Bird Reports for December 2004
Friday 31st December 2004
Wat Tyler Country Park, 11:15 to 11:40
1 Mediterranean Gull (1st winter on the scrape), 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Peregrine Falcon (on pylon). Neil Chambers (SOG).
Battlesbridge, 12:00
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker (flew over Lower Road). Neil Chambers (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park 13.30
2 Bearded Tit. Jim Cockram.
Two Tree Island 13:40 to 16:05
East end: 1 Greenshank, 50 Brent Goose, 10 Black-tailed Godwit. On the lagoon several hundred Golden Plover with similar numbers of Lapwing, Grey Plover and Ringed Plover. 2 Short-eared Owl over the lagoon at 15:45 before one flew east and the other west. David Lee.
Canvey Island 14:15 - 15:45
Seafront: 1 Snow Bunting feeding on seawall at end of Park Ave; allowed approach down to 25 feet. 5 Sanderling on beach just east of Lifeguards. Canvey Heights C.P: 2 Corn Bunting; 1 Reed Bunting. Benfleet Creek/Tewkes Creek: 40 (approx) Avocet; 300+ Golden Plover; Bar-tailed Godwits in small groups. Ian White.
Two Tree Island 15.15 - 16.00
3 Short-eared Owl at West end of island, around lagoon area. Damien Harding.
Shoebury Coastguards, 15:35 to 15:50
4 Snow Bunting. Don Petrie (SOG).
Chalkwell Park Drive, Leigh, 15:40 to 15:40
2 Dark-bellied Brent Goose (Over, south towards the estuary, a garden tick). John Wright (SOG).
Thursday 30th December 2004
Stanford-le-hope 08.00
1 Little Egret over Stanford station. Jim Cockram.
Shoebury Coastguards, 12:00 to 12:20
4 Snow Bunting (showing extremely well on field between uncle tom's cabin and coastguards), 1 Sanderling, 17 Turnstone, 4 White / Pied Wagtail. Mike Bailey (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park 13.00 - 14.00
4 White-fronted Goose, 1 Little Egret, 1 Stonechat. Steve Hiscock.
Shoebury Coastguards 14.45-15.00
4 Snow Bunting. Steve Hiscock.
Wakering Tip 15.15-16.15
2 Short-eared Owl (on Potton Island), 2 Kestrel. Steve Hiscock.
Wednesday 29th December 2004
Shoebury Seafront, 08:45 to 09:15
4 Snow Bunting (200 yards west of Uncle Tom's Cabin). John Wright (SOG).
Shoebury Common 09:40 to 10:30
4 Snow Bunting, 2 male and 2 female, west of Uncle Tom's Cabin. Fairly mobile on the grass, on the beach chalet roofs or on the beach. David Lee.
Westcliff Seafront, 09:45 to 10:15
1 Ring-billed Gull (adult opposite Rossi's), 2 Mediterranean Gull (2 adults opposite Rossi's), 15 Common Seal (on a sand bank off shore). John Wright (SOG).
River Roach, 12:30 to 13:30
4 Little Egret, 8 Goldeneye, 6 Pintail (3 male, 3 female), 1 Common Scoter (female), 600 Wigeon, 15 Little Grebe, 30 Black-tailed Godwit, 6 Rock Pipit, 1 Pale-bellied Brent Goose (with c.2000 Brents), 4 Great Crested Grebe. John Wright (SOG).
Barling Marsh, 13:30 to 14:00
40 Stock Dove, 2 Stonechat (male & female). John Wright (SOG).
Wakering Stairs 14.00 - 16.00
1 Barn Owl, 4 Little Egret, c.75 Fieldfare, c.40 Redwing, c.1000 Oystercatcher, c.300 Grey Plover, c.150 Bar-tailed Godwit, c.100 Black-tailed Godwit including one in near summer plumage! Steve Giles.
Southend Pier 14.30 - 15.30
20+ Turnstone (very tame), 1 Shag on Pier. 1 Eider and 1 Guillemot in river. Damien Harding.
Shoebury Common 15.00 - 16.00
100+ Dunlin, 24 Sanderling, 40 Turnstone, 6 Ringed Plover, 2 Pied Wagtail. Richard Mander.
Tuesday 28th December 2004
Hockley Woods, 07:55 to 08:35
1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Nuthatch. Neil Chambers, Richard Hall (SOG).
Shoebury, 08:55 to 09:00
4 Snow Bunting (in the Thorpe Esplanade Car Park immediately to the west of Maplin Way and showing well). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Paglesham Lagoon 09.00 - 11.30
14 Mute Swan, 4 Pintail, c.20 Goldeneye, 2 Red-breasted Merganser, 147 Avocet, 1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Goldcrest, 1 Yellowhammer. Steve Sanford, Web Author.
Shoebury Coastguards, 09:00 to 09:50
1 Snow Bunting (in Thorpe Esplanade car pk, then feeding on and around beach huts west of Uncle Tom's Cabin). Neil Chambers, Richard Hall (SOG).
Thorpe Bay, Wandsfell Gardens 09.55
1 Sparrowhawk. John Pitts.
Westcliff Seafront, 10:00 to 10:40
1 Ring-billed Gull (coming to bread), 4 Mediterranean Gull (all adults). Neil Chambers, Richard Hall (SOG).
Southchurch Seafront, 12:20 to 12:35
1 Purple Sandpiper (just east of the old gasworks pier, roosting on the beach). Paul Griggs (SOG).
Southend Old Gasworks, 12:25 to 12:45
1 Purple Sandpiper (roosting over high tide on the Old Gasworks pier with Sanderling and Dunlin). Neil Chambers, Richard Hall (SOG).
Shoebury Common 12.30
18 Sanderling on beach, 4 Snow Bunting west of Uncle Tom's Cabin. Web Author.
Shoebury Coastguards, 12:40 to 13:30
4 Snow Bunting (on and around the beach huts west of Uncle Tom's Cabin). Paul Griggs, Neil Chambers (SOG).
Barling Marsh, 13:30 to 16:15
2 Pale-bellied Brent Goose (with the Brents), 2000 Dark-bellied Brent Goose (at north end of Fleet Head viewed from the south side of Barling Tip), 6 Little Egret, 20 Corn Bunting, 5 Rock Pipit, 7 Skylark, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Common Scoter (female/imm just west of Roper's Farm), 1 Red-breasted Merganser (drake), 1 Sparrowhawk (female), 1 Stonechat (male by seawall at Roper's Farm), 75 Stock Dove. Neil Chambers, Paul Baker (SOG).
Monday 27th December 2004
Thorpe hall Boulevard 10.00
1 Mistle Thrush. John Pitts.
Southend Seafront, 10:00 to 14:00
1 Ring-billed Gull (Rossi (not at gasworks as reported by RBA)), 1 Purple Sandpiper (On beach East of Gasworks jetty), 1 Grey Wagtail (Gunners Park pond), 4 Snow Bunting (Uncle Toms Cabin (12:00)), 2 Shag (Shoebury Boom & Pier), 25 Mediterranean Gull (23 Pier 2 Rossi's), 7 Red-throated Diver (Pier), 17 Great Crested Grebe (Mostly at East Beach), 4 Guillemot (Pier). Chris Lewis (SOG).
Hole Haven Creek, 10:50 to 12:00
1 Yellow-legged Gull (2nd winter), 50 Goldfinch, 44 Avocet. Steve Arlow (SOG).
Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 11:30 to 11:30
1 Little Egret (flew east along brook, past bedroom window!). Paul Baker (SOG).
Southchurch Hall Park, 12:25 to 12:40
1 Mandarin Duck (drake on southernmost pond, (the wooded one with the island)), 1 Little Egret (fishing in the north-west pools and seen to catch a fish). Paul Baker (SOG).
Shoebury Coastguards, 13:10 to 13:40
4 Snow Bunting (on the grass to the east of Uncle Toms Cabin until 13:30 then on the grass to the west). Paul Baker (SOG).
Abberton Reservoir 14.00
1 Green Sandpiper, 3 Goosander, 15+ Goldeneye. R Shepherd. Layerbreton Causeway: 4 Smew (1 male, 3 female). R Shepherd.
Shoebury Coastguards, 14:30 to 14:55
4 Snow Bunting (on grass by Uncle Tom's Cabin). Neil Chambers (SOG).
Leigh, Undercliff Gardens 14.30
Solitary Ringed Plover feeding at high tide on the lawns of Undercliff Gardens. Eric and Patsy Major.
Leigh Cliff 14.30
1 Redshank feeding on the grass. Yasmine Hamid.
Shoebury Coastguards, 14:30 to 14:55
4 Snow Bunting (showed well on grass east of cafe though were flighty. At least one bird was ringed). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Thorpe Bay Seafront 14.45 - 14.55
1 Turnstone and 20 Sanderling walking at the tide's edge opposite Thorpe Bay Yacht Club. Shoebury Common: 4 Snow Bunting feeding on the large area of grass between the car park and the west side of Ness Road, mainly near a large puddle of water in the grass. They appeared to be two males and two females, and one bird (a female I think) appeared to be ringed though difficult to see clearly. On the beach nearby at the southern end of Ness Road there were 2 Oystercatcher, circa 100 Dunlin, 20 Sanderling, and 20 Turnstone. Clive Jolly.
Chalkwell Beach 15.00
80 Sanderling. Yasmine Hamid.
Sunday 26th December 2004
Westcliff Seafront, 09:55 to 10:00
1 Ring-billed Gull, 2 Mediterranean Gull (adults). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Potton Island, 10:40 to 12:25
1 Hen Harrier (male seen from the bridge), 1 Short-eared Owl (seen from the bridge), 33 Black-tailed Godwit (in the creek). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Wakering Old Tip 11.00-12.15
1 Male Hen Harrier (on Potton Island). Steve Hiscock.
Thorpe Hall Avenue Near Golf club 13.00
3/4 Blue Tit, 1 Great Tit, 2 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Mistle Thrush. Karen Gordon
Gunner's Park 14.00 - 15.00
1 Kingfisher, 1 Redshank, 2 Lapwing, 2 Jay, 2 Robin, 1 Dunnock, Blue and Great Tits, Chaffinch. Karen Gordon
Thundersley. (My garden) 15.30-15.45
8 Long-tailed Tit feeding on fat balls and at peanut feeders. John Bennett.
Saturday 25th December 2004
Westcliff Seafront, 10:30 to 10:30
1 Ring-billed Gull (per Richard Hall), 1 Mediterranean Gull. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Prittlewell, Brook Behind Prittlewell School 15:15
Sightings: 1 little egret flushed from brook by dog. Mick Power.
Friday 24th December 2004
Shoebury, Trafalgar Road 08.15
Male Blackcap in my garden. Steve Giles.
Southend, 13:10 to 13:10
1 Mediterranean Gull (adult again on Victory Sports Ground by the Sutton Road/Bournes Green roundabout). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Westcliff Seafront, 13:25 to 13:30
1 Ring-billed Gull (still coming to bread). Steve Arlow (SOG).
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 13.30 - 16.00
2 Red-throated Diver, 11 Widgeon, 6 Little Egret, 2 Red Breasted Merganser (1 male), 2 Curlew, Corn Bunting, 21 Mute Swan, Little Grebe, 5 Shelduck, c.1100 Golden Plover, 2 Reed Bunting, c.1000 Brent Goose. Ray Fuller.
Thorpe Bay 15:30
3 Snow Bunting, on beach at Thorpe Bay. Sighted with a small flock of turnstone feeding at the high water mark outside beach huts 172, 3 and 4 (one of which is ironically called Sandpiper!) This is near the junction of St Augustines Avenue and Thorpe Esplanade. Also multiple flocks of Dunlin, totalling many hundreds, dozens of Turnstones, Oystercatchers, Redshanks. Tim, Adam and Ashley Bennett.
Two Tree Island 08:30 to 11:00
3 Fieldfare, 3 Stonechat, 200 Golden Plover on Lagoon, 1 Little Egret, 20 Shelduck on the creek, 2 Sparrowhawk. David Lee.
Canvey Island East 09:35 - 11:40
Leighbeck: 2 Red-throated Diver. Canvey Heights C.P: 3 Stonechat, 9 Reed Bunting, 1 Peregrine (juv. female) stooping on wader roosts, watched for a few minutes, last seen gaining height and flying South East from Tewkes Creek). Benfleet Creek: 3 Little Egret, 1 Sparrowhawk (male), c.60 Avocet, also Bar-tailed Godwits, Golden Plover. Ian White.
Southchurch Hall Park 14.50-15.05
Male Mandarin Duck swimming on the concrete-sided pool below the south-west side of the Hall. Also 1 Little Egret was perching on the top of the "duck shelter" in the water in the first pool inside the gate from Park Lane. 1 Mistle Thrush seen perching in a tree in the grounds. Clive Jolly.
Thursday 23rd December 2004
Wat Tyler Country Park 14.05 - 15.20
3 Black-tailed Godwit in winter plumage feeding on the mud in Vange Creek at the southern end of the Park. The Peregrine is still about there, often to be seen perching on one of the electricity pylons beyond the east side of the large pool east from the hide above Pitseahall Fleet. Clive Jolly
Wat Tyler Country Park, 14:10 to 14:30
1 Water Rail (heard). Neil Chambers (SOG).
Wednesday 22nd December 2004
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 13.50 - 15.55
200+ Fieldfare, 405 Brent Goose, 7 Grey Plover, 13 Little Grebe, 3 Red Breasted Merganser (2 male), 11 Curlew, 18 Mute Swan, 5 Little Egret, 11 Widgeon, 3 Avocet, Kingfisher, 7 Shelduck, Corn Bunting, 2 Skylark. Ray Fuller.
Hullbridge 16.00
Group of about 10 Long-tailed Tits descend upon my fat feeder just before four this evening. The light was poor but I had my digital SLR set up in an upstairs window on a tripod with a 500mm lens. Photos were taken at iso 800, shutter speeds 1/10 to 1/8 of a second at f5.6. David Flack.
Tuesday 21st December 2004
Oxenham Farm, Wakering Common 10.30 - 12.30
2 Great Tit, Robin, 2 Dunnock, large numbers of thrushes on the hawthorn berries along the borrow dyke, 40+ Blackbird, 35+ Fieldfare, 6 Redwing, 2 Song Thrush, 2 Mistle Thrush, 2 Teal, 25 Redshank, 2 Dunlin, 30 Golden Plover, 40 Lapwing, 6 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Kestrel, 1 Stonechat, 20 Colarred Dove. Richard Mander.
Coggeshall, 11.00
1 Yellow Wagtail sitting on the bridge in our garden. Several photographs taken. Also seen the following day in the garden of house opposite. Unaware of any other recent sightings as havent been around much!! Jenny Woolliams.
Southend, 13:20
1 Mediterranean Gull (adult again on Victory Sports Ground by the Sutton Road/Bournes Green roundabout). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Monday 20th December 2004
Leigh, Ploughed field below Belton Way 09.00
A flock of 38 Magpies all together on the field - others in bushes. Not sure I can ever remember seeing more in one flock. Chris Seaton.
Thorpe Bay, Willingale Way 10.05
1 Kingfisher. John Pitts.
Sunday 19th December 2004 (First Local Waxwing and Snow Bunting Reports!)
Belfairs Golf Course, 08:00
1 Waxwing (flew over calling). Tony Mead (SOG).
South Benfleet, Greenwood Avenue 09.30
A Kingfisher flew through our garden - a new addition to our garden list. Since the nearest watercourse is over a quarter of a mile away, its quite likely that our near neighbours goldfish stocks may have been reduced over the past few days! Tim and Adam Bennett.
Highlands Boulevard, Leigh, 12:00 to 14:00
1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Mediterranean Gull (adult-winter flew over), 1 Sparrowhawk (male). Paul Griggs (SOG).
Woodside Park, Thundersley, 12:30 to 13:30
1 Grey Wagtail (Rushbottom pumping station (strictly no access, viewed from perimeter fence)). Graham Ryland (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park, 14:50 to 15:25
1 Marsh Harrier (male at 3.10pm), 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Water Rail (heard only). (no sign of the White-fronted but goose flock half hidden behind hedge). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Shoebury Common Beach Huts
3 Snow Bunting working their way along the shingle. Brian Coveney.
Saturday 18th December 2004
Paglesham Lagoon, 07:40 to 14:20
1 Yellow-legged Gull (possible 1st winter Caspian Gull, though Yellow-legged Gull not entirely eliminated lingered for 10 minutes, 2 Pale-bellied Brent Goose (one bird being a classic individual whilst the other is probably a sub-adult), 1000 Dark-bellied Brent Goose (in field immediately west of lagoon), 32 Skylark (in field immediately west of lagoon), 1000 Golden Plover (in field immediately west of lagoon), 117 Pochard, 7 Pintail (4 drakes & 3 females), 17 Goldeneye, 77 Shoveler, 53 Tufted Duck, 28 Gadwall (numbers well down on the normal). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Bowers Marshes, 09:30 to 10:30
1 Marsh Harrier (Immature male.), 60 Fieldfare, 2 Stonechat, 150 Greylag Goose, 60 Canada Goose, 1 Little Egret. John Wright (SOG).
Hadleigh Downs, 10:00 to 11:30
2 Sparrowhawk, 4 Bullfinch. Andrew Woodhouse Essex Ranger Service.
Hadleigh Marshes, 11:00 to 12:00
1 Little Egret, 200 Golden Plover, 1 Stonechat. John Wright (SOG).
Wallasea Island, North Wall 14.00 - 14.30
5 Short-eared Owl including 3 together over the set aside area, pair of Kestrel (one dive bombing an owl), Stonechat, 9 Black-tailed godwit, 11 Little Egret, 12 Reed Bunting, 4 Rock Pipit. Jeff Delve (EBS).
Friday 17th December 2004
Rayleigh, 10:00 to 12:30
1 Brambling (Adult female again feeding on sunflower seed in back garden), 7 Goldfinch (On niger seed and sunflower seed feeders), 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker (On garden peanut feeder), 26 Greenfinch (at least). Mike Bailey (SOG).
Thursday 16th December 2004
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 14.10 - 16.05
2 Stonechat, 5 Little Egret (2 on north side of Crouch), 33 Fieldfare, c.1000 Golden Plover, 4 Red Breasted Merganser (2 male), 18 Mute Swan, 6 Reed Bunting, 13 Curlew, 105 Brent Goose, 2 Shelduck, 4 Widgeon. Ray Fuller.
Hadleigh Country Park Car Park 15.15 - 15.30
Male Sparrowhawk made an unsuccessful pass at the Great Tits/Chaffinches/Greenfinches feeding at the bird table in the car park, then perched on the adjoining fence and trees in the centre of the car park for 5 minutes or so, giving great views. Mike Sagrott.
Wednesday 15th December 2004
Southend, 08:15 to 08:15
1 Little Egret (in creek just past the Temple Farm Estate mini round about again). Steve Arlow (SOG).
The Fleet, Wakering 09.00
c.60 Fieldfare, c.20 Redwing. Timothy Amaral, Web Author.
Gunners Park - Shoebury 10.00
1 Little Egret, 2 Stonechat, 1 Siskin. Timothy Amaral, Web Author.
Southend Pier, 12:30 to 13:30
1 Kittiwake (adult winter), 5 Mediterranean Gull (1 adult. 1 x 1st. winter. 3 x 2nd. winters). Graham Ryland (SOG).
Hanningfield Reservoir 12.45
c.60 Pintail, 3 Goldcrest. Timothy Amaral, Web Author.
Wat Tyler Country Park, 12:50 to 13:30
100 Greylag Goose (c.), 50 Canada Goose (c.), 5 White-fronted Goose (with the Greylags), 1 Water Rail (heard). Also: 5 owl pellets found on the shelf in the hide - probably Barn Owl. Paul Griggs (SOG).
Southend, 13:20 to 13:20
1 Mediterranean Gull (adult on playing field at Victory Sports Ground). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Two Tree Island (East), 14:30
5 Little Egret (roosting). Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).
Two Tree Island (West) 14.40
c.200 Golden Plover, 11 Common Snipe on lagoon, 1 Greenshank, 1 Yellow-legged Gull, Rock Pipit, 4 Reed Bunting, 7 Corn Bunting. Timothy Amaral, Web Author.
Shoebury 17.08
Large Vixen sitting by the back of my car in the driveway! Web Author.
Shoebury East Beach
Sanderlings, 10 Little Egret, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Mediteranean Gull, 6 Knot, 30+ Common Gull. John Wilson.
Tuesday 14th December 2004
Battlesbridge, 09:15
1 Little Egret (in the pool where the new A130 crosses the Crouch again). Paul Baker (SOG).
Monday 13th December 2004
Corringham Recreation Ground 13.30
1 female Merlin. Jim Cockram.
Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 14:30 to 14:30
1 Grey Heron, 2 Little Egret (in the brook and the trees, and gardens again). Paul Baker (SOG).
Sunday 12th December 2004
Southend Pier, 09:30 to 11:20
11 Mediterranean Gull (5 adults and 3 each of both 1st and 2nd winters), 2 Gannet (both adults), 5 Kittiwake (adults), 1 Guillemot, 2 Red-throated Diver, 1 Gavia sp. (possibly a Black-throated Diver though distant). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Rochford Golf Course, 11:40 to 15:20
2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Grey Wagtail, 15 Redwing, 27 Moorhen. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Wallasea Island
1 Short eared Owl, 2 Kestrel, Adult Female Peregrine, 1 Jack Snipe, 20 Ringed Plover on fields with 1500 Golden Plover and 3000 Lapwing including an amazing leucistic individual. How long that will last with the local raptor population? Jeff Delve (EBS).
Saturday 11th December 2004
Paglesham Lagoon, 07:40 to 13:00
6 Bean Goose (At least. These birds, presumably Tundras were flushed by a doggie walker from the southern end of the lagoon. They flew south, calling, into the mist towards Barling), 5 Pintail (3 males and 2 females), 9 Goldeneye (5 drakes, an immature drake and 4 females), 1 superb adult Caspian Gull lingered on the lagoon between midday and 12.20pm. The important pale tongue to the underside of P10 was seen and photographed, 3 Yellow-legged Gull (1st winters included a very large individual that was presumably a male). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park, 10:00 to 12:30
1 Little Egret, 2 White-fronted Goose (In with Greylags & Canada Geese, from the scrape hide.), 36 Wigeon, 1 Water Rail, 110 Lapwing, 83 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Greenshank, 2 Reed Bunting. Graham Ryland (SOG).
The Fleet, Wakering 10.30
20+ Fieldfare, numerous Redwing and 3 Corn Bunting on telegraph wires at the start of the fleet walk (junction of MOD road and private road to fishery). John M.
River Roach, 11:05 to 11:30
4 Little Egret, 1 Common Scoter (female is still present), 2 Red-breasted Merganser (females), 9 Avocet, 1 Spotted Redshank. Steve Arlow (SOG).
Rayleigh, 11:15 to 11:20
1 Brambling (Adukt female again for just 4mins in back garden with Greenfinch flock). Mike Bailey (SOG).
Southend, 13:20 to 13:20
1 Little Egret (in creek just past the Temple Farm Estate mini round about). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Westcliff Seafront, 13:40 to 13:40
1 Mediterranean Gull (adult), 1 Ring-billed Gull (in usual spot briefly). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Two Tree Island (West), 13:45 to 14:45
15 Avocet, 4 Snipe (in lagoon), 1 Short-eared Owl, 2 Reed Bunting (1m, 1f). Web Author.
Fingringhoe Wick 14.00
8 Red- breasted Merganser, 14 Little Egret, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, flock of Golden Plover. R Shepherd.
Benfleet Creek, 15:30 to 16:20
8 Little Egret (Flying to roost), 1 Short-eared Owl. John Wright (SOG).
Abberton Reservoir, Layer Breton Causeway 15.00
5 Goosander (3m, 2f), 3 Goldeneye, Pochard, Wigeon. R Shepherd.
Friday 10th December 2004
Southend, 13:10
1 Mediterranean Gull (1st winter). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Westcliff Seafront, 13:20 to 13:25
1 Ring-billed Gull (adult by KJ's Cafe), 2 Mediterranean Gull (adult and 2nd winter). Steve Arlow (SOG).
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 14.05 - 16.05 (dusk)
2 Stonechat, 2 Reed Bunting, 4 Grey Plover, 2 Field Fare, 8 Curlew, 5 Brent Goose, Little Grebe, 5 Little Egret, Green Sandpiper, 3 Shell Duck, 64 Widgeon, 3 Red Breasted Merganser (all male), 2 Avocet, 14 Mute Swan. Ray Fuller.
Rayleigh, 14:30 to 14:45
1 Brambling (Adult female feeding on sunflower seed in garden with Greenfinch), 4 Goldfinch (On niger seed feeder in garden), 16 Greenfinch, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker. Mike Bailey (SOG).
Thursday 09th December 2004
Hanningfield Reservoir 08.15 - 08.25
19 Goldeneye, Green Sandpiper, Grey Wagtail, Green Woodpecker. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Priory Park, 10:30 to 11:30
2 Sparrowhawk (male and female circling, soaring - as in display), 1 Little Egret (singles or pair passing through regularly). Harry Carmichael (SOG).
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 10.45 - 13.05
25 Widgeon, 305 Brent Goose, 4 Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, 2 Curlew, Red Breasted Merganser (male), 50 Golden Plover, 5 Shell Duck, Turnstone, 10 Little Egret (5 on north side of Crouch), 3 Reed Bunting, 2 Grey Plover, Bar-tailed Godwit, 18 Mute Swan, 2 Snipe, Common Seal. Ray Fuller.
Westcliff Seafront, 13:00 to 13:40
1 Ring-billed Gull (At Rossi's). Harry Carmichael (SOG).
Stanford Warren 16.00
2 Cetti's Warbler (heard). Jim Cockram.
Wednesday 08th December 2004
Hanningfield Reservoir 08.20 - 08.25
Grey Wagtail, Green Sandpiper, 22 Goldeneye. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Eastwood, 10:30 to 10:30
1 Sparrowhawk (male, low over Rayleigh Road, nr Rochford Corner in hot pursuit of prey). Paul Baker (SOG).
Monday 06th December 2004
Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 08:45
1 Little Egret (flew from the brook and past my bedroom window). Paul Baker (SOG).
Leigh Area, 08:45
2 Short-eared Owl (reported). Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).
Willingale Way Thorpe Bay 09.40
1 Grey Wagtail. John Pitts.
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 11.05 - 13.25
5 Little Egret (1 on north side of Crouch), 6 Little Grebe, Green Sandpiper, 11 Curlew, Reed Bunting, 10 Widgeon, 229 Golden Plover, 164 Brent Goose, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Velvet Scoter, 16 Grey Plover, 51 Shelduck, 16 Mute Swan, 2 Stonechat, 5 Skylark. Ray Fuller.
Sunday 05th December 2004
Two Tree Island West 08:00 to 09:30
1 Kestrel, 2 female Stonechat, 1 female Reed Bunting, 500+ Golden Plover in a resting flock west of the slipway, 4 Grey Plover, 4 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Bar-tailed Godwit. David Lee.
East Tilbury 09.00 - 12.30
3 Little Egret, 2 Little Stint, 2 Stonechat, 1 female Peregrine Falcon, c.200 Avocet. David Jobbins , Birds of East Tilbury.
Old Hall Marshes 09.15 - 11.15
Black Brant, Pale-bellied Brent Goose, adult female Marsh Harrier, Pintail, Common Sandpiper. (Lapland Bunting and single Snow Bunting reported). Steve Sanford, web Author.
Wat Tyler Country Park, 10:00 to 10:45
3 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Ruff, 2 Reed Bunting. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Wakering, Fleet Head 10.00 - 11.00
Male and Female Stonechat on approach road, 2 Male Kestrel, 1 beautifully marked ringtail Hen Harrier on Potton Island, first seen hunting later seen feeding, 1 Male Merlin, 100+ Lapwing flying very high in an easterly direction. Mike Sagrott.
South Fambridge, 11:15 to 12:30
2 Velvet Scoter (probably 1st winters, c3/4 mile west of South Fambridge), 2 Red-breasted Merganser (drakes), 330 Wigeon, 3 Yellowhammer, 4 Reed Bunting. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Two Tree Island, 12:00 to 12:10
1 Yellow-legged Gull (adult distantly out in Ray Gut with another possible adult further out). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Westcliff Seafront, 12:45 to 12:50
1 Ring-billed Gull (still present ), 2 Mediterranean Gull (adults). Steve Arlow (SOG).
River Roach, 13:30 to 14:30
2 Velvet Scoter, 1 Black-throated Diver, 2 Red-breasted Merganser, 8 Yellowhammer, 28 Little Grebe, 74 Dark-bellied Brent Goose. Graham Ryland (SOG).
Rochford, Roach Avenue 14.00
3 Siskin on feeders in garden. Julia Davison.
Stock, Swan Lane 18.00
1 Barn Owl. Jim Cockram.
Wallasea Island
1200 Brent Geese with a new Black Brant (i.e. not the Paglesham bird from last month) and 2 Pale-bellied Brent Goose (one adult, one first winter). Overall counts were 2650 Lapwing, 750 Golden plover, 23 Curlew, 360 Dunlin, 10 Grey Plover, 11 Ringed Plover, 3 Bar-tailed Godwit, 11 Black-tailed Godwit, 43 Shelduck, 15 Rock Pipit, 12 Reed Bunting, 2 Stonechat (1 on SE corner and another in set aside area), 1 Short-eared Owl (compared to 5 last week) and a Kingfisher (flushed from inside a concrete sluice on South shore. I also flushed Water Rail in a ditch in the set aside area here yesterday. We also visited Brandy Hole at Hullbridge and found the two immature Velvet Scoter earlier reported fom north side of river - just drive right to the far eastern end and look out towards corner of Clements Green Creek. Also large flock of Golden Plover, Lapwing, Dunlin and 40 Black-tailed Godwit plus 25+ Little Grebe. Jeff Delve, Nick Green (EBS).
Saturday 04th December 2004
Paglesham Lagoon, 08:50 to 13:15
4 Yellow-legged Gull (a smart adult and a 1st winter with possibly 2 other 1st winters), 5 Pintail (2 drakes and 3 female), 104 Pochard, 292 Wigeon. Steve Arlow (SOG).
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 10.05 - 12.15
2 Velvet Scoter, 6 Little Egret, 4 Red Breasted Merganser (2 female), 13 Brent Goose, 10 Curlew, 15 Mute Swan, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 5 Reed Bunting, 11 Grey Plover, 20 Golden Plover, Bar-tailed Godwit, Fieldfare, 30 Widgeon, 5 Skylark. Ray Fuller.
Two Tree Island (East), 11:00 to 12:30
1 Goldcrest, 1 Fieldfare, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Water Vole (borrowdyke). Graham Ryland (SOG).
Rochford Golf Course, 12:10 to 15:45
1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 10 Redwing. Neil Chambers (SOG).
River Roach, 13:20 to 14:45
11 Goldeneye, 7 Red-breasted Merganser (5 drakes and 2 females), 1 Common Scoter (female still on the river up towards Paglesham boatyard), 31 Avocet, 1 Spotted Redshank. Steve Arlow (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park Park 15.00
Peregrine Falcon with kill (Moorhen) on pylon, 7 White Fronted Geese in fields with Greylag and Canada, female Sparrowhawk, 3 Black-tailed Godwit. Fieldfares and Redwings in bushes along roadside. Kevin Rees.
Hadleigh Downs, 17:00 to 17:45
2 Tawny Owl (South of Chappel Lane car park). Graham Ryland (SOG).
Friday 03rd december 2004
Willingale Way Area 10.30
1 Goldcrest in my garden. John Pitts.
Hanningfield Reservoir 13:00 - 14:15
Large numbers of Teal, Dunlin, Shoveler, Cormorant, Lapwing, plus in woods Blue, Great and Long-tailed Tits in abundance, 3 Goosander (1 male, 2 female), 2 Golden Eye (male/ female), 1 Meadow Pipit amongst flock of Pied Wagtail on shoreline near Rawl Hide, 7 Grey Heron, 2 Mute Swan. Dave Griffiths.
Wednesday 01st December 2004
Southend, 08:10 to 08:10
1 Little Egret (again in creek just past the Temple Farm Estate mini roundabout). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Sutton and Shopland 11:30
12 + Curlew feeding with gulls on farmland along Sutton Road, nearly opposite Read's Nursery. Ross Gardner.