Sat 4th May 19

First thing this morning Ian Minton and Max Martin had a wander along the brook from the humpback bridge to the metal gate and noted 1 Tufted Duck (drake) on the brook, 1 Lt. Egret (over) and 1 Fieldfare, 1 Wheatear on the set-aside.

A short while later I joined Pete Loud, Ian & Max in the hide to view the Egyptian Goose they had reported earlier.

Also from the hide :- 2 Canada geese, 2 Greylag, 16+ Shelduck, 10 Teal, 6 Lapwing, 4 BlkWit's, 4 Redshank, 3 Avocet, 2 Oystercatcher, 2 Com. Sandpipers, 1 Spotted Redshank, Blk-headed Gulls, Herring Gulls, 9 LBB, 4 Common, 2 GBB Gulls, 30+ Swallows, 3 House Martins, 1 Sedge, 1 Reed Warblers.

On leaving the hide 4 Sandwich Terns drifted overhead before turning and heading back out to sea.

A seawatch was started at the sluice before being aborted when the skies over Frinton turned extremely black, a hasty relocation to the sailing club shelter saw us settled in just before the heavens opened.
The seawatch was very slow with 20+ Com. Scoter heading south in one group, a Sparrowhawk drifted in from offshore and a couple of Sandwich Tern headed south, but the best bird was a stunning Hobby that came in off the sea very low and close to the shelter giving great views to all.
It was now my lunch time but Pete, Ian & Max continued the seawatch from the promenade cafe and added 1 Sandwich Tern, 1 close Fulmar and 5 adult Gannets with their "Burgers."