Bird Reports for July 2001

31/07/01
The Fleet, Wakering 18:30 - 19:05: 2 Avocet, 5 Ruff, 1 male Marsh Harrier, 2 Turtle Dove, c.30 Goldfinch. Good close up views of the Marsh Harrier were had for at least 10 minutes as it flew quite close to the road. Its appearance was very striking, the bird was extremely 'tatty' in appearance and was obviously in full moult judging by the amount of missing primaries, the tops of the inner wing were almost white in colour. Web Author.
Old Hall Marshes: Wilson's Phalarope reported still on Irongate Flash.
Hanningfield Reservoir: Ruddy Shelduck reported also Yellow-legged Gull and a Black Tern.

30/07/01
Old Hall Marshes: Wilson's Phalarope reported as flying from Irongate Flash towards Tollesbury Fleet at 14:50.

29/07/01
The Fleet, Wakering 07:45 - 10:30: 3 Little Egret, 3 Kestrel, 4 Marsh Harrier (2 male, 2 female), 6 Avocet, 6 Black-tailed Godwit (all in summer plumage), 27 Whimbrel (6 by grazing herd and the remainder on Potton Island), 1 Spotted Redshank, Common Redshank, 12 Green Sandpiper, 1 Wood Sandpiper, 5 Common Sandpiper, 15 Ruff, 23 Common Tern, Yellow Wagtail, 1 Linnet, Reed Bunting, 6 Corn Bunting. Steve Sanford, Don Wildish, Web Author. Also: The Fleet 12:00 - 15:00: 8 Avocet, 2 Black-tailed Godwit , 20+ Whimbrel , 1 Spotted Redshank, 5 Green Sandpiper, 3 Wood Sandpiper, 6 Common Sandpiper, 10 Ruff, 6 Yellow Wagtail, 15 Greenshank, 3 Turtle Dove, 10+ Sand Martin. Paul Griggs, Don Petrie (SOG). Also: The Fleet 16:00-19:00: 2 female Marsh Harrier, Kestrel, 7 Little Egret, Little Tern, 5 Common Tern, 3 Ringed Plover, 8 Golden Plover,10+ Black-tailed Godwit, 10+ Bar-tailed Godwit, 50+ Turnstone, 50+ of Redshank and Greenshank, 5 Whimbrel, 75+ Curlew. Steve Giles.
Two Tree Island and Benfleet Creek 19.42hrs 4.9m Wind light SW Sunny, hot 28C: lagoon western end: observed 09.55 - 10.50hrs. 3 Avocet, Ringed Plover 2 adults with 3 chicks, Oystercatcher 2 adults, one sitting tight on nest to right of hide. Observations along sea wall from Benfleet to Leigh Station 17.40 - 21.30hrs: Black Headed Gull groups all the way from Benfleet to Leigh, total on creeks ca. 1,300, a separate roost on field on Hadleigh marsh ca. 400. Common Gull 14 on Leigh Creek saltings south of Leigh station. Herring Gull 41 Lesser Black Backed Gull 17, Great Black Backed Gull 14, Yellow Legged Gull 5, Little Tern 6, Oystercatcher 6, Curlew 1, Whimbrel 4, Black-tailed Godwit 43, Greenshank 4, Redshank 42, Common Sandpiper 4, Lapwing two roosting flocks on bare earth fields on Hadleigh marsh, total ca 285, Grey Heron 2, Little Egret 4 visible across Leigh Creek from sea wall by Leigh Station roosting on trees over filter beds on TTI, there may have been more. Martin Johnson 
Old Hall Marshes: Wilson's Phalarope, Wood Sandpiper and Temminck's Stint all reported.
Coalhouse Fort: three Black-tailed Godwit, seven Turnstones, two Common Sandpipers, three Dunlin, and a Willow Warbler. David Jobbins.
Wat Tyler Country Park: two Peregrines, a Sparrowhawk, 7 Ruff, three Little Ringed Plovers, and a Green Sandpiper. David Jobbins.

28/07/01
The Fleet, Wakering: The first signs of something pretty amazing happening at The Fleet today were observed by John Wright (SOG) at 13:00 when c.51Whimbrel (including one flock of 46 in the grazing area by the herd of cows) were observed, by 17:00 Steve Arlow (SOG) had increased this fantastic total to c.70! This is, as far as we know, an unprecedented number of these birds for this area. Whimbrels look very much like Curlews and have similarly down-curved bills but they are smaller, with shorter bills and obvious stripes through the crown (not so noticeable at this time of year when moulting). In flight their smaller size and quicker wing beats are the best ways of separating them. Usually birds return to their breeding areas April to June, departing by October. They winter mainly along the coast of west Africa. Since the late 1960's breeding numbers have increased by over 100% in Scotland mainly thanks to the cool wet summers. The population is thought to be 410-500 pairs on Shetland and probably fewer than 25 pairs in the rest of Scotland which makes the total seen at The Fleet even more remarkable! 

Also observed at The Fleet: 7 Little Egret, 1 female Marsh Harrier, 6 Avocet, 1 Common Snipe, 1 summer plumage Golden Plover, 2 Wood Sandpiper (with a possible 2 more), 7 Green Sandpiper, 5 Common Sandpiper, 6 Greenshank, 1 Spotted Redshank, 6 Black-tailed Godwit, 22 Ruff, 3 Turtle Dove, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Pied Wagtail. Web Author.
Barling Gravel Pits 06:30 - 09:40: 4 Little Grebe, 3 Little Egret, 2 Mute Swan with one chick, 22 Tufted Duck, 2 Avocet, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Ruff, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 3 Turtle Dove, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 female Blackcap, many Common Whitethroat, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Linnet, 1 Yellowhammer. Web Author.
For information: A Quail has been heard calling in the local area over the last two weeks.
Old Hall Marshes: female Wilson's Phalarope reported in Iron Gate Flash area.

27/07/01
The Fleet, Wakering 19:15 - 20:30: 2 Little Egret, 1 female Marsh Harrier, 1 Common Snipe, 3 Black-tailed Godwit (all in summer plumage), 1 Whimbrel, 2 Spotted Redshank, Common Redshank, Green Sandpiper, 10 Ruff, 3 Common Tern, 3 Turtle Dove, c.40+ Greenfinch, c.30+ Goldfinch. Web Author.
Old Hall Marshes: Wilson's Phalarope reported in the Iron Gate Flash area along with Temminck's Stint and 2 Garganey

25/07/01
Wakering Stairs and The Fleet 1730-2000: Little Egret, Common Sandpiper, Common Tern, Ringed Plover, 2 Whimbrel, 2 Grey Plover (superb in summer plumage) approx 15 Black Tailed Godwit, approx 30 Bar Tailed Godwit (as Grey Plover), 75+ Greenshank, 150+ Redshank,150+ Turnstone,100+ Dunlin,150+ Oystercatcher,100+ Curlew, Kestrel, 8 Goldfinch, Linnet, Common Whitethroat, Meadow Pipit, 2 Turtle Dove, Red Legged Partridge. Steve Giles.

23/07/01
The Fleet, Wakering 18:00 - 8:30: 3 Little Egret, 1 male Marsh Harrier, 1 juvenile Kestrel, 4 Ruff, 1 Turtle Dove. Web Author.
Two Tree Island: 7 Little Egret on the marshes east of Two Tree island. Seen between 16:10 to 16:20 from the sea wall at the eastern tip of the island. David Lee.

22/07/01
The Fleet and Wakering Stairs 1530-1900: 2 Yellow Wagtail, Skylark, Common Whitethroat, Linnet, Meadow Pipit, Sedge Warbler, Turtle Dove, 300+ Sand Martin,50+ Greenshank, 30+ Turnstone, 100+ Redshank, 4 Little Egret, Grey Heron, Whimbrel, Black Tailed Godwit, 250+ Curlew flew from near Havengore Creek to feed on the flats. Steve Giles.
Two Tree Island: 5 Little Egret and one Heron, Reed Warbler, Oystercatcher, lots of Curlew, Little Grebe (with 2nd brood) and a lovely view of a Moorhen feeding a first brood chick which in turn fed a 2nd brood chick! Steve Brown, EWT.
East Tilbury: 166 Avocets, two Grey Plover, 10 Black-tailed Godwit, one Greenshank and a Whinchat. David Jobbins.

21/07/01
The Fleet, Wakering am: 3 Little Egrets, adult Mediterranean Gull, Hobby, 21 Ruff, 1 Greenshank, 6 Avocets, juvenile Green Woodpecker, Turtle Doves, Stock Doves. John Wright, SOG.
Two Tree Island: 41 Avocet reported by late afternoon.
Two Tree Island: 7 Little Egrets and one Heron on filter. Steve Brown, EWT.beds
Two Tree Island High water 12.49hrs 5.8m: Seen from hide by lagoon at western end 15.18 - 17.15hrs: Avocet total 39, 34 adults resting at western end of lagoon area. Ringed Plover 2, Linnet 3, Wood Pigeon 2, Feral Pigeon 3. Martin Johnson.
Benfleet Creek 17.30 - 18.30 from table about 150m west of Sea Scout Hut (birds on TTI side of creek): Yellow Legged Gull 1 initially as close as 100m, Great Black Backed Gull 12 of which 1 adult, 2 juveniles - almost wholly black bill- 1 2nd winter, 8 3rd winter,  Lesser Black Backed Gull 1 adult slate grey mantle, Black Headed Gull 42, Oystercatcher 5, Curlew 3, Whimbrel 1, Lapwing ca. 40, Redshank ca 300, Greenshank 2. There were 100's of gulls at greater distance on mudflats to SE on both sides of Benfleet Creek/the Ray & Canvey Point stretching down to Chalkwell and beyond which were not identified to species, and some flocks of waders moving about East of Canvey Point and beyond which were not positively identified; on the Canvey side of Benfleet Creek > 250m away there was a Godwit still 
partly in summer plumage which was probably Black Tailed but not positively identified to species because it did not fly to reveal tail pattern and colour. Martin Johnson.
Hanningfield Reservoir: Two Common Sandpipers, one Green Sandpiper, Ruddy Shelduck from Rawl hide, two adult and six young Red-crested Rochards. David Jobbins.
East Tilbury: One Greenshank, one Common Sandpiper and one Green Sandpiper. David Jobbins.

20/07/01
The Fleet, Wakering 14:00 - 15:30: 6 Little Egret (2 juveniles), 1 juvenile male Kestrel, 1 Green Sandpiper, 6 Turtle Dove, 1 juvenile male Green Woodpecker, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Common Whitethroat, 12 Goldfinch (including juveniles). Web Author.
Hanningfield Reservoir 14:04: Ruddy Shelduck reported as still present this morning and viewed from Fremnall's Causeway.

18/07/01
Priory Park: Spotted Flycatcher. Per SOG.
Wakering Stairs: Grasshopper Warbler reeling, 4 Whimbrel, 2 Common Sandpiper, Little Egret. Per SOG.

17/07/01
Hanningfield Reservoir: Ruddy Shelduck and 4 Black Terns reported.
Stanford Le Hope 08:45: Spotted Flycatcher, Corringham Recreation Ground, also Hobby Flew over Grove Hall Wood 17:45. Jim Cockram.

16/07/01
The Fleet, Wakering 19:20 - 20:55: 7 Little Egret, 5 Common Shelduck (one pair with seven chicks), 1 female Marsh Harrier, 1 juvenile Kestrel, 42 Avocet, 5 Curlew, 2 Green Sandpiper, 12 Ruff, 1 Reed Bunting, 3 Corn Bunting. Tony Leader, Web Author.
Leigh on Sea area: Hobby over garden at Highlands, Leigh at 21:00. Paul Griggs, SOG.

15/07/01
Wat Tyler Country Park: 1030-1300: 2 Hobby, Peregrine Falcon, 5 Bearded Tits, 8 Greenshank, 2 Green Sandpipers, Cetti's Warbler. Steve Hiscock. Also 5 Little Egret, Common Sandpiper. David Jobbins.
The Fleet, Wakering: 5 Little Egrets, 6 Spotted Redshank, 3 Black-tailed Godwits, 3 Green Sandpipers, 1 Common Sandpiper, 9 Ruff, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 20 Avocets, 1 Whimbrel, 160 Lapwing, 1 female Marsh Harrier. Per SOG.
Old Hall Marshes 10:30: Wilson's Phalarope reported briefly this morning on Iron Gate Flash.
Hanningfield Reservoir 19:25: Ruddy Shelduck reported as showing well in front of the Point hide.

14/07/01
Wakering Stairs 07:20 - 10:15: 5 Little Egret, 4 of these birds were together in the borrowdyke along the sea wall, obvious adults and what looked very much like 2 smaller juveniles, 1 Hobby, 2 Turtle Dove, Grasshopper Warbler still reeling in undergrowth on opposite bank from where the concrete path comes to an end,  1 Sedge Warbler, Yellowhammer. Web Author.
The Fleet, Wakering: 1 Whimbrel, 40 Avocets, 13 Spotted Redshank, 12 Ruff, 7 Green Sandpipers, 4 Common Sandpipers, 1 Greenshank, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 6 Little Egrets, 1 adult Mediterranean Gull, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 1 Barn Owl. Per SOG.
Two Tree Island, lagoon at western end, seen from hide 18.30 - 20.10: 8 Avocet, a further 18 Avocets were disturbed from saltings by passing angling fishing boat and overflew lagoon but did not settle. 2 Oystercatcher, further 6 overflew lagoon. 2 Ringed Plover. Benfleet Creek, from picnic table about 100m west of car park 20.30 - 21.28hrs: Seen on mudflats on TTI side of Benfleet Creek as tide was receding from mudflat: 163 Black Headed Gull of which only 2 were juveniles, Mediterranean Gull 1 individual among Black Headed Gulls so that slightly larger size and heavier bill could be seen; this individual was evidently a 2nd summer bird with complete jet black hood on head suffused and streaked with white and white about the eyes, legs and bill completely scarlet, the bill lacking any dark subterminal band, small amount of black with white mirrors at wingtips; no coloured bands or rings on legs, unlike some birds at Southend Pierhead last winter. 10 Herring Gull, of which 6 juveniles, 4 1st/2nd summer, 6 Great Black Backed Gull, all 2nd/3rd summer, 3 Lesser Black Backed Gull, 2nd/3rd summer 2 Common Tern, 2 Greenshank, 11 Redshank, 2 Curlew, 7 Lapwing, 7 Mallard flying west. Martin Johnson.
Hanningfield Reservoir: female Mandarin Duck, Ruddy Shelduck (present for about a week), three Yellow-legged Gulls, three Black Swans, 9 Common Sandpiper. David Jobbins. Also: 47 Mute Swans, 2 Black Swans, female Red-crested Pochard (with 6 ducklings), Ruddy Shelduck, 1 Common Tern, Little Grebes, numerous Cormorants and Gadwall plus young. Nick & Lynne Bustin.
Old Hall Marshes 17:04: Wilson's Phalarope reported. summer plumaged male present at Latch Pool until 13:00 when it flew
towards the North pool.

13/07/01
South Benfleet: Crossbill flew over Jotmans Lane. Per SOG

12/07/01
Wat Tyler Country Park 17:30 - 18:45: 1 Red-necked Grebe, 1 Peregrine Falcon, 4 Greenshanks, 2 Green Sandpipers, 2 Ruff, 1 Curlew, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Greater Spotted Woodpecker, Little Ringed Plover.  Steve Hiscock.
Hanningfield Reservoir: Single Osprey reported present at the west end at 09:49.

11/07/01
Two Tree Island: Seen from hide at lagoon at western end 18.55 - 20.10hrs. 6 Avocets. Also seen, Black Headed Gulls and Lapwings in many small parties flying south over lagoon, probably from resting sites on Hadleigh marsh and downs to feeding grounds. 1 Ringed Plover, 2 Wood Pigeon. On Benfleet Creek and mudbanks to south of TTI between lagoon area and car park 20.30 - 20.55hrs. 82 Black Headed Gulls, 5 Curlew, 1Whimbrel - good view with telescope to see smaller size than nearby Curlew, stripes on crown and shorter bill than Curlew, also it uttered typical cry when it flew. 1 adult Greater Black Backed Gull, 4 immature Greater Black Backed Gull with plumage
approximating to 3rd winter, 2 adult Lesser Black Backed Gull, 47 immature Herring Gull and Lesser Black Backed Gull not separated out. Small numbers of Lapwing, Redshank , Oystercatcher and Swift not counted. 2 Carrion Crow, 1 male Kestrel. Martin Johnson.

09/07/01
Wat Tyler Country Park 11.00 - 13.30: 2 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Oystercatchers with 2 chicks, 1 Turtle Dove. Tony Leader.
Coalhouse Fort, East Tilbury 14.00 15.30:50 Shelduck, 3 Cormorant, 2 Turtle Dove,several Skylarks, Reed Buntings, Greenfinch and Dunnock seen. Tony Leader.
Old Hall Marshes: Wilson's Phalarope reported near Iron Gate Flash area, still present at 17:00.

08/07/01
Wat Tyler Country Park 13:30: 1 Peregrine Falcon, 3 Green Sandpiper, Black tailed Godwit, 4 Little Ringed Plover, Common Sandpiper, 4+ Bearded Tits, 2 Greenshank. Paul Griggs & Steve Arlow, SOG.
Wat Tyler Country Park 1445-1715 (further to report above): Peregrine Falcon present at least until 1715. During the afternoon it left its perch onceto hunt (successfully)over the tip and returned a few minutes later to the same perch to pluck and eat its prey. Steve Hiscock.
Wat Tyler Country Park: A Cetti's Warbler seen briefly but clearly from first hide (opposite boating museum). David Jobbins.
The Fleet, Wakering 19:15 - 2130: 3 Little Egret, 12 Grey Heron (8 together on small island), 1 Spotted Redshank, 3 Green Sandpiper, 3 Ruff, 2 Whimbrel, 2 Common Tern, 1 Barn Owl, 2 Turtle Dove, 12 Goldfinch, 30+ Corn Bunting. 6+ Hares. Web Author, Jeff Elliot.
Grove Hall Wood Nature Reserve Stanford-le-Hope: 1 Male Cuckoo. Jim Cockram.

07/07/01
Fleet Head. Wakering: 4 Little Egrets, 1 adult Mediterranean Gull (summer plumage), 3 Spotted Redshank (summer plumage), 3 Green Sandpipers, 8 Ruff, 1 Greenshank, 2 Whimbrel, 3 Dunlin, 10 Avocets, 4 Common Tern, 1 Cuckoo and about 10 Turtle Doves. John Wright, SOG.
Wakering Stairs: 57 Greenshank, 1 Bar-Tailed Godwit, 1 Cuckoo the Grasshopper Warbler was heard reeling (adjacent to the 'Private Keep Out' sign a few hundred yards before the 'cabin' on the sea wall towards Haven Point. Pat Dandridge.
Two Tree Island Western end 15.00: Benfleet Creek swimming in saltings and on creek 62 Black Headed Gulls of which 2 were juveniles; 15.10 - 16.20hrs seen in lagoon area from hide: 24 Avocets, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Common Tern, 1 Mallard (f), 2 Black Headed Gull,2 Oystercatcher, 1 Shelduck, 2 Ringed Plover, 1 Kestrel. NO GRIFFON VULTURES! Martin Johnson.
Griffon Vulture Update: the 18 Griffon Vultures spent last night at the dune reserve near Westenschouwen (Zeeland). This morning, up to 11 (wet) birds were visible from a distance of about 300m (the others staying behind the dune row). From about 09.15 they flew to a row of dunes where they dried their wings in Cormorant fashion before taking off at 11.54, the weather then was warm and humid, but cloudy. 17 birds flew west towards the North Sea: the 18th bird was apparently too tired to follow. Within 10 minutes the birds were back and the 18th bird joined them to try an easterly route. By that time, quite heavy clouds were coming in, and at 13.45, 15 birds returned to their original site - where the other 3 are no one knows. Only one bird is colour-ringed: it has a yellow ring on the left wing with "2H1" in black markings. It also has an aluminium ring. On its right wing it has a whitish patch that is NOT a wing-tag or transmitter - but possibly something was there a while ago. There is some variation in bill colour, i.e. most birds have all-dark bills, but at least two have yellowish on the bill. The site where they are now is close to both the North Sea (W) and Oosterschelde (S), the latter being 8km wide. Rumour has it that they haven't had (or will have) a decent meal in ages.

06/07/01
Griffon Vulture update: (see below) In The Netherlands, the Griffon Vultures are considered to be definitely wild birds: at least one is colour-ringed (yellow 2H1) with a small wing-tag, and others are also possibly ringed. They are all immature birds, possibly first-summers. Their origin is still unsure, but possibly Cevennes, France (another bird made it to Holland and back from there within a week) or even Donana, Spain (they apparently use yellow rings). The birds have attempted several times to fly out to sea (but on each occasion they have returned). (per SOG).

05/07/01
Wat Tyler Country Park 11.00 to 13.30: 2 Ruddy Duck, 1 Oystercatcher with chick, 1 Greenshank. By the old hides 4 Kestrel including female and juvenile sitting in tree. Also 1 Water Rail. Tony Leader.
For Interest: 04/07/01 10:55 GRIFFON VULTURES IN THE NETHERLANDS. After the 18 present last night at Noordwijk at least 9 were there until 10:30 this morning. Hopefully the other 9 are over the North Sea heading west!

04/07/01
Westley Heights, Laindon after 8.30pm: Hobbies seen at hunting Cockchaffers around car park at back of Harvester pub. Have seen many before at this time of year when the Cockchaffers fly. Will anyone who is visiting this area and sees the Hobbies please let me know as I would like to film them. Steve Wood 01702 473095.

02/07/01
Wat Tyler Country Park 10:30 - 14:30: Three flying Little Egrets, two Ruddy Ducks and one large female Sparrowhawk. Steve Wood.

01/07/01
Magnolia Nature Reserve, Ashingdon: Bullfinch observed. Steve Sanford.
Wat Tyler Country park 15:00: 1 Spotted Redshank in summer plumage, 1 Greenshank, 3 Avocets, 2 Little Ringed Plovers. Valerie Vine. Also: Shoveler, pair. Greylag, 2 pairs + goslings. Turtle Dove. Oystercatcher. Avocet, 2 pair. Great Teal (? ID'ed by another birder). Little Ringed Plover, pair. Herons, 10+. Spotted Redshank. Green Sandpiper. Greenshank, 2 pair. Ruddy Duck, male. Great Crested Grebe. Little Grebe + chicks. Marsh Harrier, male. Greenfinch. Reed Buntings. Reed Warblers. Red-necked Grebe. Kestrel, pair. Lapwings, 50+. Cuckoo. Sparrowhawk. Martin Itter.
Two Tree Island: Watched lagoon at western end from 19.10 - 20.50hrs as tide was rising in Benfleet Creek towards High Water at 21.19. At first there were 3 Avocets present, as the tide rose more Avocets and other waders and seabirds flighted in to the lagoon. Maximum count of Avocets repeated 3 times and including the 3 original birds was 34. Other birds seen in lagoon area: 130 Black Headed Gulls of which 21 were juveniles, 4 Oystercatchers, 3 Ringed Plover, 2 Greenshank, 54 Redshank, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Moorhen, 2 Shelduck, 3 Mallard (1m 2 f), 2 Woodpigeon, 1 Stock Dove, 1 Magpie. On Benfleet Creek saltings and mudbanks to south of Two tree Island at 21.00hrs: 31 Lapwings, 41 Oystercatchers. Martin Johnson.
Bradwell on Sea 11:41: White Stork reported on top of a power pylon for 20 minutes , before drifting off high south-south-east.