South East Essex RSPB Field Walk and Coach Trip Reports 2013

Best species count so far - 104 at RSPB Minsmere, Suffolk on the 14/05/06
Best birds - Black-winged Pratincole, Stodmarsh NNR, Kent 17/05/09
Red-footed Falcon, RSPB Lakenheath Fen, 19/05/13




Field Walk

Stambridge Mill to Trout Fisheries - Sunday 15th December 2013

Sun then cloud, mild

Species observed: Mute Swan, Grey Heron, Shelduck, Wigeon, Teal, Mallard, Pintail, Little Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Marsh Harrier (distant over Foulness), Kestrel, Common Pheasant, Moorhen, Avocet (150+), Grey Plover, Lapwing, Sanderling, Dunlin, Curlew, Redshank, Common Gull, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Magpie, Green Woodpecker, Great spotted Woodpecker, Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Wren, Robin, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Redwing, Mistle Thrush, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Jay, Carrion Crow, Starling, Chaffinch, Corn Bunting, Reed Bunting.

Species count: 48

River Roach
River Roach at Stambridge Mill.




Coach trip

Thameside Nature Park and RSPB Rainham Marshes - Sunday 24th November 2013

cloud, cold

Species observed at Thameside Nature Park: Teal, Kestrel, 1000+ Avocet, Curlew, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Skylark, Starling, Wren.

Species count: 11

Species observed at RSPB Rainham Marshes: Mute Swan, Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Shelduck, Wigeon, Gadwall, Teal, Mallard, Pintail, Shoveler, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Pheasant, Little Grebe, Cormorant, Grey Heron, Marsh Harrier, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, Kestrel, Merlin, Peregrine Falcon, Moorhen, Coot, Ringed Plover, Golden Plover, Lapwing, Knot, Dunlin, Snipe, Curlew, Greenshank, Redshank, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Ring-necked Parakeet, Kingfisher, Green Woodpecker, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Robin, Stonechat, Blackbird, Redwing, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Magpie, Skylark, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch.

Species count: 58

Common Pheasant at Rainham
Common Pheasant at RSPB Rainham Marshes.

EWT Thameside Centre
Members of the Southend RSPB Local Group enjoying the view from the Thameside Centre.




Field Walk

Wakering Stairs - Sunday 17th November 2013

cloud, misty

Species observed: Brent Goose, Shelduck, Wigeon, Teal, Shoveler, Red-breasted Merganser (2 drake, 1 female), Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Marsh Harrier, Kestrel, Oystercatcher, Grey Plover, Lapwing, Knot, Sanderling, Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit, Bar-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Redshank, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Stock Dove, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Meadow Pipit, Rock Pipit, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Redwing, Great Tit, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Starling, Goldfinch, Reed Bunting.

Species count: 43



Weekend Away

RSPB Frampton Marsh and Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Gibraltar Point National Nature Reserve - Friday 4th to Sunday 6th October 2013

lovely weather - warm

Species observed at Frampton Marsh: Mute Swan, Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Brent Goose, Shelduck, Wigeon, Teal, Mallard, Pintail, Shoveler, Pheasant, Little Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Kestrel, Moorhen, Avocet, Golden Plover, Lapwing, Little Stint, Curlew Sandpiper, Dunlin, Ruff, Snipe, Black-tailed Godwit, Skylark, Swallow, Meadow Pipit, Robin, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Starling, Tree Sparrow, Goldfinch, Linnet, Yellowhammer.

RSPB Frampron Marsh
RSPB Frampton Marsh

Species observed at Gibraltar Point: Pink-footed Goose, Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Brent Goose, Shelduck, Wigeon, Gadwall, Teal, Mallard, Pintail, Shoveler, Pheasant, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Gannet, Cormorant, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Marsh Harrier, Hen Harrier (male), Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Little Ringed Plover, Ringed Plover, Golden Plover, Grey Plover, Lapwing, Knot, Sanderling, Snipe, Black-tailed Godwit, Bar-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Common Sandpiper, Spotted Redshank, Greenshank, Redshank, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Sandwich Tern, Stock Dove, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Barn Owl, Tawny Owl (heard), Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Skylark, Sand Martin, Swallow, House Martin, Meadow Pipit, Rock Pipit, Yellow Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, White Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Stonechat, Siberian Stonechat, Wheatear, Ring Ouzel, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Redwing, Blackcap, Garden Warbler, Chiffchaff, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Tree Sparrow, Chaffinch, Brambling, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Siskin, Linnet, Reed Bunting.

Total species count: 99

Red Kite and Buzzard seen from A1.

Gibraltar Point National Nature Reserve
Gibraltar Point Centre

Wheatear at Gibraltar Point National Nature Reserve
Wheatear in visitor centre garden

Gibraltar Point National Nature Reserve - RSPB Group
The South East Essex RSPB Group on what was a fantastic weekend

Many thank to Russ Payne for the organisation of the weekend and giving up his time.



Field Walk

Wat Tyler Country Park/ RSPB Vange Marsh - Sunday 29th September 2013

partly cloudy, warm

Species observed: Little Grebe, Cormorant, Grey Heron, Little Egret, Canada Goose, Mallard, Gadwall, Teal, Wigeon, Shoveler, Tufted Duck, Sparrowhawk, Marsh Harrier, Kestrel, Coot, Moorhen, Avocet, Ringed Plover, Lapwing, Dunlin, Little Stint, Redshank, Greenshank, Wood Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, Curlew, Black-tailed Godwit, Snipe, Black-headed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Common Gull, Collared Dove, Stock Dove, Woodpigeon, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Pied Wagtail, Robin, Long-tailed Tit, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Starling, Jay, Magpie, Carrion Crow.

Species count: 46



Coach Trip

NWT Weeting Heath, Norfolk and RSPB Lakenheath Fen, Suffolk - Sunday 19th May 2013

sunny, warm

Species observed at Weeting Heath: Common Pheasant, Buzzard, Stone-curlew, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Skylark, Pied Wagtail, Blackbird, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Coal Tit (heard), Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch.

Species count: 15

Species observed at RSPB Lakenheath Fen: Mute Swan, Whooper Swan, Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Egyptian Goose, Gadwall, Mallard, Shoveler, Tufted Duck, Common Pheasant, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Bittern (two heard), Grey Heron, Marsh Harrier, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Red-footed Falcon, Hobby (20+ at least), Water Rail, Moorhen, Coot, Common Crane, Lapwing, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Common Tern, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Cuckoo, Swift, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Swallow, House Martin, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Cetti's Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, Blackcap, Garden Warbler (x2), Whitethroat, Bearded Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Golden Oriole, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Starling, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Reed Bunting.

Species count: 57

Stone-curlew
Stone-curlew, NWT Weeting Heath. David Lee.

Red-footed Falcon
Red-footed falcon, RSPB Lakenheath Fen. Web Author.



Field Walk

Holehaven Creek - Sunday 12th May 2013

sun and cloud

Species observed: Cormorant, Grey Heron, Little Egret, Shelduck, Mallard, Kestrel, Coot, Moorhen, Oystercatcher, Lapwing, Curlew, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Common Tern, Swift, Collared Dove, Woodpigeon, Cuckoo (male and female), Green Woodpecker, Skylark, Swallow, Dunnock, Whitethroat, Robin, Blackbird, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, House Sparrow, Starling, Jay, Magpie, Rook, Carrion Crow. Species heard: Common Pheasant, Cetti's Warbler, Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Song Thrush, Wren.

Species count: 46



Field Walk

Wakering Common and Fleet Head - Sunday 28th April 2013

clear, warm

Species observed: Mute Swan, Shelduck, Teal, Mallard, Shoveler, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Pheasant, Little Grebe, Little Egret, Marsh Harrier, Kestrel, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Curlew, Redshank, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Cuckoo heard, Green Woodpecker, Skylark, Swallow, Yellow Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Wren, Robin, Wheatear, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Reed Warbler, Blackcap, Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat, Chiffchaff, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Jay, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Linnet. Also: Hare and Weasel.

Species count: 50

Swallows



Coach Trip

RSPB Minsmere, Suffolk - Sunday 21st April 2013

sunny, cold wind

Species observed: Mute Swan, Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Barnacle Goose, Shelduck, Wigeon, Gadwall, Teal, Mallard, Pintail, Garganey, Shoveler, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Red-legged Partridge, Pheasant, Red-throated Diver, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Bittern, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Red Kite, Marsh Harrier, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon (pair displaying), Water Rail, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Lapwing, Ruff, Snipe, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Spotted Redshank, Redshank, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Little Gull, Mediterranean Gull, Common Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Arctic Tern, Common Tern, Stock Dove, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Green Woodpecker, Skylark, Sand Martin, Swallow, House Martin, Meadow Pipit, Yellow Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Stonechat, Blackbird, Cetti's Warbler, Blackcap, Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat, Chiffchaff, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Coal Tit, Marsh Tit, Bearded Tit, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Jay, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Starling, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Linnet, Reed Bunting.

Species count: 90

Marsh Harrier at RSPB Minsmere



Field Walk

RSPB Bowers Marsh (due to open Q4 2013) - Sunday 3rd March 2013

partly cloudy

Species observed: Mute Swan, Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Shelduck, Wigeon, Gadwall, Teal, Mallard, Shoveler, Great Crested Grebe, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Marsh Harrier, Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon, Coot, Lapwing, Ruff (x12), Snipe Curlew, Green Sandpiper, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Starling, Cetti's Warbler heard, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Reed Bunting.

Species count: 32



Coach Trip

RSPB Rye Meads and Fishers Green - Sunday 17th February 2013

sunny, warm

Species observed: RSPB Rye Marsh: Mute Swan, Gadwall, Teal, Mallard, Shoveler, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Cormorant, Bittern, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, Kestrel, Moorhen, Coot, Green Sandpiper, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Kingfisher, Green Woodpecker, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Fieldfare, Song Thrush, Cetti's Warbler, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Starling, Chaffinch, Reed Bunting.

Species count: 35

Species observed: Fishers Green: Mute Swan, Canada Goose, Egyptian Goose, Gadwall, Teal, Mallard, Shoveler, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Goosander, Pheasant, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Bittern, Little Egret, Buzzard, Water Rail, Moorhen, Coot, Lapwing, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Fieldfare, Redwing, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Jay, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Starling, Chaffinch, Goldfinch.

Species count: 42

RSPB Rye Meads
RSPB Rye Meads



Field Walk

Thorndon Country Park (North and South) - Sunday 3rd February 2013

cloudy, very cold

Species observed: Mallard, Tufted Duck, Kestrel, Moorhen, Black-headed Gull, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Wren, Robin, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Goldcrest, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Coal Tit, Nuthatch, Jay, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch.

Species count: 24
Nuthatch Thorndon Country Park



Field Walk

Southend Pier - Sunday 13th January 2013

dull, very cold

Species observed: Brent Goose, Shelduck, 20+ Red-throated Diver, 1 (possibly 2) Great Northern Diver, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Curlew, Oystercatcher, Sanderling, Redshank, Turnstone, 4 Kittiwake, Black-headed Gull, 12 Mediterranean Gull, Common Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, 15+ Guillemot (five right next to pier!), Collared Dove, Carrion Crow.

Species count: 21
Guillemot - southend pier
One of 5 Guillemots swimming around the pier. Photo by Steve Sanford.

grey seal - southend pier
Curious Grey Seal. Photo by Steve Sanford.

Taking photos on southend pier
Steve feeds sausage roll to the Turnstones so that the Web Author can get a close up photo! Photo by Steve Sanford.