Last year I managed to see 187 birds, can 2018 be the year that I see over 200?
An early start at Rainham Marshes and heard a Kingfisher and a Ring Necked Parakeet flew over. On the walk to Averly Bay we have Water, Rock and Meadow Pipits.
There was a good selection of gulls including, Caspien, Yellow Legged, Great Black Backed, Lesser Black Backed, Black Headed and Herring Gulls.
A flock of Canada Geese flew over with Dunlin and Lapwings flying across the over side of the Thames. In the bay we saw Avocet and Curlew flew over.
Canada Geese Flying
When we was heading into Rainham a Fieldfare was eating berries in a bush.
Fieldfare
Walking round with heard Bearded Tits ping and saw them hunting for food in the reeds. From the Butts Hide we had Ruff and Pintail with other ducks.
On the Pylon we had a good view of Peregrine Falcons and one chased another out of its territory.
Digscope of Peregrine
From the platform we saw lots of Pintail together , which was a surprise and they appeared to be talking to each other.
Pintail
We could see the Barn Owl in its box and also caught a Brent Goose fly down river and towards to the woods. About 10 Snipe were hidden along the edge of the reeds from the Ken Barret Hide.
When we got near the cordite store we had the best view of a Firecrest jumping about in the ivy and bramble. Managed to get a photo but was no that clear due to low light.
Firecrest
Also jumping about was a Goldcrest . In the cordite a Bullfinch was calling and we saw if fly between some trees and then disappear.
Goldcrest
On the walk back to the centre a Buzzard was being mobbed by a Crow and when in the centre the was a Short Eared Own in the distance.
Had a really good day and managed to see 81 one birds, thanks Howard.
Ben's Nature Blog 