Bird Reports for December 2011
Saturday 31st December 2011
RSPB West Canvey Marsh, 08:30 to 08:45
5 Little Grebe, 95 Canada Goose, 20 Wigeon. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park, 08:55 to 09:10
Viewing from marina: 1 Greylag Goose (with Canadas), 130 Canada Goose on Vange Wick, 15 Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Spotted Redshank, 1 Greenshank. 1 Weasel ran across road by RSPB visitor centre. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Heybridge Basin/Gravel Pit 09:30 to 11:00
70+ Avocet, 1500-2000 Golden Plover, 8 Bearded Tit, 3 female Goldeneye, c.6 Corn Bunting, 2 Cetti's Warblers singing at opposite ends of the gravel pit. Paul Gymer.
Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 11:15
1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Grey Wagtail in brook. Paul Baker (SOG).
Southend Airport, 11:20 to 11:25
Aviation Way: 1 Little Egret in brook, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming. Paul Baker (SOG).
Sutton Road Cemetery, 11:30 to 11:55
2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 150 Fieldfare, 3 Mistle Thrush, 1 Goldcrest. Paul Griggs, Richard Howard (SOG).
South Fambridge, 11:40 to 12:45
All sightings between Stow Creek and pillbox 400m east of former shell packing factory: 8 Little Grebe, 5 Great Crested Grebe (Brandy Hole), 30 Greylag Goose, c.600 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 1 Kestrel, 1 Stock Dove, 1 Short-eared Owl hunting salt marsh between marina and Stow Creek, 2 Reed Bunting. Paul Baker (SOG).
Shoebury East Beach, 12:00 to 12:20
3 Snow Bunting. Paul Griggs, Richard Howard
Blue House Farm EWT Reserve 12:00 to 15:00
2 Spoonbill, 1 Little Egret, 1 ringtail Hen Harrier, 10 Golden Plover, 6 Black-tailed Godwit, 300+ Brent Goose, 10+ Curlew, 100+ Lapwing, 20+ Shelduck, 5 Oystercatcher, 50+ Dunlin, 20+ Redshank. Martin and Marie Singleton.
Paglesham East Hall Road, 13:00
1 Peregrine Falcon flew west. Paul Baker (SOG).
Paglesham Eastend, 13:15 to 15:15
From Plough & Sail to boatyard then towards Paglesham Lagoon: 1 Little Grebe, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Little Egret (Potton), 20 Pintail, c.150 Shoveler, 179 Pochard, 10 Goldeneye (including 1 adult drake all on lagoon, nothing on Roach!), 1 Marsh Harrier flew from Foulness to Wallasea, 1 ringtail Hen Harrier hunting Potton, 40 Avocet, 2 Reed Bunting, 2 Corn Bunting. 1 Aythya sp. (Lesser Scaup hybrid type). Paul Baker (SOG).
South Fambridge, 13:35 to 15:20
5 Little Grebe, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Little Egret, 20 Golden Plover, 1500+ Lapwing, 4 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Green Sandpiper in borrowdyke west of village, 6 Skylark, 2 Reed Bunting. Neil Chambers (SOG).
RSPB Wallasea Island, 13:50 to 16:30
1 Great Egret flew west along Paglesham Creek then west along the Crouch at around 15:55, 3000+ Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 1 Pale-bellied Brent Goose, 3 Hen Harrier (at least 2 over Foulness; at least 3 came in to roost in the wild bird crop. All ringtails), 1 Buzzard on Foulness, 1 Barn Owl hunting over Foulness, 2 Short-eared Owl (at least 2 over Foulness; 2 having a noisy disagreement over the wild bird crop after 16:00). Tim Bourne, Jeff Delve (SOG).
Shoebury East Beach, 14:15 to 15:45
2 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Little Egret, 8 Wigeon, 6 Teal, 4 drake Eider flying up-river, 1 drake Common Scoter, 1 Peregrine Falcon hunting over the sea. Forced a Teal onto the water, then had a half-hearted attempt at a Brent Goose, 26 Knot, 12 Bar-tailed Godwit, 3 Snow Bunting on the Boom. Marc Outten (SOG).
Wakering Stairs, 14:40 to 16:25
2 Little Egret, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Hen Harrier, 2 Kestrel. Paul Griggs, Richard Howard (SOG).
Southchurch 15:00 to 15:20
1 Sparrowhawk in back garden. Flew in and settled on fence and all other birds disappeared! Betty.
Southend, Wyatts Drive 15:25
Green Woodpecker feeding on lawn in Wyatts Drive. Alec Beanse (http://i648.photobucket.com/albums/uu204/zuhmevlox/Woody.jpg).
Priory Park, 15:45 to 16:10
1 Green Woodpecker sitting in treetop with roosting Collared Doves! 2 Brown Rat. Paul Baker (SOG).
RSPB Wallasea Island 15:45 to 16:15
Great Egret flying, then landed near sea wall by Paglesham Creek/Paglesham Pool (also seen from the white gate). Jackie and Mike Bliss, Joolz and Gerry Fawcett.
Friday 30th December 2011
RSPB West Canvey Marsh 10:00 to 12:30
1 Mediterranean Gull, 6 Little Grebe, 60 Wigeon, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Redshank, 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Green Woodpecker, lots of Fieldfare, 12 Corn Hunting, 1 Reed Bunting. Andy Bridge.
RSPB West Canvey Marsh, 10:15 to 12:10
60 Wigeon, 1 male Sparrowhawk, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Short-eared Owl hunting over sea wall beyond Pantile picnic area, 180 Fieldfare, 14 Corn Bunting. Graham Ryland (SOG).
Paglesham Seawall West From Boatyard 10:30 to 12:25
Short-eared Owl hunting over seawall, Buzzard, Black Swan in fields with 63 Mute Swan, male Red-breasted Merganser, 6 Little Grebe, 4 Grey Plover, c.2000 Brent Goose, 3 Little Egret, Green Woodpecker. Ray Fuller.
Rochford Golf Course, 11:15 to 14:45
2 Great Spotted Woodpecker (1 drumming), 1 Meadow Pipit flew over, 2 Song Thrush singing. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Canvey Point, 12:20 to 15:40
2 Red-throated Diver (+ 2 other distant divers were probably RTDs), 1 Black-throated Diver, 10+ Great Crested Grebe, 18 Teal in single flock flew west, 1 female/immature Eider flew east, 1 Pomarine Skua (+ 1 other Skua drifted up river on the tide, mid channel), 1 adult Mediterranean Gull, c.50 Kittiwake flew up river, mostly following ships. Tim Bourne (SOG).
Victoria Avenue, Southend, 13:00 to 15:00
1 Peregrine Falcon on east side of Portcullis House. John Wright (SOG).
Gunners Park 13:15
Kingfisher seen feeding and diving at sluice gate for approx 10 minutes, wonderful view colours fabulous as always. Jill and John Parsons.
Shoebury East Beach, 15:05 to 15:30
2 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Snow Bunting commuting between the boom and boatyard. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Thursday 29th December 2011
RSPB Wallasea Island, 08:30 to 15:55
2 Little Egret, 3 Mute Swan, 1 Black Swan (with Mutes), c.2500 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 3 Pale-bellied Brent Goose, 2 Marsh Harrier, 3 Hen Harrier over wild bird cover, 3 Kestrel, 1 Peregrine Falcon, c.200 Knot, c.90 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Greenshank. Marc Outten (SOG).
Navestock/Weald 08:30
1 Barn Owl in flight. K.Wilson.
Barling Rubbish Tip, 09:30 to 12:25
5 Little Grebe, 4 Great Crested Grebe, 2 drake Red-breasted Merganser on the Roach, 15 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Herring Gull (1 'omissus' type), 2 Yellow-legged Gull (1'w + ad), 1 Caspian Gull (3'w), 5 Skylark, 1 Meadow Pipit, 4 Reed Bunting, 1 Corn Bunting. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Grove Woods 10:00 to 12:00
Grove Woods to sewage works: lots of Magpie, Woodpigeon, Jackdaw, Black-Headed Gull, 3 Moorhen, 2 Jay. Rawreth Hall Wood and hedges to east: Fieldfare flock, 1 Blackbird, 2 Blue Tit, 4 Great Tit, 2 Pied Wagtail over West, 1 Redwing, 1 Jay, 2 Greenfinch, 2 Rock Dove/Feral Pigeon on path to Hockley Woods, 2 Blackbird, 3 Jay, 4 Redwing, 1 Robin, 1 Treecreeper, 1 Goldcrest, mixed flock of Blue, Great and Long-Tailed Tit in southern edge of Hockley Woods and Parson's Snipe. Paul Adams.
Barling Pits, 12:25 to 12:30
4 Little Grebe, 1 Kingfisher. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Paglesham Lagoon, 13:00 to 15:30
20 Little Grebe (10 on Roach), 4 Great Crested Grebe (3 on Roach), 9 Mute Swan, 10 Gadwall, 33 Pintail (28+ on the lagoon, 5 in Bartonhall Creek), 175 Shoveler, 185 Pochard (including a female with a pale green nasal saddle), 90 Tufted Duck, 15 Goldeneye (2 adult drakes), 50 Fieldfare (sewage works), 25 Goldfinch (sewage works), 1 Aythya sp. (drake Lesser Scaup-type hybrid still present). Neil Chambers (SOG).
RSPB Wallasea Island, 15:40 to 15:55
1 Black Swan with 3 Mute Swans, 3 ringtail Hen Harrier. Neil Chambers, Marc Outten, John Wright (SOG).
Wednesday 28th December 2011
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 09:15 to 12:20
4 Pintail on Ozozzedam [3 drake], 14 Wigeon, 140+ Teal very nearly all on creek, c.4 Curlew, c.1500 Lapwing circling very nearly all on other side of creek, 10+ Skylark, 15+ Chaffinch, 1 Little Egret. Richard Fahey.
Maldon 09:30
Buzzard soaring over suburban Maldon's Fambridge Road, heading east. Tony Kennelly.
Rettendon Church 11:00
1 Buzzard soaring over church. Robin Peppiatt.
RSPB West Canvey Marsh, 11:00 to 13:00
3 Greylag Goose, 62 Canada Goose, 40 Wigeon, 3 Curlew, 1 Redshank, 2 Green Sandpiper, 1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Skylark, 2 Meadow Pipit, 59 Fieldfare, 1 Song Thrush. Graham Ryland (SOG).
Heybridge Basin, Heybridge 12:30 to 14:15
1 Blue Tit, 1 Moorhen, 1 Collard Dove, 7-10 Lapwing, 5 Redshank, c.5 Black-tailed Godwit, up to 100 Common and Black-headed Gull. Joseph.
Cherry Orchard Way, Eastwood 13:30
1 Kingfisher, 1 Little Egret, 1 Grey Wagtail in Eastwood Brook between Cherry Orchard Way and Aviation Way. Tim Davis.
Maitland Place, North Shoebury 14:00 to 14:15
Cock pheasant on 8ft garden wall, eating ivy berries. A first for our urban garden. Jackie Bliss.
Shoebury East Beach, 14:05 to 16:05
3 Red-throated Diver (singles flew east), 7 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Razorbill (1st winter close in off Garrison), 1 Kingfisher. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Grove Woods 14:30 to 15:30
Grove Woods to sewage works: 2 Blue Tit, 1 Great Tit, lots of Woodpigeon. Sewage works: lots of Black-Headed Gull, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw and Magpie, 9 Long-Tailed Tit, 2 Pied Wagtail, Moorhen. Hedges to the East of Rawreth Hall Wood: 3 Jay, 1 Blackbird, 2 Robin, small flock of Fieldfare, 3 Blue Tit, lots of Long-Tailed Tit (too many to count), 1 Goldcrest in hedge just outside south-east exit to Rawreth Hall Wood. Grove playing fields: 2 Jay. Paul Adams.
Canvey Point, 14:10 to 16:00
9 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Sanderling, 1 dark phase Arctic Skua, 2 adult Mediterranean Gull, 4 adult Kittiwake, 3 Guillemot. Paul Griggs, Mike Bailey (SOG).
Wyatts Drive 14:45
one female Pheasant in back garden in Wyatts Drive. Alec Beanse.
RSPB Wallasea Island, 15:10 to 16:30
1 Little Egret, 4 Mute Swan, 5 ringtail Hen Harrier, 1 Kestrel, 10 Skylark. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).
Tuesday 27th December 2011
Southchurch Park East 08:30
Two, possibly three, Woodpecker heard drumming, south-east and north-west corners of Southchurch East. Alec Beanse.
RSPB Vange Marsh, 08:50 to 09:20
1 Ruff, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Green Sandpiper, 1 Waxwing showed twice briefly, in treetops north of A13. Tim Bourne
Gunners Park 09:15 to 11:00
1 Kingfisher in brook, 1 Little Egret, 15 Great Crested Grebe offshore, 25 Sanderling, 1 Green Woodpecker, 6 Meadow Pipit. Steve Sanford, Kris Mee, Web Author.
Chelmsford, Baddow Meads 09:30 to 09:50
15-20 Meadow Pipit, 5+ Skylark, 30+ Goldfinch, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Redwing, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Little Grebe, 2 Song Thrush, 2 Dunnock, 1 Robin. Also seen but uncounted: Magpie, Carrion Crow, Black-headed Gull, Collared Dove, Woodpigeon, Feral Pigeon, Blackbird, Blue Tit, Moorhen. Paul Forsdick.
Stondon, (Near Brentwood) 09:30 to 10:00
Semi leucistic Fieldfare with a flock of Fieldfare and Redwing. Jean.
Cotelands, Vange 10:00 to 11:00
1 Waxwing, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Greenfinch, 5 Goldfinch, 1 Dunnock. Mick Roe.
RSPB West Canvey Marsh 10:00 to 12:00
2 Little Grebe, 3 Grey Heron, 2 Little Egret, 200 Canada Goose, 80 Wigeon, 20 Teal, 2 Sparrowhawk, 120 Lapwing, 3 Green Sandpiper, 20 Redshank, 7 Black-tailed Godwit, 20 Curlew, 1 adult Mediterranean Gull, 25 Stock Dove, 500 Fieldfare, 300 Starling, Mike Harris.
Danbury Lakes, Danbury 10:00 to 11:35
10+ Mallard, 5-10 Coot, 5-10 Moorhen, 1 male Goosander,1 Robin, 10+ Great Tit, 10+ Blue Tit, 5 Carrion Crow, 6 Starling, 1 Wood Pigeon. Joseph.
Shoebury East Beach, 10:40 to 11:20
1 Little Egret in pond, 3 Snow Bunting perched in trees(!) and feeding on gravel by crossroads c.150m south-west of boat park. Mike Bailey (SOG).
Shoebury East Beach 11:10
3 Snow Bunting. Steve Sanford, Kris Mee, Web Author.
Friars Park, 11:30 to 12:15
3 drake Mandarin Duck, 12 Greenfinch. Mike Bailey (SOG).
Friars Park 12:00
3 drake Mandarin Duck. Steve Sanford, Kris Mee, Web Author.
Wat Tyler Country Park 12:00
1 Water Rail seen crossing the clearance in front of the scrape hide. David Lee.
Southchurch Park East 13:00 to 13:30
1 Water Rail, 1 Lesser Black Backed Gull. Dan Davison.
Shoebury East Beach, 13:00 to 13:30
3 Snow Bunting (very mobile). Dave Knight (SOG).
Shoebury East Beach, 13:40 to 15:40
1 Red-throated Diver, 15 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Common Scoter, 1 Arctic Skua flew east, 2 Guillemot, 1 Meadow Pipit flew over, 3 Snow Bunting flew in from south south-west at 14:45. Neil Chambers (SOG).
RSPB Wallasea Wetlands, 14:00 to 15:30
6 Little Egret, 1 ringtail Hen Harrier, 5+ Short-eared Owl, 70 Linnet. Dave Knight (SOG).
Canvey Point, 14:15 to 15:00
2 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Common Scoter, 1 Velvet Scoter between Canvey Point and Westcliff Arches resting, 1 Guillemot floating upstream. Sally Brierley (SOG).
RSPB Wallasea Island 15:00 to 16:00
4 Little Egret, 1 ringtail Hen Harrier, 3 Short-eared Owl, 4 Kestrel. Rob Harris.
Monday 26th December 2011
Bull Lane Footpath 08:15 to 10:00
Lots of Starling, Magpie, Collared Dove, Wood Pigeon, Carrion Crow and Blue Tit in the streets leading up to Bull Lane and throughout walk. On footpath: 1 Wren, 1 Dunnock, 2 House Sparrow 2 Blackbird, 2 Jay, lots of Robin. Southern edge of Hockley Woods: 2 Green Woodpecker, 5 Great Tit. Sewage Works: dozens of Jackdaw and Black-Headed Gull, 1 Moorhen. 2 Goldfinch in Bramfield Road East. Paul Adams.
Canvey Wick, 08:30 to 10:45
2 Sparrowhawk, 5 Snipe, 2 Green Woodpecker, 12 Skylark, 60+ Fieldfare, 15+ Redwing, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 15 Lesser Redpoll, 4 Mealy Redpoll. Tim Bourne (SOG).
Southchurch Park East 09:15
1 Water Rail, clearest sighting yet, walking 80ft across reed bed, then I walked down to lake edge, it stood within 15ft of me, watched it for 5 minutes. If any bird can make itself invisible, this one of them. A supreme little wader to watch & the sun on its brown speckled top this morning was something else. 8+ Long-tailed Tit. Robert Dobinson.
Canvey Point, 11:10 to 13:00
2 Red-throated Diver, 12+ Great Crested Grebe, 1 immature Velvet Scoter in Chapman Sands area, 1 Peregrine Falcon, 1 Sanderling, 3 Mediterranean Gull (1w, 2w, ad), 18+ Kittiwake (other probables in haze following ships East and West), 3 Guillemot, 1 Rock Pipit. Tim Bourne (SOG).
Leigh on Sea, Nelson Road 11:30 to 11:35
1 Ring-necked Parakeet flying west over Our Lady of Lourdes playing fields. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).
Cotelands, Vange 11:40
1 Waxwing on tree. Mick Roe.
RSPB West Canvey Marsh, 12:30 to 14:30
1 Kestrel, 3 Green Sandpiper, 3 Skylark, 300 Fieldfare, 30 Redwing, 2 Reed Bunting. Graham Ryland (SOG).
Shoebury East Beach, 13:15 to 13:40
1 Little Egret in the fenced off pond, 3 Snow Bunting by the MOD fence. John Wright (SOG).
Canvey Point, 13:40 to 15:25
2 Red-throated Diver, 1 Black-throated Diver, 13 Great Crested Grebe, 4 Pintail, 1 female Peregrine Falcon, 1 Pomarine Skua (dark phase west at 14:10), 2 Arctic Skua (dark phase), 7 Kittiwake (6 ad, 1 1st-w), 1 Guillemot, 1 female Grey Seal. Paul Griggs, Mike Bailey (SOG).
Coalhouse Fort, East Tilbury 13:45 to 14:55
300+ Avocet, 800+ Dunlin, 10+ Lapwing flew east, 10+ Corn Bunting, 35+ Chaffinch. Richard Fahey.
Friars Park, 13:55 to 14:15
3 drake Mandarin Duck John Wright (SOG).
Southend Pier 14:00 to 15:00
20+ Mediterranean Gull, 1 Purple Sandpiper with 50 Turnstone, 2 unidentified Auks flying past. At Two Tree Island: 2 Little Grebe, numerous Redshank, Teal, Curlew, Black-tailedGodwit, Fieldfare, Grey Plover, Lapwing, Greenfinch, Turnstone. Christopher Hughes.
Gunners Park, Shoebury 14:15 to 15:00
On shore: 10 Turnstone, 1 Rock Pipit. Then just in land a flock of 20 Brambling. Brian Coveney.
Hadleigh Downs 14:30
150-200 Fieldfare and a few Redwing moving through the trees, feeding on berries to the east of the castle. Sally & Paul.
River Blackwater and Promenade Park, Maldon 15:00 to 15:30
8 Little Grebe in Blackwater, Redshank, Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit, Lapwing, Peregrine Falcon from north making a failed strike at Hythe Quay and last seen heading east along river towards remaining waders. Tony Kennelly.
Ashingdon, 15:20
1 female Sparrowhawk. Paul Baker
Sunday 25th December 2011
Hadleigh Downs, 10:00 to 10:45
1 Grey Heron, 1 female Sparrowhawk, 1 Green Woodpecker, 6 Redwing, 2 Bullfinch (pair). Paul Griggs, Mike Bailey (SOG).
Chalkwell and Westcliff Seafront 10:30 to 12:00
3 Cormorant, 30 Turnstone, 55 Sanderling, 4 Mediterranean Gull, 2 Pied Wagtail. David Selley.
Cotelands, Vange 11:00
2 Waxwing perched on tree. Mick Roe.
Southchurch, 11:05
5 Mediterranean Gull (4 adult, 1 2nd-winter). Paul Griggs, Mike Bailey (SOG).
Friars Park, 13:20 to 13:45
2 Mute Swan (pair), 3 drake Mandarin Duck. 4 Brown Rat. Paul Griggs, Mike Bailey (SOG).
RSPB Wallasea Island, 14:20 to 16:00
3 ringtail Hen Harrier, 1 female Kestrel, 1 Peregrine Falcon, 1 Short-eared Owl from white gate, 75 Corn Bunting, 1 Buteo sp. over foulness. Sally Brierley (SOG).
RSPB Wallasea Island, 14:10 to 16:10
2 Little Egret, 1 female Red-breasted Merganser, 1 drake Goosander over south-west at 15:55, 3 ringtail Hen Harrier, 5 Kestrel, 75 Golden Plover, 3 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Short-eared Owl, 2 Buteo sp. 1 Common Seal. Paul Griggs, Mike Bailey (SOG).
Fambridge Road, Purleigh 14:30
1 Common Buzzard on fence post alongside road. Ray Britton.
Saturday 24th December 2011
Wyatts Drive 12:25
One male Pheasant in back garden in Wyatts Drive. Alec Beanse.
Friars Park, 11:10 to 11:25
3 drake Mandarin Duck on island. Paul Baker (SOG).
Shoebury East Beach, 11:25 to 12:10
c.26 Red-throated Diver all flying up and down river in outer estuary, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Slavonian Grebe alongside boom but elusive, 1 Peregrine Falcon hunting over the sea, 1 Guillemot flew out the estuary, 1 Kingfisher on pool behind boatyard, 3 Snow Bunting on the boom. Paul Baker (SOG).
Two Tree Island, 11:30 to 11:50
1 Short-eared Owl over the east end, 3 Fieldfare. Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).
Shoebury Garrison, 12:20 to 12:50
4 Red-throated Diver, 5 Great Crested Grebe (at least), 2 Slavonian Grebe (very distant probable's), 1 female Eider lingering offshore, 2 adult Kittiwake, 2 Guillemot. Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).
Shoebury East Beach, 12:55 to 13:15
1 Red-throated Diver (west), 1 female Eider (same as the bird lingering off the Garrison), 3 Snow Bunting feeding in the boatyard car park. Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).
Southend Pier 13:15
Head of the pier near lifeboat station: around about a dozen mixed Mediterranean and Black-Headed Gull on slipway with lots of Turnstone also on slipway and running around everywhere, seemingly quite tame and approachable much to the delight of my kids! lots of Feral Pigeon, 1 carrion Crow, 1 Common Seal. Paul Adams.
Friars Park, 13:25 to 14:00
3 drake Mandarin Duck. Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).
RSPB Wallasea Island, 14:00 to 16:20
6 Little Egret, 3 Marsh Harrier, 7 Hen Harrier (possibly 8 ringtails came in to roost, viewed from white gate), 1 Rough-legged Buzzard along the south-east seawall and Foulness where it landed on a bush, 3 Kestrel, 1 Peregrine Falcon, 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Stonechat, c.130 Corn Bunting around Grapnells. John Wright
Hadleigh Downs, 15:00 to 17:00
1 Tawny Owl calling, 1 Green Woodpecker, c.40 Redwing, 3 Goldcrest, 2 Lesser Redpoll, 2 Bullfinch. Paul Baker, Don Petrie (SOG).
Friday 23rd December 2011
Friars Park, 07:50 to 07:55
1 Grey Heron, 2 drake Mandarin Duck by the first island. Marc Outten (SOG).
Hadleigh Downs, 08:00 to 11:45
1 Kestrel, 11 Green Woodpecker, 1 Mistle Thrush, 12 Jackdaw, 1 Bullfinch. Matt Bruty (SOG).
Victoria Avenue, Southend, 08:30 to 12:15
1 Peregrine Falcon on east side of Portcullis House. John Wright (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park 10:30 to 15:30
1 Green Sandpiper, 100 Greylag Geese, 2 Grey Heron, 2 Little Egret, small groups of Shoveler, Wigeon, Teal, Mallard, Pochard and Tufted Duck, pair Gadwall. 2 Cormorant, 4 Little Grebe, 4 Jackdaw, numerous Rook and Carrion Crow, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, Cetti's Warbler heard, flock of Fieldfare over Bowers Marsh, 1 male Peregrine Falcon on pylon which made two attacks on the hundreds of gulls on scrape, finally settling on gull carcass on island. 6 Collared Dove, usual Coot, Moorhen, Magpie and Woodpigeon, 20 Lapwing. David Hale.
Canvey Seafront, 15:15 to 15:45
7 Great Crested Grebe, 10+ Kittiwake (all adults). Neil Chambers (SOG).
Thursday 22nd December 2011
Ashingdon, Princess Gardens 07:10
2 Blackbird and 1 Song Thrush singing at first light along with the local Robins. Not quite a dawn chorus but pretty good for a couple of days before Christmas. David Selley.
Southchurch Park and Southchurch Park East 09:00 to 12.45/16.15
2 Turnstone on and around island in Southchurch Park, 1 Little Egret roosting on Shrubbery North of pond/water side, 1 Water Rail in usual place/Lower reed bed in Southchurch Park east at 16.15pm. Robert Dobinson.
Coryton/Holehaven 13:55 to 15:15
300+ Wigeon, (very nearly all below seawall), 1 Teal, Cetti's Warbler heard, 40+ Lapwing, Green Woodpecker, 10+ Skylark, 15+ Chaffinch. Richard Fahey.
Southend Airport, 14:00 to 15:00
2 Sparrowhawk (including 1 large female). Paul Baker (SOG).
Friars Park, 14:25 to 14:35
3 Mandarin Duck (3 drakes behind the first island), 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker. Don Petrie (SOG).
Wednesday 21st December 2011
Ferndale Road, Rayleigh 02:00
2 Tawny Owl Calling. Robin Peppiatt.
Canvey Point, 08:30 to 09:05
25+ Great Crested Grebe, 1 Gavia sp. (probably GND out in the murk). Neil Chambers (SOG).
Chelmsford, Admiral Park 09:00 to 13:00
50+ Carrion Crow, 5 Collard Dove, 2 Great Tit, 3 Robin, 2 Kingfisher, 2 Mute Swan, 10 Mallard, 2 Moorhen, 50+ Starling, 1 Dunnock. Joe.
Offshore Thorpe Bay Yacht Club/Maplin Way 10:00
We were obviously looking for the Birds BUT sighted a Seal on the outgoing tide approx 100yds offshore swimming and diving, many years since I have sighted one of these so near inshore made my Christmas. Jill and John Parsons.
Baxter Avenue Southend, 10:00 to 15:15
1 Peregrine Falcon on and around Portcullis House most of day. John Wright, Paul Griggs (SOG).
Shoebury East Beach, 12:20 to 12:35
4 Snow Bunting still present feeding on beach at base of Shoebury boom. Don Petrie (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park 12:30 to 13:00
Carrion Crow, 2 Redshank. At RSPB feeders: Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, House Sparrow, Great Tit, Blue Tit (including one with a elongate upper bill). Photos here: http://www.uk-wildlife.co.uk/goldfinch-and-crows-on-a-cloudy-day/. Neil Phillips.
Southend, 12:45
1 Grey Wagtail over town centre calling. John Wright (SOG).
Southend Pier, 14:15 to 15:15
1 Goldeneye (fem/imm in mid-river), 1 Goosander (a smart looking drake flew up river by the pier head at 14:20), 1 Shag (1stW feeding upstream from the pier, then in the lifeboat bay, then back to west of the pier), 15+ Mediterranean Gull. Don Petrie (SOG).
RSPB Wallasea Island 15:30 to 16:30
12 Hen Harrier, 3 Short-eared Owl. John Atfield.
Tuesday 20th December 2011
Shoebury East Beach, 08:30 to 08:45
3 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 4 Snow Bunting feeding at base of MOD fence, then on the boom - typically mobile. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Southchurch East 08:35
Little Egret landed in the ditch in the south east corner of Southchurch East. Alec Beanse.
Westcliff Seafront, 08:55 to 09:05
1 adult Kittiwake flew west. Neil Chambers (SOG).
RSPB Wallasea Island 12:00 to 16:00
5 Redwing on bush at seawall car park. Merlin flying between seawall and road towards haystack. From white gate, views over 2 hours, of 2 hunting ringtail Hen Harrier, 2 Short Eared Owl. Watched them til dark. David Hale.
Chigborough Lakes 09:30 to 10:30
1 Water Rail, 1 Yellow-legged Gull on the large pit west of Scraley Road. Paul Gymer.
Monday 19th December 2011
Hatfield Peverel 10:30
1 Peregrine Falcon flew very low over house. Alec Martin.
Pitsea, 13:00 to 13:10
30 Lapwing, 9 Greenfinch, 3 Yellowhammer, 2 Reed Bunting, 20 Corn Bunting in the hedgerows at the bottom of Church Road. Marc Outten (SOG).
Sunday 18th December 2011
Paglesham Lagoon 09:00 to 12:00
Sigthings on the RSPB walk: 2 Mute Swan, Brent Goose, Shelduck, Wigeon, Gadwall, Teal, Mallard, Pintail, Shoveler, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Goldeneye, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Hen Harrier (ringtail north of Hampton Barns), Kestrel, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Ringed Plover, Golden Plover, Grey Plover, Lapwing, Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Redshank, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Stock Dove, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Green Woodpecker, Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Fieldfare, Song Thrush, Redwing, Blackcap, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Jay, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Reed Bunting. Web Author et al.
RSPB West Canvey Marsh 09:30 to 10:40
3 Green Sandpiper, 35+ Wigeon, 10 Teal, 1 Shoveler, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Curlew, 70+ Lapwing, 8 Fieldfare. Richard Fahey.
Bull Lane Footpath 09:45 to 10:30
To the edge of Hockley Woods and back: 4 Blue Tit, massive flocks of Wood Pigeon, 2 Jay, plenty of Carrion Crow, 2 Pied Wagtail over north-east, 3 Robin, 2 Grey Heron flying towards Bullwood Hall, 1 Song Thrush, 3 Blackbird, plenty of Black-headed Gull, 2 Magpie, 1 Collared Dove. Paul Adams.
Wakering Stairs 11:15 to 12:00
Stairs road to seawall only: 3 Little Egret, 1 ringtail Hen Harrier, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Green Woodpecker, 16 Long-tailed Tit, 40 Blackbird, 9 Redwing, 2 Fieldfare, 2 Song Thrush, 5 Skylark, 4 Corn Bunting. David Selley.
North Crescent, Prittlewell 13:20
1 female Grey Wagtail walking across frozen pond in garden and looking over rockery stones for 2-3 minutes. David Griffiths.
Southend Pier, 13:45 to 15:15
3 Great Northern Diver (but generally distant), 6 Great Crested Grebe, 29 Mediterranean Gull, 1 adult Kittiwake mid river. Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).
Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 14:40
1 male Sparrowhawk sitting on the fence beside the feeders for a while! Paul Baker (SOG).
RSPB Wallasea Island 15:20 to 16:10
5 Short-eared Owl in the air at once from white gate, 5 Hen Harrier (all ringtails- 3 in the air at once from white gate, probably 5 roosted). 1 Peregrine Falcon, 40+ Corn Bunting. Robin Peppiatt.
Saturday 17th December 2011
Hadleigh Downs, 10:00 to 12:45
1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 1 Curlew, 3 Green Woodpecker, 5+ Redwing. Matt Bruty (SOG).
RSPB West Canvey Marsh, 11:15 to 13:35
30 Wigeon, 10 Teal, 72 Lapwing, 1 Redshank, 2 Green Sandpiper, 2 Short-eared Owl watched for nearly an hour around the Pantile area, 4 Skylark, 5 Meadow Pipit, c.300 Fieldfare (huge flock towards Pantile), 3 Song Thrush, 15+ Redwing. Marc Outten (SOG).
Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 13:00
1 Little Egret in brook. Paul Baker (SOG).
RSPB Wallasea Island 13:30 to 14:30
2 Little Egret, 2 Kestrel, 3 Short-eared Owl, 2 Magpie, 2 Greenfinch, 20+ Chaffinch, 6 House Sparrow, 2 Pheasant, 10 Pied Wagtail, 9 Carrion Crow, flocks of Lapwing. Creeksea Ferry road just outside Canewdon: 3 Green Woodpecker, 1 Jay. Rob Harris.
Southend Pier, 14:05 to 15:45
3 Great Northern Diver, 10 Great Crested Grebe (including group of 6), 1 Knot, 3 Dunlin, c.200 Turnstone, 17 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Kittiwake roosting with the Mediterranean Gulls, 3 Guillemot. 2 Common Seal. Matt Bruty (SOG).
Highlands Boulevard, Leigh, 15:10
2 Ring-necked Parakeet flew north-west calling. Paul Griggs (SOG).
Scrub Between Rear of Moons Farm and Fambridge Church 15:20
2 Short-eared Owl hunting the ditches at the back of the Farm, several good sightings. Chotten.
Brandy Hole Marsh 15:30
1 Short-eared Owl hunting. Tessa Frampton.
RSPB Wallasea Island, 15:30 to 16:15
4 Little Egret, 5 ringtail Hen Harrier, 1 Kestrel, 1 Green Sandpiper (near wood yard), 3 Short-eared Owl, 14 Corn Bunting. Paul Baker (SOG).
Friday 16th December 2011
Canvey Seafront, 08:10 to 10:30
6 Great Crested Grebe, 1 immature Velvet Scoter feeding and sleeping throughout between seafront and Point, 1 Snipe flew south, 1 adult Mediterranean Gull, 7 adult Kittiwake. Paul Baker, Tim Bourne, Don Petrie (SOG).
Cherry Orchard Lane, 14:15
1 adult Mediterranean Gull over field at north end. Paul Baker, Don Petrie (SOG).
RSPB Wallasea Island, 14:30 to 16:10
Viewed from car park and white gate only: 1 Little Grebe, 2 Little Egret, 1500 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 6 ringtail Hen Harrier (5 at roost), 1 Buzzard (probable on west side of Foulness), 2 Kestrel, 1 Water Rail heard from white gate, 1 Avocet, 4 Short-eared Owl (some good views), 1 Stonechat (car park), c.50 Chaffinch, c.90 Linnet. 1 Buteo sp. interacting with Buzzard, clearly larger, and hovered frequently). Paul Baker, Don Petrie (SOG).
Southend, Tesco's Car Park 15:20 to 15:35
150+ House Sparrow roosting in scrubby bushes between the back of the car park and RBS. David Selley.
Thursday 15th December 2011
Chelmsford, Central Park and Marconi Ponds Nature Reserve 07:15 to 07:25
6 Song Thrush and 2 Robin heard singing. Paul Forsdick.
Rayleigh, Rawreth Lane 10:00
1 Sparrowhawk perched on fence in back garden. Rick Gill.
Southend Pier, 14:15 to 15:45
1 Red-throated Diver flew downriver, 1 Great Northern Diver feeding east of pier head, 3 Great Crested Grebe east of pier head, 1 Purple Sandpiper with roosting Turnstone, c.350 Turnstone roosting on slipway, 21 Mediterranean Gull (around pier, 13 Ad, 4 2ndW, 4 1stW), 4+ Kittiwake (4 flew close to pier with many probable's following), 3 Guillemot around pier head. Don Petrie (SOG).
Lake Meadows, Billericay 15:00
6 Goosander (2 male, 4 female), 2 Mistle Thrush. Marion Burch.
RSPB Wallasea Island 15:00 to 15:45
1 Short-eared Owl, 4 ringtail Hen Harrier, 4 Kestrel, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Pheasant, 2 Redshank, 20+ Starling, 6 Carrion Crow, 1 Corn Bunting, 2 Magpie, 1 Little Egret, 1 Slavonian Grebe in ditch at Lion Creek. Rob Harris.
Brettenham Drive/Southchurch East 15:05 to 15:25
Red-Legged Partridge in Brettenham Drive, 1 Little Egret up by the sluice in Southchurch East. Alec Beanse.
RSPB Wallasea Island 15:15 to 16:00
3 ringtail Hen Harrier over set-aside by Grapnells Farm, Short-eared Owl. Ray Fuller.
Wednesday 14th December 2011
RSPB Wallasea Island 12:30 to 13:30
1 Short-eared Owl, 3 Kestrel, 1 Grey Heron, 4 Pheasant, 1000+ Brent Geese, 300+ Lapwing, 2 Redshank, 40+ Starling, 8 Carrion Crow, 30 Corn Bunting, 6 Magpie, 1 Greenfinch, 20+ Chaffinch, 12 House Sparrow, 8 Skylark, 2 Blackbird, 5 Reed Bunting, 1 Stonechat by car Park, 60+ Ringed Plover,70+ Grey Plover, 60+ Golden Plover, 2 Redshank, 1 Merlin flushing and chasing Skylark up into the sky by yellow gate before Haystack. Rob Harris.
Hockley 13:00 to 13:15
Pair of Common Buzzard low over woods south of lower road, between Plumberow Mount and Church Road. David Hills.
Eastwood, 16:10
1 Little Owl flew across RBS building car park and landed briefly on Strawberry Field roof. Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).
Tuesday 13th December 2011
Sutton Road, All Saints Church 08:15
Peregrine Falcon making a kill on a pigeon. Flew off with trouble due to the wind to Malvern Flats where it landed on top. Trevor Masters.
Victoria Avenue, Southend, 09:00 to 16:15
1 Peregrine Falcon on east side of Portcullis is House all day. John Wright (SOG).
Lake Meadows, Billericay 14:30
4 Goosander (1 male,3 female), 1 Cormorant, 1 Green Woodpecker, flocks of Goldfinch and Chaffinch. Marion Burch.
RSPB Wallasea Island 14:30 to 16:05
6 Hen Harrier (4 ringtails, possibly all 6) at dusk they were all together flying around set aside area Grapnells Farm, an excellent sight. Ray Fuller.
Coombe Wood, 15:00 to 15:10
1 Woodcock flushed out of the wood and flew out over my garden, 3 Mistle Thrush, 2 Goldcrest. Jeff Saward (SOG).
Monday 12th December 2011
Rayleigh Mount, 10:00 to 11:00
1 big female Sparrowhawk, 1 female Great Spotted Woodpecker. Paul Baker (SOG).
Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 12:00
1 Green Sandpiper. Paul Baker (SOG).
RSPB West Canvey Marsh 15:10 - 15:25
1 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret, 1 Short-eared Owl - excellent views over picnic area and sea wall. Colin Knight.
Sunday 11th December 2011
Two Tree Island West 10:30 to 11:30
1 adult Mediterranean Gull flew west over slipway car park, 73 Avocet and 1 Greenshank on the lagoon, 1 Corn Bunting. Andrew Gouldstone.
RSPB Wallasea Island, 13:20 to 15:45
8 Hen Harrier (all ringtails - 4 on Foulness seen from Wallasea and 4 in the evening roost around the set aside by Grapnalls Farm. Could some of these be the same birds?), 2 Buzzard on Foulness seen from the south east corner of Wallasea, 8 Kestrel on Foulness seen from the south east corner of Wallasea, 1 Peregrine Falcon, 40 Corn Bunting at the set aside field at Grapnalls Farm. Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).
Saturday 10th December 2011
Southchurch Park East 08:40
1 Little Egret fishing in north east corner of lake. Robert Dobinson.
RSPB Wallasea Island 10:30 to 11:15
2 Short-eared Owl (separate good sightings, probably of the same bird, hunting Paglesham creek sea wall beyond wild bird cover), 2 Hen Harrier, 6+ Little Egret, large Buzzard in distance flying over Paglesham East End fields. Jackie and Mike Bliss.
Hadleigh Downs, 10:30 to 11:45
1 Grey Heron, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Song Thrush (both singing), 15 Redwing, 2 Bullfinch. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).
Paglesham Sea Wall, West From Boatyard 10:45 to 12:35
2 Short-eared Owl perched on seawall, 8 Red-breasted Merganser (4m 4f), ringtail Hen Harrier, c.1000 Brent Goose, c.300 Golden Plover, 14 Grey Plover, 54 Mute Swan, 2 Little Grebe, Green Woodpecker. Ray Fuller.
Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 11:00
1 Little Egret and 1 Green Sandpiper in brook east of Western Approaches. Paul Baker (SOG).
RSPB Wallasea Island, 13:00 to 15:45
2 Red-breasted Merganser (drakes on breach near tower), 1 Marsh Harrier (Foulness), 3 Hen Harrier (1 on Foulness), 2 Buzzard (on Foulness), 1 Rough-legged Buzzard (on Foulness), 7 Kestrel (5 on Foulness), 2 Merlin (1 on Foulness), 10 Avocet, 1 Green Sandpiper, 8+ Short-eared Owl (7+ on Foulness), 20 Skylark. Neil Chambers, Tim Bourne, Martin Cracknell (SOG).
RSPB Wallasea Island, 15:00 to 16:00
5+ Hen Harrier came in to roost, 1 Barn Owl, 2 Short-eared Owl, c.100 Corn Bunting. Jeff Delve (SOG).
RSPB West Canvey Marshes 15:30 to 16:15
2 Short-eared Owl hunting between the bushes near the picnic area at the seawall. Marvellous views! Hanna Karthauser.
Friday 09th December 2011
Two Tree Island, 07:50
1 Merlin flying low over road by the golf driving range. Simon Watson (SOG).
Victoria Avenue, Southend, 08:30 to 09:30
1 Peregrine Falcon on east side of Portcullis House. John Wright (SOG).
Chelmsford, Baddow Meads 08:45 to 10:00
Kestrel, Green Woodpecker, female Bullfinch, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Dunnock, Wren, Pied Wagtail, Fieldfare, Blackbird, Mistle Thrush, Carrion Crow, Magpie, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Black-headed Gull, Moorhen, Little Grebe, Pheasant, Mute Swan. Paul Forsdick.
RSPB Wallasea Island 13:30 to 14:30
1 Short-eared Owl, 3 Kestrel, 2 Little Egret, 2 Grey Heron, 3 Pheasant, 500+ Brent Geese, 200+ Lapwing, 30+ Starling, 7 Carrion Crow, 40+ Corn Bunting, 4 Magpie, 1 Greenfinch, 30+ Chaffinch, 7 House Sparrow, 2 Skylark, 1 Blackbird, 7 Pied Wagtail, 1 Jay, 2 Cormorant, 150+ Golden Plover, 70 Shelduck, flock of Grey Plover. Rob Harris.
RSPB Wallasea Island 15:00 to 16:15
2 Short-eared Owl, at least 4 ringtail Hen Harrier around 4pm closing in to roost, c.70 Corn Bunting, Peregrine Falcon which stooped down to challenge Hen Harrier. Terence Ross.
Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 15:15
1 Green Sandpiper in brook. Paul Baker (SOG).
Thursday 08th December 2011
Wat Tyler Country Park, 08:50 to 09:00
81 Shoveler on the scrape this morning. Marc Outten (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park 10:30 to 12:30
Sightings on the RSPB walk: Blue Tit, Great Tit, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Long-tailed Tit, Coot, Green Woodpecker, Little Grebe, Starling, Carrion Crow, Rook, Magpie, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Black-headed Gull, Teal, Curlew, Lapwing, Common Sandpiper, Cormorant, Black-tailed Godwit, Redshank, Blackbird, Moorhen, Common Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, male Marsh Harrier, Pied Wagtail, Shoveler, Pochard, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Green Sandpiper, Greylag Goose, House Sparrow. Terry Jeffreys.
Wednesday 07th December 2011
Southchurch Park and Southchurch Park 08:30 to 09:00
1 Water rail in low red bed 30ft from bank as before, 1 Little Egret landed and stood in same reedbed in Southchurch East lake. 1 Turnstone feeding in south east corner of pond in Southchurch Park. Rob Dobinson.
RSPB Wallasea Island 12:00 to 14:30
4 Hen Harrier, Merlin. Ray Fuller.
RSPB Wallasea Island (Grapnells Farm) 16:00 to 16:15
6 ringtail Hen Harrier, all in the air at once over wild bird cover near Grapnells immediately before sunset. Jackie Bliss.
Tuesday 06th December 2011
South Fambridge 08:30
1 Snow Bunting in a bush near the pumping station. Barry Bridge.
Heybridge Basin/Gravel Pit 08:30 to 10:00
c.70 Avocet, 3 Snipe, c.15 Bearded Tit (mostly male), 1 Kingfisher, 4 Goldeneye (2m,2f). Paul Gymer.
RSPB West Canvey Marshes 11:30
55 Wigeon, 2 Green Sandpiper, 70 Lapwing, 1 Kingfisher. Mike Poole.
RSPB Wallasea Island 12:00 to 14:15
c.600 Dark-bellied Brent Goose (another c.1,000 to south over Potton Island), 14 Shelduck, 13 Mallard, 2 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 1 female Kestrel, 1 Peregrine Falcon, 1 Merlin, c.50 Lapwing, c.200 Dunlin, c.30 Redshank, 39 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Curlew. Martin Johnson.
Billericay, Lake Meadow 14:00 to 15:00
1 male Goosander, 2 Song Thrush, Canada Geese, Greylag Goose, Coot, Moorhen, Great Tit, Carrion Crow, Pied Wagtail, Blackbird, 1 Great Crested Grebe. Dawm James.
Monday 05th December 2011Latest Wildlife News - updated 06/12/11
RSPB Wallasea Island, 08:30 to 14:00
3 Little Egret, 4 Marsh Harrier, 2 Hen Harrier (probably more, although only two seen in the air at any one time), 1 Buzzard moving between Wallasea and Foulness, 1 Rough-legged Buzzard distantly over Foulness, 4 Kestrel, 1 Peregrine Falcon, c.350 Golden Plover, c.2,000 Lapwing, 2 Rock Pipit, 3 Snow Bunting, 85 Corn Bunting. Marc Outten, Don Petrie (SOG).
Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 09:00
1 Green Sandpiper in brook. Paul Baker (SOG).
RSPB Wallasea Island 14:00 to 15:00
1 Short-eared Owl, 1 ringtail Hen Harrier, 3 Kestrel, 2 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Pheasant, 500+ Brent Geese, 100+ Lapwing, 20+ Redshank, 40+ Starling, 5 Carrion Crow, 20+ Corn Bunting, 6 Black-Tailed Godwit, 2 Magpie, 7 Greenfinch, 40+ Chaffinch, 8 House Sparrow, 2 Skylark, 1 Blackbird, 1 Rock Pipit by car Park, 1 Stonechat. Rob Harris.
Maonorway, Near Coryton 16:30
1 Woodcock flew over. Jim Cockram.
Sunday 04th December 2011
RSPB Wallasea Island, 07:30 to 11:15
1 ringtail Hen Harrier, 1 Buzzard east end of island, 4 Kestrel (minimum), 1 Merlin flew into trees at Grapnells, 1 Peregrine Falcon, 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Stonechat, 5 Snow Bunting north east of island. 1 Weasel, 4 Common Seal in Roach. Matt Bruty (SOG).
Greenways/Wyatts Drive 09:25
Red-Legged Partridge ran down Greenways into Wyatts Drive then crossed Wyatts and disappearing into a garden. Alec Beanse.
Canvey Point, 09:30 to 10:15
7 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Little Egret, 30 Wigeon (flock on water), 100 Dunlin, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 juvenile Pomarine Skua flew west then settled on water, drifting out with the tide. Martin Cracknell (SOG).
Foulness Island, 09:30 to 12:30
1 juvenile Pale-bellied Brent Goose, 1 Buzzard, 2 Rough-legged Buzzard 
seen together, 2 Merlin, 1 Peregrine Falcon, 1 Short-eared Owl. Chris Lewis (SOG).
Blue House Farm EWT Reserve, North Fambridge 10:00 to 15:00
Red-necked Grebe, Black-necked Grebe (Bridgemarsh Creek on November 30th); 5 White-fronted Geese (27th November - one on 30th); 2 Water Rail, 2 Marsh Harrier, 2 Buzzard, Peregrine, Merlin, Barn Owl, Greenshank, Green Sandpiper, Kingfisher, 30 Reed Bunting. Steeple Stone (December 1st): 3 Whooper Swan, 20 Common Scoter (all females), 15 Eider, Marsh Harrier, Peregrine, Merlin. Graham Smith.
East Tilbury/Coalhouse Fort c.10:30 to 13:25
large female Merlin flew from seawall and then north to village, 4 Bar-tailed Godwit, c.1000 Dunlin, 200+ Lapwing flying, 10+ Fieldfare, 1 Green Woodpecker. Richard Fahey.
Paglesham Lagoon, 11:40 to 13:00
13 Little Grebe, 5 Great Crested Grebe on the Roach, 2 Little Egret, 42 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 63 Wigeon on the Roach, 12 Gadwall, c.115 Shoveler, c.105 Pochard, c.60 Tufted Duck, 6 Goldeneye, 4 Red-breasted Merganser (3 male and a female on the Roach), 1 male Marsh Harrier on Barling Tip. Matt Bruty (SOG).
Chelmsford, Baddow Meads 14:00 to 14:10
1 Kingfisher in overhanging vegetation on south bank of river just east of Barnes Lock. 2 Mistle Thrush, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Wren, 1 Dunnock, 2 Blackbird, 1 Blue Tit, 2 Great Tit, 5 Pheasant, small numbers of Carrion Crow and Woodpigeon. Paul Forsdick.
RSPB Wallasea Island, 14:20 to 16:00
1,500 Dark-bellied Brent Goose at east end, 3 ringtail Hen Harrier on Foulness, 1 Buzzard along south wall, 1 Rough-legged Buzzard viewed on Foulness from south east corner of island, 5 Kestrel (at least), 1 Merlin flew south along Roach, 1 adult male Peregrine Falcon on central fields, 3 Green Sandpiper (one near woodyard creek, one near car park, one east end), 6 Short-eared Owl (at least on Foulness), 1 female Stonechat near car park. Jeff Delve (SOG).
RSPB Wallasea Island, 15:00 to 16:00
3 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Hen Harrier (possibly 3 ringtails), 1 Merlin, 5 Short-eared Owl (maybe more), 50 Corn Bunting (minimum). Dudley Shayler (SOG).
Saturday 03rd December 2011
Southchurch 11:15
10 Goldfinch on feeders and more in surrounding bushes. Betty.
Hanningfield Reservoir 13:00 to 15:10
100+ Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, c.4 Coal Tit, 30+ Goldcrest amongst tits, 5 Treecreeper, 2 Egyptian Geese, Pintail Duck, Teal, 1 Sparrowhawk hunting over field. Jim Bailey.
RSPB Wallasea Island, 14:00 to 16:00
3,000 Dark-bellied Brent Goose at east end, 2 Pale-bellied Brent Goose still with main Brent flock, 2 Hen Harrier (at least, one east end, later two over wild bird cover and went to roost), 1 Buzzard at east end on sea wall being pestered by ringtail, 1 Merlin reported over wild bird cover, 1 adult female Peregrine Falcon on fields, 5 Short-eared Owl (at least - 3 over wild bird cover and 2 over car park), 5 Snow Bunting still on shingle bank at Wallasea Ness. Jeff Delve (SOG).
Friday 02nd December 2011
Baxter Avenue Southend, 08:30 to 14:55
2 Peregrine Falcon on and around Portcullis House throughout day. John Wright (SOG).
Fernlea Road, Benfleet 09:00 to 09:10
Pair of Coal Tit in garden, first sighting since 1996. Richard Gray.
RSPB Vange Marsh, 09:30 to 11:45
1 Little Egret, 2 Grey Heron, 167 Wigeon, 2 Gadwall, 222 Teal, 43 Shoveler, 1 Water Rail heard in the reed on the west of the freshmarsh, 198 Lapwing, 1 Dunlin, 1 Ruff, 4 Snipe, 5 Black-tailed Godwit, 5 Spotted Redshank, 1 Redshank, 2 Meadow Pipit, 1 Water Pipit moving between the western fresh marsh and the adjacent salt marsh, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 6 Reed Bunting, 5 Corn Bunting. Marc Outten (SOG).
RSPB West Canvey Marsh, 12:30 to 14:20
9 Little Grebe, 1 Little Egret, 5 Barnacle Goose, 38 Wigeon, 14 Teal, 4 Redshank, 6 Green Sandpiper, 4 Skylark, c.80 Fieldfare along Pantile track, 2 Reed Bunting. Marc Outten (SOG).
RSPB Wallasea Island 12:45 to 15:00
3 Short-eared Owl (two hunting over the island the other over seawall by the tower), 2 Buzzard, Marsh Harrier, Sparrowhawk on post by approach road, Stonechat in car park, c.3000 Brent Goose, 200 Black-tailed Godwit, 75 Golden Plover, Green Sandpiper, Greenshank, 5 Little Egret. Ray Fuller.
Coombe Wood, 14:00
5 Mistle Thrush together in a flock. Jeff Saward (SOG).
Thursday 01st December 2011
Wickford 10:00 to 10:05
4 Long-tailed Tit, 3 Blue Tit, 2 Great Tit, 1 Goldfinch, 1 Robin, 1 Dunnock, 1 Blackbird. Rob Harris.
Wat Tyler Country Park 10:30 to 12:30
Sightings: on the RSPB walk: Green Woodpecker, Blue Tit, Magpie, Woodpigeon, Carrion Crow, Greylag Goose, Great Tit, Rook, Lapwing, Robin, Black-headed Gull, Redshank, Teal, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Peregrine, Starling, Blackbird, Chaffinch, 20+ Fieldfare, Greenfinch, 2 Kestrel, Coot, Mallard, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Common Gull, Shoveler, Pheasant, House Sparrow. A Bullfinch was seen in the RSPB wildlife garden in the morning. Terry Jeffreys.
RSPB Wallasea Island 12:30 to 13:45
1 Short-eared Owl, 1 ringtail Hen Harrier, 1 Marsh Harrier, 4 Kestrel, 2 Little Egret, 2 Grey Heron, 2 Pheasant, 600+ Brent Geese, 100+ Lapwing, 20+ Redshank, 40+ Starling, 9 Carrion Crow, 120+ Corn Bunting, 5 Black-Tailed Godwit, 4 Curlew, 3 Magpie, 2 Jay, 1 Greenfinch, 40+ Chaffinch, 24 House Sparrow, 1 Skylark, 2 Blackbird. Rob Harris.