Bird Reports for April 2003

Wednesday 30th April
Two Tree Island (West), 07:10 to 07:25: 1 Firecrest (singing next to the hide overlooking the lagoon). Tony Mead (SOG).
Rainham Marshes: At least 3 Wheatear on site and 2 male Whinchat showing well close to river wall mid morning. Good passage of hirundines and a few Yellow Wagtail. Dominic Funnell, Reserve Warden, Rainham, Wennington and Aveley Marshes Nature Reserve.

Tuesday 29th April 2003
 Chalkwell Park, 08:00: 1 Hobby. Tony Mead (SOG).
Gunners Park 19:30 - 19:55: 2 Cuckoo, Cetti's Warbler still calling in EWT reserve. Web Author.

Monday 28th April 2003
Rayleigh 06:50: 1 Swift. Robin Peppiatt.
Wat Tyler Country Park, 08:20 to 08:35: 1 Bearded Tit (male), 2 Reed Warbler (singing). Neil Chambers (SOG).
Two Tree island 09:45 - 10:15: Unconfirmed Sighting 1 Curlew Sandpiper. Michael Bunker.
Fleet Head, Wakering 14:00 - 15:30: 18 Whimbrel, 2 Swift, 2 House Martin, 10 Swallow. Don Wildish.
Hanningfield Reservoir 16:30 - 16:50 From Causeway: countless numbers of Swallow, House Martins and Swifts over entire reservoir. One or two Sand Martins. Kevin Rees.
Stanford Warren 19:30 - 20:45: 1 Nightingale seen and heard in scrub between last cottages in Wharf Road and fishing lake to right of access track. Very vocal and very mobile. 2 Cuckoo heard. Stephen Burt & Jon Hunter.
Two Tree Island: Hobby near car park (see illustration above). Steve Wood.
Hanningfield Reservoir:  Confirmed Sighting Red-rumped Swallow found by David Acfield at about 17.45 and still present at 20:00 when security gates shut. Steve Arlow (SOG), Nick Green. EBWS.

Sunday 27th April 2003
Hadleigh Marshes, 11:00 to 11:30: 2 Swift. Andrew Woodhouse Essex Ranger Service.
Gunners Park 12:30 - 14:00: 1 Kestrel, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 male Wheatear, Linnet. Stuart Bailey.
The Fleet, Wakering 14:50 - 15:40: 1 Little Egret, 1 Kestrel, 2 Common Tern, Meadow Pipit, Yellow Wagtail, Corn Bunting. Stuart Bailey.
Wat Tyler Country Park 16:30 - 17:40: 1 Kestrel, 1 leucistic Water Rail, Several Swift, Swallow, House Martin, 2 Cuckoo. Stuart Bailey.
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole: 17.55 - 20.10: Avocet, 5 Whimbrel, 11 Shelduck, 3 Common Tern, 18 Corn Bunting, Little Egret, Common Whitethroat, Swallow, 44 Dunlin, Great Crested Grebe, Little Grebe, Greylag Goose, 2 Reed Bunting. Ray Fuller.
Eastern Avenue 18:00: 1 Hobby behind Garons Golf Course. Don Wildish.

Saturday 26th April 2003
 Wakering Stairs, 06:25 to 07:35: 1 Whimbrel, 1 Lesser Whitethroat (singing), 7 Whitethroat (6 singing), 2 Sedge Warbler (singing), 2 Cuckoo (singing). Neil Chambers (SOG).
 Gunners Park, 07:45 to 08:45: 2 Swift, 1 Cetti's Warbler (singing), 2 Lesser Whitethroat (singing), 4 Whitethroat (singing), 2 Blackcap (pair),  2 Wheatear (both males), 1 Yellow Wagtail (flew over), 1 Cuckoo (singing). Neil Chambers, Steve Arlow (SOG).
Hadleigh Downs 08.00 - 09.00: Turtle Dove calling, Cuckoo calling, 3 Sparrowhawk, many Whitethroats and Blackcaps. Jeff Elliot.
Hadleigh Downs, 08:00 to 09:00: 2 Turtle Dove. Andrew Woodhouse Essex Ranger Service.
Gunners Park - Shoebury 08:30 - 09:40: 2 Common Shelduck, Sandwich Terns flew past, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 male Wheatear, 2 Mistle Thrush, Cetti's Warbler, 2 Blackcap, Common Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat. Web Author.
Fleet Head, 09:00 to 10:10: 2 Yellow Wagtail, 7 Spotted Redshank, 1 Greenshank, 2 Cuckoo (singing), 2 Whimbrel, 3 Reed Warbler (singing). Neil Chambers (SOG).
Hanningfield Reservoir 10:00 - 11:00: 3 male 1 female Red Crested Pochard, 1 Black Necked Grebe, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Goldeneye, 3 Common Tern, 100 Swallows. Jeff Elliott.
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole: 10.05 - 12.00: 5 Common Tern, 3 Sedge Warbler, 2 Reed Bunting, 2 Common Whitethroat, 3 Corn Bunting, 3 Shelduck, Sparrowhawk, Swallow, 2 Little Grebe. Ray Fuller.
Oxenham Farm, 10:25 to 11:00: 1 Wheatear, 1 Yellow Wagtail (flew over), 1 Short-eared Owl (sat on a post by the farm buildings before flying off east), 1 Cuckoo (singing). Neil Chambers (SOG).
The Fleet 16:00: 1 Turtle Dove on wires along road. Steve Giles, Don Wildish.
Wat Tyler Country Park, 16:20 to 17:30: 1 Swift, 1 Peregrine Falcon (male, mainly sat on pylons), 1 Cetti's Warbler (singing to the right of the main hide), 1 Water Rail (calling), 1 Cuckoo (singing). Neil Chambers, Steve Arlow, Paul Baker, Paul Griggs Mark Wickins (SOG).

Friday 25th April 2003
 Southend Airport 07:00 - 08:00: 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Fieldfare, 3 Redwing, 4 Stock Dove, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Whitethroat. Also 12:30 - 13:00 11 Swift, 4 House Martin, 1 Greylag Goose flying north east. Ivan Batchelor.
 Gunners Park, 08:10 to 13:30: 1 Garden Warbler (was singing briefly in the trees and bushes right next to the end car park), 1 Cetti's Warbler (the singing bird was still present). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Two Tree Island 10:00 - 12:00: 20 Common Whitethroat, 6 Dunnock, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Swallow, 30 Avocet, 6 Ringed Plover, 8 Redshank, 2 Shelduck, 4 Teal, 4 Oystercatcher, 1 Grey Heron, 12 Skylark, 2 Stonechat. Richard Mander.
Hadleigh Castle Country Park (car park): 13:30: 1 Sparrowhawk. Web Author.
Wat Tyler Country Park 15:00 - 15:30: 1 Bearded Tit, 1 Cuckoo, 2 Sedge Warbler, 1 Reed Warbler, 24+ Swift, 1 Swallow, 1 Cetti's Warbler singing. 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Little Grebe. R Shepherd.

News From RSPB Rainham Marshes:
 25th April; Grasshopper Warbler on River Wall, Common Scoter 3m 2f on Thames, Common Tern 1 on Thames, female Wheatear on the marsh, Greenshank up to 4, Ruff up to 4, Little Ringed Plover at least 4. Other records in the last couple of weeks included: 2 Spotted Redshank (24th); 2 Jack Snipe (24th); small numbers of Swift, Swallow, Sand and House Martin this week; up to 10 Yellow Wagtails around; Whimbrel 1 -2 in last week; up to 4 Green Sandpipers; max of 5 Bar-tailed Godwit - including some in full summer plumage. Dominic Funnell, Reserve Warden, Rainham, Wennington and Aveley Marshes Nature Reserve.

Thursday 24th April 2003 (first migrant report - Hobby)
Gunners Park, 13:05 to 13:40: Confirmed Rarity Sighting 1 Black Kite (The bird flew in low from the south west over the reserve at 1.15pm and headed off slowly in a north easterly direction inland towards Great Wakering and was finally lost to view at 1.25pm. the bird was seen at a range of at least 60 feet as it flew past and over me.), 1 Cetti's Warbler (still singing in the bushes in the south west corner), 1 Wheatear (male still in the reserve), 1 Lesser Whitethroat (a fine singing male in the bushes just the other side of the end bridge.). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Wakering Old Tip 14:00 to 15:30: 4 Pochard (a pair on the boatyard south pond and a pair flying over), 12 Mute Swan (6 on Fleet Head, 4 on Havengore and a pair on the south pond), 1 Hobby (flew through heading north), 1 Reed Warbler, 6 Sedge Warbler, 4 Whitethroat, 1 Little Egret, 6 Kestrel, 2 Gadwall (pair). Don Petrie (SOG).
Two Tree Island, 18:30 to 19:45: 2 Little Egret, 1 Tufted Duck (drake), 31 Avocet, 9 Whimbrel, 8 Greenshank, 1 Common Tern, 1 Stonechat (male), 1 Cetti's Warbler (singing), 1 Linnet, 1 Corn Bunting (singing), 2 Greylag Goose (flew west). Paul Griggs, Steve Arlow  (SOG).

Wednesday 23rd April 2003
Langdon Hills 10:00 - 12:00: Swallow, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, Firecrest (male), Bullfinch, Sparrowhawk, Skylark, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler. Andrew Cox.
Wakering Stairs, 19:30 to 20:10: 1 Cuckoo (singing), 3 Sedge Warbler (singing), 1 Whitethroat. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Gunners Park 18:15 - 19:30: 1 Grey Heron, 2 Green Woodpecker, Cetti's Warbler (seen twice amongst gorse bushes in SW corner of EWT reserve). Web Author.

Tuesday 22nd April 2003
 Gunners Park, 07:30 to 08:30: 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Fieldfare, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Cuckoo. Tony Mead (SOG).
Southend Airport 12:30 - 13:00: Cuckoo, Swallow, Common Whitethroat all seen near golf course. Ivan Batchelor.
Gunners Park 13:30 - 13:52:  2 Shelduck (in EWT Reserve), 1 Green Woodpecker, male Wheatear. Web Author.
The Fleet 14:10 - 16:00: 3 Little Egret, 2 Grey Heron, Shelduck, Shoveler, Pochard, 1 Spotted Redshank (in full summer plumage), Common Redshank, 6 Common Tern, Cuckoo, 1 Swallow, 24 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Sedge Warbler, Common Whitethroat, Goldfinch, Linnet, male Reed Bunting. Web Author.
Oxenham Farm 16:10 - 16:40: 8 Yellow Wagtail. Web Author.
Gunners Park, 18:00 to 18:20: 1 Cetti's Warbler (singing in the gorse corner of the EWT reserve). Paul Griggs, Steve Arlow (SOG).
Fleet Head, 18:30 to 18:45: 6 Swallow, 1 Reed Bunting (male), 1 Reed Warbler (singing), 2 Green Woodpecker. Paul Griggs, Steve Arlow (SOG).
Wakering Stairs, 19:00 to 19:30: 15 Common Tern, 1 Grasshopper Warbler (singing), 1 Short-eared Owl. Paul Griggs (SOG).

Monday 21st April 2003 (first migrant reports - Whinchat and Swift)
 Wakering Stairs, 08:25 to 09:40: 1 Grasshopper Warbler (seen singing in low hawthorns 50 yards past the end of the concrete seawall), 1 Barn Owl (seen hunting the grassy area until 8.55am), 1 Short-eared Owl (seen hunting the grassy area until 9.05am, often in same scope as the Barn Owl), 1 Cuckoo, 1 Willow Warbler, 2 Sedge Warbler, 4 Little Egret, 2 Whimbrel, 1 Greenshank, 3 Swallow, 2 Whitethroat, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 5 Jay. Steve Arlow  (SOG).
Gunners Park, 09:25 to 10:15: 1 Cetti's Warbler, 3 Blackcap, 4 Whitethroat. Brian Baldock  (SOG).
Rochford Golf Course, 08:30 to 11:30: 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Cuckoo (singing), 2 Blackcap (singing), 1 Chiffchaff (singing), 1 Willow Warbler (singing), 2 Whitethroat (singing), 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Green Woodpecker. Neil Chambers  (SOG).
Wallasea Island 10:00 - 12:00: Wheatear, 40 + Corn Bunting, 20+ Yellow Wagtail, Whitethroat, 6 Little Egrets, Whimbrel. Jeff Delve.
Wakering Stairs, 10:30 to 11:00: 1 Short-eared Owl, 5 Whitethroat. Brian Baldock  (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park 12:30: 1 Little Gull (from boat museum hide), 1 Cuckoo (heard). Stuart Bailey.
Star Lane - Wakering 13:10 - 13:40: 1 Kestrel, Yellow Wagtail, Reed Warbler, Chiffchaff, Long-tailed Tit. Web Author.
Fleet Head 15:00 - 16:30: 28 Yellow Wagtail, 5 Corn Bunting, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Whitethroat, 1 absolutely superb male Whinchat (on MOD road), 1 Common Tern, 4 Spotted Redshank, 2 Greenshank, 1 Whimbrel, 1 Snipe, 26 Ruff, 2 Avocet, 1 Swallow. Jeff Delve.
Wat Tyler Country Park, 15:00 to 16:40: 1 Little Gull (adult-summer), 1 Bearded Tit, 2 Reed Warbler (singing), 13 Greylag Goose, 1 Green Sandpiper, 6 Snipe, 1 Little Egret,  1 Herring Gull (leucistic 1st-summer), 1 Water Rail (heard), 1 Jackdaw, 1 Red-crested Pochard (female), 2 Wigeon (pair), 1 Cuckoo (heard). Paul Griggs, Steve Arlow  (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park, 15:00 to 16:40: 1 Little Gull (adult-summer), 1 Bearded Tit, 2 Reed Warbler (singing), 13 Greylag Goose, 1 Green Sandpiper, 6 Snipe, 1 Little Egret, 1 Herring Gull (leucistic 1st-summer), 1 Water Rail (heard), 1 Jackdaw, 1 Red-crested Pochard (female), 2 Wigeon (pair), 1 Cuckoo (heard), 1 Cetti's Warbler (heard). Paul Griggs, Steve Arlow  (SOG).
Wakering Stairs, 15:30 to 16:45: 1 Cuckoo (singing), 2 Whitethroat (singing). Neil Chambers  (SOG).
Two Tree island 17:00 - 18:30: Short-eared Owl, Greenshank, Redshank, Snipe, Bar-tailed Godwit, Black-tailed Godwit, Common Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler, 26 + Avocet, 3 Grey Heron, Curlew, Turnstone. R Shepherd.
Gunners Park, 17:00 to 17:40: 1 Wheatear (male), 1 Mediterranean Gull (adult over east), 1 Cetti's Warbler (singing in SW corner), 1 Whitethroat (singing). Neil Chambers  (SOG).
Wakering Stairs, Haven Point 17:00 - 18:00: 1 Whimbrel, 11 Common Tern, 30 Sanderling, 20+ Turnstone. Jeff Delve.
Two Tree Island (East), 17:40 to 19:40: 10 Whitethroat, 2 Greenshank (heard), 4 Whimbrel, 120 Common Tern, 1 Cuckoo (heard), 6 Sedge Warbler, 2 Swallow, 1 Swift, 83 Brent Goose, 82 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Mediterranean Gull (1st-summer), 2 Gadwall (pair), 1 Snipe, 1 Cetti's Warbler (heard). Paul Griggs, Steve Arlow  (SOG).
Hanningfield Reservoir: Little Gull 8 adults, 3 Common Tern, Gadwall,  2 male Red-crested Pochard, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Greenshank . Steve Arlow, Paul Griggs. (SOG).
North Southend 19:40: pair of Little Owl. Web Author.
Butts Hill Pond: Cuckoo flew through, Willow Warbler, Blackcap, 4 Corn Bunting. Jeff Delve.
Ballards Gore, Canewdon: 65 Fieldfare, 1 Redwing on golf club practice area. Jeff Delve.

Sunday 20th April 2003
Two Tree Island 07:30 - 09:30: Cetti's Warbler (East end from the viewing platform, also heard on the Friday). Water Rail (East end). 35 Avocet, 100+ Golden Plover, Black & Bar tailed Godwit. Snipe. 2 Common Tern. David Hope.
Rochford Golf Course, 08:00 to 11:40: 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Whitethroat (singing), 1 Blackcap (singing). Neil Chambers (SOG).
Gunners Park, 09:15 to 10:30: 1 Cetti's Warbler (singing), 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap, 4 Whitethroat, 2 Green Woodpecker. Brian Baldock (SOG).
Wakering Stairs 12:25 - 13:25: 2 Little Egret, 1 Swallow, 1 Sedge Warbler, Common Whitethroat, Willow Warbler (2 heard). Web Author.
Fleet Head 14:30 - 16:00: 5 Yellow Wagtail, 9 House Martin, 5 Swallow, 1 Little Egret, 7 (4M,3F) Shoveler, pair Gadwall, 5 Little Grebe, 8 Mute Swan. Steve and Corrina Giles.
Prittle Brook (Leigh on Sea), 15:00: 2 Grey Wagtail (pair in garden). Brian Baldock (SOG).
Butts Hill Pond: 1 Nightingale, 20 Corn Bunting, Blackcap, 2 Sparrowhawk hunting as a pair. Jeff Delve
Hanningfield Reservoir: 1 Scaup. 1 Red Crested Pochard (f), 1 m 5 f Goldeneye, Little Gull, Common Gull, Barnacle Goose, & Snipe,. 2 Blackcap. Dave Messenger.
Fleet Head:  1 Kestrel, Swallow, Meadow Pipit, Whitethroat, Yellow Wagtail. Steve Arlow (SOG).
Two Tree Island: 40+ Avocet, 20+ Ringed Plover, few Grey Plover, Redshanks, 20+ Bar-tailed Godwit, Greenshanks, Turnstones, 1 Little Egret, plus Teal, Oystercatchers & Shelduck. Also Common Tern have now arrived in the Lea Valley Dave Messenger.

Saturday 19th April 2003
Fleet Head 07:00 - 08:15: Sedge Warbler, Cuckoo, Swallow, 2 Snipe, 8 Spotted Redshank, 2 Avocet. Don Wildish & Megan.
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole: 09.30 - 11.05: 11 Shelduck, 4 Curlew. Ray Fuller
Wat Tyler Country Park: 11:00 - 12:00: 1 Leucistic Water Rail in reed beds just below hide. Ernie Hillier.

Friday 18th April 2003 (first migrant reports - Grasshopper Warbler, Reed Warbler)
Wakering Stairs 07:00 - 09:00: 1 male, 4 female Pheasant, 2 Red-legged Partridge, 4 Blackbird, Linnet, Whitethroat, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Mallard, 1 Little Egret, Grasshopper Warbler (heard only by the concrete blocks just past where the sea wall path turns from concrete to grass and a tarmac track goes into the MOD land), Woodpigeon, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Reed Bunting, Oystercatcher, Redshank, 8 Shelduck, 4 Magpie, 1 Jay, Black-headed Gull, 1 Cuckoo, 2 Skylark, 4 Dunnock, 2 Blue Tit, Starling. Neil Twyford.
Gunners Park, 07:00 to 08:30: 1 Redwing, 4 Whitethroat, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Sparrowhawk. Brian Baldock (SOG).
Hadleigh Marshes, 08:30 to 10:00: 1 Cuckoo, 1 Snipe, 1 Reed Warbler, 2 Corn Bunting. Andrew Woodhouse Essex Ranger Service.
Wakering Stairs, 08:40 to 09:40: 1 Cuckoo, 4 Whitethroat. Brian Baldock (SOG).
Two Tree Island 14:00: 1 Green Woodpecker, Linnets, 40+ Avocet, Oystercatcher, Redshank, Ringed Plover, Teal and 1 Canada Goose. Brian Radford.
Hadleigh Marshes 15:00 - 16:00: Yellow Wagtail, Chaffinch. Brian Radford.
Hadleigh Downs, 15:30 to 17:30: 1 Cuckoo, 10 Whitethroat, 4 Chiffchaff, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Swallow, 2 Snipe, 1 Woodcock, 2 Green Woodpecker. John Wright (SOG).
Hanningfield Reservoir: 2 Green Sandpiper. Terry Strong.
Heybridge 18:00: Whooper Swan reported by Scraley Road.

For Information: The following report has been received from an unknown source: Essex 16/04/03: Great White Egret over Burnham Marshes at 17:45. Flew south over River Crouch towards Foulness Island. It may be worth keeping an eye out this weekend. Web Author.

Thursday 17th April 2003
Gunners Park, 06:30 to 08:10: 6 Whitethroat, 1 Sparrowhawk (female), 1 Blackbird (Leucistic male seen again), 1 Blackcap, Linnet. Steve Arlow (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park, 08:30 to 09:30: 1 Garden Warbler, 15 Blackcap, 1 Whitethroat, 4 Chiffchaff (all singing), 1 Water Rail (from the main hide). Neil Chambers (SOG).
Gunners Park, 14:00 to 14:45: 1 Blackcap, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Teal (Drake on the pond). John Wright (SOG).
Oxenham Farm, 15:00 to 16:00: 2 Little Egret, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Sedge Warbler. John Wright (SOG).
Gunners Park, 15:45 to 17:00: 2 Whitethroat, 1 Sparrowhawk (female), 52 Sandwich Tern. Don Petrie (SOG).
Fleet Head, 17:10 to 19:00: 10 House Martin (at least), 12 Swallow (at least), 32 Yellow Wagtail (with up to 24 in the usual place), 1 Spotted Redshank (summer plumaged), 3 Greenshank, 4 Little Egret. Steve Arlow, Don Petrie (SOG).
The Fleet, Wakering: 17 Yellow Wagtail. Trevor Masters.
Hanningfield Reservoir: Plenty of Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps, male Scaup, 2x Little Ringed Plovers, 6 + Little Gulls, Black Tern, 2x m Red Crested Pochard, 1 Barnacle Goose in company with an unidentified Goose, Goldeneye, Shoveler, Gadwall, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Teal, Greenshank, Sparrowhawk. Terry Strong & Tony Giles. Also reported to me by John Leeming, A Ring Ouzel on the path up from the Golf Driving Range on Two Tree Island.

Wednesday 16th April 2003 (first migrant reports - Ruff, Firecrest)
 Benfleet, 08:30 to 08:40: 1 Nightingale (one singing at the bottom of my garden, near Hoy & Helmet Pub). Simon Watson (SOG)
Southend Airport 11:00: Wheatear on peri track by north hangar, also Swallow flying north. Ivan Batchelor.
Gunners Park, 13:00 to 13:20: 1 Whitethroat (singing), 1 Sandwich Tern (heard). Paul Griggs (SOG).
Gunners Park, 13:10 to 13:45: 4 Whitethroat. Steve Arlow (SOG).
Paglesham, 17:10 to 08:00: 3 Yellow Wagtail, 4 Swallow (over the lagoon), 1 Pintail (male on the lagoon), 6 Red-breasted Merganser (2 males and 4 females on the river), 1 Little Egret (along the river), 1 Whitethroat, 1 Whimbrel (along the river), 1 Ruff, 1 Green Woodpecker. Steve Arlow (SOG).
Fleet Head, Wakering 17:30 - 19:30: Swallow. 14 Spotted Redshank, 1 bird coming into summer plumage. Whimbrel. 25+ Yellow Wagtails. Sparrowhawk. Cuckoo head calling. Don Wildish.
Gunners Park 18:00 - 19:00: 1 Kestrel, leucistic Blackbird, 1 Firecrest showing very well on mound. Web Author.

Tuesday 15th April 2003 (first migrant reports - Cuckoo, Black Redstart)
 Two Tree Island 09:00 - 11:15: Stonechat (with very pale chest) near western end, 50 Avocet on the lagoon, Common Whitethroat at eastern end. David Lee.
Hadleigh Downs, 09:00 to 09:30: 1 Cuckoo, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Whitethroat. Andrew Woodhouse Essex Ranger Service.
Two Tree Island (West), 10:30 to 11:30: 46 Avocet, 28 Linnet, 1 Whitethroat, 2 Sedge Warbler, 1 Wheatear, 1 Stonechat (the pale male). Andrew Woodhouse, Steve Bunn  Essex Ranger Service.
Belton Hills, 12:30 to 12:45: 1 Buzzard (superb views as it flew over, being mobbed by crows), 2 Swallow, 2 Willow Warbler. Tony Mead (SOG).
Hanningfield Reservoir 13:15 - 15:00: Water levels continue to fall slowly, so the island is increasing in size and worth keeping an eye on. West Bank (permit access only): 1 Swallow, 2 Red-crested Pochard (pair), 1 Ringed Teal, female Mallard & 8 ducklings, 4 Teal, 1 White Wagtail. Point Hide: 2 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Avocet, 1 Common Tern, 1 Egyptian Goose. Rawl Hide: drake Scaup showing very well. EWT Car Park 2 Orangetips and Red Admiral butterflies. Nick Green EBWS.
Gunners Park, 17:15 to 18:50: 1 Sedge Warbler (singing along the MOD fence just north of the gate by the 3rd wooden post.), 1 Black Redstart (in the EWT reserve). Steve Arlow, Paul Griggs  (SOG).
Wakering Stairs, 19:10 to 19:25: 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Barn Owl. Steve Arlow, Paul Griggs (SOG).

Monday 14th April 2003
Benfleet Station 09:00: pair of House Martin in the St. Mary's Church area. Tim Bennett.
Belfairs Wood 09:15 - 11:15: 1 male and 1 female Blackcap, in woods just west of the 3rd golf hole. 1 Mistle Thrush, 1 Song Thrush, 2 Nuthatch, 4 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great-spotted Woodpecker. Many Jays. David Lee.
Hanningfield Reservoir 17:00 - 17:15: 2 Slavonian Grebe. Also, Swan Lane Stock; still 20-30 Fieldfare milling around. Kevin Rees.
Barling Pits, 18:10 to 19:00: 2 Little Egret, 1 Reed Bunting (male), 2 Spotted Redshank (1 in summer plumage). Steve Arlow, Paul Griggs (SOG).

Sunday 13th April 2003 (first migrant reports - Common Tern, Black Tern, Slavonian Grebe, Common Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler, House Martin)
East Tilbury 09:00 - 12:00: 3 Swallow, 4 Whimbrel, 2 Mediterranean Gull (1 adult, 1 first summer), 2 Jack Snipe, 1 Stonechat, 1 Little Egret, 1 Sparrowhawk. Also Yellow Wagtail, Common Whitethroat, Short-eared Owl reported. David Jobbins (Birds of East Tilbury) Birds of East Tilbury Website.
Two Tree island 07.30 - 09.30: 50 Avocet, 1 male Stonechat (incredibly pale/white individual), 2 Sedge Warbler (singing, western end of island, nr hide), 2 Short-eared Owl (hunting seawall and the island itself - western end), 1 Greenshank. Andrew Gouldstone. RSPB Conservation Officer, Staffordshire, Shropshire and Cheshire.
Wat Tyler Country Park 10:30 - 13:30: Cetti's Warbler (F) Reed Buntings (M&F), pair of Great Crested Grebe. On the Fleet or Scrape: Greenshank, (2F, 1M) on Timmermans Creek. House Martin over Fleet. Pair of Oystercatchers on Scrape. 10+ Little Grebes on Fleet. Martin Itter.
Fleet Head, 13:00 to 14:00: 3 Swallow, 4 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Little Egret, 1 Linnet (small flock), 3 Corn Bunting, 2 Avocet. Dudley Shayler (SOG).
Canvey Point 13:00 - 14:00: 2 Common Tern, 5 Turnstone, 50+ Brent Geese, 1 Redshank, 1 Kestrel (M), 5 Skylark, 1 Dunnock and usual selection of gulls. Ron Galliers.
Pitsea, 13:00 to 15:00: 2 Bearded Tit, 1 Cetti's Warbler (heard), 1 Swallow (and 5 distant hirundines sp.), 1 Green Sandpiper (heard), 1 Greenshank (heard), 7 Wigeon, 19 Greylag Goose, 1 Little Egret, 1 Kestrel, 1 Glaucous Gull (3rd-summer 13:40 - 14:15). Paul Griggs, Steve Arlow (SOG).
Buttsbury/River Wid 14:00 15:00: 1 Willow Warbler (heard), 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 White Wagtail. Kevin Rees.
Hanningfield Reservoir 15:15 - 16:45: 1 Black Tern, 3 Common Tern, 2 Slavonian Grebe, 1 Avocet, 1 Swallow, 1 Red-crested Pochard, Chiffchaff. Steve Hiscock. 
Wat Tyler Country Park, 14:25 to 15:45: 1 Water Rail (heard calling in front of main hide). Don Petrie (SOG).
Two Tree Island, 16:30 to 19:30: 120 Golden Plover (flew from the fields on Hadleigh Downs towards Benfleet Creek), 30 Avocet (on the lagoon), 1 Stonechat (The 'pale' male seen again this evening), 1 Short-eared Owl (Seen well from the sea wall along Benfleet creek sat in grass). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Benfleet Creek, 18:00 to 18:10: 1 Short-eared Owl (Hunting the sea wall.). John Wright (SOG).

Saturday 12th April 2003 (first migrant report - Little Ringed Plover)
Westcliff Seafront, 07:30 to 09:15: 5 Mediterranean Gull (1 adult pair, 2nd summer pair (including red ringed 7e9 bird) and the 1st summer green ringed 3LL7), Brent Goose, 4 Sandwich Tern. Steve Arlow, John Wright (SOG).
Chalkwell Station, 08:15 to 08:30: 1 Sparrowhawk (Just west of the station). John Wright (SOG).
Westcliff Seafront, 08:30 to 08:35: 10 Sanderling. John Wright (SOG).
Gunners Park, 09:30 to 10:45: 1 Swallow (north), 2 Mediterranean Gull (adult pair over), 3 Sandwich Tern, 1 Redwing. Steve Arlow, John Wright (SOG).
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole: 09.40 - 11.50: 5 Reed Bunting, Corn Bunting, 5 Curlew, 2 Little Egret, 34 Shelduck. Ray Fuller.
Little Wakering, 10:55 to 10:55: 1 Sparrowhawk (female over the church). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Fleet Head, 11:00 to 12:00: 2 Little Egret, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Snipe, 8 Tufted Duck, 3 Shoveler. John Wright (SOG).
Barling Pits, 11:20 to 12:30: 1 Little Ringed Plover (on the main pit viewable from the farm track), 2 Mediterranean Gull (pair over), 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Little Egret. Steve Arlow, John Wright (SOG).
Paglesham 12:30: 1 Swallow, Andrew Gouldstone. RSPB Conservation Officer, Staffordshire, Shropshire and Cheshire. 
Two Tree Island (West) 16:40 to 17:00: 2 Snipe, 2 Ringed Plover, 30 Avocet, 2 Oystercatcher, 2 Canada Goose, 20 Teal (Plus about 100 along the creek), 1 Corn Bunting (Singing). John Wright (SOG).
Benfleet Creek, 17:10 to 18:10: Nice Sighting 2 Short-eared Owl (Hunting the sea wall adjacent to Two Tree Is. West), 150 Black-tailed Godwit (Some of both species of godwit in summer plumage), 50 Bar-tailed Godwit. John Wright (SOG).
Two Tree Island early am and late pm: 48 Avocet, 3 Corn Bunting (3 singing male), 1 Greenshank, 1 Short-eared Owl, (hunting seawall and the island itself - western end), 17 Brent Goose, 1 Little Egret. Andrew Gouldstone, RSPB Conservation Officer, Staffordshire, Shropshire and Cheshire.

Friday 11th April 2003 (first migrant report - Ring Ouzel)
Vange Marsh, 07:00 to 09:00: 2 Egyptian Goose (a pair), 3 Swallow, 1 Green Sandpiper. Chris Lewis (SOG).
Westcliff Casino, 09:10 to 09:25: 5 Mediterranean Gull (2 ad-summer, 2 2nd-summer (one with red ring 7E9), 1 1st-summer (green ring 3LL7)). Paul Griggs (SOG).
Highlands Boulevard, Leigh, 10:50 to 11:00: 2 Grey Wagtail (pair, feeding in my garden). Paul Griggs (SOG).
Vange Marsh, 15:00 to 15:40: 4 Swallow. Vince Kinsler (SOG).
Swan Lane, Stock 16:15 - 16:30: Approx. 60 Fieldfare, 20 Redwing, 20 Starling congregating noisily in old oak tree. Plus pair Bullfinches nearby. Kevin Rees.
Gunners Park, 13:10 to 13:25: 1 Ring Ouzel (male in EWT reserve, around gorse clump.). Harry Carmichael (SOG).
Gunners Park, 17:00 to 18:45: 1 Ring Ouzel (male was seen on and off at the western end of the EWT reserve beyond te gorse.), 3 Sandwich Tern (offshore), 17 Great Crested Grebe. Steve Arlow, Paul Griggs, Don Petrie (SOG).

Thursday 10th April 2003 
Thurrock Area 05:10: One Barn Owl on the A1089 between Little Thurrock and the A13 just driving to work and flew in front of my car, I pulled over and had a great view as it perched on street light. Terence Ross.
Hadleigh Downs, 10:00: 1 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (in wood next to Chapel Lane car park). Andrew Woodhouse, Steve Bunn Essex Ranger Service.
Hadleigh Country Park, Chapel Lane car park 13:00: 17 Goldfinch feeding on niger seed. Andrew Woodhouse, Web Author.
Hadleigh Downs 14:00 - 14:30: 1 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker in woods (calling song continuously for 5 minutes). Kevin Rees.
Hanningfield Reservoir 15:00 - 19:00: West Bank (permit access only): 1 pair Red-crested Pochard, male Yellow Wagtail, 17 Pied Wagtail. Point Hide: 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 1 Dunlin, 2 Swallow, 100 Sand Martin, 2 Slavonian Grebe (almost full summer plumage). Fremnells Causeway: 3 White Wagtail, 20 Pied Wagtail, Escape 1 Ringed Teal. Nearby Crowsheath Farm Area: 32 Waxwing. birds came to roost about 7pm. Nick Green EBWS.

Wednesday 09th April 2003 (first migrant report - Sandwich Tern)
Thorpe Bay Area 07:00: Great Spotted Woodpecker (one)spotted in tree on junction of Thorpe Hall Avenue and Willingale Way. Also Green Woodpecker (one) spotted in Willingale Way 11.00 am. Andrew Grassick.
Belfairs Woods 10:20 - 13:00: 2 Mistle Thrush, 3 Nuthatch, 2 Green Woodpecker. Web Author.
Westcliff Seafront, 13:30 to 13:45: 10 Mediterranean Gull (4 adults (2 of which east of the Casino), 4 2nd summers (all by Rossi), 2 1st summers (all east of the Casino).), 3 Sandwich Tern (on the mud with the Mediterranean Gulls just east of the Casino.). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Fleet Head, 17:30 to 18:30: 1 Mediterranean Gull (adult summer), 4 Little Egret, 1 Spotted Redshank. Steve Arlow (SOG).

Tuesday 08th April 2003 (first migrant report - Swallow)
Belfairs Golf Course, 10:00 to 10:20: 1 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (female feeding actively along the edge of the fairway.). Tony Mead (SOG).
Shoebury, Tudor Gardens 12:20:  Buzzard sp. overhead, heading east. Steve Giles.
Wat Tyler Country Park 13:00:  2 Swallow. Stuart Bailey.
Westcliff Casino, 13:20 to 13:45: 3 Mediterranean Gull (2 2nd-summer, 1 1st-summer). Paul Griggs (SOG).
Buttsbury between Billericay and Ingatestone along River Wid 16:25 - 16:35: 4 Swallow, 2 Yellowhammer, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Corn Bunting. Kevin Rees.

Monday 07th April 2003
Eastern Avenue (small wood & lanes behind Waitrose) 10:00 - 12:00: 1 Redwing. 4 Yellow Hammer. Green Woodpecker. 2 Kestrel. 15+ Linnet. Long- tailed Tit. Don Wildish.
Westcliff Seafront, 17:00 to 17:05: 1 Mediterranean Gull (2nd summer). Don Petrie (SOG).
Two Tree Island 18:45 - 19:45: 2 Short-Eared Owls hunting the seawall, scrape and surrounding area. Also 1 Black-tailed Godwit flying along Leigh Creek. Mike Sagrott & John Harwood.

Sunday 06th April 2003
East Tilbury 09:15 - 10:00: 1 Short-eared Owl, several Avocets, Dunlins, Curlews. David Jobbins (Birds of East Tilbury) Birds of East Tilbury Website.
The Fleet, Wakering 11:00 - 12:00: 3 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Spotted Redshank coming into summer plumage. Also the plastic ducks! Don Wildish.
The Fleet, Wakering 16:00 - 17:30:  2 Mute Swan, 1 Kestrel, 2 Avocet, 1 Greenshank, Skylark, 7 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Pied Wagtail, Linnet. Stuart Bailey.

Saturday 05th April 2003 (possible migrant report - Spotted Redshank)
Belfairs Nature Reserve 07:30 - 11:00: many Chiffchaff, 3 Nuthatch, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker heard calling. Web Author.
Hadleigh Downs, 09:30 to 11:00: 2 Tawny Owl, 1 Spotted Redshank (Benfleet creek). Steve Bunn Essex Ranger Service.
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole: 09.50 - 12.10: 3 Reed Bunting, 21 Widgeon, 8 Shelduck, Little Egret, 3 Curlew, 3 Corn Bunting, Great Crested Grebe, Black Tailed Godwit, Mute Swan. Ray Fuller.
Leigh on Sea, 10:00 to 11:00: 3 Jackdaw (Pair over Rectory Grove and one in Pall Mall). John Wright (SOG).
The Fleet - Wakering 13:30 - 15:30: Common Shelduck, 5 Shoveler, 1 male Hen Harrier (on Rushley), 1 Common Snipe, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Pied Wagtail, 7 Yellow Wagtail, Linnet. The Yellow wagtail are in the same place and at almost the same time as last year when 20+ plus were in this area. Web Author. (not included in this report were lots of plastic Wigeon and 1 plastic Pintail set as decoys on the scrapes for the wildfowlers. Watch for the plastic Pintail, it made me look twice!).
Fleet Head, 15:00 to 16:50: 2 Mediterranean Gull (adults), 2 Cetti's Warbler (called). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Rochford Golf Course, 15:15 to 18:30: 2 Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Blackcap (singing), 1 Willow Warbler (singing), 1 Sparrowhawk (female). Neil Chambers (SOG).
Two Tree Island (West), 17:45 to 18:00: 1 Short-eared Owl (Hunting between the road and the model aeroplane field.). John Wright  (SOG).

Friday 04th April 2003 (migrant report - Yellow Wagtail)
Wat Tyler Country Park 11:30: 1 Cetti's Warbler, (excellent views close to right of hide). Stuart Bailey.
Westcliff Casino, 13:25 to 13:45: 1 Mediterranean Gull (1st-summer). Paul Griggs (SOG).
The Fleet, Wakering 14:40 - 16:30: 8 Yellow Wagtails, 3 Avocets, 1 Greenshank. Jeff Elliott.

Thursday 03rd April 2003
 Rayleigh 08:15: Late birds returning north 3 Waxing in my garden and general area of Downhall Road: 1 male Blackcap in full song in my garden. 1 Peregrine flew high North at 4pm. Robin Peppiatt.
The Fleet, Wakering 19:15 - 19:50: 2 Little Egret, 2 Mute Swan, 1 Little Owl perched on hay wagon by barns. Web Author

Wednesday 02nd April 2003
 Rayleigh 08:00: Late birds returning north 4 Waxwing in my garden in Downhall Road. Stayed 15-20 minutes and visited four times during the day and were very mobile and flighty. Robin Peppiatt.
Southend, 10:25 to 10:30: 1 Sparrowhawk (Over Victoria Circus). John Wright (SOG).
 Wat Tyler Country Park 11:30 - 12:15: 1 Water Rail, 1 Cetti's Warbler (singing). Steve Hiscock.
 Fobbing Marsh 12:50: Here since Saturday Whooper Swan by oil refinery. David Jobbins (Birds of East Tilbury) Birds of East Tilbury Website.
Wakering Old Rubbish Tip 19:00: 1 Short-eared Owl (on Rushley). Stuart Bailey.

Tuesday 01st April 2003
Belfairs Nature Reserve 08:00: 1 Crossbill (flew over), 5 Lesser Redpoll. Tony Mead (SOG).

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