WINTRY SHOWERS

Wrapped up warm wearing several layers, thick hat and gloves, I was ready for the walk along the Strood seawall late in the afternoon of Saturday 22nd. There were several wintry showers that passed over the Island during the day and luckily I managed to fit my walk in, between showers.

One big band of sleet and hail divided into two before reaching the Island with the picture above showing the dark cloud to the west. The other wintry cloud headed east to East Mersea.

In between the showers, the blue sky brightened up the Strood Channel mudflats. The cold strong wind didn't make it easy to keep the binoculars steady. Redshank, curlew, grey plover, dunlin, oystercatcher, turnstone were the usual waders, while 10 black-tailed godwits, 2 bar-tailed godwits and 100 knot were also noted. In the nearby arable field, 10 ringed plover were seen feeding. The commonest duck were the wigeon with about 150 seen in various groups, also 25 teal and 20 shelduck.

On a couple of occasions, lots of waders and wildfowl took to the air in a bit of a panic, which briefly made viewing a bit easier. The first bit of panic was due to a female marsh harrier as it headed north-east up the channel. A short while later a sparrowhawk, crossed over from Ray Island, creating chaos underneath it, as all the waders and wildfowl scattered away.

The only flocks of brent geese that were seen were around the southern end of Ray Island, either feeding on the saltmarsh or flying into the Ray Channel.
A little egret was probably looking for toads in the borrowdyke before heading onto the saltmarsh. The only small birds seen along the seawall were 8 linnet and a couple of meadow pipits, but otherwise it was not a day for small birds.
Three magpies headed off island late in the day, probably to roost on Ray Island.

The only birds seen in the channels by the Hard were one great crested grebe and a couple of little grebes.

Earlier in the day a chiffchaff was heard calling by Firs Chase. I wonder if this little summer migrant is pleased he got here so early this spring!