Cold weather movement

A record count of 25 Teal on Mayesbrook lake yesterday was unexpected, and a visit this morning found none! but a fine female Wigeon was today's consolation.

female wigeon

With most of the lake frozen bar the sheltered areas by the islands it wasn't a surprise there was a clear out, with all the Gadwall dispersed and just a handful of Shoveler left, the regular Little egret fed along the stream, and a large flock of the commoner tits held a couple of Chiffchaff.

little egret

WREN RESCUE


This bird was rescued at work in the week and like the previous tawny owl was caught between windows with help from Huckleberry and Mat the Cat it was a successful catch and release.

More Tits

Me and Shaunboy had a cracking morning at Rainham today, catching up with the fem/1w Black Redstart around by the shooting butts that has been present several days now.

Also find several Bearded Tits from the new turnstile bridge, up to 30 birds have been reported this autumn and certainly the best count since the 1970's when large numbers used to seen on the silt lagoons, lets hope they stay onto the spring to breed.

The now resident immature male Marsh Harrier was again hunting the wennington marsh area and two Avocets in Aveley bay still represent good London records along with 170+ Black-tailed godwit, 120+ Redshank and 100+ Dunlin.

Still no filthy twitching here!

An afternoon stroll around Connaught water (Epping forest) in awful weather was brightened up with several drake Mandarin Ducks which eventually showed well.

No yankee bitterns here just tits.....

Not all of us are filthy twitchers some of us are genuine patch workers who do not stray off the patch no matter what turns up in places like Cornwall.

I was loyal to Rainham marshes today and was rewarded with several Brambling half a dozen Siskin and a flock of at least 11 Bearded Tits this morning showing well in the PD just before the dragon fly pool.

A young male Marsh Harrier was also seen hunting around the reserve and duck numbers have increased too.

This afternoon i caught up with Valentino the wintering Med gull now back for its 11th year in Ilford.

some of the ilford wildlife.

these are not the 3 filthy rats that travelled to cornwall this weekend!

Suffolk

Myself, Shaunboy, Bradders, Jono and a drunk Monkey travel to Suffolk this morning in hope of seeing some lingering birds from in the week, and didn't take long to connect with the long staying Red-flanked bluetail which we picked up early doors in Lowestoft.

After all getting cracking views we move onto Reydon where several Rough legged buzzards have been reported and after an hour and a half's wait we get a distant bird as we leave, also jam in on two newly arrived Waxwing, and many roaming Bearded tits.

Then onto Dunwich for several Shorelark, thirty plus Twite and a Short eared owl in off, and three fly bye red head Goodsander, a quick stop at Westleton on the way home for several Dartfords.

A great day's birding with Excellent company, and Monkey was sober by the time we got home! hic!

Weekend

Spent yesterday morning and this morning dipping the Bluethroat at Rainham that was found by Sir les of the Garrison (well done) which he found at the end of the northern boardwalk but proved elusive yesterday and non existent today, and which was the first one since the bird on the tip back in '94.

Other birds of note were 4 Pinkfeet found by Mo and 2 bar-wit on the foreshore and bearded tit in the reed bed below the serin mound.

Pinkfoot

A few more Shetland pics

A few more random shots from last weeks shetland trip.

Siskin

probable greenland redpoll

These Seals were around Lerwick Harbour.















This Otter was seen from the ferry from Yell to shetland and most of our otter sightings were seen in and around the man made breakwaters.













Most important when staying on Shetland be sure too stock up on food and drink provisions!

ham n cheese is a must, with one or two nelsons!