PYEFLEET PEREGRINATIONS

Monday 29th was another of those calm bright winter days and the sunshine made viewing nice and clear along the Pyefleet Channel on the north side of the Island. Tide was out and plenty of mud on show but most of the birds were on the opposite side.

In fact the mixure of 200 teal, 100 wigeon and 500 lapwing / golden plovers close to the water's edge all clustered in a long line, made it look as if they had just been washed in with the last high tide. In amongst this group 6 pintail were picked out with the males showing off their bright creamy chests. Pintail are seen in very small numbers each mid winter along the Pyefleet but are generally quite scarce here.

A group of 16 Canada geese is not that unusual but there was a strange looking goose with them that at first looked like a bar headed goose. A very pale greyish goose with a bright orange bill and a band of brown on the head was enough of a weird combination to suggest a hybrid between a greylag and a Canada. Very odd and only worth a cursory glance.

Always good to see marsh harriers flying around and wherever you look, another pops into view. Four birds were seen over different parts of the Langenhoe marshes with two sitting on top of some bushes.

Grabbing the attention again was a peregrine seen flying in a very determined manner and looking as if it meant business. I watched it hurtle across Langenhoe towards the East Mersea Oyster Fishery Building, climbing higher and higher as if readying itself for one great big stoop. The lapwings not wanting to be caught below it also climbed to a great height of probably 1000 feet. However the peregrine turned north and rapidly headed up the Colne where I soon lost it as a tiny speck.

As the day drew to a close a pair of barn owls headed into the country park for a night-time's hunting session, seen by David Nicholls while in the middle of West Mersea a male tawny owl called in the middle of the night. It has been reassuring to know that some owls are still around in the town after an absence of about 6 years.