Saw this on the back river - south of Chalk Bridge. Couldn't ID it. Cheers.
Tuesday, 6 December 2011
Wednesday, 30 November 2011
Med Gull and other sightings
Pete Lambert Wrote yesterday:
Tuesday 29 November 2011 and very blustery, so most of birds out of sight. But at 9.10am I arrived at the Chalk Bridge (crossing the Lee Navigation at the north end of the Marshes) where as usual I checked the gulls sitting on the roof just NE of the Bridge, at the Bus Garage. Most mornings there are a group of Black-headed Gulls standing here, although sometimes one or two Common Gulls join them. Today though, the most right hand bird was a Mediterranean Gull! Looked like a full adult, although I couldn't see the tips of the primaries clearly enough to be sure it wasn't a 2nd winter bird. The only other record I have of Mediterranean gull was in 1996 when another adult flew along the west edge of the Lockwood Res and on north over the East Marsh. This also made my 100th bird for the year seen at the Marshes. Photos attached are rather indistinct, but you can see the thick bill of the bird (the last one on the right), and the extensive black "shawl" behind the eye. Through the bins the primaries appeared all white (2nd winter birds show variable amounts of black in the wing tip).
Apart from that, Kingfisher at Pymmes Brook from bridge to Northumberland Park, Jackdaw SW over Stonebridge Lock calling, 2 Teal in west channel at East marsh, Goldcrests calling at Stonebridge Wood and Chiffchaff calling at East Marsh.
Pete
Click on Pic to enlarge
Apart from that, Kingfisher at Pymmes Brook from bridge to Northumberland Park, Jackdaw SW over Stonebridge Lock calling, 2 Teal in west channel at East marsh, Goldcrests calling at Stonebridge Wood and Chiffchaff calling at East Marsh.
Pete
Click on Pic to enlarge
Tuesday, 29 November 2011
Terrapin from back river
This chap keeps appearing on a branch on the back river. Just inside the Gate to the moorings. Is quite shy but likes to take the air on a sunny day. Think it is one that we used to see in the canal a few years ago.
Friday, 25 November 2011
Latest Sightings
Pete Lambert wrote yesterday:
Saw a female Bullfinch at East Marsh this morning (24 Nov 2011) which together with hearing one call in three places last week and seeing two males earlier in the month leads me to think there may be three Bullfinch wintering on the Marshes - always difficult to see though. Saw Water Rail just north of Green Bridge as well as two Little Grebes there, which together with the four Little Grebes on the Navigation itself made a total of six. 22 Fieldfare up from Stonebridge Wood and then off West calling. Kingfisher on the concrete at Pymmes Brook at Clendish marsh and one (a second?) on the concrete edge of channel north of East Bridge late. Only one calling Chiffchaff, although there may be more south of Clendish Marsh, a favourite habitat for them and a part of the Marshes that I only visit on survey days. Last Friday Terry and I saw a Snipe feeding in the channel north of the East Bridge, my first Snipe on the Marshes this year.
DMC
Saw a female Bullfinch at East Marsh this morning (24 Nov 2011) which together with hearing one call in three places last week and seeing two males earlier in the month leads me to think there may be three Bullfinch wintering on the Marshes - always difficult to see though. Saw Water Rail just north of Green Bridge as well as two Little Grebes there, which together with the four Little Grebes on the Navigation itself made a total of six. 22 Fieldfare up from Stonebridge Wood and then off West calling. Kingfisher on the concrete at Pymmes Brook at Clendish marsh and one (a second?) on the concrete edge of channel north of East Bridge late. Only one calling Chiffchaff, although there may be more south of Clendish Marsh, a favourite habitat for them and a part of the Marshes that I only visit on survey days. Last Friday Terry and I saw a Snipe feeding in the channel north of the East Bridge, my first Snipe on the Marshes this year.
DMC
Wednesday, 2 November 2011
October 2011 Bird Survey Results & Photos
[Note: Click on an image to enlarge it. Click again to zoom in further. See blog entry for Dec 2010 to see the named areas on aerial maps.]A glorious day for the Bird Survey given we were in the third week of October - starting out with frost on the ground and developing into a cloudless blue sky with a warm sun (warm enough for dragonflies).
Our Egyptian geese were outside the Waterside Centre to greet us (I'm always disappointed if they are not!) and our three groups set off to the three survey areas.
In the West area, we saw some of our arriving winter thrus
hes - a large flock of Fieldfares flew over and some Redwings were also spotted going over. We searched for Stonechat hoping we might get some overwintering with us this year but none were found.However, we did find two Reed Buntings, one male and one female.
At the very end I heard a Buzzard call twice but couldn't see it. A Buzzard was seen at nearby Walthamstow Reservoirs that morning so there was definitely one in the area.
Chamara Sugathsiri carried his camera on the survey and kindly provided these photos from the morning.
Debbie
September 2011 Bird Survey Results
[Note: Click on an image to enlarge it. Click again to zoom in further.
See blog entry for Dec 2010 to see the named areas on aerial maps.]
Latest Sightings
Pete Lambert wrote today:
Lovely morning for a walk over Tottenham Marshes and a spectacular passage of Wood Pigeons. Saw my first group of about 40 flying SW as I started to walk towards the East Marsh at 7.05am and this continued up to 7.37am with groups of 170,510,920,80,710,310,550,300,30,80,210,50 and finally 70. If I've not counted badly that's 4,030 in 24 minutes! (And how many did I miss before 7.05am?)
Tantalising glimpse of a Bunting flying NE over E Marsh whose call was a bit like a Yellowhammer but couldn't be sure enough for such a rare bird here. Made up a minute later with a Bullfinch calling from the trees and saw male there, catching up with Terry and George both seeing Bullfinch here recently. Mistle thrush west and Ring-necked Parakeets are all scarce for Marshes, then I saw two different Water Rails at the channel near the old Sparrowhawk nest site (my first water rails of the autumn). Redpoll, skylark, fieldfare and Redwing all calling overhead, plus 3 Jackdaws seen at 3 different times. First, 3 SE over Clendish Marsh, then 3 SW over Clendish Marsh, later 3 NE over West Marsh - maybe all the same three birds. Only one Chiffchaff at Stonebridge Wood, my first since mid October. But Terry still has the best of recent sightings with a Short-eared Owl being chased by crows.
DMC
Lovely morning for a walk over Tottenham Marshes and a spectacular passage of Wood Pigeons. Saw my first group of about 40 flying SW as I started to walk towards the East Marsh at 7.05am and this continued up to 7.37am with groups of 170,510,920,80,710,310,550,300,30,80,210,50 and finally 70. If I've not counted badly that's 4,030 in 24 minutes! (And how many did I miss before 7.05am?)
Tantalising glimpse of a Bunting flying NE over E Marsh whose call was a bit like a Yellowhammer but couldn't be sure enough for such a rare bird here. Made up a minute later with a Bullfinch calling from the trees and saw male there, catching up with Terry and George both seeing Bullfinch here recently. Mistle thrush west and Ring-necked Parakeets are all scarce for Marshes, then I saw two different Water Rails at the channel near the old Sparrowhawk nest site (my first water rails of the autumn). Redpoll, skylark, fieldfare and Redwing all calling overhead, plus 3 Jackdaws seen at 3 different times. First, 3 SE over Clendish Marsh, then 3 SW over Clendish Marsh, later 3 NE over West Marsh - maybe all the same three birds. Only one Chiffchaff at Stonebridge Wood, my first since mid October. But Terry still has the best of recent sightings with a Short-eared Owl being chased by crows.
DMC
Thursday, 27 October 2011
What was that?
Hi all, Wednesday 26th morning a small yellow and green bird briefly popped up in front of me in the bushes on the west marsh by Watermead way. Looking something like I imagined a firecrest to look like (i've never seen one). Except that this bird had red and black stripes on it's head with a quite deep almost crimson red (red black red black red). Went through my bird books and could find nothing like it and of course it had disappeared when I went back with the camera I should have been carrying in the first place. What was I looking at? Cheers, Dermot
Tuesday, 11 October 2011
Latest sightings -
Pete Lambert wrote today:
Walked round the Marsh today for the first time since last Tuesday and found two Stonechats. A male on Clendish Marsh and a female at West Marsh. Fingers crossed that they might stay this year. Other signs of Autumn were a Redpoll SW calling and a Linnet SE calling. Also nine thrushes seen distantly coming down at East Marsh, which may have been my first Redwings of the year. Walked over to try and relocate them or hear them call, but no luck.
I was an hour and a half later than I normally walk round, so this may have been why I saw my first Weasel of the year (at Clendish Marsh) and my first Waler Vole of the year, which swam across the channel just north of the Green Bridge.
Calling Goldcrest and a swiftly flying Kingfisher and at least two Grey Wagtails too.
DMC
Walked round the Marsh today for the first time since last Tuesday and found two Stonechats. A male on Clendish Marsh and a female at West Marsh. Fingers crossed that they might stay this year. Other signs of Autumn were a Redpoll SW calling and a Linnet SE calling. Also nine thrushes seen distantly coming down at East Marsh, which may have been my first Redwings of the year. Walked over to try and relocate them or hear them call, but no luck.
I was an hour and a half later than I normally walk round, so this may have been why I saw my first Weasel of the year (at Clendish Marsh) and my first Waler Vole of the year, which swam across the channel just north of the Green Bridge.
Calling Goldcrest and a swiftly flying Kingfisher and at least two Grey Wagtails too.
DMC
Monday, 3 October 2011
August 2011 Bird Survey Results
[Note: Click on an image to enlarge it. Click again to zoom in further.]
It took a while for me to register that the persistent call I was hearing was from juvenile Sparrowhawk!
I was also very impressed at Ray's pishing technique - we were standing next to the only large clump of reeds on the bank of the canal and immediately a family of Reed Warblers appeared!
After the survey, David Cottridge took us to see a Wasp Spider he had found. Chamara Sugathsiri took these excellent photos. It's pretty obvious where its name came from! See the zigzag design in its web - apparently that is a distinguishing feature.
Debbie
Saturday, 1 October 2011
July 2011 Bird Survey Results
[Note: Click on an image to enlarge it. Click again to zoom in further.]
Until we have a better way of publishing these results, I thought I'd continue to add them in this way. (David's still working on Aug & Sep results.)
It was good to see the Common Sandpiper flying along the canal. We were actually having tea on the picnic benches outside the Waterside Centre when Pete spotted the Sparrowhawk flying over carrying prey.
Debbie
Monday, 12 September 2011
Winchats passing through
Pete Lambert took this fine picture of a Winchat recently on Walthamstow marshes. He has also seen them on Clendish and Wild Marsh West in the past week or so. Hopefully more moving through in the coming weeks.
DMC
Tuesday, 19 July 2011
Sunday, 17 July 2011
June 2011 Bird Survey Results
(N.B. Shelduck was a write-in on the June survey; adult Sand Martins numbered around 21 - hard to count as they zoom around - now added to by juveniles as can be seen by David's photos.)
Debbie
Tuesday, 5 July 2011
Latest Sightings
Pete Lambert wrote today:
Tuesday 7 July 2011
Two interesting records in my walk this morning. My first Ring-necked Parakeet record at the Marshes when one flew NE over the Green Bridge at 7.38am! Then at Stonebridge Lock what I guess was the same bird flew south at 7.50am.
Later, I stood at the section just west of the Cetti Bridge and a Garden Warbler appeared and sang from the top of a bush - the same place one sang at the beginning of June - so likely breeding here.
Tuesday 7 July 2011
Two interesting records in my walk this morning. My first Ring-necked Parakeet record at the Marshes when one flew NE over the Green Bridge at 7.38am! Then at Stonebridge Lock what I guess was the same bird flew south at 7.50am.
Later, I stood at the section just west of the Cetti Bridge and a Garden Warbler appeared and sang from the top of a bush - the same place one sang at the beginning of June - so likely breeding here.
Wednesday, 29 June 2011
Lateest Sightings - Raptor activity
Tuesday 28 June 2011
Signs today of the bird seasons moving on with my first Little Grebe since early April, in the channel just south of the Green Bridge. Almost at the same time, a Green Sandpiper flew high NE overhead calling. Again my first since April. Otherwise, I saw a Sparrowhawk carrying prey, but this one flew down over the west side of the Lockwood Reservoir and carried on, so wasn't one of the Tottenham Marshes pair. Perhaps this was one of the pair that George and I think breed at The Paddock most years?
Most birds still singing, but no sound of the Garden Warbler or the Reed Bunting that turned up in early June. Terry saw a Kingfisher and a Hobby yesterday, but I have still not recorded either on the Marshes this year ..yet!
Thursday 23rd June 2011
Saw a juvenile Kestrel sitting on top of gasometer at 8.40am, at 8.45 it flew off east and then there were two juveniles chasing a male Kestrel and calling at it. So it looks as if there were just 2 young raised this year from the gasometer nest and not the three I thought I saw one time. Also saw 2 young Lesser Black-backed Gulls with adult on the roof of one of the buildings north of the gasometer, (viewed from the Chalk Bridge) and then, from the Banbury Reservoir, saw another 2 on top of another building there. I've thought the LBBs were breeding there, from the number of times I've seen adults on the buildings, but this is the first time I've had proof of breeding.
For those with an interest in flowers, in the east bit of the pond there's a Celery-leaved Buttercup.
Pete Lambert
Signs today of the bird seasons moving on with my first Little Grebe since early April, in the channel just south of the Green Bridge. Almost at the same time, a Green Sandpiper flew high NE overhead calling. Again my first since April. Otherwise, I saw a Sparrowhawk carrying prey, but this one flew down over the west side of the Lockwood Reservoir and carried on, so wasn't one of the Tottenham Marshes pair. Perhaps this was one of the pair that George and I think breed at The Paddock most years?
Most birds still singing, but no sound of the Garden Warbler or the Reed Bunting that turned up in early June. Terry saw a Kingfisher and a Hobby yesterday, but I have still not recorded either on the Marshes this year ..yet!
Thursday 23rd June 2011
Saw a juvenile Kestrel sitting on top of gasometer at 8.40am, at 8.45 it flew off east and then there were two juveniles chasing a male Kestrel and calling at it. So it looks as if there were just 2 young raised this year from the gasometer nest and not the three I thought I saw one time. Also saw 2 young Lesser Black-backed Gulls with adult on the roof of one of the buildings north of the gasometer, (viewed from the Chalk Bridge) and then, from the Banbury Reservoir, saw another 2 on top of another building there. I've thought the LBBs were breeding there, from the number of times I've seen adults on the buildings, but this is the first time I've had proof of breeding.
For those with an interest in flowers, in the east bit of the pond there's a Celery-leaved Buttercup.
Pete Lambert
Monday, 13 June 2011
Family life with Sand Martins
Our Sand Martins are doing well, with 29 chicks counted so far and activity in the other holes. As can be seen from the last picture some chicks have already fledged and left the nest. It is usual that Sand Martins have two broods and there are signs that some brids are already preparing for this.
An early morning feed for the chicks.
Arriving with more food followed by a shadow.
Still hungry.
Off for more food followed by a shadow.
Time for a bit of sunbathing.
A fledged chick from the nest still demands attention as mum (or dad). is too busy preening.
David Cottridge
Spotted Flycatcher
Acouple of pictures of the Spotted Fly catcher seen during pete Lambert's guided walk at the end of last month.
David CottridgeSunday, 5 June 2011
More dragonfly from Stonebridge Pond
Large Red Damselfly Pyrrhosoma nymphula - male
Broad-bodied Chaser Libellula depressa - female. This female was hovering over the water surface, as in the photograph, and ovipositing (egg-laying).
Azure Damselfly Coenagrion puella - Male
Azure Damselfly - Male and female joined 'in tandem' with female ovipositing.David Cottridge
Friday, 3 June 2011
New arrivals
We have some new arrivals on the marshes - Pymmes Brook to be exact. I spent a bit of time yesterday watching the 14 Sand Martin holes, and there is activity in all of them. I think the development of the chicks must be at different stages as at two holes I observed three chicks well advanced (see picture), about half a dozen holes with frequent visits from adults and the rest with occassional visits. We will be keeping a close eye on them to see how many chicks we have altogetherDavid
Wednesday, 1 June 2011
Latest Sightings - Kestrel family
Pete Lambert saw a young kestrel being fed on the gasometer yesterday. So looks like a successful breeding season for the resident pair.
He also spotted a male linnet singing in the brambles on Clendish marsh.
DMC
He also spotted a male linnet singing in the brambles on Clendish marsh.
DMC
Sunday, 29 May 2011
Dragonflies
Red-eyed Damselfly - Erythromma najas - maleThree pictures of dragonflies from Stonebridge Pond last week. They should be around for a couple of weeks. Also saw an Emperor Dragonfly (UK's largest) near Orchid Meadow. Dragonflies are most active on warm sunny days with little or no wind. 
Blue-tailed Damselfly - Ischnura elegans
Broad-bodied Chaser - Libellula depressa - male
Blue-tailed Damselfly - Ischnura elegans Red-eyed Damselfly - Erythromma najas
Friday, 27 May 2011
water pipit (anthus spinoletta to you)
Hi, Pete,
Breaking a lifetime's indolence and my inveterate - 64 years birdwatching? - habit of avian non-recording, non-listing and minimal note-taking, I feel compelled at a distance of almost exactly 7 days to register a few more comments on the above seen by me around 16.20 last Wednesday afternoon at Stonebridge Wood pond, Tottenham Marshes, and verbally reported at the time.
I know we've spoken about it subsequently and I've conveyed my regrets at having no cell phone or camera with me when I first observed it but, given the unusual circumstances of this sighting, a species I have never seen before in its breeding plumage let alone on passage 11 days into May, I was too mesmerised to behave logically until it was too late. A marauding bunch of staffies in the company of 4 or 5 yooffs swept through the area and curtailed any semblance of natural activity, so when I came back half an hour later, mobile in hand, cloudy overcast weather and a temperature dip had taken over and kept any birds from the vicinity.
When I first reached the pond the sun was out and we - Max and I - were enjoying a brief warm spell, with no gusts of chilly wind, and in my mind the vague hope of seeing last summer's grass snake, disturbed from its sandy basking spot, slither once again into the drink. Alas no reptiles, apart from smooth newts gulping for oxygen at the sunny interface of air and H2O, but instead the pleasure of a 7/8 strong family of long-tailed tits criss-crossing the path between grey poplars and elders and back, and at the water's edge successively a great tit, blackcap and robin overlapping in their quest for a drink and vigorous "wet brush-up". While listening to the ziz-zizzing of the LTTs and watching a male blackcap beak-quaff like an Irishman on St Patrick's Day, my attention was diverted to another bird dropping into the bottom right corner of my binoculars. I panned across and saw--
What looked like, no it was, a slim passerine like none I'd ever seen. The immediate wow factor was the pink and grey. A pale pink breast of even and uniform hue starting abruptly below the whitish throat and stopping at the off-white belly with no apparent streaking, and barely then at the flanks; and a fedora-grey crown and nape, similarly pure in tone, that continued on to and well into the mantle. The bill was very dark, the eye stripe or supercilium white, but sadly I ignored the legs which I'm sure were not flesh-coloured or suchlike, because I would have noticed them second time around when it ran the half metre or so to the waterside. Nor did I catch the distinguishing white tail feathers. Tut-tut, you say? It's what I tell myself in my remiss ignorance and basic failure to observe salient identifying features, as you have pointed out to me before on more than one occasion. Trouble is, I was so overcome by the sheer understated elegance of its summer plumage that the jizz pre-empted all due diligence. If ever a bird of such muted colours can be described as vivid, like this in the full sun, it was mine last week. Truly unforgettable.
Let me then pinpoint a couple of questionable things. After its first visit, landing from I know not where and lasting some 15-20 seconds, when it was already thigh-high in water and drinking, then swiftly splashing itself, it flew up into the nearest elder bush. I had a wait of no more than 2 or 3 minutes before it came down again. My impression was it glided down, a bit like a tree pipit, but having now looked up the water pipit's file extensively online and in guidebooks, I cannot answer why (a) it flew up to a tree perch and (b) it flighted down in a sort of arc. But then I don't know the answer to its extended grey mantle, unblemished pink underparts, or any other anomalies such as its late departure to the EU alpine zones or further south. None of the photographic images and artist's illustrations provide me with one, nor do they begin to do justice to the stunning pastel beauty of the Water Pipit I was lucky enough to observe for a few cherished moments. Am I getting too sentimental, too anthropomorphic any minute now, for you hard nosed trainspotters? I hope not. Sniff sniff!
If only I had caught it on camera! If only feral youths hadn't interrupted! If only the sun hadn't gone in! If only, eh? Never mind, it's a memorable first for me, please submit if you think it's appropriate.
Yours,
Michael
ps: I did see 3 water pipits at Titchwell early March this year, in winter attire, so I'm not quite a virgin where they are concerned. Also, frank admission, I did jot down a few notes on the day albeit an hour or so after the event.
Breaking a lifetime's indolence and my inveterate - 64 years birdwatching? - habit of avian non-recording, non-listing and minimal note-taking, I feel compelled at a distance of almost exactly 7 days to register a few more comments on the above seen by me around 16.20 last Wednesday afternoon at Stonebridge Wood pond, Tottenham Marshes, and verbally reported at the time.
I know we've spoken about it subsequently and I've conveyed my regrets at having no cell phone or camera with me when I first observed it but, given the unusual circumstances of this sighting, a species I have never seen before in its breeding plumage let alone on passage 11 days into May, I was too mesmerised to behave logically until it was too late. A marauding bunch of staffies in the company of 4 or 5 yooffs swept through the area and curtailed any semblance of natural activity, so when I came back half an hour later, mobile in hand, cloudy overcast weather and a temperature dip had taken over and kept any birds from the vicinity.
When I first reached the pond the sun was out and we - Max and I - were enjoying a brief warm spell, with no gusts of chilly wind, and in my mind the vague hope of seeing last summer's grass snake, disturbed from its sandy basking spot, slither once again into the drink. Alas no reptiles, apart from smooth newts gulping for oxygen at the sunny interface of air and H2O, but instead the pleasure of a 7/8 strong family of long-tailed tits criss-crossing the path between grey poplars and elders and back, and at the water's edge successively a great tit, blackcap and robin overlapping in their quest for a drink and vigorous "wet brush-up". While listening to the ziz-zizzing of the LTTs and watching a male blackcap beak-quaff like an Irishman on St Patrick's Day, my attention was diverted to another bird dropping into the bottom right corner of my binoculars. I panned across and saw--
What looked like, no it was, a slim passerine like none I'd ever seen. The immediate wow factor was the pink and grey. A pale pink breast of even and uniform hue starting abruptly below the whitish throat and stopping at the off-white belly with no apparent streaking, and barely then at the flanks; and a fedora-grey crown and nape, similarly pure in tone, that continued on to and well into the mantle. The bill was very dark, the eye stripe or supercilium white, but sadly I ignored the legs which I'm sure were not flesh-coloured or suchlike, because I would have noticed them second time around when it ran the half metre or so to the waterside. Nor did I catch the distinguishing white tail feathers. Tut-tut, you say? It's what I tell myself in my remiss ignorance and basic failure to observe salient identifying features, as you have pointed out to me before on more than one occasion. Trouble is, I was so overcome by the sheer understated elegance of its summer plumage that the jizz pre-empted all due diligence. If ever a bird of such muted colours can be described as vivid, like this in the full sun, it was mine last week. Truly unforgettable.
Let me then pinpoint a couple of questionable things. After its first visit, landing from I know not where and lasting some 15-20 seconds, when it was already thigh-high in water and drinking, then swiftly splashing itself, it flew up into the nearest elder bush. I had a wait of no more than 2 or 3 minutes before it came down again. My impression was it glided down, a bit like a tree pipit, but having now looked up the water pipit's file extensively online and in guidebooks, I cannot answer why (a) it flew up to a tree perch and (b) it flighted down in a sort of arc. But then I don't know the answer to its extended grey mantle, unblemished pink underparts, or any other anomalies such as its late departure to the EU alpine zones or further south. None of the photographic images and artist's illustrations provide me with one, nor do they begin to do justice to the stunning pastel beauty of the Water Pipit I was lucky enough to observe for a few cherished moments. Am I getting too sentimental, too anthropomorphic any minute now, for you hard nosed trainspotters? I hope not. Sniff sniff!
If only I had caught it on camera! If only feral youths hadn't interrupted! If only the sun hadn't gone in! If only, eh? Never mind, it's a memorable first for me, please submit if you think it's appropriate.
Yours,
Michael
ps: I did see 3 water pipits at Titchwell early March this year, in winter attire, so I'm not quite a virgin where they are concerned. Also, frank admission, I did jot down a few notes on the day albeit an hour or so after the event.
Thursday, 26 May 2011
Sand Martin
I am posting another Sand Martin picture as a test for image size. Two birds at Pymmes Brook last Friday.
(Found this in draft form i.e. unpublished, so thought I'd try to publish it for David. Debbie)
(Found this in draft form i.e. unpublished, so thought I'd try to publish it for David. Debbie)
May Bird Survey - Sunday 15th May 2011
The Grasshopper Warbler, heard by some of the Bird Survey participants, has already been mentioned. Note that it was only heard - it was very difficult to pin down exactly from where this unusual song (a mechanical, whirring reel) was originating.
More common, but far more entertaining were the Sand Martins dashing round the sky and around the holes in the banks of Pymmes Brook. Conveniently viewed from the road near the Waterside Visitor Centre, there were 20+ birds flying in and out of the holes. Sometimes up to four birds flew into the same tiny hole entrance! Not quite sure what was going on - let's hope they've decided to try nesting here.
David Cottridge captured some of the action - here is one of his Sand Martin shots.
He also caught a Reed Warbler in full song.
Other summer visitors included Common Whitethroats, Lesser Whitethroat, Chiffchaffs, Blackcaps and Sedge Warblers.
Debbie
More common, but far more entertaining were the Sand Martins dashing round the sky and around the holes in the banks of Pymmes Brook. Conveniently viewed from the road near the Waterside Visitor Centre, there were 20+ birds flying in and out of the holes. Sometimes up to four birds flew into the same tiny hole entrance! Not quite sure what was going on - let's hope they've decided to try nesting here.
David Cottridge captured some of the action - here is one of his Sand Martin shots.
He also caught a Reed Warbler in full song.
Other summer visitors included Common Whitethroats, Lesser Whitethroat, Chiffchaffs, Blackcaps and Sedge Warblers.
Debbie
Monday, 16 May 2011
Rare Visitors
A couple of rare visitors this week.
Michael Ruggins had a wayward water pipit near the Stonebridge Wood Pond last Wednesday. It was sporting full breeding plumage but is a long way off track for the time of year.
On Sunday, Pete Lambert heard a grasshopper warbler singing on Wild Marsh East at around 7.30 am. A number of us went over there later in the morning and managed to hear a few brief reels. Might be worth a look to see if he sticks around for a few days.
DMC
Michael Ruggins had a wayward water pipit near the Stonebridge Wood Pond last Wednesday. It was sporting full breeding plumage but is a long way off track for the time of year.
On Sunday, Pete Lambert heard a grasshopper warbler singing on Wild Marsh East at around 7.30 am. A number of us went over there later in the morning and managed to hear a few brief reels. Might be worth a look to see if he sticks around for a few days.
DMC
Thursday, 5 May 2011
latest sightings
Pete Lambert spotted a winchat on the North-west corner of Wild Marsh West and a cetti's was singing by the bridge over Pymmes brook. The same place as last year. (Does Pymmes have an apostrophe?)
DMC
DMC
Tuesday, 12 April 2011
Latest Report
Tuesday 12 April 2011
A nice sunny morning for my walk but much colder. Highlight was as I was leaving at the East Bridge at WM East when I heard a lesser whitethroat singing (my first this year). Found it in the brambles at the east lip of the channel just south of the bridge. It's equal to my earliest ever record here, which was 2007 I think. No willow warblers singing but one sedge warbler at Clendish Marsh near the Allotments and several whitethroats singing, think ten in total, and maybe 31 singing blackcaps. Two pairs of gadwall on the Lee Navigation near the Chalk Bridge, so perhaps they'll breed again this year. All the 'winter' visitors (teal, little grebe etc) seem to have moved off but saw a brood of five mallard young with Mum north of East Bridge. The 'white' starling is still hiding from me, perhaps it'll turn out for our survey.
Pete
Monday, 4 April 2011
Latest Sightings
A damp and overcast morning with the number of winter visitors (like Teal and gulls) declining and not much change from the summer visitor point of view. What was surprising was a Goldcrest singing from the conifer at the Allotments. Our Goldcrests usually only stay for the winter, and this one seems to have found the only conifer on the Marshes to call for a mate from. Saw my grey-naped crow on the floor at Clendish Marsh and got some distant shots one of which should be attached. On my way back down the Lee Navigation from the Chalk Bridge I saw a Stock Dove on display flight between the trees on the West Lee bank, which then sang from these trees! Perhaps it's found a hole that it wants to nest in?
Saturday 2 April 2011
Today a much nicer morning to walk round the Marshes. A male Gadwall flew over the channel between the Green and Sandpiper Bridges and I came across at least five male pheasants (two seen and another three calling). Incidentally, when I was over Walthamstow Reservoirs on Friday I saw a male pheasant with four females feeding on the allotments east of Wild Marsh East - quite a harem!
But back to today. Two singing Willow Warbler as I walked down the towpath to Stonebridge Lock and another two later (or the first two moving around quickly). Now we have to wait to see if any stay to breed. Last year was the first year they didn't stay, so fingers crossed. The Goldcrest was singing again at the Allotments and a Linnet flew briefly into the trees at Clendish before flying off NE. This is only my second record of 2011. Blackcaps and chiffchaffs all very vocal and then 2 Little Grebes chasing in the channel just north of the Green Bridge, maybe these will stay to breed here.
Pete
Wednesday, 30 March 2011
latest sightings
Pete Lambert Wrote today:
Tuesday 29 March 2011
More singing blackcaps today. After two on Saturday (although George had three), I recorded birds singing in 11 different places. Could be fewer than this different birds just moving around, but a definite increase. Decreasing numbers of smaller gulls though, only one Common Gull recorded and only four sightings of Black-headed Gulls. Both these usually mover off now to bred elsewhere, while the Lesser Black-backed and Herring Gulls remain to breed. There are several pairs of these on Walthamstow Res, but I think they also breed on factory roofs around Tottenham Marshes. Any records of these from people living in Tottenham would be very welcome.
More sightings of Little Egrets with three sightings of single birds flying over and a fourth in the channel between Green and Sandpiper Bridges. These are probably birds from the breeding colony at Walthamstow Res, as birds have just returned to nests there.Three calling Pheasants this morning and there may be five males on the Marshes this year. Sightings of these would also be welcome.
Carrion Crows were quite active taking nesting material to trees and pylons, including an odd bird at Clendish Marsh that I saw for the first time on 24 March. S/he is building a nest on the pylon at Lockwood Res opposite Clendish Marsh. When seen on the ground, it seemed to have a grey nape (like a large Jackdaw). There are some grey feathers on the left shoulder and on to the breast, but also a lot of feathers missing at the nape. Not sure if this is a disease of the feathers /skin or result of an accident. Keep an eye out for her/him, photos would be nice.
Otherwise, a male House Sparrow cheeping from brambles at Wi;ld Marsh East was unusual; a few more Sand Martins around at the channels and two Shelducks south over Wild Marsh East. Also three Jackdaws high East over Clendish Marsh at 8.08am (found as part of my 'watch all high flying birds' policy).
Counting my singing Song Thrushes today, I reached a count of 14. Could we try counting these on our survey day?
Pete
Tuesday 29 March 2011
More singing blackcaps today. After two on Saturday (although George had three), I recorded birds singing in 11 different places. Could be fewer than this different birds just moving around, but a definite increase. Decreasing numbers of smaller gulls though, only one Common Gull recorded and only four sightings of Black-headed Gulls. Both these usually mover off now to bred elsewhere, while the Lesser Black-backed and Herring Gulls remain to breed. There are several pairs of these on Walthamstow Res, but I think they also breed on factory roofs around Tottenham Marshes. Any records of these from people living in Tottenham would be very welcome.
More sightings of Little Egrets with three sightings of single birds flying over and a fourth in the channel between Green and Sandpiper Bridges. These are probably birds from the breeding colony at Walthamstow Res, as birds have just returned to nests there.Three calling Pheasants this morning and there may be five males on the Marshes this year. Sightings of these would also be welcome.
Carrion Crows were quite active taking nesting material to trees and pylons, including an odd bird at Clendish Marsh that I saw for the first time on 24 March. S/he is building a nest on the pylon at Lockwood Res opposite Clendish Marsh. When seen on the ground, it seemed to have a grey nape (like a large Jackdaw). There are some grey feathers on the left shoulder and on to the breast, but also a lot of feathers missing at the nape. Not sure if this is a disease of the feathers /skin or result of an accident. Keep an eye out for her/him, photos would be nice.
Otherwise, a male House Sparrow cheeping from brambles at Wi;ld Marsh East was unusual; a few more Sand Martins around at the channels and two Shelducks south over Wild Marsh East. Also three Jackdaws high East over Clendish Marsh at 8.08am (found as part of my 'watch all high flying birds' policy).
Counting my singing Song Thrushes today, I reached a count of 14. Could we try counting these on our survey day?
Pete
Monday, 28 March 2011
Latest reports from the Marshes
Pete Lambert wrote yesterday:
I met George today over Walthamstow Res and felt guilty after he said I'd not sent out any Marsh news lately, so hears a brief bit to catch up.
Saturday 19 March My first sand martins of the year, with two flying over Pymmes Brook at Stonebridge Lock briefly, also saw a skylark flying over calling and a similar siskin.
Tuesday 22 March My first blackcap of the year, a male singing at Wild Marsh East. Two kestrels flying around over Clendish Marsh, with that fluttery wing effect they seem to do when displaying. But then, the female shot down like a stone to the plane trees at the south end and landed at an old crow's nest there! The male perched nearbye her. Haven't seen them at this nest on the two visits since, but worth keeping an eye out for. (On our last survey day Ray said kestrels have bred iin old crows nests before - psychic Ray?)
Thursday 24 March Woke up early, saw it was foggy, but thought I'd go out anyway, with memories of 14 November 1997 when I walked round Wild Marsh East as the fog lifted to find a great grey shrike sitting on top of a tree. Today was not quite so dramatic, but was a first for the Marsh.
I came in from the East Bridge, walked by the poplars at the north on my way to the Sandpiper Bridge. Looked in the poplars as I walked by but only saw a few wood pigeons. Had gone on a few yards when I heard waxwing calls. Looked back to find a waxwing sitting near the top of the poplars and found two more nearbye! After sending out text messages I walked on to the bridge and down the channel and six minutes after I first saw them, lots more calls of waxwings and FOUR waxwings flew out of the poplars and went SE towards Walthamstow.
Another surprise when I was at the SW corner of Clendish Marsh. Trying to work out how many song thrushes were singing there, I hung around for a few minutes, looked at a group of greenfinch, then put my bins on three other birds in the trees. First one was a female brambling! The other were a pair of chaffinch, and the male chaffinch kept chasing the brambling away. Very rare for me to see a brambling sitting, usually just pick them up on call when they fly over.
Saturday 26 March Comparatively quiet, although two singing blackcaps (George had 3 later) and some more sand martins. George and Terry have both seen the albino starling since our survey date, but not me.
I met George today over Walthamstow Res and felt guilty after he said I'd not sent out any Marsh news lately, so hears a brief bit to catch up.
Saturday 19 March My first sand martins of the year, with two flying over Pymmes Brook at Stonebridge Lock briefly, also saw a skylark flying over calling and a similar siskin.
Tuesday 22 March My first blackcap of the year, a male singing at Wild Marsh East. Two kestrels flying around over Clendish Marsh, with that fluttery wing effect they seem to do when displaying. But then, the female shot down like a stone to the plane trees at the south end and landed at an old crow's nest there! The male perched nearbye her. Haven't seen them at this nest on the two visits since, but worth keeping an eye out for. (On our last survey day Ray said kestrels have bred iin old crows nests before - psychic Ray?)
Thursday 24 March Woke up early, saw it was foggy, but thought I'd go out anyway, with memories of 14 November 1997 when I walked round Wild Marsh East as the fog lifted to find a great grey shrike sitting on top of a tree. Today was not quite so dramatic, but was a first for the Marsh.
I came in from the East Bridge, walked by the poplars at the north on my way to the Sandpiper Bridge. Looked in the poplars as I walked by but only saw a few wood pigeons. Had gone on a few yards when I heard waxwing calls. Looked back to find a waxwing sitting near the top of the poplars and found two more nearbye! After sending out text messages I walked on to the bridge and down the channel and six minutes after I first saw them, lots more calls of waxwings and FOUR waxwings flew out of the poplars and went SE towards Walthamstow.
Another surprise when I was at the SW corner of Clendish Marsh. Trying to work out how many song thrushes were singing there, I hung around for a few minutes, looked at a group of greenfinch, then put my bins on three other birds in the trees. First one was a female brambling! The other were a pair of chaffinch, and the male chaffinch kept chasing the brambling away. Very rare for me to see a brambling sitting, usually just pick them up on call when they fly over.
Saturday 26 March Comparatively quiet, although two singing blackcaps (George had 3 later) and some more sand martins. George and Terry have both seen the albino starling since our survey date, but not me.
Wednesday, 16 March 2011
Waxwings in the Garden
Belated news from the Marshes on Thursday 10 March 2011. At last, at last, at last, at last...my months of scanning the tops of the vegetation on Clendish Marsh produced a Stonechat! A smart looking male, and presumably a passage bird that's been wintering somewhere else.
Pete
Friday, 11 March 2011
Stonechat!
Pete Lambert spotted a male stonechat on Clendish Marsh yesterday. This species, once a regular winter resident on the marshes, has proved elusive this winter.
DMC
DMC
Tuesday, 8 March 2011
Today on the Marshes - Coal tit
Pete Lambert Wrote today:
Sorry I haven't been able to circulate details of all my walks lately.
Today was (for a change) lovely weather for a walk round Tottenham Marshes, with sun and blue sky, and the birdwatching was good too! Highlight was a coal tit at Clendish Marsh, the first record I've ever had here. I was walking from Stonebridge Lock towards the Car Park, when I heard what sounded like a coal tit calling. Stopped walking and saw a bird in the trees at the NE of the Car Park which looked the right shape and size, but it was behind twigs and branches and I couldn't be sure. Moved nearer and the bird flew, but fortunately perched on top of a tree at the SW of the Car Park and called. Only got my bins on it briefly before it flew, but enough to see white nape, black bib and pale wing bar of a definite coal tit. Flew west towards trees at road, but couldn't relocate it. There's only been one record before as far as I know, on Feb 20 this year when Ray saw one briefly near the cafe. Two records so close together suggest this was the same bird. Given how unsuitable the habitat is here for coal tits, as my David suggested to me, this could be a continental bird rather than a 'British' bird. Collin's Guide suggests continental birds are more blue on the mantle and less buff on the flanks. Need more sightings! Or even photos.
Two other birds seen this morning were firsts for the year. A great crested grebe seen from the East Bridge fishing in the channel north of the weir, and four redpolls in the trees at the north of Wild Marsh East. As well, there was passage of single jackdaws NE twice, and siskin and skylark heard calling although not seen. What with cetti's warbler singing, little egret south down the Lee Navigation, two greylag geese flying north and two male pheasants, it was a morning to remember.
Pete
Sorry I haven't been able to circulate details of all my walks lately.
Today was (for a change) lovely weather for a walk round Tottenham Marshes, with sun and blue sky, and the birdwatching was good too! Highlight was a coal tit at Clendish Marsh, the first record I've ever had here. I was walking from Stonebridge Lock towards the Car Park, when I heard what sounded like a coal tit calling. Stopped walking and saw a bird in the trees at the NE of the Car Park which looked the right shape and size, but it was behind twigs and branches and I couldn't be sure. Moved nearer and the bird flew, but fortunately perched on top of a tree at the SW of the Car Park and called. Only got my bins on it briefly before it flew, but enough to see white nape, black bib and pale wing bar of a definite coal tit. Flew west towards trees at road, but couldn't relocate it. There's only been one record before as far as I know, on Feb 20 this year when Ray saw one briefly near the cafe. Two records so close together suggest this was the same bird. Given how unsuitable the habitat is here for coal tits, as my David suggested to me, this could be a continental bird rather than a 'British' bird. Collin's Guide suggests continental birds are more blue on the mantle and less buff on the flanks. Need more sightings! Or even photos.
Two other birds seen this morning were firsts for the year. A great crested grebe seen from the East Bridge fishing in the channel north of the weir, and four redpolls in the trees at the north of Wild Marsh East. As well, there was passage of single jackdaws NE twice, and siskin and skylark heard calling although not seen. What with cetti's warbler singing, little egret south down the Lee Navigation, two greylag geese flying north and two male pheasants, it was a morning to remember.
Pete
Friday, 25 February 2011
February 2011 Bird Survey results
Thought I'd add this month's survey results as a blog entry (until the Download facility is available). Despite the dull conditions, some birds were obviously moving into spring mode as their singing and pairing up showed.
Overall, a good variety of birds were seen and West Marsh even had a write in - Coal Tit. Not sure if this was a first for the Marsh?!
Debbie
Sunday, 20 February 2011
February Bird Survey - Clendish area
Despite the rather overcast and damp weather today, we had 3 new FoTM members join us on the bird survey which was excellent.Pete, Mark and I surveyed the southern most part of Tottenham Marshes. Mark (one of our first timers) brought his DSLR camera and captured the following images which was very impressive given the low light conditions - must have fast reflexes!
Dunnocks were singing well and chasing each other through the bushes.
Pete was surprised to see a Little Grebe near the ramp in the southern part of the channel - an unusual sighting for there. Mark grabbed the photo before Pete and I had even seen the bird.
We saw a small bird flitting along the metal fence on the far side of the channel and it eventually came into the open so we could see it was a Chiffchaff. Nearby, on a bush next to the allotments, our third Goldcrest gave us good views as it searched among the branches.
The part of the channel near the Waterside Centre often has Mallards, Moorhens and Black Headed Gulls but today unusually there were a pair of Teal. So this lovely little duck is the final picture of the day.
Debbie
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