FLOCKS ARRIVING

An hour along the Pyefleet just after mid-day on Friday 14th, proved lucky for seeking enjoyment with the waders. The tide was on its way out and big flocks were arriving to feed with this big group pictured above being a group of about 800 noisy dunlin. Also eager to feed were redshank, grey plover, black-tailed godwit and golden plover.

Something disturbed the waders along the Colne near the Rat Island roost and thousands of waders and ducks flew around in different directions. At least 500 avocets caught the eye, also 500 golden plover, 1000 lapwing and big mixed flocks of grey plover / knot / dunlin. A group of 27 gadwall was an interesting group.

Along the Pyefleet 9 red-breasted mergansers provided good clear views and the males showed off their colourful plumage with red eyes and bright red bills. Six great crested grebes drifted along the Channel too. Scattered along the edge of the Channel especially around Pewit Island were brent geese, wigeon, teal and shelduck with five cormorants and 2 little egrets.
A common seal drifted down the channel as the tide ebbed.

On Langenhoe a male and female marsh harriers were seen quartering the marshes. In the distance a common buzzard circled high above before drifting north towards Fingringhoe.

No sign of the 9 white-fronted geese that had been seen on Reeveshall on Wednesday by both Andrew Thompson and Martin Cock. No sign either of the 2 crossbills that had been seen by the conifer wood in Shop Lane on Monday morning. A redwing and great spotted woodpecker were seen today by the wood.
A late chiffchaff was seen by Martin in his garden on Monday, while along the East Mersea road on Thursday 4 fieldfares and a corn bunting were seen.

At the country park over the last few days the birds have been the usual mix with good numbers of ducks on the park pond especially lots of shoveler, pair of stonechats along the seawall and single redwing and fieldfare seen too.

The moth trap was put out at the park rather hopefully on Wednesday night and only 8 feathered thorns and a mottled umber were noted the next morning.