Bird & Wildlife Watching

Although we have been unable to meet due to the Coronavirus crisis, Bird and Wildlife Group members have been reporting their sightings both in their garden and on their daily walk.

I have included below a report of Sue and Tony’s daily walks in Southminster, Jill’s daily walks down Burnham Marshes, Elaine and Stephen’s in St. Lawrence and Diane’s day in the garden.

Frances, on a walk around Creeksea, saw Brent Geese, Redshanks, Oystercatchers, Little Egret, Great Crested Grebe as well as the usual Magpie, Pigeons, etc.  In addition to the usual garden birds I have had Long-tailed Tits in the garden.

Lynda, while driving from Althorne to Maldon saw 2 Red Kites, which was quite a sighting as we don’t often see them in this area.  Also she has seen a number of Greenfinches and watched 2 Jackdaws nesting in the chimney opposite her house.

SOUTHMINSTER REPORT – from Sue and Tony

Since lockdown on March 17^th Tony and I have been walking the roads and fields of Southminster for our daily constitutional. We have been noting all the wildlife we have seen over that time from our garden, the odd trip by car to a supermarket but mostly what we have seen on our walks. We’ve seen an amazing amount.

BIRDS: Buzzard, sparrow hawk, kestrel, crow, rook, jackdaw, magpie, starling, blackbird, robin, wren, bluetit and great-tit, greenfinch, chaffinch, goldfinch, chiffchaff, yellowhammer, linnet, sparrow, various gulls, wood pigeon, collared dove, partridge and pheasant.

BUTTERFLIES : red admiral,  peacock, brimstone, small tortoiseshell, comma.

WILD FLOWERS: (some if these are debatable as I am no expert!) Lesser celandine, germander speedwell, primrose, sweet cicely, greater stitchwort, red campion, shepherd’s purse, field mouse-ear, sweet violet, red dead nettle.

AND HERE IS THE PIECE DE RESISTANCE …………A Water Vole.  In fact on occasion 3 different ones.

We’ll no doubt see similar ones over the next few months but will just report on anything of particular interest.

Sue and Tony Bridgman.

BURNHAM MARSHES REPORT from Jill

My regular daily walk takes me out along the Marsh Road – a rather boring walk to most people – no trees, no hedges, just miles of open arable land. But it holds happy memories for me as Ken and I used to jog down there every Sunday morning, and in the cold winter evenings we would walk down to see that big sky, learn the names of the constellations and look for shooting stars.

I told Joy I never see any birds on my daily walk, but she asked for a list anyway. Thank you Joy for giving me the focus and sense of purpose. I surprised myself in producing this list:

BIRDS: Robin; wren; dunnock; skylark; goldfinch; chaffinch; great tit; blue tit; crow; magpie, black-headed gull; green woodpecker; pheasant; a lonely mallard in a ditch; pied wagtail; 2 chiffchaffs suitably socially distanced.

WILD FLOWERS: Shepherd’s purse; white campion; groundsel; smooth sow thistle; white dead nettle; red dead nettle; common chickweed; germander speedwell; common storksbill; daisy; dandelion; petty spurge; cow parsley; hoary cress; alexanders; hawthorn; blackthorn; pussy willow.

AND – something I have never knowingly seen before – according to my ID chart it is widespread and common and especially fond of dead nettle

A HAIRY-FOOTED FLOWER BEE !!

Jill Taylor

LAWRENCE REPORT from Stephen and Elaine

A walk around the field behind our house in St Lawrence revealed the following:

Several Skylark (singing), 1 female Marsh Harrier, 6 Blue Tits, Great Tit, 9 House Sparrows, Numerous Wood Pigeons, 2 Collared Doves, 2 Magpie, 2 Carrion Crows, 2 Robin, Blackbird, Chiffchaff singing, Buzzard on nest, Chaffinch, Pheasant and Sparrowhawk in garden.

Today – 7 April – walked around field and a bit further to the wood by Ramsey Marsh. Could have felt everything was alright with the world for a bit.

We saw: House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Wren, Blackbird, Carrion Crow, Magpie, Blue tit, Great Tit, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Pheasant, Kestrel, Long-tailed Tit, Female Brambling, Blackcap, Chiffchaff.

Butterflies: Brimstone, many Peacock, some Small Tortoiseshell, Small White.

Stephen and Elaine Spicer

 REPORT FROM DIANE

 As it should have been the Group Meeting today (8 April) I thought I would do a count of what was seen or heard from the confines of my garden.  I am constructing raised beds so was in the garden toiling for most of the day – I know you will think the wild flowers are weeds but to me they are lovely; here is the list:

Birds: Blue Tit, Great Tit, Robin. Blackbird, Sparrow, Starling, Chaffinch, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Magpie, Crow, Black-headed Gull & Buzzard.

Insects, Butterflies etc.: 7-spot Ladybird, Earwig, Ant, Earthworm, House Fly, Harvest Spider?, Buff-tailed Bumblebee, Hoverfly & Brimstone, Orange Tip & Peacock Butterflies

Wild Flowers: Speedwell, Dandelion, Groundsel, Common Whitlow Grass, Fumitory, Red Deadnettle, White Deadnettle, Daisy, Common Forget-me-Not, Common Dog Violet, Chickweed & Dove’s Foot Cranesbill.

I read this super description of a male bird – one that we see when out and about, can you guess what I am ???  (Answers to Diane please).

I need a mate and am looking close to water.  That one looks suitable I think and she seems to fancy me, she does, and we start our courtship in the shallow water.  We both show excitement, preen ourselves and  dip our beaks in the water.  A good sign so I run round to the back of the female and half-spread my wings whilst climbing on her back.  Job done and satisfied we both happily run along together with me placing a protective wing over her – and so our bond is made.

Diane Caulkett

So, thank you to all members who have contributed.  Although we have been unable to meet, it is really good to be able to keep in touch in this way, and hope we will do so in the months to follow that we are unable to meet.

Joy Deacon

10 members met in the Wallasea Marina Cafe.  Once again we were very lucky with the weather as, although it was very windy, the sun was shining and it wasn’t too cold.

We drove from the cafe to the RSPB Wallasea Island Nature Reserve car park.  Work on this reserve begun in 2012 to transform Wallasea Island from farmland into a 1,500-acre wetland, using 3-4 million tonnes of earth excavated from the Crossrail project, and is not expected to be fully finished until 2025.  It is Europe’s largest man-made nature reserve and is now a wildlife-rich habitat with newly created saltmarsh, mudflats and lagoons and is a great place to visit.

From the car park we walked up onto the seawall – it was very windy and we found it hard to focus binoculars and telescope so decided to walk inland where it was more sheltered from the wind.  The Island at the moment is noted for Short-eared Owls and Hen Harriers.  One lucky member spotted a male Hen Harrier and another member queries seeing a Short-eared Owl although it was too far away to be certain.

Out on one of the lagoons we spotted 30 – 40 Mute Swans, Little Egret, Lapwing, Brent Geese, Pintail, Black-headed Gull, Tufted Duck, Herring Gull, Oyster Catcher and several quite large flocks of Wigeons.  A Buzzard and Cormorants flew overhead.  On the way back we watched a Kestrel hovering.  While eating our lunch back at the car park we watched several Skylarks on the grass in front of us.  A Reed Bunting and Reed Warbler were also seen.

We knew it was going to be a high tide that day and the road out of the Island might be flooded but thought we were leaving in good time.  But, although four members, who left a bit earlier, managed to get away in time, the remaining six of us didn’t.  So it was back to the Marina Cafe where we spent a very enjoyable hour or so.

Birds seen:  Mute Swan, Tufted Duck, Little Egret, Cormorant, Herring Gull, Lapwing, Black-headed Gull, Buzzard, Reed Bunting, Skylark, Moorhen, Coot, Wigeon, Pintail, Oyster Catcher, Reed Warbler, Pied Wagtail, Short-eared Owl(?), Brent Geese, Magpie, Sparrow, Canada Geese, Kestrel, Hen Harrier (male), Great Black-backed Gull.

 Wild Flowers:  Speedwell, Daisy, Marigold.

Joy Deacon

Next meeting:  Due to the Coronavirus our visit to Rainham Marshes RSPB in April has been cancelled.

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).

 Seven of us met at the Green Man pub and ordered lunch for ourselves and the other members that were to join us at midday.  The weather was dry but cloudy and a bit murky.  We did not expect to see much as the tide was in.  However, straight away there were several flocks of different species (listed below) all flying together above a small island just opposite the causeway, what a lovely sight. We then walked further along but did not see much more as there was no beach uncovered.. On returning to the start, a few more species were seen but only a few individuals. We all agreed it was well worth the visit despite the gloom.

Back at the Green Man seven others joined us for lunch which was very enjoyable and very well organised.

Birds:  Lapwing(1000 approx.), Dunlin (600 app), Grey Heron, Shelduck, Brent Geese(500 app), Cormorant, Black Headed Gull, Golden Plover (1000 app), Lesser Black-Backed Gull, Knot(1000 app), Grey Plover (large flock), Wren, Turnstone (4), Carrion Crow, Mallard, Kestrel, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Robin, Magpie, Curlew(2), Little Egret, Redshank.

Plants: Daisy

Other: Rabbit

Lynda Ewers

Next meeting:    Heybridge Basin – Wednesday, 12 February – meet in Daisy Meadow car park 10am.

Eight members met in the Visitors Centre. Once again we were very lucky with the weather as, although it was cold, it was a lovely bright sunny morning. We enjoyed a hot drink in the Centre and watched Blue Tits and Great Tits on the feeders, several Squirrels and Mallards, and on the Reservoir a number of Canada Geese and Coots.

Walking to the Hides members spotted 200+ Wigeon on a lake in the nearby field and from the Hides we watched 2000+ Coots, Shovelers, Gt. Crested Grebes, Gadwall, Cormorant, Lapwing, Goldeneye, Teals, Tufted Ducks, 6+ Goosanders, Lesser Black-backed, Black-headed and Herring Gulls and Little Grebe.

Walking through the woods it was very quiet but a Great Spotted Woodpecker was heard and Long-tailed Tit, Robin and Wren were identified. We were told that a Long-tailed Duck had been seen on the Reservoir that morning but, unfortunately, we were disappointed not to see it as some of us had never seen one.

Back at the Centre for lunch, or coffee and cake, 2 Stock Doves and a Coal Tit were seen in the feeding area. We agreed that it had been a very enjoyable morning with good weather and good company.

2019 has been another good year for the Group. During the year 91 different species of Bird were seen, 66 Wild Flowers and 9 species of Butterflies were identified and 17 Other (including Hare, Rabbit, Grasshopper etc.). The highlight of our year was our visit to Minsmere. We are now looking forward to 2020 when we hope to be visiting some new venues.

Joy Deacon

Next Meeting: 8 January 2020 – Bradwell and Christmas Lunch at the Green Man

 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.