STARTED SUNNY

The start of Saturday 27th was the best part of the day with this bright sunrise across the sea from the country park pictured above, just before 8am. However the sunshine and calm conditions only lasted for the first hour, as it soon clouded over and the breeze picked up too.

There were no waders around this section of park beach pictured above, as the tide was coming in and most of the mudflats were already covered. A flock of 400 golden plover headed inland from the Point, as the high tide approached. Four red-breasted mergansers flew up river - the first group in the Colne so far I believe this winter. Five avocets flew past the Point and the last group of waders on the mud were a mixed bunch of 200 birds mainly grey plover and dunlin. Along the beach 35 turnstones fed along the water's edge.

At the park pond 15 shoveler, 4 tufted ducks, 4 gadwall were amongst the regular teal and mallard. Thirty wigeon were to be seen along the dyke but none feeding in the fields.

Near the car park 4 song thrushes were feeding on the rowan berries along with about 10 blackbirds. Five siskin flew over the park calling as they headed east. One red admiral was seen on the flowering ivy clump.

On Friday another Cetti's warbler was discovered on the Island, this time in the bushes by St Peter's by West Mersea, found by Richard Hull. This is now the fourth individual this autumn on the Island, with the other three at the country park, Maydays Farm and alongside the Strood. The bird at the park was heard briefly a fortnight ago and may still be around but there has been no sign of the others. However the site at St Peters looks ideal with sallow, thorn and bramble bushes alongside the reedbed there.

On Thursday night a barn owl was seen perched in a small tree beside the East Mersea road near Bocking Hall.