Rainham Waxwing

Twitched a long awaited Rainham tick for me in the shape of a Waxwing having missed the ''FLOCKS''  in the big invasion year 0f 2010, saw the bird from the balcony before moving for a closer look on the Garrison estate.

Managed a poor record shot in awful conditions.

The bird spent most of the time up in a horse chestnut, but came down to munch some berries occasionally before being pushed of by a local Blackbird.

New Mucking Reserve

Visited the new Essex wildlife Trust reserve at Mucking today, and what a great location, situated on the top of the old mucking tip sitting high looking east towards the Thames estuary, this site will be a must for all river watchers in favourable conditions.

A spanking new visitor's centre with friendly staff and good catering, and a brand new hide overlooking Mucking flats.

 

The new Centre

 

 

 

 

Mecca for all river watchers.....

 

 

 

 

view from hide

 

 

 

 

 

 

ringtail Hen Harrier harassed by crow.

 

 

 

 

The reserve produced a stunning ringtail Hen Harrier, Peregrine, Little Egret both Green and Common sandpipers and shed loads of waders on the river.

 

Four pairs of Stonechat was a good score.

 

 

 



 

male

 

 

 

 

More Ringing

Back in Hert's for another ringing session with Paul R yesterday, a great couple of hours which resulted in 30 birds being processed including half a dozen Blackbird, several Redwing, Goldcrest, Blue tit's, Robin's, Dunnock's and a single Yellowhammer.

 

 Amazing little birds...

 

 

1st y male Goldcrest ( orange crown feathers just showing)

 

 

 

1st y male Yellowhammer

 

 

 

1st y Redwing

 

 

 

This Bullfinch was a re-trap from last week, along with a Blue Tit.

A family party of 8 Long-tailed Tits was a nice surprise, and were released together once processed.

 

little punk rocker's ....

North Kent

Yesterday was survey time again on our Thameside North Kent site for me and Mo, and weather was also alot better than our previous visit, albiet very dull !! But at least it stayed dry.

Highlights were no fewer than four different Marsh Harrier, 4 Stonechat, Cetti's Warbler, Green Sandpiper and a single Woodcock.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This Great spot was rather confinding.

 

 

 

 

 

Countryside Ringing

Had a couple of hours ringing with Paul Roper on a private Hertfordshire farm trail this morning.  Added both Yellowhammer and Bullfinch to my ringing list.  Was great to see these birds in the hand.  Both stunning birds close up.

Also rung several Blue Tit and Dunnock, along with a single Goldcrest, which was my first and unbelievably tiny and very difficult to handle!!

 

1st year fem

 

 

 

 

 

 

male Yellowhammer

 

Valentino

His back for his 13th winter and still going strong, Valentino the Med Gull arrives mid October and graces us with his presents until march, i wonder how many more years he will be around for ?

He can often be seen lazing around the middle of the lake in valentines park ilford, and will come to bread with some persuasion, though his not so quick of the mark, as i think his hearing and eye sight is deteriorating ! lol

 

 

 

 

 

Valentino.......

 

 

 

 

Mistle thrush

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ratty....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 ratatouille.......

 

 

 

Ruddy Hell

Visited my undisclosed site at the weekend that still holds probably the last few remaining populations of Ruddy duck in the south east, before those DEFRA wankers blow them into oblivion.

Nice to see a three birds including a first winter drake.

 

 

 

Also nice to see Grey Wagtail at this site.

 



 

 

 

 

 

Shoveler , probably my most favourite of the ducks.

 

 

Rainham catch 3/11/12

Another Gull ringing session with the NTGG at Rainham landfill, where a small team we had one catch comprising of 140 Herring Gull's and 3 Lesser's and a single GBB.

All birds were colour ringed.

 

Lesser black backed

 

 

 

 

 

 

 GBB gets head and bill measured 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 starlings can be a problem !

 

 

 

 

 

found 3 Caspo's, inc this 1w ( I phone scoped )

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 the City viewed from the tip.