Seawatching at Southend-on-sea, 31st October 2024

The Essex Birdwatching Society were having a "Pop up" event on Southend pier so as the conditions looked good, it was time to head down there. A Rock Pipit under the pier was a welcome start to the day and a fairly large crowd of birders then walked to the end of the 1.3 mile pier. This is the view looking back.

A Cormorant was loafing at the end of the pier.

And a slightly arty shot for something a tad different!

The keen eyed among you may have noticed the bird in the background. While photographing the Cormorant, this Shag flew in to rest and preen. Quite an unusual visitor to the Essex coast.

It then flew off and landed close in to start fishing, allowing for a few more shots.

It fishes differently to a Cormorant, diving up and under, as in this shot.

A very unusual find and it was incredibly hard to resist calling this blog "A Shag on Southend Pier". Other good birds included a distant juvenile Gannet and at least three Red-throated Divers. Photographically however, the local Turnstones were very obliging.

And packed together at high tide.

The pier is also a great place to see Mediterranean Gulls.

And a few flight shots.

A great morning and huge thanks to Steve & Matt and all involved from EBWS and Bird Aware Essex Coast.

After a bite to eat and the train back along the pier we decided to visit Rainham on the way home to try and see the Long Billed Dowitcher that had been reported. Sadly, it had flown off across the river about an hour before we arrived. Some consolation was found near the Cordite Store with this cracking Firecrest. As always, moving very quickly in poor light so I only manged a couple of record shots.

A brilliant way to end the day!