tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63238354217250038092024-03-18T02:01:15.441-01:00MERSEA WILDLIFEWELCOME TO MERSEA ISLAND - A GEM OFF THE ESSEX COAST. FAMOUSLY DESCRIBED IN 1880:- "A MORE DESOLATE REGION CAN SCARCE BE CONCEIVED, AND YET IT IS NOT WITHOUT BEAUTY".
STILL UNIQUE TODAY, CUT OFF AT HIGH TIDES, SURROUNDED BY MUD AND SALTMARSHES, MERSEA IS RICH IN COASTAL WILDLIFE.
HERE ARE SOME HIGHLIGHTS -Dougal Urquharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160413142108234247noreply@blogger.comBlogger2011125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6323835421725003809.post-52124534787819606312024-03-13T22:30:00.001-01:002024-03-17T23:58:18.023-01:00PARK LITTLE OWLS<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxq-GcC0sQ34oqI0WysvMkT8ckjySDfZiI0XrvUxsZ6I7ukERuBlYU4cmrYFeHaOw9bwai5miQvf6ZGHZKGGUpsKvzkHNxbN2_kUutjSvkuwLYHQp2QIPD0mp3ihChIEBLaYDp5SLNi5-q9y95Uqq6Hq7-FRgVmAPvFeJYsywaI3u1t8dQQH91gOWQbEXM/s1268/Little%20owlAF.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1268" data-original-width="1161" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxq-GcC0sQ34oqI0WysvMkT8ckjySDfZiI0XrvUxsZ6I7ukERuBlYU4cmrYFeHaOw9bwai5miQvf6ZGHZKGGUpsKvzkHNxbN2_kUutjSvkuwLYHQp2QIPD0mp3ihChIEBLaYDp5SLNi5-q9y95Uqq6Hq7-FRgVmAPvFeJYsywaI3u1t8dQQH91gOWQbEXM/w366-h400/Little%20owlAF.JPG" width="366" /></a></div>On Wednesday 13th two <span style="color: #990000;">little owls</span> were seen by Andy Field at Cudmore Grove Country Park, both of them by the barn owl box behind the pond. One of the<span style="color: #990000;"> little owls </span>pictured here by Andy. Two<span style="color: #990000;"> chiffchaffs</span> were also noted by Andy, one of them singing, also, a <span style="color: #990000;">goldcrest, buzzard</span> and a <span style="color: #990000;">Cetti's warbler</span> showing in front of the hide.<div><br /></div><div>Shaun Bater visited the Shop Lane seawall on Wednesday and reported<span style="color: #990000;"> little egret</span>, two <span style="color: #990000;">gadwall</span>, 30 <span style="color: #990000;">teal</span>, eight <span style="color: #990000;">Canada geese</span>, five <span style="color: #990000;">red-breasted mergansers</span>, four <span style="color: #990000;">great crested grebes </span>and a <span style="color: #990000;">buzzard</span>.</div><div>Earlier in his West Mersea garden Shaun saw nine <span style="color: #990000;">greenfinches</span> and a male <span style="color: #990000;">blackcap</span>.<br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSUyUrvSOE-oIMrLpCWk_jMYHAqaXfHcC427jcOEcjkCRQgVFK9N77MF-hc8vWgkQ7f8pphqHTqVbMMLtXoAvqa6ZLLIO8jOXrRCA9J4Sk2ZiROitWf34qOm1H5qEA0z9mXkQ9f0elBv49wOBSaqox2vnM3qAEGow__f2H-FBJCzHyK4wApdPworZHShVZ/s4032/Blackcap%20on%20feeder.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSUyUrvSOE-oIMrLpCWk_jMYHAqaXfHcC427jcOEcjkCRQgVFK9N77MF-hc8vWgkQ7f8pphqHTqVbMMLtXoAvqa6ZLLIO8jOXrRCA9J4Sk2ZiROitWf34qOm1H5qEA0z9mXkQ9f0elBv49wOBSaqox2vnM3qAEGow__f2H-FBJCzHyK4wApdPworZHShVZ/w300-h400/Blackcap%20on%20feeder.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>The female <span style="color: #990000;">blackcap</span> was at the fat balls again in the Firs Chase garden on Wednesday - visiting most days recently. </div><div><br /></div><div>Along the Strood seawall on Wednesday morning birds noted included 600 <span style="color: #990000;">brent geese</span>, 73 <span style="color: #990000;">shelduck</span>, 100<span style="color: #990000;"> wigeon</span> and twenty <span style="color: #990000;">golden plover </span>along the channel. Two <span style="color: #990000;">marsh harriers</span>, two <span style="color: #990000;">buzzards</span> were seen, a pair of<span style="color: #990000;"> shoveler</span> was on a pond at the back of the fields, 15 <span style="color: #990000;">corn buntings</span>, 40 <span style="color: #990000;">linnets</span> and five<span style="color: #990000;"> reed buntings</span> were in the fields with a<span style="color: #990000;"> Cetti's warbler</span> near the caravan park.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhBEmIltqhNOGYWgPvo4MFadwRCqW8eSSDixLZKjiXnnSUmWTo336b_REBlx3Cq2aPSQ3Sfpw0U9-IdZ-6XpcB6aAKWS3sxnm6Yf5munqcdLgSY4uHHLY9zJtJr8gu3uMXr3BjQKRpLNLq-98k8G3WKd8umzRJSLct9j5jqu6EMBFevpawcqK6GyAmpW-7/s2687/Yellow%20brain%20fungus.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2369" data-original-width="2687" height="353" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhBEmIltqhNOGYWgPvo4MFadwRCqW8eSSDixLZKjiXnnSUmWTo336b_REBlx3Cq2aPSQ3Sfpw0U9-IdZ-6XpcB6aAKWS3sxnm6Yf5munqcdLgSY4uHHLY9zJtJr8gu3uMXr3BjQKRpLNLq-98k8G3WKd8umzRJSLct9j5jqu6EMBFevpawcqK6GyAmpW-7/w400-h353/Yellow%20brain%20fungus.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A couple of small clumps of <span style="color: #274e13;">yellow brain fungi</span> were spotted on an old elm branch, along the path beside the Firs Caravan park on Wednesday.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFbf9S4KabwTwRonQsetBd8yJib24dDg7Y3KjOiH29F3iKjFEUdqhPoKcQyLJHRirszzKGCqxcETbHJapDHbYopAFJniC97ni6fPi-uXo5SNxZt7g0HSD6GBAasdaUu7YxK8tb-XYTmZmjZZzUeqWoOPlTbJ7vJwUCH06J-lK7S_mCYWsxAip98STRvSQN/s2048/Black%20hd%20gullMT.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1852" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFbf9S4KabwTwRonQsetBd8yJib24dDg7Y3KjOiH29F3iKjFEUdqhPoKcQyLJHRirszzKGCqxcETbHJapDHbYopAFJniC97ni6fPi-uXo5SNxZt7g0HSD6GBAasdaUu7YxK8tb-XYTmZmjZZzUeqWoOPlTbJ7vJwUCH06J-lK7S_mCYWsxAip98STRvSQN/w361-h400/Black%20hd%20gullMT.JPG" width="361" /></a></div>Michael Thorley photographed this <span style="color: #990000;">black-headed gull</span> at Coopers Beach on Tuesday 12th, also there five <span style="color: #990000;">turnstone, oystercatcher </span>and 45 <span style="color: #990000;">wood pigeons</span>.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzWNfoDcwlk1Cq1eEV-0Jy5zjRF3ljt7-nmmYy8NtLLobZlAUirkTdCtoCHaNmolE1E4BsXqkVwKg7_Ha5Vcw4-YueMiOutDfNjqwAjNmt13cbaBthHWij-SeX9bhIg2N2yJkF-88TVyOZ0mMgmGf_VgbINI_-Aavzl8spwxvmc84cL6lyvNBnASpX9fBx/s1728/Common%20gull%20MT.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1296" data-original-width="1728" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzWNfoDcwlk1Cq1eEV-0Jy5zjRF3ljt7-nmmYy8NtLLobZlAUirkTdCtoCHaNmolE1E4BsXqkVwKg7_Ha5Vcw4-YueMiOutDfNjqwAjNmt13cbaBthHWij-SeX9bhIg2N2yJkF-88TVyOZ0mMgmGf_VgbINI_-Aavzl8spwxvmc84cL6lyvNBnASpX9fBx/w400-h300/Common%20gull%20MT.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>This <span style="color: #990000;">common gull </span>was also photographed by Michael at Coopers Beach on Tuesday.</div><div>Feeding in the arable field to the south of East Road opposite Meeting Lane were 1000 <span style="color: #990000;">brent geese</span>.</div><div><br /></div><div>James Taylor walked the Reeveshall seawall on Tuesday and saw a male <span style="color: #990000;">marsh harrier, red-breasted merganser, Mediterranean gull</span>, four <span style="color: #990000;">little egrets</span>, six<span style="color: #990000;"> teal</span>, 20 <span style="color: #990000;">wigeon</span> and some <span style="color: #990000;">brent geese</span> too.</div><div><br /></div><div>A brief walk near the Firs Caravan park on Tuesday morning in the drizzle, revealed a singing<span style="color: #990000;"> blackcap</span> in Firs Road cemetery, also female<span style="color: #990000;"> blackcap</span> again in the Firs Chase garden,<span style="color: #990000;"> Cetti's warbler</span> singing at the top end of the path by Feldy View, <span style="color: #990000;">song thrush</span> here too, two <span style="color: #990000;">great spotted woodpeckers, green woodpecker</span>, 36 <span style="color: #990000;">curlews</span> feeding in the grass field, <span style="color: #990000;">great crested grebe </span>and 600 <span style="color: #990000;">brent</span> noted along Strood channel.</div><div><br /></div><div>The monthly Wetland Bird Survey was carried out along the north side of the Island on Monday 11th. The highlight was a <span style="color: #990000;">spoonbill</span> seen flying east over Reeveshall and heading out of the Pyefleet to the Colne. Along the Pyefleet channel were 45<span style="color: #990000;"> pintail</span> including 30 feeding at Pewit Island during the high tide, 44 <span style="color: #990000;">black-tailed godwits, bar-tailed godwit</span>, leucistic<span style="color: #990000;"> redshank</span>, two <span style="color: #990000;">snipe</span>, five <span style="color: #990000;">great crested grebes</span>. A <span style="color: #990000;">great white egret</span> was at Reeveshall, a pair of <span style="color: #990000;">stonechat</span> was at Maydays, five <span style="color: #990000;">marsh harriers</span> including on Langenhoe, 12 <span style="color: #990000;">Canada geese</span>, two <span style="color: #990000;">greylag geese</span>, 84<span style="color: #990000;"> curlew</span>, 28 <span style="color: #990000;">lapwing</span>, 1500 <span style="color: #990000;">starlings</span> were on Reeveshall.</div><div><br /></div><div>Continuing the WeBS count at Cudmore Grove on Monday afternoon a <span style="color: #990000;">barn owl</span> was hunting the back of the fields and the pair of <span style="color: #990000;">kestrels</span> was on the kestrel tree. At least 600 <span style="color: #990000;">wigeon </span>were feeding on the fields, also 62 <span style="color: #990000;">teal</span>, 21 <span style="color: #990000;">shoveler</span>, 8 <span style="color: #990000;">greylag geese</span>, 52 <span style="color: #990000;">black-tailed godwits</span> with two <span style="color: #990000;">pochard</span> and 8 <span style="color: #990000;">tufted ducks </span>on the dyke. Six <span style="color: #990000;">gadwall </span>were at the park pond, while in the Colne were 32 <span style="color: #990000;">red-breasted mergansers,</span> six <span style="color: #990000;">great crested grebes</span>.and the leucistic <span style="color: #990000;">oystercatcher </span>flying upriver.</div><div>Charlie Williams doing his WeBS count on Monday saw a <span style="color: #990000;">merlin </span>perch on the Bower Hall saltmarsh, fifty <span style="color: #990000;">corn buntings</span> on the Strood fields and a <span style="color: #990000;">great northern diver </span>off Seaview.</div><div><br /></div><div>Martin Cock visited Cudmore Grove on Monday morning and reported five<span style="color: #990000;"> pochard</span>, two<span style="color: #990000;"> goldcrest</span>, <span style="color: #990000;">Cetti's warbler</span>, also a <span style="color: #990000;">little owl</span> roosting in a holly tree and a <span style="color: #0b5394;">muntjac deer</span>.</div><div>A <span style="color: #990000;">great white egret </span>was seen by Daniel Woollard fly over his Cudmore Grove house on Monday afternoon, and earlier six <span style="color: #990000;">little egrets </span>were reported by Caroline White near the Golfhouse Pools, also an unconfirmed report of a cattle egret seen here by Jim Spalding.</div><div><br /></div><div>Ron Harvey was pleased to see the first <span style="color: #0b5394;">hedgehog</span> of the year in his Whittaker Way garden captured on his trail camera.</div><div><br /></div><div>On a wet Sunday 10th Caroline White watched the <span style="color: #990000;">barn owl</span> hunting over the fields by the country park pond and it also visited the barn owl box, also a <span style="color: #0b5394;">muntjac deer</span>, two <span style="color: #990000;">green woodpeckers</span> and a <span style="color: #990000;">little owl</span> in the kestrel box.</div><div><br /></div><div>A brief visit to the Strood seawall on a wet Sunday morning produced 70 <span style="color: #990000;">golden plover, great crested grebe</span>, two<span style="color: #990000;"> corn buntings</span> flying over, <span style="color: #990000;">great spotted woodpecker </span>and a <span style="color: #990000;">Cetti's warbler</span>.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirV8vkEkiJ_KwAmMkuS3x_VDrBHyx-RBG-E18cwm_F7s2weY1upFiFhI7L-kpKw2MR-p3MdsyY1hr7po8DMtuti1NRWe4X3y_gVR5jFeufXVxnWIa-XUt22e224_NayX5oz0iiYDjm0T0g5RxjvWOHoGrhd4qt5mzKWTTIx_JGAkjIqhOZaThCXq5EOPtx/s2335/Small%20tortoiseshell.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2335" data-original-width="2223" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirV8vkEkiJ_KwAmMkuS3x_VDrBHyx-RBG-E18cwm_F7s2weY1upFiFhI7L-kpKw2MR-p3MdsyY1hr7po8DMtuti1NRWe4X3y_gVR5jFeufXVxnWIa-XUt22e224_NayX5oz0iiYDjm0T0g5RxjvWOHoGrhd4qt5mzKWTTIx_JGAkjIqhOZaThCXq5EOPtx/w381-h400/Small%20tortoiseshell.jpg" width="381" /></a></div>Sunshine on Saturday 9th saw this <span style="color: #741b47;">small tortoiseshell</span> flying about near the East Mersea vineyard.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvz12QO4tCTmJddyyclF6jQetWemrfUxf0_Txpr7QKjWTshDWjdeTtoGUg7EkZTc3PbpXaIL9t2pRoBvagto3RUQlJsg-454zc4k7bBeqUFFINbsSkuVLHmh66hQJCxO1bQvTSmybVOAZTrD_rApkV4DmwZZTCGVEznl19jo_SS41Barj967a_pI4vCdeE/s2010/Siskin%20Vineyard.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2008" data-original-width="2010" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvz12QO4tCTmJddyyclF6jQetWemrfUxf0_Txpr7QKjWTshDWjdeTtoGUg7EkZTc3PbpXaIL9t2pRoBvagto3RUQlJsg-454zc4k7bBeqUFFINbsSkuVLHmh66hQJCxO1bQvTSmybVOAZTrD_rApkV4DmwZZTCGVEznl19jo_SS41Barj967a_pI4vCdeE/w400-h400/Siskin%20Vineyard.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A<span style="color: #990000;"> siskin </span>was quietly feeding on the cones in the alder trees next to the Vineyard on Saturday.</div><div><br /></div><div>On the nearby Rewsalls marshes 80 <span style="color: #990000;">brent geese</span>, three <span style="color: #990000;">little grebes</span>, two <span style="color: #990000;">oystercatchers</span>, 70<span style="color: #990000;"> redshank</span>, 30 <span style="color: #990000;">curlew</span>, 30<span style="color: #990000;"> turnstone</span>, four<span style="color: #990000;"> snipe, kestrel, Cetti's warbler</span>, five <span style="color: #990000;">linnets</span> were noted with a <span style="color: #990000;">great crested grebe</span> offshore.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaOr2jBuJXqGE39wUv-um69Wr89h-PWn9pJfItPiIdUWujSymJ4p873NdlrGVDl91PLtp6kFa9dYgjUTBvg3zfjgyTH9pAlWdK4imjNPtDMQBHX9fZBiEn6gVMyD5toJoSKVy-6_f-ORT6l496tqzpB4ROX1-ZWj19aeisRN8HozEtIdm-kxeLnoOl5KEH/s3540/Lesser%20celandine.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3095" data-original-width="3540" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaOr2jBuJXqGE39wUv-um69Wr89h-PWn9pJfItPiIdUWujSymJ4p873NdlrGVDl91PLtp6kFa9dYgjUTBvg3zfjgyTH9pAlWdK4imjNPtDMQBHX9fZBiEn6gVMyD5toJoSKVy-6_f-ORT6l496tqzpB4ROX1-ZWj19aeisRN8HozEtIdm-kxeLnoOl5KEH/w400-h350/Lesser%20celandine.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A little splash of yellow of the <span style="color: #274e13;">lesser celandine </span>flowers added some colour by Mersea Outdoors on Saturday.</div><div><br /></div><div>At Cudmore Grove the <span style="color: #990000;">Cetti's warbler</span> and<span style="color: #990000;"> reed bunting</span> were noted at the park pond by Daniel Woollard on Saturday.</div><div>A <span style="color: #741b47;">comma</span> butterfly was seen by Caroline White in her Dawes Lane garden on Saturday.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUlLoznhCl8Ykia4w5gGc4PNwnmk6_vskh7UHht_KjEU8Mxj4McHiXi_N2clprEfc-Jh5zOvIOF0nWaOKLkivXjAHDb17KQ-WwsrlMSMX0OAhDo3yQCM3hHQExvmppRPvV5zfhe54aa2ndwnB76jYqpQbHJuc3jyjlWEHz5eQd26eOHN1_A2XxiLcfKdzE/s3507/Red%20kite%20Strood.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2870" data-original-width="3507" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUlLoznhCl8Ykia4w5gGc4PNwnmk6_vskh7UHht_KjEU8Mxj4McHiXi_N2clprEfc-Jh5zOvIOF0nWaOKLkivXjAHDb17KQ-WwsrlMSMX0OAhDo3yQCM3hHQExvmppRPvV5zfhe54aa2ndwnB76jYqpQbHJuc3jyjlWEHz5eQd26eOHN1_A2XxiLcfKdzE/w400-h328/Red%20kite%20Strood.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>On Friday 8th two <span style="color: #990000;">red kites</span> were seen slowly crossing over Ray Island and the Strood channel as they headed north-east. Three <span style="color: #990000;">snipe</span> were flushed off the Ray saltings by one of the <span style="color: #990000;">kites</span> as it passed over, also 100 <span style="color: #990000;">brent geese</span> were flushed off too. Only other birds noted during the high tide period were a <span style="color: #990000;">kestrel, little egret</span> and also the singing <span style="color: #990000;">Cetti's warbler</span> and <span style="color: #990000;">song thrush</span> by the caravan park.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo0F33JBCBjAA8kXiIqUQZP5hSSIf6BHqL3Mp8Rp35S5f6Zu42DgvpinHHRQEXgmqvYD6PN0ApTTXL9YolAP4afu2rGheHd2OEs4KJd7KCvoO4jJe5zoU8vuXC8ed0iw2RFu6TvP5C-ooWBgBcpptG3Yj69s-zmZqp_z_XJxYq0rJSc9ezYzW5LViFx9dq/s2364/Angle%20shades.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1946" data-original-width="2364" height="329" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo0F33JBCBjAA8kXiIqUQZP5hSSIf6BHqL3Mp8Rp35S5f6Zu42DgvpinHHRQEXgmqvYD6PN0ApTTXL9YolAP4afu2rGheHd2OEs4KJd7KCvoO4jJe5zoU8vuXC8ed0iw2RFu6TvP5C-ooWBgBcpptG3Yj69s-zmZqp_z_XJxYq0rJSc9ezYzW5LViFx9dq/w400-h329/Angle%20shades.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Nearly sixty moths came to the moth trap in the Firs Chase garden on Wednesday 13th, such as this <span style="color: #741b47;">Angle Shades</span>.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgytEsv9qPJ6ZYTeEnGS6xT3U5WfFqD-wbaooguW_ZqZhUXberIat8WO41r0oD5WkKM95qme2-DwL0nKYGSCvKiS1RV5sXJUTaQe6_zOEnix3BnF_GW5K5FV2xytZJdNJPxU1shtql-qp5nS4wYr0sYPcWs-BwoX9iRsLXwBXvYXrSzuKIYgBO-WtRJ6_yJ/s2286/Clouded%20drab.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2286" data-original-width="2256" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgytEsv9qPJ6ZYTeEnGS6xT3U5WfFqD-wbaooguW_ZqZhUXberIat8WO41r0oD5WkKM95qme2-DwL0nKYGSCvKiS1RV5sXJUTaQe6_zOEnix3BnF_GW5K5FV2xytZJdNJPxU1shtql-qp5nS4wYr0sYPcWs-BwoX9iRsLXwBXvYXrSzuKIYgBO-WtRJ6_yJ/w395-h400/Clouded%20drab.jpg" width="395" /></a></div><span style="color: #741b47;">Clouded Drab</span></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHHPWBySJqjkNiW6ZvbW8XP4zpTy0gR8IsXgkQBV0fkr82rHv9io2ncalmsJ7VRD-pW8vcVr5_8oJ5EYhO6tTuVL7ToewfE_vj_25NzVbURyOQGbz1YA_-IJ0-qR4caRM1KrFQSutGFjtFr4d6CcQim5GhlWnjk-phAkS2ywTYHD8NQOKgKSeNKCFtdn34/s1705/Common%20quaker.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1615" data-original-width="1705" height="379" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHHPWBySJqjkNiW6ZvbW8XP4zpTy0gR8IsXgkQBV0fkr82rHv9io2ncalmsJ7VRD-pW8vcVr5_8oJ5EYhO6tTuVL7ToewfE_vj_25NzVbURyOQGbz1YA_-IJ0-qR4caRM1KrFQSutGFjtFr4d6CcQim5GhlWnjk-phAkS2ywTYHD8NQOKgKSeNKCFtdn34/w400-h379/Common%20quaker.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Over fifty <span style="color: #741b47;">Common Quakers</span>.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT8kHzElPmS_LswVCQ6xQVy1fy4RAJ3RC38tr-tKE2rYRq0bJLtBdctJwx8PtL1sBJ-dOJlNq73_dwOXgnG_5cIJud2-gnDJDtBEn-WDsL4funn3K1-UQGjzLy_TMFL3zeF64SF1W0mp1wOQmgXipNk_NCrcrk7qr9fsF3vyVRp8YcZy_p1IOGQ8iKll4l/s1555/Early%20grey.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1480" data-original-width="1555" height="381" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT8kHzElPmS_LswVCQ6xQVy1fy4RAJ3RC38tr-tKE2rYRq0bJLtBdctJwx8PtL1sBJ-dOJlNq73_dwOXgnG_5cIJud2-gnDJDtBEn-WDsL4funn3K1-UQGjzLy_TMFL3zeF64SF1W0mp1wOQmgXipNk_NCrcrk7qr9fsF3vyVRp8YcZy_p1IOGQ8iKll4l/w400-h381/Early%20grey.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Six <span style="color: #741b47;">Early Greys</span>.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge9O6ltQHvOl9yEhP9ymKkvctg4G16wsaNzdrj7h1sxUnrzame3Eu2UP1c-QbQlfy76iVAzmavrpeS4La-aONp3AT1CUvgc1vYstgecoSdmiP-LdVyPlXqwaN6yIBnBCUrAyoqoc5v3YO_PD0zQTv_VSAIq_Po1Yfqbkbo1z-NGbeTSy-xbMvjti1mgaNB/s1623/Hebrew%20character.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1564" data-original-width="1623" height="385" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge9O6ltQHvOl9yEhP9ymKkvctg4G16wsaNzdrj7h1sxUnrzame3Eu2UP1c-QbQlfy76iVAzmavrpeS4La-aONp3AT1CUvgc1vYstgecoSdmiP-LdVyPlXqwaN6yIBnBCUrAyoqoc5v3YO_PD0zQTv_VSAIq_Po1Yfqbkbo1z-NGbeTSy-xbMvjti1mgaNB/w400-h385/Hebrew%20character.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="color: #741b47;">Hebrew Character</span>.</div>Dougal Urquharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160413142108234247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6323835421725003809.post-29077673608812448112024-03-07T22:30:00.005-01:002024-03-11T00:12:51.845-01:00SIGNS OF SPRING<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0BnwEMkB_4DEDWD_UF8Llm8cVv-sECYgPIG04WA1v-zdwZZNBhxMnz1SdJH_5vgaFVutLI0OnEgtpJ2F-MOHYkC6t9_qug541oTHQFI4sWrML34b7xfYl3aYBtWk6Hx_W0AfTdcx_mnRO61A0cF1_a_PXZBmAD7gP0LFfUSpawUOH3URiwi5bySvVGQlr/s3160/Adder%20park1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2774" data-original-width="3160" height="351" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0BnwEMkB_4DEDWD_UF8Llm8cVv-sECYgPIG04WA1v-zdwZZNBhxMnz1SdJH_5vgaFVutLI0OnEgtpJ2F-MOHYkC6t9_qug541oTHQFI4sWrML34b7xfYl3aYBtWk6Hx_W0AfTdcx_mnRO61A0cF1_a_PXZBmAD7gP0LFfUSpawUOH3URiwi5bySvVGQlr/w400-h351/Adder%20park1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>There were signs of spring at Cudmore Grove Country Park on Thursday 7th with two <span style="color: #0b5394;">adders</span> basking in the morning sunshine.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNQ8B1-H2hndjHu6v0QkuTuRWunsttHLmr03Jb50ov3kFL5EWTWclNgR0_YH8jNUG8hk87WVh2D4u3hCaeEfEjq4sOGvJwH7JI9ptJ1vMpOdRvQ8xcLHwFodu5l2japl9_lfBbxAEmAhOYY_oWKMaWyni_LIGL6myQVhjx4iENg-UGrM6fhetXgmZgSj_B/s3527/Adder%20park2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3309" data-original-width="3527" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNQ8B1-H2hndjHu6v0QkuTuRWunsttHLmr03Jb50ov3kFL5EWTWclNgR0_YH8jNUG8hk87WVh2D4u3hCaeEfEjq4sOGvJwH7JI9ptJ1vMpOdRvQ8xcLHwFodu5l2japl9_lfBbxAEmAhOYY_oWKMaWyni_LIGL6myQVhjx4iENg-UGrM6fhetXgmZgSj_B/w400-h375/Adder%20park2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The <span style="color: #0b5394;">adders</span> were making the most of the blue skies despite the fresh breeze.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOLf71FUbmn62M-WoqIoLClvvd-KSFz7gs7aWkdakJWZOEi8nM__gAyCnaHiEEuOLE2CeQLdvj8LcL1-bCblJSrHk3d7CWkU13_gEhjVGzrVPdzQu7exvqveA2xXEuHYWCwqO50IGIJtm_ZW9EwP0i08tHYvkdPSmS-ZiCaSbOCvt8NOw92FX3qpTsQiio/s3928/Adder%20park.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3212" data-original-width="3928" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOLf71FUbmn62M-WoqIoLClvvd-KSFz7gs7aWkdakJWZOEi8nM__gAyCnaHiEEuOLE2CeQLdvj8LcL1-bCblJSrHk3d7CWkU13_gEhjVGzrVPdzQu7exvqveA2xXEuHYWCwqO50IGIJtm_ZW9EwP0i08tHYvkdPSmS-ZiCaSbOCvt8NOw92FX3qpTsQiio/w400-h328/Adder%20park.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Hopefully a few more<span style="color: #0b5394;"> adders </span>will emerge from their own hibernation in the coming month to join these two. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZY4Br11AHXZMFKALHFLqJ6-fc3alfT5PBbvPRURVONZz9NjEIP9dOGJ9xyFzITKXqZ-iGA2VuLnybaf53aZPaPDJTKJ5ihdFE7DPJN0dZIkQic546fI_HcMjfX2fAgO62-Y3Wj7G2lYFS6wGA2pK5_YAnKCdrEtoF3M9KFquaeVtSKXg70flEKKpR-p90/s1380/Lizard.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1376" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZY4Br11AHXZMFKALHFLqJ6-fc3alfT5PBbvPRURVONZz9NjEIP9dOGJ9xyFzITKXqZ-iGA2VuLnybaf53aZPaPDJTKJ5ihdFE7DPJN0dZIkQic546fI_HcMjfX2fAgO62-Y3Wj7G2lYFS6wGA2pK5_YAnKCdrEtoF3M9KFquaeVtSKXg70flEKKpR-p90/w399-h400/Lizard.jpg" width="399" /></a></div>Another reptile spotted at the country park on Thursday making the most of the sun was this <span style="color: #0b5394;">common lizard</span>.</div><div><br /></div><div>A <span style="color: #990000;">chiffchaff</span> was heard calling from the trees on the park cliff-top but could not be located. However a bit later a <span style="color: #990000;">chiffchaff </span>was heard calling on the north side of the park near the bird hide, presumably the same bird heard earlier, and it was watched feeding among the blackthorn flowers. It's likely this bird is a new migrant just arrived the previous night. It wasn't heard to sing.</div><div><br /></div><div>At the park pond a <span style="color: #990000;">siskin</span> flew over calling on Thursday, also a <span style="color: #990000;">pochard</span>, 7<span style="color: #990000;"> tufted duck</span>, 6 <span style="color: #990000;">gadwall</span> and a pair of <span style="color: #990000;">mute swans</span>. A <span style="color: #0b5394;">red squirrel</span> was seen feeding under some trees behind the park workshop.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdazeFbHg1yQBDaq6oe2-NYwSCKsPCJ6SHlwaotyv29azwM4ieprRKjWQtUpyfSjTJ3i8pihrcJG2H6MNfhk4k_XO_wnv0vvopW7ZLMLOupFRD4GLJOVCD-_8rQ6T3xqhentEeQZpYThechAZgvg-rydiCasal8ZVnvJLh_t1kKZIb0axOMrhsxu1Z5Rzt/s4965/Brent%20in%20park%20field.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3796" data-original-width="4965" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdazeFbHg1yQBDaq6oe2-NYwSCKsPCJ6SHlwaotyv29azwM4ieprRKjWQtUpyfSjTJ3i8pihrcJG2H6MNfhk4k_XO_wnv0vvopW7ZLMLOupFRD4GLJOVCD-_8rQ6T3xqhentEeQZpYThechAZgvg-rydiCasal8ZVnvJLh_t1kKZIb0axOMrhsxu1Z5Rzt/w400-h306/Brent%20in%20park%20field.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A large flock of 1000<span style="color: #990000;"> brent geese</span> was feeding on one of the park's grazing fields on Thursday. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3_beKEI_fA0lxuGRh4ACqk1Q-p8hY0BAT_QnjrAL48HAAjA1lbyoz_NgfeKthAtdlF7mYtgVaVulws0NSWejJHyz6BbmxaFWOeX9sBcOrk0V2LgaHmGYg8dmKZBQxvLh2T6LBB1kgvhB-UPUJlyoS0ppvvISxRmcFXaj4YTZzxpQ_XAluQj4-eVez2Kt4/s4436/Brent%20park%20field.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3564" data-original-width="4436" height="321" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3_beKEI_fA0lxuGRh4ACqk1Q-p8hY0BAT_QnjrAL48HAAjA1lbyoz_NgfeKthAtdlF7mYtgVaVulws0NSWejJHyz6BbmxaFWOeX9sBcOrk0V2LgaHmGYg8dmKZBQxvLh2T6LBB1kgvhB-UPUJlyoS0ppvvISxRmcFXaj4YTZzxpQ_XAluQj4-eVez2Kt4/w400-h321/Brent%20park%20field.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Also on the park fields of interest were 8 <span style="color: #990000;">greylag geese</span>, 400+ <span style="color: #990000;">wigeon</span>, 15<span style="color: #990000;"> shoveler</span>, 30 <span style="color: #990000;">curlew</span> and a <span style="color: #990000;">black-tailed godwit</span>.</div><div>From the Point a pair of <span style="color: #990000;">red-breasted merganser</span> and two<span style="color: #990000;"> great crested grebes </span>were in the Colne, while two <span style="color: #990000;">ringed plovers</span>, two<span style="color: #990000;"> sanderling </span>and eight <span style="color: #990000;">knot</span> were noted, as was an <span style="color: #990000;">avocet</span> on the Golfhouse pools.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdcttn_SqQUcl9V6ZfGxtSYvxrxIrfKhw42ow6cZZc41TWkLk0VV140b0OTHDTyKChyphenhyphenGxM-kOSFV6jv4ai9OIA-kx0QaXY8jYK1L_o3XURa8VQC3UNI5ieEFraaCf8LF__ikIOylQAkzBnm57PO6Qd3qKpSa1G1VtoeKZa_XksFwsoShTZpJ2GYryfgTM9/s1574/Black%20tailed%20godwits1AF.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1106" data-original-width="1574" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdcttn_SqQUcl9V6ZfGxtSYvxrxIrfKhw42ow6cZZc41TWkLk0VV140b0OTHDTyKChyphenhyphenGxM-kOSFV6jv4ai9OIA-kx0QaXY8jYK1L_o3XURa8VQC3UNI5ieEFraaCf8LF__ikIOylQAkzBnm57PO6Qd3qKpSa1G1VtoeKZa_XksFwsoShTZpJ2GYryfgTM9/w400-h281/Black%20tailed%20godwits1AF.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>A colour-ringed<span style="color: #990000;"> black-tailed godwit </span>(O//R-GB) was photographed along the Strood Channel on Wednesday 6th by Andy Field.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8pnwMBAASS5cBXTUATb9qI-q85YRAs0baDgMseCUaxVao-I3Q2fYNcfi2SrTS0fMTddIG1ZnYTnCwvF023hZu9xiUQBBDrBietxiXJenYRt9JKbpxRal2u9LqqPOZpQ3V9ann32ovEIkP9PMCrjl71OUGl84kOdDNEz4U-bjFYXJ9kdCZsLPUnvaR6NSl/s1151/Black%20tailed%20godwitsAF.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1026" data-original-width="1151" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8pnwMBAASS5cBXTUATb9qI-q85YRAs0baDgMseCUaxVao-I3Q2fYNcfi2SrTS0fMTddIG1ZnYTnCwvF023hZu9xiUQBBDrBietxiXJenYRt9JKbpxRal2u9LqqPOZpQ3V9ann32ovEIkP9PMCrjl71OUGl84kOdDNEz4U-bjFYXJ9kdCZsLPUnvaR6NSl/w400-h356/Black%20tailed%20godwitsAF.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Nine <span style="color: #990000;">black-tailed godwits</span> were seen by Andy along the Strood on Wednesday, also 400 <span style="color: #990000;">dunlin</span>, ten <span style="color: #990000;">knot</span>, 30 <span style="color: #990000;">curlew</span>, three <span style="color: #990000;">buzzards</span> and a <span style="color: #990000;">Cetti's warbler</span> by the Firs Chase caravan park.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8FnRzBMbCU7ZVkIltqjuSnkV4zzJrNfAzenFA05vGZS3sllx-44eWMuaQMxQdKSwwksUIqCSReYR3Yc6_4vJv4f0gSxdw4SQg0QRiJRERKqXKTB9OubwyRutOo7ZJXk6MFM94Qy0_YzqPrcHN2heztmkjOtCKj4CQrsFShh9SW5uVRht0l_8nI5N9OqqE/s4032/Strood%20seawall.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8FnRzBMbCU7ZVkIltqjuSnkV4zzJrNfAzenFA05vGZS3sllx-44eWMuaQMxQdKSwwksUIqCSReYR3Yc6_4vJv4f0gSxdw4SQg0QRiJRERKqXKTB9OubwyRutOo7ZJXk6MFM94Qy0_YzqPrcHN2heztmkjOtCKj4CQrsFShh9SW5uVRht0l_8nI5N9OqqE/w400-h300/Strood%20seawall.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Later on Wednesday morning a<span style="color: #990000;"> peregrine</span> flew low along the Strood channel scattering all the birds as it continued north-east, also four <span style="color: #990000;">buzzards</span> circled over the Strood fields and another six were in the air over the Feldy and Peldon fields on the mainland.</div><div>A <span style="color: #741b47;">brimstone butterfly</span> fluttered its way quickly over the Feldy View cemetery on Wednesday morning.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv7egY38KCMHWt-F3rOZ952_gXwSPXlxGKmFJg3vVsyVyW5XIMZLhZYkaqV6MzWBvA8sSfnZz4a4OPknGNBndLZwlBd_vjeMYv29BrPOiCThGVeXJ4M7rvXTWcB6M_fBsQfPPRCV2ywM1Pzva5gP1Wfpap9z3BDbnYuqsi3HC3u8WGRdiFyB3zXXXsCE8f/s2048/Blackcap%20PP.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv7egY38KCMHWt-F3rOZ952_gXwSPXlxGKmFJg3vVsyVyW5XIMZLhZYkaqV6MzWBvA8sSfnZz4a4OPknGNBndLZwlBd_vjeMYv29BrPOiCThGVeXJ4M7rvXTWcB6M_fBsQfPPRCV2ywM1Pzva5gP1Wfpap9z3BDbnYuqsi3HC3u8WGRdiFyB3zXXXsCE8f/w400-h225/Blackcap%20PP.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>A male <span style="color: #990000;">blackcap</span> was photographed by Phil Passfield as it visited his garden feeder in Yorick Road on Wednesday, for the second day running.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWONRHiBCFCsEL23v7fnPRJxEi3goufkZZyS6Qg-ZcsOkD_RWhlxdTUcigxJTL4lcyE45Su9l-_c0mw1zeuv5dlk3Umh0Y9iE-gLCRnGwQcZkGKc-jgC0Ig6LmPvMSEXfKGfDiaaHYPmf6AJhvNyn6EPAnYTAP9GSS5GqGUkpTfRyy1EJWXF5fpugFIJlA/s1212/Barn%20owl1DW.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1212" data-original-width="749" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWONRHiBCFCsEL23v7fnPRJxEi3goufkZZyS6Qg-ZcsOkD_RWhlxdTUcigxJTL4lcyE45Su9l-_c0mw1zeuv5dlk3Umh0Y9iE-gLCRnGwQcZkGKc-jgC0Ig6LmPvMSEXfKGfDiaaHYPmf6AJhvNyn6EPAnYTAP9GSS5GqGUkpTfRyy1EJWXF5fpugFIJlA/w248-h400/Barn%20owl1DW.jpg" width="248" /></a></div>The ghostly image of a <span style="color: #990000;">barn owl</span> was taken by Daniel Woollard at Cudmore Grove on Wednesday evening. Birds seen from the Point were 1500<span style="color: #990000;"> black-headed gulls</span>, 700 <span style="color: #990000;">dunlin</span>, 120 <span style="color: #990000;">redshank</span>, 28 <span style="color: #990000;">grey plover</span>, 79 <span style="color: #990000;">curlew, </span>18<span style="color: #990000;"> knot</span>, 55 <span style="color: #990000;">ringed plover</span>, 350 <span style="color: #990000;">oystercatchers</span>, 7<span style="color: #990000;"> little egrets</span> and 7 <span style="color: #990000;">red-breasted mergansers</span>.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The<span style="color: #990000;"> barn owl</span> flying behind the Cudmore Grove pond on Wednesday evening was also reported by local residents Tanya Griffiths and Steve Ford</div>A <span style="color: #0b5394;">red squirrel</span> was seen on Wednesday morning by Caroline White in her Dawes Lane garden.</div><div><br /></div><div>On Tuesday 5th birds of note along the Strood Channel included 500<span style="color: #990000;"> brent geese</span>, 104 <span style="color: #990000;">shelduck</span>, ten <span style="color: #990000;">oystercatchers</span>, two <span style="color: #990000;">black-tailed godwits, great crested grebe, marsh harrier, buzzard</span>, two <span style="color: #990000;">kestrels</span>, twenty <span style="color: #990000;">corn buntings</span> and a <span style="color: #990000;">Cetti's warbler</span> singing.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaDWLqXFi9aJqQYPedpYEgzkMJ11YUFNM8_AvZfFUEiTQf_dQFIUAnb_MMxGz4MJUpbXJXaCN6dA3Q3fTUtzlWDK43Q3N_Fd_1yuqLwSm4UKjjU1Oz4teL7razq7Pxynrk0KpTiTy6HxI_X1IJI-dR6tzOo2qHZI0YUTJSpd-CMtzEGE6ZVpGIm94e-Oe0/s2032/Kestrel%20Strood.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1868" data-original-width="2032" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaDWLqXFi9aJqQYPedpYEgzkMJ11YUFNM8_AvZfFUEiTQf_dQFIUAnb_MMxGz4MJUpbXJXaCN6dA3Q3fTUtzlWDK43Q3N_Fd_1yuqLwSm4UKjjU1Oz4teL7razq7Pxynrk0KpTiTy6HxI_X1IJI-dR6tzOo2qHZI0YUTJSpd-CMtzEGE6ZVpGIm94e-Oe0/w400-h368/Kestrel%20Strood.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A male <span style="color: #990000;">kestrel</span> perched on a tree by the Strood seawall on Monday 4th - a second bird seen over the fields too. Three <span style="color: #990000;">buzzards, marsh harrier</span>, two <span style="color: #990000;">sparrowhawks</span> were seen from the seawall and a third <span style="color: #990000;">sparrowhawk</span> over Firs Chase.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLiww9eg7i37uJdEK-g6DQlaxof60In6OrqV28_VQ3aEUOTkuvJgxb4LHqbDk0rNnaa7mWu_7UtpvdVJksWLfbWgZUYr-Mz6-oaqjDMP3ndvau8JgpoXaBuDGfUmq7ZfAi_MicNgv46-XevZcVBsekc3_eSklVlHgNg-Ee5feD0snuQ-AyuyBiDEqMHmhx/s3273/Wigeon%20group.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2502" data-original-width="3273" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLiww9eg7i37uJdEK-g6DQlaxof60In6OrqV28_VQ3aEUOTkuvJgxb4LHqbDk0rNnaa7mWu_7UtpvdVJksWLfbWgZUYr-Mz6-oaqjDMP3ndvau8JgpoXaBuDGfUmq7ZfAi_MicNgv46-XevZcVBsekc3_eSklVlHgNg-Ee5feD0snuQ-AyuyBiDEqMHmhx/w400-h306/Wigeon%20group.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A handful of <span style="color: #990000;">wigeon</span> rested along the Strood channel during the low tide on Monday, also there were 81 <span style="color: #990000;">shelduck</span>, 80 <span style="color: #990000;">grey plover</span>, 100 <span style="color: #990000;">dunlin</span>, ten <span style="color: #990000;">knot, black-tailed godwit, ringed plover</span>, while in the fields were ten <span style="color: #990000;">stock doves</span>, fifty li<span style="color: #990000;">nnets, Cetti's warbler </span>and a <span style="color: #990000;">rock pipit </span>on the saltmarsh.</div><div>A <span style="color: #990000;">blackcap </span>was seen in the Firs Chase garden.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnGrfDvLUPDXv9CzfqU00hVlyEZFmntWocTOtErkeH00LNDsfGc73UFp6nvmCZZe07cV8jOo3M9L9Y7E-2PxeACb5T1DuYXwSMUrx03yXZad3EuFyu6sEBwv7Sq6S6t9SuTTur1dVTMonWegwyHli9zIzHH5u1NsCWeFDRN6E9BEPcRH_JdvU_B1l1UipE/s2048/LadybirdsMT.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1385" data-original-width="2048" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnGrfDvLUPDXv9CzfqU00hVlyEZFmntWocTOtErkeH00LNDsfGc73UFp6nvmCZZe07cV8jOo3M9L9Y7E-2PxeACb5T1DuYXwSMUrx03yXZad3EuFyu6sEBwv7Sq6S6t9SuTTur1dVTMonWegwyHli9zIzHH5u1NsCWeFDRN6E9BEPcRH_JdvU_B1l1UipE/w400-h270/LadybirdsMT.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>In East Mersea Michael Thorley found this gathering of <span style="color: #741b47;">16-spot ladybirds</span> sheltering under an upturned fishbox on the Reeveshall seawall on Monday. Birds seen there were a pair of <span style="color: #990000;">red-breasted mergansers</span> in the Pyefleet, four<span style="color: #990000;"> shelduck</span>, 30 <span style="color: #990000;">dunlin</span>, 45 <span style="color: #990000;">redshank, great crested grebe</span>. On the Reeveshall fields a <span style="color: #990000;">grey heron</span>, 400 <span style="color: #990000;">starlings</span>, 50 <span style="color: #990000;">curlew</span>, two <span style="color: #990000;">Canada geese</span>, ten <span style="color: #990000;">brent geese </span>and a few <span style="color: #990000;">wigeon, mallard</span> and the usual<span style="color: #990000;"> corvids</span>.</div><div><br /></div><div>On Monday early evening Caroline White reported at Cudmore Grove - <span style="color: #990000;">shelduck, shoveler</span> pair and <span style="color: #990000;">little egret</span> on the Golfhouse pools, six <span style="color: #990000;">tufted ducks</span>, 12 <span style="color: #990000;">greylag geese</span>, 100<span style="color: #990000;"> brent geese</span>, pair of <span style="color: #990000;">kestrels</span> on the kestrel tree, <span style="color: #990000;">song thrush</span> by the hide and<span style="color: #990000;"> mute swans</span> on the park pond and a <span style="color: #0b5394;">grey squirrel</span> by the play area. A pair of<span style="color: #990000;"> little owl</span> were being vocal with each other by the bus turning circle.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT47VbG3uAcOz-CaBXnrmJpDwoxawrp4GC7WbSpMYN-aR1TENH7z6vUTB3k2VQIBxc7YAtPbKvONHnakXWPD_DsKZZ2IulSgU-vlj0Sq0e9S3cWw7vngUiAEF9dDYmWE_HcJ3NQZ8rKFvqKXUv2zqqXgOJ_c296WRjvqhkLZYpp7ibHJteTs0PB4wG5pOv/s2500/Canada%20goose.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2316" data-original-width="2500" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT47VbG3uAcOz-CaBXnrmJpDwoxawrp4GC7WbSpMYN-aR1TENH7z6vUTB3k2VQIBxc7YAtPbKvONHnakXWPD_DsKZZ2IulSgU-vlj0Sq0e9S3cWw7vngUiAEF9dDYmWE_HcJ3NQZ8rKFvqKXUv2zqqXgOJ_c296WRjvqhkLZYpp7ibHJteTs0PB4wG5pOv/w400-h370/Canada%20goose.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>In East Mersea a pair of<span style="color: #990000;"> Canada geese</span> was at Reeveshall on Sunday 3rd with another 12 seen with two <span style="color: #990000;">greylag geese </span>by the Broad Fleet. Many of the twenty<span style="color: #990000;"> lapwings </span>near Broad Fleet were displaying, also 25<span style="color: #990000;"> stock doves </span>in the fields. A <span style="color: #990000;">peregrine </span>was seen high over the Pyefleet while five<span style="color: #990000;"> marsh harriers</span> and three <span style="color: #990000;">buzzards</span> were seen over the Island / Langenhoe. Four<span style="color: #990000;"> grey herons</span> flew over Langenhoe and a <span style="color: #990000;">little egret </span>was on Reeveshall. </div><div><br /></div><div>In the Pyefleet were two <span style="color: #990000;">red-breasted mergansers</span>, two <span style="color: #990000;">great crested grebes</span>, five<span style="color: #990000;"> knot</span>, two<span style="color: #990000;"> avocets</span>, <span style="color: #990000;">Mediterranean gull</span> and a 100 <span style="color: #990000;">brent geese</span>.</div><div><br /></div><div>Offshore from the West Mersea Esplanade on Sunday were two <span style="color: #990000;">great northern divers </span>and 80<span style="color: #990000;"> great</span> <span style="color: #990000;">crested grebes</span>.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ5pTmzbR6xpkGiDpAW8MYzfUi8dTy3vn6wGk8cfYLovsGDNVS-U71m0yUH7V8B83ospM5EioILJp-Mrdz2qLBfwex3OKWJPZnpmnc_1O1UZ3kCO6iiZf0WKxHXvSYTrnkH4_I92cxEDw72mrRtogijmZ6LRezksm1gdLg4_lrmakxSqRlIFl_mMqejwC9/s1437/SkylarkAF.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1149" data-original-width="1437" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ5pTmzbR6xpkGiDpAW8MYzfUi8dTy3vn6wGk8cfYLovsGDNVS-U71m0yUH7V8B83ospM5EioILJp-Mrdz2qLBfwex3OKWJPZnpmnc_1O1UZ3kCO6iiZf0WKxHXvSYTrnkH4_I92cxEDw72mrRtogijmZ6LRezksm1gdLg4_lrmakxSqRlIFl_mMqejwC9/w400-h320/SkylarkAF.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><p>Andy Field walked the Cudmore Grove circuit on Sunday morning and photographed one of the four <span style="color: #990000;">skylarks</span> in the Golfhouse paddock, also six <span style="color: #990000;">meadow pipits</span> there. Other birds noted included six<span style="color: #990000;"> red-breasted mergansers</span>, six <span style="color: #990000;">bar-tailed godwits</span> off the park, 12 <span style="color: #990000;">greylag geese</span> on the fields, six <span style="color: #990000;">meadow pipits, sparrowhawk, Cetti's warbler</span> by the hide, <span style="color: #990000;">little owl</span> calling by the park entrance and a <span style="color: #0b5394;">grey squirrel</span> taking drey material into the barn owl box by the pond. </p><p>Late on Sunday night a pair of<span style="color: #990000;"> tawny owls</span> called to each other in Firs Chase - the female doing "tu-whit", the male doing "to-woo!"</p><p>Caroline White and Lisa on Saturday walked from the Golfhouse to Reeveshall then back to the Cudmore hide, noting six <span style="color: #990000;">meadow pipits</span> by Golfhouse, six<span style="color: #990000;"> Canada geese</span> and <span style="color: #990000;">brent geese </span>flock on Reeveshall, <span style="color: #990000;">great crested grebe</span>, 200 <span style="color: #990000;">dunlin</span>, six <span style="color: #990000;">shoveler, cormorant</span> along Pyefleet, nine <span style="color: #990000;">shelduck</span> Golfhouse pools, five <span style="color: #990000;">tufted duck</span> on the park dyke, <span style="color: #990000;">little owl</span> calling by the hide and another possible one in flight towards car park.</p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Dougal Urquharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160413142108234247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6323835421725003809.post-82248003395446649092024-03-01T22:00:00.001-01:002024-03-05T15:25:20.031-01:00WILDFOWL ON WET FIELDS<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF5MnpsZas1ZEbkOQ6ZjZaPwjDsQlLbt4Vtn_3T4Vh1EXDbNP6oFENpotzUSst_uYIe2lYo0-Y8GaFz0A7Fis93sXc9JbKNRKOk-2sVqDyd1xQ5s7TTGOYRwK1C-iOOga9IblY_cmdhNAD690jeKWKIiPIKjQ6xdEK0-uF3diyBrxmVCrJZE3dfPje3zbY/s3692/Wildfowl%20in%20fields.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2943" data-original-width="3692" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF5MnpsZas1ZEbkOQ6ZjZaPwjDsQlLbt4Vtn_3T4Vh1EXDbNP6oFENpotzUSst_uYIe2lYo0-Y8GaFz0A7Fis93sXc9JbKNRKOk-2sVqDyd1xQ5s7TTGOYRwK1C-iOOga9IblY_cmdhNAD690jeKWKIiPIKjQ6xdEK0-uF3diyBrxmVCrJZE3dfPje3zbY/w400-h319/Wildfowl%20in%20fields.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Lots of wildfowl and a few waders were feeding in the waterlogged grazing field at Cudmore Grove on Friday 1st. Up to 300 <span style="color: #990000;">wigeon</span> were scattered across the field with 400 <span style="color: #990000;">brent geese</span>, also ten <span style="color: #990000;">shoveler</span> and a few<span style="color: #990000;"> teal </span>too. One<span style="color: #990000;"> black-tailed godwit, grey plover</span>, ten <span style="color: #990000;">dunlin</span>, twenty <span style="color: #990000;">redshank</span> and twenty <span style="color: #990000;">curlew</span> were in the field for the high tide.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjsuUkLSqGnSJVoNnGnBvn3_Qd047qlEVpqDWnuLAiRXex2B9hfQtHjSMFAkjEW33nRbSOJEh5qK1fvGr59GNfkk1sAPGX5ahfwH7H4ED6hEkOoSJiMYgRAw9yTgNhTcQkMPVezrjQKxnY4JMDY7g2nLNzPsqDYVr-youYNgAsxwlLQdXnb_DPJnhIO2jK/s3393/Brent%20Golfhouse.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2859" data-original-width="3393" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjsuUkLSqGnSJVoNnGnBvn3_Qd047qlEVpqDWnuLAiRXex2B9hfQtHjSMFAkjEW33nRbSOJEh5qK1fvGr59GNfkk1sAPGX5ahfwH7H4ED6hEkOoSJiMYgRAw9yTgNhTcQkMPVezrjQKxnY4JMDY7g2nLNzPsqDYVr-youYNgAsxwlLQdXnb_DPJnhIO2jK/w400-h338/Brent%20Golfhouse.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The main flock of <span style="color: #990000;">brent geese</span> was feeding in the field nearest the East Mersea Golfhouse on Friday, also a pair of<span style="color: #990000;"> greylag geese</span>. Six <span style="color: #990000;">tufted duck</span> and three<span style="color: #990000;"> little grebes </span>were in the park dyke and one <span style="color: #990000;">stonechat </span>was feeding beside the dyke.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5T_geYTq6iAwJH6MGrBH7I9Bxh7edTjo74q0dClHjfzvpO9i_N_ZvZd_bZt1luamng4qOBGb6GpwNHdF-TxrY35S7837_x5E2szvINzRGM8k-B90OKtZB6UUR0JZye2ivA3lnCGiaazhWrE6RV8-USTdM4mJK9Tg2-_EvS5_Bh42hkR35RhNY5vEOdgxd/s1819/Ringed%20plover%20Pt.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1670" data-original-width="1819" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5T_geYTq6iAwJH6MGrBH7I9Bxh7edTjo74q0dClHjfzvpO9i_N_ZvZd_bZt1luamng4qOBGb6GpwNHdF-TxrY35S7837_x5E2szvINzRGM8k-B90OKtZB6UUR0JZye2ivA3lnCGiaazhWrE6RV8-USTdM4mJK9Tg2-_EvS5_Bh42hkR35RhNY5vEOdgxd/w400-h368/Ringed%20plover%20Pt.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A pair of <span style="color: #990000;">ringed plover</span> was flying around displaying to each other at the East Mersea Point on Friday.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZzgYdsh3SsI-jily0qxTVWRRbgVrgxS0ddcV6joWukUmqGGHGOhesk3-pcelN864L9c1xvsqw844bFQ8TzukDMmIfcNIE-SkyIofh8jnPFmp-2atFxpk9221_AhFRfF2vVTjF7M3CEPk8SIdgNk7wcscHAM1fqAtrvWeof7JPfHl01OttDVUxd6VQwSko/s2755/Dunlin%20trio.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2488" data-original-width="2755" height="361" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZzgYdsh3SsI-jily0qxTVWRRbgVrgxS0ddcV6joWukUmqGGHGOhesk3-pcelN864L9c1xvsqw844bFQ8TzukDMmIfcNIE-SkyIofh8jnPFmp-2atFxpk9221_AhFRfF2vVTjF7M3CEPk8SIdgNk7wcscHAM1fqAtrvWeof7JPfHl01OttDVUxd6VQwSko/w400-h361/Dunlin%20trio.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>At least 200 <span style="color: #990000;">dunlin </span>were feeding on the mud behind the Point.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5OgCK_ZVBo6uLww24kCd7G_pj2QFDer7glt7Tw7Gmr4l7stvvgG62VioOrTZfcndIFs7HoktB8aVDoFG1OgEF13GNEmJWo2Z26hE_lanLlvpfSyfNLU_5pS7DnS0aguZg3pHnHybMbmHrWDVc7aXi1OM1MOaG66Vd7R5mPy40BiTjsz1HOS3llfFShvCE/s1620/Turnstone%20Pt.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1546" data-original-width="1620" height="381" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5OgCK_ZVBo6uLww24kCd7G_pj2QFDer7glt7Tw7Gmr4l7stvvgG62VioOrTZfcndIFs7HoktB8aVDoFG1OgEF13GNEmJWo2Z26hE_lanLlvpfSyfNLU_5pS7DnS0aguZg3pHnHybMbmHrWDVc7aXi1OM1MOaG66Vd7R5mPy40BiTjsz1HOS3llfFShvCE/w400-h381/Turnstone%20Pt.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Twenty five <span style="color: #990000;">turnstone</span> and four <span style="color: #990000;">sanderling </span>were beside the Point just before high tide on Friday.</div><div><br /></div><div>On Friday afternoon two <span style="color: #990000;">grey wagtails </span>were found by Caroline White near the Golfhouse, while Steve Entwistle saw six <span style="color: #990000;">greylag geese</span> in the fields.</div><div>Earlier Steve at Maydays reported ten <span style="color: #990000;">Canada geese</span>, two <span style="color: #990000;">greylag geese, marsh harrier, lesser black-backed gull </span>on Reeveshall, later two <span style="color: #990000;">red-legged partridge</span> beside the East Mersea Road near Bocking Hall.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVNJ6k-1uOZyg9OwnMptYdLYYOJb48Vd_6Z8lL1PIHO3NAYGvM8zB9Nneng_cej-qxSAhUEpp5ckgmQ63E0KorLHECqq74CAaAZMLSuWNWwu_tUsOipfthIUTLZezJ_L3hufG62nqia4bd9EEkaAzybsT8pdk_6q39GGMJ7IndVQgCohgpSyl4GPlYo16a/s1440/Muntjac%20ParkCW.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVNJ6k-1uOZyg9OwnMptYdLYYOJb48Vd_6Z8lL1PIHO3NAYGvM8zB9Nneng_cej-qxSAhUEpp5ckgmQ63E0KorLHECqq74CAaAZMLSuWNWwu_tUsOipfthIUTLZezJ_L3hufG62nqia4bd9EEkaAzybsT8pdk_6q39GGMJ7IndVQgCohgpSyl4GPlYo16a/w400-h300/Muntjac%20ParkCW.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A <span style="color: #0b5394;">muntjac deer</span> was photographed by Caroline White from the bird hide at Cudmore Grove on Thursday 29th. Also seen were two<span style="color: #990000;"> little owls</span> late afternoon from the hide, four<span style="color: #990000;"> siskins </span>in the alders, three <span style="color: #990000;">pochard,</span> three pairs of <span style="color: #990000;">gadwall </span>on the pond and a <span style="color: #990000;">kestrel</span> in the kestrel box.</div><div>On Thursday morning Caroline saw a male <span style="color: #990000;">blackcap</span> in her Dawes Lane garden along with a <span style="color: #990000;">song thrush </span>and first<span style="color: #990000;"> greenfinches</span> of the year.</div><div><br /></div><div>At Cudmore Grove on Thursday late afternoon, Michael Thorley saw the <span style="color: #990000;">barn owl</span> quartering the grazing fields, seven <span style="color: #990000;">greylag geese</span>, 13 <span style="color: #990000;">curlew, black-tailed godwit</span>, 13 <span style="color: #990000;">pied wagtails</span>, pair <span style="color: #990000;">tufted duck</span> and few<span style="color: #990000;"> teal, mallard </span>and<span style="color: #990000;"> shoveler</span>, also 700+ <span style="color: #990000;">wigeon</span> and four <span style="color: #990000;">shelduck </span>noted too in the drizzle.</div><div><br /></div><div>Martin Cock visited Maydays on Thursday morning and reported two singing <span style="color: #990000;">Cetti's warblers</span>, singing <span style="color: #990000;">yellowhammer, marsh harrier</span> and ten <span style="color: #990000;">Canada geese</span></div><div><br /></div><div>At West Mersea on Thursday a<span style="color: #990000;"> marsh harrier, grey heron</span>, two <span style="color: #990000;">little egrets</span> were seen by the Strood, two <span style="color: #990000;">song thrushes</span> by the Firs Chase caravan park and a <span style="color: #990000;">blackcap </span>at the feeder in the Firs Chase garden.</div><div><br /></div><div>On Wednesday 28th the only birds noted along the Strood seawall during the hide tide were 300 <span style="color: #990000;">brent geese</span>, two <span style="color: #990000;">Canada geese</span> flying over Feldy Marsh, <span style="color: #990000;">great crested grebe, Cetti's warbler</span> singing and two <span style="color: #990000;">kestrels</span>. A <span style="color: #990000;">blackcap</span> was seen by the Firs caravan park and one also in the Firs Chase garden again.</div><div>In late afternoon the large <span style="color: #990000;">starling</span> roost of about 5000 birds gathered over Windsor Road with two <span style="color: #990000;">sparrowhawks</span> in attendance too.</div><div><br /></div><div>At East Mersea Point on Wednesday morning a <span style="color: #990000;">Slavonian grebe</span>, two <span style="color: #990000;">red-breasted mergansers</span> and two <span style="color: #990000;">stonechats </span>were seen by Martin Cock. A<span style="color: #990000;"> red-throated diver</span> was seen off the park by Daniel Woollard.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp_9Psv-sXK6PbdFW-u4sWRKbAmD3gP24tDpUovxAmQOJJwe9sELAxwiMcJT4VTaR48hL3VvaoQ8H8PnYN8MIWxGK4K-strZgHGqWloqjW3DL3Wj2L8h8m-JJHFn_ls4YMU5on_oFT73sOsXrbGceDcPk7x21B4NWBi2rDxTpW887LVQZ3tOqdz8NRB9NV/s3793/Crocus%20Feldy%20view.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2865" data-original-width="3793" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp_9Psv-sXK6PbdFW-u4sWRKbAmD3gP24tDpUovxAmQOJJwe9sELAxwiMcJT4VTaR48hL3VvaoQ8H8PnYN8MIWxGK4K-strZgHGqWloqjW3DL3Wj2L8h8m-JJHFn_ls4YMU5on_oFT73sOsXrbGceDcPk7x21B4NWBi2rDxTpW887LVQZ3tOqdz8NRB9NV/w400-h303/Crocus%20Feldy%20view.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Feldy View cemetery has some nice colourful patches of flowering<span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: #274e13;">crocus</span> in places at the moment.<br /><div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_8QJxkMkMWPoKYtIB43m0XhxHXUVU60gREWBlTB5smTtBw23o0IaMrauzL8hoPuhlWOkU3SCc36Kbt3qCuwhlH8Zk_aBuLnw-FRo-11501PT3FL-QPa9VQiJNo1CnyGKvMR3v_W7Z6z9JGBQekzezFOFbZJ5wflcZUycY9YWfCkjuYiyE6FlhkmkpwiMM/s4520/Brent%20Strood%20sluice.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3333" data-original-width="4520" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_8QJxkMkMWPoKYtIB43m0XhxHXUVU60gREWBlTB5smTtBw23o0IaMrauzL8hoPuhlWOkU3SCc36Kbt3qCuwhlH8Zk_aBuLnw-FRo-11501PT3FL-QPa9VQiJNo1CnyGKvMR3v_W7Z6z9JGBQekzezFOFbZJ5wflcZUycY9YWfCkjuYiyE6FlhkmkpwiMM/w400-h295/Brent%20Strood%20sluice.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A flock of 400 <span style="color: #990000;">brent geese</span> was seen along the Strood channel on Tuesday 27th, also 110 <span style="color: #990000;">shelduck</span>, three <span style="color: #990000;">black-tailed godwits</span>, while a <span style="color: #990000;">merlin</span> flashed fast over the Strood fields and headed north-west and over Ray Island, three <span style="color: #990000;">buzzards</span> were in the air over the Ray Channel. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBASH7VkWpsT1u-I8wkiu1AzdjmZaliZ3bvlZ16Mz6UXKfqaGAC2mPytfwKP72_rDkA45qqJ6m51CV_WxaMRFbCWLfr7lXs42ysaAwQGKrd25SUO-alcoHB21BONjr5o42e8tKsWQn_EO5oV462og4dp2NCpolhVzyjWGd5W6AifIKdV3T_Isoy87HiZtO/s3340/Little%20egret%20Strood%20sluice.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2790" data-original-width="3340" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBASH7VkWpsT1u-I8wkiu1AzdjmZaliZ3bvlZ16Mz6UXKfqaGAC2mPytfwKP72_rDkA45qqJ6m51CV_WxaMRFbCWLfr7lXs42ysaAwQGKrd25SUO-alcoHB21BONjr5o42e8tKsWQn_EO5oV462og4dp2NCpolhVzyjWGd5W6AifIKdV3T_Isoy87HiZtO/w400-h334/Little%20egret%20Strood%20sluice.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A <span style="color: #990000;">little egret</span> was feeding near the Strood seawall sluice on Tuesday 27th. In Firs Chase a <span style="color: #990000;">blackcap </span>was seen near the caravan park and another <span style="color: #990000;">blackcap</span> in the Firs Chase garden feeders.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVniJ6cG2aFph2CWG44zo8YSpmhSgasoVZ8wwHD1ZJhXsGqvOwR_WG53Vao0SkJFVeA4WRzAWG8KSRWXYoQ4lN72961wy-2VYgOjKmG2zk-pRbWvay3hkl14SG2pXiV5YDx4jsKDJWMBSOx5JMPqsHXMlg1QGoqyksUfGFaFnTw2W94-6z7wKBiFZEIcZN/s1266/Redshank%20leucisticDW.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1266" data-original-width="750" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVniJ6cG2aFph2CWG44zo8YSpmhSgasoVZ8wwHD1ZJhXsGqvOwR_WG53Vao0SkJFVeA4WRzAWG8KSRWXYoQ4lN72961wy-2VYgOjKmG2zk-pRbWvay3hkl14SG2pXiV5YDx4jsKDJWMBSOx5JMPqsHXMlg1QGoqyksUfGFaFnTw2W94-6z7wKBiFZEIcZN/w238-h400/Redshank%20leucisticDW.JPG" width="238" /></a></div>The pale leucistic <span style="color: #990000;">redshank</span> was seen by Daniel Woollard on the mud near Cudmore Grove on Tuesday afternoon. Daniel also found a <span style="color: #990000;">black-throated diver</span> on the sea off the cliff meadow beside the park in the afternoon.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhqQYGghTTz2TYjKThf-fo2RGyQ_1H47ayLpobNGDgjpmtveBoijwvIwdbOQrEy2Tv3Pyeqc8CVwLX-BvrvufNZkXYJPKcqpsDZAyaoiTmV2PI9OPHW4Us3EzBzmRkzLDLeTEfIEWNSdEKCIIEZqEUf41qIlGWwi4r6xWQWuHenT-jYxBnNitHIE7uf-PT/s1600/Grey%20squirrel%20parkCW.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhqQYGghTTz2TYjKThf-fo2RGyQ_1H47ayLpobNGDgjpmtveBoijwvIwdbOQrEy2Tv3Pyeqc8CVwLX-BvrvufNZkXYJPKcqpsDZAyaoiTmV2PI9OPHW4Us3EzBzmRkzLDLeTEfIEWNSdEKCIIEZqEUf41qIlGWwi4r6xWQWuHenT-jYxBnNitHIE7uf-PT/w400-h300/Grey%20squirrel%20parkCW.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>The <span style="color: #0b5394;">grey squirrel </span>was photographed by Caroline White at the barn owl box behind the park pond on Tuesday.</div><div><br /></div><div>Andy Field visited Reeveshall on Tuesday morning and saw a <span style="color: #990000;">stonechat</span>, eight <span style="color: #990000;">marsh harriers</span>, four <span style="color: #990000;">buzzards</span>, pair of <span style="color: #990000;">red-breasted merganser</span>, 56 <span style="color: #990000;">knot</span>, 300 <span style="color: #990000;">dunlin</span>, 30 <span style="color: #990000;">grey plover</span>, 20 <span style="color: #990000;">stock doves</span> and six <span style="color: #0b5394;">brown hares</span> gathering for a spot of boxing. A <span style="color: #990000;">goldcrest </span>was seen in Fishponds Wood.<br /><div><div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzMo0yQzArTC4uTNZXN3nFLzd33SyQlt_fALUnR58i5vR_-nQ19pVJx6gDQqKKY361HIvdykF7rUNxDtXuooOVBJ8Y5tf94kkQbo6G7LzofJzWCIyOr0iiq0gKHp_01BYAxvmH7ESOuDglxXC8FgH0kPfOXQPVmxkfdSdfbYrHQ2CvnvTtv0suA1j1HcAh/s4377/Brent%20Strood%20field.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3489" data-original-width="4377" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzMo0yQzArTC4uTNZXN3nFLzd33SyQlt_fALUnR58i5vR_-nQ19pVJx6gDQqKKY361HIvdykF7rUNxDtXuooOVBJ8Y5tf94kkQbo6G7LzofJzWCIyOr0iiq0gKHp_01BYAxvmH7ESOuDglxXC8FgH0kPfOXQPVmxkfdSdfbYrHQ2CvnvTtv0suA1j1HcAh/w400-h319/Brent%20Strood%20field.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A flock of 700 <span style="color: #990000;">brent geese</span> was feeding in the big grass field inside the Strood seawall on Monday 26th. </div><div>Little else of note seen during that short walk onto the Strood seawall at high tide.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidbsFjauVO7RNCcPSu0gkubsWZ0EOZmjEJ1UteMcKaNQZteXZHLXGovPTsEdvJKeKeENqXp_5v48rIjLbAGQQ2MJgWgGT_ukOJABhs8jSlz0sVcEkDN7W_6tYmPHuWi3g-cA086Xc5hTdwaHRDkrANTa2kirgRCmGGB4feVSPl2t6sN80otjIKnFfc8YGN/s3333/Black%20brant%20Firs%20caravan%20park.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2558" data-original-width="3333" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidbsFjauVO7RNCcPSu0gkubsWZ0EOZmjEJ1UteMcKaNQZteXZHLXGovPTsEdvJKeKeENqXp_5v48rIjLbAGQQ2MJgWgGT_ukOJABhs8jSlz0sVcEkDN7W_6tYmPHuWi3g-cA086Xc5hTdwaHRDkrANTa2kirgRCmGGB4feVSPl2t6sN80otjIKnFfc8YGN/w400-h308/Black%20brant%20Firs%20caravan%20park.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The <span style="color: #990000;">black brant </span>fed close to the Strood seawall beside the Firs Chase caravan park during the high tide when it covered the whole saltmarsh on Sunday 25th.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvZoROpiCKcLqRDYOj1g7fRpStSIhlSAb8Ze0lQ8nDRZZn_jqO7PHwg7CSuGqbq40DTM-cU3gfsWg7-3mCCRMhrIiy7SkQ5e7uNyG8ddKGaVM-2Ossq4ZqwpNj2PGfu3uESfGWQKuzOM8WhSCDuyqH9fxgXtQ_WqVnpcjcNg9eGcJ9sdoW5Wo1Cu_2QYpa/s2010/Black%20brant%20Firs%20caravan%20park1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1719" data-original-width="2010" height="343" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvZoROpiCKcLqRDYOj1g7fRpStSIhlSAb8Ze0lQ8nDRZZn_jqO7PHwg7CSuGqbq40DTM-cU3gfsWg7-3mCCRMhrIiy7SkQ5e7uNyG8ddKGaVM-2Ossq4ZqwpNj2PGfu3uESfGWQKuzOM8WhSCDuyqH9fxgXtQ_WqVnpcjcNg9eGcJ9sdoW5Wo1Cu_2QYpa/w400-h343/Black%20brant%20Firs%20caravan%20park1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The large white neck collar showed well when the <span style="color: #990000;">black brant</span> lifted its head up, as it fed with 100<span style="color: #990000;"> brent geese</span>. Also along the Strood on Sunday were 70 <span style="color: #990000;">shelduck, buzzard, marsh harrier</span>, 2 <span style="color: #990000;">kestrels</span>, 3 <span style="color: #990000;">sparrowhawks</span>, 100 <span style="color: #990000;">golden plover</span>, fifty <span style="color: #990000;">linnets</span> and a <span style="color: #990000;">Cetti's warbler</span> singing beside the caravan park near Feldy View.</div><div><br /></div><div>At Cudmore Grove on Sunday morning, Caroline White reported nice views of the <span style="color: #990000;">little owl </span>at the barn owl box by the park pond, three <span style="color: #990000;">pochard, little egret</span>, two pairs of <span style="color: #990000;">gadwall </span>and pair of<span style="color: #990000;"> mute swans</span> on the pond. Sixteen <span style="color: #990000;">greylag geese </span>on the grazing fields,<span style="color: #990000;"> kestrel, Cetti's warbler</span> and 25<span style="color: #990000;"> meadow pipits</span> by the Golfhouse. </div><div>Later in the day two<span style="color: #990000;"> little owls </span>were seen mating by the barn owl box by James Taylor, also a <span style="color: #0b5394;">muntjac deer </span>and a <span style="color: #0b5394;">Chinese Water deer</span> seen at the park.</div><div><br /></div><div>Up to 3000 <span style="color: #990000;">starlings</span> were seen heading to roost near Windsor Road on Sunday afternoon by Andy Field as they flew over his High St North garden.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiij1tbegVn7uLhLjji_6zdWn_qORMem32LCEkV7drU3C09ut3-1trfISYHrFibL4tgiqrk4-DLuFpNPGoIKWvrDtkq7-vikJfFKgF6qNrS_r6FPTvZBBmndacTxtbZSR9Fgwv3floPsQCDOmF7HEIyjYnnr6ev2d9oamC25331LTm946JbYrTaYv79t6I/s1386/Snow%20bunting1MT.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="996" data-original-width="1386" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiij1tbegVn7uLhLjji_6zdWn_qORMem32LCEkV7drU3C09ut3-1trfISYHrFibL4tgiqrk4-DLuFpNPGoIKWvrDtkq7-vikJfFKgF6qNrS_r6FPTvZBBmndacTxtbZSR9Fgwv3floPsQCDOmF7HEIyjYnnr6ev2d9oamC25331LTm946JbYrTaYv79t6I/w400-h288/Snow%20bunting1MT.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The<span style="color: #990000;"> snow bunting </span>was photographed at East Mersea Point on Saturday 24th by Michael Thorley. </div><div>A <span style="color: #990000;">Slavonian grebe </span>was seen off the park by Jonathan Bustard, who later saw a <span style="color: #990000;">great northern diver </span>from the West Mersea Esplanade. </div><div>A <span style="color: #990000;">red-throated diver</span> and the <span style="color: #990000;">Slavonian grebe </span>were seen from the park by Daniel Woollard.</div><div><br /></div><div>In the Coopers Beach / Rewsalls area on Saturday Andy Field noted a <span style="color: #990000;">great northern diver</span> and <span style="color: #990000;">Slavonian grebe</span> offshore, 300 <span style="color: #990000;">brent geese</span> on the marsh at high tide, while two<span style="color: #990000;"> buzzards</span> and 40 <span style="color: #990000;">finches</span> at least 14 <span style="color: #990000;">chaffinches</span> were in a game cover strip in the field south of Meeting Lane. At Cudmore Grove Andy heard the <span style="color: #990000;">little owl</span> and two<span style="color: #990000;"> water rails</span> calling by the pond, also three <span style="color: #990000;">pochard </span>there too.</div><div><br /></div><div>Caroline White saw the <span style="color: #990000;">little owl</span> near the park hide with a second sighting near the kestrel tree presumed the same bird, also six <span style="color: #990000;">greylag geese</span> seen.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-dss_BUBW9HLKpVIvYYUquEEjOzHDeqjbRlC9aiLsNARnSUmCUsk9hFisS1qfrj8CF4xNRL4fDzhVMnXvV745CbQUjrYS6GEZj3DBsmOZMoEMJ5FFvmYEDFqYEjJPyqnLRj04VFK3sO_MAEfZkAYGqy4PWrabCkA6EYvNZoHOEXIgpNwZbsI45C1vM68T/s4032/Reeveshall%20scope.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-dss_BUBW9HLKpVIvYYUquEEjOzHDeqjbRlC9aiLsNARnSUmCUsk9hFisS1qfrj8CF4xNRL4fDzhVMnXvV745CbQUjrYS6GEZj3DBsmOZMoEMJ5FFvmYEDFqYEjJPyqnLRj04VFK3sO_MAEfZkAYGqy4PWrabCkA6EYvNZoHOEXIgpNwZbsI45C1vM68T/w400-h300/Reeveshall%20scope.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Lots of blue sky above the Pyefleet Channel beside the Reeveshall seawall on Saturday morning. Birds of note included two <span style="color: #990000;">great white egrets</span> flying together along Broad Fleet, 11 <span style="color: #990000;">Canada geese </span>by the Fleet, eight<span style="color: #990000;"> marsh harriers</span> with some displaying over Reeveshall, five<span style="color: #990000;"> buzzards, sparrowhawk</span>, a <span style="color: #990000;">merlin</span> flew low west over the fields, <span style="color: #990000;">red kite </span>over Langenhoe, four <span style="color: #990000;">red-breasted mergansers</span>, four <span style="color: #990000;">great crested grebes</span>, three <span style="color: #990000;">gadwall</span> flying along the channel, two <span style="color: #990000;">avocets</span>, thirty <span style="color: #990000;">knot</span>, two <span style="color: #990000;">Mediterranean gulls</span>, while a pair of <span style="color: #990000;">stonechat</span> was by the Shop Lane seawall.</div>Dougal Urquharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160413142108234247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6323835421725003809.post-58032171481030399272024-02-23T22:47:00.013-01:002024-02-26T00:16:04.870-01:00WINTERING GREENSHANK<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ww7tEsilzLUrD7a9k0dPuFvIocOh-uSKNFqRHKDbxOGBFNqW738tCQc42uDp1R1DA17n7rWX3B3SSAhmlNKULRxQNDtck7hjJCzrJ1XQu7Qw4GVocVwyNi36dg4nsjzydmRNNA_KMlqRV4Kc3Y82DOVTyR9FwhY29EhLK6AdsD5aTxeARZp3rzcujDDk/s2956/Greenshank%20Rewsalls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2392" data-original-width="2956" height="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ww7tEsilzLUrD7a9k0dPuFvIocOh-uSKNFqRHKDbxOGBFNqW738tCQc42uDp1R1DA17n7rWX3B3SSAhmlNKULRxQNDtck7hjJCzrJ1XQu7Qw4GVocVwyNi36dg4nsjzydmRNNA_KMlqRV4Kc3Y82DOVTyR9FwhY29EhLK6AdsD5aTxeARZp3rzcujDDk/w400-h324/Greenshank%20Rewsalls.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A <span style="color: #990000;">greenshank</span> was roosting on the small lake beside the East Mersea boating lake on Friday 23rd, pictured above in the centre. It was with a mixed flock of waders during the high tide before flying onto the flooded Rewsalls Marshes where it stood on a lone bramble bush sticking out of the water. This is the first <span style="color: #990000;">greenshank</span> to be seen on the Island this winter.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_QVRFtKRZPEKMwUh7CQ-1wLvGj8NvVK69PC-aJ8Lml8fI44ySYJhMWQpyvacwm17Q68_L0vibIOZoCgLmRWCCYeglhivJOO_MJzm3I9X6KXxReUDu_N4ChPrLgLPTUYT5urQnv8Fe84GFG4JimTtF57Up2DVyDBHJuT-SpyiE1mJRyMuGLaUmJ_WoTWvX/s3583/Curlews%20Rewsalls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2860" data-original-width="3583" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_QVRFtKRZPEKMwUh7CQ-1wLvGj8NvVK69PC-aJ8Lml8fI44ySYJhMWQpyvacwm17Q68_L0vibIOZoCgLmRWCCYeglhivJOO_MJzm3I9X6KXxReUDu_N4ChPrLgLPTUYT5urQnv8Fe84GFG4JimTtF57Up2DVyDBHJuT-SpyiE1mJRyMuGLaUmJ_WoTWvX/w400-h319/Curlews%20Rewsalls.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Other waders roosting beside the East Mersea boating lake on Friday included 115 <span style="color: #990000;">curlew</span>.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu7QAEi3ro-9kw3y4nWDFLNXj_LtlyPZ7dI0pUxLrSmZNULFeScR0EgHhLqlcTT0m0xtq6JBoz7RaWNYJLdY7AwAuoLHE481hVQvKh5JgDO6RA9S5x9o-Occtr-FKkE1a7b-v0bbPE41_pn9OCi_69e2yJSw13g03BjxthgZawCSZadU8iw6hKZ2pWnOjQ/s3344/Wader%20roost%20Rewsalls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3027" data-original-width="3344" height="363" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu7QAEi3ro-9kw3y4nWDFLNXj_LtlyPZ7dI0pUxLrSmZNULFeScR0EgHhLqlcTT0m0xtq6JBoz7RaWNYJLdY7AwAuoLHE481hVQvKh5JgDO6RA9S5x9o-Occtr-FKkE1a7b-v0bbPE41_pn9OCi_69e2yJSw13g03BjxthgZawCSZadU8iw6hKZ2pWnOjQ/w400-h363/Wader%20roost%20Rewsalls.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Also roosting in a corner of the side lake on Friday were 70 <span style="color: #990000;">redshank</span>, 70<span style="color: #990000;"> turnstones</span>, 20 <span style="color: #990000;">dunlin</span> while other birds seen around the Rewsalls marshes were 400<span style="color: #990000;"> brent geese</span>, 2 <span style="color: #990000;">little egrets</span>, 3 <span style="color: #990000;">little grebes</span>, 2 <span style="color: #990000;">buzzards</span>, and two <span style="color: #990000;">Cetti's warblers</span>.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx5L9I7VpyaIbtNxxG1oOAXYf78jjrOWs88tS2uKL1ZEas4RoDdO9yV2aqm_FY-GPq9hbtNjZXWZ5eDiz7C5tC0BwQAYjLWlofDM7rOcblNHFtwjrxHO1wVLq6VnzdWFIUCeyhQUler88Wd2RJgUw6zgrDhznqFZ_UgGiNkvAWgi9sOCPewuNw_1zAdzPw/s4163/Med%20gulls%20Youth%20Camp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3790" data-original-width="4163" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx5L9I7VpyaIbtNxxG1oOAXYf78jjrOWs88tS2uKL1ZEas4RoDdO9yV2aqm_FY-GPq9hbtNjZXWZ5eDiz7C5tC0BwQAYjLWlofDM7rOcblNHFtwjrxHO1wVLq6VnzdWFIUCeyhQUler88Wd2RJgUw6zgrDhznqFZ_UgGiNkvAWgi9sOCPewuNw_1zAdzPw/w400-h364/Med%20gulls%20Youth%20Camp.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Feeding on a field to the west of the Youth Camp were 22 <span style="color: #990000;">Mediterranean gulls,</span> 15 <span style="color: #990000;">common gulls</span> and a few <span style="color: #990000;">black-headed gulls</span>. A pair of <span style="color: #990000;">red-legged partridge</span> was in a field to the west of the East Mersea church.</div><div><br /></div><div>At Cudmore Grove on Friday, Steve Entwistle saw a <span style="color: #990000;">little owl</span> at the back of the park pond, <span style="color: #990000;">Cetti's warbler</span>, pair of <span style="color: #990000;">pochard</span>, two pairs of <span style="color: #990000;">tufted ducks</span>, pair of <span style="color: #990000;">mute swans</span>, three pairs of <span style="color: #990000;">gadwall</span>, while a <span style="color: #990000;">goldcrest</span> was seen west of the bird-hide. A second pair of <span style="color: #990000;">mute swans</span> was seen later in the day in the park dyke and a pair of <span style="color: #990000;">greylag geese</span> in the fields, by Caroline White </div><div><br /></div><div>Steve later saw 38<span style="color: #990000;"> fieldfares</span> with 50 <span style="color: #990000;">starlings</span> near Bocking Hall, two <span style="color: #990000;">red-legged partridges</span> near Barrow Hill on the East Mersea road, then watched 20<span style="color: #990000;"> marsh harriers</span> from the Hard seen flying to roost on Old Hall Marshes at dusk.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcDeD5r-ns0iNH_BSuixZZjvrzfzPYNO9Q5PeWf1rWFsAmjzOj5VbejcA6Bc8NkR0-iM4Y0liQGbStNtW_3nBDjSzYoHHsN8ml0XlmVSqBVlLqhNLodRbHRU-n5lH8KnKkmZZMT0c1g53Ho1dWDl12S2JDYGtN9gRfsfyOPr4RSssIKXnYxvpeF6c_JbeI/s3847/Oystercatcher%20Dabchicks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3235" data-original-width="3847" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcDeD5r-ns0iNH_BSuixZZjvrzfzPYNO9Q5PeWf1rWFsAmjzOj5VbejcA6Bc8NkR0-iM4Y0liQGbStNtW_3nBDjSzYoHHsN8ml0XlmVSqBVlLqhNLodRbHRU-n5lH8KnKkmZZMT0c1g53Ho1dWDl12S2JDYGtN9gRfsfyOPr4RSssIKXnYxvpeF6c_JbeI/w400-h336/Oystercatcher%20Dabchicks.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>An<span style="color: #990000;"> oystercatcher</span> stood on a surfboard behind the Dabchicks sailing club on Thursday 22nd - keeping an eye on a potential nesting site in an old dinghy nearby.</div><div>A <span style="color: #990000;">peregrine </span>flew over the Strood channel scattering birds as it headed over Ray Island.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqtHEjwSjPnxdc5jbI-bzY7pEwSQh3a3mnvLRZPBnILWsX5f-MGFvhjlkESDKDbRoGziSiqI6xSaZDPg2gIKrYOvGYoxDe0-COwgPCudTLlhHtUhtSjulwo04p8y6z5Wne4qYVpwcH7XILXN2ScVG9PRAw4OMDLzu2-ke1iZkmd3UbJKC3uMZBjka4Spbn/s2487/Great%20crested%20grebe%20Nothe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2363" data-original-width="2487" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqtHEjwSjPnxdc5jbI-bzY7pEwSQh3a3mnvLRZPBnILWsX5f-MGFvhjlkESDKDbRoGziSiqI6xSaZDPg2gIKrYOvGYoxDe0-COwgPCudTLlhHtUhtSjulwo04p8y6z5Wne4qYVpwcH7XILXN2ScVG9PRAw4OMDLzu2-ke1iZkmd3UbJKC3uMZBjka4Spbn/w400-h380/Great%20crested%20grebe%20Nothe.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Two <span style="color: #990000;">great crested grebes</span> were in the Strood channel in front of the Firs Chase caravan park, with a third in Ray channel on Thursday. Also along the Strood channel during the high tide walk were 70 <span style="color: #990000;">shelduck</span>, two <span style="color: #990000;">avocets, Mediterranean gull</span>, three <span style="color: #990000;">little egrets</span>, also thirty<span style="color: #990000;"> linnets</span> and a pair of <span style="color: #990000;">stonechats</span> in the fields.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuLbSdu5dg2vWt_BfHlyXhkhuN06ApwLb9BlUsGAnbXFBzYIh6yKl4le_nLyPwY4VEk2pyRgnhnGdFkGfENbAckhCVzZ2mMhl2DHpcekA2_7xAYUht2BlhxHzajEOKri3HOoq5gJdjHpl3s-rrIVuRehcA1Agg2ICFbtULCpq2DonICwUJTfsznf2JImtd/s2613/Song%20thrush%20caravan%20site.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2364" data-original-width="2613" height="363" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuLbSdu5dg2vWt_BfHlyXhkhuN06ApwLb9BlUsGAnbXFBzYIh6yKl4le_nLyPwY4VEk2pyRgnhnGdFkGfENbAckhCVzZ2mMhl2DHpcekA2_7xAYUht2BlhxHzajEOKri3HOoq5gJdjHpl3s-rrIVuRehcA1Agg2ICFbtULCpq2DonICwUJTfsznf2JImtd/w400-h363/Song%20thrush%20caravan%20site.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A <span style="color: #990000;">song thrush</span> was singing along the edge of the Firs Chase caravan park close to the seawall on Thursday. A male <span style="color: #990000;">blackcap</span> was seen in the Firs Chase garden on Thursday.</div><div><br /></div><div>In East Mersea 600 <span style="color: #990000;">brent geese</span> were seen by Michael Thorley feeding in a field to the south of Meeting Lane on Thursday.</div><div><br /></div><div>Wednesday 21st was wet most of the day and the only birds noted during a short walk to Feldy View from Firs Chase were two <span style="color: #990000;">song thrushes</span>, ten <span style="color: #990000;">chaffinches </span>and a distant flock of 100 <span style="color: #990000;">golden plover</span> flying over Feldy Marshes on the mainland.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAXFEGH3lbAf3M7bh2PEbr1nWsgKA4W9obF-OwAq5HcdqAkkVA2hghnmn8NlNHcmkVIvEqps4V5VFsSPcEbudEGYgOWLGrDVRg4vsyWK62CIZOQE6VAZnGiG0POA9_mHS7B6z0OVIadP7HXBebKT512vDvjg_X6C2zXhXjwaKvmKiyuLcdAleqh3K80qK5/s4032/Badger%20Rewsalls%20lane.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAXFEGH3lbAf3M7bh2PEbr1nWsgKA4W9obF-OwAq5HcdqAkkVA2hghnmn8NlNHcmkVIvEqps4V5VFsSPcEbudEGYgOWLGrDVRg4vsyWK62CIZOQE6VAZnGiG0POA9_mHS7B6z0OVIadP7HXBebKT512vDvjg_X6C2zXhXjwaKvmKiyuLcdAleqh3K80qK5/w300-h400/Badger%20Rewsalls%20lane.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>A dead <span style="color: #0b5394;">badger</span> was found lying in Rewsalls Lane, East Mersea on Tuesday 20th, so it was lifted onto the nearby verge and the Badger Group informed.</div><div>A brief visit to Coopers Beach caravan park on Tuesday morning was quiet at high tide . Two <span style="color: #990000;">Cetti's warblers </span>were heard singing including one in the garden of the park manager's residence.</div><div><br /></div><div>Steve Entwistle visited the Golfhouse area on Tuesday afternoon and reported pair of <span style="color: #990000;">greylag geese</span> on the grazing fields,<span style="color: #990000;"> stonechat</span> pair by the dyke, four <span style="color: #990000;">shoveler </span>on the saltmarsh pools, four<span style="color: #990000;"> tufted ducks</span> on the dyke, 19 <span style="color: #990000;">knot</span> and 11 <span style="color: #990000;">ringed plover</span> on the mud.</div><div><br /></div><div>On Tuesday evening a <span style="color: #990000;">sparrowhawk</span> was seen flying amongst the large <span style="color: #990000;">starling</span> flock of 5000+, as they headed into roost at the top of Oakwood Avenue.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4_eyLjQ5Wk4NKrGJN8-80m6CyrIJ8ORljVo1tBN1fPc0LK3JVAtz3rXG-sYZDOW_rLOLboia6elvN_GPT5ZDPUtOlajeNkJXCZWDBfgE2nPW3GItj_-t8h1eMVjG5eBWJbkkN_icG_RfyFLvbQuaky5Pa9MNPIwHEkEtxMshYWtfY8Z_0ISm9cJ9z48P0/s1144/StonechatRhallAF.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1144" data-original-width="888" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4_eyLjQ5Wk4NKrGJN8-80m6CyrIJ8ORljVo1tBN1fPc0LK3JVAtz3rXG-sYZDOW_rLOLboia6elvN_GPT5ZDPUtOlajeNkJXCZWDBfgE2nPW3GItj_-t8h1eMVjG5eBWJbkkN_icG_RfyFLvbQuaky5Pa9MNPIwHEkEtxMshYWtfY8Z_0ISm9cJ9z48P0/w310-h400/StonechatRhallAF.JPG" width="310" /></a></div>Andy Field photographed this<span style="color: #990000;"> stonechat</span>, one of three seen at Reeveshall on Monday 19th late afternoon whilst watching seven or eight <span style="color: #990000;">marsh harriers</span> going into the Langenhoe roost.</div><div><br /></div><div>Martin Cock earlier on Monday saw the <span style="color: #990000;">velvet scoter</span> and the<span style="color: #990000;"> eider </span>in the outer Colne, from Cudmore Grove.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGKjjaX50cfSV1kENgDFuB4O1-VgDVDZTZ1uQdunlhQbS4IZx_yznZvI9NYB3_VMrIhUm9fmLsRt-Imi7rq5iTn_tSaqRw9KogmkSUg5bZPDBjAknr1iOq9kwgizNX3lnE3lOY_SBzg3LC41u9aN6IxrIdn7nO0Ecmd9lHnJ3DHbfCQ5Wk-iV2p2nrNcpO/s942/SkylarksMT.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="681" data-original-width="942" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGKjjaX50cfSV1kENgDFuB4O1-VgDVDZTZ1uQdunlhQbS4IZx_yznZvI9NYB3_VMrIhUm9fmLsRt-Imi7rq5iTn_tSaqRw9KogmkSUg5bZPDBjAknr1iOq9kwgizNX3lnE3lOY_SBzg3LC41u9aN6IxrIdn7nO0Ecmd9lHnJ3DHbfCQ5Wk-iV2p2nrNcpO/w400-h289/SkylarksMT.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>A small group of six <span style="color: #990000;">skylarks</span> was photographed by Michael Thorley feeding in the Golfhouse paddock on Monday, also three<span style="color: #990000;"> linnets </span>here, 1000+ <span style="color: #990000;">brent geese</span> seen in the grazing fields then flew over to Ivy Farm.<br /><div><div><div><br /></div><div>Steve Entwistle visited Cudmore Grove on Monday and saw a <span style="color: #990000;">pochard</span>, two<span style="color: #990000;"> greylag geese</span>, pair of <span style="color: #990000;">mute swans </span>on the pond and heard <span style="color: #990000;">water rail</span> and <span style="color: #990000;">Cetti's warbler</span> at the pond.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpMwEhd_FvtYIhDWB9rV48iopyR5ExVNQWzqS9zjhzpBloCqgMWn0KmKEqRCGJD9oky05DuOdcvttM5ItEXc_gEpJO88SdvEYbh1bhbYfcR6toYHaPF073eW_jw6V1j6yrpYa2u1r2bbnO-H5egjM7ir3Fq2-ZAwAx_dAzgPKf6X6LS1h6NkN9EWe9cvMu/s5184/Stonechat%20female%20Strood.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpMwEhd_FvtYIhDWB9rV48iopyR5ExVNQWzqS9zjhzpBloCqgMWn0KmKEqRCGJD9oky05DuOdcvttM5ItEXc_gEpJO88SdvEYbh1bhbYfcR6toYHaPF073eW_jw6V1j6yrpYa2u1r2bbnO-H5egjM7ir3Fq2-ZAwAx_dAzgPKf6X6LS1h6NkN9EWe9cvMu/w400-h300/Stonechat%20female%20Strood.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>A pair of <span style="color: #990000;">stonechat</span> was beside the Strood dyke on Monday 19th, also five <span style="color: #990000;">reed buntings</span>, two<span style="color: #990000;"> meadow pipits </span>and twenty<span style="color: #990000;"> linnets</span> in the fields. A <span style="color: #990000;">peregrine</span> flew north-west over the channel and headed over Ray Island and two <span style="color: #990000;">marsh harriers</span> were seen too. Main flocks of birds included fifty <span style="color: #990000;">wigeon</span>, fifty <span style="color: #990000;">teal</span> and fifty<span style="color: #990000;"> shelduck </span>also a pair of<span style="color: #990000;"> mute swans</span>.</div><div><br /></div><div>Birds seen during a walk along the Strood seawall on Sunday 18th included 800<span style="color: #990000;"> brent geese</span>, 120 <span style="color: #990000;">shelduck</span>, 60 <span style="color: #990000;">grey plover</span>, 30 <span style="color: #990000;">knot</span>, ten<span style="color: #990000;"> avocets</span>, four <span style="color: #990000;">little egrets</span>, two <span style="color: #990000;">marsh harriers, Cetti's warbler</span>, three <span style="color: #990000;">stonechats</span>, while by the Firs Caravan park were the<span style="color: #990000;"> mistle thrush</span> and a <span style="color: #990000;">goldcrest</span>.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4hcttAIcdjJUSn77Vas-xbAFJSVPM_HucJt5TzaqpRK4uWhKcKlVJEA0Ht0o1gmIQPMXnKm9-6a5Ri34Vt71T_vx2x4mmvV9Sl1WrHhbWNAeOO5lVixRzoJxNJ76bGE9ByzIF0pH3Ix0-HBoLTNTV_2db7cJb31JIOw5Sq-fmpMESawFwYhiq8Zdq5dwQ/s2168/Yellowhammer%20Bower%20hall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2122" data-original-width="2168" height="391" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4hcttAIcdjJUSn77Vas-xbAFJSVPM_HucJt5TzaqpRK4uWhKcKlVJEA0Ht0o1gmIQPMXnKm9-6a5Ri34Vt71T_vx2x4mmvV9Sl1WrHhbWNAeOO5lVixRzoJxNJ76bGE9ByzIF0pH3Ix0-HBoLTNTV_2db7cJb31JIOw5Sq-fmpMESawFwYhiq8Zdq5dwQ/w400-h391/Yellowhammer%20Bower%20hall.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A male<span style="color: #990000;"> yellowhammer </span>perched on a tree by the Bower Hall seawall on Saturday 17th, a second bird flew over calling near to Maydays farm. A flock of 70<span style="color: #990000;"> linnets</span> was feeding on some game cover at Bower Hall, a <span style="color: #990000;">buzzard, marsh harrier</span>, twenty <span style="color: #990000;">stock doves, green woodpecker</span>, twenty <span style="color: #990000;">skylarks</span> and four <span style="color: #0b5394;">brown hares</span> also noted.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsTVaTLBgoBeqXsxc1bxc-ZuSvdPd4OttjNBvOXSWW7JQP-yuCsuOEs5sxKo7T2fjMuXIDE1z6BD4LdtK4dRNQIbZ8gfKBuMdAYUpuLX8q_Go59WIaHhlNiykmug7omDGMXAxW7aSoI4U79nMYR3SjJncOjDdNoRvis26YbHoqzXwqH4wORZ0-P6Qonxuq/s1600/Oyster%20fungiCW.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsTVaTLBgoBeqXsxc1bxc-ZuSvdPd4OttjNBvOXSWW7JQP-yuCsuOEs5sxKo7T2fjMuXIDE1z6BD4LdtK4dRNQIbZ8gfKBuMdAYUpuLX8q_Go59WIaHhlNiykmug7omDGMXAxW7aSoI4U79nMYR3SjJncOjDdNoRvis26YbHoqzXwqH4wORZ0-P6Qonxuq/w300-h400/Oyster%20fungiCW.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>A nice clump of <span style="color: #7f6000;">oyster mushrooms</span> was photographed at Cudmore Grove by Caroline White on Saturday 17th. Birds seen during her visit included a <span style="color: #990000;">merlin </span>perched behind Ivy Dock, three <span style="color: #990000;">greylag geese</span>, two calling<span style="color: #990000;"> water rails</span> at the park pond, <span style="color: #0b5394;">grey squirrel</span> at the back of the pond and a possible<span style="color: #0b5394;"> stoat</span> near the hide.</div><div><br /></div><div>On Saturday evening 28 <span style="color: #990000;">red-breasted mergansers </span>were seen off Cudmore Grove by Daniel Woollard. A <span style="color: #990000;">velvet scoter</span> was reported on Birdguides, seen off Cudmore on Saturday sometime.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwYjPyxGtq8_o8YnDiJ0t8mJ5pAleG4iqWHJwpcfgJFszpcVnU98LSZM-X5PGIUyMyzZL4LkWt2Z2F1H8DGjMaB1wiGzUFWPVipuZFsoEDPdapBY2p0s4gEvH7qHwjk7uSKkEznsosWC9j3o3z2F8sGGdSEuGjWb3QfehCHC29VXwO-4zTavE6613Ee0ZQ/s2048/CurlewMT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1937" data-original-width="2048" height="379" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwYjPyxGtq8_o8YnDiJ0t8mJ5pAleG4iqWHJwpcfgJFszpcVnU98LSZM-X5PGIUyMyzZL4LkWt2Z2F1H8DGjMaB1wiGzUFWPVipuZFsoEDPdapBY2p0s4gEvH7qHwjk7uSKkEznsosWC9j3o3z2F8sGGdSEuGjWb3QfehCHC29VXwO-4zTavE6613Ee0ZQ/w400-h379/CurlewMT.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A couple of <span style="color: #990000;">curlew</span> photographs taken recently at Coopers Beach by Michael Thorley.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRWQsCH1thX7yUMxuTOhxCTFV7iy3z0-wZrvy30ehfXgKHuD9p0kQj4r7Rv8a_ME44t9QcK5c4_3wUe6_C1UGSEbm9Nk89VIHr2G5GSsk1umScpmeBk0k_YCFb5nMmRGuM2UZ2TsIdd3doGFgDOalFTDzFoXKlQQq4Vm3xXKwPUl1D76fIYu63SiYn9Za9/s1963/Curlew1MT.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1922" data-original-width="1963" height="391" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRWQsCH1thX7yUMxuTOhxCTFV7iy3z0-wZrvy30ehfXgKHuD9p0kQj4r7Rv8a_ME44t9QcK5c4_3wUe6_C1UGSEbm9Nk89VIHr2G5GSsk1umScpmeBk0k_YCFb5nMmRGuM2UZ2TsIdd3doGFgDOalFTDzFoXKlQQq4Vm3xXKwPUl1D76fIYu63SiYn9Za9/w400-h391/Curlew1MT.JPG" width="400" /></a></div></div>Dougal Urquharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160413142108234247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6323835421725003809.post-52457355329039989772024-02-16T21:00:00.007-01:002024-02-23T00:26:05.000-01:00STROOD PINTAIL<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZzcqvnTMDE4k4UT-rMKj4y4OznZR8Vp4WjNCibVbu2uQmetKC0d3IZwW4mcFYeo5iQoF7cEEGcCg5URgynHUfg6-6-Z65iKkDPG1jDS7S8F7XoUqF2woY_X003yTxLIZCVKh-W7t4ETGZUOWLHWEufsDthMmIWb4OmYlt4YmIvE6sVUKASqrjwwW1K1yO/s2691/Pintail%20male1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2445" data-original-width="2691" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZzcqvnTMDE4k4UT-rMKj4y4OznZR8Vp4WjNCibVbu2uQmetKC0d3IZwW4mcFYeo5iQoF7cEEGcCg5URgynHUfg6-6-Z65iKkDPG1jDS7S8F7XoUqF2woY_X003yTxLIZCVKh-W7t4ETGZUOWLHWEufsDthMmIWb4OmYlt4YmIvE6sVUKASqrjwwW1K1yO/w400-h364/Pintail%20male1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A male <span style="color: #990000;">pintail </span>in the Strood channel was an unusual sight on Friday 16th. It was keeping company with a small flock of <span style="color: #990000;">wigeon</span> and seemed quite settled. Also along the channel were 70 <span style="color: #990000;">shelduck</span>, 100 <span style="color: #990000;">teal</span>, 20 <span style="color: #990000;">avocets</span>, 30 <span style="color: #990000;">golden plover</span>, 44 <span style="color: #990000;">curlew</span>, 20 <span style="color: #990000;">knot</span> and two <span style="color: #990000;">black-tailed godwits</span>.<br /><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY6iazY-xK-0CwLiklqeQ2X0UhRFfwtC67IknlQ9lRkvZr04SUpXbht_iTI7IzUBBJO_TXVPP_SGzO5rsETlohdz5VV5B3Tdq6JLPX7Izl5dNoPgXLIWVWkcGY45YPDwmWpiqEyGTZjPRrPyCsBBzYsVyuXdGLsoQywV4OLLCyJGFSAXxQeeXuSfvqFFaM/s1677/Buzzard%20Strood1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1677" data-original-width="1657" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY6iazY-xK-0CwLiklqeQ2X0UhRFfwtC67IknlQ9lRkvZr04SUpXbht_iTI7IzUBBJO_TXVPP_SGzO5rsETlohdz5VV5B3Tdq6JLPX7Izl5dNoPgXLIWVWkcGY45YPDwmWpiqEyGTZjPRrPyCsBBzYsVyuXdGLsoQywV4OLLCyJGFSAXxQeeXuSfvqFFaM/w395-h400/Buzzard%20Strood1.jpg" width="395" /></a></div>Three<span style="color: #990000;"> buzzards</span> drifted slowly over the Strood channel from Ray Island heading east over the fields.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9CyGk5bvz6uPOGBVFUdemspKh1INcqJGC4GKCvhgL2ABLJUlzW_1vARF5lJWt75qyViCiDwSDORlcva0X0oe5hBbFDOd1bIeJCOPMwjuB98cAEJT16iNmCQIepGyR51Y8X581xb0SArv0r4DmaMAsU_4qkj9mtmML19z88mZcWXup2iW9J38RQrefCx4C/s1785/Marsh%20harrier%20Strood1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1742" data-original-width="1785" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9CyGk5bvz6uPOGBVFUdemspKh1INcqJGC4GKCvhgL2ABLJUlzW_1vARF5lJWt75qyViCiDwSDORlcva0X0oe5hBbFDOd1bIeJCOPMwjuB98cAEJT16iNmCQIepGyR51Y8X581xb0SArv0r4DmaMAsU_4qkj9mtmML19z88mZcWXup2iW9J38RQrefCx4C/w400-h390/Marsh%20harrier%20Strood1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Four <span style="color: #990000;">marsh harriers</span> were also on the wing, making the most of the sunshine and warmth in the air. A <span style="color: #990000;">sparrowhawk</span> was seen near the Firs Caravan park.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl8HD2Aum_3c8ATXae9fIbdlDLtNuq9b46Dfyra-INKcLak8ANktPPPckX4SS0Qx3iiUw4TZjsNRXfmnRPNSFthDGXeBCOLT-pEVWe4NMefEZ5FPJAja2Fmq0J4dSvZC7P53biMhoLDXgHlQZeBfS3hmrmZ_3AhuIa8BItK4fMNLw96xmV_puGI9Kl-Bi_/s2817/Stonechat%20Strood%20dyke.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2718" data-original-width="2817" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl8HD2Aum_3c8ATXae9fIbdlDLtNuq9b46Dfyra-INKcLak8ANktPPPckX4SS0Qx3iiUw4TZjsNRXfmnRPNSFthDGXeBCOLT-pEVWe4NMefEZ5FPJAja2Fmq0J4dSvZC7P53biMhoLDXgHlQZeBfS3hmrmZ_3AhuIa8BItK4fMNLw96xmV_puGI9Kl-Bi_/w400-h386/Stonechat%20Strood%20dyke.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Two <span style="color: #990000;">stonechats </span>were along the Strood seawall, although at opposite ends to each other.</div><div><br /></div><div>At East Mersea a <span style="color: #0b5394;">water vole</span> was seen in a ditch near the Golfhouse on Friday by Caroline White.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPhx8Dsfp_PUZ8Jr9ItFcoWzP8fNM_ZdcaRUDklgSK6NvNin1Pwe0MSLDtFefOqeXlg4Dg_9SdHNx9rNjbV_5sBysmXEXPLRxFd3YOPbTKaNU7-5CI2r7CZ9viscQPmgxcCP1u0fCxv3aKZ8_ZJgvVgnAQrWTO4iTG3kNUFXIXBDRxw4lKsdspisLecqKq/s4344/Brent%20in%20grazing%20field.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3609" data-original-width="4344" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPhx8Dsfp_PUZ8Jr9ItFcoWzP8fNM_ZdcaRUDklgSK6NvNin1Pwe0MSLDtFefOqeXlg4Dg_9SdHNx9rNjbV_5sBysmXEXPLRxFd3YOPbTKaNU7-5CI2r7CZ9viscQPmgxcCP1u0fCxv3aKZ8_ZJgvVgnAQrWTO4iTG3kNUFXIXBDRxw4lKsdspisLecqKq/w400-h333/Brent%20in%20grazing%20field.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A flock of 600 <span style="color: #990000;">brent geese</span> was feeding in one of the park's grazing fields on Thursday 15th. Also in the park fields were 200 <span style="color: #990000;">wigeon, black-tailed godwit</span>, some of the 15<span style="color: #990000;"> shoveler</span> in the area, 20<span style="color: #990000;"> teal, pochard</span> and 6<span style="color: #990000;"> tufted ducks</span> in the dyke,<span style="color: #990000;"> Cetti's warbler </span>and <span style="color: #990000;">sparrowhawk</span> noted too. </div><div><br /></div><div>From the Point the immature male <span style="color: #990000;">eider</span> and <span style="color: #990000;">velvet scoter </span>were distant in the outer Colne, while nearer were three<span style="color: #990000;"> great crested grebes </span>and 3 <span style="color: #990000;">red-breasted mergansers</span>. A pair of <span style="color: #990000;">stonechat</span> was on bushes at the Point saltmarsh, four <span style="color: #990000;">ringed plovers </span>were on the nearby mud.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO3R-2EQ53NhyphenhyphenD-IgX8yK97IOkkebsFOs5qydOe5PiwAgbX6figz5IpnI1MCUx_ISm46GP3OsAkRSxjAOE3s8hEMHIRwJpNaqXAcOzJSnl4d9p0dQ4tOCBzBmTcwzSVn2ZanCmd5xCa2Zxx5kmU5NjGcZB2CKPrTfFTK9bTFDPrUPlDZniXXCnvrDU26Kj/s2376/Skylark%20Golfhouse1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2139" data-original-width="2376" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO3R-2EQ53NhyphenhyphenD-IgX8yK97IOkkebsFOs5qydOe5PiwAgbX6figz5IpnI1MCUx_ISm46GP3OsAkRSxjAOE3s8hEMHIRwJpNaqXAcOzJSnl4d9p0dQ4tOCBzBmTcwzSVn2ZanCmd5xCa2Zxx5kmU5NjGcZB2CKPrTfFTK9bTFDPrUPlDZniXXCnvrDU26Kj/w400-h360/Skylark%20Golfhouse1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A <span style="color: #990000;">skylark</span> was feeding in the Golfhouse paddock on Thursday, along with 24 <span style="color: #990000;">meadow pipits</span>.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9yvjgYEuQyGFGVdPfkX_uikzCBLHX0XSApWuJ1XujKpfFp-KnqtwV_rKqU6MU3NkedoXZc2LD-Nn21GgQ2Nf4Q35sdUbxIx556Fr5ZMZXV7qiELrIXIlN0tDu2nUJTTYlhm2G1P3wKLnHZ4ufR3RqI_Vl77wG9xYCZMOYqcRiYip7GbL5f1JsPIRJyVsE/s1397/Meadow%20pipitAF.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1164" data-original-width="1397" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9yvjgYEuQyGFGVdPfkX_uikzCBLHX0XSApWuJ1XujKpfFp-KnqtwV_rKqU6MU3NkedoXZc2LD-Nn21GgQ2Nf4Q35sdUbxIx556Fr5ZMZXV7qiELrIXIlN0tDu2nUJTTYlhm2G1P3wKLnHZ4ufR3RqI_Vl77wG9xYCZMOYqcRiYip7GbL5f1JsPIRJyVsE/w400-h334/Meadow%20pipitAF.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>One of the<span style="color: #990000;"> meadow pipits </span>in the Golfhouse paddock photographed by Andy Field on Thursday. Also in the field was a <span style="color: #990000;">rock pipit</span>, another one near the Point.</div><div><br /></div><div>Steve Entwistle watched the Langenhoe harrier roost from Shop Lane on Thursday late afternoon and saw a male <span style="color: #990000;">hen harrier</span> circle over the reed-bed a handful of times before dropping down just after 5pm, also eight<span style="color: #990000;"> marsh harriers</span> roosted, and seven <span style="color: #990000;">Mediterranean gulls</span> with 720 <span style="color: #990000;">black-headed gulls</span> in the Pyefleet. </div><div>At West Mersea Hard a <span style="color: #990000;">pale-bellied brent goose</span> was seen opposite the Hard by Martin Cock.</div><div><br /></div><div>On Wednesday 14th birds of note seen along the Strood seawall included 31 <span style="color: #990000;">avocets</span>, ten <span style="color: #990000;">knot, marsh harrier, buzzard, stonechat </span>and 20 <span style="color: #990000;">corn buntings</span>. A flock of 800 <span style="color: #990000;">brent geese</span> was in the Ray Channel / Feldy Marsh area and a female<span style="color: #990000;"> red-breasted merganser</span> seen from the Hard.</div><div><br /></div><div>Along the Strood channel on Tuesday 13th were 114 <span style="color: #990000;">shelduck</span>, 10 <span style="color: #990000;">little grebes, great crested grebe</span>, 30 <span style="color: #990000;">avocets</span>, 400<span style="color: #990000;"> brent geese, Canada goose</span>, 50 <span style="color: #990000;">golden plover</span>, ten<span style="color: #990000;"> knot</span> and a <span style="color: #990000;">black-tailed godwit</span>. Along the path on the top side of the Firs Caravan park were a<span style="color: #990000;"> mistle thrush</span> and a <span style="color: #0b5394;">red squirrel</span> in the bushes.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnDGVx1ma_xvcPinCM75-z3XZUr7m0tVRedrem4HKk-81Z9xQJbkFQZKETjnYw_vnipQLHPTbb_hc6NIY-qxO_v7iqCddFbfvcqF2ZfXnO6JErjbCoaaRSMSsBLIpWANoyPpKAw0_ZYwu8V8zn0hI-N4TZfvvzgkc-RIWtXqnCa-8sHjlDe4lnboFa4V6Y/s3941/Waders%20Pyefleet.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3113" data-original-width="3941" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnDGVx1ma_xvcPinCM75-z3XZUr7m0tVRedrem4HKk-81Z9xQJbkFQZKETjnYw_vnipQLHPTbb_hc6NIY-qxO_v7iqCddFbfvcqF2ZfXnO6JErjbCoaaRSMSsBLIpWANoyPpKAw0_ZYwu8V8zn0hI-N4TZfvvzgkc-RIWtXqnCa-8sHjlDe4lnboFa4V6Y/w400-h316/Waders%20Pyefleet.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A mixed flock of waders was feeding on the mud in the Pyefleet channel near the Shop Lane seawall late on Monday 12th. Watching the harrier roost with Martin Cock in the late afternoon sunshine, a male <span style="color: #990000;">hen harrier</span> provided a fleeting glimpse before it dropped down onto Langenhoe Point as the light faded at 5.25pm. Fourteen <span style="color: #990000;">marsh harriers</span> and a<span style="color: #990000;"> buzzard </span>were seen on Langenhoe, also a <span style="color: #0b5394;">muntjac deer</span> on the seawall.</div><div><br /></div><div>A <span style="color: #990000;">barn owl </span>was hunting fields west of the Oyster Fishery on Monday late afternoon and a second bird was seen distantly hunting the Maydays seawall. Along the Pyefleet two pairs of <span style="color: #990000;">red-breasted merganser</span> flew down channel, two <span style="color: #990000;">great crested grebes</span>, six <span style="color: #990000;">avocets</span>, ten<span style="color: #990000;"> black-tailed godwits</span>, and ten<span style="color: #990000;"> knot</span> were seen, while 18 <span style="color: #990000;">golden plover</span> flew over and 200 <span style="color: #990000;">cormorants </span>headed back over Langenhoe towards Abberton to their roost. A<span style="color: #990000;"> stonechat </span>was by the seawall and a <span style="color: #990000;">goldcrest </span>was in Fishponds Wood.</div><div><br /></div><div>A<span style="color: #990000;"> little owl</span> was seen by the country park entrance at dusk on Monday by Caroline White.</div><div><br /></div><div>At Maydays on Monday morning there were four <span style="color: #990000;">pintail</span>, six <span style="color: #990000;">red-breasted mergansers</span>, three <span style="color: #990000;">Cetti's warblers</span>, two <span style="color: #990000;">stonechats</span>, two<span style="color: #990000;"> great white egrets</span> and two <span style="color: #0b5394;">brown hares</span>, seen by Martin Cock.</div><div><br /></div><div>Earlier on Monday, along the Strood were a <span style="color: #990000;">marsh harrier, buzzard</span>, 30<span style="color: #990000;"> corn buntings</span>, fifty <span style="color: #990000;">linnets</span>, two <span style="color: #990000;">stonechats, Cetti's warbler</span> singing,<span style="color: #990000;"> sparrowhawk</span> and 38 <span style="color: #990000;">avocets</span>.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ER7d4cBSimAKAG1UR-KBV0FL4nHsAMuVPr2e5jskYelcIaqxFqmwRKYGTVUOqeHKNGJ_44YX0bNKRtAx6UYXr9MdgqwqDal0s20znRMMxe8MzQguG-C9dl3eLvfssuHt9fuDDkRyQ8sJHIX7FAiZjHR5rm336pLXh5jFu2RCjBlTCYC_VDHCe6KeXLaF/s1080/CurlewsMT.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="807" data-original-width="1080" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ER7d4cBSimAKAG1UR-KBV0FL4nHsAMuVPr2e5jskYelcIaqxFqmwRKYGTVUOqeHKNGJ_44YX0bNKRtAx6UYXr9MdgqwqDal0s20znRMMxe8MzQguG-C9dl3eLvfssuHt9fuDDkRyQ8sJHIX7FAiZjHR5rm336pLXh5jFu2RCjBlTCYC_VDHCe6KeXLaF/w400-h299/CurlewsMT.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Michael Thorley photographed these two <span style="color: #990000;">curlew</span> at Coopers Beach on Monday 12th.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCnVp9d0XBe_qzhSvGZtaGe5r0Cpx5BXY8g5SBswyenTxta4mxC5dRPCXuO7zKMHTvcEIMe6xZVYp32CzLT_yFgH-jrroTFtxn5LwcdjIXjnHXJxfWAR1zn5ceUOTYd8VX83uPsTvmUfwHp8UbE9uzw1OT-8-TnxNM-n-dc6VYbxePzJ-U1GouXUyWGjig/s2048/Curlew%20on%20mudMT.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCnVp9d0XBe_qzhSvGZtaGe5r0Cpx5BXY8g5SBswyenTxta4mxC5dRPCXuO7zKMHTvcEIMe6xZVYp32CzLT_yFgH-jrroTFtxn5LwcdjIXjnHXJxfWAR1zn5ceUOTYd8VX83uPsTvmUfwHp8UbE9uzw1OT-8-TnxNM-n-dc6VYbxePzJ-U1GouXUyWGjig/w400-h300/Curlew%20on%20mudMT.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>More <span style="color: #990000;">curlew </span>with <span style="color: #990000;">turnstone</span> and <span style="color: #990000;">redshank</span> also pictured by Michael at Coopers Beach.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgkDjiHpAbARiHonO2rF4Hu75Wy3PEq1gbcWJJ6Hguh7dox8suMGK7PFNCUx0b5Bf0HB75JvjvO2zWJgrKbGW1hBX0VL9zA66HpYpGl88hgcu68DhiDopvaFBEv6c-BQ_opG52rz3MhKwPR7XZGgm9d2Kejrxv2exwjw1jYvCaQ39togsGnfC9u16O7d0G/s2048/OystercatcherMT.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1352" data-original-width="2048" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgkDjiHpAbARiHonO2rF4Hu75Wy3PEq1gbcWJJ6Hguh7dox8suMGK7PFNCUx0b5Bf0HB75JvjvO2zWJgrKbGW1hBX0VL9zA66HpYpGl88hgcu68DhiDopvaFBEv6c-BQ_opG52rz3MhKwPR7XZGgm9d2Kejrxv2exwjw1jYvCaQ39togsGnfC9u16O7d0G/w400-h264/OystercatcherMT.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>An <span style="color: #990000;">oystercatcher </span>photographed by Michael at Coopers Beach.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwnmLvULD2CMAIiQDkHfUkfEuXykCWOVfkzIGHalc7XftWgF8fog8GQKWeJu4i_AnUkFpv8oMV1SNzceGn-oI995DxsQK-uwtryu9UU3pOxpcegYLnZLZ2LXOyDF4jMAu_oDTUlhKcWPJnuySF048L_lnKDRgtbwh68-bviqQBN0OnKLVeIv6Viv2roggY/s2048/Oystercatcher%20flyingMT.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwnmLvULD2CMAIiQDkHfUkfEuXykCWOVfkzIGHalc7XftWgF8fog8GQKWeJu4i_AnUkFpv8oMV1SNzceGn-oI995DxsQK-uwtryu9UU3pOxpcegYLnZLZ2LXOyDF4jMAu_oDTUlhKcWPJnuySF048L_lnKDRgtbwh68-bviqQBN0OnKLVeIv6Viv2roggY/w400-h266/Oystercatcher%20flyingMT.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Another shot by Michael of an <span style="color: #990000;">oystercatcher</span>.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifUaf54xkwGkRmwpQgrso2EmJulDdwDc9p9rmHcNgRmTvBVMlr6aFLn-ZYtQZgsz4Mpk8vt9sMq_vD_KJogK8c0p2bm9Kic6tLCt1BYnS996hMTLahtj3naps4jyxzwJEVLfVAW6JavoRiUJ0aP6skNtLt2nalU1XF3FKtEsddCZYgU4gHDDJ9ag_wMP6v/s1080/Blue%20titMT.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="802" data-original-width="1080" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifUaf54xkwGkRmwpQgrso2EmJulDdwDc9p9rmHcNgRmTvBVMlr6aFLn-ZYtQZgsz4Mpk8vt9sMq_vD_KJogK8c0p2bm9Kic6tLCt1BYnS996hMTLahtj3naps4jyxzwJEVLfVAW6JavoRiUJ0aP6skNtLt2nalU1XF3FKtEsddCZYgU4gHDDJ9ag_wMP6v/w400-h297/Blue%20titMT.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>A<span style="color: #990000;"> blue tit</span> photographed by Michael in his East Mersea garden.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ0eneUL5k_ZeQhN_i_BPV0YzFtRNdy4zlXGENp_a4VJ1_rGUfSJYR9NX_2lZWehhWNyEO4nvz7B3PUFT85k2rPKSATN49laC6b6KXn68QkHxZiBdoNKDpxJAOcqEwuMfa8rAdAZmxi6Q6VkiRtYz5yOzrC-78rgbpqbW-NC86qbVhnIbj8IPMOj4Ei2jD/s1902/Great%20titMT.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1154" data-original-width="1902" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ0eneUL5k_ZeQhN_i_BPV0YzFtRNdy4zlXGENp_a4VJ1_rGUfSJYR9NX_2lZWehhWNyEO4nvz7B3PUFT85k2rPKSATN49laC6b6KXn68QkHxZiBdoNKDpxJAOcqEwuMfa8rAdAZmxi6Q6VkiRtYz5yOzrC-78rgbpqbW-NC86qbVhnIbj8IPMOj4Ei2jD/w400-h243/Great%20titMT.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000;">Great tit</span> photographed by Michael in his garden.</div>Dougal Urquharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160413142108234247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6323835421725003809.post-32004015055232919532024-02-11T22:30:00.003-01:002024-02-17T00:19:18.316-01:00 SNOW BUNTINGS STILL AT POINT<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-5wfHCu4JD-Vykl_Xwqlhohk2kxsJVV9tpcNBd8dD_IqS5-QZZkroOfdk-yRTG7m_sSq4MgPPojTnV_rAwFds8QOcQtcF_qz6UI3Tj2XqurLYjKTJGKts5sqhTUYGMnXcL6J7KvMq8HunSbupxrd6Of0w-U0Gcas9ZYNIVaihVrLMzlAC_Es3iJH5HOQv/s2048/Snow%20buntingsMT.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1731" data-original-width="2048" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-5wfHCu4JD-Vykl_Xwqlhohk2kxsJVV9tpcNBd8dD_IqS5-QZZkroOfdk-yRTG7m_sSq4MgPPojTnV_rAwFds8QOcQtcF_qz6UI3Tj2XqurLYjKTJGKts5sqhTUYGMnXcL6J7KvMq8HunSbupxrd6Of0w-U0Gcas9ZYNIVaihVrLMzlAC_Es3iJH5HOQv/w400-h338/Snow%20buntingsMT.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>The six <span style="color: #990000;">snow buntings</span> were still at the East Mersea Point on Sunday 11th, two of them photographed here by Michael Thorley.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxhkI6F_LBmyTgVwJxjM54W-LQrWHgtdwxMo5X43Vj9Q-IH3wVQVlAxHMr1K1lP8G3mgG2CG2HlYLAY_KBP0Mgd4_v3SDIubJl4AJhtw536jx9fb9wIX2zvHeIUkIg-UWeczNtrsWODn7iNxUqlds5me74uoB6RTfoLvkWu0u3LQenGQJQiKIDqHfh24dV/s1938/TurnstoneMT.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1583" data-original-width="1938" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxhkI6F_LBmyTgVwJxjM54W-LQrWHgtdwxMo5X43Vj9Q-IH3wVQVlAxHMr1K1lP8G3mgG2CG2HlYLAY_KBP0Mgd4_v3SDIubJl4AJhtw536jx9fb9wIX2zvHeIUkIg-UWeczNtrsWODn7iNxUqlds5me74uoB6RTfoLvkWu0u3LQenGQJQiKIDqHfh24dV/w400-h326/TurnstoneMT.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Also photographed by Michael was this <span style="color: #990000;">turnstone</span> at East Mersea Point.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJEsNTAqCzY3c3lGoou0RNYKdBBqWY-eU2rKgOUD7hJmIgxERnZL3OD-0JtgEk8Ub0Wj0Wr0JoLfoOr1HjPZ2h5QY81Rrx-IuhHmLinFV9uLNBsbyl7wW3_ej0_NARM3iZE239-5E1sARMMYlOAuT47QBkIjpnoeoh7yX1S_bSCptET7utNPFvpiA34wQw/s2020/Ringed%20plover%20MT.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2020" data-original-width="1427" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJEsNTAqCzY3c3lGoou0RNYKdBBqWY-eU2rKgOUD7hJmIgxERnZL3OD-0JtgEk8Ub0Wj0Wr0JoLfoOr1HjPZ2h5QY81Rrx-IuhHmLinFV9uLNBsbyl7wW3_ej0_NARM3iZE239-5E1sARMMYlOAuT47QBkIjpnoeoh7yX1S_bSCptET7utNPFvpiA34wQw/w283-h400/Ringed%20plover%20MT.JPG" width="283" /></a></div>One of two <span style="color: #990000;">ringed plovers</span> at East Mersea Point was photographed by Michael on Sunday too.</div><div><br /></div><div>At Cudmore Grove on Sunday Daniel Woollard saw a <span style="color: #990000;">guillemot</span> on the edge of the mudflats off the park, also eleven <span style="color: #990000;">red-breasted mergansers, great white egret</span>, 319 <span style="color: #990000;">brent geese</span>, male and female<span style="color: #990000;"> pochard</span>, leucistic <span style="color: #990000;">redshank, knot</span>, also two <span style="color: #990000;">Slavonian grebes</span> and a <span style="color: #990000;">red-throated diver </span>offshore from the park.</div><div><br /></div><div> Later in the evening at the park a <span style="color: #990000;">marsh harrier, peregrine, little owl</span> by the car park, <span style="color: #990000;">Mediterranean gull</span>, nine <span style="color: #990000;">bar-tailed godwits </span>and a <span style="color: #0b5394;">common seal</span> were seen by Daniel.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOVuwEciOiYwesxekShKNQbQkJz0WwbOKl_6zmEQflrXpjYK9Gw34JJBoWfFwt3V1ptD2s4sJkTpwMqXAhzYLFrat_FcPqYzSjnDdKdP2Jis2kJ89sqcmxIX3KwP4MKQZCKLmvFD7RU9q9VK8PSKfVu3KEDKDM0m3kT8TOSg03A1EZQ-gKRpydaHG5765O/s4008/Black%20brant%20Rewsalls.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3678" data-original-width="4008" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOVuwEciOiYwesxekShKNQbQkJz0WwbOKl_6zmEQflrXpjYK9Gw34JJBoWfFwt3V1ptD2s4sJkTpwMqXAhzYLFrat_FcPqYzSjnDdKdP2Jis2kJ89sqcmxIX3KwP4MKQZCKLmvFD7RU9q9VK8PSKfVu3KEDKDM0m3kT8TOSg03A1EZQ-gKRpydaHG5765O/w400-h368/Black%20brant%20Rewsalls.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A <span style="color: #990000;">black brant</span> was feeding in a field behind Rewsalls Marsh with 500 <span style="color: #990000;">brent geese</span> on Sunday.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglBV2Al3fm6kNzzDd7Qg5r6Aj_h_a6zqhLBtMRJxnwWw8G3qqEle6ht4hfoHYKYc50QoNJLnNCwkoHBfhU6nV6fW2EXH63pPaS9-M-YEKttDp-k-a-eZ_nHXkvofIYuUZQ7ABcFhTvUWkXQzSJ4f0kZ6gGlDHbzEwe029715BRwRF29_yfUlCGgq7nAPnj/s4032/Rewsalls%20seawall.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglBV2Al3fm6kNzzDd7Qg5r6Aj_h_a6zqhLBtMRJxnwWw8G3qqEle6ht4hfoHYKYc50QoNJLnNCwkoHBfhU6nV6fW2EXH63pPaS9-M-YEKttDp-k-a-eZ_nHXkvofIYuUZQ7ABcFhTvUWkXQzSJ4f0kZ6gGlDHbzEwe029715BRwRF29_yfUlCGgq7nAPnj/w400-h300/Rewsalls%20seawall.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>High tide on Sunday flooded all the Rewsalls marsh with birds seen in the area being<span style="color: #990000;"> kingfisher</span>, 8 <span style="color: #990000;">snipe</span>, 110 <span style="color: #990000;">redshank</span>, 135 <span style="color: #990000;">curlew</span>, 90<span style="color: #990000;"> turnstones</span>, two <span style="color: #990000;">knot, black-tailed godwit</span>, ten <span style="color: #990000;">Mediterranean gulls</span>, <span style="color: #990000;">sparrowhawk</span>, two<span style="color: #990000;"> Cetti's warblers</span>. Offshore the <span style="color: #990000;">guillemot </span>seen earlier from Cudmore Grove was seen swimming west off Rewsalls, also the same two<span style="color: #990000;"> Slavonian grebes</span> plus a third bird, <span style="color: #990000;">red-throated diver</span>, two<span style="color: #990000;"> shoveler</span> and 110<span style="color: #990000;"> great crested grebes</span> on the sea.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5LtTqfzbX3kJA5k3aXL5vFaCt9FAcWybIEaYTaz8eONApMs5GzO4wljGlrNQLDGVqIFbQrHAf3I1snSN2UBx6t__z_RDPvhgRNXZQSThvwO_1VLzx4Y2vaie3OKiJNR-qYF0VIozFCMi0nNjISlhaQ8A-sfCHW6TqHyWavH0cNQ0rBGzKwfyyDaCFE2YJ/s4032/Boating%20lake%20car%20park%20flooded.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5LtTqfzbX3kJA5k3aXL5vFaCt9FAcWybIEaYTaz8eONApMs5GzO4wljGlrNQLDGVqIFbQrHAf3I1snSN2UBx6t__z_RDPvhgRNXZQSThvwO_1VLzx4Y2vaie3OKiJNR-qYF0VIozFCMi0nNjISlhaQ8A-sfCHW6TqHyWavH0cNQ0rBGzKwfyyDaCFE2YJ/w400-h300/Boating%20lake%20car%20park%20flooded.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The recent high tides have left the car park at the East Mersea boating lake completely under-water.</div><div><br /></div><div>At Maydays on Sunday afternoon Steve Entwistle reported four <span style="color: #990000;">pintail</span>, 28<span style="color: #990000;"> black-tailed godwits</span>, seven <span style="color: #990000;">knot</span>, 100 <span style="color: #990000;">dunlin</span>, 40<span style="color: #990000;"> shelduck</span>, 25 <span style="color: #990000;">curlew</span>, 45 <span style="color: #990000;">grey plover</span>, two<span style="color: #990000;"> reed buntings</span> and a female <span style="color: #990000;">marsh harrier</span>.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdZPBE5HaSCeZQIP2a9ad3XxlV5fmcTVbOPCt6gFVzgUNtvuUcA1HVNZoZFRhQsGWhk9eXM5T5JqYYF7B6rMnhMkU6h6WwGoBcPBMdcMvt03MglGM32-4rXTaFOVIkg8WeLFecQTnowPzkTSVArGcQ34xONjAtHU3rjyB9RYkg7PkC9ydAPpIOH35emFBN/s2846/Great%20crested%20grebe%20Maydays.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2600" data-original-width="2846" height="365" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdZPBE5HaSCeZQIP2a9ad3XxlV5fmcTVbOPCt6gFVzgUNtvuUcA1HVNZoZFRhQsGWhk9eXM5T5JqYYF7B6rMnhMkU6h6WwGoBcPBMdcMvt03MglGM32-4rXTaFOVIkg8WeLFecQTnowPzkTSVArGcQ34xONjAtHU3rjyB9RYkg7PkC9ydAPpIOH35emFBN/w400-h365/Great%20crested%20grebe%20Maydays.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Three<span style="color: #990000;"> great crested grebes </span>were in the Pyefleet at Maydays on Saturday 10th, also a <span style="color: #990000;">red-breasted merganser</span>, ten <span style="color: #990000;">pintail</span>, 16 <span style="color: #990000;">shoveler</span>, 15 <span style="color: #990000;">black-tailed godwits, great white egret </span>and two <span style="color: #990000;">little egrets</span>.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjItqAZPi8kg6BLeKC-e8aLVB2VdG8vhJr5cPaUxMUp31S_QGbABfPdAno-N_OvKcpCXGdkYBmZx7asjiGOY7Vg4az7GbA6tsiCgbOe5Qkr8rf2pw8w4YOcWI0oFEbzblMINjpDHCNaEhELZEDsXMZPj-Qlw-NgRKbnojmDgSV9BqHiiGx2JyDGeKXknOvn/s4032/Maydays%20high%20tide.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjItqAZPi8kg6BLeKC-e8aLVB2VdG8vhJr5cPaUxMUp31S_QGbABfPdAno-N_OvKcpCXGdkYBmZx7asjiGOY7Vg4az7GbA6tsiCgbOe5Qkr8rf2pw8w4YOcWI0oFEbzblMINjpDHCNaEhELZEDsXMZPj-Qlw-NgRKbnojmDgSV9BqHiiGx2JyDGeKXknOvn/w400-h300/Maydays%20high%20tide.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The high tide covered all of the Maydays saltmarsh leaving nowhere for waders to roost, 1000 <span style="color: #990000;">dunlin</span>, 80 <span style="color: #990000;">golden plover</span> were flying around and at least ten <span style="color: #990000;">snipe</span> flew off the marsh. A <span style="color: #990000;">merlin</span> flew over the marsh and perched on a bush near the Bower Hall seawall and a <span style="color: #990000;">marsh harrier</span> was also seen.</div><div><br /></div><div>On Maydays two <span style="color: #990000;">stonechats</span>, 50 <span style="color: #990000;">skylarks</span>, three <span style="color: #990000;">Cetti's warblers</span> were noted and a <span style="color: #0b5394;">Chinese Water Deer</span> ran across a field and onto the nearby farm reservoirs. Highlights from the 20 species seen during the 30 minute Big Farmland Bird Count on one of the Maydays fields were 220 <span style="color: #990000;">linnets</span>, 65<span style="color: #990000;"> chaffinches</span>, four <span style="color: #990000;">yellowhammers</span> and a <span style="color: #990000;">fieldfare</span>.</div><div><br /></div><div>At Cudmore Grove at least one <span style="color: #990000;">eider</span> in the Colne and 190<span style="color: #990000;"> brent geese</span> were seen by Daniel Woolard on Saturday. At West Mersea a <span style="color: #990000;">great northern diver</span> and 18 <span style="color: #990000;">great crested grebes</span> were seen offshore from the Esplanade by Steve Entwistle.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifyJh-0bE8C0tjzA1OMmOc-3m0eSjIFN75dpRXNeqNL-M22kvKvcjsJzq5yhaLheh0bwMAo-3yIi0B7PLigJUnt7U-LUXpXo_DFwHbNLL-Sp_koLYvsjSiXBT4sAdG2PyAq6OQyBNYgsiMQ7K2w1vQN6K3JEhGLE0ikwEazSrwpsn2uxNhGM-wX1rdHrhM/s3025/Black%20brant%20Strood1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3025" height="361" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifyJh-0bE8C0tjzA1OMmOc-3m0eSjIFN75dpRXNeqNL-M22kvKvcjsJzq5yhaLheh0bwMAo-3yIi0B7PLigJUnt7U-LUXpXo_DFwHbNLL-Sp_koLYvsjSiXBT4sAdG2PyAq6OQyBNYgsiMQ7K2w1vQN6K3JEhGLE0ikwEazSrwpsn2uxNhGM-wX1rdHrhM/w400-h361/Black%20brant%20Strood1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>On Friday 9th the <span style="color: #990000;">black brant </span>was feeding with 100<span style="color: #990000;"> brent geese</span> on the flooded saltmarsh at high tide in front of the Firs Chase caravan park. Along the Strood channel were 40 <span style="color: #990000;">avocets</span>, 40<span style="color: #990000;"> black-tailed godwits,</span> two <span style="color: #990000;">marsh harriers</span>, also a <span style="color: #990000;">Cetti's warbler </span>and a<span style="color: #990000;"> stonechat</span> inside the seawall.</div><div>Three<span style="color: #990000;"> lesser redpolls </span>were briefly seen on the birch trees in Feldy View and a <span style="color: #990000;">song thrush</span> was singing in the Firs Chase garden.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPTPu-tNDrIYrhQK1p6dr4TbhiDovX7jpw9wgxuXTTHkYEmMYBdkAwmJlb758Gy4Y1lRS15ycBpBWtFENA3LqJOxkiuIYXqhx4DTodNwBTITkV6g5n-E881nqLb92L7cbPtqjce2almKqJwgbfxc2uLg7S8DPLBMq22SIqz7uHtnNkr1ASORiYImoI8oIi/s3280/Chinese%20water%20deer%20Strood.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3079" data-original-width="3280" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPTPu-tNDrIYrhQK1p6dr4TbhiDovX7jpw9wgxuXTTHkYEmMYBdkAwmJlb758Gy4Y1lRS15ycBpBWtFENA3LqJOxkiuIYXqhx4DTodNwBTITkV6g5n-E881nqLb92L7cbPtqjce2almKqJwgbfxc2uLg7S8DPLBMq22SIqz7uHtnNkr1ASORiYImoI8oIi/w400-h375/Chinese%20water%20deer%20Strood.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A bit of a distant picture of a <span style="color: #0b5394;">Chinese Water Deer </span>feeding at the back of one of the Strood fields on Friday.</div><div><br /></div><div>At Cudmore Grove on Friday late afternoon a <span style="color: #990000;">barn owl</span> was seen flying north over the grazing fields by Caroline White, and then another<span style="color: #990000;"> barn owl </span>seen flying south across East Road between the Fox pub and the allotments.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMf_o9_2bTS49SgMq6uDrWU1wm2MzY-aq3qKbsRpRZrb1uvB5pdREHuP03gniufiJv4HWWAHdB-ndbfF6OK77FybdIw8kJLQ1QfpLbYE3zwhL71y-bsZVLLHeOJ236xn5ZVkLP3qiILn0yxmeF0zSsFJ4iVnFLaOr4kjRqsmM0nEvEoQ43Mf-QxGp6zNEH/s640/FOX.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="545" data-original-width="640" height="341" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMf_o9_2bTS49SgMq6uDrWU1wm2MzY-aq3qKbsRpRZrb1uvB5pdREHuP03gniufiJv4HWWAHdB-ndbfF6OK77FybdIw8kJLQ1QfpLbYE3zwhL71y-bsZVLLHeOJ236xn5ZVkLP3qiILn0yxmeF0zSsFJ4iVnFLaOr4kjRqsmM0nEvEoQ43Mf-QxGp6zNEH/w400-h341/FOX.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A <span style="color: #0b5394;">fox</span> was seen in the Firs Chase garden checking for morsels under the bird feeders on a wet Thursday 8th.</div>Dougal Urquharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160413142108234247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6323835421725003809.post-55938347485324597282024-02-07T22:00:00.001-01:002024-02-09T00:33:26.080-01:00SLAVONIAN ON CALM SEA<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHQqUVA3roEpjQ4nNBP5HCDPVsfhWCIIPmXqjHawbL_NmQhgxK96LamjTBx8dvYAe1FvneoB4b_c8uviKISYNXbkBziEWBkNO-5SA2BwtH0QcJOGa7KLgF4G-sYuWHFAYlkmgfejc0xtFahIMqOJ5NbRs78Y-12EKJ-JxGB6UpvhYGstJZEeALPduN0-VH/s680/Slavonian%20grebeAF.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="680" data-original-width="675" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHQqUVA3roEpjQ4nNBP5HCDPVsfhWCIIPmXqjHawbL_NmQhgxK96LamjTBx8dvYAe1FvneoB4b_c8uviKISYNXbkBziEWBkNO-5SA2BwtH0QcJOGa7KLgF4G-sYuWHFAYlkmgfejc0xtFahIMqOJ5NbRs78Y-12EKJ-JxGB6UpvhYGstJZEeALPduN0-VH/w398-h400/Slavonian%20grebeAF.JPG" width="398" /></a></div>A <span style="color: #990000;">Slavonian grebe</span> was photographed by Andy Field on flat calm waters offshore from Kingsland Road, West Mersea on Wednesday 7th, also four <span style="color: #990000;">great northern divers</span> seen too.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlxi9tcoy9pKB-Nqj0jyOPg0U8qiiZK7FMlNdiwB7kxnAsT-BynbxAnI1IQnTZQ55lr8Wy8oFbdxlrvhYDYaJb5gUjkgIExcp__DPoWaMJi_F1qcjZxV1AF234O45kaKxYiv24nsD360U70LTPTKpMUGNwtoy2yMDdfTmrrPpI-JnMA5VjuMxIPpUq_1Av/s1901/RedpollAF.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1786" data-original-width="1901" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlxi9tcoy9pKB-Nqj0jyOPg0U8qiiZK7FMlNdiwB7kxnAsT-BynbxAnI1IQnTZQ55lr8Wy8oFbdxlrvhYDYaJb5gUjkgIExcp__DPoWaMJi_F1qcjZxV1AF234O45kaKxYiv24nsD360U70LTPTKpMUGNwtoy2yMDdfTmrrPpI-JnMA5VjuMxIPpUq_1Av/w400-h376/RedpollAF.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Later in Feldy View Andy photographed one of the three <span style="color: #990000;">lesser redpolls </span>that he found on Wednesday morning. At Cudmore Grove Andy saw <span style="color: #990000;">goldcrest</span> and<span style="color: #990000;"> pochard </span>but only heard <span style="color: #990000;">little owl, water rail </span>and a <span style="color: #990000;">Cetti's warbler </span>at the park on Wednesday.<div>A <span style="color: #0b5394;">red squirrel</span> was seen by Daniel Woollard in the back garden of the Cudmore Grove bungalow on Wednesday.<br /><div><br /></div><div>Steve Grimwade visited East Mersea on Wednesday and reported six <span style="color: #990000;">snow buntings</span> at the Point, two <span style="color: #990000;">eider</span>, seven <span style="color: #990000;">red-throated divers</span>, six<span style="color: #990000;"> red-breasted mergansers</span>, three <span style="color: #990000;">marsh harriers</span>, two <span style="color: #990000;">sparrowhawks</span>, four <span style="color: #990000;">rock pipits</span>, two <span style="color: #990000;">buzzards</span> and a <span style="color: #990000;">Cetti's warbler</span>.</div><div><br /></div><div>At Maydays farm four <span style="color: #990000;">marsh harriers</span>, three <span style="color: #990000;">buzzards, sparrowhawk</span> and two <span style="color: #990000;">Cetti's warblers</span> were reported by Martin Cock on Wednesday.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8yUmUs5QSgjqiO8QMuh2OprfI6lnggrkT5Uz8XjT8LenT20tTuFi1KjD4ei5fluLGC7OM1yp49a_E5h4mYfzTQSUTRZK9VySD0EikVmoB2NvxVCUWSducu07JSBm4Bs2sX_aZo_O33or1F6jb4bEAHZuv8s-rwBRroBTeaamY3v18ths4qvosyr1b4Fpl/s2069/Redshank.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1805" data-original-width="2069" height="349" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8yUmUs5QSgjqiO8QMuh2OprfI6lnggrkT5Uz8XjT8LenT20tTuFi1KjD4ei5fluLGC7OM1yp49a_E5h4mYfzTQSUTRZK9VySD0EikVmoB2NvxVCUWSducu07JSBm4Bs2sX_aZo_O33or1F6jb4bEAHZuv8s-rwBRroBTeaamY3v18ths4qvosyr1b4Fpl/w400-h349/Redshank.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Along the Strood channel on Wednesday morning the tide was just starting to recede and this<span style="color: #990000;"> redshank</span> waited near the seawall.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYFFezPsUR5N0qa9J753zUtk0bLcsGtOqnwGePLu2mdVDhxujNjl-SpoF_xjPX6TZL7fQZcJDsGhUyTm3-zFD5x4NabdhnBz-5z3aaiM7as8e7jM2EwkdBxjpwLaB77A1qXg8puI6xGNCXrGCB03FSisy8gV9T7vswz3t_i06E4enfPV5znKXEFAITIe8c/s4393/Black%20tailed%20godwit%20pair.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3460" data-original-width="4393" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYFFezPsUR5N0qa9J753zUtk0bLcsGtOqnwGePLu2mdVDhxujNjl-SpoF_xjPX6TZL7fQZcJDsGhUyTm3-zFD5x4NabdhnBz-5z3aaiM7as8e7jM2EwkdBxjpwLaB77A1qXg8puI6xGNCXrGCB03FSisy8gV9T7vswz3t_i06E4enfPV5znKXEFAITIe8c/w400-h315/Black%20tailed%20godwit%20pair.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Two <span style="color: #990000;">black-tailed godwits</span> had just flown into the Strood channel to feed, as had 40 <span style="color: #990000;">avocets </span>nearby.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbx8sOelrYEzoHzMk-srrNHAbhiC-O8TZJfyxuVjKVKMMpaqg1a82xUEsj-FbWPL-7JkCMjDabKO1mumUai26ljfUQfyeFPwIrpf1RD9EFS3OntO0hoCL8bysWTJi4xw2yTCO-1aCTD4Z8KUbvUuJM-wgfC6wQDc-eK6N9R8Jm9Ze2OwMJqpvF9xSArMSe/s4221/Dunlin%20line.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3213" data-original-width="4221" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbx8sOelrYEzoHzMk-srrNHAbhiC-O8TZJfyxuVjKVKMMpaqg1a82xUEsj-FbWPL-7JkCMjDabKO1mumUai26ljfUQfyeFPwIrpf1RD9EFS3OntO0hoCL8bysWTJi4xw2yTCO-1aCTD4Z8KUbvUuJM-wgfC6wQDc-eK6N9R8Jm9Ze2OwMJqpvF9xSArMSe/w400-h305/Dunlin%20line.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A small flock of <span style="color: #990000;">dunlin</span> was waiting for the tide to drop on Wednesday along the Strood channel.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKj1JYJtgI_jg9gMhh5dMN8YmKypMQJ_AmmVFgOLtUwJnhe7Nq_vpvWwFDuqqpXdB23kVYfz1fioqEilS4eXVdFfIofRbK30PpXmni3NvHK3vYML_HQgM-JDKgUtmt3FN5apgANZocCoxXAjG6jreznEDn3jUE_dzuTazq3Zc5Ma9OFJ07zrahcQew0S7h/s2267/Buzzard%20Strood.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1949" data-original-width="2267" height="344" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKj1JYJtgI_jg9gMhh5dMN8YmKypMQJ_AmmVFgOLtUwJnhe7Nq_vpvWwFDuqqpXdB23kVYfz1fioqEilS4eXVdFfIofRbK30PpXmni3NvHK3vYML_HQgM-JDKgUtmt3FN5apgANZocCoxXAjG6jreznEDn3jUE_dzuTazq3Zc5Ma9OFJ07zrahcQew0S7h/w400-h344/Buzzard%20Strood.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A<span style="color: #990000;"> buzzard</span> crossed over the Strood channel flushing off some of the waders feeding on the mud on Wednesday. In the fields 20 <span style="color: #990000;">linnets</span>, 14 <span style="color: #990000;">stock doves</span> and a singing <span style="color: #990000;">Cetti's warbler</span> in one of the bushes.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzY0WXPFSo3XkJiNS7zvQypMAmLIZ_BEtd1W3mG-Zxdf1Ofcwzc-l02dFyqloVwC-RHIWvl1wc69UUVwudaxAyNuMEewkTHS7K3Mwi_AbrSAQphtR0AIgIGoQrlnWG0koV0qhztiS0uGv9O5hRSN8M7lmxNucLbheE3h9FnKZaiL7pRrwIKU0FKa7N9v9n/s2773/Mistle%20thrush%20Firs.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2543" data-original-width="2773" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzY0WXPFSo3XkJiNS7zvQypMAmLIZ_BEtd1W3mG-Zxdf1Ofcwzc-l02dFyqloVwC-RHIWvl1wc69UUVwudaxAyNuMEewkTHS7K3Mwi_AbrSAQphtR0AIgIGoQrlnWG0koV0qhztiS0uGv9O5hRSN8M7lmxNucLbheE3h9FnKZaiL7pRrwIKU0FKa7N9v9n/w400-h366/Mistle%20thrush%20Firs.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The regular <span style="color: #990000;">mistle thrush </span>was high in the poplar trees beside the Firs Chase caravan park on Wednesday, also a <span style="color: #990000;">song thrush </span>here too. In the Firs Chase garden the <span style="color: #990000;">song thrush</span> continues to sing each day and a male <span style="color: #990000;">blackcap </span>was seen on Wednesday.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg371ltplXTMbzduTi_JjLluBCbqAL1AFgrMBExFc-ShSHRjEXUR4tYdbXkYxqMiOiyu87KNlpzTuTdR18WnNvyS0jNbHsvEykQl5-FbL7JGBhlV5dCmSt4-shlAu4kAiVDeXI-kG4hXdW8Br1NQdO8UYMiM7JbpXLxzEMUgto3n-gskGcsQn0eGc4mjxJr/s5184/Brent%20on%20Strood%20field%20pond.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg371ltplXTMbzduTi_JjLluBCbqAL1AFgrMBExFc-ShSHRjEXUR4tYdbXkYxqMiOiyu87KNlpzTuTdR18WnNvyS0jNbHsvEykQl5-FbL7JGBhlV5dCmSt4-shlAu4kAiVDeXI-kG4hXdW8Br1NQdO8UYMiM7JbpXLxzEMUgto3n-gskGcsQn0eGc4mjxJr/w400-h300/Brent%20on%20Strood%20field%20pond.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A flock of 100 <span style="color: #990000;">brent geese </span>dropped onto the small pond at the bottom of the Strood Hill field, for a bathe and a preen on a very windy Tuesday 6th. The only birds noted during the walk at high tide were 24 <span style="color: #990000;">avocets</span>, 35<span style="color: #990000;"> black-tailed godwits</span>, 12<span style="color: #990000;"> knot</span> with 500<span style="color: #990000;"> brent geese </span>seen in total. A <span style="color: #990000;">sparrowhawk</span> flew over Firs Chase.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-6t839xOXUgPh3e7olSISYWZKCTi9hTBkAoK8XCxsz98y8lgovn4g_t1sdMmDTaIU1gQwUjYj8llb3bZmnsXNnFnFMA5tRqLIZWoRiyrcmc4o6J83JncV4FrazvbO0StSz21zKxK-27oPBuiSfj9HwXBC8Avgimr9b2r4v6iHjyS2AhRlgA9C69vRAtrN/s2198/Pochard%20female.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2045" data-original-width="2198" height="373" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-6t839xOXUgPh3e7olSISYWZKCTi9hTBkAoK8XCxsz98y8lgovn4g_t1sdMmDTaIU1gQwUjYj8llb3bZmnsXNnFnFMA5tRqLIZWoRiyrcmc4o6J83JncV4FrazvbO0StSz21zKxK-27oPBuiSfj9HwXBC8Avgimr9b2r4v6iHjyS2AhRlgA9C69vRAtrN/w400-h373/Pochard%20female.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A female<span style="color: #990000;"> pochard </span>was on the country park pond on Monday 5th, having been hiding in the reeds earlier.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWRmbi1aoMLnpZmmY-2BlBw1Lw_CxzrPXhiRvAmPxaIAxKm1zEt5naeH7H0E0lTUNhotifxlXQd8KJtP2_jlrkbnmNbCLUauB1zuqn1YD7q1RVr8ITCD_tbsK4r-ygvhULfCDeLcEN1_cLUN8YsMC7Iv_owWg26a_qg18eSOPe_YljkPnlWf4y-y9qHLDJ/s2652/Gadwall%20pair.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2385" data-original-width="2652" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWRmbi1aoMLnpZmmY-2BlBw1Lw_CxzrPXhiRvAmPxaIAxKm1zEt5naeH7H0E0lTUNhotifxlXQd8KJtP2_jlrkbnmNbCLUauB1zuqn1YD7q1RVr8ITCD_tbsK4r-ygvhULfCDeLcEN1_cLUN8YsMC7Iv_owWg26a_qg18eSOPe_YljkPnlWf4y-y9qHLDJ/w400-h360/Gadwall%20pair.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Twelve <span style="color: #990000;">gadwall</span> were seen on the park pond on Monday with an additional bird seen on the nearby grazing fields. A<span style="color: #990000;"> buzzard, green woodpecker</span>, pair of <span style="color: #990000;">mute swans, tufted duck</span> and also a <span style="color: #0b5394;">grey squirrel </span>were seen from the bird hide overlooking the pond.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ovKV-jPEc3xRmeM_ASZ7Y_MS3OhxOfpEQym-zk7eMcLXazIOHRQ9vmrs3uHMYZ9VrvX6Uj_dEVNGmDmlpuFsmCeKHPcsCZUhXbVPz1LNe9yNqDeCFP0mvbgGRfeEFhoi_ZanWxD_hqnhVKHEeoJoZfu6SohiEcji2EV0DzACCvX8dNAq_k6UYyxxMSM9/s4251/Wigeon%20grazing.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3217" data-original-width="4251" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ovKV-jPEc3xRmeM_ASZ7Y_MS3OhxOfpEQym-zk7eMcLXazIOHRQ9vmrs3uHMYZ9VrvX6Uj_dEVNGmDmlpuFsmCeKHPcsCZUhXbVPz1LNe9yNqDeCFP0mvbgGRfeEFhoi_ZanWxD_hqnhVKHEeoJoZfu6SohiEcji2EV0DzACCvX8dNAq_k6UYyxxMSM9/w400-h303/Wigeon%20grazing.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>On the park's grazing fields on Monday were about 300<span style="color: #990000;"> wigeon </span>and thirty<span style="color: #990000;"> teal</span>, also one<span style="color: #990000;"> black-tailed godwit </span>feeding.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCckoDiOX_q73NWzH6Nf_psQ31PmnZYw9QX3vOesSbPPp4tT0-t5CkNfu6OPHQdoWlAxhTrYI5G42jN9em80lHEwNZuHQ19HXRTNvKBKuSV5tc71KtTe7og5ZBnjOFuUjDpEMRm7o0IvDgyf48Ggm-U1PK0gGQLjVLfFcnovm8Tclvqn_wsRZ6THxyR8KR/s2245/Oystercatcher.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2225" data-original-width="2245" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCckoDiOX_q73NWzH6Nf_psQ31PmnZYw9QX3vOesSbPPp4tT0-t5CkNfu6OPHQdoWlAxhTrYI5G42jN9em80lHEwNZuHQ19HXRTNvKBKuSV5tc71KtTe7og5ZBnjOFuUjDpEMRm7o0IvDgyf48Ggm-U1PK0gGQLjVLfFcnovm8Tclvqn_wsRZ6THxyR8KR/w400-h396/Oystercatcher.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>At East Mersea Point an <span style="color: #990000;">oystercatcher</span> stood on the water's edge on Monday. Only two <span style="color: #990000;">snow buntings</span> could be found late morning, although six had been reported earlier. Six<span style="color: #990000;"> ringed plovers</span> were seen close to the beach with some showing signs of territorial behaviour in three locations. A<span style="color: #990000;"> red-breasted merganser</span> was seen in the Colne.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguM7iEKyh_GZD8ly68Rp28VpGuwLDdtBijNST0vMaioPUP2TpedVr_aGEgHZLbF7jO69zyI4gjobMknD9nSbgyE8PyJfbUs73h5QfZDtHYqr7kj8X4s-VRTjE97wJTXOrESwf30fNndxr3EF04gtjXdc_WwxZ_zGtUI9K0NsviheagzD5eIbBpdqis-Mj9/s3985/Muntjac%20Manwood1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3587" data-original-width="3985" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguM7iEKyh_GZD8ly68Rp28VpGuwLDdtBijNST0vMaioPUP2TpedVr_aGEgHZLbF7jO69zyI4gjobMknD9nSbgyE8PyJfbUs73h5QfZDtHYqr7kj8X4s-VRTjE97wJTXOrESwf30fNndxr3EF04gtjXdc_WwxZ_zGtUI9K0NsviheagzD5eIbBpdqis-Mj9/w400-h360/Muntjac%20Manwood1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A <span style="color: #0b5394;">muntjac deer </span>was seen in a field beside Manwood Grove close to Shop Lane on Monday.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguTBmV8mH-PLo1xFTwFY7kw8By9cMWJRa91JXVFUmJ0Idg4pvVu9cUEsdWk9Yjd7fQBI5GnHyn3iWBUw_X2Xe4FG63hl4N5nePsh5e6tNwOTuA6F2G059mmiLrHCG2rKh35McjlztWq8ZrI8_MwH2oCkNlnLFOE3gfV_D7oNvy3z8ZJDWMP_dqivGHdYpA/s4096/Muntjac%20Manwood.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4096" height="339" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguTBmV8mH-PLo1xFTwFY7kw8By9cMWJRa91JXVFUmJ0Idg4pvVu9cUEsdWk9Yjd7fQBI5GnHyn3iWBUw_X2Xe4FG63hl4N5nePsh5e6tNwOTuA6F2G059mmiLrHCG2rKh35McjlztWq8ZrI8_MwH2oCkNlnLFOE3gfV_D7oNvy3z8ZJDWMP_dqivGHdYpA/w400-h339/Muntjac%20Manwood.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The buck <span style="color: #0b5394;">muntjac deer </span>was happily grazing the field during the middle of the day and was photographed from the car.</div><div><br /></div><div>Caroline White had a walk at Cudmore Grove late on Monday afternoon and reported 150 <span style="color: #990000;">wigeon</span>, 3 <span style="color: #990000;">shoveler</span>, 6 <span style="color: #990000;">tufted ducks</span>, 13<span style="color: #990000;"> mallard</span> and a pair of <span style="color: #990000;">mute swans</span> on the park pond.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6A-eyOICLKBkmMSHbvEJXS7s0QY3IbBUro2Hk1R9Xyb7a9QA8Z3_EVAvV9OIS_LZHZQmt5ej7stLjIrM4ROwE2IkSFVH6LbuTEFaX1TevgMy-T9WPwfS_eth0iDskweron6AWtblI6Uq8g_mVnZUCWAJLFCtpo88rb1Iju9uQhhBw-JG4FZFkmRtZhyphenhyphenoE/s1024/Tawny%20owlCW.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6A-eyOICLKBkmMSHbvEJXS7s0QY3IbBUro2Hk1R9Xyb7a9QA8Z3_EVAvV9OIS_LZHZQmt5ej7stLjIrM4ROwE2IkSFVH6LbuTEFaX1TevgMy-T9WPwfS_eth0iDskweron6AWtblI6Uq8g_mVnZUCWAJLFCtpo88rb1Iju9uQhhBw-JG4FZFkmRtZhyphenhyphenoE/w300-h400/Tawny%20owlCW.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>A neighbour of Caroline White in Dawes Lane photographed this<span style="color: #990000;"> tawny owl</span> at 2am Sunday 4th perched on their house.</div><div><br /></div><div>At Cudmore Grove Daniel Woollard reported 250 <span style="color: #990000;">wigeon</span>, 15 <span style="color: #990000;">shoveler</span>, six <span style="color: #990000;">tufted ducks</span>, 27<span style="color: #990000;"> teal</span>, 11 <span style="color: #990000;">curlew</span>, three<span style="color: #990000;"> little grebes</span>, a <span style="color: #990000;">brent goose</span> and also six<span style="color: #990000;"> snow buntings</span> at the Point on Sunday.</div><div><br /></div><div>Birds of interest seen along the Strood seawall on Sunday included 300 <span style="color: #990000;">brent geese</span>, 70 <span style="color: #990000;">shelduck</span>, 65 <span style="color: #990000;">avocets</span>, four <span style="color: #990000;">black-tailed godwits, bar-tailed godwit</span>, three<span style="color: #990000;"> little egrets</span>, 15 <span style="color: #990000;">stock doves</span>, 100 <span style="color: #990000;">linnets, corn bunting</span> and a pair of <span style="color: #990000;">stonechats</span>.</div><div><br /></div><div>On Saturday 3rd a <span style="color: #990000;">black-necked grebe </span>was found by Andy Field off the West Mersea Esplanade, later a <span style="color: #990000;">great northern diver</span> was seen offshore. At Cudmore Grove Andy saw a dozen <span style="color: #990000;">siskins </span>feeding in the alders near the park pond with some<span style="color: #990000;"> goldfinches</span> and <span style="color: #990000;">chaffinches</span>, also a<span style="color: #990000;"> pochard</span> on the pond.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDbdC3OyIkItgrEaDoIRtYMs5M3ffBiZVASYH1CeUSyO59af_57KVhoAv8t0b9Rq2_aNv6X7yAmoPNDZY35oF1HD54Iy0y8DjjXgrVM49YSJAJaeEspF0DaT1LIc6VuuuRh6Pm5Uo6E9b11LQydo6mksDxmjJSzKOjpbABFhE28ApaObfFD2EoWeRKZXsK/s2000/Sunset%20RewsallsMT.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDbdC3OyIkItgrEaDoIRtYMs5M3ffBiZVASYH1CeUSyO59af_57KVhoAv8t0b9Rq2_aNv6X7yAmoPNDZY35oF1HD54Iy0y8DjjXgrVM49YSJAJaeEspF0DaT1LIc6VuuuRh6Pm5Uo6E9b11LQydo6mksDxmjJSzKOjpbABFhE28ApaObfFD2EoWeRKZXsK/w400-h300/Sunset%20RewsallsMT.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Stunning sunset photographed by Michael Thorley looking west over the Rewsalls Marshes from Coopers Beach on Saturday 3rd.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG4yPyzB5sQjehyphenhypheneawjUrBpyS6HXBzqDtbJS9Vu9faiywVBYqGeIJ9V_jBOZJXwBZ3haVtQPUCenYYYrJnuFL8Z5Qfj8SGm6DOMQScJELhKMpRwlvNKbgJGwUsaWRouiN7YiboozQRfCvEAkOgufIYobXWshv0gTP7TYkIMLkOY_BdPU3Kr_C8s0RiPyZH/s2000/SunsetMT.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG4yPyzB5sQjehyphenhypheneawjUrBpyS6HXBzqDtbJS9Vu9faiywVBYqGeIJ9V_jBOZJXwBZ3haVtQPUCenYYYrJnuFL8Z5Qfj8SGm6DOMQScJELhKMpRwlvNKbgJGwUsaWRouiN7YiboozQRfCvEAkOgufIYobXWshv0gTP7TYkIMLkOY_BdPU3Kr_C8s0RiPyZH/w400-h300/SunsetMT.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Another photograph of the red sunset by Michael looking west from Coopers Beach on Saturday evening.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOwNm8X0X_R-0koU90_BHn-PNjXBJ5U8UsmVVIpY-W6SMw5PlI0GNMd7orlYbcHte7z9hol_6r_kgD-mgPgGkMIiWGClI7PWM2de-Pmk07O3UUjLzr8CafvqlQ7VqXVv8PowI_iJvuAmFkwKyAoyoeBGUYgSPszXUmlTYCCNfh_L53roNq2eO9rwnNMnmW/s1728/Snow%20buntingMT.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1296" data-original-width="1728" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOwNm8X0X_R-0koU90_BHn-PNjXBJ5U8UsmVVIpY-W6SMw5PlI0GNMd7orlYbcHte7z9hol_6r_kgD-mgPgGkMIiWGClI7PWM2de-Pmk07O3UUjLzr8CafvqlQ7VqXVv8PowI_iJvuAmFkwKyAoyoeBGUYgSPszXUmlTYCCNfh_L53roNq2eO9rwnNMnmW/w400-h300/Snow%20buntingMT.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Michael photographed this<span style="color: #990000;"> snow bunting</span> at East Mersea Point on Friday 2nd</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwvEN5FOAfTdiDB2fb1ttGtQuEoeqBZ4GXn68EcW9JwVHo6oYywiID0BY2WeQ0Dh9lk9Zi3AB4GCNyA0zWEuElhgYZ1eSu0R_dRRbeOxyIXjQc69p6uIJzdEUqRPsb0cDxDQTmbq-dzWtPW2ahyphenhyphenvFjZThhQosw50w0dKS2N-yhNVTLA9Va8FbrDFR8Cxil/s1728/Red%20admiralMT.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1296" data-original-width="1728" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwvEN5FOAfTdiDB2fb1ttGtQuEoeqBZ4GXn68EcW9JwVHo6oYywiID0BY2WeQ0Dh9lk9Zi3AB4GCNyA0zWEuElhgYZ1eSu0R_dRRbeOxyIXjQc69p6uIJzdEUqRPsb0cDxDQTmbq-dzWtPW2ahyphenhyphenvFjZThhQosw50w0dKS2N-yhNVTLA9Va8FbrDFR8Cxil/w400-h300/Red%20admiralMT.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>A worn<span style="color: #741b47;"> red admiral</span> photographed by Michael at East Mersea on Friday 2nd.</div></div>Dougal Urquharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160413142108234247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6323835421725003809.post-15844430331016690172024-02-02T21:30:00.004-01:002024-02-05T23:54:59.283-01:00SICKLY SCOTER<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbeT-bgEhkHY1JbodJb1kRoL2Te9wjD2XUGeLQ-knuydQQPUYCXPrlDVhC3c-Kjol2DRK4Gr4JbfLXWkrpEoxm5NK2ERpTb38J1lLyM4Z5kietwhGkX_4jyhyphenhyphen5NJQSK9oBYhQUSmN9kmYhyNgHT9ROVSHt-ZF_4S3FQXxAttp9Lsm_k4hhbuvgmn-k4Uno/s1599/Common%20scoterDR.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1599" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbeT-bgEhkHY1JbodJb1kRoL2Te9wjD2XUGeLQ-knuydQQPUYCXPrlDVhC3c-Kjol2DRK4Gr4JbfLXWkrpEoxm5NK2ERpTb38J1lLyM4Z5kietwhGkX_4jyhyphenhyphen5NJQSK9oBYhQUSmN9kmYhyNgHT9ROVSHt-ZF_4S3FQXxAttp9Lsm_k4hhbuvgmn-k4Uno/w300-h400/Common%20scoterDR.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>A sickly male <span style="color: #990000;">common scoter</span> was near to the Monkey beach at West Mersea on Friday 2nd. Found by Daryl Rhymes initially off Kingsland Road, he said that it swam off whenever anyone tried to approach it. It could've been oiled, or it could've been bird flu. There were no further reports of it after Friday.<div>Also seen offshore were a <span style="color: #990000;">great northern diver, red-throated diver </span>and four <span style="color: #990000;">Mediterranean gulls</span>.</div><div><br /></div><div>At East Mersea the six <span style="color: #990000;">snow buntings</span> were seen by Michael Thorley on the beach at the Point on Friday morning. At the end of Friday Steve Entwistle saw a <span style="color: #990000;">sparrowhawk </span>and a <span style="color: #0b5394;">Chinese water deer </span>at Maydays.<br /><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgruNRc6PWYp79bfEax9UyRBYuFb3tXhnxjuxfacI-Hn7AfdujlUwq4Kjgrg0oR9P6WiGea7P6e_8TZGHnT4wGoZR-QY3QPwR-vxyWKP-GaFpdHXP6Pu3NpMQnX6oLzkTvffTBWG5zrmTtcwWecGOcguKV5C577audoZqxB9mqIzwOmSBXr0BWjMhk5Vrzs/s4144/Wigeon%20Strood.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3467" data-original-width="4144" height="335" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgruNRc6PWYp79bfEax9UyRBYuFb3tXhnxjuxfacI-Hn7AfdujlUwq4Kjgrg0oR9P6WiGea7P6e_8TZGHnT4wGoZR-QY3QPwR-vxyWKP-GaFpdHXP6Pu3NpMQnX6oLzkTvffTBWG5zrmTtcwWecGOcguKV5C577audoZqxB9mqIzwOmSBXr0BWjMhk5Vrzs/w400-h335/Wigeon%20Strood.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Along the Strood channel on Friday morning were lots of wildfowl with 100 <span style="color: #990000;">wigeon</span>, 100 <span style="color: #990000;">teal </span>and 100 <span style="color: #990000;">shelduck</span> resting on the mud.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH62nWV6oD3TAoJfOhqulN8H85MXza4YKI-hPRLnHMAywUMT1mGhWi9cRe2_5XZ9MfWqX4AA2nBPXgsC7cVRzTR6zEY8AGxonE38hr7e8uvYDt4y_d2I6OA6hieQhNqo7nXYWzx85Tq_V4rWAdBNJxTUJRfTUJj5_Er9jwahRVY18IzElck0J5v06tVl53/s2744/Teal%20Strood%20sluice.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2298" data-original-width="2744" height="335" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH62nWV6oD3TAoJfOhqulN8H85MXza4YKI-hPRLnHMAywUMT1mGhWi9cRe2_5XZ9MfWqX4AA2nBPXgsC7cVRzTR6zEY8AGxonE38hr7e8uvYDt4y_d2I6OA6hieQhNqo7nXYWzx85Tq_V4rWAdBNJxTUJRfTUJj5_Er9jwahRVY18IzElck0J5v06tVl53/w400-h335/Teal%20Strood%20sluice.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A small flock of <span style="color: #990000;">teal </span>along with a <span style="color: #990000;">black-tailed godwit</span>, were gathered in the sluice outflow at the Strood on Friday. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje9rybu43f2FLL5HhwfzV46i76FsQwTD2Ww8nncD7K3K-xvzVt_jDAJ1JM7nQ193DWiyT-SUvhsXs8LMT_H_hSidH7aGHho-pvK5FyviWNBwi7fz8Z9_yVqGV3Na09jc2ATXAfyA2iaaFx6nW9W4dH7BRT6Ptf-LD06F97q8hTp-VNvisvWAE3_Vr0s8zE/s4135/Avocets%20Strood.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3369" data-original-width="4135" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje9rybu43f2FLL5HhwfzV46i76FsQwTD2Ww8nncD7K3K-xvzVt_jDAJ1JM7nQ193DWiyT-SUvhsXs8LMT_H_hSidH7aGHho-pvK5FyviWNBwi7fz8Z9_yVqGV3Na09jc2ATXAfyA2iaaFx6nW9W4dH7BRT6Ptf-LD06F97q8hTp-VNvisvWAE3_Vr0s8zE/w400-h326/Avocets%20Strood.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Also along the Strood channel on Friday were 84<span style="color: #990000;"> avocets</span>, four<span style="color: #990000;"> black-tailed godwits</span>, while in the fields were a<span style="color: #990000;"> great white egret</span>, 100 <span style="color: #990000;">linnets</span>, 20<span style="color: #990000;"> skylarks</span> and two <span style="color: #990000;">corn buntings</span>. A pair of <span style="color: #990000;">stonechats</span> and a <span style="color: #990000;">mistle thrush</span> were near the Firs Caravan park.</div><div>In Firs Chase just before daybreak two male <span style="color: #990000;">tawny owls</span> were calling repeatedly early on Friday morning.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoyBKnSR4M4yhdN03yVqw0_0S4eQg1JqUMxdgJCncBhHBigjY3MELmuZhoF0bA9oyUrxJZQ0EASNOrzTyd7d95xqj2SPGz0sZcWZrnd4XpKcdLM1BtYF9PFmIFXaS92b8LFwXZSo8kbgBTq7XTmLzx4fQ1vR0pQixWoetWqPrKWwHymyTBa0x_Ts-z1Vys/s4032/East%20Mersea%20churchyard.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoyBKnSR4M4yhdN03yVqw0_0S4eQg1JqUMxdgJCncBhHBigjY3MELmuZhoF0bA9oyUrxJZQ0EASNOrzTyd7d95xqj2SPGz0sZcWZrnd4XpKcdLM1BtYF9PFmIFXaS92b8LFwXZSo8kbgBTq7XTmLzx4fQ1vR0pQixWoetWqPrKWwHymyTBa0x_Ts-z1Vys/w300-h400/East%20Mersea%20churchyard.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>There was a colourful display of <span style="color: #7f6000;">snowdrops</span> and <span style="color: #783f04;">winter aconites</span> in front of the East Mersea church on Thursday 1st.</div><div>On a brief visit to Coopers Beach and the nearby Rewsalls marshes were 20 <span style="color: #990000;">curlew</span>, 19 <span style="color: #990000;">shelduck, little egret,</span> four <span style="color: #990000;">black-tailed godwits</span>, a <span style="color: #990000;">buzzard </span>flying over and 12 <span style="color: #990000;">great crested grebes</span> offshore.</div><div><br /></div><div>Offshore from West Mersea a <span style="color: #990000;">black-necked grebe </span>was watched by Chris Poole off Lower Kingsland Road, seen drifting east on Thursday early afternoon, also a <span style="color: #990000;">great northern diver</span> seen too.</div><div><br /></div><div>At Maydays farm a <span style="color: #990000;">red kite, marsh harrier</span>, six<span style="color: #990000;"> pintail</span> and a <span style="color: #990000;">stonechat</span> were seen by Martin Cock on Thursday morning, then later two <span style="color: #990000;">great northern divers</span> off the Esplanade.</div><div><br /></div><div>On Wednesday at East Mersea a male <span style="color: #990000;">velvet scoter</span> was seen off Coopers Beach by Martin Cock. At Cudmore Grove a <span style="color: #990000;">little owl </span>and five <span style="color: #990000;">tufted ducks</span> were seen late afternoon by Caroline White.</div><div><br /></div><div>Birds of interest seen during a walk along the Strood seawall on Wednesday included 500<span style="color: #990000;"> brent geese,</span> 170<span style="color: #990000;"> shelduck</span>, 60 <span style="color: #990000;">avocets</span>, five<span style="color: #990000;"> knot</span>, two <span style="color: #990000;">marsh harriers, buzzard</span>, two<span style="color: #990000;"> kestrels</span>, 30 <span style="color: #990000;">stock doves</span>, two <span style="color: #990000;">stonechats</span>, 70 <span style="color: #990000;">linnets</span> and five <span style="color: #990000;">corn buntings</span>. A<span style="color: #990000;"> song thrush </span>and <span style="color: #990000;">mistle thrush</span> were seen near the Firs Caravan park.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR-weZngrmpcbh9gz2unQpdVz317c5fRDTALlfQ_kzNBBzb_Q8Oe0HJuFd2ngkneNJ_cczglyPkHzHzHUcCu1ea1UAP6uHXAKwY-tVteeD7ehnETNAlWkHsg9T1c-8jyGtm5fpySpIZQmlceJ93btlXl7uVGCsrH_457CbKxrwVHWv17hmgWqevEVI0hae/s1770/YellowhammersAF.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1770" data-original-width="1371" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR-weZngrmpcbh9gz2unQpdVz317c5fRDTALlfQ_kzNBBzb_Q8Oe0HJuFd2ngkneNJ_cczglyPkHzHzHUcCu1ea1UAP6uHXAKwY-tVteeD7ehnETNAlWkHsg9T1c-8jyGtm5fpySpIZQmlceJ93btlXl7uVGCsrH_457CbKxrwVHWv17hmgWqevEVI0hae/w310-h400/YellowhammersAF.JPG" width="310" /></a></div>Andy Field photographed these two <span style="color: #990000;">yellowhammers </span>that were in the young tree plantation behind the West Mersea Glebe field on Tuesday 30th.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiuaBh8gM9RwutSzm6bzu_z20PRivu05HjNSrQ7EumH5twttDjQ3zyZT3zB8lJn5W6Y3Eja0PeAQe8CEub1zCMYbLn1p0gH4sHkUkFSycBxM-k4OYAgeEXGUUwtVcEM9_39tbCajDFQ2NWxAdGHPjF6QR3EK2ABxgIeg4cFhTxDh0SR2EzD66aLU1goz4G/s1715/Yellowhammers1AF.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1715" data-original-width="1574" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiuaBh8gM9RwutSzm6bzu_z20PRivu05HjNSrQ7EumH5twttDjQ3zyZT3zB8lJn5W6Y3Eja0PeAQe8CEub1zCMYbLn1p0gH4sHkUkFSycBxM-k4OYAgeEXGUUwtVcEM9_39tbCajDFQ2NWxAdGHPjF6QR3EK2ABxgIeg4cFhTxDh0SR2EzD66aLU1goz4G/w368-h400/Yellowhammers1AF.JPG" width="368" /></a></div>Another of Andy's pictures of some of the 20+ <span style="color: #990000;">yellowhammers</span> near the Glebe on Tuesday.</div><div>Andy also saw a<span style="color: #990000;"> velvet scoter</span> off Coopers Beach, ten<span style="color: #990000;"> fieldfares </span>along Rewsalls Lane, <span style="color: #990000;">great northern diver</span> and three <span style="color: #990000;">red-breasted merganser </span>off the Esplanade on Tuesday.</div><div><br /></div><div>At Cudmore Grove six <span style="color: #990000;">snow buntings</span> were seen at the East Mersea Point on Tuesday morning by Jonathan Norgate and also two distant<span style="color: #990000;"> eider</span> over towards Colne Point.</div><div>Caroline White reported hearing the <span style="color: #990000;">little owl </span>calling from the back of the park's grazing fields, three <span style="color: #990000;">tufted ducks</span> in the dyke, a vocal <span style="color: #990000;">lapwing</span> and also a<span style="color: #990000;"> song thrush</span> in her Dawes Lane garden in the morning.</div><div><br /></div><div>Along the Strood seawall on Tuesday a <span style="color: #990000;">peregrine</span> was seen disturbing all the birds along the channel before it headed north-west over Ray Island. A <span style="color: #990000;">marsh harrier, great white egret</span>, 54 <span style="color: #990000;">avocets</span>, 100<span style="color: #990000;"> golden plover</span>, 100<span style="color: #990000;"> lapwing,</span> 20 <span style="color: #990000;">black-tailed godwits</span> and ten <span style="color: #990000;">knot </span>were along the channel. In the fields were 50 <span style="color: #990000;">linnets</span>, ten <span style="color: #990000;">corn buntings </span>and two <span style="color: #990000;">kestrels</span>.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzdKxt_dMiEH5KHClv8w89vqAKibRUQFn2qphrugN-2m9x8U1bVV-rI3EZm6-pVRijx1taW1GxlLbGUw_otCA1zs_OtGR1I7VC5UZB6OogN-7X4LhfKu2lyFMqx4-YdqsiMIEEJtf5Z1ssIw2yUIwtTspJ6PXTkGsZj_3kkJKzx3L6SchLAOF2voMT7fuA/s2951/Black%20brant%20Strood.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2626" data-original-width="2951" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzdKxt_dMiEH5KHClv8w89vqAKibRUQFn2qphrugN-2m9x8U1bVV-rI3EZm6-pVRijx1taW1GxlLbGUw_otCA1zs_OtGR1I7VC5UZB6OogN-7X4LhfKu2lyFMqx4-YdqsiMIEEJtf5Z1ssIw2yUIwtTspJ6PXTkGsZj_3kkJKzx3L6SchLAOF2voMT7fuA/w400-h356/Black%20brant%20Strood.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The <span style="color: #990000;">black brant </span>was seen along the Strood channel with about 200<span style="color: #990000;"> brent geese</span> on Monday 29th.</div><div>Also along the channel were 40<span style="color: #990000;"> avocets</span>, 1000 <span style="color: #990000;">golden plover </span>near the Strood, 110<span style="color: #990000;"> black-tailed godwits</span>, 16<span style="color: #990000;"> knot, great white egret, marsh harrier, stonechat</span> and twenty <span style="color: #990000;">linnets</span>.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZAUAEVdExUg140ew5M_az4hA2XOfD9QFxGkTDI2AUsP_FHl3Gx3zN7Hv1xng-4PHo_Ni2EpcmoDW1835X5ZbkD7pObui9oXxqNggE3sxTaWi5lRTrql8_6OjZ767LaYBb_nbANtm0I7thvbX6D8xJpewGwwWrk91dQ8g5iRuDUoebJ653TIv57TfyFc1b/s3167/Bar%20tailed%20godwit.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2744" data-original-width="3167" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZAUAEVdExUg140ew5M_az4hA2XOfD9QFxGkTDI2AUsP_FHl3Gx3zN7Hv1xng-4PHo_Ni2EpcmoDW1835X5ZbkD7pObui9oXxqNggE3sxTaWi5lRTrql8_6OjZ767LaYBb_nbANtm0I7thvbX6D8xJpewGwwWrk91dQ8g5iRuDUoebJ653TIv57TfyFc1b/w400-h346/Bar%20tailed%20godwit.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A <span style="color: #990000;">bar-tailed godwit</span> was feeding on the mud behind the Dabchicks sailing club, a second bird further up the channel, also a <span style="color: #990000;">red-breasted merganser</span> in the Mersea Quarters and a<span style="color: #990000;"> Mediterranean gull </span>by the Hard. A<span style="color: #990000;"> lesser redpoll </span>flew a couple of times over Feldy View and a <span style="color: #990000;">sparrowhawk</span> seen over Firs Chase.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2tU1ltyRqpuKoxb-W2OB1N_G-uGwLualrFqKReOPCbKdLCQnO2gZza-aUx-nLGAO7goSI9FpmuONCoI8JsdI5cprA_DKIdotn4x7XoTqJbbH5BaEPfCKfXFiHnGcgXnD6ZAJyaPVDIUvjmf92vYBcNqYKdYBE5RLW_O6_GSNjbw_3ubGX_dGnHUkDvRjA/s4412/Great%20northern%20diver.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3318" data-original-width="4412" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2tU1ltyRqpuKoxb-W2OB1N_G-uGwLualrFqKReOPCbKdLCQnO2gZza-aUx-nLGAO7goSI9FpmuONCoI8JsdI5cprA_DKIdotn4x7XoTqJbbH5BaEPfCKfXFiHnGcgXnD6ZAJyaPVDIUvjmf92vYBcNqYKdYBE5RLW_O6_GSNjbw_3ubGX_dGnHUkDvRjA/w400-h301/Great%20northern%20diver.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Six <span style="color: #990000;">great northern divers</span> was one of the highlights of the RSPB boat trip with Kieren Alexander and Steve Hunting aboard the Lady Grace on Monday. A <span style="color: #990000;">purple sandpiper </span>was seen among a couple of thousand <span style="color: #990000;">knot </span>and other waders on the Tollesbury recharge beach. Two<span style="color: #990000;"> pintail</span> flew over the Mersea Quarters, two <span style="color: #990000;">red-breasted mergansers</span>, also six <span style="color: #990000;">bar-tailed godwits </span>and 20+ <span style="color: #990000;">sanderling</span> noted.</div><div>Martin Cock watching from the Hard on Monday afternoon saw a <span style="color: #990000;">great northern diver</span>, four<span style="color: #990000;"> pintail</span> and a <span style="color: #990000;">Mediterranean gull</span>. Earlier the six <span style="color: #990000;">snow buntings </span>were seen at East Mersea Point again by Martin.</div><div><br /></div><div>Along the Strood seawall on Sunday were seen <span style="color: #990000;">marsh harrier</span>, two<span style="color: #990000;"> buzzards</span>, 300<span style="color: #990000;"> brent geese</span>, 40 <span style="color: #990000;">avocets</span>, 1000 <span style="color: #990000;">golden plover, bar-tailed godwit </span>and three<span style="color: #990000;"> black-tailed godwits.</span> The<span style="color: #990000;"> mistle thrush</span> was seen by the Firs Caravan park.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCIfTyWvbIZqTjzsf-L-tOmRnv4rLxrmLnl2rskF-GyB6DLjY0mDYURaL9RMDGu5QTouc3XAuAQeUker9IiMpBdM9L-MoT9KMiNaaxjHJRNl6rfB5FDEF5Y4bFJyiByIaeuGEusgZRKo8RxKeefmEDy2JLxfZiuCMGGkxNLejdky7OREuMG7CLhCPHTaZJ/s2048/Snow%20bunting1AF.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1972" data-original-width="2048" height="385" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCIfTyWvbIZqTjzsf-L-tOmRnv4rLxrmLnl2rskF-GyB6DLjY0mDYURaL9RMDGu5QTouc3XAuAQeUker9IiMpBdM9L-MoT9KMiNaaxjHJRNl6rfB5FDEF5Y4bFJyiByIaeuGEusgZRKo8RxKeefmEDy2JLxfZiuCMGGkxNLejdky7OREuMG7CLhCPHTaZJ/w400-h385/Snow%20bunting1AF.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Andy Field photographed one of the six <span style="color: #990000;">snow buntings</span> at East Mersea Point on Saturday 27th, also two <span style="color: #990000;">eider</span> seen in the river off Colne Point. A possible <span style="color: #990000;">scaup </span>was seen distantly off the Esplanade in the afternoon before it flew across the Blackwater. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidorArNOClXTIthCd6a5SSlttcPTouG4SgH1Ij90Vav0mPZWpLQnJrMyEg0cXVgS5nrO_5dlm7MKF4PnEL5IP-elQxDAVmaFZpx52IvNRfV4puLEPAI5-0_euFack3WEtaIoJvPyvT2cjolCpTyjwWWQ5-OVWB-HtQBHmu7-3YQ1ac8Y9gZrAcclKHcHw7/s3087/Red%20legged%20partridges.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2882" data-original-width="3087" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidorArNOClXTIthCd6a5SSlttcPTouG4SgH1Ij90Vav0mPZWpLQnJrMyEg0cXVgS5nrO_5dlm7MKF4PnEL5IP-elQxDAVmaFZpx52IvNRfV4puLEPAI5-0_euFack3WEtaIoJvPyvT2cjolCpTyjwWWQ5-OVWB-HtQBHmu7-3YQ1ac8Y9gZrAcclKHcHw7/w400-h374/Red%20legged%20partridges.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A covey of five<span style="color: #990000;"> red-legged partridge</span> was seen in a field at Maydays farm on Saturday.<br /><div><br /></div><div>Along the Maydays seawall on Saturday, highlights included 500 <span style="color: #990000;">shelduck </span>along the Pyefleet, 25 <span style="color: #990000;">pintail</span>, four<span style="color: #990000;"> shoveler</span>, four<span style="color: #990000;"> red-breasted mergansers, great crested grebe</span>, 30 <span style="color: #990000;">avocets, great white egret</span>, five <span style="color: #990000;">marsh harriers, bar-tailed godwit</span>, ten <span style="color: #990000;">black-tailed godwits</span>, ten <span style="color: #990000;">knot</span>, also two <span style="color: #0b5394;">common seals</span>.</div><div>In the fields were 50 <span style="color: #990000;">skylarks</span>, 50<span style="color: #990000;"> meadow pipits</span>, 25 <span style="color: #990000;">linnets</span>, three <span style="color: #990000;">stonechats</span> and a<span style="color: #990000;"> fieldfare</span>.</div><div><br /></div><div>Later on Saturday a look offshore from the Esplanade revealed a <span style="color: #990000;">great northern diver</span>, 130 <span style="color: #990000;">great crested grebes</span> and a <span style="color: #990000;">red-breasted merganser</span>.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsl3K3zUMQKV09iDXZn5kXCIG0Y2BGnt-_hyphenhyphenYBEivxtfV2KLgJwg7H9H-aUGU7TH-IkJU4N0XbDuZtGMq28ftLNjqrrXYx0lN6J_bCCYyACq46J2B6E3tSkGjwtp1VUxB1ihuLzQ6e2nBYibdAU2A9Nj8X7lIonQw5c4hC1gjJTMtIJPB47wWqIzTDEzEz/s1520/BN%20Grebe%20Peter%20Higgleton.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1142" data-original-width="1520" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsl3K3zUMQKV09iDXZn5kXCIG0Y2BGnt-_hyphenhyphenYBEivxtfV2KLgJwg7H9H-aUGU7TH-IkJU4N0XbDuZtGMq28ftLNjqrrXYx0lN6J_bCCYyACq46J2B6E3tSkGjwtp1VUxB1ihuLzQ6e2nBYibdAU2A9Nj8X7lIonQw5c4hC1gjJTMtIJPB47wWqIzTDEzEz/w400-h300/BN%20Grebe%20Peter%20Higgleton.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>On Wednesday 24th a <span style="color: #990000;">black-necked grebe</span> was photographed swimming past the East Mersea Point by Peter Higgleton. Also seen there were 100<span style="color: #990000;"> sanderling</span>, 110 <span style="color: #990000;">turnstones </span>and a pair of <span style="color: #990000;">red-breasted mergansers</span> on the water but no sign of the snow buntings that day.</div></div><div><br /></div>Dougal Urquharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160413142108234247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6323835421725003809.post-4443873018745054642024-01-26T22:00:00.002-01:002024-01-29T16:55:00.777-01:00CUDMORE TUFTEDS<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIkbey6ARXNiN_O33LD9plWbciBhHFVmptMS85g2t6u-crpFQR0ZmPoYG3sA0e46AVfxJF2EMHBtIcfI15-DGsVaaZ9acKIYHqpD4x5f3CUr31swfmWxwakurN9fUEQtP-nVx0X8fn5rmhVKilAvECmWRYAGRDn3gmBW7sj1uIAgH43OaNDDxuATK5lkDa/s3482/Tufted%20duck%20male1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3119" data-original-width="3482" height="359" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIkbey6ARXNiN_O33LD9plWbciBhHFVmptMS85g2t6u-crpFQR0ZmPoYG3sA0e46AVfxJF2EMHBtIcfI15-DGsVaaZ9acKIYHqpD4x5f3CUr31swfmWxwakurN9fUEQtP-nVx0X8fn5rmhVKilAvECmWRYAGRDn3gmBW7sj1uIAgH43OaNDDxuATK5lkDa/w400-h359/Tufted%20duck%20male1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The purple head of a male <span style="color: #990000;">tufted duck</span> showed up well in the sunshine at Cudmore Grove on Friday 26th.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy_CUj3UG_9SBKIefXLumIWfAyiWG61SSjQ9cXzhf-X-x3Dp2DgyM8xR0SKDd9bB0NjBYLOHjuD4MyAFpN_qARJeaPOdn__AodlJcVdWQfwrjoxptCKmp8r2lKlusmLunyM4mkWwa1dJQUlwbxas1t8XnuLx_iyq1iT59bFS7VDREbq5YMXeEjCjqZGR-f/s3175/Tufted%20ducks%20park%20dyke.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2767" data-original-width="3175" height="349" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy_CUj3UG_9SBKIefXLumIWfAyiWG61SSjQ9cXzhf-X-x3Dp2DgyM8xR0SKDd9bB0NjBYLOHjuD4MyAFpN_qARJeaPOdn__AodlJcVdWQfwrjoxptCKmp8r2lKlusmLunyM4mkWwa1dJQUlwbxas1t8XnuLx_iyq1iT59bFS7VDREbq5YMXeEjCjqZGR-f/w400-h349/Tufted%20ducks%20park%20dyke.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Two pairs of <span style="color: #990000;">tufted duck </span>were together along the country park borrowdyke with an additional two females also nearby on Friday.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil7w-GS10w2pY48fnghSrz2He0bAMag0SvDPx6VMW0pr4J9C-OmFPMXtror6jjV-okYAJs2r-HJ236QuZJWbhcIBQ3il1b5T3TU6y6ZDL29KE0VYtj5EUpW8Gf1b-8Ke0ACk7ZB7Pl2uHx4_7VpTNN743NpWIbxVkGkQvla-JjL7u3tSZHmswfWiJJgxmm/s1672/Tufted%20duck%20male.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1655" data-original-width="1672" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil7w-GS10w2pY48fnghSrz2He0bAMag0SvDPx6VMW0pr4J9C-OmFPMXtror6jjV-okYAJs2r-HJ236QuZJWbhcIBQ3il1b5T3TU6y6ZDL29KE0VYtj5EUpW8Gf1b-8Ke0ACk7ZB7Pl2uHx4_7VpTNN743NpWIbxVkGkQvla-JjL7u3tSZHmswfWiJJgxmm/w400-h396/Tufted%20duck%20male.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>One of the male <span style="color: #990000;">tufted ducks</span> was having a bad-hair day with his tuft getting blown about in the strong wind.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy1HmRGhTq3oJrepa9rudAS-deMMRo0sNqL5Dsx60jOdHXg2vCpkFDzDBqgCG5tGpAW2eTZD6EpSdfzs5W2M9yZ6zLvCVp3bY_sJwiQ4t8LohBhbDjKq2fyorLXK57kK-i5YYgXNK2XA00i-f3LEl73rRjK6S5OyczZAT8p_LJo6LmTCS8eTU5OX8_0kgc/s4965/Brent%20in%20park%20field.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3796" data-original-width="4965" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy1HmRGhTq3oJrepa9rudAS-deMMRo0sNqL5Dsx60jOdHXg2vCpkFDzDBqgCG5tGpAW2eTZD6EpSdfzs5W2M9yZ6zLvCVp3bY_sJwiQ4t8LohBhbDjKq2fyorLXK57kK-i5YYgXNK2XA00i-f3LEl73rRjK6S5OyczZAT8p_LJo6LmTCS8eTU5OX8_0kgc/w400-h306/Brent%20in%20park%20field.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A flock of about 800 <span style="color: #990000;">brent geese</span> was feeding in one of the park's grazing fields on Friday.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgup5bftAfxVq9LLyIFzoQuQbVefv2XTT-R0nfRaaLptlP3iO1_BvqzpmVsLLbQwNEd0LHN6HPtuO6xmvJiKypR6qkXsUZCLf7cs0aZlc6yIxup-BUWMAvrCcmdzr-GlCxqLmuIaPWOyTSsrzRxIssfb4zJOswZsjevsuzEsSj_51z9vDs2xEHJ7Ipusket/s5184/Brent%20park%20fields.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgup5bftAfxVq9LLyIFzoQuQbVefv2XTT-R0nfRaaLptlP3iO1_BvqzpmVsLLbQwNEd0LHN6HPtuO6xmvJiKypR6qkXsUZCLf7cs0aZlc6yIxup-BUWMAvrCcmdzr-GlCxqLmuIaPWOyTSsrzRxIssfb4zJOswZsjevsuzEsSj_51z9vDs2xEHJ7Ipusket/w400-h300/Brent%20park%20fields.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>As well as the <span style="color: #990000;">brent geese</span> flock, 200 <span style="color: #990000;">wigeon </span>and two <span style="color: #990000;">black-tailed godwits </span>were in the fields too.</div><div>A <span style="color: #990000;">buzzard </span>disturbed all the wildfowl as it flew over the fields.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYvvUPJqBF2OtllXhdQSaf4JrlmYeI6izDc5G1ewBq8pP0t8xq_Pm4DtYdwbSLL3YIojpD85J8wF91j-dEdjvii-CoI6HLoaj-x0QwByKc1DSQ0WGGc_6MTprc7A-rN0xUXm-m9jlKG7gC_TG0JH8TqxMu9RbzKlAxBrfPIw0L3NE0SGYytU6dvLXU2CyR/s2417/Red%20breasted%20merganser%20Golfhouse.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2324" data-original-width="2417" height="385" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYvvUPJqBF2OtllXhdQSaf4JrlmYeI6izDc5G1ewBq8pP0t8xq_Pm4DtYdwbSLL3YIojpD85J8wF91j-dEdjvii-CoI6HLoaj-x0QwByKc1DSQ0WGGc_6MTprc7A-rN0xUXm-m9jlKG7gC_TG0JH8TqxMu9RbzKlAxBrfPIw0L3NE0SGYytU6dvLXU2CyR/w400-h385/Red%20breasted%20merganser%20Golfhouse.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The regular female <span style="color: #990000;">red-breasted merganser </span>was feeding again in the Golfhouse saltmarsh pools on Friday. A <span style="color: #990000;">snipe </span>was seen flying onto the nearby saltmarsh.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHzjR1fT0wtS3MtaUVddYcrIcqOrWm9I0Mlbrj8QRPwokyKjONZZlI0mG38rqt8FpNkpxcTdyLKJerMuCNcQlb4JuDr9ZzoewCtzFUH2P1gDR2XB4lkBSIRkatPqG9CwErdMmm-78n6v7uxNm_5nczNUEP1PCThJURoyTcUgoq9baJm2G3pYnNRQ3kUvfF/s3796/Waders%20Golfhouse%20pools.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3482" data-original-width="3796" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHzjR1fT0wtS3MtaUVddYcrIcqOrWm9I0Mlbrj8QRPwokyKjONZZlI0mG38rqt8FpNkpxcTdyLKJerMuCNcQlb4JuDr9ZzoewCtzFUH2P1gDR2XB4lkBSIRkatPqG9CwErdMmm-78n6v7uxNm_5nczNUEP1PCThJURoyTcUgoq9baJm2G3pYnNRQ3kUvfF/w400-h368/Waders%20Golfhouse%20pools.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Waders and a few ducks crammed onto the saltmarsh island on the Golfhouse pools on Friday during high tide with 100 <span style="color: #990000;">redshank</span>, four <span style="color: #990000;">black-tailed godwits</span> and a few <span style="color: #990000;">shelduck</span> and <span style="color: #990000;">wigeon</span>. An <span style="color: #990000;">avocet </span>and fifteen <span style="color: #990000;">shoveler</span> were also on the pools. Ten <span style="color: #990000;">sanderling</span> were at the Point but no sign of the six<span style="color: #990000;"> snow buntings</span>. A <span style="color: #990000;">great crested grebe</span> was in the choppy waters of the outer Colne.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJoQAS1y-e2Npa5eQD8tkvKbkosbyJPz1FW76YuwvJm4KlwLQpp4IKBxh-Xj25oZaU2-K6ZAy8dGUpljQVZCfNVrbthwvKP4YHWkSv2nnplxGxIohr8tnjQIM7pRDKtx9tpMt3qKL9DlCJJZg_3h7BGwiRUX7e7uyfN0L_DS0ZmtfUyKMhqJNiDefCF0vO/s2652/Black%20brant%20Coopers%20Beach.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2518" data-original-width="2652" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJoQAS1y-e2Npa5eQD8tkvKbkosbyJPz1FW76YuwvJm4KlwLQpp4IKBxh-Xj25oZaU2-K6ZAy8dGUpljQVZCfNVrbthwvKP4YHWkSv2nnplxGxIohr8tnjQIM7pRDKtx9tpMt3qKL9DlCJJZg_3h7BGwiRUX7e7uyfN0L_DS0ZmtfUyKMhqJNiDefCF0vO/w400-h380/Black%20brant%20Coopers%20Beach.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>On Thursday 25th the <span style="color: #990000;">black brant </span>was feeding with 400 <span style="color: #990000;">brent geese </span>in a field to the west of Coopers Beach. On the nearby Rewsalls marshes the<span style="color: #990000;"> kingfisher </span>perched briefly by a ditch, <span style="color: #990000;">marsh harrier </span>perched on a tree, two <span style="color: #990000;">buzzards, little egret</span>, 130<span style="color: #990000;"> teal</span>, 15 <span style="color: #990000;">shelduck</span> were also seen, as were 5 <span style="color: #990000;">redwing</span> and 50 <span style="color: #990000;">fieldfares</span>. A <span style="color: #990000;">Cetti's warbler</span> sang by the marshes and a second bird near East Mersea church.</div><div>Offshore three <span style="color: #990000;">red-throated divers</span>, six<span style="color: #990000;"> great crested grebes</span> and eight<span style="color: #990000;"> sanderling </span>were noted.</div><div><br /></div><div>Andy Field and Charlie Coltman saw a <span style="color: #990000;">great northern diver</span> and a <span style="color: #990000;">red-breasted merganser </span>from Coast Road on Thursday, then later along the Strood reported 90 <span style="color: #990000;">corn buntings </span>on wires, 1000 <span style="color: #990000;">brent geese</span>, <span style="color: #990000;">great white egret, buzzard</span>, three <span style="color: #990000;">song thrushes</span> and also two distant<span style="color: #990000;"> marsh harriers </span>over Old Hall Marshes.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL3ESx7xbZtyDPvhhYlFjfA70xzHmNGXZIC63QKtzDf51B8IU9e46QRFa-qcVgfkl8qMFSmrR4iWVMey7zUR2dPVOLAqJGbnLtbiWYsExvgg-XHPYTHs9J5BC0beWX1Cj-lUcq3Tb8dXfbZjeypGYUYzmJ80gASIjkOPl5GS_7_gq4s-9cOndx8M5O_HPp/s3339/Red%20squirrel%20Firs%20folly1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3144" data-original-width="3339" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL3ESx7xbZtyDPvhhYlFjfA70xzHmNGXZIC63QKtzDf51B8IU9e46QRFa-qcVgfkl8qMFSmrR4iWVMey7zUR2dPVOLAqJGbnLtbiWYsExvgg-XHPYTHs9J5BC0beWX1Cj-lUcq3Tb8dXfbZjeypGYUYzmJ80gASIjkOPl5GS_7_gq4s-9cOndx8M5O_HPp/w400-h376/Red%20squirrel%20Firs%20folly1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A <span style="color: #0b5394;">red squirrel </span>stared at me for a few minutes as I walked along the path beside the Firs Caravan park on Wednesday 24th.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuhB-NnPJ5MDbbE09Cp1GspxN7QM5WuCDFkwDE_GtDxLP8xd4yt0PdxgJLqp5HRGW8JMgsX5sBqnr5T5zbxxDuAWCjOJFvSVF2mkxCrUuIscCJCxCv-k6owwfbTbH1rVK85_saYKnk2Hn7FsKN7nFLgMd0_webdfo5gahf32B98r6AH1Ife3_pbiU5XkFO/s3962/Red%20squirrel%20Firs%20folly.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="3962" height="393" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuhB-NnPJ5MDbbE09Cp1GspxN7QM5WuCDFkwDE_GtDxLP8xd4yt0PdxgJLqp5HRGW8JMgsX5sBqnr5T5zbxxDuAWCjOJFvSVF2mkxCrUuIscCJCxCv-k6owwfbTbH1rVK85_saYKnk2Hn7FsKN7nFLgMd0_webdfo5gahf32B98r6AH1Ife3_pbiU5XkFO/w400-h393/Red%20squirrel%20Firs%20folly.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A second<span style="color: #0b5394;"> red squirrel </span>was also seen in the bushes along the same footpath beside the Firs Caravan park on Wednesday. A <span style="color: #990000;">mistle thrush</span> was high up in the poplar trees and a <span style="color: #990000;">goldcrest</span> low down in the ivy.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinQEeG-qab1k1nTskZr4X0XgemizfmN-7pMGjUXSFrkT3WJJbYvbAr3wgvkiO5fLYKL9QWYCxdqXmPbQCg66pOj0_AZsQ7j4l9G80Lw4dF1d4xGtJsdNiB4elQpJAOtFmJEyHG08ckJNoGKRejJhUPA9mLc_dr9WHG6zf2MyEpHoz25NL_KqYwqEAZu7_-/s3662/Brent%20in%20Strood%20field.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2961" data-original-width="3662" height="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinQEeG-qab1k1nTskZr4X0XgemizfmN-7pMGjUXSFrkT3WJJbYvbAr3wgvkiO5fLYKL9QWYCxdqXmPbQCg66pOj0_AZsQ7j4l9G80Lw4dF1d4xGtJsdNiB4elQpJAOtFmJEyHG08ckJNoGKRejJhUPA9mLc_dr9WHG6zf2MyEpHoz25NL_KqYwqEAZu7_-/w400-h324/Brent%20in%20Strood%20field.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A flock of 100 <span style="color: #990000;">brent geese</span> was feeding on the grassy field by the Strood on Wednesday. Over Feldy Marshes a large flock of 1000 <span style="color: #990000;">brent geese</span> flew over the fields there. </div><div>Two <span style="color: #990000;">buzzards</span>, 3<span style="color: #990000;"> marsh harriers</span>, two <span style="color: #990000;">Mediterranean gulls</span>, twenty<span style="color: #990000;"> corn buntings</span>, 50 <span style="color: #990000;">linnets</span> and a <span style="color: #990000;">stonechat </span>were also seen over and around the Strood fields.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFSSvJ-QC9jf8bPAiblHFJWn6jgQ_Fsu_Q3IYMYjKN7a0DPcuV76W0P772DAgtiLsR9wCDACOi-ySfwH7pzW6ViQxgc4vGdBVZ_ylfnEFVbk9M1isZbW_vP04Y5Xbux5uZdC7DwPgS4ViQk0EkQ7GGCsAnM5LqqI7tLAD6ae80vcF8-1wWEL5VD06A9xpk/s3268/Kestrel%20male%20perched.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2941" data-original-width="3268" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFSSvJ-QC9jf8bPAiblHFJWn6jgQ_Fsu_Q3IYMYjKN7a0DPcuV76W0P772DAgtiLsR9wCDACOi-ySfwH7pzW6ViQxgc4vGdBVZ_ylfnEFVbk9M1isZbW_vP04Y5Xbux5uZdC7DwPgS4ViQk0EkQ7GGCsAnM5LqqI7tLAD6ae80vcF8-1wWEL5VD06A9xpk/w400-h360/Kestrel%20male%20perched.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A male <span style="color: #990000;">kestrel </span>perched on a garden fence just along from the Dabchicks sailing club on Tuesday 23rd. </div><div>Along the Strood seawall, 500<span style="color: #990000;"> brent geese</span>, 100<span style="color: #990000;"> wigeon</span>, 100 <span style="color: #990000;">teal</span>, 70 <span style="color: #990000;">golden plover</span>, 40<span style="color: #990000;"> avocets</span>, 50 <span style="color: #990000;">linnets</span>, 20 <span style="color: #990000;">corn buntings, marsh harrier, snipe</span> and a <span style="color: #990000;">stonechat </span>were seen. A <span style="color: #990000;">mistle thrush</span> was by the Firs caravan park and a <span style="color: #990000;">Mediterranean gull </span>by the Hard.</div><div><br /></div><div>A brief visit to the Strood on Monday 22nd revealed a <span style="color: #990000;">bar-tailed godwit</span>, four<span style="color: #990000;"> knot, sparrowhawk</span>, <span style="color: #990000;">stonechat</span>, 100<span style="color: #990000;"> linnets</span>, 50<span style="color: #990000;"> golden plover</span> and 30 <span style="color: #990000;">lapwing</span>.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>On Sunday 20th in the fields by the West Mersea Glebe sports field, 20 <span style="color: #990000;">yellowhammers</span> were seen by Martin Cock, having initially been reported by Jonathan Norgate earlier in the morning, also earlier a<span style="color: #990000;"> great white egret </span>at the Strood.</div><div>Charlie Coltman saw a male and female <span style="color: #990000;">red-breasted merganser</span> by the East Mersea Oyster Fishery on Sunday morning.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsadgD5P9RoIBOdJLJei132UAZdiP_9BdL_5ZTwUZZ4Vg0a-OrjOSL4vA8JxRtdATuez1ByuCWGDZJ0qZwWqPoceoLOPIKoUm0t8kSY5sy2XI8N1NQRjskONOwzIMHwuJEGO8hmk5tRzSIQ8NgQK-NaBlOTp5ZI1fUa4-NMr403GnlXEAm7Y3bL-Mh0pOj/s3504/Blackcap%20female.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2524" data-original-width="3504" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsadgD5P9RoIBOdJLJei132UAZdiP_9BdL_5ZTwUZZ4Vg0a-OrjOSL4vA8JxRtdATuez1ByuCWGDZJ0qZwWqPoceoLOPIKoUm0t8kSY5sy2XI8N1NQRjskONOwzIMHwuJEGO8hmk5tRzSIQ8NgQK-NaBlOTp5ZI1fUa4-NMr403GnlXEAm7Y3bL-Mh0pOj/w400-h289/Blackcap%20female.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A female<span style="color: #990000;"> blackcap</span> was feeding on the fat balls in the Firs Chase garden on Saturday 20th.<br /><div><br /></div><div>On Saturday the six <span style="color: #990000;">snow buntings </span>were seen at East Mersea Point by Charlie Coltman, also a couple of <span style="color: #990000;">snipe </span>in the nearby park grazing fields.</div><div><br /></div><div>At Maydays on Saturday morning a <span style="color: #990000;">raven</span> was seen and heard making its distinctive "cronking" call on one of the Reeveshall fields, before it flew south towards the back of the farm. A <span style="color: #990000;">peregrine</span>, three <span style="color: #990000;">marsh harriers </span>were seen flying about, a<span style="color: #990000;"> stonechat</span> was by the dyke, 30 <span style="color: #990000;">redwings</span>, 50 <span style="color: #990000;">fieldfares</span> and two <span style="color: #990000;">red-legged partridges </span>were in Haycocks Lane.</div><div>Along the Pyefleet channel were 500<span style="color: #990000;"> shelduck</span>, 100 <span style="color: #990000;">wigeon</span>, 200 <span style="color: #990000;">teal, red-breasted merganser</span>, 50 <span style="color: #990000;">avocets, great crested grebe</span>, 20 <span style="color: #990000;">black-tailed godwits </span>and a <span style="color: #990000;">bar-tailed godwit</span>.</div><div><br /></div>Dougal Urquharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160413142108234247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6323835421725003809.post-65747187766902812452024-01-19T22:00:00.013-01:002024-01-23T00:35:09.468-01:00CHILLY STROOD WALKS<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0WUE87BTVCMBBipvPaxtgxE74PE1jiqNuNE4UyzY0_Xg2jI_tY41E4niuFh4T677TIDqr5-c6qIXaqFStKAh19GLMpCD2vN3l2xKluRCkAA6C4m2mH9Cs55ReGz60TbE02jpuitn3k5zA7lDWl89Opyru9nxfKaJjG6-Rt3Qqak1flIK9szpyen9tPL5o/s2240/Grey%20plover%20Strood.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2197" data-original-width="2240" height="393" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0WUE87BTVCMBBipvPaxtgxE74PE1jiqNuNE4UyzY0_Xg2jI_tY41E4niuFh4T677TIDqr5-c6qIXaqFStKAh19GLMpCD2vN3l2xKluRCkAA6C4m2mH9Cs55ReGz60TbE02jpuitn3k5zA7lDWl89Opyru9nxfKaJjG6-Rt3Qqak1flIK9szpyen9tPL5o/w400-h393/Grey%20plover%20Strood.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A <span style="color: #990000;">grey plover </span>was feeding near the seawall at low tide along the Strood Channel on a chilly morning on Friday 19th.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_KPlmSozZx6Ox1qTRAobd3eV1XtLcZ1ASmwTnAZLzJtWEvU10kfMhbdcXh6nQlYd1wpDsgp2PpDUojSth3ew1MMhZccZZl53Vkf3iv2FkMjSGEwg0dbUWltnGuN3R4rTme6bQuVm9cN5vQPxMJU3zfT7-HYGlnu8KYSGKEkwoZ1NjcFcHAxkkSTUWMHzb/s2078/Ringed%20plover%20Strood.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1822" data-original-width="2078" height="351" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_KPlmSozZx6Ox1qTRAobd3eV1XtLcZ1ASmwTnAZLzJtWEvU10kfMhbdcXh6nQlYd1wpDsgp2PpDUojSth3ew1MMhZccZZl53Vkf3iv2FkMjSGEwg0dbUWltnGuN3R4rTme6bQuVm9cN5vQPxMJU3zfT7-HYGlnu8KYSGKEkwoZ1NjcFcHAxkkSTUWMHzb/w400-h351/Ringed%20plover%20Strood.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A <span style="color: #990000;">ringed plover </span>was also feeding on mud near the Strood seawall on Friday. Also along the channel were 150 <span style="color: #990000;">shelduck</span>, 300<span style="color: #990000;"> teal</span>, 100 <span style="color: #990000;">wigeon</span>, 30 <span style="color: #990000;">avocets</span>, 15<span style="color: #990000;"> knot</span> and four <span style="color: #990000;">snipe</span> flying over the fields.<div>A<span style="color: #990000;"> peregrine</span> flew low over the fields and headed west, two<span style="color: #990000;"> marsh harriers</span> and three<span style="color: #990000;"> buzzards</span> were noted too. In the fields were a <span style="color: #990000;">great white egret</span>, 50 <span style="color: #990000;">skylarks</span>, 50 <span style="color: #990000;">linnets, stonechat </span>and 30 <span style="color: #990000;">corn buntings</span>.</div><div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge2WdjCgXnnq70Gev9CYPPo9e56HULr-QMlNSC1o965svEv0g8gPecAVSTKS3TiDVFftcgERom-Wx4q54SShAI6enRtfOwB_wS3azEgG_71JLoOKiaE_vQlB9kAvkdOkBWYh9mOAREat_q1N124cX44ai87ATvp7FK5Lq44bzuy4XIFA3eIRx5ZxlAI90k/s2351/Mistle%20thrush.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2049" data-original-width="2351" height="349" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge2WdjCgXnnq70Gev9CYPPo9e56HULr-QMlNSC1o965svEv0g8gPecAVSTKS3TiDVFftcgERom-Wx4q54SShAI6enRtfOwB_wS3azEgG_71JLoOKiaE_vQlB9kAvkdOkBWYh9mOAREat_q1N124cX44ai87ATvp7FK5Lq44bzuy4XIFA3eIRx5ZxlAI90k/w400-h349/Mistle%20thrush.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A<span style="color: #990000;"> mistle thrush </span>was high up in the trees beside the Firs Caravan Park on Friday, also a second bird seen in Feldy View and <span style="color: #990000;">song thrush</span>. A <span style="color: #990000;">mistle thrush</span> was also seen by Andy Field at the bird bath in his garden in High St North. Two <span style="color: #990000;">fieldfares </span>flew over the Strood fields.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjznae5pehp_6EAgasfVyeOmVBJFbgYhi8488TxvNaluVH1SRsYEU8haP2nsMVx7nSTDK55gJp2RgzJWRozUrsqm5pm9JdkD68GfNnhAModkn-2dHgcrP8g88pshJCIr-MrVR2tVtIZRd4lFlNlZcHLkfHnbjNVYUbwP5C8AN2m4Pcns5MQeEH3zuI1gSsJ/s2850/Goldfinch.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2817" data-original-width="2850" height="395" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjznae5pehp_6EAgasfVyeOmVBJFbgYhi8488TxvNaluVH1SRsYEU8haP2nsMVx7nSTDK55gJp2RgzJWRozUrsqm5pm9JdkD68GfNnhAModkn-2dHgcrP8g88pshJCIr-MrVR2tVtIZRd4lFlNlZcHLkfHnbjNVYUbwP5C8AN2m4Pcns5MQeEH3zuI1gSsJ/w400-h395/Goldfinch.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A handful of <span style="color: #990000;">goldfinches</span> were feeding on alder cones in Feldy View on Friday morning. A <span style="color: #990000;">snipe</span> flew low over Feldy View before heading away, while in Firs Chase 30 noisy <span style="color: #990000;">carrion crows</span> were squawking from some tree-tops.</div><div><br /></div><div>Late Friday afternoon the large flock of what seemed like 10,000 <span style="color: #990000;">starlings</span> was seen flying above the houses in Windsor Road before dropping down to roost in behind the solar panels.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrgC9QM8tkeGAy411Svi9_tCx6ioQQhGiM2OMuvQsMgt-p20PGQ2U_sXmp_ZLyOMZhTdFzxiElprrPG_SjtxHY0AUagk259GsN2a7reYj0P4WL6HJKWFeoDaJmDswABhwBBqKX0vWLz_HJ_z3LK8DsbAhH5A0YpU-P2M_wQMkP-G6QKOFKVM5gNboJWbXN/s2000/Waders%20at%20PointMT.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1500" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrgC9QM8tkeGAy411Svi9_tCx6ioQQhGiM2OMuvQsMgt-p20PGQ2U_sXmp_ZLyOMZhTdFzxiElprrPG_SjtxHY0AUagk259GsN2a7reYj0P4WL6HJKWFeoDaJmDswABhwBBqKX0vWLz_HJ_z3LK8DsbAhH5A0YpU-P2M_wQMkP-G6QKOFKVM5gNboJWbXN/w300-h400/Waders%20at%20PointMT.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>Michael Thorley visited Cudmore Grove on Friday afternoon and saw lots of wildfowl and waders along the edge of the mud near the Point. Birds noted included 250 <span style="color: #990000;">wigeon</span>, and a few <span style="color: #990000;">mallard </span>and<span style="color: #990000;"> teal</span> while in the grazing fields were 30 <span style="color: #990000;">wigeon</span> and 19 <span style="color: #990000;">curlew</span>.</div><div><br /></div><div>Earlier two <span style="color: #990000;">eiders</span> were seen in the Colne from Cudmore by Martin Cock but no sign of the six snow buntings at the Point for the second day running.</div><div>Andy Field saw from the Esplanade on Friday two<span style="color: #990000;"> great northern divers, red-throated diver</span>, two <span style="color: #990000;">red-breasted mergansers</span> and two <span style="color: #990000;">Mediterranean gulls</span>.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7kfqgnud1Qt00T2jdN8MM7_BCvI33XldQ_FpFreCg4QTjBgtbfMcyVHKswTXyplWAPBVfxpai6NOvtyIet5MF56kd-zMZJQ0wao4cgrD16FtHVnXE9Yh2OY_Ady9IN42DNhENGlAlyL9yBSccpa_Xgup_wZp7ln2DkIgfkVQmLBiFUOBhwHLlOKNe_S_T/s3444/Frozen%20Nothe%20beach.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3444" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7kfqgnud1Qt00T2jdN8MM7_BCvI33XldQ_FpFreCg4QTjBgtbfMcyVHKswTXyplWAPBVfxpai6NOvtyIet5MF56kd-zMZJQ0wao4cgrD16FtHVnXE9Yh2OY_Ady9IN42DNhENGlAlyL9yBSccpa_Xgup_wZp7ln2DkIgfkVQmLBiFUOBhwHLlOKNe_S_T/w351-h400/Frozen%20Nothe%20beach.jpg" width="351" /></a></div>It was cold enough overnight Wednesday that there was a line of frozen sea left lying on Thursday morning along the Strood seawall and along from the Dabchicks, as above.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiis5O942K-06OyDdDCRkq0JxcWs_EuPvzDtPFHRLi14YZlZCqrXCELYrtVGOQg5E-sl2W_K2WYYb5LOsXzYIirO8MShpHNX4VE9H1Ap8B0Y6i1WBlt7OuU7tpXt2PZvjvcLVBdI15ZgIDcChHhRMSr4-h7QVQRCbENv4QWX111XD32SWx-5O3WkQEFxeUi/s4032/Frozen%20Strood%20seawall%20.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiis5O942K-06OyDdDCRkq0JxcWs_EuPvzDtPFHRLi14YZlZCqrXCELYrtVGOQg5E-sl2W_K2WYYb5LOsXzYIirO8MShpHNX4VE9H1Ap8B0Y6i1WBlt7OuU7tpXt2PZvjvcLVBdI15ZgIDcChHhRMSr4-h7QVQRCbENv4QWX111XD32SWx-5O3WkQEFxeUi/w400-h300/Frozen%20Strood%20seawall%20.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>There was a band of ice left along the edge of the seawall on Thursday morning.</div><div>Birds seen along the channel included 200 <span style="color: #990000;">wigeon</span>, 30 <span style="color: #990000;">avocets, marsh harrier, great white egret </span>and a <span style="color: #990000;">peregrine</span> flying over the fields, then an hour later another <span style="color: #990000;">peregrine </span>seen flying over Cobmarsh Island towards Old Hall. Five<span style="color: #990000;"> snipe</span> were flying off one area of the fields and dropping down into other areas, 30 <span style="color: #990000;">corn buntings</span> in the fields too.</div><div><br /></div><div>Two <span style="color: #990000;">great northern divers </span>were seen off the Esplanade on Thursday by Martin Cock. No sign of the <span style="color: #990000;">snow buntings</span> at East Mersea after being looked for by Oliver Cottis.</div><div><br /></div><div>On Wednesday 17th Neil Murphy saw the six <span style="color: #990000;">snow buntings</span> at the East Mersea Point, also <span style="color: #990000;">red-throated diver</span>, ten<span style="color: #990000;"> red-breasted mergansers </span>and 50 <span style="color: #990000;">avocets</span> in the Colne, while at West Mersea two <span style="color: #990000;">great northern divers</span>, female<span style="color: #990000;"> scaup </span>and a <span style="color: #990000;">Mediterranean gull</span> were off Seaview Avenue.</div><div>A <span style="color: #990000;">song thrush</span> was singing in the Firs Chase garden as dawn broke on Wednesday morning.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi341KpIc02gqrMnzNWNqh6H3oy1yxGB-8TbesQEAYLFLOmloWoLq-Oi-G3mkshLO_x9pehfgXelIdePtj_7vkOznAMIMmOTguF5fGn9cOdpNOxp7y50je_13vkBwOjWYHs2ggWImrMqZTLjsBLEKLHLAh9a5KwSrNta_IoWnPNjbrlawe7_QipZP4SR7aK/s2561/Redshank%20Dabchicks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2561" data-original-width="2559" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi341KpIc02gqrMnzNWNqh6H3oy1yxGB-8TbesQEAYLFLOmloWoLq-Oi-G3mkshLO_x9pehfgXelIdePtj_7vkOznAMIMmOTguF5fGn9cOdpNOxp7y50je_13vkBwOjWYHs2ggWImrMqZTLjsBLEKLHLAh9a5KwSrNta_IoWnPNjbrlawe7_QipZP4SR7aK/w400-h400/Redshank%20Dabchicks.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A <span style="color: #990000;">redshank</span> was feeding on the saltmarsh in front of the Firs Chase caravan park on a chilly Tuesday 16th. Along the Strood channel were 300<span style="color: #990000;"> teal</span>, 200 <span style="color: #990000;">golden plover</span>, ten <span style="color: #990000;">black-tailed godwits</span>, 120 <span style="color: #990000;">avocets</span>, six <span style="color: #990000;">knot</span>, 15 <span style="color: #990000;">little grebes</span> and a <span style="color: #990000;">shoveler</span>.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPz_gUqxelpwygxGlTCE2puFyHP250F9x-kJRpoE_M0gmDWzx17KgGnOMxfeLBAaT8gJkfsLsem-8LOVYruZ21pj__cWejyhct-ufVDm3IMaPMI-bOsQZMHELalManFrSBFADjlhwvpw8cdkKts5BC3r5HCDKUDB1_uBMFzdDK1u-mDvFAPVUrti2wrHDk/s1986/Reed%20bunting%20Strood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1977" data-original-width="1986" height="399" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPz_gUqxelpwygxGlTCE2puFyHP250F9x-kJRpoE_M0gmDWzx17KgGnOMxfeLBAaT8gJkfsLsem-8LOVYruZ21pj__cWejyhct-ufVDm3IMaPMI-bOsQZMHELalManFrSBFADjlhwvpw8cdkKts5BC3r5HCDKUDB1_uBMFzdDK1u-mDvFAPVUrti2wrHDk/w400-h399/Reed%20bunting%20Strood.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Twenty<span style="color: #990000;"> reed buntings</span> were feeding along the Strood seawall on Tuesday, while in the fields were 15 <span style="color: #990000;">snipe</span> flying about, <span style="color: #990000;">great white egre</span>t, 50<span style="color: #990000;"> skylarks</span>, 70 <span style="color: #990000;">linnets</span>, 30 <span style="color: #990000;">corn buntings</span>, three <span style="color: #990000;">stonechats</span>, three <span style="color: #990000;">rock pipits</span>, also <span style="color: #990000;">buzzard</span> and three <span style="color: #990000;">marsh harriers</span> noted during the walk.</div><div><br /></div><div>In fields near the Glebe James Taylor on Tuesday saw two<span style="color: #990000;"> little gulls</span> flying around which is a notable sighting for the island, also here 10 <span style="color: #990000;">fieldfares, greenfinch, goldfinch</span>, male and female<span style="color: #990000;"> yellowhammer</span>, <span style="color: #990000;">jay </span>and also a <span style="color: #0b5394;">hare</span> sprinting across the field.<br /><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilZjEpP1w3OIg6w88pxh0JjVkHIqvZlyeNRDBcXkZeqMw2BmqFc2DHNYz0XK_INyl-KAUam-WrxkMB7l3sTQlx9543Q66PYfe3XzAlt5IwtqHs6NUU4VhAD0vHjDh1iZO1hA_hXkNV8TXLufHvKy0_JpmG5JK5sjk_lW7h3dy8IiqcveVEIuy12tBwp9Xn/s2113/Gt%20white%20egret%20seawall1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2038" data-original-width="2113" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilZjEpP1w3OIg6w88pxh0JjVkHIqvZlyeNRDBcXkZeqMw2BmqFc2DHNYz0XK_INyl-KAUam-WrxkMB7l3sTQlx9543Q66PYfe3XzAlt5IwtqHs6NUU4VhAD0vHjDh1iZO1hA_hXkNV8TXLufHvKy0_JpmG5JK5sjk_lW7h3dy8IiqcveVEIuy12tBwp9Xn/w400-h386/Gt%20white%20egret%20seawall1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>On Monday 15th the <span style="color: #990000;">great white egret</span> was standing on top of the Strood seawall for quite a while before flying over the channel. Also four <span style="color: #990000;">little egrets</span>, 400<span style="color: #990000;"> teal</span>, 100 <span style="color: #990000;">wigeon</span>, 200 <span style="color: #990000;">golden plover</span>, 40 <span style="color: #990000;">black-tailed godwits</span>, two <span style="color: #990000;">shoveler</span>, two <span style="color: #990000;">buzzards</span>, two <span style="color: #990000;">stonechats</span>, 30<span style="color: #990000;"> linnets</span>, forty <span style="color: #990000;">corn buntings</span>, five <span style="color: #990000;">fieldfares</span> and a flock of 28 <span style="color: #990000;">siskin </span>that flew north over the Firs Caravan park. The<span style="color: #990000;"> mistle thrush</span> and <span style="color: #990000;">song thrush </span>were seen near the caravan park too. A<span style="color: #0b5394;"> red squirrel</span> jumped over the path into the gardens behind the caravan park in the morning.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg32Cet4AY82ftOq0xMLpHOvdqCml-M7aKlAbe8haqkHSPltAXs72h9QIwA_xZnrTdLDMLINeGz2tcXl0gs6DNGHcGo4g0ZyF9Y62d2H1VQcyyMILiz9_SiYp7Z3LJUFTRJH_8y6kIHpiABEhiXsubk95JmuvF7dUF8XzVt_LpvunufV70ffuuIPAcpNfv/s2796/Med%20gull%20subad.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2651" data-original-width="2796" height="379" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg32Cet4AY82ftOq0xMLpHOvdqCml-M7aKlAbe8haqkHSPltAXs72h9QIwA_xZnrTdLDMLINeGz2tcXl0gs6DNGHcGo4g0ZyF9Y62d2H1VQcyyMILiz9_SiYp7Z3LJUFTRJH_8y6kIHpiABEhiXsubk95JmuvF7dUF8XzVt_LpvunufV70ffuuIPAcpNfv/w400-h379/Med%20gull%20subad.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A second winter <span style="color: #990000;">Mediterranean gull </span>was seen near the Hard car park on Monday, along with about twenty <span style="color: #990000;">black-headed gulls</span>.</div><div><br /></div><div>At East Mersea the <span style="color: #990000;">little owl</span> was heard for the second evening running by Caroline White, calling near the Golfhouse, it was also seen in flight.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQcYP_rw1PiiFxT3wUSWIU8E1P1TWpAliNxm5Lt-2ZLnyDQwAMR6qatnu8oJxSXpjBvkTEF-iKg4Bb8Q8px2-Td5r23huNhY9HkaPxBebvn0InEDVQLxJOp_2L2MyJh4C4vgj2-ps8YKEfPJ7BRtJw-ZwpJAoVS4-cz31YTYtOy_tonKHQS2i2od5mmSLL/s2969/Redpoll.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2626" data-original-width="2969" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQcYP_rw1PiiFxT3wUSWIU8E1P1TWpAliNxm5Lt-2ZLnyDQwAMR6qatnu8oJxSXpjBvkTEF-iKg4Bb8Q8px2-Td5r23huNhY9HkaPxBebvn0InEDVQLxJOp_2L2MyJh4C4vgj2-ps8YKEfPJ7BRtJw-ZwpJAoVS4-cz31YTYtOy_tonKHQS2i2od5mmSLL/w400-h354/Redpoll.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Three <span style="color: #990000;">lesser redpolls </span>were feeding in the silver birches in Feldy View on Sunday 14th.<div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG3P9ORiF6fF4WVh9O0lHHGH9kml8GY5xl5tDxdIzCjYtMX3B1flfLqVryuqN9gI4kbD9xIzZh5QS4m63hj3N1zRxZSRJ-9z9DfNw71rUzhHmPJI9vkSxS_4fT5xoOXyiOZDoKkPjK98tmolN7arD8L79tINlppPqtQxB3aKvfHVhg3SkDzuWHJbaiI9P9/s2981/Dunlin%20pair.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2603" data-original-width="2981" height="349" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG3P9ORiF6fF4WVh9O0lHHGH9kml8GY5xl5tDxdIzCjYtMX3B1flfLqVryuqN9gI4kbD9xIzZh5QS4m63hj3N1zRxZSRJ-9z9DfNw71rUzhHmPJI9vkSxS_4fT5xoOXyiOZDoKkPjK98tmolN7arD8L79tINlppPqtQxB3aKvfHVhg3SkDzuWHJbaiI9P9/w400-h349/Dunlin%20pair.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Lots of waders were feeding close to the Strood seawall on Sunday including these two <span style="color: #990000;">dunlin</span>. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ7eMuvEjNXh0eL12oejZPSMcxeOaQ8i7tkm658T-CiYmyOtnEGUZJfBP-L66ulV1CEDFLlCEJ-Z_G9cMwuAxv7r5OfViT55LB1imjOuIF2RPXgRV6Ylb3bNKkZUmPMiDngpdgRYKM7L4Pgi1t2mVX4vnByOmB1AsVaK60WXFjoO8NU1kY2rl5USufxUEh/s3056/Blackwits.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2576" data-original-width="3056" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ7eMuvEjNXh0eL12oejZPSMcxeOaQ8i7tkm658T-CiYmyOtnEGUZJfBP-L66ulV1CEDFLlCEJ-Z_G9cMwuAxv7r5OfViT55LB1imjOuIF2RPXgRV6Ylb3bNKkZUmPMiDngpdgRYKM7L4Pgi1t2mVX4vnByOmB1AsVaK60WXFjoO8NU1kY2rl5USufxUEh/w400-h338/Blackwits.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A flock of 22 <span style="color: #990000;">black-tailed godwits</span> was feeding along the Strood on Sunday, as were one <span style="color: #990000;">bar-tailed godwit</span>, 500 <span style="color: #990000;">golden plover</span>, 160<span style="color: #990000;"> shelduck</span>, seven<span style="color: #990000;"> shoveler</span>, 66 <span style="color: #990000;">avocets</span> and 100<span style="color: #990000;"> lapwing</span>. Seven <span style="color: #990000;">pochard</span> appeared to fly off the the Strood reservoirs and fly around a couple of times before heading off north.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjryRKVMOOzLi9q9l42_kAs23QWd_NOk-REFrL5yEU3MCudV1CVmtn29FM78aP_MrFFB8gyJ9Wtf4aQs4zOVuF3CTmkPyAEU-2GzIAZAcOKSLBUVZY9r2wEDV_YC7v9iNxdCBMGTO7geTt7VuUv8HGPwMOACZbT6drsiP4UtvW8xtVK0WBkDMXGcxZ17Zmv/s3065/Gt%20white%20egret%20seawall.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2584" data-original-width="3065" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjryRKVMOOzLi9q9l42_kAs23QWd_NOk-REFrL5yEU3MCudV1CVmtn29FM78aP_MrFFB8gyJ9Wtf4aQs4zOVuF3CTmkPyAEU-2GzIAZAcOKSLBUVZY9r2wEDV_YC7v9iNxdCBMGTO7geTt7VuUv8HGPwMOACZbT6drsiP4UtvW8xtVK0WBkDMXGcxZ17Zmv/w400-h338/Gt%20white%20egret%20seawall.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The <span style="color: #990000;">great white egret</span> was standing on the Strood seawall on Sunday morning. A <span style="color: #990000;">peregrine</span> caught a pigeon near Feldy View and plucked it in the nearby field. Also along the Strood seawall a<span style="color: #990000;"> stonechat</span>, 70 <span style="color: #990000;">corn buntings</span> on wires, 30<span style="color: #990000;"> linnets</span>, two <span style="color: #990000;">fieldfares, mistle thrush</span> near the caravan park and a <span style="color: #990000;">song thrush</span>.</div><div><br /></div><div>A <span style="color: #990000;">red-throated diver</span> and 15 <span style="color: #990000;">red-breasted mergansers </span>were seen off the Monkey Beach on Sunday by Jonathan Norgate.</div><div>At Cudmore Grove six<span style="color: #990000;"> snow buntings</span> were seen at the Point by Michael Thorley on Sunday although they were being disturbed by walkers and dogs, also seen 600 <span style="color: #990000;">dunlin</span>, 20 <span style="color: #990000;">turnstone</span> and five<span style="color: #990000;"> shelduck</span>. Later two <span style="color: #990000;">eider </span>were seen in the Colne by Steve Entwistle from Cudmore Grove.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitJv7VRPld6UFsMjgSmUMUvR4Cvov1AB72TusstUsBsReoDzCm8Pv1C5XKt8XIF5eutRTV10a5kB8c_4sP0ln34Kcjb4k6DHYq3wVlvmkzmbHjMbU-JHlnD1h2MISB56WXE78V5KrDw0EzhMP3VNi_x7ej8R67MqtPiJcNQybeiLbnoipJW2fzv4AVfe3N/s3073/Coast%20Road%20tide.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2358" data-original-width="3073" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitJv7VRPld6UFsMjgSmUMUvR4Cvov1AB72TusstUsBsReoDzCm8Pv1C5XKt8XIF5eutRTV10a5kB8c_4sP0ln34Kcjb4k6DHYq3wVlvmkzmbHjMbU-JHlnD1h2MISB56WXE78V5KrDw0EzhMP3VNi_x7ej8R67MqtPiJcNQybeiLbnoipJW2fzv4AVfe3N/w400-h308/Coast%20Road%20tide.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>There was a bit of a surge high tide on Saturday 13th with the water covering across Coast Road and most of the Hard car park.</div><div><br /></div><div>The <span style="color: #990000;">red-necked grebe</span> was seen distantly in Salcott Channel by Andy Field looking from Coast Road on Saturday - thanks to directions from Jonathan Norgate on Old Hall. Also noted offshore two<span style="color: #990000;"> Slavonian grebes</span>, two <span style="color: #990000;">great northern divers</span>, seven <span style="color: #990000;">red-breasted mergansers</span> as well as six<span style="color: #990000;"> pintail </span>near Packing Shed island.</div><div><br /></div><div>Along the Strood channel on Saturday Andy reported 22 <span style="color: #990000;">corn buntings, rock pipit, marsh harrier</span>, 30 <span style="color: #990000;">black-tailed godwits</span>, 50<span style="color: #990000;"> avocets</span> and 100 <span style="color: #990000;">golden plover</span>. Later Steve saw 31<span style="color: #990000;"> corn buntings</span> at the back of the Strood fields.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggbItvuHZybkH4gBKsHAdjp323s1pSX69RJJNkTdiF8eb2UO2BkuHf1vVojdwtPx2172B_ZnGzdbs56loDmEvngSYp50w0z9udlE6aUH0evdQQ9pPW8YrVqOyeF39Cwm4JgtfyNi46X3bEnkr9zOfYoAT4qKHc-cKsxrTjiwxfZNu-BCcF1V6iRWJjCO5t/s4032/Bower%20Hall.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggbItvuHZybkH4gBKsHAdjp323s1pSX69RJJNkTdiF8eb2UO2BkuHf1vVojdwtPx2172B_ZnGzdbs56loDmEvngSYp50w0z9udlE6aUH0evdQQ9pPW8YrVqOyeF39Cwm4JgtfyNi46X3bEnkr9zOfYoAT4qKHc-cKsxrTjiwxfZNu-BCcF1V6iRWJjCO5t/w400-h300/Bower%20Hall.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A walk along the Bower Hall seawall on Saturday provided views of 50 <span style="color: #990000;">fieldfares</span>, one <span style="color: #990000;">redwing</span>, <span style="color: #990000;">yellowhammer</span> flying over, 20 <span style="color: #990000;">chaffinches</span> and 60 <span style="color: #990000;">linnets</span> in a game cover crop, two <span style="color: #990000;">marsh harriers</span>, <span style="color: #990000;">buzzard,</span> two <span style="color: #990000;">shoveler</span>, ten <span style="color: #990000;">black-tailed godwits </span>and 500<span style="color: #990000;"> teal</span>.</div></div></div><div><br /></div><div>In East Mersea thirty <span style="color: #990000;">fieldfares</span> were seen by Michael Thorley feeding at the bottom of Rewsalls Lane near the boating lake entrance on Saturday afternoon.</div>Dougal Urquharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160413142108234247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6323835421725003809.post-91826969395349526622024-01-12T22:37:00.003-01:002024-01-18T00:27:03.235-01:00DAYTIME BARN OWL<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCI4Ku-gXGdOJTG-U2kvChcu0NneGdSRzD77w0CLoZrGkpX2Rv4-2Nuedmmrs48y2mNuGXGPIPuKTr-ySEVBnxOR5Kt8mrt6nEVa6D8py_ufP7kD1uh7TFQh0LOD9Da11l8_tMFgd9m6HjK8N9ZjP50TI3-ZeupPf1CLaa_iW1SFVed-d3oLKlT-0PzoPR/s1812/Barn%20owl%20Oyster%20Fishery.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1756" data-original-width="1812" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCI4Ku-gXGdOJTG-U2kvChcu0NneGdSRzD77w0CLoZrGkpX2Rv4-2Nuedmmrs48y2mNuGXGPIPuKTr-ySEVBnxOR5Kt8mrt6nEVa6D8py_ufP7kD1uh7TFQh0LOD9Da11l8_tMFgd9m6HjK8N9ZjP50TI3-ZeupPf1CLaa_iW1SFVed-d3oLKlT-0PzoPR/w400-h388/Barn%20owl%20Oyster%20Fishery.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A <span style="color: #990000;">barn owl</span> was seen flying over some rough scrubby pasture near the East Mersea Oyster Fishery during the early afternoon of Friday 12th.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpFr0BHvfnfOe9-DDidQyTBsQJANESeMPVggVgxRjrfGvC708zk_ZZtrrPWo94N_OD4Ts7pTZoMMKlhnEm8TYlk7f0YH6oai4Y8l_DR5zhwD0FzNAT9C29NYPHCmL5uON8QEg1UmOeIOQzsVTmik4Xy6S1Elu-7BdqwMus1oVlZcTpoCQq5gStOjM9GM6g/s3351/Barn%20owl%20in%20flight.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2714" data-original-width="3351" height="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpFr0BHvfnfOe9-DDidQyTBsQJANESeMPVggVgxRjrfGvC708zk_ZZtrrPWo94N_OD4Ts7pTZoMMKlhnEm8TYlk7f0YH6oai4Y8l_DR5zhwD0FzNAT9C29NYPHCmL5uON8QEg1UmOeIOQzsVTmik4Xy6S1Elu-7BdqwMus1oVlZcTpoCQq5gStOjM9GM6g/w400-h324/Barn%20owl%20in%20flight.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The <span style="color: #990000;">barn owl</span> briefly hovered over the rough pasture before disappearing from view.<div><br /></div><div>Andy Field and I walked the north side of the island from Maydays to Cudmore Grove CP on a very chilly Friday counting the waders and wildfowl as part of the monthly bird count for the B.T.O.<br /><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitJw8z8QOeROx9ZBJ5k3oYtXrxDNzEPwAfvsIgnVaArLxbsB6BbOqvqNHapGXP0Eg8HgepSsdRtBt_9JTD0Qs_9QimJbjqwzIFJzQ9evFOPeseIYP_cID8-gMznEjeLeud4jtigWk1FMMbOMLRqhudjiXnHIVBC5j68OgWDlVUNUubGtybJqT2SkSgwNU6/s1645/Egyptian%20goose.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1565" data-original-width="1645" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitJw8z8QOeROx9ZBJ5k3oYtXrxDNzEPwAfvsIgnVaArLxbsB6BbOqvqNHapGXP0Eg8HgepSsdRtBt_9JTD0Qs_9QimJbjqwzIFJzQ9evFOPeseIYP_cID8-gMznEjeLeud4jtigWk1FMMbOMLRqhudjiXnHIVBC5j68OgWDlVUNUubGtybJqT2SkSgwNU6/w400-h380/Egyptian%20goose.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A single <span style="color: #990000;">Egyptian goose </span>was a surprise find along the Pyefleet Channel on Friday, standing on the saltmarsh near the Reeveshall seawall. Other highlights on the north side of the island included <span style="color: #990000;">great white egret</span>, 41 <span style="color: #990000;">shoveler</span>, 24 <span style="color: #990000;">pintail</span>, 694 <span style="color: #990000;">shelduck</span>, 13 <span style="color: #990000;">red-breasted mergansers, red kite, peregrine</span>, two <span style="color: #990000;">marsh harriers</span>, 230 <span style="color: #990000;">avocets</span>, 1200 <span style="color: #990000;">knot</span>, one<span style="color: #990000;"> snipe</span>, while at Maydays were 50 <span style="color: #990000;">fieldfare</span>, ten <span style="color: #990000;">redwing </span>and a <span style="color: #990000;">stonechat</span>. Two<span style="color: #0b5394;"> brown hares</span> were running over the fields while four <span style="color: #0b5394;">common seals</span> were at the top of the Pyefleet.</div><div><br /></div><div>The six <span style="color: #990000;">snow buntings</span> were still feeding on the beach at the East Mersea Point, a distant immature male <span style="color: #990000;">eider </span>was in the Colne, 300 <span style="color: #990000;">wigeon</span>, 7<span style="color: #990000;"> gadwall</span> and a pair of<span style="color: #990000;"> stonechats</span> at the country park.</div><div><br /></div><div>Also on Friday Charlie Williams walked the west end of the Island from Maydays round to Seaview and noted 298 <span style="color: #990000;">black-tailed godwits</span>, five <span style="color: #990000;">bar-tailed godwits</span>, 439 <span style="color: #990000;">teal</span>, 91 <span style="color: #990000;">avocets, red-breasted merganser</span>, while offshore were a <span style="color: #990000;">great northern diver</span> and a<span style="color: #990000;"> red-throated diver</span>.</div><div><br /></div><div>The <span style="color: #990000;">red-necked grebe</span> and a <span style="color: #990000;">great northern diver </span>were seen in the Mersea Quarters on Friday morning by Colin Mackenzie-Grieve. A <span style="color: #990000;">Slavonian grebe</span> was seen off St Peters by Steve Entwistle, also two <span style="color: #990000;">great northern divers</span>, maybe three of them, four <span style="color: #990000;">little grebes</span>, two <span style="color: #990000;">avocets</span>, two <span style="color: #990000;">greylags</span> and a <span style="color: #990000;">lesser black-backed gull</span> near Packing Shed and Cobmarsh Islands.</div><div><br /></div><div>On Thursday 10th the <span style="color: #990000;">black brant</span> was feeding with 500 <span style="color: #990000;">brent geese</span> in a field behind Rewsalls Marshes, also 70 <span style="color: #990000;">golden plover</span>, 150 <span style="color: #990000;">curlew, black-tailed godwit</span>, ten <span style="color: #990000;">little grebes</span>, two <span style="color: #990000;">fieldfare</span> and 20 <span style="color: #990000;">goldfinches</span> in the area. From Waldegraves a <span style="color: #990000;">red-throated diver, red-breasted merganser</span> were offshore, 76 <span style="color: #990000;">sanderling </span>on the beach and 35<span style="color: #990000;"> ringed plover</span> roosting in a nearby field.</div><div><br /></div><div>At Maydays on Thursday a <span style="color: #990000;">barn owl</span> perched on a fence-post mid-morning on Thursday, also a <span style="color: #990000;">kingfisher</span>, 100 <span style="color: #990000;">fieldfare</span> and a few <span style="color: #990000;">redwing</span> seen by Martin Cock.</div><div><br /></div><div>A <span style="color: #990000;">barn owl</span> was seen last light on Thursday late afternoon by Shaun Bater, by the East Mersea Road / Dawes Lane area.</div><div>A <span style="color: #990000;">great white egret </span>was in the field next to the West Mersea allotments on Thursday seen by Steve Entwistle.</div><div>A <span style="color: #990000;">song thrush</span> returned to the Firs Chase garden on Thursday, feeding on some ivy berries - the first sighting here since last summer.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuV4mhj0zbwi8POq90ebrfAVMKKmXK14judwEd-Odab60r5Vgt9BwiEhb__gFXi1qC3MWgMv7m_L_vhjPNkA5ZcE-GteT2Ffa8Ut-PAqVdaaNlhOkStYPTkMZC8UY8GyLPUP5vzzpBdIhMGtYU6451ddILr7HWrmijpnHDPLkVyJ-XfYkAt3jBNJdJXG_0/s3068/Gt%20white%20egret%20near%20The%20Fox.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2938" data-original-width="3068" height="383" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuV4mhj0zbwi8POq90ebrfAVMKKmXK14judwEd-Odab60r5Vgt9BwiEhb__gFXi1qC3MWgMv7m_L_vhjPNkA5ZcE-GteT2Ffa8Ut-PAqVdaaNlhOkStYPTkMZC8UY8GyLPUP5vzzpBdIhMGtYU6451ddILr7HWrmijpnHDPLkVyJ-XfYkAt3jBNJdJXG_0/w400-h383/Gt%20white%20egret%20near%20The%20Fox.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The <span style="color: #990000;">great white egret </span>was first seen in the field near the allotments on Wednesday, photographed from the car on East Road, just fifty metres west of The Fox pub.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoRVErzf2XfwZvA2rsYih0JsMRhOgXQfwXCePWgeoDXdaAfcjVFmNsG3BC1y6QKiaPyuqFOaM2B6ANkMsblae0HpMcbq-XgTwKKOk2sKBzTARpmx6hpCxcjBCTwbJAHp-NWYc-ZRqrnR0payLB_aahX7uZ_lVBsVX78e9h7Vmqquu09iXNizNDQOshonTA/s4032/Coopers%20flooded%20dyke.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoRVErzf2XfwZvA2rsYih0JsMRhOgXQfwXCePWgeoDXdaAfcjVFmNsG3BC1y6QKiaPyuqFOaM2B6ANkMsblae0HpMcbq-XgTwKKOk2sKBzTARpmx6hpCxcjBCTwbJAHp-NWYc-ZRqrnR0payLB_aahX7uZ_lVBsVX78e9h7Vmqquu09iXNizNDQOshonTA/w400-h300/Coopers%20flooded%20dyke.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>At Coopers Beach on Wednesday 10th a <span style="color: #0b5394;">common seal </span>was seen feeding inside the breach of the old seawall during the high tide period. A <span style="color: #990000;">peregrine </span>caught a <span style="color: #990000;">grey plover</span> on the Rewsalls Marshes and carried it to the nearby field to feed on. Also in the field were 60 <span style="color: #990000;">golden plover </span>keeping their distance.</div><div>On the marshes were 6<span style="color: #990000;"> snipe</span> flying off with the rising tide, 50<span style="color: #990000;"> brent geese</span>, 20 <span style="color: #990000;">teal</span>, 20<span style="color: #990000;"> grey plover</span>, two <span style="color: #990000;">Mediterranean gull</span>, ten <span style="color: #990000;">skylarks, Cetti's warbler</span>, 30 <span style="color: #990000;">linnets, rock pipit </span>and ten <span style="color: #990000;">reed buntings</span>.</div><div><br /></div><div>In East Mersea on Tuesday 9th Steve Entwistle watched a <span style="color: #990000;">barn owl</span> hunting fields near the north end of Shop Lane, and a<span style="color: #990000;"> tawny owl </span>perched on wires half-way along Shop Lane late afternoon. Also <span style="color: #990000;">goldcrest</span> and <span style="color: #990000;">long-tailed tits</span> seen near Fishponds Wood, later near Dawes Lane 25 <span style="color: #990000;">fieldfares </span>and a <span style="color: #990000;">redwing</span>.</div><div>Caroline White saw a <span style="color: #990000;">little owl </span>fly across the path near the East Mersea Golfhouse on Tuesday afternoon.</div><div>Two <span style="color: #990000;">buzzards</span> flew low over the Firs Chase gardens being chased by a carrion crow on Tuesday.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqaR4QvRVb5JY3p4LQ7MRiXeRlFWfKRtnJR4fu2jBJf25pRpmHKde0xdUa8etlm0vaxBPD3NJJyNvDHId4J5_4LXglkWPPFER0wVatPxHrF4-LEk7i96VL83LJODnBmpJqAxroe59Cl9vPyxeJxv_mD_12VZigoCNxeO-wTTgeYHBH7D7Yj0psb1EZcell/s3437/Sanderling%20St%20Peters3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2764" data-original-width="3437" height="321" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqaR4QvRVb5JY3p4LQ7MRiXeRlFWfKRtnJR4fu2jBJf25pRpmHKde0xdUa8etlm0vaxBPD3NJJyNvDHId4J5_4LXglkWPPFER0wVatPxHrF4-LEk7i96VL83LJODnBmpJqAxroe59Cl9vPyxeJxv_mD_12VZigoCNxeO-wTTgeYHBH7D7Yj0psb1EZcell/w400-h321/Sanderling%20St%20Peters3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A flock of thirty <span style="color: #990000;">sanderling</span> was feeding on the beach at St Peters on Monday 8th.<br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Qlieri11zBeF66cGsa1vRURMiUmqmQnLdJQUJ9He31ogempzy0GQlbV3hXEJEJcj1FFwhXsQQqXL7V7LLDfwcsaxNk3fAn3K0HEm1yrVIB0xj8yO4PgZFPL2hT3nBzezuc0bQ1XJWJFyf6WvXcgJVRHJ49sW9TWoEP9qcFWMQRodNH30HSS-69uMJkfD/s2705/Sanderling%20St%20Peters1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2255" data-original-width="2705" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Qlieri11zBeF66cGsa1vRURMiUmqmQnLdJQUJ9He31ogempzy0GQlbV3hXEJEJcj1FFwhXsQQqXL7V7LLDfwcsaxNk3fAn3K0HEm1yrVIB0xj8yO4PgZFPL2hT3nBzezuc0bQ1XJWJFyf6WvXcgJVRHJ49sW9TWoEP9qcFWMQRodNH30HSS-69uMJkfD/w400-h334/Sanderling%20St%20Peters1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The<span style="color: #990000;"> sanderling</span> were scuttling along the edge of the water as the tide began to recede on Monday morning. Offshore from St Peters were a <span style="color: #990000;">great northern diver</span> and 25 <span style="color: #990000;">great crested grebes</span>.</div></div></div>Dougal Urquharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160413142108234247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6323835421725003809.post-8047320272876501502024-01-07T21:00:00.005-01:002024-01-11T00:34:54.106-01:00BRENT FLOCK REEVESHALL<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC1TwYrSEgw9MRrXQ4dN1A81ZcjeiCzKvK4G1Gym972f2Q64USiDAKCDhpT0L3ikPgEovUhqMt8GpwZ0QNq2p_ocm3CG-vWHZwEhydNswnNk5_T8r4xge0pjmr6r2dnegJCoX0Upc2QR1HCTR2awU0IprkcFAGT351dRLflvhedyAFLK-ZjsZzV30r5Wnk/s3916/Brent%20flock%20Reeveshall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3050" data-original-width="3916" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC1TwYrSEgw9MRrXQ4dN1A81ZcjeiCzKvK4G1Gym972f2Q64USiDAKCDhpT0L3ikPgEovUhqMt8GpwZ0QNq2p_ocm3CG-vWHZwEhydNswnNk5_T8r4xge0pjmr6r2dnegJCoX0Upc2QR1HCTR2awU0IprkcFAGT351dRLflvhedyAFLK-ZjsZzV30r5Wnk/w400-h311/Brent%20flock%20Reeveshall.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A big flock of 800+<span style="color: #990000;"> brent geese</span> was grazing on one of the Reeveshall fields on Sunday 7th. On one of the other fields were 100<span style="color: #990000;"> lapwing</span>, 30 <span style="color: #990000;">curlew</span>, 30 <span style="color: #990000;">stock dove</span>, 9 <span style="color: #990000;">skylark</span> and a <span style="color: #990000;">marsh harrier </span>flying over the Broad Fleet reedbed.<p></p><p>Also in East Mersea in Sunday, Michael Thorley reported seeing the six <span style="color: #990000;">snow buntings</span> at the Point, also 15 <span style="color: #990000;">redshank, oystercatchers</span> and <span style="color: #990000;">dunlin </span>while in the park dyke were 150 <span style="color: #990000;">wigeon </span>and a pair of <span style="color: #990000;">tufted duck</span>. On the shore were 600 <span style="color: #990000;">dunlin, great black-backed gull</span>, 15 <span style="color: #990000;">oystercatchers</span>, and in the fields were 15 <span style="color: #990000;">curlew</span> and a<span style="color: #990000;"> meadow pipit</span>.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb6VnsRGhVV4rAtBUciQs9iMEH4hNKmIjB66SYBlmIBjPMTOCyLboSKN1DfmacNq-YLFVvE1Xt3y3i4TtDzOim2Bzd6f77gxJgPvuB8ueXT9zr3njtYSu9N-H7AyKLplqVfLqX11pgnUlQGYmlT4ZVoAF7D94M7KPdRj1eQq6R0J58CnEnndc5U9Eu2FVw/s736/WigeonMT.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="736" data-original-width="595" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb6VnsRGhVV4rAtBUciQs9iMEH4hNKmIjB66SYBlmIBjPMTOCyLboSKN1DfmacNq-YLFVvE1Xt3y3i4TtDzOim2Bzd6f77gxJgPvuB8ueXT9zr3njtYSu9N-H7AyKLplqVfLqX11pgnUlQGYmlT4ZVoAF7D94M7KPdRj1eQq6R0J58CnEnndc5U9Eu2FVw/w324-h400/WigeonMT.JPG" width="324" /></a></div>Two<span style="color: #990000;"> wigeon</span> photographed by Michael at Cudmore Grove on Sunday.<br /><p>Off the West Mersea Esplanade on Sunday morning, three <span style="color: #990000;">great northern divers, red-throated diver, red-breasted merganser</span> and a <span style="color: #990000;">Mediterranean gull</span> were seen by Andy Field.</p><p>Thirteen<span style="color: #990000;"> red-legged partridges </span>were seen in the field near the Strood reservoirs by Steve Entwistle on Sunday.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiot7gLi9GYJRw8lFaRTUcP57wX11TTBJRDLzMpqOi06fdz9vT0XHsLurKW9-aUKDFxE0W4Dd8y_i_Adi-XQ1IXjMxAV4Drk5graEtxKQaZMpznTckhc_Lbi6r3DbeSBF8S_Ty-g52QtGOMiE3M-nKnKK-lXlmd-YClVQFsLXJjvBb6MzI8AWHbwh_oDE_/s1600/Spotted%20dogfishJN.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiot7gLi9GYJRw8lFaRTUcP57wX11TTBJRDLzMpqOi06fdz9vT0XHsLurKW9-aUKDFxE0W4Dd8y_i_Adi-XQ1IXjMxAV4Drk5graEtxKQaZMpznTckhc_Lbi6r3DbeSBF8S_Ty-g52QtGOMiE3M-nKnKK-lXlmd-YClVQFsLXJjvBb6MzI8AWHbwh_oDE_/w300-h400/Spotted%20dogfishJN.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>This <span style="color: #0b5394;">Small-spotted Catshark</span>, also known as the Spotted Dogfish (or Spotty Dog locally), was found on the beach below the Esplanade on Sunday by Jonathan Norgate.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ9lYGVe6ESItrVv7UEUP8xaG8o0ghvMzD1qfPV2Mc6oOLdbCy1TLPWS1veYoXEV0de1FtYqmYQtCVdIhkooCJBGAkys7vKSuLmyFeZ6i_JiCLd3sz3RHzmMMOfFqU6COaHhpi4DmQDtEGXl4Pv1X1cYApxBzqkqNkEILGHJ9LocoARxKLbge27YFFyDko/s2919/Seals%20Maydays.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2571" data-original-width="2919" height="353" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ9lYGVe6ESItrVv7UEUP8xaG8o0ghvMzD1qfPV2Mc6oOLdbCy1TLPWS1veYoXEV0de1FtYqmYQtCVdIhkooCJBGAkys7vKSuLmyFeZ6i_JiCLd3sz3RHzmMMOfFqU6COaHhpi4DmQDtEGXl4Pv1X1cYApxBzqkqNkEILGHJ9LocoARxKLbge27YFFyDko/w400-h353/Seals%20Maydays.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>On Saturday 6th two <span style="color: #0b5394;">common seals</span> were resting on the mud in the Pyefleet Channel, seen from the Maydays seawall. Birds seen along the channel included 20 <span style="color: #990000;">pintail</span>, 300 <span style="color: #990000;">shelduck</span>, 300<span style="color: #990000;"> wigeon, red-breasted merganser</span>, 90<span style="color: #990000;"> avocets </span>and fifty <span style="color: #990000;">knot</span>.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJHAAXkTGMIxmfeIli5DFMw3gPZMonm5BkcOx2HGbGMGVyYmvEP-IAqDoQ1HLdBXfLwf_BcrA8Oo5-GWiGCq8L-yBKTahvkGwbyTW0KXk-Z-XK-N1BFZYHbf14twoGwUQEZSzw_vErz6yFbkCKcQAihn6pb6mTSp_3fhcXuR7DRsUtZRcdc2fAB92IxaNk/s4032/Reeveshall%20dyke.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJHAAXkTGMIxmfeIli5DFMw3gPZMonm5BkcOx2HGbGMGVyYmvEP-IAqDoQ1HLdBXfLwf_BcrA8Oo5-GWiGCq8L-yBKTahvkGwbyTW0KXk-Z-XK-N1BFZYHbf14twoGwUQEZSzw_vErz6yFbkCKcQAihn6pb6mTSp_3fhcXuR7DRsUtZRcdc2fAB92IxaNk/w400-h300/Reeveshall%20dyke.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The narrow ditch inside the Reeveshall seawall has overflown onto the nearby grass following the recent rains. On Reeveshall 500 <span style="color: #990000;">brent geese</span> and 15 <span style="color: #990000;">stock doves</span> were noted while at Maydays a merlin was seen chasing a <span style="color: #990000;">meadow pipit </span>which escaped by diving into a bush. The<span style="color: #990000;"> merlin </span>then also perched on a nearby tree before heading west over the farm. Three <span style="color: #990000;">red kites</span> were flying high in the distance over South Green with a fourth bird flying west over the Ranges. Five <span style="color: #990000;">marsh harriers</span> and five <span style="color: #990000;">buzzards </span>were enjoying the sunny weather on the island and the mainland.</div><div><br /></div><div>Other birds seen at Maydays included ten <span style="color: #990000;">redwings</span>, ten <span style="color: #990000;">fieldfares</span>, 25<span style="color: #990000;"> meadow pipits</span>, 20 <span style="color: #990000;">linnets, Cetti's warbler </span>and two <span style="color: #990000;">rock pipits</span>. Two <span style="color: #0b5394;">Chinese Water Deer</span> were seen at different locations near the Maydays dyke - one of them flushed by a family with a dog on the seawall, it then ran east across the Maydays fields.</div><div><br /></div><div>The six <span style="color: #990000;">snow buntings</span> were seen by Steve Grimwade at East Mersea Point on Saturday morning. Later at the Esplanade along with Steve Entwistle, two <span style="color: #990000;">great northern divers, red-throated diver, Mediterranean gull, marsh harrier </span>and a<span style="color: #990000;"> peregrine</span> on Bradwell power station were also seen by them.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkXRbSo6tpisDV9mJ2GdnKfS5dgarHPu6Gj66bbGn6Ue4Rvjn6CB1GQZmjtIwKbj9KzRnC3UCOBEbkiFVy5AG_rNey5ZEM1oTvPHAglFqKEFVqGTqBqvQok6X4ytprDGoAB1tBuIHDPC15simHYCq9T14Z_SrYWOQfer9QAcAbUJDKegO615lCvXP-FLAK/s2487/Snow%20buntings%20Point.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2337" data-original-width="2487" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkXRbSo6tpisDV9mJ2GdnKfS5dgarHPu6Gj66bbGn6Ue4Rvjn6CB1GQZmjtIwKbj9KzRnC3UCOBEbkiFVy5AG_rNey5ZEM1oTvPHAglFqKEFVqGTqBqvQok6X4ytprDGoAB1tBuIHDPC15simHYCq9T14Z_SrYWOQfer9QAcAbUJDKegO615lCvXP-FLAK/w400-h376/Snow%20buntings%20Point.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>On Friday 5th the six<span style="color: #990000;"> snow buntings</span> were feeding on the beach at East Mersea Point. </div><div>A <span style="color: #990000;">sparrowhawk</span> flew low over the Golfhouse pools, three <span style="color: #990000;">avocets </span>were seen on the mud and three <span style="color: #990000;">great crested grebes</span> were in the Colne.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRDYQeBgL43adIwvrIa7Crb6CIMiCbM1jFlWIty12ztCZOin7gRSeXCx7cQI1kcq6YE94wEx54ZB82mjzfgez5766kmKav7cigkwrQFeTymVSyzVzSM6t-tYafYWfb81nN9mJZLk5mk3cuqSN19DwuCnGaH61XmVlWblH45PBaUDzjA-cNSS0hXyFkThhs/s4032/Park%20dyke%20flooded.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRDYQeBgL43adIwvrIa7Crb6CIMiCbM1jFlWIty12ztCZOin7gRSeXCx7cQI1kcq6YE94wEx54ZB82mjzfgez5766kmKav7cigkwrQFeTymVSyzVzSM6t-tYafYWfb81nN9mJZLk5mk3cuqSN19DwuCnGaH61XmVlWblH45PBaUDzjA-cNSS0hXyFkThhs/w400-h300/Park%20dyke%20flooded.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Recent rains have topped up the park borrowdyke so that it's overflowing to the bottom of the nearby seawall.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnSySGnHEtIHzB_3gZEDpg5q_2S4wYK1AgZ1ghPizVaujg5N8mkv7PhpQMTKXsnhVo6DjPuOTjUv1wDf7zSQ18pc6NMRApGGR1D2EdZ-yyrfzIMoQ8s5BkiM-VXGJVbdarFXpFkyYE1ujuTouYHitt_raDUVT8TGY0uEqKv31G2tdTm3heVO0waQ_ulHDP/s3680/Wigeon%20on%20park%20folding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3127" data-original-width="3680" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnSySGnHEtIHzB_3gZEDpg5q_2S4wYK1AgZ1ghPizVaujg5N8mkv7PhpQMTKXsnhVo6DjPuOTjUv1wDf7zSQ18pc6NMRApGGR1D2EdZ-yyrfzIMoQ8s5BkiM-VXGJVbdarFXpFkyYE1ujuTouYHitt_raDUVT8TGY0uEqKv31G2tdTm3heVO0waQ_ulHDP/w400-h340/Wigeon%20on%20park%20folding.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The <span style="color: #990000;">wigeon </span>were enjoying the flooded path inside the park seawall, most of the 300 <span style="color: #990000;">wigeon</span> were in the grazing fields, along with 50 <span style="color: #990000;">teal</span> and ten<span style="color: #990000;"> shoveler</span>, with a pair of <span style="color: #990000;">tufted duck</span> in the dyke.</div><div><br /></div><div>Along the Strood seawall on Thursday 4th a <span style="color: #990000;">great white egret </span>was seen flying to feed beside a hedgeline towards the top of the ploughed field near the Bowls Club. In the channel were 30<span style="color: #990000;"> avocets</span>, <span style="color: #990000;">bar-tailed godwit</span>, 100 <span style="color: #990000;">lapwing,</span> ten <span style="color: #990000;">little grebes</span> and also 1000<span style="color: #990000;"> brent geese </span>seen in the air over Feldy Marsh on the mainland. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHapWQ9P4EDo_fdbYW6CnnMuvy547_3VT_QIvQi5hRB0Esqvg54vb2xKy6ZhboIMdGBMOuPBs9kqIhplVCB4pNtZtcul28_t1qxhZVcqS9K0hKiy_EtTQqZy9erb1czvSiso2lDfeJdo-e_p4KCN6kJQjTDMmWtdE4tGyZrOl0DIni1OFXKYIcFCD-3lTU/s1897/Stonechat%20Nothe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1897" data-original-width="1837" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHapWQ9P4EDo_fdbYW6CnnMuvy547_3VT_QIvQi5hRB0Esqvg54vb2xKy6ZhboIMdGBMOuPBs9kqIhplVCB4pNtZtcul28_t1qxhZVcqS9K0hKiy_EtTQqZy9erb1czvSiso2lDfeJdo-e_p4KCN6kJQjTDMmWtdE4tGyZrOl0DIni1OFXKYIcFCD-3lTU/w388-h400/Stonechat%20Nothe.jpg" width="388" /></a></div>A female<span style="color: #990000;"> stonechat</span> was feeding in one of the paddocks between the Dabchicks and the Firs Caravan park on Thursday. Twenty<span style="color: #990000;"> goldfinches</span> were flying around Firs Chase while a<span style="color: #990000;"> tawny owl </span>was heard hooting around midnight on Thursday evening in Firs Chase.<div><br /></div><div>Martin Cock saw <span style="color: #990000;">red-throated diver</span>, four <span style="color: #990000;">red-breasted mergansers, Mediterranean gull</span> and a few <span style="color: #990000;">great crested grebes</span>. A later visit to Shop Lane in East Mersea, three<span style="color: #0b5394;"> red squirrels </span>and at least one <span style="color: #0b5394;">grey squirrel</span>, maybe a second one were seen at Fishponds Wood.<br /><div><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0K2TK7LPQVVvT73397wytUtJcaiUdNHu_b_YV4z34wtRvlK-Xdz19T5e0DDZSCjn3NFp0mbeYuFdZ5vuT4tdSsIfsEkMnNrp1oDXOs5vBlQ3NyEy-sqmJpTYhfzDYED363z7khKJtd5vlF5Xp9GgXbijRO6eYrNBW1gLiaeGNJKm81f9BmXYswq6HiiZc/s3597/Rainbow%20Dabchicks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2384" data-original-width="3597" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0K2TK7LPQVVvT73397wytUtJcaiUdNHu_b_YV4z34wtRvlK-Xdz19T5e0DDZSCjn3NFp0mbeYuFdZ5vuT4tdSsIfsEkMnNrp1oDXOs5vBlQ3NyEy-sqmJpTYhfzDYED363z7khKJtd5vlF5Xp9GgXbijRO6eYrNBW1gLiaeGNJKm81f9BmXYswq6HiiZc/w400-h265/Rainbow%20Dabchicks.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A rainbow shone briefly over the Strood channel, seen from behind the Dabchicks sailing club on Wednesday 3rd.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJBxelsxN5CnTkGexpnCWqQvYfjz07jVuAryMVTRzN1es3cAOjLsUiZPlX48omvjOoFRWOqpjHa2XPiapZJukIS1eRCMewSwldzjilVPKAQuJFR7ciK_MLGuUlPvsd6jPMSt4GTJo46RE58Z_7Bdv4w3yEYIhSvi6zL2dRd_5jac_mFKXiAFTWEmQcLvCP/s3401/Wigeon%20and%20teal%20Strood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2938" data-original-width="3401" height="345" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJBxelsxN5CnTkGexpnCWqQvYfjz07jVuAryMVTRzN1es3cAOjLsUiZPlX48omvjOoFRWOqpjHa2XPiapZJukIS1eRCMewSwldzjilVPKAQuJFR7ciK_MLGuUlPvsd6jPMSt4GTJo46RE58Z_7Bdv4w3yEYIhSvi6zL2dRd_5jac_mFKXiAFTWEmQcLvCP/w400-h345/Wigeon%20and%20teal%20Strood.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><p>There was a mix of <span style="color: #990000;">wigeon </span>and <span style="color: #990000;">teal</span> resting along the Strood channel on Wednesday, also a pair of <span style="color: #990000;">shoveler</span>, 77 <span style="color: #990000;">avocets,</span> 73<span style="color: #990000;"> shelduck</span>, 200 <span style="color: #990000;">golden plover</span>, 100<span style="color: #990000;"> lapwing</span>, a<span style="color: #990000;"> knot</span> and a <span style="color: #990000;">bar-tailed godwit</span>. In the fields were two<span style="color: #990000;"> stonechats</span>, 30 <span style="color: #990000;">linnets,</span> 50 <span style="color: #990000;">skylarks</span>, 30 <span style="color: #990000;">stock doves, Cetti's warbler</span> while a <span style="color: #990000;">sparrowhawk </span>and<span style="color: #990000;"> mistle thrush </span>were by the caravan park.</p><p>At Maydays farm on Wednesday, Martin Cock reported seeing seven<span style="color: #990000;"> pintail</span>, four <span style="color: #990000;">red-breasted mergansers, Cetti's warbler, redwing, fieldfare</span> and a <span style="color: #0b5394;">Chinese Water Deer</span>.</p><p>At East Mersea Point the six <span style="color: #990000;">snow buntings</span> were seen by Colin Mackenzie-Grieve on Wednesday.</p><p>On a wet Tuesday 2nd the only birds noted during a brief visit to Feldy View were the <span style="color: #990000;">mistle thrush</span> in the mistletoe, <span style="color: #990000;">kestrel, little egret </span>and the ten <span style="color: #990000;">curlew</span> and 200 <span style="color: #990000;">starlings</span> in the grass field inside the Strood seawall.</p></div></div></div>Dougal Urquharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160413142108234247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6323835421725003809.post-9046713918780077902024-01-01T22:47:00.026-01:002024-01-04T19:24:16.009-01:00NEW YEARS DAY<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzJiw7BFgTVQrrfUEO80BYXH-P0dnAbHAxaUv-gOVjsoL4F-T74IZ6Tcf-8HhzwJd386YVi7-3Wu_s5RRVtpSHIL5270iH4_byqX81bLuEsgms1it_pq2X1ctB5EcRkukhOOlko31nOgNlgwvjidHVK0-LkGjiULb83hhU1wKtqum1fDf0O-Uc-BVBWnCY/s1600/Snow%20buntingAF.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1388" data-original-width="1600" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzJiw7BFgTVQrrfUEO80BYXH-P0dnAbHAxaUv-gOVjsoL4F-T74IZ6Tcf-8HhzwJd386YVi7-3Wu_s5RRVtpSHIL5270iH4_byqX81bLuEsgms1it_pq2X1ctB5EcRkukhOOlko31nOgNlgwvjidHVK0-LkGjiULb83hhU1wKtqum1fDf0O-Uc-BVBWnCY/w400-h348/Snow%20buntingAF.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Happy New Year to followers of Mersea Wildlife!<div>The six <span style="color: #990000;">snow buntings</span> were still on the beach at East Mersea Point, with Andy Field photographing one of the birds on Monday 1st. Also seen by Andy were seven <span style="color: #990000;">red-breasted mergansers</span>, two <span style="color: #990000;">stonechats</span>, <span style="color: #990000;">rock pipit</span>, four <span style="color: #990000;">bar-tailed godwits</span> off Langenhoe Point, three <span style="color: #990000;">water rails </span>calling in the dyke near Ivy Dock and two<span style="color: #990000;"> little owls</span> calling near the Golfhouse.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-UhIkkB5-p8DLS2lQlFKIr0BPzJQ5DgmuqSgaMtqvcAv2PyBYjOg4R5Fr2SSDD0f0tHMENq7qa5bWA83WmRzDyYliMd_lBVojJTXmkM-u3cQ_aIj00AdhrKJXyZDkTVbDtZOgnhIlC4RjFsuCV6UYKIradohUr2pTlYVxdBAudyxqmuLKyElEfgl3Ucpn/s1440/Snow%20BuntingJN.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-UhIkkB5-p8DLS2lQlFKIr0BPzJQ5DgmuqSgaMtqvcAv2PyBYjOg4R5Fr2SSDD0f0tHMENq7qa5bWA83WmRzDyYliMd_lBVojJTXmkM-u3cQ_aIj00AdhrKJXyZDkTVbDtZOgnhIlC4RjFsuCV6UYKIradohUr2pTlYVxdBAudyxqmuLKyElEfgl3Ucpn/w400-h300/Snow%20BuntingJN.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Jonathan Norgate took this photo of one of the <span style="color: #990000;">snow buntings</span> at the Point on New Years Day.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZuQ_D_Ibbkb643Myg0h2i0INSX2PLWYJOOaaQPygi-5HrKu7N6vmP_DIZhBJL-LsHiTtSA_i23UQDRa9z7r-YOnWY1GMkfnB2uGOKatJN76qiOCPDOtdthPzM2kZx6RiObfwKGENzKblo0mgrctCWPFQDIEgkmNLh52o0QilpxW9OFjShjF5euIxEfPqJ/s1304/Stonechat%20MaleAF.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1304" data-original-width="1267" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZuQ_D_Ibbkb643Myg0h2i0INSX2PLWYJOOaaQPygi-5HrKu7N6vmP_DIZhBJL-LsHiTtSA_i23UQDRa9z7r-YOnWY1GMkfnB2uGOKatJN76qiOCPDOtdthPzM2kZx6RiObfwKGENzKblo0mgrctCWPFQDIEgkmNLh52o0QilpxW9OFjShjF5euIxEfPqJ/w389-h400/Stonechat%20MaleAF.JPG" width="389" /></a></div>The male<span style="color: #990000;"> stonechat </span>photographed by Andy Field at Cudmore Grove on New Years Day.<br /><div><br /><div>Steve Entwistle visited the Point on Monday and as well as seeing the<span style="color: #990000;"> snow buntings</span>, 40<span style="color: #990000;"> turnstones</span> and four <span style="color: #990000;">sanderling </span>there. Michael Thorley reported seeing late afternoon at the Point<span style="color: #990000;"> turnstone, sanderling</span>, <span style="color: #990000;">great crested grebe</span>, 300 <span style="color: #990000;">brent geese</span>, 60<span style="color: #990000;"> wigeon</span> on the grazing fields and three <span style="color: #990000;">dabchicks</span> in the dyke.</div><div><br /></div><div>Paul Everett walked from Cudmore Grove to the Point on Monday, and as well as seeing the six <span style="color: #990000;">snow buntings</span>, also reported 2 <span style="color: #990000;">magpies</span>, 95 <span style="color: #990000;">oystercatchers</span>, 50 <span style="color: #990000;">brent geese</span>, 7 <span style="color: #990000;">redshank</span>, 5<span style="color: #990000;"> teal</span>, 50 <span style="color: #990000;">wigeon</span>, 42 <span style="color: #990000;">turnstones, ringed plover</span>, 40 <span style="color: #990000;">dunlin,</span> 4 <span style="color: #990000;">shelduck</span>, four <span style="color: #990000;">curlew </span>and a<span style="color: #990000;"> sanderling</span>.</div><div><br /></div><div>Graham Ekins was at the Point very early on New Years Day morning and added to his new year bird list <span style="color: #990000;">snow bunting, avocet, knot, sanderling, red-breasted merganser</span>, as well as <span style="color: #990000;">green woodpecker </span>by the road end. At West Mersea<span style="color: #990000;"> great northern diver, grey plover </span>and <span style="color: #990000;">Mediterranean gull</span> were added.<br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsFXqU3vAKGmyHJWYua2-mZYiLcEj8qcJcOt_mqcvc2t1V2af5yrmRED-L61_VdN56iBv0b7EyBOrtLa_rGz_B27_annDjas3GvrFpMyKGS2NYDOViQoPkg6d4msUj3guATrYBWSTh3AoSX66XWabbhfya00hgDAyUtAe2jJ4ckX3IhWv3BtCGpI3cHIir/s2054/Kestrel%20hovering%20Strood%20hill.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2054" data-original-width="2022" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsFXqU3vAKGmyHJWYua2-mZYiLcEj8qcJcOt_mqcvc2t1V2af5yrmRED-L61_VdN56iBv0b7EyBOrtLa_rGz_B27_annDjas3GvrFpMyKGS2NYDOViQoPkg6d4msUj3guATrYBWSTh3AoSX66XWabbhfya00hgDAyUtAe2jJ4ckX3IhWv3BtCGpI3cHIir/w394-h400/Kestrel%20hovering%20Strood%20hill.jpg" width="394" /></a></div>There was plenty of bird activity in the weedy field next to the Strood reservoirs on New Years Day, including this<span style="color: #990000;"> kestrel </span>hovering over the field. A <span style="color: #990000;">buzzard</span> perched in the tree in the hedge-line.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif2vy6ZLFhxmhturz2wQALpbLIZFB58oiz1m3GQ-rw4cAfWw0a5DUk269o4O4lQ2ienFoUrYC_yEAlpukWUEv9gXrDuTwzANQWnhetyoRieyqijoHzB9qCt3zmf9-nthRgLEbbqMImZbyIP_Y4-rgyyuw-sxEW1ac6tzIHa3XemMIzEzAn6KlUbz-Jritb/s3121/Gt%20white%20egret%20Strood%20Hill%20field.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2582" data-original-width="3121" height="331" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif2vy6ZLFhxmhturz2wQALpbLIZFB58oiz1m3GQ-rw4cAfWw0a5DUk269o4O4lQ2ienFoUrYC_yEAlpukWUEv9gXrDuTwzANQWnhetyoRieyqijoHzB9qCt3zmf9-nthRgLEbbqMImZbyIP_Y4-rgyyuw-sxEW1ac6tzIHa3XemMIzEzAn6KlUbz-Jritb/w400-h331/Gt%20white%20egret%20Strood%20Hill%20field.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The <span style="color: #990000;">great white egret </span>was walking along the edges of the weedy field on the Strood Hill on Monday.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxWaK_BrqmEhOFlhMQ6O454cmxDeTmQyBQlwEJDQ40PoEjszQjE8u7oXNHTiaXDrDIDDUo3k7NQjqr8nILsAuCz4sZqBGdpSXDcwST5YgqJ3B7C24PKsqBVOmzpDpJX2bkt2RjhfKRG7n4Ghp9O5MxP0ULnkfvcmLOl1bvJwgYnMmfc6-2x-0F5qluScCG/s5184/Gt%20White%20egret%20Strood%20hill1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxWaK_BrqmEhOFlhMQ6O454cmxDeTmQyBQlwEJDQ40PoEjszQjE8u7oXNHTiaXDrDIDDUo3k7NQjqr8nILsAuCz4sZqBGdpSXDcwST5YgqJ3B7C24PKsqBVOmzpDpJX2bkt2RjhfKRG7n4Ghp9O5MxP0ULnkfvcmLOl1bvJwgYnMmfc6-2x-0F5qluScCG/w400-h300/Gt%20White%20egret%20Strood%20hill1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>The<span style="color: #990000;"> great white egret</span> was seen close to the fishery car park, walking down the field edge close to the Strood Hill road.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj049eIk95PMFIvHVH1H4loeTPJz3s9BAIzsVSOhRrUT-Hq5tlIfg5HbGGlQKuxkiLgjjxUEGasG7xGPuplRDVCW7l3iPZ1rQ0MGfvMtJi-uXCxqDOj_h3FsKrXsZ2Ii-ryB7_oUlfiIZ8i553208n4gZ5_lBDHb8zzVRjYFvh2fzylXA63FtRxZQRPsJMh/s2452/Gt%20white%20egret%20Strood%20reservoirs.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2452" data-original-width="2348" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj049eIk95PMFIvHVH1H4loeTPJz3s9BAIzsVSOhRrUT-Hq5tlIfg5HbGGlQKuxkiLgjjxUEGasG7xGPuplRDVCW7l3iPZ1rQ0MGfvMtJi-uXCxqDOj_h3FsKrXsZ2Ii-ryB7_oUlfiIZ8i553208n4gZ5_lBDHb8zzVRjYFvh2fzylXA63FtRxZQRPsJMh/w383-h400/Gt%20white%20egret%20Strood%20reservoirs.jpg" width="383" /></a></div>The <span style="color: #990000;">great white egret</span> took off from the weedy field and flew over the otter fence at the Strood reservoirs on Monday. Also seen in around this field were 30 <span style="color: #990000;">stock doves</span>, 30 <span style="color: #990000;">fieldfares</span>, 20 <span style="color: #990000;">blackbirds</span>, four<span style="color: #990000;"> redwing</span>, 40<span style="color: #990000;"> corn buntings</span>, 150 <span style="color: #990000;">linnets, mistle thrush</span>,<span style="color: #990000;"> song thrush</span> and a<span style="color: #990000;"> Cetti's warbler</span> seen in the car park.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwE7pJgdh9re8LrT25nAVcFIBgFP7GPCPAm4bceGfYIM0pVcn2Yu17aeqgsXJHgrbRssTFA2Z7Ulyh9LjHR-issGuua19BU0YZNPT0XyM0xGRSsnrMjW2_x7nJ55ewwdOxKIeysiqCPYwvDmGP5hl5iB-MnygxAIq09ayJtSHiWg0lJJIfUnvDuf9kWHAP/s2617/Shoveler%20pair%20Strood.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2256" data-original-width="2617" height="345" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwE7pJgdh9re8LrT25nAVcFIBgFP7GPCPAm4bceGfYIM0pVcn2Yu17aeqgsXJHgrbRssTFA2Z7Ulyh9LjHR-issGuua19BU0YZNPT0XyM0xGRSsnrMjW2_x7nJ55ewwdOxKIeysiqCPYwvDmGP5hl5iB-MnygxAIq09ayJtSHiWg0lJJIfUnvDuf9kWHAP/w400-h345/Shoveler%20pair%20Strood.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Along the Strood channel on Monday were a pair of <span style="color: #990000;">shoveler</span>, 500 <span style="color: #990000;">golden plover</span>, also<span style="color: #990000;"> marsh harrier</span>. In the fields were 100 <span style="color: #990000;">skylarks</span> and two <span style="color: #990000;">stonechats</span>. A <span style="color: #990000;">mistle thrush</span> was by the Firs Caravan park, 500 <span style="color: #990000;">brent geese</span> were over on Feldy Marsh, 50 <span style="color: #990000;">greylag geese</span> were seen over Salcott Channel, while a <span style="color: #990000;">great northern diver</span> was feeding near Packing Shed Island.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvy-Gzv2ol4gSkz2fjXDy-iMasZjdQ3TMkvH14XDqRf49AfP_GwN4Gix4EziKaQBOxxlfTz0as9i_CI9fdqDrV2L9dSQcdj_Rtr7lN70Be2ouIfVoyZgkbA35MSchc5dZbv2VpHL9-EtnG5h1zQKTAVAbVNdDObpdTPktkp2cTC15ZNnHdee5X0TvUzadU/s3159/Red%20squirrel%20face.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3159" data-original-width="3025" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvy-Gzv2ol4gSkz2fjXDy-iMasZjdQ3TMkvH14XDqRf49AfP_GwN4Gix4EziKaQBOxxlfTz0as9i_CI9fdqDrV2L9dSQcdj_Rtr7lN70Be2ouIfVoyZgkbA35MSchc5dZbv2VpHL9-EtnG5h1zQKTAVAbVNdDObpdTPktkp2cTC15ZNnHdee5X0TvUzadU/w383-h400/Red%20squirrel%20face.jpg" width="383" /></a></div>A <span style="color: #0b5394;">red squirrel</span> posed for a photograph along the path at the top of the Firs Caravan Park on Sunday 31st. It had just crossed over the path from a nearby garden carrying a nut.</div><div>A <span style="color: #990000;">mistle thrush</span> and<span style="color: #990000;"> song thrush </span>were also seen along this footpath.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxop5hyphenhyphenMelbAMD_jOml3b3MUVvg5oR-AQA3Q8EFIImyAxrlLUphK8Bac4i58v2P5qA1MVYAgecO_3HyR0-59itJZvT8jy1yrIM9wv3VSBhQnxZUuXVYWneQDeugcQJRXV-vNMhtnhIJX_552qqjBtX-MBDD5fXcHoUJHJ9Vp-Y8C-KdyJWgE0LnWcbupvG/s4032/Strood%20dark%20sky.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxop5hyphenhyphenMelbAMD_jOml3b3MUVvg5oR-AQA3Q8EFIImyAxrlLUphK8Bac4i58v2P5qA1MVYAgecO_3HyR0-59itJZvT8jy1yrIM9wv3VSBhQnxZUuXVYWneQDeugcQJRXV-vNMhtnhIJX_552qqjBtX-MBDD5fXcHoUJHJ9Vp-Y8C-KdyJWgE0LnWcbupvG/w400-h300/Strood%20dark%20sky.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Rain-bearing clouds over the Strood Channel on Sunday morning. Along the channel were 66 <span style="color: #990000;">avocets</span>, 100 <span style="color: #990000;">lapwing</span>, 200 <span style="color: #990000;">golden plover</span>, 60 <span style="color: #990000;">grey plover</span>, six <span style="color: #990000;">knot</span>, two <span style="color: #990000;">shoveler</span>, also 800<span style="color: #990000;"> brent geese </span>on Feldy Marsh.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJmVTsldwktARdmxdyOXtuFYuq460IiGx7Xi4wW5HGwhDmwc6YtawGTu6XCrIsFFV2Xa82Rtwj-wf3a8uktv7WSNslhla86-1a-a0X6w4wX_2wDuBzMHojr_FxhXw_g_-0nj4whhI-CgpnoyvkQBWfVYLdGUMYKNkGrtbGwQm139BVENkv9L0TcBJfs6ZJ/s4032/Strood%20rainbow.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJmVTsldwktARdmxdyOXtuFYuq460IiGx7Xi4wW5HGwhDmwc6YtawGTu6XCrIsFFV2Xa82Rtwj-wf3a8uktv7WSNslhla86-1a-a0X6w4wX_2wDuBzMHojr_FxhXw_g_-0nj4whhI-CgpnoyvkQBWfVYLdGUMYKNkGrtbGwQm139BVENkv9L0TcBJfs6ZJ/w400-h300/Strood%20rainbow.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A rainbow shone over the Strood causeway after the rain had passed on Sunday. A<span style="color: #990000;"> peregrine</span> flew overhead and then headed low and fast over the weedy field scattering some of the 15 <span style="color: #990000;">stock doves </span>into the air along with 100 <span style="color: #990000;">skylarks</span>. Two <span style="color: #990000;">stonechats</span> and two <span style="color: #990000;">grey herons </span>were along the field edges. </div><div><br /></div><div>At East Mersea Point, Paul Everett saw the six<span style="color: #990000;"> snow buntings</span> feeding on the beach on Sunday, also at the park two <span style="color: #990000;">stonechats</span>, 56<span style="color: #990000;"> turnstones</span>, 5<span style="color: #990000;"> sanderling</span>, 30 <span style="color: #990000;">wigeon</span>, 5<span style="color: #990000;"> gadwall</span> on the park pond, 400 <span style="color: #990000;">brent geese</span>, 56 <span style="color: #990000;">curlew</span>.<br /><div><br /><div>On Saturday 30th, during a brief visit to Feldy View, a <span style="color: #990000;">mistle thrush</span> was high up in the mistletoe clumps at the Firs Caravan Park, a <span style="color: #990000;">song thrush</span> was singing near the entrance and another seen near Feldy View. Thirty <span style="color: #990000;">corn buntings</span> were perched on bushes by the pond at the back of the Strood fields.<br /><div><br /><div>Tony Kennelly saw the six <span style="color: #990000;">snow buntings </span>at the East Mersea Point on Saturday, as well as two <span style="color: #990000;">red-breasted mergansers </span>flying from the river and fifty<span style="color: #990000;"> brent geese</span>.</div></div></div></div></div></div><div><br /></div><div>At West Mersea on Saturday Graham Ekins saw from the Esplanade, two <span style="color: #990000;">great northern divers, red-breasted merganser </span>and the rare local sight of a <span style="color: #990000;">kittiwake</span> flying out of the estuary, also a <span style="color: #990000;">common scoter</span>. From the Dabchicks a male<span style="color: #990000;"> peregrine</span> was seen flying to Old Hall Marshes and put up hundreds of <span style="color: #990000;">lapwing</span> and <span style="color: #990000;">golden plover</span>, also seen a <span style="color: #990000;">marsh harrier</span> flying east.</div>Dougal Urquharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160413142108234247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6323835421725003809.post-74899135045601596862023-12-29T22:29:00.002-01:002023-12-30T23:26:15.217-01:00STROOD STONECHAT<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKjIOPoaQpRi8m8L6Qu63u_BRYhF-yz5g-fyAgGZXvKIusYJ-XowC6WdVCSC7P93zXsowvAyCPc3r4eifpBntqtci0rdeH9AN9WQxtgJl0nYkdBhF373LuqDsM5-HdtPO7PM0JIIrPAPXhs7AccDici4KUI-z29_u8xJ0akKEICFsHu1ZBohRt932jjnIM/s2433/Stonechat%20male%20Strood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2249" data-original-width="2433" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKjIOPoaQpRi8m8L6Qu63u_BRYhF-yz5g-fyAgGZXvKIusYJ-XowC6WdVCSC7P93zXsowvAyCPc3r4eifpBntqtci0rdeH9AN9WQxtgJl0nYkdBhF373LuqDsM5-HdtPO7PM0JIIrPAPXhs7AccDici4KUI-z29_u8xJ0akKEICFsHu1ZBohRt932jjnIM/w400-h370/Stonechat%20male%20Strood.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Season's Greetings. Another blustery day along the Strood seawall on Friday 29th dodging the showers during the morning walk. This male<span style="color: #990000;"> stonechat </span>was along its usual section of seawall at the Strood Hill end although the female wasn't showing, while the other regular pair was still at the opposite end of the seawall nearer the caravan park. At the back of the fields a flock of 30 <span style="color: #990000;">corn buntings</span> perched on a bush.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj54jSTJPq8csXmyoZTbk3kxs4RJf_3fgn-o13MN1CoJU4cXKDUCw_HGuxXUpd4Uav3SjsftQ82AJemSGj6RoCmdpLtwKFJNX_R7SsH0WEwFJddVGV9gafJLzqRDI6uqCPTdHkf3z2NmNEqstvpKFQRXXHq9Bc59P4dgbNmQBI244REYiSysf_h_GJtVCgU/s2751/Gt%20White%20egret%20Strood1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2400" data-original-width="2751" height="349" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj54jSTJPq8csXmyoZTbk3kxs4RJf_3fgn-o13MN1CoJU4cXKDUCw_HGuxXUpd4Uav3SjsftQ82AJemSGj6RoCmdpLtwKFJNX_R7SsH0WEwFJddVGV9gafJLzqRDI6uqCPTdHkf3z2NmNEqstvpKFQRXXHq9Bc59P4dgbNmQBI244REYiSysf_h_GJtVCgU/w400-h349/Gt%20White%20egret%20Strood1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The <span style="color: #990000;">great white egret</span> was feeding along the Strood dyke on Friday before flying off to the back of the weedy field.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibTeYblBjqJkf4fdA82gzghpnWyWpAGtpFbEkZ1UudWzXFZQMyYvbDvUCW_0t330qdSqh8bMl_pY85yJHnlZkRMcgpxY_aPlEuh-WWrozOc5g5qkQvXuTLiXNhdsrDlk4DH_CgsYrQybRbB5lvaF1U1KEslq2lewZguzX060Qai9HXG960lxWFQJpYI91f/s2200/Redshank%20Strood%20mud1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1995" data-original-width="2200" height="363" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibTeYblBjqJkf4fdA82gzghpnWyWpAGtpFbEkZ1UudWzXFZQMyYvbDvUCW_0t330qdSqh8bMl_pY85yJHnlZkRMcgpxY_aPlEuh-WWrozOc5g5qkQvXuTLiXNhdsrDlk4DH_CgsYrQybRbB5lvaF1U1KEslq2lewZguzX060Qai9HXG960lxWFQJpYI91f/w400-h363/Redshank%20Strood%20mud1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A small selection of waders such as this <span style="color: #990000;">redshank</span>, were feeding on the last of the Strood mud before the tide covered it on Friday late morning. A flock of 36 <span style="color: #990000;">black-tailed godwits</span> and 20 <span style="color: #990000;">avocets</span> were seen flying down channel at high tide.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1g_QaMhzU6Gm0Ocl-GpjSGASc3DaKuQB-GUyKzL0-fLhwLDra3dK2x-i3J4YULIF5LDjg6qLE1c8MeEyJnM3y3vyBBIdZCDJvsCt_RtHLrutmXnbl0VNILHwxe9ny2lKNTY_M35pSoKQPpvMZOqlmS5dfjjvfTNBOyPGYbDNKgsnVs9rGNrK-86h8H8xV/s1923/Grey%20plover%20Strood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1923" data-original-width="1879" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1g_QaMhzU6Gm0Ocl-GpjSGASc3DaKuQB-GUyKzL0-fLhwLDra3dK2x-i3J4YULIF5LDjg6qLE1c8MeEyJnM3y3vyBBIdZCDJvsCt_RtHLrutmXnbl0VNILHwxe9ny2lKNTY_M35pSoKQPpvMZOqlmS5dfjjvfTNBOyPGYbDNKgsnVs9rGNrK-86h8H8xV/w391-h400/Grey%20plover%20Strood.jpg" width="391" /></a></div>A <span style="color: #990000;">grey plover </span>rested on seaweed covering a line of posts along the Strood channel.</div><div>In the sky above Feldy Marsh on the mainland was a large flock of 2000 <span style="color: #990000;">golden plovers</span> on Friday.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd9NUhcbNhuDVKNmhFi_qOo-YCXsyfI-_w27JWELD312O0tpVVpPfEK4Evo9U9An4fZu5Xc7tPKz7hE2JvsJVIhTpY65iUqU7SAk208jb4JKER3SCKcq1JAxuQCh-1N_DATKuMm7vSmXGApbCyUj-NehJ5uSdmGS4gq4MnHcPl2xPWS54p7wlfUlNPElmn/s3647/Turnstones%20Strood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2939" data-original-width="3647" height="323" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd9NUhcbNhuDVKNmhFi_qOo-YCXsyfI-_w27JWELD312O0tpVVpPfEK4Evo9U9An4fZu5Xc7tPKz7hE2JvsJVIhTpY65iUqU7SAk208jb4JKER3SCKcq1JAxuQCh-1N_DATKuMm7vSmXGApbCyUj-NehJ5uSdmGS4gq4MnHcPl2xPWS54p7wlfUlNPElmn/w400-h323/Turnstones%20Strood.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A small flock of <span style="color: #990000;">turnstones</span> fed close to the Strood seawall prior to high tide on Friday.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvTLrit-WCWrDbFgkuAEiVIMcicQXkGQmT5A1qpO645jXQ9Z4GO9hwbzyCHtgMCvCKXznQSDs_X_SQJN9SSoIwmWr3oss4El9RtylNvPhR3xojVFGQNeqONKGQTd-hOy85uYw76pvrb1GWuWxcEMQShn04ZFMD4aNszdfYftApIU6fZkoiwiVq4oEJ1YBh/s1498/Turnstone%20Strood1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1439" data-original-width="1498" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvTLrit-WCWrDbFgkuAEiVIMcicQXkGQmT5A1qpO645jXQ9Z4GO9hwbzyCHtgMCvCKXznQSDs_X_SQJN9SSoIwmWr3oss4El9RtylNvPhR3xojVFGQNeqONKGQTd-hOy85uYw76pvrb1GWuWxcEMQShn04ZFMD4aNszdfYftApIU6fZkoiwiVq4oEJ1YBh/w400-h384/Turnstone%20Strood1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="color: #990000;">Turnstone</span> feeding by the Strood seawall.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi85nEz5XXdkSRi01ZvfnbD-DgzJ-SbjvYiHICxWuwTyUflyAKkqDNklZ0nUPA4lYDImN_WYrSqsIDzj1JcmRUneo0W-psYSLmF47RLzvNxU_CdopUGD5BaTuXNUJbGeZg_lJ1BT_mu8W3efGFCr_vJ3Nx1-aX0zUQltroCEAAdoZEi1iM1l8PeB2AR3fRC/s2853/Stock%20dove1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2643" data-original-width="2853" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi85nEz5XXdkSRi01ZvfnbD-DgzJ-SbjvYiHICxWuwTyUflyAKkqDNklZ0nUPA4lYDImN_WYrSqsIDzj1JcmRUneo0W-psYSLmF47RLzvNxU_CdopUGD5BaTuXNUJbGeZg_lJ1BT_mu8W3efGFCr_vJ3Nx1-aX0zUQltroCEAAdoZEi1iM1l8PeB2AR3fRC/w400-h370/Stock%20dove1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A pair of <span style="color: #990000;">stock doves</span> perched in trees by the top-side of the Firs Caravan park on Friday. </div><div>Late Friday afternoon just after dark, a male <span style="color: #990000;">tawny owl</span> was heard "hooting" from a neighbour's garden in Firs Chase.</div><div><br /></div><div>At East Mersea on Friday six <span style="color: #990000;">snow buntings </span>including two males were seen at the Point by Jonathan Norgate, also there 40 <span style="color: #990000;">turnstones</span> and three <span style="color: #990000;">sanderling</span>. A <span style="color: #990000;">water pipit</span> was also reported at the Point by a visiting birder. A <span style="color: #741b47;">Winter Moth </span>was also noted by Jonathan in the Cudmore Grove toilet building, while later a young<span style="color: #0b5394;"> red squirrel</span> was seen in Shop Lane.</div><div><br /></div><div>Michael Thorley reported seven <span style="color: #990000;">little egrets</span> and 600<span style="color: #990000;"> dunlin</span> near Ivy Dock on Friday.<br /><div><br /><div>On Thursday 28th birds noted during the Strood seawall walk at high tide included the regular <span style="color: #990000;">great white egret</span>, two <span style="color: #990000;">marsh harriers</span>, 40<span style="color: #990000;"> avocets</span>, 300 <span style="color: #990000;">starlings</span> feeding in a field, two male <span style="color: #990000;">stonechats</span> and two <span style="color: #990000;">rock pipits</span>. The<span style="color: #990000;"> mistle thrush</span> perched high in the mistletoe-laden poplar trees by the Firs Caravan park, while a <span style="color: #990000;">sparrowhawk </span>flashed over Firs Chase.</div><div><br /></div><div>Near Meeting Lane on Thursday, Michael Thorley reported seeing <span style="color: #990000;">great spotted woodpecker</span> in his garden, also four <span style="color: #990000;">great tits</span> and eight <span style="color: #990000;">blue tits </span>back again after a long absence.</div><div>A<span style="color: #0b5394;"> red squirrel </span>was seen in Cross Lane on Thursday by Michael.<br /><div><br /><div>On Tuesday 26th late afternoon, only six<span style="color: #990000;"> marsh harriers</span> were counted by Andy Field heading into the Langenhoe harrier roost. A low count compared with recent winters and also compared with the recent high count of 43 marsh harriers at the Old Hall Marshes roost by Steve Hunting and team on Sunday 24th. Andy also saw two <span style="color: #990000;">red-breasted mergansers</span> in the Pyefleet and three <span style="color: #990000;">corn buntings </span>at Reeveshall on Tuesday.</div><div><br /></div><div>On Christmas Day Michael Thorley was out stretching his legs at Coopers Beach / Fen Farm and saw 60 <span style="color: #990000;">brent geese</span> flying west in smallish groups, 24<span style="color: #990000;"> turnstone </span>on shingle and five<span style="color: #990000;"> oystercatchers</span>.</div><div><br /></div><div>At Maydays farm on Friday 22nd Martin Cock reported 300+ <span style="color: #990000;">fieldfares</span>, a few <span style="color: #990000;">redwing</span> and also a <span style="color: #0b5394;">Chinese water deer</span>.</div></div></div></div></div>Dougal Urquharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160413142108234247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6323835421725003809.post-18663032390653410072023-12-21T22:00:00.007-01:002023-12-21T23:00:25.256-01:00SNOW BUNTING FLOCK<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmqnzA1dCB_BG_pxF3f5AO-ELbBzetmZGlZCoA7uNIaeLfRPqby-gFG6k8QNcZwfbHu4y49GfAoaJEMy9VZSyLrgB_ahGZenu2SfPuCx34x3kqDyNW1hBsQaWlWpmB5PGoNnJhIA_3D6QTunRLWZSmum7SYwo6dIEtmVCFsxUKF4YxHwYpuNVEB4-iMVj2/s4068/Snow%20bunting%20trio.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3462" data-original-width="4068" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmqnzA1dCB_BG_pxF3f5AO-ELbBzetmZGlZCoA7uNIaeLfRPqby-gFG6k8QNcZwfbHu4y49GfAoaJEMy9VZSyLrgB_ahGZenu2SfPuCx34x3kqDyNW1hBsQaWlWpmB5PGoNnJhIA_3D6QTunRLWZSmum7SYwo6dIEtmVCFsxUKF4YxHwYpuNVEB4-iMVj2/w400-h340/Snow%20bunting%20trio.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>It was nice to see a flock of six <span style="color: #990000;">snow buntings</span> feeding on the beach at the East Mersea Point on Thursday 21st.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEJSwtkzJgxIdIoVOHpwyXWevumgWUndhX8tW_uz7V-DqnfMkIYtCnl3M5NlOklmIMeJiBMZS5aaUBE23-18C4Ga8_JJgTqoB2wAHCMXJe7bfTuuKUlbU2WEAcekHoZGD3GGjauylSrIbglSsGkmHClQUwS5jsGNLBEFQLV1xBL5_uKROuU6tbEr4Wtz4C/s3290/Snow%20bunting%20at%20Pt1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3009" data-original-width="3290" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEJSwtkzJgxIdIoVOHpwyXWevumgWUndhX8tW_uz7V-DqnfMkIYtCnl3M5NlOklmIMeJiBMZS5aaUBE23-18C4Ga8_JJgTqoB2wAHCMXJe7bfTuuKUlbU2WEAcekHoZGD3GGjauylSrIbglSsGkmHClQUwS5jsGNLBEFQLV1xBL5_uKROuU6tbEr4Wtz4C/w400-h366/Snow%20bunting%20at%20Pt1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The <span style="color: #990000;">snow buntings</span> scurried along the high tide line pecking at seeds as they passed. They seemed reasonably settled although they did fly off a couple of times and land further along the beach.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKr8kuRCU3kNKTMK7lssBcrqOCeeAmGA0lrpEF6YgERFPciiJpyxcrqES1V5zZBEtwp9N9RJ7E40_fLcVDWxhmkalMHYIN4DmNXr9l5elqjSj7WihNqjcEuRllCbmHopXXDgo3LuQLcgdiyZtct9K6YHVtt3wWMOowZGeF7rfb49RF9OhQ8ESdHr5DPalH/s3279/Snow%20bunting%20at%20Pt.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2749" data-original-width="3279" height="335" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKr8kuRCU3kNKTMK7lssBcrqOCeeAmGA0lrpEF6YgERFPciiJpyxcrqES1V5zZBEtwp9N9RJ7E40_fLcVDWxhmkalMHYIN4DmNXr9l5elqjSj7WihNqjcEuRllCbmHopXXDgo3LuQLcgdiyZtct9K6YHVtt3wWMOowZGeF7rfb49RF9OhQ8ESdHr5DPalH/w400-h335/Snow%20bunting%20at%20Pt.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The <span style="color: #990000;">snow bunting</span> flock was first found on Monday by Andrew Tilsley, when seven birds were present, and six birds were then seen yesterday Wednesday by Martin Cock in the morning and by Michael Thorley in the afternoon.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheRVChfhlLqRgbxRr2jD3hjB4rwPLcgRXV2GLD6tfRvw4MQiisZnGSEDaPraPEGb7MydZP5pRRFVyOlfdKB9gprjbg9rpFxSEX0qi60x9o5uY1w094Sq5NfVPW8WiS-gKdujuC00xJeZQtwVdJU_JRn_RTX1Q_Au7NlbNT0mG-jZsfQjbhDdJs5B7-BFcw/s3955/Brent%20geese1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3557" data-original-width="3955" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheRVChfhlLqRgbxRr2jD3hjB4rwPLcgRXV2GLD6tfRvw4MQiisZnGSEDaPraPEGb7MydZP5pRRFVyOlfdKB9gprjbg9rpFxSEX0qi60x9o5uY1w094Sq5NfVPW8WiS-gKdujuC00xJeZQtwVdJU_JRn_RTX1Q_Au7NlbNT0mG-jZsfQjbhDdJs5B7-BFcw/w400-h360/Brent%20geese1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A flock of 500 <span style="color: #990000;">brent geese</span> was feeding on one of the park's grazing fields on Thursday. Also thirty <span style="color: #990000;">curlew</span> and some of the ten <span style="color: #990000;">black-tailed godwits</span> seen in the area. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV8CunfcMn4ZIzoji_6WEU_XrKYkGg_1X2vGsbq3PpOijZoeG7lb7K-T3AU2z3YvAjQpyqKNIt5QUwo4mv5C3gS2lW7iqcNlvbXpIxhNVnq8dvXStmiMCBnWKz5zEWwYFPBtgUXCp59-_Lyer9ISyu_8RYim8TnTZ1oJ8wIT1BIMvlpQqcCUFaVZPhCTIz/s2805/Wigeons.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2176" data-original-width="2805" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV8CunfcMn4ZIzoji_6WEU_XrKYkGg_1X2vGsbq3PpOijZoeG7lb7K-T3AU2z3YvAjQpyqKNIt5QUwo4mv5C3gS2lW7iqcNlvbXpIxhNVnq8dvXStmiMCBnWKz5zEWwYFPBtgUXCp59-_Lyer9ISyu_8RYim8TnTZ1oJ8wIT1BIMvlpQqcCUFaVZPhCTIz/w400-h310/Wigeons.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>About 100<span style="color: #990000;"> wigeon</span> and a few <span style="color: #990000;">teal </span>were feeding in one of the park's fields too. A<span style="color: #990000;"> stonechat</span>, 10 <span style="color: #990000;">skylarks</span>, <span style="color: #990000;">rock pipit</span>, were seen from the seawall while near the Golfhouse were six <span style="color: #990000;">meadow pipits </span>and two <span style="color: #990000;">green woodpeckers</span>.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr3muBsWtp4KDl34oqc2oRrDwMx096W5a3lO7Jph269EJYlZZdTXDAQ_4k7S1Kr0cqomo7lbSQdiZTf9C6LA2cngem4tqKn54HnKi1yXWADBWsYFDArzBBxJnsiRaMOs6HdZVtBKZCnzvO4tkeijPqHlS-QnhOCi-rgo4nmGfTm14DhtHtJCjG63nPBa6G/s4590/Shoveler%20pair1%20.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3474" data-original-width="4590" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr3muBsWtp4KDl34oqc2oRrDwMx096W5a3lO7Jph269EJYlZZdTXDAQ_4k7S1Kr0cqomo7lbSQdiZTf9C6LA2cngem4tqKn54HnKi1yXWADBWsYFDArzBBxJnsiRaMOs6HdZVtBKZCnzvO4tkeijPqHlS-QnhOCi-rgo4nmGfTm14DhtHtJCjG63nPBa6G/w400-h303/Shoveler%20pair1%20.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Five <span style="color: #990000;">shoveler</span> were on the Golfhouse saltmarsh pools, with a few <span style="color: #990000;">wigeon</span> and <span style="color: #990000;">teal</span>, also one <span style="color: #990000;">little egret</span>. Thirty <span style="color: #990000;">shelduck</span> were on the nearby mudflats and a pair of<span style="color: #990000;"> red-breasted merganser</span> flew into the Colne.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcXVxrHLf3VFW_zgb7ZVdd7oLhWMWy-rcz1gk_ck6sGLZhIDl6gwW81wVFqY6KGlrZfozEB1b0bsRJHKnVlG9rkjvB0ge5DTQO6LDtZ90ciN9boKyBz_AzHF59UP6c57FX526wviAx4LcAsra075txOoR20FJyZIJAl7IR50AN33rZa29oyZSzmJEgI6k-/s3719/Teal%20along%20Strood.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3010" data-original-width="3719" height="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcXVxrHLf3VFW_zgb7ZVdd7oLhWMWy-rcz1gk_ck6sGLZhIDl6gwW81wVFqY6KGlrZfozEB1b0bsRJHKnVlG9rkjvB0ge5DTQO6LDtZ90ciN9boKyBz_AzHF59UP6c57FX526wviAx4LcAsra075txOoR20FJyZIJAl7IR50AN33rZa29oyZSzmJEgI6k-/w400-h324/Teal%20along%20Strood.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><div>On Wednesday 20th there were lots of wildfowl along the Strood channel at low tide with about 200 <span style="color: #990000;">wigeon</span> and 300 <span style="color: #990000;">teal</span>, also 90 <span style="color: #990000;">shelduck</span>, 300 <span style="color: #990000;">golden plover</span>, 70<span style="color: #990000;"> avocets </span>and nine <span style="color: #990000;">black-tailed godwits</span>.<br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj46jCEzdF34jktnllWhn2qYc8UVGVySYPTwxiGAU6d5o06JgmPEBwh3mehwaWSp4AqwVOJmVywN8y6BXka7m9ccuGUG8mAmqZDp5oDvhchG2qEhE9a3rF3GJZU_812m19PSrRmp983GosLEjmA3_j-IDMSgPObIN-o-S_1jP69fCKhOdbDYrni5Ju-pboH/s2255/Curlew%20Nothe.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2250" data-original-width="2255" height="399" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj46jCEzdF34jktnllWhn2qYc8UVGVySYPTwxiGAU6d5o06JgmPEBwh3mehwaWSp4AqwVOJmVywN8y6BXka7m9ccuGUG8mAmqZDp5oDvhchG2qEhE9a3rF3GJZU_812m19PSrRmp983GosLEjmA3_j-IDMSgPObIN-o-S_1jP69fCKhOdbDYrni5Ju-pboH/w400-h399/Curlew%20Nothe.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A <span style="color: #990000;">curlew</span> was feeding on the mud behind the Dabchicks sailing club on Wednesday. A female <span style="color: #990000;">red-breasted merganser </span>was near Packing Shed island.<div><br /><div>The <span style="color: #990000;">great white egret</span> was feeding in the Strood dyke on Wednesday, while in the weedy fields were 200 <span style="color: #990000;">linnets</span>, 50 <span style="color: #990000;">skylarks</span>, 2 <span style="color: #990000;">corn buntings</span>, 30 <span style="color: #990000;">stock doves </span>and 2 pairs of <span style="color: #990000;">stonechats</span>. Two <span style="color: #990000;">buzzards </span>were noted while 20 <span style="color: #990000;">fieldfares </span>and a <span style="color: #990000;">redwing</span> were by the Strood reservoirs, 30 <span style="color: #990000;">fieldfares</span> flew over Feldy View, also a <span style="color: #990000;">song thrush</span> and <span style="color: #990000;">mistle thrush</span> were beside the caravan park.<br /><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi5Rl5-a-WniBo3Ed0RyHeRY8AwawnQtliXqwNd4-zwGOlKtT-haviZWlTUCGerISpFMvLoYJvoSPuukcnm_GjlCIbyFMU6z9cm6oJtpjMpqP2MS0x5z41oy2J6EBJpBIawL_2_PoUKUyc9yqmY-Owr2WqAtSIY5GAsZgES7QLt0dvadCM_PPVIPWmsP7L/s2843/Eel%20Strood.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2843" data-original-width="2624" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi5Rl5-a-WniBo3Ed0RyHeRY8AwawnQtliXqwNd4-zwGOlKtT-haviZWlTUCGerISpFMvLoYJvoSPuukcnm_GjlCIbyFMU6z9cm6oJtpjMpqP2MS0x5z41oy2J6EBJpBIawL_2_PoUKUyc9yqmY-Owr2WqAtSIY5GAsZgES7QLt0dvadCM_PPVIPWmsP7L/w369-h400/Eel%20Strood.jpg" width="369" /></a></div>A dead <span style="color: #0b5394;">eel</span> - minus its head, was lying at the bottom of the Strood seawall on Wednesday.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT5mIZODC6q1IOr8v8YkFYQULX1WnptYTPc7dCBgN6TTaZyqlyHJp29sr-B28K8I7e8YZIH-cVAvn2K9DGFNx_pOWCj9xTOJKqLwwZ4w6ldjGhEfITYKARfmrOeiZjc-dZI3tR1mi-fj7yLigoHJTFuMywk96bLwqD6xrqxHG3bZAVvUiZxa5EaeM2gpp6/s3817/Red%20squirrel%20Firs%20folly.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3392" data-original-width="3817" height="355" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT5mIZODC6q1IOr8v8YkFYQULX1WnptYTPc7dCBgN6TTaZyqlyHJp29sr-B28K8I7e8YZIH-cVAvn2K9DGFNx_pOWCj9xTOJKqLwwZ4w6ldjGhEfITYKARfmrOeiZjc-dZI3tR1mi-fj7yLigoHJTFuMywk96bLwqD6xrqxHG3bZAVvUiZxa5EaeM2gpp6/w400-h355/Red%20squirrel%20Firs%20folly.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A <span style="color: #0b5394;">red squirrel</span> was watched crossing over the footpath along the top of the Firs Caravan park on Wednesday. Last week one of the nearby Strood Close residents had watched four <span style="color: #0b5394;">red squirrels</span> chasing each other round the tall poplar trees beside the footpath.</div><div><br /></div><div>At East Mersea Point six <span style="color: #990000;">snow buntings</span> and a <span style="color: #990000;">stonechat</span> were seen by Martin Cock on Wednesday morning. In the afternoon Michael Thorley reported six <span style="color: #990000;">snow buntings </span>and 180 <span style="color: #990000;">brent geese</span> and 200 <span style="color: #990000;">wigeon</span>.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGOvTp76C7zPHP-__lKQzcz3k8LRXwtTXd4H_jqyEE1M5qyJPfvqshgdZDiFTaDKbYjl7V33bIJPX3iyJLX-VYS5DpnJIh5Ymb4A5fQwkca0BVfh5YY95ubKrBb49bpbzcG8_DL0d_dPfrL4poyoe_Q8MHVIGWaCFs6RD0JrxYLXkdlCydPP3ft8jcjqYg/s3675/Gt%20white%20egret%20Strood.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3395" data-original-width="3675" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGOvTp76C7zPHP-__lKQzcz3k8LRXwtTXd4H_jqyEE1M5qyJPfvqshgdZDiFTaDKbYjl7V33bIJPX3iyJLX-VYS5DpnJIh5Ymb4A5fQwkca0BVfh5YY95ubKrBb49bpbzcG8_DL0d_dPfrL4poyoe_Q8MHVIGWaCFs6RD0JrxYLXkdlCydPP3ft8jcjqYg/w400-h370/Gt%20white%20egret%20Strood.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>On Monday 18th a <span style="color: #990000;">great white egret </span>fed along the Strood dyke near the sluice. In the fields were 100 <span style="color: #990000;">linnets</span>, 3 <span style="color: #990000;">corn buntings</span>, also a <span style="color: #990000;">buzzard </span>and three <span style="color: #990000;">marsh harriers</span> seen during the walk. Four <span style="color: #990000;">fieldfares</span> were feeding on berries by the Strood reservoirs. A <span style="color: #990000;">sparrowhawk </span>flew over Feldy View.</div><div>Birds of note along the Strood channel were 100<span style="color: #990000;"> shelduck</span>, 75 <span style="color: #990000;">avocets</span>, 400 <span style="color: #990000;">golden plover</span> and a <span style="color: #990000;">knot</span>.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCyDjwzpTIgbNPfGuAY-Vp4i5K7Gvyh1G8h87F9ZdHlU4FKpJD7aRHvpmxXFGgrI48HlqdowFkgOJ1YOU4I5_xZHQxWfXK7DUkAqBnDXVhjqkJppAmiQ9a_ZqWdpmciBj1MfyKNf7y90x_h-KToq4U2Oj3ny7wd6uQ8GUjwV-YcTaNpoAQCp8ZVuWvJjCM/s2400/Stonechat%20male.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2400" data-original-width="2182" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCyDjwzpTIgbNPfGuAY-Vp4i5K7Gvyh1G8h87F9ZdHlU4FKpJD7aRHvpmxXFGgrI48HlqdowFkgOJ1YOU4I5_xZHQxWfXK7DUkAqBnDXVhjqkJppAmiQ9a_ZqWdpmciBj1MfyKNf7y90x_h-KToq4U2Oj3ny7wd6uQ8GUjwV-YcTaNpoAQCp8ZVuWvJjCM/w364-h400/Stonechat%20male.jpg" width="364" /></a></div>Three <span style="color: #990000;">stonechats </span>were seen on Monday along the seawall, this male near the Strood Hill end.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwvm9uYbjHyn01M1YQfuERv6BpMSfk7C9TW0n57SC7EqffWckhyphenhypheneRgkNp8SQLDwjjnlxLcE_Si2jx6qPXbMeMDR_JOUzaBf0W0heNmUtGKmntlqEPIIB7cRPW4xdvM6tta8878By-LU-LmVEqteelbnk6DyvN3AmWMd02QCltqYj9T-JHXQ-WI8NwWJA_y/s2295/Goldfinches.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2030" data-original-width="2295" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwvm9uYbjHyn01M1YQfuERv6BpMSfk7C9TW0n57SC7EqffWckhyphenhypheneRgkNp8SQLDwjjnlxLcE_Si2jx6qPXbMeMDR_JOUzaBf0W0heNmUtGKmntlqEPIIB7cRPW4xdvM6tta8878By-LU-LmVEqteelbnk6DyvN3AmWMd02QCltqYj9T-JHXQ-WI8NwWJA_y/w400-h354/Goldfinches.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A pair of <span style="color: #990000;">goldfinch</span> was feeding on seed-heads beside the Strood seawall on Monday.</div><div><br /></div><div>In East Mersea seven <span style="color: #990000;">snow buntings </span>were found on the beach at the Point on Monday by Andrew Tilsley.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg43Qs4i8MrEfYbGiBxg6R_8zLRqIWeQvn3PzQEyz3aQa3-NEvLNSCE6116D9kObKzlj593alpr-dz3a1qxIjuAyz1kXV9Mx3g8qjLd-Z4z9LuzX-iNoJ9CTJqGhoknlOOaB8HP17E9im_Xfv-uGGOg_UaS22Vb_sMOoUuO5vUlWgoR-wxpc8RDPl2vuJ-y/s2219/RB%20Merganser%20male.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1909" data-original-width="2219" height="344" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg43Qs4i8MrEfYbGiBxg6R_8zLRqIWeQvn3PzQEyz3aQa3-NEvLNSCE6116D9kObKzlj593alpr-dz3a1qxIjuAyz1kXV9Mx3g8qjLd-Z4z9LuzX-iNoJ9CTJqGhoknlOOaB8HP17E9im_Xfv-uGGOg_UaS22Vb_sMOoUuO5vUlWgoR-wxpc8RDPl2vuJ-y/w400-h344/RB%20Merganser%20male.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>On Sunday 17th twelve<span style="color: #990000;"> red-breasted mergansers</span> were along the Pyefleet Channel, also a <span style="color: #990000;">great crested grebe</span>, 300+ <span style="color: #990000;">shelduck</span>, with 1000 <span style="color: #990000;">brent geese </span>feeding on Reeveshall. At least 200 <span style="color: #990000;">fieldfares</span> were feeding on Langenhoe ranges.</div><div>A <span style="color: #990000;">peregrine</span> flew over Bower hall, two<span style="color: #990000;"> pintail </span>in the channel, 20<span style="color: #990000;"> fieldfares</span> and a <span style="color: #990000;">redwing </span>in the bushes by the seawall.</div><div><br /></div><div>Martin Cock walked the Maydays seawall on Sunday and noted a <span style="color: #990000;">peregrine, buzzard</span> and a few <span style="color: #990000;">redwing</span>.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQQsAYJ9ceKkrSVlQQPRwU5ZHpHeqzneBzBy_9AQ8ZnKbOqRxVmNHM2l7bPpsnxybJsjogrXcw1vKW6Wk53ZhacyBjZVhUH_c0BrCM99TmU0oDgLZkq348tTYRT7ql057HVLrvBtLO4cI3Ubbde2XqxgQSCLiLQ85WxVzADv4Iylvztrgu_bsNuDwZ02cK/s4032/Sunset%20from%20Dabchicks.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQQsAYJ9ceKkrSVlQQPRwU5ZHpHeqzneBzBy_9AQ8ZnKbOqRxVmNHM2l7bPpsnxybJsjogrXcw1vKW6Wk53ZhacyBjZVhUH_c0BrCM99TmU0oDgLZkq348tTYRT7ql057HVLrvBtLO4cI3Ubbde2XqxgQSCLiLQ85WxVzADv4Iylvztrgu_bsNuDwZ02cK/w400-h300/Sunset%20from%20Dabchicks.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>There was a colourful sunset viewed from behind the Dabchicks sailing club on Sunday 17th.</div><div><br /></div><div>Along the Strood seawall late Sunday afternoon were seen 200 <span style="color: #990000;">linnets</span>, 20 <span style="color: #990000;">corn buntings</span>, 70 <span style="color: #990000;">skylarks</span> and a <span style="color: #990000;">stonechat</span> in the fields, also <span style="color: #990000;">marsh harrier</span> and 30 <span style="color: #990000;">avocets </span>noted, while four <span style="color: #990000;">fieldfares</span> were by the Strood layby. There was no further sign of any of the waxwings that had been seen by the layby the day before.</div></div></div></div></div></div>Dougal Urquharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160413142108234247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6323835421725003809.post-5525208917950568052023-12-16T22:00:00.024-01:002023-12-18T23:32:28.377-01:00WAXWING EXCITEMENT<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEM8iFMj-q6g_xQ_mW7aFOQSElVb99mYs1st_s_ebAPMsrsoGEztYdMpVxGT6m5EkjszTRjMsBGtCHjouV9VxecAb9XFOQUBe8ELPfdVDsQodmba-RuepZNj6_qYq6hfq7cNzNuU_RZ6EN9fUKpqAh-2lFeFRvtNjV6SFQ7hWBjhi2YS21jGmz66Ju3GR_/s2371/Waxwing%20perched.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2163" data-original-width="2371" height="365" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEM8iFMj-q6g_xQ_mW7aFOQSElVb99mYs1st_s_ebAPMsrsoGEztYdMpVxGT6m5EkjszTRjMsBGtCHjouV9VxecAb9XFOQUBe8ELPfdVDsQodmba-RuepZNj6_qYq6hfq7cNzNuU_RZ6EN9fUKpqAh-2lFeFRvtNjV6SFQ7hWBjhi2YS21jGmz66Ju3GR_/w400-h365/Waxwing%20perched.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A flock of six <span style="color: #990000;">waxwings</span> made it to the Island on Saturday 16th perching on bushes by the Strood reservoirs. Large numbers arrived earlier this autumn into northern Britain from Scandinavia. Flocks have been slowly coming south as they strip the bushes of berries. The last time <span style="color: #990000;">waxwings</span> were seen on the Island was eight in November 2016 at Cudmore Grove.<div><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9iXVp1_kT-11aYvLXLbl2O2yPo6n0z2KZ8B5j3hv7cEuiCn6Nf14tQlGdnZRiMsO5nIKWDLAkOMS3upQbB_zSL5plJ9BBV2Bg0mR2UMrRc5Ar1mQt1NHgpcCzJtf7GjU4YloXnLDPpZ3qn3nJMJDtC6vlKb8dLYofSImjfC8TlIPCsvXq-srjOXdZ7Bkh/s2822/Waxwing%20in%20bush.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2641" data-original-width="2822" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9iXVp1_kT-11aYvLXLbl2O2yPo6n0z2KZ8B5j3hv7cEuiCn6Nf14tQlGdnZRiMsO5nIKWDLAkOMS3upQbB_zSL5plJ9BBV2Bg0mR2UMrRc5Ar1mQt1NHgpcCzJtf7GjU4YloXnLDPpZ3qn3nJMJDtC6vlKb8dLYofSImjfC8TlIPCsvXq-srjOXdZ7Bkh/w400-h374/Waxwing%20in%20bush.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The <span style="color: #990000;">waxwings </span>were feeding on some of the hawthorn berries, as well as flying up into the air flycatching.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYFyMkGPA9AJGERHfUHWcegcyWIMNrEHx5EBzzeZHXxSYvk59BCm8L84Zqvynzb-n6OSlBXBPWlodni9Cdn1X-swhqJUM7bTV5Wri-wVoPIf_c83xVXcOsT2PyLdwFZrK1Ct38WnJoxWctaG7HmaYNh00fwOdBlKEU_av7yeDIfuVlzU9I8nLnn-OjdAQJ/s1978/Waxwing%20at%20puddle.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1932" data-original-width="1978" height="391" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYFyMkGPA9AJGERHfUHWcegcyWIMNrEHx5EBzzeZHXxSYvk59BCm8L84Zqvynzb-n6OSlBXBPWlodni9Cdn1X-swhqJUM7bTV5Wri-wVoPIf_c83xVXcOsT2PyLdwFZrK1Ct38WnJoxWctaG7HmaYNh00fwOdBlKEU_av7yeDIfuVlzU9I8nLnn-OjdAQJ/w400-h391/Waxwing%20at%20puddle.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>One or two<span style="color: #990000;"> waxwings</span> made very quick visits to a puddle in the Strood layby for a drink, as the traffic thundered nearby. An unexpected treat for anyone observant enough driving past!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5jZRMU2f6Y-MWGsHj4A1tRIUPctxn1ELaEyOi_nExfWbyhyi_kTM-v-SeXX-mMRqNHsiuvhHczA6eYL8-tlGAn-boGEiLk4B2GkFu21_OB61b8kxJuUJsXqkFdoRDUB_8iBXWpoEMUDZv_th2iOyPmBd-AagqjptoKL33ImaynOug-K0237yQ6171lY4h/s1600/Waxwing%20at%20puddleAF.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1274" data-original-width="1600" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5jZRMU2f6Y-MWGsHj4A1tRIUPctxn1ELaEyOi_nExfWbyhyi_kTM-v-SeXX-mMRqNHsiuvhHczA6eYL8-tlGAn-boGEiLk4B2GkFu21_OB61b8kxJuUJsXqkFdoRDUB_8iBXWpoEMUDZv_th2iOyPmBd-AagqjptoKL33ImaynOug-K0237yQ6171lY4h/w400-h319/Waxwing%20at%20puddleAF.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Andy Field made a quick dash down in his car and managed to photograph this <span style="color: #990000;">waxwing</span> - after having parked his car away from this puddle so the birds could be watched as they came down to drink.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6-lsE7ToLrq7hYD3hbblCniC7O80fzO_iC3C8_w6wRVlKlOayRY3Qa6zDA5pcSYCfxA7qCsZFnVCr0xPZT1kdHjTig1XWG-z66hr_9LSNgX-_tM-kWtjwarUymVbEtqsGHDQUYxYzDVPKhCeA4-NYTvw3jz1ZYEbyIQOr9MB551tx_646_1Cn3rI_TMLi/s1600/WaxwingAF.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1432" data-original-width="1600" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6-lsE7ToLrq7hYD3hbblCniC7O80fzO_iC3C8_w6wRVlKlOayRY3Qa6zDA5pcSYCfxA7qCsZFnVCr0xPZT1kdHjTig1XWG-z66hr_9LSNgX-_tM-kWtjwarUymVbEtqsGHDQUYxYzDVPKhCeA4-NYTvw3jz1ZYEbyIQOr9MB551tx_646_1Cn3rI_TMLi/w400-h358/WaxwingAF.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>This <span style="color: #990000;">waxwing</span> shows its crest nicely in this picture by Andy. The starling sized birds can turn up in gardens in their search for berries, so look out for them!</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihCoVPRE3SuUUBNQjG0YXDqvRwC5DtvyQgBKefcQqJZBu3lhacQ6NenDQJlo7zBGUHEOwevW9sPp80L8RyE6iPbi7Q3dzWHiJWtnEb_178UW1BJa_xnzZw6EtUrL11WqrMCAEHM2u78U1AaYZ_82Up0m7cc80kPrXhzuAOWFzkWdzer36JrYAUzAfWmT2B/s661/WaxwingSB.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="661" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihCoVPRE3SuUUBNQjG0YXDqvRwC5DtvyQgBKefcQqJZBu3lhacQ6NenDQJlo7zBGUHEOwevW9sPp80L8RyE6iPbi7Q3dzWHiJWtnEb_178UW1BJa_xnzZw6EtUrL11WqrMCAEHM2u78U1AaYZ_82Up0m7cc80kPrXhzuAOWFzkWdzer36JrYAUzAfWmT2B/w400-h386/WaxwingSB.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Shaun Bater also arrived quickly on the scene to photograph this bird - having only just come back from watching<span style="color: #990000;"> waxwings</span> on the north side of Colchester!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtKzob7ndPmPLrv0Oyfl7i5NcyM6dNTs0hIEzMmMLJtvob9zVMmCYLF7GGWnMYsY6soKfwccTqR1RX-b9eaVeo4TMVKxuytMIow3PLveJAK6BfYn8xIjiwqj7GOf81G4-PIa_AKeoYOm_eJN-HNUNnG1JJkSrRUPQoW6mOyzJDuFoE7V1XBrz5qXk96RB2/s1027/WaxwingsMT.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="722" data-original-width="1027" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtKzob7ndPmPLrv0Oyfl7i5NcyM6dNTs0hIEzMmMLJtvob9zVMmCYLF7GGWnMYsY6soKfwccTqR1RX-b9eaVeo4TMVKxuytMIow3PLveJAK6BfYn8xIjiwqj7GOf81G4-PIa_AKeoYOm_eJN-HNUNnG1JJkSrRUPQoW6mOyzJDuFoE7V1XBrz5qXk96RB2/w400-h281/WaxwingsMT.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Michael and Sarah Thorley came too and watched the <span style="color: #990000;">waxwings</span> perching high in the trees before they were last seen flying off westwards. Hopefully the flock will be relocated elsewhere on the Island - or maybe a different flock will arrive looking for food. Two <span style="color: #990000;">fieldfares</span> were also feeding on berries here.</div><div><br /></div><div>Other birds seen on Saturday along the Strood seawall were a <span style="color: #990000;">great white egret</span>, two<span style="color: #990000;"> marsh harriers</span>, <span style="color: #990000;">buzzard</span>, 21 <span style="color: #990000;">stock doves</span>, 70 <span style="color: #990000;">skylarks, snipe</span>, four <span style="color: #990000;">stonechats</span> and 1000 <span style="color: #990000;">golden plover </span>on the mud by the Strood - later 2000 flying over Feldy Marsh probably some included some of the earlier flock. A <span style="color: #990000;">mistle thrush </span>was in the poplar trees by the Firs Caravan park.</div><div><br /></div><div>A very close view was had of a <span style="color: #0b5394;">Chinese water deer </span>seen trotting along the path inside the Strood seawall, before turning into the reedbed just twenty metres from me. First sighting here for several months.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikPAHMdAvFl27Kuo6I7-PV4xErVLGNQQEtTNkgj7NLtMWvxYGc4E2S4SvzbU0t4yvx_HXnik03bTW5z3pQNu5ou7nh2yptuMIpoGnNW-pXYgTRk6QBLjxrvlqp3qU0dax6sDMd5bYBwzbso-Un4L_DtW__7Lak_6qBjElcL7ShvdKsbwuVg_jU9Y0inwJH/s4032/Andy%20on%20seawall.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikPAHMdAvFl27Kuo6I7-PV4xErVLGNQQEtTNkgj7NLtMWvxYGc4E2S4SvzbU0t4yvx_HXnik03bTW5z3pQNu5ou7nh2yptuMIpoGnNW-pXYgTRk6QBLjxrvlqp3qU0dax6sDMd5bYBwzbso-Un4L_DtW__7Lak_6qBjElcL7ShvdKsbwuVg_jU9Y0inwJH/w400-h300/Andy%20on%20seawall.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>On Friday 15th Andy Field and I walked the north side of the island from Maydays to Cudmore Grove to carry out the monthly Wetland Bird Survey. Birds of note included a <span style="color: #990000;">raven</span> "cronking" loudly as it flew east, <span style="color: #990000;">red kite, peregrine</span>, 6+ <span style="color: #990000;">marsh harriers, buzzard, great white egret</span> on Maydays marsh, 9 <span style="color: #990000;">pintail</span>, 1000 <span style="color: #990000;">brent geese </span>on Reeveshall, 20 <span style="color: #990000;">snipe </span>on Maydays, 200+ <span style="color: #990000;">fieldfares</span> with a few<span style="color: #990000;"> redwings</span> - some on Maydays but lots on Langenhoe, 11 <span style="color: #990000;">red-breasted mergansers, spotted redshank </span>heard in the Pyefleet, leucistic <span style="color: #990000;">redshank</span> in the Reeveshall bay, 3 <span style="color: #990000;">stonechats</span>, two <span style="color: #990000;">little owls </span>calling in Bromans Lane at dusk.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6FpdU2EYPfClhQKJc_NaUP-eY0xgmg2AbviVTxC7AsbLFoTPipgrXm54f-lvgsg_bCQHYISZx_hpqgyyRlNEs45a03MAXUAMiIq6m_a08VzQarll2Sj5mFArwIQeDng55TSiM_Ydj5nDm0fCUD-oRrRL0jbWiK1PLK01S8oWdjYw0YynT1PH-ODqE85Kp/s2048/Common%20sealAF.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1684" data-original-width="2048" height="329" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6FpdU2EYPfClhQKJc_NaUP-eY0xgmg2AbviVTxC7AsbLFoTPipgrXm54f-lvgsg_bCQHYISZx_hpqgyyRlNEs45a03MAXUAMiIq6m_a08VzQarll2Sj5mFArwIQeDng55TSiM_Ydj5nDm0fCUD-oRrRL0jbWiK1PLK01S8oWdjYw0YynT1PH-ODqE85Kp/w400-h329/Common%20sealAF.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>A<span style="color: #0b5394;"> common seal</span> in the Pyefleet channel watched us walk along the Reeveshall seawall - Andy taking this picture, with two other <span style="color: #0b5394;">common seals</span> resting on the saltmarsh further up the channel on Friday.</div><div><br /></div><div>Charlie Williams was also carrying out the WeBS count on Friday and walked from Maydays round to West Mersea and reported 60 <span style="color: #990000;">redwing</span>, 15 <span style="color: #990000;">fieldfares</span> and 20 <span style="color: #990000;">song thrushes</span> below Bower Hall, a <span style="color: #990000;">short-eared owl, peregrine, great white egret</span> and 3 <span style="color: #990000;">corn buntings</span> along the Strood and then three <span style="color: #990000;">great northern divers </span>offshore in the Blackwater.</div><div><br /></div><div>On Friday morning Martin Cock visited Maydays and saw a <span style="color: #990000;">spotted redshank</span> flying towards the Strood over the Bower Hall Marsh, also a <span style="color: #990000;">great white egret</span> and lots of <span style="color: #990000;">fieldfares</span> and <span style="color: #990000;">redwings</span>.<br /><div><br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglRWgYcJgKUGfkUBJQglDq5r9E6v4EwchJEtXAQM8nv91KbjupwpJ3J8OdghK_rEmjcAuRDShlSqY7WYX9-YVYGVH2PQNOUBOSYvTem2gPdHw4gc6OsuLhk9DCiCd-4ltOFihBb4PMkQ95bwmOAAoUMPNLwMRHqwrxi_7iiV7ZfFHgngtsIGPnJbCNrBM_/s3125/Snow%20bunting%20PT2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2686" data-original-width="3125" height="344" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglRWgYcJgKUGfkUBJQglDq5r9E6v4EwchJEtXAQM8nv91KbjupwpJ3J8OdghK_rEmjcAuRDShlSqY7WYX9-YVYGVH2PQNOUBOSYvTem2gPdHw4gc6OsuLhk9DCiCd-4ltOFihBb4PMkQ95bwmOAAoUMPNLwMRHqwrxi_7iiV7ZfFHgngtsIGPnJbCNrBM_/w400-h344/Snow%20bunting%20PT2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Three <span style="color: #990000;">snow buntings</span> were a nice surprise at the East Mersea Point on Thursday 14th.<br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbmmFesmpFkY_3_Qypl_aRfbzXYk2ImE_16jJCyUuJP9-u38fuMdWlUsrAs1Bcp7cAolpgWHwCv0GjXV_W7b8dxPMPkL6IX_I6-G7ZI_RtzkHNL2rozYrRLCJxbDHJWvu-lWSkDmaz8QQG6CzaaJ5hwbXzlMbbnmmtgf0B-RpAF-fzfR3a46yM3njDssRY/s3401/Snow%20bunting%20Pt1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3085" data-original-width="3401" height="363" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbmmFesmpFkY_3_Qypl_aRfbzXYk2ImE_16jJCyUuJP9-u38fuMdWlUsrAs1Bcp7cAolpgWHwCv0GjXV_W7b8dxPMPkL6IX_I6-G7ZI_RtzkHNL2rozYrRLCJxbDHJWvu-lWSkDmaz8QQG6CzaaJ5hwbXzlMbbnmmtgf0B-RpAF-fzfR3a46yM3njDssRY/w400-h363/Snow%20bunting%20Pt1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The <span style="color: #990000;">snow buntings</span> were first seen circling above the Point as if they were just arriving. They fed happily along the strandline, although flew a short distance when a group with dogs walked over to them. They weren't seen there the next day when looked for late afternoon.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDRmxr3BaWclj9XDrGo0hmUaFD9KfeZHuq_I1iHcJu-GhUH9yaRGdyEjWfyfeeeI5LkZ0G2kx2eDhyphenhyphenlpmvibuQyL96ptnJKUwYoleHYJQlNN4JKYsTSxwr9Aa1PlS1LDHDzU8eLA2EdlURx2jkw0iQQ0RICRsbJaZHSve3RJsPLM937v5lVMDILCDV1-gY/s3313/Sanderling%20Point.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3125" data-original-width="3313" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDRmxr3BaWclj9XDrGo0hmUaFD9KfeZHuq_I1iHcJu-GhUH9yaRGdyEjWfyfeeeI5LkZ0G2kx2eDhyphenhyphenlpmvibuQyL96ptnJKUwYoleHYJQlNN4JKYsTSxwr9Aa1PlS1LDHDzU8eLA2EdlURx2jkw0iQQ0RICRsbJaZHSve3RJsPLM937v5lVMDILCDV1-gY/w400-h378/Sanderling%20Point.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Six<span style="color: #990000;"> sanderling </span>were scurrying along the edge of the water at the East Mersea Point on Friday.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwpna9AHSsBDVsTKoirBEHS6yssWUqgq0MVk6QcH6kgBUer0J0Ch724djfjIrrbnsVUaVDN-Yp0qyrVBV1Vk9MEpTWuqYaIyn4K2QMxOG-A0ecAboDicEw7ezY_5vCKao6sAL6y4YnvmLYucdZ0j716b46YAFpnRuxh-UXykkHUA2Kq_UuIOfplpnf3-p0/s2293/Sanderling%20Point1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1981" data-original-width="2293" height="345" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwpna9AHSsBDVsTKoirBEHS6yssWUqgq0MVk6QcH6kgBUer0J0Ch724djfjIrrbnsVUaVDN-Yp0qyrVBV1Vk9MEpTWuqYaIyn4K2QMxOG-A0ecAboDicEw7ezY_5vCKao6sAL6y4YnvmLYucdZ0j716b46YAFpnRuxh-UXykkHUA2Kq_UuIOfplpnf3-p0/w400-h345/Sanderling%20Point1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Three other<span style="color: #990000;"> sanderling</span> were seen with a dozen<span style="color: #990000;"> turnstones </span>at the Point on Thursday, although not many other waders seen with the tide covering the mudflats. Offshore a <span style="color: #990000;">great crested grebe</span> was seen.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGUPfj5I0MpTc7aaRdOXTMhsX8RvJ5RhDO1hxDspeVj5281rc288a5NbDAN4NwTVwlRb4uLYY8cKtP0ttnRyBliVHMg4Rbnjs1O8e84PNC5_ul3_77kp2cKBtX_vJ97f47SlZTOsz77fylzeyIY2_aDRfUYB1xbVjrMBglRid4UKskvjExbS6tR3MHLoRS/s3092/RB%20merganser%20on%20pools.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3092" data-original-width="2773" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGUPfj5I0MpTc7aaRdOXTMhsX8RvJ5RhDO1hxDspeVj5281rc288a5NbDAN4NwTVwlRb4uLYY8cKtP0ttnRyBliVHMg4Rbnjs1O8e84PNC5_ul3_77kp2cKBtX_vJ97f47SlZTOsz77fylzeyIY2_aDRfUYB1xbVjrMBglRid4UKskvjExbS6tR3MHLoRS/w359-h400/RB%20merganser%20on%20pools.jpg" width="359" /></a></div>A female <span style="color: #990000;">red-breasted merganser</span> feeding in the saltmarsh lagoon near the Golfhouse was an unusual location to see this bird. Ten <span style="color: #990000;">shoveler, little egret</span> and 16 <span style="color: #990000;">shelduck</span> were also in the area.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl9KWqd-ODrqloNyDyyerEJw7R3GPE9LDfavzvGCwsDeJ_xMt9Vk0MF1gmz8BG6klCaDyKfrhaMAezUJ7_lGP894FJkR2aYeqFd4sx9ZeIB4XNpSofD0-a9kwyjr3oavwApaj_MPsHIQIcSIPSzzA7AZEAxY_UYyYSaFEC9igZ3dNdF9fKhBY-GFnR0R6S/s3376/Wigeon%20park%20dyke.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3028" data-original-width="3376" height="359" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl9KWqd-ODrqloNyDyyerEJw7R3GPE9LDfavzvGCwsDeJ_xMt9Vk0MF1gmz8BG6klCaDyKfrhaMAezUJ7_lGP894FJkR2aYeqFd4sx9ZeIB4XNpSofD0-a9kwyjr3oavwApaj_MPsHIQIcSIPSzzA7AZEAxY_UYyYSaFEC9igZ3dNdF9fKhBY-GFnR0R6S/w400-h359/Wigeon%20park%20dyke.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Along the park dyke on Thursday was a mix of<span style="color: #990000;"> wigeon</span> and<span style="color: #990000;"> teal</span> with about 300 birds in total feeding in the fields, dyke and saltmarsh.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx9mj_Itj3lh1s6gdRWOUkqJeKhIC6MaH-0sUKAsb3TwTuwtvKwFzZg6SgeyStaHmlYZ3BCD1xFtKxubt-wH_qlA8r129PKS44OkS-iNqayPRUI1IZrGVQmPWHy4iqQ4AnZiCMHv7nbkSV-L7STP7QlAfgUPV47FpBAFWaAGQ0HPDHofYuO9OfbQF-Qip1/s2972/Wigeon%20drake1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2726" data-original-width="2972" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx9mj_Itj3lh1s6gdRWOUkqJeKhIC6MaH-0sUKAsb3TwTuwtvKwFzZg6SgeyStaHmlYZ3BCD1xFtKxubt-wH_qlA8r129PKS44OkS-iNqayPRUI1IZrGVQmPWHy4iqQ4AnZiCMHv7nbkSV-L7STP7QlAfgUPV47FpBAFWaAGQ0HPDHofYuO9OfbQF-Qip1/w400-h368/Wigeon%20drake1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>One of the male<span style="color: #990000;"> wigeon</span> seen at the park dyke on Thursday.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga6p5508nnpLQpWJKa6TgYjPBgLhhdkbDfSCOt6Q25WEB0DNbHY0uM6lnkyiAiI9QVFBNfJWBj0j56fCmRQOrwKtANdqWSB8cIFIHKxRznxbDsH-UoosS8AaV3ll8PzrEpdsxf1iXCyAIUmFweEVqeI4K-CQZkxNedrF734mKn8489tDZGymnCP1REf7BC/s3343/Park%20dyke%20overflow.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2613" data-original-width="3343" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga6p5508nnpLQpWJKa6TgYjPBgLhhdkbDfSCOt6Q25WEB0DNbHY0uM6lnkyiAiI9QVFBNfJWBj0j56fCmRQOrwKtANdqWSB8cIFIHKxRznxbDsH-UoosS8AaV3ll8PzrEpdsxf1iXCyAIUmFweEVqeI4K-CQZkxNedrF734mKn8489tDZGymnCP1REf7BC/w400-h313/Park%20dyke%20overflow.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Water levels have risen recently at the park with the path inside the seawall flooded on Thursday.</div><div>A <span style="color: #990000;">greylag goose</span> and two <span style="color: #990000;">stonechats</span> were in the fields while 40 <span style="color: #990000;">moorhens</span> were by the Golfhouse. On the park pond were eight <span style="color: #990000;">gadwall</span> and three <span style="color: #990000;">tufted ducks</span>, while forty <span style="color: #990000;">goldfinches </span>were feeding in the alders.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjePH170jyU4mJ5pYqs5ySjxBtDfDun-jzFJRkDoQzIsPsGsCc4ZfWJAHvvyN5nrwXxscCRAQaflu5RqmvQ6UK6YECegl_0f6yhc_NnAz61bJ0iPAQw-YP7qGuDjZG4MzjGTRVZU5CuQ9u1gXaj0MbzwymAuevyL13HgphQPBamRP8gt8WsE04BD3-iDGeX/s1445/Grey%20squirrel%20Park%20pond.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1377" data-original-width="1445" height="381" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjePH170jyU4mJ5pYqs5ySjxBtDfDun-jzFJRkDoQzIsPsGsCc4ZfWJAHvvyN5nrwXxscCRAQaflu5RqmvQ6UK6YECegl_0f6yhc_NnAz61bJ0iPAQw-YP7qGuDjZG4MzjGTRVZU5CuQ9u1gXaj0MbzwymAuevyL13HgphQPBamRP8gt8WsE04BD3-iDGeX/w400-h381/Grey%20squirrel%20Park%20pond.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>An unwelcome sight of a <span style="color: #0b5394;">grey squirrel </span>was seen in the alder trees behind the park pond on Thursday.</div></div></div></div>Dougal Urquharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160413142108234247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6323835421725003809.post-87231389110420972702023-12-13T22:00:00.015-01:002023-12-17T23:09:03.849-01:00COOPERS GREY WAG<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSV_micY-bu9bvkIceS5lid-ZxfmGT8JYQbdR4ckd259fwcd5qNYECkLryzMY8zMpQ35FMbhnbo9aZi32aFBrglsPOfObjO1UBjZ7xssuH_7E0rc3lJHpH03xBopX2Qru7a0veUE3Eh1SKRjdzHOPie8Hh0T-BLhxu2k4FJRzdaa9E6VtYPbssGRJp1zNF/s3740/Grey%20wagtail.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3533" data-original-width="3740" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSV_micY-bu9bvkIceS5lid-ZxfmGT8JYQbdR4ckd259fwcd5qNYECkLryzMY8zMpQ35FMbhnbo9aZi32aFBrglsPOfObjO1UBjZ7xssuH_7E0rc3lJHpH03xBopX2Qru7a0veUE3Eh1SKRjdzHOPie8Hh0T-BLhxu2k4FJRzdaa9E6VtYPbssGRJp1zNF/w400-h378/Grey%20wagtail.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A <span style="color: #990000;">grey wagtail</span> provided a close view at the Coopers Beach Holiday Park, landing beside a ditch near the football pitch on Wednesday 13th. It began preening for a couple of minutes before perching briefly on a railing and then flew over to the clubhouse. Earlier a <span style="color: #990000;">kingfisher</span> had also perched beside this ditch for a couple of minutes too.<div><br /></div><div>On the Rewsalls Marshes at high tide on Wednesday, wildfowl were feeding on the flooding marshes including 100 <span style="color: #990000;">mallard</span>, 100 <span style="color: #990000;">teal</span>, 30<span style="color: #990000;"> brent geese</span>, four <span style="color: #990000;">wigeon</span>, four <span style="color: #990000;">shelduck</span> and two <span style="color: #990000;">little grebes</span>. Other birds seen were 3 <span style="color: #990000;">snipe</span>, 2 <span style="color: #990000;">little egrets </span>and a small number of waders such as <span style="color: #990000;">grey plover, turnstone, dunlin</span> and <span style="color: #990000;">redshank</span>, while 70 <span style="color: #990000;">curlew</span> were in the nearby fields. A <span style="color: #990000;">reed bunting</span> and two <span style="color: #990000;">rock pipits</span> were noted too. </div><div><br /></div><div>Offshore a steady passage of 40+ <span style="color: #990000;">red-throated divers </span>were passing, most of them distantly on the horizon. Although some were seen heading west, the general movement was east - becoming north up the Essex coast. Two<span style="color: #990000;"> common scoter</span> and 28 <span style="color: #990000;">great crested grebes</span> were seen on the sea.</div><div><br /></div><div>Amongst a flock of gulls feeding in fields near Rewsalls farm were at least four <span style="color: #990000;">Mediterranean gulls</span>, also 50+ <span style="color: #990000;">fieldfares</span> in a hedgeline opposite the south end of Meeting Lane in East Mersea.<br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrqJh39Awo8QJ8UU196JQ4p4t-hVqCsXWlkcdpHE02YtO95g9nJvLNmyUKkOlManBfW0GYdgr49ATX4uUsGcw9cU_oRmeNFek6o3lPWskmzscEiSG2cOd1XBMwP7h9bPPlh3pPyv6uXtjusSL1OZGYIqvfqS3lbtEsIHf544FQbQRX8g-aQA8Z56J0e866/s1024/Herring%20gull%20Hard1JH.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrqJh39Awo8QJ8UU196JQ4p4t-hVqCsXWlkcdpHE02YtO95g9nJvLNmyUKkOlManBfW0GYdgr49ATX4uUsGcw9cU_oRmeNFek6o3lPWskmzscEiSG2cOd1XBMwP7h9bPPlh3pPyv6uXtjusSL1OZGYIqvfqS3lbtEsIHf544FQbQRX8g-aQA8Z56J0e866/w300-h400/Herring%20gull%20Hard1JH.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>The immature<span style="color: #990000;"> herring gull</span> at the West Mersea Hard turned its attention to Jack Hoy's car on Wednesday.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHntNCxjmHNYKLJuPnDxMm4MzDZ-kaPIpHJGLj5jpOWhc2mNvr6wjvSDtTklPF_TdnBtBbU67ZEs9L_2M-dfsnPt_uz82AvCCmiQHc7g5V4xbedaSO9xMwTe_cwHnnP_NLvqwkUuyzBkuVc8LBMn6xgL0gGbFfYlLJeNX2zLefSv4gHca2rhLOQcTcF8bh/s1024/Herring%20gull%20HardJH.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHntNCxjmHNYKLJuPnDxMm4MzDZ-kaPIpHJGLj5jpOWhc2mNvr6wjvSDtTklPF_TdnBtBbU67ZEs9L_2M-dfsnPt_uz82AvCCmiQHc7g5V4xbedaSO9xMwTe_cwHnnP_NLvqwkUuyzBkuVc8LBMn6xgL0gGbFfYlLJeNX2zLefSv4gHca2rhLOQcTcF8bh/w300-h400/Herring%20gull%20HardJH.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>The hungry <span style="color: #990000;">herring gull</span> stared down into Jack's car, while he took a few photos!</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-myTpnGBlN8YOH829OjmZlzE9c_G6mpQPREPLCSI_PVYwr9hKvZzCzhD2nVwkBtrwzoksQpszxlpMqKAaFXTlShfCcPOE7s522NW4gMCu8yDDttUyRpd45TH1Zwb6IjJbeqEmOotsSINZLGOFCdaSHWU8AFEHUcKxIrevFcl25dEI9z0vyAnRROiAipZF/s1531/Rock%20pipit%20AF.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1310" data-original-width="1531" height="343" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-myTpnGBlN8YOH829OjmZlzE9c_G6mpQPREPLCSI_PVYwr9hKvZzCzhD2nVwkBtrwzoksQpszxlpMqKAaFXTlShfCcPOE7s522NW4gMCu8yDDttUyRpd45TH1Zwb6IjJbeqEmOotsSINZLGOFCdaSHWU8AFEHUcKxIrevFcl25dEI9z0vyAnRROiAipZF/w400-h343/Rock%20pipit%20AF.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Andy Field visited Cudmore Grove Country Park on Tuesday 12th, photographing this <span style="color: #990000;">rock pipit</span> on the beach at the Point, also four <span style="color: #990000;">sanderling </span>there. In the grazing fields were 1000<span style="color: #990000;"> brent geese</span>, the largest flock seen here this winter, also 300 <span style="color: #990000;">wigeon</span>, 100 <span style="color: #990000;">teal</span>, 55 <span style="color: #990000;">curlew</span> present too. A pair of <span style="color: #990000;">stonechat</span> and two<span style="color: #990000;"> Cetti's warblers </span>were noted as well.</div><div><br /></div><div>At Maydays on Tuesday morning Martin Cock reported seeing three <span style="color: #990000;">marsh harriers, great white egret</span>, two <span style="color: #990000;">Cetti's warblers</span>, three<span style="color: #990000;"> yellowhammers, stonechat</span> there along with 300 <span style="color: #990000;">fieldfares</span> on Langenhoe.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCAu0orhlWIG9wO3ll6KhdJZeF8OfXztZtEA93T6apfzlaCLhGtubyxOgdQ4YY4QDDeJAPUdpK7X7OVc7sM_GfF8e7BAEs7DrgbzVQ7ZmRSn474xgAr__THZPk60r8EAmFPwfnyWmFsxP7pQBDtsHYqAUEl1LSkRnJf8xhA77-OVelinfv3nyeHcm-0Vcf/s2720/Gt%20white%20egret%20Nothe.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2720" data-original-width="2636" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCAu0orhlWIG9wO3ll6KhdJZeF8OfXztZtEA93T6apfzlaCLhGtubyxOgdQ4YY4QDDeJAPUdpK7X7OVc7sM_GfF8e7BAEs7DrgbzVQ7ZmRSn474xgAr__THZPk60r8EAmFPwfnyWmFsxP7pQBDtsHYqAUEl1LSkRnJf8xhA77-OVelinfv3nyeHcm-0Vcf/w388-h400/Gt%20white%20egret%20Nothe.jpg" width="388" /></a></div>The regular Strood <span style="color: #990000;">great white egret </span>on Tuesday was seen feeding along the path in front of the Firs Caravan Park. First time its been seen on this path, although it soon flew off when a walker approached.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_5TTGPh6DNsRbQU1YJj2ttt5Vfn-wEYKnKpY2AbVHQyCa9P8ZiR1OY5Z9CHmXKKMsl5BTVKmbioOWSgNdccmMUQUQeFqFdZEOhuL1nVFLBMgJQcDm_9DZ1WGEH-JzVJISPbwbXpF7o4O8HB_vObBjEKlPUW9OQwi1QKen6D5PlYf91YNfERvq3pg9YxC4/s3107/Turnstone%20Strood%20post.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2879" data-original-width="3107" height="371" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_5TTGPh6DNsRbQU1YJj2ttt5Vfn-wEYKnKpY2AbVHQyCa9P8ZiR1OY5Z9CHmXKKMsl5BTVKmbioOWSgNdccmMUQUQeFqFdZEOhuL1nVFLBMgJQcDm_9DZ1WGEH-JzVJISPbwbXpF7o4O8HB_vObBjEKlPUW9OQwi1QKen6D5PlYf91YNfERvq3pg9YxC4/w400-h371/Turnstone%20Strood%20post.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A <span style="color: #990000;">turnstone</span> was resting on a post along the Strood channel on Tuesday. Also of interest were 30 <span style="color: #990000;">avocets</span>, two <span style="color: #990000;">snipe</span>, two <span style="color: #990000;">marsh harriers, great crested grebe</span>, while in the fields were 70 <span style="color: #990000;">skylarks</span>, <span style="color: #990000;">stonechat</span>, 50<span style="color: #990000;"> linnets</span> and a <span style="color: #990000;">corn bunting</span>, also <span style="color: #990000;">Cetti's warbler</span> and a <span style="color: #990000;">rock pipit </span>noted.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5zrwgqosgkqlMjzhQ9wAugMzMRcDYGM-1VEGa1N_xUQZSnb5610K0mqyltaoT0N_C-gTLfGCcDnOMCbAfLXriJLSSCtvZU3zEaEIs-D8XCPjFwe-nOvcAsm6lMNrnb_gY_0RUID90uXNnjgCFr7Lt_aOF8SISoAP8Ff6p0alQZw2Fs5PRJuh_LYrtHsQo/s2699/Mistle%20thrush%20Firs%20folly1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2387" data-original-width="2699" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5zrwgqosgkqlMjzhQ9wAugMzMRcDYGM-1VEGa1N_xUQZSnb5610K0mqyltaoT0N_C-gTLfGCcDnOMCbAfLXriJLSSCtvZU3zEaEIs-D8XCPjFwe-nOvcAsm6lMNrnb_gY_0RUID90uXNnjgCFr7Lt_aOF8SISoAP8Ff6p0alQZw2Fs5PRJuh_LYrtHsQo/w400-h354/Mistle%20thrush%20Firs%20folly1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The regular <span style="color: #990000;">mistle thrush </span>was seen high in the poplar trees with mistletoe clumps, at the Firs Caravan Park on Tuesday.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRixwqH43lj6OPm8lIFqOszMW4VmuyYdLlJXxJJwAL1QdWEiywTSA6DgLnBcEyuuGWIHT-sHRPs4KPYuGQd5XlTIPEPiB3fgW-SOyKKOYD9ARV_UV8Tfm0ko-eJndxqyZ_4FHFzTUr9ERphcgUQv2WCmpbPsLcjeW8-Avo5pMSusCPGHr-7pLSafJCnyls/s2944/Black%20brant%20Strood1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2531" data-original-width="2944" height="344" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRixwqH43lj6OPm8lIFqOszMW4VmuyYdLlJXxJJwAL1QdWEiywTSA6DgLnBcEyuuGWIHT-sHRPs4KPYuGQd5XlTIPEPiB3fgW-SOyKKOYD9ARV_UV8Tfm0ko-eJndxqyZ_4FHFzTUr9ERphcgUQv2WCmpbPsLcjeW8-Avo5pMSusCPGHr-7pLSafJCnyls/w400-h344/Black%20brant%20Strood1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>As the high tide covered the saltmarsh in front of the Firs Caravan Park on Monday 11th, the<span style="color: #990000;"> black brant </span>was seen feeding close-by with 100 <span style="color: #990000;">dark-bellied brent geese</span>.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfW_OIl8FcFgFpJQ6fLYmxoNFDMUS1dM1IYPXfco-JnFTc5nVwR-kpAm9PMl5EF9mKsEo-P5dz2oR0xuyM_e-PeOaARgTrp43QVqaK2jaIHOIqTrvhfI-Lp3nhcMR-LV5gBHhezGJYhDrjWmd9S-K2sIuKM8uDJgn9YBlp42laoDVEz4dbqRkIzYG3yeQe/s1976/Black%20brant%20Strood.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1742" data-original-width="1976" height="353" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfW_OIl8FcFgFpJQ6fLYmxoNFDMUS1dM1IYPXfco-JnFTc5nVwR-kpAm9PMl5EF9mKsEo-P5dz2oR0xuyM_e-PeOaARgTrp43QVqaK2jaIHOIqTrvhfI-Lp3nhcMR-LV5gBHhezGJYhDrjWmd9S-K2sIuKM8uDJgn9YBlp42laoDVEz4dbqRkIzYG3yeQe/w400-h353/Black%20brant%20Strood.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The broad white collar round the front of the neck showed nicely on the<span style="color: #990000;"> black brant </span>on Monday.</div><div>Along the Strood channel were 30<span style="color: #990000;"> avocets, marsh harrier</span>, three<span style="color: #990000;"> kestrels</span>, two <span style="color: #990000;">snipe, stonechat</span>, 1000 <span style="color: #990000;">golden plover </span>and 30<span style="color: #990000;"> linnets</span>.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg716WCnY7Rr9Lwpb8fJLNeSqqUIq6C5F1By-rriz4fQV2W5PKa7h1X6ibXpY7VjrCehodHxzOdG2-XDm4qi1uHZMzSlkE96tZkf_6WAwk6i_XljkSBUCh3Emg1BeT7byGloZQVS4-XzOOhDJ8HPyvLUMrl7UVujFSnUuzMiGI4XWXd9Fp_rvDVhopU5yQ9/s1533/Gt%20white%20egret%20with%20vole.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1483" data-original-width="1533" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg716WCnY7Rr9Lwpb8fJLNeSqqUIq6C5F1By-rriz4fQV2W5PKa7h1X6ibXpY7VjrCehodHxzOdG2-XDm4qi1uHZMzSlkE96tZkf_6WAwk6i_XljkSBUCh3Emg1BeT7byGloZQVS4-XzOOhDJ8HPyvLUMrl7UVujFSnUuzMiGI4XWXd9Fp_rvDVhopU5yQ9/w400-h388/Gt%20white%20egret%20with%20vole.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>On Monday the <span style="color: #990000;">great white egret</span> feeding in the field close to the Firs Caravan park was seen catching a vole to eat, pictured here. The<span style="color: #990000;"> grey herons</span> have also been seen catching voles recently in the nearby grass field. A <span style="color: #0b5394;">red squirrel</span> was seen along the path at the top of the Firs Caravan Park.</div><div><br /></div><div>Two <span style="color: #990000;">bar-tailed godwits</span> were seen feeding on the mud behind the Dabchicks on Sunday 10th.</div><div><br /></div><div>On Saturday 9th birds noted during a walk along the Strood seawall were <span style="color: #990000;">great white egret</span>, two <span style="color: #990000;">marsh harriers</span>, 300 <span style="color: #990000;">wigeon</span>, 100 <span style="color: #990000;">teal</span>, 72 <span style="color: #990000;">shelduck</span>, 75 <span style="color: #990000;">avocets</span>, ten <span style="color: #990000;">knot</span>, a <span style="color: #990000;">shoveler</span>, while in the fields were 100 <span style="color: #990000;">skylarks</span>, 300 <span style="color: #990000;">starlings</span>, two <span style="color: #990000;">stonechats </span>and a <span style="color: #990000;">Cetti's warbler</span>. A <span style="color: #0b5394;">common seal</span> was seen in the Strood channel, sticking its head up briefly before vanishing.</div>Dougal Urquharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160413142108234247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6323835421725003809.post-25191799057422085292023-12-08T21:30:00.002-01:002023-12-09T23:34:55.570-01:00BESOM GREBE<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcy84BGMWJu7edww64gkwoK-UJP3rBVv3g3rs_WMA0VOkEx57zKGCaTDcCoIr47GRDq7PTyrU1GDltoGVtg4WA_6QetqVrkqu87dXNTjsHb7j7b4JbYYFaZSRSAIPthUZ5tSdjzFnO5X3sX3c39PLUXT7W6Y-grlyFI9hpZKrgGPDTU8h87_hkT4qpQT18/s2024/Great%20crested%20grebe%20Besom.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1980" data-original-width="2024" height="391" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcy84BGMWJu7edww64gkwoK-UJP3rBVv3g3rs_WMA0VOkEx57zKGCaTDcCoIr47GRDq7PTyrU1GDltoGVtg4WA_6QetqVrkqu87dXNTjsHb7j7b4JbYYFaZSRSAIPthUZ5tSdjzFnO5X3sX3c39PLUXT7W6Y-grlyFI9hpZKrgGPDTU8h87_hkT4qpQT18/w400-h391/Great%20crested%20grebe%20Besom.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>This <span style="color: #990000;">great crested grebe</span> was feeding along Besom Fleet beside St Peters with another ten offshore in the outer Blackwater on a sunny Friday 8th. A <span style="color: #990000;">red-necked grebe</span> was watched earlier in the morning swimming south-east into the Blackwater towards the Nass Beacon - presumably the same bird that has been around for the last fortnight. A <span style="color: #990000;">great northern diver</span> was offshore and a second bird was seen flying into the Blackwater. A <span style="color: #990000;">Mediterranean gull</span> flew over the beach and a <span style="color: #0b5394;">common seal</span> was offshore.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzw6clneq-JCC7SQaSScoSA1v0BxnQqso9tSqogRdPusA6p2ifBkmZ6Hv8FI7I99vNuRdkuC19qEcBYXJ5dw70HZ2FWgda1C_keh89btlWh0bt8W6-UceDMMueM1_KHY9GMdhzQM89dxOcKR9DYcL8I17J0yRpy3WDQ9kiT1v4XtAulSOm9C7RBiYPvcz-/s3295/Mersea%20Quarters.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2339" data-original-width="3295" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzw6clneq-JCC7SQaSScoSA1v0BxnQqso9tSqogRdPusA6p2ifBkmZ6Hv8FI7I99vNuRdkuC19qEcBYXJ5dw70HZ2FWgda1C_keh89btlWh0bt8W6-UceDMMueM1_KHY9GMdhzQM89dxOcKR9DYcL8I17J0yRpy3WDQ9kiT1v4XtAulSOm9C7RBiYPvcz-/w400-h284/Mersea%20Quarters.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Calm waters in the Mersea Quarters from St Peters on Friday, where four<span style="color: #990000;"> little grebes </span>were seen, and small numbers of waders such as<span style="color: #990000;"> ringed plover, redshank, oystercatcher </span>and <span style="color: #990000;">turnstone</span>. Three <span style="color: #990000;">little egrets </span>were seen, <span style="color: #990000;">rock pipit </span>by the boardwalk and fourteen <span style="color: #990000;">reed buntings</span> on the sea-blite bushes on Cobmarsh Island.<div><br /></div><div>On Friday afternoon two<span style="color: #990000;"> short-eared owls </span>were seen flying over the Little Wigborough side on the mainland, seen by Jon Ward from the Strood seawall.<br /><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN55YxbXeixJzcQcCuGvt7XKc2gEUkJahL1n0qxiSNQOVjslMCq9A_mLzr2tBdpdNvoiDURxB7vRPMbLcJxrA2_DZaKzrx-NNswwbKa47nS10TMuY3YOKXvgDRKio2qu09ytn-NwXlUEFFvX4inTCq2q7WwnSzZFdM4Qq-EMmaB2fo5uK94t1UsMo0Br7a/s4472/Teal%20wigeon%20roost.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3887" data-original-width="4472" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN55YxbXeixJzcQcCuGvt7XKc2gEUkJahL1n0qxiSNQOVjslMCq9A_mLzr2tBdpdNvoiDURxB7vRPMbLcJxrA2_DZaKzrx-NNswwbKa47nS10TMuY3YOKXvgDRKio2qu09ytn-NwXlUEFFvX4inTCq2q7WwnSzZFdM4Qq-EMmaB2fo5uK94t1UsMo0Br7a/w400-h348/Teal%20wigeon%20roost.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>There have been good numbers of <span style="color: #990000;">wigeon</span> and<span style="color: #990000;"> teal</span> in recent days along the Strood channel, with 300+ <span style="color: #990000;">teal </span>and 200+ <span style="color: #990000;">wigeon </span>seen on Thursday 7th. Also along the channel were 72 <span style="color: #990000;">shelduck</span>, 150 <span style="color: #990000;">golden plover</span>, 50 <span style="color: #990000;">avocets</span> and two <span style="color: #990000;">knot</span>. </div><div>A <span style="color: #990000;">great white egret</span> was in the Strood fields again, 200 <span style="color: #990000;">linnets</span> were feeding in the weedy fields and three<span style="color: #990000;"> kestrels</span> were hovering in various places. A <span style="color: #990000;">chiffchaff</span> called from trees in a garden behind the Dabchicks. A flock of 12 <span style="color: #990000;">goldfinches</span> was twittering in a tree in the Firs Chase garden.</div><div><br /></div><div>Late Thursday afternoon a <span style="color: #990000;">great white egret</span>, male <span style="color: #990000;">marsh harrier </span>and a large flock of <span style="color: #990000;">golden plover </span>were seen at the Strood by Steve Entwistle.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizPLpd3Sr5X2l9jCjv26RJrpPXVDsNq5Dr0iN5AnroPjzn72P1LvyCXwfyV2VfwC1nTH7agN5HSvFFkXGLvw5nRL29QqAW1wmyWajdvdzXUAiiihSNDX82AfE24Iwukjx5nCoraBmp0briNXILlbEFUeH5M9S7WWIoq0k1Sqp_N9_EryuEgdrkWdmx-qng/s2048/Great%20egretAF.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1838" data-original-width="2048" height="359" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizPLpd3Sr5X2l9jCjv26RJrpPXVDsNq5Dr0iN5AnroPjzn72P1LvyCXwfyV2VfwC1nTH7agN5HSvFFkXGLvw5nRL29QqAW1wmyWajdvdzXUAiiihSNDX82AfE24Iwukjx5nCoraBmp0briNXILlbEFUeH5M9S7WWIoq0k1Sqp_N9_EryuEgdrkWdmx-qng/w400-h359/Great%20egretAF.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Andy Field photographed this<span style="color: #990000;"> great white egret</span> feeding in the Strood dyke on a sunny and calm Wednesday 6th. Also noted by Andy during his walk along the Strood seawall were a male <span style="color: #990000;">hen harrier</span> over Ray Island, two <span style="color: #990000;">marsh harriers, buzzard, kingfisher</span> at the sluice, 2 to 3 <span style="color: #990000;">great white egrets</span>, 3 <span style="color: #990000;">stonechats</span>, possible <span style="color: #990000;">merlin</span>, 200 <span style="color: #990000;">linnets</span>, 100+<span style="color: #990000;"> skylarks</span>, 10 <span style="color: #990000;">corn buntings, snipe, bar-tailed godwit</span>, 40 <span style="color: #990000;">avocets</span>, 200 <span style="color: #990000;">golden plover</span>, 550 <span style="color: #990000;">teal</span>, 300 <span style="color: #990000;">wigeon</span> and 4 <span style="color: #990000;">shoveler</span>. <span style="color: #0b5394;">Foxes</span> were out enjoying the morning sunshine with one walking over a ploughed field and two others together on Ray Island.</div><div><br /></div><div>A <span style="color: #990000;">sparrowhawk</span> was seen perched in the Firs Caravan park on Wednesday morning. </div><div>Offshore from St Peters a<span style="color: #990000;"> Slavonian grebe </span>was seen by Steve Entwistle on Wednesday. </div><div>Michael Thorley had a notable count of 29<span style="color: #990000;"> curlew </span>in a field to the west of his East Mersea house near Meeting Lane. Late afternoon at the Point he saw 50 <span style="color: #990000;">redshank</span>, 350 <span style="color: #990000;">dunlin</span>, four<span style="color: #990000;"> avocets</span> and a <span style="color: #990000;">meadow pipit</span>.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvk8qyksVbIekpbWu5BpfYhe0OgZfo6mnLJZgNdh8JxSqEmgRI4MgS67n5Z34TkpGKVUZ4YM1ivxdl8m2nllHG0iBXRS7fJyO6XOYAhtkATgWTiqM8YqUR6aJ3GlMVAgwr8DkaRCELbgyeyz96PGwUFg5Eq3KGG9IsBUNYm0oCBEhY7WRLHtyicoWqx0gL/s3227/Hen%20harrier%20male.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2368" data-original-width="3227" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvk8qyksVbIekpbWu5BpfYhe0OgZfo6mnLJZgNdh8JxSqEmgRI4MgS67n5Z34TkpGKVUZ4YM1ivxdl8m2nllHG0iBXRS7fJyO6XOYAhtkATgWTiqM8YqUR6aJ3GlMVAgwr8DkaRCELbgyeyz96PGwUFg5Eq3KGG9IsBUNYm0oCBEhY7WRLHtyicoWqx0gL/w400-h294/Hen%20harrier%20male.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A distant record shot of a male <span style="color: #990000;">hen harrier</span> flying over the Bonners Saltings beside Ray Island on Tuesday 5th. The <span style="color: #990000;">hen</span> <span style="color: #990000;">harrier</span> was flying very low dipping down at times out of view as it flew along the rills and creeks in the marsh. It flew a couple of big circuits of the Saltings and Ray Island before disappearing back down the Ray Channel again.</div><div><br /></div><div>Other birds noted during the morning walk along the Strood seawall on Tuesday were <span style="color: #990000;">great white egret, marsh harrier</span>, two <span style="color: #990000;">buzzards</span>, 350 <span style="color: #990000;">wigeon</span>, 300<span style="color: #990000;"> teal</span>, 400 <span style="color: #990000;">golden plover</span>, 500 <span style="color: #990000;">dunlin</span>, 120 <span style="color: #990000;">shelduck</span>, 36 <span style="color: #990000;">avocets</span>, 5 <span style="color: #990000;">shoveler,</span> while in the fields were 50<span style="color: #990000;"> skylarks</span>, 100 <span style="color: #990000;">linnets</span>, 3<span style="color: #990000;"> stonechats, fieldfare, song thrush</span> and 15<span style="color: #990000;"> reed buntings</span>.</div><div><br /></div><div>At Maydays on Tuesday a quick walk by Martin Cock produced views of four <span style="color: #990000;">marsh harriers, peregrine</span> and a<span style="color: #990000;"> kingfisher</span>.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNqJr0fwpe5kFOzEfaKHTPYBXLiD5NdPf7FaWRORj8-vdeCHtqtK1Ikv8s-cgvWh3OfO0S-rlCr_xOwXxJe18mcETV-BjtbWuCtwzZ2ZrrDb56ecWMRyRDjqE22jLL1RvV5rzlLETU3rMmUNte3uzDLPtUMyop9Eujq8dj_r6ISq6mkZz3HrzZbPsoch9U/s3551/Little%20egret%20Strood%20sluice.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3185" data-original-width="3551" height="359" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNqJr0fwpe5kFOzEfaKHTPYBXLiD5NdPf7FaWRORj8-vdeCHtqtK1Ikv8s-cgvWh3OfO0S-rlCr_xOwXxJe18mcETV-BjtbWuCtwzZ2ZrrDb56ecWMRyRDjqE22jLL1RvV5rzlLETU3rMmUNte3uzDLPtUMyop9Eujq8dj_r6ISq6mkZz3HrzZbPsoch9U/w400-h359/Little%20egret%20Strood%20sluice.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A <span style="color: #990000;">little egret</span> perched on the railing at the Strood sluice on Monday 4th, while in the nearby weedy field the regular <span style="color: #990000;">great white egret</span> was walking about. Also in the fields were 50 <span style="color: #990000;">skylarks</span>, 200 <span style="color: #990000;">starlings</span>, two <span style="color: #990000;">stonechats</span>, 70<span style="color: #990000;"> linnets </span>and a passing <span style="color: #990000;">sparrowhawk</span>. In the Strood channel were 100 <span style="color: #990000;">shelduck </span>and 15<span style="color: #990000;"> little grebes </span>of note.</div><div>A <span style="color: #0b5394;">red squirrel</span> was seen crossing the footpath and scampering into the thick ivy bushes at the top of the Firs Caravan Park on Monday morning.<br /><div><br /><div>At Maydays farm on Monday, Martin Cock reported a <span style="color: #990000;">great white egret</span>, two <span style="color: #990000;">marsh harriers</span>, 11 <span style="color: #990000;">red-breasted mergansers</span> and two <span style="color: #990000;">snipe</span>.</div><div><br /></div><div>On a wet Sunday 3rd, a <span style="color: #990000;">bar-tailed godwit</span>, 6 <span style="color: #990000;">avocets</span>, 8 <span style="color: #990000;">little grebes </span>were seen behind the Dabchicks sailing club, while a <span style="color: #990000;">mistle thrush</span> was in the trees at the top of the Firs Caravan park. A flock of 20 <span style="color: #990000;">goldfinches </span>was flying around Firs Chase.</div><div><br /></div><div>On a very brief visit to the Hard and Dabchicks area on Saturday 2nd, the only birds of interest were 15 <span style="color: #990000;">little grebes</span> and 12 <span style="color: #990000;">avocets</span>.</div></div></div></div>Dougal Urquharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160413142108234247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6323835421725003809.post-88466569662262338772023-12-01T22:00:00.022-01:002023-12-04T23:39:52.073-01:00HARD SUNSET<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilfztdH0s50Sk_-51grvBxOFUbwHWAL9X-gDkexxBRfrHnvRnBWn8JKzImDUof1vKq8yqW4XLwYYICFd_3qenpz3PHsspXe7iVLItXiObOPOd1JCDKT3WVd9L2OeQcmV0WGZP16amgscg1-2RPaWVO0WXRLllc0M6DiydAxg3gf2OLXM9Fkm-mBl38FBmJ/s4032/Sunset%20Hard.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilfztdH0s50Sk_-51grvBxOFUbwHWAL9X-gDkexxBRfrHnvRnBWn8JKzImDUof1vKq8yqW4XLwYYICFd_3qenpz3PHsspXe7iVLItXiObOPOd1JCDKT3WVd9L2OeQcmV0WGZP16amgscg1-2RPaWVO0WXRLllc0M6DiydAxg3gf2OLXM9Fkm-mBl38FBmJ/w400-h300/Sunset%20Hard.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>There was a nice end to the day with the sun setting across from the West Mersea Hard car park, after a chilly but mainly sunny Friday 1st.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK73n7gigtC6zc9rTBIi7VCLpZk8wGA_7hwZBQuMfAWLDe10kBHGToMJ8eFxILXbOSK_ISEdLVmXK-YuB0-5v5alUzgCPCfHRLhg0C1FIOevyU2IyOylyODjIc_TZFogKyqde_VPjjyo2TWwBqyLoByW2NMl2TGx5EVmcaGwYJEFmLENvQLuInNrl_mPur/s2549/GN%20Diver%20Hard.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2171" data-original-width="2549" height="341" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK73n7gigtC6zc9rTBIi7VCLpZk8wGA_7hwZBQuMfAWLDe10kBHGToMJ8eFxILXbOSK_ISEdLVmXK-YuB0-5v5alUzgCPCfHRLhg0C1FIOevyU2IyOylyODjIc_TZFogKyqde_VPjjyo2TWwBqyLoByW2NMl2TGx5EVmcaGwYJEFmLENvQLuInNrl_mPur/w400-h341/GN%20Diver%20Hard.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Joined the RSPB on Friday afternoon to help count birds roosting on the four beach recharge areas of Cobmarsh, Packing Shed, Old Hall and Tollesbury's Shingle Head Point. On Stacey Belbin's Lady Grace boat were the RSPB's Kieren Alexander and two RSPB intern staff, along with Steve Hunting and I.<div><br /><div>We got close views of one of three <span style="color: #990000;">great northern divers</span>, this one pictured above was close to Cobmarsh Island. A <span style="color: #990000;">red-necked grebe</span> was seen not far from Packing Shed Island, and was also seen by Andy Field looking from Coast Road. A female <span style="color: #990000;">common scoter</span> flew into Tollesbury Channel.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_R9odFYVKPd34MiCPe5u3_Mr-SaI2c8kHY5t8ZAAoW_rYJuhhMx2w7QwD970HInol7Idwg3hPHw_iOfAOgwjHFwZ8RduOdJ8qh52SdNqp1DU4XTwwe2s6qif5jx1fBRsHYLp-ZYFMFLMjBxcBpesY3Y-2HCgJVKWlYuvGQ5NGarsuOKM0alwHwGqLPnwm/s3254/Packing%20Shed%20gulls1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2725" data-original-width="3254" height="335" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_R9odFYVKPd34MiCPe5u3_Mr-SaI2c8kHY5t8ZAAoW_rYJuhhMx2w7QwD970HInol7Idwg3hPHw_iOfAOgwjHFwZ8RduOdJ8qh52SdNqp1DU4XTwwe2s6qif5jx1fBRsHYLp-ZYFMFLMjBxcBpesY3Y-2HCgJVKWlYuvGQ5NGarsuOKM0alwHwGqLPnwm/w400-h335/Packing%20Shed%20gulls1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>There were lots of <span style="color: #990000;">herring gulls</span> roosting on both Packing Shed Island, pictured and also Cobmarsh Island with over 300 in total seen with half a dozen <span style="color: #990000;">great black-backed gulls</span> as well. Three <span style="color: #990000;">pintail </span>were feeding on Cobmarsh, also here were 130+ <span style="color: #990000;">oystercatchers</span>, 20+ <span style="color: #990000;">ringed plovers</span> and 10+ <span style="color: #990000;">sanderling</span>. There was an impressive flock of 4000+ <span style="color: #990000;">knot</span> packed onto the shingle island at Shingle Head Point.</div><div><br /></div><div>Andy Field on Friday saw two <span style="color: #990000;">great northern divers</span> and four <span style="color: #990000;">red-breasted mergansers</span> from the Esplanade, then later the <span style="color: #990000;">red-necked grebe</span> distantly in Salcott Channel and two<span style="color: #990000;"> great northern divers</span> from Coast Road - so at least four <span style="color: #990000;">great northern divers</span>, maybe five birds present in total.</div><div>Steve Entwistle on Friday morning saw a<span style="color: #990000;"> great northern diver</span>, 13 <span style="color: #990000;">great crested grebes </span>and 7<span style="color: #990000;"> common scoter </span>flying west, watched from the Esplanade.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSZ1je-sON9OoWcRZAbqcRUJ5hkNUvpa4Kotc0yR0Q6QyHTgN5USpqgXxaUVqOR-GJCb0kPSPiKnERRzfs72re4tTdbWpmiHhAlDywq4JmGXW6YcWk456E-WkGxDLZsNto_zVb1XQjdpNaVuECUYXgYZ5p6t0EmXX6nMhDkFTO4AUWmIJsjY-qRQZgQAAs/s1622/Ringed%20plover%20Strood.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1541" data-original-width="1622" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSZ1je-sON9OoWcRZAbqcRUJ5hkNUvpa4Kotc0yR0Q6QyHTgN5USpqgXxaUVqOR-GJCb0kPSPiKnERRzfs72re4tTdbWpmiHhAlDywq4JmGXW6YcWk456E-WkGxDLZsNto_zVb1XQjdpNaVuECUYXgYZ5p6t0EmXX6nMhDkFTO4AUWmIJsjY-qRQZgQAAs/w400-h380/Ringed%20plover%20Strood.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A<span style="color: #990000;"> ringed plover</span> was feeding along the Strood channel at low tide on Friday morning. There seemed more birds about during the sunny, wintry walk along the Strood seawall. In the channel were 300 <span style="color: #990000;">wigeon</span>, 200<span style="color: #990000;"> teal</span>, 20 <span style="color: #990000;">little grebes</span>, three<span style="color: #990000;"> great crested grebes</span> and 64 <span style="color: #990000;">avocets</span>, while three <span style="color: #990000;">pintail </span>flying down channel were of interest. </div><div><br /></div><div>A regular <span style="color: #990000;">great white egret</span> walked the Strood fields on Friday and two others flew over Ray Island landing inside the Peldon seawall. Three <span style="color: #990000;">marsh harriers</span> and a<span style="color: #990000;"> buzzard </span>were noted, while 50<span style="color: #990000;"> lapwing</span>, 50 <span style="color: #990000;">golden plover </span>and 200<span style="color: #990000;"> starlings </span>were feeding in the grass field. In the weedy field were 150<span style="color: #990000;"> linnets</span>, 50 <span style="color: #990000;">skylarks</span>, 20 <span style="color: #990000;">corn buntings</span>, 15<span style="color: #990000;"> reed buntings </span>and two <span style="color: #990000;">stonechats</span>.</div><div>A <span style="color: #0b5394;">red squirrel</span> was seen in the Firs Chase garden early Friday afternoon.</div><div><br /></div><div>Martin Cock at Maydays on Friday reported seven<span style="color: #990000;"> marsh harriers, sparrowhawk</span>, 500+ <span style="color: #990000;">knot, stonechat</span>, two <span style="color: #990000;">redwing</span>, ten <span style="color: #990000;">fieldfare</span> and three <span style="color: #0b5394;">common seals</span>.</div><div><br /></div><div>On Thursday 30th the <span style="color: #990000;">razorbill </span>was diving repeatedly as on previous days, in the Strood channel opposite the Firs Caravan park. As before, it was soon lost to view among the boats as it drifted slowly down channel. Also three <span style="color: #990000;">great crested grebes</span>, 12 <span style="color: #990000;">little grebes</span> and thirty <span style="color: #990000;">avocets </span>along the channel.</div><div><br /></div><div>Three<span style="color: #990000;"> marsh harriers</span> were seen during the Strood seawall walk, the <span style="color: #990000;">great white egret </span>was in the fields, as was a <span style="color: #990000;">grey heron</span> seen catching a <span style="color: #0b5394;">field vole</span> in the field and then swallowing it, also seen were two pairs of<span style="color: #990000;"> stonechats</span>, 50 <span style="color: #990000;">skylarks</span>, 100<span style="color: #990000;"> linnets</span> and ten <span style="color: #990000;">corn buntings</span>. A <span style="color: #990000;">mistle thrush</span> was beside the mistletoe clumps in the poplar trees at the top end of the Firs Caravan park - the first sighting here of the winter. A male <span style="color: #990000;">blackcap</span> was seen in the Firs Chase garden, the first sighting of the winter here.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtWG8eCLdj-LlwEq5rYcloAbzLUTYvD2q9_TJ0h3PVJiwXkCwo_g3tLZQ8sMjdgutrFybs6zmMPUetNxfZi6FesMXl4-ElSaCWC7RUUrC85_fBhRZjylm__qhZheqWlzPksEHloO7HHFfokVNj2zD99mwLBYmosXzvD2f3K6D8r2lkYjr9avzmwkYcoIAJ/s2048/Short-eared%20owlJW.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1462" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtWG8eCLdj-LlwEq5rYcloAbzLUTYvD2q9_TJ0h3PVJiwXkCwo_g3tLZQ8sMjdgutrFybs6zmMPUetNxfZi6FesMXl4-ElSaCWC7RUUrC85_fBhRZjylm__qhZheqWlzPksEHloO7HHFfokVNj2zD99mwLBYmosXzvD2f3K6D8r2lkYjr9avzmwkYcoIAJ/w285-h400/Short-eared%20owlJW.JPG" width="285" /></a></div>Jon Ward captured this<span style="color: #990000;"> short-eared owl</span> in flight over the weedy field by the Strood on Thursday late afternoon with a second bird seen flying over the nearby grassy field. The regular <span style="color: #990000;">great white egret </span>was also in the weedy field.</div><div><br /></div><div>Jonathan Norgate on Thursday morning reported seeing from the Monkey Beach at West Mersea eight <span style="color: #990000;">red-breasted mergansers, great northern diver, bar-tailed godwit</span> and nine<span style="color: #990000;"> sanderling</span>.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3LoVoiHszdhpTwc1__jHp_5Kkj3KGs2-rujFnU48gHbiVZ1Csh3eaZG8Kr10etnjFGcPxsg-f6mF3pRBqwLVG5y9pbfh6wOk_X3MWa9wwujyQEGnjdhv5s_BUYZKYC5r9hwjB5U1Mr4Ho3sNGKlWY2b-wjBT4IY007giaSx-LP8w7qjQq_UIkYDCFJoyO/s1905/Great%20crested%20grebe%20Hard1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1649" data-original-width="1905" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3LoVoiHszdhpTwc1__jHp_5Kkj3KGs2-rujFnU48gHbiVZ1Csh3eaZG8Kr10etnjFGcPxsg-f6mF3pRBqwLVG5y9pbfh6wOk_X3MWa9wwujyQEGnjdhv5s_BUYZKYC5r9hwjB5U1Mr4Ho3sNGKlWY2b-wjBT4IY007giaSx-LP8w7qjQq_UIkYDCFJoyO/s320/Great%20crested%20grebe%20Hard1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>On a sunny but chilly Wednesday 29th a <span style="color: #990000;">great crested grebe</span> was preening close to the hammerhead jetty. In the afternoon from St Peters, the <span style="color: #990000;">razorbill</span> was near Cobmarsh and two <span style="color: #990000;">great northern divers</span> were seen by Steve Entwistle and Martin Cock. The <span style="color: #990000;">red-necked grebe</span> seen at the east end of Salcott Channel by Colin Mackenzie-Grieve on Old Hall, was then seen by Steve Entwistle looking from the West Mersea Hard, before it flew out into the Blackwater.</div><div><br /></div><div>Along the Strood channel on Wednesday morning were 200 <span style="color: #990000;">wigeon</span>, 100 <span style="color: #990000;">teal</span>, 15 <span style="color: #990000;">little grebes</span>, three <span style="color: #990000;">great crested grebes</span>, five <span style="color: #990000;">shoveler</span> flying, 30<span style="color: #990000;"> avocets </span>and a <span style="color: #990000;">Mediterranean gull</span>. The<span style="color: #990000;"> kingfisher</span> landed briefly on the seawall sluice, <span style="color: #990000;">great white egret </span>in the weedy field, three<span style="color: #990000;"> marsh harriers, buzzard </span>and a <span style="color: #990000;">peregrine</span> seen distantly hunting birds at the top end of the Pyefleet channel.</div><div><br /></div><div>In the Strood fields were 100 <span style="color: #990000;">linnets</span>, 20 <span style="color: #990000;">corn buntings</span>, 70 <span style="color: #990000;">skylarks</span>, two pairs of <span style="color: #990000;">stonechats</span> and four <span style="color: #990000;">rock pipits</span> beside the seawall.</div></div>Dougal Urquharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160413142108234247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6323835421725003809.post-7261488158547604682023-11-28T22:00:00.014-01:002023-11-30T23:16:22.704-01:00RAZORBILL RETURNS<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhRslf-msvS12ZAXWtAgvsJ_nEGuX0RTEqB42Xjt_Kl9eWkV75cA1NGjrpzUYWpbQ8kxALwz0XfjbphqbKgIjwhzcLmJgzNQKel8nhYvWbKbfeKKegvzwl3rY_nV4VXJyHX1ewc0i0CjF-Idh3HkQYJO87sJFYpaqFZQSHwc6ayLTrbNr_V8_SCshJVvpZ/s1600/RazorbillAF.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1014" data-original-width="1600" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhRslf-msvS12ZAXWtAgvsJ_nEGuX0RTEqB42Xjt_Kl9eWkV75cA1NGjrpzUYWpbQ8kxALwz0XfjbphqbKgIjwhzcLmJgzNQKel8nhYvWbKbfeKKegvzwl3rY_nV4VXJyHX1ewc0i0CjF-Idh3HkQYJO87sJFYpaqFZQSHwc6ayLTrbNr_V8_SCshJVvpZ/w400-h254/RazorbillAF.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>After a week's absence, the <span style="color: #990000;">razorbill</span> reappeared at the West Mersea Hard on Monday 27th and again on Tuesday 28th, when it was close enough for Andy Field to take this picture from about 15 feet away. The<span style="color: #990000;"> razorbill</span> was diving repeatedly, spending more time underwater than above and being difficult to follow when it disappeared among the moored boats. Later on Tuesday morning it had drifted up channel and was opposite the Firs Caravan park.<div><br /></div><div>Andy also saw the <span style="color: #990000;">great northern diver </span>and the<span style="color: #990000;"> black brant</span> from the Hard on Tuesday. Later from the Esplanade, either a<span style="color: #990000;"> guillemot</span> or <span style="color: #990000;">razorbill</span> was seen by Andy flying up the Blackwater river past Bradwell. A <span style="color: #990000;">red-necked grebe </span>was seen at the east end of Salcott Channel from Old Hall marshes by Colin Mackenzie-Grieve. A <span style="color: #990000;">kingfisher</span> was seen at the West Mersea Hard by Martin Cock.</div><div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4pzfMwFjc6E7GxwOguaZHSNtJYtXb-9weFGm-n2r4S1VGLXVaoxHvDG5UgxpkthhP5w294dAoj1j47qMKKmtjvwUeshN-426ZaLrLzH5OJU8aSS0Shoybh2QNRZYuFgrCnggPhgsk88C8ctj0wtkHn503o23Yh2YhoZvXHeVLgVjA-Jw38XJyxPSMPc8G/s4032/Strood%20high%20tide.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4pzfMwFjc6E7GxwOguaZHSNtJYtXb-9weFGm-n2r4S1VGLXVaoxHvDG5UgxpkthhP5w294dAoj1j47qMKKmtjvwUeshN-426ZaLrLzH5OJU8aSS0Shoybh2QNRZYuFgrCnggPhgsk88C8ctj0wtkHn503o23Yh2YhoZvXHeVLgVjA-Jw38XJyxPSMPc8G/w400-h300/Strood%20high%20tide.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>There was another very high spring tide on the Tuesday, which covered all of the saltmarsh in front of the Firs Caravan park with 100 <span style="color: #990000;">brent geese</span> feeding on the flooded marsh.</div><div><br /></div><div>A <span style="color: #990000;">short-eared owl </span>was being mobbed by a <span style="color: #990000;">kestrel </span>over the Strood fields on Tuesday morning and a <span style="color: #990000;">great white egret</span> stalked the weedy field. Lots of small birds were feeding in the weedy fields such as 150 <span style="color: #990000;">linnets</span>, 100 <span style="color: #990000;">skylarks</span>, 15<span style="color: #990000;"> corn buntings</span> and two <span style="color: #990000;">stonechats</span>.</div><div><br /></div><div>Of note along the Strood channel on the Tuesday high tide were 94 <span style="color: #990000;">shelduck</span>, 200<span style="color: #990000;"> wigeon</span>, 100<span style="color: #990000;"> teal</span>, two <span style="color: #990000;">great crested grebes</span> and 30 <span style="color: #990000;">avocets</span>.</div><div>Later on Tuesday afternoon a<span style="color: #990000;"> short-eared owl </span>was seen hunting the Strood fields by Steve Entwistle.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwwajLZD5G9ttfM8vgGRGUW2Cg9Y-NnuZLyX3FEI6fXQ0pxvjOfzTHXEKw3m_GJEXlPc_Cg3Q6IjuCVuD6RZPtFRraxULHNKyE-TGYi00D0dN1aAcKmdVQb3bxJazFUBcA5IQ636-baWHC3B1c_VgMxoHxWmCOTzx_DH2kSGZhjeIZgYW73FHWTHYTfk9R/s3598/Great%20northern%20diver.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3170" data-original-width="3598" height="353" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwwajLZD5G9ttfM8vgGRGUW2Cg9Y-NnuZLyX3FEI6fXQ0pxvjOfzTHXEKw3m_GJEXlPc_Cg3Q6IjuCVuD6RZPtFRraxULHNKyE-TGYi00D0dN1aAcKmdVQb3bxJazFUBcA5IQ636-baWHC3B1c_VgMxoHxWmCOTzx_DH2kSGZhjeIZgYW73FHWTHYTfk9R/w400-h353/Great%20northern%20diver.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>On Monday 27th a <span style="color: #990000;">great northern diver</span> was feeding close to the hammerhead causeway at the West Mersea Hard. The <span style="color: #990000;">razorbill</span> was also seen very close to the seawall path behind the Dabchicks sailing club during the high tide in the middle of the day. It quickly dived back under the water and disappeared for a long period, briefly resurfacing before diving again not to be seen again that day.</div><div><br /></div><div>Birds of note along the Strood seawall included <span style="color: #990000;">great white egret</span> in the fields, two <span style="color: #990000;">marsh harriers</span>, three <span style="color: #990000;">snipe</span>, two pairs of <span style="color: #990000;">stonechat</span>, 25 <span style="color: #990000;">corn buntings</span> and a high tide wader roost in the ploughed field of 25 <span style="color: #990000;">grey plover</span>, 200<span style="color: #990000;"> dunlin</span> and 30 <span style="color: #990000;">ringed plovers</span>.</div><div>A<span style="color: #0b5394;"> red squirrel</span> was seen beside the footpath along the top of the Firs Caravan park.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZy0nLUp6AQatzNKP_lrOMSBgHgfA4kQbYOVKNOfUfFMhzsPlfvwtAFPrD7irspPnkql3OsK3mSDdhutXPQiP5pnFA_Qu5uu0D1O1tRHaq6v6bWTAPik2oVy1qSGTtuxqZ7ektuJvVVDe2CZHAl03i5H8mNNXvxqg7jLEXiJ_MdMSYp1e9W7z4M54iiaOm/s1543/Short-eared%20owl1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1461" data-original-width="1543" height="379" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZy0nLUp6AQatzNKP_lrOMSBgHgfA4kQbYOVKNOfUfFMhzsPlfvwtAFPrD7irspPnkql3OsK3mSDdhutXPQiP5pnFA_Qu5uu0D1O1tRHaq6v6bWTAPik2oVy1qSGTtuxqZ7ektuJvVVDe2CZHAl03i5H8mNNXvxqg7jLEXiJ_MdMSYp1e9W7z4M54iiaOm/w400-h379/Short-eared%20owl1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>On Sunday 26th a<span style="color: #990000;"> short-eared owl</span> was watched hunting over the fields by the Strood. In between being mobbed by a <span style="color: #990000;">kestrel</span>, it paused for a while in the grass field. A <span style="color: #990000;">merlin</span> flew low over the weedy field scattering all the small birds in its path, before it perched in a tree at the back of the field for several minutes. Two <span style="color: #990000;">marsh harriers</span> also passed over the field early in the afternoon and three <span style="color: #990000;">kestrels</span> were also over the fields. The <span style="color: #990000;">great white egret </span>was also walking about the fields looking for food.</div><div><br /></div><div>Among the small birds in the fields were 50<span style="color: #990000;"> linnets</span>, 30 <span style="color: #990000;">corn buntings</span>, 15 <span style="color: #990000;">reed buntings</span>, ten <span style="color: #990000;">meadow pipits</span> and three <span style="color: #990000;">stonechats</span>. Along the channel at high tide were 60 <span style="color: #990000;">shelduck</span>, 300 <span style="color: #990000;">wigeon</span>, 100<span style="color: #990000;"> teal</span>, 2 <span style="color: #990000;">great crested grebes</span>, 30<span style="color: #990000;"> avocets</span> and a<span style="color: #990000;"> snipe</span> flying off the fields.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEildMmyErnHTEQXbsRhWo1p0oZRWJLQVwvsHhKXSRE88KNG1A_w7g0Pk3I5FykenwAGu5dKDyMZJeCJpWERKGqm-07TfOMIadc60OqSeUpYnDUPc0BziRKfhoJrTy054NajHN-vzPNX80OT5cyJ6hDjgA7imSUOyz0m25ycSoDXpZYsyZl1sbrYtv2gnGDT/s1565/Pied%20wagtail1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1428" data-original-width="1565" height="365" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEildMmyErnHTEQXbsRhWo1p0oZRWJLQVwvsHhKXSRE88KNG1A_w7g0Pk3I5FykenwAGu5dKDyMZJeCJpWERKGqm-07TfOMIadc60OqSeUpYnDUPc0BziRKfhoJrTy054NajHN-vzPNX80OT5cyJ6hDjgA7imSUOyz0m25ycSoDXpZYsyZl1sbrYtv2gnGDT/w400-h365/Pied%20wagtail1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A female <span style="color: #990000;">pied wagtail</span> was feeding along the edge of the Strood seawall, as were three <span style="color: #990000;">rock pipits</span> on Sunday.</div><div><br /></div><div>Duncan Bulling visited the Island on Sunday and reported seeing the <span style="color: #990000;">short-eared owl</span> flying over the Strood fields in the afternoon. Earlier two <span style="color: #0b5394;">red squirrels</span> and a <span style="color: #0b5394;">grey squirrel </span>were seen by him in Fishponds Wood in East Mersea.</div><div><br /></div><div>Michael Thorley visited Ivy Dock Sunday mid-day and noted a pair of <span style="color: #990000;">red-breasted mergansers</span>, 30 <span style="color: #990000;">brent geese</span>, a few <span style="color: #990000;">wigeon</span> and five <span style="color: #990000;">little egrets</span>.</div><div><br /></div><div>On Saturday 25th along the Maydays and Reeveshall seawall, birds of note seen during the high tide period were five<span style="color: #990000;"> marsh harriers</span>, 1000 <span style="color: #990000;">golden plover</span> and 200<span style="color: #990000;"> lapwing </span>in the air, five <span style="color: #990000;">great crested grebes</span>, 50 <span style="color: #990000;">avocets, Cetti's warbler</span>, a<span style="color: #990000;"> fieldfare </span>as well as three <span style="color: #0b5394;">common seals</span>.</div><div>Later Martin Cock saw a <span style="color: #990000;">fieldfare</span> and <span style="color: #990000;">redwing</span> at Maydays on Saturday afternoon.</div><div>At the West Mersea Esplanade on Saturday afternoon, Andy Field saw a<span style="color: #990000;"> red-throated diver</span> offshore.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrgzgUP8bfG20tlihI-aRD6LcRy-3b4OGzzileHXuWuNH19EPQzjz1SNQ8eAPuzjZmffk4dWIQhCXPBWcD6a8B5drENBA3pVMZsu56hmS0eS_60PVccxa8xjM3g8R4NMb2xOEXQwoKaY1T1_GgUFTl-xQ-LQHqVa1sicnq4OaclgOBRbFCQw3_03A24MkQ/s1311/Goldfinch.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1093" data-original-width="1311" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrgzgUP8bfG20tlihI-aRD6LcRy-3b4OGzzileHXuWuNH19EPQzjz1SNQ8eAPuzjZmffk4dWIQhCXPBWcD6a8B5drENBA3pVMZsu56hmS0eS_60PVccxa8xjM3g8R4NMb2xOEXQwoKaY1T1_GgUFTl-xQ-LQHqVa1sicnq4OaclgOBRbFCQw3_03A24MkQ/w400-h334/Goldfinch.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A<span style="color: #990000;"> goldfinch </span>was feeding in a birch tree in Feldy View on Friday 24th.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkJ1WVgzdIuDVYCb9tSfxyCwRXifWPDPrrD9Yv1HSEdt2havZzUcxHjDM9lpTf8TaNe3yr1NlALjBmL5p5S2nhYKpXLLXWuPzyijkQaKHoey2j9Q1BX-Uq3oB3YrJzPaHD0Gh_62pFGKEF_43L0kcRP8Zh9QOCzqScmdIZxOokjM2Cm5fPILJjVKKSjjf8/s1472/Grey%20Plover1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1424" data-original-width="1472" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkJ1WVgzdIuDVYCb9tSfxyCwRXifWPDPrrD9Yv1HSEdt2havZzUcxHjDM9lpTf8TaNe3yr1NlALjBmL5p5S2nhYKpXLLXWuPzyijkQaKHoey2j9Q1BX-Uq3oB3YrJzPaHD0Gh_62pFGKEF_43L0kcRP8Zh9QOCzqScmdIZxOokjM2Cm5fPILJjVKKSjjf8/w400-h388/Grey%20Plover1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A <span style="color: #990000;">grey plover</span> was waiting near the Strood seawall as the tide came in, on Friday. Also seen from the seawall were a <span style="color: #990000;">marsh harrier</span>, three <span style="color: #990000;">stonechats</span>, 70 <span style="color: #990000;">linnets</span>, 8<span style="color: #990000;"> corn buntings</span>, 40<span style="color: #990000;"> avocets</span> and three<span style="color: #990000;"> great crested grebes</span>.</div><div><br /></div><div>A <span style="color: #990000;">kingfisher </span>was seen at the West Mersea Hard on Friday by Martin Cock. Later at East Mersea two <span style="color: #0b5394;">grey squirrels </span>were seen by Martin near the Oyster Fishery.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjboWvTlNp8CCosC-zuUG2_y0CTNmp8U2etuwYl-XcNHg0aFGQoHVxpKjMNQDXbcoI0Ddj1z-p_Mynv73dvjIGo6B8EFuZLDcxrR1p5AoyZlMq5FK8x9du4rw5b9OwXczzJCkxtDwhqFJBM32VByo35DLHlujfFXla19gfQt4BgZdBqAmCdA5U7Km-p40rl/s3375/Cockatiel.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3309" data-original-width="3375" height="393" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjboWvTlNp8CCosC-zuUG2_y0CTNmp8U2etuwYl-XcNHg0aFGQoHVxpKjMNQDXbcoI0Ddj1z-p_Mynv73dvjIGo6B8EFuZLDcxrR1p5AoyZlMq5FK8x9du4rw5b9OwXczzJCkxtDwhqFJBM32VByo35DLHlujfFXla19gfQt4BgZdBqAmCdA5U7Km-p40rl/w400-h393/Cockatiel.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>On Friday afternoon an escaped<span style="color: #990000;"> cockatiel</span> landed on the house roof in Firs Chase, calling loudly when it arrived. It only stayed for a few minutes, pecking the rose leaves beside it, looking around and then flying off.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg39kFb82G2PUzbybTdgVXrE7yaLNjvzlZH52b7FZBA-7AjVTJCykzZGSycEHLpMm7hukublFTG8TmVp1n5b5HB3waa15LwQdJwa8eTmBdn4_OUGJQf1Jjik6ZUclq-bbr29yitNo0kRmADmEA1Pe8V-MklqKsFdO10VoWn2Asi3U7mXsJDSq80A1WFIKps/s1931/Herring%20gull%20immAF.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1931" data-original-width="1364" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg39kFb82G2PUzbybTdgVXrE7yaLNjvzlZH52b7FZBA-7AjVTJCykzZGSycEHLpMm7hukublFTG8TmVp1n5b5HB3waa15LwQdJwa8eTmBdn4_OUGJQf1Jjik6ZUclq-bbr29yitNo0kRmADmEA1Pe8V-MklqKsFdO10VoWn2Asi3U7mXsJDSq80A1WFIKps/w283-h400/Herring%20gull%20immAF.JPG" width="283" /></a></div>The regular and very hungry immature <span style="color: #990000;">herring gull </span>was pictured by Andy Field on a car roof at the Hard car park on Thursday 23rd. Maybe it knew that Andy often carries pasties around with him!</div><div>The<span style="color: #990000;"> black brant </span>was seen by Andy opposite the Hard on Thursday but no sign of the razorbill. A <span style="color: #990000;">great northern diver</span> was seen flying into the estuary and then landing on the water just off Kingsland Road.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEhkseEjMZ-67CiiLAiC-kOPYMFQtJ_XOPV4JojvoWtm2cXyfm44ciDgzrb0ldgPgHstweJf3ECWaof5L8318okm4WwM4wqAnsLgNlSTrgQ9T9bHt4jhIMm69BHUWCSJnKRKio2rO6N5-fcBLsGLJTtSAJNh-RYYuq95N9xTvVBTAXhgxN9vm-VtVlkZrW/s1550/Stonechat%20maleAF.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1550" data-original-width="1287" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEhkseEjMZ-67CiiLAiC-kOPYMFQtJ_XOPV4JojvoWtm2cXyfm44ciDgzrb0ldgPgHstweJf3ECWaof5L8318okm4WwM4wqAnsLgNlSTrgQ9T9bHt4jhIMm69BHUWCSJnKRKio2rO6N5-fcBLsGLJTtSAJNh-RYYuq95N9xTvVBTAXhgxN9vm-VtVlkZrW/w333-h400/Stonechat%20maleAF.JPG" width="333" /></a></div>A visit later on Thursday to the East Mersea Golfhouse by Andy enabled him to photograph this male <span style="color: #990000;">stonechat</span> in the horse paddock, two pairs of <span style="color: #990000;">stonechats</span> here, also a <span style="color: #990000;">grey wagtail </span>and a<span style="color: #990000;"> rock pipit</span> here.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-6UUz7dTGRS1UfsejBeUsJGH6OivTzAzYhA0a-IX1yi4D2Sm5PDu7iy6czYRBDer5fUSZTOz89q7C3CqovVBA2OdmUKhbpZzZL0-Uo_2eyk7OVYbjDADJXXKvO6bvs-a0qU_Nm4AcuFhVFZBWg2qRSUXWOM63d-or3iqPHp1io_HqaGnzErxqfPpuT8OQ/s2048/Turnstone%20Strood.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1740" data-original-width="2048" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-6UUz7dTGRS1UfsejBeUsJGH6OivTzAzYhA0a-IX1yi4D2Sm5PDu7iy6czYRBDer5fUSZTOz89q7C3CqovVBA2OdmUKhbpZzZL0-Uo_2eyk7OVYbjDADJXXKvO6bvs-a0qU_Nm4AcuFhVFZBWg2qRSUXWOM63d-or3iqPHp1io_HqaGnzErxqfPpuT8OQ/w400-h340/Turnstone%20Strood.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A <span style="color: #990000;">turnstone</span> was feeding near the Strood seawall on Thursday. Other birds noted during the walk along the seawall were 700 <span style="color: #990000;">golden plovers, marsh harrier</span>, 30<span style="color: #990000;"> avocets</span>, two <span style="color: #990000;">great crested grebes</span>, three <span style="color: #990000;">stonechats</span>, 100 <span style="color: #990000;">linnets</span> and ten <span style="color: #990000;">corn buntings</span>.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfbnayuedEIPcRkm5TBltE-UVv29YxpeFC46xeItOYEChcp13EWENnYPa34cCK6xsLWuajR4CWMKVdaWqCa5J6-nRcw7WOUjwYsgDxda20RGpMMPnK5BAc5a3PjJ4kzDrC92OIzQ2G2cM0pgF_Q07HHxGWUrBkV8PtWDY9rSSXRP9DmEyCk0hZXivN3e3_/s1660/Great%20spotted%20woodpecker2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1533" data-original-width="1660" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfbnayuedEIPcRkm5TBltE-UVv29YxpeFC46xeItOYEChcp13EWENnYPa34cCK6xsLWuajR4CWMKVdaWqCa5J6-nRcw7WOUjwYsgDxda20RGpMMPnK5BAc5a3PjJ4kzDrC92OIzQ2G2cM0pgF_Q07HHxGWUrBkV8PtWDY9rSSXRP9DmEyCk0hZXivN3e3_/w400-h370/Great%20spotted%20woodpecker2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A female <span style="color: #990000;">great spotted woodpecker</span> perched up a tree in Feldy View on Thursday.</div>Dougal Urquharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160413142108234247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6323835421725003809.post-56243205470051020572023-11-22T22:30:00.003-01:002023-11-23T17:30:12.757-01:00PARK WIGEON<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoj-5-ksa1pikfp_3i83fnyM7WlhFTO1R-d2MGvXvGGZYSfSUuMxt8vG04Ba3rz7MB7Re1QJ3VOA7qjaEyc6pefMC5BIBLpsO2wmZW-FLTvH7fHtI79Vxa6fUR_cK4zYgcu-Z3AC33lMGJYbauqtj0cFSCUILhyVtRp-W-Hiqb4tm8diH-YCxytTe340pB/s2069/Wigeon%20pair.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1849" data-original-width="2069" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoj-5-ksa1pikfp_3i83fnyM7WlhFTO1R-d2MGvXvGGZYSfSUuMxt8vG04Ba3rz7MB7Re1QJ3VOA7qjaEyc6pefMC5BIBLpsO2wmZW-FLTvH7fHtI79Vxa6fUR_cK4zYgcu-Z3AC33lMGJYbauqtj0cFSCUILhyVtRp-W-Hiqb4tm8diH-YCxytTe340pB/w400-h358/Wigeon%20pair.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A pair of <span style="color: #990000;">wigeon</span> swam along the borrowdyke at Cudmore Grove Country Park on Wednesday 22nd, while nearby a small flock of fifty was grazing the park fields. <div>At the park pond six<span style="color: #990000;"> gadwall</span>, ten <span style="color: #990000;">mallard </span>and thirty <span style="color: #990000;">teal </span>were seen, by the Golfhouse the <span style="color: #990000;">grey wagtail </span>flew over, while three <span style="color: #990000;">green woodpeckers</span>, thirty <span style="color: #990000;">brent geese</span> and thirty<span style="color: #990000;"> moorhens</span> were in the horse paddock. A <span style="color: #990000;">little owl</span> was heard calling from the Ivy Farm area.<br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6HnEQPcRdaiwhW88E5D4VE6aDNnv2gXlAqdeTrwVjXAcNcmQMrgHavGDoftyUKaIa8C5oQ_qrNKp-hetHe40EKdmOhs5p3QGKARAv_5wtFzBzhYwdzXWl7YI-aRdT4rXdJLZeliaKmTTJkN-90hKK0bY9fMqX-WY2LRc8zfUPTDZX0jB5DiKOEliQQT7z/s2221/Stonechat%20Point.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2214" data-original-width="2221" height="399" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6HnEQPcRdaiwhW88E5D4VE6aDNnv2gXlAqdeTrwVjXAcNcmQMrgHavGDoftyUKaIa8C5oQ_qrNKp-hetHe40EKdmOhs5p3QGKARAv_5wtFzBzhYwdzXWl7YI-aRdT4rXdJLZeliaKmTTJkN-90hKK0bY9fMqX-WY2LRc8zfUPTDZX0jB5DiKOEliQQT7z/w400-h399/Stonechat%20Point.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A female <span style="color: #990000;">stonechat </span>was in the bushes at the East Mersea Point on Wednesday, while along the edge of the nearby grazing field a pair of <span style="color: #990000;">stonechat</span> was feeding. Two<span style="color: #990000;"> reed buntings</span> and two <span style="color: #990000;">rock pipits </span>were at the Point too. On the nearby mud 25<span style="color: #990000;"> avocets</span>, ten <span style="color: #990000;">shelduck</span> and six<span style="color: #990000;"> knot </span>were of note, with a <span style="color: #990000;">sparrowhawk </span>flying east over the river. In the Colne were three <span style="color: #990000;">red-breasted mergansers</span>, five<span style="color: #990000;"> great crested grebes</span>, 400 <span style="color: #990000;">brent geese</span> on the east bank and<span style="color: #0b5394;"> common seal</span> in the mouth of the river.</div><div><br /></div><div>At Maydays farm on Wednesday Martin Cock reported seeing several hundred <span style="color: #990000;">knot</span>, four <span style="color: #990000;">red-breasted mergansers</span> and four <span style="color: #0b5394;">common seals</span> in the Pyefleet while a <span style="color: #990000;">red kite </span>and a <span style="color: #990000;">Cetti's warbler</span> were also noted.</div><div><br /></div><div>On a drizzly Tuesday 21st during the middle of the day, a<span style="color: #990000;"> razorbill </span>was seen from the West Mersea Hard feeding among the boats in the Mersea Quarters. It drifted down channel towards Packing Shed Island, diving repeatedly to feed and even allowed very close views to Geoff Wass who motored slowly past it in his dinghy. This bird is presumed the same one that was first seen in Tollesbury Channel three weeks earlier by Paul Rowe. For several of us long-time Island birders, this was our first ever<span style="color: #990000;"> razorbill</span> sighting for the Island!</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo-vL8B1-0o1kGDps2g7oMpHIx2AeyhUHCdhC8cUR5iKOHjmszf83rKVrFr3iYlNggaUlZqC-LM2FWeralxd72uTGuf3X_2ORXXjhySMb2EZ9P1C7fnzwrH0S6TdxpMB31K-QNpM387KF6kYASJTR7QBBseKYdEtBpAzWCwYeXo28CBNDciSBEJyblS6mr/s2878/Strood%20weedy%20field1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2573" data-original-width="2878" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo-vL8B1-0o1kGDps2g7oMpHIx2AeyhUHCdhC8cUR5iKOHjmszf83rKVrFr3iYlNggaUlZqC-LM2FWeralxd72uTGuf3X_2ORXXjhySMb2EZ9P1C7fnzwrH0S6TdxpMB31K-QNpM387KF6kYASJTR7QBBseKYdEtBpAzWCwYeXo28CBNDciSBEJyblS6mr/w400-h358/Strood%20weedy%20field1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>During a walk along the Strood seawall on Tuesday morning, lots of small birds were flying around and dropping to feed into a couple of long grass / "weedy" fields. These included 70+ <span style="color: #990000;">skylarks</span>, 70+<span style="color: #990000;"> linnets</span>, 20 <span style="color: #990000;">corn buntings</span>, ten <span style="color: #990000;">reed buntings</span>, five<span style="color: #990000;"> meadow pipits</span>, while round along the dyke were two pairs of <span style="color: #990000;">stonechats </span>and a singing <span style="color: #990000;">Cetti's warbler</span>. A male <span style="color: #990000;">marsh harrier</span> quartered the fields, with a female seen over Ray Island, also two <span style="color: #990000;">buzzards</span>.</div><div><br /></div><div>In the Strood Channel on Tuesday were good numbers of wildfowl with 500<span style="color: #990000;"> wigeon</span> and 500 <span style="color: #990000;">teal</span>, also 12 <span style="color: #990000;">little grebes</span>, a <span style="color: #990000;">great crested grebe</span> and a single <span style="color: #990000;">shoveler</span>. The large flock of 1000<span style="color: #990000;"> brent geese</span> was flitting between Ray Channel and the nearby wheat field. Also of note along the Strood were 800 <span style="color: #990000;">golden plover</span>, 70 <span style="color: #990000;">lapwing</span>, ten <span style="color: #990000;">black-tailed godwits</span>, 300<span style="color: #990000;"> dunlin</span>, 30 <span style="color: #990000;">avocets</span> and two <span style="color: #990000;">knot.</span></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUqY-sxYzY21cvQqb24fgL_KQSMICBypdfR6YqrDFoVOPiVa54Vkr49ZpgR0_LdTmStr9cCgACnFVrMoJrc9GBn6J-GoSsxxNfFWDBDhpoZb7PI70KILcy-gqM0hYk7XtUTWw2kh93QNx_wJ9p_zDkxnxrKSZA-bv45DzcIB8dxovlU7lCc9RD3h2ATDEv/s1230/Redshank%20Strood%20mud.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1230" data-original-width="1230" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUqY-sxYzY21cvQqb24fgL_KQSMICBypdfR6YqrDFoVOPiVa54Vkr49ZpgR0_LdTmStr9cCgACnFVrMoJrc9GBn6J-GoSsxxNfFWDBDhpoZb7PI70KILcy-gqM0hYk7XtUTWw2kh93QNx_wJ9p_zDkxnxrKSZA-bv45DzcIB8dxovlU7lCc9RD3h2ATDEv/w400-h400/Redshank%20Strood%20mud.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Nice and sunny along the Strood seawall on Monday 20th saw lots of birds along the mud such as this <span style="color: #990000;">redshank</span>. A large flock of 1500<span style="color: #990000;"> golden plover </span>rested on the mud near the causeway, while 30<span style="color: #990000;"> avocets</span> and five <span style="color: #990000;">knot </span>were other waders of interest. Amongst the large number of 300 <span style="color: #990000;">wigeon</span> and 200<span style="color: #990000;"> teal </span>were a flock of 12<span style="color: #990000;"> shoveler</span> which flew off to the Ray Channel, also 15<span style="color: #990000;"> little grebes</span> in the Strood channel.</div><div><br /></div><div>Whilst scanning distant birds circling over the mainland near Copt Hall on Monday, a flock of eight<span style="color: #990000;"> red kites</span> were watched for several minutes as they slowly drifted south to the West Mersea Hard. They circled round briefly before returning to the mainland and then lost to view. Along the Strood seawall, the regular <span style="color: #990000;">great white egret</span> arrived to feed in the weedy field, also a <span style="color: #990000;">marsh harrier</span> and three<span style="color: #990000;"> kestrels </span> over the fields and four <span style="color: #990000;">buzzards</span> noted during the walk.</div><div><br /></div><div>Small birds noted included 30 <span style="color: #990000;">skylarks, stonechat</span> pair, 20 <span style="color: #990000;">corn buntings</span>, ten <span style="color: #990000;">reed buntings</span>, 70<span style="color: #990000;"> linnets</span> and two singing <span style="color: #990000;">Cetti's warblers</span>.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTpuXsf7CdWhgjNWV19bfgqryJaoZ_2C24wknmFPYQHEjJea5MhYBkpeSUrMsNoNB4KghAZOxQiiTFY6LJPcIZ4TVwNLOWWQkSEtj7462V0sjWrxr7hS0gl1iL_k7swHiyomDAZMpri7DSyZhcWwzi7OjOL8a5auFw6DueowrSd7kgMvTEGfmJkwqWymIB/s1601/Speckled%20wood%20Feldy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1449" data-original-width="1601" height="363" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTpuXsf7CdWhgjNWV19bfgqryJaoZ_2C24wknmFPYQHEjJea5MhYBkpeSUrMsNoNB4KghAZOxQiiTFY6LJPcIZ4TVwNLOWWQkSEtj7462V0sjWrxr7hS0gl1iL_k7swHiyomDAZMpri7DSyZhcWwzi7OjOL8a5auFw6DueowrSd7kgMvTEGfmJkwqWymIB/w400-h363/Speckled%20wood%20Feldy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A <span style="color: #741b47;">speckled wood</span> was enjoying the November sunshine in Feldy View on Monday- the latest ever date for a <span style="color: #741b47;">speckled wood </span>to still be on the wing on the Island!</div><div>A <span style="color: #990000;">sparrowhawk</span> flew over the Feldy View on Monday morning.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ7oMqlrIL_4gw3TOkuFT47beeMhIXtF9iRRzp6Q-7N3MRy2BL7D5FRC2Bkx26T5PoXa15t7ARn0rWn_Ry96-WlJ8O7flF3vWLG32uD8eb1viAiJLitVyKMJHa8o0gG2F2cWjyP6cv-r3hXC_jKmL_75-ZeSqzFPoizflAx1L1cHnX2QBgpoBEpd5TvqJg/s3130/Red%20squirrel%20folly%20path.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2930" data-original-width="3130" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ7oMqlrIL_4gw3TOkuFT47beeMhIXtF9iRRzp6Q-7N3MRy2BL7D5FRC2Bkx26T5PoXa15t7ARn0rWn_Ry96-WlJ8O7flF3vWLG32uD8eb1viAiJLitVyKMJHa8o0gG2F2cWjyP6cv-r3hXC_jKmL_75-ZeSqzFPoizflAx1L1cHnX2QBgpoBEpd5TvqJg/w400-h375/Red%20squirrel%20folly%20path.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A <span style="color: #0b5394;">red squirrel</span> showed briefly in a tree as I passed along the footpath at the top of the Firs Caravan park on Monday morning.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM4gNt6IOo1xLV8YcUf8PKmNMynOYJBrjl8e6ntw2WhdqSfg8BlxSI7rWGql4lqYteVFRdQYhCO8sYWXeqGzj7zQtb1ApB-R9KTV6QnSl2afOenlMC06J57SHSGOuZyn50csn2wUWDaE0tAd5bw39ROgdfc42x8nhHzHESu4rMKuDC8crbdBcKqEry3eI8/s2048/Langenhoe%20harrier%20roost.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1843" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM4gNt6IOo1xLV8YcUf8PKmNMynOYJBrjl8e6ntw2WhdqSfg8BlxSI7rWGql4lqYteVFRdQYhCO8sYWXeqGzj7zQtb1ApB-R9KTV6QnSl2afOenlMC06J57SHSGOuZyn50csn2wUWDaE0tAd5bw39ROgdfc42x8nhHzHESu4rMKuDC8crbdBcKqEry3eI8/w400-h360/Langenhoe%20harrier%20roost.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Andy Field visited the Shop Lane seawall on Monday late afternoon to watch the harriers going into roost on the Langenhoe ranges and counted 12 <span style="color: #990000;">marsh harriers</span>, although a low passing army Chinook helicopter disturbed another half dozen or so <span style="color: #990000;">marsh harriers</span> that flew away to the west to roost, possibly to Old Hall Marshes. Andy's picture above shows two distant<span style="color: #990000;"> marsh harriers</span> perched on bush-tops.</div><div>Also in the area were 700 <span style="color: #990000;">brent geese</span>, 2000+ <span style="color: #990000;">dunlin</span> and 70<span style="color: #990000;"> avocets</span>.</div><div><br /></div><div>Earlier on Monday Martin Cock saw a <span style="color: #990000;">common scoter </span>and two <span style="color: #990000;">pintail</span> from the East Mersea Oyster Fishery.</div><div><br /></div><div>On Sunday along the Strood channel a female <span style="color: #990000;">goosander </span>flew down channel, while 1000 <span style="color: #990000;">golden plover</span>, 1000<span style="color: #990000;"> brent geese</span>, two <span style="color: #990000;">shoveler </span>and thirty<span style="color: #990000;"> avocets</span> also noted here. A <span style="color: #990000;">kingfisher</span> perched briefly at the sluice outflow, a<span style="color: #990000;"> great white egret</span> fed in the weedy field, also <span style="color: #990000;">marsh harrier, sparrowhawk</span>, two <span style="color: #990000;">stonechats</span> and two <span style="color: #990000;">corn buntings</span> seen.</div><div><br /></div><div>A<span style="color: #990000;"> short-eared owl </span>on Saturday 18th, made a couple of brief appearances over the weedy field early afternoon possibly because a male <span style="color: #990000;">marsh harrier </span>was quartering close-by. A second <span style="color: #990000;">marsh harrier</span> was seen too, while the <span style="color: #990000;">great white egret</span> was feeding in the field as well. </div><div>Small birds included ten <span style="color: #990000;">corn buntings</span>, 40 <span style="color: #990000;">linnets </span>and two pairs of <span style="color: #990000;">stonechat</span> - each pair at either end of the seawall.</div><div><br /></div><div>Along the Strood channel were 200 <span style="color: #990000;">wigeon</span>, 200<span style="color: #990000;"> teal</span>, 300 <span style="color: #990000;">dunlin</span>, 40 <span style="color: #990000;">black-tailed godwits</span>, 30 <span style="color: #990000;">avocets</span> and ten <span style="color: #990000;">knot</span>. On the mainland 2500 <span style="color: #990000;">golden plover</span> rose into the air above Feldy Marsh, while 1000 <span style="color: #990000;">brent geese</span> flew off the fields at Peldon.</div><div><br /></div><div>Late on Saturday afternoon just after dark, a<span style="color: #990000;"> tawny owl</span> called from a neighbours garden in Firs Chase.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjkljzXhiPViTZWy83Wn27FjTZLJnfDeDFqCdpwKKUdsnogSg3hne79t6tyd4vqs6Bz8EOqATv3gV1dp3511mJJzLMzPyS5jHO7SU-RnIMBTK7a5VBieoDK6yRnio03kVHAEhaSdsrl5XouHCrn0ZIlyXrDIchy4V5dR-YtgYmmtV9ETlQA8bE0I7sPrdV/s925/Corn%20buntingAF.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="925" data-original-width="843" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjkljzXhiPViTZWy83Wn27FjTZLJnfDeDFqCdpwKKUdsnogSg3hne79t6tyd4vqs6Bz8EOqATv3gV1dp3511mJJzLMzPyS5jHO7SU-RnIMBTK7a5VBieoDK6yRnio03kVHAEhaSdsrl5XouHCrn0ZIlyXrDIchy4V5dR-YtgYmmtV9ETlQA8bE0I7sPrdV/w365-h400/Corn%20buntingAF.JPG" width="365" /></a></div>A <span style="color: #990000;">corn bunting</span> was photographed by Andy Field beside the Strood seawall on Friday 17th - one of 25 birds noted in the fields. At least one pair of <span style="color: #990000;">yellowhammer </span>was seen by Andy at the back of the Strood fields and also a second male, so maybe two pairs present which is a scarce sighting for the area. Andy also watched a <span style="color: #990000;">marsh harrier, buzzard</span> and<span style="color: #990000;"> sparrowhawk </span>during his walk, while a <span style="color: #0b5394;">red squirrel </span>was seen at the top of the Firs Caravan park.</div><div><br /></div><div>A <span style="color: #990000;">merlin</span> was watched on Friday flying over the Strood channel from Ray Island and then hurtling at speed into the flocks of small birds feeding in the weedy field without catching anything. A<span style="color: #990000;"> peregrine</span> was tussling with a <span style="color: #990000;">marsh harrier </span>near the Peldon seawall, also a second <span style="color: #990000;">marsh harrier</span> and <span style="color: #990000;">buzzard</span> also noted.</div><div><br /></div><div>Along the channel on Friday were 1000 <span style="color: #990000;">golden plover</span>, 37<span style="color: #990000;"> avocets</span>, forty <span style="color: #990000;">shelduck</span> and <span style="color: #990000;">great crested grebe</span>, also a pair of<span style="color: #990000;"> stonechat</span>, fifty <span style="color: #990000;">linnets</span> and a <span style="color: #990000;">Cetti's warbler</span> noted too.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEH-v4yTF6VE5KvQh6CyCkGDWTw36EcNC1jxUanDnCvbGINvzlOdJyKF8dj9La3hA3bRE8wi9wL9aoT3LORmzgKa1N3jc6IA-e3HN2l7r_59wHdlvryWtkrjW9UFNVyTzIONCiDYPM6fy70E2jMxrAzm1sAVJq4wjifhx-wpBVdUPu2RmB-p4KZdTcz8z-/s2279/Brent%20goose1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1842" data-original-width="2279" height="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEH-v4yTF6VE5KvQh6CyCkGDWTw36EcNC1jxUanDnCvbGINvzlOdJyKF8dj9La3hA3bRE8wi9wL9aoT3LORmzgKa1N3jc6IA-e3HN2l7r_59wHdlvryWtkrjW9UFNVyTzIONCiDYPM6fy70E2jMxrAzm1sAVJq4wjifhx-wpBVdUPu2RmB-p4KZdTcz8z-/w400-h324/Brent%20goose1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A<span style="color: #990000;"> brent goose</span> stood close to the path near the Dabchicks sailing club on a dull Thursday 16th.</div><div>Three <span style="color: #990000;">goosanders </span>including one male flew down the Strood Channel towards the Hard - an unexpected sighting for here. Also in the channel were 300<span style="color: #990000;"> wigeon</span>, 100 <span style="color: #990000;">teal</span>, two <span style="color: #990000;">shoveler</span>, 30<span style="color: #990000;"> shelduck</span>, <span style="color: #990000;">great crested grebe</span>, 35 <span style="color: #990000;">avocets</span>, 500 <span style="color: #990000;">golden plover</span>, two <span style="color: #990000;">knot</span> and two <span style="color: #990000;">snipe</span> flying over.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGfe3B_zhSM4SAeHqQI6yClRYfAXGvHJZ1sAZITBXHtf5DRYUpG2SvDhHolAq8YjeJfqIaqy5hqZAiTdmXXwuR4kZpMjzdhJU9xzbDhSjSbWNCNR3-uWe72RYdZ5OifmIPZuJhjr-N0F3Gx3ZFG4XHMILS2fubSFla4PS2wKLHgTXzv24p7eN5wvTKIU6b/s904/Great%20white%20egret%20Strood%20ditch.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="869" data-original-width="904" height="385" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGfe3B_zhSM4SAeHqQI6yClRYfAXGvHJZ1sAZITBXHtf5DRYUpG2SvDhHolAq8YjeJfqIaqy5hqZAiTdmXXwuR4kZpMjzdhJU9xzbDhSjSbWNCNR3-uWe72RYdZ5OifmIPZuJhjr-N0F3Gx3ZFG4XHMILS2fubSFla4PS2wKLHgTXzv24p7eN5wvTKIU6b/w400-h385/Great%20white%20egret%20Strood%20ditch.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><p>A <span style="color: #990000;">great white egret</span> was feeding beside a ditch in the Strood fields on Thursday, four <span style="color: #990000;">marsh harriers</span> were seen too with some hunting over the fields, also three <span style="color: #990000;">kestrels</span> here as well. Small birds in the weedy field were 70 <span style="color: #990000;">linnets</span>, 20 <span style="color: #990000;">corn buntings</span>, 30 <span style="color: #990000;">skylarks</span>, two pairs of <span style="color: #990000;">stonechats</span>, ten <span style="color: #990000;">meadow pipits</span> and a <span style="color: #990000;">Cetti's warbler</span>. A <span style="color: #990000;">goldcrest</span> was seen near the Firs Caravan park and two more in the Firs Chase garden.</p><p>Oliver Cottis braved the drizzle on Thursday morning for half an hour to walk the Strood seawall and noted 16 <span style="color: #990000;">corn buntings</span>, two<span style="color: #990000;"> rock pipits</span>, 6 <span style="color: #990000;">reed buntings</span>, 200 <span style="color: #990000;">dunlin</span>, 50 distant<span style="color: #990000;"> golden plover</span> flock, 20 <span style="color: #990000;">turnstone</span>, 6 <span style="color: #990000;">ringed plover</span> and a pair of <span style="color: #990000;">stonechat</span>.</p><p>The <span style="color: #990000;">great white egret </span>was also seen by Shaun Bater being chased off by a <span style="color: #990000;">grey heron</span> first thing on Thursday morning in the Strood fields, also the <span style="color: #990000;">kestrels</span> there too - but no sign of any short-eared owls.</p><p>At Cooper Beach on Thursday Simon Patient saw a <span style="color: #990000;">grey wagtail</span> fly over the clubhouse, a <span style="color: #990000;">common scoter</span> offshore and also a<span style="color: #990000;"> peregrine</span> hunting a <span style="color: #990000;">redshank</span> along the front of the caravan park.</p></div></div>Dougal Urquharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160413142108234247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6323835421725003809.post-68617035394233457502023-11-15T22:00:00.007-01:002023-11-17T23:05:14.372-01:00MORNING OF SUNSHINE<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVaNC1x3BNkqlX6FIYDS9SBn89J1z3EKM08yFVyixrlo3CpZVbWLEdd1i4YZwf3hF1Mv1ZOImn6V8Lg6etVzIfV89STSIGDGNB0Sl0fcTE7Y5H-ChvTGCOs18rljPMaoZIBn0zInFd20ELWgjpDEkJHEafVWYAw0nEDqBpTvTPROlQzdD0C48wQAWeKmoN/s1869/Stonechat%20Golfhouse.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1658" data-original-width="1869" height="355" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVaNC1x3BNkqlX6FIYDS9SBn89J1z3EKM08yFVyixrlo3CpZVbWLEdd1i4YZwf3hF1Mv1ZOImn6V8Lg6etVzIfV89STSIGDGNB0Sl0fcTE7Y5H-ChvTGCOs18rljPMaoZIBn0zInFd20ELWgjpDEkJHEafVWYAw0nEDqBpTvTPROlQzdD0C48wQAWeKmoN/w400-h355/Stonechat%20Golfhouse.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A pair of <span style="color: #990000;">stonechat</span> was enjoying the morning sunshine near the East Mersea Golfhouse on Wednesday 15th. The <span style="color: #990000;">grey wagtail </span>was still in the horse paddock as were three <span style="color: #990000;">green woodpeckers</span> and a few <span style="color: #990000;">brent geese</span>.<div>On the nearby mudflats by the Point were 1500 <span style="color: #990000;">dunlin</span>, 20<span style="color: #990000;"> avocets</span>, ten<span style="color: #990000;"> ringed plover</span>, 15 <span style="color: #990000;">sanderling</span>, five <span style="color: #990000;">knot</span>, while offshore from the park was a female <span style="color: #990000;">common scoter</span>. <br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghv6IyV5YSF1q9peVrJcsR-CNburTY9UK-b3FnnPReDOx1vpNPF1WayDLbrP4O9sVuEeHJgACma4gz4s-Wk_YcACo3tkB1Rgj5bo6twKt55JTa_vTWSGNzjuBHq1YplTDonkW3sNWYMwq6hbQQ1PF6zW0ktc-DqIq942831r5YSsiKaSypKsnhwiFEy8Po/s2774/Little%20egrets%20park%20pond.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2602" data-original-width="2774" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghv6IyV5YSF1q9peVrJcsR-CNburTY9UK-b3FnnPReDOx1vpNPF1WayDLbrP4O9sVuEeHJgACma4gz4s-Wk_YcACo3tkB1Rgj5bo6twKt55JTa_vTWSGNzjuBHq1YplTDonkW3sNWYMwq6hbQQ1PF6zW0ktc-DqIq942831r5YSsiKaSypKsnhwiFEy8Po/w400-h375/Little%20egrets%20park%20pond.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Fourteen <span style="color: #990000;">little egrets</span> were roosting at the country park pond on Wednesday during the early afternoon high tide. On the pond were 90 <span style="color: #990000;">teal</span>, ten<span style="color: #990000;"> mallard</span> and three <span style="color: #990000;">gadwall</span>, also there was a <span style="color: #990000;">goldcrest</span> in trees nearby. To the north of the park 16<span style="color: #990000;"> pied wagtails </span>were feeding in a horse paddock.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5JRiX03gmAHtSgn_yjGf1BPVjideOA3kpOWMlZrDAhTu7bwhFwl52SmCJmln-7Kkuzp80tzgBGzZMmgq3g0cEV92UA9gsqxKVgvS04R2sICGAGZwsS8Cm67iQzxV4W3XxcTxON4dWvnQPpYxmnFOU6b8dAV_r58yKbHFekXbSsr15Oreu5RYuhGAHrXIt/s3039/Common%20darter%20park.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3039" data-original-width="2898" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5JRiX03gmAHtSgn_yjGf1BPVjideOA3kpOWMlZrDAhTu7bwhFwl52SmCJmln-7Kkuzp80tzgBGzZMmgq3g0cEV92UA9gsqxKVgvS04R2sICGAGZwsS8Cm67iQzxV4W3XxcTxON4dWvnQPpYxmnFOU6b8dAV_r58yKbHFekXbSsr15Oreu5RYuhGAHrXIt/w381-h400/Common%20darter%20park.jpg" width="381" /></a></div>Half a dozen<span style="color: #741b47;"> common darters</span> including a pair in tandem, were seen at the country park enjoying the late autumn sunshine on Wednesday. Two <span style="color: #741b47;">red admirals </span>were also seen around the Cudmore circuit.</div><div><br /></div><div>Along the Strood fields on Wednesday, two <span style="color: #990000;">short-eared owls</span> were seen flying about late afternoon by Andy Field.</div><div>Martin Cock reported seeing at Maydays a <span style="color: #990000;">great white egret</span>, three <span style="color: #990000;">rock pipits, chiffchaff </span>and also four <span style="color: #0b5394;">common seals</span>.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK-jnTo_Z1c9kP4w1zozodkMt4cMahCN4kg99Ot-AjtcXeqGQhoODky3lhZMpyAdGv8zyKH1g7297k_zRBEhvS-_r8h8Yv_DQuv5OQdovHcEzpV_f3eHgrnJd7sp36WnTJ5E0sIVWAzp3m4msaK41491l5vzfFTayrecQb4v9oZcLBKmJqVuV9Zjuc_H-5/s1662/Short-eared%20owlStrood.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1496" data-original-width="1662" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK-jnTo_Z1c9kP4w1zozodkMt4cMahCN4kg99Ot-AjtcXeqGQhoODky3lhZMpyAdGv8zyKH1g7297k_zRBEhvS-_r8h8Yv_DQuv5OQdovHcEzpV_f3eHgrnJd7sp36WnTJ5E0sIVWAzp3m4msaK41491l5vzfFTayrecQb4v9oZcLBKmJqVuV9Zjuc_H-5/w400-h360/Short-eared%20owlStrood.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A <span style="color: #990000;">short-eared owl </span>stood inside the Strood seawall on Tuesday 14th. It had been hunting the nearby weedy field late morning before having a rest, then headed back over the fields and dropped down out of view.</div><div>The <span style="color: #990000;">kingfisher </span>perched at the end of the Strood dyke, a<span style="color: #990000;"> great white egret</span> was stalking the back of one of the ditches, two <span style="color: #990000;">Cetti's warblers</span> singing, three<span style="color: #990000;"> corn buntings</span> seen, and a <span style="color: #990000;">yellowhammer </span>flew west. Of note along the channel were 200 <span style="color: #990000;">brent geese</span>, 100 <span style="color: #990000;">golden plover</span> and a <span style="color: #990000;">great crested grebe</span>. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw6QxG_ep7uNbj-XyEpL7RGFaWXutaWhcYCNKFrzWMEeOO7R5buFASPVCZOHE4O3PsIAQXKCI06pUeRENbLqWnPz678POYGFDXEskspmFarUuH3NCDaMAJTerMUVCOqy-ZgtjqQh219YrwVztxrDiNsK2Aye0gEpVeeWvr1tvk05CAVLAwmV_z2kGT1Gp1/s4032/Strood%20grey%20cloud.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw6QxG_ep7uNbj-XyEpL7RGFaWXutaWhcYCNKFrzWMEeOO7R5buFASPVCZOHE4O3PsIAQXKCI06pUeRENbLqWnPz678POYGFDXEskspmFarUuH3NCDaMAJTerMUVCOqy-ZgtjqQh219YrwVztxrDiNsK2Aye0gEpVeeWvr1tvk05CAVLAwmV_z2kGT1Gp1/w400-h300/Strood%20grey%20cloud.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Dark clouds passed over the Strood channel on Monday 13th. A <span style="color: #990000;">merlin</span> flew along Ray Island during high tide and dived into a wader roost on the saltmarsh but without catching anything. Also noted were a <span style="color: #990000;">marsh harrier</span>, 20 <span style="color: #990000;">avocets</span>, 100<span style="color: #990000;"> golden plover</span>, 20 <span style="color: #990000;">ringed plover, stonechat</span>, 100 <span style="color: #990000;">linnets</span> and four <span style="color: #990000;">corn buntings</span>. A <span style="color: #990000;">sparrowhawk </span>flew quickly over Feldy View.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcxT93WMuCp3Oq6gOIDi3LAKdKQQWX7EqzHRW2syNMCu5K29YQZ4cVwF1vLFVF9le1Z5v8pGJ0epLRAOO_Z2sdUY_zseZrN5IjPaHH3h4xUpoc2s9MlEe_oheRzzE7sSeEeYcPzeUdHkf7Xrp2oYJswlZv7TPUn-s3FD30up38GC158W2p1RpdNBrmevZ7/s3257/Brent%20geese%20Reeveshall.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2753" data-original-width="3257" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcxT93WMuCp3Oq6gOIDi3LAKdKQQWX7EqzHRW2syNMCu5K29YQZ4cVwF1vLFVF9le1Z5v8pGJ0epLRAOO_Z2sdUY_zseZrN5IjPaHH3h4xUpoc2s9MlEe_oheRzzE7sSeEeYcPzeUdHkf7Xrp2oYJswlZv7TPUn-s3FD30up38GC158W2p1RpdNBrmevZ7/w400-h338/Brent%20geese%20Reeveshall.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A flock of 800 <span style="color: #990000;">brent geese</span> was feeding on Reeveshall on Sunday 12th, also there were 100 <span style="color: #990000;">lapwing</span>, 20 <span style="color: #990000;">stock doves</span>, 50 <span style="color: #990000;">curlew</span>, pair of <span style="color: #990000;">stonechats</span> and four <span style="color: #990000;">corn buntings </span>flying to Langenhoe where 20 <span style="color: #990000;">fieldfares</span> were feeding on berry bushes. Four<span style="color: #990000;"> marsh harriers</span> were seen over Reeveshall and Langenhoe. .</div><div>Along the Pyefleet were <span style="color: #990000;">greenshank</span>, 1000 <span style="color: #990000;">dunlin</span>, 20 <span style="color: #990000;">knot</span>, the leucistic <span style="color: #990000;">redshank</span>, four <span style="color: #990000;">great crested grebes</span> and two <span style="color: #0b5394;">common seals</span>.</div><div>At Maydays there were 20 <span style="color: #990000;">meadow pipits</span>, 15<span style="color: #990000;"> linnets, stonechat </span>and a <span style="color: #990000;">Cetti's warbler</span>, while a <span style="color: #990000;">sparrowhawk</span> and <span style="color: #990000;">marsh harrier</span> were seen along the Bower Hall seawall.</div><div>Two <span style="color: #990000;">short eared owls</span> were hunting over the weedy Strood fields Sunday afternoon, also 700<span style="color: #990000;"> wigeon</span> and a male<span style="color: #990000;"> shoveler</span> along the channel. A <span style="color: #990000;">stonechat </span>and <span style="color: #990000;">marsh harrier </span>were also noted.</div><div><br /></div><div>On Saturday 11th a<span style="color: #990000;"> siskin </span>flew west over The Lane calling, a<span style="color: #990000;"> marsh harrier </span>and <span style="color: #990000;">buzzard </span>were flying over Feldy Marshes and a <span style="color: #990000;">great crested grebe</span> was seen from the Dabchicks sailing club.</div><div><br /></div><div>Offshore from the Victoria Esplanade on Saturday, Steve Entwistle saw two<span style="color: #990000;"> red-throated divers</span> and a female<span style="color: #990000;"> eider</span>.</div><div>At East Mersea on Saturday, Martin Cock reported a <span style="color: #990000;">kingfisher </span>and<span style="color: #990000;"> red breasted merganser</span> at the Oyster Fishery, while Andy Field reported a <span style="color: #990000;">great white egret</span>, 300 <span style="color: #990000;">brent geese</span>, five <span style="color: #990000;">marsh harriers </span>and a <span style="color: #990000;">buzzard </span>from Reeveshall.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhopWOAMIblQIwGE6qhYqkznaJGPKOI3pPozoLJN6FhpxU0EDrFQoh4GjxAr_lBKU2UrR1QbH6Cw7p7z-qhrcvh9mLPqO6JDP57HJnkGRmmY7fompDOm6Yq6pIZIEyZfQw3lOeq1fmNBLzZ0Umy6-TtQ2otB-3P8WW7ZJV6uwb4TgIW3OfiY69d647Oxcbc/s2839/Sanderling%20pair.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2503" data-original-width="2839" height="353" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhopWOAMIblQIwGE6qhYqkznaJGPKOI3pPozoLJN6FhpxU0EDrFQoh4GjxAr_lBKU2UrR1QbH6Cw7p7z-qhrcvh9mLPqO6JDP57HJnkGRmmY7fompDOm6Yq6pIZIEyZfQw3lOeq1fmNBLzZ0Umy6-TtQ2otB-3P8WW7ZJV6uwb4TgIW3OfiY69d647Oxcbc/w400-h353/Sanderling%20pair.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Eighty <span style="color: #990000;">sanderling</span> were counted feeding along the edge of the beach at Waldegraves as the tide began to recede on Friday 10th.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZaP6QJFrmbWKQFUcZQNHzfO5j7iVIMHrwaf0CZRQ8yEeDLeKiY1QRC4EDZUxmnlyc16c8D9hSwpQMU4by9zLQcMLdr7oqLm1g8sCkxfQbz1r4CDi55MjorqrzmZDoDoy1smkZJwpeVn_LDQiUXFIMUSEdr5u-Ok0WKlgWNYqezO4lEwtoRGA2rGNrEP0_/s2620/Sanderling1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2168" data-original-width="2620" height="331" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZaP6QJFrmbWKQFUcZQNHzfO5j7iVIMHrwaf0CZRQ8yEeDLeKiY1QRC4EDZUxmnlyc16c8D9hSwpQMU4by9zLQcMLdr7oqLm1g8sCkxfQbz1r4CDi55MjorqrzmZDoDoy1smkZJwpeVn_LDQiUXFIMUSEdr5u-Ok0WKlgWNYqezO4lEwtoRGA2rGNrEP0_/w400-h331/Sanderling1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>As well as the<span style="color: #990000;"> sanderling</span> here, there were ten <span style="color: #990000;">turnstones </span>feeding with them while ten <span style="color: #990000;">Mediterranean gulls </span>were on the offshore shingle island. A<span style="color: #990000;"> little owl </span>was seen in Waldegraves, ten <span style="color: #990000;">skylarks</span> and a <span style="color: #990000;">buzzard</span> were over nearby fields behind Waldegraves.</div><div><br /></div><div>At Rewsalls marshes on Friday, there was a <span style="color: #990000;">kingfisher</span> perched on the old fenceposts, 70 <span style="color: #990000;">curlew</span>, 100<span style="color: #990000;"> brent geese</span>, 80 <span style="color: #990000;">mallard</span>, two <span style="color: #990000;">black-tailed godwits</span>, 70<span style="color: #990000;"> curlew</span>, 17 <span style="color: #990000;">little grebes</span>, 30 <span style="color: #990000;">great crested grebes</span> offshore, two<span style="color: #990000;"> Cetti's warblers, lesser redpoll</span> flying west, also two <span style="color: #990000;">green woodpeckers </span>and a <span style="color: #990000;">buzzard</span> at the Youth Camp.</div><div><br /></div><div>Michael Thorley visited Coopers Beach on Friday and reported a <span style="color: #990000;">great northern diver</span>, eight <span style="color: #990000;">great crested grebes</span>, 30 <span style="color: #990000;">brent geese</span>, 3<span style="color: #990000;"> little egrets</span> and the regular waders including <span style="color: #990000;">redshank, turnstone</span> and <span style="color: #990000;">dunlin</span>, also <span style="color: #990000;">mallard, herring gull </span>and <span style="color: #990000;">black-headed gull</span> noted.</div><div><br /></div><div>From the Esplanade on Friday two <span style="color: #990000;">red-throated divers </span>were offshore and the distant <span style="color: #990000;">peregrine</span> perched on Bradwell power station.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqKdaUPy95PLR-aBRZx08HQWNu4XCJvJrKTBi2x6-UpO_ARek-ewFFTGffI8PezypWO3RUT9mTubTbFA6GGrMFJGVQe9iCz0IYixY6BEshBndI3BFYgESndC821JJfsDQhlB53V3O8AVRRX7i2-KeZ1zMWDDTqQ1UbByit9foHcO9P4YGLocRmapXjQLNR/s1688/Redshank1%20Strood.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1568" data-original-width="1688" height="371" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqKdaUPy95PLR-aBRZx08HQWNu4XCJvJrKTBi2x6-UpO_ARek-ewFFTGffI8PezypWO3RUT9mTubTbFA6GGrMFJGVQe9iCz0IYixY6BEshBndI3BFYgESndC821JJfsDQhlB53V3O8AVRRX7i2-KeZ1zMWDDTqQ1UbByit9foHcO9P4YGLocRmapXjQLNR/w400-h371/Redshank1%20Strood.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A <span style="color: #990000;">redshank </span>was feeding close to the Strood seawall on Thursday 9th, also along the channel were 150 <span style="color: #990000;">brent geese</span>, 100<span style="color: #990000;"> wigeon</span> and a<span style="color: #990000;"> great crested grebe</span>.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1qFBipNiEZPf7tKNvQZfGIBhgCkQMJW6qdSy_NTy7DZHl615Q2cHQCqA3iJ-hCbhd30Ai62df6ud00BrimKcHQL8XZb0zWgmCCdj8AzQ7BBLIkDXQGd0Q-JuLTGSNA_3D8Hmr6azR1_teLQasedj-5bdM85wGTb_zCuR2bvnB1YhssbuXYrxuG5VyIyWo/s3163/Black-tailed%20godwit%20trio.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2548" data-original-width="3163" height="323" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1qFBipNiEZPf7tKNvQZfGIBhgCkQMJW6qdSy_NTy7DZHl615Q2cHQCqA3iJ-hCbhd30Ai62df6ud00BrimKcHQL8XZb0zWgmCCdj8AzQ7BBLIkDXQGd0Q-JuLTGSNA_3D8Hmr6azR1_teLQasedj-5bdM85wGTb_zCuR2bvnB1YhssbuXYrxuG5VyIyWo/w400-h323/Black-tailed%20godwit%20trio.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Ten<span style="color: #990000;"> black-tailed godwits </span>were along the Strood on Thursday.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB00lKRXSqkiSmv2js_uqmcPgbzRESPv62546tuqz4tpnSf3SZ9QQEbHCU05OYOHd4CsGbJYeqMsxnFjlK0ZsI43TLfA-jl-Eu7iNaZp1ihViX7y2jv5KPfkMgEFfLUszPZ54eMGV0KbwjCqTnbyjSFBD2xnWQpWpTGA2vPFtw5Fgr3_lMgFgqSbF6MUco/s3450/Turnstones%20perched.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2455" data-original-width="3450" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB00lKRXSqkiSmv2js_uqmcPgbzRESPv62546tuqz4tpnSf3SZ9QQEbHCU05OYOHd4CsGbJYeqMsxnFjlK0ZsI43TLfA-jl-Eu7iNaZp1ihViX7y2jv5KPfkMgEFfLUszPZ54eMGV0KbwjCqTnbyjSFBD2xnWQpWpTGA2vPFtw5Fgr3_lMgFgqSbF6MUco/w400-h285/Turnstones%20perched.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Several <span style="color: #990000;">turnstones </span>and a couple of <span style="color: #990000;">dunlin </span>were waiting for the tide to drop along the Strood channel on Thursday. Also of note seen from the seawall were a <span style="color: #990000;">marsh harrier, buzzard</span>, two <span style="color: #990000;">grey herons</span>, pair of <span style="color: #990000;">stonechats</span>, and a <span style="color: #990000;">Cetti's warbler</span>.</div><div><br /></div><div>An <span style="color: #990000;">eider </span>was seen by Steve Entwistle from the West Mersea Esplanade on Thursday.</div><div><br /></div><div>On Wednesday 8th a<span style="color: #990000;"> peregrine</span> was watched mobbing a <span style="color: #990000;">marsh harrier</span> over the Strood fields. A <span style="color: #990000;">great white egret</span> stood by the Strood dyke for a while before flying over to the nearby saltmarsh at the bottom of the Strood Hill. Also two pairs of <span style="color: #990000;">stonechats</span>, fifty <span style="color: #990000;">linnets,</span> ten <span style="color: #990000;">reed buntings</span>, two <span style="color: #990000;">grey herons</span> and 7 <span style="color: #990000;">stock doves </span>all in the fields. Thirty<span style="color: #990000;"> avocets</span>, 150 <span style="color: #990000;">brent geese</span> and fifty<span style="color: #990000;"> golden plover</span> were noted along the channel.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7CBcvDz54b3QrWIqo03i5q0YYzWqeksjLUtiOlaIcJqfUT-R03DKLbS1O0-erMn-BW46qX0DZMdiEZjvG-zAcREkeQrojzicFYHSVGpUgjggb5O3oLtksseQSlO0274z9g1qFfs2QnlXDjcbRalDiaoHUsEl1k3bjelNpPZkjiJlUoZgtt6jbQGiIxnow/s2645/Angle%20shades.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2518" data-original-width="2645" height="381" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7CBcvDz54b3QrWIqo03i5q0YYzWqeksjLUtiOlaIcJqfUT-R03DKLbS1O0-erMn-BW46qX0DZMdiEZjvG-zAcREkeQrojzicFYHSVGpUgjggb5O3oLtksseQSlO0274z9g1qFfs2QnlXDjcbRalDiaoHUsEl1k3bjelNpPZkjiJlUoZgtt6jbQGiIxnow/w400-h381/Angle%20shades.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><p>An <span style="color: #741b47;">Angle Shades</span> moth was in the Firs Chase garden moth trap on a chilly and clear night on Tuesday 7th, also two <span style="color: #741b47;">Yellow-line Quakers</span> too.</p></div></div>Dougal Urquharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160413142108234247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6323835421725003809.post-53744127530706900192023-11-07T22:00:00.002-01:002023-11-10T00:23:34.528-01:00GREY WAG AT THE GOLFHOUSE<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVSIr91edEVpMX1RMSm4kaX1RZlJH17RQkeU9jak4GBYIGcbUXTnVA8bK9xsQ6BiBwmnnKbXW69Epkt1BOVV-ENKotECNjtxZ5ia2-NwwZY26Fdc9-moLZb7CWNrNqBKbg-X9aA3Civ2bF3n_TsFfZJpS1i3l7jDnVcsmHcrBW78puRS7B7jemgdZAvVNv/s1382/Grey%20wagtailAF.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1208" data-original-width="1382" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVSIr91edEVpMX1RMSm4kaX1RZlJH17RQkeU9jak4GBYIGcbUXTnVA8bK9xsQ6BiBwmnnKbXW69Epkt1BOVV-ENKotECNjtxZ5ia2-NwwZY26Fdc9-moLZb7CWNrNqBKbg-X9aA3Civ2bF3n_TsFfZJpS1i3l7jDnVcsmHcrBW78puRS7B7jemgdZAvVNv/w400-h350/Grey%20wagtailAF.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>The <span style="color: #990000;">grey wagtail</span> that has been at the East Mersea Golfhouse for over a week, was photographed there on Tuesday 7th by Andy Field. Also seen during his walk there were 400<span style="color: #990000;"> dunlin</span>, 60 <span style="color: #990000;">knot</span>, pair of <span style="color: #990000;">stonechats</span>, two duetting <span style="color: #990000;">little owls</span> and 100 <span style="color: #990000;">brent geese</span> on the fields.<div>Earlier on Tuesday morning at the West Mersea Esplanade, Andy saw three <span style="color: #990000;">red-throated divers</span>, <span style="color: #990000;">Mediterranean gull</span> and a female <span style="color: #990000;">eider</span> offshore.</div><div><br /></div><div>Along the Strood seawall on Tuesday morning there were 150<span style="color: #990000;"> brent geese, great crested grebe</span>, 20 <span style="color: #990000;">avocets</span> along the channel, with a <span style="color: #990000;">buzzard, kestrel, stonechat</span>, fifty <span style="color: #990000;">linnets, lesser redpoll</span> flying west and 22 <span style="color: #990000;">stock doves </span>flying west over the channel by the caravan park. Nine<span style="color: #990000;"> siskins </span>flew west over the Firs Chase garden in the morning.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUVrNMC8EwomvtUVtq6pMfknxMJtcTGirkrTaqftgNz28OCNND2f69mEX8vedCiL5JVHk4YA4kjj8rvtU2axqoXDsfqCYaIKLokvsS5E8-eFHijAgVOGG8CkDsfR4kwVtiGxFLOGEq_GSFs06MKKzmnYCN-MaWpXuf_Q5fn9L9GMw6zRe2u-ypdJcNQzhI/s2770/Red%20squirrel%20on%20box.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2527" data-original-width="2770" height="365" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUVrNMC8EwomvtUVtq6pMfknxMJtcTGirkrTaqftgNz28OCNND2f69mEX8vedCiL5JVHk4YA4kjj8rvtU2axqoXDsfqCYaIKLokvsS5E8-eFHijAgVOGG8CkDsfR4kwVtiGxFLOGEq_GSFs06MKKzmnYCN-MaWpXuf_Q5fn9L9GMw6zRe2u-ypdJcNQzhI/w400-h365/Red%20squirrel%20on%20box.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A <span style="color: #0b5394;">red squirrel</span> was watched at the nut feeder in the Firs Chase garden on Tuesday.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMyovCH575zSQamcyoraiwSr6S6ojawgGo6VKpU6MZrojsSPzh4q0WxJhLx-j2tqYjU2lDQ0yf0knbTJoo7nyQPU1Rtvn-xtxf4N3lJzLnOg91RsMqOIKZkuD3MCAtlD7DpPfikliYQLkL5ZkOY5uBIstaPBJ7dfQpLBZp09WE0q5cPEKz_sVGFr1Up6Nn/s3033/Red%20squirrels%20chasing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3033" data-original-width="2969" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMyovCH575zSQamcyoraiwSr6S6ojawgGo6VKpU6MZrojsSPzh4q0WxJhLx-j2tqYjU2lDQ0yf0knbTJoo7nyQPU1Rtvn-xtxf4N3lJzLnOg91RsMqOIKZkuD3MCAtlD7DpPfikliYQLkL5ZkOY5uBIstaPBJ7dfQpLBZp09WE0q5cPEKz_sVGFr1Up6Nn/w391-h400/Red%20squirrels%20chasing.jpg" width="391" /></a></div>After a few minutes it was joined by a second <span style="color: #0b5394;">red squirrel </span>and a frantic chase around the tree then followed for several minutes before calm was restored once again.<br /><div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrki0izDC_NjxcR1rX3MdSuuaOPXxxJ_L57PnHmQ824HkTxVa15nXtmAtFN0DhWB9KUYLaudixl6buOfcRn-ZQlhPqtP5gspY2kNXzU4PVz2IbISNDWG9l4z37190tMhvpkdSfkNS0JEwXexE_LuSrRRw49VM5gj2KbQn16-_v-SgTI-SwkqM4dzkMspAW/s1547/Skylark1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1363" data-original-width="1547" height="353" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrki0izDC_NjxcR1rX3MdSuuaOPXxxJ_L57PnHmQ824HkTxVa15nXtmAtFN0DhWB9KUYLaudixl6buOfcRn-ZQlhPqtP5gspY2kNXzU4PVz2IbISNDWG9l4z37190tMhvpkdSfkNS0JEwXexE_LuSrRRw49VM5gj2KbQn16-_v-SgTI-SwkqM4dzkMspAW/w400-h353/Skylark1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>On Monday 6th birds noted along the Strood seawall included this <span style="color: #990000;">skylark</span>, although a highlight was watching a <span style="color: #990000;">peregrine</span> unsettling all the waders and wildfowl along the channel. Birds taking to the air included 400<span style="color: #990000;"> wigeon</span>, 300 <span style="color: #990000;">teal</span> and 150 <span style="color: #990000;">brent geese</span>. Other birds noted were 33<span style="color: #990000;"> avocets</span>, ten <span style="color: #990000;">black-tailed godwits</span>, ten<span style="color: #990000;"> little grebes</span>, two<span style="color: #990000;"> great crested grebes</span>, two <span style="color: #990000;">marsh harriers</span>, four <span style="color: #990000;">buzzards</span>, two <span style="color: #990000;">kestrels</span>, <span style="color: #990000;">Cetti's warbler</span>, three<span style="color: #990000;"> stonechat, corn bunting</span>, with flyovers of seven <span style="color: #990000;">siskin</span> and a <span style="color: #990000;">brambling</span> over Feldy View. A <span style="color: #0b5394;">red squirrel </span>was seen at the top end of the Firs Caravan park.</div><div><br /></div><div>Along the Strood Channel on Sunday 5th were three very vocal <span style="color: #990000;">greenshank</span> standing on the mud calling repeatedly. Also 200 <span style="color: #990000;">wigeon</span>, 250<span style="color: #990000;"> teal</span>, 200 <span style="color: #990000;">golden plover</span>, 18 <span style="color: #990000;">avocets</span>, 80 <span style="color: #990000;">lapwing</span>, three <span style="color: #990000;">marsh harriers</span>, 100<span style="color: #990000;"> linnets</span> and 20 <span style="color: #990000;">skylarks</span>.</div><div><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjBV6din-ZsaXLhMOZAsiLxFPn7OzZmOjLzIjTzYnbQC-8UJh_5tonXTkA4xapQ7alaHMJCe-isnbfE7IakYZNXicyK2pzt6FE0x4QEz_VNyFkUsGaO7EdV_5OFzblfONlx_bJDlMLHkGPL6B6kHxomO5Ct9imzZ_HIrAunIGIXqOr16ZO_ULLazxEElpN/s3841/Brent%20geese%20Golfhouse.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3163" data-original-width="3841" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjBV6din-ZsaXLhMOZAsiLxFPn7OzZmOjLzIjTzYnbQC-8UJh_5tonXTkA4xapQ7alaHMJCe-isnbfE7IakYZNXicyK2pzt6FE0x4QEz_VNyFkUsGaO7EdV_5OFzblfONlx_bJDlMLHkGPL6B6kHxomO5Ct9imzZ_HIrAunIGIXqOr16ZO_ULLazxEElpN/w400-h330/Brent%20geese%20Golfhouse.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>On Saturday 4th after the rain stopped in the morning, a walk past the East Mersea Golfhouse revealed 100 <span style="color: #990000;">brent geese </span>feeding on the horse paddock, also the <span style="color: #990000;">grey wagtail </span>feeding with a few <span style="color: #990000;">pied wagtails</span> and <span style="color: #990000;">meadow pipits</span>. On the nearby saltmarsh and mudflats were 100<span style="color: #990000;"> teal</span>, 50<span style="color: #990000;"> wigeon</span>, 12 <span style="color: #990000;">shelduck</span>, four <span style="color: #990000;">shoveler</span>, five <span style="color: #990000;">avocets</span>, 35 <span style="color: #990000;">ringed plover </span>and 500 <span style="color: #990000;">dunlin</span> while a passing <span style="color: #990000;">marsh harrier</span> helped to flush everything. Also six <span style="color: #990000;">linnets</span> at the Point but no sign of the recent <span style="color: #990000;">snow bunting</span>.</div><div>A <span style="color: #0b5394;">grey squirrel</span> had been reported earlier on Saturday near the park clifftop.</div><div><br /></div><div>Michael Thorley also visited the East Mersea Point on Saturday noting 12<span style="color: #990000;"> turnstones</span>, also 200 <span style="color: #990000;">golden plover</span> flying over.</div><div>Steve Entwistle saw 14 <span style="color: #990000;">common scoter </span>fly west past Coopers Beach on Saturday.</div><div><br /></div><div>Birds of note along the Strood on Friday 3rd were 400 <span style="color: #990000;">golden plover</span>, 28<span style="color: #990000;"> avocets</span>, 200<span style="color: #990000;"> wigeon</span>, 100 <span style="color: #990000;">teal</span>, <span style="color: #990000;">great crested grebe</span>, four<span style="color: #990000;"> knot</span>, five <span style="color: #990000;">Mediterranean gulls</span>, two singing <span style="color: #990000;">Cetti's warblers</span>, two pairs of <span style="color: #990000;">stonechats</span>, 100<span style="color: #990000;"> linnets</span>, four <span style="color: #990000;">corn buntings</span> and ten<span style="color: #990000;"> reed buntings</span>, also a <span style="color: #990000;">coot</span> in the dyke was unusual.</div><div>Two<span style="color: #990000;"> goldcrests </span>and a <span style="color: #990000;">redwing</span> were seen beside the Firs Caravan park.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiatNepcsXTnr5zrvWF94UUTOz5cORL5CMEzITBQ8Z_YAqN_qGiE16F6eWwTXSGPGc5-Dmp4hZvrWUymCAiJsb1nnT8zTbLu4XfOscNZZ913w8smXhJj3qSuq1TEzrH2lvVFXPpYGK_nwGZmXcM_qspuIjsWc4rZgoe1h34M2U6nH28WaCvad7YxiEucx3-/s4608/Fly%20agarics.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiatNepcsXTnr5zrvWF94UUTOz5cORL5CMEzITBQ8Z_YAqN_qGiE16F6eWwTXSGPGc5-Dmp4hZvrWUymCAiJsb1nnT8zTbLu4XfOscNZZ913w8smXhJj3qSuq1TEzrH2lvVFXPpYGK_nwGZmXcM_qspuIjsWc4rZgoe1h34M2U6nH28WaCvad7YxiEucx3-/w300-h400/Fly%20agarics.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>On a wet Thursday 2nd a handful of colourful <span style="color: #7f6000;">Fly Agarics</span> were seen under the birch trees in Feldy View.</div><div>Along the Strood seawall were 25 <span style="color: #990000;">avocets, great crested grebe</span>, 50<span style="color: #990000;"> golden plover</span>, three <span style="color: #990000;">marsh harriers</span>, two <span style="color: #990000;">stonechats</span>, 1000 <span style="color: #990000;">golden plover </span>over Feldy Marsh on the mainland, also 100<span style="color: #990000;"> turnstones</span> roosting on boats by the Hard. A <span style="color: #0b5394;">red squirrel</span> was seen along the footpath at the top of the Firs Caravan park.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFJfV4eKL_Owtx_FoAxmpTw9RvqroKB1IzdsMdjXBw4ACSmmFQfcLbZKsNBx_5sFDhtsl67gzChdMzkI_uVxbbFm1zS7PHDywoGE-nvstKRbNt9PYBFo9JA7viRhyhe2JMT3g3ep8F6l-sf4qQKNJ1DnBrEs1cD5GBbAMmK-_RFxps4zsws-cq4HnuTsbX/s655/Fly%20agaricSE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="655" data-original-width="555" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFJfV4eKL_Owtx_FoAxmpTw9RvqroKB1IzdsMdjXBw4ACSmmFQfcLbZKsNBx_5sFDhtsl67gzChdMzkI_uVxbbFm1zS7PHDywoGE-nvstKRbNt9PYBFo9JA7viRhyhe2JMT3g3ep8F6l-sf4qQKNJ1DnBrEs1cD5GBbAMmK-_RFxps4zsws-cq4HnuTsbX/w339-h400/Fly%20agaricSE.jpg" width="339" /></a></div>The Feldy View <span style="color: #7f6000;">Fly Agarics</span> were also photographed by Steve Entwistle.</div><div><br /></div><div>At Coopers Beach on Thursday afternoon Steve noted a<span style="color: #990000;"> sanderling</span>, 6 <span style="color: #990000;">common gulls</span>, 100 <span style="color: #990000;">black-headed gulls</span>, three <span style="color: #990000;">great black-backed gulls</span>, 20 <span style="color: #990000;">mallard</span> and 15 <span style="color: #990000;">teal</span>.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimOQaFg7xojRd2HNRc8CNbIb0r0A11Kv1erqN25OE5G8wHHnWZyXqPkufdWkjbxHdVwPb8SFRICkIM6Z54l9BnagTvLgwya77IqZfG94NKCTdaHuAgkRhwbIuRWa1Yqf5wi8zTptZZmbC4nBjYsD7s-ZJRaqhLJMr5YPvfPacxMXfq6ti2LwWQdkxP3WGQ/s3027/Kingfisher%20Strood2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2620" data-original-width="3027" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimOQaFg7xojRd2HNRc8CNbIb0r0A11Kv1erqN25OE5G8wHHnWZyXqPkufdWkjbxHdVwPb8SFRICkIM6Z54l9BnagTvLgwya77IqZfG94NKCTdaHuAgkRhwbIuRWa1Yqf5wi8zTptZZmbC4nBjYsD7s-ZJRaqhLJMr5YPvfPacxMXfq6ti2LwWQdkxP3WGQ/w400-h346/Kingfisher%20Strood2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>This distant<span style="color: #990000;"> kingfisher </span>was photographed along the Strood dyke on a wet Wednesday 1st - so wet the damp camera packed up before I'd finished trying to get closer shots of this kingfisher. Luckily the camera came back to life after a few days submerged in a bowl of basmati rice!<div><br /></div><div>Other birds noted along the Strood seawall on Wednesday were a <span style="color: #990000;">Sandwich tern</span> fishing, 18<span style="color: #990000;"> shelduck</span>, 18 <span style="color: #990000;">avocets</span>, ten<span style="color: #990000;"> knot, bar-tailed godwit</span>, 200 <span style="color: #990000;">golden plover</span>, two <span style="color: #990000;">marsh harriers</span>, two <span style="color: #990000;">buzzards</span>, three <span style="color: #990000;">kestrels</span>, three<span style="color: #990000;"> stonechats</span>, two <span style="color: #990000;">Cetti's warblers</span>, also 20 <span style="color: #990000;">stock doves </span>flying over Feldy Marshes<br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil2NrQNcUW7TW-8K1K9gLarkIopQom1Hd3cVS4cYBc3mFVQ-NHVJD5aWPKLo3sAxqbjaKsAS0CaHJlcYGoy3fBtovlqdXxUgbEqPG0RTSL6jbTWxSbeHLEEQ_3xe-ILSJsCvcOwcHfcQZplhwUPm8YJYSmVPEUmzanqOG53ZtO9WES-7megcDQyAtQNtoz/s2048/Wader%20roost%20MT.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil2NrQNcUW7TW-8K1K9gLarkIopQom1Hd3cVS4cYBc3mFVQ-NHVJD5aWPKLo3sAxqbjaKsAS0CaHJlcYGoy3fBtovlqdXxUgbEqPG0RTSL6jbTWxSbeHLEEQ_3xe-ILSJsCvcOwcHfcQZplhwUPm8YJYSmVPEUmzanqOG53ZtO9WES-7megcDQyAtQNtoz/w400-h300/Wader%20roost%20MT.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Michael Thorley visited the East Mersea Golfhouse and Point areas on Wednesday, photographing this roost of 60+<span style="color: #990000;"> redshank</span> on the saltmarsh, also the <span style="color: #990000;">grey wagtail</span>, two <span style="color: #990000;">pied wagtails</span> and two <span style="color: #990000;">green woodpeckers</span>, 20 <span style="color: #990000;">moorhens</span> in the Golfhouse paddock.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPG_zUThrT4HevaXga5sPsF8BZukr1xTMcErjWt5lymAbELMEKM-6-fTKi9mNrUneT19SkiA-vMcGNXDWaK-YjQ3k77VvBaqNgYPycTLfKbnupTQUBRA-BwuuhG62lkVf2j9Ot1oCs3NlKGcG0owv1Wmj89u7CwpSXkfMny-7X7-k-oWtk4st2mfkhWDt6/s1596/LinnetMT.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1396" data-original-width="1596" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPG_zUThrT4HevaXga5sPsF8BZukr1xTMcErjWt5lymAbELMEKM-6-fTKi9mNrUneT19SkiA-vMcGNXDWaK-YjQ3k77VvBaqNgYPycTLfKbnupTQUBRA-BwuuhG62lkVf2j9Ot1oCs3NlKGcG0owv1Wmj89u7CwpSXkfMny-7X7-k-oWtk4st2mfkhWDt6/w400-h350/LinnetMT.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>One of two<span style="color: #990000;"> linnets</span> at the Golfhouse that was photographed by Michael on Wednesday.</div><div><br /></div><div>Martin Cock watched the <span style="color: #990000;">snow bunting</span> again on the Point on Wednesday late afternoon that was so tame he nearly stood on it while looking for it. Also a <span style="color: #990000;">rock pipit</span>, five <span style="color: #990000;">sanderling</span> and a young <span style="color: #0b5394;">common seal</span> on the beach.</div><div>Steve Entwistle at Coopers Beach reported four <span style="color: #990000;">common gulls,</span> three <span style="color: #990000;">great black-backed gulls</span> and an adult <span style="color: #990000;">Mediterranean gull</span>.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmqRPnY_4Lr5hLiGDGyYxHBM2VqCa4nXcvKN7eBGOtoKupSBoYD6i0WOqNmycif9TCrca_g1A2m_MiKkBPOF_SfDxIZ9PNeWQQHXHVm0w2wwPOPe-N4J2S0JitsGJpdio2wilpv9cO8fHyu8AUOYD5sG7HQtblJtRIKgjBH09x7DV9kbpkD3RbMJA4oH5a/s973/Snow%20bunting1MT.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="623" data-original-width="973" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmqRPnY_4Lr5hLiGDGyYxHBM2VqCa4nXcvKN7eBGOtoKupSBoYD6i0WOqNmycif9TCrca_g1A2m_MiKkBPOF_SfDxIZ9PNeWQQHXHVm0w2wwPOPe-N4J2S0JitsGJpdio2wilpv9cO8fHyu8AUOYD5sG7HQtblJtRIKgjBH09x7DV9kbpkD3RbMJA4oH5a/w400-h256/Snow%20bunting1MT.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>The <span style="color: #990000;">snow bunting</span> was photographed by Michael Thorley on Tuesday 31st in the afternoon on the beach at East Mersea Point.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0V-iGjHv3EWBf6dRyLXYQ5teywW3LN9u_m39d88rv-lMWMIwr7EPRjacaWvRBd2VylAMrf6x8k76yAdEMcWBPJgF19mrLWNyWYKLnR277UXE7Id-GIaXwccO5STJdlU3gDBKorZuakxKGqIh8ssWZmeTGSSwUfQIXGJyY2JqBvwJSzk0nGVre5QgWu8Dp/s2696/Snow%20bunting%20PT.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2586" data-original-width="2696" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0V-iGjHv3EWBf6dRyLXYQ5teywW3LN9u_m39d88rv-lMWMIwr7EPRjacaWvRBd2VylAMrf6x8k76yAdEMcWBPJgF19mrLWNyWYKLnR277UXE7Id-GIaXwccO5STJdlU3gDBKorZuakxKGqIh8ssWZmeTGSSwUfQIXGJyY2JqBvwJSzk0nGVre5QgWu8Dp/w400-h384/Snow%20bunting%20PT.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The <span style="color: #990000;">snow bunting</span> was showing well on Tuesday morning feeding on the seeds at the top of the beach.</div><div>Other birds seen during the Cudmore Grove circuit included <span style="color: #990000;">grey wagtail</span> by the Golfhouse,<span style="color: #990000;"> peregrine</span> over the Colne, <span style="color: #990000;">red-throated diver </span>offshore, <span style="color: #990000;">marsh harrier</span>, 8 <span style="color: #990000;">avocets, knot</span>, 700 <span style="color: #990000;">dunlin</span> and 11 <span style="color: #990000;">shelduck</span>.</div><div><br /></div><div>Roosting in the grazing fields were 145 <span style="color: #990000;">curlew</span>, while at the park pond were 15<span style="color: #990000;"> shoveler</span>, 70 <span style="color: #990000;">teal</span> and 20 <span style="color: #990000;">mallard</span>. Twenty <span style="color: #990000;">little egrets </span>were seen roosting, some at the pond and others on the saltmarsh.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEufz43ip0m3kZ8GbK6lqcZJEfVaWJ0oXl6cA5k9AziXdmuofqoJsj4020TFGIk06xE334YK2Rd8iuGkXcExiIQObrbbLroEb3zvin1sS9NjvugQy-3j-0mM8zrnI0_udy1Y_z4ccsvDngyWgebQJ_u7DCuNHE4Hr6EB-UxiKY4Px0VlCqglSR8gzIylp8/s3113/Chiffchaff%20PT.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2870" data-original-width="3113" height="369" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEufz43ip0m3kZ8GbK6lqcZJEfVaWJ0oXl6cA5k9AziXdmuofqoJsj4020TFGIk06xE334YK2Rd8iuGkXcExiIQObrbbLroEb3zvin1sS9NjvugQy-3j-0mM8zrnI0_udy1Y_z4ccsvDngyWgebQJ_u7DCuNHE4Hr6EB-UxiKY4Px0VlCqglSR8gzIylp8/w400-h369/Chiffchaff%20PT.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A late <span style="color: #990000;">chiffchaff</span> calling from the sea-blite bushes at the East Mersea Point was an unusual spot for it when seen on Tuesday. Three <span style="color: #990000;">stonechats, rock pipit</span>, 15 <span style="color: #990000;">meadow pipits</span>, six <span style="color: #990000;">linnets</span>, three<span style="color: #990000;"> Cetti's warblers</span> were noted also two <span style="color: #990000;">siskins</span> in alders by the park pond.</div><div>In the sunshine a <span style="color: #741b47;">red admiral, common darter</span> and a <span style="color: #741b47;">migrant hawker </span>were flying about at the park.</div><div><br /></div><div>Steve Entwistle watched a mixed flock of eight <span style="color: #990000;">lesser redpolls</span> and <span style="color: #990000;">siskins</span> flying around Feldy View on Tuesday morning.</div></div></div></div>Dougal Urquharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160413142108234247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6323835421725003809.post-27390138887391324062023-10-30T22:00:00.015-01:002023-11-02T23:23:05.113-01:00 CUDMORE SNOW BUNTING <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgchvVMVcrTAshNiYsYxplYl7XeigjTYA4ljRKpUBxaj4NCcab7GffvP6EiOhv3cMVaadKg_7vHtdY3LDuHwC2Uufcol6inzBbfHSaVxN_SPhyphenhyphen6ISkLp4Lgu26uEPndHNaeFRmgUhSyTOGUV6YH9GGtk7JeSMZ4CoXwi0Nda1Nc5F8PNFUgMdqjP3DBc1El/s1080/Snow%20bunting%20PointJW.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1080" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgchvVMVcrTAshNiYsYxplYl7XeigjTYA4ljRKpUBxaj4NCcab7GffvP6EiOhv3cMVaadKg_7vHtdY3LDuHwC2Uufcol6inzBbfHSaVxN_SPhyphenhyphen6ISkLp4Lgu26uEPndHNaeFRmgUhSyTOGUV6YH9GGtk7JeSMZ4CoXwi0Nda1Nc5F8PNFUgMdqjP3DBc1El/w400-h266/Snow%20bunting%20PointJW.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>A male<span style="color: #990000;"> snow bunting </span>was photographed on the beach at East Mersea Point by Jon Ward on Monday 30th. It was first found earlier in the day by Jack Hoy feeding on the gravel path near the main park ramp onto the Cudmore Grove beach. The bird then flew to East Mersea Point where it spent the rest of the day.<div>A <span style="color: #990000;">grey wagtail</span> was found by Martin Cock feeding with some <span style="color: #990000;">pied wagtails</span> in the Golfhouse paddock on Monday - the first one seen on the Island this year.</div><div><br /></div><div>At West Mersea two <span style="color: #990000;">red-throated divers </span>and two <span style="color: #990000;">Mediterranean gulls</span> were seen by Andy Field on Monday from the Esplanade, while earlier in Feldy View there was a mobile flock of 15 <span style="color: #990000;">lesser redpolls</span> seen by Andy in Feldy View.</div><div>Two immature<span style="color: #990000;"> eider</span> and a <span style="color: #990000;">great northern diver</span> were seen in the Mersea Quarters by Colin Mackenzie-Grieve seen from Old Hall on Monday.<br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLAU4AvqoxAm_93v-QgFAHBgmBdhQGTtbXYdCR45jgxJbwrRlZ-xNIQ2IH5q9WshIwxcOM9APDOfcZYcU9xbau8W9vd2TQuctwsf7QNIFQlCrlvNedHFZ4rqTSPMBkCysvmVetD4xtnI_k2IcpC5IzcpN2lA8bwouxymL1dBQ1UV2z6v4e2KI5NNfnNqf6/s2969/Black%20brant%20Coopers2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2616" data-original-width="2969" height="353" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLAU4AvqoxAm_93v-QgFAHBgmBdhQGTtbXYdCR45jgxJbwrRlZ-xNIQ2IH5q9WshIwxcOM9APDOfcZYcU9xbau8W9vd2TQuctwsf7QNIFQlCrlvNedHFZ4rqTSPMBkCysvmVetD4xtnI_k2IcpC5IzcpN2lA8bwouxymL1dBQ1UV2z6v4e2KI5NNfnNqf6/w400-h353/Black%20brant%20Coopers2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>In the wheat field next to Coopers Beach on Monday was a <span style="color: #990000;">black brant </span>feeding with 220 <span style="color: #990000;">dark-bellied</span> <span style="color: #990000;">brent geese</span>, which in turn had a count of 52 juvenile geese among them suggesting a good breeding season.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzFmQ-eOABN1SJ1KYoTMVfGhMtHuZBHHxGKP-OKwCMuFZHwcu3CTJLxj8kq5dDCgkxCFnyho2fWm9TtQgx__w-_7NS3SHuS6ffMZT8bOELByaROrmkhc-Ho7kxmdLswnL4xJsVx6PHM0tmoI8RRU6F4f4x6WzARllsva7uTzeeeyT4_jgafm0OOkmBuaKJ/s3478/Peregrine%20Coopers.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2787" data-original-width="3478" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzFmQ-eOABN1SJ1KYoTMVfGhMtHuZBHHxGKP-OKwCMuFZHwcu3CTJLxj8kq5dDCgkxCFnyho2fWm9TtQgx__w-_7NS3SHuS6ffMZT8bOELByaROrmkhc-Ho7kxmdLswnL4xJsVx6PHM0tmoI8RRU6F4f4x6WzARllsva7uTzeeeyT4_jgafm0OOkmBuaKJ/w400-h320/Peregrine%20Coopers.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>In the same wheat field beside Coopers Beach a <span style="color: #990000;">peregrine</span> was found standing, preening and doing some looking around for a good-while before flying off west over the Vineyard. A <span style="color: #990000;">sparrowhawk</span> and <span style="color: #990000;">kestrel</span> were were seen also. As the tide covered the nearby Rewsalls marshes 120 <span style="color: #990000;">curlew </span>dropped into the field to roost, while 26 <span style="color: #990000;">golden plover </span>were seen flying overhead.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvfpnY-HpqSB85d5mUCFrjE5w2QmTtpQou6MrvuZ9WCqVn_9vMJIL1Vluxwmaax2Ys5z_nQvastW54xFbjYOA2dPQWsf0aJAjU3Gg7ad-xhkhi8951EhKJsRbltrw8Ddn_Y150hm_OUB5ad0ETnG1_v5ZtTO2G-7RDApGGTxyAZsHgBCFbBUbqiRSx-erY/s4032/Rewsalls%20flooded.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvfpnY-HpqSB85d5mUCFrjE5w2QmTtpQou6MrvuZ9WCqVn_9vMJIL1Vluxwmaax2Ys5z_nQvastW54xFbjYOA2dPQWsf0aJAjU3Gg7ad-xhkhi8951EhKJsRbltrw8Ddn_Y150hm_OUB5ad0ETnG1_v5ZtTO2G-7RDApGGTxyAZsHgBCFbBUbqiRSx-erY/w400-h300/Rewsalls%20flooded.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The high spring tide covered all of the Rewsalls marshes on Monday. Birds noted included the <span style="color: #990000;">kingfisher</span>, 22<span style="color: #990000;"> little egrets</span>, 3<span style="color: #990000;"> shoveler</span>, 6 <span style="color: #990000;">wigeon</span>, 70<span style="color: #990000;"> redshank</span>, 5 <span style="color: #990000;">Mediterranean gulls</span>, 2<span style="color: #990000;"> little grebes</span>, while offshore were a pair of <span style="color: #990000;">mute swans</span> and a <span style="color: #990000;">great crested grebe</span>.</div><div>A noisy flock of 50<span style="color: #990000;"> siskin </span>flew west over Coopers Beach, <span style="color: #990000;">Cetti's warbler </span>singing and 3 <span style="color: #990000;">reed buntings</span> noted too.</div><div><br /></div><div>On Sunday 29th along the Strood a <span style="color: #990000;">peregrine</span> flew along the channel and had a stoop at a <span style="color: #990000;">wigeon </span>which escaped by dropping onto the water, also 20 <span style="color: #990000;">avocets</span>, two<span style="color: #990000;"> stonechats</span> near the dyke while two <span style="color: #990000;">Sandwich terns </span>were opposite the Hard.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTNb4R4L8rAd6d2k5wtGz4uzVyhKfiNs1yzLdT5z8ilzIodiDazZIEGlwwRxKVyJhJLKi1-0EZG38yEiI8l8Edqr2k3ZK1KUIcI_VnCKFO-wvES9HX5RoB6IzrREHFNd8ZAPtMGtpQZ34e9snptE7eovGP7fFvHVkCpVFe7eW6cPDm5tJegZ8vSk9m5z_3/s2759/Gt%20white%20egret%20Maydays.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2382" data-original-width="2759" height="345" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTNb4R4L8rAd6d2k5wtGz4uzVyhKfiNs1yzLdT5z8ilzIodiDazZIEGlwwRxKVyJhJLKi1-0EZG38yEiI8l8Edqr2k3ZK1KUIcI_VnCKFO-wvES9HX5RoB6IzrREHFNd8ZAPtMGtpQZ34e9snptE7eovGP7fFvHVkCpVFe7eW6cPDm5tJegZ8vSk9m5z_3/w400-h345/Gt%20white%20egret%20Maydays.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A <span style="color: #990000;">great white egret</span> was stalking along a distant ditch at the back of Reeveshall on Saturday 28th. A <span style="color: #990000;">barn owl </span>flew along the Maydays dyke and perched in a tree, possibly disturbed away from the nearby Bower Hall area where a pheasant shoot was taking place. A <span style="color: #990000;">short-eared owl</span> was seen flying briefly before landing on the Bower Hall seawall for a few minutes. Three<span style="color: #990000;"> marsh harriers, sparrowhawk</span> and a <span style="color: #990000;">buzzard </span>were also noted.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqSKIMcfc3t5Unuam3KKW9BLSRgBMZ82C8IwT_LcUsjpihvVnMS2iAtbyD_zbqndcNtbmBnTdPVhmvN4e_sN580xHoCmefnZCgx7wncw84kAo2mO_ReDNX3c_3upfUMmSYrZ0WEGYj9Z85OEUXp_vcc9UR0QirkMaUKfvzw1C1LRHYNFcLEy7anjj18zF7/s2999/Great%20crested%20grebe%20Pyefleet.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2536" data-original-width="2999" height="339" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqSKIMcfc3t5Unuam3KKW9BLSRgBMZ82C8IwT_LcUsjpihvVnMS2iAtbyD_zbqndcNtbmBnTdPVhmvN4e_sN580xHoCmefnZCgx7wncw84kAo2mO_ReDNX3c_3upfUMmSYrZ0WEGYj9Z85OEUXp_vcc9UR0QirkMaUKfvzw1C1LRHYNFcLEy7anjj18zF7/w400-h339/Great%20crested%20grebe%20Pyefleet.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Six<span style="color: #990000;"> great crested grebes </span>were feeding in the Pyefleet Channel on Saturday close to the Maydays and Reeveshall seawall at high tide. Two <span style="color: #990000;">snipe</span> flew off the saltmarsh and 1000 <span style="color: #990000;">dunlin </span>were flying about. A <span style="color: #990000;">kingfisher </span>was seen twice in an hour perched on the Maydays seawall sluice. Eighty <span style="color: #990000;">stock doves </span>were feeding on Reeveshall, 3 <span style="color: #990000;">stonechats, fieldfare, chiffchaff</span>, 20<span style="color: #990000;"> chaffinches</span> and two singing <span style="color: #990000;">Cetti's warblers </span>heard.</div><div><br /></div><div>Off the West Mersea Esplanade on Saturday morning there were two immature<span style="color: #990000;"> eider</span> off Cobmarsh, 9 <span style="color: #990000;">common scoter</span>, 8<span style="color: #990000;"> great crested grebes, Arctic tern</span> feeding off Kingsland Road, <span style="color: #990000;">red-throated diver</span>, <span style="color: #990000;">short-eared owl </span>flying from St Peters area low over the Blackwater to Bradwell, three<span style="color: #990000;"> sanderling</span>, while 12 <span style="color: #990000;">siskin</span> and a <span style="color: #990000;">skylark</span> were seen flying west.</div><div>In Feldy View four <span style="color: #990000;">chaffinches</span> were seen on Saturday by Steve Entwistle.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs2z3EsAgfJPJMZd2yenc9Oy8piwXJ43eo5D-Mq2bSzPnQ_VazBp0CkHKsnZS-4L81Nzvssy4D_y_gPPuZHYnWOgrWSnW8wcW3b4Mb569zy-wDkETjK_G3gk00k4H2AE_dBcctFn1qk3Jq694yaOI0ls_15RBvlmA0phNowzQ9ScFCxF6LI5MLMDcV_g5Y/s1600/BramblingAF.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1563" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs2z3EsAgfJPJMZd2yenc9Oy8piwXJ43eo5D-Mq2bSzPnQ_VazBp0CkHKsnZS-4L81Nzvssy4D_y_gPPuZHYnWOgrWSnW8wcW3b4Mb569zy-wDkETjK_G3gk00k4H2AE_dBcctFn1qk3Jq694yaOI0ls_15RBvlmA0phNowzQ9ScFCxF6LI5MLMDcV_g5Y/w391-h400/BramblingAF.JPG" width="391" /></a></div>At Feldy View on Friday 27th a<span style="color: #990000;"> brambling</span> was photographed by Andy Field in the birches, also there a mixed flock of about twenty <span style="color: #990000;">lesser redpolls</span> and <span style="color: #990000;">siskins</span> in the birch trees, before they all flew off over the caravan park.</div><div><br /></div><div>From the Esplanade Andy then saw two <span style="color: #990000;">red-throated divers</span>, 14 <span style="color: #990000;">common scoter</span> in the Blackwater. Two female / immature <span style="color: #990000;">eiders</span> were seen in the Mersea Quarters near Packing Shed by Colin Mackenzie-Grieve from Old Hall on Friday afternoon.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit5ehmie-upDwCqabzZnwEKBEa0ylPSf__zbT9-7HFP5LB9rmH7kjos59_n08J105SgdIs3mXsV4xRG5mZZluWidxAdsuzCjWXKCVxIanicf5r-tfB1KFKrp8YBtcV61IiLuzZDmDKILl53OAU4uqDls87F7XE9EIvieG2Q_i4BW7o5q6-HDE5OS53DsKt/s3701/Green%20woodpecker.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3538" data-original-width="3701" height="383" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit5ehmie-upDwCqabzZnwEKBEa0ylPSf__zbT9-7HFP5LB9rmH7kjos59_n08J105SgdIs3mXsV4xRG5mZZluWidxAdsuzCjWXKCVxIanicf5r-tfB1KFKrp8YBtcV61IiLuzZDmDKILl53OAU4uqDls87F7XE9EIvieG2Q_i4BW7o5q6-HDE5OS53DsKt/w400-h383/Green%20woodpecker.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A <span style="color: #990000;">green woodpecker</span> perched beside the Firs Caravan park on Friday morning. A <span style="color: #990000;">green sandpiper</span> was seen briefly dropping down onto a pond at the back of the Strood fields. A <span style="color: #990000;">lesser redpoll </span>flew over calling, 100 <span style="color: #990000;">golden plover</span> flew over, <span style="color: #990000;">sparrowhawk, Cetti's warbler</span> heard singing from the dyke and a <span style="color: #990000;">great crested grebe</span> in the Strood channel.<br /><div><br /><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixdj_t79-Rl-Uugnd6kZvSr_8L_GRj24wMMFggiGYz5j5RiOrhnLhe2S5G7VeP2bXzOk4wWBODxk9PJJL1efLV_nCAvCNNr0oGa7M2OEnsgNXDSXgLVyUEuKs2SwdtEhrRX1ypWB-PZgoMQx5PgyZvHPuQE80efjbPaFC31hfR2h_CQSJjxojJzIT5UN-r/s1024/Red%20admiralJH.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixdj_t79-Rl-Uugnd6kZvSr_8L_GRj24wMMFggiGYz5j5RiOrhnLhe2S5G7VeP2bXzOk4wWBODxk9PJJL1efLV_nCAvCNNr0oGa7M2OEnsgNXDSXgLVyUEuKs2SwdtEhrRX1ypWB-PZgoMQx5PgyZvHPuQE80efjbPaFC31hfR2h_CQSJjxojJzIT5UN-r/w300-h400/Red%20admiralJH.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>A <span style="color: #741b47;">red admiral</span> was photographed by Jack Hoy on Friday.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDy0JWeTUDxgQQLi_jnLfBn3EKTAsDSbnZOmIQI16CYwL4gu8EUokVH0c2PJkfC-O9dNXxwu8XFFfnbhXHeevdJCIjjbU3hHl0bZJ7hy2w9WUjgf-_VB2wdouDjVqmo9vGrUOv4OX0s2d5Wq0iJWNc2Mq0UPvcZyicSIgIN3YCLRvf8lM-jVypfzVNRcrd/s2000/Redpoll%20JW.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDy0JWeTUDxgQQLi_jnLfBn3EKTAsDSbnZOmIQI16CYwL4gu8EUokVH0c2PJkfC-O9dNXxwu8XFFfnbhXHeevdJCIjjbU3hHl0bZJ7hy2w9WUjgf-_VB2wdouDjVqmo9vGrUOv4OX0s2d5Wq0iJWNc2Mq0UPvcZyicSIgIN3YCLRvf8lM-jVypfzVNRcrd/w320-h400/Redpoll%20JW.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>A<span style="color: #990000;"> lesser redpoll</span> was photographed by Jon Ward in Feldy View on Thursday 26th - one of three seen feeding in the tops of the birch trees.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTbAE6Hus6vD66qmiHHv7wCu6JxyNAIrepVNgaaj87DolAwg7bITooM2r2BnjR37CqGJKs_-KjjBKDAQ7nx3aQccEwmeZTA2U5otUcRLHCTTvf9uHGrfjJHBnDjN4JyfKfZ_LtmkTgISTx84WH0L6I9HS6GuHs4q1IPsRpCpBpUerXIue3V997GHR3zBoy/s3156/Avocet%20three.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2902" data-original-width="3156" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTbAE6Hus6vD66qmiHHv7wCu6JxyNAIrepVNgaaj87DolAwg7bITooM2r2BnjR37CqGJKs_-KjjBKDAQ7nx3aQccEwmeZTA2U5otUcRLHCTTvf9uHGrfjJHBnDjN4JyfKfZ_LtmkTgISTx84WH0L6I9HS6GuHs4q1IPsRpCpBpUerXIue3V997GHR3zBoy/w400-h368/Avocet%20three.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Along the Strood Channel on Thursday were 15 <span style="color: #990000;">avocets</span>, 30 <span style="color: #990000;">golden plover</span>, 30 <span style="color: #990000;">ringed plover</span>, two <span style="color: #990000;">knot</span>, 500 <span style="color: #990000;">dunlin</span>, two <span style="color: #990000;">marsh harriers, peregrine </span>and 100 <span style="color: #990000;">brent geese</span>.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVYoQCkOJNWIiVqpKvXDzv5eDuaWtn6pL_QGrgjrkVd5coef_ePrIBn6sFfpE_WCJD-Jvduq5CP9g1GaLWE28GZRkpEAbSnQcZB5A2ym2t0D-YI0KNXUZufhX9q8vib7gjpCqNcPZ94Sr3tn01L4P4etsgiV3LiKMyn72X5hBauaeeS4dphscW0_WNInMz/s3040/Med%20gull%20flying.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2789" data-original-width="3040" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVYoQCkOJNWIiVqpKvXDzv5eDuaWtn6pL_QGrgjrkVd5coef_ePrIBn6sFfpE_WCJD-Jvduq5CP9g1GaLWE28GZRkpEAbSnQcZB5A2ym2t0D-YI0KNXUZufhX9q8vib7gjpCqNcPZ94Sr3tn01L4P4etsgiV3LiKMyn72X5hBauaeeS4dphscW0_WNInMz/w400-h368/Med%20gull%20flying.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Five <span style="color: #990000;">Mediterranean gulls</span> were in the Strood Channel on Thursday, while inside the seawall were three <span style="color: #990000;">stonechats</span>, 40<span style="color: #990000;"> linnets </span>and five <span style="color: #990000;">corn buntings</span>. A<span style="color: #990000;"> goldcrest </span>and <span style="color: #990000;">song thrush</span> were by the Firs caravan park.</div><div><br /></div><div>Off the Esplanade on Thursday two <span style="color: #990000;">Arctic terns</span> were seen feeding offshore by Martin Cock, also <span style="color: #990000;">red-throated diver</span>, two male <span style="color: #990000;">common scoters</span> and a <span style="color: #990000;">Mediterranean gull</span>.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWoYW7-SIB7L4L6gknupQ8Yf-4grHW0zzMSoVdjZdFPGVmIpIsgNFV9rY1lgzI8uTWzM9NwoLa8ERbROZELy9QAIJqfkiWjDpDYEBIWbrw40OCOiTKozBn1YpvfuMQ3Q2ImgcQGc-zHN9tZmazWILRF3w9-XJkNpJ-a2sv9B5NVowA1VKIv70pI_M1rGx3/s3594/Redpoll%20and%20siskin.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2997" data-original-width="3594" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWoYW7-SIB7L4L6gknupQ8Yf-4grHW0zzMSoVdjZdFPGVmIpIsgNFV9rY1lgzI8uTWzM9NwoLa8ERbROZELy9QAIJqfkiWjDpDYEBIWbrw40OCOiTKozBn1YpvfuMQ3Q2ImgcQGc-zHN9tZmazWILRF3w9-XJkNpJ-a2sv9B5NVowA1VKIv70pI_M1rGx3/w400-h334/Redpoll%20and%20siskin.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>On Wednesday 25th a<span style="color: #990000;"> lesser redpoll </span>and a <span style="color: #990000;">siskin </span>perched on top of the same birch tree in Feldy View. A <span style="color: #990000;">chiffchaff</span> and a <span style="color: #990000;">fieldfare</span> were noted near the Firs Caravan park. No sign of yesterday's<span style="color: #990000;"> ring ouzel</span>.</div><div>A <span style="color: #990000;">great white egret </span>was seen flying into the Strood dyke and dropped out of view. A <span style="color: #990000;">peregrine</span>, four <span style="color: #990000;">marsh harriers</span> and two <span style="color: #990000;">buzzards</span> were noted during the walk along the seawall, while in the channel were 25 <span style="color: #990000;">avocets</span>, three <span style="color: #990000;">snipe</span> flying over, five <span style="color: #990000;">Mediterranean gulls, great crested grebe</span>, 10 <span style="color: #990000;">little grebes</span> and 170 <span style="color: #990000;">wigeon</span>.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMZ8rG8T10-GivGJeD-hUj92mQxECd4PhIGENyroLweAwOIFvzfGWuCmR_Q-WfozSLlCx6nWQCFL0wBWtc1ac50nQuaJYDB3qyWeDHe04Y-Cgk6KjC8R46jT-cIa2FXHl-NspJdfyhyT4kRJDPED4OzhhP0H3qQXGmR3hYGltmw3shpZ-sJvXxffcNiQRW/s2225/Redshank%20and%20grey%20plover1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1997" data-original-width="2225" height="359" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMZ8rG8T10-GivGJeD-hUj92mQxECd4PhIGENyroLweAwOIFvzfGWuCmR_Q-WfozSLlCx6nWQCFL0wBWtc1ac50nQuaJYDB3qyWeDHe04Y-Cgk6KjC8R46jT-cIa2FXHl-NspJdfyhyT4kRJDPED4OzhhP0H3qQXGmR3hYGltmw3shpZ-sJvXxffcNiQRW/w400-h359/Redshank%20and%20grey%20plover1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A <span style="color: #990000;">redshank </span>and a <span style="color: #990000;">grey plover </span>alongside the Strood seawall as the tide came in on Wednesday.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRsGwowhHqMhlXzj9qE1WMVepTLQB8eBrtoCGrr7dxzWE2aJIpVHAg2SfbjUiy9OiXlWTcjXbcaNo1SqDLfvu1FzcWBRmJUR8MyPU4Cx2CUIrEVQCa4ys05rLhRCxVrpUDP8Q96kHP9OdZpN5VfDAvtsFNeo6hPDnqgPWUfmG2w2D49NISXeUfjI9LAelb/s3733/Corn%20bunting%20flock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2685" data-original-width="3733" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRsGwowhHqMhlXzj9qE1WMVepTLQB8eBrtoCGrr7dxzWE2aJIpVHAg2SfbjUiy9OiXlWTcjXbcaNo1SqDLfvu1FzcWBRmJUR8MyPU4Cx2CUIrEVQCa4ys05rLhRCxVrpUDP8Q96kHP9OdZpN5VfDAvtsFNeo6hPDnqgPWUfmG2w2D49NISXeUfjI9LAelb/w400-h288/Corn%20bunting%20flock.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><div>There were lots of small birds feeding in the weedy grass Strood fields on Wednesday including 40 <span style="color: #990000;">corn buntings</span>,(some pictured above), 200 <span style="color: #990000;">linnets</span>, ten <span style="color: #990000;">reed buntings</span>, five <span style="color: #990000;">stonechats</span>, 20 <span style="color: #990000;">meadow pipits</span> and two <span style="color: #990000;">rock pipits</span> along the seawall.</div><div><br /></div><div>At Maydays on Wednesday afternoon, Steve Entwistle reported 28 <span style="color: #990000;">avocets</span>, 25<span style="color: #990000;"> grey plover</span>, 30 <span style="color: #990000;">dunlin</span>, four <span style="color: #990000;">Mediterranean gulls, lesser black-backed gull, grey heron</span>, 12 <span style="color: #990000;">skylarks</span>, 25 <span style="color: #990000;">meadow pipits</span>, 2 <span style="color: #990000;">rock pipits</span>, 25 <span style="color: #990000;">chaffinches</span>, four<span style="color: #990000;"> yellowhammers</span> and a <span style="color: #990000;">corn bunting</span>.</div><div><br /></div><div>Michael Thorley at Ivy Dock in East Mersea saw 46<span style="color: #990000;"> brent geese, cormorant</span>, 11 <span style="color: #990000;">curlew</span>, 63 <span style="color: #990000;">dunlin, grey plover</span>, two <span style="color: #990000;">little egrets</span> and five <span style="color: #990000;">redshank</span> on Wednesday afternoon.</div><div><br /></div><div>A <span style="color: #990000;">red-throated diver</span> was seen offshore on Wednesday by Martin Cock from the West Mersea Esplanade.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGJwlk6hGbQMIINOrvQwEG1tiWGGiKsq-FyeeYmkFm4bCJeWLVYmB2VTWQYgj-Y9F7BZxGpanns8Fw8LX7Xxdwbcm4m6uAYMrmBOoxrbdluyup5qXQkwxokHbUri4j4qEJWUQ1FKg2mpufWpVhEd-uMIvbaLsM4NSm1p0AVi6iLBg2iLymSqd9CehtT0SO/s3143/Ring%20ouzel2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2563" data-original-width="3143" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGJwlk6hGbQMIINOrvQwEG1tiWGGiKsq-FyeeYmkFm4bCJeWLVYmB2VTWQYgj-Y9F7BZxGpanns8Fw8LX7Xxdwbcm4m6uAYMrmBOoxrbdluyup5qXQkwxokHbUri4j4qEJWUQ1FKg2mpufWpVhEd-uMIvbaLsM4NSm1p0AVi6iLBg2iLymSqd9CehtT0SO/w400-h326/Ring%20ouzel2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The male <span style="color: #990000;">ring ouzel</span> was still in Feldy View cemetery on Tuesday 24th for the second day.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPV1Vdn1tgxYeRvAlzQCCnXSQIcijhWbgpySJvMRtka0uOM_rYBEYjJzb1V_twa5JypgTHhlksa4NwdPmFqclXOQo_czI2bW_hbPZmqbTgUDXNHsOGF1xrOHJ2tK3haL6aeXEflM-fAovRoQMWoQ-gPNvEawqQaB00BoYVOyUXWn2XtyjSwwtr2XmqRPWR/s2658/Ring%20ouzel%201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2658" data-original-width="2406" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPV1Vdn1tgxYeRvAlzQCCnXSQIcijhWbgpySJvMRtka0uOM_rYBEYjJzb1V_twa5JypgTHhlksa4NwdPmFqclXOQo_czI2bW_hbPZmqbTgUDXNHsOGF1xrOHJ2tK3haL6aeXEflM-fAovRoQMWoQ-gPNvEawqQaB00BoYVOyUXWn2XtyjSwwtr2XmqRPWR/w363-h400/Ring%20ouzel%201.jpg" width="363" /></a></div>The <span style="color: #990000;">ring ouzel</span> had been seen earlier on Tuesday morning by Martin Cock in Feldy View, although later in the morning it took a while to find it, eventually showing in a holly bush beside the Firs Road cemetery. It then flew around showing very well before heading to the birch tree in Feldy View. A <span style="color: #990000;">siskin</span> and a <span style="color: #990000;">brambling</span> were seen flying over calling, 12 <span style="color: #990000;">blackbirds, goldcrest </span>and a <span style="color: #990000;">song thrush</span> were also noted. Also from Feldy View a<span style="color: #990000;"> short-eared owl</span> was seen flying high over the Strood channel.</div><div><br /></div><div>Birds noted during a walk along the Strood seawall were<span style="color: #990000;"> greenshank</span>, 10<span style="color: #990000;"> avocets</span>, 70<span style="color: #990000;"> wigeon</span>, 8 <span style="color: #990000;">shelduck, great crested grebe, sparrowhawk</span>, while <span style="color: #990000;">Cetti's warbler</span>, and 30 <span style="color: #990000;">goldfinches</span> were by the seawall.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLTNJDxX1eqhcw12thiLkO7KNZwofqjiqPF8nI2F8Rn1E3d7UP0RWRMkszrcEzXjCdE-otiPHFdJDXAinReEvhCVyRKt85INpwCjImvykkLC5uMpleB3xFWgkWKPQELS8be7nHoOK2wO2RFMHe_rSYJ4Lt-7F8Gdo90C_apSN3XU1ZAqcLgCkx8K-v0yS8/s2150/Meadow%20pipit2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1865" data-original-width="2150" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLTNJDxX1eqhcw12thiLkO7KNZwofqjiqPF8nI2F8Rn1E3d7UP0RWRMkszrcEzXjCdE-otiPHFdJDXAinReEvhCVyRKt85INpwCjImvykkLC5uMpleB3xFWgkWKPQELS8be7nHoOK2wO2RFMHe_rSYJ4Lt-7F8Gdo90C_apSN3XU1ZAqcLgCkx8K-v0yS8/w400-h348/Meadow%20pipit2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Several <span style="color: #990000;">meadow pipits</span> were feeding beside the Strood seawall on Tuesday.<br /><div><br /></div><div>In East Mersea by the Youth Camp, 15 <span style="color: #990000;">lesser redpolls</span> were feeding in the alders by the Vineyard, also a <span style="color: #990000;">chiffchaff</span>, few <span style="color: #990000;">goldcrests</span>, two <span style="color: #990000;">Cetti's warblers, mistle thrush</span> and ten <span style="color: #990000;">Mediterranean gulls </span>were noted by Martin Cock on Tuesday morning.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj51wtQRQMOtiAaigxylPi3VOVdZnfWuILQBd2Nzkxcm7AgBw5OHYtpMXXD495pLCvp_4fehRNQxPe3GCUYGF24tGWPFmvTY7u2dvUKcBhuT6RHn-XHj2izJM8qL7W9OFcK0kZLj2RDMIHEZZAfrzoQXBLkuPq-ZnGgVSAgYlfDVJoa7Mr80E373rxdAPm7/s2443/Palpita%20vitrealis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1964" data-original-width="2443" height="321" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj51wtQRQMOtiAaigxylPi3VOVdZnfWuILQBd2Nzkxcm7AgBw5OHYtpMXXD495pLCvp_4fehRNQxPe3GCUYGF24tGWPFmvTY7u2dvUKcBhuT6RHn-XHj2izJM8qL7W9OFcK0kZLj2RDMIHEZZAfrzoQXBLkuPq-ZnGgVSAgYlfDVJoa7Mr80E373rxdAPm7/w400-h321/Palpita%20vitrealis.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>There was a small number of immigrant moths found in the Firs Chase garden moth trap on the night of Sunday 22nd including this dainty <span style="color: #741b47;">Olive-tree Pearl</span>.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWChxR3Xge0wyowHqw3D5HTZegzMrrErICEBsDQNGDMStr-vRaXs7tRjE-MWMP8TSqTmw5XFfRx84Y6kGIHSgRst6ENtFFRCVHJ0QhCyROaeh2OA1-Aqi2k2W_LP0WUTaIb7GJEWpfgKtF6Q_ksX8MbYVM0GOTYEedQbNOBw4CuDuVBiBMR2iH_rv2HSHJ/s1839/Scarce%20Bordered%20Straw1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1839" data-original-width="1831" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWChxR3Xge0wyowHqw3D5HTZegzMrrErICEBsDQNGDMStr-vRaXs7tRjE-MWMP8TSqTmw5XFfRx84Y6kGIHSgRst6ENtFFRCVHJ0QhCyROaeh2OA1-Aqi2k2W_LP0WUTaIb7GJEWpfgKtF6Q_ksX8MbYVM0GOTYEedQbNOBw4CuDuVBiBMR2iH_rv2HSHJ/w399-h400/Scarce%20Bordered%20Straw1.jpg" width="399" /></a></div>Another immigrant <span style="color: #741b47;">Scarce Bordered Straw</span> on the 22nd too.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3onWR12DPAVGq2STumqY7BeRmgPvM0aXEsiQvaABuJUAVo6IVD8cVWJ6Uc1l8xVgsiUz0ZqZHYrdzXvVMcG17bumPNljoVQntEMY0jMHmpm_15W33ZqFvjYDb2SbwNDfXNhu1BCdELEzamXu5TS51mQE0vFrldxeqftyAehvGwDRRRKGciWGHnYO_q_Z2/s1802/Delicate1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1545" data-original-width="1802" height="343" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3onWR12DPAVGq2STumqY7BeRmgPvM0aXEsiQvaABuJUAVo6IVD8cVWJ6Uc1l8xVgsiUz0ZqZHYrdzXvVMcG17bumPNljoVQntEMY0jMHmpm_15W33ZqFvjYDb2SbwNDfXNhu1BCdELEzamXu5TS51mQE0vFrldxeqftyAehvGwDRRRKGciWGHnYO_q_Z2/w400-h343/Delicate1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A couple of another immigrants, <span style="color: #741b47;">Delicates</span> on the 22nd.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0SU7ew96IqzDa4In6Zvw3MpvwPRbm8fRvc9I2Pe1rkntP658DcZs0QTBEF7sVkYYUEmbbk_yqzb9-kcVf5mepg2U_H4cBHLc_oQ2lDVuR1P1p6WeX1hZD7wkRTGhAqNsoWsbw2zKxC7EQ1b6fc-n8Zwy_-pCqEHgHfQgEktP-9CginPfjvuXcB3eNCngj/s1770/Merveille%20du%20jour1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1574" data-original-width="1770" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0SU7ew96IqzDa4In6Zvw3MpvwPRbm8fRvc9I2Pe1rkntP658DcZs0QTBEF7sVkYYUEmbbk_yqzb9-kcVf5mepg2U_H4cBHLc_oQ2lDVuR1P1p6WeX1hZD7wkRTGhAqNsoWsbw2zKxC7EQ1b6fc-n8Zwy_-pCqEHgHfQgEktP-9CginPfjvuXcB3eNCngj/w400-h356/Merveille%20du%20jour1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="color: #741b47;">Merveille du Jour, </span>third record this month of this resident<span style="color: #741b47;">.</span></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcmb52_3Tqlnxk7hSwwcrszUP6reqZBeYMf34p5pMG0sHkaQJ-MMVrKk5TeG7m9MxGoQUHH9EfMAPtVcg89HUBvmM50TAtfQuAhL2an9XBNQw2xbN0V9HQwjOJt-cQe1xSRPmV03CVCerK30AaWb2t7TQPd7N9K6XwErLE4i5P6xHCckFNGn2ACcIu-yFB/s1557/Green%20brindled%20crescent.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1557" data-original-width="1471" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcmb52_3Tqlnxk7hSwwcrszUP6reqZBeYMf34p5pMG0sHkaQJ-MMVrKk5TeG7m9MxGoQUHH9EfMAPtVcg89HUBvmM50TAtfQuAhL2an9XBNQw2xbN0V9HQwjOJt-cQe1xSRPmV03CVCerK30AaWb2t7TQPd7N9K6XwErLE4i5P6xHCckFNGn2ACcIu-yFB/w378-h400/Green%20brindled%20crescent.jpg" width="378" /></a></div><span style="color: #741b47;">Green-brindled Crescent, </span>another resident<span style="color: #741b47;">.</span></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl2YQ-zszLC_RDFdjsDq8xqC5pVo5egjWW_L9LQ6nvJl-dkwfwqeFvadmIz4tBAcKliCez0Gijlv2JIQ5M6GNw6NHcuIZfc5Kf8AjmrBpxWBtoEst-zvNnGs5Y5GYJyImCjpymaIC9IavYNgvl1guLreuix6mv0j550u0UMz384lt4QTSBwx6rYUSlwjJn/s1831/Brick1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1720" data-original-width="1831" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl2YQ-zszLC_RDFdjsDq8xqC5pVo5egjWW_L9LQ6nvJl-dkwfwqeFvadmIz4tBAcKliCez0Gijlv2JIQ5M6GNw6NHcuIZfc5Kf8AjmrBpxWBtoEst-zvNnGs5Y5GYJyImCjpymaIC9IavYNgvl1guLreuix6mv0j550u0UMz384lt4QTSBwx6rYUSlwjJn/w400-h376/Brick1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="color: #741b47;">Brick</span> moth, another resident.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlFISGok2TLkTGriFqEpig0fOqtztc3KHnbnrkQ7RtQMYuGzj5qnIuJ8uMIohgHk55mASUIgqmzVPm8-x1JBTr1yDI1VjxtqjU_xDB99QrDuDlJgz7hpMKFTnyKagdGGUDKjN_bx2vbRhuAqXnZZBy3_KEiCE8K4jyuXhk2TTLoriJyEjVaM9MZnvl6E9v/s1828/Rusty%20dot%20pearl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1711" data-original-width="1828" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlFISGok2TLkTGriFqEpig0fOqtztc3KHnbnrkQ7RtQMYuGzj5qnIuJ8uMIohgHk55mASUIgqmzVPm8-x1JBTr1yDI1VjxtqjU_xDB99QrDuDlJgz7hpMKFTnyKagdGGUDKjN_bx2vbRhuAqXnZZBy3_KEiCE8K4jyuXhk2TTLoriJyEjVaM9MZnvl6E9v/w400-h375/Rusty%20dot%20pearl.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Couple of the small immigrant micro <span style="color: #741b47;">Rusty-dot Pearls</span> on the 22nd, also one <span style="color: #741b47;">Diamond-back moth</span>.</div>Dougal Urquharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160413142108234247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6323835421725003809.post-33775729891869564532023-10-23T22:30:00.001+00:002023-10-26T00:18:07.852+00:00FELDY RING OUZEL<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJCZBeBwDRIhB9E0jyM9wfmqLN3pmbqcDgUUmHdROmeQAJ1PArA5mnvb2tDbhlty_nhOOkft0TQgg1NYAmj9QIk0HFZtW7dIOiTeRccNbsHtzkDWPvtinZQfvG6d8axmmHsMeIPcbLcEkO_H7b6AczqxgqEH3HJ8Ma-40_xDPHr8gncOq8Y5pohH_5rGER/s1022/Ring%20ouzelAF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1022" data-original-width="937" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJCZBeBwDRIhB9E0jyM9wfmqLN3pmbqcDgUUmHdROmeQAJ1PArA5mnvb2tDbhlty_nhOOkft0TQgg1NYAmj9QIk0HFZtW7dIOiTeRccNbsHtzkDWPvtinZQfvG6d8axmmHsMeIPcbLcEkO_H7b6AczqxgqEH3HJ8Ma-40_xDPHr8gncOq8Y5pohH_5rGER/w366-h400/Ring%20ouzelAF.jpg" width="366" /></a></div>A male<span style="color: #990000;"> ring ouzel</span> was found in Feldy View on Monday 23rd, being showy at times, but also hiding away for periods too. It perched up high on a birch tree for Andy Field to photograph it. It's assumed to be a different bird to the one seen in the nearby Firs Cemetery seven days earlier, as the area had been checked every day since last Monday, except Saturday, with no sign of it in that period.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5l60F94QDk5BC7uieFhrSXCO_4j902FiZgIi3A9TzLgdi6OgELzTV13Ni29oUFHt-n1ctJqjuBlMZmsygkxaj4vyhi_ilpLU2DGcMMN2NBaBNzsZ9Pu6SnjBI86WRW8q3CcyDvl0Xu5_A6-HHIhLcOzRfj5YR5H-OcntsrrNV_-KM-LSbSTjLHJ_2WxPN/s2719/Ring%20ouzel1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2388" data-original-width="2719" height="351" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5l60F94QDk5BC7uieFhrSXCO_4j902FiZgIi3A9TzLgdi6OgELzTV13Ni29oUFHt-n1ctJqjuBlMZmsygkxaj4vyhi_ilpLU2DGcMMN2NBaBNzsZ9Pu6SnjBI86WRW8q3CcyDvl0Xu5_A6-HHIhLcOzRfj5YR5H-OcntsrrNV_-KM-LSbSTjLHJ_2WxPN/w400-h351/Ring%20ouzel1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The <span style="color: #990000;">ring ouzel</span> was first tracked down by its loud chacking call from the hedge alongside the Firs Caravan park. It flew around and then perched on a silver birch tree at the back of the cemetery.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtuURhKxzOGqD9oS8zOmn0Oksi_dkHA9NuL-EZZ8dsHLdaibZKWheFay2PUVPrD5a4WS_iTH3iz8ZT0KLFwxpzd1C8ipdPWh64Z52pHMWp7zvEhGtBsnuD8f6h0Ty0HERnze2icWHKjra3tyLF1uaNFL-NhLt5dMkzbCgMeg9vBENwv9Lgc3kL_LtU9wQd/s1440/Ring%20OuzelSB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtuURhKxzOGqD9oS8zOmn0Oksi_dkHA9NuL-EZZ8dsHLdaibZKWheFay2PUVPrD5a4WS_iTH3iz8ZT0KLFwxpzd1C8ipdPWh64Z52pHMWp7zvEhGtBsnuD8f6h0Ty0HERnze2icWHKjra3tyLF1uaNFL-NhLt5dMkzbCgMeg9vBENwv9Lgc3kL_LtU9wQd/w400-h300/Ring%20OuzelSB.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The <span style="color: #990000;">ring ouzel</span> performed for a few of the local birders to admire, this photo taken by Shaun Bater later in the morning. Two <span style="color: #990000;">buzzards</span> seen by Shaun flying over Feldy View.</div><div><br /></div><div>Also over Feldy View on Monday morning were a <span style="color: #990000;">lesser redpoll </span>and six<span style="color: #990000;"> siskins</span>. Along the Strood seawall were two pairs of <span style="color: #990000;">stonechat</span>, 100 <span style="color: #990000;">linnets </span>in a field, ten<span style="color: #990000;"> reed buntings</span> and forty <span style="color: #990000;">goldfinches</span> feeding on the side of the seawall. Four <span style="color: #990000;">marsh harriers</span> were seen over the fields and saltmarsh during the walk, while in the channel were 125 <span style="color: #990000;">wigeon</span>, 20<span style="color: #990000;"> avocets</span>, 17 <span style="color: #990000;">little grebes</span> and a <span style="color: #990000;">great crested grebe</span>.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBJXcVdApzWrC7ncPkEHQXTjT0RM7SDgjMs2geia7XaNQR3zumh5aOONNAsykcKFriBbk4UzKIRhTWrvSXYaT3AIqrX2n9N89ZGFpHU9nrZX4cOz2wU7sW1QDGVIHqGlaHHvvtEFKC4DnpSnim7M1pWh3GekvhawQFfR6_YcFLm0y-bICst3gm1AarLspA/s4013/Brent%20and%20wigeon%20pairs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3282" data-original-width="4013" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBJXcVdApzWrC7ncPkEHQXTjT0RM7SDgjMs2geia7XaNQR3zumh5aOONNAsykcKFriBbk4UzKIRhTWrvSXYaT3AIqrX2n9N89ZGFpHU9nrZX4cOz2wU7sW1QDGVIHqGlaHHvvtEFKC4DnpSnim7M1pWh3GekvhawQFfR6_YcFLm0y-bICst3gm1AarLspA/w400-h328/Brent%20and%20wigeon%20pairs.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Sunny and still conditions on Sunday 22nd for a walk along the north side of the Island from the Golfhouse back to West Mersea. On the Golfhouse saltings 100 <span style="color: #990000;">brent geese</span> and 50<span style="color: #990000;"> wigeon</span> were feeding, also ten <span style="color: #990000;">teal </span>and six<span style="color: #990000;"> shoveler</span>, while a<span style="color: #990000;"> stonechat</span> and <span style="color: #990000;">mistle thrush</span> were near the Golfhouse. A <span style="color: #990000;">chiffchaff </span>was heard calling at Ivy Farm.<br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin1280dGogPsogaNw3if6rcXKlDzv86aF3iBpECLwE78wh0Leg2tEmzHR1uCuR93ZKDOHIsBRVTvllLhXmJcYwlAX4RKqXoRP7nw9WceCZgp8RttXIxAvVLaJlnlYkRRhG8jBmeItezdaZyyi0bDx56btaUUpdsw8iJ0JP73siKDqTh8kxuObkrWxbwKnT/s2639/Migrant%20hawker1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2639" data-original-width="2376" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin1280dGogPsogaNw3if6rcXKlDzv86aF3iBpECLwE78wh0Leg2tEmzHR1uCuR93ZKDOHIsBRVTvllLhXmJcYwlAX4RKqXoRP7nw9WceCZgp8RttXIxAvVLaJlnlYkRRhG8jBmeItezdaZyyi0bDx56btaUUpdsw8iJ0JP73siKDqTh8kxuObkrWxbwKnT/w360-h400/Migrant%20hawker1.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>A <span style="color: #741b47;">migrant hawker </span>with tatty wings was hawking for insects alongside the Golfhouse track on Sunday.<br /><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirsnIhTx5dkxu1YprHMBROReXRCcMEcNqpbhqZ7xRH0-QEZ0qVbm8VW-ZWDQoVcGkf5rM54KEPeFWqUzCosSIr5o3P5jmYLXM2EjotGEzlKjEdBnDRpgpcNoJBIo7lkSOOqknPRnL7Qwsw9CUaXmRmTcGLCR_AoTemVIkZr3nFvxm6gtXFbXh55OLJh_Lk/s2014/seal%20on%20pontoon.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1997" data-original-width="2014" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirsnIhTx5dkxu1YprHMBROReXRCcMEcNqpbhqZ7xRH0-QEZ0qVbm8VW-ZWDQoVcGkf5rM54KEPeFWqUzCosSIr5o3P5jmYLXM2EjotGEzlKjEdBnDRpgpcNoJBIo7lkSOOqknPRnL7Qwsw9CUaXmRmTcGLCR_AoTemVIkZr3nFvxm6gtXFbXh55OLJh_Lk/w400-h396/seal%20on%20pontoon.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>In the Pyefleet channel a <span style="color: #0b5394;">common seal</span> was seen resting on a pontoon on Sunday.</div><div>A female<span style="color: #990000;"> red-breasted merganser</span> was seen flying down the channel and dropping onto the water near the Oyster Fishery, also seven <span style="color: #990000;">great crested grebes</span> in the Pyefleet. A pair of <span style="color: #990000;">stonechat</span> was by Shop Lane, a single near Reeveshall pool and another pair on another hedgeline. Thirty<span style="color: #990000;"> linnets</span> and a<span style="color: #990000;"> rock pipit </span>were on the saltmarsh.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikuHHo9IDAec8PhQDdC2ykLT1iWt6HXRSaIZ4u7Nz8RV9FwpYxYWKtw0eQOO6PMB5jS_FHM8zljjYr4fnWTiO9cAQ00TP68KgvpZQNWy1fq2wfBQw5O6wgJw8Ju_J6_9B7Ohq_Dse5vfO9Ot0CmMr7gmeHgFsGldCBJA-fYCNRDfL2O0FyJ3U9i38L_KUa/s2025/Seal%20on%20mud.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1977" data-original-width="2025" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikuHHo9IDAec8PhQDdC2ykLT1iWt6HXRSaIZ4u7Nz8RV9FwpYxYWKtw0eQOO6PMB5jS_FHM8zljjYr4fnWTiO9cAQ00TP68KgvpZQNWy1fq2wfBQw5O6wgJw8Ju_J6_9B7Ohq_Dse5vfO9Ot0CmMr7gmeHgFsGldCBJA-fYCNRDfL2O0FyJ3U9i38L_KUa/w400-h390/Seal%20on%20mud.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A second <span style="color: #0b5394;">common seal </span>was lying on the Pyefleet mud opposite Maydays on Sunday. Forty<span style="color: #990000;"> avocets </span>were noted along the channel, while a <span style="color: #990000;">Cetti's warbler</span> and two more pairs of<span style="color: #990000;"> stonechat</span> were noted</div><div>A <span style="color: #990000;">marsh harrier, buzzard</span> and <span style="color: #990000;">greenshank</span> were of note on the Bower Hall section.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3DlA4L7hh5UbCRB34bWZdQMyNaXNTey6Rni2dY1CGgZcYkHrEMxviBnVpHN0XdtFHi5dZGfDGVYRrtmn7kU6k_fULVWv8LxJakS79k3GALJdGEm7pTrVftGsU59TzcLP3nwyppXARdhLF13kx5oUup_xPYAknd7cQhshl5od4PKlYyE6IreW_u53oGJoS/s2128/Redshank%20by%20Strood.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1812" data-original-width="2128" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3DlA4L7hh5UbCRB34bWZdQMyNaXNTey6Rni2dY1CGgZcYkHrEMxviBnVpHN0XdtFHi5dZGfDGVYRrtmn7kU6k_fULVWv8LxJakS79k3GALJdGEm7pTrVftGsU59TzcLP3nwyppXARdhLF13kx5oUup_xPYAknd7cQhshl5od4PKlYyE6IreW_u53oGJoS/w400-h340/Redshank%20by%20Strood.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>As well as this <span style="color: #990000;">redshank</span> along the Strood channel on Sunday, also of note were two <span style="color: #990000;">marsh harriers</span>, 23 <span style="color: #990000;">avocets</span>, two singing <span style="color: #990000;">Cetti's warblers</span> and two pairs of <span style="color: #990000;">stonechat</span> - bringing the day's total to 14 birds on the north side of the island.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi67dQKreET4hMjrqxWkZ-6aR00OeHx76rhcXBxWImj4ygdy_pizEMEg6NsMvkoXzK5tk5IX3IrslZah_TKLOsQPARgCUhsXXyvKg5iQQ3sP3qNEG6RMC8o8EEip3ODyx6aPYOI6u8GV20D7cV8pYi6sfDih_xTOkkL1_AOMoOciQywuR-ue65vx_k_Zigv/s3374/Strood%20afternoon%20sky.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2436" data-original-width="3374" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi67dQKreET4hMjrqxWkZ-6aR00OeHx76rhcXBxWImj4ygdy_pizEMEg6NsMvkoXzK5tk5IX3IrslZah_TKLOsQPARgCUhsXXyvKg5iQQ3sP3qNEG6RMC8o8EEip3ODyx6aPYOI6u8GV20D7cV8pYi6sfDih_xTOkkL1_AOMoOciQywuR-ue65vx_k_Zigv/w400-h289/Strood%20afternoon%20sky.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The late afternoon sun over the Strood channel on Sunday, where a <span style="color: #990000;">great crested grebe </span>was feeding amongst the boats.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiZsZW2Bw18oJwpxcOAxSL3DzpdB3hA8TowVuNSNizEws1NH5CoQpEWI4HxMO_t_TYUANfc0wCDVPt2jvaCTzC_pTIOrYWYA0H55EpRsaswTK_d89FbUfOKF4jaHkXtMpPzZoB2Shb3p84ba2VivRSbNe7L53sxi0B8PDanDefYm20oZ3SrAEy94ZWFI5Z/s1086/RedpollAF.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1086" data-original-width="1047" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiZsZW2Bw18oJwpxcOAxSL3DzpdB3hA8TowVuNSNizEws1NH5CoQpEWI4HxMO_t_TYUANfc0wCDVPt2jvaCTzC_pTIOrYWYA0H55EpRsaswTK_d89FbUfOKF4jaHkXtMpPzZoB2Shb3p84ba2VivRSbNe7L53sxi0B8PDanDefYm20oZ3SrAEy94ZWFI5Z/w386-h400/RedpollAF.JPG" width="386" /></a></div>A <span style="color: #990000;">lesser redpoll</span> was photographed by Andy Field in the birches in Feldy View - one of two seen there on Sunday. Also seen there were a <span style="color: #990000;">lesser whitethroat, goldcrest</span> and lots of <span style="color: #990000;">blackbirds</span>. Later along the Strood channel was a <span style="color: #990000;">greenshank</span> and two pairs of <span style="color: #990000;">stonechat</span> in the fields.</div><div><br /></div><div>A <span style="color: #990000;">common tern, Sandwich tern</span> and<span style="color: #990000;"> red-throated diver </span>were seen off West Mersea by Steve Grimwade and his Swallow Birding group whilst aboard the Thistle barge trip along the Blackwater on Sunday.</div><div><br /></div><div>On Saturday 21st at Maydays a <span style="color: #990000;">green sandpiper</span> flew over calling, two<span style="color: #990000;"> great crested grebes</span>, 70<span style="color: #990000;"> wigeon</span> and 20 <span style="color: #990000;">avocets</span> were of note along the Pyefleet. Two <span style="color: #990000;">marsh harriers</span>, 20<span style="color: #990000;"> meadow pipits</span>, two <span style="color: #990000;">rock pipits</span>, <span style="color: #990000;">Cetti's warbler</span> were noted as was a <span style="color: #0b5394;">Chinese water deer </span>seen running across a rape field.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoKAlFWOEsghW95fBKFdPQSINFS0c85wJZlUvL34dMPRuC2z4gybm6MKKY4-T-TNaNNlngEhhVsM9s7T8dBehw_oWY04nCaXYDV1nOib5RHPNDaK5RhTfpi9YWM95OPuiV1tUiSJALD1MwR1PsfyaAZOH9VgtMgJw6V7OqryhaQWHxX8N-bEsg1248WY9Z/s2071/Short-%20eared%20owl.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1905" data-original-width="2071" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoKAlFWOEsghW95fBKFdPQSINFS0c85wJZlUvL34dMPRuC2z4gybm6MKKY4-T-TNaNNlngEhhVsM9s7T8dBehw_oWY04nCaXYDV1nOib5RHPNDaK5RhTfpi9YWM95OPuiV1tUiSJALD1MwR1PsfyaAZOH9VgtMgJw6V7OqryhaQWHxX8N-bEsg1248WY9Z/w400-h368/Short-%20eared%20owl.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>On Friday 20th after the heavy rain had finished in the morning, a <span style="color: #990000;">short-eared owl</span> was seen flying low over the grass Strood field, possibly flushed off by a dog. The <span style="color: #990000;">owl </span>circled over the fields, picking up height while being mobbed by <span style="color: #990000;">crows</span>, it headed high towards West Mersea, where Andy Field saw it flying right over his house as it flew south over the town. </div><div>Whilst watching the <span style="color: #990000;">short-eared owl</span> flying, a <span style="color: #990000;">great white egret </span>flew into view, passing over the fields and across the Channel and Ray Island.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaok1U5CdRO_gPzUJBvtfb4ygW3z8SUH4kJRX7a0MW3b3v_SWZKT7MCf6od2bfodDAXZZXQRHLELQ1AyTb8lCy5uHoIaXpNPI7Tnkl7lbJxR3u5UeXD4sswq6dyPM92tPfdOfXz91CqtP4uLd4ZRRtmVcX0q0kvJSZcZZwiBoaKbxP319StxRHz_aCU1Yh/s2967/Kingfisher%20on%20post.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2656" data-original-width="2967" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaok1U5CdRO_gPzUJBvtfb4ygW3z8SUH4kJRX7a0MW3b3v_SWZKT7MCf6od2bfodDAXZZXQRHLELQ1AyTb8lCy5uHoIaXpNPI7Tnkl7lbJxR3u5UeXD4sswq6dyPM92tPfdOfXz91CqtP4uLd4ZRRtmVcX0q0kvJSZcZZwiBoaKbxP319StxRHz_aCU1Yh/w400-h358/Kingfisher%20on%20post.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>At least one <span style="color: #990000;">kingfisher</span> was seen along the Strood on Friday, the first sighting was a bird flying low towards the Hard, then ten minutes later this <span style="color: #990000;">kingfisher</span>, possibly a different bird, was watched perching and feeding alongside the Strood seawall at high tide. A<span style="color: #990000;"> green sandpiper</span> flew about calling, along the channel were 25 <span style="color: #990000;">avocets</span>, 20<span style="color: #990000;"> ringed plovers</span>, 3 <span style="color: #990000;">Mediterranean gulls</span>, four <span style="color: #990000;">marsh harriers</span> and two singing <span style="color: #990000;">Cetti's warblers</span>. At the Hard 150<span style="color: #990000;"> turnstones </span>were roosting on boats near the jetty at high tide, while in the air over Feldy Marsh were 700<span style="color: #990000;"> golden plover</span>.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_QK0wrPSodPD0vIlIDVnWPdyfdGSQ-3SyE8qCgFr3HGa5pMjAP2DL7esIG8ra5sXef-fILC9DghBZJ18JY1cms0LsKxyGve4z024EU5Ah3JRJtD4yW5eMri-etU_6wJat9kkijy_qnHba_-azc_7LAK2YrKux6Z2zDvyVFMD1uRRgMX8jzydOvQ-qjMxa/s2069/Meadow%20pipit1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1959" data-original-width="2069" height="379" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_QK0wrPSodPD0vIlIDVnWPdyfdGSQ-3SyE8qCgFr3HGa5pMjAP2DL7esIG8ra5sXef-fILC9DghBZJ18JY1cms0LsKxyGve4z024EU5Ah3JRJtD4yW5eMri-etU_6wJat9kkijy_qnHba_-azc_7LAK2YrKux6Z2zDvyVFMD1uRRgMX8jzydOvQ-qjMxa/w400-h379/Meadow%20pipit1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Twenty-five <span style="color: #990000;">meadow pipits</span>, one pictured above and two <span style="color: #990000;">rock pipits</span> were noted along the Strood seawall on Friday.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_fku7dDxMurSI4R5x6LOhG32s3CgaK5FxEKo96H5QE2fSmzA7ddRbog5qnY2dOft9gAiMDDPj8RbmR0sQW3ro741Yo4T5gt7nAYEfxLTWcGxKlitmFAdiSnCTN9yOVslgHqllsqbTYesioh23cNlF9ayOLxE3swSjNLJldo3fHZM0_QbkrGB3PXOaWhU-/s3405/Stonechat%20in%20tree.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3126" data-original-width="3405" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_fku7dDxMurSI4R5x6LOhG32s3CgaK5FxEKo96H5QE2fSmzA7ddRbog5qnY2dOft9gAiMDDPj8RbmR0sQW3ro741Yo4T5gt7nAYEfxLTWcGxKlitmFAdiSnCTN9yOVslgHqllsqbTYesioh23cNlF9ayOLxE3swSjNLJldo3fHZM0_QbkrGB3PXOaWhU-/w400-h368/Stonechat%20in%20tree.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Two pairs of <span style="color: #990000;">stonechat </span>were seen at opposite ends of the Strood fields on Friday.</div><div>In Feldy View and the nearby Firs Road cemetery, two<span style="color: #990000;"> green woodpeckers, great spotted woodpecker, song thrush</span>, ten <span style="color: #990000;">blackbirds</span> and a <span style="color: #990000;">goldcrest </span>were seen.</div><div><br /></div><div>On Thursday 19th along the Strood seawall were 300<span style="color: #990000;"> golden plover</span>, 30 <span style="color: #990000;">ringed plover</span>, 25 <span style="color: #990000;">avocets, bar-tailed godwit</span>, 50<span style="color: #990000;"> black-tailed godwits</span>, two<span style="color: #990000;"> knot</span>, 15 <span style="color: #990000;">Mediterranean gulls</span>, 9 <span style="color: #990000;">little grebes, sparrowhawk</span>, three <span style="color: #990000;">stonechats</span>, two <span style="color: #990000;">rock pipits</span> and ten <span style="color: #990000;">linnets</span>.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh88oth3W-r3fuVVyXcoeo4rkEKSQukQTijcDOUMXmnKg9EbQltxBdpFNKCechheR75k47HJ-5s4S2uoqQADqEbHZovkox4XIMHDNC_6xnv7_UxF0rjMZ9ZznTcLfBdDyBcB1X8yYPS-r5SQZ1372oQM_zjxwPidYB5Ujj8KMZh25rkeAlcGG7_XkxEQx7n/s2000/Nest%20of%20eggsMT.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh88oth3W-r3fuVVyXcoeo4rkEKSQukQTijcDOUMXmnKg9EbQltxBdpFNKCechheR75k47HJ-5s4S2uoqQADqEbHZovkox4XIMHDNC_6xnv7_UxF0rjMZ9ZznTcLfBdDyBcB1X8yYPS-r5SQZ1372oQM_zjxwPidYB5Ujj8KMZh25rkeAlcGG7_XkxEQx7n/w400-h300/Nest%20of%20eggsMT.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Michael Thorley discovered an old abandoned clutch of <span style="color: #990000;">great tit</span> eggs laid in the spring in a nestbox in his East Mersea garden on Wednesday, maybe something happened to the parents.</div><div><br /></div><div>On Wednesday 18th two <span style="color: #990000;">siskins</span> flew over the Feldy View cemetery and three <span style="color: #990000;">goldcrests</span> were heard at various points round the Firs caravan park.</div><div>Along the Strood seawall, 25 <span style="color: #990000;">Mediterranean gulls </span>were resting in the channel, also 100<span style="color: #990000;"> wigeon</span>, 25 <span style="color: #990000;">avocets</span>, 30 <span style="color: #990000;">ringed plover, bar-tailed godwit, knot, buzzard, stonechat </span>and<span style="color: #990000;"> Cetti's warbler </span>singing. A <span style="color: #990000;">green sandpiper</span> was seen flying over the Feldy Marsh then dropping down inside the seawall there.</div><div><br /></div><div>Along the Strood seawall on Tuesday 17th, forty <span style="color: #990000;">brent geese</span>, 25<span style="color: #990000;"> avocets</span>, two <span style="color: #990000;">shelduck</span>, 50<span style="color: #990000;"> golden plover, knot, buzzard</span> and a <span style="color: #990000;">peregrine</span> were seen, while a <span style="color: #990000;">sparrowhawk</span> flew over Firs Chase.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqJZVDSBawqXv2GZkVeJZdJx3rbG7JOrAeb2MHsVwWCTuoaq8sby3erzCbpYf_3Lg45PNx3IZPEicywLEkr4i50ITUlJSTYWrKszYihm-SiQnBHIAwl-kP__MrJCH9AiaYSPefYNgUeBjWPEFTuPx99hB0fMle7evuLUSzC8B0DUwLFUr36ndxwE2VbQQp/s4298/Red%20squirrel%20resting.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3542" data-original-width="4298" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqJZVDSBawqXv2GZkVeJZdJx3rbG7JOrAeb2MHsVwWCTuoaq8sby3erzCbpYf_3Lg45PNx3IZPEicywLEkr4i50ITUlJSTYWrKszYihm-SiQnBHIAwl-kP__MrJCH9AiaYSPefYNgUeBjWPEFTuPx99hB0fMle7evuLUSzC8B0DUwLFUr36ndxwE2VbQQp/w400-h330/Red%20squirrel%20resting.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A <span style="color: #0b5394;">red squirrel </span>was resting in the cedar tree in the Firs Chase garden on Tuesday 17th.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho90LRtuxxIINYAxpgjDyHRBbG58BQO7Eee1yo1BvZWO8iFWsQZspU09Cg6EEUW0TCAxeNQTXdx84oMMG9Gf7IkvK27H35qjj47x6ZyYl6aUfSHSla_2RoVBRBYFlXONUcr1001qLYmXZoaL2U0Z_S24AvKVgUGlVaLBvUD93o3sQ8z3ZTawy29ZdQGklo/s2013/Dark%20swordgrass.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2013" data-original-width="1989" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho90LRtuxxIINYAxpgjDyHRBbG58BQO7Eee1yo1BvZWO8iFWsQZspU09Cg6EEUW0TCAxeNQTXdx84oMMG9Gf7IkvK27H35qjj47x6ZyYl6aUfSHSla_2RoVBRBYFlXONUcr1001qLYmXZoaL2U0Z_S24AvKVgUGlVaLBvUD93o3sQ8z3ZTawy29ZdQGklo/w395-h400/Dark%20swordgrass.jpg" width="395" /></a></div>A worn <span style="color: #741b47;">Dark Swordgrass </span>was seen in the moth trap in the Firs Chase garden on 17th - an immigrant moth, I think its the first one here this year.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiJXZk9xkbcX37dpCV7dB6YrALBcStu0FkHVX72Vk1mBIXZ0aEVAfW1v_sY8T2ft9-xf4TQ9LqQ0pK-ocjHCIY9uEIXhAicd8MEsAVqvk7BiVIY7zWjABwWB-tbWIY0jeVRN5-3pi97fxSpijyNNcLW-ELm6TATrlI59vLmrke4PUivL71W6DGmQlGqhBu/s1454/Yellow%20line%20quaker.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1454" data-original-width="1365" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiJXZk9xkbcX37dpCV7dB6YrALBcStu0FkHVX72Vk1mBIXZ0aEVAfW1v_sY8T2ft9-xf4TQ9LqQ0pK-ocjHCIY9uEIXhAicd8MEsAVqvk7BiVIY7zWjABwWB-tbWIY0jeVRN5-3pi97fxSpijyNNcLW-ELm6TATrlI59vLmrke4PUivL71W6DGmQlGqhBu/w375-h400/Yellow%20line%20quaker.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>A <span style="color: #741b47;">Yellow-line Quaker </span>was at the garden moth trap on 17th.</div></div><div>A <span style="color: #741b47;">Hummingbird Hawkmoth</span> was seen visiting flowering salvia plants in the Firs Chase garden on a very dull Thursday 19th.</div>Dougal Urquharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03160413142108234247noreply@blogger.com0