Winter Watch November 2011
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Planned months beforehand, it's always a bit of a lottery as to what weather you'll get during the popular Winter and Springwatch breaks. However, thankfully this year's Winterwatch had much more in common with the dry and sunny 2011 Springwatch than its 2010 equivalent. This enabled a full programme to take place in conjunction with the very willing and knowledgeable volunteers from Essex Wildlife Trust, Mike Sandison and Graham Smith. The dry weather also enabled us to get to daily services in the Chapel, appreciated by the many who attended.
The participants in Winterwatch were a mixture of Othona veterans and experienced birdwatchers as well as some who had little or no experience of either. It didn't matter in the slightest; all were made to feel very welcome by the expertise of Mike, Graham, and Kevin Bruce, who also gave us an informative talk on the history of the Dengie Peninsula.
The time of year meant that we concentrated mainly on birds. Mike had prepared us well with a slideshow on the first evening and, as we strode out along the sea wall by the centre, we were able to put our knowledge to good use. As well as the many waders there were a large number of Brent Geese, which winter on the River Blackwater. The following day on the other side of the river at Tollesbury Wick reserve, where Mike is volunteer warden and responsible for the rare breed livestock, we were fortunate enough to spot a Merlin, Britain's smallest bird of prey. On our last day, in beautiful autumn sunshine, at Maylandsea we were lucky to see a Red-Throated Diver in the creek (although confusingly without the red throat of its breeding plumage).
All in all, a great few days. I'm fast becoming a Winter and Springwatch regular but it's this wonderful formula of Othona and wildlife which brings me back time after time. Thanks also to Sheila for her leadership and the Othona team (Matthew, Majk, Pete, & Katalin) for looking after us so well.
Rupert Price
Article originally uploaded by: Sheila Maxey
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