A Puff of East

The ever freshening easterly actually brought a few bits up the Thames today on the incoming tide and by the time it was nearly in we had seen four Common Scoter, three Red-breasted Mergansers and two beady eyed Goldeneye.  Anyone of these species here is a good day but all three together in the same scope scan was pretty cool.

female Merganser - Andy Tweed

There was plenty else to be seen with some good counts for the day that included the 330 strong flock of Black-tailed Godwits, 14 Curlew and 19 Avocets. No sign of the Raven today after such a good showing yesterday.

Raven - Stuart Fox

Wednesday 30th October 2019

• RSPB Rainham Marshes: 4 Common Scoter, 2f Goldeneye, 3f Red-breasted Merganser, 119 Wigeon, 4 Buzzard, 2 Marsh Harrier, 19 Avocet, 69 Dunlin, 69 Redshank, 515 Woodpigeon s, 3 Stonechat, 27 Cetti's Warbler, Mistle Thrush, Fieldfare, 4 Redwing, 260 Lapwing, 330 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Ruff, 10 Snipe, 14 Curlew, 2 Egyptian Geese, 3m Cetti’s Warblers, Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Sparrowhawk, 20 Meadow Pipits, 2 Water Pipit, 6 Rock Pipit, Grey Wagtail, 6 Pied Wagtails

Meanwhile it was Phil's chance to get out on the ranch today and he was kept busy with Andrew G out topping rank grass and thistle on Wennington before being asked to take the tractor with Ian B all the way out onto Rainham West with a trailer full of new posts for the team erecting the new fence line out. New day ... new skills.