Spotted Flycatcher

Spent a delightful half and hour or so watching this Spotted Flycatcher as it preened, oblivious of our presence.   After some time sorting out the feathers, it flew out, caught a tasty morsel and came back to the same perch.

Marvellous!

Wallasea Island

A few shots from Wallasea Island, Essex.   A new RSPB Reserve which is being developed to encourage greater areas of salt marsh, and providing encroachment areas for a rising sea level.

Wallasea Island mud flats

With a low tide there was not too much to see along the mud flats beyond the sea wall.

Reserve under development

Inside the sea wall the RSPB are developing a new Reserve with scrapes and plenty of mud!

Weasel

This weasel appeared to be chasing a whinchat - we didn't see the whinchat after it had flown off - presumably keeping out of our way as well as that of the weasel.

Small heath

Several small heath butterflies were around, surprising me at first as they were so small.

We saw some we missed some

Quite an encouraging list from so new a reserve - bearing in mind the number of canada geese present, there is some real potential here for wintering geese and wildfowl.

We had over 25 yellow wagtails - none were close enough for my camera skills sadly.   Huge flocks of linnet and goldfinch, whimbrel, kestrel, grey heron, several little egret and mute swan.

In addition swallow were flying inside the sea wall feeding just below us, giving great views.