Bird Reports for August 2006
Thursday 31st August 2006
Hanningfield Reservoir 09:45 - 12:15
1 Peregrine (in same tree on West Bank for at least 2.5 hrs), 1 Spotted Flycatcher (behind Rawl Hide), 1 Black-necked Grebe (Rawl Hide), 2 Green Sandpiper (Rawl Hide), 1 Common Sandpiper (Rawl Hide), 1 Yellow-legged Gull (Point Hide), 1 Egyptian Goose (Point Hide), 6 Red-crested Pochard (fishing lodge bay). Also 1 Bar-headed Goose, 2 Black Swans. Ian White.
Hanningfield Reservoir 16:30 - 17:30
1 Little Gull (2nd winter), 2 Little Stint, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Common Sandpiper. Ross and Chris Gardner.
Two Tree Island (East), 17:15 to 17:20
20 Little Egret roosting on the salt marsh. John Wright (SOG).
Wednesday 30th August 2006
Belfairs, 08:00
1 Buzzard, 1 Grey Wagtail. Tony Mead (SOG).
Hanningfield Reservoir 10:25 to 13:45
1 Black Swan, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Coal Tit, 3 Common Sandpiper, 1 Egyptian Goose, 1 Blackcap. David Lee.
Tuesday 29th August 2006
Leigh on Sea, 06:30
1 Hobby over The Broadway, 3 Swift. John Wright (SOG).
Southend Seafront overhead The Kursal 13:50 - 13:55
1 Swift. Iain Henderson.
Wat Tyler Country Park 15:49
4 Common Snipe (captured on webcam). Web Author.
Monday 28th August 2006
Chalkwell Park Drive, Leigh, 14:00 to 14:15
1 Swift. Hummingbird Hawkmoth again on Buddlia and Migrant Hawker around the garden over the last few days. John Wright (SOG).
Canvey Seafront, 15:15 to 16:15
2 Black Tern, 2 Sandwich Tern, 3 Little Egret (in Kent), 4 Common Tern. Paul Baker (SOG).
Wakering Stairs 16.15 - 17.30
11 Little Tern fishing close in off Wakering Corner, 5 Common Tern, 2 Wheatear. Ray Fuller.
Sunday 27th August 2006
Woodside Park, Thundersley, 09:00 to 10:00
1 Sparrowhawk (male), 2 Mistle Thrush, 3 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 4 Chaffinch. Also 1 Muntjack a 1st for this site. Graham Ryland (SOG).
Paglesham Lagoon, 09:00 to 10:00
3 Whinchat on the footpath to the lagoon, 3 Common Tern, 75 Little Grebe (at least). John Wright (SOG).
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 09.45 11.50
Sparrowhawk, 11 Little Egret, 2 Greenshank, 2 Common Sandpiper, 8 Common Whitethroat, 2 Reed Bunting, 12 Swallow, Common Tern, 2 Skylark. Ray Fuller.
Paglesham, Lion Creek Reserve 10.50 - 12.25
Continuous SW passage of Swallows and House Martins (estimate well in excess of 300 Swallow), 2 Swift,1 Hobby, 1 female Sparrowhawk (mobbed by swallows), 2 Little Egret, 1 Heron, 38 Lapwing, 1 Curlew. David Selley.
Wakering Stairs 11:00
1 Wheatear. Marion Smith.
Benfleet Creek 11:00 - 11:45
At least 80 Golden Plover, 1 Grey Plover, 1 Greenshank, a few Knot, 8 Avocet, 1 Green Sandpiper, at least 100 Swallow below Salvation Army farm and a few House Martin. Anita Pickles.
Canvey West End, 11:00 to 12:00
1 Wheatear. 1 Clouded Yellow. John Wright (SOG).
Hadleigh Downs 11:00-13:00
2 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 1 Hobby, 150+ Swallow, 3 Yellow Wagtail. Andrew Cox.
Gunners Park 13.00-14.00
2 Spotted Flycatcher. Stuart Bailey.
Benfleet Creek 13:00 - 14:00
2 Greenshank, 3 Common Sandpiper, 89 Golden Plover, many 100's of Black-tailed Godwit. Andrew Cox.
Two Tree Island 14:00 - 16:30
32 Little Tern, 2 Greenshank, 1 Whimbrel, many Curlew and Grey Plover. Andrew Cox.
Saturday 26th August 2006
Chalkwell Park Drive, Leigh, 09:30 to 09:35
1 House Sparrow. Hummingbird Hawkmoth again on Buddlia in my garden. John Wright (SOG).
Westcliff Seafront, 10:50 to 11:05
1 Ring-billed Gull showing well opposite. Rossi's, 3 Mediterranean Gull (adults), 18 Little Egret. 15 Common Seal. John Wright (SOG).
Southchurch Seafront 15:00
Curlew Sandpiper with 20 Ringed Plover and 3 Dunlin on tideline. Alan Shearring.
Benfleet Creek, 15:15 to 16:45
15 Little Egret, 1 Common Sandpiper, 800 Black-tailed Godwit, 100 Lapwing, 2 Stonechat, 2 Whinchat, 1 Wheatear, 6 Kestrel, 4 Little Tern. John Wright (SOG).
Abberton Reservoir (and Layer Breton) 16:00 - 17:00
Yellow Wagtail, 12+ Green Sandpiper, 4 Common Sandpiper, 1 Common Tern, 20+ Ruff, 1 Sand Martin, 100+ Swallow, 10+ Swift, Richard Shepherd.
Benfleet Creek, 16:45 to 17:30
3 Common Tern, 10 Swift, 25 Swallow, 4 Whitethroat, 200 Oystercatcher, 10 Teal. John Wright (SOG).
Friday 25th August 2006
Two Tree Island 08:05 to 9:25
Green Woodpecker, Approx. 500 Black-tailed Godwit flock. David Lee.
Hadleigh Downs, 09:30 to 09:35
4 Hobby (2 adults and 2 juveniles over the maze). Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).
Two Tree Island 14.40
Surprised to see 2 very light coloured juvenile Peregrines flying north towards Hadleigh Castle then turning west along old A13. Was told of two Whinchat but did not see them. Sad to see all the reptile places have been burnt. Steve Wood.
Chalkwell Park Drive, Leigh, 19:15 to 19:20
1 Swift. Hummingbird Hawkmoth on Buddlia in my garden. John Wright (SOG).
Thursday 24th August 2006
Pitsea Cemetery 09:20 - 09:30
Certainly well over 100 Martins and Swallows heading west, 6 Swift, 4 Snipe wheeled overhead and back to reserve. Gary Clinton.
Canvey Seafront, 12:00 to 14:00
2 Gannet (adult & 3rd year), 5 Black Tern (all full plumage adults). Jeff Saward (SOG).
Westcliff Seafront, 18:00
1 Ring-billed Gull on the beach showing well. Steve Arlow (SOG).
Coombe Wood, 18:45
1 Hobby flying over low SW. Jeff Saward (SOG).
Southend, North Road 19:45
1 Swift past flats flying south west. Web Author.
Southchurch 19.50
Lone Swift flying low in a south-east direction over garden in Trinity Road. Leslie Spurling.
Wednesday 23rd August 2006
Lady Essex III Trip River Roach 10.45 to 1130
Little Egret, Curlew, Cormorant, Avocet, Redshank, Grey Plover, Golden Plover, Ringed Plover, Hen Harrier, Kestrel, Reed Bunting, Whimbrel. 18 Common Seals. Gary Dunn.
Canvey Seafront, 11:20 to 13:15
21 Sandwich Tern, 17 Common Tern, 2 Arctic Tern, 2 Arctic Skua. Harry Carmichael (SOG).
Ashingdon, Princess Gardens 12.20 - 12.35
58 Swallow, 1 Swift , all flying SW. David Selley.
Tuesday 22nd August 2006
Paglesham Lagoon, 04:40 to 06:55
Note that most gulls have now left the area. 1 Caspian Gull (1st year repeating bird from earlier visits), 3 Yellow-legged Gull (2 juveniles and adult), 1 Mediterranean Gull (2nd year), 1 Common Sandpiper. Steve Arlow, Simon and Pat Cox (SOG).
Monday 21st August 2006
Belfairs, Woodlands Park
Hummingbird Hawkmoth. Peter Ray-Smith.
Sunday 20th August 2006
Basildon, 06.10 - 08.40
Male and female Sparrowhawk with juvenile. Observed from location for couple of hours showing Juvenile how to fly and hunt in woodland. They have been observed for a few months from safe distance so as not to disturb. Darren Chaplin.
Wat Tyler Country Park 08:30 - 11:30
3 Little Egret, 2 Curlew, 2 Common Sandpiper, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Oystercatcher, 5-6 Knot, 2 Water Rail all on Timmermans Creek being pushed up by the incoming tide, male and female Cetti's Warbler with 5 fledglings at the Scrape hide at the laft hand end. Martin Itter.
Hanningfield Reservoir 09:15 - 11:00
1 Black Tern, 1 Black-necked Grebe, 1 Garganey. Trevor Bufton.
Paglesham Lagoon, 11:40 to 17:00
1 Larus sp. (a white winged bird that strongly resembled the presumed glaucous x herring gull adult that was at Hole Haven Creek earlier in the year), 2 Turtle Dove, 5 Caspian Gull (juvenile x2, 1st summer x2 (both repeaters from previous visits) and 4th year/near adult (same bird as 12th August)), 8 Yellow-legged Gull (2 adults, 3 juveniles and 3 2nd summers), 7 Mediterranean Gull (juvenile, 2nd year and 4 adults), 1 Wheatear, 1 Whinchat, 1 Common Sandpiper. Steve Arlow (SOG).
Hanningfield Reservoir
Eclipse plumage male Blue-winged Teal, Black-necked Grebe, Garganey, Egyptian Goose, 2 Arctic Tern. Clive Jolly.
Dengie - Burnham on Crouch 14.00
1 Hobby, 1 Yellow Wagtail. David Chivers.
Purleigh, Lucerne Field
Clouded Yellow butterfly, Hummingbird Hawkmoth and many Common and Holly Blues - Quite a sight! Peter Ray - smith.
Saturday 19th August 2006
Canvey Road, Canvey Island 09.10
4 Curlew. In a field close to the road. On the left when travelling from Morrisons roundabout towards Waterside Farm roundabout. Bob Sheridan.
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 09.45 11.50
5 Common Tern, 4 Green Sandpiper, 5 Common Sandpiper, 5 Curlew, Wheatear, 50+ Golden Plover,Greenshank, 17 Little Egret (12 on north side of Crouch), 3 Common Whitethroat, Ringed Plover, 8 Swallow, Skylark. 2 Stoat unusual here. Ray Fuller.
Hanningfield Reservoir 10.00 - 12.00
1 juvenile Black-necked Grebe from the Rawl Hide, 2 Green Sandpiper, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Garganey, 1 Egyptian Goose, 2 Red-crested Pochard, 2 Yellow-legged Gull, 2 Black Swan. David Jobbins.
Havengore Creek, 12:15 to 13:45
1 female Marsh Harrier, 14 Little Egret, 25 Greenshank, 328 Golden Plover, 2 Wheatear. Harry Carmichael (SOG).
Benfleet Creek, 13:00 to 14:00
6 Greenshank, 12 Little Egret, 3 Common Sandpiper, 1 Ruff, 200 Black-tailed Godwit, 60 Carrion Crow In one stubble field, 2 Stonechat (male with juvenile), 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrel. John Wright (SOG).
Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 19:45 to 20:00
7 Swift. 2 Hummingbird Hawkmoth 
on buddlia in garden at same time. Paul Baker (SOG).
Leigh, Warren Road
Hummingbird Hawkmoth. Peter Ray - Smith.
Friday 18th August 2006
East Tilbury 09.00 - 11.30
2 Avocet, 9 Bar-tailed Godwit, 5 Whimbrel, 1 Black Tern, 6+ Little Egret, 1 Cuckoo (juvenile), 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Green Sandpiper, 18 Little Grebe, 1 Garganey. David Jobbins.
Eastwood, 14:00
1 Hobby Kent Elms Corner. John Wright (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park 14:00 - 14:20
1 juvenile 1 adult Ruff, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Green Sandpiper all via webcam. Web Author.
Hanningfield Reservoir 16:00 - 17:00
15+ Great Crested Grebe (Lyster/Rawl hides). 2 Little Grebe (Causeway). 2 Black Swan (Rawl), 8 Grey Heron (Rawl), 1 Gadwall (Lyster), 20+ Pochard (Lyster/Rawl), 12 Green Sandpiper (Causeway/Lyster/Rawl), 20+ Lapwing (Rawl), Mike & Jackie Bliss.
Essex Marina, Wallasea 18.30
Yellow Wagtail on field by riverside. Jackie Bliss.
Thursday 17th August 2006
Hanningfield Reservoir 09.00 - 12.00
3 Green Sandpiper, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Common Redshank, 4 Black Tern (one juv.), 2 Yellow-legged Gull, 1 Sparrowhawk. David Jobbins.
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 19.15 20.35
Wheatear, 4 Green Sandpiper, 5 Common Sandpiper, 10 Bar-tailed Godwit, 7 Golden Plover, 5 Yellow Wagtail, 6 Curlew, 2 Little Egret, 7 Common Tern, Reed Bunting. Ray Fuller.
Wednesday 16th August 2006
Seashore, Chalkwell to Westcliff 09:00 to 10:00
Several flocks of Turnstone, 1 Wheatear (east of the Crowstone), 1 Ring-billed Gull (Just offshore from Rossi's). David Lee.
Hanningfield Reservoir 14.30 - 15.00
1 Black-necked Grebe, 1 Common Sandpiper, 3 Green Sandpiper, 1 Greenshank. Robin Peppiatt.
Southend Pier 14.45 - 15.10
45 Common Tern, 70+ Turnstone, 1 Kittiwake, 1 juvenile Cormorant. All on fire damaged sections at incoming tide. David Selley.
Hadleigh Marsh / Benfleet Creek 16:00 - 17:45
1 Little Grebe, 5 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Kestrel, 1 Whimbrel, 11 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Common Sandpiper, 8 Stonechat (6 Juv's in 2 different locations), 2 Whinchat, 7 Linnet. Andrew Bridge.
Wat Tyler Country Park, 17:25 to 17:40
5 Greenshank, 6 Green Sandpiper, 2 Ruff (ad & juv), 1 Common Sandpiper, 56 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Water Rail (calling). Neil Chambers (SOG).
Tuesday 15th August 2006
Hullbridge Foreshore, River Crouch 07.00
1 Common Sandpiper. David Chivers.
Hanningfield Reservoir 07.50 - 08.00
Green Sandpiper, 4 Common Sandpiper, 2 Common Tern. Neil Chambers (SOG).
East Tilbury 08.00 - 11.00
456 Avocet, 6 Little Egret, 1 Whimbrel, 1 Greenshank, c.100 Common Swift, 1 Wheatear, 1 Whinchat, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Green Woodpecker. Also 1 Weasel. David Jobbins.
Hanningfield Reservoir 11.30 - 14.00
7 Green Sandpiper, 1 Greenshank, 4 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Hobby, 4 Yellow-legged Gull, 1 Egyptian Goose, 4+ Red-crested Pochard. David Jobbins.
Shoebury, Near Coastguard Station 14:00
2 Common sandpiper on waters edge. Iain Henderson.
Two Tree Island (West), 19:00 to 20:30
c.400 Black-tailed Godwit on lagoon and in creek, 12 Avocet. web Author.
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 19.15 20.15
3 Green Sandpiper,3 Common Sandpiper, 2 Common Tern, Curlew, 4 Yellow Wagtail, 5 Bar-tailed Godwit, 10 Swallow, 2 Swift, Little Egret, Greenshank. Ray Fuller.
Monday 14th August 2006
Wat Tyler Country Park, 08:00 to 08:25
3 Green Sandpiper, 4 Common Sandpiper, 1 Ruff (juv.), 3 Bearded Tit, 2 Sedge Warbler, 18 Black-tailed Godwit. Neil Chambers (SOG).
River Roach, Rear of MFI Purdeys Ind Estate, Rochford 08.57
1 Little Egret. Joan Honour.
Southchurch Seafront 15:00 to 16:00
32 Little Tern, 60 Common Tern, 8 Turnstone, Swift, Dunlin, 30 Ringed Plover and 3 Gannet. Alan Shearring.
Hockley/Hawkwell, 22:00 to 22:10
1 Tawny Owl heard calling from wood in St.Peters Rd Hockley. Peter Collins (SOG).
Sunday 13th August 2006
Westcliff Seafront, 07:10 to 07:20
1 Ring-billed Gull. Adult still here. Steve Arlow (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park 07:30
2 Little Grebe (1 juv.), 2 Great Crested Grebe (1 juv.), Greenshank, 3 Common Sandpiper, Arctic Tern. Paul & Matt Bruty.
Southend Seafront, 07:45 to 08:35
37 Mediterranean Gull. 9 juveniles, 13 adults and 15 2nd winters. Adults included Yellow 57P, Red PAJ1. Steve Arlow (SOG).
Hanningfield Reservoir 09.00 - 11.30
1 Pectoral Sandpiper, 2 Greenshank, 1 Yellow-legged Gull, 1 juvenile Black necked Grebe. Viv & Tim Connett.
Canvey Point, 12:30 to 15:30
10 Black Tern (inc. flock of 9), 9 Arctic Tern (tight flock of adults flying high west), 1 Hobby (hunting over the Point), 1 Harbour Porpoise (seen 3 times around 1300 hrs). Jeff Saward (SOG).
Hullbridge, 13:00 to 17:00
6 Common Tern over hanover golf course. Peter Collins (SOG).
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 15.35 17.30
15 Yellow Wagtail, 8 Common Sandpiper, 4 Little Egret, 34 Golden Plover, Common Tern, 4 Curlew, 3 Swallow, Green Sandpiper, 2 Common Whitethroat, Common
Seal. Ray Fuller.
Wallasea Island
c.450 Ringed Plover, 200+ Dunlin, 58 Lapwing, 2 Grey Plover, 1 Golden Plover over landed in stubble field, 5+ Whimbrel 6 flew over, 8 Greenshank, 70+ Redshank, Turnstone, 1 Knot, 2 Common Sandpiper, 15 Little Tern inc. 2 juvs. being fed, 3 Common Tern 2 ad. 1 imm, 12 Little Egret, Hundreds of Common Gulls on the stubble fields with Herring and Lesser Black-backed Gulls. Most of the waders were roosting on the 'saltmarsh' bund as everywhere else was covered except the islands. Return visit this evening on low tide - 8 Dunlin, 2 Common Sandpiper. Where did they all go?! Jeff Delve (EBS).
Belfairs Nature Reserve
White Admiral, Ringlet, Purple Hairstreak, Silver-Washed Fritillary. Peter Ray-smith.
Canewdon, Scotts Hall Road
Little Owl. Jeff Delve (EBS).
Saturday 12th August 2006
Southchurch Park 10.30
1 Swift and 30 House Martin scared and alarming away from an adult Hobby south of lake. Steve Wood.
Paglesham Lagoon, 11:30 to 17:45
4 Caspian Gull (1st summers x3 including two repeating birds and a cracking near adult/4th winter), 19 Yellow-legged Gull (3 adults, 8 juveniles,4 first-years, 3 second-years and a fourth-year), 20 Mediterranean Gull (7 juveniles, 1 first-winter, 5 second-winters and 8 adults), 12 Swift, 30 Sand Martin (at least), 20 Swallow (at least), 5 House Martin (at least), 8,000 Larus sp. (at least, numbers down but probably due to the weather). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Canvey Point, 12:30 to 15:30
2 Arctic Skua (both adult pale phase) , 50 Little Tern (at least, plus good numbers of Sandwich & Common), 5 Swift (all heading north), 4 Snipe (flying past, bizarrely, a seawatching tick!), 1 Hobby (chasing a wader out over the river). Jeff Saward (SOG).
Foulness Island, Road to Quay 14:15
7 Little Egret, 12 Red-legged Partridge, Oyster Catcher, Lapwing, 2 Pied Wagtail, 3 Grey Wagtail, Swallows, House Martins. Paul, Louise & John Bruty.
Friday 11th August 2006
Two Tree Island 06:30 to 08:45
1 Swallow, 1 Kestrel, 1 Common Gull, 1 Yellow-legged Gull, about 12 Grey Plover in summer plumage, 5 Little Egret, 1 pair of Yellow Wagtail. David Lee.
Hanningfield Reservoir 07:45 and 18:00
Juvenile Yellow-legged Gull, and 3 Egyptian Geese. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Princess Gardens, Ashingdon. 12.40 - 12.55
35 Swift flying NW apparently away from shower clouds to the east. David Selley.
Chigborough Lakes 15.30
1 Black Necked Grebe on small fishing lake reached by walking anti-clockwise from car park. Stephen Burt.
Wallasea Island
Ringed Plover 300+, Dunlin 100+, Curlew Sandpiper (moulting ad), Greenshank 5, Whimbrel 3, Little Egret 15, Wheatear (imm). Waders all feeding in shallow pools on far section where new saltmarsh area just flooded. Jeff Delve (EBS).
Canewdon, Butts Hill Pond
Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Turtle Dove. Common and Holly Blue, Brown Argus (first record here), Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper. Jeff Delve (EBS).
Thursday 10th August 2006
Two Tree Island 15.30 - 16.15
1 adult Yellow-legged Gull swimming on the water and standing on the mud. Clive Jolly.
Southend, 19:15 to 19:40
1 Hobby, 5 Swift (from North Road Flats). Web Author.
Wednesday 09th August 2006
Lady Essex III Seal Watch Trip, R. Crouch & R. Roach Estuaries & The Middleway, 10.00 to 12.15
Cormorant, 10-20 Little Egret, 14 Canada Goose, 2 adult + 10 juv. Shelduck, Oystercatcher, c. 20 Avocet, Ringed Plover, Grey Plover, Golden Plover, Lapwing, Dunlin, Redshank, Curlew, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Little Tern, Common Tern, Wood Pigeon, 2 Swift, Swallow, 1 House Martin, Carrion Crow. c.20 Common Seal. Martin Johnson.
Battlesbridge 16:20 -16:50
From Bridge, Little Egret, Magpies, House Sparrows, Brown Rat. From quay adjacent to residential barges Whitethroat. From Maltings Lane; 32 Swallows on telegraph wires. Gary Dunn.
Paglesham Reach, 16:30 to 19:40
5 Caspian Gull. Amongst the throng of gulls here again this evening I found 5 birds, all of which were photographed - of these two were approaching 2nd winter plumage. Also 2 were the same birds seen on Monday but no sign of yesterdays juvenile, 8 Yellow-legged Gull (juveniles x6, third-year x1 and first-year x1), 13 Mediterranean Gull (adult x6, first-summers well into moult to second winters x3, first-winters x2, juveniles x2), 10,000 Larus sp. (still tens of thousands of birds). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Tuesday 08th August 2006
Westcliff Casino, 08:20 to 08:25
1 Ring-billed Gull (as usual, in front of Rossi's), 7 Common Seal (on the sandbank). Paul Griggs (SOG).
Chigbrough Lakes 11:00 - 15:00
1 Great White Egret, 12 Little Egret, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Little Grebe with young, 2 Kingfisher, 5 Grey Heron, 4 Mute Swan, one with four cygnets David Flack.
Paglesham Lagoon, 16:30 to 19:45
1 Caspian Gull (juvenile briefly), 7 Yellow-legged Gull (1 adult and 6 juveniles), 12 Mediterranean Gull (3 juveniles, 7 adults, 1 first-summer and 1 second-summer), 2 Little Egret, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Herring Gull (Leucistic bird that was seen at Hole haven Creek in January resurfaced here), 10,000 Larus sp. (again huge numbers on and around the lagoon). Steve Arlow (SOG).
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 19.20 - 20.35
Wheatear - 2nd earliest returning date at this site, Whimbrel, 2 Greenshank, Green Sandpiper, 4 Common Sandpiper, 3 Little Egret, Avocet, 4 Curlew, Bar-tailed Godwit, 2 Common Whitethroat, 3 Sedge Warbler. Ray Fuller.
Monday 07th August 2006
Wallasea Wetlands Scheme seen from Lady Essex III 10.00 - 11.00
These birds were actually in over or on the Wallasea Wetlands: 8 Cormorant, 6 Oystercatcher, 5 Little Egret, 4 Common Tern, 2 Curlew, Superb views of a Brown Hare on the new sea wall. Gary Dunn.
Two Tree Island 15.00 - 15.25
1 adult Yellow-legged Gull standing on the mud near the concrete boat launching jetty. Clive Jolly.
Paglesham Lagoon, 17:10 to 19:40
3 Caspian Gull (all 1st years, all were rather distant. One was a big individual), 10,000 Larus sp. at least. I have never seen so many gulls here before. The lagoon was full to over loading whilst nearby fields were covered. Surely there were more Caspian and Yellow-legged Gulls there than what was found, 9 Yellow-legged Gull (4 juveniles, 4 1st summers and a 2nd summer), 3 Mediterranean Gull (2 adults and a juv-1st winter well into its post juvenile moult), 8 Little Egret, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Whimbrel (heard only). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Vange Marsh, 17:40 to 18:40, almost totally dry marsh but low tide in adjacent creek
17 Common Sandpiper (all in tidal creek), 3 Green Sandpiper (1 in ditch, 1 in stream, 1 in creek), 1 Greenshank (in creek), 1 Little Egret, 1 Sedge Warbler, 6 Reed Warbler, 9 Reed Bunting, 6 Teal, 3 Kestrel. 3 Clouded Yellow. Paul Baker (SOG).
Chigbrough Lakes 18.30 - 19.30
Great White Egret in his usual spot, seen from the screen on Scraley Road. However the Ring necked Parakeet which was also present and has been reported before belongs to the stables next door!! Viv & Tim Connett.
Canvey Point, 19:15 to 20:45
2 Arctic Skua (1 juv., 1 adult pale phase ), 1 Little Gull (juv. with the Common Terns), 5 Little Tern (4 juvs.), 125 Sandwich Tern (at least), 150 Common Tern (at least), 5 Arctic Tern, 15 Black Tern (including 9 roosting with Common Terns - big increase in tern numbers since last week). Jeff Saward (SOG).
Sunday 06th August 2006
Westcliff Seafront, 06:40 to 07:10
51 Mediterranean Gull. 20 adults, 11 2nd years, 12 1st years including White ringed birds 3L1S and White 3J14 and 8 juveniles including Red YHK2. Red rings usual indicate eastern origin. Poor tide resulted in lower than usual numbers. Steve Arlow (SOG).
Wakering, Fleet Head (M.O.D road only) 07:15 - 07:42
3 Turtle Dove, 2 Green Woodpecker, 27 Swallow, 9 Goldfinch, 1 Long-tailed Tit. Web Author.
Wakering Stairs, 07:40 to 09:20, lower than usual numbers of waders
1 Hobby, 1 Peregrine Falcon (juvenile in off the sea), 1 Marsh Harrier (juvenile), 1 Kestrel (approachable bird), 7 Whimbrel, 1 Turtle Dove, 26 Greenshank, 4 Mediterranean Gull (adult, 2nd year and 2x 1st years), 1,500 Black-headed Gull, 1 Wheatear (juv-1st year along seawall near point: the first returning migrant?), 1 Willow Warbler (singing), 7 Little Egret, 15 Sanderling (at least), 40 Dunlin, 2,500 Oystercatcher (at least), 400 Grey Plover (at least). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Prittle Brook (Leigh on Sea), 08:30 to 09:00
2 Willow Warbler in my garden. Brian Baldock (SOG).
Wakering Stairs 08:50 - 08:30
3 Little Egret, 1 Hobby, 1 Peregrine Falcon, c.1,500 Oystercatcher, 2 Turtle Dove. Web Author.
Gunners Park, 09:45 to 11:10
45 Swallow, 6 Whitethroat, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Common Tern, 1 Green Woodpecker, 6 Linnet, 30 Goldfinch. Brian Baldock (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park 14:00
2 Peregrine Falcon, 2 Common Tern, 4 Green Sandpiper, 1 Common Sandpiper, 3 Avocet, 1 Black Tailed Godwit. 1 large Terrapin on raft. R. Shepherd.
Rochford Golf Course, 14:00 to 17:40
2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Green Woodpecker. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Canvey Point 18.30 - 19.30
93 Sandwich Tern, 48 Common Tern, 4 Little Tern, 2 Whimbrel, 5 Little Egret, 2 Grey Heron, 250+ Black-tailed Godwit flying in loose straggly 'V' in from the outer estuary towards Two Tree Island/Benfleet Creek. Martin Cracknell.
Lady Essex III River Trip 19:00 - 21:30
12 Little Egret, 1 Whimbrel, 2 Marsh Harrier (1 female on Wallasea, 1 on Foulness), 19 Dunlin, 14 Shelduck (2 adults, 12 chicks). 11 Common Seal. Web Author.
Thundersley, 20:15 to 20:30
18 Sand Martin (flying over southward. Also 3 Hummingbird Hawkmoths together on buddleia in my front garden. Jeff Saward (SOG).
Saturday 05th August 2006
Chigborough Lakes 06:10 - 07:45
Great White Egret, Ring-necked Parakeet, Kingfisher, Turtle Dove, 4 Bullfinch. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Canvey Point 06.40 - 08.10
87 Sandwich Tern, 36 Common Tern, 11 Little Tern (count of resting birds on point), 7 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Whimbrel, 1 Sanderling (summer plumage), 93 Curlew (S-N across river line-astern in 1 flock to roost on point), 11 Swallow (1 flock N-S across river. Sign of things to come?), growing numbers of Turnstone, Grey Plover, Dunlin and Ringed Plover, 56 House Sparrow (feeding then dust-bathing at end of Beveland Road). 9 Painted Lady (feeding on flowers on seawall). Martin Cracknell.
Canvey Seafront 08:30 - 12:00
Many Common tern also Little and Sandwich Tern. Painted Lady, Clouded Yellow. Web Author.
Westcliff Seafront, 08:50 to 09:00
1 Ring-billed Gull (Rossi showed very well this morning). Steve Arlow (SOG).
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 09.20 11.20
12 Little Egret (3 on north side of Crouch), Green Sandpiper, 12 Common Sandpiper, 2 Common Whitethroat, 8 Yellow Wagtail, 6 Curlew. Ray Fuller.
Canvey West End, 09:30 to 11:00
4 Brown Argus (at least four seen amongst the female blue's), 20 Common Blue, 4 Red Admiral, 1 Painted Lady (also at least 20 Six-Spotted Burnets), 2 Clouded Yellow. Steve Arlow (SOG).
Chigborough Lakes 15.30
1 Great White Egret, 2 Kingfisher. Tim & Viv Connett.
Lady Essex III River Trip 18:00 - 20:30
17 Little Egret, 23 Greylag Goose (including an almost leucistic bird), 2 Little Tern, 6 Common Tern, 2 Marsh Harrier (1 on Wallasea, 1 on Foulness), 18 Golden Plover (summer plumage). 8 Common Seal. Web Author.
Chigborough Lakes
Great White Egret. Steve Arlow (SOG).
Friday 04th August 2006 (first autumn migration report of Arctic Skua and the return of Rossi!)
Chigborough Lakes 12:50 to 14.00
1 Great White Egret, 6 Grey Heron, 8 Gadwall, Turtle Dove. Martin Johnson.
Two Tree Island, 17:15 to 19:00
48 Golden Plover, 2 Yellow-legged Gull (adults), 7 Little Egret, 6 Little Tern, 2 Whimbrel, 1 Common Seal, 1,300 Black-tailed Godwit (approx.), 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Chiffchaff, 18 Greenshank. Paul Griggs, Steve Arlow (SOG).
Hanningfield Reservoir 18:00 - 18:15
3+ Arctic Tern (juv. & 2+ adults), 2 Common Tern, 5 Red-crested Pochard. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Two Tree Island (West), 18:45 to 20:00
2 Kestrel, 1,218 Black-tailed Godwit, 5 Swift, 1 Green Woodpecker. Web Author. (the recent fire devastation covers a vast area on the western side of the island. Already it was seen that fresh green shoots were beginning to push their way through - Ed.).
Westcliff Seafront, 19:40 to 19:45
1 Ring-billed Gull. 'Rossi' has returned. He was sat on the lamp post to the east of the ice cream parlour before he flew west and was lost beyond Chalkwell. This is now the 8th winter he has been here). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Canvey Point 20.10 - 20.50
1 Arctic Skua (Adult Dark Morph), 23 Sandwich Tern, 18 Common Tern. Martin Cracknell.
Thursday 03rd August 2006
Canvey Point, 06:15 to 08:15
3 Gannet (adults), 16 Common Scoter (nearly all males) . Jeff Saward (SOG).
Chalkwell Park Drive, Leigh, 07:40
2 Painted Lady in my garden over the last few days plus Hummingbird Hawkmoth this morning on lavender. John Wright (SOG).
Chigborough Lakes, Maldon 10:15
1 Great White Egret, 1 Black-necked Grebe , 1 Little Owl, 1 Turtle Dove, Common Tern, Trevor Bufton.
Hadleigh, 11:45 to 11:45
1 Hobby flying over the maize maze! Jeff Saward, Steve Bunn (SOG).
Two Tree Island 11.45 - 15.00
70+ Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Curlew, 20 Oystercatchers. On Lagoon; 1 Avocet, 3 Ringed Plover, 2 Lapwing. Fire engine still monitoring the latest blaze! Chris Henry.
Canvey Point, 15:30 to 17:30
16 Common Scoter (same flock as this morning), 45+ Common Tern, 60+ Sandwich Tern, 6 Little Tern, 1 Mediterranean Gull (juv/1st winter). Jeff Saward (SOG).
Leigh Seafront, 16:00 to 17:00
30 Little Egret (including 17 together at Bell Wharf - all scoped from Canvey Point). Jeff Saward (SOG).
Abberton Reservoir
Common and Green Sandpipers, 2 Egyptian Geese, 3 Barnacle Geese, 1 Pink-footed Goose, 3 Black Swan. Trevor Bufton.
Wednesday 02nd August 2006
Benfleet Creek 10:20
Many Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Grey Heron, 3 Little Egret. Gary Clinton.
Tuesday 01st August 2006
Benfleet Creek 19.10 - 20.10
380 Black-tailed Godwit (On Two Tree Lagoon) many more on Benfleet Creek. Also; 12 Avocet, 2 Common Sandpiper, 2 Greenshank, 2 Grey Heron, 9 Grey Plover (8 in summer plumage), 1 Whimbrel, 3 Skylark, 1 Kestrel. Martin Cracknell.