Alexandra Park Ornithological Group

STOP PRESS Bewick's Swans cap an amazing week

2010-12-05T09:13:00.001Z

A rare sight in London, these Bewick's Swans grace the park on
3 December. For more images see www.birdingetc.com.

The unprecedented severe weather at the end of November and beginning of December saw an extraordinary range of locally rare birds recorded in Alexandra Park.

The run began with a flock of about 20 Pintail seen passing north-east over the Palace on 30 November. The next morning, with extensive snow and ice cover, a large movement of Lapwings was underway, with two flocks of about 50 and 40 birds especially notable and more than 110 birds in total. Other species fleeing the hard weather that morning included Reed Bunting (very rare here in recent years), Meadow Pipit, Skylark and Fieldfare, but the star birds were 10 or so Waxwings which flew east low over the filter beds towards Wood Green - a long-awaited first reord for the park.

With freezing conditions continuing on 2nd December, a first-winter Kittiwake over the reservoir was the next surprise, being just the second-ever to be recorded. In the afternoon, with this partially ice-free water body drawing birds from a wider than usual catchment area, a young male Common Goldeneye also appeared there. But this relatively rare visitor was firmly outdone the next morning when, at first light, a herd of seven Bewick's Swan's (three adult-types and four juveniles) was found on the reservoir. Another second record for the park, the birds showed very well and attracted keen visitors from elsewhere in London until they flew off north at 10.30 am.

Meanwhile, the long-staying Firecrest in the Conservation Area continues to survive the sub-zero conditions, and with a minor thaw setting in both Common Snipe and Woodcock appeared on 4th. With the first Treecreeper sighting for many weeks (also 4th) and further freezing weather forecast, Alexandra Park could yet produce many more exciting birds before the year is out.

August 2010 Summary

2010-09-28T18:37:00.002+01:00

Star bird of the month was awarded hands-down to Wood Warbler, found in a purple patch of activity by Dave Callaghan mid morning on 26th on the slope just below the Rose Garden halfway to the deer enclosures, but was unfortunately seen only by three observers and last the following morning in the dead ash just north of the Conservation Pond. The flock was briefly joined by two Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers, just the second record of the year, and a Treecreeper, presumably the same bird found by the same observer amongst a flock at the back of Top Field on 24th. In a remarkable week Dave also heard a Firecrest amongst the flock in Top Field on the 23rd. Bob Watts found the year's first Pied Flycatcher in the Grove's veteran oak but it proved elusive and was seen with certainty by just one other observer in the company of two Spotted Flycatchers. this latter species put on a good show with peak counts of 8+ on two dates near the month end.

July 2010 Roundup

2010-08-01T12:22:00.003+01:00

As expected July proved another quiet month until signs of migrant activity at the end of the month.

The month was notable for the 1st Ringlet record for the site on the evening of the 12th. Bob Watts encountered an individual just opposite the Conservation Pond. It alighted briefly giving good views before flying again and being lost to sight. There were as many as 27 in the last week as near as Brent Reservoir so it was not an unexpected species. The same observer also came across two sightings of Southern Hawker, on the evening of the 20th around the "racecourse" track behind the Cricket Pavilion and then another on the 31st late morning just north of the Conservation Area bridge. There were also a few Purple Hairstreak sightings.

Common Tern activity peaked at 10 individuals on the 15th and included 2 juveniles, seen begging for food on numerous occasions. A Kingfisher heard near Tunnel Reservoir on the morning of the 22nd was also noteworthy. A Lesser Whitehroat was also heard on the same date at the same site, and it was not clear whether this individual had summered or was passing through.

However, the two Garden Warblers observed by the Conservation Pond on the 24th and another in the Cricket Scrub on the 30th were likely to be migrants rather than breeders, with a Willow Warbler singing from the Conservation Pond on the morning of the 30th.

Four young were being reared by the Great Crested Grebes at the end of the month, the most lasting beyond the first few days in recent years. At least two juvenile Little Grebes remained at the Boating Lake and another pair of Little Grebes hung around Tunnel Reservoir, occasionally showing signs they might attempt to breed there.

June 2010 Roundup

2010-08-01T12:06:00.006+01:00

After an exceptional couple of months June rapidly wound down to the mid summer doldrums. Observer coverage dropped too, with some leaving the country altogether for summer holidays (including this blog author!)

Both male Sedge Warblers remained on territory singing away until the 4th, near the Balancing Pond at the southern end of Wood Green Reservoir, and in the cow parsely behind the car park backing onto the Cricket Pavilion. Sadly both had disappeared by the following day when the BBC's big Bioblitz event took place. However, several pairs of eyes were rewarded by a Common Buzzard spotted by Gerry Rawcliffe heading west at 1415. It was a thoroughly enjoyable day brightened by the limited edition kelly green APOG t-shirts sported by members of the group at thie stand. Other wildlife on show from the palace included a male Stage Beetle and several Poplar Hawk Moths.

The start of the month had also provided two Sand Martin sightings on the evevings of 1st and 3rd, including one very strange individual with extended pendant tail streamers! Otherwise the only additional report of interest was two Jackdaws south on the morning of the 3rd.

There were no further reports of much interest until the first returning adult Black-headed Gulls on the morning of the 26th. A Small Tortoiseshell also graced the perimeter of the cricket pitch. The occasional Common Tern was noted visiting Wood Green Reservoir during the month.

Of note breeding wise was a successful pair of Little Grebes up at the Boating Lake, who had four young. The Great Crested Grebes were sitting on the nest at Tunnel Reservoir but hatching had not yet taken place. Despite much activity and mating in and around the owl box where the willows have been cleared adjacent to Wood Green Reservoir, the Kestrel paid di not actually appear to hatch any young. A Willow Warbler sighting around the Cricket Scrub was intriguing and may indicate a nesting attempt.

May 2010 - bird news

2010-06-06T18:45:00.007+01:00

It was an excellent month in Alexandra Park, even if numbers of unusal migrants were low.

The month started well on 3rd May with a new species for the park, a female or immature Marsh Harrier low and towards Queens Wood at 0945 (Bob Watts). Just a few days later on 7th May came another first for the site, albeit only heard. Four bursts of distinctive weela-wheeo calls, diagnostic of Golden Oriole, were heard by Andrew Gardener at 1057 whilst at the Grove from somewhere behind the cafe. Presumably this bird was on the move as there was no further sign by 1320.

The next notable find was picked up by Bob Watts while giving Wood Green Res a last look on the way back from work: the site's first Black Redstart since 2006. It fed flying up and down the side of the Thames Water building and was successfully twitched by Dominic Mitchell and Gareth Richards, and was last seen by James Palmer at 1930. Earlier in the day the spring's only Whinchat had been flushed towards the Cricket Scrub from the perimeter by Dave Callahan. Bob Watts later saw this at 1750, albeit briefly, as it flew from cow parsley into the scrub beyond the elms.

A distant sighting of Red Kite from the "obs" heading east at 1755 on 13th May was probably the second bird of the month after a distant kite sp on 4th May and a third followed soon thereafter on 17th. A Spotted Flycatcher found by Andrew Gardener in the Grove's veteran oak on the morning of 22nd May was the only spring record but presaged a more exciting find in the shape of a Honey Buzzard which flew east in the company of a Common Buzzard which it attacked at 1247. Andrew Gardener, Dominic Mitchell and Bob Watts were lucky enough to connect; the comparison of the longer-winged, flat-winged, a smaller headed Honey compared to Common Buzzard were notable. Earlier in the month on 3rd May a bird fitting a description of Honey Buzzard was reported flying low over the Garden Centre at 1157 with mobbing crows in tow. The last notable bird of the month was a 1st summer male Greenland Wheatear on the Pitch and Putt found by Andrew Gardener on 30th May.

Also seen during the month there were several Hobbies and a few Common Buzzards, as well as two Sedge Warblers on territory in the Cricket Pavilion car park and near the Balancing Pond, with two Reed Warblers breifly in song for a few days at the Cricket Scrub and Conservation Pond. All in all a very satisfactory month, culminating in a running total for the annual site list of 101 species.

April 2010 - bird news

2010-05-10T18:55:00.003+01:00

April is traditionally the peak migrant month in London, but while the park produced some goodies they were few and far between.

One of the undoubted highlights of the month included a Firecrest seen well and heard by Andrew Gardener mid morning on 16th, near the birches just behind the café in Top Field. It showed for less than a minute before flying towards the deer enclosure, and could not be relocated;.it is a typical date for a bird on passage.

Two Ring Ouzels later in the month was a return to the form of previous springs, 2009 having provided a blank. The first was a very elusive bird found early on the morning of 20th by Bob Watts, in the north-east corner of the playing fields. It was photographed within the next hour before showing again mid afternoon and again briefly a couple of times the following day. The second individual was a female found by Andrew Gardener mid morning on 27th near the "Lonesome Pine" and thence near the monkey puzzle tree adjacent to the Pitch n Putt fence. In contrast to the male it was a very showy individual. The only Common Redstart of the month was a stunning male seen flying low upslope from the obs while Bob Watts was 'viz migging' and seeing no raptors on the evening of the 9th. It alighted briefly before the backfiring of a vehicle sent it flying into the fence and thence towards the Boating Lake.

The obs again provided stunning views of a Red Kite on the morning of 11th as it flew south in the close company of three Carrion Crows. That day also provided the first Little Egret of the year flying north-west from New River Village - a welcome addition to the site life-lists of Messrs Gibson and Richards who were alerted by Bob Watts as they stood in the Cricket Pavilion car park. The day also provided two of the month's four Common Buzzards and one of the month's five Rooks, with three on the day of the guided walk on 18th.

The best of the rest included a rather smart male Brambling that showed sporadically on the mornings of 5th and 6th, close to the owl box in the NE corner of Top Field, and found by visiting birder Donal Gardener. Northern Wheatears were a bit thin on the ground but four individuals towards the end of the month included two Greenlands on the Pitch 'n Putt on 24th. Two spring Garden Warblers in the Cricket Scrub on 21st and 28th were atypical compared with recent years, when the species has only been observed in the autumn.

Returning spring firsts included Sand Martin (2) on 4th, Lesser Whitethroat on 20th, Common Whitethroat on 21st, Common Sandpiper and Common Swift (4) on 23rd, Reed Warbler on 25th and Hobby on 28th. Hirundine numbers were poor, with a maxima of 20+ Swallows on 24th, and the first House Martins (4) were as late as 24th. Common Swifts built up to 100+ on 30th. Wintering birds departed; the last Water Rail was seen at the Conservation Pond on 6th and Siskin and Shoveler on 4th.

Also of note during the month was an Egyptian Goose on 2nd, the smart drake Tufted Duck x Pochard hybrid at the Boating Lake early in the month, and 5 Greylag Geese on Wood Green Reservoir on 12th.

March 2010 - bird news

2010-04-01T07:04:00.001+01:00

Not many stand-out birds this month but the Raven reported flying south-west over the Garden Centre at 1310 on 18th by visiting birder Pete Mantle would be only the second record for the site. He followed this up 10 minutes later with a Common Buzzard flying SW too. The following morning on the 19th at 0653 Bob Watts picked up two drake Garganey flying low SW from the direction of Wood Green Reservoir. This is only the 2nd site record, the first since 1999.

Just the one Woodcock record this month, one pick up flying over Alexandra Park Road at 1750 on the 11th. Two Lapwing sightings on the east bank of Wood Green Reservoir on the mornings of 2nd and 16th were noteworthy for being the first perched and twitchable individuals this century! There were three Peregrine sightings during the month and one Red Kite on 26th just outside the park but heading towards it at 1430. On the gull fron two immature Great Black-backed Gulls with 5 Lesser Black-backed Gulls over the Circus Car Park, represented just the second record this year.

Summer migrants arrived in the shape of Chiffchaff on 15th followed by brief sightings of a male Wheatear on 21st 0745-0750 at the back of the North View Road gardens and then the same or another early afternoon near the Conservation Pond at Platform 3. Willow Warbler on the 25th with up to 4 by the month end was followed by 3 Swallows on 31st over Top Field.

Wintering visitors were on the wane but flocks of 80+ Redwing between the Rose Garden and Deeer Enclosures on 6th and 7th were notable. At least 3 possibly 4 Water Rails were present in the Conservation Pond and from the bridge in the Conservation Area. There were occasional Siskin sightings with 4 on 12th.

Also of note during the month was a Reed Bunting NE early morning on 23rd, peak counts of 9 Jackdaws and 10 Meadow Pipits on 28th, 3 Kingfisher sightings during the month, 14 Jays on the 1st and the return of the smart drake Tufted Duck x Pochard hybrid to the Boating Lake at the end of the month.

Guided Walk, 23rd August 2009

2009-08-23T15:15:00.003+01:00

Long time no posts. Anyway, there was a guided birdwatching walk in the Park today. The turnout was 25 people, which was a good manageable number, made all the more manageable by the help of a number of local birders.

The walk began in the Grove, however, there was not much about there. Off to the Cricket Scrub, where Gerry Rawcliffe gave a ringing demonstration. Two birds were rung/recorded; a Robin and Song Thrush. During our stay at the scrub we got very good views of a male Kestrel sitting in a tree. Two Hobbies also performed for the group as well as a Sparrowhawk.

Earlier on I received a text message to say that a Wheatear had landed on the cricket pitches. Alas, this had departed by the time we had arrived at the Scrub area (which is immidiately adjacent to the pitches). However, as we were departing the Scrub I noticed a bird fly in; a Wheatear, which gave good views, after it had relocated to a TV aerial nearby.

From there it was off to the filter beds where a Common Sandpiper had been seen earlier. Luckily, it was still present, although a little distant and at time obscured from view. We then moved down by the Reservoir, which held nothing of interest. The New River though, had a nesting Little Grebe to see, as well as a couple of young Great Crested Grebes.

From there it was off up hill to the deer enclosures. By this point quite a few of the group had departed. However, for the few that remained there were some goodies in store to round off the walk. A juv Cuckoo had been seen on a number occasions over the past week or so. After a search in the general area there was no sign, so we went on to the Boating Pond where we saw some young Little Grebes. The first to be successfully hatched in the study area. After that I decided to back-track and check the animal deer enclosures for the Cuckoo. After a short while one of the group spotted a bird sitting in a tree. It was the Cuckoo, providing quite nice views. A good reward for the nine people who had stuck it out.

On the way back to the Grove car park I noticed a rapter over the main Palace building; a Common Buzzard. This was followed quickly by a second very pale Buzzard. Both provided good views and ended a successful, if a little long walk. All in all the walk lasted nearly four hours.

Many thanks to the local birders who helped out with the walk, Gareth, James, Stuart, Alan, Bob and most especially Gerry for providing the ringing demonstration.

Andrew

Guided Walk, 31th August 2008

2008-09-01T15:53:00.002+01:00

The second guided walk for the year took place yesterday. Unfortunately, conditions were far from ideal, with a heavy mist greatly reducing visibility and it seemed bird activity too. I quickly went out before meeting up with the group to see if anything was about. I could see absolutely nothing on the reservoire because of the mist and the cricket scrub was quiet. I did however hear a Yellow Wagtail flying over.

What with the weather conditions I expected maybe a dozen people to tun up, however, on reaching the Grove car park I was confronted by a crowd of 45! We started off in the Grove and saw virtually nothing. All I could say to the group was you should have been hear a week and a half ago for the two Pied Flycatchers etc. We then wandered across the lower slopes, past the Pitch and Putt course and on to the Cricket Scrub area. The only sightings of any significance were a flock of Longtailed and Blue Tits and a fly-over Great Spotted Woodpecker. desperate times, trying to think of things to say and keep the crowd, which by this time had grown to around 50, interested and entertained.

Some good news by the time we reached the Cricket Scrub area, the mist had lift; the bad news, the rain started! As with the last walk, back in May, Gerry Rawcliffe had set up a mist net and gave a ringing demonstration (many thanks to him). He had netted Great Tit, Wren and Song Thrush for us and proceded to measure, weigh and log the birds.

Alas, the rain got worse and quite a few people started to drift off. By the time we left the scrub we were down to less than 20. As we walked across the cricket field a Pipit flew over; alas it remained silent and headed off towards the lower slopes (a while later I received a call from Bob Watts to say he had had a Tree Pipit, near to where our bird had headed to!).

Down at the reservoir a little bit of luck as a Shoveller flew in and landed not too far from us. Alas, this was the high-point, species wise, on our walk! We continued through the Conservation Area, where I told the remaining group members about Jays doing very good imitations of Tawny Owls and right on cue the Jay we were watching obliged. After this we made our way up the slope and across the road, past the Blandford Hall site and on to the Boating Pond, which is where the walk finished, with about a dozen people staying to the bitter end.

If it had taken place the day before, we would have had nice conditions, plus the chance to see Winchat, Wheatear and Spotted Flycatcher; or even today, Monday, more nice conditions and again the chance to see Wheatear and Spotted Flycatcher. Never mind. Let's hope we have better luck with the next walk! I must thank Bob Watts, Gareth Richards and Alan Gibson for helping out on the day with various bits and pieces.

Andrew Gardener

August Fall

2008-08-22T22:15:00.002+01:00

As usual, the summer months have been quiet, wih the highlight being a Little Egret seen flying down the New River early on the morning of 13th August.

Migants began syphoning through during August, with a few warblers and the odd Spotted Flycatcher plus a Wheatear on the 19th. However, the 21st saw a fall of Flycathcers and Warblers in the Grove. The Flycatchers included 2 Pieds and at least 3 Spotted. There were at least 6 Willow Warblers, plus a Garden Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat and Blackcap in the mix. Despite much searching and high hopes, no Wood Warblers were found. At least one Pied and one Spotted Flycatcher were present the next morning, with at least 4 more Spotted's spread across the Park.

Guided Walk Around Park

2008-05-17T14:23:00.001+01:00

On 3^rd May there was a guided birdwatching walk around the Park. It was requested by Mark Evison, the Park manager, who hopes that it may become a regular feature. It was the first guided walk for a few years. About ten people showed up, which was a good number. In the past I’ve led walks where only two or three people show up!

As part of the event there was a bird ringing demonstration, down in the Cricket Scrub area, kindly provided by Gerry Rawcliffe. It proved to be very popular with everyone, providing a rare chance to see small birds close up. Five birds were caught, 2 Great Tits, a Blue Tit, Wren and Common Whitethroat.

The two species of the day (for the walk) were Yellow Wagtail, found by John Murray and Hobby, which unfortunately, was a quick flyover, and was missed by most people in the group. Notwithstanding, over 40 species were observed by the group, which was a decent total.

However, the total number of species seen in the Park on the day was 56, by all observers. There was a Peregrine seen from the Park, but it was over a mile outside the border of the Park, so can’t really be considered to be a Park tick (sorry Bob!).

Overall, the day was a success and I thoroughly enjoyed leading walk and would like to thank everyone involved. Hopefully, we can do another early autumn.

Andrew

Red-letter day

2008-04-22T21:31:00.007+01:00

Female Ring Ouzel with Starling and (below) Rook (© Dominic Mitchell)

The third quarter of April is often the key period for spring migration in Alexandra Park, but today's tally probably exceeded that of any other day in recent memory.

Bob Watts set the ball rolling in style with a flightly female Ring Ouzel on the cricket pitches first thing, and that was followed shortly afterwards by John Murray logging the year's first Lesser Whitethroat and Common Redstart, the latter being a cracking but brief male which didn't reappear in the cricket scrub area. While JM, Andrew Gardener and I were trying to find the Ring Ouzel, AG picked up a Rook on the move among the local Carrion Crows - always a good bird in urban London.

After a fly-over Linnet and a Jackdaw, two more noteworthy birds, we moved up to near the 'Obs' on the pitch n' putt course, where JM relocated the female Ring Ouzel, and good looks and photos were had by four of us, now including Alan Gibson. Seven Swallows and one more each of Linnet and Lesser Whitethroat later, I finally left for the office - only to get a call within the hour from AG and Gareth Richards, who were watching a Common Buzzard drifting over. Happily, Ian Lycett picked it up from the Birdwatch office window high against the sky, and we got distant but confirmatory views as it moved off south-west over the park.

Then, at 12 noon and coming towards us from the latter direction, I picked up two distant corvids. As I idly watched them I realised that one was clearly larger than the other, appearing
buzzard-sized. As they came closer it became obvious that the smaller one, which was harrying the other bird, was a Carrion Crow. The larger corvid then had a go at the crow, during which its clearly bigger length and bulk, longer wings with well-fingered primaries and big, wedge-shaped tail were obvious as they sparred in the air - Raven! We saw the tail well several times, and the size and shape were striking, especially in direct comparison with the crow. The Raven also appeared a third longer, its substantial neck probably adding to this effect. IL and I watched the two birds annoy each other for perhaps two minutes in total, until the Raven lost interest and height and dropped down, the crow still in pursuit. It may have landed somewhere along the southern edge of the park, but was not seen again.

By comparison the rest of the day was quiet, but Mike the groundsman had a fly-over Red Kite at 1.55pm. Finally, in early evening, Bob Watts closed proceedings with another excellent local raptor, a Peregrine carrying prey, near the transmitter.

With a line-up including Raven, Red Kite, Peregrine, Common Buzzard and Common Redstart, the day's finds read more like a list from the Welsh valleys than the environs of Wood Green. It will take a lot of good fortune to better that haul in the park this year.

April sightings

2008-04-11T18:24:00.005+01:00

April 16: despite the promising weather forecast, no notable migrants today, and the water level in the reservoir has risen to cover the mud which was exposed last week. A pair of Kestrels has returned to the filter beds/railway area - the female is missing her central tail feathers.
April 15: at 6.05pm a Red Kite arrived from the south-east and flew north along the east side of the park, having been spotted from the Obs (Bob Watts) and then watched from the Birdwatch office just east of the reservoir (Dominic Mitchell). An hour later, a second bird was spotted far to the south over inner London (Bob Watts, John Murray); it landed briefly at one point but then moved on.
April 14: Red Kite seen from the Obs heading south towards the O2 Arena (John Murray), plus four distant hirundines, probably House Martins (Alan Gibson).
April 13: House Martin over the Grove (Andrew Gardener).
April 11: Shelduck pair on Wood Green Res 0703-0720, flew in from SE and flew off W (Bob Watts, Dominic Mitchell, J.Murray); Teal pair until 0830 at least at south end of reservoir, Yellow Wagtail over Scrub 0815; male White Wagtail on northern end on res & on grass bank by filter beds 15:05 -15:15 at least, shame it's only a subspecies! (John Murray). Still at 17.45 (Gareth Richards, Dominic Mitchell, Bob Watts). Also second-summer Herring Gull, 4 ad Lesser Black-backed Gulls, hirundine sp.
April 8: 2 Shelduck low south over filter beds early a.m. (John Murray); 2 Blackcap, 2 Willow Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, all near Conservation Pond (Mike Benyon).
April 7: male Bullfinch (Bob Watts).
April 6: Redwing (Dominic Mitchell).
April 5: at least 45 species recorded, including 3+ Linnet, 2 Swallows, 2 Jackdaws, 5+ Meadow Pipits from the Obs, Willow Warbler (heard) (APOG), female Brambling & 2 male Blackcap Grove, Siskin (heard) Scrub (Dominic Mitchell).
April 4: Osprey seen at 15:00-15.10, viewed from Obs heading E towards Walthamstow Res direction being harrased by crows; Also 2 Swallows & 4 Sand Martins North (John Murray).
April 3: 1 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker and 2 Willow Warblers by Conservation Pond early am, Linnet low east over Scrub & another Willow Warbler singing there, also Swallow N over Obs at 6.15pm (J.Murray & B.Watts).
April 2: Willow Warbler still on west side of Wood Green Reservoir close to the middle platform 0700 at least (Bob Watts).

Siskin and Mealy Redpoll ringed

2008-03-30T23:23:00.004+01:00

On 30th March local ringer Gerry Rawcliffe put up a net in his garden (just outside the park recording area) in the hope of catching a Siskin - small numbers have been visiting local feeders as well as wintering in the park.
"After some initial frustration with birds wriggling out of the net," Gerry reports, "I got lucky on ... with a female Siskin [left], and then I was just about to take down the net to go out when I noticed a Mealy Redpoll [below] come to the feeder, and after a few nerve-wracking moments it popped into the net."
This Mealy is clearly a male, and appears to be one of the two well-watched males which have commuted between the park and Dukes Avenue this winter. The species is a scarce visitor to the London Area, and must be a real rarity for ringers in southern England.

27th March

2008-03-28T00:03:00.002Z

Woodcock seen flying high towards Hornsey, observed from Pitch & Putt at 17:05 by John Murray. A good sight tick, with usually only one every year or two recorded.

Migration and March sightings

2008-03-21T14:11:00.003Z

Despite the cool weather and often northerly winds, spring migration has got under way relatively early this year. Sightings of Northern Wheatear and Sand Martin in the first half of March were noteworthy, but there has been plenty more of local interest. Here is a brief summary of recent reports in the park:
March 24: at least one Jackdaw flew over (three sightings of a single bird), plus two Siskins, two fly-over redpolls, singing male Blackcap in the Grove and Water Rail at the conservation pond
March 23: Rook flew north, and one Brambling still by the deer enclosures
March 22: Chiffchaff near the conservation pond
March 21: 3 Meadow Pipits and 30 Redwing
March 19: Siskin over and Jackdaw perched and calling in the conservation area
March 17: male Northern Wheatear around the sports pavilion, male Common Stonechat still near sports pitches, 1 Sand Martin high over the reservoir, singing male Blackcap at Blandford Hall birches, 2 Greylag Geese flew south
March 16: male Common Stonechat in brambles along the ditch around the sports fields
March 15: single Mealy and Lesser Redpolls, and another briefly seen redpoll, together in plane trees near the deer enclosures, and two Bramblings there later the same day, male Bullfinch briefly by conservation pond

'Late' juvenile Common Gull

2008-02-17T21:25:00.007Z

A curiously plumaged Common Gull continues to raise eyebrows on its intermittent appearances in Alexandra Park. First seen more than a week ago, it was present on the reservoir again yesterday afternoon (Saturday 16 February), and this morning was on ice on the boating pond late morning.

This immature bird is in the 'wrong' plumage for February, having not yet moulted out of the juvenile plumage it has had since last summer. Almost all other local first-winter Common Gulls are now showing the classic even, mid-grey 'saddle' on the upperparts, contrasting brownish wing coverts and whiter underparts, but this distinctive individual retains its greyish-brown, pale-fringed scapulars and brown-streaked head and breast indicative of juvenile plumage.

It is perhaps a late-hatched bird from last year from the north of the breeding range which is not yet ready to moult, though by mid-February this plumage is surely unusual. Interestingly, it also appears fairly large and long-billed, perhaps raising the possibility that it may have originated from further east, towards the range of the subspecies heinei. This larger Russian race is said to be essentially inseparable in the field from nominate canus, although first-years sometimes have heavier head and underpart markings "forming complete dark-spotted necklace", rather like the Alexandra Park bird (see Gulls of Europe, Asia and North America by Klaus Malling Olsen, Helm, 2003).

Common Gull is a regular visitor in good numbers to the reservoir and boating pond in winter, and the second most numerous gull after Black-headed Gull (for example, 429 of the latter and 78 of the former were counted on the reservoir on Saturday afternoon, 16 February).

Photos: Dominic Mitchell

Sightings update

2008-02-17T21:14:00.003Z

Left: Goldcrest by Dominic Mitchell

Although a relatively quiet week in the park, proceedings have been enlivened recently by the presence of up to three Bramblings around the deer enclosures and on the slopes between there and the Rose Garden. Found by John Murray on 12 February, the birds have been reported most days since - although they are often inconspicuous, sometimes feeding singly high in overhead branches or retreating into the flowering blackthorn in the old deer enclosure. John originally discovered them loosely associating with Chaffinches, so it may be worth checking any flock of the latter in the area for this attractive northern finch.

Similarly, the mixed group of redpolls has also shown well at times this week in the vicinity of the Grove entrance to the park, along Dukes Avenue, though they were not reported today (Sunday 17 February). However, a Siskin was heard in the Grove today, while Bob Watts and others had a male Blackcap in the same area this morning - presumably the bird seen on several recent occasions in the area.

Goldcrest (pictured), Coal Tit, Nuthatch, Redwing and Great Spotted Woodpecker all continue to be seen frequently in this corner of the park, while several recent reports of the very elusive Lesser Spotted Woodpecker here and elsewhere in the area are keeping hopes alive that there may still be a breeding pair.

Mealies are again the main attraction

2008-02-10T18:31:00.000Z

Male Mealy Redpoll: note the pale ground colour (photo: Dominic Mitchell)

Female Mealy Redpoll (photo: Dominic Mitchell)

The park was bathed in a crispy white frost this morning, and largely deserted - ideal conditions for some good late winter birding. The low temperatures had not resulted in any out-of-place avian visitors on the reservoir, but there were a few highlights elsewhere.

A tour of the perimeter hedge around the playing fields resulted in Dominic Mitchell, Bob Watts and James Arquette getting Fieldfare on their park year lists. Perhaps this was the bird seen yesterday nearby on the reservoir embankment by Gareth Richards; Alan Gibson had one in the same area in early January, so it may - unusually - be an overwintering bird.

No sooner had it been remarked that conditions might suit an overflying Jackdaw than a characteristic call revealed the presence of two such corvids passing over high to the north. Shortly afterwards, a couple of finches dropped into the cricket scrub, one clearly a calling Greenfinch; the other, however, was a dapper male Siskin, watched at close range for a short time before it moved off into the hawthorn hedge at the back of the scrub.

Pride of place for the day, however, must again go to the Mealy Redpolls. At least one male and a female were seen again on Dukes Avenue, feeding in the large, seed-heavy birch on the corner with Grove Avenue, or sometimes in the birch outside number 128. Bob obtained good video footage and Dominic some better still images than yesterday, some of which are reproduced here. These cracking finches are subtly but consistently different from the Lessers which often accompany them; note the paler, rather 'frosty' ground colour, reduced buffy tones and larger bulk of the Mealies. Males of the latter look especially smart with their well-marked pink breasts on a cool white background. The calls of these birds seem very similar, if not identical (though some redpolls, presumably Mealies, occasionally sound rather 'hoarser').

First Common Buzzard of the year

2008-02-10T18:06:00.000Z

A Common Buzzard was reported flying SW over the south edge of the pavilion at 1320hrs today by Pete Mantle. It was the first sighting of this very occasional visitor this year.

Redpolls and more

2008-02-09T18:15:00.000Z

Mealy Redpoll: one of the two local males (Dominic Mitchell).

Six days ago Gareth Richards did well to locate a small party of redpolls in a birch tree opposite the Dukes Avenue entrance to the Grove. Lesser Redpoll is a scarce enough bird to find in the park these days, but to have one consorting with three even scarcer Mealy Redpolls - the larger Scandinavian species - was a real coup.

The birds had been looked for since, but with no success. However, at about 12.30 today Dominic Mitchell was walking along Dukes Avenue with his family and some friends when he spotted two Mealies, including a fine pink male, feeding in a birch on the pavement outside number 128. He texted the news out, after which the redpolls were seen intermittently by others during the afternoon. Not long before the birds went to roost, Gareth and Dominic ascertained that at least six individuals were involved - three smaller, darker and more buffy-brown Lessers, and three larger, essentially paler Mealies (two males with obvious pinkish breasts, and a female).

The fact that all six have not (yet) been seen together on Dukes Avenue suggests that there is another as yet undiscovered feeding site, probably somewhere in the north-west section of the park, in the direction of which the birds have been seen to commute. The light was fading as the birds came within photographic range, but a record shot of a male Mealy appears above.

It capped a good day locally for Dominic - beginning with a male Blackcap in his garden nearby at 8am, and his first-ever Great Black-backed Gull for Alexandra Park (a species barely recorded annually), seen at 11am over the ice rink car park with a flock of other large gulls.

Below: Stock Doves in the Grove today, 'phonebinned' with a Sony K810i cameraphone and Swarovski EL 10x42 binoculars (Dominic Mitchell)

All three Woodpeckers ... but I missed pass the parcel

2008-01-26T23:09:00.000Z

I snuck off from a kids' birthday party at lunchtime to give the Grove my first look of the year and hopefully secure a few Ally Pally year ticks.

The Grove is the most westerly section of the Park and in part borders onto Muswell Hill. It is a pretty reliable spot for a few species that can be tricky to see elsewhere in the Park, notably Coal Tit and Stock Dove.

I started well with Stock Dove and Goldcrest, both new for the year. A quick walk through the pine belt brought only a Green Woodpecker. However, a calling Nuthatch persuaded me to walk over to the far south-west side of the Grove. Here a small flock of 15 or so Redwing flitted about nervously before heading down the slope. A Great Spotted Woodpecker showed well, with a further bird heard drumming.

The Nuthatch proved elusive. A bird flew from a tree in which they had bred in previous years and I raised my binoculars expecting it to be the Nuthatch. Instead, I was delighted to see it was a male Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. The Lesser Spot showed well for c. 10 minutes, mainly feeding high up in the tall Lime trees that line the main path through the Grove. It was silent, although I thought I heard another bird calling briefly from nearby.

So a 25 minute visit produced all three Woodpeckers. Will Lesser Spot return as a breeding species to the Park? Fingers crossed.

Gareth

First Shoveler of the winter

2008-01-20T18:47:00.000Z

Two male and three female Shoveler finally appeared on the boating pond today - the first of the winter. Alan Gibson also had an Egyptian Goose flying over the pond, a rare bird in the park, while in a garden backing onto the allotments south of The Grove, a Brambling was present.

Owls and nightime wildlife

2008-01-16T19:33:00.000Z

Tawny Owl is the only owl that occurs in the park, but it can be very difficult to find. Midwinter is often a good time to listen out for calling birds after dark, especially on dry, clear nights. Two spot checks at 3am in the park this morning by Dominic Mitchell failed to locate any vocal owls, though good views of a Fox on the pavement in front of the Palace building provided some compensation; so did no fewer than four Robins in the area, all singing males stationed close to bright street lamps, which routinely encourage this species to sing throughout the hours of darkness.

There was, however, some eventual success with owls. Later the same day, John Murray heard a calling Tawny give two hoots at 7.25pm from woodland near the conservation pond, although the bird itself was not visible. (If you want to try listening for owls after dark in the park, the safest bet is to do so from a well-lit area such as the main road, and not within woodland itself).

Elsewhere in the park, today's sightings included the usual trio of Goldcrest, Coal Tit and Nuthatch in The Grove, along with several Redwings and a Great Spotted Woodpecker, and another Fox down at the reservoir.

Redwings - lots of them

2008-01-12T20:31:00.000Z

A brief visit this afternoon in what felt like the first sunshine of the year. Gull numbers were slightly up on last weekend, with Black-headed Gull numbering 129 (plus more than 50 on the Boating Lake), Common Gull 14 (1 on the Boating Lake), but just two LBB Gull. The hoped for Med Gull failed to appear.

The whole reservoir area was quite flooded after the recent downpours, with the water level at the Conservation Pond too high to make Water Rail seem worth more than a couple of minute's search.

Instead I headed to the the animal enclosures at the top of the Park, where Bob had seen a Siskin around lunchtime. No sign of the Siskin, but my first Redwing of the year were decent compensation, with 15 or so vocal birds in the area, at one point spooked by a Sparrowhawk. I've always loved to hear calling Redwings - a sound so redolent of Autumn days on the coast when easterly winds have worked their magic.

I walked back down the hill via the pitch and putt, pausing for a brief chat with Alan (another year tick). Here was a much larger group of Redwing, numbering at least 60 birds, feeding on the lush fairways. I saw another solo bird later in the cricket scrub as the light faded.

My Ally Pally list has now soared to 37, doubtless leaving me firmly in 5th place.

Gareth

Three-woodpecker day!

2008-01-08T13:03:00.000Z

Alan Gibson did well this morning with a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker in trees in the new animal enclosure, on the north side of the park east and down-slope from the boating pond. This is a difficult species to find in Alexandra Park these days, and the first record for some time. Birds are usually easiest to find in early spring, when drumming males (if present) can be more readily located by sound and by sight in the leafless canopy of oaks and elms. Along with Great Spotted and Green Woodpeckers also recorded this morning, 8th January will be remembered as a rare three-woodpecker day.

Tuesday 1st January - Wigeon are like buses ...

2008-01-01T18:32:00.000Z

Happy New Year!

A brief visit coinciding with the last hour of daylight produced a mere 28 species, but two highlights.

Whilst counting the gulls (112 Black-headed, 13 Common, 5 Lesser Black-backed - well down on the numbers this time last year), I came across a female Wigeon on Wood Green Reservoir. This is the third individual in the last fortnight and was successfully twitched by Andrew Gardener. It was still present at dusk.

Andrew and I then checked the Conservation Area Pond for Water Rail - I had seen one here yesterday at dusk. Right on cue one appeared on the edge of the reeds, viewed from the south side of the Pond. It then swam across a channel, disappeared into the reeds and (presumably) met a friend, as one or two were then heard to squeal.

One Dabchick on the bridge reservoir was also of note.

Water Rail and Wigeon had eluded me in 2007 until late December, so all in all an encouraging start to the year.

2007 - the final countdown

2007-12-31T17:48:00.000Z

It has been a record year for the study area, with a grand total of 113 species recorded - five more than last years' total, which was then the highest-ever total. On a personal aside, I got my best-ever total of 103 species for the year.

There were some real highlights, headed by Bar-tailed Godwit, which was a new species for the Park. Other notables included Little Egret, Osprey, Black-tailed Godwit and Grasshopper Warbler, all of which were recorded for the second time. Other non-regulars included Egyptian Goose, Common Goldeneye, Red-legged Partridge, Oystercatcher, Rook and Yellowhammer.

After absences of a few years, there were welcome returns for Wood Warbler, Firecrest and Pied Flycatcher. On the downside, only a single Reed Bunting was seen, there were just two records of Lapwing and only three of Bullfinch.

There were at least seven Goldcrest territories as well as three Nuthatch territories (two of these were no more than 50 yards apart), the best-ever year for these species and very promising for the future. Alas, there was no evidence that any Sparrowhawks nested, despite at least four birds being present during the breeding season.

Undoubtedly, the date that stands out the most during the year is 19th April, despite the previous days' Wood Warbler and Ring Ouzel not being present; as compensation, there was another Ring Ouzel, along with Pied Flycatcher, Osprey, Common Buzzard and Wheatear. The first two species were seen by quite a few observers and led to quite a 'twitch', which at one point got into double figures! The Ring Ouzel stayed for at least three days, attracting a number of people to the park.

All in all, 2007 was a very exciting and positive year - here's looking forward to another great year.

Another Wigeon

2007-12-24T18:01:00.000Z

Friday's drake Wigeon was not seen on Saturday, however, on Sunday, what was at first thought to be the same bird was located. At first it was only heard, but then it was viewed tucked into the western bank of the reservoir. It was then noted that this bird did not have a very obvious cream flash on its forehead, unlike the bird on Friday. Also, this bird behaved differently, in that it was less adgitated and at times vocal. The bird was still present on Monday, probably because building work on the filter beds has ceased for the Xmas break.

Six Siskins were also present on Monday, feeding in the Alder trees at the back of the Conservation Area pond. Also of note was the presence of a female Blackcap in a garden bordering Wood Green Allotments, seen for a few minutes around 2pm on Sunday and in the same garden the following day, Monday, Xmas eve, a male Blackcap was seen.

Big day for ducks!

2007-12-21T12:20:00.000Z

With cold weather continuing, there's always a chance of something unusual dropping in. So it was that a drake Wigeon was found at 08:40 this morning (Dominic Mitchell), swimming with the Tufted Duck flock at the northern end of the reservoir. It was subsequently twitched by several local birders. The first record for the year, it takes the Alexandra Park total for 2007 to 112 species.

What chance of one more addition to the list before the end of the year? Seemingly little, but just one hour and 25 minutes later it happened - a female Goldeneye was spotted from the Birdwatch magazine office, which overlooks the park, flying up from the reservoir/New River area and apparently following the course of the river to the South/South-East (Dominic Mitchell, Des McKenzie, Ian Lycett). The new total of 113 species is now five higher than last year's previous best of 108 species.

The park was otherwise quite quiet this morning, though three Ring-necked Parakeets flew north-east over the Conservation Area and there were a couple of vocal Goldcrests in the vicinity. Tufted Ducks numbered 42 on the reservoir, where there was also a Little Grebe.

Saturday 8th December

2007-12-08T12:07:00.000Z

The Water Rail showed well at Conservation Pond at about 9am. Otherwise, a quiet and rather dull, damp day.

Andrew

25th November 2007

2007-11-25T13:09:00.000Z

There was a male Brambling in trees briefly in the Grove (Andrew Gardener), and five Siskins in flock with Goldfinches, feeding in Alder trees behind the CA pond (Bob Watts).

Water Rail still at conservation pond

2007-11-18T15:47:00.000Z

At approx 8.40am this morning a Water Rail was calling from dense cover at the northern end of the conservation pond, so there is at least one still present (up to three have been heard in recent weeks). Nearby six Gadwall and six Pochard were on the Tunnel Reservoir, along with one Little Grebe, but there was again no sign of last week's Firecrest in the conservation area (Dominic Mitchell)

Drake Gadwall, Tunnel Res, 18 November © Dominic Mitchell

Brambling and rat-catching heron

2007-11-15T23:00:00.000Z

Brambling, Siskin, 35 Fieldfares north, 2 Goldcrests & Water Rail in the conservation area/pond early morning (Andrew Gardener, Dominic Mitchell, Gareth Richards and Bob Watts) but no sign by 9am of yesterday's Firecrest; lunchtime: trilling Little Grebe, 2 Water Rail heard in Conservation Pond area, 2 Redwing, 2 Mistle Thrush, Nuthatch, 2+ Goldfinch; many Brown Rats (Des McKenzie, Mike Benyon); plus Siskin, 3 Goldcrests, Coal Tit and Nuthatch in The Grove and Grey Heron attacking, drowning and swallowing a Brown Rat at the boating pond (Dominic Mitchell).

Firecrest adds to record year

2007-11-14T23:00:00.000Z

A Firecrest was seen at 12:34hrs in scrub c75 metres north along path from Conservation Pond (in area near marker post), plus female Gadwall, 2 Little Grebe, 25 Common Gull, Green Woodpecker; no sign of recently reported tristis Chiffchaff (Des McKenzie). The first Firecrest in the park for three years, it moves on this year's record annual total to 111 species - now three species higher than last year's record total of 108 species.

Today's bird news

2007-11-12T23:00:00.000Z

No sign of the tristis Chiffchaff (13:00-14:00hrs); 3 Gadwall, 4 Little Grebe, Redwing, 2 Mistle Thrush, male Blackcap (Cricket Scrub), 4 Goldcrest, redpoll sp in from south at 13.55hrs, ditched into trees near Conservation Pond (small and dark looking in flight so presumably a Lesser) (Des McKenzie); also, Fieldfare flew from Cricket Scrub 0800 (Bob Watts)

Third Pied Flycatcher this year

2007-09-22T23:00:00.000+01:00

After a female in spring and another bird already this autumn, the third Pied Flycatcher of the year was discovered in oaks on the lower slope above the cricket scrub (Andrew Gardener). Successfully twitched by Bob Watts and Dominic Mitchell, it could not be found later in the day.

Pied Flycatcher, lower slope © Dominic Mitchell

Whinchat still in cricket scrub

2007-08-31T17:12:00.000+01:00