What a difference a day makes... dawn rose with a glorious sunshiny smile and a windless disposition. The lack of the latter was short lived and by 9.30 it was really getting up from the south west but at least it was not freezing cold. It made birding (and other wildlife watching!) quite difficult at times but once again a good selection of species were available.
I thought that the centre looked especially fetching againgst the blue vapour trailed sky early this morning
The Spoonbill has been here a while now and I am almost tempted to give it a name but needless to say it showed exceptionally well all day and had a few flights of fancy. I have actually not seen this bird sleep which if you know your Spoonbills, is mighty unusual!
(Ken Bentley)
(Neil Hughes)
(Jim Willett)
The Dents found a new drake Garganey while Priscille was watching the usual pair in their secluded marsh corner. They were a bit more elusive today but I suspect the wind was not helping.
Garganey (Mark Braun)
Two male Ring Ouzels were seen but were unobtainable with the first out on Rainham West and another dashed for cover along the industrial part of the riverside path. A Corn Bunting was singing in this area once again and the first two Brown Hares of the year were seen. A male Yellow Wagtail and four male Wheatears were out on Wennington. Three Little Ringed and two Ringed Plovers were seen on the pools and the female Ruff and a Greenshank reappeared. Ian Lycett (with his extra height... I am sure he is about 8 foot tall) was able to pick out a Jack Snipe on the back of Purfleet Scrape and there were still at least a dozen longer billed relatives around.
Mute wans are settling down to breed with a couple of prospective nests and the first baby Coots have already hartched.
Ellen Webb captured this superb shot of one of the adults mid shake....
No Kites today but some good Marsh Harrier action and just a couple of Buzzards through with one of the Ravens dropping in briefly. Willow Warblers, Sedgies and a couple of Whitethroats were picked out around the trails and Cetti’s deafened anyone who stood still for a couple of minutes!
Willow Warbler (Russ Sherriff)
Sedge Warbler (Russ Sherriff)
Cetti's Warbler (Russ Sherriff)
Cetti's Warbler (Mark Vale)
Not sure if anyone saw any Grass Snakes today but there were several Common Lizards out basking and at least two confiding Water Voles to be seen. Marsh Frogs were active while our Rudd are looking very healthy with their livid red fins.
Common Lizard (Mark Vale)
Rudd (Graham Burgess)
The pair of Jays were again seen in the woodland and a Ring-necked parakeet had a good fly round first thing.
Jay - a really tricky bird this year so far... (Mark Braun)
Having worked quite a few of the last days, I am now off for at least one, so tomorrow you can have the place all to yourselves and find something amazing!
12-4-15