Winter is now starting to kick in so time for a vist to East Mersea, but first our tradtional breakfast pit-stop at Abberton Reservoir. Couldn't resist a couple of shots of this splendid male Shoveler against a back-drop of deep blue water.
There was a nice flock of 15 Goosanders from the Layer de la Haye causeway, but today they were on the western side so more difficult to photograph as they weren't coming into the sluice. Still, did manage to get a couple of action shots.
The long-staying Long-tailed Duck was still prseent although typically distant, but managed some record shots thanks to the marvellous light.
A couple of the eight or more Great White Egrets present were showing reasonably well, and are now on course to be as common as Little Egrets in a few more years.
Now on to Mersea Island and the highlight today was the marvellousWW1 tribute featured on The Strood, the causeway on to the island, made up of a number of full-size metal soldier sillouettes mounted on the salt-marsh. Very atmospheric and moving. Photo by Andy Johnson Photography.
The pond had all the usual suspects, but this Little Egret was putting on a rather special display, showing off its immaculate plumage against a dark tree-line.
Down on the shore the tide was on its way in and the Brent Geese were starting to be pushed off the ever-disappearing mud into the grazing fields. A large flock of Cormorants also made its way into Brightlingsea Reach.
The next birds to be pushed off the mud were the Curlews, quickly followed by Lapwings and Avocets.
Next on the move were the Wigeon that had been feeding at the water's edge on the beach and were now joining the Brent Geese on the grazing field. Teal were also very active flying round in large flocks looking for the best seats in the high tide roost.
At the high tide roost pools the Redshanks were the only waders present so far and had already made themselves comfortable. This, however, was soon to change as huge flocks of Dunlin were pushed off the mud by The Point and started wheeling around in front of the beach huts on Brightingsea
They flew around at break-neck speed for several minutes before eventuallylanding in the roost. What an amazing spectacle!!!!
East Mersea never disappoints and there will be many more visits during the Winter months.
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