AUTUMNAL ACTIVITY

Walked along the seawall to the Point with Martin Cock in the morning of Saturday 29th. For a change there were quite a variety of small birds to look at which was just as well as the tide was well out and the waders were too far away to enjoy spending any time looking at.

On the grazing fields at least 2 stonechat perched up on some thistle stalks near the cattle. Nearby a nice flock of 35 goldfinch circled round a few times before settling down on some thistles. One yellow wagtail dropped into the grass. which is a late summer sighting for here. One had also flown over the car park earlier in the morning. Six skylarks rose into the air calling while about ten meadow pipits were also noted.

At the Point we were surprised to find another pair of stonechats perching on the sea-blite bushes with 3 reed buntings nearby for company. It was good to see the flock of about 45 linnets were still feeding amongst the bushes too, as it won't be long before they move on.

No sign of any avocets on their pool but the first brent goose of the autumn was present here though. A lesser redpoll passed overhead calling and it actually treated us to some views on the ground when it landed further along the seawall. Most autumn redpolls noted on Mersea are nearly always flying past, so it was nice to see one that wasn't in a hurry to pass us by.
Over nearby fields a group of 25 house martins and swallows looked as if they were on the move westwards.

Out in the estuary 20 avocets could be seen feeding on the east side of the river Colne but generally most waders were tiny brown specks in the distance. There was a large group of 300 dunlin on the outer edge of the mudflats near to a group of 100 larger black-tailed godwits.
A scan across the distant mudflats revealed 22 little egrets dotted along the outer edge, which is a notable single count for this area but maybe not that surprising these days.

The first small flock of 8 brent geese were seen arriving back into the Colne for the winter in their single file formation. It only seems like the other week since we were last watching them and yet they have flown all the way to Siberia and back again. They will be pleased to see the estuary hasn't been changed or altered since they were last here.

Another group of recent winter arrivals to the Island are 7 wigeon who flew over our heads. Over the next couple of months they will be joined by the rest of the regular flock of 700 birds.

In the outer river Colne a common seal briefly poked its head above the water.

Another high tide in the afternoon saw the water cover all of the saltmarsh again but at least the wind wasn't as strong as yesterday. A couple of common terns flew past on their way south to warmer seas.

During the high tide three little egrets rested in the trees by the park pond while tufted duck, two shoveler, 25 teal and gadwall were noted on the water.