January 2006 Bird Reports
Monday 30th January 2006
Southend, 09:00
100 Fieldfare flew southeast over Manners Way. Paul Baker (SOG).
Westcliff Seafront 10:00 - 12:00
Ring-billed Gull showed very well 10 am until 11.15 am, Mediterranean Gull (4 ads & 4 2nd-winters none of which were ringed), 1 Red-breasted Merganser close inshore for over an hour, Brent Goose (family group of 6), 100+ Sanderling at high tide. Southend 12:00 - 13:00: Kittiwake (1 adult and a 1st-winter), Purple Sandpiper showed well in the high tide roost 50 yards east of Castle pub, 9 Snow Bunting opposite Castle pub. Alan Shearman RSPB.
Thorpe Hall Avenue 10.45
1 Little Egret on grass in central reservation between Barnstaple Road and Burlescoombe Road. David Davis.
Hutton, River Wid 12:30
1 Little Egret standing on river bank. Trevor Bufton.
Southend Seafront
1 Purple Sandpiper, opposite Castle Pub. Howard Vaughan.
Sunday 29th January 2006
Shenfield 09:30
1 male Siskin on nuts in garden. Trevor Bufton.
Eastwoodbury Lane area around the Vicarage 10.00 & 14.00
50+ flock of Fieldfare, flying in several groups of 20ish, flying and landing in the large trees near the Vicarage and field areas. Judith Wilkins.
Rushbottom Lane, 10:00 to 12:00
2 Green Sandpiper, 4 Snipe, 1 Little Egret, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 8 Fieldfare, 37 Lapwing. Graham Ryland (SOG).
Southend, Baxter Avenue, 10:30 to 13:15
1 Peregrine Falcon (immature male, was present throughout and after hunting would return to the top floor window ledge of Portcullis house where it could be viewed easily from Baxter Avenue beside the now derelict multi storey car park. Looked great in the sunshine!), 1 Sparrowhawk (female). Paul Baker (SOG).
Leigh on Sea, 10:30 to 10:35
1 Blackcap in garden. Brian Baldock (SOG).
Southend Seafront, 11:15 to 11:35
1 Purple Sandpiper on beach opposite castle pub. Peter Collins (SOG).
Southchurch Hall Park 12.30
Sparrowhawk circling toward a high Peregrine Falcon. 4 little Grebe and a whistling Kingfisher heard. Steve Wood.
Wakering Stairs 13.45
Short Eared Owl roosting in bushes - walk west down sea wall to metal steps, turn back east and scan bushes approx 50 yds left. Also, Kingfisher, 100+ Bar-tailed Godwit, 3 Little Egret, Yellow-legged Gull. 100's of Oystercatcher and Knot. Martin & Marie Singleton.
Leigh on Sea, 14:05 to 14:10
15 Siskin (At least 15 along Tankerville Drive by house number 136). Don Petrie (SOG).
Hurrells Lane Ford, Little Baddow 15.00
1 Little Egret. Ben Matz.
Saturday 28th January 2006
Canvey West End, 08:00 to 14:00
2 Caspian Gull (a new 2nd winter with a green ring and a new 1st winter), 1 Yellow-legged Gull (1st winter), 4 Mediterranean Gull (adults). Neil Morris, Steve Arlow (SOG).
Leigh on Sea, 08:30 to 08:35
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker on nut feeder in garden. Brian Baldock (SOG).
Wakering, Fleet Head, 08:30 to 09:30
260 Golden Plover, 60 Black-tailed Godwit. Vince Kinsler (SOG).
Benfleet, Villa Road 09:00
1 Blackcap. R Shepherd.
Southend Seafront, 09:00 to 10:00
1 Purple Sandpiper on beach opposite Castle pub. Chris Lewis (SOG).
Southend Old Gasworks Pier, 09:50 to 10:15
9 Snow Bunting, 1 Purple Sandpiper (roosting with Sanderling and Ringed Plovers 75 metres east of pier). Vince Kinsler (SOG).
Wakering Stairs, 10:00 to 11:00
1 Merlin, 1 Water Rail. Chris Lewis (SOG).
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 10.10 11.55
circa 500 Brent Goose in field, 2 Grey Plover, 18 Shelduck, 4 Curlew, 5 Teal, 4 Reed Bunting, 2 Fieldfare, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, 2 Little Egret, Snipe. Ray Fuller.
Westcliff Seafront, 10:20 to 10:30
1 Ring-billed Gull (adult), 3 Mediterranean Gull (2 x 1st winter / 1 x 2nd winter). Vince Kinsler (SOG).
Eastwood Sewage Works, 11:15 to 11:45
3 Grey Heron, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Grey Wagtail, 24 Lapwing. Vince Kinsler (SOG).
Southend Seafront, 12:00 to 13:00
3 Mediterranean Gull (2 second winters, 1 first winter. Sam Woods, Simon Buckell (SOG).
Chalkwell Park Drive, Leigh, 13:30
1 Sparrowhawk low through the garden. John Wright (SOG).
Leigh on Sea, 14:00
1 Sparrowhawk flew over Shirley Road. Dudley Shayler (SOG).
Hockley Woods, 14:40 to 15:15
1 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (male calling near car park), 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Goldcrest. Vince Kinsler (SOG).
Southend Seafront 16:20
Peregrine Falcon scattering pigeons on the top of the old gas works offices. Web Author.
Ring-billed Gull with two adult and one 2nd winter Mediterranean Gulls, 150 Sanderling. Opposite Castle Pub 9 Snow Bunting, 85 Ringed Plover, 120 Dunlin, 80+ Sanderling and a pair of Peregrines actively hunting (nearly down to 8 Snow Bunting!). Jeff Delve (EBS).
Southchurch Park
Friday 27th January 2006
Billericay, Lake Meadows 10.30 - 11.00
5 Siskin in alders and 15 Redwing on grass in front of cafeteria. Stephen Burt.
Southend 11:50
1 Little Egret seen feeding on the grass verge of the A1159 Royal Artillery Way at Bournes Green - just past the roundabout on the left heading west towards Southend. Liz Jenson.
Abberton Reservoir, Layer Breton Causeway 14:00
2 Goosander, 4 Smew (1 male 3 Redheads), 12+ Goldeneye. R Shepherd.
Westcliff Seafront, 14:00 to 14:15
1 Ring-billed Gull, 1 Mediterranean Gull (adult). Neil Chambers (SOG).
Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 16:00
55 Fieldfare feeding on hawthorn hedge at end of road. Paul Baker
Thursday 26th January 2006
Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 08:55 to 08:55
1 Sparrowhawk (male, sitting on garden fence). Paul Baker (SOG).
Canvey Island, Leighbeck 09:25 - 10:45
4 Black-throated Diver (flew east together) 
, 1 Red-throated Diver (on water), 2 Diver sp., 2 Sanderling (Canvey Point), 1 Merlin (female, flew from across river onto Canvey Point), 4 Great Crested Grebe. Ian White.
Abberton Reservoir 10:00 - 12:40
2 Little Stint, 3 Goosander, 2 Smew, 1 male Sparrowhawk, 3 Bullfinch, 30 Goldeneye, 50 Linnet. Trevor Bufton.
Westcliff Seafront 10.30
Ring-billed Gull showing well in usual place along with 2 adult and 2 first-winter Mediterranean Gull. Halfway House: 9 Snow Bunting feeding along the tide line with 2 Mediterranean Gull. Also Peregrine Flacon. Alan Shearman RSPB.
Hanningfield Reservoir 11.00 - 15.00
53 Cormorant (Rawle Hide), 9 Grey Heron, 5 Gadwall, 12 Wigeon, 20+ Long-tailed Tit, 2 Wren, 2 Goldcrest, 5 Dunnock, 1 Greater Spotted Woodpecker, 8 Goldeneye, numerous Teal, 1 Barnacle Goose with 11 Greylag and 1 Canada in a field on route to Oak Hide. 31 Fieldfare in left field exiting back into old A130. Graham Saunders and David Galloway.
Wednesday 25th January 2006
Wat Tyler Country Park, 09:30 to 10:45
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Lesser Redpoll , 16 Reed Bunting, 4 Bullfinch. Vince Kinsler (SOG).
Vange Marsh, 11:00 to 12:15
200 Wigeon (minimum), 140 Teal (minimum), 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Snipe. Vince Kinsler (SOG).
Basildon, Gloucester Park 12:30 - 14:00
6 Jackdaw, Green Woodpecker, 5 Pied Wagtail, 2 Siskin in car park near tennis courts. Gary Clinton.
Wakering, Fleet Head 14.30 - 17.00
1 Kingfisher, 1 Merlin, 1 Short-Eared Owl, 1 Ring Tailed Hen Harrier, 1 Peregrine (took off from Potton Island, stooped over the Roach, headed towards Fambridge), 1 Barn Owl, and 100+ Golden Plover in with Lapwing. Mike Sagrott.
Chalkwell Park
2 Common Buzzard reported flying over the park yesterday morning, one of which alighted on a tree in the park before eventually flying off. via Peter Ray-Smith.
Tuesday 24th January 2006
Benfleet, 09:30 to 09:35
1 Blackcap in garden. Brian Baldock (SOG).
Billericay, Lake Meadows 11:00
Siskins, small flock with 4 Goldfinches on Alder. Marion Burch.
Leigh on Sea, 12:20 to 12:40
16 Siskin opposite106 Tankerville Drive on alders. Harry Carmichael (SOG).
Westcliff Casino, 11:00 to 11:15
1 Mediterranean Gull (adult-winter), 12 Common Seal (on sandbanks). Paul Griggs (SOG).
Southchurch Hall Park, 14:20 to 14:40
1 drake Mandarin Duck on lower section, main pond. Harry Carmichael (SOG).
Monday 23rd January 2006
Southchurch Avenue 08.00
Peregrine Falcon, creating mass starling evacuation and heading back into Southend toward Southchurch Boulevard and landing on top of large shiny building at junction. Steve Wood.
Sunday 22nd January 2006
Wakering Stairs, 08:30 to 11:20
1 Stonechat, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Marsh Harrier. Brian Baldock, Dave Knight (SOG).
Magnolia NR, Hawkwell, 10:30 to 11:30
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker (drumming), 1 Green Woodpecker, 125 Redwing, 42 Greenfinch, 11 Jackdaw. Steve Sanford (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park 11.30 - 12.30
1 Sparrowhawk flew in front of museum hide, 1 Marsh Harrier (male) mobbed by crows over reed bed in a line between hide and crematorium. Stephen Burt.
Abberton Reservoir 12.00
1 Ruff, 2 Little Stint mixed in with about a dozen Dunlin. Tim & Viv Connett.
Leigh on Sea, Tankerville Drive 12:35 to 12:45,
22 Siskin approx. outside no 106 feeding in Alders, 4 Redwing, 1 Sparrowhawk. Paul Griggs (SOG).
Leigh on Sea, Tankerville Drive, 13:30 to 13:40
14 Siskin on alders. Brian Baldock (SOG).
Wakering Old Tip, 13:15 to 14:30
1 Hen Harrier (a cracking Ringtail along Potton Road and a distant male ), 1 Marsh Harrier (female), 1 Short-eared Owl (on Rushley Island), 1 Barn Owl (on Rushley Island)Steve Arlow (SOG).
Westcliff Seafront, 14:50 to 14:55
1 Ring-billed Gull (Rossi again on groyne). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Saturday 21st January 2006
Leigh-on-Sea, Underwood Square 09:00
1 Goldcrest. John Bronze.
Leigh, Tankerville Drive 09:30
5 Siskin in trees around brook. Web Author.
Hole Haven Creek, 09:35 to 14:15
3 Caspian Gull (two 1st winters and a second winter (all these birds are new individuals making a total of 9 individuals here in just three visits), 1 Mediterranean Gull (adult), 1 Yellow-legged Gull (fine adult), 1 Marsh Harrier (female), 1 Little Egret. Steve Arlow (SOG).
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 09.40 11.35
32 Shelduck, 2 Curlew, 8 Corn Bunting, 9 Reed Bunting, 2 Grey Plover, 2 Little Egret, 70 Brent Goose, 4 Skylark. Ray Fuller.
Prittle Brook (Leigh on Sea), 10:30 to 12:15
1 Blackcap in garden, 3 Goldfinch on nyjer seed, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker. Brian Baldock (SOG).
Chalkwell Park Drive, Leigh, 11:00 to 11:30
1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Redwing, 8 Fieldfare. John Wright (SOG).
Two Tree Island (East), 11:30 to 12:00
1 Greenshank. John Wright (SOG).
Hockley Woods 13:40 to 15:00
3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Mistle Thrush, 1 Nuthatch, 1 Long-tailed tit. Tim & Max Davis.
Two-Tree Island 14:30
1 Peregrine (ad female) drifted off, circling, towards Canvey. 1 kestrel (female). Andrew Cox.
Wakering Stairs, 14:30 to 16:30
5 Little Egret, 4 Barn Owl (one on Wakering Stairs the others on New England Island), 3 Short-eared Owl (New England Island), 1 Merlin (New England Island), 1 Hen Harrier (1st w. male (ringtail)), 1 Marsh Harrier (female - New England Island), 2 Kestrel. John Wright (SOG).
Friday 20th January 2006
Pitsea, 10:30 to 10:45
28 Waxwing in Pitsea Market car park and then in Homebase car park. John Wright, Mark Wickens (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park, 11:00 to 12:00
1 Mediterranean Gull (adult on the scrape), 2 Cetti's Warbler (singing near the hide), 80 Greylag Goose (on Bowers Marsh). John Wright, Mark Wickins (SOG).
Hadleigh Country Park Near Belton Way 13:30
c.15 Fieldfare. John Knott.
Southend Seafront 14.30 - 14.45
9 Snow Bunting on the beach by the Halfway House, then moving to the upper tide-line about 50 yards east. Kay Smith.
Thursday 19th January 2006
Belfairs Woods, 08:30
1 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (a possible reported by my son on his way to school). Dudley Shayler (SOG).
Canvey West End, 09:30 to 13:00
7 Mediterranean Gull (6 adults and a 2nd winter in Hole Haven creek), 70 Fieldfare (at least), 60 Redwing (at least), 1 Yellow-legged Gull (1st winter but no sign of any Caspian Gulls today: gull numbers down in general), 1 Great Black-backed Gull (adult - blue ringed bird JKE4). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Thames, QE2 Bridge 09:30
Northern Bottle-nose whale cruising upstream beneath QE2 Bridge. Either 2 beasts or repeated sighting of same animal. Gary Dunn.
Wat Tyler Country Park 10:30 - 13:25
4 Bullfinch, 1 Reed Bunting, 2 Bar-tailed Godwit (Creek), 1 Greenshank (Creek nr. Marina), 1 Little Egret (over), 2 Cetti's Warbler (heard from scrape hide). Ian White.
Pitsea 13:45
41 Waxwing in trees at the front of Homebase. Ian White.
Pitsea, 14:45 to 14:45
30 Waxwing in tree by entrance to market. Paul Baker (SOG).
Southend Old Gasworks Pier, 15:00 to 15:10
1 Purple Sandpiper with large roosting wader flock between the Gas works pier and the Castle Pub. Steve Arlow (SOG).
Wednesday 18th January 2006
Pitsea, 10:00 to 12:00
31 Waxwing feeding on apples in Tesco car park. Richard Hall.
Wat Tyler Country Park
2 Cetti's Warbler singing, 1 Water Rail. Richard Hall.
Pitsea, 13:30 to 14:00
5 Waxwing around Tesco garage. Paul Griggs (SOG).
Pitsea
6 Waxwing at Homebase. Darren Chaplin.
Tuesday 17th January 2006
Old Leigh 07.30
1 Peregrine harassing a Heron over the Peter Boat. Tim Shaw.
Canvey Way 08.00
2 Little Egret in a small drainage ditch at the bottom of Canvey Way not far from Waterside roundabout. Bob Sheridan.
Woodside Park, Thundersley, 08:00 to 09:00
9 Redwing, 2 Fieldfare, 3 Song Thrush, 1 Sparrowhawk (male displaying). Graham Ryland (SOG).
Hockley Woods, 09:00 to 10:15
5 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Nuthatch. John Wright (SOG).
Hadleigh Downs, 09:45 to 11:00
2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Sparrowhawk (male), 1 Bullfinch (male). Richard Hall.
Pitsea, 10:45 to 11:10
31 Waxwing by Tesco petrol station/Homebase car park. John Wright (SOG).
Southend Seafront, 11:00 to 13:00
1 Ring-billed Gull (on sea opposite Rossi's), 2 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Purple Sandpiper In roost by old gas works. Graham Ryland (SOG).
Leigh on Sea, 11:25 to 11:40
22 Siskin (at least 22 along Tankerville Drive by house number 110). John Wright (SOG).
Southend Seafront, 12:00 to 16:00
1 Ring-billed Gull (Opp. Rossi's), 9 Snow Bunting (Opposite Campbell Road), 1 Purple Sandpiper (Opposite Campbell Road), 1 Great Northern Diver (by pierhead viewed from gasworks). Richard Hall.
Two Tree Island 13.45 - 14.45
1 Short Eared Owl, 1 Corn Bunting, 1 Skylark, 10 Teal, 30 Shelduck, 4 Shoveler, 100 Ringed Plover, 120 Grey Plover, 5 Redshank. John & June Ford.
Southend Seafront, 14:15 to 15:00
1 Purple Sandpiper with roosting Sanderling, Dunlin, Ringed Plover opposite The Castle Pub a few hundred yards east of the Old Gasworks Pier. 9 Snow Bunting. John Wright (SOG).
South Fambridge, 15:40 to 16:30
1 Guillemot swam upriver to c3/4 mile west of South Fambridge and then back east and continued down river, 6 Little Grebe, 1 Little Egret, 2 Corn Bunting, 3 Rock Pipit, 250 Golden Plover, 900 Lapwing. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Monday 16th January 2006
Hockley Woods, 07:45 to 08:15
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Redwing. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Prittle Brook in Belfairs Woods, just north of Woodlands Park Entrance 11.20
1 Little Egret. Paul Terry.
Leigh, Tankerville Drive 12.00 - 12.10
20+ Siskin. Graham Saunders.
Pitsea 13.45
32 Waxwing by Tesco Petrol station. Graham Saunders.
Sunday 15th January 2006
Two Tree Island, 10:00 to 14:00
3 Little Grebe, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 50 White-fronted Goose (flew west over Island at approx. 11.00, these must have been the birds reported on the pager at 11.20 over the QE11 bridge), 3 Wigeon, 130 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 93 Teal, 250 Oystercatcher, 141 Ringed Plover, 225 Golden Plover, 2112 Knot, 3350 Dunlin, 451 Grey Plover, 32 Snipe, 25 Black-tailed Godwit, 260 Bar-tailed Godwit (the largest count of Bar-tails we have ever recorded), 350 Curlew, 141 Redshank, 1 Spotted Redshank, 2 Kestrel, 1 Green Woodpecker, 18 Skylark, 15 Meadow Pipit, 45 Fieldfare, 8 Reed Bunting, 2 Corn Bunting, Graham Ryland (SOG).
Prittle Brook - Pavilion Drive 10:30
1 Little Egret. Anthony Whitworth.
Wakering Stairs, 10:30 to 11:45
2 Marsh Harrier, 1 Water Rail. Brian Baldock (SOG).
Southend Seafront, Gas Works Wader Roost 11.00 - 11.30
Large numbers of Dunlin, Sanderling and Turnstone, 1 Purple Sandpiper, 7 Snow Bunting. Richard Mander.
Parklands Lake, Upminster 12.00 to 13.00
2 Ring-necked Parakeet, 2 Canada Geese. Bob Lucas.
Pitsea, 12:10 to 12:40
31 Waxwing by Tesco petrol station, earlier by the parade of shops by the central reservation. Steve Arlow (SOG).
Pitsea, 12:25 to 12:40
31 Waxwing in trees between Tesco petrol station and Homebase car park. Mike Bailey (SOG).
Wakering Stairs 13.45 - 14.30
1 Barn Owl, 1 Stonechat. Stuart Bailey.
Prittle Brook (Leigh on Sea), 14:00
1 Goldfinch on nijer seed in garden, 1 Little Egret flew over garden. Brian Baldock (SOG).
Prittle Brook (Leigh on Sea), 14:40 to 14:50
25 Siskin in Tankerville Drive adjacent to brook. Brian Baldock (SOG).
Wakering, Fleet Head 14.45 - 15.30
1 Ring-tail Hen Harrier (on Potton Island), 1 Stonechat, 8 Corn Bunting. Stuart Bailey.
Saturday 14th January 2006
Pitsea 08:45
3 Waxwing at Tesco's Pitsea which soon flew off northwards. David Lee.
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 09.50 11.35
13 Widgeon, Great Crested Grebe, 3 Red-breasted Merganser (2 males 1 female), 2 Reed Bunting, Song Thrush (scarce here), 9 Shelduck, Grey Plover, Little Egret, 10 Brent Goose, 15 Golden Plover, 2 Stonechat, Yellowhammer, Goldeneye. Ray Fuller.
Westcliff Seafront, 11:00 to 11:20
1 Ring-billed Gull (adult still here), 6 Mediterranean Gull (5 adults and a red ringed (not read) 1st winter). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Pitsea, 11:50 to 12:05
28 Waxwing in trees between Homebase and Tesco petrol station. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Southend Seafront 12:00
9 Snow Bunting opposite Castle pub. Web Author.
Paglesham, 12:00 to 13:00
10 Little Egret along the River Roach sea wall. John Wright (SOG).
Chalkwell Park Drive, Leigh, 14:00 to 15:00
14 Golden Plover over the garden, 23 Redwing over the garden. John Wright (SOG).
Southend Seafront 14:50 - 15:00
4 Snow Bunting opposite the Camellia Hotel feeding on tideline on the beach. Leslie Spurling.
Pitsea, Tesco`s 15:00
25 Waxwing coming and going. Jim Cockram.
Southchurch Park East Lake 15:10 - 15:30
2 Little Grebe, 1 Heron and a Green Woodpecker on the ground in corner of park. Leslie Spurling.
Pitsea, 15:00 to 15:15
28 Waxwing in trees bordering Homebase car park and Tesco petrol station. Mike Bailey (SOG).
Friday 13th January 2006
Battlesbridge, 09:15 to 09:15
1 Little Egret in pool again where A130 crosses Crouch. Paul Baker (SOG).
Canvey West End, 09:30 to 15:15
3 Caspian Gull adult, not one of the birds present here two days ago and 2 1st winters, one new bird and 'Snouty' from two days ago. There have now been six Caspian Gulls here in two visits, 2 Yellow-legged Gull (both 1st winters), 1 Herring Gull (leucistic bird again, also seen here on 23rd Dec 05), 1 Mediterranean Gull (adult). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Billericay 11: 00
6 Redwing with group of 20 Fieldfare feeding in front gardens of Kennel lane. 1 Mistle Thrush singing. B Stevens.
Southchurch Hall Park 11.00 - 11.10
1 Kingfisher in the long pond by Southchurch Hall Close viewed from main bridge looking towards Park Lane. Graham Saunders.
Southend Seafront, 12:00 to 13:15
1 Purple Sandpiper opposite Chester Avenue in roost of Dunlin, Sanderling and Ringed Plover, 9 Snow Bunting opposite Half Way House pub moving west. Harry Carmichael (SOG).
Canvey Island, Tewkes Creek 12:15 - 13:30
1 Spotted Redshank (opposite boating jetty), 1 Kingfisher, 25+ Bar-tailed Godwit (in mixed flocks with Knot), 300+ Golden Plover, 2 Little Egret. Ian White.
Thursday 12th January 2006
Westcliff Seafront, 09:20 to 09:25
1 Ring-billed Gull (adult again at Rossi), 2 Mediterranean Gull (adults). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Pitsea 09.45 - 10.00
23 Waxwing in tree above the tesco petrol station pay booth. (Later at Lee Valley: 2 Bittern, 2 Smew, 2 Golden Eye, Treecreeper). Graham Saunders and David Galloway.
Wednesday 11th January 2006
Westcliff Seafront, 09:05 to 09:10
1 Mediterranean Gull (adult), 1 Ring-billed Gull. Steve Arlow (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park, 10:15 to 10:35
2 Mediterranean Gull (adult and 2nd winter). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Leigh, Cliffsea Grove, 11:00 - 11:45
9 Redwing feeding on berries in small holly tree in my garden. Jenifer Akib.
Navestock Gardens, Thorpe Bay 11.15
2 Great Spotted Woodpecker in my garden. John Pitts.
Canvey West End, 11:30 to 16:15
45 Redwing (at least), 51 Black-tailed Godwit (in Hole Haven Creek), 1500 Lapwing (at least in Hole Haven Creek), 1 Mediterranean Gull (adult on sandbar in gathering of gulls at north end of Hole Haven Creek), 4 Caspian Gull (3 adults and a 1st winter in fields at north end of Hole Haven Creek (the 1st winter is the same as seen at Paglesham Lagoon on 9th Nov 05 and 6th Jan 06 - the bird with the very long bill). In addition a 2nd year and 4th year birds were seen that were probably Caspian Gulls), 2 Yellow-legged Gull (1st winters in fields at the north end of Hole Haven Creek). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Pitsea, 13:00 to 13:10
12 Waxwing. Paul Griggs (SOG).
Pitsea 13.45
25 Waxwing between Tesco Petrol Station and Homebase. Robin Peppiatt.
Tuesday 10th January 2006
Paglesham Lagoon, 08:30 to 15:20
4 Yellow-legged Gull (all 1st winters), 1 Herring Gull (colour ringed birds, Red KSS. Also a number of very white headed 1st winter birds 'resembling' both 1st winter Yellow-legged and Caspian Gulls), 20 Pintail, 15 Goldeneye. Steve Arlow (SOG).
Prittle Brook, Leigh-on-Sea 12:00 to 12:10
2 Little Egret. Tim Davis.
Monday 09th January 2006
Hanningfield Reservoir 10:00 - 13:15
1 Water Pipit (Oak Hide), 1 Bullfinch (male), 4 Pintail (Rawl Hide), 1 Peregrine (female; watched from Causeway), 1 Pink-footed Goose (with Greylags off Causeway), 1 Treecreeper. Ian White.
Southend Seafront, 10:40 to 11:00
9 Snow Bunting opposite Halfway House. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).
Pitsea 13:30
23 Waxwing in Homebase car park. Ken and Denise.
Prittle Brook (Leigh on Sea), 14:20 to 14:30
25 Siskin (tankerville drive adj to brook), 1 Little Egret. Brian Baldock (SOG).
Sunday 08th January 2006
Southend Pier, 08:30 to 10:10
2 Guillemot, 1 Razorbill , 2 Eider (females ), 5 Mediterranean Gull (3 adults, and 1 of both 1st and 2nd winters), 1 Fulmar (flew east at 9.15am), 1 Peregrine Falcon (male sat on pier halfway along was flushed by the train ). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Pitsea 09:00 - 12:45
23 Waxwing at Tesco Pitsea all morning. Darren Chaplin.
Vange Marsh / Pitsea 12:55 - 13:10
22 Waxwing in trees next to railway lines then flew back towards Tesco Extra. Gary Clinton.
Saturday 07th January 2006
Pitsea, 08:20 to 08:35
25 Waxwing by Tesco petrol station allowing very close views on cotoneaster bushes. Web Author.
Pitsea 08:45
23 Waxwing in trees near Tesco petrol station. David Lee.
Pitsea 09.15 - 09.30
26 Waxwing by Tesco petrol station, then took off over A13 but not at Lidl's or Pitsea Market car park. 4 Redwing (market car park). Martin Cracknell.
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 09.55 11.50
2 Little Egret, 6 Red Breasted Merganser (5 males 1 female) Reed Bunting, 4 Grey Plover, 6 Curlew, 18 Corn Bunting, 3 Shelduck, 3 Brent Goose, 2 Fieldfare, Sparrowhawk terrorising a Dunlin flock. Ray Fuller.
Rochford 10:15
Little Egret flew from, about 25 feet above the B1013 in Rochford, Essex, down (close to the bus-stop) into the culverted river directly on the other side of the road from Whittinghams garage. Chris O'Mahony.
Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 11:00
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker flew over. Paul Baker (SOG).
Pitsea, 11:00 to 11:15
25 Waxwing (at least 25 in Tesco's car park). John Wright (SOG).
Rushbottom Lane, 12:30 to 14:40
1 Snipe, 2 Green Sandpiper, 3 Yellowhammer, 62 Fieldfare, 1 Redwing, 22 Lapwing. 1 Weasel. Graham Ryland (SOG).
Pitsea, 13:00 to 13:10
23 Waxwing still present, now at Tesco's car park. Steve Arlow (SOG).
Wakering Stairs 13.00 -1 4.00
1 Hen Harrier, 1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Little Egret. Martin Cracknell.
Southend Seafront, 13:10 to 13:30
9 Snow Bunting opposite Lifstan Way. Web Author.
Wat Tyler Country Park, 13:10 to 13:40
1 Cetti's Warbler (seen in front of hide), 1 Mediterranean Gull (adult), 2 Little Egret, 2 Sparrowhawk (male and female chasing around in front of the hide, the male landed briefly in bush to right of hide). Steve Arlow, Lee Ebbs (SOG).
Southchurch Seafront, 13:45 to 14:00
9 Snow Bunting. Paul Griggs, Simon Watson (SOG).
Leigh-on-Sea 14:00 - 15:00
3 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Curlew, Oystercatcher, Redshank, Turnstone, 1 Little Egret (below Peterboat Pub), 6 Brent Geese just below beach, Black-headed gulls, 1 young Herring Gull. Adam Firth.
Pitsea by A13 Flyover Alongside Tesco Car Park 14:30
22 Waxwing, 3 Redwing, 2 Fieldfare. Hollis Cloughton.
Hockley Woods 14:35 to 15:55
1 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (near playground), 3 Greater Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Tree Creeper, 1 Nuthatch, 2 Song Thrush. Tim Davis.
Southend Seafront, 14:55 to 15:20
10 Mediterranean Gull seen distantly on the posts at the end of Southend Pier. Steve Arlow (SOG).
Langdon Hills pm
1 Hawfinch at Great Berry pond, near Lincewood consorting with Greenfinch flock. Also 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Mistle Thrush. Andrew Cox.
Friday 06th January 2006
Paglesham Lagoon, 09:00 to 11:40
1 Caspian Gull (1st winter (the long billed bird from 09/12/05) was seen 08.55 - 09.05 and then again 10.30-10.40), 21 Pintail, 2 Yellow-legged Gull (1st winters), 5 Goldeneye, 2 Little Egret. Steve Arlow (SOG).
Hanningfield Reservoir 12.00 - 14.30
1 Wren, 4 Goldcrest (Chestnut Wood), Teal, Tufted Duck, Lapwing, Cormorant, 5 Grey Heron, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull,3 Pied Wagtail, 1 Brambling (in amongst 20 Chaffinch) from Rawl Hide,1 Redshank, 20 Fieldfare (in meadow opposite Chestnut Wood). Chris Henry.
Canvey Island, Golf Course 13:55 - 15:35
1 Grey Wagtail (female), 1 Stonechat (male), 1 Little Egret. Ian White.
Thursday 05th January 2006
Pitsea Market Car Park 08.45 - 0910
20+ Waxwing in trees to left as you enter car park behind Barclays Bank. Brian Goss.
Wat Tyler Country Park, 10:30 to 11:00
1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Caspian Gull (apparant 2nd winter). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Pitsea, 11:00 to 12:00
23 Waxwing in Aldi/Pitsea Market Car Park accessed off Rectory Grove Drive (27 were reported before I arrived). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Thorpe Bay Sea Front Opposite Half Way House 12:30 - 13:00
7 Snow Bunting, 2 Curlew, Sanderling, Turnstone. Richard Mander.
Wat Tyler Country Park, 13:00 to 14:00
1 Water Rail, 40 Canada Goose, 30 Greylag Goose, 1 Bullfinch. Richard Howard.
Pitsea, 14:30 to 14:40
18 Waxwing. Richard Howard.
Benfleet, Villa Road 15:00 - 16:00
3 Redwing, 1 Fieldfare feeding on hawthorns. R Shepherd.
Wednesday 04th January 2006 The Waxwings are Back at Pitsea!
Ashingdon, 09:00
1 Green Woodpecker, 35 Goldfinch in and around garden. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Southend Seafront 09.30 - 10.00
9 Snow Bunting opposite Castle Public House, 2 Mediterranean Gull. Robin Peppiatt.
Pitsea, 10:20 to 11:00
19 Waxwing. I first found these birds in the tall trees opposite KFC on the opposite side of the Dual carriage way before they flew to the market car park where they showed very well. Steve Arlow (SOG).
Hockley Woods 10:30
1 female Lesser Spotted Woodpecker near car park/playground. Ross Gardner.
Wat Tyler Country Park, 11:15 to 11:40
1 Yellow-legged Gull (1st winter), 1 Little Egret. Steve Arlow (SOG).
Pitsea Market Car Park 12:00
Approx. 20 Waxwing showing well, quite steady, in trees on left hand side as you enter car park. David Hills.
Pitsea, 12:45 to 12:50
14 Waxwing near Lidl store. Paul Griggs (SOG).
Pitsea, 13:50 to 14:30
24 Waxwing (Commuting between Rectory Park Drive (Pitsea market) and Tesco petrol station), 1 Grey Wagtail (female in first alley on left along Rectory Park Drive). Mike Bailey (SOG).
Tuesday 03rd January 2006
Southchurch Seafront, 08:50 to 09:15
9 Snow Bunting opposite Halfway House. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Hadleigh Downs, 09:30 to 11:00
2 Bullfinch, 2 Sparrowhawk, 1 Peregrine Falcon. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).
Westcliff Seafront, 10:00 to 10:15
1 Mediterranean Gull (adult), 1 Little Egret. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Leigh-on-Sea 10:30
Mixed finch flock of Greenfinch, Goldfinch and Siskin on trees near, and on the roof of, 110 Tankerville Drive. David Lee.
Monday 02nd January 2006
Two Tree Island 08:15 to 11:00
About 600 Golden Plover from the SW sea wall, 3 Fieldfare, 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 male Stonechat, 3 Meadow Pipit on the aircraft field. David Lee.
Paglesham Lagoon, 09:00 to 12:00
4 Little Egret, 500 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 100 Wigeon, 8 Goldeneye, 1 Sparrowhawk, 800 Golden Plover (minimum), 500 Lapwing, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 150 Fieldfare, 3 Yellowhammer, 3 Reed Bunting, 1 Corn Bunting. Richard Howard, Paul Griggs (SOG).
Hadleigh Downs, Hadleigh Marsh, Benfleet Creek, 10:00 to 15:00,
3 Bullfinch, 1 Woodcock, 600 Golden Plover, 1000 Lapwing, 1 Rock Pipit, 1 Stonechat, 1 Greenshank, 15 Skylark, 3 Green Woodpecker, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker. Richard Howard.
Abberton Reservoir 11.30 - 15.30
2 Whooper Swan, 23 White-fronted Geese, 2 Pink-footed Goose, 2 Scaup, 6 Red-crested Pochard, 15 Goosander, 3 Smew, 1 Peregrine, 1 Greenshank, 3 Redshank, 12 Turnstone, 5 Dunlin, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Golden Plover, 2000+ Lapwing, 200+ Pintail, 3 Bullfinch. Robin Peppiatt.
Hanningfield Reservoir 11.50 - 12.30
Briefly this morning, 1 1st winter Iceland Gull from the Rawl Hide before it flew off to the south. David Jobbins.
Westcliff Seafront 13:40
1 Ring-billed Gull on the lamp-post by Rossi's. David Lee.
Southend Seafront 14:00 to 14:15
9 Snow Bunting near the Halfway House. David Lee.
Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 14:15
1 Little Egret flew up the close and over the house. Paul Baker (SOG).
East Hanningfield
1 Fieldfare. Jan Chandler.
Sunday 01st January 2006
Southend, 08:15 to 08:20
5 Mediterranean Gull (4 adults and a 2nd winter on the Victory Sports Ground playing fields). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Prittle Brook (Leigh on Sea), 08:20
1 Little Egret. Brian Baldock (SOG).
Wakering Stairs, 08:30 to 10:30
1 Hen Harrier (Rushley Island), 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Water Rail. Brian Baldock, Dave Knight, Dudley Shayler (SOG).
Paglesham Lagoon, 08:35 to 10:40
1 Little Owl (along South Hall Farm track), 1 Pintail (female), 19 Goldeneye, 5 Little Egret, 1 Yellow-legged Gull (1st winter on Roach), 1 Water Rail (in the borrowdyke by the sluice). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Westcliff Seafront 09.25
Ring Billed Gull opposite Rossi ice cream. 9 Snow Bunting opposite Half way House Pub. Shaun Harvey.
Long Road, Canvey Island 09.30
1 Sparrowhawk sitting on a tree in my back garden near the bird feeders. This Sparrowhawk has for the past few weeks been almost a daily visitor. Bob Sheridan.
Southend Pier and Seafront 09.40 - 11.00
Ring Billed Gull,14 Sanderling between Rossi's and Pier, Red-throated Diver, very posy, Black Throated Diver and 3 Great Crested Grebes. Divers and grebes showing off pier as far as you can go. David Morrison.
Thorpe Bay, Willingale Way 09.50
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Little Egret. The Egret has been a visitor to this stream every day for the past month between 09.00 and 10.00. John Pitts.
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 10.15 11.30
2 Teal, 5 Brent Goose, 6 Grey Plover, Fieldfare, 14 Widgeon, 2 Little Grebe, 2 Curlew, 9 Shelduck, Reed Bunting. Ray Fuller.
Abberton Reservoir 11.00
1 White-fronted Goose, 2 Pink-footed Geese, 1 Bar-headed Goose, 2 Peregrine Falcon, 2 Bullfinch. Tim & Viv Connett.
Westcliff Seafront, 11:30 to 11:40
1 Ring-billed Gull (adult on roof of casino), 4 Mediterranean Gull (all adults). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Southchurch Hall Park, 11:40 to 11:45
1 Chiffchaff calling frequently. Steve Arlow (SOG).
Southend Seafront, 12:00 to 13:30
9 Snow Bunting (on beach opposite Halfway House showing well), 2 Great Northern Diver (1 of these spent much of it's time close to Southend Pier head), 4 Red-throated Diver, 1 Guillemot, 1 Mediterranean Gull (adult). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Southchurch Seafront, 12:30 to 13:00
3 Red-throated Diver, 2 Great Northern Diver, 9 Snow Bunting, 1 Mediterranean Gull (ad-w). Paul Griggs (SOG).
Prittle Brook (Leigh on Sea), 13:40 to 13:45
25 Siskin. Brian Baldock (SOG).
Prittle Brook - Pavilion Drive 13:00 and 14:30
2 Little Egret. Anthony Whitworth & Georgia Mitchell.
Southchurch Hall Park, 13:30
1 Chiffchaff. Paul Griggs (SOG).
Friars Park, 13:45 to 13:55
1 Mandarin Duck (drake). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Shoebury East Beach, 13:55 to 14:10
1 Red-necked Grebe (distantly), 2 Red-throated Diver, 2 Mediterranean Gull (adults). Steve Arlow, Lee Ebbs (SOG).
Westcliff Casino, 14:00
1 Ring-billed Gull (adult), 4 Mediterranean Gull (2 ad-w, 1 2nd-w, 1 1st-w). Paul Griggs (SOG).
Southend Seafront 14:00-14:20
10 Snow Bunting on beach opposite Halfway House, plus 45 Sanderling along shoreline of Beach huts and 13 Turnstone on beach and grass area near Thorpe Bay Yacht Club. David Griffiths.
Two-Tree Island (West) 14.00-15.00
3 Stonechat, 4 Reed Bunting, 2 Fieldfare, 1 Kestrel. 36 Avocet, 2 Snipe, 1 Little Egret, 1 Golden Plover, 1 Black-tailed Godwit all on lagoon. Martin Cracknell.
Benfleet Creek, 14:00 to 15:30
1 Greenshank, 1 Spotted Redshank, 350 Golden Plover, 200 Lapwing, 50 Black-tailed Godwit, 15 Bar-tailed Godwit, 100 Grey Plover, 1 Kestrel, 1 Bearded Tit (heard). John Wright (SOG).
Wakering, Fleet Head, 14:20 to 15:00
1 Dark-bellied Brent Goose (colour ringed bird: Left yellow with F in black lettering. Right: green with 6 in white lettering with 300+ brent close to road), 4 Little Egret, 250 Shelduck (at least). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Friars Park, 15:00
1 drake Mandarin Duck. Paul Griggs (SOG).
Wakering, Fleet Head, 15:30 to 16:00
4 Little Egret, 5 Red-legged Partridge, 2 Stonechat (pair), 9 Corn Bunting. Paul Griggs (SOG).