BUNTING BONANZA

Sat 27th - How could you not be outside enjoying the surroundings when it's calm, sunny and peaceful. Bright blue skies reflected off the mud in the sheltered creeks. As the tide crept quietly and gradually in, only the sound of the piping redshanks brought some life to the marshes. A green sandpiper also flew out of a creek and headed to the Pyefleet Channel.

This was a return to the Maydays corner of Mersea to check out the small birds in the game cover crops. Perched on some overhead wires were 110 corn buntings which made it easy to count. A very good sized flock these days and wonderful to hear them chattering and jingling away to each other. Every so often the flock would rise into the air and if one or two flew overhead, the clear chip chip, chip calls could be heard. This corner of the field seemed to be a real magnet for the buntings and as they flew up to the tops of the bushes, it made viewing easier with the scope. Twenty yellowhammers added some colour in one area and I'm sure there were more than the 5 reed buntings that showed. In another game crop there were 50 linnets flying round and round unsure where they should settle.

The fine views from the corner at Maydays meant you could see waders and wildfowl as far as the eye could see. 200 shelduck stood out the most with their bright white plumage against the muddy background. On the army ranges of Langenhoe a barn owl was out hunting about an hour before dark whilst two marsh harriers sat up nicely on top of some bushes. A group of about 100 fieldfares could be seen in the distant trees - not a common sight this winter.

Nolly, Monty and I reluctantly headed home leaving the setting sun to cast more reflections along the watery creeks.