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the abundant House Martins and Swallows.
The large freshwater pond next to the Essex
Naturalist Trust reserve was almost dry for the
first time in everybody's memory, and produced
the only Wheatear of the day instead of the
expected small waders.
On the beach behind the reserve, we watched many
Turnstones feeding voraciously amongst the
seaweed at the tides edge, and numerous
Sanderlings running busily to and fro in their
inimitable clockwork fashion.
Further up the beach, in a little muddy inlet,
we watched a large mixed flock of Redshank,
Dunlin, Ringed Plover and Grey Plover.
In the air above us, large flocks of Lapwings
were heading off East across the water and long
thin black 'strings' of Brent Geese were flying
North into Hamford Water throughout the day.
Many of these skeins of geese were accompanied
by large flocks of Wigeon - one was over 130
strong and obviously just arrived from North
East Europe and the USSR. A single common
Scoter was also seen flying up the coast.
Every twenty minutes or so a Common Tern would
fly past in a northerly direction, apparently
not ready to migrate to their winter quarters
yet.
Other interesting records included Turtle Dove,
Curlew, Oyster Catcher and Common Sandpiper, and
at 3 p.m. when the rain came down in earnest, we
walked back up the beach to the car park,
passing a dead Guillemot on the way. Alas, too
many records of Essex Auks are of oiled birds.
53 species were seen on the walk.
MARTIN HENRY