South East Essex RSPB Wildlife Reports for April 2015
Thursday 30th April 2015westerly to northerly, scattered clouds, max15°c
First Local Summer Migrant Report - Garden Warbler
Leigh on Sea, Park View drive 07:00
2 Sparrowhawk (pair) over garden. Web Author.
Gunners Park and Shoebury Beach 09:30
1 Kestrel, 2 Whitethroat, Moorhen (nest building), 1 Little Grebe, numerous Greenfinch, c.100 Dunlin, c.100 Sanderling, 12 Turnstone, 1 Great Crested Grebe. Marie Tarrant.
Wickford 10:13 to 10:15
1 Common Buzzard being mobbed by Carrion Crow. Rob Harris.
Two Tree Island, 11:30 to 12:40
2 Little Grebe, 1 Little Egret, 4 Cuckoo (2 east, 2 west), 1 Swift, 2 Swallow, 3 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Reed Warbler, 5+ Blackcap 1 Garden Warbler, many Whitethroat. Web Author.
Billericay 11:45
2 Buzzard being mobbed by single gull high in the sky over garden. Marion Burch.
RSPB Wallasea Island 11:45 to 12:30
12 Mallard, 1 Blackbird, 4 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Little Egret, 2 Kestrel, 30+ Corn Bunting, 100+ Woodpigeon, 14 Linnet, 6 Common Pheasant, 60+ Starling, 3 Skylark, 12 Whimbrel, 3 Magpie, 80+ Herring Gull, 3 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 50+ Black-headed Gull, 60+ Carrion Crow, 1 Mute Swan, 1 Whitethroat. 1 Brown Hare. Rob Harris.
Gunners Park 13:10 to 14:00
40+ Carrion Crow, 6 Magpie, 1 Mute Swan, 50+ Herring Gull, 60+ Black-headed Gull, 2 Greater Black-backed Gull, 20+ Lesser Black-backed Gull, 3 Common Gull, 3 Blue Tit, 1 Long-tailed Tit, 3 Greenfinch, 3 Blackbird, 30+ Starling, Moorhen, 9 Coot, 12 Turnstone, 100+ Sanderling, 100+ Dunlin. Rob Harris.
Hullbridge, Lubards Farm 16:30
2 House Martin. Hilary Knight.
Chelmsford, Great Baddow, 16:45 to 17:00
1 Sparrowhawk circling overhead slowly westwards, 1 Red Kite gliding eastwards. Paul Forsdick.
Benfleet, Hall Farm Road, 17:50
1 Swift. Andrew Bridge.
Leigh on Sea 07:30 and 19:00
1 Ring Ouzel seen on two occasions in front and back garden. Susan Bird.
Wednesday 29th April 2015south westerly, partly cloudy, max12°c
RSPB Wallasea Island 09:00
1 male Hen or possible Montagu's Harrier, 2 Kestrel, 1 Yellow Wagtail, Corn Bunting, Reed Bunting, Skylark, Linnet, 2 Common Whitethroat. 2 Brown Hare. Marie Tarrant.
Two Tree Island 18:30 to 19:30
5+ Cuckoo (5 together about 300m from West end 100m from shore) with 2 (possibly different) about 50m north-east of lagoon hide. Peter Norgate and Michael Daniels.
Wakering Common 18:00 to 19:00
6+ Swallow, 6+ Goldfinch, 2 Moorhen, 6+ Mallard, 1 Wren, 2 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Pheasant, 4+ Great Tit, 2 Coot, 4 Greenfinch, 1 Kestrel, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Cuckoo (heard in the distance), 20+ Collared Dove, 20+ Wood Pigeon. David Grimes.
Tuesday 28th April 2015westerly, partly cloudy, max13°c
First Local Summer Migrant Report - Redstart
Stort Navigation Nr Little Hallingbury 11:00
Common Sandpiper. Marie Tarrant.
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 13:55 to 16:00
2 Wheatear west of track, immature male and female Marsh Harrier, 10+ Whimbrel mostly behind south pool, 1 Common Sandpiper on creek, 7 Avocet on creek/lagoon, 1 Lesser Whitethroat at Coryton, Sedge Warbler heard, 2 Swallow, c.10 Teal, 2 pairs of Gadwall, pair of Shoveler on creek, 3 Little Egret, a few Cetti's Warbler heard, 1 Little Grebe at Coryton, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Corn Bunting singing. Richard Fahey.
Two Tree Island (East) 14:20 to 15:40
2 Greenfinch, 3 Chaffinch, 5 House Sparrow, 2 Whitethroat, 3 Blackbird, 1 Song Thrush, 2 Dunnock, 1 Pheasant, 6 Teal, 20+ Mallard (some with ducklings), 2 Little Grebe, 7 Coot, 5 Moorhen, 1 Kestrel, 1 Hobby, 50+ Black-headed Gull, 60+ Herring Gull, 1 Cuckoo (heard only). Rob Harris.
RSPB Wallasea Island 16:30 to 18:00
14+ Linnet, 30+ Corn Bunting, 2 Reed Bunting, 1 Whitethroat, 6 House Sparrow, 3 Skylark, 1 male Redstart (back of car park along borrowdyke disturbed by dogs and motorbikes), 2 Oystercatcher, 5 Whimbrel, 60+ Herring Gull, 1 Moorhen, 12 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 80+ Black-headed Gull, 1 Common Gull, 30+ Mallard, 2 Little Egret, 2 Grey Plover, 60+ Carrion Crow, 4 Magpie, 1 Short-eared Owl, 43 Starling, 8 Common Pheasant. Rob Harris.
Barling Hall Creek 18:45
1 Whimbrel on same oyster shell and rock bank as last two years. Terry Thorneycroft.
Monday 27th April 2015variable, scattered clouds, max11°c
First Local Summer Migrant Report - Hobby
Hullbridge, River Crouch 06:55
1 Whimbrel. David Chivers.
Wickford: Thackeray Row 10:00
2 Swallow flying low across my garden. Gareth Powell.
EWT Bluehouse Farm 10:00 to 12:00
2 Whimbrel, 28 Avocet, 2 Snipe, 1 Barnacle Goose, 4 Gadwall, 20 Shelduck, 2 Shoveler, 2 Sparrowhawk, 1 Buzzard, 2 Little Egret, 2 Reed Bunting, 1 Yellowhammer, 2 Grey Heron, 12 Lapwing, 1 Black Tern, 1 Common Tern, 1 Little Tern, 1 Swift, 2 Swallow, 6 Whitethroat. 6 Hare. John Wilson.
Two Tree Island 10:30
1 Cuckoo, 3 Reed Warbler, 1 Reed Bunting, 1 Little Egret, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Song Thrush, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 5 Blackcap, 10 Whitethroat, 6 Swallow, 2 Goldfinch, 3 Greenfinch, 1 Green Woodpecker, 4 Avocet, 5 Shelduck, 1 Turnstone, many Redshank, Oystercatcher. Richard Shepherd.
Daws Heath 11:00
1 female Sparrowhawk through the garden, 1 Buzzard overhead pursued by Herring Gulls. At 11.30 another, or the same one, was over Pound Wood, where there were 2 Chiffchaff. Sparrowhawk and Buzzard are regular sightings here - sadly haven't seen a Kestrel here for many months. Mike Sagrott.
RSPB Wat Tyler Country Park 12:30 to 16:00
Sightings from scrape hide: 2 Hobby, 1 Marsh Harrier, 6 Bearded Tit, 2 Reed Warbler, 2 Grey Heron, 2 Little Egret, 2 Little Grebe, 1 Common Tern, 2 Shelduck, many Swallow, 2 House Martin, 1 Swift, few Pochard, Tufted Duck, Mallard, Cuckoo heard, Cetti's Warbler heard. David & Brenda Hale.
RSPB Wallasea Island 15:00 to 16:10
4 Mallard, 3 Blackbird, 2 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 30+ Corn Bunting, 100+ Woodpigeon, 6 Common Pheasant, 1 Reed Bunting, 14 Linnet, 3 Starling, 3 Skylark, 2 Magpie, 60+ Carrion Crow, 2 Oystercatcher, 100+ Herring Gull, 6 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 50+ Black-headed Gull, 2 Shelduck, 1 Mute Swan. Rob Harris.
Gunners Park 16:00 to 16:30
1 kestrel, 8 Greenfinch, 1 Blackcap, 12 linnet. Kris Mee, Web Author.
Southend Seafront 16:20 to 16:25
9 Brent Geese. Kris Mee, web Author.
Paglesham 16:20 to 16:45
20+ Corn Bunting, 2 Chaffinch, 100+ Woodpigeon, 14 Blackbird, 7 Common Pheasant, 40+ Carrion Crow, 3 Magpie, 12 Linnet, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Mistle Thrush, 6 Starling. 3 Rabbit. Rob Harris.
Southchurch Park
4 Mute Cygnets hatched and on water, female still turning an egg or two but most probably will not hatch. Territorial going on with cygnets using island where Coot nest is. Robert Dobinson.
Sunday 26th April 2015north easterly, light rain, max11°c
Canvey Point 10:10 to 11:00
20+ Common Tern, 5 Sanderling, 200+ Brent Geese, 3 Curlew, 2 Little Egret, 5 Turnstone, 10 Oystercatcher, 5 Shelduck, 6 Great Crested Grebe, 4 Cormorant, 2 Swallow. 1 Common Seal. Terry Blackwell.
Southchurch Park and Southchurch Park East 16:45
Southchurch Park: 4 Mute Cygnets hatched, 6 Coot chicks being fed by adult Coots and by the Little Grebes! Little Grebes building new nest on south ramp. Southchurch Park East: 4 Mallard ducklings at east end of pond under south east Willow tree. Robert Dobinson.
RSPB Wallasea Island 16:45 to 18:00
5 Mallard, 2 Blackbird, 2 Little Egret, 2 Grey Heron, 30+ Corn Bunting, 80+ Woodpigeon, 8 Common Pheasant, 1 Reed Bunting, 8 Linnet, 9 Starling, 2 Skylark, 5 Magpie, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Whimbrel, 60+ Herring Gull, 1 Moorhen, 3 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 80+ Black-headed Gull, 40+ Carrion Crow, 2 Mute Swan, 4 Shelduck, 5 House Sparrow, 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Barn Owl. 1 Brown Hare. Rob Harris.
Paglesham 18:10 to 18:40
1 Little Owl, 2 Goldfinch, 20+ Corn Bunting, 3 Chaffinch, 200+ Woodpigeon, 7 Blackbird, 7 Moorhen, 9 Common Pheasant, 21 Carrion Crow, 1 Magpie, 5 Mallard, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 9 Linnet. 5 Rabbit, 1 Brown Hare. Rob Harris.
Saturday 25th April 2015south south west, partly cloudy, max18°c
Stambridge Allotments 07:40 to 08:00
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming, 1 Mistle Thrush singing, 2 Song Thrush, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Greenfinch displaying. David Selley.
Leigh-on-Sea, Tattersall Gardens 08:40
1 male Sparrowhawk crossed garden north to south in low ambush flight at fence height. Martin Johnson.
Rayleigh, Glasseys Lane 09:45
Male Sparrowhawk perched in ash tree in back garden for 10 minutes. Peter Bowden.
Wickford Memorial Park 11:00
1 Ring-necked Parakeet flew over our garden squawking, then sat in a tree in the park for 5 minutes. Pam Bigland.
Abberton Reservoir 14:20 to 15:40
100+ Mallard, 50+ Tufted Duck, 16 Pochard, 60+ Coot, 100+ Black-headed Gull, 120+ Herring Gull, 4 Blackbird, 5 Chaffinch, 2 Bullfinch, 6 Magpie, 90+ Carrion Crow, 150+ Canada Geese, 150+ Greylag Geese, 150+ Cormorant, 120+ Woodpigeon, 30+ Starling, 3 Skylark, 20+ Great Crested Grebe, 11 Little Egret, 20+ Jackdaw, 7 Common Pheasant, 4 Red Legged Partridge, 1 Kestrel, 67 Mute Swan, 14 Common Tern, 12 Arctic Tern, 14 Lapwing, 3 Pied Wagtail, Swan Goose. Rob Harris.
Wakering Stairs 17:40 to 18:35
2 Cuckoo, 1 Sand Martin, 2 House Martin, 6 Swallow, 2 Nightingale, 1 Song Thrush, 8 Whitethroat, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Skylark, 5 Chaffinch. David Selley.
Friday 24th April 2015easterly, mostly cloudy, max12°c;
Fossetts Way 10:00
Single Cuckoo (in fine voice) in the bushes running along Fossetts Way. A first for me in this area. Phil Lusher.
RSPB Canvey Wick 12:30 to 14:15
2 Cuckoo, 1 Nightingale (full song for 10 minutes), 1 Willow Warbler, Cetti's Warbler, Blackcap (+2 females), Common Whitethroat, 2 Green Woodpecker, Long-tailed Tit, Swallow, Mediterranean Gull. Brimstone and Orange Tip butterflies. Tim Hurdley.
Two Tree Island 12:45 to 14:30
4 Canada Goose, 2 pairs Shelduck, Mallard, Pheasant, Cuckoo, 7 Avocet, Common Redshank, Black-headed Gull (displaying), 2 pair Common Tern (displaying), Sparrowhawk, 2 Swallow, 1 Blackcap, 12+ Common Whitethroat, Dunnock, Chaffinch. Web Author.
RSPB Vange Marsh 15:00 to 17:30
20 Black-tailed Godwit, 6 Redshank, 8 Avocet, 1 Green Sandpiper, 4 Snipe, 3 Common Tern, 4 Oystercatcher, 1 Reed Bunting, 2 Shelduck, 5 Tufted Duck, 3 Gadwall, 6 Wigeon, 18 Greenshank on brackish lagoon. David Shepherd.
Wickford High Street 16:00
Red Kite seen flying west towards Billericay. Gareth Powell.
RSPB Wallasea Island 17:20 to 18:00
5 Mallard, 2 Blackbird, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Little Egret, 1 Kestrel, 1 Grey Heron, 40+ Corn Bunting, 150+ Woodpigeon, 8 Common Pheasant, 2 Reed Bunting, 14 Linnet, 20+ Starling, 5 Skylark, 2 Oystercatcher, 3 Whimbrel, 100+ Herring Gull, 5 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 80+ Black-headed Gull, 5 Magpie, 40+ Carrion Crow, 2 Mute Swan, 4 Shelduck, 2 Moorhen. 1 Brown Hare. Rob Harris.
Paglesham 18:15 to 18:40
14 Common Pheasant, 2 Red-legged Partridge, 4 Moorhen, 11 Blackbird, 2 Chaffinch, 2 Blue Tit, 14 Corn Bunting, 12 Linnet, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 100+ Woodpigeon, 3 Magpie, 30+ Carrion Crow, 40+ Black-headed Gull, 12 Herring Gull, 17 Starling, 1 Kestrel. Rob Harris.
North Shoebury 18:34
20+ House Martin over and around. Had spotted one earlier in the day but then suddenly a large influx ahead of the weather. Terry Strong.
Thursday 23rd April 2015easterly, mostly cloudy, max12°c
First Local Summer Migrant Report - Swift
RSPB Bowers marsh 07:30 to 13:00
1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Marsh Harrier, Swallow (in abundance), Corn Bunting, 1 Black-necked Grebe, 2 Greenshank, House Martin, Reed Warbler (good views), Stonechat (pair), 2 Mediterranean Gull,2 Green Sandpiper, Cuckoo (flew over), 1 Snipe, Blackcap, Buzzard, Swift, Sand Martin, Spoonbill feeding, seen from East Haven viewpoint. Red Fox, adder. Jeff Kinnerman.
Abberton Reservoir 15:30 to 16:10
200+ Mallard, 150+ Tufted Duck, 100+ Pochard, 50+ Coot, 250+ Black-headed Gull, 200+ Herring Gull, 7 Blackbird, 5 Chaffinch, 2 Blue Tit, 12 Magpie, 32 Lapwing, 1 Robin, 70+ Mute Swan, 150+ Canada Geese, 150+ Greylag Geese, 90+ Carrion Crow, 150+ Cormorant, 200+ Woodpigeon, 17 Starling, 3 Skylark, 15 Pied Wagtail, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Little Egret, 20+ Jackdaw, 7 Common Pheasant, 2 Common Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 1 Common Tern, 1 Swan Goose. Rob Harris.
Mayland, Essex 16:30
1 Buzzard - Forth sighting over two weeks. Ernie Stamp.
RSPB Wallasea Island 17:30 to 18:20
2 Red-legged Partridge, 8 Common Pheasant, 12 Starling, 100+ Black-headed Gull, 100+ Herring Gull, 7 Reed Bunting, 20+ Corn Bunting, 6 Skylark, 9 Linnet, 2 Little Egret, 1 Kestrel, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Whimbrel, 30+ Carrion Crow, 5 Magpie, 100+ Woodpigeon. Rob Harris.
Leigh on Sea, Park View Drive 18:15
1 Swift over garden. Web Author.
Wednesday 22nd April 2015easterly,partly cloudy, max12°c
Hadleigh Downs Country Park 19:25
Short-eared Owl hunting in vicinity of railway footpath crossing. Peter Bowden.
RSPB Rainham Marshes
Cetti's Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Lapwing, Snipe, Reed Bunting, 3 Bearded Tit, 1 Swallow, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Pochard, Shoveler, Little Grebe, 8 Greenshank. Marie Tarrant.
Tuesday 21st April 2015east north east, clear, max15°c
Leigh on Sea, park View drive 08:00
Sparrowhawk, House Martin over garden, also recently fledged Robin. Web Author.
Two Tree Island 10:00 to 10:30
Grasshopper Warbler good long view of reeling bird. Peter Bowden.
RSPB Bowers Marsh 10:00 to 12:00
1 Black-necked Grebe, 2 Black-winged Stilt, 10 Little Grebe, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 6 Shoveler, 10 Gadwall, 6 Lapwing, 7 Stock Dove, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Reed Bunting, 1 Corn Bunting. 1 Fox. John Wilson.
EWT Warley Place 12:10 to 13:30
4 Blue Tit, 6 Great Tit, 3 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Dunnock, 2 Moorhen, 2 Blackbird, 3 Jackdaw, 4 Mallard with ducklings, 3 Magpie, 15 Carrion Crow, 1 Sparrowhawk. Rob Harris.
RSPB Canvey Wick 12:30 to 14:00
1 Cuckoo calling, 2 Nightingale singing, 10+ Blackcap, 10+ Common Whitethroat, 10+ Chiffchaff, 3 Swallow, Linnet, Chaffinch, Goldfinch. 1 female Adder. first visit, excellent! Tim Hurdley.
Shoeburyness, Gunners Park, 13:40 to 15:30
Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Carrion Crow, Woodpigeon, Starling, Collared Dove, Magpie, Blackbird, Greenfinch, Robin, Blue Tit, Feral Pigeon, Moorhen, Mallard, House Martin, Swallow, Dunnock, Goldfinch, Meadow Pipit, House Sparrow, Wheatear, Common Gull, Little Grebe, Chaffinch. I understand the Cob Mute Swan was killed over the weekend leaving the Pen by herself, but there is no sign of her to-day. S. Jackson & M. Hill.
East Hanningfield Road near Hyde Hall 14:15
1 Red Kite. Stuart Grove.
Rayleigh 15:30
Buzzard circling over High Road, then glided eastwards. Great sight against the clear blue sky. Peter Bowden.
Monday 20th April 2015east north east, clear, max15°c
First Local Summer Migrant Report - Grasshopper Warbler
Two Tree Island 07:00
At least 2 Grasshopper Warbler, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Stonechat, 6 Linnet, 15+ Common Whitethroat, 8+ Blackcap, 6 Avocet, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Oystercatcher. Marie Tarrant.
Leigh on Sea, Park View Drive 07:45 to 08:00
Female Sparrowhawk, 2 Jackdaw over garden. Kris Mee, Web Author.
Southend, Temple Farm 08:00 to 09:15
Footpaths from industrial estate to Rochford: 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker (drumming), 4 Pheasant, 6 Blackcap (all singing males), 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Cetti's Warbler singing in Tinkers Lane, 2 Skylark, Great Tit, Blue Tit, 3 Greenfinch, 2 Yellowhammer, 2 Linnet. 3 Red Fox. David Selley.
Abberton Reservoir 10:00 to 11:15
1 Black Tern, 2 Reed Bunting, many Skylark, 1 Yellowhammer, Teal, 2 Whitethroat,2 Shoveler. John Wilson.
Rayleigh High Road 10:15
Buzzard circling high, north of The Weir, then heading west. Peter Bowden.
Ashingdon 13:40
Buzzard low over the foot of Ashingdon Hill. Kris Mee, Web Author.
RSPB Wallasea Island 13:45 to 14:15
5 Mallard, 1 Blackbird, 3 Little Egret, 30+ Corn Bunting, 100+ Woodpigeon, 8 Common Pheasant, 1 Reed Bunting, 14 Linnet, 13 Starling, 2 Skylark, 4 Oystercatcher, 12 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 80+ Black-headed Gull, 70+ Herring Gull, 1 Swallow, 1 House Martin. Rob Harris.
Paglesham 14:30 to 14:50
20+ Corn Bunting, 150+ Woodpigeon, 7 Blackbird, 4 Moorhen, 4 Common Pheasant, 21 Carrion Crow, 1 Magpie, 2 Mallard, 1 Yellow Wagtail. Rob Harris.
Chelmsford, Hartford End 15:00
1 Garden Warbler singing in garden. John Wilson.
Leigh on Sea, Park View Drive 15:00 to 17:00
2 Buzzard drifted east (see below), at least 3 Sparrowhawk (2 east, 1 west). Web Author.
Hanningfield Reservoir Causeway 15:30 to 15:50
100+ Mallard, 50+ Tufted Duck, 30+ Coot, 12 Carrion Crow, 2 Magpie, 14 Cormorant, 2 Mute Swan, 90+ Herring Gull, 40+ Canada Geese, 150+ Black-headed Gull, 50+ Greylag Geese, 2 Pied Wagtail, 4 Moorhen, 1 Kestrel. Rob Harris.
RSPB Vange Marsh 15:30 to 17:00
8 Spotted redshank all on saline lagoon, 1 Greenshank, 6 Avocet, 3 Snipe, 2 Shelduck, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Reed Warbler singlng in reeds near wood yard, 2 Swallow. David Shepherd.
Southchurch Park
5 Coot chicks now hatched and on water. Robert Dobinson.
Sunday 19th April 2015northerly, mostly cloudy, max12°c
First Local Summer Migrant Report - Lesser Whitethroat and Reed Warbler
RSPB Bowers Marsh 09:00 to 11:30
RSPB local group walk: Mute Swan, Canada Goose, Greylag Goose, Shelduck, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Shoveler, Gadwall, Mallard, Common Pheasant, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe (displaying), 2 Black-necked Grebe, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Moorhen, Coot, Grey Heron, Little Egret, Cormorant, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Lapwing, Black-tailed Godwit, Redshank, Black-headed Gull, Mediterranean Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Green Woodpecker, Jay, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Swallow, Skylark, Chiffchaff (heard), Lesser Whitethroat(heard), Starling, Blackbird, Robin, Dunnock, Pied Wagtail, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Linnet, Corn Bunting, Reed Bunting. Web Author et al.
Two Tree Island 09:30
Avocet, Black-tailed Godwit, Cuckoo, Cetti's Warbler (heard), Greenfinch, Shelduck. Norman Jones.
Shoebury Avenue 10:00 to 12:00
2 Goldfinch, 4 Greenfinch (2 pairs), 1 Chaffinch, Robin, 2 Blue Tit, 2 Great Tit, Dunnock, House Sparrow, Wren (heard), 2 Wood Pigeon, 2 Collared Dove mating on fence! Steve Day.
RSPB Vange Marsh 10:30 to 12:30
1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Goosander, Blackcap, Greenfinch, Reed Bunting, Wren, Shelduck. Mick Roe.
Wakering Stairs 10:50 to 13:50
3 Short-eared Owl, 1 Whimbrel, 2 Lesser Whitethroat heard, 7 Whitethroat, 1 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Reed Warbler singing from reed bed near Haven Point. David Selley.
Two Tree Island 12:00 to 13:00
1 Cuckoo, 7 Whitethroat. Helen Buckley.
EWT Wrabness 13:00 to 14:20
4 Ring Ouzel, 3 Blackbird, 2 Blue Tit, 3 Great Tit, 1 Swallow, 1 House Martin, 1 Little Egret, 5 Greylag Geese, 5 Mallard, 2 Dunnock, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Common Buzzard. Rob Harris.
Two Tree Island 14:30 to 16:30
Redshank, Avocet, Little Egret, Reed Warbler, Buzzard, Grey Heron, Chaffinch, Skylark, Long-tailed Tit, Cuckoo heard. Weasel or Stoat at bridge causeway on to island. Iain Campbell.
RSPB Wallasea Island 16:30 to 17:10
12 Mallard, 2 Blackbird, 2 Chaffinch, 2 Little Egret, 1 Kestrel, 1 Grey Heron, 20+ Corn Bunting, 100+ Woodpigeon, 7 Common Pheasant, 2 Short-eared Owl, 1 Reed Bunting, 9 Linnet, 20+ Starling, 3 Skylark, 4 Oystercatcher, 1 Great Black-backed Gull, 40+ Black-headed Gull, 50+ Herring Gull, 4 Mute Swan. Rob Harris.
Paglesham 17:00 to 17:20
1 Moorhen, 3 Mallard, 7 Blackbird, 2 Blue Tit, 3 Great Tit, 3 Greenfinch, 2 Chaffinch, 1 Little Egret, 1 Kestrel, 1 Grey Heron, 30+ Corn Bunting, 150+ Woodpigeon, 1 Green Woodpecker, 8 Common Pheasant, 3 Mallard. Rob Harris.
Saturday 18th April 2015east north east, scattered clouds, max13°c
Little Leighs 09:30
1 male Bullfinch pecking at apple blossom in our garden. Ben and Denise Matz.
Barking, River Roding, Near Tesco Roundabout 09:30
Sand Martin - annual nesting visitors. Steve Wall.
Leigh on Sea, Park View Drive 10:05
Sparrowhawk over garden. Web Author.
Southchurch Park 12:45
2 Coot chicks hatched, Little Grebe chicks 7 days until hatching (unusual nest site), 2 Greater Black-backed Gull predated all 7 Moorhen chicks on Monday/8.45am. Robert Dobinson.
Gusted Wood, Scrub wood, Gusted Hall Lane and Roach Valley 13:00 to 16:00
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 7 Jay, 3 Greenfinch, 5 Robin, numerous Blue Tit, 2 Long-tailed Tit. 3 tiny grey squirrels venturing out of their nest on to a tree trunk. David Flack.
Friday 17th April 2015east north east, partly cloudy, max12°c
First Local Summer Migrant Report - Ring Ouzel
RSPB West Canvey Marsh 08:00 to 08:30
pair Ring Ouzel. David Davies.
RSPB Bowers Marsh 10:00
2 Black-winged Stilt, 70+ Avocet. Richard Shepherd.
Paglesham 14:30 to 15:00
3 Common Pheasant, 2 Red-legged Partridge, 2 Moorhen, 7 Blackbird, 3 Chaffinch, 2 Blue Tit, 6 Corn Bunting, 250+ Woodpigeon, 12 Carrion Crow, 50+ Black-headed Gull, 30+ Herring Gull, 2 Magpie. Rob Harris.
Leigh on Sea, Park View Drive 16:00
Buzzard over garden drifting east. Kris Mee, Web Author.
RSPB Vange Marsh 16:00 to 17:30
1 Spotted Redshank, 1 Snipe, 2 Greenshank, 1 Green Sandpiper, 3 Avocet, 4 Shelduck (2 pair), 1 Sedge Warbler singing, quite a few Swallow and Sand Martin were over the marsh. David Shepherd.
Thursday 16th April 2015east north east, clear, max13°c
Shoeburyness, Gunners Park 10:00
2 Wheatear, 1 Kestrel. 2 Speckled Wood Butterflies. Marie Tarrant.
EWT Fingringhoe Wick 10:15 to 14:45
Collared Dove, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Woodpigeon, Ringed Pheasant, Dark Green Pheasant (variable), Great Tit, Greylag Geese, Chaffinch, Magpie, Goldfinch, Coot, Robin, Nightingale, Blackcap (m/f), Mallard, Bullfinch, Canada Geese, Little Grebe, Tufted Duck, Chiffchaff, Dunnock, Shelduck, Wren, Little Egret, Turnstone, Kestrel, Oystercatcher, Great Crested Grebe, Redshank, Curlew, Black-tailed Godwit, Dunlin, Herring Gull, Greenfinch, Blackbird, Moorhen, Swallow, Lesser Black-backed Gull. S. Jackson & M. Hill.
RSPB Canvey Wick 10:55
1 Cuckoo. Derek Holroyd.
RSPB Bowers Marsh 13:15 to 14:15
100+ Canada Goose, 100+ Greylag Goose, 2 Black-winged Stilt, 5 Shelduck, 40+ Tufted Duck, 50+ Mallard, 2 Little Grebe, 1 Black-necked Grebe, 7 Great Crested Grebe, 80+ Woodpigeon, 3 Moorhen, 30+ Coot, 2 Little Egret, 5 Cormorant, 4 Magpie, 100+ Avocet, 30+ Lapwing, 2 Skylark, 300+ Herring Gull, 300+ Black-headed Gull, 7 Reed Bunting, 3 Mute Swan, 15 Carrion Crow, 12 Collared Dove. Rob Harris.
Wat Tyler Country Park 14:00
1 male Cuckoo calling on the other side of the fleet. Neil Phillips.
Great Wakering 14:30 to 15:45
20+ Swallow, 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Wheatear, Pair of Shoveler, 1 Skylark ascending, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 male Kestrel. Mike Sagrott.
RSPB Bowers Marsh 13:00 to 14:15
2 Black Winged Stilt, 1 Black-necked Grebe, 100+ Avocet. David Shepherd.
Benfleet Creek 17:35
1 Whimbrel. Andrew Bridge.
Wednesday 15th April 2015east north east, partly cloudy, max13°c
First Local Summer Migrant Report - Common Tern
Canewdon 07:10 to 07:30
1 Cuckoo going east over Lambourne Hall Farm, 4 Swallow. David Selley.
Leigh on Sea 08:50 to 08:55
4 Jay together over garden, 1 Sparrowhawk. Kris Mee, web Author.
Southend Airport 09:30
1 Swallow. Judy.
Canvey island, Paddocks 10:15
Raven seeing off a Sparrowhawk high over paddocks, 1 Chiffchaff singing. Tim Hurdley.
RSPB Bowers Marsh 13:00 to 15:00
3 Mute Swan, Canada Goose, Greylag Goose, Shelduck, Tufted Duck, Shoveler, Gadwall, Mallard, Little Grebe, 1 Black-necked Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Wood Pigeon, Cuckoo, Moorhen, Coot, Grey Heron, Little Egret, Cormorant, Oystercatcher, 100+ Avocet, 2 Black-winged Stilt, Lapwing, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Dunlin in summer plumage, 2 Greenshank, Redshank, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, 1 Jay, Magpie, Carrion Crow, 3 Skylark, 1 male Blackcap, male Reed Bunting. Kris Mee, Web Author.
Two Tree Island 13:45 to 16:00
Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Feral Pigeon, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Starling, Kestrel, Chaffinch, Whitethroat, Magpie, Cuckoo, Nightingale, Dunnock, Moorhen, Canada Geese, Coot, Great Tit, Pied Wagtail, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Blue Tit, Little Grebe, Teal, Mallard, Greenfinch, Redshank, Blackbird, House Sparrow. S. Jackson & M. Hill.
Two Tree Island East 13:55 to 14:15
30+ Wood Pigeon, 7 Collared Dove, 1 Cuckoo, 3 Magpie, 20+ Black-headed Gull, 30+ Herring Gull, 15 Carrion Crow, 5 Great Tit, 4 Blue Tit, 1 Blackcap, 2 Whitethroat, 6 Starling, 1 Blackbird, 1 Robin, 2 Dunnock, 5 Chaffinch. 2 Brown Rat. Rob Harris.
Scrub wood, Gusted Hall Lane 14:00
2 Great Spotted Woodpecker. David Flack.
RSPB Vange Marsh 15:00 to 17:30
20 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Snipe, 3 Green Sandpiper, 2 Spotted Redshank, 2 Sedge Warbler, 6 Bearded Tit, 1 Avocet (with damaged leg), 1 Common Tern, 30 Shoveler, 4 Tufted Duck (2 pair), 6 Gadwall, 8 Wigeon, 4 Blackcap, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel. David Shepherd.
Chelmsford, Saltcotes Park 16:00
1 Citrine Wagtail, 10 Yellow Wagtail in field of cows by the sluice seen for about 10 minutes before flying off, 5 Little Egret, 1 Snipe, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Stonechat, 1 Reed Bunting, 2 Skylark, Little Grebe, 2 Oystercatcher, 1l Lapwing, 4 Swallow. Dawn James.
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 16:35 to 18:45
1 Wheatear near track, 2 Whimbrel at creek/lagoon, 3 Green Sandpiper, 2 Avocet on lagoon, 1 Cuckoo flew up from ground behind seawall and landed on bush calling, 1 Swallow, 1 Blackcap of 2 singing seen at Coryton, 1 Common Buzzard soaring near Fobbing village, 30+ Teal, 1 female Pochard and pair of Gadwall on Manorway Fleet, 1 Little Egret, a few Cetti's Warbler heard, 10+ Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Little Grebe singles at Coryton. Richard Fahey.
Foulness Island 18:30 to 19:30
1 Short-eared Owl, 9 Wheatear, 4 Swallow, c.40 Little Egret and 10 Grey Heron on summer roost, c.20 Linnet, c.6 each of Skylark and Corn Bunting singing. 4 Brown Hare. Steve and Fran Giles.
Tuesday 14th April 2015south westerly, clear, max23°c
RSPB Vange Marsh 06:15 to 07:30
Saline area only: 2 Sedge Warbler (one was displaying ), 5 Bearded tit showing well, 7 Avocet, 4 Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Reed Bunting, 2 Green Sandpiper, 1 Snlpe, 2 Shelduck (pair), 1 Blackcap, Cetti's Warbler were heard calling at least 5 birds, 1 Green Woodpecker on telephone pole. David Shepherd.
Shoeburyness, Gunners Park 11:00
1 Cuckoo calling and flying, 2 Wheatear, 1 Whitethroat singing, Greenfinch displaying, Linnet parties, Curlew in formation over. James Porter.
Two Tree Island 12:00 to 12:30
Cuckoo, Chiffchaff, 3 Blackcap, 1 Whitethroat. Web Author.
Woodham, Edwin's Hall Road (Hawe's Wood) 12:30 to 12:40
2 Common Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 3 Common Pheasant, 40+ Woodpigeon, 30+ Carrion Crow, 2 Blackbird, 1 Moorhen, 5 Blue Tit, 6 Chaffinch, 2 Magpie. Rob Harris.
Abberton Reservoir 13:00 to 14:20
200+ Mallard, 150+ Tufted Duck, 100+ Pochard, 30+ Coot, 200+ Black-headed Gull, 300+ Herring Gull, 5 Blackbird, 14 Chaffinch, 5 Blue Tit, 4 Magpie, 5 Lapwing, 2 Robin, 50+ Mute Swan, 100+ Canada Geese, 150+ Greylag Geese, 200+ Carrion Crow, 100+ Cormorant, 200+ Woodpigeon, 39 Starling, 1 Swan Goose, 2 Skylark, 10 Pied Wagtail, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 12 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Grey Heron, 12 Little Egret, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 12 Jackdaw, 3 Common Pheasant, 1 Red-legged Partridge, 4 Collared Dove, 15 House Sparrow. Rob Harris.
Daws Heath 14:30
Male and female Sparrowhawk circling over my garden in a clear blue sky. Mike Sagrott.
Fingringhoe Wick 16:00 to 16:15
1 Cuckoo (heard only), 3 Dunnock, 6 Great Tit, 2 Robin, 4 Blue Tit, 16 Chaffinch, 3 Collared Dove, 40+ Woodpigeon, 12 Carrion Crow, 4 Magpie. Rob Harris.
RSPB Bowers Marsh 16:30 to 17:15
2 Black-winged Stilt, 1 Whitethroat. Colin Knight.
Monday 13th April 2015variable, scattered clouds, max15°c
First Local Summer Migrant Report - Cuckoo
Two Tree Island 07:00
1 Cuckoo, 4 Blackcap, 1 Common Whitethroat, 6 Linnet, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Reed Bunting. Marie Tarrant.
Two Tree Island 09:00 to 11:30
6 Brent Geese, Shelduck, Mallard, Teal, 4 Little Grebe, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Cuckoo, Moorhen, Coot, Little Egret, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Jay, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Skylark, c.3 Cetti's Warbler (1 seen, 2 or more heard), 1 Chiffchaff, 4 male Blackcap, 2 Whitethroat, Wren, Starling, Blackbird, 1 Song Thrush, Robin, House Sparrow, many singing Dunnock, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Reed Bunting (pair). Kris Mee, Web Author.
Hockley, Glencrofts 09:30
1 Hedgehog, first sighting in my garden for17 years. Irwin Lewis.
Southend Airport 10:05
Red Kite flying north to south. Judy.
Shoebury Park 10:10 to 10:25
Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Black-headed Gull, Starling, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Mallard, Blackbird, Herring Gull, Long-tailed Tit, Dunnock, Moorhen, 7 Cormorant flying, Blue Tit, Wren, Coot, Robin, House Sparrow, Chiffchaff, Chaffinch. S. Jackson & M. Hill.
Shoebury, Friars Park 10:27 to 12:51
Lesser Black-backed Gull, Feral Pigeon, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Black-headed Gull, Carrion Crow, Magpie, Dunnock, Blackbird, House Sparrow, Mallard, 6 Robin, Starling, Coot, Great Tit, 4 Jay, Blackcap, Blue Tit, Goldfinch, Moorhen, 6 Mallard, Herring Gull. M. Hill & S. Jackson.
Wat Tyler Country Park 11:30 to 13:45
1 female Marsh Harrier, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Peregrine Falcon on distant pylon, 3 Swallow, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Reed Bunting, 2 Goldfinch, 1 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Wren, 1 Snipe, few Tufted Duck, Pochard, Mallard, 1 Wigeon, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 4 Little Grebe. David & Brenda Hale.
Two Tree Island 12:30 to 15:30
East side: 2 Sedge Warbler in reedbed, 1 Swallow briefly over reedbed, 1 Willow Warbler south of reedbed along sea wall (heard not seen). West side: 3 Whitethroat, 1 Cuckoo seen several times, called once. Peter Studholme.
Hadleigh, Field West of Tattersall Gardens 12:40 to 12:43
1 Buzzard, 23 Carrion Crow. The Crows rose from the field with great cacophony to mob the Buzzard and eventually drive it off to WSW. Martin Johnson.
RSPB West Canvey Marsh 14:00 to 16:00
Sightings from roadside hide: 1 Cormorant, 1 pair Great Crested Grebe, 4 Shelduck, 1 Tufted Duck, few Shoveler, Mallard, 2 Mute Swan, 2 Great Black-backed Gull, 3 Common Gull, 4 Lapwing, c.20 Curlew, 1 Whimbrel, 6 Moorhen, few Coot. David & Brenda Hale.
Corringham 17:00
Crow and Buzzard having a mid air scrap! Martine Pullen.
Sunday 12th April 2015south westerly, clear, max17°c
First Local Summer Migrant Report - Common Whitethroat and Nightingale
Barling Old Pits 08:05
1 Common Whitethroat in brambles by old shooting field. Terry Thorneycroft.
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 09:05 to 11:15
3 adult Mediterranean Gull with flock of Black-headed Gulls west of track, 2 Green Sandpiper, 1 Blackcap and 1 Chiffchaff heard singing by Manorway, 20+ Teal, pair of Shoveler and 2 female Pochard on Manorway Fleet, 2 Gadwall flew to shrub mound pond, 20+ Curlew included 10+ at Coryton, c.9 Black-tailed Godwit, c.4 Little Egret, a few Cetti's Warbler heard, single Little Grebe in two spots at Coryton. Richard Fahey.
Hockley Woods 10:00 to 13:00
Buzzard, Woodpigeon, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Wren, Blackbird, Chiffchaff, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Jay, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch. Kevin Taylor.
Abberton Reservoir 13:10 to 14:00
100+ Mallard, 100+ Tufted Duck, 80+ Pochard, 30+ Coot, 200+ Black-headed Gull, 200+ Herring Gull, 5 Blackbird, 5 Chaffinch, 2 Blue Tit, 4 Magpie, 1 Lapwing, 30+ Mute Swan, 100+ Canada Geese, 150+ Greylag Geese, 200+ Carrion Crow, 100+ Cormorant, 100+ Woodpigeon, 39 Starling, 5 Pied Wagtail, 4 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Swan Goose, 4 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Common Tern, 3 Common Pheasant. Rob Harris.
EWT Abberton Reservoir 16:00
2 adult Little Gull near the Island hide. Full breeding plumage, very smart. On water preening, and in flight, hawking and skimming over surface. One with strong pink flush to underparts. Andrew Gouldstone and Emma Stobart.
Two Tree Island East 16:30
2 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Nightingale, 1 Song Thrush. Richard Shepherd.
RSPB Wallasea Island 18:15 to 18:40
1 Kestrel, 6 Pheasant, 20+ Carrion Crow, 3 Magpie, 100+ Woodpigeon, 30+ Herring Gull, 20+ Black-headed Gull, 14 Starling, 1 Blackbird, 9 Corn Bunting, 10 Mallard, 2 Mute Swan. Rob Harris.
Two Tree Island 18:30
Peregrine Falcon, Stonechat, Water Rail. Marie Tarrant.
Hanningfield Reservoir Causeway 19:00 to 19:20
100+ Mallard, 50+ Tufted Duck, 12 Pochard, 12 Coot, 2 Magpie, 5 Chaffinch, 7 Cormorant, 5 Mute Swan, 12 Carrion Crow, 100+ Black-headed Gull, 90+ Herring Gull, 40+ Canada Geese, 50+ Greylag Geese, 4 Pied Wagtail. Rob Harris.
Saturday 11th April 2015south westerly, scattered clouds, max14°c
First Local Summer Migrant Report - Sedge Warbler
North Shoebury 08:48
Greater Spotted Woodpecker in garden. Terry Strong.
Thurrock, Thameside Nature Park 10:20 to 11:25
1 Turnstone, 2000+ Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Curlew, 15+ Teal. Richard Fahey.
North Shoebury 10:45
Sparrowhawk hunting in front garden. Mike Bliss.
EWT Abberton Reservoir 11:20 to 18:00
10 Grey Heron, 12 Little Egret, 4 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Common Tern, 2 Oystercatcher, 3 Egyptian Geese, 6 Goldeneye, few Pochard, few Wigeon, 2 Swallow, 1 Wren, 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 4 Chiffchaff, 6 Long-tailed Tit, many Skylark in song, 2 male Yellow Wagtail, many Pied Wagtail, 100s of Black-headed Gull on reservoir feeding on the 1000s of hatching midges. 2 Bee Fly. David & Brenda Hale.
Thundersley Glen 12:30
1 Blackcap, 1 Firecrest, 2 Grey Wagtail. D. Pascoe.
Southchurch Park 12:45
Coot chicks hatched from SW corner of island. Robert Dobinson.
Foulness Island 13:25
Female Yellow Wagtail. Steve Giles.
RSPB Vange Marsh 15:00 to 17:00
5 House Martin, 2 Swallow, 1 Sedge Warbler in reeds near saline pool, 20 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Spotted Redshank, 2 Green Sandpiper, 1 male Ruff, 5 Avocet, 5 Snipe, 1 Jack Snipe, 2 Oystercatcher, 2 Mute Swan, 3 Gadwall, 2 Tufted Duck (pair), 40+ Shoveler, 1 Marsh Harrier hunting over reeds near wood yard. David Shepherd.
Leigh on Sea 14:00 to 17:00
Red Kite (14:25 drifted west), 3 Buzzard (14:30, 15:24 and 15:29 all drifted west), Sparrowhawk all over garden. Kris Mee, Web Author.
RSPB Wallasea Island 19:30 to 20:00
1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Barn Owl, 7 Pheasant, 5 Mallard, 2 Magpie, 16 Carrion Crow. Rob Harris.
Battlesbridge 20:20 to 20:21
1 Tawny Owl. Rob Harris.
Friday 10th April 2015easterly, haze, max16°c
First Local Summer Migrant Report - Sand Martin and Willow Warbler
EWT Hanningfield Reservoir 10:20 to 16:20
16 Red Crested Pochard (10 drake, 6 female), few Mallard, Gadwall, Tufted Duck, Teal, Shoveler, Great Crested Grebe, 100's Black-headed Gull, 1 Herring Gull, 3 Great Black-backed Gull, 1 Common Gull, many Greylag Geese, Canada Geese, 1 Common Tern, 1 pair Mute Swan, 2 Lapwing, 2 Oystercatcher, 2 Moorhen, 1 Grey Heron, many Chiffchaff seen and heard, 1 Cuckoo heard, Green Woodpecker heard, 1 pair Marsh Harrier. All ducks and gulls, were feeding on the profusion of midges hatching over the Reservoir today. David & Brenda Hale.
Belfairs Nature Reserve 11:00
1 male Blackcap. Marie Tarrant.
Two Tree Island 12:15 to 16:50
1 Willow Warbler singing south of central path between gates and feeding station, 1 Short-eared Owl on west side mid afternoon dodging the model aircraft! Peter Studholme.
Shoeburyness, Gunners Park 13:20 to 15:15
Starling, Carrion Crow, Collared Dove, Black-headed Gull, Woodpigeon, Magpie, Blackbird, Wren, Common Buzzard, Chiffchaff, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Feral Pigeon, Dunnock, Mallard, Herring Gull, Turnstone, Mute Swan, Little Grebe, Moorhen, Common Gull, Greenfinch, Blackcap, House Sparrow, Robin, Tree Pipit. S. Jackson & M. Hill.
A13 Five Bells 14:30
1 Buzzard flying north to south slow and low over the A13. David Z.
Wakering Stairs 17:00 to 17:40
Seawall by Broomway: 5 Shelduck, 2 Little Egret, 6 Oystercatcher (3 pairs), 12 Dunlin, 20 Curlew, 3 Sand Martin going east, 1 Swallow, 4 Meadow Pipit, 2 Long-tailed Tit, Chaffinch, Linnet. David Selley.
Thursday 09th April 2015variable, fog and haze, max13°c
Shoeburyness, Gunner's Park 09:30
3 Swallow, 4 or 5 House Martin. John Pitts.
RSPB Wallasea Island 10:00 to 15:30
2 Short-eared Owl (just before car park), 3 Kestrel, 1 female Marsh Harrier, 2 Buzzard, 30+ Corn Bunting, 20+ Skylark, 1 Swallow, 20+ Redshank, 4 Avocet, 10+ Oystercatcher, 10+ Curlew, 10+ Little Egret, 20+ Shelduck, 5+ Stock Dove. Ryan Matthews.
Woodham, Edwin's Hall Road (Hawe's Wood) 14:50 to 15:00
1 Swallow, 1 House Martin, 2 Chaffinch, 3 Blue Tit, 2 Blackbird, 250+ Woodpigeon, 3 Common Pheasant, 70+ Carrion Crow, 5 Magpie, 1 Robin. Rob Harris.
Shoeburyness, Gunners Park 16:00 to 17:30
Woodpigeon, Starling, 3 Greenfinch, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Blackbird, Black-headed Gull, 2 Mute Swan, 1 Wheatear, Mallard, Moorhen, Feral Pigeon, Redshank. 1 Red Fox, 1 Brown Rat, c.24 Rabbit. Bob and Lin Preston.
Daws Heath 16:30
1 Red Kite over my garden - exit pursued by a Crow. Mike Sagrott.
RSPB Wallasea Island 17:00 to 18:05
2 Kestrel, 7 Pheasant, 33 Carrion Crow, 5 Magpie, 100+ Woodpigeon, 30+ Herring Gull, 50+ Black-headed Gull, 4 Starling, 1 Blackbird, 5 Corn Bunting, 7 Mallard, 1 Oystercatcher, 4 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 9 Redshank. Rob Harris.
Canewdon 17:55 to 17:57
1 Swallow. Rob Harris.
Paglesham 18:15 to 18:40
1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Kestrel, 40+ Corn Bunting, 2 Magpie, 250+ Woodpigeon, 3 Blackbird, 2 Blue Tit, 8 Common Pheasant, 8 Moorhen, 4 Mallard, 30+ Carrion Crow, 5 Collared Dove, 2 Chaffinch. Rob Harris.
Woodham Ferrers, Birkett Hall 19:00
Cuckoo calling. Jane Baxter.
Wednesday 08th April 2015easterly, misty, max14°c
Ashingdon, Canewdon Road 07:40
1 Swallow on the wires. David Selley.
River Chelmer 14:00
1 Buzzard, 10 Greylag Geese, 5 Chiffchaff. John Spencer.
Hanningfield Reservoir 14:00 to 16:00
12 Red Crested Pochard, 2 Chiffchaff, 4 Shelduck, 4 Shoveler, 2 Stock Dove, 2 Green Woodpecker. John Wilson.
Tuesday 07th April 2015variable, partly cloudy, max15°c
Shoeburyness, Gunners Park 08:30
1 Swallow, good to hear that song again! James Porter.
Rochford, Ironwell Lane 09:00 to 10:00
2 Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker (both drumming), 1 Song Thrush, 3 Chiffchaff, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Robin, many Dunnock, 2 Greenfinch (males in display flight), 2 Yellowhammer (singing males). David Selley.
RSPB Wallasea Island 11:30 to 17;00
2 Short-eared Owl showing well from 15 45, 2 female Marsh Harrier, 2 Kestrel, c.20 Corn Bunting, many Skylark in song, 2 Avocet. Many Peacock Butterflies (in pairs) 2 Brown Hare. David & Brenda Hale.
Billericay 14:50 to 14:55
Peacock butterfly in beautiful condition in my garden. Chris Henry.
RSPB Wallasea Island 16:30 to 17:45
1 Kestrel, 2 Short-eared Owl, 8 Pheasant, 2 Little Egret, 30+ Carrion Crow, 3 Magpie, 100+ Woodpigeon, 4 Starling, 40+ Black-headed Gull, 4 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 50+ Herring Gull, 6 Skylark, 8 Corn Bunting, 7 Mallard, 5 Oystercatcher, 12 Redshank, 2 Teal. Rob Harris.
Two Tree Island 10:45 to 14:48
Jackdaw, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Common Gull, Feral Pigeon, Carrion Crow, Woodpigeon, Starling, Collared Dove, Blackbird, Blue Tit, Mallard, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Dunnock, Great Tit, Robin, Wren, Mistle Thrush, Jay, Moorhen, Canada Geese, Cetti's Warbler, 70 Teal, Little Egret, Coot, Little Grebe, Curlew, Redshank, Greylag Goose, 2 Water Pipit, Shelduck, 4 Avocet, Oystercatcher, Black-tailed Godwit, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Common Sandpiper, Bar-tailed Godwit, Shoveler, Long-tailed Tit, Spotted Redshank. S. Jackson & M. Hill.
Hockley, Woodlands Road 14:00
3 Goldfinch. 1 Brimstone. David Z.
Monday 06th April 2015east north east, mostly cloudy, max13°c
Two Tree Island East 06:25 to 07:55
4 Little Grebe, 2 Shelduck, 6 Teal, 4 Shoveler (all drakes), 2 Water Rail, 1 Snipe, 7 Song Thrush, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff singing, 2 Long-tailed Tit gathering nest material, 2 Jay, 4 Greenfinch. David Selley.
Barling Old Pits 08:00
2 Linnet busy nest building. Terry Thorneycroft.
Chelmsford, Baddow Meads 09:00 to 10:00
7+ Reed Bunting, 10+ Skylark, 3 Song Thrush, 1 Robin, 1 Wren, 5 Dunnock, 3 Goldfinch, 5 House Sparrow, 2 Blue Tit, 2 Great Tit, 1 Chaffinch, 5 Blackbird, 2 Collared Dove, 3 Moorhen, 8 Mallard, 5 Carrion Crow, 3 Magpie, many Woodpigeon. 1 Peacock butterfly feeding on dog faeces. 1 Otter glimpsed as it dove under water at bend in river on main meadow. Paul Forsdick.
Hadleigh Country Park 11:00
1 Swallow. Marie Tarrant.
Foulness Island 12:30
1 Swallow. Trevor Waterhouse.
Woodham, Edwin's Hall Road (Hawe's Wood) 13:10 to 13:30
10 Common Pheasant, 24 Woodpigeon, 30+ Carrion Crow, 4 Blackbird, 5 Moorhen, 3 Blue Tit, 2 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Chaffinch, 6 Magpie, 5 Collared Dove. Rob Harris.
RSPB Vange Marsh 14:00 o 17:30
18 Avocet, 60+ Shoveler, 6 Gadwall, 2 Tufted Duck, 3 Mute Swan, 4 Snipe, 3 Green Sandpiper, 2 Spotted Redshank, 20+ Black-tailed Godwit (a few in breeding plumage), 3 Ruff (one male, two probably female), 2 Oystercatcher (pair), 1 Peregrine Falcon, 1 Sparrowhawk. David Shepherd.
Lubards Farm Hullbridge 17:00
1 Swallow. Hilary Knight.
Sunday 05th April 2015variable, scattered clouds, max10°c
Hadleigh Country Park 07:30 to 08:30
Robin, Wren, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Chiffchaff, Chaffinch, Song Thrush, Pheasant, Cetti's Warbler. Ellen Hume.
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 08:55 to 11:15
2 Green Sandpiper, 5 Avocet on creek, 2 Chiffchaff heard at Coryton, 50+ Teal, 3 Shoveler included a pair on lagoon, 1 Little Egret, a few Cetti's Warbler heard, c.9 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Little Grebe on Manorway Fleet. Richard Fahey.
Paglesham East End 10:00 to 11:25
8 Shelduck on ploughed field by the old Dutch barn in East Hall Road, 8 Teal (4 pairs), 2 Gadwall (pair), 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Oystercatcher (pair), Redshank, 3 Curlew, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Song Thrush, 2 Skylark singing, 10 Linnet, c.15 Reed Bunting, (12+ mixed males and females in loose flock on field edge from East Hall to seawall and 2 singing males in reed beds east of boatyard. David Selley.
Leigh on Sea 14:00 to 17:00
3 Buzzard, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Jackdaw, 1 Grey Heron over garden. The Buzzards (2 and 1) all appeared very low from the south and all spiraled up to great heights on reaching the Essex coast before disappearing fast north. Kris Mee, Web Author.
Abberton Reservoir 14:20 to 15:32
2 Kestrel, 200+ Mallard, 100+ Tufted Duck, 80+ Pochard, 40+ Coot, 100+ Black-headed Gull, 200+ Herring Gull, 3 Blackbird, 5 Greenfinch, 6 Chaffinch, 4 Blue Tit, 12 Magpie, 100+ Canada Geese, 150+ Greylag Geese, 80+ Carrion Crow, 4 Lapwing, 50+ Mute Swan, 150+ Cormorant, 150+ Woodpigeon, 30+ Starling, 7 Pied Wagtail, 14 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Moorhen, 1 Swan Goose. Rob Harris.
Ashingdon, Princess Gardens 16:05 to 16:30
2 Buzzard drifting east, 1 female Sparrowhawk at head height along our driveway and straight to the bird table where a Collared Dove had a very close call, escaping with no more than probable indigestion. David Selley.
RSPB Wallasea Island 16:30 to 17:45
2 Kestrel, 1 Rough-legged Buzzard, 1 Short-eared Owl, 5 Pheasant, 4 Little Egret, 20+ Carrion Crow, 2 Magpie, 80+ Woodpigeon, 100+ Herring Gull, 50+ Black-headed Gull, 4 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 6 Starling, 3 Skylark, 9 Linnet, 1 Blackbird, 12 Corn Bunting, 12 Mallard, 1 Oystercatcher, 20+ Redshank, 1 Curlew, 2 Meadow Pipit, 1 Grey Heron. Rob Harris.
Saturday 04th April 2015north easterly, partly cloudy, max4°c
First Local Summer Migrant Report - House Martin
RSPB Vange Marsh 09:15
1 Swallow, 2 House Martin, 2 female Marsh Harrier. Jeff Kinnerman.
RSPB Wallasea Island 17:00 to 18:00
1 Kestrel, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Hen Harrier, 7 Pheasant, 2 Little Egret, 13 Carrion Crow, 5 Magpie, 100+ Woodpigeon, 50+ Herring Gull, 40+ Black-headed Gull, 12 Starling, 4 Skylark, 1 Blackbird, 6 Corn Bunting, 5 Mallard, 1 Oystercatcher, 12 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 2 Grey Heron. Rob Harris.
Paglesham 18.15 to 18:30
30+ Corn Bunting, 150+ Woodpigeon, 7 Blackbird, 3 Blue Tit, 3 Common Pheasant. Rob Harris.
Southchurch Park
4+ Goldfinch, 2 Wheatear inside of bowling green, 2 Little Grebe, 2 Coot, 2 Moorhen, 2 Mute Swan all nesting in the same proximity. Little Grebe nest attached to base of Coot nest. Robert Dobinson.
Friday 03rd April 2015south easterly, overcast, max12°c
Barling Hall Farm 08:05
1 Swallow low over horse field in rain. Terry Thorneycroft.
Barling Old Pits 12:50
1 Marsh Harrier over reed beds on old pits. Terry Thorneycroft.
Maldon 13:00 to 13:05
1 Common Buzzard. Rob Harris.
RHS Hyde Hall 14:00 to 15:00
2 Buzzard thermalling, 1 Swallow. Bill Foster.
Abberton Reservoir 14:00 to 15:00
200+ Mallard, 100+ Tufted Duck, 80+ Pochard, 40+ Coot, 100+ Black-headed Gull, 200+ Herring Gull, 3 Blackbird, 2 Greenfinch, 1 Chaffinch, 2 Blue Tit, 100+ Canada Geese, 150+ Greylag Geese, 12 Magpie, 80+ Carrion Crow, 1 Lapwing, 30+ Mute Swan, 100+ Cormorant, 100+ Woodpigeon, 3 Starling, 5 Pied Wagtail, 9 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Swan Goose. Rob Harris.
Southend, Westbury Road 14:31
Female Sparrowhawk with kill (probably a pigeon) in garden. Mick Holland.
Woodham, Edwin's Hall Road (Hawe's Wood) 16:50 to 17:00
2 Red-legged Partridge, 7 Woodpigeon, 3 Carrion Crow, 1 Blackbird, 3 Moorhen, 2 Blue Tit, 2 Guinea Fowl. Rob Harris.
Thursday 02nd April 2015north westerly, partly cloudy, max11°c
First Local Summer Migrant Report - Wheatear
Ashingdon, Princess Gardens 11:15 to 11:40
3 Buzzard going north - 2 together then a third very pale bird about 20 minutes later. David Selley.
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 13:10 to 15:35
1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Avocet and 2 Green Sandpiper on lagoon, 2 Chiffchaff heard, 1 drake and female Wigeon on south pool, 40+ Teal, 1 Little Egret, a few Cetti's Warbler heard, 7 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Little Grebe on fleet west side of footpath. Richard Fahey.
Southend Priory Park 13:35 to 14:30
Blackbird, Robin, Collared Dove, Woodpigeon, Carrion Crow, House Sparrow, Black-headed Gull, Blue Tit, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Feral Pigeon, Magpie, Moorhen. M. Hill & S. Jackson.
RSPB Wallasea Island 14:00 to 17:00
3 Short-eared Owl, 2 Marsh Harrier 1 Ringtail Hen Harrier, flock of Corn Bunting. Richard Shepherd.
Southend, Churchill Gardens 14:51 to 15:26
Feral Pigeon, Magpie, Blackbird, Carrion Crow, Blue Tit, Magpie, Long-tailed Tit, Robin, Collared Dove, Herring Gull, Jackdaw. S. Jackson. & M. Hill.
Rayleigh, Grove Park 15:00
1 Little Egret sitting in a field behind the park. D. Gingell.
Two Tree Island 15:30 to 18:30
East side: 1 Chiffchaff singing, 2 Reed Bunting, pair of Water Rail very mobile around the horseshoe lagoon island, another Water Rail (possibly same bird) showing well later in front of the roofless hide, in the margins and out in open water. West side: several apparent pairs of Avocet on the scrape, pair of Linnet, 1 Short-eared Owl. Peter Bowden & Peter Studholme.
Wat Tyler Country Park 16:15 to 17:00
1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Snipe in front of hide, Cetti's Warbler heard, Bearded Tit heard. Mick Roe.
RSPB Bowers Marsh 16:30 to 18:30
5+ Magpie, 1 Corn Bunting, 1 Reed Bunting, 30+ Coot, Moorhen, Mallard, Teal, Pochard, Black-headed Gull, Redshank, Lapwing, Mute Swan, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Little Grebe, 4 Canada Geese, 2 Greylag Geese, Shoveler, Oystercatcher, Tufted Duck, Avocet, Little Egret, Gadwall, 1 Wigeon, 1 Snipe, 1 Curlew, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, Shelduck. Chris Cole.
Rayleigh A130 17:00 to 17:02
1 Sparrowhawk. Rob Harris.
RSPB Bowers Marsh
2 Wheatear. Jeff Kinnerman.
Wednesday 01st April 2015westerly, partly cloudy, max11°c
EWT Blue House Farm 10:40 to 15:50
1 Ringed Teal, (seen from New hide, probable escapee), many Shelduck, Shoveler, few Mallard, Teal, Gadwall, 1 pair Tufted Duck, c.20 Wigeon, few Lapwing, 2 Oystercatcher, 2 Snipe, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret, 4 Little Grebe, many Coot, 4 Pied Wagtail, 1 Reed Bunting, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 4 Skylark, c.10 Meadow Pipit, 2 Greenfinch, 4 Dunnock, 1 Robin, 1 Goldfinch, few House Sparrow, 2 Great Tit, 2 Blue Tit, 1 pair Blackbird, 2 female Marsh Harrier, 2 Kestrel. David & Brenda Hale.
RSPB Wallasea Island Time: 14:20 to 15:30
2 Kestrel, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Merlin, 1 Hen Harrier, 6 Pheasant, 2 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 17 Carrion Crow, 3 Magpie, 80+ Woodpigeon, 60+ Herring Gull, 30+ Black-headed Gull, 60+ Starling, 5 Skylark, 3 Blackbird, 50+ Linnet, 20+ Mallard. Rob Harris.