CALM AT CUDMORE

There was a big improvement in the weather on Monday 26th and with the sun shining with no wind, it was very pleasant along the beach at the park, pictured above. The calm conditions provided a good opportunity to scan the sea at high tide.

Five Slavonian grebes were seen off shore slightly to the west of the park, while further out a red-throated diver was noted, a species surprisingly absent here until now this winter. Scattered across the water were up to 25 great crested grebes and on the horizon a big gathering of 200 cormorants probably feeding on sprats. A common seal swam eastwards into the river Colne.

High above the grazing fields 2 peregrines tussled with each other as they flew east over the river. In the park grazing fields there was a sizeable flock of 350 black-tailed godwits feeding around the vast lagoon. This very waterlogged area was also where 50 curlew, 10 redshank and 500 wigeon were feeding too.

At the park pond a pale male sparrowhawk perched on a fencepost surveying the surroundings and even watched with interest the regular well marked male sparrowhawk fly close-by. Nine tufted duck were the main ducks of note here along with small numbers of mallard, gadwall, shoveler and wigeon.

At the beginning of the day there was a nice view of a barn owl still hunting the fields beside Bromans Lane. In the afternoon a male marsh harrier was seen flying across the Pyefleet Channel onto the Island as I drove off the Island.

A visiting birder from south Essex had a rewarding visit to East Mersea reporting some of the birds mentioned above but also 4 snow buntings, spotted redshank, curlew sandpiper at the Point, while also seeing 2 short-eared owls at Rewsalls Marshes, as did Michael Thorley. Martin Cock saw the great northern diver and the Mediterranean gull from the Esplanade at West Mersea today.