The Systematic List

Mute Swan Cygnus olor

An occasional visitor mainly to the Thames and lower Lea where a small herd of up to eight birds has been noted in early May in both 2008 and 2009 and nine in late April 2010; breeding has not been recorded although a pair were observed mating at East India Dock Basin on May 5th 2008.

Greylag Goose Anser anser

An occasional visitor, usually in the company of Canada Geese and often observed flighting into East India Dock Basin to roost at dusk; up to four birds have been recorded in every month with a peak count of ten on November 15th 2009.

Canada Goose Branta canadensis

A frequent visitor mainly to East India Dock Basin where at least one pair breed annually on the tern rafts; as with the previous species, Canada Geese are often seen flighting in at dusk to roost with a peak count of 17 on February 25th 2009.

Greylag Goose x Canada Goose Anser anser x Branta canadensis
All records of this hybrid probably relate to the same bird: one on the Thames on February 13th 2012, singles at East India Dock Basin on July 27th 2012, September 5th 2012, October 2nd 2013 and October 28th 2013 and one at Bow Creek on January 12th 2014.

Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiaca

All records of this increasingly recorded species relate to East India Dock Basin unless otherwise stated: one briefly before flying off east on March 28th 2010, two on August 22nd 2010, one on March 10th 2013, three on April 16th 2013, two on May 17th 2013, two on May 31st 2013, two on June 3rd 2013, two on June 5th 2013, one on June 17th 2013, one on June 20th 2013, one on June 23rd 2013, one on July 1st 2013, two on September 24th 2013, two flew west on January 12th 2014 and two flew south at Bow Creek on January 18th 2014.

Shelduck Tadorna tadorna

An increasing visitor, usually from November to May; up to four pairs were present in the spring of 2009 but, as with other years, no evidence of breeding was noted although it was strongly suspected from at least one pair; double-figure counts have become more frequent in recent years with a peak count of 22 on March 4th 2010. A pair were holding territory at Orchard Wharf 2010, where they almost certainly bred in 2009.

Mandarin Aix galericulata

An adult drake at East India Dock Basin on May 14th 2004 and a pair on the Thames on March 31st 2012 are the only records.

Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope

An uncommon visitor usually during the winter months, all records are given: An adult drake at Bow Creek on an unspecified date in March 1998, a female on the Thames on January 10th 2010, seven on the Thames on February 12th 2012, a juvenile at East India Dock Basin on October 23rd 2012, a pair at Bow Creek on December 12th 2012 and one at Bow Creek on January 13th 2013.

Gadwall Anas strepera

A scarce visitor, all records are given: two at East India Dock Basin from January 28th into February 2004, two were at East India Dock Basin on December 30th 2005 and January 17th 2006, a pair flew up the Thames and landed in front of the Millennium Dome on January 1st 2009, single drakes were at East India Dock Basin on January 9th and March 31st 2009, an eclipse drake was at East India Dock Basin intermittently from August 5th to 10th 2009, a drake was at East India Dock Basin on January 3rd 2010, an eclipse drake was at East India Dock Basin on June 19th 2010, a male and female on the Thames on January 2nd 2011, six at Bow Creek January 10th 2011 (peak site count),  two at East India Dock Basin on January 11th and 15th 2011, singles at East India Dock Basin on May ist and November 6th 2011, a pair at East India Dock Basin on February 9th & 10th 2012, one at East India Dock Basin on March 17th 2012 and four at East India Dock Basin and two on the Thames on December 12th 2012.

Common Teal Anas crecca

Mainly a winter visitor which has increased dramatically over the past few years, it is one of the few species to have benefited from the silting-up of East India Dock Basin, the first birds of the autumn usually appear in mid August with numbers gradually building up to a peak in late December or early January, three-figure counts can persist into mid March with one or two pairs usually present into late April. During the freezing conditions in December 2010 numbers reached over 400, with a site peak count of 430 on the dock on the 17th. Numbers stayed high in early January 2011, with 410 recorded on the 2nd.

Mallard Anas platyrhynchos

A breeding resident with between two and five pairs breeding annually, numbers are augmented in autumn and winter by migrants, three-figure counts are noted most years with a peak count of 168 on July 17th 2011.

Pintail Anas acuta

An uncommon winter visitor, formerly more regular, all records are given and relate to single adult drakes unless otherwise stated: Bow Creek; on January 17th 2001, January 26th and November 3rd 2004, November 25th and 29th 2005 and January 14th, 15th and 22nd 2006. East India Dock Basin; on January 25th 2001 and January 1st 2006. An overwintering female, first seen on December 11th 2010 remained until March 19th 2011, she returned for a second winter on December 11th 2011 and was last noted on February 28th 2012. 

Garganey Anas querquedula

A drake was at East India Dock Basin on May 1st 2001. This is the only known record.

Shoveler Anas clypeata

An uncommon winter visitor, usually in hard weather, all records are given: East India Dock Basin, a drake on December 31st 2001, a drake on February 21st 2006, one flew over on February 14th 2008, a drake on nine dates between December 17th 2008 and January 8th 2009, three drakes and a female on January 9th 2009, two drakes on January 10th and 11th 2009, a female on December 9th 2010, one on the Thames on February 12th 2012, two at East India Dock Basin from December 12th to 17th 2012, one on the Thames on September 13th 2013 and a drake at East India Dock Basin on February 11th 2014.

Pochard Aythya ferina

A scarce passage migrant and winter visitor, the silting-up of East India Dock Basin has made this site unattractive to Pochard, which was until recently an annual visitor, recent records include four on April 27th, five on May 3rd, one on May 6th and one on December 6th all in 2010 and all at East India Dock Basin; the last record was of one on the Thames on March 24th 2012.

Ring-necked Duck Aythya collaris

A vagrant, only one record of a drake at East India Dock Basin on January 7th 2002.

Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula

A former breeding resident at East India Dock Basin, numbers build up during September and a wintering flock of between 20 and 30 birds is usually present during January and February. Before the silt invaded East India Dock Basin, numbers were significantly higher in winter, with counts usually between 50 and 80 birds, with a peak site count of 94 on January 2nd 2002; post silt, the peak site count is 66 on March 10th 2011.

Scaup Aythya marila

A scarce winter visitor, all records are given: a drake at East India Dock Basin on January 8th 2001, a 1st-winter drake at East India Dock Basin on January 24th and 28th and February 1st, 23rd, 28th and 29th 2004;, a flock of six flew up the Thames at East India Dock Basin on January 10th 2010.

Long-tailed Duck Clangula hyemalis
A female at East India Dock Basin on July 4th 2013 is the only record.

Common Scoter Melanitta nigra

One flying west at East India Dock Basin on October 29th 2009 and one briefly on the Thames before flying upstream after being flushed by a boat on April 4th 2010 are the only records.

Common Goldeneye Bucephala clangula

A scarce winter visitor, formerly more regular, the silting-up of East India Dock Basin has seriously affected the status of this species which is now more likely to be encountered on the river, the last record was of one at Bow Creek on December 20th 2006.

Ruddy Duck Oxyura jamaicensis

A female on the Thames at East India Dock Basin on January 1st 2004 is the only known record.

Pheasant Phasianus colchicus

The only record is of a male in the copse at East India Dock Basin on February 26th 2006, it probably originated from one of the small discrete populations further up the Lea Valley at Mill Meads or Stratford Marsh.

Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis

A passage migrant and winter visitor, usually arriving in late September and leaving by mid March with the odd individual remaining into early April; most winters two or three birds are present at East India Dock Basin with a peak count of six on December 1st 2008. The silting-up of East India Dock Basin is likely to have an adverse affect on this species in the future.

Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus

A decidedly scarce passage migrant and winter visitor, not recorded annually and more likely to be encountered on the river, recent records include one at Bow Creek on February 7th 2010 and one on the Thames on September 19th 2010. There was four records during December 2010, with a peak count of three on the 12th.

Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus

On September 7th 1997 one was observed from the Kent shore, by the Thames Barrier close into the Essex shore of the river, where it was attacked by a Great Black-backed Gull and seriously injured, it then drifted upstream on the rising tide and was seen to pass East India Dock Basin, it constitutes the 50th record for the London Area ( McKenzie D. The Birds of the Charlton and Woolwich Area 1993-2003).

Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo

A common visitor at all times of the year with most birds probably originating from the Walthamstow Reservoirs rookery which contained over 300 nests in 2005, the peak count for the Lower Lea is at least 30 on January 1st 2009.

Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis
Only one record, on an unknown date during January 2000.

Little Egret Egretta garzetta

A scarce but fairly regular spring and summer visitor with the first record on July 31st 2004; since 2006 a small breeding colony has become established at Walthamstow Reservoirs which should lead to an increase in sightings at the Lower Lea; the latest records are of single birds flying north on April 10th and 11th 2010, one flying south on 29th July 2010, one flying west on August 7th 2013, a juvenile at East India Dock Basin intermittenty between October 15th and November 7th 2013, three at East India Dock Basin on November 8th 2013, one at East India Dock Basin on November 17th 2013 and one flying west on December 9th 2013.

Grey Heron Ardea cinerea

A common visitor at all times of the year, probably from the Walthamstow Reservoirs heronry which contained over 80 nests in 2006, there is a high tide roost on the eastern side of Bow Creek Ecological Park which can hold up to a dozen birds, at low tide the Millennium Dome mudflats are a favourite fishing area with 12 present on April 2th 2010.

Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia
A vagrant: On 24th October 2010 a bird flew upriver from Crossness and landed on the Millennium Dome mudflats where it stayed for 20 minutes, until pushed off by the rising tide.

Honey Buzzard Pernis apivorus
A rare passage migrant. One record, of two birds flying north on August 25th 2006.

Red Kite Milvus milvus

One flying south-west on June 12th 2010, one flying north-east on September 4th 2010, one flying west on May 15th 2012, one flying west on May 23rd 2012 and one flying west on March 21st 2014 are the only records.

Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus

An occasional visitor on hunting forays at any time of the year, often seen around the copse in East India Dock Basin, it almost certainly breeds locally, but the available habitat is probably too marginal for a successful breeding attempt at the Lower Lea.

Common Buzzard Buteo buteo

Two flying east on March 30th 2009, singles flying south on April 9th and 11th and May 4th and east on September 4th , one on October 18th 2010 and one flying north on March 28th 2011, all at East India Dock Basin, are the only records.

Osprey Pandion haliaetus

One drifting slowly north-east at East India Dock Basin on May 6th 2010 is the only record.

Kestrel Falco tinnunculus

An occasional visitor at any time of the year but more regular in winter and spring, formerly more frequent; the habitat does not exsist to sustain a breeding pair and the one or occasionally two birds reported use the Lower Lea strictly for hunting.

Merlin Falco columbarius

Three winter records: one on January 15th 2001 and a female flew west on January 28th 2007. A male flew west over East India Dock Basin on December 5th 2010.

Hobby Falco subbuteo

A very scarce passage migrant with just three spring records: one on May 1st 2007, one flew north-east on May 11th 2009 and one flew north on April 27th 2010.

Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus

A fairly frequent visitor in all months but especially between October and March, most records probably relate to the resident pair on the Isle of Dogs which often overfly the area, on May 19th 2002 the resident pair attacked an interloping male forcing it to ground in the old gravel works before chasing it off north-east towards Canning Town; four birds in the air at the same time over East India Dock Basin on March 28th 2010 were thought to have been involved in a territorial dispute.

Water Rail Rallus aquaticus

Surprisingly only two records, one of an overwintering bird at East India Dock Basin from November 7th 2008 to January 13th 2009; it spent most of the time in or near the western reedbed but was also seen at the eastern reedbed on January 3rd 2009. Another very elusive individual was seen intermittently between January 2nd and March 15th 2011.

Moorhen Gallinula chloropus

A common resident with three or four pairs breeding annually, often utilising the tern rafts on East India Dock Basin, recent counts include 15 on December 3rd 2008 and 14 on December 27th 2009.

Coot Fulica atra

A common resident with two or three pairs breeding annually which, like the previous species, often nests on the tern rafts; it can be fairly scarce during the autumn and winter with a peak count of nine on August 29th 2009.

Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus

A fairly frequent visitor at any time of the year with records usually involving between one and three birds; the peak count was of ten in two groups of five flying west up the Thames on July 13th 2008.

Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius

A passage migrant and ocassional breeding summer visitor, at least one pair oversummers and breeding almost certainly takes place locally; in 1997 a pair made three breeding attempts in the old gravel works, none of which were successful probably as a result of corvid predation, the following year a pair mobbed a Sparrowhawk and behaved as if they had chicks although none could be found. In 2000,2001 and 2002 pairs made breeding attempts in a nearby industrial site; 1n 2009 at least one and probably two pairs were present and were believed to have bred on the Pura Foods peninsula; the last week of March usually sees the first migrants arrive, with a single on March 16th 2009 the earliest record. One pair (possibly two) bred on the Pura Foods site in 2010, though it is not known if they were successful.

Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula

A scarce passage migrant, a pair were present at East India Dock Basin on an unspecified date in April 1998 but were mobbed and chased off by a territorial pair of Little Ringed Plovers. A pair were also present during June 2001; five flew down the Thames on August 18th 2001, one was on the Thames on August 26th 2001, one on May 26th 2007, one on August 22nd 2007 and one flew east at East India Dock Basin on May 4th 2009.

European Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria

Two records: three circled East India Dock Basin before flying north-east on October 18th 2009 and one flew down the Thames during snowy conditions on November 30th 2010.

Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola

The only record is of two flying east at East India Dock Basin on April 25th 2009.

Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus

A scarce passage migrant and winter visitor, 13 flying north over East India Dock Basin on December 31st 2008 is the highest site count. 2010 was a good year for this species, 15 flew south on Novenber 28th, and birds were seen most days during the freeze, with four feeding on the shoreline at East India Dock Basin on December 4th.

Dunlin Calidris alpina

A scarce passage migrant, all records from East India Dock Basin: one in February 2001, one in summer plumage on May 12th and 14th 2007, two flew north on April 30th 2008, one on September 16th 2009, one flew along Bow Creek on November 21st 2010 and one on December 9th 2010.

Jack Snipe Lymnocryptes minimus

Only two records: two at Bow Creek Ecology Park during freezing weather on January 10th 2010, and one at Bow Creek on December 19th 2010.

Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago

An uncommon winter visitor, almost certainly under-recorded, all records are given: East India Dock Basin, one was flushed from the north shore on January 14th 2006, one was flushed from the old gravel works following a heavy overnight snowfall on February 2nd 2009. Bow Creek Ecology Park; one flushed from the pond on August 14th 2006, one was flushed during freezing weather on January 4th 2009, four flushed during freezing weather on January 9th 2010, three flushed on January 10th 2010. Bow Creek; one seen flying into cover on January 10th 2009. During freezing weather in Deceember 2010 birds were noted regularly at Bow Creek with a peak count of 11 on December 19th and were often seen in the roost with Redshanks.

Woodcock Scolopax rusticola
One flushed from the copse at East India Dock Basin during freezing weather on December 1st 2010, is the only record.

Curlew Numenius arquata
One feeding at Bow Creek on December 9th 2010 is the only record.

Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus

A very scarce passage migrant with only five spring records: one flew down the River Thames May 9th 2004, one briefly at East India Dock Basin on April 27th 2006, one initially on the Millennium Dome mudflats before flying north over East India Dock Basin on April 20th 2008, two flew north at East India Dock Basin on May 7th 2009, and two singles, one north and one west on May 14th 2009.

Redshank Tringa totanus

Scarce passage migrant and regular winter visitor, a high tide roost has become established on the the western side of the Bow Creek Ecology Park peninsula, which, in an average year will hold between ten and 20 birds, in hard weather this number can rise and ocassionally reaches three figures with a site record count of 141 on January 19th 2003. During the big freeze in December 2010 numbers barely got into double figures, though there were large counts elsewhere on the inner Thames.

Greenshank Tringa nebularia

Singles at East India Dock Basin from September 1st to 8th 2005 and on August 22nd 2007 are the only known records.

Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos

A regular passage migrant and winter visitor, one or two birds usually winter on the Lower Lea with a peak count of three in the Bow Creek Ecology Park high tide roost with Redshank on several dates in February and March 2009 and 2011; autumn passage can commence as early as mid July with peak counts of five on August 23rd 2007 and July 13th 2008 and seven on August 15th 2010.

Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus

A common passage migrant and winter visitor, there is often a build up of non breeding 1st-summer birds in June with the first juveniles apearing in early July most years, during the autumn and winter a roost site has become established on the Pura Foods peninsula at Bow Creek with a peak count of c. 320 on February 15th 2007; there is often a sizable pre-roost gathering on the Thames with a peak count of c. 3000 on January 30th 2004.

Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus

Only seven records: An adult on the Thames on July 13th 2001. An adult on the Thames on November 27th 2002. a 2nd-summer on the Thames on July 29th 2005. An adult at East India Dock Basin in August 2005, an adult at East India Dock Basin on August 31st 2008, an adult flew west at East India Dock Basin on June 28th 2009 and an adult flew west at East India Dock Basin on August 3rd 2010 .

Little Gull Larus minutus
A scarce passage migrant, with just two records. An adult drifted past on the Thames on August 15th 2000, and two adults flew west on April 17th 2003.

Ring-billed Gull Larus delawarensis
An adult was seen on the Millennium Dome mudflats during November and December 2000, these sightings almost certainly relate to the long-staying adult which overwintered in the area from 1996 to 2010.

Common Gull Larus canus

A passage migrant and winter visitor usually appearing in mid to late August and building up to a peak of up to 20 in January, there is usually a small but distinct passage in March involving around a dozen birds, most are gone by the first week of April, with two 1st-summer birds at East India Dock Basin on April 27th 2006 the latest spring record. The largest count is of 107 birds on the Thames on March 13th 2000.

Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus

A common visitor at all times of the year, breeding locally on piers, barges, warehouse rooves and at Billingsgate Fish Market, the largest concentration is usually found on the Millennium Dome mudflats where up to 40 birds may gather at low tide.

Yellow-legged Gull Larus michahellis

An uncommon passage migrant and winter visitor, one or two are recorded most years with a peak count of four on August 22nd and September 9th 2008, most birds favour the Millennium Dome mudflats, an adult bird returned to winter between 2008 and 2010, frequenting the old gravel works and the adjacent Thames foreshore.

Herring Gull Larus argentatus

A frequent visitor at any time of the year, breeds locally mainly at Billingsgate Fish Market and has bred at Orchard Wharf on rooves, but is less common than Lesser Black-backed Gull with rarely more than two or three seen at any time, like other large gull taxa it is often found on the Millennium Dome mudflats. There have been a few records of Scandinavian Herring Gull of the race argentatus, most recently of two birds at Bow Creek on February 22nd 2011.

Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus

A frequent visitor and recent local breeder, there is a late summer build-up with a peak count of 13 on August 23rd 2008, during the winter months numbers usually build up in late November or early December with a peak count of 24 on March 2nd 2010.

Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla

One on the Thames at East India Dock Basin on October 7th 2009 is the only known record.

Little Tern Sternula albifrons

Only two records, 15 on September 12th 2000 was the third largest flock to be recorded in the London Area, and an adult on July 13th 2001.

Black Tern Chlidonias niger

A scarce passage migrant, usually passing through on the Thames, autumn records include one on August 18th 2001, 18 flying east on August 26th 2001, two on August 24th 2005, one flying west on September 10th 2007, two juveniles flying west on August 20th 2008, six flying west on August 31st 2008 and one on September 5th 2010.

Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis

A scarce passage migrant, all records are from the Thames off East India Dock Basin: two on August 26th 2001, two on May 4th 2002, two flew west on August 31st 2008, one flew east on June 7th 2009, two flew west on August 2nd 2009, eight flew west on September 16th 2009 and three flew east on August 15th 2010.

Common Tern Sterna hirundo

A passage migrant and breeding summer visitor, a small colony has become established on three rafts on East India Dock Basin, numbers of breeding pairs fluctuate from year to year with ten in 2002, six in 2008 and only one in 2009 (when two rafts were relocated because of the ongoing silting-up of the basin); the first birds usually arrive in mid April with the earliest record of two flying west on April 7th 2009; there is usually a strong autumn passage on the Thames with recent counts including 76 on September 3rd 2006, 90 west on August 24th 2008 and 85 on August 15th 2010. The highest count is 258 moving west on August 26th 2001. Most birds have departed by the first week of September with the latest record of a single bird at East Inia Dock Basin on September 26th 2006.

Roseate Tern Sterna dougallii

A pair in summer plumage was at East India Dock Basin and the adjacent river Thames until dusk on May 14th 2002, both birds were colour-ringed (white on both legs) and were ringed at Coquet Island, Northumberland; this pair constitutes the 17th record for the London Area. One was at East India Dock Basin from 12:30 to 15:15 on May 16th 2006, it constitutes the 21st record for the London Area.

Arctic Tern Sterna paradisaea

A scarce passage migrant, more frequent in the autumn, recent counts include 47 flying west on August 21st 2008 and 13 flying west on September 12th 2008; the most recent records are of one flying west at East India Dock Basin on April 25th 2010 and seven flying north on August 23rd 2010.

Rock Dove Columba livia

Feral birds are present all year round and breed locally, they can often be found feeding on the foreshore at Bow Creek in the company of gulls with up to 25 birds usually present.

Stock Dove Columba oenas

A casual visitor at any time of the year, one or two are usually recorded with four on June 13th 2006; spring and summer occurences are a little puzzling because no breeding habitat exists locally for this species, though they have been known to nest on buildings. Ochard Wharf seems the most likely place. The only notable passage counts are of nine flying north on November 8th 2009 and seven flying south on October 10th 2010.

Woodpigeon Columba palumbus

A common resident, passage migrant and winter visitor with two or three pairs breeding annually, numbers are swollen by migrants in winter and a small passage usually occurs in late October or early November with a recent count of 151 heading mainly south on November 8th 2009 and a much larger count of 570 flying south-west on November 7th 2010.

Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto

A casual visitor at any time of the year with most records involving single birds; Collared Dove is still in the process of colonising the centre of London and it can be expected to become more frequent in the future; the most recent records include three flying west on April 25th 2010 and singles on March 19th & 27th, April 2nd 2011 and one flying east on April 4th 2012.

Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur

The only records are of two flying west on May 9th 2006 and one flying west on May 10th 2006.

Ring-necked Parakeet Psittacula krameri

There are only records: one at Bow Creek on March 22nd 2009, two flying west on April 19th 2009, two flying west on May 23rd 2010, two flying west 7th November, one flying west on December 4th 2010 and one flying east on April 13th 2012; large numbers are present at localities across the Thames and birds are being seen with increasing regularity in metropolitan Essex so it seems likely that this species will become more regular in the future

Cuckoo Cuculus canorus
The only record is one on April 9th 2005, briefly in the copse.

Short-eared Owl Asio flammea

On November 8th 1998 one was observed from the Kent shore as it flew north over the Thames and East India Dock Basin (McKenzie D. The Birds of the Charlton and Woolwich Area 1993-2003).

Common Swift Apus apus

A passage migrant and summer visitor that can be surprisingly scarce with a high count of 200+ flying west on July 14th 2008.

Kingfisher Alcedo atthis

Mainly a winter visitor to East India Dock Basin where one or rarely two birds are present from late September to early March with the earliest record on August 18th 2008 and the latest on April 3rd 2008; artificial nesting banks have been constructed at East India Dock Basin and on the Lower Lea but so far no evidence of breeding has been observed.

Green Woodpecker Picus viridis

One on August 23rd 2003, one on April 13th 2009, one flying south at East India Dock Basin on April 25th 2010, one on the meadow at East India Dock Basin on September 30th 2010 and one male in the copse October 18th 2010 are the only known records.

Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major

A casual visitor at any time of the year, nearly all records are of single birds with two on August 7th 2008 the only multiple count.

Skylark Alauda arvensis

A surprisingly scarce visitor, one over East India Dock Basin on November 8th 2009, three on the meadow at East India Dock Basin on December 19th 2009, five flying north-west on September 26th 2010, seven flying east in one flock on October 10th 2010, one on October 17th 2010 and two on November 7th 2010 are the only records.

Sand Martin Riparia riparia

A passage migrant and recent colonist; since 2007 a pair has bred annually in a drainage pipe in the lock wall at East India Dock Basin (two pairs in 2009, three pairs in 2010), the first migrants usually appear in mid April with the earliest record of two on March 18th 2010, the highest count was of c280 flying north-west in two hours during an unprecedented hirundine passage over London on September 26th 1999; most birds have departed by the end of July with the lastest record on August 6th 2009.

Swallow Hirundo rustica

A passage migrant, usually more frequent in the spring, the first birds usually appear during mid April with the earliest record on March 30th 2009, the highest count was of c650 flying north-west in two hours during an unprecedented hirundine passage over London on September 26th 1999; seven through on September 19th 2010 is the latest record but, surprisingly, birds are not observed annually on autumn passage.

House Martin Delichon urbicum

A surprisingly scarce passage migrant, not recorded annually, earliest and latest dates are: one on April 24th 2007 and two on July 16th 2008. an unprecedented movement of at least 197 including a flock of circa 140 was observed on September 26th 2010.

Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis

A passage migrant and winter visitor with a peak count of 13 on October 13th 2006, one or two ocassionally overwinter and the odd bird has been seen during the summer, but no evidence of breeding has been noted.

Rock Pipit Anthus petrosus

Only two records, one on October 15th 2006, and one on the Thames foreshore at East India Dock Basin on September 12th 2008.

Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava

One flying over East India Dock Basin on August 24th 2009 and one flying east on May 4th 2012 are the only records, the latter bird gave a call that could have been one of the eastern races.

Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea

A resident with one or two pairs breeding locally.

Pied Wagtail Motacilla alba

A resident and passage migrant with two or three pairs breeding locally; a passage count of 11 on April 7th 2007 included two birds showing characteristics of the continental race alba; the peak count is of at least 19 at dusk on March 6th 2011.

Wren Troglodytes troglodytes

A common resident with eight to ten pairs breeding annually.

Dunnock Prunella modularis

A common resident with six to eight pairs breeding annually.

Robin Erithacus rubecula

A common resident with four or five pairs breeding annually.

Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos

The only record is of a singing male in the northern scrub at East India Dock Basin on April 13th 2008.

Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros

A winter visitor, passage migrant, and breeder; at least one singing male is noted each spring and breeding almost certainly takes place locally, in recent years this species has become a fairly reliable winter visitor with one or two birds present intermittently and a peak count of four at East India Dock Basin on November 26th 2007. Recently the Lower Lea has become one of the best places to see this species in London.

Common Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus
One record a female on April 23rd 2006, in the copse at East India Dock Basin.

Whinchat Saxicola rubetra

A scarce autumn migrant with only two records: two on September 16th 2006 and one in the old gravel works on September 13th 2008.

Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe

A scarce passage migrant with two or three recorded annually, usually in the autumn; an adult male at East India Dock Basin on March 1st 2009 constitutes the second earliest record for the London Area; four on the Pura Foods peninsula on April 5th 2011and April 30th 2912 is the largest multiple count. One at Orchard Wharf on 27th September 2009 was probably of the Greenland race leucorrhoa.

Blackbird Turdus merula

A common resident with four or five pairs breeding annually, numbers are augmented in autumn and winter by continental migrants with a peak count of c.20 on November 26th 2007.

Fieldfare Turdus pilaris

An uncommon passage migrant and winter visitor, not recorded annually, the best count is of 28 on January 1st 2010.

Song Thrush Turdus philomelos

A scarce resident with one or two pairs present locally in recent years; six flying north-east on January 3rd 2010 were almost certainly migrants.

Redwing Turdus iliacus

A passage migrant with one or two ocassionally wintering, the peak count is 114 (14 south and 100 west) on December 27th 2009.

Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus

A surprisingly scarce visitor at any time of the year, with one or two records but not annually.

Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus

A scarce passage migrant, not recorded annually, the last record was of one singing in Bow Creek Ecology Park on May 4th 2012.

Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus

A passage migrant and summer visitor with four to eight pairs breeding annually.

Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla

A passage migrant and summer visitor with four or five pairs breeding annually, one or two birds ocassionally overwinter, usually in the copse at East India Dock Basin and the adjacent gardens.

Garden Warbler Sylvia borin

A scarce passage migrant, not recorded annually, the ocassional pair may breed locally.

Barred Warbler Sylvia nisoria

A somewhat elusive 1st-winter was present on September 25th and 26th 2006; it frequented the scrub along the north shore of East India Dock Basin and constitutes the eighth record for the London Area; remarkably another 1st-winter was found in almost the same area on September 26th 2011, it constitutes the ninth London record.

Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca

A scarce passage migrant with at least one pair probably breeding annually, the earliest record is of single birds on April 20th in both 2007 and 2010; and the latest a single on September 11th 2008.

Common Whitethroat Sylvia communis

A passage migrant and summer visitor with two to four pairs breeding annually.

Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita

A passage migrant and summer visitor which may rarely stay on to breed, one or two and ocasssionally as many as four may overwinter, one in the copse at East India Dock Basin on January 19th 2006 was thought to be one of the eastern forms with another in the same area on January 10th 2011 was strongly suspected to be of the Siberian form tristis.

Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus

A passage migrant which ocassionally lingers into the summer but is not thought to have bred; the earliest record was of one at Bow Creek Ecology Park on March 27th 2010 with the latest a single on September 29th 2008.

Goldcrest Regulus regulus

An unaccountably rare visitor with most of the records pertaining to a small influx during the autumn of 2008 and into 2009; two were at East India Dock Basin on September 29th , one or two were then recorded on most dates with four on November 27th and December 18th, after this date only singles were noted until the last on March 8th 2009; one was at Virginia Quay on April 19th 2012.

Firecrest Regulus ignicapilla

A scarce passage migrant, all records are given: East India Dock Basin; one on April 3rd, two on April 6th and 7th and November 5th 2008, one on April 20th 2010. Bow Creek Ecology Park; one singing on October 9th and one on December 1st 2008.

Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata

A scarce passage migrant, all records are given: East India Dock Basin, two on August 22nd 2006, one on June 3rd 2007, one on August 21st 2008, two on September 16th and 17th 2009.

Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus

A passage migrant and winter visitor, probably breeds locally, most winter flocks contain between three and eight birds with a peak count of 10+ on November 23rd 2008. During the spring of 2012 completed nests were found in the copse at East India Dock Basin and in Bow Creek Ecology Park, both attempts failed at least one as a result of human disturbance.

Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus

A common resident with four to six pairs breeding annually.

Great Tit Parus major

A common resident with three to five pairs breeding annually.

Nuthatch Sitta europaea
A juvenile in the copse at East India Dock Basin on June 25th 2012 is the only record.

Jay Garrulus glandarius

A scarce resident with a pair probably breeding locally most years.

Magpie Pica pica

A common resident with four to six pairs breeding annually.

Jackdaw Corvus monedula

A scarce passage migrant, not recorded annually, recent records include four flying north at East India Dock Basin on March 21st 2010 and two on March 26th 2011.

Carrion Crow Corvus corone

A common resident with two or three pairs breeding annually and several more pairs breeding in the vicinity; resident numbers are augmented by migrants during the winter. with a peak count of 26 on March 10th 2009.

Rook Corvus frugilegus

Two records of single birds flying east on September 12th 2010 and April 17th 2011.

Starling Sturnus vulgaris

A common resident with a handful of pairs breeding locally, during the winter numbers are augmented by migrants with a peak count of 325 on November 7th 2010.

House Sparrow Passer domesticus

A scarce visitor at any time of the year, usually found in private gardens adjacent to the site; there are at least two discrete breeding colonies within a kilometre of East India Dock Basin and birds should occur on a more regular basis as this species recovers from the recent catastrophic decline in numbers.

Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs

A passage migrant and winter visitor, never in large numbers, the peak count is of 8 together at East India Dock Basin on December 27th 2009; occasionally one or two birds linger into April and a singing male may hold territory, but no evidence of breeding has been noted.

Brambling Fringilla montifringilla

An uncommon winter visitor, all records are given: one at East India Dock Basin on April 10th and 11th 2004, one on April 15th and 16th 2007.

Greenfinch Carduelis chloris

A common resident and passage migrant with two or three pairs breeding annually, numbers build up from late autumn and usually peak around the turn of the year with a high count of 42+ flying in to roost in trees behind the Esso garage on February 28th 2010.

Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis

A common resident and passage migrant with three or four pairs breeding locally, numbers build up in winter with a peak count of 15+ on March 21st 2010.

Siskin Carduelis spinus

A flock of ten in Alders in the Eastern Clump at East India Dock Basin on December 19th 2007 is the only known record.

Linnet Carduelis cannabina

An uncommon resident with perhaps one or two pairs breeding locally, numbers build up in winter with a peak count of 26 on November 8th 2009.

Lesser Redpoll Carduelis cabaret

A very uncommon visitor, the last record was of nine feeding in birches on the west side of Bow Creek Ecological Park on March 21st 2010

Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus

An uncommon resident, one pair may breed, but probably not annually, numbers build up in winter with a peak count of nine on December 11th 2009.