Sunday 23 December 2012

Sheppey Magic 15/12/12


Last Saturday saw the first annual South London birders Christmas bash, in the form of a jaunt down to the Isle of Sheppey. It was an excellent day out and a chance to put some names to faces finally...

Meeting just south of Leysdown around 10ish, we parked up next to the beach where a small flock of Sanderling were skittering back and forth on the rising tide. In amongst them were a good few Turnstones, Oycs and a single Dunlin, while Redshanks and Curlews shrieked nearby. Offshore, large numbers of birds alternately bobbed and shifted on the water - Teal, Mallard, Wigeon and Brent Goose making up the bulk along with a distant flock of Common Scoters and a few grebes and Pintails in the mix. In the adjacent fields, the crop had recently been cut leaving vast tracts of muddy pools and stubble. Four Marsh Harriers patrolled in the distance, flushing bucket loads of Woodpigeons and what looked like Snipe. From the scruffy clumps of hedgerow we passed, Reed Buntings called and Linnets squeaked by over head. Save the fact that I fell on my arse twice, I love the walk along this stretch of the coast.

Sanderlings on the shore...somewhere

Miggers (L-R): Ernie, Steve, Martin, Dave (socks)
"That says 'naturist' guys, not 'naturalist'..."
Down at Shellness a much larger flock of Dunlin spooked at our presence and bolted off round the other side of the Hamlet, twisting like sea starlings. With the tide now high, endless flocks of Oystercatchers followed, along with more Turnstones and several hundred Grey Plover. With the weather rolling in a bit the saltings were pretty quiet; several Skylarks chirruped and drifted by, with Meadow Pipits pinging up here and there like little streaky flares. A contentious pipit held up proceedings a bit as it scuttled about on some weedy shingle nearby and I tried in vain to convince the others it wasn’t a meadow. It just looked a bit too ‘sturdy’ I felt, with broader streaking...they weren’t having it though. It probably was a meadow but with a trip to Berkshire in mind, I no doubt had pipits in the brain. ‘Mock Pipit’ indeed.

After a bit of lunch by the old pillbox, which served as a useful windbreak, we skirted round the marsh before heading back as showers licked our feet. The next stop was Capel Fleet to watch the harriers coming in and try for a Short-eared Owl. We didn’t get the latter but the harriers were magnificent as ever. A slow procession over an hour and a half saw around 16-18 birds by my reckoning. Best of all was a ringtail Hen Harrier which cruised by, jinking low over the fields in the late-afternoon light. Real class, you don't get them in Dulwich. To top it off we stopped in at the Ferry for a nice pint and warm up before home. All in all a really enjoyable day out, here’s to next one. Happy Christmas you lot!

Ernie goes commando
Oystercatchers on the High Tide roost, Shellness, Sheppey, 15/12/12

Full list:

Sanderling, Dunlin, Turnstone, Oystercatcher, Brent Goose (Dark-bellied), Curlew, Redshank, Teal, Mallard, Wigeon, Great-crested Grebe, Common Scoter (offshore), Pintail, Grey Plover, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Common Gull, Black-headed Gull, Linnet, Meadow Pipit, Woodpigeon, Reed Bunting, House Sparrow, Mistle Thrush, Goldfinch, Blue Tit, Shelduck, Marsh Harrier, Carrion Crow, Rook, Lapwing, Skylark, Redwing, Snipe, Mute Swan, Fieldfare, Chaffinch, Grey Heron, Kestrel, Hen Harrier, Red-legged Partridge, Little Egret, Starling, Blackbird.


This blog is done by a friendly bunch of birders from South London who get out and about whenever they can. We really love our parks and green spaces and all those weeds coming through the cracks. We always love to hear about new sightings...or old ones...or wildly speculative ones, so feel free to drop us a line below. Or get in touch at southlondonbirds@gmail.com if you want to gossip, bitch or help us find a sodding Firecrest...Thanks!

Tuesday 18 December 2012

A golden Goose...

First things first, some sightings from last week and a real South London MEGA sitting pretty in South Norwood for a few days at least:

Brookmill Park (Lewisham): 1 Little Grebe, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Grey Wagtail, Goldcrest, Greenfinch, 2 Cormorant (over) Sparrowhawk (Deptford) (16th) (LA)

Camberwell Old Cemetery: 1 Waxwing over (12th) (MS) Green Woodpecker (New Cem) (WW)

Horniman Gardens: Sparrowhawk (13th) (DG)

Nunhead Cemetery: 7 Goldcrest, several Redwing over W (12th) (MS)

Peckham Rye: 20 Lapwing over W (12th), 5 more SW (13th) + Coal Tit, fem Sparrowhawk (all MS) Grey Wagtail by lake (WW)

South Norwood Lake: adult female GOOSANDER (13th-16th at least?) (GH)

Sydenham Hill Wood: Jackdaw (notable) flying E (16th) (DG)

Congrats to Gavin for turning up a fine female Goosander on South Norwood Lake last Thursday, your Bird of the Week prize has been wrested free from Martin's Lapwings. With no sizeable water-bodies in the area (perhaps with the exception of Burgess Park) a top-notch migrant sawbill is a great score and a first ever record for the lake apparently. Let's face it, last month we threw a party when a Shoveler turned up in Dulwich, so Goosander is an all-night rave:

Mergus merganser 
(not the Norwood bird by the way, but any excuse to admire a redhead...)

South London - it gives you 'Wings (Pt 2)...:Lapwings. Vanellus vanellus. Always nice to see these, but only seen on seasonal passage round these parts especially in periods of freezing weather. The little movement last week coincided with birds elsewhere in London.
Little Grebe a nice find in Brookmill Park too (thanks Lisa). I think this bird popped up on London Birders recently, it's always interesting what that tiny thread of green space turns up.

Thanks all...stay tuned for a write up of the first annual SoLomig Christmas bash to Sheppey. A top day out, and yes, Dave kept his clothes on...

(Words/Photos by Pete)

This blog is done by a friendly bunch of birders from South London who get out and about whenever they can. We really love our parks and green spaces and all those weeds coming through the cracks. We always love to hear about new sightings...or old ones...or wildly speculative ones, so feel free to drop us a line below. Or get in touch at southlondonbirds@gmail.com if you want to gossip, bitch or help us find a sodding Firecrest...Thanks!

Monday 10 December 2012

South London - it gives you 'Wings...

Sightings 3rd - 9th Dec:

Belair Park: c6 Siskin w/ Goldfinch in Alders (3rd) (DC)

Brockley: 2 Waxwing reported on 3rd (not sure where?) (PB)

Brookmill Park (Lewisham): 1 Dunnock, 2 Grey Heron, c20 Mallard, c10 Moorhen, 1 Mandarin duck, c30 Black headed Gull (creek), 2 Grey Wagtail  (1 first winter) c10 Goldfinch, 1 Wren, 1 Kestrel (in flight heading east) (8th) (LA)

Dulwich Park: 15 Redwing (over eastwards in three groups), 1 Redpoll flew over in the opposite direction (6th) (MS)

Nunhead Cemetery: 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Coal Tit, 1 Nuthatch, 1 Green Woodpecker (heard), 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 5-6 Goldcrest, c5 Ring-necked Parakeet (9th) (PB/LA)

Nunhead area:  1 Kestrel high NE, possible flock of 8 Waxwings over Haberdasher Aske playing fields SW towards Cemetery/beyond – seen at distance (9th) (PB/LA)

Good to see Kestrels making an appearance again, hadn't seen any for a while. Otherwise a quieter week perhaps, but then many have found themselves coming down with a seasonal bout of Waxwing fever. Luckily the cure was close at hand with the area getting a double whammy of Waxwing action in the last 10 days. True they're just 'off patch' at the moment but we're not picky and a few of us have connected with the little punks in Shirley and Streatham. Needless to say we're all in agreement - absolutely fantastic birds. Just a matter of time before we hit the jackpot closer to home surely?

Enjoy:




(Waxwings, Shirley 1/12/12 - photos by this guy)

Thanks all!


Monday 3 December 2012

Peckham Rye Gullfest + more sightings (Nov)

Peckham Rye Gullfest 27/11/12 - contact Dave for your souvenir t-shirt

Gulls - what's their game eh? Lots of regular movement in and around the area in recent weeks has caught the attention of several solomiggers. Theories have abounded as to their origin and destination but it turns out it was all a ruse as the Black-headed hordes returned this week to seize Peckham Rye Park! It made for a pretty spectacular sight last Tuesday lunchtime with hundreds of gulls probing the sodden turf for worms and such like. A couple of us logged figures around the 500 mark at lunch, until the boss turned up mid-afternoon to nail it thus: c780 Black-heads across the park and adjacent playing fields. In amongst the throng were at least 5 Commons and a handul of Lesser Blacks. Like I said, really nice to see and as a result I'm making the underrated and overlooked Black-headed Gull our controversy-free Bird of the Week. Check out some more info here on this characterful and now amber-listed Larid here and this nice article from London Wildlife Trust.

Coming a close second was Will's report of a possible Little Owl in Camberwell Old Cemetery recently. Hopefully that's one whose time will come.

On with the show:

Camberwell Old Cemetery – possible Little Owl reported (w/c 12th) (WW)

Crystal Palace Park: Peregrine on tower, 5 Redwings SW (23rd) (DC)

Dulwich Park: c5 Redwings feeding on Yew berries, m Shoveler (23rd), up to 20 Lesser Redpolls present in area (Va)

Lewisham: 2 Fieldfare on a rooftop on Lewisham Way (26th) (DG)

New Cross area: Redwing over calling in darkness (23rd), Sparrowhawk on Tanners Hill tower block (27th), 12 Greenfinch, 7 Chaffinch, Mistle Thrush, Pr Great Spotted Woodpecker in Telegraph Hill Lower (28th) (AF/PB)

Peckham Rye Park: c780 Black-headed gulls present (notable), feeding on muddy common/football pitches inc at least 5 Common, 2 Lesser Black-backed (1 ad) (27th) + c50 Starling (Va)

And of course, we knew they were coming, but it looks like Shirley (Croydon) had the first South London stick-around Waxwings of the winter – first reported via London Birders on the 27th I think and present til the 29th at least. Here's hoping...

WAXWING UPDATE (3/12/12) ---> got 'em! More details next time!

Feel free to get in touch with us below or via southlondonbirds@gmail.com.

Good weather, good winds, good birding.

Thanks all:  Dave C,  Martin S, Adam F, Will W, Dan G, Pete B, 


Monday 19 November 2012

Sightings w/c 12th Nov

Have we missed anything? Let us know.

Dulwich park: 2 Shoveler back on lake (AM on 18th - DC)


New Cross Gate (Telegraph Hill Park): since I'm writing this I'm making the Skylark that flew north over Upper park on 18th our coveted Bird of the Week. Scarcely noted in this area since I've been watching for last 2 years at least and rarer than you might think? A bird out of time and place (PB). Lesser Redpolls over on 14th and 15th (2 south, 1 West) also Buzzard sp. headed high north over on 15th - again, rarely spotted so close in. Upper Park also had 2 Mistle Thrush (resident), 2 Pied Wagtail (over), 1 Coal Tit (15th) and Great Spotted Woodpecker (14th). Lower park: 1 Song Thrush, c18 Blackbird, 3 Greenfinch, c8 Chaffinch, 15+ Goldfinch and 7 Mallard (increase) on pond (all PB/LA)

Nunhead Cemetary: zzz (14th)

Peckham: 7 Fieldfare south over town centre (14th)

Peckham Rye: 1 Brambling on 13th is a close second Bird of the Week, heard over and alighted in Oak by Sexby Garden (SR), Mute swan over 17th, a first (DC) 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 10+ Goldcrest.

Lots of gulls moving around the area at the moment, Black-headed mostly with Lessers and Herrings too, early morning and pre-roost. Where do they go?!

Pushing out the boundaries (other sightings around town):

The long-staying Spotted Redshank was still at Crayford Ness with Redshanks on the 17th (TS) and a Bar-tailed Godwit was on Dartford Marshes (foreshore?) on the 15th along with the following (sightings by MS):

Sparrowhawk 2
Kestrel 3
Bearded tit 1(h) - nice!
Meadow Pipit 13
Skylark 10
Cetti's Warbler 4
Fieldfare c223
Redwing c60
Kingfisher 1
Little Egret 4
Grey Heron 6
Teal c63
Gadwall 3
Shoveler 1
Pochard 5
Lapwing 12
Redshank 3
Bar-tailed Godwit 1
Green Woodpecker 1

Stay South, you'll love it. Feel free to add sightings below!

Out and about this week: Dave, Martin, Steve, Tom, Pete, Lisa - nice one.

Sunday 11 November 2012

Sightings w/c 5th Nov

Staying South:

Dulwich Park: bird of the week goes to Shoveler with a pair on the lake (9th) and one on Belair Park lake (7th). Also 4 Lesser Redpoll calling over and alighting briefly on birches (11th). Plus Sparrowhawk, Green Woodpecker, Mistle Thrush, Goldcrest.

New Cross Gate:Redwing SW over station (9th) 

Peckham Rye Common: 1 Fieldfare (6th) and 1 Common Gull, c50 Starling.

Sydenham Hill Wood: Coal tit 7+, Goldcrest c18, Magpie 7, Jay 6, Carrion Crow 3, Green Woodpecker 2, GSW 4, Long-tailed tit c27, Great tit 12+, Blue tit 11+,  Sparrowhawk 2/3, Nuthatch 5, Robin, Wren, Blackbird, Woodpigeon, Ring-necked parakeet, Dunnock (all 8th)

Telegraph Hill Park lower: 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Mistle Thrush (5th) 

Around town:

There was a Chiffchaff singing at Camley Street Natural Park (Kings Cross) early on Friday morning - not something you often hear in November in the middle of London. Any thoughts why this might be?! Several Fieldfare were near New Addington (Croydon) on 6th with 2 Kestrels and a Common Buzzard. There were two more Common Buzzards over Saltbox Hill (Biggin Hill Airfield) on the 8th.

Probable juvenile Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo) with heavy moult on primaries? Hutchinson's Bank nr New Addington, 6/11/12. Photo (PB)
Sightings by Dave, Martin, Daniel, Lisa, Pete. Thanks all!

Saturday 3 November 2012

South London: Where the birds are?

Apologies for the lack of updates recently, no excuses save the usual. So what has south London's premier crew of  part time birders been up to these last few months? Well to a man, we've been busy not seeing much of anything really. Except Goldcrests, if there's one thing we can do, it's them. Oh and Jays. Lots of jays.

So summer slipped by and the late season migration brought a scattering of birds to the area. Hobbies made their annual appearance through the latter half of September, seen well in Brockley, Sydenham Hill Wood and the Forest Hill area. South Norwood had Whinchat and a good smattering of common warblers. Of the latter, chiffs were common and there were a good few willows too, including one at the LWT Centre for Wildlife Gardening in Peckham. Common Whitethroat and Spotted Flycatcher popped up at Nunhead Cemetery finally and that's about as much as I can remember. A lot of time was spent casting envious glances across the river. Wanstead birders have stepped it up a notch it seems, well played to them, there's is a truly eye-watering list.

But with summer gone and autumn blurring into winter, it's been marginally better. An autumn viz mig session at Dulwich golf course, a week or two back, bought streams of woodies going west and small numbers of Redwing. Siskin and Lesser Redpoll have moved in again, both seen on numerous occasions in Dulwich Park w/c 22nd October. Chaffinch numbers are up, along with previously mentioned goldcrests but has anyone found a Firecrest yet? Nope. Of Ring Ouzels there was lots of banter and wishful thinking but save a bird reported in Brockwell Park, no one hit the jackpot.

We might bemoan our luck at times but despite south London coming off as the poorer cousin of the North and East, maybe it's worth considering the differences in the habitats on offer. This is a beautiful, green pocket of the capital and I wouldn't live anywhere else, but with patches largely dominated by ancient/secondary woodland and tightly managed suburban parks, there is little room for areas of grassy scrub or water. In terms of bird diversity, that means we might fall a bit short. Still, to see owls and birds of prey alongside dozens of other species within a short walk of home is a privilege in a city like this. Now, back to work. Stay tuned.



Saturday 21 July 2012

Sprawks and more

Not much doing in the way of sightings recently although Dave's Reed Warbler is still hanging out on the lake in Dulwich Park, that's three weeks now.

Quick meet up at the Ridge yesterday morning, more for a bit of catch up than a desperate hope that there might be something interesting hanging about. The view from the top was good, with bright, clear skies over south London, but in keeping with the season it was pretty quiet on the bird front. Blackcap were still numerous in the scrub on the ridge and a couple of Chiffchaff were alternately calling/singing but there was no sign of any Whitethroat. The scrub has really exploded into colour in the last few weeks with pinkish patches of Rosebay Willowherb now springing up here and there. We had good views of a Goldcrest hovering and feeding in the row of conifers at the far corner of the ridge, where we were also momentarily distracted by an odd squeaking sound. It seemed to be coming from the trees but after a few puzzled looks we looked up and realised the sound was coming from the cable/guys winching up the Palace Transmitter:



Nice work, not sure what they were doing but I bet the view is incredible. 


After catching a fair few Swifts feeding on the horizon and a few short, sharp bursts of a Green Woodpecker in the park, it was mostly garden bits and bobs so we headed down the road to Sydenham Hill Wood to check on the Sparrowhawk family that has been pretty vocal recently. It wasn't long before we heard a harsh  kek-kek-kek call over the canopy and followed the noise to a clearing where the birds made several fleeting appearances. From the brief views and sound there looked to be an adult male and female present with possibly two recently fledged young. There was a lot of activity which appeared to suggest the young were being given a lesson or two in flying, or that's how it seemed to us. Unsurprisingly with the Sparrowhawks present, most birds made themselves scarce, although there was a Stock Dove calling near the new pond.

A couple more weeks and we might start seeing stuff coming back through. Wonder if a Hobby will make a local appearance this year? Apparently we're due for a bit of an improvement in the weather soon but let's not count our chickens eh? Sure I've been told that before...but still, here's hoping some sun brings out some more birds and inverts.

Sunday 15 July 2012

Interview with Ashley White

As I write this, a close friend of all us here on the blog, Ashley White, will be heading off to pastures new, in the dark depths of the Wiltshire countryside. Needless to say we're all thrilled for her but thoroughly jealous at the thought of having Great Bustards on our doorstep. Ashley is the former Conservation Projects Officer for London Wildlife Trust in Southwark and as such has been instrumental in highlighting local conservation issues for a number of years. She also oversaw the management of Sydenham Hill Wood, one of south London's most important nature reserves and a real fragment of 'wilderness' in the capital's urban sprawl. Before she left, we thought it would be great to get Ashley's views on urban nature conservation, her role and some of the challenges the area faces.


Many thanks for taking the time to answer questions for the blog Ashley. Firstly, perhaps you could start by telling us how long you’ve been involved with urban nature conservation in South London?

I’m extremely flattered that you’ve asked me to interview. I’ve only been involved in nature conservation in south London for just under four years, so I’m really still a newby.
I moved to south London in 2007 while working in west London and began working at London Wildlife Trust’s Centre for Wildlife Gardening in 2008 in a community engagement role. I was lucky to be given the opportunity to manage Sydenham Hill Wood in 2009 and I’ve been there ever since.

We've recently seen plans to develop Crystal Palace Park in the headlines, what do you think are the biggest challenges to the environment and our green spaces in urban areas?

People’s lives seem to be so busy that I think many homeowners with gardens are often looking for a low-maintenance and tidy option. There was a 12% loss in vegetated garden land between 1999 and 2008. Recent changes to planning regulations should mean that it is more difficult for front gardens to be paved over, but the loss is particularly stark in areas like east and north London where there is comparatively little public green space.

London is a growing city and people need somewhere to live and the associated increase in infrastructure. However, it’s a shame that more development is not concentrated on the Capital’s many empty buildings. The most recent application for development on Crystal Palace Park is a reminder that even protected Metropolitan Open Land is not truly protected.

Excessive tidiness is also an issue. Parks do seem to be improving by relaxing their mowing regimes, for example, but there often seem to be complaints about scrubby “unkempt” areas with the idea that something should be done to improve them. These areas, although not perhaps aesthetically appealing to some people, can be relatively undisturbed and provide prime refuges and habitat for many species.

Sydenham Hill Wood is an amazing site, steeped in history and home to an impressive range of flora and fauna – what have been the key changes here over the last few years? And is there anything you’ve found particularly challenging in your role here?

Sydenham Hill Wood is an open access site and has become increasingly well-used over the past few years. While it is fantastic that people are visiting and enjoying the wood and experiencing a connection with its wildlife, the balance between access and protection of sensitive habitats can be tricky to achieve. Some visitors also have well-intentioned but misplaced ideas, for example that dog poo is a good fertiliser for plants, that ivy kills trees and should be severed, that foraging is a harmless way to find food, and that collecting dead wood for fires is a free way to be more environmentally friendly. Most of the examples above are actually illegal without permission of the landowner, but importantly they are damaging to the ecology of the wood. Unfortunately these myths are quite persistent, so engaging with, and informing visitors about the consequences that actions such as these have on the flora and fauna of the wood is a vital part of the role.

Thinking of Sydenham Hill Wood in particular - do you have any favourite memories from your time there or in the area?

In the past ten years I have lived in west, north, east and most recently south London. By comparison the southern boroughs are very green and I’ve really enjoyed visiting and getting to know the green spaces.
It’s the chance encounters that make the most enduring memories. You never know what you’re going to observe or stumble on; the elusive white-letter hairstreak that made an appearance one sunny afternoon during a family event, the cuckoo we heard during a workday in spring, the fox that repeatedly visited us when we were moth trapping (running off with a clipboard during one survey), the hedgehog scampering across Cox’s Walk and the brown-long eared bat we found hibernating in the tunnel.

One of the aspects about my role as wood manager that I have loved the most has been working with an amazing bunch of diverse volunteers, it’s been a lot of fun and I’ve been humbled by their dedication. There have been far too many special moments to mention.

This area of South London is home to a great variety of species, some obvious, some not so much – is there anything in particular we should be looking out for?

South London is a hotspot for Britain’s biggest beetle, the stag beetle. The stag beetle is Endangered, partly due to loss of habitat caused by the excessive tidiness I touched on earlier. This summer London Wildlife Trust is carrying out a city-wide survey of stag beetles. Please submit your sightings to the Staggering Gains survey: www.wildlondon.org.uk/Campaigns/StaggeringGainsSurvey2011.aspx

 The ridge is particularly good for bats and we have recorded at least seven species in and around Sydenham Hill Wood including Southwark’s first record of the brown long-eared bat. The brown long-eared is very elusive; it is light phobic and hard to pick up on a bat detector. It huge ears so it doesn’t need to echolocate very loudly.

And finally, have you got any favourite South London birding memories? Anything that surprised or amazed you?!

Where to start? Summer doesn’t really start for me until I hear the swifts screaming overhead. There appear to be nest sites near the road I live on, just off Lordship Lane, and the swifts swoop down low flying along the road and above my garden. The first swift I heard this year was actually at LWT’s East Reservoir and I was surprised to find it brought a tear to my eye. They really are utterly amazing birds and herald the return of my favourite time of year.

I have been lucky enough to encounter some impressive birds of prey at Sydenham Hill Wood from time to time. One morning last year I was standing in the main glade with Sologmig’er Dave Clark. We heard a lot of noise then observed a hobby and kestrel fly in towards each other then swoop away. It was pretty awesome and a great chance for me, as someone who hadn’t previously seen many hobbies, to contrast its distinctive sickle-shaped wings with those of the similarly-sized kestrel.
On my way back to the tool sheds at the end of a workday this past spring I heard a repetitive call and realised there were three tawny owl chicks overhead. They were testing out their wings and swooping from tree to tree. One of the adults later joined them. I watched the owlets for about 20 minutes, amazed to see them so clearly during the day.


A huge thanks to Ashley for answering our questions, some really interesting points made. I think I speak for everyone here when I say that it won't be the same without you! We wish you all the best in your new role.

Cue violins...

Words - Peter Beckenham

Wednesday 27 June 2012

Crystal Palace Park Development

Coming back from holiday is never much fun but coming back to find our local patch threatened with development was disappointing in the extreme. In truth, it wasn't a bombshell but we are all hugely concerned by the recent announcement (June 12th) that a £68m re-development of the park, thought to include much of the 'ridge' as I understand, has been given the go-ahead.


Daniel has written this response:


It is to our great dismay to find that the High Court has rejected the appeal of the Crystal Palace Community Association (CPCA) against the Crystal Palace Masterplan. The very notion that Grade II listed Metropolitan Open Land can be sold for private development is ominous not merely for wildlife habitats in London but for the wonderful open spaces cherished by Londoners all over the city. The sell-off and development of the ridge for ‘luxury apartments’ is an outrageous proposal, particularly in a period of national austerity. In terms of wildlife, turning the car park at the bottom of the ridge into wildflower meadows is a welcome addition to any development proposal and should be considered elsewhere to improve bee and butterfly populations in urban areas. However, this particular design comes at great cost as the ridge has been earmarked for commercial development, and therefore a wildflower meadow seems pithy in return for the loss of biodiversity up top. The biggest concern for wildlife here is the population of 10 different species of bats and, in particular, the light-phobic species which depend on the sheer darkness of the park to commute between sites in Sydenham, Dulwich and Norwood that we can confirm. Since the application for development was made the Brown long-eared bat has been recorded, bringing the number to 10 and showing that wildlife in the area is still not entirely understood. There is a lot to be learned about the area, even after the rise and fall of the Crystal Palace itself and the destruction of nightingale-dwelling Penge Place in the early 19th century. There is also the issue of damage to Song thrush populations, a Priority Species as part of the national Biodiversity Action Plan, a convention signed up to by the UK government in 1992. The removal of habitat from the ridge will greatly undermine the ability of this much-declined bird to survive and will impose undue pressure on it and the many other species we have recorded on the ridge. After the disappointment of the recent decision, the CPCA are considering a new appeal. Alongside the Open Spaces Society we would like to express our deep concern about these proposals and the High Court's ruling.


By Daniel Greenwood

As local residents who have enjoyed the park and observing its wildlife for a number of years we are in total opposition to these plans. We started this blog because we wanted to highlight some of the birds we found in the area and it was born from an idea that the Crystal Palace Ridge had potential for holding 'stopover' passage migrants. In a small way we have managed to show that. This year the scrub on the ridge has held Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, Willow Warbler, Redstart and Wheatear (via a reliable source) - all local rarities, with common warblers and hirundines present too. We can be certain that the ridge was a breeding territory for Song Thrush, the importance of which Daniel mentions above, and a good number of other sensitive or declining species. It's awful to think of these disappearing from the park. 

We'll be watching these developments closely - Keep Crystal Palace Park green!

Links:

and Harpymarx is on the case too

Green Woodpecker (Picus viridis) in Crystal Palace Park.
Just one of the bird species that would be affected by development of the park,
amber-listed Green Woodpeckers regularly use the grassy ride on the ridge to feed.

Thanks to Dan for the response, other words and photo by Peter Beckenham



Monday 4 June 2012

Looking for Black Redstarts in Dartford


Ok, so it’s pushing the limits of ‘South London’ but Dartford Marshes is close enough to warrant a bit of attention. The marsh is one of the area's last remaining fragments of wetland habitat that historically stretched all along the Thames Estuary. Dartford Marsh and the adjacent Crayford marshes have been heavily impacted by industry and development, it lurks in the distance wherever you look. Because of this, the River Darenth, that flows across the site where it meets the Thames and the remaining fields, creeks and scrub areas are an important refuge for many species of birds and other wildlife. Perhaps it tends to get overshadowed by Crayford Marshes across the creek and the good pull of rarities at Crossness, but Dartford still holds an impressive variety of birds as Martin found out last week...

Dartford Marshes, 31/5/12

Managed to get out for a birding trip to Dartford Marshes today. Weather was generally overcast with sunny spells. Wind was a strong Westerly.

As I had a bit more time on my hands I thought I'd try to walk further this time, right up to the power station, to see if I could find the Black Redstarts that used to nest on the pier.

I hung around the pier for sometime but there was neither sight nor sound of the Black Redstarts. However as I was walking back past the power station I spied a dark speck on top of one of the concrete fence posts. I managed to get the bins on it but though it was still small it was definitely dark grey in colour with a black patch over the ear coverts. Did I see a hint of a tail twitch? A flash of red? Then off it flew...

I was pretty sure I had my bird but not 100% so I settled down in the grass near to the spot. Luckily it appeared again much closer and sure enough it was the bird I was after. It even flew to a nearby signpost so I could see it even better. I was chuffed to bits as I started my return journey. I had one more treat back at the main part of the marsh as I got great views of a male Marsh Harrier hunting over the drainage ditches. It was mobbed by lapwings and a mallard before being finally chased off by a rather belligerent crow.

Here's my day list:
Black Redstart (m)
Marsh Harrier (m)

Sparrowhawk
Kestrel
Reed Warbler (c10)
Cetti's Warbler 
Common Whitethroat (5)
Chiffchaff (2)
Blackcap
Swift (c20)
Swallow (5)
Skylark (c18)
Meadow Pipit (4)
Corn Bunting
Cuckoo (2)
Starling (c270)
Linnet (4)
Chaffinch (4)
Greenfinch (3)
Goldfinch
Wren
Robin
Blackbird
Dunnock
Blue Tit
Great Tit
Pied Wagtail
Collared Dove
Wood pigeon
Feral Pigeon
Carrion Crow (8)
Pheasant (3)
House Martin (7)
Green woodpecker
Greylag Goose (8)
Canada Goose (c30)
Mute Swan (8)
Tufted Duck
Mallard Duck
Shelduck (9)
Coot
Moorhen
Great Crested Grebe (2)
Grey Heron (6)
Lapwing (12)
Redshank (8)
Oystercatcher (3)
Common Sandpiper
Black Headed Gull (c40)

***

Pair of Linnets on Dartford Marsh, May 2012

What a fantastic list and a great local record for Black Redstart! Anyone familiar with the area will realise how incredible it is to find birds like Marsh Harriers, Cuckoos, Lapwings and Skylarks in the shadow of  a heavily developed area like Dartford. It's well worth a visit - the marsh is best accessed by a footpath round the back of the station. Don't be put off by the industrial estate, it soon opens out and gives good views over the area.

Many thanks to Martin Stevens for the trip report (additional words and photo by Peter Beckenham)

Find out more about Black Redstarts and their conservation here.

Friday 25 May 2012

School's Out...

Crystal Palace Park, Thursday 24th May, 0600-0730, warm, hazy becoming overcast, light Easterly

Bit of an end of term vibe at the Ridge this week, most stuff has passed through and I suppose we're already looking towards the Autumn. Nevertheless conditions were ok and it's never bad to sit back and watch the sun rise. I got up to the park at 0600 and was immediately aware of a "hoo-eet" call coming from the buddleia scrub. Bit unexpected to find a Willow Warbler still knocking about at this time but welcome anyway (perhaps one of the birds from a few weeks back?) Usual suspects were in place on the ridge with Blackcaps in abundance and easily seen. I counted 7 - all male. There were 2 Common Whitethroat showing well, one from along the fence line just inside the park on the ridge entrance. Both were involved in a bit of territorial banter.

'Fraid it was D- on the Vis-Mig front: two Swifts went over North early on and joined half a dozen more feeding high over our heads. The only other real movement came from Greenfinch (3>South), a Cormorant (>NE), 2 Jays (W>E) several groups of gulls and the obligatory hordes of Woodies, Feral Pigeons and RnPs.

In full:

Willow warbler (1), Song thrush (2 - 1 doing a passable impression of a Nuthatch), Mistle thrush (heard - park), Robin (several inc 1 juv), Blackcap (7), Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Chiffchaff (1 heard), Stock dove (4 feeding on grass), Blackbird, Ring-necked Parakeet (c10), Starling (5 feeding w/ Stock doves), Carrion crow, Magpie, Goldfinch, Whitethroat (2), Long-tailed Tit (5 inc fledglings), Blue tit, Jay (3), Dunnock (1), Swift (c6), Cormorant (1), Goldcrest (1 heard), Herring gull, Lesser Black-backed gull, Mallard, Green woodpecker (heard - park)

Just after I left, Tom had a Sparrowhawk low round the transmitter - wonder if this is a Sydenham Hill Wood bird?

This was probably the last early visit for a while but generally it's been a positive season. There were two park firsts at least (as far as I know): Lesser Whitethroat and the Redstart (ok, not our bird, but whatever) Palace is never going to be a hot destination for rarities but these little things are important from a local perspective. It's as much about sharing knowledge and (hopefully) enthusiasm for the area and its wildlife as anything else. We'll be posting sightings from around the area through the Summer so keep checking back. Drop us a line at southlondonbirds@gmail.com - all sightings, questions etc welcome!

Big thanks to Dave, Martin, Daniel, Gavin, Tom, Steve, Jason, Ernie (sorry if I missed your name)

Class dismissed.

Words by Pete 

Monday 21 May 2012

Sydenham Dawn Chorus

Tawny Owl (Strix aluco) silhouetted in flight at LWT Sydenham Hill Wood,  May 2012


Daniel led a dawn chorus walk, down the road at Sydenham Hill Wood on Friday (18th). Sounds like it was a corker...here's his list:


Wren (1,000,000)
Robin
Song thrush
Blackbird (pair w/juvenile on Cox's Walk)
Nuthatch (feeding young)
Goldcrest
Blackcap
Chiffchaff
Great Spotted woodpecker
Starling
3 Stock dove (Thanks Ernie)
Woodpigeon
Blue tit
Great tit

Sparrowhawk - juveniles calling from canopy nest site
Feral pigeon



The SoLoMig research department are currently looking into that Wren figure - if it holds up, I reckon we've got a record on our hands. And possibly a problem. Also spotted in the wood was a hedgehog - quite a rare local sighting. Here are a few more awesome owl pics:


Top: juvenile Tawny Owl flying between branches
Bottom: three juvs






Tawny Owl photos by D Greenwood - thanks! More ridge updates soon...

Saturday 12 May 2012

"Scrrreee-ya"


That's "hey, how's it going?" in Swift-speak. Good turnout on the ridge yesterday, you can't beat birding before breakfast: 

Crystal Palace Ridge, 11th May, clear, 5-10mph NE breeze

Whitethroat (2/3), Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Dunnock, Wren, Robin, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Goldcrest, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Starling, Jay, Feral Pigeon, Stock Dove, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Sparrowhawk (male, hunting), Swallow (1, over), Wood Pigeon, Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed gull (usual movements)

Park: Green Woodpecker, Ring-necked Parakeet, Mallard.

After a quiet few weeks, there was a good movement of Swift and House Martin across South London. Several groups of House Martins were seen flying East to West and other groups over the ridge to the North. Similarly for Swifts there was a general East - West movement with a couple feeding on the ridge and many more outside the Park to the South.

Of swifts, there are few better sights in Spring or Summer than looking up and watching their dark, scythe-like shapes gracefully arching through the air as they feed. Interestingly, they are very much an 'urban' bird too, with a large proportion of nest sites found in built up areas. Does anyone have Swifts nesting locally? A lack of nest sites (and removal or damage to previous ones) has been suggested as a reason for the fall in numbers and subsequent amber-listing of this iconic species. How hard would it be to factor in bird-friendly designs to new builds? Given the rate at which they're being thrown up round here, such simple measures could make a real difference. Check out London Swift Conservation for ideas on how you can attract swifts to your neighbourhood. First person to email with a photo of their own DIY swift nest box wins a signed photo of Dave.

Other notes:

Blackcap and Chiffchaff territories were noticeably quieter - perhaps not surprising since brooding is likely well under way. Good to see Starlings in number, more so than on other occasions, and feeding around the ridge. Switching to Lepidoptera for a moment - several Speckled Woods were taking advantage of the mild conditions.


Cheers to the early birders: Martin, Daniel, Gavin and Dave. 
Common Whitethroat (Sylvia communis) Crystal Palace Park, 11/5/12.
Photo by D Greenwood.







Tuesday 8 May 2012

Weekend wanderings

Some sightings from the bank holiday weekend:
Northern Wheatear (Oenanthe oenanthe) Happy Valley near Croydon
Farthing Downs/Happy Valley - South Coulsdon (Croydon) 7/5/12


YellowhammerLinnet, WheatearSwallow, Swift, Jackdaw, Green woodpecker,  Goldfinch, Song Thrush, Lesser Whitethroat, Carrion Crow, Robin, Blue Tit, Goldcrest, Nuthatch, Blackbird, Great Tit, Skylark, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Chaffinch
 - sightings and photo by Daniel Greenwood


Stone Marshes/Thames foreshore (Dartford) 7/5/12


c6 Whitethroat, Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Little Grebe (heard), 16 Shelduck, 8 Linnet, 3 Wheatear (2f, 1m), c 10 House Martin, c30 Swallow (passage), 4 Mallard, 2 Moorhen, 2 Cettis' Warbler, 1 Pheasant, c20 Starling, 1 Green Woodpecker, Skylark, 1m Reed Bunting, 2 Pied Wagtail, Blackcap (heard), 1 Chiffchaff (heard), Robin, Carrion Crow, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Common Tern (W), c40 Black-headed gull, 2 Great Black-backed gull, Herring gull 
- sightings by Peter Beckenham


    

Friday 4 May 2012

Lesser Whitethroat

Crystal Palace Park, 4/5/12, 0630+, fair, light northerlies

Solomiggers have been putting in the hours this week that's for sure. Another stint on the ridge this morning, here's what was picked up. No sleep 'til Dulwich:


Robin, Wren, Blackbird, Song thrush, Dunnock, Coal Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Jay, Starling, Chiffchaff (2 territories), Blackcap (8 – 10 territories), Whitethroat (2/3 territories), Lesser Whitethroat, Wood Pigeon, Feral Pigeon, Kestrel, Ring necked Parakeet, Goldcrest.

The star turn on the ridge was the Lesser Whitethroat. I haven't seen many records for them in the area so that's an excellent result and a new one for the park list. It gave good views in the scrub, alongside it's close relative, Common Whitethroat. So which is which?:

Top: Lesser Whitethroat (Sylvia curruca) somewhere that isn't SE26. Pic: Wiki
Below: Common Whitethroat (Sylvia communis) ditto^ Pic: mine.

There are a number of clear visual differences between the two species; the Lesser being slightly smaller, having  an earthy, brown upper side (as opposed to the warmer tones on the Common) and a darker, more defined, slate-grey head. Good views should show a further contrast with darker ear coverts evident. Both birds are spring migrants to Britain from sub-Saharan Africa. The songs are distinct rattle-y numbers with Common going for scratchy warbles, usually from a prominent perch, and Lesser chucking a spanner in the works by sounding like a Yellowhammer. Look it up.

Elsewhere in the park there were the usual gulls and woodies over, going their various ways. Hirundine passage has been a non-event this year so far, last week's swifts were bang on cue but nothing again today. On the rest of the patch there were a pair of Mistle Thrush and a Nuthatch singing down by the Capel bit, otherwise it's as you were. Cheers to Dave, Daniel, Martin and Gavin for all of the above.

More local sightings:

There was a Garden Warbler reported by Martin in the Dawson's Hill area (May 2nd) and a Hobby was over Forest Hill on the first (per London Birders). It'd be good to get some more sightings of the latter, especially after the late discovery of a juv in the area last summer. 

Sydenham Hill Wood today: Blue tit, Great tit, Goldcrest, Wood Pigeon, Stock Dove, Wren, Robin,, Blackcap, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Chiffchaff, Song Thrush, Blackbird, Treecreeper, Nuthatch
Green Woodpecker (at nest hole), Great Spotted Woodpecker, Jay, Magpie - Martin S. 

There's been a lot of activity in and around and Sydenham Hill Wood of late, with staff and volunteers from the London Wildlife Trust working hard on the restoration of the Ambrook stream and dewy pond. I dropped by last week and have to say it looks fantastic. Breaking news this afternoon is the sighting of a bonafide Sydenham Hill Wood MEGA in the vicinity...a pair of Mallard looking cosy on the pond (new patch tick!). Really great news, seriously. (Thanks to Ashley White for the update)

If you'd like to add anything on here feel free to email us at southlondonbirds@gmail.com. Check back soon, it's not over yet. Cheers - Pete.












Monday 30 April 2012

Oh yeah

OK update time...the big news from the Ridge this week was undoubtedly the female COMMON REDSTART that was picked up in the park on Friday (27th April) and reported on London Birders. Apparently it was seen around lunchtime poking about in the firs at the top, right next to our usual spot. Naturally we all missed it, but it's a great record for the area and well done to the gent who spotted it. It's proof that there is value to the scrub at the top and that the prominent south facing ridge is capable of attracting long-distance migrants on spring passage.

Female Common Redstart (Phoenicurus phoenicurus) not the palace bird but one like it. Redstarts are very Robin like in appearance but have a distinct rufous tail. They are summer visitors, arriving in Britain in spring where they are most commonly found in western broadleaved Oak forests. They spend the winter in Africa and the gulf states.
Photo: GoogleImages/Flickr I think.
With pulses racing at this news and a good weekend of swirling north westerlies behind us, Dave, Dan and Gavin headed up the ridge this morning for business as usual. Tuck in:


Blue Tit, Coal Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Robin, Wren, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Carrion Crow, Starling, Feral Pigeon, Wood Pigeon, Mallard, Magpie, Dunnock, Ring-necked Parakeet, Pied Wagtail, Blackcap (c10), Chiffchaff (2). 

These were the commoner birds inhabiting the ridge. Nice to see Coal Tit making an appearance, not one I come across much in these parts. Jay, Green Woodpecker and Nuthatch were noted elsewhere and in amongst some crows was another local rarity - a Jackdaw! Who needs a flippin' Redstart when you got ol' Blue Eyes?!

Jackdaw (Corvus monedula)
A handsome corvid, told apart by smaller size,  sleek grey nape and  blueish eyes.
Calls in crow fashion but with  more distinctive 'metallic' cries. Photo: wiki or something.
Flyovers:

Herring gull, Lesser Black-backed gull (SW, moving in larger numbers than seen previously). A pair of Sparrowhawk were displaying/moving south. And finally there was some sexy mig action too; 8 swifts flying SW and a single Swallow NW over the ridge.

Additions from Friday (thanks Gavin):

Lake-side: Canada Goose (with young), Mallard (with young), Tufted Duck, Great Crested Grebe ( 1 adult calling intermittently), Moorhen, Coot (with young). 2 Willow Warblers (1 by lake, 1 on ridge)

Just in (30/4): Apparently it looks like a few Whitethroats have finally made it back to the ridge. Dan's got money on it so check back soon to see whose getting the drinks. Thanks all.