Berengrave NR & Rainham Dock East 15/12/22

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A cold day, temperatures no more than -1, and still much snow underfoot. However, plentiful sunshine to lift the spirits.

Starting at RDE I was hoping to find a Woodcock in the area beyond the trees where they've been seen before. No luck with that though very good numbers of Redwing, probably in the region of 200 birds.  Two Cetti's Warbler showed well, also a smart male Greenfinch. In the nearby reedbed a pale Buzzard sat atop a low bush in full sun.

At Berengrave my thoughts always turn to finding Firecrest at this time of year. After nearly an hour I was successful this afternoon, an individual approaching quite close though very difficult to photograph as usual. Two Goldcrest were also present, plus one Chiffchaff and approx. four Blackcap.

Berengrave NR

Firecrest



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