South East Essex RSPB Field Walk and Coach Trip Reports 2017
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
Radde's Warbler, Dungeness 15/10/17
Field Walk
Stambridge Mill to Paglesham Lagoon - Monday 04th December 2017
Sunny, cold
Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Mute Swan, Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Shelduck, Wigeon, Gadwall, Teal, Mallard, Pintail, Shoveler, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Goldeneye (4), Goosander, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, Kestrel, Pheasant, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Ringed Plover, Golden Plover, Lapwing, Curlew, Redshank, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Stock Dove, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Kingfisher, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Wren, Dunnock, Stonechat, Blackbird, Fieldfare, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Reed Bunting. 2 Brown Hare.
Species count: 62
Field Walk
EWT Ingrebourne Valley - Sunday 26th November 2017
Sunny, cold
Teal, Mallard, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Cormorant, Grey Heron, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, Kestrel, Moorhen, Coot, Snipe, Green Sandpiper, Ring-necked Parakeet, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Magpie, Jay, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Robin, Dunnock, Chaffinch, Black-headed Gull, Canada Goose, Collared Dove, Woodpigeon, Cetti's Warbler (heard).
Species count: 32
Field Walk
RSPB Bowers Marsh - Monday 13th November 2017
Sunny, cold
Mute Swan, Canada Goose, Shelduck, Wigeon, Teal, Little Egret, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Avocet, Lapwing, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Green Sandpiper, Redshank, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Redwing, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Cetti's Warbler, Starling, Blackbird, Stonechat, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Linnet, Reed Bunting, Robin, Little Grebe, Pintail, Shoveler, Mallard Moorhen.
Species count: 39
Stonechat. RSPB Bowers Marsh.
Field Walk
Canvey Point - Sunday 22nd October 2017
Cloudy, cool
Brent Goose, Shelduck, Gannet (x3), Cormorant, Little Egret, Great Crested Grebe, Oystercatcher, Golden Plover, Grey Plover, Ringed Plover, Turnstone, Dunlin, Bar-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Redshank, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Guillemot (x4), Carrion Crow, Starling, Blackbird, Pied Wagtail. 2 Grey Seal. (1 Spitfire!)
Species count: 25
Coach Trip
Dungeness Lighthouse and RSPB Dungeness, Kent - Sunday 15th October 2017
Sunny, warm
Mute Swan, Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Shelduck, Wigeon, Gadwall, Teal, Mallard, Pintail, Shoveler, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Goldeneye, Gannet, Cormorant, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Great White Egret (x16), Grey Heron, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Marsh Harrier, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Moorhen, Coot, Golden Plover, Lapwing, Ruff, Little Stint, Snipe, Black-headed Gull, Mediterranean Gull, Common Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Common Tern, Stock Dove, Woodpigeon, Kingfisher, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Blackcap, Goldcrest, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Swallow, House Martin, Cetti's Warbler, Radde's Warbler, Chiffchaff, Dartford Warbler, Starling, Blackbird, Robin, Black Redstart, Stonechat, Dunnock, House Sparrow, Tree Sparrow, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Chaffinch, Brambling, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Siskin, Linnet, Reed Bunting.
Also seen: 3 Ring-necked Parakeet flying alongside M25. Weasel. Clouded Yellow, Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Peacock, Large White, Small Copper. 6 Migrant Hawker, 4 Red-veined Darter Dragonflies.
Species count: 74
Field Trip
Wat Tyler Country Park and RSPB Vange Marsh - Monday 9th October 2017
cloudy, warm
Wat Tyler
Little Egret, Grey Heron, Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Mallard, Teal, Marsh Harrier, Kestrel, Common Pheasant, Moorhen, Coot, Lapwing, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Redshank, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Woodpigeon, Pied Wagtail, Robin, Cetti's Warbler, Blackcap, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Magpie, Rook, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Goldfinch.
Species count: 35
RSPB Vange Marsh
Little Egret, Grey Heron, Mute Swan, Wigeon, Gadwall, Teal, Mallard, Shoveler, Marsh Harrier, Lapwing, Dunlin, Ruff, Snipe, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Redshank, Black-headed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Woodpigeon, Green Woodpecker, Pied Wagtail, Magpie, Carrion Crow.
Species count: 23
Marsh Harrier. Photo by Mick Holland.
ILB Field Trip
WWT London Wetland Centre - Tuesday 3rd October 2017
Scattered clouds, warm
Shoveler, Garden Warbler, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Cormorant, Peregrine Falcon, Great White Egret, Grey Heron, Great Tit, Coot, Moorhen, Mallard, Shelduck, Tufted Duck, Goldeneye, Great Crested Grebe, Little Grebe, Lapwing, Canada Goose, Greylag Goose, Mute Swan, Black Swan, Gadwall, Green Woodpecker, Cetti's Warbler (heard), Wigeon, Ring-necked Parakeet, Blackbird, Robin.
Species count: 29
Field Trip
EWT Two Tree Island - Monday 25th September 2017
cloudy, warm
Brent Goose, Shelduck, Teal, Mallard, Cormorant, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Little Grebe, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel (pair), Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Ringed Plover, Golden Plover, Grey Plover, Dunlin, Lapwing, Black-tailed Godwit, Whimbrel, Curlew, Redshank, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Woodpigeon, Kingfisher, Jay, Carrion Crow, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Cetti's Warbler, Blackbird, Starling, Robin, Dunnock, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Linnet, Reed Bunting.
Species count: 41
Field Trip
Independent Lady Birders Seal Trip - Thursday 21st September 2017
Sunny, warm
Swallow, Kestrel, Little Egret, Black-headed Gull, Mallard, Starling, Woodpigeon, Canada Goose, Cormorant, Buzzard (on Foulness), Carrion Crow, Great Black-backed Gull, Great Crested Grebe, Shelduck, Redshank, Shoveler, Marsh Harrier, Herring Gull, Grey Heron. 19 Common Seal.
Species count: 19
Field Trip
RSPB Rainham Marshes - Sunday 17th September 2017
scatter clouds, warm
Mute Swan, Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Wigeon, Gadwall, Mallard, Shoveler, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Marsh Harrier, Buzzard, Kestrel, Peregrine, Sparrowhawk, Hobby, Moorhen, Coot, Lapwing, Black-tailed Godwit, Redshank, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Black Tern, Woodpigeon, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Swallow, Sand Martin, House Martin, Cetti's Warbler, Chiffchaff, Starling, Blackbird, Robin, House Sparrow, Dunnock, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Bearded Tit.
Species count: 46
Black Tern, RSPB Rainham Marshes.
Field Trip (by the Independent Lady Birders Group)
EWT Hanningfield Reservoir - Thursday 08th June 2017
cloudy, cool
Magpie, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Jay, Red-crested Pochard (4 adults + 6 young), Pochard, Woodpigeon, Common Tern, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Cormorant, Swift, Swallow, Canada Geese, Greylag Geese, Blackcap, Great Crested Grebe, Grey Heron, Little Egret, Black-headed Gull (with young), Coot, Mute Swan, Chaffinch, Blackbird, Goldcrest, Chiffchaff, Carrion Crow, Pied Wagtail, Wren, Buzzard.
Species count: 31
Coach Trip
RSPB Minsmere, Suffolk - Sunday 21st May 2017
warm, sunny
Mute Swan, Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Barnacle Goose, Bar-headed Goose, Shelduck, Gadwall, Teal, Mallard, Shoveler, Tufted Duck, Red-legged Partridge, Pheasant, Cormorant, Bittern, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Marsh Harrier, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, Kestrel, Hobby, Water Rail, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Ringed Plover, Lapwing, Sanderling, Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit, Redshank, Kittiwake, Black-headed Gull, Mediterranean Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Caspian Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Little Tern, Sandwich Tern, Common Tern, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Swift, Green Woodpecker, Magpie, Jay, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Bearded Tit, Skylark, Sand Martin, Swallow, House Martin, Cetti's Warbler, Long-tailed Tit, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Wren, Starling, Blackbird, Robin, Stonechat, Wheatear, Dunnock, Pied Wagtail, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Linnet, Reed Bunting.
Species count: 84
Bittern at RSPB Minsmere
Field Walk
RSPB West Canvey Marsh - Monday 15th May 2017
cloudy, rain
Mute Swan, Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Shelduck, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Little Grebe, Marsh Harrier, Moorhen, Avocet, Lapwing, Greenshank, Black-headed Gull, Mediterranean Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Sandwich Tern, Common Tern, Stock Dove, Cuckoo (x2), Swift, Green Woodpecker, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Skylark, Blackbird, Starling, Swallow, House Martin, Cetti's Warbler, Whitethroat, Reed Warbler, Wren, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Linnet, Reed Bunting, Grey Heron, Pied Wagtail, Carrion Crow, Great Black-backed Gull, Woodpigeon, Magpie, Coot, Jackdaw, Little Egret, Pochard, Redshank, Dunnock.
Also seen: Northern Water Vole.
Species count: 51
Dawn Chorus Walk
Gusted and Edwards Hall - Sunday 07th May 2017
cloudy, warm
Mallard, Herring Gull, Pheasant, Green Woodpecker, Carrion Crow, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Magpie, Blackbird, Robin, Song Thrush, Nuthatch, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Dunnock, Whitethroat, Blackcap, Wren, Chaffinch, Chiffchaff, Starling, Corn Bunting.
Species count: 22
Field Walk
Gunners Park - Sunday 30th April 2017
scattered clouds
Mute Swan, Shelduck, Mallard, Kestrel, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Collared Dove, Carrion Crow, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Swallow, Long-tailed Tit, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Whitethroat, Wren, Starling, Blackbird, Robin, Wheatear (pair), House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Linnet.
Species count: 28
Shelduck, EWT Reserve. Photo by Graham Mee.
Field Walk
Holehaven Creek and Canvey Wick - Wednesday 26th April 2017
cool, scattered clouds
Brent Geese, Shelduck, Cormorant, Black-headed Gull, Mediterranean Gull, Herring Gull, Common Tern, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Cuckoo, Green Woodpecker (heard), Swallow, House Martin, Pied Wagtail, Wheatear, Blackbird, Blackcap, Lesser Whitethroat (heard), Whitethroat, Chiffchaff (heard), Blue Tit, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Linnet, Goldfinch, Curlew, Great Black-backed Gull, Oystercatcher, Song Thrush, Dunnock, Mallard, Great Tit, Chaffinch. Wall butterfly.
Wall Butterfly. Photo by John Long.
Species count: 36
Group Long Weekend
Portland Bill and Surrounding Areas - Friday 31st March to Sunday 2nd April 2017
With grateful thanks to Bob Ford our excellent guide, Portland Heights
Birdwatching Breaks - see: http://www.heightshotel.com/bedrooms/themed-breaks/
sunny, warm
Saturday April 1st Weather: mostly warm and sunny in a light south-westerly
Weston, 0900
We started our weekend with a attempt to see the extremely rare Hume's warbler that has spent the winter in an overgrown quarry at Weston, half way between the hotel and Portland Bill. The annoying little nuisance once again defied us but we did see a number of blackcaps which, along with a chiffchaff or two were giving regular bursts of song.
Portland Bill, 1000
This was planned to be an exciting sea watch but with the wind dropping right off there was very little passing the Bill. We did have plenty to see though with the resident guillemots, razorbills and fulmars present in good numbers. The highlight was an outstanding black-throated diver in full breeding plumage that flew east passing us at relatively close quarters.
Walking along the Eastcliffs to the Bird Observatory we had the chance to compare meadow and rock pipits with wheatear and Raven also showing well. At the Observatory the nets were not catching any birds at all but the Observatory Quarry did show us good views of the resident little owl. Meanwhile, back at the Bill, Graham and Kris were watching scoters and a great skua!
Rock Pipit, Portland Bill. Photo by Graham Mee.
Ferrybridge, 1200
Once the tide had dropped a bit, the mud-flats here added little egret and oystercatcher to the day's list. In the distance out on the waters of the Fleet five sandwich terns could be seen sat on the posts of the mussel farm. Across the road Portland Harbour held a good-sized flock of twenty or thirty red-breasted mergansers. Whilst we were searching for anything else out there we were delighted to see a pair of swallows skimming past heading north along the shoreline.
Lodmoor RSPB Reserve, 1400
This excellent reserve added a host of birds to our list with the close telescope views of snipe particularly pleasing. No less than three marsh harriers were seen with our resident 'Rusty' and 'Blondie' being joined by an unknown young male bird. A speckled wood was for most of the group the first seen in 2017.
Radipole RSPB Reserve, 1500
In what was now a very pleasant calm and warm afternoon we enjoyed walking out to the new "hide" even though birds were few and far between. Several Cetti's warblers were heard and seen with at least one of the group also hearing bearded tits. The hide showed us three more marsh harriers, two males and a female again. A small tortoiseshell seen here was the second butterfly of the day.
Sunday April 2nd Weather: sunny all day in calm conditions
Ferrybridge, 0900
Our second visit to this normally very productive site allowed us to add ringed plover to the list and also better views of dunlin, including a very smart summer-plumaged bird. Out on the Fleet red-breasted mergansers and sandwich terns were seen again.
Arne RSPB Reserve, 1100
Arriving at one of the RSPB’s most popular reserves we were met with balmy conditions and quickly found a singing male Dartford warbler which gave us very good views through the telescopes. The Shipstall Point hide held an unusually close pair of pintail as well as a wide range of other wildfowl and waders. Our return route through the woods revealed a small group of sika, including an outstanding white stag.
Lunch was had next to the bird feeders and added a number of new birds including siskin and nuthatch and, for one or two lucky ones, a brief view of a firecrest.
After lunch we walked out to Midlebere Lake where there were many hundreds of black-tailed godwits, some in their very smart reddish summer plumage. Having heard Mediterranean gulls all day, we finally managed to find a few very distant birds through the telescopes. In the same direction, a peregrine perched out on the far shore looked not quite right, possibly a falconer’s hybrid with a lanner falcon.
With the weather now positively balmy the birds all seemed to disappear so we called it a day and went back to Portland for our cream tea.
Bird List:
Black-throated Diver Portland Bill
Great Crested Grebe Arne
Little Grebe Lodmoor
Fulmar Portland Bill
Cormorant Portland, Radipole, Arne
Shag Portland Bill
Gannet Portland Bill
Little Egret Ferrybridge, Lodmoor, Arne
Grey Heron Lodmoor, Radipole
Mute Swan Radipole
Canada Goose Lodmoor, Arne
Dark-bellied Brent Goose Arne
Greylag Goose Arne
Shelduck Radipole, Lodmoor, Arne
Wigeon Arne
Teal Radipole, Lodmoor, Arne
Gadwall Radipole, Lodmoor, Arne
Mallard Radipole, Lodmoor, Arne
Shoveler Radipole, Arne
Pintail Arne
Tufted Duck Radipole
Pochard Lodmoor
Red-breasted Merganser Portland Harbour, Ferrybridge
Hooded Merganser Radipole
Common Scoter Portland Bill
Kestrel various sites
Peregrine Arne
Marsh Harrier Radipole, Lodmoor
Sparrowhawk Arne
Buzzard Portland, Radipole, Arne
Pheasant Portland, Arne
Coot Radipole, Lodmoor
Moorhen Radipole, Lodmoor
Oystercatcher Ferrybridge, Lodmoor, Arne
Avocet Arne
Curlew Arne
Redshank Arne
Black-tailed Godwit Arne
Ringed Plover Ferrybridge
Dunlin Ferrybridge, Lodmoor
Snipe Lodmoor, Radipole
Great Skua Portland Bill
Common Gull Arne
Black-headed Gull various sites
Mediterranean Gull Arne
Herring Gull various sites
Lesser Black-backed Gull Portland
Great Black-backed Gull various sites
Kittiwake Portland Bill
Sandwich Tern Ferrybridge
Razorbill Portland Bill
Guillemot Portland Bill
Stock Dove Portland
Wood Pigeon various sites
Feral Pigeon Radipole
Collared Dove Arne
Little Owl Portland Bill
Great Spotted Woodpecker Portland Heights, Arne
Green Woodpecker Arne
Skylark Portland Bill, Ferrybridge
Swallow Arne, Ferrybridge
Meadow Pipit Portland Bill, Ferrybridge, Arne
Rock Pipit Portland Bill
Pied Wagtail Portland Heights, Ferrybridge
Wren various sites
Dunnock Radipole
Robin various sites
Wheatear Portland Bill, Ferrybridge
Song Thrush Radipole, Arne
Blackbird various sites
Cetti’s Warbler Radipole, Lodmoor, Graham’s phone!
Blackcap Portland
Dartford Warbler Arne
Chiffchaff Radipole, Lodmoor, Arne
Willow Warbler Arne
Firecrest Arne
Bearded Tit Radipole (heard)
Long-tailed Tit Radipole
Coal Tit Arne
Blue Tit various sites
Great Tit various sites
Nuthatch Arne
Treecreeper Arne (heard)
Magpie various sites
Raven Portland
Jackdaw various sites
Rook Ferrybridge
Carrion Crow various sites
Starling various sites
House Sparrow Portland, Arne
Linnet Portland, Arne
Goldfinch various sites
Siskin Arne
Chaffinch Radipole, Arne
Greenfinch Portland, Arne
Reed Bunting Radipole
Mammals
Brown Rat Portland Bill
Sika Arne
Grey Squirrel Arne
Rabbit Lodmoor
Butterflies
Brimstone Arne
Speckled Wood Lodmoor, Arne
Small Tortoiseshell Radipole
Peacock Portland
Red Admiral Arne
Dartford Warbler at RSPB Arne. Photo by Graham Mee.
Field Walk
Wakering Stairs - Sunday 26th March 2017
sunny, windy
Canada Goose, Brent Goose, Shelduck, Little Egret, Kestrel, Oystercatcher, Grey Plover, Snipe, Curlew, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Stock Dove, Woodpigeon, Green Woodpecker, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Cetti's Warbler, Long-tailed Tit, Wren, Starling, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Linnet, Bar-tailed Godwit, Dunlin, Redshank, Mallard, Great Black-backed Gull, Common Gull, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Reed Bunting, Blackbird, Dunnock, Rook, Jackdaw.
Species count: 39
Canada Geese, Wakering Stairs
Field Walk
Abberton Reservoir - Monday 13th March 2017
warm, sunny
Mute Swan, Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Wigeon, Gadwall, Teal, Mallard, Shoveler, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Goldeneye, Smew (2 drake, 2 female), Goosander, Red-legged Partridge, Pheasant, Cormorant, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, Kestrel, Moorhen, Coot, Lapwing, Ruff, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Skylark, Chiffchaff, Starling, Blackbird, Robin, House Sparrow, Pied Wagtail, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Reed Bunting, Great Black-backed Gull, Jay, Dunnock, Common Gull, Stock Dove, Meadow Pipit, Shelduck, Egyptian Goose, Wren, Long-tailed Tit. From Abberton Church EWT viewpoint: Black-necked Grebe, Scaup, Yellowhammer (x3), 100+ Corn Bunting.
Species count: 60
Field Walk
RSPB Cliffe Pools, Kent - Monday 20th February 2017
warm, sunny
Greylag Goose, Egyptian Goose, Shelduck, Teal, Mallard, Shoveler, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Cormorant, Little Egret, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Marsh Harrier, Kestrel, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover, Lapwing, Dunlin, Curlew, Redshank, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Skylark, Starling, Blackbird, Robin, House Sparrow, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Magpie, Jackdaw, Woodpigeon, Common Gull, Gadwall, Goldfinch, Rook, Pheasant, Long-tailed Tit, Chaffinch, Carrion Crow, Stonechat (pair), Stock Dove, Linnet, Collared Dove, Wigeon, Golden Plover. Stoat.
Species count: 50
Field Walk
EWT Hanningfield Reservoir - Sunday 12th February 2017
cold, overcast
Canada Goose, Greylag Goose, Mute Swan, Wigeon, Gadwall, Teal, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Goldeneye, Pochard, Shoveler, Shelduck, Cormorant, Grey Heron, Great Crested Grebe, Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Moorhen, Coot, Lapwing, Ruff, Redshank, Black-tailed Godwit, Common Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Stock Dove, Woodpigeon, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Goldcrest, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Coal Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Chiffchaff, Blackbird, Fieldfare, Song Thrush, Redwing, Jay, Robin, Dunnock, Pied Wagtail, Chaffinch, Linnet.
Also seen: Red Fox, Muntjac.
Species count: 51
Coal Tit, Hanningfield Reservoir
Field Walk
RSPB Wallasea Island - Tuesday 31st January 2017
cold, drizzle
Skylark, Teal, Stonechat, Carrion Crow, Great Black-backed Gull, Starling, Lapwing, Mallard, Linnet, Black-headed Gull, Grey Heron, Curlew, Redshank, Corn Bunting, Reed Bunting, Cormorant, Twite (4), Brent Goose, Dunlin, Kestrel, Shelduck, Grey Plover, Stock Dove, Hen Harrier (2 ringtails/1 male), Oystercatcher, Meadow Pipit, Shoveler, Herring Gull, Wigeon, Common Gull, Turnstone, Black-tailed Godwit, Robin, Pied Wagtail, Pheasant, Woodpigeon, Fieldfare, Song Thrush, Blackbird, Moorhen.
Species count: 40
Field Walk
Southend Pier - Sunday 15th January 2017
cold, rain and drizzle
Great Northern Diver, Cormorant, Great Crested Grebe, Little Egret, Oystercatcher, Sanderling, Dunlin, Curlew, Redshank, Turnstone, Common Gull, Black-headed Gull, Mediterranean Gull (included white rings 3E72 and 3KRY), Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Carrion Crow, Song Thrush singing in tree in Royal Terrace. 4 Grey Seal.
Species count: 17
Grey Seal from Southend Pier.