16/07/2012 - Riverside CP

With an autumnal feel to the weather, it seems that the wader migration has also begun.  225 Blackwits on the estaury from Motney Hill with 3 Spotted Reshanks in Otterham Creek as they are coming out of their summer plumage.  A few finches on the move as well with small flocks of Goldfinch and Greenfinch heading over.  No doubt come the real autumn passage, the weather will improve and we'll have calm sunny conditions...!

Nightingales and Stilts - 6th May 2012

0530 - Nightingale survey at Riverside CP.  Only one singing, but a Turtle Dove purring in the background made for a pleasing sound to show the Maltese shooters that the birds will somehow get through.  Also about were a few Reed Warblers, one Lesser Whitethroat, lots of Whitethroat, a couple of Willow Warblers and a few Chiffs.

1615 - A quick trip over to Elmley for the Black-winged Stilts; 4 of them!  Loads about on Elmley as well. Up to 4 SEO's, 2 or 3 Marsh Harriers, 3 Spotted Redshanks, 4 Greenshanks, 5 Whimbrel, 3 Barwits and a few Yellow Wags about.

Isabelline Shrike - Cliffe Pools 16/10/2011

Absolutely stunning bird and showing pretty well. Great views with a scope, but not much use for the cameras. Isabelline Shrike is split into three races with only two likely to occur over here. Daurian and Turkestan. This bird seemed to fall somewhere in between with a lovely rufous crown, but no supercillium of note. No doubt it will be discussed on the forums until someone makes their mind up, but the BOU just lumps them all as Isabelline at the moment due to hybridisation. Also seen, Spotted Redshank, Green Sandpiper, Black-tailed Godwit and a few Little Egrets.

Riverside CP - 14th October 2011

A walk from Rainham Dock out to Motney Hill and back late afternoon. When I arrived, the tide was just starting to go out. Out on the marsh at Motney Hill, I found a good selection of waders in the channel which leads out to the river. All tucked up in this channel were:
Dunlin, Spotted Redshank (2), Snipe, Black-tailed Godwit, Bar-tailed Godwit (1), Avocet, Ringed Plover, Curlew, Turnstone, Lapwing and Grey Plover. Two Cetti's in the reedbeds and a few Meadow Pipits over. Something put the waders up and there were 200+ Avocet. By the time I walked back, the tide was almost out and the birds were all directly into the sun.

Cliffe Pools - 19/09/2011

I walked from the car park round the top, back down passed Black Barn Pools and along the bottom back to the car from 10.30 til 3.15 today. Of interest were:

Black-necked Grebe - 1 on Flamingo Pool.
Black-tailed Godwit - 54 on Flamingo Pool.
Yellow-legged Gull - 1 on the Thames foreshore by the creek.
Whinchat - 2 along the track from the sea wall down to the Black Barn pools.
Ruff - 8 on the first Black Barn Pool.
Green Sandpiper - 1 on the first Black Barn Pool.
Spotted Redshank - 2 on Radar Pool.
Greenshank - 2 on Radar Pool.

Also of note, I found a young Grass Snake along the path between the top of Flamingo Pool and the viewing point over the creek by the sea wall.

A few butterflies still about as well with Red Admiral, Peacock, Speckled Wood, Common Blue, Large White and Small Heath.


Redshank - Cliffe Pools


Spotted Redshank - a distant record shot...


Grass Snake - Cliffe. Clearly showing the yellow collar which is one of the separating features between this and the Adder.