BIRDS OF THE COLNE VALLEY IN 1925 AND 1926. 29
2/8/25. The Strood (near), two, 20/9/25 ; one, 17/10/25. Fingring-
hoe Marsh, one, 20/9/25. Thorrington, one, 5/4/26. Langenhoe
Marsh, one, 16/10/26. St. Osyth Creek, one, 17/10/26 and
14/11/26. Wick Marsh, one, 11/12/26.
Common Redshank (Tringa t. totanus (L.)). At all times
plentiful, but numbers much increased during winter months.
The full winter status was attained between mid-September and
mid-October.
Greenshank (Tringa nebularia (Gunn.)). St. Osyth Marsh,
several, 3/8/25 ; one, 19/9/25. Fingringhoe Marsh, heard, 21/9/25.
Ray Creek, heard, 18/9/26 ; two, 14/11/26. Fingringhoe and
Langenhoe Marshes, one or two heard, 16/10/26. Sandy Point,
two, 12/12/26.
Bar-tailed Godwit (Limosa l. lapponica (L.)). Several Godwits
were seen at the entrance to Pyefleet Channel, 24/1/26. I was
able to identify one of these, the bird flying towards me and
enabling me to make certain that it was Bar-tailed.
Common Curlew (Numenius a. arquata (L.)). Identified
during all visits. During May and June the species was scarce
compared with its winter numbers, which were very large. By
September there was a marked increase, the full winter popula-
tion being attained by mid-October, and large numbers were
still present during the first fortnight of April.
Whimbrel (Numenius p. phaeopus (L.)). August 1-3, 1925,
fairly common on Mersea and St. Osyth Marshes. None identi-
fied on next visit, 19/9/25. One, heard and seen, 3/6/26.
Common Snipe (Capella g. gallinago (L.)). Mersea Island,
one, 12/4/25 ; one, 20/9/25 ; several (Reeveshall Marsh), 19/9/26.
St. Osyth Marsh, one, 1/8/25 ; two, 3/8/25 ; one, 18/10/25 ; one,
18/9/26. Fingringhoe Marsh, one, 3/4/26. Flag Creek, several,
21/11/25 ; one, 5/4/26. Langenhoe Marsh, one, 16/10/26.
Common Tern (Sterna h. hirundo L.). There are only two
colonies of this species in Essex, and both are situated in this
area. When I wrote on this bird in the Essex Naturalist,
vol. xix., p. 238, I was under the impression that the colony then
described was that recorded by Messrs. T. Hepburn (Zoologist,
1910, p. 137) and W. B. Nichols (British Birds, vol. vii., p. 87),
but a conversation with Mr. Nichols showed me that I had found
an unrecorded colony. Both these colonies were visited during
the May-June, 1926, visit, and a photographic record obtained