I have waited 10 years for a sustained cold spell, to see what effect it would have on the birdlife at EIDB. On the 9th, the water in the dock was partly frozen, and the mud completely frozen. Just a few Teal were present, and this was almost reduced by one, as a Peregrine swooped down and made a grab for a Teal, but failed. A single Lapwing was on he Island, the first record of a bird on the dock, rather than flying over. Redwings were scudding across the dock with a few Fieldfare, some landing on trees. Seven Shelduck were present, and a Pochard flew in. A walk down Bow Creek revealed many Teal and a few Redshank. Four Common Snipe were flushed from the stream and marsh area at Bow Ecology Park, and 3 Meadow Pipits were feeding in the same area. I consider myself a hardy type, but today was cold, and the area deserted.                                      

   10th Jan:  With high hopes I ventured again to to the Dock. the site was very quiet so decided to try the Ecology Park. Twenty  Redshanks were roosting at Bow Creek with a Lapwing. Checked the stream area again, and flushed a small snipe, which was a Jack Snipe, the first recorded in the area. Also a Common Snipe and the Meadow Pipits were still present. Returned to the Dock and met up with David Callahan, who also had seen the Jack Snipe. A few Redwing were moving and 6 Fieldfare flew west. We decided to do a watch on the Thames in the hope of Wildfowl and Waders. A Great Cresred Grebe swam past, and Teal were constantly moving about the river. I saw a group of 6 ducks flying west, which I presumed to be Tufted Ducks, but as they flew past us, light grey mantles were evident, and we realised that we were viewing a group of Scaup, a scarce London visitor. A few minutes later a female Wigeon swam past, our first record of this species. So after waiting 10 years the cold conditions have had quite an effect on the birdlife in the area, and there maybe more to come.

Gary James

One of the most unlikely findings on my trails in the Lea Valley Park is the Bow Creek Ecology Park otter ramp. If you walk to the south end of that park there is a bit of a wilderness which is fenced off, and if you look closely, there's a note explaining how this is a great potential otter habitat. I've discussed this with a few colleagues, we think the chances of there being otters by the Thames here are pretty unlikely. One joke was that it would make a great city break for them, particularly with the excellent local transport routes (you can see the DLR track on the photo)! Still, I can't help watching that ramp just-in-case. Would be delighted to hear more about this. Do we have otter guests?

Sunday 15th November 2009 Arrived at 08.00 in cloudy weather, but it soon warmed up and became an almost spring like day. Only 25 Teal were present, but as the tide flowed the numbers increased to a high tide count of 154. Most flew in from further up the Lea, but a small number arrived from the east, along the Thames. Also present were 5 Redshank, feeding on the mud, and 10 Greylag Geese (my highest count here). Finches were moving along the hedgerows (mainly Greenfinch), and a Reed Bunting was in the reeds. Shelduck should return later in the month, and if the weather turns cold, wildfowl should increase.

We first came across East India Dock Basin when my friend noticed a little sign just off the Lower Lea Crossing pointing to a bird sanctuary. It seemed pretty unlikely but sure enough, we followed it through the sculptured gates into that eerily beautiful park. My friend said, 'this is the sort of place you see Kingfishers' and sure enough, one chose that moment to fly past us. That's how I got hooked, now I walk through whenever possible on the way to work. It's a bit of a detour but going through that fantastic gate in the morning, seeing which birds have chosen to visit the dock that day, still feels like entering Narnia.

Had a great day yesterday at a 'Volunteering and the Inland Waterways' conference. Accompanied by Pat from the Community Board, we spent the day hearing a wide variety of speakers share their thoughts and ideas on engaging volunteers with our waterways.

A fab way to get some inspiration and be reminded of those great plans we all have that get pushed by the wayside under the general day-to-day work. Some excellent ideas were discussed in the day so watch out for some exciting new schemes and events coming soon!

Thanks to the Association of Inland Navigation Authorities for organising the day, and providing the best conference food I've had yet!