BIRDS 201
robin (Erithacus rubecula)
The surrounding woods held several pairs. The Robin's was always the
last song to be heard at night. On May 31st five cocks were singing at
9.45 p.m. B.S.T.
willow-warbler (Phylloscopus trochilus)
Many pairs in the locality. Nine pairs were identified, two nests were
found, each with six eggs, all hatched and the young were reared.
hawfinch (Coccothraustes coccothraustes)
At 3.40 p.m. on April 28th, while in my room, I was attracted by a cracking
noise. About seven feet away from my window a handsome pair of these
birds was feeding on holly berries. They were seen about for a full week.
swift (Apus apus)
The first birds arrived on May 13th. They were joined on May 15th by
a further fourteen flying from the south-west.
goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis)
Abundant. Six pairs nested in the immediate locality.
coal-tit (Parus ater)
A sitting bird was very pugnacious and would not leave but pecked
repeatedly at a stick which was inserted into the nesting hole.
red-backed shrike (Lanius collurio)
A newly-arrived pair was seen on May 27th.
blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla)
Common in the vicinity, the song was very noticeable and four pairs were
identified.
nightingale (Luscinia megaryncha)
Two pairs were noticed at first and very much later a third cock started
singing. During May the tone of one cock's song broke but he continued
to sing his full song though badly out of tune.
redstart (Phoenicurus phoenicurus)
Two pairs nested in the woodland area.
On June 27th the following birds were still in full song : Wood-Lark,
Turtle-Dove, Wood-Pigeon, and Goldfinch. Snatches of song could still
be heard from the Blackcap.
L. N. Crayden.
Bird records from eastern Essex
CONTRIBUTED BY MESSRS. M. J. ARDLEY, PIERS R. ARDLEY
AND ANTONY MARSHALL
lesser redpoll (Carduelis flammea cabaret)
Two at Lexden Park, Colchester, winter 1948-49. (A.M.)
Brambling (Fringilla montifringilla)
Small flock at Leigh Marsh, January 15th, 1949. (M.J.A.)
corn-bunting (Emberiza calandra)
The species is abundant at Abberton Reservoir but is apparently un-
common in the rest of the county except in the Southend area. (A.M.)
snow-bunting (Plectrophenax nivalis)
Occurs regularly at Lee Wick (St. Osyth) every winter. Eight at Abberton
Reservoir December 28th, 1948. They remained for two or three weeks.