BLOGGED BUNNY

It stayed cloudy throughout Wednesday 26th but at least there was only a light breeze from the east, rather than the strong cold wind from the north of recent days. Early spring is when the first young rabbits appear and this little bunny was happily munching the grass in the back garden in the country park. No doubt there will be another bumper crop of rabbits in the summer, as there were last year.

The cold weather has deterred many of the brent geese from departing for Siberia and this flock pictured above, are still continuing to graze the big wheat field next to the country park. Around 300 geese were in the field in late afternoon, enjoying the early spring flush of growth of wheat.

In the park a chiffchaff was singing from a blackthorn bush covered in blossom and may've arrived last night. A second chiffchaff was calling loudly from the willows by the pond, pictured below. There has been at least one chiffchaff by the pond for almost two weeks now.
Also at the pond were the familiar wildfowl of recent days - pochard, tufted duck, shoveler and mallard. The mute swan appeared to be gathering materials for a nest on one of the islands.


This picture of the pond is a slightly elevated one as it was taken while standing on the roof of the bird-hide! Running repairs had to be carried out to the roofing felt as recent strong winds had torn a section off.

The sunshine yesterday brought out 5 adders and 2 common lizards out to bask at the park.


On Monday 24th, a late afternoon walk along the West Mersea beach to the Waldegraves caravan site provided a couple of items of note. At least three adult Mediterranean gulls were seen on the mud and also occasionally flying round and calling loudly. There was also a fine view of a male marsh harrier seen coming onto the Island, having just crossed over the Blackwater estuary from Bradwell. The bird dropped down quite low as it headed north over the field to the east of the caravan site.

Michael Thorley had one or two things to report from recent days. First wheatear of the spring on the Island was seen at the Youth Camp on 24th, as were 40 sanderling. On the 23rd there were 45 knot on the mudflats at Rewsalls / Youth Camp, while also here on the 19th was a short-eared owl and 2 Med gulls.
On the 18th 2 Med gulls were by the beach at West Mersea while a barn owl was at East Mersea near the Golfhouse. A barn owl was also seen at Rewsalls on the 17th and a brambling was noted in his garden near Meeting Lane on this date and the day before.