Another relatively quiet month although there is an undercurrent of change. Smell the air and through the summer haze (when it’s not raining!) you can sense the autumnal atmosphere increasing. August could prove to be interesting.

This common London resident was seen in ones and twos flying overhead on all visits. Five were noticed on the 24^th.

Unusually, a group of three high flying calling birds passed over the Southern Paddock on the 31^st.

With young to feed, this species has made a welcomed reappearance at the Scrubs this month. A male was noted on most visits, sometimes accompanied by a female/immature.

Birds are beginning to return as the month gathered momentum.

Small numbers of this large gull traverse the site on a daily basis. There were no big numbers this month.

Up to 6 were seen flying over on most visits. A pair have taken up territory on top of the prison roof.

A singleton was watched heading SW over Acton from Braybrook Street on the 18^th.

Plenty of birds around the site.

The third record of this species this year and surely the surprise of the month. This species should be moving south during late August – not now. This bird was probably a failed breeder. The Turtle Dove has declined at an alarming rate nationally – so much so that even the rare bird lines report seen individuals. One flashed through heading south along the western edge over the Southern Paddock on the 4^th.

Numbers are already falling with the highest count being c40 on the 24^th.

Around 20 of these squawking parrots flew over on the 23^rd representing the largest count of the month.

After a virtual absence of nearly two months, a juvenile was found foraging in the grass in the playpen adjacent to the horse paddock on the 31^st.

One flew over Chats Paddock on the 31^st,

The situation concerning this species is perplexing. Nobody knows exactly how many pairs have bred here, or indeed, how many birds are present - full stop. They are extremely elusive and easily overlooked amongst the swirling finch flocks. On the 4^th around 4 were seen, including birds carrying food, increasing to 6 on the 18^th.

One flew over calling, no doubt heading for the canal on the 18^th.

An individual flew over the stadium on the 31^st.

Up to 4 males are still singing around the Scrubs.

This species has been fairly unobtrusive this month with relatively very few seen.

Unlike the Dunnock, many individuals were seen during the month, perhaps over 20 including 4 arguing adults in a willow. Most of the birds have been juveniles moulting into their adult plumage. Their chests a mixture of mottled brown and orangy-red.

Less around than normal with a couple males still singing along the northern edge.

Commonly seen with plenty of juveniles around.

Only one bird was seen all month – a juvenile flew over on 31^st.

Family parties were seen throughout the month.

Around 8 birds were either heard or seen on the 31^st.

A couple roving parties were seen throughout the month.

Several family parties are mixed in with the other tits.

Family parties abound.

A good breeding season for this species with plenty of juveniles seen around.

The usual motley crew.

The usual flocking juveniles are beginning to build, primarily in the grassland. Around 60 had congregated on the 4^th.

Only seen around the houses and bushes along Braybrook Street.

Healthy numbers of this perky finch were readily seen during the month with over 40 including juveniles were counted on the 4^th. A male was watched feeding 4 fledglings on the embankment on the 18^th.

The usual summer gathering of juveniles and attendant adults were much in evidence with over 150 on the thistles on the 24^th.

Several pairs have bred.

Birds were seen on odd occasions during the month.