It doesn't take much to Please Us (Again)

We decided to walk along the Thames Path from the old Belvedere Power Station Jetty/Wharf, downstream to Erith (aka the 'Patch') dropping off to see if we could find the Stonechat that appears to be Over-Wintering by the small Lake beside Church Manorway.

After spotting a couple of Teals on the Mud beside the old Power Station Jetty/Wharf, the next Birds seen were Redshanks and Lapwings viz.

And then, as we were approaching Ringed Plover Territory, we noticed something moving beside the River: it was a Dunlin. Looking closely we then noticed a Ringed Plover: then another and another viz.

Yippee.

There were two Dunlins viz.

Walking on we saw some some Gulls standing by the River: all Black-Headed Gulls.

And Wow: we then saw some Black-Tailed Godwits, Dunlins and Redshanks just below the Sea Wall and Super-Close viz.

We were in Seventh Heaven for a few minutes before the Dunlins, Redshanks and some of the Godwits flew off. So: time to move on.

Before turning off to look at the Lake we noticed some more Teals and a Grey Heron.

There was no Stonechat to be seen (or heard) beside the Lake but we did see five Moorhens (we wonder if they are all related) and a Coot.

Back by the River we noticed some more Black-Headed Gulls, Linnets (high up on the Erith Docks Buildings), Mallards (always Mallards), a couple of Redshanks and a Teal. Including a very elegant looking, assumed First Winter, Black-Headed Gull viz.

Further downstream we saw more Black-Tailed Godwits, Dunlins and Redshanks. Also a couple of Shelducks, some Common Gulls, some Lesser Black-Backed Gulls and lots more (distantish) Black-Headed Gulls.

As is our Wont, we looked though the Ranks of the Black-Headed Gulls in the hopes of seeing a Mediterranean Gull. And we thought Wow: that might be one! We went through the standard Uncertainties: is it, no it isn't, but it might be, can't be, but it might be &c. and ended up thinking, it is viz.

Wow again.

By then our hands were pretty much Frozen and with the Sun sinking behind the nearby Buildings we decided to call it a day and head Homewards via Sainsbury's.

Whilst waiting outside Sainsbury's for the Bus to take us up the Hill and Home we looked Westwards at the Sky: it was on Fire viz.

And when we were almost Home we glanced upwards and saw some Craters on the Moon viz.

Footnote: entering the Mediterranean Gull' Sighting into our Patchwork Challenge List (59 Species now) we noticed that other people were seeing Green-Winged Teal, Leach's Petrel, Cattle Egret and Cackling Goose.

Can our Ringed Plovers &c. compare? Sure as heck they can!