Bird Reports for July 2004
Saturday 31st July 2004
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 09.40 - 11.55: 9 Little Egret (4 on north side of Crouch), 2 Turtle Dove, 2 Sedge Warbler, Little Grebe, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Common Tern, 2 Greenshank, Common Sandpiper, 2 Common Whitethroat, 2 Willow Warbler, 1 Skylark displaying. There has been a large decrease in Skylark numbers over the last week or so, due, I would imagine, to crop harvesting and several fields being cultivated. Ray Fuller.
East Tilbury 14:00: 7 Whimbrel, flew across from Kent side. Chris Cook.
Barton Hall Farm, 18:40 to 19:40: 2 Little Owl (along lane just before the pink barn). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Wallasea, 21:10 to 21:30: 1 Tawny Owl (on left hand side of wood (westside, viewed from road 10 m south of first 90 degree r/hand bend by bungalow)). Paul Baker, Neil Chambers (SOG).
Old Hall Marshes: 
American Golden Plover still showing well. Steve Arlow (SOG).
Friday 30th July 2004
Gunners Park 17.00 - 18.00: 2 Kestrel (1 adult, 1 juvenile), 27 Swallow (many juveniles), 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Song Thrush, 6 Linnet, 5 Goldfinch. Web Author.
Fobbing Marsh 17.30 - 18.30: Juvenile Marsh Sandpiper still present and showing well on the scrape. Also 3 Green Sandpiper, 4 Common Sandpiper, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Snipe. Richard Chew.
Wallasea 21.10 - 21.25: Tawny Owl to the left of and behind Bungalow. John Spencer, Web Author.
Fobbing Marsh 17.30 - 18.30: Juvenile Marsh Sandpiper Steve Arlow (SOG).
Thursday 29th July 2004
Canvey Island, Leigh Beck 08:20 - 09:50: 28 Little Tern (incl. a group of 15 West), 9 Sandwich Tern (all East), 27 Common Tern, 1 Gannet (3rd yr; East), 1 Greenshank. Ian White.
Canvey Island, Sea Front 15:45: 2 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Little Tern, Ian White.
Fobbing Marshes: Juvenile Marsh Sandpiper c. 3miles of Basildon on Fobbing Marshes. From Corringham, head east on A1014 Manor Way and park sensibly by oil refinery roundabout. Walk north for 3/4 mile to view scrape by barrier over Vange Creek.
Old Hall Marshes: American Golden Plover still at Old Hall Marshes RSPB. Adult male still present 8pm on Bale Field by wind pump. Access from footpath north from Tollesbury - unless permit obtained.
Wednesday 28th July 2004
Highlands Boulevard, Leigh, 20:30: 1 Hobby (flew north). Paul Griggs (SOG).
Hanningfield Reservoir 08:45 - 08:50: Ruddy Shelduck, 7 Red-crested Pochard (male, fem & 5 juvs), 2 Common Sandpiper. Neil Chambers (SOG).
On 11th July 2004 at Fleet Head, Great Wakering, Nick Green and Jeff Delve (EBS). observed two 2 first-summer Herring Gulls with colour rings as follows:-
* Red ring left leg: ZHS
* White ring right leg A200
The following information has been received regarding the first of these birds:
Red ZHS was ringed as a pullus at the Port of Felixstowe, Suffolk 08.07.03 and there have been no other sightings.
Tuesday 27th July 2004
Two Tree Island 07.10 to 09:20: 16 Avocet, 2 Oystercatcher, 2 Ringed Plover, 5 Lapwing, 1 Little Egret and numerous Black-headed Gull on the Lagoon. 16 Little Egret on the old sewage farm ponds. David Lee.
Gunners Park 18.30 - 20.30: 1 Chiffchaff, c.50 Greenfinch, c.40 Goldfinch, c.30 Linnet, 5 Song Thrush,1 Kestrel, 1 Green Woodpecker. Steve and Corrina Giles.
Canewdon, 20:40 to 21:20: 1 Little Owl, 2 Green Woodpecker. Neil Chambers, Paul Baker (SOG).
Ashingdon, 20:45 to 20:45: 1 Sparrowhawk (female over Golden Cross Road). Neil Chambers (SOG).
Monday 26th July 2004
Benfleet Creek, 13:00: 1 Wheatear. Simon Watson (SOG).
Sunday 25th July 2004
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 10.05 - 12.25: 6 Common Sandpiper, 2 Common Tern, Reed Bunting, 4 Yellow Wagtail, 7 Little Egret (2 on north side of Crouch) 3 Sedge Warbler, 5 Shelduck, 3 Greenshank, 62 Curlew, 2 Common Whitethroat, Sparrowhawk, Turtle Dove, 2 Skylark. Ray Fuller.
Wallasea 10:30 - 12:00: 6 Green Sandpiper, 1 Greenshank, 1 Whimbrel, 19 Little Egret (most on Foulness side of channel), Marsh Harrier (Foulness), Kestrel family of 3 practising hovering by barns at farm, 2 others on sea walls, 50+ Yellow Wagtail (mostly juveniles), 4,500+ Starling in two large flocks along sea wall and inter crop mown strips. Jeff Delve, Nick Green (EBS).
Fleet Head, 12:00 to 13:15: 7 Little Egret, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Green Sandpiper, 1 Whitethroat, 3 Marsh Harrier (inc imm male and ad female, all around Havengore), 3 Ruff, 1 Turtle Dove, 1 Reed Bunting (male), 6 Skylark. Paul Baker, Neil Chambers (SOG).
Friars Park, 13:30 to 13:40: 1 Mandarin Duck (eclipse male), 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Reed Warbler, 2 Mute Swan. Paul Baker (SOG).
Fleet Head, 14:00 to 15:40: 2 Ruff, 2 Green Sandpiper, 4 Greenshank, 2 Whimbrel, 8 Little Egret, 2 Mediterranean Gull (adults), 12 Red-legged Partridge, 1 Yellow Wagtail. Paul Griggs, Steve Arlow, Don Petrie (SOG).
Rochford Golf Course, 14:30 to 17:40: 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Hobby. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Fleet Head (from MOD road) 15:30 - 16:30: 1 Greenshank, 6 Ruff, 5 Green Sandpiper, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Common Snipe, Whimbrel, Turtle Dove, 200+ Swift. Jeff Delve, Nick Green (EBS).
Wakering Stairs and Haven Point 17:00 - 18:30: 750 Oystercatcher, 30 Ringed Plover, 50+ Turnstone, 6 Whimbrel, 6 Bar-tailed Godwit, 8 Common Tern, 2 Sandwich Tern, 1 Gannet (sub adult came in close to point). Jeff Delve, Nick Green (EBS).
Two Tree Island 18.00: 32 Little Egret on salt marsh. Web Author.
Lion Creek, Canewdon 21:00 - 21:15: 3 Little Owl around reserve meadow. 1 Tawny Owl near bungalow on double bend again OS grid ref 917 943. Jeff Delve, Nick Green (EBS).
Saturday 24th July 2004
Wakering Stairs 06.20 - 09.30 (high tide roost): 1 Water Rail (in borrowdyke), c.700 Oystercatcher (inc. partly leucistic bird), 2 Golden Plover (in full summer plumage), c.60 Bar-tailed Godwit (most in summer plumage), 6 Whimbrel (1 leucistic bird), 24 Curlew, 1 Greenshank, 12 Turnstone (most in summer plumage), 1 Knot, 6 Dunlin (summer plumage), 8 Common Tern (inc. two juveniles, sitting on exposed rocks), 3 Turtle Dove, 1 Green Woodpecker. Haven Point: 3 Little Egret, 7 Greenshank, 3 Sanderling (summer plumage), 172 Dunlin (most in full summer plumage), 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 3 Grey Heron, 2 Sparrowhawk (two juveniles flying together and play fighting until a Magpie distracted them), 2 Kestrel, 7 Linnet. 1 Yellowhammer in bushes on MOD road. Web Author.
Fleet Head, 08:15 to 11:00: 7 Ruff, 15 Whimbrel, 15 Black-tailed Godwit, 13 Little Egret, 6 Avocet, 4 Green Sandpiper, 5 Greenshank, 1 Green Woodpecker (juvenile), 2 Turtle Dove. Steve Arlow (SOG).
Hanningfield Reservoir 08:15 - 09:00: adult Yellow-legged Gull, 2 Common Sandpiper, 3 eclipse drake Red-crested Pochard, Ruddy Shelduck. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Vange Marsh, 08:45 to 10:00: 5 Green Sandpiper, 4 Common Sandpiper, 1 Ruff, 4 Common Tern (2 ads. & 2 imms.), 1 Sparrowhawk, 18 Pochard, 6 Tufted Duck (Plus Aythya 'Lesser Scaup' type hybrid.), 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker. John Wright (SOG).
The Fleet - Wakering 09.40 - 11.15: 6 Little Egret, 3 Grey Heron, 3 Shelduck (2 juveniles), 1 Marsh Harrier (poss. immature male), 1 Kestrel, 5 Avocet, 1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Skylark, 3 Corn Bunting. Web Author.
Benfleet Creek, 10:30 to 12:30: 4 Little Egret (Including 1 imm.), 8 Greenshank, 10 Avocet, 200 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Turnstone, 1 Dunlin, 3 Yellow-legged Gull. John Wright (SOG).
Gunners Park 16.00 - 17.00: 1 Kestrel (female, sitting on a fence post), 2 Green Woodpecker, 10+ Goldfinch (inc juveniles), 10+ Long-tailed Tit (inc. juveniles), 1 Blackcap (male), 2 Linnet, 1 Dunnock, 1 Mistle Thrush. Karen Gordon.
Two Tree Island (observed from the top of Belton Hills) 16.00 - 17.00: 46 Little Egret in two groups on salt marsh at high tide, 1 Kestrel on hills, 15 Long-tailed Tit in trees at top of Belton Way East. Web Author.
Friday 23rd July 2004
Wakering Stairs, 18:00 to 19:30: 21 Greenshank, 350 Dunlin (many in summer plumage), 4 Little Egret, 30 Bar-tailed Godwit (many in summer plumage), 4 Whimbrel, 2 Mediterranean Gull (adults), 100 Turnstone (with many in summer plumage), 10 Sanderling (summer plumaged). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Southend, Bournes Green Chase 18:15: 1 Sparrowhawk over road flying north. Web Author.
Canvey Island 18:40: 1 Hobby - just above rooftops in Stanley Road; fast going east. Ian White.
The Fleet, Wakering 19:30 - 20:35: 23 Little Egret (on old roost by church at 20:15), 1 Grey Heron, 2 Marsh Harrier (1 female), 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Little Tern (in Potton Creek), 2 Turtle Dove, 1 Barn Owl (on Potton), c.600 Starling. Web Author. Note: Little Egret numbers are beginning to build up again, Simon Cox reports 88 Little Egret roosting at St Osyth on Wednesday.
Tuesday 20th July 2004
Southend, 08:40 to 08:45: 1 Whimbrel (high over the new RBS building car park). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Basildon, Pipps Hill 15:00: 1 Hobby. Paul Griggs (SOG).
Monday 19th July 2004
Southend Pier 06.00: 1 Little Egret (west), 4 Common Scoter (east), 6 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Black Tern (west), 1 Sandwich Tern (west). Russell Clark.
Seafront (gasworks pier) 08.00: 3 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Common Tern. Russell Clark.
Southend, Meadow Drive: A pair of Bullfinch have been visiting the back garden of my parents for the last three days. Web Author.
Sunday 18th July 2004
Belfairs N.R., 08:00: 1 Crossbill. Tony Mead (SOG).
Hampton Barns, 09:30 to 10:30: 4 Turtle Dove. Steve Sanford (SOG).
Vange Marsh, 10:20 to 11:35: 8 Green Sandpiper, 16 Common Sandpiper, 1 Aythya sp. (drake Lesser Scaup type hybrid), 13 Pochard, 5 Common Tern, 4 Reed
Warbler, 1 Dunlin, 1 Sedge Warbler. 2 Marbled White. Neil Chambers, Paul Baker (SOG).
Barton Hall Farm, 10:30 to 11:30: 4 Corn Bunting (singing). Steve Sanford (SOG).
River Roach, 11:30 to 12:15: 5 Little Egret, 3 Common Tern, 1 Yellowhammer, 1 Adder (I all but trod on it!). Steve Sanford (SOG).
Southend Pier, 10:30 to 13:30: 2 Mediterranean Gull (adult and 2nd summer), 25 Common Tern. Steve Arlow (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park, 11:45 to 12:20: 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Greenshank, 1 Mediterranean Gull (adult), 1 Peregrine Falcon (on pylon), 3
Turtle Dove, 2 Bearded Tit, 2 Reed Warbler. 1 Marbled White. Neil Chambers, Paul Baker (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park 12.00 - 14.00: 3 Greenshank, 1 Whimbrel, 1 Peregrine Falcon. Karen Gordon.
Westcliff Seafront, 13:45: 4 Mediterranean Gull (singles of adults, 2nd summer, 1st summer and juvenile). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Fleet Head, 14:00 to 15:40: 4 Mediterranean Gull (adults), 1 Green Woodpecker, 4 Green Sandpiper, 1 Snipe, 4 Ruff, 100 Black-tailed Godwit (at least), 7 Little Egret, 18 Whimbrel, 4 Greenshank. Steve Arlow (SOG).
Tolleshunt D'Arcy 14.00: Male Marsh Harrier over B1026. Web Author.
Belton Hills, 14:15 to 14:30: 2 Kestrel (pair), 2 Sparrowhawk (pair). Paul Griggs (SOG).
Two Tree Island, 14:15 to 14:30: 1 Sandwich Tern, 51 Little Egret (roosting at high tide on the saltings and the usual roost (only three there)). Paul Griggs (SOG).
Saturday 17th July 2004
Belfairs N.R., 08:00: 1 Grey Wagtail. Tony Mead (SOG).
Southend Seafront, 09:00 to 10:10: 29 Mediterranean Gull (16 adults, 7 1st summers, 5 2nd summers and 1 juvenile (the first of the year) at Westcliff). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Southend Seafront (Sealife centre) 10.00: 1 Yellow-legged Gull (adult), 4 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Little Egret. Russell Clark.
Fleet Head, 10:20 to 13:10: 4 Little Egret, 8 Sand Martin, 20 Mediterranean Gull (8 1st summers, 3 2nd summers and 9 adults), 3 Ruff, 3 Greenshank, 5 Green Sandpiper, 76 Black-tailed Godwit, 29 Whimbrel. Steve Arlow (SOG).
Eastwood Park, 14:00 to 19:30: 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Sparrowhawk (female), 1 Hobby. Vince Kinsler (SOG).
Two Tree Island, 15:15 to 16:40: 1 Mediterranean Gull (adult), 1 Yellow-legged Gull (adult by the creek hide), 70 Black-tailed Godwit (approx), 26 Greenshank, 2 Whimbrel, 11 Little Egret. Steve Arlow (SOG).
Fleet Head, 16:00 to 18:00: 13 Little Egret, 6 Grey Heron, 5 Ruff, 4 Greenshank, 1 Avocet (Immature.), 137 Black-tailed Godwit, 43 Whimbrel, 1 Little Owl, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Kestrel. John Wright (SOG).
Canvey Seafront, 17:15: 1 Mediterranean Gull (adult). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park, 17:50 to 18:20: 2 Green Sandpiper, 5 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Peregrine Falcon (on pylon with kill), 1 Greenshank. Steve Arlow (SOG).
Friday 16th July 2004
Hockley Station 08.00: Hobby circling then stooped over houses to NE. Jeff Delve (EBS).
Basildon 08.37: 1 Sparrowhawk flew NE across Broadmayne carrying passerine-sized prey. Martin Johnson.
Southend Airport, 08:50: 1 Cuckoo (flew over Aviation Way). Paul Griggs (SOG).
Wakering, B1017 east of Morley Nurseries 11.15: 2 Skylark in song flight above the corn fields. John Bennett.
Two Tree Island 11:45 - 13:30: 2 Common Sandpiper (Lagoon), 13 Greenshank (2 Lagoon; 11 Benfleet Creek), 12 Little Egret (3 Lagoon; 9 Benfleet Creek), 6 Whimbrel (1 Lagoon; 5 Benfleet Creek), 60+ Black-tailed Godwit (Benfleet Creek), 29 Avocet (flew from Benfleet Creek onto Lagoon). Ian White.
Southend, Curry's, London Road 15.00: 1 Goldfinch singing from the roof of Curry's. There seems to be a resident flock in this area - you can almost always hear them if you visit Curry's or Homebase. Yasmine Hamid.
Hanningfield Reservoir 15.00: 1 Ruddy Shelduck, 1 Barnacle Goose, 1 Kingfisher (heard from small lake). Russell Clark.
Two Tree Island (East), 16:30: 29 Little Egret (viewed from Marine Parade on the saltmarsh in one flock). Paul Baker (SOG).
Leigh Station 18.40 - 18.44: 1 Sparrowhawk soaring higher and higher, disappeared E over Leigh Old Town. 1 Kestrel hovering over Belton Gardens also disappeared to east. Martin Johnson.
Ashingdon church 20.00: Hobby - heading west over towards Hockley Jeff Delve (EBS).
Wallasea 20:30 - 21:30: 1 Whimbrel, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Common Sandpiper, Barn Owl. Tawny Owl on TV aerial of Bungalow just northeast of Loftman's Farm by double bend. (This individual was sat on telephone wires at same spot last weekend). Jeff Delve (EBS).
Thursday 15th July 2004
Battlesbridge, 09:15: 1 Little Egret (again in the pool where the new A130 crosses the Crouch). Paul Baker (SOG).
Wednesday 14th July 2004
Benfleet Station, 07:50: 1 Little Egret (fishing in the creek). Paul Griggs (SOG).
Hadleigh, Belton Hills, 13:20: 1 Sparrowhawk (male). John Wright (SOG).
Leigh on Sea, 13:30: 1 Sparrowhawk (male, Broadway West). John Wright (SOG).
Benfleet Station 16.40: 1 Little Egret In creek. Terry Strong.
Chalkwell Park Drive, Leigh, 17:50: 1 Sparrowhawk (female over the garden). John Wright (SOG).
Tuesday 13th July 2004
Vange Marsh, 13:25 to 14:15: 2 Common Tern, 7 Green Sandpiper, 3 Common Sandpiper, 1 Yellow-legged Gull (adult), 1 Ruff, 2 Sedge Warbler, 5 Reed Warbler, 2 Reed Bunting (a pair). 1 Aythya sp. (drake hybrid, L.Scaup type)., Paul Baker (SOG).
Fanes Wood, Thundersley, 17:15 to 18:30: 1 Hobby, 1 Sparrowhawk (female. 20+ Purple Hairstreak). Graham Ryland (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park 18.45 - 20.00: 4 Bearded Tit, 2 Green Sandpiper, 2 Hobby, 1 Peregrine Falcon, 3 Common Tern, 1 Water Rail (heard). Steve Hiscock.
Monday 12th July 2004
Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 14:00 to 14:15: 1 Sparrowhawk (took a male House Sparrow on the lawn, then meticulously plucked it for 15 mins and discarded its beak(!), all videotaped!!). Paul Baker (SOG).
Canvey West End, 14:00 to 16:30: 2 Little Egret, 2 Linnet, 2 Chiffchaff, 6 Goldfinch, 2 Reed Bunting, 50 Marbled White (also around 800 pyramidal orchids), 1 Common Lizard. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).
Southend Seafront, 17:30 to 17:50: 22 Mediterranean Gull (14 adults, 3 2nd summers and 5 1st summers (incl. Green C5N) by the old Gasworks Pier). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Sunday 11th July 2004
Fleet Head, Wakering 08.30 - 09.30: 1 juvenile Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Turtle Dove, 2 Kestrel (hovering virtually side by side), 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 male Reed Bunting, 3 Little Egret, 1 female Marsh Harrier on Potton, 1 Whimbrel, 300 + Starlings on Potton disturbed by passing Harrier. Mike Sagrott.
Prittle Brook (Leigh on Sea), 10:30 to 10:35: 1 Blackcap (male in my garden). Brian Baldock (SOG).
Westcliff Seafront, 18:55 to 19:00: 6 Mediterranean Gull (1 1st summer, 3 2nd summers & 2 adults). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Wallasea Island: 1 Marsh Harrier immature male - extensive wing moult, Sparrowhawk hunting near timber yard, pair Kestrel on haystack, 1 Green Sandpiper, 4 Common Sandpiper, 6 Ringed Plover, 2 Whimbrel, 3 Dunlin, 9 Little Egret (heading over to Foulness), Swallow 20+, Sand Martin 30+, Swift 100, Barn Owl. Jeff Delve (EBS).
Lion Creek: 2 Little Owl plus Tawny Owl on wires NE of Loftman's Farm. Jeff Delve (EBS).
Saturday 10th July 2004
Hanningfield Reservoir 09.20 - 11.20: (causeway) 2 male Red-crested Pochard, 2 Common Sandpiper. Point Hide: 2 Black Swan, 12 Common Tern, 2 Yellow Legged Gull, 1 female Ruddy Shelduck, 1 Red-crested Pochard, 3 Common Pochard. Woods: 1 Blackcap, 6 Chiffchaff. Terry Strong.
Fleet Head, 09:30 to 12:30: 8 Spotted Redshank (cracking summer plumaged birds in Barling Creek), 8 Greenshank, 102 Black-tailed Godwit, 46 Whimbrel (in the field north of the central track before being flushed by the farmer), 4 Little Egret, 5 Turtle Dove, 1 Little Ringed Plover (adult on the 'avocet' pool), 12 Avocet, 5 Ruff (including 2 fully ruffed males), 1 Mediterranean Gull (adult). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Two Tree Island (East), 10:40 to 11:40: 1 Little Egret, 1 Kestrel, 10 Goldfinch, 20 Whitethroat, 2 Common Lizard. John Wright (SOG).
The Fleet - Wakering 12.00 - 14.00: 1 distant Marsh Harrier, 2 Turtle Dove, 6 Goldfinch, 1 Green Sandpiper, 7 Little Egret, 3 Grey Heron, 21 Whimbrel, 1 Avocet, c.700 Starling, 6 Shelduck, 35 Lapwing, 6 Corn Bunting, 1 male Reed Bunting. 1 Brown Hare. Web Author.
The Fleet, Wakering (first scrape only) 17.30 - 18.00: 2 Common Gull (1 1st summer, 1 adult), 2 Green Sandpiper, 1 Ruff, 2 Turtle Dove. Web Author.
Friday 09th July 2004
Fanes Wood, Thundersley, 17:15 to 18:30: 7 Pheasant, 8 Marbled White, 1 Purple Hairstreak, 6 Ringlet, 4 Meadow Brown (Essex. Small & Large Skippers also on the wing.), 1 Comma. Graham Ryland (SOG).
Hanningfield T.W. 13:15 - 14:00: 2 Pied Wagtail, 2 Greenfinch, 20+ Goldfinch (including fledglings), Chiffchaff (heard singing), 40+ House Martin, Great Spotted Woodpecker, and a Mallard (female + 7 ducklings) Dave Griffiths.
Fobbing Marsh 19:00 to 20:30: 1 Peregrine Falcon, lots of Skylarks, several Herons etc. The Peregrine was towards the eastern edge of the EWT reserve, sighted first of all on a gate post (with lots of evidence of its last meal), and then in the nearby pylons, before flying eastwards across the creek towards the southern end of Wat Tyler country park. Tim, Adam and Ashley Bennett.
Thursday 08th July 2004
Woodside Park, Thundersley, 07:15 to 07:50: 5 Green Woodpecker (3 Juvs.), 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 6 White / Pied Wagtail (4 juvs.). 1 Purple Hairstreak (came to ground). Graham Ryland (SOG).
Belfairs N.R., 08:00: 1 Crossbill. Tony Mead (SOG).
Canvey Point/Leighbeck 09:30 - 10:45: 10 Dunlin, 5 Whimbrel, 5 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Little Tern, 1 Little Egret, 24+ Common Tern, 70+ Redshank. Ian White.
Fleet Head 14.00 - 15.30: 2 Turtle Dove, 2 Little Egret, 3 Reed Bunting, 8 Redshank, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Spotted Redshank (full summer plumage, feeding on the channel west of the road towards swing bridge), 1 Greenfinch, 2 Skylark. Richard Mander.
Wat Tyler Country Park, 17:45 to 18:15: 1 Yellow-legged Gull (adult), 1 Bearded Tit (heard), 1 Water Rail (heard), 4 Greenshank. Paul Griggs (SOG).
Wednesday 07th July 2004
Canvey Seafront, 17:45 to 18:30: 51 Common Tern (all flying east), 1 Little Tern (east), 11 Common Scoter (one flock, flew east). Paul Baker (SOG).
Tuesday 06th July 2004
Fleet Head, Wakering 18:20 to 20:20: 11 Mediterranean Gull (3 adults and 8 1st summers are probably different birds that have been present along the seafront), 6 Little Egret, 1 Hobby, 3 Ruff, 3 Golden Plover (very smart summer plumaged birds), 4 Whimbrel, 1 Marsh Harrier (female over Havengore was a different bird to last week), 3 Barn Owl (1 on Fleet Head, 1 on Potton Island and 1 on New England Island), 1 Greenshank, 3 Black-tailed Godwit. Steve Arlow (SOG).
Monday 05th July 2004
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 09.50 - 11.55: 8 Reed Bunting, 3 Sedge Warbler, 20 Curlew, 6 Common Whitethroat, 3 Corn Bunting, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 5 Shelduck (inc 3 young), Common Tern, 4 Little Egret, 2 Red-legged Partridge, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 6 Skylark. Ray Fuller.
Wat Tyler CP 14:25 - 15:45: 2 (poss. 3) Green Sandpiper, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 3 Turtle Dove, 4 Bearded Reedling (including 3 juvs), 1 Common Gull (2nd. year bird). Ian White.
Southend Seafront, 18:25 to 19:25: 28 Mediterranean Gull (6 2nd summers, 8 1st summers including Green ringed bird C5N and 15 adults including one of the returning Metal ringed Praha (Czech) birds and White ringed 09R which is an annual returner.), 1 Red-breasted Merganser (moulting drake close inshore). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Shoebury East Beach, 17:40 to 18:15: 15 Mediterranean Gull (10 adults including unreadable Green and White ringed birds, 4 1st summers and 1 2nd summer), 2 Little Egret. Steve Arlow (SOG).
Fleet Head, Wakering 19.00 - 21.00: 2 Barn Owl, one on Potten, one on Rushley, 54 Little Egret on roost, 3 Avocet, 1 Green Sandpiper, 14 Shelduck, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Reed Bunting, c.20 Skylark. Steve and Corrina Giles.
Fobbing Church 21.15: 1 Hobby hawking low over trees and houses for insects. Martin Johnson.
Sunday 04th July 2004
Two Tree Island 06:10 to 9:10: 1 Ruff, 3 Little Egret, 3 Shelduck, 2 Greenshank and 1 Common Tern. David Lee.
Westcliff Seafront, 10:20 to 11:40: 6 Mediterranean Gull (2 adults, 2 2nd summers including the green ringed one footed bird. There appears to have been a large reduction in overall gull numbers in the estuary over the past 3 or 4 days and the low MedGull numbers are also affected). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Vange Marsh, 11:30 to 12:15: 2 Green Sandpiper, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Common Tern, 1 Kestrel, 3 Pochard (Female with 2 ducklings), 1 Marbled White. John Wright (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park, 12:25 to 13:00: 1 Little Egret, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Green Sandpiper, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Mediterranean Gull (pair of adults), 13 Shelduck (two adults with 11 young). John Wright (SOG).
Fleet Head, Wakering 13.30 - 14.30: 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Common Tern, 1 Reed Bunting, 2 Goldfinch, 1 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 20 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Oystercatcher, 1 Turtle Dove, 6 Swallow. Richard Mander.
Two Tree Island (West), 14:30 to 16:00: 8 Avocet, 8 Ringed Plover, 14 Greenshank, 2 Little Egret. Andrew Woodhouse Essex Ranger Service.
Wallasea Island: 20.00 - 21.00: 4 Green Sandpiper, 6 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Ringed Plover, 12 Avocet (6 adults and 6 fledged young), 2 Barn Owl, usual scads of Corn Buntings/Reed Bunting/Skylark and Yellow Wagtail. Lion Creek: 2 Little Owl. Jeff Delve. (EBS).
Saturday 03rd July 2004
Southend, 08:50: 50 Swift (at least over the new RBS building by Tesco). Steve Arlow (SOG).
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 10.05 - 12.20: 2 Greenshank, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Reed Bunting, 9 Shelduck (inc. 3 young), Common Tern, 3 House Martin, 4 Little Egret (1 on North side of Crouch), 6 Curlew, 2 Turtle Dove, 25 Swift, Corn Bunting, 2 Sedge Warbler, 2 Common Whitethroat, Hobby, 4 Skylark. Ray Fuller.
Southend Pier 13.00 - 14.30: 7 Common Tern, 3 adult Mediterranean Gull. Web Author.
Hadleigh Downs, 14:45 to 16:45: 1 Sparrowhawk, 15 House Martin, 10 Whitethroat, 8 Skylark, 2 Green Woodpecker. 10 Marbled White. John Wright (SOG).
Fleet Head (first scrape only) 18.00 - 18.15: 3 Green Sandpiper. Web Author.
Two Tree Island (West), 19:00 to 22:00: 1 Little Egret (also 2 slow worms and loads of pyramidal orchids elsewhere on the island). Dudley Shayler (SOG).
Canewdon: Flock of approx. 1500 Swifts over Canewdon ahead of some very dark clouds. Also 2 Turtle Dove at Butts Hill Pond. Jeff Delve. (EBS).
Thursday 01st July 2004
Wat Tyler CP 10:30 - 12:00: 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Cuckoo, 2 Bearded Reedling, 3 Turtle Dove. Ian White.
Fleet Head, 17:55 to 19:20: 60 Black-tailed Godwit (minimum with many stunning summer plumaged adults), 4 Ruff (2 fully ruffed), 1 Greenshank, 2 Whimbrel, 2 Turtle Dove, 6 Little Egret, 1 Marsh Harrier (female over New England Island), 2000 Starling (a huge flock over the fields by the central track). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Wallasea Island: 1 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Barn Owl, 35 Corn Bunting, at least 10 pairs Yellow Wagtail, 10 Hares. Jeff Delve. (EBS).