KEEN-EYED KESTREL

A male kestrel perched obligingly in a tree beside the Firs Chase caravan site at West Mersea on Sunday 2nd. 

The kestrel didn't seem concerned at having its photograph taken whilst walkers passed along the path beneath it. It was keeping a keen eye down on a scrubby corner at the back of the caravan site. A chiffchaff was seen in a nearby hedge also 10 goldfinches.

On one of the fields by the Strood were at least 200 brent geese feeding on the winter wheat. In the nearby Ray Channel a noisy flock of 1000 brent geese landed on the water having been flushed off a Peldon field.

Birds of interest noted during the walk along the Strood seawall were rock pipit, 10 reed buntings, 10 skylarks, 15 linnets, 300 lapwing, 50 golden plover and a marsh harrier over on the Feldy side. 

On Friday at the country park the first wigeon in the grazing fields this winter were seen with 300 noted also 200+ brent geese and 46 greylag geese. At the pond were 20 little egrets and the Cetti's warbler singing.

At West Mersea on Friday, a velvet scoter was seen from Coast Road by Andy Field.

At the country park a red squirrel was seen on Friday by Andy in trees by the horseride near the pillbox among the bushes.

Two red squirrels were in the Firs Chase garden on the cedar tree at the same time late morning on Sunday 2nd. They took it in turns to visit the feeder but both spending several minutes eating the assorted nut mix.

Both red squirrels are males that have been regular for several weeks here. This one is a bright orange colour with the long ear tufts.

The second red squirrel has a darker coat including the ear tufts which are a shade browner than the individual in the earlier photo.