I did not get out again today but it was quite blustery after and early lull with a touch of November chill about thigns.  The Ravens were about on and off all day which was cool and Mark vale had a couple of Short-eared Owls along the river wall although despite bright conditions they did not reappear at dusk.

SEO - Mark Vale

There are some nice Goldfinch and Linnet flocks around at the momeent and Starling numbers are building with frequent swirling above the landfill as a Sparrowhawk zips through.  Steve Window got these two crackers today...

Goldies against the gloom - Steve Window

and similar Starlings also by Steve

Russ Sherriff had a Woodcock fly up at his feet along the river wall as he stalked pipits so I suspect that there may be one or two lurking out there now.  The wader situation seems to be fairly static although Lapwing are approaching the 1000 mark and four Curlew came into the Purfleet Scrape at high tide despite the fact that Ian was still working on the reprofiling. Mary Berry may well be the Queen of Cakes but Ian Baker is the King of Scrapes...

Curlew with breakfast - Joanne Josephine

His digger has been surrounded once again by Pied Wagtails, Meadow Pipits and one or two Water Pipits and both Kestrel and Little Egret have come close to his cab to see what he is disturbing.

A through the window Egret - Ian Baker


Ian in action...

Both Red Admiral and even a White butterfly of some description were seen today along with a Common Darter while I saw some great Mesembrina meridiana flies on both Tuesday in the Cordite and this morning on the building.  It is so mild still!  I even found a Common Carder BeeBombus pascorum trying to feed on resin exuding from a knot on the painted side of the centre today. I offered it a drink but it was not interested and flew off strongly!

Common Carder BeeBombus pascorum

No one saw a Dartford Warbler today but I suspect that they are still there but a Jack Snipe was found on Aveley Pool bobbing along the reed fringed edge while Chris Norwood discovered a flock of seven Egyptian Geese with the Greylags and Canadas late on and we managed to pick them out in the gloom from the centre before closing.

Gypos... Chris Norwood

With some grotty weather to come will we see any change to the birds or will will still have to wait for a nice cool easterly?

12-11-15