Bird Reports for April 2009
Thursday 30th April 2009
Greensward School, 10:15 to 10:25
1 adult summer Mediterranean Gull flying low over the school and nearby housing estate for ten minutes. Mike Bailey (SOG).
Hockley Woods, 16:20 to 17:30
2 Chiffchaff, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Blackcap, 1 Sparrowhawk. Peter Collins (SOG).
Wallasea Island, 17:30 to 18:40
5 Dotterel, 1 female Marsh Harrier along borrowdyke. Jeff Delve, Mike Bailey
Wallasea Island, 20:00 to 20:30
5 Dotterel still present in private peafield viewed distantly from sea wall, 1 Barn Owl with damage to primaries on right wing quartering fields by farm entrance to Wallasea, 8 Corn Bunting (at least), 2 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Little Egret. 2 Brown Hare. Mike Bailey, Neil Chambers (SOG).
Canewdon, 20:35 to 20:50
1 Little Owl showed briefly before flying off low over the adjacent field. Mike Bailey (SOG).
RSPB Vange Marsh
4 Greenshank, 1 Spotted Redshank, 2 Common Sandpiper, 1 Little Egret. Alan Shearman RSPB.
Wednesday 29th April 2009
Gunners Park 12.00 - 13.50
1 Cuckoo calling, 1 Nightingale briefly singing from roadside scrub and up to 7 Swallow and 1 Turtle Dove at far east end of Reserve, 2 Kestrels displaying over road. 2 Common Lizards in central area near park. Steve Wood.
Canewdon, 13:00 to 14:00
1 Red Kite low east over garden, 3 House Martin. Jeff Delve (EBS).
Wallasea Island, 17:00 to 20:30
5 Dotterel found from sea wall - different from Saturday's birds but in same field on private land, 2 Marsh Harrier (female and imm. male), 20 Corn Bunting (singing males well distributed around rape fields), 10 Yellow Wagtail (again very common here at present), 5 Linnet, 15 Reed Bunting (common along borrow dyke and ditch lines), 1 Wheatear (male along sea wall), 8 Knot, 3 Bar-tailed Godwit (uncommon here), 1 Greenshank (near tower as usual), 53 Grey Plover (big increase in numbers as migrating birds come through), 10 Whimbrel (4 over, most along salt marsh), 1 Red-legged Partridge (sea wall), 39 Dunlin, 3 Little Egret, 20 Stock Dove (at least), 1 Common Tern (at roost with gulls). Jeff Delve (EBS).
Hockley/Hawkwell, 17:20
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker flew over Main Road by Seevic and headed into Hockley Woods. Paul Baker (SOG).
Leigh on Sea, 18:15
1 Swift over Rectory Grove. John Wright (SOG).
Ashingdon, Princess Gardens 18.35
2 Sparrowhawk circling together and calling. Both appeared to be females. David Selley.
Wallasea Island, 19:30 to 20:30
5 Dotterel this evening including a well marked, bright female, 1 Marsh Harrier. Steve Arlow, Jeff Delve, Ian Douch, Lee Ebbs, Pete Livermore, Don Petrie (SOG).
Two Tree Island (East), 20:00 to 21:00
1 male Cuckoo, 1 Bullfinch, 2 Little Egret, 1 Nightingale. Also 2 large bats. Dudley Shayler (SOG).
Belton Hills 20:15
1 Nightingale heard and seen from top of hill just east of station, 1 Kestrel. Daniel Baker.
Canewdon, 20:20 to 20:25
1 Little Owl. Don Petrie (SOG).
Paglesham Churchend, 20:40
1 Little Owl atop telegraph pole. Don Petrie (SOG).
Tuesday 28th April 2009
Two Tree Island 09:15 to 11:15
2 Cuckoo flying east at 10:05, Avocet family with 3 chicks on the lagoon. David Lee.
RSPB Vange Marsh 09.00 - 13.00
14 Avocet, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Common Sandpiper, 11 Greenshank, 1 Spotted Redshank in summer plumage, 2 Little Egret, 9 Grey Heron, 2 Blackcap, Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Cetti's Warbler, Reed Warbler (at least 8 singing), Sedge Warbler (at least 5 singing), Cuckoo pair on county tip. 1 female Wigeon still. Alan Shearman RSPB>
Two Tree Island & Lagoon 11:30 - 15.30
1 Greenshank, 2 Shelduck, 1 Cuckoo, 2 Whitethroat, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Nightingale showed for a few minutes about 30 metres to the left of the feeders, 3 Little Egret, 1 Grasshopper Warbler by wardens hut on EWT reserve, 2 Teal, 1 Kestrel, 13 Skylark, c41 Avocet, 12 Redshank, 3 Oystercatcher, 4 Blue Tit, 2 Great Tit, 6 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Dunnock, 3 Robin, 2 Greenfinch. 1 Grass Snake. Nick M.
Two Tree Island 11.45 - 13.15
1 Whimbrel, 3 Greenshank, 65 Avocet, 4 Ringed Plover, 4 Stonechat. John Wilson.
Grays 16:00
2 Jackdaw flying around back gardens, landing on roof where they nested in chimney last year. Joe French.
Wakering Stairs, 19:45 to 20:45
1 Kestrel, 2 Cuckoo, 1 Grasshopper Warbler reeling 100 metres SW of slipway. Don Petrie (SOG).
Two Tree Island (East), 20:30 to 20:50
1 Yellow Wagtail over car park, 1 Nightingale, 1 Reed Warbler, 2 Common Pipistrelle. Paul Baker (SOG).
Monday 27th April 2009
Two Tree Island East 09:15
Cuckoo by feeding station. Laurie Greenwood.
RSPB Vange Marsh, 18:05 to 18:45
1 Snipe, 1 Green Sandpiper, 18 Swallow, 1 Cetti's Warbler (heard), 8 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret, 1 Wigeon (female), 2 Reed Bunting. 1 Northern Water Vole very close views, just sitting on edge of moat, Martin Cracknell (SOG).
Notley Garden Village, Queenborough Lane 16.20
Raven sitting in the top of a dead tree, relocated again at 18.00, as far as I am aware it remained in the area to roost. Mark Bicknell, Gary Cooper, George Brown.
Sunday 26th April 2009 (first summer migrant report - Turtle Dove)
Benfleet Creek 06:00 to 07:00
1 Whimbrel, 1 Grasshopper Warbler reeling in reeds along dyke, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Yellow Wagtail. Richard Gray.
Canvey West End, 06:50 to 09:10
2 Cuckoo, 2 Nightingale (still singing in places as reported before), 1 Cetti's Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap, 5 Reed Warbler, 1 Sedge Warbler, 34 Whitethroat, 7 Lesser Whitethroat, 6 Linnet, 2 Reed Bunting. Martin Cracknell (SOG).
Canewdon, 07:15
1 Little Owl in Scotts Hall Road. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Hadleigh Downs/Country Park 07.30 - 09.45
1 Cuckoo heard, 3 Greenfinch,5 Common Whitethroat, 2 Blackcap, 1 Song Thrush, 2 Swallow, 1 Nightingale heard, Benfleet end of the Downs. Ellen Hume.
Wallasea Island, 07:45 to 09:15
No sign of Dotterels. 2 Whimbrel, 4 Yellow Wagtail, 12 Corn Bunting, 6 Stock Dove, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Wheatear. Vince Kinsler (SOG).
Wakering Stairs, 09:45 to 11:25
1 Grasshopper Warbler (20m in, west of the causeway road), 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 25 Whitethroat, 1 Cuckoo, 24 Swallow, 2 Chiffchaff. Brian Baldock (SOG).
Rivers Crouch and Roach Aboard Lady Essex III 10.00 to 14.00
2 Brent Geese, 6 Avocet, 1 Marsh Harrier over Foulness, 1 Hen Harrier over Potton, 11 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 male Bar-tailed Godwit in superb summer plumage, 4 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret, 3 Kestrel, Common Tern, Swallows, Yellowhammer, Oystercatchers. 7 Common Seals. Gary Dunn.
East Mersea 10.00 - 16.00
1 male Marsh Harrier, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 12 Brent Geese, 7 Avocet, 3 Whitethroat, 1 Goldfinch, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Little Grebe, also a number of Shelduck and Oystercatchers. M.Jameson/M.Howell.
Wakering Stairs 10.55 - 13.55
1 Turtle Dove 
, 1 Grashopper Warbler (just west of observation tower X1), 2 Sedge Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 27 Whitethroat, 3 Sand Martin, 31 Swallow, 3 Cuckoo, 4 Yellow Wagtail. Seen and heard during WeBS count. David Selley.
Gunners Park 12.00 - 13.00
2 Kestrel, 1 Stock Dove, 2 Turtle Dove (in reserve), 1 Swallow. Stuart Bailey, Gordon Appleton.
Benfleet, Vicarage Hill 13:30
2 House Martin flew over calling. Martin Cracknell (SOG).
Wakering, The Fleet 14.00 - 16.00
2 Greenshank, 2 Common Tern, 2 Swallow, 8 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Wheatear, 1 Lesser Whitethroat (singing), 4 Whitethroat, 4 Sedge Warbler, 2 Cetti's Warbler (1 heard by the fishing lakes, 1 heard along m.o.d road), 1 Reed Warbler, 3 Corn Bunting. Stuart Bailey, Gordon Appleton.
Laindon West, Back Garden 14:30 - 16:30
3 Sparrowhawk, 1 Buzzard, 1 Red Kite. Andrew Cox.
RSPB Vange Marsh 17.00 - 18.10
1 Dunlin, 3 Common Sandpiper, 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Lapwing, 1 Oystercatcher, 2 Greenshank, 1 Redshank. Alan Shearman RSPB.
Two Tree Island 20.00
2 Nightingale beyond feeders on eastern side (1 singing), 1 Short Eared Owl. Dan Walwin, Connor Linskey, Magali Reus.
Saturday 25th April 2009 (first summer migrant report - Swift)
Hockley, Dome Village 07.00
Buzzard, brief but very noisy apperance, over woods next to Dome Village. David and Wendy Hills.
Rochford Golf Course, 08:45 to 12:00
1 Whitethroat (singing), 2 Blackcap (singing). Neil Chambers (SOG).
Wakering Stairs, 09:00 to 11:00
1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Kestrel, 1 Cuckoo, 7 Swallow, 2 Whimbrel, 25 Whitethroat, 1 Chiffchaff, 3 Sedge Warbler, 3 Blackcap, 1 Yellow Wagtail. 1 Stoat on the road near the slipway - great views. Brian Baldock (SOG).
Wallasea Island, 10:00 to 18:30
8 Dotterel (on private land, found at 10am and performed well all day - more distantly this evening), 1 Marsh Harrier (female), 1 Peregrine Falcon (adult female), 7 Yellow Wagtail, 4 Wheatear, 10 Corn Bunting (singing), 2 Common Tern (on easternmost island), 20 Skylark, 6 Linnet, 4 Swallow, 1 Sand Martin. Jeff Delve (EBS).
Daws Heath, 11:00
1 Nightingale (Tile Wood). John Wright (SOG).
Leigh on Sea, Park View Drive 12.00 - 19.00
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Kestrel, 1 Swift (18.55) all over garden. Web Author.
Chelmsford, Sandford Mill, 14.00 - 16.00
2 Common Tern, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Linnet, heard Green Woodpecker constantly calling, plenty Orange Tip butterflies and a Speckled Wood. Sue Haffenden.
Highlands Boulevard, Leigh, 16:20
1 Swift. Paul Griggs (SOG).
Wallasea Island, 16:35 to 18:15
8 Dotterel, 1 Marsh Harrier, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 4 Wheatear, 4 Corn Bunting, 1 Reed Bunting, 2 Stock Dove. Peter Collins (SOG).
RSPB Vange Marsh 16.40 - 18.30
2 Swift, 5 Greenshank, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Snipe, 1 Sand Martin, 1 House Martin, 6 Swallow, 1 Cuckoo on the county tip, 1 female Wigeon. Alan Shearman RSPB.
Two Tree Island (East), 19:55 to 20:25
1 Nightingale (still singing), 2 Whitethroat (singing), 1 Blackcap (singing), 6 Little Egret (flying in to roost). Neil Chambers (SOG).
Two Tree Island (East), 20:45 to 21:15
1 Nightingale (one brief snatch of song by feeding station). Jeff Delve (EBS).
Friday 24th April 2009
Two Tree Island 06:05 to 07:45
1 Nightingale singing 50m east of the feeders. Showed briefly. David Lee.
Prittle Brook (Leigh on Sea), 08:00 to 12:00
1 Blackcap. Brian Baldock (SOG).
RSPB Vange Marsh, 08:00 to 08:45
2 Greenshank, 3 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Sand Martin, 4 Swallow, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 4 Sedge Warbler, 2 Reed Warbler, 1 Cuckoo. Marc Outten (RSPB, SOG).
Paglesham Lagoon, 10:15 to 12:30
24 Mute Swan, 22 Shelduck, 4 Gadwall, 1 Teal, 96 Tufted Duck, 19 Pochard, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Common Sandpiper, 5 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Sedge Warbler, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 6 Whitethroat, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Reed Bunting. Don Petrie (SOG).
Wakering Stairs, 16:15 to 18:30
2 Red-legged Partridge, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Short-eared Owl, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 6 Whitethroat, 1 Lesser Whitethroat. Don Petrie (SOG).
Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 17:15
1 Hobby. Paul Baker (SOG).
Hanningfield Reservoir 18.00
Black Tern, 3+ Arctic Terns, c.10 Common Tern. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Two Tree Island (East), 19:15 to 21:00
1 Nightingale (heard), 2 Swallow, 1 Kestrel, 1 Blackcap, 1 Whitethroat. Brian Baldock, Dave Knight
Thursday 23rd April 2009
Chelmsford Town Centre 06.15
1 female Mallard leading a train of 12 tiny ducklings. 1st I have seen this year. Sue Haffenden.
Barling Hall Cotts 06.45
2 Barn Owl hunting together over old pit grounds. T Thorneycroft.
Star Lane Pits, 07:00 to 07:50
4 Mandarin Duck, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Whitethroat, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap, 6 Linnet, 2 Long-tailed Tit. Matt Bruty (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park 11:00
1 Whimbrel on creek from marina. David Lee.
Wick Country Park 13:30
1 Orange Tip. Dave Perry.
Wakering, Fleet Head 14.15 - 15.45
Merlin, male on post by road near bridge, chased off by corvids, Whimbrel, Wheatear, Yellow Wagtail, 3 Sedge Warbler, Cuckoo, Lesser Whitethroat and numerous Common Whitethroat, 2 Corn Bunting and also a Stoat. Ray Fuller.
Canvey West End, 19:15 to 19:45
1 Nightingale (singing well and seen ), 2 Cetti's Warbler (heard), 5 Whitethroat, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Linnet, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Reed Warbler. Martin Cracknell (SOG).
Wednesday 22nd April 2009
Star Lane Pits, 07:20 to 07:50
2 Whitethroat, 2 Blackcap, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Chiffchaff. Matt Bruty (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park 07.45 to 09.15
2 Nightingale singing at Timberman's Creek hides, one in the park, one on other side of the creek, pair of Kestrel mating, 7 Blackcap, 2 Whitethroat, 1 Reed Warbler. David Shepherd.
Two Tree Island East 09:55 to 10:55
1 Nightingale singing in dense cover about 50m east of the bird feeders. David Lee.
Rayleigh Mount, 10:15 to 10:45
8 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker. 1 Holly Blue, 1 Brimstone, 1 Orange-tip, 2 Small White, 1 Peacock Butterfly, 10 Speckled Wood, 1 Red Fox. Paul Baker (SOG).
Rochford, 16:30
5 House Martin over garden this evening. Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).
Wat Tyler Country Park 17.00 - 18.30
1 Cuckoo, 1 Little Egret, 2 pairs of Oystercatcher. Neil Phillips.
Wakering, Fleet Head, 17:20 to 18:25
1 Cuckoo, 6 Whimbrel, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Marsh Harrier (female over Potton Island), 1 Wheatear (male). Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).
Cherry Orchard Country Park, 19:30 to 20:15
1 Green Woodpecker, 18 Swallow, 1 Jackdaw, 1 Yellowhammer (male). Don Petrie (SOG).
Leigh on Sea, Park View Drive 20.15
Pipistrelle over garden also a Bee-fly (Bombylius major) has been in our garden in the same spot every day since the weekend. Web Author.
Battlesbridge, 18:00 to 18:00
1 Little Egret in the Crouch. Paul Baker (SOG).
Tuesday 21st April 2009
Two Tree Island (East), 06:55 to 07:20
1 Nightingale near the feeders, 2 Whitethroat, 1 Lesser Whitethroat. Dudley Shayler (SOG).
Hadleigh Downs 08.30 to 10.55
1 Nightingale (singing) 1 blackcap (male), 2 Stock Dove, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Bullfinch (male), 6 Linnet, 1 Skylark, 2 Sparrowhawk (pair), 1 Little Owl on fencepost, close to Salvation Army centre. Terry Priest.
Canvey West End, 09:30 to 12:00
2 Nightingale (one by metal gate to west of pond on Northwick Road and one by mobile mast 300m SE of Morrisons), 2 Cetti's Warbler (one around pond by Northwick Road and one 200m E of Morrisons), 8 Lesser Whitethroat, 12 Whitethroat, 8 Linnet, 3 Chiffchaff, 3 Blackcap, 2 Sedge Warbler, 2 Reed Warbler. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).
Earls Hall Avenue, 09:55 to 10:00
1 male Sparrowhawk. Harry Carmichael (SOG).
PrittleBrook, Westcliff 11.00- 11.15
2 Grey Wagtail (pair) collecting insects down by the water, 2 Dunnock. Terry Priest.
Wat Tyler Country Park 12.00 - 15.00
1 Reed Warbler in small reed bed between playground and old cafe, 1 Chiffchaff. 1 large Red Damselfly, 3 Speckled Wood, 2 Orange Tip butterflies. Neil Phillips.
Langdon Hills, Lincewood 16:00
Bullfinch, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Long-tailed Tit. Mark D.
Doggetts Pits, 17:20 to 18:20
1 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, 4 Swallow, 3 Whitethroat. 4 Green-veined White, 1 Small White, 3 Peacock Butterfly, 1 Orange-tip, 1 Holly Blue. Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).
RSPB Vange Marsh, 17:45 to 18:40
1 Cuckoo on old county tip site, 4 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Kittiwake (adult flew south-west). Marc Outten (RSPB, SOG).
Wakering Stairs, 18:50 to 21:00
1 Kestrel, 2 Cuckoo (both calling), 1 Short-eared Owl (hunting halfway between slipway and Haven Point), 1 Wheatear (female at Haven Point), 2 Grasshopper Warbler (one reeling 200 metres SW of slipway and another reeling in the last 'field' to the SW). Don Petrie (SOG).
Monday 20th April 2009
Two Tree Island (West), 07:00 to 07:15
1 Grasshopper Warbler reeling and visible once, 1 Sedge Warbler, 2 Whitethroat. Dudley Shayler (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park 12.00 - 16.00
1 possible Garden Warbler, 1 Sparrowhawk. 1 Rosel's Bush Cricket Nymph. Neil Phillips.
RSPB Rainham Marshes 14:00 - 17:00
Wheatear, Cetti's Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat, Stonechat, Linnet, Reed Bunting, Greenshank, Snipe. Mark D. & Jim.
Sunday 19th April 2009
Two Tree Island (East), 06:15 to 07:15
1 Nightingale singing just east of feeding station, 3 Lesser Whitethroat (singing), 8 Whitethroat (singing), 8 Blackcap (singing), 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Whimbrel (flew west calling). Neil Chambers (SOG).
Two Tree Island 06:15 to 08:45
Many Common Whitethroat around the island, 2 Common Tern on lagoon, 1 Kestrel, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, elusive in bushes north of the slipway carpark. David Lee.
Belfairs NR 06:30 to 07:00
1 Willow Warbler singing. Richard Gray.
Two Tree Island (West), 07:30 to 08:30
1 Grasshopper Warbler reeling 200yds NW of 2nd car park, showing occasionally, 1 Lesser Whitethroat (singing), 9 Whitethroat (8 singing & 1 female), 1 Kestrel, 17 Linnet (pair + 15 feeding on model aircraft field), 65 Oystercatcher (lagoon), 120 Black-tailed Godwit (lagoon), 4 Greenshank (lagoon), 1 Grey Plover (lagoon), 15 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 2 Common Tern. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Wakering Stairs, 07:30 to 08:40
5 Whitethroat, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Grasshopper Warbler heard 200m east of slipway, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Willow Warbler heard, 1 Blackcap. Marc Outten (RSPB, SOG).
Two Tree Island (West), 08:30 to 10:00
1 Grasshopper Warbler near southern car park still, 10 Whitethroat, 5 Greenshank, 40 Black-tailed Godwit, 50 Oystercatcher. John Wright (SOG).
Gunners Park, 09:00 to 11:20
1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Kestrel, 3 Swallow, 6 Linnet, 2 Blackcap, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Little Egret, 3 Chiffchaff, 4 Great Crested Grebe. Brian Baldock (SOG).
Hanningfield Reservoir 09.00 - 11.30
At least 4 Little Gull (2 two adults, 1 second year and 1 first winter), 2 Mediterranean Gull (both adults) and a 1st winter Kittiwake. Good numbers of hirundines moving through. David Jobbins (Birds of East Tilbury)..
Boreham 09.30
1 Turtle Dove. Andrew Allen.
Two Tree Island, 09:30 to 10:45
6 Whitethroat, 1 Kestrel. 1 Water Vole in small pond to the left of the road just before bridge on to island. Web Author, Kris Mee.
Two Tree Island (East), 10:00 to 11:00
1 Nightingale singing 30 yards east of feeders still, north side of track, 3 Blackcap, 6 Whitethroat, 1 Kestrel, 6 Pheasant (3 cocks calling, and a cock with 2 hens). 2 Weasel (may have been 3 or 4), 4 Swallow. John Wright (SOG).
Hadleigh Downs, 12:30 to 13:00
1 Cetti's Warbler around fishing lake to east of farm reservoir. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).
Benfleet Downs, 13:45 to 15:00
2 Bullfinch (pair), 1 Nightingale (same place as last year - in hawthorn coppice approx 300m east of Ray View). 1 Holly Blue, first Large Red Damselfly. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).
RSPB Old Hall Marshes 15.30 - 20.00
Note that access to the site is by permit only, although visual access can be obtained from the sea wall.
1 Grasshopper Warbler very elusive in bushes, 1 Spoonbill still in pool, 1 Barn Owl hunting over fields, 1 Spotted Redshank, many wildfowl and many mixed waders. Mark Bicknell.
Two Tree Island, 18:15 to 20:45
1 Yellow Wagtail (over calling), 1 Nightingale (singing 20 metres east of feeders, 1 Lesser Whitethroat singing, 1 Grasshopper Warbler reeling from 18:25. Don Petrie, Paul Baker, Vince Kinsler, Graham Ryland (SOG).
Two Tree Island
Both Nightingale and Grasshopper Warbler singing well this morning also Whimbrel near creek hide. Alan Shearman RSPB.
Saturday 18th April 2009 (first summer migrant reports - Nightingale, Sandwich Tern)
RSPB Vange Marsh 05:50 - 10:00
4 Black-tailed Godwit, 5 Greenshank, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Sparrowhawk. Andrew Cox.
Two Tree Island (East), 07:00 to 08:40
1 Nightingale singing beautifully and seen briefly just east of the bird feeders, 9 Jay, 1 Swallow, 1 Kestrel, 4 Whitethroat (at least). Matt Bruty (SOG).
Gunners Park, 07:00 to 09:50
1 Wheatear (male in reserve briefly), 19 Swallow (passed through), 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Whitethroat, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap, 1 Yellow Wagtail (over), 5 Sandwich Tern (off shore), 1 Common Tern (off shore), 2 Fulmar (flew west close in shore at 8am and then one seen again heading east close inshore at 9am), 7 Common Scoter (off shore), 1 Common Sandpiper (possibly two. One was on the lake and one was on the groynes to the east end), 1 Sparrowhawk. Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).
Two Tree Island 08.00
Grasshopper Warbler. Pete Jackson.
Hadleigh, 09:00 to 11:00
2 Linnet, 2 Meadow Pipit, 4 Swallow, 2 Stonechat, 1 Reed Bunting, 3 Reed Warbler (heard), 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Kestrel, 2 Adder (basking in the sun), 3 Northern Water Vole. Matt Bruty (SOG).
Wakering, Star Lane Pits, 09:55 to 10:20
4 Mandarin Duck (3 drakes and a female on southern side of 'public' pit), 1 Reed Warbler singing near the small gate to the private fishing pit, 1 Blackcap, 1 Cetti's Warbler (heard only). Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).
Two Tree Island 10:00 - 12:00
Grasshopper Warbler showing well in scrub north of Southern carpark. Also Nightingale on East side by feeders. Cuckoo, Swallow and House Martin flying over. Sally Brierley.
Two Tree Island 10.00 - 14.30
Along path to hides - 10+ Common Whitethroat, 1 Stonechat, 2 Skylark, 10+ Swallow. From Lagoon Hide: 75+ Avocet, 60+ Oystercatcher, 30+ Redshank, 2 Greenshank, 2 Ringed Plover, 8+ Shelduck, 150+ Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Common Tern. From Hadleigh Ray Hide: 1 Curlew, 1 Whimbrel. Near South Car Park: 1 Grasshopper Warbler. On main path through EWT Reserve: At least 1 probably 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Nightingale singing near feeding station. Martin & Marie Singleton.
Wakering Stairs, 10:25 to 11:50
1 Grasshopper Warbler reeling 100 yards west of the end of the road audible from seawall, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 7 Whitethroat, 1 Whimbrel, 2 Siskin flew east, 1 Sparrowhawk, 4 Swallow, 1 Sand Martin, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Little Egret. 2 Speckled Wood. Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).
RSPB Vange Marsh, 10:45 to 11:45
3 Blackcap, 4 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 5 Sedge Warbler, 3 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Green Sandpiper, 6 Reed Bunting. Marc Outten (RSPB, SOG).
Benfleet, 11:00
1 Jackdaw flew to roof on junction of A13 & Kenneth Road. Graham Ryland (SOG).
Canvey West End, 11:15 to 13:20
3 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Cetti's Warbler (heard), 1 Green Woodpecker. 2 Orange-tip, 4+ Speckled Wood. Matt Bruty (SOG).
Wakering, Fleet Head, 12:05
2 Sedge Warbler singing along Potton Road. Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).
Maldon 14.00
1 Ruddy Shelduck on farm reservoir. Bill Lovett.
Hadleigh Marshes, 14:30 to 15:30
6 Pochard (5 males), 2 Tufted Duck, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 12 Swallow, 8 Wheatear. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).
Highlands Boulevard, Leigh, 15:00
1 Brimstone. Paul Baker (SOG).
Canvey Point, 15:00 to 15:45
43 Swallow (constant stream flying N low across river into breeze), 4 Sandwich Tern, 1 Common Tern, 19 Great Crested Grebe (at least). Martin Cracknell (SOG).
RSPB Vange Marsh, 15:20 to 17:50
5 Swallow, 3 Little Egret, 1 Green Sandpiper, 7 Black-tailed Godwit, 5 Greenshank, 1 Wigeon (female), 2 Sedge Warbler, 1 Kestrel (male), 3 Cetti's Warbler, 3 House Martin, 1 Reed Bunting, 1 Sparrowhawk. 2 Small White, 2 Peacock Butterfly. Paul Griggs, Paul Baker, Don Petrie (SOG).
Canvey West End, 17:30 to 19:00
3 Wheatear (2m,1f in horse paddocks), 15 Swallow, 7 Whitethroat, 19 Linnet (incl. 1 mobile flock 14), 1 Jay, 3 Green Woodpecker, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Skylark. Martin Cracknell (SOG).
Paglesham Lagoon, 17:00 to 19:30
40 Yellow Wagtail (at least at southern end of lagoon on west side), 12 Swallow (at least), 1 House Martin (possibly 2), 1 Whitethroat, 2 Sedge Warbler, 40 Black-tailed Godwit (flew along river). Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).
Two Tree Island (West), 17:30 to 18:30
2 Swallow, 7 Whitethroat, 31 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Ringed Plover, 2 Common Tern, 4 Canada Goose. Brian Baldock (SOG).
Wakering, Fleet Head, 18:15 to 19:10
10+ Corn Bunting, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Wheatear (males near scrape by the seawall west of Potton bridge), 3 Greenshank, 2 Snipe, 1 Cetti's Warbler (heard by fishing ponds), 15 Linnet. Marc Outten (RSPB, SOG).
Two Tree Island, 18:20 to 19:30
3 Whitethroat, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 56 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 3 Whimbrel, 1 Grasshopper Warbler (reeling), 18 Great Crested Grebe, 25 Dunlin, 1 Greenshank, 21 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Swallow, 1 Green Woodpecker. Paul Griggs, Paul Baker, Don Petrie (SOG).
Two Tree Island, 19:30 to 20:45
1 Nightingale began singing loudly at 20.15 from hawthorns just east of bird feeders, 1 Bat sp. (pippistrelle-type flying around southern car park at 20.40), 2 Little Egret, 4 Whitethroat. 2 Weasel on path by southern car park at 20.05. Mike Bailey (SOG).
Paglesham Churchend, 19:40
1 Cuckoo. Steve Arlow (SOG).
Eastwood, 19:45
1 female Sparrowhawk. Paul Baker (SOG).
Ballards Gore, 19:45
1 Little Owl. Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).
Leigh on Sea, Park View Drive 20:15
Pippistrelle type bat flying around garden. Web Author.
Friday 17th April 2009
Two Tree Island 08.30 - 09.15
1 Skylark, 1 Grasshopper Warbler seen briefly in the rain, 3 Common Whitethroat. Web Author, Kris Mee.
Two Tree Island (West), 07:50 to 08:00
1 Grasshopper Warbler in reedbed by seawall between Leigh and Benfleet opposite lagoon, 6 Whitethroat, 3 Sedge Warbler, 2 Swallow, 4 Linnet. Simon Watson (SOG).
Wakering, Star Lane Pits, 14:10 to 14:20
4 Mandarin Duck (3 male and 1 female), 2 Reed Warbler (heard), 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Cetti's Warbler (heard). Matt Bruty (SOG).
Two Tree Island (West), 16:45 to 18:55
1 Grasshopper Warbler (seen briefly at 18.45, reeled twice), 7 Whitethroat, 3 Skylark, 1 Meadow Pipit, 1 Kestrel (male), 2 Common Tern (on lagoon), 2 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 320 Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Bar-tailed Godwit, 2 Greenshank, 4 Ringed Plover, 2 Canada Goose, 8 Linnet, 1 Little Egret, 5 Swallow. Graham Ryland (SOG).
Thursday 16th April 2009
Canewdon 07.10
4 Corn Bunting singing from bushes, wires, and a footpath sign around rape field in Creeksea Ferry Road. David Selley.
Two Tree Island, 08:00 to 08:40
1 Grasshopper Warbler watched singing from 08:20 - 08:40 in scrub north of the southern carpark, 4 Whitethroat, 6 Linnet, 1 Skylark. Paul Griggs (SOG).
Paglesham Seawall West from Boatyard 14.50 - 16.15
Barn Owl hunting over field margins, very confiding also male Red Breasted Merganser, Avocet, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Swallow, 5 Corn Bunting, 2 Common Whitethroat, 2 Little Egret. Ray Fuller.
Wat Tyler Country Park 17.30
From boat musuem hide: 1 Cetti's Warbler heard, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Oystercatcher. Holly Cottage hide: 1 Little Grebe. Neil Phillips.
Wednesday 15th April 2009
Two Tree Island (West), 07:15 to 07:30
1 Grasshopper Warbler heard a couple of times in scrub just north of southern car park, 1 Whitethroat. Matt Bruty (SOG).
Southfields Wasteland, Orsett 11.00 - 13.00
Male Cuckoo, 2 Mute Swan, 2 Greylag Geese, 20+ Mallard, 2 Coot, Grey Heron, Linnet, 4 Meadow Pipit, male Green Woodpecker, female Spotted Woodpecker, 6 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Blue Tit, 5 Great Tit, 1 Dunnock, 2 Robin, 10+ Blackbird, 1 male Sparrowhawk, male Bullfinch, 10+ Greenfinch, 20+ Chaffinch, 6 Goldfinch, 1 jay, 5 Magpie, 2 Crow, 6 Collard Dove, 4 Wood Pigeon, 10+ Sand Martin. Steve Arnold.
Barnhall Fields, Wickford 12.00
Skylark. May Beange.
Hanningfield 14:00 - 16:15
2 Chiffchaff, 2 male Blackcap singing well. 6 Comma, 5 Peacock. Chris Henry.
RSPB Vange Marsh 15.00 - 16.30
8 Greenshank, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Ringed Plover, 6 Avocet, 2 Curlew. Alan Shearman RSPB.
Two Tree Island (West), 18:00 to 19:10
217 Black-tailed Godwit (lagoon), 2 Whitethroat, 14 Ringed Plover (lagoon), 1 Dunlin (lagoon), 2 Knot (lagoon), 1 Little Stint (lagoon), 5 Greenshank (lagoon), 4 Canada Goose (lagoon), 2 Skylark, 4 Linnet, 133 Oystercatcher (lagoon). Paul Griggs (SOG).
Two Tree Island 18:40
1 Little Stint on the lagoon. David Lee.
Two Tree Island (West), 19:20 to 20:00
1 Grasshopper Warbler reeling almost constantly from 19.35, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Little Stint east of slipway associating with ringed plover, 9 Ringed Plover. Martin Cracknell (SOG).
Tuesday 14th April 2009
RSPB Vange Marsh, 07:40 to 08:15
5 Sedge Warbler, 1 Reed Warbler, 8 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Common Tern, 3 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Dunlin. Marc Outten RSPB.
Two Tree Island, 08:00 to 08:30
4 Whitethroat, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Grasshopper Warbler reeling and showing well from the southern car park. Tony Mead (SOG).
Hullbridge 12.15
Black Redstart on my patio this morning Took photos but not very crisp. Carol Wheatley.
Two Tree Island 14.00 - 15.30
1 Grey Plover, 1 Little Stint, 35 Avocet, 80 Oystercatcher, 6 Ringed Plover, 12 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Turnstone, 6 Shelduck, 45 Redshank, 2 Canada Goose, 1 Swallow all in lagoon and 12 Brent Goose, 32 Curlew out on mud. Sally Brierley.
Wakering Stairs, 18:10 to 18:50
1 Cuckoo, 1 Grasshopper Warbler reeling on and off near the bend in the sea wall near the SW end, 2 Whitethroat. Don Petrie (SOG).
Monday 13th April 2009 (first summer migrant report - Lesser Whitethroat)
RSPB Vange Marsh 06:30 to 07:45
15+ Swallow, 10+ House Martin, 2 Ringed Plover, 8 Grey Heron, 3 Black-tailed Godwit, 10+ Reed Bunting, Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, Cetti's Warbler (heard but not seen), plus usual selection of ducks and gulls. Highlight was a total of 7 water voles. I watched 2 voles, for more than 20 minutes, feeding, swimming, fighting etc. This was at the west side of the marsh, on the new dyke, by the last bush before the gate. While walking back around the north side of the marsh, I saw a further 2 water vole in the old, overgrown dyke, and another 3 at various locations along the new dyke. Tim Bennett.
Wakering Stairs 10.30 - 12.35
Grasshopper Warbler (11.55 -12.05) reeling at far west end from bushes adjacent to old railway line, Willow Warbler, Marsh Harrier over Potton Is., 3 Swallow, Red-legged Partridge, Yellow Wagtail, 3 Common Whitethroat, 2 Reed Bunting. Ray Fuller.
Gunners Park, 10:40 to 13:00
2 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Willow Warbler, 2 Blackcap, 6 Swallow, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 13 Siskin (flew south), 48 Great Crested Grebe (on the sea). Steve Arlow, Pete Livermore (SOG).
Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 11:00
1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Swallow flew north. Paul Baker (SOG).
Daws Heath, Back Garden 11.30 and 14.30
Willow Warbler singing high up in Hornbeam tree and later 4 first year male Brambling feeding at my feeder. Neil Latham.
Hadleigh Downs, 12:45 to 16:10
1 Cetti's Warbler (by the fishing lake), 6 Chiffchaff, 5 Blackcap, 3 Swallow, 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Stonechat (pair, Hadleigh marshes), 6 Pochard. 10 Marsh Frog. John Wright (SOG).
Wakering Stairs 13.20 - 15.00
4 Dark-bellied Brent Goose in the sea off Morrins Point, 265 Oystercatcher, 90 Curlew, 44 Grey Plover (few in summer plumage), 3 Turnstone, 30 Redshank, 2 Whitethroat, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Swallow, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Wheatear (male). David Selley.
Wakering Stairs, 16:00 to 19:20
2 Cuckoo, 3 Whitethroat, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler, 2 Swallow, 3 Skylark, 5 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 1 Siskin (west), 1 Grasshopper Warbler (reeling very occasionally). Paul Griggs, Steve Arlow, Neil Chambers (SOG).
Wakering Stairs, 18:15 to 19:20
1 Grasshopper Warbler reeling on and off at west end, 2 Cuckoo (singing), 1 Lesser Whitethroat (singing). Neil Chambers, Steve Arlow, Paul Griggs (SOG).
Hadleigh
2 male 1 female Siskin on niger seeds in garden at Hadleigh been around couple weeks. Wendy Mills.
Sunday 12th April 2009 (first summer migrant report - Reed Warbler)
RSPB Vange Marsh 06.45 - 08.30
1 Common Tern, 2 Spotted Redshank, 3+ Sedge Warbler, 1 Whitethroat, 10 Avocet, 3 Green Sandpiper. Alan Shearman RSPB.
Canewdon to Ashingdon 07.20 - 07.50
11 Swallow (none yesterday), 5 Corn Bunting (singing), 3 Yellowhammer, many Greenfinch, 7 Jay - including 5 together. David Selley.
Two Tree Island (West), 08:55 to 09:40
2 Whitethroat. Dudley Shayler (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park 09:20 to 9:40 and 11:30
Reed Warbler and Sedge Warbler heard in the reed from the Motor Boat Museum hide between 9:20 and 9:40. Cuckoo heard from the Holly Cottage hide at 11:30. David Lee.
Cherry Orchard Country Park to Eastwood Sewage Works, 10:00 to 12:00
1 Yellowhammer (singing male near pond), 2 Great Crested Grebe (on pond), 2 Little Grebe (on pond), 4 Swallow, 3 Blackcap, 6 Chiffchaff, 1 Cetti's Warbler (in reed bed east of sewage works just past Rawreth Hall Woods). Jeff Delve (EBS).
Wakering, Fleet Head, 12:15 to 13:20
2 Little Egret, 5 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Wheatear, 13 Corn Bunting. 2 Brown Hare. John Wright (SOG).
Harlow 14.00
1 Red Kite circling quite low overhead and drifting away to south east. David Hobbs.
Barling Pits, 14:10 to 15:30
4 House Martin, 1 Swallow, 1 Sedge Warbler, 3 Whitethroat, 2 Green Woodpecker, 4 Tufted Duck (2 pairs). John Wright (SOG).
Hadleigh, Farmland Adjacent to Country Park 14.15
1 male Linnet. Ellen Hume.
Wakering Stairs, 15:30
1 Grasshopper Warbler reeling at the west end. Ian Douch.
RSPB Vange Marsh 15.30 to 18.00
3 Ringed Plover, 15 Avocet, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 17 Shelduck, 6 Heron, 4 Pochard, 2 Tufted Duck, 2 Cormorant, 2 Green Sandpiper, 4 Reed Bunting (4 males), 4 Lapwing, 1 Sedge Warbler, 9 Swallow. 1 Water Vole. David Shepherd.
Wakering Stairs, 16:00 to 17:00
1 Grasshopper Warbler reeling, west end, 1 Cuckoo, 67 Oystercatcher. John Wright (SOG).
Basildon, Staceys Corner/Long Riding 16:05 - 16:15
15-20 Waxwing in treetops in car park by social club then flew off towards Town Centre. B.Goss.
Saturday 11th april 2009 (first summer migrant report - Common Tern)
South Fambridge to Brandy Hole, 09:00 to 10:00
2 Whitethroat, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Common Tern. Jeff Delve (EBS).
Rochford Golf Course, 13:15 to 19:15
2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Blackcap (singing), 1 Stock Dove (singing). Neil Chambers (SOG).
RSPB Vange Marsh 16.00 - 17.30
4 Spotted Redshank, 3 Greenshank, 2 Redshank, 6 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Green Sandpiper, 8 Avocet, 6 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret, 12 Swallow, 1 Sand Martin, 2 Whimbrel at 16.30, 1 Curlew, 2 Lapwing, 1 Snipe, 1 Sparrowhawk. Alan Shearman RSPB.
Friday 10th April 2009 (first summer migrant reports - Grasshopper Warbler, Cuckoo, Hobby)
Two Tree Island, Slipway Car Park. 06:00
Grasshopper Warbler in brambles right by the road. Andrew Johnston.
Gunners Park, 08:30 to 10:00
1 Little Egret, 1 Whitethroat (singing in bushes by the southern most bridge), 3 Swallow, 4 Sand Martin, 1 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Green Woodpecker. 2 Small White, 1 Peacock Butterfly. Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).
Wat Tyler Country Park, 09:00 to 09:30
1 Sedge Warbler, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Yellow Wagtail. Vince Kinsler (SOG).
Wakering Stairs, 09:30 to 10:45
1 Cuckoo, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 2 Whitethroat, 1 Yellowhammer, 2 Reed Bunting. 2 Brown Hare. John Wright (SOG).
Shoebury, 10:40 to 10:50
1 Blackcap (singing), 1 Chiffchaff (singing). Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).
Wakering, Fleet Head, 10:40 to 12:10
11 Corn Bunting, 2 Swallow, 6 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Wheatear. 8 Brown Hare. Marc Outten (SOG).
Belfairs Golf Course, 11:00 to 11:10
2 Treecreeper. Dudley Shayler (SOG).
Rivers Crouch and Roach Aboard Lady Essex III 11.00 to 13.30
7 Avocet. 1 Peregrine Falcon, 2 Kestrel. 9 Common Seal. Web Author.
Wakering, Fleet Head, 11:00 to 14:40
8 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Wheatear, 2 Mediterranean Gull (adult pair flew north), 2 Greenshank, 2 Green Woodpecker, 2 Greylag Goose, 1 Swallow, 1 Ringed Plover, 1 Cetti's Warbler (singing from bushes by car park). 10 Brown Hare, 7 Peacock Butterfly, 5 Small White. Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).
Rawreth Lane, Rayleigh 11.30
2 Hobby, 1 Sparrowhawk. Geoff Clark.
Barling Pits, 11:30 to 12:30
2 Swallow, 3 Whitethroat, 2 Kestrel (pair), 1 Green Woodpecker. Also of interest a single Snakes Head Fritillary. John Wright (SOG).
Wakering Stairs, 12:20 to 13:45
2 Blackcap, 2 Mediterranean Gull (adults), 1 Whitethroat, 1 Cuckoo, 260 Oystercatcher, 280 Curlew. Marc Outten (SOG).
Hadleigh Downs, 12:25 to 14:00
3 Pochard, 4 Tufted Duck, 1 Kestrel, 1 Reed Bunting, 12 Skylark, 2 Stock Dove, 3 Green Woodpecker, 7 Blackcap, 6 Chiffchaff. 8 Marsh Frog, 4 Small White, 7 Peacock Butterfly. Paul Griggs (SOG).
Gunners Park, 13:00 to 14:30
1 Kestrel (male), 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Swallow, 1 Whitethroat (singing), 1 Chiffchaff (singing). Don Petrie (SOG).
River Crouch, Beeches Road to Hullbridge 14.00 - 15.00
2 Little Tern, 1 Black Swan, 2 Cormorant, 20 Pochard, 20 Tufted Duck, 6 Coot, Black-headed Gulls, 60+ Shelduck, 2 Little Egret, 2 female 1 male Pheasant, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Kestrel, 1 Skylark. Jacky Joyner.
Belton Hills, 14:30 to 15:30
1 Swallow, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Grey Heron. John Wright (SOG).
Wakering Stairs, 15:00 to 17:00
3 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Whitethroat (singing), 1 Chiffchaff (singing). 1 Slow-worm on sea wall. Don Petrie (SOG).
Hullbridge
Good numbers of Blackcap and Chiffchaff in woods behind golf course in Hullbridge Road. John Atfield.
Thursday 09th April 2009 (first summer migrant reports - Whitethroat and Whimbrel)
Wakering, Star Lane Pits, 07:00 to 07:55
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Linnet, 1 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Cetti's Warbler (heard). Matt Bruty (SOG).
Belfairs Golf Course, 10:30 to 10:45
1 Treecreeper. Jill Shayler.
Southend, 13:00
2 Linnet near the Tesco roundabout. Paul Baker (SOG).
Two Tree Island (West), 15:00 to 16:00
2 Little Egret, 3 Whitethroat (males), 1 Swallow, 55 Oystercatcher, 2 Knot, 6 Ringed Plover. John Wright (SOG).
Benfleet Creek, 16:00 to 17:15
3 Stonechat (a pair and a single male), 1 Swallow, 8 Reed Bunting (males), 25 Meadow Pipit, 12 Skylark (singing), 15 Linnet, 5 Pochard, 2 Tufted Duck (pair), 9 Shelduck, 200 Black-tailed Godwit (approx), 1 Turnstone, 2 Grey Heron. John Wright (SOG).
Two Tree Island, 16:05 to 17:50
3 Skylark, 1 Greenshank, 135 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 1 Chiffchaff (singing), 4 Little Egret, 292 Black-tailed Godwit. Paul Griggs (SOG).
Two Tree Island (East), 17:15 to 18:15
1 Whimbrel, 95 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Blackcap (male). John Wright (SOG).
Wednesday 08th April 2009 (first summer migrant report - Sedge Warbler)
Wat Tyler Country Park, 08:30 to 09:00
1 Sedge Warbler (heard), 1 Blackcap, 13 Pochard, 14 Shoveler (10 over Bowers Marsh), 1 Cetti's Warbler (heard). Marc Outten RSPB.
Eastwood, 08:45
1 Sparrowhawk over The Oakwood pub. Paul Baker (SOG).
Coombe Wood, 09:00
1 Swallow flying north. Jeff Saward (SOG).
Rivers Crouch and Roach Aboard Lady Essex III 11.00 to 13.00
What a difference a day and a Southerly Gale make! Only 7 Avocet with 1 Whimbrel, 3 Cormorant, 8 Shelduck, 1 Black-tailed Godwit and only 5 Common Seal. No Geese, Curlew or Redshank visible. Gary Dunn.
EWT Chigborough Lakes 12.00 - 14.00
2 Reed Warbler, 1 Sand Martin, 2 House Martin, 5 Swallow, 2 Bullfinch, 2 Blackcap, 1 Cetti's Warbler. Alec Martin.
Sutton Road Cemetery, 12:40 to 13:15
2 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Green Woodpecker. Dudley Shayler (SOG).
Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 13:30
1 Green Woodpecker. Paul Baker (SOG).
Leigh, Tattersall Gardens, 16.30
1 female Sparrowhawk overflew gardens at c.20m elevation causing feral doves on neighbour's roof to flee in panic. Martin Johnson.
Paglesham East Hall Road, 18:00
3 Corn Bunting on roadside wires. Paul Baker (SOG).
Paglesham Lagoon, 18:15 to 19:45
3 Swallow, 5 Red-breasted Merganser (on the Roach, 3 drakes, 2 females), 1 Peregrine Falcon (female powered low up the Roach), 8 Reed Bunting, 3 Yellowhammer (singing males), 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Meadow Pipit, 2 Skylark, 1 Wigeon (drake), 1 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 26 Mute Swan, 9 Great Crested Grebe (1 on the lagoon, 8 on the Roach), 14 Gadwall, 20 Shoveler, 35 Pochard, 50 Tufted Duck, 7 Greylag Goose. Paul Baker (SOG).
Shipwrights Wood, 18:30 to 19:20
4 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, 4 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Treecreeper (fantastic views down to 8-10 feet), 1 Nuthatch. Martin Cracknell (SOG).
Tuesday 07th April 2009 (first summer migrant report - Sand Martin)
RSPB Vange Marsh, 08:00 to 08:40
1 Spotted Redshank (mid-moult), 2 Black-tailed Godwit. Vince Kinsler (SOG).
Rivers Crouch and Roach Aboard Lady Essex III 10.00 to 12.00
Avocets in groups of 18, 3, 15 and 5, Curlew, Shelduck, 4 Great Crested Grebe, Kestrel, 11 Oystercatcher, 2 Cormorant. 11 Common Seals on high tide haul out. Gary Dunn.
RSPB Vange Marsh, 10:15 to 10:45
3 Black-tailed Godwit, 10 Shelduck, 1 Curlew, 2 Swallow. Marc Outten RSPB
Sutton Road Cemetery, 12:30 to 13:00
1 Green Woodpecker. Dudley Shayler (SOG).
Barling Hall Farm 17.00
Sand Martin over old pit ground. T.Thorneycroft.
Shipwrights Wood, 17:30 to 18:00
4 Blackcap, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Jay. Martin Cracknell (SOG).
Monday 06th April 2009
Dome Village 11.15
Blackcap singing in woods next to Dome Village Hockley. Wendy & Dave Hills.
Hadleigh Downs, 12:30 to 13:15
3 Adder, 1 Orange-tip. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).
Wakering, Fleet Head 14.30 - 16.00
Cetti's Warbler visible and calling from bushes adjacent to fishing lake, 2 Avocet, 2 Green Woodpecker, 6 Shelduck, Little Grebe. Ray Fuller.
Rayleigh Mount, 17:30 to 16:35
2 Song Thrush (singing), 1 Chiffchaff (singing), 1 Blackcap (singing), 1 Green Woodpecker. Paul Baker (SOG).
Wakering Stairs, 18:00 to 19:00
1 Barn Owl, 2 Chiffchaff. Don Petrie (SOG).
Sunday 05th April 2009 (first summer migrant reports - Willow Warbler and Yellow Wagtail)
South Fambridge 07.15
1 Barn Owl flew low over footpath to seawall. David Selley.
Gunners Park, 07:20 to 09:00
1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Swallow, 1 Willow Warbler (singing), 2 Chiffchaff (singing). Don Petrie (SOG).
Ashingdon, Princess Gardens 09.15
1 Siskin on our niger feeder. Patricia Selley.
Hadleigh Country Park 09.30
Ring Ouzel reported. K. Malcolm.
Wakering Stairs, 10:30 to 13:00
10 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 1 distant ringtail Hen Harrier on Foulness, 2 Wheatear (pair at Haven Point), 2 Reed Bunting (pair). Web Author, Kris Mee.
Gunners Park 12.15 - 13.30
1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrel, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Swallow, 1 Wheatear (in reserve). Stuart Bailey, Gordon Appleton.
Near Queen Elizabeth Bridge 14.28
Red Kite quite high and circling over towards Kent. Terence Ross.
Hadleigh Marshes, 14:30 to 15:15
2 Wheatear (males), 12 Meadow Pipit, 2 Stonechat, 10 Skylark, 12 Linnet. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).
Chelmsford, Hylands Park 14.30 - 15.30
2 Coal Tit, 2 Treecreeper, 1 Chiffchaff. Sue Haffenden.
Wakering, Fleet Head 14.30 - 15.45
3 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Wheatear. Stuart Bailey, Gordon Appleton.
Leigh on Sea, Park View Drive, Garden 14:55 to 15:05
4 Sparrowhawk. 3 female high west, 1 male low east. all within 10 minutes, certainly individual birds. Web Author, Kris Mee.
Benfleet, Vicarage Hill 17:00 to 17:20
2 Swallow, 2 Sparrowhawk (pair). Martin Cracknell (SOG).
Wakering Stairs, 17:15 to 18:50
1 Short-eared Owl (hunting Havengore Is.), 1 Barn Owl (by entrance road), 1 Skylark, 1 Little Egret, 1 Kestrel, 1 Peregrine Falcon (male), 2 Wheatear (males at Havengore Point). Paul Griggs, Paul Baker (SOG).
Wakering, 19:00
1 Corn Bunting on wires near Morley's nursery. Paul Baker, Paul Griggs (SOG).
Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 19:10
1 male Sparrowhawk with prey. Paul Baker, Paul Griggs (SOG).
Two Tree Island (West), 19:10 to 19:25
1 Short-eared Owl perched in bush at west end of Flying Club field before being mobbed by Magpies and flying off low towards the lagoon. Mike Bailey (SOG).
Saturday 04th April 2009
Benfleet, Boyce Hill GC 07:15 to 10:45
2 Chiffchaff (singing), 1 Nuthatch, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Goldcrest (singing) [Martin Cracknell (SOG).
Rochford Golf Course, 08:00 to 12:00
2 Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker (1 drumming), 1 Fieldfare (flew over calling), 1 Blackcap (singing in scrub by Rochford station). Neil Chambers (SOG).
Paglesham Lagoon, 08:30 to 09:30
2 Red-breasted Merganser (pair on river), 2 Corn Bunting, 6 Little Egret, 2 Swallow, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker. Vince Kinsler (SOG).
Hanningfield Reservoir 09.00 - 11.30
1 male Yellow Wagtail, 1 Common Tern, 2 Black-necked Grebe, 4 Red-crested Pochard, 8-10 singing Blackcaps, many Chiffchaff. David Jobbins (Birds of East Tilbury)..
Wakering Stairs 10.15 - 12.00
12 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 2 Canada Goose, 24 Shelduck, 2 Grey Heron (together), 65 Curlew, 100+ Redshank, about 30 Oystercatcher mostly in pairs (low tide with no visible roost), 2 Chiffchaff, 3 Wheatear at Haven Point. David Selley.
Thundersley Common, 10:30 to 10:40
1 Buzzard drifted off SW. Vince Kinsler (SOG).
RSPB Old Hall Marshes 12.00 - 15.00
Note that access to the site is by permit only, although visual access can be obtained from the sea wall.
5 Marsh Harrier, 1 Red Kite, 1 Goshawk, 1 Spoonbill, 1 Spotted Redshank, 1 Pintail, c.100 Brent Geese. Alec Martin.
Canvey Point, 15:20 to 15:50
35 Great Crested Grebe (incl. 1 raft of 29 just offshore). Martin Cracknell (SOG).
Two Tree Island West 17.00
1 Short-eared Owl, 2 Water Rail. R.Clark.
Wakering Stairs, 17:00 to 20:00
1 Short-eared Owl around Haven Point, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Wheatear at Haven Point, 4 Chiffchaff singing. Don Petrie (SOG).
Two Tree Island (West), 18:15 to 20:15
11 Teal, 300+ Black-tailed Godwit, 6 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 4 Shelduck, 1 Grey Plover, 8 Ringed Plover, 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Stonechat, 1 Chiffchaff. 1 Common Pipistrelle. Brian Baldock (SOG).
RSPB Vange Marsh, 19:00 to 19:30
4 Little Egret, 33 Teal. Vince Kinsler (SOG).
Friday 03rd April 2009
RSPB Vange Marsh, 10:00 to 11:15
2 Swallow, 5 Little Egret, 2 Chiffchaff (heard), 2 Cetti's Warbler (heard). Vince Kinsler (SOG).
Gunners Park, 12:00
1 Purple Sandpiper on the seawall near the old jetty. Pat Dandridge.
Belfairs N.R., 12:45
6 Lesser Redpoll. Tony Mead (SOG).
Victoria Avenue, Southend, 12:50 to 12:55
1 male Peregrine Falcon briefly on Portcullis House. John Wright (SOG).
Tollesbury 14.00
Many Swallows coming off the Blackwater heading inland, big fly hatch everywhere in the warm sun and hence the arrivals come at a good time. Nigel Norton.
RSPB Vange Marsh, 17:15 to 18:45
13 Snipe (one flock flew in from Vange Wick, circled around for several minutes before landing out on the marsh), 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Swallow, 4 Reed Bunting (3 males, 1 female), 4 Cetti's Warbler (1 on tip over the creek, 1 to the west of Vange Marsh and 2 in the reed bed to the east), 1 Chiffchaff (singing), 1 Sparrowhawk (female), 2 Gadwall (pair), 4 Shoveler, 8 Pochard, 4 Tufted Duck, 28 Teal, 1 Curlew, 4 Little Egret. Paul Baker (SOG).
Friars Park, 18:00
4 Mandarin Duck (3 drakes). Lee Ebbs (SOG).
Shoebury, 18:00
2 Chiffchaff at St Mary's Church. Lee Ebbs (SOG).
Thursday 02nd April 2009 (first summer migrant report - Black Redstart)
Wakering, Star Lane Pits, 07:10 to 07:50
1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Green Woodpecker, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Song Thrush. Matt Bruty (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park 09:45
5 Swallow on the wires beside the motor boat museum. David Lee, Alan Shearman RSPB.
Highlands Boulevard, Leigh 11.25
2 Siskin on seed feeder in back garden. A pair of Blue Tits are building a nest in my bird box which has a camera inside so I can watch them day and night. Lyn Davies.
Baxter Avenue Southend, 11:25 to 11:45
2 Peregrine Falcon perched on Portcullis House. Don Petrie (SOG).
RSPB Vange Marsh, 15:45 to 16:00
1 Black Redstart by the cockleshell pile in the north west corner. Marc Outten RSPB.
Barling Hall Farm 16.50
4 Swallow sitting on power lines. T.Thorneycroft.
RSPB Vange Marsh 17.15
Black Redstart around cockle shell pile. Alan Shearman and Marc Outten RSPB.
RSPB Vange Marsh, 18:50 to 19:10
1 Black Redstart still present on roof of timber yard. Vince Kinsler, Marc Outten (SOG).
Wednesday 01st April 2009
Wakering, Star Lane Pits, 07:55
2 Siskin feeding on Alder trees next to entrance road. Matt Bruty (SOG).
Rochford, Golden Cross, 08.15
1 male Sparrowhawk. When we first spotted him at 08.15, he had already made a kill (probably a collared dove), which he was just finishing plucking amongst the ivy, pyracanthus and honeysuckle which covers the fence between ourselves and a neighbour. He was perched atop the fence. Over the next 25 minutes he devoured the victim, spent several minutes wiping his beak on the ivy and finally flew off at about 08.40, heading more or less north. Probably the same bird has been seen here quite regularly for at least a year and several times has killed and eaten a collared dove. Richard Goring.
River Crouch Near Battlesbridge 11.00
1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Snipe. David Chivers.
Wakering, Fleet Head 13.00 - 14.00
1 Long-tailed Tit sitting on nest, 1 Avocet. 3 Peacock Butterfly. Iain Henderson.
Benfleet Downs, 14:00 to 15:30
2 Blackcap. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).
Barling Creek and River Roach
1 Swallow, 1 Green Sandpiper, 3 pairs of Red-breasted Merganser, Peregrine Falcon, Cetti's Warbler on Wakering Common. John Atfield, Ken Gooding, Albert Outten.