LONE BUTTERFLY

It was just warm enough on Monday 3rd for this small tortoiseshell to bask in the sunshine near the Feldy View field in West Mersea. It was the only butterfly seen during the day.

Along the Strood Channel 500 brent geese were seen feeding on the Ray Island saltmarsh. There were 100+ teal, 50+ wigeon and 20 shelduck also along the channel, while 4 greylag geese flew over. Not much variety amongst the waders with mostly 200+ redshank feeding on the mud as the tide came in, while one knot and 4 black-tailed godwit were also seen. Ten little grebes were amongst the moorings.

Two common buzzards were soaring high in the distance over Peldon, a sparrowhawk spiralled high over the Strood Channel drifting across to the Ray while 5 marsh harriers could be seen in the air over Old Hall.

Alongside the walk 2 reed buntings, rock pipit, 2 meadow pipits, 5 skylarks, 12 linnets and 10 blackbirds were noted while a grey heron, little egret and cormorant were seen beside the inland watercourses.

Amongst the small selection of birds still coming to the Firs Chase garden feeder was this male greenfinch.

It was nice to see the song thrush underneath the bird feeders looking for seeds or scraps from suet balls that may have dropped to the ground. It is our resident thrush and is often in full song every morning.