only large raptors are listed - for smaller birds of prey (including e.g. Peregrines and Hobbys), see monthly summaries.

Common Buzzard - 21

Red Kite - 10

Black Kite - 1

Osprey - 1

Goshawk - 3 (one escape, two of unknown origin)

Marsh Harrier - 3

Short-eared Owl - 1

[Unidentified - 10]

Somewhat tenuously including at least one escape (one of the three goshawk sightings), the Short-eared Owl (not strictly a raptor, but a large bird of prey and an exceptional record), and incorporating the ones that got away, the above total stands at no less than 50 so far this year - good returns for the many hundreds of hours spent sky-watching in 2009. A more in-depth account of our experiences during these studies will appear on the site in the near future. (MJP)

Hackney

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: Another mild, sunny day, and no notable records from more extensive sky-watching. A Chiffchaff was in song along the northern bank of the West Res, where two Egyptian Geese, a pair of courting Common Terns, c70 Swifts, 10 Sand Martins and two House Martins were present.

The influx of Painted Lady butterflies continues, with at least 50 counted in Stoke Newington today (30+ through at the Res, 20+ through on the streets). (MJP)

Hackney

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: A warm day with light to moderate SW winds, bright (but with increasing cloud during the afternoon). What promised much re: conditions delivered almost nothing in the skies, but for a male Peregrine hunting high in the morning, in seven hours of sky-watching.

Swift and hirundine numbers were much as the last few days, and a single Common Tern was present late on.

The migrant highlights of the day were four Painted Ladys in the LWT garden; male and female Broad-bodied Chasers were occupying the pond. (MJP)

The moth trap held 20 moths this morning (it's hotting up):

Bright-line Brown-eye - 2

Knot Grass - 1

Vine's Rustic - 1

Common Swift - 2

Small Clouded Brindle - 2

Flame Shoulder - 3

Light Brown Apple Moth - 4

Dark Strawberry Tortrix - 2

Brown House Moth - 1

Caloptilia robustella - 1

(plus several as yet unidentified micros)

Hackney

Abney Park Cemetery: A milder day with sunny breaks produced a Red Kite over at 1330, and a Hobby somewhat half-heartedly chasing Swifts at 1800. (TB, MJP, LP)

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: Several sessions at the reservoirs today, and no notable reports from sky-watching again, but a Lesser Whitethroat was in front of the viewing platform in the evening, and c150 Swifts, 12 Sand Martins, one Swallow, five House Martins, two Common Terns and a noisy, marauding flock of about 80 Starlings - including many juveniles - were in the LWT garden.

The moth trap produced nine moths of six species this morning, including three new ones -

Small Clouded Brindle - 1 (new)

Common Marbled Carpet - 2 (new)

Heart and Dart - 1 (new)

Common Swift - 1

Flame Shoulder - 1

Light Brown Apple Moth - 3

In the first three weeks of recording, we've logged 15 species of macro-moth, and at least five species of micro-moth, so far in the LWT garden.

The LWT garden is crowded with frogs, toads and newts at the moment, and we also now have a female Great Crested Newt to accompany the male in the pond. (MJP)

Butterflies were on the wing in force today, with many species recorded; our first Painted Lady of the year was recorded near Church St. yesterday (TB).

Hackney

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: more wind, and so still a diminished chance of interesting flyovers after conditions, and results, were so productive in April and early May. A Common Whitethroat was in song in the LWT garden and several Orange-tips were on the wing; in the afternoon, a singing Garden Warbler, a Common Tern and four Egyptian Geese were present at the West Res. (MJP)

Abney Park Cemetery: Last night's moth trapping session gave us the opportunity to try and relocate the Tawny Owl family after dark; all five family members were very active, noisy and entertaining, and all three young are now full-grown and doing well. (See special feature on the home page in the next few days). (MJP et al)

Hackney

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: Another quiet morning, with around 80 Swifts, 25 Swallows and a few Sand Martins. (MJP, TB)

The moth trap held a Vine's Rustic, a Light Brown Apple Moth, and a Small China-mark this morning. (MJP)

Stamford Hill: A Hobby spent ten minutes hunting lazily at rooftop height at 1805, and a male Peregrine circled overhead shortly afterwards. (MJP, IB)

Abney Park Cemetery: An evening tree-walk in warm sunshine with our good friends local arboriculturists Tree Musketeers produced the usual array of breeding species (including the Sparrowhawks at the nest).

After dark we spent several hours moth-trapping near the chapel, with several traps running simultaneously. Conditions were better than of late, with the wind dropping temporarily afterwhat seems like weeks of near-gales; and the haul was impressive, with over 30 moths of about 20 species recorded.

Several are (presumably) new to Hackney - Photos and species list to follow. (MJP, TB, RM et al)

Hackney

WEDNESDAY 20th MAY- ABNEY PARK CEMETERY - 7-9pm
Spring evening walk through Abney woodland with Tree Musketeers - meet at Stamford Hill entrance.

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: Very little to report again today, in predictably strong south-westerly winds and changeable conditions. An unidentified large raptor flew distantly south-east mid-afternoon, the first large bird of prey in some time; otherwise, more than a hundred Swifts, 12 House Martins and five Sand Martins were recorded. (MJP)

Hackney

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: Another blustery, changeable day with a a westerly wind, and another day of little to report. Two Egyptian Geese, c100 Swifts, c20 House Martins, two Sand Martins and five Swallows were recorded, plus the usuals. (MJP, TB)

Hackney

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: A Common Sandpiper was present on the shores of the West Res today. (TB)

Hackney

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: After several days of rich and varied wader passage in the London area - timed excruciatingly with the East Res water levels returning to their biblical worst - today provided a new species for the site, despite less than attractive conditions.

A Greenshank flew in to the West Res, circling several times before alighting for a few minutes on the narrow concrete bank, and then left to the north, calling constantly (TB). Three Common Sandpipers were together on the same 'shore', and remained all day despite constant disturbance.

Otherwise, plenty of Swifts and a handful of both martins were also recorde. (TB, LP, MJP).

For readers who may have noticed daily sightings are somewhat reservoir-centric at the moment, that's mainly because of the increased possibilities involving migrant waterbirds of this time of year; Abney and Clissold are receiving coverage, but haven't warranted entries of late due to little of (new) interest to report. Unfortunately we hear little of the key sites in the SE of the borough - Middlesex Filter Beds and Hackney Marshes - and would encourage observers to cover and report from these sites.

Late news for last Tuesday the 12th: A Whimbrel flew over NW Hackney after dark (DH), another excellent local wader record this spring.

Photos: The first six below are of last month's Marsh Harrier over the East Reservoir (better late than never), and the moths are from the morning of the 13th May, also from the East Res. (Thanks to the good people of www.back-garden-moths.co.uk for ID help.)

Hackney

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: A day of overcast skies, bright spells, odd light showers and easterly winds, and plenty of coverage again today. The highlights this morning were a Saker-type escaped falcon (with jesses) being harried by a crow low over the East Res at 1000, a single Shelduck, c150 Swifts, 12 House Martins and 10 Swallows.

The afternoon session was outstanding for new 'waves' of freshly-arrived hirundines, with conservative estimates of 50 House Martins, 50 Swallows, 3 Sand Martins, ans also at least 250 Swifts. Perhaps not surprisingly a Hobby showed a strong interest in several of the latter species at 1430.

Seven Common Pochard, eight Tufted Duck and 12+ Common Terns were also recorded. (MJP, JP, TB)

The moth trap held an encouraging nine moths of five species, three of which were new for the site:

Shuttle-shaped Dart - 1

Pale Mottled Willow - 2

Light Brown Apple Moth - 2

Flame Shoulder - 3

Brimstone - 1

Hackney

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: Little to report today, but for c250 Common Swifts, 10 House Martins, three Sand Martins and two Swallows. (MJP, JP)

Hackney

The March ornithological summary is now live - click on the link to the left to read.....

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: little to report today, with a sprinkling of Common Terns, Swallows, House Martins and Sand Martins, and approx. 100 Common Swifts, plus the usual warblers (including singing Sedge Warbler) and butterflies on the wing. Two new moth species were caught overnight - see below. (MJP)

NW Hackney: A Hobby flew west at 0700 (DH).

Stoke Newington Station: A Grey Wagtail was carrying food to a nest site today. (MJP)

Moths, 2nd - 11th May

May's moths, so far..... All trapped at the London Wildlife Trust East Reservoir Community Garden, Stoke Newington, using a Robinson trap.

Flame Shoulder - 1 (2nd), 2 (3rd)

Knot Grass - 1 (2nd)

Vine's Rustic - 1 (3rd)

Epiblema cynosbatella - 1 (5th)

Brimstone - 2 (10th)

Bright-line Brown-eye - 1 (10th)

Angle Shades - 1 (11th)

Common Swift - 1 (11th)

(In case there are any concerns, no moths were (or will be) harmed during our studies!)

Hackney

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: An unbroken nine-hour session today, mainly from the viewing platform in warm, bright conditions with a light SSW wind, produced a few notable highlights again today (although quite how yesterday can be rivalled in the near future is unlikely....); a Ruddy Shelduck - another new bird for the site - flew low and east with a Shelduck at 1440, a Hobby hunted over the West Res for several minutes from 1430, and a dark phase Common Buzzard drifted slowly east from 1520.(MJP, AJD, TB et al)

A pair of Egyptian Geese were on the West Res at 1400 (SM).

NW Hackney: A Red Kite drifted high and east at 1000 (DH).

Hackney

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: morning and afternoon sessions again today, in bright (often sunny) conditions with a moderate W wind; for the most part, another day of the usual suspects - 10 Common Terns, 150+ Common Swifts, a 3rd year Great Black-backed Gull, about 12 House Martins, a female Peregrine hunting early afternoon, and a (the) Sedge Warbler singing again.

That is, until packing up to set the moth trap and leave - when a final scan at 1845 produced a palpation-inducing arrival from the south..... a Red-rumped Swallow materialised over the East Res, with a sudden influx of Swifts, and hawked over the northern bank several times, allowing good views, before drifting over to the West Res. A dash along the New River path revealed the bird still present, feeding over the estate and towards the castle, for another 20 minutes or so, although being lost to view for several minutes at a time.

Unfortunately the vast majority of Swifts dissipated quite suddenly at 1920, and the swallow apparently followed suit. However, approx. 250 hours of coverage at the reservoirs over the last six weeks has produced more than we'd dared imagine; memorable days indeed. (MJP et al)

A Hedgehog, unfortunately no longer of this world, was found along the New River east this evening - the first record for many months.

Clissold Park: Amongst the usual sightings, a Willow Warbler was singing from the island on Beckmere today. (TB)

Hackney

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: Morning and afternoon sessions today, early on in dull, cold conditions with heavy showers and a blustery W wind, and later under brighter skies, but with an even stronger wind. Once again today's main story involved swifts and hirundines, which continue to move through in large numbers.

Swifts were particularly impressive, with multitudes spinning in tornado formation during storms over the water; exactly how many were involved is hard to judge, but a minimum of 200 were present during both morning and afternoon sessions, with an impression of new arrivals from the south and east throughout the day.

All three hirundine species illustrated perfectly how movements ebb and flow throughout the day. Early on, Swallows were especially numerous - at least 50 birds were present, a particularly high single count; mid-afternoon and Sand Martins predominated, with about 30 present; and as the evening began, House Martins appeared en masse, with approx. 40 counted. An impressive phenomenom at any site, and even more so at a small urban waterbody.

Other notables included singing Sedge Warbler and Common Whitethroat, a female Peregrine hunting for ten minutes, about 10 Common Terns, two Great Black-backed Gulls (both sub-adult), a pair of Shovelers and five Black-headed Gulls. (MJP, TB)

Abney Park Cemetery: Two (very well grown) Tawny Owl young were recorded today. (TB)