SISKINS AND REDPOLLS

There was plenty of bird activity in trees by the East Mersea Vineyard on Friday 26th. Pictured above was one of 25 siskins that were feeding in the alder trees as were about ten lesser redpolls and 25 goldfinches.

Also perched up several of the trees in the area were about 300 fieldfares and at least 25+ redwings - probably more. Adding to the flocks of birds were 200+ starlings.

This small group of lesser redpolls was first seen on Wednesday 24th by Andy Field who managed to take a couple of photos of some of the six birds in the alders.

As well as these redpolls, also seen on Wednesday by Andy around the Vineyard / Rewsalls area were 20+ siskins, 3 Mediterranean gulls, 12 redwings and 50+ fieldfares.

The elusive resident little owl was seen by the Youth Camp entrance by Martin Cock on Wednesday.

A record shot of the barn owl hunting the Rewsall marshes just after mid-day on Friday. It seemed very happy flying back and forwards over a couple of the long grass fields next to the Coopers Beach caravan park.

A stonechat was also noted in the field while a kingfisher was seen perched on a railing beside the dyke at the caravan park end. Also seen were little egret, 2 common snipe, 3 teal, 8 mallard and 3 reed buntings.

Flying over some of the Rewsalls fields were 200 brent geese, 50 curlew, 500 golden plover and 100 lapwing, while a red-legged partridge was seen near the East Mersea church.

A yellowhammer flew over calling and 3 linnets were seen by a game cover crop and a goldcrest in a hedgerow.

Perched on a telegraph post beside the East Mersea road near Bocking Hall was this common buzzard on Friday. It soon flew off just after I stopped the car to take this picture.

On Thursday 25th a very vocal water rail was seen briefly at the back of the pond before scuttling back into the reeds. A female marsh harrier flew slowly along the central ditch in the park's grazing fields late afternoon.

Offshore from the park on Wednesday 24th was a great northern diver, 2 red-throated diver and 9 Slavonian grebes seen by Andy. Over 600 great crested grebes were also estimated by Martin.