Bird Reports for August 2005
Wednesday 31st August 2005 (Last report of Swift)
Hadleigh Downs, 13:00
1 Hobby, 1 Sparrowhawk. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).
Leigh on Sea, 18:20
1 Swift. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).
Monday 29th August 2005
Westcliff Seafront 09:15
1 Ring-billed Gull (Rossi easily seen as it was on top of a lamp standard, on its own just east of Rossi's ice-cream parlour). David Lee.
Hadleigh Marshes, 10:30 to 11:30
45 Linnet, 16 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Stonechat. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).
Abberton Reservoir and Layer Breton Causeway 14:00 - 16:30
2 Marsh Harrier, 1 Osprey, 1 Garganey (female), 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Greenshank, 2 Dunlin 8 Ruff, 8 Common Tern, 3 Black Tern, 1 Yellow Wagtail, R Shepherd.
Paglesham (all day)
Female Hobby with juvenile. M. Potter.
Sunday 28th August 2005
Two Tree Island West 06:30 to 08:30
2,000+ Black-tailed Godwit split between the creek and the Lagoon. 2 Avocet, 1 Ringed Plover, 1 Little Egret, on the lagoon. 5 Swift flying over. 3 Whitethroat. David Lee.
Gunners Park, 08:00 to 08:40
1 Kestrel, 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Whinchat (EWT reserve), 2 Wheatear (EWT reserve), 1 Whitethroat. (Note that access to the EWT area is possible through the bushes at the far end of the wire fence). Web Author.
Westcliff Casino, 08:15 to 08:20
1 Ring-billed Gull (adult on casino roof). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Gunners Park, 08:45 to 11:15
2 Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Whinchat, 15 Yellow Wagtail (on nature reserve), 2 Chiffchaff, 3 Whitethroat, 1 Garden Warbler 
, 2 Wheatear, 2 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Green Woodpecker, 100 Swallow, 2 Sand Martin. Brian Baldock, Dave Knight (SOG).
Wakering Stairs, Ramp Only 08:50 to 10:15
5 Little Egret, 2 Marsh Harrier (1 adult female, 1 juvenile), 4 Kestrel, 1 Hobby, c.300 Golden Plover, c.80 Grey Plover, c.200 Sanderling, 1 Willow Warbler. Flocks of Swallow and House Martin constantly passing through all the time I was there. Lee Ebbs, Web Author.
Benfleet Yacht Club, 11:25 to 11:50
4 Yellow-legged Gull (3 adults and a 2nd year). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Paglesham, Westwards from Boatyard 14.30 -17.00
Cuckoo (juv.), 20 Yellow Wagtail (many juvs.), Willow Warbler, Whinchat, 2 Wheatear, 10 Little Egret, Corn Bunting, Common Sandpiper, Common Tern, 100s of Hurrindines. This area is probably under watched and provides very good views across The Roach and Wallasea Island and was, until harvesting began, a reliable site for Marsh Harrier. Ray Fuller.
Belton Hills, 16:50 to 16:55
3 Kestrel. John Wright (SOG).
Westcliff, St, James Gardens 17:00 - 17:05
Sparrowhawk high drifting east, 3 Swift. Web Author.
Two Tree Island (West), 17:00 to 18:00
6 Little Egret, 8 Greenshank, 1,000 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Whimbrel. John Wright (SOG).
Hadleigh Marshes/Benfleet Creek 17:00 - 18:30
Small party of Whinchat on grazing marsh. Ross and Chris Gardner.
Eastwood Sewage Farm 18.00
1 Turtle Dove (sitting on telegraph wire within the works), 1 Swift (flew over nearby). Bob Johnson.
Two Tree Island (East), 18:00 to 18:40
44 Little Egret (on the salt marsh and mud), 800 Curlew, 10 Wigeon. John Wright (SOG).
Saturday 27th August 2005
Chalkwell Park Drive, Leigh, 07:30
1 Hobby (over garden). John Wright (SOG).
Westcliff Seafront, 09:00 to 09:40
2 Mediterranean Gull (adults), 1 Little Egret. John Wright (SOG).
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 09.50 11.55
2 Swift, Wheatear, 2 Green Sandpiper, 8 Little Egret, 2 Greenshank, 3 Curlew, Common Sandpiper, Bar-tailed Godwit, 4 Common Whitethroat, Reed Bunting. Ray Fuller.
Wakering, Fleet Head, 10:00 to 12:00
10 Little Egret, 1 Marsh Harrier (juvenile), 1 Sparrowhawk (female), 1 Greenshank, 3 Ruff, 1 Whimbrel, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Willow Warbler. John Wright (SOG).
Paglesham Lagoon, 11:30 to 18:00
1 Caspian Gull (juvenile showed very well on island stood next to a 1st winter Yellow-legged Gull), 3 Yellow-legged Gull (2 1st winters and an adult on the River Roach near Barton Hall Creek), 1 Mediterranean Gull (adult), 3 Whinchat (2 on the seawall at the southern end of the lagoon and a single near Stambridge Sewage Works), 6 Little Egret, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Merlin (an early male sat briefly in field south of the silage heap before flying west and out of sight), 40 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Sedge Warbler, 2 Reed Warbler, 2 Whitethroat, 6 Corn Bunting, 1 Willow Warbler (moved the hedge on the west side of the lagoon with a mixed tit flock), 77 Black-tailed Godwit, 6 Great Crested Grebe (on the river), 113 Canada Goose, 2 Greylag Goose, 1 Bar-headed Goose with the Canada Goose flock. Steve Arlow (SOG).
Landwick, 12:00 to 12:30
1 Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Yellowhammer (2 adults & 2 juvs.), 2 Sparrowhawk. John Wright (SOG).
Hadleigh Marshes/Benfleet Creek 14:00 - 16:30
1 Merlin over grazing marsh, being mobbed by a magpie and heading towards Benfleet, 2 Curlew Sandpiper on creek, 2 Knot on creek, 50+ Yellow Wagtail on grazing marsh. Ross and Chris Gardner.
Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 15:00
1 Sparrowhawk (hunting over house). Paul Baker (SOG).
Southend, 17:00
1 Sparrowhawk (flew south over Tesco's, A127). Paul Baker (SOG).
Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 19:00
1 Swift. Paul Baker (SOG).
Friday 26th August 2005
Westcliff Seafront 09:30 - 10:00
7 Little Egret. 13 Seals on sand bank. Web Author.
Two Tree Island 11:00 - 14:30
1,200+ Black-tailed Godwit (spooked into flight by bait digger, awe inspiring!!), 21 Ringed Plover, 2 Grey Plover (really smart summer plumage), 6 Whimbrel, 4 Curlew, many Oystercatcher, Common Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, 12 Avocet, 1 Little-ringed Plover, 4 Mediterranean Gull. Gary Clinton.
Eastwood, 16:40
1 Swift. Paul Griggs (SOG).
Gunners Park, Pond
1 Spotted Flycatcher. 2 Pied Flycatcher early in week in same area. Lee Ebbs.
Thursday 25th August 2005
Chalkwell Park Drive, Leigh, 07:10 to 07:15
1 Sparrowhawk (over the garden). John Wright (SOG).
Westcliff Seafront, 09:00 to 10:15
9 Little Egret, 5 Mediterranean Gull, 7 Knot, 14 Curlew. 15 seals on sand bank. Web Author.
Vange Marsh, 17:10 to 20:10
9 Greenshank, 3 Green Sandpiper, 18 Common Sandpiper, 41 Snipe , 3 Whinchat (including a tailless bird), 1 Little Ringed Plover (juvenile), 18 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Pintail (female and eclipse drake), 1 Short-eared Owl (over the old rubbish tip at dusk had been seen earlier over nearby Fobbing Marsh), 1 White / Pied Wagtail (adult male amongst the Pied Wagtails), 1 Sedge Warbler, 70 Swallow (at least), 20 Sand Martin (at least), 10 House Martin (at least), 6 Swift, 3 Ruff, 2 Spotted Redshank, 2 Ringed Plover (adults), 3 Curlew Sandpiper (juveniles) Steve Arlow (SOG).
Wednesday 24th August 2005
P20 Right 3CY Paris FS 39744 19/04/2002 Berendrecht, Antwerpen, BELGIUM 51,2N 4,19E was green E02
vv 18/05/2002 Zandvlietsluis (new colony), Antwerpen, BELGIUM 51,2N 4,17E Mannaert, Albert
vv 25/05/2002 Zandvlietsluis (new colony), Antwerpen, BELGIUM 51,2N 4,17E as 3CY-brd Flamant, Renaud
vv 29/05/2002 Zandvlietsluis (new colony), Antwerpen, BELGIUM 51,2N 4,17E Duponcheel, Camille
vv 21/06/2002 Zandvlietsluis (new colony), Antwerpen, BELGIUM 51,2N 4,17E Meininger, Peter L.
vv 25/06/2002 Zandvlietsluis (new colony), Antwerpen, BELGIUM 51,2N 4,17E Meininger, Peter L.
vv 07/07/2002 Zandvlietsluis (new colony), Antwerpen, BELGIUM 51,2N 4,17E Maes, Koen
vv 07/07/2002 Zandvlietsluis (new colony), Antwerpen, BELGIUM 51,2N 4,17E Mannaert, Albert
c 19/07/2002 Berendrecht, Antwerpen, BELGIUM 51,2N 4,19E Goris, Guido
vv 19/07/2002 Zandvlietsluis (new colony), Antwerpen, BELGIUM 51,2N 4,17E Snyers, Chris
vv 23/07/2002 Zandvlietsluis (new colony), Antwerpen, BELGIUM 51,2N 4,17E Feeding one young with green ring Snyers, Chris
vv 30/07/2002 Folkestone, Copt Point, Kent, GB 51,05N 1,12E Henson, Raymond
vv 29/08/2002 Southend Pier, Essex, GB 51,31N 0,43E Arlow, Steve
vv 30/08/2002 Southend Pier, Essex, GB 51,31N 0,43E Arlow, Steve
vv 16/11/2002 Southend Pier, Essex, GB 51,31N 0,43E Arlow, Steve
vv 01/01/2003 Southend Pier, Essex, GB 51,31N 0,43E Arlow, Steve
vv 30/01/2003 Southend Pier, Essex, GB 51,31N 0,43E Todd, Colin
vv 30/01/2003 Southend Pier, Essex, GB 51,31N 0,43E Perkins, Alan
vv 09/03/2003 Southend Pier, Essex, GB 51,31N 0,43E Arlow, Steve
vv 16/03/2003 Zandvlietsluis (new colony), Antwerpen, BELGIUM 51,2N 4,17E Kearsley, Lyndon
vv 25/03/2003 Wimereux, Plage Nord, Pas-de-Calais, FRANCE 50,46N 1,37E Duponcheel, Camille
vv 16/07/2003 Southend Pier, Essex, GB 51,31N 0,43E Arlow, Steve
vv 19/07/2003 Southend Pier, Essex, GB 51,31N 0,43E Arlow, Steve
vv 09/08/2003 Southend Pier, Essex, GB 51,31N 0,43E Arlow, Steve
vv 04/10/2003 Southend Pier, Essex, GB 51,31N 0,43E Arlow, Steve
vv 22/02/2004 Southend Pier, Essex, GB 51,31N 0,43E Arlow, Steve
vv 01/08/2004 Southend Pier, Essex, GB 51,31N 0,43E Arlow, Steve
vv 27/01/2005 Southend Pier, Essex, GB 51,31N 0,43E Baker, M.D
vv 26/02/2005 Folkestone, Copt Point, Kent, GB 51,05N 1,12E Hunter, Ian
vv 25/07/2005 Southend Pier, Essex, GB 51,31N 0,43E Arlow, Steve
vv 07/08/2005 Southend Pier, Essex, GB 51,31N 0,43E Mee, Graham
vv 20/08/2005 Southend Pier, Essex, GB 51,31N 0,43E Mee, Graham
Westcliff Seafront, 09:15 to 09:45
7 Little Egret, 1 Marsh Harrier (flew low over pier to Kent coast). 14 Seals on sand bank. Web Author.
Canvey Seafront, 13:00 to 15:15
1 Hobby (flying south to Kent), 78 Common Tern, 3 Arctic Tern, 11 Little Tern, 25 Sandwich Tern. Jeff Saward (SOG).
Tuesday 23rd August 2005
Shoebury 06.28
Hobby over house being mobbed by two crows. Web Author.
Westcliff Seafront, 09:15 to 10:30
7 Little Egret, 18 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Ring-billed Gull, 16 Seals on sand bank. Web Author.
Vange Marsh, 13:40 to 14:20
59 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Common Sandpiper, 1 Redshank, 2 Curlew Sandpiper (imm.), 1 Reed Bunting, 3 Ruff. Paul Griggs (SOG).
Wakering Old Rubbish Tip, 17:15 to 18:00
2 Barn Owl (over New England Island), 2 Marsh Harrier (females over Foulness), 25 Little Egret (the roost appears to have split up with minimal numbers coming in to three sites), 1 Green Sandpiper (over the tip). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Thorpe Bay 18.00 - 18.10
1 Sparrowhawk (on a tree in my garden), 6 Goldfinch (on same tree but not a same time as Sparrowhawk!). John Pitts.
Wakering Stairs, (slipway) 18:00 to 18:50
1 Curlew Sandpiper (smart adult summer just out from the seawall), 16 Greenshank, 1 Little Egret, 6 Golden Plover, 1 Turtle Dove. Steve Arlow (SOG).
Gunners Park 18.15 - 19.15
1 Whinchat (EWT buffer zone), 2 Wheatear (EWT reserve), 1 Green Woodpecker. Please note, there is no access to the buffer zone or reserve as the developers have fenced it off - there is a gap, far s/w corner. Steve Giles.
Monday 22nd August 2005
Gunners Park, 09:30 to 10:00
1 Kestrel, 1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Yellow Wagtail. Web Author.
Westcliff Seafront, 10:15 to 10:45, low tide
23 Little Egret, 5 Mediterranean Gull. 14 Seals on sand bank. Web Author.
Wat Tyler Country Park 14.30 - 16.00
2 Green Sandpiper, 2 Common Sandpiper, 2 Ringed Plover, Little Ringed Plover, Blackcap (juv.), 3 Reed Warbler, 12 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Hobby, 4 Bearded Tit, 6 Long-tailed Tit, 5 Teal, 6 Gadwall. Gary Clinton.
Westcliff Seafront, 17:25 to 17:40
1 Ring-billed Gull (Rossi has returned and was showing very well, now back for its 7th winter). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Southend Seafront, 17:45 to 19:00
93 Mediterranean Gull (46 adults (incl. yellow 31P and 57P), 20 2nd years and 27 juveniles), 3 Little Egret, 200 Common Tern (at least roosting on the beach), 3 Arctic Tern (at least with the Common Terns). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Hawkwell
From the 2nd August; 2 Black-rumped waxbills (escapes). Richard Pryor.
Sunday 21st August 2005
Southend Old Gasworks Pier, 06:25 to 06:50
19 Mediterranean Gull (16 adults, 1 1st summer & 2 juv's), 3 Little Egret, 1 Common Tern. Neil Chambers, Richard Hall (SOG).
Gunners Park, 07:00 to 07:35
3 Whitethroat, 1 Green Woodpecker. Neil Chambers, Richard Hall (SOG).
Westcliff Seafront, 07:45 to 08:05
6 Mediterranean Gull (all adults), 23 Little Egret (all seen from Rossi's, although 16 were approx. 1 mile west of there), 2 Common Tern. Neil Chambers, Richard Hall (SOG).
Vange Marsh, 08:30 to 10:00
2 Curlew Sandpiper (juv's) , 1 Greenshank, , 122 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Green Sandpiper, 6 Common Sandpiper, 7 Ruff, 13 Snipe, 1 Ringed Plover, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 80 Teal (approx.), 3 Reed Bunting, 4 Whitethroat, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Common Tern (2 adults & a juv), 1 Little Egret, 2 Sparrowhawk. Neil Chambers, Richard Hall (SOG).
Vange Marsh, 09:30 to 10:00
2 Curlew Sandpiper, 4 Ruff, 13 Snipe, 125 Black-tailed Godwit (approx.), 6 Common Sandpiper, 1 Dunlin, 5 Common Tern, 3 Whitethroat, 1 Hobby flew north over flyover. Paul Baker (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park, 10:10 to 11:00
1 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Bearded Tit (also heard), 3 Cetti's Warbler (singing), 2 Reed Warbler, 1 Turtle Dove. Paul Baker, Neil Chambers, Richard Hall (SOG).
Southend Pier 10.50 - 16.15
8 Shelduck flying west, 1 Peregrine Falcon approached from Kent and flew right over pier head north inland to Southend (at 12.13hrs), 7 Turnstone, 20+ Mediterranean Gull, 50+ Common Tern, 1 Black Tern. Martin Johnson.
Gunners Park, 11:40 to 13:00
1 Willow Warbler, 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 7 Whitethroat, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Yellow Wagtail. Steve Arlow (SOG).
Canvey Seafront 12.00 - 14.30
1 Arctic Skua (pale form), 5 Common Tern. Shaun Harvey.
Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 17:50
1 Swift, 40 House Sparrow (flock on feeder including many young), 1 Green Woodpecker. Paul Baker (SOG).
Two Tree Island 19.50 - 20.55
40 Little Egret roosting in trees; numbers built up from 3 at 19.50 to at least 40 by 20.30. Seen from Belton Gardens. Martin Johnson.
Saturday 20th August 2005
Gunners Park, 08:10 to 08:30
1 Kestrel, 1 Green Woodpecker, 12 House Martin, 7 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Wheatear. Web Author.
Southend Pier, 09:00 to 15:30
14 Mediterranean Gull (rung birds included: silver 'paris' 39735, green P20, Red PAJ1 and yellow 57P), 122 Common Tern, 1 Black Tern. Also: possible 18 Common Scoter distant. Web Author.
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 09.25 11.20
12 Little Egret (7 on north side of Crouch), 2 Green Sandpiper, 5 Reed Bunting, 2 Curlew, 2 Common Tern, 2 House Martin, Greenshank, 2 Swallow. Ray Fuller.
Vange Marsh, 10:00 to 11:25
1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrel, 6 Snipe, 12 Common Sandpiper, 2 Green Sandpiper, 30 Lapwing, 200 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Greenshank, 1 Curlew, 4 Common Tern, 200 Teal, 20 Pochard, 100 Shoveler, 6 Tufted Duck. John Wright (SOG).
Two Tree Island 10.50 - 13.15
1 Cormorant, 35 Little Egret (roosting on saltings at high tide), 1 Grey Heron, 33 Canada Geese (to SE of saltings on high tide), 1 Teal, 12 Oystercatcher, 6 Avocet, Ringed Plover, Grey Plover, Lapwing, 1 Knot, Turnstone, 2 Curlew Sandpiper, 1 Common Sandpiper, Redshank, Greenshank, c.1,550 Black-tailed Godwit (counted on Benfleet Creek from South Hide), c. 600 Curlew (roosting on saltings at high tide), 2 Little Tern juveniles. Martin Johnson.
Southchurch Park 11.30 and 17.00
2 young Cormorant on the Island. Graham and Mandy Saunders.
Wat Tyler Country Park, 11:35 to 12:20
1 Marsh Harrier (juvenile, hunting Bowers Marsh & the scrape where it caught & plucked a Moorhen), 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Hobby (Adult.), 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Ruff, 50 Lapwing. John Wright (SOG).
Friday 19th August 2005
Coombe Wood, 03:30 to 03:45
1 Tawny Owl (calling loudly from the trees in my garden). Jeff Saward (SOG).
Canvey Seafront, 10:45 to 12:45
4 Arctic Skua (2 dark phase, 1 pale phase, 1 juv. in a flock) , 18 Black Tern (including a flock of 8), 12 Arctic Tern (in one single flock), 45 Common Tern (moving west), 1 Mediterranean Gull (juvenile). Jeff Saward (SOG).
Tattersall Gardens, Leigh 18.48
1 Sparrowhawk flying north over gardens. Martin Johnson.
Thursday 18th August 2005
Rochford, 10:00 to 12:00
1 juvenile Cuckoo (location: Cherry Orchard Country Park & Gusted Hall), 6 Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker. John Wright (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park, 12:30 to 13:10
2 Hobby, 1 Water Rail (heard), 1 Bearded Tit (heard), 1 Cetti's Warbler (heard). Paul Griggs (SOG).
Hanningfield reservoir (Rawl Hide) 13:00 - 14:25
150+ Canada Geese, 21 Mute Swan, 1 Barnacle Geese, 1 Black Swan, 45+ Greylag Geese, 20+ Coot, 35+ Tufted duck, 30+ Cormorant, 7 Grey Heron, 8 Lapwing, 4 Dunlin, 4 Ringed Plover, 3 Common Tern, 3 Pied Wagtail, 5 Great Tit, 4 Blue Tit. Reservoir at 83% full so beached areas appearing along with abundance of birdlife. Dave Griffiths.
Gunners Park 14.00
3 Wheatear on EWT and a lot of fencing! Steve Gill.
Wat Tyler Country Park 14:15 - 16:30
4 Hobby, 2 Kingfisher, 2 Turtle Dove, 6 Little Egret, 2 Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon, 8 Grey Heron, male Bullfinch in trees near main car park. Also: Water Vole, Pike (possibly Perch) boiling up fry in shallows, Still lots of Common Carp showing near Holly Hide. Gary Clinton.
River Crouch, Near Battlesbridge 16:00
1 Common Buzzard, 2 Greenshank. David Chivers.
Wednesday 17th August 2005
Vange Marsh, 12:15 to 13:00
2 Yellow Wagtail, 12 Common Sandpiper, 68 Black-tailed Godwit, 7 Greenshank, 1 Ringed Plover, 8 Dunlin, 3 Redshank, 3 Ruff, 1 Greylag Goose. Paul Griggs (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park 14:30 - 15:45
4 Hobby, 2 Turtle Dove, 2 Common Snipe, 8 Grey Heron, 4 Little Egret, Peregrine high over cemetery heading east, Reed Warbler, Cetti's Warbler. Also: 50+ Common and Mirror Carp all along shallows at edge of fleet, obviously feeding on an abundance of something with their backs and tails well clear of the water. Many large specimens. Terrapin quite a big one hauled out on floating pallet possibly Red Eared? Gary Clinton.
Two Tree Island (West), 15:00 to 16:15
11 Little Egret, 3 Little Tern, 1 Whimbrel, 500 Black-tailed Godwit. John Wright (SOG).
Two Tree Island (East), 16:15 to 17:00
13 Little Egret, 600 Curlew. John Wright (SOG).
Gunners Park 18:45 - 19:30
4 Wheatear,1 Common Whitethroat,1 Green Woodpecker,c15 Swallow,c25 Greenfinch. Steve Giles.
Wakering, Fleet Head, 19:15 to 20:20 (much of the best wader habitat at the fleet is totally dry)
12 Whimbrel, 6 Ruff, 49 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Dunlin, 6 Little Egret, 1 Green Sandpiper. Steve Arlow (SOG).
Tuesday 16th August 2005
South Road (Old Hill Wood) 13:00 - 14:00
20+ Long-tailed Tit, 12 Goldfinch, Kestrel (pair hunting along field edge & returning to telegraph pole), Spotted Flycatcher. Common Lizard. Gary Clinton.
Gunners Park 15:00 - 16:00
8 Wheatear in EWT reserve. Web Author.
Wat Tyler Country Park 16:00 - 17:20
Kingfisher (lovely sighting as it flew low against reed bed opposite Holly hide), Hobby, Peregrine (stooping over tip), Cetti's Warbler (calling). Gary Clinton.
Monday 15th August 2005
Wat Tyler County Park 15.30 - 17.20
Arctic Tern (sitting on pole in Fleet opp. Holly Cottage hide) Good comparison with some Commons also present, Hobby. Also Terrapins (three hauled out on raft and others in fleet, one small one taken by Grey Heron), Common Carp (many large specimens in shallows at south end of fleet, many certainly over 20lbs). Gary Clinton.
Southend Airport, 18:20 to 18:45
1 Hobby (north), 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Green Woodpecker. Paul Baker (SOG).
Sunday 14th August 2005
Colour ring number: RED PAJ1 metal ring number: Praha Ex 35054/ Gdansk FN 08365
Life history
CB. 22.05.2005 >3 CY PACZKOWSKI RESERVOIR, KOZIELNO, WROCLAW, POLAND. 50.29 N 16.58 E. KOLODZIEJCZYK, P.
V. 30.07.2005 AD SOUTHEND SEAFRONT, ESSEX, UK ARLOW. S.
V. 07.08.2005 SOUTHEND PIER, ESSEX, UK. MEE, G.
From Steve Arlow: As you can see above, this Red ringed Med Gull is in fact our old friend Praha EX35054 (Czech Republic Bird) that has been re-ringed at a breeding colony in Poland this spring. This proves that not all of the birds that are seen in the Thames head to the nearest breeding colonies in Belgium and France but actually migrate to Eastern European colonies, even the colonies in which they themselves were raised.
Southend Seafront, 08:30 to 11:10
81 Mediterranean Gull (27 juvenile, 39 adults and 15 2nd years - rings read: adults; yellow 31P, Green 3XE3, Red PAJ1, Green P20), 2 Little Egret, 1 Whimbrel, 30 Common Tern (at least). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Vange Marsh, 12:00 to 14:30
5 Ruff, 7 Common Sandpiper, 65 Black-tailed Godwit, 11 Snipe, 1 Yellow-legged Gull (juvenile), 1 Little Ringed Plover (juvenile), 1 Greenshank, 1 Wheatear. Steve Arlow (SOG).
Canvey Point, 14:00 to 16:00
1 Peregrine Falcon (taking a Turnstone from the wader roost). Jeff Saward (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park, 14:40 to 15:00
5 Green Sandpiper, 1 Common Sandpiper. Steve Arlow (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park 17.00 - 18.00
1 Spotted Redshank, 1 Common Sandpiper, 5 Green Sandpiper, 8 Avocet, 2 Little Egret, 4 Black-Tailed Godwit, Hobby. Martin Cracknell.
Ashingdon, 18:00
1 House Sparrow. Hummingbird Hawk-moth feeding in garden along Rectory Avenue. Paul Baker (SOG).
Two Tree Island 18:15 - 18:45
33 Little Egret on roosts at high tide. Web Author.
Two Tree Island
1,100 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Avocet, 3 Greenshank, 5 Grey Plover. Jeff Delve, Nick Green and Glyn Evans (EBS).
Wat Tyler Country Park
2 Bearded tit, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Common Sandpiper, 7 Avocet, 1 Sparrowhawk. Jeff Delve, Nick Green and Glyn Evans (EBS).
Gunners Park
7 Wheatear on reserve, 2 Sparrowhawk. Jeff Delve, Nick Green and Glyn Evans (EBS).
Wakering, Fleet Head
13 Whimbrel, 17 Ruff, 2 Green Sandpiper, 2 Avocet, 3 Marsh Harriers (all juvs. on Potton). Jeff Delve, Nick Green and Glyn Evans. (EBS).
August 2005
Saturday 13th August 2005
Hampton Barns / River Roach 08.00 - 11.15
1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Little Egret, 1 Kestrel, c.50 Grey Plover (many in full summer plumage), c.60 Black-tailed Godwit (many in full summer plumage), 3 Bar-tailed Godwit (in summer plumage), c.18 Dunlin (many in full summer plumage), 3 Turtle Dove, 1 Green Woodpecker, Swallow, House Martin, Pied Wagtail, c.12 Yellow Wagtail, c.100 House Sparrow around farm buildings, Common Whitethroat, Chiffchaff, 2 Yellowhammer, 6 Reed Bunting, c.20 Corn Bunting. Steve Sanford, Web Author. (Resident reports Little Owl and Barn Owl near this location. - Ed.).
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 09.20 11.20
3 Greenshank, 11 Little Egret (2 on north side of Crouch), 4 Grey Plover, 20+ Ringed Plover, 4 Bar-tailed Godwit, Marsh Harrier, 9 Common Whitethroat, 3 Reed Bunting, Common Tern, 3 Common Sandpiper, 4 Curlew, 5 Skylark. Ray Fuller.
Pitsea / Bowers Marsh 09.35
1 Marsh Harrier (seen from train over marshes between Benfleet and Pitsea being mobbed by Crows). Martin Cracknell.
Two Tree Island, 14:00 to 15:00
1234 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Greenshank, 9 Little Egret, 1 Knot, 1 Yellow-legged Gull (adult), 1 Whimbrel, 118 Ringed Plover. Paul Griggs, Don Petrie (SOG).
Wakering Stairs 14:00 - 15:50
1 Little Egret, c2,300 Oystercatcher, c.200 Grey Plover (many in full summer plumage), Turnstone (many in full summer plumage). Web Author.
Wat Tyler Country Park 14.00-16.00
1 Peregrine Falcon , 1 Spotted Redshank , 2 Bearded Tit (more heard), 1 Whimbrel, 2 Greenshank, 4 Little Egret, 2 Common Sandpiper, 1 Sparrowhawk, Hobby. Martin Cracknell.
Wakering Stairs, 15:50 to 16:10
2 Mediterranean Gull (juveniles). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Wallasea Island (evening)
Approx. 50 Yellow Wagtail (lots of juvs.), 15 Linnet, 1 Chiffchaff, 4 Wheatear, 5 Little Egret, 30 Little Tern (on shingle at Ness Point, including at least 8 youngsters), 4 Artic Terns (heading east up Crouch), 200 Ringed Plover, 150 Dunlin, 60 Lapwing, 2 Common Sandpiper. Jeff Delve (EBS).
Friday 12th August 2005
Two Tree Island (West), 08:25
1 Wheatear (on seawall opposite two tree). Simon Watson (SOG).
Canvey Area
Pair of Sparrowhawk hunting co-operatively, they were harassing and splitting up a flock of around 150 Starling into smaller and smaller groups. Unfortunately, I didn't see the end of this as they disappeared over a caravan sight and were lost to view. Gary Clinton.
Thursday 11th August 2005
Leigh on Sea, 07:30
1 Sparrowhawk past Shirley Road. Dudley Shayler (SOG).
Vange Marsh 10:55
Black-tailed Godwit, too many to count, certainly 100's. Seen briefly from A13, wheeling over the marsh and then heading south. Gary Clinton.
Wednesday 10th August 2005
Chalkwell Park Drive, Leigh, 10:30 to 10:35
20 Swift (Hummingbird Hawkmoth in my garden). John Wright (SOG).
Vange Marsh, 12:20 to 13:00
58 Black-tailed Godwit, 12 Common Sandpiper, 3 Ruff, 2 Little Ringed Plover (juvs), 1 Ringed Plover (adult), 1 Sparrowhawk (female). Paul Griggs (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park, 14:15 to 15:00
2 Hobby, 1 Cetti's Warbler (singing in front of hide), 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Common Tern, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 6 Teal. Paul Baker (SOG).
Two Tree Island 17.00hrs
32 Little Egret roosting on saltings, seen from Belton Gardens. Martin Johnson.
Tuesday 09th August 2005
Details of White ring 3E72 and P20 Mediterranean Gulls.
3E72: Left 3CY Bruxelles 7T21303 26/06/2005 Grembergen, Oost-Vlaanderen, BELGIUM 51,03N 4,06E
v30/07/2005 Southend Pier, Essex, GB 51,31N 0,43E Arlow, Steve
v07/08/2005 Southend Pier, Essex, GB 51,31N 0,43E Mee, Graham
P20: This bird was seen on the Pier on 10/02/02 before being seen at Calais 26/3/02-29/3/02. It then was found at Zandvlietsluis Antwerpen in Belgium at a new breeding colony on 18/5/02. The bird was trapped and re-rung as P20 on 19/7/02 at Berendrecht, Antwerpen before being seen back at Zandvlietsluis again until 23/07/02. The bird was then seen back at Southend Pier 29/08/02. It has been reported each year since then.
Thorpe Bay - Back Garden 13.20
1 Willow Warbler. John Pitts.
Vange Marsh, 13:30 to 14:00
20 Common Sandpiper, 2 Curlew, 4 Greenshank, 2 Spotted Redshank, 1 Hobby, 8 Common Tern, 40 Black-tailed Godwit, 6 Ruff, 1 Ringed Plover. Paul Baker (SOG).
Blue House Farm 15.45 - 18.15
1 Peregrine Falcon (adult, male). 1 Green Sandpiper, 5 Reed Warbler, 1 Skylark, 1 Meadow Pipit, 4 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Grey Wagtail, 1 Wheater (adult, male). Tim & Viv Connett.
Basildon Golf Course 15:45 - 17:15
2 Sparrowhawk, 1 Chiffchaff (heard), 4 Green Woodpecker. Oshoryu.
Monday 08th August 2005
Wat Tyler Country Park, 12:20 to 13:00
80 Canada Goose, 1 Starling (leucistic). Paul Griggs (SOG).
Tollesbury Wick 15.45 - 19.30
4 Goldfinch (juv), 1 Brent Goose, 2 Little Tern, 1 Little Stint, 3 Turnstone, 1 Grey Plover. Tim & Viv Connett.
Southend Seafront, 18:00 to 18:45
15 Mediterranean Gull (10 adults, 2 2nd years, 1 1st year and 2 juveniles). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Sunday 07th August 2005
Rochford Golf Course, 09:30 to 13:30
2 Green Woodpecker. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Southend Pier, 11:30 to 13:00
1 Gannet, 15 Turnstone, 22 Mediterranean Gull (incl. red PAJ1, white 3E72, Green P20), 9 Sandwich Tern, 42 Common Tern. Web Author.
Two Tree Island, 12:15 to 14:00
500 Black-tailed Godwit (at least, including several colour ringed with only one bird with fully identifiable colours: left leg red above yellow above knee+red above ankle, yellow above knee + white above ankle), 53 Greenshank, 6 Little Egret, 4 Whimbrel, 1 Yellow-legged Gull (adult), 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Golden Plover. Steve Arlow (SOG).
Wakering Stairs, 12:30 to 13:30
1 Little Egret, 10 Common Tern, 100 Black-tailed Godwit, 20 Grey Plover, 1 Green Woodpecker. Peter Collins (SOG).
Hadleigh Downs, 14:00 to 16:00
2 Sparrowhawk (1 Banded Demoiselle,1 Black Tailed Skimmer, many Migrant Hawkers, pair Emperors, Brown Hawkers, Common and Ruddy Darters, Common Blue Damselfly and Blue Tailed Damselfly. Wasp Spider). Dudley Shayler (SOG).
Two Tree Island (West), 14:15 to 15:15
1 Common Sandpiper, 34 Greenshank, 400 Black-tailed Godwit (One with a red ring and a blue ring), 3 Dunlin. John Wright (SOG).
Canvey Point, 15:10 to 16:05
1 Common Tern. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Benfleet Creek, 15:15 to 16:20
19 Little Egret, 50 Golden Plover (Still in summer plumage), 200 Lapwing, 300 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Cuckoo (juv. being fed by a Reed Warbler), 8 Common Tern, 3 Turnstone. John Wright (SOG).
Wakering Stairs, 16:15 to 18:00
47 Greenshank, 2 Marsh Harrier (females on Havengore Island), 1 Turtle Dove, 4 Whimbrel, 8 Little Egret. Steve Arlow (SOG).
Vange Marsh, 16:25 to 17:20
3 Yellow-legged Gull (2 adults & 1 juv.), 1 Spotted Redshank, 9 Greenshank, , 6 Ruff, 6 Green Sandpiper, 12 Common Sandpiper, 5 Common Tern (2 ads & 3 juvs), 1 Yellow Wagtail (flew over), 1 Black Swan. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Ashingdon, Barbara Close 16.28
Sparrowhawk high heading east. Also Sand Martins, House Martins and Swallow at various times during the afternoon. Web Author.
Southend Seafront, 18:10 to 18:40
57 Mediterranean Gull (29 adults, 12 juveniles, 9 1st years and 5 2nd years). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Saturday 06th August 2005
Wakering Stairs 07.30 - 08.10
5 Little Egret, 3 Turtle Dove. Web Author.
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 11.20
Buzzard flew south, appeared to take off from Blue House Farm area. Also Wheatear on waters edge. Paglesham seawall westwards from boatyard: 2 Marsh Harrier, and of interest dozens of Martins and Swallows who appear to have made their summer home on an old rusty barge!! Also: Corn Bunting, 4 Common Tern, 3 Common Whitethroat, 9 Bar-tailed Godwit, 6 Curlew, 6 Little Egret (2 on north side of Crouch), Green Sandpiper, 3 Common Sandpiper, Yellow Wagtail, 10 Skylark. Ray Fuller.
Wakering Stairs, 11:50 to 12:45
4 Whimbrel, 14 Greenshank, 3 Little Egret, 1 Stercorarius sp. (extremely distant bird flew up river). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Two Tree Island, 15:55 to 16:15
2 Grey Plover (full summer plumage), c.200 Black-tailed Godwit (many in full summer plumage), 14 Greenshank, 4 Dunlin (summer plumage). Web Author. This is really a great time of year to head down to the shore to look for returning waders. Most of our wading birds appear as a dull grey in the winter months but many of the birds on their way south that are arriving now will be in their summer plumage. This is a great way to learn the identification of waders. Click on our info button to compare the summer and winter plumage of the Grey Plover and you will see what we mean. - Ed.
Highlands Boulevard, Leigh, 17:00
1 Grey Wagtail. Paul Griggs (SOG).
Leigh on Sea, 19:35 to 17:35
1 Hobby (flew over Shirley Road calling). Dudley Shayler (SOG).
Friday 05th August 2005
Thundersley - My Garden. 09.45 - 09.55
1 Sparrowhawk (female) made two unsuccessful passes past our bird feeders then alighted in a nearby Birch tree. It was wet and somewhat bedraggled and spent 10mins preening before flying off in the direction of Shipwrights Woods. John Bennett.
Leigh 16.28
Female Sparrowhawk over The Fairway heading east. Web Author.
Thursday 04th August 2005
Southend, 09:00
1 Sparrowhawk over Baxter Avenue. John Wright (SOG).
Two Tree Island Lagoon 14.00 - 16.00
500+ Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Avocet, pair of Oystercatcher, 60+ Ringed Plover, 1 Little Egret. David Flack.
Two-Tree Island 19.30 - 20.30
1 Common Sandpiper (on lagoon), 3 Greenshank, 4 Whimbrel, several hundred Black-tailed Godwit. Martin Cracknell.
Wednesday 03rd August 2005
Westcliff, 08:50
1 Sparrowhawk (over the London Road). John Wright (SOG).
Pipps Hill, Basildon 11:00
1 Hobby, flew east along the A127. Paul Griggs (SOG).
Hullbridge 16:00
1 male and 2 female Green Woodpecker, 2 Mistle Thrush on School field behind my garden in Pooles Lane. David Flack.
Two Tree Island, 17:30 to 18:00
7 Little Egret, 8 Black-tailed Godwit, 13 Greenshank, 2 Whimbrel. Paul Griggs (SOG).
Fleet Head, Potton Road 19:45 to 20:30
3 Little Egret, 1 Marsh Harrier (adult male on New England Island), 4 Kestrel, 4 Common Sandpiper, 1 Wheatear . Web Author, Christine Dell.
Tuesday 02nd August 2005
Magnolia NR, Hawkwell, 14:00 to 14:30
2 Sparrowhawk (male and female). Steve Sanford (SOG).
Thundersley Common 19:00
4 Green Woodpecker (2 juveniles). Gary Clinton.
Monday 01st August 2005
Canewdon, 08:00
3 Barn Owl (Juveniles on top of nestbox). Steve Sanford (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park 11.00 - 12.00
3 Little Egret, 5 Grey Heron, Hobby. Web Author.
Sutton Road Cemetery, 12:00
1 Little Egret (in creek by Purdey's Industrial estate, Sutton Rd.). Paul Baker (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park, 12:30 to 13:00
1 Redshank, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Little Egret. Paul Griggs (SOG).
Southend, 19:30 to 19:35
Hobby (high over Priory Park catching insects on the wing heading SW). Web Author.