HIGH TIDE BY THE STROOD

It was a sunny start to Monday 2nd and good conditions for a walk along the Strood seawall although unfortunately it coincided with the high tide, pictured above. A grey heron and a little egret were seen on these saltings in the picture along with a small group of brent geese. Groups of waders and wildfowl were roosting along the saltmarshes alongside the Strood.

The best views of the birds occurred when first a female marsh harrier flew low over the Ray saltings and then a sparrowhawk flew low across the channel scattering waders on both sides. The usual wildfowl on show were the brent geese, wigeon, teal and shelduck with a few mallard. Waders noted included redshank, curlew, dunlin, knot, grey plover, lapwing, golden plover and oystercatcher.

The breeze seemed to suppress the small bird activity in the fields with 10 skylarks, meadow pipit, rock pipit, 2 reed bunting and a kestrel the only other birds of note.

The second half of the walk was along the beach from below the "Monkey Steps"pictured above, back along Coast Road. It was still high tide and the sea offshore was quiet with only a few gulls on the water. On Cobmarsh Island groups of brent geese and oystercatchers were seen along with a few cormorants. A big flock of 400 golden plovers rose high into the air over the Mersea Quarters and a scan of the skies revealed a peregrine and marsh harrier were seen soaring high together.

On St Peters Marsh a rock pipit and a lesser redpoll were noted and 2 little egrets flew along the beach. A common darter dragonfly was seen on a bramble bush in the sunshine.

Later a red admiral was seen by Firs Chase and a goldcrest was heard calling.

Martin Cock saw 3 yellowhammers, 10 corn buntings, 50 skylarks and a marsh harrier on his visit to Maydays Farm on Monday.
Andy Field visited Reeveshall on Sunday afternoon and counted 9 marsh harriers coming into roost at Langenhoe. The tawny owl was heard calling from the north end of Shop Lane.