Last Sunday was a Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) count day at Cliffe Pools and Northward Hill (NwH) and the numbers of birds on both reserves continues to be pretty impressive. At Cliffe Murray Orchard recorded the following:-
1 Mute Swan, 10 Bewick's Swan (inc. juv, on Flamingo Pool - flew in about 10.45 and remained rest of day.), 1 Canada Goose, 47 Shelduck, 91 Wigeon, 72 Gadwall, 64 Teal, 43 Mallard, 21 Pintail, 307 Shoveler, 171 Pochard, 41 Tufted Duck, 18 Goldeneye (inc. 6 drakes, mostly on Ski Pool), 68 Little Grebe, 1 Great Crested Grebe (very low count, birds probably on the Thames), 2 Marsh Harrier (male and female; the female roosted at 16.15), 1 Water Rail, 277 Coot, 290 Avocet (a large flock of c.1000 seen swim-roosting on Thames off Coalhouse Fort in Essex.
A few flocks flew to Cliffe Pools to roost on the Flamingo Pool, some turning back to Essex when almost over Kent sea wall!), 18 Ringed Plover, 60 Golden Plover, 135 Grey Plover, 2725 Lapwing, 5200 Dunlin (5,000 roosting on Flamingo Pool), 1 Snipe, 110 Black-tailed Godwit, 17 Curlew, 22 Redshank, 1 Greenshank, 1 Barn Owl (hunting near Black Barn from 17.10), 1 Bearded Tit (at least one heard by viewpoint), 1 Raven (flew low North over coastguards at 12.30), 34 Corn Bunting (roosting in bushes near viewpoint )
In addition to the numbers I put on the blog for last Sundays' count at Northward Hill, Will Tofts the Warden went out to Richardsons reservoir and counted the following:-
3500 Wigeon, 1940 Lapwing, 60, Golen Plover, 108, Greylag Geese, 11 White fronted Geese, 2 Bewicks' Swans and 10 Black-tailed Godwits.
Northward Hill and Cliffe Pools worth a visit at any time of the year.
The North Kent Marshes are a very special area and worth preserving at all cost.