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One of four Firecrests that took up residence in Bush Wood in November. At least two birds remained into 2012. Photo: Jono Lethbridge.
THE BIRDS OF WANSTEAD 2011 1
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THE BIRDS OF WANSTEAD 2011 TIME LINE J a nu a ry
Firecrest, Treecreepers February
Caspian Gull on Flats,Waxwings March
Little Ringed Plover at Alexandra Lake April
Stone Curlew,Wood Sandpiper on Flats May
Marsh Harrier over Park July
Cuckoo picked up August
Kittiwake,Arctic Terns, Grasshopper Warbler September
Osprey, Pied Flycatchers October
Woodlarks on Flats and over Park, Common Crossbills November
Snow Bunting over Flats, 4 Firecrests in Bush Wood
or the second year running, more than 130 species were recorded in our area, of which 56-59 bred. It would be hard to pick out one highlight in such a great year but candidates surely include a twoday Stone Curlew on Wanstead Flats,Woodlarks for a second year running, up to four Firecrests in Bush Wood late in the year, and Reed Warblers colonising the Park.
F
The Wren Group’s waterbird counts and the “constant effort” migration watches in spring and autumn, unofficially coordinated by Nick Croft, were once again great successes. And much of the Wren Group’s practical work was geare d towards habitat improvement. All three will hopefully continue in 2012. Our area wouldn’t have the character it has without its lakes, ponds and river and it’s vital that these are treated with the utmost respect.Without them we wouldn’t have had the four or five Water Rails in Wanstead Park at the end of the year, nor the breeding Reed Warblers, nor our ever-popular Kingfishers. There is little doubt that the Osprey seen over Alexandra Lake in September would not have appeared, nor the Wood Sandpiper at Angell Pond, nor a host of other
waders and wildfowl.Yet there are problems with the hydrology of our area: the lakes constantly need topping up, and the “boggy” area of the SSSI (so important for Snipe and Reed Buntings) is rarely boggy. If we lose our water we will lose half our bird species. One of the other habitats we’re blessed with is the dry grassland of Wanstead Flats. Our Skylarks and Meadow Pipits had a good breeding season but this population is sensitive to disturbance and fire and cannot be taken for granted. I would like to see it given greater protection. Anyway, sit back and relax, and remind yourself of all the great highlights of 2011. Can 2012 be as good? Get out there and help make it happen! Tim Harris
I hope you enjoy this report, but it would not have been possible without the thousands of hours of effort put in by many observers. So, thanks to Amina, Sofia and Natalie Benajeh, Ray and Ross Benn, Tony Brown, Jim and Sue Carroll, Jennifer Charter, Sharon Coles, Janet Cornish, Nick Croft (NC), Paul Davies (PD), Greta Edwards, J-P Elmes, Paul Ferris, Stuart Fisher (SF), Pam Gamesby, Andrew Gammie, Brian Gotts, Sally Hammond, Ginny Harris, Kathy Hartnett, Gary Hewett (GH), Adam Hudson, Alan and Gill James, Don Kinnibrugh, Jonathan Lethbridge (JL), Pam Mayes, Mike Messenger, Barbara Miller, Jackie Morrison, Richard Oakman, Tony Reid, Sandra Reeves, Pete and
December
At least 4 Water Rails in Park
Valerie Saunders, Madeline Seviour, Amanda and Don Shephard, Fernley Symons, Steve Thorpe (ST), Eve Wee and Wanstead Wildlife. (Apologies to anyone I’ve forgotten.) Special thanks to Jono Lethbridge and Nick Croft for their fantastic photos. In the cases of locally rare species, descriptions have been or will be submitted to the London Natural History Society (Ornithological Section) rarities committee.
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THE SYSTEMATIC LIST Mute Swan Resident, breeding in small numbers Coordinated waterbird counts produced the following totals (*denotes Eagle Pond included in figures): 16/1: n/a 13/2: 24* 13/3: 25* 17/4: 41* 15/5: 27* 14/6: 23* 16/7: 14* 14/8: 9 18/9: 30* 15/10: 17 20/11: 24 18/12: 30* Breeding: broods were raised on Alex, Shoulder of Mutton, Heronry, and Perch.
Greylag Goose Resident Note the change of status since 2010. Coordinated waterbird counts produced the following totals: 16/1: 9* 13/2: 10* 13/3: 4* 17/4: 9* 15/5: 17* 14/6: 9* 16/7: 12* 14/8: 0 18/9: 16* 15/10: 0 (no count for Alex) 20/11: 0 18/12: 10* Maximum count: 38 by Alex on 24/9 probably represents a record count for the area. Breeding: several goslings fledged at Alex.
Red-breasted Goose Not known to have occurred in the wild An unringed bird of unknown origin was
by Alexandra Lakes on 29/5. It was seen several times in early June and then again on 24/9 and was presumably the bird seen periodically at Walthamstow Reservoirs.
Brent Goose Rare visitor One E over Flats, 5/4 (NC).
Barnacle Goose Not known to have occurred in the wild 1 flew over broom fields with Canada Geese on 24/9.
Canada Goose Resident breeder Coordinated waterbird counts produced the following totals (*denotes Eagle Pond included in figures): 16/1: 292* 13/2: 223* 13/3: 130* 17/4: 84* 15/5: 121* 14/6: 134* 16/7: 153* 14/8: 1 18/9: 159* 15/10: 22 20/11: 163 18/12: 349* Breeding: broods were raised on Alex, Jubilee, Heronry and the Basin.
Egyptian Goose Small numbers present for much of the year; bred by the Ornamentals Status has changed since 2010. Coordinated wildfowl counts produced the following totals (*denotes Eagle Pond included in the figures): 16/1: 2 13/2: 2 13/3: 2 17/4: 2 15/5: 0 3
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14/6: 0 16/7: 1 14/8: 1 18/9: 5 15/10: 1 20/11: 11 18/12: 13 Breeding: 6 young hatched (seen from 4/5) but they did not last long, presumed predated. Peak count of 15 on two dates in December.
Shelduck Scarce visitor in spring and summer 1 E over Flats, 21/3; 4 circled low over Jubilee Pond very early on the morning of 17/4; 3 over Flats, 22/6.
Mandarin
0
Rare visitor No records since November 2010.
Wigeon Scarce autumn and winter visitor A good year. Male, Jubilee, 1/1; male, Alex, 9/10 was joined by a female late in the month, this bird remaining through November and reappearing in December; 3 (m, 2f) on Perch, 6/11; a female on Perch, 3/12.
Gadwall Resident non-breeder, numbers increas ing significantly in winter Wanstead Park is a very important winter site for this species. Coordinated waterbird counts produced the following totals: 16/1: 101* 13/2: 49* 13/3: 16* 17/4: 4* 15/5: 2* 14/6: 0* 16/7: 3* 14/8: 0 18/9: 10* 15/10: 2
20/11: 46 18/12: 137* (peak count)
Common Teal Scarce winter visitor Coordinated waterbird counts produced the following totals: 16/1: 6* 13/2: 2* 13/3: 0* 17/4: 0* 15/5: 0* 14/6: 0* 16/7: 0* 14/8: 0 18/9: 1* 15/10: 0 20/11: 13 18/12: 8* The first record of autumn was of 2 on Alex on 14/78. 20 on the Ornamentals on 3/12 was a good count (cf. 21 on the Roding on 4/12/10), as was 18 (11 of these on the Roding) on 28/12.
Mallard Resident, breeding in small numbers Coordinated waterbird counts produced the following totals: 16/1: 156* 13/2: 129* 13/3: 93* 17/4: 101* 15/5: 99* 14/6: 143* 16/7: 150* 14/8: 39 18/9: 143* 15/10: 32 20/11: 101 18/12: 238* Breeding: broods were raised on all the main ponds.
Garganey Rare passage migrant No records since 3 in 2009. 4
0
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Shoveler Fairly common winter visitor Coordinated waterbird counts produced the following totals: 16/1: 28* 13/2: 30* 13/3: 14* 17/4: 0* 15/5: 0* 14/6: 0* 16/7: 2* 14/8: 0
17/4: 0* 15/5: 0* 14/6: 0* 16/7: 0* 14/8:0 18/9: 26* 15/10: 13 20/11: 13 18/12: 42* In autumn, birds returned to the area early again this year: there were 13 on 3/9 (cf. 15 on 15/9 in 2010), building to 26 on 18/9 then falling again before another increase in late year. Peak count: 48 (all on Heronry), 26/12.
Tufted Duck
Pochard (this is an adult male) are regular visitors to the Park between September and March.The species shows a remarkable loyalty to Heronry Pond.
Resident non-breeder, with numbers increasing significantly in winter Coordinated waterbird counts produced the following totals: 16/1: 148* 13/2: 167* 13/3: 81* 17/4: 33* 15/5: 4* 14/6: 2* 16/7: 3* 14/8: 3 18/9: 15* 15/10: 15 20/11: 49 18/12: 136* The February count was particularly impressive. Breeding: 8 young were fledged – and grew rapidly – on Jubilee Pond during July.
18/9: 2* 15/10: 0 20/11: 6 18/12: 68* A good total of 43 on 3/12 included 33 on Alex and the WeBS count for December was very impressive.
Common Goldeneye
Pochard
Rare visitor Not recorded since December 2009.
Fairly common winter visitor Coordinated waterbird counts produced the following totals: 16/1: 39* 13/2: 16* 13/3: 5* 5
Goosander
0
1
Rare visitor Female on Ornamentals, 28/1, and Perch, 30/1.
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Breeding: 5 trilling birds in Wanstead Park, 13/3. Broods were raised on Alex, Heronry, and Shoulder of Mutton.
Great Crested Grebe
Two pairs of Great Crested Grebes built nests on Heronry Lake. Predation by mink probably accounted for both failing.
Pheasant
1
Rare visitor One, OSW, 19/3 (SF).
Scarce near-resident; breeding attempted on Heronry Coordinated waterbird counts produced the following totals: 16/1: 1* 13/2: 1* 13/3: 1* 17/4: 3* 15/5: 4* 14/6: 4* 16/7: 1* 14/8: 1 18/9: 2* 15/10: 1 20/11: 0 18/12: 0* There were 4 on the Basin, 19/3; 5 on Heronry, 12/5. Breeding: 2 nests on Heronry, with birds sitting. No eggs hatched and mink predation suspected. Maximum: 5, 4/6.
Cormorant Little Grebe Resident, breeding in small numbers Coordinated waterbird counts produced the following totals: 16/1: 2* 13/2: 6* 13/3: 14* 17/4: 6* 15/5:10* 14/6: 6* 16/7: 19* 14/8: 10 18/9: 6* 15/10: 3 20/11: 0 18/12: 0* (3, Heronry, 28/12) Numbers were low in autumn, possibly reflecting increased predation by mink during the breeding season. 6
Regular visitor Regular double-figure counts of overflying birds during the breeding season.
Little Egret Scarce but increasingly frequent visitor First of the year, after the big freeze, was on 5/2. Seen then in most months. 4 NE over Flats at dawn 25/10.
Grey Heron Regular visitor; formerly bred Small numbers fed in Park waters, Alex and Jubilee throughout the year; 5 in Park, 4/12.
Red Kite
4
Increasing passage migrant, especially in spring
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4 were reported between 27/3 and 28/6 (cf. 3 in 2010 and 1 in 2009). This is surely a reflection of the continued increase in the English breeding population. One NE over Alex and OSW, 27/3 (a good raptor day); 1 over Park, 31/5 (cf. same date in 2009); 1 over Flats, 11/6; 1 over Park and mobbed by Hobby, 28/6.
Marsh Harrier
1
One of four Red Kites seen in spring and early summer.
Rare visitor One over OSW, 8/5 (PD)
Goshawk
2
Rare visitor Probable female SE over Park, 19/3; 1 W low over Long Wood then presumably the same S over Alexandra Lake, 21/10.
the Flats on 9/10. Breeding: young fledged in the Park, where young birds seen hawking with adults in September. Four or five regularly seen together.
Sparrowhawk
Peregrine Falcon
Scarce resident, breeds locally Bred successfully in Park.
Scarce but fairly regular visitor
Water Rail Common Buzzard Scarce passage migrant in spring and autumn; occasional visitor at other times One ESE over Flats, 24/3; 2 SW over SSSI, 27/3; singles over Flats, 29/3, 3/4, and 22/4; 2 over Park, 11/4; 1 over Reservoir Wood, 10/9; 1 over Chalet Wood, 17/9.
Osprey
1
Rare visitor 1 SE over Alexandra Lake, 7/9 (JL).
Kestrel Scarce resident
Scarce (but increasing?) winter visitor Early year: several birds seen in the freeze-up. One at the west end of Perch Pond until 31/3 could sometimes be seen skating on the ice; other singles were seen by the Ornamentals, by the Roding, by Shoulder of Mutton and in the carr area at the west end of Heronry. There could have been more than 4 birds in the Park. Late year: a bird was back in the carr area of Perch Pond on 6/11. On 1819/12 there three or four birds in the Park, by Perch, in the Dell, by the Basin and at Shoulder of Mutton. A fourth or fifth bird was by the Alders Brook, near where it runs into the Roding, 24/12.
Hobby Summer visitor; bred locally The first of spring were on 26/4 when there was 1 over the Flats and 2 over the Park. In September, 4 were regularly seen over the Plain and the highest count was of 5 birds. The last, a juvenile, was over
Moorhen Common resident Coordinated waterbird counts produced the following totals: 16/1: 35* 13/2: 34* 7
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13/3: 35* 17/4: n/a 15/5: 17* 14/6: 11* 16/7: 19* 14/8: 13 18/9: 34* 15/10: 9 20/11: 24 18/12: 18* Breeding: nests on all the main ponds. Probably fared better than Coot (pro rata) in 2011.
Coot Very common resident Coordinated waterbird counts produced the following totals: 16/1: 270* 13/2: 267* 13/3: 185* 17/4: n/a 15/5: 202* 14/6: 142* 16/7: 14* 14/8: 38 18/9: 134* 15/10: 37 (no count for Jubilee) 20/11: 108 18/12: 176* Breeding: nests on all the main ponds, but several people commented on low productivity. Was this the result of mink predation? Maximum: the peak count of 270 in January was larger even than the Despite the inevitable adrenaline rush of finding this Stone Curlew in April, Nick Croft still managed to fire off some record shots.
December 2010 count, which was itself thought to be a local record.
Oystercatcher
1
Rare visitor One heard over Flats in fog, 14/11 (JL).
Stone Curlew
1
Rare visitor One on Flats, 5/4 (NC), was incredible enough but presumably the same bird was present there again the following day. It was last seen flying low over the Skylark area moments before the editor arrived at the scene.
Little Ringed Plover
2
Rare passage migrant The first of spring was at Alex on 16/3; 1 over the broom fields, 10 July.
Ringed Plover
1
Rare visitor One heard as it flew S over Flats, 5/11 (NC).
Golden Plover
0
Rare visitor No records since December 2010.
Lapwing Scarce visitor, with midsummer passage apparently regular A good year, with birds in spring, midsummer and late autumn. In spring 1 W over Flats, 21/3; 1 E over Flats, 9/4. A typical midsummer record was of 4 over Alexandra Lake, 4/7. Then in autumn, 79 N on 6/11 and 20 N on 7/11.
Dunlin
0
Rare visitor No records since April 2010.
Woodcock
3 Rare visitor One flushed from the Plain, 16/1; 1 in the
8
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Dell, 5/11; 1 flushed from broom fields, 13/11.
Common Snipe Scarce winter visitor The most regular, but by no means only, area was the SSSI. Monthly bird-days as follows: Jan: 14 Feb: 9 Mar: 10 Apr: 1 (1/4) Aug: 1 (2/8) Sept: 0 Oct: 1 (15/10) Nov: 3 Dec: 0 Numbers were low late in the year because of a dry autumn and a mild December. For example, Cat and Dog had no water in it on 24/12 and on the same date there were only small patches of standing water on the Fairground site, despite heavy rain the previous evening.
Wood Sandpiper
Kittiwake Whimbrel
1
Rare visitor One heard calling south of Wanstead Flats, 2/9 (GH).
1
Rare visitor One, Angell Pond, 19/4, was one of the finds of the year (NC).
1
Rare visitor An adult N over Shoulder of Mutton, 19/8, was one of the real surprises of the year (NC).
Common Sandpiper Scarce passage migrant in spring and autumn Alexandra Lake had the lion’s share of sightings. Monthly bird-days as follows: Mar: 1 (16/3) May: 2 July: 4 (3 on 10/7) Aug: 1
Green Sandpiper Scarce passage migrant As with the previous species, Alex scored best. Bird-days as follows: July: 5 (2 on 10/7 and 21/7) Aug: 1 Dec: 1 by River Roding, 11/12. 9
Above: for the third year running, Alexandra Lake attracted a spring Little Ringed Plover, this in late March. Below: the Wood Sandpiper stayed long enough to be photographed.
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Black-headed Gull
Mediterranean Gull
Resident, with numbers increasing in winter Coordinated waterbird counts produced the following totals: 10/1: 943* 13/2: 924* 13/3: n/a* 17/4: 0 15/5: 0* 14/6: 0* 16/7: 41* 14/8: 9 18/9: 116* 15/10: n/a 20/11: 362 (533, 3/12) 18/12: 528* A juvenile was on Heronry Pond in August.
Rare visitor An adult near Alex, 11-16/2, 27/2; then an adult on three dates between 5/11 and 13/11. A first-winter bird, Flats, 6/3.
Common Gull is one of the specialities of Wanstead Flats in winter. Numbers there can approach 1,000.
3
Common Gull Winter visitor Wanstead Flats is a very important location for this species in winter. Coordinated waterbird counts produced the following totals (note that because of the mobility of gulls on the Flats, these counts rarely coincided with peak numbers at the roost): 10/1: 84* (numbers fell during freeze-up) 13/2: 897* 13/3: 50* 17/4: 0 15/5: 0* 14/6: 0* 16/7: 0* 14/8: 0 18/9: 1* 15/10: n/a 20/11: 89 (578, 3/12) 18/12: 464* (763, Flats, 28/12; 850+, Flats, 31/12)
Lesser Black-backed Gull Regular visitor in small numbers
Herring Gull Winter visitor in small numbers
Yellow-legged Gull Very scarce visitor Adult by Alexandra Lake, 12/2 and 23/7 at least.
Caspian Gull
1
Rare visitor The first report for our area was an adult on Flats, 26/2 (JL). Record submitted to LNHS.
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Great Black-backed Gull Scarce visitor; commoner in autumn and winter One over Flats, 3/1; 1 over Flats, 11/6; 2 near Alex, 16/7; 4 by Alex, 17/9; at least 4 E over Flats, 24/12.
Common Tern Scarce summer visitor First of the year was over Heronry, 24/6; then seen frequently over Park waters in July, presumably with adults collecting food for young in the Roding valley; the last 3 (2 over the Flats and 1 at Heronry) were on 10/9.
Arctic Tern
3
Rare visitor 3 flew south over Alexandra Lake, 26/8 (NC, TH), part of a cross-London movement. Possibly the first local record.
Sometimes large numbers fly over our area at dawn to feed in Park and points north. For example, 80+ were counted on the morning of 15/8.
Cuckoo
1
Rare passage migrant A juvenile was picked up on Aldersbrook Road and put in some cover on Capel Road in poor weather on 18/7 (PF).
Little Owl
1
Former resident 1 reported in west end of Long Wood, 16/2 (ST), near the end of a period of cold weather, was the last sighting of the year. When will they return?
Short-eared Owl
0
Rare visitor Not reported in 2011.
Feral Rock Dove
Tawny Owl
Common resident
Scarce resident, breeds Reported infrequently from several sites locally, including Bush Wood on 23/1 and 21/12 and Capel Road, 30/7.
Stock Dove Resident breeder 10 in Park, 28/12; 5 on Flats 31/12. Breeding in Park, Flats and Bush Wood.
Common Swift
Woodpigeon Abundant resident and autumn passage migrant Big counts in October included 1,225 on Flats, 5/10; 900+ on Flats, 11/10; 1,000 over Flats, 28/10; and 825 over Flats, 29/10; 2,000 W over Flats, 6/11.
Common summer visitor The first of spring was over the Flats, 30/4, and the last was there on 22/8.
Kingfisher Scarce local breeder Seen around most local waters, flying between them and even over the broom fields during the course of the year.
Collared Dove Resident breeder in small numbers
Wryneck
Turtle Dove
Rare visitor Sadly, no repeat of the Wanstead Flats bird of 16–24/9/2010.
Not reported in 2011.
0
0
Ring-necked Parakeet
Green Woodpecker
Increasing resident, breeding in small numbers
Resident breeder Pairs seen in SSSI, near Long Wood, near 11
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Woodlark
1-3
Rare visitor One flushed by Long Wood, 1/10 (SF); singles over Wanstead Park (NC) and Wanstead Flats, 8/10; one seen and photographed, Flats, 9/10 (NC, SF, TH).
Skylark
A flock of Waxwings took a liking to the Aldersbrook estate in late February and March, with numbers peaking at 43.
Alexandra Lake, on the Plain, around the Ornamental Waters and in the OSW. They doubtless benefit from the excellent concentration of ants’ nests locally.
Great Spotted Woodpecker Resident breeder
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker Scarce resident; breeds January: male seen in the Dell on two dates. February: birds seen on eight dates in the Dell, on the Plain (near tea hut) and in copses on Wanstead Flats. March: birds reported from Park and Flats on 11 dates, including 3 in West Copse, 20/3, 2 in the Park on 16/3, and 3 individuals drumming (Park, Flats) on 26/3. April: birds seen and heard on several dates in Park and on Flats. After a high-profile spring, birds disappear in summer, only reappearing in late autumn. For example, 1 by Perch 25/11 and 1 by Shoulder of Mutton 24/12. Breeding: probably 3 territories and certainly at least 2; nest sites not observed this year and breeding success unknown. 12
Resident breeder on Wanstead Flats, and passage migrant Monthly maxima as follows (singing birds in parenthesis): Jan: 20 (2) Feb: 14 (9) Mar: 25 (11) Apr: 12 (9) May: n/a June: 17 (10) July: 0 Aug: 0 Sept: 5 Oct: 26 N (3) Nov: 26 Dec: 10 Breeding: Birds sang until 9/10 at least. This is one of our most important breeders, and rather worryingly there seems to have been a reduction in territories cf. 2009 and 2010, with none west of Centre Road in 2011. At least 11 territories identified, a slight reduction cf. 2010, though some birds could have been overlooked. This is the closest breeding population to the centre of London.
Sand Martin Scarce summer visitor and passage migrant The first of spring were 2 at Alex, 26/3. In September, 91 were logged over the Flats between 3-20th. The last was seen over the Park, 22/10.
Swallow Passage migrant The first of spring was 1 over the Flats, 31/3. During September, at least 824
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were counted over the Flats and Park. The biggest count, on 17/9, involved at least 280 SW over the Plain in a twohour period into a southwesterly breeze. Just 18 birds were noted in October, the last being a single S over the Flats on 15/10.
Breeding: most territories east of Centre Road, though a couple to the west.
Rock Pipit
House Martin
Water Pipit
Uncommon summer visitor The first of spring was 1 over the Flats, 3/4. During September, 1,130 were counted over the Flats and Park. The biggest count, on 17/9, involved at least 820 SW over the Plain in a two-hour period into a southwesterly breeze. If this movement was taking place on a broad front, the actual numbers must have been truly phenomenal. Only 16 were seen in October, the last birds on 11/10.
Rare visitor One reported by Alexandra Lake, 18/3 (NC).
Tree Pipit Scarce passage migrant in spring and, especially, autumn The only spring record was in broom fields, 8/4. In autumn, two on Flats on 24/8; singles over on 28/8 and 29/8; 2 on 9-10/9; 1 on 11/9; and 1 S on 19/9.
3
Rare visitor One over Flats, 9/1 (NC); 2 S over Alexandra Lake, 17/11 (NC).
1
Yellow Wagtail Passage migrant in spring and autumn In spring, singles over Flats on 18/4, 29/4 and 11/5. The first of autumn flew over the Flats on 12/8 and the last 2 flew over on 19/9. Visible migration watches produced 9 bird-days in August and 52 birddays in September, with peaks of 10 on 10/9 and 11 on 13/9.
Grey Wagtail Resident, with increased numbers in winter Small numbers were observed on visible migration watches on the Flats in autumn.
Meadow Pipit Resident breeder on the Flats, and pas sage migrant Monthly maxima as follows (singing birds in parenthesis): Jan: 1 Feb: 19 west of Centre Road, 16/2, and 24+ on Flats, 18/2 Mar: 30 (6) Apr: 19 (8) May: n/a June: 10 (7) July: 1 Aug: 0 Sept: 100 (over); 186 bird-days Oct: 53 (over); 379 bird-days Nov: 23; 118+ bird-days Dec: 5
Pied Wagtail Uncommon resident This species featured regularly on visible migration watches on the Flats in October and November, including 11 over on 24/10. In November, newly cut grass attracted the species with, for example, 7 together on 13/11.
Waxwing Scarce visitor in invasion years Wanstead benefitted from the national invasion in February and March as follows: 6 at the corner of Overton Drive/Seagry, 16/2; 43 in Arran Drive (Aldersbrook estate), 26/2, with 37+ there on 1/3, 19 on 5/3 and 16 on 15/3. 13
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Wren
arrivals), then the species was seen virtually daily on the Flats until the last on 20/9. 4 birds were present on several dates. This is one of the best autumn sites in London. Bird-day totals as follows: Aug: 18 Sept: 33 Oct: 2 (Flats, 4/10)
Abundant resident
Dunnock Common resident and passage migrant
Robin Abundant resident and passage migrant
Nightingale
0 Stonechat
Rare passage migrant No records (cf. 1 on the Plain, 25/4/2010).
Winter visitor and passage migrant in very small numbers A poor year. All records: 1, broom fields, 6/3; 1, SSSI, 8/3; 1, broom fields, 24/9.
Common Redstart Passage migrant in autumn Spring: male in Long Wood, 2/4; female, Long Wood, 19/4. Autumn was very good with probably 12 birds seen in the SSSI, Long Wood, the Alex scrub, and Wanstead Park. The first was in the SSSI on 19/8 and 2 birds were present on two dates in August. The last bird of the year was in Wanstead Park on 8/10. Autumn bird-day totals were as follows: Aug: 8 Sept: 3 Oct: 1 (Wanstead Park, 8/10) This spring male Ring Ouzel helped keep up Wanstead Flats’ recent record as a regular stopover for the species.
Whinchat Passage migrant in spring and autumn Spring was poor with just a single on Wanstead Flats on 24/4. Autumn was much better: 2 on 15/8 (a good date for
Northern Wheatear Passage migrant in spring and autumn Spring passage was very concentrated, peaking with 7 on Wanstead Flats on 5/4. In autumn, the first was on the Flats on 8/8, peaking at 7+ on 9/9, and the last bird was on 14/10. This is one of the best spring and autumn sites in London. Bird-day totals as follows: Mar: 3 Apr: 19 Aug: 16 Sept: 31 Oct: 13-14 (the last was on Flats, 14/10)
Ring Ouzel Scarce passage migrant Four birds in spring: a male, Flats, 30/3; 2 in broom fields, 2/4; and 1 in Park, 11/4. Just two birds in autumn: a male and a female/immature by Long Wood, 4/10. Although the number seen was down on 2010 this still represents an impressive haul.
Blackbird Common resident and passage migrant 230+ noted on visible migration watches on the Flats between 21/9 and 6/11. 14
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Fieldfare
Sedge Warbler
Winter visitor and passage migrant, especially in autumn Early year: good numbers in January (max. 52 on 10th), but numbers fell away thereafter; last of winter was in Long Wood on 3/4. Autumn: the bulk of the autumn visible migration was between 13/10 and 19/11 when 950 were counted over the Flats. The peak day was 7/11 when 116 flew N. Late year: small numbers were present into 2012.
Rare visitor One by the Roding, 29/8.
Song Thrush Resident breeder The peak day for visible migration was 25/10 when 28+ flew W. Breeding: the highest concentration of territories was in the OSW. Singing widespread late in the year, eg. 7 singing birds in OSW at dawn on 11/12.
1
Reed Warbler Scarce breeder; recent colonist After the spate of sightings in 2010, this species bred successfully in 2011. The first was at Shoulder of Mutton on 23/4, and the following day there was one at Alexandra Lake where a male was singing on 5/5 and there were 2 individuals on 7/5. A male was singing near the Roding on 11/6. Two young had fledged at Shoulder of Mutton by 11/6 and on 19/7 an individual there was singing again. One was in Long Wood on 21-22/8 at least. With an upturn in the fortunes of Reed Warbler, it is tempting to imagine it breeding at the west end of Heronry Lake and the OSW as well as Shoulder of Mutton and Alex.
Redwing
Blackcap
Winter visitor and passage migrant, espe cially in autumn Early year: good numbers in January (max. 105 on 5th), but numbers fell away; 60+ in Park, 5/3, and the last in broom fields, 27/3. Autumn: the bulk of the autumn migration was between 9/10 and 9/11 when 994 were counted over the Flats. The peak day was 25/10 when 208+ flew W. Good numbers in Bush Wood in December, for example 48 there on 25/12.
Common summer breeder and scarce winter visitor Male, Wanstead Park, 7/2; 1 singing in Bush Wood, 27/3; 7 singers in area on 9/4; 20+ singing by mid-April. 16 were counted on 10/9. There was a female on the Flats on 13/11 and in Reservoir Wood on 3/12.
Mistle Thrush Resident breeder Breeding: in Chalet Wood and elsewhere.
Grasshopper Warbler
1
Rare visitor One flushed from scrub east of Alexandra Lake, 28/8.
Garden Warbler Scarce summer visitor, possibly breeding The first of spring was east of Alexandra Lake, 24/4, and 1 was in the same area on 29/5. Long Wood proved to be good in autumn with 3 on 19/8 and 24/8 and 11 bird-days there during the month; the last was singing in the OSW, 1/10.
Lesser Whitethroat Scarce summer visitor The first of spring was a singing male in Long Wood on 17/4. On 24/4 singing males were in the SSSI, in Long Wood, 15
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SSSI and near Long Wood. 22 in OSW/Park alone, 22/7. Numbers thinned out rapidly after the middle of September, and the last bird was observed on 23/9. Breeding: 25 singing males on Flats and in Park, 23/5.
Chiffchaff Common summer visitor; some overwinter Birds were present in our area from 12/2 and on 27/3 a count produced 13 singing birds. The peak count in autumn was 19 on 10/9. The peak December count was 5 on 18/12, with 4 in the OSW (3 were behaving as if they had only recently arrived, according to the observer) and 1 by the Ornamentals.
Willow Warbler
One of the ‘old faithfuls’ in autumn, but no less appreciated for that. Spotted Flycatchers love Long Wood in late August and September.
near Alexandra Lake, and in the OSW. Singing continued at Long Wood until the end of May. Meanwhile, 4 young were had fledged by 11/6 east of Alexandra Lake, and on that date there was another by the River Roding. Autumn counts: 20 bird-days in August (7 on 19/8) and 11 bird-days in September (the last bird was on 23/9). Breeding: one pair definitely produced young, and there were possibly two other breeding pairs.
Common Whitethroat Common summer visitor The first of spring was on 6/4 and thereafter numbers increased rapidly. On 24/4 39 birds were counted in the Park and on the Flats (mostly the latter), including 32 territorial males. By early June adults were seen carrying food to young in the 16
Scarce summer visitor, breeds in very small numbers The first of spring was a singing male in the SSSI on 31/3; this bird continued to sing until the end of May and in early June adults were seen carrying food. Males also held territory at the bottom of the Glade (from 8/4 to 12/6) and in the OSW on 22/4. There were 14 bird-days in September when 1 was still singing on 5/9 and the last was seen on 20/9. Breeding: one pair successfully raised young and there were possibly two other pairs.
Goldcrest Localised resident Numbers increased in the last week of October. At least 11 were noted on 5/11 and there were 16+ in the Park, 20/11.
Firecrest
5+
Rare winter visitor; becoming regular? Early year: one in Park, 3/1. Late year: birds present in Bush Wood from 13/11 when there were 2, increasing to 3 on 17/11 and 4 on 25/11; male and female
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still present on 10/12, 4 again on 18/12, 2 on 25/12 and at least 1 on 28/12.
Spotted Flycatcher Autumn passage migrant, much common er in autumn In spring, 1 was at West Copse, 28/5. Autumn: 3, Wanstead Flats on 15/8. Between 22/8 and 15/9 present almost daily, with a peak of 10-11 on 10/9. The overwhelming majority of birds were around Long Wood and the scrubby area east of Alex. This is one of the best autumn sites in London. Bird-day totals as follows: Aug: 20 Sept: 37-38
Pied Flycatcher Scarce autumn passage migrant A female/immature was in Long Wood on 21/9 and at the south end of the broom fields on 24/9. Is it reasonable to assume these sightings refer to the same bird?
Long-tailed Tit Abundant resident
Blue Tit Abundant resident
Great Tit Abundant resident
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Wanstead Park and the copses on Wanstead Flats are important for nesting Starlings.
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Coal Tit
Aldersbrook and Lake House estates.
Scarce resident Most sightings, particularly in winter months, in Reservoir Wood and Bush Wood and mostly no more than 2 birds.
Nuthatch
House Sparrow
1
Very scarce visitor and former breeder One reported by Warren Road gate to Wanstead Park, 11/7 (BG).
Treecreeper
Scarce resident Birds from the Lake House and Aldersbrook estates feed in the SSSI and by Heronry Lake, respectively.
Chaffinch 2
Very scarce visitor; former breeding species Up to 2 between the Dell and the Grotto early in the year after first sighting on 21/1. One was singing on 7/2 and 26/3, the last date.
Resident, breeding in small numbers; numbers build in autumn Visible-migration watches on Flats logged 454 birds over between 5/10 and 8/11, including 107 N, 13/10. 20+ in OSW, 11/12.
Brambling
2
Common resident
Very scarce passage migrant in autumn A poor year cf. 2010. 1 over Windsor Road, with redpolls, 7/11; 1 SE over SSSI, 28/11.
Magpie
Greenfinch
Common resident
Common resident and passage migrant
Jackdaw
Goldfinch
Common and increasing resident 110 counted in pre-roost flocks on Lincoln Island and by Heronry, dusk 28/12.
Resident 34 at Capel Point, 13/1; 24, Park, 3/2; 9 in OSW, 22/7; 64 on Flats, 17/11 and 30 in OSW, 11/12. Visible-migration watches on Flats logged 265 birds over between 6/10 and 8/11, including 30+ on 2/11. Breeding: small numbers of singing birds in spring. Plenty of juveniles seen in autumn but no direct evidence of local breeding.
Jay
Carrion Crow Common resident There is a large night-time roost of this species and the other corvids in Wanstead Golf Course outside the breeding season.
Starling Common resident and passage migrant, numbers increasing in winter Often 200+ feeding on Flats during summer, with 650 on 5/10. Visible-migration watches on the Flat produced 390 over on 29/10. Breeding: uses holes in trees in Park and on Flats, and plenty of juveniles noted in the Park by mid-May. Also breeds on 18
Siskin Winter visitor Early year: 40, The Dell, 18/1; 50+, Park, 30/1; 50+, Park, 4/2; last by Perch Pond, 6/3. Late year: 5 over Alexandra Lake, 11/9. Visible migration watches on the Flats produced 124 over in October, mostly
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between 8-25th. Late-year flocks included 30+ around Perch carr, 11/12.
Linnet Quite scarce visitor Visible-migration watches on Flats logged 161 birds over between 4/10 and 8/11, including 34 on 29/10. No evidence of local breeding.
Bullfinch Scarce resident After the first of the year was seen on 23/2, noted in the OSW in most months. Young birds seen in July suggested breeding. Peak count was 4, for example on 11/12. 3 by Alexandra Lake, 1/11. In OSW until the year’s end.
Snow Bunting Lesser Redpoll Winter visitor and passage migrant Early year: 30, Flats, 30/1; 20+, SSSI, 5/3; 12, Alexandra Lake, 18/3. Late year: 10 over Flats, 15/9. Visible migration watches on the Flats produced 290 over in October, mostly between 928th. Flocks then took up residence: 60+ in the SSSI, including one showing characteristics of Mealy, in mid-November. Combined count of Flats and Park on 6/11 produced 153 birds. Late-year flocks included 20 in Shoulder of Mutton birches on 11/12, and 35+ there on 24/12.
Common Crossbill
10-11
Rare visitor Two over Flats, 19/10; 8-9 over Windsor Road, 20/10.
1
Scarce visitor One first-winter female called as it flew over Flats, 7/11 (NC).
Yellowhammer Scarce visitor One, OSW, 30-31/1; 1 by Cat and Dog Pond, 7/3 and 14/3. Six seen on visiblemigration watches, Flats, 21/9 to 7/11.
Reed Bunting Scarce resident breeder and passage migrant Small numbers in OSW, SSSI and Alexandra Lake in early year; for example, 4 in OSW, 29/1; 7 in SSSI, 12/3. In late October and early November, small numbers seen on visible-migration watches over Flats. Present in OSW in late year. Breeding: bred in SSSI and broom fields.
Far left: Lesser Redpoll had another good year locally. Below: a welcome resident in Bush Wood and on the Lake House estate for well over two years, the Whitecheeked Turaco was sadly missed late in 2011.
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