Wanstead Wildlife

Wanstead Flats

Birds of Wanstead Flats - complete list

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The birds that have been sighted on, from and around Wanstead Flats are listed here.

Those shown bold are thought to breed on Wanstead Flats, those in italics are escapes, infrequent visitors, or uncommon now.

Little GrebeBreeds on Alexandra Lake
Great Crested GrebeBreeds on Alexandra Lake
Cormorant Occasionally uses Alexandra Lake
Grey HeronOften seen flying over
Egyptian GooseEscaped birds have lived on Alexandra Lake
Canada GooseUp to 200 on and around lakes
Greylag GooseOn Alexandra Lake, has bred
Mute SwanBreeds on Alexandra Lake
MallardBreeds on Alexandra Lake
TealInfrequent visitor until about 2005, then up to 14 seen on numerous occasions during the winter and a pair in spring of 2006.
GadwallFairly common in winter on Alexandra Lake
Wigeon Uncommon
ShovelerFairly common in mainly winter on Alexandra Lake
Red-crested PochardAn escape has been seen on Alexandra Lake
PochardSometimes seen on Alexandra Lake
Tufted DuckBreeds on Alexandra Lake
GoldeneyeHas been seen on Alexandra Lake
Ruddy DuckA pair bred and had three young on Alexandra Lake in 2001
SparrowhawkCommon
BuzzardHas been sighted overhead
HobbyUses Wanstead Flats for feeding
KestrelCommon
MoorhenBreeds on Alexandra Lake
CootBreeds on Alexandra Lake
LapwingSometimes seen flying over
Common SandpiperOccurs in Spring around Alexandra Lake
Black-headed GullCommon - hundreds at times on the playing fields
Lesser Black-backed GullFairly Common
Mediterranean GullOccasionall individuals
Common GullCommon - slightly less numerous than Black-headed Gulls
Herring GullIncreasing in small numbers
Common TernOccasionaly uses Alexandra Lake
Wood PigeonCommon
Feral PigeonCommon, particularly on car park by Alexandra Lake
Collared DoveCommon
CuckooUsually heard for a few days each Spring
Tawny OwlLess common now - has bred in Manor Park and City of London Cemeteries
SwiftCommon, breed in nearby Wanstead Park Avenue
KingfisherSeen rarely on Alexandra Lake
Green WoodpeckerSometimes seen and heard
Greater Spotted WoodpeckerSometimes seen and heard
Lesser Spotted WoodpeckerUncommon
SkylarkCommon - thought to breed
Sand MartinPassage in Spring and Autumn
SwallowPassage in Spring and Autumn with some during the Summer feeding over Flats
House MartinMuch less common now; used to breed on many houses adjacent.
Meadow PipitSmall numbers in winter and summer
Yellow WagtailUncommon
Grey WagtailOccasional by Alexandra Lake
Pied WagtailBreeds by Alexandra Lake
WrenCommon
DunnockCommon in gardens adjacent to Flats
Sedge WarblerOccasionaly heard singing in Spring from Alexandra Lake
BlackcapCommon; seen throughout winter in gardens adjacent to Flats
WhitethroatFairly common
Lesser WhitethroatUncommon
Willow WarblerCommon, particularly on islands of Alexandra Lake
ChiffchaffUncommon
FirecrestHas been seen in gardens adjacent to Wanstead Flats
GoldcrestCommon in gardens adjacent to Flats
Spotted FlycatcherOccasional - less common now.
WheatearPassage in Spring and Autumn
RobinCommon
FieldfareFairly common in some winters
BlackbirdCommon
RedwingFairly common in some winters
Song ThrushLess common now
Mistle ThrushCommon
Long-tailed TitCommon
Coal TitFairly common in gardens adjacent to Flats
Blue TitCommon
Great TitCommon
NuthatchUncommon
TreecreeperUncommon
YellowhammerUncommon
Reed BuntingUncommon
ChaffinchFairly common
GreenfinchLess common now
SiskinHas been seen by Alexandra Lake, but rare
GoldfinchLess common now
LinnetUncommon
RedpollUncommon
BullfinchLess common now
House SparrowCommon
StarlingCommon - sometimes in hundreds
JayCommon
MagpieCommon
JackdawIncreasing, particularly around Alexandra Lake
Carrion CrowCommon - over a hundred may be counted at times
  

For listing from 1974-1980 click here

For comparative reports for 1980 and 2000 click here

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