May 2018

* 31st - South Norwood (Pittville Gdns) (8am): Whitethroat singing well (along rlwy embankment) (GH)
* 30th - Upper Norwood (Beulah Hill area) (2pm): 3 screaming Swifts low over Priory Gdns & 2 screaming low over Downsview Gdns (GH)
* 29th - South Norwood Lake: (07:30:09:15) 14 Canada Goose (+ total of 11 goslings), 1 Egyptian Goose, 12 Mallard (+1 brood of 8), 18 Tufted Duck, pair Great Crested Grebe (1 on nest), 1 Cormorant, 15 Moorhen, 20 Coot (broods of 6-6-6-4), 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, (08:00 ) 1 Common Tern (flew round lake for 2 mins then flew N/NW), 2 Stock Dove, 3 Collared Dove, 5 Swift, 4 Great Spotted Woodpecker (+5juv), 3 Song Thrush, 7 Blackcap, 9 Chiffchaff, 5 Long-tailed Tit (plus family party of 7), 2 Coal Tit, 2 Jay, 8 House Sparrow, 15 Goldfinch (JW)
* 28th - South Norwood (Kings Rd) (9.30am): 2 Swifts screaming very low overhead (JW per GH)
* 28th - South Norwood Lake: (07:30:09:15) 14 Canada Goose + 2 broods of 7-3, 13 Mallard + 1 brood of 8, 17 Tufted Duck, pair Great Crested Grebe (1 on nest), 13 Moorhen, 22 Coot + 4 broods of 7-6-6-5, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 3 Stock Dove, 4 Collared Dove + 2 juv, 6 Swift (screaming), 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker + 4 juv, 4 Song Thrush + 3 juv, 4 Blackcap (3 with food), 8 Chiffchaff, 1 Goldcrest, 6 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Coal Tit, 2 Jay, 9 House Sparrow, 1 Greenfinch, 15 Goldfinch (JW)
* 27th - South Norwood Hill (SE25) (2pm): 2 Swifts screaming low overhead (GH)
* 26th - South Norwood Country Park: Goldcrest, 2 Lesser Whitethroat (JAH)
* 25th - Sanderstead station. 2 Swifts screaming around. (JB)
* 25th - Norbury (approx 1pm): 9 Swifts over for about half an hour. most seen this year (SEC)
* 25th - South Norwood Country Park: 10 Reed Warbler. (JAH)
* 24th - South Norwood Country Park: Lesser Whitethroat (JAH)
* 24th - Selsdon: Great Spotted Woodpecker (with something in beak) being pursued by Jay (SEC)
* 23rd - South Norwood (High St) (1pm): Screaming Swift low over shops (GH)
* 23rd - South Norwood Country Park: Common Sandpiper (JAH)
* 22nd - Sanderstead (Briton Hill Road): Buzzard over at 10:55 mobbed by 2 Crows. Deja vu as same happened on 17th! Also 2 Stock Doves in garden. (JB)
* 22nd - location undisclosed: Snippet of black redstart -3 13:05. Any other sightings/record from others? exact location can be given to admin on request (Mark Wingrove) I have removed location as this is a sensitive species. (admin) A 2nd bird heard at a separate location in the evening. (Admin)
* 22nd - Norbury (Pollards Hill South): Buzzard east at 08:00. (MJN)
* 22nd - Sanderstead (Briton Hill Road): Buzzard over house at 10.55 mobbed by paie of Crows. Repeat of 17th! (JB)
* 21st - Sanderstead (Briton Hill Road): 3 Swifts screaming around near house - first actually seen here this year after occasionally hearing one over past few days. (JB)
* 21st - Sanderstead Pond: Heron 3 Mallard ducklings (lunch?). (JB)
* 21st - Sanderstead (Mayfield Road): 3 Swifts screaming around rooftops. (JB)
* 21st - Wandle Park: Juv Coot, 1 ad & 2 young Moorhens. 1 Heron, 3 Swifts. (JB)
* 21st - Waddon Ponds: Pair Mute Swan with 9 cygnets, 3 broods of Coot plus 3 occupied nests, 2 pairs of Tufted Duck, singing Goldcrest and singing Chiffchaff. (JB)
* 21st - South Norwood Country Park Greylag Goose, 3 Egyptian Goose, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, 3 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 3 Stock Dove, 7 Collared Dove, 7 Swift, Kestrel, Jackdaw, 3 Swallow, Lesser Whitethroat, 11 Reed Warbler, Pied Wagtail, male Bullfinch, Reed Bunting. (JAH)
* 20th - South Norwood Lake: (08:00:09:30) 15 Canada Goose, 1 Egyptian Goose, 14 Mallard + 1 brood of 8, 22 Tufted Duck, pair Great Crested Grebe, 1m Kestrel, 12 Moorhen, 20 Coot, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 3 Stock Dove, 5 Collared Dove, 6 Swift, 5 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 9 Blackcap, 2 Whitethroat, 10 Chiffchaff, 6 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Coal Tit, 6 House Sparrow, Goldfinch (JW)
* 19th - South Norwood Lake: (07:30:09:15) 12 Canada Goose, 1 Egyptian Goose, 12 Mallard, 18 Tufted Duck, pair Great Crested Grebe, 10 Moorhen, 20 Coot + 3 broods of 4- 5-6, 3 Stock Dove , 4 Collared Dove, 5 Great Spotted Woodpecker (3 at nest sites feeding young), 1 Pied Wagtail, 8 Blackcap + 2 at nest sites feeding young, 2 Whitethroat, 10 Chiffchaff, 1 Goldcrest, 3 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Coal Tit, 2 House Sparrow + 4juv, Goldfinch (JW)
* 19th - South Norwood Country Park: Greylag Goose, 2 Egyptian Goose + 4 young to add to the ever burgeoning nursery of Canada Goose, Mallard and Coot young, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, 3 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 4 Stock Dove, 6 Collared Dove, 3 Swift, Kestrel, Sand Martin, 2 Swallow, 9 Reed Warbler, 2 Linnet around Ryelands Field (first of year and something of a rarity these days), 3 Reed Bunting. (JAH)
* 18th - Sanderstead (Briton Hill Road): Swifts heard screaming several times during morning. Are the local birds finally back? (JB)
* 18th - Lloyd Park (12:15): Tawny Owl - looking very rufous in the sunshine - pursued by a Parakeet across open grassland from one spinney to another. (John Parish)
* 18th - South Norwood Lake: (07:45:09:15) 12 Canada Goose, 1 Egyptian Goose, 13 Mallard, 20 Tufted Duck, pair Great Crested Grebe, 14 Moorhen, 24 Coot, 5 Stock Dove, 4 Collared Dove, 5 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Pied Wagtail (over), 3 Song Thrush, 1 Mistle Thrush, 6 Blackcap, 2 Whitethroat, 9 Chiffchaff, 5 Long-tailed Tit + family party of 7, 1 Coal Tit, 1 Jackdaw (over), 4 House Sparrow + 4juv, 9 Goldfinch (JW)
* 17th - Sanderstead (Briton Hill Road): Buzzard mobbed by 2 Crows over house at 11:25 while a Goldcrest was singing in the garden. (JB)
* 17th - South Norwood Lake: (07:45:09:15) 15 Canada Goose (+1 at nest with 6 eggs), 1 Egyptian Goose, 12 Mallard, 19 Tufted Duck, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 12 Moorhen, 20 Coot, 3 Stock Dove, 4 Collared Dove, 4 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Song Thrush, 6 Blackcap, 2 Whitethroat, 11 Chiffchaff, 3 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Coal Tit, 6 House Sparrow, Goldfinch (JW)
* 17th - South Norwood Country Park: Red Kite. (JAH)
* 16th - South Norwood Country Park: 3 Greylag Goose, 2 Egyptian Goose, Little Egret, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Lesser Black-backed Gull, 4 Stock Dove, 7 Collared Dove, 8 Swift, Kestrel, 2 Jackdaw, 3 Swallow, 9 Reed Warbler, 2 Reed Bunting. (JAH)
* 15th - South Norwood Lake (07:30:09:15) 12 Canada Goose, 1 Egyptian Goose, 15 Mallard, 21 Tufted Duck, pair Great Crested Grebe, 12 Moorhen, 20 Coot + 3 nests with broods of 5-5-6, 4 Stock Dove, 3 Collared Dove, 2 Swift, 5 Great Spotted Woodpecker (3 at nest sites feeding young), 3 Song Thrush (2 with food), 6 Blackcap, 3 Whitethroat, 10 Chiffchaff, 4 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Coal Tit, 5 House Sparrow, Goldfinch (JW)
* 14th - Selhurst (Towpath Way): A pair of Coal Tits have visited the bird feeders in my garden for 3 days now. This is the first year we have noticed them. Hopefully they will nest nearby, and continue to visit our garden. (Rob Wyllie).
* 14th - South Norwood Lake (07:45:09:15) 14 Canada Goose, 2 Egyptian Goose, 16 Mallard, 21 Tufted Duck, pair Great Crested Grebe, 1m Sparrowhawk, 16 Moorhen, 20 Coot, 1ad Herring Gull, 3 Stock Dove, 5 Collared Dove, 3 Swift, 4 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Song Thrush, 1 Mistle Thrush, 6 Blackcap, 2 Whitethroat, 10 Chiffchaff, 3 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Coal Tit, 6 House Sparrow, Goldfinch (JW)
* 13th - South Norwood (Pittville Gdns) (5pm): single Swift feeding medium high for 1 minute, then E (GH)
* 13th - South Norwood Lake (07:45:09:15) 20 Canada Goose, 2 Egyptian Goose, 18 Mallard, 21 Tufted Duck, pair Great Crested Grebe, 12 Moorhen, 22 Coot, 3 Stock Dove, 4 Collared Dove, 7 Swift, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Song Thrush, 1 Mistle Thrush, 8 Blackcap, 1 Whitethroat, 11 Chiffchaff, 4 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Coal Tit, 6 House Sparrow, Goldfinch (JW)
* 12th - Waddon Ponds: 12.00-13.00. 2 Mute Swan, 2 Canada Goose, 2 Egyptian Goose, 24 Mallard plus broods of 5 & 4, 4 Tufted Duck, 2 Little Grebe, 6 Moorhen plus 3 young, 5 Coot plus broods of 4 & 1, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 2 Woodpigeon, 2 Ring-necked Parakeet, 2 Swift very high, 1 Magpie, 2 Carrion Crow, 2 Blue Tit, 2 Starling, 2 Blackbird, 4 House Sparrow, 1 Goldfinch (Bird Arrivals at Waddon Ponds)
* 12th - Thornton Heath Recreation Ground : Pair of Grey Wagtails feeding fledglings on Norbury Brook, Blackcap singing also Song Thrush singing (D Benton)
* 12th - South Norwood (Kings Road) (12:15) 1 ad 3 juv Mistle Thrush, 2 singing Blackcap, (JW)
* 12th - South Norwood Lake: (07:30:09:15) 21 Canada Goose, 2 Egyptian Goose, 14 Mallard, 22 Tufted Duck, pair Great Crested Grebe, 13 Moorhen, 19 Coot (1 at nest with 4 young), 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 3 Stock Dove, 4 Collared Dove, 5 Great Spotted Woodpecker (2 at nest sites feeding young), 3 Song Thrush, 2 Mistle Thrush, 7 Blackcap, 2 Whitethroat, 9 Chiffchaff, 1 Goldcrest, 4 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Coal Tit, 5 House Sparrow, 12 Goldfinch (JW)
* 12th - South Norwood Country Park: Common Sandpiper. (JAH)
* 11th - Farthing Downs: 1 Buzzard, 1 Yellowhammer, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Whitethroats 1 Wheatear, 4 Skylarks, 11 Linnet, 3 Swallows,3 Swifts. (JB and SH)
* 11th - Riddlesdown; 2 Whitethroats 2 Bullfinch, Meadow Pipit, Skylark, 4 Linnet. (JB and SH)
* 11th - Location undisclosed: Raven. (JB and SH)
* 11th - Wandle Park: Grey Wagtail feeding a youngster. (JB)
* 11th - South Norwood Lake: (07:30:09:15) 18 Canada Goose, 14 Mallard, 24 Tufted Duck, pair Great Crested Grebe at nest, 11 Moorhen, 17 Coot, 2 Stock Dove, 5 Collared Dove, 5 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Song Thrush, 8 Blackcap, 2 Whitethroat, 10 Chiffchaff, 4 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Coal Tit, 5 House Sparrow, Goldfinch (JW)
* 11th - South Norwood Country Park: Garden Warbler. (JAH)
*10th - South Norwood Lake (08:00:09:30) 2 Greylag Goose, 15 Canada Goose, 12 Mallard, 19 Tufted Duck, pair + 1 Great Crested Grebe, 12 Moorhen, 15 Coot, 3 Stock Dove, 4 Collared Dove, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Song Thrush, 8 Blackcap, 2 singing Whitethroat, 10 Chiffchaff, 3 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Coal Tit, 5 House Sparrow, Goldfinch (JW)
* 9th - Hutchinsons Bank: Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Green Woodpecker, Common Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, Blackcap, Bullfinch. (John Parish). 1 Red Kite, Kestrel (Ernest Thomason)
* 9th - Farthing Downs: Yellowhammer singing, Lesser Whitethroat singing, 9 Linnets, 3 Skylarks, 2 Whitethroats. (JB)
* 9th - South Norwood Country Park: 3 Greylag Goose, 2 Egyptian Goose, Cormorant, 2 Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, 2 Stock Dove, 7 Collared Dove, 2 Swift, 2 Kestrel, 10 Reed Warbler, 12 Greenfinch, Reed Bunting. (JAH) 5 Common Buzzard, 2 Red Kite, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Peregrine, c20 Swifts, c10 Swallows through (London Birders - Paul Moss, Dave Strevens, John Reid)
* 8th - Queen's Rd Cemetery (Thornton Heath) (12.30-14.30): 20 species for the Big Croydon Birdwatch, incl 1m Sparrowhawk, 3 Swift, 1 Blackcap, 1 Jay & 1 Jackdaw (GH)
* 8th - New Addington (Birch Wood) (8.30am): Buzzard heard mewing high overhead; Bullfinch calling in dense cover (Michael Hampton per GH)
* 8th - South Norwood Country Park: 2 Mistle Thrush. (JAH)
* 7h - Sanderstead (Mitchley Hill): Wheatear in private garden. (John Stevens by email)
* 7th - South Norwood (Pittville Gdns) (all day): my Big Croydon Sponsored Birdwatch 2018 totaled a disappointing 21 species (incl Stock Dove, Swift (just!), Blackcap & Goldcrest); a surprising lack of migrants about for the time of year (GH)
* 7th - South Norwood Country Park: 8 Reed Warbler. (JAH)
* 6th - South Norwood Country Park: Rook, escorted by Parakeets, over south east. (JAH)
* 6th - Bingham Road, near Colworth Road: 2 Red Kite flying south away from Lower Addiscombe Road (SJA)
* 5th - South Norwood Lake: (07:30:09:15): 15 Canada Goose, 2 Egyptian Goose, 13 Mallard, 18 Tufted Duck, pair Great Crested Grebe, 11 Moorhen, 15 Coot, 3 Stock Dove, 3 Collared Dove, 4 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Song Thrush, 8 Blackcap, 9 Chiffchaff, 3 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Coal Tit, 5 House Sparrow, 1 Greenfinch, 10 Goldfinch (JW)
* 5th - Sanderstead (Briton Hill Road): Swift heard overhead at 10:00. (JB)
* 5th - Kings Wood: 03:38-06:25 for the dawn chorus. Tawny Owls hooting in 3 different areas of the wood, 10+ Stock Dove (some with Woodpigeons on adjacent sports field), 4 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 2 Green Woodpeckers, Goldcrest singing, Nuthatch, Treecreeper. (J&CB)
* 5th - Riddlesdown: 06:34-07:45. 3 singing Whitethroats, 10 Skylarks, 4 Meadow Pipits, 2 Linnets 1 Swallow N at 06:49. (J&CB)
* 5th - South Norwood Country Park: Lesser Whitethroat. (JAH)
* 5th - Norbury SW16: (17:50) Single Swift over (1st sighting this year, same date as last year. (SEC)
* 4th - South Norwood (Pittville Gdns) (11am): 1 Swift feeding very low S through Gdns, 2 Blackcaps & 1 Whitethroat singing; 1f Sparrowhawk spiraling/displaying overhead (2pm) (GH)
* 4th - South Norwood Lake: (07:45:09:15) 15 Canada Goose, 2 Egyptian Goose, 11 Mallard, 17 Tufted Duck, Pheasant (calling railway embankment), pair Great Crested Grebe, 1m Sparrowhawk, 12 Moorhen, 15 Coot, 4 Stock Dove, 3 Collared Dove, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Song Thrush, 9 Blackcap, 12 Chiffchaff, 1 Goldcrest, 4 Long-tailed Tit (1 pair at nest feeding young), 1 Coal Tit, 5 House Sparrow (JW)
* 4th - South Norwood Country Park: Bullfinch. (JAH)
* 3rd - Wandle Park: 2 Swifts, 1 Willow Warbler. (Sue Henning by email)
* 3rd - South Norwood (Pittville Gdns) (4.30pm): 1f Sparrowhawk displaying medium high; 1f Kestrel displaying low; pair Stock Doves through medium high E; 2 singing Blackcaps (GH)
* 3rd - New Addington/Layhams Farm BBS plus: Several Skylarks (Layhams), 2 Buzzard (1 Layhams, 1 Rowdown Wood), 4 Whitethroat (Layhams), 1 Lesser Whitethroat (Layhams), hundreds of Woodpigeons, dozens of Crows and Jackdaws, several Rooks (mainly Layhams but 1 Homestead Way), 3 House Martin seen from Fieldway tram stop. (JB)
* 3rd - Sanderstead: 2 Mute Swans NE near Plantation at 06:40. Buzzard over Briton Hill Road, mobbed by 2 Crows, at 13:50. (JB)
* 3rd - New Addington (Birch Wood) (11.30am): 1 Garden Warbler (1st Croydon sighting this year?) & 1 Chiffchaff singing (Michael Hampton per GH)
* 3rd - South Norwood Lake: (08:00:09:30) 2 Mute Swan, 15 Canada Goose (1 on nest), 3 Egyptian Goose, 12 Mallard, 20 Tufted Duck, pair Great Crested Grebe, 1m Sparrowhawk, 1m Kestrel, 15 Moorhen, 19 Coot, 2 Stock Dove, 4 Collared Dove, 1 Green Woodpecker, 4 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Song Thrush, 8 Blackcap, 10 Chiffchaff, 1 Goldcrest, 4 Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit at nest feeding young, 2 Coal Tit, 5 House Sparrow, Goldfinch (JW)
* 3rd - South Norwood Country Park: Common Sandpiper (JAH)
* 2nd - South Norwood (Pittville Gdns) (1.45-2pm): 1 Swallow rapidly E at tree-top height (site 1st of year), 1 Swift drifting med high E (site 1st of year), 1 Mallard low W (GH)
* 2nd - South Norwood Country Park: 2 Greylag Goose, 2 Egyptian Goose, Cormorant, 2 Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Stock Dove, 3 Collared Dove, Kestrel, 9 Swallow, Willow Warbler, 5 Reed Warbler. (JAH) 11.00 - 11.30 Little Egret, 1 Swift. 7 Swallows & 3 House Martins feeding over lake. (Brian Russell)
* 1st - Wandle Park: 1 Swallow, pair Moorhens with 4 young. (Sue Henning by email)
* 1st - Farthing Downs: BBS highlights include 6 Linnet, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Swallow, 3 House Martin, 1 Stock Dove, 1 Buzzard, 1 Mistle Thrush, no more than 2 Yellowhammer (the breeding outlook for this species seems very bleak here now). Also present, 2 Whitethroat, 3 Goldfinch, 2 Coal Tit, 3 Long Tailed Tit. (DH)
* 1st - South Norwood Country Park: 4 Greylag Goose, 2 Egyptian Goose, male Pochard, 4 Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, 4 Stock dove, 5 Collared Dove, 6 Swallow, Willow Warbler, 4 Reed Warbler, 10 Greenfinch, Reed Bunting. (JAH). Hobby 16.00 (Brian Russell)