Cattawade to Flatford field trip
Sunday 6th August 2006
Leader Barry Hart
Turtle dove
We assembled in the riverside Co-operative car park in Manningtree for this summer ramble. The weather was fine, but a little overcast for our first trip to this area since the RSPB acquired the management of the marshes.
As we climbed the bank to the river wall we encountered a large vociferous group of house sparrows in the bushes, a welcome sight for some members who have lost the species as a garden bird. High tide meant black-headed gulls dominating the river scene. The industrial site was more productive with a common gull on the roof watching us, giving good photographic opportunities as the sun burnt through revealing blue sky.
A large group of starlings were busy feeding on waste ground in the compound and we saw our first reed warbler, one of several ticked along the river as we travelled westward. The area near the railway bridge produced the now ubiquitous little egret. The normally wet low lying meadow near the sewage works, a favourite spot for 'twitchers', but now dry from July's heat wave, held only corvids, including several jackdaws and a few lapwings. As we carefully crossed the busy A137, the 'tinkling' sound of goldfinches could be heard overhead and some of the group glimpsed a kingfisher, which was seen again (or another) at the same spot on our return.
With bird activity low key and species limited as expected in early August some members of the group busied themselves identifying flowers, butterflies and a plethora of dragonflies on this Essex leg of the walk. We stopped at Judas Gap Weir to view sedge warblers travelling up reed stems as though on pulleys and managed fleeting glimpses of two common sandpipers. Our only raptor for the day, a kestrel, was seen on a bush overlooking the marsh as we neared the lock.
Approaching Flatford Mill we were able to watch a pair of turtle doves, no doubt far more plentiful in Constable's days, renovating their nest and unnoticed by the many tourists strolling around this local treasure. Its location 2.5 miles into this circular walk is ideal for birdwatchers in need of refreshment.
Away from the river and nearing mid-day it was very quiet on our return leg on the Suffolk border although reaching the Brantham Road we were treated to a close view of busy house martins toing and froing from a continuous row of nests on a cottage.
As we re-crossed the A137 into Cattawade, high tide had passed and we were able to add black-tailed godwit and whimbrel to our day list.
Barry Cooper
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