Bird Reports for January 2003
Friday 31st January 2003
Southend Seafront, 08:00 to 08:15: 50 Fieldfare (flew west). Paul Griggs (SOG)
Baxter Avenue Southend, 09:20 to 12:05: 131 Fieldfare (in small groups, moving west), 77 Lapwing (west). Paul Griggs (SOG)
Belton Hills, 10:30 to 10:45: 
5 Waxwing, 7 Fieldfare. Tony Mead (SOG)
Thursday 30th January 2003
Westcliff Casino, 08:10 to 08:15: 3 Mediterranean Gull (2 1st-winters 1 2nd-winter). Paul Griggs (SOG).
Southchurch Park West: 10.00 - 11.00: 6 Dabchicks together on boating lake and 1 Redshank on island. Dave Goddard.
Tuesday 28th January 2003
Priory Park 13:00 - 13:30: 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Kestrel (male), 1 Grey Wagtail. Steve Sanford.
Two Tree Island: Numerous Skylarks displaying, pair of Stonechat. On the Lagoon: 3 Pairs Shoveler, 4 Common Snipe, 1 Little Egret. In Creek: 36 Avocet. Terry Strong.
Monday 27th January 2003
Southend Pier 11:30 - 12:45: Brief visit at low tide: 2 Red-throated Diver, 4 Eider, 6 Mediterranean Gulls (inc. 3LL7, another green ring, and what I presume to be the Czech bird), 7 Kittiwake, 1 Guillemot. Stephen Harris.
Pitsea 13:00 - 13:30: 28 Waxwing ranging between Rokescroft and Tesco. Nearby 84 Wigeon, 2 Sparrowhawk on Pitsea Marsh. Stephen Harris.
Hanningfield Reservoir (from causeway): Red-crested Pochard (1 male 1 female). 1 Goldeneye (male). Ernie and Jean Hillier.
Sunday 26th January 2003
Pitsea 09:00: 27 Waxwing at Rokescroft on housing estate opposite Tesco. Joe House.
Chalkwell Park Drive, 10:00 to 10:05: 4 Siskin (In and around the gardens.). John Wright (SOG).
Pitsea, 10:25 to 10:35: 4 Waxwing (Central res. opp. Lidls supermarket.). John Wright (SOG).
Pitsea, 10:30 to 11:10: 28 Waxwing (Feeding in Rowan bushes on Rokescroft, just off Pitsea Road) Mike Bailey (SOG).
South Fambridge - Brandy Hole 10.55 - 13.00: Little Egret x5, Red-breasted Merganser x3 (1 male 2 female ), Kingfisher (I have seen this bird 5 times in last 2 months sometimes very close up ), Curlew x3, Brent Goose x5, Great Crested Grebe x4, Mute Swan (x27 in fields ), Stonechat, Shelduck x8, Reed Bunting x2. Ray Fuller.
Wallasea Island: 11:00 - 13:00: 3 Short-eared Owls, 
ring-tail Hen Harrier, 3000 Brent, 44 Mute Swan, 80 Stock Doves, 1,000 Lapwing, 200 Golden Plover. Jeff Delve & Nick Green. EBWS.
Canvey Island, 13:00 to 16:30: 700 Black-tailed Godwit (at least right up at the north end of Hole Haven creek just before the barrage.), 2 Stonechat (pair along Hole Haven), 1 Mediterranean Gull (1st winter hole Haven), 1 Green Woodpecker (Hole Haven), 1 Sparrowhawk (female along Hole Haven). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Benfleet, 13:30 to 13:35: 1 Sparrowhawk. John Wright (SOG).
Two Tree Island 14:00: 1 Short-eared Owl by eastern end being mobbed by Crows, pair of Stonechat, 6 Common Snipe. Web Author.
Two Tree Island 15:00 - 17:00: 20+ Teal, 5 Shoveler, 6 Snipe, Little Grebe, 1 Avocet, 200 Golden Plover, 50+ Ringed Plover, 30+ Knot, Turnstone, Curlew, Dunlin, Grey Plover, Lapwing, Black-tailed Godwit, Grey Heron, Shelduck, Peregrine Falcon, Stonechat. R Shepherd.
Tewke's Creek, 15:30 to 13:00: 5 Little Egret, 1 Kingfisher. John Wright (SOG).
Saturday 25th January 2003
Vange Marsh, 08:00 to 10:00: 1 Jack Snipe. Chris Lewis (SOG).
Hadleigh, 09:30 to 09:35: 1 Sparrowhawk. John Wright (SOG).
Chalkwell Park Drive, 10:00 to 13:00: 1 Sparrowhawk (Male, sat in a tree next door and then made sorties into the local sparrow flock.), 4 Redwing, 1 Siskin. John Wright (SOG).
Pitsea: 10:00 to 11:00: 24 Waxwing by Tesco. Jerry Stock.
Two Tree Island (west) 12:30 to 14:30: Gadwall, Teal, Shoveler, Merlin (male on post from hide), Peregrine Falcon, Avocet, 4 Common Snipe. Web Author.
Southend Pier 15:30 - 17:00: 2 male, 2 female Eider, 4 Mediterranean Gull including 2 with green rings on left leg although I was unable to read numbers, Black-headed Gulls, 200+ Turnstone, 1 Dunlin. Richard Mander.
Friday 24th January 2003
The Fleet, Wakering 10:25 - 13:20: 6 Little Egret, 300+ Brent Goose, 2 Hen Harrier (1 male, 1 ringtail), 3 Kestrel, Avocet, 1 Barn Owl, 1 Short-eared Owl, Kingfisher, Skylark (displaying), Meadow Pipit, 1 Stonechat, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Corn Bunting. Web Author.
Two Tree Island: The lagoon this morning held a good number of Snipe and a pair of Shoveler, whilst the only birds of note on the Island was a small flock of Corn Bunting, 1 Rock Pipit and a Stonechat. Terry Strong.
Wednesday 22nd January 2003
Pitsea 09:20: 13 Waxwing by Tesco Petrol Station. Terry Strong, Tony Giles & Tony Elcock.
Wat Tyler Country Park: Fieldfare, Long-Tailed Tit, Mute Swan, Canada Geese, Wigeon, Teal, Shoveler, Gadwall, Pochard, Little Grebe, Kestrel. Terry Strong, Tony Giles & Tony Elcock.
Pitsea 11:15: 9 Waxwing in trees in Tesco car park immediately opposite Homebase car park. Ron White.
Lea Valley Country Park 11.15: Redwing, Chaffinch, Long-tailed Tits, Pied Wagtail, Corn Buntings, Green Woodpecker, Greater Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Bittern, Smew. Terry Strong, Tony Giles & Tony Elcock.
Canvey Island 12:00 - 15:00: 1 Long-eared Owl sitting on roof top, at South Parade corner of Dovercliff Road, Canvey Island. Mr T.Ronaldsen
Westcliff Seafront, 13:10 to 13:20: 2 Mediterranean Gull (adult and 1st winter). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Southchurch Park East, 13:30 to 13:40: 1 Mediterranean Gull (usual adult still present). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Westcliff Esplanade 15:30: Mediterranean Gull, Turnstones, Sanderling, Purple Sandpiper. Terry Strong, Tony Giles & Tony Elcock.
Tuesday 21st January 2003
Pitsea: 11:30: 15 Waxwing still showing well by Tesco Petrol Station. Ernie Hillier.
Pitsea: 12:30 - 13:00: 15 Waxwing still at Tesco`s filling station. Jim Cockram.
Monday 20th January 2003
Pitsea 12:00: 15 Waxwing, 1 Redwing at Tesco petrol station. Marc Outten.
Asda, Shoebury 16:20: 35+ Pied Wagtail in car park. Steve Giles.
Sunday 19th January 2003
Hanningfield Reservoir 09:50 - 10:50: Little Grebe, Ruddy Duck, Canada Goose, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Goldeneye, 2 Sparrowhawk (1m, 1f), 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, Goldcrest, 2 Coal Tit. Steve Sanford, Web Author.
Pitsea 10:00 12:00: 10 Waxwing coming and going by Tesco`s petrol station, 1 Sparrowhawk. Jim Cockram.
Pitsea 10:30 - 11:30: 3 Waxwing showing very well in the Aldi car park (opposite side of the dual carridgeway from Lidl). Richard Mander.
Benfleet Creek - Leigh Creek 11.00 - 12.45: (Essex Ranger Walk Benfleet to Leigh along sea wall) Cormorant, Little Egret, Mute Swan, Brent Goose c. 300, Shelduck c. 15, Mallard, Shoveler 6, Wigeon c. 30, Teal, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Avocet c. 40, Grey Plover, Golden Plover, Lapwing, Turnstone, Dunlin, Redshank, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Common Snipe, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull. Martin Johnson.
Pitsea 11:50 - 12:10: 11 Waxwing by Lidls. Steve Sanford, Web Author.
Shoebury 12:30: Chiffchaff feeding on shrubs in Trafalgar Road. Steve Giles.
Eastwood Sewage Works, 14:00 to 15:45: 1 Water Rail, 1 Chiffchaff, 380 Redwing, 2 Grey Wagtail. Steve Arlow, Paul Griggs (SOG).
Pitsea 14:10 - 14:15: 11 Waxwing and 1 Fieldfare in tree immediately south of the petrol station at Tesco's. David Lee.
Hanningfield Reservoir 15:00 - 16:00: 6 male Goosander (1 female), 1 Chiffchaff. R Shepherd.
Saturday 18th January 2003
Pitsea: 07:30: No sign of Waxwing, 1 Fieldfare, 4 Siskin, 6 Blackbird, 2 Song Thrush. Richard Mander.
Vange Marsh, 08:00 to 10:00: 2 Cetti's Warbler, 3 Bearded Tit. Chris Lewis (SOG).
Southend, 08:30: 1 Mediterranean Gull (adult on the Victory sports ground). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Eastwood 09:50: 1 Sparrowhawk at Rochford Corner. Paul Baker (SOG).
Tesco Petrol Station Pitsea 10:00 - 10:30: 11 Waxwing showing very well in the trees by the filling station. Steve Hiscock.
South Fambridge - Brandy Hole 10.15 - 12.10: Brent Goose (flock in excess of 1000), Grey Plover x2, Curlew, Mute Swan (x25 in fields), Little Egret x3, Little Grebe x2, Widgeon x6, Reed Bunting x3, Shelduck x6. Ray Fuller.
Pitsea 13:00: Waxwings still present at in the trees on the traffic crossing island near to Lidls in Pitsea Broadway. Robin Guppy.
Southchurch Hall Park 13:15 - 13:40: 5 Mandarin incl. 2 drakes, 1 Grey Heron, 6 Redwing. Paul Baker (SOG).
Shoebury 13:30: Chiffchaff feeding on shrubs in my back garden in Trafalgar Road. Steve Giles.
Pitsea 14:00: 2 Waxwing showing well at Pitsea one way system. John Bronze.
Canewdon, 14:00 to 14:05: 180 Fieldfare (in field with horses just east of village). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Southend, 14:20: 1 Mediterranean Gull (adult over fields along Sutton Road north of Temple Farm.). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Hanningfield Reservoir 15.00: 2 Smew (redheads), 100+ Gadwall, 30+ Goldeneye, Coal Tit, many Goldcrest seen and heard in woods. John Bronze.
Rainham: Water Pipit; regular this time of year, most westerly concrete barge. Turn off new A13 at Rainham junction and keep left. Left again; car park some 250 Yds right. Also watch for water voles on right into car park. Richard.
Friday 17th January 2003
Pitsea, 12:15 to 12:25: 8 Waxwing (opposite Lidl's). Also 1 Little Egret at Vange Marsh. Paul Baker (SOG).
Mediterranean Gull Information: On the 1st of this month we reported on the return of our Czech Gull ex35054 on the end of the pier, We have now received the ringing information from the BTO which is as follows:
| Ring No. EX35054 Ringing Scheme: Prague Species: Mediterranean Gull ( Larus Melanocephalus ) Age: 2 years + (6) Sex: unknown Ringing Date: 18th May 2000 Place: Karvina Moravskoslezsky 49 51N 18 33E (0) County: Ostrava Czechoslovakia Time Since Ringing and Reported Sighting: 297 days Distance: 1,269km Direction 278 Degrees |
Thursday 16th January 2003
Southchurch Hall Park, 08:00: 3 Mandarin Duck (drake and 2 ducks). Tony Mead (SOG).
Pitsea 10:00: 12 Waxwing now reported by Lidl Superstore.
Gunners Park 10:00 - 11:45: 3 Redwing, 1 Fieldfare, 1 Mistle Thrush, 20+ Blackbird, 10+ Song Thrush, 2 Green Woodpecker, 4 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Grey Heron. Off sea wall female Eider, Great Crested Grebe. On flooded bit of park 63 Redshank,18 Oystercatcher. Steve Giles.
Westcliff Seafront 11:45: 1 Ring-billed Gull showing well on lamp post in front of Rossi's also 2 adult Mediterranean Gulls on sea. Paul Baker (SOG).
Pitsea, 12:00 to 12:30: 10 Waxwing (opposite Lidl's). Tony Mead (SOG).
Priory Park 13:15 - 13:45: 3 Little Grebe, 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Grey Wagtail and 2 Goldcrest. Steve Sanford.
Gunners Park 14:30 16:00: pair Blackcap, 10+ Redwing, Blackbird with white head and white patches on back same as sighted 11th Jan. Steve Giles.
Pitsea 14:30: 12 Waxwing in central reservation at one way system. John Bronze.
Hanningfield Resevoir 15:30: 2 Smew (redheads), 100+ Gadwall, 30+ Goldeneye, many Goldcrests seen and heard in woods, Coal Tit . John Bronze.
Wat Tyler Country Park: Barn Owl and Long-eared Owl, Cetti's Warbler, female Smew still on Vange Marsh, Pitsea. Will Farmer.
Wednesday 15th January 2003
Southchurch Hall Park 11:12 to 11:32: 1 Robin, 24 Mallard, 3 Moorhen, 33 Feral Pigeon, 25 Black-headed Gull, 1 Grey Heron, 12 House Sparrow, 2 Blackbird (Female's), 1 Little Grebe, 1 Chaffinch, 1 Song Thrush, 3 Blue Tit, 1 Greylag Goose, 1 Canada Goose, 3 Magpie, 1 Wren. Paul Levey, Andrea Green, Eileen Josselyn.
Westcliff-on-Sea (Seafront - Opposite Rossi's Ice Cream Parlour) 11:40 to 11:50: 65 Black-headed Gull, 1 Herring Gull (2w), 1 Mediterranean Gull (1w), 5 Turnstone, 23 Feral Pigeon. Paul Levey, Andrea Green, Eileen Josselyn.
Pitsea 13:45 - 14:00: 5 Waxwing opposite Lidl's. Stuart Bailey.
Tuesday 14th January 2003
Priory Park, 13:20 to 13:45: 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Goldcrest, 2 Little Grebe, 1 Green Woodpecker. Paul Griggs, Steve Arlow. (SOG).
Maldon (Corner of Mariners Way) 10:24 to 11:20: 2 Greenfinch, 2 Blue Tit, 9 Waxwing, 1 Blackbird (Female), 1 Song Thrush. Paul Levey, Brian Oulds.
Cudmore Grove Country Park 12:00 to 14:35: 7 Blackbird, 525 Dunlin, 7 Grey Plover, 84 Oystercatcher, 37 Curlew, 5 Turnstone, 52 Redshank, 2 Mute Swan, 51 Common Snipe, 211 Wigeon, 168 Teal, 148 Black-tailed Godwit, 22 Moorhen, 23 Coot, 1 Little Grebe, 432 Brent Goose, 31 Mallard, 51 Lapwing, 25 Shoveler, 87 Black-headed Gull, 1 Wren, 42 Starling, 3 Golden Plover, 1 Ringed Plover, 1 Little Egret, 2 Dunnock, 48 Shelduck, 7 Eider (1 Drake, 6 Female), 9 Red-breasted Merganser, 5 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 4 Cormorant, 2 Reed Bunting, 1 Herring Gull, 1 Common Gull, 3 Meadow Pipit, 1 Stonechat (Female), 12 Carrion Crow, 5 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Jay, 1 Magpie, 1 Great Tit. Paul Levey, Brian Oulds.
Peldon 14:45: 2 Collared Dove. Paul Levey, Brian Oulds.
Maldon (Corner of Mariners Way) 15:30 to 15:45: 14 Waxwing (Seen flying around the Rooftops of nearby Houses and landing briefly on TV Ariel's), 1 Blue Tit, 1 Great Tit, 1 Carrion Crow. Paul Levey, Brian Oulds, Andrea Green.
Monday 13th January 2003
Southchurch Hall Park, 08:30 to 08:40: 5 Mandarin Duck (2 drakes, 3 ducks), 1 Little Grebe, 1 Tufted Duck, 1 Grey Heron. Paul Griggs (SOG).
Westcliff Casino, 09:30 to 09:35: 2 Mediterranean Gull (2nd-winters). Paul Griggs (SOG).
Southend, 13:00 to 13:05: 12 Redwing (Warrior Sq. park.). John Wright (SOG).
Marsh Field between the Hadleigh Castle Railway crossing and the creek 16:00: 9 Snipe, 22 Curlew , 19 Fieldfare , 3 Brent Geese and 2 Kestrel all in the same field. Roger Shinn.
Lee Valley: Four Bitterns reported from watch hide.
Sunday 12th January 2003
Eastwood Sewage Works, 09:00 to 10:20: 1 Bullfinch (male), 4 Chiffchaff, 3 Green Sandpiper, 2 Grey Wagtail, 2 Jack Snipe (in the easternmost filter bed ), 16 Snipe, 1 Green Woodpecker, 15 Meadow Pipit. Neil Chambers, Paul Baker (SOG).
Chalkwell Park Drive, 10:00 to 10:10: 1 Blackcap (Male, in my garden.) John Wright (SOG).
Pitsea 10:15 - 11:00: 2 Waxwings showing well in the tree on the island in the one-way system opposite Lidl's supermarket. Richard Chew.
Southend Pier 10:30 12:00: 1 Great Northern Diver. 1 Kittiwake 1 drake Eider, 5 Sanderling around shore, 8 Mediterranean Gulls. RSPB Group.
Hadleigh Downs, 10:40 to 12:00: 2 Bullfinch (calling), 1 Sparrowhawk (female), 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Green Woodpecker. Neil Chambers, Paul Baker (SOG).
Wallasea Island 11:00 - 14:00: Sandwich Tern - 1st Winter at midday seen very well and scoped for a few minutes: fishing in Roach, then flew north, then west up Crouch. Note probably same bird seen at Old Hall on 5th, then off Tollesbury Wick on 7th flying south to Bradwell. 1st ever January record for Essex!! 1 Merlin - female, 3 Short-eared Owls, 1 Corn Bunting by farm, c.30 Golden Plover, 1 Little Egret. Jeff Delve & Nick Green.
Barling, 11:25 to 15:15: 1 Kingfisher (in borrowdyke at the end of the track past Ropers Farm), 2 Spotted Redshank, (see photos page) 9 Greylag Goose (on the river), 3 Little Egret, 1 Stonechat (male), 2 Eider (females on the Roach) (see photos page), 23 Goldeneye, 2000 Brent Goose (on the river and Paglesham sides included 2 Pale-bellied Brents), 5 Red-breasted Merganser, 8 Little Grebe. Steve Arlow (SOG).
Stanford Warren 11:30 - 13:30: 2 Bearded Tits, 1 Kingfisher, 4 Water Rail, 1 Little Egret, 1 Stonechat (female), 30+ Skylark in flock over stubble behind sea wall. Stephen Burt and Jon Hunter.
Westcliff Seafront, 12:20 to 12:35: 4 Red-breasted Merganser (2 pairs), 1 Mediterranean Gull (adult). Neil Chambers, Paul Baker (SOG).
Waitrose, Eastern Avenue 13:15: 6 Redwing feeding on bushes in car park. Web Author.
Thundersley 14:00: In back garden Thundersley area, feeding on fishing maggots, 1 Grey Wagtail. Dave Corderoy.
Two Tree Island 15:20: Barn Owl at Eastern (NR) end, 16:40 Short-eared Owl at Western end. Stephen D Anderson.
Fleet Head, 15:30 to 15:45: 5 Little Egret, 1 Stonechat (male). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Two Tree Island Eastern half 16.10 - 17.05: 6 Little Egret roosting, 1 Barn Owl sighted at 16.30hrs and 16.50hrs. Martin Johnson.
Saturday 11th January 2003
Basildon 08:00: 1 Waxwing in tree with small group of Redwing (4) at Basildon Roundacre roundabout underpass. Ken Borley.
Westcliff Seafront, 08:40 to 08:50: 1 Ring-billed Gull (adult showed well in front of Rossi Ice cream), 2 Mediterranean Gull (1st & 2nd winter) Steve Arlow (SOG).
Benfleet Area 10:00: In my back garden: 2 Redwing, 1 Mistle Thrush, 2 Blackcap (Male & Female). Andrew Bridge.
Pitsea, 10:25 to 11:25: 2 Waxwing (opposite Lidl's). Paul Griggs, Steve Arlow (SOG).
South Fambridge - Brandy Hole Jan 11th 10.30 - 12.05: (snow melting!!) Little Egret, Mute Swan x3, Grey Plover x8, Reed Bunting x3, Widgeon (flock in excess of 100), Brent Goose x49, Little Grebe, Red-breasted Merganser, Curlew x3, Fieldfare x3, Shelduck x25. Ray Fuller.
Gunners Park 11:00 - 12:00: 12 Blackbird (including one with a white head and speckled white back), 4 Green Woodpecker, 2 Greenfinch, 20 Oystercatcher, 16 Redshank, 3 Redwing, Grey Heron, 4 Robin, 20 Lapwing, 3 Dunnock, 2 Song Thrush. Richard Mander.
Vange Marsh, 11:50 to 13:15: 10 Fieldfare, 10 Redwing, 74 Snipe, 2 Little Egret, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Sparrowhawk. Paul Griggs, Steve Arlow (SOG).
Southend Pier 14:30 - 15:45: 2 Black-throated Diver, 2 Red-throated Diver, 12 Mediterranean Gulls (5ads, 4x2W, 3x1W), 1 Smew (redhead flew upriver 15:30 hrs with female Eider), 2 Eider (1W drake by pierhead as usual), 1 Guillemot, 2 Kittiwake (ads), 6 Great Crested Grebes. Westcliff Seafront (Rossi's): 4 Red-breasted Merganser (2 pairs). eff Delve & Nick Green.
Southend Pier 13:00 - 16:00: 1 Black-throated Diver, 2 Red-throated Diver, 1 Guillemot, 10 Mediterranean Gull, 3 Kittiwake. Jeff Elliott.
Hole Haven Creek, 13:30 to 16:00: 1 Spotted Redshank, 628 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Peregrine Falcon (a pair hunting together, the female caught a Redshank), 1 Snipe, 5 Avocet, 9 Golden Plover, 1 Stock Dove, 8 Fieldfare, 6 Redwing, 1 Green Woodpecker. Paul Griggs, Steve Arlow (SOG).
Magnolia NR and surrounding area. 1430 - 1600: 3 Green Woodpecker, 1 Grey Wagtail, c.50 Redwing, 4 Fieldfare, 2 Goldfinch. Steve Sanford.
Vange Marsh, 15:00 to 16:30: 1 Smew (1 red-head), 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Barn Owl, 1 Kingfisher. Chris Lewis (SOG).
Wakering Stairs 15:30 - 16:45: 100 Dunlin, 20 Turnstone, 1 Grey Plover, 6 Bar-tailed Godwit, 12 Curlew, 40 Shelduck, 1 Little Egret, 1 Meadow Pipit, 500 Knot, 200 Redshank. Richard Mander.
Friday 10th January 2003
Hadleigh, Castle Road 08:00: two Fieldfares feeding on apple tree in garden, flock of 9 Goldfinch in hedge and flock of 22 Redwing over field opposite. Roger Shinn.
Westcliff Seafront, 08:10 to 08:15: 2 Mediterranean Gull (1st & 2nd winters). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Thursday 09th January 2003
Benfleet Creek 12:30 - 13:15: (West of canvey bridge) 8 Little Egret, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 2 Grey Plover, 1 Bar-Tailed Godwit. Stuart Bailey, Dudley Hawkins
Wednesday 08th January 2003
Southend Airport 12:30 - 13:00: male Merlin seen in bushes behind fishing lake, then flew towards the brickfields, Little Egret along the brook, 40 Fieldfares, 15 Redwings, 20+ Goldfinch in fields adjacent to golf course. Ivan Batchelor.
East Tilbury 15:00 - 17:00: Merlin (pair), Little Owl, 15+ Snipe, Green Woodpecker. Jim Cockram.
Rayleigh: Male Blackcap feeding my garden in Down Hall Rd. Robin Peppiatt.
Tuesday 07th January 2003
Chalkwell Park Drive, 08:05: 1 Sparrowhawk (Over the house being mobbed by a Crow.). John Wright (SOG).
South Fambridge - Brandy Hole 14.20 - 15.40: Fieldfare x2, Ringed Plover x3, Red-breasted Merganser x3 (1 male, 2 female ), Brent Goose (flock in excess of 200), Little Egret x3, Curlew, Widgeon x45, Shelduck x4, Grey Plover x2, Kestrel. Ray Fuller.
Belfairs Woods 15:00: 50+ Redwing foraging in leaf litter beneath snow on woodland floor. Martin Johnson.
Sunday 05th January 2003
Friars Park, Shoebury 11:30 - 12:00: 2 Mute Swan, Mallards, and a drake Mandarin Duck. Kerri Webb.
Hanningfield Reservoir 12:00 - 15:00: 20 Pintail, 3 Goldeneye 2 male 1 female, 50+ Cormorant, 20+ Grey Heron, 1 Little Grebe, 40 Teal, 30 Mallard, 20 Long Tailed Tit , 12 Goldcrest. Richard Mander.
Southend Pier 12:30 - 15:30: 1 Red-throated Diver, 8 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Shag, 6 Common Eider, 1 Common Scoter, 1 drake Red-breasted Merganser, 12 Mediterranean Gull (incl. green ringed P20, And Czech bird ex35054), 20+ Kittiwake, 1 Guillemot. Steve Sanford, Web Author.
Eastwood Sewage Works, 13:30 to 14:30: 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Chiffchaff. Paul Griggs (SOG).
Saturday 4th January 2003
WeBS Count, Paglesham area: Male Hen Harrier south towards Paglesham Reach from Lion Creek, plus ringtail on Wallasea, Peregrine over Foulness, two subadult male Eider and male Red-breasted Merganser on Roach, 700+ Brent on island, 95 Avocet in Middleway, 3 Green Sandpiper in new borrowdyke. Note that access is no longer gated and the realigned sea wall on north side of island encloses a large flooded area that looks excellent for waders as well as a superb borrowdyke. Jeff Delve.
Gunners Park - Shoebury 08:15 - 10:15: 7 Oystercatcher, 2 Mediterranean Gull, Green Woodpecker, Pied Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, 3 Fieldfare, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Blue Tit. Web Author.
Paglesham, 09:30 to 14:00: 1 Green Woodpecker (by the boatyard), 1 Eider (female on the roach off of the boatyard), 35 Avocet, 2 Stonechat (pair), 9 Greylag Goose (over the Barling side), 25 Goldeneye (9 males & 16 females on the lagoon), 1 Peregrine Falcon (a superb male chased Feral Pigeons around the Willow scrub at the north end of the lagoon), 1 Sparrowhawk (female), 94 Gadwall (on the lagoon), 1 Little Egret. Steve Arlow (SOG).
Hadleigh Downs, 10:00 to 11:30: 1 Woodcock, 2 Bullfinch (males). Andrew Woodhouse Essex Ranger Service.
South Fambridge - Brandy Hole 10.10 - 12.00: Kingfisher, Mute Swan (x29 in fields ), Grey Plover x5, Little Egret x8, Widgeon 100+, Shelduck x7, Great Crested Grebe, Curlew x10, Bar-tailed Godwit, Kestrel. Ray Fuller.
Wakering Stairs 10:30 - 12:30: 2 Gannet, 2 Little Egret, 18 Brent Goose, Common Shelduck, Hen Harrier (distant ringtail), 600+ Grey Plover, Common Ringed Plover, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Redshank, Turnstone, Knot, Dunlin, 1 Barn Owl, 1 Short-eared Owl, Web Author.
Two Tree Island 11:00 - 13:00: 1 Peregrine (adult, probably male), 4 Stonechat (3 males, 1 female) 1 Corn bunting, 100+ Black-tailed Godwit, 200+ Golden Plover, Reed Bunting, Linnet. Andrew & Nicola Cox.
Barling, around Ropers Farm 11:30 - 15:00: pair Red-breasted Merganser, 6 Little Egret, 20 Greylag Goose, 100 Shelduck, 300 Wigeon, 300 Grey Plover, 100 Curlew, 75 Black-tailed Godwit, Kingfisher, pair Yellowhammer, Reed Bunting, 12 Long-tailed Tit, Great Spotted Woodpecker. Steve Giles and Don Wildish.
Hadleigh Downs, 12:15 to 14:30: 15 Redwing, 3 Woodcock, 1 Bullfinch (male ), 3 Snipe. Paul Griggs, Don Petrie, Bob Young (SOG).
Shoebury East Beach 12:40 - 13:40: 8 Great Crested Grebe, 5 Common Eider. Web Author.
Fleet Head, 14:30 to 16:25: 2000 Brent Goose (on the fields north of the central track but no sign of any Pale-bellied although a pale-bellied look-a-like was present), 4 Snipe. Steve Arlow (SOG).
Benfleet Creek, 14:30 to 15:30: 2 Little Egret, 300 Black-tailed Godwit (approx.), 400 Brent Goose, 1 Reed Bunting, 40 Avocet, 11 Golden Plover. Paul Griggs, Don Petrie, Bob Young (SOG).
Two Tree Island, 15:30 to 16:00: 2 Greenshank, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Red-breasted Merganser (female), 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Reed Bunting, 9 Little Egret (on roost). Paul Griggs, Don Petrie, Bob Young (SOG).
Rayleigh Mount, 20:00: 1 Tawny Owl (heard calling). Paul Baker (SOG).
Friday 03rd January 2003
Westcliff Seafront, 10:10 to 10:40: 4 Mediterranean Gull (1st winter, 2nd winter & 2 adults). Neil Chambers (SOG).
Wakering Stairs 13:00 - 15:00: 5 Little Egret,300 Brent Geese,1000 Dunlin,150 Black-tailed Godwit, 200 Grey Plover, 100 Curlew, 500 Oystercatcher, 50 Teal, Great-crested Grebe, Ringed Plover, Turnstone, Knot,1 Kestrel, Green Woodpecker, Reed Bunting, male Stonechat, also Grey Seal. Steve Giles.
Westcliff Seafront, 13:00 to 14:00: 1 Ring-billed Gull (The adult again opposite Rossi's), 5 Mediterranean Gull (3 adults and 2 2nd winters) Steve Arlow, Paul Griggs, Don Petrie. (SOG).
River Crouch, 13:50 to 15:50: Up to 2 miles east of South Fambridge, 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Peregrine Falcon, 2 Red-breasted Merganser (pair), 38 Mute Swan, 1550 Brent Goose, 1 Corn Bunting, 6 Reed Bunting, 2 Yellowhammer, 2 Little Egret. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Thursday 02nd January 2003
Westcliff Casino, 13:15 to 13:50: 6 Mediterranean Gull (2 1st-winter, 2 2nd-winter, 2 adult-winter), 6 Gannet (adults), 7 Sanderling. Paul Griggs, Steve Arlow (SOG).
Wednesday 01st January 2003
Westcliff Seafront 08:30 to 09:25: 10 Kittiwake, 100 Cormorant (large feeding flock offshore), 1 Mediterranean Gull (1st winter), 1 Glaucous Gull (adult flew west towards Canvey), 5 Gannet (feeding in main shipping channel). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Southend Pier, 09:40 to 14:15: 33 Red-throated Diver, 2 Great Northern Diver, 14 Guillemot, 1 Razorbill, 33 Gannet, 1100 Kittiwake (birds constantly streamed upriver past Pier head with many hundreds lingering close by.), 84 Little Gull (98% of the birds were adults.), 1 Great Skua (west at 11.10am), 170 Cormorant (large feeding flocks east and west of the pier), 1 Slavonian Grebe. Many thousands of gulls in estuary indicating a sprat shoal had arrived. 14 Mediterranean Gull (5 adults including the green ring French bird P20 and the metal ringed Czech bird PRAHA, 4 2nd winters and 4 1st winters including green ringed 3LL7). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Southend Pier 11:30 - 12:00: 15 + Turnstones in winter plumage on pier structure near lifeboat shop. Tony Wenham.
Canvey Seafront, 12:40 to 14:45: 6 Red-throated Diver, 56 Gannet (at least - mainly adults), 200 Kittiwake, 1 Rock Pipit, 4 Sanderling, 13 Little Gull (all adults), 6 Pintail, 50 Brent Goose (on the Labworth lawn), 1 Mediterranean Gull. Neil Chambers, Paul Griggs, Paul Baker, Neil Chambers, Jeff Saward, Mark Wickins (SOG).
Two Tree Island (West), 14:00 to 15:25: 1 Little Egret (Feeding in flood water on the island.), 21 Avocet (In Benfleet creek.), 1 Greenshank (Heard only.), 6 Snipe, 400 Teal (Approx.), 1 Black-tailed Godwit (40+ but no count done, plus usual waders.), 3 Mallard (3 drakes swam across the road!!!), 2 Little Grebe (On the scrape.), 6 Corn Bunting. John Wright (SOG).
Westcliff Seafront, 14:20 to 14:30: 1 Little Gull (A superb feeding adult lingered along the tide line just a few yards away.). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Gunners Park, 14:40 to 14:45: 1 Mediterranean Gull (Adult in the flooded fields with hundreds of Common and Black-headed Gulls). Steve Arlow (SOG)
Two Tree Island (East), 15:30 to 16:30: 14 Little Egret (Came in to roost.), 1 Barn Owl John Wright (SOG).