AVOCET POOLS

More April showers on Sunday 13th interspersed with sunny periods and also the chilly breeze.
Following Andy Field's observations yesterday, checked out the saltmarsh pools near the Golfhouse, pictured above. Sure enough there were the avocets here again, except there were 6 birds present, so maybe three pairs may think of breeding here, as opposed to the two pairs last summer. Ten brent geese were seen flying over the saltings.

On the grazing fields a pair of swallows hawked back and forwards. A small group of 20 golden plover were hard to spot in the tussocky grass while other waders seen included 6 redshank, black-tailed godwit and the usual 3 pairs of lapwing. The mute swan looks as if she is sitting on her nest alongside the central ditch, the other swan at the pond has been sitting for about a week now.

Also in the fields close to the pools were 20 shoveler, 15 shelduck, 8 wigeon and 20 teal, while a kestrel hovered above one corner.

In the park there was the familiar sparrowhawk sighting of one flying over a nearby field. The only migrant of note was the singing chiffchaff by the pond.

Michael Thorley reported the first cuckoo for the Island near the East Mersea church.