Lyndsay Jones for the Friends of West Ham Park
In 2025 we recorded a total of 35 species. A full list is available on request. We record the maximum number of each species seen each month. 15 species were recorded every month, with Goldfinches, Great Spotted Woodpeckers and Common Gulls being added to those seen every month.
An unusual visitor, in April was a Mute Swan, which had definitely lost its way. One of our group members called the RSPCA and kindly escorted the swan around the park, preventing harassment by dogs or people, until rescuers arrived and took the swan to a more suitable home.
Use of the “Merlin” bird song identification App has helped with identification of several “small birds at the top of a tree” sightings. The App has also identified the call of a Stock Dove, which one of our team recognised as a different call. We have yet to have a confirmed sighting of this bird, but they are seen around London so it is a possibility. Similarity to the more common Feral Pigeon means that we need to get a good view of this bird in among the large flocks of Feral Pigeons.
Other occasional sightings include Collared Doves, which have also been seen more frequently this year, Heron, Coal Tit and Swift.
Nuthatches, which we first recorded in 2019 seem to have left the park. We cannot explain either their arrival or their apparent departure. They were using bird feeders in and around the park, which are still being kept filled. Hopefully they will return.
Thanks to the bird watching team for their monthly reports. We still have an area of the ornamental garden without a regular surveyor, but hopefully this is not resulting in too many missed sightings.
PS Thanks to Bruce for the fantastic Firecrest picture!