20
Anseridae were poorly represented by a single male goldeneye
and a few mallard.
Martin Henry.
A Field Club Meeting in Spring. Bird Group at Walton-on-Naze.
12.4.81.
Spring had clearly arrived when over 30 EFG and YOG mem-
bers met on a warm and sunny day. With sand martins flying
overhead, we walked north down the scrub-covered slopes of the
Naze towards Hamford Water. Beside Walton Hall Farm to our left,
we passed a fast diminishing flock of yellowhammers, greenfinches,
house and tree sparrows which the previous week had also com-
prised chaffinches and bramblings resplendant in their summer
plumage, all feeding on grain spilt beside a barn. We also had
fine views of meadow pipits and skylarks which showed up the
more deeply streaked breast of the first and the crest of the
second.
Lying at an extreme of the east coast, the Naze is an out-
standing area for migrants. This was wonderfully demonstrated
as our first swallows of 1981 flew past as if on parade while
two less obliging house martins left us at speed flying towards
Harwich. The stark contrast of white rump and blue-black back
was unmistakeable. Over lunch several of us were entertained
with superb views of cock and hen Wheatears flitting to attention
on the sea wall as they fed before the next stage of their
passage north. Waders were also not to be outdone with over 40