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A NOTE ON THE GULLERY IN HAMFORD
WATERS, ESSEX.
By PERCY CLARK, B.A.
Owing to unfortunate circumstances this summer (1900) I
was prevented from prosecuting my usual researches into the
condition of the Black-headed Gulleries in Essex.
Of the three gull-nurseries which I briefly described last
year (Essex Naturalist, ante pp. 184-190), I was only able to
visit one, which, however, is interesting as being I believe of
quite recent origin—viz., that situated in Hamford Waters
(Gullery No. 3 in paper referred to). Of this I send a short
note.
One June 28th, 1900, I sailed from Harwich in my boat and
made for the scene of my discovery in the previous season, but
I found the gulls had entirely deserted the island-salting which
they had utilised for breeding purposes the year before.
They had not wandered far however, for I found their
colony not half-a-mile away on another salting, but in a much
more exposed and accessible position, bordering the main
channel.
It was a very high tide, being close on new moon, and I
was able to row up a narrow creek right into the heart of the
saltings which were all awash. Having on sea-boots I waded
out a short distance and very quickly discovered nine or ten
nests, all close together and loosely constructed on the edge of
various creeks, where the marine grass grows thickest. Most of
them contained three eggs, some two, and a few one, but all the
eggs were lying in the water, and the only nests built high
enough to be beyond the reach of the tide were empty. The
eggs however were still quite warm so that I think the gulls and
other birds who build in marshy places, hatch off their young in
spite of the water that frequently submerges the nests.
It would be interesting to know whether this fact has ever
been definitely ascertained.
I could not penetrate far into the saltings, as the creeks were
too wide and full of water to cross on foot, but I counted 75