South East Essex RSPB Wildlife Reports for February 2014
Friday 28th February 2014easterly to northerly, rain, max7°c
Ashingdon, Princess Gardens 05:30
1 Little Owl heard - called once. David Selley.
Hanningfield Reservoir 14:30 to 15:00
2 Mute Swan, 100+ Tufted Duck, 80+ Mallard, 23 Canada Geese, 200+ Coot, 70+ Greylag Geese, 5 Magpie, 346 Cormorant, 5 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 2 Blackbird, 200+ Herring Gull, 200+ Black-headed Gull, 6 Carrion Crow, 30+ Woodpigeon, 5 Chaffinch, 4 Domestic Geese, 2 Domestic White Duck. Rob Harris.
Thursday 27th February 2014southerly to westerly, rain, max11°c
Basildon, Gloucester Park 13:20
Pair of Grey Wagtail. Ben Setterfield.
RSPB Bowers Marsh 13:30 to 16:30
2 Pintail (pair), 17 Shelduck, 4 Tufted Duck, 100+ Greylag Geese, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 7 Skylark all singing, 3 Marsh Harrier one bird on the ground, 2 Oystercatcher, Wigeon, Teal, Lapwing, Little Egret. David Shepherd.
Daws Heath 19:00 to 19:20
1 Tawny Owl calling at the bottom of my garden. Mike Sagrott.
Wednesday 26th February 2014south westerly, partly cloudy, max11°c
A130 Howe Green 08:00
2 Common Buzzard flying to fro across A130. Watched for 15 minutes due to traffic jam. Russ Payne.
Daws Heath, Pound Wood 08:30 to 09:30
3 Stock Dove (1 singing), 2+ Green Woodpecker, 3+ Great Spotted Woodpecker (1 drumming), 1 Song Thrush (singing), 4 Redwing, 4 Long-tailed Tit (2 pairs), 1 Treecreeper. Richard Gray.
Southchurch Park East 08:45
1 Green Woodpecker feeding then flying off across top of grass bank, Shaftesbury Avenue side. Robert Dobinson.
Foulness Island 09:20
Male Siskin on sunflower heart feeder. Steve Giles.
Wat Tyler Country Park 10:45 to 13:45
Sightings from scrape hide: 2 female Marsh Harrier, 1 Kestrel, 2 female Bearded Tit, c.80 Greylag Geese, c.12 Canada Geese. 2 Cetti's Warbler heard calling back and forth. 3 Greenfinch, 1 Stock Dove, 2 Snipe, 1 Grey Heron, 4 Little Egret, c.20 Black-headed Gull, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 2 Little Grebe, 12 Mute Swan, few Pochard, Mallard, Shoveler, Wigeon, Teal, 1 pair Tufted Duck, 1 Great Tit, few Blue Tit, 1 male Blackbird. David & Brenda Hale.
Heybridge 12:00
1 female Sparrowhawk eating Collared Dove in back garden. Gary Crozier.
RSPB Wallasea Island 13:50 to 14:30
1 Kestrel, 1 Oystercatcher, 4 Redshank, 4 Linnet, 3 Skylark, 3 Corn Bunting, 5 Reed Bunting, 2 Pied Wagtail, 2 Magpie, 1 Little Egret, 12 Carrion Crow, 1 Blackbird, 11 Mallard, 40+ Herring Gull, 30+ Black-headed Gull, 8 Moorhen. Rob Harris.
Thorndon Country Park 14:00
2 Buzzard circling just above the trees, 1 female Sparrowhawk passing overhead. Neil Phillips.
RSPB West Canvey Marsh 14:15 to 15:20
Sightings from roadside hide: few Shelduck, c.200 Wigeon, 11 Common Gull, many Black-headed Gull, 2 Herring Gull, c.30 Curlew, few Pochard, Shoveler, Mallard, Teal, c.200 Staring, 1 Skylark, 1 pair Dunnock, 1 Little Egret, 10 Moorhen, few Coot, few Canada Geese, Greylag Geese. David & Brenda Hale.
Thornton Meadows 14:45 to 14:55
1 Kestrel, 6 Magpie, 5 Carrion Crow, 1 Blackbird, 2 Mistle Thrush. Rob Harris.
Canvey, Hole Haven Creek 16:30
1 1st winter Iceland Gull in the middle of the flock of 500+ gulls on the mudflats opposite the Lobster Smack. Jeff Elliott, Tom Ollington.
Tuesday 25th February 2014south westerly, mostly cloudy, max9°c
Wat Tyler Country Park 13:00
1 Goldcrest moving around the hawthorn scrub, showing well at times, Magpie in groups of 3 or 4 flying around and calling all day. Neil Phillips.
Hanningfield Reservoir 13:50 to 14:25
2 Mute Swan, 100+ Tufted Duck, 100+ Pochard, 100+ Mallard, 60+ Canada Geese, 100+ Coot, 100+ Greylag Geese, 2 Magpie, 30+ Cormorant, 20+ Lesser Black-backed Gull, 2 Blackbird, 200+ Herring Gull, 200+ Black-headed Gull, 6 Carrion Crow, 30+ Woodpigeon, 2 Chaffinch, 4 Blue Tit, 11 Pied Wagtail, 5 Robin, 2 Dunnock, 4 Great Crested Grebe, 4 Domestic Geese. Rob Harris.
Hullbridge, Long Lane 17:00
1 male Bullfinch, what a lovely, but unfortunately rare sight. Gary & Cheryl Beacon.
Monday 24th February 2014southerly, partly cloudy, max14°c
Southend, Kensington Road 08:00
1 Sparrowhawk standing on grass close to bird feeder watched for about five minutes. Robert Dobinson.
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 09:00 to 12:00
2 male Stonechat north of Manorway reed bed, a few Little Egret, Cetti's Warbler heard over area, a few Gadwall on Manorway Fleet, 400+ Lapwing flying opposite side of creek, 1 Little Grebe on Manorway Fleet, 1 Sparrowhawk. Richard Fahey.
Langdon Hills 11:30 to 12:30
4 Adder, 1 Brimstone, 1 Comma. Karl Price.
Foulness Island 12:30
1 ringtail Hen Harrier. Steve Giles.
Hanningfield Reservoir 12:30 to 13:00
3 Mute Swan, 100+ Tufted Duck, 100+ Pochard, 100+ Mallard, 200+ Wigeon, 1 Ruddy Shelduck, 180+ Canada Geese, 200+ Coot, 5 Barnacle Geese, 200+ Greylag Geese, 50+ Cormorant, 11 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 200+ Black-headed Gull, 200+ Herring Gull, 7 Magpie, 27 Carrion Crow, 40+ Woodpigeon, 2 Chaffinch, 1 Blue Tit, 2 Blackbird, 2 Pied Wagtail, 4 Domestic Geese. Rob Harris.
Ashingdon, Princess Gardens 14:00 to 15:30
6 Blackbird - 2 females gathering nest material. David Selley.
Sunday 23rd February 2014south south westerly, scattered clouds, max13°c
Tesco, Southend 11:30
Pair of Goldcrest in car park. Dave Dove.
Southend 13:00
Buzzard circling over Southend Hospital. Phil Lusher.
Shoeburyness, Gunners Park 13:00 to 14:00
Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Carrion Crow, Starling, Woodpigeon, Green Woodpecker, Collared Dove, House Sparrow, Pied Wagtail, Herring Gull, Robin, Redshank, Oystercatcher, Mallard, Moorhen, Greenfinch, Grey Heron, Little Grebe, Mute Swan, Dunnock, Magpie, Blackbird. S. Jackson.
Wakering, Fleet Head, 14:00 to 16:00
1 Red-throated Diver, 30 Wigeon, 150 Shelduck, 2 Shoveler, 300+ Brent Goose, 28 Teal, 12 Redshank, 10 Little Egret, 2 Mute Swan, 6 Canada Geese, 1 Grey Heron, 6 Skylark (singing), 4 Little Grebe, 8 Mallard, 1 Curlew. Richard Mander.
RSPB Wallasea Island 14:30 to 16:00
2 Peregrine Falcons (pair) on field behind reptile area, 2 Kestrel, 1 Oystercatcher, 5 Redshank, 7 Linnet, 3 Skylark, 6 Corn Bunting, 1 Pheasant, 1 Little Egret, 2 Magpie, 12 Carrion Crow, 2 Mute Swan, 1 Blackbird, 1 Stonechat, 30+ Herring Gull, 25 Black-headed Gull. Rob Harris.
Canewdon, Scott Hall Road 16:00 to 16:10
1 Little Owl. Rob Harris.
Paglesham, Churchend 16:10 to 16:25
1 Kestrel, 60+ Woodpigeon, 1 Blackbird, 3 Song Thrush, 7 Fieldfare, 50+ Starling, 9 Moorhen. Rob Harris.
Paglesham. East Hall Road 16:30 to 16:45
1 Kestrel, 30+ Woodpigeon, 1 Blue Tit, 1 Pied Wagtail, 3 Wood Duck 
, 7 Moorhen (on pond at beginning of road). Rob Harris.
Saturday 22nd February 2014south westerly, partly cloudy, max11°c
EWT Blue House Farm 09:15 to 17:00
5 Buzzard, 1 male and 3 female Marsh Harrier, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Merlin, 1 Kestrel. 31 Fieldfare, 2 Redwing, 2 pair Dunnock, few Great and Blue Tit, 2 Chaffinch, 2 Robin, 2 Blackbird, Canada Geese, Barnacle Geese, Greylag Geese, Brent Geese in their 100's, 95 Curlew, 2 Little Grebe, 2 Oystercatcher, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Wigeon, 3 Pintail (2 drakes, 1 female), 100's of Lapwing, many Starling at one point, forming a large murmuration, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 2 Common Gull, many Black-headed Gull, 2 Grey Heron, 3 Little Egret, 6 Mute Swan. 2 Brown Hare. David & Brenda Hale.
A12, Half Mile Before A130 10:45
Red Kite and Buzzard, appeared not to be on friendly terms! Dave Dove.
Hanningfield Reservoir Causeway 12:30 to 13:00
3 Mute Swan, 100+ Tufted Duck, 100+ Pochard, 100+ Mallard, 200+ Wigeon, 2 Gadwall, 180+ Canada Geese, 4 Barnacle Geese, 150+ Greylag Geese, 50+ Cormorant, 50+ Coot, 40+ Cormorant, 14 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 200+ Black-headed Gull, 200+ Herring Gull, 4 Magpie, 6 Carrion Crow, 40+ Woodpigeon, 5 Chaffinch, 2 Blackbird. Rob Harris.
Abberton Reservoir 14:30 to 15:20
2 Oystercatcher, 1 Marsh Harrier, 100+ Lapwing, 21 Chaffinch, 100+ Pochard, 200+ Tufted Duck, 150+ Mallard, 2 Goldeneye, 50+ Canada Geese, 50+ Greylag Geese, 7 Mute Swan, 150+ Carrion Crow, 250+ Black-headed Gull, 300+ Herring Gull, 100+ Cormorant, 40+ Lesser Black-backed Gull, 2 Stonechat, 7 Greater Black-backed Gull, 1 Aylesbury Duck, 1 Swan Goose, 7 Hybrid Geese, 4 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret, 2 Blackbird, 3 Blue Tit, 1 Kestrel 60+ Starling, 2 Jackdaw. Rob Harris.
RSPB Wallasea Island 16:15 to 17:30
1 Barn Owl, 1 Stonechat, 2 Kestrel, 3 Magpie, 2 Mallard, 7 Redshank, 2 Pheasant, 8 Corn Bunting, 50+ Herring Gull, 50+ Black-headed Gull, 2 Little Egret, 1 Little Grebe, 16 Carrion Crow. Rob Harris.
A131 Near Great Leighs
Red Kite over road. Peter Chapman.
Friday 21st February 2014south westerly, partly cloudy, max10°c
EWT Hanningfield Causeway 09:45 to 10:15
5 Barnacle Geese, staying close, but out of the throng of birds we were feeding. David & Brenda Hale.
Hanningfield Reservoir 14:00 to 14:30
3 Mute Swan, 100+ Tufted Duck, 100+ Pochard, 100+ Mallard, 200+ Wigeon, 150+ Canada Geese, 150+ Greylag Geese, 50+ Cormorant, 150+ Coot, 12 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 200+ Black-headed Gull, 200+ Herring Gull, 2 Magpie, 12 Carrion Crow, 40+ Woodpigeon, 40+ Cormorant, 1 Greenfinch, 1 Blackbird, 4 Domestic Geese. Rob Harris.
Thursday 20th February 2014south westerly, mostly cloudy, max12°c
Jones Memorial Park 12:30
Stunning Mediterranean Gull in full breeding plumage in amongst the Black-headed, Common and Herring Gull on the playing fields. Phil Lusher.
Wickford, Nevendon Road 12:50 to 12:51
1 Sparrowhawk low over garden fences after Feral Pigeons. Rob Harris.
Hockey, Glencrofts 15:00
1 Small Tortoiseshell butterfly. Irwin Lewis.
Wednesday 19th February 2014westerly, partly cloudy, max11°c
RSPB Wallasea Island 10:15 to 15:15
1 ringtail Hen Harrier, 4 Kestrel, 1 Peregrine Falcon, 2 pair Stonechat, many Reed Bunting, many Meadow Pipit, c.20 Linnet, c.20 Skylark, 4 Pied Wagtail, c.10 Stock Dove, 4 Grey Heron, 3 Little Egret, 4 Mute Swan, c.50 Wigeon, few Teal, 2 drake Mallard, c.20 Shelduck, 2 Canada Geese, many 100's Brent Geese, few Oystercatcher, few Curlew, 100's Lapwing, 1 Grey Plover, c.50 Golden Plover, 1 Mistle Thrush, 1 male Blackbird. David & Brenda Hale.
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 13:00 to 16:05
4,000+ Black-tailed Godwit, 40+ Avocet and 3 Knot flying north at Holehaven Creek, 3 Little Egret, Cetti's Warbler heard over area, 1,000+ Teal mostly at Holehaven Creek, 60+ Wigeon mostly on pool at south, c.13 Gadwall on or over Manorway Fleet, 1 Shoveler, 1 Redwing. Richard Fahey.
RSPB Vange Marsh 14:00 to 16:30
1 Spoonbill, 3 Green Sandpiper, 26 Curlew, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Gadwall, 4 Tufted Duck, 8 Pochard, 1 Shelduck, 200+ Wigeon, 100+ Shoveler, large numbers of Teal on the marsh and in the creek. David Shepherd.
Tuesday 18th February 2014southerly, rain, max11°c
Hockley 08:15
2 Great Tit nesting in box in our garden. Jackie Jones.
Canvey Point 11:00 to 12:20
Robin, Collared Dove, Woodpigeon, Starling, Carrion Crow, 40+ Brent Geese, Grey Heron, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Common Gull, 150+ Dunlin, 75+ Knot, 130+ Sanderling, 3+ Great-crested Grebe, Mediterranean Gull, 40+ Curlew, Turnstone, Cormorant, 3+ Kittiwake, House Sparrow. S. Jackson & M. Hill.
Wat Tyler Country Park 12:45 to 14:15
Magpie, Carrion Crow, Blue Tit, Tufted Duck, Shoveler Duck, Common Gull, Black-headed Gull, Pochard, Woodpigeon, Little Grebe, Mallard, Lapwing, Feral Pigeon, Mute Swan, Coot, Blackbird, Great Tit, Dunnock, Starling, Robin, Collared Dove, Greenfinch, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Greylag Geese. S. Jackson & M. Hill.
Hadleigh 15:00 to 16:00
4 Redpoll, 8+ Goldfinch, 10+ Blue Tit, 3 Chaffinch (1m, 1f). Caroline.
Monday 17th February 2014southerly, partly cloudy, max11°c
RSPB Wallasea Island 16:00 to 17:00
1 female Hen Harrier, 1 Barn Owl, 1 Short-eared Owl, 2 Kestrel, 1 Merlin, 1 Corn Bunting. Hilary & Colin Knight.
Sunday 16th February 2014westerly to southerly, clear, max10°c
RSPB Wallasea Island 07:00 to 08:15
Sparrowhawk on car park fence, 5 Kestrel, Stonechat, Corn Bunting, many Skylark in flight and on the ground, Pheasant. Brown Hare. Also had a badger going through Hockley. Jim Bailey.
Chelmsford, Baddow Meads, 07:30 to 08:45
6 Reed Bunting (4 male, 2 female), 10+ Skylark (beginning territorial song flights), 9 Magpie, 7 Carrion Crow, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 12 Tufted Duck, 4 Mallard, 5 Goosander, 1 Robin, 1 Blackbird, 1 Great Tit, 1 Dunnock, 2 Green Woodpecker, 8 Woodpigeon, 2 Collared Dove, 1 Pheasant. Many gulls, mostly Black-headed Gull. Paul Forsdick.
Hadleigh, West Wood, 07:30 to 09:00
4 Stock Dove (2 singing), 1 Green Woodpecker, 4 Great Spotted Woodpecker (2 drumming), 1 Song Thrush (singing), 12+ Redwing (chattering flock), 2 Mistle Thrush (1 singing), 1 Goldcrest, 2 Treecreeper (pair). Richard Gray.
Weald Country Park 08:30 to 11:30
Goldcrest, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Robin, Blackbird, Treecreeper, Nuthatch, Wren, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Jay, Magpie, Buzzard, Kestrel, Mute swan, Greylag Goose, Coot, Moorhen, Canada Goose, Long-tailed Tit, Woodpigeon, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Chaffinch, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Mallard, Tufted Duck, drake Goosander, Great Crested Grebe. Adam &and Christina Commons.
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 08:45 to 12:00
1 Whimbrel on creek, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Redwing, 1 Little Egret, Cetti's Warbler heard at close range near Manorway Fleet and by Manorway, 400+ Teal, 1 Gadwall on Manorway Fleet. Richard Fahey.
Hanningfield Reservoir 11:00 to 11:30
3 Mute Swan, 100+ Tufted Duck, 50+ Pochard, 130+ Mallard, 120+ Canada Geese, 100+ Greylag Geese, 40+ Cormorant, 250+ Coot, 200+ Herring Gull, 240+ Black-headed Gull, 35 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 3 Magpie, 12 Carrion Crow, 20+ Woodpigeon, 30+ Cormorant, 3 Blue Tit, 1 Robin, 1 Blackbird, 4 Domestic Geese. Rob Harris.
Canvey Point 11:00 to 12:45
2 Red-throated Diver, 150+ Curlew, 100+ Oystercatcher, 2000+ Dunlin, 30+ Grey Plover, 50+ Great Crested Grebe, 10 Cormorant, 30+ Wigeon. Terry Blackwell.
RSPB Bowers Marsh 11:00 to 13:00
1 Buzzard, 2 Bearded Tit, 1 Reed Bunting, 6 Great Crested Grebe, Fieldfare, Goldfinch, many Lapwing. Mick Roe.
Shoeburyness, Gunners Park 13:00 to 14:30
Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Herring Gull, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Woodpigeon, 12+ Great Tit, 10+ Blue Tit, 3+ Pied Wagtail, Feral Pigeon, House Sparrow, Starling, 50+ Turnstone, Mute Swan, Mallard, Moorhen, 20+ Sanderling, Rock Pipit, Little Grebe, 30+ Greenfinch, 7+ Long-tailed Tit, Blackbird, Robin, Song Thrush, Chaffinch, Collared Dove, Dunnock. S. Jackson.
Foulness Island 14:30 to 16:30
1 Common Buzzard, 1 probable Rough-legged Buzzard, 4 Kestrel, 7 Little Egret, c.12 Little Grebe, pair Stonechat, Short-eared Owl seen by others. Steve & Fran Giles.
RSPB Wallasea Island 15:30 to 16:15
1 Barn Owl, 2 Short-eared Owl, 1 Merlin, 2 Stonechat, 2 Skylark, 60+ Corn Bunting. Peter and Margaret Norgate.
Paglesham Eastend, Pound Pond, 16:00
2 American Wood Duck . Marcus.
RSPB Wallasea Island 16:00 to 17:25
1 Barn Owl, 3 Short-eared Owl, 3 Kestrel, 2 Stonechat, 4 Skylark, 9 Corn Bunting, 2 Shelduck, 2 Oystercatcher, 20+ Carrion Crow, 3 Magpie, 7 Redshank, 600+ Lapwing, 200+ Dunlin, 50+ Golden Plover, 50+ Woodpigeon, 300+ Herring Gull, 5 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 150+ Black-headed Gull. Rob Harris.
Saturday 15th February 2014south westerly partly cloudy, max11°c
Hadleigh Castle 07:50 to 07:55
1 Weasel running and jumping over the puddles at the entrance to the castle grounds. Ellen Hume.
Foulness Island 10:30 to 11:30
1 ringtail Hen Harrier, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Kestrel, c.1000 Brent Geese, c.60 Chaffinch. Steve & Fran Giles.
Hanningfield Reservoir 12:30 to 13:15
1 Grey Heron, 70+ Teal, 100+ Tufted, 100+ Mallard, 100+ Pochard, 200+ Wigeon, 200+ Coot, 200+ Herring Gull, 250+ Black-headed Gull, 40+ Lesser Black-backed Gull, 7 Magpie, 30+ Carrion Crow, 7 Great Crested Grebe, 250+ Canada Geese, 200+ Greylag Geese, 4 Domestic Geese. Rob Harris.
Friday 14th February 2014south south easterly (high), rain, max12°c
East Tilbury, Coalhouse Fort 08:30 to 09:30
c.300 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Oystercatcher, 6 Curlew, 2 Long-tailed Tit, 6 Shelduck, 1 Common Buzzard, 50 Fieldfare, 1 Skylark. Graham White.
Southend Hospital 16:00
2 Peregrine Falcon. Jerry Stock.
Thursday 13th February 2014westerly, partly cloudy, max8°c
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 10:00 to 12:15
1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Little Egret, 2 Pochard on Manorway Fleet, 400+ Teal on creek, 2 Shoveler on Manorway Fleet, c.7 Gadwall at Coryton. Spoonbill was seen earlier by a birdwatcher. Richard Fahey.
Hanningfield Reservoir 14:35 to 14:55
3 Mute Swan, 70+ Tufted Duck, 40+ Pochard, 60+ Mallard, 150+ Canada Geese, 100+ Greylag Geese, 40+ Coot, 200+ Wigeon, 1 Pied Wagtail, 50+ Herring Gull, 7 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 100+ Black-headed Gull, 2 Magpie, 9 Carrion Crow, 1 Ruddy Shelduck, 40+ Woodpigeon. Rob Harris.
Foulness Island 15:00 to 15:45
1 Kingfisher, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 5 Little Egret, c.40 Chaffinch, c.25 Corn Bunting. Steve Giles.
Chelmsford, Central Park, 16:00
1 Kingfisher flying upstream on river at viaduct. Paul Forsdick.
Wednesday 12th February 2014southerly, cloud, rain, max9°c
Foulness Island 09:30 and 12:50
2 ringtail Hen Harrier, 1 Peregrine Falcon. Steve Giles.
Tuesday 11th February 2014southerly, partly cloudy, max8°c
Hanningfield Reservoir 13:00 to 15:00
4 Goosander, 10+ Goldeneye. Mike Butler.
Monday 10th February 2014southerly to westerly, rain, max9°c
Canvey Point 10:50 to 11:55
1 Red-throated Diver, 400+ Wigeon, 200+ Brent Geese, 22 Teal, 2 Shelduck, 8 Great crested Grebe, 7 Cormorant, 3000+ Dunlin and Knot, 100+ Grey Plover, 2 Ringed Plover,30 Curlew, 6 Redshank, 4 Turnstone, 100+ Oystercatcher, 1 Heron. Terry Blackwell.
Barling Hall Lane 21:45
2 Little Owl on pole and wire first seen here for a very long time. T. Thorneycroft.
Sunday 09th February 2014south westerly, scattered clouds, max10°c
Margaretting to Galleywood 10:40
100+ Fieldfare feeding in field before continuing south. Martin Vermond.
Hanningfield Reservoir Causeway 14:00 to 14:15
3 Mute Swan, 70+ Tufted Duck, 100+ Pochard, 70+ Mallard, 130+ Canada Geese, 100+ Greylag Geese, 5 Cormorant, 80+ Coot, 100+ Wigeon, 200+ Herring Gull, 40+ Lesser Black-backed Gull, 100+ Black-headed Gull, 2 Magpie, 12 Carrion Crow, 3 Great Crested Grebe. Rob Harris.
RSPB Wallasea Island 15:15 to 17:15
1 ringtail Hen Harrier, 1 Peregrine Falcon, 2 Barn Owl, 1 female Stonechat. Jon Clark.
Canvey Point 16:00 to 16:50
4 Guillemot, 27 Great Crested Grebe, 7 Cormorant, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1000+ Dunlin, 100+ Grey Plover, 3 Bar-tailed Godwit, 3 Redshank, 3 Curlew, 50+ Brent Geese, 60+ Oystercatcher, 4 Turnstone. Terry Blackwell.
Corringham, Lampits Hill 17:11
1 Barn Owl flew across road carrying prey. B. Goss.
Saturday 08th February 2014south westerly, partly cloudy, rain, max9°c
Shoeburyness, Church Road 09:15
Sparrowhawk enjoying his breakfast in our garden this morning. Jill and John Parsons.
Priory Park 11:00
1 Green Woodpecker. Irwin Lewis.
Horndon on the Hill, Lower Dunton Road, 13:40
Sparrowhawk attacking Blue Tit and Greenfinch at feeder. Gavin Davis.
Paglesham Boatyard 14:00 to 15:00
1 ringtail Hen Harrier, 4 Ringed Plover, 1 Grey Plover, 2 Bar-tailed Godwit. Peter Norgate.
Ashingdon, Princess Gardens 15:05 to 15:25
33 Jackdaw over in a sunny spell between downpours, 5 Goldfinch, 1 Greenfinch, the first of the year, on sunflower heart feeder. David Selley.
RSPB Wallasea Island 16:00 to 17:05
1 Hen Harrier, 3 Kestrel, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret, 4 Shelduck, 12 Mallard, 3 Magpie, 20+ Carrion Crow, 2 Mute Swan, 500+ Lapwing, 100+ Black-headed Gull, 100+ Herring Gull, 40+ Woodpigeon, 60+ Starling. Rob Harris.
Dunton Village 19:40
1 Barn Owl. Gavin Davis.
Friday 07th February 2014westerly, partly cloudy, rain, max10°c
Hanningfield Reservoir 12:30 to 13:00
70+ Tufted Duck, 80+ Pochard, 100+ Mallard, 50+ Cormorant, 100+ Coot, 100+ Wigeon, 3 Magpie, 30+ Carrion Crow, 1 Wren, 100+ Canada Geese, 110+ Greylag Geese, 200+ Herring Gull, 170+ Black-headed Gull, 20+ Lesser Black-backed Gull, 40+ Woodpigeon, 5 Mute Swan, 1 Ruddy Shelduck, 1 Robin, 1 Blackbird, 4 Domestic Geese. Rob Harris.
Foulness Island 13:15
1 Chiffchaff in garden. Steve Giles.
Hockley, Plumberow Mount 15:00 to 16:00
2 Sparrowhawk, 12 Fieldfare, 6 Greenfinch, 5 Goldfinch, 10 Chaffinch, 2 Linnet, 10 Long-tailed Tit, 12 Blue Tit, 8 Great Tit, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Green Woodpecker, 5 Jackdaw. David Glover.
Canvey Point 15:15 to 16:45
3 Guillemot, 1 Red throated Diver, 1000+ Dunlin, 51 Grey Plover, 4 Ringed Plover, 12 Redshank, 20+ Turnstone, 3 Curlew, 400+ Oystercatcher, 25 Brent Geese, 52 Great Crested Grebe, 6 Cormorant. Terry Blackwell.
RSPB Wallasea Island 16:20 to 17:15
Kestrel, Merlin, ringtail Hen Harrier, 2 Barn Owl, Short-eared Owl all seen from the white gates. Terry Jeffreys.
Thursday 06th February 2014southerly, rain, max11°c
Hanningfield Reservoir Causeway 12:30 to 12:40
2 Mute Swan, 40+ Tufted Duck, 20+ Pochard, 30+ Mallard, 12 Canada Geese, 7 Greylag Geese, 40+ Cormorant, 50+ Coot, 40+ Herring Gull, 40+ Black-headed Gull, 3 Magpie, 12 Carrion Crow, 20+ Woodpigeon, 30+ Cormorant. Rob Harris.
Wednesday 05th February 2014southerly, partly cloudy, max10°c
Abberton Reservoir 11:30 to 12.00
200+ Pochard, 200+ Tufted Duck, 150+ Mallard, 1 Goldeneye, 23 Canada Geese, 50+ Greylag Geese, 2 Mute Swan, 150+ Carrion Crow, 250+ Black-headed Gull, 300+ Herring Gull, 100+ Cormorant, 40+ Lesser Black-backed Gull, 7 Greater Black-backed Gull, 1 Aylesbury Duck, 1 Swan Goose, 7 Hybrid Geese. Rob Harris.
Hanningfield Reservoir 12:30 to 13:00
5 Mute Swan, 70+ Tufted Duck, 120+ Pochard, 70+ Mallard, 130+ Canada Geese, 80+ Greylag Geese, 40+ Cormorant, 300+ Coot, 5 Moorhen, 100+ Wigeon, 100+ Herring Gull, 30+ Lesser Black-backed Gull, 100+ Black-headed Gull, 6 Magpie, 4 Carrion Crow, 1 Robin, 40+ Woodpigeon, 1 Dunnock, 3 Blackbird. Rob Harris.
Tuesday 04th February 2014Southerly, partly cloudy, max9°c
Daws Heath, Pound Wood 09:30 to 10:30
2 Stock Dove (1 singing), 3 Green Woodpecker, 4 Great Spotted Woodpecker (1 drumming), 2 Redwing, 1 Goldcrest, 8 Long-Tailed Tit, 1 Treecreeper, 1 Bullfinch (possible pair- 2nd bird not seen but briefly heard). Richard Gray.
EWT Hanningfield Reservoir 10:00 to 15:30
4 Buzzard, 1 male and 2 female Marsh Harrier, 1 Sparrowhawk. 1 drake and 2 Redhead Goosander, many drake and female Goldeneye, c.100 Wigeon, many Shoveler, Pochard, Teal, Tufted Duck and Mallard, c.25 Gadwall, 1 Ruddy Shelduck, 4 Great Black-backed Gull, c.200 Black-headed Gull, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 4 Common Gull, c.20 Starling, many Great Crested Grebe, 4 Little Grebe, many Canada and Greylag Geese, 3 Redwing, 3 Song Thrush, 3 Blackbird, c.10 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Coal Tit, many Great and Blue Tit, 1 Dunnock, 1 Chaffinch, 4 Moorhen, 100s of Coot. David & Brenda Hale.
Southend, Kensington Road 12:00
1 Sparrowhawk just missed some small birds/lunch as it flew across the garden, then sat on border fence under cover. Robert Dobinson.
Canvey Point 14:00 to 14:50
3 Red-throated Diver, 9 Great Crested Grebe, 5 Cormorant, 5 Grey Plover, 5 Turnstone, 2 Curlew, 3000+ Dunlin and Knot, 200+ Oystercatcher. Terry Blackwell.
RSPB Bowers Marsh 14:00 to 16:30
20 Pintail, 40 Black-tailed Godwit, 300+ Greylag Geese, 100+ Canada Geese, 400+ Lapwing, 6 Meadow Pipit, 2 Skylark (up and singing), 3 Corn Bunting, 2 Marsh Harrier, very large numbers of Teal and Wigeon. David Shepherd.
Monday 03rd February 2014south easterly, partly cloudy, max8°c
Southchurch Park East and Southchurch Park 08:45 and 16:45
1 Pair of Mute Swan circling Southchurch East, Southchurch Park and greater area at 08:45. 1 Little Egret leaving Southchurch Park East towards estuary at 16:45. Robert Dobinson.
Shoeburyness, Gunners Park 10:15
1 leucistic Crow, it had broad white bands on both wing covers. John Pitts.
Foulness Island 11:00
1 ringtail Hen Harrier. Steve Giles.
Barleylands 12:12
1 leucistic Fieldfare on bushes next to garden centre. Mellon Cox.
RSPB Wallasea Island 13:45 to 14:30
2 Stonechat, 2 Kestrel, 5 Magpie, 22 Mallard, 22 Redshank, 1500+ Lapwing, 1 Skylark, 2 Mute Swan, 100+ Herring Gull, 50+ Black-headed Gull, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Hen Harrier, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Pied Wagtail, 2 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 300+ Dunlin, 4 House Sparrow, 30+ Corn Bunting, 30+ Mallard, 20+ Pochard 60+ Woodpigeon, 2 Moorhen. Rob Harris.
Sunday 02nd February 2014south westerly, partly cloudy, max10°c
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 09:15 to 12:15
2 Green Sandpiper, 1 Fieldfare, 120+ Wigeon, 200+ Teal, 2 Shoveler on lagoon, 3 Gadwall at Coryton, a few Little Egret, Cetti's Warbler heard along the manorway, 1,000+ Lapwing flying other side of creek, 1 Green Woodpecker. Richard Fahey.
RSPB West Canvey Marsh 09:45 to 12:00
2 Marsh Harrier which put up a large flock of duck, mainly Wigeon, but also a few Shoveler, Pochard and Teal as well as 5 Shelduck near the Pantile hide. Also seen 100+ Lapwing over RSPB Bowers Marsh, 4 Mute Swan, 50+ Canada Geese, 2 Greylag Geese, 2 Reed Bunting, 2 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Green Woodpecker, 7 Curlew, 6 Fieldfare, 2 Great Tit. Also 1 Common Lizard on top of felt square near sea wall. Keith Bartels.
Canvey Point 11:00 to 12:00 & 15:00 to 16:30
1 Common Scoter, 3 Red-throated Diver, 1 Black-throated Diver, 6 Guillemot, 3000+ Dunlin and Knot, 4 Sanderling, 10+ Grey Plover, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 100+ Oystercatcher, 10 Turnstone, 30+ Curlew, 3 Redshank, 1 Kittiwake, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 5 Cormorant, 1 Rock Pipit. Terry Blackwell.
Horndon on the Hill, Lower Dunton Road 11:30 to 12:00
1 Red Kite. Gavin Davis.
Benfleet 12:55
Sparrowhawk over garden. Keith Bartels.
Bulphan 13:05
Common Buzzard on the ground in field next to A128 near Dog and Partridge just south of Bulphan. Phil Shaw.
Foulness Island 15:30 to 15:35
2 Short-eared Owl. Steve and Fran Giles.
Rayleigh, Fairland Close
Male Blackcap in birdbath. John Atfield.
Saturday 01st February 2014south westerly, partly cloudy, max9°c
Rettenden, RHS Hyde Hall 13:00
2 Mistle Thrush on meadow as we were leaving. Brian & Jan Coveney.
Abberton Reservoir 13:00 to 14:00
200+ Pochard, 200+ Tufted Duck, 150+ Mallard, 1 Goldeneye, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 40+ Canada Geese, 50+ Greylag Geese, 4 Mute Swan, 200+ Black-headed Gull, 150+ Herring Gull, 1 Pied Wagtail, 100+ Starling, 200+ Carrion Crow, 1 Pheasant, 150+ Cormorant, 1 Swan Goose, 1 Aylesbury Duck, 7 Hybrid Geese. Rob Harris.
RSPB Vange Marsh 13:00 to 15:30
1 Sparrowhawk, 4 Green Sandpiper, 4 Gadwall, 250+ Wigeon, Teal, Shoveler, Mallard. David Shepherd.
Southend, Kensington Road 13:45
1 Sparrowhawk sitting on pergola. I watched it for about 7 minutes then of it flew. Fine condition with superb banded tail feathers. Robert Dobinson.
RSPB Wallasea Island 15:30 to 16:30
2 Stonechat, 2 Kestrel, 7 Magpie, 12 Mallard, 3 Redshank, 1000+ Lapwing, 4 Skylark, 14 Linnet, 1 Pheasant, 2 Mute Swan, 100+ Herring Gull, 50+ Black-headed Gull. Rob Harris.
RSPB Wallasea Island 16:30
Great White Egret from white gate going left to right. Tom Ollington, Jeff Elliott.