With a brisk southerly breeze the gateway has finally opened to allow a flood of migrants to our shores. Whitethroats now line the Riverwall and severel Lesser Whitethroats have been rattling too. Blackcaps and Sedge Warblers have increased and the first Grasshopper Warblers have been heard.
Cetti's warblers have been particularly showy at the moment which has pleased many usually frustrated visitors.
Bill Crooks
John Humble
Steve Elwell
... as the above trio demonstrate!
Lazy Wheatears have been seen after the sun has warmed things up and three dapper Redstarts have dropped in but as ever do not linger (just like Ring Ouzels and Tree Pipits!)
Redstart - John Murray
The Great White Egret was present at the weekend but not since but the Black-necked Grebe is quite happy on Aveley pool and is showing quite closely at times.
Alan Reynolds
Pete Woods
Singleton Bar-tailed Godwit and Whimbrel have been hanging out with one another for a few days now and today posed nicely on the Purfleet Scrape for Andy and Mark...
BarWhim - Andy Reid
Barwit - Mark Vale
Three Iceland Gulls together was very unusual and unseasonal at the Concrete Barges on Saturday morning. I wander how long they will stay for on our bit of the Thames as they have been seen ranging up to the 02.
a montage of all three birds - Jonathan Wasse
and the older 3cy bird - Iceland Gull - Shaun Harvey
oh and guess what? the first Cuckoo was heard today too....
Howard Vaughan, Information Officer