WILDLIFE: Visit to Two Tree Island at Leigh on Sea.
Janet and several other members were not available for today’s adventure and so Sue, Ian, Terri, John, Lyn and Alan decided to stay local and visit Two Tree Island. The area has been subject to some anti-social behaviour over the last few months but pleased to report that everything now seemed OK – if you are thinking of visiting.
Two Tree Island is accessed from a road alongside Leigh on Sea railway station. The Western part, towards London, is managed by Essex Wildlife Trust (EWT) but there is also an area to the east, towards Southend, known as Leigh National Nature Reserve, which is also manged by EWT along with Natural England.
We parked at a car park some way before the jetty and made our way across the path on the north side, occasionally being dive bombed by the model aeroplanes that have a regular presence on the island.
It was a glorious day, warm and sunny, and there was lots of bird activity in the scrub land and on the water. The list and photos show what we saw – I have named as many birds, insects and plants as possible but if you see something that isn’t right, please let me know. My conclusion on a couple of birds that were difficult to identity on the day was a Chiffchaff in the bush and Linnets on the path.
Highlights were seeing a pair of very amorous black headed gulls performing right in front of us, several avocets and Firebugs with very aggressive markings.
Birds seen: Oystercatchers, Black-tailed Godwits (in breeding plumage-rusty red breast), Wren, Blackcap, Redshank, Carrion Crows, Skylarks, Little Egret, Chiffchaff, Linnet, Robin, Moorhen, Curlew, Black-headed gulls, Canada Geese, Avocets.
Birds heard but not seen: Cettis Warbler, Pheasant.
Insects: Peacock butterfly, Cabbage White Butterfly, Hairy Caterpillars and nest, Firebugs, swarms of miniature wasps coming from holes in the path.
Plants: Angellica, Wild Cherry Blossom, Wild Iris, Paradise Apple Tree in blossom.
We had a lunch break at the adjacent Golf range, very pleasant.
Suggestion for next month is to visit the Deer at Dagnam Park, Harold Hill.
Best wishes, Alan
Click top half of any photo for full size and quality. Scroll using < > symbols. Swipe left/right on touch screens.
