phyllosc
Sunday 29th June 2003, 16:30
OK, so in previous postings I've addmitted to not being the local patch type (see my 'patchwork Gulit'). I'm an itinerant birder and that is that!
However, I do live very close to the Blackwater estuary in Essex and I have to addmit it does make a good birding spot. You may remember last year's Terek Sandpiper, well that was on my 'patch'. And during the winter months it teems with waders, gulls, and wildfowl, including: Euro Golden Plover, Avocet, Black-tailed Godwit, Greenshank, Brent Geese, Smew and Red Throated Merganser. It is also a good spot for Kingfisher and Barn Owl.
There are other birders who watch this area too, although I've rarely seen anyone else around, but that may be down to me not watching the place often enough.
This morning my partner and I got on the mountain bikes and cycled along the river bank east towards Goldhanger. The tide was coming in but the mud flats nearly deviod of waders; just a few Lapwing, Redshank and Oystercatcher. Starlings were flocking together and feeding on the shoreline too. The highlight was 2 Little Egret, an over summering Brent Goose and plenty of Painted Lady.
In the coming weeks I expect the wader numbers will start to increase and I'll be keeping an eye out for the partial albino Blackwit that cause a tempoary flush of adrenalin in the spring.
Dave
However, I do live very close to the Blackwater estuary in Essex and I have to addmit it does make a good birding spot. You may remember last year's Terek Sandpiper, well that was on my 'patch'. And during the winter months it teems with waders, gulls, and wildfowl, including: Euro Golden Plover, Avocet, Black-tailed Godwit, Greenshank, Brent Geese, Smew and Red Throated Merganser. It is also a good spot for Kingfisher and Barn Owl.
There are other birders who watch this area too, although I've rarely seen anyone else around, but that may be down to me not watching the place often enough.
This morning my partner and I got on the mountain bikes and cycled along the river bank east towards Goldhanger. The tide was coming in but the mud flats nearly deviod of waders; just a few Lapwing, Redshank and Oystercatcher. Starlings were flocking together and feeding on the shoreline too. The highlight was 2 Little Egret, an over summering Brent Goose and plenty of Painted Lady.
In the coming weeks I expect the wader numbers will start to increase and I'll be keeping an eye out for the partial albino Blackwit that cause a tempoary flush of adrenalin in the spring.
Dave