PLENTY OF WILDFOWL

Plenty of wildfowl were using the flooded grazing field at the country park on Saturday 17th. Around 500 brent geese were feeding in nearby wheat fields but on occasions some would seek temporary refuge on the pools where they could drink and bathe. The resident group of about 400 wigeon were busy grazing, while a few shoveler and teal were also present in the fields.

During the afternoon high tide, at least 70 black-tailed godwits, 15 redshank and a few curlew fed on the wetter areas. In the drier of the grazing fields 60 lapwing, 3 golden plover, 25 goldfinches and 4 stock doves were noted. A sparrowhawk scattered a lot of birds as it flew along the back of the fields in the morning, while a kestrel passing over in the afternoon also spooked a few birds too.

The Colne estuary birds seem to be getting used to this huge jacking-up barge in the river. In the foreground of this picture are 6 snow buntings feeding on the shingle beach, although too small to show up in the photo. The birds were seen at several points on the beach and at the East Mersea Point, where they fed close to some of the 50 turnstones in the area. Twelve red-breasted mergansers flew rapidly past the big barge as they headed out of the river. The male stonechat was seen amongst the sea-blite bushes at the Point.

There was a good gathering of waders on the last bit of mud near the Point with 2000 dunlin the main sight, along with 100 grey plover, 100 knot and a handful of ringed plover.