A double visit this weekend. Weather dominated by a NE wind lasting both days and stronger on Sunday. Essentially dry but at times partly cloudy with sunny intervals in the afternoons.
Highlights from Saturday included brief views of single juv. Arctic Tern and a lone juv. Common Tern moving upriver in the afternoon and hunting Hobbies (adult and immature) over Aveley Pools. Common Buzzard and Marsh Harrier present plus a Peregrine drifted over, briefly in the company of a (brave) Kestrel. At least 10 Black-tailed Godwits in Aveley Bay with some on Aveley Pools alongside Green Sandpiper and Snipe. Duck numbers building up with Teal everywhere, 4 Pintail and double figures of Wigeon on Aveley Pools. One of the last of the Tall Ships visiting London headed downriver.
Highlights from Sunday included a "long-billed Dunlin in Aveley Bay sharing the mud with Teal and the 10 Black-tailed Godwits and for me a stunning Yellow-legged Gull at Coldharbour Point alongside a colour-ringed Herring Gull (white ring A7HR). Marsh Harrier and Buzzard seen again plus a flyby of a Clouded Yellow and a slightly more obliging Painted Lady in the vicinity of Aveley Bay. The 2 Lancaster Bombers flew north from Kent heading past the Dartford crossing during the afternoon.
Back in London I had a look at the sea of poppies in the Tower of London moat, pretty spectacular, as was the Tour of Britain which was coming to an end in the capital.
Photos uploaded to 'Latest UK Bird Photos' and 'Butterflies'
