Bird Reports for December 2009
Wednesday 30th December 2009
Baxter Avenue Southend, 09:00 to 15:40
1 male Peregrine Falcon on west side of Portcullis House all day. John Wright (SOG).
Leigh on Sea, Park View Drive 09:30 to 09:39
4 Redwing in garden. Web Author, Kris Mee.
Two Tree Island, 09:30 to 13:00
1 Spotted Redshank, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 4 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Water Rail, 1 Redwing, 17 Skylark, 3 Rock Pipit, 3 Little Grebe, 4 Great Crested Grebe, 43 Teal, 30 Fieldfare. Graham Ryland (SOG).
Westcliff Seafront, 14:15 to 15:10
1 Ring-billed Gull showing very well on beach opposite Rossi's, 1 Black-throated Diver actively feeding around tip of boom opposite Rossi's and still present when we left, 2 adult winter Mediterranean Gull. Mike Bailey, Paul Griggs (SOG).
Tuesday 29th December 2009
Benfleet Station, 08:05 to 08:15
20 Fieldfare, 40 Redwing (mixed flock of winter thrushes flew over), 1 Little Egret in creek. Martin Cracknell (SOG).
Canvey Seafront 08:15 to 11:00
4 Eider, 1 Great Northern Diver, 3 Red Throated Diver, 30+ Great Crested Grebe, 2 Slavonian Grebe, 1 Red-necked Grebe (probable east in poor visibility, so not 100%), 2 Velvet Scoter and 3 Common Scoter in one group, 8 Little Gull (all heading down river after high tide), 3 Mediterranean Gull. Tim Bourne.
Chalkwell Park Drive, Leigh, 09:05 to 09:10
11 Redwing in the garden. John Wright (SOG).
Rossi's Ice Cream, Westcliff, 09:20 to 09:30
1 Ring-billed Gull showing well, 3 adult Mediterranean Gull. John Wright (SOG).
Monday 28th December 2009
Leigh on Sea, Park View Drive 08:10 to 09:00
1 Song Thrush, 4 female Chaffinch, 1 Red Fox in garden. Web Author, Kris Mee.
Westcliff Seafront, 10:00 to 10:15
1 Ring-billed Gull on Groyne opposite Rossi, 2 adult Mediterranean Gull. Steve Arlow, Ian Prentice (SOG).
Two Tree Island 10:00 to 10:30
2 Water Rail, c.20 Golden Plover, huge flock of Dunlin. David Lee.
Paglesham Lagoon, 10:00 to 13:40
2 Green Woodpecker, 3 Lesser Redpoll in birch by the chicken sheds, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 66 Skylark, 3 Little Egret, 400 Golden Plover, 7 Reed Bunting, 49 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 1 adult Yellow-legged Gull, 40 Little Grebe, 12 Pintail, 15 Goldeneye, 57 Mute Swan, 1 Corn Bunting. Don Petrie, Paul Griggs (SOG).
Gunners Park, 10:30 to 12:00
2 Great Northern Diver, 5 Red-throated Diver (or more up river), 125 Great Crested Grebe offshore. 2 Harbour Porpoise. Steve Arlow, Ian Prentice (SOG).
Two Tree Island (West), 11:30 to 12:00
2 Greenshank, 1 Water Rail, 30 Teal, 5 Reed Bunting. John Wright (SOG).
Eastwood, 12:20
1 Blackbird (leucistic male, very black and white, by the brook along Cherry Orchard Lane. Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).
Wick Country Park, Wickford 13:00
50 Redwing, 1 Fieldfare, 10 Goldfinch, 2 Green Woodpecker. Julia.
Wallasea Wetlands 13:00 to 15:00
1 Kingfisher, 1 male Sparrowhawk, 1 Ringtail Hen Harrier, 100+ Golden Plover. Mike Sagrott.
Sunday 27th December 2009
Two Tree Island, 09:00 to 11:15
47 Teal, 204 Wigeon, 3 Greenshank. Graham Ryland (SOG).
Hadleigh Downs, 11:30 to 13:00
c.50 Redwing, 1 Fieldfare, 1 Woodcock. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).
Saturday 26th December 2009
Ashingdon, Canewdon Road 08.25
1 Hen Harrier - female flew low over road towards St. Andrew's church,(south). David Selley.
Langdon Hills 09:00 to 12:30
Dunton Plotlands: 3 Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Firecrest, 3 Bullfinch, 5 Goldfinch, 13+ Fieldfare, Redwings, many long-tailed, Blue and Great Tits. Lincewood: 1 Tawny Owl calling, 2 Treecreeper, 30+ Fieldfare, Redwing, Goldcrest, many long-tailed, Blue and Great Tits, 3 Goldfinch. Andrew Cox.
Canvey, Hole Haven Creek, 09:30 to 12:30
100+ Teal, 8 Pintail, 1 Mediterranean Gull (1st winter), 400 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 male Stonechat. Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).
Two Tree Island 10:00
Greenshank, Curlew, Ringed Plover, Dunnock, Robin, Little Egret, Green Woodpecker, Wigeon, Teal, 70+ Oystercatcher, 14 Avocet, Shoveler, 3 Little Grebe, Greenfinch, Blue Tit, Moorhen, Coot, Water Rail showing nicely on the RHS of the lagoon, Kestrel, Brent Goose, 50+ Cormorant on river, Shelduck, Redshank, Black-tailed Godwit, Lapwing. Noel Barnes.
Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 11:50
40 Fieldfare flew north-east. Paul Baker (SOG).
Between Little Waltham and Boreham, 12:00
Snow Goose, in with a large flock of Greylag Geese. These were grazing by one of the gravel pits. Peter Walker.
Chalkwell Park Drive, Leigh, 12:00
1 male Blackcap in the garden. John Wright (SOG).
Chalkwell Seafront, 15:00
1 Sparrowhawk. Dudley Shayler (SOG).
Friday 25th December 2009
Wallasea Island, 09:15 to 10:30
1 immature female Merlin near Grapnells and later chasing Peregrine, 1 adult female Peregrine Falcon, c.250 Skylark well scattered on fields and saltmarsh, c.100 Linnet in two flocks on salt marsh, c.600 Golden Plover across fields, c.1000 Starling across fields, 3 Little Egret, c.150 Chaffinch around Grapnells Farm, 2 singing Corn Bunting on earth mound and near Grapnells. Jeff Delve (SOG).
Seafront, Chalkwell to Westcliff 11:00 to 12:30
12 Cormorant, 2 Little Egret, 53 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, c.160 Oystercatcher, 60 Knot, small flock of Dunlin, 48 Redshank, 5 Ringed Plover, 19 Turnstone, 33 Curlew, 2 Mediterranean Gull, Black-headed, Herring, Lesser Black-backed and Great Black-backed Gulls. 27 Common Seal on the sandbank beyond the Ray. David Selley.
Prittle Brook (Leigh on Sea), 11:30
9 Redwing. Brian Baldock (SOG).
Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 14:00
1 female Sparrowhawk mobbed by Black-headed Gull. Paul Baker (SOG).
Hadleigh Castle 14:15
1 female Bullfinch seen on approach to car park by castle. Don Wildish.
Thursday 24th December 2009
Two Tree Island, 09:30 to 12:15
1 male Merlin over west end, 4 Water Rail (3 on lagoon, 1 east end in cut area of reeds), 47 Teal, 370 Wigeon. Graham Ryland (SOG).
RSPB Vange Marsh 14:00 to 15:00
200 Canada Geese, at least 700-800 duck, mostly Wigeon and Teal plus a few Shoveler. 3 Snipe, 1 Redshank, 1 Stonechat, 13 Fieldfare, 8 Goldfinch, 1 Reed Bunting. Andrew Cox.
Priory Park, 14:20 to 14:45
2 Little Egret walking around on the grass, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, c.30 Redwing. Paul Baker (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park 15:15 to 16:00
1 Peregrine Falcon repeatedly stooping at massed gulls/corvids on Vange Wick with unknown result. 30 lapwing on or above scrape. Redshank, Curlew, Teal, Little Grebe on creek. Andrew Cox.
Wednesday 23rd December 2009
RSPB Rainham Marshes 11.30
2 Bearded Tit. Peter Scott.
Canewdon, 12:00 to 13:00
1 Buzzard on road kill on Bray's Lane. Chandra Kothari.
Gunners Park, 14:00 to 16:00
40 Lapwing, 1 Sparrowhawk, 30 Turnstone, 2 Knot, 8 Ringed Plover, 1 White / Pied Wagtail, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Rock Pipit, 2 Mute Swan, 1 Redshank on main road in park, 2 Golden Plover, 1 Kestrel. Dave Knight (SOG).
Tuesday 22nd December 2009
Rayleigh, 08:30 to 08:45
10 Redwing near Toyota showroom at Rayleigh Weir, c.20 Lapwing flew SW over A129 London Road. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Rayleigh, Ferndale Road, 13:45 to 14:15
1 male Bullfinch, 2 female Blackcap together, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 male Sparrowhawk, c.15 Redwing. Paul Baker (SOG).
Two Tree Island West 15:30
1 Water Rail, 2 Greenshank, 3 Snipe, 15+ Grey Plover, 1 Turnstone, few Curlew, Oystercatcher and Shoveler, 100+ Ringed Plover, 200+ Dunlin, 200+ Golden Plover, 100+ Bar-tailed Godwit, 500+ Knot, 50+ Redshank. R Shepherd.
Monday 21st December 2009
Langdon, Crown Hill 07:45 to 08:30
2 Bullfinch, 20+ Long-tailed Tit, Robin, Pheasant, 6 Red legged Partridge. Gary Clinton.
Chelmsford, River Chelmer Between Essex Record Office and Springfield Lock, 10:30
15 Goosander on river, 3 Redwing in trees by Moulsham Mill, 1 female Stonechat at riverbank on Baddow Meads. Paul Forsdick.
Southend, Baxter Avenue 14:45 to 15:30
1 male Peregrine Falcon on west side of Portcullis House. John Wright (SOG).
Sunday 20th December 2009
Rayleigh, Ferndale Road Area, 07:50 to 08:30
8 Redwing, 1 male Bullfinch probably the same bird seen 3 times. Martin Cracknell (SOG).
Canvey Point, 09:00 to 09:40
8 Great Crested Grebe, 68 Dark-bellied Brent Goose in pools off seafront, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret, 128 Lapwing (noticeable passage up river of small groups). Martin Cracknell (SOG).
Leigh on Sea, Cheltenham Drive 09:30
1 Woodcock 
in garden. Margaret Fisk.
Prittle Brook (Leigh on Sea), 09:30
1 Grey Wagtail on my garden pond - no insects to be found due to ice. Brian Baldock (SOG).
Hanningfield Reservoir 09:30 to 12:00
1 Great White Egret in flight at 11.15 approx., heading south towards Fremnalls Causeway but not located there later, 9 Common Snipe, 2 Bullfinch. Also of interest 2 Stoats. David Jobbins.
Langdon Hills 10:00 to 13:30
1 Common Buzzard, 3 Treecreeper, 1-2 Woodcock, 1 Firecrest, many Song Thrush. Andrew Cox.
Paglesham Lagoon, 10:00 to 13:10
172 Pochard, 46 Mute Swan, 17 Pintail, 17 Goldeneye, 1 male Stonechat. Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).
Wakering Stairs, (during WeBS count) 11.00 - 14.00
1 Barn Owl hunting around X1 obs. tower, 2 Kestrel, 38 Red-legged Partridge, 29 Skylark, 20 Meadow Pipit, 1 Rock Pipit, 47 Blackbird, 3 Fieldfare, 16 Siskin (1 flock), 3 Reed Bunting. David Selley.
Chalkwell Park Drive, Leigh, 11:15
1 Lapwing, 1 Sparrowhawk. John Wright (SOG).
Two Tree Island, 11:15 to 14:45
WEBS count: 420 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 174 Curlew, 295 Redshank, 1430 Dunlin, 2100 Knot, 38 Turnstone, 84 Ringed Plover, 6 Black-tailed Godwit, 198 Oystercatcher, 7 Little Egret, 7 Snipe, 81 Grey Plover, 86 Golden Plover, 55 Lapwing, 3 Water Rail (right of lagoon), 29 Teal, 3 Wigeon, 10 Meadow Pipit, 2 Rock Pipit, 18 Skylark, 32 Linnet, 5 Little Grebe, 1 male Kestrel, 2 Sparrowhawk (male and female, male took a Linnet as I was counting), 10 Goldfinch, 11 Reed Bunting. Graham Ryland (SOG).
Leigh on Sea, 11:15 to 11:35
1 Lapwing over garden, 10 Redwing in next door's oak tree. Web Author, Kris Mee.
Rochford, Stroud Green, Ark Lane 13:25
1 Little Owl. Tim Davis.
Westcliff Seafront, 13:40 to 13:45
1 Ring-billed Gull (still there), 2 Mediterranean Gull (adult and 2nd winter). Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).
Gunners Park, 13:50 to 15:00
2 Great Northern Diver (one bird again close to Barge Pier), 2 Eider, 4 Great Crested Grebe. Marc Outten (RSPB, SOG).
Sutton Road Cemetery 14.00
Many Fieldfare, 3 Redwing, 1 Green Woodpecker, 6 Chaffinch. Les Costin.
Gunners Park, 14:45 to 15:15
1 Great Northern Diver close in off Barge Pier eating crabs, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Snipe. Paul Baker (SOG).
RSPB Vange Marsh, 14:40 to 15:50
Main fresh marsh and moat almost completely frozen over: 1 Jack Snipe in abstraction ditch, 5 Snipe (4 in abstraction ditch, 1 in flight), 1 Water Rail in abstraction ditch, 1 female Sparrowhawk, 230 Lapwing, 120 Canada Goose, c.60 Wigeon, c.200 Teal, 2 Fieldfare, 5 Reed Bunting. Martin Cracknell (SOG).
Benfleet, 15:00 to 15:05
5 Jackdaw on rooftops close to junction of a13 and Kenneth Road. Graham Ryland (SOG).
Shoebury East Beach, 15:25 to 16:15
1 Great Northern Diver (different bird to the one off Barge Pier earlier), 1 Black-throated Diver (almost certainly this species fishing along boom), c.15 Great Crested Grebe. Paul Baker, Marc Outten (SOG).
Saturday 19th December 2009
Leigh on Sea, Park View Drive 07:40
c.40 Fieldfare leaving Belfairs Woods today and yesterday heading east. Web Author, Kris Mee.
Eastwood Brook, 11:15 to 11:30
1 Jack Snipe flew up from the grass, circled the mini-roundabout at end of Aviation Way and seemed to drop down into field opposite church where the runway extension is. Viewed from car on bridge along Aviation Way. Paul Baker (SOG).
River Chelmer by Essex Records Office 11.30
3 male and 3 female Goosander. Sue Haffenden.
Chalkwell Park Drive, Leigh, 11:45 to 12:00
1 female Blackcap in the garden, 12 Lapwing flying in a northerly direction. John Wright (SOG).
Westcliff, Inverness Avenue 12:00 to 16:40
1 Woodcock has spent all afternoon in our garden eating insects and worms. Has still not gone but it is now too dark to see it clearly. (4.40pm) Karen Tandy.
South Fambridge, 12:30 to 13:30
To Brandy Hole and back: 25 Skylark (incl. one flock of 21 south), 20 Meadow Pipit, 350 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 5 Little Grebe, 2 Great Crested Grebe. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Paglesham Lagoon, 12:30 to 14:00
1 Black-necked Grebe, 32 Goldeneye (8 drakes, all on the lagoon, no merganser or diving duck on river at all), 9 Pintail, 3 Reed Bunting, 1 Little Egret. Martin Cracknell (SOG).
Gunners Park, 12:45 to 14:10
1 Black Redstart at the first block building, east along the coast path, 2 Great Northern Diver (one difting out on the tide, the second bird providing excellent views close to Barge Pier), 3 Great Crested Grebe, 7 Ringed Plover, 16 Turnstone, 1 Sanderling, 1 Rock Pipit, 7 Meadow Pipit. Marc Outten (RSPB, SOG).
Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 15:45
1 Meadow Pipit flying around garden although never landed. Paul Baker (SOG).
Friday 18th December 2009
Rayleigh, 08:00 to 08:05
1 Skylark, 2 Meadow Pipit, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Chaffinch, 10 Greenfinch (everything flying SW). Neil Chambers (SOG).
Ashingdon, Princess Gardens 08.30 to 08.50
1 Grey Heron and about 30 Lapwing over while scraping snow off the car. David Selley.
Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 09:00
9 Lapwing flying north. Paul Baker (SOG).
Paglesham Lagoon, 10:30 to 14:00
8 Great Crested Grebe on Roach, 1 Black-necked Grebe still favouring the north end of the lagoon, 52 Gadwall, 8 Pintail, 25 Goldeneye (22 on lagoon, 3 on Roach), 3 Red-breasted Merganser (a pair and a lone drake, all on Roach), 1 male Marsh Harrier, 1 male Hen Harrier, 1 female Sparrowhawk, 40+ Skylark mostly along saltings or flying over the river, 9 Reed Bunting. Don Petrie (SOG).
Leigh on Sea, 11:00 to 11:10
1 male Blackcap in garden. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).
Chalkwell Seafront, 11:30 to 12:40
Lots of Lapwing and larks/pipits flying over. 1 Red-throated Diver, 8 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Mediterranean Gull, 15 Dark-bellied Brent Goose feeding in the paddling pool in front of the lifeguards. Jeff Saward (SOG).
Rochford, Middlemead 12.30
1 Dunnock, 15+ Starling, 2 male Robin, 8-10 House Sparrow, 2 Blue Tit all on garden feeders. Dan Davison.
Eastwood Brook, 14:30 to 14:35
1 Kingfisher by bridge on Aviation Way, 1 Little Egret. Mike Bailey, Andrew Woodhouse (SOG)
Thursday 17th December 2009
Hockley Woods, 08:30 to 09:30
2 Nuthatch possibly 3 birds, very vocal around car park and glade, 1 Tawny Owl called once from north end of glade, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker. Paul Baker (SOG).
Two Tree Island, 09:15 to 12:15
1 drake Pochard on borrowdyke, first record for the Island I believe, 1 Water Rail left of lagoon, I presume the same bird also showed on the right of the lagoon, 3 Snipe, 4 Little Grebe, 3 Greenshank, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 310 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 12 Linnet, 18 Skylark, 11 Chaffinch, 13 Reed Bunting, 2 Mute Swan on creek from hide. Graham Ryland (SOG).
Eastwood Sewage Works, 09:45 to 10:35
2 Water Rail heard 2 Cetti's Warbler 3 Reed Bunting all in sedge bed, 1 Grey Wagtail in stream on north side of sedge bed, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 6 Goldfinch. Paul Baker (SOG).
Billericay, Lake Meadows, 10:00
12 Goosander, males and females. Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming. Marion Burch.
Wednesday 16th December 2009
Paglesham Lagoon, 10:00 to 12:00
78 Fieldfare, 131 Golden Plover, 4 Canada Goose, 1 Black-necked Grebe, 16 Pintail, 23 Goldeneye, 1 Reed Bunting, 1 Skylark, 3 Stonechat, 44 Mute Swan, 2 Little Egret. Mike Bailey (SOG).
Southchurch Hall Park 15.40
1 Grey Heron. Dan Davison.
Tuesday 15th December 2009
Billericay, Lake Meadows, 14:00
12 Goosander, males and females. Marion Burch.
Monday 14th December 2009
South Fambridge, 08:45 to 09:45
1 male Stonechat, 12 Fieldfare, 55 Golden Plover, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 6 Little Grebe, 6 Yellowhammer (two by seawall, four behind All Saints Church), 1 Water Rail (squealing from flooded ditch where concrete track reaches seawall), 1 Whooper Swan (adult - flock hard to see but approx 600m NE of All Saints Church in corner of field obscured by hedgerows), c.30 Mute Swan. Paul Baker (SOG).
Parkanaur Avenue, Thorpe Bay 10.15
1 Little Egret interested in garden pond - didn't stay long. Ian and Marion Smith.
Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 11:25 to 11:30
1 Little Egret west over house along brook then east 5 minutes later. Paul Baker (SOG).
Paglesham Lagoon, 12:40 to 14:30
1 Black-necked Grebe still on north end of lagoon, 6 Pintail (3 pairs on lagoon), 23 Goldeneye (20 on lagoon, 3 on roach), 1 Red-breasted Merganser (drake on roach), 1 Sparrowhawk, 46 Fieldfare, 1 Corn Bunting, 2 Reed Bunting. Don Petrie, Paul Baker (SOG).
Sunday 13th December 2009
Roper's Farm, 08:40 to 10:05
11 Red-legged Partridge, 1 Yellowhammer, 24 Great Crested Grebe, 31 Little Grebe, 2 Red-breasted Merganser, 6 Goldeneye, 3 Little Egret, 1 Corn Bunting, 1 Rock Pipit, 37 Curlew (on the farm). Marc Outten (RSPB, SOG).
Wallasea Island, 09:30 to 12:35
1 male 2nd winter Hen Harrier, 1 Merlin, 1 Peregrine Falcon, 1 Curlew Sandpiper roosting on first 'lagoon', 1 Little Stint seen twice either side of mast, 1 Greenshank on first lagoon, 1 Eider through break in sea wall on river, 4 reported earlier on river by Jeff Delve. Martin Cracknell, Steve Sanford, Web Author.
Wat Tyler Country Park 12.30
1 Peregrine Falcon, 1 Marsh Harrier. R.Shepherd.
Rochford Golf Course, 12:30 to 16:00
10 Fieldfare, 10 Redwing, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Green Woodpecker, 2 Cygnus sp. (flew SW). Neil Chambers (SOG).
Paglesham Lagoon, 12:40 to 16:10
Lagoon and Roach to Paglesham mooring buoys: 1 adult Great Northern Diver on the Roach near the mooring buoys, 14 Great Crested Grebe on the roach, 1 Black-necked Grebe on the north end of the lagoon, 1200 Dark-bellied Brent Goose in field to west of lagoon, 19 Goldeneye (6 on lagoon, 13 on roach), 4 Red-breasted Merganser (2 pairs on roach), 3 Reed Bunting. Don Petrie (SOG).
South Fambridge, 14:20 to 15:10
1 Whooper Swan just east of South Fambridge Hall Farm, 35 Mute Swan, 8 Song Thrush (small flock along hedge line). Jeff Delve (SOG).
Saturday 12th December 2009
Rayleigh, Ferndale Road, 08:00 to 11:00
1 Redpoll, 2 Bullfinch, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Mistle Thrush. Robin Peppiatt.
Wallasea Island, 08:00 to 14:00
1 adult female Peregrine Falcon near Grapnells Farm, 1 ringtail Hen Harrier on Foulness from east end, 2 Marsh Harrier (1 east end, 1 on Foulness), 1 female Merlin over Wetlands, 1 Curlew Sandpiper with Dunlin 100m west of tower, 1 Greenshank, 2 Red-breasted Merganser flying down Roach. Jeff Delve, Nick Green.
Two Tree Island 09:50
35 Grey Plover, 3 Greenshank, 8 Curlew, 500+ Ringed Plover, 1000+ Dunlin, Dunnock, Robin, Little Egret, Green Woodpecker, cock Pheasant, Wigeon, 80 Teal, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Shoveler, Little Grebe, 1000+ Knot, Greenfinch, Blue Tit, Moorhen, Water Rail, Corn Bunting, Pied Wagtail, Wren, Shelduck, Kestrel, Stonechat, Common Gull. Noel Barnes.
Pitsea 09:00 to 13:00
1 Caspian Gull (1st winter with a further possible less than classic 1st winter), 4 Yellow-legged Gull (2 adults and 2 first-winters), 4 Mediterranean Gull (all adults), 1 Herring Gull (leucistic bird with orange ring, this was rung at Rainham in September and was subsequently seen at Beddington). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Barlinghall Creek, 11:30 to 13:30
4 Little Egret, 8 Little Grebe, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 male Stonechat, 1 male Hen Harrier on Potton. John Wright (SOG).
Canvey Point, 11:55 to 13:15
1 adult Ring-billed Gull 12.35-12.50, 3 Red-throated Diver, 14 Great Crested Grebe, 1 adult Mediterranean Gull. Martin Cracknell (SOG).
Eastwood, Langley Close (Brook) 12.30
1 Grey Wagtail. Les Costin (EBS).
Wakering, Fleet Head, 13:00 to 14:15
29 Mute Swan flying over, included 16 first years, 1 female Marsh Harrier on Potton, 44 Corn Bunting (flock to north of tip). Don Petrie (SOG).
River Crouch, 14:00 to 15:00
4 female Eider feeding off north shore opposite Wallasea. Jeff Delve (SOG).
Shipwrights Wood, 14:00 to 15:35
1 Treecreeper, 19 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 4 Siskin, 16 Jackdaw, 1 Sparrowhawk. Martin Cracknell (SOG).
Bolts Farm, 14:45 to 16:00
Along Roach from Bolts Farm to Barling Marsh: 16 Great Crested Grebe, 28 Little Grebe, 8 Little Egret, 14 Goldeneye, 800 Golden Plover. Don Petrie (SOG).
Friday 11th December 2009
Canewdon, Hyde Wood Lane 08:10
1 Grey Heron on bungalow roof, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker. David Selley.
Two Tree Island, 09:30 to 11:45
1 Water Rail left of lagoon, 2 Rock Pipit right of slipway, 16 Meadow Pipit, 25 Skylark, 60 Goldfinch, 18 Greenfinch, 9 Reed Bunting, 2 Linnet, 2 Little Grebe, 78 Teal, 37 Wigeon, 380 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 1 female Sparrowhawk, 1 male Kestrel. Graham Ryland (SOG).
Thursday 10th December 2009
Billericay, Lake Meadows, 14:00 to 14:30
20+ Goosander, males and females. A stunning sight on the lake in the sunshine. Marion Burch.
Tuesday 08th December 2009
Rossi's Ice Cream, Westcliff, 08:50 to 09:00
1 adult Ring-billed Gull, 4 Mediterranean Gull (adult-winter), 1 Little Egret. 15 Common Seal. Paul Griggs (SOG).
Canewdon, 10:00 to 10:05
1 male Siskin briefly in garden. Jeff Delve (SOG).
Sutton Road Cemetery, 13:00 to 13:30
23 Fieldfare, 8 Redwing, 17 Chaffinch. Dudley Shayler (SOG).
Temple Farm, 13:35 to 13:40
9 Fieldfare, 3 Curlew. Dudley Shayler (SOG).
Sunday 06th December 2009
Wakering Stairs, Broomway to Haven Point 11:00 to 12.50
1 female Merlin, 5 Little Egret, 28 Shelduck, c.3000 Dark-bellied Brent Goose airborne over Havengore Island and flying towards Rushley, 145 Redshank, 264 Curlew, c.250 Bar-tailed Godwit, 20 Ringed Plover, 13 Turnstone, Knot, Dunlin, Oystercatcher. David Selley.
Wat Tyler Country Park 12:00 to 16:15
1 Peregrine Falcon, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 1 Kingfisher, 3 Green Woodpecker, 50 Wigeon, 200 Teal, 8 Gadwall, 15-20 Shoveler, 1 Spotted Redshank, 1 Green Sandpiper, 12+ Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Redshank. Andrew Cox.
Southchurch Park East 13.00
1 Little Egret, 2 Cormorant, 75+ Black-headed Gull, 2 Mute Swan. Dan Davison.
Paglesham Lagoon, 15:10 to 16:10
1 adult Whooper Swan still present when I arrived, but flew off with a mute swan at 15:30, probably just to feed, 14 Mute Swan, 241 Shoveler, 5 Pintail (2 drakes, 3 ducks). Don Petrie (SOG).
Saturday 05th December 2009
RSPB Vange Marsh, 08:00 to 09:30
220 Canada Goose, 110 Wigeon, 80 Teal, 5 Cetti's Warbler, 9 Reed Bunting, 2 Stonechat (pair), 5 Redwing, 12 Fieldfare, 1 Water Rail (heard), 6 Meadow Pipit. Martin Cracknell (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park, 09:45 to 10:00
1 male Marsh Harrier, 6 Snipe (wisp on main scrape), 2 Cetti's Warbler. Martin Cracknell (SOG).
Southend, 10:00
2 Grey Wagtail around High Street. Neil Chambers (SOG).
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 10:00 to 11:55
4 Stonechat (2m, 2f), 65 Brent Goose, 17 Grey Plover, 45 Golden Plover, c.150 Shelduck, Great Crested Grebe, 3 Curlew, 5 Little Egret, 5 Corn Bunting, 11 Reed Bunting, c.500 Wigeon, 3 Skylark. Also in fields behind All Saints Church c.100 Yellowhammer many first winters, 10 Mute Swan, Fieldfare. Ray Fuller.
Leigh on Sea, Park View Drive 10:15 - 10:25
17 Magpies (a tiding in back garden). Web Author - could start something here :-)
Westcliff, Rossi's Ice Cream, 10:55 to 11:00
1 Ring-billed Gull, 1 adult Mediterranean Gull. 29 Common Seal. John Wright (SOG).
Southend Pier, 11:15 to 13:15
3 Common Scoter, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 8 Mediterranean Gull (6 ads, 2 1st w.), 1 Purple Sandpiper on the slipway roost, 2 Dunlin on the slipway roost, 1 Knot on the slipway roost, c.250 Turnstone on the slipway roost, 2 Little Egret at base of the pier. John Wright
Gunners Park, 12:00 to 13:15
1 Great Northern Diver offshore, 1 Great Crested Grebe offshore, 12 Sanderling, 35 Turnstone, 3 Little Egret. Dudley Shayler (SOG).
Two Tree Island 13:00
Grey Plover, Greenshank, 55 Curlew, 80 Ringed Plover, 1000+ Dunlin, Dunnock, Robin, Little Egret, 1 Common Snipe, male Pheasant, Wigeon, 80 Teal, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Shoveler, 2 Little Grebe, 1000+ Knot, Greenfinch, Blue Tit, Moorhen, Water Rail, Peregrine Falcon circling hide as I was leaving mobbed by gulls. Noel Barnes.
Paglesham Lagoon, 13:40 to 16:00
Walked in from Stambridge ponds at high tide: 6 Great Crested Grebe, 5 Little Egret, 45 Mute Swan, 1 adult Whooper Swan on the lagoon with Mutes at 16:00, 2 Red-breasted Merganser (pair on the Roach), 22 Goldeneye (5 drakes and 17 female types), 51 Shelduck, 1 female Sparrowhawk caught prey by Hampton Barns, 1200 Lapwing, 250 Golden Plover, 45 White / Pied Wagtail, 1 Reed Bunting. Don Petrie, Mike Bailey (SOG).
Canvey Point, 14:30 to 15:45
c.35 Great Crested Grebe, 1 adult Mediterranean Gull, c.4000 Black-headed Gull mainly flying east. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Westcliff, Rossi's Ice Cream, 14:50 to 14:55
1 Ring-billed Gull (Rossi still there). Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).
Friday 04th December 2009
Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 11:00
1 Grey Wagtail. Paul Baker (SOG).
RSPB Old Hall Marshes 11:00 to 15:.00
Note that access to the site is by permit only, although visual access can be obtained from the sea wall.
2 Red-breasted Geese just south of far point with Greylag Geese, 2 Jack Snipe, 4 Marsh Harriers, 15 Red Breasted Mergansers, 40 Goldeneye, Common Scoter, 1500+ Brent Geese. Jeff Elliott.
Two Tree Island, 12:30 to 15:00
3 Great Crested Grebe, 480 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 640 Redshank, 390 Ringed Plover, 208 Dunlin, 3 Snipe, 320 Curlew, 1 Rock Pipit, 28 Skylark, 17 Meadow Pipit, 56 Fieldfare flew over. Graham Ryland
Leigh Old Town From Billet Wharf 15:00 to 16:10
1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Little Egret, 4 Grey Heron, 480 Dark bellied Brent Goose, 2 Wigeon, 600 Knot, 1100 Dunlin. Martin Johnson.
Wakering, Fleet Head 15.00 -16.30
1 Barn Owl hunting on Potton, 40+ Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Green Woodpecker. Mike Sagrott.
Thursday 03rd December 2009
Canvey Wick/Holehaven Creek, 08:00 to 16:00
420 Great Black-backed Gull in to roost at 15.30, c.2100 Black-headed Gull in to roost at 15.30, 3 Mediterranean Gull (adults with black-headed gulls), 2 Marsh Harrier (1 adult male over heading east at 11.30, 1 immature male along Holehaven Creek), 70 Goldfinch, 1 male Brambling with goldfinch flock, c.5400 Dunlin, 120 Knot, 2 Greenshank, 1 Spotted Redshank. Marc Outten (RSPB, SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park 08:30 to 12:30
3 Spotted Redshank, 5 Gadwall. David Lee.
Southend, Earls Hall Avenue 09:27
female Ring-necked Parakeet on nut feeder and taking cotoneaster berries. this species has now been visiting my garden regularly for over a year but I have not seen two birds together since 07-09-09. Pat Dandridge.
Two Tree Island East 12.00
1 Water Rail, 1000+ Knot, 50+ Avocet, 200+ Dunlin, 100+ Ringed Plover, 30+ Grey Plover, 1 Common Snipe, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 4 Wigeon, 2 Shoveler, 10 Brent Goose, 100+ Shelduck on Creek. R Shepherd.
Wednesday 02nd December 2009
Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 08:30
1 Little Egret in brook. Paul Baker (SOG).
Two Tree Island, 14:00 to 15:00
1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Little Grebe, 34 Common Gull, 590 Black-headed Gull, 208 Great Black-backed Gull, 4 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 280 Herring Gull. 8 Brown Rat. Graham Ryland (SOG).
Tuesday 01st December 2009
Southend Seafront, 07:20 to 08:25
Various points from Thorpe Bay to Chalkwell: 5 Mediterranean Gull (4 adults, 1 2nd winter), 24 Dark-bellied Brent Goose along the foreshore. Marc Outten (RSPB, SOG).
RSPB Vange Marsh 11:30 to 14:30
8 Goldfinch feeding on the Thistle, 3 Stonechat, 7 Reed Bunting, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Green Woodpecker, 6 Mute Swan, 3 Redshank 200+ Teal, 30 Wigeon, 1 Little Egret, 3 Little Grebe, 2 Grey Heron. David Shepherd.