The warm and sunny start to Sunday 10th saw several butterflies on show at the country park, such as this colourful peacock which was basking low down amongst the long grass.
A small copper was keeping low down beside one of the park paths, stopping briefly to soak up some sunshine.
Also noted were comma, small heath, holly blue, red admiral, large white, small white and speckled wood.
Also noted were comma, small heath, holly blue, red admiral, large white, small white and speckled wood.
A common lizard enjoyed the morning sunshine on top of a wooden post near the overflow car park and an adder was seen at the park on Sunday.
The small colony of bee wolves was still active at the eastern end of the park cliff on the sunny morning of Saturday 9th. At least half a dozen individuals were flying about including one brief view of one carrying a bee back into its burrow to feed its young.
Bee wolves first colonised the country park twenty years ago, although this is the first year they've been seen in the park cliff. At first glance they look very similar to common wasps. Although the bee wolves are solitary and have their individual holes, there were over 100 holes in the cliff in a five metre section of cliff.
Below the colony of bee wolves was this clump of sea rocket with pale lilac coloured flowers.
A little owl tried to enjoy some of the sunshine on Sunday 10th along the hedge-line near the back of the park pond, but some of the other birds wouldn't leave it in peace. At dusk on Friday 9th a little owl was heard calling from trees in the park's overflow car park.
In the hedge by the pond on Sunday were a blackcap and lesser whitethroat while on the pond were 4 shoveler and 3 teal. Twelve goldfinches were in the area while 40 linnets were at the Point.
In the hedge by the pond on Sunday were a blackcap and lesser whitethroat while on the pond were 4 shoveler and 3 teal. Twelve goldfinches were in the area while 40 linnets were at the Point.
One of the twenty mallard seen at the park pond was this one on a bramble bush feeding on the juicy crop of blackberries. Later a moorhen was also on top of this same bush doing the same thing.
On Saturday 9th there were 71 little egrets roosting in trees behind the park pond while a recent report of 86 being counted here is the highest so far of the autumn. Four blackcaps seen at the park.
Circling in the air above fields to the north of the park was a big and noisy flock of 300+ jackdaws and rooks.
At West Mersea five Mediterranean gulls were seen by Richard Allen in a field near the Strood on Saturday 9th.
On Saturday 9th there were 71 little egrets roosting in trees behind the park pond while a recent report of 86 being counted here is the highest so far of the autumn. Four blackcaps seen at the park.
Circling in the air above fields to the north of the park was a big and noisy flock of 300+ jackdaws and rooks.
At West Mersea five Mediterranean gulls were seen by Richard Allen in a field near the Strood on Saturday 9th.
A wheatear was on top of the park seawall, perching on some bristly ox-tongue plants on Friday 8th. Two green sandpipers flew over the fields calling, 3 Mediterranean gulls were on the mud as were 50 golden plover. Two sand martins flew over the park with 50 swallows and 30 house martins. Three teal and 50 little egrets were seen at the park pond.
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