I met Keith in Gravesend and after a refreshing cup of Coffee we made our way to the riverfront.
Early on we saw some Godwits which we initially though to be Black-tailed Godwits, this species being common here on the mud, but which on closer examination turned out to be the less common Bar-tailed Godwits.
They shared the mud with Black-headed Gulls and Herring Gulls and a Great Black-backed Gull was seen on one of the buoys in the river.
Reaching the marina, we scanned down river and were able to see Redshank, Turnstones, Dunlin and Curlew feeding on the mud.
Turning away from the river we entered the park, where we found a large number of Moorhen with a few Coot around the lake. Later we saw 2 Egyptian Geese.
Then onto the ravine, which was unusually quiet, but we did see a group of Greenfinches and a larger group of Goldfinches. Also seen or heard were Blue and Great Tits; Chifchaff; Starling, Robin and House Sparrow
After a stop for lunch we returned to the riverfront to see how it had changed with the rising tide. No mud was visible now so we settled down to watch the river to see if any birds were moving with rising tide. A pair of Pied Wagtails were seen on the river edge and 2 Brent Geese were seen flying up river before turning and settling on the Essex side of the river.
Pete's Favourite Things 