Bird & Wildlife Watching

 Minsmere is always referred to as the crown jewel of RSPB reserves.  Our Group has been talking about going there for several years now and in the summer made a definite decision that we would visit this November.  The 1,000-hectare site has been owned and managed by the RSPB since 1947 and covers areas of reed bed, lowland heath, acid grassland, wet grassland, woodland and shingle vegetation.  It has been the location for Springwatch on several occasions.

After an early morning start of 8 a.m. 13 members met in the Car Park at around 10.15 a.m., surprisingly all four cars arriving within 5 minutes of each other.  The weather was good, although cold, the sun was out and there was no wind.

Talking to the staff in the Visitors Centre they advised us to take the Coast Trail which is a 2-mile circular walk with several Hides along the way which would bring us back to the Visitors Centre around lunchtime.  So after having a drink in the cafe we set off on a leisurely stroll down to the East Hide which backs onto the sea – the only birdlife we saw along the way was Chaffinch and Goldfinch, and several rabbits.  Going up onto the seawall the sea was calm and it was a really good feeling to breathe in the sea air and to be by the sea on a glorious winter day.

The East Hide overlooks a lagoon (as do all of the Hides on this walk).  This area is known as the Scrape.  From the Hide we could see large numbers of ducks, gulls, etc. including a large number of Cormorants, Shelducks, Gt. Black-backed Gulls, Herring Gulls, Lapwings, Teal, Mallard, Gadwall, 2 Gt. Crested Grebes and a Pintail.  One of the highlights of the day was when a large number of ducks, etc. took to the air obviously having been frightened by something and after scanning around with our binoculars identified not 1 but 3 Buzzards.

After leaving this Hide we walked for a while along the seawall and on the way had a really good sighting of a female Stonechat sitting on the reeds, and then turned inland which led to the next 2 Hides. These Hides overlooked 2 more lagoons and the only additional birdlife we identified was several Avocets.

Arriving back at the Centre it was time for lunch.  Some of us sat outside and enjoyed our picnic lunch watching the birds on the feeders while others went back to the car.  Several Coat Tits, Chaffinches, Blue Tits and Great Tits were on the feeders, also we saw Dunnock, Pheasant and Grey Wagtail.

After lunch members went to the Bittern Hide hoping to see a Bittern flying up from the reeds but were disappointed.

Back at the Centre we all agreed that it had been a very enjoyable day and how lucky we had been with the weather – so to sum up: good journey, good weather, good company, lovely surroundings and nature.  What more could you want? – except perhaps to see a Bittern – but maybe next time!

Birds seen: Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Crow, Cormorant, Gadwell, Gt Black-backed Gull, Teal, Shoveller, Mallard, Shelduck, Gt. Crested Grebe, Herring Gull, Black-headed Gull, Greylag, Coot, Moorhen, Starling, Sparrow, Robin, Buzzard, Stonechat, Wigeon, Pintail, Grey Heron, Avocet, Lapwing, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Pheasant, Magpie, Dunnock, Little Egret, Pied Wagtail.

Wild Flowers:  Mullein, Gorse, Prickly Sow Thistle, Smooth Hawksbeard, Common Ragwort, White Yarrow

 Other: Rabbit

Joy Deacon

Next Meeting:    Wednesday, 11 December – Hanningfield Reservoir – Meet in Visitors Centre at 10 a.m. 

Blue House Farm nature reserve, one of Essex Wildlife Trust’s largest reserves, is among the best wild coastal landscapes in the county. It is a managed farm and cows were in the fields we crossed: they also graze sheep. The 263-hectare grazing marsh is recognised as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. In particular it has international importance for overwintering birds, coastal plants and insects and also supports Brown Hares and Water Voles. Today we were delighted to find pale-mauve, flowering Sea Asters and growing amongst these a white flowering specimen which, according to our book, is relatively rare – the warden was pleased to hear of this sighting too. If you are a forager you might know that Sea Aster is edible – for those of you who are not, the leaves can be pickled or simply fried in butter and garlic and topped with some yoghurt. They are also used in dishes containing white fish, such as seafood bakes.

With the tide high we started our morning walking in a clockwise direction visiting the three bird hides. A stiff westerly blew us along and it was a wonderful bright day to be out and with several Skylarks singing gaily, our expectations were high. In the distance we sighted a few Brent Geese; these birds overwinter in Siberia and around 2000 travel south to graze on the short grasslands marsh. The first hide overlooks flooded fields, which are normally alive with bird life. We were dismayed to find there wasn’t any water and to see the exposed mud cracking with the dryness. The reeds harboured a few Corn Buntings and there were Pied Wagtails on the ground. A windmill is sited on the reserve that operates a wind pump and so helps to control the water level of the flooded fields and we assumed the use of this was the cause of the lack of water. We heard later from the warden that the lack of water was an entirely natural occurrence and was the result of the dry summer.

As one member put it ‘you can spend only so much time looking at mud’ but even that can be fascinating. Apparently a high degree of salinity delays the formation of mud-cracks and results in polygons with margins inclining downwards and those formed in fresh water have their margins turning upwards. If you want to learn more read E.M. Kindle’s ‘Factors Affecting Development of Mud-cracks’ in ‘The Journal of Geology Vol 25. No 2, pp 135-144’– you won’t be disappointed!

Walking to the second hide a large flock of Wigeon flew over and brightened our spirits. However, the second hide, also looking over flooded fields, was the same as the first – dry. There was a little more activity here with flocks of Goldfinches and Linnets and also several Meadow Pipits. The third hide overlooks a fleet and we were hopeful there would be some life there but once again were disappointed. Although some water remained in the fleet, it was low but was enjoyed by a pair of Mute Swans.

With the tide now receding and some mud exposed on the River Crouch, we were pleased to find some birds at last – a flock of 30 or so Lapwing, a large group of Avocets, five Cormorants and a variety of gulls.

Birds: Robin, Starling, Swallow, Skylark, Corn Bunting, Pied Wagtail, Linnet, Goldfinch, Meadow Pipit, Jay, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Magpie, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Kestrel, Grey Heron, Wigeon, Avocet, Lapwing, Cormorant, Brent Geese, Mute Swan, Black-headed & Lesser Black-backed Gulls

Flowers: Bristly Ox-tongue, Yarrow, Dandelion, Sea Aster (white & purple) Marsh Thistle, Ribwort Plantain, Salsify

Other: Crane Fly, Puffball

Diane Caulkett

Next Meeting: November 13th – Minsmere RSPB Reserve, Suffolk – for details contact group leaders

We were 12 happy people that met at Tiptree Heath hoping to see a multitude of butterflies, plenty of wildflowers and some birdlife.  About an hour later, returning to the car park, we were 12 very wet and bedraggled people, but still happy,

Tiptree Heath is said to be the largest and finest heath in Essex, and the only place where you find all three of the native species of heather growing together.  We identified all of these, the Ling, the Bell and the Cross-leaved and we also came upon a sole white specimen of the latter.  In 1973 the heath was designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).  The area does not only have heathland plants but also a variety of trees including low-growing oaks with wide-spreading branches and huge silver birch trees.  We noticed a Hornets’ nest in one tree crevice and also that some of the trees bore carvings of insects carved into areas where the bark had split. Scattered throughout the heath are several freestanding wooden sculptures.

We came upon the herd of Exmoor ponies that have been brought in to graze and have helped in conservation in establishing a more open, balanced heath.

A long nesting box placed low down in an oak tree had us baffled but shortly after we came upon the warden, Joan Pinch who was leading a walking tour, and explained to us that it was for owls, Tawny Owls I think she said, but that it had been placed too low and had never been occupied.

Our bird sightings were few and the butterflies, due to the weather, were almost non-existent except for one Small Heath that tried to avoid us by hiding in the gorse bushes.  We found a few flowers that we don’t see elsewhere (Wood Sage, Tormentil and Imperforate St John’s Wort – we could not positively identify the latter as the rain was damaging our books.

I left the group at the car park and headed for home and they went elsewhere to find refreshments.

Birds: Robin, Wren, Swallow, Wood Pigeon, Green Woodpecker,

 Flowers: Ling, Bell & Cross-leaved Heather, Greater & Rosebay Willowherb, Hedge Bindweed, Bramble, (Imperforate) St John’s Wort, Tormentil, Pink Campion, Gorse, Cat’s Ear, Marsh Thistle, Common Centaury, Wood Sage, Burdoch

Other: Bracket Fungus, Elderberries & Blackberries, Grasshopper, Hornet, Exmoor Ponies, Small Heath Butterfly.

Next Meeting: Wednesday 11^th September, Cudmore Grove, West Mersea.  Meet 10.00 in the car park.

Diane Caulkett

13 members met in the car park at Bradwell Marina on a very warm morning. This was a part of Bradwell the group hadn’t visited before. From the car park a Wren was heard and seen, also 3 Jackdaws and a number of Swallows and House Martins flying around the Marina. On the islands just offshore there were a number of Gulls which we identified as Lesser Black-backed and Herring Gulls.

Walking past the Activity Centre towards the seawall we spotted three House Martin nests under the eaves of a house and a number of House Martins flying in and out. Although it was low tide there were very few birds on the mud, just a couple of Oystercatchers and a few Gulls. Several Reed Buntings and a Reed Warbler were seen in the reed beds.

A number of wild flowers were identified which are shown below.

Despite the lack of bird life we had a very enjoyable walk along the seawall. 2 members then went home and the rest of us made our way to the Green Man for lunch, or just a coffee, and spent a very pleasant hour sitting in the garden. It was very warm and humid and we did have a few spots of rain. Goldfinch, Sparrow and Blackbird were seen.

After lunch most members went home but two of us went on to Bradwell Power Station nature walk. It was very quiet and the only birds seen were Greenfinch and Jay.

Birds: Wren, Jackdaw, Swallow, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Wood Pigeon, Herring Gull, Black-headed Gull, Carrion Crow, Oyster Catcher, Reed Warbler, Reed Bunting, Sparrow, Starling, Blackbird, Goldfinch, House Martin, Pheasant, Collared Dove, Greenfinch, Jay.

Butterflies: Large White, Small White, Painted Lady, Peacock, Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown.

Wild Flowers: Cat’s Ear, Smooth Hawksbeard, Hedge Bindweed (Bellbine), Bindweed, Stinging Nettle, Hawkweed, White Deadnettle, Blackberry, Black Medick, Ragwort, Black Horehound, Ribwort Plantain, Small-flowered & Dove’s-foot Cranesbill, Daisy, Mallow, Yarrow, Wild Carrot, Honeysuckle, Bristly Ox-tongue, Great Willowherb, Bird’s-foot Trefoil, White Clover

Other: Red-tailed Bumblebee, Grasshopper, Hover Fly, 7-spot Ladybird

Joy Deacon

Next month: 14 August 2019 – Tiptree Heath – Meet in Car Park at 10 a.m.

Nine members met in the Car Park at Abbotts Hall Farm on an overcast morning.

The main office of Essex Wildlife Trust is at Abbotts Hall Farm which Essex Wildlife purchased in 1999. It is a 700-acre working coastal farm south of Colchester and Abberton Reservoir.

To create additional coastal marsh the 3.5-kilometre sea wall has been breached in a number of places. Walking down to the hide overlooking this area we only had fleeting glances of a few small birds which we identified as Blue and Great Tit. From the hide it was very quiet and the few birds that we could see were quite far away but we identified Lapwing, Little Egret, Shelduck, Oystercatcher and Cormorant. We were delighted to see 3 Hares playing in the field adjacent to the hide which we watched for some minutes.

Leaving the Hide it started to rain and as this was forecast for the rest of the day we decided to go on to Abberton Reservoir where we had a very welcome hot drink before we ventured out in the rain to the nearest Hide. Some small birds were flying in and out of the grass and shrubs in front of the Hide which we identified as Reed Bunting and Meadow Pipit. On the Reservoir there were a number of Mute Swans and Canada Geese, also Egyptian Geese, Greylags, Pochard, Common Terns, Great Crested Grebes, Mallards, Black-headed Gulls and a number of Swifts flying overhead. Skylarks were heard but not seen. After eating our packed lunch in the Hide we decided to call it a day as it was still raining quite heavily.

In spite of the weather it was an enjoyable day with good company.

Birds seen: Lapwing, Little Egret, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Coot, Moorhen, Shelduck, Cormorant, Oystercatcher, Mute Swan, Swift, Teal, Pied Wagtail, Common Tern, Oystercatcher, Canada Goose, Egyptian Goose, Greylag, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Reed Bunting, Skylark (heard), Pochard, Gt. Crested Grebe, Meadow Pipit.

Wild Flowers: Oxeye Daisy, Buttercup, Elderberry, Dog Rose, Comfrey.

Other: 3 Hares

Next Meeting: Wednesday, 10 July 2019 – Bradwell – Meet at Bradwell Marina Car Park at 10 a.m.

Joy Deacon

Nightingales are a symbol of Spring.  They arrive back in this country in the second half of April and for a few short weeks their song can be heard long after dusk when other birds have fallen silent.

Yet, like too many of our songbirds, their numbers have fallen.  According to the RSPB nightingale numbers have declined by 90% in the last 50 years.  Keats’s “immortal bird” is in danger of disappearing.

That is why we are lucky in Essex to have a site where nightingales are thriving: the Essex Wildlife Trust centre at Fingringhoe on the Colne estuary.

When the Bird and Wildlife group went there earlier in April one of the group heard a nightingale that had literally just arrived from Africa.  Nearly two weeks later when I went there on one of the Trust’s guided walks we heard, according to our guide’s estimate, about eighteen birds singing.  At one point we listened to two birds trying to outdo one another in their effort to attract a mate.  Their stereophonic sparring was unforgettable. You can listen to the nightingale here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NK2_bcQcoD4

It was a fascinating experience wandering around the reserve after dusk, watching the light fade over the water and listening to the nightingales.

It’s probably too late this year to go to Fingringhoe to hear this special symbol of Spring but next year – go if you can.

Frances Harris

Member of Bird and Wildlife Group