Common Terns on the move

It's been generally agreed that it has been a poor year for Common Terns, not only at the basin but across the Capital and beyond, so when Gary picked up the largest flock of the autumn, 26 birds followed by another flock of four, all moving west along the Thames, it was a cause for minor celebration. The first Northern Wheatear of the autumn was in the old gravel works and six Common Sandpipers were roosting on the Pura Foods peninsula, the highest count so far, and three Meadow Pipits flew north-east. Three Chiffchaffs, including one singing were the only warblers noted. Three Common Gulls were the first of the autumn, quite late by local standards, we usually have our first returning birds in mid August, other notables included around 85 Common Teal, mostly at Bow Creek, seven Tufted Duck on the basin and a Sparrowhawk, probably a female, flying south.