202
THE ESSEX NATURALIST
To sum up the year—Resident birds were in normal numbers, Nightin-
gales were very scarce and Blackcaps were fewer than usual. Swallows
and Martins had a good year. Barn-Owls showed a slight increase. I saw
no Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers or Wrynecks.
Blue-headed Wagtails at Barking.—On '21st June, 1953, I saw a pair
of Blue-headed Wagtails by Barking Power Station. By the display I
saw, it appeared that they might be nesting. This is the first time that
I have seen these birds in the area.
John Jones.
Birds at Bradwell-on-Sea.—On 12th September, 1953, I was with two
friends at Bradwell Point. Amongst the birds seen were five Common Eider,
four Sandwich Tern, one Knot and an immature male Black-tailed Godwit.
On the following day we again saw the Eider and also five Curlew-
Sandpiper, one Knot, six Widgeon and one Bar-tailed Godwit. On the
way back to the quay a female Wheatear was seen.
It has been brought to my notice that Mr. W. Martin saw on 14th
February, 1953, two Long-tailed Duck, one slightly oiled, just off the wall
at Burnham-on-Crouch, and the other about 400 yards further up the coast.
John Jones.