Thursday 23 October
Today was the last day of the RSPB’s goose watch event at Leigh-on-Sea, and the weather could have been much kinder. An increasing southerly wind during the day made viewing conditions difficult at times, and by 3 pm the marquee had to be taken down, before it blew down, but at least it stayed dry!
This year’s event has been as popular as ever with over 2,200 visitors and many leaving very positive comments in the visitors book. Of course the brent geese were the star attractions, although there were other highlights; those who came along during low-tide had wonderful views of the common seals loafing on an exposed sand bank, the highest count was twenty. Little egrets regularly fed in the creek in front of Victoria Wharf, where we had telescopes set-up and really close views were appreciated. A kingfisher put in an appearance twice, the second was a slow fly past along the creek and a whole line of people assembled at the front of the wharf had excellent views as it flew past below us. Mediterranean gull appeared occasionally, usually amongst a group of black-headed gulls sharing someone’s lunch!
Many waders were seen, as expected and the very best time was around 3 hours before high-tide, as the mud became covered the wading birds were concentrated in front of us moving west to the higher ground, 76 little egrets and 211 curlew were the most counted together, but to see wave after wave of dunlin, knot, redshank and turnstone moving across in front of us was wonderful. Amongst the grey plover a few still retaining most of their summer plumage were popular.
Going back to the visitor book, many of the comments were more than complimentary about the friendliness and knowledge of our wonderful team of volunteers, and a huge thank you must go to them, with out their help and dedication this event simply would not happen.
Today was the last day of the RSPB’s goose watch event at Leigh-on-Sea, and the weather could have been much kinder. An increasing southerly wind during the day made viewing conditions difficult at times, and by 3 pm the marquee had to be taken down, before it blew down, but at least it stayed dry!
This year’s event has been as popular as ever with over 2,200 visitors and many leaving very positive comments in the visitors book. Of course the brent geese were the star attractions, although there were other highlights; those who came along during low-tide had wonderful views of the common seals loafing on an exposed sand bank, the highest count was twenty. Little egrets regularly fed in the creek in front of Victoria Wharf, where we had telescopes set-up and really close views were appreciated. A kingfisher put in an appearance twice, the second was a slow fly past along the creek and a whole line of people assembled at the front of the wharf had excellent views as it flew past below us. Mediterranean gull appeared occasionally, usually amongst a group of black-headed gulls sharing someone’s lunch!
Many waders were seen, as expected and the very best time was around 3 hours before high-tide, as the mud became covered the wading birds were concentrated in front of us moving west to the higher ground, 76 little egrets and 211 curlew were the most counted together, but to see wave after wave of dunlin, knot, redshank and turnstone moving across in front of us was wonderful. Amongst the grey plover a few still retaining most of their summer plumage were popular.
Going back to the visitor book, many of the comments were more than complimentary about the friendliness and knowledge of our wonderful team of volunteers, and a huge thank you must go to them, with out their help and dedication this event simply would not happen.
Thank You
A second-winter mediterranean gull joined us on the wharf this afternoon, I was sharing my cone of chips with the black-headed gulls when it suddenly appeared above my head. The small group of people asked 'which one is it', 'hand on' I replied and with lucky timing I launched a chip into the air, and the mediterranean gull caught it 'the one with a chip in it's beak' I shouted.
2nd winter mediterranean gull - David Lee
I just couldn't let the day pass without a couple of cheesy photos.
Another popular wildlife spectacle that visitors have been thrilled to see are the common seals, around 15 haul themselves out on to a sandbank which becomes exposed at low tide.
