May followed on from where may left off with Spring migration still in full swing. The first Whinchat of the year was seen on the 1st, with a second being found 12 days later on the 13th. Hobby's were seen throughout the month with 1 on the 1st, 1 on the 13th, 2 on the 20th, and another seen later in the month on the 27th. Linnets showed well through the month with 1 0r 2 birds being seen 7 times during the month with more reports towards the end of the month. Rook numbers peaked at 11 on the 1st and slowly got back to the usual amount for this time of year, with the odd one or two being reported by the end of the month. The only Sand Martins seen so far this year was a group of at least 10 heading North on the 1st. Lesser Whitethroat peaked at 6 singing males on the 1st which is about the average for recent times. Bullfinch sightings were hard to come by during the month with 1 seen on the 1st and a pair seen on the 20th. This month I have decided to see just how many Kestrels were being reported after an apparent decline in the valley in recent years however the amount of records seem to suggest that the population is doing well with 5 records during the month, this is something to keep an eye on in the coming months. Tufted Ducks kept their usual spring tradition, however this year have decided to stay for longer suggesting that breeding is possible some time soon, records are of a pair at Long pond on the 5th, 6 at Long pond on the 17th as well as a pair at Sheep wash pond, and 3 on Long pond on the 27th. By the 6th there were now at least 22 Singing Chiffchaffs in the valley along side the same amount of Common Whitethroat, showing that both species are having a good year so far. Only 2 reports of Reed Bunting this month with 1 on the 6th and a pair on the 29th. An out of season kingfisher flew upstream near Folly Farm on the 6th as well making for a good mix of species already by the middle of the month. Garden Warblers have been hard to come find this year however 1 singing on the 9th, and another on the 20th suggest that some do still potentially breed in the valley. A Lapwing was seen for the first time since the unsuccessful breeding attempt on the 9th, and was seen again on the 12th. The only Yellow Wagtails seen so far this year was a flyover pair on the 13th. Chiffchaff numbers peaked at 24 on the 13th, alongside the peak counts of 55 Swift, 42 House Martin, and 32 Stock Dove also on the 13th. After no Coal Tit sightings in the valley during the month of April there were 4 sightings logged during the month of May all of singles, bar one report of 3 on the 28th. After a Disappointing month for Red Kites during April, May proved better with 2 on the 14th, 1 on the 20th, and 1 on the 30th. Not quite a wanted record, but on the 14th a record amount of Feral Pigeons flew through the Belmont Farm end of the valley with around 500 individuals counted. 2 Unseasonable Black Headed Gull records were logged this month with 1 on the 20th, and 2 on the 30th. The only Tawny Owl of the month was heard calling on the 21st and that was also the day of the only Meadow Pipit seen this month. House Sparrows proved hard to see again this month with just one record of a female seen near St Vincent's on the 29th. Also on the 30th another unseasonable record of a Peregrine occurred with a female seen hunting over Lapwing Field. My Bird of the Month award must go to John's smashing find of a Common Sandpiper at Darlands Lake on the 12th and was present all day. This is the first record for at least 40 years if not an all-time first for the valley. Contributed by Samuel Levy 11/06/17
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What can I expect from this blog?A Monthly summary will be written each month starting from May 2017, with photo's and reports of interesting species that have been found, as well as an update on the bird life in the valley. Sightings can be contributed via uploading to London Bird Wiki under the heading Totteridge Valley. Any pictures that have been taken can be submitted by email (This can be found on the contact us page)!!! We thank everyone for their contributions so far! Good Luck! Archives
December 2018
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