Bird Reports for February 2004
Sunday 29th February 2004
East Tilbury 09.00 - 12.30: 2 Little Stint, c200 Avocet, Peregrine Falcon. Also 500 Black-tailed Godwit, Sanderling and 3 Bramblings reported. email: David Jobbins.
Blenheim Park, 13:00 to 13:05: 1 Sparrowhawk (Small bird, male.). Dudley Shayler (SOG).
Priory Park 16:00 - 17:00: 1 Kingfisher moving East along Prittle Brook, alongside the playground area. Also 10+ Fieldfare near dusk. Tim and Adam Bennett.
Two Tree Island 16.30: 1 Short-eared Owl. Benfleet Creek/Hadleigh Marsh 16.45-17.50 5 Little Grebe & 1 Great Crested Grebe fishing in creek, 5 Little Egret flying east to roost, 10 Brent Goose grazing on winter wheat, c.120 Wigeon, 7 Avocet, c.150 Bar-tailed and Black-tailed Godwit. Martin Johnson.
Saturday 28th February 2004
Hockley Woods 07:20 to 08:45: Hawfinch, male in playground copse. Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, male drumming by path from NW corner of clearing. Also Great Spotted and Green Woodpeckers, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Mistle Thrush, Redwing 70+, Goldcrest, Long-tailed Tit. Jeff Delve.
Hockley Woods 07:30 to 10:00: 1 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker In the mature oaks, due South of the log pile / cleared area. Drumming and calling extensively at around 7:40. Also 6+ Great Spotted Woodpecker, several Nuthatch, Redwing. Tim and Adam Bennett.
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 09.45 - 11.40: 642 Brent Goose, 2 Curlew, Red-breasted Merganser (5 male, 3 female), 2 Shelduck, 7 Reed Bunting, 3 Little Egret, Sparrowhawk, 2 Fieldfare, Kingfisher, Grey Plover, Great Crested Grebe, 3 Skylark singing and displaying. Ray Fuller.
Hadleigh Downs, 10:10 to 11:10: 2 Woodcock (but no sign of the Brambling). Neil Chambers (SOG).
Eastwood 10.30: 4 Waxwing just past Perrys. Web Author.
Hockley Woods 11.00 - 12.15: 1 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (finally, after five years of this bird eluding me! - good views in dead tree branches by log piles at bottom of valley), 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Nuthatch, Chaffinch, 14 Redwing. Web Author.
Eastwood, 12:30 to 12:40: 2 Waxwing (near the Western Approaches mini-roundabout). Neil Chambers (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park, 13:15 to 13:45: 1 Peregrine Falcon, 1 Water Rail (calling). Neil Chambers, Paul Baker (SOG).
Two Tree Island 16.45: 5 Twite. Martin Johnson.
Friday 27th February 2004
Eastwood, 07:30: 3 Waxwing (by the mini roundabout at Western Approaches). Paul Griggs (SOG).
Eastwood 14.00: 1 Little Egret in the stream at the back of the Audi/VW dealers, with Mallards. Mike Sagrott.
Thursday 26th February 2004
Hockley Woods, 07:40 to 08:20: 1 Hawfinch (female in the playground 08:10 - 08:20), 10 Redwing, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Grey Heron. Paul Griggs (SOG)
Leigh on Sea, 08:30 to 08:45: 1 Blackcap (a male in my garden on Nelson Road). Andrew Woodhouse (SOG)
Belhus Park 09.30 - 11.30: 6 Smew (2 drakes and 4 redheads). Steve Hiscock.
Hockley Woods, 10:00 to 11:00: 1 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (at edge of clearing near compound). Andrew Woodhouse (SOG)
Wat Tyler Country Park 11.05: 1 male Marsh Harrier. Terry Strong.
Wat Tyler Country Park 12.15 - 12.45: 1 Cetti's Warbler to the right of the main hide. Steve Hiscock.
Wat Tyler Country Park: 13:30 - 14:45: 1 Water Rail - heard calling to left of main hide, 1 Brent Goose - in field with Canada & Greylag Geese, 2 Little Grebe, 2 Gadwall - pair. Ian White.
Hockley Woods 16.15: 8 Redwing, 2 Mistle Thrush, 1 Nuthatch. Terry Strong.
Wednesday 25th February 2004
Southchurch, 17:30: 1 Stonechat (a male near the petrol station at Waitrose supermarket). Paul Griggs (SOG).
Tuesday 24th February 2004
Hadleigh, 08:30 to 12:00: 1 Brambling (at feeding station). Andrew Woodhouse Essex Ranger Service.
Eastwood, 16:00 to 16:30: 4 Waxwing (With Redwing, Fieldfare in hedge on main road), 1 Grey Wagtail (Brook at rectory). Harry Carmichael (SOG).
Monday 23rd February 2004
Thundersley, Kiln Road: 09.00: 1 female Blackcap. At 11.55 1 male Sparrowhawk caught a small Sparrow-sized bird near the bird table at the bottom of my garden, settled on the ground with it, chased off by my cat, still clutching it's kill. Mike Sagrott.
Two Tree Island, 09.30 - 11.30: 2 Snipe, 20+ Teal, Wigeon, Shoveler, Redshank, Oystercatcher, Curlew, 100+ Brent Geese (resting on sandbar towards Canvey), Magpie, Robin, many Lapwing, Cormorant. Heard a Skylark but couldn't make it out in the bright sky. Peter Walker.
Eastwood, Eastwoodbury Lane/junction Comet Way 09.45 - 10.30: 2 Waxwing, c.30 Redwing, c.30 Fieldfare moving between large Ash tree and Hawthorn bushes. Cherry Orchard Way: 1 Skylark singing above junk strewn field to west of road. Martin Johnson.
Wakering Common 14.00 - 15.30: Female Hen Harrier hovering low over field ditches, 3 Waxwing (Waxwing were in close group on the west side of Wakering Common on the edge of the field adjacent to the wide path through the common to New Road), 15 Fieldfare and equivalent number Redwing, Sparrowhawk, 5 Linnet. Jack Burrage.
Creeksea Ferry Road, Wallasea 15.45 - 16.00: 3 Little Egret. Jack Burrage.
Sunday 22nd February 2004
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 10.05 - 11.45: 10 Red-breasted Merganser (9 male, 1 female), 32 Shelduck, 40 Widgeon, 3 Little Egret, 2 Curlew, Reed Bunting, Great Crested Grebe, 4 Skylark singing and displaying. Ray Fuller.
Westcliff Seafront, 10:25 to 10:30: 1 Ring-billed Gull (adult still opposite Rossi), 4 Mediterranean Gull (3 adults and 1 2nd winter). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Hockley Woods 10.30 - 11.05: Lesser Spotted Woodpecker - bird picked up down near log pile area, then area to the north, eventually showing very well within 100m south of the car park. Calling & drumming frequently, wing flicking and even parachute display! Also Mistle Thrush, 5 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Nuthatch. No sign of any Hawfinches in playground area. Jeff Delve & Nick Green (EBS).
Southend Pier, 10:45 to 14:20: 12 Mediterranean Gull (4 each of Adults, 1st winter and 2nd winters. The green French ringed adult P20 and A00 also still present), 2 Common Scoter (females mid way along the pier), 8 Red-throated Diver, 2 Great Northern Diver (flying away distantly), 8 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Razorbill, 2 Guillemot, 1 Shag, 1 Cormorant. Steve Arlow (SOG).
Hockley Woods, 12:00 to 14:00: 1 Treecreeper, 2 Nuthatch, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Goldcrest. Paul Baker (SOG).
Hadleigh Castle Country Park, 12.50 - 13.00: 1 Brambling (Feeding station in car park). Steve Bunn Essex Ranger Service.
Hadleigh Downs, 14:15 to 15:15: 1 Brambling (at feeding station), 1 Woodcock, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker. Paul Baker (SOG).
Saturday 21st February 2004
Westcliff, Kenilworth Gardens 06.45: I sat for about 25 mins watching three Bearded Tits in my garden in Westcliff. They were feeding on Pampas and Crocosmia seed heads. I think this was probably pretty unusual and has prompted me to rise at first light ever since but no further sightings. I was so mesmerised that I didn't even think to reach 15 feet across the kitchen for the camera laying on the worktop! David Burrage.
Hockley Woods 08:00 to 08:30: 1 Hawfinch feeding with Greenfinch and Chaffinch at the far end Playground. 3 Mistle Thrush, 4 Song Thrush and 4 Redwing all feeding within 5 yards of each other within the leaf litter by the edge of the playground. 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Green Woodpecker. Bob Morgan.
Wat Tyler Country Park 09.30: female Marsh Harrier over large reed bed. Jim Cockram.
Eastwood, 11:10 to 11:20: 10 Waxwing (in the rectory opposite the Audi showroom). Don Petrie (SOG).
Hadleigh Castle Country Park, 14.30: 1 Brambling (Feeding station in car park). Steve Bunn Essex Ranger Service, Web Author.
Leigh Broadway 15.35: Grey Wagtail in the company of a Pied Wagtail and a Robin in car park. Two Jackdaw on the Roof behind. Terry Strong.
Friday 20th February 2004
Hadleigh Castle Country Park, 08:00 to 08:20: 1 Brambling (Feeding station in car park). Steve Bunn Essex Ranger Service.
Eastwood, Mayflower Close 08:25: 12 Waxwing (the usual Eastwood flock, but seen from my bedroom window!). Also at 08:35 to 08:45: 12 Waxwing (feeding along hedge and drinking out of the guttering of the Rectory, next to car showroom). Paul Baker (SOG).
Hockley Woods, 09:00 to 10:05: 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Goldcrest, 2 Nuthatch. Paul Baker (SOG).
Two Tree island 09.02: 1 adult Mediterranean Gull to Left of slipway. Terry Strong.
Westcliff Seafront, 11:30 to 11:35: 1 Ring-billed Gull ('Rossi' still in the same place), 3 Mediterranean Gull (2 2nd winters and an adult). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Eastwood, 11:50 to 11:55: 7 Waxwing (still in the bushes by the mini roundabout at Western Approaches). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Thundersley, Kiln Road 14.30 - 15.00: 1 Blackcap (male), 4 Redwing, 1 Song Thrush. Mike Sagrott.
Wednesday 18th February 2004
Eastwood 07.30 - 08.00: 14 Waxwing (Feeding in trees opp junct Western Approaches/Eastwoodbury lane near football pitches) 08:30
Sparrowhawk (male) in garden before flying low east towards airport. David Griffiths.
Hadleigh, 08:00 to 08:10: 1 Brambling (Feeding station in car park). Steve Bunn Essex Ranger Service.
Chalkwell Park Drive, Leigh, 09:00 to 16:00: 2 Sparrowhawk (Female over the garden twice & a 1st yr. male plucking a sparrow
on the grass), 4 Redwing, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Blackcap (Male). John Wright (SOG).
Rayleigh, 17:25: 1 Sparrowhawk (flew south over A127 nr St. Michaels Road). Paul Baker (SOG).
Tuesday 17th February 2004
Hadleigh Castle Country Park 08:45 to 09:10: 1 Brambling, 1 Hawfinch (female feeding in hedge near feeding station in the car park), 1 Mistle Thrush (feeding station). Steve Bunn Essex Ranger Service.
Wat Tyler Country Park 11.00: 1 Peregrine Falcon, (in pylon, from boat museum hide). Stuart Bailey.
Monday 16th February 2004
Hadleigh Downs, 08:30 to 08:40: 1 Brambling. Andrew Woodhouse Essex Ranger Service.
Hockley Woods 08:35 - 10:00: 2 Hawfinch (male & female) feeding together on ground in Play Area with mixed flock of Greenfinches & Chaffinches. 1 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (male) feeding in top of oaks in clearing behind log pile (next to Blue Trail) near Car Park. 2 Nuthatch on ground between Car Park and Play Area. Also Green Woodpeckers & Great Spotted Woodpeckers; Long Tailed Tits; Song Thrush; Grey Heron. Ian White.
North Fambridge to Burnham on Crouch 09.30 - 13.30: 1 Hen Harrier, 3 Skylark, 900+ Brent Geese grazing on fields. Roger Shinn.
Southend, Tesco's A127 17.00: 132 Pied Wagtail in car park. Web Author.
Sunday 15th February 2004
Thurrock. N. of R. Thames: 09.30: 3 Jack Snipe, 1 Woodcock, 20 Common Snipe. Graham Ryland.
Eastwood, 09:30 to 09:45: 11 Waxwing (commuting between bushes by football pitches and opposite the VW garage on Comet Way to the NE). Neil Chambers (SOG).
Belhus Woods 11.30: 2 Smew (1 Drake), 2 Siskin. Graham Ryland.
Fleet Head, Wakering 11.30 - 13.00: 1 Pale Bellied Brant (In with large flock. We didn't have enough time to scope all the birds because the farmer went tearing across the fields towards the the group in his land rover, putting them up in the air. He then got out, grabbed his gun and took a couple of shots at them as they flew off. None as far as we could see got hit), Shoveler, 1 Kestrel, 1 Hen Harrier (female). Andrew Bridge & Lee Ebbs.
Two Tree Island (West) 12.00 - 14.00: At least 2 displaying Skylark (one flying right between 4 model aircraft), 200+ Lapwing, 14 Brent Geese, 3 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Spotted Redshank in lagoon, Shoveler, Teal, Meadow Pipit, Corn Bunting. Yasmine Hamid.
Wakering Old Tip, 14:15 to 15:00: 1 Barn Owl (posibly 2 birds), 1 over the boat yard and Potton Island. 1 later near the beginning of the War Dept Road). Dudley Shayler (SOG).
Rochford: 15:30 to 15:35: 1 Kingfisher (over the stream crossing Aviation Way). Dudley Shayler (SOG).
Swan Lane, Margaretting 17.00: 1 Little Owl. Jim Cockram.
Saturday 14th February 2004
Hockley Woods 07:50 to 10:15: 2 Hawfinch (1 male, 1 female), Nuthatch, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker, Chaffinch, Grey Heron (flew over), Robin, Jay, Long-tailed Tits, Treecreeper, Mistle Thrush. Web Author, Tim and Adam Bennett, et al.
Eastwood, 08:10 to 08:20: 5 Waxwing (Eastwoodbury Rd./Snakes Lane/Western Approaches - bushes alongside football pitches. Plus Redwings). John Wright (SOG).
Eastwood, 09:00 to 09:20: 2 Grey Wagtail (by the stream near VW dealer but no Waxwing). Paul Baker (SOG).
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 09.30 - 11.05: 4 Widgeon, 9 Great Crested Grebe, Little Grebe, 14 Shelduck, 4 Little Egret (2 on north side of Crouch) 4 Red-breasted Merganser (3 male and 1 female), 24 Curlew, 2 Canada Goose, 2 Grey Plover, 4 Reed Bunting, 14 Corn Bunting, Bar-tailed Godwit, 800+ Brent Goose, 9 Skylark singing and displaying. Ray Fuller.
Hadleigh Country Park 10:50 to 11:10: 1 female Brambling. Showing occasionally at the Chapel Lane car park feeding Station), 1 Sparrowhawk (male also at the Hadleigh Country Park feeding station). Web Author. John Wright. (SOG).
Southend Pier, 13:00 to 14:20: 6 Mediterranean Gull (3 adults, 2 2nd winters, 1 1st winter). Neil Chambers (SOG).
Chalkwell Park Drive, Leigh, 13:30 to 13:35: 2 Redwing (around my garden), 1 Blackcap (male in my garden. Plus 6 Greenfinch). John Wright (SOG).
Two Tree Island 14:10: 1 Short-eared Owl quartering rough ground to the west of the model airfield. Web Author.
Chalkwell Park Drive, Leigh, 14:45 to 16:30: 1 Goldcrest (In my garden. Plus the male Blackcap still, in sub-song) John Wright (SOG).
Friday 13th February 2004
Wat Tyler Country Park, 09:15 to 09:35: 2 Water Rail, 2 Cetti's Warbler (both singing). Neil Chambers (SOG).
Hockley Woods, 10:30 to 11:10: 1 Hawfinch (flew in from left to top of trees and then dropped into copse in playground). Mark Wickins (SOG).
Two Tree Island 10.30 to 10.45: 1 Short-eared Owl flew over creek on west side of island towards Southend, but returned within 15 minutes. Jim English.
Hadleigh Downs, 13:10 to 15:20: 1 Brambling. Andrew Woodhouse Essex Ranger Service.
Westcliff, Corner of Valkerie/Britannia Road 16:30: 2 long-tailed Tit. Yasmine Hamid.
Thursday 12th February 2004
Hockley Woods, 07:20 to 08:30: 1 male Hawfinch, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker (all drumming), 1 Green Woodpecker. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Hockley Woods, 08:05 to 09:05: 1 Hawfinch (in play area till 8:20 at least ), 1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Nuthatch, 1 Treecreeper, 1 Tawny Owl (heard only, calling from trees S.E. of compound). Paul Baker (SOG).
Hadleigh Downs, 09:00 to 13:30: 1 Brambling (still at the feeders in Chapel Lane car park). Andrew Woodhouse Essex Ranger Service.
Vange Marsh 10.00 - 11.30: Yellow-legged Herring Gull, Little Egret, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Reed Bunting, 12 Common Snipe (south end, in saltmarsh by creek). Graham Ryland.
Wat Tyler Country Park 11.50 - 12.30: 2 Peregrine Falcon (1 favouring the Pylon at12.00 viewed from the scrape hide), Mediterranean Gull (Adult), 3 Water Rail calling regularly. Graham Ryland.
Westcliff Seafront, 13:05 to 13:10: 1 Ring-billed Gull (adult still present), 3 Mediterranean Gull (2 adults and 1st winter). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Fingringhoe Wick: Greater Flamingo (!) still present. Unringed bird still on estuary, it has now been present for about 8 weeks.
Wednesday 11th February 2004
Benfleet, Woodside park, Fane Lane area. 09.30 - 11.00: 170 Redwing, 24 Fieldfare, 4 Mistle Thrush, 2 Song Thrush, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker (2 paired), 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Bullfinch (male). Graham Ryland.
Basildon 09.30: 1 Fieldfare. Shaun Sparkes.
Hockley Woods 10.30-11.45: 1 Hawfinch (in childrens play area), 1 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (east of log pile south of car park). Steve Hiscock.
Hadleigh (back garden) 12.00 - 12.20: Male Sparrowhawk made kill of starling, plucked and devoured in ten minutes. Roger Shinn.
Two Tree Island : 13.30: 1 Short-Eared Owl roosting on saltmarsh west end of Island, looking south towards castle. 84 Brent Geese still present, 1 Corn Bunting, 1 Water Rail in salt marsh (East end), 6 Reed Bunting. Graham Ryland.
Hadleigh Castle Country Park 14.15: 1 female Brambling with flock of c. 10 Chaffinch at bird feeding station in Chapel Lane car park. Martin Johnson.
Tuesday 10th February 2004
Hockley Woods, 07:25 to 08:05: (no sign of the Hawfinch) 1 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (male around the open area south of the car park), 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker (all drumming), 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Nuthatch. Neil Chambers (SOG).
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 10.20. - 12.15: 58 Widgeon, 3 Great Crested Grebe, Grey Plover, 61 Shelduck, 4 Little Egret, 6 Curlew, 6 Reed Bunting, 5 Little Grebe, 500 + Brent Goose, 17 Golden Plover, 26 Red-breasted Merganser (17 male, 9 female). Ray Fuller.
Canvey West End, 14:00 to 15:30: 1 Woodcock, 2 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).
Monday 09th February 2004
Westcliff:, Valkerie Road / Finchley Road 09.00: 2 Mistle Thrush, 3 Blackbird and at least 11 Redwing in the back gardens behind the old church. The resident male blackbird made futile attempts to drive them off. Yasmine Hamid.
Priory Park 11.00: 1 Little Egret in the Cory Trust wetland area and was there for quite some time. Peter Walker.
Leigh 14.20: 2 Jackdaw on roofs behind Leigh Broadway. Terry Strong.
Sunday 08th February 2004
Hadleigh Castle Country Park 08.30: 1 Brambling. John and Adam Bennett.
Hadleigh Downs, 12:00 to 14:00: 1 Long-eared Owl, 1 Woodcock, 2 Bullfinch, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Brambling (female at the feeding station at 14:00 hrs.). Paul Griggs (SOG).
Hockley Woods 12.20: Hawfinch still showing in Children's play area . Favouring young trees in the SE Corner. 12.50 Grey Wagtail in my car park behind Leigh Broadway. Terry Strong.
Wat Tyler Country Park 14.00: 2 Green Sandpiper. Kevin Rees.
Fleet Head, 15:00 to 17:00: 2 Barn Owl (1 on Potton Is., 1 around Wakering Tip), 1 Hen Harrier (ringtail on Potton Is.), 20 Black-tailed Godwit, 10 Ruff, 4 Little Egret, 3 Turnstone, 200 Golden Plover (Potton Creek), 300 Lapwing, 20 Stock Dove, 50 Avocet (Potton Creek). Neil Chambers (SOG).
Wakering Common (in fields opposite Potton Creek): 500+ Brent Geese including a Black Brant and 1 (possibly 2) Pale-bellied Brent. Lee Ebbs.
Saturday 07th February 2004
Hockley Woods, 08:00 to 09:30: 1 Hawfinch (in childrens play area. Mostly on the ground in leaf litter or grass), 1 Treecreeper, 3 Nuthatch, 2 Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker. Paul Baker, Neil Chambers (SOG).
Hadleigh Downs, 09:10 to 09:15: 1 Brambling (Feeding station chapel lane car park). Steve Bunn Essex Ranger Service.
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 09.35 - 11.35: 353 Brent Goose, 35 Shelduck, 4 Curlew, 7 Reed Bunting, Little Egret, 2 Widgeon, Mute Swan, 11 Golden Plover. Ray Fuller.
Eastwood Sewage Works, 10:00 to 11:00: Habitat is not conducive to Snipe/Jack Snipe anymore 1 Woodcock (flushed from middle settling bed), 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker. Paul Baker (SOG).
Hockley Woods, 11:15 to 14:00: 1 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (female, near the golf driving range, calling several times at 11:30). Paul Griggs (SOG).
Wakering Stairs, Haven Point, 11:30 to 13:00: 2 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Hen Harrier (ringtails, (Merlin also seen briefly by another observer)), 1 Rock Pipit, 12 Skylark, 3 Little Egret, 60 Avocet (distantly in Potton Creek). Paul Baker (SOG).
Wakering Tip 13.00 - 15.30: 2 Ringtail Hen Harrier, 1 Barn Owl, 3 Little Egret, 420 Brent Geese. Graham Ryland.
Pitsea: 22 Waxwing reported by Tesco.
Friday 06th February 2004
Pitsea: 25 Waxwing reported by Tesco.
Thursday 05th February 2004
Hadleigh Castle Country Park 08.30 - 10.30: 1 Brambling. Andrew Woodhouse Essex Ranger Service.
Wednesday 04th February 2004
Hadleigh Castle Country Park 10.00 - 10.15: 1 female Brambling. Andrew Woodhouse Essex Ranger Service.
Tollesbury: 20 Snow Bunting reported by shingle bank next to pillbox.
Tuesday 03rd February 2004
Hadleigh Castle Country Park 09:00: 1 female Brambling. Andrew Woodhouse Essex Ranger Service.
Leigh-on-Sea 15.50 - on mudflat close to shore just east of the Gipsy Bridge: 13 Brent Goose, fairly tame, 1 had metal band on left leg - could not see or read any lettering or numbers from c.40 m range with 28 times magnification. Martin Johnson.
Two Tree Island (west lagoon hide): Spotted Redshank, and on mud bank over seawall 40+ Avocet and 8 Cormorant including 1 subspecies with white head. Roger Shinn.
Wat Tyler Country Park: Cetti's warbler and 2 Peregrine Falcon reported.
Monday 02nd February 2004
Hockley Woods, 08:00: 2 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker reported. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Hadleigh, 08:30 to 08:45: 1 Brambling. Andrew Woodhouse Essex Ranger Service.
Sunday 01st February 2004
Two Tree Island 08:00 to 10:45: 60 Avocet in Benfleet creek seen from the lagoon hide. 4 Skylark on the western side of the island. 30 Fieldfare on the western side, rather mobile along the northern path. David Lee.
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 09.40 - 11.20: 434 Brent Goose, 4 Widgeon, 3 Shelduck, Red-breasted Merganser ( male), Little Egret , Reed Bunting, 2 Curlew, Great Crested Grebe. Ray Fuller.
Eastwood, 10:25 to 10:45: 1 Fieldfare (but no sign of any Waxwings), 15 Redwing. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Hadleigh Marshes, 10:30 to 11:00: 120 Wigeon, 1 Stonechat. Also 2 Bullfinch, 1 Woodcock reported on Hadleigh Downs. Andrew Woodhouse Essex Ranger Service.
Hanningfield Reservoir 11:00 - 13:00: 6 Goosander (2m, 4f), Goldeneye, Pintail (pair), Wigeon, Teal, Gadwall, Mallard, Tufted Duck, 1 Barnacle Goose, 2 Redshank, 3 Dunlin, Lapwing, 1 Mediterranean Gull (ad.), all five regular gull species, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Grey Heron. Andrew Cox.
Canvey Island, 11:10 to 11:45: 3 Green Woodpecker, 50 Fieldfare (around the area of the first roundabout). Neil Chambers (SOG), Steve Sanford, Web Author.
Hockley Woods, 12:15 to 13:00: 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker (drumming), 1 Treecreeper, 2 Lesser Redpoll. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Fleet Head, Wakering 15:00 - 16:30: 1 Hen Harrier (ring tail), 61 Ruff in two parties (48 and 13) with Lapwing, 12 Black-tailed Godwit, 17 Corn Bunting. Jeff Delve and Nick Green (EBS).
Benfleet Creek & Two Tree Island Lagoon 16.00 - 17.30: 1 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 14 Brent Goose, 25 Shelduck, 2 Mallard, 8 Shoveler (on TTI lagoon), c. 120 Teal, Oystercatcher, 42 Avocet, Grey Plover, Lapwing, Dunlin, Redshank, c.50 Black-tailed Godwit, 24 Fieldfare flying west at dusk. Martin Johnson.
Chalkwell Park Drive, Leigh, 16:10: 1 Sparrowhawk (Male, hunting low through the gardens). John Wright (SOG).