With a slight overnight thaw it became possible to gain access to the car park this morning and it was already apparent that Fieldfares and Redwings had been drawn into the area to feastv on the reamianing hawthorn and ivy berries. Over 500 of the former and about 150 Redwing were around the car park in noisy chacking flocks. Along the foreshore nearly 40 Skylarks were looking for seeds with many Starlings, three Corn Buntings, Rock, Water and Meadow Pipits and Reed Buntings. With the marsh frozen all the duck were on the Thames and amongst the waders were a record 24 Grey plover, seven Bar-tailed Godwits and 700 Dunlin. Eleven Great Crested Grebes were seen on the river along with a single Little Grebe and 19 Tufted Duck. Lots of little birds around the feeders today and they were all pleased to see us back in this morning. Do not forget to top up your feeders before you leave for work and to put out some fresh water.
Purfleet Scrape in snow and ice (Brenda Clayton)
Fieldfares galore! (Brenda Clayton)
Skylarks and one Starling (by me)
Corn Buntings (Brenda Clayton)
Howard Vaughan, Information Officer