Wheatear disappointment

I think I mentioned recently that I blew my chances in the annual Wanstead Wheatear Sweepstake by failing to turn up to choose my dates at the appointed time. That meant I went from first out of the hat to last, with Tony picking me the 12th March after the first pass was complete and the 27th after the second - at that point there being just two days left after 29 had already been picked. You will note that today is the 13th and that there was no "Breaking News" yesterday.... No Wheatears.

The Model Aircraft Field not carpeted in Wheatears

As is de rigeur for such a hotly contested trophy virtually nobody turned up to assist. Jim was out briefly, but not even the lure of the Finder's Trophy could tempt anyone else to look. I was on my own. I gave it my best shot but needless to say I did not find a Wheatear. I wasn't really expecting to - despite some very early arrivals the large numbers have not yet materialised and for Wanstead to get Wheatears everywhere has to be getting Wheatears. I did have a very nice time though, spending a good couple of hours out on the Flats. I ended up seeing a lot of birds - the Chiffchaffs are back in decent numbers and I heard my first Blackcaps singing in the Brick Pits and Esso Copse. 

A nice view of zero Wheatears

At some point during my walk I realised I was approaching 45 species which is not at all shabby for March. This was largely due to an unexpectedly good haul of waterfowl on Jubilee, including Pochard, Gadwall and Little Grebe. I'd been pleased with 42 on my dry run the previous day, could I get to 50? Thoughts of Wheatears all but vanished, the hunt was on for missing species! Knowing the patch as well as I do it was a question of heading to certain spots but there was a fair slice of luck involved as well. I found a Redwing in Esso Copse, a Pied Wagtail was in the car park there, and a pair of Greylag flew towards Alex meaning I didn't have to schlep over there. Just as I was wondering if I might not still fall short a Grey Heron helpfully flew over, and shortly after than I found a Stock Dove pottering around in Coronation Copse. Obviously I know why it's called Coronation Copse, but I also found physical evidence of that which in 20 years of birding here I cannot recall ever having seen before.

The original plaque from 1953

OK so it's not especially impressive and hasn't exactly been lovingly looked after, but it's still there after over 70 years which is amazing when you think about it. You just have to look at other parts of Wanstead Flats to see how the local population treats it - with disdain. Yes there's a bit missing, but it hasn't been burned, chopped up, stolen...

A more recent and much more typical installation.

With Stock Dove under the belt I needed just one more to make the big 5-0. Goldcrest, Sparrowhawk or Collared Dove would do it. Needing to start work in the not too distant future I figured that latter would take the least amount of time and started scanning nearby rooftops as everyone knows that this is where Collared Doves prefer to hang out. It didn't take long for Brading Crescent to come up trumps and I was able to stride home with a feeling of satisfaction despite the lack of lovely white backsides.