Sunday 7th February 2016
Coalhouse Fort and Thameside Nature Reserve in Essex
Paul and the group (11)
At last! Our long awaited return to Coalhouse Fort for one of the birding spectaculars of the year. We were there principally to see the huge gathering of Avocets on the north Thames shoreline.
Weather conditions were quite good with no rain and the promise of bright sunshine later on. We arrived at 09.00 in good time to prepare for the main event on the 11.45 high tide.
- At the car park, as well as the usual suspects at the bird feeders we saw a couple of Mistle Thrushes - a speciality here. In the nearby pond there were at least 14 Little Grebes along with the Coots.
- We could see the Avocets in the distance to the east of us as we arrived on the Thames shoreline. They were enjoying life on the mud before the incoming tide forced them away.
- As we headed east to see the Avocets we saw good numbers of Goldfinch, Corn Bunting, Reed Bunting and Skylark as well as a Sparrowhawk flying low across the marshes..
- On the water were Teal, Black-headed Gulls,at least one Great Black-backed Gull, a Common Gull and several Cormorants.
- After observing the Avocets on the mud we returned to the start and at high tide we had the most spectacular views of the Avocet flocks flying - one of the "must not miss" events on the birding calendar. Seeing the skies filled with these lovely birds is truly mind boggling.
- Mixing with the Avocets were many Black-tailed Godwits.
The afternoon visit to the Thameside Nature Reserve was a first for me. Opened only a few years ago this was a useful supplement to our morning outing.
- We were able to add Wigeon, Stonechat and Rock Pipit to our species list before watching the Avocets that had arrived here to enjoy the newly exposed mud caused by the receding tide.
Additions to BUBO 2016 UK Year List:
Avocet (143)
Sparrowhawk (144)
One of the birding highlights of the year!
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