RSPB Rainham Marshes 9th April 2019
It dawned murky and drizzly with low cloud and almost no
wind – perfect. Andy Tweed was on site a
little before me and before 730 had picked up a Scoter flock and four
Mergansers drifting out on the tide. Thankfully they stayed long enough for me
to rock up just before eight and collect them upon arrival from the centre.
The Scoter were typically mobile floating one way and then flying
back up to do it all again. Four had
gone up earlier and a separate pair joined another huddle to create a group of
18 which were with us all day. The same two
groups were also seen by Dave Morrison off of Beckton SWT.
Common Scoter - Tom Bell |
One of the four Red-breasted Mergansers was even a smart spiky headed
drake and these too played with the tide. From here on it the river was watched
continuously all day and it would prove to be a memorable one.
Mergansers - Andy Tweed |
Nothing outstandingly rare was seen but there was active
migration going on all around with groups of paddle winged Little Gulls flicking
through at regular intervals and a total of 43 were logged including a few that
spent some time on Aveley Pool where they hawked for the numerous chironomid midges
that danced even in the cool air and drizzle. Most had sooty black heads and
several even sported a lustrous salmon pink flush that contrasting with the
smoky underwings.
Little Gull - Tom Bell |
Little Gull - Tom Bell |
Small numbers of Common Terns fed mid channel but no other
species were seen but two rain showers each produced an Arctic Skua that
literally dropped out of the cloud before powering out of the river – magic migration.
Arctic Skua - honest! - Nick Croft |
It became our first proper wader passage day too with six
new Avocet and five Black-tailed Godwits in the Bay being joined during the duration
by three Sanderling, Ringed Plover, Greenshank, Whimbrel, 15 Dunlin, three Grey
and 12 Golden Plover.
Whimbrel - Tom Bell |
Golden Plover - Tom Bell |
Hirundines flicked across the site heading generally west
with all three species represented and fresh-in Willow Warblers were around the
car park and the few Sedge Warblers that have been in for a few days have at
last warmed up their vocal cords despite the weather.
A Yellow Wagtail and Wheatear were seen and a fine male
Common Redstart with steely blue back and fiery red tail shivered in the bushes
just along the river wall.
Marsh Harriers continued to quarter and it was good to see
both the Ravens heading back east with full crops during the afternoon while
Lapwings chased off everything that dared overfly their airspace. A Jack Snipe was flushed from Purfleet Scrape
with a Common and performed a couple of close circuits that were admired by us
in the centre.
As we left this evening the wind had picked up and the City
skyscape was becoming visible for the very first time and four of this dapper
Little Gulls were still dipping over the Pool and the amorphous blob of Scoters
was bobbing mid-river.
To be honest today was, because of the weather and not
despite it, a soul reviving boost after the dreariest of winters. I have a week
to go before Lesvos beckons and hopefully there will be a few more touches of spring
before head back to the Aegeon.