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Bird Reports for February 2005

Monday 28th February 2005

Shoebury Coastguards, 09:00 to 10:10
10 Snow Bunting (still present by Uncle Tom's). Steve Arlow (SOG), Web Author.

Westcliff Seafront, 11:30 to 11:20
1 Ring-billed Gull (adult still on the Groynes), 3 Mediterranean Gull (2 adults and a 2nd year). Steve Arlow (SOG).

Thundersley, Woodside Park, 17:30 to 18:05
1 Woodcock. Vince Kinsler (SOG).

Thundersley, Woodside Park, 18:00 to 19:00
2 Woodcock (no sign of any Tawny Owls tonight). Graham Ryland (SOG).

Hanningfield Reservoir form Fremnalls
6 Smew - 4 drakes yesterday p.m. Roy Widgery.

Sunday 27th February 2005

Canvey Point 07.15 - 08.30
10 Reed Bunting, 40+ Curlew (1 Weasel). Martin Cracknell.

Eastwood, Mayflower Close, 09:25
1 Sparrowhawk (male, landed on the bird table!). Paul Baker (SOG).

Shoebury Common, 10:15 to 10:30
10 Snow Bunting (east of Cabin). Web Author.

Wakering Stairs, 10:40 to 11:00
1 Water Rail (skating on ice in brook half way down MOD road). Web Author.

Hullbridge, Pooles Lane, 11.00 - 15.00
50+ House Sparrow and Dunlin, 4 Goldfinch, 2 Chaffinch, 30 Blue Tit, 20 Great Tit, 4 Blackbird, 10 Collared Dove, 6 Starling, 2 Green Woodpecker, 2 Robin, 1 Wren, 20 Greenfinch, 2 Song Thrush and one spectacular showing of male Sparrowhawk, he invaded the garden for 1/2 hour and only left when I got within six feet of him when taking photographs. David Flack.

Gunners Park, 12:00 to 13:00 (from jetty)
1 Great Northern Diver, 2 Red-throated Diver. Ian Douch, Lee Ebbs, Web Author.

River Crouch, 14:45 to 15:25, Viewed from the north side at North Fambridge
4 Red-breasted Merganser (2 pairs), 2 Little Grebe, 24 Black-tailed Godwit. Neil Chambers (SOG).

Westcliff Seafront, 16:00 to 16:10
1 Ring-billed Gull, 3 Mediterranean Gull (2 adults & 1st winter). Neil Chambers (SOG).

Shoebury Coastguards, 16:15 to 16:25
10 Snow Bunting (on grass east of Uncle Tom's Cabin). Neil Chambers (SOG).

Gunners Park, 16:30 to 16:50
1 Red-throated Diver, 4 Eider, 15 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Red-breasted Merganser (darke). Neil Chambers (SOG).

Thundersley, Fanes Wood, 17:00 to 17:45
1 Sparrowhawk (female). Graham Ryland (SOG).

Fishers Green
2 Water Rail, 4 Goosander, 1 male Smew, 3 Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Mute Swam, Black Swan, Grey Heron, Fieldfare, Redwing, Blackbird, Reed Bunting, Chaffinch, Coot, Cormorant, Carrion Crow, Collared Dove, Dunnock, Gadwall, Canada Goose, Greylag Goose, Great Crested Grebe, Little Grebe, Greenfinch, Black-Headed Gull, Common Gull, Herring Gull, Lapwing, Magpie, Mallard, Moorhen, Common Pheasant, Wood Pigeon, Meadow Pipit, Pochard, Robin, Rook, Ruddy Duck, House Sparrow, Starling, Song Thrush, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Long-Tailed Tit, Tufted Duck, Pied Wagtail, Wigeon, Green Woodpecker, Wren. Also: Weasel and Water Vole. Tim, Adam and Ashley Bennett.
 

Saturday 26th February 2005

Hockley Woods, 08:00 to 09:30
2 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (pair), 1 Green Woodpecker (heard), 3 Nuthatch, 15 Redwing, 1 Hawfinch (observed in the playground at 08:00 and 08:10 before flying off east into gardens). Paul Griggs, Steve Arlow (SOG).

Hockley Woods, 09:15 to 10:30
1 Sparrowhawk (female), 1 Nuthatch, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker (pair), 1 Tawny Owl (heard). John Wright (SOG).

South Fambridge, 09:45 to 10:20
110 Black-tailed Godwit, 9 Red-breasted Merganser, 300 Dark-bellied Brent Goose. Paul Griggs, Steve Arlow (SOG).

Shoebury Coastguards, 10:30 to 10:40
10 Snow Bunting (Next to Uncle Tom's Cabin). Dudley Shayler (SOG).

Wat Tyler Country Park 10:45
2 Water Rail together in second cleared area from right, across scrape. Peregrine Falcon perched atop nearest pylon for 10 minutes before flying off south. 2 Oystercatcher on island in scrape, a lot of water has been pumped off this week. Gary Clinton.

South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 10.35 - 12.10
33 Mute Swan, 56 Teal, 8 Red-breasted Merganser (3 female), 5 Little Grebe, 4 Great Crested Grebe, 4 Reed Bunting, 4 Curlew, 150+ Wigeon, Grey Plover, 5 Shelduck, 55 Golden Plover, 3 Corn Bunting, 2 Little Egret, c.1000 Brent Goose, 4 Skylark. Ray Fuller.

Shoebury Coastguards, 11:15 to 11:40
10 Snow Bunting (On grass east of Uncle Tom's Cabin). John Wright (SOG).

Southend Seafront, 11:45 to 11:55
1 Purple Sandpiper (On the beach a few hundred yards east of the old gas works jetty.), 40 Sanderling, 50 Ringed Plover, 20 Dunlin John Wright (SOG).

Westcliff Seafront, 12:00 to 12:10
10 Great Crested Grebe (off shore opposite Rossi's), 120 Sanderling, 50 Turnstone. John Wright (SOG).

Two Tree Island 13.00
5 Curlew, calling and feeding - lovely! several Grey Plover, 12 Brent Geese, 4 Little Grebe, Dunlin, Sanderling, lots of Ringed Plover, good sized flock of Knot. Gary Clinton.

Gunners Park, 13:30 to 14:10
2 Red-throated Diver, 1 Great Northern Diver, 6 Great Crested Grebe, 23 Eider, 12 Common Scoter. Web Author.

Shoebury Common 13.30
10 Snow Bunting, 2 Pied Wagtail and 21 Turnstone. David Flack.

Wakering Stairs, 14:30 to 14:45
1 Red-throated Diver, 1 Barn Owl (hunting alongside trains). Web Author. Purple Sandpiper reported east of stairs by fence by WeBS comuter.

Navestock Gardens, Thorpe Bay 14.45
1 Sparrowhawk (in my back garden having made a kill. Spent about 5 minutes on ground eating then flew off with prey). John Pitts.

Woodside Park, Thundersley, 17:50 to 18:30
1 Tawny Owl, 30 Lapwing. Graham Ryland (SOG).

Gunners Park, (from jetty)
1 Great Northern Diver. Ian Douch, Lee Ebbs.

Friday 25th February 2005

Belfairs, 08:00
4 Little Egret (up to 4 recently around the nature reserve and golf course, often feeding on fairways), 2 Lesser Redpoll. Tony Mead (SOG).

Southend, Salisbury Avenue 08:00
1 Chiffchaff. Tony Mead (SOG).

Laindon, Crown Hill, Langdon Hills 08:15
Pair of Bullfinch in trees to south of church. Heard Woodpeckers drumming but was late for work and had to leave. Gary Clinton.

Leigh, Mayflower close 08.30
From 5 foot away a pair of Goldcrest in my Christmas tree in the garden .Watched for 5 mins and then flew into the conifer trees. Wendy Meddle.

Canvey West End, 09:45 to 13:00
3 Mediterranean Gull (adults were probably those seen at Wat Tyler yesterday based on the face and head patterns), 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Little Owl, 1 Sparrowhawk. Steve Arlow (SOG).

Wat Tyler Country Park, 13:30 to 14:10
5 Mediterranean Gull (2 of these birds were the same as yesterday and from Hole Haven today. All were adults with one having a complete hood). Steve Arlow (SOG).

Shoebury Coastguards, 14:50 to 15:15
10 Snow Bunting (Beach; grass; on beach huts). Harry Carmichael (SOG).

Shoebury Common 15.15 - 15.25
10 Snow Bunting (on grass east of cafe) also Chiffchaff in my garden a.m. Steve Giles.

Chafford Hundred Quarry, Drake Road 15:30 to 16:30
10 male and female Tufted Duck, 2 female Pochard, 1 male and 1 female Shoveler, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Cormorant, 1 Long Tailed Tit, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Kingfisher (on western edge of lake). G Bowles.

Woodside Park, Thundersley, 17:30 to 18:30
5 Tawny Owl (2 Adults with 3 juvs. giving their begging call in flight). Graham Ryland (SOG).

Thursday 24th February 2005

Brentwood, 1 London Road 07.45
2 Little Egret heading East at 50 ft. Robin Peppiatt.

Laindon, Nicholas School Field 09:00
2
Mediterranean Gulls back again this morning still with lots of BHG. One of Meds has some red staining of some kind on belly. Gary Clinton.

Westcliff Seafront, 09:30 to 10:00
1 Ring-billed Gull (again showing extremely well this morning), 2 Mediterranean Gull (adult and 2nd winter). Steve Arlow (SOG).

Southchurch Park 13:00 - 13:10
4 Ringed Plover on the cricket pitch, 1 Little Grebe on boating lake. Richard Mander.

Shoebury Common 13.00 - 13.10
6 Snow Bunting east of Cabin. Web Author.

Southend Seafront, Old Gas Works Pier 13:15 - 13:45
1 Purple Sandpiper, large numbers Dunlin, Ringed Plover, Sanderling and Turnstone. Richard Mander.

Shoebury Common 13:50 - 14:00
10 Snow Bunting, 12 Turnstone, 6 Sanderling, 20 Black-headed Gull, 1 Common Gull. Richard Mander.

Wat Tyler Country Park, 14:30 to 16:30
4 Mediterranean Gull (3 adults and a 2nd winter), 2 Water Rail. Steve Arlow (SOG).

Wat Tyler Country Park 16:30
2 Water Rail showing at same time, one in usual place, one in next cleared patch of reeds on far bank of scrape. Gary Clinton.

Woodside Park, Thundersley, 17:30 to 18:30
3 Tawny Owl (After a two year absence calling & flying over the cemetery). Graham Ryland (SOG).

Wednesday 23rd February 2005

Westcliff Seafront, 14:20 to 14:25
1 Ring-billed Gull (adult on the roof of the casino). Steve Arlow (SOG).

Shoebury Common 10:00 to 10:40
10 Snow Bunting. Mostly on the beach but sometimes on the common just east of Uncle Tom's Cabin or on the beach hut roofs. David Lee.

Shoebury Common Beach 11:00 - 11:30
10 Snow Bunting, 1 Sanderling, 12 Turnstone, 20 Black-headed Gull, 2 Common Gull. Richard Mander.

Southend Seafront, 12:20 to 12:40
1 Purple Sandpiper (In roost of small waders opposite Chester Road). Harry Carmichael (SOG).

Shoebury Coastguards, 12:50 to 13:10
10 Snow Bunting (On grassed area near cabin). Harry Carmichael (SOG).

Gunners Park, 13:15 to 14:00
27 Great Crested Grebe, 5 Red-throated Diver, 1 Guillemot. Harry Carmichael (SOG).

Laindon, Nicholas School Field
2 adult Mediterranean Gulls amongst lots of BHG's, good contrast. Gary Clinton.

Tuesday 22nd February 2005

Southend Pier, 09:00 to 11:15
3 Razorbill, 6 Guillemot, 3 Fulmar (up river), 114 Kittiwake (going east out of the river though many were still going up river), 6 Red-throated Diver (including a summer plumaged bird), 4 Mediterranean Gull (adult, 2nd winter and 2 1st winters). Steve Arlow (SOG).

Thorpe Bay, Willingale Way 09.30
1 Little Egret (on the bank of the stream and stayed there for 2 hours). John Pitts.

Shoebury Common 11.00.- 11.30
10 Snow Bunting on tideline with Turnstones and Sanderling, later on grass east of Uncle Tom's Cabin. Mike Sagrott.

Southend Seafront, 11:35 to 11:40
1 Purple Sandpiper (still in wader flock over high tide opposite Chester Avenue). Steve Arlow (SOG).

Shoebury Coastguards, 11:45 to 12:20
10 Snow Bunting (still on grass by Uncle Toms Cabin). Steve Arlow (SOG).

Hanningfield Reservoir
4 Snipe from Point Hide, Long-tailed Tits all over reserve, many Goldeneye, Black Swan from Point Hide, Lapwing (More than 300 on island). Gary Clinton.

Wat Tyler Country Park
1 Little Egret (Landing on island in scrape forced down in Blizzard, spectacular!). Gary Clinton.

Monday 21st February 2005

Belfairs Woods 10:40
1 Little Egret on the fairway of the 17th hole. David Lee.

Two Tree Island (West), 11:00 - 11:35
2 Short-eared Owl. Steve Bunn Essex Ranger Service.

Hockley Woods, 11:20 to 12:30
1 Green Woodpecker, 5 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 4 Nuthatch, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Treecreeper, 2 Mistle Thrush, 2 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (1 calling from cleared area left of path as you walk down the hill from car park. Also a female along stream path behind the compound showed very well). Vince Kinsler (SOG).

Shoebury, 15:10 to 15:10
10 Snow Bunting (On the grass just east of Uncle Tom's Cabin). Steve Sanford (SOG).

Sunday 20th February 2005

Canvey Point 07.30 - 08.30
1 Red-throated Diver, 33 Great Crested Grebe (1 raft of 15 sheltering in the lee of the island). Martin Cracknell.

Shoebury, Trafalgar Road 08.00 - 08.05
Chiffchaff in my garden. Steve Giles.

Shoebury Common 08.10 - 09.00
1 Sanderling, 12 Turnstone, 4 Linnet, 10 Snow Bunting. Web Author.

Eastwood, Mayflower Close 10:45 to 10:45
1 Grey Wagtail (flew east over the house along the brook). Paul Baker (SOG).

Southend Seafront (Rossi's/Westcliff Casino) 11.15 - 12.15
3 Mediterranean Gull (no sign of Rossi). Martin Cracknell.

Shoebury Common 13.15
10 Snow Bunting. R Shepherd.

Wat Tyler Country Park
1 adult Yellow Legged Gull standing on old wreck in Oyster Creek at Wat Tyler. Gary Clinton.

Westcliff-on-sea, Westborough Road
1 Goldcrest in our back garden. Shelley Woolley.

Saturday 19th February 2005

Prittle Brook (Leigh on Sea), 08:30 to 09:00
1 Little Egret (in trees in my garden). Brian Baldock (SOG).

Westcliff Casino, 09:30 to 09:45
1 Ring-billed Gull (Rossi still present and showing well), 2 Mediterranean Gull (adult and second-winter). Paul Griggs (SOG).

Shoebury Common, Grass East of Uncle Toms Cabin 10.00
10 Snow Bunting. Richard Mander.

South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 10.10 - 12.15
40 Brent Goose, 5 Red-breasted Merganser (1 female), 3 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Little Grebe, 7 Reed Bunting, 4 Curlew, 14 Teal, 5 Grey Plover, 2 Little Egret, 2 Shelduck, Stonechat, 21 Mute Swan, 2 Wigeon, 6 Skylark. Ray Fuller.

Eastwood, Mayflower Close 17:10
1 Sparrowhawk (low over the garden mobbed by Starlings). Paul Baker (SOG).

Friday 18th February 2005

Westcliff Seafront, 09:30 to 09:35
1 Ring-billed Gull (adult on beach). Steve Arlow (SOG).

Thursday 17th February 2005

Pitsea, 11:00 to 11:30
84 Waxwing (in trees east of Lidl's). Vince Kinsler (SOG).

River Roach, 11:30 to 13:30
1 Whimbrel (last months bird again), 1 Stonechat (male at Ropers Farm), 500 Golden Plover (at least), 1 Yellow-legged Gull (adult near the rubbish tip), 1 Spotted Redshank, 28 Avocet, 221 Black-tailed Godwit (including a colour ringed bird, yellow over red above the knee), 2 Little Egret, 13 Goldeneye. Steve Arlow (SOG).

Barling Rubbish Tip, 14:00 to 15:30
1 Glaucous Gull (1st winter seen close 2.10pm to 2.25pm when flew to the Roach. It then returned and was present from 3.00pm to 3.12pm when was flushed by a dust truck and flew south over the tip with other gulls toward Fleet Head). Steve Arlow (SOG).

Wednesday 16th February 2005

Shoebury Common 11.45 - 11.55
10 Snow Bunting (on beach then roof of cafe). Steve Giles.

Wat Tyler Country Park, 13:20 to 14:30
2 Yellow-legged Gull (both adults), 2 Mediterranean Gull (near adult summer and a 2nd winter), 1 Peregrine Falcon (on pylon). Steve Arlow (SOG).

Belfairs Nature Reserve 14.00
1 Little Egret near Prittlebrook wood entrance. Roger Shinn.

South Fambridge / Brandy Hole February 16th 14.00-16.00
Short-eared Owl, Stonechat, 53 Teal, 12 Curlew, 4 Reed Bunting, 3 Little Grebe, 5 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Little Egret, 27 Mute Swan, 8 Shelduck, 6 Red-Breasted Merganser (4 Female), Grey Plover, Green Woodpecker, Skylark. Ray Fuller.

Tuesday 15th February 2005

Hockley Woods 09:45 - 10:15
Male and female Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers in clearing south of car park. Don Wildish.

Two Tree Island (West), 13:30 to 14:00
1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Shag (released onto lagoon). Steve Bunn Essex Ranger Service. The Shag was picked up in someone's garden with its head down a drain! The RSPCA rescued it and took it to Thurrock wildlife hospital for sue to give it the once over. She found nothing wrong with the bird and phoned me. She did not want to keep the bird at the hospital (as it was fit and healthy) so we released the bird on the lagoon (she could get to it if it didn't look happy). It swam away strongly and dived then flew around the lagoon - Steve.

Pitsea, 15:00 to 15:15
30 Waxwing (in big trees along Parkhurst Rd/Ave). Vince Kinsler (SOG).

Westcliff Seafront, 15:30 to 15:40
1 Ring-billed Gull (Rossi still showing well on the groyne). Steve Arlow (SOG).

Shoebury Common 15:30 - 16:00
10 Snow Bunting on grass east of cafe and on beach. Don Wildish.

Pitsea
Leucistic House Sparrow, McDonalds car park, every day since Friday 11th. 12 Waxwing still at Tesco's. Gary Clinton.

Monday 14th February 2005

Paglesham, 09:00 to 12:00
1 Pale-bellied Brent Goose (adult with 2000+ Dark-bellied Brent Geese but no sign of the Black Brant from yesterday), 13 Pintail (on the river), 17 Goldeneye (on the lagoon) Steve Arlow (SOG).

Sunday 13th February 2005

Hockley Woods 08:00 - 09:00
2 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (male and female displaying, drumming and showing well in the clearing south of the compound), 3 Nuthatch, 2 Redwing, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker. Hollis Cloughton.

Hockley Woods 08.50 - 9.20
1 Hawfinch in the play area on the lower branches by the fence together with 2 Redwing. Nick Bustin.

Stambridge Mill / River Roach 10.00 - 14.00
Cormorant, Little Egret c.1500 Dark Bellied Brent Goose, 1 Black Brant, Shelduck, Wigeon, Common Teal, Mallard, 4 Pintail, 6 Red-breasted Merganser, Kestrel, Common Pheasant, Moorhen, Coot, Avocet, Oystercatcher, Golden Plover, Grey Plover, Lapwing, Black-tailed Godwit, Bar-tailed Godwit, Common Redshank, Turnstone, Dunlin, Common Gull, Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Black-headed Gull, Stock Dove, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker, Skylark, Pied Wagtail, Wren, Robin,  Blackbird, Fieldfare, Mistle Thrush, Chiffchaff, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Yellowhammer, Reed Bunting. Web Author et al.

Two Tree Island, 12:20 to 15:15
1 Buzzard (watched the bird for 10 minutes on the East side being mobbed by the local corvids, then flew towards the West & lost to view.), 2 Short-eared Owl (Roosting in saltmarsh facing Hadleigh Castle.), 2 Kestrel, 3 Little Egret, 7 Skylark, 1 Reed Bunting, 2 Meadow Pipit, 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Song Thrush. Also: 42 Shelduck, 153 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 161 Redshank, 55 Curlew, 80 Grey Plover, 800 Dunlin, 181 Knot, 500 Lapwing, 1 Ringed Plover, 30 Avocet Graham Ryland (SOG).

Rochford Golf Course, 13:00 to 16:00
1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 34 Moorhen. Neil Chambers (SOG).

Shoebury Common 13:50 to 14:10
6 Snow Bunting, 3 Linnet, 3 Pied Wagtail (all on east side of common). Web Author.

Canvey Point 15.30 - 17.00
2 Mediterranean Gulls, 1 Peregrine Falcon (flying north across Thames), 1 Guillemot. Martin Cracknell.

Saturday 12th February 2005

Barling, 10:00 to 11:00.
85 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Yellowhammer, 22 Corn Bunting, 1 Little Egret, 1 Green Sandpiper. John Wright (SOG).

South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 10.20 - 11.50
25 Shelduck, 55 Brent Goose, 5 Teal, 3 Curlew, Little Egret, 2 Red-breasted Merganser (1 female), 2 Reed Bunting, Grey Plover. Ray Fuller.

Wat Tyler Country Park 11.00
c.20 White-fronted Geese. Shaun Harvey.

Southend Pier, 11:45 to 13:45
2 Razorbill, 3 Guillemot, 1 Red-throated Diver, 2 Kittiwake, 4 Mediterranean Gull (2 Adults, 1 x 1st, winter, 1 x 2nd winter. Walkway & Lifeguard station closed, viewed from the cafe area), 16 Great Crested Grebe. Graham Ryland (SOG).

Shoebury Common 12.00
12 Snow Bunting. (six male and six female) seen at Uncle Tom's Cabin. John Eaton.

Eastwood, 19:30 to 19:35
1 Long-eared Owl (flew over A127 east of Progress Road and perched in roadside tree). Paul Griggs (SOG).

Friday 11th February 2005

Pitsea, 08:25 to 08:30
12 Waxwing (in tree opposite Homebase). Neil Chambers
(SOG).

Hockley Woods, 08:30 to 10:00
2 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (pair displaying, drumming and showing well in the clearing before moving into the wood south of the compound), 3 Bullfinch (2 males and a female in the play area). Steve Arlow (SOG).

Wat Tyler Country Park, 08:35 to 09:00
1 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Stonechat (pair). Neil Chambers (SOG).

South Fambridge, 10:25 to 12:45
1 Black Brant (adult with several hundred Brent on the Crouch for 20 minutes before the flock moved to the fields on the north side of the river and thus out of sight), 300 Dark-bellied Brent Goose (1 very white headed bird amongst them), 1 Stonechat (male along seawall), 94 Pintail (at Bridgemarsh Island viewed from Landsend Point), 2 Little Egret, 5 Rock Pipit, 150 Golden Plover. Steve Arlow (SOG).

Thundersley, My Garden 11.30
1 Female Blackcap. Mike Sagrott.

Wat Tyler Country Park 11.30 - 12.00
26 White-fronted Goose, 10 Curlew, 1 Water rail, 1 Sparrowhawk. Jerry Stock.

Canvey Island 11:45 - 13:45
12:00 Seafront (end of Park Ave): 1 Snow Bunting - feeding on seawall above high tide mark 12:40 Smallgains Creek: 1 Mediterranean Gull (adult). 12:45 - 13:15 Canvey Heights CP: 1 Short-eared Owl - chased off by Carrion Crows and flew across creek to Two Tree Island where it appeared to land on north side; 2 Stonechat, 4 Corn Bunting, 4 Reed Bunting. 13:15 - 13:45 Benfleet Creek: 35+ Avocet, 2 Little Egret. Ian White.

Gunners Park, 13:45 to 14:00
4 Red-throated Diver, 86 Great Crested Grebe. Steve Arlow (SOG).

Thursday 10th February 2005

Barling Rubbish Tip, 09:00 to 11:00
1 Black-headed Gull (adult leucistic bird again), 3 Green Sandpiper, 93 Avocet (in the river), 8 Red-breasted Merganser (in the river), 20 Corn Bunting (at least). Steve Arlow (SOG).

Hockley Woods, 09:45 to 10:40
1 Hawfinch (on the ground in leaf litter for 1 minute only (9:50) in play area along southern perimeter (furthest from car park)), 4 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Nuthatch. Paul Baker (SOG).

Pitsea, Tesco garage 10.30
40 Waxwing. Valerie & Paul Vine.

Wat Tyler Country Park, 11:30 to 15:00
26 White-fronted Goose, 3 Mediterranean Gull (including a new, near fully hooded, bird), 1 Yellow-legged Gull (2nd winter). Steve Arlow (SOG)

Canvey Island, Leighbeck 12:15 - 13:45
1 Snow Bunting (feeding on weeds growing above tide-line on the seawall running parallel with Beveland Road; very approachable), 1 Red-throated Diver (west); 36 Great Crested Grebes (drifting with tide). Ian White.

Wednesday 09th February 2005

Hockley Woods 08.30 - 11.00
3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Green Woodpecker, 2 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (displaying), 4 Nuthatch, 1 Treecreeper, 1 Hawfinch (female) in tall trees just outside eastern boundary of play area at 10:30am, 1 Goldfinch, 6+ Chaffinch, 4 Greenfinch, 2 Bullfinch, 3 Song Thrush, 2 Mistle Thrush, 6 Redwing, 2 Fieldfare, Blackbird, Robin, Wren, Dunnock, Collared Dove, Wood Pigeon, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Jay, Magpie. Robin Peppiatt.

Southend Pier, 09:00 to 12:30
1 Great Northern Diver, 8 Red-throated Diver, 22 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Shag, 2 Razorbill, 6 Guillemot, 8 Mediterranean Gull (3 of both adults (incl. Green P20) and 1st winters and 2 2nd winters). Steve Arlow (SOG).

Westcliff Seafront, 15:15
1 Ring-billed Gull (adult seen as a drive by sat on the groyne). Steve Arlow (SOG).

Wat Tyler Country Park 15.40 - 16.00
16 White-fronted Goose. Jerry Stock.

Hadleigh Downs, 15:50 to 16:00
5 Bullfinch. Steve Arlow (SOG).

Two Tree Island 16.40 - 17.10
1 Short Eared Owl, 7 Little Egret flying to roost. Jerry Stock.

Wallasea Island
1 Short-eared Owl (far end of new wall), 32 Mute Swan, 3 Little Egret, 9 Curlew, 1 Kestrel. Gwyn Delve.

Tuesday 08th February 2005

Southend, 08:55 to 08:55
1 Little Egret (in creek just past the Temple Farm Estate mini roundabout). Steve Arlow (SOG).

Southend, 09:00 to 09:15
6 Mediterranean Gull (4 adults and 2 1st winters). Steve Arlow (SOG).

Westcliff Seafront, 09:40 to 10:05
1 Ring-billed Gull (adult still), 4 Mediterranean Gull (3 adults and a 2nd winter). Steve Arlow (SOG).

Southchurch Park West, 10:15 to 10:20
1 Mediterranean Gull (adult). Steve Arlow (SOG).

Shoebury Coastguards, 10:30 to 11:20
4 Snow Bunting (still around the area of the beach huts, car park and beach though flighty due to disturbance). Steve Arlow (SOG).

Barling Rubbish Tip, 11:45 to 14:15
1 Mediterranean Gull (adult), 2 Green Sandpiper, 1 Black-headed Gull (adult leucistic bird that is different to the Wakering bird a week or so ago), 1 4th winter Caspian Gull seen for only 10 minutes through the fence and fog). Steve Arlow (SOG).

Westcliff, Valkyrie Road 14.00
1 Little Egret flying south following Valkyrie Road. Yasmine Hamid.

Southend Pier
2 Razorbill, 1 Guillemot, 1 Great Northern Diver, 1 Red-throated Diver, Many Mediterranean Gulls. Peter Heath.

Monday 07th February 2005

Pitsea, 10:45 to 11:00
40 Waxwing (at least by Tesco Petrol). Steve Arlow (SOG).

Wat Tyler Country Park, 11:00 to 15:00
6 Mediterranean Gull (3 adults, 2 2nd winters and a 1st winter), 20 White-fronted Goose (no sign of the 1st winter Glaucous Gull today). Steve Arlow (SOG).

Two Tree Island (West), 14:00 to 16:40
3 Short-eared Owl. Don Petrie (SOG).

Shoebury Common 15:15 - 15:45
4 Snow Bunting still present by cafe. Don Wildish.

Southend, 15:30 to 15:30
1 Mediterranean Gull (adult on playing field at Victory Sports Ground). Steve Arlow (SOG).

Sunday 06th February 2005

Hockley Woods, 09:00 to 11:00
1 Hawfinch (female again in the play area), 2 Nuthatch, 1 Treecreeper. Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers reported. Steve Arlow (SOG).

Two Tree Island (West), 10:25 to 11:00
1 Short-eared Owl. Steve Bunn Essex Ranger Service.

Pitsea, Tescos 11.00 - 1200
Around 100 Waxwing coming and going. Jim Cockram.

Southend Pier 11.00 - 12.45
2 Razorbill, at least 5 Guillemot, Great Northern Diver (close to pier head), 20+ Mediterranean Gull, 3 Red-throated Diver (distant). Nick Green, Jeff Delve (EBS).

Chalkwell Park Drive, Leigh, 11:00 to 12:00
2 Jackdaw (Loitering in the area this morning). John Wright (SOG).

Pitsea, Tescos 1200 - 12.30
73 Waxwing flying between tree, garage roof, and feeding on bushes Motor bike frightened them off, but a few returned. Terry Mitchell.

Two Tree Island 12.00 16.45
1 Water Rail in cleared ditch in reedbed on EWT reserve, adult Mediterranean Gull on mud as tide ebbed, 1 Short-eared Owl at dusk on the western end of the island - 4.45pm, 14 Little Egret flying to roost at dusk (W-E). Andrew Gouldstone.

Southend Pier
1 Shag, 1 Black-throated Diver, 2 Razorbill, 6 Guillemot (including 1 full summer plumage bird), 17+ Mediterranean Gull, Kittiwake. Beach east of Gasworks: Purple Sandpiper with large Ringed Plover and Sanderling flock. Daryl Rhymes (EBS).

Saturday 05th February 2005

Hockley Woods. 7:50 to 9:15
3 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (1 pair seen in courtship displays in cleared pollarded area South of car park, 1 female near west edge of the woods, 150 yards south of pub gardens) 9 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 2 Nuthatch, 5 Song Thrush, 1 Mistle Thrush. Tim and Adam Bennett.

Hockley Woods 08:00 to 09:15
2 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker in trees in log clearing, 10 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Nuthatch, 2 Song Thrush. David Lee.

Hockley Woods 08.30 - 08.45
1 Hawfinch. Steve Hiscock.

Wat Tyler Country Park 09.00
15 White-fronted Goose, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Snipe, 3 Bearded Tit. Dean Layard.

Shoebury Common, 09:15 to 09:25
4 Snow Bunting (opposite beach hut 525. 2 male, 2 female - the male's look nicer each time I see them!), 3 Pied Wagtail. Web Author.

Southend Seafront, 09:40 to 09:55
250 Ringed Plover, 164 Sanderling, 1 Purple Sandpiper (all opposite Camper Road). Web Author.

South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 10.00 - 12.10
Stonechat, c.1000 Brent Goose, 5 Shelduck, Golden Plover, 10 Little Grebe, 4 Little Egret, 16 Mute Swan, 6 Reed Bunting, 5 Red-breasted Merganser (1 female), Great Crested Grebe, 2 Curlew, 3 Skylark. Ray Fuller.

Two Tree Island 1030 - 14.30
1 Short Eared Owl, 1 male Stonechat, 1 pair Twite, 6 Meadow Pipit, 5 Skylark, 2 Redwing.1 Little Egret on the Lagoon. 40 Lapwing, 12 Teal. Darren Chaplin.

Westley Heights Country Park 11.00
2 Lesser spotted Woodpecker, 3 Great spotted Woodpecker, 1 Nuthatch. Dean Layard.

Hockley Woods, 12:45 to 13:30
2 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (very mobile around coppiced area), 1 Nuthatch, 1 male Bullfinch. Web Author.

East Tilbury 13.00
1 Merlin, 4 Yellow-legged Gull, 1 possible 1st winter Caspian Gull, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 6 Little Egret, 1 Rock Pipit, 30+ Avocet, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Brambling (by Church). Dean Layard.

Wat Tyler Country Park 13:15
Glaucous Gull, lovely 1st winter bird washing and preening for over 30 minutes. Also: Water Rail out in open, walking up and down for ages, until frightened off by patrolling fox. Gary C.

Southend Seafront 16.30
6 Grey Seal off of Westcliff on sandbank. Web Author.

Thursday 03rd February 2005

Shotgate, Basilica House Offices, 08.30 - 09.15
4 Goldfinch feeding on Lavender Seeds again. Seen from office window 12 feet away. 1 Male Grey Wagtail in office car park. Also 2 Mistle Thrush on nearby field and various gulls. Darren Chaplin.

Wat Tyler Country Park 09.00
1 Iceland Gull (on scrape), 1 Yellow-legged Gull, 1 Peregrine Falcon. Dean Layard.

Hockley Woods, 12:00 to 12:30
1 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (calling just south of car park), 4 Nuthatch, 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker. Mike Bailey (SOG).

Gunners Park 13.45 - 15.00
1 Chiffchaff, 1 Grey Wagtail, pair Stonechat, 2 Green and 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel. also Trafalgar Road Shoebury a.m. pair Blackcap. Steve Giles.

Canvey Island, Benfleet Creek 14:45 - 16:15
Canvey Heights CP: 9 Reed Bunting, 4 Skylark in song, 1 Sparrowhawk (male) over salt marsh. Tewkes Creek: 1 Spotted Redshank, 1 Greenshank (both 'shanks near boat compound/jetty), 2 Little Egret; 1 Sparrowhawk (female). Ian White.

Hockley Woods 16.00 - 16.30
1 female Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Nuthatch, 3 Redwing, 2 Goldcrest all seen by car park. R Shepherd.

Thundersley, Fanes Wood, 17:15 to 18:15
1 Woodcock. Graham Ryland (SOG).

Wednesday 02nd February 2005

Hockley Woods 08.30 - 10.45
2 Nuthatch, 1 Bullfinch (male), 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (1 male, 1 female). Steve Hiscock.

Shotgate, Basilica House Offices 08.30 - 09.30
3 Goldfinch feeding on Lavender seeds. various numbers of Blue Tit & Great Tit. 12 1st Winter Black Headed Gulls, 2 2nd Winter on Field adjacent, 2 Mistle Thrush. Darren Chaplin.

Hockley Woods 10.00
1 Hawfinch, 1 Tawny Owl, 2 Nuthatch. Dean Layard.

Rayleigh Mount, 10:30 to 11:00
1 Blackcap (fem again feeding on berries in back garden), 5 Goldfinch, 32 Greenfinch, 8 Chaffinch (7fem, 1male), 3 Jay, 4 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Sparrowhawk (fem flew low over garden). Mike Bailey (SOG).

Hockley Woods 12.30 - 16.00
1 Firecrest in scrub feeding with mixed Tit flock along a track to the left of a newly cleared area that runs alongside a ditch with a boundary fence on my left, 1 female Lesser Spotted Woodpecker by the car park, 2 Nuthatch, 1 Treecreeper. 1 male Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, 12 Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker - (I've never seen so many!). Grey squirrels eveywhere! Nic Lindsell.

Eastwoodbury Lane, Eastwood 13.30 - 13.45
8 Fieldfare, 1 Redwing, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker. Fieldfares and Redwing were feeding on berries in trees at edge of sports ground near corner with Nestuda Way. Woodpecker was seen in one of these trees and then flew to trees across Eastwoodbury Lane. Philip North.

Two Tree Island West 15.00 - 16.00
1 Short-eared Owl. R Shepherd.

Tuesday 01st February 2005

Belfairs Nature Reserve, 08:00
1 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. Tony Mead (SOG).

Hockley Woods, 08:40 to 09:50
2 Green Woodpecker, 4 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 4 Nuthatch (inc 1 at nesthole), 1 Treecreeper (in the glade), 2 Stock Dove. Paul Baker (SOG).

Southend Pier 09.00
1 Great Northern Diver, 4 Red-throated Diver, 1 Shag, 2 Eider, 1 Kittiwake, 5+ Mediterranean Gull, 1 Razorbill, 4 Guillemot, 1 Puffin (around 50m from pier-end, seen by others) (unverified - Ed.), 1 Peregrine (caught Gull over Adventure Island Fairground), 1 Chiffchaff (cliffs). Dean Layard.

Pitsea, 09:15 to 09:45
101 Waxwing (mainly around Tesco car park but very flighty), 1 Sparrowhawk. Mike Bailey, Steve Arlow (SOG).

Southend Seafront 10.00
1 Ring-billed Gull, 2 Mediterranean Gull (by Westcliff Casino), 1 Purple Sandpiper, 1 Shag on disused gas works Jetty), 4 Snow Bunting at Uncle Tom's Cabin. Dean Layard.

Gunners Park
1 Kingfisher, 1 Grey Wagtail. Dean Layard.

Wat Tyler Country Park, 13:40 to 15:15
1 Glaucous Gull (1st w on scrape for 15mins then flew to fields to N), 1 Iceland Gull (1st w on scrape for 20mins then flew off), 17 White-fronted Goose, 25 Canada Goose, 2 Mediterranean Gull (both ad win on scrape). Mike Bailey, Steve Arlow (SOG).

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