Bird Reports for January 2004
Saturday 31st January 2004
Westcliff Seafront, 10:15 to 10:30: 1 Ring-billed Gull (Adult still present & showing well opp. Rossi's), 3 Mediterranean Gull (Adult and 2 2nd winters.), 50 Sanderling (Turnstones, Ringed Plover). John Wright (SOG).
Eastwood 13.30 - 14.30: 200+ Fieldfare and some Redwing in hedges along Eastwoodbury Lane by football ground. Web Author.
Friday 30th January 2004
Eastwoodbury Lane 08.30: 12/15 Waxwing clearly in the trees and hedges by the football ground. Wendy Meddle.
Eastwood, 15:50: 9 Waxwing (in car park at Safeways Western Approaches). Don Petrie (SOG).
Canvey Island, 14:00: 1 Hoopoe on the verge of the first roundabout. Seen by Adrian Dally's wife.
Thursday 29th January 2004
Gunners Park, Shoebury 11.00 - 13.00: 1 Little Egret, 1 Kingfisher, 3 Siskin, 2 Redwing, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Jay. Steve Giles.
Thundersley. (my garden) 12.30 to 13.00: 5 Redwing feeding on Holly bush berries. John Bennett.
Wednesday 28th January 2004
Westcliff Casino, 08:15 to 08:20: 1 Ring-billed Gull (adult), 3 Mediterranean Gull (2 2nd-winters, 1 1st-winter), 1 Sanderling. Paul Griggs (SOG).
Eastwood, 09:00: 2 Waxwing (Snakes Lane by the sports ground - per Dave Knight. A pager report of 6 Waxwing here on Monday 26th). John Wright, Dave Knight (SOG).
Tuesday 27th January 2004
Chalkwell Station, 08:50: 2 Sparrowhawk. Paul Griggs (SOG).
Southchurch Hall Park, 13:10 to 13:40: 1 Mediterranean Gull (2nd winter), 1 Blackbird (with a white tail feather). Don Petrie, Paul Griggs (SOG).
Sunday 25th January 2004
Chalkwell Park Drive, Leigh, 08:30: 1 Sparrowhawk (Over the garden). John Wright (SOG).
Rochford Golf Course, 08:30 to 12:30: 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 10 Redwing, 5 Fieldfare. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Wakering Stairs, 10:00 to 12:30: 2 Barn Owl (1 on Havengore), 2 Hen Harrier (male & ringtail on Havengore), 1 Short-eared Owl (On Havengore), 1 Carrion / Hooded Crow (Hooded Crow on Havengore), 2 Stonechat (Male & Female pair), 1 Rock Pipit. John Wright (SOG).
Benfleet Creek (West of train station) 11.00 - 12.30: 6 Little Grebe, 4 Little Egret, 4 Snipe, 1 Common Sandpiper. Andrew Bridge & Jon Web.
Wakering Stairs, Haven Point 11.50 - 13.00: 1 Little Egret, c.35 Brent Goose, c.120 Shelduck, 22 Mallard, 10 Widgeon, 1 juv. Hen Harrier, 1 Kestrel, 1 Barn Owl. Martin Johnson.
Abberton Reservoir 12.00 - 13.30: 1 Barn Owl, 5 Pintail, 7 Gooseander, small flock of Teal, Pochard, Widgeon, Great Crested Grebe, 2 Little Grebe. R. Shepherd.
Southend Pier 13.30 - 16.30: 3 Red-breasted Merganser, Mediterranean Gull, 1 Kittiwake, 7+ Guillemot. Andrew Bridge, Lee Ebbs & Ian Douch.
Fingringhoe Wick 14.00 - 16.00: 1 Flamingo (!) (feeding with Egrets at high tide), 1 Marsh harrier, 20 Golden Plover. R. Shepherd.
Wakering Old Tip 15.00 to 16.30: 1 Marsh Harrier (female), 1 Hen Harrier (ringtail), 2 Merlin (seen chasing a passerine together), 2 Barn Owl. Stuart Bailey, Simon Buckell.
Two Tree Island 15.10 - 17.15: 10 Little Egret, 6 Grey Heron, 62 Brent Goose, 1 Kestrel, 17 Fieldfare. Martin Johnson.
Westcliff Sea Front 16.00: 100+ Turnstone and 30+ Sanderling opposite Rossi's Ice Cream Parlour (at high tide). Valerie M. Vine.
Wat Tyler Country Park: 3 Cetti's Warbler calling with 1 seen in front of hide, 3+ Water Rail calling. Nick Green & Glyn Evans. (EBS)
Two Tree Island - from Lagoon Hide: 1 Stonechat (distant on salt marsh), 30 Ringed Plover, 1 Golden Plover, 3 Snipe. Nick Green & Glyn Evans. (EBS)
Southend Pier: 20 Guillemot, 5 Red-throated Diver, 10+ Mediterranean Gull. Nick Green & Glyn Evans. (EBS)
Rayleigh: 2 Little Egrets and 2 Cormorants flew over our garden in Rayleigh. Unusual to see either of these species away from the rivers. Ernie and Jean Hillier.
Weald Park, Belvedere Entrance: 2 Firecrest. Nick Green & Glyn Evans. (EBS)
Fairlop Country Park: Hume's Warbler. Nick Green & Glyn Evans. (EBS)
Saturday 24th January 2004
Rochford Golf Course, 08:00 to 11:40: 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 15 Redwing. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Hockley Woods, 10:00: 1 male Bullfinch (in playground copse). Mark Wickins (SOG).
Barton Hall Creek, 11:05 to 11:30: 8 Pintail (4 drakes and 4 females), 2 Red-breasted Merganser (drakes), 36 Bar-tailed Godwit, 40 Black-tailed Godwit. Steve Arlow (SOG).
Paglesham Lagoon, 11:40 to 14:00: 25 Goldeneye (8 drakes, 2 immature drakes and 15 females), 6 Little Egret (in nearby field), 1 Larus sp. (Caspian Gull: probably either an advanced 2nd winter or a 3rd winter, was seen constantly bathing and only occasionally just sat still. Was disturbed with the gull flock several times and had to relocated each time.), 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker. Steve Arlow (SOG).
Wakering Stairs (Haven Point) 11:40 14:30: 7 Little Egret, 3 ringtail Hen Harrier (including one bird that nearly took my head off as it came over the sea wall from behind me as I was sheltering out of the wind!), 1 Barn Owl, 3 Stonechat. Web Author.
Canvey Seafront, 12:30 to 13:00: 1 Kittiwake (adult), 2 Tufted Duck (drakes on the sea), 1 Mediterranean Gull (adult-winter on Labworth green), 98 Brent Goose (on Labworth green). Paul Griggs (SOG).
Southend Pier 13:00 - 15:00: 1 Red-throated Diver, 1 adult Mediterranean Gull, 2 Kittiwake, 1 Guillemot. Ross Gardner.
Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 14:00: 1 Grey Wagtail (flew over house). Neil Chambers, Paul Baker (SOG).
Hockley/Hawkwell, 14:00: 1 Sparrowhawk (chased a Collared Dove into back window and plucked it in garden). Neil Chambers (SOG).
Wakering Stairs 15.15: Black-necked Grebe not far from the shore line. Large flocks of Black-headed Gulls (200 - 300), 1 Rock Pipit. Nick Bustin.
Bridgemarsh Island: high tide covered completely. Roosting waders pushed onto fields at Black Point included: 700 Lapwing, 150 Golden Plover, 20 Black-tailed Godwit, 70 Curlew, 250 Grey Plover, 100 Redshank. Also 10 Pintail on river, 1 Merlin. Jeff Delve.
Butts Hill Pond, Canewdon: 30 Corn Bunting, Sparrowhawk. Jeff Delve.
Friday 23rd January 2004
Thundersley (my garden) 08.45 - 09.00: 1 Redwing snatching Holly berries while being pursued by a male Blackbird. John Bennett.
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 09.25 - 11.30: 515 Brent Goose, 56 Shelduck, 10 Wigeon, 4 Great Crested Grebe, 5 Reed Bunting, 43 Curlew, Fieldfare, 5 Corn Bunting, 4 Little Egret (1 on north side of Crouch), 2 Red-breasted Merganser (1 male, 1 female), Grey Plover, Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Yellowhammer. Ray Fuller.
Hanningfield Treatment Works 13:15 - 14:00: 2 Robin, 11 Redwing, 1 Green Woodpecker, 4 Blackbird, 2 Pied Wagtail, 5 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Dunnock. David Griffiths.
Butts Hill Pond, Canewdon: 1 Kingfisher (our first for 2 years). Jeff Delve.
Thursday 22nd January 2004
Rayleigh, 15:45 to 15:50: 1 Kingfisher (Sitting on line over pond in back garden). Mark Wickins (SOG).
Wednesday 21st January 2004
Southchurch Hall Park, 12:15 to 12:30: 2 Mandarin Duck (m,m.), 1 Kingfisher. Harry Carmichael (SOG).
Tuesday 20th January 2004
Southchurch Hall Park 08.40: 4 Mandarin Duck, 1 Heron (always there!) one Kingfisher and a massive flight of Starling as a female Sparrowhawk circled. Steve Wood.
Benfleet Creek 15.00: 100+ Lapwing, 4 Little Egret, 5 Little Grebe, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Great Black-backed Gull, plus Redshank, Oystercatcher. On the playing fields behind Benfleet station were Grey Wagtail and Long-tailed Tits plus all the usual garden birds. Yasmine Hamid.
Monday 19th January 2004
Paglesham Eastend 11.20 - 11.30: 1 male Pheasant, 1 Kestrel. Sutton with Shopland 1145 - 1150: 5 Red-legged Partridge. Mal Watson.
Sunday 18th January 2004
Eastwood 08.00: 4 Waxwing at Safeway, Western Approaches. Jeff Delve.
Southend Pier 10.00 - 12.00: See Field Walk report.
Eastwood, 10:30 to 10:45: 4 Waxwing (Safeway, Western Approaches). Brian Baldock (SOG).
Wakering old Tip 12.15 to 15.15: c.60 Avocet, 1 Grey Plover, 2 Hen Harrier (ring-tails), 1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Barn Owl, (including the pale bird again), 3 Short-eared Owl, (1 on Rushley, 2 on Potton). Stuart Bailey, Simon Buckell.
Belfairs Woods, 13:30 to 14:30: 2 Treecreeper (near the beginning of Poors Lane), 3 Nuthatch. Dudley Shayler (SOG).
Eastwood, Western Approaches 15:00: 1 Fieldfare, 2 Blackbird, 6 Starling (no sign of Waxwing). Richard Mander.
Wakering Stairs 15:30 - 16:00: 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Kestrel, 2 Fieldfare, 12 Blackbird, 1 Redshank, 1 Black-tailed Godwit (summer plumage), 1 Wren, 14 Red-legged Partridge. Richard Mander.
Canewdon: 1 Black Swan in field with 17 Mute Swan. Julian (Lower Raypits EWT warden, South East Essex Conservation Volunteer).
Saturday 17th January 2004
Shoebury, Trafalgar Road 08.35 - 08.40: 3 male Blackcap feeding on Ivy berries. Steve Giles.
Benfleet Downs, 09:00 to 11:00: 1 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Bullfinch. Andrew Woodhouse, Essex Ranger Service.
Wakering Stairs, 09:30 to 11:30: 2 Hen Harrier (ringtails. One flew over the saltmarsh at Haven Point and the other was distant on Havengore Island), 2 Stonechat, 1 Brent Goose (Pale-bellied Brent Goose flew north with about 30 Brent), 1 Little Egret. Steve Arlow (SOG).
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 10.15 - 12.00: 4 Red-breasted Merganser (2 male, 2 female) 11 Canada Goose, 5 Great Crested Grebe, 10 Wigeon, 5 Little Egret (1 on north side of Crouch) 11 Shelduck, 6 Reed Bunting, 5 Grey Plover, 2 Little Grebe, 5 Curlew, 4 Fieldfare, Black-tailed Godwit, 300 + Brent Goose. Ray Fuller.
Gunners Park 10.55 to 12.45: 4 Meadow Pipit, 1 leucistic Blackbird (head predominately white, it's body has some white markings), 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Dunnock, 3 Long-tailed Tit, 4 Oystercatcher, 2 Redshank, 2 Chaffinch, 1 Pied Wagtail. Mal Watson.
Southchurch Hall Park 11.30: 1 Mandarin Duck and flying Mediterranean Gull, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Kingfisher. Steve Wood.
Eastwood, 14:00 to 14:15: 4 Waxwing (still at Safeways). Steve Arlow (SOG).
East Tilbury 15.00: A Glaucous Gull on shell banks in Mucking Bay briefly; also 1 Mediterranean Gull; c 250 Avocet; Stonechat. David Jobbins.
Thursday 15th January 2004
Eastwood, 10:15 to 10:25: 6 Waxwing (Western Approaches, Safeway. Birds mobile but often perched close). Harry Carmichael (SOG).
Gunners Park 14.00 - 15.00: 1 Kingfisher, 1 Sparrowhawk, 7 Long-tailed Tit, c.20 Goldfinch, 11 Redshank, 7 Oystercatcher, 1 Curlew. Also for the last 5 days in and around my garden (Shoebury) a male Blackcap feeding on Ivy berries. Steve Giles.
Wednesday 14th January 2004
Thundersley (in garden) 09.30: 5 Redwing , 1 female Blackcap. 1 Song Thrush. Mike Sagrott.
Southend, 10:00: 1 Sparrowhawk (female over Victoria Ave). John Wright (SOG).
Eastwood, Safeways, Western Approaches 13.10 - 13.20: 2 Waxwing (in the car park), c.20 Redwing (over the road). Steve Sanford, Brian Allmark.
Westcliff Seafront, 13:00 to 13:30: 4 Mediterranean Gull (adult, 2nd winter and 2 1st winters (the Ring-billed Gull was reported on the pager for 12.45pm)). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Pitsea, Tesco Car Park 14.00: 18 Waxwing, 2 Redwing. Mal Watson.
Tuesday 13th January 2004
Shoebury East Beach Pond 14.40: 1 Kingfisher. Malcolm Watson.
Corringham Recreation Ground 16.00: Merlin chasing prey. Jim Cockram.
Church Road, Hockley: 1 male Blackcap, Ross Gardner.
Monday 12th January 2003
Hadleigh, 13:00 to 13:05: 1 Little Egret (1 bird feeding in the wildlife garden in the chapel lane car park at Hadleigh Castle Country Park). Steve Bunn Essex Ranger Service.
Sunday 11th January 2004
Basildon Pipps Hill: Yellow Browed Warbler on west bank of lake in line with back of Crest Hotel. Kevin Rees.
Eastwood, (Safeway, Western Approaches) 09:30 to 09:40: 7 Waxwing. Brian Baldock (SOG).
River Roach, 10:00 to 10:45: 1 Brent Goose (A Pale -bellied Brent with about 200 Brents), 4 Little Egret, 60 Avocet. John Wright (SOG).
Barling Marsh, 10:00 to 10:45: 42 Mute Swan (But no sign of any Bewick's), 1 Sparrowhawk, 4 Corn Bunting. John Wright (SOG).
Wakering Stairs, 10:30 to 12:00: 1 Dartford Warbler (I located the bird reported yesterday in the saltmarsh about 50 metres to the north of Haven Point. due to the very windy conditions the bird was generally only seen in flight low over the saltings though it was seen for about 10 seconds perched on one occasion.), 2 Stonechat, 1 Rock Pipit, 1 Little Egret, 20 Greylag Goose (over Havengore Island), 40 Fieldfare (at least in bushes near Haven Point). Steve Arlow, John Wright (SOG).
Belfairs Park 11:00: 1 Nuthatch. Web Author.
Two Tree Island, 11:30 to 12:00: 1 Greenshank. Brian Baldock (SOG).
Wakering Stairs - Haven Point 12:00 - 13:30: Large numbers of Black-tailed Godwit, Dunlin, Oystercatcher and Knot, 3 Grey Plover, 3 Shelduck, 4 Mallard, 1 Rock Pipit. Richard Mander.
Westcliff Seafront, 12:10 to 12:25: 1 Ring-billed Gull (The usual adult still opposite Rossi's), 3 Mediterranean Gull (adult, 2nd winter and a 1st winter). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Potton Creek 13.15 to 14.15: 1 Little Grebe, Brent Goose, 1 Red-breasted Merganser (female), 1 Hen Harrier (ringtail) plus usual Waders. Stuart Bailey, Simon Buckle.
Saturday 10th January 2004
Basildon Pipps Hill: Yellow Browed Warbler on west bank of lake in line with back of Crest Hotel. Steve Bunn.
Fleet Head, 09:30 to 11:00: 600 Brent Goose (One of last weekends adults Pale-bellied Brent was still present), 1 Greenshank (heard calling), 4 Little Egret. Steve Arlow (SOG).
Westcliff Seafront, 09:55 to 10:10: 4 Mediterranean Gull (2 adults and 2 2nd winters). Neil Chambers (SOG).
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 10.00 - 11.55: 156 Brent Goose, 7 Fieldfare, 6 Little Egret, 3 Red-breasted Merganser (2 male, 1 female), 34 Shelduck, 40 Widgeon, 30 Curlew, 4 Great Crested Grebe, 18 Avocet, 6 Grey Plover, 8 Reed Bunting. Ray Fuller.
Fleet Head, 10:30 to 12:05: 5 Little Egret, 5 Corn Bunting, 1 Brent Goose (adult Pale-bellied), 1 Little Stint (in Potton Creek by the scout hut). Neil Chambers (SOG).
Barling Rubbish Tip, 12:00 to 15:00: 1 Mediterranean Gull (2nd winter), 2 Yellow-legged Gull (adult and 1st winter), 2 Herring Gull (A 1st winter with red ring on left leg (CPA) and another 1st winter with Orange ring on left leg (0703?). There were also several other 1st and 2nd winter Herring Gulls with red rings but I was unable to read the ring numbers), 1 Larus sp. (a presumed Herring Gull x Lesser Black-backed Gull hybrid. The bird was larger than any of the nearby Herring Gulls and was midway between Herring and graellsii Lesser Black-backed Gull in upper part tone.), 1 Larus sp. (a probable 2nd winter Caspian Gull seen for 15 minutes on and off amongst the feeding frenzy of several hundred gulls.), 1 Green Sandpiper. Steve Arlow (SOG).
Wakering Stairs 13.30 - 16.00: 1 Dartford warbler, 1 Barn Owl, 2 Rock Pipit, 2 Stonechat (1 male, 1 female), Barn Owl seen near Wakering stairs about 13:45. The Dartford Warbler at Haven Point about 14:30. First seen on umbilefers on inner edge of sea wall northwest of point. Later seen on top of shrub on saltmarsh nearby making "buzzing" alarm calls and cocking its tail. Rock Pipit and Stonechat also at Haven Point. Alan Shorrock.
Potton Island, 15:10 to 15:20: 1 Short-eared Owl, 4 Little Egret. Steve Arlow (SOG).
Pitsea: 25 Waxwing reported.
Friday 09th January 2004
Thundersley (My garden): 1 Sparrowhawk flew-in and perched in a large shrub. It spent 10mins scanning all around, before flying off. Also 15.40 - 15.55: A party of 8 Long-tailed Tits were feeding from peanut cages and fat-balls. John Bennett.
Thursday 08th January 2004
Pitsea, (Tesco car park next to old A13) 11.00: 16 Waxwing, 2 Redwing. R Shepherd.
Hanningfield Reservoir 13:00 - 14:30: 34 Turnstone, 11 Coot, 4 Moorhen, 7 Teal, 27 Wigeon, 6 Lapwing, 19 Cormorant, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Common Pheasant, 1 Lady Amherst's Pheasant (seen from Rawl Hide to left in grass area near woods). On return to main building the pheasants name had just gone onto the hide boards of birds seen. David Griffiths.
Wednesday 07th January 2004
Pitsea - trees behind Tesco petrol station 15.30: 10 Waxwing. Steve Hiscock.
Tuesday 06th January 2004
Two Tree Island 12.00: 39 Fieldfare in bushes on the road to two tree slipway. Roger Shinn.
Southchurch Hall Park, 13:30 to 13:50: 2 Mandarin Duck (drakes). Steve Arlow, Bob Young (SOG).
Monday 05th January 2004
Leigh on Sea, 07:55 to 07:55: 1 Blackcap (A male in my garden). Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).
Westcliff Seafront, 13:40 to 13:50: 4 Mediterranean Gull (3 adults and a 2nd winter). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Pitsea - Tesco's car park 14.15 to 14.45: 26 Waxwing were assembled in the tall tree at the extreme NW corner of the car park. This tree is adjacent to the North side of the elevated section of South Mayne (A132). The Waxwings were stripping berries from the nearby bushes and returning to the tree to eat them. They also favoured the tree behind the Tesco petrol station pay kiosk, as an alternative assembly point. John Bennett.
Essex Arena Pits: Juvenile Great Northern Diver reported by Thurrock Services car park.
Sunday 04th January 2004
Southchurch Park East 10.00 -10.50: 1 Little Egret, 3 Little Grebe. Mal Watson.
Westcliff Seafront, 10:30 to 11:00: 1 Ring-billed Gull (opposite Rossi's shop ), 2 Mediterranean Gull (Both adults). Mark Wickins (SOG).
Bolts Farm, 11:00: 1 Merlin (male). Paul Griggs (SOG).
Hanningfield Reservoir: 11.00 - 12.30: 2 Ruff, large numbers of Wigeon, Pochard and Teal, 6 Goldeneye, 2 Pintail, 4 Dunlin, 1000+ Lapwing, Grey Heron, Cormorant, 3 Shoveler, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Pied Wagtail, 12 Great Tit, 6 Blue Tit, 3 Blackbird, 12 Mallard, 2 Goldcrest. Richard Mander.
Wakering Stairs 11.00 - 12.30: 12 Redshank, 1 Spotted Redshank, 50 Dunlin, 40 Black-tailed Godwit, hundreds Knot, hundreds Oystercatcher, 15 Turnstone, 1 Curlew, 30+ Brent Geese, 1 Barn Owl, 20+ Fieldfare, Dunnock, Robin. Richard Mander.
Southchurch Hall Park, 11:10 to 11:25: 3 Mandarin Duck (all drakes). Mark Wickins (SOG).
Roper's farm, 11:10 to 11:20: 750 Golden Plover, 350 Lapwing. Paul Griggs (SOG).
Barling Marsh, 11:30 to 16:00: 2 Snipe, 8 Little Egret, 30 Little Grebe, 2 Mediterranean Gull (Adult-winter, 2nd-winter), 50 Mute Swan, 3 Bewick's Swan (adults), 15 Corn Bunting, 1 Green Sandpiper. Paul Griggs (SOG).
Potton Creek, 12:00 to 13:00: 30 Red-legged Partridge, 26 Skylark, 1 Little Stint (by the sea scout hut), 1 Short-eared Owl (showed very well along the seawall by the boatyard), 30 Stock Dove, 15 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Common Sandpiper (by the boatyard). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Benfleet Creek, 13:00 to 16:00: 3 Little Egret, 6 Brent Goose (Plus a Pale-bellied Brent, presumably the Thorpe bay bird.), 26 Avocet, 1 Merlin (Female), 3 Stonechat, 21 Corn Bunting (On Two Tree Is. West), 300 Golden Plover, 150 Black-tailed Godwit. John Wright (SOG).
Fleet Head, 13:25 to 14:45: 1000 Brent Goose (within this flock was an adult Black Brant and 2 adult Pale-bellied Brent Geese. The flock was disturbed at 1.40pm and split up. The Brant flew towards Potton with half of the birds with the Pale-bellieds staying with the remaining Brent flock.), 5 Little Egret, 46 Ruff (on the fields north of the central track). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Wakering Old Tip 14.00 - 16.15: Brent Goose, 2 (ringtail) Hen Harrier, 1 Male Hen Harrier, 1 Snipe, 2 Barn Owl (the pale bird and another with prey being mobbed by a Kestrel), 1 Short-eared Owl (on Rushley). Stuart Bailey, Simon Buckell.
Hanningfield Reservoir 14.00 - 16.00: 2 Ruff, large numbers of Wigeon, Pochard and Teal, 6 Goldeneye, 2 Pintail, 4 Dunlin, 1000+ Lapwing, Grey Heron, Cormorant, 3 Shoveler, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Pied Wagtail, 12 Great Tit, 6 Blue Tit, 3 Blackbird, 12 Mallard, 2 Goldcrest. Richard Mander.
Pitsea 14.00: 26 Waxwing. Web Author.
Fleet Head, 14:30 to 16:20: 2500 Brent Goose (including 2 Pale-belied Brent), 1 Barn Owl. Don Petrie (SOG).
Potton Island, 15:10 to 15:20: 2 Barn Owl, 1 Hen Harrier (ringtail). Don Petrie (SOG).
Two Tree Island: c.12 Corn Bunting. Andrew Gouldstone.
Saturday 03rd January 2004
Chalkwell Park Drive, Leigh, 08:00 to 08:05: 32 Fieldfare (Over the garden). John Wright (SOG).
Canvey Coastguards 08.00 - 09.00: 2 Eider,38 Brent Geese,1 Rock Pipit and 2 Common Scoter. David Morrison.
Barling Marsh, 08:10 to 16:00: 1 Larus sp. (adult Caspian Gull seen for 10 minutes in the fields north of Barling tip when the flock took flight. the bird was not seen subsequently despite extensive searching), 2 Mediterranean Gull (adults - 1 on the tip and another (or the same) along the river roach), 60 Stock Dove (flew out of the trees by the farm just after dawn), 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker (at the farm), 10 Little Grebe (in Barling Creek), 15 Avocet, 5 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Bewick's Swan (adults with the Mute Swan flock), 58 Mute Swan (47 in the main flock on Barling Marsh and a further 9 in the small pool on the north side of Barling tip), 1 Cygnus sp. (A fine Black Swan was with the 9 Mute Swans on the pool north of the rubbish tip), 20 Twite (landed on the track in front of me on the north side of the rubbish tip before flying over the seawall), 7 Goldeneye (on the river Roach), 1 Green Sandpiper, 3 Little Egret. Steve Arlow (SOG).
River Roach / Paglesham Lagoon 08.30 - 13.00: 1 Bewick's Swan (at Barling amongst 43 Mute Swan in field by rubbish tip), 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 61 Avocet. Steve Sanford, Web Author.
Southend Pier, 08:45 to 11:45: 7 Mediterranean Gull, 3 Kittiwake, 1 Gannet (adult), 1 Shag, 4 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Red-throated Diver. Dudley Shayler, Brian Baldock (SOG).
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 09.55 - 11.50: 24 Canada Goose, 61 Brent Goose, 30 Greylag Goose, 2 Fieldfare, 8 Little Egret (3 on north side of Crouch), 3 Shelduck, 6 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Red-breasted Merganser (2 male, 1 female), 10 Little Grebe, 10 Curlew, Hen Harrier (male) scarce in this area, 5 Reed Bunting, 6 Grey Plover, 3 Black-tailed Godwit. Ray Fuller.
River Roach, 09:00 to 11:40: 13 Little Egret, 32 Stock Dove, 3 Pintail (Drake + 2 ducks. Plus usual Wigeon, Teal, Shelduck), Usual duck - Tufted, Gadwall etc on lagoon), 2 Snipe, 1 Jack Snipe (Barton Hall Creek), 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker (Hampton Barns), 80 Avocet, 40 Golden Plover (Plus usual waders - Godwits, Grey Plover etc.). John Wright (SOG).
Leigh on Sea (Westleigh Avenue) 09.30: 1 male Blackcap in back garden. Andrew Gouldstone.
Two Tree Island 10.30 - 14.30: 10 Corn Bunting, 38 Avocet, 1 Peregrine Falcon, c.15 Reed Bunting, 4 Green Woodpecker. Andrew Gouldstone.
Pitsea, 11:00 to 11:10: 25 Waxwing (coming and going all the time). Mark Wickins (SOG).
Westcliff Seafront, 11:45 to 12:00: 3 Mediterranean Gull (2 ad, 1 2nd w). Paul Baker (SOG).
Stambridge, 11:45 to 11:50: 20 Corn Bunting (By the Stambridge fishing ponds), 1 Green Woodpecker. John Wright (SOG).
Wallasea Island, 12:15 to 12:35: 33 Golden Plover, 2 Little Egret. John Wright (SOG).
Southchurch Hall Park, 12:15 to 12:30: 2 Mandarin Duck (drakes on north pool). Paul Baker (SOG).
Pitsea, 12:25 to 12:35: 19 Waxwing (mostly 1st winters - in bushes in the NE corner of the car park). Neil Chambers (SOG). 25 by 14.00: Jim Cockram.
Hadleigh Downs, 12:50 to 13:55: 1 Bullfinch, 1 Green Woodpecker. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Westcliff Seafront, 14:15 to 14:30: 1 Ring-billed Gull, 3 Little Egret, 1 Greenshank (feeding by the large groyne opposite Rossi's), 1 Mediterranean Gull (adult) Neil Chambers (SOG).
Thorpe Bay Seafront, 14:15 to 14:20: 10 Brent Goose (including the adult Pale-bellied Brent still present). Neil Chambers (SOG).
Southchurch Hall Park 14:30: 2 drake Mandarin ducks on north pond. Web Author.
Hanningfield Reservoir NR 14:45: Water Pipit (Adult Winter) seen from Oak Hide at waters edge. P Johnson.
Potton Island, 15:30 to 15:35: 1 Short-eared Owl. Steve Arlow, Paul Griggs (SOG).
Two Tree Island 15.30 - 16:30: 1 Barn Owl at Essex WT end of the island, Water Rail heard, 1 Woodcock. (3.30 - 4.30pm). Andrew Gouldstone.
Two Tree Island 16:15: 1 Barn Owl, 37 Fieldfare. Web Author.
Foulness Island: 20+ Red-legged Partridge, 3 Red-breasted Merganser (2 female, 1 male), 10+ Wigeon, 10+ Curlew, 5 Shelduck, 30+ Lapwing, 1 Barn Owl, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 1 Little Egret. Kerri Webb.
Mediterranean Gull Update
We have just received the following information regarding Mediterranean Gull IA0001553 last seen on Southend Pier and reported to the BTO
Rung at: Walfisch, Hansestadt, Wismar, Mecklenburg, German Democratic Republic
Age: 1 year + (4)
Sex: Male
Ringing Date: 03rd June 2000
Grid Reference: 5356N1126E
Distance from ringing place and report on Southend Pier: 770km
Friday 02nd January 2004
Westcliff Casino, 08:40 to 08:45: 1 Ring-billed Gull (adult), 3 Mediterranean Gull (2 2nd-winter, 1 adult-winter), 3 Sanderling, 30 Brent Goose. Paul Griggs (SOG).
Westcliff Seafront, 10:00 to 10:25: 1 Ring-billed Gull, 3 Mediterranean Gull (adult and 2 2nd winter). Don Petrie (SOG).
Westcliff Seafront, 10:00 to 10:40: 1 Ring-billed Gull (Opposite Rossi's), 6 Mediterranean Gull (2 adults, 3 2nd w. & 1 1st w.), 10 Gannet (All adults following 2 fishing boats. ), 10 Sanderling. John Wright (SOG).
Southchurch Hall Park 11:00: 1 drake Mandarin Duck, 1 Grey Heron. Web Author.
Leigh on Sea, Tankerville Drive 11:20: 14 Siskin in trees opposite No. 89. John Wright (SOG), Web Author.
Pitsea 12:15: 21 Waxwing by petrol station near Tesco, 1 Redwing. Web Author.
Thorpe Bay Seafront, 13:10 to 13:20: 1 Brent Goose (Pale-bellied Brent with Brent on mud opposite Thorpe Hall Road). Don Petrie, Steve Arlow, Paul Griggs (SOG).
Southchurch Hall Park, 13:30 to 13:50: 1 Mandarin Duck (Drake on top pool). Don Petrie, Paul Griggs (SOG).
Pitsea, Tesco 14:15 to 15:30: 26 Waxwing on the north side of the Tesco car park next to the old A13. Feeding on berries and sometimes commuting to the willow tree north of the A13. Also a 1 Starling with a malformed bill, long and curved like a Hoopoe's. David Lee.
Two Tree Island 14:30 - 16:30: 10 Little Egret, 47 Fieldfare, 1 Kestrel, 1 Barn Owl, 1 Green Woodpecker. Stuart Bailey, Don Petrie, Web Author.
Thursday 01st January 2004
Westcliff Seafront, 08:30 to 09:25: 1 Ring-billed Gull (adult opposite Rossi's), 2 Mediterranean Gull (adult and 2nd winter). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Southchurch Hall Park, 09:30 to 09:40: 2 Mandarin Duck (drakes). Steve Arlow (SOG).
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 10.40 - 12.50: 11 Widgeon, 10 Curlew, 2 Reed Bunting, 8 Little Egret (2 on north side of Crouch), 5 Grey Plover, 136 Shelduck (my highest count in this area), 3 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Fieldfare, 11 Avocet, Goldeneye, 20 Little Grebe, 7 Red-breasted Merganser (5 male, 2 female). Ray Fuller.
Roper's farm, 12:00 to 12:30: 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Green Woodpecker, 20 Fieldfare, 2 Corn Bunting. John Wright (SOG).
Wakering Stairs 12:00: Ring tail Hen Harrier over train carriages, then flew low towards Rushley Island, plus in a field 20 Red-legged Partridge. Ray Fuller.
River Roach, 12:35 to 14:30: 8 Little Egret, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Bewick's Swan (With the Mutes on Barling Marsh.), 40 Mute Swan, 58 Avocet, 14 Pink-footed Goose (Flew east along the river eventually going over Paglesham boat yard.), 30 Goldeneye (Plus usual Wigeon, Teal, Shelduck), 10 Golden Plover (Plus usual waders - Godwits etc), 1 Rock Pipit, 3 Corn Bunting. John Wright (SOG).
Leigh on Sea 13:00: 12 Siskin outside 114 Tankerville Drive Leigh-on-sea feeding on Beech Tree. Don Wildish.
Pitsea, 14:10 to 15:15: 8 Waxwing (on the north edge of Tesco's car park). Paul Griggs, Steve Arlow (SOG).
Roper's farm, 15:00 to 16:00: 41 Mute Swan (6 first years), 1 Bewick's Swan, 73 Avocet, 39 Stock Dove, 1 Green Woodpecker, 5 Little Egret. Don Petrie (SOG).
Two Tree Island, 15:30 to 16:15: 60 Golden Plover, 29 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Little Egret, 1 Barn Owl (hunting both sides of the road by the north car park). Paul Griggs, Steve Arlow (SOG).
Two Tree Island, 15:40 to 16:30: 12 Little Egret (Flying towards the roost), 1 Barn Owl (Showing well hunting on both sides of the road). John Wright (SOG).