Birds
The Commons are home to a huge variety of bird species and, as well as those feeding here, there are regularly between 90 and a 100 additional species to be seen.
We are incredibly lucky that local volunteers have kept records of bird sightings on the Commons since 1974. These are currently compiled by Adrian Podmore and before him, Dave Wills, Ron Kettle and Eric McMillan. Copies of all these records are available at the Ranger’s Office.
The variety of habitats gives us a wide diversity of species, including tree, hole and ground-nesters, wildfowl and birds of prey.
Given that we are essentially in an urban setting, and that the Commons are widely used for a lot of activities, the number of species we see here is surprisingly good, although in line with the rest of the UK, the variety of species is dropping, along with abundance.
The biggest impact on birds on the Commons continues to be disturbance to ground-nesting birds, particularly on The Plain.
Birds of prey have particularly been increasing. Kestrels, and Sparrow-hawks, Hobby and Common Buzzards can regularly be seen - the latter we think will soon start to nest here - if they haven’t already done so. The main species of Owl tends to be the Tawny. They are elusive creatures but if you are on the Commons at dusk, you will hear them hooting and possibly see them as they hunt.
Latest Bird Sighting Reports
Tufted Duck: a male at Bluegate 19 Mar (AB / JR).
Little Grebe: one at Bluegate 10 Mar (AP) with two pairs there 19 Mar (JR).
Little Egret: one flew over the Mounds 27 Apr (LEH).
Red Kite: two over east side of Plain 20 Mar (Martin Honey) was highest count.
Common Buzzard: three over the Windmill was the highest count 20 Mar (Martin Honey).
Peregine: one over Ladies Mile 23 Mar (LEH) and over Gravel Pit Cottage 26 Mar (LEH).
Little Owl: one calling near RWGC 6 Mar (Greg Aldridge).
Willow Warbler: singing birds were at Kingsmere 4 Apr (LEH), Fishponds Wood 25 Apr (AH), RFC playing fields 25 Apr (AH), Ladies Mile 27 Apr (LEH) and there again 29 Apr (JR).
Chiffchaff: the first one of the year was heard at Gravel Pit Cottage 21Mar (LEH) with 12 heard on 18 Apr (AB).
Blackcap: first report received was for a bird at Gravel Pit Cottage 26 Mar (LEH) with 15 recorded on 18 Apr (AB).
Garden Warbler: the first bird of the year was at the RFC playing fields 25 Apr (AH), with three at Ladies Mile 27 Apr (LEH) and one at the Mounds 29 Apr (JR).
Common Whitethroat: first returnee was at Springwell Cottage 25 Apr (AH) followed by birds at Ladies Mile 27 Apr (LEH) and at the Mounds 29 Apr (JR).
Firecrest: ten were seen on 19 Mar (JR), a pair at Parkside actively displaying 4 Apr (JR) and four near there with one carrying nesting material 29 Apr (JR).
Swift: one over 30 Apr (James Owen).
Wheatear: two females at Rushmere Plain 13 Apr (Anna Hansell).
Meadow Pipit: one on the Plain 20 Mar (Martin Honey), two there 4 Apr (AP et al).
Siskin: 12 at Ladies Mile 21 Mar (LEH) with 30 at Queensmere 4 Apr (David Wood).
Greenfinch: one at Rushmere 10 Mar (AP).
Reed Bunting: three at dead hedged pond at Ladies Mile 6 Mar (LEH) and a male on the Plain 29 Apr (JR).
Shoveler: a single male at Kingsmere from 12 Nov onwards (AP/AH) with four there (2m2f) 20 Dec (JR).
Mandarin: seven males and four females at Queensmere 13 Nov (R.Thomas) was a low count for the time of year.
Raven: one at the Ravine Pond 6 Nov (R.Thomas) with two at Ladies Mile / Inner Park ride 8 Dec (LEH).
Meadow Pipit: four were on the Plain Dec 20 (JR).
Waxwing: seen near Green Ride 24 Dec (Colin Cooper).
Redwing: in very low numbers with a max of 7 at Bluegate 26 Nov (AB).
Stonechat: one at the Triangle 20 Dec (JR).
Firecrest: two near Clockhouse 1 Nov (JR) and two at Putney Vale Cem. 17 Dec (LEH)
Lesser Redpoll: c.30 at Bluegate 26 Nov (AB) and c.20 at Ladies Mile 30 Dec (LEH).
Little Egret: one flew over the Windmill 22 Oct (AP).
Hobby: an adult and a juvenile were at Gravel Pit cottage 3 Sep (LEH).
Magpie: a loose flock of 27 went through Ladies Mile 22 Oct (AP).
Meadow Pipit: eight were on the Plain 4 Oct (AP).
Swallow: two flew S at Ladies Mile 4 Oct (AP).
House Martin: six SW over Ladies Mile 24 Sep (Thomas Purvis).
Spotted Flycatcher: one near the Plain 5 Sep (JR).
Stonechat: two were on the Plain 4 Oct (AP) with singles at the Plain and the Triangle 22 Oct (JR).
Redwing: first of the autumn were two over the Mounds 4 Oct (AP) with four there 22 Oct (AP).
Blackcap: a male was at the Mounds 4 Oct (LEH).
Chiffchaff: one briefly singing near the Mounds 22 Oct (AP).
Firecrest: two at Scio Wood 23 Sep (TP) with a pair at Clockhouse Wood and another pair at Kingsmere / Parkside on 22 Oct (JR).
Redpoll: a dozen were circling Ladies Mile 22 Oct (AP).
Greenfinch: four at the Mounds 4 Oct (AP).
Siskin: an early autumn sighting with a flock of 25 near Hookhamslade (JR), with singles over the Mounds 4 Oct (AP) and E at Ladies Mile 22 Oct (AP).
Reed Bunting: two were on the Plain 22 Oct (AB/KB).
Greylag Goose: unusually there were 18 on the Plain 7 Aug (JR), perhaps having been spooked from their usual grazing site at Rushmere.
Little Grebe: one of the adults was present with three youngsters 11 Jul (AP) with final sightings being an adult with two youngsters on 25 Jul (Richard Thomas) and 26 Jul (JR). Water levels were dropping fast so would have been a close thing as to whether juveniles were able to fly to safety.
Little Egret: a bird was first seen at Bluegate on 10 Aug (Sue Evans) and 11 Aug (Richard Thomas). Seen by a number of observers it was identified as being a young bird from its greenish legs and was still present until 25 Aug (AB / JR).
Red Kite: one over Putney Heath 29 Jul (Thomas Purvis) and another there 22 Aug (AP).
Hobby: single birds flew over the RE playing fields 19 Jul (AB), Gravel Pit Cottage 11 Aug (LEH) and at the Triangle 18 Aug (JR).
Cuckoo: unusually, a juvenile was seen at Gravel Pit cottage Aug 11 (LEH).
Common Tern: one fishing at Rushmere 11 Jul (AP). That or another bird was then seen thirty minutes later carrying a fish and flying west over Bluegate – however it was aggressively pursued by a Black Headed Gull and judging by the reappearance of a tern flying eastwards five minutes later one can only assume the gull got its meal.
Swift: 30+ seen heading S over the Plain 6 Jul (JR) seemed to be early for a migratory move. Seven flew over the Mounds 22 Jul (Thomas Purvis) with one seen flying fast and low, heading S over the Mounds 22 Aug (AP).
Swallow: eight over the Triangle 18 Aug (JR).
Meadow Pipit: an early autumn migrant was on the Plain 15 Aug (JR).
Redstart: a female at the Mounds 25 Aug (JR) was a great sighting for a species that has never seemed to favour the Commons.
Garden Warbler: one at Bluegate 7 Aug (JR) followed by a sighting at the more usual site of the Mounds 22 Aug (AP).
Whitethroat: two were still at the Mounds 22 Aug (AP).
Willow Warbler: one singing near Springwell Cottage 7 Aug (AH) and one singing weakly near the Mounds 22 Aug (AP).
Greenfinch: two were at Rushmere 11 Jul with another at the Plain on same day (AP)
Reed Bunting: a male was on the Plain 11 Jul (AP) seemingly carrying food to one of the small willow bushes near where the skylark posts are usually situated - assuming there was a pair in residence, it is hoped that any youngsters fledged before the Plain was mown.
Little Grebe: single adults were seen on various dates at Bluegate 19 May (AP), 6 Jun (JR)
9 Jun (AP), 13 Jun (AP) and 25 Jun (LEH / AB). Hopes that these sightings were for a nesting pair were duly realised with both adults and four chicks seen on 29 Jun (JR).
Tufted Duck: a pair was at Bluegate 19 May (AP) with the male seen there 21 May (AB).
Mandarin: unusually, four males were at Bluegate 19 May (AP) - a female with five ducklings 18 Jun at Kingsmere (AP et al).
Red Kite: one flew low over the Mounds 9 Jun (AP).
Swift: worryingly low numbers with no reports at all of any counts into double figures. High count was for just six at Rushmere 9 Jun (AP).
Swallow: would appear to be just one pair nesting at the stables this year which considering there were a dozen fledged birds last year was disappointing.
Golden Oriole: a male was heard singing at Springwell near the golf course 24 May (James Dee) - clearly a small influx of this species to the UK around this time for a few lucky observers of this exotic bird.
Cuckoo: birds were heard on 9 May (James Dee) and from the Western Woods 15 & 17 May (Chris Taplin).
Pied Wagtail: an adult and two youngsters were at the Windmill 9 Jun (AP).
Blackcap: six at the Mounds, four at Kingsmere and two at Bluegate 19 May (AP) show how numerous this species is.
Garden Warbler: single birds at Fishpond Wood 3 May (AH) and at the Beverly Brook playing fields 4 May (AH). There was also one pair at the Mounds and two pairs at Ladies Mile on various dates in June (AP/JR/LEH).
Whitethroat: a pair was in the bramble on the eastern side of the Plain 5 Jun (JR) with the female feeding young there 9 Jun (AP). Birds on the Mounds were seen actively flying up into the oak trees and feasting on the big hatches of tortrix moths 9 Jun (AP) while a family party was seen at the Mounds 18 Jun (AP et al) with a single bird at the Triangle 29 Jun (JR).
Firecrest: In early June, Jan Wilczur found eleven males and one female collecting food. Birds were located with a male west of Cross Road Cottage; three males along Putney Heath Road; two males along Roehampton Lane; four males at Jerry's Hill and a male and a female beside Parkside (JW). The latter were confirmed as a pair with birds seen carrying food back to a nest 6 Jun (JR) with a bird seen in the same location 15 Jun (JR).
Hawfinch: two flew over Bluegate around 1pm 9 Jun (AP), heading SE displaying their striking white wing bars.
Greenfinch: three were at Ladies Mile including a juvenile 14 May (AP et al).
Reed Bunting: a male was on the Plain 18 Jun (AP et al). Only the first sighting of this species for 2023. In previous years, at least a male would normally set up a territory on the Plain but this may well be another breeding bird lost to the Commons.
Shoveler: one remaining male at Kingsmere 8 Mar (AP).
Little Grebe: a bird was at Bluegate 14 Mar (AP) with a pair seen 7 Apr (JR). Three were present on 12 Apr (JR) with the pair on north and a single on south ponds with the pair still there 28 Apr (JR).
Woodcock: one flushed in Clockhouse Wood 14 Mar (JR).
Common Snipe: a single at the Plain and another or possibly the same bird on Green Ride 19 Mar (AB).
Common Sandpiper: one was at Kingsmere 22 Apr (LEH).
Wood Sandpiper: a bird was flushed from the Plain 9.00am 20 Apr (AP). Initially giving a loud and shrill alarm call, it flew across the heather patch, gradually gaining height and flew off to the NW. No doubt tempted by the marshy pools, the boggy terrain had probably meant less dog walker activity too. The last record for this species was in 2001.
Little Egret: unusually, a bird was near the heather patch on the Plain 22 Apr (Mike Caldwell / LEH) and like the previous species, probably drawn in by all the shallow pools of water.
Red Kite: one near Curling Pond 6 Mar (Julia Hardy), two over Putney Heath 11 Mar (JW) followed by singles at Springwell Cottage 20 Mar (AB), Jerry’s Hill 23 Mar (Martin Honey) and Gravel Pit Cottage 13 Apr (LEH).
Common Buzzard: eight were seen over the Mounds with a ninth over the western woods on 11 Mar (JW). With almost daily sightings, probably at a minimum of three pairs if not four.
Stock Dove: eight were on the Plain 20 Apr (AP) for this quite striking but rather overlooked species.
Kingfisher: just one sighting with a bird near the elec substation on the Beverley Brook 2 Apr (Simon Edelsten).
Hobby: first bird of the spring was seen flying low over the Mounds 29 Apr (JR).
Swift: two flew north over the Mounds 28 Apr (JR), part of what looked to be quite an early influx.
Swallow: a Swallow was seen back at the stables 5 Apr (AEH).
House Martin: a single spring migrant was seen heading north over the Mounds 28 Apr (JR).
Willow Warbler: single birds singing at Putney Heath 22 Apr (LEH) and Kingsmere 23 Apr (LEH).
Chiffchaff: the first one of the year was heard at Gravel Pit Cottage 16 Mar (LEH), a very typical date.
Blackcap: first report received was for a singing bird 1 Apr (Mike Caldwell).
Garden Warbler: the first bird of the year was seen at Ladies Mile 23 Apr (LEH).
Common Whitethroat: first returnee was a bird at the Mounds on 18 Apr (JR).
Reed Warbler: one was in a willow tree at east end of Plain 29 Apr (JR). Whereas Reed Warblers generally have dark legs, this bird had noticeably bright pink legs. The last record was from 2013 so a welcome return for this occasional migrant.
Grasshopper Warbler: one was heard reeling from within the brambles on the Mounds 22 Apr (Henry Wilson). Last recorded in 2016, another good sighting.
Firecrest: As an update to the comprehensive survey by Jan Wilczur and Rupert Kaye, JW estimated an impressive count of a minimum of 43 birds (26 males). Main locations were along Roehampton Lane, Parkside, E of cemetery / Jerry’s Hill and SW from the Green Man. Other sightings included two at Clockhouse Wood 6 Mar (JR), three at north end of Parkside 12 Mar (JR), two near Kingsmere 14 Mar (JR) and then a pair in Clockhouse Wood on 17 Mar with three there on 27 Mar (JR).
Redwing: 20 at Jerry’s Hill 6 Mar (JR) appeared to mark an early spring departure for this species.
Common Redstart: a female on 23 Apr (R.Adams) was reported on Surrey Bird Club
Wheatear: a male was W of Ladies Mile 5 Apr (LEH) with another male on the Plain 7 Apr (LEH). A male was then found 11 Apr (LEH) also at Ladies Mile and in exactly the same spot as the bird on 5 Apr. Hard to know if same or different bird but the feeling has always been that Wheatears generally go through the Commons in a day or so. Yet another male was on the Plain 23 Apr (LEH).
Meadow Pipit: two on the Plain 27 Mar (JR) was the only record for a very poor spring passage.
Greenfinch: two were at the Causeway, a favoured spot 23 Mar (AP) with one calling at the Mounds 28 Apr (JR).
Shoveler: five at Kingsmere (2m 3f) and a pair at Queensmere 4 Jan (JR), five again at Kingsmere 6 Jan, two pairs at Kingsmere 10 Jan, nine (5m 4f) there 13 Feb with just one male there 22 Feb (AP).
Mandarin: ten at the Beverley Brook 24 Jan (AH).
Snipe: two on the Plain 1 Jan (LEH).
Peregrine: one flew over Gravel Pit Cottage 4 Feb (LEH).
Red Kite: one over REM playing fields 8 Jan (LEH) with another chased by 20+ Carrion Crows over the Plain 1 Feb (Bella Covill).
Firecrest: single nr Queensmere 4 Jan (JR), two next to Putney Vale 12 Jan (JR), two in hollies at Kingsmere 7 Feb (JR), five north of A3 10 Feb (JW), four east of Telegraph Road 13 Feb (JR). Then as part of a comprehensive survey, Jan Wilczur and Rupert Kaye found an astonishing 19+ birds north of the A3 on 15 Feb and 22+ south of the A3 on 28 Feb.
Meadow Pipit: one on uncut part of Plain 12 Jan (JR).
Fieldfare: six flew NW at Ladies Mile 18 Jan (AP).
Redwing: very low numbers with max of 15 nr Plain (AB).
Greenfinch: two at the favoured spot nr the Causeway 22 Feb (AP).
Siskin: a single bird nr Kingsmere was with the roving tit flock, calling occasionally, 18 Jan (AP).
Shoveler: four pairs were at Kingsmere 25 Dec (JR) with a single pair at Queensmere 29 Dec (AH).
Gadwall: a pair was at Queensmere on 15 Nov (AP) and 16 Nov (JR).
Mandarin: 15 on the Beverley Brook 29 Nov (AH) with 17 there 28 Dec (Tim Straw).
Common Gull: 70 were at the REM playing fields 29 Nov (AH).
Peregrine: a bird was seen flying with a caught wood pigeon nr Kingsmere 24 Nov (JR).
Meadow Pipit: highest count was nine on the Plain 14 Nov (JR).
Fieldfare: 20 flew W over Mounds 15 Nov with six flying SW over the Plain 23 Nov (AP).
Redwing: generally in low numbers with a max of 10 at Bluegate 16 Nov (JR).
Stonechat: four on the Plain 4 Nov (LEH).
Dartford Warbler: the female / juv was on the Plain 2 & 10 Nov (JR) with the male bird at Ladies Mile also on 10 Nov (JR), with both seen again on 16 Nov (JR) and then the f/juv again on the Plain 22 Nov (JR) with the male at Ladies Mile 7, 12 & 13 Dec (LEH / AP).
Firecrest: one in garden at GP cottage 3 Nov, with two there 8 & 9 Nov (LEH). Another single on Jubilee Ride 15 Dec (LEH).
Chaffinch: 25 feeding on Plain nr Windmill 14 Nov (JR).
Moorhen: not often recorded but good counts of 14 at Queensmere 27 Sep (Andrew Harding) and ten at Kingsmere 25 Oct (AP).
Mandarin: 19 were on the Beverley Brook 27 Sep (AH).
Little Egret: five were at Kingsmere 2 Oct (Tim Straw) with six there on the 3rd (JR).
Hobby: one low over Triangle 12 Sep and hunting there again 14 Sep (JR).
Jack Snipe: one flew up from the Triangle and landed back down again 29 Sep (JR).
Raven: one mobbed by Kestrel over the Mounds 25 Oct (AP).
Skylark: one was on the Plain 25 Oct (AP).
Meadow Pipit: c40 in small flocks heading SW 13 Sep (JR), eight on the Plain 26 Sep (JR), five there with 20 flying over 30 Sep (JR), seven there 2 Oct (Tim Straw), ten over Triangle 3 Oct (JR), 12 on plain 18 Oct with two there 24, 25 and 28 Oct (JR/AP). A better autumn for this species with birds clearly stopping over.
Grey Wagtail: single juveniles were at Kingsmere and the Curling pond 9 Sep (JR) with single on Beverley Brook 27 Sep (AH).
Pied Wagtail: 12 were on the Plain 13 Sep (AP) suggesting a successful breeding year.
Swallow: two’s were at the Plain 30 Sep (JR), 3 Oct (JR) and 5 Oct (AP).
House Martin: 20 over triangle 14 Sep (JR) with 70 S over the Plain 5 Oct (JR/AP).
Wheatear: a male on the Plain 9 Sep (JR) and a female there 30 Sep (JR) both favouring the areas with shorter grass.
Stonechat: the first bird of the autumn was a juvenile on the Plain 13 Sep (AP/JR), three on Plain 18 Sep (AP), two on Plain, 1f at Ladies Mile 19 Sep (JR), two on 25 Sep (AB), four on 27 Sep (AP) with a max of six on Plain 26 Sep (JR) followed by several sightings of up to three birds on the Plain or at the Triangle with one still at the Plain on 28 Oct (AP/JR). Clearly a very significant influx of this species across London this autumn – still a mystery as far as I know as to where they have come from and where they are going but hopefully one might stay for the winter.
Whinchat: a good autumn for this species with a pair at the Triangle 5 Sep (JR), one on the Plain 6 Sep (JR,LEH,AP), one very unusually at Kingsmere on 7 Sep (JR), two on 9 Sep with singles at Plain and Triangle (JR) and three on the Plain 25 Sep (AB).
Redwing: first of the autumn was a single bird flying over the Windmill 27 Sep (AP), a dozen flew over the Mounds 23 Oct (AP/LEH) with ten in woods near Bluegate 28 and 31 Oct (JR).
Whitethroat: two were at the Triangle 14 Sep (JR), clearly on passage.
Blackcap: a female at the Mounds 16 Oct (LEH).
Dartford Warbler: a male was seen calling from a birch tree at Ladies Mile 3 Oct and was there again 13 Oct (JR). A second bird which appeared to be a female or juvenile was seen at the heather patch on the Plain 11 Oct (AP), associating with the Stonechats and was still there on 31 Oct (JR). As for the Stonechat, clearly another widespread influx of birds across London.
Willow Warbler: one at the island at Hookhamslade pond 12 Sep (JR).
Goldcrest: an unusual bird was seen by JR and AP on 13 Oct. It had the behaviour of a firecrest and a pale eye stripe but lacked the striking black and white pattern of a firecrest’s head. Possibly a firecrest / goldcrest hybrid but it really did make us look at it twice.
Firecrest: one SW of Bluegate in holly tree 24 Oct (JR).
Linnet: one flew E over the Plain 5 Oct (AP).
Goldfinch: reasonable flocks of c30 at the Mounds 27 Sep (AP), 2 Oct (Tim Straw) and 25 Oct (AP).
Greenfinch: six flew over near the Windmill 13 Oct (AP) with four at the Mounds 25 Oct (AP).
Siskin: one flying E over Ladies Mile Oct 25 (AP).
Reed Bunting: a female was on the Plain 27 Sep (AP) with two females at Ladies Mile 13 Oct (JR).
Mandarin: ten were at Kingsmere 26 Jul (AP).
Green Sandpiper: a bird, probably a juvenile, was at Bluegate on the morning of 25 Jul, first on the north pond then the south (JR). The last record of this species was in June 2013 also at Bluegate and 2003 before that.
Little Ringed Plover: a bird was reported at Rushmere 2 Jul (James Owen).
Common Buzzard: one at Fishpond Wood and one at Warren Farm 27 Aug (Andrew Harding).
Hobby: Single birds were seen at the REM playing fields 27 Jul (AB), over the Plain 3 Aug (AP), hawking for dragonflies at Gravel Pit Cottage 13 & 14 Aug (LEH), Hookhamslade Pond 15 Aug (JR), over the Mounds and at Ladies Mile 23 Aug (JR) and over Green Ride 28 Aug (JR).
Common Tern: just one sighting this summer, with a bird on 20 Jul that flew east across the plain until it went out of sight, before looping back a few minutes later, heading west in the direction of Queensmere (Thomas Purvis).
Swift: there were 20+ at Rushmere 20 Jul (AP), 20 over the Mounds 26 Jul (AP), two at Gravel Pit Cottage (LEH) and four over the Mounds 18 Aug (AP).
Swallow: two adults feeding a juvenile near the Windmill 3 Aug (AP) were presumably one of the earlier pairs with just one youngster from a second brood. Two flew west over the Mounds 18 Aug (AP).
Starling: there were 45 including many juveniles at Tibbets Ride Wood 20 Jul (TP) and 30 at the REM playing fields 30 Aug (Andrew Harding).
Pied Wagtail: seven were on the Plain including three juveniles 3 Aug (AP), presumably a second brood from the pair at the Windmill complex.
Grey Wagtail: two on Bluegate 25 Jul (JR) with three youngsters there 26 Jul (AP).
Whinchat: a bird was in the scrub next to SE corner of the Plain 31 Aug (JR).
Redstart: a female was in the scrub next to SE corner of the Plain 26 Aug (JR). Considering there is always a reasonable passage of Redstarts through London, this is only the second record in recent years after a bird in Apr 2018 (JR), while the last breeding records date back to 1967 and 1968.
Pied Flycatcher: a bird was reported seen on the 16 Aug (S.Shimwell).
Garden Warbler: one on the Mounds 10 Jul (JR).
Whitethroat: about a dozen were at the Mounds 10 Jul including several juveniles (JR).
Willow Warbler: the first returning birds were two at Hookhamslade Pond 10 Aug (JR), followed by one at the Mounds 18 Aug (AP), a juvenile at Kingsmere 26 Aug (JR) and another bird there on 28 Aug (JR).
Greenfinch: three at the Mounds, one at Ladies Mile 10 Jul (JR), four flew over the Mounds 3 Aug (AP) with three there 14 Aug (JR).
Reed Bunting: a male was in the skylark area on the Plain 20 Jul (AP).
Little Grebe: five adults and two chicks were at Bluegate on 19 & 24 May (6 on north pond and 1 adult on south pond) (JR). By the 22 Jun, only the two youngsters appeared to have remained, still located on north pond (JR). The last time these birds bred successfully was in 2014 and in 2013 and 2001 before that, so long overdue. Clearly water levels are critical to their success.
Mandarin: a female with seven ducklings 18 May (AP) which had reduced to the female with 3 youngsters on 2 Jun (JR) but was joined by a second adult female on 7 Jun (JR).
Buzzard: two near the golf course 10 May (Neil Grover) presumably now at least one resident pair.
Hobby: unusually, only one sighting for this period with one flying N over the Plain 4 May (AP).
Peregrine: one flew SW over the Plain 4 May (AP).
Skylark: two were seen on the Plain 22 May (LEH), one singing on the Plain 24th & 29 May (JR), seen 30 May (AB), heard over the Plain 16 Jun (LEH) and unusually, one was on one of the paths on the Mounds 17 Jun (JR). This year for the first time, Pete Haldane was able to rope an area off where the birds were suspected to have located although the arrival of the air ambulance helicopter in early June may not have helped matters. There were no further records after 17 Jun so one can only assume any nesting attempts were unsuccessful.
Swift: two at Rushmere and one over the Plain on 4 May (AP) were the first birds of the year followed by 30 N over the Windmill and 20 over the Mounds 12 May (JR). There was a good count of 100 E over the Plain 24 May (JR), with 50 over the Plain 29 May & 1 Jun (JR).
Swallow: two pairs at the stables with at least ten birds on 19 Jun (AP et al) including those recently fledged.
House Martin: one over the Mounds 12 May (JR).
Wheatear: a male was on the Plain, on the dried out area near the benches 3 May (AP).
Grey Wagtail: a female was at Bluegate 18 May (AP) with three youngsters there on 2 & 7 Jun (JR).
Pied Wagtail: three juveniles were on the Plain 25 May (AP), presumably the offspring from the pair that frequent the stables complex.
Garden Warbler: single birds were at Ladies Mile 5 May (JR), Windmill Ride North 12 May (JR), Ladies Mile 16 May (LEH) with two at Ladies Mile 18 May (AP). Single birds were at the Mounds 9 Jun and Ladies Mile 17 Jun & 22 Jun (JR).
House Sparrow: around 20 were in the trees on the corner of Rushmere 25 May (AP), flying backwards and forwards to the Green where presumably they were feeding youngsters.
Greenfinch: a pair was at the Mounds 18 May (AP) with one singing there on the 9 Jun & 17 Jun (JR), with one at Ladies Mile 17 Jun and again 22 Jun (JR).
Little Grebe: two birds calling at Bluegate on 19 Mar (JR) and again 20 Mar & 18 Apr (AB) with two pairs there on 29 Apr (AP) with seemingly a pair on each half of Bluegate.
Greylag Goose: 12 were at Rushmere 22 Mar (AP).
Tufted Duck: a pair was at Scio Pond 26 Mar (Jan Wilczur - JW).
Common Buzzard: a bird was seen displaying near the Mounds 23 Mar (JR) with two displaying over Putney Heath 24 Mar (M.Honey). The max count was for six over Putney Heath 14 (JW).
Red Kite: seen almost daily with a max of three 14 Apr (JW).
Peregrine: two were at the Plain 19 Mar (LEH) with singles over on 2 Apr (LEH), low over Clockhouse 5 Apr (JR), low over the Plain 8 Apr (JR) and 17 Apr (M.Honey).
Kestrel: Unusually reports of three birds on 18 Mar and 20 Apr at Putney Heath (LEH).
Little Owl: a pair was heard near the Golf Course 14 Mar (Greg Aldridge).
Woodcock: one bird east of Ladies Mile, flew up and headed west 11 Mar (JR).
Kingfisher: one at the Brook near RE playing fields 31 Mar (Julia Hardy).
Collared Dove: rarely seen these days, one flew over Putney Heath 3 Apr (Norbert Jakab).
Pheasant: a female was nr Gravel Pit Cottage 20 Apr (LEH).
Raven: two over the western woods 12 Apr (AP) with one in woodland, SE of the curling pond 14 Apr (JR) with the same or another heard over Farm Bog 14 Apr (Andrew Harding).
Skylark: two flying round each other 5.30 pm 18 Mar near to Springwell cottage (Julia Hardy) and a single in the air over the Plain Apr 20 (LEH).
Meadow Pipit: The only record received was for two on the Plain 3 Mar (JR)
Swallow: one at the Windmill, 12 Apr was presumably a returning bird (AP), with two there 14 Apr (JW).
Willow Warbler: singles singing 12 Apr near Kingsmere (AP), Gravel Pit Cottage, 23 Apr (LEH) with two singing on 30 Apr (LEH).
Chiffchaff: the first one heard was at Inner Park Ride 10 Mar (LEH) with 12 counted on 12 Apr (AP).
Firecrest: one in Clockhouse Wood 11 & 15 Mar (JR), two at Scio Pond 25 Mar (R.Kaye), in Clockhouse again 30 Mar (JR), one near the Green Man pub 27 Mar (Caroline Woodley), one at Crossroads Cottage 29 Mar (JW) and again at Clockhouse 5 Apr (JR).
Blackcap: two on 24 Mar appear to be the first records of the year (Martin Honey) with 15 counted on 12 Apr (AP).
Garden Warbler: the first birds of the year were seen singing at Ladies Mile and at the Mounds 30 Apr (JR).
Whitethroat: one at the Mounds, one at the Windmill and one on the Plain, 24 Apr appeared to be the first birds of the spring (AP).
Redwing: 80 at Gravel Pit Cottage 3 Mar (JR), 100 nr Mounds 11 Mar (JR) while the final sighting of the spring was for seven 25 Mar (James Owen).
Ring Ouzel: a female was at Ladies Mile 18 Apr (JR).
Wheatear: a male was on the Plain 14 Apr (JW), a female there 18 Apr (Kath Brown) and a male there 24 Apr (AP).
Greenfinch: two at Rushmere 12 Apr (AP) and two at the windmill 24 Apr (AP).
Reed Bunting: a male was on the Plain and a female at Ladies Mile 11 Mar (JR) with a male singing at Rushmere 12 Apr (AP).
Shoveler: present at Kingsmere from 22 Jan with a max of five on 15 Feb (3m 2f) (JR).
Woodcock: two were at Farm Bog 16 Jan (Oliver Bennett).
Snipe: one at the pools on Ladies Mile 28 Jan (JR).
Common Gull: a good record of 210 on the playing fields 14 Feb (J.Wilczur).
Peregrine: one chasing Parakeets near Clockhouse 28 Feb (JR).
Raven: one over Ravine Bog 9 Feb (Andrew Harding), two over Putney Heath 14 Feb (J.Wilczur).
Dartford Warbler: one in gorse east of Ladies Mile 22 Jan (JR) – a different location to the usual areas.
Firecrest: singles were near Gravel Pit Cottage 1 Feb (JR), at Clockhouse Wood 2 Feb (JR), Robin Hood Drive 11 Feb (Andrew Harding) and again at Clockhouse Wood 22 Feb & 28 Feb (JR).
Redwing: max count was for c120 in the tree tops east of Ladies Mile 22 Jan (JR).
Meadow Pipit: a single on the Plain 9 Jan (LEH) with two there 22 Feb (JR) were the only records for a species that used to frequent the Commons in good numbers each winter.
Greenfinch: one singing at the Mounds 28 Feb (JR) was a good record for a bird not seen in this part of the Commons for some time.
Siskin: 20+ at Inner Park Road 13 Feb (LEH) has been the only winter sighting so far of this attractive finch.
Reed Bunting: present in small numbers at Ladies Mile with a good count of 12 on 13 Jan (JR) with six there 22 Jan (JR) and again on 24 Feb (2m 4f) (AP). An individual was at Bluegate 23 Jan (Alastair Brown).
Mute Swan: 16 altogether with 12 at Rushmere and 4 at Queensmere 5 Nov (AP).
Pochard: a female was actively diving and feeding at Queensmere 7 Dec (AP).
Teal: three at Kingsmere (2m1f) 5 Nov (AP).
Shoveler: unusually, a pair was at Queensmere 5 Nov (AP) with a male at the more usual site of Kingsmere 6 Dec (JR) and 12 Dec (LEH) with two males there 22 & 26 Dec (AP/JR).
Buzzard: an impressive eight were circling over the Mounds 2 Nov (JR).
Peregrine: a bird was seen stooping at the Carrion Crows along Windmill road on 4 Dec (LEH) and presumably the same bird repeating this behaviour on 31 Dec (LEH).
Raven: two over Putney Heath 21 Nov (Norbert Jakab).
Jack Snipe: one on the Plain 22 Dec (R.Kaye).
Kingfisher: sightings of single birds at Beverley Brook 19 Nov (Julia Hardy), unusually, one at Kingsmere 25 Nov (JR) seen diving from a branch on the north bank while another sighting was made at Scio Pond 13 Dec (Peter Trimming per AEH).
Meadow Pipit: with just two records of two on the Plain 1 Nov (JR) and 5 Nov (AP), the days of a resident winter population appear to have passed.
Fieldfare: four flying N over Putney Heath 8 Nov (JR).
Redwing: generally in low numbers with a max of 30 at Ladies Mile 16 Dec (JR).
Dartford Warbler: seen or heard in the Ladies Mile area on several occasions from 1 Nov through to 26 Dec (JR/AP/LEH/RK), this female appears to have made the area its home for the winter.
Firecrest: single birds were at Clockhouse Wood 5 Nov (JR), Putney Heath 5 Nov (AP) and in holly at Kingsmere 8 & 25 Nov, 3 & 13 Dec (JR), with two near Bluegate 20 Dec (JR).
Brambling: one near Springwell Cottage car park 23 Nov (Andrew Harding) was a good record to have.
Greenfinch: one at Rushmere 5 Nov (AP) and three there 15 Dec (JR) suggests this is a favoured spot.
Goldfinch: ten were feeding on thistles at Windmill car park 28 Nov (TP).
Reed Bunting: four (2m 2f) at Ladies Mile 6 Dec (JR), two (2f) there 13 Dec (JR), one male at Clockhouse Wood 13 Dec (JR) with a good count of nine, east of Ladies Mile 20 Dec (JR)
The high rainfall in late summer and early autumn have proved a boon for waterbirds with some very unusual records but does demonstrate how productive the ponds can be when full.
There is still a worrying decline in our smaller passerines particularly chats, flycatchers and pipits while this is probably the first ever sept / oct with no records of wheatear at all.
Encouragingly a Dartford Warbler was back in the usual place at Ladies Mile and hopefully will stay for an extended period.
Little Grebe: one on Bluegate 4 Oct (JR), 6 Oct (JR/AP), 10 Oct (JR).
Mute Swan: in addition to the usual three birds residing at Rushmere, there were another nine including two juveniles there 6 Oct (AP).
Wigeon: a remarkable sighting with a male in eclipse on Bluegate 19 Sep (Alastair Brown). A very early autumn arrival anyway, these ducks usually only appear on the Commons in very cold winters where the last records were for 2005 / 6 and 7 and before then 1979.
Shoveler: a male in eclipse on Bluegate 21 Sep (JR).
Goldeneye: an extraordinary record of a juvenile on one of the pools near Ladies Mile 22 Oct (JR). The last two records were from 1985 and 1986.
Common Buzzard: five were over the Mounds / Windmill 6 Oct (AP).
Red Kite: one over the Plain 6 Oct (AP).
Hobby: two were at Putney Heath 14 Sep (LEH), while individuals were at Ladies Mile 16 Sep, 27 Sep, over the Plain 4 Oct (JR) with final sighting of the year there 6 Oct (AP).
Peregrine: one over the Mounds 6 Sep (JR).
Water Rail: another remarkable record for the Commons – one heard squealing near one of the pools at Ladies Mile 30 Oct (JR). Dave Wills had no records at all for this species from 1974-2008 and there have been none since then.
Snipe: singles at Bluegate 3 Sep, the Plain 6 Sep, 22 Sep (JR), two there 24 Oct (AP/LEH), one there 25 Oct and one at Ladies Mile 29 Oct (JR).
Jack Snipe: singles on the Plain 10 & 11 Oct with two there on 13th (JR).
Raven: one mobbed by three Buzzards over the Mounds 6 Oct (JR).
Kingfisher: singles at Beverley Brook 26 Sep (PH), 28 Sep (Rebecca Doyle) and unusually, two sightings away from the Brook, with one near the pool at Ladies Mile 30 Oct (JR) and one sat on the No Fishing sign at Scio Pond 31 Oct (Thomas Purvis).
Skylark: five were heading SW 24 Oct (AP).
Swallow: one flew S over Ladies Mile 6 Oct (AP).
House Martin: two flew SW over the Mounds 6 Oct (AP) marking the end of a woeful year for sightings of this charismatic species.
Fieldfare: ten flying SW Oct 24 (AP/LEH et al).
Redwing: two flying SW over the Mounds 1 Oct (AP) were first of the autumn with c100 in small flocks flying SW 24 Oct (AP/LEH et al).
Stonechat: a very poor autumn with just one record of a juvenile at Ladies Mile 22 Sep (JR).
Whinchat: one fly-catching at Ladies Mile 6 Sep (JR) with a late record of one on the Plain 10 Oct (JR).
Blackcap: a juvenile was at the Mounds 1 Oct (AP).
Dartford Warbler: one heard calling and briefly glimpsed at Ladies Mile 24 Oct (AP/LEH) and there again 25 Oct (JR) – from the limited viewings, probably a female.
Willow Warbler: one singing briefly at Ladies Mile 3 Sep (AP/LEH/JR), two there 6 Sep (JR) with one at Kingsmere 12 Sep (Thomas Purvis) being the last sighting for the year.
Chiffchaff: one was singing at Ladies Mile 6 Oct (AP).
Firecrest: one on 4 Oct (Norbert Jakab).
Spotted Flycatcher: just one autumn record with a single bird at Ladies Mile 6 Sep (JR).
Meadow Pipit: on the Plain in very low numbers with a max of 8 6 Oct (AP).
Pied Wagtail: seven at Rushmere 3 Sep (AP).
Starling: Unusually, a significant passage of Starlings with the thrushes with about 300 moving SW 24 Oct (AP/LEH et al).
Siskin: one flying SW over Ladies Mile Oct 24 (AP).
Lesser Redpoll: two flying S over Ladies Mile Oct 24 (AP)
Reed Bunting: a male was on the Plain 19 Sep (AP) and probably the same at Ladies Mile 1 Oct (JR) and Bluegate 13 Oct (JR). Two females were at Ladies Mile 24 Oct (AP et al) with a female on the Plain 25 Oct (JR).
Mandarin: 14 were at Kingsmere 16 Aug (Michael Mac).
Snipe: one on the Plain 2 Aug (JR), a very unusual record for the time of year but evidencing how wet this summer has been.
Common Buzzard: singles at Tibbet’s Meadow on 21 Aug and Gravel Pit Cottage 25 Aug (Thomas Purvis).
Hobby: just one sighting for this period, with a single at Putney Heath 14 Jul (TP).
Common Tern: one at Rushmere 8 Jul (AP), 2 there 14 Jul (R.Thomas) with one bird heading off NW and 2 again on 27 Jul (James Owen).
Swallow: a second brood of Swallows was being fed at the stables 4 Aug (PH) while 5 were over the windmill 24 Aug (AP).
Willow Warbler: an early returning bird was at Putney Heath 14 Jul (TP).
Wheatear: a male on the Plain 10 Aug (JR).
Siskin: one flew south over Putney Heath 11 Jul (R. Kaye).
House Sparrow: at least 5 territories at the Green 13 Jul (Derek Frampton).
Reed Bunting: a male singing at the Plain 7 Jul (LEH) and again on 12 Jul (Jan Wilczur).
Little Egret: singles at the Beverley Brook 2 May (Chris Chalmers) and 24 May (Chris Taplin).
Mandarin: pair with 5 ducklings at Fishponds Wood 4 May (Chris Taplin) and possibly the same family of 7 at Bluegate 20 Jun (Alastair Brown).
Red Kite: 2 over the golf course 5 May (Greg Aldridge), one over the Plain 5 Jun (TP).
Buzzard: many sightings with a maximum of 4 on 7 May (Martin Honey) and a pair over the Plain 5 Jun (TP).
Little Owl: heard calling at the golf course on 23 and 25 Jun (Neil Grover / Greg Aldridge).
Curlew: one flew W, over the Mounds at 8.30am 27 Jun (AP et al).
Cuckoo: birds were heard calling on the Plain, 3 May (TP), Caesar’s Camp, 5 May (James Dee), Springwell car park, 19 May and Caesar’s Well, 20 May (Julia Hardy), Stag Bog 20 May (Andrew Harding), Bluegate, 22 May (Mike Caldwell) and Caesar’s Well, 26 May (Andrew Harding). Probably two individuals.
Swift: 35 on the Plain 6 Jun (LEH) was a disappointing count for this time of year.
Hobby: singles at the cricket pitch 15 May (TP), Gravel Pit Cottage 26 & 27 May (LEH), on 28 May (JR) with two at the golf course 5 Jun (Neil Grover) and one over Kingsmere 27 Jun (AP et al) .
Peregrine: 1 over Putney Heath, 7 May (Martin Honey).
Swallow: probably two pairs at the stables with 5 there on 27 Jun (AP et al).
Garden Warbler: 1 singing at Beverley Meads 10 May (SRS), another singing at Ladies Mile 10 May (JR), 21 May (AEH) and 25 May (JR) with 3 at Putney Heath 19 Jun (LEH).
Wheatear: a male and female at Ladies Mile / Inner Park Ride S on 27 May were unusually late spring migrants (LEH).
Grey Wagtail: a pair with 2 youngsters at the Beverley Brook 10 Jun (JR).
Starling: A flock of c200 flying around the tops of the trees on south side of Plain 2 Jun, was an encouraging sighting (AP et al).
Linnet: a good sighting of 3 at Ladies Mile 3 May (LEH.)
Little Egret: 1 in the Brook nr REMPF pavilion 24 Apr (PH).
Little Grebe: one at Bluegate on 17 Mar and 25 Mar (JR) and later on 27 Apr (PH).
Greylag Goose: 4 flying west over the Cricket Pitch on 29 Mar (TP).
Mandarin: 5 were at Kingsmere 20 Mar (TP).
Gadwall: a pair at Queensmere, rare visitors these days, 21 Apr (Andrew Harding)
Common Buzzard: maximums were 5 on 21 Mar (Natalie Mahieu), 5 on 30 Mar (LEH) and 6 on 24 Mar (Jan Wilczur).
Hobby: first bird of the year was seen on 23 Apr (M.Mac) with another over Putney Heath 30 Apr (LEH).
Little Owl: one heard nr golf course 9 Apr (Neil Grover).
Woodcock: one over the Plain 3 Mar, with other singles on 6th at Ladies Mile, 15th on Plain, 17th at Ladies Mile and two on the 25 Mar at Windmill Ride North and Bluegate (JR). Clearly a small influx for the month.
Snipe: 1 flushed from the Plain 16 Mar (PH).
Jack Snipe: 2 were flushed from the Plain 7 Mar (JR).
Meadow Pipit: the only report of this increasingly scarce passerine was one bird on the Plain on 27 Mar (LEH).
Swallow: singles over the golf course 29 Mar (Neil Grover), over the Ranger’s Office 3 Apr and at the stables 8 Apr (PH). 4 over 26 Apr (Martin Honey).
Willow Warbler: 1 singing on early date of 28 Mar (N.Moll), 2 singing on 13th (R.Kaye),1 at Springwell Cottage 23 Apr (Andrew Harding),
Chiffchaff: max of 6 Putney Heath 15 Mar (LEH).
Blackcap: first heard singing at Putney Heath, 27 Mar (LEH), then at Queensmere 3 Apr (TP) with a maximum of 7 on 13 Apr (Martin Honey).
Garden Warbler: first bird of year was at Putney Heath 13 Apr (R.Kaye).
Lesser Whitethroat: one in copse near the Skylark area 28 Apr (Neil Grover).
Whitethroat: late this year with first sighting 29 Apr on west side of Plain (JR).
Firecrest: a pair at Bluegate 6 Mar (JR), 1 singing Putney Heath, 27 Mar (LEH) and 1 heard at Tibbets Ride Wood 10 & 12 Apr (TP).
Wheatear: a male on the Plain 11 Apr (JR), a female on the Plain 23 Apr (Martin Honey) and another male on the Plain 24 Apr (Jan Wilczur).
Fieldfare: one at Putney Heath 15 Apr (LEH).
Redwing: a max of 80 at Putney Heath 15 Mar (LEH).
Ring Ouzel: 2 males at Windmill Ride North 23 Apr (per AEH, Michael Mac)
Lesser Redpoll: 30 at Ladies Mile 7 Mar (JR), 8 on 15th (LEH), 2 on 17th (JR) and 20+ on 29 Apr (JR).
Siskin: some mixed in with 30 at Ladies Mile 7 Mar (JR)
Greenfinch: a pair along Portsmouth Road 10 Apr (TP)
Reed Bunting: male on the Plain 15 Mar (LEH) and 17 Mar (JR).
Mute Swan: a pair was at Kingsmere 6 Jan (in addition to the resident pair at Queensmere) (Caroline Woodley).
Common Buzzard: 7 south of the A3 on 27 Feb were clearly moving through (LEH). Birds regularly seen in garden (LEH)
Black- headed Gull: one at Rushmere 20 Feb with ring / yellow tag suggesting possibly ringed in Norway 2016. (Neil Grover). A high percentage of BH Gulls on the Common in winter are likely to be of Scandinavian origin.
Little Owl: reports of a bird heard calling were received on 23 Feb with confirmation of 2 birds heard calling and photographed 25 Feb (Greg Aldridge / Neil Grover). Single birds have appeared sporadically over the years but to my knowledge this is the first record for two birds.
Skylark: single birds on the Plain 6th and 20 Feb. (Alastair & Kath Brown)
Meadow Pipit: 2 at Rushmere 26 Jan (JR).
Chiffchaff: a bird at the mounds was heard singing on the exceptionally early date of 8 Feb. (Caroline Woodley). Clearly it must have had no sense of the impending week of snow and icy weather that was due!
Firecrest: there has been a deluge of sightings for this species beginning with one in garden on 10 Jan (LEH). Regular sightings were then received from 25 Jan to 26 Feb with maximums of 4 on both the 28 and 31 Jan, in the vicinity of the holly trees at Bluegate. There was another bird in the garden 21 Feb (LEH) with 2 still regularly at Bluegate at the end of February. (JR / Alastair & Kath Brown / R.Dunne)
Stonechat: First spring migrant of the year was a male at Ladies Mile 22 Feb (JR).
Redwing: very small flocks around with high count of 20 at Kingsmere 18 Jan (JR).
Fieldfare: 10 at Ladies Mile 12 Feb (JR).
Lesser Redpoll: 8 were at Bluegate 31 Jan with 20 at Ladies Mile 22 Feb (JR).
Reed Bunting: 3 at Ladies Mile 18 Jan (JR), 1 at Bluegate 10 Feb (JR) with a male singing on the Plain 20 Feb (JR).
Skylark: 1 on the Plain 11 Nov.
Meadow Pipit: 1 on the Plain 20 Nov, 2 at the Mounds 24 Nov
Firecrest: 2 at Queensmere 20 Nov, 1 at SE corner of the Plain and one at Putney Heath both on 22 Nov.
Dartford Warbler: heard on 22 Nov and 2 Dec at Ladies Mile
Fieldfare: 25 over the Mounds 20 Nov
Redwing: high count of 35 at Scio Pond 5 Dec
Lesser Redpoll: 50+ at the Mounds and 15 at Ladies Mile on 4 Dec with 7 at Ladies Mile 22 Dec and 20+ at Inner Park ride 29 Dec
Reed Bunting: a female at Ladies Mile 20 Nov and a male there 4 Dec
Little Egret: 2 at Kingsmere 17 September and 18 September with 4 on 23 September, 26th and 28th.
Shoveler: a female at Kingsmere 17 September
Common Buzzard: 2 over Putney Heath 13 September.
Red Kite: 1 over A3 24 September
Peregrine: 1 over Ladies Mile Oct 24.
Hobby: 3 at Putney Heath 7 September with the last sighting of the year being 2 over Putney Heath on 13 September.
Kingfisher: singles along the Beverley Brook on 1 September, 22 September, 4 Oct and 7 Oct - sightings appear to be increasing suggesting the recent improvements to the Beverley Brook are to the Kingfisher’s liking.
Skylark: 2 were on the Plain 22 Oct.
Meadow Pipit: 3 on the Plain 5 Oct was a very poor autumn showing indeed.
Swallow: 3 S over the Windmill 30 September were the last of the year.
House Martin: 70 went through W in small groups on 23 September, 20+ flying S over Ladies Mile 30 September were the last of the year.
Blackcap: 5 at Putney Heath on 17 September.
Dartford Warbler: one calling at Ladies Mile on 13 Oct and again on 15 Oct but with a mere glimpse of this particularly elusive individual.
Willow Warbler: 5 at Putney Heath on 1 September and a single there on 2 September was the last record for the year.
Chiffchaff: one calling at Ladies Mile 15 Oct.
Firecrest: 1 at Tibbets Ride Wood September 20
Stonechat: first of the autumn was a male on the Plain on 7 September followed by 2 on 28 September and 30th , 2 at Ladies Mile on 8 Oct and 3 on the Plain 15 Oct that included an adult male and what looked to be 2 juvenile males.
Redwing: the first of the autumn were 2 at the Mounds on 30 September, 40 SW on 11 Oct, 24 at Ladies Mile 13 Oct with 300+ W during a couple of hours on 15 Oct .
Fieldfare: 20 W over Ladies Mile and 30 W over the Plain 15 Oct .
House Sparrow: 13 at Rushmere 22 Oct .
Bullfinch: a female flew over Kingsmere 30 Oct .
Siskin: 4 at Ladies Mile feeding on birch seed 15 Oct with a pair at Gravel Pit Cottage on feeder 22 Oct .
Linnet: one flew E over the Plain 15 Oct .
Redpoll: first of autumn was one E at Ladies Mile on 23 September , then 2 at Ladies Mile feeding on birch seed 15 Oct and 8 there on 30 Oct .
Reed Bunting: a female was at Ladies Mile 15 Oct .
Egyptian Goose: 15 including several juveniles at Rushmere 30 Jul
Little Egret: one at Bluegate 22 Jul, there again on 25th and 26th.
Red Kite: 2 over Kingsmere heading SE 30 Jul.
Common Buzzard: a young bird was heard calling near Robin Hood Road 31 Jul
Common Tern: two at Rushmere 23 Jul and one there 26 Jul
Stock Dove: 15 were feeding on the Plain 18 Aug
Swift: 40 over the Mounds 8 Jul and 20 at Rushmere 30 Jul
Kingfisher: one at Beverley Brook - bottom of Robin Hood Ride 7 Jul
Hobby: elusive as ever, two were seen over Gravel Pit cottage 22 Aug
Swallow: a pair was at the stables but no counts were taken - however 7 on Aug 13 suggest the local breeding pair had successfully managed to fledge some youngsters.
Willow Warbler: first returning bird was a juvenile at Ladies Mile 28 Jul, while there were at least a dozen in the mixed tit flock at Ladies Mile 28 Aug.
Lesser Whitethroat: single birds at the Mounds 4 Aug and 15 Aug.
Firecrest: 2 singing on Aug 8 at Scio Pond and Tibbets Ride, one singing at Putney Heath Aug 15 and a juvenile seen there Aug 23
Spotted Flycatcher: one at Ladies Mile 28 Aug
Wheatear: a female / juv was at Rushmere 17 Aug
House Sparrow: an encouraging sighting of 20 on the bank of Rushmere 17 Aug.
The increase in vegetation / trees in the NW corner of Rushmere is proving to be very popular for several birds including starlings, pied wagtails, greenfinches and the sparrows which maybe using it as a roost site.
Pied Wagtail: 10 at Rushmere on 17 Aug with several juveniles was a reasonable count
Tree Pipit: one at Inner Park ride / Ladies Mile 22 Aug
Crossbill: 2 flew north over the Mounds 30 Jul
Goldfinch: only a max of 14 seen on the Mounds 28 Aug
Greenfinch: one feeding on edge of Rushmere with the sparrows 30 Jul and two with what looked to be like a juvenile there on 17 Aug.
Reed Bunting: 3 at the birch patch on the Plain 8 Jul – may have been the usual male and perhaps another visiting pair.
Mute Swan: from the six hatched 7/8 May, 5 cygnets were still at Queensmere 15 May
Mallard: a female with 11 ducklings at Rushmere 4 May
Gadwall: a very tame male at Rushmere 5th and 12 May
Little Grebe: pair still at Bluegate 8 May, 12 May with last sighting on 15 May. No evidence of any successful breeding.
Red Kite: 1 over the Plain 15 May
Buzzard: a pair regularly seen S.end of Kingsmere
Common Tern: 1 fishing at Rushmere 11 Jun
Cuckoo: heard calling near Warren Farm 13 May, Memorial Ride 14 May and Queensmere 18 May
Swift: no records of any great numbers
Hobby: singles at Putney Heath 20 Jun and 28 Jun
Peregrine: 1 over Ladies Mile heading NE 8 May
Skylark: 2 birds were reported flying around and displaying between Camp and Sunset Road 6 Jun – single birds were then on the Plain on 10 Jun and 11 Jun but no further records were received suggesting disturbance probably too great for any breeding attempt.
Swallow: 3 flying around the Plain 15 May
Garden Warbler: 2 at Ladies Mile on 14 Jun with one singing was encouraging, given the recent fire.
Cetti’s Warbler: one at the Beverley Brook 25 May – this species has been a rapid coloniser since the 1970s although this is the first record for the Commons as far as I’m aware – its explosive burst of song is its best characteristic given it’s extreme reluctance to show itself.
Whitethroat: 5 territories with 3 at Mounds, 1 at S.end of Plain and 1 at Inner windmill ride on 7 May – a pair at E. end of Plain with a single bird singing there 11 Jun
Firecrest: 2 males at Putney Vale Cemetery 22 May, 2 singing at Putney Heath 30 May & 14 Jun and a family with at least two fledglings at PVC 21 Jun is, subject to confirmation, the first proven breeding evidence for this increasing species on the Commons.
Wheatear: a male at Ladies Mile 1 May
Grey Wagtail: 3 at the Beverley Brook 25 May
Reed Bunting: a male on the Plain 12 May, 15 May and singing there 11 Jun
Greylag Goose: 2 pairs at Rushmere 30 April
Mute Swan: the resident pair was on nest at Queensmere 1 April
Egyptian Geese: a pair at Queensmere 1 April
Mandarin: a pair on Scio Pond 19 March and 2 males on Kingsmere 16 April
Pochard: a female was at Queensmere 7 March – from being a regular winter visitor albeit in low numbers, this species was last seen in 2015.
Little Grebe: one at Bluegate on 14 April, again 16 April with three there on 17 April – nest building has been seen so fingers crossed that water levels remain adequate for them to successfully breed.
Red Kite: singles over Putney Heath 25 March, low over the Plain 1 April, low over Windmill 25 April and low over the Mounds 29 April.
Common Buzzard: almost daily reports of ones and twos.
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker: one reported from Ladies Mile 1 April
Hobby: first bird of the year was over Putney Heath on the relatively early date 5 April with further sightings at Rushmere 16 April and 20 April
Pheasant: a male was calling on Putney Heath 14 March
Swift: a dozen were seen heading N over Putney Heath 25 April.
Swallow: the first bird was back at the Windmill Stables on 8 April with a pair there 10 April and a single feeding at Rushmere on 15 April.
Willow Warbler: first heard singing at Sunset Road 10 April and singing at Beverley Pavilion 16 April. There were 3 on Putney Heath 22 April, 2 on 23rd, one there 24 April and 5 (3 on the Mounds, 2 at Ladies Mile) 29 April. In recent years, one or two birds sprint through in early April so it has been a better spring passage than normal.
Chiffchaff: first heard at Ladies Mile 11 March, 2 at the Mounds 12 March, one at Warren Farm 19 March with two counts of 8 on March 23 and 4 April.
Blackcap: 3 males at Putney Heath 23 March with 5 singing at Beverley Meads 13 April and 5 at Putney Heath 17 April.
Garden Warbler: first bird of year was nr Tibbetts Corner 22 April with singles at the Mounds on 24th and at Ladies Mile 26 April.
Whitethroat: 2 on 19 April at the Mounds were the first of the year followed by a single near the Windmill 23 April.
Wheatear: a male on the Plain 26 April
Starling: 30 on Putney Lower Common 1 April – for a species whose numbers have declined dramatically in recent years where half a dozen is the norm, this is a good count early in the year.
Redwing: 25 at Putney Heath on 20 March were the highest count for the period with 8 at Bluegate on 1 April (TS) being the last sighting of these departing winter visitors.
Stonechat: a pair at Windmill Ride 1 March.
Greenfinch: 3 over Putney Heath 6 March, possibly same 3 at Fishponds Wood with one carrying nesting material 7 March with 4 at RE Memorial 25 March. Some anecdotal evidence that there may be signs of recovery for this species.
Mute Swan: A pair with a youngster at Kingsmere 4 Jan and still present. These are in addition to the regular pair at Queensmere
Shoveler: 4 at Kingsmere 13 Feb
Common Buzzard: 2 at Putney Heath 18 Jan
Peregrine: 1 flew over Wimbledon Ride North 18 Jan
Red Kite: 1 drifted SE over Ladies Mile 10 Feb
Snipe: 2 were on the Plain 30 Jan
Meadow Pipit: 1 at west end of Rushmere 8 Feb
Firecrest: 1 at Putney Heath 18 Jan with two there on the 19th, both calling
Stonechat: First spring migrants of the year were 2 on 25 Feb at Windmill Ride, with 4 (m & f + 2 1st winters) there on the 26th and 2 (m & f) on the 29th
Redwing: 20 at Putney Heath 18 Jan and 30 at Ladies Mile 20 Feb (AP), including several that were airing their vocal cords and beginning to sing.
Bullfinch: A female was still present at the Mounds 18 Jan, 28 Jan, 19 Feb, 21 Feb and 26 Feb.
Reed Bunting: 2 on Putney Heath 18 Feb.
Cormorant: 10 at Kingsmere 16 Nov
Shoveler: 5 (2m 3f) at Kingsmere 12 Nov with a max of 8 (3m 5f) there 19 Dec
Woodcock: singles flushed along Warren Farm Ride 4 Dec (R.Aston) and Ladies Mile 14 Dec
Snipe: 1 flushed along Ladies Mile 26 Dec
Buzzard: two regularly seen in the woods between Gravel Pit Cottage and Kingsmere
Short-Eared Owl: 1 north of Windmill Ride North 17 Nov, appeared from N heading W
Firecrest: 1 at Paradise (N of REMPF war memorial) 4 Dec
Fieldfare: 1 at Ladies Mile 19 Dec
Redwing: very quiet with max of 10 around Plain on 15 Dec
Bullfinch: a female at the Mounds Nov 16
Reed Bunting: 3 at Ladies Mile 4 Nov, 4 there (1m 3f) 2 Dec (JR) and 3 again 28 Dec
Little Grebe: 1 briefly at Kingsmere 13 Oct
Little Egret: 1 at Kingsmere 23 Sep with 2 there on 24th
Greylag Goose: 20 flew SW over the Common at 7am on 7 Oct
Shoveler: 3 flew N (1m 2f) over the Mounds 13 Oct
Common Buzzard: regularly seen but highest count was only 3 at Putney Heath 8 Sep
Swallow: a late individual on 19 Oct over the Plain was last record of year
House Martin: 4 over Windmill 8 Oct were last of year
Meadow Pipit: a very quiet autumn passage with a max of 6 on the Plain 17 Oct
Blackcap: one at the Mounds 13 Oct appeared to be last one of the year
Spotted Flycatcher: 1 on 1 Sep with another performing admirably on the dead tree at Ladies Mile for the bird walk on 15 Sep. Clearly London saw a very good passage of flycatchers this year.
Wheatear: just two records with single birds at Rushmere 6 Sep and Putney Heath 10 Sep
Whinchat: 1 immature on the uncut meadow 5 Sep
Stonechat: first of the autumn were two on the Plain 15 Sep and 17th, followed by 2 on 30 Sep and three on 2 Oct. A single was east of Ladies Mile on 14 Oct, with a pair there on the 15th. Another individual was at the Plain on the same day and presumably the same bird that is likely to be an immature, was seen on several occasions up to the 27th. Hard to be certain of number of individuals but a decent autumn passage and would be even better if one were to stay for the winter.
Redwing: 10 at the mounds 13 Oct with 50+ in loose flocks moving SW.
Chaffinch: a steady passage of 100+ moving SW on 13 Oct
Bullfinch: a real rarity for the Common these days but a female at the mounds 23 Oct.
Reed Bunting: a male on the Plain 19 Sep, a female there on 4 Oct with 3 at Inner Park Ride (1m 2f) 15 Oct.
Common Buzzard: regular sightings with max of three over the Plain 9 Jul.
Hobby: one over Rushmere 13 Aug, two over Gravel Pit Cottage 24 and 27 Aug and one over Mounds 30 Aug.
Black-tailed Godwit: a lady sent in two photos of a bird wading in the shallows at Rushmere at 11.30am on 5 Aug. On showing it to various observers, all agreed that it was indeed a Black Tailed Godwit – a remarkable record - there had been sightings of a single bird at Wetlands at start of Aug so possibly the same bird but clearly a sign of the increasing expansion of this species.
Stock Dove: a good record of 16 feeding on the Plain 28 Aug.
Swift: two over Gravel Pit Cottage on 15 Aug.
Kingfisher: one at Bev Brook nr REM playing fields 22 Jul, with reports of two birds during July and one at Beverley Brook 7 Aug.
House Martin: only one sighting with 20 heading south over Rushmere 30 Aug.
Swallow: two pairs at the Windmill stable yard with nests of 2 and 4 youngsters on 12 Aug- by the 15th, the nest of two had fledged and gone while one had fallen out of / left the other nest and had located in the nearby garden- the remaining three fledged on the 19th. Oddly on the 20th there were no Swallows to be seen at all, seemingly having all left for good. Apparently birds were seen a few days later but may have just been passing through.
Pied Wagtail: a good count of 14 at Rushmere on 30 Aug with several juveniles.
Willow Warbler: first returning bird was at the Mounds 13 Aug (AP) and one singing weakly at Ladies Mile 20 Aug.
Spotted Flycatcher: two birds at the Mounds 22 Aug and a single there 30 Aug
Wheatear: just one on 17 Aug
House Sparrow: an encouraging sighting of 20 on the muddy bank of Rushmere 20 Aug possibly feeding on willow seeds.
Goldfinch: a very good record of c80 on the Mounds 13 Aug, easily double the normal flock size seen most years. It seems Goldfinches may have had a bumper breeding season with the majority of birds being juveniles.
Reed Bunting: male at usual birch patch on the Plain 2 Jul – not seen any further after this date and no evidence of any breeding activity at all.
Little Egret: 1 on Beverley Brook 6 June
Mute Swan: 4 cygnets hatched on 17 May although quickly reduced to just two with one injured by a pike and the other sustaining injuries from an unknown cause.
Greylag Goose: 4 at Rushmere 23 May
Mandarin: a female with four ducklings on Beverley Brook 30 May) – she was pulling down stems of pendulous sedge so the ducklings could eat the seeds as they floated on the water
Egyptian Goose: 2 at Queensmere 5 May and 2 with a youngster at Rushmere 23 May
Common Buzzard: 4 soaring over Rushmere 1 May (AP), 1 over Plain 6 Jun (John Weir)
Red Kite: 1 low over the windmill 12 May, 1 over the Plain 21 May
Hobby: 1 at Ladies Mile 1 May, 1 at Inner Park Ride 13 May, 1 over heather patch 30 May, 1 on 7 Jun and 1 heading over Putney Vale Cem 16 Jun
Moorhen: two batches of four and five chicks at Queensmere 30 May
Coot: 5 chicks at Queensmere 30 May
Common Tern: 1 flying E near the Plain 23 Jun
Cuckoo: 1 heard on 8 May at Green Ride and 9 May, Ravine Pond and again on 10 May near golf course/burning dump – presumably another bird heard near golf course 10 June
Swift: 40-50 over plain 10 May (JR) and at least 80 feeding over the Plain 23 June
Swallow: the resident pair were seen were picking up horsehair from the yard on 12 May for nest building – 5 flying around Windmill on 22 Jun so three successfully fledged.
House Martin: just one sighting of a single bird with swifts on 10 May
Grey Wagtail: four juveniles at Queensmere 30 May
Garden Warbler: heard singing at the Mounds, Beverley Meads and Ladies Mile with two singing at Warren Farm 15 May
Blackcap: 5 singing at Beverley Meads 12 May
Whitethroat: high count of 7 on 7 Jun oddly - seemingly absent from the bramble patches around the Plain this year.
Wheatear: a male on the Plain 1 May (AP) and a female that briefly landed in the dead tree at Ladies Mile 12 May
Reed Bunting: male present on the Plain during May and June, singing intermittently from the usual clump of birch trees at the heather patch – male and female seen on 27 June but not carrying any food or nesting material and no evidence of any youngsters – these birds can have up to two or three broods a year and not uncommon to still have eggs in July so will have to see.
Egyptian Goose: Usually seen frequenting Rushmere, a pair were at Queensmere 30 April
Common Buzzard: 1 at Fishponds Wood 16 March, 1 over Putney Heath 10 April, 1 over Thatched Cottage 20 April
Red Kite: 1 over Windmill 1 March, 1 over KRR stone 1 April, 1 over Ladies Mile 11 April, 1 over Thatched Cottage 20 April
Peregrine: 1 over Windmill 17 March and another over Putney Heath 28 April
Hobby: first of year was bird flying N over Putney Heath 26 April
Snipe: 2 flushed from the Plain 14 March
Jack Snipe: 1 flushed from heather patch on Plain 27 March
Stock Dove: a singing pair at Fishponds Wood 6 -10 April
Swift: first of year over Windmill 28 April
Swallow: first of year over Rushmere 5 April, single at Windmill 13 April, 2 at Windmill car park 18 April, 2 at stable yard 27 April and 1 seen visiting the barn by a Keeper on 30 April.
Garden Warbler: first bird of year at Ladies Mile 26 April
Blackcap: first heard singing at edge of Plain 20 March – an impressive count of 22 on 19 April demonstrating the widespread abundance of this species and what looks to be yet another bumper year.
Whitethroat: first birds of year were 4 on 19 April
Willow Warbler: 1 at the Mounds and 1 at Ladies Mile 11 April and another single between Inner Park ride and Windmill Ride North 20 April
Chiffchaff: first heard on 20 March (LEH) with high counts of 10 on 25 March and 8 on 5 April (LEH)
Wheatear: a female on the Plain 19 April (LEH) with a male on Inner Park Ride (JR) the same day and another female on the Plain 22 April (LEH).
Whinchat: a male and female on the Plain 19 April. Usual visitors in the autumn but much rarer in the spring
Redwing: 1 singing at Beverley Meads on 21 March with last sighting of the winter being a single at Beverley Brook 18 April
House Sparrow: 5 pairs counted at the Green near Rushmere 29 March
Greenfinch: 4 at Fishponds Wood 16 March
Lesser Redpoll: 2 N over Windmill on 17 March and 2 W over Windmill 27 March
Reed Bunting: male and female on the Plain 22 April with the male spotted or heard singing by several observers during remainder of month, so holding territory and hopefully nesting
Teal: 20 at Ashlone Wharf, Putney Lower Common 31 Jan
Mandarin: 15 at Queensmere, 12 Feb
Greylag Goose: two flying south over Fishpond Wood, 2 Feb
Tufted Duck: 27 at Queensmere, 12 Feb
Common Buzzard: 1 on 2 Feb, 1 in trees on Inner Park Road Feb 12
Peregrine: 1 flew over Thatched Cottage 13 Jan and 1 over Putney Heath 2 Feb
Kingfisher: 1 at Tractor Bridge, Putney Lower Common 11 Jan
Great Spotted Woodpecker: drumming first heard at Fishpond Wood 6 Feb with 6 on 27 Feb
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker: 1 on 19 Jan and 1 drumming 29 Jan
Meadow Pipit: 1 at Putney Heath, 2 Feb
Grey Wagtail: 3 on Bev Brook, 22 Feb – a good count early in the year
Dartford Warbler: 1 at Putney Heath, 1 Jan and then 19th and 20th.
Firecrest: 1 at Putney Vale, 2 Jan and 1 at Queensmere, 7 Jan.
Stonechat: a male flycatching from top of tall dead tree east of Windmill Ride North, Feb 21, a female on the Plain 27 Feb and 28th.
Redwing: several sightings with max of 25
Fieldfare: 1 at Putney Lower Common Feb 1
Lesser Redpoll: 6 on 20 Jan at Thatched Cottage and 2 on 23 Jan
Reed Bunting: a female on Putney Heath 23 Jan, 1 there Feb 12 and 3 at Bluegate 24 Feb
Cormorant: 1 at Rushmere 16 May
Heron: a juvenile at Beverley Brook 12 June
Common Buzzard: regular sightings with a maximum of 4 over Putney Heath (3 heading NE)
15 May
Red Kite: regular sightings with a maximum of 3 over Thatched Cottage 10 May
Peregrine: 1 over Thatched Cottage 22 May
Hobby: 1 over Thatched Cottage 13 and 22 May, 1 chasing a Swallow over Windmill car park 3 June, 1 at Ladies Mile 14 June and 1 on 28 June
Moorhen: A pair with four young at Scio Pond 19 May
Snipe: 1 on Plain 1 May – an illustration of just how wet it had been this spring
Great Black backed Gull: 1 flew over RE playing fields 9 May – an unusual record and certainly at this time of year
Common Tern: 1 flying SW over Plain carrying a fish 20 June, one seen fishing at Queensmere 22 June and another over Plain heading east 24 June. Clearly on commuting duties between the Common’s Ponds and perhaps Richmond Park
Wood Pigeon: 80 gathered on the RE fields 30 May
Swift: First seen over Ladies Mile with two 5 May with up to 50 feeding over Ladies Mile 8 May and 30 over the Plain 8 June (AP) – reasonable numbers but still lower than previous years.
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker: 1 heard nr Ravine Pond 5pm 2 May (LEH)
Skylark: 1 heard on the Plain and then seen later 13 May, singing again on 14th and 18th with two seen 3 June and singing again June 6.
On June 8, at 8.00am, 1 bird flew up from the Plain and headed straight over the Windmill heading due west, with presumably the same bird returning half an hour later from over the Windmill and landing back on the Plain - can only presume it had been for a visit to Richmond Park which may well be the likely origin of these and previous breeding Skylarks on the Common.
Woodlark: 1 briefly heard nr Ladies Mile on the evening of 12 June. If accepted by LNHS, this would be a very significant record not only for Wimbledon Common but for London too – to put in context, Richmond Park had one in 2008 and their last one was in 1967.
Sand Martin: 1 over Thatched Cottage 9 May and 1 heading NE over Putney Heath 15 May
Swallow: just one pair this year with the first youngster leaving the nest on 12 June
Grey Wagtail: a female seen feeding a youngster nr R.E.Memorial 11 May with both adults and juvenile there on 16 May and 3 at Queensmere on 6 June
Garden Warbler: heard singing at the Mounds, Beverley Meads, Triangle and Lades Mile
Blackcap: highest count was for 7 on 12 May at Beverley Meads (SRS)
Whitethroat: one singing at Beverley Meads on 19 June was the first this observer had seen there since 2012
Firecrest: 2 male Firecrest 7 May and one bird in full song on edge of Plain nr Parkside 23 May.
Pied Flycatcher: a female reported from Lower Putney Common.
Goldfinch: at least 2 pairs around the Windmill complex.
Reed Bunting: a male on Plain 13 May and 18 May, singing there 6 June and singing at edge of Plain’s heather patch 24 June.
Teal: a female was feeding in the shallows at Kingsmere 11 Nov
Red Kite: 1 over Ladies Mile 20 Nov
Woodcock: 1 on 10 Nov (Jan Wilczur) and one flushed near Windmill Ride North ride 2 Dec
Skylark: one flew up from heather patch on Plain 11 Nov
Chiffchaff: 1 with tit flock Ladies Mile 20 Nov
Firecrest: 1 at Queensmere 30 Dec
Dartford Warbler: one heard initially and then seen characteristically flitting over the gorse bushes at Ladies Mile 16 Dec, present again from 22nd to 24th
Fieldfare: 1 over Ladies Mile 11 Nov, with 9 on 2 Dec
Redwing: 30 at Beverley Meads 28 Dec
Lesser Redpoll: 20+ at Ladies Mile 11 Nov (AP) and 20 on 22 Dec
Siskin: c30 2 Dec
Reed Bunting: 3 at Ladies Mile 11 Nov
Little Egret: 1 flew over Mounds 27 Oct (AP), 1 at Kingsmere 30 Oct and 31 Oct
Common Buzzard: 6 on 13 Sep
Red Kite: 1 over Plain 30 Sep
Hobby: 2 on 2 Sep Putney Heath including a juvenile with last sighting of year of one over Mounds 13 Sep
Kestrel: 2 juveniles 3 Sep
Honey Buzzard: 1 high over windmill 2pm 18 Oct
Lesser Black-Backed Gull: 1 over the Plain 14 Sep
Skylark: 1 W over Mounds 27 Oct
House Martin: 80 over Mounds in an hour heading SW 14 Sep
Swallow: 3 on 14 Sep over Mounds was last record of year
Meadow Pipit: first of autumn was single on 7 Sep on Plain, 100+ thru SW Sep 22
Tree Pipit: 1 flew over Ladies Mile calling 14 Sep
Chiffchaff: 1 calling at Ladies Mile 27 Oct
Blackcap: a female on 14 Sep
Stonechat: a female /juv 14 Sep, plus singles 18 Sep, 27 Sep, 3 (2m1f) Sep 30, 2 on 1 Oct, 3 (1m 2f) on 2 Oct and 2 on Oct 7
Redwing: 4 over Ladies Mile 15 Oct were first of autumn
Blackbird: 8 on the Mounds 17 Oct with some showing very dark bills akin to continental birds
Fieldfare: 1 on Oct 13 flying over Plain
Goldfinch: 30 at Mounds 22 Sep
Lesser Redpoll: 20 over Mounds 27 Oct
Reed Bunting: 3 at Ladies Mile 17 Oct
Common Buzzard: 1 at Putney Heath 1 Aug and 1 over Plain 31 Aug
Red Kite: 1 over A3 15 Jul and 1 over Kingsmere 31 Aug
Hobby: 2 over skip area 20 July, 1 at the Plain 30 July, 1 at PLC 8 Aug with singles seen on 16,19 and 28 Aug at the Mounds
Moorhen: one on nest on Scio Pond 8 Aug
Common Tern: 1 at Rushmere 20 Jul
Stock Dove: 7 on Plain 31 Aug
Swift: 110 at Windmill 9 Jul with one over Mounds on 15 Aug being the last reported
Skylark: 2 on the Plain 30 Jul
House Martin: 30 at Windmill 16 Aug and part of mixed flock of 80 there with Swallows 28 Aug
Swallow: 20 at Windmill 16 Aug
Pied Wagtail: 2 juveniles at Beverley playing fields 24 Aug
Willow Warbler: first returning bird was at the Plain 8 Aug followed by several records of birds moving through with maximum of 3 on 31 Aug
Lesser Whitethroat: a smart male was at the Mounds 31 Aug
Spotted Flycatcher: single birds around the Mounds area on 15, 24 and 31 Aug – possibly the same bird but if so, encouraging that it has been able to stay for a prolonged visit rather than heading straight through
Wheatear: a female was on the Plain 19 and 20 Aug with another female/juv at Ladies Mile 31 Aug
Whinchat: an early returning bird on the Plain 3 Aug (Pete Haldane) with 3 there 24 Aug
Mistle Thrush: 9 on Beverley playing fields 12 July
Goldfinch: 11 juveniles at the Mounds 15 Aug
Little Egret: 1 feeding in Beverley Brook 25 Mar (John Dean)
Black Swan: 1 on Rushmere 21 Mar (Kate Collins Cooke, PH) presumably one of the four that had been doing the rounds at Kensington Gardens, St James Park and Wimbledon Park Lake
Greylag Goose: 3 flying over Plain 4 Mar (AP)
Mandarin: 17 at Queensmere 4 Mar (Tim Straw)
Egyptian Geese: 2 at Rushmere 18 Apr (PH)
Tufted Duck: 29 at Queensmere 8 Apr (AP)
Common Buzzard: regular sightings including a presumed pair at Fishponds Wood (Chris Taplin) with a max of 7 above Warren Farm Paddock 18 Apr (Graham Guthrie)
Red Kite: 1 flew low over Plain 18 Apr (AP), 2 over Ladies Mile and Windmill 22 Apr (AP), 1 over Thatched Cottage 24 Apr (LEH)
Peregrine: 1 over Thatched Cottage 24 Apr (LEH)
Hobby: 2 flew over the Windmill 29 Apr (LEH)
Snipe: 2 on Plain 4 Mar (AEH /LEH), 3 at Ladies Mile on 11 Mar (LEH), 1 on Plain 13 Apr (Tim Straw), 2 there 25 Apr (LEH) and 1 there 27 Apr (AP)
Woodcock: 1 at Ladies Mile 4 Mar (AP) and second or same at Jubilee Ride (LEH), 2 at Inner Windmill Road 21 Mar (R.Kaye), 1 at Thatched Cottage 25 Mar (LEH)
Arctic Skua: 1 flying E 20 Apr (LEH) – presumably tracking the Thames before heading out to the North Sea
Black-headed Gull: 124 on Beverley playing fields on 10 Mar (SRS)
Stock Dove: a confirmed pair at Fishponds Wood 18 Apr (SRS)
Cuckoo: 1 at Ladies Mile 8 Apr (AP et al) – appeared to call for most of the day.
Tawny Owl: 1 heard at Beverley Meads 29 Apr (SRS)
Kingfisher: 2 at Beverley Brook 5 Apr (John Dean)
Green Woodpecker: 3 on Putney Lower Common 5 Apr (John Dean)
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker: 1 drumming Inner Windmill Road 5 Mar (LEH), 1 seen and poss 2nd drumming 10 Mar (LEH), a female between Springwell and White Cottages (Colin Williams) and a male photographed by Catherine Beazley on 11 Mar, 1 drumming on 13 Mar (Nick Baker) 20th (LEH) and 21st (R.Kaye), female seen 26th (Bill Haines), 1 NW of Ravine Pond 14 Apr (Stephen Bound)
Skylark: 1 on the Plain 4 Mar (AP / LEH)
Swallow: back at the Windmill on 19 Apr with 3 on 21st (PH)
Meadow Pipit: 2 on the Plain 4 Mar (AP), 3 there 11 Apr (LEH)
Rook: 2 over Windmill on 13 Mar (Nick Baker)
Garden Warbler: first bird of year at the Mounds 27 Apr (AP)
Blackcap: first heard 6 Apr at Thatched Cottage (LEH) – very numerous this year
Whitethroat: first birds were 3 on 22 Apr (AP et al) – one at the Mounds and two around the Plain
Lesser Whitethroat: 1 singing at the Mounds 18 Apr (AP) – seemingly part of a large influx for this species
Willow Warbler: 3 on Putney Heath 24 Apr (LEH) - presumably part of a small fall and a single at Ladies Mile 29 Apr (AP)
Chiffchaff: First heard on 25 Mar at Memorial Ride and Ladies Mile (LEH), 5 singing Apr 6 (Simon Riley) and 6 singing Apr 8 (AP)
Firecrest: 2 singing birds nr Green Man Pub and Scio Pond 14 Mar (R.Kaye) and 2, presumed a pair at Queensmere 29 Apr (P.Redmond)
Wheatear: 2 males on the Plain 18 Apr (AP)
Redstart: a female near the Windmill on 14 Apr (Jon Reeves) - while this species clearly migrates through London as evidenced by records from Richmond Park, Wetlands and Wormwood Scrubs, it has seemingly never taken a liking to the Common! To put it in perspective, Dave Wills told me had never seen one himself, in the entire time he had birded on the Common!
Redwing: 40 at Beverley Meads on 23 March, 2 singing 24 Mar with last sighting for the year 30 Mar (SRS)
Fieldfare: max of 20 flying over Ladies Mile 4 Mar (AP)
House Sparrow: 7 at Fensham Drive nr Putney Vale Cemetery 15 Mar (Natalie Chevalier-Hean) (while not strictly on Common, good to know of birds that are local)
Brambling: 1 at Thatched Cottage 25 Mar (LEH) - generally seen in autumn so a spring record quite unusual
Greenfinch: 4 nr horse field 4 Mar (Tim Straw), 2 at Rushmere on 27 Apr (AP)
Siskin: 1 singing near golf clubhouse 4 Mar (Tim Straw), 30+ 13 Mar (Nick Baker)
Goldfinch: at least 2 pairs around the Windmill complex
Lesser Redpoll: 14 on 11 Mar (C.Beazley), 7 at Windmill Rd on 14 Mar (LEH), 12 at Hookhamslade 27 Mar (LEH) and 2 Ladies Mile 8 Apr (AP)
Reed Bunting: 6 at Bluegate 2 Mar (Tim Straw), female on Plain 4 Mar (AP), 2 at Bluegate on 19 Mar (LEH)
Dogs on Lead Zones - 1st March to 31st July
A reminder to dog-walkers that bird-nesting season runs from 1st March to 31st July and we would ask you to keep your dogs on lead in certain critical areas of the Commons - The Plain and most of the Ponds.
The Conservators take their responsibilities towards the protection of birds and wildfowl very seriously. We clearly mark the areas of The Plain where we are encouraging the ground-nesting birds and notices asking dog walkers to keep their dogs on leads will be placed around the area during the first week of March. Grass paths will be cut through the meadow as the grass grows and we ask that all walkers keep to these paths to minimise the risk of disturbing birds that might be breeding.
Dogs out of Ponds - 1st April to 31st August
From the 1st April, signs will also be put up on the main paths to the ponds requesting that dog walkers keep their dogs on leads, as wildfowl are breeding around the edge of ponds.
A guide to the birds of the Commons
The 2021 Wimbledon and Putney Commons'
"Birds, Butterflies and Dragonflies" Report is now available here.
