South East Essex RSPB Wildlife Reports for January 2015
Saturday 31st January 2015north westerly, rain and sleet, max4°c
Canewdon, Scotts Hall Road 08:10 to 08:20
1 male Merlin chasing a probable Redwing, 7 Redwing, 10 Fieldfare in field by pig sheds. David Selley.
EWT Hanningfield Reservoir 10:50 to 15:30
6 Goosander (3 pairs), many pairs Goldeneye, 100s Wigeon, many Pochard, Teal, few Shoveler, Mallard, Tufted Duck, 2 Egyptian Geese, many Canada and Greylag Geese, c.20 Great Crested Grebe, 6 Little Grebe, 1 Common Gull, 100+ Black-headed Gull, several Great and Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1 Grey Heron, 13 Moorhen, 100+ Lapwing, c.10 Long-tailed Tit, Great and Blue Tit, 1 Coal Tit, 5 Wren, many Robin, c.30 Chaffinch, c.25 Meadow Pipit, many Pied Wagtail. 4 Muntjac Deer grazing together from Point hide. David & Brenda Hale.
Rochford, Hall Road 13:00 to 13:15
6 Yellowhammer. Tim Davis.
RSPB Wallasea Island 16:30 to 16:50
3 Little Egret, 4 Blackbird, 5 Pheasant, 2 Mallard, 2 Grey Heron, 30+ Woodpigeon, 1 Linnet, 8 Black-headed Gull. Rob Harris.
Ballards Gore 17:00 to 17:05
1 Barn Owl hunting the ditches along Creeksea Road. Rob Harris.
Friday 30th January 2015westerly, partly cloudy, max5°c
Wat Tyler Country Park 12:20 to 14:30
Magpie, Blackbird, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Blue Tit, Tufted Duck, Coot, Herring Gull, Carrion Crow, Little Grebe, Jackdaw, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Mallard, Collared Dove, Marsh Harrier, Canada Goose, Robin, Woodpigeon, Pochard, Feral Pigeon, Rook, Great Tit, Chaffinch, House Sparrow, Starling, Dunnock. S. Jackson & M. Hill.
Thursday 29th January 2015westerly, cloud and rain, max7°c
Southchurch Park East and Southchurch Park 08:25 and 08:45
1 Water Rail feeding in the centre small reed bed outcrop area, watched from only 20ft away for over 10 minutes opposite the Bloomfield bench, 2 drake Teal sheltering/grooming out of the wind under overhanging bushes near sluice gates, 4 Little Grebe, 1 Turnstone. Robert Dobinson.
RSPB Vange Marsh 13:00 to 15:30
12 Pintail (6 pairs), 20 Gadwall, 30 Shoveler, 6 Snipe, few Wigeon, Lapwing, Teal, 1 Marsh Harrier hunting reeds near wood yard. David Shepherd.
Abberton Reservoir 13:10 to 14:20
200+ Mallard, 4 Goldeneye, 200+ Tufted Duck, 200+ Pochard, 100+ Coot, 180+ Black-headed Gull, 60+ Herring Gull, 1 Blackbird, 150+ Canada Geese, 200+ Greylag Geese,2 Kestrel, 8 Magpie, 150+ Carrion Crow, 200+ Lapwing, 7 Mute Swan, 100+ Cormorant, 30+ Teal, 40+ Woodpigeon, 7 Pied Wagtail, 5 Shoveler, 6 Chaffinch, 12 House Sparrow, 40+ Fieldfare, 20+ Redwing, 1 Swan Goose. Rob Harris.
Chelmsford, Central Park, 15:45
2 Great Spotted Woodpecker. One seen drumming on tree branch, attracting the attention of a second (presumably a female), who flew to the same tree and perched a few feet away. The second bird drummed quietly following the drumming of the first bird, and after a minute or two it flew off across the river, pursued by the first bird. Paul Forsdick.
Wednesday 28th January 2015westerly, partly cloudy, max10°c
Southchurch Park East 08:42
1 Water Rail dashing across reed bed stubble into usual holt area opposite the Bloomfield bench. Robert Dobinson.
Tuesday 27th January 2015westerly, mostly cloudy, max9°c
Leigh on Sea, Stonehill Road, 08:30 to 09:30
1 Redwing on lawn, 1 Blackcap and 1 Long-tailed Tit feeding on fat-block chased off by Great Spotted Woodpecker. Laurie Greenwood.
Southchurch Park East 08:40
1 Water Rail dashing across reed bed stubble into cover opposite the Bloomfield bench. 1 drake Teal fishing/upending in far north west corner of pond. Robert Dobinson.
RSPB Wallasea Island 10:00 to 16:00
4 Short-eared Owl, 1 female Hen Harrier, 1 Merlin, 4 Kestrel, 2 Marsh Harrier, 100+ Corn Bunting, 100+ Stock Dove (large flock), 1 Mistle Thrush, 1000s Brent Geese, 100s Lapwing, few Reed Bunting, 3 Pied Wagtail, 2 pair Stonechat, 17 Mute Swan, many Skylark, 2 Grey Heron, 2 Little Egret, 24 Shelduck, 30+ Redshank, few Dunlin, 1 Curlew. David & Brenda Hale.
RSPB Wallasea Island 10:30 to 13:30
1 female Hen Harrier, 2 Marsh Harrier, 2 Kestrel, 1 Merlin, 20 Mute Swan, 2 Little Egret, 20 Linnet, 100 Corn Bunting, 1 Ringed Plover, 20 Lapwing, 30 Redshank, 6 Skylark, 1 Meadow Pipit, 20 Shelduck, 10 Oystercatcher, 100 Teal. John Wilson.
Hanningfield Reservoir Causeway 13:15 to 13:30
50+ Mallard, 5 Tufted Duck, 23 Pochard, 100+ Black-headed Gull, 30+ Herring Gull, 4 Lesser-black Backed Gull, 2 Common Gull, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 6 Coot, 3 Moorhen, 1 Blackbird, 2 Collared Dove, 30+ Woodpigeon, 200+ Greylag Geese, 300+ Canada Geese, 2 Mute Swan. 1 Muntjac deer. Rob Harris.
Monday 26th January 2015variable, partly cloudy, max11°c
Ashingdon, Princess Gardens 08:50
1 female Sparrowhawk. David Selley.
EWT Thurrock Thameside 11:15 to 15:45
1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 1 Chiffchaff, few Great and Blue Tit, c.10 Meadow Pipit, 1 Goldfinch, 1 Robin, 1 pair Stonechat, 2 Dunnock, 1 Skylark, few Blackbird, c.400 Avocet, c.1000 Dunlin, 4 Turnstone, 16 Grey Plover, c.30 Wigeon, c.200 Teal, 3 Shelduck, 5 Mallard, 4 Turnstone, 14 Magpie, c.100 Lapwing (over Kent side of river), Lesser Black-backed and Black-headed Gull, c.12 Cormorant. David & Brenda Hale.
Southchurch Park East 12:45
1 Water Rail feeding busily in water pools up and down reed bed stubble opposite the Bloomfield bench, watched for over 10 minutes. Robert Dobinson.
Battlesbridge 14:30 to 14:35
1 Sparrowhawk. Rob Harris.
RSPB Wallasea Island 15:00 to 16:00
1 Grey Heron, 2 Marsh Harrier, 5 Kestrel, 1 Rough-legged Buzzard, 1 Hen Harrier, 4 Little Egret, 100+ Lapwing, 50+ Herring Gull, 40+ Black-headed Gull, 70+ Corn Bunting, 22 Carrion Crow, 10 Magpie, 70+ Woodpigeon, 20+ Starling, 2 Pheasant, 100+ Linnet, 1 Wren, 12 Meadow Pipit, 20+ Mallard, 43 Teal, 20+ Shelduck, 3 Curlew, 1 Avocet, 50+ Redshank, 100+ Dunlin, 500+ Brent Geese, 7 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Mute Swan. Rob Harris.
A130 Rettendon 16:00 to 16:10
1 Common Buzzard. Rob Harris.
Sunday 25th January 2015west south west, mostly cloudy, max8°c
Leigh on Sea, Park View Drive (Big Garden Birdwatch) 08:15 to 09:15
2 Blackbird, 1 Song Thrush, 3 Dunnock, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Goldfinch, 2 Blue Tit, 4 Great Tit, 6 House Sparrow, 3 Magpie, 3 Woodpigeon, 3 Robin, 2 Collared Dove, 1 Carrion Crow, 2 Starling, 2 Herring Gull, 6 Black-headed Gull, 1 male Sparrowhawk, 1 Wren. We Author, Kris Mee.
Stonehill Road 09:15 to 10:30
Blackcap (seems to be resident now), 1 Goldcrest, 2 Long-tailed Tit (also regulars) in garden. Laurie Greenwood.
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 09:20 to 11:30
1 Ruff on creek (could be Pitsea marina bird), 1 male Yellowhammer by north reed bed, Marsh Harrier included 3 immature females perched together near west bunker, male and female Stonechat close to pill box, 1 Green Sandpiper, 150+ Wigeon flew south along creek, 400+ Teal on creek, 1 Little Egret, 100+ Lapwing at creek and some later at south pool, a few Black-tailed Godwit on creek, 1 Sparrowhawk, a group of 3 Little Grebe on creek, 1 Green Woodpecker. Richard Fahey.
Saturday 24th January 2015north westerly, clear, max7°c
Southend, Jones Memorial Park 09:00
A single Fieldfare, large flock of mixed Linnet and Goldfinch, 2 Green Woodpecker and 3 (very noisy) Jackdaw, Great Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, 1 Wren. Phil Lusher.
RSPB Rainham Marshes 09:15 to 16:30
1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Kestrel, c.10 Redwing, c.10 Fieldfare, few Blackbird, 1 Linnet, 1 Stonechat, 3 Meadow Pipit, 1 Wren, 4 Pied Wagtail, 4 Skylark, 6 Reed Bunting, 3 Robin, 2 Dunnock, 1 Stock Dove, few Chaffinch, 1 Yellow-legged Gull, 1 Common Gull, 3 Redshank, 1 Water Rail, c.30 Golden Plover, c.150 Dunlin, 12 Curlew, many Lapwing, 10 Snipe, 1 Little Egret, 4 Grey Heron, many Wigeon, few Gadwall, Shoveler, Mallard, Pintail, Shelduck, Teal, 1 Little Grebe, 3 Mute Swan, 1 Avocet. 2 Brown Rat, 1 Fox. David Hale.
Abberton Reservoir 10:50 to 14:30
Rook, Blackbird, Jackdaw, 50+ Starling, 10 Fieldfare, 130+ Lapwing, 10 Stonechat, 80+ Tufted Duck, Blue Tit, 8 Meadow Pipit, 10 Skylark, 100+ Wigeon, 75+ Teal, 200+ Canada Geese, Great Crested Grebe, Reed Bunting, Mute Swan, Great Black-backed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Carrion Crow, 7 Goldeneye, Shoveler, Herring Gull, 150+ Greylag Geese, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Great Tit, Pochard, Cormorant, Woodpigeon, Coot, Goosander, Smew, Moorhen, Buzzard, Chaffinch, 6 White-fronted Geese, 3 Meadow Pipit, 3 Pied Wagtail, Swan Goose, Mallard, Grey Heron, Little Egret, Robin, Magpie, Collared Dove. S. Jackson & M. Hill.
Rochford, Hall Road Cemetery 11:00 to 11:10
2 Green Woodpecker, 2 Fieldfare. Tim Davis.
London Southend Airport 12:40
2 Common Buzzard over northern perimeter. Tim Davis.
A130 Rettendon 13:00 to 13:05
1 Common Buzzard. Rob Harris.
Abberton Reservoir 13:40 to 14:20
200+ Mallard, 8 Goldeneye, 200+ Tufted Duck, 200+ Pochard, 40+ Teal, 100+ Coot, 20+ Moorhen, 200+ Black-headed Gull, 200+ Herring Gull, 250+ Canada Geese, 200+ Greylag Geese, 11 Pied Wagtail, 2 Kestrel, 1 Common Buzzard, 12 Magpie, 200+ Carrion Crow, 400+ Lapwing, 14 Mute Swan, 300+ Cormorant, 2 Blackbird, 30+ Fieldfare, 70+ Starling, 3 White Hybrid Geese. 1 Swan Goose, 12 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Grey Heron. Rob Harris.
Messing 15:45 to 15:50
1 Blue Pheasant. Rob Harris.
Tilbury, Coalhouse Fort 16:15
1 Barn Owl hunting south and east of lake. Dave Knight.
Rochford, Hall Road 16:30
2 Common Buzzard picking at a carcass in a field. Alexandra and Lisa Burgess.
Friday 23rd January 2015south south west, mostly cloudy, max7°c
Southchurch Park East 12:45
1 Water Rail walking across the ice up and down the reed bed stubble with its top feathers lit up by the afternoon sunshine opposite the Bloomfield bench, watched for over 10 minutes. Robert Dobinson.
RSPB Wallasea Island 15:45 to 16:45
20+ Mallard, 1 Marsh Harrier, 3 Kestrel, 2 Short-eared Owl, 3 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Stonechat, 200+ Lapwing, 30+ Herring Gull, 30+ Black-headed Gull, 70+ Corn Bunting, 22 Carrion Crow, 10 Magpie, 70+ Woodpigeon, 20+ Starling, 30+ Linnet, 1 Pheasant, 2 Red-legged Partridge. Rob Harris.
Thursday 22nd January 2015north north east, mostly cloudy, max4°c
Stanford-Le-Hope Area c.10:45
1 Little Egret flew west over road to port. Richard Fahey.
EWT Two Tree Island 11:00 to 16:15
1 Peregrine Falcon, 1 Kestrel, 2 Wren, 1 pair Stonechat, 2 Dunnock, 6 Reed Bunting, 2 Little Egret, 12 Snipe, 1 Yellow-legged Gull, many Common Gull, huge numbers of Knot and Dunlin in the 1000s, many Grey Plover, Redshank, Oystercatcher, Curlew. 12+ Turnstone, 2 Greenshank, 40+ Ringed Plover, c.50 Wigeon, many Teal, Shelduck, few Shoveler, c.200 Lapwing, Black-tailed Godwit, 20 Golden Plover, 5 Mute Swan, 50 Avocet, many Great Black-backed Gull, large numbers Black-headed Gull, 100s Brent Geese. 1 Fox. David & Brenda Hale.
RSPB Wallasea Island 12:00 to 13:00
1 Ring-tailed Hen Harrier, 1 male Marsh Harrier. Richard Shepherd.
Southchurch Park East 12:40 to 12:55
1 Water Rail feeding busily in water pools up and down reed bed stubble opposite the Bloomfield bench, watched for over 15 minutes. Robert Dobinson.
Hockley, Glencrofts 14:30
1 Jay, 8 Long-tailed Tit. Irwin Lewis.
RSPB Wallasea Island 14:30 to 15:30
45 Mallard, 2 Marsh Harrier, 4 Kestrel, 2 Short-eared Owl, 2 Little Egret, 300+ Lapwing, 30+ Redshank, 40+ Herring Gull, 60+ Black-headed Gull, 100+ Corn Bunting, 20 Carrion Crow, 6 Magpie, 140+ Woodpigeon, 30+ Starling, 2 Blackbird, 70+ Linnet, 200+ Brent Geese, 20 Canada Geese. Rob Harris.
Southend, Prittlewell Square 14:50
1 Peregrine Falcon in low pass over the Square garden. David Selley.
Southend, Victoria Avenue 16:10
7 Jackdaw sharing chips at the bus stop shelter by Churchill Gardens. David Selley.
Hockley
2 Song Thrush in garden this morning. John Atfield.
Wednesday 21st January 2015easterly, light snow, partly cloucy, max3°c
Rochford Reservoir 09:50
1 Mistle Thrush singing in the sleet. David Selley.
Southend, Westbury Road 10:45
Jay quite close to the house feeding on an apple that we put out for the birds. Mick Holland.
Maplin Way/Bishopsteignton 12:35
Little Egret on open land by Maplin Way/Bishopsteignton. Alec Beanse.
Tuesday 20th January 2015northerly to southerly, partly cloudy, max4°c
EWT Blue House Farm 09:40 to 17:00
1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Barn Owl, 2 female Marsh Harrier, 2 Buzzard, many 100s Lapwing, 100+ Golden Plover, 6 Snipe, 2 Curlew, many 100s Brent Geese, c.200 Wigeon, c.50 Pintail, 80 Mallard, 8 Gadwall, 3 Shoveler, 4 Shelduck, c.50 Teal, c.50 Coot, 10 Fieldfare, 4 Mistle Thrush, 2 pair Stonechat, 12+ Meadow Pipit, 1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Greenfinch, 4 Dunnock, 2 Wren, 5 Robin, few Blackbird, Great and Blue Tit, 2 Stock Dove, 500+ Rook, few Jackdaw, Carrion Crow. 1 Brown Rat, 3 Fox. David & Brenda Hale
Vange c.12:00
1 Common Buzzard soaring low over wood on hill. Richard Fahey.
Leigh on Sea, Stonehill Road 13:00 and 14:15
Male Blackcap seen feeding on tray attached to garden feeding station. Laurie Greenwood.
Abberton Reservoir 15:15 to 16:00
100+ Mallard, 2 Goldeneye, 2 Smew (1 drake), 200+ Tufted Duck, 100+ Pochard, 200+ Wigeon, 50+ Coot, 300+ Black-headed Gull, 100+ Herring Gull, 6 Blackbird, 2 Kestrel, 150+ Canada Geese, 100+ Greylag Geese, 9 Magpie, 100+ Carrion Crow, 200+ Lapwing, 20+ Mute Swan, 50+ Cormorant, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Pheasant, 50+ Starling, 40+ Woodpigeon, 1 Swan Goose, 3 White Hybrid Geese. Rob Harris.
Monday 19th January 2015variable partly cloudy, max4°c
No reports received for this day.
Sunday 18th January 2015variable partly cloudy, max4°c
Wakering Stairs 08:00 to 11:00
2 Pale-bellied Brent Goose (together) with flock of 1121 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Peregrine Falcon. David Selley.
Southend, Meadow Drive 08:10
Greater Spotted Woodpecker drumming on the joint box at the top of a phone pole in Meadow Drive. Alec Beanse.
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 09:40 to 12:00
1 Whimbrel up and down and calling on north saltmarsh, 1 immature female Marsh Harrier, 2 Stonechat, 1 Green Sandpiper, 15+ Wigeon by shrub mound pool, 5 Gadwall, 35+ Teal, c.8 Shoveler, c.7 Little Egret, 1 Lapwing flying, 1 Green Woodpecker, Cetti's Warbler heard at Coryton. Richard Fahey.
Shoeburyness Bay 16:10 to 16:50
50+ Herring Gull, 2 Woodpigeon, 13 Redshank, 40+ Oystercatcher, 7 Ringed Plover, 12 Carrion Crow, 3 Turnstone, 200+ Dunlin, 1000+ Knot, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 2 Curlew, 1 Greenshank, possible Grey Phalarope. Ben and John Mapp.
Saturday 17th January 2015south westerly, partly cloudy, max6°c
Southchurch Park East and Southchurch Park 08:30 and 08:45
1 Water Rail feeding for five minutes along reed bed then skulking back into holt and another heard calling back to it in usual place opposite the Bloomfield bench, 2 drake Teal feeding around same area reed bed area, 2 Turnstone both flying around perimeter of east pond and calling. Robert Dobinson.
Benfleet, Thundersley Park Road 08:45
2 Blackcap (1 male, 1 female) in garden. Jerry Stock.
RSPB Rainham Marshes 10:00 to 12:30
10 House Sparrow, 7 Starling, 1 Wren, 200+ Golden Plover, 3 Collared Dove, 8 Goldfinch, 2 Greenfinch, 20 Mallard, 25+ Coot, 4 Moorhen, 400+ Lapwing, 3 Chaffinch, 3 Magpie, 2 Robin, 100+ Wigeon, 14 Pintail, 4 Gadwall, 4 Shelduck, 6 Herring Gull, 2 Woodpiegon, 70+ Dunlin, 1 Bittern, 20+ Shoveler, 1 Dunnock, 10 Tufted Duck, 5 Snipe, 3 Marsh Harrier, 7 Carrion Crow, 1 Blackbird, 10 Great Tit, 14 Blue Tit, 3 Reed Bunting, 3 Water Rail, 1 Peregrine, 2 Pochard, 2 Mute Swan, 30+ Canada Geese, 2 Cormorant, 6 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 3 Great Black-backed Gull, 2 Rook, 3 Kestrel, 7 Redshank, 10 Ringed Plover, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Curlew, 1 Rock Pipit, 300+ Black-headed Gull, 1 Redwing, 1 Stonechat. Also heard a Pheasant. Ben and John Mapp.
Hanningfield Reservoir 10:20 to 14:20
Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Magpie, Blue Tit, 150+ Black-headed Gull, 150+ Greylag Goose, 200+ Canada Goose, 70+ Wigeon, Woodpigeon, 250+ Coot, Herring Gull, Mallard, 173+ Tufted Duck, Moorhen, Great Tit, Stock Dove, 30+ Great Black-backed Gull, 150+ Cormorant, Goosander (3 pair), Little Grebe, Gadwall, Lesser Back-backed Gull, Great Crested Grebe, Grey Heron, Lapwing, Common Gull, Robin, Blackbird, 10 Mute Swan+, 95 Teal, 15 Shoveler, Pied Wagtail, 8 Goldeneye, Dunnock. S. Jackson & M. Hill.
EWT Abberton Reservoir 11:20 to 16:30
1 pair Marsh Harrier, 2 Kestrel, 1 Barn Owl (Gwens hide at 3pm), 3 Smew (2 drake, 1 female), 1 drake Goosander, 1 Egyptian Goose, 7 Snipe, 2 Bittern, 2 Mistle Thrush, c.10 Long-tailed Tit, 6 Goldfinch, few Blue Tit, 2 pair Stonechat, 4 Reed Bunting, many Pied Wagtail, 100s of Lapwing, 8 Grey Heron, 2 Little Egret, several pair Goldeneye, 1 female Red Crested Pochard. 1 Brown Hare. David & Brenda Hale.
Eastwood 13:45
Sparrowhawk in garden. Colin Newman.
Wakering Stairs 15:00 to 16:15
1 Common Buzzard, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Kestrel. Mike Sagrott.
RSPB West Canvey Marsh 15:30 to 15:45
1 Barn Owl hunting in Red Hill area. Jerry Stock.
Hanningfield Reservoir Causeway 16:00 to 16:25
60+ Tufted Duck, 100+ Mallard, 60+ Pochard, 6 Mute Swan, 4 Great Crested Grebe, 40+ Cormorant, 200+ Black-headed Gull, 60+ Herring Gull, 40+ Lesser Black-backed Gull, 100+ Lapwing, 40+ Coot, 2 Magpie, 23 Carrion Crow, 30+ Woodpigeon, 13 Pied Wagtail, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Chaffinch, 1 Blackbird. Rob Harris.
Friday 16th January 2015westerly, scattered clouds, max6°c
Abberton Reservoir 11:30 to 14:30
Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Mute Swan, Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Wigeon, Gadwall, Teal, Mallard, Shoveler, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Goldeneye, Smew, Kestrel, Moorhen, Coot, Lapwing, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Woodpigeon, Pied Wagtail, Blackbird, Long-tailed Tit, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Swan Goose. Kevin Taylor.
RSPB Vange Marsh 13:00 to 16:00
8 Pintail, 16 Gadwall, 16 Teal, 90+ Wigeon, 24 Snipe, 26 Shovler, 3 Grey Heron, 1 Marsh Harrier, 20+ Pied Wagtail, 6 Greenfinch, 8 Pheasant, 1 Green Sandpiper. David Shepherd.
Abberton Reservoir 13:45 to 14:45
100+ Mallard, 2 Goldeneye, 100+ Tufted Duck, 100+ Pochard, 150+ Coot, 100+ Black-headed Gull, 60+ Herring Gull, 3 Blackbird, 250+ Canada Geese, 100+ Greylag Geese,2 Kestrel, 3 Magpie, 100+ Carrion Crow, 400+ Lapwing, 12 Mute Swan, 50+ Cormorant, 7 Great Crested Grebe, 6 Redshank, 40+ Woodpigeon, 1 Collared Dove, 2 Smew (1 drake), 1 Swan Goose, 3 White Hybrid Geese. Rob Harris.
Chafford Hundred 14:20
2 Song Thrush, Green Woodpecker, Blue Tit, Robin and 2 Blackbird in my garden at Chafford. Joan Fraser.
Thursday 15th January 2015south westerly, partly cloudy, max11°c
Billericay, Lake Meadows 10:45 to 11:45
2 Egyptian Geese, 1 pair Great Crested Grebe, 9 Goosander, (8 drakes, 1 Redhead), 20+ Moorhen. David & Brenda Hale.
RSPB Rainham Marshes 12:30 to 16:20
1 Kingfisher, 2 Skylark, few Meadow Pipit, 4 Pied Wagtail, c.200 Lapwing, many Teal, Mallard, Gadwall, 9 drake Pintail, (probably as many females), 100s Wigeon, 10 Shelduck, few Tufted Duck, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Little Egret, 2 Curlew, c.20 Snipe, 1 pair Marsh Harrier, 1 Kestrel. David & Brenda Hale.
Wednesday 14th January 2015south westerly, partly cloudy, max9°c
Chelmsford, Hylands Park 08:30 to 13:30
Canada Goose, Mallard, Moorhen, Black-headed Gull, Woodpigeon, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Jay, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Starling. Kevin Taylor.
RSPB West Canvey Marsh 15:10
1 Barn Owl hunting over field west of the viewing mound. David Lee.
Tuesday 13th January 2015westerly, partly cloudy, max11°c
EWT Hanningfield Reservoir 09:30 to 16:15
1 pair Marsh Harrier, 1 Buzzard, 5 pair Goldeneye, Goosander (2 drakes, 4 females), 2 Egyptian Geese, 1 pair Shoveler, Pintail (3 drakes, 1 female), c.50 Lapwing, many 100s Black-headed Gulls on meadow with c.100 Wigeon an large numbers of Canada and Greylag Geese, c.30 Meadow Pipit, c.20 Chaffinch. 3 Muntjac Deer. David & Brenda Hale.
Foulness Island 14:00 to 15:00
1 Rough-legged Buzzard, 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Marsh Harrier, 2 Kestrel, 8 Little Egret, c.350 Brent Geese, c.75 Chaffinch, c.35 Blackbird, c.25 Redwing, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, pair Stonechat, 1 Kingfisher. Steve Giles.
Monday 12th January 2015south westerly, mostly cloudy, max12°c
Fambridge Road, South Fambridge 11:20
1 Kestrel. Alexandra Burgess.
Sunday 11th January 2015westerly, partly cloudy, max8°c
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 09:00 to 10:40
1 Whimbrel on creek, 1 female Marsh Harrier, 10 Fieldfare arrived over seawall and flew east, c.7 Gadwall on Manorway Fleet, 200+ Teal on creek, 1 Little Egret, 30+ Chaffinch, 1 Green Woodpecker. Richard Fahey.
East Mersea Island 10:30 to 14:30
Little Egret, Mute Swan, Shelduck, Wigeon, Gadwall, Teal, Mallard, Shoveler, Kestrel, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover, Golden Plover, Grey Plover, Lapwing, Sanderling, Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Redshank, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Woodpigeon, Green Woodpecker, Stonechat, Blackbird, Mistle Thrush, Blue Tit, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Greenfinch. Kevin Taylor.
A128 Near Thorndon Park, North Entrance in Field 11:00
2 Egyptian Geese. M. Sullivan.
Thurrock, Thameside Nature Park 11:15 to 14:00
Magpie, Moorhen, Woodpigeon, Great Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Redshank, Avocet, Black-tailed Godwit, Carrion Crow, Teal, Dunnock, Shelduck, Pintail, Wigeon, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Robin, Turnstone, Black-throated Diver, Cormorant, Sanderling, Kittiwake, Mallard, Peregrine Falcon, Starling, Collared Dove. S. Jackson & M. Hill.
RSPB Wallasea Island 13:45 to 14:15
5 Little Egret, 7 Kestrel, 1 Marsh Harrier, 300+ Lapwing, 60+ Linnet, 3 Red-legged Partridge, 60+ Herring Gull, 40+ Black-headed Gull, 12 Redshank, 14 Carrion Crow, 1 Moorhen, 30+ Mallard, 60+ Woodpigeon, 1 Blackbird, 30+ Corn Bunting, 1 Grey Heron, 5 Magpie. Rob Harris.
Ballards Gore 14:30 to 14:35
7 Common Pheasant, 1 Kestrel. Rob Harris.
A130 Rettendon 15:15 to 15:17
1 Common Buzzard mobbed by Carrion Crow by pylons. Rob Harris.
Saturday 10th January 2015westerly, mostly cloudy, max15°c
EWT Warley Place 11:30 to 16:00
1 Grey Heron, 2 Moorhen, 1 Mallard, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Coal Tit, many Great and Blue Tit, 1 Chaffinch, 1 Wren, few Blackbird, 3 Nuthatch, 3 Long-tailed Tit, 4 Robin, 1 Dunnock, c.50 Jackdaw. David & Brenda Hale.
Friday 09th January 2015west south west, partly cloudy, max15°c
EWT Abberton Reservoir 14:00 to 14:30
200+ Mallard, 4 Goldeneye, 100+ Tufted Duck, 200+ Pochard, 100+ Coot, 30+ Moorhen, 200+ Black-headed Gull, 200+ Herring Gull, 50+ Canada Geese, 100+ Greylag Geese, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Kestrel, 7 Magpie, 100+ Carrion Crow, 300+ Lapwing, 22 Mute Swan, 100+ Cormorant, 1 Blackbird, 30+ Chaffinch, 1 Swan Goose, 3 White Hybrid Geese. Rob Harris.
Foulness Island 14:30 to 15:30
1 ringtail Hen Harrier, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Marsh Harrier, 4 Kestrel, c.20 Little Egret, c.250 Lapwing, c.75 Chaffinch, c.50 Redwing, c.30 Blackbird, 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker. Steve Giles.
EWT Hanningfield Reservoir Causeway 15:00 to 15:20
300+ Canada Geese, 250+ Greylag Geese, 60+ Herring Gull, 25 Lapwing, 150+ Black-headed Gull, 3 Greater Black-backed Gull, 46 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 33 Cormorant, 50+ Coot, 43 Tufted Duck, 100+ Mallard, 40+ Pochard, 30+ Woodpigeon, 5 Carrion Crow, 3 Magpie, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 5 Mute Swan. 1 Grey Squirrel. Rob Harris.
Thursday 08th January 2015south westerly, rain, max11°c
Southchurch Park 08:35
1 Turnstone flying out of sluice gate area to bowling green. Robert Dobinson.
Westcliff 15:30
Young Mute Swan on Westcliff High School for Boys' school field. S. Whitaker.
Ashingdon, Princess Gardens 20:20 to 20:30
1 male Tawny Owl heard calling twice, distantly then closer. David Selley.
Wednesday 07th January 2015south westerly, partly cloudy, max10°c
Hanningfield Reservoir Causeway 09:30 to 09:45
2 Goldeneye, 23 Tufted Duck, 48 Mallard, 23 Pochard, 2 Mute Swan, 1 Little Grebe, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 45 Cormorant, 50+ Black-headed Gull, 30+ Herring Gull, 24 Lapwing, 9 Coot, 2 Magpie, 5 Carrion Crow, 16 Woodpigeon. Rob Harris.
Jones Memorial Park, Eastern Avenue 10:00
Flock of 10 - 12 Goldfinch, many immature Herring Gull amongst the usual flock on the playing fields (when the tide is in), female Bullfinch showing well (a first sighting for me at this site). Phil Lusher.
EWT Hanningfield Reservoir 10:30 to 16:00
3 Buzzard, 2 female Marsh Harrier, 1 Kestrel, 8 Redhead Goosander, c.55 Pochard (all drakes), c.200 Wigeon, 6 pair Goldeneye at least, many Teal, Shoveler, Gadwall, Mallard, few Tufted Duck, many Great Crested Grebe, 4 Little Grebe, 24 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 8 Common Gull, many 100s Black-headed Gull, 1 Great Black-backed Gull, c.100 Lapwing, c.20 Chaffinch, c.30 Meadow Pipit, many Pied Wagtail, 2 White Wagtail, 5 Grey Heron, c.100 Coot, many Canada, Greylag Geese, 2 Mute Swan. 2 Muntjac Deer, c.100 hibernating Ladybird. David & Brenda Hale.
Hanningfield Reservoir 11:30 to 15:00
Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Grey Heron, Mute Swan, Canada Goose, Wigeon, Gadwall, Teal, Mallard, Shoveler, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Goldeneye, Goosander, Pheasant, Moorhen, Coot, Lapwing, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Pied Wagtail, Robin, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Starling, Chaffinch. Kevin Taylor.
Two Tree Island West 12:00 to 13:15
1 Curlew, 1 Shelduck, 500+ Knot, 300+ Dunlin, 2 Turnstone, many Redshank, Grey Plover, Ringed Plover, Wigeon, Shoveler and Lapwing, 8 Snipe, 60 Avocet, 2 Greenshank. Richard Shepherd.
Southchurch Park East 12:50 to 12:55
1 Water Rail having a good wash and brush up in the fresh water for at least 5 minutes on farthest point of reed bed opposite Bloomfield bench, excellent to watch. 2 drake Teal doing the same close by on large branch in water, then took off and both flew a circuit of the pond. Robert Dobinson.
Tuesday 06th January 2015southerly, mostly cloudy, max10°c
No reports received for this day.
Monday 05th January 2015south westerly, mostly cloudy, max9°c
EWT Woodham Fen 08:30 to 10:30
2 Jack Snipe, 36 Common Snipe, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Redwing, 3 Little Egret, 4 Redshank, 3 Jay, 6 Meadow Pipit, 3 Long-tailed Tit, 18 Gadwall, 50 Woodpigeon, 8 Moorhen, 20 Blackbird. Dawn James.
Tattersall Gardens, Leigh-on-Sea 09:50 to 10:05
1 leucistic Collared Dove among 4 normal ones in garden. Martin Johnson.
EWT Two Tree Island 10:30 to 15:00
1 Peregrine Falcon (bird took a Dunlin from 100s that panicked on river mud strip), 1 Kingfisher fishing from scrape sluice, 4 Reed Bunting, 2 Snipe, 2 Greenshank, few Grey Plover, c.30 Ringed Plover, many Oystercatcher, Dunlin in their hundreds, Knot, many hundreds, many Teal, Shoveler, Wigeon, 2 Snipe, few Curlew, Turnstone, Shelduck, c.100 Bar-tailed Godwit, c.100+ Lapwing, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret, 20 Brent Geese, 7 Great Black-backed Gull, 1 Common Gull, 38 Avocet. David & Brenda Hale.
River Roach, Near Great Stambridge 11:30
1 Merlin. David Chivers.
Pound Wood, Daws Heath 11:30 to 12:40
1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 female Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (first clearing on left of bridleway from Bramble Road), 4 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Treecreeper, 3+ Bullfinch (3 females seen together). Richard Gray.
Sunday 04th January 2015westerly, freezing fog, max3°c
South Wood, Hylands Park, Chelmsford 09:00 to 15:00
1 Sparrowhawk hunting fast and low, 1 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, 20+ Redwing (individuals feeding in bushes by main car park, plus flock of 20+ out on the open field), 3 Mistle Thrush in tree tops, 10+ Goldcrest (large flock calling and moving around together), 10+ Nuthatch, 10+ Treecreeper, 8 Bullfinch (mixed flock). Dan Foulston.
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 09:30 to 11:20
1 female Bullfinch in thicket by Coryton track, a few Fieldfare, 2 Snipe, 10+ Wigeon, 60+ Teal, at least 1 drake Shoveler in small flock circling over Coryton, 30+ Chaffinch, 1 Little Egret. Richard Fahey.
Saturday 03rd January 2015variable, rain, max6°c
North Shoebury 13:35
Female Blackcap in garden. Terry Strong.
Southchurch Park
1 Turnstone feeding/flying/calling around feeding stations on east pond. Robert Dobinson.
Friday 02nd January 2015partly cloudy, partly cloudy, max13°c
Canewdon, Lambourne Hall Road 08:00
1 Barn Owl. David Selley.
Hockley Woods 10:30 t0 11:30
Green Woodpecker (Heard others drumming), 2 Treecreeper, 1 Firecrest, 2 Coal Tit. Jim and Lin Bailey.
RSPB Wallasea Island 10:45 to 15:00
Rough-legged Buzzard, Kestrel (pair), 2 ringtail Hen Harrier, Marsh Harrier (pair), 2 Short-eared Owl, Little Egret, Lapwing, Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit, Redshank, Knot, Corn Bunting, Stonechat, Meadow Pipit, Skylark, Mallard, Shelduck, Brent Geese, Carrion Crow. S. Cook.
RSPB Wallasea Island 12:45 to 16:30
1 Rough-legged Buzzard, 2 ringtail Hen Harrier, 2 Marsh Harrier, 5 Kestrel, 1 Merlin, 2 possible Peregrine Falcon coming to roost, 7 Short-eared Owl, massive flock of Corn Bunting, large flock of Brent Geese in field, 10 Stonechat. Jim and Lin Bailey.
RSPB Wallasea Island 15:15 to 16:03
2 Moorhen, 15 Mallard, 2 Hen Harrier, 2 Marsh Harrier, 3 Kestrel, 5 Short-eared Owl, 3 Little Egret, 1 Stonechat, 300+ Lapwing, 30+ Redshank, 1 Curlew, 40+ Herring Gull, 70+ Corn Bunting, 4 Black-tailed Godwit, 12 Carrion Crow, 40+ Black-headed Gull, 4 Magpie, 140+ Woodpigeon, 30+ Starling. 2 Brown Hare, 1 Weasel by car park. Rob Harris.
Thursday 01st January 2015south westerly, mostly cloudy, max11°c
Wakering Stairs 08:20 to 09:30 (high tide)
1 Cormorant, 1 Little Egret, 2 Grey Heron, 878 Dark-bellied Brent Goose (all flying off the estuary and towards Potton/Wallasea), 3 Shelduck, 1 Merlin, 1540 Oystercatcher, 19 Ringed Plover, 215 Grey Plover, 9600 Knot, 2000 Dunlin, 3470 Bar-tailed Godwit, 26 Redshank, 9 Turnstone, 1 Green Woodpecker, 14 Redwing. David Selley.
Thurrock, EWT Thameside Nature Park 09:50 to 10:40
1 Stonechat, 60+ Wigeon, 30+ Lapwing, 20+ Black-tailed Godwit. Richard Fahey.
Tattersall Gardens, Leigh-on-Sea 10:10 to 10:20
1 Song Thrush, first in my garden for about two years. Martin Johnson.
RSPB Rainham Marshes 10:45 to 16:15
2 Peregrine Falcon, 1 female Marsh Harrier, 1 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Barn Owl, 4 Redwing, c.25 Fieldfare, few Blackbird, 6 Snipe, 1 Water Rail, c.20 Golden Plover, 100s Lapwing, 100s Wigeon, 6 Grey Heron, 2 Little Egret, 1 Little Grebe, many pairs Pintail, many Shelduck, Shoveler, Teal, Mallard, few Pochard, Gadwall, Tufted Duck, few Common Gull, few Meadow Pipit, 1 Goldfinch, 1 Wren, 1 Robin, 5 Reed Bunting, c.20 Linnet, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Chaffinch, 6 Dunnock. 2 Brown Rat. David & Brenda Hale.
Southend Airport/Eastwood Church 11:00
Sparrowhawk On fence by Eastwood Church. Les.
RSPB Bowers Marsh 13:45 to 15:30
2 Magpie, Redshank, Black-headed Gull, 2 Kestrel, 1 Marsh Harrier, Teal, 2 Moorhen, Lapwing, 1 Long-tailed Tit, 3 Little Egret, Shelduck, Blue Tit, 1 Reed Hunting, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Curlew, 3 Avocet, 1 Fox. Chris Cole.