South East Essex Bird Reports for July 2013
July 2013
Wednesday 31st July 2013south westerly, mostly cloudy, max25°c
Canvey Point 10:00 to 11:45
6 Bar-tailed Godwit, 3 Dunlin, 8 Ringed Plover, 1 Grey Plover, 2 Whimbrel, 100+ Curlew, 100+ Oystercatcher, 12 Turnstone, 2 Redshank, 7 Little Egret, 1 Sandwich Tern, 3 Common Tern, 7 Cormorant. T. Blackwell.
Wakering, Near Cupids Corner, 12:30
Red Kite flying west. Steve Giles.
Tuesday 30th July 2013south south westerly, cloud, rain, max21°c
Hanningfield Reservoir 11:50 to 12:20
500+ Tufted Duck, 300+ Pochard, 500+ Coot, 200+ Mallard, 14 Red Crested Pochard, 6 Great Crested Grebe, 4 Magpie, 1 Green Sandpiper, 50+ Mute Swan, 300+ Black-headed Gull, 200+ Herring Gull, 14 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 33 Cormorant, 9 Pied Wagtail, 250+ Greylag Geese, 200+ Canada Geese, 5 Carrion Crow, 43 Lapwing. Rob Harris.
Stambridge Trout Fishery 15:32
1 Red Kite, Graham Saunders, Anne Windle & David Galloway.
RSPB Wallasea Island 18:00 to 18:30
4 Little Egret, 3 Mallard, 8 Whimbrel, 4 Pheasant, 6 Magpie, 20+ Carrion Crow, 12 House Sparrow, 10+ Linnet, 7 Goldfinch, 4 Corn Bunting, 2 Skylark, 30+ Black-headed Gull, 2 Herring Gull. Rob Harris.
Monday 29th July 2013south westerly, mostly cloudy, rain, max24°c
EWT Hanningfield Reservoir 10:30 to 17:00
c.500 Tufted Duck, c.500 Coot (viewed from causeway), 12 Swallow feeding low over meadow, c.20 Red Crested Pochard (1 drake, females and juveniles), c.12 Common Tern, 2 Turnstone, 2 Ruff, 3 Common Sandpiper, 2 Green Sandpiper, c.50 Mute Swan, 12 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Buzzard, 9 Grey Heron, many Pied Wagtail, 1 Ruddy Shelduck. 3 Oystercatcher, 3 female Shoveler, 1 Little Grebe. David & Brenda Hale.
Ashingdon, Princess Gardens 15:00
3 Sand Martin flying west. David Selley.
Sunday 28th July 2013south south westerly, scattered clouds, max24°c
Stambridge 08:15 to 09:00
1 Hobby, 80 House Martin (at least, feeding young on the care home opposite the Trout fishery), c.10 Corn Bunting (singing males between Stambridge and Paglesham East End). Steve Sanford.
Wickford Memorial Park 16:00
Red Kite low over the park. First one I have ever seen over Wickford. Pam Bigland.
Two Tree Island West 16:00
1 Green Sandpiper. c.60 Black-tailed Godwit, 19 Common Tern. Richard Shepherd.
Leigh on Sea, Park View Drive 20:00
Curlew flew south over garden (new garden tick!). Kris Mee, Web Author.
Saturday 27th July 2013easterly, partly cloudy, max26°c
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 07:35 to 10:40
c.9 Green Sandpiper at fleet/tributary ditch (maybe 1 of same at 'pochard pool'/shrub area), a few Whimbrel, a few Little Egret, Cetti's Warbler heard at Coryton, family of Shelduck at Holehaven Creek. Richard Fahey.
Hanningfield Reservoir Causeway 12:00 to 12:15
200+ Greylag Geese, 200+ Canada Geese, 500+ Tufted Duck, 150+ Mallard, 400+ Pochard, 70+ Coot, 7 Mute Swan, 7 Carrion Crow, 23 Cormorant, 250+ Black-headed Gull, 60+ Herring Gull, 30+ Lesser Black-backed Gull. Rob Harris.
RSPB Vange Marsh 14:30 to 16:00
1 Hobby hunting insects over marsh, 24 Little Egret, 8 Curlew, 38 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Green Sandpiper, 3 Greenshank, 12 Redshank. 14 Avocet, 2 Reed Warbler, 1 juvenile Common Tern, 6 Carrion Crow, c.100 Starling, 4 Common Sandpiper, 20 Lapwing, 1 Ringed Plover. 1 Ruddy Darter, 8 Common Blue Damselfly, 5 Six-spot Burnett, 6 Marbled White, 1 Small White, 1 Red Admiral, 2 Gatekeeper, 6 Meadow Brown. Richard Mander.
Wakering Stairs 17:15 to 19:00
10 Common Tern, 6 Golden Plover, 12 Grey Plover, 12 Dunlin, 2 Whimbrel, c.30 Oystercatcher, 12 Swallow flying east, along the tideline, c.20 Kittiwake, 8 Turnstone (4 in striking breeding colours), c.30 Redshank, 3 Little Egret, 2 Common Gull, 4 Curlew, 6 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Black-headed Gull, 1 pair Linnet. David & Brenda Hale.
For other sightings in the Southend area visit the website of the Southend Ornithological Group (SOG).
Friday 26th July 2013variable, partly cloudy, max26°c
Canvey Point 08:00 to 09:00
14 Little Egret, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 100+ Curlew, 10 Oystercatcher, 2 Common Tern, 6 Cormorant, 2 Swallow. T. Blackwell.
Southend Hospital 10:00 to 12:00
1 Peregrine Falcon on a ninth floor window ledge. Jerry Stock.
RSPB Rainham Marshes 11:15
2 Spoonbill still on Aveley flash. 1 Harbour Porpoise heading up river towards London. Andrew Gouldstone.
Ashingdon 11:45
4 Mediterranean Gull in anting gull flock. David Selley.
Danbury, Paper Mill Lock 14:00
2 female Blackcap, 1 Yellowhammer. Jamie Sippitt.
Hadleigh 19:00
2 pairs of Marsh Harrier over high east towards the marshes. Jenny Knight.
A130 South of Rettendon 16:10
Buzzard over the east side embankment. Peter Bowden.
Thursday 25th July 2013south south westerly, mostly cloudy, max25°c
RSPB Rainham Marshes 12:30 to 14:40
2 Spoonbill, 5 Grey Heron, 16 Little Egret, 2 Greenfinch, 30+ House Sparrow, 5 Blue Tit, 1 Song Thrush, 2 Blackbird, 5 Collared Dove, 30+ Woodpigeon, 1 Sparrowhawk, 4 Whimbrel, 2 Pied Wagtail, 200+ Black-headed Gull, 100+ Herring Gull, 30+ Lesser Black-backed Gull, 60+ Coot, 100+ Mallard. 1 Water Vole. Rob Harris.
Westbury Road, Southend 12:00
1 Firecrest popped in to the birdbath and had a brief bath before heading off south east! Mick.
Ashingdon, Princess Gardens 15:00 to 16:40
c.30 Swift over garden for most of the time, obviously feeding but giving the impression of larger numbers in a continuous southerly drift. 4 Comma, 1 Peacock, several Red Admiral, and 3 or 4 Small Tortoiseshell butterflies on Buddleia. David Selley.
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 16:25 to 18:55
1 female Marsh Harrier, c.10 Green Sandpiper, 1 Whimbrel, pair of Pochard at Coryton, 1 Cuckoo, a few Little Egret, 1 adult and a juvenile Little Grebe at Coryton, 1 Common Tern along creek. Richard Fahey.
Stambridge 17:55 to 18:25
c.120 House Martin around The Rectory. Very active and mobile but at one time 44 were on the roof, a dozen or so around nests, and 60 to 70 feeding over adjacent flax field. David Selley.
RSPB Wallasea Island 20:30 to 21:00
1 Barn Owl, 1 Reed Bunting, 2 Corn Bunting, 1 Skylark, 30+ Woodpigeon, 30+ Black-headed Gull, 5 Herring Gull, 7 Magpie, 5 Carrion Crow. Rob Harris.
Wednesday 24th July 2013south westerly, partly cloudy, max27°c
Upminster 08:00
1 Green Woodpecker in garden. Sonya.
RSPB Rainham Marshes 08:30
At least 1 Spoonbill still present on Aveley Flash, 1 Greenshank, 1 Green Sandpiper and 3 Little Egret on Purfleet scrape. Andrew Gouldstone.
RSPB Rainham Marsh 10:45 to 13:30
2 Spoonbill, 5 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Greenshank, 1 Snipe, 18 Little Egret, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Common Whitethroat, 1 juvenile Mediterranean Gull, 2 Reed Warbler. Hilary & Colin Knight.
Canvey Point 11:30 to 13:00
2 Grey Plover, 2 Little Egret, 160+ Oystercatcher, 2 Common Sandpiper, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 juvenile Sandwich Tern, 2 Common Tern, 3 Grey Heron, 5 Cormorant, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 4 House Martin, 2 Swallow. T. Blackwell.
Tuesday 23rd July 2013east south east, thunderstorms then clear, max25°c
RSPB Rainham Marshes 10:00
2 Spoonbill still present on Aveley flash, 3 Greenshank, 1 Little Ringed Plover, Lapwing, Redshank, 16 Little Egret on Purfleet scrape. Andrew Gouldstone.
EWT Thurrock Thameside 11:30 to 14:20
3 Little Egret, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 11 Canada Geese, 1 pair Whitethroat back and forth to nest site with insects, 12 Curlew, 4 Common Tern, 1 Cuckoo, 4 Linnet, 2 Shelduck, c.8 Kittiwake, 2 Skylark, 6 House Martin, 1 Swallow, 12 Oystercatcher, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, 6 Cormorant. 1 Common Seal. David & Brenda Hale.
Hanningfield Reservoir 17:00 to 17:30
250+ Greylag Geese, 200+ Canada Geese, 300+ Tufted Duck, 150+ Mallard, 300+ Pochard, 8 Magpie, 50+ Coot, 7 Mute Swan, 30+ Carrion Crow, 38 Cormorant, 250+ Black-headed Gull, 25+ Lesser Black-backed Gull, 22 Herring Gull, 39 Lapwing, 3 Pied Wagtail, 2 Blackbird, 5 Blue Tit, 4 Chaffinch, 1 Yellowhammer, A number of hybrid duck and geese. 1 large Stoat. Rob Harris.
North Fambridge / Blue House Farm 18:30 to 19:05
2 Greylag Geese, 20 Canada Geese, 3 Magpie, 1 Grey Heron, 30+ Carrion Crow, 23 Black-headed Gull, 5 Pied Wagtail. 3 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 12 Herring Gull, 3 Lapwing, 20+ Golden Plover, 1 Oystercatcher, 7 Blackbird, 1 Song Thrush, 4 Chaffinch, 4 Goldfinch, 1 Greenfinch, 1 Kestrel, 1 Marsh Harrier, 5 Collared Dove, 30+ Woodpigeon. Barn Owl on webcam. Rob Harris.
Barling Creek 20:20
6 Greenshank all feeding in small pool at bottom creek. T. Thorneycroft.
Monday 22nd July 2013easterly, clear, max28°c
RSPB Rainham Marshes 15:30
2 Spoonbill on Aveley Flash most of the afternoon. Andrew Gouldstone.
Abberton Reservoir 18:00 to 18:30
1 Grey Heron, 1 Common Tern, 5 Egyptian Geese, 10 Lapwing, 1 Barnacle Goose, 1 Swan Goose, 2 Red-breasted Geese, 1 Aylesbury Duck, 100+ Canada Geese, 100+ Greylag Geese, 30+ Mute Swan, 150+ Coot, 150+ Mallard, 100+ Cormorant, 100+ Tufted, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 5 Swallow, 30+ Starling, 7 Pied Wagtail, 100+ Black-headed Gull, 100+ Woodpigeon, 50+ Carrion Crow. Rob Harris.
Leigh on Sea, 18:15
1 Hobby chasing Swifts over garden. Kris Mee, Web Author.
Sunday 21st July 2013easterly, partly cloudy, max24°c
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 07:00 to 10:10
1 female Marsh Harrier, 3 Avocet, 1 Common Sandpiper on creek 3 Green Sandpiper on fleet, 2 Whimbrel, 2 Swift, 1 adult and a juvenile Little Grebe plus 1 drake Pochard at Coryton, 8 Little Egret, 1 Green Woodpecker. Richard Fahey.
Wakering Stairs 10:00 to 11:30
1 adult female Marsh Harrier, 1 Little Egret, 30 Oystercatcher, 48 Grey Plover, 9 Golden Plover, 46 Bar-tailed Godwit in both summer plumage and various stages of moult, 12 Redshank, 357 Curlew in off the incoming tide at Morrin's Point and onto a freshly ploughed field, (joining a large gull flock), 1 Knot, 1 Turnstone, 4 Swallow, 7 Meadow Pipit, 5 Skylark, 10 Linnet. Small White, Small Skipper, Small Heath and Comma butterflies. David Selley.
Shopland 11:45
c.200 Swift over the fishing lake and surrounding fields in Shopland Road. David Selley.
Leigh on Sea, 15:10
1 Hobby chasing Swifts over garden. Kris Mee, Web Author.
Canvey Seafront 17:30 to 18:30
4 (at least) adult Mediterranean Gull, flock of 12 House Sparrow and 100 Starling on Thorney Bay caravan park. G. Dixon.
Saturday 20th July 2013east north east, mostly cloudy, max20°c
Fobbing Marsh 08:45 to 12:30
2 Yellowhammer heard singing, 11 Corn Bunting, Skylark, 4 Whimbrel on Holehaven Creek. c.16 Little Egret, 2 Green Woodpecker. 82 Marbled White, Small Skippers, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper. Andrew Gouldstone.
EWT Hanningfield Reservoir 10:45 to 17:00
2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 House Martin, 1 Swallow, 4 Swift, 1 pair of Wren with c.6 fledglings, 1 female Blackcap, 1 Song Thrush, c.10 Long-tailed Tit, c.500 Tufted Duck some Pochard amongst them, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, c.20 Red-crested Pochard (drakes, females and ducklings), 1 Ruddy Shelduck, 8 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret, 5 Little Ringed Plover, 1 female Marsh Harrier, 1 Buzzard, 50+ Mute Swan, single flotilla of c.400 Coot, Chiffchaff heard, 2 Blackbird, 20+ Great Crested Grebe, a few Lapwing, adult Pied Wagtail with many juveniles. 1 Muntjac Deer. David & Brenda Hale.
Chalkwell Seafront 13:40
2 Parakeets by railway station (definitely not ring-tailed - they were black and white with no green plumage). Flew in from seafront calling loudly and settled on top of the covered railway walkway at Chalkwell Station. Jackie and Mike Bliss.
RSPB Vange Marsh 15:00 to 17:00
18 Little Egret, 2 Grey Heron, 16 Lapwing, 68 Black-tailed Godwit, 6 Greenshank, 10 Green Sandpiper, 4 Common Sandpiper, 1 Little Gull, 2 Common Tern, 3 House Martin, 2 Sedge Warbler, 6 Reed Warbler, 2 Reed Bunting, 12 Swallow, 2 Ringed Plover, 3 Red Admiral, 10 Gatekeeper, 4 Marbled White, 6 Meadow Brown. Richard Mander.
Abberton Reservoir 16:15 to 16:35
1 Osprey, 1 Little Egret, 3 Grey Heron, 3 Common Tern, 6 Egyptian Geese, 14 Lapwing, 1 Barnacle Goose, 1 Swan Goose, 2 Red-breasted Geese, 1 Aylesbury Duck, 2 Ruddy Shelduck, 200+ Canada Geese, 200+ Greylag Geese, 30+ Mute Swan, 100+ Coot, 2 Moorhen, 50+ Pochard, 150+ Mallard, 100+ Cormorant, 60+ Tufted, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 7 Swallow, 7 Magpie, 70+ Carrion Crow, 100+ Woodpigeon, Rob Harris.
RSPB Wallasea Island 18:15 to 18:45
12 Goldfinch, 20+ Linnet, 6 Greenfinch, 2 Skylark, 3 Magpie, 50+ Woodpigeon, 2 Little Egret, 2 Kestrel, 20+ Carrion Crow, 24 House Sparrow, 30+ Swallow, 3 Swift, 10 House Martin, 30+ Black Headed Gull, 14 Herring Gull. 1 Brown Hare. Rob Harris.
Friday 19th July 2013east north east, clear, max25°c
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 06:25 to 08:50
4 Green Sandpiper including 1 on 'pochard pool', 1 Whimbrel, 1 Swift, 1 Phyloscopus warbler near "lagoon", c.7 Little Egret, 2 Lapwing off 'pochard pool', 1 adult and juvenile Little Grebe at Coryton. Richard Fahey.
RSPB Wallasea Island 18:30 to 19:15
1 Marsh Harrier, 12 Swallow (at one point resting on the access road), 1 female Pheasant with 2 young, 1 Yellow Wagtail. David Z.
Thursday 18th July 2013easterly, partly cloudy, max24°c
Private Land Near Crays Hill 09:15
1 male Bullfinch feeding on wild flower seeds, juvenile Green Woodpecker. G. Dixon.
Great Wakering, Morley's Nursery 10:25
22 Swallow on the wires over the car-park including juveniles being fed. David Selley.
Abberton Reservoir 12:30 to 13:40
2 Little Egret, 3 Grey Heron, 2 Blackbird, 7 Common Tern, 30+ Lapwing, 8 Egyptian Geese, 1 Swan Goose, 200+ Coot, 1 Barnacle Goose, 2 Red-breasted Geese, 1 Aylesbury Duck, 250+ Canada Geese, 300+ Greylag Geese, 250+ Mute Swan, 2 Moorhen, 250+ Pochard, 250+ Mallard, 150+ Cormorant, 2 Ruddy Shelduck, 200+ Tufted Duck, 4 Great Crested Grebe, 150+ Woodpigeon, 7 Magpie, 5 Pied Wagtail, 7 Starling, 1 Goldfinch, 70+ Carrion Crow, 300+ Black-headed Gull, 200+ Herring Gull, 36 Lesser Black-backed Gull. Rob Harris.
Corringham, Lampits Hill 13:45
Peregrine Falcon swooping from high, down onto Doves based around one of the rear gardens. Bird was swooping down for 10 minutes. Very fast. Then rose up into sun and was hidden from view. James Smith.
Wednesday 17th July 2013easterly, clear, max27°c
Stambridge 10:00 to 10:30
Counted c.70 House Martin around The Rectory obviously visiting active nests. Best views from 'footpath 4' at TQ816913. As the nests are on private property didn't use optics. David Selley.
Hanningfield Reservoir Causeway 18:00 to 18:20
250+ Greylag Geese 200+ Canada Geese, 150+ Tufted Duck, 100+ Mallard, 150+ Pochard, 400+ Coot, 3 Carrion Crow, 34 Cormorant, 9 Mute Swan, 150+ Black-headed Gull, 17 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 40+ Herring Gull 3 Lapwing, A number of Hybrid Duck and Geese. Rob Harris.
Tuesday 16th July 2013east south east, clear, max28°c
Crays Hill, Oak Road 07:30
4 Greenfinch, 1 Sparrowhawk. 1 Muntjac Deer. Mick Roe.
RSPB Vange Marsh 07:45 to 08:45
Saline Lagoon: 1 Pectoral Sandpiper, 2 Common Sandpiper, 2 Green Sandpiper, a number of Greenshank, Redshank and Spotted Redshank. David Davies.
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton c.17:20 to 20:25
1 ragged immature female Marsh Harrier flew west at Coryton, 8 Green Sandpiper at fleet, 1 Turtle Dove at Coryton, c.15 Swallow passed through at Coryton, a few Little Egret, 1 juvenile Lapwing, 1 adult and 2 immature Little Grebe at Coryton. Richard Fahey.
Tuesday 16th July 2013east south east, clear, max28°c
Stambridge 07:20 to 07:45
From the small green opposite Hampton Barns footpath: 35+ House Martin, 11 Swift, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Cuckoo flew silently west, 1 Song Thrush singing. David Selley.
Wat Tyler Country Park 11:00 to 13:30
Sightings from scrape hide: 2 Turtle Dove roosting on height gantry to left of hide, 3 Avocet with 3 chicks, 1 Little Grebe with 2 chicks, 1 female Mallard with 9 ducklings, 1 pair Canada Geese with 3 gosling, Lapwings with juveniles, 2 Common Tern, c.8 Reed Warbler, 1 Oystercatcher, 4 little Egret on scrape roost, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Jay, 4 Swift, 3 Collared Dove, 1 Stock Dove. 4 female Pochard with 3 duckling. 1 female Shoveler. David & Brenda Hale.
RSPB Wallasea Island 12:00 to 12:40
1 Kestrel, 1 Grey Heron, 20+ Black-headed Gull, 6 Greenfinch, 1 Little Egret, 12 Herring Gull, 2 Magpie, 20+ Carrion Crow, 11 Corn Bunting, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 20+ Linnet, 2 Redshank, 1 Oystercatcher. 50+ Woodpigeon, 1 Collar Dove, 2 Blackbird, 12 House Sparrow, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Skylark, 20+ Swallow, 4 Swift, 1 Goldfinch. 1 Brown Hare. Rob Harris.
Monday 15th July 2013easterly, clear, max28°c
Abberton Reservoir 12:45 to 14:50
1 Common Buzzard, 2 Little Egret, 3 Grey Heron, 2 Blackbird, 5 Common Tern, 20+ Lapwing, 7 Egyptian Geese, 1 Swan Goose, 1 Barnacle Goose, 2 Red-breasted Geese, 1 Aylesbury Duck, 250+ Canada Geese, 250+ Greylag Geese, 240+ Mute Swan, 200+ Coot, 2 Moorhen, 250+ Pochard, 250+ Mallard, 5 Shoveler, 2 Ruddy Shelduck, 130+ Cormorant, 200+ Tufted Duck, 6 Great Crested Grebe, 150+ Woodpigeon, 7 Magpie, 70+ Carrion Crow, 2 Pied Wagtail, 3 Shelduck, 12 Starling, 1 Goldfinch, 300+ Black-headed Gull, 200+ Herring Gull, 50+ Lesser Black-backed Gull, 20+ House Sparrow. Rob Harris.
Leigh on Sea 13:20
Hobby south over garden. Kris Mee, Web Author.
Braxted Golf Course 15:30 to 15:35
1 Common Buzzard. Rob Harris.
Hanningfield Reservoir 16:00 to 16:20
250+ Greylag Geese 200+ Canada Geese, 150+ Tufted Duck, 100+ Mallard, 100+ Pochard, 3 Magpie, 60+ Coot, 12 Mute Swan, 3 Carrion Crow, 4 Cormorant, 150+ Black-headed Gull, 7 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 20+ Herring Gull 5 Lapwing, 1 Pied Wagtail. A number of Hybrid Duck and Geese. Rob Harris.
Marsh Farm
Turtle Dove in trees by children's play area. John Atfield.
Sunday 14th July 2013easterly, clear, max26°c
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 05:55 to 10:25
From Fobbing village to Coryton manorway: c.8 Green Sandpiper included 6 at fleet and 3 later at 'pochard pool', 1 Greenshank off fleet, c.3 Whimbrel on creek, Yellowhammer heard out on marshes, Turtle Dove heard in shrub area overlooking refinery, 2 pairs of Common Tern at creek, 1 young Peregrine Falcon (probably juvenile) over near Holehaven Creek and Coryton, Pochard family on 'their' pool, a few Little Egret, Cetti's Warbler heard at shrub area, 2 Green Woodpecker, 2 adult and 1 juvenile Little Grebe at Coryton, 1 Cuokoo. Some Marbled White. Richard Fahey.
South Woodham Ferrers 11:00
2 Jay, 1 Dunnock, male and female Blackcap, 3 Goldfinch. Jamie Sippitt.
Ashingdon, Princess Gardens 12:35
1 female Siskin on sunflower heart feeder. David Selley.
Belfairs Woods 15:00
Alongside Prittlewell brook, NE of the Cosgrove Avenue entrance: 3 Wren, in a 'herd', Scorpion fly, possible Brook Lamprey also nearby. Matt.
RSPB Wallasea Island 19:30 to 20:00
1 Kestrel, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret, 14 Carrion Crow, 100+ Black-headed Gull, 100+ Herring Gull, 4 Magpie, 1 Skylark, 20+ Linnet, 10+ House Sparrow, 15 Starling, 2 Blackbird, 20+ Corn Bunting, 2 Chaffinch, 2 Redshank, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Curlew, 100+ Woodpigeon. 1 Fox in Wheat field by white gate. Rob Harris.
Saturday 13th July 2013east north east, clear, max25°c
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 06:55 to 10:00
7 Green Sandpiper flushed from fleet (probably included 2 earlier ones at 'pochard pool'), 1 Greenshank and Whimbrel on creek, 2 Common Tern flew north west from Holehaven Creek, 4 juvenile Pochard on 'their' pool and a female at Coryton lagoon, 1 Little Egret, Great Spotted woodpecker, Green Woodpecker, 1 adult and juvenile Little Grebe at Coryton lagoon. Richard Fahey.
Rochford 07:10 to 07:40
20 Swift around nest sites, 25+ House Martin. David Selley.
Rayleigh, Ferndale Road 08:00
6 Crossbill over low heading North and calling. Robin Peppiatt.
South Woodham Ferrers, River Crouch, 09:00
2 Common Tern, 20 Black-headed Gull, 11 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 4 Herring Gull, 2 Oystercatcher, 5 Lapwing, 3 Reed Bunting, 6 Sedge Warbler, 2 Reed Warbler, 1 Little Grebe, 8 Swallow, 2 Pied Wagtail. Jamie Sippitt.
Abberton Reservoir 11:00
Osprey perched high up on tree in distance - viewed only from spot on footpath by yellow broom at southern end of causeway to Layer Breton. Off to west and left of pylon top. Judy.
Belfairs Woods 13:30
Nightingale calling, Jay. Matt.
Leigh on Sea 18:00
Dunnock, female Wood Mouse with tiny pup hanging on to her rear! Common Frog. Matt.
RSPB Wallasea Island 18:45 to 19:00
Short-eared Owl showing well hunting the dykes between entrance and the car park. Jackie Bliss.
RSPB Wallasea Island 19:30 to 20:00
1 Starling, 7 House Sparrow, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Reed Bunting, 5 Corn Bunting, 14 Linnet, 4 Carrion Crow, 40+ Woodpigeon. Rob Harris.
Friday 12th July 2013northerly to easterly, partly cloudy, max21°c
Rayleigh, Ferndale Road 07:30
1 Crossbill flyover calling, 2 Bullfinch, 2 Common Whitethroat, family of noisy Green Woodpecker (five). Robin Peppiatt.
Southend Hospital 10:10 to 12:00
1 Peregrine Falcon on chimney. Jerry Stock.
Abberton Reservoir 13:00 to 15:00
1 Osprey, 1 Little Egret, 3 Grey Heron, 3 Common Tern, 6 Egyptian Geese, 14 Lapwing, 1 Barnacle Goose, 1 Swan Goose, 2 Red-breasted Geese, 1 Aylesbury Duck, 200+ Canada Geese, 200+ Greylag Geese, 40+ Mute Swan, 200+ Coot, 2 Moorhen, 50+ Pochard, 150+ Mallard, 5 Shoveler, 1 Ruddy Shelduck, 100+ Cormorant, 60+ Tufted, 4 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Swallow, 100+ Woodpigeon, 7 Magpie, 70+ Carrion Crow. Rob Harris.
Canvey Point 14:00 to 14:45
100+ Oystercatcher, 2 Shoveler, 1 Ringed Plover, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Cormorant. T. Blackwell.
Hadleigh Castle 15:00 to 16:00
Small Tortoiseshell, Six-Spot Burnet, Comma, Small White, Light Emerald. Matt.
RSPB Vange Marsh 15:00 to 18:00
6 Common Sandpiper, 11 Greenshank, 5 Spotted Redshank, 150+ Black-tailed Godwit, 65+ Lapwing, 40 Little Egret, 4 Oystercatcher, 100+ Black-headed Gull, 1 Peregrine Falcon hunting over the marsh for a short time. David Shepherd.
Ashingdon, Princess Gardens 21:15 to 21:30
3 Pipistrelle. David Selley.
Thursday 11th July 2013north easterly, partly cloudy, max19°c
Hyde Hall, Rettendon 12:30
Skylark. Red Admiral, Comma. Matt.
Hanningfield Reservoir Causeway 12:30 to 12:40
200+ Greylag Geese 150+ Canada Geese, 50+ Tufted Duck, 100+ Mallard, 50+ Pochard, 3 Magpie, 60+ Coot, 3 Common Crow, 24 Cormorant, 2 Swift, 7 Mute Swan, 50+ Black-headed Gull, 4 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 14 Herring Gull 7 Lapwing, 5 Pied Wagtail. A number of Hybrid Duck and Geese. Rob Harris.
Two Tree Island East 15:45 to 18:50
4 Grey Heron, 11 Little Egret incl. 1 juvenile, 2 Oystercatcher, 163 Curlew roosting on saltings over high tide, 1 Whimbrel - ID confirmed by its call. Martin Johnson.
Private Land Near Crays Hill 16:25
1 Common Buzzard mobbed by crows, watched for 5 minutes. Flew off towards Billericay. G. Dixon.
River Crouch, South Woodham Ferrers, 16:40
30+ Black-headed Gull, 5+ Lesser Black-backed Gull, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Lapwing. Jamie Sippitt.
Wednesday 10th July 2013east north east, clear, max21°c
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 06:30 to 09:10
1 Greenshank, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Peregrine Falcon, 1 adult and 5 juvenile Swallow on lines by Coryton track, female Pochard and 4 juveniles on usual pool, Turtle Dove heard Coryton, 10+ Little Egret, Cetti's Warbler heard Coryton. Richard Fahey.
Abberton Reservoir 11:30 to 14:00
1 Little Egret, 4 Grey Heron, 2 Common Tern, 6 Egyptian Geese, 12 Lapwing, 1 Barnacle Goose, 2 Red-breasted Geese, 1 Swan Goose, 1 Aylesbury Duck, 400+ Canada Geese, 300+ Greylag Geese, 250+ Mute Swan, 200+ Coot, 2 Moorhen, 50+ Pochard, 150+ Mallard, 5 Shoveler, 1 Ruddy Shelduck, 100+ Cormorant, 60+ Tufted, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 12 Swallow, 4 Goldfinch, 14 House Martin, 10 Swift, 2 Pheasant, 100+ Woodpigeon, 7 Magpie, 70+ Carrion Crow, 2 Pied Wagtail. Rob Harris.
Stanford Wharf NR 14:20
1 Brown Hawker. Marc Outten.
Wat Tyler Country Park 19:30 to 19:45
A pair of Turtle Dove on wire near to hide. Mick Roe.
Abberton Reservoir
Osprey fishing. Denis Tuck.
Tuesday 09th July 2013east north east, clear, max22°c
Southchurch Park East
1 Little Egret feeding south of low reed bed in morning and throughout the day, roosting on newly built reed roost bed. Robert Dobinson.
Two Tree Island 13:00 to 15:30
6 Little Egret, 2 Grey heron, 3 Swallow. 2 Comma and 1 Red Admiral butterfly. 4 Shore Crab. Barley Field WNW of Leigh Railway Station: Jay, Grey Squirrel. Matt.
RSPB Wallasea Island 20:30 to 21:15
2 Barn Owl, 1 Kestrel, 1 Grey Heron, 30+ Black-headed Gull, 5 Herring Gull, 5 Magpie, 14 Carrion Crow, 2 Reed Bunting, 5 Yellow Wagtail, 6 Linnet, 2 Redshank, 2 Oystercatcher. Rob Harris.
Monday 08th July 2013north easterly, clear, max23°c
No reports received for this day.
Sunday 07th July 2013easterly, clear, max25°c
Fobbing/Corringham Marshes/Coryton 06:00 to 10:25
2 Little Ringed Plover on lagoon, 1 Marsh Harrier, 3 Green Sandpiper up from fleet, 4 juvenile Pochard on usual pool, Yellowhammer heard out on marshes, Turtle Dove heard at Coryton, a few Little Egret, Cetti's Warbler heard over area, 1 Green Woodpecker. Richard Fahey.
Barling Millennium Nature Reserve 10:00 to 11:30
6 Lapwing, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 5 Whitethroat, 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Willow Warbler, 20 Swallow over the meadow, 5 Stock Dove, 3 juvenile Greenfinch, Chaffinch, 1 Corn Bunting. Many Small Tortoiseshell and Meadow Brown butterflies, 3 Speckled Wood and 1 Brimstone Moth. David Selley.
Southchurch Park East 12:30 Onwards
1 Little Egret, 1 Sparrowhawk flying directly above us, 40ft west to east, carrying small mammal. Robert Dobinson.
RSPB Wallasea Island 10:00 to 12:00
Barn Owl, Kestrel, Yellow Wagtail, Little Egret. Judy.
Leigh on Sea 21:15
Magpie Moth on leaf of rhododendron bush. Matt.
Saturday 06th July 2013easterly, clear, max24°c
Wakering Stairs 06:20 to 07:50
1 Cormorant, 1 Little Egret, 2 Shelduck, 6 Redshank, 11 Oystercatcher, 6 Stock Dove, 2 Turtle Dove - purring from two locations but neither seen, 4 Swallow, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 15+ Whitethroat with young being fed quite widely, 5 juvenile Blue Tit, 4 Swallow, 7 Skylark, 10+ Linnet, 2 Corn Bunting. Many Rabbit, 1 Brown Rat, 1 Common Lizard, several Small Tortoiseshell butterflies. David Selley.
Great Wakering 08:00
12 Swift screaming around St. Nicholas Church. David Selley.
RSPB West Canvey Marsh 10:30 to 13:30
2 Reed Bunting, 2 Reed warbler, 2 Corn Bunting, 16+ Swift. 15+ Marbled White (first I have seen this year), 6 Common Blue, good numbers of all 3 species of Skipper, 15 Small Tortoiseshell, many Ringlet, several Meadow Brown, 1 Red Admiral. Pete Jackson.
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 13:00 to 16:03
2 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Peregrine Falcon flew to Canvey Island, 1 Green Sandpiper up from fleet, Pochard family on lagoon pool, a few Little Egret, 1 Cetti's Warbler heard at shrub area, 2 Lesser Whitethroat heard, 1 Cuckoo. Richard Fahey.
Ballards Gore Golf Club 13:15
Red Kite drifted over Sheppard and Dog pub being mobbed by crows heading towards Paglesham. Don Wildish.
M11/M25 / J27, 15:30
1 Common Buzzard. Rob Harris.
Leigh on Sea 17:00
Swift gliding c.30 meters overhead. Matt.
Canvey Point 17:45 to 17:55
12 Little Egret, 1 Little Gull. T. Blackwell.
A130, Near Rettendon Turnpike 18:15
Common Buzzard sitting on post by the roadside, looking very proud. Jackie Jones.
Friday 05th July 2013east south east, clear, max22°c
No reports received for this day.
Thursday 04th July 2013south westerly, mostly cloudy, max24°c
Canvey Point 15:30 to 16:00
1 Sandwich Tern, 5 Common Tern, 1 Little Egret, 40+ Curlew, 4 Shelduck, 6 Cormorant, 5 Oystercatcher, 5 Great Crested Grebe. T. Blackwell.
Shoeburyness, Shoebury Avenue 20:00
1 Hobby flew over garden. Steve Day.
Wednesday 03rd July 2013westerly, mostly cloudy, max21°c
Rayleigh 07:20
Red Kite along Hockley Road/Wellington Road flying at tree top height towards Hambro Hill. Russ.
Canvey Wick 12:25
1 Clouded Yellow. Marc Outten (SOG).
Hanningfield Reservoir Causeway 14:30 to 14:45
200+ Greylag Geese plus Goslings, 250+ Canada Geese plus Goslings, 23 Tufted Duck, 50+ Mallard, 12 Pochard, 2 Magpie, 50+ Coot, 8 Carrion Crow, 8 Cormorant, 7 Mute Swan, 50+ Black-headed Gull, 5 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 22 Herring Gull, 32 Lapwing. A number of Hybrid Duck and Geese. Rob Harris.
Tuesday 02nd July 2013south west to west. partly cloudy, max21°c
Hanningfield Reservoir Causeway 10:25 to 10:40
400+ Greylag Geese plus Goslings, 100+ Canada Geese plus Goslings, 30+ Tufted Duck, 50+ Mallard, 23 Pochard, 2 Magpie, 50+ Coot, 8 Common Crow, 4 Cormorant, 6 Swift, 22 Mute Swan, 50+ Black-headed Gull, 5 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 22 Herring Gull, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 25 Lapwing. A number of Hybrid Duck and Geese. Rob Harris.
Two Tree Island 16:00
24 Common Tern, 22 Redshank, 4 Mediterranean Gull. Richard Shepherd.
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 16:33 to 19:06
4 Little Ringed Plover including a very pale juvenile on lagoon, 1 immature female Marsh Harrier, 3 Common Tern along creek, 2 Green Sandpiper flushed from fleet, 4 Avocet, 1 Black-tailed Godwit and 22 Lapwing on lagoon, 4 Oystercatcher in display fight, a few Little Egret. Richard Fahey.
Monday 01st July 2013southerly, partly cloudy, max18°c
Rochford 07:05 to 07:35
10 Swift around at least two nest sites, 19 House Martin with at least four active nests. David Selley.
Two Tree Island 12:30 to 12:50
7 Greenfinch, 1 Chaffinch, 1 Great Tit, 1 Robin, 3 Magpie, 1 Sparrowhawk, 40+ Black-headed Gull. 30+ Herring Gull, 7 Carrion Crow. Rob Harris.
RSPB Wallasea Island 13:30 to 14:00
1 Magpie, 5 Carrion Crow, 50+ Woodpigeon, 1 Collared Dove, 2 Blackbird, 12 Linnet, 2 Skylark, 5 Corn Bunting, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Pied Wagtail, 2 Reed Bunting, 4 House Sparrow, 14 Black-headed Gull, 7 Herring Gull, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Kestrel, 1 Pheasant, 1 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron. Rob Harris.
Hanningfield Reservoir 14:30 to 15:00
450+ Greylag Geese plus Goslings, 200+ Canada Geese plus Goslings, 17 Tufted Duck, 50+ Mallard, 9 Pochard, 5 Magpie, 50+ Coot, 5 Common Crow, 10 Cormorant, 7 House Martin, 450+ Swift, 50+ Black-headed Gull, 30+ Herring Gull, 7 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 25 Mute Swan, 2 Blackbird. A number of Hybrid Duck and Geese. Rob Harris.
Hadleigh Castle 15:00
Bullfinch on the ground, Kestrel. Matt.
Hanningfield Reservoir 17:00
50+ Sand Martin. Richard Shepherd.
Wakering Stairs 17:20 to 19:00
8 Little Egret, 2 Shelduck, 130 Curlew flying towards Potton, 12 Oystercatcher, 6 Redshank, 2 Spotted Redshank in summer plumage, 2 Lapwing, 17 Mediterranean Gull (all adults), 1 Little Tern, 1 Sandwich Tern, 14 Common Tern, 1 Turtle Dove purring and in display flight behind 'Q-battery' buildings at Haven Point, 1 Green Woodpecker. Small Tortoiseshell and Painted Lady butterflies. David Selley.
Disclaimer: Some of our sightings are reported by a single observer (who may or may not be known to us) and will not always have been corroborated. In all cases the observers name will accompany the report. We cannot always check the sightings directly and we have to rely on the experience of the observer. The Web Author retains the right not to publish some reports until further evidence has been submitted. In the case of major rarities the observer may be asked to submit a description to the county recorders.
For other sightings in the Southend area visit the website of the Southend Ornithological Group (SOG).