TO THE POINT

Walked to East Mersea Point with Nick Green on Thursday 22nd. The timing was perfect for enjoying the spectacle of flocks of waders arriving onto the newly uncovered mud. It made the walk worthwhile seeing this good variety of waders on display and all quite close to the beach to admire.

A group of 150 knot caught the eye whilst both bar-tailed and black-tailed godwits probed the mud side by side. The usual grey plover, redshank, oystercatcher, dunlin, curlew, ringed plover and turnstone were all in evidence in varying numbers. Passing continuously overhead were many flocks of golden plover probably totalling about 500 birds, heading up into the estuary from their high tide roost at Colne Point.

A group of 50 shelduck were seen on the water close inshore while wigeon and brent geese were also present around the coast in small numbers. Flying rapidly out of the river were three red-breasted mergansers with a further two seen still inside the Colne.

There was no sign of any snow buntings along the beach and the only small birds seen along here were three skylarks. One flock of about 25 goldfinches flew around the grazing fields, dropping down to feed on the thistles and a similar number were also seen flying west over the park.

A brief stop by the park pond revealed a nice variety of at least 50 ducks including wigeon, teal, mallard, shoveler, gadwall and 3 tufted ducks. In recent days a pair of mute swans have taken up residence back on the pond after an absence of about four months, since the parents deserted the area with their young cygnets in search of more food.

As there was no wind or rain, the moth trap was put out at the park and the grand total of seven moths were recorded with 4 feathered thorns and 3 December moths.

Just north of the Island Hugh Owen had some more good counts of the short-eared owls on the Langenhoehall Marshes. On Tuesday 20th there were 5 seen in mid-afternoon while the following afternoon he was able to enjoy the sight of 7 owls in the air together with an eighth bird sitting on a post.

There must be plenty of voles in these old grazing marshes as a barn owl, two marsh harriers and two kestrels were also seen in the area.