In Search of Terns at Walton-on-the-Naze

27th May 2022

Today the plan was to try and photograph Sandwich and Little Terns so the final destination was the beach, but first a wander down the escarpment to see what was on show. Not too many insects around but I did manage to see a Holly Blue, Painted Lady and a Hairy Dragonfly.

Warblers were represented by Whitethroats and Chiffchaffs.....................

.............................and finches by Goldfinches and Greenfinches. Good to see Greenfinches making a comeback.

I was the first one down to the sea wall so a Muntjac that had been enjoying the peace and quiet made a hasty retreat.

You would expect the beach to be fairly quiet at this time of year, but there were a couple of pairs of Oystercatchers, although no evidence of breeding.

However a totally different story with the Ringed Plovers with several pairs with young.

Here is one of the little fluff-balls.

The only other waders on the beach were a single Bar-tailed Godwit and two Grey Plovers.

So back to today's plan to photograph terns. There is a colony of Sandwich Terns which normally fly south to fish and then return with a fish for the female or young, so plenty of opportunities for some photos. But today I didn't see or hear a single Sandwich Tern all the time I was there.

However, on the way back I was passing the large lagoon on the beach when a Little Tern appeared and started to hover, peering down into the shallow water for a fish. How good is that?

Well that turned out OK and now for the journey home. I was just leaving the car park when I noticed a muddy puddle where Swallows and House Martins were collecting mud for their nest, but that is another story.......................WATCH THIS SPACE!!!!!!!