Southend Pier

Despite the inevitable disappointment at not catching up with the white-billed diver that was present during the only period of the weekend when I wasn't there, the selection of coastal birds really did make up for it. It was quite a surprise actually that the wintering assemblage seen from the end of Southend Pier would include such a range of species. Weather conditions were ideal - light winds and decent light.

Great northern diver were present with up to half a dozen seen on the still waters. A female long-tailed duck was the first surprise viewed from halfway along the pier. A few red-throated diver were seen regularly flying past, and both razorbill and guillemot were seen in small numbers.

On Sunday, the consolation of a slavonian grebe, a female eider and a single drake common scoter along with plenty of Mediterranean gull of all ages and a throng of turnstone made for a spectacular sight.

Really very nice stuff and definitely worth a few more visits... and yes, I did take the train back to the seafront!