THE BIRDS OF THE STOUR VALLEY (ESSEX ONLY). 143
lines, a very common formation. The Wigeon were also usually
seen at Hamford Water, but in smaller numbers, although on one
occasion a shot from a punt gun sent up a huge flock, which
could not have contained less than a thousand birds. No
Wigeon were seen on 22/9/24, so apparently September is spent
before they arrive in their winter quarters. Apart from a single
pricked female no Wigeon were present on 2/4/23, nor were any
identified on 18/4/24, but some were seen on 16/3/24 and 22/3/25,
so it would seem that about the end of March is the time when
they wing their way to their northern breeding haunts. It
would be interesting to know what toll is taken of these ducks
by the Stour puntsmen in the course of a season. In support
of my numbers I quote Mr. W. B. Nichols' letter of 30/4/24 :
"I estimated the numbers of Coots at something like 4,000.
The wigeon were still more numerous but very hard to estimate,
as they were scattered between here and Parkeston. I saw one
lot on the mud extending for a quarter of a mile and some ten or
more yards deep, as thick as they could sit, and they were only a
portion of the Wigeon present and in sight from one point."
Pochard (Nyroca f. ferina (L.)). Two seen among the Coots,
Tufted Duck (Nyroca fuligula (L.)). Three with the Coots,
Scaup Duck (Nyroca m. marila (L.)). Three among the
Coots, 13/1/24.
Red-breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator L.). Male and
female, Hamford Water 17/1/25. Seven at Hamford Water,
21/3/25, and five up the river on the following day.
Cormorant (Phalacrocorax c. carbo (L.)). This is a common
Stour species, and at times was even numerous. The largest
parties were seen off Parkeston, where two of seventeen
were noted on 3/8/24 and 20/9/24. These included mature
and immature birds. A white breasted bird was seen at Hamford
Water on 15/2/25, and on the same date a bird was seen which
had assumed the white thigh patches of the breeding plumage.
The Cormorant was noted on all visits with one exception, and it
was, no doubt, the shortness of time alone which broke the
sequence.
Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps c. cristatus (L.)). A party of
from 20 to 25 was seen in the river off Parkeston on 19/4/24.