With a touch of easterly it was nice to see some new waders today with 21 Dunlin, two Sanderling and a Little Stint over the rising tide and onto the back of Purfleet Scrape before departing high north and inland. Ten large dark Tundra race Ringed Plover used the very last inch of the mud and a single Grey Plover and five Whimbrel were seen again. Two Hobbies entertained during the day and the Short-eared Owl was once again cruising the river wall onand off during the day. Three Common Scoter spent the day flying up and down the Thames for no apparent reason! Not much different for yesterday although I did see a Red Kite to the north a little after four and a Grasshopper Warbler reeled briefly from the Enclosed Bay.
Whimbrel (Les Harrison)
Hobby (Andy Tweed)
Short-eared Owl (Harry Lacey)
18-5-12
Howard Vaughan, Information Officer