Trip reports

Bird Walk at Fingringhoe Wick, Saturday 17 February 2007.

Thursday, 24 May 2007

The attendance once again was high with up to 25 participants. We enjoyed a leisurely stroll around this Essex Wildlife Trust reserve in glorious sunshine with only a gentle breeze. The tide was already covering the mudflat feeding grounds by the commencement of the walk and by midday the saltmarsh was completely covered by a very high spring tide. The brightness of the sunshine and the reflection off the water made any observation towards the south extremely difficult but odd Curlews could be identified on the saltmarsh before they were driven off by the rising tide. Several Little Egrets were also seen including one which flew past on its way down the estuary. A passing flock of Avocets headed in the same direction and a group of Black-tailed Godwits was noted on the opposite side of the estuary. On the water we had close views of Goldeneye and Red-breasted Mergansers. A large number of Brent Geese bobbed around near the waters edge.

As is so often the case finding birds on our stroll through the lightly wooded area on the northern edge of the reserve proved difficult but the undoubted highlight was locating a small flock of Lesser Redpolls feeding in alders along a boggy section and these remained long enough for everyone to watch them through the several telescopes that were present. These small attractive winter visiting finches that breed further north in the UK are always a pleasure to find on a winter walk. In spite of the bright sunshine no adders were found basking in the grassy area.

A visit to one of the lakeside hides gave good views of delightful Little Grebes, quite a good number of Gadwall and a few Pochards.