Bird Reports for December 2006
Sunday 31st December 2006
Gunners Park 09.30 - 09.50
1 Grey Heron, 2 Little Egret, 7 Long-tailed Tit, 21 Lapwing. John Pitts.
Leigh-on-Sea, Tattersall Gardens, 10.37
1 large Sparrowhawk in soaring flight about 30m up noisily mobbed by a Black-headed Gull and driven way in fast descending glide to north. Martin Johnson
Wakering Stairs to Haven Point 10.40 - 11.40
3 Little Egret, 930 Brent Geese, 1 Kestrel, 2 Moorhen, 775 Oystercatcher, 20-30 Grey Plover, 4000+ Knot, about 300 Bar-tailed Godwit, 220 Curlew, 28 Redshank, 65 Wood Pigeon. David Selley.
Fingringhoe 14.00
250+ Golden Plover, 250+ Avocet, 50+ Black-tailed Godwit, 5 Red-breasted Merganser, 2 Goldeneye, 6 Great Crested Grebe, 20 Little Egret, 1 Marsh Harrier, Curlew, Grey Plover, Knot, Shelduck, Wigeon, Teal, 50+ Brent Geese, Redshank. Richard Shepherd.
Saturday 30th December 2006
Canvey Point 08.15 - 09.15
1 Black-throated Diver, 2 Red-throated Diver, male Peregrine. David Morrison.
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 09.50 – 11.50
4 Little Grebe, 5 Little Egret, 19 Yellowhammer, 59 Brent Goose, 5 Grey Plover, 3 Shelduck, 2 Curlew, 4 Teal, 2 Reed Bunting. Ray Fuller.
Two Tree Island 10.15 - 14.30
1 Slavonian Grebe, 10 Little Grebe, 8 Stonechat, 1 Kestrel, 300+ Brent Geese, 40-50 Lapwing, 100+ Teal, 9 Grey Plover, 12 Redshank,(by lagoon hide), 100's of Golden Plover in flight over Creek. 1 seal off slipway. David & Elaine Flack.
Paglesham Lagoon, 10:30 to 14:30
1 Ring-billed Gull (a small, thin billed adult between 1.05pm and 1.15pm. Spent it's time at the northern end of the lagoon with the Common and Black-headed Gulls. Was lost behind an island and was not relocated), 1 Caspian Gull (adult at 2.00pm to 2.15pm when flew towards Barling Tip), 18 Pintail, 5 Goldeneye, 3 Yellow-legged Gull (all 1st years. Most notably was a very small individual, not much larger than a Common Gull and presumed to be a female, that was already well worn/abraded and a huge bird close to the size of a Great Black-backed Gull that was presumably a male, nice to have size comparisons), 300 Dark-bellied Brent Goose (flew in for half an hour visit, included the partially leucistic bird with heavy white mottling to the head), 1 Mediterranean Gull (adult with small small ear spots, not seen this bird here previously), 42 Gadwall (reasonable count considering the mild weather). Steve Arlow
Magnolia NR, Hawkwell, 11:00 to 12:00
1 Kestrel, 1 Bullfinch, 22 Jackdaw. Steve Sanford (SOG).
Southend Pier - Low Tide 12.45 - 13.45
3 Guillemot, 16 Mediterranean Gull (9 Ad, 2 2w, 5 1w), 1 Little Egret. Martin Cracknell
Wat Tyler Country Park, 13:30 to 15:30
8 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Goldcrest, 80 Greylag Goose, 50 Wigeon, 1 Water Rail (+ 1 heard), 1 Bearded Tit (heard), 2 Green Sandpiper, 2 Little Egret, 2000 Starling (at least). Paul Griggs
Friday 29th December 2006
Westcliff Casino, 08:15 to 08:30
1 Mediterranean Gull (adult-winter). Paul Griggs (SOG).
RSPB Vange Marsh, 08:30 to 09:20
1 Dartford Warbler, 1 Little Egret. Vince Kinsler, Mike Clarke (SOG).
Two Tree Island, 08:30 to 11:00
1 Slavonian Grebe (off slipway), 1 Great Crested Grebe (off slipway), 7 Little Grebe (off slipway), 1 Spotted Redshank, 2 Kestrel, 1 Stonechat, 218 Wigeon, 2 Green Woodpecker. Graham Ryland (SOG).
Thursday 28th December 2006
Two Tree Island 11.00 - 14.00
40+ Lapwing, 50 Teal, 8 Grey Plover, 6 Redshank, 3 Grey Heron, 1 Thrush, 6 Greenfinch, 2 Kestrel, 3 Curlew, 300+ Brent Geese, 2 Little Egret, 14 Magpie. David Flack.
Southchurch Park and East Lake 11.30 - 13.00
1 Peregrine flying over the coast houses, seen twice during the time and later the same Sparrowhawk coming back. 9 Little Grebe, 2 pied Wagtail. 1 Green Woodpecker. Steve Wood.
Benfleet Creek, 1.5km stretch west of Two Tree Island, 15.45 to 16.25
12 Little Egret (2 in creek, 10 flying east 16.15 to 16.25hrs), 1 Grey Heron, 1 Mute Swan (in dyke behind sea wall), 21 Shelduck, 51 Wigeon, 50+ Teal, 17 Avocet, c.200 Black-tailed Godwit. Martin Johnson.
Wednesday 27th December 2006
Canvey Island, Long Road, Back Garden, 12.00 - 13.00
30+ Starling, 30+ Sparrow, 10 Greenfinch, 8 Goldfinch, 4 Blackbird, 2 Collar Dove, 2 Blue Tit, 2 Magpie, 1 Wood Pigeon, 1 Robin, 1 Carrion Crow, 1 Sparrowhawk. Bob Sheridan.
Two Tree Island (West), 12:30 to 13:10
17 Black-tailed Godwit, 90 Golden Plover, 27 Moorhen, 2 Coot, 220 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 2 Reed Bunting, 1 Green Woodpecker. Paul Griggs (SOG).
River Roach, 13:00 to 14:00
51 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 6 Little Egret, 7 Great Crested Grebe, 8 Little Grebe. Steve Sanford (SOG).
Paglesham Lagoon, 14:00 to 14:30
139 Shoveler, 11 Little Grebe, 14 Pintail (8 drakes), 1 Red Fox feeding on a Mute Swan. Steve Sanford (SOG).
RSPB Vange Marsh, 14:55 to 15:45
1 Reed Bunting, 1 Dartford Warbler showed for 30 secs, calling twice. Today, again from west wall c.50yds north of gate across the path, between the path and the moat on low barbed wire, before flying across moat. Vince Kinsler (SOG).
Benfleet Creek and Two Tree Island
Woodcock over the Creek at 16.10 along with 2 Little Egret. Chris Seaton.
Tuesday 26th December 2006
Wat Tyler Country Park (RSPB guided walk) 09.00 - 11.20
Mute Swan, Canada Goose, Greylag Goose, Shelduck, Wigeon, Mallard, Teal, Shoveler, Ruddy Duck, Little Grebe, Cormorant, Grey Heron, Little Egret, Sparrowhawk, Moorhen, Oystercatcher, Coot, Moorhen, Black-tailed Godwit, Redshank, Lapwing, Curlew, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Dunnock, Wren, Robin, Blackbird, Redwing, Fieldfare, Cetti's Warbler, Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Jay, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Linnet, Reed Bunting. (47 Species). Alan Shearman RSPB
Vange Marsh, 11:00 to 13:20
1 Dartford Warbler on NE corner of scrape, seen just twice in 2 hrs and also heard but not seen 3 times, 2 Stonechat, 4 Green Sandpiper, 1 Grey Wagtail. Vince Kinsler (SOG).
RSPB Vange Marsh 11.45 - 13.10
Dartford Warbler still present but elusive, 2 Stonechat, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Green Sandpiper. Alan Shearman RSPB.
Southend Pier 13.20 - 14.00
11 Guillemot, 7 Meditterranean Gull, 4 Red Throated Diver, 1 adult Gannet and Great Crested Grebe. 1 Common Seal. The Guillemot count is probably an undercount, there were lots more birds moving further out in the Estuary. David Morrison.
Leigh Old Town, Victoria Wharf to Eastern Edge of Saltings 14.30 - 15.45
4 Grey Heron, 8 Little Egret, c. 340 dark-bellied Brent Goose, 1 Peregrine Falcon flying from west to east low about 12m. up directly over Billet Wharf at 15.40hrs. Martin Johnson.
Monday 25th December 2006
Gunners Park 09.45
Leucistic Blackbird in the buffer zone by the last bridge. Has white head and odd white feathers on wings and back. John Pitts.
Two Tree Island 13:40 to 15:00
1 Kestrel, 44 Avocet and 1 Greenshank on the lagoon, 3 Bar-tailed Godwit. David Lee.
Rochford, 14:00
1 Sparrowhawk landed briefly in my apple tree scattering the birds from the feeders. Steve Arlow (SOG).
Sunday 24th December 2006
Canvey Point - Low Tide 08.50 - 09.40
14+ Guillemot (including one flock of 6 and another of 5), 32+ Red-throated Diver (mostly in small groups, largest containing 7 birds), 2 Black-throated Diver (together in from outer estaury at 09.05). I have never seen so many winter sea-birds in the estuary, I wished I could have stayed longer as there was steady stream of birds passing, my counts only include birds flying East (upriver) thinking it safest to presume any birds flying in the other direction were already counted, so true numbers of birds may be quite a bit higher. Martin Cracknell.
Wakering Stairs to Potton Bridge 10.30 to 12.30
6 Little Egret. Robert Dobinson.
Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 11:00
1 Little Egret (again over the house, this time flying low east). Paul Baker (SOG).
River Roach, 12:00 to 13:30
6 Little Egret (Egrets and the rest all from the south bank via Ropers Farm), 18 Goldeneye, 4 Red-breasted Merganser (3 male, 1 female.), 80 Black-tailed Godwit, 10 Great Crested Grebe, 8 Little Grebe. John Wright (SOG).
Southchurch Park 12.00 - 14.30
2 Pied Wagtail, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Mediterranean Gull grouped with thirty Black-headed Gulls on the lake with 7 Little Grebe, 1 Robin, 2 Mistle Thrush. Steve Wood.
Westcliff Seafront, 13:45 to 14:00
1 Ring-billed Gull (Adult opposite Rossi's), 6 Mediterranean Gull (Adults opposite Rossi's), 200 Sanderling. John Wright (SOG).
Southchurch Park and Seafront 13.50 - 14.20
In Southchurch Park East: Pair of Mute Swans, 2 Little Grebe, Little Egret, numerous Moorhen and Coot, Green Woodpecker, Blue Tit, Great Tit and Blackbird around the lake. In Southchurch Park lake, 8 Little Grebe and a Grey Wagtail on the bridge. Southend Seafront: about 100 Sanderling, 40 Ringed Plover, 50 Dunlin on shoreline opposite the Castle pub and a Cormorant, plus numerous Oystercatchers perched on the end of the Corporation Jetty at full tide. Leslie Spurling.
Saturday 23rd December 2006
Canvey Point- Low Tide 08.45 - 09.40
19+ Red-throated Diver (including 1 flock of 6), 8 Great Crested Grebe. Martin Cracknell.
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 09.35 – 11.15
350+ Brent Goose, 7 Little Egret, 12 Yellowhammer, 8 Grey Plover, 500+ Teal, 10 Wigeon, 4 Reed Bunting, 38 Shelduck, 16 Curlew, 2 Little Grebe, 2 Red-breasted Merganser ( 1m + 1f ). Ray Fuller.
Paglesham Lagoon, 09:50 to 14:40
1 Caspian Gull (a very fine 2nd winter), 7 Yellow-legged Gull (fourth-year and 6 first-years), 1 Little Egret, 9 Goldeneye, 5 Pintail, 4 Mediterranean Gull (2 first-winters and 2 adults). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 10:00 to 15:00
2 Little Egret over the house and landed in the brook behind with one present all day, 2 Sparrowhawk (pair), 2 Teal (flew north), 7 Goldfinch (up to 11 recently but low numbers all autumn). Paul Baker (SOG).
Two Tree Island (West), 12:00 to 12:30
1 Little Egret, 2 Greenshank, 1 Spotted Redshank, 20 Shoveler, 1 Stonechat. John Wright (SOG).
Benfleet Creek, 12:35 to 13:30
300 Black-tailed Godwit, 200 Golden Plover, 100 Knot, 100 Lapwing, 6 Reed Bunting, 1 Stonechat, 8 Goldfinch, 25 Wigeon, 100 Teal. John Wright (SOG).
Priory Park, 14:20 to 15:35
1 juvenile Sparrowhawk, 2 Green Woodpecker. Harry Carmichael (SOG).
Canvey Point 14.45 - 15.45
1 Merlin (female flying S-N across river towards point), 5+ Guillemot, 8+ Red-throated Diver, 1 Common Seal. Martin Cracknell.
Hullbridge
18 Goldfinch on feeders. David Flack.
Friday 22nd December 2006 (first report of winter Siskin)
Thundersley (My garden) 09.00 - 10.00
4 Great Tit, 8 Blue Tit, 7 Goldfinch, 5 Greenfinch, 1 Blackcap, 2 Robin, 3 Dunnock, 4 Chaffinch, 3 Blackbird, 2 Magpie, 1 Jay, 3 Collared Dove, 2 Wood Pigeon, 2 Jackdaw plus numerous House Sparrows and Starlings. The current cold spell has produced a big increase in numbers on my bird feeders. The Blackcap has been present for 3 days and is only the second time I have seen one in my garden. John Bennett.
Southchurch Park, West Pond 09.00 - 10.00
1 Male Tufted Duck, all on his own. Robert Dobinson.
Off Rayleigh Rd, Thundersley 09.30
1 Merlin (female) flew onto fence in garden then past me at head height, just three feet away. Dave Perry.
Hanningfield (Causeway) 09.30 - 10.00
Many 100's Widgeon and Teal, 10 Goldeneye. Gary Clinton.
RSPB Vange Marsh, 10:30 to 11:00
3 Stonechat, 10 Reed Bunting, 10 Skylark, 10 Meadow Pipit, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Kestrel, 6 Snipe, 50 Teal, 2 Wigeon, 1 Curlew. Paul Baker (SOG).
Ashingdon, Princess Gardens 13.10
1 male Siskin 
on Niger seed feeder in our garden. David Selley.
Hanningfield Reservoir 13:30 - 15:30
6 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Green Woodpecker, Woodcock. Tim Bourne.
Southchurch Seafront, 13:30 to 15:30
1 Little Egret, 1 adult Mediterranean Gull, 1 Purple Sandpiper in roosting flock behind Southend Marine Activities Centre. Don Petrie, Paul Griggs
Thursday 21st December 2006
Canewdon, Scotts Hall Road 14.20
200+ Lapwing on field to west of road. David Selley.
Southend, 15:15
1 female Sparrowhawk, Victoria Avenue. John Wright (SOG).
Battlesbridge, 16:05
1 Little Owl flew over Watery Lane along the only long straight piece of road near stables. Paul Baker (SOG).
Eastwood, Brook Running Between Whitehouse Meadows and The David LLoyd Leisure Centre
1 Little Egret. Pat Dufton.
Wallasea Wetlands
1 Short-eared Owl. Jeff Delve (EBS).
Hockley Woods
Female Lesser-spotted Woodpecker in large oak between car park and playground. Jeff Delve (EBS).
Wednesday 20th December 2006
Hanningfield Reservoir 11.00 - 15.00
Hundreds of Black-headed Gull, 9 Goldeneye, 6 Grey Heron, huge flocks of Teal and Wigeon, 20+ Shoveler, 1 solitary Shelduck, 6 Gadwall, large flock of Greylag and Canadian Geese, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker. Martin Jameson & Mikey Howell.
Two Tree Island (RSPB Wildlife Stroll Event) 14.00 - 16.30
Kestrel, 7 Curlew, 36 Black-tailed Godwit, Little Egret, 5 Chaffinch, many Teal, 3 Golden Plover, 2 Greenshank, Snipe, 21 Lapwing, 6 Shoveler, 5 Avocet. Chris Henry.
Tuesday 19th December 2006
Hanningfield Reservoir 08.15
1 Peregrine, 6 Goldeneye. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Sunday 17th December 2006
Southend Old Gasworks Pier, 09:00 to 09:45
200 Sanderling, 100 Ringed Plover, 150 Dunlin, 1 adult Mediterranean Gull. John Wright (SOG).
Southend Pier 09:30
11 Mediterranean Gull (3 first winter), 2 Guillemot, Red-throated Diver. Plus Rossi the Ring-billed Gull in the usual spot at Westcliff (12:00). Paul Bruty.
Wakering Stairs, 10:00 to 11:15
3 Little Egret, 1 Stonechat, 1 Green Sandpiper, 3000 Knot. John Wright (SOG).
Westcliff Seafront, 11:30 to 11:40
1 Ring-billed Gull and 2 adult Mediterranean Gull opposite Rossi's. John Wright (SOG).
Between Billericay and North Fambridge 14.00 - 16.00
5 Sparrowhawk, 3 Kestrel, 1 Merlin, 1 Barn Owl. 2 Little Egret at Shenfield sewage farm and 1 Slavonian Grebe at North Fambridge. Kevin Rees.
Saturday 16th December 2006
Canvey Point 08.15 - 09.30
9+ Red-throated Diver (at least this many, several on the water + small groups flying about including one flock of 3 flying in from outer estuary), 1 Black-throated Diver, 3+ Guillemot, 1 Razorbill, 11 Great Crested Grebe. Martin Cracknell.
Shipwrights Drive, Benfleet 09.25
Sparrowhawk spent around 10 minutes in tree in garden before flying off in eastwards direction. Tim Smith.
Hole Haven Creek, 09:30 to 13:20
1 Peregrine Falcon, 10 Fieldfare, 4 Yellow-legged Gull (3 first-winters and a second-winter), 4 Mediterranean Gull (all adults), Great Black-backed Gulls were far more in number than is usual for here, three times as many Herrings. Steve Arlow (SOG).
Canvey Road, Canvey Island 09.50
8 Canada Geese. Bob Sheridan.
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 10.05 – 11.55
3 Little Egret, 3 Grey Plover, 7 Little Grebe, 33 Brent Goose, Corn Bunting, 4 Shelduck, 5 Curlew, 6 Wigeon, Reed Bunting. Ray Fuller.
Thorpe Bay, 10:10 to 10:15
1 Sparrowhawk along gardens in Maplin Way North. Dudley Shayler (SOG).
Canvey Coastguards 12.20 - 13.00
3 Red-throated Diver, 21 Gannet (one flock of 15 and two of three birds), the first group was followed by a Skua sp. probably a Pomarine but was too distant to say 100pct it wasn't a chunky looking Arctic), 2 Mediterranean Gull (Ad + 1w). Martin Cracknell.
Wat Tyler Country Park 14:30
Sparrowhawk (male), Little Grebe, 14 Rook, 2 Water Rail calling (1 seen feeding in front of main hide), Cetti's Warbler (singing). Paul and John Bruty.
Friday 15th December 2006
Hanningfield Reservoir 09.15 - 13.00
1 first winter Iceland Gull , 1 Peregrine Falcon. David Jobbins.
Westcliff, 13:20 to 13:25
1 Sparrowhawk over Chase High School. Dudley Shayler (SOG).
Southend, 13:50 to 13:55
1 Sparrowhawk over Victoria Station. Dudley Shayler (SOG).
Thursday 14th December 2006
Rayleigh, 08:35
1 Sparrowhawk over Hambro Hill. Paul Baker (SOG).
North Fambridge, Blue House Farm 10.45 - 13.25
1 Marsh Harrier (Male), 400+ Brent Geese, 200+ Lapwing, 33 Curlew, 43 Shelduck, 16 Pintail, 15 Oystercatcher, 4 Grey Plover, 6 Redshank, 5 Meadow Pipit, 1 Skylark, 1 Grey Heron, 6 Coot, 2 Morhen, Starling, Carrion Crow and Rook. Graham Saunders, David Galloway, Chris Blake and Anne Windle.
Rochford, Craven Close, 14.30
Sparrowhawk. This bird perched for a few minutes on the fence between ourselves and next door, quite close to the bungalow. Richard Goring
Leigh on Sea, 15:10 to 15:15
1 Sparrowhawk over Bonchurch Park. Dudley Shayler (SOG).
Wednesday 13th December 2006
Southend, 08:20
At least 10 Twite seen from car along the B1013 on way to work. Birds were inside the fence of where the construction site is near to Cherry Orchard Way. Steve Arlow (SOG).
Leigh on Sea
1 Little Egret at low tide in the Leigh Creek near the cockle sheds. Lyn Davies.
Tuesday 12th December 2006
Langdon Hills, Westley Heights 08.00 - 08.30
2 Woodcock disturbed near treeline, flew away low and fast along edge of grass area, Green Woodpecker. 3 Greater Spotted Woodpecker. Gary Clinton.
Coombe Wood, 09:45 to 09:50
2 Blackcap (2 males, in my garden), Jeff Saward (SOG).
Hanningfield Reservoir 10.00 - 13.00
2 Peregrine Falcon (male and female), 1 male Bullfinch, Coal Tit, 1 Sparrowhawk, 8 Pintail, 18 Goldeneye. David Jobbins.
Monday 11th December 2006
Two Tree Island / Benfleet Creek, 09.00 - 11.00
92 Avocet. Andrew Gouldstone RSPB.
Sunday 10th December 2006
Foulness 10.00 - 15.45
2 Merlin, 2 Peregrine Falcon, 1 Short-eared Owl, 2 Barn Owl, 2 Snipe, Countless Egrets, Sanderling, Dunlin, Redshank, Knot, Lapwing, Grey Plover, Golden Plover, Curlew, Oystercatcher at High Tide. Adrian Mann.
Two Tree Island, 12:30 to 16:15
1 Peregrine Falcon, 2 Kestrel (male & female), 1 Sparrowhawk (male), 3 Corn Bunting, 572 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 2070 Dunlin, 290 Knot, 53 Redshank, 31 Ringed Plover, 142 Curlew, 228 Lapwing, 432 Grey Plover, 510 Golden Plover, 3 Greenshank, 37 Little Egret, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 5 Black-tailed Godwit, 115 Oystercatcher, 1 Rock Pipit . Graham Ryland (SOG).
Sutton Road Cemetery, 13:00 to 13:30
1 Peregrine Falcon, 1 Green Woodpecker. Paul Griggs (SOG).
Central Southend 13.50
Peregrine Falcon north over Victoria Avenue. Web Author.
Wallasea Island
Kingfisher on salt marsh creek as you cross onto island, Peregrine Falcon, Merlin, Male Hen Harrier and Short-eared Owl on the island, 3 Stonechat, 3 Little Stint, Red-breasted Merganser. Good numbers of Golden Plover, Lapwing, Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Teal and Shelduck and 4 Black-tailed Godwit on the new wetland area, 100+ Skylark across fields, 1500 Brent. Jeff Delve (EBS).
Saturday 09th December 2006
Two Tree Island / Benfleet Creek, 08.30 - 13.00
73 Avocet, 420 Bar-tailed Godwit, 4 Stonechat, 8 Corn Bunting (along seawall), Bearded Tit (in reeds in ditch on landward side of seawall, level with extreme western end of Two Tree island - male seen in flight, 2-3 birds heard calling), 1 adult Mediterranean Gull, 1 Rock Pipit both by slipway on Two Tree. Andrew Gouldstone RSPB.
Canvey Point (low tide) 08.35 - 09.00
1 Juvenile Shag , 1 adult Mediterranean Gull. Martin Cracknell.
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 09.30 – 11.20
115 Brent Goose, 7 Grey Plover, 5 Curlew, 50 Teal, Wigeon, 8 Reed Bunting, 6 Great Crested Grebe, 5 Little Egret, 100+ Shelduck, Goldfinch, 3 Corn Bunting, 2 Skylark. Ray Fuller.
Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 11:00
1 Red Admiral in the garden. Paul Baker (SOG).
North Fambridge, Blue House Farm, 12.00 - 15.00
pair of Marsh Harrier, 20 Greenfinch, 350 Brent Geese, 3-400 Lapwing, 50 Shelduck, 2 Shoveler, 2 Tufted Duck, 3 Grey Heron, 4 Black-backed Gull, 2 Kestrel, 200 Golden Plover, 50 Gadwall, 1 Little Egret. David Flack.
Two Tree Island, 16.00
53 Little Egret 53 in roost (minimum count), 1 Peregrine Falcon, 5 Corn Bunting. Andrew Gouldstone RSPB.
Leigh on Sea, 16:10 to 16:15
1 Sparrowhawk crossing Oakwood Avenue towards Belfairs. Dudley Shayler (SOG).
Thursday 07th December 2006
Eastwood, 10.00 - 10.10
1 Sparrowhawk sitting on the fence at the bottom of our garden doing nothing in particular, then flew towards Green Lane, Eastwood. Peter & Alma Hirst.
Southend Pier, 11:00 to 14:30
1 Black-throated Diver, 5 Kittiwake, 8 Mediterranean Gull (5 adults and 3 1st winters), 2 Guillemot, 1 Leach's Petrel (at 14.10 between the base of the Pier and the first shelter 100 yards away, pattering along the surface), 1 Little Egret. Dudley Shayler (SOG).
Canvey Island, Seafront 11:10 - 14:00
2+ Leach's Petrel (2 together feeding and on water just beyond edge of tide at 11:30; a bird flew up-river at approx. 12:30; a bird lingered offshore from 12:20 until 14:00 at least), 2 Red-throated Diver, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 30+ Kittiwake, 1 Auk sp. Ian White.
Canvey Point 11.45 - 13.00
25 Kittiwake, 2 Razorbill , 2 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Red-throated Diver and 2 Diver sp. David Morrison.
East Tilbury 12.10
1 Leach's Petrel flew up river at 12.10, close to the Essex shoreline. The timing means that it was different from the bird seen at West Thurrock at 11.50 am. David Jobbins.
Two Tree Island (RSPB guided walk) 14.00 - 15.45
160 Golden Plover (30-40 on the lagoon and the rest over), 18 Grey Plover, 70 Ringed Plover, 30 Redshank, 20 Curlew, 120 Lapwing, Kestrel sat on one of the island markers, Sparrowhawk over the lagoon, 2 Little Egret, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 11 Brent Geese (flew over), 2 Oystercatcher, 27 Dunlin. On the model airstrip 40+ Common Gull with Black-headed, Herring and 1 adult Mediterranean Gull. Also seen; 1 Stonechat and a few Meadow Pipit. Alan Shearman RSPB.
Wednesday 06th December 2006
South Benfleet, Greenwood Avenue, 08.00
Female Sparrowhawk was harassing about 20 Rooks as they travelled over the garden on their morning journey to the west Canvey marshes. While I was watching this, I also noticed a Heron, perched on a neighbours roof four doors away also watching what was happening and waiting until the sparrowhawk moved away. Ashley Bennett.
Maldon Quay, 10.00
1 Red Kite . Irene and Roy Wilton.
Two Tree Island, Leigh 10:30 to 12:00
1000+ Golden Plover (fields to north of island), 2 Stonechat (pair), 1 Red Kite (wing tagged). Richard Gray.
Benfleet (Kents Hill Road) 12.10
1 Red Kite flying west across Kents Hill Road, watched Crows mobbing fairly large raptor obviously a Kite by exaggerated W shape + V tail, grabbed bins from car and saw the bird for 5+ minutes wheeling round, using it's deeply forked tail as a rudder as it made its way across what is a pretty built-up area. Martin Cracknell.
Canvey Seafront, 14:30 to 15:15
1 Merlin flew to Kent from around the Point chased by gulls, 2 Common Scoter. Dudley Shayler (SOG).
Tuesday 05th December 2006
Canvey Seafront, 08:35 to 12:15
65 Kittiwake (mostly adults), 3 Little Gull, 1 Mediterranean Gull (adult), 1 Razorbill, 1 Rock Pipit, 1 Sanderling, 8 Pintail, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Common Seal. Jeff Saward (SOG).
Canvey Point 10.30 - 12.00
10 Little Egret, Great Crested Grebe, Guillemot, 38 Kittiwake (mostly adults coming in following ships), 127 Brent Geese, 24 Black-tailed Godwit, 39 Turnstone. David Morrison.
Monday 04th December 2006
Westcliff Casino, 09:00
1 Ring-billed Gull (Adult standing on pavement opposite Rossi's). Paul Griggs (SOG).
Sunday 03rd December 2006 (Late report of Swift!)
Wat Tyler Country Park 08.45 - 11.30
5 Little Egre, 2 Green Sandpiper, 2 Common Ringed Plover, 1 Common Redshank, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Little Grebe, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Bearded Tit (others heard), 1 Water Rail (heard), 1 Cetti's Warbler (heard), 1 Sparrowhawk. David Jobbins.
Margate Cliffs 13.00 to 14.15
2 to 4 Swift hunting around cliffs and houses. Incredible sight for that time. Most probably brought in from the hurricane type winds that weekend (but seeing swifts whilst freezing was a special moment for me!). I would Love to know any others from Kent who saw these? Steve Wood.
Paglesham Lagoon, 14:00 to 14:20
6 Little Egret, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Kestrel, 6 Goldeneye (1 Drake). Steve Sanford (SOG).
Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 15:00
2 Little Egret flew low west again along brook, 1 Green Woodpecker. Paul Baker (SOG).
Saturday 02nd December 2006
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 09.35 – 11.25
91 Brent Goose, 45 Golden Plover, 4 Great Crested Grebe, Mute Swan, 7 Little Egret, 2 Wigeon, 25 Teal, 3 Curlew, 3 Reed Bunting, Shelduck,2 Grey Plover, Skylark, Common Seal. Ray Fuller.
Wat Tyler Country Park, 10:00 to 11:00
6 Green Sandpiper, 4 Little Egret, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Water Rail (heard), 42 Teal, 38 Lapwing. Vince Kinsler (SOG).
Hadleigh Downs, 10:30 to 11:45
1 Woodcock. 1 Weasel. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).
Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 13:00
1 Sparrowhawk high overhead, drifting south. Paul Baker (SOG).
Friday 01st December 2006
Benfleet Rail Station 06.05
1 Cetti's Warbler (singing from scrub next to platform, heard on and off for 2 weeks around this time, doesn't quite sound like it is in tune yet so probably a 1st winter trying its voice). Martin Cracknell.
Hanningfield Reservoir 12.15 - 12.30
1 Black-necked Grebe, 1 Caspian Gull (adult). David Jobbins.