Reservoir Logs - October 2025 round-up

              The first Water Pipit since 2021 arrived with Rock Pipits pic @samodonnell25.bsky.social
 

      October was solid rather than spectacular although it did see the first Water Pipit since 2021 as well as Jack Snipe added to the year list. There was also a good passage of winter finches along with records of Garganey, Marsh Harrier and Mediterranean Gull. The 97 species recorded was six more than last October but, unlike in 2024, the month lacked any out-and-out rarities. The two additions take the year list at the end of October to 143, just one behind last year.  

 

                                 A Garganey spent the day mid-month on No 4 pic @samodonnell25.bsky.social

         A Garganey was an unexpected find on the 12th on No 4. Wigeon were commoner than in 2024 when there were records on only two days with sightings on seven days in the first half of the month. A flock of seven on the 18th was the highest count. The same day saw six Pintail pass over after a single on the 6th.  The first Goosander of the autumn was on No 5 on the 22nd.

                           Seven Pintail were seen across the month  pic @chris-farthing.bsky.social

       Great White Egret, which had been very scarce so far this year, were seen on 1st, 14th and 19th. The second Marsh Harrier of the year was picked up, like the first, by SD on the 30th. Single Red Kites were seen on three days and Common Buzzards on two. 

                    Great Egret pic @MLP and Ringed Plover (below) pic @samodonnell25.bsky.social

        Seven species of waders  - one more than last year but one behind 2023- were recorded across the month. Lapwings were the commonest with birds seen on five days with 12 on the 14th and 21 the day before the highest counts. Just like last year, a Ringed Plover turned up in October this time on the 15th, ten days later than in 2024. A single Dunlin was seen on the 5th.

                                  Common Snipe are regular visitors but rarely show this well pic @MLP

       Common Snipe were seen on at least 13 days with four on the 18th the highest total. The same day also saw the first Jack Snipe for two years, found by SD on No 5.  A Common Sandpiper looks as if it is settling in for the winter again, usually on High Maynard, with the regular bird joined by a second from the 20th to the 23rd.  

                                      Jack Snipe made a brief stop on No 5 pic @samodonnell25.bsky.social

             The adult Yellow-legged Gull remained on the warehouse roof overlooking High Maynard until the 27th when it seemed to depart with the other large gulls. A 1W Caspian Gull turned up on  Lockwood on the 13th while a very smart adult Mediterranean Gull was seen two days later. 

                              A smart Mediterranean Gull dropped in  pic @samodonnell25.bsky.social

        Our celebrity Kingfishers, after starring yet again on television, continued to live up to their billing to delight visitors. If they looked up at the pylons this month, they had a chance of seeing Ravens as well which continued their rapid transition from mythical rarity to semi-resident, There were regular sightings of a pair across October at the Wetlands and on nearby Walthamstow and Tottenham Marshes but they may now have relocated to Alexandria Palace, October as usual saw a passage of Jackdaws including a flock of 60 over on the 13th. 

                                   Ravens were regular visitors pic @samodonnell25.bsky.social

           As usual, October sees a passage of Skylarks with records on at least seven days with three on the 19th the highest day total. Both Coal Tit and Nuthatch, while still scarce, appear to be getting commoner with another Coal Tit on the 25th and the third Nuthatch of the year on the 9th.  A Swallow was seen on the 5th - four days later than last year - with the final six House Martins on the 6th, one day before 2024's last sighting.

  

                                              Firecrests enlivened the regular ringing sessions pic @ MLP

         A ringing session on the 2nd saw a very late Garden Warbler caught as well as both Common and Lesser Whitethroat. None of them was recorded into October last year and the Garden Warbler may be the latest in London since 2018. Reed Warblers usually linger a little longer with the last sighting this year on the 5th. Ringing also suggests Firecrests may be passing through regularly with one caught on the 1st and a pair on the 22nd. Wheatears were scarce with records only on the 5th and 8th while last year there were records on seven days until the 27th. 

                                   A late Garden Warbler was a surprise find in the nets pic @wheresryhs

        As the warblers left, the winter thrushes began to arrive. The first Redwing was seen on the 7th with 100 over on 13th. Fieldfare were, as has been the case in recent years, fewer in number with the first on the 18th and the highest count just seven on the 28th. This was at least better than last year when there were no records until the last day of the month. 

         Rock Pipit (above) and Water Pipit  pic @samodonnell25.bsky.social

        It was a good month for the scarcer pipits with Rock Pipits seen on eight days with two on the 2nd and 19th. The 19th also saw the first Water Pipit for five years found by SD  on Lockwood. While Rock Pipit are expected visitors in early Spring and late Autumn, Water Pipits have been seen at the Wetlands in only three of the last ten years. 

          There was a good showing as well from winter finches. Two Brambling were seen on the 18th with a single on the 22nd. Redpoll were commoner than usual with records on nine days with ten on the 15th the highest day count. Siskin were also widespread with sightings on ten days with nine on the 5th the largest total.

                           

DB @davidbradshaw1952.bsky.social