11th February 2019 - Coalhouse Fort, Essex

Today saw the first of 2 visits for the month of February to Coalhouse Fort for the wintering bird surveys on the River Thames in Essex.

Today's count was at low tide and despite there being a presence of waders all were recorded in low numbers, this is often the case at low tide. Totals are as follows: 4 Bar-tailed Godwit, 150 Black-tailed Godwit and 147 Dunlin, 51 Grey Plover, 17 Curlew, 16 Redshank and 3 Avocet. As well as 41 Shelduck and 649 Teal and 9 Wigeon.

Glorious morning for surveying at Coalhouse Fort, Essex

Other birds seen whilst visiting here included a Barn Owl hunting over the fields out the back of the car park, the second time I have seen this bird here. 2 Egyptian Geese flew in off the river and over the fort which was a new bird for me at this site. Sadly only 4 Corn Bunting the lowest count for a while and around the car park was the usual Mistle Thrush and also 3 Redwing. The moat around the fort was again quiet holding only 16 Coot and 3 Little Grebe.