Reservoir Logs - March 2023

                             The Alpine Swift was long awaited and much enjoyed pic @Chris_Farthing                                   

         

         The first Alpine Swift since 1980 was the highlight of an exceptional birding month which also saw Osprey, Marsh Harrier, a long-staying Kittiwake and a remarkable run of Rock Pipits. Add in Curlew, Jack Snipe, Mandarin, Brambling and Woodcock along with the early arrival of summer visitors and it was a month to savour. At one point, Alpine Swift, Kittiwake and the long-staying Scaup could all be watched from the same vantage point on East Warwick at the same time. 

                                                    The 1W Kittiwake took a liking to East Warwick pic @AMP 

      In all, 19 species  - four more than last March which was no slouch - were added to the year list which now stands at 101. This is well ahead of last year's 93 and also the previous three years but still behind 2018's rarity-filled 107. Among the obvious gaps are Wigeon which may now have to wait until the autumn to be seen but Redshank and Dunlin are expected any day.    

                                    Ring Ouzel enjoying the rare sunshine this March pic @magnusphotog 

      After a couple of weeks at their northern home at Fisher's Green, Barnacle Geese returned to the Wetlands with seven on the 19th and 13 on the 23rd. Two or three including what seems likely to be the bird ringed last year then took up residence with behaviour which suggests breeding might happen again. Four or five pair of Shelduck also seem to be getting ready noisily to breed so let's hope they - like the Barnacle Geese - don't lose all their young again to predation as both species did last year. 

                                        The drake Mandarin's visit was typically short pic @IvorHewstone

      Mandarin - given they are resident nearby and the Wetlands seems to have the right habitat - should be far commoner than they are. But if past years are any guide, the smart drake found by P & TR on No 1 in rain on the 28th may be the only record in 2023. Late March does, however, seem to be the best time to look as last year's sole appearance was just a day later. It also very much lived up to tradition by disappearing as quickly and mysteriously as it arrived. A few Shoveler and Teal remained throughout the month as did the long-staying drake Scaup which moved home from No 4 to East Warwick where it showed ridiculously well.   

                      The Scaup became tamer after its move to East Warwick pic @HarringayBirder

      The Scaup may even have out-lasted Goldeneye with the five birds seen at the beginning of the month gradually dwindling to just one pair which could not be found on the 31st. Last year all six winterers remained into April so the southerly airflow and warmer temperatures may also have encouraged them to move on. The last Goosander was seen on the 15th, three days later than the final record in 2022. 

       After a stay of 106 days during which it attracted a steady procession of admirers, the Wetland's celebrity Great White Egret finally departed on the morning of the 7th. It is, by far, the longest period the species has stayed at the Wetlands and raises hopes that they may join Little Egret in nesting here in the years to come. Far less exciting but new for the year was the Pheasant found on the 16th with birds seen regularly until the end of the month.      

                                       The first Osprey since 2020 passing over Lockwood pic @LolBodini

   

      It was a very good month for large raptors with the definite highlight the first Osprey since the autumn of 2020. LB, scanning from his loft window overlooking Lockwood on the 29th, was alerted to it by the alarm call of worried gulls. He managed to snatch a couple of photographs as it continued west despite having to run downstairs to grab his camera. March also saw a Marsh Harrier, seen separately by RW and DCo, fly north over the Wetlands on the 3rd, It is another species which was not recorded at all last year. Single Red Kites were seen on the 5th, 15th, 18th, 19th, 20th and 27th with Buzzards on the 2nd and 26th with at least three on the 27th. 

                      This Curlew did a tour of the Wetlands before continuing north @Chris_Farthing     

       Eight species of waders -  three fewer than last year - were seen but they included some scarce species. The second Oystercatcher of the year was found on No 4 on 28th and stayed until the 30th. A single Lapwing was seen on the 7th with two more on the 27th. Despite seemingly good conditions, the only Little Ringed Plover was seen on the 20th on Lockwood which contrasted with regular records last year after the first on the 18th. A Curlew which came off Lockwood on the 16th - 11 days later than the first last year - flew around around the site before departing. The annual Woodcock on the 6th was not so obliging, flying over Lockwood before diving into cover on Tottenham Marsh.

                             Jack Snipe demonstrating how effective its plumage is @EugeneDH_Bass   

     But for the wader-fest in December when up to four were seen daily, the Jack Snipe found on the 2nd would have caused far more excitement. It stayed faithful, when water levels weren't too high, to the channel in the No 1 reed-bed until the 7th although it could be a devil to pick out even when you knew were it was. Presumably the same bird was seen to fly in to the reed-bed on the 12th. Common Snipe was seen on the 1st, 3rd and 11th while the only record of Green Sandpiper was on the 8th. This was a better showing than Common Sandpiper, a regular winterer, which has yet to be seen at all this year while this was the first March since 2019 without an Avocet being recorded.                                                                                                                            The Kittiwake was a bonus for those twitching the Alpine Swift  @TheCowboyBirder 

                                                                       .............. and pic @LolBodini

          Given the panic a rarity can induce, RE showed admirable calmness in picking out a 1W Kittiwake among all the Black-heads on East Warwick as he rushed round to see the Alpine Swift on the 26th. Once a very scarce bird at the Wetlands, it seems to be getting commoner here with records in the last three years compared to just two in the previous ten. It clearly found East Warwick to its liking as it stayed into April. Also becoming commoner are Barn Owls with the bird found by CF on the 9th the third month in the last four the species has been seen on the south side of the site. 

                            The Alpine Swift never came low during its two-day stay pic @Elliott81758817

               Alpine Swift was high on the list of rarities expected to make an appearance at the Wetlands and, with an unprecedented influx from mid-month seeing birds recorded as close as Fisher's Green, plenty of time was spent gazing at the sky in vain. The wait was ended when JR, the Wetlands manager, found a swift feeding over the Coppermill Tower when she opened up the reserve on the 26th. Although without her binoculars, she managed to  capture a video with her phone which, when shared, saw a stampede of regulars heading from all points to the Wetlands. LB arrived first and was able to confirm the Wetlands' second ever Alpine Swift and the first since June 1980. 

         Eyes to the skies as the Alpine Swift made its last pass over East Warwick

     It was also the rarest bird to turn up at the Wetlands since 2018 and, having kindly arrived on a Sunday, attracted birders from far afield as it fed high over the south end of the complex. It was still around next morning but, after going even higher than usual around 1330,  disappeared north east and was not seen again.   

   The southerly airflow also sped up migration of its more common cousins. The first Swallow was seen on the 20th - nine days earlier than last year - with singles on four other days. A Sand Martin arrived on the 11th - two days earlier than last year - with 20 feeding over the reservoirs in heavy rain by the 17th. And an early House Martin joined the Sand Martin flock over West Warwick on the 31st with the first not seen last year until April 8th.

    More expected were the first Skylarks of the year on the 13th, 20th and 22nd. Chiffchaff and Blackcap numbers built up with singing birds from mid-month. They included a Siberian Chiffchaff in full song found by CF on the 27th. Willow Warblers were also ahead of schedule with the first on the 28th and four on the 30th while none were seen last March.  

 

                               This smart male Ring Ouzel fed in the flower meadow pic @alanrevel

          Ring Ouzel is just about annual at the Wetlands but usually lives up to its reputation for being wary. This was eventually not the case with the cracking male found by PR on the 30th which became more showy as the day went on. While the Ouzel was making its way from its winter quarters north, the odd wintering Redwing and Fieldfare still remained at the end of the month.. 

                              A gorgeous male Wheatear to get Spring underway pic @rudraksh9

      After a good movement of Stonechat last month, March saw another pulse of migrants with six on the 10th, five on the 14th  and a single on the 24th. Spring does not really start until the first Wheatear arrives. LB won the prize for finding the first on Lockwood on the 14th - eight days earlier than last year - on a day when birds appeared across London. There were also sightings on seven following days with three on the 29th.  

                                         One of at least four Rock Pipits this month pic @Chris_Farthing

         Rock Pipit is a regular Autumn visitor to the Wetlands but only occasional in Spring. This month, however, saw an unusually strong  passage. After the first on the 6th on the No4/5 causeway, birds were seen daily until the 14th. Two were seen together on both the 12th and 14th but photographs show that at least four individuals birds passed through. Brambling is also a scarce but regular visitor in Spring with CF finding a male at the south end of No 3 on the 28th. At least one Siskin, another species which should appear more often,  was seen feeding in alders on West Warwick and the Coppermill on the 30th.  

                                  Brambling is a scarce if regular visitor in Spring pic @Chris_Farthing 

DB @porthkillier

Reservoir Logs - February 2023

                                                     Barnacle Geese were regular visitors pic @AMP

      Highlight of the month - and of the year so far - was a flying visit by the the reservoirs' second ever Iceland Gull. February also saw Barnacle Goose, Oystercatcher, Common Snipe, Red Kite, Coal Tit, Blackcap and Siskin added to the year list while the drake Scaup and Great White Egret - two genuine London scarcities - remained in residence. The eight additions take the Wetlands' year list so far to 81, three ahead of last year but two behind 2021.     

                 Great Egret getting to know its neighbours on East Warwick pic @magnusphotog 

       Despite the cold weather at the month's end, the Wetlands saw welcome signs that Spring is on the way with the first Grey Heron chicks, Black-headed Gulls massing around their nesting raft on Lockwood and passages of both Stonechats and Pied Wagtails.    

                      The Lea Valley Barnacle flock spent the month at the Wetlands pic @rudraksh9

        Barnacle Geese, which bred for the first time last year, are no longer rare visitors to the reservoirs as the feral population in the UK increases. The first record for the year came when a flock flew in on the 3rd just in time to mark World Wetlands Day. As many as 21, along with the hybrid, were then regularly found on No 5 and the neighbouring playing fields for much of the month. There was no sign of any on the 27th with the all birds having presumably returned to their home base at Holyfield Farm at Cheshunt.   

                   The drake Scaup remained faithful to No 4 pic @ AMP

    

       The drake Scaup remained all month on No 4 which was also favoured, along with No 5, Lockwood and High Maynard by wintering Goldeneye with six still present on the 25th. Goosander were seen slightly more regularly than in January with records on six days but never more than two. One that got away was an intriguing report of a White-headed or Ruddy Duck on High Maynard on the 15th which disappeared before its identity could be confirmed. 

                                    A Goldeneye pair showing how they got their name pic @ Elliott81758817        

       

       Four species of wader were seen in February with the first Oystercatcher of the year on Lockwood on the 13th, almost a month earlier than last year. Frost saw single Common Snipe pushed off the marsh onto the reservoirs on the 14th and 27th. January's run of Green Sandpipers continued with one on the 1st while Lapwing were seen on four days with three on the 13th the highest total. Water Rails are more often heard than seen at the Wetlands but they did perform occasionally on the Coppermill stream and more regularly - for those with permits - on West Warwick. 

                                             Water Rail making a dash for cover along the Coppermill pic @MLP

       Iceland Gull is a truly rare bird at the Wetlands with the only previous record an adult seen in the distance from Lockwood in 2012. So MM's find of a juvenile on the 20th is the first actually over the reservoirs themselves and seems almost certain to have been the similarly plumaged bird seen on the Thames two days before and in Edmonton in January. It circled over No 4 slowly enough to clinch identification before heading west. By the end of February, the Great White Egret had been resident at the Wetlands for 99 days and could usually be found around the beached raft on.East Warwick.

                                     Formation flying from the first two Red Kites of the year  @magnusphotog

       Common Buzzards were seen on the 13th & 19th while the first two Red Kite of the year passed low over No 4 on the 23rd with another five days later.  Coal Tit remain a rarity at the Wetlands - despite the impression given by eBird lists for the site - with just one certain record in each of the last two years. Both of those were in June so the bird MH heard on the 6th was well ahead of schedule.  

                                                            Meadow Pipit numbers began to build @AMP

            The first Blackcap of the year was also early with one seen in a tit flock on the 24th. Small numbers of Redwing and Fieldfare continued around the Wetlands, often at the Engine House. The end of the month saw Stonechats moving through with at least six seen on the 23rd with the number of Meadow Pipit and Pied Wagtail also building up. Siskins have become much less common at the Wetlands in recent years but five were seen on the 27th in the alders by the Coppermill Tower which used to be a regular haunt.  

                                     

DB @porthkillier

 

Reservoir Logs - January 2023

                            No 4 reservoir played host again to a wintering drake Scaup Pic @OwlTurbot
  

      January's highlights in what was otherwise a dull month were a drake Scaup back on No 4 and a Barn Owl as well as the long-staying Great White Egret. Collective efforts on New Year's Day saw 64 species recorded which was one below last year. With the weather relatively mild, only eight  more species were added across the rest of the month with the 72 total one less than last year. It is also two down on the year before and three below 2020 so let's hope we can buck the trend next year. 

Late News: It turns out the month  was not so dull after all with AW having a Little Owl on the side of No 4 on January 23. It may be the first record this century although they are seen regularly - if with difficulty - further south down the Lea Valley. It means the total was 73. 

                                  The visiting Barn Owl received the traditional Wetlands' welcome @MLP

       The Wetlands used to be one of the capital's most regular sites for Scaup with a drake wintering for five years from 2014. In recent times, any appearances at Walthamstow have been both sporadic and brief. But the smart drake found by PL on No 4 on the 5th remained throughout the month to raise hopes that it will again be a familiar sight. 

                                        The drake Scaup and friends keeping a wary eye on @rudraksh9

          Compared to last year when up to three birds were regularly seen, Goosander have been scarce this winter with a maximum count of two and records on only a couple of days in January. Up to seven Goldeneye are wintering although counting is difficult as they appear to be moving between reservoirs more this year.  

                            Two  Green Sandpiper were seen regularly mid-month pic @Chris_Farthing

           January is rarely a good month for waders but the colder weather mid-month saw a small movement of Lapwing with five on the 13th & 21st and nine two days later. Singles were also seen on the 3rd, 19th and 25th. The first Green Sandpiper of the year was seen on the 18th with two seen next day and until the 25th.   

                         The Great White Egret made itself very much at home pic @Elliott81758817

            

           November's Great White Egret continues to find the Wetlands to its liking. It was seen throughout the month, often on the islands of No 3 reservoir or East Warwick. The first Buzzard of the year was seen on 21st with a second on the 23rd. Barn Owl, although still rare, appears to becoming slightly more regular at the Wetlands. The bird found by MLP flying over East Warwick - with the usual welcoming committee of crows - is the fourth record in less than 12 months.  Kingfishers continued to put on a good show with pairs on both the north and south sides. 

     

                           Both Redwing (below) and Fieldfare fed by the Engine House pic @AMP

         The berries around the the Sensory Garden attracted small numbers of Redwing and Fieldfare. Despite the removal of so much of the bramble from the sides of East and West Warwick - which is sadly going to have an impact on the numbers of Whitethroat and Sedge Warblers this summer -  at least one pair of Stonechats fed on the stubble.                      

                                 Female Stonechat looking for its bramble patch pic  @Chris_Farthing  

DB @porthkillier

                                                

Reservoir Logs - December 2022

                                 Jack Snipe gave wonderful views during the freeze pic @OwlTurbot

       December turned out to be exceptional with heavy and prolonged snow adding new waders to the year list on four consecutive days. They included multiple Jack Snipes - the first on the reservoirs since 2014 - and Golden Plovers as well as the first Grey Plover since the last deep freeze in 2018. Woodcock was also new in a month which saw big flocks of Skylarks, another nice selection of gulls, an unprecedented December Wheatear and the continued long-stay by the Great White Egret. 

                             The first Grey Plover for four years stayed for a couple of hours pic @OwlTurbot

       The four additions take the year list to 142 - only one behind last year's total (and that of 2018) which was difficult to imagine at the end of September when the gap was 12 species. It is also above 2017 (141) and 2019 (133) but four below the record 146 in 2020. Among the birds which are missing from the list were Red-crested Pochard (8 years since previous absence), Brambling (6 years), Sandwich Tern (4) and Pintail & Common Scoter (2) while Osprey was missing for the second consecutive year.  

* Late additions from the London Bird Report are four Pintail on March 19th and five Avocet on March 29. The Pintail were the only record for the year and take the annual list to 143. 

                                        The snow saw a remarkable influx of Skylark pic @alanrevel

             The cold spell began with a heavy frost on the 9th followed by four inches of snow falling two days later. Temperatures then stayed below freezing for the next week with the snow only beginning to melt late on the 18th. The dangers of frozen reservoirs and slippery paths inevitably led to the Wetlands being closed for a week with only permit holders, who agree to enter at their own risk, allowed access. 

                           This Golden Plover spent a week on Lockwood pic @EugeneDH_Bass

          

           Surprisingly, the freeze did not displace as many wildfowl as hoped but did force the Lea Valley flock of  Barnacle Geese to make a brief stop. Nineteen birds and the distinctive hybrid dropped in to No 4 on the 13th before being continuing east. Two had been seen from No 5 feeding on the playing fields on the 8th & 9th. Wigeon were also displaced by the snow with 14 in two flocks on the 13th which had dwindled to four by next day. Three had been seen on the 3rd with a drake for three days from the 7th and a female on the 10th. 

                                 Up to seven Goldeneye were seen across the reservoirs pic @rudraksh9

            Goldeneye increased from four in the early part of the month to six on the 12th and seven on the 24th although numbers seemed to fall again towards the year's end. But Goosander remained scarce with what was presumed to be the same drake occasionally dropping onto the Wetlands with sightings on the 8th & 9th, 15th, 17th, 26th & 29th. Four Shelduck had arrived by the 9th but, given the weather to come, must have wondered why they did not stay on the coast longer. 

                                         This superb adult Yellow-legged was found on Lockwood pic @rom_lon  

      It was, however, another excellent month for gulls with the 17th proving a red-letter day for larophiles with an adult Yellow-legged and two Caspian - an adult and a 1W - on the north side. The Yellow-legged Gull was still on Lockwood early next morning with it or another on the 24th while Caspian Gulls including a smaller 1W were also seen on the 19th & 21st.      

                  Adult Caspian Gull (pic @whererhys) and (below) 1W (pic Elliott81758817) were seen on same day  

         If it was good for gulls, it was fantastic for waders. After just one species in November, seven were seen in one week as the snow-free edges of the reservoirs offered a haven for birds struggling to feed. The first sign of what was to come was when visiting birder IR found and photographed a Jack Snipe on the side of High Maynard on the 11th. It appears to be the first record of the species on the reservoirs since 2014 although it is regular, if still scarce, nearby on Walthamstow Marsh. Those who went to look for it were not surprised that it had disappeared given that it was found next to the path on a busy Sunday afternoon. 

      The freeze gave a rare chance to compare Common (left) and Jack Snipe pic @rudraksh9

            But there was no need for disappointment because two were found on 13th and an astonishing four next day, feeding on the side of High Maynard, Lockwood and No 4. At least two and probably more remained until the 17th with the last one on the last day of snow on the 18th. No one can remember an influx like this with the normal skulking species giving superb views. They were often accompanied by Common Snipe which also fed on the reservoir edges to enable comparison. They started being seen with the frost on the 9th with day counts increasing to as many as 20 on the 14th in the snow.

               Unusual numbers of Snipe fed on the reservoir banks pic @AMP

                

       What made the discovery of the Jack Snipe on the 13th even more special was that it was spotted by birders walking along the path to get better views of a Grey Plover found by LB on Lockwood. The Plover is the first on the reservoirs since 2018 when one flew through in the last freeze.

                                 The Golden Plover largely rested during the day pic @OwlTurbot 

         In a remarkable 30 minute period, LB then went onto find a Golden Plover on the opposite Lockwood bank. It was the second record of the year with six seen flying north the day before. Unlike the Grey Plover which disappeared overnight, the Golden Plover stayed until the 18th. The final new wader of the month was a Woodcock seen by DC to fly over the overflow channel onto Tottenham Marsh East on the 14th.  

 

         Lapwing were a common sight during the snow pic (above) @AMP and @Callahanbirder

                

        Lapwing are an expected visitor during a freeze and the cold spell saw flocks moving overhead and resting on the water's edge. A single had been seen on 1st, 2nd and 4th but numbers built up with 20 on the 9th peaking at 65 on the 12th and still 15 - largely on Lockwood - on the 19th. Regular sightings of Green Sandpiper also started before the snow as the level in the flood relief channel dropped with singles on the 8th & 9th. But the freeze saw numbers rise on the reservoirs with two on the 12th and four together on High Maynard on the 15th. The snow on the 12th also saw the only Common Sandpiper of the winter so far pass through. 

                              The Great White Egret remained throughout the month pic @Chris_Farthing

       Throughout all this excitement, the Great White Egret remained at the Wetlands, often being seen on the island on East Warwick and, before the freeze, feeding towards the north end of High Maynard with Little Egrets. Two Buzzards were seen on the 14th and a single Red Kite on the 12th while the snow also brought the third Barn Owl of the year on the 16th and the first one seen on the south side for years. Kingfishers continued to be showy with perhaps three pairs in residence. By the Wooley Hide at the bottom of No 3 and opposite the Ferry Boat pub garden on the north side were favourite sites but they were also being seen regularly near the Engine House. 

                                           At least two Buzzards passed over during the freeze pic  @ MLP

             The Wetlands saw a remarkable movement for the site of Skylarks on the first day of the snow. Thirty seven including flocks of 12 and 24 - double the number usually seen in an entire year - were counted on the 12th with one or two seen regularly until the 17th. 

                 The snow and fog saw two flocks of Skylarks land on Lockwood  pic @Chris_Farthing

                        

         The snow also displaced Redwing with a count of over 200 on the the 14th and small flocks seen most days but Fieldfare numbers remained in single figures. Small flocks of Meadow Pipits were also forced by the snow to hunt for food around the edge of the reservoirs with high counts of 30+ seen during the freeze. 

                 Redwing pic @AMP and Meadow Pipit (below) pic @rudraksh9 were both common

      Two Siskins were seen on the 15th. In any normal year, a December Wheatear would be the highlight of the month. So it is a sign of just how good December was that November's bird staying around Lockwood to the 5th is almost an after-thought.  

                              December's Wheatear wisely departed before the snow pic @Chris_Farthing   

DB @porthkillier