Ruddy Shelduck enjoying the delights Wanstead Flats over the Bank Holiday weekend! It’s not a patch tick (yet) but could well be in the future… #londonbirds
Best ever April by species: 104 (avg: 92). Best birds: Bar-tailed Godwit, Goshawk, Little Ringed Plover, Grasshopper Warbler, 3 Whimbrel, Nightingale, Cuckoo, Green Sandpiper, Shelduck, Woodlark, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Barnacle Goose, Ring Ouzel, Tree Pipit #londonbirds
Apart from plenty of singing Chiffchaff & Blackcap, a single Barn Swallow was the only new summer migrant on the Wanstead patch today. Of note, the fine drake Mandarin duck was new for the year in Wanstead Park #londonbirds
Black ties were in evident at the prestigious Wanstead Wheatear Sweepstake presentation for 2025! Correct date winner @TheCowboyBirder (2 years running) & finder @loudivision with trophies & bubbles. Total raised £210 for @SEWH#londonbirds
💥Wheatear💥on Wanstead Flats this morning! Congratulations to the finder @loudivision and a pat on the back to me for retaining the trophy 🏆 and selecting the 22nd as the date of its arrival - photo by @JWFHeal#londonbirds
February ended on 71 (joint lowest for Feb and any month, 5 down on last Feb). Best birds: Woodcock, Firecrest, a high of 5 Stonechat, Tawny Owl, Little Owl, Peregrine, Cetti’s, Grey Wagtail, Redpoll, and Siskin. Pic of Kestrel by JH #londonbirds
March 1st tomorrow! This can only mean one thing - the annual Wanstead Wheatear Sweepstake kicks off (now in its 8th year). This year’s chosen charity is @SEWH . The weather looks good for an early arrival?? #londonbirds
January ended on 79 species (2 down on 2024 but 2 up on average). Best bird: Tundra Bean Goose (thanks @TheCowboyBirder ). Other stuff: Bullfinch, GW Egret, Barn Owl, Raven, 1w Caspian Gull, Water Rail, Woodcock, Firecrest, Chiffchaff #londonbirds
This certainly wasn’t on my radar as I left the house this morning - Tundra Bean Goose on Wanstead Flats. Always check those flocks of Greylag geese! Urban patch birding at its finest #londonbirds
Barn Owl went from a mega rarity to frequently seen, we welcomed back a Bullfinch after a four year gap.
The only standout omission was the second year without Jack Snipe.
Finished on 111 for the Wanstead year list (my 2nd highest ever total). New birds included Fudge Duck, Whimbrel & Stone Curlew which brought my overall list up to 160. But my personal highlight of the year was the discovery of an Otter on the River Roding! #londonbirds