WILDLIFE: Thursday 11 September 2025; Visit to Heybridge Basin, Maldon
Good afternoon everyone,
I hope those of you that didn't make it Thursday had a good time wherever you were.
Our Wildlife trip this month took us to Heybridge Basin and after a short walk from the car park we took the path to the right along the sea wall. It was easy walking. The tide was out.
It was a very pleasant dry day if not a little windy! We put 4 hours on the car park and hoped we would be back before the ticket ran out.
I hate paying before hand as I always feel under pressure that I might over run.
As it turned out we had enough time to venture a little way to the left along the sea wall as well but I couldn't follow the map I had so we didn't go far. I will save that for me to do some time in the future. We then managed to have lunch at the Wilkins Jam Factory cafe accompanied by sparrows!! It was nice to sit outside as the sun came out lovely!
Birds seen: Blackbird, Robin, Little White Egret (large numbers- up to 40 in one place plus 5 or 6 perching in a tree), Cormorant, Turnstone, Avocet, Redshank, Curlew, Golden Plover, Starling, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Herring Gull, Black Headed Gull, Linnet, Teal, Wood Pigeon (one also seen on nest), Lapwing, Carrion Crow, Oyster Catcher, House Sparrow.
Birds heard: Cetti's Warbler (heard frequently and possibly seen by Alan),
Plants: Everlasting Pea, Dyers Weld, Golden Samphire, Common Mallow, Marsh Woundwort, Woody Nightshade (Bittersweet), Wild Dog Rose bushes covered in red Hips.
Insects: Fire Bugs, Ladybird, Common Wasp, Ivy Bees.
Other Wildlife: very neat Rabbit droppings.
NEXT MONTHS MEETING WILL BE ON THURSDAY 9TH OCTOBER and we are revisiting Phyllis Currie nature reserve to see if the Kingfishers are at home!!
Best wishes Janet
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