Bird Reports For January 2007

Wednesday 31st January 2007

Hockley Woods, 07:45 to 08:15
4 Great Spotted Woodpecker (all drumming), 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Nuthatch (singing), 2 Treecreeper. Neil Chambers (SOG).

 Hockley Woods 08.00 - 09.30
2 Green Woodpecker, 4 Greater Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (in clearing), 2 Nuthatch, 1 Hawfinch (play area). Cleve Bull.

Wat Tyler Country park (From Marina), 08.15
1 Short-eared Owl on a fencepost on Vange Wick. Flew down into cover when mobbed by 5 or 6 crows. Glenn Jacobs RSPB.

Hockley Woods, 08:30 to 10:00
2 Nuthatch, 1 Hawfinch, 8 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Green Woodpecker. Bob Young (SOG).

Hanningfield Reservoir 09.00 - 11.30
Pochard, Lapwing, Greylag and Canada Geese, Tufted Duck, Teal, 100's Wigeon, Shoveler, 2 pair Gadwall, pair Goldeneye, 2 Little Grebe, 3 Jay, Pied Wagtail, 5 Grey Heron, 1 male Chaffinch. Chris Henry.

Battlesbridge, 09:25
1 Little Egret on pool just west of A130 to the south of the Crouch, seen from road. Paul Baker (SOG).

Two Tree Island 09:25 to 11:25
26 Avocet, 3 Little Grebe, 1 Great Crested Grebe in Benfleet Creek, 1 Greenshank, a large roost of Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Redshank on the lagoon. 2 Little Egret. David Lee.

Lea Valley Park 10.00 - 13.00
3 male Smew, 1 female on boywer water, 2 male, 1 female Goldeneye on friday lake, 1 female Kestrel hunting over powder mills, Tufted Duck, Gadwall, Shoveler, and Wigeon on scrape. M Howell.

Southend Pier, 11:00 to 12:30
1 Great Northern Diver, 4 Red-throated Diver, 3 Guillemot, 2 Purple Sandpiper, 1 Kittiwake, 3 Mediterranean Gull. Bob Young (SOG).

Wat Tyler Country Park 11.30
4 Bearded Reedling, birds constantly on view close to hide calling and flitting around reeds, Pair Stonechat, 2 Water Rail. Water Vole. Gary Clinton.

River Crouch, Brandy Hole walking East Along Footpath 14.00
3 Red-breasted Merganser, 2 Little Egret, Grey Plover, Golden Plover, Brent Goose, Redshank, Curlew, Ringed Plover, Reed Bunting, Oystercatcher, Lapwing, Shelduck. David Chivers.

Battlesbridge, 15:40 to 15:45
1 Grey Wagtail feeding near barges. Dudley Shayler (SOG).

Tuesday 30th January 2007

Eastwood, Mayflower Close, 09:00
1 Little Egret east of road bridge. Paul Baker (SOG).

Wallasea Wetlands 09:45 - 11.00
2 Little Stint (again nearest mud by carpark), 150+ Dunlin, 120 Ringed Plover, c1000 Golden Plover, c1500 Lapwing, Grey Plover, Redshank, Curlew. Female Goosander, male Red-breasted Merganser, 1 Gt Crested Grebe all eastern end. On river 1 Great Northern Diver and 1 Common Scoter. Jeff Delve (EBS).

Hockley Woods 10.00 - 14.00
1 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, 7 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Green Woodpecker being chased by Sparrowhawk, 1 Nuthatch, 2 Kestrel, 3 Jay, many Great/Blue and Long-tailed Tits. M Jameson, M Howell.

Southend Pier 11.50 to 14.20
2 Great Northern Diver at pier head on N side of KGV extension, 3 Great Crested Grebe to west towards Leigh buoy, 3 Cormorant of which 1 1st-winter and 2 adult 1 of which already showing white thigh patch, 11 Mediterranean Gull, of which 2 adult, 1 2nd-winter, 8 1st-winter among which 1 had metal ring on right tarsus and white band on left tarsus with black numbering 3K89. Martin Johnson.

Wat Tyler Country Park 12.00
Pair stonechat around the scrape, 10 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Oystercatcher and 2 Cetti's Warblers singing. Alan Shearman RSPB.

Benfleet Station, 12:00 to 13:00
1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Little Egret. Simon Watson (SOG).

Hanningfield Reservoir 15.00 - 16.30
Wigeon, Teal, Pintail, Shoveler, Tufted Duck, Mallard, Canada and Greylag Geese on field, many Cormorant and Lapwing on island. M Jameson, M Howell.

Monday 29th January 2007

Hockley Woods 07.55
Hawfinch in tree top, south east corner of play field. Cleve Bull.

Eastwood, Mayflower Close, 09:00
1 Little Egret just east of road bridge. Paul Baker (SOG).

Southend Pier, 09:15 to 11:00
2 Great Northern Diver (juveniles at very close range), 5 Guillemot, 11 Mediterranean Gull (6 1st winter, 3 adults and 2 2nd winters), 9 Kittiwake (adults), 1 Shag (juvenile on the slipway). Steve Arlow (SOG).

Southend Pier 12.10 to 14.30
2 Great Northern Diver close to pier head, 3 Great Crested Grebe c.300m west of pier head, 1 Cormorant, 9 Mediterranean Gull on pier head of which 1 adult bore metal ring on right tarsus with numbers to small to read and on left tarsus a white band with black lettering 3E72. Martin Johnson.

Wat Tyler Country Park 14.00
Pair of Stonechat on the scrape, 1 Green Sandpiper, Water Rail along far bank of scrape and another in RSPB office garden below feeders. Alan Shearman RSPB.

Sunday 28th January 2007

Prittle Brook (Leigh on Sea), 08:00 to 09:00
9 Goldfinch, 8 Greenfinch, 1 Blackcap, 1 Sparrowhawk. Brian Baldock (SOG).

Hockley Woods, 08:00 to 09:00
1 Nuthatch, 1 Treecreeper, 1 Green Woodpecker, 6 Great Spotted Woodpecker (5 drumming). Neil Chambers (SOG).

Hockley Woods 08.00 - 09.30
1 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Jay. David Flack.

Hockley Woods 08.00 - 10.00
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (pair) in clearing, 1 Nuthatch, 4 Greater Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Treecreeper. Cleve Bull.

Eastwood, Mayflower Close, 09:20
1 Little Egret (usual place), 1 Grey Heron. Paul Baker (SOG).

Rochford Golf Course, 09:30 to 13:00
1 Little Egret, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker. Neil Chambers (SOG).

Hockley Woods, 09:45 to 10:20
2 Green Woodpecker, 5 Great Spotted Woodpecker. Paul Baker (SOG).

Southend Pier 10.00 - 12.30
3 Red-throated Diver, 1 Black-throated Diver, 2 Great Northern Diver very close to pier, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Grey Plover, Bar-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Turnstone, Knot, Dunlin, Common Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Black-headed Gull, 6 Mediterranean Gull, 4 Guillemot, 1 Razorbill, Carrion Crow, Common Starling. 9 Common Seal on Ray. Web Author.

Wallasea Island 11.00 - 11.30
2 Little Egret, 100+ Ringed Plover, 4 Black-backed Gull. David Flack.

South Fambridge to Brandy Hole 11.05 - 12.40
9 Great Crested Grebe, 7 Little Grebe, 185 Brent Geese, 16 Wigeon, 6 Shelduck, 300+ Lapwing (on north side of river), 22 Curlew, 15 Redshank, 5 Great Black Backed Gull, 9 Fieldfare. David Selley.

Danbury Lakes Country Park 11.30
2 pairs Goosander, Marion Burch.

Cherry Orchard Lane, 13:00 to 13:25
1 Green Sandpiper. Neil Chambers (SOG).

Leigh-on-Sea 14.00
1 Green woodpecker in back garden searching for food on the ground. Also 2 female Chaffinch and 1 male Chaffinch on bird feeders. Sue Bentham.

Hockley Woods 14.00 - 15.50
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker female c.500m SSE of car park cGrid Ref 832916 with mixed tit flock. 4 Goldcrest, Treecreeper. Unusually also a flock of Song Thrushes working through trees - at least 8 birds. Jeff Delve (EBS).

Shoebury Coastguards, 16:00
2 Snow Bunting right at the top of the beach in front of hut 511 and showing well before being flushed by dog walker and then flew east to Coastguards. Paul Baker (SOG).

Two Tree Island (West), 16:15 to 16:20
1 Ring-billed Gull (adult winter left of slipway loafing with circa 600 gulls, mainly Black-headed and Common Gulls). Graham Ryland (SOG).

Eastwood, Mayflower Close, 16:30
1 Little Egret flew west along brook towards rear of David Lloyd sport centre. Paul Baker (SOG).

Hullbridge
Male Sparrowhawk in back garden. David Flack.

Saturday 27th January 2007

Hockley Woods 07.30 - 10.30
1 Mistle Thrush, 1 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (male), 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Treecreeper, 2 Green Woodpecker, 2 Nuthatch, 1 Song Thrush. Paul and Matt Bruty.

South Fambridge, 07:45 to 09:15
1 Great Northern Diver (drifted east on ebbing tide before flying east along the river at 08:00 and lost to view), 4 Red-breasted Merganser (2 drakes), 2 Corn Bunting, 1 Yellowhammer, 17 Little Grebe, 6 Great Crested Grebe, 15 Fieldfare. Neil Chambers (SOG).

Hockley Woods, 08:30 to 10:45
1 Hawfinch in canopy briefly close to the glade, 2 Treecreeper, 1 Nuthatch, 1 Sparrowhawk (female). Graham Ryland (SOG).

Hockley Woods, 08:30 to 10:45
1 Hawfinch in canopy briefly close to the glen, 2 Treecreeper, 1 Nuthatch, 1 Sparrowhawk (female). Graham Ryland (SOG).

Gunners Park 11.30 - 13.30
1 Kingfisher on the last part of channel sitting on an upturned Shopping Trolley, 2 Kestrel in the last tree and two Jackdaw calling overhead, up to 4 Little Egret all over park, Great Spotted Woodpecker on road trees. Steve Wood.

Wat Tyler Country Park 11:30 - 14:00
1 Marsh Harrier (female), 9 Rook, 1 Cetti's Warbler (heard), 1 Little Grebe, 1 Sparrowhawk (male), 1 Peregrine Falcon, 5 Goldfinch. Paul and Matt Bruty.

Southend Pier, 12:10 to 13:15
1 Great Northern Diver (feeding, inside pierhead, directly below), 1 Red-throated Diver, 17 Mediterranean Gull (Ad., 7; sec. winter 2; first winter 8.), 1 Guillemot, 1 Razorbill, 11 Great Crested Grebe. Harry Carmichael (SOG).

Shoebury Beach 14.00
2 Snow Bunting. John wilson.

Belton Hills, 14:30 to 14:35
2 Great Spotted Woodpecker. John Wright (SOG).

Two Tree Island 14:30 - 16:30
1 Grey Plover, 24 Avocet, 2 Common Snipe, 2 Stonechat, 1 Short-eared Owl, 2 Kestrel, 3 Little Egret, 2 Pheasant, 1 Sparrowhawk (female, harassing Short-eared Owl). 1 Water Vole. Paul and Matt Bruty.

Leigh, Tattersall Gardens 14.32
1 Sparrowhawk, male, settled in maple tree in neighbour's garden. Martin Johnson.

Two Tree Island (West), 14:45 to 16:00
637 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Bar-tailed Godwit, 400 Knot, 41 Wigeon, 2 Little Egret. Paul Griggs (SOG).

Hadleigh Marshes, 15:00 to 16:00
1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Water Rail (heard, in borrow dyke), 600 Golden Plover, 500 Lapwing. John Wright (SOG).

Leigh on Sea, 15:20
1 Green Woodpecker on the golf driving range. John Wright (SOG).

Chalkwell Park Drive, Leigh, 16:30
1 Little Egret over the garden heading towards Two Tree Island. John Wright (SOG).

Westcliff Seafront
1 Ring-billed Gull and Mediterranean Gull by Rossi, 1 Red-throated Diver, 2 Red-breasted Merganser, 2 Great Crested Grebe and Shag in channel between sand banks and shore. Also 12 Common Seals on sand banks. John Murray.

Wallasea Wetlands
Red-breasted Merganser - cracking male, Goosander the female that has been here for a good few weeks now, 30 Brent Goose, 100+ Shelduck, good numbers of Mallard and Teal (400+) and a scattering of Wigeon. Little Stint - 2 near car park later joined by a third, 1 Knot, 400+ Dunlin, c.50 Ringed Plover, 44 Grey Plover, 20 Golden Plover, 500+ Lapwing, 50+ Redshank, 16 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Avocet. Definitely springlike - Song Thrush singing well into the evening in the garden. Jeff Delve (EBS).

South Fambridge / Brandy Hole
9 Mute Swan, 12 Grey Plover, 2 Little Egret, 7 Little Grebe, 6 Great Crested Grebe, 20 Wigeon, 35 Teal, 100+ Fieldfare, 6 Reed Bunting, 68 Brent Goose, 7 Corn Bunting, 2 Curlew, 100+ Shelduck, 4 Red Breasted Merganser (2m 2f) 3 Skylark. Ray Fuller.

Friday 26th January 2007

Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 09:10
1 Little Egret in brook just east of road bridge for a change! Paul Baker (SOG).

Rayleigh, 09:20
1 Sparrowhawk by the A130 between Battlesbridge and A127. Paul Baker (SOG).

Hockley Woods, 09:30 to 11:30
1 male Bullfinch in play area, 1 Sparrowhawk, 4 Green Woodpecker, 6 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Treecreeper, 1 Nuthatch, 2 Stock Dove. John Wright (SOG).

Cherry Orchard Lane, 12:00 to 12:10
2 Green Sandpiper. Vince Kinsler (SOG).

RSPB Vange Marsh, 12:00 to 12:30
2 Stonechat (pair). John Wright (SOG).

Wat Tyler Country Park, 13:10 to 13:40
2 Cetti's Warbler (heard). John Wright (SOG).

Shoebury Beach 13.45 - 14.15
3 Snow bunting. John Wilson.

Thursday 25th January 2007

Hockley Woods, 09:30 to 11:20
1 Hawfinch (female in the children's play area at 09:35), 1 Bullfinch (male in the children's play area), 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Green Woodpecker, 4 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Tawny Owl (heard only - called 6 times), 2 Nuthatch. John Wright (SOG).

Leigh, Tattersall Gardens 10.22
1 Sparrowhawk, large, presumed female, flying at roof height over gardens. Martin Johnson.

Belhus Wood - Conservation Lake, 12.30
2 drake Smew. M.Noble.

Benfleet Creek to Two Tree Island, 14.30 - 16.50
From Benfleet bridge a small number of Teal, 1 Little Egret and 2 Grey Heron amongst usual plethora of Lapwing, Oystercatcher, Redshank. Opposite Hadleigh Castle, Green Woodpecker on seawall, 3 Curlew in fields with numerous Lapwing. About 12 Shelduck present in creek amongst 18 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 38 Teal and 1 Cormorant. Kingfisher on outfall at Roman Baths jetty. 16 Avocet in lagoon with 23 Brent Geese which flew over sea-wall into pasture. Short-Eared Owl in Borrow Dyke at 16.50 hours and procession of Little Egret heading westwards at dusk. Leslie Spurling.

Two Tree Island (West), 15:30 to 16:00
3 Greenshank on the lagoon, 6 Little Egret. John Wright (SOG).

Wat Tyler Country Park
Around the RSPB office has been female Blackcap still and this afternoon 2 Water Rails have been beneath the feeders, also 1 Little Egret over the office. Alan Shearman RSPB.

Wednesday 24th January 2007

Wat Tyler Country Park 14.30
From screen hides over looking the tidal creek: 2 Greenshank, 14 Redshank, 2 Curlew, 21 Wigeon and a Little Egret. Female Blackcap still around the RSPB office. Alan Shearman RSPB.

Tuesday 23rd January 2007

Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 08:20
1 Little Egret in brook in usual place. Paul Baker (SOG).

Lea Valley Park 14.00 - 16.30
1 male Smew on 70 acre lake, 7 sightings of Kingfisher, small flock Goldfinch on teasels, 2 male and 1 female Goldeneye, 1 Green Woodpecker. 1 Red Fox near goose field. M Jameson, M Howell.

Shoebury Seafront, on Beach just West of Coastguards, 15.10 to 15.55
4 Ringed Plover, 24 Sanderling, 3 Turnstone, 2 Dunlin, 1 Snow Bunting. Martin Johnson.

Monday 22nd January 2007

Westcliff Casino, 08:50 to 09:10
1 Mediterranean Gull (adult-winter), 3 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron. 19 Common Seal. Paul Griggs (SOG).

Shoebury Seafront, 08:30 to 08:40
2 Snow Bunting just west of Coastguards/Uncle Tom's cabin on beach opposite beach hut 500. John Wright (SOG).

Westcliff Seafront, 09:00 to 09:05
20 Common Seal on sand bank. John Wright (SOG).

South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 10.10 - 11.50
40+ Fieldfare, 15 Wigeon, 3 Little Egret, 2 Little Grebe, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 60 Golden Plover, 10 Curlew, 3 Reed Bunting. Ray Fuller.

Canvey Island, 11:30 to 12:15
1 male Stonechat on seawall by Newlands Country Park, 43 Corn Bunting (35 around seawall by Newlands and 7 by Benfleet Yacht Club), 1 Little Egret in the creek by the Canvey/Benfleet road bridge. John Wright (SOG).

Wat Tyler Country Park 12.00 - 14.00
Female Blackcap outside of office window, Marsh Harrier over Pitsea Marsh, 8 Black-tailed Godwit, 10 Shelduck on the scrape and a Little Egret. Alan Shearman RSPB

Sunday 21st January 2007

Abberton Reservoir 09.00
3 Goosander (2 male, 1 female). Martin Cracknell, Steve Sanford. Web Author.

Hockley Woods 09:30 - 11:45
3 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (pair in woods behind wood yard, + 1 lone female), 1 Nuthatch, 4 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 5+ Treecreeper, 1 rather tatty Red Admiral. Tim Bourne.

Hockley Woods, 09:45 to 10:20
2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Nuthatch, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Treecreeper (in the glade), 1 Hawfinch (reliably reported by several observers as present in playarea at 09:30). Paul Baker (SOG).

Two Tree Island, 10:45 to 14:15, (WEBS)
1 Red-throated Diver, 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Rock Pipit, 1 Water Rail, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Little Grebe, 53 Wigeon, 56 Teal, 215 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 62 Shelduck, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 6 Little Egret, 3450 Dunlin, 1 Kestrel, 450 Knot, 603 Redshank, 415 Curlew, 108 Ringed Plover. Graham Ryland (SOG).

Rolls Farm 11.30 - 14.00 (location map here)
Common Buzzard, 3 Long-tailed Duck (1 superb adult male and 2 female), 1 Great-northern Diver, Stonechat (pair). Martin Cracknell, Steve Sanford. Web Author.

Benfleet Creek, 12:00 to 13:30
1 Peregrine Falcon, 3000 Knot (Approx number), 700 Golden Plover (Approx number), 300 Bar-tailed Godwit (approx number), 1 Red-breasted Merganser. Steve Bunn (SOG).

Rochford Golf Course, 12:15 to 15:20
2 Great Spotted Woodpecker. Neil Chambers (SOG).

Paglesham 12.20
1 Ring-necked Parakeet flying from the copse near the Essex boatyard across the field towards Paglesham. Iain Henderson.

Two Tree Island East 12.45 - 14.30
1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 1 Peregrine Falcon, 6 Snipe, Meadow Pipit, 2 Fieldfare, 5 Reed Bunting. Stuart Bailey, Gordon Appleton.

Cherry Orchard Lane, 13:30
2 Green Sandpiper. Paul Griggs (SOG).

Hadleigh Castle CP and Benfleet Creek 13:30 - 15:30
Very high tide, so many birds on grazing marsh including: large numbers (300+/-) of Lapwing and Golden Plover, 5 Pintail flying off over the creek, 3 Twite along seawall near lagoon. Ross and Chris Gardner.

Hockley Woods, 14:15 to 15:15
2 Great Spotted Woodpecker. Neil Chambers (SOG).

Bulphan Fens 15.00
Fieldfare, flock of 50 in Church Lane and approx 250 in Dennings Lane. Kevin Rees.

Two Tree Island West 15.00 - 16.15
1 Short-eared Owl. Stuart Bailey, Gordon Appleton.

Shoebury Seafront, 15:15 to 16:00
2 Snow Bunting on beach near beach hut 500. Don Petrie (SOG).

Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 15:30
1 Little Egret in brook again - usual place. Paul Baker (SOG).

Cherry Orchard Lane, 15:30
1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Mediterranean Gull (adult winter). Paul Baker (SOG).

Belfairs Golf Course, 15:35
1 Sparrowhawk. Dudley Shayler (SOG).

Saturday 20th January 2007

Hockley Woods 08.30
1 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (in the opening, in the trees near the piles of bark). Matt Bruty.

Hockley Woods 11.30
1 Bullfinch (male) in play area. Matt Bruty.

Rochford Golf Course, 12:15 to 15:20
2 Great Spotted Woodpecker. Neil Chambers (SOG).

Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 15:30
1 Little Egret in brook again - usual place. Paul Baker (SOG).

Cherry Orchard Lane, 15:30
2 Green Sandpiper. Neil Chambers (SOG).

Friday 19th January 2007

Wat Tyler Country Park (RSPB Walking Fit With Wildlife) 10:00 to 12:00
Little Grebe, 1 Mute Swan, 30 Greylag, 1 Canada Goose (with Greylags), Gadwall, Shoveler, Teal, Wigeon, Shelduck, Pochard, 1 Tufted Duck, Cormorant, Moorhen, Coot, Sparrowhawk, Redshank, Curlew, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, Black-headed Gull, Carrion Crow, Magpie, Jay, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Meadow Pipit, Cetti's Warbler, Pheasant, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Long-Tailed Tit, Robin, Blackbird, Dunnock, Wren, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch. (37 species). Richard Gray.

Wat Tyler Country Park
1 Short-eared Owl across creek, at least 5 Water Rail, 1 male Sparrowhawk, 2 Cetti's Warbler, one showing briefly from hide. Andrew Cox.

Thursday 18th January 2007

Coalhouse Fort, Tilbury (RSPB Guided Walk) 10.00 - 11 .50
Shelduck, Little Egret, Avocet, Grey Plover, Dunlin, Curlew, Redshank, Black-headed Gull, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, White Wagtail (alba) 1, Stonechat 2, Blackbird, Blue Tit, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Reed Bunting, Total number of species 23. We thought last week was windy! Alan Shearman RSPB.

Gunners Park 11.30 - 13.30
2 Kingfisher, one on pond near road side and one at the far end of channel near sea, 3 Little Egret flying all over the park, 2 Redshank in channel and a flock of Meadow Pipit. Steve Wood.

Wednesday 17th January 2007

Hockley Woods, 08:15 to 09:05
3 Great Spotted Woodpecker (2 drumming), 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Nuthatch. Neil Chambers (SOG).

Leigh on Sea, 16:15 to 16:20
1 Sparrowhawk over Leighwood Avenue. Dudley Shayler (SOG).

Tuesday 16th January 2007

Westcliff Casino, 08:20 to 08:35
1 Mediterranean Gull (adult-winter). Paul Griggs (SOG).

Southend Old Gasworks Pier, 08:40 to 08:55
1 Kittiwake (adult), 1 Great Crested Grebe. Paul Griggs (SOG).

Shoebury Coastguards, 09:00 to 09:10
2 Snow Bunting (on the beach by hut 498). Paul Griggs (SOG).

Southend Pier, 09:15 to 09:20
1 1st-winter Mediterranean Gull at the base of the pier. Paul Griggs (SOG).

Highlands Boulevard, Leigh, 16:10
1 Sparrowhawk. Paul Baker (SOG).

Monday 15th January 2007

Rochford, Craven Close at Golden Cross. 16.00
Sparrowhawk perched for several minutes in the top of a leylandii. Richard Goring.

Sunday 14th January 2007 (first winter report of Hawfinch)

West Wood, Hadleigh 08:00 to 09:30
1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers (drumming), 2 Treecreeper (pair), 2 (at least) Nuthatch, 4 Stock Dove, numerous Goldcrest. Richard Gray.

Two Tree Island 08:30
Peregrine Falcon sitting on a post on the marshes east of the island. David Lee.

Bishopsteignton, Shoeburyness 09.00
16 Magpies in one tree. Nina Singer.

Hockley Woods 09:30
1 Hawfinch far end of play area feeding under Hornbeam. Jeff Delve (EBS).

Vange Marsh, 10:00 to 11:30
1 Dartford Warbler (male, showed extremly well on a number of occasions, also calling and in brief sub song. Both sides of the moat by the green gate/fence), 1 Cetti's Warbler (heard), 2 Stonechat (pair), 15 White / Pied Wagtail, 20 Meadow Pipit, 10 Reed Bunting. John Wright (SOG).

Prittle Brook (Southend), 10:15 to 12:15
2 Grey Wagtail, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Green Woodpecker. Brian Baldock (SOG).

Hadleigh Marshes, 10:30 to 11:45
150 Wigeon, 19 Fieldfare, 20 Goldfinch. 1 Red Admiral. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).

Two Tree Island 10.30 - 12.00
2 Kestrel (male & female), 1 Water Rail, 1 Stonechat, 3 Reed Bunting. Andrew Bridge.

Wakering, Oxenham Farm, 10:40 to 13:50
1 Hen Harrier (ringtail), 1 female Marsh Harrier, 2,800 Golden Plover (several flocks combined on mudflats), 165 Black-tailed Godwit. Harry Carmichael (SOG).

Rayleigh, 11:00
1 Small Tortoiseshell flying around my garden this morning. Neil Chambers (SOG).

Abberton Reservoir 12:00 - 14:30
5 Male Goosander, 2 Female Goosander from the Layer causeway, possibly 1 female Scaup from the King hide. Wayne Twelftree.

Marine Parade, Southend 12.15
1 Peregrine Falcon wheeling and gliding east opposite 'New York'. Martin Johnson.

Gunners Park 12.30 - 13.30
2 Little Egret on Lake, 2 kestrel (pair) and a female Sparrowhawk. A Green Sandpiper was heard and 2 Redshank in channel. Steve Wood.

Vange Marsh, 13:00 to 13:30
1 Dartford Warbler (male, generally elusive though showed well briefly several times before flying to middle of the marsh). Steve Arlow (SOG).

Wakering Stairs 13.00 - 14.15
2 Marsh Harrier. Stuart Bailey, Gordon Appleton.

Danbury Lakes Country Park 13:45 - 15:00
9-10 Goosander (all redheads). Neil Chambers (SOG).

Potton Creek 14.00 - 15.30
5,000 Knot, 2,000 Brent Geese, 6 Reed Bunting, 1 Shoveler, 6 Long Tailed Tit. Brian and Jan Coveney.

Southchurch Seafront, 14:15 to 14:45
2 Kestrel (male and female). Don Petrie (SOG).

Benfleet Downs, 14:30 to 15:00
1 Woodcock. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).

Wakering, The Fleet 15.00 - 16.00
2 Short-eared Owl on Potton Island. Stuart Bailey, Gordon Appleton.

River Roach, Stretch of river from Stambridge Mills to Barton Hall Creek, 15:00 to 16:00
406 Black-tailed Godwit, 200 Golden Plover (at least), 4 Red-breasted Merganser, 2 Little Egret, 5 Great Crested Grebe, 6 Little Grebe. Steve Arlow (SOG).

Shoebury Seafront, 15:30 to 16:20
2 Snow Bunting on the beach feeding on the strand line between beach hut 460 and 490, much disturbed by dogs and people. Don Petrie (SOG).

Wallasea Wetlands, Easternmost section. 15:45 - 16:30
Barn Owl from road working a ditch to south, 15 Black-tailed Godwit, female Common Scoter on one of the lagoons and, most surprisingly, a female Goosander. Jeff Delve (EBS).

Hampton Barns, 16:30 to 16:35
1 Little Owl (in usual spot - the copse by the pink barn). Steve Arlow (SOG).

Saturday 13th January 2007

Cherry Orchard Lane, 09:30
2 Green Sandpiper. Neil Chambers (SOG).

South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 09.35 - 11.15
75 Brent Goose, 3 Little Grebe, 3 Little Egret, 55 Shelduck, 100+ Teal, 12 Curlew. Ray Fuller.

Westcliff Seafront, 11:40 to 11:55
1 adult Ring-billed Gull opposite Rossi's, 3 Mediterranean Gull (Adult, 2nd W, & 1st W. opp. Rossi's). John Wright (SOG).

Southend Pier 14.15 - 14.30
8 Guillemot by the lifeboat area sheltering from the high winds as usual. Graham Saunders and David Galloway.

Wallasea Island
Male Peregrine flew SW from wetlands. Jeff Delve (EBS).

Scotts Hall Lane, Canewdon
Little Owl, regular here - usually second oak on right as come into road from south. Jeff Delve (EBS).

Thursday 11th January 2007

Hadleigh Castle Country Park (RSPB guided walk) 10.00 - 12.10
20 Shelduck, 8 Grey Heron, Kestrel, Coot, 60 Avocet, Lapwing, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Stock Dove, Wood pigeon, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Jay, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Starling, Chaffinch. 23 species in very windy and wet conditions. Alan Shearman RSPB.

Wednesday 10th January 2007

Wat Tyler Country Park, 08:10 to 08:30
2 Cetti's Warbler singing - 1 immediately right of the hide which showed briefly, and the other more distantly off to the left, 1 Water Rail calling, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 20 Teal. Neil Chambers (SOG).

Hockley Woods, 08:30 to 10:30
1 Green Woodpecker, 4 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Treecreeper, 4 Nuthatch. 1 Weasel. Vince Kinsler (SOG).

Abberton Reservoir 11.00 - 15.00
Flock of Goldfinch by visitors centre, 2 Goosander, lots Wigeon, a number of male and female Goldeneye, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Redshank, a few Pochard. Michael Howell, Martin Jameson.

East Mersea 15.30 - 16.30
1 Little Egret, Turnstones, large flock of about 199 Brent Geese, 2 Stonechat, Wigeon, Curlews and Godwits on field. Martin Jameson, Michael Howell.

Wat Tyler Country Park
5 White-fronted Geese feeding on Pitsea Marsh with the flock of Greylag, viewed from the museum hide. Also 4 Shelduck and 2 Cetti's Warbler. Alan Shearman RSPB.

Abberton Reservoir
3 Goosander, drake Smew & Red-crested Pochard. Layer Breton Causeway: Black-necked Grebe (Soper Hide) as previously reported by Andrew. Also 4 Hawfinch on Sunday at Braxted visible from outside the wall. Had a nice view of a Merlin this am at Coggeshall, close to the entrance to Markshall. Simon Cox.

Tuesday 09th January 2007

Hanningfield Reservoir 09.00
Strange sight of a 'raft' of around 150 Cormorants in a feeding frenzy. It looked as though fish were shoaling about 100 yards off the west end of the causeway and the Cormorants were taking advantage, attacking each other in the process to grab the fish. Kevin Rees.

Battlesbridge, 09:40
1 Little Egret flew west over A130 between Battlesbridge and A127. Paul Baker (SOG).

Southend Pier 12.00 - 13.00
1 Mediterranean Gull, 6 Guillemot in sheltered area on east side of pier. 50+ Bar-tailed Godwit flew over the pier as we were walking out. Also 2 Snow Bunting on shore in front of Uncle Tom's car park. Stephen Burt.

Monday 08th January 2007

River Roach (opposite Purdeys Industrial Estate on Sutton Road) 09.20
1 Little Egret. Mrs L.A.Key

Southend Pier 14.30-15.45
8 Guillemot sheltering from rough seas in Lifeboat bay, 200 Turnstone roosting on slipway, 8 Kittiwake, Mediterranean Gull with Green Leg Ring 'AAEZ', Southend Seafront: 4,000+ Starlings in 3 groups performing aerobics before roosting along Cliff gardens at Royal Terrace. Spectacular to watch for at least 30 minutes before we eventually left. Darren Chaplin.

Sunday 07th January 2007

Benfleet Creek, 09:00 to 14:00
2 Mediterranean Gull in a mixed gull flock seen from seawall, 13 Bar-tailed Godwit, 250 Knot. Steve Bunn (SOG).

Rayleigh, 09:45
1 Sparrowhawk (female in pursuit of prey through Paul Pry pub car park). Paul Baker (SOG).

RSPB Vange Marsh, 10:15 to 11:15
2 Stonechat, 2 Redwing, 1 Fieldfare, 10 Reed Bunting, 60 Teal. Paul Baker, Graham Ryland (SOG).

Wat Tyler Country Park, 11:20 to 11:45
1 Water Rail (heard), 1 Cetti's Warbler (singing close just right of the hide), 2 Gadwall (a pair), 2 Pochard (a pair), 30 Shoveler. Paul Baker (SOG).

Westcliff Seafront, 12:55 to 13:05
1 Ring-billed Gull, 4 Mediterranean Gull (3 adults and 1 first-winter). Paul Baker, Graham Ryland (SOG).

Southend Pier, 13:30 to 15:15
9 Guillemot (including several showing very well in the lifeboat bay), 3 Purple Sandpiper (roosting together with the Turnstones), 30 Mediterranean Gull, 7 Red-throated Diver, 8 Kittiwake. Paul Baker, Graham Ryland (SOG).

Two Tree Island West 15.00
1 Greenshank, 1 Turnstone, 3 Black-tailed Godwit, 100+ Bar-tailed Godwit, 70+ Knot, 70+ Dunlin, 100+ Ringed Plover, 50+ Grey Plover, 20+ Golden Plover, 70+Avocet, 1 Little Egret, 5 Shelduck, 6 Shoveler, 10+ Teal, 3 Curlew. R Shepherd.

Southchurch Seafront, 15:45 to 16:00
2 White / Pied Wagtail (on the beach by Halfway House but no sign of Snow Bunting). Paul Baker, Graham Ryland (SOG).

Saturday 06th January 2007

Hockley Woods 09:00
1 Mistle Thrush, 2 Song Thrush, 1 Nuthatch, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (male) showing well in clearing. Paul and Matt Bruty.

RSPB Vange Marsh, 09:00 to 10:30
1 Fieldfare, 2 Stonechat (pair), 6 Yellowhammer, 1 Dartford Warbler (heard twice only, not seen. Then gave up due to the rain). John Wright (SOG).

Hole Haven Creek, 09:00 to 15:00
2 Caspian Gull (a huge 1st winter already looking worn and tatty and an adult), 6 Yellow-legged Gull (adult and 5 1st winters), 3 Mediterranean Gull (2nd winter and 2 adults), 40 Black-tailed Godwit in field. Steve Arlow (SOG).

South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 09.50 - 11.15
200 + Brent Goose, Green Sandpiper, 3 Reed Bunting , 50 Shelduck, 46 Curlew, 9 Teal, 6 Grey Plover, 3 Little Egret,6 Little Grebe, Red-breasted Merganser. Ray Fuller.

Southend Pier 10:30
2 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Red-throated Diver, 4 Guillemot. Paul and Matt Bruty.

Hadleigh Downs, 14:30
2 adult Mediterranean Gull flying over Chapel Lane Car Park. Pete Alfrey.

Friday 05th January 2007

Westcliff Casino, 08:50 to 09:00
1 Ring-billed Gull (adult), 2 Little Egret, 8 Dark-bellied Brent Goose. 17 Common Seal. Paul Griggs (SOG).

RSPB Rainham Marshes (RSPB Guided Walk) 09.00 - 11.30
Many Gulls including Great Black-backed, Lesser Black-backed, Herring and Common Gulls, 3 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Ruff, Cormorants, 7 Grey Heron, 1 Mute Swan, many Greylag and Canada Geese, 2 Shelduck, 3 Gadwall, 11 Pintail, 9 Shoveler, many Wigeon, a few Teal, Kestrel (1 in car park & 1 on target wall), 5 Skylark rose together, Meadow Pipits, numerous Pied Wagtail, 1 Dunnock, 2 Fieldfare, 1 Redwing, 3 Blackbirds, 23 Goldfinch, 4 Chaffinch, 8 Greenfinch and 7 Reed Buntings (both M & F). Chris Henry.

Wat Tyler Country Park, 11:00 to 11:45
1 Peregrine Falcon (male plucking on nearest pylon), 1 Marsh Harrier (male), 1 Cetti's Warbler. Vince Kinsler (SOG).

Wat Tyler Country Park, 12:00 to 12:30
1 Peregrine Falcon, 1 Cetti's Warbler. Graham Ryland (SOG).

Woodside Park, Thundersley, 16:30
1 Common Pipistrelle. Graham Ryland (SOG).

Thursday 04th January 2007

Prittle Brook (Westcliff) 12:25
1 Kingfisher, flew along brook by allotments. Tim Davis.

RSPB Vange Marsh, 12:30 to 14:00
1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Fieldfare, 1 Redwing, 2 Song Thrush, 6 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Stonechat, 1 Dartford Warbler. Richard Howard.

Southchurch Seafront, 12:35 to 12:55
2 Snow Bunting feeding on strand line directly opposite speed camera 200yds West of Halfway House, 1 Purple Sandpiper roosting 300yds East of Old Gasworks Pier, 350 Sanderling, 200 Ringed Plover, 150 Dunlin, 40 Turnstone. Neil Chambers (SOG).

Cherry Orchard Lane, 12:40
1 Green Sandpiper again on the pools at the building site. Steve Arlow (SOG).

Westcliff Seafront, 13:00 to 13:10
1 adult Mediterranean Gull. Neil Chambers (SOG).

Two Tree Island (West), 13:30 to 14:45
2 Greenshank on the lagoon, 1 adult Yellow-legged Gull on the lagoon. Dudley Shayler (SOG).

Southend Pier
2 Purple Sandpiper, 1 Razorbill, 12 Guillemot, 6 Red-throated Diver, 1 (possibly 2) Black-throated Diver, several Mediterranean Gull. Southend Sea Front by Gasworks Pier: 200 Sanderling, 150 Dunlin, 160 Ring Plover, and a few Turnstone. Trevor Bufton.

Wednesday 03rd January 2007

Two Tree Island (East), 10:30 to 14:30
1 Peregrine Falcon preening on salt marsh post, this bird is occasionaly seen flying above the church and flats from the eastern point, 1 Water Rail calling and showed for 5 minutes in the reed fringed pool. Graham Ryland (SOG).

Two Tree Island (West), 10:30 to 14:30
2 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Little Grebe, 1 Spotted Redshank. Graham Ryland (SOG).

Southchurch Seafront, 12:45 to 13:30
1 Purple Sandpiper roosting with Sanderling and Ringed Plover 200yds East of the gasworks pier, 2 Snow Bunting directly opposite the Halfway House, feeding on the strand line. Paul Griggs, Don Petrie (SOG).

Westcliff Casino, 13:45 to 13:55
1 Mediterranean Gull (adult-winter). Paul Griggs, Don Petrie (SOG).

Benfleet Yacht Club, 15:00
1 male Merlin. Richard Howard.

Benfleet, 15:45 to 15:45
1 Green Sandpiper at the sewage works outfall. Richard Howard.

Holland Haven
4 White-fronted Geese, also 2 Purple Sandpiper, adult Yellow-legged Gull, Redwing. Also an unconfirmed report of 5 Shore Lark recently at Colne Point. Simon Cox.

Tuesday 02nd January 2007

Cherry Orchard Lane, 08:15
1 Green Sandpiper again present on way to work. Steve Arlow (SOG).

Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 09:00 to 09:10
1 Little Egret again in brook and viewable from just west of roadbridge at start of White House Road. Paul Baker (SOG).

Wat Tyler Country Park (RSPB guided walk) 10.00 - 12.15
Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Shelduck 2, Wigeon, Teal, Gadwall, Mallard, Shoveler, Cormorant, Little Grebe, Little Egret, Sparrowhawk, Coot, Moorhen, Lapwing, Black-tailed Godwit, Redshank, Curlew, Greenshank 1, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Common Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Collared Dove, Woodpigeon, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Blackbird, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Jay, Magpie, Rook, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Bullfinch 1. Total number of species 40. Alan Shearman RSPB.

Southchurch Seafront, 10:15 to 11:15
1 Purple Sandpiper to left of jetty by Camper Road, c.200 Sanderling, c.80 Ringed Plover. Web Author.

Westcliff Seafront, 11:30 to 11:35
1 Ring-billed Gull by three shells café. Web Author.

Rochford, 13:10
1 adult Mediterranean Gull over fields along Hall Lane. Steve Arlow (SOG).

RSPB Vange Marsh 13.20 - 14.10
Dartford Warbler, one showed very well and was almost continually calling. Alan Shearman RSPB.

Southchurch Seafront, 14:30 to 14:40
2 Snow Bunting (very confiding, feeding at high water strand line - between Halfway House and Rosslyn Hotel. Richard Howard.

Monday 01st January 2007

Hadleigh Downs, 06:30 to 08:30
4 Tawny Owl (at least 4 present pre dawn), 1 Woodcock (seen at first light), 2 Sparrowhawk (1 male, 1 female), 2 Red-throated Diver (Canvey Point, high tide). Steve Bunn (SOG).

Scots Hall Lane, Canewdon 07.30
Little Owl. Nick Green, Jeff Delve (EBS).

Hockley Woods 07:45 - 08:15
Nuthatch, Mistle Thrush, Green Woodpecker. Nick Green, Jeff Delve (EBS).

Southend, 08:10 to 08:20
300 Sanderling, 200 Ringed Plover, 2 Red-throated Diver, 1 Guillemot. Steve Arlow (SOG).

Southend Seafront 08:30 - 09:30
Sanderling, Ringed Plover, Turnstone, Dunlin, 2 Mediterranean Gull. Nick Green, Jeff Delve (EBS).

Westcliff Seafront, 08:30 to 08:45
3 Mediterranean Gull (1st winter, 2nd winter and adult). Steve Arlow (SOG).

Southend Pier, 09:30 - 11:30
5 Red-throated Diver, 10 Guillemot, 5 Kittiwake, 22 Mediterranean Gull (one white ring left leg, 3E72), 2 Purple Sandpiper. Nick Green, Jeff Delve (EBS).

Paglesham Lagoon, 09:40 to 10:50
11 Pintail, 5 Goldeneye. Steve Arlow (SOG).

Southend Pier, 09:45 to 12:45
1 Razorbill, 8 Guillemot (Probably more), 5 Red-throated Diver, 2 Purple Sandpiper, 1 Kittiwake, 9 Mediterranean Gull (Including 5 adults). Dudley Shayler (SOG).

Southend, 11:00 to 11:05
1 Mediterranean Gull with Black-headed Gulls at the building site along Cherry Orchard Way. Steve Arlow (SOG).

Westcliff Seafront, 11:25 to 11:35
2 Mediterranean Gull (adult and 1st winter), 1 Ring-billed Gull (Rossi again present and showing well). Steve Arlow (SOG).

Westcliff Seafront 11.35
Ring-billed Gull showing to point blank range with bread! + 2Ad and 1st w Mediterranean Gull. Nick Green, Jeff Delve (EBS).

Two Tree Island, 11:40 to 11:50
1 Slavonian Grebe just west of slipway. Paul Baker (SOG).

Wakering Stairs, 11:50 to 12:00
12 Fieldfare, 3 Eider (flew west). Steve Arlow (SOG).

Two Tree Island 12:00 - 12:45
Stonechat, 4 Greenshank, Bar and Black-tailed Godwit, Grey and Golden Plover, Knot, Little Egret, Little Grebe. Nick Green, Jeff Delve (EBS).

Westcliff Seafront, 12:10 to 12:20
1 Ring-billed Gull on sea, 3 Mediterranean Gull (adults). Paul Baker (SOG).

RSPB Vange Marsh, 12:10 to 12:45
1 Stonechat, 2 Reed Bunting, 1 Little Egret, 2 Dartford Warbler (Steve Bunn, Simon Buckell and I had male and female seen well together on west edge of wall, either side of the moat). Vince Kinsler (SOG).

Roper's farm, 12:55 to 12:55
49 Curlew in field by entrance to Ropers Farm track. Steve Arlow (SOG).

Wallasea Island, 13:00 to 14:00
2 Stonechat, 4 Little Egret, 6 Little Grebe, 1 Skylark, 120 Lapwing. Paul Baker (SOG).

RSPB Rainham 13:15 - 15:30
Penduline Tit, 4 White-fronted Geese, Pintail, Gadwall, Wigeon, Teal Tufted, Pochard, Ruff, Fieldfare, Redwing, Stonechat. Nick Green, Jeff Delve (EBS).

RSPB Rainham Marshes 14.30
1 Penduline Tit, 2 Fieldfare, 2 Redwing. Wayne Twelftree.

Cherry Orchard Lane, 14:40 to 14:55
2 Green Sandpiper on the pools at the construction site. Paul Baker (SOG).

Southend, 15:00
1 Green Sandpiper on pools at building site along Cherry Orchard Way. Steve Arlow (SOG).

Belhus Woods 15:40 - 16:20
Great Spotted Woodpecker. Nick Green, Jeff Delve (EBS).

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