There was a Short-eared Owl at Cliffe Pools 14/3/12.
The bird was hunting over the grassy area near the Thames viewpoint, which is traditionally a good spot for these amazing birds.
Elsewhere on site, Flamingo Pool held 8 Sanderling, 2 Ringed Plover, 1 Greenshank, 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Grey Plover, c100 Redshank and a large number of Shelduck. The late afternoon high tide saw several hundred Dunlin descend from over the sea wall. It was amazing to stand on the track beneath the wall and hear them ‘whooshing’ over our heads! Several pairs of Goldeneye are still present with the males now engaging in their distinctive mating display, which sees them throwing their heads backs in dramatic fashion! Elf Pool is now benefitting from recent works to improve the efficiency of the sluice and held 1 Little Grebe, 1 Little Egret (1 of 5 seen across the site) and several pairs of Mallard. A large number of noisy, wheeling Black-headed gulls are present across the pools on most days - many taking advantage of the causeways on Conoco and the newly formed islands on Elf.
By Peter Beckenham, Residential Volunteer Warden, RSPB Northward Hill