Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus
A much declined summer visitor to the Forest, It was first recorded for Epping Forest not later than 1738 by Eleazir Albin (Glegg, 1929).
Christy (1890) reported the Forest to be a well known haunt of this species. Buxton (1911) described it as 'frequently seen during summer
... where they breed ... laying two oval eggs of marbled grey colour.' Chicks of this species were rescued from a heath fire on the west side
of the Wake Arms - Theydon Bois road in 1887 (EN I p. 167-8). In 1892 Nightjars were reported to be found annually in Wanstead Park. In
1926 it was noted from the Yardley Hill area (EN XXIII p.71). In 1931 (LN 1931) Nightjars were recorded from the Clay Ride and Jack's
Hill in May, at the latter locality a male and female being noted. Breeding in the Forest was reported in 1952-3, 1967 (EBR 1968) and
churring was reported from the Forest in 1970.
Swift Apus apus
A common summer visitor, breeding in houses in the vicinity of the Forest, but often seen over the Forest hawking for insects. Seen
throughout the Forest, but often noticeable hawking over grassland and the larger bodies of water - Connaught Water, Alexandra Lake,
Wanstead Flats, Fairmead, Whitehall Plain (once seen here in large numbers) and Chingford Plain.
Kingfisher Alcedo atthis
Mainly seen as a non-breed ing visitor to the streams and ponds in the Forest. Buxton (1911) reported it in similar terms. Kingfishers bred at
Knighton in 1897 (EN X p.56) and 1934 (Mr. McKenzie-Smith, pers. comm.). Stubbs (1919) recorded 22 Kingfishers being caught on a
short stretch of the Ching at Woodford in August, 1911. The London Naturalist of 1923 described it as a resident, but not numerous, more
often seen in winter. There are widespread records of this species from the winter months. I have seen it at a pond in Epping Thicks, the
Lost Pond, Connaught Water and along the Ching Brook. It has been reported also from Wanstead Flats, presumably many of these birds
originate from breeding sites not far away on the Roding.
Bee-eater Merops apiaster
'Observed at Wanstead by H.I.' (Buxton, 1911) This record is not admitted by Cox (1984).
Hoopoe Upupa epops
Eleazar Albin in 'A Natural History of British Birds' (1721-38) figures a hen shot in a garden 'at Woodford on Epping Forest'. Christy
(1890) mentions records from the Epping area and there are other sightings of this spectacular bird from here in 1964 (LNHS, 1964) and a
single bird was seen in Wanstead Park on 30th April, 1976 (EBR 1976).
Wryneck Jynx torquilla
Henry Doubleday, writing in 1832 'this bird, which used to be heard a few years since in all directions, is now so scarce that I have not
heard more than three or four in the neighbourhood' (Christy, 1890). 'Comes with the cuckoo, and is frequently heard in April, but soon
leaves us for the more retired parts of the Forest' (Buxton, 1911). 'Steadily decreasing, a pair nested at Loughton in 1891 and 1902 and a
pair nested annually at Wanstead 1891-1910' (Glegg, 1929). Reported from Epping Forest in 1918 (LN 1923). Reported from Loughton
1927 and possibly 1949 (LBR 1949). Two reported in Buckhurst Hill in 1969 (EBR 1969), Loughton in 1973 (EBR 1973). Singletons were
noted at Epping and Buckhurst Hill in 1981. I assume most of these latter records refer to birds outside Epping Forest sensu stricto.
Green Woodpecker Picus viridis
A regularly heard and not uncommon species in Epping Forest, mild winters favouring its survival. 1 have records from throughout the
Forest. It is apparently a regular breeding species.
Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopus major
Another bird regularly seen (and heard drumming) throughout the wood parts of the Forest, Buxton (1911) described it as fairly common in
several parts. It is a regular breeding species.
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopus minor
This delightful little bird is also not uncommon, being seen irregularly throughout the wooded parts of the Forest. Buxton (1911) described
it as not uncommon. It is a regular breeding species.
Woodlark Lullula arborea
This bird seems to have had periods of relative frequency in Epping Forest, followed by long periods of absence. Henry Doubleday, writing
in 1832, 'formerly a local resident, but of late years seems to have disappeared from this locality' and writing in 1839 '.,. the Woodlark is
rapidly increasing'. Buxton (1911) does not mention woodlarks at all. Christy (1890) reported it as non-breeding in Epping Forest. Glegg
(1929) noted it as extremely rare in the Forest. There were no further breeding records in Essex until 1943 when there was another upsurge
in sightings peaking in 1953 (Hudson and Pyman, 1968), In 1946 Woodlarks were reported from Chingford and Loughton. In 1950 a flock
of 10 Woodlarks were seen regularly on Woodford Golf Course (EN XXVIII p.288) in July, representing probably 2 or 3 broods from the
same pair. They bred here again in 1951. The last recorded breeding in the Forest was in 1961 (Hudson and Pyman, 1968).
Skylark Alauda arvensis
This bird is common on the open grassy plains of the Forest where it also breeds. It is seen throughout the year on Chingford Plain,
Fairmead Bottom, Wanstead Flats and Leyton Flats in particular. I saw large flocks in January. 1979, 40-50 over Lords Bushes and two
flocks (one of 80 the other of 50) over Roebuck Green. Records indicate that it has been a regular feature of the grassy plains for many
years.
Sand Martin Riparia riparia
Only seen on passage and reported from a number of sites in the Forest, usually ponds. It has been seen flying over the Herony Pond, Perch
Pond and Alexandra Pond. In 1979 I saw a single bird in the company of five or six House Martins over Fairmead Pond. A minimum of 42
birds was reported over Wanstead Flats in April-May, 1980. Buxton (1911) recorded nesting in the railway cutting between Leytonstone and
Wanstead.
Swallow Hirundo rustica
This summer visitor has been reported throughout the Forest, including Wanstead Flats, Wanstead Park, Fairmead, Yardley Hill, and
Connaught Water, often seen over grassland and open water hawking for insects, but nesting in buildings outside the Forest. Buxton (1911)
reported thousands in a reed-bed roost at Cook's Folly. Walthamstow.
Red-rumped Swallow Hirundo daurica
Reported from Wanstead Park on 4th-5th June, 1975, only the second county record (EBR 1975).
House Martin Delichon urbica
A not uncommon breeding bird in urban areas surrounding the Forest and often seen hawking for insects over the Forest itself. Reported in
numbers on autumn passage over the southern Forest (Wren, 1980).
Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis
Another summer visitor to the Forest. A regular breeding species but in fluctuating numbers, Buxton (1911) reported this species as
'frequent about the borders of the woods'. The London Naturalist of 1923 lists it as a common summer visitor to the open spaces while the
Transactions of the LNHS reported it as abundant in 1919. Twenty pairs were recorded from 8 areas of the Forest in 1968 (EBR 1968) but
only 5 singing males were noted in 1978 (LBR 1978). Twelve pairs were reported in the north part of Epping Forest and 2-3 pairs in the
southern part of Epping Forest (EBR 1988). The majority of the Tree Pipits breed in the vicinity of the Wake Arms. Long Running and
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