Monthly ornithological summary for: December 2008

ICELAND GULL - Stoke Newington Reservoirs, 15th;

Goldeneye - drake, West Reservoir, 15th;

Mediterranean Gull - Clapton Common, 2nd, 14th, 15th;

Firecrests - at least three, Abney, 3rd; three, 5th; two, 7th; three, 8th; two, 9th; two, 10th; two, 15th; two, 17th; two, 21st; two, 23rd; two, 24th; three (two males and a female), 30th;

Mandarin - drake at Clapton Common, 5th;

Yellow-legged Gull - adult at SNR, 16th;

Red-crested Pochards - four (three drakes and a duck) at SNR from the 15th to the 31st.

In common with November, cold airflows dominated; unlike last month however, the promising conditions for cold-weather related species rewarded efforts with an unforgettable red-letter day on the 15th.

Just when the chances of the wintry weather bringing a special bird to the borough seemed to be ebbing away, a routine scan of the West Reservoir turned into perhaps the most memorable birding event of the year. In overcast, still conditions, four Red-crested Pochards (three drakes and a duck, with the drakes remaining until the month's end) were loafing along the eastern shore - so far so good - and then the unmistakable form of stunning drake Goldeneye, snoozing with a few Tufted Ducks, came into view.

A very rare bird in the borough (the last being a female on the East Res in November 2006), the bird was good enough stay as close to the New River path as it could; a fine way to end the day. Or so it seemed, until a minute or two later - when an angelic second-winter Iceland Gull appeared out of the blue, drifting east across the water within a few metres of the Goldeneye, over Lordship Road and out of sight.

After putting the news out as quickly as possible (but with the distinct possibility of the bird having flown straight through), thankfully it'd been tempted down onto the open water of the East Reservoir, where it bathed and preened happily alongside Black-headed and Common Gulls. Several other birders were able to enjoy the bird before the light finally failed a few minutes later, and we left it roosting with congeners; it had, however, left by early the following morning.

Such an occurence, at such a site, is potentially a once-in-a-lifetime event - enough of a thrill at a Scottish harbour or on an east-coast sea-watch, to have our distinctly modest urban waterbody graced by such a surprising and stunning bird is an unforgettable treat.

Wildfowl quality and quantity was an improvement this month, with the Goldeneye being the clear highlight and the aforementioned Red-crested Pochards providing colour on the West Res; the male Mandarin returned to Clapton Common on the 5th, and the 31st brought both Wigeon (drake) and Teal (two ducks) to the West Res. Numbers of the commoner species swelled significantly by the month's end. Egyptian Geese were surprisingly regular at the reservoirs, with single figures on several occasions and 12 on another two.

Oddities this month included a 'purple' Heron (actually an adult Grey, with abberant plumage colouration), a very dark female Mallard doing a pretty good impression of an American Black Duck (presumably the same bird seen last year), and a Moorhen in the cemetery.....

Tawny Owls were heard calling in Abney on several occasions, Great Black-backed Gulls were recorded from the reservoirs (one, 9th) and Hackney Marshes (four, 13th), and a Yellow-legged Gull was at the East Res on the 16th, where up to two argentatus Herring Gulls were also recorded.

Scarcer finches were represented by Bramblings and Lesser Redpolls. Bramblings were seen at the LWT feeders by the East Res. on four occasions - a female on the 8th, 9th and 16th, and a male on the 31st - a good haul, considering this winter has been very quiet so far for this species in the capital and elsewhere. Two redpolls were in Allens Gardens on the 8th, with a single over Abney on the 23rd.

Chiffchaffs were regular from both the New River / East Res. and Abney throughout the month, with up to two at the former site and one (occasionally singing) at the latter. A very cold-plumaged bird was present from the 30th into January in the willows along the New River east, and its racial identity is creating much interest. Blackcaps were recorded in both Abney (female, 3rd, and male, 10th) and at the reservoirs (females on the 8th and 17th).

Clapton Common's Mediterranean Gull, recently christened 'Eric' (as is the tradition for returning, long-staying gulls), was seen on several dates up until the 15th; however, re-landscaping, draining and high-fencing of the pond doesn't bode well for the the bird's site fidelity.

Last, but by no means least, Firecrests continued to illuminate the bleak, wintry woodland of Abney throughout the month. Up to three birds (often two, occasionally one) were recorded on many occasions, with two males and a female involved (by the end of the month at least).

A surprisingly memorable December - happy new year and here's to an equally productive January!

Mark Pearson