are either birds whose breeding strategies - such as multi-brooding - enable them to
accommodate heavy losses or those that are adaptable and quick to exploit the opportu-
nities offered by human activity. Or preferably both. Wood Pigeon, Blue and Great Tit,
Robin, Chaffinch and, inevitably, the corvids, particularly Magpies, Carrion Crows and
- in this area - Jackdaws spring immediately to mind. There is also a long and ever
lengthening list of birds that have fled the country for the suburbs or are making a last
stand there. The breeding densities of Dunnock, Spotted Flycatcher, Goldcrest, Pied
Wagtail, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Greenfinch and Goldfinch are all greater in Ingatestone
village than they are in the surrounding parish countryside. And it is not only birds. I
recently found two dead Rabbits in the village high street. When they start fleeing the
countryside you know things are getting grim!
Another success story relates to species - principally raptors - that have been afforded a
well enforced protection in recent decades, at least in areas away from the big shooting
estates. Buzzards bred in the area in 2005 (and again in 2006) for the first time - in all
probability - for 120 years. A pair of Goshawks are also likely to have nested last year as
adults were seen on occasion throughout the summer and a juvenile in August. Four
pairs of Sparrowhawk and two pairs of Hobby also held territoiy along the route of my
walk. Apart from Birds of Prey, and the adaptable species mentioned above, a good
many resident species are also holding their own. Nuthatch, Blackcap and Treecreeper
are bucking the trend in woodland and birds as diverse as Little Owl, Green Wood-
pecker and Whitethroat on farmland while the creation of the fishery has provided a
new habitat for Reed Warbler and a bonanza for Cormorants!
Finally, there are the bonus birds - those you don't expect to see but hope you will. Chris
Knowles, the owner of the fishery, was lucky enough to see a Bittern there in September
while my own successes have included Marsh Harrier, Honey Buzzard, Peregrine, Red
Kite, Long-eared Owl and waders such as Common and Green Sandpipers, Greenshank
and Whimbrel, which are scarce inland, away from the major reservoirs. No two walks
are the same, even along the same route, and as I have never been one to take two hours
over a walk when six are available, there has always been plenty of time to sit under
trees and watch the world go by or to enjoy, say, a party of Siskins feeding in the Alders
in The Grove, migrating Whinchats bathing in the shallows at the fishery, or Fallow
Deer browsing unconcernedly beneath the dappled sunshine and shade on the edge of
Box Wood, a scene unchanged for the best part of a thousand years. Alternatively, on
bitter winter or boiling summer days the Tap Room of my favourite hostelry. The Viper,
beckons invitingly............
Anyone interested in contributing to the survey then simply type in Bird Track on your
search engine or go direct to www.birdtrack.net. and add a whole new dimension to
walking the dog!
Essex Field Club Newsletter No. 53, May 2007
13