Apart from a Great Spotted Woodpecker seen by Gary, today was pretty much a rerun of yesterday, when I arrived Gary had just finished a 90 minute vigil watching the Thames for six Brent Geese seen flying downstream at Battersea power station by Dave Morrison, they didn't pass the basin and as not much else was happening we decided to head downriver to Gallions Reach. Compared to what we usually get at the basin it was a bit of a waderfest; a single Curlew and at least 35 Black-tailed Godwits were the highlights, the latter feeding close in affording us excellent views of a species that has yet to make it onto the lower Lea list; around 120 Lapwings were loafing on the foreshore just upstream of the Albert Basin and 45 Redshank were also present. Shelduck and Common Teal were both present in good numbers but no counts were made; a Sparrowhawk and a pair of Kestrels were also noted along with a nice flock of about 20 Stock Doves. Apart from the obvious attraction of the river there is plenty of good and varied habitat here and on quiet days at the basin I can foresee many more defections downriver to this underwatched locale that has the potential to deliver something really special.
No comments:
Post a Comment