Fig. 2 The Fieldfare - a winter visitor to the Forest in most years (SJF)
bred at the Wake Arms in 1912 (LN 1933). It nested at Fairmead in 1921 with 2 males and 1 female being recorded (LN 1923). It has been
reported on passage from the southern part of Epping Forest (Wren, 1976-79).
Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe
A scarce bird, seen only on passage. Records have mostly corne from Chingford Plain and Wanstead Flats (Wren, 1980). Chingford Plain is
recorded in several publications (Buxton, 1911; EN XXU1 p.76 and London Naturalist, 1921). In August, 1937 a pair was seen at High
Beach (McKenzie-Smith,pers. comm.). Reported from Leyton Flats in May, 1982 and Wanstead Park (four birds) in April, 1983 (Wren,
1982-3).
Ring Ouzel Turdus torquatus
Doubleday killed a Ring Ouzel on an Oak tree in the Forest in 1842 and noted the occasional occurrence, in spring and autumn, of this bird
in the vicinity of Epping. Buxton (1911) reports a single bird being seen in a garden by the entrance to Wanstead Park in 1877. More
recently records have included an immature bird in the Forest on 13th October, and an adult male on 2nd November, 1966 (EBR 1966).
One was ringed at Wanstead Sewage Farm in 1982 (EBR 1982)
Blackbird Turdus merula
This lovely songster is found throughout the Forest and is a common breeding species. Records indicate this is its usual status. Occasional
pied birds have been noted. Flocks, presumably of non-local birds are sometimes seen. I saw a loose flock of about 20 birds in Lords
Bushes in October, 1978.
Fieldfare Turdus pilaris
A winter visitor to the Forest in fluctuating numbers and recorded throughout the Forest area. Flocks vary in size, 1 saw 60-70 over Bell
Common in December, 1986. Five hundred were seen at Epping Green in November, 1982. Some 160 birds were seen in my garden at
Buckhurst Hill, adjacent to Lords Bushes: thousands of berries were stripped from a holly tree in a matter of hours in January, 1982. Usually-
only smaller flocks (less than 20 birds) are seen in and about the Forest (Fig. 2).
Song Thrush Turdus philomelos
A common breeding bird in the Forest, but less so than the blackbird. Numbers in winter are augmented by immigrants. Records indicate it
has always been a common breeding species.
Redwing Turdus iliacus
A regular visitor in harsh winters, being noted throughout the Forest, I saw dozens feeding on hawthorn berries on Chingford Plain in
November, 1978.
Naumann's Thrush Turdus naumanni
This rare Siberian vagrant was reported from the playing field just south of Bluehouse Grove, Chingford on 3rd February, 1990. This
distinctive thrush is Redwing sized, with a reddish breast and Underwing and a buff stripe over the eye. It was the first British record - its
presence attracted the attention of around a hundred bird watchers on its brief visit (Plate 33).
Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus
Found throughout the Forest, but at rather low density. Breeding is reported, also at a low density, throughout the Forest. I was surprised to
find a nest on a very exposed beech bough in Lords Bushes in 1980. Small winter flocks are noted. Such flocks, for many winters, stripped
a Yew tree of its berries in a garden at Buckhurst Hill adjacent to Lords Bushes,
Grasshopper Warbler Locustella naevia
An uncommon summer visitor and an irregular breeding species. Buxton (1911) reported this species as being very rare. Glegg (1921)
noted only two breeding records in Essex, one of which was from Epping Forest in 1894 (on Loughton Plain, presumably Fairmead). It was
recorded in the Forest in 1921 (LN 1923) and one was noted near the Warren in May, 1931 (LN 1931). Reeling birds were heard on
Fairmead Bottom in 1964 and at an undisclosed site in 1968 (EBR 1968). Montier (1977) shows no breeding records for anywhere in the
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