48
and appears to be spreading, so keep a
look out for it.
KEN ADAMS
BIRD MEETING, HEYBRIDGE BASIN AND GRAVEL
PITS. 31ST AUGUST, 1986
The Gravel Pits were uncharacteristically
quiet; 175 Canada geese, a few Mallard and
Tufted duck, a male Pochard, the odd Coot
and Moorhen and a pair of Little grebe
were seen. A Common sandpiper and a Ringed
plover were unbelievably the only waders.
On the Blackwater, things were not a lot
better; Gulls of all the common species
were numerous and interest picked up on the
return walk with three Redshank, a Greenshank,
seven more Ringed plover and, best of all,
seven Spotted redshank feeding in deep water
with vigorous lateral bill sweeps, very
reminiscent of Spoonbills.
Three Common terns were seen fishing in mid-
river, where a Cormorant was robbed of a
large Eel by a Lesser black-backed gull.
A number of Yellow wagtails seen around the
gravel pits was the only real sign of Autumn
movement.
Eight Butterfly species were seen
MARTIN HENRY