BIRD NOTES FROM NORTH FAMBRIDGE 37
Nightingales were numerous in local woods. Great Spotted Woodpeckers
seen here and there but no Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers.
On 28 May we visited a local heronry consisting of three or four nests and
got a good view of the birds on the nests and flying around. The birds cer-
tainly look ridiculously like a Chinese vase in the top of an elm tree. This is a
new heronry started last year.
On 27 June I was using the hose to water a long bed of freshly planted stuff
when I noticed a Willow-Warbler about four yards away working young
peach trees for insects. Just as an experiment and for the fun of it, I shot a jet
of water at the tiny bird. To my surprise the little chap just shook his feathers
out and seemed rather pleased with himself, so I had another try and played
the full force of the spray straight at it. In a few moments the bird was joined
by a Lesser Whitethroat and the two birds fluttered and disported themselves,
apparently in an ecstasy of delight. I called my wife to see the fun and we
watched the two birds being swamped for several minutes until I thought that
they had had enough.
By 14 July I regret to report that all three Spotted Flycatchers' nests on the
farm had been destroyed, one by a cat and two by Tawny Owls. These latter
wreak havoc round here in the nesting season. Goldfinches' nests built at the
top of fruit trees suffer most as they are so obvious to the big brown brutes.
On 30th I took a walk along the Crouch to the east and saw very many Corn-
Buntings, Pipits and Common Terns. The Terns are now nesting locally as
also are Black-headed Gulls.
On 11 August, while on a butterfly expedition to the Stour estuary, we saw
several hundred Swifts circling a large area in the late afternoon. The greatest
number of Swifts that I have ever seen in one flock. 7th. Willow-Warblers in
full song—rather unusual here at this time of year.
Bullfinches are on the increase and were seen in four local woods. A pair
nested on the farm and on 11 August their family was in my garden eating
honeysuckle berries within a few feet of the windows of the house. 12th. Many
Yellow Wagtails on our saltings. 19th. A tremendous flock of Curlews on a
local marsh. I estimated it to number around 700 birds.
Swallows did well on the farm, having twenty-six nests in the sheds, but
there were only three House-Martins' nests on the old House and not another
three in the whole village! However on 20 August at 8 a.m. I counted 100
House-Martins on our power cable. On the next day there was about the
same number, very tame, and obviously collecting to migrate. 22nd. One
hundred and sixty-eight House-Martins on cable at 8 a.m. and uncounted
others in flight. At 8.50 a.m. all took off and flew south-eastwards at about
150 feet height and disappeared in the distance. There were no House-Martins
at 8 a.m. on the 23rd, but on 27th there were 300 House-Martins on our cable
early in the morning. They must come from Suffolk or Norfolk as I do not
know of a dozen nests in this district.
2 September. Willow-Warblers passing through steadily in large numbers.
Bullfinches eating berries in the garden—magnificent birds. 4th. I counted a
fresh arrival of House-Martins, 138 on our cable at 8 a.m. This is a sheltered
ideal spot by the eastern edge of our orchard and the birds seem to favour it
for there is no disturbance, the early morning sun shines fully upon them and
insects are plentiful around the farm. The birds take short flights and then back
to the cable to chatter and warble to each other. What a delightful chorus it is
to be sure! 5th. Swallows and House-Martins massing by the hundred in late
afternoon.
9 September. A Pied Flycatcher on the farm, catching flies and returning in
an instant to its barbed-wire fence perch. Two more seen later in the day,
quite an event here! 12th. Great Tits singing their spring song already. 16th.
One Pied Flycatcher in our orchard. Many warblers, finches, etc., were
enjoying the lovely sunshine and there was a Kingfisher at our pond. Hund-
reds of Swallows were in evidence all day.