April 2006

Sunday 30th April 2006 First Report of Arctic Tern

Rochford Golf Course, 08:00 to 12:15
2 Green Woodpecker, 4 Whitethroat singing, 2 Blackcap singing. Neil Chambers (SOG).

East Tilbury 08.00 - 10.30
2 Arctic Tern briefly; two Nightingale singing; Hobby. David Jobbins.

Benfleet Downs 08.30
2 Nightingale. One singing within 20 yards of School Lane entrance the other another 50 yards further along path. Jerry Stock.

South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 09.45 11.35
7 Common Whitethroat, Reed Bunting, Sedge Warbler, 3 Little Egret, Little Grebe, 5 Shelduck, Greenshank, 2 Whimbrel (at least one Whimbrel has been present at this site for 2 weeks), Curlew, 4 Bar-tailed Godwit, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 12 Skylark. Ray Fuller.

RSPB West Canvey & VangeMarsh, 15:00 to 16:30
1 Hobby, 2 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk, 4 Swallow, 1 Chiffchaff, 6 Reed Bunting (males), 2 Common Tern, 1 Swift, 1 Ringed Plover, 4 Greenshank, 4 Whitethroat, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 4 Greylag Goose. Paul Griggs, Paul Baker (SOG).

Paglesham Lagoon, 17:20 to 18:50
1 Reed Warbler, 1 Whitethroat, 35 Swallow, 4 House Martin, 11 Canada Goose, 6 Greylag Goose, 2 Dark-bellied Brent Goose (adults), 1 Little Egret, 11 Yellow Wagtail, 4 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Corn Bunting, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit. Paul Griggs, Paul Baker (SOG).

Wat Tyler Country Park, 18:15 to 18:50
1 Whitethroat singing, 3 Blackcap singing, 1 Cuckoo singing. Neil Chambers (SOG).

Paglesham Churchend, 19:00 to 19:05
1 Little Owl. Paul Griggs, Paul Baker (SOG).

Saturday 29th April 2006

Two Tree Island, 06:00 to 07:30
1 Whimbrel, 1 Cuckoo. John Wright (SOG).

Two Tree Island 06.10 -12.30
Country Park Side: 1 male Wheatear on Aircraft Field, 25 + Whitethroat, 2 Greenfinch, 4 Linnet, 1 Sedge Warbler, 2 Cuckoo, 2 Skylark. Lagoon: 14 Avocet, 2 Black-headed Gull, 2 Common Tern, 2 Ringed Plover, 3 Oystercatcher, 6 Redshank, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Shelduck, 20+ Bar-tailed Godwit to left of Lagoon. Essex Wildlife Trust side: 20+ Whitethroat, 2 Blackcap, 1 Reed Warbler on pond to far left of Island. 1 Common Lizard, 1 Red Admiral Butterfly. Darren Chaplin.

Leigh-on-Sea 07:10
1 male Blackcap in bushes on south side of Belton Way east. David Lee.

Wat Tyler Country Park, 08:30 to 10:30
1 Peregrine Falcon on usual pylon, c.30 Avocet, Sand Martin (many passing through), House Martin (many passing through), Swallow (many), 3 Cetti's Warbler (heard), 1 Water Rail (heard), 3 Bearded Tit, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Reed Warbler. Web Author.

East Tilbury, Coalhouse For 09:00 - 11:00
2 Yellow Wagtail, 7 Whitethroat singing, 1 Cuckoo, 28 Dunlin, 12 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Whimbrel, 47 Shelduck. Alan Shearman RSPB.

Two Tree Island, 09:00 to 11:45
2 House Martin, 1 Reed Warbler, 2 Reed Bunting, 2 Sedge Warbler, 37 Whitethroat, 1 Whimbrel, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 35 Bar-tailed Godwit, 2 Cuckoo, 2 Kestrel. Comma Butterfly, Sloworm. Graham Ryland (SOG).

Wat Tyler Country Park, 10:30 to 12:30
3 Swift, 6 House Martin, 2 Bearded Tit, 3 Cetti's Warbler singing, one at scrape hide, one near other hide and one by boatyard. John Wright (SOG).

Pitsea Station Embankment 13:30
1 Chiffchaff. Darren Chaplin.

Benfleet Downs, 13:30 - 17:00
Nightingale Click here for more information on the Nightingale - opens in new window heard singing in the trees to right of main path, 50 yards from school lane/station road entrance. Note - this bird was only heard and not seen. Gordon Appleton.

Gunners Park, 16:00 to 17:00
1 Common Sandpiper. John Wright (SOG).

Hadleigh Country Park 16.30
1 male Kestrel, 1 Hobby perched for 4/5 minutes on dead tree near the dipping pond till chased off by Crow and Magpie. Mike Sagrott.

Rochford Golf Course, 18:30 to 20:15
3 Green Woodpecker, 1 Whitethroat (singing). Neil Chambers (SOG).

Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 19:00
1 Sparrowhawk through garden. Paul Baker (SOG).

Friday 28th April 2006 First Report of Garden Warbler

Benfleet 07:100
6 Little Egret along the creek in Benfleet, seen from the train. Dave Dove.

Hockley Woods 10.00
1 Garden Warbler, 2 Blackap, 2 Nuthatch, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Swallow, Chiffchaff heard. David Chivers.

Southend, Bournes Green, 12:00
1 Hobby across fields, flying east. Harry Carmichael (SOG).

Fanes Wood, Thundersley, 18:00 to 19:30
1 Bullfinch (male), 2 Mistle Thrush, 7 Blackcap, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Willow Warbler, 3 Swallow, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker. Graham Ryland (SOG).

Thursday 27th April 2006

Hanningfield Reservoir 18:10 - 18:20
100+ Swift, pair Red-crested Pochard. Neil Chambers (SOG).

RSPB West Canvey & VangeMarsh
3 Little Ringed Plover, 6 Avocet, 1 Greenshank, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Little Egret, 2 Swift, 11 Swallow, 14 Shelduck, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Whitethroat, 1 Cetti's Warbler: and another singing on the old landfill site. 2 Reed Warbler at least. Alan Shearman, RSPB South Essex Community Project Officer.

Two Tree Island
 6 Swift, 20 House Martin, 6 Cuckoo, many Whitethroat. Also 5 Adder and 1 Common Lizard. Steve Wood.

Wednesday 26th April 2006

Belton Hills, 06:40 to 06:45
1 Blackcap, 3 Whitethroat, 1 Chiffchaff. John Wright (SOG).

Benfleet Creek, 06:50
1 Little Egret in usual place by the Canvey road bridge. John Wright (SOG).

Bowers Marshes, 06:50 to 06:55
1 Cuckoo viewed from the train. John Wright (SOG).

Abberton Reservoir 10.15 - 15.00
2 Oystercatcher and 17 Common Tern (on Tern raft from Scott hide), pair Teal, numerous Tufted Ducks, 9 Mute Swan, 12 Chaffinch, 1 Nightingale. 1 Whitethroat (outside Tony Soper hide), 10 Chaffinch. 1 Chiffchaff, 7 Great Crested Grebe, 5 Goldeneye, pair Pintail Duck, 6 Greenfinch. Chris Henry.

Leigh, Belfairs School 16:30
3 Jackdaw on the grass at the front of Belfairs school. David Lee.

Wakering Stairs, 18:00 to 18:30
1 Turtle Dove, 1 Cuckoo, 3 Whitethroat, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Blackcap, 5 Red-legged Partridge, 1 Kestrel. Paul Griggs, Steve Arlow (SOG).

Rayleigh, 18:15
1 Sparrowhawk circling over London Road. Paul Baker (SOG).

Wakering, Fleet Head, 18:40 to 19:30
2 Spotted Redshank in summer plumage, 7 Greenshank, 8 Corn Bunting, 1 Little Egret, 19 Linnet, 20 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 6 Red-legged Partridge, 1 Kestrel, 1 Reed Warbler, 3 Swallow, 4 Skylark. Paul Griggs, Steve Arlow (SOG).

Southend, Earls Hall Avenue, 18:45 to 18:50
2 Swift. Harry Carmichael (SOG).

Canvey West End 19.15 - 20.00
2 Cuckoo, 21 Common Whitethroat, 1 Lesser Whitethroat (singing well), 1 Kestrel, 2 Fieldfare (not seen any others for a couple of weeks), 46 House Sparrow having a dust bath at very end of Haven Road. Numerous others in surrounding bushes possibly 100+ present. Martin Cracknell.

Tuesday 25th April 2006

Hanningfield Reservoir 10.30
3 Black-necked Grebe, 2 male Red-crested Pochard, 1 Pink-footed Goose with Greylag Geese grazing in field, 1 Barnacle Goose by water front restaurant, Chiffchaff and Blackcap in woods and 2 Grey Wagtail on green opposite car park. Martin Jameson, Michael Howell.

Hanningfield 13.00
2 Goosander flew over reservoir towards car park end. Martin Jameson.

Fishers Green, Lea Valley 16.00
Heard our first Cuckoo, Pochard and Tufted Duck. Muntjac Deer on one of the islands grazing. Martin Jameson, Michael Howell.

Leigh on Sea, 18:20 to 19:00
1 male Sparrowhawk flying eastwards at 18.20 and returning with prey at 18.55 between Briawood Drive and Shirley Road. Dudley Shayler (SOG).

Gunners Park, 18:30 to 19:40
3 Wheatear (male Greenland bird and 2 females), 12 Yellow Wagtail (including female Blue-headed Wagtail?), 3 White / Pied Wagtail, 4 Swallow, 54 Great Crested Grebe (off shore), 10 Common Tern (at least), 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat. Steve Arlow (SOG).

Norsey Wood, Billericay
Wood Warbler singing sporadically, Swift. Neil Sumner.

East Tilbury, Coalhouse Fort 10.30 - 13.00
2 Cuckoo, Lapwing (possibly 3 pairs on adjacent farmland), 2 Yellowhammer, 11 Curlew, 9 Avocet, 8 singing Whitethroat, 5 singing Skylark, 14 Meadow Pipit, 1 Little Egret, 3 Reed Bunting, 3 Mistle Thrush. Alan Shearman RSPB.

Monday 24th April 2006

Dunton/Herongate 0:855 - 09:10
Common Buzzard. At first high over Ford Research, followed down lanes in car towards Herongate where it flew off towards Hutton. Gary Clinton.

Canvey Island, Benfleet Creek 10:40 - 13:30
1 Spotted Redshank, 4+ Whimbrel, 1 Avocet, 1 Greenshank, 1 Grey Wagtail (over), 2 Cuckoo, 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Reed Warbler, 3 Little Egret. Ian White.

Hanningfield Reservoir 13.00 - 15.45
Goldcrest (in car park), male Blackcap and a Chiffchaff (Chestnut Wood), 7 Little Grebe, 9 Great Crested Grebe displaying, 1 Common Tern flying in front of pier (Rawl hide), 3 Black-necked Grebe, Barnacle Goose (Point hide), 2 pair Shelduck (grazing meadow). Chris Henry.

Hadleigh Downs, 14:30 to 15:30
1 Cuckoo, 1 Nightingale singing from coppice to east of Ray View. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).

Mill Meadows, Billericay
Hobby over. Neil Sumner.

Sunday 23rd April 2005 First Report of Grasshopper Warbler and Turtle Dove

Canvey West End, 07:00 to 11:30
1 Grasshopper Warbler (reeling from the reedbed in the northern end of the fenced area), 2 Reed Warbler, 2 Sedge Warbler, 3 Cuckoo, 63 Whitethroat (singing males counted), 20 Swallow, 2 Mediterranean Gull (seperate adults), 1 Black-headed Gull (leucistic adult), 1 Whimbrel, 3 Wheatear, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Sparrowhawk, 60 Black-tailed Godwit (at least), 1 Little Egret, 6 Reed Bunting, 2 Blackcap. 1 Common Shrew. Steve Arlow (SOG).

Hullbridge, Pooles Lane, Garden Bird Feeders 08.00 - 09.15
2 Long-taiedl Tit, 1 Siskin, 4 Greenfinch, 13 Starling, 5 Blue Tit, 2 Great Tit, 4 Goldfinch, 20 House Sparrow, 5 Collared Dove, 1 Wood Pigeon, 1 Robin, pair of Blackbird. David Flack.

Gunners Park, 08:15 to 09:00
3 Sparrowhawk overhead together, 5 Blackcap, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 8 Whitethroat, 1 White / Pied Wagtail, 10 Swallow. Brian Baldock (SOG).

East Tilbury 09:00 - 10:30
2 Cuckoo on telegraph wires at junction of Turnpike lane and Rectory Raod and 3 more Cuckoo in thicket by the coalhouse fort, 12 Sand Martin,  2 Swallow,  35 Black-tailed Godwit, 19 Avocet, 10 Grey Plover, 260 Dunlin, 1 Common Scoter, 3 Whimbrel, 1 Little Egret. Trevor Bufton.

Two Tree Island (West), 09:45 to 11:00
10 Corn Bunting, 1 Spotted Redshank, 4 Greenshank, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Cuckoo, many Whitethroat. Dudley Shayler (SOG).

East Tilbury (Tarmac Site 0) 11.00 to 13.00
Cuckoo heard but not seen. Cleve Bull.

 A127 Rayleigh between A130 & Rayleigh Weir 11:41
Buzzard seen briefly from car over field to North of A127. This bird was being mobbed by a crow. The wings were held higher than a Common Buzzard and the plumage was lighter than usual. Gary Dunn.

Wat Tyler Country Park 12.00 - 13.00
Light Drizzle clearing revealing what appears to be good numbers of passerines 'downed' by the overnight rain. 1 Grasshopper Warbler (not seen but reeling on and off opposite 2nd hide overlooking fleet in suitable scrubby looking habitat at 12.15 just as rain clearing), Numerous Common Whitethroat (6 seen, several more heard singing), 3 singing male Blackcap, 5+ Reed Warbler, 1 Sedge Warbler (heard), 3 male Bearded Tit showing superbly right outside main hide windows along with Reed Warbler, 3+ Cetti's Warblers singing. Martin Cracknell.

Canvey West End, 13:40 to 14:50
1 Lesser Whitethroat (singing), 20 Whitethroat (singing, plus 1 female), 3 Cuckoo (2 singing), 3 Reed Bunting, 2 Blackcap (singing), 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Little Egret (in Benfleet Creek by bridge). Neil Chambers (SOG).

Chalkwell Park Drive, Leigh, 14:00 to 14:10
1 male Sparrowhawk sitting on roof. John Wright (SOG).

Two Tree Island, 15:00 to 17:00
1 Little Egret, 20 Whitethroat, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Wheatear, 30 Sand Martin, 1 Water Rail, 1 Kestrel, 20 Linnet, 1 Cuckoo. John Wright (SOG).

Two Tree Island (West), 15:05 to 15:35
5 Corn Bunting, 9 Whitethroat (singing), 1 Green Woodpecker. Neil Chambers (SOG).

Wakering, Fleet Head, 16:00 to 17:20
1 Whimbrel, 1 Greenshank, 1 Spotted Redshank, 1 Snipe, 12 Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Corn Bunting (3 singing), 10 Yellow Wagtail. Neil Chambers (SOG).

Gunners Park, 17:30 to 18:15
1 Green Woodpecker, 15 Linnet, 2 Whitethroat (singing), 2 White / Pied Wagtail (White Wags still around new lake), 8 Yellow Wagtail (at least 3 males and 5 females on island of new lake), 1 Cuckoo (singing). Neil Chambers (SOG).

Shenfield 18:00
1 Garden Warbler near Officers Meadow. Trevor Bufton.

Gunners Park
10+ Whitethroat, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, Blackcap, Turtle Dove (at least one heard but unfortunately not seen), 6 Swallow. Jeff Delve (EBS).

Canewdon (p.m.)
Pair of Little Owls near Scotts Hall Lane. 1 House Martin over Butts Hill Pond plus Blackcap and Willow Warbler. Peregrine - a very surprising female low over the Canewdon road heading towards Ashingdon church. Jeff Delve (EBS).

Saturday 22nd April 2006 First Report of Lesser Whitethroat and Hobby

Two Tree Island (West), 06:30 to 08:45
21 Black-tailed Godwit, 8 Whimbrel, 2 Knot, 6 Ringed Plover, 2 Dunlin, 4 Oystercatcher, 12 Whitethroat, 15 Linnet, 2 Kestrel. John Wright (SOG).

Gunners Park, 06:25 to 09:05
1 Golden Oriole (heard three or four times briefly only at 7.10 - 7.15am. It was in the trees behind the derelict buildings and, unfortunately, was not seen at any time. It was not heard subsequently despite extensive searching), 1 White / Pied Wagtail, 6 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Sandwich Tern (offshore), 6 Common Scoter (offshore), 12 Whitethroat, 6 Swallow, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Wheatear (female), 1 Little Egret. Steve Arlow (SOG).

Chalkwell Park Drive, Leigh, 09:00
2 Canada Goose flew over. John Wright (SOG).

Wat Tyler Country Park, 09:00 to 09:30
1 Swift. Vince Kinsler (SOG).

Gunners Park, 09:00 to 10:30
1 Cuckoo, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 15 Swallow, 13 Whitethroat, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 5 Blackcap, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk. Brian Baldock (SOG).

Hadleigh Downs, 09:00 to 10:30
6 Swallow, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 7 Whitethroat, 2 Lapwing. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).

Wakering Stairs, 09:20 to 11:30
2 Sedge Warbler (at the west end), 1 Lesser Whitethroat (singing along the road by Catherines Chase), 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Hawfinch (flew east over the road and then turned around and flew back west and was lost to view towards Shoebury), 10 Whitethroat, 2 Little Egret. Steve Arlow (SOG).

South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 09.35 11.25
Sedge Warbler, Greenshank, 4 Common Whitethroat, 2 Whimbrel, 5 Bar-tailed Godwit, 6 Shelduck, 2 Reed Bunting, 4 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Little Grebe, Goldfinch, Green Woodpecker, 2 Curlew, 2 Avocet, 2 Common Tern, 8 Skylark. Ray Fuller.

Wakering Stairs, 11:00 to 12:30
4 Little Egret, 1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Kestrel, 10 Swallow, 8 Whitethroat. John Wright (SOG).

Wakering, Fleet Head, 11:40 to 13:20
4 House Martin, 4 Sand Martin, 2 Swallow, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Whimbrel, 1 Greenshank, 10 Yellow Wagtail (at least), 1 Wheatear. Steve Arlow (SOG).

Wakering Area 12:00
Male Bullfinch in apple orchard behind Rose Inn pub. Web Author.

Wickford, Shotgate, 14.40
1 Buzzard sp soaring high over Shotgate, Wickford. Seen briefly from house. Was far larger than mobbing Black-Headed Gulls and had some rufous in tail. Martin & Marie Singleton.

Benfleet Creek, 15:00 to 07:00
130 Black-tailed Godwit, 6 Bar-tailed Godwit, 6 Common Tern, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Cuckoo, 4 Sedge Warbler, 4 Stonechat (2 pairs, one female carrying nesting material (feathers)), 1 Sparrowhawk, 10 Linnet. John Wright (SOG).

Wakering, Fleet Head, 15:15 to 16:30
3 Greenshank, 2 Wheatear (males), 4 Swallow, 8 House Martin, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 14 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Dark-bellied Brent Goose (in creek), 1 Little Egret, 1 Corn Bunting (singing), 1 Sedge Warbler. Paul Baker (SOG).

Wakering, The Fleet 19.50
1 Hobby chasing prey over filed by road (it failed), 9 Shelduck, 4 Oystercatcher. John Pitts.

Friday 21st April 2006 First Report of Little Ringed Plover

Leigh on Sea, 06:30
2 Jackdaw at Pall Mall, Leigh. John Wright (SOG).

Benfleet Creek, 08:30 to 08:40
1 Common Sandpiper, 3 Wheatear, 2 Cuckoo, 4 Swallow, 12 Whitethroat, 3 Sedge Warbler, 5 Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Reed Warbler. Simon Watson (SOG).

Wakering, Fleet Head 10.00 -11.30
Cuckoo heard and seen to the right of the MOD road. John Meredith.

Vange Marsh, 11:00 to 11:40
1 Little Ringed Plover. Vince Kinsler (SOG).

Pitsea, 12:00 to 12:45, between Vange marsh and Wat Tyler
8 Whitethroat, 2 Blackcap, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Sparrowhawk (displaying pair), 2 Brimstone, 1 Small Tortoiseshell. Vince Kinsler (SOG).

Thursday 20th April 2006

Two Tree Island (West), 07:15 to 08:30
30 Whitethroat, 3 Wheatear, 1 Spotted Redshank, 1 Greenshank, 3 Whimbrel, 35 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Little Egret, 1 Sedge Warbler. Bob Young (SOG).

Hanningfield Reservoir 09:45 to 14:30
3 Black-necked Grebe, 2 Female Scaup, 3 Red-crested Pochard from the RAWL hide. Numerous Blackcap around the reserve. David Lee.

Westcliff, Tower Court Flats 10:30-16:30
Peregrine Falcon perched on top of north side of flats. Mike Bunker.

Gunners Park 10.45 - 11.15
1 Blackcap, 1 Kestrel, 4 Wheatear, 4 Shelduck, c25 Greenfinch. Graham Saunders and David Galloway.

Hanningfield Reservoir 14.00 - 17.00
4 Red-Crested Pochard, 4 Chiffchaff, 26 Pied Wagtail, 1 White Wagtail (sat on fench post right in front of car in car park), 3 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Grey Heron, 32 Cormorant, 1 Barnacle Goose, Numerous Sand Martin, House Martin and Swallow. Also, possible pair of Willow Tit by Cafe in conifers. Graham Saunders and David Galloway.

Wat Tyler Country Park, 15:20 to 16:15
15 House Martin, 6 Sand Martin, 20 Swallow, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Cetti's Warbler (plus 2 heard), 1 Cuckoo. Vince Kinsler (SOG).

Hanningfield Reservoir 17:00
Numerous hirundines incl. many Common Swift. Kevin Rees.

Wednesday 19th April 2006

Gunners Park, 09:00 to 10:30
Many Swallow passing through, 4 Wheatear, 1 Whitethroat, pair of Wren. Web Author.

Westcliff Seafront, 10:35 to 11:15
3 Dark-bellied Brent Goose,  a few Sandwich Tern in estuary, many Common Tern passing east along estuary, flocks of Swallow passing over estuary. 4 Common Seal. Web Author.

Gunners Park 11.00 to 12.30
1 Wheatear, 2 Whitethroat, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Nightingale (heard only, near old pond), 2 Green Woodpecker. At nearby East Beach Pond, 1 Kingfisher, and 1 Willow Warbler. Les Costin.

Wat Tyler Country Park, 13:00 to 15:00
24 Avocet, 5 Swift, c.15 Sand Martin, 3 House Martin, 1 Reed Warbler (heard), 3 Cetti's Warbler (heard). A very strange goose over with the Greylags on the fields, I can only describe it as a cross between an Egyptian and a Greylag!. Web Author.

Hanningfield Reservoir (rawl hide) 14.00 - 14.15
3 Black-necked Grebe, 3 female Scaup, 2 Goldeneye. Robin Peppiatt.

Two Tree Island 16:00
3 Common Whitethroat, 60 full summer plumage Black-tailed Godwit on lagoon. John Atfield.

Hanningfield Reservoir 17:50 - 18:05
Black-necked Grebe near Rawl hide viewed distantly from causeway. Yesterday Pink-footed Goose still with Greylags. Neil Chambers (SOG).

Tuesday 18th April 2006

Two Tree Island 07:00 to 10:20
4 Wheatear on the model aircraft field at 7:10; 27 Avocet on the lagoon; 12 House Martin, all flying north, at different times; 1 Sedge Warbler on the reed bed. David Lee.

Gunners Park 08:45 - 10:30
1 Kestrel, 2 Swallow, 5 Wheatear, 1 female Ring Ouzel (all on EWT reserve to the right of old firing mound), 4 Blackcap (3 male, 2 female). Web Author.

South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 09.25 10.55
4 Common Whitethroat, 7 Bar-tailed Godwit, 2 Avocet, 4 Great Crested Grebe, Yellow Wagtail, 4 Swallow, 5 Sand Martin, 2 Curlew, 6 Reed Bunting, Corn Bunting, 2 Shelduck, Whimbrel, 6 Skylark. Ray Fuller.

Gunners Park, 10:00 to 11:15
1 Ring Ouzel (still there at 11.15), 5 Wheatear. Harry Carmichael (SOG).

Two Tree Island 12.00 - 15.45
1 male Blackcap, 1 Wren (on nature trail), 3 Skylark, 1 Kestrel hunting (middle of island), many Oystercatcher, Redshank, 1 Greenshank, 6 pair Teal, pair Shelduck, 1 pair Shoveler, 18 Ring Plover, many Avocet (on lagoon), 6 Curlew, many Redshank, 8 Black-tailed Godwit (on estuary). Chris Henry.

Paglesham, West from Boatyard 17.15 - 18.30
2 Wheatear, 6 Yellow Wagtail, Sparrowhawk (pursued by angry Oystercatchers), 2 Corn Bunting, House Martin, 6 Red Breasted Merganser (4 male, 2 female). Ray Fuller.

Eastern Avenue Allotments
Wren (seen and heard), Song Thrush heard for several hours almost without ceasing and Skylark. Jackie Bliss.

Monday 17th April 2006

Gunners Park, 06:35 to 07:35
2 White / Pied Wagtail (2 White Wagtails around new pond), 8 Blackcap (7 singing & 1 female), 2 Whitethroat (singing), 1 Willow Warbler (singing), 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Corn Bunting (flew over calling), 25 Linnet. Neil Chambers (SOG).

Wat Tyler Country Park 07:45 to 10:30
 Up to 5 Swallow and my first Swift of the year from the second hide, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Blackcap and Common Whitethroat all showing well. Reed Warbler singing from the reed bed at the marina end but not seen, Cetti's Warbler singing and seen well from both hides, at least 2 Bearded Tit from the first hide, c.30 Avocet on the scrape from the first hide, c.30 Black-tailed Godwit and 2 Little Egrets on Vange Creek. Also Green Woodpecker and Great Spotted Woodpecker. Brimstone butterfly. Richard Chew.

Gunners Park, 08:15 to 09:45
6 Swallow, 5 Blackcap, 1 Wheatear, 2 Whitethroat, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Kestrel. Brian Baldock (SOG).

Wat Tyler Country Park 08:15
1 Swift over Fleet / Scrape with various other hirrundines. Jeff Mendham.

Vange Marsh, 09:15 to 10:15
2 White / Pied Wagtail, 1 Swift, 2 Whitethroat, 5 Swallow. John Wright (SOG).

Wat Tyler Country Park, 10:30 to 12:00
1 Little Egret, 8 Swallow, 1 Sand Martin, 1 Cetti's Warbler (seen & heard), 1 Bearded Tit (seen & heard), 1 Reed Warbler (heard), 2 Bullfinch (pair), 6 Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaff. John Wright (SOG).

Hadleigh Downs, 14:00 to 15:30
 12 Blackcap (singing), 4 Chiffchaff (singing), 2 Green Woodpecker. Neil Chambers (SOG).

Benfleet Creek, 15:30 to 17:00
2 Little Egret, 1 Wheatear, 2 Stonechat (Pair), 15 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Kestrel. John Wright (SOG).

Paglesham, 15:50 to 18:40
42 Yellow Wagtail Click here for more information on the Yellow Wagtail - opens in new window (in the field to the west of the southern end of the lagoon, included a female Blue-headed Wagtail type), 17 Swallow, 11 Sand Martin, 1 Blackcap, 3 Dark-bellied Brent Goose (in field west of lagoon), 3 Greylag Goose (in field west of lagoon), 2 Red-breasted Merganser (a pair on the river), 30 Knot (on the river), 6 Corn Bunting (by Hampton Barnes). Steve Arlow (SOG).

Southend, Eastern Avenue (allotments) 16:00 - 18:00
Possible Hobby hunting over the allotment site at Eastern Avenue, Southend (next to Cecil Jones school), also possible Garden Warbler on the allotment, singing. Jackie and Mike Bliss.

Sunday 16th April 2006 First Report of Swift and Turtle Dove

Gunners Park, 07:00 to 11:40
3 Whitethroat, 1 Ring Ouzel (female still present in the reserve), 1 Coal Tit ('Continental' race - a very rare form in these parts), 3 Wheatear, 2 White / Pied Wagtail, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Swallow, 1 Sand Martin, 1 Nightingale (singing on and off at 7am by the pond), 2 Willow Warbler, 2 Sparrowhawk (in the air together), 2 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff. Steve Arlow (SOG).

Gunners Park, 08:15 to 11:15
3 Whitethroat, 5 Blackcap, 3 Wheatear, 1 Ring Ouzel (on the mound in the reserve), 6 Swallow, 2 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Green Woodpecker. Brian Baldock (SOG).

Wickford, Wick Country Park 08.45 - 09.30
1 Turtle Dove, 2 Green Woodpecker, 6 Skylark, Little Grebe, many Swallows. David Hope.

Gunners Park, 10:00 to 12:15
1 Ring Ouzel (Still present into early afternoon.), 2 Wheatear, 3 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Whitethroat, 2 Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrel. John Wright (SOG).

Westcliff, Westwood Ho! Flats 10:30 - 12:30
1 male Peregrine Falcon sitting on top of flats on the north side of the building. Mike Bunker.

Two Tree Island (west end) 11:00 - 14.30
Male Ring Ouzel, mobile, appeared in several locations over couple of hours. Pete & Barry Jackson.

Prittle Brook (Leigh on Sea), 12:40 to 12:40
1 Little Egret flew over Flemming Avenue. Brian Baldock (SOG).

East Tilbury Sea Wall (East of Fort) 14.00 to 16.30
40+ Linnet, 100+ Shelduck, 50+ Avocet, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Green Woodpecker, 6 Teal, 2/3 Little Egret, 2 Kestrel, 2 Reed Bunting, 2 Corn Bunting, 1 possibly 2 Whimbrel, 1 Short Eared Owl, 1 Golden Plover, 15 Grey Plover, 30 Dunlin, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Swallow, 2 Mistle Thrush. (Note - as you near the tip the flies on the sea wall vastly increase in number and you will be covered in them. Not for the squeamish...). Martin & Marie Singleton.

Benfleet Creek, 15:00 to 17:30
80 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Little Egret, 2 Stonechat (pair), 1 Willow Warbler, 2 Kestrel. John Wright (SOG).

Gunners Park, 15:30 to 16:50
1 Ring Ouzel, 6 Swallow, 42 Linnet, 1 White / Pied Wagtail (White Wagtail), 2 Wheatear, 2 Blackcap, 1 Yellow Wagtail. Paul Griggs (SOG).

Horndon on the Hill Recreation Ground 16:00 - 16:30
6-7 Swift circling and then flying on northwards. Martin Itter.

Wakering Stairs 16.35
Barn Owl 400 yds west of the stairs flying along north side of the sea wall. Graham and Mandy Saunders.

Saturday 15th April 2006 First report of Ring Ouzel, Cuckoo and Local Common Tern

Gunners Park, 08:00 to 09:30
1 Ring Ouzel Click here for more information on the Ring Ouzel - opens in new window east of mound on reserve, 2 Wheatear, 11 Swallow, 1 Little Grebe, 7 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff,  Red-legged Partridge, 2 White / Pied Wagtail. Brian Baldock (SOG).

Wat Tyler Country Park, 08:00 to 16:30
14 Avocet, 1 Cuckoo Click here for more information on the Cuckoo - opens in new window, 2 Chiffchaff, 5 Bearded Tit. Glenn Jacobs, Web Author.

Hadleigh, 09:00
1 Brambling (summer plumage in tree above feeding station in Chapel lane car park). Steve Bunn (SOG).

Canvey West End, 09:00 to 11:40
1 Wheatear (male), 4 Whitethroat (singing males), 3 Willow Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 4 Green Woodpecker, 1 Yellow-legged Gull (2nd summer), 2 Fieldfare, 4 Reed Bunting, 1 Yellow Wagtail (over). Steve Arlow (SOG).

South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 09.35 11.15
2 Yellow Wagtail, 5 Swallow, Bar-tailed Godwit, 2 Avocet, Curlew, 2 Reed Bunting, Corn Bunting, 10 Shelduck, Little Egret, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, 8 Skylark. Ray Fuller.

Leigh Seafront, 10:00
2 Little Egret. John Wright (SOG).

Leigh on Sea, 10:10 to 10:15
2 Sparrowhawk (male & female). John Wright (SOG).

Gunners Park, 12:15 to 14:40
40 Swallow (over the new lake), 3 Sand Martin (over the new lake), 3 House Martin (over the new lake), 10 Yellow Wagtail (around the new lake), 1 White / Pied Wagtail (around the new lake), 7 Common Tern (offshore), 1 Ring Ouzel (well marked female), 9 Wheatear, 60 Sanderling (flew past), 1 Whimbrel. Steve Arlow (SOG).

Gunners Park, 13:00 - 14:00
1 Ring Ouzel feeding on the ground near the mound on nature reserve, 1 Willow Warbler singing in tree, 2 Wheatear, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Green Woodpecker, considerable numbers of Swallow and Linnet. Samantha Richardson.

Gunners Park, 17:25 to 18:35
1 Ring Ouzel (female), 2 Yellow Wagtail (flew over), 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Cuckoo (singing), 2 Black-tailed Godwit (flew past), 46 Linnet. Neil Chambers (SOG).

riday 14th April 2006

Wat Tyler Country Park 00:03 - 00:10
1 Greylag Goose, 1 Canada Goose roosting on scrape - seen quite clearly even at this time of night through webcam! Web Author.

Canvey West End, 06:50 to 09:45
7 Whitethroat (singing), 3 Blackcap (singing), 1 Fieldfare, 1 Green Woodpecker, 90 Black-tailed Godwit, 60 Teal, 2 Red Fox. Neil Chambers (SOG).

RSPB West Canvey & VangeMarsh, 09:00 to 10:00
6 White / Pied Wagtail (6 White Wagtails; 4 together in SW corner and 2 in SE corner), 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Sedge Warbler, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff (all warblers singing), Neil Chambers (SOG).

RSPB West Canvey & VangeMarsh 11.00 - 12.30
2 pairs Avocet, 2 Yellowhammer, large flock Wagtails, 10+ Reed Bunting, Bearded Tits pinging in 2 places, 1 Greylag, 10+ Swallows, numerous Snipe including at least 1 Jack Snipe. Alison.

Mersea Island, Reeveshall Marsh 14.05
1 Bar-headed goose feeding with several Brent Geese and Shelduck. Graham Saunders and David Galloway.

Hanningfield Reservoir 15:00
4 Scaup (1 male),  3 Chiffchaff, 3 Red-crested Pochard. R Shepherd.

Chalkwell Park, 17:00 to 17:30
1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Green Woodpecker, 4 Mistle Thrush (2 pairs), John Wright ((SOG).

Thursday 13th April 2006 First Report of Common Tern

Wat Tyler Country Park, 07:40 to 09:00
2 Bearded Tit at marina end, 32 Black-tailed Godwit mostly in summer plumage, 1 Cetti's Warbler plus another 2 calling, 5 Swallow, 6 Chiffchaff, 4 Blackcap. Vince Kinsler (SOG).

Leigh on Sea, 10:00
1 Sparrowhawk John Wright (SOG).

Two Tree Island (West), 12:45 to 14:00
2 Little Egret, 1 Greenshank, 2 Turnstone, 2 Kestrel, 4 Ringed Plover, 4 Oystercatcher, 6 Curlew, 2 Swallow, 2 Grey Plover. John Wright (SOG).

Wat Tyler Country Park, 17:10 to 18:10:10
2 Avocet, 2 Greylag Goose via Webcam - from the comfort of my study! Paul Griggs (SOG).

Hanningfield Reservoir 17:50 - 18:05
2 Common Tern. Neil Chambers (SOG).

Wednesday 12th April 2006 First Report of Whimbrel

Abberton Reservoir 10:00 - 13:00
1 male Garganey Click here for more information on the Garganey - opens in new window,  2 Pink-footed geese, Fingringhoe: 2 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff and Nightingale heard. Trevor Bufton.

Hanningfield Reservoir 10:45
1 Pink-footed Goose in amongst flock of Greylags. Michael Howell.

Hanningfield Reservoir 11.00
3 Swallow, many Blackcaps both male & female, 4 Red-crested Pochard and 1 solitary willow warbler. Martin Jameson.

Wat Tyler Country Park, 11:15 to 11:50
5 Swallow, 1 Reed Bunting, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Bearded Tit (heard), 1 Water Rail (heard), 12 Wigeon. Vince Kinsler (SOG).

Gunners Park, 17:40 to 19:20
2 Swallow, 2 Whimbrel, 40 Linnet, 1 Blackcap, 4 White 1 Pied Wagtail, 2 Yellow Wagtail. Paul Griggs, Steve Arlow (SOG).

Leigh on Sea, 17:50 to 17:55
1 Sparrowhawk (Male circling over Shirley Road). Dudley Shayler (SOG).

Tuesday 11th April 2006

Thorpe Hall Boulevard 09.15
1 Mistle Thrush mobbing and seeing off a Sparrowhawk. John Pitts.

Eastwood, Applerow, , 15:45 to 16:20
1 Sparrowhawk (female in my garden, mobbed by blackbirds and greenfinches while posing for photos). Don Petrie (SOG).

Monday 10th April 2006 First Report of Reed Warbler

Benfleet Creek, 07:10
3 Little Egret in creek by the Canvey road bridge. John Wright (SOG).

Wat Tyler Country Park, 12:00 to 13:30
1 Iceland Gull Click here for more information on the Iceland Gull - opens in new window (1st winter flew from tip into field north of scrape where it preened and roosted), 6 Swallow, 3 Cetti's Warbler (2 heard only). Vince Kinsler (SOG).

Wat Tyler Country Park 14:30
Female Marsh Harrier, 1 Reed Warbler singing in the reed bed 50 yds past 1st hide, 1 Yellow Wagtail on the scrape at 17.30. Alan Shearman RSPB.

Leigh, Chalkwell Park Drive, 17:30
1 Sparrowhawk swooped low through the garden. John Wright (SOG).

Wakering, Fleet Head 18:30
1 Barn Owl. Iain Henderson.

Westcliff 18:30 to 19:30
3 Siskin (2 male and 1 female) in garden on feeders. Matt Bruty.

Wallasea Island
3 Swallow, 1 White Wagtail, 3 Yellow Wagtail. 10 Avocet prospecting between the old and new sea walls. Single Siskin on alders at Butts Hill Pond and Dabchick there.
Little Owl regular on Scotts Hall Road in pollarded oaks. Jeff Delve (EBS).

Sunday 09th April 2006 First Report of Sedge Warbler and Common Whitethroat

Wakering, 08:00
1 Wheatear near Morleys Nursery. Dudley Shayler (SOG).

Gunners Park, 08:30 to 11:15
3 Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Nightingale singing and showing well for 5 minutes in bushes leading to pond from Ness Road entrance, 1 Wheatear, 5 Swallow, 1 Green Sandpiper. Brian Baldock, Dave Knight (SOG).

Vange Marsh 09.00 - 09.45
1 Sedge Warbler, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 1 White Wagtail, 9 Meadow Pipit, 2 Linnet. 1 Jack Snipe flushed from almost beneath my feet in boggy area on Wat Tyler side of site. Martin Cracknell.

Wat Tyler Country Park 09:00 - 12:00
50+ Black-tailed Godwit (male & female), 6 Curlew, 1 Peregrine Falcon, 7 Little Grebe, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 6 Wren, 2 Cetti's Warbler, Numerous Swallows, 2 Marsh Harrier, pair of Pochard, Several Teal, 1 Stonechat, 2 Goldfinch, several Greenfinch, 2 Grey Heron, pair of Oystercatcher, 27 Avocet, 1 Greenshank, 10+ Redshank, several Reed Bunting. Martin Itter.

Rochford Golf Course, 09:15 to 13:00
2 Blackcap (singing), 2 Sand Martin (flew through north), 3 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker. Neil Chambers (SOG).

Wat Tyler Country Park 10.00 - 16.00
1 Sedge Warbler (singing to right of main hide), 4+ Cetti's Warbler, 5+ Bearded Tit at least this many seen, lots of pinging also. 7 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 8 Black-tailed Godwit (most in stunning summer plumage), Numerous Swallow over main scrape all day. Martin Cracknell.

Wakering, Fleet Head, 10:50 to 11:55
1 Swallow, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Little Egret, 1 Sparrowhawk. John Wright (SOG).

Canvey, West End, Northwick Road, 11:00
1 Nightingale singing (near 3rd telegraph pole from west end of road), 2 Green Woodpecker courting, plus several Swallow feeding along hedge-line before moving northwards. Tim, Adam and Ashley Bennett.

Southchurch Park East 10:30
4 Long-tailed Tit. Web Author.

Wakering Stairs, 11:00 to 12:25
1 Swallow, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Marsh Harrier. Dudley Shayler (SOG).

Southchurch Park 11:07
6 Little Grebe (3 male, 2 female). Pair of Mute Swans are attempting to breed again this year. A large nest has been constructed on the island and we all have our fingers crossed for June. Web Author.

Bowers Marshes, 11:25 to 11:50
2 Willow Warbler, 1 Cetti's Warbler (heard). Simon Watson (SOG).

Rayleigh, Playing Field Near Woods and Sewage Works 12:00
1 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Swallow. Anita Pickles.

Wakering, Oxenham Farm, 12:00 to 12:30
1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Buzzard flew high N.N.W. into the wind and over Fleet Head, viewed from Oxenham Farm track. John Wright (SOG).

Wat Tyler Country Park 12.35 - 15.45
19 Swallow on power cables by Boat Museum, 2 House Martin, 1 Sand Martin flying overhead, 2 Chiffchaff 1 heard calling, 1 Cetti's Warbler at far end of lagoon. Museum Hide: Good view of Bearded Tit flying back and forth across channel for 20 minutes, also 6 male Reed Bunting, 8 Greenfinch, various numbers of Blue Tit and Great Tit. 2 Little Egret in beck by boatyard. Darren Chaplin.

Basildon, Frampton Road. Basildon 11.30
Pair of Goldfinch on Nyger seed. Visiting everyday, very approachable. Darren Chaplin.

Chalkwell Station, 13:15
1 Sparrowhawk. John Wright (SOG).

Hutton 15:15
Pair of Common Buzzard and a single bird on 01/04/06. Peter Quire.

Two Tree Island 15.30 - 17.30
2 Green Woodpecker, 6 Shelduck, 1 Avocet, 1 Common Whitethroat. Damien Harding.

Chalkwell Park Drive, Leigh, 16:00 to 17:00
2 Sparrowhawk over the garden, 2 Goldfinch over the garden. John Wright (SOG).

Saturday 08th April 2006 First Report of Sandwich Tern and Local Yellow Wagtail

Leigh on Sea, 07:30 to 07:35
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker in garden in mming Avenue. Brian Baldock (SOGG).

Gunners Park 08:15 - 10:30
Grey heron on pond, Sandwich Tern in estuary, Green Woodpecker, 6 White Wagtail, 4 Pied Wagtail, 4 Yellow Wagtail (all on new island in lake), 8 Linnet, 2 Chiffchaff, Blackcap at pond, Willow Warbler singing at the end of the 'old' park road,  Wheatear (male in the far south west corner near the Coastguards). Steve Arlow (SOG)., Web Author.

Gunners Park, 08:45 to 10:15
1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler, 6 White / Pied Wagtail, 4 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Little Egret. Brian Baldock (SOG).

South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 09.20 11.10
Chiffchaff, Swallow, Little Egret, Red-breasted Merganser (male), Great Crested Grebe, 7 Reed Bunting, 7 Shelduck, 2 Curlew. Ray Fuller.

Canvey Seafront 09.30 - 10.15
Visible migration of finches; 125+ crossing Thames in 45mins at southernmost point of Canvey in groups of 2-20. Mostly Goldfinch, 10+ Siskin, one flock of 6 Linnet. 3 single Swallow also north. Martin Cracknell.

Belton Hills, 10:00
1 Swallow. John Wright, Tim Jones (SOG).

Two Tree Island, 10:10 to 11:15
3 Little Egret, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrel, 25 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 50 Black-tailed Godwit, 30 Grey Plover. John Wright, Tim Jones (SOG).

Benfleet Creek 14.50
2 Sand Martin, 4 Swallow, 6 Chiffchaff. Anita Pickles.

Hadleigh Downs, 11:15 to 12:45
7 Chiffchaff, 6 Blackcap, 1 Swallow. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).

Westcliff Seafront 11:30
8 Great Crested Grebe, Numerous Swallow flying across estuary north west, 1 House Martin and very many finches. Web Author.

Vange Marsh 15:00
2 Yellow Wagtail, 1 White Wagtail, many Pied Wagtail. 5+ Reed Bunting plus usual sightings of Meadow Pipit, Linnets, Teal, Snipe. Tim, Adam and Ashley Bennett

Wat Tyler Country Park, 15:00 to 18:00
10 Swallow, 5 Sand Martin, 5 House Martin, 1 Little Egret, 2 Cetti's Warbler (heard), 2 Bearded Tit (heard), 1 Green Woodpecker, 10 Pochard, 15 Teal. John Wright, Tim Jones (SOG).

Southend (pm)
Very many Swallow and Hirundinidae and passerines observed travelling north past twelfth floor of Blackdown flats, North Road during afternoon. Web Author

Friday 07th April 2006

Hockley Woods, 06:45 to 07:15
1 female Hawfinch, 2 Green Woodpecker, 3 Nuthatch. Paul Griggs, Don Petrie (SOG).

Paglesham Churchend, 16:50 to 17:10
1 Corn Bunting singing, 1 Green Woodpecker flew across road. Neil Chambers (SOG).

Rayleigh, Wellington Gardens 17:00
c.20 Siskin emptying 2 sunflower feeders and 1 niger feeder per day! Russ Payne.

Wat Tyler Country Park
Around the park today a couple of Willow Warblers are probably new arrivals. 3 or 4 Blackcaps singing along with a few Chiffchaff, Early evening saw 12 Swallow, 5 Sand Martin and 1 House Martin passing through, otherwise pretty quite. Alan Shearman, South Essex Community Project Officer.RSPB
 

Thursday 06th April 2006 First Report of Nightingale

Hockley Woods, 06:55 to 07:05
1 Hawfinch (usual place), 3 Green Woodpecker (car park area). Dudley Shayler (SOG).

Wat Tyler Country Park 11:30
Male Hawfinch on feeders by RSPB barn and again at 16:00. Glenn Jacobs RSPB.

Wakering, Fleet Head 15.00 - 17.00
1 female Marsh Harrier, 11 Avocet, 1 male Kestrel, 2 Little Egret, 2 Corn Bunting, 1 Brent Goose with injured wing. 1 Brown Hare. Mike Sagrott.

Shoebury, Gunners Park 10:00
2 Nightingale singing just left of pond area. Steve Wood.

Wednesday 05th April 2006

Benfleet 18.30
6 Siskin - In garden on feeders (Lots of seed eaten today, presumably good numbers of finches migrating through). Martin Cracknell.

Burnham/Southminster 11:00
Swallow seen flying over the fields. Heather Brown.

Tuesday 04th April 2006 First report of Yellow Wagtail

Hockley Woods, 06:55 to 07:10
1 Sparrowhawk (male flew over car park), 1 Hawfinch in the playground briefly. Dudley Shayler (SOG).

Corringham, Pegasus Sports Field 11:45
2 House Martin. Nick Argent.

Southend, 13:00
1 Sparrowhawk flew over Sutton Road near Victory Sports Ground. Brian Baldock (SOG).

Priory Park 15:00
Mallard with 1 duckling, Peter Walker.

Wat Tyler Country Park 15:15
Female Marsh Harrier, 6 Swallow, 1 Sand Martin, 5 Chiffchaff 5 singing, Cetti's Warbler (at least 4 singing), 2 Bearded Tit calling, 9 Black-tailed Godwit with 2 in full summer plumage at the marina, 18+ Avocet on the scrape. Alan Shearman RSPB.

Rayleigh, Wellington Gardens 18:00
c.20 Siskin and 6 Brambling on feeders. Russ Payne.

Hanningfield Reservoir 17:00
Numerous Swallow with a few Sand Martin. 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Yellow Wagtail. Kevin Rees.

Wat Tyler Country Park
Hawfinch has been regular visitor to our feeders by our barn. Excellent views on the new camera! Web Author.

Monday 03rd April 2006

Southend, 13:30
1 Sand Martin flew over Sutton Road near Victory Sports Ground. Brian Baldock (SOG).

Leigh Marsh, 16:55 to 17:00
2 Swallow, 1 Short-eared Owl. Simon Watson (SOG).

Two-Tree Island 17:00
1 Little Egret on the lagoon, 2 Short-Eared Owl, 2 Skylark (one having a 'gravel' bath on the path singing its head off!), 2 Redshank - mating dances, many Avocet and Ringed Plover, 2 Shoveler, 2 Teal. Teri.

Sunday 02nd April 2006

Two Tree Island 06:50 to 9:50
30 Avocet, 3 Snipe on the lagoon, 20 Brent Goose off the eastern tip. David Lee.

Bradwell on Sea 08.30 - 12.30
1 Firecrest, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Wheatear, 1 Merlin, 2 Brambling, 1 Bullfinch (female), 5 Swallow, Curlew, Dunlin, Redshank, 1 Red throated Diver, Reed Bunting, Corn Bunting, Mistle Thrush, Grey Plover. Adrian Mann.

South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 09.25 11.15
2 White Wagtail, 5 Reed Bunting, 29 Brent Goose, Green Woodpecker, 9 Shelduck, Little Egret, Little Grebe, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 4 Curlew, 6 Skylark. Ray Fuller.

Shenfield 09:30
1 Willow Warbler,  2 Chiffchaff singing Officers Meadows area. Trevor Bufton.

Wat Tyler Country Park, 11:20 to 12:30
1 Reed Bunting, 1 Water Rail (heard), 1 Bearded Tit (female plus several very vocal), 1 Cetti's Warbler (immediately south of hide, plus 2 calling north), 3 Sand Martin, 2 Swallow, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Green Woodpecker. Vince Kinsler (SOG).

Priory Park 15:00
Mallard with 8 ducklings. Peter Walker.

Thorpe Bay 18:00
Brambling on bird feeder. John Pitts.

Saturday 01st April 2006 First Report of Willow Warbler

Gunners Park, 08:45 to 10:00
1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Chiffchaff, 12 Linnet. Brian Baldock, Web Author.

Thundersley, Garden 10.30
1 female Blackcap, 1 male Siskin, 2 Goldfinch. Mike Sagrott.

Priory Park 10.30
Mallard with 9 ducklings, Chiffchaff. Peter Walker.

Benfleet Creek, 14:30 to 15:30
1 Little Egret, 1 Short-eared Owl (possibly two), 2 Green Woodpecker, 2 Stonechat (pair on breeding territory), 1 Wheatear (1st year male), 1 Willow Warbler, 75 Curlew, 3 Reed Bunting, 2 Sparrowhawk (male & female). John Wright (SOG).

Hanningfield Reservoir 17:00 - 18:15
3 pairs Red- crested Pochard, 100 Sand Martin, 3 Swallow, 1 House Martin, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Chiffchaff singing. Trevor Bufton.

Vange Marsh, 18:45 to 19:00
40 White / Pied Wagtail (including 2-3 White Wagtails), 1 Little Egret, 20 Teal, 5 Meadow Pipit, 3 Reed Bunting, 1 Wheatear, 1 Golden Plover. Neil Chambers (SOG).

Wat Tyler Country Park
Common Buzzard. Glenn Jacobs RSPB.