Barking Bay January 18th

Sunshine! As many will know, as photographers, you long for it, this morning I greeted it like a long lost friend. To be able to take shots in decent light has been a thing of the past this winter, makes you feel good, even the Skylarks were going for it. It will be very likely back to normal tomorrow, piddling down.

Singing Skylark

I had arrived on a rising tide, which had nearly covered the mud, most of the waders had already gone to roost, those that were left were feeding frantically making the most of it.

Curlew going to roost

6 Curlew remained along with 48 Redshank and a small flock of Dunlin numbering around 40 birds, these were buzzing around everywhere, undecided where to roost.

Dunlin

Flock of Dunlin going to roost

Other species of note seen were

115 Shelduck

10 Ringed Plover – already roosting on jetty

2 Grey Plover – defecting to the Kent side

Adult Yellow Legged Gull – jetty

4 Rock Pipits – foreshore rocks

Peregrine – over Crossness

Sparrowhawk – had the look of a female

Water Rail – 1 calling

Linnet – flock now around 140 birds

Lapwing 71 roosting on the jetty

A very enjoyable couple of hours walking round.

Barking Riverside Centre