South East Essex RSPB Wildlife Reports for February 2015
February
Saturday 28th February 2015south south westerly, mostly cloudy max10°c
Southend, Priory Crescent 07:55
1 Sparrowhawk with prey in talons. It was coming out of Priory Park towards the railway and was flying so low it had to rise to get over the traffic. Philippa Pitts.
Chelmsford, River Chelmer (Essex Records Office) 11:10 to 11:20
2 Goosander (pair). Tim Davis.
Rochford Market Square 12:15
2 Pied Wagtail scavenging pavement/gutters. Richard Goring.
RSPB West Canvey Marsh 16:30 to 17:00
1 Barn Owl, 2 Stonechat, 4 Fieldfare, 11 Curlew. Jerry Stock.
Friday 27th February 2015south south westerly, partly cloudy, max9°c
Marks Tey 09:55
Buzzard circling over A12. Ray Britton.
EWT Fingringhoe Wick 10:00 to 15:15
1 pair Marsh Harrier, 1 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Buzzard, 100s Brent Geese, c.200 Avocet, c.200 Dunlin, few Knot, few Oystercatcher, many Redshank, few Grey Plover, Curlew, c.100 Black-tailed Godwit, many Shelduck, few Great Crested Grebe, Little Grebe, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Little Egret. 2 female Adder. David & Brenda Hale.
Rochford, Footpath Between Hall Road and Ironwell Lane, 10:15 to 11:00
2 Buzzard, 5 Reed Bunting (3 female, 2 male), 6 Yellowhammer, 3 Skylark, 2 Blackbird (pair). Denis Tuck.
Hanningfield Reservoir 10:30 to 12:30
7 Barnacle Geese, 5 Buzzard, 1 Sparrowhawk. Dave Knight.
Gunner's Park, 11:30 to 12:15
2 Serin by pond, 3 Stonechat, 2 Blackbird, 1 Robin, 1 Little Egret, 4 Blue Tit, 5 Chaffinch. Denis Tuck.
RSPB Wallasea Island 14:00 to 15:00
1 Skylark, 300+ Lapwing, 80+ Corn Bunting, 7 Magpie, 20+ Mallard, 30+ Carrion Crow, 150+ Woodpigeon, 100+ Starling, 1 Stonechat, 4 Little Egret, 100+ Herring Gull, 100+ Black-headed Gull, 3 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 3 Grey Heron, 6 House Sparrow, 1 Blackbird, 1 Chaffinch, 2 Moorhen, 7 Pheasant, 1 Short-eared Owl, 2 Marsh Harrier, 1 Kestrel, 1 Reed Bunting. Rob Harris.
Foulness Island 15:00 to 16:15
1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Barn Owl, 2 Little Owl, 3 Kestrel, 3 Grey Heron, c.20 Little Egret, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Song Thrush, c.20 Blackbird, c.50 Chaffinch, c.30 Goldfinch, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 male Blackcap, 1 Kingfisher, c.40 Avocet, c.50 Shelduck, c.500 Brent Geese. Steve Giles.
Shoeburyness, Gunners Park 15:00 to 17:00
2 Serin showing quite well to the east of the car park, 2 Stonechat, 3 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Great Tit, 4 Blue Tit, Blackbird, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Feral Pigeon, Pied Wagtail, Common Gull, Herring Gull, Black-headed Gull, Dunnock, Wren, 8 Little Grebe, 2 Mute Swan, 2 Curlew, 7 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, Redshank, Sanderling, Turnstone, Mallard, Moorhen, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Grey Heron, Robin, Oystercatcher, Starling. 6 Brown Rat. Bob & Lin Preston.
Ballards Gore 15:15 to 15:20
11 Common Pheasant, 5 Carrion Crow. Rob Harris.
EWT Abberton Reservoir 15:40 to 18:00
Many pairs Goldeneye, 1 female Smew, 1 drake Goosander, few Wigeon, many Greylag Geese, 6 drake Pochard, few Mute Swan, 8 Grey Heron, 2 Little Egret, many Tufted Duck, Mallard, few Teal, 1 Snipe, c.1000 Golden Plover, c.500 Lapwing, many 100s distant gulls. 1 Great Black-backed Gull, few Common Gull, 4 Pied Wagtail, few Chaffinch. David & Brenda Hale.
Southchurch Park East 17:155
2 Water Rail chasing each other across scrape and into reeds across from Bloomfield bench, watched for 15 minutes feeding in reed bed outcrop. Possible third Water Rail seen. Robert Dobinson.
Thursday 26th February 2015south south westerly, cloud and rain, max11°c
Abberton Reservoir 13:10 to 13:30
60+ Mallard, 12 Tufted Duck, 20 Pochard, 12 Coot, 70+ Black-headed Gull, 23 Herring Gull, 50+ Canada Geese, 23 Greylag Geese, 3 Magpie, 50+ Carrion Crow, 12 Mute Swan, 28 Cormorant, 2 Moorhen, 1 Grey Heron, 5 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Swan Goose. Rob Harris.
Wednesday 25th February 2015south westerly, mostly cloudy, max11°c
Tollesbury Wick 10:30 to 15:30
Great Crested Grebe, Little Egret, Mute Swan, Brent Goose, Shelduck, Wigeon, Gadwall, Teal, Mallard, Shoveler, Pochard, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Ringed Plover, Golden Plover, Lapwing, Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Redshank, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Skylark, Dunnock, Robin, Stonechat, Blackbird, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Reed Bunting. Kevin Taylor.
South Woodham Ferrers 12:20
2 male Blackcap. Dawn James.
South Woodham Ferrers, Bushy Hill 14:00 to 16:00
1 Peregrine Falcon, 1 Kestrel, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 150 Woodpigeon, 3 Long-Tailed Tit, 2 Dunnock, 1 Pheasant, 2 Greenfinch, 6 Jackdaw. Dawn James.
Southchurch Park East 17:00
2 Water Rail in area below Bloomfield bench, both feeding in reed bed clump south of bank, one smaller in size so maybe a pair, larger bird seen yesterday taking food over to smaller one in holt area, 1 drake Teal feeding around same area of pond. Robert Dobinson.
Tuesday 24th February 2015westerly, partly cloudy, max9°c
RSPB Wallasea Island 14:00 to 15:00
1 Skylark, 300+ Lapwing, 200+ Corn Bunting, 9 Magpie, 20+ Mallard, 60+ Carrion Crow, 100+ Woodpigeon, 160+ Starling, 3 Stonechat, 140+ Herring Gull, 200+ Black-headed Gull, 2 Curlew, 30+ Dunlin, 30+ Redshank, 7 Little Egret, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Blackbird, 2 Marsh Harrier, 2 Kestrel. Rob Harris.
RSPB Vange Marsh 14:00 to 17:00
2 Shelduck, 6 Gadwall, 100+ Teal, 40 Shoveler, 6 Pochard, 4 Pintail, 3 Mute Swan, 50+ Wigeon, 40 Snipe, 1 Common Gull, 16 Avocet, 4 Curlew, 2 Green Sandpiper, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Kestrel. David Shepherd.
Ballards Gore 15:05 to 15:10
12 Common Pheasant, 2 Kestrel, 14 Common Crow, 5 Magpies, 26 Woodpigeon, 2 Blackbird, 1 Little Egret. Rob Harris.
Hanningfield Reservoir Causeway 15:30 to 15:50
100+ Mallard, 30+ Tufted Duck, 7 Pochard, 50+ Coot, 40+ Cormorant, 250+ Black-headed Gull, 150+ Herring Gull, 7 Common Gull, 12 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 5 Mute Swan, 250+ Canada Geese, 250+ Greylag Geese, 8 Magpie, 90+ Carrion Crow, 3 Collared Dove, 100+ Woodpigeon. Rob Harris.
Monday 23rd February 2015south westerly, scattered clouds, max9°c
RSPB Rainham Marshes 10:45 to 16:45
Sightings from Purfleet hide: 1 female Marsh Harrier, 1 Kestrel, 6 Snipe, c.200 Dunlin, c.200 Golden Plover, many hundreds Lapwing, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Ringed Plover, 1 Redshank, 2 Curlew, many, Pintail, Teal, Wigeon, few Gadwall, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Coot, Moorhen, 18 Shelduck, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret, 2 Little Grebe, 7 Mute Swan, 2 Jackdaw, 100s Starling, 5 Reed Bunting, 1 Kingfisher, few Meadow Pipit, Goldfinch, 1 Pied Wagtail, Large numbers of mixed Gulls. David & Brenda Hale.
Paglesham Lagoon 12:30 to 17:10
21 Little Grebe, 13 Grey Heron, 4 Little Egret, 1 Greylag Goose, 27 Gadwall, 61 Teal, 49 Wigeon, 5 Goldeneye (1 drake), 6 Red-breasted Merganser (4 drakes), 6 Oystercatcher, 74 Avocet, 210 Lapwing, 155 Dunlin, 97 Curlew, 31 Stock Dove, 2 Green Woodpecker, 2 Mistle Thrush, c.39 Rook. Steve Sanford and John Goodman.
A127, M25 to Dunton 17:15 to 17:20
2 Peregrine Falcon, birds a few minutes apart, flying low, going west. David & Brenda Hale.
Sunday 22nd February 2015south westerly, clear then rain, max9°c
Abberton Reservoir 15:00 to 16:00
200+ Mallard, 250+ Tufted Duck, 200+ Pochard, 70+ Coot, 300+ Black-headed Gull, 200+ Herring Gull, 60+ Common Gull, 3 Blackbird, 250+ Canada Geese, 200+ Greylag Geese, 6 Magpie, 200+ Carrion Crow, 400+ Lapwing, 30+ Mute Swan, 200+ Cormorant, 200+ Woodpigeon, 5 Pied Wagtail, 300+ Starling, 6 Moorhen, 100+ Golden Plover, 1 Little Egret, 4 Grey Heron, 100+ Fieldfare, 2 Song Thrush, 12 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Swan Goose. Rob Harris.
Hanningfield Reservoir Causeway 16:25 to 16:45
70+ Mallard, 50+ Tufted Duck, 40+ Pochard, 50+ Coot, 500+ Black-headed Gull, 150+ Herring Gull, 19 Common Gull, 8 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 250+ Canada Geese, 250+ Greylag Geese, 6 Magpie, 40+ Carrion Crow, 11 Mute Swan, 80+ Cormorant, 50+ Woodpigeon, 2 Pied Wagtail, 6 Great Crested Grebe. Rob Harris.
Saturday 21st February 2015westerly, cloud and rain, max7°c
Benfleet, Thundersley Park Road 08:45
3 Blackcap (2 males 1 female) in garden. Jerry Stock.
RSPB Wallasea Island 12:00 to 13:00
1 Skylark, 500+ Lapwing, 2 Pheasant, 150+ Corn Bunting, 7 Magpie, 30+ Carrion Crow, 250+ Woodpigeon, 70+ Starling, 30+ Mallard, 250+ Herring Gull, 200+ Black-headed Gull, 5 Shelduck, 7 Moorhen, 1 Blackbird, 7 Stonechat, 30+ Redshank, 6 Little Egret, 1 Kestrel. Rob Harris.
Paglesham 13:10 to 13:30
1 Kestrel, 60+ Fieldfare, 40+ Starling, 5 Blackbird, 3 Pheasant, 2 Dunnock, 70+ Woodpigeon. Rob Harris.
Friday 20th February 2015variable. partly cloudy, max7°c
Southchurch Park East 08:45
1 female Teal and 2 drake Teal, first time female has been on pond since Sept 2014. 1 Water Rail around usual reed bed area opposite Bloomfield bench. Robert Dobinson.
Old Leigh, Strand Wharf, 13:30
Grey Wagtail. Anita Pickles.
Thursday 19th February 2015south westerly, cloudy, rain, max8°c
RSPB Wallasea Island 09:45 to 10:30
4 Marsh Harrier - 3 male and 1 female, Merlin chasing one of the male Marsh Harriers, then went hunting fast and low across field, 1 female Hen Harrier, Corn Bunting, Little Egret, c.200 Lapwing. Neil.
Wednesday 18th February 2015south westerly, clear, max10°c
Southchurch Park East 08:45
2 Water Rail seen at the same time 100ft apart, 3 drake Teal. Robert Dobinson.
RSPB Rainham Marshes 11:00 to 15:00
Magpie, Black-headed Gull, Blue Tit, Woodpigeon, Starling, House Sparrow, Robin, Collared Dove, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Mallard, 50+ Shelduck, 250+ Wigeon, Moorhen, 200+ Lapwing, Coot, Teal, Tufted Duck, Little Egret, Redshank, 150+ Golden Plover, 100+ Dunlin, Long-tailed Tit, Reed Bunting, Great Tit, Feral Pigeon, 75+ Canada Geese, 20 Shoveler, Mute Swan, Stonechat, Cormorant, Pochard, Herring Gull, Common Gull, 4 Pintail, Grey Heron, Pied Wagtail. S. Jackson & M. Hill.
Shoebury, Gunners Park 11:00 to 16:00
c.10 Stonechat in pairs around car park scrub and ponds, many Dunnock, few Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Chaffinch, 3 pair Long-tailed Tit, few Robin, Blackbird. 100s Oystercatcher, 6 Dunlin, many Sanderling, Turnstone, few Curlew, Redshank, 1 Little Egret, 4 Brent Geese, few Mallard, 6 Little Grebe, many of the usual gulls including Common Gull. David & Brenda Hale.
Abberton Reservoir 13:15 to 14:15
200+ Mallard, 2 Goldeneye, 150+ Tufted Duck, 200+ Pochard, 140+ Coot, 200+ Black-headed Gull, 100+ Herring Gull, 2 Blackbird, 250+ Canada Geese, 200+ Greylag Geese, 12 Magpie, 1 Kestrel, 100+ Carrion Crow, 300+ Lapwing, 50+ Mute Swan, 100+ Cormorant, 5 Teal, 100+ Woodpigeon, 7 Pied Wagtail, 150+ Starling, 22 Moorhen, 40+ Redshank, 60+ Golden Plover, 1 Little Egret, 5 Grey Heron, 2 Skylark, 1 Stonechat, 23 Fieldfare, 2 Goldfinch, 12 Chaffinch, 1 Swan Goose. Rob Harris.
Tuesday 17th February 2015variable, partly cloudy, max8°c
Southchurch Park East 08:45
2 Water Rail in area below Bloomfield bench, 1 feeding in reed bed clump south of bank and 1 running across back holt area. 1 drake Teal feeding across north of pond. Robert Dobinson.
Southend, Cromwell Road 09:00
Sparrowhawk tried to take a Starling in the back garden but it evaded capture by diving into a blackberry bush, lots of House Sparrow activity around the seven nest boxes I have under the eaves. A single small tortoise shell butterfly. Phil Lusher.
EWT Gunners Park 10:20 to 12:30
Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, 30 Carrion Crow, 60 Starling, Woodpigeon, 40 Magpie, 9 Blackbird, Great Tit, Goldfinch, Feral Pigeon, Collared Dove, Serin, Mallard, Dunnock, House Sparrow, 9 Little Grebe, Little Egret, Moorhen, Mute Swan, Turnstone, Sanderling, Pied Wagtail, Blue Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Herring Gull, Greenfinch. S. Jackson & M. Hill.
RSPB West Canvey Marsh 10:50 to 17:00
1 female Marsh Harrier, 1 Kestrel, 1 Barn Owl, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 3 Great Tit, 4 Skylark, c.12 Meadow Pipit, 1 pair Stonechat, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 hybrid Scaup, 1 Mute Swan, 3 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Yellow-legged Gull, c.12 Common Gull, several Great Black-backed Gull, many Lesser Black-backed Gull, few Herring Gull, 100s Lapwing, 100s Wigeon, many drake Pochard, 7 Black-tailed Godwit, c.20 Curlew, 2 Shelduck, 2 Little Egret, 2 Little Grebe, few Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, 5 Greylag Geese, many Canada Geese. David & Brenda Hale.
Canvey Heights Country Park 11:30
1 Short-eared Owl. David Davies.
RSPB Wallasea Island 15:15 to 16:30
3 Short-eared Owl, 2 Skylark, 200+ Lapwing, 50+ Herring Gull, 40+ Black-headed Gull, 2 Pheasant, 50+ Corn Bunting, 7 Magpie, 20+ Carrion Crow, 70+ Woodpigeon, 40+ Starling, 30 Mallard, 12 Shelduck, 1 Curlew, 1 Blackbird, 1 Stonechat, 30+ Redshank, 2 Litte Egret. Rob Harris.
Monday 16th February 2015southerly, rain, max16°c
South Fambridge 12:45 to 13:15
6 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Little Grebe, 2 Cormorant, 11 Brent Goose, 2 Shelduck, 26 Wigeon, 2 Kestrel, 5 Moorhen, 4 Oystercatcher, 1 Lapwing, 2 Redshank, 1 Skylark (singing), 1 Stonechat, c.50 House Sparrow. Steve Sanford.
Sunday 15th February 2015northerly, partly, max10°c
Hadleigh. Mountain Bike Valley 08:15 to 08:30
1 male Kestrel sitting on fence post then flew into one of the oak trees, first kestrel I have seen in this area for quite a while. Ellen Hume.
RSPB Rainham Marshes 09:15 to 16:30
Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Mute Swan, Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Shelduck, Wigeon, Gadwall, Teal, Mallard, Pintail, Shoveler, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Marsh Harrier, Peregrine Falcon, Moorhen, Coot, Grey Plover, Lapwing, Dunlin, Snipe, Curlew, Redshank, Common Gull, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Pied Wagtail, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Stonechat, Blackbird, Blackcap, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Reed Bunting. Kevin Taylor.
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 09:22 to 11:30
1 Bullfinch flew out of and into another thicket along Coryton footpath, 2 sightings of maybe the same immature female Marsh Harrier, 1 Water Rail heard in reed bed above Manorway Fleet, 1 Green Sandpiper on lagoon, 60+ Wigeon on creek, 10+ Gadwall at Coryton, 400+ Teal mostly on creek, c.10 Shoveler all at Coryton except for drake on creek, 600+ Lapwing flying along creek, 10+ Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Oystercatcher on creek. Richard Fahey.
Wickford, Wick Meadows 10:00 to 15:00
1 Wren, only the 2nd garden sighting in 30 years, 1 female Bullfinch, on feeders, 1st ever garden sighting in 30 years. 3 male, 1 female Blackbird, c.10 Starling, 3 Blue Tit, pair have been back and forth to nest box for past 2 weeks, 1 Great Tit, c.15 House Sparrow, some collecting moss from neighbours garden, 4 Wood Pigeon, 14 Magpie, in adjacent trees, 1 high circling Sparrowhawk, flyover Carrion Crow and Herring Gull, 6 Collared Dove. David Hale.
Wickford 11:00
Sparrowhawk flew in our bushes, flew out again into next bush. It never caught anything. Pam and Terry Bigland.
Wakering Stairs 11:20 to 13:20
5 Canada Goose, 500 Brent Goose, 20 Shelduck, 30 Teal, 2 Mallard, 3 Little Egret, 1 Peregrine Falcon hard on tail of Wood Pigeon - missed! 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrel, 2 Stonechat (pair), 20 Meadow Pipit, 1 Rock Pipit, 3 Pied Wagtail. Mike and Anita Harris.
Shotgate, Wickford 11:40
Buzzard circled over the house then moved west. David Hope.
A130 Howe Green 13:00 to 13:05
1 Merlin. Rob Harris.
Abberton Reservoir 15:00 to 16:00
200+ Mallard, 10 Goldeneye, 100+ Tufted Duck, 200+ Pochard, 100+ Coot, 200+ Black-headed Gull, 100+ Herring Gull, 8 Blackbird, 250+ Canada Geese, 200+ Greylag Geese, 12 Magpie, 200+ Carrion Crow, 300+ Lapwing, 20+ Mute Swan, 200+ Cormorant, 40+ Teal, 60+ Woodpigeon, 4 Pied Wagtail, 150+ Starling, 1 Smew, 12 Moorhen, 1 Goosander, 6 Shoveler, 12 Redshank, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Swan Goose. Rob Harris.
Saturday 14th February 2015easterly, mostly cloudy, max8°c
Ashingdon, Princess Gardens 11:15 to 11:25
31 House Sparrow on and under our feeders and this afternoon 2 Greenfinch - the first here for ages. David Selley.
RSPB Wallasea Island 15:00 to 16:00
4 Little Egret, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Kestrel, 200+ Lapwing, 60+ Herring Gull, 70+ Black-headed Gull, 1 Pheasant, 100+ Corn Bunting, 20+ Carrion Crow, 7 Magpie, 70+ Woodpigeon, 60+ Starling, 5 Mallard, 3 Shelduck, 4 Curlew, 40+ Redshank, 30+ Dunlin, 8 Black-tailed Godwit. Rob Harris.
RSPB West Canvey Marsh 15:15 to 17:00
Sightings from roadside hide: 1 hybrid Scaup, c.10 drake Pochard, 200+ Wigeon, c.20 Curlew, 1 Common Gull, c.50 Herring Gull, few Black-headed Gull, 2 Little Egret, 2 Grey Heron, 500+ Lapwing, few mallard, 1 Little Grebe, many Carrion Crow. David Hale.
Ballards Gore 16:10 to 16:20
17 Common Pheasant, 18 Black Headed Gull, 12 Carrion Crow, 40+ Woodpigeon. Rob Harris.
Friday 13th February 2015southerly, mostly cloudy, max8°c
Abberton Reservoir 10:00 to 12:00
Jack Snipe, 10 Goldeneye, 2 Goosander, 2 drake Smew, 10 Great Crested Grebe, 100 Tufted Duck, 50 Pochard, 1 Common Gull, 1 Great Black-backed Gull, 200 Lapwing, 4 Grey Heron, 1 Shoveler. John Wilson.
Thursday 12th February 2015southerly, rain, max8°c
EWT Hanningfield Reservoir 10:55 to 14:17
Cormorant, Greylag Geese, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Moorhen, Coot, Black-headed Gull, Stock Dove, Woodpigeon, 8 Blackbird, 2 Coal Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Little Grebe, Robin, Long-tailed Tit, 8 Gadwall, Great-crested Grebe, Canada Geese, 300 Wigeon, Starling, Shoveler, Great Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Pied Wagtail, 2 Goosander, Lesser Black-backed Gull, 6 Barnacle Geese, Wren, Mute Swan, Lapwing, Teal, Blackcap, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Dunnock, Goldeneye, Pochard, 2 Kestrel, Collared Dove, Jackdaw, Rook, Aylesbury Duck. 2 Muntjac Deer, Grey Squirrel. S. Jackson & M. Hill.
Ingrave 12:00
1 Kingfisher on pond at Ingrave (A128). G. Feld.
Foulness Island 13:00
Male Blackcap on sunflower heart feeder. Steve Giles.
Wednesday 11th February 2015variable, overcast, max5°c
EWT Hanningfield Reservoir 10:30 to 16:00
2 Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming back and forth to each other, 8 Goosander (4 pairs), c.12 Goldeneye going about in pairs, 1 Treecreeper, c.12 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Coal Tit, 2 Egyptian Geese. David & Brenda Hale.
Southchurch Park 11:00
Jay flying around café area, calling so maybe a pair, great sightings of bird in its full colours. Jill and John Parsons.
Tuesday 10th February 2015easterly, mostly cloudy, max7°c
Southchurch Park East 08:40 and 16:45
1 Water Rail coming across for feeding in usual area, 2 drake Teal feeding along back of pond, 1 Grey Heron flew over pond from east towards estuary. Robert Dobinson.
Gunners Park 10:00 to 15:00
2 Serin, 1 Dartford Warbler, Mute Swan, Mallard, Moorhen, Oystercatcher, Curlew, Black-headed Gull, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Green Woodpecker, Dunnock, Robin, Stonechat, Blackbird, Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit, Magpie, Carrion, Crow, Starling, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Feral Pigeon. Kevin Taylor.
RSPB Bowers Marsh 13:00 to 16:30
40+ Black-tailed Godwit, 8 Dunlin, 12 Redshank, 11 Snipe, 1 Grey Plover, 2 Common Sandpiper, 9 Mute Swan, 5 Little Egret, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Peregrine Falcon, large numbers of Teal, Wigeon, Lapwing, Canada and Greylag Geese. David Shepherd.
Abberton Reservoir 13:25 to 14:30
200+ Mallard, 12 Goldeneye, 200+ Tufted Duck, 200+ Pochard, 100+ Coot, 300+ Black-headed Gull, 100+ Herring Gull, 2 Blackbird, 150+ Canada Geese, 200+ Greylag Geese, 1 Common Buzzard, 8 Magpie, 200+ Carrion Crow, 200+ Lapwing, 50+ Mute Swan, 200+ Cormorant, 40+ Teal, 60+ Woodpigeon, 9 Pied Wagtail, 50+ Fieldfare, 150+ Starling, 12 Moorhen, 1 Goosander, 1 Chaffinch, 4 Shoveler, 2 Stonechat, 4 Goldfinch, 1 Swan Goose. Rob Harris.
Monday 09th February 2015variable, partly cloudy, max10°c
EWT Chafford Gorges 10:45 to 12:26
Blackbird, Collared Dove, Dunnock, Great Tit, Carron Crow, Black-headed Gull, Robin, Woodpigeon, Cormorant, Moorhen, Magpie, Mallard, Blue Tit, Coot, Mute Swan, Canada Geese, Tufted Duck, Greylag Geese, Kestrel, Wren, House Sparrow. Aylesbury Duck, Domestic Doves. S. Jackson & M. Hill.
Gunners Park, Shoeburyness 10:50
2 Serin by east end of car park posed for five minutes in the morning sun, Stonechat, Wren. Judy.
Ingrave 11:45
1 Kingfisher on pond at Ingrave (A128). G. Feld.
Gunners Park 12:00
2 Serin, 1 Dartford Warbler was still following the Stonechat about, 2 male Stonechat, 1 Short-eared Owl appeared over being mobbed by Gulls, could have been roosting in rough scrub or just strayed into the area. David McGough.
EWT Langdon Hills 12:50 to 14:15
Great Tit, Blue Tit, Robin, House Sparrow, Dunnock, Magpie, Wren, 150 Woodpigeon, Blackbird, Black-headed Gull, Carrion Crow, Mallard, Tufte3d Duck, Chaffinch, Jay, Coot, Canada Geese, Moorhen, Kestrel. S. Jackson & M. Hill.
Foulness Island 13:30 to 13:35
Male Marsh Harrier, 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk, c.500 Lapwing. Steve Giles.
RSPB Wallasea Island 13:45 to 14:15
1 Grey Heron, 1 Marsh Harrier, 4 Kestrel, 3 Common Buzzard, 300+ Lapwing, 50+ Herring Gull, 60+ Black-headed Gull, 100+ Corn Bunting, 30+ Carrion Crow, 9 Magpie, 6 Mallard, 50+ Woodpigeon, 100+ Starling, 70+ Linnet, 20+ Shelduck, 30+ Redshank, 10 Mute Swan. Rob Harris.
Sunday 08th February 2015northerly to westerly, scattered clouds, max7°c
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 08:45 to 11:35
1 Common Buzzard seen earlier, later came in from seawall chased by 2 Crows and flew low overhead near north reed bed, 1 female Marsh Harrier, 2 male Yellowhammer by north reed bed, 1 Green Sandpiper, 300+ Teal and 2 drake Shoveler on creek, 1 Little Egret, 4 male Pheasant flushed at north salt marsh, 1 Sparrowhawk. Richard Fahey.
Leigh on Sea, Park View Drive 09:35
Male Sparrowhawk sitting on bird table. Web Author.
Southchurch Park East 09:20 to 10:00
1 Water Rail in reed bed below Bloomfield Bench, 1 Little Grebe. Andrew Allen.
Thurrock, EWT Thameside Nature Park 10:15 to 12:15
1 Ring-necked Parakeet by first car park, 3 Stonechat, many Skylark, 1 Reed Bunting, 1 Redshank, 1 Rock Pipit (pale bird possible water pipit) in creek, 2 Buzzard, 2 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk. Mick Roe.
Southend Pier 12:30
Slavonian Grebe seen on the east side of the pier. Tony Brown.
Chelmsford, River Can 12:40 to 12:50
1 Kingfisher fishing east of Beaches Mill river gauging station. Tim Davis.
Daws Heath 13:45
1 Common Buzzard over my garden, heading north. 1 Green Woodpecker. Mike Sagrott.
RSPB Vange Marsh 14:00 to 17:00
1 juvenile male Marsh Harrier, 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 55 Snipe all in one area, 125 Wigeon, 20 Pochard, 5 Pintail (2 pairs), 30 Lapwing, 2 Redshank, 2 Green sandpiper, few Teal and Shoveler, 2 Song Thrush both were singing well. David Shepherd.
Shoebury, Gunners Park 14:30 to 16:30
Fleeting glimpse of 2 Serin, 2 Stonechat, Blackbird, Starling, Dunnock, Robin, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, 4 Goldfinch, Feral Pigeon, Pied Wagtail, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Herring Gull, Redshank, Turnstone, Ringed Plover, 10 Little Grebe, 2 Mute Swan, Sanderling, Mallard, Moorhen, Grey Heron, 10 Lapwing, Curlew, Song Thrush, Blue Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Magpie, Chaffinch. 2 Red Fox, 2 Brown Rat. Bob and Lin Preston.
Wakering Stairs 15:00 to 15:15
3 Eider well offshore seen during WeBS count. David Selley.
Abberton Reservoir 15:15 to 16:50
200+ Mallard, 8 Goldeneye, 200+ Tufted Duck, 200+ Pochard, 80+ Coot, 400+ Black-headed Gull, 100+ Herring Gull, 6 Blackbird, 100+ Canada Geese, 200+ Greylag Geese, 1 Barn Owl, 25 Magpie, 250+ Carrion Crow, 400+ Lapwing, 30+ Mute Swan, 200+ Cormorant, 30+ Teal, 60+ Woodpigeon, 7 Pied Wagtail, 1 Grey Wagtail, 80+ Fieldfare, 4 Redwing, 150+ Starling, 8 Moorhen, 1 Goosander, 1 Chaffinch, 14 Shoveler, 50+ Golden Plover, 5 Ringed Plover, 1 Swan Goose. Rob Harris. Name: Rob Harris
RSPB West Canvey Marsh 15:30 to 17:10
Barn Owl hunting near Red Hill, 500+ Wigeon, 70+ Lapwing, 1 Scaup, 9 Pochard, 4 Shoveler, several Canada and Greylag Geese, 1 Kestrel, 1 Shelduck, 1 Cormorant. Also heard: Little Grebe, Curlew, Pheasant, Green Woodpecker. Keith Bartels.
Saturday 07th February 2015northerly, mostly cloudy, Max6°c
Foulness Island 08:30 to 08:35
1 Short Eared Owl, 1 Barn Owl. Steve Giles.
Wakering Stairs 11:15 to 13:45
1 Buzzard, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Kestrel, 1 Robin, few Blackbird, Mallard, 1 Sanderling, many 100s Knot, many 100s Dunlin, c.100 Curlew, c.50 Bar-tailed Godwit, 100s Oystercatcher, many Ringed Plover, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Redshank, Brent Geese, few Grey Plover, Cormorants. 1 unidentified Seal. David & Brenda Hale.
Shoebury East Beach 14:00 to 15:15
1 Wren, 1 Dunnock, c.50 Sanderling, c.50 Redshank, 100+ Oystercatcher, c.150 Herring Gull, few Great Black-backed Gull, c.20 Common Gull, 1 Great Crested Grebe. David & Brenda Hale.
Rochford, Cherry Orchard Jubilee Country Park, 14:15
1 Sparrowhawk flew along bridleway south of lake. Tim Davis.
Shoebury, Gunners Park 16:30
2 Blue Tit, 1 Stonechat, 1 Serin, 1 Goldfinch, 1 Blackcap. Les.
Friday 06th February 2015north easterly, mostly cloudy, max5°c
RSPB Rainham Marshes 10:15 to 15:15
Sightings from Purfleet hide: 1 Peregrine Falcon, 1 Raven, many Carrion Crow, many Starling, 6 Snipe, c.50 Black-tailed Godwit, c.100 Golden Plover, 100+ Dunlin, 2 Curlew, 7 Redshank, 100s Lapwing, 2 Skylark, 1 Meadow Pipit, 2 female Marsh Harrier, 10 Shelduck, c.15 Pintail, few Shoveler, Mallard, Gadwall, Tufted Duck, Teal, 2 Little Egret, 3 Goldfinch, few Pied Wagtail. many Canada Geese, 3 Greylag Geese. 1 Fox, on wrong side of electric fence! David & Brenda Hale.
South Weald 11:30
1 Kingfisher on duck house in pond at Ingrave (A128). 8 Pink-footed Geese over Halfway house pub (A127). 2 Egyptian Geese in field by entrance to Thorndon South, 3 Redpoll in garden Hutton. Not bad for a short drive on the way to work! Mike Sullivan.
A130 Rettendon 14:30 to 14:35
1 Sparrowhawk. Rob Harris.
Shoebury, Gunners Park 14:45 to 15:30
2 Serin, Stonechat, Starling, Carrion Crow, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Common Gull, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Blackbird, Feral Pigeon, Redshank, Turnstone, Cormorant, Grey Heron, Lapwing, Pied Wagtail, Ringed Plover, 2 Mute Swan (no sign now of the 5 or so cygnets), Moorhen, Mallard, Little Grebe, Sanderling. Brown Rat. Bob and Lin Preston.
RSPB Wat Tyler Country Park 15:45 to 16:45
Sightings from scrape hide: 2 female Marsh Harrier, 1 Kestrel, c.150 Herring Gull, 1000+ Gulls over Canvey Marsh, 4 Great Black-backed Gull, 3 Lesser Black-backed Gull, c.50 Jackdaw, 1 Shoveler, 1 Gadwall, 6 Pochard, few Mallard, 2 Little Grebe, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Greylag Geese. 1 Fox. David & Brenda Hale.
Thursday 05th February 2015north easterly, mostly cloudy, max5°c
Southchurch Park East 08:30 to 09:00
Blackbird, Moorhen, Coot, 2 Mute swan, Mallard, Wood pigeon, Black-headed Gull, 1 Water Rail, Little Grebe. James Porter.
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 09:08 to 11:30
1 Snipe flushed off edge of saltmarsh by creek, male and female Stonechat near pill box, 1 female Marsh Harrier, Redwing singles, 1 Little Egret, 400+ Teal nearly all on creek, drake and female Shoveler on creek, 10+ Lapwing on creek, 25+ Curlew mostly over by south pool, 10+ Black-tailed Godwit on creek, c.10 Song Thrush flushed near north reed bed, as they were very shy, a few at least are probably migrants, 30+ Chaffinch. Richard Fahey.
Southchurch Park East 10:50 to 11:05
1 Water Rail crossing the reed bed close to the Bloomfield bench south west end of the pond. Mick Holland.
Ashingdon, Princess Gardens 11:50
50+ Fieldfare over - single flock going north. David Selley.
Southchurch Park East 12:45
2 Water Rail seen at the same time 100ft apart, 1 in usual reed bed feeding and roosting in holt, 1 over by sluice gate area in reeds and foraging around storm outlet on water, then flying into long grass/up bank, both could be seen for 15 minutes. Robert Dobinson.
Abberton Reservoir 15:00 to 16:00
200+ Mallard, 2 Goldeneye, 200+ Tufted Duck, 200+ Pochard, 60+ Coot, 200+ Black-headed Gull, 60+ Herring Gull, 2 Blackbird, 100+ Canada Geese, 200+ Greylag Geese, 2 Kestrel, 12 Magpie, 150+ Carrion Crow, 100+ Lapwing, 9 Mute Swan, 100+ Cormorant, 30+ Teal, 40+ Woodpigeon, 1 Pied Wagtail, 100+ Fieldfare, 60+ Redwing, 50+ Starling, 12 Moorhen, 1 Pheasant, 2 Skylark, 2 Stonechat, 1 Swan Goose. Rob Harris.
Shoebury, Gunners Park 15:40
2 Serin showing well by house wall at top left of car park. John Atfield.
Foulness Island 17:30
c.30 Little Egret roosting in our garden, and have been for the past week. Steve Giles.
Wednesday 04th February 2015north north west, mostly cloudy, max4°c
Southchurch Park East 08:45
2 Water Rail, 1 in north reed bed stubble feeding and 1 flushed out from reed bed/south grass bank opposite the Bloomfield bench. Robert Dobinson.
Rochford, Hall Road footpath, 10:30
30+ Yellowhammer. 2 Mistle Thrush, 1 Greater Spotted Woodpecker. Colin Knight.
Shoeburyness, Gunners Park 13:00 to 14:00
2 Serin showing well, 1 Goldcrest. Colin & Hilary Knight.
Tuesday 03rd February 2015northerly, partly cloudy, max5°c
EWT Thorndon Country Park North 11:00 to 15:00
3 Treecreeper, 1 Nuthatch, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Redwing, 1 Wren, 1 Jay, many Robin, Blackbird, Chaffinch, Great Tit, Blue Tit. David & Brenda Hale.
Gunners Park 13:00 to 13:45
2 Blackbird, 2 Serin, 5 Greenfinch 5 Great Tit, 6 Blue Tit, 2 Robin, 4 Stonechat, 50+ Black-headed Gull, 23 Carrion Crow, 4 Magpie, 150+ Starling, 40+ Woodpigeon, 1 Little Egret. Rob Harris.
Thorpe Hall Avenue 13:10
Little Egret apparently feeding on the central reservation of Thorpe Hall Avenue, just north of the junction with Broadclyst Gardens. Alec Beanse.
RSPB Wallasea Island 14:20 to 15:30
2 Grey Heron, 1 Marsh Harrier, 3 Kestrel, 1 Rough-legged Buzzard, 200+ Lapwing, 50+ Herring Gull, 40+ Black-headed Gull, 1 Pheasant, 100+ Corn Bunting, 30+ Carrion Crow, 5 Magpie, 50+ Woodpigeon, 60+ Starling, 50+ Linnet, 3 Mallard, 40+ Shelduck, 4 Curlew, 1 Ringed Plover, 30+ Redshank, 80+ Dunlin, 500+ Brent Geese, 8 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Grey Plover, 30+ Golden Plover. 30+ Mute Swan. Rob Harris.
RSPB Wallasea Island 15:00 to 16:15
1 Short-eared Owl, 2 female Marsh Harrier, 1 Barn Owl, 2 Kestrel, 20+ Golden Plover. Mike Sagrott.
Monday 02nd February 2015westerly, partly cloudy, max4°c
Southchurch Park and Southchurch Park East 08:40, 12:45 and 16:30
1 Water Rail feeding with 1 Moorhen and running around on ice, lit up by noon sun and then into usual holt, 1 Coot chasing Little Grebe, 1 Turnstone feeding in water logged grass east of Café and flying around pond area, 2 Little Grebe. Robert Dobinson.
Abberton Reservoir 10:30 to 11:30
2 drake Smew, 3 Goosander (1 drake, 2 female), 1 White-fronted Goose, 2 Grey Heron, 100 lapwing, 200 Cormorant, 3 Great Crested Grebe. John Wilson.
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 13:00 to 15:20
1 Whimbrel on north saltmarsh, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 female Marsh Harrier, a few Redwing, c.7 Fieldfare, 1 Little Egret, 60+ Wigeon, c.9 Shoveler mostly on creek/lagoon, 400+ Teal mostly on creek, 800+ Lapwing mostly between seawall and south pool, 35+ Curlew, a few Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Common Gull on lagoon with a large flock of gulls, had red ring on leg. Richard Fahey.
Shoeburyness, Gunners Park 13:15 to 15:10
Blackbird, Black-headed Gull, Carrion Crow, Common Gull, Magpie, Starling, Stonechat, Blue Tit, Robin, Feral Pigeon, Woodpigeon, Pied Wagtail, Collared Dove, Sanderling, 150+ Brent Geese, Herring Gull, Redshank, Turnstone, Dunlin, Oystercatcher, Little Egret, 5+ Little Grebe, Moorhen, Mute Swan, Mallard, Dunnock, Curlew, Greenfinch, House Sparrow. S. Jackson & M. Hill.
Wat Tyler Country Park 15:00 to 15:50
1 Glossy Ibis flew across scrape to the left, 1 Merlin on fence post opposite hide, 1 Marsh Harrier, many Shoveler. Mick Roe.
Shenfield 15:15 to 15:17
1 Common Buzzard seen from train. Rob Harris.
Wat Tyler Country Park 15:45
Glossy Ibis flew across scrape towards horse sanctuary, Merlin seen on fence post directly opposite scrape, 3 Marsh Harriers seen from hide. Richard Stanley.
Between Little Waltham and Howe Street 16:20 to 16:25
1 Barn Owl hunting. John Wilson.
Sunday 01st February 2015north westerly, mostly cloudy, max4°c
Southchurch Park East 08:50 and 16:40
1 Water Rail feeding and running around all the reed bed stubble, opposite the Bloomfield bench. Robert Dobinson.
Hanningfield Reservoir Visitors Centre 14:00 to 14:30
1 Coal Tit, 12 Blue Tit, 14 Great Tit, 1 Moorhen, 4 Mallard, 100+ Black-headed Gull, 30+ Cormorant, 10 Stock Dove. Rob Harris.