May 2013

* 31st - South Norwood Lake: (09:00-10:30hrs) 17 Tufted Duck, pair Great Crested Grebe, 1 Cormorant, c12 Swift, 6 House Martin, 4 singing Song Thrush, 7 Blackcap, 6 Chiffchaff, 4 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Nuthatch, pair Long-tailed Tit, c6 House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, (JW/GH)
* 30th - South Norwood Lake (late am): 37 species, incl pair Great Crested Grebe, 2 imm Herring Gull, 2 ad Lesser Black-backed Gull (over), 1 Stock Dove (over), 1 Collared Dove, 30+ Swift, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1/2 Jackdaw, 3 singing Song Thrush, 4 Blackcap, 4 Chiffchaff, 1 Nuthatch, 3 singing Dunnock, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch (GH)
* 29th - South Norwood Lake: (09:00-10:30hrs) pair Great Crested Grebe, 3 imm Herring Gull, c10 Swift, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Jackdaw, 1 Nuthatch, 4 singing Song Thrush, nesting Coal Tit, pair Long-tailed Tit, 6 Blackcap, 5 Chiffchaff, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch (JW/GH)
* 28th - South Norwood Lake: (09:00-10:30hrs) pair Great Crested Grebe, 18 Tufted Duck, c50 Canada Geese, 1 Cormorant, 4 imm Herring Gull, c12 Swift, 2 Swallow, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Nuthatch, 5 singing Song Thrush, 6 Blackcap, 5 Chiffchaff, 6 House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch (JW/GH) 
* 27th - Sanderstead: Kestrel over Briton Hill Road - first seen here this year. Also Goldcrest still singing. (JB)
* 27th - South Norwood Lake (late am): 30 species, incl pair Gt Crested Grebe, 8 imm Herring Gull, 4 Swift, 1 Gt Spotted Woodpecker, 2 pair Long-tailed Tit, 5 Chiffchaff, 5 Blackcap, 2 singing Dunnock (GH)
* 26th - Stambourne Woodland Walk (late morning): 1 hour watch produced 22 species, incl 2 Sparrowhawk (heard calling simultaneously in tree canopy), 2 Herring Gull (over), 1 Gt Spotted Woodpecker, pair singing Goldcrest, 2 Coal Tit, pair Long-tailed Tit, 2 singing Blackcap, 1 singing Song Thrush, 2 singing Dunnock (GH)
* 26th - South Norwood Lake (mid morning): 31 species, incl pair Gt Crested Grebe (no sign again of their two chicks), 8 imm Herring Gull, 2 Gt Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Coal Tit, 2 pair Long-tailed Tit, 3/4 Chiffchaff, 5 Blackcap, 1 singing Song Thrush, 2/3 Dunnock, 3 pair House Sparrow (GH)
* 25th - Nightingale still singing this morning. (Admin)
* 25th - South Norwood Lake (mid afternoon): very quiet - 30 species, incl pair Gt Crested Grebe (lots of pair bonding near usual nest area, but no sign at all of their two chicks), 3 ad Lesser Black-backed Gull, 10 imm Herring Gull, 1 Stock Dove (feeding on playing fields), 1 Gt Spotted Woodpecker, 2 pair Long-tailed Tit, 4 Chiffchaff, 4 Blackcap, 2 singing Song Thrush, 2/3 Dunnock, sev House Sparrow (GH)
* 24th - Queen's Gardens: Grey Wagtail (John Parish)
* 23rd - Farthing Downs: 2 Yellowhammers singing, 3 Skylarks, 2 Swifts, several Linnets (JB)
* 23rd - Pollards Hill S.: 17.00 Red Kite drifting over NW pursued by local crows (MJN)
* 22nd - South Norwood Lake: (09:00-11:00hrs) 22 Tufted Duck, pair Great Crested Grebe with 2 young, 4 imm Herring Gull, 1ad Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1 Grey Heron on lake(with damaged wing) 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 4 singing Song Thrush, c12 Swift, 6 Blackcap, 4/5 Chiffchaff, Long Tailed Tit, 1 Jay, c8 House Sparrow, Chaffinch Greenfinch, Goldfinch, (JW/JB)
* 22nd - Pollards Hill S.: a.m Fem Sprawk hunting overhead (MJN)
* 21st - South Norwood Lake: (09:00-10:30hrs) 28 Tufted Duck, pair Great Crested Grebe (with 2 young), 5 1mm Herring Gull, c20 Swift, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 singing Song Thrush, 6 Blackcap, 5 Chiffchaff, 6 House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, (JW)
* 21st - South Norwood Country Park: Mute Swan, Little Grebe, Little Egret, Sparrowhawk, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Stock Dove, 2 Collared Dove, 10 Swift, 2 Jackdaw (JAH)
* 19th - Riddlesdown: 2 bullfinch, 2 lesser whitethroat, several skylarks. (David Hayes)
* 19th - Nightingale still present and singing. (Admin)
* 19th - Farthing Downs: 1 hours observations produced 2 skylarks, 2 linnets, at least three yellowhammers, 1 willow warbler still in song, 2 chiffchaffs heard, 2 long tailed tits, 3 swifts over, 1 house sparrow looking quite at home, 1 whitethroat. (David Hayes)
* 19th - South Norwood Lake: (09:00-10:00hrs) 26 Tufted Duck, Great Crested Grebe with 2 young + 2eggs, 4 imm Herring Gull, 1m Sparrowhawk, 6 Swift, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 singing Song Thrush, 7 Blackcap, 5 Chiffchaff, 8 House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch,(JW)
* 19th - South Norwood Country Park: Mute Swan, Little Grebe, Peregrine, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull,5 Stock Dove, Collared Dove, 12 Swift, 3 Swallow, 6 Reed Warbler (JAH) 
* 19th - Croft Rd, SW16: (2pm) Sparrowhawk over, approx 21.10 hrs 100+ crows flying over returning to roost in Bigginwood (SEC)
* 18th - South Norwood Country Park: Mute Swan, Cormorant over, Peregrine, Common Sandpiper, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Stock Dove, 2 Collared Dove, 17 Swift, Sand Martin, Swallow, Mistle Thrush, 4 Reed Warbler (JAH)
* 17th - South Norwood Country Park: 22 Swift, Swallow, 1 adult + 3 young Mistle Thrush on Pitch & Putt, 5 Reed Warbler (JAH)
* 17th - Riddlesdown: a blackcap, green woodpecker, and bullfinch all at the top of the Quarry), and 10 swifts feeding low over the fields, but yesterday's whinchats were not seen. (Brian Thomas)
* 17th - Nightingale in full song from 4pm to 4.20. (Admin)
* 16th - Riddlesdown: two whinchats on field near Warlingham School playing fields, circa 20 swifts and a couple of martins feeding high to the north. (Brian Thomas)
* 16th - South Norwood Country Park: 2 Mute Swan, 2 Little Grebe, Stock Dove, 3 Collared Dove, 7 Swift, 3 Swallow, 51 Wren, 4 Reed Warbler, Reed Bunting (JAH)
* 16th - Sanderstead: First Swifts of the year over Briton Hill Road this morning - at least a week later than usual. (JB)
* 15th - South Norwood Country Park: 5 Lesser Black-backed Gull over (JAH)
* 15th - Nightingale singing a noon. (Admin)
* 15th - New Addington: 2 Rooks feeding on roadside verge at junction of King Henry's Drive and Arnhem Crescent. (JB/SM)
* 15th - New Addington (fields behind Rowdown area): 23 Stock Doves, 11 Skylarks, 25 Goldfinches, 3 Linnets, 2 Bullfinches, 3 Swifts, Cuckoo heard. (JB/SM)
* 14th - South Norwood Country Park: 15 Swift, 3 Swallow, House Martin (JAH)
* 14th - Sanderstead Pond: 9 Mallard ducklings, 7 'domestic' (57 varieties) ducklings, brood of Moorhens and 4 Canada Geese (1 with BTO ring 5261177 - ringed Bushy Park on 4 July 2012, at Waddon Ponds on 13 April 2013) that had not been present at 8am (but 2 flew over Briton Hill Road towards the pond a few minutes later). (JB)
* 14th - Riddlesdown: At least six Skylarks, Linnet. (JB)
* 14th - Nightingale singing at 7.30. Had also been heard singing at 1.30am!!!(admin)
* 13th - Kingswood Lane adjacent to Kingswood Lodge: Tawny Owl heard. (Brian Thomas)
* 13th - Nightingale singing and showing briefly at 5.15pm. (Admin)
* 13th - South Norwood Country Park: 2 Mute Swan, 2 Greylag Goose, 19 Tufted Duck, 2 Little Grebe, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 11 Swift, House Martin, 3 Reed Warbler, Reed Bunting (JAH)
* 12th - Nightingale still present at 6.30am. (Admin)
* 12th - South Norwood Lake: (09:00-11:00hrs) 20 Tufted Duck, pair Great Crested Grebe (1on nest) 2ad 20imm Herring Gull, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 singing Song Thrush, 5 Blackcap, 4 Chiffchaff, 1 pair Long-tailed Tit, 1 Nuthatch,2 House Sparrow, c20 Common Swift (over lake) Greenfinch (at nest feeding young) c10 Goldfinch, (JW)
* 12th - South Norwood Country Park: 2 Mute Swan, 2 Little Grebe, Canada/Greylag hybrid, 2 Stock Dove, 5 Swift, 2 Swallow, 2 Mistle Thrush, 3 Reed Warbler, 14 Blackcap, 8 Chiffchaff, Reed Bunting (JAH)
* 11th - South Norwood Country Park: 8 Swift, 7 Swallow, 2 House Martin (JAH)
* 11th - Waddon Ponds: 51 Coots (1 young, 7 occupied nests, 2 nests being built/repaired), 22 Canada Geese (2 occupied nests), 4 Little Grebes, 15 Mallards, 3 Tufted Ducks, 4 Moorhens (1 nest), 2 Grey Wagtails, 64 Feral Pigeons, Mistle Thrush, Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Long-tailed Tits, Blackcap. (JB)
* 11th - Wandle Park: Pair of Mallards, Blackcap singing. (JB)
* 10th - South Norwood Lake: 20:05hrs c12 Common Swift over Lake (JW)
* 10th - Pittville Gardens, S Norwood (3pm): 1 Swallow through E & 2 Swift overhead (the latter 17 days later than in 2012) (GH)
* 10th - South Norwood Country Park: 2 Mute Swan, 2 Greylag Goose, Egyptian Goose, Little Grebe, 3 Swift, 3 Reed Warbler (JAH)
* 10th - Riddlesdown: several Skylarks singing, 2 Swifts over, 1 Cormorant west at 06:10. (JB)
* 10th - location withheld: Nightingale still singing for its sixth day. (admin) Great for those in the know, I suppose! (JAH please contact me - J Birkett)
* 9th - South Norwood Country Park: 6 Swift, Swallow, 3 Reed Warbler (JAH)
* 9th - Norbury SW16: 1 swift over (6.45pm) - (7, 3 and 5 days later than previous 3 years) (SEC)
* 8th - South Norwood Country Park: 2 Sand Martin, 2 Swallow, Reed Warbler, Reed Bunting (JAH)
* 7th - specific site location within Croydon withheld: Nightingale singing for its third day at least. (Admin)
* 7th - South Norwood Country Park: Common Sandpiper, Reed Warbler, Reed Bunting, 2 House Martin, 18 Swift, Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrel (Steven Robinson, Martin Stevens per London Birders) 
* 7th - South Norwood Lake:(09:00-11:00hrs) 22 Tufted Duck, pair Great Crested Grebe (1 on nest), 10 imm Herring Gull, 1 Stock Dove, 4 Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker (1 drumming), 5 singing Song Thrush, pair Blackcap + 8, 8 Chiffchaff, 1 Common Whitethroat, 3 pair Long-tailed Tit, 1 Coal Tit, 2 Nuthatch, 1 Pied Wagtail, 2 Jay, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Greenfinch (JW/GH) 
* 7th - South Norwood Country Park: 2 Mute Swan, Little Grebe, Sparrowhawk, Common Sandpiper, 3 Stock Dove, 2 Collared Dove, Swallow, 2 Reed Warbler, 2 Coal Tit, 4 Jackdaw (JAH) 
* 6th - South Norwood Lake: (09:00-11:00hrs) 18 Tufted Duck, pair Great Crested Grebe (1 on nest with 4 eggs), 1 Collared Dove (over), 3 Green Woodpecker, 5 Great Spotted Woodpecker + 2 drumming, 5 singing Song Thrush, pair Blackcap + 8, 8 Chiffchaff, 1 Common Whitethroat, 2 pair Long-tailed Tit, 1 Coal Tit, 1 Nuthatch, 1 Jay, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, C6 Greenfinch, Goldfinch (JW/GH)
* 5th - Coulsdon CR5: Osprey slowly drifting S 12.10 v high (Paul Sell per London Birders)
* 5th - Farthing Downs: 1 garden warbler in song (the first at this site for at least 3 years), 2 lesser whitethroat, 2 willow warblers, 1 chiffchaff, 2 swallows over, 5 greenfinch, 2 goldfinch, 3 linnet, 2 skylark, 2 long tailed tit, 1 coal tit, 4 blackcap in song, 3 yellowhammer plus usuals. (David Hayes) 
* 5th - South Norwood Lake:(09:00-11:00hrs) 26 Tufted Duck, pair + 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Cormorant, 1m Sparrowhawk, 14 imm Herring Gull, 1 "singing" Stock Dove, 1 Collared Dove, 2 Green Woodpecker, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Pied Wagtail, 3 singing Song Thrush, 1 pair + 11 Blackcap, 5 Chiffchaff, 1 Common Whitethroat, 3 Swallow (over), 1 pair Long-tailed Tit, 1 Nuthatch, 2 House Sparrow, c10 Greenfinch, 4 singing Chaffinch, Goldfinch (JW/GH) 
* 5th - South Norwood Country Park: Common Sandpiper @11.15am, 7 Swallow heading north and 2 Reed Warbler. (PEM)
* 4th - Farthing Downs: 2 skylark, 3 yellohammer, 2 linnet, 1 whitethroat, 1 lesser whitethroat, 2 willow warbler, 1 chiffchaff, 3 blackcap, 1 lesser redpoll over, 2 swallow over plus usuals. (David Hayes)
* 4th - South Norwood Lake: (09:00-10:45hrs) Mallard (with brood of 6), 22 Tufted Duck, pair Great Crested Grebe (1 on nest), 1m Sparrowhawk, 9imm Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull (over), 2 Collared Dove, 3 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Pied Wagtail, 5 Song Thrush (4 singing), 7 Blackcap, 5 Chiffchaff, 1 Common Whitethroat (singing), 2 pair Long-tailed Tit, 1 Nuthatch, group of c100 Starling, 8 Swallow, 2 House Sparrow, Chaffinch (4 singing), Goldfinch, Greenfinch (JW/GH)
* 4th - Melville Avenue, South Croydon: lone Crossbill over, flying west, 7.17am. Single House Martin west, 7.55am.(AJP)
* 3rd - Lloyd Park: Pheasant heard distantly, 3.15pm. (AJP)
* 3rd - Sanderstead: a least two House Martins back looking at nests in usual colony. Also realised that one of the Canada Geese hanging around Sanderstead Pond is ringed (but unable to read it today - see entry for 14th May). (JB)
* 3rd - Wandle Park: Pair of Grey Wagtails (JB)
* 3rd - Waddon Ponds: Chiffchaff singing, a least three Little Grebes. (JB)
* 3rd - South Norwood Lake (late am): very quiet - 30 species, incl pair nesting Gt Crested Grebe, 5 imm Herring Gull (1 sitting on Coot's nest!), 2 Green Woodpecker, 2 Gt Spotted Woodpecker ( 1 drumming), pair Goldcrest, pair Long-tailed Tit, 4 singing Chiffchaff, pair + 3/4 singing Blackcap (GH) 
* 3rd - Pittville Gardens, South Norwood (11.30am): Common Buzzard drifting W/calling (GH)
* 3rd - Pollards Hill South-Chiffchaff and Blackcap singing in garden a.m. (MJN)
* 3rd - South Norwood Country Park: Red Kite (JAH)
* 2nd - Cullesden Rd 6.30pm 1 Buzzard going South (D W)
* 2nd - South Norwood Country Park: male Yellow Wagtail flew from Ryelands Field @ 8am (JAH)
* 1st - Peregrine over back garden in Thornton Heath 12.35pm. (LO)
* 1st - South Norwood Lake (late am): 36 species, incl pair Gt Crested Grebe (on nest), fem Sparrowhawk circling/displaying, 4 imm Herring Gull, 1 Green Woodpecker, 4 Gt Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Jackdaw (heard), 1 Coal Tit, 2 pair Long-tailed Tit, 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler, 4 Blackcap, 2 singing Whitethroat, 1 Nuthatch, 2 singing Song Thrush, 1 Pied Wagtail (GH)
* 1st - Queen's Road Cemetery, Thornton Heath (mid am) : 21 species, incl Green Woodpecker, Jay, pair Goldcrest, pair Long-tailed Tit (GH)
* 1st - Pollards Hill South-Jays nest building in adjacent garden attacking all other corvids which pass by! Fem. Sprawk took Blue Tit from garden feeder (MJN)