The last two weeks has seen us still stuck in the westerly doldrums but despite the lack of easterly airflow we have still seen quite a bit of interesting mainly passerine movement through the reserve.
The Firecrests have settled down and now look set to winter with at least three performing circuits through the Cordite woodland and surrounding environs (which include the car park!) and there are still good numbers of Goldcrests too as well as a few Chiffchaffs and the odd Blackcap.
Firecrest - Dave Warren
A few finches seem to still be on the move and the reserve total for Hawfinch (in this exceptional year) now stands at 14 along with a scattering of Lesser Redpoll, Siskin and Brambling and two Mealy Redpolls and the occasional Bullfinch.
Bullfinch in the canopy - Tom Bell
Thrush numbers have been low but there are odd Fieldfares and Redwings around and quite a few Song Thrushes. Stonechats are back in force for the winter but a Whinchat found on the 10th was a late surprise as was its reappearance on the 16th!
What made it all the more remarkable was the immature male Black Redstart that was keeping it company around the cattle corral and Central Control Building in the middle of Aveley Marsh. The Black Red may have been tiny when viewed from the visitors centre but you could still see that fiery tail!
Small but perfectly formed Black Redstart - Andy Tweed
My Monday evening lock up walk not only produced a glorious pre-sunset but also gave me my first Short-eared Owl of the winter as it hunted the riverwall with a crow in tow and a tantalising series of calls from what I thought was a Yellow-browed Warbler (a regular but much desired Asian migrant) but as I had put that firmly on my radar for the week and there was a lot of back ground noise, I decided to let it go but told a couple of the local lads. Much to my delight they heard and saw it in the same spot on Wednesday and it was seen again yesterday too!
Stunningly atmospheric essence of Short-eared owl (above the crow!) from Monday
Water Pipits have been showing well on the scrapes and Bearded Tits have reappeared on the Dragonfly Pool.
Water Pipit - Mark Vale
Bearded Tit - John Humble
Down on the river there have been up to seven Avocet around along with a few Black-tailed and a single Bar-tailed Godwit and Grey Plover while up to eight Curlew have been attending Purfleet Scrape at high tide.
Avocet - John Ferguson
Curlew - Jim Camball
Howard Vaughan, Information Officer