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 

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...

"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.

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


Yellowhammer, Linnet, Wheatear, Swallow, 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


    

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.

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.

Willow Warbler - tick

Thanks to Dave for this latest update.

Friday 20th April 2012

Conditions much better than last time with clear skies and a light South Westerly although ridge itself had what is becoming an ubiquitous haze, but mast was very clear:

Sphinx thing wonders where all the Hirundines are...

Ridge birds heard and seen:

Mallard

Greenfinch

Goldfinch

Chaffinch

Wren

Dunnock

Robin

Blackbird

SongThrush

Green Woodpecker

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Pied Wagtail

Carrion Crow

Magpie

Starling

Jay

Blue Tit

Great Tit

Long-tailed Tit

Wood Pigeon

Feral Pigeon

Goldcrest

Ring-necked Parakeet

Blackcap

Chiffchaff (2)

Willow Warbler (first record for the year in the park)

+ The usual numerous flocks of Wood Pigeons flying on a daily migration south and Black Headed Gull, Herring Gull and Lesser Black Backed Gull, Beddington bound.

Blackcap territories are numerous on the ridge – we think 10 – 12 terriotories, we had fantastic views of a female sunning herself. Willow Warblers were hard to detect, possibly 3,  (well done Gavin) maybe suggesting these are recent arrivals and too knackered to waste energy on full song. Daniel also picked up a singing Willow Warbler in Nunhead Cemetary in the week, will be interesting to see if they stick around (thanks)

No sign of Whitethroats yet but these should be imminent. By all accounts it seems to have been a slower influx than last year. ALSO COMING SOON: Hirundines...surely?!