POSING PEACOCK

Late morning was the warmest part of Sunday 21st with plenty of sunshine but before a chilly wind started to blow across the park in the afternoon. This was one of a couple of peacock butterflies seen in the sheltered spots and one small tortoiseshell butterfly was seen at the park too.

Another firecrest was found by Andy Field, this time at the park in bushes alongside the path near the hide. As ever the little bird was always on the go as it foraged and flitted amongst the branches. Mostly silent, it gave out a faint song on a couple of occasions during the late morning period whilst it was being watched.

Other migrants noted near the pond included singing lesser whitethroat, whitethroat, blackap and chiffchaff while a handful of swallows and a couple of sand martins passed over the pond. On the pond 2 pairs of pochard were of note along with 8 tufted duck. The male swan was busy building up the nest amongst the reeds.

On the grazing fields, 7 yellow wagtails were counted while 4 little egrets, grey heron,pair of Canada geese, 5 wigeon, 50+ teal, 4 gadwall,10 lapwing, 20 redshank, 5 black-tailed godwits and 3 snipe were present.

Two common terns passed the Point a couple of times while 4 red-breasted mergansers, 12 brent geese and a red-throated diver were noted offshore.Also at the Point was a pair of reed buntings, 4 linnets and a yellow wagtail flying east.

A marsh harrier passed over the East Mersea road near Bocking Hall in the evening while a little owl sat on a telegraph pole in Bromans Lane at dusk. In the morning two corn buntings were singing alongside the East Mersea road near Bocking Hall.

Andy Field heard the nightingale at Coopers Beach on Sunday morning as well as several whitethroats, lesser whitethroats and blackcaps. A fieldfare was also noted here.

This small common lizard was basking beside one of the park paths on Sunday morning. The first two individuals of the season were seen just yesterday.

On Saturday 20th the first lesser whitethroat was back at the park singing along the horseride hedgerow while 3 singing chiffchaffs were also overnight arrivals in different corners of the park. Four yellow wagtails were in the park fields, 2 siskins flew east calling and there was a common tern flying past the Point. The ruff was still in the grazing fields for its third day.
Three adders and a peacock butterfly were enjoying the warmth of the sun during the day.

The first swift seen on the Island this spring was noted by Steve Entwistle in the Empress Avenue area.

Two male wheatears were in the grazing fields on Friday 19th as were 3 yellow wagtails and the ruff was feeding around the pools. A marsh harrier flew past the park pond in the late afternoon heading north-west over the fields and another couple were seen heading north over the Point.
 Two brown hares were seen in a field near Bromans Lane in the morning.

Hugh Owen reported a red kite and marsh harrier near the Strood on Friday as well as seeing a firecrest in his Langenhoe garden.