Once again we were really fortunate with the weather. After a stormy few days and another period of bad weather forecast for the following day we arrived at Heybridge on a bright sunny, but windy, morning. 8 members met in the Lock Tea Rooms. It was low tide and with the aid of binoculars we identified 3 large flocks of Godwits, at least 200-300 in total, and a large flock of Golden Plovers on the water’s edge.

After having a welcome cup of coffee we decided that instead of walking along the seawall towards Maldon we would go in the opposite direction towards Mill Beach and Osea Leisure Park. Walking along the seawall we could see large numbers of waders but as the tide was low, and we hadn’t got a telescope, they weren’t easy to identify. However, as well as several 100 more Godwits we managed to identify Dunlin, Golden Plover, Shelduck, Pintails and Redshank. Further along in some bushes by the side of the seawall we could hear a large number of Sparrows.

Passing the Blackwater Sailing Club where building work was taking place, the tide was now coming in and we could see Mallard, Lapwing, Teal, Pochard and Wigeon. Turning back we sat for a while in a very sheltered spot by the Blackwater Sailing Club and out of the wind the sun felt very warm. While sitting there we watched a Kestrel hovering a short distance away. With the tide now rapidly coming in and the waders gradually leaving we decided to walk back and in addition to some of the waders mentioned above a few Turnstones were seen.

Back at the Lock Tea Rooms for a drink and a snack we agreed that it had been a very enjoyable morning.

Birds seen: Golden Plover, Godwit, Dunlin, Pintail, Mallard, Lapwing, Shelduck Turnstone, Redshank, Pochard, Wigeon, Kestrel, Teal, Sparrow, Curlew, Starling, Wood Pigeon, Rook, Black-headed Gull.

Joy Deacon

Next Meeting:

RSPB Wallasea Island – 11 March 2020
(Meet at 10 a.m. In the Essex Marina Yacht Club Cafe/Bar, Creeksea Ferry Road, Wallasea Island).