ALL WASHED UP

Recent strong high tides have taken their toll on the marine plant-life as the beach at the park on Monday 1st was covered in washed up algae. Instead of the nice soft sand to walk on, masses of brown and green algae has been washed off the mudflats and dumped on the beach. Being a high spring tide has also meant that no part of the beach was spared this algal blanket.

An attempt to find one or two sea-birds flying past during the afternoon high tide with Nick Green proved unsuccessful and we ended up getting rained on for our efforts. Finding some shelter in the hide we had to make do with watching 20 teal, 2 shoveler, 10 mallard and a pair of gadwall.

Earlier in the morning a lesser redpoll flew round calling, dropping down to join a large foraging group of about 25 tits. Amongst the long-tailed, great and blue tits were a couple of goldcrests, their presence only noted because of their regular high-pitched calls.

The moth trap was put back into action in the park after a fortnight off and on there was a real autumnal look to the catch on the Monday morning. The only disappointment was having to hurriedly clear away the trap two hours early, as it started to rain at 5.30am. Only 50 moths of 16 species were noted but there were several new ones for the year including this striking and handsome black rustic pictured above. This is quite a common moth here but it certainly catches the eye when most of the moths are generally at the moment, some shade of brown in the trap.

The flounced chestnut was another moth to catch the eye as it had a brighter brown colour than many of the other moths in the trap. Other species seen included autumnal rustic, lunar underwing, beaded chestnut, flounced rustic, brindled green, rosy rustic, L-album wainscot and a willow beauty. There was also a common darter dragonfly resting up, attracted in by the bright light.

SOME WELCOME WARMTH

Another high tide on Sunday 30th but the weather was gentler today with little wind. There was a reasonable amount of blue sky especially in the morning and one or two insects enjoyed the sunshine. The big attraction at the moment for many of the park insects are the various clumps of ivy in flower. One big clump around a dead elm tree was buzzing with life as bees, wasps, flies and hoverflies visited all the flowers. Two red admirals and two speckled wood butterflies also joined in the feast.

On the seawall a peacock rested by the seawall, while lots of dragonflies such as common darter, migrant hawker and southern hawker, could be seen all round the park.

The most interesting bird noted during the day was a snow bunting that was flying so high and fast that I didn't even see the bird. It called out the "tew" and rippling call-note several times as it came in off the sea, heading north-westwards as it carried on its long journey.

Few migrants were noted although blackcap and two chiffchaffs were heard as was a goldcrest - the winter migrant arriving as the summer ones prepare to leave. In the grazing fields the pair of stonechats were still present for the third day running. Also here in the afternoon were 50 curlew roosting during the high tide.

AUTUMNAL ACTIVITY

Walked along the seawall to the Point with Martin Cock in the morning of Saturday 29th. For a change there were quite a variety of small birds to look at which was just as well as the tide was well out and the waders were too far away to enjoy spending any time looking at.

On the grazing fields at least 2 stonechat perched up on some thistle stalks near the cattle. Nearby a nice flock of 35 goldfinch circled round a few times before settling down on some thistles. One yellow wagtail dropped into the grass. which is a late summer sighting for here. One had also flown over the car park earlier in the morning. Six skylarks rose into the air calling while about ten meadow pipits were also noted.

At the Point we were surprised to find another pair of stonechats perching on the sea-blite bushes with 3 reed buntings nearby for company. It was good to see the flock of about 45 linnets were still feeding amongst the bushes too, as it won't be long before they move on.

No sign of any avocets on their pool but the first brent goose of the autumn was present here though. A lesser redpoll passed overhead calling and it actually treated us to some views on the ground when it landed further along the seawall. Most autumn redpolls noted on Mersea are nearly always flying past, so it was nice to see one that wasn't in a hurry to pass us by.
Over nearby fields a group of 25 house martins and swallows looked as if they were on the move westwards.

Out in the estuary 20 avocets could be seen feeding on the east side of the river Colne but generally most waders were tiny brown specks in the distance. There was a large group of 300 dunlin on the outer edge of the mudflats near to a group of 100 larger black-tailed godwits.
A scan across the distant mudflats revealed 22 little egrets dotted along the outer edge, which is a notable single count for this area but maybe not that surprising these days.

The first small flock of 8 brent geese were seen arriving back into the Colne for the winter in their single file formation. It only seems like the other week since we were last watching them and yet they have flown all the way to Siberia and back again. They will be pleased to see the estuary hasn't been changed or altered since they were last here.

Another group of recent winter arrivals to the Island are 7 wigeon who flew over our heads. Over the next couple of months they will be joined by the rest of the regular flock of 700 birds.

In the outer river Colne a common seal briefly poked its head above the water.

Another high tide in the afternoon saw the water cover all of the saltmarsh again but at least the wind wasn't as strong as yesterday. A couple of common terns flew past on their way south to warmer seas.

During the high tide three little egrets rested in the trees by the park pond while tufted duck, two shoveler, 25 teal and gadwall were noted on the water.

HIGH TIDE

The wet weather has continued into Friday 28th but at least it stayed dry for a walk to East Mersea Point. There was plenty of evidence along the beach that there had been a very high tide just after lunchtime - apparently the highest of the year so far. The tide had been right up to the bottom of the park cliff and taken away a lot of previous slumps, leaving a very clean beach.
Luckily for the south-facing cliff, the wind was a northerly so didn't get the full force of nature on it.

Sheltering from the cool wind in front of the cliff was a wheatear with a pied wagtail. Further along the beach at the Point a second wheatear was seen and perching up on the sea-blite bushes were three stonechats. Also amongst the bushes was a flock of 40 linnets feeding on the seeds of the sea-blite. Every so often they would rise into the air and circle round before dropping back down to continue feeding. Five reed buntings were also seen perching on top of the bushes.

As the tide receded hundreds of waders were watched flying back into the estuary from their roost on the higher saltmarshes at Colne Point. Many dropped down onto the nearby mud to start their eager feeding frenzy. There was the usual rich selection of waders seen from this one spot on the Point including knot, bar-tailed godwit, black-tailed godwit, curlew, oystercatcher, redshank, dunlin, grey plover, golden plover, ringed plover, snipe, turnstone and sanderling.

There was a good close view of a common seal swimming past the Point, which was close enough inshore for it to keep staring at me every time it re-surfaced. The seal seemed quite inquisitive with its large black eyes and flared nostrils trying to suss out my motives.

The loud whistle from a kingfisher had me eagerly scanning a nearby saltmarsh pool in the hope that I could glimpse a splash of colour. I didn't realise till it was too late that it had perched very close to me on a bush less than ten metres away but at least I had a great view as it sped away, showing off its brilliant blue and orange colours.

A "charm" of 20 goldfinches were feeding on thistles in the fields, whilst in the main ditch a pair of gadwall could be seen with several mallard and two shoveler.

On Thursday 27th late into the evening a badger was seen in the car headlights crossing the East Mersea road near Meeting Lane.
On Tuesday 25th I was treated to a close fly-past of the scarce clouded yellow butterfly - only the third sighting on Mersea this year.

Richard Brown saw 4 swallow, 2 house martin, 3 wheatear, 3 stonechat, yellowhammer, whimbrel, little egret and 30 ringed plover between Coopers Beach and the Youth Camp. On Wednesday 26th Richard saw an albino house martin flying over West Mersea with good numbers of house martins.

RUSSET MARSHES

Rather windy on the Reeveshall seawall on Monday 24th early afternoon but at least it had stopped raining. Autumnal colours are starting to appear including on the saltmarshes. The picture above shows the wonderful red colour of all the glasswort plants, providing a colourful backdrop to the Pyefleet Channel.

Low tide along the channel meant waders were scattered thinly across the mud. On the near side the main waders were 20 grey plover, 25 redshank and 15 ringed plovers all facing westwards into the wind. One cormorant tried a bit of fishing in the shoppy waters while a handful of others watched from a nearby bank.


It was noticeable how the water level had dropped on the Reeveshall pool since my last visit a fortnight ago. However the only wader noticed here was a juvenile avocet feeding in the shallows. A group of 30 teal rose up in the air and circled around a few times, some coming back down again. A little egret was the only other bird of interest other than a few black-headed gulls.

In the big grass pastures a whimbrel was seen feeding along with 30 curlews. A stock dove was seen flying onto the fields to feed, while a group of 7 swallows passed swiftly over the fields heading westwards. The windy conditions meant no small birds were heard or seen but one kestrel hunted along the seawall, using the strong wind to help it glide along into the wind.

In the shelter behind a hedge several common darters and a southern hawker were seen as was a red admiral butterfly.

On Sunday 23rd, Andy Field walked along the Reeveshall seawall in much better conditions and heard two bearded tits as well as seeing 14 wheatears, merlin, 30 meadow pipits, yellow-legged gull, 50 knot, 70 black-tailed godwits, 30 grey plover, 3 avocet and more unusually a hornet.
Martin Cock saw 2 stonechats near the Oyster Fishery.

EVENING TIDE

The gremlins had been interfering with the previous posting whilst I had a week away from Mersea. Not sure why the photos didn't show but normal service has now been restored.

Back into the swing of striding along the seawalls and on Saturday 22nd there was a fleeting sunset to catch the eye, rounding off a hot day on the Island where the temperature in mid afternoon was 24 degrees C.

It was a tranquil walk along the Strood seawall in the early evening with the tide creeping slowly in. A couple of common terns in the Strood Channel took a few minutes rest on top of some boat masts. The regular wintering group of little grebes is slowly building up with seven seen not far from the aptly named Dabchicks Sailing Club. A little bit more unusual for this spot was a great crested grebe in the Channel.

Although the light was fading, the familiar calls of the redshank, curlew and grey plovers could be heard across the marshes. Two greenshanks would've been missed on the opposite side of the Channel if their loud "tew-tew-tew" calls had not been noted. Towards the Strood causeway, there were lots of gulls gathering on the edge of the saltmarshes ready for the evening roost as the tide came in.

As usual around ten little egrets were feeding along the water's edge of the Channel in different places. One by one and occasionally in pairs, they flew off to roost but strangely in different directions. Some egrets headed west as if maybe heading for the nearby Abberton reservoir, whilst other egrets went eastwards in the direction of the old priory at St Osyth about three miles to the east of the Island, where there is a regular egret roost.

In the stubble field a flock of 200 golden plovers crouched low amongst the tussocks and blending in well. A similar sized flock of more golden plover were also resting on the mudflats and no doubt would be moving soon as the tide edged nearer.

It was pleasing to see the large corn bunting flock of around 50 birds were still gathering along the reedbed beside the seawall. They seem to arrive just as the sun sets but they seem very wary and nervous and take a while to settle down. In near darkness one corn bunting appeared to fly off the side of the grassy seawall as if it was going to spend the night on the ground.
Also in the reedbed ten pied wagtails dropped in once the sun had dropped below the horizon.
The only other small birds seen were 10 meadow pipits and a reed bunting.

The last bit of daylight along the Strood with the incoming tide starting to cover the brushwood breakwaters in the picture above.

Other recent news from the Island includes a hummingbird hawkmoth seen in Andy Fields garden in West Mersea on the 20th and a good variety of birds seen by Glyn Evans whilst walking along the north side of the Island on Monday 17th.
The most unusual was a long-eared owl at Reeveshall, a water rail near the Oyster Fishery, also merlin, 4 wheatears, whinchat, 2 whimbrel, spotted redshank, 310 golden plovers, 3 marsh harriers on Mersea and 3 on Langenhoe. Two common seals were seen on the mud near Maydays.

NEARLY QUIET AT PARK

The last few days have been sunny and warm - our Indian summer, with a parched ground to match. There was a bit more cloud and breeze on Friday 14th and this rather tatty small copper couldn't decide whether to rest up for the day, or enjoy the last of the late afternoon sunshine. Only a few small white butterflies were seen in the late afternoon whilst southern hawker, migrant hawker and common darter were seen on the wing.

The very warm days recently and the light northerly breeze have made it very difficult to find any small migrant birds in any of the hedges. They all seemed to have headed south.
One tiny bird that always makes a big impression when it turns up is a real gem, firecrest. I was lucky to have the windows and back door open to enjoy the morning warmth, when I recognised the fast but faint high pitched song of the firecrest coming from a tree by the back door. There was no sign of the bird by the afternoon and without the song to hear, tracking it down was impossible.

I grabbed the bins and was able to quickly locate one of the smallest of British birds. As it hopped from branch to branch, it showed off its distinctive and colourful head markings. Firecrests are scarce migrants to Mersea with one sighting every other year or so. However most sightings are in the spring when the males can be located by their songs.

Talking of migrants, the first stonechat of the autumn was seen at Maydays farm on Wednesday.
There are still a small group of house martins and swallows flying over fields north of the park. Most of the large flock that was present last week seems to have moved on. Even the young sand martins from the cliff have moved out and vanished from the scene.

On the park pond, a male gadwall appeared to be nearly out of his moult as he looked very recognisable and smart. Most of the 20 mallard are still moulting as is a shoveler and 15 teal.

I was told about an adder that had been found dead on the seawall having been attacked by something. Not sure what could've killed this one and can't rule out an unsympathetic human.


Had a quick walk to the Point late in the afternoon where one or two plants were still catching the eye such as this Japanese rose above, with its large fleshy hips - the size of tomatoes. The pale pink flowers were all gone on the bush except for one last rather tatty looking one.



Along the top of the strand-line on the beach were one or two sea rocket clumps with their pale lilac flowers. The plants flourish where the high tides have washed up the seeds onto the beach.


On the saltmarsh the flowers of the sea aster are providing a little bit of late summer colour. This saltmarsh plant is usually recognised with the lilac petals but there are often plants without any petals as in the back of the photo above.

The tide was just heading out at the Point and a small selection of waders were seen including 100 ringed plovers, 30 dunlin, 3 bar-tailed godwits, 10 black-tailed godwits, 50 oystercatchers, 20 curlew, 10 turnstone, 20 golden plover and an avocet. There was no linnet flock although four birds were seen flying out of the sea-blite bushes. The usual little egret was seen too.



The moth trap was switched on late in the park and by the morning a hundred moths of 20 species had been noted. This pale moth above is the L-album wainscot, strangely named but it refers to the white L shaped mark on each wing. It used to be a scarce migrant moth in Essex but it has been a regular moth to the traps here in recent autumns.



The commonest moth at the moment is this setaceous hebrew character with its fine intricate markings and subtle colours. Around 40 were in the trap by morning which bulked out the haul. Also seen were frosted orange, latticed heath, rosy rustic, angle shades, canary-shouldered thorn, garden carpet, small square spot and lots of square spot rustics.


There were several of these cryptically marked willow beauties. This one headed straight for a thick wooden post and immediately settled down with its wings spread out, its markings matching the colours of the post. It was still present several hours later in the afternoon.