19
twelve months. It is important that the spirits of our
younger members are not dampened too much in their formative
ornithological years.
Martin Henry.
Tollesbury Marshes. 23rd February, 1981.
It is not very often that a meeting starts off in such
inhospitable conditions. It was dull, cloudy, misty, and the
air was full of rain. In spite of this 19 members assembled
at the Car Park as notified in the Programme. It was decided
that a change of venue would be advisable so a visit was made
to the two Causeways at Abberton Reservoir and to the large
Bird Hide nearby the Layer Causeway.
We were rewarded with fine views of Coot, Tufted Duck,
Grey lag Geese, Canada Geese and Great Crested Grebe. From the
Bird Hide we were able to see and compare Golden Eye with
Tufted Duck; the Golden Eye appearing to be much whiter. Some
members were also lucky in seeing 5 Smew, a species not all that
common. One sign of Spring noticed, in spite of the inclement
conditions, were Black Headed Gull in breeding plumage i.e.
having their Black heads, also, Song Thrush and Great Tit were
heard in full song. A reminder of Winter, however, was a field
having numerous Field Fares and Redwings in it.
The visit was drawn to a close about 2 p.m., a meeting
remarkable for the fact that we never saw the sun all day,
however, it was rewarding for the numerous interesting duck.
M.T. Parker..
Goldhanger. 22nd March, 1981.
The tide was in and we were confronted with gale force
winds and driving rain. The weather was cold but 38 species
were seen. The first spring migrant of the year was seen today,
namely a smart male Wheatear. (Some members called in at
Abberton later in the day and saw sand martins). Good numbers
of waders were seen just before the incoming tide covered the
last of the muddy shore, after which a very large flock of
dunlin roosted in a field of winter wheat. Dunlin, turnstone
and grey plover were all very plentiful with good numbers of
ringed plover, but there were few redshank and curlew and only
one Sanderling. Apart from shelduck and brent geese, the