Bird Reports for January 2005
Monday 31st January 2005
Rayleigh Mount, 10:30 to 11:45
1 Blackcap (fem again feeding on berries in back garden for most of the morning), 36 Greenfinch, 2 Goldfinch, 2 Redwing, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker (fem on peanut feeder). Mike Bailey (SOG).
Sunday 30th January 2005
Hockley Woods, 07:30 to 09:00
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Green Woodpecker, 8 Redwing, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Nuthatch, 1 Hawfinch (female). Web Author.
Paglesham, 08:00 to 12:30
3 Pale-bellied Brent Goose (adults with 2000+ Dark-bellied Brent Geese on field to the west of the lagoon), 1 Peregrine Falcon (adult, probably a female as a large pale bird), 17 Pintail (10 drakes and 7 females on the lagoon), 48 Avocet (on river), 126 Black-tailed Godwit (on river), 16 Goldeneye (on river), 21 Little Grebe (on river), 3 Red-breasted Merganser (on river), 2000 Golden Plover (on upper river). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Hockley Woods 08:00 - 10:00
1 Hawfinch playground area high in oaks and then towards main entrance, pair of Lesser spotted Woodpecker in SE corner of clearing where new coppice work done, at least 6 Nuthatch, Merlin male fast overhead. Jeff Delve (EBS).
Pitsea, Tesco 08.30
105 Waxwing. Nic Lindsell, Russell Neave.
Hockley Woods, 08:30 to 10:15
2 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (pair displaying in open area near the compound), 1 Hawfinch, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 5 Nuthatch, 1 Merlin (flew over east at 09:15). Neil Chambers (SOG).
Pitsea, Tesco 09.15
C.90 Waxwing near petrol station but very flighty. Jim Cockram.
Hockley Woods, 09:15 to 11:00
1 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (female, south of play area, just before the open area), 3 Nuthatch, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker. Paul Baker (SOG).
Pitsea, 09:30 to 10:15
90 Waxwing (around Tesco and Lidl). Web Author.
Westcliff Seafront 10.00 and at 15.45
1 Ring-billed Gull, 2 Little Egret, 3 Mediterranean Gull, Yellow Legged Gull, Greenshank, 175 Sanderling. Nic Lindsell, Russell Neave.
Paglesham Lagoon, 11:00 to 11:30
1 Kingfisher (In the borrowdyke between the Lagoon and the seawall to the South east of the Lagoon). Steve Sanford (SOG).
Rayleigh Mount, 11:00 to 11:05
1 Blackcap (female eating berries in back garden). Mike Bailey (SOG).
Southend Pier 12.00 - 15.00
2 Razorbill, 8 Guillemot, 15 Mediterranean Gull, 3 Kittiwake, 1 Red-throated Diver, 1 Great Northern Diver, 1 Shag, 70+ Great Crested Grebe. Tim Connett.
Hanningfield Reservoir 12.00 - 14.00
1 Black-necked Grebe, 1 Goosander, 6 Goldeneye, 1 Ruddy Shelduck, 3 Red Crested Pochard, 2 Yellow-legged Gull (on island), Coal Tit. Dean Layard.
Southend Pier 12.00 - 14.30
17 Mediterranean Gull, 3 Kittiwake, 7 Guillemot, 2 Razorbill (Essex tick for both of us!!!), 3 Red-throated Diver, 1 Great Northern Diver, 72 Great Crested Grebe. Nic Lindsell, Russell Neave.
Westcliff Seafront 12.28
9 Common Seal on sandbank. Web Author.
Shoebury, 12:30 to 12:50
4 Snow Bunting (on beach hut 20m east of Cabin). Web Author.
Gunners Park, 14:30 to 15:00
100 Common Scoter (flying down river over the boom), 1 Stonechat. Dudley Shayler (SOG).
Shoebury Common 15:00 -15:30
4 Snow Bunting, 24 Turnstone, 1 Dunlin, 16 Sanderling. Richard Mander.
Two Tree Island (West), 15:00 to 16:00
2 Short-eared Owl, 50 Avocet, 1 Greenshank. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).
Southend Pier 15.00
1 Great Northern Diver, 2 Guillemot, 10 Mediterranean Gull, 2 Kittiwake. R Shepherd.
Southend Seafront 15.15
1 Purple Sandpiper. Nic Lindsell, Russell Neave.
Southend Pier 15:30 - 16:30
25 Mediterranean Gull, 8 Guillemot, Great Northern Diver (drifted close past pierhead at 16:15), 250+ Turnstone. Jeff Delve (EBS).
Southend Seafront, 15:40 to 15:50
1 Purple Sandpiper (on beach in large wader flock 150 metres east of old gasworks pier). Don Petrie (SOG).
Sea front Gas Works Pier 15:45 -16:15
40 Ringed Plover, 12 Oystercatcher, large mixed flock of Dunlin, Sanderling and Turnstone. Richard Mander.
Two Tree Island 16.30
2 Short Eared Owl. Andrew Bridge.
Southend Old Gas Works
1 Purple Sandpiper In Flock Of Dunlin Sanderling Turnstone. R Shepherd.
Canewdon
Chiffchaff in my garden feeding and bathing around edge of pond. Jeff Delve (EBS).
South Woodham
Little Owl ( right across the front of the car on the way to South Woodham). Nic Lindsell, Russell Neave.
Saturday 29th January 2005
Southend, 08:00 to 08:15
5 Mediterranean Gull (2 adults, 2 1st winters and a 2nd winter on Victory Sports Ground). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Southend Old Gas Works 08.00 - 09.00
1 Purple Sandpiper. Shaun Harvey.
Wakering, Fleet Head, 08:30 to 10:20
1 Merlin, 2 Stonechat (pair). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Shoebury Common 09.10 - 09.20
4 Snow Bunting directly behind the cafe on top of the beach huts. Shaun Harvey.
Westcliff Seafront 09.30 - 10.10
9 common seal on sandbanks. Shaun Harvey.
Billericay (Garden) 09.30
1 Blackcap (male). Neil Sumner.
Gunners Park, 10:30 to 10:55
2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Stonechat. Steve Arlow (SOG).
Westcliff Seafront, 11:25 to 11:50
1 Ring-billed Gull (adult still here), 3 Mediterranean Gull (2 adults and a 1st winter). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Southend Pier, 12:00 to 15:00
1 Great Northern Diver, 1 Razorbill, 5 Guillemot, 23 Great Crested Grebe, 10 Kittiwake (including the pale legged bird again), 3 Red-throated Diver, 16 Mediterranean Gull (8 adults (incl. Green P20 and Praha 3505), 4 2nd winters and 4 1st winters. Probably more birds present to what was counted). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Pitsea, 12:55
12 Waxwing in tallest tree on 'island' at Tesco petrol station. Paul Baker (SOG).
Langdon Hills, Westley Heights 13.00 - 15.30
1 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker observed for 40 minutes from 20 feet. Sparrowhawk seen overhead twice. 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, Treecreeper, 2 Bullfinch, various numbers of Goldcrest and Long Tailed Tits. Darren Chaplin.
Southend Seafront, 14:50 to 16:00
1 Great Northern Diver (close in shore), 32 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Shag (on the end of the old gasworks jetty), 53 Ringed Plover, 103 Knot, 35 Sanderling, 1 Purple Sandpiper (opposite Camper Road). Web Author.
Southend Seafront, 15:30 to 15:45
1 Purple Sandpiper (still on beach in wader flock), 2 Mediterranean Gull (adults). Steve Arlow (SOG)
Friday 28th January 2005
Southend, 09:50 to 09:50
1 Mediterranean Gull (adult again on Victory Sports Ground by the Sutton Road/Bournes Green roundabout). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Pitsea, Tescos 11:00
30 Waxwing. Tony Kennelly.
Westcliff Seafront, 11:50 to 12:10
1 Ring-billed Gull (was seen first by KJ's cafe east of the casino before it flew west and was seen well by Rossi), 1 Mediterranean Gull (adult) Steve Arlow (SOG).
Gunners Park, 12:30 to 13:30
1 Great Northern Diver (lingered off the foreshore), 1 Slavonian Grebe (lingered offshore), 1 Red-necked Grebe (drifted up river with Great Crested Grebes), 10 Guillemot, 14 Red-throated Diver, 13 Great Crested Grebe. Steve Arlow (SOG).
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 14.20 - 16.25
100+ Wigeon, 18 Shelduck, 3 Little Grebe, 6 Red-breasted Merganser (males), Little Egret, 7 Reed Bunting, 13 Curlew, 4 Brent Goose, Grey Plover, 16 Mute Swan, Skylark. Ray Fuller.
Thursday 27th January 2005
Basildon, Frampton Road, Fryerns 07.47
Female Sparrowhawk flew over head towards Cranes Farm Area. Darren Chaplin.
Pitsea 08.01 - 08.08
35-40 Waxwing on Traffic Island at Pitsea spooked by 1st winter Black Headed Gull and flew off towards Tesco. Darren Chaplin.
Merilies Close, Westcliff, 09:00
1 Little Egret (in the brook behind the house). Paul Baker (SOG).
Hockley Woods, 10:45 to 13:40
1 Hawfinch (bird present in the childrens play area in the usual place between 10.55 and 11.30 on and off), 1 Treecreeper, 2 Nuthatch, 4 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 10 Goldcrest (at least). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Abberton Reservoir 14.00
3 female Smew, 7 Goosander. R Shepherd.
Fingringhoe Wick 15.00 - 16.30
1 female Marsh Harrier, 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Goldeneye, 6 Red-breasted Merganser, 100+ Brent Geese, 200+ Avocet, 50+ Knot, 50+ Dunlin, Curlew, Grey Plover, Oystercatcher, 100+ Shelduck, Wigeon, Teal, 30 Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Little Egret, 1 Little Grebe, 4 Great Crested Grebe. R Shepherd.
Pitsea
The trees around Pitsea Homebase & Tesco were attracting a large flock of Waxwings between 0930 & 1000 this am Although they were sometimes splitting into smaller groups, I had one count of c105 & another of 102 so I'm confident about the numbers. Simon Cox. (EBS).
Westcliff Seafront
1 Ring-billed Gull, 3 Mediterranean Gull. Simon Cox. (EBS).
Southend Pier
10+ Red-throated Diver, 10+ Guillemot, 1 Razorbill and a few Kittiwake, 3+ ads, 1 2nd w & 1 1st w Mediterranean Gull. Simon Cox. (EBS).
Blatches Farm/ The Scrubs
1 Woodcock (flushed from Primrose Wood), 1 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (in tall trees by farmhouse and pond), 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Treecreeper, 5 Goldcrest, 2 Yellowhammer, 4 Skylark, 1 Sparrowhawk. Dean Layard.
Wednesday 26th January 2005
Hockley Woods, 07:45 to 08:15
3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Nuthatch. Neil Chambers, Paul Baker (SOG).
Pitsea, 08:25 to 08:35
70 Waxwing (on the traffic island opposite Lidl's). Paul Griggs (SOG).
Pitsea, 08:45 to 09:00
60 Waxwing (on trees in central reservation opposite Lidl's, but only present for 3 minutes. Flew in from the east and flew off to the north-east. Very mobile). Paul Baker (SOG).
Canvey Lake 11:00
1 Black-headed Gull with virtually pure white wings feeding with other Black-headed Gulls on bread. The bird had orange bare parts (dark end to bill) and a dark ear spot, but closed wings showed a very faint brownish discolouration (only visible at a range of a few feet) to normally black primaries. Secondaries and coverts where all white (i.e. no grey/silver), as was the tail. Ian White.
Wat Tyler Country Park, 12:00 to 13:00
1 Little Gull (1st winter), 1 Yellow-legged Gull (adult). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Two Tree Island (West), 14:00 to 14:30
4 Short-eared Owl (roosting together at bottom of sea wall to the north of island). Andrew Woodhouse, Steve Bunn Essex Ranger Service.
Two Tree Island, West Side 15.00
10 Avocet feeding at waters edge. Dave Davis.
Tuesday 25th January 2005
Pitsea, 08:30
50 Waxwing (in trees opposite Tesco's entrance). Neil Chambers (SOG).
Southend Pier, 10:10 to 13:45
59 Guillemot (some in summer plumage), 5 Razorbill (the last being midway along the pier on the walk back), 90 Kittiwake (including an abnormal bird with pale legs and deformed bill), 12 Mediterranean Gull (6 adults including Yellow 57P, 4 2nd winters and 2 1st winters), 2 Common Scoter (females), 11 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Short-eared Owl (flew past the pierhead being mobbed but everything in sight from gulls to Turnstones), 1 Shag, 29 Red-throated Diver (with most being in the deep water channel and beyond), 1 Red-breasted Merganser. Steve Arlow (SOG).
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 13.50 - 15.35
1 Yellowhammer, 4 Little Egret, 22 Wigeon, 20 Mute Swan, 2 Shelduck, 5 Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Grey Plover, Fieldfare, 4 Red-breasted Merganser (3 male), 3 Curlew, 7 Reed Bunting. Ray Fuller.
Two Tree Island west 14.00 - 14.30
700 + Golden Plover. Roger Shinn.
Shoebury, Trafalgar Road 14.00 - 15.00
Male and female Blackcap, (the male is regular but a first for a female). Steve Giles.
A130 Canons Bridge North of Battlesbridge 14.30
1 Little Egret flying over the A130 at Canons Bridge North of Battlesbridge. Iain Henderson.
Southend Seafront, 14:55 to 15:20
1 Purple Sandpiper (still along the seafront east of the Gasworks Pier). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Pitsea, 15:00 to 15:30
66 Waxwing (feeding actively till flushed by a bus, when they flew north towards the market). Vince Kinsler (SOG).
Pitsea
70 Waxwing opposite Lidls. Paul Fisher.
Monday 24th January 2005
Belfairs N.R. 08:00
1 Chiffchaff. Tony Mead (SOG).
Pitsea 11.45
36 Waxwing on roundabout opposite Lidl's - spooked by a Male Kestrel circling overhead, finally perching on adjacent lamppost. Mike Sagrott.
Westcliff Seafront, 14:55 to 15:20
1 Ring-billed Gull (Rossi allowed very close approach today). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Pitsea 15.00
63 Waxwing on central reservation. Total magic!! Jeff Delve (EBS).
Sunday 23rd January 2005
Two Tree Island 08.00 to 10.00
11 Snipe and 1 Greenshank on the lagoon, 1 Rock Pipit around the slipway. David Lee.
Hockley Woods 08:30 - 08:45
2 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker drumming and displaying well in clearing 500m from car park. Don Wildish.
Pitsea 08.30
33 Waxwing on traffic island opposite Lidl. Viv Connett.
Hampton Barns, 09:15 to 09:30
1 Little Egret. Steve Sanford (SOG).
South woodham Ferrers, River Roach 09.15 - 10.30
6 Red Breasted Merganser (4 male/2 female), 1 Water Rail. Shaun Harvey.
Westcliff Seafront, 10:30 to 10:50
1 Ring-billed Gull (roosting on the roof of the Casino), 3 Mediterranean Gull (2 adults and a 2nd winter). Steve Arlow (SOG).
River Roach, 10:30 to 11:00
3 Little Egret, 10 Pintail (6 drakes). Steve Sanford (SOG).
Southend Pier 11.00
Black Throated Diver. Viv Connett.
Wakering Stairs, 11:15 to 13:20
3 Red-throated Diver, 4 Common Scoter, 3 Stonechat (pair and a lone female), 2 Pale-bellied Brent Goose (flew east and then north along Havengore Creek in two separate small brent flocks), 1 Black-headed Gull (leucistic adult in Havengore Creek). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Westcliff to Old Leigh 13.00 - 14.00
Large numbers of Grey Plover, 20 Ring-necked Plover, 1 Little Egret, 2-300 Turnstone, 4 Brent Geese, 4 Curlew, 30+ Redshank. David Flack.
Westcliff Seafront, 14:00 to 14:10
1 Shag (roosting on groyne by Gilbies Cafe midway between Southend Pier and the Westcliff Casino. Harsh light did not allow for good pictures despite the birds close proximity). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Saturday 22nd January 2005
Southchurch Seafront, 08:00 to 11:00
4 Snow Bunting (on beach opposite Halfway House at 9am). Chris Lewis (SOG).
Oxenham Farm, 11:00 to 14:55
120 Black-tailed Godwit (in Potton Creek), 259 Avocet (in Middleway), 3 Ruff, 1 Common Sandpiper (in Potton Creek by boatyard), 1 Greenshank, 1 Knot, 1 Marsh Harrier (female on Potton Island), 4 Short-eared Owl (2 on Potton and 2 on New England), 1 Barn Owl (on New England), 2 Peregrine Falcon (adult (probably a female as it was very big) on Potton and a juvenile that landed in the field behind the Sea Scout Hut), 2 Pale-bellied Brent Goose (seen in flight only distantly over New England Island viewed from the old tip). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Old Hall Marshes/Blackwater Estuary 11:00 - 16:00
1 Velvet Scoter, 12 Red-breasted Merganser (6 males, 6 females courting), 2 Marsh Harrier, 1 Barn Owl. Ross Gardner.
Pitsea, 13:10 to 13:30
34 Waxwing (in trees bordering Pitsea market car park - 100yds along Rectory Drive (the road opposite Lidls)). Mike Bailey (SOG).
Southend 13.56
Sparrowhawk north down Victoria Avenue. Web Author.
Shoebury Coastguard 15.30
4 Snow Bunting had moved to beach behind fence at Shoebury Coastguards by 3:30 this afternoon. Jeff Delve (EBS).
Friday 21st January 2005
A127/A130 Junction 06.59
Barn Owl flew over junction south to north. Web Author.
Pitsea, 08:10 to 08:20
32 Waxwing (Opposite Lidl's, but mobile and getting in trees by Pitsea market just to the north). Neil Chambers (SOG).
Pitsea, Homebase 10.39
Flock of Waxwing on bushes by roadside you could almost touch! R Shepherd.
Pitsea, 10:45 to 12:50
34 Waxwing (still in the central reservation opposite Lidl's). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park, 13:15 to 14:25
1 Yellow-legged Gull (2nd winter), 1 Herring Gull (a dark eyed and long winged bird superficially resembling a Caspian Gull at range). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Thursday 20th January 2005
Shoebury Coastguards, 08:10 to 08:40
2 Kittiwake (flew west). Neil Chambers (SOG).
Shoebury Common 09.15 - 09.20
4 Snow Bunting (the male birds are just starting to change to summer plumage), 4 Pied wagtail. Web Author.
Pitsea, 09:45 to 10:00
32 Waxwing (on central reservation opposite Lidl's). Mark Wickins (SOG).
Pitsea 12.50 - 13.00
26 Waxwing opposite Lidl's. Chris Henry.
Shoebury Coastguards 15.10
4 Snow Bunting on shingle. Don Wildish.
Wednesday 19th January 2005
A13/Lime Avenue west of West Leigh School 07:35
3 Little Egret flying north. David Lee.
Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 08:45
2 Little Egret (in the brook behind my house). Paul Baker (SOG).
Pitsea 12.00
18 Waxwing opposite Lidl's. Nick Ransdale.
Wat Tyler Country Park 13.00 - 14.00
17 White-fronted Goose. Nick Ransdale.
Vange Marsh 14.00 - 14.30
5 Snipe, 4 Redshank, 2 adult Yellow-legged Gull, 3 Rock Pipit on seawall, 1 Grey Wagtail, 3 Stonechat. Nick Ransdale.
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 14.00 - 16.05
6 Little Egret, 3 Shelduck, 2 Stonechat, 8 Reed Bunting, 23 Mute Swan, 8 Grey Plover, 2 Curlew, 5 Red-breasted Merganser (3 male), 7 Little Grebe, 7 Fieldfare, Great Crested Grebe, 2 Wigeon. Ray Fuller.
Pitsea 12.15
18 Waxwing on a tree opposite Lidl`s car park Pitsea. Paul Rossiter.
Tuesday 18th January 2005
Blue House Farm 13.10 - 14.00
Pale-bellied Brent Goose with c2,500 Dark-bellied Brents, escaped Bar-headed Goose, 7 Red-breasted Mergansers (incl. 3 drakes) on the river. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Monday 17th January 2005
Southend, 10:10
1 Mediterranean Gull (adult on playing field at Victory Sports Ground). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Shoebury Coastguards, 15:00 to 15:05
4 Snow Bunting (still on grass to west of Uncle Toms Cabin). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Sunday 16th January 2005
Wat Tyler Country Park 10.00 - 11.30
12 White-fronted Goose, 2 Bearded Tit. Web Author. (Bewick's Swan reported by birders in the hide - flew off 3 minutes before I arrived! Also 3 Bullfinch behind boat museum)
Pitsea 11.45 - 11.50
1 Waxwing opposite Lidls. Web Author. (four reported early morning).
Southend Pier, 12:00 to 12:30
7 Mediterranean Gull (4 Adult,2 second winter,1 first winter), 1 Red-throated Diver, 1 Guillemot, 1 Kittiwake (13 seals visible at Chalkwell from the Pier). Dudley Shayler (SOG).
North Fambridge, Bluehouse Farm 12.00 - 3.00
Several hundred Brent Geese, 150+ Canada Geese, 50+ Greylag Geese, 1 Bar-headed Goose, 200+ Golden Plover, 200+ Lapwing, 10 Redshank, 21 Black-tailed Godwit, 30-40 Curlew, 45 Oystercatcher, 25 Widgeon, 30+ Shoveler Duck, 24 Shelduck, 2 Little Grebe, 40+ Pintail, 50+ Mallard, 1 Peregrine Falcon. David Flack.
Rochford Golf Course, 12:40 to 16:20
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Grey Wagtail, 10 Fieldfare. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Southend Pier 12.45 - 13.45
1 Red-throated Diver, 1 Guillemot, 20+ Kittiwake on and around pier. Damien Harding.
Two Tree Island 13.00 - 15.30
Brent Geese, Grey Plover, Golden Plover, Dunlin, Redshank, Curlew, 6 Turnstone, 1 Stonechat, 1 Short-eared Owl, 6 Meadow Pipit, flock of Fieldfare of about 30. Dave Messenger.
Westcliff 13.30
13 Common Seal on Hadleigh Ray. Web Author.
Saturday 15th January 2005
Wat Tyler Country Park, 09:30 to 12:30
16 White-fronted Goose (Bowers Marsh), 45 Greylag Goose, 2 Water Rail (One heard and one showing well), 1 Black-tailed Godwit (Scrape), 5 Gadwall, 100 Wigeon, 400 Lapwing, 1 Mediterranean Gull (Adult on the scrape), 15 Shoveler, 1 Goldcrest. John Wright, Bob Young (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Parktime 10.00 to 11.30
1 female Marsh Harrier, 1 Spotted Redshank, 3 Bullfinch. Shaun Harvey.
Fanes Wood, Thundersley, 10:30 to 11:30
1 Bullfinch (male), 2 Green Woodpecker. Graham Ryland (SOG).
Southend Pier, 11:00 to 15:35
23 Guillemot (many in summer plumage), 50 Kittiwake (with at least 12 lingering around the pierhead bay), 23 Mediterranean Gull (12 adults (including Green P20, Yellow 57P and German metal ringed bird IA0001553), 4 2nd winters and 7 1st winters), 1 Black-throated Diver (distantly), 8 Red-throated Diver. Steve Arlow (SOG).
Friday 14th January 2005
Southend Victoria Avenue 11.30
1 Kestrel, opposite library. Yasmine Hamid
Thursday 13th January 2005
Southend, 08:15
1 Little Egret (again in creek just past the Temple Farm Estate mini roundabout). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Paglesham Lagoon, 08:50 to 10:55
1 Yellow-legged Gull (adult), 22 Goldeneye (on the Roach), 60 Fieldfare (at least), 5 Pintail. Steve Arlow (SOG).
Southend Pier, 12:10 to 14:45
19 Mediterranean Gull (Ad. 9, 2nd W. 6, 1st w.4.), 8 Kittiwake, 2 Red-throated Diver, 1 Black-throated Diver, 7 Great Crested Grebe, 9 Guillemot, 1 Shag. Harry Carmichael (SOG).
Hadleigh Downs, 13:00 to 14:30
1 Woodcock, 3 Bullfinch (male and 2 females). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Two Tree Island, 14:45 to 15:30
1 Red-throated Diver (the released bird on the lagoon), 1 Peregrine Falcon (immature on Hadleigh Marshes), 10 Linnet, 1 Greenshank. Steve Arlow (SOG).
Wednesday 12th January 2005
Pitsea, 12:15 to 12:20
3 Waxwing (opposite Lidl's). Paul Griggs (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park, 12:25 to 12:45
3 White-fronted Goose, 1 Peregrine Falcon. Paul Griggs (SOG).
Pitsea, 13:00 to 13:20
3 Waxwing. Vince Kinsler (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park, 13:30 to 14:30
16 White-fronted Goose, 120 Wigeon, 3 Black-tailed Godwit (on scrape), 1 Peregrine Falcon (on pylon). Vince Kinsler (SOG).
Southend Victoria Road 13.30
1 Kestrel opposite library. Yasmine Hamid.
Tuesday 11th January 2005
Battlesbridge, 09:10
1 Little Egret (again on pool where A130 crosses Crouch). Paul Baker (SOG).
Pitsea 09:35 - 09:45
4 Waxwing at Tesco Petrol Station briefly; 10 minutes later they were opposite Lidl. 10+ Long-tailed Tit Tesco Car Park. Ian White.
Westcliff Seafront, 09:30 to 09:45
1 Ring-billed Gull, 1 Mediterranean Gull (adult). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Pitsea, 10:25 to 11:55
4 Waxwing (3 1st winters and an adult on reservation). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Pitsea, 11:00 to 12:00
4 Waxwing (in central res. opposite Lidl's). Wat Tyler Country Park: 1 Peregrine Falcon, 2 Marsh Harrier (immature male and female, 4 White-fronted Goose, 2 Chiffchaff (on bushes on right hand side just after entrance gates). Richard Hall (SOG).
Fleet Head, 13:05 to 15:10
1 Pale-bellied Brent Goose (adult with 30+ Dark-bellied Brents on the north end of the fleet), 1 Spotted Redshank, 1 Greenshank, 33 Ruff, 20 Golden Plover, 4 Little Egret, 1 Larus sp. (a 2nd winter bird that resembled a Caspian Gull though the conditions were poor and bird over 100 yards distant). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Pitsea, 14:05 to 14:15
4 Waxwing (in 3 berry bushes on central reservation opposite Lidl superstore). Mike Bailey (SOG).
Monday 10th January 2005
Westcliff Seafront, 09:55
1 Ring-billed Gull. Steve Arlow (SOG).
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 10.10 - 11.30
5 Little Grebe, Little Egret, Grey Plover, 2 Red-breasted Merganser (1 male), c.2000 Golden Plover, 150 Brent Goose, 3 Avocet, 3 Reed Bunting, 25 Mute Swan, 2 Stonechat, Bar-tailed Godwit, 12 Shelduck, Curlew, Common Seal. Ray Fuller.
Wat Tyler Country Park, 10:30 to 12:30
18 White-fronted Goose (10 adults and 8 1st winters), 1 Water Rail, 1 Greenshank. Steve Arlow (SOG).
Hadleigh Downs, 14:20
1 Mediterranean Gull (Adult flew over Chapel Lane Car Park). Steve Bunn Essex Ranger Service.
Pitsea, 14:30
4 Waxwing (reported on pager opposite Lidl supermarket on traffic island.
Sunday 09th January 2005
Shoebury Common 0845
4 Snow Bunting. Web Author.
Vange Marsh, 09:20 to 10:00
7 Snipe, 2 Stonechat (incl. the pale male again), 9 Meadow Pipit, 35 Teal. Neil Chambers, Paul Baker (SOG).
Southend Seafront, 09:30 to 11:30
1 Purple Sandpiper (500yds. East of old Gas works pier, in wader roost.), 1 Shag (On old gas works pier.), 4 Snow Bunting (By Uncle Tom's Cabin), 1 Ring-billed Gull (Loafing around Rossi's). Graham Ryland (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park, 10:10 to 10:40
1 Peregrine Falcon (on pylon), 19 Black-tailed Godwit (4 on scrape and 15 on fields over the back), 19 White-fronted Goose (9+ adults & 10+ first winters), 1 Marsh Harrier (Immature male), 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker. Neil Chambers, Paul Baker (SOG).
Hadleigh Marshes, 10:15 to 12:15
1000 Golden Plover, 600 Lapwing, 400 Dark-bellied Brent Goose. John Wright (SOG).
Benfleet Creek, 10:30 to 12:15
4 Stonechat (Pair & 2 single males), 6 Reed Bunting. John Wright (SOG).
Southend Pier 10.30 - 13.30
12 Red-throated Diver, 1 Black-throated Diver, 6 Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Brent Goose, Common Eider, Turnstone, Knot, Dunlin, Common Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Black-headed Gull, Mediterranean Gull, 2 Kittiwake, c.8 Guillemot, Collared Dove, Pied Wagtail, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Starling. Web Author.
Canvey Point, 11:00 to 11:50
1 Red-throated Diver, 2 Stonechat (pair). Neil Chambers, Paul Baker (SOG).
Shoebury Coastguards, 11:30 to 11:30
4 Snow Bunting (West of Uncle Tom's Cabin. Simon Buckell (SOG).
Two Tree Island (West), 12:00 to 12:10
1 Greenshank, 1 Snipe, 160 Ringed Plover, 80 Dunlin, 15 Shoveler, 20 Grey Plover. John Wright (SOG).
Southend Seafront, 12:00
1 Purple Sandpiper (East of old gasworks pier. Simon Buckell (SOG).
Westcliff Seafront, 12:10 to 12:20
1 Ring-billed Gull (on sea opposite Rossi's). Neil Chambers, Paul Baker (SOG).
Southend Old Gasworks, 12:25 to 12:35
1 Purple Sandpiper (roosting on the beach just east of the Old gasworks Pier with Turnstones, Sanderlings & Ringed Plovers). Neil Chambers, Paul Baker (SOG).
Southchurch Hall Park, 12:30 to 12:40
1 Mandarin Duck (drake still present). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 12:30 to 12:30
1 Little Egret (over Western Approaches and brook), 1 Song Thrush (on and off through the day seeking worms on the lawn). Paul Baker (SOG).
Southchurch Hall Park, 12:40 to 12:50
1 Mandarin Duck (drake on island on south-west pond). Neil Chambers, Paul Baker (SOG).
Westcliff Seafront, 12:45 to 12:50
1 Ring-billed Gull (Rossi still showing well). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Southend Seafront, 12:55 to 13:40
150 Sanderling (flock regularly flushed by dog walkers, Dunlin present in the flock). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Westcliff 13.05 - 13.15
1 Waxwing on sorbus in Beverley Gardens. Mick Power.
Wat Tyler Country Park, 13:45 to 14:20
20 White-fronted Goose (16 ad, 4+ first winters), 1 Peregrine Falcon (sat on pylon ), 1 Sparrowhawk (male over reedbed), 80 Fieldfare (at least), 65 Stock Dove (flying over scrape). Mike Bailey (SOG).
Shoebury Coastguards, 13:50 to 14:30
4 Snow Bunting (present on the grass to the east of the cafe and then flew to the car park to the west). Steve Arlow, Lee Ebbs (SOG).
North Fambridge, Bluehouse Farm 14.00 - 16.00
1 Bar Headed Goose amongst flocks of 100's of Canada and Brent Geese, 8 Redshank, 10 Tufted Duck, 150+ Shelduck, 25 Widgeon, Numerous Lapwing, 100+ Golden Plover, 30 Oystercatcher, 100 Dunlin, One Short-eared Owl on the hide and a Sparrowhawk on the seawall. David Flack.
Shoebury Common 15.00
4 Snow Bunting feeding on Shoebury Common beach within 5 yards of the sea wall, between huts 445 and 460. Extensive close up views on two occasions for up to 10 minutes at a time, between them being spooked by walkers / dogs. Flock of Sanderling, probably 300+, just to the west of St Margaurites Drive. Tim, Adam and Ashley Bennett
Prittle Brook
Little Egret in Prittle Brook just by the Manchester Drive allotments in Leigh on sea. John Garwood.
Saturday 08th January 2005
Westcliff, Merilies Close, 12:30
1 Little Egret (over Western Approaches and brook), 1 Song Thrush (on and off through the day seeking worms on the lawn). Paul Baker (SOG).
Shoebury 11.20
5 Fieldfare flew north over house. Web Author.
Southend, 14:45
1 Sparrowhawk (pursuing feral pigeon over Sainsburys' at Victoria Circus). Paul Baker (SOG).
Barling Marsh, 15:00 to 15:10
2 Little Egret. John Wright (SOG).
Southchurch Hall Park 15.30 - 15.40
1 drake Mandarin Duck on main pond, 1 Goldcrest. James Mee, Web Author.
Shopland Hall, 16:00
1 Sparrowhawk. John Wright (SOG).
Friday 07th January 2005
Canvey Island, Seafront 10:15 - 10:55
3 Guillemot - west, 1 auk sp. - west, 3 Red-throated Diver - west, Kittiwake - steady trickle west. Ian White.
Thursday 06th December 2005
Southchurch Hall Park, 12:20 to 13:00
1 Mandarin Duck (drake present again on the island), 1 Blackbird (male with white central tail feathers). Don Petrie (SOG).
Shoebury Coastguards 12.40 - 12.50
4 Snow Bunting west of Uncle Toms Cabin. Steve Giles.
Oxenham Farm, 11:00 to 13:00
14 Avocet, 56 Black-tailed Godwit, 24 Ruff, 1 Little Stint (Same location as last winter). Harry Carmichael (SOG).
Wednesday 05th January 2005
Shoebury Coastguards, 12:30 to 12:50
4 Snow Bunting, 1 Mediterranean Gull (adult), 1 Grey Wagtail (over). Vince Kinsler (SOG).
Battlesbridge, 12:30
1 Little Egret (again by A130/River Crouch pool). Paul Baker (SOG).
Hanningfield Reservoir 13:15 - 14:20
30+ Canada Goose, 20+ Greylag Goose plus 2 Barnacle Goose seen in field along path from visitors centre to Rawl Hide. large numbers of Canada Goose, Teal, Pochard, Wigeon, plus 5 Tufted Duck, on reservoir. Usual numbers of Cormorant, Lapwing, Heron on island to east of Rawl Hide. Dave Griffiths.
Tuesday 04th January 2005
Westcliff Seafront, 09:30 to 09:40
1 Ring-billed Gull (Adult opposite Rossi's), 1 Mediterranean Gull (Adult opposite Rossi's). John Wright (SOG).
Southend Seafront, 09:45 to 10:15
4 Mediterranean Gull (Adults, east side of old gas works pier.), 30 Sanderling, 15 Turnstone, 10 Ringed Plover, 8 Dunlin, 5 Grey Plover, 70 Oystercatcher. John Wright (SOG).
Shoebury Coastguards, 10:30 to 10:40
4 Snow Bunting (Same area west of Uncle Tom's cabin) John Wright (SOG).
Monday 03rd January 2005
Westcliff Seafront, 08:30 to 08:40
1 Ring-billed Gull, 1 Mediterranean Gull (adult). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Shoebury Coastguards, 08:55 to 09:25
4 Snow Bunting (150 yards west of Uncle Toms Cabin on the roof of Beach Hut 459). Steve Arlow (SOG). )Showed very well most of the day. Web Author, Steve Sanford).
Wat Tyler Country Park, 10:00 to 12:30
1 Marsh Harrier (Immature male), 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Snipe, 8 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Water Rail (heard), 50 Wigeon, 45 Greylag Goose (plus c.20 Canada Geese), 10 Shoveler, 4 Pochard, 20 Teal. John Wright (SOG).
Two Tree Island (West), 10:15 to 11:00
44 Fieldfare. Andrew Woodhouse Essex Ranger Service.
Canvey Island Seafront 10:25
1 Snow Bunting around small weedy beach at end of Park Eve for 4th. day; very confiding. Ian White.
Fleet Head, 10:30 to 10:45
1 Pale-bellied Brent Goose (adult with brent flock on field behind Sea Scout Hut view from the old tip then flew to the Middleway) Steve Arlow (SOG).
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 11.10 - 13.00
23 Mute Swan, 5 Little Grebe, 54 Wigeon, 4 Red-breasted Merganser (2 male), 11 Shelduck, 10 Grey Plover, 6 Curlew, 6 Little Egret, 5 Reed Bunting, 100+ Golden Plover, 11 Brent Goose, 2 Stonechat, 3 Skylark. Ray Fuller.
Shoebury Coastguards, 11:20 to 11:30
4 Snow Bunting (on the grass beside Uncle Tom's car park). Don Petrie (SOG).
Fleet Head, 11:25 to 12:40
2 Little Egret, 60 Avocet, 1 Ruff, 105 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Reed Bunting. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Southchurch Hall Park, 12:00 to 12:10
1 Mediterranean Gull (Adult winter), 1 Grey Heron, Sparrowhawk over flew, Long-tailed Tits. (no sign of Mandarin Duck). Don Petrie, Steve Sanford, Web Author.
Shoebury Coastguards 12:30 - 13:00
4 Snow Bunting - Showed well again on beach hut roofs and common either side of Uncle Toms cabin. Dave Griffiths.
Roper's farm, 11:50 to 13:30
1 Whimbrel (unseasonal), 1 Stonechat (male), 128 Avocet (on the river), 18 Goldeneye (6 drakes and 12 females), 5 Red-breasted Merganser (4 drakes and a female). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park 12:15
1 Marsh Harrier (male) over reed bed to left of main hide, 1 Sparrowhawk (female), 2 Common Snipe, 1 Water Rail (heard). Ian White.
Hadleigh Downs, 13:00 to 13:45
1 Woodcock. Andrew Woodhouse Essex Ranger Service.
Shoebury Common (behind hut No 525) 13.00
4 Snow Bunting feeding on the grass between the Coastguard and Uncle Toms Cabin, behind hut No 525. Wayne Twelftree.
Hockley Woods 13:30 to 13:45
2 Lesser Spotted woodpecker (1m, 1f). Extended views of the pair feeding in the canopy - seen continuously for 15 to 20 minutes, with some superb views in the bright sunlight. (They were located approximately 100-120 yards, SW of the car park, about 20 yards S and W of the waste bin on the path). Tim, Adam and Ashley Bennett.
Chalkwell Park Drive, Leigh, 14:30 to 14:30
1 Sparrowhawk. John Wright (SOG).
Shoebury Common 15:00
4 Snow Bunting showing well, moving between beach and car park 100 yards west of Uncle Toms. 20 Sanderling, 40 Turnstone and a small flock of Dunlin flying along shoreline. Richard Mander.
Westcliff Seafront, 15:00 to 15:30
1 Ring-billed Gull, 2 Mediterranean Gull (ad & 1st winter), 130 Sanderling. Vince Kinsler (SOG).
Sunday 02nd January 2005
Hadleigh Downs, 05:45 to 08:00
4 Tawny Owl (All in the first field), 1 Woodcock, Steve Bunn, Simon Buckell.
Westcliff Seafront, 08:45 to 08:50
1 Ring-billed Gull (still by Rossi's), 1 Mediterranean Gull (adult). Steve Arlow (SOG).
East Tilbury 09.00 - 12.30
1 Little Egret, 277 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 200-300 Avocet (but difficult to count because of slope of shoreline), 2 Little Stint, 1 Turnstone, 4 Kittiwake, 2 Stonechat, 1 Rock Pipit. David Jobbins , Birds of East Tilbury.
Vange Marsh, 09:05 to 10:15
1 Jack Snipe (Flushed from edge of marsh), 3 Stonechat (One male was a very pale bird that looked like the Two Tree Island bird) Steve Bunn, Simon Buckell.
Wakering, Fleet Head, 09:10 to 12:30
2 Pale-bellied Brent Goose (adult with Dark-bellied Brent flock on north Fleet Head was purposefully flushed by farmer. A second bird was seen with 300+ Brent in field behind Sea Scout hut), 1 Black Brant (adult flew over Potton Bridge with 20 Brent and joined with large Dark-bellied Brent flock on north Fleet Head was purposefully flushed by farmer), 3 Ruff, 70 Avocet (at least in Middleway), 25 Skylark, 5 Little Egret. Steve Arlow (SOG).
Thorpe Bay, Willingale Way 10.15
1 Kingfisher 1 Green Woodpecker. John Pitts.
Hadleigh Marshes, 10:15 to 11:15
80 Wigeon, 28 Curlew, 1 Stonechat. Andrew Woodhouse Essex Ranger Service.
Wakering, Fleet Head 11.00 - 12.00
2 Stonechat. 8 Goldfinch. Iain Henderson.
Wat Tyler Country Park, 12:00 to 13:00
1 Marsh Harrier (Male), 1 Peregrine Falcon. Steve Bunn, Simon Buckell.
Shoebury Common 12.30 - 12.45
14 Turnstone, 1 Sanderling, 4 Snow Bunting. Web Author.
Southchurch Hall Park, 12:35 to 13:30
1 Mandarin Duck (drake half hidden on island in southern pool). Don Petrie (SOG).
Westcliff Casino, 14:45 to 14:50
1 Ring-billed Gull (opposite Rossi's). Mike Bailey (SOG).
Wakering Old Rubbish Tip, 15:00 to 16:30
2 Barn Owl. Steve Bunn, Simon Buckell.
Abberton Reservoir, Layer Breton Causeway, 15.00
20+ Goldeneye, 5 Smew (2m, 3f), 1 Goosander, 2 Turnstone, 1 male Bullfinch. R Shepherd.
Shoebury Coastguards, 15:20 to 15:25
4 Snow Bunting (roosting on roof of beach hut no455, 100 yards west of uncle tom's cabin). Mike Bailey (SOG).
Fleet Head, 15:30 to 16:00
1 Pale-bellied Brent Goose (back on north end of Fleet Head with 200+ Brent), 1 Short-eared Owl (briefly on Potton), 2 Barn Owl (1 on Potton and 1 on New England Islands). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Saturday 01st January 2005
Oxenham Farm, 08:00 to 09:30
36 Ruff (In Middleway). Chris Lewis (SOG).
Paglesham Lagoon, 08:00 to 13:15
4 Little Egret, 2 Kestrel, 10 Yellowhammer, 6 Reed Bunting, 100 Avocet (+), 500 Golden Plover (+), 6 Pintail, 2 Red-breasted Merganser, 50 Black-tailed Godwit (+), 3 Corn Bunting, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Mediterranean Gull (adult-winter), 1 Snipe. Paul Griggs, Steve Arlow, Don Petrie (SOG).
Hockley Woods, 09:00 to 09:45
2 Bullfinch (just south of the car park, then flew south deeper into the wood), 1 Nuthatch, 2 Green Woodpecker. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Southend Pier, 09:30 to 12:15
30 Red-throated Diver, 12 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Shag, 4 Kittiwake, 20 Common Scoter, 14 Pintail, 2 Red-breasted Merganser, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 4 Guillemot. Dudley Shayler, Brian Baldock (SOG).
Hadleigh Downs, 10:40 to 12:00
5 Great Spotted Woodpecker (incl. 1 drumming, and 3 together by the car park), 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Bullfinch, 90 Teal (in Benfleet Creek), 1 Little Egret (in Benfleet Creek). Neil Chambers (SOG).
Southend Pier 10:40 to 12:00
4 adult Mediterranean Gull, two with numbered rings, P20 (white on green) and 57P (black on white - Note that this should be a yellow ring but presumably has faded - Ed.). 1 Kittiwake, 2 Red-throated Diver in the distance, one flying and one on the water, about 15 Common Scoter, flying, 2 Red-breasted Merganser, flying east. David Lee.
Canvey Island Seafront 10:50
1 Snow Bunting - still present on small weedy beach at end of Park Avenue. Ian White.
Shipwrights Drive, Benfleet 11.00
Single Redwing perched on tree in garden--- followed by 8 others, all flew off southwards after couple of minutes. Tim Smith.
Shoebury Coastguards, 11:20 to 11:50
4 Snow Bunting (Showed well on field. On roof of Cabin and beach when disturbed. Much disturbance by mid-day). Harry Carmichael (SOG).
Gunners Park, 12:00 to 13:10
2 Stonechat (m.f.). Harry Carmichael (SOG).
Westcliff Seafront, 12:15 to 12:25
1 Mediterranean Gull (adult opposite Rossi's). Neil Chambers (SOG).
Southend Old Gasworks, 13:10 to 13:15
1 Purple Sandpiper (on beach just east of Old Gasworks Pier, then flushed by dog walkers and flew further east). Neil Chambers (SOG).
Earls Hall Avenue, 13:30 to 13:40
1 Mediterranean Gull (adult on school field), 1 Sparrowhawk (At 09.30). Harry Carmichael (SOG).
Shoebury Coastguards 13.30 - 14.00
4 Snow Bunting (on field between Uncle Tom's Cabin and Coastguards) plus 1 Sanderling amongst group of Turnstones. Karen Gordon.
Southend Old Gasworks, 14:00 to 14:05
1 Purple Sandpiper (roosting on the beach just east of gasworks pier). Don Petrie, Paul Griggs (SOG).
Shoebury Coastguards, 14:30 to 14:35
4 Snow Bunting (on the beach 100 metres west of Uncle Tom's). Don Petrie, Paul Griggs (SOG).