Cornwall birds - Nick Sampford

Tue 26-3-02 'Fishers Green'. 4 Egyptian Geese with Greylags and Canadas on the field between the Old River Lee and the Navigational - now present for several days. Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff near electricity substation.    Roy Woodward.
Fairlop a.m. 10 Dunlin, 3 Green Sand, 2 L.R.P, 5 Lapwing, 50+ Linnets,11 Stock Dove.- Peter Hopkins.
Aimes Green and Claverhambury area: Bullfinch and muntjac on Puck Lane; Pair of red legged partridge on farmland south of Galleyhill Road between Aimes Green and Claverhambury; 20 fieldfares north east near Parvills Farm.  Waltham Abbey: Singing blackcap in scrub on edge of housing estate near Pick Hill Farm; 40 linnets and nine lapwings on farmland at south end of Galleyhill Road opposite nurseries.  Martin Shepherd
Amwell, LRP, 4 R.Plover, 5 redshank, 2 bullfinch, pr of red-legged partridge on Widburyhill Hill Fm, and recent sightings reported to Robert > Cetti's warbler recently, bittern today and 3 c buzzards at the weekend - Robert Callf
KGV Res am, curlew NW mid-morning - Phil Vines

Mon 25.03.02 Trent Pk area, 9 comma, 7 peacocks, red adm. Vic Fm, 3 coal tits, blackcap, 6 mandarin - R Callf
Amwell 2 redshank, 2 ringed plover, 2m 2f. goldeneye, 3-4 chiffchaff & approx 10 sand martin flying overhead. D Messenger
10am- Raphael Pk. Romford. One young GC Grebe, third size of parents. One Grey Wagtail, a Sparrowhawk and two prs of Stock Dove. Ken Barrett
Bowyers Water: two singing male blackcaps plus a female in north west corner at 2.30p.m..  Fishers Green: willow warbler singing in willow sapling, 4.00p.m., close to National Grid sign, plus blackcap singing from thick cover close by.Also c25 chiffchaffs singing this afternoon in the general area between Bowyers Water and the woodland at Holyfield Weir. - Martin Shepherd
Fishers Green,Willow Warbler and singing Blackcap near electricity sub-station. Terry Smith
Blackcap singing in copse at the bottom of Fishers Green Lane at noon - Jeff Butcher
Brox Woods, 4 marsh tits, 1 brambling - A Middleton
Sat 23/3/02 Trent Park. Nuthatch (9 including 4 singing mm), Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (3 birds heard), Chiffchaff (5 singing mm), Siskin (5), Mandarin (9), Comma (2), Small Tortoiseshell (1). Sun 24/3/02 Walthamstow Res. Willow Warbler in scrub along the Lea. Shelduck (pr), Gadwall (6) on East Warwick. Shoveler (5) on West Warwick. Small White (1), Peacock (1), Small Tortoiseshell (1). Fraser Simpson and Alistair Simpson
Colour Ringed Green Sandpiper - Thanks to the observer who recorded the colour ringed Green Sandpiper at Rye Meads. This bird was ringed at Rye Meads on 11 January 1997, this bird has been present at Rye Meads most winters since ringing and tends to be seen into March and returns August September, but has been seen back in July.   Paul Roper, Rye Meads Ringing Group

Sun 24-3-02 9am-10.15am Amwell: Little-ringed Plover on pit before railway crossing. 2 Redshank also there. Viewpoint: Ringed Plover. At least 4 Chiffchaff. Rye Meads RSPB:Again at least 4 Chifcchaff, male Kingfisher prospecting nesting bank, pair of Kestrel mating. I observed a colour ringed green sandpiper ( Draper Hide ) Right Leg: Red ring. Left Leg: Yellow above Green ring 12 pm. Nathalie Schorbon
King's Mead, Hertford @ Ware, 1.00pm. 7 greylag, 2 Ruddy Duck, 2 Pochard, 6 Teal, 7 Shoveler, numerous Gadwall, Wigeon, Tufted. 1 singing Skylark, several Brimstone, Tortoiseshell. Deon Haselgrove.                               
Rainham Marsh - 1 Little Ringed Plover, 3 drake Pintail, 1 s.p. Water Pipit, all on wet lagoons. Rod Standing
Fairlop 2 LRPs, jack snipe, 20 golden plover. Hainault Forest, 20+ siskin & redwing - Alan Bell
Singing Willow Warbler at Kings Mead.- Anthony Dorman
Cornmill Meadows.  2 LRP's, 4 Redshank, 11 Lapwing, c25 Snipe + 1 Redpoll with c25 Siskins and Goldfinches.    'Fishers Green.'  1 Pink-footed Goose, 2 Shelduck and 2 Redshank on the Goosefield.      Roy Woodward.
Fairlop a.m. L.R.P., Greensand (both on gravel pits), 2 Chiffchaff, Lapwing in territorial flight, 2 Little Owl, 1 R.L. Partridge, 4 Brown Hare. Peter Hopkins.
KGV Res, 3 garganey inc 1 drake am - Stuart Hamilton - news from Phil Vines
Brimsdown, Mossops Creek, pair of black redstarts, 2nd male on marsh - Helen Bantock
Epping Forest Pole Hill to Lippitts Hill via Connaught Waters and Fairmead, total of 11 singing chiffchaffs, one singing blackcap by the overflow at Connaught Waters, one redpoll over Chingford Plains and a pair of siskin on Whitehouse Plain. Singing Firecrest at Copped Hall - Richard Cope.
Sew marsh, 3 peacock, 2 small whites, Mott Street, brimstone, 3 peacock, comma - H Bantock, A Middleton, small tortoiseshell Crouch Hill

Hi all - went to North Yorkshire Sat. Ross's gull and purple sandpiper at Scarborough, rest at Bempton RSPB - Nick Sampford

Sat 23-3-02 1130am. Dagenham Chase - a Willow Warbler in Crowfoot Marsh scrub (V. H-F). A Comma in my garden and a White Wag at the Chase yesterday. Ken Barrett
Fairlop. a.m. 4 Green Sands, 10 Greylag, >18 G. C. Grebe (1 with very pale flanks and scaps), 1-2 Brown Hare. - Peter Hopkins.
Cornmill Meadows am   1 ruddy shelduck, 2 shelduck, 2 redshank, numerous wigeon, shoveler, snipe, some gadwall, lapwing. Still 2 lesser redpoll with small flock of siskin   Jeff Butcher
KGV Res pm, 15, later joined by another two, common scoter (total 12 drakes) on north basin, one adult little gull flew high north - news from Steve Connor, also 56 goldeneye, one green sandpiper, c35 sand martins
Trent park area, 6 comma, 1 peacock, female lesser spot, woodcock, 8 nuthatch (7 territories), 5 mandarin, grey partridge reported by R White - news from Robert Callf
Brox Woods, 2 red admirals, 3 peacock, pair firecrests, pair of tawny owls calling in the middle of the afternoon, buzzard towards Brookmans Park - Bill Cutts and A Middleton
I don't get many birds in my garden, but today I had a visit from a kestrel - Dave Messenger

22-3-02, Lockwood Reservoir, Walthamstow.  Male wheatear, 2.35 p.m., in south west corner.Martin Shepherd
Trent Pk area, blackcap, pr teal Lower Lake, peacock Rough Lot, red admiral Barracks (Robin White), total 25 meadow pipits north, 3 bullfinch - Robert Callf

Thu 21-3-02 am RSPB Rye Meads 1 greensandpiper, pm LVP Fisher's Green Goosefield 2 Egyptian geese, 2 shelduck   Jeff Butcher
There was a little ringed plover and two sand martins through at Cornmill Meadows during the morning both found by Tony Gray who I was chatting to at the time.  There was also a red admiral near the Goosefield at 1.00pm.   Regards - Martin Shepherd
Fairlop. p.m. Male Wheatear, R.L.Partridge, Chiffchaff, Little Owl.- Peter Hopkins
Coppetts Wood and Glebelands area, c20 song thrush in song at dusk, chiffchaff, Ponders End Lake, island flooded and tern rafts sinking, c25 wigeon, little grebe - Tony Clancy
Vicarage Fm, male stonechat, 21 redwing, mistle thrush with young in nest, six chiffs, 15 siskin, pr of red-legged partridge on setaside, 11 m. pipits over, possibly a yellow wagtail calling overhead, Parkside Fm pr of muteswans, 30 linnets - Robert Callf
20th Woodford 30 redwing, chiff, today Sewardstone 2 sand martins - Ken Murray
Copped Hall firecrest, buzzard, c20 hares, grass snake - Andrew Middleton

Wed 20-3-02 Harold Hill garden, Small Tortoiseshell & Peacock today & yesterday (19th & 20th) - Colin Jupp
Coppermill FB - 300+ Common Gull, Sheduck. Springfield Park - singing Mistle Thrush. Tate Modern - 2 Canada Geese in the Thames! adult male Peregrine on the sw corner for 10 minutes at 8:50 hrs the first for nearly 3 weeks!!! David Darrell-Lambert
Amwell, jack snipe, 24 common snipe, 2 redshank, 2 ringed plovers, 3 grey wags, 2 water rail heard, goldeneye, prob. calls of cetti's warbler heard from public hide, c buzzard reported - Robert Callf
Over Northaw Great Wood, common buzzard am - A Middleton
Little ringed plover on Cornmill Meadows, and at 4pm a black tailed godwit appeared on the Goosefield, Fishers Green area pm. Terry Smith
Jack snipe at Amwell showing very well from the gate on new pit by railway. The bird is on the obvious round island, and has been there for nearly  a week apparently. Also a few chiffchaffs singing and siskins. There was a male brambling on my seed patch and  a female yesterday, and lots of yellowhamers too - Nick Sampford - pics below

Tue 19-3-02 1100hrs Fairlop- 2 LR Plover, a male Wheatear and Chiff. Yesterday 18th- Murex Pools, Rainham - single Wheatear, White Wag and Water Pipit. A pr of Oystercatchers on the stone barges- Ken Barrett
Trent Pk/Vicarage Fm area, North Enfield, 10 lesser redpoll on setaside, 3 chiffchaffs, 25 siskin William's Wood, 20 linnets Parkside Fm, 2 pr yellowhammer - Pkside and Vic. Fm - Rober Callf
KGV & Girling today (nothing particularly exciting unfortunately!). KGV - 1 Female Red-crested Pochard, 38 Goldeneye, 1 male Wheatear and 3
Sand Martins. Girling - At least 6 Goosander, 3 Black-necked Grebes (5 on Sat) and 1 Green Sandpiper. - Roy Woodward
All Essex dragonfly records can go to johndobson@mammals.fsnet.co.uk from the Essex Field Club (also Mammal records as you might guess from the email address).- info from Roy Woodward
2.30 pm Turkey Street / Hertford Road, large raptor harassed by gulls /crows, at least third bigger than attackers, pale underneath and wing tips point upwards when gliding, most likely buzzard but no bins and looked a bit small and smart, anybody else see this headed N/E .         Brian Dawton.

Goldfinch  in my dad's garden in Ware - Nick Sampford >>>>

Mon 18-3-02 Ally Pally 4 Gadwall still here, despite my last post. Skylarks and Meadow Pipits going through overhead. Bullfinches (probably just a pair) still about. 15+ Chaffinch.   Tom Clarke.
KGV Res am, 1st winter little gull through, red-crested pochard, brent goose, wheatear - Phil Vines and Stuart Hamilton
Saturday afternoon, 16th March 2002. Ring-billed Gull (adult) at Alexandra Lake (Sandhills Pond), Wanstead Flats, East London. - Fraser Simpson

Sun 17-3-02 4:30 pm Amwell GP. 3 Black Necked Grebes (2 in summer plumage) showing very well from the viewpoint. Little Egret roosting in trees on island. c20 Goldeneye (very good count), 4 Redshank, singing Chiffchaff, 2 Shelduck. Ross Facer. AMWELL 3 BLACK NECKED GREBES, 5 FEMALE GOLDENEYE, 2 REDSHANKS, APPROX 12 SISKIN DAVE WHEELER. 3 black necked grebe and little egret, also singing chiffchaff, x 2 grey wagtail and wigeon x gadwall hybrid on pit nearest the railway crossing  - well that's what i think it is - Nick Sampford
Flying visits to Amwell, Cornmill Meadows, and Fishers Green Woodland at second car park revealed single singing chiffchaffs at each site.  Martin Shepherd

Amwell today - Nick Sampford

Sat 16-3-02 am Chiffchaff singing in trees alongside River Lea at the Electricity Sub Stn at Fishers Green, with a tree creeper investigating the dead bark on lightning blasted tree.  John Snow
Broadwater GP/Stockers Lake LNHS walk, 7 observers, 2 male brimstones, 2 peacocks, 1 small tortoiseshell, 5 chiffchaffs - Robert Callf
Walthamstow Res.  12 Little Grebes, 1 Goldeneye, 26 Ruddy Duck, 6 Grey Wagtails.   Stephen Harris
W. Girling F.Channel 4 Kingfishers!! in some sort of territorial fight. 1 Sand Martin, 1Green Sandpiper. KGV Res 3 Sand Martin, 1 White Wagtail, 1 Black Redstart, 2 Shelduck . Cheers Tony Clancy
KGV Reservoir, 11.a.m. to 1.30.  Two green sandpipers - south east corner of south basin.  Singing chiffchaff on Sewardstone farmland near causeway.  Three sand martins over north east corner/relief channel.  Shelduck.  Small tortoiseshell - my first of the year.  Flock of 15 meadow pipits and c30 pied wagtails. Also sparrowhawk over north basin mobbed by herring gull.- Martin Shepherd
Fairlop, wheatear, 2 white wags, chiffchaff, 2 jack snipe and green sandpiper - Alan Bell
KGV pair red b mergansers - Phil Vines. Copped Hall -Woodcock, Buzzard, 100 Redwing, 2 chiffchaffs, pair hooded mergansers - A. Middleton

Fri 15-3-02 About 2.15pm Crooked Mile. Driving back from Waltham Abbey to Harlow in appalling weather, saw a buzzard sitting on post in horse field. My first sighting in this area. M.HOWELL
Walthamstow Marsh - 1 Water Rail still present at the southern end of the West Warwick, calling at 18:30 hrs. Tate Modern - 2nd cal GBBG (a 5th cal year bird was also present on Thursday).  Still no Peregrines. - David Darrell-Lambert

Wed 13-03-02 Rye Meads nature reserve 10.00am 1 GREENSHANK 1KINGFISHER 1 PAIR MUTE SWANS NESTING AND AS WE WERE LEAVING A WATER RAIL FEEDING IN DITCH JUST PAST ENTRANCE,ALSO 1GOLDFINCH IN CAR PARK - LYDIA HOWELL
Walthamstow Res: three sand martins on Low Maynard, adult summer Med gull at Coppermill filter beds -Sean Huggins
Herts, Hunsdon Meads, chiffchaff. Kingsmead, the Little Egret was still present around 4 this afternoon, seen from bus - Liz and Sarah Goodyear

Tue 12-3-02 Trent park area, nature trail singing chiffchaff, Williams wood female lessser spot and mealy redpoll with chaffinch flock, Rough Lot comma, also in total 3 bullfinch, 8 great spots, 4 nuthatch - Robert Callf, also male stonechat on barracks on Mon for Robin White
Ryemeads Reserve 2.00pm 1 female kestrel in nest box,1 male bullfinch,1 pair kingfishers checking out nest sites in artifical sand bank, also tufted, shovelers, little grebes, mute swans and teals seen on water. M.JAMESON, M.HOWELL.
Little Egret still present at 10 am at Kingsmead, visible whilst driving along Hertford/Ware Road! Liz Goodyear
Coppermill  Filter Beds - 2  Sand Martins, Walthamstow Marsh - 1 chiffchaff singing. Abney Park Cem - 1 Goldcrest singing. Tate Modern - Blackbird singing, no sign of Peregrines for 3rd week now!!!!! - David Darrell-Lambert
Amwell. 1-4pm.  1 Sand Martin, 2 Ringed Plovers, 4 Redshank, 2 male Grey Wagtails and several Chiffchaffs. 1 Little Egret - flew in from the north at 15.05, and was still present feeding in front of the viewpoint when I left + a woodpecker heard drumming sounded like a Lesser Spot but only Great Spot seen. Also Cetti's Warbler reported still present (until Sunday at least) - Roy Woodward
KGV Res, before 9am, 1 sand martin - Phil Vines, also news of 2 sand martins at the filter beds (Walthamstow) this morning - David Darrell-Lambert
Harold Hill, red admiral on Peiris today and 8th, 2 tawny owls calling after midnight from 8th, Sat 9th red admiral Reed Pond Walk and 2 kingfishers (prob pair) Raphael's Pk, also (from Alan Hamilton) brimstone and peacock One Tree Hill CP - news from Colin Jupp

9-3-02 Ware. (Sat A.M.) On the towpath between Ware and Hertford two mixed flocks containing Siskins also 4 Grey Wagtails. Ian Edwards 
Amwell, a.m..  Lesser Spotted Woodpecker heard but not seen.  Redshank and three shelducks.  Martin Shepherd
Brimsdown 8-10.30am.male Black Redstart with smaller white wing panels than Dec/Jan bird, pair of Reed Buntings just by the bridge at Mossops, 5 Linnets at Legett's - Helen Bantock
Serin, @ Foots Cray, 1 mile south of Sidcup. Seen for about 20 mins singing in trees and feeding on grass mounds behind bill boards on waste ground opposite B&Q also 2 Rose-Ringrd Parakeets flew overhead. Neville Smith  
Trent Park, lesser spot calling by Lower Lake, pr of teal here, comma Moat Wood and red-legged partridge on setaside - Robert Callf, news from Robin White ~ woodcock today by 'Dew Pond' and comma + peacock Thursday
Ponders End early am - sounded like (a) migrant dunlin calling during the night - A Middleton

8-3-02 1100hrs- Crews Hill - 5 Lesser Redpoll feeding on willowherb along footpath between plant nursery and rail line, south of Cattlegate Rd (Iv'e had this sp here before -a year ago). Ken Barrett

7-3-02 The first Bullfinch I have seen in this area for 2 years in the Hyde at Ware - Andrew Wood
Regents Park, 12.15pm.  Party of about 10 siskins with several birds in full song
Amwell - Lesser Spotted Woodpecker - male drumming and showing well in very large dead tree at north end of woodland between the viewpoint and railway for the third day. Best viewed from the path adjacent to the railway (west side), if you enter the trees from the canal (east side) it stops drumming and flies off down the wood. - Phil Ball
Harold Hill, comma and peacock in garden am, Red Kite 2.05-20pm, west of A128 north of Orsett, last seen from Parkers Fm road flying north towards Bulphan - Colin Jupp and Trevor Broom, also reported am 3 brimstones, One Tree Hill CP, Langdon Hills by Alan Hamilton
Ally Pally 2 Bullfinch, 2 Stonechats, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, Green/gold/chaff/finches, Green & Great Spotted Woodpeckers calling and drumming, also small tort, red ad, brimstone, comma & peacock. Gadwall finally moved off after easily the best winter for them.   Tom Clarke

6-3-02 Ware. Chiffchaff singing from tall trees along old River Lea. Ian Edwards 
Trent Park 15 mandarin, lesser spot Nature Trail - Robert Callf
Fishers Green Goosefield, 2 dunlin - Phil Vines

5-3-02 Vicarage Fm, stonechat, Uni grounds, 72 redwing - Robert Callf
3-3-02 Cornmill Meadows, late afternoon: two foxes hunting the meadow and two muntjacs in MOD woodland.  4-3-02, edge of Rushey Mead, near Nazeing Glass: chiffchaff calling from scrub. Farmland near Orange Wood (Epping Green area): seven fallow deer and yellowhammers calling.  5-3-02, road from Aimes Green to Claverhambury Carp lakes: stoat.  Pair of bullfinches on the fringe of Deerpark Wood.

4-3-02 Fairlop p.m. Corn bunting 20, Snipe 10, G.S. Woodpecker, Chiffchaff in song.- Peter Hopkins.
Cornmill Meadows this morning: 2 bullfinches top of tree nursery. Large flock siskin and goldfinch Old River Lea alders at boundary with Gunpowder Mills, 11 redpoll in one flock in alders by metal bridge over Cornmill Stream at junction with Old River Lea. 2 shelduck and 1 redshank on pools.   Jeff Butcher 
LVRP. 4.3.02 - Holyfield - Redshank, Ruddy Duck, Goldeneye (1m 2f). Langridge - 3 pairs Little Grebe, 40 Lapwing, Water Rail, 20 Linnets. Goose Field - 23 Wigeon, 2 Shelduck. Seventy Acre - Bittern showing well posing on the door at 09.00, went fishing and successfully caught and swallowed a small Tench. A 2nd Bittern was at the newly created reedbed in the south-west corner of the lake (surely a good sign). Also Smew and Kingfisher which always brightens up
the day. The small wood at northern end of Police Pit held Treecreeper, Goldcrest and a pair of displaying Sparrowhawks. The North Met and Slipe Lane GP held a total of 5 Goosander. - Mick Oakland

3-3-02 3pm-Dagenham Chase - one Jack Snipe (north boundary of Fel's Field), a pr of Stonechats nearby and 2 Corn Buntings (yesterday). 23 Snipe on The Slack. Ken Barrett

1-3-02 Brimsdown canal towpath, from 9.15 a.m. -  Male black redstart on reservoir bank and in hawthorns close-by, pair of stonechats and reed buntings calling at Mossops Creek,  linnets in song, pair of kestrels, green woodpecker, a few meadow pipits.   KGV Reservoir - green sandpiper, common sandpiper, 15 chaffinches feeding on reservoir bank, still large numbers of ruddy duck.  Sewardstone Marsh - two fieldfares, drumming great spotted woodpecker, two lapwings on Pattypool Mead. Government Row, Enfield Lock, 3.40p.m. - sparrowhawk, seen from bottom of my garden, took collared dove from willow across the river then flew upstream mobbed by two crows. Martin Shepherd
Mudchute Farm, Isle of Dogs A female stonechat by the Asda car park gate. A rather pale bird, probably rubicola. - Sean Huggins
Ally Pally A pair of Stonechats.   Tom Clarke
Copped Hall, female stonechat, 3 buzzards - A Middleton

February

28-2-0214.00 Amwell. 1 Little Egret flew in. Also 1 Redshank, 3 Shelduck, few Goldeneye etc., P.Smith
Orpington area (prob just in the LNHS area) - SERIN singing this am - found during deliveries - first heard jangling around 7.50am, then heard (and seen well) singing again from a few trees by lay-by beside wasteground c.9.45am in Cray Road very close to A20 junction - Alan thought he heard a serin here around 10 or so days ago but couldn't be sure - Alan Bell - http://www.streetmap.co.uk/streetmap.dll?G2M?X=547054&Y=170425&A=Y&Z=1
LOND male Serin. Foots Cray - 1ml S.of Sidcup, 1.30pm Crittalls Corner r/bout on waste ground by A223 Edgington Rd opp B&Q. BirdCall
LV Fishers Green 2 green woodpeckers, 1 gt. spotted woodpecker, 1 jay - all near wren hide. Teal & wigeon on field nr.weir.also siskin & redpoll nr. weir and 1 female goldeneye on river. Holyfield Lake 1 male 1 female goosander, 2 male 2 female smew, 1 male 2 female ruddy duck, Bittern Hide 1 water rail 1 little grebe & 1 hard to see bittern in reeds.   Dave Messenger
North Mymms, female stonechat, woodcock, 4 bullfinch, 45 fieldfare - A Middleton

27/2/02. 'Fishers Green Area'.  06.20-10.20am.  1 Bittern in small area of reeds on east side of 70 Acres, 2 pairs of Smew (Hooks + Holyfield), LEO showing very well low down on usual island, 2 Water Rails at BWP, 2 Shelduck on Goosefield + a couple of Sparrowhawks.  - Roy Woodward.
Lea Valley pair of Goosander on North Met Pit and a small flock of Redpoll in the alders. Water Rail in stream below Aquaduct Lock. Little Grebe and Goldeneye at Langridge Pit. Mick Oakland
Chiswell Green, Herts, 6 yellowhammers - Bill Cutts and A Middleton

Tues 26-02,3.30pm. Mollands Pit, South Ockendon. Party of five Smew ( two displaying males), landowners request no car parking down private road plse. Early frogspawn in my garden pond - Ken Barrett.
Frog spawn competition - 1st laid night of 19th/20th Feb Brian Dawton Enfield in garden pond.
LVP Cheshunt, bittern flew from reedbed infront of Pochard Hide to far bank, where it fed quite happily out in the open and visited a fishing platform - Mike Cotton
Oakwood Pk, 2 song thrush and coal tit in song, sparrowhawk, Grovelands Pk, 3 goosander and 46 mandarin - Robert Callf

Mon 25-2-02 Ally Pally 10 Gadwall, 2 Bullfinch and 1 Peacock butterfly.   Tom Clarke
Fisher's Green - Common buzzard,10 goldcrests, 3 lesser redpolls, 2 drake smew, 1 redhead,3 goosander 1 drake 2 duck.NO sign of firecrest or tawny owl - Mike Cotton

Sat 23-2-02 Cornmill Meadows, mid afternoon, three dunlin.  Fishers Green, pool near Goosefield, 4.00pm, two Shelduck - Martin Shepherd
Trent Pk 2 pairs of bullfinch taking buds by Shaws Wood, 10 mandarin Lime Av. pond - R Callf
Horsenden Hill, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (1; Horsenden Wood), Woodcock (1; Perivale Wood), Nuthatch (1; Perivale Wood), Green Sandpiper (1). - Andrew J. Culshaw

Fri 22-2-02 am - Dagenham Chase - local first sign of spring - the returning pr of prospecting Shelduck. Also on Slack 25 Snipe (highest count this winter). 110 Golden Plover yesterday - Ken Barrett
London Bridge - adult Peregrine west along river at 09:00. Southwark Bridge - adult Peregrine west along river at 09:05. (same bird). Tate Modern - Red Admiral - David Darrell-Lambert
Trent Park peacock Rough Lot - R Callf, and calling female lesser spot w Shaw's Wood R White

Thu 21-2-02 Lea Valley - Paynes Lane - Goosander (M+F) - Langridge - 6 Little Grebe, 1 Goldeneye - Holyfield Farm area - 70+ Skylark - Hooks Marsh - Smew (M+F), G.C. Grebe on nest. 70 Acre - Bittern. The Bittern was seen from the
Bittern Watch Point in a small reedbed on the east side of the lake. I am informed by regular observers that these dryer reedbeds are where it is being seen more often since the water level in the Watch Point reedbed rose - Mick Oakland
LVP  Female Red-Crested Pochard on Met.Police Pit at 14.00 - Mike Baldwin.
Ally Pally 2 Linnets, 1 Little Grebe, 10 Gadwall, 22 Chaffinch, Bullfinch (heard), Great Spotted Woodpeckers drumming all over the park. Tom Clarke
KGV Reservoir.  A female Red-Crested Pochard, at the southern end of the south basin, at 17.30. Also 1 Green Sandpiper.  - Roy Woodward.
Water rail along Old river lea at Ware this morning, 3rd time I have seen it in the same area. Also 2 male and 1 female Bullfinch.  Ian Edwards   
Reed Park Walk, Gidea Park, male lesser spotted woodpecker calling, also 2 great spots and a green wood heard - Colin Jupp
Copped Hall, pair of common buzzards up, 18 yellowhammers - A Middleton

Tue 19-2-02 LVP - Cornmill Meadows am   Bullfinch in Tree Nursery   Over 250 lapwing present on pools.   Kingfisher on Old River Lea.   Large mixed flock of siskin, goldfinch and redpoll in alders on Old River Lea/Gunpowder Mills boundary.   Jeff Butcher
Tate Modern - male Kestrel displaying to the east.  A Peregrine circling over the Thames by Southbank, then landed on the Old Baily. Forgot to mention that I had to Red Adms in my garden (Wathstw) on Saturday afternoon. David Darrell-Lambert
Yellow warbler - I have discovered it was probably seen in  the Kent sector although it was reported to the Croydon RSPB Group. Andrew Self said he has asked for clarification on the description as it doesn't rule out some sort of escape - does anyone know of any potential thin-billed cage birds matching a Yellow Warbler? - David Darrell-Lambert
Re the note on Yellow Warbler.   Common tropical bird which could be mistaken for Yellow Warbler is White-eye. There are a number of species of this family, I recall seeing Jap White-eye and African White-eye in captivity before, but have no idea which species are commonly kept (if at all) now.   Paul Roper RMRG
Sat 16th Mercers East/Holmethorpe Surrey.  Femm Common Scoter,Slav Grebe,4 Tree Sparrow,2 Jack Snipe. Shaun Robson

Mon 18-2-02 Trent Park, 2 red admirals; Vicarage Farm, female stonechat and reed bunting - R Callf and R White
Tate Modern - male Peregrine at 8:50 flew off west, male again flew off west at 14:15.  Also 17 Common Gulls on the Thames. Springfield Park - Mistle Thrush (late for work so I didn't stop!) - David Darrell-Lambert
Fishers Green Goosefield. 2 Shelduck. Seventy Acres Lake. 1 Bittern south of the BWP. Amwell. A Buzzard over Easneye Woods at 14.30, 2 Smew, 3 Shelduck, 39 Snipe & 200+ Lapwings. Nazeing GP. Ad. Mediterranean Gull &  Ad. Yellow-legged Gull in the gull roost. Also 13 Goosanders and 2 Kingfishers. - Roy Woodward.
www.bto.org/migwatch BTO Migration Watch

Sat 16-2-02 Horsenden Hill, Little Owl (1), Green Sandpiper (1), Stonechat (1), Little Grebe (1), Nuthatch (1; Perivale Wood). - Andrew J. Culshaw
Holyfield Hall Farm. A near summer plumaged male Brambling with 60-70 Chaffinches around the stubble field by the sailing club. 70 Acres. 1 Bittern flew out of the reedbed at the BWP at about 17.30. 2 more still present at this time. 7 Smew. (10 Smew - 5 males - here on Thursday evening). Roy Woodward.
KGV Res. 10.30 Common Sandpiper on the causeway of the south basin, Black Redstart (male) and a pair of stonechats in their usual spot adjacent to causeway .Neville Smith
am-Dagenham Chase- 47 Golden Plover (the first since 30th Dec) and 315 Lapwing on Eastbrook Playing-field, a male Stonechat and 16 Pochard. Ken Barrett.
King George Reservoir, North Basin, 3.50-5.00 p.m.  Evidence of early Spring passage - ringed plover on south side of causeway, several meadow pipits, and Shelduck at north end which flew off down relief channel.  Also the wintering green sandpiper and common sandpiper close together in south west corner.  20+ wigeon and c25 goldeneye.  Pair of goosander on relief channel. Martin Shepherd
Valentines Pk. a.m. Med. Gull with 200 B.h. Gulls on lake, last seen 18 days ago! Also 8 Siskin, up to 3 G.S. Woodpecker, And a single Green.- Peter Hopkins.
A very mobile firecrest at Piercing Hill, Epping Forest around midday in holly by the conifers. It eventually headed along the fence towards the back of Wansfell College - Sean Huggins
LVP am   70 Acre: 3m + 1f smew. Hayes Farm pr stonechats, 8 yellowhammers, numerous meadow pipit. Holyfield Farm car park: little owl. Goosefield: 2 shelduck   Jeff Butcher
Trent Park LNHS Woodland Bird Walk with Robert Callf, meet Cockfosters Tube Station Entrance 9.30am - all welcome, morning walk - 9 people joined the party, highlights 2 lesser spots in the nature trail, drake goosander over, 10 mandarin, c10 mixed flock of siskin and redpoll. Three lesser spot earlier together near the cafeteria/BBQ area, then red admiral after walk in Icehouse Wood and tawny owl calling Williams Wood. Grovelands Pk 3 goosander, 57 mandarin - R Callf, comma seen Valentine's Day Trent Park area by R White
Ware garden, whilst putting my washing out heard a tawny owl calling at 1.30 today - Liz Goodyear
Epping Forest, peacock, large raptor low down through scrub may have been a goshawk (HB.AC, ) at Yardley Hill; 1 nuthatch Bury Wood; c5 bullfinch and 4 greater spots Sewardstonebury. WG Res pm 13 bn grebes, adult Mediterranean gull, white-backed black headed gull, dead grebe thought to be red-necked on bank, seen by Tony on Friday (headless, white not joined across inner wing by body as in GCGrb), with fishing line tangled around its legs - H Bantock, T Clancy, A Middleton
Walthamstow Banbury Res - 10 Goosander (several flew south on Walthamstow and back up), 2 Shoveler (rare for this res), 1 Teal (even rarer still!), 3 Shelduck. Lockwood - 1 pair Stonechat between here and Banbury, 10+ Reed Bunting, 1 Rook east 10.36 hrs, 13 Lapwing north, Goldeneye. High Maynard - female Goosander (didn't fly north), 27 Ruddy Duck.
Tottenham Marsh - 3 Stonechat (1 pair on south marsh and female on Lockwood field)
Yellow Warbler in London - The only thing I have discovered is that an article was in either The Mirror or The Sun about it!  It was in Surrey and so far no Surrey Birders know anything about it.  More news as it comes. - David Darrell-Lambert

Fri 15-2-02 2 Barnacle geese in with Canada in field by  Fishers Green Sailing Club. Also Wigeon, Teal on flooded field nearby. Bittern showing well, Water Rail also, with Little Grebe in reeds at the Bittern Hide. Also Muntjac Deer in thicket by Fishers Green car park, 5 mintues of feeding within 15 - 20 ft. Goldeneye at Holyfield Weir, male calling to female. Chiffchaff by canal bridge at Cheshunt Lake/70 Acres Lake. - Mike Nagle
Fishers Green, 5 Goosander on Holyfield Pit with a few flocks of c50 Siskins landing in the surronding trees. Also 1 Green and 1 Greater Spoted Woodpeckers and single Rook flying over. 1 female Goldeneye on the Relief Channel. The main Carpark was holding 2 chaffinches and a single Robin. The Bittern hide produced nothing but going on informtion passed on by another birder I missed it by 5 mins.- Christopher Langsdon
Grovelands Pk, 3 goosander, 57 mandarin. 14 pochard, pr of kestrels, 2 nuthatch - Rober Callf
Brox Woods pair of marsh tits, c10 coal tits in song - B Cutts and A Middleton

Thu 14-2-02 Morning at Walthamstow: Water Rail on West Warwick   Afternoon KGV Black redstart (Male). Pair of stonechats.   Jeff Butcher
LVP I saw a Firecrest today in the scrubby area on the right near the lecy pylon as you walk down to the Goosefield from the second car park ( I hope this makes sense ) Also the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker was in the same area this morning, I have finally caught up with it at last -Tony Gray
Fishers Green area, on Holyfield Lake a pair of ruddy duck, 3m & 2 f.  smew, 3m & 3f goosander, a little grebe, also near 1st. pylon towards the grebe hide was a chiffchaff, that was first spotted 5 mins earlier by another guy who informed me . near Grand Weir in fields by hide were teal & wigeon, plus 2 shelduck.       Dave Messenger
Tottenham Cem - 1 Mistle Thrush singing, 4 or 5 Green Woodpeckers, 2 or 3 G S Woodpeckers, 2 pairs of Goldcrest, 1 pair of Long-tailed Tits, a pair of Pochard, a pair of Tufted, male Sparrowhawk and a male Blackcap (nice to be back at an old local patch!). Another Site in Tottenham - male Lesser Spotted Woodpecker excavating at a hole! Tottenham Marsh - 2 pairs of Long-tailed Tits, 3 Stonechat (a pair on South Marsh and a female on the Lockwood Field (Wild Marsh East) and a female Sparrowhawk hunting. Banbury Res - 11 Goosander (3 females) - David Darrell-Lambert
Mercers East Pit  Redhill 9/2/02, Fem Common Scoter still present . 1 Tree Sparrow, 400 + Lapwing.   Slav grebe last seen 8/2 (per G Hay) - Shaun Robson
LOND 2w Ring-billed Gull. Kensington Gardens - nr Round pond, 10.33am. Parking 1UKP for 40mins! BirdCall

Wed 13-2-02 Ally Pally, 1 female blackcap. Tom Clarke
Trent Pk 16 mandarin, probable mealy redpoll with siskin/redpoll flock, Vicarage Farm fem stonechat, 6 rl partridge, Grovelands Pk 12.15 midnight last night pair of tawny owls calling for 7 minutes - Robert Callf.
Walthamstow Marsh - male Sparrowhawk, GS Woodpecker drumming, Mistle Thrush singing. Tate Modern - no sign of Peregrine but male Kestrel displaying over it! Other news Kensington Gardens 2nd win Ring-billed Gull found by Des McKenzie. Does anyone know anything about this pos Yellow Warbler in SE London? David Darrell-Lambert
3.00pm LVP 70 ACRES Bittern showing well fishing in reeds outside hide, spotted a Firecrest on the corner of the lake adjacent to the canal flitting about in some small bushes also seen Kestrel and Sparrowhawk spooking some gulls and Rooks,7 Redheads and 1 male Smew also seen on Hooks Marsh took flight when they saw us. Martin Jameson & Michael WELSHY Howell.
Rainham - ad Glaucous Gull by stone barges on Murex works flood, pm + 3 Water Pipit, Common Sand.-BirdCall

Tue 12-2-02 Ally Pally, Mixed flock of about 30 gold/chaffinches. A few goldcrests. Great spotted and green woodpeckers, the former drumming frequently. 10 Gadwall on the reservoirs. And most impressively - I think! - 1 Brimstone. - Tom Clarke
Fairlop. p.m. Fieldfare 80, Lapwing 70, Goldfinch 50.- Peter Hopkins.
Nrth Enfield, Whitewebbs 1 marsh tit + 1 grn wood, 8 mandarin on lake; Wildwoods 6 teal; Hillyfields 3 grn woods; Flash Lane bumble bee - R Callf (also reported 15 mandarin Trent Pk, 1 drake Forty Hall)
North Mymms, pair of marsh tits - A Middleton
Tate Modern - Peregrine sightings - male at 08:50, male diving at female and calling at 14:10 and prob male circled up river at 14:25.  Also two GBBGs 1 adult and 1 2nd calender (showing char of). No sighting of Peregrines for the whole of last week! 1 Chiffchaff on Walthamstow Marsh. 1 Stonechat on Tottenham Marsh - David Darrell-Lambert
KGV 9 am   One green sandpiper in south-west corner then in concrete river channel in field.   Jeff Butcher

Saturday 09/02/02 KGV Res 156 ruddy duck, 10 bn grebes WG Res - Tony Gray/Phil Vines
Sewardstone Marsh - Peregrine battling its way south at 11:20.  2 Goosander over. Cornmill Meadows - a Red Admiral, 220 Wigeon, 120 Teal. Fishers Green - 3m, 1f Smew, 70 Acres. Nazeing - 1stw Iceland Gull in roost.  Arrived about 17:20 in rapidly failing light.  This bird apparently also roosted here the previous evening. Andy Massey
Fri 8-2-02 3 little egrets Dartford Marsh, rubber-necked by Alan Bell from the truck

Robin ~ Nick Sampford >

Just a short reminder to all you enthusiastic Essex birders to get your records in to one of the three recorders asap for last year.   I have attached a copy of the Excel spreadsheet and a Word Doc info sheet . Thanks again to those who submitted early last year as the new report is now imminent and to those who have been e-mailing their records to me throughout 2001. All the best and good birding in 2002     Howard Vaughan   Essex County Recorder

Sat 9-2-02 Walthamstow Res.  6 Goldeneye, 2 Goosander, 34 Ruddy Duck, 3 Green Sandpiper, 2 Common Sandpiper, 1 Yellow-legged Gull.  Very quiet day. No sign of Egyptian Goose, or of Bittern which was apparently still present on Friday.  Stephen Harris
Copped Hall Estate, 11.15 a.m., buzzard, briefly, flying west near Cobbins Brook: this is my first in the local area.  Also 200+ mixed flock of winter thrushes and starlings.  No sign of any bramblings or the big chaffinch/greenfinch flock (food's pretty much run out). Martin Shepherd
LVP 70 Acres. 6 Smew (3 males), 2 Bitterns (1 flew in from the south at 16.45). 2 Woodcock (flew over carpark at 17.45).   - Roy Woodward & Alan Griffiths.
WeBS, Nazeing: A pair of Smew on the Nursery pit. Flew north 11.25 am.  4 Goosander, 3 Goldeneye, a pair of Egyptian Geese. Fisher's Green set a side: 50+ Yellowhammers, 6 Skylarks, 4 Reed Buntings, a few Chaffinches. Crouch Hill: Greater Spotted Woodpecker drumming on roadside tree, as traffic zooming past.Helen Bantock
Fishers Grn, Bittern showing well 9:30 - 10am from watchpoint, also water rail.  4+ Smew on 70 Acres Lake, including 2 drakes, male Goosander on Holyfield Lake; 2 Barnacle Geese with Canada geese on goose field and flock of 100+ siskins around..... Also a robin inside the Bittern Watchpoint hide looking for crumbs on the floor and singing! Has anyone else seen this before?   Graham Knight
In reply to Graham Knight's question - the Robin has been a regular visitor to the BWP since December, and is often in subsong whilst in the hide.  - Roy W.
Groveland Park - 63 mandarin, 2 green and 2 grt spotted woods, 19 chaffinch, grey wag - R Callf

A book on the Birds of Brent Reservoir covering its 170 year history with a detailed systematic list and chapters on many other forms of wildlife has just been published. Complete with 16 plates of colour photographs and many illustrations with a foreword by Bill Oddie, this is an exceptional study of a local patch. Copies can be obtained by sending a cheque for £14.00 (including postage) made payable to the Welsh Harp Conservation Group to: Brenda McClane, 65 York Way, Friern Barnet, London N20 0DF

Wed 6-2-02 Fishers Green:  One bittern showing well from Bittern Watchpoint late morning. Holyfield Lake: 3 smew (two drakes) , 11 goosanders, five ruddy ducks and one  drake goldeneye, 30 siskins and five redpolls. Farmland adjoining Fishers Green Lane: 17 yellowhammers, 10 skylarks, four reed buntings, two meadow pipits and one brambling. Cornmill Meads: c300 wigeon, 200 plus lapwings,  just 20 siskins and one or two redpolls in short visit - Sean Huggins
Trent Pk/Vicarage Farm, 2 skylarks and 3 coal tits singing, great spot taking oak apples and opening, 3 nuthatch, little owl, 4 stock doves - Robert Callf
Ware garden, had 3 male pheasants feeding in the garden this morning probably attracted by the millet as are the 2 brambling still, also 2 dunnock enjoying plus several chaffinch and greenfinch.  Had a female pheasant last week so in total 4 pheasants in the last week - Liz Goodyear
A10 Little Chef, c300 golden plover around 10am (in the field across the road) - A Middleton

Tue 5-2-02 Trent Park, 38 magpies on the sports field, 2 redpolls over - Robert Callf, one small tortoiseshell chalked up by Robin White in the Trent Pk/Vicarage Farm area today
KGV Res. Female Red-breasted Merganser and 1 Green Sandpiper on north basin. Sewardstone. Pink-footed Goose still present. 19 Golden Plover flew SE at 16.55-Roy Woodward.

4/1/02. Seventy Acres Lake. 1 Bittern showing well in front of the BWP between 14.05 & 16.20. Also 2 Water Rails & 1 male Smew. Nazeing GP. 1 Leucistic Black-headed Gull with gull roost.     Saturday 2nd - only 3 Bitterns recorded in the LVP, 2 on Seventy Acres + Stephen Harris's bird-Roy Woodward.

3-2-02 Fairlop. p.m. Adult Yellow-legged Gull over main lake, also 2 on Redlands site ( Hainult Rd)   Valentines Park. Goldfinch 30, Siskin12, Stock Dove 5, L. Redpoll, G.S. Woodpecker (no Lessers yet)! Peter Hopkins
Horsenden Hill, Green Sandpiper (1), Stonechat (1), Nuthatch (1; Perivale Wood). The Green Sand. was on Paradise Fields, an area of grassland, hedgerow and pools adjacent to Greenford Road near to the Westway Shopping Centre. - Andy Culshaw
KGV Res, am 1 red-breasted merganser (couldn't find the two red-necked grebes reported present at the north end of north basin), and a Pink Footed Goose on Sewardstone Marsh - Helen Bantock

2-2-02 Nazeing gull roost. Two leucistic Black Headed gulls, one first and one second winter Mediterranean gull. Several thousand gulls, mostly Black headed and Common, but with about 50-100 Greater Black backed gulls. Songthrush singing 5pm.H. Bantock, A Harris.
Grovelands Pk, pair of goosander, 17 pochard, 58 mandarin - Robert Callf
Northaw Great Wood, 8 marsh tits, 8 nuthatch, 1 brambling - Bill Cutts and A Middleton
Gt. Amwell between 3-4.30pm. approx 20 snipe flying around disturbed by lapwings suddenly taking off, 2 shelduck still present, kingfisher seen by bridge, little egret in trees to right of observation post with cormorants. Also approx. 20 goldeneye - Dave Messenger
KGV Res. am   1 female Red-breasted Merganser, 152 Ruddy Duck, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Common Sandpiper.  Cornmill Meads, 170 Wigeon.    Slipe Lane GPs pm   1 Bittern (flew up from Marsh Pit at 4.10pm and seemed to come down on Turnford Pit North), 1 Water Rail, 1 Kingfisher, 8 singing Song Thrush at dusk.  Lower Nazeing  1 Woodcock flew over St Leonards Road just north of the Coach & Horses at 5.15pm.     Stephen Harris
KGV North Basin, 3.00-4-15pm. 120 ruddy duck, common sandpiper, several drake goldeneye, pair of goosander on relief channel.  Enfield Lock, Government Row, 4.30pm. 150 golden plover flying south over Rifles pub, and five snipe west.- Martin Shepherd
LOND Glaucous Gull. Rainham Marshes, on tip, this a/noon + ad.Med Gull, 10 W.Pipit by barges.-BirdCall

1-2-02 Ware garden, 2 bramblings still present - Liz Goodyear

Thu 31-1-01 Copped Hall, 16 yellowhammers and 12 red-legged partridge - Andrew Middleton
W'stow Marsh. 2-3 Chiffchaffs. W'stow Res. 16 Ruddy Duck (most on High Maynard), Green Sandpiper & Snipe (E. Warwick).   - Roy Woodward.
Fernyhill Fm, Nrth Enfield, 45 stock doves, 7 yellowhammers - R Callf
Ally Pally 11 Goldfinches, 20 Lapwing FO and 1 Red Admiral! - Tom Clarke.
Valentines Park p.m. Ring-necked Parakeet, Grey Wagtail, 4 Stock Dove.- Peter Hopkins.

The LVP will be attempting to get some idea of the number of Bitterns present in the park by getting volunteers to stake out as many of the reedbeds as possible, until dark, on Saturday afternoon / evening. This has been arranged at short notice to coincide with a visit from Gillian Gilbert (RSPB Bittern monitoring), who will be checking whether any of the bitterns in the valley are radio tagged birds from Minsmere. If anyone would like to assist, volunteers meet at the rangers base at Abbey Mills at 2.30pm, splitting up to cover the reedbeds in the central area. Amwell and the Rye Meads hopefully to be covered separately - Roy Woodward

Wed 30-1-02 Fairlop. p.m. - 25 Corn bunting. - Peter Hopkins.
W. Girling Res. (viewed distantly from Mansfield Park, late morning) Managed to pick out two Black-necked Grebes, 2 Goosander & a few Goldeneye. Nothing else, but southern part of reservoir not visible.  Holyfield Hall Farm. 1 Stonechat (female), 3 Yellowhammers and a male Sparrowhawk.  Amwell. (late afternoon + evening). 4 Smew (2 males),28 Goldeneye, 1 Little Egret - flew in from the north at 15.40, Cetti's Warbler - heard in front of hide at about 16.45, 1 Yellowhammer with roosting Reed Buntings, 1 Woodcock - flew west at 17.20, and an estimated 120 Snipe which flew up from in front of the viewpoint, between 17.10-17.30, and headed west across the railway in noisy groups of 10-20.   -Roy Woodward

Tue 29th Jan. 13  Songthrush singing this morning in Fishers Green area, Terry Smith
Two pairs of Stonechats along the canal towpath by the KGV today,  122 Ruddy Duck, 61 Goldeneye & 8 Goosander on the KGV yesterday.Roy Woodward
Walthamstow Marsh - Chiffchaff (yesterday 1 Water Rail). Tate Modern - male Peregrine will kill at 14:30 hrs, was also seen yesterday at 8:50 hrs and 15:00 hrs. 4 diff GBBGs.- David Darrell-Lambert
Picked up 3 Newts on footpath under sodium lights this evening (Nrth Finchley) while walking Cindy and placed them on grass out of harms way. Seems very early for them. Tony Clancy
Fairlop. p.m.- 20 gadwall on fishing lake, c200 Fieldfare in paddocks, 18 skylarks ( 2 in song flight).- Peter Hopkins.
Ally Pally 10 Gadwall, 5 Goldfinch, 4 singing Song Thrush within ear shot of pond, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker (drumming), 1 Sparrowhawk and one singing female Bullfinch. I also have to mention the flocks of Long-tailed Tits which are good watching at this time of year.   Tom Clarke
Nrth Enfield, stock doves 40 Fernyhill Fm, 13 Parkside Fm, little owl 2 Vicarage Fm area, grey tawny owl Trent Park, also 28 magpies, 9 Grt spots, 4 nuthatch, lesser spot calling Williams Wood, brambling and c200 thrushes (mostly fieldfare) Fernyhill Fm - Robert Callf
Amwell pits pm 6+ bullfinches and a redpoll around buddleia jungle, Brian Dawton

Mon 28-102 Valentines Park   p.m.  Mediterranean Gull re-appearance on main lake. L. Redpoll with small Siskin flock, 24 Goldfinch, Grey Wagtail.- Peter Hopkins.
Amwell - water very high today but plenty of lapwing, 2 shelduck, 5 female & 1 male goldeneye, the odd snipe plus teal, shovelor, gadwall, cormorant & a mixture of gulls. Also 2 green woodpecker. At Fishers Green, Bittern Watchpoint, bittern showing, also 1 water rail,1 kingfisher flew across, 7 a female smew - Dave Messenger
LVP 2 Smews (one male one redhead) on Forty Acres lake near the Bittern watch point 16.30hrs 28.1.02. Bittern said to be present at both BWP and at Pochard Hide. also Green Woodpecker. Nigel Agar
27/1 Female Common Scoter still present Mercers East Redhill.28/1 Scoter present and Slav Grebe (per G Hay) Shaun Robson
Grovelands 69 mandarin inc 41 drakes, 4 stock doves, 4 song thrushes in song, 15 greenfinch, single grt spot, nuthatch and treecreeper - Robert Callf
I was wondering whether you could advise me on a site & time of year to see the Monk Parakeet population present in Borehamwood, Herts. Could anyone suggest somebody to ask? Sorry to bother you with this strange request, but I have the urge at the moment to see some exotic species, a poor replacement for a holiday! Adrian Kettle akettle@globalnet.co.uk

Sun 27-1-02 Fisher's Green setaside (south of Fishers Green Lane and belonging to Holyfield Farm.) As last week, 30+ mixed flock of Yellowhammers and Chaffinches, inc. at least 20 YHand 4 Reed Buntngs. Also, 30 Siskin in the Alders at the bottom of Fishers Green Lane, on the right as you go down, before the car park. Walked 200 metres south along Horsemill Stream and 3 Smew in same place as last week( one drake). Also, had my first Blackbird song Crouch Hill on 23.01.02. Chaffinches singing briefly with Wren and Dunnock at Mossops today - Helen Bantock
Brent Res: Jack Snipe & 12+ Common Snipe from hide, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker - 1 by Rifle Range, 1 N. Marsh.   Andrew Self
Lea Valley CP      Hooks Marsh 1 Smew (drake),  70 Acres Lake  2 Bitterns, 7 Smew (2 drakes), 2-3 Water Rails, 1 LEO,   Holyfield Lake 21 Goosander (7 males), 1 Smew (redhead).  Also 1 Brambling seen today from Sailing Club track - although not by me.    Stephen Harris
70 Acres. A third Bittern flew in to roost at the BW Point + a third male Smew (in addittion to records from Stephen Harris).     Roy Woodward.
Tate Modern - male Peregrine, flew over over the river caught a small Thrush (which I was trying to id!) to eat. Bernie  Spain Gardens - 5 House Sparrows. London Eye - Mistle Thrush - David Darrell-Lambert

Saturday 26-01-02 Rainham Marsh and Riverside 08:00 to 11:00 - usuals including 13 Gadwall, c. 30 Teal, at least 1,000 Lapwing over the grazing marsh (something put them all up but I couldn't see what - Peregrine?), 45 Snipe, 350 Dunlin downriver, 9 Stock Dove, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2-3 Water Pipit, 19 Fieldfare, 1 Redwing, 65 Linnet, 20 Goldfinch.  Horrible conditions - only raptor was a kestrel.  Rod Standing
Amwell. 14.30-17.00.  1 Little Egret roosting with Cormorants late in evening and a 1st winter Yellow-legged Gull for about 10 minutes just before 3pm. Also 3 Smew (1 male), 63 Common Snipe, c200 Lapwings, 29 Goldeneye and a Black Swan.  Roy Woodward.
LOND ad RBGull. Regent's Park, with gull flock @ 8.45am.BirdCall
-930am-my Romford Garden- a Red Admiral flying around trying to settle by shed (no obvious disturbance). Interested in the A10 Golden Plovers -have not returned to Dagenham Chase since the freeze. Ken Barrett
I drove past the traditional A10 site 9.30am last Wed and rubber-necked about 500 golden plover - Andrew Middleton

24-1-02 Of general interest. Saw pair of Robins in garden today, male feeding female and exploring nest sites, showing most interest at a site used last year. This is my earliest record, they usually get amorous mid Feb - Terry Smith.
Alan Downie was driving to Cheshunt from Waltham Cross on Wednesday morning around 8.45 when he saw c3000 Golden plover fly up from the field opposite the Little Chef on the A10 - there were about 300 lapwing mixed in.  Unfortunately he was late for an appointment and couldnt stop but on his return 1.5 hrs later they had all gone! News from Liz Goodyear

Just a reminder that records still need to be sent to recorders (I've nearly finished mine - must remember to move away from this corner of Middx, Herts and Essex before next year's are due). This website might be OK for casual instant records, but it's not meant to replace long-term recording and reports - I'm sure recorders still need and appreciate records sent direct (perhaps email recorder for desired record format):
Steve Connor London Natural History Society Middx ~ Steve.Connor1@btinternet.com
Stephen Harris LNHS Essex ~ sharris@leytone15.fsnet.co.uk - The website is a good resource for recorders and contains much information from many observers who would not otherwise be contributing to the data on birds using sites in our area.  But traditional records are also needed as these are likely to cover the more common birds as well as contain breeding data, less likely to be posted on the website. - Thanks - Stephen Harris
Howard Vaughan metropolitan Essex and the rest of that place ~ howardebs@vaughanh.fsnet.co.uk
Adam Wilson LNHS Herts ~ widswilson@hotmail.com
And instant response coming in from butterfly and dragonfly recorders for records (shouldn't they be in the egg stage or at least hibernating at the bottom of some muddy pool?) - look through the 'site navigation and links' for relevant websites and emails
Ovenbird in the midlands

Wed 23-1-02 Isle of Dogs Had a tristis type chiffchaff all afternoon in the hedge on Spindrift Avenue oppposite the top of Undine Road.  It was calling well and had a good superc. and gt covert wingbar for starters.  Will check again tomorrow - Howard Vaughan. 24th No sign of the Sibe Chiffie on the Island today but a typical normal chiffchaff present.  I first saw this normal bird on 17th January but did not see it yesterday (23rd).  Birds tend to move through the Spindrift Avenue hedge en route to Mudchute Farm.  I tend to see a couple of goldcrest every 2-3 days so perhaps the Sibe will return next week!
3pm(LT) Barking Bay - an adult Med Gull and Curlew on mud - unremarkable duck/wader no's - Ken Barrett.
LVP 13.00hrs teal wigeon and fieldfare on goosefield, barnacle canada and greylags on opposite hill. Longeared owl roosting on70 acre lake, also 2 male smew + 2 redheads, and sombody's dog startled a muntjac deer which jumped in to river and swam to opposite side then made escape - Michael Howell + Martin Jameson.
LVP There are 2 Pink Footed Geese in the valley, as I had one flying north over 70 Acres this PM, and PJV saw the one at Sewardstone a short while after. I have looked on the gossefield and it was not on there. - Tony Gray

Grovelands, Southgate, 93 mandarin, 11 pochard, 4 stock doves, 20 siskin - Robert Callf

Tues 22-01-10am -Dagenham Chase - a LS Woodpecker and three Bullfinch in willows along north river. 14 Snipe,3 Wigeon, 24 Gadwall, 29 Shoveler and 50 Teal on Slack. An escape Saker with jesses reported last Sun. Ken Barrett

21-1-02 Walthamstow Marsh - 1 Water Rail, up to two birds are present on the flooded area just south of the West Warwick Res - follow Copper Mill Lane along to the marsh and continue under railway line and over the Coppermill Stream.  From the bridge over the stream look to the north of the stream to the flooded area under the trees. I have seen Water Rails on every visit! Tate Modern - female Peregrine at 08:50 and ad GBBG at 14:30 hrs - David Darrell-Lambert

19-01-02   Hall Marsh Leo at roost but very hard to see Goose fields- Large flocks of skylarks, 100+ Canada geese, 10 wigeon and 7 barnacle geese. Also one 1 kestrel. Amwell-Little egret new bird for my valley list 4 snipe, c100 lapwings. Field of the A10 c1000 Golden plover and c200 lapwing-Christopher Langsdon & Peter Langsdon
Lea Valley - Large mixed flock of winter thrushes, finches etc. in stubble field south side of Fishers Green Lane - flock included 20+ Skylarks and 50+ Yellowhammers. Also rans (but nevertheless still enjoyable) included Long Eared 70 Acre and Smew (2 males) Paynes Lane GP. - Mick Oakland
LVP I saw a Little Egret flying over the secondary car park (along road to Grand Weir hide), Fishers Green
at 15.45 today, also female stonechat at Holyfield Farm. - Terry Smith
KGV Res,  1 female R-b Merganser, 6 Goosander, 108 Ruddy Duck, 4 Green Sandpiper, 2 Common Sandpiper.   Stephen Harris
Common buzzard flying over Yardley Hill, then Hawkwood and Bury Wood (Epping Forest Chingford), around 2pm - Bill Cutts and Andrew Middleton
KGV Res 9am.male Stonechat in meadow. 2 Common sandpipers, 4 Green Sandpipers on the south basin (west side). 70+ Ruddy Duck, female Red breasted Merganser. North basin, Mistle Thrush, Fieldfare, 50 Jackdaws in field. Sew Marsh-not much in sight, as female Sparrowhawk out hunting.10 Linnets by Mossops and 6 Goldfinches. Cornmill Meadows -from the hide, a Bar-tailed Godwit. Setaside to left (south) of Fisher's Green Lane,15-20 Yellowhammers, mixed flock of Chaffinches and Linnets (30 approx), but I didnt see any Skylarks. Seventy Acres, one Long eared Owl, roosting. Hook's Marsh, male and female Smew.
18/1/02. At least two Bitterns at the BWPoint. Nine Smew (6 male) + 8 Goosander (5 male) on Holyfield GP. 19/1/02. 10 Bullfinches together at Amwell, LEOwl + 2 Smew on 70 Acres.      Roy Woodward.
Trent Park, grey phase tawny owl roosting, 2 fem gadwall and a drake teal unusual for Lower Lake, 18th 98 mandarin Grovelands Park.
Woodford garden, nuthatch last Thursday - Ken Murray

18-1-02 Lea Valley I have seen very little today, 10 Smew ( 6 on 70 Acres, 4 Near the Grebe Hide). I saw the Bittern