BLOWY BUT BRIGHT

The wind picked up during Thursday 22nd but at least the sun shone during the middle part of the day. The conditions were good for seeing the various waders and wildfowl on the park's grazing fields, picture above.

Andy Field located the jack snipe on a small island of dead docks on the pools, with the bird briefly showing and bobbing. The previous day the two jack snipe had been showing again, amongst the many other 50+ common snipe. The ruff was also present on Thursday feeding around the pools and it was also noted on Monday too by Ian Black.

At the East Mersea Point Jack Levene reported watching at least 22 snow buntings on Thursday afternoon which were so obliging at times, that he couldn't focus close enough with his big camera lens! The flock of 22 birds had also been seen on Tuesday afternoon by Steve Entwistle.

Two lesser redpolls were feeding in a low alder near the pond, close to the path and later a flock of 6 siskins flew over. A flock of 8 siskins landed in some trees near the hide on Monday.

At West Mersea a black-necked grebe was found by Martin Cock offshore from the Esplanade early Wednesday afternoon. The previous evening he watched from Shop Lane in East Mersea at least three possibly four male hen harriers heading into the Langenhoe roost.