welsh harp conservation group no. 26 april 2020welsh harp report 2019 3 contents map of the...

WELSH HARP CONSERVATION GROUP

No. 26 April 2020

Welsh Harp Report 2019

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Map created by Andrew Haynes


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CONTENTS

Map of the Reservoir Page 2 Contents Chairman’s Report by Roy Beddard Page 4 Review of 2019 by Andrew Haynes Page 6 Birds of Brent Reservoir 2019 by Andrew Self Page 10 First and Last dates in 2019 Page 41 Visible Migration by Andrew Self Page 42 Other Wildlife by Andrew Self Page 43 Committee Members Page 45 List of Contributors Page 45 Acknowledgements Page 45 Front Cover photo by Andrew Self


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Chairman’s Report 2019

Introduction Work on the West Hendon Re-generation Project has continued in the area adjacent to West Hendon Broadway. Applications have been made for the Compulsory Purchase of land for Phase 6, the Silk Stream Foot-Bridge construction. This controversial development will cut a swathe of 2,000sq m through the mature wet woodland next to the Northern Marsh. This work is not planned to start until 2022. The construction of the planned footbridge adjacent to Cool Oak Lane Bridge started in October 2019 and should be completed this winter. Early consultation on recreational development of West Hendon Playing Fields has continued. This represents a threat to wildlife and habitats. The annual summer growth of water weed was once again low and numbers of autumn/winter ducks were lower in number than previously. Silt build-up continues and excessive growth of vegetation has limited use of the Heron Hide. Conservation Activities A limited Willow clearance was carried out earlier this year to improve sightlines from the hides in both East and North Marshes. Oak and Blackthorn saplings in the Gorse meadow were also trimmed. These midweek tasks were organised by LWT and local volunteers. Andrew Self has carried out the annual reed clearance which permits views from the Main Hide across the East Marsh. We have been unable to visit the rafts for maintenance, due to the continued build-up of silt which limited access and makes the work unsafe. In spite of this about four to six pairs of Terns occupied the rafts, three successfully. As last year Lesser Black-backed Gulls did not nest on the rafts which assisted the Terns. Once again litter-picking events have taken place. These took place in the North Marsh and the North Bank and were organised by Daniella Levene. Wildlife and Surveys At the year end the bird total was higher than 2018 with 129 species compared to 124 last year. Wildfowl numbers remain low with peak counts of 220 Tufted Duck and up to 43 Pochard present in January and February. The most notable wildfowl record was of a pair of Red-breasted Merganser seen on April 9th. A winter plumaged Black-necked Grebe was present for almost a week in November. Seventeen wader species were seen in the year. The winter Snipe flock has been up to the mid twenties during both winter seasons with a high count of 27, but continues to be difficult to count. One or two Jack Snipe have been seen on several occasions this Autumn with three seen on Oct 6th. LRP was present from early April and into July. Buzzard numbers were similar to 2018 and included one bird interacting with a briefly seen Raven on April 4th. Red Kites were regular throughout the Spring. Peregrine were reported several times and Hobby was also seen on a number of occasions. A Marsh Harrier on February 25th was the most notable raptor record. This year there were no records of Spring Whinchat and once again the spring passage was fairly quiet, the only Spotted Flycatcher records being in the Autumn. There were a number of chats recorded in early September, with Redstart, Wheatear, Whinchat and Stonechat all seen. Cetti’s Warbler is now present in all months of the year and is breeding; two juvenile birds were seen


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near the Main Hide. The visible migration watchers had a quiet season with a sound recording of Hawfinch the highlight. The Bat watch was once again very good with many bats of up to five species present, giving some very close views. Butterfly sightings were again dominated by Marbled White although in lower numbers than last year. It was a good year for White-letter Hairstreak with several sightings reported. Brown Argus was seen again and photographed. Several records of Small Heath were noted on an unmown area in Silver Jubilee, the first for several years. Willow Emerald Damselfly was a new Odonata species for the site; one or two were seen in the Eastern Marsh. Education and Publications The Annual Report and Systematic list for 2018 was completed by Andrew Self and circulated in March.

Sparrowhawk (Magnus Andersson)


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Review of the Year 2019 The total number of bird species recorded at Brent Reservoir in 2019 was 129 — five more than in 2018 but two fewer than in 2017. The year produced no spectacular birds to match the Cattle Egret of 2018, the Ring-billed Duck of 2017, the Spotted Sandpiper of 2016 or even the Caspian Gull of 2015— all firsts for the reservoir if you discount the Spot Sand shot two centuries ago — but the 2019 tally nevertheless featured some interesting species, including the site’s third ever Raven, 12th Marsh Harrier, 13th record of Brent Goose (only the second this century) and 14th record of Avocet. There were also reports of a dozen species categorised as “scarce” for the site. And of those species classed as “near-annual”, only Pheasant, Arctic Tern and Rook failed to show up. However, Pintail, which is normally an annual visitor, was not recorded either, and some other annual visitors were seen less frequently than in previous years. JANUARY The year began on New Year’s Day with a sighting of the Jack Snipe that had been reported regularly since early October 2018 and was to be seen again until 17th January. A Woodcock was reported on the 5th. An overwintering Common Buzzard was seen regularly during January, continuing through to mid-April. The first Red Kite of year passed over on the 27th. A drake Red-crested Pochard was present on the 23rd, and the first Great Black-backed Gull of the year was recorded on the 30th (with individuals also seen on a dozen later dates). FEBRUARY February’s notable sightings began on the 1st with an adult Mediterranean Gull on a raft in North Marsh. Woodcock tracks were seen on the same day and one was flushed the following day. A Tawny Owl was discovered roosting in a hole in an oak tree on the 3rd and was to be seen there again on and off throughout the year. A Marsh Harrier flew low over East Marsh on the 25th. The only Skylark seen early in the year was recorded on the 14th. On the 22nd a male Stonechat was found on the Shrike Field and a female on the Dump. Mediterranean Gull (Magnus Andersson) MARCH A Redshank on 8th March was the only spring sighting of this species. After a two-month absence, a Jack Snipe was found on the 16th and was seen again until mid-April. Six Wigeon were found during the 24th March WEBs count — the first of only three sightings during the year.


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A Shelduck on the 27th was the first of several records, all during spring. On the 28th, no fewer than nine migrant Common Buzzard passed overhead in a period of less than four hours. APRIL A Mandarin Duck flew past the main hide early in the morning of 2nd, and on the 9th a pair of Red-Breasted Merganser put in an appearance — the first record of this species since October 2010. On the 5th, a Woodcock flew past the main hide. Red-Breasted Mergansers (Magnus Andersson) The first Dunlin of the year were three that circled East Marsh on the 8th, and there were also two sightings of single birds later in the month. A Whimbrel landed briefly in East Marsh during a rainstorm on the 24th, and the only Grey Plover of the year was seen on the 29th.

After a 30-minute visit by three Little Gull on the 8th, four more were seen briefly early on the 9th, with a fifth bird arriving the same morning and staying all day. The year’s second Mediterranean Gull flew over with a flock of Black-headed Gull on the 21st. The year’s only adult Yellow-legged Gull was recorded on the 24th (five other sightings during the year were all first-winter birds).

Little Gulls (Magnus Andersson) Passerine sightings included a Rock or Water Pipit seen briefly on the mud on the 2nd, a Raven that few over the North Bank on the 14th and a Brambling in East Marsh on the 18th — one of only two recorded during the year. On the 23rd a Nightingale was heard and then seen between the Dump and the old cycle track, and on the following day the year’s only Ring Ouzel was reported. Two Wheatears recorded on the 26th were the first spring records for this species. MAY The spring bird count day on 4th produced 72 species; highlights included sightings of seven migrant Common Buzzard and one Hobby — the first of half a dozen seen during the year. A Mandarin Duck that flew past the main hide early in the morning was the year’s second (and last), after the bird on 2nd April. An Avocet was found feeding in North Marsh on the evening of the 8th and was still present the next morning. Single Ringed Plover were seen on the 8th and 17th and a flock of seven on the 31st. On the 12th, the year’s second Nightingale sang briefly near the rifle range. The year’s only Firecrest was heard singing by the builders’ yard on the 25th.


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JUNE Confirmation of breeding by Cetti’s Warbler came on 2nd when two fledglings were seen behind the main hide; there was also evidence of four other breeding territories. A survey of the North Bank heronry on the 9th found five Grey Heron nests; three fledged young were seen, and adults were still sitting on other nests. The 30th saw the year’s third and last report of Mediterranean Gull.

JULY Four reports of Redshank during July were the year’s only records of this bird apart from the March sighting. Greenshank (not recorded at all in 2018) were seen on four dates in July, with more to follow in August and September. The year’s only Oystercatcher was seen on the 21st. A Black-necked Grebe — the first since March 2012 — was present on the 24th. AUGUST Egyptian Goose, which was recorded regularly throughout the year, reached a record count of 15 on 31st. The

Greenshank (Andrew Self) year’s only Garganey, an eclipse male, was seen on the 4th. Evidence of local breeding by birds of prey was provided by records of a juvenile Sparrowhawk on the 2nd and a juvenile Little Owl on the 11th. Greenshank were recorded on four dates in August. The only autumn records of Dunlin were of single birds (or occasionally two) between the 9th and the 14th. A Whimbrel heard on the 9th was only the second for the year, and a Black-tailed Godwit present on the 28th was the year’s only record. A Tree Pipit photographed on the Dump on the 7th was the first of the season. A Spotted Flycatcher on the 20th was the first of the year; there were five further records over the next three weeks. The year’s only records of Common Redstart were on the last three days of August, while Whinchat were seen only on two days in late August and one in early September. The autumn bird count day on the 31st produced 74 species, including Common Buzzard, Peregrine, Yellow-legged Gull, Common Redstart and Spotted Flycatcher. Whinchat (Andrew Self) SEPTEMBER The year’s last Greenshank was recorded on 2nd and the last Red Kite of year was seen on the 19th.


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The only autumn Stonechat was recorded on the Dump on the 8th, along with two Whinchat and a Spotted Flycatcher, and the only autumn Wheatear appeared three days later. The year’s second (and last) Tree Pipit was found feeding on the Dump on the 14th. OCTOBER A single Wigeon was recorded on 5th October and a flock of 11 on the 30th. The year’s second Black-necked Grebe appeared on the 27th and stayed until 6th Nov. Three Jack Snipe on the 6th were the only record of this species in the second half of the year. A Rock Pipit was seen on the mud on the 5th. Visual migration observations produced Tree Pipit, September 14th (Andrew Self) single Skylark on the 13th and 27th and the year’s second Brambling on the 20th. NOVEMBER A flock of 10 Brent Goose overhead on 16th November provided the first record of this species since a single bird in October 2001. A pair of Goldeneye were on the main reservoir on the 29th, and the drake was seen again the next day. On the 24th, a Golden Plover was heard calling overhead. Two Hawfinch passed over the Dump during a vis-mig watch on 5th November. DECEMBER The year ended quietly, with little of interest in December other than three further reports of Tawny Owl and the last of the year’s six Yellow-legged Gull records on the 8th. Tawny Owl (Magnus Andersson)


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BIRDS OF BRENT RESERVOIR 2019 MUTE SWAN Cygnus olor A breeding resident with an additional non-breeding flock

Monthly maxima:

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

40 43 46 30 43 48 42 43 39 52 25 35

The highest count was 52 on Oct 13th compared to 64 last year. Fewer pairs attempted breeding this year with just four nests counted and three broods (seven broods in 2018). GREYLAG GOOSE Anser anser An occasional and increasing visitor


3 4 1 2 1 1 4 5 3 4 - 3

Seen in eleven months of the year, with the odd bird remaining for extended periods. The highest count was five on Aug 31st. BRENT GOOSE Branta bernicla A rare winter visitor A flock of ten flew NW over the reservoir at 11:25 on Nov 16th (RB, LAB). This was the first record since Oct 20th, 2001. CANADA GOOSE Branta canadensis A breeding resident


75 48 75 52 46 124 112 71 53 164 28 40

Present throughout the year; the highest count was 164 on Oct 13th (106 in 2018). Just one brood was noted this year. EGYPTIAN GOOSE Alopochen aegyptiaca A breeding resident


4 5 5 7 6 7 8 15 5 11 3 2


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A count of 15 roosting on the jetty on Aug 31st was a new record. One brood was seen in spring; the family also included an adopted Mallard duckling.

Egyptian Goose family with adopted Mallard (Andrew Self)


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SHELDUCK Tadorna tadorna An annual visitor There were four records in spring: one on Mar 27th; a male from Apr 6th-9th; two from Apr 16th-18th; and a pair on May 15th. The only other record was one on Dec 26th.

Shelduck, April 9th (Magnus Andersson) MANDARIN Aix galericulata A scarce visitor There were two records in spring, both involving a drake flying East past the hide: on Apr 2nd and May 4th. This duck is turning up more frequently, being seen in eleven years since 2000. WIGEON Anas penelope A regular autumn visitor, occasional in winter and spring A poor year with only three records. The only record in the first half of the year was six on Mar 24th. In autumn there was one on Oct 5th and a flock of 11 on Oct 30th. GADWALL Anas strepera A breeding resident


8 13 25 26 29 61 63 63 38 34 24 25


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Gadwall numbers declined again with a peak of 63 compared to 80 last year. No broods were seen this year.

Drake Gadwall (Andrew Self) TEAL Anas crecca Autumn and winter visitor, occasional in summer; has bred once


62 143 102 35 8 3 0 5 73 154 126 42

The peak count of 154 was higher than last year’s total of 120. Four pairs were still present in North Marsh on May 4th with one pair displaying. MALLARD Anas platyrhynchos A resident breeder


47 60 40 38 21 67 130 81 80 54 25 35


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Two broods seen compared to six last year, one of which contained 14 ducklings. The peak count of 130 was similar to last year’s 135. GARGANEY Anas querquedula A scarce summer visitor An eclipse drake was present in East Marsh from Aug 4th-13th (ASMS).

Garganey (Andrew Self) SHOVELER Anas clypeata Virtually resident with an influx in autumn, occasional breeder


9 25 14 4 1 3 2 2 77 41 15 30

This year’s peak of 77 was slightly higher than the count of 70 last September.

Pair of Shoveler (Magnus Andersson)


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RED-CRESTED POCHARD Netta rufina A scarce visitor A drake was present briefly by the viewing platform on Jan 23rd, the third year in a row one has been seen. POCHARD Aythya ferina A regular visitor in varying numbers, occasional breeder


43 22 4 2 3 30 5 2 19 5 23 29

Lower numbers than last year year with a peak of 43 compared to 56 last January. TUFTED DUCK Aythya fuligula A breeding resident with a larger wintering population


260 220 47 19 29 3 52 23 55 85 135 185

The peak count of 260 was higher than last year’s 220. Three broods (4,9,2) were seen in August.

Female Tufted Duck with brood (Andrew Self)

GOLDENEYE Bucephala clangula A scarce winter visitor A pair was seen on Oct 29th with the drake still present the following day (TM).


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RED-BREASTED MERGANSER Mergus serrator A scarce winter visitor/passage migrant A pair was present on Apr 9th (ASMS); the last record was a female on Oct 10th, 2010.

Pair of Red-breasted Merganser (Magnus Andersson)

LITTLE GREBE Tachybaptus ruficollis A resident breeder with an autumn influx


3 4 2 4 1 3 5 7 8 10 5 5

The peak count of ten was the same as last year. Two broods were noted this year. GREAT CRESTED GREBE Podiceps cristatus A resident breeder, fewer in winter


11 4 20 27 18 19 18 19 23 12 3 3

The peak of 27 on Apr 15th was much lower than last year’s 41. Four broods were seen between July and September.


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Great Crested Grebes (Magnus Andersson)

BLACK-NECKED GREBE Podiceps nigricollis A scarce visitor Two birds were seen this year: on July 24th (SL) and from Oct 27th-Nov 6th (ASMS). This was the first year with more than one record since 2011. CORMORANT Phalacrocorax carbo A non-breeding resident


23 12 8 14 11 2 6 33 26 7 6 6

Numbers were significantly down on last year with the peak count dropping from 69 to 33. LITTLE EGRET Egretta garzetta An occasional visitor, increasing


1 4 1 1 1 1 7 5 8 8 1 1


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Recorded during every month of the year, with the highest numbers in autumn. Interestingly, one was seen in the heronry on Apr 29th raising hopes that Little Egret might breed at Brent in the future. Single birds were noted on vis-mig on Oct 20th, 27th and Nov 10th.

Little Egret (Magnus Andersson)

GREY HERON Ardea cinerea A common resident breeder


8 4 6 11 9 5 1 3 14 2 4 1

After last year’s first successful breeding, the new colony expanded from three to five pairs. At least three broods fledged, the outcome of the other two was not known as they started later and the nests were harder to see once the trees were in full leaf. A group of five juveniles flew over very high on June 9th, presumably from another breeding colony. RED KITE Milvus milvus A near annual visitor A total of 18 birds were seen this year, equalling last year’s record count. The first was on Jan 27th, followed by two on Mar 24th and singles on Mar 25th & 28th; singles on Apr 10th & 15th, three on 18th, two on 22nd and one on 30th; with three on May 4th being the last of spring. In the second half of the year there were singles on July 26th and Sep 19th.


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MARSH HARRIER Circus aeruginosus A rare passage migrant/winter visitor A male flew low over East Marsh at 16:15 on Feb 25th (ASMS). This was the 12th record and only the second one in winter. Eight of the 12 records have been since 2000. SPARROWHAWK Accipiter nisus A breeding resident At least one pair was present and breeding was again confirmed in East Marsh. The highest count was three on Apr 18th. COMMON BUZZARD Buteo buteo A common passage migrant and occasional winter visitor Another record year with a total of 58 birds recorded (50 in 2018). The over-wintering bird from last year remained until June 5th and there were occasional records of two birds in East Marsh. One bird, with a gap in the left wing, remained in the area from at least September into 2020 The peak passage occurred on Mar 28th when nine flew over between 11:00 and 14:45. Number of individuals seen per month (excluding resident birds):


1 1 14 19 8 0 1 6 5 2 0 1

Common Buzzards (Magnus Andersson)


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KESTREL Falco tinnunculus A common visitor; former breeding resident One or two birds seen irregularly during year with no sign of breeding.

Male Kestrel (Magnus Andersson)

HOBBY Falco subbuteo A non-breeding summer visitor Another drop in the number sightings this year with just seven compared to eight last year. All were of single birds with three in May, one each in July and August, and two in September. PEREGRINE Falco peregrinus An occasional visitor A slight increase in the number of sightings with records on 19 days compared to 14 the previous year. A pair was seen circling over the reservoir on Mar 13th and Apr 4th with two birds including a juvenile seen on Aug 31st, suggesting local breeding. WATER RAIL Rallus aquaticus A common winter visitor


2 4 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 5 4 1

This year’s peak count was five on Oct 20th.


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MOORHEN Gallinula chloropus A common breeding resident


25 22 21 23 18 18 18 23 53 49 34 14

No breeding counts were made again this year. COOT Fulica atra A common breeding resident with an influx in autumn/winter


184 157 117 111 125 155 158 318 308 221 255 244

The peak count of 318 was the lowest since at least 1990. Six nests were counted from the hide in May.

A total of 17 species of wader was recorded in 2019, up from last year’s count of 15.

OYSTERCATCHER Haematopus ostralegus An annual visitor The only sighting this year was one on July 21st (RB). AVOCET Recurvirostra avosetta A rare passage migrant


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One was found feeding in North Marsh in the evening of May 8th and was still present the following day (FOS). This was the first record in North Marsh and the first time one has remained for more than one day.

Avocet, March 9th (Magnus Andersson)

LITTLE RINGED PLOVER Charadrius dubius A regular passage migrant, occasional breeder Present regularly between Mar 31st and Aug 4th with a maximum of three. Yet again there were signs of breeding activity with a pair seen displaying and mating but they failed to nest. RINGED PLOVER Charadrius hiaticula A near annual passage migrant One was briefly on the mud for ten minutes on May 9th (SL) and another one was present on May 17th (ASMS). A flock of seven remained for much of the day on May 31st (SBy, SB). GOLDEN PLOVER Pluvialis apricaria A scarce winter visitor One was heard calling in low cloud and drizzle at 07:30 on Nov 24th (ASMS). The last record was on Nov 20th, 2016.


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GREY PLOVER Pluvialis squatarola A scarce passage migrant/winter visitor One was in East Marsh on Apr 29th (SL), the third year in a row this species has been seen.

Lapwing (Magnus Andersson)

LAPWING Vanellus vanellus Semi-resident, recent breeding attempted


1 0 0 3 0 1 4 3 3 0 1 1

Seen less frequently than in previous years. DUNLIN Calidris alpina An occasional visitor Five records this year compared to about a dozen in 2018. Three flew over in the morning of Apr 8th with another present in the afternoon and the only other spring bird was on Apr 15th. All the autumn records were between Aug 9th and 14th with a maximum of two birds seen. JACK SNIPE Lymnocryptes minimus A scarce winter visitor Most records were in the first half of the year with singles from Jan 1st-17th and irregularly from Mar 16th to Apr 19th. Three were present on Oct 6th, the highest count since 1991.


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COMMON SNIPE Gallinago gallinago A very common winter visitor


22 31 25 2 2 0 0 1 7 21 22 27

This year’s maximum count was 31, compared to 27 last year. WOODCOCK Scolopax rusticola A near annual winter visitor/passage migrant One flew past the hide on Jan 5th with another flushed near the hide on Feb 2nd. There were also tracks seen on Neasden Rec on Feb 1st. BLACK-TAILED GODWIT Limosa limosa A scarce passage migrant Noted for the sixth year in a row, with one present in East Marsh on Aug 28th (EW). WHIMBREL Numenius phaeopus A near annual passage migrant One was seen on the mud on Apr 24th (SL) and one was heard flying over on Aug 9th (DM, BH). GREENSHANK Tringa nebularia A near annual passage migrant There were seven records this year, the most since the reservoir was drained in 1984. There were singles on July 14th, 18th-19th and 27th-28th; two on Aug 2nd, with singles on 3rd and 17th-18th; and finally one on Sep 2nd. REDSHANK Tringa totanus An occasional visitor Back to the average of five sightings this year after 2018’s bumper crop of ten. There were singles on Mar 8th; July 1st, 4th, 20th and 27th. Redshank, March 8th (Magnus Andersson)


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GREEN SANDPIPER Tringa ochropus A passage migrant and regular winter visitor


1 2 2 2 0 1 5 6 5 3 1 1

Present in 11 months of the year with a peak of six on Aug 26th. COMMON SANDPIPER Actitis hypoleucos A common passage migrant and rare winter visitor


0 0 0 1 10 1 10 12 5 1 1 0

For the third year in a row, one bird lingered into the winter months, last being seen on Nov 17th. MEDITERRANEAN GULL Larus melanocephalus A near annual visitor Three records this year: an adult on Feb 1st; one heard flying over in a flock of Black-headed Gulls on Apr 21st; and an adult on June 30th. LITTLE GULL Larus minutus A scarce passage migrant/winter visitor There was a good passage through London in early April and this brought three records to Brent. Three adults were present from 15:00-15:30 on Apr 8th (SL) and the following day four adults were briefly present at 06:35 but then disappeared with another arriving at 07:30 and remaining for the rest of the day (ASMS). These were the first records since 2015.

Little Gulls, April 9th (Magnus Andersson)


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BLACK-HEADED GULL Larus ridibundus A common winter visitor


740 183 41 2 3 11 147 238 297 71 284 320

One colour-ringed bird (White TVPR) originally ringed in Poland and seen at Brent in 2017 and 2018, was recorded again this year on Nov 6th. COMMON GULL Larus canus A common winter visitor


100 100 70 0 0 0 0 0 0 50 36 266

The peak count of 266 birds on Dec 8th included the playing fields as well as the reservoir. LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL Larus fuscus A common resident; former breeder


16 6 13 11 11 12 12 29 11 2 6 2

Only low numbers were recorded this year. HERRING GULL Larus argentatus A regular visitor, breeds near the reservoir


13 5 3 6 5 11 16 41 1 2 11 11

Fairly low counts apart from in August when the numbers were boosted by juveniles. YELLOW-LEGGED GULL Larus michahellis An annual visitor Six records: apart from an adult on Apr 24th, all the rest were first-winter birds on Mar 17th, July 20th, Aug 31st, Nov 2nd and Dec 8th.


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Yellow-legged Gull, July 20th (Andrew Self)

GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL Larus marinus An occasional visitor Recorded on 13 days (21 in 2018). There was an adult on Jan 30th but no sightings of the regular returning pair during spring. Most other records were immature birds between Apr 7th and Nov 10th. COMMON TERN Sterna hirundo A common breeding summer migrant Three pairs nested on the rafts compared to six last year, and at least three fledglings were seen. The highest count was 10 birds on May 12th. FERAL ROCK DOVE Columba livia A breeding resident Present all year.


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STOCK DOVE Columba oenas A breeding resident and passage migrant The highest count was seven on the mud in East Marsh on May 24th. A total of 10 were counted on the autumn visible migration watches. WOODPIGEON Columba palumbus A common breeding resident and passage migrant Another poor year for this species during the autumn visible migration season with a total of 2,747; the highest counts were 879 on Oct 20th and 1,395 on Oct 29th. COLLARED DOVE Streptopelia decaocto A breeding resident Present throughout the year in gardens surrounding the reservoir and probably bred. RING-NECKED PARAKEET Psittacula krameri A breeding resident The highest count was just 81 on Sept 29th.

Ring-necked Parakeet (Andrew Self)


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LITTLE OWL Athene noctua A scarce visitor; occasional breeder The pair in Silver Jubilee Park were not seen for much of the year but clearly bred as a juvenile was seen on Aug 11th. TAWNY OWL Strix aluco A breeding resident One was discovered roosting at a nest hole along the North Bank on Feb 3rd and was seen on and off all year. Other birds were seen or heard in East Marsh, Field Centre, in the Oakwood, and behind the dam indicating a healthy population around the reservoir. SWIFT Apus apus A common breeding summer migrant The first arrival was on Apr 25th, four days later than last year and included a leucistic bird. The largest gathering was only 175 on May 4th. The last ones of the year were three on Sep 9th. Leucistic Swift (Magnus Andersson) KINGFISHER Alcedo atthis A breeding resident

There were probably two breeding pairs: in East Marsh and behind the dam. Additionally one was seen in North Marsh. GREEN WOODPECKER Picus viridis A breeding resident Present throughout the year with the highest count being six on Apr 7th. Green Woodpecker (Andrew Haynes)


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GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER Dendrocopos major A breeding resident One nest was discovered in East Marsh. SKYLARK Alauda arvensis A declining passage migrant and occasional winter visitor, former breeder Only three records all year: singles on Feb 14th and Oct 13th & 27th. SAND MARTIN Riparia riparia A common passage migrant and recent breeder The first of the year were 39 on Mar 31st although an unidentified hirundine on Mar 29th may have been this species. The peak count in spring was 40 on Apr 29th but there were no high counts in autumn and the last one was seen on Sep 28th. SWALLOW Hirundo rustica A common passage migrant Recorded between Apr 2nd and Sep 29th. Passage was very low in both spring and autumn with a peak of just 16 on Apr 9th. HOUSE MARTIN Delichon urbicum A common summer visitor, breeds adjacent to the reservoir. Recorded between Apr 2nd and Oct 13th. The highest count was 250 on Sep 8th. There were no counts of active nests on West Hendon Broadway but they bred there again. TREE PIPIT Anthus trivialis A near annual passage migrant There were two autumn records, the same as last year. Both were seen on bushes on the Dump, on Aug 7th (SB) and Sep 14th (ASMS). MEADOW PIPIT Anthus pratensis A common passage migrant and occasional winter visitor The first of the year on Mar 19th heralded a small spring passage peaking at nine on Apr 17th. Autumn passage started on Sep 6th and was also low with a total of just 107 birds; the peak count was 31 on Sep 27th.


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ROCK PIPIT Anthus petrosus A scarce passage migrant One was seen feeding on the mud on Oct 5th (MER). This was the first record since Oct 26th, 2013. Additionally a Rock or Water Pipit was seen briefly on the mud on Apr 2nd. YELLOW WAGTAIL Motacilla flava A passage migrant A return to more typical numbers after last year’s bumper crop of 26 birds. There were four in spring: one on Apr 8th and three on the mud on Apr 17th; in autumn there were singles on three dates – Aug 26th, Sep 5th and 9th. Yellow Wagtail, April 17th (Magnus Andersson) GREY WAGTAIL Motacilla cinerea A breeding resident and passage migrant A pair bred along the River Brent at Staples Corner with juveniles seen in East Marsh, although it wasn’t known if the nest was in the current recording area. PIED WAGTAIL Motacilla alba A breeding resident and passage migrant A pair bred with a juvenile being seen on July 24th. The peak count was 10 on vis-mig on Oct 5th. A White Wagtail M.a.alba was seen on a raft on Apr 8th (MA). WREN Troglodytes troglodytes A common breeding resident Present throughout but only noted White Wagtail (Magnus Andersson) on the Spring and Autumn Bird Counts. DUNNOCK Prunella modularis A common breeding resident Present throughout; a juvenile was seen on the North Bank on May 24th.


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ROBIN Erithacus rubecula A common breeding resident Present throughout; a juvenile was seen on the North Bank on May 24th. NIGHTINGALE Luscinia megarhynchos A scarce passage migrant; former breeder Two birds were heard singing this year: one between the dump and cycle track on Apr 23rd (AH) and one by the rifle range on May 12th (RAH, RB). COMMON REDSTART Phoenicurus phoenicurus A near annual passage migrant; historic breeder There was a good autumn presence on the Dump this year with one on Aug 28th and two on Aug 29th & 31st (EW, MA, SL). WHINCHAT Saxicola rubetra An uncommon passage migrant Four birds were seen this year, all on the Dump: singles on Aug 26th and 29th (SL) with two on Sep 8th (ASMS, RB). STONECHAT Saxicola rubicola A scarce passage migrant Two were seen separately on Feb 22nd: a male on North Bank (ASMS) and a female on the Dump (PC). Another was on the Dump on Sep 8th (ASMS). Stonechat, September 8th (Andrew Self) WHEATEAR Oenanthe oenanthe An annual passage migrant Another poor year with only five birds seen: singles in East Marsh and on Woodfield Park on Apr 26th (BE) and three more singles on May 1st (MA), 9th (SL) and Aug 11th (SW). RING OUZEL Turdus torquatus A scarce passage migrant One was seen on the Dump before flying over to the playing fields on Apr 24th (MA).


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Ring Ouzel (Magnus Andersson)

BLACKBIRD Turdus merula A common breeding resident and passage migrant Present throughout with only three birds noted on vis-mig during the autumn. FIELDFARE Turdus pilaris A winter visitor Very few recorded this year with a peak of just 40 flying over on Oct 29th. SONG THRUSH Turdus philomelos A breeding resident and passage migrant The highest count was six birds on Feb 10th. In autumn only 11 birds were counted on vis-mig. REDWING Turdus iliacus A common winter visitor The highest count in the first half of the year was 46 on Jan 21st. Autumn passage began on Oct 5th with a total of only 789 birds, the peak count being 440 on Oct 29th. MISTLE THRUSH Turdus viscivorus A breeding resident and passage migrant The first bird of the year wasn’t seen until Mar 8th and again there was no confirmed breeding although two birds were seen on the playing fields on Apr 15th. In autumn the peak count was eight flying over on Oct 13th.


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CETTI’S WARBLER Cettia cetti A common breeding resident After last year’s suggestion of breeding, proof was obtained for the first time when two fledglings were seen in the vegetation just behind the main hide on June 2nd (ASMS). Breeding was not unexpected as there were five territories but with this species being difficult to see it makes it hard to obtain proof of breeding. SEDGE WARBLER Acrocephalus schoenobaenus A passage migrant, former breeder There were no breeding territories for the third year in a row. Several singing birds were recorded between Apr 9th and May 10th with a peak of two on Apr 18th; they were presumed migrants as there were no more records until autumn. The last of the year was on Sep 9th. REED WARBLER Acrocephalus scirpaceus A common breeding summer migrant Recorded between Apr 19th and Oct 13th. The highest count of singing males was just five (12 last year) while in autumn the peak count was ten on Aug 18th. BLACKCAP Sylvia atricapilla A common breeding summer migrant and occasional winter visitor Single over-wintering birds were seen on Feb 9th & 20th and Mar 5th. There were no further sightings until the Mar 24th when nine birds were singing. Numbers increased rapidly throughout spring with 37 birds on Apr 25th and a new record count of 52 singing on May 4th (ASMS). Autumn migrants passed through in higher numbers than last year with a peak of 33 on Aug 23rd. One on Oct 1st was the last of the year. Male Blackcap, (Magnus Andersson)


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GARDEN WARBLER Sylvia borin A breeding summer migrant Recorded between Apr 24th and Aug 29th with the highest count being two on May 7th. There was one breeding territory again in East Marsh. LESSER WHITETHROAT Sylvia curruca An annual passage migrant, former breeder No breeding records again this year. There were singles on five dates between Apr 21st and May 19th with two on May 12th. In autumn, there was one on Aug 17th, three on Aug 31st, and one on Sep 12th. COMMON WHITETHROAT Sylvia communis A common breeding summer migrant Recorded between Apr 10th and Sep 15th; the highest counts were six singing on May 4th and seven migrants on Aug 31st. One family party was seen on the Dump in July. CHIFFCHAFF Phylloscopus collybita A common breeding summer migrant and occasional winter visitor Single birds singing on Feb 25th and Mar 8th were likely over-wintering birds. Spring migrants began to arrive from Mar 14th; the highest counts were 10 singing on Mar 31st and 17 birds on Apr 1st. There were more in autumn than last year with a peak of 31 on Aug 23rd. Three birds were seen on Nov 10th.

Chiffchaff (Magnus Andersson)


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WILLOW WARBLER Phylloscopus trochilus A passage migrant; former breeder Recorded between Apr 4th and Sep 8th. The highest count of singing males was just three on Apr 12th, however none remained on territory. There was a better passage migrants during autumn than last year with a peak of 18 on Aug 23rd. GOLDCREST Regulus regulus A breeding resident Present all year and probably bred; the highest count was just 11 on Oct 26th. FIRECREST Regulus ignicapilla A scarce winter visitor/passage migrant One was singing by the builder's yard on May 25th (RB), the second year in a row one has been found in that location. SPOTTED FLYCATCHER Muscicapa striata A passage migrant, former breeder At least three birds were seen in autumn – one more than the previous two years. There was one on North Bank on Aug 20th (ASMS), one on the Dump on Aug 29th (MA) with two there on Aug 31st and Sep 1st. Another was on the Dump on Sep 9th & 11th (SB).

Long-tailed Tit (Magnus Andersson)


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LONG-TAILED TIT Aegithalos caudatus A common breeding resident Present throughout the year. BLUE TIT Cyanistes caeruleus A common breeding resident Present throughout the year. GREAT TIT Parus major A common breeding resident Present throughout the year. COAL TIT Parus ater A breeding resident Present throughout the year; the highest count was three on Apr 7th. NUTHATCH Sitta europaea A recent colonist A pair was resident in the churchyard throughout the year and singles were noted from other locations around the reservoir on nine dates. JAY Garrulus garrulus A breeding resident and occasional passage migrant Present throughout the year. MAGPIE Pica pica A common breeding resident Present throughout the year; the highest count was 11 on Jan 18th. JACKDAW Corvus monedula A passage migrant and uncommon breeder; roosts in large numbers The North Marsh roost contained a modest 100 birds on Jan 2nd. In autumn the highest count on visible migration was 129 on Oct 20th, the same date as last year’s peak of 45.


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ROOK Corvus frugilegus CORRECTION: The record of one on Sep 30th, 2018 has been withdrawn. This reduces the 2018 year list to 124 species. CARRION CROW Corvus corone A common breeding resident Present throughout the year. RAVEN Corvus corax A very rare visitor The third record for the reservoir flew over the North Bank at 10:25 on Apr 14th (RB). STARLING Sturnus vulgaris A common breeding resident and passage migrant The highest count was 150 feeding in Silver Jubilee Park on Aug 31st. There was a total of just 246 flying over in autumn with the peak count being 123 on Oct 29th. HOUSE SPARROW Passer domesticus A common breeding resident Present throughout the year, usually in adjacent gardens. CHAFFINCH Fringilla coelebs A breeding resident and passage migrant There was a total of 270 birds recorded on passage this autumn with a peak of 146 on Oct 13th. BRAMBLING Fringilla montifringilla A near annual passage migrant; uncommon winter visitor There were only two records this year: one heard calling in East Marsh on Apr 18th and, more typically, one flying over the Dump on Oct 22nd. GREENFINCH Fringilla chloris A breeding resident and passage migrant One pair bred with three fledglings seen along path to hide on June 26th. In autumn the peak count on visible migration was 21 on Oct 22nd out of a total of only 55 birds.


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GOLDFINCH Carduelis carduelis A breeding resident and passage migrant The largest flock was 40 on Aug 3rd. Just 17 birds were noted on vis-mig during autumn. SISKIN Carduelis spinus A passage migrant and occasional winter visitor A total of 42 birds were recorded during the autumn passage; most of these flew over on one day with 31 counted on Oct 5th. LINNET Carduelis cannabina A passage migrant and occasional winter visitor, former breeder There were four records on spring migration in April. Autumn passage started early with three on Aug 7th and the peak count was 12 on Oct 20th. LESSER REDPOLL Carduelis cabaret A passage migrant and occasional winter visitor, former breeder There were no records in the first half of the year compared to none last year and only five in autumn with a peak of just two on Oct 22nd. BULLFINCH Pyrrhula pyrrhula A scarce visitor, former breeder A further decline in the number of sightings this year with no pairs observed. Singles were seen/heard on just five dates: Jan 25th, Apr 7th & 21st, Aug 31st and Dec 1st. Breeding was last confirmed in 2015 although a pair was on territory in 2016 and 2017. HAWFINCH Coccothraustes coccothraustes A scarce passage migrant Two were heard and sound-recorded flying SW over the Dump at 08:06 on Nov 5th although only one bird was actually seen (ASMS, MA).

Sonogram of Hawfinch calls. One bird called four times and a second bird called once, halfway through the recording (Magnus Andersson).


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REED BUNTING Emberiza schoeniclus A breeding partial migrant, occasional in winter A pair held territory in East Marsh, three were seen on visible migration in late October and there were records from both ends of the year.

Reed Bunting (Magnus Andersson)

ESCAPES & HYBRIDS BARNACLE GOOSE Branta leucopsis One was present on a raft on Apr 20th. BAR-HEADED GOOSE Anser indicus One was seen on Apr 14th.


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First and Last Dates of Regular Migrants 2019

Summer Migrants Arrival Departure Hobby May 4 (ASMS) Sep 14 (ASMS) Little Ringed Plover Mar 31 (ASMS) Aug 4 (ASMS) Common Sandpiper Apr 19 (SL) Nov 17 (ASMS) Common Tern Apr 20 (SL) Aug 26 (ASMS) Swift Apr 25 (MA) Sep 9 (SB) Sand Martin Mar 31 (ASMS) Sep 28 (RB) Swallow Apr 2 (MA) Sep 29 (ASMS) House Martin Apr 2 (ASMS) Oct 13 (ASMS) Yellow Wagtail Apr 8 (MA) Sep 7 (RB) Wheatear Apr 26 (BE) Aug 11 (SW) Sedge Warbler Apr 9 (ASMS) Sep 9 (SB) Reed Warbler Apr 19 (AGV) Oct 13 (MA) Garden Warbler Apr 24 (MA) Aug 29 (SL) Lesser Whitethroat Apr 21 (ASMS) Sep 12 (SL) Common Whitethroat Apr 10 (JC) Sep 15 (ASMS) Willow Warbler Apr 4 (ASMS) Sep 8 (ASMS) Winter Migrants Departure Arrival Water Rail Apr 21 (ASMS) Sep 29 (ASMS) Common Snipe May 7 (SL) Aug 28 (ASMS) Fieldfare Feb 14 (MA) Oct 27 (ASMS) Redwing Mar 24 (MA) Oct 5 (ASMS) Siskin - Oct 5 (ASMS)

Reed Warbler (Magnus Andersson)


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Visible Migration at Brent Reservoir There was even less coverage during the autumn visible migration season this year with counts made on 35 days between September 1st and November 30th compared to 40 in 2018. The total number of birds recorded this year was 5,044 compared to 7,649 last year. Unsuitable weather conditions persisted for much of the season and poor counts were noted across London. Almost all the observations were recorded on the Dump with most watches commencing at dawn. The highest count was October 29th, one day later than the previous two years with a total of 2,025 birds recorded. There were 35 species seen this year (36 in 2018); the highlights were a flock of ten Brent Geese, a Golden Plover and two Hawfinches which were sound recorded. The following table shows the daily totals for the whole season. The busiest period was October 20th to 29th when 3,889 birds were counted, 77% of the season’s total.

Top 10 species in 2019

Ranking Species 2019 totals 2018 totals Difference

1 (2) Woodpigeon 2,747 1,296 1,451

2 (5) Redwing 789 627 162

3 (4) House Martin 450 639 -189

4 (6) Chaffinch 270 451 -181

5 (1) Starling 246 2,771 -2,525

6 (9) Meadow Pipit 107 75 32

7 (-) Greenfinch 55 48 7

8 (3) Fieldfare 46 1,118 -1,072

9 (-) Siskin 42 34 8

10 (10) Pied Wagtail 23 52 -29


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OTHER WILDLIFE Butterflies

First seen Last seen Weeks on transect

Highest count (all areas)

Small Skipper July 17 July 26 2 3 on two dates Essex Skipper - - 0 Large Skipper June 9 July 17 4 7 on June 22 Brimstone Mar 24 Apr 18 1 5 on Apr 18 Large White Apr 18 Aug 26 4 6 on July 26 Small White Mar 25 Sep 21 8 15 on Apr 1 Green-veined White Apr 21 Sep 14 8 3 on two dates Orange Tip Mar 28 May 25 3 30 on Apr 22 Purple Hairstreak July 3 July 26 2 2 on July 17 White-letter Hairstreak June 22 - 1 3 on June 22 Small Copper May 21 Aug 29 1 1 on many dates Brown Argus May 26 Aug 25 4 3 on Aug 25 Common Blue Apr 22 Aug 26 8 8 on May 26 Holly Blue Mar 28 Aug 26 7 6 on Aug 17 Red Admiral May 12 Aug 25 3 4 on May 24 Painted Lady June 22 Aug 17 2 2 on many dates Small Tortoiseshell Mar 25 July 17 3 6 on Apr 1 Peacock Feb 14 July 17 4 10 on two dates Comma Apr 18 Sep 14 5 3 on Apr 30 Marbled White June 15 July 26 4 40 on June 22 Speckled Wood Apr 30 Sep 21 10 5 on Apr 20 Ringlet June 26 July 26 2 3 on July 17 Meadow Brown June 9 Aug 25 7 20 on June 22 Gatekeeper July 17 Aug 11 4 100 on July 17

The Transect was walked on 18 of the 26 weeks during April to September; however unavailability of recorders meant a few crucial weeks were missed at the peak time, particularly for Marbled White. Essex Skipper was not recorded on the Transect for the fifth year running and can be assumed to be extirpated from the area. On the positive side however, Brown Argus has clearly colonised the area.

Brown Argus (Andrew Self)


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Dragonflies The following species were recorded in the logbook this year: Common Blue Damselfly, Blue-tailed Damselfly, Willow Emerald Damselfly, Small Red-eyed Damselfly (30 on Aug 23rd), Banded Demoiselle (singles on Aug 9th & 24th), Broad-bodied Chaser, Black-tailed Skimmer, Emperor, Brown Hawker, Southern Hawker and Migrant Hawker.

The first record of Willow Emerald Damselfly at the reservoir was seen behind the main hide on Aug 2nd (MA). Presumably the same insect was seen again on Aug 25th (ASMS).

Willow Emerald Damselfly, August 25th (Andrew Self)

Moths Jersey Tiger moths were seen on July 21st, Aug 2nd & 11th and a Box Tree Moth of the melanistic form was seen on Aug 28th.

Mammals The resident Muntjac, Red Fox, Grey Squirrel and Brown Rat were all seen during the year and a Common Shrew was found dead on July 6th. The following bats were detected on a public walk on Aug 21st: Common Pipistrelle, Soprano Pipistrelle, Nathusius’s Pipistrelle, Noctule and Daubenton’s.


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WELSH HARP CONSERVATION GROUP

TRUSTEES & COMMITTEE MEMBERS 2018

Trustees

Vice President Dr. Leo Batten Chairman Roy Beddard Treasurer Patrick Hagglund Secretary Andrew Haynes

Committee Members

Magnus Andersson, John Colmans, Ian Ellis, Andrew Self, Andrew Verrall, Simon Worsfold

LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS Magnus Andersson (MA) D. Bartolo (DB) Leo Batten (LAB) Roy Beddard (RB) Steve Blake (SB) Stephen Branley (SBy) Peter Casselton (PJC) John Colmans (JC) Bill Haines (BH) Andrew Haynes (AH) Bob Husband (RAH) Steve Leeke (SL)

Gary Lonergan (GL) Harry Mackie (HM) Dominic Mitchell (DM) Toby Mylett (TM) Frank Nugent (FN) Francis O’Sullivan (FOS) Michael Robinson (MR) Andrew Self (ASMS) Oliver Simms (OS) Andrew Verrall (AGV) Eddie Wang (EW) Simon Worsfold (SW)

Thanks also to the many other people who noted their observations in the logbook that is kept in the main hide.

Acknowledgements: To Catherine Cullen and the London Borough of Barnet for conservation management support and Leslie Williams and the London Borough of Brent Ranger Service.


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Submission of Records Records of all forms of wildlife can be entered in the Log Book in the hide or can be sent to Andrew Self, telephone: 07443 221382, email: [email protected] All records are also forwarded onto the London Natural History Society.

Website Brent Reservoir website: https://brentres.wordpress.com/

Orange Tip (Magnus Andersson)

mailto:[email protected]

https://brentres.wordpress.com/

welsh harp conservation group no. 26 april 2020welsh harp report 2019 3 contents map of the...

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