SLOUGHED SKIN

The first adder skin was found at the park on Friday 16th, with the faint zig-zag markings still visible along the back of the sloughed skin. The skin had been snagged against some bramble stems, no doubt the adder using the bramble thorns to help it pull the old skin off. The freshly marked adder was easily located with its bright silvery colour only a couple of metres away, pictured below.

This adder with its clear black markings on a silvery-grey background must've shed its skin only a couple of days earlier. It was only as I reached over to take this photograph, when I realised there was another adder in the bottom right of the picture. The difference in the colours is very marked between these two in the picture.

Soon after the adders shed their skin, they go off in search of a mate, deserting their favourite basking spot that they've been using for the previous month. They become harder to locate at the park after this.
In the sunny conditions 8 adders were seen this morning which appeared to suggest another two new individuals not seen before, bringing the adder tally for the park to 13 this spring.

The nightingale was in full song by the park entrance, greeting cars as they arrived. A common whitethroat was also singing nearby from a hedgeline.

There were several pairs of shoveler on the park pond along with the usual few pairs of tufted ducks. On the flooded section of the grazing fields, there weren't as many birds as of recent days although there was still the interesting variety of wildfowl such as teal, wigeon, mallard, shoveler, gadwall, shelduck with a few lapwing and redshank.

The cloud persisted throughout Tuesday night and helped to direct about 160 moths into the trap at the park, which was a better than average April haul. One of the commonest moths around at the moment is the Hebrew character pictured above, with 50 individuals noted. Similar numbers were also noted with the small quaker and the common quaker.

Of the other moths noted, there were ones and twos of early grey, clouded drab, red chestnut, powdered quaker, blossom underwing and March moth.

Two little owls were seen perched up on roadside trees along Bromans Lane at dusk on Wednesday evening. Two male corn buntings were seen perched up on bushes by the East Mersea road near Bocking Hall.

BLACKTHORN BUTTERFLIES

Tuesday 13th was another sunny day but there was still the chilly north-easterly wind blowing across the park. Amongst the handful of colourful peacock butterflies flying around the blackthorn bush near the car park, was this first comma butterfly of the spring, pictured above on the flowers. The first "small" white butterfly was also seen, flying over a garden to the north of the park.

The nightingale was singing early in the morning when the park opened and was even seen flying across the road to sing from a different hedge. The frst common whitethroat of the spring at the park was seen singing low down in a blackthorn thicket close to the car park. A blackcap was also heard singing near the car park with one or two swallows and the chiffchaff, being the other migrants noted.


Most unexpected bird of the day was a quick flypast of a male hen harrier, crossing the area near the pond and continuing northwards along the back of the grazing fields. There have been several recent sightings of a female hen harrier but this is the first sighting I've had this "winter" of a male bird. This individual was probably a passage bird on its way northwards to breed.

The picture above shows one of the creeks in the park grazing fields still full of water. Many of the low-lying areas still have lots of water in them and are still being used by ducks and waders. About 40 teal, 10 shoveler, 20 shelduck, 16 wigeon, 6 gadwall, 3 brent geese, 2 Canada geese and mallard were the main wildfowl. Hidden amongst the rushes in the marshy areas were at least 10 snipe, while a few redshank were "singing" and several lapwings displaying.

On the saltmarsh pools near the Point 3 avocets were present along with a few redshank. On the park pond the pair of mute swans have a nest on one of the islands and she appears to have been sitting for about a week now. Depending on when the last egg was laid, the incubation period is 5 weeks, so cygnets should appear in the second half of May.


The moth trap brought in about 60 moths of 8 species through Tuesday night including this early grey pictured above. The selection consisted of the familiar early spring moths such as hebrew character, red chestnut, clouded drab and blossom underwing.

Two moths normally quite similar in appearance are these two quakers pictured above with the common quaker on the left and the powdered quaker on the right. As the name implies, there have been lots of common quakers seen in the trap in recent sessions.
A third quaker also turning up in small numbers has been this small quaker pictured below.


The sunny weather in recent days has encouraged the adders out although they've been keeping out of the cold breeze. Passing counts have been 3 on Tuesday 13th, 5 on Monday 12th and 6 on Sunday 11th.


The last hour of Monday was spent along the Reeveshall seawall, where the sun was watched dropping down behind the Reeveshall pool. On here were 25 teal, 10 wigeon, 3 gadwall 4 shoveler, pair of swans and a handful of pied wagtails which later appeared to roost in the nearby Broad Fleet reedbed.

On the nearby fields 330 brent geese were still present in the area, while 34 greylag geese were grazing amongst the sheep, with 6 brown hares and a fox also noted late on.

On Langenhoe 3 female and 3 male marsh harriers were seen flying around the reedbed last thing of the day. In the Pyefleet a pair of red-breasted mergansers flew out of the channel and into the Colne. Not much else of note along the mud at low tide except for small numbers of shelduck and redshank.

A sparrowhawk flew over the wood at the north end of Shop Lane, while in the wood at the south end there were at least 60 rook nests counted. At dusk a little owl perching on a branch alongside Bromans Lane, watched nerviously as I drove slowly along the Lane, passing just underneath it.

NIGHTINGALE DUET

The moth trap had about 90 moths in and around it on the morning of Saturday 10th at the park. The most eyecatching moth was this early thorn pictured above which looks more like a butterfly than a moth with the way it holds its wings. In pevious years there have often been several records in the spring of the early thorn.

Other moths noted included satellite, common quaker, small quaker, blossom underwing, hebrew character, red chestnut, early grey, clouded drab and the March moth.


This pine beauty with its richly patterned wing markings is the first record this spring. There should be one or two other records over the next few weeks.

Sunny weather during the day saw four peacocks and a small tortoiseshell butterfly enjoying the sunshine near the car park. Around the park 5 adders were noted and a common lizard too.

It was great hearing the song of the nightingale for the first time this spring, just returned from Africa, singing from the same car park hedge where it bred last year. Despite the good weather, the bird sang just briefly during the mid-morning. What did get it going was it hearing the sound of a rival male singing from the opposite side of the car park. The two birds sang a short duet, the song carrying over the tops of the parked cars. During the day the car park filled up with cars and I'm sure both nightingales retreated to hide in some peaceful thickets.

Several yellow wagtails flew over the park during the morning with at least five birds noted with one bird seen in the afternoon on the fields. A swallow was also over the fields, two sand martins over the cliffs and a newly arrived chiffchaff singing from the clifftop trees.

On the fields 120 redshank roosting in a group were the main birds of note along with the usual other birds of 25 teal, 12 wigeon, 16 shelduck, 4 gadwall, brent goose, 10 curlew and a little egret with its fine plumes on its back being ruffled in the breeze.

Walked alongside a very brazen fox in mid-morning which was standing inside a hedge, just a couple of metres from me. By standing still it may've presumed I might not notice it and I could easily have missed it but the sun shone on its red coat too easily. As soon as I stopped, it turned and jumped over a big ditch, splashing into the water as it made its rapid escape into the grazing fields.

SPRING SUNSHINE

More sunny weather on Friday 8th provided a real sense of spring to the country park. This small tortoiseshell was a welcome sight on this blackthorn bush near the car park, especially as numbers of this once common butterfly have decreased sharply in recent years. A couple of peacock butterflies were also seen later on the same bush. Amongst the other kinds of insects buzzing about in the sunshine were several bee-flies enjoying the warmth.

The first blackcap at the park this spring was singing loudly from trees around the car park. In recent days the songs of several skylarks have been particularly evident all around the park.Neighbouring fields appear to have singing skylarks above them as well as a couple of vocal birds above the main part of the park.


A check of adders around the park on Thursday revealed 3 very close to the cliff-top, including one of last year's young adders. What was unexpected was seeing a male grass-snake basking in the long grass near the cliff-edge too. Nine adders were seen around the park on Thursday and six seen on Friday, resulting in the park's tally so far this spring to 11 individuals.
Scuttling through the long grass in various places were five common lizards.

A wheatear flew along the beach on Thursday morning and a couple of sand martins were flying around the cliff. A yellow wagtail flew in off the sea and headed inland across the fields where a couple of swallows were flying back and forwards. The resident pair of sparrowhawks appeared to see off a third sparrowhawk that had strayed too close to "their" park.

A ruff waded through the large pool in the fields where 140 redshank gathered to roost for the high tide along with 5 black-tailed godwits. Amongst the ducks were 32 teal, 15 wigeon, 4 gadwall, 6 shelduck a few mallard and some shoveler. On the pond there were still 10 tufted duck and a pair of pochard.

At the Point on Thursday 200 brent geese fed on some algae on the mud, 4 linnets and a reed bunting were noted on the sea-blite bushes, while an avocet was on the pools.

On Thursday a blackcap and goldcrest were heard singing in Firs Chase in West Mersea, while a swallow was noted at Haycocks Stables. On Friday a swallow was seen by the Pick-Your-Own and also at Bromans Farm, while a corn bunting was by the road near Bocking Hall and at dusk, a little owl flew along Bromans Lane.

MIGRANTS AND MOTHS

The firecrest that turned up at the park yesterday, was still in the park on Wednesday 7th. In contrast to being quiet on Tuesday, it was tracked down today very quickly as it sang repeatedly from the pine trees near the overflow car park, pictured above. It was singing its fast and short high-pitched song as it foraged through the branches. However there was no sign of the goldcrest that kept it company yesterday.

Another migrant that was welcomed back today was the nightingale by the park entrance. Usually the first spring nightingales are registered by hearing their loud and varied song. This time the bird was first heard just after dark as I closed the park, as it called out its distinctive "hooet" call-note, from the same location just inside the gates where they've bred for the last four years.

Other migrants seen over the park today were a pair of swallows flying over the flooded field and also two brightly coloured male yellow wagtails which dropped down to feed on the field. However there was no sign of the two sand martins that were seen flying around the cliff yesterday but the chiffchaff was still singing from the sallow bushes by the pond.

Martin Cock found a wheatear on the seawall by the Reeveshall pool today and Michael Thorley saw one on the Youth Camp beach yesterday.

On the grazing fields today were 250 brent geese, 50 redshank, 20 teal, 10 lapwing, 6 gadwall and 3 black-tailed godwits. On the pond there were 10 tufted ducks and a pair of pochard, while the pair of mute swans appear to have their nest ready on one of the islands.

There was only the one adder out on an overcast Wednesday afternoon, whereas yesterday there were 7 seen around the park.


The moth trap was set over Tuesday night on a relatively still and partially cloudy night. Although the temperature dropped and there was a heavy dew, the catch was quite pleasing for the time of year. Nearly 100 moths of 14 species were noted which is a better tally than any early April sessions for 3 years.

The herald moth pictured above was the most eye-catching with its orange-red markings and distinctive heraldic outline. Last year it was recorded on three nights during April and maybe the name heralds the start of the mothing season, as the nights slowly warm up.

Another common moth with an unusual profile is the angle shades that looks like a withered leaf when it lies on the ground.

Several blossom underwings pictured above, were noted and there should be several more to see at the trap during the next fortnight or so.

The red chestnut was also present in the trap with a handful of individuals noted. Amongst many of the other browner coloured moths, these ones stand out with their reddish colours.

This clouded drab wasn't as drab in colour as some of the usual ones found in the trap. This one is showing a richer reddish-chestnut colour which caught the eye. It's a common early spring moth to the trap here, turning up in small numbers through April.

Some of the other moths noted included March, small quaker, common quaker, twin-spotted quaker, dotted border, lots of hebrew character and early grey.

MAYDAYS WALK

Walked along the seawall by Maydays Farm on Monday 5th, on an overcast early afternoon with the tide out along the Pyefleet Channel. Scanning the Channel westwards, pictured above, and eastwards too, provided views of waders and gulls scattered across the mud.

The variety of waders was low although there were lots of redshank everywhere probably 400 birds seen. Also 30 curlew, 120 grey plover, 25 dunlin, 30 oystercatcher, 20 curlew and 2 black-tailed godwits. About 70 shelduck were seen on the mud along with 20 teal while amongst the large number of black-headed gulls on the mud were a pair of Mediterranean gulls.

Marsh harriers were very much in evidence as usual with 2 males and female over Reeveshall, while on Langenhoe there were a further 6 birds flying around. Also on Reeveshall were 2000 starlings and 10 pairs of lapwing amongst the sheep and lambs.

A male yellow wagtail flew over the Maydays seawall calling, the first bird of the spring for the Island, while on the Maydays saltings 6 little egrets were noted. A male yellowhammer was seen near the farm, a male reed bunting sang from the borrowdyke and 10 linnets flew around the fields near the seawall.

A walk on Sunday afternoon along the Strood seawall wasn't very productive due to the high tide. A marsh harrier flew along the Feldy seawall, 2 little egrets were seen on the Ray saltings, as were small roosts of redshank and curlew and also 10 brent geese. A flooded corner of the fields held 12 black-headed gulls, 4 curlew, pair of shelduck and a ringed plover.

The song of a goldcrest was heard from a cedar tree in Firs Chase on Sunday, a surprising rarity on the Island this winter.

On Saturday the male sparrowhawk was doing its rollercoaster display flight several times high over the Cudmore Grove car park during the sunny morning. Also enjoying the morning sunshine were 5 adders at the park. The swallow was seen again at the bottom of the Strood Hill later in the day.

SWALLOW BY STROOD

An evening walk on Friday 2nd alongside the Strood Channel, provided a view of an early swallow hawking over the saltmarsh at the bottom of Strood Hill. This swallow maybe the same bird seen by Ian Black in the same area on Tuesday - the first report so far this spring on the Island.

Athough there was plenty of mud along the channel, wader numbers have dropped off except for 250+ redshank dotted across the mud. Other waders seen were 20 grey plover, 10 ringed plover, 25 curlew, black-tailed godwit, 5 knot, 20 dunlin, 10 oystercatcher, turnstone and 10 golden plover. Other than 25 shelduck there were a few teal and mallard, while in the distance 50 brent geese were noted. In the channel a male goldeneye swimming out with the tide seemed unusual for April.

A female marsh harrier flew south-west along one side of the the Feldy seawall as the sunset, while a barn owl flew in the opposite direction on the other side of the wall, passing within a few metres of each other.

Other birds noted were 2 little egrets, one singing corn bunting and also there was a small flock of 6 linnets roosting in bushes near the Dabchicks.

Andy Field and Richard Hull visited the army ranges of Langenhoe this morning and noted spoonbill, Cetti's warbler, hen harrier, 10 marsh harrier, peregrine, sparrowhawk and 2 common buzzard.


The only sightings of note at the country park in recent days have been a ringtail hen harrier over the car par on Thursday 31st while on Tuesday 5 adders were seen.