Saturday 31st August 2002
Gunners Park - Shoebury 08:11 - 08:50: 1 juvenile Merlin, 2 Green Woodpecker, Meadow Pipit, 2 Wheatear, c.32 Goldfinch. Web Author.
Wakering Stairs, Haven Point  09:10 - 10:00: 3 Little Egret, 5 Marsh Harrier (1 juv, 1 male), 6 Kestrel, 2 Hobby (1 bird observed catching prey), 1 Peregrine Falcon, c.300 Red Knot (some still in summer plumage). Web Author.
Maldon (on Blackwater) 11:30 - 13:30: 77 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Yellow-legged Gulls (adults), in Promenade Park - 1 Yellow Wagtail, 36 Pied Wagtail, and at Limbourne Creek - 1 Sparrowhawk, 142 Lapwing, 2 Green Sandpiper. Stephen Harris.
Gunners Park - Shoebury  14:30 - 15:00: 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Wheatear, 1 Blackcap, 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Willow Warbler, 5 Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Pied Flycatcher. Steve Arlow, Web Author.
Canvey Point 14:30 - 17:30:  250+ Sandwich Terns, adults + many juvs. Adults showed various stages of moult, some retaining more or less full breeding plumage. 2 Little Terns, adult + juv., very mobile along front. Also seen; Common Tern, Bar-tailed Godwit, Ringed Plover, Redshank, Oystercatcher, Turnstone, Cormorant, Common Gull, Black-headed Gull, Pied Wagtail, Swallow. Many painted lady butterflies + red admiral & small tortoishell. Andrew Cox.
Benfleet Downs 14:45 - 15:00: 1 Kestrel, 9+ Long-Tailed Tit. Stuart Bailey.
Wakering Stairs 16:30 - 17:00: 9 Eider off shore, c.400 Knot, Grey Plover, Golden Plover. Don Wildish, Web Author.
Two Tree Island - eastern half - EWT area, 17.45 - 20.00: Little Grebe, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Mallard, Wigeon 36, Teal 10, Moorhen, Coot, Ringed Plover, Grey Plover, Golden Plover, Turnstone, Dunlin, Redshank, Curlew 200+, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Woodpigeon, Green Woodpecker (juv. m.), Magpie, Carrion Crow, Starling. Martin Johnson.
Chelmsford area: Nightjar on my back lawn in suburb of Chelmsford Essex. Arnold.

Friday 30th August 2002
Two Tree Island 09:30 - 12:00: 4 Little Egret, 1 Heron, 1 Whimbrel, 6 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Oystercatcher, 10 Lapwing (all on West side), 1 Jay, 6 Greenfinch (East side). Trevor Donaldson.

Thursday 29th August 2002
Maldon: 08:45: Terek Sandpiper reported still present on the River Blackwater. Click here for last confirmed location.
Southend Pier 12:00: Possible adult Laughing Gull reported on train station at end of pier. (please contact us if you were the person who reported this gull - Ed).
Sutton Road Cemetery, 09:15 to 09:30: 7 Mistle Thrush (feeding on rowan berries). Don Petrie (Southend Ornithological Group).
Westcliff Leisure Centre, 17:45 to 18:15: 2 Mediterranean Gull (adult winters - one with a green ring on the right leg). Paul Griggs (Southend Ornithological Group).
Southend Pier, 18:00 to 19:30: 2 Arctic Skua (chasing terns), 26 Mediterranean Gull (9 1st years, 2 juveniles, 6 2nd winters and 9 adults - these include the regularly returning Green ringed bird A00 now in adult plumage.). Also present was another Green ringed bird, a 2nd Year, with P20 and a yellow ringed adult with 31P on it. No sign of the reported Laughing Gull. Steve Arlow, Mike Bailey (Southend Ornithological Group). For Gull and Tern photos click here.

Wednesday 28th August 2002
Belfairs Nature Reserve 07:00: 16 Crossbill (flew SW calling). Tony Mead.
East Tilbury 10:00 - 14:00: 355 Avocets, 14 Curlew Sandpipers, 1 Little Stint,  24 Knot,  8 Bar-tailed Godwit,  3 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Whimbrel,  1 Arctic Skua,  20 Yellow-legged Gulls,  1 Kingfisher, 1 Lesser Whitethroat. Also 4 Clouded Yellow butterflies. David Jobbins.
Fingringhoe Wick: 11:00 - 15:00: 100+ Avocet, 20+ Black-tailed Godwit, Whimbrel, Curlew, Grey Heron, Little Egret, Redshank, Cormorant, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Swallow, Ruddy Duck, Moorhen, Coot. Trevor Donaldson.
Wat Tyler Country Park 18:45 - 20:00: 2 Snipe, 4 Spotted Redshank, 7 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Greenshank, 6+ Green Sandpiper, 4 Ruff, 3 Hobby. Steve Hiscock.
Gunners Park 18:45 - 19:30: 1 female Sparrowhawk, 1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Willow Warbler. Web Author.
Corringham Cemetery: Small group of Goldcrest present last few days. Jim Cockram.

Tuesday 27th August 2002
Belfairs Nature Reserve 07:00: 11 Crossbill (flew SW). Tony Mead.
Canvey Seafront 14:30 - 17:00: 14 Arctic Skuas up river; 1 possible Pomarine Skua lingering off shore; 2 Black Terns; 2 Little Terns. David Jobbins.
Canvey Seafront, 16:15 to 17:50: 8 Arctic Skua (7 dark juvs and 1 intermediate juv inc a flock of 3), 1 Marsh Harrier (flew north from Kent to Two Tree Island), 1 Black Tern, 15 Sandwich Tern, 10 Little Tern. Paul Baker (Southend Ornithological Group).
Two Tree Island from slipway 17.00 -18.30: 3 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Kestrel, Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover, Grey Plover, Lapwing, Turnstone, Dunlin, Redshank, Greenshank, Black-tailed Godwit, 300+ Curlew, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, 17 Little Tern. Martin Johnson.
Westcliff, 17:10: 1 Sparrowhawk (Hamlet Court Road 17,10). Dudley Shaylor (Southend Ornithological Group).
Westcliff High Schools, 17:50: 1 Sparrowhawk (over St Thomas Moore school). Dudley Shaylor (Southend Ornithological Group).

Monday 26th August 2002
Canvey Seafront, 06:45 to 08:00: 4 Little Egret (flying eastwards), 1 Arctic Skua (over the kent side of  the river), 5 Common Tern. Dudley Shaylor (Southend Ornithological Group).
Gunners Park, 09:00 to 10:25: 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 5 Whitethroat, 3 Willow Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Tree Pipit (flew south calling at 9.10 and briefly perched in the dead tree just north of the reserve gate). Steve Arlow (Southend Ornithological Group).
East Tilbury 09:00 - 12:40: 350+ Avocet, 8 Bar-tailed Godwit, 4 Curlew Sandpipers, 4 Knot, 1 Sanderling, 2 Wheatears, 1 Grey Wagtail, 30+ Yellow-legged Gulls, 2 Hobby, 1 Marsh Harrier. David Jobbins.
Fleet Head 11.25: 1 Hobby. Martin Johnson.
Wakering Stairs, 12:00 to 14:00: 8 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Whitethroat, 1 Willow Warbler, 200 Golden Plover (in the twisted metal at Havengore Creek), 1 Wheatear, 24 Wigeon, 3 Little Egret, 18 Greenshank. Steve Arlow (Southend Ornithological Group).
Maldon, Promenade Park 12:10 (after an hour of fighting through the Bank Holiday market traffic and people!): Terek Sandpiper, Yellow-legged Gull. Web Author.
Hullbridge, 13:00: 35 Crossbill (35-40 flying over). Peter Low (Southend Ornithological Group).
Landwick, 14:10 to 14:30: 2 Willow Warbler (at the clump along the perimeter fence track). Steve Arlow (Southend Ornithological Group).
Two Tree Island Western lagoon 16.30 - 17.00hrs: Mallard 1, Teal 5, Avocet 5, Ringed Plover, Golden Plover 2, Lapwing, Dunlin, Curlew Sandpiper 1, Common Sandpiper 1, Redshank, Greenshank c.30, Black-tailed Godwit c.20, Curlew, Whimbrel 2, Black-headed Gull, Wood Pigeon, Starling. Martin Johnson.
Benfleet Creek 18.20 hrs: On seawall near General Booth's Jetty 1 Wheatear. Martin Johnson.
Westcliff Seafront, 17:20: 1 Mediterranean Gull (adult opposite Rossi Ice cream). Steve Arlow (Southend Ornithological Group).

Sunday 25th August 2002
Hadleigh Country Park 08:30 11:00: 3 Green Woodpecker,1 Jay, 2 Willow Warbler, 6 Great Tit,1 Long Tailed Tit. Trevor Donaldson.
Two Tree Island 12:00 - 14:00: 3 Whitethroat,1 Robin, 50+ Golden Plover (salt marsh),10 Whimbrel. Trevor Donaldson.
Two Tree Island (West), 13:00 to 13:50: 61 Greenshank, 6 Avocet (On the lagoon, plus Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwits, Oystercatchers.), 7 Little Tern (In the creek.). John Wright (Southend Ornithological Group).
Two Tree Island (West), 14:30 to 16:00: 13 Little Tern (All on the lagoon), 30 Greenshank, 5 Common Sandpiper, 2 Curlew Sandpiper, 90 Golden Plover, 250 Ringed Plover, 200 Dunlin, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Avocet. Steve Bunn Essex Ranger Service.

Saturday 24th August
Oxenham Farm 07:30 - 08:05: 1 Turtle Dove, 1 Green Woodpecker, Yellow Wagtail, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Yellowhammer. Also 1 possible Pied Flycatcher (fleeting glimpse). Web Author.
Hadleigh Downs, 08:00: 1 Whinchat. Steve Bunn Essex Ranger Service.
Gunners Park - Shoebury 08:20 - 08:45: 1 female Sparrowhawk, 1 Green Woodpecker, 4 Wheatear. Web Author.
Barling 09:00: 1 Red Kite, 6 Green Sandpiper, 1 Common Sandpiper. Ian Douch.
Wakering Stairs, Haven Point 0949 - 12:49: 15 Little Egret, 2 Marsh Harrier, 1 male Sparrowhawk, 1 Peregrine Falcon, Grey Plover, Ringed Plover, 2 Whimbrel (leucistic bird), 24 Greenshank, 2 Stonechat, 1 Wheatear, Common Whitethroat, Long-tailed Tit. Web Author.
Gunners Park, 09:50 to 12:00: 2 Pied Flycatcher (in the trees by the compound), 18 Willow Warbler (with 15 in the trees by the compound), 7 Lesser Whitethroat (with most in the trees by the compound and in the bushes on the western side of the park), 10 Whitethroat, 25 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Swift, 2 Blackcap (male and female), 1 Siskin (flew south calling), 3 Chiffchaff (in the trees by the compound). Steve Arlow (Southend Ornithological Group).
Benfleet Creek, 10:00 to 11:00: 98 Golden Plover, 6 Common Sandpiper. Steve Bunn Essex Ranger Service.
Wakering Stairs, 12:15 to 13:00: 2 Whimbrel (the leucistic bird was on the mud out from the end of the road before flying towards Havengore Creek), 1 Marsh Harrier (male. A smart male bird which was different to the heavily moulted male at Fleet a week ago), 700 Bar-tailed Godwit (large flock on the saltings), 54 Grey Plover, 15 Golden Plover. Steve Arlow (Southend Ornithological Group).
Gunners Park - Shoebury 13:30 - 14:30: 3 Willow Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Pied Flycatcher, Wren. Web Author.
Oxenham Farm, 14:30 to 15:45: 6 Whinchat, 6 Little Egret, 4 Green Sandpiper, 1 Common Sandpiper, 4 Yellowhammer, 1 Sparrowhawk, 35 Red-legged Partridge, 100 Golden Plover. (Plus Clouded Yellow Butterfly, 2 Hares). John Wright (Southend Ornithological Group).
Fleet Head, 14:50 to 17:20: 1 Little Stint (adult on the main fleet north of the central track), 1 Wood Sandpiper (on the main fleet north of the central track), 4 Green Sandpiper (on the main fleet north of the central track), 8 Ruff (on the main fleet north of the central track), 4 Snipe (on the main fleet north of the central track), 2 Common Sandpiper (1 along the sea wall and 1 on the main fleet north of the central track), 200 Golden Plover (on the sea wall on the Barling Creek side.), 2 Turtle Dove, 7 Black-tailed Godwit, 40 Yellow Wagtail. Steve Arlow, John Wright (Southend Ornithological Group).
Two Tree Island, 15:00 to 16:00: 6 Little Tern (2 adult 4 juvenile flying over lagoon and fishing in creek), 27 Greenshank. Steve Bunn Essex Ranger Service.
Vange Marsh, 15:00 to 16:30: 4 Black-necked Grebe, 10 Ruddy Duck, 3 Greenshank, 6 Common Sandpiper, 2 Ruff, 1 Snipe, 1 Dunlin. Paul Griggs, Don Petrie (Southend Ornithological Group).
Hadleigh, 16:30 to 16:35: 3 Swift. Steve Bunn Essex Ranger Service.
Wat Tyler Country Park, 16:40 to 17:40: 2 Hobby, 1 Bearded Tit (heard), 1 Cuckoo (immature), 3 Green Sandpiper, 13 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Spotted Redshank (heard), 1 Water Rail (heard), 2 Greenshank, 2 Wigeon, 1 Ruddy Duck (drake). Paul Griggs, Don Petrie (Southend Ornithological Group).
The Fleet - Wakering 17:30 - 18:15: 9 Little Egret, 3 Marsh Harrier, c130 Goldfinch. Web Author
Two Tree Island (East), 18:00: 1 Ring-billed Gull (adult seen from the pillbox). Tony Mead.
Gunners park 18:30 - 19:45: 4 Wheatear, 1 Green Woodpecker. Steve Giles.

Thursday 22nd August 2002
Oxenham Farm, Wakering (on posts leading out from barns) 10:45: 3 Green Woodpecker, 5 Wheatear, juvenile Stonechat, juvenile Whinchat, Yellow Wagtail. Web Author & Son.
Fleet Head, Wakering 16:30 - 20:15: 7 Snipe, 5 Ruff, 11 Little Egret, Grey Plover, 3 Golden Plover, 3 Ringed Plover, 6 Green Sandpiper, 3 Common Sandpiper, 5 Teal, 6 Black-tailed Godwit, 5 Greenshank, Whimbrel, 11 Turtle Dove, 3 Marsh Harrier (1 male, 2 female), Wheatear, 10+ Yellow Wagtail, 5 Pied Wagtail. Tony Howells.
Gunners Park 18:30 - 20:00: 2 Kestrel, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Chiffchaff, 6 Common Whitethroat, c25 Goldfinch. Steve Giles.
Vange Marsh, 19:40 to 20:10: 3 Black-necked Grebe, 4 Ruddy Duck, 2 Ruff, 5 Green Sandpiper, 2 Garganey (reported by another apparently knowledgeable observer but by the time I stopped watching the grebes, the light was failing and I couldn't pick them out). Don Petrie (Southend Ornithological Group).
Wakering area: 60+ Little Egret on MOD roost. Mike Sagrott.

Wednesday 21st August 2002
Gunners Park, Shoebury 08:28 - 09:10: 1 Grey Heron, 4 Sandwich Tern, c.60 Common Tern, 3 Little Tern (all from sea wall), 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 juvenile Wheatear, Common Whitethroat, 1 Lesser Whitethroat. Web Author.
Oxenham Farm, Wakering 09:56 - 11:38: 4 Marsh Harrier (1 male 1 juvenile), 2 Kestrel, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 juvenile Stonechat, 7 Wheatear, 1 Spotted Flycatcher (in dead tree by entrance), Goldfinch, Linnet, 2 Yellowhammer. Web Author. Also from 14:50 15:45: male Marsh Harrier over farm, 2 Sparrowhawk (1 male, 1 female), 6 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Wheatear. Web Author. John Threadgold reports Short-eared Owl in the area a few days ago.
Hadleigh Downs, 13:00: 1 Nuthatch. Andrew Woodhouse Essex Ranger Service.
Vange Marsh, 18:00 to 19:25: 2 Little Ringed Plover, 3 Black-necked Grebe (still present in middle of 'lake'), 22 Little Grebe, 4 Green Sandpiper, 5 Ruff, 3 Common Sandpiper, 4 Ruddy Duck, 1 Wigeon (eclipse). Steve Arlow (Southend Ornithological Group).
Gunners Park. Shoebury 18:30 - 19:45: 3 Wheatear, 2 Green Woodpecker. Steve Giles.

Tuesday 20th August 2002
Priory Park 13:15: 2 Green Woodpecker. Steve Sanford.
Maldon - Hythe Quay 14:00: Hobby, Single bird seen for last 7 days over Maldon at various sites, Little Gull, Single bird amongst Black- backed Gulls at Quay side. Nic Lindsell.

Monday 19th August 2002
Rochford 17:05: 1 Sparrowhawk over Ann Boleyn public house. Steve Sanford.
For information: If anyone is looking for a good place to birdwatch at this time your author would like to suggest Kent. Here are the highlights of our list from today: Elmley Marshes: Northern Pintail, 12 Marsh Harrier, 1 ringtail Hen Harrier, 1 female Montagu's Harrier, 1 male Pallid Harrier, 2 Marsh Sandpiper, 3 Wheatear. And at Grove Ferry: 1 Spotted Crake, 2 Water Rail.

Sunday 18th August 2002
Fleet Head, 08:00: 6 Ruff (including one almost wholly white bird), 1 Common Sandpiper, 6 Green Sandpiper, 1 Avocet, 60 Golden Plover, 9 Little Egret, 5 Wheatear, 30 Yellow Wagtail, 70 to 80(!) Turtle Dove. John Pilgrim Southend Ornithological Group).
Vange Marsh, 17:00 - 18:00: 3 Black-necked Grebe (Pair of adults with a single juvenile.), 1 Hooded Merganser (Female. Plus - Ruddy Duck, Pochard, Teal, Canada Geese, Little Grebes, Great Crested Grebes.), 4 Greenshank, 5 Green Sandpiper, 3 Common Sandpiper, 1 Ruff, 1 Common Tern.  John Wright (Southend Ornithological Group).
Wakering Stairs 17:00 - 20:30: 279 Golden Plover, 113 Grey Plover, 1 Knot, 22 Black-tailed Godwit, 9 Bar-tailed Godwit, 67 Greenshank, 6 Whimbrel (including white bird), 7 Little Egret, 6 Teal, 39 Sanderling, 30 + Dunlin, very large flock of Oystercatcher, large flock of Curlew, 6 Teal, 5 Sandwich Tern, 2 Common Tern, Juv Stonechat, female Marsh Harrier. Tony Howells.
Wat Tyler Country Park, 19:00 to 19:10: 3 Hobby (Seen from the hide looking across Bowers Gifford). John Wright (Southend Ornithological Group).

Saturday 17th August 2002
Wakering Stairs, Haven Point 08:30 - 11:15: 2 Little Egret, 3 Marsh Harrier (1 female and 2 male), Grey Plover (most in summer plumage), Ringed Plover, Black-tailed Godwit, Whimbrel (leucistic bird), 79 Greenshank, Dunlin, 1 Little Tern, Yellow Wagtail, 1 juvenile Stonechat, Whitethroat, Linnet. Web Author.
Hadleigh Marshes, 09:00 to 11:00: 3 Whinchat (2 adults and a juvenile), 7 Stonechat (2 male, a female and 4 juveniles), 10 Linnet, 1 Sandwich Tern, 3 Corn Bunting (also 5 Clouded Yellow). Andrew Woodhouse Essex Ranger Service.
Fleet Head, 18:00 - 19:00: 1 Little Egret, 1 Mediterranean Gull (moulting adult), 25 Golden Plover, 31 Ruff, 6 Green Sandpiper, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Greenshank, 2 Snipe. John Wright (Southend Ornithological Group).
Eastwood area, 18:10: 1 Hobby (Flying north hawking insects). Don Petrie (Southend Ornithological Group).

Friday 16th August 2002
Gunners Park, 08:00 to 09:15: 1 Wheatear (juvenile), 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Green Woodpecker, Also Linnet, Greenfinch and Goldfinch. Web Author.
Hadleigh Downs, 11:00 to 12:00: 1 Turtle Dove (also 1 Clouded Yellow). Andrew Woodhouse Essex Ranger Service.
Barton Hall Farm, 14:50: 6 Turtle Dove, 1 juvenile Cuckoo, c.50 Black-tailed Godwit and 6 Little Egret in creek. Steve Sanford, Web Author.
Friars Park, Shoebury 17:25: 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Kingfisher flying over the overgrown lake, and 1 Willow Warbler. We also saw 2 rats,1 black tailed skimmer and a brown hawker. Kerri Webb.
Fleet Head, 18:00 - 20:15: 12 Little Egret, 17 Turtle Dove, 1 Spotted Redshank (heard only), 102 Golden Plover, 2 Snipe, 5 Black-tailed Godwit, 5 Whimbrel, 17 Common Sandpiper, 8 Green Sandpiper, 17 Ruff, 3 Greenshank, 1 Marsh Harrier (male in heavy moult). Also; 100 Red-legged Partridge (The farmer appears to have released hundreds of these birds in preparation of the shooting season).  Steve Arlow (Southend Ornithological Group).

Thursday 15th August 2002
Hanningfield Reservoir 11:30 - 12:45: Point Hide: 2 Dunlin (juvs), 1 Common Sandpiper, 4 Yellow-legged Gulls (3 ads. & 3S), 4 Garganey (1 ad. male). Nick Green EBWS.
Fleet Head 15:30 - 18:00: 3 Sand Martin, 5 Yellow Wagtail, 4 Whinchat, 1 Corn Bunting, 4 Reed Warblers (on MOD road), 5 Ruff, 3 Green Sandpiper, 3 Common Sandpiper, 2 Whimbrel, 5 Little Egret, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 100 Golden Plover, 20 Goldfinch, 1 Common Snipe, 2 Grey Plover, 4 Turtle Dove, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Green Woodpecker. Also 1 Clouded Yellow & 1 Rat. S Blackburn, S Costeloe, S Hedley & G Deas.
Two Tree Island, 18:15 - 20:30: 73 Greenshank (roosting on the lagoon), 11 Common Sandpiper, 2 Whimbrel, 3 Avocet, 43 Little Egret (on the roost including a fine flock of 38 when the roost got flushed by something unseen from Leigh). Steve Arlow (Southend Ornithological Group).

Wednesday 14th August 2002
Belfairs Woods, 08:00: 5 Crossbill. Tony Mead. (Southend Ornithological Group).
Hanningfield Reservoir 12:00: 1 Ruddy Shelduck, 3 Red Crested Pochard. Web Author.
Two Tree Island, 17:55 to 19:20: 2 Curlew Sandpiper (moulting adults on the lagoon over high tide with one seen on the mud from the slipway on the Two Tree side of the creek), 51 Greenshank (roosting on the lagoon), 1 Yellow-legged Gull (adult from slipway), 1 Common Sandpiper (lagoon). Steve Arlow (Southend Ornithological Group).

Tuesday 13th August 2002
Belfairs Woods, 08:00: 2 Crossbill. Tony Mead. (Southend Ornithological Group).
The Fleet, Wakering 08:28 - 10:35: 4 Little Egret, Common Teal, 1 Marsh Harrier, 5 Kestrel, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Whimbrel, Curlew, 2 Green Sandpiper, 4 Common Sandpiper, 7 Ruff, 2 Turtle Dove, juvenile Green Woodpecker, 14 Yellow Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, 1 Willow Warbler, Goldfinch, Linnet. Web Author.
Gunners Park 10:50: 1 juvenile Wheatear, 1 Green Woodpecker. Web Author.
Two Tree Island 13:00 - 16:30: 12 Golden Plover, 1 Grey Plover in full summer plumage, c.50 Greenshank, 3 Dunlin in summer plumage, 1 Curlew Sandpiper, c.12 Common Sandpiper, 4 Pied Avocet, 1 Little Egret, c.124 Common Ringed Plover, 1 Whimbrel. Web Author.
Wakering Stairs, 17:40 to 19:25: 1 Little Egret, 19 Little Tern, 2 Mediterranean Gull (adults), 130 Sanderling, 17 Golden Plover, 3 Whimbrel (including the leucistic bird again), 30 Bar-tailed Godwit (estimated count on the fall of the tide), 320 Sand Martin (estimated passing through in 20 mins), 2 Common Sandpiper, 20 Greenshank. Steve Arlow (Southend Ornithological Group).
Rayne, near Braintree 30 Crossbills flew over heading west at 7.35am and Thorndon Park North between Childerditch Meadows & laurel plantation, near Brentwood - a further 7 seen. Nick Green EBWS. (It has been suggested that Hanningfield may be a good place to look for these birds as it was a good site in previous invasions - Ed).

Monday 12th August 2002
Canvey West End, 10:30 to 12:00: 1 Turtle Dove (also 4 Clouded Yellow and 18 Painted Lady). Andrew Woodhouse Essex Ranger Service.
Two Tree Island 15:30 - 17:20: 12 Common Sandpiper, 92 Ringed Plover, 48 Greenshank, 28 Grey Plover, 4 Knot (one in summer plumage), 8 Whimbrel, 25 Dunlin, 8 Black-tailed Godwit. Tony Howells.
Two Tree Island, 17:00 to 18:50: 3 Curlew Sandpiper (cracking adults on the Two Tree side of the creek on the falling tide), 15 Black-tailed Godwit, 44 Greenshank (roosting on the lagoon), 10 Common Sandpiper (on lagoon), 12 Little Tern (in Ray Gut), 3 Golden Plover, 102 Ringed Plover (roosting on the lagoon), 7 Whimbrel. Steve Arlow (Southend Ornithological Group).

Lesser Black-backed Gull Information: On the 02nd July we reported a ringed Lesser Black-backed Gull that had been found shot with an air gun pellet in Towerfield Road, Shoebury. We have now received the details of the ring from the BTO and these are as follows: Species: Lesser Black-backed Gull Age 1st Year sex unknown Ringing date: 23rd July 1998 Ringed at Fairlight, Hastings, Sussex. Grid Reference TQ8612 by the Rye Bay Ringing Group As you can see from the above the bird almost made it to its fourth birthday but was unfortunate enough to meet with a callous individual with an air gun.

Sunday 11th August 2002
Wakering Stairs, 09:00 to 10:30: 4 Greenshank, 4 Whimbrel (Including leucistic bird), 1 Little Egret. Harry Carmichael (Southend Ornithological Group).
East Tilbury 09.00 - 13.00: 277 Avocets, 60 Grey Plover, several Black- and Bar-tailed Godwits, 1 adult Curlew Sandpiper, 1 Little Stint. David Jobbins.
Hanningfield Reservoir 11:30 - 14:30: Hawkswood Road, male Kingfisher, female Mandarin, 3 Little Grebe, Red Crested Pochard, male Ringed Teal, Common Sandpiper. On Reserve, male eclipse Wigeon, Barnacle Goose, 4 Red Crested Pochard, 6 Juvenile Shoveler,12 Teal, 20+ Little Grebe. Tony Howells.
Wakering Stairs, 12:00 to 13:15: 1 Mediterranean Gull (2nd winter), 6 Greenshank, 263 Sanderling, 18 Golden Plover, 40 Eider, 1 Stonechat, 1 Wheatear, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Whimbrel (including a very white leucistic bird in Havengore creek). Steve Arlow (Southend Ornithological Group).
Canvey Point 15.00 - 16.00: 38 Sandwich Tern, 70+ Ringed Plover, 400+ Grey Plover, large flock of Oystercatcher, 6 Common Tern, 12 Turnstone, large Flock Dunlin. Tony Howells.
Two Tree Island 15:00 - 17:00: 40 Common gull, 5+ Sandwich Tern (adults), 1 in still in full breeding dress, 8 Little Tern, 2 Common Tern (ad. + young), Oystercatcher, Avocet, Ringed Plover, Grey Plover, Golden Plover, Dunlin, 3 Curlew Sandpiper (adults, partly in summer plumage),1 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Bar-tailed Godwit (inc. 1 male in full breeding plumage close to hardway), Redshank, 68 Greenshank, 2 Common Sandpiper, Turnstone. Also Linnet, Goldfinch, Yellow Wagtail. Andrew Cox.
Two Tree Island 16.30 - 18.20: 38 Greenshank, 8 Dunlin, 12 Ringed Plover, Sandwich Tern, Curlew Sandpiper, 4 Little Egret, female Sparrowhawk, Jay, 3 Little Grebe, 8 Grey Plover, 3 Avocet. Tony Howells.
Two Tree Island, 16:45 to 18:00: 48 Greenshank (38 on the lagoon), 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Avocet, 3 Golden Plover, 18 Black-tailed Godwit, 6 Little Tern, 2 Whimbrel, 2 Yellow-legged Gull (adults), 4 Little Egret, 1 Curlew Sandpiper (adult summer). Paul Griggs, Steve Arlow (Southend Ornithological Group).
Westcliff Seafront, 18:25 to 18:35: 2 Mediterranean Gull (adult winter and juvenile opposite Rossi Ice Cream). Steve Arlow (Southend Ornithological Group).

Saturday 10th August 2002
Two Tree Island 15.45 - 16.30: Many waders and gulls roosting at high tide; Oystercatcher, Avocet 2, Ringed Plover, Lapwing, Dunlin, Curlew Sandpiper 1 (still had some orange flecks on breast), Redshank, Greenshank 6, Black-headed Gull, Little Tern 1, Sandwich Tern 1. Martin Johnson.
Wakering Stairs, 12:00 to 13:15: 1 Mediterranean Gull (2nd winter), 6 Greenshank, 263 Sanderling, 18 Golden Plover, 40 Eider, 1 Stonechat, 1 Wheatear, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Whimbrel (including a very white leucistic bird in Havengore creek). Steve Arlow (Southend Ornithological Group).
Benfleet Creek, 15:00 to 18:00: 5 Yellow-legged Gull (ads), 2 Stonechat, 1 Wheatear, 1 Whimbrel, 20 Greenshank (TTI lagoon). Chris Lewis (Southend Ornithological Group).
Gunners Park 19:15: juvenile Wheatear, juvenile Song Thrush. Web Author & Son. Also: off pier on sea wall, 3 Arctic Tern (2 adult, 1 juv), Wood Sandpiper in park, 5 Meadow Pipit. Tony Howells.
The Fleet, Wakering 20:10: 1 Barn Owl. Web Author & Son.

Friday 9th August 2002
Fleet Head, 18:30 to 20:35: 5 Green Sandpiper, 2 Common Sandpiper, 8 Greenshank (all in Potton Creek), 64 Black-tailed Godwit (All in the field north of the central track and most in summer plumage), 4 Ruff (in field north of central track), 1 Greylag Goose, 2 Whimbrel, 1 Hobby, 11 Little Egret, 50 Goldfinch (along the road), 1 Cuckoo, 1 Barn Owl (hunting north of roadside pool), 61 Canada Goose. Steve Arlow (Southend Ornithological Group).
Wakering Stairs 19.00 - 20.35: 4 Whimbrel, 4 Little Tern, 1 Barn Owl. Tony Howells.
Chalkwell Park, 20:00: 8 Mistle Thrush. Andrew Woodhouse Essex Ranger Service.

Thursday 8th August 2002
Hanningfield Reservoir 10.00 - 14.00: Fremnells Causeway: Kingfisher, 1 Common Sandpiper, Ringed Teal. EWT Centre: Black-necked Grebe, female Sparrowhawk. Lyster Hide: 3 Red-crested Pochard. Point Hide: 2 Dunlin, 1 Snipe, 1 Redshank (flyover), 2 Common Sandpiper, 4 Garganey (1 adult male), 40 Lapwing, 10 Pied Wagtail, 2 Yellow-legged Gulls (adult & 3rd-summer again). Note that a Ruddy Shelduck has been observed but is very mobile. Nick Green EBWS.
Gunners Park 16:10 - 17:15: Juvenile Wheatear, 2 Green Woodpecker, 2 Meadow Pipit, female Sparrowhawk. Tony Howells. 
Wakering Stairs 18.15 - 19.45: 107 Golden Plover, feeding with these were 4 Whimbrel one of them was pure white with faint bar on head, 10 Little Egret, Juvenile Wheatear near iron, 2 Meadow Pipit, Turtle Dove, 6 Pheasant spooked on sea wall, male Marsh Harrier Hunting This Side Of Creek. Tony Howells.
The Fleet, Wakering 20.00 - 20.35: 112 Canada Geese, 60+ Red-legged Partridge. Tony Howells.

Wednesday 7th August 2002
Westcliff Leisure Centre, 13:15 - 13:30: 1 Mediterranean Gull (adult moulting into winter plumage). Paul Griggs, Steve Arlow (Southend Ornithological Group).
Basildon 16:20: Osprey Heading south-east over Luncies rd Basildon quite low and direct.  Steve Wood.
Gunners Park, Shoebury 20.00: 1 juvenile Wheatear, 1 Fulmar over park, Linnets. Steve Giles, Tony Howells, Web Author.

Tuesday 6th August 2002
Southend Seafront, 10:00 to 13:00: 19 Mediterranean Gull (15 at Pier Head), 1 Black Tern (Pier head). Chris Lewis (Southend Ornithological Group).
Hanningfield Reservoir 10.00 - 13.30: Fremnell's causeway: Ferruginous Duck this morning, Ringed Teal. Point Hide: 1 juv Marsh Harrier, 2 Hobby, 3 Garganey, 1 Sanderling, 1 Ringed Plover, 5+ Common Sandpiper, 90 Lapwing, 50 Pied Wagtail. EWT Centre: 3 Red-crested Pochard. Nick Green EBWS.
Canvey Point, 15:15 - 16:15: 1 Arctic Tern, 10 Little Tern, 55 Sandwich Tern, 50 Common Tern, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Whimbrel, 4 Turnstone, 8 Grey Plover. Paul Baker (Southend Ornithological Group).
Wakering Stairs 19.50 - 21.15: 18 Golden Plover, 2 Grey Plover males in summer plumage, 4 Bar-tailed Godwit, 95 + Greenshank, adult male Marsh Harrier ( Havengore Island), Ringtail Harrier sp. carrying prey, being mobbed by 3 crows coming from Havengore Island flying parallel with bridge. Tony Howells.
Barling Road 21.30: Tawny Owl flew over Barling Road near Sutton Farm. Tony Howells.

Monday 5th August 2002
Southend Airport 13:10: 2 Hobby seen over north hanger possibly hunting a small flock of swallows and swifts. Ivan Batchelor.
Wakering Stairs 17:00 - 19:00: 1 Wood Sandpiper, 3 Turtle Dove, 2 Sparrowhawk, 30 Grey Plover. Steve Blackburn & Sarah Costeloe.
Gunners park, Shoebury 19:15: female Northern Wheatear, (EWT reserve, in area 100yds behind main information board). Steve Giles.

Sunday 4th August 2002
Wakering Stairs, 08:00 to 09:00: 6 Gannet, 2 Whimbrel. Chris Lewis (Southend Ornithological Group).
Wakering Stairs, 09:00 to 11:10: 1 Little Egret, 18 Greenshank, 1 Whimbrel, 31 Sanderling, 1 Green Woodpecker, 12 Little Tern. Steve Arlow (Southend Ornithological Group).
Wat Tyler Country Park 10.00: 6 Ruff, 1 Green Sandpiper. Richard Chew.
Roper's farm, 11:15 to 13:10: 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Stonechat (juvenile), 9 Little Egret, 3 Spotted Redshank, 42 Golden Plover, 3 Whimbrel, 111 Curlew, 14 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Greenshank, 2 Yellow-legged Gull (adults at mouth of Barton Hall Creek). Steve Arlow (Southend Ornithological Group).
Vange Marsh, 14:20 to 16:20: 2 Dunlin, 5 Ruff, 7 Green Sandpiper, 4 Common Sandpiper, 1 Hobby, 6 Ruddy Duck, female / immature Hooded Merganser (escape) was present showing well in the south east corner. See photo above ). Steve Arlow (Southend Ornithological Group).
Prittlewell, 16:40: 1 Hobby (flew over Victoria Avenue near Priory Park.). Steve Arlow (Southend Ornithological Group).
Fleet Head, Wakering 18.30 - 20.30: 15 Red-legged Partridge, 4 Turtle Dove, 2 Reed Warbler, 4 Whimbrel, 2 Green Sandpiper, 2 Common Sandpiper, 7 Little Egret, 12 Greenshank, 12 Canada Geese , 4 Kestrel, Barn Owl , Little Owl , 2 Marsh Harrier (male and female). Tony Howells.

Saturday 3rd August 2002
Tewke's Creek, 09:50 to 10:40: 3 Yellow-legged Gull (adults), 2 Whimbrel, 5 Common Sandpiper, 6 Black-tailed Godwit, 38 Greenshank, 1 Little Egret. Steve Arlow, Paul Griggs  (Southend Ornithological Group).
Hanningfield Reservoir 10.00 -  11.30: From Oak and Point Hides:- 2 Wood Sandpiper, 4 Green Sandpiper, 4 Common Sandpiper, 3 Garganey, 1 Little Gull. Richard Chew.
Canvey Point, 10:45 to 11:10: 29 Sandwich Tern, 1 Little Egret. Steve Arlow, Paul Griggs  (Southend Ornithological Group).
Vange Marsh, 11:35 to 12:00: 4 Green Sandpiper, 3 Common Sandpiper, 5 Ruddy Duck, Steve Arlow, Paul Griggs  (Southend Ornithological Group).
Vange Marsh, 11:50 to 12:10: 97 Canada Goose, 5 Ruddy Duck (drakes).  Don Petrie, (Southend Ornithological Group).
Wat Tyler Country Park, 12:20 to 12:55: 3 Ruff, 6 Green Sandpiper, 3 Bearded Tit. Steve Arlow, Paul Griggs  (Southend Ornithological Group).
Wakering Stairs 17.00 - 19.30: 70+ Sanderling, 87 Greenshank, 45 Turnstone, 28 Grey Plover, 16 Ringed Plover, 4 Bar-tailed Godwit, 12 Black-tailed Godwit, 7 Whimbrel. Tony Howells.
The Fleet Wakering 19.40 To 21.00: 29 Canada Geese, 8 Red-legged Partridge, 9 Little Egret, 3 Common Tern, 2 Little Tern, 2 Common Sandpiper, 7 Ruff, 2 Green Sandpiper, 20 Greenshank, 5 Kestrel, 4 Heron, 2 Whimbrel, 2 Turtle Dove, Barn Owl, pair of Little Owl. Tony Howells.
Wakering Stairs, 17:35 to 19:50: 107 Greenshank, 35 Sanderling, 1 Little Egret, 2 Mediterranean Gull (adult + 2nd winter, the 2nd year bird appears to the be the same individual that was present a few days ago), 9 Whimbrel, 2 Green Sandpiper, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Marsh Harrier (female), 1 Sparrowhawk (female). Steve Arlow, (Southend Ornithological Group).
Rochford Golf Course, 18:00: 2 Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Common Tern. Neil Chambers, (Southend Ornithological Group).
Two Tree Island 18.20 - 20.00 (From slipway): Grey Heron, Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover, Lapwing, Turnstone, Dunlin, Redshank, Greenshank, Curlew, Whimbrel 1, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Yellow-legged Gull 2, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Little Tern, Common Tern. Martin Johnson.
Fleet Head, 20:00 to 21:20: 67 Little Egret (were present on the roost east of the of the tip), 500 Sand Martin (were over the tip before roosting in the reeds by the boatyard). Steve Arlow, (Southend Ornithological Group).

Friday 2nd August 2002
Two Tree Island, 18:40 to 21:15: 10 Whimbrel, 30 Greenshank, 1 Knot (summer plumaged bird amongst the many waders present), 49 Black-tailed Godwit, 38 Little Egret (on the roost at dusk viewable from the sea wall at the Leigh Marsh car park. 2 were seen earlier along the creek.), 2 Little Tern, 3 Yellow-legged Gull (adults in the creek with a probable 4th bird seen briefly as it walked behind the saltings.). Steve Arlow, Paul Griggs  (Southend Ornithological Group).
Hanningfield Reservoir 10.00 - 16.00: (No sign of Ferruginous Duck since Wednesday) Lyster Hide - 1 Oystercatcher, 3 Red-crested Pochard. Oak Hide- 2 Wood Sandpipers (looking into Fishing Lodge Bay). Point Hide - 4 Garganey (1ad. male), Black Tern, sub-ad Little Gull, 1 Redshank, 4 Ringed Plover (2ads. & 2 juvs), 1 Ruff, 5 Common Sandpipers, 40 Lapwing, 50 Pied Wagtails, 1 adult Yellow-legged Gull. Nick Green EBWS.
Vange Marsh, 11:30 to 13:30: 1 Hooded Merganser (escape), 2 Ruff, 7 Common Sandpiper, 7 Green Sandpiper, 1 Greenshank, 1 Sparrowhawk. Paul Baker (Southend Ornithological Group).
Southend Area 20.50: 2 Little Owl. Web Author.

Thursday 1st August 2002
The Fleet, Wakering 11.00 - 12.30: 8 Little Egret, 1 Avocet, 10 Grey Heron, 11 Ruff, 2 Kestrel, 3 Turtle Dove, 15+ Goldfinch. Steve Giles.
Hampton Barns to Paglesham Lagoon 11.00 - 14.30: 4 Little Egret, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Curlew, 2 Common Tern, 4 Turtle Dove, 1 Cuckoo ( juvenile ), 3 Green Woodpecker, 8 Yellowhammer. Steve Sanford.
Wakering Stairs 18.00 - 20.45: 33 Grey Plover, 2 Golden Plover, 40+ Ringed Plover, 30+ Sanderling, 15+ Greenshank, 4 Bar-tailed Godwit, 20+ Dunlin, Lg Flock Oystercatcher, Lg Flock Redshank, 4 Red-legged Partridge. Tony Howells. Also 3 Knot in summer plumage. Web Author.
Wakering Stairs, 19:00 to 20:00: 2 Mediterranean Gull (adults on the falling tide out from the end of the road). Steve Arlow, (Southend Ornithological Group).
Southend area, 20:45 to 20:55: 3 Little Owl. Steve Arlow, (Southend Ornithological Group).

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