Saturday 21 January 2017

SNIPE BY THE DYKE

A common snipe fed along the edge of the park's borrowdyke on a frosty Friday 20th - forced into the open by the cold weather.

The sun helped thaw out this sloping edge of the field allowing the snipe to probe for worms in the softer soil. A second snipe was seen flying over the fields.

The main part of the park's grazing fields was frosted over on Friday morning with a big flock of 1000 wigeon the only birds present.

Several shoveler were still able to feed on the unfrozen sections of the park dyke, this pair spinning round as they fed. A rock pipit was seen walking along the ice at the edge of the dyke.

The pond was two thirds frozen on Saturday 21st, with this group of mainly mallard resting on the ice. A marsh harrier flew high over the grazing fields in the afternoon, spooking the 1500 wigeon and 500 teal as it headed out across the Colne.


On Friday 20th on the part-frozen pond, 5 little egrets roosted at high tide, 80 mallard, 12 gadwall, 70 teal, 10 coot and 2 tufted ducks were present while a little owl soaked up the morning sun in a garden to the north of the park.  Twelve goldfinches were in the alders and ten stock doves were seen too.


A big flock of 700 brent geese were seen flying noisily over the park on Friday.

Earlier in the week on Wednesday 18th this guillemot was photographed by Andy Field in the river Colne. Also 4 common scoter and two common seals were also in the Colne.
Ten red-breasted mergansers were offshore from the park on Tuesday 17th.


This grey heron was seen by Andy in the park's grazing fields close to the dyke on Wednesday.


A house sparrow chirping in the car park on Wednesday and Thursday has become a rare sound at the park in recent years.

The East Mersea tawny owl was having a snooze in the morning sun of Wednesday, photographed by Andy.


Offshore from West Mersea on Wednesday morning, 4 great northern divers, red-throated diver, 31 red-breasted mergansers were seen by Andy.


The glossy ibis showed well for David Nicholls by the Strood as he walked across the Ray Saltings on Wednesday 18th.
At least ten fieldfares were feeding in the fields by Bocking Hall for several days between Tuesday and Friday.


On a calm Monday 16th from the Esplanade, 4 great northern divers, 3 scaup, common scoter,10 pintail, 450+ great crested grebes and 20 red-breasted mergansers were seen.

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