Appendix - Wildlife 2008 - Birds

(Click for a review of the wildlife during, 2000 2001 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008)

Birds

Great Crested Grebe: Perch Pond, January 26th (JL); a pair on Ornamental Waters during March/April (PS); 1 on Perch Pond, 26th September (JL) 

Little Grebe: 2 birds on the Heronry Pond, February 9th (JL); 3 in Wanstead Park (1 ad, 2 chicks), I July (JL); 6 Heronry Pond, Wanstead Park, 16th September (JL), 2 Alexandra Lake, 24th September (JL)

Cormorant : 5 on Rook Island on 10th January (PS); 9 over (7 SE & 2 NW) Wanstead Flats, April 24th (JL); Generally 1-2 fly over Wanstead Flats in an hour, sometimes have seen up to 12 over (JL)

Coot : a nest on southern arm of Ornamental Waters with two eggs in it on 5 March (PS)

Moorhen:

Grey Heron: 3 Birds on OW, 4th October (JL)

Little Egret : one in gap between Lincoln/Rook Island, Wanstead Park, 2 September (PS & PF)

Mute Swan : 5 cygnets flying in formation over the Heronry Pond on 28th January (PS); seven immature birds on Alexandra Lake, February 11th (PF)

Greylag Goose: 2 flying over Wanstead Flats, April 1st (JL); two grazing on playing fields 2 April (PF)

Canada Goose: A large flock of ~250 birds is generally to be found on the Flats, moving between Alexandra Lake and Jubiliee Pond

Egyptian Goose: a single bird with indistinct face-patterns (juvenile?) by Heronry Pond on 21 October (PF,PS) (photo) ; still present 27 October (Tricia Moxey)

Mallard:

Gadwall: 30-40 birds scattered over Wanstead Park ponds, with a single bird on Jubilee Pond, Wanstead Flats, on January 1st (JL); 6 males and one female on Heronry Pond on 4 April (PF); about 12 on Perch Pond on 23 August (PF)

Shoveler: Plenty of birds on the OW and HP, plus a pair (m&f) on Jubilee Pond on the Flats, February 12th (JL); 3 male Shoveller on Ornamental Waters on 21 February (PS); O/W; 6 male on OW on 5 March (PS)

Pochard: around 30 birds on the Heronry Pond, February 9th (JL); two pair on OW on 5 March (PS); male on Heronry Pond, Wanstead Park, 19th September (JL); 6 on Perch Pond 26th September (JL)

Teal : 6 male, one female  in the recess on Lincoln Island O.W. on 29th January (PS); 4 male, 1 female on OW on 5 March (PS); 7 birds around Fortification Islands, October 3rd (JL)

Tufted Duck : 6 ducklings on Jubilee Pond on 1 August (PF)

Wigeon: Eclipse drake on Perch Pond, 26th September-11th October at least (JL,PF)

Sparrowhawk : Splendid male in a tree in the largest clearing in Bush Wood, January 23rd (JL) ; over the Glade on 29th January (PS); one flying low and calling over Sewage Works, 2nd February (PS); female flew between Copses on the Flats, August 22nd (JL); 1m & 1f flew over Lake House Estate 9th September (JL); female hunting low across Lake House Flats, 24th September (JL)

Peregrine: Going east over Wanstead Park, picked up over Golf course initially, February 16th (JL)

Hobby : flew over Lakehouse Estate from the Flats towards Bush Wood, June 8th. (JL); 1 over the Lake House Estate, 22 June (JL); two in the Grove in Wanstead Park, 2nd September (PS & PF); 1 flew over Lake House Flats 9th September (JL); male hunting over Lake House Flats, 20th September (JL)

Buzzard : soaring high over Wanstead Park on 21 June 2008 (PF)

Kestrel : male perched on Corporation of London signpost next the model aircraft strip, April 4th (JL); Kestrel in the Glade on 2 April (PS); hovering over the Glade, Wanstead Park on 21 June 2008 (PF); over Fairground Flats on 1 August (PF); one hovering by Aldersbrook Road, 1st September (PF and JC); one on the Plain in Wanstead Park, 2nd September (PS & PF); 2 birds on Wanstead Flats, 13th September (JL); male hovering over Lake House Flats, 24th September (JL)

Common Snipe: Single bird flushed from the ground 50m from Centre Road / Lake House Road junction, took off and flew high north, March 26th (JL); single bird in same area as earlier sighting, 24th September (JL)

Mediterranean Gull : on Heronry Pond. 1st February (Paul Davies)

Common Gull: Large flocks on Wanstead Flats in winter, peaked at around 165 near Jubilee Pond in early January (JL)

Great Black-backed Gull: Playing Fields on Wanstead Flats, January 1st (JL)

Lesser Black-backed Gull: single adult on Alexandra Pond, April 1st (JL), 7 on Wanstead Flats, early morning of April 3rd (JL)

Herring Gull: Juvenile on Perch Pond (?), 12 October (Kathy Hartnett)

Black-headed Gull:

Stock Dove: 2 birds in Bush Wood, January 1st (JL)

Woodpigeon: Everywhere!

Collared Dove: Usually 2-4 birds present in Lake House Estate

Tawny Owl: Bush Wood, January 1st (JL);Female heard in Dell/Stables area, Wanstead Park, 28 August (PF); female heard on Wanstead Flats by Capel Road, 8 September (PF)

Lesser Spotted Woodpecker: male feeding in large tree near the temple, 17 March (JL)

Great Spotted Woodpecker: 4 birds (2 drumming) in Reservoir Wood and in trees next to Golf Course, February 9th (JL); 2 birds on Wanstead Flats, April 24th (JL)

Green Woodpecker: On the Flats near Centre Road January 1st,  in Bush Wood, January 23rd, nr the Temple in the Park, February 5th, and in Reservoir Wood & the Dell, February 9th (JL); 4 Wanstead Flats September 24th (JL); 2 Wanstead Park, September 26TH (JL)

Skylark: 4 birds on Wanstead Flats, January 1st (JL); one singing on Wanstead Flats on 30th January (PF); 12+ on Wanstead Flats, early morning of April 3rd (JL) 14 on Wanstead Flats on 16 April (JL); 10 Wanstead Flats September 24th (JL)

Meadow Pipit: Wanstead Flats, January 3rd (JL); on The Plain. 1st February (PS); Wanstead Flats, February 12th (JL); 1 bird near Capel Road pond, April 1st (JL); Wanstead Flats, early morning of April 3rd (JL); 3 on Wanstead Flats on 16 April (JL)

Tree Pipit: 1 bird flew SE, slightly west of Alexandra Lake, calling, accompanied by 3 other [silent] pipits, 24th September (JL)

Pied Wagtail: 1 on Fairground Flats, January 1st (JL); 1 on bank of Alexandra Lake, September 24th (JL)

Grey Wagtail : by Roding on 10th January (PS); plentiful in Wanstead Park on 29 and 30 July (PF);2 adults and a juvenile on bank of Ornamental Water near Grotto, August 29th (JL)

Yellow Wagtail : 1 south-east, calling, over Lake House Estate, 9th September (JL)

Wren:

Stonechat: 3-4 birds on Wanstead Flats, January 1st (JL); 2 nr model aircraft strip, September 24th (JL)

Whinchat: 1w on Wanstead Flats, just north of Pipeline, level with first gate, 13th September (JL)

Wheatear : Two on Wanstead Flats on line of new pipeline, 2nd September (JL and PF)

Common Redstart: 2 males in and around the Hawthorns near the Golden Fleece, about 40m from Capel Road, September 1st (JL)

Blackbird

Ring Ouzel: Female in scrub alongside playing fields just east of Long Wood. Disturbed by a dog, it flew high west at 7.20am, October 3rd (JL).

Robin:

Song Thrush :  South side of Perch Pond on 2 January (PS); 3 birds singing in Bush Wood, January 23rd (JL); singing in The Birches, COL cemy. on 26th January (PF); singing in the Sewage Works, 1st February (PS) singing on Wanstead Flats at junction of Aldersbrook and Lakehouse Rd, February 12th (JL); Sewage Works February 19th (PS); 2 pairs near Shoulder of Mutton Pond, 17 March (JL); 4 on Wanstead Flats on 16 April (JL)

Mistle Thrush : On Wanstead Flats, February 15th (JL); 5 birds on the Golf Course (JL); Mistle Thrush sitting on nest in Chalet Wood on 21 April (PS); 2 over Wanstead Flats, 24th September (JL) 

Redwing : 30+ Wanstead Flats by Bushwood on 8th January (PS); a solitary bird by the Northumberland Rd entrance on 29th January (PS); 2 birds at Heronry Pond "official" entrance to the Park, in trees near the Golf Course fence (JL); 25 in Warren Wood on 5 March (PS); a very large flock of Redwings in Warren Wood on 31 March (PS)

Fieldfare : One on playing fields, Wanstead Flats on 31 March (PF); Single bird in the scrub near Aldersbrook Road playing fields, April 4th (JL)

Kingfisher : Perch Pond on 28 February (PS); by Lincoln Island on 31 March (PS); Heronry Pond on 1 July (JL); Riuver Roding, Wanstead Park on 8 July (PF) ; one between Lincoln Island and Rook Island on 29 July and also on 30 July (PF); male Ornamental Water, Wanstead Park, 16th September (JL)

Ring-Necked Parakeet: 1 flying south-east over Wanstead Flats, early morning of April 3rd (JL)

Swift: 7 birds over Lake House Estate, evening of May 8th (JL); still over Heronry Pond on 10th July (PF); screaming over Fairground Flats on 31 July (PF)

Swallow: 1 bird along Centre Road, May 9th (JL); 4 east over Lake House Estate, 9th September (JL); 10 birds south over Lake House Flats, 24th September (JL)

Sand Martin : some still feeding over Heronry Pond on 20 June (PF); one over Wanstead Flats on 22 June (PF); also feeding over The Basin (JL); one or two over Heronry Pond, Wanstead Park, 2nd September (PS & PF)

House Martin : one over Wanstead Flats on 22 June (PF); 3 over the Flats 22 June (JL); 3 high over Park Road, 30 August (PF & JC) approx 50 over Heronry Pond in Wanstead Park, 2nd September (PS)

Blackcap : a male in Capel Road garden on 3rd January (PF); male in Capel Road garden 10th February (PF); Singing male in small copse behind Sidney Road, April 1st (JL); singing by Northumberland Avenue and in Reservoir Wood, 4 April (PF); 7 in Wanstead Park, 15 April (JL); Blackcap in the Dell on 2 April (PS); Singing in Manor Park Cemetery during April and into early May (PF); 12 birds in Wanstead Park, July 1st (JL); female in scrub near Centre Road, 24th September (JL) 

Chiffchaff: 2 birds in wild area near Roding, Wanstead Park , January 26th (JL); Corner of Heronry Pond and Golf Course, 17 March (JL); singing in Wanstead Park on 19th March (Jennifer Charter); singing in Wanstead Park 25th March (PF); singing in City of London Cemetery on 31 March (PF); 2 singing in scrub adjacent to Centre Road and Aldersbrook Road, April 1st (JL); 11 in Wanstead Park, 15 April (JL); 4 in scrub just east of Alexandra Lake, April 16th (JL); 1 in Warren Wood on 21 March (PS); 1 in scrub just east of Alexandra Lake, 6 May (PF); 5 Wanstead Flats, 24th September (JL)

Willow Warbler: by the Shoulder of Mutton Pond on 4 April (PF); 2 birds present in scrub just east of Alexandra Lake, April 16th (JL)

Common Whitethroat: Singing male in the scrub next to the Roding, 15th April (JL); 2 in scrub near Lake House Road, April 24th (JL); 1 in scrub just east of Alexandra Lake, 6 May (PF); 4 in Wanstead Park on 1 July (JL)

Lesser Whitethroat: in the scrub east of Alexandra Lake Gates, September 1st (JL); 1 in hawthorn near Centre Road, 24th September (JL)

Cetti's Warbler: at SW corner of Perch Pond on 3 April (Jon Preston)

arden Warbler: in the scrub east of Alexandra Lake Gates, September 1st (JL)

Goldcrest: 5 birds in Bush Wood, January 1st.; Single bird near the Roding at the Sewage Works, January 4th, also Reservoir Wood January 26th (JL); Warren Wood on 5 March (PS);  2 in trees near Centre Road, 13th September (JL); 1 in trees near Shoulder of Mutton Pond, September 26th (JL)

Firecrest : in Warren Wood on 5 March (Adrian Pearson)

Spotted Flycatcher: 1 bird in scrub near Lake House Road, August 21st & 1 bird in the scrub east of Alexandra Lake Gates (JL); one in Capel Road garden, 12 September (PF)

Pied Flycatcher: female in the scrub east of Alexandra Lake Gates, September 1st (JL)

Blue Tit:

Great Tit:

Long-tailed Tit:

Coal Tit: one in City of London Cemetery on 31 March (PF)

Goldfinch: 3 birds near the Café in Wanstead Park, January 26th (JL); Good numbers February 12th (PS)

Chaffinch : singing in the Sewage Works. 1st February (PS); Good numbers February 12th (PS)

Greenfinch: Wanstead Park near Roding January 26th (JL); singing in the Sewage Works, 1st February (PS); 3 birds near Aldersbrook playing fields February 12th (JL); Good numbers February 12th (PS); 3 Wanstead Flats, September 24th (JL)

Siskin: 3 birds near the Café in Wanstead Park, January 26th (JL); 13 birds feeding in trees adjacent to the path running from the Temple up to the carpark, February 18th (JL); six in Dell on 21 February (PS)

Reed Bunting : Pair on Wanstead Flats between Centre Road and Lake House Road, February 15th (JL); Wanstead Flats, early morning of April 3rd (JL), one male by Shoulder of Mutton Pond on 3 April (Jennifer Charter); byJubilee Pond, April 24th (JL)

Starling: Several large flocks on the Flats:

Magpie:

Jackdaw: 1 over Flats on April 16th, 2 on fairground area, April 24th (JL); 3 in Wanstead Park on I July (JL); 4 on the playing fields, August 22nd (JL); 50 approx. over Wanstead Park, 29 August (PF); 80+ Wanstead Park over Heronry Pond October 3rd (JL). 

Jay: 1 in Wanstead Park on 1 July (JL); Good number, peaking at 8-10 birds on Wanstead Flats throughout September (JL)

Carrion Crow:

Lapwing: 17 flying NW over Wanstead Flats on 3rd November (PS)

April/June Wildlife Report from Pete Saunders

I expect you noticed the rather wet late Spring/early Summer we had – for this reason I have noted some of the more diverse temperatures and weather conditions.  However this gave us one of the most beautiful Spring’s I think I have ever witnessed, and our lakes could certainly have done with the extra water.  On 11 April the water pump into the Heronry was on, but I noticed on 21 April that it was off and was informed by a member of the City of London staff that this was due to concern that the water birds’ nests may become flooded(?).

Pete Saunders

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I had a quick look around Wanstead Flats this morning , October 23 2008 (the north-west corner
by the miniroundabout). There were good numbers of Greenfinches and
Chaffinches, 22 Redwings, 2 Goldcrests, 4 Rose-ringed Parakeets, 2 Meadow
Pipits and a Skylark.

Tim Harris

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Water-bird Count - Wanstead Park area -Sunday, October 12, 2008

**ORNAMENTALS

Little Grebe: 3

Cormorant: 3

Grey Heron: 1

Mute Swan: 10 (4 ad, 6 juv)

Mallard: 76 (40 male, 25 female, 11 juv)

Gadwall: 61 (35 male, 26 female)

Shoveler: 2 (male)

Tufted Duck: 1 (female)

Coot: 44

Moorhen: 25

Black-headed Gull: 5

Grey Wagtail: 2

Pied Wagtail: 1

**SHOULDER OF MUTTON

Little Grebe: 2

Mute Swan: 3 (2 ad, 1 juv)

Mallard: 6 (2 male, 4 female)

Coot: 3

Moorhen: 3

Black-headed Gull: 17


** PERCH POND

Little grebe  nil

Great crested grebe 1

Cormorant  1

Grey Heron 1

Mute Swan 2 (1 male 1 female)

Mallard 23 (14 male 9 female)

Gadwall 1 female

Shoveler 2 (1 male 1 female)

Tufted duck 18 (9 male 9 female)

pochard 2 ( 1 male 1 female)

Coot 13

Moorhen 3

Black headed gull 11


** THE BASIN, Wanstead Golf Club

Little Grebe 11 (inc 1 juv)

Great crested grebe  2

Cormorant   nil

Grey Heron  nil

Mute Swan  5 (1 male 1 female 3 juv) [2 juv have left according ]
[  to Sam of
fishing club    ]

Gadwall 2  (1 male 1 female)

Shoveler 2 (1 male 1 female)

Tufted Duck nil

Coot  47

Moorhen 2     (unable to walk right round so some may have been askulking!)

Black-headed gull  7

wagtail   (heard)

plus Sam Hogg of Fishing Club reports 50,000 American Crayfish caught since
2001 !

** THE EAGLE, Snaresbrook

Little Grebe nil

Cormorant  1

Grey Heron  1

Mute Swan  7  (1 male 2 female 1 juv, others distant)

Canada goose  19

Mallard 15 (12 male 3 female)

Gadwall nil

Shoveler nil

Tufted Duck 23 (11 male 12 female)

Coot  28

Moorhen  6 (2 adult 4 young)

Black-headed Gull  33

Herring gull/Lesser b/backed  1  (juv)

Records for 2008 courtesy of Paul Ferris (PF) Pete Saunders (PS) Jonathan Lethbridge (JL) and others (named)