Sunday 14 August 2016

GLOSSY IBIS ON NEARBY RANGES

Just to the north of the Island, this glossy ibis was found on the Langenhoe ranges on Wednesday 10th by Richard Hull and Andy Field, who took these two photos.

Also noted on the ranges were a spotted redshank, ruff, 8 green sandpipers, 200 black-tailed godwits, 230 avocets, 6 yellow wagtails and 5 stonechats - although no sign of the osprey there.

A walk along the Reeveshall seawall near Shop Lane on Wednesday evening provided views of 2 marsh harriers over Langenhoe, 250+ black-tailed godwits, 100+ avocets, 20 ringed plover, grey plover, 10 common terns and 3 little terns along the Pyefleet.

At the country park this reed warbler was carrying this male ruddy darter dragonfly whilst perched in the reeds along the borrowdyke.
Seen at the park on Wednesday were 3 willow warblers, 41 little egrets, common buzzard over the fields, two young sparrowhawks calling from behind the pond, 50 black-tailed godwits and 150 redshank on the fields with two green sandpipers flying over.

On Tuesday 9th five whimbrel flew south over the car park calling, a willow warbler was heard and a clouded yellow was reported by the seawall.
The osprey was seen from Maydays by Martin Cock as it perched on the Geedons post.

On Monday 8th at dusk in Firs Chase 5 swifts and 4 swallows spent several minutes flying low over the tree-tops hawking through the swarms of midges /gnats.

Enjoyed a colourful sunrise across the Colne on Friday 12th just after 5.30am whilst emptying some moth traps at the country park.
Flying past the park as day broke were 3 little terns and 4 common terns.

Common blue butterflies have been a bit uncommon this summer - this one hanging onto a blade of grass at the park on Thursday 11th

The annual monitoring of the hogs fennel plants took place at the park on Thursday 11th under the guidance of Dr Zoe Ringwood, on the right. Also visiting was Rebecca Perry, conservation director at Colchester zoo who is supervising the rearing and planned release at some point of the rare Fishers Estuarine moth to the country park.

A marsh harrier was seen flying over the grazing fields, a willow warbler was still present and 5 swifts flew west over the car park on Thursday evening.

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