South East Essex RSPB Wildlife Reports for August 2015
Monday 31st August 2015north easterly, rain, max18°c
Hanningfield Reservoir Causeway 10:20 to 10:35
2 Magpie, 9 Carrion Crow, 12 Coot, 50+ Pochard, 60+ Tufted Duck, 50+ Mallard, 6 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Pied Wagtail, 50+ Cormorant, 7 Moorhen, 9 Mute Swan, 6 Woodpigeon, 22 Canada Geese, 100+ Greylag Geese, 30+ Herring Gull, 3 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 100+ Black-headed Gull, 50+ Swallow. Rob Harris.
Southchurch Park East 12:50
Pair Egyptian Geese swimming over from reed bed to open grass bank SW corner of lake. Robert Dobinson.
Sunday 30th August 2015east north easterly, partly cloudy, max20°c
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 07:50 to 10:28
3 Greenshank, 2 Green Sandpiper, 60+ Swallow including new arrivals over seawall, 10+ House Martin Coryton, a few Whitethroat, 17 Teal (16 on creek and 1 off Manorway Fleet), 1 Little Egret, a few Cetti's Warbler heard, c.10 Black-tailed Godwit, a few Curlew, 3 Gadwall and 1 adult Little Grebe on Manorway Fleet, 1 Green Woodpecker. Richard Fahey.
Canvey Golf Course 08:00 to 13:00
20+ Bar-tailed Godwit feeding on the 16th fairway, 3 Green Woodpecker, 50+ Swallow feeding above the 2nd green/allotment site, 3 Goldfinch, 2 Little Grebe, Cetti's Warbler heard, 2 Meadow Pipit. Bill Foster.
Wakering Stairs 10:30 to 12:00
23 Little Egret and 2 Grey Heron on Havengore Creek, 1 Kestrel, 3 Greenshank, 2 Common Sandpiper, 1 Whimbrel, 105 Bar-tailed Godwit, 34 Ringed Plover, Grey Plover, Curlew, Oystercatcher, 1 Green Woodpecker, 62 Swallow, 15 House Martin, 2 Skylark, 150+ Starling around Landwick Gate. David Selley.
Leigh on Sea, Park View Drive 16:00 to 16:20
2 Green Woodpecker in garden, 6 Swift over. Kris Mee, Web Author.
RSPB Wallasea Island 19:00 to 20:00
Short-eared Owl quartering up and down the usual dike. Another birder had been watching a pair shortly before we arrived. Mike and Jackie Bliss.
Saturday 29th August 2015variable, partly cloudy, max22°c
Two Tree Island 08:00 to 12:15
c.15 Swift, 6 Whinchat, 8 Yellow Wagtail, 4 Lesser Whitethroat, many Blackcap and Whitethroat, 26 Greenshank (western lagoon and sewage farm pool), 3 Avocet, c.1400 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Buzzard. Andrew Gouldstone.
Ashingdon, Princess Gardens 10:25 and 12:00
3 Buzzard - 2 drifting south together and calling, then a third at 12:00 also going south. David Selley.
Hanningfield Reservoir 10:30 to 14:30
Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Mute Swan, Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Egyptian Goose, Gadwall, Teal, Mallard, Shoveler, Tufted Duck, Coot, Lapwing, Common Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Woodpigeon, Dunnock, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Magpie, Carrion Crow. Kevin Taylor.
River Roach Seal Trip 11:00 to 12:30
14 Little Egret, 3 Cormorant, 52 Common Sea, 1 Grey Seal. Web Author.
Thurrock, Thameside Nature Park 14:15 to 15:40
1 Common Sandpiper, c.4 Whimbrel, 1 Whitethroat, 10+ Swallow flying east, c.10 Teal, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Ring-necked Parakeet near reserve entrance, Little Egret. Richard Fahey.
Langdon Hills, Coombe Woods 15:15 to 16:45
1 Redstart, 1 Spotted Flycatcher and 1 Pied Flycatcher. Karl Price.
RSPB Wallasea Island 16:30 to 17:15
1 Little Egret, 1 Kestrel, 2 Common Pheasant, 40+ Woodpigeon, 12 Carrion Crow, 30+ Black-headed Gull, 30+ Herring Gull, 30+ Swallow, 40+ Starling, 3 Magpie. 1 Brown Hare. Rob Harris.
Friday 28th August 2015south westerly, partly cloudy, max21°c
Shoeburyness, Gunners Park 10:30 to 13:00
Jackdaw, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Black-headed Gull, 100+ Starling, 2 Kestrel, 20 Magpie, Robin, Blackbird, 8 Carrion Crow, Moorhen and chick, Feral Pigeon, Herring Gull, Common Gull, Blue Tit, 4 Swallow, House Sparrow, Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Mute Swan, 4 Little Grebe, Coot, 30+ Turnstone, 6 Mallard, Dunnock, Cormorant, 3 House Martin. Common Blue, Brimstone, Large White, Small White, Speckled Brown, Gatekeeper. S. Jackson & M. Hill.
Thursday 27th August 2015south westerly, partly cloudy, max20°c
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 07:09 to 09:26
1 Hobby west over north bank, 2 Green Sandpiper (including 1 over Coryton), 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Kingfisher (Manorway Fleet), 1 Blackcap, Sedge Warbler and Cetti's Warbler (a few others heard) at Manorway Fleet, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 10+ Whitethroat, 30+ Swallow, a few House martin (Coryton), c.15 Teal on creek, 2 Little Egret, 50+ Black-tailed Godwit on creek, 1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Gadwall and 1 adult Little Grebe on Manorway Fleet. Richard Fahey.
River Roach Seal Trip, 10:00 to 12:00
1 Kestrel, 18 Little Egret, 62 Wigeon, 65 Grey Plover, 4 Common Tern, 6 Swallow, 42 Common Seal, 1 Grey Seal. Web Author.
Abberton Reservoir 11:00 to 13:00
1 Great White Egret, 16 Little Egret. 1 Osprey, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Hobby, 1 Peregrine Falcon, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Common Sandpiper, 5 Ruff, 4 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Black Tern, 20+ Common Tern, 1 Buzzard, 1 Black-necked Grebe, numbers of Swallow, House martin and Sand Martin. Richard Shepherd.
Wednesday 26th August 2015south south westerly, cloud, rain, max21°c
Hanningfield Reservoir Causeway 17:45 to 18:00
2 Magpie, 4 Carrion Crow, 60+ Coot, 100+ Pochard, 150+ Tufted Duck, 150+ Mallard, 12 Great Crested Grebe, 8 Pied Wagtail, 70+ Cormorant, 50+ Mute Swan, 6 Woodpigeon, 80+ Canada Geese, 100+ Greylag Geese, 30+ Herring Gull, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 150+ Black-headed Gull, 20+ Swallow, 12 House Martin, 1 Common Sandpiper. Rob Harris.
Stambridge Primary School 18:20
Possible sighting of juvenile or female Hen Harrier on ground cut crop fields opposite primary school. Frazer Gledhill.
Tuesday 25th August 2015south south westerly, cloud, rain, max18°c
Ashingdon, Princess Gardens 08:50
2 Sparrowhawk soaring together over the garden. David Selley.
Hanningfield Reservoir 10:45 to 11:55
Many Greylag and Canada Geese, 2 Pied Wagtail, Blue Tit, Great Tit, 1 Coal Tit, Tufted Duck, Great-crested Grebe, Coot, 3 Little Grebe, 5 Moorhen, Black-headed Gull, 1 juvenile Herring Gull, 5 Red-crested Pochard (2 drake 3 female), 3 Carrion Crow. 3 Speckled Wood. Rabbit. Chris Henry.
Gunners Park 11:00 to 12:00
4 Wheatear in reserve, 6 Turnstone on beach. Web Author.
Southend, Thorpe Bay Seafront 12:20
11 Oystercatcher. Viv Carbines.
Abberton Reservoir 14:00 to 15:05
1 Osprey, 1 Great White Egret, 12 Little Egret, 6 Grey Heron, 200+ Mallard, 10 Teal, 200+ Coot, 200+ Tufted Duck, 200+ Pochard, 11 Shoveler, 200+ Lapwing, 7 Moorhen, 200+ Black-headed Gull, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 2 Ruff, 5 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Green Sandpiper, 100+ Carrion Crow, 200+ Cormorant, 100+ Woodpigeon, 50+ Mute Swan, 1 Swan Goose, 200+ Canada Geese, 200+ Greylag Geese, 2 Egyptian Geese, 30+ Great Crested Grebe, 100+ Starling, 20+ Swallow, 4 Yellow Wagtail, 20+ Pied Wagtail, 5 Magpie. Rob Harris.
Monday 24th August 2015easterly, rain, max18°c
Canvey Point 16:00 to 17:15
6 Little Tern, 7 Arctic Tern, 10 Sandwich Tern, 4 Black Tern, 2 Common Tern, 30 Grey Plover, 1 Arctic Skua, 10 Curlew, 3 Oystercatcher, 4 Little Egret, 1 Cormorant, 3 Swallow, 1 Swift, 1 House Martin. Terry Blackwell.
RSPB Wallasea Island 16:30 to 17:00
1 Little Egret, 13 Mallard, 1 Moorhen, 3 Linnet, 4 Magpie, 7 Carrion Crow, 6 Swallow, 30+ Black-headed Gull, 1 Common Gull, 20+ Herring Gull, 20+ Common Pheasant (3 family groups along access road). 1 Brown Hare. Rob Harris.
Sunday 23rd August 2015southerly, partly cloudy, max23°c
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton/Holehaven Creek 08:09 to 11:13
1 Hobby flew north west, 2 single Green Sandpiper (probably different birds at "pond" by shrub mound and fleet below seawall), 1 Common Sandpiper and Whimbrel at Holehaven Creek, a few Yellow Wagtail and Whitethroat, 35+ House Martin (Coryton), 50+ Swallow, 1 Chiffchaff heard by the Manorway, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Lapwing, a few Curlew, 45+ Teal, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, a few Gadwall (Manorway Fleet), 1 Sedge Warbler (Manorway Fleet). Richard Fahey.
EWT Lion Creek Reserve 10:40 to 12:00
20 Lapwing, 118 Golden Plover, 2 Greenshank, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Common Tern, 32 Swallow, 1 Blackcap, 3 Whitethroat, 4 Linnet, 1 Yellowhammer, 3 Greenfinch, 6 Goldfinch. David Selley.
RSPB Rainham Marshes 11:00 to 12:30
Grasshopper Warbler heard then brief view, 1 Blackcap, Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler. Mick Roe.
Abberton Reservoir 15:00 to 15:30
1 Osprey on usual branch, best seen from Layer de la Haye causeway southern end. Jackie and Mike Bliss.
Wat Tyler Country Park 15:00 to 17:00
1 Pectoral Sandpiper on the back island at the extreme right from the hide. David Lee.
Abberton Reservoir 17:00 to 18:45
1 Osprey, 1 Marsh Harrier, 200+ Mallard, 16 Teal, 200+ Coot, 200+ Tufted Duck, 200+ Pochard, 30+ Shoveler, 150+ Lapwing, 3 Moorhen, 100+ Herring Gull, 200+ Black-headed Gull, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 3 Ruff, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Green Sandpiper, 100+ Carrion Crow, 200+ Cormorant, 100+ Woodpigeon, 50+ Mute Swan, 200+ Canada Geese, 200+ Greylag Geese, 5 Egyptian Geese, 3 Grey Heron, 30+ Great Crested Grebe, 16 Little Egret, 100+ Starling, 20+ Swallow, 14 Yellow Wagtail, 20+ Pied Wagtail, 2 Magpie. Rob Harris.
Saturday 22nd August 2015east south east, clear, max29°c
Rochford 07:40 to 07:50
36 House Martin around the old hospital boiler house building. David Selley.
Stambridge 08:00 to 08:20
60+ House Martin around nest sites. David Selley.
RSPB Bowers Marsh 11:15
1 Spotted Flycatcher car park side of the kissing gate by the Turtle Dove plot. Tim Davis.
RSPB Wallasea Island 19:30 to 20:15
Seen from white gate: 2 Short-eared Owl, 4 Kestrel (at least), 1 Barn Owl. Jackie and Mike Bliss.
Friday 21st August 2015southerly, partly cloudy, max27°c
St Georges Drive, Westcliff 06:08
1 juvenile Sparrowhawk pursued by 1 Carrion Crow low over bungalows. Jeff Kinnerman.
RSPB Bowers Marsh 10:30 to 11:00
1 Red-backed Shrike, 3 Whinchat, 1 Stonechat all in the SW corner of the reserve. David Lee.
Two Tree Island 10:50 to 14:00
Collared Dove, Woodpigeon, Black-headed Gull, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Common Gull, Herring Gull, Swallow, Mallard, Starling, Blue Tit, Teal, Robin, Coot, Little Grebe, 30 Brent Geese, 8 Little Egret, Moorhen, 12 Canada Geese, Greenfinch, Mediterranean Gull, Curlew, Cormorant, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Avocet, 4 Grey Heron, 4 Lapwing, 1 female Marsh Harrier. M. Hill & S. Jackson.
Thurrock, Thameside Nature Park 11:00
6 Linnet, 20+ Swift, 1 Kestrel, 1 Little Egret, 200+ Starling perched on overhead cables. Clouded Yellow butterfly. Mick Holland.
Tolleshunt D'Arcy 13:45 to 13:50
1 Common Buzzard. Rob Harris.
Abberton Reservoir 14:00 to 16:00
1 Osprey, 200+ Mallard, 16 Teal, 200+ Coot, 200+ Tufted Duck, 200+ Pochard, 12 Shoveler, 100+ Lapwing, 100+ Herring Gull, 200+ Black-headed Gull, 4 Lesser Black-baked Gull, 1 Ruff, 5 Black-tailed Godwit, 20+ Spotted Redshank, 50+ Carrion Crow, 100+ Cormorant, 5 Moorhen, 45 Woodpigeon, 50+ Mute Swan, 200+ Canada Geese, 200+ Greylag Geese, 3 Egyptian Geese, 1 Swan Goose, 8 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Grey Heron, 14 Little Egret, 100+ Starling, 5 Swallow, 6 Yellow Wagtail, 12 Pied Wagtail, 2 Magpie. Rob Harris.
All Saints Church Barling Magna to Sea Wall 15:00 to 16:00
Swallow, Moorhen, Mallard, Coot, Little Grebe, Starling, Dunnock, House Sparrow, Pied Wagtail, Greenfinch, Woodpigeon, Herring Gull, Black-headed Gull, Carrion Crow, Redshank, Lapwing, Great Black-backed Gull, Common Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Wren, House Martin, Goldfinch, Collared Dove. M. Hill & S. Jackson.
RSPB Vange Marsh 15:30 to 17:00
1 Bar-Tailed Godwit in with the Black-Tailed Godwit, 3 Ruff, 1 Common Sandpiper, 6 Green Sandpiper, 20+ Redshank, 50+ Lapwing, 2 Spotted Redshank, 8 Greenshank, 1 Common Tern, 16 Curlew, 6 Cormorant, 1 Sparrowhawk. David Shepherd.
Thursday 20th August 2015south westerly, mostly cloudy, max21°c
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 08:58 to 11:00
1 Greenshank, 3 Green Sandpiper, c.3 Whimbrel, 3 Yellow Wagtail (Coryton), 1 Sand Martin close on wires by track at Coryton, 10+ House Martin (Coryton), 30+ Swallow, c.4 Little Egret, 2 Cetti's Warbler heard at Coryton, c.20 Black-tailed Godwit, a few Curlew, 5 Gadwall and 1 adult Little Grebe on Manorway Fleet. Richard Fahey.
RSPB Vange Marsh 11:30 to 13:00
1 Whimbrel, 1 Wood Sandpiper, 4 Green Sandpiper, 2 Greenshank, 2 Redshank, 2 Little Egret, 1 Black-tailed Godwit from viewing screen. Mick Roe.
Wednesday 19th August 2015south westerly, scattered clouds, max22°c
Leigh on Sea, Winsford Gardens 09:30
1 Swift, 1 Common Buzzard (soaring high). Jeff Kinnerman.
Southchurch Park East 11:00
4 Long-tailed Tit in the undergrowth Greenways side of the park, 1 Green Woodpecker feeding adjacent to the north bank of the stream. Common Hawker Dragonfly close to the lake, 2 Ruddy Darter in conservation area. Mick Holland.
Daws Heath 11:00
Male and Female Sparrowhawk, circling together in the morning sunshine over garden. Magic. Mike Sagrott.
Stambridge, Creeksea Ferry Road 11:45
Badger shot across road in front of car!. web Author.
River Roach Seal Trip 14:00 to 16:15
27 Little Egret, 2 Common Tern, 1 female Marsh Harrier. 32 Common Seal. Web Author.
Abberton Reservoir 15:50 to 17:00
1 Osprey, 200+ Mallard, 12 Teal, 200+ Coot, 200+ Tufted Duck, 200+ Pochard, 8 Shoveler, 100+ Lapwing, 80+ Herring Gull, 100+ Black-headed Gull, 7 Lesser Black-baked Gull, 2 Ruff, 50+ Carrion Crow, 100+ Cormorant, 23 Moorhen, 45 Woodpigeon, 50+ Mute Swan, 200+ Canada Geese, 200+ Greylag Geese, 3 Egyptian Geese, 8 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Grey Heron, 7 Little Egret, 100+ Starling, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 9 Pied Wagtail, 5 Swallow, 30+ House Sparrow. Rob Harris.
Tuesday 18th August 2015westerly, rain, max17°c
Hanningfield Reservoir 16:30 to 17:00
2 Magpie, 30+ Carrion Crow, 200+ Coot, 150+ Pochard, 200+ Tufted Duck, 250+ Mallard, 4 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Pied Wagtail, 50+ Cormorant, 45 Mute Swan, 30+ Woodpigeon, 200+ Canada Geese, 250+ Greylag Geese, 1 Egyptian Goose, 1 Shelduck, 70+ Herring Gull, 9 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 160+ Black-headed Gull, 10 Swallow, 1 Grey Heron. Rob Harris.
Monday 17th August 2015northerly, partly cloudy, max21°c
Hamstel Road Allotments 10:00
Pair of Wren in the undergrowth but showing well, 1 Holly Blue Butterfly collecting nectar from Sunflower, 1 Small White butterfly. Mick and Sue Holland.
RSPB Bowers Marsh 11:00 to 13:00
1 Red-backed Shrike south west corner on fence wire, 2 Greenfinch, 2 Kestrel,1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Ruff, 1 Black-tailed Godwit. Mick Roe.
Woodham; Crow Lane/Edwin's Hall Road 15:30 to 15:50
30+ House Sparrow, 40+ Starling, 2 Magpie, 5 Swallow, 1 Kestrel, 80+ Carrion Crow, 150+ Woodpigeon, 50+ Common Pheasant, 30+ Moorhen. Rob Harris.
RSPB Wallasea Island 17:00 to 17:30
2 Little Egret, 25+ House Sparrow, 20+ Starling, 4 Magpie, 5 Swallow, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Kestrel, 25 Corn Bunting, 20+ Carrion Crow, 50+ Woodpigeon, 23 Black-headed Gull, 12 Herring Gull, 1 Common Pheasant. Rob Harris.
RSPB Vange Marsh 17.00 to 18.30
107 Greylag Geese, 35 Canada Geese, 15 Mute Swan, 37 Black-tailed Godwit, 60 Lapwing, 4 Greenshank, 2 Spotted Redshank, 6 Redshank, 4 Green Sandpiper,7 Little Egret, 7 Little Grebe, 1 Ruff, 1 Snipe, 8 Swallow. David Shepherd.
Sunday 16th August 2015variable, partly cloudy, max20°c
Southend, North Crescent 06:50 to 08:15
5 Long-tailed Tit, 7 Goldfinch (including juveniles on feeders), 1 Dunnock heard, 2 Woodpigeon, 1 Blackbird, 5 House Sparrow and 11 Starling. Dave Griffiths.
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 08:20 to 10:48
1 Spotted Redshank on creek, 5 Greenshank, 6 Green Sandpiper, 1 Common Sandpiper, c.5 Whimbrel, 1 Kingfisher over "tunnel" at end of fleet, 3 Buzzard soaring further north, 2 single Marsh Harrier, a few Yellow Wagtail, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 10+ Whitethroat, a few Sand Martin and Swallow at Manorway Fleet, 5 Teal on creek, 2 Little Egret, 7 Gadwall on Manorway Fleet, c.6 Black-tailed Godwit, c.9 Kestrel, 2 Green Woodpecker including 1 at Coryton. Richard Fahey.
Wakering Stairs 11:35 to 14:35
Seen during WeBS count: 2 Marsh Harrier, 1 Kestrel, 26 Sand Martin, 330 Swallow, 1 House Martin, 3 Willow Warbler feeding with many Swallow on and over large stand of Fennel flowers. David Selley.
Southend Pier 12:30
6 Common Tern. 12 Turnstone. Viv Carbines.
Abberton Reservoir 16:15 to 17:20
1 Osprey, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Kestrel, 200+ Mallard, 7 Teal, 200+ Coot, 200+ Tufted Duck, 200+ Pochard, 8 Shoveler, 100+ Black-headed Gull, 80+ Herring Gull, 50+ Carrion Crow, 100+ Lapwing, 200+ Cormorant, 23 Moorhen, 31 Woodpigeon, 23 Mute Swan, 200+ Canada Geese, 200+ Greylag Geese, 6 Egyptian Geese, 5 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Common Tern, 2 Grey Heron, 3 Little Egret, 60+ Starling, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 12 Pied Wagtail, 7 Swallow, 30+ Woodpigeon, 20+ House Sparrow. Rob Harris.
Woodham, Crow Lane/Edwin's Hall Road 18:20 to 18:35
3 Moorhen, 80+ Woodpigeon, 40+ Starling, 30+ House Sparrow, 100+ Carrion Crow, 50+ Young Common Pheasant. Rob Harris.
Saturday 15th August 2015west north west, partly cloudy, max21°c
Southchurch Park 12:45
7 Coot chicks from north ramp hatched, on water and being fed by parents, 9 Mallard ducklings and mum generally being ignored my male Mute Swan. Robert Dobinson.
Thurrock Thameside Nature Park 13:15 to 14:25
3 Whimbrel, 2 Ringed Plover, 2 Dunlin, c.10 Swallow, a few Whitethroat, 6 Little Egret on saltmarsh east of old seawall, 1 juvenile Shelduck. Richard Fahey.
Ashingdon, Princess Gardens 15:00 to 17:50
3 Swift, light but steady SW passage of Swallow all afternoon. David Selley.
RSPB Bowers Marsh 15:30
1 female Red-backed Shrike, 2 Bearded Tit, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Little Egret. Robin Peppiatt.
Friday 14th August 2015south westerly, mostly cloudy, max23°c
Foulness Island 08:30
Kingfisher flew along tidal drainage ditch from concrete road towards brickhouse west side of road. Trevor Waterhouse.
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 12:48 to 15:16
1 immature female Marsh Harrier, 1 juvenile Willow Warbler at Manorway Fleet, a few Swallow, 2 Green Sandpiper, 2 Common Sandpiper, c.3 Whitethroat, a few House Martin passed through Coryton, 1 Little Egret, 1 Cetti's Warbler heard at Coryton, 1 Curlew, 3 Gadwall and 1 adult Little Grebe on Manorway Fleet. Richard Fahey.
Shoeburyness, Gunners Park 15:30 to 16:30
1 Wryneck, 15 Swallow. David Lee, Kris Mee, Web Author.
Abberton Reservoir 16:30 to 17:15
1 Osprey, 1 Black-necked Grebe, 200+ Mallard, 200+ Tufted Duck, 200+ Pochard, 12 Teal, 250+ Coot, 100+ Black-headed Gull, 120+ Herring Gull, 30+ Carrion Crow, 4 Swallow, 14 Shoveler, 150+ Lapwing, 2 Ruff, 200+ Cormorant, 23 Moorhen, 31 Woodpigeon, 250+ Canada Geese, 300+ Greylag Geese, 30+ Mute Swan, 30+ Woodpigeon, 8 Great Crested Grebe, 5 Grey Heron, 7 Little Egret, 40+ Starling, 8 Yellow Wagtail, 14 Pied Wagtail, 15 Egyptian Geese, 1 Swan Goose, 1 Common Buzzard. Rob Harris.
Thursday 13th August 2015north easterly, thunderstorms and rain, max22°c
Ashingdon, Princess Gardens 19:10
1 Hummingbird Hawk Moth feeding on phlox flowers in the rain. David Selley.
Wednesday 12th August 2015east north east, partly cloudy, max21°c
RSPB Bowers Marsh 08:00 to 13:30
c.30 Little Egret, 1 Greenshank, 3 Green Sandpiper, 10 Black-tailed Godwit, c.50 Goldfinch (including juveniles), 1 Corn Bunting, 3 Avocet, 1 female Marsh Harrier, 1 female Kestrel, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Black Swan, 1 Ringed Plover, 2 Stonechat, Swallow, House Martin (both in small numbers), 1 adult female Red-backed Shrike showed well in S.W. end of reserve. Jeff Kinnerman.
Hockley, Victor Gardens 08:15
Green Woodpecker on lawn feeding on ants, 1 Willow Warbler, 6 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Great Tit, 2 Blue Tit, 1 Blackbird, 1 Robin. Steve George.
Southchurch Park East, Southchurch Park and Kensington Road 08:30 to 08:45 and 14:00
3 Cormorant flying over park towards estuary, 2 Coot chicks hatched from north ramp nest and being fed by parents, 8 Mallard ducklings on water with mum and not being threatened by male Mute Swan (maybe because he started moult last week). 50+ Starling feeding 10ft away on elderberry fruit in back garden a very noisy lot. Robert Dobinson.
Garon Park Golf Club 15:00 to 18:30
10 Green Woodpecker, 1 Kingfisher. 1 Weasel. Brian Coveney.
Wakering Stairs 17:25 to 18:25
1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Hobby, 3 Whimbrel, 1 Greenshank, 26 Swallow, 1 Green Woodpecker, c.250 House Sparrow and c.100 Starling flew up from stubble field. David Selley.
Tuesday 11th August 2015variable, partly cloudy, max21°c
Benfleet Creek 10:30
Concentration of 12 Little Egret on far bank (Canvey side) plus 5 others at intervals towards Leigh, 3 Grey Heron, 12+ Canada Geese, 3 Magpie. Mick & Sue Holland.
RSPB Wallasea Island 10:30 to 13:15
Magpie, Collared Dove, Starlings, Blackbird, Woodpigeon, Grey Heron, Carrion Crow, House Sparrow, Black-headed Gull, Meadow Pipit, Kestrel, Little Egret, Curlew, Cormorant, Lots of Canada Geese, Mallard, Shoveler, Herring Gull, Mute Swan, Redshank, Greylag Goose, Swallow, Shelduck, Reed Bunting, Common Gull, Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Yellow Wagtail, Whimbrel, Stonechat, Lesser Black-backed Gull. M. Hill & S. Jackson.
RSPB Wallasea Island 17:00 to 18:00
2 Magpie, 50+ Starling, 40+ Woodpigeon, 25 Carrion Crow, 12 House Sparrow, 40+ Black-headed Gull, 30+ Canada Geese, 9 Herring Gull, 6 Swallow, 4 Reed Bunting, 5 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Whimbrel, 7 young Common Pheasant, 16 Linnet, 1 Marsh Harrier. Rob Harris.
Monday 10th August 2015south westerly, mostly cloudy, max26°c
Westcliff 09:30
2 Grey Wagtail flew over garden. Jeff Kinnerman.
Abberton Reservoir 14:00 to 15:45
1 Osprey, 200+ Mallard, 200+ Tufted Duck, 200+ Pochard, 6 Teal, 250+ Coot, 350+ Black-headed Gull, 150+ Herring Gull, 60+ Carrion Crow, 12 Swallow, 100+ Lapwing, 200+ Cormorant, 12 Moorhen, 250+ Canada Geese, 300+ Greylag Geese, 1 Kestrel, 37 Woodpigeon, 1 Common Pheasant, 7 House Sparrow, 80+ Mute Swan, 8 Great Crested Grebe, 5 Grey Heron, 14 Little Egret, 8 Yellow Wagtail, 14 Pied Wagtail, 40+ Starling, 15 Egyptian Geese, 3 Redshank, 3 Common Sandpiper. Rob Harris.
Sunday 09th August 2015south westerly, clear, max27°c
Hornchurch Country Park 06:30
300+ Ring-neck Parakeet on regular daily passage over. Mike Sullivan.
Daws Heath 08:30 to 17:00
From garden: 1 female Sparrowhawk carrying prey (probable Blackbird) around 16.30, 1 Buzzard over being harassed by Herring Gull, 1 Male Sparrowhawk, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker. Mike Sagrott.
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 08:40 to 11:00
1 Kingfisher at creek, 3 Green Sandpiper, 1 Common Sandpiper, c.9 Whimbrel, 2 Sedge Warbler with a few Reed Warbler at Manorway Fleet, a small but steady passage of Swallow (Coryton), 2 Little Egret, a few Gadwall (Manorway Fleet), 11 Linnet, 1 Green Woodpecker. Richard Fahey.
Southend Seafront 08:45
25 Brent Geese nosily flying off estuary from gas works pier, NEE across Southchurch Parks towards River Roach area. Robert Dobinson.
Paglesham East End 09:35 to 11:00
2 Little Egret, 1 Kestrel, 1 Green Woodpecker, 152 Swallow (family parties on wires and roofs at boatyard, adults still in and out of the wrecks east of boatyard, and light westwards passage along the Roach), 1 Wheatear (an early autumn male on the pillbox), 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Reed Warbler, 24 Linnet, 6 Reed Bunting. David Selley.
Abberton Reservoir 19:00 To 20:15
200+ Mallard, 200+ Tufted Duck, 200+ Pochard, 150+ Coot, 200+ Black-headed Gull, 150+ Herring Gull, 60+ Carrion Crow, 18 Swallow, 20+ Lapwing, 100+ Cormorant, 250+ Canada Geese, 300+ Greylag Geese, 40+ Woodpigeon, 80+ Mute Swan,1 Kestrel, 8 Great Crested Grebe, 5 Grey Heron, 14 Little Egret, 5 Yellow Wagtail, 8 Pied Wagtail, 7 Egyptian Geese, 1 Kestrel, 1 Redshank, 1 Osprey. 1 Brown Hare, 1 Massive Terrapin/Turtle about 3 foot long (looked to be dead). Rob Harris.
Saturday 08th August 2015easterly, clear, max23°c
Stambridge 07:45 to 08:15
50+ House Martin around nests, 1 Green Woodpecker, 6 Great Spotted Woodpecker together on dead tree by allotments. David Selley.
Rayleigh, Ferndale Road 08:00
1 Buzzard, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 male Bullfinch. Robin Peppiatt.
Friday 07th August 2015variable, scattered clouds, max23°c
RSPB Rainham Marshes 08:30
8 Greenshank, 2 Whimbrel, 2 Green Sandpiper all on Purfleet scrape. Andrew Gouldstone.
RSPB West Canvey Marsh 09:45 to 12:00
2 Whimbrel, 3 Common Sandpiper, 3 Green Sandpiper, 1 Greenshank, Large flock of Canada Geese, 10 Little Grebe, 5 Pochard, 3 Stock Dove. David Lee.
Southchurch Park 17:00
2 Moorhen chicks being fed by parents on NW corner of island. This is the third brood in 2015 from this pair of Moorhens. Awaiting hatching of a second set of Coot chicks from the north ramp Coot pair. Robert Dobinson.
Thursday 06th August 2015south westerly, partly cloudy, max24°c
Canewdon 07:15 to 07:35
100+ House Martin around the church tower, good numbers of House Sparrow in the hedgerows including many newly fledged; they seem to have had a good year locally - our garden birds have raised at least two successful broods. David Selley.
Westcliff, Shakespeare Avenue 07:30
c.50 House Sparrow (single flock ground feeding and flitting about in nearby garden shrubs). Jeff Kinnerman.
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 08:16 to 10:28
1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Green Sandpiper (including one heard by north sluice where one up later), 2 Whimbrel, 20+ Swallow (including 4 juveniles on lines at Coryton), 1 Chiffchaff heard (Coryton), 8 Little Egret on creek, 2 Cetti's Warbler heard, 4 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Little Grebe on creek (think it's a migrant bird but seems early), 2 adult Gadwall (Manorway Fleet), 1 Green Woodpecker. Richard Fahey.
Hanningfield Reservoir 12:30
1 leucistic Carrion Crow by bridge. Neil and Judy.
Hanningfield Reservoir Causeway 15:30 to 15:50
1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Magpie, 30+ Lapwing, 20+ Carrion Crow, 200+ Coot, 200+ Pochard, 200+ Tufted Duck, 250+ Mallard, 12 Great Crested Grebe, 12 Pied Wagtail, 40+ Cormorant, 5 Mute Swan, 200+ Canada Geese, 250+ Greylag Geese, 40+ Woodpigeon. Rob Harris.
Aldi, Priory Crescent, 16:00
Peregrine Falcon flying over car park, calling. S. Whitaker.
Canvey, Tewke's Creek 17:45 to 18:45
10 Golden Plover (all in summer plumage), 30+ Grey Plover (10+ in summer plumage), 20+ Black-tailed Godwit, 10 Common Sandpiper, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Greenshank, 4 Redshank, 4 Whimbrel, 3 Curlew, 2 Common Tern, 3 Swallow, 2 Chaffinch, 50+ Canada Geese. Terry Blackwell.
Hadleigh 18:30
3 Siskin in bird bath and on Niger seed feeder. Roger Shinn.
Wednesday 05th August 2015variable, partly cloudy, max22°c
Southchurch Park East 08:30
1 Moorhen chick staying close to adults around west reed bed. Robert Dobinson.
RSPB Wallasea Island 13:45 to 14:30
1 Redshank, 2 Little Egret, 40+ Starling, 20+ House Sparrow, 40+ Corn Bunting, 7 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Skylark, 1 Magpie, 5 Common Crow, 1 Marsh Harrier, 30+ Black-headed Gull, 6 Herring Gull, 1 Common Pheasant. 1 Stoat. Rob Harris.
Tuesday 04th August 2015south westerly, partly cloudy, max21°c
Southchurch Park and Southchurch Park East 08:45 to 09:30
2 juvenile Reed Warbler calling and flying to and fro across the bank shrubs/trees and reed bed stems. Nice to hear them calling, first time seen by me. 1 drake Tufted Duck still around after two weeks now on east pond near cafe. Southchurch Pk. 1 Grey Squirrel performing acrobatics whilst extracting nuts from the bird feeder in my garden in Kensington Road. Robert Dobinson.
RSPB Rainham Marshes 10:00 to 12:00
2 Green Sandpiper, 1 Wood Sandpiper, 3 Dunlin, 20 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Water Rail, 1 male Kestrel, c.400 Starling in tight flocks over the marsh. 1 Grass Snake. Andrew Gouldstone.
North Fambridge, Blue House Farm, 10:00 to 12:30
3 Little Egret, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 20+ Lapwing, 10 Oystercatcher, 1 juvenile Starling (moulting to adulthood!), 2 Red-legged Partridge, 1 Great Black-backed Gull. 1 Ruddy Darter, innumerable Gatekeeper, 1 Speckled Wood. Mick Holland.
Two Tree Island West 15:00 to 16:00
400+ Black-tailed Godwit, 7 Common Sandpiper, 1 Curlew Sandpiper, 5 Greenshank, 70+ Redshank, 1 Knot, 1 Yellow-legged Gull, 3 Little Egret. Richard Shepherd.
RSPB Vange Marsh 17:00 to 18:30
3 Ruff, 15 Greenshank, 3 Spotted Redshank, 30 Redshank, 25+ Black-tailed Godwit, 9 Curlew, 3 Common Sandpiper, 9 Green Sandpiper, 50+ Lapwing, 91 Greylag Geese, 9 Little Egret roosting in trees, Gadwall, Little Grebe, Mute Swan and nine Young. David Shepherd.
Two Tree Island West
40+ Little Egret, Common Sandpiper, Redshank, Greenshank, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Kingfisher. Kathy Greenwood.
Monday 03rd August 2015south westerly, scattered clouds, max25°c
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 08:23 to 10:22
1 Greenshank on creek, c.4 Cuckoo (at Coryton, including a juvenile), 1 female Marsh Harrier (Coryton), a few Curlew, 1 Black-tailed Godwit on creek, 1 Little Egret, 1 Cetti's Warbler heard at Coryton, 1 Green woodpecker, c.4 Gadwall on Manorway Fleet (looked like juveniles), 6 Kestrel including 4 at Coryton, 1 Swift. Richard Fahey.
Barking, River Roding, Near Tesco Roundabout 09:00
4 Grey Wagtail on the mud by the river. Steve Wall.
Ashingdon, Princess Gardens 10:00 to 16:00
4 Common Blue, 4 Peacock and 2 Painted Lady butterflies, 1 male Migrant Hawker Dragonfly. David Selley.
Wat Tyler Country Park 12:00 to 15:00
2 to 3 juvenile Reed Warbler flying around marina pond, Greater Spotted Woodpecker sat in the road as I drove in. 2 male Southern Migrant Hawker seen flying around the marina pond today by me, (3 by others), 2 other male Southern Migrant Hawker elsewhere. Details and photos here: http://www.uk-wildlife.co.uk/southern-migrant-hawker-aeshna-affinis-update-3-8-15/. Important! Can everyone please keep to the paths and boardwalks and avoid trampling any surrounding pond vegetation, as the park is an SSSI. If similar trampling/damage is caused this year as it was in 2013, any future rarities will not be reported by me or park wardens of Wat Tyler. Neil Phillips.
Sunday 02nd August 2015southerly to easterly, clear, max24°c
Wakering Stairs 07:55
50+ Brent Geese. Tony & Linda Pilkington.
Leigh on Sea 08:00 to 17:00
Steady passage of Swift all day with a flock of over 100 very high south west at 16:50. Web Author.
Westcliff 10:15 to 11:30
15 House Sparrow (flock in tree). Large White, Small White, 2 Gatekeeper, 1 Red Admiral, 2 Common Blue in garden. Jeff Kinnerman.
Wakering Stairs 10:00 to 11:15
5 Turtle Dove - 4 heard and located from SW perimeter footpath and 1 by Stairs Road level crossing, 15 Sand Martin, 145 Swallow, 8 House Martin - all hirundines passing through going SW, 1 Green Woodpecker, 4 Whitethroat, 2 Reed Warbler. 50+ Gatekeeper and 10 Peacock butterflies. David Selley.
Southchurch Park East 12:55
1 Little Egret flying SW over pond towards seafront. Robert Dobinson.
Leigh on Sea 14:30 and 16:20
2 Painted Lady in garden. Kris Mee, Web Author.
Hadleigh 15:00
Siskin on my garden feeding station near Hadleigh Castle. Roger Shinn.
Rayleigh, Ferndale Road, 15:00 to 18:00
14 Swallow on power lines, 1 Bullfinch (female), 1 Spotted Flycatcher (second record for site), 4-5 Chiffchaff, 1 Sparrowhawk, 5 Green Woodpecker. 10+ Gatekeeper, 2 Meadow Brown, 2 Purple Hairstreak, 1 Peacock, 1 Red Admiral, 1 Brown Argus (first record for site). Robin Peppiatt.
Saturday 01st August 2015westerly, clear, max23°c
Westcliff 11:18
1 Painted Lady in garden. Jeff Kinnerman.
Runwell 18:00
1 Red Kite flying slowly across our field. Sue Braham.
Southend, Wyatts Drive
Juvenile Green Woodpecker and Fox in garden. Alec Beanse.