CONFIDING SNOW BUNTING

A very confiding snow bunting was found on the beach at East Mersea Point on Monday 19th by Simon Patient. The bird blends in very well to the beach surroundings which makes it quite easy to overlook for anyone trying to find it. The picture above was taken by Andy Field on Tuesday 20th.

The snow bunting was still on the beach on Wednesday 21st when it was photographed here by Andrew Thompson with his phone. Three rock pipits were seen at the Point too.

This late flowering sea rocket on the East Mersea Point also caught the eye of Andrew on Wednesday.

Five eider were seen flying past the Point on Wednesday 21st as they headed up river before turning back and soon flying back out to sea. Also seen by the Point was a large wader gathering of mainly 200 knot and 500 dunlin as well as several grey plover and redshank.
On the park pond ten gadwall while from the nearby alders a siskin was seen flying away.

The black brant was back on the West Mersea foreshore along Coast Road on Wednesday 21st, first seen by Steve Hunting and then photographed above by Andy. It seems to be the same bird as in previous winters - there has been a black brant here for the last four winters.

On Thursday 22nd Andy Field reported that the snow bunting was still at East Mersea Point, 3 eider flew out of the river, also buzzard, a sparrowhawk and in the fields 120 brent geese were feeding.
Two common buzzards were by the field at Chapmans Lane on Thursday, while a barn owl perched by the East Mersea road just west of Meeting Lane shortly after dark.

Two red squirrels were at the Firs Chase feeder early before sun-rise on both Wednesday and Thursday mornings.