Two unexpected birds turned up at Cliffe this week, a Black Redstart juvenile on the sea-wall, so it could well have hatched and fledged in one of the many low-scrub brambles out on the marsh or made the short flight across the River Thames from Essex or beyond. Wherever it's from it's very welcome!
Picture by Frank Cacket.
The second rarity is a Marsh Sandpiper, again a juvenile on Black barns at Cliffe. This bird will likely have hatched on the steppes or taiga bogs of Eastern Europe and is probably on its' way to winter in Africa. They also overwinter in the Middle East, but I imagine if that was the case this individual it would have taken a more easterly and southerly route. They do classically rest on inland marshes ponds and mudflats, so Cliffe is a good choice.
These pictures are by Rob Budgen and Frank.
The North Kent Marshes are a very special area and worth preserving at all cost.
Brilliant, well interesting.