It was a good start to the week at Cliffe Pools with strong North-Westerlies keeping things interesting. A Sandwich Tern was spotted taking refuge amongst a large flock of Black-headed Gulls on Flamingo. The same pool also held c200 Avocet, a Common Sandpiper and several Greenshank (one of which was colour-ringed). A brief and very blustery river watch on Monday evening saw good passage of Terns; mainly Common, but the highlight was a tantalising glimpse of a Skua (species unidentified) off the Thames viewpoint. Unfortunately since I was wrestling the scope in strong winds I lost the bird after several seconds. But what I saw was rather different from a gull, mostly in the wings – relatively long and pointed; in fact my first thought was ‘falcon’.
Elsewhere visits to Cliffe have turned up much the same as in previous weeks. Ruff, Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper and sizeable flocks of Avocet and Black-tailed Godwit were all on Black Barn. A Kingfisher was spotted near Allen’s Pond at the end of Pickles Way and another on the North Eastern bank of Conoco. The most visible bird on Conoco is undoubtedly the Coot. These number well over a 100, giving the impression (to me at least) of large ‘fleet’ of miniature ships! Amongst these were c15 Pochard, a pair of Little Grebe and several Great Crested Grebes.
Finally it’s worth mentioning that a brief visit to Shorne Marshes in the week turned up a few nice sightings. A Hobby was hunting over the river wall and 2 Wheatears (an adult female and likely juvenile) were near the fort. Turtle Doves were showing well on the access track.
Peter Beckenham, RSPB Residential Volunteer, Northward Hill