Sightings Reports for December 2001
December 2001
31/12/01
Paglesham Lagoon 13:15: 5 Bewick Swan opposite Lagoon on River Roach, seen to fly off towards Stambridge Mill area; also 1 female Scaup on Lagoon. Also; Little Egret, Grey Heron, Mute Swan (20), Brent Goose (c.1250 ), Shoveler (78 ), Tufted Duck ( 87 ), Goldeneye (17 ), Coot (115 ), Black-Headed Gull (c.1250 ), Stonechat ( 1 female ), Fieldfare, Rook ( c.350 ), Goldfinch (15 ), Yellowhammer. Steve Sanford.
South Weald Country Park: Swan Goose on lake swimming with 50 Mallard, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Song Thrush. Tony Leader.
Two Tree Island: Viewed from hide overlooking the lagoon. Jack Snipe in edge of reeds about two thirds of the way towards the western side of the lagoon. Noticeably shorter bill than a Snipe and characteristic bobbing action. David Lee.
Two Tree Island, western half, Hadleigh Ray, Hadleigh Marsh 14.30-1650hrs: Brent Goose c 500 moving back and forth between Hadleigh Ray and winter cereal field on Hadleigh Marsh Shelduck 11, Shoveler 3, Teal c 350 mostly in Hadleigh Ray, Avocet 13, Stonechat 3, Fieldfare 2, Blackcap 1 male, near Sea Scout hut. Martin Johnson.
Wakering Stairs: 14:45 to 15:10: 35 Golden Plover, 1 Barn Owl. Paul Griggs (SOG).
Two Tree Island, 15:30 to 17:00
23 Little Egret (at roost), 7 Common Snipe, 1 Little Owl (probable in flight at 5:00 on East end in the dark !), 1 Long-eared Owl (probable in flight at 5:00 on East end in the dark !), 2 Short-eared Owl (showing well around model airfield), 40 Corn Bunting. Paul Baker (SOG)
Wakering Rubbish Tip, 14:00 to 15:00: 5 Little Egret, 3 Red-breasted Merganser (in the Middleway 2 male 1 female), 1 Marsh Harrier (imm male), 1 Sparrowhawk (female), 3 Ruff, 5 Common Snipe, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Barn Owl, 2 Green Woodpecker (including 1 on the saltings off Potton Island !), 4 Stonechat. Paul Baker (SOG).
Friars Park, 13:20 to 13:45: 2 Little Grebe (plus a white phase Muscovy Duck), 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Common Chiffchaff. Paul Baker (SOG)
Shoebury East Beach, 13:00 to 13:15: 1 Slavonian Grebe (showing well on sea beside boom). Paul Baker (SOG)
Southend Pier, 11:15 to 12:15: 1 Great Northern Diver (showing well in lifeboat bay), 1 Great Crested Grebe, 11 Mediterranean Gull (including A00 and E02), 7 Kittiwake. Paul Baker (SOG)
Hockley Woods 8:15 - 9:00: 2 Nuthatch, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 12 Redwing. Paul Baker (SOG).
Eastwood Sewerage Farm 9:20 - 10:20: 1 Jack Snipe, 1 Water Rail, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Snipe , 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker. Paul Baker (SOG).
Other Sightings: Spotted Sandpiper, Hanningfield Reservoir. Snow Bunting Old Hall Marshes RSPB flock of 10, restless birds seen several times during afternoon. Also 1 Short-eared Owl and 1 or 2 ringtail Hen Harriers present. Common Redpoll, Brentwood about 5 birds feeding with Siskin in alders at eastern end of lake, at South Weald Country Park but very mobile.
30/12/01
Rochford Golf Course, 13:30 to 16:15: 2 Common Redshank (feeding in the ditches), 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 20 Fieldfare. Neil Chambers. (SOG).
Southend Pier Head 14.30-15.50hrs: Mediterranean Gull c. 10, two were the 2nd winter birds recorded by several observers last winter and this winter - green ring left leg E02 and green ring left leg A00, in addition there were two ringed adults, one with aluminium ring on left leg and the other with aluminium ring on right leg, unfortunately I could not read the numbers on either; I also saw one first winter bird unringed and at least two unringed adults. Kittiwake c. 10 including at least 2 1st winter birds. Martin S. Johnson.
Wakering Stairs,Haven Point 1330-1615: 7 Little Egret, 3 Barn Owl, 2 female Marsh Harrier, 2 female Hen Harrier, one was mobbing a Barn Owl, 2 Kestrel, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Reed Bunting, pair Stonechat. Steve Giles, Steve Hiscock.
Wakering Rubbish Tip, 11:00 to 13:00: 2 Hen Harrier (females with 1 over Rushley Island with the other on Potton Island), 1 Marsh Harrier (female on Potton Island), 1 Northern Pintail (male in the Middleway). 250 Eurasian Wigeon (In the Middleway), 750 Brent Goose (In the Middleway), 800+ Teal (in the Middleway), 2 Stonechat (on top of the tip), 1 Green Woodpecker (flew over the boatyard), 5 Little Egret, 1 Ruff, 70 Stock Pigeon (on Potton Island), 140+ Golden Plover (on Rushley Island). Steve Arlow (SOG). Also female Hen Harrier and Common Snipe at 10:00. Steve Sanford, Web Author.
Friars Park, Shoebury, 13:15 to 13:45: 1 Chiffchaff. Steve Arlow. (SOG).
East Tilbury: 5 Bramblings; 400+ Avocets; 2 Green Sandpipers; 6 Little Stints. One of the stints was so tame is was literally running around birders' feet! David Jobbins.
29/12/01
Wakering Stairs, Haven Point. 1130-1400: female Marsh Harrier which flew towards Kent, c.1,000 Dunlin, c.750 Brent Geese, c.200 Bar-tailed Godwit, c.100 Curlew, c.500 Oystercatcher, 47 Shelduck, 20 Knot, 11 Sanderling, 8 Ringed Plover, 2 pairs Stonechat, 3 Reed Bunting, Water Rail, Grey Seal. Steve Giles.
Two Tree Island: 1 Short-eared Owl (Still present on West end, per Simon Buckle), 1 Greenshank (West end, per Simon Buckle), 2 Little Egret. John Wright (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park: 1 Peregrine Falcon, 1 Little Egret, Reed Bunting, 6 Redshank, 4 Curlew, Green Woodpecker, 10 Long-tailed Tit, Shoveler, Tufted Duck. Tony Leader.
Westcliff Seafront: 1 Red-breasted Merganser off seafront near to the Casino. Nick Bustin.
Friars Park, Shoebury, 11:45 to 12:30: 3 Goldcrest, 2 Bullfinch, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker. Vince Kinsler, Tim Jones. (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park: Escaped Eastern Rosella Parrot! Presumably escaped from an aviary, native to south-east Australia and Tasmania. Can it survive in the wild in England? Does anyone know someone who has lost one? The bird was seen in trees by the perimeter path between the 2nd and 3rd creek hides, close to post number 26. Joy Park.
28/12/01
Paglesham Lagoon, 08:00: 2 Greater Scaup (Two drakes). Pat Dandridge.
East Tilbury: Avocet count at East Tilbury has exceeded 600 on two successive days this week (Wednesday per Brian Holwell, Thursday per Graham Glombek/Bob Tomlinson). David Jobbins.
Eastwood Area: Male Sparrowhawk sitting in a Cherry tree in my Eastwood garden. 10:15. Gary Jackson.
Friars Park: 1 Firecrest (reliably reported by Ian Douch as still being present around the ponds).
27/12/01
Marine Estate, Leigh. 13.55hrs: Sparrow Hawk, large female crossed low at fence height over my garden in ambush hunting mode. Martin Johnson.
Stambridge Trout Fisheries to Paglesham Lagoon, starting at 1200 hrs: 5 Little Egret, 12 Goldeneye, 54 Avocet, c.450 Dunlin, 3 Stonechat (1M,2f ), c.425 Rook, c.50 Yellowhammer. Steve Sanford.
26/12/01
Wakering Stairs Haven Point, 1400-1630: 5 Little Egret, female Hen Harrier, 2 Barn Owl, Sparrowhawk, Rock Pipit, 2 pairs Stonechat. Steve Giles.
Two Tree Island: Avocet 14, Corn Bunting 6, Reed Bunting c10. Andrew Gouldstone.
East Tilbury: At least 5 Bramblings with mobile finch flock; 400+ Avocets; 148 Black-tailed Godwit; 1 Kittiwake; 1 Snow Bunting. Reported ringtailed Hen Harrier, Red-throated Diver. David Jobbins.
25/12/01
Two Tree Island: & Old Leigh 09.10 - 10.20hrs: Concentration of >4,000 waders on small area of mudflat at eastern end of TTI saltings as tide ebbed.
Dark-bellied Brent Goose c 220, Shelduck c 90, Mallard, Teal, Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover, Grey Plover, Lapwing, Knot & Dunlin mixed flocks c 4,000, Sanderling, Turnstone, Redshank, Curlew, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull. Martin Johnson.
Two tree island - 25th Dec (9.30am 12noon): Avocet 11 (Benfleet Creek), Corn Bunting 6 and single Twite, bushes behind original hide at western end of island, Stonechat 4.Andrew Gouldstone.
Wat Tyler Country Park 13.50 - 15.45hrs: Pitsea Marsh; grazing on fields across fleet c 600 - 700m east from hide, Greylag Goose 9, Canada Goose c 160, including one albinistic individual with white head and partially white neck, pink legs, feet and bill, Wigeon c 110 Pitsea Hall Fleet: Cormorant, Grey Heron, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Pochard, Coot, Moorhen. Martin Johnson.
Wakering Stairs:
24/12/01
Hockley Woods: 07:55 to 09:30: 1 Woodcock (Flew from children's play area at 8am), 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Nuthatch. Neil Chambers, Richard Hall (SOG).
River Roach, 12:00 to 13:00: 11 Avocet (Plus usual ducks and waders), 15 Goldeneye, 7 Red-breasted Merganser, 1 Little Egret. Also 87 Mute Swan on Barling Marsh. John Wright (SOG).
Wakering Old Rubbish Tip, 08:00: 1 Marsh Harrier (Per Paul Baker, watching from the tip towards Rushley Is. The Marsh Harrier was a female the Hen Harrier a ringtail.), 1 Hen Harrier, 1 Peregrine Falcon, 1 Merlin, 1 Little Egret. John Wright. (SOG).
23/12/01
Wakering Stairs, Haven Point. 1400-1600: 3 Little Egret, Barn Owl, 3 male 2 female Stonechat, 2 Reed Bunting, 16 Goldfinch, c30 Blackbird, 3 Fieldfare, c500 Dunlin. Steve Giles.
Two Tree Island 13.50 - 16.30hrs: Neap low tide (High Water 18.25 4.7m) Wind light SW, sunny, dykes almost completely frozen over.
Hadleigh Marsh Cereal field south of railway Dark-bellied Brent Goose c 450. Hadleigh Ray - west of Two Tree Island in vicinity of General Booth's Jetty Cormorant 2, Little Egret 1, Grey Heron 2, Shelduck c 40, Mallard 5, Shoveler 3, Wigeon 10, Teal c 500, Oystercatcher, Avocet 11, Grey Plover, Lapwing, Dunlin, Redshank, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Snipe, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull. Martin Johnson
21/12/01
Leigh on Sea, 09:05 to 09:10: 1 American Black Vulture (Presumed escape. Flying North over Hadleigh Road.). John Wright (SOG).
20/12/01
The Fleet, from top of Wakering Old Tip 13:30 - 15:43: 5 Little Egret, c.3000 Brent Goose, c.140 Common Shelduck, c.40 Teal, 2 Marsh Harrier both female, 3 Hen Harrier all female, 3 Kestrel, 8 Avocet, 1 Spotted Redshank, 3 Barn Owl, 1 Short-eared Owl, 17 Corn Bunting. I was treated to the unusual sight of both the Marsh Harriers mobbing one of the Barn Owls, has anyone seen this happen before? Web Author.
Two Tree Island pm: 2 Short-eared Owls hunting in front of the lagoon hide also Black-necked Grebe reported in Benfleet Creek.
19/12/01
Two Tree Island, Eastern half of islands and saltings14.20-15.50hrs: Little Egret 2, Merlin 1, Kestrel 1, Fieldfare 8, Corn Bunting 2. Martin Johnson.
17/12/01
Prittle Brook, Sutton Road 08:00: Two Little Egrets.One Little Egret at 15:30. Vi Walker.
16/12/01
Wakening Stairs, near Haven Point 11:40: 14 Eider, 24 Common Scoter, 500+ Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 female Hen Harrier. Web Author.
Eastern end of Leigh Marshes at 15.30hrs: c.3,000 Dunlin and c.1,000 Knot. Martin Johnson.
Leigh on Sea, 13:00 to 13:05: 4 Whooper Swan (Hadleigh Country Park; flying north this morning (per Steve Bunn Essex Ranger Service), 1 Blackcap (Male; in my garden). John Wright (SOG).
Westcliff Seafront, 11:50 to 11:55: 1 Ring-billed Gull (The regular adult still present on the sea opposite Rossi), 2 Mediterranean Gull (1st winter and 2nd winter opposite Rossi). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Hanningfield Reservoir: 2 Pintail, 1 Goosander (RAWL Hide), 1 Common Gull, 100+ Cormorants, including a spectacular "fight" between a Greater Black Backed Gull & a Cormorant. At least 150 Great Crested Grebes. Nick Bustin.
15/12/01
Wakering Stairs, along side train carriages 10:30: male Hen Harrier. Web Author.
East Tilbury: Several male Bramblings with highly mobile finch flock around Coalhouse Fort; three Little Egrets, seven Little Stints, two Green Sandpipers, 9 Golden Plover; three Kittiwakes, Peregrine and Sparrowhawk. Eleven Little Grebes on the moat. David Jobbins.
Two Tree Island, Western half; High Water 13.20-1550hrs: Little Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Brent Goose, Shelduck, Teal, Kestrel, Moorhen, Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover, Grey Plover, Lapwing, Knot, Turnstone, Dunlin, Redshank, Greenshank, Black-tailed Godwit, Bar-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Snipe, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Short-eared Owl (1), Meadow Pipit, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Magpie, Carrion Crow, House Sparrow, Linnet, Goldfinch, Corn Bunting. Martin Johnson.
14/12/01
Belfairs, 11:00 to 13:00: 1 Sparrowhawk, 5 Redwing, 1 Coal Tit (heard), 1 Lesser Redpoll (heard), 1 Cormorant (flew over). Paul Griggs, Tony Mead (SOG).
13/12/01
Coombe Wood area 12:00 to 13:00: 4 Blackcap (eating Spindle berries in my garden!). Jeff Saward (SOG).
Two Tree Island 15.45 until dusk: 2 Short-eared Owls competing for flying space with two Kestrels and two model aircraft. mainly over the creek mud crossing area and often going to ground in the middle area of the Island. Roger Shinn.
10/12/01
Two Tree Island 14:30 to 15:15: 1 Short-eared Owl. Andrew Woodhouse, Essex Ranger Service.
09/12/01
Two Tree Island 12:00 to 15:30: 3 Barnacle Goose (On Hadleigh Marsh with 500+ Brent Geese), 1 Common Greenshank, 5 Pied Avocet, 400 Golden Plover, 1 Little Egret, 475 Teal, 1 Dunlin (in full summer plumage), 124 Black-tailed Godwit. Steve Arlow, Don Petrie. (SOG).
Two Tree Island, Seen from new S facing hide 10.00-10.45: Cormorant, Brent Goose 3, Teal ca 170 dabbling at creek edge or resting on mudbanks, Oystercatcher, Golden Plover 13, Lapwing ca 100, Redshank, Black-tailed Godwit ca 80, Curlew, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Herring Gull ca 200, Lesser Black-backed Gull (L.f. graellsii) 3, Great Black-backed Gull ca 270. On western lagoon 11.00hrs Teal ca 120 On bushes near western lagoon 11.15hrs Stonechat 3 (1m 2f). Leigh Old Town: 08.50-09.25: Seen from flyover bridge as tide was rapidly receding from about 100m from edge of saltings to 400-500m Brent Goose ca 350, Shelduck 52, Oystercatcher ca 150, Grey Plover, Knot ca 1300, Turnstone ca 200, Dunlin ca 3000, Redshank, Curlew, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull. Hadleigh Ray & Hadleigh Marshes 11.30-14.45: On field S of Hadleigh Castle and Railway Line:- Barnacle Goose 3 - among Brent Geese - the Barnacle Geese had distinctly cream coloured forehead, face and throat and white undersides, kept together when they and Brent were twice disturbed and flew out to Hadleigh Ray and returned to field. Brent Goose ca 500 all Dark-bellied, Golden Plover ca 400, Lapwing ca 500 Moorhen 5. Hadleigh Ray - West of TTI Cormorant, Shelduck 35, Mallard 7, Wigeon 10, Teal ca 200, Oystercatcher, Avocet 5, Grey Plover, Lapwing, Dunlin, Redshank, Greenshank, Black-tailed Godwit ca 100, Curlew, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull. Martin Johnson.
East Tilbury: Still at least six male Bramblings and many females to the south of Coalhouse Fort, East Tilbury, but flighty and often elusive. Also two Little Egrets, Peregrine, Kingfisher, and Green Sandpiper. Other observers this morning had Barn Owl, a second Peregrine 460 Avocets, ring-tailed Hen Harrier and a Kittiwake. David Jobbins.
08/12/01
Wakering Stairs, Haven Point 12:30: 1 female Hen Harrier, 2 female Marsh Harrier. Web Author.
Two Tree Island: 3 Barnacle Geese on fields opposite the lagoon. Good numbers of Golden Plover with Lapwing and at least 6 Corn Bunting. Marco, East London. Also; 3 Barnacle Geese with flock of 300/400 Brent Geese feeding on waterlogged winter cereal field below Hadleigh Castle. These 3 were later seen in Benfleet Creek before they rejoined the Brent on the field. One Short-eared Owl seen at 3 pm behind hides on Two Tree Island and in Leigh Creek. Geoff Goldsmith.
Rochford Golf Course: 09:00 to 14:00: 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Green Woodpecker. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Two Tree Island: Western half: 14.30-16.10hrs High Water 18.25hrs 5.1m Wind light E, overcast, moderate to poor visibility. Seen walking W along south shore of TTI from car park, and from new hide facing S over Hadleigh Ray:- Great Created Grebe 1, Cormorant, Little Egret 1, Mute Swan 1pr swimming Hadleigh Ray, Brent Goose ca 250, Shelduck 5, Teal ca 100 dabbling at water's edge, Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover, Lapwing, Knot, Turnstone, Dunlin, Redshank, Greenshank, Black-tailed Godwit ca 80, Curlew, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Herring Gull ca 80, Lesser Black-backed Gull (Subsp. L.f. graellsii) 5, Great Black-backed Gull ca 300, Short-eared Owl 1 (quartering the ground on edge of tip site at Newlands, Canvey Is.), Meadow Pipit 1. Martin Johnson.
07/12/01
Two Tree Island pm: 6 Snipe.2 Greenshank, 1 Little Egret and a Kingfisher plus the usual "extras" on the Lagoon (all showing brilliantly in beautifully calm & light conditions). On leaving the Hide at 3pm I watched 2 Short-eared Owls hunting over the land immediately behind the hides-for about 10 minutes. They then flew away over the seawall. Geoff Goldsmith.
Hadleigh Downs Area 16:45 to 17:00: 2 Tawny Owl (calling). Andrew Woodhouse, Essex Ranger Service.
Fishers Green, Lea Valley: sightings of Smew, Goldeneye, Goosander, Long-eared owl, Fieldfare. also; Kingfisher, Jay, Teal. Dave
Coalhouse Fort East Tilbury: Short-eared Owl mobbed by Sparrowhawk. Jim Cockram.
05/12/01
Two Tree Island: High Water 15.28hrs 5.6m Wind strong WSW mainly sunny, scattered cloud. Observations from behind Foreshore Inspector's hut at concrete launching ramp, looking at birds to E and SE as rising tide drove waders at water's edge close towards me.
Cormorant 1, Brent Goose ca 50 in small parties rising to east and flying up Hadleigh Ray to west, Shelduck 35 flying to west, Ringed Plover ca 50, Grey Plover 3, Lapwing 10, Turnstone 10, Dunlin ca 300, Redshank possible Purple Sandpiper. Martin Johnson.
Leigh Area: Peregrine Falcon 12.15pm low flying over the back of Highcliff Drive. It was being mobbed by a magpie and was carrying large prey. Steve Wood.
03/12/01
Gunners Park pm: . Kingfisher, Great Spotted and Green Woodpecker. Steve Giles.
02/12/01
Shore of Crouch around Bridgemarsh (as viewed from top of Butts Hill): Red Breasted Merganser pr, 30 Pintail, several 100 Wigeon, Teal, Brent, 3 Little Egrets, 10 Corn Bunting, (latter at Butts Hill Pond). Note that the Egrets are widespread up the Crouch this autumn with up to 7 often visible on Bridgemarsh. Also male Blackcap in my garden. Jeff (Delve).
Wakering Stairs, Haven Point 1330-1600: female Hen Harrier, 3 Kestrel, 18 Little Egret, c500 Dunlin, c500 Redshank, c300 Knot, c200 Brent Geese, c1000 Black Headed Gull, c50 Golden Plover, c40 Bar-tailed Godwit, 4 Ringed Plover, 2 Green Woodpecker, Reed Bunting, Meadow Pipit, female Stonechat. Steve Giles and Don Wildish.
East Tilbury: 2 Little Egrets, 8 Little Stints, 200+ Avocets, Black-tailed Godwit, Mediterranean Gull, Peregrine, Sparrowhawk. David Jobbins.
01/12/01
Wakering Stairs, Haven Point.1330-1545: female Hen Harrier, 7 Little Egret, c500 Brent Geese, c350 Redshank, c300 Dunlin, c250 Knot, c75 Curlew,c50 Bar-tailed Godwit, 26 Shellduck, 4 Golden Plover, 2 Grey Plover, 2 Turnstone, 2 male 1 female Stonechat, Green Woodpecker. Steve Giles.
Westcliff Seafront 12:05 to 12:15: 2 Mediterranean Gull (Adult & 2nd winter.) Neil Chambers (SOG).
Wakering, Old Rubbish Tip, 14:30 to 15:00: 2 Hen Harrier (1 male on ground on Tip just 20 feet away and a ringtail over Havengore Island), 4 Red-breasted Merganser (In the Middleway), 5 Little Egret, 2 Corn Bunting, 80 Common Moorhen (On first 2 roadside pools). Paul Baker (SOG).
Canvey Seafront 12:00 to 13:00: 3 Red-throated Diver, 7 Red-breasted Merganser, 4 Common Eider (All female). Paul Baker.(SOG).