26
THE ESSEX NATURALIST.
large flocks being seen here, as the following figures show:—
Ninety-two, 12/4/25 ; twenty (immature), 2/8/25 ; thirty-six
22/11/25 ; one hundred and thirty (the largest flock I have seen),
24/1/26 ; sixty, 21/2/26 ; fifty, 3/4/26 ; thirty-four, 11/12/26. A
brood of newly hatched young, seven or eight, was seen on Wick
Marsh, 2/6/26 ; it was interesting to watch the little birds diving
on my approach. Another brood of ten was seen on Mersea,
13/6/26. The Sheld-duck was also seen in Ray Creek and on St.
Osyth Marsh.
Teal (Anas c. crecca L.). Mersea Island, ♂ and ♀ 12/4/25 ;.
several, 20/9/25 ; several, 17/10/25 ; ten, 21/11/25 ; four, 24/1/26;
rive, 3/4/26, ten (Broad Fleet), 13/6/26. Fingringhoe Marsh,
three, 21/9/25. Langenhoe Marsh, two, 11/12/26. St. Osyth
Marsh, several, 18/10/25 ; party of sixty, 21/11/25 ; party of fifty
23/1/26 ; twenty, 20/2/26 ; five, 4/4/26; one, pricked, 18/9/26 ;
two, 17/10/26.
Wigeon (Anas penelope L.). Ray Creek, nine, 21/12/25.
Pyefleet Channel, fifteen, 2/4/26. St. Osyth Marsh, a few,
4/4/26. Langenhoe Marsh, six, 16/10/26 ; twelve, ♂ and ♀,
13/11/26. Party of quite three hundred off Colne Point, 12/12/26;
the largest flock I have seen outside the Stour area.
Pintail (Anas a. acuta L.). A male and female, with Shovelers,
off Colne Point, and two of each sex on St. Osyth Marsh, 4/4/26.
Shoveler (Spatula clypeata (L.)). A sprinking, St. Osyth
Marsh and Pyefleet Channel, 10-13/4/25. One, Broad Fleet,
2/8/25. Pyefleet Channel, ♂ and ♀, 21/2/26. Party of eighteen
on the sea off Colne Point and one or two on St. Osyth Marsh,
4/4/26. Two near the Strood, 3/4/26. Fourteen, chiefly males,
St. Osyth Marsh, 10/6/26. A male with the flock of Wigeon off
Colne Point, 12/12/26.
Common Pochard (Nyroca j. ferina (L.)). Pyefleet Channel,
ten, 24/1/26.
Scaup Duck (Nyroca m. marila) (L.)) Ray Creek, four or five,
both sexes, 10/4/25.
Goldeneye (Bucephala c. clangula (L.)). Pyefleet Channel,
about forty, including several old males, 24/1/26 ; similar party of
twenty, 21/2/26. Geeton Creek, a female or immature male,
3/4/26 ; another, 17/10/26. Ray Creek, three females or im-
mature males, 14/11/26. Eight to twelve off Sandy Point,
12/12/26.