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Bird Reports for April 2013

Tuesday 30th April 2013northerly to easterly, partly cloudy, max12°c    

Two Tree Island 06:05 to 07:50
Nightingale, excellent views 100 yards north of feeders, Grasshopper Warbler showed well for a couple of minutes reeling north east of airfield, Cuckoo, Pheasant, Linnet. Terry Jeffreys.

RSPB Stanford Wharf 07:30
2 Whimbrel feeding on mud flat. Michael Poole.

RSPB West Canvey Marsh 09:00 to 13:00
1 Short-eared Owl, 15+ Linnet, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Common Buzzard. 2 Weasel. 3 Peacock, 3 Small Tortoiseshell, 5 Green Viened butterflies, 1 Adder, 4 Common Lizard. Pete Jackson.

EWT Blue House Farm 10:15 to 16:45
1 Buzzard, 1 female Marsh Harrier, 1 pair mating Kestrel, 15 Mute Swan, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Barn Owl hunting marsh at 11:30, 3 pair Yellow Wagtail, 2 pair Wheatear, 2 pair Reed Bunting and 3 males chasing 1 female, 1 Skylark, 2 Pied Wagtail, 1 drake Wigeon, 1 pair Gadwall, 2 Avocet, c.50 Oystercatcher, 1 House Martin, 4 Swallow, 1 pair Redshank, 1 pair Pochard, 1 pair Tufted Duck, 4 pair Mallard, c.10 Teal. 1 Long-tailed Tit, c.10 Meadow Pipit, Shoveler, Shelduck. 2 Brown Hare. David & Brenda Hale.

Hockley Woods, 11:00 to 11:35
8 Stock Dove (all paired), 1 Green Woodpecker, 4 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 12 Blackcap, 3 Treecreeper, 12 Jay (all paired and some 'singing'). Vince Kinsler (SOG).

Fobbing Marsh 12:30 to 14:30
2 Hobby, Green Woodpecker, 1 Cuckoo, 10+ Whitethroat, Cetti's Warbler, Reed Warbler. Dave Knight.

Hanningfield Reservoir 12:45 to 16:45
From Rawl hide: 3 drake Red Crested Pochard, 3 Hobby high over west bank, Buzzard, male Marsh Harrier, Long-tailed duck calling almost under hide, fantastic views. In woods Garden Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, 7 Blackcap, Swallow, House Martin, many Tufted Duck on reservoir, 15 Gadwall, 4 Great Crested Grebe, Mallard, 3 Shelduck on meadow, 2 Pochard, Canada Goose, Greylag Goose. G. Dixon.

North Crescent, Southend 13:30 to 14:45
4 Swift high over garden, 3 Goldfinch, Blackbird, Robin, Wren, 2 Blue Tit at nest box. David Griffiths.

Abberton Reservoir 15:30 to 16:00
80+ Cormorant, 4 Yellow Wagtail, 7 Pied Wagtail , 25 Coot, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 16 House Martin, 2 Grey Heron, 11 Mute Swan, 30+ Mallard, 5 Pochard, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 50+ Black Headed Gull, 3 Blackbird, 20+ Herring Gull, 1 Swan Goose, 30+ Greylag Geese, 15 Canada Geese, 5 Magpie, 2 Aylesbury Duck, 150+ Carrion Crow, 100+ Wood Pigeon, 2 Pheasant. A number of hybrid White Duck and Greylag Geese. Rob Harris.

A12/A130 Howe Green 16:30
3 Common Buzzard. Rob Harris.

Hanningfield Reservoir 16:45 to 17:00
40+ Black-headed Gull, 5 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 20+ Herring Gull, 30+ Mallard, 40+ Tufted Duck, 15 Pochard, 35 Cormorant, 40+ Coot, 5 Magpie, 12 Carrion Crow, 20+ Canada Geese, 100+ Greylag Geese, 2 Blackbird. Rob Harris.

Brentwood 17:00 to 18:25
3 Wood Pigeon, 2 Greenfinch, 2 Collared Dove, 2 Robin, Great Tit, 6 House Sparrow, 2 Dunnock, Song Thrush, Blackbird, 8 Starling in garden. Adam Commons.

Southend, North Avenue 17:55
Pair of Jackdaw feeding in the back garden. S. Jackson.

River Crouch, Hullbridge 19:00
1 Whimbrel. David Chivers.

River Roach and Crouch
Porpoises are back in Crouch and Roach, some were also seen on the Orwell on Saturday. 5 Buzzard over Paglesham boatyard yesterday and today. Gary Dunn  (www.ladyessex.com).

Monday 29th April 2013northerly to westerly, partly cloudy, max 14°c    

Belton Hills, 08:00
1 Lesser Whitethroat (singing). Mike Clarke (SOG).

Gunners Park, 11:00 to 11:30
1 female Long-tailed Duck still on lake, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 8 Whitethroat. John Wright (SOG).

Leigh on Sea 12:40
Large Jay in our garden today, sat on the fence, was very calm, beautiful colouring, also lots of small Robin frequently over the last few months as well as House Sparrow and Magpies. Michaela.

Southend, St. Ann's Road 18:35
2 Swift wheeling fairly high in the sky. Trevor Masters.

Doggetts Farm, 19:00 to 19:30
1 Turtle Dove purring north of the farm by the gate to the private fishing lake. Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).

Battlesbridge, 19:10
1 Barn Owl flew over Beeches Road towards sewage works. Neil Chambers (SOG).

Sunday 28th April 2013south westerly, partly cloudy, max13°c    

Hadleigh Country Park 07:40 to 08:00
1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Wren, Whitethroat, Chiffchaff, 1 Bullfinch seen briefly, 1 male Sparrowhawk, Cuckoo heard calling from the sea wall. Ellen Hume.

Wakering Common and Fleet Head 08:00 to 12:00
Sightings on the RSPB Field Walk: Species observed: Mute Swan, Shelduck, Teal, Mallard, Shoveler, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Pheasant, Little Grebe, Little Egret, Marsh Harrier, Kestrel, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Curlew, Redshank, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Cuckoo heard, Green Woodpecker, Skylark, Swallow, Yellow Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Wren, Robin, Wheatear, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Reed Warbler, Blackcap, Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat, Chiffchaff, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Jay, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Linnet. Web Author.

Wakering Common/Barling Gravel Pits 08:00 to 12:00
Bike ride from Shoebury to Wakering/Barling: 3 Pheasant, 4 Red-legged Partridge, 4 Mute Swan, 8 Whitethroat, 2 Reed Warbler, 2 Jay, Yellow Wagtail, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Wren, Robin, Kestrel, l3 Curlew, Little Grebe, 5 Tufted Duck, Green Woodpecker, lots of Swallow, Great Tit and Blue Tit. Steve Day.

Fobbing/Corringham Marshes/Coryton 08:33 to 12:05
4 Wheatear (included two on old concrete bunker at inner marshes), 1 adult male Marsh Harrier soaring over Coryton, 3 Whimbrel, 1 Cuckoo at Coryton, at least singing 3 Lesser Whitethroat, pair of Blackcap at Coryton, 3 Swallow, 1 Yellowhammer singing on inner marshes, 1 Snipe flushed on inner marshes, 1 Black-tailed Godwit on lagoon, 2 Lapwing (included 1 north over Corringham Manorway), 1 drake Pochard and pair of Gadwall and 1 Little Grebe at Coryton, 1 Green Woodpecker, Corn Bunting singing at Corringham and inner marshes, a few Little Egret, Cetti's Warbler heard at Coryton. Richard Fahey.

Ferndale Road, Rayleigh 09:00
1 Buzzard heading south. Robin Peppiatt.

Hadleigh Marshes, 09:00 to 10:00
2 Little Grebe, 5 Shelduck, 6 Teal, 12 Pochard (4 drake and 8 female), 1 Snipe, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Sedge Warbler, 6 Reed Warbler, 1 Linnet. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).

Chelmsford, : Sandford Mill 09:00 to 11:00
2 Common Tern, 2 pairs Blackcap, male and female Gadwall, Whitethroat, Chiffchaff, Willow warbler, 2 Reed Bunting, 2 Cormorant, Pied Wagtail. Sue Haffenden.

EWT Blue House Farm 09:00 to 13:00
1 Barn Owl hunting from 10:15 - 11:30, 20+ Wheatear (flock of 14 on sea wall), 2 Brent Goose, 5 Barnacle Goose, 5 Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, 2 Whimbrel, 4 Corn Bunting, 3 Reed Bunting, Meadow Pipit, 2 Mute Swan, 1 Marsh Harrier, Sedge Warbler, Buzzard, Swallow, Shelduck, 7 Great Crested Grebe, Little Egret, Cormorant, Redshank, Oystercatcher, Skylark, Pochard, Grey Heron, Coot, Moorhen, Starling, Lapwing, Teal, Gadwall, Reed Warbler, Herring Gull, Black-headed Gull, Dunnock, Chaffinch, Goldfinch. Brennan and Vince Briggs.

Fingringhoe Wick 09:30 to 13:30
Nightingale, Skylark, Chaffinch, Black-headed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Whimbrel, Curlew, Oystercatcher, Redshank, Greenfinch, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Bar-tailed Godwit in full summer plumage. Adam and Christina Commons.

Doggetts Pits, 10:30 to 11:30
2 Tufted Duck (pair), 6 Swallow, 15 House Martin, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Sedge Warbler, 6 Blackcap, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 5 Whitethroat. John Wright (SOG).

Chelmsford, Cormorant Walk 10:45
2 Swift flying over house. Janice Bright.

Wat Tyler Country Park, 11:00 to 12:30
2 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Sedge Warbler, 2 Reed Warbler, 2 Blackcap, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Whitethroat, 1 Chiffchaff (all warblers singing). 1 Green-veined White, 1 Peacock Butterfly, 2 Comma. Neil Chambers (SOG).

Heybridge Basin to Past Goldhanger 12:30 to 15:00
2 Marsh Harrier, 50+ Brent Geese, 3 Curlew, 40 Black-tailed Godwit, Shelduck, Swallow. The body of young Tawny Owl. Sue Haffenden.

Gunners Park 13:00 to 14:30
2 Lesser Whitethroat, up to 12 Common Whitethroat with Garden Warbler singing in scrub near old pond. Hobby fast and very low over head toward west side of reserve veering toward golf course then Southchurch Park. Dead Badger (half eaten) in Gorse scrub. Steve Wood.

RSPB Vange Marsh 13:45 to 15:45
From scrape approaching high tide: 2 Green Sandpiper, 12 Avocet, 2 Canada Goose, 5 Shelduck, Mallard, 2 Teal, Coot, Moorhen, Snipe, 14 Greenshank, Spotted Redshank. On brackish lagoon: 2 Mute Swan, Tufted Duck, Gadwall, Mallard, Shoveler, Coot, Moorhen, 2 Canada Goose, 11 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Snipe, Great Crested Grebe, 6 Little Grebe, Pied Wagtail, 3 Shelduck. Around the perimeter: Whitethroat, Blackcap, 2 Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Starling, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, 5 Stock Dove, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Blackbird, Cetti's Warbler (many heard around reserve), Reed Bunting, Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler (heard), 2 Sand Martin, 10+ House Martin, 10+ Swallow, Robin, 4 House Sparrow, 2 Grey Heron. Terry Jeffreys.

Hadleigh Downs, 13:50 to 13:55
1 Peregrine Falcon. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).

Abberton Reservoir 14:00 to 14:30
Layer Breton Causeway: 120 Cormorant, Yellow Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Greenshank, Great Crested Grebe, Swift, Sand Martin, Coot, Mute Swan, Mallard. Adam and Christina Commons.

EWT Hanningfield Reservoir 14:25 to 17:00
4 drake Red Crested Pochard, 200+ Black-headed Gull, Blue Tit, Great Tit, 50+ Coot, 75+ Tufted Duck, Stock Dove, 20+ Herring Gull, 10+ Canada Goose, 70+ Mallard, 20+ Cormorant, Woodpigeon, Buzzard flew over centre at 14:35, 8 Shelduck, Magpie, 20+ Gadwall, 2 Great Black-backed Gull, Chaffinch, Robin, 2 Blackcap, 3 Mute Swan, Swallow, 6 Great Crested Grebe, Dunnock, 3 Pheasant, female Ruddy Shelduck, 30+ Greylag Goose, 2 Little Grebe, 9 Moorhen, 3 Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, 3 House Martin, Great Spotted Woodpecker, 4 Common Gull, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 2 Oystercatcher, drake Mandarin Duck, Pochard, 10+ Teal, Wigeon, 2 Long-tailed Tit, 20+ Swift, Blackbird. From causeway: Egyptian Goose with Canada Geese on bank next to field. Ben M.

Two Tree Island 14:30
Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, Blackcap, Reed Warbler, Willow Warbler, Greenshank, Little Egret, Mediterranean Gull, Kestrel, 3 Nightingale heard not seen, Curlew, Cetti's Warbler, Swallow, Little Grebe. Jim Bailey.

Two Tree Island 15:00
Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler, Willow Warbler, Sparrowhawk, Nightingale heard, Greenshank and Shelduck by water tanks, Swallow, Dunnock. Mick Roe.

Abberton Reservoir 16:00 to 16:30
100+ Cormorant, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 4 Pied Wagtail, 9 Coot, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Swift, 9 House Martin, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Sand Martin, 14 Mute Swan, 25 Mallard, 7 Pochard, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 50+ Black Headed Gull, 3 Blackbird, 20+ Herring Gull, 1 Swan Goose, 30+ Greylag Geese, 22 Canada Geese, 2 Aylesbury Duck, 150+ Carrion Crow, 5 Magpie, 1 Chaffinch, 100+ Wood Pigeon, 3 Pheasant. A number of hybrid White Greylag Geese. Rob Harris.

RSPB Vange Marsh, 16:00 to 17:00
6 Little Grebe, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 5 Gadwall, 2 Teal, 2 Pintail, 1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Kestrel, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Snipe, 26 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Sand Martin, 10 Swallow, 30 House Martin, 2 Cetti's Warbler (one showing quite well), 2 Sedge Warbler (singing), 1 Reed Warbler (singing), 1 Bearded Tit. Mike Clarke (SOG).

Chigborough Fishing Lakes 17:00
1 female Stonechat repeatedly calling in close-by hawthorn bush. Gill Edwards.

Wat Tyler Country Park, 17:00 to 17:30
1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Buzzard, 2 Common Sandpiper, 1 Cuckoo calling, 6 Sand Martin, 1 Swallow, 2 Cetti's Warbler (singing), 1 Sedge Warbler (singing), 1 Reed Warbler (singing). Mike Clarke (SOG).

Southchurch Park, 17:30
Behind OSSCC Cricket Pavilion: 2 Mediterranean Gull within 10m, flying in and pinching the bread thrown to the ducks. Superb close-up views of this beautiful gull. Ideal for less experienced watchers too, to see the difference between them and Black-headed Gulls. Dave Dove.

RSPB Wallasea Island 18:10 to 18:30
30+ Corn Bunting, 2 Shelduck, 4 Magpie, 20+ Common Crow, 50+ Stock Dove, 40+ Woodpigeon, 9 Black-headed Gull, 5 Herring Gull, 3 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret, 1 Reed Bunting, 2 Linnet, 3 Pheasant, 1 Kestrel. Rob Harris.

Canewdon 18:35 to 18:45
1 Little Owl. Rob Harris.

Rettendon Turnpike/Rettendon Church 20:20
Pair of Common Buzzard probably hunting for their evening meal. J. Jones.

Ashingdon, Princess Gardens 23:40
2 Little Owl calling, one quite close, the other more distant. David Selley.

Southchurch Park East
Reed Warblers arrived on mass overnight in tall reed beds, Teal (pair) in usual north west turn of low reed bed. Robert Dobinson.

Saturday 27th April 2013northerly to easterly, scattered clouds, max10°c    

First Local Summer Migrant Report - Turtle Dove and Spotted Flycatcher

Wakering Stairs 06:50 to 08:00
3 Little Egret, 6 Shelduck (3 pairs), 6 Oystercatcher (3 pairs), 1 Nightingale singing near Stairs road level crossing, 3 Blackcap, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 9 Whitethroat, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Meadow Pipit, 5 Skylark, 12 Linnet. David Selley.

RSPB West Canvey Marsh, 07:30 to 08:35
1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Short-eared Owl hunting fields at west end, 3 Swift low over the reservoir with the Swallows, 10 Skylark (at least), 15 Swallow, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Wheatear, 3 Reed Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 8 Whitethroat, 13 Linnet, 2 Corn Bunting (singing males). Martin Cracknell (SOG).

Hadleigh Castle Country Park 07:30 to 08:45
3 Chaffinch (2 male,1 female), 5 Goldfinch, Blue Tit, Robin, Great Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Wren, Blackbird, 2 Song Thrush, 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, Chiffchaff and Whitethroat heard throughout park, 1 male Kestrel, Cuckoo heard, 2 Shelduck, 1 Pheasant. 1 Red Fox. Ellen Hume.

Rochford Golf Course, 08:00 to 11:45
2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Blackcap (singing), 1 Whitethroat (singing), 1 Willow Warbler (singing), 1 Goldcrest (singing). 1 Large White. Neil Chambers (SOG).

Wakering Stairs, 08:55 to 09:15
M.O.D. road only: 1 Cuckoo, 1 Nightingale, 5 Blackcap (4 males engaged in frantic singing and activity around a female), 1 Lesser Whitethroat. Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).

RSPB Old Hall Marshes 09:30 to 13:30
Note that access to the site is by permit only, although visual access can be obtained from the sea wall.
Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Cetti's Warbler, Blackcap, Whitethroat, 5+ Swallow, Reed Bunting, Meadow Pipit, Skylark, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Cuckoo, 60+ Avocet, 40+ Bar-tailed Godwit, 60+ Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Knot, Great Crested Grebe, 1 Little Owl in woods to left of farm, 3 Marsh Harrier, 5 Little Egret, 4 Wheatear. Peter Norgate.

Rochford, Doggetts Pits, 10:10 to 11:50
1 Buzzard, 1 Turtle Dove purring north of last houses past Doggetts Farm, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Swallow, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Reed Warbler, 4 Blackcap, 1 Garden Warbler singing in sallows on north west side of main lake, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Jackdaw. Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).

EWT Warley Place 10:30 to 12:25
2 Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Robin, Woodpigeon, Dunnock, 3 Coal Tit, a number of Blue and Great Tit, 4 Nuthatch (2 pairs), c.10 Jay, 8 Mallard, Magpie, Moorhen, 2 Jackdaw, Blackbird, Carrion Crow, 4 Long-tailed Tit, male Blackcap, Wren. Ben M.

Doggetts Pits, 12:05 to 13:10
1 House Martin, 2 Reed Warbler (singing), 5 Blackcap (4 singing), 1 Lesser Whitethroat (singing), 4 Whitethroat (2 singing), 2 Chiffchaff (singing). Neil Chambers (SOG).

Wakering, Star Lane Pits, 12:30 to 13:00
6 Pochard, 1 Cetti's Warbler heard, 3 Reed Warbler, 2 Blackcap, 2 Willow Warbler, 1 Spotted Flycatcher. Lee Ebbs (SOG).

Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 13:24 to 16:55
1 Nightingale heard at Coryton, 9 Wheatear, 1 Marsh Harrier, c.9 Whimbrel, 1 Common Sandpiper, 4 Lesser Whitethroat heard over area, female Blackcap seen and one heard at Coryton, 1 Chiffchaff singing at Coryton, Cuckoo heard, Reed Warbler heard below Holehaven Creek, a few Teal, pair of Pochard on Coryton lagoon, 3 Little Egret, Cetti's Warbler heard over area, 20+ Black-tailed Godwit, 2 pairs of Lapwing displaying, Oystercatcher included pair on Holehaven Creek seawall, 1 Little Grebe at Coryton. Richard Fahey.

Wakering, Star Lane Pits, 13:30 to 14:40
6 Pochard (3 pairs), 1 male Sparrowhawk, 1 Cetti's Warbler (singing), 2 Reed Warbler (singing), 1 Lesser Whitethroat (singing), 2 Whitethroat (singing), 2 Chiffchaff (singing), 1 Willow Warbler (singing). 1 Small White, 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Peacock Butterfly. Neil Chambers (SOG).

RSPB West Canvey Marsh, 15:30 to 15:45
1 Little Grebe, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Short-eared Owl hunting at point blank range by car park, 30 Swallow, 1 Whitethroat (singing). Neil Chambers (SOG).

Wakering, Star Lane Pits, 15:45 to 17:15
6 Pochard (3 pairs), 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Swallow, 2 Pied Wagtail, 1 Cetti's Warbler (heard), 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Whitethroat (singing), 2 Chiffchaff (singing), 1 Willow Warbler (singing), 2 Jay, 7 Goldfinch. Sally Brierley (SOG).

Two Tree Island East, 16:15 to 17:00
53 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 1 Barn Owl, 2 Swift, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler. John Wright (SOG).

Hanningfield Reservoir 19:00 to 19:30
1 Kestrel, 23 Black-headed Gull, 20+ Herring Gull, 14 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 35 Mallard, 40+ Tufted Duck, 30+ Pochard, 33 Cormorant, 30+ Coot, 8 Magpie, 2 Blackbird, 30+ Carrion Crow, 1 Jay, 40+ Canada Geese, 50+ Greylag Geese, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 4 Swift, 1 Robin, 2 Goldfinch, 3 Chaffinch, 2 Blue Tit, 1 Great Tit, Rob Harris.

Two Tree Island East, 20:00 to 20:45
1 Short-eared Owl by first car park, 3 Nightingale (heard and one seen briefly in flight across the path), 2 Song Thrush. Sally Brierley (SOG).

Friday 26th April 2013north westerly, partly cloudy, showers, max13°c    

EWT Fingringhoe Wick 10:00 to 17:00
1 pair Bullfinch, 2 pair Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler, 2 Dunnock, many Chaffinch, 1 Jay, 6 Swallow, Great Tit, Blue Tit both carrying nesting material, many Whitethroat, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Turtle Dove, 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, Nightingales heard in many areas of reserve, one observed at close quarters singing for five minutes, 1 Cuckoo heard, c.150 Bar-tailed Godwit, c.150 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Grey Plover, 2 Arctic Tern, Curlew, Redshank, Oystercatcher, Shelduck, Little Egret, 4 Stock Dove, 1 pair nesting Mute Swan, 7 Great Crested Grebe. 1 Muntjac Deer, 1 Common Seal with large flounder. David & Brenda Hale.

Two tree Island 12:15 to 13:45
3 Nightingale (one at the reed pool, two near the feeders, birds really low down singing), 2 Cuckoo (one near airfield, one near the reed pond), 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Wheatear, Common Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, Linnet, Greenfinch, Blackcap, Goldfinch, Chaffinch. Jim Bailey.

South Fambridge, 12:30 to 15:45
2 Little Grebe, 3 Little Egret, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Buzzard, 15 Whimbrel (a good number for this site), 1 Greenshank, 1 Sand Martin, 7 Swallow, 5 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Reed Warbler, 8 Whitethroat, 2 Reed Bunting, 2 Corn Bunting. Ray Fuller (SOG).

Hadleigh, 13:00
1 Red Kite circling up high over Westwood from Arcadian Garden direction and headed north-east, Greater Spotted Woodpecker on fat balls in garden. Gordon and Jenny Knight.

RSPB Vange Marsh 14:30 to 16:00
1 Yellow Wagtail, 4+ Greenshank, 1 Common Sandpiper, 3+ Whitethroat, 1 Blackcap, 2 Long-Tailed Tit, 6 Black-tailed Godwit, Cetti's Warbler heard, Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Bearded Tit. Peter and Margaret Norgate.

Two Tree Island, 16:00 to 17:30
70+ Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Cuckoo, 1 Swallow, 3 Blackcap, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 10+ Whitethroat, 4 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler, 6 Linnet. Mike Clarke (SOG).

Hadleigh Downs, 16:50 to 16:55
1 Buzzard. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).

Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 16:58 to 19:30
1 Nightingale heard at Coryton, 5 Wheatear, 6 Whimbrel, 1 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Sedge Warbler seen among a raucous group, 1 Cuckoo heard at Coryton, 4 Swallow passed west, 1 Avocet, 3 Little Egret, Cetti's Warbler heard at Coryton, 7 Teal, pair of Shoveler, 1 Gadwall at Coryton, 1 Lapwing in sort of display flight, pair of cock Pheasant fighting, one giving the other a "ducking"! Richard Fahey.

Thursday 25th April 2013south westerly, clear, max23°c    

Marshfoot Road, Chadwell St Mary 06:30
Flock of 20+ Linnet. David Z.

RSPB Vange Marsh 06:55 to 09:30
From scrape: Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, 5 Avocet, 2 Oystercatcher, 2 Canada Goose, 3 Shelduck, Mallard, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 2 Teal, Coot, Moorhen, Cuckoo heard across Pitsea Creek, 2 Snipe. On brackish lagoon: 2 Mute Swan, Tufted Duck, Mallard, Shoveler, Coot, Moorhen, 10 Canada Goose, 3 Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Little Grebe, Pied Wagtail, Shelduck. Around the perimeter: 5+ Common Whitethroat, 2 Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Starling, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, 3 Stock Dove, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Starling, 2 Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Blackbird, Green Woodpecker (heard), Cetti's Warbler (many heard around reserve), 3 maybe 4 Bearded Tit (cracking views in eastern reed bed), 3 male Reed Bunting, Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler, female Marsh Harrier, 5 Greenshank, Sand Martin, Dunnock, Robin. Terry Jeffreys.

Leigh on Sea, Park View drive 12:52
Very pale Common Buzzard low over garden drifting west. Kris Mee, Web Author.

Wat Tyler Park 15:05 to 16:25
Scrape hide: 45 Avocet, 1 Snipe, 1 Lapwing, 1 Oystercatcher, 5 Little Grebe, 2 Mute Swan, 5 Canada Geese, 5 Tufted Duck, 20 Pochard, 1 male Marsh Harrier flying left to right in front of hide along fleet then back round scrape to large reed bed between road and railway behind horse sanctuary, 1 female Marsh Harrier quartering same reed bed behind horse sanctuary. B. Goss.

Abberton Reservoir 16:00 to 16:30
30+ Mute Swan, 30+ Herring Gull, 40+ Black-headed Gull, 16 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 50+ Common Gull, 100+ Tufted Duck, 3 Teal, 20+ Greylag Geese, 30+ Mallard, 12 Canada Geese, 1 Swan Goose, 2 Aylesbury Duck, 30+ Coot, 5 Moorhen, 150+ Carrion Crow, 5 Magpie, 100+ Wood Pigeon, 1 Blackbird, 4 Great Crested Grebe, 100+ Cormorant. A number of hybrid White Greylag Geese and Duck. Rob Harris.

Wat Tyler Country Park 17:00 to 18:30
2 Nightingale heard (one singing on old tip, one glimpsed), Blackcap, Common Whitethroat, Cuckoo heard. 2 Comma on wing. Photos of Grasshopper Warbler yesterday here: http://www.uk-wildlife.co.uk/grasshopper-warbler/. Neil Phillips.

RSPB Wallasea Island 17:45 to 18:15
1 Little Egret, 1 Shelduck, 5 Mallard, 40+ Corn Bunting, 3 Reed Bunting, 2 Chaffinch, 2 Linnet, 5 House Sparrow, 2 Magpie, 12 Carrion Crow, 4 Pheasant, 12 Herring Gull, 2 Lesser Blacked-backed Gull, 30+ Black-headed Gull, 5 Starling. Rob Harris.

Two Tree Island 18:30 to 19:00
1 Cuckoo, 6+ Linnet, 2 Whitethroat, 2 Blackcap, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1+ Swallow. Peter and Margaret Norgate.

Silver End, Essex 18:00
Swift. S. Cook.

Canewdon 18:30 to 18:35
1 Little Owl. Rob Harris.

Leigh on Sea, Tattersall Gardens 18:35
3 Swift overhead garden. Martin Johnsn.

Canvey Wick, 20:00 to 21:15
Covered the south part of the site only: 1 Water Rail heard, 1 Cuckoo (probably 2, fairly mobile), 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Grasshopper Warbler reeling in south west corner, 1 Blackcap, 5 Lesser Whitethroat, 10 Whitethroat, 3 Chiffchaff. Martin Cracknell (SOG).

Two Tree Island
Whitethroat, Cuckoo, Nightingale. Normunds Baltacs.

Wednesday 24th April 2013south westerly, clear, max20°c    

Ferndale Road, Rayleigh 07:00 to 08:00
2 Chiffchaff, 3 Blackcap, 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Common Whitethroat, 1 Pheasant, 1 Sparrowhawk, Robin Peppiatt.

Benfleet, 07:50
1 Swift over garden. Graham Ryland (SOG).

Southchurch Park East 08:45
Teal (pair) calling across lake to each other. They seem to be getting more settled in a particular reed bed area. Robert Dobinson.

Shoeburyness, Gunners Park 10:00
2 Wheatear, 2 Tufted Duck. John Pitts.

Gunners Park 11:15 to 12:20
Female Redstart on bushes in EWT reserve, Stonechat, Wheatear, 5 Swallow over park, Lesser Whitethroat heard from scrub but not seen. Steve Wood.

M25, J27 with M11 12:00
1 Common Buzzard. Rob Harris.

Southchurch Park 15:30
4 House Martin, 2 Swallow, and Hobby (swallows told me!) fast over lake towards west, 1 male Sparrowhawk. Steve Wood.

South Woodham Ferrers 18:50
1 Cuckoo heard while I was walking by Clements Green Creek. Tim Davis.

Tuesday 23rd April 2013westerly, clear, max20°c    

Leigh on Sea, 08:20 to 08:25
2 Swift over garden, 1 Long-tailed Tit on feeders. Web Author.

Southchurch Park East 09:00 and 13:00
Teal pair feeding on far south west of low reed bed corner, 80ft away. Good view for 10 minutes. Robert Dobinson.

Paglesham Churchend, 10:00 to 11:00
Walk along seawall to saltmarsh: 8 Shelduck, 1 Kestrel, 1 Whimbrel, 1 Cuckoo, 4 Skylark, 4 Swallow, 5 Whitethroat, 1 Corn Bunting. John Wright (SOG).

RSPB West Canvey Marsh 10:00 to 13:00
1 Short Eared Owl, 2 Kestrel, 1 Reed Bunting, 2 Linnet, 6 Common Whitethroat, 2 Jay, 1 Little Egret, 1 Willow Warbler heard, 1 Lesser Whitethroat heard, 6 Skylark. Hilary Knight.

Two Tree Island 10:30 to 15:30
1 Cuckoo calling and showing well from east end reed pool hide, many Common Whitethroat, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 pair Blackcap, 1 Greenshank feeding at old sewage works, 2 Little Egret, 2 Swallow, 1 Skylark. few Greenfinch, c.24 Brent Geese. David & Brenda Hale.

Paglesham Lagoon, 11:20 to 12:30
3 Wigeon (drake and two duck), 50 Tufted Duck (approx), 2 Scaup (drakes still present), 1 Swallow. 1 Brimstone. John Wright (SOG).

Leigh on Sea, Park View Drive 12:45 to 12:50
1 Swift over north, 1 Long-tailed Tit on feeder. Kris Mee, Web Author.

Rochford, 12:50 to 12:55
1 Swift over garden. Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).

Two Tree Island 14:30 to 15:00
4 Chaffinch, 2 Linnet, 4 Great Tit, 30+ Woodpigeon, 3 Magpie, 5 Carrion Crow, 2 Blackbird, 5 Whitethroat, 17 Herring Gull, 40+ Black-headed Gull, 12 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 9 Carrion Crow, 5 Magpie, 1 Cuckoo (heard only), 20+ Dark-bellied Brent Geese. Rob Harris.

RSPB Wallasea Island 16:00 to 16:30
1 Kestrel, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Reed Bunting, 4 Corn Bunting, 2 House Sparrow, 3 Chaffinch, 2 Linnet, 30+ Woodpigeon, 30+ Stock Dove, 5 Carrion Crow, 3 Magpie, 1 Blackbird, 14 Black-headed Gull, 7 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 5 Herring Gull. Rob Harris.

Shopland Hall, 16:20 to 16:30
1 Buzzard (very pale individual sitting in field next to Shopland Equestrian Centre), 2 Red-legged Partridge, 2 Swallow. Vince Kinsler (SOG).

Wakering, Fleet Head, 16:35 to 18:40
12 Red-legged Partridge, 2 Grey Partridge flushed by a tractor immediately north of Fleethead Creek flew east across path and appeared to drop down on the fleet side of Potton Bridge, 3 Whimbrel, 6 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Lesser Whitethroat (MoD road), 5 Whitethroat, 3 Corn Bunting. Vince Kinsler (SOG).

Southend, Sutton Road 17:50
1 Buzzard flying low over Suttons Nursery towards airport. Don Wildish.

South Weald Country Park 18:00 to 20:00
Green Woodpecker, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, 3 Blackcap, Mistle Thrush. Adam and Christina Commons.

Shoebury, Friars Park, 18:45 to 19:30
1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Mistle Thrush, 2 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 male Pied Flycatcher . Lee Ebbs, Marc Outten (SOG).

Tennyson Close, Leigh, 20:20 to 20:45
1 Common Pipistrelle (presumably this species of small bat circling my back garden all evening). Mike Clarke (SOG).

Monday 22nd April 2013south westerly, scattered clouds, max15°c    

Two Tree Island, 06:00 to 07:30
2 Pheasant, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 2 Nightingale (both north of path past feeders), 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Grasshopper Warbler showing well, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 10+ Whitethroat, 2 Chiffchaff, 12 Linnet. Vince Kinsler (SOG).

RSPB Vange Marsh 06:30 to 09:30
From scrape: Green Sandpiper, 2 Avocet, 2 Oystercatcher, 2 Canada Goose, 5 Shelduck, Mallard, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, 3 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 2 Teal, Coot, Moorhen, Curlew, Cuckoo (across Pitsea Creek) 3 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Snipe. On brackish lagoon: 6 Mute Swan, Tufted Duck, Mallard, Shoveler, Coot, Moorhen, 7 Canada Goose, 2 Greylag Goose, Black-tailed Godwit, Pochard, 4 Little Grebe, 5 Pied Wagtail, 2 Snipe, 2 Shelduck. Around the perimeter: 5 Wren, 2 Goldfinch, 5 Chaffinch, 10 Greenfinch, Starling, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, 3 Stock Dove, 2 Jay, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Starling, 2 Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Blackbird, Cetti's Warbler (one seen at abstraction ditch and many heard around reserve), 3 Bearded Tit (pair in western reed bed, one in eastern reed bed), 3 male Reed Bunting, 2 Reed Warbler, 2 Sedge Warbler, Grey Heron, Lesser Whitethroat, male Blackcap, 2 Dunnock, Robin. Terry Jeffreys.

Two Tree Island West, 07:00 to 08:00
1 Whimbrel, 4 adult Mediterranean Gull, 2 Skylark (singing), 1 Meadow Pipit, 1 Grasshopper Warbler showed well for about a minute reeling by central track just north east of toy plane airfield, 15 Whitethroat, 8 Linnet. John Wright (SOG).

Belton Hills, 07:40 to 07:45
1 Whitethroat. Mike Clarke (SOG).

Two Tree Island East, 08:00 to 09:00
1 Little Egret, 2 Grey Heron, 3 Mediterranean Gull (pair of adults and a 1st summer), 3 Nightingale (one by feeders singing and showing, both sides of track, one about 100 metres due north of there and one east of reedy pool), 1 Cetti's Warbler, 6 Blackcap, 10 Whitethroat. John Wright (SOG).

Two Tree Island, 09:30 to 13:00
4 Nightingale, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat. Brian Baldock (SOG).

Two Tree Island 10:00
Grasshopper Warbler just north of airfield, showed for very short spell, I noticed that the bird is ringed, from photos I have looks like 8DO7 but could another character between 8/D, Lesser Whitethroat and 3 singing Nightingale east end. Pete Jackson.

Gunners Park, 10:30 to 11:30
1 female Long-tailed Duck still on lake, 1 Sand Martin, 6 Swallow, 7 Whitethroat, 2 Chiffchaff. John Wright (SOG).

Two Tree Island 11:30 to 14:10
15 Brent Geese, 7 Shelduck, Teal (pair), Mallard, Little Grebe, 5 Little Egret, Sparrowhawk, Peregrine (Peregrine mobbing Sparrowhawk), Moorhen, Coot, 1 Greenshank, 1 Sandwich Tern, Nightingale (heard), 6 Swallow, 2 Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 2 male Blackcap, 12 Whitethroat, 2 Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, 4 Linnet, 1 male Reed Bunting. Kris Mee, Web Author.

North Shoebury 13:23
1 female Greater Spotted Woodpecker in garden. Terry Strong.

Wat Tyler Country Park 14:00 to 17:00
2 House Martin, c.20 Swallow, 39 Avocet, 1 Snipe, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 1 juvenile Great Black-backed Gull, 2 Reed Warbler, 1 Kestrel, 2 Lapwing, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Little Egret, Cetti's Warbler heard. David & Brenda Hale.

Two Tree Island West, 18:35 to 19:05
1 Kestrel, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Grasshopper Warbler reeling for a couple of minutes at 18:45 north of airfield, 1 Lesser Whitethroat (singing), 1 Whitethroat (singing). Neil Chambers (SOG).

Hockley 18:40
1 male Blackcap, 1 male Great Spotted Woodpecker on garden feeders. Tim Davis.

Sunday 21st April 2013southerly, partly cloudy, max14°c    

Two Tree Island, 06:10 to 07:45
3 Little Egret, 1 Cuckoo (calling), 2 Nightingale (one singing by feeders, one by path from 1st car park to airfield), 1 Grasshopper Warbler (singing in bramble at north east of airfield), 1 Lesser Whitethroat (singing at north east of airfield), 15+ Whitethroat (singing males). Don Petrie (SOG).

Wakering Stairs, 06:20 to 07:55
1 Red-legged Partridge, 2+ Whimbrel, 1 Cuckoo (singing), 1 male Yellow Wagtail, 2 Nightingale (singing - 1 by road where it crosses the railway, the other at the southern end), 1 Blackcap (singing), 3+ Lesser Whitethroat (singing), 12+ Whitethroat (singing), 2 Chiffchaff (singing). Neil Chambers (SOG).

Wakering, Star Lane Brick Pits 07:00
1 Cuckoo calling from a willow tree then flying east towards Wakering common or the stairs. 2 Cetti's Warbler. David Dedman.

Wakering Stairs, 07:00 to 09:00
30 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Cuckoo, 2 Nightingale (both along railway track), 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 8 Whitethroat, 1 Chiffchaff. Lee Ebbs (SOG).

Two Tree Island, 07:10 to 10:00
2 Mediterranean Gull (adult pair), 1 Cuckoo, 1 Barn Owl (day flying/hunting), 4 Nightingale (2 around the feeders (one either side of path singing at same time), one south of the wardens hut and one about 100yards along the central cinder track near the airfield), 1 Grasshopper Warbler (along central cinder track near airfield), 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 8 Whitethroat (minimum, probably a lot more). Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).

Hadleigh Country Park 07:20 to 08:25
4 Shelduck flying towards the castle, 2 Whitethroat, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Song Thrush, 1 male Kestrel, 1 Pheasant heard towards the railway line, 1 male Cuckoo heard then seen in trees adjacent to mountain bike valley. 1 cuckoo heard calling from Two Tree island. Ellen Hume.

Wakering Stairs 07:20 to 09:00
17 Shelduck, 8 Oystercatcher (4 pairs), 40 Curlew, 3 Stock Dove, 2 Red-legged Partridge, 4 Swallow, 2 Cuckoo, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Nightingale singing by Stairs Road level crossing, 15 Whitethroat, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Song Thrush, 3 Jay, 3 Skylark, 10 Chaffinch, 1 Greenfinch. David Selley.

Canvey Wick, 07:40 to 08:30
1 Common Sandpiper on flood opposite Morrisons, 2 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Cuckoo, 2 Green Woodpecker, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker (together flying purposefully over, strange sighting), 1 Nightingale singing in traditional area on Morrisons side of new road, 5 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, c.15 Whitethroat, 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler in tall trees along Northwick, 1 male Linnet singing. Martin Cracknell (SOG).

Nether Priors, Basildon 07:45
2 Waxwing feeding on low berry bush at junction of Clicket Hill and Nether Priors. B. Goss.

Two Tree Island West, 08:00
1 Nightingale singing near feeders, 1 Cetti's Warbler. 2 Northern Water Vole. John Wright (SOG).

Gunners Park, 08:15 to 09:00
1 Little Grebe on lake, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Sandwich Tern, 20 Common Tern, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Cetti's Warbler (singing), 1 Blackcap (singing), 1 Lesser Whitethroat (singing), 8 Whitethroat (6 singing), 1 Chiffchaff (singing), 1 Willow Warbler (singing). Neil Chambers (SOG).

South Weald Country Park 08:15 to 10:30
2 Kestrel (one landed right in front of us!) male Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (heard drumming that sounded more like snoring! watched for ten minutes, 2 Buzzard seen separately both riding thermals, one was circling with a Kestrel! 2 Chiffchaff singing by conservation lake. Adam and Christina Commons.

Southchurch Park East 08:30
1 Willow Warbler in Ivy foliage/shrubs south south west near open bank, 2 Teal (pair) feeding all along north reed bed from east to west. Robert Dobinson.

Fernlea Road, Benfleet 08:45
1 female Brambling on garden feeder. Richard Gray.

Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 08:52 to 12:30
1 Wheatear, 10 Whimbrel, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Reed Warbler seen well singing in shrub behind reeds below Holehaven Creek sea wall, 2 Lesser Whitethroat included one singing and flying out of shrub by track and 1 at Coryton, Common Whitethroat across area, 2 female and male Blackcap along track/Coryton, 1 Willow Warbler and 1 singing Chiffchaff at Coryton, Sedge Warblers heard at Coryton and below Holehaven Creek seawall, Bearded Tit heard on west side of track at Coryton, Cetti's Warbler included one seen singing in shrub below Holehaven Creek seawall and one seen flycatching at Coryton, a few Teal, Gadwall included pair on Coryton lagoon along with 2 pairs of Pochard and a pair of Little Grebe, 2 Little Egret, a few Black-tailed Godwit, pair of Oystercatcher, a few Curlew flying off heart of marshes, pair of Linnet Holehaven Creek sea wall, Greylag Goose included pair in reeds at Coryton (2nd Cetti's Warbler seen clearly showed a notch in the tail, which I thought was unusual, normally being well rounded at tip). Richard Fahey.

RSPB Wallasea Island 09:00 to 10:00
Short-eared Owl, 5 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Reed Bunting, 7 Redshank, 10+ Skylark, 10+ Shelduck. Neil Pavett.

Two Tree Island, 09:00 to 12:10
1 male Sparrowhawk, 1 male Kestrel, 2 adult Mediterranean Gull, 1 Barn Owl hunting north of path in first field east end, 2 Green Woodpecker (male and female), 1 Swallow, 2 Nightingale, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Grasshopper Warbler reeling and showed fleetingly twice in vegetation by cinder track ditch on edge of airfield, 7 Blackcap, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 21 Whitethroat. 1 Weasel (west end), 1 Northern Water Vole in borrowdyke, 1 Red Admiral, 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 2 Peacock Butterfly. Graham Ryland (SOG).

Two Tree Island, 09:15 to 10:45
1 Little Grebe, 1 Nightingale singing west of feeders, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 3 Blackcap, 13 Whitethroat, 2 Jay. 2 Small Tortoiseshell. Angela Baldock, Brian Baldock (SOG).

Fingringhoe Wick 09:15 to 13:30
4 Mediterranean Gull, many Swallow, 8 Blackcap, 4 Whitethroat, 6 Willow Warbler, 2 Goldcrest, 1 Treecreeper, 2 Nuthatch, 6 Coal Tit, 2 Nightingale seen at least 8 others heard, Swift. Fingringhoe Village: 6 Waxwing on berry bush. Gravel working at Fingringhoe: 300+ Sand Martin. On A130 on way home: 3 Buzzard in flight, 2 Buzzard sitting on post by the road. Jim Bailey.

Cherry Orchard Country Park, 10:00 to 12:00
1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Swallow, 1 Whitethroat, 3 Yellowhammer. Dudley Shayler (SOG).

River Chelmer, Chelmsford 10:15
1 Red Kite circling high above Riverside car park. Tim Davis.

Wat Tyler Country Park 10:15 to 11:00
1 Whitethroat, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Grasshopper Warbler heard only reeling along path by creek with screen hides, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Cuckoo heard only. B. Goss.

Wakering Stairs, 10:30 to 11:30
2 Little Egret, 1 adult female Marsh Harrier, 2 Cuckoo, 2 Swallow, 1 Nightingale by railway crossroads, 4 Whitethroat. Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).

Wakering, Fleet Head, 11:40 to 13:00
1 Wigeon (lingering drake), 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Buzzard, 5 Red-legged Partridge, 3 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Whimbrel, 1 Yellow Wagtail. Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).

RSPB West Canvey Marsh, 12:00 to 13:15
1 Little Grebe, 1 Lesser Whitethroat (singing), 5 Whitethroat (singing), 1 Chiffchaff (singing), 2 Linnet. 2 Common Lizard, 1 Slow-worm, 2 Adder, 3 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Peacock Butterfly, 1 Comma. Neil Chambers (SOG).

Southchurch Park East 12:45 to 17:15
1 female Ring Ouzel in south west far corner/near sluice gates moving between two main shrubs on bank to trees backing Shaftesbury Avenuw and thereabouts. ID'ed by two others. 1 Green Woodpecker flying along brook towards Wyatts Drive. Robert Dobinson.

Two Tree Island West, 18:05 to 19:00
200+ Black-tailed Godwit in creek opposite northern hide, 2 Whimbrel (2 seen others heard), 2 adult Mediterranean Gull, 1 Barn Owl (showed really well), 12 Whitethroat. John Wright (SOG).

Rettendon A130 18:30 to 18:35
Common Buzzard on fence about two miles after Rettendon turnpike west bound. Rob Harris.

Saturday 20th April 2013easterly, clear, max10°c    

First Local Summer Migrant Report - Lesser Whitethroat

Wakering, Fleet Head, 06:45 to 08:00
6 Whimbrel, 1 Greenshank, 2 Cuckoo, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Whitethroat, 10 Corn Bunting. Lee Ebbs, Ian Douch (SOG).

Marsh Farm 07:20
1 Cuckoo heard. David Chivers.

Canvey Wick, 07:30 to 09:30
1 Snipe, 9 Mediterranean Gull (over, mostly in pairs, calling), 1 Cuckoo, 1 Short-eared Owl (hunting at Western end), 4 Cetti's Warbler (possibly 5, two showing well), 1 Grasshopper Warbler (heard only, reeling in several bursts at around 07:45, but then no further sign. In area west of bridge by entrance from sea wall opposite low jetty), 3 Blackcap, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 25+ Whitethroat (many across entire site), 5+ Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler (singing in trees at East end of Northwick Road). Tim Bourne (SOG).

Blue House Farm, North Fambridge 07:30 to 10:30
Female Merlin, Whitethroat, 4 Yellow Wagtail, Sedge Warbler, Marsh Harrier, 2 Avocet, Snipe, Barn Owl, 8 Barnacle Goose (4 pairs), Blackcap, 10 Golden Plover. Andy Wilson.

Hadleigh Country Park 07:45 to 08:10
2 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron on flood plain, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap singing, 1 Cuckoo singing, 10 Shelduck flew over towards the mountain bike track valley. Ellen Hume.

Ferndale Road, Rayleigh 08:00 to 18:00
4 Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Common Whitethroat, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Skylark, 2 Bullfinch, 4 Siskin, 1 Redpoll, 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 10 Jay, Canada Goose, 1 Grey Heron. Robin Peppiatt.

Rochford Golf Course, 08:10 to 12:45
1 Little Grebe, 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Skylark (singing over airport), 1 Meadow Pipit, 4 Blackcap (singing), 2 Chiffchaff (singing), 1 Willow Warbler (singing). 2 Peacock Butterfly. Neil Chambers (SOG).

Barling Pits, 08:15 to 10:00
2 Kestrel, 2 adult Mediterranean Gull, 1 Cuckoo, 4 Sedge Warbler, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 10+ Whitethroat, 2 Reed Bunting. Lee Ebbs, Ian Douch (SOG).

Two Tree Island East, 08:50 to 10:00
1 Little Egret, 37 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 1 Cuckoo, 2 Green Woodpecker, 2 Nightingale (one sang and showed well east of car park and one sang briefly east of reedy pond), 2 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Sedge Warbler, 5 Blackcap, 8 Whitethroat, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler, 2 Reed Bunting. John Wright (SOG).

Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 08:57 to 12:00
4 Wheatear, 2 female Marsh Harrier, 1 Lesser Whitethroat along track and later Common Whitethroats behind seawall and near Coryton, 3 Whimbrel, 1 Common Sandpiper on creek, 1 Willow Warbler heard and later seen at Coryton where Chiffchaff also seen and heard, 1 Cuckoo flew over Coryton, Sedge Warbler heard at Coryton, very good view of a Cetti's Warbler at Coryton among others heard, 1 Little Egret, 30+ Teal, pair of Gadwall at Coryton, a few Black-tailed Godwit, pair of Oystercatcher in aggressive display flight, a small group of Shelduck displaying earlier on marsh later 13 birds including, it seemed, 6 pairs, 1 Green Woodpecker, pair of Little Grebe 2 trilling on Coryton lagoon. Richard Fahey.

RSPB Wallasea Island 09:30 to 12:00
5 Little Egret, 1 male Marsh Harrier, 8 Whimbrel, 2 Short-eared Owl, 10+ Yellow Wagtail, 4 Reed Bunting, 10+ Corn Bunting. Dave Knight (SOG).

Canvey Point 10:00 to 12:00
1 female Red-breasted Merganser being mobbed by Herring Gulls at mouth of small gains creek, seen later in open water near dump buoy, 3 Swallow, 6 Brent Geese, 10 Curlew. T. Blackwell.

Two Tree Island East 10:30 to 12:00
1 Cuckoo, 1 Nightingale (singing and seen briefly), 2 Wren, 4 Blackcap, 8 Whitethroat, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Reed Bunting. Richard Mander.

Hadleigh Marshes, 10:30 to 12:40
3 Little Egret, 2 Grey Heron, 2 Shelduck, 6 Teal, 2 Shoveler (pair), 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 4 adult Mediterranean Gull together flying east, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Sedge Warbler, 4 Whitethroat, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler. 8 Marsh Frog. John Wright (SOG).

Leigh on Sea, Park View Drive 11:15
Pair of Sparrowhawk over and Brimstone butterfly flew through garden. Kris Mee, Web Author.

Wakering, 11:30 to 11:35
2 Yellowhammer by Southend Road near Morleys Garden Centre. Dudley Shayler (SOG).

Coombe Wood, Langdon Hills 13:00 to 15:00
1 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Nuthatch, 4 Green Woodpecker, 3 Chiffchaff, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Jackdaw, Jay, Starling, Stock Dove. Brennan and Vince Briggs.

South Fambridge, 14:05 to 14:25
1 Kestrel, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Reed Warbler (singing), 1 Whitethroat (singing), 1 Willow Warbler (singing). 1 Peacock Butterfly.  Neil Chambers (SOG).

EWT Hanningfield, Reservoir 14:50 to 17:00
2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, Chaffinch, Robin, Blue Tit, Great Tit, 60+ Tufted Duck, 40+ Mallard, Carrion Crow, 80+ Coot, 50+ Greylag Goose, 2 Pheasant, Snipe, Magpie, c.8 Blackcap, 4 Swallow, 15+ Shelduck, 30+ Canada Goose, Pied Wagtail, Wigeon, 9 Red Crested Pochard (5 drake, 4 female), Grey Heron, 2 Oystercatcher, 3 Chiffchaff, 20+ Great Crested Grebe, several Common Tern, 4 Mute Swan, pair Marsh Harrier, 20+ Black-headed Gull, 10+ Herring Gull, 3 Arctic Tern, 3 Long-tailed Tit, 3 Pochard, 3 Goldeneye, 6 Gadwall, Siskin, 7 Cormorant, Stock Dove. Ben M.

Abberton Reservoir 15:30 to 16:30
30+ Mute Swan, 20+ Herring Gull, 40+ Black-headed Gull, 7 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 100+ Tufted Duck, 30+ Mallard, 30+ Greylag Geese, 9 Canada Geese, 30+ Coot, 1 Swan Goose, 2 Aylesbury Duck, 6 Moorhen, 14 Shelduck, 150+ Carrion Crow, 5 Magpie, 200+ Wood Pigeon, 2 Blackbird, 2 Lapwing, 5 Great Crested Grebe, 1 White-fronted Goose, 2 Pied Wagtail, 4 Yellow Wagtail, 1 White Wagtail, 70+ Cormorant, 3 Red-legged Partridge, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Robin, 2 Goldfinch, 1 Chaffinch. A number of hybrid White Greylag Geese. Rob Harris.

Ashingdon, Princess Gardens 16:15
1 female Sparrowhawk flew from our front hedge about a foot away from where I was just starting to dig - scared the living daylights out of me, can now empathise with collared doves etc! David Selley.

Dowsett Lane, Ramsden Heath 17:05
Buzzard and Kestrel. Ben M.

A130, 17:30
Buzzard on wooden fence about a mile before Rettendon turnpike. John Spencer.

Two Tree Island East, 18:00 to 20:00
25 Dark-bellied Brent Goose feeding on mud, 18 Black-tailed Godwit in flight, 1 Cuckoo called 3 times, 1 Skylark singing, 1 Nightingale singing near feeders, 8 Whitethroat (all singing), 1 Chiffchaff singing, 5 Linnet. Don Petrie (SOG).

Hadleigh 19:00
Pair of Red Kite circling over Westwood going towards Hadleigh Castle. Jenny Knight.

Two Tree Island, 19:00 to 20:10
1 female Yellow Wagtail, 1 Blackcap (singing), 10+ Whitethroat (singing), 12 Linnet. Neil Chambers (SOG).

RSPB Wallasea Island 19:30 to 20:00
1 Whimbrel, 7 Redshank, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Pheasant, 2 Reed Bunting, 20+ Corn Bunting, 7 Carrion Crow, 2 Magpie, 7 Herring Gull, 15 Black Headed Gull. Rob Harris.

Canewdon 20:15 to 20:20
Pair of Little Owl in usual tree. Rob Harris.

Friday 19th April 2013northerly to easterly, mostly cloudy, max11°c    

First Local Summer Migrant Report - Grasshopper Warbler

Benfleet Creek, 07:50 to 07:55
1 Wheatear on seawall between Leigh and Benfleet, 1 Grasshopper Warbler singing behind golf driving range Leigh. Simon Watson (SOG).

Leigh Station, 08:00
3 Whitethroat along the Two Tree Island road. Simon Watson (SOG).

EWT Fingringhoe Wick 09:10 to 17:00
1 Nightingale seen singing and many heard, 1 male Blackcap, 4 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 12 Goldfinch, 1 pair Swallow, 1 pair Bullfinch, 4 Jay, 5 Sand Martin, 3 Stock Dove, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Green Woodpecker heard, c.20 Brent Geese, 1 male and 2 female Marsh Harrier, 1 pair Dunnock, 2 Red-legged Partridge, 2 Canada Geese, 10 Curlew, many Redshank, 6 Oystercatcher, 4 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Lapwing, 6 Little Egret, 1 Dunlin, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Teal, few Shelduck, 1 Grey Plover, c.60 Bar-tailed Godwit, c.40 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Waxwing on power line, junction of Abberton Road and South Green Road, Fingringhoe. 1 Stoat. David & Brenda Hale.

Canvey Point 10:30 to 12:00
3 Swallow, 2 Sandwich Tern, 18 Curlew, 100+ Oystercatcher, 2 Shelduck, 12 Great Crested Grebe, 18 Brent Geese, 7 Turnstone, 6 Cormorant. T. Blackwell.

Southend, Tesco's A127 11:30
1 female Sparrowhawk spiralling low over the car park. Paul Baker (SOG).

Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 11:35
1 male Sparrowhawk spiralling low over garden. Paul Baker (SOG).

Wat Tyler Country Park, 12:15 to 13:00
2 Snipe, 3 Sand Martin, 11 Swallow, 4 House Martin, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Reed Warbler. John Wright (SOG).

Southchurch Park East 12:30
1 Reed Warbler flying out of tall reed bed, one or two more heard, 2 Green Woodpecker feeding on left hand side of meadow and then flying along south of brook to Wyatts Drive. Robert Dobinson.

Rochford; Hall Road/Cherry Orchard Way 12:45 to 12:50
1 Common Buzzard. Rob Harris.

Lark Hill Road, Canewdon 13:00
2 Red Kite. Joy Hutchison.

Two Tree Island 13:00
Grasshopper Warbler in bramble patch on embankment immediately east of first car park. Same area as Spring 2011. Reeled for a few minutes then nothing for half an hour. Not seen. Also Cuckoo around eastern end of island. Peter Studholme.

RSPB Wallasea Island 13:00 to 13:30
1 Common Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Little Egret, 40+ Corn Bunting, 1 Swallow, 30+ Stock Dove, 40+ Woodpigeon, 3 Magpie, 12 Common Crow, 2 Pheasent. 1 Stoat near Car Park. Rob Harris.

RSPB West Canvey Marsh, 13:30 to 16:00
2 Wheatear, 3 Whitethroat, 1 Willow Warbler, 4 Reed Bunting, 3 Corn Bunting. 3 Common Lizard, 1 Common Shrew. John Wright (SOG).

Canewdon 13:35 to 13:40
2 Swallow, 6 Woodpigeon, 1 Magpie, 2 Common Crow, 2 Pheasant, 4 Goldfinch. Rob Harris.

Private Land Near Crays Hill 16:10
1 Turtle Dove, 1 male Blackcap, Blue Tit, Great Tits prospecting. G. Dixon.

Southend, 17:10 to 17:15
1 Peregrine Falcon on Alexander House. John Wright (SOG).

RSPB Vange Marsh, 17:10 to 17:50
2 Little Grebe, 1 Buzzard (Over A13), 1 Common Sandpiper, 10+ Sand Martin, 30+ Swallow, 4 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Sedge Warbler, 2 Reed Warbler, 1 Willow Warbler. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).

Mucking c.17.25
2 Swallow. Richard Fahey.

Coalhouse Fort, East Tilbury 17:35 to 18:30
4 Whimbrel, a few Curlew, 20+ Teal, pair of Oystercatcher, 1 Lapwing. Richard Fahey.

Wat Tyler Country Park, 18:30 to 18:50
3 Little Grebe, 2 Pintail (pair on Vange Wick), 3 Black-tailed Godwit (creek by marina), 2 Cetti's Warbler (singing), 1 Reed Warbler (singing), 1 Blackcap (singing), 1 Chiffchaff (singing). Neil Chambers (SOG).

Canvey Point, 18:45 to 19:30
41 Great Crested Grebe, 6 Common Tern. John Wright, Don Petrie (SOG).

Thursday 18th April 2013south westerly, scattered clouds, max15°c    

Hanningfield Reservoir Causeway 09:45 to 10:00
23 Black-headed Gull, 35 Mallard, 40+ Tufted Duck, 31 Cormorant, 30+ Coot, 5 Magpie, 7 Carrion Crow, 25 Canada Geese, 40+ Greylag Geese, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 2 House Martin. Rob Harris.

RSPB Vange Marsh 10:15 to 12:15
From scrape: 2 Green Sandpiper, 2 Oystercatcher, Canada Goose, 5 Shelduck, Mallard, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Teal, Coot, Moorhen, 2 Reed Bunting, Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler (heard), House Martin, Swallow, 2 Stock Dove, Pied Wagtail, Cetti's Warbler (many heard). On brackish lagoon: 2 Sand Martin, Swallow, Tufted Duck, Mallard, Shoveler, Coot, Moorhen, 2 Canada Goose, Pochard, Little Grebe, Pied Wagtail. Around the perimeter: Greenfinch, Garden Warbler, Starling, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Long-tailed Tit, Blackbird, Cetti's Warbler (heard), House Sparrow. Terry Jeffreys.

Hockley Woods 13:00 to 15:30
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Jay, 6 Long-tailed Tit, 7 Blue Tit, 3 Great Tit, 1 Treecreeper, 1 Robin, 1 Blackbird. Mark Hudd.

Wat Tyler Country Park 10:30 to 12:30
1 Whitethroat, 2 Stock Dove, several House Martin and Swallow, 1 Reed Warbler heard. David Lee.

RSPB West Canvey Marsh 14:15 to 14:50
2 Skylark, 1 Wheatear, 1 Swallow. B. Goss.

RSPB West Canvey Marsh, 15:30 to 17:00
1 Whimbrel, 17 Wheatear, 3 Whitethroat, 1 Willow Warbler, 4 Reed Bunting, 1 Corn Bunting. Marc Outten (SOG).

Leigh on Sea, Park View Drive 18:15 to 20:00
Male Sparrowhawk sitting on garden fence. 1 Pipistrelle over. Web Author, Kris Mee.

Canvey Point, 18:25 to 19:10
15 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Arctic Skua (adult dark morph flew east), 1 Common Tern feeding offshore, 6+ Arctic Tern flew west. Neil Chambers (SOG).

Private Land Near Crays Hill 18:45 to 19:00
1 Common Buzzard mobbed by 2 Crows and chased off, singing male Blackcap, 1 Swallow. G. Dixon.

RSPB Wallasea Island 19:00 to 19:30
2 Oystercatcher, 12 Redshank, 1 Curlew, 7 Herring Gull, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 2 Grey Heron, 9 Common Crow, 3 Magpie, 4 Pheasant, 21 Corn Bunting, 1 Skylark, 3 Reed Bunting, 5 House Sparrow, 2 Wheatear, 1 Kestrel, 25 Woodpigeon, 12 Stock Dove. Rob Harris.

Benfleet Creek, 20:00
1 Cetti's Warbler in reeds along sea wall twixt Benfleet and Leigh. Simon Watson (SOG).

Wednesday 17th April 2013south south westerly, cloud then clear, max18°c    

Two Tree Island, 10:00 to 13:00
1 Kestrel, 1 Nightingale (heard only), 1 Song Thrush, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Sedge Warbler, 4 Blackcap, 4 Whitethroat, 4 Chiffchaff, 1 Jay. Brian Baldock (SOG).

Chelmer Road, Chelmsford 14:30
c.30 Waxwing in tree by Chelmer Village Retail Park. Tim Davis.

A127, Progress Road 16:40
2 Swallow low over junction. Web Author.

Ashingdon, 17:45 to 18:05
Viewing north from church: 3 Little Egret (over BHF), 1 female Marsh Harrier hunting south of Crouch. Neil Chambers (SOG).

Rochford Golf Course, 18:15 to 19:50
1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Whitethroat (singing), 1 Chiffchaff (singing). Neil Chambers (SOG).

Tuesday 16th April 2013south south westerly, clear, max16°c    

First Local Summer Migrant Report - Swift

Basildon, Lincewood 06:30 to 07:30
1 Garden Warbler, good views and singing well, Blackcap, Chaffinch, Chiffchaff. David Shepherd.

Two Tree Island 08:30
1 Cuckoo, 1 Chiffchaff both calling. Julia Tetley.

Southend 09:30
1 Green Woodpecker with the pigeons in Prittlewell Square garden. David Selley.

RSPB West Canvey Marsh 10:00 to 13:00
1 Cuckoo, 2 Wheatear, 2 Common Whitethroat, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 30+ Curlew, 1 Water Vole. Pete Jackson.

Hullbridge, Keswick Avenue 10:08
1 male and 1 female Blackcap in garden. Colin Knight.

RSPB Wallasea Island 14:30 to 16:40
3 Little Egret, 2 Whimbrel, 5 Curlew, 2 Swallow, 8 Yellow Wagtail, 9 Reed Bunting, 50+ Corn Bunting. Ray Fuller.

Two Tree Island 16:30 to 18:50
1 Little Egret, 6 Oystercatcher, 2 Shelduck, 1 Cuckoo, 3 Pheasant, 7 Greenfinch, 4 Skylark. N. Mackie.

Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 16:55 to 19:50
8 Wheatear, 1 Whimbrel up calling from main creek to land in Fobbing Horse one, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 female Blackcap seen and Sedge Warbler and Chiffchaff heard at Coryton, 3 Gadwall, 30+ Teal, pair of Shoveler, pair of Pochard on Coryton lagoon, 1 Little Egret, Cetti's Warbler heard at Coryton including along the manorway, 3 Oystercatcher, 1 Little Grebe on fleet out on heart of marshes. Richard Fahey.

Southend, Cuckoo Corner 19:00
2 Swift. John Goodman.

Monday 15th April 2013south westerly, scattered clouds, max17°c    

First Local Summer Migrant Report - Common Whitethroat, Cuckoo, Whimbrel, Sedge Warbler and Reed Warbler

Rochford, 07:35 to 07:40
1 Blackcap (singing male in back garden ivy). Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).

Two Tree Island 08:30 to 11:00
1 Nightingale west of south car park in the scrub, 3 Whitethroat, Sparrowhawk, 2 summer plumage Mediterranean Gull on the scrape, Reed Bunting, Cetti's Warbler heard, Green woodpecker, 3 Whimbrel, Curlew, 3 Little Egret. David Hope.

Southchurch Park and Southchurch Park East 09:00
1 Swallow flew east to west across bowling green and over newly sown wildflower meadow. New green reeds pushing through at waterline from east to west in Southchurch Park East. Robert Dobinson.

Wat Tyler Country Park, 09:30 to 10:00
2 summer plumaged Black-necked Grebe on scrape, 2 Cetti's Warbler heard, 1 Bearded Tit heard. Don Petrie, Neil Chambers (SOG).

Colchester 10:15
1 Cuckoo calling and flying around feeling a bit lonely. Nigel Norton.

South Fambridge, 10:15 to 12:20
1 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Little Egret, 4 Mute Swan, 12 Shelduck, 1 Peregrine Falcon (spectacular dive into a bush containing Chaffinches), 4 Swallow, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Willow Warbler, 3 Goldfinch, 4 Corn Bunting. Ray Fuller (SOG).

RSPB Vange Marsh, 10:20 to 11:00
4 Avocet, 2 Green Sandpiper on the saline lagoon, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Bearded Tit. Marc Outten (SOG).

RSPB West Canvey Marsh 10:00 to 11:45
2 Common Whitethroat, 2 male Wheatear, 2 Swallow, 2 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Kestrel, 3 Little Egret. Colin Knight.

Shoeburyness, Gunners Park 10:45 to 12:00
4+ Wheatear (on reserve), 1 Linnet, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2+ Swallow, 1 Blackcap, 1 Long-tailed Duck. Peter Norgate.

Shoeburyness, Gunners Park 12:41 to 14:20
56 House Sparrow, 50 Starling, Collared Dove, Feral Pigeon, 15 Magpie, 20 Woodpigeon, Carrion Crow, Blackbird, Robin, 9 Great Tit, Common Gull, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, 2 Jay, 7 Dunnock, 8 Goldfinch, Great Spotted Woodpecker, 6 Blue Tit, 18 Greenfinch, 4 Long-tailed Tit, 20 Redshank, 40 Oystercatcher, 20 Turnstone, Mute Swan, 4 Mallard, Long-tailed Duck, 4 Little Grebe, Green Woodpecker, Wheatear (in the reserve), 2 Swallow, 12 Chaffinch. S. Jackson.

Orsett A128 13:45
1 Common Buzzard. Rob Harris.

RSPB Rainham Marshes 14:00 to 14:30
7 Shelduck, 6 Mallard, 6 Lapwing, 5 Coot, 3 Herring Gull, 12 Black-headed Gull, 5 Goldfinch, 3 Greenfinch, 7 House Sparrow, 3 Reed Bunting, 3 Collar Dove, 5 Woodpigeon, 4 Magpie, 5 Common Crow. Rob Harris.

RSPB Vange Marsh 14:30
Single male Common Redstart. Mike Poole.

Tilbury Fort 15:00
Swallow. Mark & Jim.

Chelmsford 17:35
1 Waxwing on TV aerial in Dorset Avenue, at junction with Rothmans Avenue. Dan Foulston.

South Weald Country Park 18:00 to 19:00
Green Woodpecker, Mistle Thrush, 6 Swallow, 2 Chiffchaff, Kestrel, Song Thrush. Adam and Christina Commons.

Hockley Woods
1 Cuckoo flew through no call, 2 Green Woodpecker, 3 Greater Spotted Woodpecker. 3 Brimstone, 1 Peacock, 1 Comma. Pete Jackson.

Sunday 14th April 2013southerly, few clouds, max21°c    

First Local Summer Migrant Report - Willow Warbler and Nightingale

RSPB Old Hall Marshes 08:00 to 12:30
Marsh Harrier, Buzzard, Curlew, Ruff, Whimbrel, Great White Egret, Little Egret, Corn Bunting, Reed Bunting, Avocet, Teal, Pintail, Gadwall, Snow Goose, Bearded Tit, Redshank, Oystercatcher, Brent Geese, Shelduck, Greylag Geese, Canada Geese, groups of Swallow, Water Pipit, Meadow Pipit, Linnet. Jim Bailey.

Southchurch Park East / Kensington Road 08:45
1 Swallow flying circuits of lake. 1 Ladybird in back garden, 1st of season and early too. Robert Dobinson.

Fobbing/Corringham Marshes/Coryton 08:45 to 11:40
1 female Marsh Harrier over Manorway reed bed, 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Sand Martin, Chiffchaff heard at Coryton, 5 Avocet, 20+ Wigeon, 80+ Teal, c.4 Little Egret, Cetti's Warbler heard at Coryton including other side of Manorway, 2 Gadwall, pair of Shoveler, pair of Green Woodpecker at Coryton, Peregrine flew off pylon near Corringham Manorway, 1 Redwing. Richard Fahey.

Ashingdon 09:00 to 09:40
1 Willow Warbler in the garden, 9 Goldfinch, 2 Greenfinch - male displaying, 4 Chaffinch, 4 Blue Tit, 2 Great Tit. Blackbirds, Starlings, House Sparrows, and Robins all gathering nest material. David Selley.

RSPB Vange Marsh, 09:30 to 10:00
2 Sand Martin, 2 Swallow, 1 House Martin, 1 Cetti's Warbler (seen well in abstraction ditch), 1 Siberian Chiffchaff finally heard. Vince Kinsler (SOG).

South Weald Country Park 09:30 to 12:30
3 Green Woodpecker, 2 Buzzard, 2 Kestrel. Peacock Butterfly, Pipistrelle Bat! Adam and Christina Commons.

RSPB Vange Marsh, 10:55 to 14:20
2 Green Sandpiper, 2 Swallow, 2 Redwing, 1 Chiffchaff (The 'Tristis' bird). 1 Common Lizard, 3 Adder (in close proximity). Matt Bruty (SOG).

Eastwood 11:15
15 Waxwing seen in tree opposite car showroom in Snakes Lane. Dan Foulston.

Eastwood, 11:30
18 Waxwing in tree opposite car showroom. Neil Chambers (SOG).

Shoeburyness, Gunners Park, 11:50 to 12:55
5 Little Grebe, 1 female Long-tailed Duck still on lake, 3 Swallow, 1 Chiffchaff singing. 1 Small Tortoiseshell. Neil Chambers (SOG).

Shoebury, Friars Park, 12:00 to 12:20
2 Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler (both singing). Lee Ebbs, Ian Douch (SOG).

Gunners Park, 12:00 to 13:00
6 Little Grebe, 1 female Long-tailed Duck still on the lagoon, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 House Martin, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Willow Warbler in the garrison opposite Brigadier Way, 4 Linnet. Marc Outten (SOG).

Eastwood, 12:05
Opposite Ford's in Snakes Lane: 1 Swallow hawking insects over school playing field, 15 Waxwing. Paul Baker (SOG).

Thorpe Bay 12:30
1 male Blackcap in garden for a few days now. Maggie Davis.

Two Tree Island East, 12:30 to 14:10
5 Swallow, 1 Nightingale singing east of feeders, 1 Reed Bunting. Gordon Appleton, Stuart Bailey (SOG).

Wakering Stairs 12:30 to 15:45
WeBS Count: 47 Swallow - constant trickle arriving, 3 House Martin, 1 Wheatear. Also 2 Comma, 2 Peacock and 1 Small Tortoiseshell butterflies. David Selley.

Eastwood, 13:00 to 13:10
18 Waxwing in Snakes Lane, Kent Elms end, flying from tree to feed in low bush in car showroom car park. Vince Kinsler (SOG).

Two Tree Island, 13:00 to 16:00
WeBS Count: 4 Little Egret, 4 Canada Goose, 61 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 31 Shelduck, 37 Teal, 18 Oystercatcher, 1 Ringed Plover, 2 Sanderling, 29 Dunlin, 1 Snipe, 54 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 83 Curlew, 24 Redshank, 4 Turnstone, 940 Black-headed Gull, 3 Stock Dove, 36 Wood Pigeon, 1 Collared Dove, 4 Skylark, 12 Swallow, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 1 Reed Bunting. 1 Comma. Graham Ryland (SOG).

Old A130, Carpenters Arms 13:15
1 Red Kite drifting quite low over the old A130 towards the Carpenters Arms roundabout, a lovely sight on a lovely day. Pete and Dawn.

Benfleet, 13:25
34 Waxwing in tree on Church Road 50m east of Moreland Avenue; then flew south. Tim Bourne (SOG).

Eastwood, Snakes Lane 13:30 to 13:40
18 Waxwing opposite car showroom, Rob Harris.

North Fambridge 14:00
3 Buzzard circling. Mick Roe.

Rochford Golf Course, 14:00
1 Chiffchaff singing. Neil Chambers (SOG).

Shoeburyness, Gunners Park, 14:00 to 15:00
1 female Long-tailed Duck still, 2 Swallow. Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).

Eastwood, Tesco Car Park 14:20 to 14:25
18 Waxwing opposite Petrol Station, probably birds from Snakes Lane that flew off in that direction earlier. Rob Harris.

Little Warley, Brentwood 14:20 to 16:15
2 Song Thrush, 3 Jay, Blue Tit, Great Tit, pair Great Spotted Woodpecker, Chaffinch, 4 Coal Tit, Greenfinch, Woodpigeon, Jackdaw, Blackbird, Robin, Carrion Crow, Collared Dove, Magpie, Grey Heron standing in the middle of field in distance. Ben M.

Barling, Southend Road 14:30
1 Swallow. Brian & Jan Coveney.

Stonehill Road, Leigh on Sea, 14:30
1 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Comma. Vince Kinsler (SOG).

Leigh on Sea, Park View Drive 14:35
Steady passage of Swallow and House Martin from 14:35 to 17:15 with just single birds at a time heading north, 1 Sparrowhawk. Kris Mee, Web Author.

RSPB Wallasea Island 14:45 to 15:20
5 Shelduck, 4 Oystercatcher, 1 Kestrel, 2 Magpie, 3 Pheasant, 14 Carrion Crow, 3 Reed Bunting, 23 Woodpigeon, 5 Mallard. Rob Harris.

Wakering, Fleet Head, 15:25 to 16:15
2 Greylag Goose, 5 Red-legged Partridge, 2 Green Woodpecker, 7 Sand Martin, 6 Swallow, 1 Meadow Pipit, 1 male Stonechat near Potton bridge. 1 Small Tortoiseshell. Neil Chambers (SOG).

Stock Road Cemetery 15:30 to 16:30
Pair of Kestrel mating near chapel, Sparrowhawk chasing Pigeons, 2 Jay, several Green Woodpecker. Dan Davison.

Southend Seafront, 15:30 to 16:30
1 Peregrine Falcon toying with the large gulls floating above Pier Hill, 2 adult summer Mediterranean Gull. Vince Kinsler (SOG).

Hullbridge 15:45
1 Sparrowhawk. Rob Harris.

Rochford, 16:00 to 16:10
2 Swallow and 1 House Martin over garden. Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).

Gunners Park 16:00 to 16:30
1 Long Tailed Duck, 4 Swallow, 3 Little Grebe, 1 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk, 70 Turnstone, 100 Sanderling. Richard Mander.

Shoebury, Friars Park, 16:25 to 16:45
1 Blackcap singing, 1 Chiffchaff singing, 1 Willow Warbler singing between ponds - a fairly pale / greyish looking bird. Neil Chambers, Don Petrie (SOG).

Marine Parade, Leigh 16:45
1 Swallow. M. Hayday.

Runwell 17:00
2 Swallow flying above our garden. Sue Braham.

Eastwood, 17:15 to 17:30
12 Waxwing still feeding in Snakes Lane just north of Fords showroom. Don Petrie (SOG).

Canvey Point 17:15 to 18:10
2 Swallow, 2 Sandwich Tern, 20 Brent Geese, 120+ Oystercatcher, 12 Turnstone. T. Blackwell.

Ashingdon, 17:10 to 17:30
1 Blackcap singing in parent's garden. Neil Chambers (SOG).

South Weald Country Park 18:00 to 19:00
Swallow, 2 Mistle Thrush. 4 Marsh Frogs (lots of spawn). Adam and Christina Commons.

Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 18:05
1 female Sparrowhawk circling low over garden. 1 Comma. Paul Baker (SOG).

Billericay, Lake Meadows 18:05 to 18:50
Wren, Woodpigeon, Moorhen, Mute Swan, Chaffinch, Robin, Collared Dove, Magpie, Herring Gull, Mallard, Blue TIt, Blackbird, Jay, Great Tit, Canada Goose, Great Crested Grebe, Greylag Goose, Coot, Tufted Duck, Great Spotted Woodpecker (heard), Green Woodpecker (heard). One unidentified small bat. Ben M.

Abberton Reservoir 18:30 to 19:10
40+ Mute Swan, 30+ Herring Gull, 150+ Black-headed Gull, 15 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 30+ Common Gull, 10 Pochard, 120+ Tufted Duck, 10 Teal, 1 Swan Goose, 50+ Greylag Geese, 50+ Mallard, 12 Canada Geese, 2 Aylesbury Duck, 8 Shelduck, 30+ Coot, 4 Moorhen, 40+ Coot 3 Oystercatcher, 2 Magpie, 150+ Carrion Crow, 1 Goldfinch, 100+ Wood Pigeon, 1 Lapwing, 1 Blackbird, 2 Pheasant, 2 Pied Wagtail, 150+ Cormorant, 7 Grey Heron. A number of hybrid White Greylag Geese. Rob Harris.

Hanningfield Reservoir Causeway 19:15 to 19:45
1 Great Crested Grebe, c.8 Swallow, 10+ Mallard, 2 Long-tailed Tit, 30+ Cormorant, Pheasant, 2 House Martin, 25+ Coot, Mute Swan, 4 Magpie, 8 Carrion Crow, 5 Moorhen, 12 Pied Wagtail, 3 Yellow Wagtail, Great Black-backed Gull, Canada Goose, Greylag Goose. Rabbits. Ben M.

Leigh on Sea, 23:45 to 23:50
1 Badger, likely one of last years dispersing males ran up to me along Eastwood Road North. Vince Kinsler (SOG).

Benfleet
2 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Swallow, 1 Buzzard over garden. Pete Jackson.

Saturday 13th April 2013southerly, mostly cloudy, rain, max13°c    

Barling Pits, 07:00 to 08:00
1 Great Crested Grebe, 7 Shelduck, 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Fieldfare, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Reed Bunting. 1 Common Lizard. Lee Ebbs (SOG).

Wakering Stairs 07:05 to 08:05
10 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 4 Shelduck, 6 Mallard, 1 Little Egret, 28 Oystercatcher, a few Curlew, 16 Redshank, 21 Meadow Pipit - many displaying, 5 Skylark, 8 Stock Dove, 47 Blackbird, looked like spring movement rather than territorial birds - none were singing, 2 Jackdaw, 15 Linnet, 1 Corn Bunting singing. David Selley.

Southchurch Park East 08:30
1 Swallow flew across us over low reed bed/lake east to west then to Southchurch Park/ Alec Beanse, Robert Dobinson.

Wakering, Star Lane Pits, 08:30 to 09:15
1 Sparrowhawk, 5 Redwing, 1 Cetti's Warbler heard, 2 Chiffchaff. 2 Small Tortoiseshell. Lee Ebbs (SOG).

RSPB Vange Marsh, 09:30 to 13:00
6 Sand Martin, 2 Swallow, 2 House Martin, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff including the Siberian Chiffchaff which was calling and singing as expected for this form/species. Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).

Gunners Park, 10:00 to 11:45
2 Little Grebe, 1 Long-tailed Duck, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Swallow, 2 House Martin, 1 Black Redstart, 1 Song Thrush, 2 Redwing, 3 Long-tailed Tit. 1 Red Fox Angela Baldock, Brian Baldock (SOG).

RSPB Vange Marsh, 10:00 to 12:00
1 Buzzard, 2 Ruff, 1 Green Sandpiper, 4 Swallow, 3 House Martin, 3 Chiffchaff (plus Siberian in usual area). Graham Ryland, Neil Chambers (SOG).

RSPB Rainham Marshes 10:00 to 12:15
Starling, Goldfinch, Collared Dove, Woodpigeon, Greenfinch, 20+ Coot, 7 Greylag Goose, House Sparrow, 30+ Shoveler, 50+ Tufted Duck, 60+ Shelduck, 6 Little Egret, 100+ Lapwing, Grey Heron, 9 Moorhen, 70+ Wigeon, 60+ Mallard, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Pheasant, 8 Canada Goose, 3 Cormorant, Reed Bunting, 150+ Black-headed Gull, Pied Wagtail, White Wagtail (with Pied), Gadwall, 7 Little Grebe, 6 Swallow, Golden Plover, 2 Kestrel, Redshank, Great Black-backed Gull, Teal (7 pairs), Mute Swan, Buzzard being mobbed by crows, Skylark, 1 Arctic Tern (over concrete barges before heading up river), Wren, Blackbird, Chiffchaff, Barn Owl showed well in usual spot, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Great Tit, Pochard, Linnet, Blue Tit, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Dunnock, House Martin, Curlew. Ben M.

Benfleet Downs, 10:30 to 12:00
2 Sparrowhawk, 4 Green Woodpecker, 1 Song Thrush, 2 Blackcap (singing), 9 Chiffchaff (singing), 1 Bullfinch. 2 Common Lizard, 2 Adder, 3 Peacock Butterfly, 4 Comma. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).

RSPB Vange Marsh, 11:15 to 12:00
Siberian Chiffchaff showed well in usual spot. Lee Ebbs (SOG).

Eastwood, Snakes Lane 11:55
13 Waxwing in tree opposite used car centre. John Spencer.

RSPB West Canvey Marsh 12:00 to 12:45
2 Little Grebe, 2 Mediterranean Gull by road hide, 1 Skylark, 1 Chiffchaff. Sally Brierley (SOG).

Hanningfield Reservoir Causeway 12:10 to 12:20
160+ Black-headed Gull, 50+ Mallard, 40+ Tufted Duck, 15 Pochard, 200+ Wigeon, 35 Cormorant, 40+ Coot, 1 Robin, 2 Carrion Crow, 60+ Canada Geese, 80+ Greylag Geese, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 14 Woodpigeon, juvenile Lesser Black-backed Gull. Rob Harris.

Eastwood, Snakes Lane at Kent Elms 12:20 to 12:30
18 Waxwing on trees by recycling bins, feeding on berries in the car showroom car park. Don Petrie (SOG).

Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 12:20 to 15:27
1 Merlin flew south over Manorway, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Chiffchaff heard at Coryton, Water Rail heard behind fence below Holehaven Creek seawall, 1 Avocet, 9 Wigeon, 80+ Teal, 6 Pochard at Coryton, c.3 Little Egret, Cetti's Warbler heard at Coryton, 400+ Black-tailed Godwit at Holehaven Creek, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Sparrowhawk, pair of Little Grebe and Canada Goose at Coryton. Richard Fahey.

Eastwood, 13:10 to 13:15
18 Waxwing. Sally Brierley (SOG).

Rochford, 13:10 to 16:50
1 Little Grebe back for another summer, 2 Green Woodpecker. Neil Chambers (SOG).

Shoeburyness, Gunners Park, 13:45 to 14:00
1 Black Redstart in school playground area. Lee Ebbs (SOG).

Southchurch Park East, Southchurch Park and Kensington Road 15:15
Southchurch Park East: 1 Little Egret walking around top of brook bank, 20+ Long-tailed Tit, dozens of Blue Tit, 10+ Greenfinch, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Sparrowhawk, dozens of Starlings. All Coot and Moorhen nesting. Southchurch Park: 2 Redshank, 6 Turnstone on Wildlife Island, 1 Great Black-backed Gull in flight, 1 Mistle Thrush feeding on grass now a regular visitor. Kensington Road: 6+ Blue Tit on feeder in garden. Robert Dobinson.

South Benfleet, 16:10
18 Waxwing in tree 100m east of Tarpots on A13. Vince Kinsler (SOG).

Wat Tyler Country Park 18:00 to 18:10
1 Spotted Redshank, 2 Redshank, 3 Avocet, 1 Curlew, 2 Teal, 5 Mallard, 3 Wigeon, 3 Moorhen, 10 Woodpigeon, 1 Collar Dove, 30+ Black-headed Gull, 1 Blackbird. Rob Harris.

Eastwood, 18:20 to 18:25
18 Waxwing still at west end of Snakes Lane opposite car showroom, looking cold and bedraggled! Neil Chambers (SOG).

Eastwood, Snakes Lane 18:30 to 18:40
17 Waxwing in tree and bushes next to and in car centre. Rob Harris.

RSPB Wallasea Island 19:10 to 19:30
1 Oystercatcher, 5 Mallard, 20+ Woodpigeon, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Magpie, 5 Common Crow, 5 Black-headed Gull, 1 Blackbird, 5 Pheasant. 1 Brown Hare in reptile area. Rob Harris.

Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 21:00
5 Redwing (several heard flying over with more heard over Westcliff). Paul Baker (SOG).

Friday 12th April 2013southerly to westerly, scattered clouds, max11°c    

First Local Summer Migrant Report - House Martin

Southchurch Park East 06:30 to 08:45
1 Great Crested Grebe. Dianne Hyem.

Wat Tyler Country Park, 08:20 to 08:35
Quick look from marina: 300+ Wigeon, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Spotted Redshank. Neil Chambers (SOG).

Southchurch East 08:35
Jay chasing/attacking one Blackbird near the ally to Greenways from Southchurch East. Alec Beanse.

Hanningfield Reservoir 10:45 to 14:00
40 Swallow, 4 Sand Martin, 1 House Martin, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 (possibly 2) Ruddy Shelduck, 1 Chiffchaff calling. G. Dixon.

Hadleigh Downs, 11:25 to 11:30
1 Swallow heading north. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).

EWT Thurrock Thameside 11:45 to 15:15
9 Swallow crossing river from Kent in pairs, plus 3 birds, 4 Black-tailed Godwit, c.12 Ringed Plover, c.50 Dunlin, 4 Oystercatcher, c.10 Redshank, 1 Meadow Pipit, 6 Curlew, 1 Little Egret, 1 Marsh Harrier along Kent side sea wall, c.10 Skylark, 1 pair Wigeon, 1 pair Mallard, 1 pair Pintail, c.100 Teal, few Shelduck, 1 pair Dunnock, 1 male Kestrel. David & Brenda Hale.

Wat Tyler Country Park, 13:30 to 13:50
1 Snipe, 3 Swallow, 1 House Martin, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Bearded Tit. Marc Outten (SOG).

Wat Tyler Country Park 13:35
House Martin. Dave Cornwell.

RSPB Vange Marsh 14:15 to 15:00
2 Swallow, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Chiffchaff, 3 Greenfinch, 2 Chaffinch, 3 Goldfinch, 3 Great Tit, 2 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Blue Tit, 3 Cetti's Warbler (heard only). Dave Cornwell.

RSPB Vange Marsh, 14:50 to 15:20
2 Ruff, 5 Black-tailed Godwit, 9 Curlew, 2 Greenshank, 2 Green Sandpiper, 1 Swallow, 1 House Martin, 1 Chiffchaff (none in the abstraction ditch because of high water levels and strong flow). Marc Outten (SOG).

Gunners Park, 16:30 to 17:30
2 Swallow, 6 Redwing, 1 Mistle Thrush, 1 Chiffchaff. Lee Ebbs (SOG).

North Fambridge 16:50 to 17:00
1 Oystercatcher, 2 Teal, 2 Shelduck, 2 Mallard, 1 Blackbird, 3 Collar Dove, 5 Woodpigeon, 6 Pied Wagtail, 4 Herring Gull, 7 Black-headed Gull. Rob Harris.

Southchurch Park 17:00
2 Redshank roosting on west wall of wildlife island. Robert Dobinson.

Rochford, 17:30 to 17:35
1 male Blackcap on fat balls. Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).

Little Wakering 17:30 to 17:40
2 female Brambling under feeders, a garden first. Steve Giles.

Gunners Park 17:30 to 18:30
Buzzard low over sea climbing to drift westward, Chiffchaff singing close to the pond in trees to the west, 2 Red-legged Partridges on school field and Stonechat in trench just past school field. Steve Wood.

South Fambridge, 18:15 to 18:50
1 Little Grebe, 16 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Swallow. Neil Chambers (SOG).

Two Tree Island East, 19:00 to 20:10
5 Little Egret (in egret roost), 1 Curlew, 18 Blackbird (only two singing), 3 Song Thrush (singing), 1 Cetti's Warbler. Sally Brierley (SOG).

Thursday 11th April 2013easterly, cloudy rain, max7°c    

First Local Summer Migrant Report - Swallow and Common Tern

South Benfleet, 07:15
1 male Siskin on my garden feeders. Martin Cracknell (SOG).

RSPB Vange Marsh 10:15 to 12:45
Sightings: from scrape: Green Sandpiper, Shoveler, Mallard, Black-headed Gull, Teal, 2 Avocet, Coot, Moorhen, Cetti's Warbler (many heard). On brackish lagoon: 2 Swallow, female Garganey, 2 drake Pintail, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Tufted Duck, Mallard, Gadwall, Lapwing, Snipe, Grey Heron, Oystercatcher, Shoveler, Coot, Moorhen, 6 Canada Goose, Pochard, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Pied Wagtail. Around the perimeter: Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Starling, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, 5 Stock Dove, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Robin, Blackbird, Cetti's Warbler 3 Chiffchaff and Siberian Chiffchaff in abstraction ditch, Wren, House Sparrow. Terry Jeffreys.

Gunners Park 13:00 to 15:00
1 male Blackcap behind tennis courts, 4 Common tern and 2 Sandwich Tern on Barge pier, 10 Great Crested Grebe. G. Dixon.

Gunners Park, 13:20 to 14:40
2 Common Tern on posts alongside jetty, 1 female Wheatear on reserve, 3 Redwing on reserve, 2 Lesser Redpoll. Gordon Appleton (SOG).

Gunners Park, 13:20 to 15:00
1 Red-legged Partridge in reserve, 1 Sparrowhawk, c.200 Sanderling, 2 Sandwich Tern, 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 female Wheatear in reserve, 8 Redwing in reserve, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Lesser Redpoll. 4 Brown Rat. Don Petrie (SOG).

Gunners Park, 13:45 to 14:45
2 Sandwich Tern, 1 Wheatear on reserve, 1 Fieldfare, 10 Redwing. Lee Ebbs (SOG).

Bournes Green Chase, Shoebury 14:20
1 female Green Woodpecker foraging in grass verge. Terry Strong.

Wakering, Fleet Head, 15:15 to 17:00
2 Egyptian Goose, 10 Gadwall, 1 drake Pintail, 7 Shoveler, 1 female Marsh Harrier, 1 Kestrel, 1 Stonechat, 2 Reed Bunting. Lee Ebbs (SOG).

Southchurch Park East, 15:30 to 16:00
1 Green Woodpecker. Sally Brierley (SOG).

Tesco Car Park, Springfield Road, Chelmsford 16:15
4 Waxwing in Black Poplar between car park and River Chelmer. Tim Davis.

Gunners Park, 18:20 to 19:10
1+ Little Grebe, 1 female Teal, 1 female Long-tailed Duck still on lake, 2+ Redwing. Neil Chambers (SOG).

Eastwood Road 19:30
c.15 Waxwing sitting in tree along Eastwood Road, Leigh then they flew off over houses towards Belfairs Park. Jane Lowe.

Wednesday 10th April 2013south eaterly, haze, max10°c    

First Local Summer Migrant Report - Sand Martin and Yellow Wagtail

Riverside Car Park, Chelmsford 07:35 to 07:40
c.25 Waxwing in black poplar tree all then flew off River Chelmer towards town centre. Tim Davis.

RSPB West Canvey Marsh 10:30 to 12:00
1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Green Woodpecker, 2 Kestrel, 2 Pintail. Pete Jackson.

North Shoebury 10:47
Chiffchaff on garden. Terry Strong.

RSPB Vange Marsh 11:00
1 Sand Martin, 1 Siberian Chiffchaff still in ditch. Jerry Stock.

Paglesham Eastend, 12:15 to 15:00
River Roach seawall: 3 Little Egret, 5 Red-breasted Merganser (3 male 2 female), 2 Marsh Harrier and 1 Buzzard (over Wallasea Island), 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Yellow Wagtail flew towards Wallasea Island, 11 Reed Bunting. Ray Fuller (SOG).

Gunners Park, 12:20 to 14:40
Mostly sea watching: 2 Mute Swan, 1 female Long-tailed Duck, 160+ Common Scoter, 1 Black-throated Diver (winter plumage plus 4 other distant divers), 7 Little Grebe on the lake, 80 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Mediterranean Gull (pair over), 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Stonechat (pair in Hinguar School ditch), 2 Redwing, 2 Mistle Thrush, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Lesser Redpoll in ditch at Hinguar School. Don Petrie (SOG).

Upminster, 14:15
1 Redpoll on Niger feeder in garden. 16/02/13: 1 Siskin on Niger feeder in garden. June Whittaker.

A127/A128 Halfway House 14:00 to 14:05
1 Common Buzzard, 2 Kestrel. Rob Harris.

Hanningfield Reservoir Causeway 15:00 to 15:30
160+ Black-headed Gull, 30+ Herring Gull, 30+ Common Gull, 5 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 50+ Mallard, 140+ Tufted Duck, 30+ Pochard, 200+ Wigeon, 51 Cormorant, 40+ Coot, 3 Magpie, 12 Carrion Crow, 120+ Canada Geese, 100+ Greylag Geese, 2 Egyptian Geese, 2 Shelduck, 2 Great Crested Grebe. Rob Harris.

Gunners Park, 15:00 to 15:45
6 Little Grebe on lake, 1 female Long-tailed Duck still on lake, 2 Mediterranean Gull (pair of adults). 1 Small Tortoiseshell. John Wright (SOG).

Belfairs Woods 15:30 to 16:00
30+ Redwing in mobile flocks between 13th and 14th holes, 1 Treecreeper building a nest. David Lee.

Southend Seafront, 16:00
1 adult Mediterranean Gull by the Sealife Centre. John Wright (SOG).

Battlesbridge, 16:20
30 Fieldfare in field by Beeches Road. Neil Chambers (SOG).

Paglesham Lagoon, 16:40 to 18:40
20 Little Grebe, 4 Great Crested Grebe (on Roach), 8 Wigeon, 6 Teal, 8 Pintail (5 drakes), 30 Pochard, 130 Tufted Duck, 2 Scaup (drakes - probably 1'w & adult), 4 Goldeneye, 2 Mediterranean Gull (adults), 2 Skylark (singing), 1 Corn Bunting (singing). Neil Chambers (SOG).

Basildon 17:30
Large raptor with bowed wings over Basildon hospital possible Osprey? Jim Cockram.

Tuesday 09th April 2013east north east, mostly cloudy, max6°c    

Ashingdon, 07:55 to 08:10
From church - poor visibility across Crouch: 20 Mute Swan in fields east of South Fambridge, 1 Skylark singing, 1 Goldcrest singing. Neil Chambers (SOG).

Gunners Park, 12:30 to 14:30
Mostly sea watching: 3 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 1 Red-breasted Merganser (male flew east), 3 Red-throated Diver, 10+ Great Crested Grebe, 1 Slavonian Grebe (near summer plumage, fairly distant off jetty). Don Petrie (SOG).

Thurrock Thameside Nature Park 13:28 to 14:15
1 Common Sandpiper flew south in front of hide, 60+ Avocet, 10 Pintail, 10+ Wigeon, 100+ Teal. Richard Fahey.

South Fambridge, 14:00 to 15:15
65 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 1 female Marsh Harrier and 3 Buzzard north side of River Crouch on Blue House Farm, 2 Kestrel. John Wright (SOG).

Mayflower School, Billericay 15:00
14 Mistle Thrush on playing field. Marion Burch.

RSPB Wallasea Island 17:20 to 17:50
1 Short-eared Owl, 5 Pheasant, 2 Little Egret, 3 Shelduck, 21 Redshank, 2 Oystercatcher, 50+ Corn Bunting, 6 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 25 Black-headed Gull, 20+ Herring Gull, 5 Crow, 30+ Woodpigeon. 1 Fox in Reptile Area. Rob Harris.

Monday 08th April 2013east north ease, clear, max8°c    

First Local Summer Migrant Report - Wheatear

Hockley Woods, 07:05 to 07:55
3 Green Woodpecker, 5 Great Spotted Woodpecker (3 drumming), 7 Redwing, 1 Nuthatch (main clearing), 2 Treecreeper, 2 Siskin. Neil Chambers (SOG).

Brentwood 07:15
Female Sparrowhawk took Starling from feeder. Adam and Christina Commons.

Southchurch Park East 07:35
A pair of Mute Swan overflew the lake west to east then headed north. The resident pair were in the reeds and the male came out and swam up and down looking quite aggressive for him. Alec Beanse.

Gunners Park, 10:15 to 12:15
Sea watch was from the old barge pier: 1 Red-throated Diver, 1 Black-throated Diver, 25 Great Crested Grebe, 1 adult Gannet, 2 Shag (immature and adult showed well when they came ashore to dry off. The adult has a ring on right leg, 1 female Long-tailed Duck still on lake, c.100 Common Scoter, 2 Velvet Scoter, 2 Red-legged Partridge in the grounds of Hinguar School, 8 Sandwich Tern, 3 Stonechat in the drainage ditch adjacent to Hinguar School, 4 Chiffchaff in the drainage ditch adjacent to Hinguar School. John Wright (SOG).

Poors Lane, Hadleigh 11:30
1 Goldcrest in garden on fat ball feeder. Michael King.

Lubards Farm, Hullbridge 11:30
1 male Wheatear, 2 Mistle Thrush, 30+ Redwing, 4 Tufted Duck. Hilary Knight.

Wat Tyler Country Park 12:00 to 14:30
2 Shelduck, 12 Coot, 4 Moorhen, 3 Blue Tit, 12 Carrion Crow, 3 Magpie, 2 Robin, 3 Blackbird, 30+ Woodpigeon, 3 Dunnock, 20+ Stock Dove, 5 Collared Dove, 20+ Avocet, 5 Mallard, 3 Teal, 6 Wigeon, 2 Canada Geese, 4 House Sparrow, 12 Starling, 10 Common Gull, 100+ Black-headed Gull, 60+ Herring Gull, 9 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 3 Great Black-backed Gull. Rob Harris.

RSPB Wat Tyler Country Park 12:40 to 16:00
Sightings from scrape hide: 1 pair Mallard with 9 ducklings, fly by Peregrine Falcon, 1 male Kestrel, 35 Avocet, 1 Water Rail, 1 Snipe, Cetti's#s Warbler heard, 5 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1 adult and 5 juvenile Great Black-backed Gull, 1 adult and 18 juvenile Herring Gull, many Black-headed Gull, Pochard, Tufted Duck, 4 Little Grebe, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Grey Heron. David & Brenda Hale.

Shoeburyness, Gunners Park 13:45 to 16:00
1 female Long-tailed Duck still on Gunners Park lake, 2 Red-legged Partridge, 2 Song Thrush, 1 Mistle Thrush in Hinguar School grounds. David Lee.

Canvey Wick, 14:30 to 15:30
1 Kestrel, 6 Snipe, 16 Redwing, 5 Greenfinch. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).

Sunday 07th April 2013easterly, clear, max9°c    

West Wood, Hadleigh 06:30 to 08:00
1 Woodcock flushed by dog,7 Stock Dove singing and displaying, 7 Great Spotted Woodpecker (at least 3 still drumming), 2 Green Woodpecker, 2 Mistle Thrush singing, 1 Song Thrush singing, c.8 Redwing (one briefly singing), 1 Treecreeper with nesting material, 5 Goldcrest. Richard Gray.

Gunners Park, 07:00 to 07:45
1 Woodcock flew up from ditch by Hinguar School, 1 Chiffchaff heard only. Lee Ebbs (SOG).

Ashingdon, 08:15 to 08:20
1 male Siskin in the garden. The first for a few years. Steve Sanford (SOG).

Langdon Hills 08:30 to 10:00
2 Woodcock Chapel Lane Near Reservoir, 3 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (male chased another male from female, Coombe Wood), Great Spotted Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker, Jackdaw, Crow, Blue tit, Great Tit, Long-tailed Tit, heard first Chiffchaff this year. Vince Briggs.

Southchurch Park East 09:00
2 Teal (pair) flew across to north of pond then back to south east to low reed bed. Robert Dobinson.

Ferndale Road, Rayleigh 09:00 to 16:00
2 Sparrowhawk, 2 Bullfinch, 2 Chiffchaff (first this year), 10+ Siskin, 10+ Redpoll in small groups, 6 Goldfinch, 2 Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 8 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Chaffinch, 4 Greenfinch, 2 Linnet. Robin Peppiatt.

Two Tree Island, 09:15 to 12:00
1 Little Grebe, 1 Black-necked Grebe 100yds out for 10 minutes at east end then drifted toward pier, 6 Little Egret, 42 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 31 Shelduck, 1 Kestrel, 5 Snipe, 3 Skylark, 1 Cetti's Warbler. Graham Ryland (SOG).

Gunners Park, 09:30 to 12:00
1 Red-throated Diver, 1 Great Northern Diver, 7 Little Grebe, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Slavonian Grebe, 2 Wigeon, 60+ Common Scoter, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Song Thrush, 2 Chiffchaff by tennis courts, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Goldfinch. Angela Baldock, Brian Baldock (SOG).

RSPB Rainham Marshes 09:30 to 12:30
Female Black Redstart at Ferry Lane, 4 Mute Swan, 100+ Wigeon, 10 Little Egret, Chiffchaff, 6 Lapwing, 10 Teal, Kestrel, Willow Warbler (great views in tree behind Target Pools Hide). Cetti's Warbler (many heard, none seen), Water Rail heard, Barn Owl in box, pruning, 2 Greater Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Lesser Redpoll, Reed Bunting, Dunnock, Wren. Adam and Christina Commons.

Coryton/Fobbing Marsh/Vange Wick 09:35 to 14:00
1 Water Rail seen briefly near reed bed behind Vange Wick, 1 Chiffchaff heard at Coryton, 1 Marsh Harrier, 20+ Snipe, 14 Avocet on Vange Wick, 350+ Wigeon mostly on Vange Wick, 10+ Gadwall mostly near Coryton, 75+ Teal, 10+ Shoveler mostly on Vange Wick, a few Little Egret, a few Redwing, Cetti's Warbler heard at Coryton, 1 Green Woodpecker. Richard Fahey.

Leigh on Sea, Park View Drive 10:20 to 10:25
Buzzard sp. drifted over garden slowly heading north east. Web Author.

South Fambridge to Upper Raypits 10:45 to 12:55
10 Mute Swan, 3 Whooper Swan flew East along Crouch, turned North over Bridgemarsh Island and disappeared from view over the ridge at Althorne, 14 Shelduck (much flying around calling and displaying), 1 Little Egret, 1 Kestrel, 1 Buzzard thermalling over Bluehouse Farm, 6 Meadow Pipit displaying, 4 Skylark singing, 1 Mistle Thrush. David Selley.

Shoeburyness 11:00 to 13:00
In garden: 1 pair of nesting Blackbird, 2 Goldfinch, 2 Magpie, 1 Woodpigeon, 5 Starling, at about 12:30 1 Common Buzzard from the direction of The Wakerings circled for a while then flew off in a westerly direction. Mal Watson.

Great Baddow, Chelmsford 12:00 to 16:00
In my garden: 1 female Brambling, 3 Chaffinch (2 male, 1 female), 2 Collared Dove, 2 Blackbird, 15+ House Sparrow, 2 Dunnock, 2 Robin, 2 Woodpigeon. Paul Forsdick.

Merryfields Avenue, Hockley 13:00 to 17:00
1 Bullfinch, Robin, Great Tit and several Long-tailed Tit. J. Jones.

Private Land Near Crays Hill 13:50
1 Red Kite, drifted slowly over at about 200 feet, curved back for a few minutes then flew eastwards over Wickford. Was in view for approx 3 minutes. 5 minutes later a Buzzard sp. flew north towards Hanningfield reservoir. This bird may have been a Honey Buzzard as it seemed to have longer and thinner wings than the numerous Buzzards I have seen this year. The wings were almost straight at their trailing edge, pale and barred with more pointed tips. The tail was also long. G. Dixon.

Gunners Park, 14:00 to 14:20
1 Sparrowhawk, 1 female Stonechat on reserve. Lee Ebbs (SOG).

EWT Warley Place, Brentwood 14:00 to 14:30
Coal Tit, 2 Great Tit, 2 Blue Tit, 3 Robin, 2 Long-tailed Tit, Nuthatch, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Moorhen, 2 Mallard (drake and female), 2 Chaffinch, Blackbird, Great Spotted Woodpecker (heard only). Adam and Christina Commons.

Barling, Private Road to Tip 16:00
Black Redstart flitting from post to post along tip road. Steve Day.

RSPB Wallasea Island 18:30 to 19:00
2 Short-eared Owl (Possibly 3), 1 Hen Harrier, 5 Pheasant, 1 Little Egret, 10 Reed Bunting, 50+ Corn Bunting, 12 Starling, 24 Redshank, 2 Shoveler, 4 Mallard, 2 Teal, 5 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 2 Greater Black-backed Gull, 30+ Black Headed Gull, 20+ Herring Gull, 12 Crow. 1 Fox in WBC, 1 Brown Hare in Reptile Area. Rob Harris.

Saturday 06th April 2013Latest Wildlife News on Twitter    

First Local Summer Migrant Report - Hobby

Gunners Park, 06:35 to 09:50
1 Great Northern Diver, 6 Little Grebe on lake, 25+ Great Crested Grebe, 2 Little Egret, 1 female Long-tailed Duck still on lake, 80+ Common Scoter, 4+ Velvet Scoter (2 immature drakes fairly close in before flying off east into the distance; several other sightings of singles (either lone birds or with Common Scoters) including another immature drake and at least one female/immature), 12 Little Gull (groups of 5 (4 ad + 1'w) and 7 (all adults) flew upriver), 3 Sandwich Tern. 1 Harbour Porpoise. Neil Chambers, Sally Brierley, Mike Clarke, Vince Kinsler, Marc Outten, Graham Ryland (SOG).

Basildon, Queen's Park Country Park 07:00 to 09:30
3 Jay, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker (lots more heard), 100+ Woodpigeon, 2 Green Woodpecker (several more heard), Black-headed Gull, Magpie, 2 Song Thrush, Greenfinch, Blackbird, Great Tit, Mistle Thrush, Mallard, 2 Fieldfare (fly over), Common Buzzard (pair), Long-tailed Tit, Robin, Carrion Crow, Dunnock, Goldfinch, 2 Woodcock, 10+ Redpoll, Bullfinch (3 pairs), 20+ Redwing, Linnet, Chiffchaff, Blue Tit, Chaffinch, Starling, Cormorant, Pheasant. Ben M.

RSPB Vange Marsh, 08:00
3 Pintail, 2 Snipe, 1 Cetti's Warbler (heard only), 4 Chiffchaff (Including sibe type). Mike Clarke, Vince Kinsler (SOG).

Leigh on Sea, Park View Drive 08:18
Male Sparrowhawk over garden. Web Author.

Hockley Woods 09:10
1 female Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. Tim Davis.

Gunners Park, 09:20 to 12:00
1 female Long-tailed Duck still on lake, 60+ Common Scoter, 2 Velvet Scoter flying close to Mulberry Harbour, 3 Sandwich Tern fishing in front of Mulberry Harbour, 1 Black Redstart feeding in the grounds of Hinguar School. Alan Shearman (SOG).

Fobbing/Corringham Marshes/Coryton 09:22 to 13:28
1 male Peregrine calling on pylon near Corringham Manorway, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Green Sandpiper, c.8 Snipe, 20+ Avocet, pair of Pintail on Holehaven Creek, 30+ Wigeon, 7 Gadwall at Coryton, 50+ Teal, a few Shoveler, a few Oystercatcher, 2 Little Egret, a few Redwing and Fieldfare, 1 Green Woodpecker, Cetti's Warbler included 1 near Fobbing village, a pair of Kestrel on pylon north of the Manorway reed bed. Richard Fahey.

Gunners Park, 09:55 to 10:05
2 Red-legged Partridge flew into school grounds from over the buildings to the north, 1 Black Redstart (female type in north east corner of new Hinguar school grounds, feeding and perching on tree 'stakes' close to the road. Neil Chambers, Sally Brierley, Graham Ryland (SOG).

Wakering Stairs 10:00 to 11:40
203 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 12 Mallard,(6 pairs), c.1400 Bar-tailed Godwit and 1000+ Knot,(quick look only, probably more of both - still winter sized flocks), 200+ Dunlin, 60 Grey Plover, Oystercatcher, Redshank, 33 Curlew, 1 Green Woodpecker, 6 Magpie, 13 Blackbird, 1 Redwing, 550 Chaffinch - very marked eastwards movement,(in flocks of about 20-50), with 320 counted in 20 minutes at Haven Point. David Selley.

Gunners Park, 10:30 to 11:00
1 Black Redstart (female type in Hinguar School). John Wright, Angela Baldock, Brian Baldock, Mike Clarke, Vince Kinsler (SOG).

Gunners Park, 10:30 to 12:40
Sea watching from barge pier: 2 adult Mute Swan, 1 female Long-tailed Duck on the lake, 50+ Common Scoter, 2+ Velvet Scoter (flying near Mulberry Harbour), 3 Red-legged Partridge (2 in school, 1 in building land), 6 Little Grebe on the lake, 8 Great Crested Grebe, 1 adult Shag (with crest off Shoebury Coastguards then flew to Southend Pier), 2 Sandwich Tern, 2 Green Woodpecker (pair), 1 Black Redstart in Hinguar School. Don Petrie (SOG).

EWT Blue House Farm 10:45 to 19:00
1 Barn Owl hunting from 12:50 for over 1 hour, 2 Marsh Harrier, 2 Kestrel, 1 juvenile Peregrine Falcon, 2 Avocet, c.100 Brent Geese, 1 pair Pintail, c.12 Snipe, c.200 Lapwing, 50+ Shelduck, c.30 Curlew, 1 Common Gull, 2 Oystercatcher, many Teal, Shoveler, Mallard, Pochard, Gadwall, 2 Great Crested Grebe, few Redshank, Barnacle Geese, Canada Geese, Greylag Geese, 4 Meadow Pipit, 2 Skylark, 4 Little Grebe. 7 Brown Hare, 6 Common Lizard. David & Brenda Hale.

Leigh on Sea, Park View Drive 11:00 to 11:10
3 Sparrowhawk (2 female, 1 male) thermalling over Belfairs Woods. Kris Mee, Web Author.

Leigh on Sea, Park View Drive 11:15
1 Hobby very high over garden drifting north. Kris Mee, Web Author.

RSPB Vange Marsh, 11:30 to 13:30
6 Pintail (4 drakes), 2 Snipe, 1 Curlew, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Wren, 8 Redwing (just outside reserve), 2 Cetti's Warbler, 6 Chiffchaff (intermittent singing except the possible Sibe type which was feeding silently low down in the ditch), 3 Bearded Tit (heard only). Sally Brierley (SOG).

Hockley/Hawkwell, 11:50 to 12:20
7 Siskin feeding actively on garden feeders, 7 at one time on sunflower hearts. Peter Collins (SOG).

Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 13:00
1 Chiffchaff singing briefly from football pitches at end of road. 1 Small Tortoiseshell. Paul Baker (SOG).

Shoeburyness 13:15
1 Goldcrest in garden again, brief visit from a Wren. Mal Watson.

Hanningfield Reservoir 14:00 to 14:30
250+ Black-headed Gull, 50+ Herring Gull, 30+ Common Gull, 12 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 100+ Mallard, 40+ Tufted Duck, 40+ Pochard, 200+ Wigeon, 25 Teal, 50+ Cormorant, 70+ Coot, 7 Magpie, 23 Carrion Crow, 2 Pied Wagtail, 100+ Canada Geese, 100+ Greylag Geese, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Little Grebe, 7 Moorhen, 1 Ruddy Shelduck, 6 Blackbird. Rob Harris.

Rochford Golf Course, 14:40 to 18:00
2 adult Mediterranean Gull flying over, 2 Stock Dove, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Skylark singing over airport, 1 Mistle Thrush singing. Neil Chambers (SOG).

Abberton Reservoir 15:30 to 16:30
28 Mute Swan, 50+ Herring Gull, 400+ Black-headed Gull, 16 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 50+ Common Gull, 30+ Pochard, 100+ Tufted Duck, 30+ Teal, 20+ Greylag Geese, 30+ Mallard, 12 Canada Geese, 1 Swan Goose, 2 Aylesbury Duck, 30+ Coot, 4 Moorhen, 4 Shelduck, 150+ Carrion Crow, 5 Magpie, 100+ Wood Pigeon, 1 Blackbird, 20 Lapwing, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Little Grebe, 3 White-fronted Geese, 2 Pied Wagtail, 70+ Cormorant, 2 Red-legged Partridge. A number of hybrid White Greylag Geese. Rob Harris.

Battlesbridge, 16:30
1 Buzzard sitting in tree between new A130 and old A130, just south of River Crouch. Paul Baker (SOG).

Two Tree Island East, 19:20 to 20:20
4 Little Egret, 1 Woodcock, 1 Cetti's Warbler heard. John Wright (SOG).

Friday 05th April 2013north easterly, partly cloudy, max6°c    

Gunners Park, 07:20 to 12:00
5 Red-throated Diver all in flight, 1 Black-throated Diver in flight, 3 Great Northern Diver together on sea, 20+ Great Crested Grebe, 1 Slavonian Grebe (winter plumage bird off barge pier), 2 immature Shag off barge pier and adult with crest off coastguards, 1 female Long-tailed Duck still on lake, 125 Common Scoter (probably more, in small groups), 4 Velvet Scoter (at least 4 around the mulberry harbour. Often flew around but came back to the harbour area of sea), 1 drake Red-breasted Merganser on the sea, 10 adult Little Gull (winter plumage), 2 Kittiwake (adult & 1st w.), 1 adult Gannet, 1 female Long-tailed Duck on lake. 1 Harbour Porpoise. Don Petrie, John Wright (SOG).

Canewdon, Apton Hall Road 07:55
1 Barn Owl hunting field towards Scotts Hall Farm. David Selley.

Hockley 08:15 to 08:30
2 Siskin (pair), 1 male Great Spotted Woodpecker on feeders. Tim Davis.

Southchurch Park East 08:50
1 Jack Snipe flew from back of low reed bed to just below north bank (below 2nd telegraph pole), feeding and bobbing, 2 minutes later flew to north east corner front of reed bed. Robert Dobinson.

EWT Warley Place 11:45 to 15:15
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 5 Nuthatch, 2 Wren, 2 Treecreeper, 8 Long-tailed Tit, 4 Coal Tit, 1 Siskin, many Great Tit, few Blue Tit, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Moorhhen, 4 Mallard (3 drake, 1 female), 1 Green Woodpecker heard, 3 pair Blackbird, 4 Robin, male and female Chaffinch. 1 Brown Rat. David & Brenda Hale.

RSPB Vange Marsh, 12:35 to 13:20
3 drake Pintail, 1 female Marsh Harrier, 5 Snipe, 2 Cetti's Warbler heard, 4 Chiffchaff (inc. probable Sibe Chiff). John Wright, Angela Baldock, Brian Baldock, Don Petrie (SOG).

Thundersley Great Common 13:15
2 Redwing. One perched on tree near path and was showing well. Steve Simmons.

Canvey Point 14:30 to 16:30
1 Red-throated Diver, 1 Sandwich Tern, 1 Little Gull, 2 Bar-tailed Godwit, 10+ Great Crested Grebe, 20+ Brent Geese, 20+ Grey Plover, 100+ Oystercatcher, 10+ Curlew, 2 Redshank, 100+ Dunlin, 12 Cormorant. T. Blackwell.

RSPB Wallasea Island 16:30 to 17:10
40+ Corn Bunting, 4 Shelduck, 4 Magpie, 15 Redshank, 20+ Dunlin, 12 Grey Plover, 20+ Common Crow, 30+ Stock Dove, 40+ Woodpigeon, 70+ Black-headed Gull, 20+ Common Gull, 13 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 50+ Herring Gull, 2 Grey Heron, 2 Little Egret, 2 Teal, 4 Mallard, 6 Pheasant, 2 Kestrel. 1 Brown Hare. Rob Harris.

Gunners Park, 17:25 to 18:00
1 Great Northern Diver, 4 Little Grebe on lake, 25+ Great Crested Grebe, 2 Slavonian Grebe (1 moulting into summer plumage very close in just west of barge pier; 1 winter plumaged bird drifting east distantly), 3 Canada Goose flew east, 1 Long-tailed Duck still on lake, 100+ Common Scoter. Neil Chambers, Sally Brierley (SOG).

Hockley Woods, 18:25 to 18:50
1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Treecreeper, 15 Greenfinch, 10 Goldfinch in trees by car park and Bull pub. Neil Chambers (SOG).

Thursday 04th April 2013north easterly, mostly cloudy, max3°c    

Daws Heath 12:00
21 Siskin and approx. 15 Redpoll in a flock of about 50-60 birds, including Chaffinch and Greenfinch feeding voraciously on sunflower hearts in my garden. Paul Rossiter.

Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 12:05
1 Sparrowhawk flew through garden and landed in tree, 1 Siskin flew low east calling. Paul Baker (SOG).

Hullbridge 13:00
4 Siskin (3 male, 1 female) on feeders. Hilary Knight.

RSPB Vange Marsh, 13:10 to 13:50
17 Teal, 2 Garganey (pair flushed from the moat in front of the middle viewing mound, flew around and settled on the main fresh lagoon, c.25 Shoveler, 1 Wren, 4 Chiffchaff (inc. the possible Sibe type bird in abstraction ditch, not heard call). Marc Outten (SOG).

Southchurch Park and Southchurch Park East 17:00
6 Turnstone on island and feeding around pond grass bank, 2 Redshank on island. 2 Lesser Black-Backed Gulls near low reed bed. Robert Dobinson.

Gunners Park, 17:25 to 18:50
Sea watching from old barge pier: 1 Red-throated Diver flew east, 1 Black-throated Diver flew east, 1 Great Northern Diver drifting east, 3 Little Grebe on lake, 100+ Great Crested Grebe (several small groups all over, including c.40 close in), 1 Red-necked Grebe close in drifting west on its own - moulting to summer plumage, 1 Slavonian Grebe still mostly in winter plumage close in with GCG's drifting east, 1 female Long-tailed Duck still on lake, 3 Common Scoter, 1 adult Little Gull flew east, 1 Gavia sp. (probably another Black-throat, flew east, but too distant). Neil Chambers

RSPB Vange Marsh, 17:50 to 19:15
6 Pintail (4 drakes), 5 Snipe, 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Redwing, 3 Cetti's Warbler (2 heard only), 3 Chiffchaff (incl. the silent odd one). Vince Kinsler (SOG).

Wednesday 03rd April 2013north easterly, mostly cloudy snow, max3°c    

Elm Road Shoebury 07:13
10 Redwing. David Dedman.

RSPB Vange Marsh, 09:30 to 13:00
3 drake Pintail, 1 male Marsh Harrier, 11 Snipe, 1 Green Sandpiper, 4 Redwing, 4 Cetti's Warbler, 6 Chiffchaff (including possible 'Sibe' all in the extraction ditch). Alan Shearman (SOG).

Hockley Woods 10:40 to 14:10
1 female Lesser Spotted Woodpecker inspecting a tree hole and giving good ID views, 1 Nuthatch at tree hole, 1 Coal Tit, 1 Song Thrush, c.30 Redwing, Blue Tit, Great Tit, 1 Chaffinch, 4 Robin, many male and female Blackbird. David & Brenda Hale.

Ferndale Road, Rayleigh 12:00 to 16:00
1 Common Buzzard heading north mobbed by crows, 1-2 Redpoll over calling, 4 Siskin, 10 Goldfinch. Robin Peppiatt.

Parkanaur Avenue, Thorpe Bay 15:30
2 Siskin (male & female) on feeders in garden. Ian Smith.

Laindon 16:35
Swallow dead in West Mayne road. Web Author.

Tuesday 02nd April 2013north easterly, partly cloudy, max7°c    

River Chelmer, Chelmsford 07:25
2 Goosander (pair) by Riverside car park. Tim Davis.

Shoebury, Elm Road 08:00
2 Redwing. David Dedman.

Little Wakering 09:15
4 male and 1 female Siskin on feeders, first in seven years. Steve Giles.

Southend High School, 09:30 to 09:45
1 Green Woodpecker, 5 Fieldfare. Sally Brierley (SOG).

RSPB West Canvey Marsh 10:30 to 13:00
3 Reed Bunting, 2 Song Thrush, 1 Meadow Pipit, 2 Skylark, 1 Jack Snipe, many Wigeon, Shoveler, Teal, 6 Shelduck, 2 Mediterranean Gull. Hilary Knight.

Hockley Woods 11:15 to 14:00
1 Treecreeper, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Jay, 1 Green Woodpecker heard, 4 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Robin, many Great Tit, many Blue Tit both species busy investigating nesting holes. David & Brenda Hale.

Billericay 11:35
1 pair of Siskin on niger feeder in garden. Ben M.

Shoeburyness, Gunner's Park 12:45 to 14:15
Starling, House Sparrow, Blackbird, Magpie, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Feral Pigeon, Carrion Crow, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Mallard, Goldfinch, Robin, Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Dunnock, Goldcrest, Jay, Green Woodpecker, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Oystercatcher, Curlew, Redshank, Turnstone, Ringed Plover, Mute Swan, Long-tailed Duck, Little Grebe, Herring Gull, Moorhen. S. Jackson.

Shoeburyness 13:45
1 Goldcrest in our garden this was the third sighting since 1500hrs Friday then again on Saturday morning at 0915 hrs my wife also saw it in Constable Way near the Renown This was about 1000hrs. Mal Watson.

Benfleet Downs, 14:00 to 15:00
1 Woodcock, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Bullfinch. 2 Adder. 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Comma. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).

Gunners Park, 16:00 to 17:30
5 Red-throated Diver (plus 2 other distant divers probably this species), 1 Black-throated Diver got up off the sea flew for about 50 metres before landing back on the sea, 1 Great Northern Diver showed well as it flew past east before landing on the sea just off the boom, 18 Great Crested Grebe, 1 female Long-tailed Duck still on lake, 1 immature male Marsh Harrier flying low over the sea heading east battling against the wind - why it never came inland I don't know!, 7 adult Little Gull (winter plumage), 1 Sandwich Tern. John Wright (SOG).

River Chelmer, Chelmsford 16:05
1 Kingfisher by Riverside car park. Tim Davis.

Private Land Near Crays Hill 17:30
2 Swallow circling overhead for 5 minutes. G. Dixon.

Monday 01st April 2013north easterly, partly cloudy, max7°c    

Hockley/Hawkwell, 08:00 to 08:10
2 Siskin (male and female on garden feeder). Peter Collins (SOG).

Rayleigh, Fairland Close 08:45
Siskin on feeders. John Atfield.

Two Tree Island, 10:00 to 13:30
3 Canada Goose, 300+ Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 5 Shelduck, 12 Wigeon, 13 Teal, 1 Shoveler, 3 Golden Plover, 8 Snipe, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Song Thrush. Brian Baldock (SOG).

Private Land Near Crays Hill 11:20
1 Woodcock. G. Dixon.

Hadleigh Downs, 11:55 to 14:00
7 Green Woodpecker, 2 Bullfinch. Neil Chambers (SOG).

Abberton Reservoir 13:00 to 13:30
28 Mute Swan, 50+ Herring Gull, 200+ Black-headed Gull, 7 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 14 Common Gull, 30+ Pochard, 100+ Tufted Duck, 30+ Teal, 1 Swan Goose, 20+ Greylag Geese, 30+ Mallard, 12 Canada Geese, 2 Aylesbury Duck, 30+ Coot, 4 Moorhen, 2 Oystercatcher, 150+ Carrion Crow, 5 Magpie, 1 Chaffinch, 100+ Wood Pigeon, 29 Fieldfare, 3 Blackbird, 2 Blue Tit, 5 Pheasant. A number of hybrid White Greylag Geese. Rob Harris.

Fobbing/Corringham Marshes/Coryton 13:28 to 17:25
1 Marsh Harrier, 10+ Wigeon, 4 Gadwall, 50+ Teal, a few Shoveler, 7 Black-tailed Godwit on lagoon, a few Oystercatcher, Little Egret, a few Fieldfare and Redwing. Richard Fahey.

Hanningfield Reservoir Causeway 14:30 to 14:40
160+ Black-headed Gull, 30+ Herring Gull, 30+ Common Gull, 5 Lesser Black Backed Gull, 30+ Mallard, 40+ Tufted Duck, 10 Pochard, 200+ Wigeon, 45 Cormorant, 40+ Coot, 3 Magpie, 12 Carrion Crow, 1 Pied Wagtail, 20+ Canada Geese, 100+ Greylag Geese. Rob Harris.

RSPB Vange Marsh, 14:45 to 17:45
2 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Teal, 1 Marsh Harrier (near adult male), 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Lapwing, 7 Snipe, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 6 Chiffchaf including the Siberian Chiffchaff which showed exceptionally well for prolonged periods, 1 female Reed Bunting, 1 Water Shrew? (small rodent seen swimming in abstraction ditch). Paul Baker, Don Petrie (SOG).

Wakering Stairs 16:00 to 17:00
4 adult Little Gull, Tide much higher than predicted in unrelenting east wind. David Selley.

Gunners Park, 17:05 to 18:30
1 Black-throated Diver flew east, 2 Little Grebe on lake, 30+ Great Crested Grebe, 1 female Long-tailed Duck still on lake, 25+ Common Scoter, 6 adult Little Gull lingering offshore, 2 Sandwich Tern flew west. Neil Chambers (SOG).

Canvey Seafront, 18:00 to 18:45
9 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 4 Teal, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 3 Mediterranean Gull (including cracking adult summer close in), 1 Grey Wagtail in stream by car park. Paul Baker, Don Petrie (SOG).

RSPB Wallasea Island 18:00 to 18:45
1 Merlin, 60+ Corn Bunting, 1 Curlew, 2 Shelduck, 4 Magpie, 21 Redshank, 30+ Dunlin, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 12 Grey Plover, 20+ Common Crow, 30+ Stock Dove, 40+ Woodpigeon, 1 Blackbird, 100+ Black-headed Gull, 9 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 50+ Common Gull, 50+ Herring Gull, 1 Grey Heron, 30+ Brent Geese. Rob Harris.

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