05/08/00 - (from feedback) Two Tree Island EWT Reserve Kingfishers on the borrowdyke, well worth a look, also four Little Egrets on the filter beds. Observer: Steve Brown (warden)

06/08/00 - (from feedback) Canvey seafront: two Pomarine Skuas and two Little Terns. thanks to David Jobbins.

06/08/00 - 9:07 Wakering Stairs: Many waders in summer plumage, Oystercatcher, Grey Plover, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Redshank, Greenshank, Collared Dove, Green Woodpecker, Linnet, Yellowhammer. 9:49 Fleethead Creek - Wakering: Grey Heron (+5), Mute Swan, Shoveler, Marsh-harrier, Kestrel, Coot, Lapwing, Turtle Dove, Green Woodpecker, Swallow, Pied Wagtail, Greenfinch, Goldfinch. 12:14 Hanningfield Reservoir: Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Grey Heron, Mute Swan, Black Swan (x2), Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Barnacle Goose, Mallard, Shoveler, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Marsh-harrier, (female, flew off to the east), Coot, Lapwing, Common Sandpiper (x3), Great Black-backed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Black-headed Gull, Common Tern, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Green Woodpecker, Pied Wagtail, Blackcap, Willow Warbler, Long-tailed Tit, Carrion Crow. 

06/08/00 - (from feedback) East Tilbury, TQ 685762, South of Coalhouse Fort: five Turtle Dove (incl 2 juveniles), 1 Stonechat, (juvenile), 1 Hobby. Black-tailed Godwit approx 200, 3 Bar-tailed Godwit. Observer: Steve Blackburn.

08/08/00 -19:08 Wakering Stairs: Sparrowhawk, Hobby - this bird was sitting on top of the long shed constantly being mobbed by Swallows - this didn't seem to bother it at all! Common Tern, Turtle Dove (x4), Swallow, Yellowhammer. 19:42 Fleethead Creek - Wakering: Marsh-harrier (x2) observed from Potton Island bridge over on Havengore Island, Red-legged Partridge (x12), Barn Owl, Green Woodpecker, Swallow,  House Martin, Starling (x3,000 sitting on wires alongside road), Linnet, Corn Bunting.

10/08/00 - (from feedback) I thought you might be interested to hear that a Kingfisher can regularly be seen along Prittle Brook, Rochford most mornings at approximately 6:30 - 7 am. I see it between Sutton Road following the course of the brook towards Temple Farm Industrial Estate. Observer: Vi Walker.

10/08/00 - 19:17 Gunners Park - Shoebury: One female Wheatear.

11/08/00 - 20: 15 The Fleet: Barn Owl observed bringing a kill back to disused buildings just beyond and to the right of the Potton Island Bridge on Potton Island. The Owl was attacked by a Sparrowhawk which was unobserved before the Owl returned but had obviously been lying in wait to ambush this bird bringing back prey. Close up views were had of the Owl ten minutes after this event sitting on a concrete post by the buildings. Also observed were: Grey Heron (x2), Dunlin, Ruff and five Red-legged Partridge. The M.O.D road to Potton Island bridge is a wonderful place for a walk on a warm evening with many birds to be seen, look out especially for Marsh Harriers towards Rushley and Havengore Island. for more details of this area click here.

12/08/00 - 10:17 Wakering Stairs: Little Egret (x3), Marsh-harrier (over Havengore), Sparrowhawk (observed attacking Little Tern), Kestrel, Bar-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Redshank, Greenshank, Turnstone, Common Tern, Little Tern, Wheatear. There would appear to have been a migratory fall with this last species, All were seen amongst the concrete blocks behind Haven point, six definite individuals were counted (one male and five female) but it looked likely that there were more than this. 15:22 Wat Tyler CP: Seven Grey Heron were observed on the scrapes along with two Ruff and one Common Sandpiper.

12/08/00 - (from feedback)  Yesterday at East Tilbury we saw the following on the shore around Colehouse Fort: 4 Skuas (not sure which, probably Arctic), 1 Little Stint, 200 Avocets, 50 Grey Plovers, 100 Ringed Plovers & 5 Dunlin.  We also saw 1 Water Vole and 1 Weasel in the moats around the fort. Observer: Steve Blackburn & Sarah Costeloe.

13/08/00 - WeBs Wildfowl Count Wakering Stairs 09:30 - 12:30; Observers: Graham Mee, Steve Sanford; Start Time: 09:30 Finish Time: 12:30: Little Egret 2, Grey Heron  1, Marsh-harrier  2 (over Havengore Island), Kestrel 1 (female), Oystercatcher 3605, Grey Plover 1200, Ringed Plover 110, Bar-tailed Godwit 747, Curlew 470, Redshank 25, Greenshank 12, Knot 3, Dunlin 325, Common Tern 7, Little Tern 42 (Haven Point), Wood Pigeon 10, Turtle Dove 1, Green Woodpecker 1, Swallow 35, Wren 1, Wheatear 5 (Haven Point), Linnet 1. 18:24 Gunners Park - Shoebury: Wheatear 2, Linnet 8.

13/08/00 - (from feedback) South of swing bridge, east of Half Way Farm on Fleet Head: We believe we saw a small group of Water Rail. Observer: Gwynneth Bromley.

14/08/2000 - 19:01 The Fleet - Wakering: Little Egret (2 Observed flying together), Mute Swan 4, Marsh-harrier 2 (also observed flying as a pair over Havengore), Kestrel 1, Common Snipe 1, Green Sandpiper 3, Ruff 12.

12/08/00 - (from feedback)  I know Kestrels are seen everywhere these days but in the last week on the open land opposite ASDA in Tilbury there has been six Kestrels hunting the same ground at the same time. Observer: Terence Ross

15/08/00 - 19:32 The Fleet - Wakering: Little Egret 2, Grey Heron 2, Mute Swan 8, Gadwall 1, Marsh-harrier 2, Pied Avocet 6 (from Potton bridge), Golden Plover 20, Redshank, Green Sandpiper 2, Common Tern, Wheatear, Greenfinch. (Apologies for reporting yet again on the same area but this is your authors 'local patch'  as well as being a fantastic and rewarding place for an evening stroll. I promise to start visiting Two Tree Island and other places in the near future!). Hanningfield Reservoir Midday: Black Tern.

15/08/00 - (from feedback): Two tree Island: Lapwings, 1 Dunlin, 1 Grey Heron,  2 Little Egrets and many Curlews. Observer: Dave messenger.

17/08/00 - 11:34 Two Tree Island: Seven Little Egret observed. In excess of 2000 Grey Plover most of which were still in summer plumage also observed from EWT Nature Reserve.

17/08/00 - (from feedback): Swift sighted over Hanningfield Reservoir. Observer Gwynneth Bromley. (Please see our 'We need your help below).

18/08/00 - (from feedback): There was one Swift over Brightlingsea this morning. Also of possible interest was a walk along Brightlingsea sea wall towards Arelsford on the 16/8 which gave 6 Wheatears, 400+ Avocets, 1 Brent Goose and 3 Grey Plover. Observer: P. J. O'Toole.

20/08/00 - (from feedback): Gunners Park: 4 Wheatears and 1 Fulmar. Observers: Steve Blackburn & Sarah Costeloe.

20/08/00 - (from feedback) Hanningfield Reservoir: 5 Black Swans 2 Greenshank 5 Common Sandpiper 1 Ruff 3 Ringed Plover. Observer: Stephen D Anderson.

21/08/00 - 15:30 Gunners Park - Shoebury: Wheatear, 1. Goldfinch and Linnet.

21/08/00 - What better way to relax after three days at the British Bird fair than with a trip to Barling Gravel Pits, an area surely worthy of conservation effort. Species observed in 45 minutes sitting on the bank of the larger pond: Little Grebe. Gadwall. Garganey. Tufted Duck. Marsh-harrier, 1. Hobby, 1. Pied Avocet, 8. Bar-tailed Godwit. Common Sandpiper. Common Kingfisher, 2. Green Woodpecker, 1. Long-tailed Tit. Willow Warbler. Great Tit. Blue Tit. 

22/08/00 - (from feedback): There were up to 4 Common Swifts over Brightlingsea until Sunday at least, also good numbers of House Martins, 1 Sand Martin and the odd Swallow. Also on Sunday at the small sewage works next to Promenade way in Brightlingsea, there were 5 Turtle Doves, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, Willow Warbler and Chiff Chaff. Walton on the Naze also had good numbers of House Martins, the odd Swallow and Sand Martin, 1 Common Swift and a Wheatear. Observer: P. J. O'Toole.

22/08/00 - (from feedback): Two Swift sighted over Hadleigh Country Park also Hobby possibly from the pair in the Benfleet area. Observer: Andrew Woodhouse, Essex Ranger Service.

23/08/00 - Barling Gravel Pits 19:20: Four Pied Avocet observed.

26/08/00 - 13:36 Coalhouse Fort - East Tilbury: Shelduck c.1000 (many juveniles), Pied Avocet c.85, Ringed Plover c.200, Long-tailed Tit c.30, Goldfinch. 14:38 Wat Tyler Country Park: Little Egret 2, Grey Heron, 5 ( 3 adults and 5 juveniles; there have been reports of 14 present during the week!), Long-tailed Tit. Hanningfield Reservoir: Two Yellow-legged Gulls observed.

26/08/00 - 17:46 The Fleet - Wakering: Little Grebe, Little Egret 1, Shelduck, Wigeon, Teal, Marsh-harrier 2, Kestrel 2, Red-legged Partridge,  Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Pied Avocet 3, Lapwing, Common Snipe 1, Bar-tailed Godwit, Redshank, Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, Ruff, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Black-headed Gull, Wood Pigeon, Turtle Dove 3, Collared Dove, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Yellow Wagtail,  Robin, Wheatear 1, Blackbird, Carrion Crow, Starling c.1000, House Sparrow, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Corn Bunting.  As you can see by this list The Fleet is an excellent place to start birdwatching in the area. If you are new to birdwatching or just visiting and would like a guided tour of any of the best locations in Southend please click here. For more information and directions to The Fleet, click here.

27/08/00 - 9:11 Wakering Stairs: Sparrowhawk - Two seen flying together, 1 male, 1 female. Kestrel, two birds, first observed mobbing Sparrowhawks.  
18:14 The Fleet - Wakering: Little Egret 2, Mute Swan 4, Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Kestrel 3, Hobby (Observed chasing and then catching a Swallow), Common Snipe 2.

28/08/00 - 12:15 Hanningfield Reservoir: Grey Heron c.26, Black Swan 6, Gadwall, Pintail (2 female), Garganey, Common Sandpiper, Ruff, Common Tern 1.  16:45 The Fleet - Wakering: Sparrowhawk 2, Common Snipe, Ruff, Turtle Dove 2, Goldfinch, Linnet.

28/08/00 - (from feedback) Vange Marshes: Common Sandpiper 5, Green Sandpiper 2, Ruff 1 and Swift 4. Pitsea scrape: Common Sandpiper 2, Ruff 8, Greenshank 8, Black-tailed Godwit 2 and 1 Little Egret. Observer: Andy Woodhouse Essex Ranger Service. 14 Black Tern, Little Gull, 9 Arctic Skua, 8 Pomarine Skua and Common Buzzard reported off Canvey Seafront.

29/08/00 - (from feedback): Throughout the summer in a garden on the Painters Estate near Friars Park, we have been visited by a Chiffchaff (possibly more than one but difficult to be sure). Observer: Gwynneth Bromley

A word of Warning: If anyone takes a trip either to the Fleet following the MOD road to Potton bridge or around the river wall at Oxenham farm beware of the large Eagle Owl. This owl is sitting on the highest mast on one of the boats in Wakering boat yard - no you can't tick it, it is a very large cuddly toy! It gave you author a few heart stopping moments I can tell you!