islington
BIRDWATCHING
 The
group makes trips to look at birds, with occasional
meetings to learn and discuss.Group Coordinator: Derek Harwood (click to contact) |
| When Two visits a month. One will be
more of a local visit, the other may be further
afield. So one should be shorter in duration, the
other longer, generally.
|
| Where Good places to look at birds and
enjoy nature in or near London and slightly
further afield.
|
The iU3A Birdwatching group was established
in December 2014, and we now have over fifty signed up
members, ranging from complete beginners to a few with
several years' experience of birdwatching. However,
generally there are no more than about six on each visit.
New members are welcome, whatever their level of
expertise. We also welcome anyone with a broad interest in
nature, wildlife or other aspects of the countryside which
they would like to share or extend. Group members share
ideas they have for outings, and we do our best to follow
up all of them.
The emphasis is very much on getting out and
enjoying nature and birds in particular. We may also have
a few indoor meetings from time to time to share
experiences and perhaps also to hear expert speakers. It
depends entirely on what the group would like.
If you want to join the group and you are
already a iU3A member then you can sign up through Beacon
here. If you are not a member of
Islington U3A then you need to join that firstly. Go to
the Join Us web page and
download the Membership form.
Friday 27 September (JD), Fisher Green, Cheshunt: from Cheshunt station we’ll follow paths through the Lee Valley Park toward the Discovery Centre at Fisher Green. This is about a 30 minute stroll from the station. More information available here: Fisher Green We'll go via the Overground so meet at Seven Sisters station (on the Overground platform) by 9.50 to catch the 10.00 train to Cheshunt (free, no ticket required).
Other Provisional Dates for 2024:
Friday 25 October (JD/DH)
Monday 4 November
Friday 29 November
Monday 2 December
Other
Information
British Bird List If you want to
print out a list for use during your visits to allow
ticking off what you see then the list is here.
Or to see what we've spotted on our previous
visits:
2017-18 look here
2018-19 look here
2019-20 look here.
To help plan your own trips, or to inspire suggestions for our visits, you might want to look at the London Bird Club Wiki here. To enjoy our bird visits to the maximum you will need decent binoculars (8×25 or 8×42 or 10 x 42 or 10 x 50 are good). The first number tells you the magnification (ie 8 or 10 times bigger), the second number is the size of the 'objective' (larger) lens which determines the amount of light (sharpness) of the image. Bigger numbers also mean bigger weight. There are also two forms — porro prism (offset lenses) or roof prism (in-line lenses). Porro type are generally cheaper but larger/heavier. Appropriate footwear and rain gear if the weather threatens. Each of our visits will have a maximum of 10 participants (but normally we are a lot less than that).
Birds on the Edge — see here for information of birds at risk. To read the quarterly magazine from WWT, click here.
Also see the following link here to the local RSPB web page regarding their recent visits (to be updated).
To follow what the London Wildlife Trust are up to have a look here.
If you want to hear some particular bird song or call try using this site: here.
And to end, just a bit of humour, have a look at this video clip here. And another one: here.
What can you see in your back garden? See some goldfinches here.
Blogs
This sections provides some learning material in bite-size easy format. They are in no particular order.
Regents Park: while only a few on this visit we managed to still have a respectable spot count.
Rye Meads: Our visit was enjoyable but slightly disappointing in sightings though we just managed to get our total to 30, although this includes ‘raptor’ (we couldn’t decide which only knew what it wasn’t). But actually 30 (or even 29) isn't bad. We were helped in one hide by an RSPB person with scope who pointed out the Green Sandpiper and Garganey which were probably our highlights for the day. It was frustrating we couldn’t identify the Raptor between us, it was very high and a long way off though we were convinced it wasn’t a buzzard or red kite.
Rainham: this time of year isn't so good for spotting birds. Too much vegetation and too hot. So our count was low for this normally good location. However the low count was compensated by two first sightings: a great white egret and spoonbills. Both are only recent migrators to the UK.
Walthamstow Wetlands: a return again to one of our best local reserves. Never the best time of year, too much vegetation. As a small group we still managed to spot 34 species.
Thurrock Thameside: this was a hot day and a bit of a trek but did end with us spotting or hearing 38 species. Most of these, including a kestrel, were seen on the walk in from East Tilbury. The tide was in at the Thurrock centre and, apart from hordes of shelducks (probably not the right collective noun), spots there were poor. Hearing a cuckoo was also a highlight.
Woodberry Downs: we returned to our most local reserve which often provides just as good a spot count as any other site. However, this time it was a bit more limited with a spot count of 26 — which is still very reasonable. The highlight of the visit was watching a common tern chase off, in flight, a grey heron. But also sight of a goldcrest (the smallest British bird) was rewarding. Good also to have in attendance not only many of our regular group members but also some of our more occasional attendees.
Winchmore Hill: this was a new destination for us and hence was a bit of an adventure. Unfortunately it was raining most of the time, which probably put off members attending and is never the best for bird spotting either. However, two of us still managed to spot 20 species. The highlight was a clear view for a prolonged period to all viewing of two great spotted woodpeckers. Worth a return visit when it's not raining.
Wanstead: Four of us had an enjoyable visit to Wanstead Park. We saw and heard quite a few small birds in the trees and undergrowth as we walked along the river, now dried up or drained, including a thrush and chiffchaff. There was an unusual lack of water birds in the lakes, but the little and great crested grebes performed for us and the geese had very attractive small goslings in tow. In all 24 species were seen.
Regent's Park: we returned to this popular haunt for a stroll through the Park to look at the non-natives (the smew being the prettiest), the heronry and the ducks. Regent's Park is a surprisingly good place for birds and at this time of year we saw some of our summer visitors — including a blackcap but no chiffchaffs strangely. Many young wrens and robins.
Walthamstow: we returned to this local reserve. Although only 6 of us we still managed to spot 39 different species. The day's highlights were varied within the group but all enjoyed the visit.
Abbeywood: the Elizabeth line makes getting to this destination easier these days. We took a mixed route: starting inland we meandered past Southmere and its many ducks. Lots of chiffchaffs and cetti warblers around already — reflecting the mild weather. After that we cut through the old golf course (where the rain decided to start) down to the Thames, to discover it was high tide so no mudflats with waders to view unfortunately. We then followed the Thames Path east passing Crossness Pumping station. However, there were still large flocks of teal, shelduck and gadwell to view. With the drizzle continuing we turned inland and walked through Crossness Nature Reserve to the pub to dry out. Our record for this walk has been 35 but today we managed 32. Not bad all things considered.
Stokers Lake: quite a little adventure today. Chiltern Railways train cancelled, but the Metropolitan Line was working. The area around the lakes was flooded with many paths cordoned off and water pouring across the paths that were open in several places. We ended up with very wet feet quite early on. However, we did see 33 species including a kingfisher, siskins and a goldcrest; and the sun shone at times so we thought it was worth the discomfort.
Brighton: while we thought that this year we would go to Southend to witness the starling murmuration reports showed that actually Brighton was going to give better sightings. So we returned to our usual arangements. It was certainly the right decision. After a very good fish lunch we assumed our usual position on the main pier to await the accumulations. It was cold and windy but the sights were amazing with thousands of starlings gathering. The wind kept them low to the water but they swooped and soared with such amazing precision. The only blight to the day was, again, problems with trains getting back to London.
Woodberry Downs: this was a return to our most local reserve. Never outstanding but always pleasant. Our sighting count wasn't that high (mid 20s) but still reasonable.
WWT Arundel Wetland Centre: this was a new excursion for us; it's one of the furthest out reserves we have visited as a group. With direct trains from Victoria to Arundel it was doable as a day visit. The Centre was a 1.3 mile walk from the rail station but allowed us to start our watching en route, although that could have been different if we hadn't had the sunny dry day that we had. It's quite a busy reserve with most of the hides being almost full as we dropped in but that did give the opportunity for sharing spots. Sadly we didn't see the kingfisher that many others had been watching. The close-ups of a stonechat were our spot of the day. The count was into the low 30s but it wasn't sensational. Worth a return visit but we won't hurry back.
Cheshunt and Lee Valley Park: this time we turned south from Cheshunt. Unfortunately Council workers, brush clearing, made a bit a of a background noise which the birds probably didn't appreciate, and neither did we. But it was interesting to see this part of the Lee Valley Park. After a circular loop some left and others carried on to the Fisher Green centre. They were rewarded by spotting the resident bittern there.
Walthamstow Wetlands: this was a local outing one of our regular haunts. A good day's sightings with 30 spots. The highlight being a kingfisher. We needed a local to point it out to us as it sat motionless. The resident peregrine seems to be back these days using one of the pylons as it's perch.
Two Tree Island: we returned to this location, one of our 'best' for spotting birds. As soon as we set out from Leigh-on-Sea station we could see many birds in the distance on the east end of the island. So we decided to venture, for a change, into this part of the island. It was interesting and — particularly when we got to the end — a great vantage point. From there we could then identify the birds we had seen earlier — large flocks of brent geese plus murmuring knots. As it was a very chilly day we then briskly set off for the western end of the island and the lagoon there, this time going clockwise with the tide falling. It was the quantity of birds that made the day. We were soon blasé about seeing yet another curlew or redshank, not to mention oystercatchers, sanderlings and dunlins. Carol gets 'spot of the day' seeing turnstones. With the bitterly cold wind we didn't hang about and headed for respite in the golf cafe. The ritual spot count and a test of our group memory, got us to 26. But it was quantity not variety that made the day. No godwits was the only disappointment.
Woodberry Down: we returned to our local reserve. Sometimes it surprises us with the variety of sightings we see here, but this time it wasn't to be. Still, a reasonable number of spots and it is convenient for us.
Dagenham Chase: a new location for us. Janet had 'discovered' it. Relatively easy to get to and very extensive area with the River Rom running through various gravel pits. Mixed habit: wood, scrub and lakes. We didn't see too much but sufficient, the green woodpecker at the end being the highlight.
Walthamstow Wetlands: this was a local outing to Walthamstow reservoirs. The low turnout didn't prevent a healthy number of sightings (25) and 2 'hearings'.
Rainham Marshes: we have had several excellent visits and had our highest species count there – 61!! - when we had the help of two Wardens. This time, by our devices, (and with only 3 pairs of eyes) we spotted or heard 33 species, still a good amount. The rain wasn’t as bad as forecast. Highlight was the snipe, spotted first by Michael, blending in with the foliage. We looked for bearded tits that have been seen there but not today. The RSPB man said he’d only seen them once. Not much on the feeders except tits and sparrows. Where were the goldfinches?
Regents Park: on a very hot day we returned to this glorious local park. And again it didn't fail to surprise with 36 sightings. The numbers are helped by the mix of woodland and wetland habitats but also the clipped wing section where more unusual (for London) birds reside. For example the pink footed goose was a highlight. But an even better sighting was the great spotted woodpecker that displayed for us for some time. Another successful outing.
Fishers Green, Cheshunt: 7 of us ventured to Cheshunt and meandered to the reserve centre at Fishers Green. A reasonable count for a summer visit with 29 species spotted and verified.
Woodberry Downs: sometimes this local reserve can give us some good sightings, sometimes it's just average. This was one of the average times. It was a good day and all enjoyed the stroll but not a lot of bird life.
Chingford, Connaught Water: 10 of us gathered for this pleasant walk on the edge of Epping Forest. We have been lucky on previous visits to this location with kingfishers and goosanders being spotted. However this time the sightings were disappointing with a count overall of only 22. In fact the only interesting debate was regarding numbers of mallard. Most were young with yellow beaks and didn't have the winter male plumage yet. Were some of these gadwalls? No, but amongst them were a few gadwalls with their black beaks and flashes of purple.
Walthamstow Wetlands: this was one of our local outings. The Walthamstow reservoirs are just 5 minutes walk from Tottenham Hale station along Ferry Lane. Walthamstow Reservoirs are an important part of the system for supplying London's water. Some of them are quite 'hard-edged' and not so great for birds. Others are much softer-edged and there are islands which is better for the birds. We saw a good variety of ducks, herons, cormorants, geese (including barnacle) and the usual woodland birds. 37 species were spotted in total.
Thurrock, Thameside: due to the small numbers and the heat of the day we revised the route. Instead of getting off the train at East Tilbury and walking in past the gravel pits we carried on and started at Stanford-le-Hope. From there we looped down to the Essex Wildlife Trust centre. Initially we thought we'd timed it badly with the tide way out, however it soon started to come in quickly bringing with it many birds. Many many shelducks. There was also a curlew just in front of the hide. So things worked out pretty well with 32 sightings. Was it a better route? Possibly.
Rye Meads: it was a very hot humid day so we spent quite a bit of time in the shade of the hides. We didn't go all the way round but we saw and heard a good range of woodland and water birds. 37 species in total.
Stockers Lake: a return to this popular spot. We walked in via the bridge near the roundabout, along the river before crossing to the Lake and the hides. We hadn’t the energy to walk all round the lake, so we walked back to the cafe along the canal where we saw the Swallows. But the highlight of the visit was spotting a nuthatch. He flew to a trunk and sat outside a hole where presumably he had a nest but we had a great view before he popped inside.
Abbeywood to Belvedere, Thames Southside: the Elizabeth line makes it easy now to reach Abbeywood but by the time we got there the clouds had rolled in and the rain started. Maybe the day's forecast of rain had kept members away. However, three brave souls soldiered on. At Southmere we were rewarded by a display from swifts. On the river we didn't see the range that we have seen previously. There were plenty of shelducks and gulls but no shanks or curlews this time. The odd oystercatcher or two. But nevertheless a count overall of 33 is not bad going. The train strike did catch us out on our return but it was an easy bus ride instead.
Woodberry Downs: a return to our local reserve. We spent a long time looking at reeds, and with great excitement hearing, then seeing, chetti, chiffchaff and reed warbler. Most exciting was the song thrush who sat on a post posing near us singing its heart out. A good half day with 31 species spotted.
Cheshunt: we headed straight in to the Lee Valley park and meandered our way to the Discovery Centre at Fisher Green. We did quite well with 30 different species being spotted. But the best was not the total variety seen but the 'Attenborough' moments. These were great crested grebes doing their necking mating dancing and then, as we sat quietly eating our picnic, a cormorant swam right in front of us, dived and came up with a pretty big fish that then disappeared down its throat. Special moments.
Barnes/London WWT: we thought a bit of a blustery showery day might keep the birds away; however, we were wrong. We had a species count of 47! It's a bit of a hike to get there but the mixture of natives and non-natives always makes for an interesting visit, and it's educational to see how many originally non-natives are now on the British list. Not just the ubiquitous Egyptian goose but birds such as, for example, the wood (caroline) duck, the bufflehead and the hooded merganser.
Walthamstow Wetlands: a rather windy day made it difficult for the birds, and the bird watchers. But we struggled on and were rewarded by a pretty good spot count, highlights being the shovelers. Pity the gosander wasn't verified.
Rainham: we last visited Rainham last May so it was time for a return. Normally Rainham attracts a good turnout but this time we were few. However, even with only three pairs of eyes we still managed to spot 40 species. Not a record for Rainham (last visit it was 44) but not a bad rate at 13 per pair of eyes! Avocets, curlew, godwits, water rail and the marsh harrier were the highlights. Large parts of the broadwalk were closed for repair but we still managed to cover estuary, woodland and scrapes.
Brighton: Seven of us went to Brighton on a sunny Monday to watch the starling murmuration, which, like the fish restaurant and brilliant sunset, was enjoyable although not as spectacular as some times. The day was slightly blighted by train delays and cancellations on the way back.
Woodberry Down: a good turnout for our most local reserve. Most of the water was frozen still which meant the gulls were standing on it and we could see their legs! Easier to sort out which gull was which that way. A few teal and pochards.
Wanstead Park: a brave two souls ventured out but enjoyed it nevertheless.
Walthamstow Wetlands: this was one of our regular 'local' half day visits. It was a cold day, which probably explained our low numbers. However, for the three that did brave the weather they were rewarded by good sightings. There wasn't anything out of the ordinary but it was the quantity that made things special. For example 10 little grebe, or 15 shovelers. In all 30 species was the final count. But the hot drinks were appreciated also at the end in the Engine Room.
Two Tree Island, Leigh on Sea, November: another successful trip to this Essex reserve. 37 species spotted. Not our highest count here but not bad. Not as many in quantity either, possibly due to bird flu. We were lucky with the weather, a nice clear mild day for late November. Highlights were probably the plovers — little ringed and grey.
Rye Meads, November: on a very mild day six of us had a pleasant stroll around this RSPB reserve. There were many mute swans and one whooper we were told, but we couldn't pick it out. Not the best time of year for the kingfishers so no sightings at that hide but we had a great display from lapwings and an overall count of 30. All were happy with that.
Epping Forest, October: another successful visit to this spot.
Walthamstow Wetlands, October: one of our regular local venues.
Previous
Visits
For a record of our other visits you can see the reports by the following links:
2017-18 look here
2018-19 look here
2019-20 look here.
To help plan your own trips, or to inspire suggestions for our visits, you might want to look at the London Bird Club Wiki here. To enjoy our bird visits to the maximum you will need decent binoculars (8×25 or 8×42 or 10 x 42 or 10 x 50 are good). The first number tells you the magnification (ie 8 or 10 times bigger), the second number is the size of the 'objective' (larger) lens which determines the amount of light (sharpness) of the image. Bigger numbers also mean bigger weight. There are also two forms — porro prism (offset lenses) or roof prism (in-line lenses). Porro type are generally cheaper but larger/heavier. Appropriate footwear and rain gear if the weather threatens. Each of our visits will have a maximum of 10 participants (but normally we are a lot less than that).
Birds on the Edge — see here for information of birds at risk. To read the quarterly magazine from WWT, click here.
Also see the following link here to the local RSPB web page regarding their recent visits (to be updated).
To follow what the London Wildlife Trust are up to have a look here.
If you want to hear some particular bird song or call try using this site: here.
And to end, just a bit of humour, have a look at this video clip here. And another one: here.
What can you see in your back garden? See some goldfinches here.
Blogs
This sections provides some learning material in bite-size easy format. They are in no particular order.
- Seeing Red (redwings, redstarts and redshanks) here
- Preying (identifying between birds of prey) here
- Gulling About (or more about gulls) here
Regents Park: while only a few on this visit we managed to still have a respectable spot count.
Rye Meads: Our visit was enjoyable but slightly disappointing in sightings though we just managed to get our total to 30, although this includes ‘raptor’ (we couldn’t decide which only knew what it wasn’t). But actually 30 (or even 29) isn't bad. We were helped in one hide by an RSPB person with scope who pointed out the Green Sandpiper and Garganey which were probably our highlights for the day. It was frustrating we couldn’t identify the Raptor between us, it was very high and a long way off though we were convinced it wasn’t a buzzard or red kite.
Rainham: this time of year isn't so good for spotting birds. Too much vegetation and too hot. So our count was low for this normally good location. However the low count was compensated by two first sightings: a great white egret and spoonbills. Both are only recent migrators to the UK.
Walthamstow Wetlands: a return again to one of our best local reserves. Never the best time of year, too much vegetation. As a small group we still managed to spot 34 species.
Thurrock Thameside: this was a hot day and a bit of a trek but did end with us spotting or hearing 38 species. Most of these, including a kestrel, were seen on the walk in from East Tilbury. The tide was in at the Thurrock centre and, apart from hordes of shelducks (probably not the right collective noun), spots there were poor. Hearing a cuckoo was also a highlight.
Woodberry Downs: we returned to our most local reserve which often provides just as good a spot count as any other site. However, this time it was a bit more limited with a spot count of 26 — which is still very reasonable. The highlight of the visit was watching a common tern chase off, in flight, a grey heron. But also sight of a goldcrest (the smallest British bird) was rewarding. Good also to have in attendance not only many of our regular group members but also some of our more occasional attendees.
Winchmore Hill: this was a new destination for us and hence was a bit of an adventure. Unfortunately it was raining most of the time, which probably put off members attending and is never the best for bird spotting either. However, two of us still managed to spot 20 species. The highlight was a clear view for a prolonged period to all viewing of two great spotted woodpeckers. Worth a return visit when it's not raining.
Wanstead: Four of us had an enjoyable visit to Wanstead Park. We saw and heard quite a few small birds in the trees and undergrowth as we walked along the river, now dried up or drained, including a thrush and chiffchaff. There was an unusual lack of water birds in the lakes, but the little and great crested grebes performed for us and the geese had very attractive small goslings in tow. In all 24 species were seen.
Regent's Park: we returned to this popular haunt for a stroll through the Park to look at the non-natives (the smew being the prettiest), the heronry and the ducks. Regent's Park is a surprisingly good place for birds and at this time of year we saw some of our summer visitors — including a blackcap but no chiffchaffs strangely. Many young wrens and robins.
Walthamstow: we returned to this local reserve. Although only 6 of us we still managed to spot 39 different species. The day's highlights were varied within the group but all enjoyed the visit.
Abbeywood: the Elizabeth line makes getting to this destination easier these days. We took a mixed route: starting inland we meandered past Southmere and its many ducks. Lots of chiffchaffs and cetti warblers around already — reflecting the mild weather. After that we cut through the old golf course (where the rain decided to start) down to the Thames, to discover it was high tide so no mudflats with waders to view unfortunately. We then followed the Thames Path east passing Crossness Pumping station. However, there were still large flocks of teal, shelduck and gadwell to view. With the drizzle continuing we turned inland and walked through Crossness Nature Reserve to the pub to dry out. Our record for this walk has been 35 but today we managed 32. Not bad all things considered.
Stokers Lake: quite a little adventure today. Chiltern Railways train cancelled, but the Metropolitan Line was working. The area around the lakes was flooded with many paths cordoned off and water pouring across the paths that were open in several places. We ended up with very wet feet quite early on. However, we did see 33 species including a kingfisher, siskins and a goldcrest; and the sun shone at times so we thought it was worth the discomfort.
Brighton: while we thought that this year we would go to Southend to witness the starling murmuration reports showed that actually Brighton was going to give better sightings. So we returned to our usual arangements. It was certainly the right decision. After a very good fish lunch we assumed our usual position on the main pier to await the accumulations. It was cold and windy but the sights were amazing with thousands of starlings gathering. The wind kept them low to the water but they swooped and soared with such amazing precision. The only blight to the day was, again, problems with trains getting back to London.
Woodberry Downs: this was a return to our most local reserve. Never outstanding but always pleasant. Our sighting count wasn't that high (mid 20s) but still reasonable.
WWT Arundel Wetland Centre: this was a new excursion for us; it's one of the furthest out reserves we have visited as a group. With direct trains from Victoria to Arundel it was doable as a day visit. The Centre was a 1.3 mile walk from the rail station but allowed us to start our watching en route, although that could have been different if we hadn't had the sunny dry day that we had. It's quite a busy reserve with most of the hides being almost full as we dropped in but that did give the opportunity for sharing spots. Sadly we didn't see the kingfisher that many others had been watching. The close-ups of a stonechat were our spot of the day. The count was into the low 30s but it wasn't sensational. Worth a return visit but we won't hurry back.
Cheshunt and Lee Valley Park: this time we turned south from Cheshunt. Unfortunately Council workers, brush clearing, made a bit a of a background noise which the birds probably didn't appreciate, and neither did we. But it was interesting to see this part of the Lee Valley Park. After a circular loop some left and others carried on to the Fisher Green centre. They were rewarded by spotting the resident bittern there.
Walthamstow Wetlands: this was a local outing one of our regular haunts. A good day's sightings with 30 spots. The highlight being a kingfisher. We needed a local to point it out to us as it sat motionless. The resident peregrine seems to be back these days using one of the pylons as it's perch.
Two Tree Island: we returned to this location, one of our 'best' for spotting birds. As soon as we set out from Leigh-on-Sea station we could see many birds in the distance on the east end of the island. So we decided to venture, for a change, into this part of the island. It was interesting and — particularly when we got to the end — a great vantage point. From there we could then identify the birds we had seen earlier — large flocks of brent geese plus murmuring knots. As it was a very chilly day we then briskly set off for the western end of the island and the lagoon there, this time going clockwise with the tide falling. It was the quantity of birds that made the day. We were soon blasé about seeing yet another curlew or redshank, not to mention oystercatchers, sanderlings and dunlins. Carol gets 'spot of the day' seeing turnstones. With the bitterly cold wind we didn't hang about and headed for respite in the golf cafe. The ritual spot count and a test of our group memory, got us to 26. But it was quantity not variety that made the day. No godwits was the only disappointment.
Woodberry Down: we returned to our local reserve. Sometimes it surprises us with the variety of sightings we see here, but this time it wasn't to be. Still, a reasonable number of spots and it is convenient for us.
Dagenham Chase: a new location for us. Janet had 'discovered' it. Relatively easy to get to and very extensive area with the River Rom running through various gravel pits. Mixed habit: wood, scrub and lakes. We didn't see too much but sufficient, the green woodpecker at the end being the highlight.
Walthamstow Wetlands: this was a local outing to Walthamstow reservoirs. The low turnout didn't prevent a healthy number of sightings (25) and 2 'hearings'.
Rainham Marshes: we have had several excellent visits and had our highest species count there – 61!! - when we had the help of two Wardens. This time, by our devices, (and with only 3 pairs of eyes) we spotted or heard 33 species, still a good amount. The rain wasn’t as bad as forecast. Highlight was the snipe, spotted first by Michael, blending in with the foliage. We looked for bearded tits that have been seen there but not today. The RSPB man said he’d only seen them once. Not much on the feeders except tits and sparrows. Where were the goldfinches?
Regents Park: on a very hot day we returned to this glorious local park. And again it didn't fail to surprise with 36 sightings. The numbers are helped by the mix of woodland and wetland habitats but also the clipped wing section where more unusual (for London) birds reside. For example the pink footed goose was a highlight. But an even better sighting was the great spotted woodpecker that displayed for us for some time. Another successful outing.
Fishers Green, Cheshunt: 7 of us ventured to Cheshunt and meandered to the reserve centre at Fishers Green. A reasonable count for a summer visit with 29 species spotted and verified.
Woodberry Downs: sometimes this local reserve can give us some good sightings, sometimes it's just average. This was one of the average times. It was a good day and all enjoyed the stroll but not a lot of bird life.
Chingford, Connaught Water: 10 of us gathered for this pleasant walk on the edge of Epping Forest. We have been lucky on previous visits to this location with kingfishers and goosanders being spotted. However this time the sightings were disappointing with a count overall of only 22. In fact the only interesting debate was regarding numbers of mallard. Most were young with yellow beaks and didn't have the winter male plumage yet. Were some of these gadwalls? No, but amongst them were a few gadwalls with their black beaks and flashes of purple.
Walthamstow Wetlands: this was one of our local outings. The Walthamstow reservoirs are just 5 minutes walk from Tottenham Hale station along Ferry Lane. Walthamstow Reservoirs are an important part of the system for supplying London's water. Some of them are quite 'hard-edged' and not so great for birds. Others are much softer-edged and there are islands which is better for the birds. We saw a good variety of ducks, herons, cormorants, geese (including barnacle) and the usual woodland birds. 37 species were spotted in total.
Thurrock, Thameside: due to the small numbers and the heat of the day we revised the route. Instead of getting off the train at East Tilbury and walking in past the gravel pits we carried on and started at Stanford-le-Hope. From there we looped down to the Essex Wildlife Trust centre. Initially we thought we'd timed it badly with the tide way out, however it soon started to come in quickly bringing with it many birds. Many many shelducks. There was also a curlew just in front of the hide. So things worked out pretty well with 32 sightings. Was it a better route? Possibly.
Rye Meads: it was a very hot humid day so we spent quite a bit of time in the shade of the hides. We didn't go all the way round but we saw and heard a good range of woodland and water birds. 37 species in total.
Stockers Lake: a return to this popular spot. We walked in via the bridge near the roundabout, along the river before crossing to the Lake and the hides. We hadn’t the energy to walk all round the lake, so we walked back to the cafe along the canal where we saw the Swallows. But the highlight of the visit was spotting a nuthatch. He flew to a trunk and sat outside a hole where presumably he had a nest but we had a great view before he popped inside.
Abbeywood to Belvedere, Thames Southside: the Elizabeth line makes it easy now to reach Abbeywood but by the time we got there the clouds had rolled in and the rain started. Maybe the day's forecast of rain had kept members away. However, three brave souls soldiered on. At Southmere we were rewarded by a display from swifts. On the river we didn't see the range that we have seen previously. There were plenty of shelducks and gulls but no shanks or curlews this time. The odd oystercatcher or two. But nevertheless a count overall of 33 is not bad going. The train strike did catch us out on our return but it was an easy bus ride instead.
Woodberry Downs: a return to our local reserve. We spent a long time looking at reeds, and with great excitement hearing, then seeing, chetti, chiffchaff and reed warbler. Most exciting was the song thrush who sat on a post posing near us singing its heart out. A good half day with 31 species spotted.
Cheshunt: we headed straight in to the Lee Valley park and meandered our way to the Discovery Centre at Fisher Green. We did quite well with 30 different species being spotted. But the best was not the total variety seen but the 'Attenborough' moments. These were great crested grebes doing their necking mating dancing and then, as we sat quietly eating our picnic, a cormorant swam right in front of us, dived and came up with a pretty big fish that then disappeared down its throat. Special moments.
Barnes/London WWT: we thought a bit of a blustery showery day might keep the birds away; however, we were wrong. We had a species count of 47! It's a bit of a hike to get there but the mixture of natives and non-natives always makes for an interesting visit, and it's educational to see how many originally non-natives are now on the British list. Not just the ubiquitous Egyptian goose but birds such as, for example, the wood (caroline) duck, the bufflehead and the hooded merganser.
Walthamstow Wetlands: a rather windy day made it difficult for the birds, and the bird watchers. But we struggled on and were rewarded by a pretty good spot count, highlights being the shovelers. Pity the gosander wasn't verified.
Rainham: we last visited Rainham last May so it was time for a return. Normally Rainham attracts a good turnout but this time we were few. However, even with only three pairs of eyes we still managed to spot 40 species. Not a record for Rainham (last visit it was 44) but not a bad rate at 13 per pair of eyes! Avocets, curlew, godwits, water rail and the marsh harrier were the highlights. Large parts of the broadwalk were closed for repair but we still managed to cover estuary, woodland and scrapes.
Brighton: Seven of us went to Brighton on a sunny Monday to watch the starling murmuration, which, like the fish restaurant and brilliant sunset, was enjoyable although not as spectacular as some times. The day was slightly blighted by train delays and cancellations on the way back.
Woodberry Down: a good turnout for our most local reserve. Most of the water was frozen still which meant the gulls were standing on it and we could see their legs! Easier to sort out which gull was which that way. A few teal and pochards.
Wanstead Park: a brave two souls ventured out but enjoyed it nevertheless.
Walthamstow Wetlands: this was one of our regular 'local' half day visits. It was a cold day, which probably explained our low numbers. However, for the three that did brave the weather they were rewarded by good sightings. There wasn't anything out of the ordinary but it was the quantity that made things special. For example 10 little grebe, or 15 shovelers. In all 30 species was the final count. But the hot drinks were appreciated also at the end in the Engine Room.
Two Tree Island, Leigh on Sea, November: another successful trip to this Essex reserve. 37 species spotted. Not our highest count here but not bad. Not as many in quantity either, possibly due to bird flu. We were lucky with the weather, a nice clear mild day for late November. Highlights were probably the plovers — little ringed and grey.
Rye Meads, November: on a very mild day six of us had a pleasant stroll around this RSPB reserve. There were many mute swans and one whooper we were told, but we couldn't pick it out. Not the best time of year for the kingfishers so no sightings at that hide but we had a great display from lapwings and an overall count of 30. All were happy with that.
Epping Forest, October: another successful visit to this spot.
Walthamstow Wetlands, October: one of our regular local venues.
For a record of our other visits you can see the reports by the following links:
site designed by Gill Hopkins
logo designed Tattersal
Hammarling & Silk
registered charity number 1157067