Black-winged Stilt, Rainham Marshes

Sitting at home this morning with no plans to go birding, but that soon changed when a Black-winged Stilt was reported at Rainham Marshes. Thirty minutes later the car is parked in the Rainham car park and I'm going through the track and trace procedures at the entrance. After entering the reserve I learn that the Stilt had flown West! A leisurely stroll around the reserve followed, the highlight of which was a self-found drake Garganey. Several Bearded Tits were heard and then seen for a year tick addition, A quick check of the news services and I discover that the Stilt had reappeared on Purfleet Scrape! We headed back towards the reserve centre and luckily met Howard V on the way who kindly guided us to the area the Stilt was feeding in.

Black-winged Stilt

Having returned home Brian phoned this evening to ask if I knew that there had been a report of three Black-necked Grebes present on Roding Valley Lake. The lake is almost on my doorstep, a quick walk to the lake and sure enough, the three Black-necked Grebes were spotted slowly drifting around in the middle of the lake! 

The lake has now recorded four of the five Grebe species seen in Britain, with a Red-necked Grebe seen in 2017 and Great Crested and Little Grebe almost resident. 

Unfortunately, they were not present the next morning having departed overnight. 

Black-necked Grebes

Ring Ouzel. Easneye, Hertfordshire

An early morning visit to Easneye was delayed due to heavy traffic soon after leaving home. Thankfully it was only a relatively short journey and armed with detailed site directions from Ron C, I was soon parked up alongside Wilberforce cottages and heading up the footpath towards Waterplace Farm. Passing the beehives I reached the small horse paddock to find it shrouded in mist. 

The sun rose and began burning the mist off and after several scans I eventually found the Ring Ouzel feeding along the back of the paddock. It soon flew and was relocated feeding in the next paddock with the horses.

It began feeding among the horses before heading back to the previous paddock. It became more settled and began feeding with the numerous Fieldfares, Redwings, Song and Mistle Thrushes.

White Stork, Lee Valley

Having returned home from watching the Garganey at Hall Marsh Scrape, news came through that a White Stork was now present on the scrape! It appeared to be unringed and was certainly worth an early visit this morning. The Stork was still present when I arrived having roosted overnight. It was asleep but soon awoke and started to feed

It has since been reported as having a clipped wing, but it didn't seem to hamper its flight. As it was recorded flying high above houses. Whether it has a Clipped wing, escaped, or released it's still a stunning-looking bird.

Garganey, Lee Valley

An afternoon visit to the Lee Valley in search of the reported Garganey proved successful when it was found busily feeding in the corner of Hall Marsh Scrape. Although it remained distant I grabbed a photo with my phone handheld to the scope. Luckily the hide was empty allowing time to scan the scrape for anything else that may be present and was rewarded with a single Little Ringed Plover.

Garganey

A couple of hours birding added five additions to the year list. Garganey, Little Ringed Plover, Blackcap, Willow Warbler, and a pair of Kingfishers were all seen in the immediate area of the scrape.

White-throated Sparrow, Barcombe Cross

It's been almost six months since my last twitch,  a Masked Shrike at Shuart in Kent. Today I cracked and at 4.45am this morning headed for Barcombe Cross in East Sussex. A White-throated Sparrow had been in the area since February but due to covid guidelines and the fact that it was frequenting a private garden news was understandingly suppressed. When the bird moved to an open recreation area near an allotment news and location were made available.

It's been over a year since we shared a car with Brian and as he had made the trip on Saturday he was able to provide detailed travel and on-site directions. Arriving at 6.30 it was over an hour before the Sparrow appeared. That anxious nervous wait of not knowing if the bird had decided to move on overnight or not was over. A brief appearance in the tree by the picnic table was followed by several trips to the table and the decking where small amounts of seed had been placed.

White-throated Sparrow

A Little Bunting had been present at Warnham Local Nature Reserve since early March and had already been reported today while I was watching the Sparrow. The reserve was on the same route as the return journey home and a quick visit was rewarded with superb views of the bird.

Little bunting

Warnham Reserve Centre and hide

Iceland Gull, Wanstead

On Tuesday the 23rd an Iceland Gull had been reported at Wanstead. Thinking it would be a very brief visit, I thought my chance of seeing it had gone. But it was again reported the next morning and Brian managed a quick visit and added it to his year list. 

I had recently spent four days in Wanstead hospital and was due a follow-up appointment today, so my thinking was if the bird was again present I would try to see it before or after my check-up. An early check on the news services and the gull was again being reported on Alexandra Lake. The lake is right next to the car park and thus would involve no walking. Dad and I arrived as the gates to the car park were being opened and I scanned the lake from the car while waiting. The Iceland Gull was the first bird I saw! 

Iceland Gull

It was soon flushed but flew out over the football pitches and eventually landed among the Black-headed Gulls.

Two Lockdown surprises within a week

The last week has produced two major surprises on the birding front. With Covid restrictions still very much in place, I was sitting at home wondering what to do when news broke of three Velvet Scoters present at King George reservoir! Within minutes I was unlocking the reservoir gates and heading up the ramp. Several scans later and two of the Scoters were found. They were at the North end of the South basin and always remained distant. I managed to grab a distant record shot with my phone held to the scope.

Two of the three Velvet Scoter

On the walk back to the car park the third Velvet Scoter was found along with a smart-looking male Scaup.

Scaup

This morning a text from Brian alerted me to the presence of a Great White Egret at the Gunpowder Park. Walking along the footpath one of the Short-eared Owls was spotted and after reaching the second bridge the Great White Egret was quickly located among the reeds.

Great White Egret