The continued murky conditions this week have brought in a few new birds although the conditions and especially the quality ofthe light have made it feel more like November!
A flock of 42 Common Scoter drifted up river on Monday and two Goosander were also seen - the latter is a rare bird here.
Scoter flock - Andy Tweed
Goosanders - Andy Tweed
Wednesday saw proper mist and early rain and there were plenty of waders to be seen albeit in a vaguely ghosted out sort of way! Over 60 Curlew were counted (a record) along with both Godwits and ten Whimbrel while 21 Grey Plover were also unusual. Arctic wader passage does not usually start here for a couple of weeks or so birds must be on the move early this year.
Two male Ring Ouzels were seen including a male that fell out of the sky in front of the centre window and showed briefly but well with that gleaming white gorget. Always a spring treat. Five Wheatears were along the river wall and the Great White Egret is still parading around although it is spending more time on Target Pools and Wennington now.
Wheatear - Ian Plume
Wheatear - Barry Tranfield
Wheatear - Russ Sherriff
Sam Levy's Great White Egret - sums up the general viewing conditions this week! Atmospheric...
The Short-eared Owls are still being seen on and off at the west end of the river wall.
SEOwl - Paul Richardson
SEOwl - Russ Sherriff
Lapwings are madly tumbling still and Skylarks were singing invisibly in the murk.
Lapwings - Steve Young
Skylark in song - Tony O'Brien
Today saw an almost complete lack of passage waders although two Ruff were still around and ten Great Crested Grebes on the Thames was most unsual but the undoubted highlight was a summer plumaged Black-necked Grebe found just in front of the Purfleet Hide. This dapper little punk showed well all afternoon and we left it there asleep as we left work this evening...
Black-necked Grebe - Barry Tranfield
Let's hope it is there tomorrow...
Howard Vaughan, Information Officer