October 2008

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October brings a rush of immigrant birds which will spend the winter months with us. Redwings, attractive small thrushes, arrive from Scandinavia and the Baltic and will be widely distributed by the end of the month. There's a big crop of hawthorn berries awaiting them in the hedgerows and they can also be seen on pastures where there are plenty of worms in the moist ground. On warm, still autumn nights it's possible to hear the thin "seep" call notes of redwings as they pass overhead on their incoming nocturnal flights.

Other arrivals from across the North Sea to look for are woodcocks and short-eared owls, Because of the simultaneous nature of these immigrations the short-eared owls used to be called woodcock owls
along the east coast. In the past two or three winters the owls have been scarce, possibly due to a shortage of prey such as voles here and a plentiful supply of prey in areas of NW Europe. We can hope that the 2008/9 winter will see a welcome return to our coastal marshes and grasslands. Best sites are East Mersea; Walton Naze; Colne Point; Tollesbury Wick and Old Hall Marsh Reserve. You may be lucky to find woodcock in damp woodland glades or moist meadowland.

The other welcome returning winter bird is the dark-bellied brent goose, the iconic emblem bird of the Essex Birdwatching Society. Thousands will be back in coastal Essex from their Siberian tundra breeding grounds. Little groups were already here by mid—September and I saw 10 at Walton Naze on September 16. Big flocks are present at Cudmore Grove, East Mersea; Walton Backwaters; Colne Point; Tollesbury Wick and in the estuaries of the Colne and Blackwater. There’s also a build-up of wading birds in these areas especially large flocks of golden plovers and lapwings.

There was a very large movement of birds heading south for the winter during September. As I predicted in my September issue of watching Wildlife Walton Naze proved to be a real "hot spot" and during my visit of September 16 I saw upwards of 30 wheatears plus several redstarts, two spotted flycatchers and numerous lesser and commonn whitethroats and, most exciting of all, a barred warbler. The big movement of wheatears continued on September 19. At Brightlingsea I counted more than 20 feeding on insects among the granite blocks which form the sea defence along what used to be the old Brightlingsea railway line.

On sunny and warm days in October you may still see some butterflies feeding on late garden flowers such as Michaelmas daisies, dahlias and rudbeckias and also on ivy bloom which is attractive to moths at night. Red admirals, commas and small tortoiseshells feed up before going into hibernation.

Remarkably 2008 has seen a big revival in the numbers of small tortoiseshells after several years of low numbers of a once-abundant species. Reports in August and September from all over the country highlighted a substantial comeback. These butterflies will go into hibernation, sometimes in houses and outbuildings, and if there's a good winter survival rate lots will be seen next spring to continue this very welcome recovery. Larval foodplant is nettle.

Commas have been especially common this late summer and early autumn. When I visited Fordham Hall Estate on September 20 I counted no fewer than 18 feeding on ripe blackberries or ivy bloom. The jagged-winged Comma often hibernates among clusters of dead leaves or on sheltered tree trunks. With its wings folded it looks just like a withered leaf.

October sees a flush of fungi in woods and fields. Conspicuous is the fly agaric with its red, white-spotted cap and among the many other species are the parasols and numerous boletus and russulas. Especially beautiful are the small wax caps in shades of red, orange and yellow, often turning up in churchyards in the mown grass. If you want to learn more about the fascinating world of fungi then join one of the advertised fungus forays. Popular leader of most of these forays is Ian Rose. Ian will lead a foray at Highwoods Country Park on Saturday, November 9. Meet at the Centre 10 a.m.

Ian will also lead a fungi hunt at Holkham Pines and Wells, North Norfolk, on Sunday, October 19. This trip will also be good for wintering birds among the woods and dunes. Non—members of Colchester Natural History Society, are welcome and if you wish to book a coach seat write to:- Mrs Carole Rogers at 121, Mile End Road, Colchester, CO4 5DA or telephone booking on 01206 853942.

Below: Woodcocks are also among immigrants from the Continent in October. They are flushed from hiding places in damp woods and meadows.

October is a prime month for fungi hunting. Parasols are prominent such as this shaggy parasol which is one of the edible species.

Wax caps are little gems among the fungi found in short grassland and even in churchyards. This is the red species, Hygrophorus coccineus.

October brings the welcome return from Siberia of the dark-bellied race of the brent goose. Thousands present at East Mersea; Colne Point; Walton Blackwaters; Tollesbmry Wick and Old Hall Marshes.

In September there was a very big movement of wheatears along the Essex coast with scores being noted at Walton, Colne Point, Mersea Island and Brightlingsea.

Redwings, which spend the winter months here, arrive from northern Europe in October.

Short-eared owls hunt coastal marshes, reedbeds and sea walls from October after arriving from across the North Sea.

Like the small tortoiseshell the comma butterfly has had a good year in 2008. In late September many seen feeding on garden flowers, ivy bloom and ripe blackberries before going into hibernation. 18 present at Fordham Hall Estate on September 20.

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