BIRD AND ANIMAL SIGHTINGS

01 JANUARY 2017 – 31ST DECEMBER 2017

[3rd Edition]

Compiled by @london_birder / T. M. Mylett

1
CONTENTS:

ENGLAND RECORDS:

Devon………………………………………………………………………………………4

Selected Data Report: Shobrooke Park……………………………………………17

Gloucestershire & Bristol…………………………………………………………………18

Wiltshire…………………………………………………………………………………...25

Hampshire…………………………………………………………………………………27

Hertfordshire………………………………………………………………………………29

Greater London……………………………………………………………………………31

Essex………………………………………………………………………………………37

Cambridgeshire……………………………………………………………………………39

Norfolk…………………………………………………………………………………….41

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND RECORDS:

County Mayo……………………………………………………………………………...43

COLLECTION LISTS……………………………………………………………………………45

TAGGED BIRDS…………………………………………………………………………………52

SUMMARY………………………………………………………………………………………53

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS………………………………………………………………………54

Note: County sections are ordered, generally, in the chronology of which they were visited. There
may however be some exceptions. Individual sightings are written strictly, within sections, in order
of occurrence. All entries are my own sightings and not to be taken as definitive, comprehensive
year or patch lists.

REFERENCING THIS PUBLICATION AND USING ITS DATA:

You are welcome to use this publication to help your own studies and quote data or observations
noted within it. However, all data must be credited and fully referenced to myself and this
publication, and any questions on this matter should be raised by emailing me on
londonbirder@gmail.com.

This paper was first published in 2018. This edition with minor revisions was published in 2019.

2
 LONDON BIRDER / T. M. MYLETT 2019
INDEPENDENT WILDFOWL AND GENERAL ORNITHOLOGICAL STUDIES
(INCLUDING BTO SURVEYS)
Yearly data analysis and reports on a wide range of sites in Devon, Greater London, and elsewhere
in the south of the UK. Contact for more information and for data requests (all data must be credited
to myself)
@london_birder on twitter
eBird profile: ebird.org/profile/MTE3MTI0OQ
Scribd: scribd.com/user/439904551/London-Birder
email: londonbirder@gmail.com

3
ENGLAND

Devon

Sites included:

 Emboldened sites are collections

 Bernaville Nurseries
 Bowling Green Marsh
 Broomclose Smallholding
 Burnbridge House
 Burrator Reservoir
 Bystock Pools
 Crediton CP
 Crediton Tandoori
 Darts Farm
 Ellicombe Lake
 Exeter University Streatham Campus
 Otterton Mill
 River Exe, Exeter
 Rougemont Park
 Sandford CP
 Sandford Millennium Green
 Shobrooke Park
 Squabmoor Reservoir
 Topsham Quay

Therefore this section holds data for 14 wild sites and 5 collections (19 sites altogether) in the
county of Devon, UK, during 2017.

4
Shobrooke Park 7.1.17

 Italicised species are non-native

Birds:

53 Black Headed Gulls

26 Mallard Ducks
4 Domestic Ducks (1 White Mallard variant, 3 Call Ducks; 1 pastel drake, 1 bibbed drake, 1 pied
female)
1 Bahama Pintail (female)

Notes: Female Bahama Pintail still present, presumably an escapee from the nearby private
collection. All gulls in winter plumage.

Shobrooke Park 12.2.17

 Italicised species are non-native

Birds:

41 Black Headed Gulls

2 Canada Geese
31 Mallard Ducks
4 Domestic Ducks (1 White Mallard variant, 3 Call Ducks; 1 pastel drake, 1 bibbed drake, 1 pied
female)
2 Mute Swans
2 Cormorants

Notes: All gulls still in winter plumage. Nice to see the return of the Cormorants.

Sandford CP 18.2.17

 Italicised species are non-native

Mammals:

1 Domestic Rabbit (Black Large Rex)

Notes: The same free-ranging individual that has resided in gardens between the churchyard and
Orchard Close since mid 2014. No sign of the grey Rex often seen alongside it.

Crediton CP 22.2.17

Birds:

1 Goldcrest

Notes: Rescued after being injured somehow. Flew off unscathed relatively quickly.

5
Sandford CP 26.2.17

Birds:

1 Woodpigeon

Sandford CP 4.3.17

Birds:

1 Woodpigeon

Sandford CP 15.3.17

 Italicised species are non-native

Birds:

5 Domestic Chickens (4 Warrens hens and a Rooster of the same breed)

Notes: The same free ranging population sometimes wandering at the end of Brady Close.

Sandford CP 26.3.17

 Italicised species are non-native

Birds:

3 Domestic Chickens (3 Warrens hens)

Notes: See above.

Shobrooke Park 2.4.17

Birds:

6 Canada Geese
5 Mallard Ducks

Ellicombe Lake 3.4.17

Birds:

2 Canada Geese

6
Sandford Millennium Green 4.4.17

Birds:

2 Mallard Ducks (both drakes)

Rougemont Park 18.4.17

 Non-native species are italicised

Birds:

1 Robin

Fish:

1 Goldfish

Notes: Released goldfish still in pond.

Sandford CP 22.4.17

Insects:

1 Ladybird

Sandford CP 25.4.17

Birds:

1 Woodpigeon

Sandford CP 1.5.17

Mammals:

2 Domestic Rabbits

Notes: The two Orchard Close individuals once again. The Grey rabbit was present this time!

Shobrooke Park 7.5.17

 Italicised species are non-native

Birds:

2 Canada Geese
1 Bar Headed Goose
12 Mallard Ducks (7 Adults and 5 Ducklings)

7
3 Domestic Ducks (1 White Mallard variant, 2 Call drakes; 1 pastel and 1 bibbed)
1 Gadwall
1 Little Egret

Notes: An interesting selection of sightings from today. A Bar Headed Goose has returned but I am
unsure as to whether it is indeed the same individual or just another escapee (probably the latter,
considering the time between sightings). The Gadwall sighting is also a first for me at Shobrooke.
The pied domestic call duck female was no where to be seen today.

Shobrooke Park - 10.5.17

 Italicised species are non-native

Birds:

21 Canada Geese
3 Mallard Ducks
2 Domestic Mallards (1 with excess brown on tip of front underwing, 1 white variant)

Notes: New domestic individual present.

Sandford Millennium Green - 14.5.17

Birds:

1 Mallard Duck (drake)

Sandford CP – 16.5.17

 Italicised species are non-native

Birds:

1 Homing Pigeon

Notes: Seen at the bottom of Crofts.

Shobrooke Park – 17.5.17

 Italicised species are non-native

Birds:

16 Mallard Ducks
3 Domestic Ducks (2 Calls; 1 Bibbed drake, 1 Pastel drake, 1 White Mallard drake)
3 Canada Geese
2 Mute Swan (Including 1 on nest)
1 Coot
1 Moorhen
1 Dabchick

8
Notes: The pair of Mute Swans are nesting on the top lake again.

Sandford CP – 17.5.17

Mammals:

1 Rabbit (very young)

Notes: Seen running about the lane from Venn Farm to Furlongs.

Exeter University Streatham Campus – 19.5.17

 Italicised species are non-native

Birds:

2 Mallard Ducks
6 Moorhen (4 adults and 2 chicks, in separate areas)
1 Mule Duck

Fish

2 Goldfish (1 in Reed Pond, 1 in the first of the Hoopern Ponds)

6 Rudd

Notes: Mule Duck was on first of the main fishponds on Rennes Drive, resembled a female mallard
at distance but was clearly a Muscovy hybrid on closer inspection. The Goldfish were in the Reed
Pond and first of the Hooperns – the Reed Pond individual being about a foot in length.

River Exe, Exeter – 19.5.17

 Italicised species are non-native

Birds:

11 Domestic Geese (1 Pommeranian, 10 Pilgrims; 6 ganders and 4 geese)

1 Swan Goose
1 Domestic Goose X Swan Goose
28 Mute Swans
11 Mallard Duck
2 Moorhens
25 Herring Gull
32 Feral Pigeon
1 Common Sparrow

Notes: The Swan Goose and its single hybrid offspring are still present at the Quay, though the
offspring was independent from the other geese on the other side of Exe bridges.

9
Sandford Millennium Green - 20.5.17

Birds:

1 Mallard Duck (drake)

Sandford Millennium Green – 21.5.17

Birds:

1 Mallard Duck (drake)

Shobrooke Park – 24.5.17

 Italicised species are non-native

Birds:

69 Canada Geese (56 adults and 13 goslings)

2 Leucistic Canada Geese
13 Mallard Ducks (11 adults and 2 ducklings)
2 Domestic Ducks (2 Call drakes; 1 pastel and 1 bibbed)
1 Dabchick

Notes: Interesting arrival of two leucistic individuals. The pied female call duck and now the white
Mallard were no-where to be seen.

Sandford CP – 24.5.17

 Italicised species are non-native

Mammals:

1 Domestic Rabbit (Grey Rex)

Sandford CP – 26.5.17

 Italicised species are non-native

Mammals:

1 Domestic Rabbit (Grey Rex)

Notes: Seen today again without its usual Black Rex companion in gardens of a house on Church
hill.

10
River Exe, Exeter – 28.5.17

Birds:

1 Mute Swan (on nest)

Shobrooke Park – 29.5.17

 Italicised species are non-native

Birds:

14 Mallard Ducks
3 Domestic Duck (2 Call Ducks; 1 Bibbed drake, 1 Pastel drake, 1 White Mallard)
4 Canada Geese
4 Mute Swans (2 adults, 2 cygnets)
4 Dabchick (2 adults, 2 chicks)
2 Coots

Notes: The Dabchicks and Swans have both hatched young – Dabchicks being a breeding first to
my knowledge at this site.

Sandford CP – 9.6.17

 Italicised species are non-native

Mammals:

1 Domestic Rabbit (Black Rex)

Notes: Seen today alone in gardens between Orchard Close and the rear of the churchyard. These
two rabbits haven’t been seen together in a while, but several times separately this year!

Crediton Tandoori – 10.6.17

 The following are part of the resident collection and are not wild individuals.

Fish:

4 Domestic Goldfish (Shubunkin)

Sandford CP – 14.6.17

Birds:

1 Linnet

Insects:

11
1 Moth caterpillar

Shobrooke Park – 16.6.17

 Italicised species are non-native

Birds:

37 Mallard Ducks (32 adults, 4 juveniles, 1 duckling)

3 Domestic Ducks (1 White Mallard, 2 Call drakes; 1 pastel and 1 bibbed)
3 Canada Geese
1 Great Crested Grebe
4 Dabchick (2 adults, 2 chicks)
1 Black Headed Gull

Notes: Dabchicks teaching their young to swim today – very entertaining to watch. The Mallard
numbers appear to have increased a little.

Sandford CP – 18.6.17

Birds:

22 House Martins

Notes: All of these individuals were sunbathing on Fanny’s Lane on the hot tarmack, bizarre
behaviour I’ve never seen before from these birds. They all flew off as I approached, and I presume
they were doing the same if any vehicles were passing.

Broomclose Smallholding – 1.7.17

 The following are part of the resident collection and are not wild individuals.
 This list may not be exhaustive.

Mammals:

3 Domestic Pigs

Otterton Mill – 22.7.17

 The following are part of the resident collection and are not wild individuals.
 This list may not be exhaustive.

Birds:

2 Domestic Duck (White Indian Runner)

2 Domestic Geese (West of England)
2 Domestic Chickens (1 Cream Legbar hen, 1 Cuckoo Maran hen)

The following wild birds were also present:

12
1 Robin (fledgling)

Burnbridge House – 23.7.17

Birds:

1 Nuthatch

Squabmoor Reservoir – 4.8.17

Birds:

1 Mallard Duck
5 Canada Geese (2 adults and 3 juveniles)

Notes: Only 1 mallard this time and no sign of the previously present Aylesbury Duck.

Bystock Pools – 4.8.17

Birds:

1 Moorhen

Otterton Mill – 4.8.17

 The following are part of the resident collection and are not wild individuals.
 This list may not be exhaustive.

Birds:

3 Domestic Ducks (2 White Indian Runners, 1 Chocolate Indian Runner)

2 Domestic Geese (West of England goslings)
2 Domestic Chickens

Notes: The poultry collection here is being slowly replenished, but the birds are no longer free-
ranging, but instead are all kept in the large poultry pen.

Burrator Reservoir – 6.8.17

 Italicised species are non-native.

Birds:

21 Canada Geese
31 Mallard Duck
2 Domestic Geese (Embdens)
1 Muscovy Duck

Notes: Probably one of the highest Canada Geese counts I’ve seen at the reservoir. The usual
Domestic Geese and Muscovy were also in attendance.

13
Sandford CP – 3.9.17

 Italicised species are non-native

Mammals:

1 Domestic Rabbit (Black Rex)

Shobrooke Park – 17.12.17

 Italicised species are non-native.

Birds:

29 Mallard Ducks
5 Domestic Ducks (1 pastel Call drake, 1 white Call drake, 1 Miniature Silver Appleyard female, 1
white Domestic Mallard, 1 Aylesbury drake)
3 Goosander
4 Mute Swans (2 adults, 2 juveniles)
9 Coots
1 Dabchick
1 Cormorant
84 Black Headed Gulls
5 Herring Gulls
7 Carrion Crows

Notes: A few new domestic arrivals and several interesting rarities today, including 3 Goosander
and still a resident Dabchick.

Bernaville Nurseries – 21.12.17

 The following are part of the resident collection and are not wild individuals.
 This list may not be exhaustive.

Birds:

7 Domestic Ducks (5 Call Ducks, 1 Dark Campbell female, 1 Aylesbury drake)

1 Senegal Parrot

Fish:

2 Goldfish

Notes: The Aylesbury duck here has been present since at least 2008, making it about 9-10 years
old, a very impressive age for such a large duck. ‘Buddy’, the Senegal Parrot, now has a new aviary
too.

14
Topsham Quay – 24.12.17

 Italicised species are non-native.

Birds:

21 Black Headed Gulls

2 Common Gulls
11 Mallard Duck
2 Domestic Mallards (1 white, 1 grey-chested)
8 Teal
5 Sandpipers
74 Avocet
9 Dunlin
80 Oystercatchers

Notes: A lower number of standard waterfowl this time but an impressive amount of waders. The
Domestic Geese that used to reside here were no where to be seen.

Bowling Green Marsh – 24.12.17

Birds:

19 Oystercatchers
1 Little Egret
1 Grey Heron
9 Avocets
1 Green Sandpiper
2 Curlew
47 Teal
9 Lapwing
12 Shoveler
3 Mallard Ducks
325 Wigeon
2 Brant Goose
1 Black Headed Gull
2 Woodpigeon
1 Robin
1 Blackbird
2 Carrion Crows

Notes: A great number of rarities seen today, with a particularly impressive Wigeon count.

Darts Farm – 24.12.17

 The following are part of the resident collection and are not wild individuals.
 This list may not be exhaustive.

Mammals:

15
1 Guanaco
2 Domestic Cows

The following wild individuals were also present:

1 Carrion Crow

Notes: The poultry have now gone from the farm, only these remaining mammals are left.

Shobrooke Park – 28.12.17

 Italicised species are non-native.

Birds:

29 Mallard Ducks
5 Domestic Ducks (3 Call Ducks; 1 White drake, 1 Pastel drake, 1 Bibbed drake, 1 Aylesbury
Drake, 1 Miniature Silver Appleyard female)

Notes: A quick visit to the lake to feed the birds.

16
SELECTED DATA REPORTS FOR THE YEAR:

Shobrooke Park:

 Emboldened species are known to have bred

 Italicised species are non-native

MONTHLY MAXIMA
Species JAN FEB APR MAY JUN DEC Average total for 2017
Bahama Pintail 1 1
Bar Headed 1 1
Goose
Black Headed 53 41 1 84 45
Gull
Canada Geese 2 6 69 3 20
Carrion Crow 7 7
Coot 2 9 6
Cormorant 2 1 2
Dabchick 4 4 1 3
Domestic Duck 4 4 3 3 5 4
Gadwall 1 1
Goosander 3 3
Great Crested 1 1
Grebe
Herring Gull 5 5
Leucistic Canada 2 2
Goose
Little Egret 1 1
Mallard Duck 26 31 5 16 37 29 24
Moorhen 1 1
Mute Swan 2 4 4 3

17
Gloucestershire & Bristol

Sites covered:

 Emboldened sites are collections.

 Highlighted and emboldened sites are both collections and wild sites.

 Cannop Ponds
 Forest of Dean Heritage Centre
 International Centre for Birds of Prey
 Mallard’s Pike
 Slimbridge WWT
 Soudley Ponds
 St Werburgh’s City Farm

Therefore this section holds data for 4 wild sites, 2 collections/wild sites and 1 collection (7 sites
altogether) in the counties of Gloucestershire and Bristol, UK, during 2017.

18
Cannop Ponds – 4.7.17

 Italicised species are non-native

Birds:

40 Mallards (36 adults, 4 juveniles)

1 Domestic Mallard
6 Mandarin Ducks
1 Tufted Duck
2 Mute Swans (1 adult, 1 juvenile)
4 Coots
1 Dabchick
2 Lesser Black Backed Gulls
1 Black Headed Gull

Notes: An interesting new spot with some very tame, potentially first or second generation, escapee
Mandarin.

Soudley Ponds – 4.7.17

Birds:

3 Mallard Ducks (1 adult female, 2 ducklings)

2 Moorhen (1 adult, 1 juvenile)

Forest of Dean Heritage Centre – 4.7.17

 Italicised species are non-native.

Birds:

17 Mallard Ducks (13 adults, 4 ducklings)

2 Domestic Ducks (1 Rouen, 1 Mallard X Aylesbury)

Notes: Quick visit to the duckpond adjacent to the car park of the visitor centre.

Mallard’s Pike – 4.7.17

 Italicised species are non-native.

Birds:

24 Greylag Geese (including a mixture of adults and juveniles, but also 3 tagged adult birds: 4JZ,
SD6, D6T – See ‘Notes’ for more information on these)
4 Mallard Ducks
3 Mandarin Ducks

Fish:

19
1 Common Carp

Notes: The following information on the tagged geese ‘SD6’ and ‘D6T’ were forwarded to me by
Kane Brides and Richard Hearn of the WWT, Slimbridge.

‘SD6’ was therefore at least 4 years of age when seen by me.

‘D6T’ was at least 10 years of age when seen by me.

Slimbridge WWT – 5.7.17

 The following are part of the resident collection and are not wild individuals.
 Emboldened species are both wild individuals and residents of the collection.

Birds:

1 Australian Shelduck
1 Bahama Pintail
1 Black Bellied Whistling Duck
1 Cape Barren Goose
1 Chiloe Wigeon
1 European Greater Scaup
1 Freckled Duck
1 Gadwall
1 Greenwing Dove
1 Maccoa Duck
1 Mandarin Duck
1 Red Billed Teal
1 Red Crowned Crane
10 Red Breasted Geese

20
10 Snow Geese
102 Caribbean Flamingo
12 Falcated Duck
135 Greater Flamingo (including 5 chicks)
14 Domestic Duck (2 Miniature Silver Appleyard female, 2 bibbed Domestic Mallard females, 1
slightly bibbed Domestic Mallard drake, 2 Mallard X Silver Appleyard drakes, 4 Silver Call Ducks
and 2 drakes, 2 White Call Ducks)
15 Australian Shoveler
18 Shelduck (including 7 ducklings from 2 broods)
19 Andean Flamingos
2 Bean Goose
2 Black Swans
2 Canada Geese
2 Cape Teal
2 Crested Screamer
2 Magellan Goose
2 Red Crested Pochard
2 Redhead
2 Rosybill
2 South Georgian Pintail
2 Southern Pochard
20 Lesser White Fronted Goose
3 African Black Duck
3 Blue Winged Goose
3 Eider Duck (1 duck and 2 ducklings)
3 Emperor Geese
3 Goldeneye
3 Hardhead
3 Lesser Whistling Duck
3 Magpie Goose
3 Pochard
3 Redshank
3 West Indian Whistling Duck
3 White Backed Duck
3 White Headed Duck
3 White Winged Wood Duck
38 Lesser Flamingo
4 Barnacle Geese
4 Lesser Whistling Duck
5 Ruddy Shelduck
5 White Faced Whistling Duck
6 Avocet (including 1 juvenile)
6 Spot Billed Duck
7 Baer’s Pochard
7 Bar Headed Goose
8 Ne Ne Goose
86 Chilean Flamingo

Fish:

21
6 Goldfish (5 in Tropical House, 1 in ‘World of Geese’ exhibit)
5 Koi Carp
20 Common Carp

Amphibians:

1 Australian Green Tree Frog

1 Axlotl
1 Blue Poison Dart Frog
1 Fire Bellied Newt
1 Northern Crested Newt
2 Green and Black Poison Dart Frog
3 White’s Tree Frog (2 adults, 1 juvenile)
5 Common Toad (2 adults, 3 juveniles)

Molluscs:

1 Rabbit Snail
3 Ramshorn Snails

Mammals:

2 American River Otter

2 Harvest Mice

Wild birds also present:

Birds:

28 Moorhen (including 6 juvenile chicks)

38 Coots (including 2 on nests and 1 juvenile)
13 Redshank
2 Lapwing
20 Black Tailed Godwit
3 Avocets
178 Mallards (including 17 ducklings from 3 different broods, plus one stray Mallard egg in a
hedge!)
25 Tufted Ducks
35 Greylag Geese (mixture of adults and juveniles)
3 Canada Goose
67 Mute Swans
3 Bewicks Swans
21 Carrion Crows
5 Rooks
10 Jackdaws
1 Leucistic Buzzard
9 Woodpigeon
3 Feral Pigeon
84 Black Headed Gulls
1 Herring Gull

22
Notes: Still in fine form and probably the greatest collection of waterfowl in Europe. Will be calling
again!

International Centre for Birds of Prey – 6.7.17

 The following are part of the resident collection and are not wild individuals.
 This list may not be exhaustive.

Birds:

1 Bald Eagle
1 Barn Owl
1 Black Chested Buzzard Eagle
1 Black Eagle
1 Black Kite
1 Burrowing Owl
1 Common Buzzard
1 Common Kestrel
1 Egyptian Vulture
1 King Vulture
1 Little Owl
1 Long Eared Owl
1 Northern Hawk Owl
1 Palm Nut Vulture
1 Red Kite
1 Red Tailed Hawk
1 Rock Kestrel
1 South African Barn Owl
1 South American Great Horned Owl
1 Steppes Eagle
1 Striated Caracara
1 Ural Owl
1 White Bellied Sea Eagle
1 White Tailed Sea Eagle
1 Yellow Billed Kite
2 Andean Condor
2 Boobook Owl
2 Cinerous Vultures
2 Golden Eagle
2 Goshawk
2 Greyish Eagle Owl
2 Lanner Falcon
2 Mottled Owl
2 Orange Breasted Falcon
2 Peregrine Falcon
2 Pygmy Falcon
2 Saker Falcon
2 Scops Owl
2 Tawny Owl

23
3 Brahminy Kites
3 Eagle Owls
3 Great Horned Owl
3 Snowy Owls (1 adult, 2 chicks)
3 Southern Crested Caracara
3 Steller’s Sea Eagle
4 Short Eared Owl
4 Striated Caracara
5 Great Grey Owl
5 Griffon Vultures
5 Harris Hawk
7 Turkey Vultures

Fish:

2 Common Carp

Wild birds also present:

1 Grey Heron
1 Buzzard
1 Herring Gull

Notes: An incredible collection of birds of prey all housed in impeccable quarters.

St Werburgh’s City Farm – 10.8.17

 The following are part of the resident collection and are not wild individuals.
 This list may not be exhaustive.

Birds:

10 Domestic Ducks (4 Indian Runners, 3 Saxony females, 1 Miniature Silver Appleyard female, 1
pair Black East Indies)
2 Domestic Turkeys (chicks)
20 Domestic Chickens (including 9 chicks)
3 Muscovy Ducks

Mammals:

1 Domestic Goat

Notes: A very sweet collection of mostly agricultural animals free for public viewing, managed by a
group of diligent local volunteers.

24
Wiltshire

Sites covered:

 Emboldened sites are collections.

 Henford’s Holiday Cottages

 Stourhead

Therefore this section holds data for 1 collection and 1 wild site in the county of Wiltshire, UK,
during 2017.

25
Henford’s Holiday Cottages – 28.8.17

 The following are part of the resident collection, and are not wild individuals.

Birds:

6 Domestic Chickens
1 Domestic Duck (Crested)
2 Muscovy Duck

Mammals:

1 Domestic Cat

Stourhead – 29.08.17

 Non-native species are italicised

Birds:

9 Mallard Ducks
1 Domestic Mallard (bibbed drake)
4 Mute Swans (1 adult, 3 juveniles)
8 Coots
1 Moorhen

Notes: A lovely NT site with a large lake and a small selection of waterfowl.

26
Hampshire

Sites covered:

 The Buck Service Station

Therefore this section holds data for 1 wild site in the county of Hampshire, UK, during 2017.

27
The Buck Service Station – 17.9.17

Mammals:

2 Muntjac

28
Hertfordshire

Sites covered:

 St Albans Verulamium Park

 Stanborough Lakes

Therefore this section holds data for 2 wild sites in the county of Hertfordshire, UK, during 2017.

29
Stanborough Lakes – 28.7.17

 Italicised species are non-native

Birds:

8 Domestic Ducks (1 Aylesbury female, 1 Mallard X Aylesbury drake, 2 bibbed Domestic Mallard
drakes, 2 bibbed Domestic Mallard females, one of which with 1 bibbed duckling, 1 buff Indian
Runner female)
33 Canada Geese
18 Mute Swans (14 adults, 4 juveniles)
87 Mallard Ducks (67 adults, 9 ducklings)
5 Moorhen
56 Coots (48 adults, 8 chicks)
4 Black Headed Gulls
1 Common Tern

Fish:

20 Stickleback

Notes: First time sighting of a Common Tern at this sight today, a summer visitor to Hertfordshire.
Coots, Mallards and Mute Swans all breeding well, as well as the resident Stickleback.

St Albans Verulamium Park – 27.10.17

 Italicised species are non-native.

Birds:

23 Canada Geese
2 Domestic Geese (Pilgrims)
18 Mute Swans
10 Mallard Ducks
1 Domestic Mallard (1 white drake)
1 Pochard
19 Coots
2 Cormorants
1 Grey Heron
35 Black Headed Gulls
1 Herring Gull
4 Common Gulls
10 Feral Pigeons
1 Carrion Crow
4 Blackbirds

Notes: Domestic Geese have made a return at the Verulamium. Contrastingly a far smaller number
of Domestic Mallards. Perhaps no one has replenished the population and so they are dying out a
little?

30
Greater London

Sites covered:

 Emboldened sites are collections.

 Highlighted and emboldened sites are both collections and wild sites.

 Hyde Park
 Hampstead Heath
 Golders Hill Park Zoo
 St James’s Park
 Middlesex University Campus
 Hendon Central Tube Station
 London Aquatics
 Kensington Roof Gardens

Therefore this section holds data for 4 wild sites, 3 collections and 1 collection/wild site (8 sites
altogether) in the county of Greater London, UK, during 2017.

31
Hyde Park – 31.5.17

 Italicised birds are non-native

 Underlined numbers may be approximate

Birds:

22 Canada Geese
36 Greylag Geese
3 Egyptian Geese
62 Mute Swans
16 Mallard Ducks
1 Domestic Mallard (bibbed female)
27 Coots
1 Moorhen
1 Heron
3 Black Headed Gulls
2 Herring Gulls
1 Great Black Backed Gull
43 Feral Pigeons

Hampstead Heath (Northern end) – 17.9.17

Birds:

4 Moorhen

Mammals:

1 Grey Squirrel

Notes: A short walk via the Golders Hill end of the Heath.

Golders Hill Park Zoo – 17.9.17

 The following are part of the resident collection and are not wild individuals.
 This list may not be exhaustive.

Birds:

1 Chiloe Wigeon
1 Rock Pigeon
1 Lady Amherst’s Pheasant
1 Lesser Rhea
1 Little Egret
1 Stone Curlew
2 Eagle Owl
2 Kookaburra
2 Red Junglefowl

32
3 Bahama Pintail
3 Cattle Egret
3 Sacred Ibis
4 White Faced Whistling Duck

Mammals:

1 Coatimundi
2 Donkeys
2 Patagonian Mara
2 Ring Tailed Lemurs
8 Fallow Deer (including 1 white variant)

Notes: A great find – a completely free zoo with a lovely small collection of exotics and a deer park.

Kensington Roof Gardens – 23.9.17

 The following are part of the resident collection and are not wild individuals.
 This list may not be exhaustive.

Birds:

1 Bahama Pintail
3 Lesser Flamingos
8 Ringed Teal (2 adults, 6 ducklings)

Notes: This collection closed in early 2018.

Hyde Park – 23.9.17

Birds:

4 Canada Geese
20 Mute Swans
4 Black Headed Gulls
1 Woodpigeon
5 Ring Necked Parakeets

Mammals:

1 Grey Squirrel

St James’s Park – 14.10.17

33
  Italicised species are non native
 Emboldened species are part of the resident collection
 Highlighted and emboldened species are both wild and captive specimens

Birds:

36 Black Headed Gulls

64 Coots
2 Moorhen
5 Mallard Duck
3 Pochard
5 Shelduck
2 Hooded Merganser
1 Rosybill
7 Canada Geese
1 Leucistic Canada Goose
12 Greylag Geese
1 Ross’s Snow Goose
2 Black Swan
2 Mute Swans
1 Feral Pigeon

Notes: A quick stroll through the park on the way back to Oxford Street.

Middlesex University Campus – 27.10.17

Birds:

2 Jays

Hampstead Heath (Northern end) – 26.11.17

Birds:

10 Mallard Ducks
7 Moorhen
13 Black Headed Gull
1 Feral Pigeon

Mammals:

1 Brown Rat
5 Grey Squirrels

Notes: A quick walk along the Golders Hill end of the heath.

Golders Hill Park Zoo – 26.11.17

34
  The following are part of the resident collection and are not wild individuals.
 This list may not be exhaustive.

Birds:

1 Kookaburra
1 Lady Amherst’s Pheasant
2 Red Junglefowl
2 Chiloe Wigeon
1 Stone Curlew
1 Lesser Rhea
1 Eagle Owl
1 Little Egret
1 Sacred Ibis
1 Bahama Pintail

Mammals:

2 Ringtail Lemur
5 Fallow Deer
2 Donkey
2 Patagonian Mara

Notes: A slight drop in the bird numbers since last time, perhaps. No sign of the Coatimundi today
either.

Hendon Central Tube Station – 29.11.17

Birds:

1 Feral Pigeon

Notes: Rescued by myself after it had flown beyond the gateline and got a little confused. Walked
away from the situation unscathed thankfully!

London Aquatics – 7.12.17

 The following are part of the resident collection and are not wild individuals.
 This list may not be exhaustive.

Fish:

4 Regal Tangs
1 Blue Tang
4 Yellow Tangs
2 Naso Tang
2 Yellow Wrasse

Molluscs:

35
5 Limpets

Essex

36
Sites covered:

 Emboldened sites are collections.

 Highlighted and emboldened sites are both collections and wild sites.

 Theydon Grove Pond

 Wintry Wood

Therefore this section holds data for 1 wild site and 1 collection/wild site (2 sites altogether) in the
county of Essex, UK, during 2017.

Theydon Grove Pond – 3.12.17

37
Birds:

2 Moorhen
1 Blackbird
1 Woodpigeon

Wintry Wood – 3.12.17

 Italicised species are non native

 Emboldened species are part of the resident collection
 Highlighted and emboldened species are both wild and captive specimens

Birds:

1 Indian Blue Peacock

3 Helmeted Guineafowl
9 Domestic chickens (7 Warrens hens, 1 Light Sussex hen, 1 Buff Orpington hen)
3 Domestic Geese (1 West of England, 1 Brecon Buff, 1 Chinese)
2 Domestic Turkeys (1 Norfolk Black hen, 1 Crollwitzer hen)
4 Mallard Ducks
2 Blackbirds
1 Moorhen

Mammals:

2 Roe deer
2 Rabbits

Notes: A great woodland setting with a number of free ranging birds.

Cambridgeshire

38
Sites covered:

 River Great Ouse, Ely

Therefore this section holds data for 1 wild site in the county of Cambridgeshire, UK, during 2017.

River Great Ouse, Ely – 26.7.17

39
  Italicised species are non-native

Birds:

1 Coot
2 Mallards
2 Domestic Duck (Silver Appleyards)
1 Canada Goose
2 Herring Gull

Norfolk

40
Sites covered:

 Swaffham Duck Pond

Therefore this section holds data for 1 wild site in the county of Norfolk, UK, during 2017.

Swaffham Duck Pond – 27.7.18

41
  Italicised species are non native

15 Mallard Ducks
1 Moorhen
1 Domestic Mallard (White)

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND

42
County Mayo

Sites Covered:

 Currane CP
 Rosgalive Hill
 Westport Mall

Therefore this section holds data on 3 wild sites in the county of Mayo, ROI, during 2017.

Currane CP – 8.4.17

43
Birds:

7 Black Headed Gulls

Rosgalive Hill – 11.4.17

Birds:

1 Stonechat

Westport Mall – 9.4.17

Birds:

2 Mallard Ducks

COLLECTION LISTS

44
ENGLAND

Devon:

Crediton Tandoori

Species Quantity Present

FISH:

Domestic Goldfish 4

Broomclose Smallholding

Species Quantity Present

MAMMALS:

Domestic Pig 3

Otterton Mill

Species Quantity Present

BIRDS:

Domestic Chicken 2
Domestic Duck 3
Domestic Goose 2

Bernaville Nurseries

Species Quantity Present

BIRDS:

Domestic Duck 7
Senegal Parrot 1

FISH:

Domestic Goldfish 2

45
Darts Farm

Species Quantity Present

MAMMALS:

Domestic Cattle 2
Guanaco 1

Gloucestershire:

Slimbridge WWT

Species Quantity Present

BIRDS:

African Black Duck 3

Andean Flamingos 19
Australian Shelduck 1
Australian Shoveler 15
Avocet 6
Baer’s Pochard 7
Bahama Pintail 1
Bar Headed Goose 7
Barnacle Geese 4
Bean Goose 2
Black Bellied Whistling Duck 1
Black Swans 2
Blue Winged Goose 3
Canada Geese 2
Cape Barren Goose 1
Cape Teal 2
Caribbean Flamingo 102
Chilean Flamingo 86
Chiloe Wigeon 1
Crested Screamer 2
Domestic Duck 14
Eider Duck 3
Emperor Geese 3
Eurasian Crane 1
European Greater Scaup 1
Falcated Duck 12
Freckled Duck 1
Gadwall 1
Goldeneye 3

46
Greater Flamingo 135
Greenwing Dove 1
Greylag Goose 3
Hardhead 3
Lesser Flamingo 38
Lesser Whistling Duck 7
Lesser White Fronted Goose 20
Maccoa Duck 1
Magellan Goose 2
Magpie Goose 3
Mandarin Duck 1
Mute Swan 6
Ne Ne Goose 8
Pochard 3
Red Billed Teal 1
Red Breasted Geese 10
Red Crested Pochard 2
Red Crowned Crane 1
Redhead 2
Redshank 3
Rosybill 2
Ruddy Shelduck 5
Shelduck 18
Snow Geese 10
South Georgian Pintail 2
Southern Pochard 2
Spot Billed Duck 6
Tufted Duck 2
West Indian Whistling Duck 3
White Backed Duck 3
White Faced Whistling Duck 3
White Headed Duck 5
White Winged Wood Duck 3

MAMMALS:

American River Otter 2

Harvest Mouse 2

AMPHIBIANS:

Australian Green Tree Frog 1

Axlotl 1
Blue Poison Dart Frog 1
Common Toad 5
Fire Bellied Newt 1
Green and Black Poison Dart Frog 2
Northern Crested Newt 1
White’s Tree Frog 3

47
FISH:

Common Carp 2
Domestic Goldfish 5
Domestic Koi Carp 6

MOLLUSCS:

Rabbit Snail 1
Ramshorn Snail 3

International Centre for Birds of Prey

Species Quantity Present

BIRDS:

Andean Condor 2
Bald Eagle 1
Barn Owl 1
Black Chested Buzzard Eagle 1
Black Eagle 1
Black Kite 1
Boobook Owl 2
Brahminy Kites 3
Burrowing Owl 1
Cinerous Vultures 2
Common Buzzard 1
Common Kestrel 1
Eagle Owl 3
Egyptian Vulture 1
Golden Eagle 2
Goshawk 2
Great Grey Owl 5
Great Horned Owl 3
Greyish Eagle Owl 2
Griffon Vultures 5
Harris Hawk 5
King Vulture 1
Lanner Falcon 2
Little Owl 1
Long Eared Owl 1
Mottled Owl 2
Northern Hawk Owl 1
Orange Breasted Falcon 2
Palm Nut Vulture 1
Peregrine Falcon 2
Pygmy Falcon 2
Red Kite 1

48
Red Tailed Hawk 1
Rock Kestrel 1
Saker Falcon 2
Scops Owl 2
Short Eared Owl 4
Snowy Owls 3
South African Barn Owl 1
South American Great Horned Owl 1
Southern Crested Caracara 3
Steller’s Sea Eagle 3
Steppes Eagle 2
Striated Caracara 5
Tawny Owl 2
Turkey Vultures 7
Ural Owl 1
White Bellied Sea Eagle 1
White Tailed Sea Eagle 1
Yellow Billed Kite 1

FISH:

Common Carp 2

St Werburgh’s City Farm

Species Quantity Present

BIRDS:

Domestic Chicken 20
Domestic Duck 10
Domestic Turkey 2
Muscovy Duck 3

MAMMALS:

Domestic Goat 1

Wiltshire:

Henford’s Holiday Cottages

Species Quantity Present

BIRDS:

Domestic Chicken 6

49
Domestic Duck 1
Muscovy Duck 2

MAMMALS:

Domestic Cat 1

Greater London:

Kensington Roof Garden (NOW CLOSED)

Species Quantity Present

BIRDS:

Bahama Pintail 1
Lesser Flamingo 3
Ringed Teal 8

St James’s Park

Species Quantity Present

BIRDS:

Black Swan 2
Greylag Goose 1
Hooded Merganser 2
Mute Swan 1
Pochard 1
Rosybill 1
Shelduck 5
Ross’s Snow Goose 1

Golders Hill Park Zoo

Species Quantity Present

BIRDS:

Bahama Pintail 1
Chiloe Wigeon 2
Eagle Owl 1
Kookaburra 1
Lady Amherst’s Pheasant 1
Lesser Rhea 1
Little Egret 1
Red Junglefowl 2

50
Sacred Ibis 1
Stone Curlew 1

MAMMALS:

Donkey 2
Fallow Deer 5
Patagonian Mara 2
Ringtail Lemur 2

London Aquatics

Species Quantity Present

FISH:

Blue Tang 1
Naso Tang 2
Regal Tangs 4
Yellow Tangs 4
Yellow Wrasse 2

MOLLUSCS:

Limpet 5

Essex:

Wintry Wood

Species Quantity Present

BIRDS:

Domestic Chickens 9
Domestic Geese 3
Domestic Turkeys 2
Helmeted Guineafowl 3
Indian Blue Peacock 1

TAGGED BIRDS:

51
This year, 3 tagged individuals were sighted.

Species: Greylag Goose

Tag/s: ‘4JZ’, ‘SJ6’, ‘D6T’
Tagged by: Slimbridge WWT
Location: Mallards Pike, Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire

SUMMARY:

52
 This year, the sightings data covered 32 wild sites, 10 collections and 4 wild /collection
sites, totalling 46 sites altogether, from locations in 11 different counties in 2 countries during 2017.
3 tagged birds were sighted.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:

53
I would like to thank the following individuals for their help throughout the year with compiling
this data, in various aspects.

 Naomi Thorp
 Andrew and Margaret Moran Mylett
 Kane Brides (WWT)
 Richard Hearn (WWT)
 Sabine Schaefer and the entire ringing team at the BTO
 The entire team at the EURING scheme
 The entire team at Slimbridge WWT
 Jane Tatchell and the entire team at eBird and the Cornell institute

54