sun.
45
On the Channel itself, with the tide right out, two
species predominated, Brent Geese, of which 400 were
still obviously reluctant to make the trip north to
their Siberian breeding grounds, and over 200 more
Shelduck, with just the occasional Mallard and Teal.
On the tide line were large numbers of Grey Plover,
still in winter plumage, with rather less Redshank,
Curlew, Oystercatcher and the very occasional Dunlin
and Black-tailed Godwit.
All along the seawall Meadow Pipits rose in response
to our approaching feet. Skylarks sang everywhere,
and Reed Buntings called from the Phragmites fringed
borrow dykes.
Occasionally a passing light aircraft put up vast
flocks of over 5,000 starlings from the centre of the
reserve, sometimes with a good number of curlew,
700-800 all told. Without doubt the best sight of
the day was a tantalisingly brief sight of a male
Hen Harrier twisting and turning over the reeds,
scattering Coot, Teal and Shelduck all over the marsh,
MARTIN HENRY
NEW MEMBERS
Mr. R. Edmunds Leytonstone
Mr. D. F. Ford Hornchurch
Mr. P. Harvey Grays
Mr. C. A. Minter Horndon-on-Hill
Mr. R. M. Potter Doddinghurst
We welcome all these new Members and hope they have
many rewarding and happy years with us.
M. T. PARKER