GREAT NORTHERN

There was the pleasant surprise at the East Mersea Point of this great northern diver close into the beach on Tuesday 26th. Great northern divers are scarce in the Colne, so to see one only 20 metres from the shore was a treat. The bird drifted away when it saw me but soon came back in so that it continue diving.

As an added bonus the ten snow buntings flew overhead as if just arriving back onto the Point. They circled round a couple of times before landing down on the beach.

Offshore 86 shelduck were off the park at high tide while 3 red-breasted mergansers flew out of the Colne.

Amongst the five hundred dark-bellied brent geese in the park's grazing fields was the pale bellied brent goose. Also 300 wigeon and 300 teal, 200 redshank, 50 lapwing and three snipe.

 

The regular grey heron was back on the park pond, perched on the willow tree over the water. On the pond were 20 shoveler, 10 gadwall and 20 mallard. In nearby bushes there was a noisy gathering of 15 blackbirds.

A couple of contrasting images of the skies from Mersea seen at either end of Tuesday with the view pictured above looking moody as the early morning sun tries to break through.

At the end of the day the sun was hidden from view as it set but there was a nice pink hue to the high clouds above it. The colours reflected onto the calm sea alongside the park beach.

Martin Cock found a female goosander and scaup in the Pyefleet on Tuesday morning and also saw a peregrine, green sandpiper and a Cape shelduck there too.
Andy Field found the long-tailed duck still near the Dabchicks sailing club at West Mersea and also the shag in the Quarters