Evening all.... another fine day with glorious sunshine for the latter part and a good influx of visitors as well! The Water Rails performed admirably again today (no more mealworms please whoever that was...) with some fantastic views for everyone who headed round there.
Water Rail - by me
The waders were good again early doors but soon dispersed and the lack of wind allowed better views of things like Cetti's warblers and Stonechats on the trails as well as Pipits on the foreshore which included at least two Waters amongst the Rocks and Meadows.
Lapwings (Basil Thornton)
Stonechat (Basil Thornton)
The solitary male Ruff reappaered and Snipe were all huddled up on the Purfleet Scrape but Jack Snipe has gone back to being incredibly difficult to find again. Four Egyptian Geese were seen leaving the marsh first thing by Jonathan Wasse.... a site record. The Marsh Harriers put on a good show and the female Kestrel again spent time perched outside the Purfleet Hide while the Ravens appeared late afternoon and paraded around in the middle of the marsh.
Marsh Harrier (Bob Cooper)
Ian Bradshaw came back in late on too having seen three adult White-fronted Geese out on Wennington. They were out of sight to all of us in the centre but we got really lucky and this wonderful trio flew in and joined the Canada Geese not long before closing, settling down after a Purfleet Scrape fly past! I suspect that they are the three that have wintered between here, Belhus Woods CP and the Ingrebourne Valley for several years now so if they are then it is good to see them back!
I wonder what will turn up tomorrow?
18-1-15