Redstarts in London

[Ida]

Hello

I live in South East London (SE4). A few weeks ago I saw a male redstart in my garden, and assumed he was just passing through on his way home after wintering in sunnier climes. But I've just seen a female who seemed to be collecting food, so now I'm wondering if they're nesting in my area.

Could anyone tell me if redstarts often breed in London, as from what I've been able to discover they usually breed in the north and west of the country. I've never seen them in my area before, and would be interested to hear if anyone else has encountered them in London.

Thanks

[RoyW]

Hi Ida,

Redstarts are regular passage migrants through the London area in both spring and autumn. There used to be breeding pairs in the past, with the last record where breeding was thought likely to have taken place being in Epping Forest in 1994. There were also records of a male in a Bexleyheath garden on two dates in early May and early June 2002 - the latter date being unusual for a spring migrant so it is possible that there was a pair nearby + in 2005 a male held a territory in Epping Forest.

This record is very interesting, particularly as you say the female appeared to be gathering food. Both sightings could be unconnected, as both dates could easily refer to migrants passing through the area - it would be very interesting to see if they visit again.

Roy.

PS. Please send details of these sightings (and any future ones) to the London Natural History Society Kent Bird Recorder - I will PM you with details.

[Ida]

Hi Roy

Thanks for your reply and the PM.

How exciting! I'll definitely keep an eye out for them. I'm lucky enough to live in a part of London that has a couple of reasonable-sized areas of mature woodland, one of which is a nature reserve, and the other a cemetery which is managed as a nature reserve. So, finger crossed, there may be a pair nesting locally; but if not, it was lovely to see them passing through.

I'll report both sitings to the address you've given me.

Thanks again for being so helpful!