Crossness & Albany Park 16/12/21

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My third visit to Crossness, together with Keith on this occasion. Weather was mild and calm, though somewhat gloomy on account of the stable high pressure system.

We walked east along the Thames Path passing the old Crossness Pumping Station. This was decommissioned in the '50s being replaced by the modern sewage treatment plant.

It was high tide and a variety of ducks and waders were close inshore. Teal was the most numerous duck, though over 100 Shoveler were also present.

Redshank was the most numerous wader, with c30 Black-tailed Godwit, 100+ Dunlin and a single Common Sandpiper.

At Crossness NR good views were obtained of a Peregrine, briefly also joined by a second smaller bird, presumably a male. There were small flocks of Linnet and Goldfinch, a pair of Greenfinch, and several Cetti's were heard. 

On the way back a Kingfisher was seen in flight along the river. The tide was ebbing and a few larger gulls had assembled on the exposed mud. These included two smart Yellow-legged adults, several Lesser Black-backed of the race intermedius and one possible graellsii with slightly paler grey upperparts.

At Albany Park near Foots Cray a Little Bunting was eventually seen well, albeit in fading light at 3 pm.

Thames Path at Crossness

Crossness Pumping Station

Adult Yellow-legged Gull with Black-headed Gull

Yellow-legged Gull


Lesser Black-backed Gull (graellsii?)

Lesser Black-backed Gull (intermedius)

Little Bunting



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