South East Essex RSPB Local Group Field Walk and Coach Trip Reports 2004
FIELD WALK
Two Tree Island - 12th December 2004
Species observed: Little Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Dark Bellied Brent Goose, Shelduck, Teal, Shoveler, Kestrel, Moorhen, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Golden Plover (500+), Grey Plover, Ringed Plover, Lapwing, Common Snipe, Curlew, Greenshank, Turnstone, Dunlin, Great Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Black-headed Gull, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Short-eared Owl, Green Woodpecker, Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Mistle Thrush, Blue Tit, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Starling, Greenfinch, Reed Bunting.
Species count: 40
COACH TRIP
RSPB Elmley Marshes - 28th November 2004
Species observed: Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Grey Heron, Little Egret, Mute Swan, Bewick's Swan, Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Shelduck, Wigeon, Gadwall, Teal, Mallard, Pintail (40+), Shoveler, Red-breasted Merganser, Marsh Harrier, Peregrine Falcon, Kestrel, Merlin, Grey Partridge, Common Pheasant, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Golden Plover, Grey Plover, Ringed Plover, Lapwing, Common Snipe, Greenshank, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Common Redshank, Turnstone, Knot, Dunlin, Common Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Black-headed Gull, Short-eared Owl, Pied Wagtail, Stonechat, Blackbird, Fieldfare, Goldcrest, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Starling, Robin, House Sparrow, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Reed Bunting.
Species count: 60
FIELD WALK
East Tilbury - 14th November 2004
Species observed: Little Grebe, Cormorant, Grey Heron, Shelduck, Wigeon, Teal, Mallard, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Moorhen, Oystercatcher, Pied Avocet (245), Golden Plover, Grey Plover, Common Ringed Plover, Lapwing, Black-tailed Godwit, Bar-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Redshank, Turnstone, Knot, Dunlin, Common Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Black-headed Gull, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker, Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Stonechat, Blackbird, Fieldfare, Redwing, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Jay, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Linnet, Reed Bunting.
Species count: 58
FIELD WALK
Blue House Farm - 24th October 2004
Species observed: Little Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Mute Swan, Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Barnacle Goose, Brent Goose, Shelduck, Wigeon, Teal, Mallard, Pintail, Shoveler, Tufted Duck, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Common Pheasant, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover, Golden Plover, Grey Plover, Lapwing, Dunlin, Curlew, Redshank, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Short-eared Owl (great views hunting across fields), Green Woodpecker, Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Stonechat, Blackbird, Goldcrest, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Linnet, Reed Bunting. Also Peacock, Painted Lady and Red Admiral butterflies.
Species count: 60
COACH TRIP
Dungeness - 26th September 2004
Species observed: Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Black-necked Grebe, Gannet, Cormorant, Grey Heron, Ruddy Duck, Mute Swan, Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Shelduck, Wigeon, Gadwall, Common Teal, Mallard, Pintail, Shoveler, Tufted Duck, Common Scoter, Marsh Harrier, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Hobby, Peregrine Falcon, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Lapwing, Common Snipe, Black-tailed Godwit, Common Sandpiper, Turnstone, Little Stint, Dunlin, Curlew Sandpiper, Great Skua, Arctic Skua, Common Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Yellow-legged Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Black-headed Gull, Little Gull, Kittiwake, Sandwich Tern, Common Tern, Black Tern, Razorbill, Feral Pigeon, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Kingfisher, Green Woodpecker, Swallow, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Yellow Wagtail, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Whinchat, Stonechat, Wheatear, Blackbird, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Bearded Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit,
Magpie, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Reed Bunting, Corn Bunting.
Species count: 78
FIELD WALK
Wakering Common - 12th September 2004
Species observed: Cormorant, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Dark Bellied Brent Goose, Common Shelduck, Wigeon, Teal, Mallard, Marsh Harrier (juvenile male), Sparrowhawk x2 (female took Wood Pigeon from roof of old hut on Rushley!), Kestrel, Red-legged Partridge, Common Pheasant, Oystercatcher, Pied Avocet, Lapwing, Bar-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Common Redshank, Greenshank, Turnstone, Great Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Black-headed Gull, Stock Dove, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Swallow, House Martin, Meadow Pipit, Yellow Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, Whinchat, Blackbird, Chiffchaff, Blue Tit, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Starling, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Linnet, Corn Bunting.
Species Count: 45
COACH TRIP
Stodmarsh / Grove Ferry Kent - 16th May 2004
Species observed: Little Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Mute Swan, Greylag Goose, Shelduck, Gadwall, Mallard, Garganey (3m, 1f), Pochard, Tufted Duck, Marsh Harrier (3m inc. one very pale bird), Sparrowhawk, Common Buzzard (seen from M2), Kestrel, Hobby (25+, 42 reported), Common Pheasant, Moorhen, Coot, Ringed Plover, Common Redshank, Common Sandpiper, Dunlin, Herring Gull, Black-headed Gull, Common Tern, Stock Dove, Wood Pigeon, Turtle Dove, Collared Dove, 3 Cuckoo, Swift, Kingfisher, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker, Skylark, Sand Martin, Swallow, House Martin, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Yellow Wagtail, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Nightingale, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Cetti's Warbler (many), Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Spotted Flycatcher, Bearded Tit (many), Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Jay, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Linnet, Bullfinch, Reed Bunting.
Also: Fox and Marsh Frogs.
Species Count: 71
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FIELD WALK
Danbury Common - 09th May 2004
Species observed: Grey Heron, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Common Pheasant, Black-headed Gull, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Cuckoo, Swift, Swallow, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker, Pied Wagtail, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Nightingale, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Blackcap, Garden Warbler (heard), Common Whitethroat, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Treecreeper, Jay, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Linnet, Yellowhammer.
Species Count: 41
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COACH TRIP
RSPB Minsmere - 25th April 2004
Possibly our best visit to the wonderful Minsmere. The six Bittern mentioned below were all seen in the air for a good five minutes. A Marsh Harrier spooked a female Bittern which then took to the air followed by (we think) five males. The aerial display of Marsh Harrier Vs. Bittern was something quite spectacular! The day was also memorable for the sight of three otters from the mere hide and two dancing adders.
Species observed: Little Grebe. Great Crested Grebe, Fulmar, Cormorant, Little Egret (x3), Grey Heron, Bittern (x6), Mute Swan, Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Shelduck, Wigeon, Gadwall, Common Teal, Mallard, Shoveler, Common Pochard, Tufted Duck, Marsh Harrier (x5), Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Hobby, Red-legged Partridge, Common Pheasant, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Pied Avocet, Grey Plover, Common Ringed Plover, Lapwing, Common Snipe, Black-tailed Godwit, Bar-tailed Godwit, Whimbrel, Spotted Redshank, Common Redshank, Greenshank, Turnstone, Dunlin, Ruff, Common Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Sandwich Tern, Common Tern, Little Tern, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker, Skylark, Sand Martin, Swallow, House Martin, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Nightingale, Common Redstart, Stonechat, Wheatear, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Cetti's Warbler, Grasshopper Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, Blackcap, Garden Warbler, Common Whitethroat, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Bearded Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Marsh Tit, Coal Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Jay, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Linnet, Bullfinch, Reed Bunting.
Species Count: 98
 The male Marsh Harrier in pursuit of three Bitterns (the other two birds were just below this group and out of shot)  Strike! Bittern takes avoiding action after being attacked by the Marsh Harrier  Excited by the commotion, three more Marsh Harriers join in.  Distance Bittern at rest |
FIELD WALK
Dunton Plotlands - 10th April 2004
Species observed: Canada Goose, Moorhen, Black-headed Gull, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Treecreeper, Jay, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch.
Species Count: 22
FIELD WALK
Wakering Stairs - 21st March 2004
Species observed: Cormorant, 6 Little Egret, Grey Heron, Brent Goose, Shelduck, Mallard, Kestrel, Red-legged Partridge, Common Pheasant, Moorhen, Oystercatcher, Grey Plover, Ringed Plover, Lapwing, Curlew, Common Redshank, Turnstone, Knot, c.200 Sanderling, Dunlin, Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Green Woodpecker, Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Robin, Stonechat, Blackbird, Blue Tit, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Starling, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Yellowhammer, Reed Bunting.
Species Count: 39
COACH TRIP
WWT London Wetland Centre - 29th February 2004
Species observed: Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Grey Heron, Bittern, Ruddy Duck, Mute Swan, Whooper Swan (feral), Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Wigeon, Gadwall, Teal, Shoveler, Common Pochard, Tufted Duck, Goldeneye, Sparrowhawk (x4), Water Rail, Moorhen, Coot, Lapwing, Common Snipe, Jack Snipe, Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Black-headed Gull, Feral Pigeon, Stock Dove, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Rose-ringed Parakeet, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker, Pied Wagtail, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Stonechat, Blackbird, Redwing, Mistle Thrush, Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Starling, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Siskin, Goldfinch, Reed Bunting.
Species Count: 53
Also: 1 Zebra Finch on centre roof!
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FIELD WALK
Marsh Farm / River Roach - 08th February 2004
Species observed: Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Mute Swan, Shelduck, Wigeon, Teal, Mallard, Shoveler, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Golden Plover, Lapwing, Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Redshank, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Greater Black-backed Gull, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Green Woodpecker, Skylark, Meadow pipit, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Stonechat, Blackbird, Fieldfare, Song Thrush, Redwing, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Jay, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Starling, Greenfinch, Reed Bunting.
Species Count: 48 (despite the howling gale!)
Southend Pier - 18th January 2004
Species observed: Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Brent Goose, Oystercatcher, Grey Plover, Bar-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Common Redshank, Turnstone, Knot, Great Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Black-headed Gull, Mediterranean Gull (13), Razorbill (close in to pier), Guillemot, Feral Pigeon, Collared Dove.
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Species Count: 17