Bird Reports for December 2002

December 2002

Tuesday 31st December 2002
 Blenheim Park, 08:50 to 09:00: 1 Mediterranean Gull (adult on playing fields of St. Thomas Moore school opposite the fire station). Neil Chambers, Richard Hall (SOG).
Westcliff, 13:10 to 13:20: 9 Mediterranean Gull (1 adult, 3 1st winters & 5 2nd winters including the red ring bird 7E9 from September.), 2 Kittiwake (adult and 1st winter), 1 Red-breasted Merganser (male). Steve Arlow (SOG).
South Fambridge, 13:30 to 15:00: 600 Brent Goose, 50 Wigeon, 6 Snipe, 30 Golden Plover, 2 Little Egret, 3 Red-breasted Merganser (2 male, 1 female), 4 Skylark, 2 Great Crested Grebe. Don Petrie, Paul Griggs, Bob Young  (SOG).

Monday 30th December 2002
South Fambridge, 08:00 to 09:00: 1 Red-necked Grebe (on the south side of the river about 3/4 mile east of South Fambridge), 3 Little Egret, 6 Yellowhammer, 1 Corn Bunting. Neil Chambers (SOG).

Sunday 29th December 2002
 Wakering Common: 10:00 - 11:30: 6 Blue Tit, 4 Great Tit, 1 Wren, 6 Robin, 4 Greenfinch, 40 Red-legged Partridge. Richard Mander.
 South Fambridge, 10:30 to 11:30: 1 Red-necked Grebe (showing very well on south side of Crouch, half a mile east of Fambridge), 1 Little Grebe, 3 Red-breasted Merganser (2 drakes, 1 female), 20 Greylag Goose (on the north side), 5 Little Egret, 3 Yellowhammer, 1 Reed Bunting, 250 Golden Plover, 30 House Sparrow, 1 Snipe. Paul Baker (SOG).
 Wakering Rubbish Tip, 12:00 to 12:15: 5 Little Egret, 3 Reed Bunting, 35 Red-legged Partridge, 55 Moorhen. Paul Baker (SOG).
Wakering Stairs 12:30 - 14:30: 6 Little Egret, 1 Peregrine Falcon (on building by abandoned railway carriage), 2 Stonechat (pair). Stuart Bailey.
Two Tree Island (West), 14:00 to 16:20: 1 Barn Owl, 1 Mediterranean Gull (Adult in with the gull roost on Benfleet creek). Steve Bunn Essex Ranger Service.

Saturday 28th December 2002
Barling, 10:00 to 14:00: 2 Yellow-legged Gull (a 1st winter on the river Roach and an adult on Barling tip), 1 Herring Gull (1st winter with deformed bill on the river), 2 Green Sandpiper (Barling Pits), 1 Ruff (in Barling Creek). Steve Arlow (SOG).

Friday 27th December 2002
 Hockley Woods, 08:00 to 08:30: 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Green Woodpecker. Neil Chambers, Richard Hall (SOG).Westcliff Seafront, 09:20 to 10:00: 2 Mediterranean Gull (2nd winters), 1 Ring-billed Gull (on the beach but very mobile). Neil Chambers (SOG).
 Canvey Island 10:00: 55 Brent Geese on green by Labworth Cafe, Kestrel hunting at Waterside Farm roundabout. Ron Galliers.
East Tilbury 10:00 - 13:00: 2 Red-throated Divers, 8 Common Scoter, 2 Little Egrets, 400+ Avocets and good numbers of Kittiwakes. Also Stonechat, Great Spotted Woodpecker. David Jobbins.
Fleet Head, 10:30 to 11:15: 800 Brent Goose (including 3 Pale-bellied Brents on the field to the left of the road to Potton Island), 2 Little Egret, 2 Stonechat. Neil Chambers, Richard Hall (SOG).
Benfleet Creek: 37 Avocet in Benfleet Creek from western end of island in morning.  Female Merlin over salt marsh on far side of Creek,  Cetti's Warbler singing from wet area below viewing platform on eastern half of island (Wildlife Trust reserve). Andrew Gouldstone.
Hampton Barns:  49 Fieldfare, River Roach; 12 Avocet, Paglesham Lagoon; 119 Shoveler, 81 Gadwall. Steve Sanford.

Thursday 26th December 2002
 Two Tree Island (West), 11:00 to 14:00: 1 Greenshank, 700 Knot, 1000 Teal, 2 Little Egret, 1 Yellow-legged Gull (1st and 3rd winter birds in large gull flock in creek), 1 Mediterranean Gull (adult in gull flock). Steve Arlow (SOG).
 Canvey Point 14:30 - 15:30: 9500+ Dunlin, 200+ Brent Geese, 400+ Starling, 450+ Oystercatcher, 300+ Wigeon, 35+ Turnstone, 2 Little Grebe, Kestrel (M), Stonechat (F), 2 Pied Wagtail and various numbers of Gulls, Cormorant, Grey Plover, Redshank, Curlew. Ron Galliers.
Trafalgar Road, Shoebury: 1 Sparrowhawk. 1st for 3 months, used to be seen 2-3 times a week. Steve Giles.
Hampton Barns: 10 Redwing, Barton Hall Creek; 7 Pintail (2 male), River Roach and Paglesham Lagoon; 42 Goldeneye. Steve Sanford.

Wednesday 25th December 2002
 Lion Creek 12:00 - 14:00: report of a Spoonbill and 1 Kingfisher. Paul Burrows.
Westcliff Seafront, 13:35: Confirmed Sighting 1 Ring-billed Gull (adult on lamp post on a drive by.). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Ashingdon: Our local Sparrowhawk had his Christmas lunch a little earlier than we did, taking a House Sparrow from our garden at 1230 hrs. Steve Sanford.

Tuesday 24th December 2002
 Fleet Head, Wakering 10:00 to 11:30: 1 Brent Goose (pale bellied ), 7 Little Egret, 1 Moorhen (50+), Teal (200+). Brian Baldock (SOG).
 Hadleigh Marshes, 10:00 to 11:30: 6 Shoveler, 50 Wigeon, 100 Teal, 2 Mute Swan, 2 Reed Bunting, 2 Stonechat, 55 Curlew. Andrew Woodhouse, Steve Bunn Essex Ranger Service.
Wakering Stairs 10:30 - 12:00: 4 Little Egret, 1 Hen Harrier (ringtail), 1 female Sparrowhawk, 1 Barn Owl, 2 Short-eared Owl, Green Woodpecker, Goldfinch. Web Author.

Sunday 22nd December 2002
 Hockley Woods, 08:00 to 08:45: 2 Firecrest (showing down to 6 feet working along southern fence line of children's playground), 1 Nuthatch, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Green Woodpecker. Paul Baker (SOG).
 Eastwood Sewage Works, 09:00 to 10:00: Nice Sighting 1 Jack Snipe (on the last settling bed), 1 Snipe, 1 Water Rail (on the last settling bed), 2 Grey Wagtail, 2 Bullfinch (pair, at north end of wood). Paul Baker (SOG).
 Barling, 10:50 to 13:10: 5 Little Egret (in a field between Ropers and Bolts Farms.), 2 Stonechat (pair at Ropers Farm), 181 Wigeon (on the river), 16 Avocet (on the river), 132 Black-tailed Godwit (on the river), 1 Green Sandpiper (on a flooded field west of Bolts Farm), 9 Pintail (2 males & 7 females at the mouth of Barton Hall Creek). Steve Arlow (SOG).
 Westcliff Casino, 12:00 to 12:10: 3 Mediterranean Gull (Ad-winter, 2nd-winter, 3rd-winter). Paul Griggs (SOG).
 Wakering Stairs, 13:20 to 14:30: 1 Little Egret, 2 Stonechat (pair), 1000 Knot (on the high tide roost). Steve Arlow (SOG).
 Two Tree Island (West), 14:00 to 15:00: 1 Stonechat (the pale male). Andrew Woodhouse Essex Ranger Service.
Shoebury East Beach, 14:30 to 14:50: 2 Eider, 1 Mediterranean Gull (adult), 1 Little Egret. Steve Arlow (SOG).
 Wakering Stairs15:00 - 16:00: Stonechat (pair), Barn Owl hunting for about 40 minutes around the trains inland from the wader roost. Richard Mander.
Hockley Woods 15:00: 1 Firecrest still present in Hockley Woods with tit flock between play area and 'tudor-style' black and white
house just past it. Also flock of 80 Greenfinch roosting there. Jeff Delve.
Southend Pier: 1 adult Kittiwake, 12 Mediterranean  Gulls (6 ads, 3 2nd winter, 3 1st winter). One of the 1st winter and one 2nd winter showed some light oiling. A00 and P20 were amongst the adults. Also had a reported fire . . . which was just reflected lights on the sea below the pierhead. Firemen came all the way out to the pier to switch them off! Jeff Delve and Nick Green.
Westcliff Seafront at 15:15: 3 Mediterranean Gulls (ad, 2nd winter and 1st winter) plus a probable adult Yellow-legged Gull. Jeff Delve and Nick Green. EBWS.

Saturday 21st December 2002
 Gunners Park, 11:00 to 12:00: 1 Little Egret, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Green Woodpecker, 20 Redshank. Brian Baldock (SOG)
 Prittle Brook (Leigh on Sea), 13:00: 1 Grey Wagtail. Brian Baldock (SOG)
Wakering Stairs, 14:00 to 15:00: 1 Little Egret, 2 Eider, 2 Rock Pipit. Brian Baldock (SOG)

Friday 20th December 2002
Two Tree Island 11:30 - 13:00: 2 Little Grebe, 1 Grey Heron, 30 Brent Geese, 5 Shelduck, 1 Kestrel, 6 Ringed Plover, 2 Green Woodpecker, Meadow Pipit, Stonechat, Fieldfare, Redwing, 1, Greenfinch, Stuart Bailey.

Thursday 19th December 2002
Westcliff Casino, 08:30 to 08:35: Confirmed Sighting 1 Ring-billed Gull (adult), 5 Mediterranean Gull (3 2nd-winter 2 1st-winter (incl. 1 with green ring)). Paul Griggs (SOG).
Prittle Brook (Leigh on Sea), 12:00: Nice Sighting 12 Siskin. Brian Baldock (SOG).
Westcliff Seafront, 12:15 to 12:25: 1 Mediterranean Gull (2nd winter), Confirmed Sighting 1 Ring-billed Gull (adult showed well on path opposite Rossi Ice cream.). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Fleet Head, Wakering 13:00 - 15:00: 5 Little Egret, 3 Grey Heron, 2 Kestrel, 9 Mute Swan, c500 Brent Geese, c250 Lapwing, c150 Shelduck, 2 Corn Bunting, Reed Bunting, Fieldfare, Redwing, Mistle Thrush. Steve Giles.
 Westcliff Seafront, 14:35 to 14:45: 2 Mediterranean Gull (2nd W, and adult). Paul Baker (SOG).

Wednesday 18th December 2002
 Southchurch Park East, 08:15: 1 Mediterranean Gull (This bird now appears to be a regular here and is possibly the same bird that spent the winter here last year.). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park 12.00-12.15: 1 Peregrine Falcon, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Kestrel. Steve Hiscock.
Two Tree Island 14:45 - 16:00: 1 Little Grebe, 1 Little Egret, 60 Brent Geese, Teal, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Stonechat, Fieldfare, Redwing, 8 Goldfinch. Stuart Bailey.

Tuesday 17th December 2002
Westcliff Seafront, 13:00 to 13:10: Confirmed Sighting 1 Ring-billed Gull (adult by the casino again), 4 Mediterranean Gull (2 2nd winters and 2 1st winters including the green ringed bird 3LL7.). Steve Arlow (SOG).

Monday 16th December 2002
Westcliff Seafront 15:00: Various normal waders (Curlew, Redshank, Turnstone etc;) and a Little Egret. Liz Jenson.

Red-throated Diver Update (see entry below for 08th December): We have just heard that, unfortunately, despite the best efforts of the RSPCA the Red-Throated Diver died after collection.

Saturday 14th December 2002
 Benfleet Creek, 11:25: 1 Little Egret. Paul Griggs (SOG).
Canvey Seafront, 11:30 to 12:00: 2 Red-throated Diver, 1 Kittiwake. Paul Griggs (SOG).
Wakering Stairs 11:45: Scarce winter visitor 2 Snow Bunting on sea wall 15 yards left from ramp. Web Author.
Canvey Point, 12:00 to 12:30: 1 Little Egret, 3 Black-tailed Godwit. Paul Griggs (SOG).
Tewke's Creek, 12:40 to 13:10: 1 Mediterranean Gull (ad-winter), 6 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Little Egret. Paul Griggs (SOG).
Two Tree Island, 13:30 to 16:45: 300 Knot, 350 Brent Goose, 40 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Avocet, 1 Green Woodpecker, 4 Fieldfare, 1 Nice Sighting Water Rail, 12 Little Egret, 1 Barn Owl (after dark, by the egret roost). Paul Griggs (SOG).
Wakering Stairs, 14:30 to 15:45: 180 Fieldfare, 4 Little Egret, Scarce winter visitor 1 Snow Bunting (1st. winter. On beach imm. N of Broomway). Harry Carmichael (SOG).
Hanningfield Reservoir: Oiled Common Gull from Rawl Hide, the head and chest of the bird was very soiled - it was desperately trying to clean itself but without success, from what we could see it's wings seemed ok so I suspect it could still fly. we reported it to the visitor centre, who sent someone to have a look and to see if it could be caught. Also: low number of Goldeneye ( 5 males + 5 females), 8 Goldcrest, 2 Grey Wagtail and 2 pairs of Pintail (Rawl Hide). Nathalie Schorbon.

Friday 13th December 2002
Southchurch Park East, 08:15: 1 Mediterranean Gull (adult winter). Paul Griggs (SOG).
Abberton Reservoir, Layer-de-la-Haye causeway 12:00: 5 Smew (2 drakes), North Dam (permit access only): 1 Black-necked Grebe, 2 Slavonian Grebe, 100+ Wigeon, Nick Green. EBWS.
Priory Park, 15:00 to 16:00: 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Sparrowhawk (m. juv., regular visitor). Harry Carmichael (SOG).

Thursday 12th December 2002
Southend Pier, 14:10 to 15:30: 2 Red-throated Diver, 6 Eider, 6 Mediterranean Gull (2ad., 2 1st winter, 2 2nd winter). Harry Carmichael (SOG).

Wednesday 11th December 2002
Shoebury Coastguard 07:45: 1 male Eider just off shore. Web Author.
Priory Park 13:30: 1 Grey Wagtail. Steve Sanford.

Tuesday 10th December 2002 
 Two Tree Island (West), 12:30 to 12:35: 1 Red-throated Diver (flying low over lagoon). Steve Bunn, Essex Ranger Service.
Shoebury Coastguards, 13:15 to 13:45: 2 Red-throated Diver, 10 Eider (close inshore). Steve Arlow (SOG).
 Abberton Reservoir: 10:15: From the Layer-de-la-Haye causeway, 1 Smew (Drake), 14 Goosander, 2 Goldeneye, Steve Hiscock.

Monday 09th December 2002
 Westcliff Seafront, 13:10 to 13:50: 5 Mediterranean Gull (2 adults, 2 2nd winters and 1 1st winter with a green ring with 3LL7 which has been seen on the Pier and Canvey Island this autumn.). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Wakering Tip 14.00 - 14.45: Green Woodpecker, Kestrel, Redwing, Fieldfare, Hen Harrier ( Ringtail ) Rushley Island. Steve Hiscock.

Sunday 08th December 2002
 Wallasea Island, 09:35 to 09:45: 2 Little Egret. Steve Arlow (SOG).
 Paglesham, 10:00 to 13:00: 2500 Brent Goose (in fields again west of the boatyard included a Pale-bellied Brent and a probable Black Brant seen briefly in amongst the flock and was a less distinct bird than the previous individual.), 47 Avocet (on the river), 4 Little Egret. Steve Arlow (SOG).
 Shoebury Coast Guard Station 13:00: An oiled but still alive Red-Throated Diver was found on the shore line. The RSPCA were informed and an officer collected the bird from our finders house. If we hear anymore we will let you know - Ed.
Canvey Seafront 13:30 - 15:00: 1 fem/imm Long-tailed Duck flew upriver with flock of Eider, 2 Scaup, 2 Goldeneye, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 52 Eider in 3 flocks, all flew upriver, Nice Sighting 5 Velvet Scoter inc 3 adult males, 6 Common Scoter, 7 Red-throated Diver, 2 Mediterranean Gulls (1 2nd W, 1 adult), 2 Great Crested Grebes, 4 Kittiwake. Paul Baker (SOG).
Hadleigh Downs 14:30: 2 Bullfinch. Andrew woodhouse, Essex Ranger Service.
Southend Pier: Kittiwakes and the common species of gull were all present as were 2 Eider and 2 Red-throated Divers and Cormorants. Phil Anderson.

Saturday 07th December 2002
East Tilbury 09:00 - 12:30: 1 Red-throated Diver (slightly oiled); 10 Little Gulls; 1 Kittiwake; 2 Eider; 6 Red-breasted Merganser; 1 Goldeneye (male); 1 Sparrowhawk; 2 Green Woodpeckers; 2 Stonechats; 1 Grey Wagtail; c.200 Fieldfares. David Jobbins.
Stambridge Mills 12:00: 1 Kingfisher.
Two Tree Island:  At dusk at least 30 Little Egrets roosting in the shrubs approximately 200 yards from the EWT hut. Nick Bustin.

Saturday 06th December 2002
 Southend Pier: Red-throated Diver 37, Great Northern Diver 2 excellent 1st winters together near the pier base, Black-throated Diver 1 probable by John Wright, Nice Sighting Slavonian Grebe 1, Great Crested Grebe 6, Red-necked Grebe 1 possible, Shag 1 adult, Mediterranean Gull 8 - 2 1st winters, 3 2nd winters and 3 adults, Kittiwake 50+ including an excellent flock of 20 close past, Little Gull adult and 2 1st winters, Common Scoter female, Eider 15, Red-breasted Merganser female, Guillemot 8, Great Skua 5, Little Egret 2 at Pier base on mud flats. Steve Arlow (SOG).

Friday 06th December 2002
Shoebury East Beach 13:15: Confirmed Sighting 1 female Velvet Scoter. Steve Arlow (SOG).

Wednesday 04th December 2002
Southend 10:30: 1 Male Black Redstart. (Seen in garden on Southend side of the Airport). P. North.

Tuesday 03rd December 2002
 East Tilbury: Two badly oiled Red-throated Divers (out of a total of six). One was on the river and was in clear distress, unable to fly. The second, if anything more badly affected with the only white visible under its wings, was on the moat at Coalhouse Fort. Red-throats have been distinctly more regular at East Tilbury this autumn, but these are the first oiled birds recorded and are presumably associated with the East Coast spill. Brian Holwell and Bob Beech via David Jobbins.
 Hadleigh Downs, 10:00 to 10:05: 3 Ring-necked Parakeet (Flying over top field of the park). Steve Bunn, Essex Ranger Service.
Fleet Head, Wakering 14:15 - 15:00: 4 Little Egret, Green Sandpiper, 2 Kestrel, c75 Fieldfare, 9 Goldfinch, pair Stonechat, Reed Bunting. also 15.15-16.00 St Marys Wood, Shoebury, Green Woodpecker, 7 Long-tailed Tit, 3 Goldcrest, c15 Blackbird. Also 2 Bats. Steve Giles.
Rolls Farm, Tollesbury: Nice Sighting 8 Slavonian Grebe, 2 Red-throated Diver, 15 Merganser, 3 female Common Scoter, 400 Knot, 700 Lapwing, 400 Golden Plover, 2 Pintail. Nick Green EBWS.
Abberton Reservoir: The Layer-de-la-Haye causeway had the stunning drake Smew and 20 Goosander. Nick Green EBWS.

Monday 02nd December 2002
 Southend Pier 10:00 13:00: Several Turnstone on the pier timbers, 3 Red-throated Diver (one swimming off the north side of the pier by the lifeboat station from 11:00 to 13:00, the other two just east of the pier at around the 1 mile marker), 1 Guillemot swimming just off the eastern tip of the pier, 3 Mediterranean Gull on the usual timbers (one had a green ring on the left leg number P60, another a green ring on the left leg number A00. The third no ring, 2 male Eider west of the pier, 2 Common Scoter east of the pier. David Lee.
Priory Park 13:15: 2 Grey Wagtail. Steve Sanford. 
Southend, 14:00: 1 Grey Wagtail (Flew over the pedestrianised area by W.H. Smiths, calling.). John Wright (SOG).
Leigh on Sea, 14:30: 1 Grey Wagtail (in my garden, Shirley Road). Dudley Shayler (SOG).

Sunday 1st December 2002
 Canvey Seafront, 08:30 to 09:45: 1 Great Northern Diver, 1 Black-throated Diver, 11 Red-throated Diver (mostly flying upriver), 2 Little Egret, 2 Common Scoter (a pair), 1 Eider (female), 1 Guillemot, 55 Kittiwake. Paul Baker (SOG).
Canvey Seafront 09:00 - 12:30: c10 Red-throated Diver (one oiled); 2 Common Scoter; many Kittiwakes. David Jobbins.
Thundersley 10:15: 1 Juvenile Sparrowhawk perched in Laburnum tree in my garden in Kiln Road for about 5 minutes.  Mike Sagrott.
Two Tree Island 16:15: 2 Short-eared Owl (1 then flew over car park to the East side). Steve Blackburn & Sarah Costeloe.