BIRDS
205
green sandpiper (Tringa ochropus)
One at Abberton, February 5th, 1949. (M.J.A.)
greater YELLOWSHANK (Tringa melanoleuca)
On July 28th, 1949, a wader suspected as being of this species was observed
at Abberton Reservoir. It was under observation through binoculars at a
distance about forty yards for about half-an-hour. It was considerably larger
than a Redshank, a pair of which were feeding conveniently near it. It
seemed to resemble a large, brown, stout-billed Greenshank but the legs
were very pale yellow. It uttered no note when flushed, whereas the Green-
shank is an extremely noisy bird, and the white only extended a little
way up the rump. The plumage was as follows : Speckled grey-brown
upperparts, pure white underparts except for a few extremely conspicuous
irregular black streaks and spots on the side of the breast, white on tail
extending to lower rump. Legs yellowish although not bright yellow as
mentioned in text books. The bill was straight. There was no suspicion
of a white wing-bar when in flight. The bird showed considerable manoeuvra-
bility on the wing as it zig-zagged erratically from the assault of an angry
Lapwing. It appeared tame and seemed hardly to notice our presence ;
being flushed three times it returned each time to the same vicinity although
it appeared very agitated when feeding and was continually on the move.
The bird was present for about a week. This record, the first for Essex, was
subsequently confirmed by Mr. B. W. Tucker. (P.R.A., A.M.)
redshank (Tringa totanus)
A pair at Chelmsford Sewage Farm, May 10th, 1949. (M.J.A.)
spotted redshank (Tringa erythropus)
Four at Abberton Reservoir, September 5th, 1948, and three on the 13th.
Owing to their shyness it was difficult to get a good view but one bird was
seen moderately well. Dark red legs and bill seen distinctly. Plumage
appeared to be transitional, dark grey head and back, white on breast and
underparts. The bird looked very dark. Fully identified when a bird was
flushed and uttered its very shrill unique "chee-it" note. When in flight
the legs projected beyond the tail. (P.R.A., A.M.)
Greenshank (Tringa nebularia)
Two at Abberton Reservoir, September 5th, 1948. Green legs clearly
visible. Pale grey appearance and slim stature very noticeable. When in
flight they looked distinctly black and white and the white rump was con-
spicuous. Four on Ramsey Marsh, April 14th, 1949. When flushed uttered
the characteristic shrill piping note, thus distinguishing them from Redshank.
A common and regular autumn visitor to Reservoir and coast. The greatest
number seen at once was a party of eight at Abberton Reservoir, September
1949. (P.R.A., A.M.)
Four at Abberton Reservoir, September 24th, 1949. (M.J.A.)
ringed plover (Charadrius hiaticula)
Eighty at Abberton, September 24th, 1949. (M.J.A.)
little ringed plover (Charadrius dubius)
A very small "Ringed Plover" was seen at Abberton at a distance of
c. forty yards on April 21st, 1949. Plumage appeared identical with the larger
species. Legs very pale yellow. In flight showed no white on wing and ut-
tered hard, almost monosyllabic call-note. Flight was high, fast and straight,
contrasting with the swerving flight typical of Ringed Plover. Record con-
firmed by Mr. B. W. Tucker. (A.M.) Pair of adults at Abberton Reservoir,
September 24th, 1949. (M.J.A.)
golden plover (Pluvialis apricaria)
Three flying high over Abberton Reservoir, December 26th, 1948. c. eighty