Monthly ornithological summary for: June 2009

Red Kite - one over Stoke Newington station, 4th;

Hobbys - Stoke Newington Reservoirs, singles on 1st, 4th, 7th, 8th, 10th, 11th (at least two), 23rd, 27th, 29th; Clissold Park, 30th.

At last, a breather..... June 2009 was, despite the maintaining of a much greater level of coverage, relatively quiet for notable occurences; almost a well-timed opportunity to digest the events of previous months, and a period to survey the borough's breeding populations.

Our sustained, often several-hours-per-day sky-watching studies continued, and were of value mainly by supporting the theory that the vast majority of the borough's large raptor flyovers in spring occur in the peak passage period between late March and mid-May.

A single Red Kite flew low over Stoke Newington rail station (ironically, and not for the first time, on the way back from a dedicated several-hour sky-watch!); it proved to be the first and last of the month, bringing the April to June total to a very satisfactory eleven.

Last year saw an exceptional series of regular Hobby sightings during the summer - i.e, beyond the expected window of spring passage - and June 2009 continued this impressive trend. A total of at least eleven sightings during the month, all from the north-west of the borough, and mainly from the reservoirs, are most likely the result of one or more breeding pairs from an unknown location; it would be fascinating to find out exactly where from, but in the meantime, these now almost ridiculously regular visitors continue to enjoy the attractive food supplies on offer here.

Otherwise, all remained as is.....

Mark Pearson