Ringed Turnstone CCV Returns to the Point 11th August 09!

Well I have been out on the point everday day since Friday. The KP turned out to be a one tide only bird and despite several people searching including myself for the past 4 days it was never relocated. Today was good weather but a small roost compared to previous days. As the run off of the tide began the usual course of events took place with the roosting waders starting to feed on the first parts of exposed mud before departing out in to the first channels of the huge newly exposed mudflats in the estuary. As is often the case it is nearly always just as the roosting Ringed Plovers and Dunlins are departing small groups of Turnstone's fly in to the offshore rocks to feed but every now and then some come down on to point briefly to feed, bath and preen.Today 130+ Turnstone came in to the tip of the point and it was then when I caught a flash of yellow.I focused in on the bird straight away and could not believe the black letters CCV on the yellow flag ring. Seeing as I have only had one recovery of a flag ringed Turnstone it was not difficult to remember the details off the top of my head.This time I went for the camera and and managed to get these poor record but readable shots of the flag ring.Don was also on the point today and he also managed to see this bird and read the flag ring details. I was most amazed and pleased to have recovered this bird back on the point 76 days after I had last seen it in the spring. Now, now the questions begin, where did this bird go? did it make it to the breeding grounds? where are the breeding grounds?was it a successful failed breeder ?(Answeres on a post card please) or leave a comment, now that would be nice, any information would be appreciated.

Kentish Plover on the Point 07th August 09

Met up with Paul today for a vsit to the point and a catch up. High tide was at 14:22and 5.5 in height. The weather was overcast and had been south east wind with overnight rain. We walked down to the furthest shell bank as we could see that the waders were roosting at that spot today and they were quite close and so we began scanning. Less than 10 minutes later Pauls words were"Have a look in my scope im not shitting you" as I looked through the scope there was a Fresh Juvenile KP. We shook hands and took a couple of proof record shots and then got the news out to other locals in the area. Luckily, resident "Die hard seawatcher Jeff" was on the sea-wall just accross the way from us and I called him. Jeff was the first to arrive and then Tim and then Paul and others from SOG with a bout 9 people making it in time.The bird remained faithful to the point througout the high tide and eventually departed the point as it flew out on to the near by mudflats at around 16:00. This was a long overdue record for the point as there hadn't been a local record within the SOG area for nearly 20 years. The last KP I saw in the UK was also found by Paul at East Tilbury back in September 2005.

Also on the point today:
Curlew Sandpiper 1 ad
Sanderling 2 ad
Ringed Plover 90+
Dunlin 100+
Bar Tailed Godwit 5
Whimbrel 16
Greenshank 1
Oystercatcher 200+
Hobby 1
Gannet 1 immature
Back Tern 130+ upriver
What a day!

Point Highlights July 09

"July" a great month as Waders start returning from their northern breeding grounds and it is the start of that 3 month period of Wader/migration starting in July with the first trickle of non breeding adults, followed by the masses of adults mixed in with a few early juveniles in august before the peak of juvenile pasage from early to mid September.

Dunlin peaked at 300+ on the 28th of July
Ringed Plover peaked at 61 on 25th July
Sanderling a single bird on 25th July
Black tailed Godwit peaked at 80+ on the 25th July
Redshank peaked at 100+ on the 25th July
Whimbrel peaked at 30 on the 25th July
Oystercatcher peaked at 100+ 28th July
Curlew peaked at an Impressive 400+ on the 28th July

Point Highlights June 09

This female Ringed Plover was sitting on a clutch of 4, at least 3 pairs attempted to nest on the point this summer but as usual all 3 pairs failed.As always June becomes a quiet month with the odd late spring migrant in the early part of the month heading north still trying to get to their northern breeding grounds.

Ringed Plover peaked at 27 on the 6th of June, with 3 pairs on territory,
Dunlin peaked at 12 on the 13th of June

Bar Tailed Godwit 2 early returning birds was a nice surprise on the 13th and remained throughout the month

Turnstone peaked at 41 on the 13th June
Oystercatcher peaked at 54 on the 26th of June
Grey Plover 4 remained throughout the month
Sandwich Tern 2 were seen on and off throughout

Little Tern 3 birds throughout the month with 1 pair displaying but nothing more.

Common Tern 4 throughout the month
Brent Goose 2 throughout
Fulmar 1 seen on the 26th of June