Yesterday a Bonaparte's Gull was found by Rich Bonser at Crossness and Barking Bay yesterday. This is a very rare visitor from North America where it is sort of the Black-headed Gull equivilant. This is the first record for London and Essex and was watched from both sides of the Thames!
From where I was watching it yesterday evening in Barking Bay you could see Tilda Rice, the landfill site and the Concrete Barges. Not too far to fly to get itself onto the Rainham Marshes list! Luckily today, after spending a few hours in Barking Bay it did just that and became our 12th species of gull the year. Just wish I could have escaped to see it!
...and here is a shot taken by Shaun Harvey yesterday....
20-5-12