Catching up again

As per normal at this time of year, with peregrines having laid or about to lay shortly most of my time is spent concentrating on them.

More often than not I am at Battersea Power Station, a few days a week keeping them breeding on site along with Black Redstarts, the male has just arrived back, he always seems to go missing in January and February.

Other site breeding species include Pied and Grey Wagtail, Linnet, Goldfinch, Blackbird, Wren, Robin, Dunnock, Great and Blue Tit and Egyptian Goose.

Being empty for so long created good habitat hence the species numbers, it really is a unique urban site positioned in Central London.

Grey Heron - Battersea Power Station

On Friday I have another Essex Survey followed by a Kent Survey the following day, of the 2 sites Hoo is far superior in habitat and attracts more varied species along with greater numbers.

Last week however I at last caught up with Bearded Tit at Coryton, as usual it proved nigh on impossible getting a clean shot without some offending stem in the way. None the less they are always a pleasure to see regardless of the fact that it wouldn’t stay still for a minute and was then gone.

Locally the 3 White Fronted Geese are remaining faithful to the Ingrebourne Valley always with the large flock of Greylags and the Red Crested Pochard pair have now been joined by 2 other Drakes.

Great Crested Grebe - Ingrebourne Valley

The 1st returning Green Sandpiper was seen by Dave McGouth over the Valley on Wednesday, hopefully it will herald the arrival of others and summer migrants.

Green Sandpiper - this one was present at Beckton Sewage Works on Sunday