Skyfull of birds....

Just a quick post as on my way out (think I am on the only person not to have seen Skyfall!)

A rather good day on the marsh with a wintery sprinkling of stuff to be seen...

• Ross’s Goose still with the mobile Greylag flock today. Make your own minds up as to its origins.
• A record 30 Rock Pipits on the foreshore today plus 2 at the Barges. Two smart Water Pipits also.
• Pair of Bullfinch again in the woodland plus three Lesser Redpolls. Both good Rainham birds. Bullfinch is notoriously difficult to catch up with.
• Siberian-type Chiffchaff again in the reedmace bed by the Ken Barrett Hide and one ‘normal’ one in the woodland.
• Three Corn Buntings again on the foreshore (one was singing!) with 9 Skylark
• Spot Red on this side early this morning
• Great flocks of Lapwing and Dunlin over high tide
• Common Sandpiper at the Barges
• Adult male and female Marsh Harriers on patrol
• Three Peregrines on site today
• Aythya duck on Aveley Pools increased today by about  100% with 46 Tufted Duck and 62 Pochard
• Golden Plover also up to nearly 200.

The Ross's was elusive for most of the day, lurking in the sedges for long periods but at one stage it was on the main bund infront of the Butts Hide and Russ Sherriff got some good shots...