Bird Reports for January 2008
Thursday 31st January 2008
Leigh on Sea, 11:00 to 15:30
1 Little Egret trying to steal my goldfish. Dudley Shayler (SOG).
East Mersea 11.30
6 Snow Bunting (2male, 4 female), 70 Knot, 100 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Little Egret, 250 Wigeon. Trevor Bufton, Brian Holwell.
Wednesday 30th January 2008
Hanningfield Reservoir, 11.00
5 Long-tailed Duck (still present Rawl Hide), 3 Goosander (point hide), 1 Shelduck. Robin Peppiatt.
Tuesday 29th January 2008
Hockley Woods 07.30 - 10.00
1 Treecreeper, 3 Nuthatch, 2 Greater Spotted Woodpecker, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Long-tailed Tit, 2 Goldcrest, Robin, 3 Redwing, Wren, 6 Chaffinch, 2 Greenfinch. Cleve Bull.
Southend Pier 10.45 - 13.30
1 Kittiwake, 6 Mediterranean Gull, 15 Sanderling, 3 Grey Plover, Knot, Black-tailed Godwit. John Wilson.
Monday 28th January 2008
Wallasea Island (by second breach) 09.15 - 09.40
1 male Hen Harrier, 1 Marsh Harrier. 1 Stoat. Gary Dunn.
Thundersley (my garden) 10.00 - 10.15
1 Brambling, 2 Redwing, 4 Siskin. The Redwing were causing concern to the resident Blackbirds. John Bennett.
Victoria Avenue, Southend, 12:30 to 16:45
2 Peregrine Falcon (male and female perched on Portcullis House on and off throughout. Male brought in a kill around 16:30, probably a golden plover). Don Petrie, Paul Griggs (SOG).
Hockley Woods
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker late morning in trees by car park/children's play area at Hockley Woods. Carol O'Leary.
History of colour ringed Mediterranean Gull White 3E72 observed on Southend Pier on 27th January 2008
White 3E72
White 3E72 left Bruxelles 7T21303 3CY 26/06/2005 Grembergen, Oost-Vlaanderen, BELGIUM 51,03N 4,06E Mannaert, Jef
Bruxelles E911397 L Bruxelles 22/03/2007 Zandvlietsluis, Antwerpen, BELGIUM 51,2N 4,17E Goris, Walter
White 3E72 v 30/07/2005 Southend Pier, Essex, GB 51,31N 0,43E Arlow, Steve
White 3E72 v 07/08/2005 Southend Pier, Essex, GB 51,31N 0,43E Mee, Graham
White 3E72 v 29/12/2005 Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, England, GB 51,34N 0,44E Arlow, Steve
White 3E72 v 14/04/2006 Westdorpe, Autrichepolder, Zeeland, NL 51,15N 3,5E De Smet, Walter
White 3E72 v 16/04/2006 Westdorpe, Autrichepolder, Zeeland, NL 51,15N 3,5E De Smet, Walter
White 3E72 v 29/07/2006 Southend Pier, Essex, GB 51,31N 0,43E Arlow, Steve
White 3E72 v 07/01/2007 Southend Pier, Essex, GB 51,31N 0,43E Arlow, Steve
White 3E72 v 29/01/2007 Southend Pier, Essex, GB 51,31N 0,43E Johnson, M.S.
White 3E72 v 11/03/2007 Zandvlietsluis, Antwerpen, BELGIUM 51,2N 4,17E De Smet, Walter
White 3E72 v 14/03/2007 Zandvlietsluis, Antwerpen, BELGIUM 51,2N 4,17E Flamant, Renaud
White 3E72 v 15/03/2007 Zandvlietsluis, Antwerpen, BELGIUM 51,2N 4,17E Flamant, Renaud
White 3E72 c 20/03/2007 Zandvlietsluis, Antwerpen, BELGIUM 51,2N 4,17E BLB 7T21303 Goris, Guido
White 3E72 v 23/03/2007 Zandvlietsluis, Antwerpen, BELGIUM 51,2N 4,17E Flamant, Renaud
White 3E72 c 24/03/2007 Zandvlietsluis, Antwerpen, BELGIUM 51,2N 4,17E +GDS+GG BLB911397 Pauwels, André
White 3E72 v 06/11/2007 Southend Pier, Essex, GB 51,31N 0,43E Lee, David
White 3E72 v 11/11/2007 Southend Pier, Essex, GB 51,31N 0,43E Arlow, Steve
White 3E72 v 11/11/2007 Southend Pier, Essex, GB 51,31N 0,43E Griggs, Paul
White 3E72 v 14/11/2007 Southend Pier, Essex, GB 51,31N 0,43E Lee, David
White 3E72 v 21/11/2007 Southend Pier, Essex, GB 51,31N 0,43E Lee, David
White 3E72 v 27/01/2008 Southend Pier, Essex, GB 51,31N 0,43E Lee, David
Total number of sightings : 20
Sunday 27th January 2008
Hockley Woods, 10.00
1 Firecrest in holly bush in the clearing. Viv Connett.
Two Tree Island Feeder, 10:00 to 11:30
2 Great Tit, 1 Blue Tit. Graham Ryland (SOG).
Thundersley (my garden). 10.00 - 11.00
1 Brambling, 1 Siskin and 1 Green Woodpecker. (Seen during Big Garden Birdwatch). John Bennett.
Two Tree Island, 10:00 to 11:30
1 Kingfisher (female), 1 Sparrowhawk (male), 1 Kestrel, 2 Rock Pipit, 340 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 140 Golden Plover, 1 Stonechat (male). Graham Ryland (SOG).
Two Tree Island 10:00 - 13:00
From Lagoon Hide: 80+ Pochard, 54 Teal, 4 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Kestrel, 1 Little Egret, 3 Water Rail, 11 Starling, 4 Mallard, 70 Lapwing, 20 Redshank, 2 Siskin, Robin (in hide again) 6 Shelduck, 5 Shoveler, 3 Herring Gull, 15 Black-headed Gull. Walking across to far East point via Jetty: 5 Little Egret, 400 Brent, Knot (excess 1000), 5 Blue Tit, 3 Fieldfare , 6 Little Grebe, 32 Curlew, 22 Oystercatcher, 4 Turnstone, 5 Reed Bunting, 4 Stonechat (3m, f), 1 Rock Pipit, 1 Green Woodpecker, 15 Carrion Crow, 10 Magpie, 5 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 10 Great Black-backed Gull, 1 Grey Heron, 20 Coot, 5 Moorhen, 10 Wood Pigeon. Noel Barnes.
Southend Pier, 10.15 - 13.30
Cormorant, Carrion Crow, Curlew, Great Northern Diver, Collared Dove, Bar-tailed Godwit, Brent Goose, Great Crested Grebe, 3 Guillemot, Common Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, 25 Mediterranean Gull (incl. 6P2 Red ring, White letters, Left tarsus, 3E72 White ring, black letters, Left tarsus, AEYE Green ring, White letters, Left tarsus, PAJ1 Red ring, White letters, Right tarsus), 4 Kittiwake, Knot, Magpie, Oystercatcher, Redshank, Sanderling, 2 Purple Sandpiper, 1 Arctic Skua, 2 Pomarine Skua, Starling, Turnstone. Martin Cracknell, Pat Prentice, Steve Sanford, Web Author et al.
South Fambridge to Brandy Hole 11.10 - 12.45
6 Cormorant, 4 Little Egret, 850 Lapwing on north shore, 200 Dunlin, 160 Knot, Redshank, Oystercatcher, 21 Shelduck, 3 Canada Goose, 1 Sparrowhawk. David Selley.
Rochford Golf Course, 12:30 to 16:20
2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Green Woodpecker, 10 Fieldfare, 5 Redwing. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Rayleigh Ferndale Road, 13.00
4 Bullfinch. Robin Peppiatt.
Bishopsteignton, Shoeburyness, 14.30
Little Egret arrived. He stayed for a while on the grass, then stood on the fence looking around for some time before flying off. Incidentally all our fish have disappeared from the pond so we think the Little Egret has had them. We are not too bothered as it will give us a chance to re-do the pond this year and perhaps re-stock with fish! Nina Singer.
Rawreth
Egrets seen in the fields of Rawreth for the first time today. Three were congregating about a stream just north of Swallow Nurseries. A Brown.
Saturday 26th January 2008
Wakering Stairs, 08:50 to 10:20
1 Barn Owl over Haven Point, 1 male Green Woodpecker, 1,100 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 7 Little Egret, 2 Reed Bunting. Don Petrie (SOG).
Paglesham Lagoon, 10:50 to 13:00
1 Long-tailed Duck (female looking really smart and clean now), 1 Scaup (first-winter drake looking handsome in the sunlight), 1 Stonechat, 1 Skylark, 18 Pintail, 22 Goldeneye (all on the lagoon), 1 Reed Bunting (male), 1 Little Egret (in field), 34 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 7 Great Crested Grebe. Paul Baker, Graham Ryland (SOG).
Chafford Hundred, Warren Gorge 11:00 to 15:00
3 Great Tit, 7+ Blue Tit, Long-tailed Tit, 6+ House Sparrow m + f, Tree Sparrow ? (unconfirmed), Dunnock, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Robin, female Great Spotted Woodpecker, 9+ Magpie, 6+ Crow, 10+ Cormorant, Coot, Moorhen, 2 Great Crested Grebe (incl. 1 juv.), 10+ Black-headed Gulls, Tufted Duck m + f, female Blackbird, Mallard Ducks m + f, Shoveler, 2 Indian Running Ducks [escapees?] (confirmed with member in EWT Centre), 2 Mallard Hybrid, 2+ Pochard, 4 Mute Swan, 6+ Canada Goose. Jessica & Joe French.
Southend Pier, 14:00 to 15:15
3 Purple Sandpiper, 28 Mediterranean Gull, 4 Kittiwake, 3 Dunlin, 320 Turnstone. Graham Ryland (SOG).
Canvey Point 14.00 - 15.30
Very unseasonal seawatch. Not a single diver sp. but 2 Arctic Skua loafing off the point and 1 Pomarine Skua harassing gulls as it flew strongly up river at 14.20. 6 Guillemot. Martin Cracknell.
Padhams Green (N of Billericay) 14:30
2 Common Buzzard soaring together. Kevin Rees.
Leigh, Southsea Avenue 15.30
4 Redwing feeding on ivy berries in garden. Web Author.
Westcliff Seafront, 16:00 to 16:15
1 Ring-billed Gull, 3 Mediterranean Gull. Vince Kinsler (SOG).
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole
3 Little Egret, 7 Corn Bunting, 2 Grey Plover, 44 Brent Goose, 12 Teal, Reed Bunting, 4 Mute Swan, 2 Curlew, 50 Shelduck, 2 Skylark. Ray Fuller.
Friday 25th January 2008
Hockley Woods 08.00 - 10.30
5 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Treecreeper, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Sparrowhawk, Blackbird, Robin, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Redwing, 2 Goldcrest. Cleve Bull.
Wat Tyler Country Park, 11:00 to 11:25
There is now water throughout the scrape - hurrah! 1 Water Rail heard in front of hide, 1 Cetti's Warbler singing to right of hide, 1 female Marsh Harrier, 1 Peregrine Falcon hunting distantly along the railway line. Paul Baker (SOG).
Hanningfield Reservoir 15:30 - 16:00
3 Brambling, 4 Barnacle Geese in field by causeway. Matt Bruty.
Wakering Rubbish Tip, 16:30 to 16:50
2 Peregrine Falcon on sea wall to west of Fleet Head, 1 adult male Hen Harrier on far side of Rushley Island, 1 Barn Owl over Oxenham Farm, 1 Kestrel, 8 Little Egret, 1700 Dark-bellied Brent Goose on Fleet Head and Rushley Island. Don Petrie (SOG).
Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 16:40
1 Sparrowhawk taunting the gathering Starlings at roost. Paul Baker (SOG).
Thursday 24th January 2008
Southend Pier 11.00 - 12.40
8 Mediterranean Gull (4 adult), 7 Kittiwake (4 adult), 200 Turnstone, 3 Purple Sandpiper, 90 Oystercatcher flying west, 16 Cormorant flying east. David Selley.
Navestock Gardens, Thorpe Bay 11.15 - 11.25
1 Grey Wagtail on the waterfall of my garden pond. John Pitts.
Leighbeck, Canvey Island 13:55 - 14:45
2 Arctic Skua (both dark morph; both present for 20 mins.), 1 Great Northern Diver, 1 Guillemot. Ian White.
Wat Tyler Country Park, 14.00
1 Marsh Harrier. David Chivers.
Victoria Avenue, Southend, 17:00
1 Peregrine Falcon came in to roost on Portcullis House. There are several corpses discarded by the peregrines including a pigeon, a knot, and 2 golden plover. Don Petrie, Paul Griggs (SOG).
Wednesday 23rd January 2008
Victoria Avenue, Southend, 14:35 to 14:55
1 Peregrine Falcon (flew in and perched on window ledge of Portcullis House, fed on an old carcass, then flew off and lost to sight in the direction of Shoebury). Don Petrie (SOG).
Tuesday 22nd January 2008
Pitsea Rubbish Tip, 08:00 to 16:30
3 Yellow-legged Gull (adult and two first-winters), 2000 Herring Gull at least. Interesting birds were a partially leucistic 1st winter individual with a large pure white patch across most of the right wing and an adult which had sustained an injury where it's tongue was sticking out of it's chin from below the bill base (Hole Haven Creek), 1 Mediterranean Gull (adult), 1 Sparrowhawk. Steve Arlow, Pete Livermore (SOG).
Westcliff Seafront 08.20 - 08.30
1 Ring-billed Gull, 2 Mediterranean Gull (adult and 2nd winter). Marc Outten RSPB.
Bishopsteignton, Shoeburyness, 09.30
2 Sparrowhawk, one was probably a young male and was sitting on the fence watching another Sparrowhawk, a mature male, pulling feathers from small prey in next door garden. Nina & Graham Singer.
Victoria Avenue, Southend, 15:30 to 16:30
1 Peregrine Falcon on Portcullis House. Don Petrie (SOG).
Monday 21st January 2008
Southend Pier, 10:00 to 11:45
1 Great Northern Diver, 4 Kittiwake (immatures), 15 Mediterranean Gull (9 adults), 2 Purple Sandpiper, 350 Turnstone. Richard Howard (SOG).
Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 10:40
1 Little Egret over house. Paul Baker (SOG).
Victoria Avenue, Southend, 11:15 to 15:30
2 Peregrine Falcon (male and female on Portcullis House and Baryta House). Don Petrie (SOG).
Rossi's Ice Cream, Westcliff, 12:30 to 13:15
1 Ring-billed Gull (adult), 2 Mediterranean Gull (2nd-winter & adult). Richard Howard (SOG).
Southend Pier 13.00 - 15.20
3 Guillemot, 1 Razorbill, 11 un-identified Auks; all the Auks were going West. 1 Great Northern Diver on the water to the east of the end of the pier, 1 Purple Sandpiper roosting with 72 Turnstone on the slipway 5 Kittiwake (2 adults and 3 first-winters), 11 Mediterranean Gull. Alan Shearman RSPB.
Sunday 20th January 2008
Wakering Stairs, 09:30 to 11:30
600 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 5,000 Oystercatcher (including leucistic individual), 7,000 Knot, 1,200 Dunlin, 500 Bar-tailed Godwit, 4 Little Egret, 300 Shelduck. Don Petrie (SOG).
Southend Pier, 09:30 to 12:00
18 Mediterranean Gull (6 each of 1st winter, 2nd winter and adults. Colour ringed birds - Red 6P2 (2nd winter), Red PAJ1 (adult), White 3L10)), 5 Kittiwake (2 first-winters and 3 adults. ), 4 Purple Sandpiper, 300 Turnstone (at least all gathered on the ramp). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Hanningfield Reservoir 10.00 - 11.15
2 Goosander, 5 Long-tailed Duck, several Goldeneye. Trevor Bufton.
Wakering Stairs 10:00 - 11:35
1 Leucistic Oystercatcher amongst good number of Knot and Oystercatcher seemed to be being mobbed to edges of main flock), 20+ Golden Plover, 15+ Goldfinch around reed beds. Noel Barnes.
Wallasea Wetlands, 10.00 - 12.00
1 adult female Peregrine, 1 Little Stint, 980 Dunlin, 240 Ringed Plover, 10 Black-taled Godwit, 11 Turnstone, c.15 Grey Plover, c.500 Golden Plover, c.1,000 Lapwing, 55 Curlew, 4 Oystercatcher, 1 Goosander, 4 Wigeon, c.50 Teal, 2 Corn Bunting, 4 Skylark, 3 Linnet, 1 Stonechat, 13 Little Egret. Jeff Delve (EBS).
Two Tree Island, 10:00 to 12:00
1 Kingfisher (female), 1 Peregrine Falcon, 2 Sparrowhawk (male & female), 2 Water Rail (heard in reedy pool), 7 Little Grebe, 2 Snipe. Graham Ryland (SOG).
Paglesham Lagoon, 10:45 to 13:45
2 Mistle Thrush, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 128 Fieldfare, 1 Redwing, 3 Little Egret, 300 Golden Plover, 15 Goldeneye, 5 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Scaup (imm male), 1 Long-tailed Duck (adult female), 1 Merlin (male), 1 Peregrine Falcon, 21 Pintail. Paul Griggs, Richard Howard (SOG).
Rossi's Ice Cream, Westcliff, 12:20 to 13:30
1 Ring-billed Gull (Rossi performed exceptionally well on the falling tide), 6 Mediterranean Gull (first-winter, 2 second-winters and 3 adults). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park
2 Green Sandpiper on the scrape this afternoon. Alan Shearman RSPB.
Saturday 19th January 2008
Pitsea, 08:00 to 15:30
2 Caspian Gull (both on Pitsea Tip: 1st winter at about 9.15am (one of the birds present in Hole Haven Creek on 5th January) and a 4th winter at about 2pm), 2 Yellow-legged Gull (1st winters, 1 on Pitsea Tip and 1 in Hole Haven Creek), 3 Mediterranean Gull (adults), 1 Larus sp. (a distant bird on Pitsea tip was possibly a Great Black-backed x Glaucous Gull 1st winte). Steve Arlow, Pete Livermore (SOG).
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 10.05 - 11.50
Stonechat (pair), 120 Brent Goose, Grey Plover, 8 Little Grebe, 5 Reed Bunting, 3 Curlew, 3 Little Egret, 4 Wigeon,7 Corn Bunting. Ray Fuller.
Westcliff Seafront, 10:35 to 11:05
1 adult Mediterranean. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Hadleigh Downs, 11:25 to 12:35
3 Woodcock, 2 Bullfinch, 1 Green Woodpecker. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Westcliff Seafront, 12:50 to 13:05
1 Ring-billed Gull, 6 Mediterranean Gull (4 adults, 2nd winter & 1st winter). Neil Chambers (SOG).
Friday 18th January 2008
RSPB Rainham Marshes 10:00 - 13:00
35 Pintail, Gadwall m+f, 1 Snipe, Coot, Moorhen, Greylag Geese, hundreds Lapwing, 76 Teal, 30 Wigeon, 15 Shelduck, 7 Tufted Duck, 11 Pochard, 300+ Golden Plover, 7 Pied Wagtail, 14 Greenfinch, 6 Goldfinch, 16 Shoveler, 1 Little Egret, 3 Grey Heron, 4 Stonechat, 1 Wren, 8 Meadow Pipit, 1 Curlew, 9 Cormorant, 1 Green Woodpecker feeding on Ants. Chris Henry.
Victoria Avenue, Southend, 14:00 to 15:30
1 Peregrine Falcon on Portcullis House. Don Petrie (SOG).
Wednesday 16th January 2008
Westcliff on Sea, 11:00
3 or 4 Redwing mobbing solitary Song Thrush on my lawn, driving it away from my birdbath. Also using the birdbath a pair of Blackbirds and a Blue Tit. Tony Wenham.
Bridgewater Drive, Westcliff 12.00 - 12.05
2 Pied Wagtail. Terry Priest.
Baxter Avenue Southend, 15:00 to 16:15
1 Peregrine Falcon. Paul Griggs (SOG).
Tuesday 15th January 2008
Victoria Avenue, Southend, 08:40 to 10:30
1 Peregrine Falcon on Portcullis House. Don Petrie (SOG).
Two Tree Island 13.15 - 14.15
1 male Peregrine Falcon, 1 Merlin (prob female), 8 Chaffinch, 1 Wren. Terry Priest.
Grove Woods (Eastwood Sewage Farm)
Jay, Wood Pigeon, Long-tailed Tit, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Great Tit, Redwing, Blackbird. R.Yates.
Monday 14th January 2008
Wat Tyler Country Park 12.00
Barn Owl roosting again in the kestrel box on the former landfill, view from middle hide. female Marsh Harrier from motorboat museum bird hide. 3 White-fronted Goose with greylags in field, view from motorboat museum bird hide. Alan Shearman, RSPB.
Sunday 13th January 2008
Hockley Woods 08.00
1 reported Hawfinch (in the playground) 1 Lesser spotted Woodpecker, 3 Great spotted Woodpecker, 7 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Nuthatch, 1 Sparrowhawk. R Cannon.
Rossi's Ice Cream, Westcliff, 10:30 to 10:35
1 Ring-billed Gull (Rossi briefly coming to bread). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Ashingdon, Princess Gardens, 10.35
Party of 15+ Long-tailed Tit passing through garden. David Selley.
Eastwood, 11:30
1 Sparrowhawk mobbed by Crow over Rayleigh Road. Paul Baker (SOG).
Cherry Orchard Lane, 11:40
2 Red Fox by stream. Paul Baker (SOG).
Leigh on Sea, 12:25
1 Sparrowhawk over the A127 Near Fairfields BMW's. Dudley Shayler (SOG).
Rossi's Ice Cream, Westcliff, 12:30 to 12:55
1 Ring-billed Gull (Rossi again on ther tide), 6 Mediterranean Gull (2 each of 1st winter, 2nd winter and adult). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Two Tree Island, 12:45 to 16:00
1 Kingfisher, 1 Kestrel, 1 Water Rail, 191 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 72 Teal, 40 Oystercatcher, , 240 Ringed Plover, 456 Grey Plover, 125 Lapwing, 1300 Knot, 1912 Dunlin, 1 Snipe, 5 Black-tailed Godwit, 54 Bar-tailed Godwit, 249 Curlew, 112 Redshank, 1 Greenshank, 23 Turnstone, 10 Skylark, 1 Meadow Pipit, 2 Rock Pipit, 2 Greenfinch, 6 Little Egret, 46 Shelduck, 8 Shoveler, 1 Pheasant. Graham Ryland (SOG).
Southend Pier, 13:30 to 14:15
2 Guillemot, 3 Kittiwake, 10 Mediterranean Gull (+), 3 Purple Sandpiper, 25 Common Scoter (In one flock flying up river), 1 Glaucous Gull (Possible 2nd winter at great distance heading out to sea). Dudley Shayler (SOG).
Leigh on Sea, 14:00 to 14:15
1 Sparrowhawk (a neighbour a few doors away phographed a male on her fence eating a Blue Tit). Dudley Shayler (SOG).
Fingringhoe Wick 14.00
1 Long-tailed Duck, 2 Goldeneye. R Shepherd.
Abberton Reservoir 15.30
3 Bullfinch, 3 Smew. R Shepherd.
Pitsea 16:00
35 Goldfinch in a tree by Pitsea station level crossing. David Lee.
Canvey Hole Haven Creek
2 Little Grebe, 2 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 445 Shelduck, 130 Wigeon, 250 Teal, 87 Mallard, 68 Shoveler, 5 Oystercatcher, 60 Avocet, 38 Grey Plover, 3360 Lapwing, 3641 Dunlin, 585 Black-tailed Godwit, 292 Curlew, 582 Redshank, 4260 Black-headed Gull, 110 Common Gull, 27 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 83 Herring Gull, 484 Great Black-backed Gull. Alan Shearman RSPB.
Fields behind Butts Hill Pond, Canewdon
Small thrush flock: 12+ Blackbirds, 6 Song Thrush and 3 Redwing and 4 Yellowhammers along local lane. Jeff Delve, Nick Green (EBS).
Hockley Woods
Blue and Great Tits, 5 Great Spotted Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker, calling Nuthatch and a showy Treecreeper also in song. Jeff Delve, Nick Green (EBS).
RSPB Rainham from the A13
Barnacle Geese amongst the hordes of gulls, the stone barges obliged with both Rock and Water Pipit plus huge gull concentration (many thousands). Jeff Delve, Nick Green (EBS).
2 superb male Siskins. Jeff Delve, Nick Green (EBS).
Westcliff Seafront
An adult and 2nd w Mediterranean Gulls, c.50 Turnstone. Jeff Delve, Nick Green (EBS).
Southend Pier (high tide)
A huge number of gulls in the river were impressive as was the roosting flock of 630! Turnstone on the burned out timbers - is this a single site record? 4 Purple Sandpiper, 1 Knot and 1 Dunlin were amongst them. Mediterranean Gulls (at least 40 birds including 20 adults) and a single juvenile Kittiwake. 3 distant Guillemot. Jeff Delve, Nick Green (EBS).
Wallasea Wetlands
Leucistic Lapwing amongst 500+ Lapwing and 300+ Golden Plover, drake Goosander, female Red-breasted Merganser, Rock Pipit and a Snipe with usual waders. Jeff Delve, Nick Green (EBS).
Canewdon
Pair of Little Owls showed well. Jeff Delve, Nick Green (EBS).
Saturday 12th January 2008
Vicarage Hill, Benfleet 08.30
1 Blackcap (male) feeding on Ivy berries. Martin Cracknell.
Hadleigh Downs, 11:30 to 12:30
2 Sparrowhawk, 1 Bullfinch, 1 Peacock Butterfly. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).
Two Tree Island (East), 12:25 to 10:35
1 Kingfisher by the sewage tanks. Dudley Shayler (SOG).
Abberton Reservoir 13.00 - 14.45
Bittern showing well. Peregrine Falcon chasing pigeons, 14 Goosander, Merlin over, 5 Smew (2m,3f). Web Author.
Wallasea Wetlands, 14:00 to 15:30
1 Goosander, 1 Little Stint, 4 Little Egret, 1 Rock Pipit. Dudley Shayler (SOG).
Hanningfield Reservoir 15.00
1 Water Rail by small lake on causeway. Marion Burch.
Hadleigh 16.10
c.40 Lesser Black Backed Gull in field on right as just leaving Hadleigh on A13 heading towards Southend. Tim Smith.
Friday 11th January 2008
Leigh on Sea, 09:55 to 10:05
4 Siskin in next door's garden Shirley Road, 1 Goldfinch. Dudley Shayler (SOG).
Benfleet, Villa Road, 11.00
1 Fieldfare feeding on fallen apples. R Shepherd.
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 13.20 - 15.10
3 Little Grebe, Little Egret, Kingfisher, Snipe, Stonechat (male), 6 Reed Bunting, 1000+ Brent Goose, 50 Teal, 12 Curlew, 2 Widgeon, 20 Fieldfare, 2 Grey Plover, 3 Skylark. Ray Fuller.
Wednesday 09th January 2008
Leigh on Sea, 09:20
2 Green Woodpecker flew over Tatersall Gardens. Paul Baker (SOG).
Abberton Reservoir 10.00
6 Smew (2 Male 4 Female), 30 Goosander, 5 Siskin, 1 Bullfinch. Trevor Bufton.
Two Tree Island 10:45 to 11:15
1 Water Rail swimming by the south wall of the lagoon. David Lee.
Bishopsteignton, Shoeburyness, 11.25
Little Egret walking around the garden, had a quick look at the pond then flew away. Nina Singer.
Rolls Farm 11.30
1 Great Northern Diver, 5 Slavonian Grebe, 12 Red Breasted Merganser. Trevor Bufton.
Westbourne Grove, Westcliff-on-Sea 12:15
1 Little Egret in back garden for 4 minutes. Derek Seed.
Hanningfield Reservoir 13.15
5 Long-tailed Duck, 2 White Fronted Geese with Greylags, 2 Barnacle Geese. Trevor Bufton.
Hanningfield Reservoir 12.30 to 15.00
2 Long-tailed Duck, Gooseander, Goldeneye (many), Redshank, Green Sandpiper, 4 Barnacle Geese, 1 (possibly 2) Lesser Redpoll, Great Spotted Woodpecker, several Goldcrest. Les Costin (EBS).
Rochford, 13:10
1 Green Sandpiper on pools at the construction site along Cherry Orchard Way, 12 Fieldfare on berry bushes at the north end of Cherry Orchard Way. Steve Arlow (SOG).
Two Tree Island, East 15.00
Peregrine Falcon on a post in salt marsh. John Leeming.
Leigh Marsh, Two Tree Island
Turnstone, Lapwing, Curlew, Wigeon, Shoveler, Mallard, Redshank, Kestrel. Richard Yates.
Tuesday 08th January 2008
Hockley Woods 09.00 - 11.30
5 Redwing, Chaffinch, 2 Goldcrest, 4 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Nuthatch, 4 Great Spotted Woodpecker. Cleve Bull.
Wat Tyler CP 11:20 - 13:00
1 Green Sandpiper (on scrape), 3 White-fronted Geese (on fields with 100+ Greylags), 1 Cetti's Warbler (in front of main hide). Ian White.
Hanningfield Reservoir 14.00
3 Long-tailed Duck, 1 Goosander, 1 Peregrine Falcon. R Shepherd.
Monday 07th January 2008
Hanningfield Reservoir 08.30
2 adult White-fronted Geese with Greylags in field NW of causeway. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Bishopsteignton, Shoeburyness, 08.40
Our Little Egret was standing on a thick clump of weed in the pond looking for fish but was frightened away as the window was opened. Nina Singer.
Coombe Wood, 11:00 to 11:05
Harris Hawk - flying over, mobbed by Crows & Jackdaws! 3 Jackdaw. Jeff Saward (SOG).
Cherry Orchard Lane, 15:50
1 Kingfisher flew downriver under Aviation Way. Paul Baker (SOG).
Sunday 06th January 2008
Wat Tyler Country Park 09:30 to 09:45
Barn Owl roosting in a kestrel nest box seen from the middle hide on the western side. David Lee.
Eastwood Sewage Works, 09:40 to 10:30
7 Green Woodpecker (NOTE - The large triangular Tawny owl box that was occupied and sited in the compound has rotten and fallen to the ground. There are now no owl boxes left here, 2 Water Rail (heard calling from sedge bed), 1 Chiffchaff (calling). Paul Baker (SOG).
South Fambridge Seawall 11.15 - 11.55
190 Dark-bellied Brent Goose flying up-river from Bridgemarsh Island, 35 Wigeon, 3 Mediterranean Gull (adults), 1 Little Grebe, 7 Fieldfare. David Selley.
Chalkwell Park Drive, Leigh, 12:15 to 13:15
1 Little Egret (SW over the garden), 4 Redwing, 2 Goldfinch. 1 Red Fox. John Wright (SOG).
Two Tree Island (East) 12.45 - 13.25
1 Kingfisher, 1 Kestrel. Martin Cracknell.
Heybridge Basin 13.30 - 14.10
1 Black-necked Grebe, 1 Shag, 1 Kingfisher (all whilst having my lunch). Marc Outten RSPB.
Paglesham Lagoon 14.30
1 female Long-Tailed Duck, 1 Stonechat, 3 Red-Breasted Merganser (1m, 2f). AJ Wall.
Hanningfield Reservoir 14.45 - 15.10
2 Long-tailed Duck, 9 Pintail. Web Author.
Two Tree Island West 15.00
2 Water Rail. R Shepherd.
Wallasea Island and Canewdon
Merlin - flushed from sign on way in, Red-breasted Merganser near car park. Between Car park and tower: 4 Turnstone, 830 Dunlin, 261 Ringed Plover, 1 Little Stint, 700 Lapwing including the leucistic bird, 35 Grey Plover, 10 Golden Plover, 3 Knot, 10 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Green Sandpiper, 6 Skylark, 15 Linnet, 8 Meadow Pipit, 1 Rock Pipit, My garden in Canewdon: 1 fine Brambling with mixed finches on feeders, 25 Greenfinch, 9 Goldfinch, 18 House Sparrow, 4 Chaffinch. Jeff Delve (EBS).
Saturday 05th January 2008
Ashingdon, Brays Lane 08.30
70 Fieldfare and about 20 Blackbird in hedge by the stables, 2 Green Woodpecker on grass verge by 4 Acres Nursery, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Jay. David Selley.
Woodfield Road Hadleigh (Garden) 09.00
5 Redwing in oak tree (up to 7 seen most days last week), 1 Greater Spotted Woodpecker (on our feeder), 1 Brambling. Mark Duncan.
Hole Haven Creek, 09:00 to 15:30
9 Yellow-legged Gull (first-winter x5, 2nd winter x2, 4th winter x1 and cracking adult), 2 Mediterranean Gull (2nd winter and adult), 8 Caspian Gull (first-winter x3, second-winter x1, third-winter x1, fourth-winter x1 and adult x2). Steve Arlow, Pete Livermore (SOG).
Shipwright's Wood 10.10 - 11.00
2 Goldcrest, 5 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Jay, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Mistle Thrush. Martin Cracknell.
Ashingdon, 11:00 to 12:00
1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 15+ Chaffinch. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Thorpe Bay, 11:15
1 Sparrowhawk (Maplin Way North). Dudley Shayler (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park, 12:00 to 12:30
6 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Stonechat, 60 Wigeon. Vince Kinsler (SOG).
Wakering, The Fleet 14.00 - 15.00
8 Little Egret, 17 Corn Bunting. Web Author.
Hadleigh Marsh and Benfleet Creek 14.00 to 16.15
1 Little Egret, 2 Grey Heron, 160 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 12 Shelduck, 5 Shoveler (on TTI lagoon), c.300 Wigeon, c.250 Teal, 92 Avocet, 500+ Lapwing, 160 Black-tailed Godwit, c.30 Redwing & 260 Fieldfare feeding on ground on fallow strip at edge of field sown with winter wheat. (The fallow strip had the remains of some non-grain crop on it and was particularly attractive to birds; there was a Grey Heron standing at the edge and 4 cock Pheasants, several Doves and several Moorhens were feeding on it; good eco-friendly management by the Sally Ann). Martin Johnson.
Vicarage Hill, Benfleet 15.15 - 15.50
9 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Sparrowhawk (whilst getting cold washing the car). Martin Cracknell.
Wallasea Wetlands
Highlights from today's formal count from 9:50 - 3:50 (not all my sightings unfortunately) 1 Little Stint (between carpark and tower), 1 Greenshank (same), 1 Green Sandpiper (borrow dyke near tower), drake Goosander (generally beyond second breach past tower associating with Shelduck), 2,000+ Brent (on fields to south), Peregrine (often on straw piles centre of island), 2 male Hen Harrier. Generally wader numbers seemed down but perhaps reflecting a lowish high tide with the first Oystercatcher for a several months. Jeff Delve (EBS).
Friday 04th January 2008
Chalkwell Park Drive, Leigh, 08:15
6 Redwing. John Wright (SOG).
Baxter Avenue Southend, 08:40 to 08:55
2 Peregrine Falcon on top of Portcullis House. Paul Griggs (SOG).
Leigh-on-Sea, Tankerville Drive 10:15 to 10:40
20 Siskin, 10 Goldfinch in tree outside No. 59. 3 Redwing in trees by Prittle Brook, 1 Little Egret flying east along the brook, over the road. David Lee.
Southend, 10:20
1 Peregrine Falcon flew from Alexander House towards the estuary. John Wright (SOG).
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 10.45 - 12.40
24 Little Grebe, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Red-breasted Merganser (1f 2m), 6 Curlew, 22 Teal, 525 Brent Goose, 2 Little Egret, Grey Plover, 2 Mute Swan. Ray Fuller.
Aviation Way, Eastwood 11:00 to 11:10
1 Little Egret, 1 Kingfisher, c.10 Redwing. Martin Johnson.
Belfairs N.R., 11:30
1 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker calling and active. Tony Mead (SOG).
Prittle Brook (Leigh on Sea), 11:45 to 12:15
20 Siskin at least, coming down to brook to drink on east side of Tankerville Drive. Vince Kinsler (SOG).
Leigh on Sea, 11:45 to 11:55
2 Blackcap (a male and a female in my garden). Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).
Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 12:00
1 Little Egret flew over my house. Paul Baker (SOG).
Hockley Woods 13:55 to 14:05 & 15:15 to 15:20
2 Male, 1 Female Greater Spotted Woodpecker. Male chasing female, other male on nearby tree being very vocal which after a while joined in and got into a fight in the air with the other male both spiralled to the ground breaking up prior to hitting the floor. One of the males continued to chase the female and all flew out of sight. Then on my return to the same area 2 males (no sign of female) chasing each other in flight and on the trees again fighting and both spiralling to ground this time hitting the ground chasing in flight continued and then flew out of sight. Tim Davis.
Prittle Brook (Leigh on Sea), 15:40 to 15:50
1 Little Egret flew east along footpath parallel to brook at a height of 6ft. Paul Baker (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park, 15:45 to 16:30
2 Reed Bunting, 20 Redwing, 200 Fieldfare. Vince Kinsler (SOG).
Canvey Island
Large flock of Redwing and Fieldfare been by Dutch cottage all week on hawthorn hedge also a pair of Greater Spotted Woodpecker. Dave Blackwell.
Thursday 03rd January 2008
Prittle Brook (Leigh on Sea), 10:15 to 10:30
2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 20 Siskin (adj. no. 35 Tankerville Drive), 2 Chaffinch, 1 Grey Wagtail. Brian Baldock (SOG).
Baxter Avenue Southend, 11:00 to 14:00
1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Peregrine Falcon (13:50 - 14:00). Paul Griggs (SOG).
Coombe Wood, 12:55 to 13:00
1 Grey Wagtail feeding in my garden. Jeff Saward (SOG).
Eastwood, 14:25
1 Green Woodpecker flew south over Rayleigh Road at the Esso/Tesco Metro. Paul Baker (SOG).
Cherry Orchard Lane, 14:35
1 Kingfisher viewed from Aviation Way. Paul Baker (SOG).
Prittle Brook (Leigh on Sea), 14:40 to 14:45, Tankerville Drive
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker in tree by Prittle Brook, 3 Siskin flew over east. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Southend Pier 10.45 to 14.30
2 Arctic Skua, 2 Gannet, Mediterranean Gull, Turnstone. Laurie Greenwood.
Paglesham East Hall Road, 15:40 to 15:45
1 Barn Owl over fields south of road, 1/4 mile east of cottages. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Hadleigh Downs 15.55 - 17.00
2 Tawny Owl, 1 male Sparrowhawk, 8 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Wren, 12 Blue Tit. Terry Priest.
Southchurch Park East
1 Tufted Duck, on east of pond, 2 Resident Mute Swan, 8 Moorhen. Robert Dobinson.
Wednesday 02nd January 2008
Prittle Brook (Leigh on Sea), 09:15 to 10:15
8 Siskin (Tankerville Drive), 2 Little Egret, 2 Sparrowhawk, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker. Brian Baldock (SOG).
Two Tree Island 13.10 - 14.45
Lots of Teal and Wigeon, 2 Avocet, 1 Grey Plover, 3 Redshank, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Curlew, 10 Lapwing, 2 Little Egret, 1 female Sparrowhawk, 3 Reed Bunting (all males), 6 Chaffinch (5 female), 8 Linnet, 4 Stonechat, tame Robin still around the lagoon hide, doing very well! Terry Priest.
Cherry Orchard Lane, 13:25
1 Kingfisher fishing brook between Cherry Orchard Way and Aviation Way, best viewed from road bridge in Aviation Way. Paul Baker (SOG).
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 13.30 - 15.15
2 Little Egret, Fieldfare and Redwing flock 100+, 4 Grey Plover, Sparrowhawk, 30 Teal, 10 Curlew, 4 Stonechat (2 pairs), 2 Reed Bunting. Ray Fuller.
Two Tree Island (East), 14:00 to 15:00
2 Kingfisher, 1 Little Grebe, 4 Shoveler, 4 Teal. Brian Baldock (SOG).
Leigh, Tankerville Drive 14.35 - 14.40
14 Siskin. Martin Cracknell.
Prittle Brook (Leigh on Sea), 15:40 to 15:45
1 Sparrowhawk from Tankerville Drive. Paul Baker (SOG).
Tuesday 01st January 2008
Rossi's Ice Cream, Westcliff, 08:00 to 08:50
6 Common Seal. 5 Mediterranean Gull (1 1st-w, 2 2nd-w, 2 ad), 1 Little Egret, 10 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 1 Peregrine Falcon. Paul Griggs, Steve Arlow (SOG).
Southchurch Seafront, 09:00 to 09:10
5 Mediterranean Gull (1 1st-w, 2 2nd-w, 2 ad.). Paul Griggs, Steve Arlow (SOG).
Hockley Woods, 09:20 to 09:35
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker (drumming), 1 Nuthatch by car park. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Leigh on Sea, 09:40 to 10:15
21 Siskin (All from Tankerville Drive), 1 Little Egret, 8 Redwing, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker. John Wright (SOG).
Thundersley (My garden) 10.00 - 10.15
11 Redwing perched in mine and neighbours trees before flying off in direction of Shipwrights Woods. John Bennett.
Paglesham Lagoon, 10:00 to 15:40
23 Fieldfare, 4 Little Egret, 10 Reed Bunting, 1 Kestrel, 300 Golden Plover, 7 Snipe, 50 Black-tailed Godwit, , 20 Goldeneye, 27 Little Grebe, 1 Kingfisher, 12 Corn Bunting, 27 Mute Swan, 4 Black Swan, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 1 Scaup, 17 Pintail, 2 Stonechat, 1 Water Rail, 1 Grey Wagtail. Paul Griggs, Steve Arlow, Paul Baker, Neil Chambers (SOG).
Cherry Orchard Lane, 10:15 to 10:20, (viewed from Aviation Way bridge)
2 Little Egret feeding under Cherry Orchard Way, 1 Kingfisher between Cherry Orchard Way & Aviation Way. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Priory Park, 10:25 to 10:45
2 Goldcrest (no sign of Ring-necked Parakeet). Neil Chambers (SOG).
Westcliff Seafront, 10:55 to 11:05
3 Little Egret, 3 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 3 Mediterranean Gull (adults) Neil Chambers. (SOG).
Chalkwell Park Drive, Leigh, 12:50 to 12:50
1 Little Egret over the garden N.E. John Wright (SOG)
Wat Tyler Country Park 13.15 - 14.45
1 Green Sandpiper (creek viewing screens). 2 Spotted Redshank, 2 Greenshank, 15 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Little Egret, 1 Little Grebe (marina). 250+ Fieldfare, 30+ Redwing, 1 Sparrowhawk (around the park). 2 Reed Bunting, 1 Great-crested Grebe, 1 Water Rail, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 White-fronted Goose with Greylags on fields (main hide). Martin Cracknell.
Paglesham Lagoon 14.00 - 15.00
1 Kingfisher, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Stonechat, 10 Linnet, 6 Egret, 1 Grey Prover, 5 Redshank. John Spencer.
Two Tree Island (West), 14:40 to 15:00
2 Stonechat. John Wright (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park, 15:00 to 16:00
1 Spotted Redshank (Creek at the end), 2 Greenshank (Creek). Steve Bunn (SOG).
Paglesham East Hall Road, 16:00 to 16:05
1 Barn Owl. Paul Griggs, Steve Arlow (SOG).
Hadleigh Downs, 17:00 to 18:00
4 Tawny Owl. Steve Bunn. (SOG).