Not a bad few days with a good mix of species and some lovely weather to bring in the punters! Both Little Stint and Curlew Sandpiper were recorded which is unseasonal to say the least. They could be birds that have over-wintered further out of the Thames at East Tilbury. The White-fronted Geese were still present Saturday but not yesterday and they may have moved on with the glorious springlike weather. Buzzard and Marsh Harrier were seen and our immature male has also been seen ranging as far as Belhus Woods CP and Bonnetts's Farm at Upminster. Hopefully he will find a woman soon! The Bearded Tits drew and admiring crowd of 50 people at one stage yesterday and could even be seen from inside the centre and a Chiffchaff was in song as well as the now noisy chorus of Skylarks.
Skylark (Mark Hart)
Starlings are still in good sized flocks but there is lots of displaying now and most of he adults have wonderfully glossy plumage and a bright yellow dagger of a bill.
Starling (Mark Hart)