A Bonaparte's Gull seen from the Erith Pier

We had read about the Gull but hadn't really intended to go to look for it. However, it was a lovely Sunny day, so we decided to to see if we could find the Ringed Plovers that hang around on the Thames' Foreshore in the Belvedere area. Nothing doing alas.

We walked down to Erith and with the last of the Mud being covered by the Incoming Tide, we made our way to the Pier. Where, as luck would have it, we saw the Bird almost immediately, just below us viz.

We understand this is the Sixth Bonaparte's Gull to be found locally.

A few years back (July-2013), we found a Bonaparte's Gull swimming in the Thames beside the Outfall of the Crossness Sewage Works: again, just below us viz.

Footnote 1: other birds seen during our Walk today included: Black-Tailed Godwits, Gadwalls, a Grey Wagtail (our first of the year), a Lapwing, Mallards, a Moorhen, Redshanks, Shelducks viz.

and Teals.

Footnote 2: some Lichens seen beside the Thames Path: