2/21/10
On a very rainy morning we started the survey by making a trip to the relief channel near Lockwood Reservoir to look for the Dusky Warbler. A few of us had a brief glimpse around 9pm and reports from members who returned later suggested it was showing intermittently throughout the morning, in spite of the heavy rain. Hopefully have some new photos from David Cottridge to post soon.

Other points of interest from the survey were as follows: Water rail showing from Green Bridge, 6 meadow pipits, 1 reed bunting on Wild Marsh East and a goosander in the relief channel near Lee Diversion. A few redwings and a great spotted woodpecker in Stonebridge Wood and 4 Chiff-chaffs by the Pymmes Brook on wild marsh south. Full results to follow soonish.

DMC


2/16/10

I heard from David Cottridge today that Lol Boldini located a Dusky Warbler in allotments opposite Lockwood Reservoir on Sunday 14th and it has also been seen on following days. This is the first Dusky Warbler ever recorded in the London Area. It is present in the scrub on the east side of the Flood Relief Channel on Wild Marsh East .

This picture was taken on Monday by RoyWoodward and 'borrowed' from. Uk400ClubRareBirdAlert. I Hope they don't mind? Link for the story and more images:
http://uk400clubrarebirdalert.blogspot.com/2010/02/first-dusky-warbler-of-2010-and-first.html

More news to follow
cheers

DMC


2/17/10
David Cottridge wrote yesterday:

The bird was present today, but viewing it was extremely difficult due to persistent rain and the nature of the species which is quite skulking. Fleeting glimpses were obtained of the bird. It is an unusually late date for this species which usually arrives in UK around about late October and it is my belief that this bird arrived in this country last autumn and has remained here. This species would normally winter in northern India and the foothills of the Himalayas where I have observed many. I believe that this bird will remain for a while.



5/28/09
A few interesting sightings from the last 2 weeks.

Peter Lambert spotted a winchat and spotted flycatcher last week. The latter in Stonebridge Wood.

This week, Peter spotted a hobby on Clendish Marsh and David Cottridge saw a little egret and a pair of pheasants - maybe a breeding pair? There is also a pair of common terns sitting regularly on one of the posts on Stonebridge Lock, opposite Waterside Centre. Might also be preparing to breed.

Lots of butterflies species now apparent - comma, speckled wood, orange tip, brimstone, painted lady, small tortoiseshell etc.

If you would like to contribute to the blog (or have forgotten how to use it) please send me a message at contact@tottenhammarshes.org cheers David Chapman


4/23/09
Dear All

Just thought members might be interested in these Hackney wildlife sites, if they don't already know them. TERNS is the Stoke Newington reservoirs and Abney park Cemetery group and Hackney Wildlife are the general Hackney group. They have had some amazing sightings in recent years. Hope some of them blow north to the marshes!

Whilst on the Hackney theme. Visited the Hackney filter bed reserve today. Lesser Whitethroat singing and showing very well opposite where we had our FoTM stall at last years Wildlife show. Reed and Cetti's (heard but not seen) in the beds themselves, and sand martins using the nesting site. Amazed such a fine spot gets such little use. I was one of only 3 people on the site.

Terns site: http://www.geocities.com/ternsorg/
Hackney Wildlife: http://www.hackneywildlife.org.uk/

best David (the one not in Lesbos)


4/7/09
On Sat 4 April, male wheatear on Clendish Marsh and first willow warbler of the year singing at Wild Marsh West. Common sandpiper in channel going east just south of Chalk Bridge, together with a pair of gadwall and one shelduck.

Today, Tuesday 7 April, more singing willow warblers all over the place. Pair of gadwall in same place as above. One swallow south over Wild Marsh East.

4/2/09
Have just set myself up to join blog (Thursday eve 2 April). Visited Tottenham Marsh Monday 30 March and found a female goosander just north of the Sandpiper Bridge (the new one), as well as 3 little egrets feeding in this channel. 2 jackdaws south east over Clendish Marsh and blackcap singing on Wild Marsh West.

Tuesday 31 March produced a female wheatear on Clendish Marsh and 2 sand martins over the Green Bridge.

Not been over since, hoping to be there Sat am.

Pete Lambert