The Urban Birder

Sightings

Cormorant

A couple of birds were reported during the two months with 5 watched tracing the Grand Union Canal to the north on July 31st.

Little Egret

Following on from last month's surprise flock of four birds, a distant individual was watched flying north west over Acton on June 7th making it our 5th record. It will only be a matter of time before they become a relatively commonplace sight.

Kestrel

At least 3 birds including 2 juveniles were happily hunting over the grassland on July 31st. They were probably frequenting the grassland from earlier in the month.

Black-headed Gull

Birds were beginning to trickle through again, fresh back from their breeding grounds.

Herring Gull

Over 40 birds were soaring on the thermals on June 7th with further birds drifting over from the north.

Lesser Black-back

The usual meagre numbers drifted over during the two-month period. Being a globally threatened species, it's understandable that there would not be huge flocks around every corner — unless you live in Bristol, Gloucester or Cardiff that is.

Common Tern

A singleton was observed to the north of The Scrubs on July 31st.

Wood Pigeon

Average numbers were noticed during June and July with around 45 seen on June 7th.

Swift

At least 50 of these transcontinental drifters were seen wafting over The Scrubs on June 7th and July 19th and 31st.

Rose-ringed Parakeet

These green alien invaders were barely counted with the only significant observation occurring on June 7th when around 30 were squawking including a group of at least 20 birds that lingered on the some of the trees on Lester's Embankment.

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Due to the lack of visits it was impossible to determine whether our breeders were successful or not. Encouragingly, birds were either heard or seen fairly regularly during the period. So the likelihood is that a pair or two may have bred.

Skylark

After the heartbreaking realisation that our nesting pair deserted in late April, it came as somewhat of a shock when one or perhaps two birds were discovered in the grassland on June7th. One flew out of the main grassland to land in the southern edge of the patch outside Chats Paddock. It seemed very settled. Later, it or another flew out of the grassland near the bramble patch and over Lester's Embankment where it doubled back to land in the grassland again.

However, to date there has been no further Skylark records though this could be down to the poor coverage. It is possible that these birds could have lingered undetected.

Meadow Pipit

We still believe that perhaps 5 pairs may have bred but there was no one around to see the young fledge. An adult was seen with food items in its bill on July 31st.

The blocking of the path leading through their breeding habitat has been the main reason for their success, however, there are still the ignorant few that insist on using it.

Pied Wagtail

It is not known whether the pair that had historically bred in the grounds of Linford Christie Stadium returned, although a juvenile was seen near Braybrook Street on July 31st. A few singletons were seen around the site during the course of the two months.

Wren

There were still plenty of these little birds in song around the park over the two months.

Dunnock

Quite a few juveniles were seen but no counts were made.

Robin

The old Robin Redbreast seemed to have had a good breeding season here at The Scrubs, but unfortunately no counts were made.