I must have had a day off! There I am watching absolutely nothing on the Thames off Canvey Island bar the inside of my eyelids, when I get the news that a White-Winged Black Tern had been found on Aveley Pools on my beloved reserve.
This species is a scarce visitor from eastern Europe at this time of year and has been a long overdue addition to the already impressive list for the reserve.
Needless to say I did not dilly dally on Canvey and beat a hasty(ish) retreat to the reserve.
Before long I was watching this well marked little tern bouncing around the pool making carefully timed dips to pick up a tiny fish and such like.
Certainly a nice way to spend the afternoon!
Images by Sam Shippey
It nearly got eaten by a Peregrine at about 1630 and was chased off to the Thames and did not return... there is always tomorrow