The Joys of Murk - 24 October 2019

The poor visibility, murk, drizzle and rain quite literally dropped a wealth of waders and a few wildfowl onto our part of the Thames today.  While I was safely inside watching from the window, Niall and Andy were out most of the day diligently counting...

Thursday 24th October 2019

• RSPB Rainham Marshes: 470 Greylag Goose, 18 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 230 Canada Goose, 4 Egyptian Goose, 54 Shelduck, 94 Shoveler, 23 Gadwall, 14 Pintail, 35 Pochard, 2m Common Scoter, Water Rail, 23 Avocet, 2 Grey Plover, 25 Golden Plover, 46 Ringed Plover, 150 Black-tailed Godwit, 32 Knot, 3 Sanderling, 48 Dunlin, 19 Snipe, Green Sandpiper, 6 Yellow-legged Gull, 25 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 120 Great Black-backed Gull, 6 Little Egret, Marsh Harrier, Barn Owl, Great Spotted Woodpecker, 7 Jackdaw S, 5 Bearded Tit, 2 Chiffchaff, 16 Cetti's Warbler, 25 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Goldcrest, 2 Mistle Thrush S, 15 Song Thrush, 18 Redwing, 3 Stonechat, Grey Wagtail, 9 Pied Wagtail S, 12 Meadow Pipit, 4 Water Pipit, 3 Rock Pipit, Bullfinch, 2 Swallow, Fieldfare, Barn Owl

Encouragingly there were some youngsters with the Dark-bellied Brent Geese seen - Niall Keogh

Barn owl and the Magpies - Tony O'Brien