Monthly ornithological summary for: January & February 2008

Little Egret west over Clapton, 7th Jan;

up to two Mediterranean Gulls at Clapton Common, to 21st Feb (since 2007):

Yellow-legged Gull, Stoke Newington Reservoirs, 8th Jan;

Great Black-backed Gull, Stoke Newington Reservoirs, to late Feb (since 2007);

Red-crested Pochard pair, Stoke Newington Reservoirs, 25th Jan to 15th Feb

Altogether a fairly fruitful beginning to the year, especially with no real cold snaps or unusual weather conditions to widen possibilities. A long overdue Little Egret, taking off from the Bombcrater Field on Walthamstow Marshes (on the eastern border of the borough), opted to fly low and west over Clapton, and thus into Hackney, on the 7th, kicking the year off nicely. The following day a Yellow-legged Gull was at Stoke Newington Reservoirs, which became a regular haunt of a Great Black-backed Gull from late December 2007 to the tail-end of February. Both species are annual but scarce in the borough, with no more than several of each per year.

More exciting still was news of a Mediterranean Gull frequenting Clapton Common, a small local green space in the north-east of the borough by a busy road with a concrete pond. Popular with local people on account of duck-feeding opportunities, and hence popular with Black-headed Gulls, the Med Gull had apparently been arriving with them at random times since late 2007, occasionally providing close-up views as it vied for bread. Various visits during January and February showed that, with luck and timing, the bird could be observed down to less than two metres; almost as surprising was the presence of a second bird on several occasions. Finally departing on 21st Feb, the regular bird allowed several observers the opportunity to enjoy, close up, a very scarce and unpredictable species in the borough.

A pair of Red-crested Pochards took up residence on the East Res. for almost three weeks - while small numbers appear almost like clockwork in the late summer and early autumn, the species is less predictable at other times of year (although occasional in mid-winter). Other highlights at the same site included several wintering Reed Buntings, irregular sightings of Water Rails, a Lesser Redpoll on the 8th of Feb., three Jackdaws over on the 25th of that month, and good numbers of wintering wildfowl.

Kingfishers were along the New River for much of February (one) and on the River Lea at Hackney Marshes on 17th Feb (two) , two Siskins were in Abney Park Cemetery on the 23rd Feb with another pair at Hackney Marshes on 17th, Bramblings were regular at several sites (including the Clissold Park deer enclosure, Abney and Hackney Marshes), and Goldcrests and Redwings were widespread as early spring approached; the first sign of which was ushered in by a singing Blackcap in Abney on 12th (and many dates thereafter).

Green Sandpipers were only occasional at the tail-end of Feb at Stoke Newington reservoirs (with one on the river Lea at Hackney Marshes on 17th Feb), and Common Snipe were absent from the former site throughout the winter, in contrast to the species' omnipresence over the last two winters - most likely the constantly high water levels on both reservoirs were responsible. Fieldfares were recorded on several dates in small numbers in the NW and SE of the borough, and the resident Sparrowhawks and Kestrels were often seen hunting in the usual areas. Wildfowl numbers were unremarkable at all sites, while the Teal flock on the River Lea at Hackney Marshes peaked at 66 on 17th Feb. Wintering Grey Wagtails were present at the latter site and also Stoke Newington Reservoirs.