BIRDS OF THE COLNE VALLEY IN 1925 AND 1926. 27
Goosander (Mergus m. merganser L.). Langenhoe Marsh, a
male, 11/12/26. A particularly good view of this handsome bird
was obtained.
Red-breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator L.). A single bird
and a male and female, Brightlingsea Reach, and a male and
female, Ray Creek, 10/4/25. About a dozen, both sexes, off
the south of Mersea, 11/4/25. Pyefleet Channel, twelve in
flight and two immature birds, 22/11/25 ; one mature male
with three or four others, 24/1/26; fourteen, both sexes, 21/2/26.
None identified, 2/4/26. One female or immature male, Pyefleet
Channel, 11/12/26. These records suggest that the Merganser
arrives some time in November and leaves about the beginning
of April.
Cormorant (Phalacrocorax c. carbo (L.)). Identified, usually
single birds, during all visits except that of May-June, 1926.
Rat Island is the favoured haunt of this bird, twenty-three being
seen here, 16/10/26, one of which was a white-breasted bird.
Fourteen were observed flying over St. Osyth Marsh, 14/11/26.
Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps c. cristatus (L.)). Three off
Mersea, 11/4/25. Two off Colne Point, 18/10/25. One, Pyefleet
Channel, 19/9/26. These dates all come within the confines of
the migrational periods.
Red-necked Grebe (Podiceps g. griseigena (Bodd.)). Ray
Creek, one, 14/11/26. This bird was under observation for over
thirty minutes.
Little Grebe (Podiceps r. ruficollis (Pall.)). Ray Creek, ten,
21/11/26. Pyefleet Channel, thirty, 22/11/25 ; five, 24/1/26 ;
ten, 21/2/26 ; several, 11/12/26. Geeton Creek, twelve, 16/10/26 ;
fifteen to twenty, 13/11/26 ; twenty to thirty, 11/12/26. This
grebe was also identified at St. Osyth, Reeveshall and Langenhoe
Marshes, which are all suitable for breeding purposes.
Red-throated Diver (Colymbus stellatus Pontopp.). Bright-
lingsea Reach, one, 10/4/25. Two off Colne Point, 4/4/26.
Stock Dove (Columba oenas L.). Mersea Island, 12/4/25 ;
seven, 2/8/25 ; several, 17/10/25 ; 13/6/26 ; one, 19/10/26. St.
Osyth Marsh, a few, 7/6/26, 17/10/26. South Green, a few with a
flock of about three hundred Wood Pigeons, 16/10/26.
Oyster-Catcher (Haematopus o. ostralegus L.). Colne Point,
a single bird and a party of six, 13/4/25 ; two, 4/4/26. Ray
Creek, two, 3/4/26. These are all spring migrational dates.