Bird Reports for January 2010
Sunday 31st January 2010
Wallasea Wetlands, 07:30 to 13:45
2 Little Egret, 2 Red-breasted Merganser flew in on tide then back out to river, c.20 Dark-bellied Brent Goose (just small family parties. No flocks on island), 1 female Marsh Harrier over north to Dengie, 3 Pintail (2 drakes and a duck, very scarce here), 240 Wigeon, 235 Teal, 160 Redshank, 31 Knot, c.200 Dunlin (another 300 or so in western section), c.200 Ringed Plover, 2 Turnstone, c.250 Shelduck, 3 Corn Bunting singing near Grapnells, 3 Fieldfare (2 near Grapnells farm, 1 on sea wall), 2 Little Grebe. Jeff Delve, John Wright (SOG).
Westcliff Seafront, 09:00 to 10:15
1 Ring-billed Gull (Rossi), 4 adult Mediterranean Gull, 2 drake Red-breasted Merganser. Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).
Ashingdon, 09:15
1 male Blackcap in the garden, 1 Redwing in next door neighbours garden. Steve Sanford (SOG).
Wallasea Wetlands 10:45 to 12:10
Car park to mast only: 1 Little Egret, 135 Shelduck, several hundred Wigeon, c.100 Teal, 45 Dark-bellied Brent Geese flying west along Crouch, 280 Dunlin, a few Knot, 17 Grey Plover, 115 Redshank, 6 Reed Bunting, small flock of about 5 Corn Bunting just beyond Grapnells. Also 17 Mute Swan in fields by Grapnells. David Selley.
Paglesham Lagoon 11:00 to 13:45
Goldeneye, Great Crested Grebe, 6 Little Grebe (3m, 3f), Pintail, Gadwall, 150+ Tufted Duck, 200+ Pochard, 2 Oystercatcher, 20 Mute Swan, 3 Whooper Swan, Greylag Goose, 5 Canadian Goose, Common Gull, Shoveler, Shelduck, 50+ Wigeon, only 2 Teal, Little Egret, Mallard, 100+ Coot, Moorhen, Dunnock, Wren, 10 Greenfinch, 10 fieldfare, c.60 Redwing, Lesser Black-backed Gull, 500+ Black-headed Gull, Cormorant, Reed Bunting, Lapwing, 500+ Knot. Noel Barnes, Les Costin.
RSPB Vange Wick, 12:00 to 15:00
1 Slavonian Grebe (this bird can be distantly scoped from the raised tower at Wat Tyler Country Park or at closer range from the sea wall on other side of the creek), 1 Spoonbill flew in from Wat Tyler and landed for a short time on Vange Wick. It then moved between Vange Marsh and Vange Wick on several occasions before disappearing, 1 Spotted Redshank in Pitsea Hall Creek, 30 Snipe flushed from the seawall on the Vange Wick side of Pitsea Hall creek. Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).
RSPB Vange Marsh 12:00 to 16:00
1 male Stonechat, 6 Snipe, many Wigeon, Shoveler, 10 Pintail, 1 Spoonbill, 2 Fieldfares, 2 Peregrine (touching during flight then splitting up, one flew towards Basildon the other over the marsh). Mark Hutson.
RSPB Vange Marsh, 13:30 to 15:00
1 Spoonbill flew in from Vange Wick at 13:40, circled twice and dropped as if landing, then headed back down Vange Creek, c.25 Pintail, 4 Skylark, 1 Cetti's Warbler heard from abstraction ditch, 2 Reed Bunting. Don Petrie (SOG).
RSPB Vange Marsh, 13:50 to 15:15
27 Pintail, 32 Shoveler, 4 Skylark, 335 Wigeon, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Peregrine Falcon, 116 Lapwing, 3 Snipe, 1 Reed Bunting, 10 Fieldfare. Marc Outten (RSPB, SOG).
Southend Pier, 14:15 to 15:15
4 Great Northern Diver, 33 Mediterranean Gull. Dudley Shayler (SOG).
Hadleigh Downs
3 Sparrowhawk, 1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Fieldfare, 10+ Song Thrush. Jim, Lin.
Saturday 30th January 2010
Hadleigh, Woodfield Road 09.00
1 Fieldfare and 1 Redwing feeding in garden. Mark Duncan.
Tattersall Gardens, Leigh-on-Sea 10:20 to 11:20
2 Blackcap - a pair in garden trees and shrubs spotted during Big Garden Bird Watch. Martin Johnson.
RSPB Vange Marsh 13:00 to 14:30
18 Pintail (11 male, 7 female), many Wigeon, Teal, Shoveler and a few Mallard and Gadwall. At least 1 Green Sandpiper, 3 or 4 Snipe, Redshank, Lapwing, 1 Water Rail, 1 Cetti's Warbler, Reed Buntings, Fieldfare, Redwing, Song Thrush. Many gulls, mostly Black-headed and Common. Andrew Cox.
Billericay, Lake Meadows 13:45
4 Goosander, 1 Cormorant, 6 Pochard, 1 Shoveler. Marion Burch.
Friday 29th January 2010
South Woodham Ferrers, Lower Burnham Road, 15.45
1 Marsh Harrier sitting on fence post next to the road. Karen Brookes.
Thursday 28th January 2010
Wallasea Wetlands 11:00 to 13:30
1 Hen Harrier, 3 Little Grebe, 5 Red-breasted Merganser in 2 groups, 1 Little Egret, 2 Canada Geese, 15+ Brent Geese, with no sign of the main flock or Red-breasted Goose, large numbers of Shelduck and assorted common waders, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Stonechat, 1 Corn Bunting. At Grapnells Farm: 18 Mute Swan, 6 Bewick's Swan in 2 separate groups, 8 Chaffinch. 1 Greenfinch. Les Costin.
Temple Farm, 13:20 to 13:40
1 Pheasant, 1 Stock Dove, 8 White / Pied Wagtail, 1 Wren. Dudley Shayler (SOG).
Wednesday 27th January 2010
Rayleigh, Ferndale Road 05:00
1 Tawny Owl calling again. Robin Peppiatt.
Rossi's Ice Cream, Westcliff, 08:25 to 08:35
1 adult Ring-billed Gull, 1 2nd winter Mediterranean Gull. Marc Outten (RSPB, SOG).
Rossi's Ice Cream, Westcliff, 09:00 to 09:15
1 adult Ring-billed Gull, 2 adult winter Mediterranean Gull. Paul Griggs (SOG).
RSPB Vange Marsh 09:00 to 11:00
9 Snipe, 2 Reed Bunting, c.300 Wigeon, c.100 Lapwing, 60 Shoveler, c.80 Teal. On Pitsea Creek at high tide: 3 Tufted Duck, 5 Curlew, 2 Redshank, 1 Little Egret. David Shepherd.
Wat Tyler Country Park, 10:10 to 11:40
2 Glaucous Gull (both 1st winter. One flew past second on the deck behind reservoir. Thousands of Larus present), 265 Wigeon covering the reservoir along with Black-headed Gulls), 1 Little Egret, 1 Greenshank, 12 Grey Heron. Vince Kinsler (SOG).
Basildon, Gloucester Park 11:30
1 drake Mandarin Duck in the lake by the swimming pool. Neil Phillips.
Wat Tyler Country Park 14:30 to 16:00
Scrape only: 140 Canada Geese, 8 Greylag Geese, 10 Wigeon, 2 Shoveler, 4 Mute Swan, 30 Gadwall. Also 30 Goldfinch roosting in a tree at Pitsea station car park. David Shepherd.
Tuesday 26th January 2010
Rayleigh, Ferndale Road 00:30
1 Tawny Owl calling. Robin Peppiatt.
Wat Tyler Country Park, 08:00 to 08:45
3 Ruff, 1 Greenshank, 1 Spotted Redshank, 18 Grey Heron (Vange Wick), c.400 Wigeon flew from Vange Wick over towards Vange Marsh, 1 Cetti's Warbler singing on Vange Wick. Neil Chambers (SOG).
South Benfleet 10:15
Walking through churchyard of South Benfleet Parish Church: Grey Wagtail, Song Thrush. Tim Smith.
Lake Meadows, Billericay 10:30
6 Goosander, (2 male, 4 female), 3 pairs Pochard. 20+ Redwing. Marion Burch.
Wallasea Wetlands 11:00
1 Hen Harrier, 1 Merlin, 2 Little Egret, 1 Little Grebe, 8 Shelduck, Many Ring Plover and Redshank. The Brent Geese flock too mobile, and too distant to check. Les Costin.
Wallasea Island, Grapnells Farm 12:10
5 Bewick's Swan, 8 Mute Swan. Les Costin.
Ashingdon, Brays Lane 13:30
Red Kite drifting south towards Rochford. Peter Warren.
RSPB Vange Marsh 14:30 to 16:00
5 Little Grebe on saline pools, c.125 Teal, c.200 Wigeon, 80 Lapwing, 20 Shoveler, 3 Skylark, 1 female Stonechat. David Shepherd.
Wat Tyler Country Park, 14:45 to 16:15
3 Ruff, 1 Greenshank, 1 Spotted Redshank, 2 Little Grebe. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Benfleet High Road 15:00
From a distance, against the sun, without binoculars, for a few seconds I saw what looked very like a flock of 6-8 Ring-necked Parakeets, to the West of the High Road. Mike Sagrott.
Monday 25th January 2010
Wat Tyler Country Park, 10:30 to 10:40
1 juvenile/1st winter Glaucous Gull on the Wick, viewed from pillbox north of the marina. Marc Outten (RSPB, SOG).
Thundersley 11.00
1 Grey Wagtail outside study window. Mike Sagrott.
Wat Tyler Country Park, 11:45 to 14:30
1 Glaucous Gull (1st winter, Vange Wick), 1 Yellow-legged Gull (1st winter, Vange Wick), 1 Mediterranean Gull (adult, Vange Wick Reservoir), 2 Little Grebe (Vange Wick Reservoir), 2 Sparrowhawk, 7 Ruff, 1 Spotted Redshank, 1 Greenshank. John Wright (SOG).
South Fambridge, 12:30 to 14:00
4 Yellowhammer, 1 adult Whooper Swan, 1 Mistle Thrush, 5 Red-breasted Merganser (2 drakes), 2 Great Crested Grebe. Paul Griggs, Richard Howard (SOG).
Rayleigh, Ferndale Road 23:30
1 Tawny Owl calling. Robin Peppiatt.
Sunday 24th January 2010
Wallasea Island, 07:20 to 10:55
1 adult Red-breasted Goose in NE corner and on the Roach, 2 Pale-bellied Brent Goose (adults, plus another hybrid), 13 Bewick's Swan (adults - 8 in SE corner of island, 5 with Mutes just NW of Grapnells Farm), 1 Circus sp. (probably Hen, hunting over the SE corner in the early morning murk), 15 Corn Bunting (by Grapnells). Neil Chambers, Brian Baldock, Jeff Delve, Ian Douch, Lee Ebbs, Dave Knight (SOG).
Hockley Woods 09:55 to 10:10
2 Great Spotted Woodpecker (1 male, 1 female) male chasing female, 2 Treecreeper. Tim Davis.
Wat Tyler Country Park, 10:00 to 12:00
194 Canada Goose on Vange Wick, 1 Peregrine Falcon, 4 Ruff (from marina), 2 Spotted Redshank (marina), 1 Greenshank (marina). Don Petrie, John Wright (SOG).
Wallasea Island, 10:00 to 13:40
1 adult Red-breasted Goose with the brent flock at the eastern end of the island, 2 Pale-bellied Brent Goose, 1 Dark-bellied Brent Goose (probably Black Brant x Dark-bellied Brent hybrid), 13 Bewick's Swan. Steve Arlow, Simon Buckell
Wallasea Island, 10:30 to 12:00
1 Red-breasted Goose 
with the mobile Brent flock on NE/SE end of the Island, 6 Bewick's Swan (5 by Grapnells Farm, 1 in SE corner of Island). Jeff Saward (SOG).
South Fambridge Towards Brandy Hole 10:30 to 12:00
12 Little Grebe, 65 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 119 Shelduck, c.300 Wigeon, 4 Red-breasted Merganser (2 pairs), 70 Lapwing, Redshank, Curlew, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 7 Avocet, 1 Skylark. David Selley.
Rivers Crouch and Roach aboard Deplorer II 10:45 to 12:30
Lots of Brent, Shelduck, Lapwing, Golden Plover. 1 Common Buzzard circling and rising above Potton being hurried by gulls. Also remains of a kill with lots of white feathers on seaweed covered rocks on Foulness where phone lines cross from Potton. 8 Common Seal. Gary Dunn (www.ladyessex.com).
Wat Tyler Country Park, 11:25 to 11:55
3 Ruff (in creek by Marina - 6 reported by another birder), c.180 Canada Goose on RSPB Vange Wick. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Rochford Golf Course, 12:20 to 15:25
1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Mistle Thrush (singing), 1 Stock Dove (singing). Neil Chambers (SOG).
Belfairs Great Wood, 13:00 to 13:40
2 Woodcock, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker. Don Petrie, John Wright (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park, 13:15 to 14:15
Vange Wick: 1 Slavonian Grebe still present on reservoir, 1 Little Grebe. Vince Kinsler (SOG).
Leigh on Sea 13:35 - 13:40
From back garden of house in Leigh offering good views of the horizon from the north east around to the south: Common Buzzard high over Bellhouse Road area being harried by Crows, Red Kite at the same time low over Priory Park/Cuckoo Corner area area also being chased by Crows. Web Author, Kris Mee.
Wallasea Island, 14:00 to 16:00
2 Merlin dog fighting over SE corner, one driven to the ground, 1 adult male Peregrine Falcon in SW corner, 1 Black Brant (one very well marked bird plus one possible hybrid), 3 Pale-bellied Brent Goose (at least, 3 adults seen plus one possible hybrid), 1 adult Red-breasted Goose, 13 Bewick's Swan (5 Grapnells with c.20 Mute, 8 SE corner), 23 Corn Bunting (Grapnells, several singing), 1 Red-legged Partridge from farm road, 1 Stonechat from farm road. Jeff Delve (SOG).
South Fambridge, 14:45 to 15:45
1 adult Whooper Swan with Mute flock, 35 Mute Swan, 2 Red-breasted Merganser, c.500 Dark-bellied Brent Goose in fields east of swan flock, 1 Black-tailed Godwit. Mike Bailey
Rossi's Ice Cream, Westcliff, 15:20 to 16:30
4 Mediterranean Gull (2 ad, 2 2nd-winter), 1 adult Ring-billed Gull, 1 Black-throated Diver, 1 Great Northern Diver. 3 Common Seal. Paul Griggs, Mike Bailey, Richard Howard (SOG).
Ark Lane, 15:30 to 16:00
1 Woodcock, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Mistle Thrush. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Rossi's Ice Cream, Westcliff, 16:20 to 16:45
1 Great Northern Diver (distant, mid channel), 1 Black-throated Diver (distant, mid channel). Mike Bailey, Paul Griggs, Richard Howard (SOG).
Saturday 23rd January 2010
Hadleigh Downs, 09:40 to 10:30
2 Woodcock, 4 Green Woodpecker, 1 Kestrel. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).
Hadleigh Marshes, 10:30 to 11:15
42 Wigeon, 12 Corn Bunting. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).
Stambridge, 11:30
2 Black Swan feeding in field next to Wheatfields. Dan Davison.
Wat Tyler Country Park, 11:40 to 12:00
1 Slavonian Grebe. Marc Outten (RSPB, SOG).
Wallasea Island 11:45 to 12:30
1 Kestrel on pole next to mobile home park gates, 1 Weasel hunting in grass same place, 4 Bewick's Swan landing in field next to Grapnell's Farm. Dan Davison.
Southend 12:00 to 14:00
From Seafront: 5 Brent Geese, Oystercatcher, Black-headed Gull, Redshank. From the Pier: 5 Cormorant, Oystercatcher, Black-headed Gull, Turnstone (lone), 1 Eider, Herring Gull, 5 Great Northern Diver, Curlew, 2 Mediterranean Gull (adult & 1st Winter). Russell J Surrey.
Hockley Woods 13:25 to 13:35
2 Great Spotted Woodpecker (1 male, 1 female), 1 Green Woodpecker. Tim Davis.
Friday 22nd January 2010
Canewdon, Gardeners Lane 10:00 to 10:15
1 Yellowhammer, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 5 Long-tailed Tit. Vince Kinsler (SOG).
Paglesham Lagoon, 10:35 to 11:25
2 Scaup (pair still present with pochard), 7 Pintail, 9 Goldeneye, 68 Pochard, 8 Little Grebe. Vince Kinsler (SOG).
Thursday 21st January 2010
Southend, Roots Hall Market 09:25
1 Grey Wagtail. Paul Griggs (SOG).
Leigh on Sea, Stonehill Road 12:00
1 male Blackcap, 1 Fieldfare, 2 Long-tailed Tit in garden. Vince Kinsler (SOG).
Rayleigh, Richmond Drive, 13:15
Red Kite seen soaring around then being mobbed by gulls then heading towards Rayleigh. Steve Day.
Hockley Woods 14:00 to 1410
2 Great Spotted Woodpecker (1 male, 1 female) female on adjacent tree while male was drumming, 1 Treecreeper. Tim Davis.
Rayleigh Mount, 15:20 to 15:25
1 Red Kite incredibly low, spiralling around just off the top of Rayleigh Mount no more than 20ft up then spiralled off low north. Paul Baker (SOG).
Wallasea Wetlands 15.45
40+ Shelduck, 30 Lapwing. Dan Davison.
Baxter Avenue Southend, 16:40 to 16:45
1 female Peregrine Falcon on Portcullis House. Paul Griggs (SOG).
Wednesday 20th January 2010
Canewdon, Gardeners Lane 09:15 to 10:00
1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 20 Fieldfare, 6 Redwing, 5 Yellowhammer near allotments then in field near bend in lane. Jeff Delve (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park, 12:40 to 13:10
Marina only: 5 Ruff (possibly 6 birds), 1 Greenshank, 17 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Bar-tailed Godwit. Marc Outten (RSPB, SOG).
Gunners Park 13:15
Kingfisher flying up the dyke by the centre roadway. S Jackson.
Ark Lane, 15:50 to 16:10
1 Little Owl, 2 Pheasant, 8 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Goldcrest. Vince Kinsler (SOG).
Tuesday 19th January 2010
Hockley Woods, 08:30 to 09:10
1 Nuthatch, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker (2 of which were drumming), 2 Green Woodpecker, 4 Stock Dove. Paul Baker (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park, 10:00 to 11:00
3 Spotted Redshank in creek to west of marina car park, 2 Ruff including one white headed bird, with Spotted Redshanks, 1 Greenshank east of car park beyond power lines, c.200 Fieldfare, c.100 Redwing, 2 Cetti's Warbler singing near main hide, 1 Little Egret on scrape. Jeff Delve (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park 11:20 to 11:40
2 Ruff, one with a white head, 1 Spotted Redshank in Pitsea Hall Creek. David Lee.
Rivers Crouch and Roach Aboard Lady Essex III 12:30 to 14:30
1 drake Eider of Ringwood point, Marsh Harrier over Potton Island, lots of Avocet including one group of 106 birds, Grey Plover, Lapwing, Golden Plover, 40+ Oystercatcher, Greenshank, 50+ Curlew, 5 Little Grebe, 2 Great Crested Grebe, Shelduck, Teal, Wigeon, Brent Geese, Merlin on same post as was regularly used 2 years ago. 15 Common seal in Roach. Gary Dunn (www.ladyessex.com).
Paglesham Lagoon, 13:00 to 15:45
51 Mute Swan in field north of Stannetts and south of Jubilee Cottages, 8 Bewick's Swan with the mutes, no doubt the Wallasea birds, 3 Pintail, 10 Goldeneye, 2 Scaup (male and female still present just north of the 'narrows', 1 Aythya sp. (a male hybrid, pochard x something. The bird resembles a drake Pochard, but has a darker grey back with pale flanks, a darker red head, a steeper forehead and a ridge of feathers on the crown. Bill pattern not seen), 4 Reed Bunting. Don Petrie (SOG).
Wallasea Wetlands, 14:15 to 16:00
1 Black Brant (superb bird with 40 Dark-bellied in field at NE corner. Also one possible hybrid), 2 Pale-bellied Brent Goose (adult and 1st winter on wetlands. Flock very mobile and all flew off south onto Roach), 100 Ringed Plover on scrape area of field east of tower. Jeff Delve (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park, 15:15 to 16:30
2 Spotted Redshank, 1 Greenshank, 2 Ruff, 80 Redwing, 25 Fieldfare, 1 Stonechat, 1 Sparrowhawk. Vince Kinsler (SOG).
Monday 18th January 2010
Rayleigh Mount, 08:00
1 male Blackcap in garden. Paul Baker (SOG).
North Fambridge 14:15
1 Red Kite, passing through heading North West. Gavin Thompson.
Sunday 17th January 2010
Hadleigh, West Wood 08:00 to 09:00
2 Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker (drumming), 3 Treecreeper (pair +1), 2 Nuthatch. Richard Gray.
Baddow Meads, Chelmsford - East of Road Bridge 10:00
2 Jack Snipe seen flying up from riverbank right at my feet co-ords: 51.7283, 0.4912. Paul Forsdick.
Wakering Stairs 11:00 to 14:00
1 Bar-tailed Godwit in full summer plumage with 3,762 "winter" Bar-tails, seen during WeBS count. David Selley.
Hanningfield, Footpath Off Lower Stock Road 11:00 to 11:45
Female Sparrowhawk bathing in ditch/stream at side of road seen from within car for 4 minutes and frightened off by cyclist. Common Buzzard in tree, 2 Greater Spotted Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker, Wren, 20+ Long-tailed Tit, 1 Squirrel, 1 Stoat. Gary Dunn.
Manor Farm, Chelmsford (off Sandford Mill Road) 11:30
2 Red-crested Pochard, 16 Cormorant, 8 Gadwall, 1 Wigeon, 1 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron on fishing lake at farm. Paul Forsdick.
Hanningfield Reservoir 13:00 to 15:30
Lots of Cormorant, Greylag and Canada Geese, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Teal, Wigeon, Lapwing, 5 Coot, 3 Moorhen, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Great-crested Grebe, 3 Goldeneye, 7 Gadwall, 5 Pintail, 1 female Goosander. Chris Henry.
Wakering Stairs 13:30 to 14:30
1 ringtail Hen Harrier, 1 female Marsh Harrier, both on Havengore Island. Stuart Bailey, Gordon Appleton.
Rettendon Common, Chelmsford 13:45
Buzzard wheeling over Rettendon Common. Ken Ulrich.
Rayleigh, Ferndale Road
1 Sparrowhawk, 10+ Long-tailed Tit, 20+ Redwing, 10+ Fieldfare, 2 Wren, 4 Jay. Robin Peppiatt.
Chelmsford, Pond Behind 6th Avenue
2 Cormorant roosting. Janet Forster.
Saturday 16th January 2010
Westcliff Seafront, 10:10 to 10:30
4 adult Mediterranean Gull, 1 drake Red-breasted Merganser. Mike Bailey (SOG).
Rossi's Ice Cream, Westcliff, 14:00 to 14:10
1 Ring-billed Gull on lamp post just east of Rossi's, 1 adult Mediterranean Gull. Mike Bailey (SOG).
Friday 15th January 2010
Two Tree Island West (Scrape) 11:00 to 12:00
1 Spotted Redshank in front of hide, Common Redshank and Greenshank in near proximity for good comparisons. Also on scrape: Avocet, Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover, Knot, Black-tailed Godwit, Wigeon, Teal, Mallard. Lapwing, and Curlew. Laurie Greenwood.
Basildon, Gloucester 12:15 to 13:30
1 Goldfinch, 1 Greenfinch, numerous Blue Tit and Great Tit, 10 Blackbird, 15 Magpie, 5 Jay, 20 Carrion Crow, 50+ Black-headed Gull, 5 Long-Tailed Tit, 7 Cormorant, 8 Wood Pigeon, 6 Collared Dove, 300+ mixed flock of Fieldfare and Redwing, 5 Coot, 3 Moorhen, 4 Mute Swan, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, many Mallard Duck, no sign of Pochard or Mandarin. Jane Hale.
Westcliff Seafront 14:30 to 15:30
1 Great Northern dive 30m offshore, 1 male Red-breasted Merganser 100m off shore, both from the promenade below the Cliffs Pavilion. both present for most of the time. 1 Ring-billed Gull on a lamp-post until 14:45. David Lee.
Wallasea Island
Male Hen Harrier on wetlands, Male adult Peregrine over farm, Stonechat by usual mound. Nick Green. (EBS).
Shoebury Coastguards
1 Great Northern Diver. Nick Green (EBS).
Westcliff, Rossi's
1 adult Mediterranean Gull. Nick Green (EBS).
Thursday 14th January 2010
Wakering Area 11:00
Spoonbill sighted in the Wakering/Foulness area. Web Author.
North Shoebury 11:10
50+ Redwing. Terry Strong.
Fingringhoe Wick 12:00
1 Marsh Harrier, 4 Scaup, Pair Red-breasted Merganser, 8+ Goldeneye, 1 Great Northern Diver. R Shepherd.
RSPB Vange Marsh 13:00 to.16:15
c.250 Wigeon, c.100 Teal, 4 Little Grebe, 5 Redshank, 1 Pochard, 3 Shoveler, 10 Fieldfare, 20 Redwing, 2 Skylark, 5 Meadow Pipit, 1 Stonechat, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Goldfinch, 1 Water Rail, 9 Snipe. The marsh is thawing out, lot's of surface water about. David Shepherd.
North Shoebury 15:06
Meadow Pipit, a garden first. Terry Strong.
Abberton Reservoir
5+ Goosander, 1 pair Smew, 1 Bittern reported earlier showing well. R Shepherd.
Wednesday 13th January 2010
Grays 08:00 to 09:00
5 Redwing in pyracantha bushes. Joseph French.
Leigh-on-Sea, Tattersall Gardens, 12:00 to 12:35
1 Fieldfare, 12 Redwing in trees in my and neighbouring back gardens. Martin Johnson.
Southend, Thanet Grange 13:00 to 15:00
c.25 Fieldfare on bushes between RBS Bank car park and adjoining small park. several Redwing. John Meredith.
Hockley, Mount View Crescent, 13:45
Flock of between 12 - 20 Redwing. Les Ludlow.
Chelmsford, Springfield Lock, 15:30
Lots of male and female Goosander with lots of male and female Tufted Duck, the Goosanders trying to see off the Tufted Ducks but not very successful! Also, 1 male Gadwall, Moorhen, Coots, and Little Grebe. Sue Haffenden.
Rayleigh
Common Snipe in back garden. Dave Windle.
Basildon
Peregrine is still at the back of Trafford House (top left corner 2nd floor from top 4 columns in) by Basildon Train Station. best view from Platform 1, although can be seen with naked eye from Basildon Market also. I have seen it the last three days. Darren Chaplin
Tuesday 12th January 2010
Southend 13:15
Large buzzard sized raptor drifted across Hobleythick Lane towards Priory park mobbed by crows. Sue.
Lubards Farm, Hullbridge Road, Hullbridge 15:00
Mixed flock 30+ Golden Plover and Lapwing in fields with horses. Hilary Knight.
Monday 11th January 2010
Leigh on Sea, Park View Drive 10:20 to 10:30
1 male Blackcap, 1 Green Woodpecker, 4 Redwing in garden. Web Author.
Gunners Park 11:30 to 13:00
2 Sanderling, 24 Linnet near old fort, 20 Lapwing, 2 Curlew, 200+ Knot, 30 Brent Goose, 1 Song Thrush. John Wilson.
Pitsea, 13:00
6 Waxwing reported in the Pitsea mount area.
Priory Park Pond 14.30
11 Cormorant, 4 roosting in tree by the pond 5 sitting on the ice 2 perched on dinghy moored to the island. Pat Dandridge.
Priory Park, 15:50 to 16:20
1 Ring-necked Parakeet at 16:05 roosting in tree, 2 Cormorant roosting in tree. Paul Baker (SOG).
Sunday 10th January 2010
Hadleigh, Woodfield Road 09.00
2 Fieldfare eating windfall apples in garden. Mark Duncan.
Rayleigh, Ferndale Road 09:00
20+ Redwing, 10+ Fieldfare, 1 Redpoll calling over. Robin Peppiatt.
Northlands Park Lakes, Basildon 09:00 to 10:10
20+ Redwing, 2 Water Rail, Many Coot, 8 Moorhen. Dead Fox, probably crawled into park after being hit by car. Gary Clinton.
Wallasea Island, 10:00 to 15:00
1 drake immature Eider on Crouch, 1 near adult male Hen Harrier across island, 8 Bewick's Swan with Mutes north of Grapnell's Farm, 1 Black Brant with 400 Dark bellied Brent north of Grapnells, 1 adult male Merlin, c.1000 Skylark across island with 400+ near Grapnell's, c.50 Corn Bunting near farm buildings at Grapnell's, 1 male Stonechat near hay bales, 4 Red-breasted Merganser (2 pairs near car park), 1 Greenshank on salt marsh 100m west of tower, 150 Linnet in two flocks along salt marsh. Jeff Delve (SOG).
Prittle Brook (Leigh on Sea), 10:10 to 10:30
13 Fieldfare (mixed flock feeding on berries in garden), 5 Redwing. Brian Baldock (SOG).
Gunners Park 10:15 11:00
c.30 Linnet by old fort, 2 Skylark. Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).
South Benfleet, Greenwood Avenue 10:30
28 Fieldfare, 12 Redwing in my and surrounding gardens. Tim Bennett.
Southend, Marina Close 10:30
2 Fieldfare, 2 Redwing and 1 Song Thrush in the garden. John Goodman.
Pitsea, ALDI 12:00
300+ Redwing. R. Shepherd.
Leigh Seafront, 12:00 to 12:30
1 immature Spoonbill (12.20 flew low east in front of cockle sheds, landed in creek briefly before flying on east past Old Leigh), 40 Fieldfare, 60 Redwing, 1000 Knot, 2 Mute Swan. John Wright (SOG).
Sumpters Way, Temple Farm Estate 12:15 to 12:45
15 Redwing, 1 Mistle Thrush, 5 Great Tit, 6 Robin, numerous male and female Blackbird, 1 pair Chaffinch. Dan Davison.
Two Tree Island (West), 12:40 to 13:10
2 Water Rail, 1 Greenshank, 8 Reed Bunting, 13 Corn Bunting, 51 Fieldfare, 21 Redwing. John Wright (SOG).
West Canvey 13:00
400+ Fieldfare and Redwing feeding in roadside trees between Waterside roundabout and Charfleets roundabout. Tim Bennett.
Tolleshunt Major 13:00 to 14:00
12 Fieldfare. John W.
Rayleigh, Bull Lane / Victoria Road Area 13:00 to 14:00
1 Green Woodpecker (Hockley Road cemetery), 5 Redwing. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Benfleet Creek, 13:15 to 14:30
500 Wigeon, 10 Reed Bunting, 60 Fieldfare, 100 Redwing. John Wright (SOG).
Admirals/West Park, Chelmsford 13:30
1 Sparrowhawk flying over, 1 Water Rail on River Can between parks, 1 1st winter, 1 2nd winter and 4 adult Common Gull, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker. Tony Kennelly.
Priory Park, 13:40 to 14:20
4 Cormorant roosting in trees around pond, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 12 Redwing, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Green Sandpiper flew over the pond calling. Martin Cracknell (SOG).
Hockley Woods 14:00 to 15:00
Just past houses along east boundary fence: 2 Treecreeper, 8 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Jay. John Spencer, Esther Lee.
Hadleigh Castle Road 14.10
16 Fieldfare on apple tree in garden, 2 Redwing, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Greater Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Goldfinch. Roger Shinn.
Shoebury, Friars Park, 15:00 to 15:10
4 Mandarin Duck (3 drakes, 1 duck). Paul Griggs, Mike Bailey (SOG).
Benfleet, Garden 15:20
11 Fieldfare, 6 Redwing, 1 Jackdaw over. Graham Ryland (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park, 15:30 to 16:50
Following a report of a Bittern on the scrape: 1 Stonechat, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Water Rail, 1 Woodcock. Paul Griggs, Mike Bailey, Paul Baker, Neil Chambers, Vince Kinsler (SOG).
Saturday 09th January 2010
Saddlers Farm Roundabout 08:25
2 Sparrowhawk (male and female chasing Redwings along A130. Mike Bailey (SOG).
Canvey Point, 08:40 to 09:30
1 immature drake Eider mid channel, 3 adult Mediterranean Gull, 1 adult Yellow-legged Gull, 3 Great Crested Grebe. Mike Bailey (SOG).
Langdon Hills 09:00 to 13:00
2 Woodcock, 20 Siskin, 2 Bullfinch. Andrew Cox.
Shoebury, 10:00
1 Woodcock at St Mary's Church near Asda. Lee Ebbs (SOG).
Two Tree Island 10:00
8 Fieldfare, small flock by very frozen car park. Noel Barnes.
Southchurch Hall Park, 10:00 to 10:45
1 Little Egret, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Snipe showing well. Dave Knight (SOG).
South Fambridge, 10:20 to 11:00
4 Bewick's Swan flew west over South Fambridge village at 10.30, 3 Snipe, c.5 Yellowhammer. Mike Bailey (SOG).
Stonehill Road, Leigh 10:30
1 Fieldfare in garden feeding on windfalls. Laurie Greenwood.
Leigh on Sea, Park View Drive 10:30 to 10:45
12 Redwing in garden. Kris Mee, Web Author.
Hadleigh Downs, 10:30 to 12:00
50+ Redwing, 100+ Fieldfare, 1 Kestrel, 2 Bullfinch. 3 Red Fox. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).
South Fambridge, 11:00 to 13:00
3 Great Crested Grebe, 4 Red-breasted Merganser (2 pairs), 15 Little Grebe, 23 Skylark, 6 Tufted Duck, 150 Wigeon, 2 Pintail (pair), 1 Sparrowhawk, 30 Fieldfare, 190 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 1 Reed Bunting, 5 Yellowhammer. Paul Griggs, Mike Bailey (SOG).
Rayleigh, 11:20
1 Green Woodpecker flew over Bull Lane / Websters Way. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Gunners Park 12:00
28 Twite reported flying and feeding near old fort, 2 Woodcock disturbed by dogs, Fieldfare, 2 Corn Bunting, Dunnock. Noel Barnes.
Southchurch Park East, 12:00 to 12:30
5 Little Grebe. Dave Knight (SOG).
River Crouch between Fen Creek and Brandy Hole 12:00 to 14:30
11 Gadwall on Crouch, 65 Little grebe, drake and female Goldeneye, Water Pipit foot of sea wall, 4 Twite flew north from Hullbridge, 550 Brent geese flying about fields behind Hullbridge (presumably Marsh Farm flock), adult Yellow legged gull, 1100 Teal mostly Clements Green Creek. Alan Shearring (EWT).
Shoebury East Beach, 12:20 to 13:20
2 Little Egret (1 under boom, 1 on ponds), 1 Green Woodpecker (ponds), 180 Knot, 1 Golden Plover on beach, 6 Dark-bellied Brent Goose. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Danbury 13.00
15 Redwing. J Patten.
Shoebury, Friars Park 13:30
3 Cormorant sitting on the ice, 4 Mandarin Duck (3 drakes, 1 female). Dan Davison.
Canvey Point, 13:30 to 15:00
1 1st winter drake Eider, 1 Great Skua with obvious dark head, similar, or maybe the same as the Rainham bird from late December?, 1 Black-headed Gull (leucistic, superficially like a Med Gull), 1 adult Mediterranean Gull, 15 Wigeon, 95 Dark-bellied Brent Goose. Jeff Saward (SOG).
Rayleigh, Ferndale Road 14:00
1 Moorhen walking down the middle of the road! Robin Peppiatt.
Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 14:05
Playing fields and hawthorn hedgerow opposite end of close: c.450 Fieldfare. Paul Baker (SOG).
Rayleigh, 13:40
30 Redwing feeding at junction of Eastwood Road / Connaught Road. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Canvey Island, 15:20 to 15:30
400 Redwing in bushes between Dutch Cottage and Gt.Russells. Jeff Saward (SOG).
RSPB Vange Marsh, 15:30 to 16:00
All records from abstraction ditch: 2 Shoveler, 12 Teal, 15 Snipe, c.3 Jack Snipe, 1 Water Rail. Vince Kinsler (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park, 16:05 to 16:30
Marina: 4 Snipe, 70 Teal, 140 Lapwing, 22 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Stonechat (pair). Vince Kinsler (SOG).
Eastwoodbury Lane / Avro Road 19:35
1 Barn Owl. The Owl flew near our house and then into some thick conifers. After only about a minute it then flew away to the west. My first Barn Owl and from our bedroom window. Fantastic. Jackie Graham.
Friday 08th January 2010
Princess Gardens, Ashingdon 07:50 to 08:15
5 Skylark flew west (all singles), 3 Redwing in garden. Also Collared Doves and more oddly Wood Pigeon were calling at 03.30 this morning. Any other insomniacs noticed this. David Selley.
Daws Heath 10:00
We noticed a couple of Redwing in the garden last Sunday 3rd. Since then the numbers have continued to increase and we now have at least 12 Redwing in the garden. There are also 4 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Goldfinch, 2 Jay, 4 Great Tit, 5 House Sparrow, 6 Blue Tit, 2 Wren, 3 Blackbird, 2 Robin and last but not least a lone Magpie who certainly enjoys the dumplings I am putting out for them together with bread and nuts soaked in Goose fat. Gloria Wells.
South Fambridge, 10:00 to 11:00
1 Pochard on river, 1 Gadwall on river, 27 Little Grebe, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 6 Red-crested Pochard (3 pairs opposite end of road), c.40 Fieldfare, c.100 Redwing, 500 Wood Pigeon perched up all along hedge lines, 1 Skylark, 5 Meadow Pipit, c.1500 Dark-bellied Brent Goose on river, c.200 Wigeon, 1 Teal, c.500 Golden Plover. No sign of swan flock on fields. Jeff Delve (SOG).
Shoebury East Beach, 10:00 to 11:05
183 Knot, 1 Golden Plover on beach, looked as though it was suffering from the effects of the cold weather, 87 Oystercatcher, 1 Water Pipit by the slipway half way along the beach feeding on the exposed sand, 2 Meadow Pipit, 1 Rock Pipit, 3 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 5 Skylark. Marc Outten (RSPB, SOG).
Gunners Park, 11:10 to 11:25
Coast path only, low tide: 1 drake Red-breasted Merganser just off from coastguards, 1 Little Egret, 12 Turnstone, 7 Skylark. Marc Outten (RSPB, SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park, 11:45 to 12:15
1 Cetti's Warbler (one sang once at 11:50), 2 Jackdaw. Paul Baker (SOG).
Corringham 13.00
1 Red Kite flying and drifting on wind passed over Corringham towards Pitsea. Several starlings went up for a look but did not get as close as they do to Sparrowhawks. Chris Wood.
Shoebury East Beach, 13:05 to 13:20
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Skylark, 1 Water Pipit feeding along the beach where the sand met the mud, near the base of the boom, 3 Meadow Pipit. Don Petrie (SOG).
Leigh on Sea 13:25
11 Redwing in Neighbours tree in Fairleigh Drive. David Lee.
Shoebury, Friars Park, 13:45 to 14:00
4 Mandarin Duck (3 males, 1 female). Marc Outten (RSPB, SOG).
South Fambridge, 14:00 to 15:50
15 Little Grebe, 5 Great Crested Grebe, 19 Mute Swan on the river downstream of South Fambridge, presumably frozen off the usual field, 1 adult Whooper Swan on the river 1 mile downstream of South Fambridge, 4 adult Bewick's Swan on the river 1 mile downstream of South Fambridge, 6 Red-crested Pochard (3 pairs just upstream of North Fambridge Yacht Club), c.12 Yellowhammer in a bunting flock of c.25 birds on the seawall at South Fambridge, also 2+ Corn and 6+ Reed Bunting in the flock. Don Petrie (SOG).
South Fambridge, 14:55 to 15:10
6 Red-crested Pochard (three pairs on river near north shore almost straight out), 10 Corn Bunting, 1 male Yellowhammer, 1 Snipe. Paul Baker (SOG).
Victoria Avenue, Southend, 16:10
1 Woodcock flew west over Victoria Circus roundabout at a height of c.30'. Paul Griggs (SOG).
Maldon
Up to 25+ Redwings feeding on berries and crab apple tree in my back garden. The Redwings also fly near to the local community centre for feeding from trees in that area. Len Bickford.
Thorpe Bay
Groups of Redwing in garden stripping Holly of berries, 2 Redwing fighting in snow with 2 Blackbirds for bread pieces, 1 Mistle Thrush on snow picking up pieces dropped by Blackbirds and Redwing. Michael Eighteen.
Thursday 07th January 2010
Coombe Wood, 08:00 to 16:00
In garden during the day: 17 Fieldfare, 13 Redwing, 14 Chaffinch, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Stock Dove, 4 Greenfinch, 6 Jay. Jeff Saward (SOG).
Gloucester Park, Basildon 09:10 to 10:30
1 drake Pochard, 1 drake Mandarin, numerous Mallard and Gull on Frozen ice. 4 Cormorant around ice hole. 120 Redwing and Fieldfare feeding on berries at entrance to slip road and across dual carriageway by Council offices. 1 male Sparrowhawk overhead. Darren Chaplin.
Chelmsford, River Chelmer near Moulsham Mill 10:00
27 Goosander on river. Paul Forsdick.
Leigh on Sea, Stonehill Road, 10:00 to 12:00
In garden: 1 female Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Jackdaw, 1 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Song Thrush, 12 Redwing, 2 White / Pied Wagtail. Vince Kinsler (SOG).
Eastwood Road North, Leigh on Sea 10:30
c.12 Redwing feeding on berries. Also four Goldfinch. Laurie Greenwood.
Long Road, Canvey Island 11:00 to 11:15
Back Garden: 20+Sparrow, 20+Starling, 4 Blackbird, 2 Collar Dove, 2 Wood Pigeon, 6 Greenfinch, 2 Goldfinch, 1 Robin, 2 Blue Tit and for the first time ever in over 30 years at this address 1 male Chaffinch. Bob Sheridan.
Wat Tyler Country Park, 13:15 to 13:40
From the marina: 1 Iceland Gull picked up in flight before landing on the fields on other side of the creek, 200 Starling, 125 Lapwing, 30 Teal. Marc Outten (RSPB, SOG).
Rayleigh, Ferndale Road Area 14:05 to 15:05
1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 male Sparrowhawk, 20 Redwing, 10 Fieldfare. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Gunners Park, 15:00 to 16:00
From the seawall: 1 Great Northern Diver feeding on crabs just off the outfall at Shoebury Coastguards, 1 drake Red-breasted Merganser close inshore, 1 male Sparrowhawk, c.70 Lapwing on the beach, 2 Golden Plover on the beach, 3 Snipe on the beach, 4 Meadow Pipit. Don Petrie (SOG).
Greenwood Avenue, Benfleet
During the day: 20+ Fieldfare in back garden and surrounding gardens (a garden first) 12 Redwing, 3 Song Thrush (first for more than 2 months), plus Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Crows and Jackdaws. Tim Bennett.
Parkanaur Avenue Thorpe Bay
In garden: 1 male Blackcap 08.30, 2 Fieldfare - on and off all morning, 1 Sparrowhawk c.10.45, 1 Song Thrush - mid-day, 4/5 Blackbird, Ian and Marion Smith.
Wednesday 06th January 2010
Leigh on Sea, Stonehill Road 09:00 to 11:00
1 Green Woodpecker, 6 Redwing, 2 Goldfinch (the first use of the nyjer feeder!) in back garden. Vince Kinsler (SOG).
Southend, Rylands Road 09:45 to 09:50
1 Grey Wagtail in garden feeding and in pond drinking. Dave Knight (SOG).
Leigh on Sea, Lansdowne Avenue 10:30 to 10:35
44 Redwing. Matt Bruty (SOG).
Hadleigh Downs, 11:30 to 13:00
2 Green Woodpecker, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Woodcock, 6 Bullfinch (3 pairs), 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Sparrowhawk, 5 Jackdaw (Vic House roundabout), 1 Water Rail heard from ditch on Marshes. Paul Baker (SOG).
Shipwrights Drive, Benfleet 12:00
Male Blackcap in garden. Tim Smith.
Parkanaur Avenue, Thorpe Bay 12:00
Single Fieldfare - stayed a while, eating apples!, Goldfinch in silver Birch in the road, Greenfinch and Linnet on Rose Hedge (fruits) in front garden. Marion & Ian Smith.
Hockley Woods, 14:00 to 15:30
2 Woodcock, 4 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Treecreeper. Vince Kinsler (SOG).
Lower Raypits, 14:00 to 16:00
3 Great Crested Grebe, 1 adult male Hen Harrier, 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Snipe, c.200 Golden Plover, c.30 Skylark, 18 Reed Bunting, 31 Corn Bunting. Don Petrie (SOG).
Tuesday 05th January 2010
Rayleigh, Ferndale Road 08:30 to 09:15
1 male Bullfinch, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 male Blackcap (at least 3 birds must be wintering here), 1 Sparrowhawk. Paul Baker (SOG).
River Crouch, 09:00 to 13:35
South Fambridge to Raypits and back to Brandy Hole: 1800 Wigeon, 240 Pintail, 15 Gadwall, 4 Shoveler, 900 Teal, 25 Little Grebe, 10 Great Crested Grebe, 1 female Sparrowhawk, 40 Fieldfare, 20 Redwing, 4 Rock Pipit, 20 Skylark, 6 Reed Bunting, 2 Snipe, 20 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 adult Yellow-legged Gull, 1 Red-breasted Merganser (redhead between Fambridge and Brandy Hole), 1 Smew (redhead came upriver with 4 Coots), 1 Whooper Swan (adult), 3 Bewick's Swan (at least 3 adults viewed at range, although the herd has increased by 12). Neil Chambers (SOG).
Rayleigh, Ferndale Road Area 09:30 to 10:00
1 female Bullfinch, 8 Greenfinch, 30 Redwing. Vince Kinsler (SOG).
Eastwood Sewage Works, 09:30 to 10:05
4 Water Rail (2 seen and 2 others heard), 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Little Egret, 1 Reed Bunting. Paul Baker (SOG).
South Fambridge, 10:30 to 11:30
West along river for c.1km: 14 Little Grebe, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 300 Golden Plover, 40 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Reed Bunting, 40 Fieldfare, 20 Redwing. Vince Kinsler (SOG).
South Fambridge, 10:30 to 12:30
7 Bewick's Swan (adults with the herd), 1 Whooper Swan (adult), c.40 Mute Swan, 2 male Yellowhammer, 1 female Red-breasted Merganser, 1 adult Yellow-legged Gull, 1 Greylag Goose (with Canada's), 4 Coot on the river, 7 Snipe. Paul Baker (SOG).
Boyce Hill Golf Club 11.30
1 Snipe. R Shepherd.
Wat Tyler Country Park, 12:35 to 12:45
Scrape completely frozen: 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Water Rail (heard), 45 Lapwing on Bowers Marsh, 2 Snipe on scrape. Marc Outten (RSPB, SOG).
RSPB Vange Marsh 13:00 to 16:15
Large numbers of Teal and Wigeon on Pitsea Creek at high tide, 83 Lapwing, 3 Snipe, 8 Shoveler, 1 Greenshank, 3 Curlew, flock of 60+ Redwing and Fieldfare. David Shepherd.
Temple Farm, 13:25 to 13:40
1 adult female Peregrine Falcon sitting in the field, 20+ Golden Plover, 20+ Lapwing. Dudley Shayler (SOG).
Writtle. Near Chelmsford 13:40
1 Little Egret. Peter Goff.
South Fambridge, 14:00 to 16:50
Walked west to Brandy Hole, then east to the start of Bridgemarsh: 15 Little Grebe, 4 Great Crested Grebe, 44 Mute Swan, 1 adult Whooper Swan with mutes, 12 adult Bewick's Swan with the mutes, 3 Snipe, 12 Skylark, 5 Reed Bunting. Don Petrie (SOG).
Shoebury, Friars Park, 14:25 to 14:35
4 Mandarin Duck (3 drakes asleep on island). Neil Chambers (SOG).
Shoebury East Beach, 14:45 to 15:25
1 Black-throated Diver flew west, c.30 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Teal on the sea. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Priory Park, 15:40 to 16:15
1 Ring-necked Parakeet (proved to be quite elusive, and not very vocal), 1 Water Rail calling from island, 3 Little Egret roosting on island, c.250 Collared Dove (including one leucistic bird), c.30 Greenfinch, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Ark Lane, 16:30 to 16:50
1 Little Owl calling from grounds of The Lawns. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Monday 04th January 2010
Hockley Woods, 08:10 to 09:00
4 Great Spotted Woodpecker (3 drumming), 1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Stock Dove (2 singing), 2 Nuthatch (1 car park; 1 open area), 1 Woodcock flushed by two dogs just left of log pile by open area - I must have almost trod on it moments beforehand! Neil Chambers (SOG).
Wallasea Island, 09:20 to 10:00
1 Corn Bunting by farm, 1 female Peregrine Falcon sat in field opposite car park, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Reed Bunting, 1 Rock Pipit, 30 Skylark, 11 Mute Swan. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Wallasea Island, 10:00
1 large female Peregrine Falcon sat in field. Paul Baker (SOG).
RSPB Rainham Marshes 10:00 to 13:00
1 Serin, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Sparrowhawk, 300+ Wigeon. John Wilson.
South Fambridge, 10:20 to 10:45
1 adult Whooper Swan still with Mute Swan. Neil Chambers, Paul Baker (SOG).
River Crouch, 10:50 to 11:50
Walked from South Fambridge to Lion Creek - From South Fambridge to Brandy Hole and back: 1 female Stonechat in compound by seawall, 20 Grey Plover, 20 Shoveler, 2 Coot (unusual to see these on the river), 100 Shelduck, 1 Reed Bunting, 40 Fieldfare, 20 Redwing, 500 Wigeon, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 12 Little Grebe, 300 Golden Plover, 5 Teal, 1 Red-necked Grebe opposite mouth of Stow Creek, 1 female Sparrowhawk on north side. Neil Chambers, Paul Baker (SOG).
River Crouch, 11:50 to 13:30
South Fambridge to Landsend Point: 2 Marsh Harrier (fem/imms on north side), 80 Rook (around North Fambridge rookery), 7 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Little Grebe, 30 Bar-tailed Godwit, 10 Pintail, 20 Skylark, 44 Mute Swan, 1 Whooper Swan (with the Mutes), 1 Little Egret, 3 Reed Bunting, 3 Snipe. Neil Chambers, Paul Baker (SOG).
RSPB Vange Marsh, 12:00 to 13:15
2 Water Rail, 1 Cetti's Warbler (heard), 1 Chiffchaff (heard), 40 Redwing, 10 Fieldfare. Vince Kinsler, Don Petrie (SOG).
Temple Farm, 13:20 to 13:40
50+ Golden Plover, 40+ Lapwing, 2 female Kestrel, 5 Goldfinch, 11 Redwing, 18 Fieldfare. Dudley Shayler (SOG).
River Crouch, 13:30 to 14:30
From Landsend Point to Raypits. All ducks and waders on Bridgemarsh: 120 Pintail, 1000 Wigeon, 40 Gadwall, 100 Teal, 2 Rock Pipit, 10 Shoveler, 1 male Hen Harrier flew in from the east and continued west over Bridgemarsh, 100 Knot, 6 Reed Bunting, 3 Meadow Pipit, 1 Stonechat. Neil Chambers, Paul Baker (SOG).
Rossi's Ice Cream, Westcliff, 13:45 to 14:20
1 Ring-billed Gull, 3 adult Mediterranean Gull, 12 Sanderling. Vince Kinsler
Southend Pier, 14:30 to 15:15
3 Great Northern Diver together west of pier head, 7 adult Mediterranean Gull, 80 Turnstone on slipway. Vince Kinsler (SOG).
River Crouch, 14:30 to 16:30
Raypits to Lion Creek: 1 male Hen Harrier flew back east, 2 Jack Snipe flushed from spartina-type vegetation in partly frozen borrowdyke at approx. TQ908963, 6 Snipe, 1 Kingfisher, 43 Corn Bunting (single, plus flocks of 17, 22 & 3), 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Barn Owl, 30 Reed Bunting (several small flocks), 1 male Stonechat, 100 Skylark (at least. Several small flocks in the fields), 2 Rock Pipit, 35 Meadow Pipit, 2 Stock Dove. Neil Chambers, Paul Baker (SOG).
Shoeburyness, Friars Park, 15:45 to 16:00
4 Mandarin Duck (3 drake), 1 Chiffchaff south edge of pond. Vince Kinsler (SOG).
Wakering, Fleet Head, 16:10 to 16:35
160 Golden Plover, 220 Wigeon, 2 Red-legged Partridge, 2 Rock Pipit, 1 Little Egret. Vince Kinsler (SOG).
Sunday 03rd January 2010
Ashingdon, Princess Gardens 08.00
5 Jackdaw on our roof. The Collared Doves and Wood Pigeons are competing to produce the first clutch of the year despite a temp of -3 degrees! David Selley.
Rayleigh, Ferndale Road Area 08:20 to 09:00
2 Bullfinch (pair, good to see the female after several reports of a lone male), c.15 Redwing, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker. Martin Cracknell (SOG).
Wallasea Wetlands, 08:40 to 14:40
Low to High tide count, records from area east of tower to 2nd breach only: 1 Little Stint on rising tide about 12:40 with Dunlin then on high tide on scrape area east of tower, 650 Dunlin, 1 immature Peregrine Falcon, 1 Sparrowhawk hunting sea wall, 170 Knot, 1 immature drake Eider on north side of Crouch, 55 Ringed Plover, 20 Grey Plover, 24 Curlew, c.50 Redshank, c.250 Wigeon, c.220 Teal, 1 drake Tufted Duck (still per Chris Tyas), 3 Gadwall (scarce here), 2 Shoveler (scarce here), c.3000 Dark-bellied Brent Goose all on river or on Burnham side, 90 Shelduck, 50 Skylark. Jeff Delve
Leigh on Sea, Stonehill Road, 08:45 to 09:00
8 Redwing on windfall in back garden, 1 Grey Wagtail at pond edge. Vince Kinsler (SOG).
Two Tree Island, 09:30 to 12:30
2 Water Rail, 1500 Knot, 200 Bar-tailed Godwit, 2 Mute Swan flew towards Canvey, 11 Reed Bunting, 28 Skylark. 1 Northern Water Vole on borrowdyke. Graham Ryland (SOG).
Shoebury, Friars Park, 09:40 to 09:55
4 Mandarin Duck (3 drakes and a female). Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).
Wakering, Fleet Head (Potton raod only), 09:50 to 10:30
23 Corn Bunting, 1 female Marsh Harrier on Potton Island, 3 Little Egret. Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).
Hulbridge, The Anchor 10.00 - 10.30
9 Little Grebe, 1 Grey Heron, 71 Mute Swan, 1 Black Swan with the mutes. David Selley.
Wakering Stairs Through to Fleet Head 10:00 - 14:00
Red-legged Partridge, Dark-bellied Brent Goose, Mute Swan, Shelduck, Wigeon, Mallard, Pintail, Teal, Pochard, Red-throated Diver, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Grey Heron, Little Egret, Cormorant, Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon on New England, Marsh Harrier on Foulness, Hen Harrier ringtail on Potton, Moorhen, Oystercatcher, Pied Avocet, Lapwing, Golden Plover, Grey Plover, Ringed Plover, Common Snipe, Bar-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Redshank, Turnstone, Knot, Sanderling, Dunlin, Common Gull Great Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Black-headed Gull, Stock Dove, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Barn Owl on Foulness, Green Woodpecker, Jay, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Starling, Blackbird, Fieldfare, Redwing, Song Thrush, Robin, Stonechat, Dunnock, Meadow Pipit, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, 15 Corn Bunting, Reed Bunting. 2 Brown Hare, 2 Common Seal. Web Author, Kris Mee, Steve Sanford, Martin Cracknell et al.
Wakering, Fleet Head, 11:00 to 12:15
23 Corn Bunting, 27 Skylark, 220 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 2 Little Egret, 280 Lapwing, 600+ Golden Plover and large flock in flight over Potten Island, 1 male Sparrowhawk. Marc Outten (RSPB, SOG).
Southend Pier, 11:00 to 13:45
7 Great Northern Diver (5 ended up munching on crabs on the west side with one out towards Shoebury (Gunners bird perhaps) and one in flight outer river), 1 Black-throated Diver flew from the west and landed out towards Westcliff, 12 Mediterranean Gull, 1 drake Common Scoter east. Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).
Westcliff Seafront, 12:00 to 12:45
1 Ring-billed Gull, 1 Black-throated Diver feeding just east of casino, 2 Gavia sp. (probably Great Northerns - c300m west of end of pier), 3 adult Mediterranean Gull. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Southend Pier, 13:00 to 14:30
Incoming tide: 7 Great Northern Diver (5 to the west of the pier and 2 on the east side in 'Lifeboat bay'), 15 Mediterranean Gull. John Wright (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park 13:30 to 14:00
3 Marsh Harrier over Bowers Marsh. David Lee, Richard Stanley.
Wakering Stairs, 13:40 to 15:30
1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Slavonian Grebe (13:50-14:00 on sea about 500 metres out from slipway), 1 male Hen Harrier on Havengore Island, 1 Kestrel, 1 Rock Pipit, 2 Meadow Pipit, 6 Redwing, 1 Reed Bunting. Don Petrie
Shoebury, Friars Park, 14:15 to 14:45
4 Mandarin Duck (3 drake, 1 female), 1 Water Rail out in full view, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker. Web Author, Steve Sanford, Phil Anderson.
Leigh on Sea, Leighcliff Road 14:30
8 Redwing. Adam Firth.
Rossi's Ice Cream, Westcliff, 14:30 to 15:10
1 Black-throated Diver mid range but reasonable views in flat calm and bright conditions, 1 Ring-billed Gull present throughout, 1 adult Mediterranean Gull, 1 Great Northern Diver distant, west of Pier. Paul Baker (SOG).
Shoebury, Friars Park, 15:20 to 15:35
4 Mandarin Duck (3 drakes, 1 female). Paul Baker (SOG).
Stambridge, 15:25 to 15:30
Between school and Cherry Tree: 1 adult male Hen Harrier flew across road heading straight north. Jeff Delve (SOG).
Rossi's Ice Cream, Westcliff, 15:45 to 16:00
1 adult Ring-billed Gull flew in took bread then headed way out across estuary, 2 adult Mediterranean Gull one with most of hood already, 1 male Red-breasted Merganser just offshore, c.15 Turnstone. Jeff Delve (SOG).
Rossi's Ice Cream, Westcliff, 15:50 to 16:00
1 male Red-breasted Merganser approx. 75m from the shore, 17 Turnstone. Marc Outten (RSPB, SOG).
Southend Seafront, 16:10 to 16:30
80 Sanderling, 12 Ringed Plover, 8 Dunlin. Jeff Delve (SOG).
Saturday 02nd January 2010
Langdon Hills 08:15 to 13:00
7-8 Green Woodpecker, 8 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Nuthatch, 1 Treecreeper, 3 Bullfinch, 13 Siskin, 5-6 Goldfinch. Also Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Redwing, many Long-tailed Tit, Coal Tit, Goldcrest. Andrew Cox.
Hockley Woods, 08:25 to 10:00
2 Nuthatch, 2 Treecreeper (one seen with Long-tailed Tit flock by track along south side of woods and one heard in main clearing), 6 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Stock Dove, 1 Song Thrush, c.40 Redwing. 1 Red Fox. Mike Bailey (SOG).
Rossi's Ice Cream, Westcliff, 09:00 to 09:45
1 Black-throated Diver in channel further out, 1 Ring-billed Gull (Rossi showing well), 3 Mediterranean Gull (2 adults, 1 2nd winter), 1 Greenshank in the pool at the end of concrete boom. 39 Common Seal hauled out on Hadleigh Ray. Martin Cracknell (SOG).
Two Tree Island, 09:30 to 13:30
1 male Merlin eastern saltmarsh, 1 1st winter Caspian Gull from slipway, 2 Water Rail, 38 Skylark, 2 Fieldfare, 1 Spotted Redshank, 3 Bar-tailed Godwit, 4 Black-tailed Godwit, 20 Linnet, 2 Rock Pipit, 1 Snipe. Graham Ryland (SOG).
Rossi's Ice Cream, Westcliff, 09:45 to 10:30
1 Black-throated Diver 100 meters off beach on incoming tide then flew off towards Canvey at 10.15, 1 adult Ring-billed Gull still present, 4 Mediterranean Gull (3 adults, 1 2nd winter). Marc Outten (RSPB, SOG).
Hockley Woods, 10:00 to 12:15
2 Nuthatch, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Green Woodpecker. Brian Baldock (SOG).
Rayleigh, Ferndale Road 10:10 to 10:50
1 male Bullfinch, 3 Sparrowhawk (2 male, 1 female). Mike Bailey (SOG).
Daws Heath, 11:00
1 male Sparrowhawk seen from A127, 1 Kestrel. Mike Bailey (SOG).
Southend, 12:00
1 Grey Wagtail flew over High Street. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Two Tree Island (West), 12:00 to 14:00
2 Greenshank, c.800 Knot, 20 Bar-tailed Godwit, 10 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Water Rail, 1 Kestrel, 5 Reed Bunting, c.150 Dunlin, c.50 Ringed Plover, c.20 Grey Plover. John Wright, Bob Young (SOG).
Southend Pier, 12:00 to 14:30
2 Great Northern Diver feeding on crabs throughout just off the west side of the pier, 1 Black-throated Diver flew in from east and landed close to pier at 13:40, but lost to view after a few dives, 1 Red-throated Diver distant to east of pierhead, 5 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Purple Sandpiper roosting with turnstones on slipway, 8 Mediterranean Gull (7 adult W and a 1st W.), 1 adult Kittiwake. Don Petrie (SOG).
Gunners Park, 12:15 to 13:20
1 Great Northern Diver feeding on crabs around the jetty, 1 Rock Pipit, 2 Little Egret, 3 Fieldfare. Paul Griggs, Mike Bailey, Marc Outten (SOG).
Eastwood, Snakes Lane, 12:30 to 13:00
40 Redwing. Brian Baldock (SOG).
Southend Pier, 12:30 to 13:15
2 Great Northern Diver (adult and 1st winter feeding on crabs on west side at end), 1 Purple Sandpiper roosting with Turnstones on slipway, 1 Red-throated Diver flew upriver, 8 Mediterranean Gull (7 adults and 1st winter). Neil Chambers (SOG).
RSPB Vange Marsh, 13:00 to 14:30
5 Reed Bunting, 1 Water Rail, 1 Snipe, 2 Little Grebe, 40 Teal, 30 Wigeon (duck numbers well down), 14 Fieldfare, 40 Redwing. Martin Cracknell (SOG).
Wakering, Fleet Head, 14:00 to 15:00
8 Stock Dove, 19 Skylark, 19 Golden Plover, 5 Little Egret, 1 Spotted Redshank, 240 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 1 Corn Bunting. 2 Brown Hare. Paul Griggs (SOG).
Paglesham Lagoon, 14:00 to 16:30
2 Kestrel, 28 Goldeneye (3 adult drakes) , 2 Pintail, 2 Canada Goose, 4 Reed Bunting, 3 Great Crested Grebe on river, 1 Black-tailed Godwit on river, 1 male Stonechat, 1 Little Egret. 1 Brown Hare. Mike Bailey (SOG).
Rossi's Ice Cream, Westcliff, 14:15 to 14:45
1 Black-throated Diver mid river and quite distant, 1 Ring-billed Gull, 1 Red-throated Diver flew upriver. Paul Baker (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park, 14:45 to 15:10
Main scrape mostly frozen over: 1 male Marsh Harrier, 11 Gadwall, 15 Lapwing. Martin Cracknell (SOG).
Priory Park, 15:00 to 16:15
1 Little Egret, 1 male Sparrowhawk, 1 Ring-necked Parakeet in trees around ponds, 44 Greenfinch going to roost, 14 Redwing. Don Petrie (SOG).
Friday 01st January 2010
Paglesham Lagoon, 07:30 to 09:10
1 Whooper Swan flew low over Biggin Farm at 7.50, 44 Mute Swan, 27 Pintail, 18 Goldeneye (7 drake), 64 Pochard, 12 Little Grebe, 80 Teal on river edge, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Green Woodpecker, 4 Reed Bunting. Vince Kinsler (SOG).
Wallasea Wetlands, 09:30 to 10:30
35 Linnet, 8 Reed Bunting, 12 Skylark, 2 Rock Pipit, 2 Corn Bunting, 5 Grey Heron, 2 Little Egret. Vince Kinsler (SOG).
Westcliff Seafront, 09:40 to 11:00
1 Ring-billed Gull (Rossi still showing very well), 2 Black-throated Diver (the same bird as the past few days and a second slightly more distant bird), 1 Red-throated Diver (east), 1 immature drake Eider drifted up river on the tide, 1 drake Red-breasted Merganser, 6 Mediterranean Gull (all adults). Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).
Highlands Boulevard, Leigh, 09:55 to 10:00
1 male Blackcap in garden. Paul Griggs (SOG).
Rossi's Ice Cream, Westcliff, 10:50 to 11:20
2 Black-throated Diver, 1 drake Red-breasted Merganser, 1 Eider, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 4 Mediterranean Gull. Vince Kinsler (SOG).
Wakering, Fleet Head, 11:20 to 13:00
1 Marsh Harrier on Havengore, 2 Little Egret, 15 Corn Bunting in one mobile flock. 6 Brown Hare. Dudley Shayler (SOG).
Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 12:00 to 13:00
1 Greylag Goose flew north east, 40 Redwing feeding on berries at end of road. Paul Baker (SOG).
Gunners Park, 12:30 to 13:15
1 Great Northern Diver flew east, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Little Egret. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Rossi's Ice Cream, Westcliff, 15:00 to 15:45
1 Ring-billed Gull showing well, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Little Egret. 2 Common Seal. Paul Baker (SOG).
Cherry Orchard Lane, 16:00 to 16:50
1 Little Owl and another calling from front grounds of The Lawns, 1 male Sparrowhawk, 1 Green Woodpecker, c.10 Fieldfare. Paul Baker, Don Petrie (SOG).