A Riverside Stroll

We headed down to the Outfall of the Crossness Sewage Works, to catch the Outgoing Tide and on arriving were pleased to see some Mud appearing: or so we thought.

Terns were whooshing and Swooshing above the Outfall above the Black-Headed Gulls sitting on the Water viz.

We noticed at least one Tern with a Red Beak viz.

but no Black Tip: an Arctic Tern perhaps? Being aware that Common Terns can on occasion lack the Black Tip to the Beak, we sought Expert Opinion. Not unexpectedly, Opinion suggested it was more than likely, a Common Tern.

Some Black-Tailed Godwits appeared viz.

being part of a Party of Thirty Plus Birds.

A Common Sandpiper flew from Somewhere to Somewhere.

And then it dawned on us. The Tide was coming in!

What to do?

We decided to Walk Downstream towards Erith. But before setting off we thought we might look for Butterflies in the area behind the Viewing Platform. A Brisk Wind was Blowing which might have kept some Butterflies down since we didn't see many, where a few days earlier, we had seeen quite a few, although the recent Rain might have adversely affected them too.

Butterflies seen included a Common Blue Butterfly viz.

Returning to the Thames Path, we started Walking Downstream, passing a Number of Flowering Plants including:

Kidney Vetch viz.

Field Scabious viz.

Common Bird's-Foot-Trefoil
Wild Basil viz.

Wild Mignonette
Wild Carrot viz.

Marjoram
Common Toadflax viz.

Viper's-Bugloss viz.

and Yarrow viz.

An Oystercatcher was resting on the Derelict, Belvedere Power Station Jetty/Wharf. By now, it was becoming Cloudier and the Sunshine was becoming limited.

Walking towards Ringed Plover' Territory, we noticed a Shy-Looking, Lapwing viz.

standing on Seaweed beside the River. We find it really Odd and Wonderful that we can live in so-called, London and be able to see Seaweed viz.

And by Chance we noticed a Kestrel fly past.

Arriving in Ringed Plover' Territory, we saw four Ringed Plovers (Yippee) and a Dunlin.

Moving on Downstream, shortly after passing over the Hump in the Erith Docks (Erith Inner Oil and Erith Outer Oil) area we noticed an Amaranth growing on the Thames Path viz.

We understand that Amaranths are notoriously difficult to identify.

A few days previously, we had seen a Shelduck family: Mama, Papa and eight Children. We were pleased to see the Family was intact and that the youngsters were growing ever larger viz.

Further downstream we noticed Sea Milkwort and Sea Plantain together (the Sea Plantain still just about flowering) viz.

The Sea Asters are still flowering although beginning to look a little dishevelled viz.

We are always pleased to see the Sea Purslane viz.

A Group of noisy Starlings (there were about a hundred in all) were gathered on the Sea Wall viz.

And we checked on the position of the Ivy Broomrape, seen a few days previously, and now know exactly where it is.

The small Population of Marsh Woundwort is flowering prettily viz.

A Grey Wagtail was wandering around by the Outfall close to the now Derelict, Upper Ballast Wharf, viz.

Walking away from the Thames Path we were Super-Pleased to see some flowering Purple Toadflax viz.

which has been in Short Supply this Year.

And finally, during the last stretch of the Walk Home, we noticed a Number of Plants growing on Pavements and in Road' Gutters, including:

Black Horehound viz.

Spotted Spurge (new to us) viz.

and a very familiar acquaintance, Jersey Cudweed viz.