Bird Reports For July 2009
Friday 31st July 2009
Rochford, 14:35 to 14:40
2 Hobby circling over the back garden. 1 Comma, 1 Holly Blue, 1 Gatekeeper, 5 Large White. Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).
Southend, 16:05 to 16:10
1 Mediterranean Gull circling over the RBS Building near Tesco. Steve Arlow Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).
Hockley / Hawkwell, 20:00
1 Hobby chasing House Martins over Hockley Station - flew high SE. Jeff Delve (EBS, SOG).
Rochford Golf Course, 18:45 to 20:15
2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Thursday 30th July 2009
Southend High School, 09:00
1 Hobby flying low across Prittlewell Chase. Jeff Saward (SOG).
Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 19:00
1 female Peregrine Falcon swept in from the west, circled overhead then drifted slowly east. Paul Baker (SOG).
Wednesday 29th July 2009
Rochford, 07:10 to 07:15
2 Great Spotted Woodpecker (a pair in the apple tree and on the nut feeders this morning). Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).
Wat Tyler Country Park, 09:10 to 09:20
13 Bearded Tit (flock of juvs., behind the RSPB offices). Marc Outten (RSPB, SOG).
Canvey Point, 14:15 to 14:45
24 Sandwich Tern, 58 Common Tern. Jeff Saward (SOG).
Tewke's Creek, 15:00 to 15:30
1 Caspian Gull (3rd summer), 2 Common Sandpiper, 1 Canada Goose. Jeff Saward (SOG).
Southend Seafront 16:00
At rear of Fisherman's Cottages Eastern Esplanade by Car Park to Esplanade 74. I was in car park to flats and watched a female Peregrine Falcon chase several Wood Pigeons unsuccessfully, then land and perch on shed roofs about 10 feet from me. Beautiful Bird and markings. Pete Harmsworth.
Tuesday 28th July 2009
RSPB Vange Marsh, 17:40 to 19:00
13 Green Sandpiper (7 on saline lagoon), 10 Common Sandpiper (6 on the saline lagoon), 46 Lapwing, 1 Yellow-legged Gull (adult), 1 Mediterranean Gull (adult), 540 Black-headed Gull, 1 Curlew, 12 Greenshank, 9 Spotted Redshank, 1 Little Egret, 1 Sparrowhawk. Marc Outten (RSPB, SOG).
RSPB Vange Marsh, 19:25 to 20:10
6 Spotted Redshank (various stages of moult), 3 Greenshank, 11 Green Sandpiper, 5 Common Sandpiper, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 7 Linnet, 2 Reed Bunting. 1 Northern Water Vole. Martin Cracknell (SOG).
Two Tree Island (East) 21.00 - 21.15
67 Little Egret on the roost. Also 1 Badger. Joy Hammond.
Monday 27th July 2009
Earls Hall Avenue 10.15
1 Sparrowhawk (female) on back lawn breakfasting on a Collared Dove for about 15 minutes. 1 Ring-necked Parakeet. Pat Dandridge.
Canvey Point, 14:15 to 15:00
1 Mediterranean Gull (adult), 2 Great Crested Grebe, 6 Sandwich Tern, 58 Common Tern. Jeff Saward (SOG).
Rossi's Ice Cream, Westcliff, 17:50
2 Mediterranean Gull (adult-summer, 1st-summer). Paul Griggs (SOG).
Sunday 26th July 2009
Southend Seafront, 07:00 to 08:10
186 Mediterranean Gull (included 13 juveniles and several color rung birds, this count is a new county record). Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).
Southend, Fossetts Farm, behind Waitrose 10:00 to 13:00
2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Chiffchaff, 10 Whitethroat (at least), 8 Brown Argus (minimum), 13 Common Blue, 36 Painted Lady (though probably more, most fresh but a few very battered individuals), 21 Peacock Butterfly, 1 Red Admiral, 2 Small Copper, 1 Clouded Yellow. Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).
Wakering Stairs 10.00 - 11.45
6 Little Egret, 11 Oystercatcher including a pair with 2 newly hatched young, 4 Swallow, 20 Sand Martin (flying SW), 8 Curlew, 3 Whimbrel, 22 Ringed Plover, 1 adult Mediterranean Gull. David Selley.
Rivers Crouch and Roach, All Day Lady Essex Boat Trip 10:00 to 17:30
24 Little Egret, 1 Peregrine Falcon (female chasing waders in wetlands), 1 Marsh Harrier (male along river bank just west of Canewdon Church), 17 Avocet on Bridgemarsh, 8 Whimbrel, 2 Dunlin, 200+ Swift (over Crouch by Canewdon), 20+ House Martin (over Crouch by Canewdon). 18 Common Seal including 3 pups. Web Author, Kris Mee.
Marsh Farm, River Crouch 16.00
1 Black Swan amongst 50 Mute Swan. Dawn James.
Saturday 25th July 2009
Langdon Hills 10.00
2 Yellow Wagtail. J Labbadia.
Wakering Common, 11:20
1 Osprey flying very high towards Barling. Lee Ebbs (SOG).
Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 11:30
1 Hobby high south east, 10+ Painted Lady. Paul Baker (SOG).
Wakering, Fleet Head, 12:00 to 13:00
1 Little Owl, 1 Marsh Harrier (female), 12 Greenshank, 5 Whimbrel, 2 Common Sandpiper, 6 Green Sandpiper. Lee Ebbs (SOG).
Friday 24th July 2009
Rochford 06.55 - 07.20
43 House Martin, visible young in 3 of the 4 nests seen - others I couldn't watch (on private houses) were also being visited. 10 Swift. David Selley.
Hadleigh Downs 10.15 - 13.55
1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrel (pair), 4 Linnet, 1 Whitethroat, 2 Blackcap, 1 Woodcock. Terry Priest.
Wat Tyler Country Park 17:30 - 18:45
20 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Snipe, a few Lapwing, several Bearded Tit, Cetti's Warbler, many Reed Warbler, 11 Little Egret, 4 or 5 Grey Heron, 1 Kingfisher. Swifts and hirundines began to appear as weather became stormy. Andrew Cox.
Thursday 23rd July 2009
Victoria Avenue, Southend, 08:30 to 09:15
1 male Peregrine Falcon on west side of Portcullis House. John Wright (SOG).
Wallasea Wetlands 17.00
1 Cormorant. Arthur Jyro.
Southend Seafront, 17:00 to 16:00
107 Mediterranean Gull (including 4 juveniles), 20 Common Tern (at least including juveniles). Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).
Ashingdon, Princess Gardens 20.00 - 20.35
300+ Swift flew south in about half an hour. David Selley.
Wednesday 22nd July 2009
RSPB Vange Marsh 06.00 - 09.00
Common Sandpiper, 4 Green Sandpiper, 2 Lapwing, 82 Greenshank, 3 Redshank, 3 Ringed Plover, 1 Reed Bunting, 3 Sedge Warbler, 3 Avocet, 4 Little Egret, 3 Common Tern, 1 Shelduck (2 with 6 young). 1 Water Vole. David Shepherd.
Wat Tyler Country Park 07.30 - 09.00
2 Peregrine Falcon mobbing each other over the marina, 1 Curlew and 2 Greenshank in Timbermans Creek. Neil Phillips.
Rochford Golf Course, 11:00 to 14:30
2 Green Woodpecker. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Rossi's Ice Cream, Westcliff, 15:10
1 Mediterranean Gull (2nd-winter). Paul Griggs (SOG).
Canvey Point, 18:45 to 19:45
20 Sandwich Tern (inc. 6 juvs.), 1 Little Tern, 11 Little Egret, 1 Mediterranean Gull (juv.), 1 Yellow-legged Gull (adult). Jeff Saward (SOG).
Tuesday 21st July 2009
RSPB Vange Marsh, 17:35 to 18:30
1 Mediterranean Gull (adult), 1 Curlew, 7 Green Sandpiper, 5 Common Sandpiper, 1 Black-tailed Godwit. Marc Outten (RSPB, SOG).
Canvey Point, 19:15 to 20:10
6 Common Tern, 11 Sandwich Tern (4 juv.), 1 Little Tern, 2 Mediterranean Gull (ad. + juv.), 1 Whimbrel, 80 Dunlin (newly returned, none seen last week), 4 Little Egret. Martin Cracknell (SOG).Monday 20th July 2009
Southend Airport, 18:00 to 21:00
1 Peregrine Falcon (low south), 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Blackcap, 1 Green Woodpecker. Paul Baker (SOG).
Rochford Golf Course, 18:10 to 19:20
1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Stock Dove (pair), 20 Swift. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Ashingdon, Princess Gardens 12.30 - 12.40
About 80 Swift and 1 Hobby drifting south. David Selley.
Luncies Road, Dusk
Watching lots of bats against backlit clouds. Seem to be at least three types. Gary Clinton.
Sunday 19th July 2009
Canvey Point, 09:00 to 09:30
1 Mediterranean Gull (juv.), 12 Sandwich Tern, 1 Little Tern, 18 Cormorant (inc. 1 with large orange ring and two with complete white underparts and necks), 2 Sand Martin (heading south). Jeff Saward (SOG).
South Fambridge to Brandy Hole 10.10 - 12.30
19 Little Egret, 4 Cormorant, 3 Little Grebe (1 adult + 2 young), 1 Great Crested Grebe, 60 Curlew, 4 Common Sandpiper, 1 Sand Martin, 42 Swift, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Corn Bunting. 1 Brown Hare. 8 Comma, 17 Painted Lady (v. brightly marked), 3 Peacock, 2 Speckled Wood and many Meadow Brown. David Selley.
Wat Tyler Country Park 10:30 - 13:30
25 Black-tailed Godwit, 20 Lapwing, 2 Snipe, 1 Greenshank, 1 Green Sandpiper. Andrew Cox.
RSPB Vange Marsh 13:45 - 15:15
80 Lapwing, 15 Avocet, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 5 Green Sandpiper, 1 Greenshank, 1 Common Sandpiper. Andrew Cox.
Chalkwell Park, 16:20
1 Hobby low south by Chalkwell School (A13). Paul Baker (SOG).
Canvey Point, 16:00 to 17:00
18 Sandwich Tern (inc. an adult with pale blue ring and 4 juvs.), 1 Little Tern, 8 Common Tern. Jeff Saward (SOG).
Rayleigh, 23:15
1 Tawny Owl calling from Helena Road / Bull Lane area. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Saturday 18th July 2009
Hadleigh Castle Country Park 07.30 - 07.35
1 juvenile Cuckoo seen in scrub beside the path leading from Hadleigh Castle towards Benfleet. Ellen Hume.
Rochford, 07:50
1 Hobby over the junction of Somerset Avenue and Ashingdon Road. Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).
Daws Heath, 10:45 to 12:45
18 Painted Lady, all fresh individuals in Little Haven Nature Reserve. John Wright (SOG).
Hadleigh Downs, 16:00 to 16:05
1 Hobby hunting SW of Sandpit Hill. Jeff Saward (SOG).
Benfleet Creek, 16:15 to 17:30
5 Common Sandpiper, 6 Greenshank, 150 Black-tailed Godwit, 8 Little Egret. Jeff Saward (SOG).
Belfairs Wood 18.00
1 Treecreeper. Arthur Jyro.
RSPB Vange Marsh, 19:45 to 20:45
1 Kestrel, 5 Black-tailed Godwit, 5 Common Sandpiper, 11 Green Sandpiper. Don Petrie (SOG).
Friday 17th July 2009
Rochford, Golden Cross 08.40
1 Hobby flying south. David Selley.
Westcliff, Hamlet Court Road 09:00
1 Hobby flew south. Paul Griggs (SOG).
Rivers Crouch & Roach Aboard Lady Essex III 12.00 to 14.00
Little Egrets, Oystercatchers, Shelduck, 23 Goldfinch flying from Wallasea to Foulness. 20+ Common Seals with about half of them this year's pups. Gary Dunn (www.ladyessex.com).
Wat Tyler Country Park 17:30 - 18:45
8 Grey Heron, 25 Little Egret, 4 Shoveler, 2 Oystercatcher, 4 Lapwing, 7 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Green Sandpiper, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Adult Mediterranean Gull, 1 Turtle Dove (calling), Swifts, 2 Green Woodpecker (Ad. + Juv., Calling), Swallows and Sand Martins, Reed Warbler, At Least 2 Bearded Tit. Andrew Cox.
Thursday 16th July 2009
Belfairs, 08:00
1 Crossbill 
flew south. Tony Mead (SOG).
Victoria Avenue, Southend, 08:40 to 09:35
1 male Peregrine Falcon on west side of Portcullis House. John Wright (SOG).
Westcliff, 12:00
1 Hobby over Hamlet Court Road. Tony Mead (SOG).
Westcliff, 16:30 to 16:35
3 Lesser Redpoll flying around the RBS Building car park and nearby Strawberry Fields. Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).
Ashingdon, Princess Gardens 17.50
1 Sparrowhawk caught a Starling from a flock anting on the grass verge. David Selley.
Wednesday 15th July 2009
Westcliff, 07:35
1 Hobby flew south high over the hospital. Dudley Shayler (SOG).
Canvey Point, 14:30 to 15:15
15 Sandwich Tern (inc. 3 juvs.), 6 Common Tern, 8 Little Egret. Jeff Saward (SOG).
Leigh Cliffs 14.30 - 16.30
5 Painted Lady, 5 Marbled White, 20+ Gatekeeper, 1 Pale Clouded Yellow, 2 Speckled Wood, 100's Skipper, 3 Comma, 1 Red Admiral, 2 Peacock, 2 Large Heath, 10+ Small Heath, 10+ Six Spotted Burnet, 1 Ruddy Darter. Arthur Jyro.
Victoria Avenue, Southend, 19:30
1 Peregrine Falcon chasing pigeons by derelict Heath House. John Wright (SOG).
Canvey Point, 19:45 to 20:45
2 Mediterranean Gull (2 ad.), 1 Little Tern, 2 Common Tern, 3 Sandwich Tern (1 juv.), 3 Whimbrel, 1 Great Crested Grebe. Martin Cracknell (SOG).
Victoria Avenue, Southend, 20:20
1 Peregrine Falcon perched on east side of Portcullis House. John Wright (SOG).
Tuesday 14th July 2009
Two Tree Island/Leigh Cliffs 13.00 - 18.00
5+ Goldfinch, 2 Greenfinch, Kestrel (m+f & 2 young in nest), 5 Little Egret, 1 Curlew, Grey Heron in flight, Sparrowhawk pellets (garden of house in Leigh), 3+ Dunnock, 5+ Swift. 10+ Meadow Brown, 1 Ringlet, 10+ Western Marble White, 2 Comma, 5 Peacock, 10+ Six-spotted Burnet, 2 Red Admiral, 2+ Painted Lady, Southern Hawker Dragonfly (scrub, west of Billet Lane,), Swallow Tailed Moth. (after dark). Arthur Jyro.
Hanningfield Reservoir 14.00
1 Kingfisher in front of fishing lodge, he caught more than me. R.Shepherd.
Canvey Point, 19:30 to 20:15
1 Greenshank, 2 Mediterranean Gull (ad. + juv.), 10 Black-tailed Godwit (sum. pl.), 5 Common Tern, 11 Sandwich Tern (2 juv.), 7 Little Tern (2 juv.), 1 Whimbrel. Martin Cracknell (SOG).
Monday 13th July 2009
Victoria Avenue, Southend, 08:45 to 13:30
1 male Peregrine Falcon on west side of Portcullis House. John Wright (SOG).
Two Tree Island (West), 18:40 to 19:40
10 Whitethroat, 1 Stonechat (juv.), 2 Whimbrel, 2 Greenshank, 250 Black-tailed Godwit, 5 Common Tern. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Sunday 12th July 2009
Canewdon, Lark Hill Road 07.50
2 Yellowhammer, 12 Swallow - adults and juveniles on wires. David Selley.
Leigh on Sea, 08:30 to 09:00
6 juvenile Long-tailed Tit in garden. Web Author, Kris Mee.
Wakering Stairs 10.15 - 12.15
11 Sand Martin flying SW across the Broomway, 3 Little Egret, 4 Turtle Dove, 2 Spotted Redshank on Havengore Creek, 2 Reed Bunting (pair). David Selley.
Chalkwell Park Drive, Leigh, 11:30
2 Sand Martin (2 over heading west - early migrants). John Wright (SOG).
Hockley, 14.00
1 Red Kite being mobbed by resident Kestrel. Martin Ricks.
Rochford Golf Course, 15:15 to 18:30
1 Blackcap (singing), 1 Green Woodpecker. 1 Painted Lady. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Belfairs Golf Course, 17:05 to 17:45
1 Green Woodpecker. 1 Southern Hawker. Dudley Shayler (SOG).
Leigh-on-Sea, Belton Gardens - West 20.40 - 21.20
43 Little Egret roosting on Two Tree Island east, 2 Kestrel, 39 Swift in large screaming party. Martin Johnson.
Saturday 11th July 2009
Canewdon, Creeksea Ferry Road 07.30
3 Green Woodpecker - 1 adult and 2 juveniles feeding on grass verge. David Selley.
Southend Seafront, 08:00 to 08:10
75 Mediterranean Gull (including a juvenile), 2 Little Egret. Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 10.05 - 12.00
Turtle Dove, 2 Greenshank, Common Sandpiper, 3 Little Egret, 3 Curlew, 4 Yellow Wagtail, 13 Shelduck (included 7 young), 5 Reed Bunting, 3 Sedge Warbler, 11 Swift, 2 Corn Bunting, 3 Skylark. Common Seal. Ray Fuller.
Hockley, 12.00
1 Little Owl sat low down in large oak tree. Martin Ricks.
Two Tree Island 12:30 - 15:00
c.500 Black-tailed Godwit, 12 Greenshank, many Oystercatcher, Redshank and Avocet, 2 Ringed Plover, at least 10 adult Common Terns plus 3 young (2 broods). Andrew Cox.
Belfairs N.R., 14:00
3 White Admiral, 1 Brown Argus (pristine), 1 Gatekeeper, 2 Purple Hairstreak. Steve Arlow, Graham Ryland (SOG).
Benfleet Downs, 14:00 to 15:00
6 White-letter Hairstreak (including 4 on bramble at bottom of N-S ride to east of Ray View). Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).
Two Tree Island (West), 15:45 to 17:00
440 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Dunlin, 96 Oystercatcher (inc. 2 juvs. from 2 broods), 4 Ringed Plover, 9 Common Tern (inc. 3 juvs. from 2 broods), 9 Greenshank, 1 Mediterranean Gull (adult). John Wright (SOG).
Friday 10th July 2009
Victoria Avenue, Southend, 08:30 to 10:00
1 male Peregrine Falcon on west side of Portculllis House. John Wright (SOG).
Abberton - Layer Breton Causeway 11.50 - 12.50
1 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Black Swan, 5 Egyptian Geese 3 Adult + 2 Juveniles, 2 Barnacle Geese, 2 Red Breasted Geese( presumed escapes), 4 Little Egrets and a very different small (nominate race?) Canada Goose. Also Turtle dove at visitor Centre. Terry Strong & John Leeming.
Wat Tyler Country Park 14.00
Common Tern hovering over lake behind marina building (also seen the day before in same spot). Neil.
Hadleigh Downs, 15:30 to 16:30
2 Bullfinch. 1 Adder. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).
Thursday 09th July 2009
Southend, 13:00
2 Herring Gull (2 unfledged young from 2 nests on roof tops of Alexandra Street). John Wright (SOG).
RSPB Vange Marsh, 17:30 to 18:15
9 Green Sandpiper, 1 Common Sandpiper, 34 Black-tailed Godwit, 7 Spotted Redshank (5 in Pitsea Creek), 2 Shelduck (with brood of 8), 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Reed Bunting. Marc Outten (RSPB, SOG).
Southend Seafront, 19:45
1 adult Mediterranean Gull by Sea Life Centre. John Wright (SOG).
Wednesday 08th July 2009
Mucking Flats 13:30
Female Hen Harrier hunting. Daniel Free.
Benfleet Station, 20:05 to 20:10
1 adult Greenshank in full breeding plumage, 1 Little Egret. 1 Marbled White. Martin Cracknell (SOG).
Monday 06th July 2009
Isle of Dogs 18:00
1 Red-Legged Partridge sitting on my garden wall. Stuart Bellehewe.
Victoria Avenue, Southend, 18:25 to 18:35
1 male Peregrine Falcon flew towards the seafront at 18:25 and returned at 18:35 with prey. Don Petrie (SOG).
Sunday 05th July 2009
Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 08:00 to 08:10
1 Green Woodpecker anting on our lawn. Paul Baker (SOG).
Lion Creek EWT Reserve 10.00 - 11.20
1 Whitethroat, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Skylark, 5 Swallow, 5 Greenfinch (adult + 4 juveniles), 2 Meadow Pipit, 1 Corn Bunting. Meadow Brown, Small Heath, Gatekeeper, 5 Small Skipper, 30+ Marbled White, 1 Red Admiral. David Selley.
Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 17:00
1 Marbled White, an unexpected first for the garden! Paul Baker (SOG).
Saturday 04th July 2009
Rochford 07.00 - 07.30
13 screaming Swift, 29 House Martin with 8 occupied nests including at least 2 on new houses on the hospital site. David Selley.
South Fambridge/Brandy Hole 10.00 - 11.50
Whimbrel, Common Sandpiper, 18 Swallow, 2 Yellow Wagtail, Corn Bunting, Little Grebe, 3 Little Egret, 2 Reed Bunting, 4 Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, 9 Shelduck, 3 Skylark. Ray Fuller.
RSPB Vange Marsh, 10:00 to 12:00
1 Greenshank, 4 Green Sandpiper, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Spotted Redshank, 4 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Sparrowhawk (female), 1 Hobby, 1 Mediterranean Gull (adult), 1 Common Tern, 35+ Marbled White. Marc Outten (RSPB, SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park 10.45 - 14.30
15+ House Martins (some are nesting in the Essex and Pony rescue centre stables), 1 Swallow, 8 Greenfinch, 1 Peregrine Falcon, 5 Kestrel (pair with 3 young), 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Blackcap (singing), 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Blue Tit (juvenile), 2 Grey Heron. Terry Priest & Andrew Dutton.
Belfairs N.R., 15:05 to 16:15
2 Blackcap (singing), 1 Chiffchaff (singing). 7 White Admiral, 5 Heath Fritillary, 1 Brimstone. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Southend High School Field 17:20
4 adult Mediterranean Gull in flock of 100 plus Black-headed Gulls including 4 juveniles. Pat Dandridge.
Rochford Golf Course, 18:10 to 19:45
1 Whitethroat (singing). Neil Chambers (SOG).
Friday 03rd July 2009
Paglesham Boatyard 07:00
Barn Owl, Turtle Dove, Hobby (east to Wallasea at 10:30). Paul and John Bruty (SOG).
Benfleet, Vicarage Hill 18:55 to 19:00
2 Hobby (second bird aggressively chased first away), 8 House Martin, 15 Swift, 35 Black-headed Gull (brief anting flock attracting the others). Martin Cracknell (SOG).
Thursday 02nd July 2009
River Crouch, Hullbridge to Battlesbridge 06.45
1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Grasshopper Warbler (heard), 2 Greenshank. David Chivers.
Victoria Avenue, Southend, 08:30 to 12:00
1 male Peregrine Falcon on west side of Portcullis House. John Wright (SOG).
Belfairs Great Wood, 11:00 to 12:00
9 White Admiral (6 along the main E/W path, either side of the Sanctuary entrance, 3 on the Dodd's Wood side ), 12 Heath Fritillary (mostly pretty tatty by now), 1 Purple Hairstreak (freshly emerged), 1 Ringlet. Jeff Saward (SOG).
Belfairs Wood (nr Dodds Grove) 12,15 to 14.00
Cuckoo (juvenile), Great Spotted Woodpecker, 10+ White Admiral, 7 Comma, 2 Heath Fritillary. Les Costin (EBS).
Belton Hills, 19:30
2 Kestrel. John Wright (SOG).
Hole Haven Creek, 19:45 to 20:30
240 Curlew (roosting on Lower Horse), 10 Black-tailed Godwit (summer plumage), 1 Kestrel (male), 1 Cuckoo, 1 Chiffchaff (singing), 1 Skylark, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Little Egret. Martin Cracknell (SOG).
Hadleigh Downs, 20:00
1 Little Owl south east of the castle. John Wright (SOG).
Wednesday 01st July 2009
Tewke's Creek, 19:00 to 20:00
1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 3 Greenshank, 8 Grey Heron, 2 Little Egret, 1 Black-headed Gull (leucistic - white mantle, brown centres to primary tips, brown neck ring and faint dusky head - superficially like a 2nd summer Med Gull). Jeff Saward (SOG).