Flycatcher Double

Early start again today with a river watch to start resulting in several large groups of Common Tern with at least 2 juv Arctic up-river amongst them, many Common Sands around with at least 20 birds seen, but little else.

So moving on to middle ditch it became quite evident that Barking had has a mini fall !! firstly an increase in Whitethroat numbers, and at least 10 Robins which where yesterday there were none!

2 Whinchat appear from nowhere !! and then BOOM  a stunning PIED FLYCATCHER pops up in front of me shows well for a short while, before disappearing back in the ditch, what a patch tick and a site first too.

I phone digi-scoped

 

Pied fly

 

Lesser Whitethroat was the next bird to show before locating a SPOTTED FLYCATCHER !! (2nd record for me) unbelievable both flycatchers together in the same bush!!

                                          
                                                                        Spot fly

 

Wheatear and several Yellow Wags topped of a great couple of hours patch birding.

Kingfisher

 

First bird on the patch this morning was a fine Whinchat, half a dozen Yellow Wags over, but star bird goes to this Kingfisher that appeared in front of me and greg as we were chin wagging, along middle ditch, probably only my third record for the site, and a welcome patch year tick.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other birds of note were 2 Ringed Plover, 8 Common Sands and a single Dunlin and adult Yellow-legged Gull.

Tawny Pipit

Got to the patch late this evening having family commitments all weekend (wife's birthday !!) and was rewarded on discovering a TAWNY PIPIT just 20 yards after parking the car up, firstly flushing the bird and had the briefest of views out the corner of my eye, before the bird flew and landed just a few yards away from me, before eye balling me and doing the bolt, luckily managed to grab the camera from its bag for a few record shots before it flew away calling.

Put the news out, and first to arrive before the fading light were Mo, Jono and P Whiteman where we had several flight views of this very mobile bird before light went !!

Anyone going tomorrow please stick to river path and sign in reception if arriving after 8am, this area is a working site. Thanks.

More Poles confirmed moving to narm.........

I Phone pics

Took these Kestrel shots using the I phone thru my swarovski scope and was quite impressed !!
taken yesterday morning before work at the Dagenham Chase, also Cetti's Warbler heard here and two Bullfinch over, as well as six Little Egret.

This morning visit produced a probable Polish ringed Black-headed Gull, have sent details off so will await results, also a calling Tree Pipit over, my first of the autumn.



Cliffe Pools, Kent

Drove straight past the patch this morning and onto Cliffe pools just the other side of the tunnel for a change of scenery and to hopefully catch up with some waders.

Arriving at 6am I headed for the alpha pools (or ski pool) and on the first island picked up a Little Stint amongst several adult Dunlin, also plenty of Redshank, and good numbers of Greenshank with a minimum of 30 birds seen. Small flocks of Black-wits, both Black-headed gulls and Common Terns with young and many Avocets that again seemed to have a good breeding season.

Further round in the north east corner of the ski pool another flock of Dunlin that held two Curlew sands with a very smart moulting adult alongside a juvenile bird, and the Pectoral Sandpiper that has been present for almost a week now. good scope views but to far for the camera.

Bird of the morning tho was this cracking Barn Owl that flew right past me !!