Sand Martin, 16th March 2011 (c MJP)

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: a misty, dark and relatively still day with a light NE breeze had the look of an early migrant or two, and didn’t disappoint. Initially heard calling at 1015, a Redshank spent several minutes trying and failing to find a suitable place to land around the East Res, eventually giving up and heading north; only the fourth record for the site, all of which have come in the last two years or so.

Sand Martin, 16th March 2011 (c MJP)

About 45 minutes later, and the week-long vigil for our first returning Sand Martins finally paid off – three birds appeared out of the gloom, and spent almost an hour over the reservoirs. A day earlier than last year, but two days later than 2008 & 2009.

Also recorded – a Great Black-backed Gull on the tern raft, two Chiffchaffs, a Cetti's Warbler, a Meadow Pipit over, and a trickle of Chaffinches and Greenfinches north. (MJP)

Sand Martin, 16th March 2011 (c MJP)

Redshank, 16th March 2011

Redshank, 16th March 2011 (c MJP)

Great and Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 16th March 2011

Great Crested Grebe, 16th March 2011

Red Kite, 14th (c MJP)

Stoke Newington Reservoirs:-

The wait for the first trans-Saharan returnee continues, with the most likely candidate, Sand Martin, still to arrive; however, an increase in activity generally, and a memorable day of early raptor passage today, have given indications of what’s to come.

10th and 11th: drake Red-crested Pochard still, Cetti’s Warbler, three Chiffchaffs, two Water Rails, a pair of Peregrines regularly in the area, and three Great Black-backed Gulls thermalling (11th). (MJP)

Common Buzzard, 12th (c MJP)

12th and 13th: sunny and mild periods on the 12th encouraged the first common Buzzard of the spring to head low and north, as well as a male Peregrine, a Jackdaw three Chiffchaffs, a Water Rail and the RCP still (the latter on both days); two Brimstones and a Red Admiral were on the wing. (MJP)

14th (today): an initially bright day with scattered cumulus and an easterly airflow looked promising for a large raptor, and exceeded all expectations. A Red Kite headed low and east against the blue sky, not flapping once, at 1058, closely followed by a Common Buzzard thermalling to the south at 1110. A Cetti’s Warbler, the RCP and a Peregrine were also recorded.

Reed Bunting, 12th (c MJP)

A session on the roof of the neighbouring Lincoln Court tower block from 1247-1420 instantly produced a kettle of six Common Buzzards, which drifted north up the valley – a record number simultaneously; three of the same species to the north at 1256 may or may not have involved some of the same birds, but singles north at 1310 and east at 1340 were new, meaning a minimum of nine (perhaps as many as 11) were recorded today, a new record and pleasingly early in the season.

Chiffchaff, 14th (c MJP)

A Lapwing flew east, a Jackdaw west, and a Great Black-backed Gull went over, with a pair of the latter species on the East Res at dusk; two pairs of Peregrines were active over a wide area throughout. (MJP)

remaining quiet, but for a flock of Waxwings at the reservoirs and a Red-crested Pochard alternating between there and Clissold Park.

8th March – Abney Park Cemetery: Tawny Owl, 5 Redwings, 3 Goldcrests (MJP)
7th March – Stoke Newington Reservoirs: male Red-crested Pochard, Cetti’s Warbler, Water Rail, 46 Gadwalls, 65 Shovelers, singing Chiffchaff (first of spring) (MJP)
4th March – Stoke Newington Reservoirs: 16 Waxwings low over, two cetti’s Warblers, two Water Rails, 60 Shovelers (MJP)
3rd & 4th March – Clissold Park: male Red-crested Pochard (LA, SK)

Waxwings, SNR, 2nd March (MJP)

Waxwings, SNR, 2nd March (MJP)

another ostensibly very quiet period, with notable records dominated by – have a guess – the avian marvel that are Waxwings. Working backwards over the last ten days:

2nd March – Stoke Newington Reservoirs: c25 Waxwings into trees by the East res mid-morning, then west; two Cetti’s Warblers (MJP)

1st March – Hackney Marshes: Shelduck over north, at least six Chiffchaffs along the Lea, (including at least two singers), Goldcrest, 20 Teal, nine Gadwall, five Little Grebes, 1 female Common Pochard; Middlesex Filte Beds NR: pair of Stock Doves, Goldcrest, two Chiffchaffs, male Kestrel, three Little Grebes (JP).

27th February – Albion / Winston Road: male Blackcap, also present intermittently over the last fortnight (PW), but no sign of Waxwings.

24th February – Stoke Newington Reservoirs: two groups of seven & nine Lapwings over, Peregrine with large prey over to Walthamstow, male Red-crested Pochard still, 80+ Shovelers (MJP)

Waxwings, SNR, 2nd March (MJP)

23rd February – Stoke Newington Reservoirs: male Red-crested Pochard, singing Cetti’s Warbler, 70+ Shovelers (MJP)

21st February – Albion / Winston Road: ten Waxwings at 0800 (NV); Amhurst Road: 55 Waxwings (GC)

Waxwings, Winston Road, 20th Feb (MJP)

…and the theme of recent days in the borough remains distinctly garrulus. After an upsurge in sightings since mid-January, several flocks have temporarily settled in, the most reliable visiting a row of gardens between Winston and Albion Road, N16. Local birders Neil and Penny have kindly kept tabs on their fenno-Scandinavian guests since their arrival over six weeks ago, and while numbers have fluctuated, the flock today reached 60. For further details of today’s flock, see here.

Waxwings, Winston Road, 20th Feb (MJP)

Waxwings, Winston Road, 20th Feb (MJP)

A second flock has set up intermittent shop further south-west in the borough, by the railway crossing on Navarino Road, observed by Gavin Coultrip (thanks for the info Gavin):  “There were 2 Waxwings in the trees beside the Overground line at Navarino Road on Thursday 17th at 8.10am. The following day at the same time there were 18 in the same location. I returned on Saturday 19th at 8.05am to find their number had grown to 25. While passing later that day, at around 4.00pm, I found there were now 59 Waxwings. Small groups of them were flying into a bush at Navarino Mansions to feed on berries where I was able to watch them at a distance of not more than about 6 feet. At around 4.15pm they had moved west along the Overground line into the trees beside Greenwood Road.”

Waxwings, Navarino Road, 19th Feb (Gavin Coultrip)

Otherwise, a Common Buzzard flew low and south over Abney on the 17th, where the male Tawny Owl, four Goldcrests and four Coal Tits are present daily (MJP); the same day in Clissold Park produced a pair of Peregrines in the area (and over adjacent Church St.), a male Red-crested Pochard on Beckmere, Ring-necked Parakeets excavating nest hole, and a singing Coal Tit (MJP). The reservoirs remain quiet but for very high numbers of Shovelers (up to 90) and a Cetti’s Warbler (MJP).

Red-crested Pochard, Clissold Park, 17th Feb (MJP)

Tawny Owl, Abney, 17th Feb (MJP)

Common Buzzard over Church St., 17th Feb (MJP)

Apologies for the lack of regular updates of late; it being the quietest time of year, daily updates are somewhat redundant and inspiration is slightly lacking….. the last ten days have essentially stuck to type, with little new of note to report, despite typically regular coverage of productive sites.

leucistic Stock Dove, Abney Park Cemetery (MJP)

leucistic Stock Dove, Abney (MJP)

However, Waxwings are still very much on the borough radar, thanks in the main to a flock which have visited a small area of gardens just west of Albion Road, N16, since early January; numbers have fluctuated between sinle and double figures, but this area has become the most reliable spot in Hackney for Waxwings during the current influx, and they’re still visiting on an almost daily basis. Thanks to Penny and Neil for the updates.

Tawny Owl, Abney (MJP)

In addition, about 20 Waxwings were briefly around the West Reservoir on the 13th – very likely a short northern sojourn for the above flock (which were indeed seen shortly before and after). A (the) male Blackcap again visited a garden in De Beavoir town on the 5th (MR), and -finally – they’ve appeared elsewhere, with two singing males on a rare sunny morning in Abney on the 14th.

The same morning at the same site revealed a leucistic Stock Dove (see above) amongst a strong showing of this species, with many birds now back and courting / investigating nest holes; the leucistic individual is faithful to a large poplar just west of the High St. entrance. One Tawny Owl, presumably the male, is day-roosting in a regular spot; hopefully the female is otherwise engaged out of sight. More news as we find out.

Other notable records include 14 Linnets at Hackney Marshes on the 13th (JP), up to 80 Shovelers at Stoke Newington Reservoirs throughout, where at least one Cetti’s Warbler is present. The huge gatherings of gulls have, despite regular checks, yet to contain a rarer congener.

Shovelers, Stoke Newington Reservoirs (MJP)

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: very windy and gloomy again today, with little new to report, although a (the) 3rd winter Yellow-legged Gull was on the East Res, and at least 60 Shovelers are still present. (MJP)

Hackney Marshes: four Chiffchaffs were present yesterday, including an early singer. (JP)

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: much the same at the reservoirs today, with the Peregrines once again performing (and terrifying the local gulls), a high count of 67 Shovelers, and a third-winter Yellow-legged Gull in the pre-roost throng (MJP).

Peregrine, SNR 3rd Feb 2011

Peregrine, SNR 2011

Shovelers, SNR 3rd Feb 2011

Shovelers, SNR 3rd Feb 2011

Fox, SNR, 3rd Feb 2011

apologies to all for our absence over recent days – unfortunately the website was hacked, and it’s taken a a while to get back up and running. But all is now well, all data was thankfully recovered, and at least it was during a traditionally quiet time of year. Monthly and annual summaries will appear via the link at the top of the page, and daily updates will continue here.

Update- 24th January – 2nd February 2011

Stoke Newington Reservoirs: on the 24th – about 60 Waxwings flew low and north just before dusk (see photos below); on the 27th, a single Waxwing flew north; on the 31st, three Peregrines were together (with one ot two on several other dates); on 1st, an adult Yellow-legged Gull was in the pre-roost gathering (see below); in addition, up to five Water Rails and high numbers (up to 50) Shovelers are present. (MJP)

Abney Park Cemetery: both Tawny Owls are in regular roosting spots, and up to five each of Coal tit and Goldcrest are present. (MJP et al)

Hackney Marshes: an impressive count of eight Chiffchaffs were along the river on 27th (JP).

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