The sight of several divers and grebes from the park yesterday was worth another look on Monday 9th. The sea was checked from both Coopers Beach, pictured above, as well as the country park. Conditions weren't ideal with the breeze bobbing birds in and out of view, the "heat-haze" over the distant waters and looking into the sun didn't help matters either.
Despite this, it was the best day of the winter so far for seeing birds offshore. I met up with Andy Field to have a look at the offshore gathering at Coopers Beach.
The big gathering of great crested grebes totalled at least 350 birds off Coopers Beach, which is 50 more than were seen from here at the end of last January. The second winter running there's been a big flock here. Amongst the great crested were at least five Slavonian grebes and three red-throated divers.
Not much else noted during a quick walk along the Coopers Beach seawall to the Youth Camp with a surprising lack of waders on the Rewsalls marshes at high tide. Birds seen were 50 brent geese, 20 meadow pipits, 2 skylarks, great spotted woodpecker, kestrel and 8 mallard while offshore a common seal swam eastwards.
A quick offshore look from the country park just before the high tide revealed four red-throated divers and 4 Slavonian grebes along with 25+ great crested grebes.
Near West Mersea in the field by Chapmans Lane there were 50 linnets but no sign of the red-legged partridge seen by Martin Cock yesterday. The pied blackbird with the white head and rump was seen in Firs Chase again.
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