Birdwalk News

Birdwalk News October 2011

It looked a bit unpromising at first, a high tide, and rather grey with a chilly breeze, but it turned out to be a rather good morning. It was obvious from the start that some migration was underway when a flock of fifty Redwings flew over our heads as we waited to begin the walk. Flocks of Redwings continued to pass over all morning keeping low into the north-west wind, and we must have seen 500 or more during the morning. These small thrushes will have left the coast of Norway or Denmark at dusk and crossed the North Sea in the night and continued their migration over Wivenhoe and onto winter further south.
Also at the start of the walk we had fine views of a male Kestrel perched up showing its grey head and tail, and chestnut back and wings. Further along a flock of 300 or so Avocets roosted on the last remaining mud at high tide, and gave a good display in flight along with a sizeable flock of Black-tailed Godwits. Cormorants were found on their usual perches and some of us saw a Seal, well its snout before it disappeared for good.
Pushing onto the Alresford Creek corner we were treated to a wader spectacle with wide variety roosting on the saltmarsh. From the small grey Dunlin, Turnstones picking their way between Godwits and Redshank, both Ringed and Grey Plovers, up to the bigger Oystercatchers and Curlews, all waiting for the tide to drop so they can start feeding again.
On the way back we saw Little Grebe and Grey Heron, and a Marsh Harrier patrolled the far seawall.
Recent sightings: More Redwings and some Fieldfares have arrived, along with the first Brent Geese and Wigeon on the river. A Kingfisher is regular on Ferry Marsh and the Rowhedge drain outlet, while a young Peregrine was seen twice over Wivenhoe Wood.

NEXT WALK: Sat 12th Nov

Other dates 10th Dec, meet at 10am
£8 per person, max 10 persons, please book on 01206 826753
Richard Allen
www.richardallenillustrator.com

all participants take part at their own risk