Bird Reports for February 2003
Friday 28th February 2003
Belfairs N.R., 08:00: 2 Woodlark (flew over, low c.40'). Tony Mead (SOG).
Westcliff Casino, 08:25 to 08:30: 
1 Ring-billed Gull (adult on breakwater), 5 Mediterranean Gull (2 2nd-winter, 1 2nd-summer, 1 1st-winter, 1 1st-summer), 21 Brent Goose, 1 Sanderling. Paul Griggs (SOG).
Westcliff Seafront, 13:20 to 13:30: 2 Mediterranean Gull (2nd and 1st winters present lunch time). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Southchurch Park West, 13:35 to 13:45: 3 Mediterranean Gull (1 1st winter and 2 adults, one bird in full summer plumage the other only partially hooded.). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Pitsea 14:00 - 14:25: 42 Waxwing in one tree plus 2 more flitting about. All in Aldi's. Kevin Rees.
Thursday 27th February 2003
Westcliff Seafront 07:40: 1 adult Ring-billed Gull on water break by Leisure Centre. Also 2 Mediterranean Gull, 7 Brent Geese. Web Author.
Southend, 09:00 to 09:05: 1 Sparrowhawk (Over Victoria Circus.). John Wright (SOG).
Pitsea 09:15 - 09:30: 34 Waxwing assembled in top of tree in south west corner of Aldi car park, Pitsea. John Bennett.
Thundersley, 10:00: 12 Siskin (by Council offices). Simon Watson (SOG).
Hadleigh Castle Country Park (Chapel Lane car park) 13:15: At least three drumming woodpeckers heard. Web Author.
Two Tree Island (East), 17:50 to 18:00: 17 Little Egret (on the roost). Paul Griggs (SOG)
Wednesday 26th February 2003
Priory Park 13:00 - 13:30: 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Grey Wagtail, 1 Goldcrest and 14 Redwing. Steve Sanford.
Wat Tyler Country Park 14:00: 
1 Marsh Harrier (female). Stuart Bailey.
Westcliff Seafront, 16:40 to 16:45: 1 Mediterranean Gull (2nd summer), 1 Ring-billed Gull (adult flew around the seafront opposite Rossi then headed west and was seen to land on the mud flats in the region of Chalkwell seafront). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Two Tree Island 17:20 - 17:30: Resident Barn Owl seen very close, last observed heading east chased by Crows. Web Author.
Tuesday 25th February 2003
Pitsea 10:00: 21 Waxwing reported around the Aldi car park.
Westcliff Seafront 16:35 to 16:50: 1 Ring-billed Gull (adult still present on the water break and lamp posts opposite Rossi), 3 Mediterranean Gull (1st summer, 2nd winter and a moulting adult). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Two Tree Island 17:30 - 18:00: Short-eared Owl mobbed by two crows near lagoon hide. 3 Little Egrets. Jerry Stock.
Two Tree Island 17:40 - 17:50: Resident Barn Owl seen by car park. Web Author.
Hockley: Barn Owl flew across Lower Road towards Hockley midway between Hullbridge and the Dome. David Hills.
Monday 24th February 2003
Pitsea 08:00: 35+ Waxwing reported around Lidl's car park.
Sunday 23rd February 2003
Chalkwell Park Drive, 08:00 to 08:05: 1 Sparrowhawk (Low across the garden.). John Wright (SOG).
Pitsea: 08:00 - 10:00: 30+ Waxwings at Aldi`s car park (wonderful views of birds feeding just a few feet away from car before moving over to central traffic island. Jim Cockram.
South Fambridge / Brandyhole area 09.50 - 11.50: Brent Goose 550, Widgeon 23, Shelduck 31, Red Breasted Merganser 6 (2 female, 4 male), Kingfisher, Little Egret 2, Reed Bunting 6, Green Sandpiper, Grey Plover 3, Little Grebe 5, Canada Goose 2, Mute Swan 21 (19 in fields). Ray Fuller.
East Tilbury 09:30 - 12:30: 1 male Merlin, 2 Stonechats. David Jobbins (Birds of East Tilbury)Birds of East Tilbury Website.
Pitsea 11:30: 31 Waxwing, opposite Lidl's. Stuart Bailey.
Wat Tyler Country Park 11:40 - 12:45: 1 Marsh Harrier, Water Rail (heard only). Stuart Bailey.
Wakering Stairs, 12:00 to 12:40: 1 Barn Owl (distantly on Havengore), 3 Little Egret, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Sparrowhawk (male). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Fleet Head, 13:00 to 16:00: 25 Ruff, 600 Brent Goose (including a Pale-bellied individual., 4 Little Egret, 1 Short-eared Owl (hunting over Potton Island), 1 Sparrowhawk (on Potton). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Two Tree Island 14:00 - 15:45: Brent Goose, 4 Avocet, 140+ Ringed Plover, Grey Plover, 1 Snipe, Black-tailed Godwit, Skylark, Meadow Pipit. Stuart Bailey.
Swan Lane Margaretting 17:00: 2 Little Owls. Jim Cockram.
Two Tree Island 17.15 - 18.05: 8 Little Egret roosting, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Song Thrush in full song and 1 Water Vole. Martin Johnson.
Saturday 22nd February 2003
Paglesham Lagoon, 13:00 to 16:00: 65 Fieldfare, 3 Redwing, 7 Yellowhammer, 3 Little Egret, 400 Brent Goose, 10 Red-breasted Merganser, 14 Goldeneye, 1 Ruddy Duck (drake), 8 Pintail (4 pairs), 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Kestrel, 33 Avocet, 1 Grey Wagtail. Paul Griggs, Steve Arlow (SOG).
Wakering Stairs 14:00 - 14:30: Water Rail seen from MOD road beneath bushes in left side brook by first right hand bend. Also 2 Little Egret, Kestrel. Web Author.
Magnolia NR, Hawkwell 14:00 - 15:00: 2 Green Woodpecker, 103 Redwing ( in a field close to the reserve) and in excess of 100 Carrion Crow. Steve Sanford.
Lion Creek, 14:30 to 16:30: 5 Little Egret, 1 Hen Harrier (Male.), 1 Sparrowhawk, 60 Shelduck, 3 Red-breasted Merganser (2 males & a female (River Crouch).), 200 Lapwing, 50 Golden Plover, 2 Grey Heron, 3 Corn Bunting, 30 Meadow Pipit. John Wright (SOG).
Paglesham Churchend, 16:20 to 16:25: 1 Little Egret, 10 Fieldfare. Paul Griggs, Steve Arlow (SOG).
Paglesham East Hall Road, 16:35 to 16:40: 19 Corn Bunting. Paul Griggs, Steve Arlow (SOG).
Two Tree Island 17:15 - 17:40: Barn Owl tussling with a Crow at 17:35. Flying quite high over the trees about a quarter of a mile east of the road. David Lee.
Two Tree Island (East), 17:15 to 17:25: 1 Barn Owl, 1 Little Egret. Paul Griggs (SOG).
Margaretting 18:20: 1 Barn Owl at Swan Lane Margaretting. Jim Cockram.
Friday 21st February 2003
Two Tree Island 17:05 - 17:20: Very good views of a Barn Owl again. Observed catching a small rodent just by the model aeroplane field and then being mobbed by Crows all the way back to the eastern end. Mark Bridges, Web Author.
Wednesday 19th February 2003
Pitsea: 35 Waxwing in the car park at Aldis in Pitsea Broadway on Wednesday morning this week at 0700 hours along with Redwings and Fieldfares all feeding at the same time in the same bushes that separate the car park sections. Robin Guppy.
Benfleet, 08:00: 1 Blackcap (male (Vicarage Hill)). Simon Watson (SOG).
Southend Pier 10:00 - 12:30: A large number (100+) of Red-throated Diver flying east, well to the south of the Pier between 10:30 and 12:00. Some also on the water. About 10 Guillemot also flying east or on the water. 10 Great Crested Grebe on the water south of the Pier head around 11:00. 1 Mediterranean Gull in water south of the pier head. 1 Kittiwake on the usual timbers. 4 Eider Duck to the west of the Pier about half way down the pier at 12:30. David Lee.
Westcliff Casino, 13:15 to 13:45: 7 Mediterranean Gull (Adult-winter, 2nd-winter, 2nd-summer, 4 1st-winters - including one with a green ring.), 100 Sanderling. Paul Griggs, Steve Arlow (SOG).
Shoebury East Beach, 16:45 to 17:15: 1 Mediterranean Gull (adult), 22 Eider, 1 Oystercatcher (an odd looking leucistic bird. It was pure white with a normal Oystercatcher type head with a pale pink bill and legs.). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Tuesday 18th February 2003
Two Tree Island 14:15 - 15:00: 35 Avocet and large number of Lapwing, which flew off at 14:30, 1 Little Egret, 1 Grey Plover, on Lagoon. David Lee
Westcliff Seafront, 16:40 to 17:10: 5 Mediterranean Gull (2 adults, 2 2nd winters and 1 1st winter). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Two Tree Island, 17:10 to 17:50: 14 Little Egret (at least seen flying towards the roost), 1 Barn Owl (seen from the main car park from 5.40pm when flew from the east end on the island). Steve Arlow, Vince Kinsler (SOG).
Monday 17th February 2003
Chalkwell Seafront, 08:00: 70 Sanderling. Simon Watson (SOG).
Leigh on Sea, 08:00 to 08:05: 5 Waxwing (At the junction of Elmsleigh Drive & Picketts Ave. Seen by Brian Baldock). John Wright (SOG).
Priory Park 13:00 - 13:30: 1 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Grey Wagtail and 6 Redwing. Steve Sanford.
Westcliff Seafront, 13:35 to 13:50: 4 Mediterranean Gull (adult, 2 2nd winters and a 1st winter: in addition the Ring-billed Gull was reported on the Pager for 3.55pm.). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Corringham 13:40 - 13:45: 2 Peregrines in territorial dispute over Corringham Recreation Ground. Jim Cockram.
Hadleigh Downs, 14:45 to 15:15: 2 Woodcock. Andrew Woodhouse Essex Ranger Service.
Two Tree Island 17:25 - 17:45: Wonderful views of a Barn Owl hunting around the main car park over the EWT area. Web Author.
North Shoebury 20:45: Little Owl heard calling over house heading towards Wakering. Web Author.
Sunday 16th February 2003
Chalkwell Park Drive, 09:00 to 09:05: 1 Blackcap (Male, still around the garden.). John Wright (SOG).
Fleet Head, 09:40 to 10:50: 800 Brent Goose (with 1 Pale-bellied Brent Goose), 3 Little Egret, 2 Spotted Redshank. Steve Arlow, Ian Prentice (SOG).
Shoebury Coastguards, 11:10 to 11:50: 25 Guillemot (many auks moving east were to far out to identify but were probably of this species), 10 Red-throated Diver. Steve Arlow, Ian Prentice (SOG).
Canvey Island 11:30 - 12:00: Marsh Harrier, 200 Lapwing on Northwick Road grazing marsh. Dave Blackwell.
East Tilbury 12:00 - 12:45: 1 adult male Peregrine, c 100 Avocets, 10 Bar-tailed Godwits and 3 Little Stints. David Jobbins (Birds of East Tilbury)Birds of East Tilbury Website.
Ropers Farm 14:00 - 17:00: 1 Barn Owl, 4 Avocet, 3 Little Egret, 2 pairs Red Breasted Merganser, 100 Golden Plover, 100 Shelduck, 15 Bar-tailed Godwit, 3 Snipe, 3 Green Woodpecker. Steve Giles and Don Wildish.
Two Tree Island 14:30 - 16:00: 34 Avocet, Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Green Woodpecker, Meadow Pipit, 3 Stonechat, Linnet. Stuart Bailey.
Gunners Park 14:30 - 15:00: 40 Redshank, 25 Oystercatcher, 1 Fieldfare, 1 Redwing, 1 Kingfisher. Gary Jackson.
Two Tree Island 16:00 - 17:45: Redshank, Magpie, Kestrel, Curlew, Ringed Plover, Barn Owl - excellent views of it hunting over the Reserve & along the road towards the main car park - approximately 15 Little Egrets coming into roost. Nick & Lynne Bustin.
Hadleigh Downs: Meadow Pipit 32 on slopes below castle. Hadleigh Marsh: Grey Heron 2, Wigeon c. 60. Benfleet Creek/Two Tree Island: Shelduck 26, Mallard, Shoveler 7, Teal c. 170, Avocet 35. Martin Johnson.
Pitsea: An update on the Waxwings at Pitsea. On Sunday morning between 10:15 and 10:30, there were 12 Waxwings in the trees on the traffic island / roundabout at Pitsea, including several that were feeding on the berries on the bushes in front of the MacDonald's car park. Adam and Tim Bennett.
Saturday 15th February 2003
South Fambridge / Brandyhole area 10.05 - 11.40: Red Breasted Merganser 4 (3 female, 1 male), Curlew 25, Little Grebe 3, Great Crested Grebe, Reed Bunting 6, Little Egret 2, Green Woodpecker, Shelduck 16, Widgeon 70, Grey Plover 6, Mute Swan 16 (in fields). Ray Fuller.
Gunners Park - Shoebury 12:38 - 14:00 (from sea wall): 12 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Slavonian Grebe, 18 Common Eider (some near summer plumage males), 41 Common Redshank (roosting on water pools within park), 2 Guillemot. Steve Giles, Web Author.
Southchurch Hall Park 14:40: 2 drake, 3 female Mandarin Duck in north moat. Web Author.
Friday 14th February 2003
Westcliff Casino, 08:25 to 08:35: 1 Ring-billed Gull (adult), 4 Mediterranean Gull (Adult-winter, 2 2nd-winters, 1 1st-winter moulting to 1st-summer, with a green ring), 30 Brent Goose, 20 Sanderling. Paul Griggs (SOG).
Leigh Cocklesheds, 08:50 to 09:10: 1 Mediterranean Gull (Adult-summer), 5000 Knot. Paul Griggs (SOG).
Southend Airport 13:00 - 13:15: male and female Sparrowhawks displaying over north hanger, putting up a very large number of gulls off of the Westcliff rugby club field possibly as many as 1500, the most I have seen around the airport. Ivan Batchelor.
Pitsea 15:00: 29 Waxwing in Aldi car park. Jim Cockram.
Wednesday 12th February 2003
Wat Tyler Country Park 15:00: 1 Marsh Harrier (male). Stuart Bailey.
Coalhouse Fort, East Tilbury (p.m.): 1 Little Egret. (reported by phone).
Tuesday 11th February 2003
Ropers Farm 10:00 - 12:00: 6 Long-tailed Tit, 5 Redwing, 2 Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, Chaffinch, 3 Little Egret, 5 Skylark, 2 Pintail m/f, 2 Red-breasted Merganser m/f, Goldeneye 3m/5f, 2 Great Crested Grebe, Stonechat m/f, 50+ Avocet, Snipe, Grey Plover, Teal, Shelduck, Dunlin. Don Wildish.
Eastwood Sewage Works, 15:00 to 16:00: 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Chiffchaff, 6 Goldcrest, 8 Mallard, 12 Meadow Pipit, 4 Snipe. Vince Kinsler. (SOG).
Southchurch Hall Park 15:15: Two pairs of Mandarin Duck. Clive Jolly.
Monday 10th February 2003
Southend Airport 12:30: single Kingfisher. along brook from St Lawrence church. Ivan Batchelor.
Priory Park 13:00 - 13:30: Sparrowhawk, Redwing. Steve Sanford.
Churchill Gardens, 13:00 to 13:30: 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Goldcrest, 2 Song Thrush, 6 Long-tailed Tit, 4 Chaffinch, 2 Greenfinch. John Wright (SOG).
Southchurch Hall Park, 13:25 to 13:35: 4 Mandarin Duck (2 pairs). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Rayleigh: Blackcap (female), long-tailed tits (10), Great Spotted Woodpecker all in my garden. Robin Peppiatt.
Sunday 09th February 2003
Chalkwell Park Drive, 08:00 to 09:00: 1 Blackcap (Male in my garden.), 2 Redwing, 2 Song Thrush (Also in my garden.). John Wright (SOG).
Saturday 08th February 2003
South Fambridge / Brandyhole area 10.00 - 11.45: Little Egret 3, Brent Goose 1250, Mute Swan 29, Grey Plover, Little Grebe 3, Great Crested Grebe, Curlew 100+, Canada Goose 2, Stonechat, Reed Bunting 4, Widgeon 52, Red Breasted Merganser 5 (2 female, 3 male). Ray Fuller.
Two Tree Island 15.00 - 17.50: Little Egret 6 (roosting), Grey Heron 1, Brent Goose c.70, Shelduck 8, Mallard, Shoveler 5 (on western lagoon), Teal, Tufted Duck 1, Avocet 25. Martin Johnson.
Friday 07th February 2003
Basildon. Gloucester Park and County Court area. 08:00: 25 Waxwing. Ken Borley.
Chalkwell Park, 12:30: 1 Green Woodpecker. John Wright (SOG).
Westcliff Seafront, 12:40 to 13:00, Rising tide: 1 Ring-billed Gull (Adult still present, approx. 100m east of Rossi's.), 3 Mediterranean Gull (1w, 2w and adult), Plus Sanderling Turnstone, Redshank, Oystercatcher, Brent Geese.). John Wright (SOG).
Thursday 06th February 2003
Wat Tyler Country Park 10:45: 1 Peregrine Falcon. Stuart Bailey.
Southend Pier, 14:10 to 15:45: 5 Eider, 11 Guillemot, 4 Great Crested Grebe, 43 Kittiwake (Groups on water close in H. T. and on jetty), 12 Mediterranean Gull (Ad 4; 1st W 3; 2nd W 5.). Harry Carmichael (SOG)
Wednesday 05th February 2003
Eastwood Sewage Works, 08:00 to 09:00: 1 Chiffchaff. Chris Lewis (SOG)
Hockley Woods, 10:00: 2 Firecrest. Chris Lewis (SOG)
Canvey Island 10.00 - 10.10: Brent Goose c. 150 grazing on grassy parkland area at south end of Furtherwick Road between Western Esplanade and Eastern Esplanade some within 30m of road. Martin Johnson.
Priory Park 13:15 - 13:45: 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Grey Wagtail, 3+ Redwing, 1 Fieldfare. Steve Sanford.
Benfleet Creek, 14:30 to 15:00: 1 Peregrine Falcon, 1 Merlin (male with prey). Andrew Woodhouse, Steve Bunn Essex Ranger Service
Two Tree Island (West), 15:00 to 15:15: 45 Avocet, 19 Shoveler, 2 Gadwall (pair). Andrew Woodhouse, Steve Bunn Essex Ranger Service
Tuesday 04th February 2003
Hockley Woods 08:00: 8 Redwing in the trees near the main clearing. Nick Bustin.
Hanningfield Reservoir 10:00 - 13:00: Wigeon (200), Goldeneye (2 male 3 female), Teal (12 male 20 female), Mallard 20, Cormorant 40, Grey Heron 3, Great Black-backed Gull 4, Pied Wagtail 2, Wren 15, Goldcrest 30, Long-tailed Tit 25, Green Woodpecker 1, Blue Tit 12, Great Tit 2, Greylag Goose 18, Tufted Duck 3, Robin 15. Richard Mander.
Hanningfield Reservoir 15:00 - 16:00: Common Sandpiper, Snipe, Bullfinch. R Shepherd.
Shoebury, Trafalgar Road: Chiffchaff, this bird is now a regular visitor and can be approached to within 12 feet. Steve Giles.
Monday 03rd February 2003
Eastwood, 10:10 to 10:15: 1 Siskin (adult male on feeder in garden). Vince Kinsler (SOG)
Hadleigh Downs, 11:25 to 12:45: 1 Woodcock, 2 Bullfinch, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Green Woodpecker, 10 Redwing. Vince Kinsler (SOG)
Wat Tyler Country Park, 16:00 to 16:45: 1 Grey Wagtail, 3 Water Rail (in front of hide), 50 Wigeon, 2 Snipe. Vince Kinsler (SOG)
Leigh: Grey Wagtail has visited our roof garden for the last six days here in Leigh Broadway. Terry Strong.
Sunday 02nd February 2003
Two Tree Island 08:00: 1 Barn Owl, 8 Golden Plover, 2 Grey Plover, 8 Avocet, 1 Little Egret, 1 Skylark, 4 Curlew, 40+ Brent Geese. Barry Jackson.
South Fambridge / Brandyhole area 09.55 - 12.00: Kingfisher, Grey Plover 2, Little Egret 4, Sparrowhawk, Reed Bunting 2, Stonechat, Shelduck 12, Curlew 27, Widgeon 2, Mute Swan (20 in fields ), Great Crested Grebe 2, Brent Goose (3 large flocks in excess of 100 in each). Ray Fuller.
Roper's farm, 10:15 to 13:10: 1 Red-throated Diver (oiled flew high along the Roach), 19 Goldeneye, 8 Red-breasted Merganser, 2 Little Egret (on the Paglesham side of the river), 39 Avocet, 95 Black-tailed Godwit, 10 Pintail (6 drakes and 4 females mainly around the mouth of Barton Hall Creek.). Steve Arlow, Paul Griggs (SOG)
East Tilbury 13:00: 2 Little Egrets; c.100 Avocets; Merlin; large numbers of Kittiwakes following shipping on the rising tide. David Jobbins (Birds of East Tilbury)Birds of East Tilbury Website.
Priory Park 13:15: 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker. Steve Sanford.
Shoebury East Beach, 13:15 to 14:10: 1 Mediterranean Gull (1st winter showing a lot of grey wing coverts, presumably moulting to 1st summer.). Steve Arlow, Paul Griggs (SOG)
Southchurch Park West, 14:20: 2 Mediterranean Gull (both adults). Steve Arlow, Paul Griggs (SOG)
Westcliff Seafront, 14:30 to 14:40: 1 Ring-billed Gull (adult again showing exceptionally well opposite Rossi Ice Cream), 4 Mediterranean Gull (2 adults and 2 2nd winters). Steve Arlow, Paul Griggs (SOG)
Abberton Reservoir 14.30 - 15.30: Smew 2 (redheads) seen from the Layer Breton causeway to ESE diving among the willow trees near where the cormorants nest. Martin Johnson.
Wakering: Tawny Owl in the vicinity of Wakering Church. Lee Ebbs.
Lea Valley 15:00 - 16:00: Bittern, Water Rail, male & female Smew from Bittern Hide. Susan Anderson.
Saturday 01st February 2003
Canvey Island, 07:30 to 10:55: 2 Mediterranean Gull (adults), 60 Fieldfare. Steve Arlow (SOG)
Vange Marsh, 12:00 to 14:00: 2 Green Sandpiper, 1 Common Sandpiper, 54 Snipe, 53 Fieldfare, 26 Redwing. Chris Lewis (SOG)
Wakering Stairs 12:45 13:15: Great Northern Diver close to shore, Wren. Web Author.
Two Tree Island (West), 12:50 to 14:00: 2 Reed Bunting, 13 Skylark, 12 Redwing, 1 Stonechat (female), 1 Avocet, 1 Little Egret, 1 Greenshank, 400 Brent Goose, 1 Golden Plover, 1 Sparrowhawk, 14 Linnet, 1 Kestrel, 1 Kittiwake (immature - from the slipway carpark). Paul Griggs (SOG)
Magnolia NR and surrounding areas 13:15 - 14:45: 9 Common Gull, 1 Green Woodpecker, 100+ Redwing (there may have been 2 separate flocks both in excess of 100 birds), 21 Fieldfare. Steve Sanford.
Canvey Point, 14:00 to 15:50: 2 Mediterranean Gull (adults), 1 Peregrine Falcon (juvenile), 2 Guillemot. Steve Arlow (SOG)
Roper's Farm Area 14:50: Glaucous Gull, last seen heading towards Barling Tip. Ian Douch, Lee Ebbs.
The Fleet - Wakering (from old tip) 13:30 - 15:00: 2 Hen Harrier (ringtails), 15 Avocet. Steve Hiscock, Web Author.