More Gad News

A female Gadwall with 7 young was spotted yesterday by George on the Lea, just south of the Chalk Bridge. They may well be the offspring of the pair in the photo (see archive) taken by Pete Lambert in May.

DMC

More on the Common Rosefinch

I was lucky enough to go back with Ray and Jamie to where Ray had heard the Rosefinch singing (well heard, Ray!). We had good views of this 1st summer male singing out in the open on its favourite bush by Pymme's Brook at around 10.30am.
Unfortunately when I took this photo the bird had already disappeared back into the undergrowth and although it continued to sing it was difficult to see.

As the news spread, birders started arriving.

After I left, I heard that the Rosefinch flew across to the first main scrubby patch next to the road (south of the car park) and later flew back to the area it had originally been in, before flying back to the scrub by the road (around 4pm).

There are reports that it has been heard singing again this morning.

Not only is this a first for Tottenham Marshes, it is also a first for the Lea Valley.

Debbie

Common Rosefinch on Clendish Marsh!

Yesterday's Monthly Bird Survey resulted in Ray and Jamie coming across a Common Rosefinch in bushes on Clendish Marsh, 100 m south of the car park. It appeared to be first summer male.

After providing good views in the morning, it continued singing sporadically most of the afternoon hidden in ground level scrub. Around 40 birders arrived during the afternoon, but was still not showing up to the time I left around 3.00pm.

I will update if I get any more information on subsequent sightings.

DMC

Ye Gads!

A fine pair of gadwall seen today on the Lee just north of Green Bridge. Thanks to Pete Lambert for the picture.



DMC

Spotted Flycatcher

Pete Lambert sighted a Spotted Flycatcher this morning. It was in the trees edging the Pymmes Brook, just north of the bridge to Wild Marsh Triangle.

Seem to remenber one was seen on the marshes about the same time last year?

DMC

May Bird Survey

A quick round up of the May Bird Survey.

On the Warbler front. Large number of Blackcaps and Common Whitethroats, a good number of Chiff Chaffs, a few Sedge Warblers and Reed Warblers and one Garden Warbler present on a bright, warm morning. Sadly, Willow Warblers not present in Stonebridge Wood this May, as compared to the 3 singing males there last year. However, the Cetti's Warbler is still singing near by the bridge to Wild Marsh Triangle.

Long-tailed Tits breeding succesfully, with 2 recently fledged family groups spotted and another feeding young on the nest.

A lone Lapwing, an uncommon marsh visitor, was sighted flying over Clendish Marsh.

Full results to follow in the near future.

DMC

Marsh Harrier over Marshes

Some intersting recent sighting on the Marshes from Lol Boldini.

27/4/10. 11.40am Tottenham marshes/Lockwood res: F/imm Marsh Harrier soaring high & to the East 8+ Whitehroat, 10+ Blackcap, Lesser Whitethroat, Cetti's Warbler, f Sparrowhawk, 2 Lapwing S
@ 18.30 pm, Arctic Tern N @ 18.40 (+ 3 other 'probables'), also weasel & 5 sp of butterfly

Check out the full report at Lol's excellent blog at http://walthamstowwildlife.blogspot.com


DMC