SISKIN STOP-OVER

Not much to report for Friday 5th although the sun did make one or two appearances including one of its familiar farewells pictured above, dropping low behind the Strood Channel.

A group of five siskins flew over Firs Chase and landed in the top of a cedar tree cheerily calling out to each other. These small greenish coloured finches soon took off showing their yellow wing bars but then settled back down on a neighbouring cedar.

A few years ago there was the nice surprise of some crossbills which landed in these trees, now these siskins were able to enjoy the good views from this lofty look-out. Most siskins at this time of year on Mersea are just passing over whereas ones seen in the winter usually stop off and visit bird feeders in the gardens.

Andy Field had a odd-looking freshly fledged turtle dove in his garden consorting with the collared doves. Turtle doves have been quite scarce on the Island this summer so it's likely that this bird is just passing through.