Yesterday I caught the C2C to Purfleet and walked along the north shore of the River Thames to Rainham. Early morning rain and south-easterlies probably paid a part in bringing 120+ Arctic Terns, 50+ Common Terns and a single Roseate Tern up river. Howard sums up the tern movement comprehensively "The main group of Arctic Terns (83) headed up river at c0840 with 18 then dropping in from up high at 1100, bathing and heading out of the river. Odd singles and small groups were seen thereafter. All were adults bar two stunning youngsters that circulated around for most of the day. The Roseate (there may have been two initially) headed into the Bay and I picked up the same bird heading back out about an hour later. All of my list were seen from inside the RSPB visitors centre."
I missed the main movement but did catch-up with the two juvenile Arctics and a number of Common Terns. The weather was overcast so while viewing the river was good it was rubbish for photographs and most of the birds were nearer to the Kent side. It brightened up around midday and became a warm and bright afternoon although the south-easterly persisted. Apart from the terns it was quite bird wise along the river with a couple of Stonechats and a female Wheatear up on the landfill.
The Princess Pocahontas came up the river she runs pleasure cruises between Gravesend and Greenwich.
I missed the main movement but did catch-up with the two juvenile Arctics and a number of Common Terns. The weather was overcast so while viewing the river was good it was rubbish for photographs and most of the birds were nearer to the Kent side. It brightened up around midday and became a warm and bright afternoon although the south-easterly persisted. Apart from the terns it was quite bird wise along the river with a couple of Stonechats and a female Wheatear up on the landfill.
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| immature gull cruises past |
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| a small yacht heads out of the river |
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| one of two Stonechats along the tideline |
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| 4 of 16 Black-tailed Godwits feeding along the receding river's edge |
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| Wheatear on top of the landfill always kept her distance |
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| view from landfill looking towards QE2 bridge |
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| Aveley Bay viewed from the landfill |
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| The grass has recently been cut on the walk to the summit |
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| but the last part of the walk to the top has been left wild :-) |
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| and the butterflies are thankful for that like this Brown Argus |
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| Brown Argus |
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| Slightly strange to see colourfully pink patches of sweet pea! |
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| Brown Argus |
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| Small Tortoiseshell |
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| Small Tortoiseshell |
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| Small Tortoiseshell |
