First port of call at dawn found me in Central London checking up on a particular site, I was very fortunate to be in the right place at the right time to witness a confrontation between a male Kestrel and a Magpie.
Magpies being Magpies are, and can be right bullies, they like nothing more than tormenting birds of prey, a month ago I saw 4 of them intimidating a female Peregrine on prey, in the end she moved. Glad to say to say that Raptor honour was held up by the little Falcon, he did a sterling job of defending his little square of territory from the tormenting Magpie, see photos below.
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| Magpie trying to intimidate the Kestrel (click on photos to enlarge) |
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| Seen off.... |
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| Magpie tries again..... |
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| Kestrel ready again..... |
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| Seen off again |
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| And again..... |
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| Sorted |
After this I headed for the patch, 14 Redshank were showing on the mud along with a single Black Tailed Godwit, if we get the weather that is promised, very cold and even snow I suspect wader numbers will greatly increase.
It was as I was walking past the middle pond I heard a Bearded Tit call in the fragmites, it was answered by another further along. Eventually the nearest one showed itself, a cracking looking male, possibly part of a local influx as there were 6 today at Rainham RSPB.I also noted that the male that showed had been ringed,will try and blow photos up to see where he is from.
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| Male Bearded Tit |
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| Showing leg ring |
Other than this the Bay was pretty quiet, Red Admirals and Ruddy Darters are still on the wing along with a couple of Migrant Hawkers, Shelduck numbers were around the 70 mark with the Linnet flock starting to build with a flock of 40 seen. The calling Cetti’s Warbler was again heard, possibly a juvenile trying out his voice.
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