Bird Reports for April 2008
Wednesday 30th April 2008
Two Tree Island (East), 08:50 to 09:10
1 Cuckoo, 1 Nightingale (singing 100m along main track in bushes on the right), 6 Whitethroat. Don Petrie (SOG).
Two Tree Island 11.45 - 12.00
1 female Peregrine Falcon flying up Benfleet Creek. Terry Priest.
Gunners Park, 12:30 to 13:30
2 Little Egret, 1 Kestrel, 3 Common Tern (over the reserve), 1 Green Woodpecker (female), 2 Whitethroat, 2 Blackcap (singing males), 2 Chiffchaff. Don Petrie (SOG).
Russell Gardens, Wickford Business Park 14.00
1 female Peregrine Falcon flying over the factory roofs toward Rayleigh. Steve Wood.
Victoria Avenue, Southend, 14:30
1 Peregrine Falcon (male on Portcullis House). Don Petrie (SOG).
Tuesday 29th April 2008
Ashingdon, Princess Gardens 09.55
1 Bullfinch - female in neighbour's garden. David Selley.
Monday 28th April 2008 (first report of Garden Warbler)
Highlands Boulevard 09.15
1 Green Woodpecker. Lyn Davies.
Benfleet Creek, 09:30 to 11:15
1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Cuckoo, 8 Reed Bunting (7 males), 14 Reed Warbler, 7 Whitethroat, 4 Stonechat (2 pairs), 1 Pochard, 8 Skylark, 4 Linnet, 5 Swift, 1 Swallow, 3 Sedge Warbler. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).
Belfairs N.R., 12:00 to 13:00
1 Garden Warbler (singing by 1st 'crossroads' west of Sanctuary Road entrance), 1 Green Woodpecker, 8 Blackcap (singing), 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Chiffchaff (singing). Neil Chambers (SOG).
Hanningfield Reservoir 13.30 - 16.30
6 House Martin, 2 Swallow, 30+ Swift, Cuckoo, Blackcap, Chiffchaff heard, Pair of Red-crested Pochard, 4 Common Tern. Richard Shepherd.
Belfairs N.R., 16:15 to 18:00
6 Blackcap, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Hobby (flew west). Paul Griggs, Don Petrie (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park 17.30
Nightingale still present, by small pond on perimeter track between motorboat museum and 1st creek hide. Alan Shearman RSPB.
Gunners Park, 18:30 to 19:30
1 Little Egret, 1 Kestrel, 1 Mediterranean Gull (1st summer), 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Wheatear (female). Don Petrie (SOG).
Belton Hills, 18:50 to 18:55
1 Peregrine Falcon. John Wright (SOG).
Barling Hall 19.30
Hen Mallard with nine young on old pit pond. T.Thorneycroft.
Sunday 27th April 2008 (first report of Turtle Dove)
Highlands Boulevard, Leigh, 09:00 to 10:00
3 Swift, 1 Swallow. Paul Griggs (SOG).
Two Tree Island Feeder, 09:30 to 11:30
3 Greenfinch, 1 Robin, 1 Dunnock, 2 Great Tit. Graham Ryland (SOG).
Hockley Woods, 09:40 to 10:20
2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Nuthatch (around the car park still), 1 Treecreeper, 2 Blackcap (males singing), 1 Chiffchaff (singing), 3 Stock Dove (in glade), 1 Kestrel (male), 1 Sparrowhawk (female), 5 Jay, 1 Jackdaw. Paul Baker (SOG).
Two Tree Island (East), 09:30 to 11:30
17 Swift, 1 Swallow, 2 Sand Martin, 2 Sparrowhawk (pair ), 2 Kestrel (pair), 1 Blackcap (male), 7 Whitethroat, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Cuckoo (female), 240 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 1 Song Thrush. Graham Ryland (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park 10.00 to 11.00
2 Common Whitethroat, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Cettis Warbler, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Turtle Dove. 1 Peacock, 1 Small White, 4 Common Lizard, 5 Slow Worm. Richard Chew.
Gunners Park, 10:15 to 12:45
7 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Fulmar (flew up river at 12:00 20 metres off the seawall and flew towards the pier. Presumably the same bird was seen flying out of the river above the seawall at 12:28), 6 Common Tern, 1 Green Woodpecker, 4 Swallow, 1 Yellow Wagtail (fly-over), 1 Wheatear (female), 2 Blackcap (singing males), 6 Whitethroat (singing males), 1 Bullfinch (male by the old pond), 1 Corn Bunting (flew in from the sea and come down in the reserve for a couple of minutes before flying off NW). Don Petrie (SOG).
Two Tree Island (East), 10:30 to 11:30
1 Mediterranean Gull (adult), 2 Green Woodpecker, 12 Whitethroat, 4 Sedge Warbler, 4 Swallow, 2 Cuckoo, 1 Whimbrel, 2 Kestrel. John Wright (SOG).
Prittle Brook (Leigh on Sea), 11:30 to 11:35
1 Blackcap (singing in my garden), 1 Goldcrest (singing in my garden), 2 Goldfinch (on nyjer feeder), 1 Chaffinch (male). Brian Baldock (SOG).
Two Tree Island (East) 12:30 - 14:30
1 Cuckoo (sitting on fence rail alongside main pathway), 6 Whitethroat, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 4 male Pheasant. Orange-tip butterfly. Dave Perry.
Danbury 10.15
1 Buzzard,traveling North on the morning thermals. Nigel Norton.
Wat Tyler Country Park, 15:00 to 18:00
1 Cuckoo (heard), 2 Swift, 2 Swallow, 1 Nightingale (still at the southern corner of the sewage works TQ737867. Singing and showing quite well), 3 Reed Warbler, 2 Sedge Warbler, 4 Blackcap, 2 Whitethroat, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Cetti's Warbler (heard). Don Petrie (SOG).
Thundersley (My Garden) 16.15 - 16.30
1 Stock Dove feeding with 3 Woodpigeon beneath bird table. John Bennett.
Ferndale Road, Rayleigh 17.00
2 Bullfinch. Robin Peppiatt.
RSPB Vange Marsh, 18:15 to 19:45
1 Kestrel (male), 14 Swift, 1 Skylark (singing), 20 Swallow, 7 Sand Martin, 2 Reed Warbler, 1 Sedge Warbler, 2 Blackcap, 2 Whitethroat, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Bearded Tit (pair). Don Petrie (SOG).
Belton Hills, 18:25 to 18:30
30 Swift. John Wright (SOG).
Wakering Stairs, 19:40 to 20:35
1 Grasshopper Warbler (reeling on and off (every 30 seconds or so)), 4 Lesser Whitethroat (singing), 6 Whitethroat (singing), 1 Sedge Warbler (singing), 2 Whimbrel, 1 Cuckoo (singing), 1 Turtle Dove (singing), 1 Blackcap (singing). Neil Chambers (SOG).
Wallasea Wetlands
c.30 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 25 Grey Plover, 10 Dunlin, 6 Whimbrel, 3 Avocet, 9 Yellow Wagtail, plenty of Corn Bunting and Skylark, 2 displaying Meadow Pipit. Jeff Delve (EBS).
Saturday 26th April 2008 (first report of Hobby)
Leigh on Sea, Southsea Avenue 06.15 - 07.20
3 Swift, 2 Green Woodpecker heading east, 1 Jackdaw. Web Author. KF.
Hadleigh, 07:50
1 Sparrowhawk over Bread & Cheese Hill. John Wright (SOG).
Rochford Golf Course, 07:50 to 11:45
3 Blackcap (singing), 2 Swift, 2 Whitethroat (singing), 1 Chiffchaff (singing), 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Yellow Wagtail (flew over calling). Neil Chambers (SOG).
RSPB Vange Marsh, 08:00 to 09:00
1 Ruff, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Wheatear, 4 Stock Dove, 3 Reed Bunting, 2 Reed Warbler, 6 Sedge Warbler, 8 Whitethroat, 2 Swift. John Wright (SOG).
River Roach, 08:00 to 10:00
4 Whimbrel, 1 Sedge Warbler, 4 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Reed Warbler, 1 Corn Bunting, 1 Red-breasted Merganser. Bob Young (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park, 09:20 to 12:00
1 Osprey (11:00 viewed from scrape hide beyond Bowers Marsh, drifted high N.W.), 4 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Nightingale (singing west of boat museum just over the miniture rail line), 10 Blackcap, 5 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Cuckoo, 10 Swallow, 1 Sand Martin, 12 Whitethroat, 2 Reed Warbler, 8 Sedge Warbler, 4 Reed Bunting. John Wright (SOG).
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 09.50 - 11.50
8 Shelduck, 8 Common Whitethroat, 2 Mute Swan, 3 Sedge Warbler (year firsts here), Little Grebe, 2 Corn Bunting, 2 Little Egret, Avocet, 2 Reed Bunting, Wheatear, Yellow Wagtail, Greenshank, 2 Whimbrel (year firsts here), 2 Swallow, 5 Great Crested Grebe. Ray Fuller.
Wallasea Wetlands 09.50 - 12.30
3 Cormorant, 3 Little Egret, 40 Shelduck, 2 Avocet, 16 Ringed Plover, 6 Black-tailed Godwit, 20 Whimbrel, 25 Skylark, 2 Swallow, 1 Wheatear, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Yellowhammer, 4 Corn Bunting (singing males). David Selley.
Paglesham Lagoon, 10:00 to 10:15
1 Long-tailed Duck, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 4 Sedge Warbler. Bob Young (SOG).
Gunners Park, 10:15 to 11:45
1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Whitethroat, 2 Mistle Thrush, 9 Shelduck, 1 Wheatear, 4 Swallow, 1 Kestrel. Brian Baldock (SOG).
Canvey West End, 10:30 to 11:40
2 Cuckoo, 5 Reed Warbler, 21 Whitethroat, 4 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Chiffchaff, 3 Blackcap, 1 Stonechat, 3 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Skylark. Martin Cracknell (SOG).
Wakering Stairs 11:00
4 Whitethroat, 1 Cuckoo (heard calling), 2 Linnet, 3 Sedge Warbler, 2 Little Egret, 1 Kestrel (m), 1 Grey Wagtail (on sea defences), 4 Goldfinch. Noel Barnes.
Paglesham Lagoon, 12:00 to 15:00
1 Long-tailed Duck (female), 7 Stock Dove, 1 Reed Bunting (male), , 3 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Sedge Warbler, 6 Pochard, 1 Teal (drake), 8 Gadwall, 2 Swallow, 1 Common Sandpiper (on the Roach), 3 Dunlin (on the Roach), 17 Black-tailed Godwit (on the Roach), 14 Little Egret, 7 Great Crested Grebe, 8 Whitethroat. Paul Baker, Don Petrie (SOG).
Bournemouth Park Road 14:00
1 Swift seen from back garden. Don Wildish.
Paglesham Churchend, 15:00 to 15:05
1 Swallow. Paul Baker (SOG).
River Roach Aboard Lady Essex III, 15.00 17.30
4 Avocet, 1 Little Egret, 12 Golden Plover, 1 Grey Plover, 1 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk, 4 Oystercatcher (pair mating). 6 Common Seal. Web Author, KF.
Rochford Golf Course, 15:15 to 15:20
1 Cormorant (high south). Paul Baker, Don Petrie (SOG).
Hadleigh Downs, 16:15 to 18:25
1 Hobby, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 1 Stonechat (female, Hadleigh Marshes), 3 Yellow Wagtail (Hadleigh Marshes), 19 Swift (Belton Hills), 2 Pochard (pair in borrow dyke), 3 Swallow, 10 Whitethroat, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 50 Black-tailed Godwit (In two flocks flying purposefully west, migrating?), 4 Sedge Warbler. John Wright (SOG).
Rochford Station 16.50
3 Swift. David Selley.
Paglesham Lagoon, 17:15 to 19:00
6 Whitethroat, 2 Reed Warbler, 3 Sedge Warbler, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Long-tailed Duck (female still present), 1 Yellowhammer (singing male), 1 Sand Martin, 1 Swallow. Steve Arlow (SOG).
Wakering Stairs, 17:30 to 20:45
3 Canada Goose (on the mud), 2 Kestrel (pair perched up together), 1 Greenshank, 2 Cuckoo, 2 Turtle Dove, 3 Swallow, 1 Grasshopper Warbler (still reeling on and off and briefly seen 100 m before the SW end of the seawall), 6 Sedge Warbler (singing), 22 Whitethroat (singing), 1 Yellowhammer (male). Don Petrie (SOG).
Gusted Hall
Hobby, insect catching headed west towards Hockley Woods, also Whitethroat, Blackcap, Chiffchaff and a few Swallows. Butts Hill Pond: Lesser Whitethroat, Blackcap and Whitethroat plus Grass Snake swimming across pond. Jeff Delve (EBS).
Friday 25th April 2008 (first report of Swift)
Rayne 07.00
female Black Redstart in my back garden. M.Bicknell.
Gunners Park, 08:15 to 10:00
4 Blackcap, 10 Swallow, 13 Shelduck, 4 Whitethroat, 1 Kestrel, 2 Chiffchaff. Dave Knight (SOG).
Victoria Avenue, Southend, 09:00 to 12:00
1 Peregrine Falcon, 1 Sparrowhawk. John Wright (SOG).
Two Tree Island 09:45 to 11:30
1 Cuckoo, 3 Blackcap, 2 Kestrel, 1 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Linnet, 1 Skylark, 56 Avocet, Shelduck, many Common Whitethroat. David Lee.
Wat Tyler Country Park 10.50 - 11.05
1 Peregrine Falcon, 2 Swallow, 2 Reed Warbler. Web Author.
Belton Hills, 11:15 to 12:00
2 Chiffchaff, 5 Blackcap, 6 Whitethroat, 3 Kestrel, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat. 10 Peacock Butterfly, 2 Orange-tip. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).
Hawkwell, Magnolia NR 11.30 - 13.00
3 Whitethroat, 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler, Great Tit, Blue Tit, 4 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Sparrowhawk(fem). Peacock, Speckled Wood, and many Orange Tip butterflies. David Selley.
Hanningfield Treatment Works 13:00 - 14:00
Spotted Flycatcher (fantastic view as male flitted & dived from hedge top cetching flies etc), 2 Long-tailed Tit, 4 Blue Tit, 2 Chiffchaff, 3 Greenfinch, 2 Goldfinch, 5 Pied Wagtail, 5 House Martin, Moorhens & Coots on sludge lagoon. Dave Griffiths
Essex Marina, Wallasea Island 13.00 - 17.15
9 Goldfinch, 11 Swallow including one individual appearing to collect mud. 5 Common Tern including a very probable Artic Tern from 5 feet away which swooped onto some prawn heads that were thrown overboard for the Gulls. 1 Little Egret 2 Oystercatchers. Gary Dunn.
Paglesham Seawall West from Boatyard 15.30 - 16.35
Marsh Harrier, 4 Whimbrel, 5 Swallow, Common Whitethroat, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 6 Corn Bunting, Great Crested Grebe, 10 Shelduck. Ray Fuller.
Southend Pier, 15:30 to 18:00
1 Shag (1st winter feeding around the slipway. Metal ring on right leg), 270 Turnstone, 2 Purple Sandpiper (roosting with the Turnstone on the slipway), 3 Mediterranean Gull (2 adult summers and a 1st summer), 4 Sandwich Tern, 42 Common Tern (feeding by and perching on the Turnstone roost. All common), 4 Great Crested Grebe. Don Petrie (SOG).
Rochford Golf Course, 16:45 to 19:45
2 Green Woodpecker, 2 Blackcap (singing), 2 Chiffchaff (singing). Neil Chambers (SOG).
Two Tree Island (West), 16:50 to 18:00
12 Whitethroat (singing males), 1 Cuckoo, 8 Corn Bunting, 210 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Grey Plover, 1 Knot, 132 Oystercatcher, 2 Common Tern, 219 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 35 Dunlin, 21 Greenshank. John Wright (SOG).
Two Tree Island (East), 18:00 to 18:55
6 Whitethroat, 3 Swallow, 1 Swift, 1 Sedge Warbler, 2 Green Woodpecker, 13 Whimbrel (a party of 10 flew around a bit before flying north over the Belton Hills calling as they went, followed about 20 minutes later by another 3), 4 Little Egret. John Wright (SOG).
Witham 18.30
Tawny Pipit, Rickstones High School field, showed well for around half hour. M.Bicknell.
Pitsea, South of Vange Marsh 18:45 to 20:45
1 Grasshopper Warbler, 3 Cetti's Warbler, 4 Lesser Whitethroat, 6 Whitethroat. Vince Kinsler (SOG).
Thursday 24th April 2008
Ferndale Road, Rayleigh 01:00 - 02:00
2 Tawny Owl calling. Robin Peppiatt.
Orsett, Southfields Area 08.15
At least 10 Sand Martin flying over the sand Quarry off Brentwood Road, Orsett. Steve Arnold.
Benfleet/Hadleigh Downs 09:00 - 11:00
13 Chiffchaff, 8 Whitethroat, 7 Blackcap, 1 Nightingale, 1 Song Thrush, 2 Cuckoo, 2 Jackdaw, 3 Stock Dove, 2 Green Woodpecker, Kestrel. Paul Bruty.
Benfleet Downs 14.45 - 16.20
1 Nightingale heard singing in same place, 5 Whitethroat, 1 Cuckoo, 2 Stonechat, 3 Reed Warbler and 6 Pochard in borrow dykes. Gordon Appleton.
Colchester, Berechurch Hall Road 15.10
Red Kite flying parallel with the road close to the junction with the B1026. David Flack.
Rayleigh Suburbs 17.10 - 17.15
1 Hobby circling then charging into the fields over car, same place and time as before last sighting. Steve Wood.
Hullbridge
Small flock of 8 Siskin feeding in garden all day. 2 House Martin and several Swallow at Lubards Farm. Hilary Knight.
Wednesday 23rd April 2008
Battlesbridge, 09:30
1 Little Egret flew west over A130 along River Crouch. Paul Baker (SOG).
Cherry Orchard Jubilee Country Park 10.15 - 11.30
3 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, 6 House Martin and 26 Swallow over the lake, 3 Song Thrush. David Selley.
Wickford, Russell Gardens 12.30
1 Hobby fast over factories with bird in talons and calling but saw no other bird. Steve Wood.
North Crescent, Prittlewell, 14:10
1 adult summer Mediterranean Gull flew over back garden. Mike Bailey (SOG).
Two Tree Island East 15.00
Cuckoo being 'tailed' by reed warbler, Sedge Warbler, 2 pair Whitethroat, Blackcap, Water Rail from hide at Horseshoe pond. Great Crested Grebe in sea off salt marsh. John Leeming.
Wakering, Fleet Head, 16:00 to 18:00
4 Little Egret, 2 Canada Goose, 2 Whimbrel, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Greenshank, 8 Skylark, 15 Yellow Wagtail, 4 Whitethroat, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Sedge Warbler, 6 Corn Bunting (singing). Don Petrie (SOG).
Battlesbridge, 16:45
2 Swallow on wires outside a stable. Paul Baker (SOG).
Ashingdon, 17:00
1 Sparrowhawk spiralling high on thermals. Paul Baker (SOG).
Chalkwell Park Drive, Leigh, 18:15
1 adult Mediterranean Gull over the garden. John Wright (SOG).
Paglesham Lagoon, 18:20 to 20:10
9 Little Egret, 8 Swallow, 2 Sand Martin, 1 Wigeon (drake), 1 Long-tailed Duck (female), 1 Whitethroat, 1 Marsh Harrier (female), 16 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Whimbrel, 3 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Barn Owl, 1 Cuckoo, 60 Shelduck. Paul Griggs, Don Petrie (SOG).
Hullbridge, 18:45
44 Mute Swan on the river. Paul Baker (SOG).
Wakering Stairs, 19:20 to 20:15
2 Lesser Whitethroat (singing), 6 Whitethroat (singing), 1 Cuckoo (singing), 2 Whimbrel, 2 Sedge Warbler (singing). Neil Chambers (SOG).
Paglesham Churchend, 20:25 to 20:30
1 Little Owl. Paul Griggs, Don Petrie (SOG).
Southend Rugby Club, Warners Bridge 20.30
1 Nightingale singing in a tree next to the car park. Terry Priest.
Bradwell on Sea
A male Siskin has been feeding on peanuts outside our window in Bradwell on Sea for the last 5-hours. Also a number of male Brimstone butterfly's in the garden. Richard T.
One Tree Hill
A female Lesser Spotted Woodpecker showed well at 15.30 today, from the information centre the bird was seen soon after entering Northlands Wood. Also around 20 Green Winged Orchids already in flower! Alan Shearman RSPB.
Tuesday 22nd April 2008
Waitrose, Eastern Avenue 07:45
6 Whitethroat, 1 Peregrine sitting on electricty pylon then flew off towards Stambridge Mills. Don Wildish.
Hole Haven Creek, Canvey 10.00
1 male Wheatear, 1 Cuckoo, 8 Whitethroat, 10+ Swallow and House Martin, 37 Black-tailed Godwit, 62 Curlew. Alan Shearman RSPB.
Benfleet & Hadleigh Downs 12.35 - 15.30
Plenty of Great Tit and Blue Tit, 1 Bullfinch, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 12 Chiffchaff, 6 Blackcap (4m 2f), 2 Sparrowhawk (both female, 1 soaring high above the trees), 1 Common Buzzard (approx. 14.10 flying very high, near castle), 1 Kestrel, 4 Chaffinch (all male), 1 Heron (flying towards creek), 1 Whitethroat, 1 Wren, many Robins. Terry Priest.
Hadleigh, 14:30
1 Swallow north over town centre. Paul Baker (SOG).
Hanningfield Reservoir 14.30 - 16.30
4 male Blackcap, 2 Red-crested Pochard, 1 Black Swan, 3 Mute Swan, 12+ Shelduck, 1 Swallow, mixed Greylag and Canada Geese on field. M.Jameson, M.Howell.
Chelmsford, Cinder Path Behind e2v 15.30
1 male and 1 female Blackcap, 2 Great Tit, 1 Chiffchaff. Sue Haffenden.
RSPB Vange Marsh 16.00
1 Grasshopper Warbler reeling on the old landfill site, 1 Whitethroat, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Common Tern, 50+ Avocet, 5 Black-tailed Godwit, 11 Greenshank, 1 Spotted Redshank. Alan Shearman RSPB.
Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 18:00
1 Sparrowhawk (male flew through). Paul Baker (SOG).
Gunners Park, 18:45 to 20:00
1 Little Egret, 2 Canada Goose (on the foreshore), 1 Wheatear (male), 1 Black Redstart (female, flycatching around the old compound in the SE corner of the reserve). Don Petrie
Canvey West End, 18:55 to 20:10
1 Wheatear, 24 Linnet (incl. flock of 20 feeding in horse paddocks), 3 Swallow, 14 Whitethroat, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Blackcap, 2 Stonechat (pair), 2 Cuckoo, 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Kestrel, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 5 Reed Warbler. Martin Cracknell (SOG).
Wakering Stairs, 19:45 to 20:45
1 Grasshopper Warbler (reeling on and off most of the time), 3 Chiffchaff, 3 Cuckoo, 5 Whitethroat, 2 Little Egret, 1 Red-legged Partridge. Paul Baker (SOG).
Monday 21st April 2008
Benfleet Downs, 09:20 to 10:40
1 Nightingale, 2 Whitethroat, 4 Blackcap, 6 Chiffchaff, 2 Swallow, 1 Sparrowhawk. Vince Kinsler (SOG).
RSPB Vange Marsh 12.00
Little Gull (adult summer), 11 Greenshank, 50+ Avocet, 1 Black-tailed Godwit. Saline Lagoon: 3 Common Sandpiper, 3 Dunlin, Cuckoo (former landfill site), Green Sandpiper (reedbed area), 3 Sedge Warbler, 2 Cetti's Warbler. 1 Lesser Whitethroat singing in the A13 hedgerow. Alan Shearman, Marc Outten RSPB.
Benfleet Downs, 15:30 to 15:50
1 Nightingale, 1 Lesser Whitethroat. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).
Hadleigh Downs, 14:00 to 14:30
1 Little Owl (reported from valley to west of castle), 1 Harris's Hawk. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).
Gunners Park, 17:00 to 17:50
30 Linnet, 2 Little Egret, 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Swallow, 1 Kestrel, 1 Red-breasted Merganser (drake, on the sea), 1 Whitethroat, 1 Chiffchaff. Paul Griggs, Don Petrie (SOG).
Eastwood, Dulverton Avenue 18:00
1 Nightingale (top of road in a spruce singing). Noel Barnes.
Wakering Stairs, 18:15 to 18:40
2 Red-legged Partridge, 2 Little Egret, 2 Cuckoo, 2 Kestrel, 2 Whitethroat, 1 Grasshopper Warbler (seen!), 1 Marsh Harrier (female). Paul Griggs, Don Petrie (SOG).
Benfleet Downs, 19:00 to 19:50
1 Nightingale (singing), 4 Blackcap, 3 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Chiffchaff. Paul Griggs, Don Petrie (SOG).
Southend, York Road 18.30
1 Female Peregrine catching pigeon over sea and flying straight toward me over my garden. Great views! Steve Wood.
Sunday 20th April 2008 (first report of Lesser Whitethroat and Sandwich Tern)
Chelmsford, Chelmer Village 07.00
House Martins back in their nest next to our bedroom window. exact same day as first seen last year! Sue Haffenden.
Wat Tyler Country Park, 08:15 to 08:45
2 Reed Warbler (both singing between main hide and tip road), 3 Cetti's Warbler, 8 Pochard. Vince Kinsler (SOG).
Gunners Park, 08:30 to 10:30
1 Swallow, 4 House Martin, 2 Whitethroat, 9 Shelduck, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler (all calling). Dave Knight (SOG).
Rochford Golf Course, 09:00 to 12:00
3 Green Woodpecker, 1 Willow Warbler (singing), 2 Chiffchaff (singing), 3 Blackcap (singing). Neil Chambers (SOG).
Hadleigh Downs, 09:30 to 10:30
9 Chiffchaff, 8 Blackcap, 2 Song Thrush, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Kestrel, 2 Sparrowhawk, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Tawny Owl (calling). Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).
Hockley Woods, 09:45 to 10:25
9 Stock Dove (in glade), 3 Jay, 1 Treecreeper (at south end of glade), 1 Chiffchaff (singing), 1 Blackcap (male), 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Nuthatch (around car park). Paul Baker (SOG).
Hadleigh Downs, 09:50 to 13:50
4 Whitethroat, 1 Jackdaw, 3 Long-tailed Tit, 5 Skylark, 6 Green Woodpecker, 23 Chiffchaff, 9 Blackcap, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Kestrel, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat. Paul Griggs (SOG).
Wakering Stairs 10.00 - 11.15
Cuckoo, 3 Common Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Red-legged Partridge. Ray Fuller.
Gunners Park 10.20
1 female Black Redstart. Nick Green (EBS).
Hockley Woods, 10:30 to 11:45
2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Green Woodpecker, 1 Treecreeper, 4 Blackcap, 1 Sparrowhawk. Brian Baldock (SOG).
Blenheim Park, 10:50 to 11:55
1 Wheatear. Dudley Shayler (SOG).
Gunners Park, 11:00 to 16:00
1 Black Redstart (female in reserve. Found by Jeff Delve/Nick Green.), 1 Lesser Whitethroat (singing, possibly 2 birds), 1 Whitethroat, 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Wheatear, 5 Swallow, 2 Green Woodpecker (usual pair), 1 Kestrel (male), 800 Sanderling (at least), 2 Little Egret. Don Petrie (SOG).
Hadleigh Downs 11.30
2 Lesser Whitethroat. Andrew Bridge.
Chelmsford, Sandon Mill Road 11.30 - 12.30
1 male Blackcap, 1 Skylark. Sue Haffenden.
Gunners Park, 12:30 to 13:30
1 Black Redstart, 1 Wheatear, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Swallow, 1 Little Egret, 1 Kestrel, 800 Sanderling (+), 1 Great Crested Grebe. Brian Baldock (SOG).
Gunners Park, 14:00 to 15:15
1 Black Redstart (female along north fenceline of reserve), 1 Little Egret, 2 Mistle Thrush, 20 Linnet, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Wheatear (male), 3 Swallow, 1 Kestrel. Paul Baker, Neil Chambers (SOG).
Gunners Park, 14:00 to 15:50
1 Black Redstart, 5 Swallow, 1 Blackcap, 2 Sandwich Tern, 250 Sanderling (+), 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 1 Wheatear, 1 Yellow Wagtail. Dudley Shayler (SOG).
Wallasea Marina 14.15
1 Little Egret, 2 Swallow, 2 House Martin. Also; a very surprising large bat! Watched for 3 or four minutes hunting over the water at the start of the road to the caravan site. Disappeared in to a conifer by the bend in the road. Web Author, KF.
Hadleigh Castle Country Park 15.00
1 Hen Harrier, hunting over open land and being mobbed by 2 Crows. Also, 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Kestrel, 2 Goldfinch, 2 Jay. Helen Duncan.
Benfleet Downs, 15:00 to 15:45
1 Cuckoo, 1 Nightingale (approx 200 yds east of Ray view in hawthorn coppice - same place as last year). 2 Brimstone. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).
Hadleigh Downs, 15:50 to 17:20
1 Willow Warbler (singing), 1 Cetti's Warbler (singing), 1 Sparrowhawk (male), 1 Whitethroat, 1 Green Woodpecker, 5 Chiffchaff (inc 3 singing), 9 Blackcap (incl. 7 singing). Paul Baker, Neil Chambers (SOG).
Hadleigh Downs 18.55 - 20.55
2 Tawny Owl (both seen), 1 male Sparrowhawk, 1 Cuckoo, 4 Chiffchaff, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Mistle Thrush, large flock of Goldfinch, 1 Skylark, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Yellowhammer (usual spot). Terry Priest.
Canvey Way (Canvey side of creek) 19.00
Female Hen Harrier mobbed by crows on Friday and quartering along dyke on Sunday, lovely views. Eventually flew off towards Hadleigh on both occasions. Gary Clinton.
Wakering Stairs, 20:30 to 20:50
1 Grasshopper Warbler (reeling almost continuously. In the scrubby grass 100m N of the steps off the seawall at the Pigs Bay end. Found by Jeff Delve/Nick Green earlier in the day). Don Petrie (SOG).
Saturday 19th April 2008
Two Tree Island 07:30
4 Common Whitethroat. Don Wildish.
Daws Heath Woods 09:00 - 13:30
Sparrowhawk, Green Sandpiper (Prittlewell Brook 13:00), 7 Great Spotted Woodpecker, male Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (vocal, West Wood 09:30), 6 Green Woodpecker, Stock Dove, 2 Mistle Thrush, 8 Jay, 4 Chiffchaff. John and Paul Bruty.
Southend, 10:00
1 Mediterranean Gull (adult flying west eastern ave allotment), 1 Green Woodpecker (calling). Dave Knight (SOG).
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 10.10 - 11.55
Yellow Wagtail (year first here), Common Whitethroat (year first here), Little Grebe, 3 Great Crested Grebe, Little Egret, Corn Bunting,Reed Bunting, 4 Skylark. Ray Fuller.
Hanningfield Reservoir 11:00 - 13:00
6+ Chiffchaff, 4 Blackbird, 6 Blackcap, 4 Robin, 6 Great Crested Grebe, 4 Red Crested Pochard, 30+ Cormorant, 1 Little Gull (male), 2 Treecreeper, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 6 Chaffinch, 3 Bullfinch, 2 Little Grebe, 6 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Goldcrest, 2 Song Thrush, 2 Shoveler, 2 Great Black-backed Gull, 2 Wren, 30 + Canada Goose, 20 Greylag Goose, 10 Coot, 4 Moorhen, 1 Grey Heron. Noel Barnes.
Belfairs Woods, 11:25 to 12:05
1 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (female by the nature reserve/golf course gate ), 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Green Woodpecker, 3 Nuthatch, 2 Treecreeper, 1 Stock Dove, 2 Song Thrush (pair), 1 Goldcrest (singing). Paul Griggs, Tony Mead (SOG).
Southend Pier 12:30
1w Shag, Black-throated Diver (East 12:30), 2 Great Crested Grebe, pr Mallard, c.250 Turnstone, 1 Purple Sandpiper. Plus 2cy Mediterranean Gull near Westcliff Casino. John and Paul Bruty.
Burnham Country park 19.25
1 Spotted Flycatcher. Gary Dunn.
Daws Heath
2 male Brambling feeding under seedfeeder in the garden. Neil Latham.
Friday 18th April 2008
Newlands Hall Fishery 06.00 - 18.00
2 Willow Warbler, 3 Common Tern, 5 Swallow, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Green Woodpecker. M.Jameson, M.Howell.
Russell Gardens, Wickford Business Park 12.30
1 Hobby fast over factory roofs Steve Wood.
Victoria Avenue, Southend, 13:45 to 14:00
1 male Peregrine Falcon around Portcullis House. Don Petrie (SOG).
Canvey, Hole Haven Creek 14:25
c.1500 Black-tailed Godwit, Peregrine Falcon John and Paul Bruty.
Wickford Business Park 16.00
1 female Sparrowhawk, 2 Yellowhammer, 1 returning Hobby with food. Steve Wood.
Southchurch Park East & Southchurch Park
Southchurch Park East: 1 Cormorant back at last fishing for eels, 1 Little Egret, 1 Kestrel flying nth/sth, 1 Green Woodpecker calling, 6 + Blue Tit, 2 Resident Mute Swan nesting for 2 weeks. Southchurch Park: 1 Canada Goose. Robert Dobinson.
Thursday 17th April 2008 (first report of Common Tern)
Canewdon, Hyde Wood Lane 07.40
3 Yellowhammer (2 seen + 1 singing male heard). David Selley.
Gunners Park, 08:15 to 09:30
1 Kestrel, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Blackcap (male), 2 Chiffchaff. Don Petrie (SOG).
Shoebury Coastguards, 10:45 to 11:30
1 Mediterranean Gull (summer adult), 2 Common Tern (flying East). Don Petrie (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park, 16:40 to 17:30
3 Whimbrel, 2 Curlew, 1 Cetti's Warbler. Vince Kinsler (SOG).
Wakering, Fleet Head, 18:10 to 18:30
10 Shoveler, 2 Whimbrel. Don Petrie (SOG).
Paglesham Lagoon, 19:00 to 19:45
1 Long-tailed Duck (female), 30 Swallow, 7 Yellow Wagtail. Don Petrie (SOG).
Wednesday 16th April 2008
Belfairs Golf Course, 07:30 to 08:30
4 Nuthatch (2 pairs), 1 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (male calling and drumming 08:25 - 08:30 until flushed by Sparrowhawk). Tony Mead (SOG).
Belfairs Woods, 08:35 to 09:35
3 Nuthatch, 4 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, 9 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 4 Green Woodpecker, 2 Sparrowhawk (pair), 1 Ring-necked Parakeet (flew east, calling), 4 Stock Dove. Paul Griggs, Tony Mead (SOG).
Victoria Avenue, Southend, 11:30 to 11:50
2 Peregrine Falcon (Pair present on Portcullis House). Don Petrie (SOG).
Barling Pits, 14:00 to 16:00
5 Swallow, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Black-tailed Godwit (in river), 1 Whimbrel (in river). Dave Knight (SOG).
Skeggs Farm, Writtle 14.30
1 Cuckoo showing and calling near the pond in the horses field. 1 day later than last year on the same site. Andrew Allen.
Leigh on Sea, 15:00
1 Sparrowhawk flew over Leighwood Avenue in hot pursuit. Dudley Shayler (SOG).
Witham, Riverview 15.30
1 female Merlin flying low through hedge rows. M.Bicknell.
Gunners Park, 17:15 to 18:15
3 Little Egret, 2 Mandarin Duck (pair by small new pool just NE of where the new road crosses the old road), 3 Chiffchaff. Don Petrie (SOG).
Wallasea (from Marina Bar) 18.15 - 18.26
2 Yellowhammer on seawall and then on grass bank. Gary Dunn.
Paglesham Lagoon, 18:15 to 19:45
1 Long-tailed Duck (female still there!), 1 Slavonian Grebe in summer plumage at far east end of lagoon (Roach end), 2 Yellow Wagtail (males at Roach end of lagoon), 2 Reed Bunting (males), 30 Swallow (in one flock constantly hawking over east end), 1 Wigeon (drake), 4 Teal (one drake, three female), 2 Red-breasted Merganser (drakes on Roach), 3 Linnet, 100 Rook (estimated 45 nests), 10 Little Egret (in Rookery), 3 Grey Plover, 12 Turnstone, 10 Black-tailed Godwit, 8 Pochard, 6 Shoveler, 10 Gadwall, 1 Great Crested Grebe (on Roach). Paul Baker (SOG).
Paglesham Churchend, 19:50
1 Little Owl on telegraph wires. Paul Baker (SOG).
Canewdon, 19:55
1 Little Owl along Scotts Hall Road. Paul Baker (SOG).
Hadleigh Downs, 20:00 to 20:50
2 Tawny Owl (two or three birds heard from top field below Chapel Lane car park), 2 Green Woodpecker (heard). 1 Red Fox. Don Petrie (SOG).
Tuesday 15th April 2008 (first report of Sedge Warbler)
Salisbury Avenue, Southend, 06:30
1 Ring-necked Parakeet. Tony Mead (SOG).
Gunners Park, 08:10 to 09:20
2 Greylag Goose (flew West), 8 Shelduck (4 pairs investigating burrows on the reserve), 2 Green Woodpecker (pair), 1 Redstart (male still in reserve, on bushes to left of mound), 1 Blackcap (male), 1 Chiffchaff (singing). Don Petrie (SOG).
Paglesham Lagoon, 09:30 to 14:00
2 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Teal, 1 Wigeon, 1 Long-tailed Duck, 1 Slavonian Grebe, 1 Tufted Duck (many pairs), 20 Little Grebe, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Sedge Warbler (calling), 1 Mediterranean Gull (adult), 8 Pochard, 8 Gadwall, 4 Shoveler, 13 Little Egret (in rookery). 1 Weasel, 10 Peacock Butterfly Dave Knight (SOG).
Canvey West End, 10:00 to 11:15
3 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Swallow, 2 Stonechat (pair), 1 Kestrel, 4 Linnet. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).
River Roach, 12:00 to 13:00
8 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Whimbrel, 7 Red-breasted Merganser, 13 Black-tailed Godwit, 20 Redshank. Dave Knight (SOG).
Hanningfield Reservoir 12.30 - 14.00
Many Chiffchaff including one Iberian seen and heard, 6 Blackcap, 5 Shelduck, 1 Willow warbler. John Wilson. (no description supplied for Iberian Chiffchaff - Ed.)
Finginghoe Wick 14.00 - 16.00
2 Nightingale seen and heard, 1 Blackcap, several Chiffchaff, 1 Long-tailed Duck, 3 Red-breasted Merganser, 10+ Sand Martin, 1 Swallow. 3 Adders. Richard Shepherd.
Victoria Avenue, Southend, 14:30 to 14:45
1 Peregrine Falcon (adult male on Portcullis House). Don Petrie (SOG).
Abberton and Leyer Causeway 16.30 - 17.30
2 Yellow Wagtail 1 Common Sandpiper. Richard Shepherd.
Gunners Park, 17:10 to 18:10
2 Little Egret, 1 Green Woodpecker, 28 Linnet, 1 Grey Heron. 1 Red Fox chasing a rabbit. Paul Baker (SOG).
Wickford 17.25
Hobby coming straight towards me over London Road in Wickford, it then crossed the fields behind me. Steve Wood.
Gunners Park, 18:30 to 19:20
20 Linnet, 1 Little Egret. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Hadleigh Downs 19.20 - 20.55
2 Tawny Owl, 12 Goldfinch, 1 Harris Hawk (no jesse on leg), 1 female Sparrowhawk on fence post with prey, 4 Long-tailed Tit, 2 reported Coal Tit, 1 Wren, 1 Woodcock. Terry Priest.
Monday 14th April 2008
B1026 from Maldon to Colchester, 06.15 to 06.30
Three Barn Owl all seen within 15 minutes. The first quartering a field at the junction of Marsh lane and the B1026 outside Maldon. The next was seen just before the five lakes golf club at Tollshunt Knights and the last in the field next to the causeway at Abberton. David Flack.
Gunners Park, 07:45 to 10:00
1 Redstart (male on bushes in centre of reserve, sometimes hidden in grass for long periods), 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap (pair in western hedge south of gate), 1 Sparrowhawk (female), 1 Kestrel (male), 2 Green Woodpecker. Don Petrie (SOG).
Two Tree Island (West), 08:00 to 08:30
2 Whitethroat, 12 Linnet, 8 Skylark. Paul Griggs (SOG).
RSPB Vange Marsh, 08:15 to 09:00
2 Sedge Warbler, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 6 Reed Bunting, 2 Swallow. Vince Kinsler (SOG).
Gunners Park, 09:30 to 12:00
2 Blackcap (male at old pond), 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Mistle Thrush (in reserve), 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Swallow. Dave Knight (SOG).
Southend, 13:15
2 Sparrowhawk over garden, Rylands Road. Dave Knight (SOG).
Canvey, Northwick Road 14.15 - 14.45
1 Cetti's Warbler heard, 1 Firecrest, in bushes near the end of Northwick road. Watched for 15 minutes before heavy shower. Stuart Bailey.
Gunners Park, 17:50 to 19:00
1 Sparrowhawk (female on ground with prey), 1 Kestrel (male), 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Swallow, 2 Blackcap (singing males along western hedge), 12 Linnet, 1 Little Egret, 2 Grey Heron, 2 Redshank (on lake). 1 Red Fox, 1 Brown Rat (swam across pond). Paul Baker (SOG).
Barling Pits, 18:15 to 19:15
2 Green Woodpecker (pair), 1 Barn Owl (over the airstrip), 4 Skylark, 10 Swallow, 2 House Martin, 20 Linnet, 27 Corn Bunting (flocking in field between church and long pit). Don Petrie (SOG).
Sunday 13th April 2008 (first report of Redstart, Black Redstart and Cuckoo)
Barling Hall Farm 07.15
Cuckoo heard but not seen over old pits. T Thorneycroft.
Barling Pits 07.15 - 08.45
1 Cuckoo, 2 Whitethroat, 1 male Black Redstart on the new fence posts near the clay shoot. Swallows and 1 Spotted Redshank. Ian Douch.
Southend, 08:00
1 Jackdaw over Cumberland Avenue flying east. Dave Knight (SOG).
Wallasea Wetlands (Eastern End) 10:30 - 12:00
Goosander - drake still present with Shelduck, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 20+ Corn Bunting, many Skylark, 98 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 4 Avocet, 120+ Redshank, 6 Knot, 3 Dunlin, 25+ Ringed Plover, 20+ Grey Plover, 6 Brent Geese. Jeff Delve (EBS).
Canewdon, Butts Hill Pond
Snging Blackcap. Jeff Delve (EBS).
Gunners Park 12.45 - 13.15
1 male Redstart on bushes in reserve. Stuart Bailey, Gordon Appleton.
Magnolia NR, Hawkwell, 14:00 to 14:30
4 Chiffchaff (singing), 3 Green Woodpecker, 8 Jackdaw. Steve Sanford (SOG).
Wakering. Fleet Head 14.10 - 15.30
Skylark, c.12 Yellow Wagtail, Linnet, 1 Reed Bunting, 8 Corn Bunting. Stuart Bailey, Gordon Appleton.
Canvey, Marine Parade 15:30
3 Sand Martin flying north. Don Wildish.
Hockley Woods
1 Treecreeper, 4 Great Spotted Woodpecker c.25 Jays. Also Sparrowhawk on our garden fence. The bird dropped down into the garden to eat its prey. Sue Haffenden.
Rivers Crouch & Roach aboard Lady Essex III
2 Bar-tailed Godwit and 3 Avocet in middleway. 16 Common seals, unusual for this time of year it was apparent that they were mothers with last years pups. It seems that the pups have lost weight through the winter! Gary Dunn.
Saturday 12th April 2008 (first report of Yellow Wagtail and Reed Warbler)
Wat Tyler Country Park 08.00 - 09.00
Chiffchaff (8 singing males, 4 seen), Blackcap (3 singing males, 1 seen), Swallow and House Martin (mixed flock of c.20 birds hawking for insects around the hedges along the approach road). Richard Chew.
Prittle Brook (Leigh on Sea), 09:00 to 09:05
2 Siskin on nyjer seed feeder. Brian Baldock (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park, 09:00 to 10:30
2 Spotted Redshank, 3 Greenshank, 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Bearded Tit, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 6 Swallow. Bob Young.
Stanford Wick 10:00
1 Cuckoo calling. Richard Gray.
Paglesham Lagoon, (Walked in From Stambridge Fishponds) 10:45 to 15:15
1 Cetti's Warbler (by fishponds), 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Yellow Wagtail (male), 4 Red-breasted Merganser (2 pairs on the roach between the pill box and pag lag), 1 Slavonian Grebe (on lagoon, near summer plumage), 1 Long-tailed Duck, 7 Mute Swan, 14 Little Egret (including at least 10 in the trees at the rookery), 73 Black-tailed Godwit, 14 Swallow, 3 House Martin, 4 Skylark (singing), 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 40 Linnet (in single flock), 1 Chiffchaff. Don Petrie (SOG).
Hanningfield Reservoir 15:00 - 16:30
8 Blackcap (four singing males in view together at one point), Lots of Chiffchaff, 2 male Brambling in trees outside Lyster Hide. Stephen Burt.
Wat Tyler Country Park 16.00
Reed Warbler singing. Jerry Stock.
Gunners Park, 18:15 to 19:30
2 male Wheatear in the reserve, 1 Chiffchaff. Don Petrie (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park, 18:30 to 19:00
1 Reed Warbler, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Bearded Tit, 3 Little Grebe. Martin Cracknell (SOG).
Rivers Crouch & Roach aboard Lady Essex III
Curlew, Whimbrel, 3 Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrel Grey & Golden Plover, Great Crested Grebe, 2 Brent Geese, Shelduck. 6 Common Seals, 1 totally unafraid and repeatedly approaching the boat to within 3 feet. Gary Dunn.
Hullbridge
Flock of 30 Golden Plover feeding in creek at Hullbridge in full summer plumage. Dave Blackwell.
Friday 11th April 2008
Gunners Park, 10:30 to 13:00
3 Little Egret, 2 Kestrel (male and female), 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Swallow, 1 Chiffchaff (singing). Don Petrie (SOG).
Friars Park, 13:15 to 13:35
2 Mute Swan, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Chiffchaff. Don Petrie (SOG).
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 14.15 - 16.30
2 Little Grebe, 6 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Swallow, 2 Little Egret, 4 Shelduck, 4 Corn Bunting, Willow Warbler (year first here). Ray Fuller.
Rivers Crouch & Roach aboard Lady Essex III
8 Seals in the Roach, Curlew, Oystercatcher, Shelduck, Kestrel, Brent Geese, Grey and Golden Plover, Cormorant, Great Crested Grebe, and 3 Rainbows.
Thursday 10th April 2008 (first report of Common Whitethroat)
Wat Tyler Country Park, 08:15 to 09:20
1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Bearded Tit (very showy pair), 1 Water Rail (heard), 2 Bullfinch. 1 Northern Water Vole. Vince Kinsler (SOG).
Gunners Park, 08:30 to 09:30
7 Shelduck, 12 Linnet, 1 Chiffchaff. Brian Baldock (SOG).
Hanningfield Reservoir 08.45 - 08.55
1st summer male Black Redstart singing and showing very well in SW corner of reservoir at far west end of causeway, Willow Warbler singing. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Tollsbury Wick 10.00 - 12.30
6 Red-breasted Merganser, 2 Eider, 100 Avocet, 2 Marsh Harrier. 50 Brent Geese. Trevor Bufton, Brian Holwell.
Abberton Reservoir 12.30 - 13.30
2 Slavonian Grebe, 3 Little Ringed Plover, 4 Yellow Wagtail. 1 Bean Goose. Trevor Bufton, Brian Holwell.
Two Tree Island (West) 15.00
Pair of Stonechat and Common Whitethroat 1 Skylark, 2 Greenshank, 1 Grey Plover, 30+ Avocet, 2 Ringed Plover, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Little Egret. R Shepherd.
Hadleigh Country Park 15.00 - 16.00
1 Harris Hawk, sighted several times round eastern side of Country Park. This bird had a jesse on the right leg, my previous sightings of a Harris Hawk here recently were of a bird without jesses,do we have two in Hadleigh? Mike Sagrott, Tony Sandeman.
Prittle Brook (Leigh on Sea), 16:15 to 15:30
2 Goldfinch on nyjer feeder in garden, 1 Goldcrest, 2 Siskin on garden feeder. Brian Baldock
Barling Hall Farm 16.30
3 Swallow. T Thorneycroft.
Gunners Park, 16:45 to 18:15
2 Little Egret, 1 Sparrowhawk (female), 1 Kestrel (male), 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Chiffchaff (singing). Don Petrie (SOG).
Wakering Stairs, 18:45 to 19:30
1 Little Egret, 2 Greylag Goose, 1 Common Scoter (male, flew in from NE and landed on sea), 800 Oystercatcher (at roost), 1 Skylark (singing), 4 Red-legged Partridge, 2 Chiffchaff. 1 Red Fox . Don Petrie (SOG).
Two Tree Island 19:00 - 20:00
Field and over Estuary: 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Stonechat, 1 Curlew, 1 Black-tailed Godwit. From 2nd hide: 1 Little Egret, 2 Redshank, 32 Avocet, c.130 Oystercatcher, 5 Moorhen, 4 Canada Geese, 4 Shelduck. Daniel Butcher.
Wednesday 09th April 2008
Leigh on Sea, 06:45
1 Grey Heron on my garden fence by my pond, thankfully seen off by a crow. Dudley Shayler (SOG).
West Wood Hadleigh 07:30
3 Greater Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Green Woodpecker at various times in Westwood, 1 Little Egret in the drainage ditch by Daws Heath Road. Brian Legg.
Gunners Park, 08:15 to 08:40
2 Blackcap (pair in western hedge). Don Petrie (SOG).
Hadleigh Downs 08.15 - 10.00
2 Song Thrush, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Green Woodpecker, 1 Bullfinch (female), 2 Yellowhammer (pair), 10 Chaffinch (mixed flock), 1 Little Owl, large flock of Great and Blue Tit, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Commom Buzzard (soaring up high, close to the castle), 2 Dunnock. Terry Priest.
Gunners Park, 09:00 to 11:00
2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Willow Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Little Egret. Dave Knight (SOG).
Clacton Golf Course 10.30
2 Yellow Wagtail. Richard Shepherd.
Tuesday 08th April 2008
Coombe Wood, 08:00 to 08:15
16 Siskin (noisy flock in Ash trees at the bottom of my garden). Jeff Saward (SOG).
Hanningfield Reservoir 09.00 - 11.30
1 adult male Brambling, 1 female Bullfinch feeding on blackthorn flowers, 3+ Blackcap singing, numerous Chiffchaff, 4 Red Crested Pochard (3m 1f), 5 Goldeneye (2m 3f). Chris Cook.
Thundersley (My Garden) 09.00 - 10.00, 11.45 - 12.00 & 14.00 - 14.30
1 Sparrowhawk caught, plucked and partly ate a Wood Pigeon on the lawn, 2 Siskin feeding on the Peanut peckers, 4 Siskin feeding on dropped food beneath the bird table. John Bennett.
Gunners Park, 09:15 to 10:00
1 Little Egret, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Blackcap (singing male). Don Petrie (SOG).
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 11.00 - 13.15
Swallow (year first here), 17 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Shelduck, Green Sandpiper, Corn Bunting, 3 Reed Bunting, Little Egret, 2 Curlew, Bar-tailed Godwit, Brent Goose, 20 Skylark. Ray Fuller.
Belfairs Nature Reserve, 12:50 to 13:00
1 male Lesser Spotted Woodpecker drumming near the Warren Road entrance to the Nature Reserve. Tony Mead (SOG).
Gunners Park, 16:45 to 18:00
1 Little Egret, 800 Sanderling (roosting near jetty), 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Wheatear (male in reserve), 1 Chiffchaff (singing), 14 Linnet. Don Petrie (SOG).
Rochford, 17:05 to 17:05
10 Siskin flew over calling. Steve Arlow (SOG).
Wakering, Fleet Head 17.45 - 18.15
2 Long-tailed Tit. Iain Henderson.
Ashingdon, 19:00 to 19:10
3 female Siskin in the garden on the feeders. Steve Sanford (SOG).
Two Tree Island 20:00 - 21:00
4 Little Egret, 8 Avocet, 2 Oystercatcher, Curlew, 1 Short-eared Owl. Dan Butcher.
Monday 07th April 2008
Hockley Woods, 07:15 to 07:50
8 Great Spotted Woodpecker (4 drumming), 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Nuthatch (east side of open area), 2 Blackcap (1 singing), 2 Chiffchaff (singing), 1 Stock Dove (singing). Neil Chambers (SOG).
Daws Heath 10.00
Mixed flock of approx 40 birds, mainly Siskin a few Greenfinch and Goldfinch feeding in the garden on Niger seeds. Paul Rossiter.
Gunners Park, 10:00 to 12:30
2 Little Egret, 1 Sparrowhawk (female saoring over, later seen close up carrying collared dove), 1 Kestrel (male), 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Willow Warbler (one north of old pond, two (one singing) in western hedge south of pedestrian gate), 2 Chiffchaff (singing). Don Petrie (SOG).
Belfairs Woods 10.30
1 male Lesser Spotted Woodpecker 18th tee on the golf course. Tony Mead (SOG).
Hanningfield Reservoir 15.00
Pair of Red-crested Pochard Small flocks of Sand Martins and Swallows. R Shepherd.
Wat Tyler Country Park 15.30 - 18.30
My first Swallows of the year 3 in all. Terence Ross.
Two Tree Island (West), 18:40 to 19:40
1 Stonechat (male), 1 Reed Bunting (male singing). Neil Chambers (SOG).
Sunday 06th April 2008
Gunners Park 08.00 - 09.00
1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Kestrel, 1 Chiffchaff. Matt Bruty.
Rochford Golf Course, 08:00 to 10:15
2 Green Woodpecker. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Two Tree Island, 10:30 to 13:15 (WEBS)
4 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Cormorant, 6 Little Egret, 2 Canada Goose, 102 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 19 Shelduck, 12 Teal, 1 Kestrel (male), 63 Oystercatcher, 38 Ringed Plover, 140 Golden Plover, 150 Grey Plover, 400 Knot, 212 Dunlin, 4 Black-tailed Godwit, 79 Curlew, 22 Redshank, 2 Greenshank, 170 Turnstone, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Skylark, 1 Meadow Pipit, 1 Robin (feeding on fat ball & taking peanuts from feeder), 5 Great Tit, 1 Blue Tit, 2 Dunnock. Graham Ryland (SOG).
Saturday 05th April 2008 (first report of Willow Warbler, Whimbrel and local House Martin)
Hockley Woods, 07:50 to 09:35
13 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 5 Green Woodpecker, 2 Nuthatch, 3 Treecreeper, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Jackdaw. Don Petrie (SOG).
Hadleigh 08.00
5 resident Jackdaw, Hadleigh allotments, London Road, bad boys stealing my seeds and perching on my scarecrow! Roger Shinn.
Hadleigh Downs, 08:35 to 09:55
6 Blackcap (singing), 9 Chiffchaff (singing), 5 Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Cetti's Warbler (singing), 1 Stock Dove (singing). Neil Chambers (SOG).
Leigh on Sea, Glendale Gardens 09:00
2 Jackdaw. John Wright (SOG).
Westcliff Seafront, 10:05 to 10:10
6 Dark-bellied Brent Goose. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Gunners Park, 10:00 to 12:00
4 Wheatear (3 in reserve at the gorse end and a male by the new pond), 4 Chiffchaff (at least), 1 Sand Martin. Steve Arlow, Mike Bailey (SOG).
Two Tree Island 10:15
Good views of Harris Hawk as it flew across island towards Canvey Point. Don Wildish.
Barling Pits, 10:15 to 11:15
1 House Martin, 13 Pochard, 4 Tufted Duck, 2 Teal, 4 Little Grebe, 2 Kestrel, 14 Black-tailed Godwit (In the creek), 1 Green Sandpiper. John Wright (SOG).
Hockley Woods, 10:25 to 11:05
1 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (probable heard only - drummed 6-7 times in quick succession at c10.45am c200m SW of car park & 50m W of main track), 3 Nuthatch (singing - 1 car park; 1 btw car park and open area; 1 the other side of the compound), 2 Stock Dove (singing), 3 Chiffchaff (singing), 3 Blackcap (2 singing), 4 Great Spotted Woodpecker (1 drumming), 2 Green Woodpecker. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Friars Park, 11:30 to 12:00
1 Chiffchaff, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Mute Swan (pair nest building). John Wright (SOG).
Friars Park, 12:10 to 12:30
1 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler (giving mooted subsong by the bridge). Steve Arlow, Mike Bailey (SOG).
Gunners Park, 12:15 to 13:00
1 Little Egret, 3 Wheatear (in reserve), 4 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler, 3 Blackcap (2 males, 1 female), 3 Siskin. John Wright (SOG).
Wakering, Fleet Head, 12:30 to 14:15
1 Whimbrel, 1 Sand Martin, 1 Blackcap, 1 Ruff, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Snipe, 70 Golden Plover (at least). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Rayleigh, Ferndale Road 13.00 - 15.00
2 Green Woodpecker, 3 Great spotted Woodpecker, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap, 1 Mistle Thrush, 1 Song Thrush, 3 Robin, 1 Wren, 4 Chaffinch, 2 Greenfinch, 1 Siskin, 1 Redpoll (flying over), 5 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Kestrel. Also Great Tits, Blue Tits, Dunnock, Crow, Magpie, Wood Pigeon and Collard Dove. Robin Peppiatt.
Rochford Golf Course, 13:00 to 16:00
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Green Woodpecker, 1 Blackcap (singing), 1 Chiffchaff (singing). Neil Chambers (SOG).
Two Tree Island, West End and Lagoon 14:00 to 15:20
19 Black-tailed Godwit (most in summer plumage), 2 Little Egret, 4 Grey Plover, 18 Ringed Plover, 1 Greenshank, 1 Reed Bunting, 1 Stonechat, 2 Kestrel, 35 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 1 Canada Goose. Mike Bailey (SOG).
Friday 04th April 2008 (first report of Whimbrel)
Highlands Boulevard, Leigh, 07:40
1 male Blackcap in garden. Paul Griggs (SOG).
Leigh on Sea, 08:20 to 08:50
1 Jackdaw (Pall Mall), 1 Ring-necked Parakeet (A probable, very brief view in Dundonald Ave.). John Wright (SOG).
Gunners Park, 08:40 to 09:20
2 Sand Martin, 1 Chiffchaff (singing), 1 Tree Sparrow (looked fresh in, flying from bushtop to bushtop and calling with a deep chirp). Don Petrie (SOG).
Gunners Park, 09:00 to 10:50
1 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 1 Ring-necked Parakeet. Brian Baldock (SOG).
Woods Close to Hassingbrook Stanford-le-Hope 10.00
Little Egret. Judith Labbadia.
Leigh on Sea, Southsea Avenue 10.30
1 Peacock butterfly. Also 1 Starling giving a wonderful impression of a Redshank alarm call! K.F.
Rivers Crouch & Roach aboard Lady Essex III 11.00 - 13.00
1 Cormorant struggling to swallow a flatfish, Little Egret, Kestrel, Redshank, 3 Curlew standing together with a Whimbrel, Great Crested Grebe, 2 Avocet, 2 Swallow flying North across Crouch. 9 Common Seal. Gary Dunn.
Hockley Woods 13:05
1 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker near footpath to Woodlands Road. Tim Davis.
Wat Tyler Country Park 13:50 - 14:30
2 Little Egret, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Kestrel (hovering beyond power lines), 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Reed Bunting, 2 Little Grebe, Teal, Shoveler, Pochard, Coots, Moorhen, Canada and Greylag Geese. Dan Butcher.
Victoria Avenue, Southend, 14:15
1 Sparrowhawk. John Wright (SOG).
Hockley Woods 14.30 - 16.30
3 Greater spotted Woodpecker, 2 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, 4 Jay. David and Elaine Flack.
Southend, Baxter Avenue, 15.05
1 adult male Peregrine Falcon, flying leisurely around the office buildings! Terry Priest.
Gunners Park, 16:15 to 17:30
1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel (male), 2 Green Woodpecker, 8 Linnet, 1 Wheatear (male), 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Mandarin Duck (pair by the old pond), 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker (heard). Paul Griggs, Don Petrie (SOG).
Two Tree Island Friday 17.30 - 18.30
1 Short-eared Owl, 2 pair of Stonechat, 2 Swallow. Pete & Sue Jackson.
Two Tree Island (West), 17:30 to 18:35
1 Short-eared Owl sitting out in the open enjoying the sun, 1 Kestrel, 4 Stonechat (2 pairs), 2 Skylark. Web Author.
Wakering Stairs, 17:45 to 19:00
1 Rock Pipit, 1 Swallow, 1 Marsh Harrier (female), 1 Little Egret, 1 Red-legged Partridge. Paul Griggs, Don Petrie (SOG).
Thursday 03rd April 2008
Leigh on Sea, 06:35
4 Jackdaw (Pall Mall). John Wright (SOG).
Prittle Brook (Leigh on Sea), 08:30 to 08:35
2 Grey Wagtail. Brian Baldock (SOG).
Gunners Park, 08:30 to 09:30
1 Sparrowhawk (female), 1 Kestrel (female), 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Wheatear (male), 2 Chiffchaff (singing). Don Petrie (SOG).
Hanningfield Reservoir 12.00
Good views of 4 Long-tailed Duck. Laurie Greenwood.
Wakering, Fleet Head 13.00 - 15.30
2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 male Kestrel, 6 Little Egret, 1 Avocet, 1 Swallow, 3 Brown Hare and a profusion of Peacock butterflies on the wing, presumably emerging from hibernation in the Spring sunshine. Mike Sagrott.
Wat Tyler Country Park, 17:40 - 18:10
Several sightings of Barn Owl from middle hide around circular walk got great views with binoculars although also visable without. Also, several Long-tailed Tit and Chiffchaff. Terence Ross.
Wednesday 02nd April 2008
Leigh on Sea, Coombes Corner 07:00
2 Jackdaw. Dudley Shayler (SOG).
Two Tree Island 10.00 - 12.00
100+ Brent Geese, 30 Avocet (6 pairs), 100+ Knot, 6 Little Egret, 20 Oystercatcher, 2 Reed Bunting, 6 Greenfinch, 2 Kestrel, 12 Magpie, 3 Long-tailed Tit. David Flack.
RSPB Vange Marsh 11.45
1 Wheatear. Marc Outten RSPB.
Hullbridge (Back Garden) 14.00 - 16.30
60 House Sparrow, 6 Goldfinch, 8 Siskin (never seen in garden before!), 5 Chaffinch, 10 Blue Tit, 1 Robin, 2 Blackbird, 8 Starling and 12 Collared Dove. David Flack.
Rivers Crouch & Roach aboard Lady Essex III 16.20 - 18.47
9 Avocet, Oystercatchers, Curlew, 4 Little Egret, c.100 Brent flying North East from Foulness, Kestrel, 8 Cormorant and earlier in the day 1 cock Pheasant on marina pontoon system! . 18 Common Seals in Middleway 2 in Roach & 1 in Crouch in moorings. Gary Dunn.
Hadleigh, Woodfield Road 16.30
c.12 Siskin on and around seed feeders in garden. Never seen this many before. Mark Duncan.
Tuesday 01st April 2008
Leigh on Sea, 06:30
4 Jackdaw (Pall Mall). John Wright (SOG).
Rayleigh Mount, 10:10 to 10:20
1 male Blackcap feeding in berry bush. Claire Chambers (SOG).
Ashingdon, Princess Gardens 10.25
2 Jackdaw around bird table - first time in garden in 20+ years! David Selley.
Chalkwell Park 15.35 - 15.50
1 male Sparrowhawk flying over, 2 Mistle Thrush. Terry Priest.
Two Tree Island 19.10 - 19.45
2 Short-eared Owl (seen together). Matt Bruty.
Chelmsford 17.00
Red Kite over Melbourne Estate, Chelmsford flying south west being mobbed by two crows and seen for about five minutes, it was quite low and seen easily with the naked eye. M.Bicknell.
Southchurch 18.30 to 18.50
Siskin at garden bird feeder devouring niger seeds in the company of usual pair of Goldfinch. Leslie Spurling.