Greenfinch Carduelis chloris
Again perhaps more frequently noted in the winter months in small flocks.
Redpoll Acanthis flammea
Present in the winter months though surprisingly I have records as late as the 3rd May.
A flock of 8 or 9 noted feeding on the burnt and disturbed area on the 8th November. I
have noted this species feeding on birch seed.
Bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhula
Infrequent but can be seen in ones and twos (often pairs), occasionally more, in the
winter months. A pair nested on the burnt and disturbed area in 1980.
Chaffinch Fringilla coelobs
Perhaps the commonest of the finches in 1979, a flock of 40-50 were noted on the 29th
November.
Brambling Fringilla montifringilla
A number of birds perhaps 8 or 9 were noted feeding on beech mast amongst a flock of
chaffinches in December 1979.
Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus
A small party of four birds were noted throughout February and March 1979 feeding
about the burnt and disturbed area and again two birds were noted about this area in
December 1980.
House Sparrow Passer domesticus
Frequently noted in and about Lords Bushes.
In addition to the above species, the following birds were noted flying over or near
Lords Bushes in 1979 and 1980:
Ardea cinerea (Grey Heron), Vanellus vanellus (Lapwing), Larus argentatus (Herring
Gull), L. canus (Common Gull), L. fuscus (Lesser Black Back), L. Marinus (Greater
Black Back), L. ridibundus (Black Headed Gull). Gulls have a regular diurnal pattern of
movement over Lords Bushes in the autumn and winter months; as daylight fades flocks
totalling up to several hundred birds come in, I presume, from feeding in ploughed
fields, rubbish tips and sewage works in Essex, probably making for the Lea Valley
resevoirs to roost at night. Alauda arvensis (Skylark) noted in large flocks over Lords
Bushes in January 1979, as many as 40-50 being noted. Delichon urbica (House
Martin), Hirundo rustica (Swallow), Psittacula krameri (Ring Necked Parakeet) noted
infrequently over Lords Bushes, usually one to three birds.
Mammals
Lords Bushes is not rich in mammals, just five species were recorded on the 1979
survey, additionally there are records of the house mouse (Mus musculus) and the brown
rat (Rattus norvegicus) from the houses and gardens which abut Lords Bushes. A small
mammal trapping survey was carried out mainly on the burnt and disturbed area, but
surprisingly no records of bank vole (Clethrionomys glareolus) were made nor were any
shrews taken but I have heard the latter (probably the common shrew (Sorex araneus)
on one occasion 'squeaking' during the day. There are possibly a number of genuine
absences, the soil is probably too shallow and gravelly for the mole (Talpa europaea)
which can often be seen in small woodlands. The urban area which surrounds Lords
62