Jan & Feb on Walthamstow Marshes SSSI and the WaterWorks NR

January and February saw Walthamstow Marshes SSSI and the WaterWorks NR add 6 new birds to the Walthamstow patch year list.

On the 2^nd of January three Lesser Redpoll were roaming the waterworks.

A Firecrest was seen near the raptor view point bench of the marshes on the 7^th of January.

A Red Kite made its way over the waterworks on Jan the 8th.

On the 11th of Feb a Nuthatch was seen and heard from the bridge near the horseshoe thicket of the marshes.

A Siskin went north over the marshes on the 25th of Feb.

A Woodcock was flushed from the horseshoe thicket of the marshes - also on the 25th of Feb.

Other sightings of note were:

7 Redwings and 2 Fieldfares on the marshes

3 Stonechats on the marshes and 1 on the waterworks

2 Jackdaws on the houses by the marshes

2 Water Rails in bed 18 and 13 of waterworks

2 Shovelers on the waterworks

2^nd January 2019

 Walthamstow Marshes SSSI & WaterWorks NR

50 species combined

Male and Female Stonechat on marshes boardwalk.

ebird numbers for Marshes:

https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S51204007?share=true

Goldcrest in Horseshoe Thicket

ebird numbers for WaterWorks:

https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S51204791

 

Shoveler in WaterWorks

Smash and Grag

A quick smash and grab on the marshes.

Collect the Longworth and Bioecoss small mammal traps left on the marshes overnight, which were frustratingly un-tripped. At least they hadn't been disturbed, split open or taken away completely as is sometimes the case.

The male and female Stonechat were still around.

While no Water Vole was seen, a very probable above water Water Vole burrow entrance was noted.

Unfortunately, an also very probable American Mink or Weasel scat was also spotted very close to the entrance. 

Mink, Weasel or something else? It's not Water Vole.

Leaves, mammals, birds, etcetera, etcetera.

Fresh

Fox #1

Fox #2

Fox #3

Fox #4

Where a Weasel was

Crap binoculars

Muck

Pheasant

Stonechat

Reed Bunting

Dirk Chumley

Winter Chats

There were two Stonechats enjoying the tastefully manicured area near the bomb crater pond today. This spot is generally pretty good for Stonechat. Hopefully they'll stick around over winter.

Stonechat (male)

Stonechat (female)

Stonechat Playground

GH

Pea Soup

I traveled in style up to the reservoirs to see what it looked like in the mist.

I passed the misty marshes on the way.

At the reservoirs, the fog was thick and atmospheric.

Along the Lockwood...

and from out of the pea soup…

… another patcher did appear.

Between us, a pipit flew up from the Lockwood bank. Lol picked out its singular ‘viisst’ call making it a Rock Pipit. Meadow Pipits give a burst of ’ist, ist, ist’ type calls. Something I didn’t know. Thanks, Lol - especially since I’d never seen one on the patch before. 

A walk around Lockwood produced:

Two Stonechats

A Batman Cormorant

A Common Sandpiper

And a Green Sandpiper (with smaller pied wagtail to right for size reference)

 On the East Warwick a small party of Wigeon mingled.

I checked the log book at the office and interestingly, Pete noted he had had Brambling calling overhead earlier in the morning.

The Rock Pipit takes my Walthamstow list to a nice round #130.  

Thanks, Lol.

Tufties (in pea soup)

@leevalleybirder

Mrs. Brambling

Went out with the hope of flushing a Bittern out of the marsh's Great Reed Bed or picking out a Firecrest in the Horseshoe Thicket.

Came across a Kestrel at the front paddocks.

Turned the corner to head for the rear paddocks and saw tree full of Chaffinches by the side paddocks. But one seemed a bit orangey!

Took a rubbish snap (a reoccurring theme of the morning)

Thought - I'll check that when I get home - and headed for the rear paddocks.

Heard loads of Linnet, Goldfinches and Chaffinches overhead.

Got to the rear paddocks and saw a female Brambling. I wasn't imagining things after all. 

The finch flock were very flighty. The horses kept on trying to shoo off the wagtails and were constantly either sending the finch flock up or standing right in front of my scope. Frustrating!

There were a few Stock Doves in there too (personal patch year tick).

So I went round to the 'sustrans' side of the paddocks to try and get a better view. 

And of course, a horse sent the finch flock up. They flew right up into the trees beside me. And I could just pick out Mrs. Brambling.

She's on the left.

En route to the 'Great Reed Bed', I passed two Stonechats in the bomb crater field.

Heard a Greenfinch pass over the north marsh (personal patch year tick).

Did not flush a Bittern from the Great Reed Bed but did flush a Snipe which scarpered northwards.

And also did not find a Firecrest in the Horseshoe Thicket.

@leevalleybirder