A Morning on Mersea Island

13th November 2024

Arrived at The Strood at high tide and managed to get across OK so straight down to East Mersea. We walked down to the sea wall and peered over at the Golf House high tide pools expecting to see hundreds of roosting waders, but was instead confronted by two empty pools, one empty of water and both empty of waders. The only waders present were 200 yards further down towards the Oyster Fishery consisting of 50 Curlew and 30 Redshank on the edge of the saltmarsh, but I suspect there were many more out of sight below the bank.

Fortunately there was some movement amongst the Curlews jostling for position allowing a few flight shots.

The borrowdyke was dominated by Wigeon, all starting to look splendid in their new finery.

Down on the beach there was a great deal of movement from the Brent Geese which were leaving the fields to gather on the shallows of the sea.

Not many waders here either, just a few Redshanks, Turnstones, a few Dunlin and a trio of Oystercatchers,

The Grey Plovers were particularly active providing some action shots.

But now on to Seaview where our target bird was the Mediterranean Gull. Since we were here last a new shingle spit had appeared which has the advantage of us being able to get round the waders with the sun behind us. Here were a few Sanderlings and Dunlin.

The gulls were very widespread and included a couple of distant adult Meds.

The easiest way of bringing them closer is to throw some bread in the air and before you know it there are 50+ gulls flying in from all directions, mainly Black-heads interspersed with a few Meds. The problem is they don't land but swoop down and grab a piece, so you have to be fairly quick on the trigger and make sure you are photographing a Med and not a Black-head.

Mersa Island never disappoints and now on to Hanningfield Reservoir where a rather special bird awaits.

WATCH THIS SPACE!!!!

Hawfinches at Bramfield Church

14th November 2024

Hawfinches do sometimes appear at Bramfield Church before Xmas but most records are from early January onwards. However, in view of the number of sightings in the south-east over the last couple of weeks I thought I would pay Bramfield a visit.

After 10 minutes I could hear one calling deep inside a Yew and then another high above me in a Lime near the field end. I went to get my camera and by the time I got back they were both perched high in the Lime. Unfortunately by then the dark clouds had rolled in and I shooting in the gloom, but one was not obscured by twigs and put on a bit of a display.

I love it when a plan comes together.

Another Visit to Wallasea Island

4th November 2024

After a successful morning at Two Tree Island time to pop up the road to Wallasea Island to see if the Hen Harriers are about. It was still a calm and sunny day and we didn't have to go far before a male Stonechat appeared in a Hawthorn bush by the stream.

There were lots of Sky Larks about this one was having a dust bath on the path, and gave us a sideways glance before flying off.

Also a lot of Meadow Pipits which were quite flighty, but this individual did pose for a photo on some dead vegetation.

It was now high tide and there was plenty of Shelduck movement as they left the river to roost on the lagoons.

There were also several hundred Black-tailed Godwits roosting on Pool Marsh.

We had been told that the male Hen Harrier hadn't been seen today and that the ring-tail had gone to ground on Pool Marsh a couple of hours ago, so it just a matter of waiting. During this time I could hear several Greenshank calling, but could not locate them until they eventually flew in to the mere.

Then just a minute later they were off again and flew over to the lagoons by the River Roach.

At this point the dark clouds rolled in and covered the sun so we started walking back to the car, Then, fairly predictably, the ring-tail got up and flew towards the sluice. So distant, flying away and into the gloom necessitating an ISO of 6400, not exactly the best combination. I did manage a few record shots but it would have been better to have it flying around in the sunshine.

Still no Short-eared Owls and it seems to be a poor year for them everywhere so far, but I am sure we will be back for the harriers.