BIRDS 203
c. 150 at Bridgemarsh Island, February 12th, 1949.
c. forty at Abberton Reservoir, April 2nd, 1949.
c. 1000 at Abberton Reservoir, September 24th, 1949. (M.J.A.)
pintail (Anas acuta)
One at Bradfield, February 2nd, 1949. One hundred at Abberton Reser-
voir, February 5th, 1949. Fifty at Abberton Reservoir, September 24th,
1949. (M.J.A.)
Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula)
A regular winter visitor to coast and Abberton Reservoir, where in the
winter of 1948-49 at least 150-200 were present, including c. ten per cent
adult drakes. The characteristic whistling noise produced by adult drakes
in flight was very noticeable and, in the distance, was reminiscent of a wader's
call-note. c. ten at Lee Wick, January 12th, 1949, a very good view was
obtained as they flew down the creek out to sea. The flock contained about
two drakes and the ducks were easily distinguished by the brown head, white
wing-patch and white collar. (P.R.A., A.M.)
c. 150 Abberton Reservoir, February 5th, 1949. c. 150 Abberton Reser-
voir, April 2nd, 1949. A very large number for Essex. (M.J.A.)
goosander (Mergus merganser)
An adult female with a flock of Smew at Abberton, January 1948. An
adult female at Abberton, April 17th, 1949. The sharply defined chestnut
of head and smoother crest easily distinguished it from the female Merganser.
(P.R.A., A.M.)
Four at Abberton Reservoir, February 5th, 1949. (M.J.A.)
red-breasted merganser (Mergus serrator)
Two females in the creek at Lee Wick, January 12th, 1949. The red-
brown head was very conspicuous and, when in flight, the white patch on the
wing very prominent, giving the birds an almost piebald appearance. The
build is not like that of a duck but when in flight the long body and the short
wings, set well back, give the bird a typically Cormorant look.
Two to four in Mundon Creek, April 14th, 1949. We were with Mr.
G. Pyman who also saw two females at Abberton in early spring 1949.
(P.R.A., A.M.). Three at Canewdon, March 5th, 1949. Seventeen at
Bradwell, March 26th, 1949. Thirty-five to forty at Tollesbury, April 9th,
1949. (M.J.A.)
smew (Mergus albellus)
A regular winter visitor at Abberton. Flocks usually up to forty to
fifty with c. ten per cent adult males. (A.M.)
c. fifty at Abberton Reservoir, February 5th, 1949. Three at Abberton
Reservoir, April 2nd, 1949. (M.J.A.)
shag (Phalocrocorax aristotelis)
One at Abberton Reservoir, February 5th, 1949. One dead at West
Mersea, February 10th, 1949. (M.J.A.)
gannet (Sula bassana)
One disabled recovered at Langham, September 1949. (A.M.)
black-necked grebe (Podiceps nigricollis)
Five at Abberton Reservoir, April 6th, 1949. Four were in summer
plumage, one in winter plumage ; the golden ear-tufts could be clearly seen.
Two were seen to execute the display known as the penguin dance, i.e.,
standing up in the water and jumping round each other. Has occurred
during the last three springs and some are seen in winter. (P.R.A., A.M.)
[great northern diver (Colymbus immer)]
Two very large diving birds in the Blackwater estuary, April 14th, 1949.