Hampstead Heath Birding

[Londonbirder]

I though I should create a thread for HH because it is such a huge local patch for birders in London. The HH houses many great birds and there is always something to see. The RSPB host a bird observatory on the fist weekend of every month (here is the website click here (http://www.rspb.org.uk/datewithnature/sites/hampsteadheath/index.asp)) Please report sighting and discuss issues!
Thank You,
LB

[GorgeousTony]

I seem to recall on Springwatch (or some other programme with Bill Oddie )that Dartford Warblers can be found on Hamstead Heath. Is this true and if so whereabouts on HH would be recommended?

Tony

[Londonbirder]

Never heared of one (or more) on HH but if there was it would have been a great sighting

[paulwfromtheden]

Never heared of one (or more) on HH but if there was it would have been a great sighting

Went to HH the other week in great expectation...and found bugger all!!

[shrikebirder]

Went to HH the other week in great expectation...and found bugger all!!

Thats one of its specialities!!!!!!;););)

[Londonbirder]

Proved you guys wrong, there is a Purple Heron on Bird Sanctuary Pond today!

[paulwfromtheden]

Proved you guys wrong, there is a Purple Heron on Bird Sanctuary Pond today!

I saw that on the pager, well done....Like so much birding it is hit and miss, I'm sure it's a great place otherwise Bill Oddie would not bird there

[rubatroid]

Seen this morning around 7am. Perched on fence post of fenced off area on south side of Parliament Hill. Quite flighty. Then flew into top of tree to the west of the fenced off area. Not sure where it went after that.

Reuben

[Vespa]

I recently read (can't remember where) that there were decent numbers of mandarins on some of the Hampstead ponds. It could have been Stock pond. Can anyone confirm this, and is Stock pond accessible?

Thanks in advance.

[rubatroid]

I recently read (can't remember where) that there were decent numbers of mandarins on some of the Hampstead ponds. It could have been Stock pond. Can anyone confirm this, and is Stock pond accessible?

Thanks in advance.
Yes, I and another birder had a high count of 33 Mandarin on Stock pond on the 11th of September - they must have had a very good breeding season as I have never seen that many before. The 33 included a good number of juveniles. I haven't been back since so don't know whether they have moved on. Stock Pond is accessible from one side so no problems there. See the Heath map at the following link:
http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/Corporation/LGNL_Services/Environment_and_planning/Parks_and_open_spaces/Hampstead_Heath/Visitor+information+and+map.htm

[rubatroid]

Hi all, I had one female Whinchat and at least 4 Mipits on Parliament Hill today. They were in and around the fenced off area on the South side of the hill, which is proving a real magnet for passage migrants.

I just wish we could stop all the joggers running past and spooking them all the time. :C

[Vespa]

Yes, I and another birder had a high count of 33 Mandarin on Stock pond on the 11th of September - they must have had a very good breeding season as I have never seen that many before. The 33 included a good number of juveniles. I haven't been back since so don't know whether they have moved on. Stock Pond is accessible from one side so no problems there. See the Heath map at the following link:
http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/Corporation/LGNL_Services/Environment_and_planning/Parks_and_open_spaces/Hampstead_Heath/Visitor+information+and+map.htm

Thanks very much rubatroid :t: I will probably have a look on Sunday, I was interested in getting there with the camera if they are present in decent numbers. I don't recall seeing anything other than single Mandarins, so 33 is some count. Thanks for the map, I used to live near the Heath so I have a rough idea where it is. I assume they have bred there then? It'll be interesting to see if they have dispersed now.

[Vespa]

Thanks for the directions to the HH Mandarins. There were around 20 present last Sunday, mainly males.

Although not particularly distant, photography was very difficult as the pond is surrounded by high trees. The Mandarins tend to congregate around the pool edge where its particularly dark, the only chance for good light was to catch them as they made forays across the pond while the sun was out, but it took a while to get both in sync.

Best shot here:

http://www.birdguides.com/iris/pictures.asp?mode=notable&rty=0&r=1&v=1&album=865&off=220898

Some others attached.

Lovely place, forgot how nice it was.

[htcdude]

Great pics! That last one's pretty evil trying to drown the female.... ;-P

[rubatroid]

Wow, good stuff Vespa, even been shortlisted for Bird of the Week!!! Good to see u raising Hampstead heath's profile!

[rubatroid]

Couple of notable records from last few days, none seen by me :C:

Sunday 18 October: several Tawny Owls heard calling across East Heath 1800-1900, one seen at bottom of Parliament Hill

Friday 16 October: 1w Stonechat in scrub on Pryor's Field 100m north of East Heath Road car park

[rubatroid]

Went down to the Heath for the first time in weeks yesterday. It was very quiet. I had an interesting warbler type shortly after I arrived in the bushes on the south side of Parliament Hill but it dived inside and wouldn't come out again. I guessed that would be a sign of things to come and I was right! Very quiet. I had 1 Coal Tit in the trees on the Tumulus (first since April) plus usual common species but nothing else even slightly unusual in terms of passerines!

On the way out, I had a quick look on Highgate Ponds: Pond 1 was quite busy with the usuals plus a single Grey heron, one Kingfisher flying across, a couple of Pochards, one of which was in moult (Pochards are quite scarce on the Heath) and 6 returning Shovelers. I later heard that another birder had a pair of Gadwall on the same pond, don't know how I missed them!! (they might have come in after I left I suppose). Gadwall are regular in winter on the Hampstead Ponds but less so on Highgate Ponds.

Heath birders, where are you all?

Reuben