And so the Woodpigeon passage continues unabated... Before today we had seen, since last Sunday (3rd), roughly... 114,228 Woodpigeons moving south on a narrow front between the reserve and Chafford Hundred with birds focusing on the Twin Sister mega-pylons before crossing the river... Today we added another 16,865 (inlcuding 1200 south down the Ingrebourne Valley at the west end of the marsh from Tony K). Most were once again counted by Ruth over St Mary's Lane in Upminster and we only included birds at Rainham that passed to the west of the centre as the biggest flocks of over over a mile long were coming from her direction. She also picked up 400 Stock Dove which we had not noticed any of moving here. The blue skies this morning seemed to result in the birds being even higher than on previous days with snakey flocks that were only observable if you scanned the blue with your bins.... So 131,093 and counting.....
The male Marsh Harrier was seen today but there was no star performance like yesterday when Barry Jackson got this shot...
Definitely growing up now....
Two Bearded Tits were spotted near the Dragonfly Pool late on and the Barn Owl was around the box all day. Waders were not overly great today but the Golden Plover flock came in briefly before heading back to the river.
(Tom Bell)
and Jonathan Wasse saw a late Swallow heading south across the river. There were several Migrant Hawkers seen and Small Tort, Comma, Red Admiral and Peacock made for a four Butterfly day which is pretty impressive for almost mid-November.
Rain again tomorrow!
10-11-13
Howard Vaughan, Information Officer
What a spectacle that must have been - I don't envy Ruth!
Our herring gulls are red listed birds. Think about that the next time you hear some flaming idiot calling for a cull of them.