ROSY STARLING REFOUND

The juvenile rose-coloured starling was relocated in East Mersea again on Saturday 17th, just inside the entrance to the Coopers Beach Holiday Park. Andy Field returned to the area for the third day running and eventually re-found the bird where he was then able to take this picture above. It wasn't seen during yesterday's drizzle despite being looked for.

The bird was in view for about half an hour in total just after mid-day on Saturday, mainly perched on a dead elm at the rear of the park manager's house. At one point it flew off and appeared to drop down near the football pitch although it couldn't be seen.

I don't think the bird was seen in the afternoon despite other birdwatchers looking for it. It does seem to be associating with common starlings and there were several hundred in the nearby fields coming and going.

Twelve swallows, 16 redwings and two chiffchaffs were also seen in the Coopers Beach area by Andy, while from the Rewsalls Lane 1000 starlings, 30 linnet, 50 lapwing, 20 fieldfare and a female marsh harrier were also noted. Four siskin were in the alders by the Youth Camp.

This male kestrel was perched on top of a telegraph pole by the entrance into the country park on Saturday morning. It was staring intently down on the ground, before flying off.

Also seen at the park were 2 chiffchaffs, 2 swallows, 40 goldfinches and a lesser redpoll flying over.
On the pond at least 20 little egrets late in the day, along with a tufted duck still present and a little owl calling from a nearby hedge.
On the grazing fields 500 brent and 500 wigeon again feeding in the afternoon and also 24 jackdaws and several rooks too.

At the East Mersea Point this wheatear was of note, also a marsh harrier flew over the saltmarsh and the first rock pipit of the autumn was seen. A common scoter flew out of the Colne and a common seal was seen in the river too. The first influx this autumn of shelduck seems to have just happened with 62 feeding on mud beside the Point and also eight on the eastern side of the river.

At the beginning of the day this common buzzard was seen close to the East Mersea road near Weir Farm.
Another common buzzard was also seen mid morning flying over the horse paddocks to the north of the park.