Crossbill Loxia curvirostra
Following the appearance of 'hundreds' in the Epping district in 1838, a nest was found in the following year (Cox, 1984). Doubleday shot
single birds in 1840 and 1841. Crossbills have since been noted in Copped Hall Park in April, 1931 (LBR 1932) and three were seen in
Epping Forest on 12th April, 1964 (EBR 1964).
Parrot Crossbill Loxia pytyopsittacus
Yarrel writes of one obtained in Epping Forest in the autumn of 1835 in Epping Forest (Christy, 1890).
Bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhula
Resident and regular breeding species, but seemingly at low density. Seen throughout the year often pairs being noted, usually never more
than three or four birds.
Hawfinch Coccothraustes coccothraustes
Uncommon resident in the Forest and present as a visitor in greatly fluctuating numbers. Henry Doubleday published his observations on
the Hawfinch in Epping Forest in Jardine's Magazine of Zoology in 1837. One of the first to record nesting in Britain, Doubleday had
earlier written (in 1831-2) 'many Hawfinches may be seen daily in the forest, feeding on hornbeam seeds' and 'in November... it draws
near gardens and plantations to feed on the stones of the plum, cherry and laurel' (Cox. 1984). Variable numbers were reported in the 19th
century in the Forest. In 1835 and 1836 it was noted to be very common. Fewer were seen in 1837. 1841 produced a good crop of
hornbeam seeds and consequently in 1842 hundreds of Hawfinches were seen in the Forest. By 1856 Henry Doubleday noted that having
bred in great numbers it had become comparatively rare in the last three or four years, Nest building was noted generally in tall whitethorns,
holly and pollard hornbeams. The 19th century saw flocks of 2-300 in the Forest (Christy. 1890). More recent records include a flock of 200
seen in the Forest in February, 1942 and 62 in September, 1963 (Hudson and Pyman, 1968). Hawfinches breed at rather low density in
Epping Forest, but many nests of this secretive bird must occur without discovery. One breeding pair was located in 1964 (EBR 1964), five
pairs in 1968 (EBR 1968), and 3-6 pairs bred in 1984 (EBR 1984). It was seen in the Long Running and Monk Wood areas of Epping
Forest in 1988 (EBR 1988). Most records of this species have come from the Forest north of Loughton. It was, however, recorded nesting in
Gilwell Park (outside the Forest) (EN XXIII p.76) in 1923; in Knighton Wood, seen feeding young in July, 1934 (Mr. McKenzie-Smith,
pers., comm.) and breeding has been reported in Wanstead Park (Hudson, 1898). A dead bird was picked up near the Napier Arms, South
Woodford in 1936 (Mr. McKenzie-Smith, pers. comm.) and Hawfinches were reported from Bush Wood in I960 (Wren, 1980). I have seen
Hawfinches in Bury Wood feeding under Hornbeams and Hawfinches are also noted regularly from the Theydon Bois part of Epping
Forest, The 1989 EBR reports this species as being 'thinly spread throughout' the Forest, and notes 14 pairs from the Coopersale area
(Frontispiece).
Snow Bunting Plectrophenax nivalis
'One example of this bird was killed by a boy with a stone on Epping Plain: another was killed in 1840 by an old sportsman' Buxton, 1911).
A third was reported from High Beach on 13th March, 1925 (EN XXIII p.78).
Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella
An uncommon breeding species, more noticeable in winter. 1 have recent winter records from Whitehall and Chingford Plains, Fairmead
Bottom and Connaught Water, Wanstead Park and Wanstead Flats. Apeak count of 25 birds were seen in Wanstead Park in 1980. Probable
recent breeding records are from Fairmead and Wanstead Flats.
Cirl Bunting Emberiza cirlus
Recorded from Lippits Hill, a male on 15th February, and a male and female on 3rd April, 1953 (LBR 1953).
Reed Bunting Emberiza schoenielus
A resident in low numbers and a winter visitor. I have numerous winter records of this bird from Chingford Plain, also Fairmead, Lords
Bushes, near the Ching Brook, Wanstead Flats, and Leyton Flats, 1 noted a male and female on Yardley Hill in June, 1978, the female
carrying a crane fly in her bill. Birds have also been seen in the breeding season on Wanstead Flats and Wanstead Park (Wren, 1979 and
1980).
Corn Bunting Emberiza calandra
A single bird was noted in the spring at Epping Long Green (LBR 1952). It used to breed on Wanstead Golf Course (outside Epping Forest)
pre-1960(Wren, 1980).
Appendix 2
Wood Duck Aix sponsa
A single male was noted on 20th January. 1978 on Connaught Water and a male and female were seen here on 12th March. 1979.
Appendix 3
Feral Pigeon Columba livia
Common in the urban areas surrounding the Forest, particularly in the metropolitan areas.
Other Species
There are records of several species of bird that have obviously escaped from captivity. This list includes:- Muscovy Duck, reported from
various ponds particularly Connaught Water in the 1980s; Puna Teal, Connaught Water, 23rd December, 1988 (EBR 1988); Australian
Cockatiel. near Alexandra Lake in September, 1979 (Wren, 1979); Swan Goose, reported from the Eagle Pond in 1980 (Wren, 1980);
Budgerigar and Canary occasionally reported as escapes from domestic captivity.
References
Buxton, E. N. (1911) Epping Forest (8th Edition revised). London.
Christy, R. M. (1890) The Birds of Essex. Essex Field Club
Dixon, C. (1909) The Bird Life of London. Heinemann
Frost, C. C. (1981) Victorian Taxidermy. Its History and Finest Exponents, (privately published)
Glegg. W. E. (1929) A History of the Birds of Essex. Witherby
Gillingham, D. W. (1953) Unto the Fields. Museum Press (p. 127)
Hudson, W, H. (1898) Birds in London. Longmans Green & Co.
Hudson, R. and Pyman, G. A. (1968) The Birds of Essex, EBWPS.
Leutscher, A. (1974) Epping Forest. David and Charles.
Lever, C. (1977) The Naturalised Animals of the British Isles. Paladin
Lindley, P. (1886-7) Walks in Epping Forest. London. 3rd Edition.
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