31 December 2018

The top 10 birds of Wantead 2009–2018: No. 4


No. 4 Red-backed Shrike  (28th August–7th September)


Former breeder, now very rare

Probably bred in the Old Sewage Works up until about 1950.

A juvenile was trapped and ringed in the Old Sewage Works 1st November 1980

A crowd pleasing immature Alex scrub 28th August–7th September 2018


Dreams can come true, but I didn't think it would stick the night yet alone 10 + days (it might have been spotted a week earlier than when I caught up with it) wowing an appreciative audience as it flitting around the pub scrub,  between perching out in the open to give great views and disappearing for long periods.

Sean K:  "I remember the one Colin Plant ringed in the 1980’s as it was reported in the Newham Recorder"

Rob S: "A better birding experience than the Rustic Bunting but just pipped to the post due to rarity"

James H: "Almost certainly the stand-out bird for the year will be a stunning, long staying Red-backed Shrike. I was lucky enough to have great views of it early one morning."
 





Patrick Hart 30th August, 2018


30 December 2018

The top 10 birds of Wanstead 2009–2018: No. 5




No. 5 Yellow-browed Warbler    7th December to early January 2016

Take your pick


A single bird reported from the Dell 11th October 2015

A vocal bird in Motorcycle Wood 8th October 2016 
A calling bird on Alexandra Lake island from 7th December to early January 2016 
A bird seen in Long Wood 29th September 2018 
One on Alex island 17th-18th October 2018, and another heard SoM 17th October 2018   

I've gone with the long-staying bird, which virtually everyone saw, and in this game if you saw it, and it was good, you voted for it! Was it a better bird than those featured below it?  Obviously not, but that's not really the point is it–certainly a charismatic charmer, its rarity in a London context will surely be devalued as more and more individuals are found, but at the time of writing it is a bird that we all look out for come the end of September and early October and judging by the comments below its all about that moment in time.

Tony B: "Patch ticking Yellow-browed Warbler, whilst a flock of wild grey geese circled the Fairground and Ring Ouzels were two a penny was a magical autumn migration morning"


"My patch most wanted bird...done"

 

Richard R: "The YBW/White-fronted Goose moment of patch perfection"

Jono L:  " ... the one in the boggy bit. I assumed that it was somebody playing a tape, and ran around motorcycle wood to accost them, only to find James there looking up at the trees. A few minutes later...."   http://www.wansteadbirder.com/2016/10/bringing-it-all-back-home.html


"The bird was calling it's head off, literally non-stop. We stood there disbelieving. Although I've just seen 67 in a week, I am under no illusions that Shetland is unique. This however was Wanstead Flats, in the heart of London. Zone 2. And yet here was another of these little sprites that has travelled oh so far. Location location location, that's what its all about."


James H (as one of his highlights):  "Finding the Yellow-browed Warbler in the SSSI in October 2016"


"Never before have I so wanted others to experience a bird I have already heard and seen. It is difficult to explain, but the desire to share that wonderful experience (and maybe a slight sense of wanting to ensure everyone believed what I knew to be true) was very strong." 

 

Not part of this male bonding scenario were Bob and I who were on Shetland wading through the little buggers, luckily we had our moment later that year.

Nick C: "Fuck yeagh!"


Sean K: "The first one I'd seen outside Norfolk"

So it may be small, but packs a large emotional punch and therefore deserves its place as one of Wanstead's best birds.







Yellow-browed Warbler (Phylloscopus inornatus) · call
Stuart Fisher
Wanstead Flats, London , United Kingdom