May has brought the trees into blossom, the migrants have all arrived and the nesting season is in full flow.  The most conspicuous summer visitor is the ultimate urban bird, the House Martin and numbers along the riverside look pretty good.  Their mud nests are easy to see on the Youth Hostel and buildings along the riverside.   The more eagle eyed observer has also seen Swallows and Swifts passing higher overhead and there were plenty of swifts around on 30 May. They nest under eaves and may struggle with modern houses but perhaps they have found a suitable site.    No sign yet of the Sand Martin that returns from Africa to nest in pipes on the river bank by the Salt Quay - lets hope these other urban adaptors return soon. 

Swift

House Martin

The docks are the easiest places to see breeding birds.  Swans, Coots, Moorhens, and Canada Geese all have young, but the numbers are down, perhaps reflecting the cold spring  when eggs may not have incubated.  Amongst the domestic ducks some genuinely wild Mallard have also raised young.  They nest in denser vegetation or in a hole in a tree; and even in flowerpots on balconies. The Tufted Duck is a late breeder; they seemed to be pairing up at the end of the month and it will be interesting to see if they can find the dense vegetation they need for nesting.   No photos of the seal this month but it has been sighted a few times in the river by the Salt Quay

The most obliging and beautiful water bird is the Great Crested Grebe that has nested on Canada Water only about 10 yards from the Library.  It has so far hatched two young and they hide safely in the feathers on the female bird's back, being assiduously fed by the male and well protected by the female.  Its such a privilege to be so close to these birds and watch them rear their young unaffected by passers by and the noise of the Plaza.  The Grey Wagtail too is rearing young near the Salt Quay and immature Herring Gulls have been gathering in groups on Surrey Water, much to the concern of the coots and moorhens. 

The Common Tern is a beautiful bird.  It is a summer visitor from Africa.  At first glance it looks like a gull but has a more buoyant flight and a long forked tail.  It dives to catch small fish in the river and docks and can be quite noisy and aggressive to other birds.  It has put in brief appearances on Surrey Water in mid May.  It reared young here two years ago but on a larger raft.  It didn't breed here last year and it would be sad to lose it from Rotherhithe as it was London's most central breeding tern.  Perhaps a larger raft covered with sand and pebbles would do the trick.

Great Crested Grebe on Canada Water

Grete Crested Grebe

Common Tern on Surrey Water 

Grey Wagtail feeding young at Surrey Water

Stave Hill trees and flowers have burst into bloom; white is the dominant colour with Hawthorn replacing Blackthorn.  Now that leaves are fully open forming a dense canopy, the woodland flowers have faded and the meadows and ponds have come into their own with Red Campion, Cranesbill and Yellow Flag all looking beautiful.  Dog Roses grow over the hedges and fences and look beautiful in evening sun.

Meadow Cranesbill

Dog Rose

Yellow Flag

Red Campion

On the sunny days the woods and flowers are full of butterflies;  particularly Specked Wood and Orange Tip, as well as the more common white butterflies.   

Orange Tip

Speckled Wood

The birds in Stave Hill are now much harder to see.  The Blue Tits and Great Tits are easiest; just watch the nest boxes and you can see how hard they work feeding demanding chicks.  Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Chaffinch and Greater Spotted Woodpecker have young but you are more likely to hear them than see them.  Chiffchaffs were still singing at the end of the month, so it looks like they are breeding and a Female Blackcap was seen gathering food for young.  Some exotic birds put in a guest appearance on Stave Hill via Sound Camp.  The calls of the Nightingale, Hoopoe and Red-Necked Nightjar were streamed live to bring some Andalucian warmth to a chilly morning in London.  On the following day, Soundcamp participants on their dawn walk were fortunate to hear the strange reeling song of the elusive Grasshopper Warbler.

Female Blackcap

Greater Spotted Woodpecker

Southwark Park is a great place and continues to combine recreation and beautiful ornamental planting with excellent wildlife.  The Mute Swan raised a large brood, Stock Dove, Collared Dove, and Mistle Thrush are plentiful and Reed Warblers were seen and easily heard in the patch of reeds by Ada Salter Garden. 

So another great month for wildlife on the peninsula and a reminder of how resilient and adaptable our urban wildlife is. Nesting sites, safety from predators and a good food supply are the basic necessities for birds; and they can put up with most other things such as traffic and nearby skateboarders.  I have seen 67 species of bird so far this year.  Not bad for a square mile of a capital city.  And thanks again to all those who work hard to sustain the wonderful habitats that Rotherhithe offers to residents and seasonal visitors. 

Swan and cygnets

Reed Warbler

Mistle Thrush