South East Essex RSPB Field Walk and Coach Trip Reports 2016
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
Glossy Ibis, Wat Tyler Country Park, 11/09/15
Field Walk
Stambridge Mill - Wednesday 14th December 2016
sunny, very warm
Mute Swan, Brent Goose, Shelduck, Wigeon, Teal, Mallard, Pintail, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Moorhen, Pheasant, Coot, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Ringed Plover, Grey Plover, Lapwing, Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Redshank, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Stock Dove, Woodpigeon, Green Woodpecker, Goldcrest, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Skylark, Long-tailed Tit, Wren, Starling, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Robin, Stonechat, Dunnock, House Sparrow, Pied Wagtail, Goldfinch, Linnet, Reed Bunting. Brown Hare, Weasel.
Bird count: 48
Field Walk
RSPB Bowers Marsh - Sunday 04th December 2016
sunny, cold
Carrion Crow, Blue Tit, Black-headed Gull, Woodpigeon, Herring Gull, Starling, Collared Dove, Jackdaw, Robin, Chaffinch, House Sparrow, Dunnock, Rook, Canada Goose, Magpie, Greylag Goose, Mute Swan, Lapwing, Skylark, Wigeon, White-fronted Goose (12), Fieldfare, Stock Dove, Meadow Pipit, Snipe, Blackbird, Little Egret, Tufted Duck, Great Black-backed Gull, Teal, Coot, Little Grebe, Gadwall, Pied Wagtail, Black-tailed Godwit, Linnet, Reed Bunting, Stonechat, Grey Plover, Redshank, Kestrel, Common Gull, Dunlin, Grey Heron, Shoveler, Cormorant, Pochard, Mallard, Green Sandpiper, Long-tailed Tit, Pheasant, Wren, Goldfinch, Greenfinch. Red Fox.
Bird count: 54
Field Walk
EWT Chigborough Lakes and Heybridge Basin - Sunday 27th November 2016
cloudy, cold
EWT Chigborough Lakes
Mute Swan, Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Gadwall, Mallard, Shoveler, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Pheasant, Cormorant, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Sparrowhawk, Coot, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Magpie, Jay, Goldcrest, Blue Tit, Cetti's Warbler, Long-tailed Tit, Treecreeper, Blackbird, Fieldfare, Redwing, Robin, Grey Wagtail, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Bullfinch, Carrion Crow, Lapwing, Great Tit, Common Gull, Moorhen.
Heybridge Basin
Wigeon, Goldeneye, Marsh Harrier, Peregrine, Moorhen, Cormorant, Black-headed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Collared Dove, House Sparrow, Carrion Crow, Lapwing, Teal, Curlew, Starling, Magpie, Woodpigeon, Little Egret, Shelduck, Little Grebe, Coot, Blue Tit, Black-tailed Godwit, Redshank, Brent Goose, Kestrel, Robin, Shag, Turnstone, Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Linnet, Blackbird, Reed Bunting, Greylag Goose, Great Crested Grebe, Oystercatcher, Pied Wagtail, Long-tailed Tit, Wren.
Bird count Chigborough: 40
Bird count Heybridge: 40
Canada Geese, EWT Chigborough Lakes
Field Walk
EWT Two Tree Island - Monday 14th November 2016
Rain then cloud
Brent Goose, Shelduck, Wigeon, Teal, Shoveler, Red-breasted Merganser, Pheasant, Cormorant, Little Egret, Little Grebe, Kestrel, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Ringed Plover, Lapwing, Knot, Dunlin, Snipe, Black-tailed Godwit, Bar-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Greenshank, Redshank, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Sparrowhawk, Woodpigeon, Magpie, Jay, Carrion Crow, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Skylark, Long-tailed Tit, Wren, Green Woodpecker, Starling, Blackbird, Robin, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Reed Bunting, Kingfisher, Song Thrush, Dunnock, Grey Plover, Grey Heron, Great Black-backed Gull, Canada Goose, House Sparrow.
Bird count: 56
Knot and Dunlin on lagoon
Field Walk
EWT The Naze - Sunday 30th October 2016
sunny mild
Black-headed Gull, Rook, Woodpigeon, Magpie, Starling, Robin, Herring Gull, Blackbird, Chaffinch, Brent Goose, Jackdaw, Lapwing, Blue Tit, Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Reed Bunting, Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, Wren, Jay, Great Tit, Dunnock, Mallard, Kestrel, Cormorant, Little Egret, Teal, Stonechat, Redshank, Turnstone, Common Buzzard, Curlew, Grey Plover, Bar-tailed Godwit, Grey Heron, Shelduck, Linnet, Great Black-backed Gull, Dunlin, Woodcock, Sparrowhawk, Pheasant, Long-tailed Tit, Goldfinch, House Sparrow. Common Seal. Red Admiral, Clouded Yellow, Small White. Walton-on-the Naze (The Parade): Mediterranean Gull (adult).
Bird count: 47
Coach Trip
Dungeness Bird Observatory and RSPB Dungeness - Sunday 16th October 2016
rain shower, windy and some sun
Mute Swan, Bean Goose, White-fronted Goose, Greylag Goose, Wigeon, Gadwall, Teal, Mallard, Pintail, Shoveler, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Common Scoter, Gannet, Cormorant, Little Egret, Great White Egret (15!), Grey Heron, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Marsh Harrier, Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon, Moorhen, Coot, Golden Plover, Lapwing, Snipe, Black-tailed Godwit, Redshank, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Dunlin, Woodpigeon, Kingfisher, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Swallow, Cetti's Warbler, Chiffchaff, Starling, Ring Ouzel, Mistle Thrush, Robin, Black Redstart, Stonechat, House Sparrow, Tree Sparrow, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Brambling, Greenfinch, Goldfinch.
Bird count: 60
Great White Egret
Field Trip
Wat Tyler Country Park and RSPB Vange Marsh - Tuesday 4th October 2016
warm, windy, cloudy
Wat Tyler Country Park
Little Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Canada Goose, Mallard, Gadwall, Shoveler, Teal, Tufted Duck, Marsh Harrier, Common Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Moorhen, Coot, Lapwing, Green Sandpiper, Redshank, Curlew, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Wood Pigeon, Pied Wagtail, Robin, Cettis Warbler, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Carrion Crow, Magpie, Starling, House Sparrow, Goldfinch, Red Admiral, Speckled Wood, Wall, Weasel.
Bird count: 35
RSPB Vange Marsh
Little Grebe, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Mute Swan, Mallard, Gadwall, Shoveler, Wigeon, Teal, Ringed Plover, Lapwing, Little Stint, Green Sandpiper, Redshank, Spotted Redshank, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Snipe, Ruff, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Stock Dove, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Pied Wagtail.
Bird count: 27
Field Trip
Bradwell Bird Observatory - Sunday 25th September 2016
warm, windy, cloudy
Pheasant, Cormorant, Little Egret, Marsh Harrier, Buzzard, Kestrel, Oystercatcher, Golden Plover, Dunlin, Curlew, Turnstone, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Common Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Collared Dove, Woodpigeon, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Swallow, House Martin, Starling, Blackbird, Robin, Wheatear, Dunnock, House Sparrow, Meadow Pipit, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Cetti's Warbler (heard).
Species count: 34
Wheatear
Field Trip
Canvey Sea Watch - Monday 19th September 2016
warm, cloudy
Brent Goose, Shelduck, Cormorant, Little Egret, Great Crested Grebe, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, Ringed Plover, Grey Plover, Dunlin, Bar-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Redshank, Turnstone, Common Scoter, 5x Skua sp., Black-headed Gull, Mediterranean Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Black Tern, Sandwich Tern, Woodpigeon, Swallow, House Martin, Pied Wagtail, Great Black-backed Gull, Starling, Oystercatcher, Black-tailed Godwit, Carrion Crow, Pintail, Sand Martin.
Species count: 34
Swallow, Canvey Seafront
Field Trip
Rutland Water Nature Reserve - Monday 31st July 2016
warm sunny spells
Mute Swan, Egyptian Goose, Gadwall, Mallard, Pochard, Great White Egret, Great Crested Grebe, Buzzard, Osprey, Kestrel, Hobby, Moorhen, Coot, Stock Dove, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Magpie, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Marsh Tit, Whitethroat, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Blackbird, Tree Sparrow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Linnet, Reed Bunting, Chiffchaff, Sparrowhawk, Sedge Warbler, Pied Wagtail. Collared Dove, House Sparrow, Robin, Wood Pigeon, Canada Goose, Cormorant, Tufted Duck, Greylag Goose, Black-headed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Carrion Crow, Long-tailed Tit, House Martin, Sand Martin, Swallow, Swift, Common Sandpiper, Lapwing, Grey Heron, Little Egret, Redshank, Ringed Plover, Little Ringed Plover, Teal, Herring Gull, Bullfinch, Jackdaw, Blackcap, Goldcrest, Pheasant, Rook.
Species count: 65
Hobby, Rutland water
Tree Sparrows, Rutland Water
Coach Trip
Rye Harbour Nature Reserve - Sunday 22nd May 2016
cloudy, rain showers, cool
Mute Swan, Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Egyptian Goose, Shelduck, Gadwall, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Pheasant, Cormorant, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Marsh Harrier, Buzzard, Kestrel, Hobby, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Ringed Plover, Lapwing, Whimbrel, Redshank, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Mediterranean Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Little Tern, Sandwich Tern, Common Tern, Arctic Tern, Stock Dove, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Cuckoo, Swift, Kingfisher, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Skylark, Swallow, House Martin, Long-tailed Tit, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, Wren, Starling, Blackbird, Mistle Thrush, Robin, Nightingale, Wheatear, House Sparrow, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Linnet, Reed Bunting.
Species count: 71
Mistle Thrush Rye.
Field Walk
Wakering Common Dawn Chorus - Tuesday 17th May 2016
warm, sunny
Greylag Goose, Mallard, Pheasant, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, 1 Cuckoo, 4 Swift, 6 Skylark, Swallow, 3 Cetti's Warbler, Blackcap, Whitethroat, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Reed Warbler, Wren, Blackbird, 1 Song Thrush, Dunnock, House Sparrow, 4 Yellow Wagtail, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, 6 Linnet, 4 Corn Bunting.
Species count: 25
Field Walk
Abberton Reservoir and EWT Fingringhoe Wick - Sunday 08th May 2016
sunny, hot
Abberton Reservoir
Mute Swan, Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Gadwall, Mallard, Shoveler, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Cormorant, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Great Crested Grebe, Coot, Oystercatcher, Lapwing, Common Sandpiper, Black Tern (x6), Common Tern, Woodpigeon, Cuckoo (x2), Rook, Carrion Crow, Nightingale (heard), Skylark, Swallow, Cetti's Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, Yellow Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Goldfinch, Linnet, Reed Bunting, Pheasant, Shelduck, Moorhen, Black-headed Gull, Blackbird, Jackdaw (+6).
Species count: 39
EWT Fingringhoe Wick
Greylag Goose, Shelduck, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Little Egret, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Marsh Harrier, Kestrel, Oystercatcher, Grey Plover, Bar-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Redshank, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Cuckoo, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Swallow, Cetti's Warbler, Long-tailed Tit, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Garden Warbler, Whitethroat, Reed Warbler, Starling, Nightingale, Dunnock, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Bullfinch (x3), Reed Bunting, Moorhen, Robin, Pied Wagtail, Stock Dove, Blackbird, Wren, Great Black-backed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Mediterranean Gull, Common Tern, Brent Goose, Cormorant, Avocet, Goldfinch, Linnet, Sedge Warbler, Coot, Green Woodpecker, Mute Swan, Whimbrel (+20).
Species count: 58
Shoveler at Abberton
Coach Trip
RSPB Minsmere, Suffolk - Sunday 24th April 2016
sunny, showers, cool
Mute Swan, Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Barnacle Goose, Shelduck, Gadwall, Teal, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Cormorant, Bittern, Little Egret, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Marsh Harrier, Buzzard, Kestrel, Hobby, Water Rail, Moorhen, Coot, Avocet, Stone-curlew, Little Ringed Plover, Lapwing, Snipe, Black-tailed Godwit, Whimbrel, Spotted Redshank, Redshank, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Mediterranean Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Sandwich Tern, Common Tern, Woodpigeon, Little Owl, Swift, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Coal Tit, Marsh Tit, Bearded Tit, Sand Martin, House Martin, Cetti's Warbler, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat, Dartford Warbler, Wren, Blackbird, Robin, Redstart, Stonechat, Wheatear, Dunnock, Yellow Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Linnet, Reed Bunting, Long-tailed Tit, Pheasant, Oystercatcher, Sedge Warbler, Bar-tailed Godwit, Grey Heron, Shoveler, Goldcrest.
Species count: 80
Redstart, RSPB Minsmere
Field Walk
EWT Blue House Farm - Tuesday 19th April 2016
sunny, warm
Mute Swan, Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Barnacle Goose, Shelduck, Gadwall, Teal, Mallard, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, male Marsh Harrier, Buzzard, Kestrel, Coot, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Golden Plover in summer plumage, Lapwing, Redshank, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Magpie, Rook, Carrion Crow, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Bearded Tit, Skylark, Swallow, Cetti's Warbler, Chiffchaff, Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, Wren, Starling, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Robin, Wheatear, Dunnock, House Sparrow, Yellow Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Linnet, Reed Bunting.
Species count: 56
Field Walk
Hadleigh Castle Country Park - Sunday 17th April 2016
sunny, cool
Grey Heron, Mallard, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Stock Dove, Woodpigeon, Green Woodpecker (heard), Great Spotted Woodpecker (drumming), Swallow, Pied Wagtail, Dunnock, Lesser Whitethroat, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Robin, Blackbird, Song Thrush (singing), Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Starling, Jay, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow.
Species count: 30
Hadleigh CP Photo by John Attfield.
Field Walk
South Fambridge - Sunday 20th March 2016
cloudy, mild
Mute Swan, Brent Goose, Shelduck, Wigeon, Teal, Mallard, Red-breasted Merganser (pair), Red-legged Partridge, Pheasant, Cormorant, Grey Heron, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Buzzard (x4), Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Grey Plover, Dunlin, Curlew, Redshank, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Magpie, Jay, Rook, Carrion Crow, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Skylark, Long-tailed Tit, Wren, Starling, Blackbird, Robin, Dunnock, House Sparrow, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Reed Bunting.
Species count: 49
Red-breasted Merganser
Buzzard
Field Walk
Two Tree Island - Tuesday 08th March 2016
cloudy, cold
Little Grebe, Mute Swan, Canada Goose, Brent Goose, Shelduck, Mallard, Teal, Wigeon, Shoveler, Water Rail, Coot, Moorhen, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Ringed Plover, Grey Plover, Turnstone, Dunlin, Knot, Redshank, Curlew, Black-tailed Godwit, Snipe, Black-headed Gull, Woodpigeon, Kingfisher (possibly 2-1 on the West and 1 on the East), Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Reed Bunting, Chaffinch, Cetti's Warbler, Starling, Magpie, Carrion Crow.
Species count: 42
Coach Trip
RSPB Rye Meads and Lee Valley Park Farm - Sunday 21st February 2016
cloudy, mild
RSPB Rye Meads
Canada Goose, Shelduck, Gadwall, Teal, Mallard, Shoveler, Pochard, Pheasant, Cormorant, Little Grebe, Kestrel, Water Rail, Moorhen, Coot, Lapwing, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Kingfisher, Green Woodpecker, Magpie, Jay, Rook, Carrion Crow, Goldcrest, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Cetti's Warbler, Long-tailed Tit, Wren, Starling, Blackbird, Fieldfare, Song Thrush, Robin, Dunnock, Pied Wagtail, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Reed Bunting.
Species count: 42
Lee Valley Park Farm
Mute Swan, Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Egyptian Goose, Wigeon, Gadwall, Mallard, Shoveler, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Goosander, Pheasant, Cormorant, Grey Heron, Great Crested Grebe, Sparrowhawk, Water Rail, Lapwing, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Kingfisher, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Wren, Fieldfare, Redwing, Robin, House Sparrow, Pied Wagtail, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Siskin, Lesser Redpoll.
Species count: 39
Field Walk
Hockley Woods - Tuesday 16th February 2016
Sunny, cold
Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, Stock Dove, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Magpie, Jay, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Rook, Goldcrest, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Song Thrush, Redwing, Robin, Dunnock, Chaffinch, Goldfinch.
Species count: 22
Field Walk
RSPB Rainham Marshes - Sunday 07th February 2016
Windy, scattered clouds
Mute Swan, Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Wigeon, Gadwall, Teal, Mallard, Pintail, Shoveler. Pochard, Tufted Duck, Cormorant, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Little Grebe, Marsh Harrier, Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon, Coot, Golden Plover, Lapwing, Dunlin, Snipe, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Carrion Crow, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Cetti's Warbler, Fieldfare, Redwing, Robin, Stonechat, Dunnock, House Sparrow, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Reed Bunting, Common Gull, Blackbird, Magpie, Starling, Moorhen, Shelduck.
Species count: 52
Field Walk
Hampton Barns - Wednesday 27th January 2016
Windy, rain
Mallard, Teal, Wigeon, Little Grebe, Mute Swan (27) Curlew, Oystercatcher, Moorhen, Coot, Buzzard, Mistle Thrush, Lapwing, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Gadwall, Shoveler, Tufted Duck, Pochard, Merlin, Marsh Harrier, Dunnock, Blackbird, Robin, Cormorant, Carrion Crow, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Starling, Common Gull, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Greater Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull.
Species count: 33
Field Walk
Southend Pier - Sunday 10th January 2016
Windy, dry with cloud
Carrion Crow, Brent Goose, Red-throated Diver, Gannet, Cormorant, Great Crested Grebe, Oystercatcher, Knot, Dunlin, Turnstone, Kittiwake, Black-headed Gull, Mediterranean Gull, Common Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull. 5 Grey Seal.
Species count: 17
