Beckton Sewage Works latest

A good couple of months with a few additions to the year list, one rather special bird in the shape of a Spoonbill on September 21st, a patch tick no less and half expected/wished for given the rise in records locally, especially Rainham RSPB. I caught up with it quite late as it headed upriver but nailed a couple of distant shots, it was no doubt the same bird seen at Crossness earlier.

On the same day a very high-flying flock of 25 Ducks, contained some real goodies which included 13 Wigeon, 10 Pintail and 2 Shoveler, thanks to Howard and Wes for scrutinising the shapes and coming up with the species. Both Pintail and Wigeon are big rarities for Beckton.

                                                                         Spoonbill

                                                                  High flying duck flock

A rising tide visit on October 8th coincided with the arrival of 8 Black Tailed Godwits, the first for me at Beckton for the coming winter period. A sign that winter is on its way,15 Redshank were also being pushed up on the tide, the Godwits though stole the show with some very close views.

                                                             Photo bombing Kingfisher

The pair of Kestrels continue to be active at the nest box, the box was placed for 2018 and they haven’t looked back since, off the top of my head over 5 breeding seasons they have fledged 16 juveniles.