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them are probably Fingringhoe Wick (look
out over the Geedons) and Old Hall Marsh
near Tollesbury.
Much rarer is that dashing little falcon,
the Merlin. Smaller than a Kestrel, and
darker, with a low and very fast flight,
the majority of Essex birds seem to be
females or immatures. Field Club trips
have turned them up at both Colne Point
Nature Reserve and Old Hall, both of which
are not far from one of the two winter
roosts of this species in Essex.
Sparrowhawks are found around the coast in
winter (try Fingringhoe) and Short-Eared
Owls should be sought in the same habitats
as Hen Harriers. Peregrines are much scarcer
but seem to favour Thameside.
Among the smaller birds worth seeing along
our coasts are Snow, Corn and Lapland Bunt-
ings, Twite and Rock Pipits.
Rock Pipits are much darker than the more
common Meadow Pipits and are widely
distributed around our coast. A two hour
walk along any sea wall should turn up at
least one. The Twite or Northern Linnet
feeds on Saltmarsh and weeds along the sea-
walls and can sometimes be seen in quite
large flocks. Its distinctive, jingling
call is a good aid to the identification
of this "little brown job".
The best place to see Snow Bunting with
their distinctive strong white wing bars
is Colne Point, but I have also seen them
at the Naze, Holland Haven and Old Hall.
The most regular haunt of Lapland Bunting