A Spring Visit to Walton-on-the-Naze

29th April 2023

A sunny day forecast with a light easterly wind so time for a visit to Walton in the hope of some migrants. First stop was the under-cliff where we were greeted by an absolute wall of Whitethroat song which boded well. Sadly the Sand Martin colony seems to have been abandoned with not a single bird in sight. There were however some House Martins by way of consolation. The muddy puddles in the car park have been filled in so there up to six birds collecting mud by a puddle on the path above the beach.

Along the upper more woody path a number of Speckled Woods were enjoying the sun, but the highlight down by the beach was the six or more Turnstones searching through the seaweed on the sea wall.

These were not only very close but also coming into summer plumage so a wonderful start to the day.

The bushes down the escarpment were very quiet so straight on to the John Weston reserve. Certainly a lot more activity here with singing Chiffchaffs and Whitethroats.

And also my first Sedge Warbler of the year with their unique scratchy song.

But the star of the show was the Lesser Whitethroat. Usually these are heard but not seen as they prefer to stay out of sight in the middle of a bush. But this particular individual was acting more like a Common Whitethroat and was performing right out in the open amongst the blossom. Just how good is that?

And on our way back to the car time to see how the Naze Tower Kestrels are getting on. We arrived just in time to see one of the adults returning to the box with prey, a Field Vole judging by the length of the tail.

And then sat in the entrance to the box enjoying the sun.