STROOD BRENT

There have been more brent geese along the Strood Channel in recent days with 100 of the geese feeding in the nearby fields on Friday 16th. Also seen during the seawall walk were a marsh harrier, sparrowhawk, four avocet, 40 wigeon, 30 linnets, 6 reed buntings and a snipe passing overhead.

One wader of interest along the Strood on Friday was this distant greenshank, presumably the same bird seen in the area a few days earlier by Martin Cock.


On Saturday 17th a peregrine, common buzzard and kestrel were seen near Reeveshall Farm as was a flock of 30 stock doves.

Along the Strood Channel on a sunny Sunday 18th, a marsh harrier, 400 brent geese, 50 wigeon, 50 teal, 20 black-tailed godwits and 22 little grebes were the main birds of note.

A common buzzard swooped low over gardens whilst being mobbed by crows in the Firs Chase and Firs Road area on Sunday.

On the Langenhoe ranges at the end of Sunday afternoon, 20 marsh harriers were watched from the Shop Lane seawall coming into roost, including one flock of nine birds arriving together late on. Also a merlin seen but no sign of any hen harriers.

On Monday 19th there were 500 brent geese seen in the area, although most of this flock were in the Ray Channel and feeding on the Peldon fields.

 Also along the Strood was a marsh harrier flying over, 10 knot with 300 dunlin, 25 little egrets on the saltings, while inside the seawall was a green sandpiper, fieldfare, 30 linnets and a common buzzard.


A snow bunting was found at East Mersea Point on Monday 19th by Simon Patient - the first record here this year.