There was the usual flock of 35 black-tailed godwits roosting and feeding on the country park's grazing fields on Wednesday 11th. Only four of the birds were in colourful breeding plumage.
At least five lapwing chicks were seen running about the fields and the pair of oystercatchers was present too.
A pair of Mediterranean gulls flew over the saltmarsh near the Point and landed on one of the small lagoons. A whimbrel whistled as it flew past. Two reed warblers were singing from reeds beside the dyke. A weasel ran along the top of the seawall.
On the park pond a pair of pochard and six tufted duck were present and the Cetti's warbler sang from a nearby hedgeline. Two mistle thrushes were seen flying over the park.
Around the main park on Wednesday 3+ blackcaps, 5+ common whitethroats and 2 lesser whitethroats were singing.
Two turtle doves were recently reported in a garden beside Willoughby car park in West Mersea.
A pair of Mediterranean gulls flew over the saltmarsh near the Point and landed on one of the small lagoons. A whimbrel whistled as it flew past. Two reed warblers were singing from reeds beside the dyke. A weasel ran along the top of the seawall.
On the park pond a pair of pochard and six tufted duck were present and the Cetti's warbler sang from a nearby hedgeline. Two mistle thrushes were seen flying over the park.
Around the main park on Wednesday 3+ blackcaps, 5+ common whitethroats and 2 lesser whitethroats were singing.
Two turtle doves were recently reported in a garden beside Willoughby car park in West Mersea.
The first damselflies at the park were seen resting beside a path near the hide on Wednesday with a handful of these azure damselflies noted.
At West Mersea a large red damselfly was reported by Charles Williams in his Queen Ann Road garden.
Moth trapping at the country park has taken place a couple of times in the last week with the first of the brimstone moths being noted this spring.
Least black arches has become a more regular moth in recent years than before.
The first pine beauty of the spring was seen on the night of the 4th.
A maiden's blush made its first appearance of the year on the 4th, although this individual not quite showing the usual bright pink blush patches on the wings.
Numbers of moths coming to the trap over the last fortnight have been low with catches averaging about ten individuals. Other moths noted have been Hebrew character, common quaker, oak tree pug, powdered quaker, common quaker and early grey.
The most notable moth recorded recently was the increasing nationally scarce sloe carpet, which was trapped by Chris Williams on the night of the 6th. The only site record this year.
Chris set nine traps around the park resulting in 88 individuals of 22 species that night.
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