News of wildlife and other issues
Red Kite
Jennifer Charter reported that at around 10am on 24th September she saw a Red Kite being chased by a crow. This was above Northumberland Avenue, right next to Wanstead Park. We have had occasional sightings of Kites in the area in more recent years; they seem to be increasing around the north of Epping Forest so it is worth keeping your eyes open for more around here.
Paul Ferris, 28th September 2009
No Bats and a Little Owl
Tim Harris and I had planned to begin a survey of the bats around the Heronry Pond on 15th September. We began the survey as planned, but aborted half way because of the continuing hard rain that had started just as we did. So - no bats. However an encounter with a Forest Keeper (dry in his vehicle) gave us a report of a Little Owl that he had seen on the main track between the Kiosk and the Temple. As this is the first report I've had of a Little Owl in Wanstead Park - perhaps worth noting.
Paul Ferris, 16th September 2009
Bird report for Saturday 12th September
On Saturday 12th September I met up with Tim Harris and saw the following birds: Up to 4 Spotted Flycatchers, 4 Whitethroat, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Whinchat, 13 Meadow Pipit, 1 Tree Pipit, 1 Garden Warbler, 22+ Dunnocks (there seemed to be some kind of Dunnock passage going on, I saw two lots of six together, 3 other birds flew off high north and I saw another flying high over east later), 8 Skylark, 3 Blackcap, 11 Chiffchaff, 24+ Swallows over and 2 Kingfishers on the Heronry Pond.
On Sunday the highlight was an immature Yellowhammer with 2 Reed Buntings in the open area near Long Wood on Wanstead Flats. Also present were 1 Whinchat, 2 Spotted Flycatchers, 36 Meadow Pipit, 1 Tree Pipit, 7 Blackcap, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 9 Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler and 2 Yellow Wagtails over.
Stuart Fisher
Bird Report - Wanstead Area, 7th September
Counted at least 7 Spotted Flycatchers on my way home this afternoon, also a female or immature Redstart, 8 Blackcap and a Hobby. Yesterday in Wanstead Park had a brief view of a female Garganey on the Heronry Pond before she flew off, and also 5 Teal.
Stuart Fisher.
Bird Migration in September 2009
Wanstead Flats continues to provide excitement by providing a host of bird species over the last few weeks. Whilst Whinchats and Wheatear are still around, it seems now to be the turn of Spotted Flycatchers.
Stuart Fisher counted at least 7 Spotted Flycatchers on his way home on 7th September, plus a female or immature Redstart, 8 Blackcap and a Hobby. The previous day (6th) in Wanstead Park he had a brief view of a female Garganey on the Heronry Pond before she flew off, and also 5 Teal.
Before 8am on the 8th, Tim Harris reported just one Wheatear and one Whinchat on Wanstead Flats, so it seems that some change had occurred from the previous week or two. Perhaps the smaller migrants had been ousted by the incredible number of Canada Geese that morning: 324!
Tim Harris captured the photograph below of one of the Spotted Flycatchers near Long Wood.
Spotted Flycatcher