Steve_Halstead
Sparrow or Crow?
I had a fantastic day today just watching birds I once thought I would never ever see just lulling around on the sea. Always wanted a guillemot!!!!
Bitter bugger
Was just talking to someone about Mersea.
It's one if my favourite places for birding,especially around Stone point overlooking the Blackwater and onto brightlingsea.
There's something about being there at any time if the year and feeling a million miles away from the busier parts of the County.
If I wasn't buggering off to Norfolk for a week (for the 2nd week running),that's where I would be tomorrow
Terry I must have been in the centre while you were. I found the the distant Hen Harrier at just before 10am, it didn't stay around long, it was perched miles away and Steve Grimwade started showing a few people, and I also saw the Egyptian Goose fly on to the raft!
Paul E,there are large groups of avocets in those areas
Your birds sound like they're likely to be waders, from description could be either Lapwing or Oystercatcher (both have white under-parts and contrasting black/dark head.Hi,
I'm a new member so please bear with me if I make any mistakes
I have a boat moored at Walton-on-the-Naze on the north Essex coast, and whenever I have been out over the last 4 or 5 weeks I have witnessed a spectacular display of many 100's of seabirds swooping in huge flocks over the Backwaters. They are about the size of a black-headed seagull, are white-breasted, with a dark head, and they have a brown back, which can be seen when they are resting on the saltmarshes. When in flight they are an amazing contrast of black and white as the sun catches their white breasts. I thought they might be pomarine skua, but apparently they do not winter in this area and there is no mention of them flying in such large numbers.
I will try and take some photos next time, but in the meantime would anyone have any thoughts?
Thank you
Hi,
I'm a new member so please bear with me if I make any mistakes
I have a boat moored at Walton-on-the-Naze on the north Essex coast, and whenever I have been out over the last 4 or 5 weeks I have witnessed a spectacular display of many 100's of seabirds swooping in huge flocks over the Backwaters. They are about the size of a black-headed seagull, are white-breasted, with a dark head, and they have a brown back, which can be seen when they are resting on the saltmarshes. When in flight they are an amazing contrast of black and white as the sun catches their white breasts. I thought they might be pomarine skua, but apparently they do not winter in this area and there is no mention of them flying in such large numbers.
I will try and take some photos next time, but in the meantime would anyone have any thoughts?
Thank you