Local naturalist Tim Harris led a Migrant Watch event for the Group on Sunday 28th March 2010. This covered Wanstead Flats and Wanstead Park, and we were hoping to see the first summer migrant birds arriving in those areas.  Because our study area (Wanstead Flats and Wanstead Park) is so large, we decided to break the walk into three parts.  People could dip in and dip out as they felt able, and do all or part of the event.

Tim described the plan for the walk as follows: "Spring is here (just!) after what seems like a long, cold winter, and the sound of birdsong is everywhere.  This year, Wren Group members will be out looking and listening for our regular resident breeding species, and any new arrivals that deserted us for warmer climes during the winter months."

Those who didn't forget to put their clock forwards the night before met at 6.30am at the Jubilee Pond car park on Wanstead Flats and followed a zig-zag route across the Flats, ending up at Alexandra Lake.  We were treated to an absolutely glorious display of colours as the sun rose over distant Ilford, watched the aerial displays of Skylarks and Meadow Pipits, listened to Wrens and Dunnocks, and got a sight of a Little Owl in one of the copses. Alexandra Lake was slightly disappointing because there was a cordon round it and a security barrier, erected after the bird-poisoning incident. (see here)

Our second meeting point was at 8:30am by the refreshment kiosk in Wanstead Park, where some more people joined us. Almost straight away we were pleased to hear our first Willow Warbler of the year, singing from shrubs near the kiosk. From there we made our way to the Dell, seeing Great Spotted and Green Woodpeckers on the way. The Dell as usual provided us with a host of both bird-song and bird sightings - though not the hoped-for Water Rail, we did see a Sparrowhawk pass over and a Blackcap singing from a nearby Holly. Into the old sewage works then, to see a flock of nearly 20 Linnets, along the Roding with more Dunnocks, and then back into the Park for an almost-circumnavigation of the Ornamental Waters.  It was noticeable that there were far fewer water birds than on our count of just a few weeks ago, but we did see and hear more woodpeckers, Ring-necked Parakeets, Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps.

The final leg of our morning began at 10:30am at the Warren Road entrance to Wanstead Park, where again a couple of people joined us. We walked down the Glade and then out onto the the Plain. Some of us were getting both tired and cold by that time (6.30 start - remember!), so we repaired to the kiosk for a refreshment break before walking along by Heronry Pond and around the Shoulder of Mutton as far as Reservoir Wood. The latter provided us with views of a Swan nesting and four pairs of Gadwall, and at the Reservoir Stream was a nice view of a Grey Wagtail. Nearby, a Blackcap was singing and perching most conveniently to get good sight and sound. As predicted we saw a variety of both resident and migrant birds, and were provided with an opportunity to learn a bit more about their song - or just to enjoy it!  Looping back around the south of Heronry Pond, we were back at the refreshment kiosk at around 12:30pm.

Some of our Group left us then, but six of the total of fourteen who had attended made their way to that other excellent refreshment venue (and a good wildlife one, too) - the City of London Cemetery. Thanks to Tim and everyone that came along for a most enjoyable migrant watch.

For a list of some of the species seen, click here

Paul Ferris