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