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 Cottridge
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)