Bird Reports for February 2009

Saturday 28th February 2009

Pitsea Rubbish Tip, 08:10 to 14:05
2 Caspian Gull (2st winter and 3rd winter with extremely worn wings), 1 Iceland Gull (1st winter, not the bird that was here 2 weeks ago), 1 Herring Gull (the leucistic 1st-winter), 7 Mediterranean Gull (at least, all adults with exception of one 2nd-winter). Steve Arlow, Pete Livermore (SOG).

Bowers Marshes, 08:30 to 14:00
4 Whooper Swan (adults). Steve Arlow, Pete Livermore (SOG).

Bowers Marshes, 09:00 to 09:40
4 Whooper Swan from mini roundabout on old A13 close to the Bull pub, go north to St Margaret' church and take track 0.5 mile and view field to the west by metal gate, 1 Yellowhammer, 5 Corn Bunting, 1 Red-legged Partridge, 31 Fieldfare. 1 Brown Hare. Graham Ryland (SOG).

South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 10.00 - 12.10
178 Black-tailed Godwit, 500+ Brent Goose, 7 Avocet, 22 Mute Swan, 95 Shelduck. Ray Fuller.

Bowers Marshes, 12:35 to 12:50 (viewed from Pitsea Cemetary)
4 Whooper Swan (adults), 1 Mute Swan, 2 Green Woodpecker (in cemetary). Paul Baker, Neil Chambers (SOG).

Hanningfield Reservoir 13.00 - 14.00
Bittern showing well at the front of the small reed bed nearest the Stock end of the Fremnells causeway for at least half an hour before disappearing into the back of the reeds. Geoff Clark.

Wat Tyler Country Park 13:00 - 15:30
41 Species including: Stonechat, Little Egret, Shelduck, Wigeon, Pochard, Shoveler, Teal, Little Grebe, Goldfinch, Oystercatcher, Curlew, Redshank. Mark D. & Jim.

Two Tree Island (West End) 16.30 - 17.00
1 Short-eared Owl hunting over scrub on west end. Gordon Appleton.

Elsenham 19.45
1 Common Buzzard standing on grass verge, 1 Little Egret flying over fields. M Howell, M Jameson.

Friday 27th February 2009

Victoria Avenue, Southend, 08:30 to 10:15
1 Peregrine Falcon on Portcullis House. John Wright (SOG).

Coombe Wood, 15:00 to 15:05
1 Common Buzzard drifting over, heading west. Jeff Saward (SOG).

Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 16:40
1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Little Egret (both in brook). Paul Baker (SOG).

Ashingdon, Princess Gardens 17.40
2 Song Thrush, both in full song at opposite ends of the road - great to hear! David Selley.

Bowers Marsh
4 adult Whooper Swan on Bowers Marsh this morning in a flock with 11 Mute Swan. The birds are on an arable field at grid reference TQ 753 868. Go past Bowers Gifford crematorium along Church Road and park at the church (TQ 755 872) before the railway crossing walk south down the track and view the swans where the manorway track heads west. Under no circumstances should the track and locked gateway be blocked as the access is used regularly by the farmer. Marc Outten, Alan Shearman RSPB.

Thursday 26th February 2009

Benfleet Station, 07:30
1 Goldcrest in bushes along platform, 2 Little Grebe present on and off in creek for a couple of weeks, 1 Little Egret. Martin Cracknell (SOG).

Victoria Avenue, Southend 08:40
1 Peregrine Falcon. Ben Brugger.

Wednesday 25th February 2009

Hockley Woods 08.00 - 09.30
2 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (1m, 1f) by woodchip pile, 1 Nuthatch, 4 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 female Sparrowhawk. 1 Weasel. S Hiscock.

RSPB Vange Marsh 10.30 - 14.00
13 Snipe, 3 Green Sandpiper, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 6 Little Grebe, 12 Shoveler, 35 Teal, 1,Green Woodpecker, Mallard, Coot, Moorhen, David Shepherd.

Westcliff Sea Front (opposite Rossi's) 14:40
1 Ring-billed Gull, 1 Mediterranean Gull. Matt Bruty.

Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 17:00
1 Green Sandpiper still in brook. Paul Baker (SOG).

Rossi's Ice Cream, Westcliff, 16:40 to 16:50
1 Ring-billed Gull on mud briefly, 1 drake Red-breasted Merganser, 1 adult Mediterranean Gull. Paul Baker (SOG).

River Crouch
Harbour Porpoise in the mouth of the River Crouch. Tony Adams.

Tuesday 24th February 2009

Wallasea Island 14.15
Male Hen Harrier hunting over rape fields then drifted towards Paglesham Creek. Ray Fuller.

Monday 23rd February 2009

Rossi's Ice Cream, Westcliff, 09:00 to 09:05
1 Ring-billed Gull (adult, on the beach), 12 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 1 Mediterranean Gull (5 adults, 1 2nd-winter). Paul Griggs (SOG).

Canewdon, Hyde Wood Lane, 14.50
2 or 3 Yellowhammer including a singing male, also 1 Little Owl at 08.00 today in the usual tree in Scotts Hall Road. David Selley.

Priory Park Southend 15.00 - 16.45
2 Ring-necked Parakeet, 2 Redwing, 3 Song Thrush, 2 Goldcrest, Little Egret, 6 Long-tailed Tit. Ray Fuller.

Fishing Trip Aboard Lady Essex III
6 Fulmar - 1 taking food 6 feet away, 1 Gannet, 1 Red-breasted Merganser. 17.24: 12 Seals hauled out at Buxey. Gary Dunn.

Sunday 22nd February 2009

West Wood Hadleigh 07:00 to 08:30
5 Great Spotted Woodpecker (3 drumming), 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (briefly drumming by ford), 1 Treecreeper. Richard Gray.

Two Tree Island, 08:00 to 11:30, (WEBS count)
1 Kingfisher, 3 Red-breasted Merganser (1 redhead), 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Little Grebe, 56 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 8 Shelduck, 4 Wigeon, 82 Teal, 3 Shoveler, 1 Kestrel (female), 80 Oystercatcher, 83 Ringed Plover, 223 Grey Plover, 23 Lapwing, 1008 Knot, 822 Dunlin, 42 Bar-tailed Godwit, 203 Curlew, 152 Redshank, 425 Turnstone, 4 Greenshank, 1 Green Woodpecker, 8 Skylark, 4 Meadow Pipit, 7 Reed Bunting, 2 Song Thrush. Graham Ryland (SOG).

Wat Tyler Country Park 11.00
5 Green Sandpiper and 1 Spotted Redshank in the creek from middle hide, also 120 Black-tailed Godwit flew over heading towards RSPB Vange Marsh. Alan Shearman RSPB.

East Mersea 12.00 - 14.00
Large flock of Brent Geese and Wigeon on field also Shoveler and Shelduck and small number of Godwit. Michael Howell.

Chelmsford 13.30 - 15.30
Central Park: 16 female Goosander 8 male Goosander. Writtle: 1 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret, 1 Goldcrest and large flock approx 100 Pied Wagtail. Sue Haffenden.

Hadleigh Marshes, 13:40 to 14:45
50 Wigeon, 8 Shelduck, 1 Corn Bunting (singing), 1 Stonechat, 2 Tufted Duck, 30 Teal. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).

Abberton Reservoir 14.00
1 white phase Snow Goose and lots of Goldeneye seen from causeway. Lydia Howell.

Hadleigh Downs, 14:45 to 15:00
1 male Bullfinch. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).

Two Tree Island 15.30 - 16.30
3 Curlew, 1 Knot, 5 Shelduck, 2 Little Grebe, 20+ Dark-bellied Brent Geese, Lots of Redshank. On Lagoon: 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Greenshank, 5+ Grey Plover, 2 Shoveler, 20+ Teal, 1 Short-eared Owl quartering rough grassland by model aircraft field, 2 Skylark, 2 Long-tailed Tit. B Goss.

Magnolia NR, Hawkwell, 15:30 to 16:45
3 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker (drumming), 16 Redwing, 1 Sparrowhawk, 130 Jackdaw, 7 Rook. 1 Weasel. Steve Sanford (SOG).

Saturday 21st February 2009

RSPB Old Hall Marshes 07.30 - 12.30
Note that access to the site is by permit only, although visual access can be obtained from the sea wall.
2000+ Golden Plover and Grey Plover, 40 Turnstone, 10 Oystercatcher, 12 Curlew, 5 Whimbrel, 1000 Black-tailed Godwit, 1000+ Dunlin, uncountable amounts of Wigeon, Teal, Shelduck and other wildfowl, 3 Bearded Tit, 4 Marsh Harrier, 5 Stonechat, loads of Meadow Pipit, Skylark and Reed Bunting, 1 Great Northern Diver. One bird of note was a Barn Owl on the way at Goldhanger hunting over fields early morning. Mark Bicknell.

Rayleigh, Ferndale Road 08.00 - 16.00
Garden: 4 Siskin spent most of the day feeding, 1 Goldfinch, 2 Bullfinch, 1 Pheasant, 2 Song Thrush, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker (drumming), 1 Green Woodpecker. Robin Peppiatt.

Wakering, Fleet Head, 08.50 - 09.50
12 Black-tailed Godwit, 66 Shelduck, 9 Corn Bunting, c.120 Golden Plover, c.80 Redshank, 7 Shoveler, 40 Dark-bellied Brent, 1 male Sparrowhawk. Marc Outten RSPB.

Prittle Brook (Leigh on Sea), 09:30
1 Grey Wagtail, 20 Chaffinch (Bonchurch Park). Brian Baldock (SOG).

Hadleigh Downs, 10:00 to 12:30
2 Kestrel, 1 male Bullfinch, 4 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Green Woodpecker. 2 Adder, 1 Peacock Butterfly. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).

Norsey Wood 11.30 - 13.00
4 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Coal Tit, 3 Chaffinch, 2 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Crow, 1 Magpie, 3 Robin, 2 Wood Pigeon, 3 Blue Tit, 2 Great Tit. R J Surrey.

Langdon Hills 11:30 - 13:30
1 Buzzard, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 (poss. 2) Nuthatch. Andrew Cox.

Leigh on Sea, Park View Drive 12.15 - 12.30
Female Sparrowhawk over, nesting Magpies (oh good!), 2 Red Admiral in garden. Web Author, K.M.

Two Tree Island 12.30 - 15.00
1 Greenshank, 5 Grey Plover, 4 Ringed Plover, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, Redshank, Teal, 1 Common Sandpiper - All on lagoon. 1 Kingfisher (in old water treatment lagoon). John & June Ford.

Abberton Reservoir 14:00 - 16:30
40 Species including: Smew, Red-breasted Goose, Egyptian Goose, Shelduck, Goldeneye, Shoveler, Oystercatcher, Fieldfare, Song Thrush, Jay, Goldcrest, Large flock of Linnet. Mark D.

Benfleet Creek, 16:00 to 17:30
1 Mediterranean Gull (adult), 1 Little Egret, 1 Greenshank, 150 Lapwing, 5 Reed Bunting, 6 Corn Bunting, 1 Kestrel. John Wright (SOG).

Friday 20th February 2009

Wat Tyler Country Park 09:00 - 11:30
3 Greenshank, 30+ Redshank, 1 Spotted Redshank, 5 Oystercatcher, 14 Curlew, 10 Teal, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Bearded Tit (south end of fleet), 15 Canada Goose, 15 Greylag Goose, 2 Pochard, 4 Mallard, 2 Marsh Harrier (pair), 1 Cetti's Warbler, 3 Shoveler, 1 Little Grebe, 20 Coot, 10 Moorhen, 30+ Wigeon, 20+ Shelduck, Black-Headed Gull, 20 Great Black Backed Gull, 10 Blue Tit, 2 Great Tit, 6 Long-tailed Tit, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, 2 Robin, House Sparrow, Wood Pigeon, Carrion Crow, Magpie. Brennan Briggs.

Hanningfield Reservoir 13:30 - 15:30
37 Species Including Treecreeper, Shelduck, Goldeneye, Teal, Wigeon, Pochard, Gadwall, Great Crested Grebe, Little Grebe, Green Woodpecker, Fieldfare, Redwing. Mark D.

Wat Tyler Country Park, 16:00 to 17:00
1 female Marsh Harrier, 1 male Peregrine Falcon, 2 pair Stonechat, 1 Cetti's Warbler (heard). Vince Kinsler (SOG).

South Woodham Ferrers 17.20
Barn Owl Over Road. Paul Gordon.

Thursday 19th February 2009

Southend, Stock Road 14.00
1 Green Woodpecker in Jewish Cemetery, 1 pair Kestrel starting nest in concrete plant (annual event). Dan Davison.

Abberton (Layer Breton) 14.00
Pair of Smew, 2 male Goosander, many Goldeneye. R Shepherd.

Terling Road from Hatfield Peverel to Terling 14.30
Buzzard swooping over open farmland came low superb marking and very clear sighting. Jill Warner.

Wednesday 18th February 2009

Ferndale Road, Rayleigh, Garden 08.00
2 Siskin heading North and calling. Robin Peppiatt.

Two Tree Island 11:40 to 12:00
1 Water Rail on the scrape, 1 Skylark singing in the air west of the model aircraft field. David Lee.

Eastwood, Langley Close (Brook) 12.40
1 Green Sandpiper in usual spot. Les Costin (EBS).

Wat Tyler Country Park, 15:40 to 17:35
1 Sparrowhawk (female), 2 Little Egret, 11 Shoveler, 4 Tufted Duck, 2 Gadwall, 4 Teal, 2 Bearded Tit (heard), 6 Canada Goose, 13 Greylag Goose, 1 Water Rail (heard), 2 Little Grebe, 2 Cetti's Warbler (heard). Paul Griggs (SOG).

Tuesday 17th February 2009

Westcliff, Silverdale Avenue 10:00 to 10:05
1 Chiffchaff in garden. Brian Baldock (SOG).

South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 10.00 - 11.40
44 Mute Swan, 145 Brent Goose, Grey Plover, Sparrowhawk, 2 Red-breasted Merganser (1m, 1f), 15 Little Grebe, 2 Little Egret, 2 Reed Bunting, 46 Curlew, 2 Shelduck, 25 Wigeon, 2 Skylark. Ray Fuller.

Wat Tyler Country Park 12.00
Motorboat Museum hide: 1 Kingfisher flew along the fleet, 2 female Bearded Tit showed well in front of the hide on opposite side of the fleet in reed bed edge, 2 Cetti's Warbler singing, 1 Little Egret on the scrape. Alan Shearman RSPB.

Wallasea Island, 14:30 to 17:15
1 Marsh Harrier (male distantly heading SE down Paglesham Reach), 1 Hen Harrier (adult male at eastern end worked dykes from north to south wall), 1 Barn Owl (on SW sea wall), 2 Peregrine Falcon (adult male on road in SW corner, female over wetlands in NE corner), 3700 Golden Plover (on fields in SE), 2500 Lapwing (1000 on fields to SE, 1500 on wetlands inc. Leucistic bird), 3 Ruff (feeding with Golden Plover/Lapwing flock), 1 Greenshank (on saltmarsh just past tower), 200 Knot (mudflats by car park), 1 Stonechat, 1 Rock Pipit, 2400 Dark-bellied Brent Goose (flying between fields and wetland). Jeff Delve (EBS).

Monday 16th February 2009

Canewdon, Scotts Hall Road 08.05
1 Little Owl. David Selley.

Hockley Woods, 08:40 to 09:15
2 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (pair seen 70m S of car park - the male remaining in view for 10 mins. Brief drumming and calling.), 1 Nuthatch (heard near car park). Jeff Delve (EBS).

Wat Tyler Country Park, 09:00 to 09:20
2 Bearded Tit (heard only), 2 Cetti's Warbler (singing - audible from hide). Neil Chambers (SOG).

Maldon 09:30 - 10:30
1 Waxwing, many Fieldfare and Redwing, 2 Buzzard circling above the fields, 1 Goldcrest, Many Blackbird. Alec Martin.

Chalkwell Park Drive, Leigh, 09:30 to 12:00
2 Jackdaw (pair, nest prospecting chimney pots), 1 Red Fox snoozing most of the morning in the garden. John Wright (SOG).

Bonchurch Park, Leigh 11:30
1 Grey Wagtail in the Prittle Brook. David Lee.

Wat Tyler Country Park 12.30 - 15.30
1 Peregrine Falcon, 1 Cetti's Warbler (heard), 1 Stonechat, 1 Snipe, 1 Bittern (details of Bittern sighting can be seen at http://www.dartfordwarbler.com). Matt Bruty.

Langthorns Plantery, Little Canfield, Essex 13.20
2 Common Buzzard over. Web Author, K.M.

Sunday 15th February 2009

Canvey Island, 07:55
94 Fieldfare in Fields along Haven Road. Martin Cracknell (SOG).

Lake Meadows, Billericay 08:00 - 09:00
4 Magpie, 30+ Wood Pigeon, 5 Coot, 5 Moorhen, 1 Herring Gull, 6 Goosander(2 male, 4 female) 1 Song Thrush, 5 Mistle Thrush, 10 Fieldfare, 2 Mute Swan, 30+ Mallard, 1 Robin, 15 Redwing, 50 Black Headed Gull. Brennan Briggs.

Canvey West End, 08:00 to 09:30
2 Green Woodpecker, 3 Redwing, 2 Reed Bunting, 1 Skylark, 1 Song Thrush (singing), 4 Stock Dove, 3 Meadow Pipit. Martin Cracknell (SOG).

Hanningfield Reservoir 09:15 - 09:45
Goldeneye (5 pairs), 50+ Pochard, 50+ Wigeon, 25 Great Crested Grebe, 100+ Tufted Duck, 50+ Lapwing, 20 Greylag Goose, 40+ Canada Goose, 10 Blue Tit, 10 Great Tit, 2 Coal Tit, 5 Long-tailed Tit, 15 Cormorant, 1 Dunnock, 1 Robin, 2 Chaffinch, 20+ Coot, 3 Moorhen, 7 Goldcrest. Brennan Briggs.

Gunners Park 10:00
Green Woodpecker, Kingfisher, 15 Collared Dove, Dunnock, 20+ House Sparrow, Little Egret, Meadow Pipit, 5 Greenfinch, Wren, Blackbird, Great Tit. Noel Barnes.

Wakering Stairs 10.00 - 11.15
Barn Owl hunting around the concrete blocks, Green Sandpiper, c500 Brent Goose. Ray Fuller.

Hockley Woods, 10:10 to 11:00
3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Sparrowhawk (pair displaying). Paul Baker (SOG).

Wallasea Wetlands, 10:45 to 16:45
1 Curlew Sandpiper near car park per Chris Tyas, 1 Little Stint on saltmarsh at eastern end, 1 Greenshank near tower, 15 Reed Bunting near tower, 1600 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 1 Pale-bellied Brent Goose, 2 Stonechat near tower, 1 Kingfisher borrow dyke, 3 Red-breasted Merganser (2 males and a red head), Highlights from formal tide range count today. Chris Tyas, Paul Charlton, Nick Green and Jeff Delve.

Hadleigh Downs, 13:00 to 15:30
2 Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Skylark (singing). Paul Baker (SOG).

Maldon 15:00
25+ Waxwing feeding on rosehips. Alec Martin.

Saturday 14th February 2009

Pitsea Rubbish Tip, 08:00 to 15:00, (No General Access)
3 Caspian Gull (all 1st winters with two new birds and the cracking 1st-winter from last weekend), 2 Glaucous Gull (juvenile and 2nd/3rd winter distantly), 2 Iceland Gull (juvenile/1st winter and a 2nd winter seen by the ringers), 1 Herring Gull (the partial albino again and a couple of omissus types), 1 Yellow-legged Gull (3rd winter), 1 Common Gull (an adult with a very strikingly pale eye and bright legs; like a diminutive Ring-billed Gull without the ringed-bill), 5 Mediterranean Gull (at least, all adults). Steve Arlow, Pete Livermore (SOG).

Canewdon 08.15
2000+ Wood Pigeon. Single flock feeding on field at Creeksea Ferry Road near Ballards Gore. David Selley.

Chelmsford 08.30 - 09.30
Central Park, Chelmsford: 1 Kingfisher, 6 Goosander on River Can near Railway viaduct. 2 Song Thrush, 4 Mistle Thrush. 16.00: Sparrowhawk flying over road into pitch & putt course from central park. Tony Kennelly.

RSPB Rainham Marshes 09.30 - 13:15
Grey Wagtail, Stonechat, Reed Bunting, Meadow Pipit, Rock Pipit, Skylark, Goldfinch. many Wigeon. Chris Henry.

Wat Tyler Country Park, 10:10 to 13:00
1 Marsh Harrier (imm. male), 6 Shoveler, 28 Pochard, 4 Mallard, 2 Stonechat (pair), 60 Canada Goose, 35 Greylag Goose, 1 Song Thrush (singing), 2 Fieldfare, 1 Cetti's Warbler (heard 3 times), 1 Reed Bunting (male), 1 Chiffchaff, 10 Gadwall, 2 Teal, 40 Wigeon, 2 Little Egret, 1 Bearded Tit (at least one heard), 1 Water Rail. Paul Griggs, Don Petrie, John Wright (SOG).

Priory Park, 10:30
1 Little Egret (seen from road). Paul Baker (SOG).

Elmstead Market, Essex 10.45
4 Buzzard. Meowing and circling over Captains Wood Elmstead Market. Really great to see them soaring overhead for about 15 minutes. Clive Lewis.

North Crescent, Prittlewell, 12:00
1 female Sparrowhawk. Paul Baker (SOG).

Eastwood, Langley Close (Brook) 12.10 and again at 14.40
1 Green Sandpiper in usual spot. Les Costin (EBS).

Hyde Hall 12:45
1 Buzzard circling above. Andrew Cox.

Canvey Point, 15:00 to 15:20
250 Cormorant at least feeding mid-channel off Pier, 1 Peregrine Falcon over the point. Martin Cracknell (SOG).

Wat Tyler Country Park, 15:35 to 17:00
2 Stonechat (pair on scrape), 1 Marsh Harrier (imm. male), 24 Pochard, 2 Cetti's Warbler (two heard, one near hide the other far side of scrape), 1 Reed Bunting, 3 Little Egret. Martin Cracknell (SOG).

Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 17:00
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker flew over. Paul Baker (SOG).

Ashingdon, Princess Gardens 09.20
1 Grey Heron over, 6 Goldfinch on niger feeder. David Selley.

Victoria Avenue, Southend, 10:00 to 16:45
Male & female Peregrine Falcon around Portcullis House throughout day. John Wright (SOG).

Fingeringhoe Wick 11.00 - 14.00
500+ Avocet, 1000+ Brent (colne Estuary), 2 Buzzard, 4 Little Grebe (scrape and saltings). Graham Saunders, David Galloway, Anne Windle.

One Tree Hill (Lower Car Park) 14.30
Male Sparrowhawk behaving unusually, kind of writhing and flipping around on the grass for a minute or so and then flying off low toward trees. Strange, didn't look right at all. Gary Clinton.

Two tree Island (West end) 14.45 - 17.00
1 Short-eared Owl. First seen 14.45 by R.Nurmi. (west end scrub). Then seen flying from salt marsh to scrub near west end hide, (16.30 - 17.00, R.Nurmi and G.appleton.) Bird also reported along southern sea wall by 2 birders in lagoon hide. Rene Nurmi, Gordon Appleton.

Abberton Reservoir 15.00 - 16.30
4 Goosander (2pr), 2 Smew (pr), 4 Goldeneye, 1 Egyptian Goose (on Layer de la Haye causeway). 2 Red Breasted Goose (amongst Canada's), 6 Goldeneye, 1 Goosander. (From Wainright Hide). Graham Saunders, David Galloway, Anne Windle.

Harlow 15.30
1 Goldcrest in bushes near house. M.Howell.

Canewdon, 15:45 to 16:35
1 Little Owl in usual tree on Scotts Hall, 6 Yellowhammer (Gardener's Lane), 1 male Blackcap on feeders in garden. Jeff Delve (SOG).

Thursday 12th February 2009

Bournemouth Park Road 08:10
1 male Sparrowhawk flew into garden and dived into a bush, emerged and sat there for while then took off. Don Wildish.

Benfleet, Garden 08:30
1 Goldcrest - a garden first, with superb views at no more then 5-6 feet away. Several Long Tailed Tit - 3rd sighting in two weeks after an absence of over 5 years. Female Great Spotted Woodpecker and resident male Blackcap. Tim Bennett.

Wallasea Island, 10:00 to 10:30
1 Merlin (imm. female near central road, later on ditch post to N of entrance), 1 Kingfisher by main sluice past car park, 45 Linnet, 1 Stonechat by car park, 1 Rock Pipit by sluice, 4 Skylark (one singing over rape field), 8 Little Egret. Jeff Delve (EBS).

Temple Farm, 13:00 to 13:15
6 Curlew, 5 Pheasant, 8 Stock Dove. Dudley Shayler (SOG).

Wallasea Island 15.00 - 16.10
Barn Owl, hunting and around car park for a while, excellent views, Greenshank, 12 Grey Plover, c1000 Brent Goose in rape field. Ray Fuller.

Wednesday 11th February 2009

Silver End 07.45
7 Grey Partridge (Field to left of jnct Silver End - Cressing Road). Gary Clinton.

Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 11:15
1 male Sparrowhawk sitting on fence next to bird feeders. Paul Baker (SOG).

Priory Park Southend 14.30 - 15.45
2 Ring-necked Parakeet, mobile and noisy throughout park, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker, 2 Little Egret, 3 Song Thrush. Ray Fuller.

Wallasea Island, 15:00 to 15:35
1 adult male Hen Harrier hunting over rape fields in centre of island, 1 adult female Peregrine Falcon on road - flew out SW. Jeff Delve (EBS).

Tuesday 10th February 2009

Basildon, Lee Chaple North, Garden 09:30 - 13:00
4 Siskin, 3 Greenfinch, 5 Goldfinch, 2 Blue Tit, 3 House Sparrow, 1 Blackbird, 1 Robin, 1 Starling, 2 Collared Dove. Vincent Briggs.

Lake Meadows, Billericay 10:45
5 Goosander (1 male, 4 female), 10 Redwing. Marion Burch.

Billericay, Garden 11:15
1 male Blackcap, 1 Goldcrest both on suet feeder. Marion Burch.

Canewdon, 16:45
1 Chiffchaff found bathing and calling at Butts Hill Pond. Jeff Delve (EBS).

Monday 09th February 2009

Rayleigh Mount, 12:00
1 Goldcrest. Paul Baker (SOG).

Sunday 08th February 2009

RSPB Vange Marsh, 07:55 to 08:50
1 Kingfisher, 30 Teal, 25 Wigeon, 15 Shoveler, 120 Lapwing, 20 Meadow Pipit, 2 Reed Bunting (1 singing), 2 Stonechat, 1 Water Rail (calling). Neil Chambers (SOG).

Ferndale Road, Rayleigh 08.30 - 10.00
251 Rook heading south west high 8.30am, 12 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Song Thrush, 2 Goldfinch, 2 Bullfinch, 1 Pheasant, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 4 Jay. Robin Peppiatt.

Roper's farm, 09:30 to 12:30
1 Kingfisher, 1 Barn Owl, 1 Short-eared Owl (rough field west of farm). Dave Knight (SOG).

River Roach, 09:30 to 12:30
30+ Little Grebe, 8 Goldeneye. Dave Knight (SOG).

Craven Close, Hawkwell/Rochford 09.45 - 10.00
1 Wren in garden. Richard Goring.

Wallasea Wetlands, 09:50 to 12:20
1 Black Brant (swimming just off saltmarsh with 500 brent), 1 Pale-bellied Brent Goose (with another small flock), 1 Greenshank (on roost with Redshank), 1 Turnstone, 6 Shoveler (2 males and 4 females - seem to have settled in here now), 1 Red-breasted Merganser (3 drakes and 2 redheads - males displaying), 1 Marsh Harrier (female heading SE down Paglesham Creek), 4 Stonechat. Jeff Delve (EBS).

Hockley Woods, 10:10 to 10:55
4 Great Spotted Woodpecker (some drumming), 1 Goldcrest. Paul Baker (SOG).

Wakering Stairs 10.40 - 12.00
99 Cormorant, 1090 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, Knot, Dunlin, Oystercatcher, Bar-tailed Godwit, Redshank, 4 Jackdaw (not seen them here before), 3 Rock Pipit. David Selley.

Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 11:30
1 Kingfisher watched from Western Approaches bridge, flew downstream from Whitehouse Road to Cherry Orchard Way. Paul Baker (SOG).

Hanningfield Reservoir 12:00 - 16:00
37 species incl. Goosander, Goldeneye, Pochard, Teal, Gadwall, Wigeon, Coal Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Redwing, Goldcrest. Mark D.

Magnolia NR, Hawkwell, 15:00 to 15:10
23 Redwing. Steve Sanford (SOG).

Great Wakering, Back Garden 15.20
1 male Blackcap. Jan Coveney.

Friars Park, 15:30 to 15:40
1 Mandarin Duck, drake on island, very wary then flew off north once I got anywhere near it. Never seen one in flight before, 6 Fieldfare. Paul Baker (SOG).

Wakering, Fleet Head, 16:00 to 17:00
From Potton bridge: 1 Barn Owl hunting seawall in NE corner of Potton, 3 Little Egret, 2 Kestrel. Paul Baker (SOG).

Saturday 07th February 2009

Pitsea Rubbish Tip, 08:00 to 15:00
6 Caspian Gull 1st winter x3, 2nd winter x2 including green ring bird 14PO (reported at Cley Marshes in Norfolk on 1st August 2008), and adult (full images at www.birdersplayground.co.uk), 2 Glaucous Gull juvenile and 2nd winter, 1 Yellow-legged Gull 1st winter, 7 Mediterranean Gull all adults, 1 Herring Gull an adult 'omissus' type and two leucistic birds. Steve Arlow, Pete Livermore (SOG).

Southend Seafront, 08:30 to 10:00
1 Ring-billed Gull on sea opposite Rossi's, 3 Mediterranean Gull (adults). Graham Ryland (SOG).

Southend Seafront, 09:25 to 09:30
1 Peregrine Falcon, 1 Mediterranean Gull (adult). John Wright (SOG).

Hadleigh Downs, 09:45 to 11:30
1 Woodcock, 1 Bullfinch, 2 Redwing, 1 Kestrel. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).

Leigh on Sea, 10:00 to 10:30
1 Song Thrush, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 male Red Fox spraying everything in site in our garden. Web Author, K.M.

Barling Marsh, 10:00 to 12:00
1 Kingfisher, 1 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Merlin, 7 Corn Bunting, 38 Reed Bunting (one flock), 20 Skylark, 10 Meadow Pipit. John Wright (SOG).

Benfleet, Vicarage Hill 10:30
1 Sparrowhawk passing through high up from the East. Martin Cracknell (SOG).

Hockley Woods, 10:30 to 12:00
1 Nuthatch. Graham Ryland (SOG).

RSPB Vange Marsh 10:45 - 11:00
12 Common Snipe, 2 Water Rail, 2 Stonechat. Andrew Cox.

Wat Tyler Country Park 11:30 - 14:15
Creek: 3 Greenshank, 1 Spotted Redshank, 18 Curlew (over, towards Vange), Redshank, Teal, 100+ Wigeon (from Vange). From Hide: 200+ lapwing on marshes, 1 Peregrine on pylon. Andrew Cox.

Cherry Orchard Lane, 12:00
1 Little Egret in brook under Cherry Orchard Way. Paul Baker (SOG).

Tesco's, Prince Avenue 12.30 - 12.45
1 Pied Wagtail darting between the cars. Terry Priest.

Canvey West End, 14:00 to 14:30
1 Woodcock, 1 Green Woodpecker. Martin Cracknell (SOG).

Canvey Island, 14:35 to 14:40
Roscommon Way: 110 Fieldfare (flock feeding on ground in wet field near Morrisons), 3 Redwing, 2 Meadow Pipit. Martin Cracknell (SOG).

Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 17:10
1 Sparrowhawk. Paul Baker (SOG).

Friday 06th February 2009

North Crescent, Prittlewell, 07:45
Fields between Eastwoodbury Lane and North Crescent south of airport: 1 female Merlin chasing starlings. Mike Bailey (SOG).

A128 Middleton Hall Lane at Brentwood 08:00
6 Redwing on patch off grass at traffic lights. Martin Itter.

Victoria Avenue, Southend, 09:30 to 17:00
2 Peregrine Falcon (pair on Portcullis House most of day). John Wright, Paul Griggs, Don Petrie (SOG).

Rayleigh, 12:00
1 Green Woodpecker over Rayleigh Weir. Paul Baker (SOG).

Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 14:00
10 Fieldfare (flock flew north). Paul Baker (SOG).

Two Tree Island/Benfleet Creek 14.00 - 17.00
94 Avocet on Benfleet creek just west of Two Tree, 2 Water Rail. Two Tree Western Lagoon: 1 Cetti's Warbler singing from ditch along Benfleet Creek seawall, 0.5km west of Two Tree. Very few Little Egret. Only 4 in the Two Tree roost on 03/02. Andrew Gouldstone.

Thursday 05th February 2009

Southend, Roots Hall Market 08:00 to 08:25
1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Sparrowhawk (pair). Paul Griggs (SOG).

Rayleigh Mount, 09:30
1 Goldcrest. Paul Baker (SOG).

Wakering Stairs 10:20
Barn Owl - hunting around military buildings. Noel Barnes.

Wat Tyler Country Park 12:15 to 12:30
1 Peregrine Falcon on an island on the scrape from the motor boat museum hide. David Lee.

Chalkwell Seafront, 14:00
1 Little Egret in the 'paddling pool' at low tide. Paul Baker (SOG).

Hockley Woods 16.00 - 16.15
Hawfinch 50m south of car park. Marc Outten RSPB.

Wednesday 04th February 2009

Hockley Woods 08.00 - 08.30
2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 9 Goldcrest, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Nuthatch (around the main car park area, quite vocal). Marc Outten RSPB.

Basildon, Little Lullaway 09.30 to 10.00
2 Goldcrest, 6 Redwing, 2 Fieldfare, 4 Blackbird, 2 Robin, 6 Blue Tit, 2 Carrion Crow, 1 Chaffinch. Jane Hale.

Victoria Avenue, Southend, 09:30 to 14:45
1 male Peregrine Falcon. Paul Griggs (SOG).

Vange Wick/Fobbing 10.30 - 15.00
50+ Skylark, 38 Meadow Pipit, 14 Reed Bunting, 13 Goldfinch, 2 Stonechat, 1 Snipe, 1 Green Woodpecker, Large numbers of Fieldfare/Redwing, Lapwing, Curlew and Wood Pigeon, 1 Marsh Harrier (juvenile). David Shepherd.

Canewdon, 16:00
1 Hen Harrier (ad male flew W just below ridge of Butts Hill). Jeff Delve (EBS).

Baxter Avenue Southend, 16:50
1 female Peregrine Falcon on Portcullis House. Paul Griggs (SOG).

Coombe Wood, 17:00
1 Sparrowhawk high north over A13. Paul Baker (SOG).

Westcliff Casino, 17:00
1 Fulmar flying around the cliffs and over the seafront road at dusk. Paul Griggs (SOG).

Canvey, Labworth Field, All Day
15 to 20 Fieldfare and a Meadow Pipit. Diane Day.

Tuesday 03rd February 2009

Canewdon, 09:00
Male Blackcap coming in to feeders. Jeff Delve (EBS).

RSPB Vange Marsh 10.00 to 12.15
1 Kingfisher, 3 Little Egret, 2 Snipe, 3 Fieldfare, 3 Goldfinch, 6 Reed Bunting, 3 Stonechat, 3 Meadow Pipit, 220 Lapwing, 6 Teal, 1 adult male Marsh Harrier flew low over the marsh towards the road. David Shepherd.

RSPB Rainham Marshes 10.15 - 13.30
500+ Lapwing, 42 Meadow Pipit, 1 Water Pipit, 150+ Fieldfare, 3 Little Grebe, 30+ Golden Plover, 1 male Merlin (10.48 flying up river), 25 Greylag, 18 Linnet, 1 Song Thrush, 2 Yellowhammer (both males), 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Reed Bunting. Terry Priest.

Prittlewell, Oaken Grange Drive, 12:00 to 12:35
62 Fieldfare (stunning views as they fed on berries in trees along Oaken Grange Drive, especially in the cul-de-sac at the East end), 5 Redwing. Mike Bailey (SOG).

Wat Tyler Country Park 12.30 To 14.45
Seen on the marina only: 13 Black-tailed Godwit, 30 Redshank, 36 Teal, 170 Wigeon, 4 Shoveler, 10 Little Grebe, 4 Curlew, 45 Lapwing. David Shepherd.

South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 12.45 - 14.30
5 Fieldfare, 5 Little Grebe, Little Egret, 150 Brent Goose, 2 Grey Plover, Curlew, 100+ Shelduck, Green Woodpecker, 34 Mute Swan. Ray Fuller.

RSPB Vange Marsh 13.00 - 13.45
1 Jack Snipe, 1 Mediterranean Gull (adult), 20 Reed Bunting, 16 Meadow Pipit, 1 Water Rail, 1 Little Egret. Marc Outten, Steve Roach RSPB.

Temple Farm, 13:15 to 13:30
150 Lapwing, 9 Fieldfare, 6 Goldfinch. Dudley Shayler (SOG).

Temple Farm, 13:15 to 13:35
120 Lapwing, 50 Golden Plover, 1 Mistle Thrush, 60 Fieldfare, 3 Goldfinch, 2 Long-tailed Tit. Dudley Shayler (SOG).

Wallasea Island, 13:45 to 16:30
150 Fieldfare (fields by Grapnells), 10 Redwing (fields by Grapnells), 2 Stonechat (one by straw bales, one eastern end), 1 Barn Owl (hunting sea wall and then field ditches), 1 Red-breasted Merganser (single male on incoming tide), 2100 Dark-bellied Brent Goose (in two flocks, 800 to south of island, 1300 near wetlands), 1 Black Brant (still with main flock - some distant images today), , 1000 Dunlin (approx), 1 Turnstone (still scarce here), 200 Knot, 15 Curlew, 30 Golden Plover, 25 Grey Plover, 800 Lapwing (most on fields), 18 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Greenshank (near tower), 250 Redshank (well scattered across mudflats and saltmarsh), 150 Ringed Plover, 20 Linnet (flock near car park), 2 Rock Pipit (saltmarsh at eastern end), 4 Reed Bunting (in to roost near car park). Jeff Delve (EBS).

Prittlewell, Oakengrange Drive, 15:30 to 15:35
48 Fieldfare still present feeding in berry trees and flying up into tall trees along Oakengrange Drive, 8 Redwing. Mike Bailey (SOG).

Leigh on Sea, Lansdowne Avenue, 16:00
1 Goldcrest in back garden. Matt Bruty.

Monday 02nd February 2009

Wickford 08.10
Siskin in garden. Little Egret in drainage ditch Borwick Lane, flew off south west. Chris and Janet Wiley.

Victoria Avenue, Southend, 09:00 to 16:00
2 Peregrine Falcon (male and female on and off through the day on Portcullis House). John Wright, Paul Griggs (SOG).

Thorpe Bay, Parkanaur Avenue 09.00 - 16.40
15+ Fieldfare eating apples in garden. They saw off the Blackbirds but a couple of Starlings stayed around for a while. Ian and Marion Smith.

Pitsea 11:00 - 11:30
1 Fieldfare came to join the 5 Blackbird, 2 Chaffinch, group of Greenfinch etc. Never seen a fieldfare before. Jane Dyer.

Leigh-on-Sea, Garden 11:10 to 11:20
1 male Blackcap, 1 Song Thrush. The Blackcap was in the garden, at intervals, most of the day. David Lee & Glenn Jacobs.

Chelmsford 12.00 - 16.00
1 Fieldfare and about 10 Redwing in our garden eating the red berries, plus all the usual suspects eating us out of suet, raisins, currants, seeds and everything else they can lay their beaks on! Sue Haffenden.

Rayleigh Mount, 12:45
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker. Paul Baker (SOG).

Hullbridge 14.00
12 Fieldfare in our quite small garden. Another first for this garden. Hilary Knight.

Southchurch Hall Park 14:00
1 Little Egret. Neil.

Eastwood, 15:00
1 Goldcrest in Morrison's car park. Paul Baker (SOG).

Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 15:30
1 Little Egret standing in brook looking decidedly fed up and cold. Paul Baker (SOG).

Sunday 01st February 2009

Two Tree Island 10.00 - 12.30
Dark-bellied Brent Goose, Mute Swan, Shelduck, Wigeon, Mallard, Common Teal, Little Grebe, Little Egret, Cormorant, Moorhen, Coot, Pied Avocet Lapwing Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Common Redshank, Greenshank Knot, Dunlin, Common Gull Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Common Black-headed Gull Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Green Woodpecker, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Wren, Starling, Blackbird, Robin, Stonechat, Pied Wagtail Meadow Pipit, Rock Pipit, Linnet. Web author, et al.

Abberton Reservoir 13.00 - 16.00
2 Smew, 3 Bullfinch, 1 Goosander, 3+ Goldcrest, Several Goldeneye, 4+ Great Crested Grebe. Mark D.

Leigh on Sea, Park View Drive 16.50 - 17.00
1 Song Thrush (1st for garden list), 1 Red Fox trying to get in to our caged ground feeder to get at the mixed fruit and sultanas, gave up after 10minutes! web Author, K.M.

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