6.
The Lesser Whitethroat (Sylvia curruca).
It would appear that this bird is more common than
the previous bird. It seems to turn up at most of the
areas already visited. A tape recording of this bird
was made on Mill Green and at Fingringhoe Wick, two
years ago. It can be distinguished quite easily from
the Common Whitethroat by its song - a quiet warble
(often missed) followed by a rattling on one note.
Its habitat is similar to that of the Common Whitethroat,
but would appear to prefer denser vegetation where there
are trees for song perches. It arrives about 17th April.
Nightingale (Luscinia megarhynchos).
It is always a pleasure to inform members that the
nightingale is back at Mill Green. Since the early
1950's they have always been present in this area.
One particular spot is to take the road past the Viper
Public House on the left, until one comes to a fork
in the road - the right hand side is a small cottage
and opposite part of the Oak Woods of Mill Green. In
this area 15 members have stood by the road side and
heard a nightingale singing. The bird is more often
heard than seen, it is brownish in colour with a
chestnut coloured tail. It does sing during the day
time and just as well as at night time. This bird
arrives about the 18th April and rarely sings after
about the middle of June. This is one of the reasons
for holding a bird meeting at Mill Green before the
end of May. The song is truly remarkable, some notes
being repeated, some bubbling notes, one particular
note 'too too too' being repeated four or five times
to be followed by rich loud song.
Wherever there are woodland copses, dense thickets
and edges of deciduous woodland, the nightingale should
occur. One other place where one can always hear more
than one nightingale singing is opposite the bunk-house
at Fingringhoe Wick.
M.T.Parker.