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