Bird Reports for August 2013
Saturday 31st August 2013north north westerly, clear, max20°c
Daws Heath 10:00 to 11:00
1 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 male Sparrowhawk in garden. Mike Sagrott.
Thurrock, Thameside Nature Park 10:20 to 11:10
1 young Peregrine Falcon flew inland from cranes, 4 Common Sandpiper, 10 Teal. Richard Fahey.
RSPB Wallasea Island 18:00 to 19:00
1 Kestrel, 1 Marsh Harrier, 20+ Carrion Crow, 7 Swallow, 200+ mixed Gulls all over island, 30+ Woodpigeon, 5 Magpie, 6 Corn Bunting, 4 House Sparrow, 60+ Starling, 23 Greenfinch, 7 Linnet, 2 Little Egret, 1 Black-tailed Godwit. Rob Harris.
Southend, Wyatts Drive 19:55
Female Sparrowhawk on lawn in Wyatts Drive with a kill, probably a Blackbird. Alec Beanse.
Friday 30th August 2013south westerly, partly cloudy, max24°c
West Mersea, Cudmore Grove 10:15 to 18:15
1 Buzzard, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Hobby, 1 Jay, Jackdaw, c.100 Rook, c.100 Starling, 2 Grey Heron, 15 Little Egret, 4 Wheatear , 8 Yellow Wagtail, c.100 Swallow few House Martin in amongst them, 1 Goldfinch, 1 Skylark, 6 Linnet, few Chaffinch, few Greenfinch, 1 female Tufted Duck with 10 juveniles, 4 Whitethroat, c.30 Lapwing, 15 Mistle Thrush - single flock flew towards car park, then perched high for counting, 1 Stock Dove, Kestrel box with 2 juveniles, c.12 Wigeon, Mallard, 1 Shoveler, c.100 Teal, 2 Little Grebe, few Curlew, few Black-tailed Godwit, 5 Snipe, 2 Turnstone, 4 Avocet, 1 Dunlin, 10 Redshank, 40+ Golden Plover, 2 Common Tern, 12 Oystercatcher, c.50 Ringed Plover, 1 Common Gull. Large and Small White Butterflies, Peacock, Meadow Brown, Painted Lady, Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell butterflies. Many Dragonflies including Common Darter. David & Brenda Hale.
Abberton Reservoir 15:00 to 16:00
5 Magpie, 3 Common Tern, 15 Egyptian Geese, 100+ Lapwing, 80+ Canada Geese, 100+ Greylag Geese, 20+ Mute Swan, 50+ Coot, 150+ Mallard, 34 Cormorant, 100+ Tufted Duck, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 80+ Black-headed Gull, 4 Grey Heron, 100+ Woodpigeon, 50+ Carrion Crow, 4 Little Egret, 1 Swan Goose, 1 Aylesbury Duck. Rob Harris.
Hanningfield Reservoir Causeway 16:30 to 16:40
200+ Tufted Duck, 150+ Pochard, 150+ Coot, 100+ Mallard, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Magpie, 12 Mute Swan, 14 Cormorant, 2 Little Grebe, 3 Pied Wagtail, 100+ Black-headed Gull, 40+ Herring Gull, 12 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 50+ Lapwing, 100+ Greylag Geese, 70+ Canada Geese, 5 Carrion Crow. Rob Harris.
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 16:55 to 19:30
1 Marsh Harrier and Peregrine over Fobbing Horse area, c.8 Green Sandpiper mostly on creek, 3 Common Sandpiper, 1 Turtle Dove and Sand Martin at Coryton, 25+ Teal on creek, 4 Gadwall at Coryton, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, a few Litttle Egret, Cetti's Warbler heard, 1 Green Woodpecker. Richard Fahey.
Thursday 29th August 2013west south west, partly cloudy, max24°c
Shoeburyness, Gunners Park 09:30 to 11:15
100+ Swallow, 100+ Starling, 3 Green Woodpecker, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Pied Flycatcher (both east of the old tennis court), 1 Lesser Whitethroat (on reserve), 2 Willow Warbler, 9 Goldfinch (6 immature), 12 Greenfinch, 3 Dunnock. Richard Mander.
Two Tree Island West 16:00
Wryneck on path by dead tree stumps. John Tozer.
Shoeburyness, Gunners Park 15:00 to 16:00
4 Magpie, 200+ Starling, 150+ Black-headed Gull, 1 Cormorant, 20+ Lapwing, 10+ House Sparrow, 2 Collared Dove, 4 Mallard, 12 Carrion Carrion Crow, 17 Woodpigeon, 60+ Herring Gull, 4 Mute Swan, 80+ Swallow, 11 Black-tailed Godwit, 24 Lapwing, 22 Turnstone, 100+ Oystercatcher, 12 Lesser Black-backed Gull. Rob Harris.
RSPB Wallasea Island 16:30 to 17:30
7 House Sparrow, 5 Mallard, 12 Carrion Carrion Crow, 3 Magpie, 30+ Woodpigeon, 3 Pheasant, 5 Swallow, 1 Kestrel, 3 Black-tailed Godwit, 15 Ringed Plover, 2 Little Egret, 6 Yellow Wagtail, Mixed Gulls flocks all over island. Rob Harris.
Wednesday 28th August 2013north west to south east, partly cloudy, max22°c
Stanford le Hope, Branksome Avenue, 08:10
1 Osprey circling and gaining height over A13 (Stanford bypass) before heading off in a south easterly direction. Nick Argent.
EWT Warley Place 11:00 to 16:20
2 Nuthatch, 1 Coal Tit, Green Woodpecker heard, 11 Long-tailed Tit, c.20 Jackdaw, 8 Chaffinch, 1 Jay, 2 Wren, 6 Robin, many Great Tit, many Blue Tit. 2 pair Moorhen with 7 juveniles 1 tiny chick assumed from a 2nd brood. Many Large White butterflies, many Speckled Wood Butterflies. 1 Brown Rat, 1 Grey Squirrel. David & Brenda Hale.
River Chelmer, Chelmsford 13:15 to 13:30
1 Otter swimming about in the river next to the Essex Records office. Joe.
Fobbing Marsh 17:25 to 19:25
1 Marsh Harrier flew east at Coryton, looked like juvenile female, 1 Whinchat, 5 Green Sandpiper and Snipe, c.14 Little Egret, 1 Sparrowhawk, Cetti's Warbler heard. Richard Fahey.
Tuesday 27th August 2013northerly to easterly, partly cloudy, max24°'c
Ramsden Heath, Dowsetts lane 10:45
1 Common Buzzard, 9 Swallow on wires at disused garden centre. G. Dixon.
Hanningfield Reservoir 11:00 to 14:00
1 Black Tern, 6 Common Tern, 1 Buzzard, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Blackcap, 5 Green Sandpiper, 1 Ruff, 1 Greenshank, many Teal, Gadwall, Shoveler, Wigeon, 12 Great Crested Grebe. 1 Muntjac Deer, 1 Hare, 1 Hornet, 2 Comma Butterfly. Hilary and Colin Knight.
River Bure Near Norton's Broad Between Wroxham and Coltishall 12:00
1 Osprey perched on dead tree above river on both occasions in same place also in flight. Chris Ingham.
East Tilbury 13:40
1 Wryneck, 2 Whinchat. Mike Butler.
Monday 26th August 2013east north east, partly cloudy, max24°c
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 07:00 to 10:05
1 Whinchat with some Whitethroat in shrub below seawall, 1 Greenshank, c.3 Green Sandpiper, 20+ Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Grey Plover near Canvey barrier, 25+ Teal mostly on fleet, 8 Gadwall and 1 drake Pochard on Coryton lagoon, a few Little Egret, Cetti's Warbler heard, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Green Woodpecker. Richard Fahey.
Ashingdon, Canewdon Road 07:10
1 Turtle Dove - juvenile feeding with 3 Collared Doves by on verge by Thornton Meadows. David Selley.
Hadleigh Country Park 09:15
1 Wall butterfly, seen along highest path, east of the park. Ellen Hume.
Wakering Stairs 10:55 to 12:30
20 Little Egret, 1 juvenile Marsh Harrier, 1 juvenile female Sparrowhawk, 8 Ringed Plover, 2 Golden Plover, Grey Plover & Oystercatcher heard only, 2 Curlew, 10 Redshank, 1 juvenile Cuckoo, 1 Green Woodpecker, 5 Sand Martin, 50 Swallow, 2 House Martin, 5 Pied Wagtail, 25 Yellow Wagtail, 8 Wheatear, 2 Whinchat, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Common Whitethroat, 2 Linnet, 2 Reed Bunting. Mike and Anita Harris.
River Roach Aboard Lady Essex Seal Trip 14:00 to 16:30
5 Little Egret, 1 adult female Marsh Harrier, 57 Ringed Plover, 12 Dunlin. 27 Common Seal. Web Author.
RSPB Wallasea Island 14.30 to 15:00
1 Marsh Harrier, 4 Kestrel, 22 Carrion Crow, 5 House Sparrow, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 24 Black-headed Gull, 4 Little Egret, 1 Magpie, 50+ Herring Gull, 15 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1 Great Black-backed Gull, 50+ Ringed Plover, 2 Swallow, 40+ Woodpigeon, 50+ Stock Dove. Rob Harris.
Hanningfield Reservoir Causeway 16:15 to 16:25
200+ Tufted Duck, 200+ Pochard, 150+ Coot, 70+ Mallard, 2 Common Tern, 25 Mute Swan, 2 Cormorant, 37 Herring Gull, 50+ Black-headed Gull, 4 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1 Great Black-backed Gull, 1 Green Sandpiper, 4 Pied Wagtail, 100+ Greylag Geese, 70+ Canada Geese, 4 Little Grebe. Rob Harris.
Shoeburyness, Gunners Park 19:30 to 20:15
1 Whinchat, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Robin. Richard Mander.
Sunday 25th August 2013east north east, mostly cloudy, max21°
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 09:00 to 11:30
3 Whinchat, 1 Spotted Flycatcher on hawthorn thicket at Coryton lagoon, 1 1st year Hobby on bush along Fobbing footpath, a few Yellow Wagtail passing through, 1 Greenshank, Green Sandpiper, 20+ Teal on creek, c.7 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 immature male Sparrowhawk on lines at Coryton, a few Little Egret. Richard Fahey.
Wakering Stairs 13:10 to 16:20
WeBS Count: Good numbers of all the usual waders plus: 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Curlew Sandpiper, 1 Fulmar, 9 Sand Martin, 37 Swallow, 1 Wheatear. David Selley.
Abberton Reservoir 15:30 to 16:30
5 Magpie, 5 Common Tern, 10 Egyptian Geese, 30 Lapwing, 2 Red-breasted Geese, 200+ Canada Geese, 200+ Greylag Geese, 40+ Mute Swan, 350+ Coot, 150+ Mallard, 200+ Cormorant, 200+ Tufted Duck, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 12 Starling, 100+ Black-headed Gull, 100+ Woodpigeon, 50+ Carrion Crow, 5 Ruff, 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Little Egret, 1 Swan Goose, 1 Aylesbury Duck. Rob Harris.
Gunners Park (Old Tennis Courts) 16:00 to 16:15
1 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Blue Tit, 1 Blackbird, 2 Collared Dove, 3 Magpie, 1 Blackcap, 1 Wood Pigeon. 2 Migrant Hawker, 1 Ruddy Darter, 6 Large White, 1 Green-veined White, 8 Holly Blue, 3 Speckled Wood, 2 Comma. Richard Mander.
Hanningfield Reservoir 18:20 to 18:30
200+ Tufted Duck, 200+ Pochard, 150+ Coot, 70+ Mallard, 7 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Magpie, 25 Mute Swan,14 Cormorant, 50+ Black-headed Gull, 4 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 37 Herring Gull, 100+ Greylag Geese, 70+ Canada Geese, 2 Little Grebe, 3 Great Crested Grebe. Rob Harris.
RSPB Wallasea Island 19:30 to 20:00
1 Kestrel, 1 Barn Owl, 20+ Carrion Crow, 3 Swallow, 200+ Mixed Gulls all over island, 30+ Woodpigeon, 5 Corn Bunting, 4 Redshank. Rob Harris.
Saturday 24th August 2013variable, torrential rain, max19°c
EWT Hanningfield Reservoir 11:00 to 16:30
Sightings from Rawl hide: 4 Black Tern, 4 Little Ringed Plover, 3 Green Sandpiper, 2 Common Sandpiper, 1 Greenshank, c.30 Lapwing, 100+ Swallow over whole reservoir a few House Martin amongst them, 1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Common Tern, many Gadwall, 3 female Red Crested Pochard, few female Shoveler, many Teal, Mallard, 100's of Coot, Moorhen, c.12 Great Crested Grebe, 1 pair Mute Swan with 4 cygnets, few Pochard, few Tufted Duck, c.20 Pied Wagtail, 3 Grey Heron, many Canada Geese, c.20 Greylag Geese, 1 Great Black-backed Gull, c.20 Lesser Black-backed Gull, few Black-headed Gull. 1 Muntjac Deer used dried out access to graze on island. David & Brenda Hale.
Friday 23rd August 2013easterly, partly cloudy, max23°c
RSPB Rainham Marshes 11:30
1 Wood Sandpiper, 2 Green Sandpiper, 1 Ruff all on small pool near boardwalk, north of the Butts hide, 3 little egret, 1 hobby across Aveley Marsh. Andrew Gouldstone.
Hadleigh Small Pond 13:00 to 13:30
4 Willow Emerald Damselfly just past kissing gate by small pond. Jeff Elliott, Tom Ollington.
Hanningfield Reservoir Causeway 17:50 to 18:20
200+ Tufted Duck, 200+ Pochard, 100+ Coot, 90+ Mallard, 2 Common Tern, 42 Cormorant, 3 Redshank, 50+ Herring Gull, 70+ Black-headed Gull, 9 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 2 Great Black-backed Gull, 1 Green Sandpiper, 7 Moorhen, 25 Pied Wagtail, 100+ Greylag Geese, 80+ Canada Geese, 4 Little Grebe, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 12 Starling, 40+ Lapwing. Rob Harris.
Southend Hospital 19:00
1 Peregrine Falcon on chimney. Jerry Stock.
Thursday 22nd August 2013east south east, light rain, max19°c
Hockley, Glencrofts 09:00 to 10:30
1 Chiffchaff, 1 female Blackcap, 3 Greenfinch, 1 Wren, 2 Dunnock, 2 Blackbird, 1 Collared Dove, 1 Robin, House Sparrow (adult and juveniles), Great Tit, Blue Tit. Irwin Lewis.
Wat Tyler Country Park 10:00 to 14:45
Sightings from scrape hide: 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 juvenile Sparrowhawk, 3 Peregrine Falcon seen as single bird and presumed pair on distant pylons, 1 Kestrel, c.50 Lapwing, 4 Green Sandpiper, 1 Greenshank, 2 Spotted Redshank, 1 Redshank, 2 Common Tern, 6 juvenile Common Tern, 1 female Blackcap, 1 Wren, many Blue Tit, 5 Goldfinch, 4 Swallow, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Little Egret, 8 Snipe (possibly more), 46 Black-tailed Godwit, 10 Pied Wagtail, 100+ Starling, 3 Carrion Crow, 2 Magpie, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Mute Swan, 1 Snow Goose with c.50 Canada Geese, Shoveler, Teal, Tufted Duck all females, 1 drake Pochard, 1 drake Mallard many females, 1 Cormorant, 4 Little Grebe, 4 Stock Dove, few Black-headed Gull with many juveniles, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull. David &c Brenda Hale.
Wednesday 21st August 2013southerly, clear, max25°c
Stambridge 07:00 to 07:20
90+ House Martin. Still much activity around nests on The Rectory and care home. David Selley.
Canvey Point 15:30 to 16:00
8 Grey Plover (7 full summer plumage), 6 Ringed Plover, 2 Little Egret, 1 Whimbrel, 3 Curlew, 5 Redshank, 5 Black-tailed Godwit, 100+ Oystercatcher, 7 Sandwich Tern, 2 Common Tern, 4 Cormorant, 4 Swallow. T. Blackwell.
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 17:20 to 19:30
2 Greenshank, c.6 Green Sandpiper included 3 off ditches at Coryton, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 6 Gadwall, a few Little Egret. Richard Fahey.
Tuesday 20th August 2013south easterly, clear, max24°c
No reports received for this day.
Monday 19th August 2013north westerly, clear, max23°c
Two Tree Island 09:00 to 11:15
1 Spotted Redshank on the lagoon, 60+ Little Egret on the old sewage works. David Lee.
Rochford, Doggets Farm 10:27
Buzzard soaring over cut corn field. Don Wildish.
EWT Lion Creek to Lower Raypits 10:45 to 14:15
1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Buzzard, 1 Corn Bunting, 6 Little Egret, 6 Yellow Wagtail (1 adult, 5 juvenile),50+ Lapwing, 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Green Sandpiper, 1 Greenshank, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Tufted Duck, steady stream Swallow, 1 Stock Dove, 1 Lesser Black-back Gull. 1 Clouded Yellow, 1 Marbled White, 20+ Common Blue, many Gatekeeper and large and small White. Hilary and Colin knight.
Wat Tyler country Park 19:00 to 19:30
1 Snow Goose in with flock of Canada Geese, 2 Bearded Tit, 1 Marsh Harrier, many Black-tailed Godwit. Mick Roe.
Sunday 18th August 2013westerly, partly cloudy, max24°c
Wakering Stairs 11:00 to 12:00
10 Sand Martin and c.200 Swallow in steady passage west. Most of the Swallows seemed to be adult males. David Selley.
Hanningfield Reservoir 17:00 to 17:20
300+ Tufted Duck, 300+ Pochard, 150+ Coot, 100+ Mallard, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Magpie, 12 Mute Swan, 21 Cormorant, 2 Little Grebe, 6 Pied Wagtail, 1 Grey Wagtail, 15 Lapwing, 50+ Black-headed Gull, 7 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 60+ Herring Gull, 100+ Greylag Geese, 70+ Canada Geese, 4 Carrion Crow, 1 Kestrel. Rob Harris.
RSPB Wallasea Island 20:00 to 20:35
4 Kestrel, 1 Barn Owl, 1 Marsh Harrier, 5 Carrion Crow, 1 Magpie, 10 Swallow, 5 Black-headed Gull, 20+ Herring Gull, 9 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 30+ Woodpigeon, 7 Linnet. 1 Fox. Rob Harris.
Two Tree Island East 20:00 to 20:45
167 Little Egret roosting in trees, viewed from sea wall behind Leigh station. Mark Bridges, Marilyn Pritchard.
Two Tree Island East 20:20 to 20:40
c.80 Little Egret roosting in shrubs/trees near filter beds as counted with X8 binoculars from Belton Gardens West. Martin Johnson.
Saturday 17th August 2013south westerly, partly cloudy, max22°c
Thurrock, Thameside Nature Park 09:35 to 10:45
1 Sandwich Tern, 1 Common Tern, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Whimbrel, Little Egret. Richard Fahey.
Wat Tyler Country Park 12:10 to 14:10
Sightings from scrape hide: 4 Green Sandpiper, c.25 Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Little Egret, 7 Little Grebe, c.50 Lapwing, 3 female Shoveler, 1 female Tufted Duck with 11 ducklings, 100+ Canada Geese, 32 Greylag Geese, 2 Pied Wagtail, 2 Common Tern, 4 Swallow, 11 Common Snipe, 1 Stock Dove, 3 female Teal, few Mallard, 50+ Starling, 1 Great Black-backed Gull, 1 juvenile Herring Gull making a meal of a dead duck, few Black-headed Gull, 8 Gadwall, 1 female Marsh Harrier, 2 juvenile Bearded Tit. David Hale.
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 13:10 to 15:15
1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Whimbrel, 1 Common Tern southwest over Coryton, 1 Sand Martin, 30+ Teal on creek, c.4 Gadwall at Coryton, 1 adult and 2 Little Grebe chicks at Coryton, 5 Little Egret in creek. Richard Fahey.
RSPB Wallasea Island 18:00 to 18:30
2 Kestrel, 4 Carrion Crow, 8 Swallow, 7 Black-headed Gull, 30+ Herring Gull, 40+ Woodpigeon, 3 Greenfinch, 8 Goldfinch, 9 Linnet, 7 House Sparrow, 6 Corn Bunting, 3 Reed Bunting. Rob Harris.
Friday 16th August 2013south westerly, mostly cloudy, max21°c
Southchurch Park East 12:45
2 Moorhen chicks with adults feeding along north reed bed. Robert Dobinson.
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 15:05 to 17:30
5 Yellow-legged Gull close to Canvey barrier seen from viewing mound, 1 Turtle Dove at Coryton, 1 Green Sandpiper, a few Whimbrel, 1 Sand Martin, a small but fair passage of Swallow, 6 Gadwall (including a drake and female pair), 1 Teal, 1 adult and 2 juvenile Little Grebe on Coryton lagoon, 1 Great Spotted woodpecker, 1 Green Woodpecker, a few Little Egret. Richard Fahey.
Ashingdon, Princess Gardens 17:00 and 20:25
14 Sand Martin going west, 3 Pipistrelle over the garden at dusk. David Selley.
Thursday 15th August 2013south westerly, mostly cloudy, max26°c
EWT Hanningfield Reservoir 11:00 to 17:00
Sightings from Rawl hide: 2 Greenshank, 3 Ruff, 4 Common Sandpiper, 5 Green Sandpiper, c.30 female and 1 drake Gadwall, 1 pair Mallard, 4 female Shoveler, 2 Common Tern, 6 Grey Heron, 4 Swallow, 10 Great Black-backed Gull with several juveniles, c.40 Canada Geese, 150+ Coot, 6 Great Crested Grebe with 2 juveniles, 3 Common Buzzard, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 pair Mute Swan with 4 cygnets, c.20 Greylag Geese, many Pied Wagtail, 2 Stock Dove, many Cormorant. 2 Muntjac Deer, 1 Fox sleeping under waterside tree. David & Brenda Hale.
Wednesday 14th August 2013south westerly, partly cloudy, max23°c
Hockley, Merryfields Avenue 08:05
Green Woodpecker scavenging for Ants on our Lawn. Jackie Jones.
Hullbridge, Lubards Farm; Lower Road 10:30
1 Clouded Yellow Butterfly. Hilary knight.
Great Wakering 16:50 to 17:30
1 Swift with a large number of Sand Martin, Swallow, and anting gulls over Landwick. David Selley.
Tuesday 13th August 2013west north west, partly cloudy, max20°c
RSPB Rainham Marshes 11:00 to 17:00
1 female Marsh Harrier, 1 juvenile Water Rail, 4 juvenile Bearded Tit, 12 Collared Dove, many House Sparrow, 12 Goldfinch, c.100 Starling, 2 Greenshank, 4 female Teal, few Reed Warbler adults with juveniles, 8 Little Egret, few Lapwing, Canada Geese, few female Mallard. Few Small Tortoiseshell Butterflies, many Small White Butterflies. Good sightings of Water Voles, 3 adults, 1 juvenile. 1 Large White Caterpillar. David & Brenda Hale.
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 15:55 to 18:25
1 male Marsh Harrier, 1 Turtle Dove flew east over Manorway reed bed, 1 Greenshank off "pochard pool", c.7 Green Sandpiper and Whimbrel, 1 Common Tern south pass barrier, a few Little Egret. Richard Fahey.
Monday 12th August 2013westerly, partly cloudy, max21°c
Old Leigh 14:30 to 15:45
52 Little Egret on Two Tree Island roost site, c.50 Turnstone (most in lovely breeding colours), c.12 Ringed Plover, c.50 Redshank, 4 Oystercatcher, c.50 Curlew, 1 Grey Heron, c,15 Common Gull, Black-headed Gull, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, 3 Pied Wagtail, 1 Robin, 4 Magpie, Cormorant. David & Brenda Hale.
Two Tree Island 16:00 to 17:30
Slipway: 1 Peregrine Falcon over saltmarsh carrying prey, 3 Swallow, c.50 Grey Plover, 1 juvenile Artic Tern, 1 adult Great Black-backed Gull sharing a kill with 1 juvenile Great Black-backed Gull, 4 Common Gull with Black-headed Gulls, c.12 House Sparrow, c.50 Curlew, 1 Collared Dove. 1 Common Seal. David & Brenda Hale.
Sunday 11th August 2013west south west, scattered clouds, max24°c
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 08:47 to 11:53
1 Wheatear on seawall near coffer dam, 3 Green Sandpiper included one off pool by track, c.7 Whimbrel, c.6 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Little Egret, 1 Cetti's Warbler heard below seawall, 2 Gadwall at Coryton, 1 Green Woodpecker. Richard Fahey.;
Paglesham, Eastend 10:00 to 11:50
Seawall west from boatyard: 1 Marsh Harrier, 10 Cormorant, 6 Curlew, 1 Greenshank, 22 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1 Common Tern, 65 Swallow, 150+ Sand Martin west along the Roach and south along The Violet, 1 Turtle Dove purring at Waterside Farm and a probable second bird just east of boatyard, 1 Sedge Warbler, 4 Skylark, 1 Pied Wagtail, 3 Yellow Wagtail. Comma, Small Tortoiseshell and Meadow Brown butterflies, 50+ Seven-spot Ladybirds. David Selley.
Saturday 10th August 2013westerly, mostly clear, max22°c
Wakering Stairs 15:15 to 16:45
1 Little Egret, 5 Cormorant, 7 Common Scoter, c.60 Oystercatcher, 12 Whimbrel, c.200 Curlew, 330 Bar-tailed Godwit (flew in at high tide, a few with partial summer plumage), c.50 Grey Plover, 20 Dunlin, 4 Common Sandpiper (together), 49 Common Tern, 2 Sandwich Tern, 2 Sand Martin, 53 Swallow, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Whitethroat, 10 Linnet. 4 Peacock butterfly, 4 Comma, 1 Painted Lady. David Selley.
Friday 09th August 2013southerly to northerly, partly cloudy, max24°c
Fambridge road, Roundbush, Maldon 08:30
Common Buzzard on roadside power cables. Ray Britton.
Hanningfield Reservoir Causeway 12:00 to 12:15
200+ Tufted Duck, 200+ Pochard, 150+ Coot, 200+ Mallard, 7 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Magpie, 25 Mute Swan, 43 Cormorant, 200+ Black-headed Gull, 4 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 8 Herring Gull, 100+ Greylag Geese, 70+ Canada Geese. Rob Harris.
Wat Tyler Country Park 13:40 to 15:00
Sightings from scrape hide: 1 Great Black-backed Gull, many Black-headed Gull, 2 Snipe, 6 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 pair Common Tern with 1 juvenile, 1 Avocet, 2 Little Grebe, 2 Stock Dove, 4 female Teal, 2 pair Tufted Duck with c.16 ducklings, many female Mallard with 4 ducklings, 4 Swallow, c.12 Lapwing, 1 pair Canada Geese with goslings, Coots, Moorhens, c.20 Goldfinch. David & Brenda Hale.
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 16:55 to 19:25
5 adult Yellow-legged Gull watched from viewing mound on creek near the Canvey barrier with Lesser Black-backed and Black-headed Gulls, 1 female Marsh Harrier, 4 Green Sandpiper, 1 Common Sandpiper on creek, 1 Whimbrel, a few Sand Martin, 4 Teal off "pochard pool", 2 Gadwall at Coryton, a few Little Egret, 1 juvenile Little Grebe at Coryton. Richard Fahey.
Canvey Point 17:00 to 18:00
6 Dunlin (2 in breeding plumage), 2 Grey Plover (1 in full breeding plumage), 60+ Ringed Plover, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Black=tailed Godwit (both in breeding plumage), 60 Curlew, 2 Whimbrel, 30+ Oystercatcher, 1 Sandwich Tern, 14 Common Tern, 2 Little Egret, 3 Cormorant. T. Blackwell.
Thursday 08th August 2013variable, scattered clouds, max24°c
EWT Hanningfield Reservoir 11:15 to 13:30
Robin, Blackbird, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Chaffinch, Mallard, Moorhen, 200+Coot, 95+ Black-headed Gull, 14+ Great Crested Grebe, Carrion Crow, 70+ Greylag Goose, Woodpigeon, House Sparrow, 79+ Canada Goose, 8+ Pied Wagtail, 60+ Mute Swan, 3+ Lesser Black-backed Gull, 10+ Red Crested Pochard (female's and ducklings), Starling, 24+ Lapwing, 5+ Common Tern, Common Sandpiper, 140+ Herring Gull, Dunnock, Magpie, 250+ Tufted Duck, Little Grebe, Collared Dove, Aylesbury Duck. Dragonflies: Southern Hawker, Common Blue Damselfly. Butterflies: Large White, Green Veined White, Small Heath, Speckled Wood, Ringlet. S. Jackson & M. Hill.
Leigh on Sea, Park View Drive 18:34
Marsh Harrier over garden south west to east. Kris Mee, Web Author.
Wednesday 07th August 2013north north easterly, partly cloudy, max21°c
Prittlewell 08:00
1 Green Woodpecker in garden. Pat Dandridge.
Hanningfield Reservoir 13:00 to 13:25
500+ Tufted Duck, 300+ Pochard, 150+ Coot, 200+ Mallard, 12 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Magpie, 14 Mute Swan, 35 Cormorant, 300+ Black-headed Gull, 100+ Herring Gull, 12 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 24 Lapwing, 100+ Greylag Geese, 70+ Canada Geese, 12 Carrion Crow. Rob Harris.
Southend, Kensington Road, 13:15
Native Ladybird in back garden, first sighting to a slow start for them in 2013. Robert Dobinson.
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 17:30 to 19:45
1 Hobby over Coryton lagoon, 1 Peregrine Falcon chasing a Marsh Harrier that was proberly the same as the male bird earlier, 3 Green Sandpiper on fleet, 1 Common Sandpiper on creek, 1 Whimbrel, 1 Teal, 2 Gadwall at Coryton, a few Little Egret, 1 adult and juvenile Little Grebe at Coryton. Richard Fahey.
Tuesday 06th August 2013variable, partly cloudy, max24°c
Prittlewell 09:15 and 17:20
Willow Warbler in garden, 200+ Swift feeding very high above garden. Pat Dandridge.
A1245 Chelmsford Road at Rawreth 09:45
Buzzard near Battlesbridge junction. Peter Bowden.
Two Tree Island 10:35 to 15:00
1 Greenfinch, c.200 Black-tailed Godwit, c.1000 Curlew, (very long line in flight), c.40 Redshank, 5 Common Sandpiper, 1 Whitethroat with 1 juvenile, 1 Knot, 12 Greenshank, 3 female Teal, few Lapwing with juveniles, 8 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, many Black-headed Gull, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1 Moorhen. Many Gatekeeper butterflies, many Large White Butterflies, few Red Admiral butterflies, 1 Magpie Moth, 1 male Oak Eggar moth, found dead in hide. (All sightings from Scrape hide, with the exception of Curlew, that were between West Cliff and Canvey Point). David & Brenda Hale.
RSPB Vange Marsh 13:00 to 16:15
8 Spotted Redshank, 5 Greenshank, 30 Redshank, 2 Common Sandpiper, 3 Green Sandpiper, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 70+ Lapwing, 37+ Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Little Grebe, 6 Little Egret, 28+ Avocet, 7 Common Tern, 4 Cormorant, 5 Heron, 5+ Pied Wagtail. David Shepherd.
Shoeburyness, Gunners Park 13:15 to 14:30
House Sparrow, Starling, Herring Gull, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Blackbird, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Collared Dove, Woodpigeon, Feral Pigeon, Carrion Crow, 10+ Swallow, Little Egret, 4+ Mute Swan, mixed flock of 30+ Turnstone, 25+ Ringed Plover on the sea wall, Pied Wagtail, Whitethroat, Linnet, Lesser Whitethroat, Dunnock, Robin. S. Jackson.
Monday 05th August 2013southerly, partly cloudy, max25°c
Southchurch Park East 05:30
15 Little Egret feeding along reed/near sluice gate. Robert Dobinson.
Little Baddow, Sandon Brook, Waterhall Meadows 11:45
2 Grey Wagtail. Dudley Shayler.
Leigh on Sea, Park View Drive 17:15
8 Swift south over garden. Kris Mee.
Barling Creek 19:15
12 Little Egret, 17 Greenshank, 2 Avocet, 100+ Redshank, large amount Swift overhead. T. Thorneycroft.
Sunday 04th August 2013south south westerly, scattered clouds, max24°c
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 07:55 to 11:30
3 Green Sandpiper, 1 Whimbrel (maybe same on creek and field overlooked by refinery), 3 Common Tern along creek, 2 Gadwall on Coryton lagoon, c.8 Little Egret, Cetti's Warbler heard. Richard Fahey.
Southchurch Park East 08:30
3 Little Egrets north east of low reed bed, 2 Greenfinch. Robert Dobinson.
Paglesham Eastend 10:00 to 11:50
1 Little Egret, 1 Cormorant, 4 Oystercatcher, 1 Common Sandpiper, 9 Lapwing, 38 Swallow (including 2 pairs obviously taking food to nests on a wreck by the boatyard), 8 Meadow Pipit, c.400 Starling (juvenile flock), 6 Linnet, 3 Goldfinch. 3 Peacock butterflies, 10 Comma, 2 Painted Lady and many Gatekeeper, Small Skipper, Meadow Brown, Large and Small White butterflies. David Selley.
RSPB Rainham Marshes 10:30 to 14:15
Woodpigeon, Magpie, Starling, 150+ Black-headed Gull, 5+ Cormorant, 45+ Coot, 21+ Moorhen, 17+ Little Egret, 20+ Lapwing, 40+ House Sparrow, 25+ Canada Goose, Carrion Crow, Mallard, 13+ Grey Heron, Goldfinch, Collared Dove, Mute Swan, 51+ Common Gull, 3+ Green Sandpiper. 7+ Little Grebe. S. Jackson & M. Hill.
Westcliff, Prittlewell Chase 10:40
1 Green woodpecker pecking on the grass verge near to the prittle brook. S. Whitaker.
Abberton Reservoir 13:00 to 15:00
1 Spoonbill, 1 Osprey, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Hobby, 1 Kestrel, 5 Magpie, 5 Common Tern, 8 Egyptian Geese, 30 Lapwing, 1 Swan Goose, 2 Red-breasted Geese, 1 Aylesbury Duck, 100+ Canada Geese, 100+ Greylag Geese, 230+ Mute Swan, 350+ Coot, 150+ Mallard, 200+ Cormorant, 200+ Tufted, 5 Great Crested Grebe, 12 Starling, 300+ Black-headed Gull, 100+ Woodpigeon, 250+ Carrion Crow, 1 Goldfinch. Rob Harris.
RSPB Wallasea Island 20:00 to 20:45
1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Kestrel, 1 Barn Owl, 14 Carrion Crow, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 24 Black-headed Gull, 7 Herring Gull, 3 Magpie, 2 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Swallow, 40+ Woodpigeon. Rob Harris.
Saturday 03rd August 2013south westerly, scattered clouds, max24°c
Rochford 07:00 to 07:30
c.35 House Martin over old hospital and Malting Villas areas and at least four nests with visible young, 1 Swift quite high but no sign of local breeders now. David Selley.
Leigh on Sea 13:00
5 Swift high south. Kris Mee.
Canvey Point 13:00 to 15:00
1 Grey Plover, 15 Ringed Plover, 1 Dunlin, 3 Whimbrel, 83 Curlew, 5 Little Egret, 8 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 60 Turnstone, 200+ Oystercatcher, 5 Cormorant, 2 Swallow. T. Blackwell.
Church Road Highams Park E4
Flock of parakeets, 30 or more coming in to our friends neighbours conifers to roost. Heard their racket early again on the sunday morning! Peter Bowden.
Friday 02nd August 2013south westerly, partly cloudy, max25°c
Two Tree Island 09:30 to 11:30
c.46 Little Egret, 20+ Goldfinch, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, 10+ Greenfinch, 1 Oystercatcher, 2 Moorhen, 1 Whitethroat, 10+ Black-headed Gull. N. Mackie.
Abberton Reservoir, Lower Breton Causeway 10:55 to 13:35
2 Ruddy Shelduck, 2 Red-breasted Geese, (no sign of rings on either pair), 12 Ruff, 1 Greenshank, 1 Green Sandpiper, c.10 Common Tern, 2 Egyptian Geese, 2 Hobby, 1 Kestrel, 2 female Wigeon, c.12 Lapwing with several juveniles, Shoveler, Mallard, Teal, Pochard, Tufted Duck, 2 Grey Heron, 4 Little Egret, 2 Stock Dove, 4 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Little Grebe. David & Brenda Hale.
Hanningfield Reservoir Causeway 11:20 to 11:40
500+ Tufted Duck, 300+ Pochard, 150+ Coot, 200+ Mallard, 11 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Magpie, 6 Mute Swan, 33 Cormorant, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Pied Wagtail, 300+ Black-headed Gull, 100+ Herring Gull, 12 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 24 Lapwing, 100+ Greylag Geese, 70+ Canada Geese, 12 Carrion Crow. Rob Harris.
Corringham Road/Abbotts Hall Chase, Stanford-Le-Hope 13:05
1 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker flew low over the main road past the bus stop to land in garden conifer to east. Richard Fahey.
Wat Tyler Country Park 13:30
2 male Southern Migrant Hawker. Dave Donning.
Wat Tyler Country Park 14:00 to 17:00
2 Southern Migrant Hawker seen around 2pm, 1 was seen again briefly at 4.30pm. 1 Southern Hawker, 2 Migrant Hawkers also on the wing. Photos and details of where the Southern migrant hawker were here: http://www.uk-wildlife.co.uk/southern-migrant-hawker-aeshna-affinis-at-wat-tyler-park-essex-2013/. Neil Phillips.
RSPB Wallasea Island 18:30 to 19:05
1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Sparrowhawk, 5 Corn Bunting, 2 Skylark, 30+ Woodpigeon, 30+ Black-headed Gull, 3 Herring Gull, 4 Magpie, 7 Carrion Crow, 1 Little Egret, 1 Grey Plover, 1 Greenfinch, 12 Linnet, 5 Goldfinch, 7 House Sparrow, 2 House Martin. Rob Harris.
Thursday 01st August 2013east south east, clear, max33°c
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 06:53 to 08:57
5 Green Sandpiper at fleet, 2 Whimbrel and Curlew in field between track and refinery, 40+ Black-tailed Godwit and 5 Common Tern at creek, 10 Little Egret, Chiffchaff heard at Coryton, 1 Green Woodpecker. Richard Fahey.
Vange, Cotelands 08:00
Green woodpecker on tree trunk. Mick Roe.
Ashingdon, Princess Gardens 17:15 and 19:00
2 Little Egret - single birds each going south. We noticed early evening movement at about this time last year - possibly heading for the late summer Two Tree roost. David Selley.