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View Halloo ~ my first Oystercatcher of 2012; there were two of them (there invariably seem to be). Other characters identified as the tide was coming in: Common Gulls, Black-Headed Gulls, a single Grey Heron, Teals, two Shelducks and a few Black-Tailed Godwits.

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According to the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), 'the Oystercatcher is a large, stocky, black and white wading bird. It has a long, orange-red bill and reddish-pink legs. In flight, it shows a wide white wing-stripe, a black tail, and a white rump that extends as a 'V' between the wings. Because it eats cockles, the population is vulnerable if cockle beds are overexploited. Breeds on almost all UK coasts; over the last 50 years, more birds have started breeding inland. Most UK birds spend the winter on the coast; where they are joined on the east coast by birds from Norway.' The species is on the Amber List*.

See ... www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/o/oystercatcher/ ...

* See ... www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/status_explained.aspx ... for explanations of Red, Amber and Green List criteria

Spring seems to be here.

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Extracted from the Church of England Magazine ~ Volume LI ~ July to December 1861

'The archblshop of Canterbury has consecrated the church in the grounds of Belvedere, the seat of sir Culling E. Eardley, bart., near Erith. A tower in the park was first opened for divine service July 12, 1848, the rev. J. T. Dobson, independent minister, officiating. In 1851, during the great exhihition in London, and at the time of the first 'conference of Christians of all nations', convened by the Evangelical Alliance, sermons were preached there (Sept. 4), in French, by the rev. Adolphe Monod; in German, by the rev. Dr. Erummacber; and in English, by the rev. Thomas Binney. All Saints' church was opened on Oct. 20, 1853, Mr. Dobson continuing the minister.

On May 10,1856, All Saints' church became connected with the church of England, receiving the licence of the archhishop of Canterbury; and the rev. J. H. Bernau, late missionary of the Church Missionary Society, was appointed, and still remains the minister. A sermon was preached on the occasion by the rev. H. Alford, now dean of Canterbury. At the consecration on Friday, the 2nd inst., the dean of Canterbury again preached, from the words, 'And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither'.

All Saints' church is made over, together with the parsonage, to the following trustees: The earl of Shaftesbury, president of the Bible Society; the earl of Chichester, president of the Church Missionary Society; sir Culling Eardley, chairman of the Evangelical Alliance. It is provided that the patronage shall continue to be vested in the future occupants of those offices.

The church (it is stated) contains some features expressive of the principles of catholic union, with which it has been desired to associate it: (1) Over four windows is inserted, in the four chief languages of Europe (English, French, German, and Italian), that passage of the New Testament, so beautifully expressive of the common faith, 'God so loved the world' &c. (John iii. 16). (2). In Hebrew and English is inscribed a passage from tho Old Testament, expressing the hope of Jews, and the faith of Christians, 'Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch' &c. (Jer. xxiii. 5, 6). (3). Provision is made for baptism in either of the two forms practised by Christians. Beneath the font for baptising infants there is also a baptistry for the 'baptism of persons of riper years' by immersion'.

A bright almost summery day. I think this is an Elder Tree (Sambucus niger). The lichens are looking in particularly tip-top order; very healthy.

Hopefully I haven't missed anyone. We are beside the tidal Thames close to the Outfall of the Crossness Sewage Treatment Works, Belvedere. I think it's wonderful the way the different species, birds big (Shelducks here) and small (Dunlins here) and those in-between, despite the occasional misunderstanding, actually get on well together.

'The Thames supports thousands of ducks, wading birds and gulls in autumn and winter. Over a thousand Teal can be seen feeding on the mud at low tide, alongside waders such as Dunlin, Redshank and Godwits. Black-headed Gulls and ducks such as Gadwall and Shoveler congregate around the Outfall from the Crossness Sewage Works, where nutrients in the treated effluent attract small fish and invertebrates. In summer, shoals of larger fish, especially Grey Mullet, can be seen in the water by the outfall. The fish provide food for birds such as Herons, Cormorants and Terns.'

See ... www.belvederegreenlinks.org.uk/index.php?cID=115 ...

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Top 'Portant: I understand that the government may include options for a new airport in the Thames Estuary in a draft policy framework for UK aviation. According to the Kent Wildlife Trust, 'the Thames and Medway estuaries are extremely rich in wildlife and are internationally important for nature conservation. An airport here, whether coastal or offshore, will be catastrophic for wildlife communities. The impact on breeding, feeding and migratory birds will be huge, but there is also a wider community that includes wildflowers, bees, water voles and brown hares. Offshore, there are important habitats for fish and seals.'

According to the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), the Shelduck 'is a big, colourful duck, bigger than a mallard but smaller than a goose. Both sexes have a dark green head and neck, a chestnut belly stripe and a red bill.' The species is on the Amber List*.

See ... www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/s/shelduck/index.... ...

* See ... www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/status_explained.aspx ... for explanations of Red, Amber and Green List criteria

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The tide was coming in; birds identified by/in the water during the visit: Teals, Gadwalls, a Shoveler, a Curlew, Shelducks (see above), Coots, Mallards, Moorhens, a Grey Heron, Lapwings, Redshanks, Black-Tailed Godwits, Dunlins, Black-Headed Gulls and Cormorants. There were also a few Wigeons grazing on Erith Marshes (in addition to more Shovelers, Gadwalls &c.).

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'The Thames supports thousands of ducks, wading birds and gulls in autumn and winter. Over a thousand Teal can be seen feeding on the mud at low tide, alongside waders such as Dunlin, Redshank and Godwits. Black-headed Gulls and ducks such as Gadwall and Shoveler congregate around the Outfall from the Crossness Sewage Works, where nutrients in the treated effluent attract small fish and invertebrates. In summer, shoals of larger fish, especially Grey Mullet, can be seen in the water by the outfall. The fish provide food for birds such as Herons, Cormorants and Terns.'

See ... www.belvederegreenlinks.org.uk/index.php?cID=115 ...