Monday 13 February 2017

SWALLOW BIRDING BOAT TRIP

The boat trip into the Blackwater from West Mersea on Sunday 12th by Swallow Birding proved another successful trip on the Sorcerer boat. Steve Grimwade kindly sent me a few images taken during the trip into the nearby creeks and along the Blackwater river as far as Osea Island.

This great northern diver above was one of six seen, also a recent dead one too, while 20 long-tailed ducks, 3 common scoter, 30 goldeneye, 50 red-breasted mergansers and 7 Slavonian grebes were also seen.

 The regular adult shag that has been present this winter, was seen in Salcott Channel.


Birds of prey seen were 3 peregrines - a female off Goldhanger and a male and female in Tollesbury Channel, also six marsh harriers seen.

One of the dark-bellied brent geese seen by the West Mersea Hard.

One of the three sanderling that have become a regular sight this winter at the Hard.
The other waders of note on the trip were 180 avocets in Tollesbury Channel.

During the Swallow Birding visit to East Mersea on Wednesday 8th, this tawny owl was seen perched in a tree.

Along Shop Lane on the 8th, the group struck gold when they spotted this red squirrel in a small woodland. Although tricky to see on occasions, they all managed to see it.

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