On a balmy September morning that belied the approach of autumn, 10 members stepped out on a bustling Maldon prom to see what could be seen on the mudflats. As the seasons change, so does our birdlife, with some moving to coastal feeding grounds after breeding inland while others head south for the winter, with some travelling thousands of miles to sub-Saharan Africa. Meanwhile, we await the return of winter visitors such as brent geese from inside the Arctic Circle. We were lucky enough to catch sight of a greenshank, a passage migrant usually only seen around this time of year as individuals head south to overwinter in west Africa after breeding on moorland or occasionally in woods. This large, lanky wader has greenish legs, as its name suggests, with most sightings on coastal waterways or inland freshwater wetlands. Its long, slightly upturned bill is used to probe the mud for food, and can also be swept from side to side to catch insects and other small creatures. Around the greenshank were an abundance of redshank, a smaller wader also named after its legs. This active, noisy bird was also known as the 'watchdog of the marshes' as it is often the first wader to fly when humans approach. In winter, redshank can form flocks and sometimes nest in small colonies. Their nests may be some way from the water to which they often face a dangerous journey. One brood was seen to travel 2km in 24 hours, negotiating walls, roads, fences and a ditch, a parent carrying them over one wall between its legs. A number of black tailed godwit, a large wader with a distinctive upturned bill, were also to be seen. This bird has become a common winter visitor to our coasts this century and is increasing as a breeding species in Britain after becoming extinct but making a comeback in the early 1950s.

The next walk will take place on the 6th October.

For further details please Contact the Membership Secretary on 01245 329435 [email protected]