The group met in fine weather and although there was little to see in the estuary we were rewarded with some interesting sightings on land.  We normally go to Fingringhoe at this time of year in order to see and hear the nightingales and they didn’t disappoint us today. There were a few other delights including a male great spotted-woodpecker feeding a juvenile and a pair of shelduck with 5 ducklings. Four of the group were lucky to have brief sightings of 3 stoats.

Leaving Fingringhoe two of the group went on to the causeway at Abberton Reservoir and saw a great-crested grebe’s nest with one bird on the nest and the other bringing it weed.

• BIRDS:- swallow; whitethroat; mallard; chiffchaff; great tit; wren; nightingale; jackdaw; crow; black-headed gull; oyster catcher; shelduck; chaffinch; swift; greenfinch; reed warbler; mute swan; great spotted woodpecker; coot; wood pigeon; house martin; common buzzard; moorhen;  tufted duck; cormorant; magpie; little grebe; blackcap; goldfinch;
• FLOWERS:- bladder campion; prickly sow thistle; yellow flag; dog rose; germander speedwell; dwarf mallow; bramble; elder; goose grass; stinging nettle; buttercup; honeysuckle; red campion; herb bennet; ribwort plantain; hedge mustard; hedge woundwort; cats ear; yorkshire fog; gorse; broom; cocksfoot; stitchwort; marsh thistle; mouse ear hawkweed; birds foot trefoil; mouse ear chickweed; common vetch, sheeps sorrel; soft rush; white clover; field forget-me-not; green alkanet; sulphur cinquefoil; corn poppy; bee orchid; ground ivy
• OTHER:- common blue damsel fly; white-tailed bumble bee; stoat

Thanks to Lynda & Jill for keeping a record of the sightings

The next meeting on July 8th will be Heybridge Basin & Maldon Wick Reserve – meet 10.00 at Daisy Meadow Car Park, Heybridge.