24
great northern diver, red throated diver,
hen harrier, short-eared owl. Sea duck such as
eider and scaup and the occasional rarity such
as shore lark and firecrest.
In Spring we return to Bradwell and Walton to
record the first of the summer migrants: swallow,
house and sand martin, Wheatear, yellow wagtails
and sedge warblers. These visits also enable
us to see waders adopting their summer breeding
plumages which in many cases differ considerably
from their drab winter dress, e.g. Sanderling,
turnstone, dunlin and knot.
Some field meetings this last year have been
rather poorly attended, with 10-15 members only
on occasion.
Whether this has been due to the exceptionally
bad weather which has coincided with several
meetings, or whether members would like to see
a change in venue of some of our meetings, I
would not like to say, but the Committee is
naturally always open to suggestions for new
areas for exploration, bearing in mind car
parking facilities are essential.
The Secretary's personal opinion is that the
Essex Coast is very important Ornithologically and
Spring and Autumn visits virtually mandatory.
It is the choice of good inland sites which is
rather restricted unless we travel further
afield, out of the county. Members' views are
always welcome.
The Secretary has already mentioned one of the
leaders, Chris Shennan, and would like to conclude
by thanking Ian Misselbrook for his continuous
help and enthusiasm for the Ornithology Group of
the Club, and finally the rock on which the Club
has stood for so many years, Michael Parker, aided
at every field meeting come rain or shine, by
his wife, Mildred.
Martin Henry