Though only a few minutes walk from Colchester town centre, Roman Cottage
is ideally placed for wildlife (especially bird) enthusiasts like ourselves.
The small courtyard garden attracts Great and Blue Tits, Song Thrushes,
Blackbirds, Robins, Dunnocks and many others.
Turn left out of the cottage and you will encounter Magpies, Jackdaws
and Carrion Crows everywhere.
The exotic but elusive Jay is the other member of the crow family to be
found here. Collared Doves and Woodpigeons are common in the trees
bordering the parkland and the ancient Roman Wall, and many passerines
such as Whitethroat and Blackcap will make their appearance in summer.
Walk through the archway in the Roman wall and the park lies ahead.
Goldcrests have been seen in the cedar trees here, and the smaller
trees and bushes in the park itself house Long-tailed and other Tits
and Wrens.
Next to the park lies a broad expanse of beautifully kept grass and
mature trees providing an excellent feeding ground for Green Woodpeckers
and Redwings, as well as the ever-present Grey Squirrel.
The River Colne flows through the parkland and around a large lake,
together providing a haven for water birds. Kingfishers regularly
patrol this section of the river.
A Grey Heron often appears in the lakeside reeds, ducks such as
Mallard, Gadwall, Tufted Duck and Goosander frequent the lake and
river with other divers like Cormorant and Little Grebe.
The river is very beautiful in summer and the Great Crested Grebe and
Little Egret are likely to turn up regularly.
The other river bank is a little oasis of wilderness. Whilst very
accessible, it is home to other wildlife.
This spectacular Banded Demoiselle is certainly one of the most
beautiful insects I have seen. This type of damselfly is said
to be have inspired the concept of winged 'fairies'.
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