Wildlife and Conservation Review of 1999
39
February was also very springlike and mild, with the exception of a sharp cold snap in mid-month,
when night-time temperatures inland fell to -6 C. An early start to the bird breeding season prompted
hopes of a return to form after three successive poor springs; many resident species laid early clutches,
and their broods were almost at fledging by the end of the month.
Given the conditions, it is perhaps not surprising that winter birdwatching in Essex was rather
unspectacular. Many of the usual coastal species, for example, were present in lower numbers than
expected. Brent Geese were in groups of hundred rather than thousands, and both Hen Harriers
and Short-eared Owls were generally few and far between. The one real exception to the latter was
Rainham Marshes, where up to 10 Short-eared Owls were present, along with 12 Water Pipits,
and unseasonal Common Sandpipers (2) and Chiffchaffs (4). Inland, there were very few
Bramblings, with just small flocks in regular strongholds like Epping and Hainault Forests. On the
positive side, around 200 Avocets graced both the Colne Estuary and East Tilbury, up to 7 Purple
Sandpipers were at Holland Haven, and in the first few days of the year, 3 Bitterns were reported
from the reedy fringes of Abberton Reservoir. Of the rarer species, a Caspian Gull, a form of the
Yellow-legged Gull which looks set for full specific status, haunted Docklands, along with two
Peregrines and a Shag, while Lesser Yellowlegs and Dartford Warbler remained at East Tilbury
from 1999. Offshore, a record count of 650 Red-throated Divers was made at Bradwell, together
with a creditable 11 Slavonian Grebes at Tollesbury Wick. Shore Larks continued to be seen in
exceptional numbers following their autumn influx: up to 27 were at Brightlingsea and elsewhere on
the Colne, and 60 on Foulness.
During February, Essex became the focus for twitchers when a first-winter Forster's Tern, a rare
American vagrant and the first Essex record, was discovered in Hamford Water. It was suggested
that it may in fact have been present since November 1998, and it proceeded to be seen in Essex
(mostly in the Blackwater Estuary) throughout the year and into 2000. Lots of birders usually means
lots of other records and this was no exception: 2 Rough-legged Buzzards and a Red Kite were
seen around Hamford Water, and a Red-breasted Goose at Cattawade. The latter was colour-ringed,
and must therefore be treated as of uncertain origin. The Hamford Water Avocet flock remained
rather low, but the East Tilbury group grew to 302. Apart from 28 Lapland Buntings at Jaywick,
the best of the rest of the birds were in south and west Essex, including a Laughing Gull at Canvey,
4 Bitterns in the Lee Valley, a Green-winged Teal on Cornmill Meadows, and a Northern Grey
Shrike near Harlow.
On the conservation front, the deepening of the approach channel to Harwich Haven went into
top gear with the arrival of the Queen of the Netherlands, the world's largest dredger. The technology
involved in the operation was quite staggering, and gave confidence in their ability to carry out the
work precisely as planned. And with the deployment of smaller vessels, the environmental gains
started to be delivered, through recycling of silt back into the eroding Stour and Orwell Estuaries
and the major reconstruction of Stone Point at Walton. Almost eroded away, the beach was replenished
and will undoubtedly prove of importance to wildlife, as well as sustaining the natural defences of
the Walton Backwaters against the sea. It may have looked like a building site - well, it was: building
biodiversity.
Inland, plans were announced for the expansion of Stansted Airport, giving rise to concerns about
increased development pressures in the north-west of Essex and possible impacts on Hatfield Forest
and oilier ancient woods in the vicinity. At Chalkney Wood, Earl's Colne, Essex County Council
celebrated the completion of the first 25-year coppicing cycle since they rescued the site from the
clutches of the Forestry Commission. Local MP Alan Hurst ceremonially cut the last pole of the last
stool of the last plot.
Essex Naturalist (New Series) 17 (2000)