Birdwatching from Thames Barge Hydrogen

 On Sunday, I joined a small group of birdwatchers for a trip up the River Colne to Wivenhoe observing the numerous birds that frequent the mud banks and saltmarshes. The weather was overcast most of the time so difficult for photography but I was pleased to record most of the species we saw. The Avocets were the stars with large flocks in several areas. Ducks included Wigeon and Shelduck, Brent Geese were not as numerous as I expected and then there were the Waders - first image Curlew and three Knot, followed by Lapwing, Black-tailed Godwit (Bar-tailed also seen), Redshank and Dunlin. A Cormorant using a convenient perch, single Oystercatcher, immature Gull in flight and the star for many - a Peregrine disobeying the rules (another was seen catching a wader in the distance) completed the line-up.

Great Dunmow,Essex

We are staying at Great Dunmow for the night ready for an early sailing on a Thames Barge from Maldon in the morning. Typical Essex small town with lots of colourful buildings. 

 

Maldon Essex 2.Boats

The afternoon was spent on Thames Barge Kitty - a percentage of it attempting to get away from the Quay at Maldon as the incoming tide and strong wind took us back to the Quay many times before we eventually got away. The other boats including Hydrogen had similar problems. It was a very High tide as shown by the beach huts! Lots to photograph for participants, up, forward and down 

Sunrise at Brightlingsea Essex

This was my fourth attempt at a good-weather trip on a Thames Barge and the forecast looked as the other three trips - wet and windy but we were in luck yesterday as it was a beautiful dawn and the rain stayed away most of the day. Here are some images from sunrise at Brightlingsea as we boarded as vessel (the Hydrogen, Topsail charters).  I have rarely seen a better surise with interest all over the sky including a part of a rainbow to the west where the clouds were gathering.

Maldon, Essex, in the Saharan Dust Smog

 A few pictures taken at Maldon yesterday in the fog resultig from the local pollution and the Saharan sand storms. They were painting the Thames Barge sails with Fencing protection paint. Abundant birdlife - some shots to follow