FEEDING LINNETS

A couple of flocks of linnets were feeding at the country park on Monday 24th, this one pictured above feeding on golden samphire seedheads with ten other linnets beside the ramp down onto the beach. Another flock of 40 linnets was feeding on the seablite bushes at the Point.


A whinchat was in the park's grazing fields on Monday, as was a small covey of 5 grey partridge, also 20 swallows, 5 house martins and 2 sand martins flying over the fields. A yellow wagtail flew over the fields calling while 25 meadow pipits were in the long grass at the park.


A sparrowhawk unsettled waders on the mudflats at the Point having crossed west over the Colne, 50 avocets and 40 golden plover were noted on the mud along with the usual other waders and there was a common tern in the river. A Mediterranean gull was in the grazing field, another over the mudflats, 10 teal with 4 gadwall on the pond and also 78 little egrets roosting in the trees.
At the end of the day a little owl called loudly at dusk from the top of one of the tall posts in the childrens play area - trying to respond to another little owl calling from the Cosways caravan site.

A very wet Sunday 23rd saw 35 little egrets resting in the trees at the park pond.
In the grazing fields were 100 black-tailed godwits, 70 curlew and a Mediterranean gull. In bushes near the car park were several small birds including five chiffchaffs and five blackcaps. As the rain was petering out in the afternoon 100+ house martins drifted west over the park.
A red squirrel was in trees by the park buildings first thing on Saturday 22nd.


On Wednesday 19th an osprey was seen flying past the East Mersea Oyster Fishery by Martin Cock.