ONE DAY OF SPRING

The moth trap was checked early on Saturday 26th where about 28 moths of 11 species were found. The distinctive looking chocolate-tip moth pictured above, is the first one to appear at the park this year. There should be several more records of this widespread moth over the the next few weeks and also again in late summer when the second brood appear.

The main moth of note was this lunar marbled brown, pictured above with a bald patch on its head.There should be one or two more appearances of this reasonably common moth over the next few weeks.
Other moths seen included pine beauty, red chestnut, hebrew character, streamer and brindled pug.

For once the weather stayed sunny and warm throughout Saturday and one or two butterflies were out enjoying the sunshine, such as peacock, speckled wood and small white.

There was a newly arrived willow warbler singing near the park entrance, competing with the resident nightingale for the local airwaves. The second nightingale was also singing near the cliff-top and seems to have settled down for the summer.

The weather on Sunday 27th wasn't as sunny as the previous day and a quick morning walk to the Point didn't reveal much to look at in the river Colne, other than admiring this old Thames sailing barge as it headed out of the river.

One great crested grebe flew out of the river, 20 black-tailed godwits could be seen on the Brightlingsea side of the river and a handful of dunlin on the near side were the only birds noted on the mudflats, other than the resident oystercatchers and redshank. The regular two pairs of avocets were still present on the pools near the Point. Two whimbrel whistled their way up the river Colne.

On the grazing fields several of the lapwing got rather anxious when 4 rogue lapwings strayed into the local airspace and were quickly escorted away with much calling and displaying. Two pairs of greylag geese appeared and checked out the site for nesting potential. Three reed warblers sang from the reeds alongside the dyke, 3 sand martins flew over the fields as did a couple of swallows.

At the park pond there was the usual group of 12 pochard and 4 tufted ducks while a blackcap and whitethroat could be heard singing from here. Around the park there appear to be 3 singing lesser whitethroats and at least 4 common whitethroats so far.
At dusk a little owl flew across Bromans Lane to land halfway up a telegraph pole.

Simon Wood and Russell Neave reported seeing a common buzzard flying up the Pyefleet, as well as 12 little terns on Saturday evening. They also had a male Montagu's harrier on Saturday afternoon to the south of Mersea, as it headed west from Colne Point towards Bradwell