42
GOLDHANGER 23rd March, 1980
The first Field Meeting of the Centenary Year was held
on the sea wall and was attended by 40 members - this was
an excellent attendance for what proved to be a very
enjoyable meeting.
The sun shone all day, there was a very strong easterly
wind and we were able to lunch in the shelter of the sea
wall.
From the start we were all able to see and hear Skylarks
and watch Meadow Pipits displaying and giving their flight
song. At the start the tide was very nearly low so
waders were difficult to see at near range; however, a
considerable number of Brent Geese were seen. One group
came up off the saltings and landed in a large field
and were watched feeding. Members did try to count them
and estimated varied from 300, 400, 450 up to 1,500, thus
indicating how difficult it is to estimate numbers on
the ground. Redshanks, Shellduck, Oyster Catchers, Dunlin,
Grey Plover, Ring Plover, Turnstone and Lapwings were all
seen on the saltings.
During the lunch break about 30 Tree Sparrows very
obligingly came to rest in some shrubs together with a
few House Sparrows, this enabled members to distinguish
these species.
At the end of a very enjoyable meeting 32 different birds
had been heard or seen.
M.T. PARKER
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