DISTANT SPECKS

There was enough sunshine in between the cloudy periods for Sunday 20th to be a warm summer's day. The beach at the country park, pictured above, was relatively deserted in the morning, before the summer crowds arrived.

The sand martins are still busy using the nesting holes in the cliff with around fifty holes looking as if they've been used. Some birds may be on their second brood, while others could've come to the area late to nest. The local sand martins have been flying low over the park and going back and forwards. For the last week there has been a very noticeable sand martin migration occuring over the park with passage birds flying higher and generally all heading in the same westerly direction.

Opening the park gates the great spotted woodpecker was seen pecking on a high up branch, the local Bromans Lane turtle dove could be heard singing, while flashing overhead was a nice male sparrowhawk that perched briefly in a tall tree.

The sunshine brought out the usual assortment of butterflies such as red admiral, peacock, comma, large white, small white, meadow brown, hedge brown, speckled wood, small skipper and Essex skipper. The first southern hawker dragonfly of the summer was hawking along a section of path, while a black-tailed skimmer was seen amongst the tall grass.

At the end of the day had an enjoyable stroll along the beach and seawall, the picture above showing the sun setting behind the park borrowdyke. It was a challenge to try and identify the distant specks on the mudflats with it being low tide. The last rays of sunshine highlighted the orange chests of the black-tailed godwits with about 200 birds seen, especially along the outer edge of the mud.

Also on the edge of the river there was a distinctive group of 8 avocets feeding with lots of side-ways bill-sweeping. The bright white plumage of 3 little egrets feeding in different spots, was also highlighted by the last rays of the sun. Lots of redshank, oystercatchers, curlew and small groups of dunlin could be seen too.

Beyond the mudflats a flock of 40 common terns were seen feeding at sea on a small shoal of fish, judging by the amount of circling around and diving into the water. Later the terns flew overhead as they headed to roost up the river Colne.