FIRST MOTH SUCCESS

Saturday 17th started as another glorious sunny and still day. Looking across the Colne from East Mersea Point towards Brightlingsea and Batemans Tower, the river was as flat as a mirror. Very little to look at in the river on the incoming tide except for 30 shelduck, seven red-breasted mergansers and a common seal. However there was the great sight and sound of thousands of waders flying rapidly past the Point, as they swopped over roost sites. It seemed like frequent gusts of wind were blowing until you looked up and realised it was another group of 1000 dunlin or another mixed flock of knot, grey plover and a few bar-tailed godwits hurtling past.

The spring-like weather brought out an early red admiral and also stirred a meadow pipit into a brief song at the Point as did a male reed bunting.

On the grazing fields the waders and wildfowl continued their grazing, dabbling and probing of the waterlogged pasture. Numbers still the same as a couple of days earlier.

At the park pond there was the usual fleeting glimpse of a water rail lurking in the reeds. Its drab grey and brown plumage would have kept it unseen were it not for its bright red and wet bill glistening in the sunshine.

The evening brought out the Skinner moth trap with some rewards to admire with the bright mercury vapour light running all night. Two previous sessions in mid January and early February proved fruitless. This session produced only five moths of four species but at least the year list is up and running. As well as these pictured below an early moth and pale brindled beauty were also recorded.

Dotted border - as the name implies showing the fine line of dots along the rear wing-edge.

Two male spring ushers with very different markings.

One of two great diving beetles attracted to the moth light, except this rather olive-coloured one was picked out of a nearby bush! This inch long water beetle hasn't been found at the park before.