Beckton Sewage Works

November 12th



Hi, with the arrival of the colder weather, I visited the Barrier at the usual first light on Thursday.

Quite obvious that there were more birds present as I looked over the river wall and the tanks, a very good count of 44 Shovelers were present, along with 37 Black Tailed Godwit on the mud with a single Curlew.

Redshank numbers have gone through the roof with 84 present, but the pick of the waders will go down to a calling Grey Plover heading down river. Exceptionally rare this far up river, the last record I had of this species at the Barrier was December 3rd 2010! They usually only go as far up as Rainham RSPB and even then only usually in singles. Flying downriver where it came from I do not know.


Year tick no 96 was then quickly followed by year tick no 97 in the shape of a Little Grebe in the old tanks, again cold weather movement but very welcome, again not common here. Another bird that only moves around at night being a weak flyer.

I also caught up with not one but 2 Black Redstarts, as we know a wintering species at Beckton. These were along the River Wall area but very likely making their way to the Sewage Works where they will possibly winter.

Jackdaw singles do often appear at McGraths Refuse, but shortly after dawn, 5 came over from the south side of the river, and started to feed on the road in front of me. It represents the largest number I have had at the Outfall, however others may well have seen more.

A good visit, just 3 to go to reach the annual target - 45 species recorded on the day.

                                                                     Black Redstarts

 

More Raptor Boxes

Following on from the recent Peregrine Box in London, Sunday found Paul and myself installing/concreting in Barn Owl and Kestrel pole boxes in Essex.

An early start to kick it off with the Barn Owl box, substrate, standing it up, strutting and then 14 bags of postcrete later saw it ready and hopefully looking inviting.

The same process was repeated at another location nearby for a Kestrel Box, in both cases, we used the standard Boxes which we have had a lot of success with this year.

I have no doubt that Stock Doves will very likely find them first, will then have to rely on each respective species which they are aimed at, turfing them out if they are accepted.

Fairly hard work installing, hopefully rewarded in 2027 with occupancy.

Both boxes were de strutted on Monday and ready to go, a 3rd Barn Owl box will be going in this week also.

 

More Norfolk

 

North Point Pools


October 21st



The undoubted highlight of the morning, although very distant, was a Goshawk picked up at the back of the Marshes being mobbed by Corvids.

Presumably hunting, but being given a very hard time by up to 5 Crows/Rooks, but decent views were seen through another birders scope when it landed. A Marsh Harrier also joined in on the mobbing with the Corvids which was a little unusual.

Photos are very poor due to the early hour, distance and poor light but good to see one, just don’t see enough of these very secretive Raptors.

Other highlights were 2 Cattle Egrets,1 with a Frog, 23 Golden Plover, a Woodcock at dawn waiting for the Pink feet, and a Bar Tailed Godwit on the flood with Lapwing.

Wells Harbour

October 21st

Whilst Chris was shopping later in the morning, I grabbed an hour or so again at the Harbour and channel leading out to the sea.

Red Throated Divers were again present, along with Pink Footed Geese still going over with Dark Bellied Brents all along the channel.

A new bird for the Harbour area, for me, will be a Guillemot flying past me in the channel close to the Lighthouse Station.