50
this observation set us wondering whether
there would be any Wheatears about.
Graham Smith is warden of the small
observatory now used by the Essex Bird
Preservation Society. The cottage nearby
was occupied by the Linnet family until
the early 1950's. This family had a long
history of wild fowling in the area. Since
the 1950's the E.B.P.S. has used these huts
as a ringing station, and observatory.
The trees in the garden, Greengage Plums
and Bullace, provided a good harvest this
year. They had all been picked the week
before, so we were unlucky. From the
small plot on which the huts are situated
we made our way to the sea wall. The tide
was well out, so unfortunately we saw very
few waders. In fact, the walk before lunch
provided us with very few birds. However,
a number of Yellow Wagtails were heard and
seen as were Linnets and the usual Swallows
and House Martins.
We had our lunch facing the estuary, and were
lucky to see the barge Dawn, registered at
Maldon. This barge is used by the Passmore
Edwards Museum for educational purposes.
(The Field Club has very close connections
with the Museum.)
After lunch, as the tide started to come in,
the sun came out, and our observations
became very interesting and rewarding. For
example, we saw Eider, Sanderling, Ringed
Plover, Grey Plover in summer plumage, Curlew,
Dunlin, one Godwit, Oyster Catcher, Redshank
and Turnstone. There were many of these
birds on the mud flats.