South East Essex RSPB Wildlife Reports for July 2014
Thursday 31st July 2014south westerly, clear, max26°c
RSPB Wallasea Island 14:00 to 15:00
1 House Sparrow, 3 Magpie, 7 Carrion Crow, 1 Linnet, 5 Starling, 9 Swallow, 100+ Black-headed Gull, 100+ Herring Gull, 60+ Woodpigeon, 1 Little Egret, 8 Redshank, 2 Oystercatcher. Rob Harris.
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 17:30 to 19:50
1 Wheatear on post by track, 1 ragged immature male Marsh Harrier, c.5 Whimbrel on creeks, 1 Green Sandpiper, a few Black-tailed Godwit, 12 Curlew on creek, 1 Chiffchaff heard at Manorway Fleet, a few Little Egret, 1 Shoveler and Little Grebe on Manorway Fleet, 3 Pochard and Gadwall on Manorway Fleet. Richard Fahey.
Canvey Point 17:40 to 19:00
15+ Dunlin (many in summer plumage), 30+ Ringed Plover, 20 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Whimbrel, 12 Curlew, 10 Redshank, 9 Turnstone, 60+ Oystercatcher, 3 Little Egret, 3 Shelduck, 9 Sandwich Tern, 2 Common Tern, 9 Swallow, 1 Pied Wagtail. Terry Blackwell.
Southchurch Hall Park 19:00
4 Sparrowhawk. Alan Tyler.
Wednesday 30th July 2014west north west, partly cloudy, max25°c
Canvey Point 11:00 to 11:30
8 Grey Plover (5 in full summer plumage), 200+ Oystercatcher, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Turnstone, 1 Ringed Plover, 8 Curlew, 20 Sandwich Tern, 23 Common Tern, 7 Cormorant. Terry Blackwell.
Tuesday 29th July 2014northerly, partly cloudy, max26°c
Ashingdon, Princess Gardens 11:00 to 11:10
2 Cormorant circling over. Have seen the odd Cormorant mixed in with anting gull flocks in recent years but these two were clearly "thermalling", with barely a wing beat, to a considerable height. David Selley.
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 12:45 to 15:55
2 Wheatear near pillbox, 2 Whimbrel on creek, 3 Common Sandpiper probably included 1 earlier on creek sluice, 1 Green Sandpiper, 180+ Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Chiffchaff heard at Manorway Fleet, 10+ Little Egret, 2 Cetti's Warbler seen at south edge of shrub mound, 4 Pochard at Manorway Fleet, 1 juvenile Little Grebe "chick" at Manorway Fleet, 1 Green Woodpecker. Richard Fahey.
Shoeburyness, Gunners Park 13:00 to 14:30
House Sparrow, Starling, Collared Dove, Black-headed Gull, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Common Gull, Woodpigeon, Robin, Dunnock, Green Woodpecker, Blackbird, Greenfinch, Swallow, Moorhen, Chaffinch, Whitethroat, Meadow Pipit, House Martin, Turnstone, Pied Wagtail, Feral Pigeon, Little Egret, Mallard, Little Grebe, Knot, Goldfinch, Mute Swan (male and female, 1st year and 5 juveniles), Linnet. S. Jackson.
Hockley, Glencrofts 16:50
1 Juvenile Song Thrush, first for many years. Irwin Lewis.
Monday 28th July 2014northerly, overcast, max21°c
EWT Hanningfield Reservoir 10:40 to 16:30
South side of causeway: 1 Kingfisher, 3 Reed Warbler, 1 Common Tern. From Point hide: 12 Common Sandpiper, 2 Greenshank, 1 Sanderling, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Redshank, 8 Grey Heron, 8 Little Egret, 1 male Marsh Harrier, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 1 Hobby, 6 Swallow, 2 Swift, c.20 Common Tern, 2 female Red Crested Pochard 9 ducklings between them, many Tufted duck 1 female with 7 tiny ducklings, 10 drake Pochard, 1 Great Black-backed Gull, few Lesser Black-backed Gull, few Black-headed Gull, 1 female Shoveler with 3 duckling, 4 Great Crested Grebe, hundreds of Coot, Moorhen many of them juveniles. David & Brenda Hale.
Canvey Point 16:00 to 17:00
14 Dunlin, 5 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Turnstone, 20 Ringed Plover, 20+ Curlew, 15+ Oystercatcher, 6 Sandwich Tern, 4 Common Tern, 5 Little Egret, 1 Cormorant. Terry Blackwell.
Sunday 27th July 2014northerly to southerly, scattered clouds, max25°c
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 08:10 to 11:25
3 Hobby flew west over track by fence, 1 Whimbrel, Green Sandpiper and Common Sandpiper, c.10 Black-tailed Godwit, c.5 Little Egret, Cetti's Warbler heard over Coryton area, 2 Pochard on Manorway Fleet, 1 Green Woodpecker, many House Martin near refinery (I think they were migrants, as all looked to be adults). Richard Fahey.
Southchurch Park 12:30
100's of Common Blue Damselflies in pairs mating and egg laying on new Common Eel Grass, 8+ Blue-bodied Chaser Dragonflies. Robert Dobinson.
Saturday 26th July 2014variable, partly cloudy, max28°c
Rochford 07:30 to 08:20
7 Swift, c.25 House Martin around four or five active nests with young visible in three. David Selley.
Southchurch Park 08:15
5 Moorhen chicks on the water around island, calling out to parents to feed them, 7 Cygnets now over 13 weeks old and seem to have grown far quicker than previous years. Common eel grass now showing on pond bed since fresh water arrived. Swans seems to like grazing for it. Robert Dobinson.
Ashingdon, Princess Gardens 11:15
1 Hedgehog rescued from neighbour's garage - not fully grown but reassuringly heavy. This is the 3rd in and around the garden this summer after an absence of several years. David Selley.
RSPB Wallasea Island 18:30 to 19:00
4 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Pheasant, 70+ Black-headed Gull, 70+ Herring Gull, 7 Magpie, 6 Carrion Crow, 2 Reed Bunting, 1 Oystercatcher, 9 Redshank, 6 House Sparrow. 20+ Woodpigeon, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 50+ Starling. 1 Brown Hare. Rob Harris.
Friday 25th July 2014north easterly, partly cloudy, max25°c
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 07:50 to 10:50
1 juvenile Wheatear later on pillbox, 2 Whimbrel on creeks, 2 Green Sandpiper, 4 Common Sandpiper on creek, 15+ Black-tailed Godwit on creek, c.8 Little Egret, Cetti's Warbler heard at Coryton, 1 Pochard on Manorway Fleet, 2 Lapwing on creek. Richard Fahey.
Hamstel Road Allotments 12:00
Green Woodpecker flying across the allotments. Mick Holland.
Thursday 24th July 2014east north east, clear, max26°c
Woodlands Road, Hockley 08:15
5 Green Woodpecker calling and flying from tree to tree across the gardens. Very noisy! David Z.
Southchurch Park 08:45 and 14:30
3 Moorhen chicks three days old being fed by both Moorhen adults on and around the cover on island, 1 13 week old Mute Swan Cygnet rescued/caught after picking up fishing line that was choking it due to chinstrap effect around upper/lower mandible and throat. Nice and swift rescue with the help of lady member of public and her daughter watching. Robert Dobinson.
RSPB Bowers Marsh 14:00 to 17:00
20 Shelduck, 30 Avocet, 60+ Black-tailed Godwit, 17 Little Egret, 5 Greenshank, 6 Redshank, 2 Green Sandpiper, 2 Corn Bunting, 1 Yellow Wagtail on fresh water island, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Peregrine Falcon seen twice hunting over the fresh water lagoon. David Shepherd.
Southchurch Hall Park 19:45
1 Sparrowhawk. Alan Tyler.
Wednesday 23rd July 2014east north east, clear, max27°c
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 08:10 to 11:25
1 juvenile Wheatear "waiting" on pillbox, Bearded Tit heard along edge of reed bed near refinery, 3 Whimbrel on along creek, 100+ Black-tailed Godwit mostly at Holehaven Creek, 3 Lapwing on creek, c.8 Little Egret, Cetti's Warbler heard over area, 1 juvenile Green Woodpecker at Manorway Fleet, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker flying at Coryton. Richard Fahey.
Abberton Reservoir 12:30 to 13:50
15 Great Crested Grebe, 40+ Lapwing, 200+ Tufted Duck, 150+ Pochard, 300+ Mallard, 12 Swallow, 250+ Greylag Geese, 12 Shoveler, 1 Swan Goose, 180+ Canada Geese, 200+ Coot, 9 Egyptian Geese, 2 Red-breasted Geese, 7 Hybrid Geese, 200+ Black-headed Gull, 200+ Herring Gull, 5 Common Tern, 50+ Cormorant, 100+ Mute Swan, 60+ Woodpigeon, 3 Magpie, 50+ Carrion Crow, 1 Skylark, 5 Pied Wagtail, 30+ Starling, 1 Osprey, 8 Grey Heron, 7 Little Egret, 3 Goldfinch. Rob Harris.
RSPB Vange Marsh 14:33 to 17:00
89 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Avocet, 1 Spotted Redshank, 1 Greenshank, 3 Common Sandpiper, 3 Curlew, 10 Gadwall, 2 Pintail, 60 Lapwing, 5 Little Grebe, 4 Cormorant, 10+ Swallow. David Shepherd.
Tuesday 22nd July 2014northerly, partly cloudy, max25°c
Abberton Reservoir 07:15
1 Osprey on the Layer Breton Causeway on my way to work and it flew over the road. Stopped for ten minutes watching it quarter the water, hover for a second and dive several times. First Osprey for me. Amazing sight and I was the only person there! Wish I had had my binoculars, worth being late for work for. Nigel Norton.
EWT Abberton Reservoir 11:45 to 17:00
1 Osprey, 2 Red-breasted Geese, 1 male Marsh Harrier, 1 Kestrel, 1 Buzzard, 1 Green Sandpiper, 3 Ruff, c.25 Little Egret, 6 Grey Heron, c.100 Mute Swan, many Common Tern, c.25 Great Crested Grebe, many Lapwing, 5 Black-tailed Godwit, 5 Pied Wagtail, c.20 Egyptian Geese, 9 Swallow, 4 Skylark, 4 Linnet, 4 Goldfinch, 100s Canada Geese, 100s Coot, many Pochard, Tufted Duck, Mallard, Cormorant. Many, Common Blue Damselfly, 1 Small Red Eyed Damselfly, 1 female Emperor Dragonfly, 1 Great Diving Beetle, several Great Silver Water Beetle Larva. David & Brenda Hale.
Hanningfield Reservoir Causeway 12:30 to 12:50
1 Grey Heron, 3 Lapwing, 5 Pied Wagtail, 7 Carrion Crow, 3 Magpie, 40+ Woodpigeon, 11 Great Crested Grebe, 250+ Coot. 250+ Mallard, 140+ Tufted, 200+ Pochard, 21 Cormorant, 50+ Herring Gull, 7 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 2 Greater Black-backed Gull, 200+ Black-headed Gull, 250+ Greylag Geese, 250+ Canada Geese. Rob Harris.
RSPB Wallasea Island 20:20 to 20:50
1 Grey Heron, 7 Carrion Crow, 3 Magpie, 50+ Black-headed Gull, 50+ Herring Gull, 25 Canada Geese, 20+ Redshank, 3 Linnet, 2 Little Egret. 2 Brown Hare. Rob Harris.
Paglesham, East Hall Road 21:30 to 21:40
1 Kestrel with prey, 1 Blackbird, 4 Moorhen. 5 Rabbit. 2 Brown Hare. Rob Harris.
Monday 21st July 2014variable, scattered clouds, max25°c
RSPB Wat Tyler Country Park 12:30 to 16:15
Sightings from scrape hide: 3 Peregrine Falcon (a presumed pair of flyby's and a single bird on distant pylon), 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, many Bearded Tit and Reed Warbler sightings in front of hide, 1 Swift 2 Swallow, 1 Common Tern, 4 Little Egret, 3 Grey Heron, 6 Mute Swan, 1 female Tufted Duck with 8 tiny ducklings, 22 Canada Geese, 1 drake Gadwall, 1 pair Great Crested Grebe with 2 juveniles, few Pochard, few Mallard. 2 Little Grebe, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull, several Black-headed Gull. David & Brenda Hale.
Abberton Reservoir 14:07 to 15:00
5 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Lapwing, 300+ Tufted Duck, 200+ Pochard, 300+ Mallard, 20+ Swallow, 250+ Greylag Geese, 180+ Canada Geese, 6 Egyptian Goose, 3 Hybrid Geese, 200+ Black-headed Gull, 200+ Herring Gull, 200+ Coot, 50+ Cormorant, 160+ mute Swan. 60+ Woodpigeon, 9 Magpie, 250 Carrion Crow, 2 Skylark, 5 Pied Wagtail, 2 Blackbird, 50+ Starling, 4 Grey Heron, 8 Little Egret, 1 Kingfisher, 7 Long-tailed Tit, Goldfinch. Rob Harris.
Sunday 20th July 2014variable, heavy thunderstorms, max25°c
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 07:50 to 11:25
1 juvenile Wheatear still in same spot, 2 Marsh Harrier, 1 Green Sandpiper, 4 Whimbrel, c.8 Black-tailed Godwit, c.10 Little Egret, a few-dozen Whitethroat (which mostly looked to be adults and think probably Dutch birds), 1 Pochard on Manorway Fleet, 3 Oystercatcher, Cetti's Warbler heard across area. Richard Fahey.
Southchurch Park East 09:15 to 10:00
1 Water Rail skulking in south edge of new low reed bed directly across from park bench. The sun lit the Water Rail up in a large reed bed opening and clearly seen twice in 10 minutes. Last appeared Nov 2012-Apr 2013 in same area. 1 Blue Tailed Damselfly. 4 Gatekeeper including 3 male and 1 Female in grass bank area south of the bench. Dianne Hyem) and Robert Dobinson.
Barling Magna Wildlife Park 10:15 to 11:40
6 Curlew along the Roach, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Stock Dove singing, 7 Swallow, Great Tit, Blue Tit, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, 5 Greenfinch, 4 Linnet, 1 Corn Bunting. 2 Northern Water Vole chomping vegetation on the island in the small pond. Many fresh and bright Peacock butterflies, Red Admiral, Speckled Wood, Large Skipper, Small and/or Essex Skipper, Gatekeeper and Meadow Brown. David Selley.
Wat Tyler Country Park 11:00 to 11:30
1 Great white Egret on island. Mick Roe.
Southchurch Park East 12:45
1 Water Rail in same area as reported earlier. Robert Dobinson.
Abberton Reservoir 15:00 to 16:15
1 Osprey from visitor centre and between causeways, 1 Water Rail, 4 Little Egret, 2 Red-breasted Geese (feral), 5 Egyptian Geese (feral), 10 Common Tern, 5 Great Crested Grebe, 30 Lapwing, 10+ Cormorant, 10 Mute Swan, 5+ Pied Wagtail. B. Goss.
Saturday 19th July 2014easterly to southerly, partly cloudy, max28°c
Rochford 07:00 to 07:45
39 Swift, probably including newly fledged birds just out of nests. Three of the usual nest sites in town centre have been used this year with a further three in Rocheway. Also 14 House Martin. David Selley.
Southchurch Park East 08:30
1 juvenile Little Egret fishing along north west corner of low reed bed. Robert Dobinson.
A13, Five Bells 12:45
1 Buzzard circling low over A13. David Z.
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 12:50 to 16:00
1 juvenile Wheatear on pillbox in usual area, 1 juvenile Bearded Tit at Manorway Fleet, 1 Green Sandpiper under "tunnel" at end of fleet awhile before flying off, 1 Black-tailed Godwit and 2 Curlew on creek, c.7 Little Egret. 1 Small Copper. Richard Fahey.
RSPB Bowers Marsh 15:00 to 16:30
2 Garganey, 11 Black-tailed Godwit (all in summer plumage, one with orange grey orange rings above left knee), 12 Avocet, 30 Greylag Geese, Mute Swan, 50 Goldfinch, 3 Reed Warbler, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Little Egret, Lapwing, 2 Great Crested Grebe (striped juveniles), 30 Little Grebe. Richard Mander.
RSPB West Canvey Marsh 18:10 to 20:10
4 Green Sandpiper, 7 Little Egret, 4 Grey Heron, 5 Little Grebe, 1 Common Tern, 2 Curlew, 1 Great Tit, 6 Lapwing, 1 Stock Dove, c.200 Starling, 4 Pochard, 15 Mallard, few Black-headed Gull, c.20 juvenile Herring Gull, 1 Moorhen, few Coot, 2 Collared Dove. David & Brenda Hale.
Friday 18th July 2014easterly, clear, max31°c (thunderstorm pm)
RSPB Wallasea Island 15:30 to 16:10
1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Little Egret, 3 Magpie, 2 Carrion Crow, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 40+ Black-headed Gull, 1 Oystercatcher, 30+ Redshank, 40+ Woodpigeon. Rob Harris.
Daws Heath 20:30
1 Mistle Thrush singing loudly at the bottom of my garden as storm clouds gathered, with thunder and lightning accompaniment It sang for a few minutes after the storm broke. Mike Sagrott.
Thursday 17th July 2014easterly, scattered clouds, max25°c
Southchurch Park 09:00
1 Broad-bodied Charger Dragonfly flying/resting around north west feeding station, first one seen since pond became freshwater. Robert Dobinson.
Southchurch Park East 12:45
6 male Gatekeeper, 1 Small Skipper feeding on Thistles around south west sluice gate/green box area. Robert Dobinson.
Wednesday 16th July 2014variable, partly cloudy, max27°c
EWT Chigborough Lakes 11:30 to 12:30
Carrion Crow, Woodpigeon, Rook, Collared Dove, Swallow, House Sparrow, Black-headed Gull, Pied Wagtail, Herring Gull, Cormorant, Mallard, Magpie, Mute Swan, Canada Goose, Greylag Goose, Cetti's Warbler, Chaffinch, Pheasant, Swift. S. Jackson & M. Hill.
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 12:35 to 15:45
1 juvenile Wheatear in same spot as yesterday, 1 Green Sandpiper, 100+ Black-tailed Godwit all but one on Holehaven Creek, 2 Common Tern on Holehaven Creek, c.7 Little Egret, 1 Pochard on Manorway Fleet, Great Spotted and Green Woodpecker at Manorway Fleet, 1 Lapwing on creek, 2 Oystercatcher on Holehaven Creek. Richard Fahey.
Heybridge Basin 13:00 to 14:00
Black-headed Gull, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Feral Pigeon, Cormorant, Common Gull, Oystercatcher, Lapwing, Mallard, Starling, Swift, Pied Wagtail, House Martin, House Sparrow, Swallow, Goldfinch, Carrion Crow, Robin, Great Black-backed Gull, Jackdaw, Rook, Kestrel. S. Jackson & M. Hill.
Billericay 17:30
1 Lesser Whitethroat on bushes in garden. Marion Burch.
Great Wakering, Landwick 18:35
5 or 6 Turtle Dove - looked like a family party feeding at the edge of the weedy footpath in front of Landwick Cottages, 2 adults and 3 or 4 juveniles. Have heard frequent purring here this year and seen just one individual up to today. David Selley.
Southchurch Park East
2 Broad Bodied Charger Dragonfly flying/resting around sluice gate area, first seen this year. Robert Dobinson.
Tuesday 15th July 2014westerly, scattered clouds, max24°c
Southchurch Park East and Southchurch Park 09:00 to 17:15
1 Coot Chick (last of 4) rescued from sluice gate pit after 2hrs effort, reunited and back being fed by parents, 6 Swift feeding across pond surface, 2 House Martin feeding across pond, 2 Greater Black-Backed Gull juveniles on water north of new low reed bed. Robert Dobinson.
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 12:40 to 15:40
1 juvenile Wheatear on or around fence by track (possible Dutch bird), 2 adult Yellow-legged Gull, 1 Green Sandpiper up from fleet, 2 Greenshank and 12 Black-tailed Godwit on creek, 1,000 to 1,500 Curlew circling over fields by seawall where most seemed to land, c.9 Little Egret. Richard Fahey
Benfleet, Fernlea Road 15:00
Humming-bird Hawk Moth on Buddleia bush, Elephant Hawk Moth sleeping in flower bed. Richard Gray.
Paglesham East Hall Road 15:00 to 16:30
8 Yellow Wagtail, 5 Meadow Pipit, 20+ Starling, 12 Woodpigeon, 1 Goldfinch, 8 Corn Bunting, 2 Pheasant, 12 Carrion Crow, 3 Magpie, 4 Moorhen. Rob Harris.
Hockley, Woodlands Road, 17:00
2 Peacock Butterfly flew into the conservatory, got tangled in a web, then safely rescued and put back outside. Stunning colours! David Z.
Monday 14th July 2014westerly, few clouds, max24°c
Southend, High Street 08:30 to 09:00
28 Herring Gull - 8 juveniles in various stages of fledging seen on roofs south of railway bridge, others heard squeaking for food, and 20+ adults. David Selley.
Ashingdon, Princess Gardens 14:15
1 Slow Worm in the garden. David Selley.
Leigh-on-Sea, Tattersall Gardens 16:20
5 Peacock butterflies on Buddleia bush in garden. Martin Johnson.
Wakering Stairs 17:00 to 18:50
2 Little Egret, 3 Whimbrel, Oystercatcher, Curlew, Redshank, 2 Turtle Dove, 9 Red-legged Partridge, 14 Sand Martin going south, 6 Swallow, 10 Linnet. David Selley.
Sunday 13th July 2014westerly, partly cloudy, max25°c
Shoeburyness, Gunners Park 14:10 to 16;00
Black-headed Gull, Starling, House Sparrow, 8 Whitethroat, Feral Pigeon, Carrion Crow, Robin, Woodpigeon, Magpie, Jay, Blackbird, Green Woodpecker, Collared Dove, Moorhen, House Martin, Swallow, Greenfinch, Herring Gull, Linnet, Little Egret, Goldfinch, 2 Mute Swan and 5 cygnet's, Little Grebe, Mallard, Dunnock, Meadow Pipit, Swift, Common Gull. S. Jackson & M. Hill.
Sutton Road 14:45
2 Buzzard circling over farmland near Temple Farm. Chris & Mya Graham.
RSPB Wallasea Island 20:00 to 20:55
1 Barn Owl, 1 Kestrel, 1 Blackbird, 15 Carrion Crow, 4 Magpie, 30+ Linnet, 2 Reed Bunting, 5 Corn Bunting, 2 Skylark, 3 Meadow Pipit, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Starling, 4 Mallard, 20+ Black Headed Gull, 30+ Herring Gull, 40+ woodpigeon, 30+ Swallow. 5 Brown Hare. Rob Harris.
Paglesham 21:00 to 21:05
1 Little Owl, 1 Blackbird, 4 Carrion Crow. Rob Harris.
Saturday 12th July 2014variable, light drizzle, max22°c
Wat Tyler Country Park 09:00 to 09:50
10 Bearded Tit constantly showing in flocks in front of main hide. Mick Roe.
RSPB Rainham Marshes 11:30 to 13:30
1 Wood Sandpiper, 1 Greenshank, 1 Whimbrel, 8 Little Egret (all these species on the Purfleet scrape), 4 Common Tern. Brown Hawker, Comma and Painted Lady. Andrew Gouldstone.
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 12:50 to 16:15
1 Common Sandpiper, Whimbrel heard, 1 Common Tern flew south along creek, pair of Great Spotted Woodpecker on poplar overlooking Manorway Fleet, 11 Little Egret, Cetti's Warbler heard at Coryton, pair of Shelduck with 5 ducklings and a pair of Oystercatcher at Holehaven Creek. 1 "Leaf Warbler" on bush by dry "lagoon", looked large and long billed, wonder if it's a foreign race? Richard Fahey.
Wickford Nevendon Road 15:15 to 15:20
250+ Black-headed Gull feeding on flying ants on many levels over the roundabout area. Rob Harris.
Stambridge 15:30 to 16:00
65 House Martin over the care home nest sites, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Chiffchaff singing, 1 Hobby over the field towards Hampton Barns - fortunately for the Martins seemed more interested in insects. David Selley.
Hanningfield Reservoir Causeway 16:00 to 16:20
7 Lapwing, 2 Pied Wagtail, 3 Blackbird, 6 Carrion Crow, 4 Magpie, 30+ Woodpigeon, 5 Great Crested Grebe, 250+ Coot. 250+ Mallard, 140+ Tufted, 200+ Pochard, 50+ Herring Gull, 200+ Black-headed Gull, 7 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 2 Greater Black-backed Gull, 1 Robin, 250+ Greylag Geese, 250+ Canada Geese, 5 Cormorant. Rob Harris.
Ashingdon 16:45 to 17:00
10+ Mediterranean Gull in anting gull flock. David Selley.
Friday 11th July 2014north westerly, rain, max17°c
Galleywood, Chelmsford 19:00 to 20:00
2 Kestrel (flying as a pair), c.10 Swallow swooping over the Galleywood Trail fields, c.15 House Martin circling above the houses at the end of Pavitt Meadow, 2 Yellowhammer, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Green Woodpecker. Dan Foulston.
Thursday 10th July 2014north north westerly, rain, max16°c
No reports received for this day.
Wednesday 09th July 2014north westerly, mostly cloudy, max22°c
RSPB Vange Marsh 09:30 to 12:00
On the scrape: 24 Little Egret, 9 Greenshank, 29 Redshank, 5 Spotted Redshank, 3 Common Sandpiper, 5 Green Sandpiper, Oystercatcher, Grey Heron, c.40 Lapwing, c.10 Goldfinch, 2 Linnet, 4 Swallow, Reed Bunting. On the lagoon: 20 Curlew, 24 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Shelduck, 3 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Pied Wagtail, 10 Mute Swan (including 8 juveniles), 26 Avocet, 4 Grey Heron, Water Rail, c.20 House Sparrow, 4 Bearded Tit (juveniles). Around the perimeters: Whitethroat, Greenfinch, Chaffinch. Terry Jeffreys.
Hanningfield Reservoir 11:00 to 14:00
Goldfinch, Swift, Woodpigeon, Magpie, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Dunnock, Chaffinch, Mallard, Canada Goose, 500+ Coot, Cormorant, Great-crested Grebe, Carrion Crow, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, 500 Tufted Ducks andd ucklings, Lesser Black-backed Gull, 4 Common Tern, Lapwing, 300+ Pochard, Domestic Goose, 4+ Ringed Plover, 5+ Grey Heron, 50+ Mute Swan, Starling, 45+ Greylag Goose, Mediterranean Gull, Little Egret, Moorhen, Great Black-backed Gull, 2+ Pied Wagtail, 2 Marsh Harrier {male and juvenile}, Shelduck, Ruff, Dunlin, Common Gull, Blackbird, Long-tailed Tit, Goldcrest, Robin, Gadwall, Swallow. S. Jackson & M. Jackson.
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 13:00 to 15:55
2 Curlew, 2 Oystercatcher on creek, c.8 Little Egret. A few Marbled White. Richard Fahey.
Windsor 13:30 to 15:30
While picnicking on the banks of the Thames at Windsor I noticed the meadow on the opposite bank was being mown. A Red Kite appeared, followed shortly by 4 others, which then patrolled the meadow as it was mown, for over 2 hours, a fine sight in the afternoon sun. Mike Sagrott.
Tuesday 08th July 2014variable, partly cloudy, max20°'c
Stambridge 07:15 to 07:40
c.50 House Martin around nests on the care home where they bred last year. David Selley.
Southchurch Park East 08:45
1 pair of Coots and four chicks (2 days old) near the sluice gate area then to waters edge/mudbank, they were within 6ft from of us whilst being fed by the parents and photographed by Dianne Hyem. 1 male Little Egret fishing and preening around NW of low reedbed. Robert Dobinson.
Ashingdon, Princess Gardens 11:10
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker in the garden. David Selley.
Abberton Reservoir 13:00 to 13:45
9 Great Crested Grebe, 23 Lapwing, 200+ Tufted Duck, 150+ Pochard, 300+ Mallard, 20+ Swallow, 250+ Greylag Geese, 1 Swan Goose, 180+ Canada Geese, 2 Red-breasted Geese, 8 Egyptian Goose, 3 Hybrid Geese, 200+ Black-headed Gull, 200+ Herring Gull, 3 Common Tern, 1 Arctic Tern, 200+ Coot, 50+ Cormorant, 100+ mute Swan. 3 Moorhen, 60+ Woodpigeon, 9 Magpie, 250 Carrion Crow, 30+ Jackdaw, 2 Skylark, 2 Meadow Pipit, 7 Pied Wagtail, 2 Reed Bunting, 40+ Starling, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Little Egret. Rob Harris.
Hanningfield Reservoir and Woods 13:00 to 16:00
1 female Bullfinch, 3 Long-tailed Tit, 1 female Chaffinch, 1 Wren, 3 Blue Tit, 2 Great Tit, 2 Great Black-backed Gull. A Warbler that two of us thought was Dartford but not 100%. Immediately looked at picture of one within 30 seconds of sighting and partner still thought it was, as I did. Wes M.
Canewdon. Private site, 18:00 to 18:10
3 Barn Owl. (juveniles moving along the rafters in the barn. Two of them eventually flew away). Steve Sanford.
Monday 07th July 2014southerly, partly cloudy, max22°c
Southchurch Park East 08:45
1 pair of Coots and four chicks (1 day old) near the sluice gate area, they were within 20ft away from of us whilst being fed by the parents. Robert Dobinson.
Hanningfield Reservoir Causeway 11:00 to 11:30
8 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Lapwing, 300+ Tufted Duck, 300+ Pochard, 300+ Mallard, 200+ Greylag Geese, 160+ Canada Geese, 1 Egyptian Goose, 200+ Black-headed Gull, 100+ Herring Gull, 3 Cormorant, 200+ Coot, 9 Magpie, 5 Carrion Crow, 3 White Hybrid Duck. Rob Harris.
Southchurch Park East 12:45
1 Pied Wagtail bathing/preening feathers and drinking at waters edge/mud bank near sluice gate, flew off and over me towards the estuary. 4+ small Peacock butterflies. Robert Dobinson.
RSPB Wallasea Island 15:00 to 15:35
1 Skylark, 7 Corn Bunting, 1 Pheasant, 2 Reed Bunting, 4 House Sparrow, 1 Grey Wagtail, 5 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Blackbird, 3 Linnet, 50+ Woodpigeon, 20+ Swallow, 50+ Black Headed Gull, 60+ Herring Gull. Rob Harris.
Leigh-on-Sea, Belton Gardens West 17:10 to 17:32
1 male Sparrowhawk heading back and forth for 22 minutes high above the south facing slope, at times hanging motionless on stiffish SSW breeze, finally disappearing to NW. Martin Johnson.
Wat Tyler Country Park 19:00 to 19:30
1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Bearded Tit, 2 Reed Warbler, 4 Great Crested Grebe. Large Carp below hide, 1 Fox. Mick Roe.
Sunday 06th July 2014westerly, mostly cloudy, max22°c
Great Baddow to Galleywood 05:30 to 09:00
Seen on walk from Great Baddow to Galleywood Common: 1 Leucistic Woodpigeon (on Baddow Road), 1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Yellowhammer, 4 Chiffchaff, 50+ Goldfinch, 5 Linnet, 3 Skylark, 4 Song Thrush, 3 Greater Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Green Woodpecker. Seen but uncounted: Wren, Robin, Blackbird, Whitethroat, Blackcap, Swallow, Swift, Moorhen, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Carrion Crow, Magpie, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Starling, House Sparrow. 5 Brown Hare (Parklands Farm), 2 Grey Squirrel, 4 Rabbit, 2 Ringlet Butterfly, 7 Spot Ladybird, Labyrinth Spider, Crab Spider (rain kept most insects under cover). Paul Forsdick.
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 13:05 to 16:00
1 Kingfisher flew south east over Coryton from Fobbing direction, 2 Sand Martin, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Hobby, 1 Curlew and Lapwing on creek, c.7 Little Egret on creek, 2 Pochard and Gadwall on Manorway Fleet, 3 Oystercatcher on creek. Richard Fahey.
Foulness Island 15:00 to 16:00
2 Turtle Dove, 23 Avocet, c.20 House Martin, 3 Marsh Harrier, 5 Green Woodpecker. Steve and Fran Giles.
RSPB Wallasea Island 19:00 to 20:20
1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Kestrel, 1 Barn Owl, 60+ Herring Gull, 50+ Black-headed Gull, 12 Mallard, 9 Redshank, 2 Blackbird, 2 Oystercatcher, 7 Magpie, 20+ Carrion Crow, 1 Pheasant, 1 Goldfinch, 5 Greenfinch, 3 Linnet, 8 Corn Bunting, 2 Reed Bunting, 7 Starling, 16+ Swallow, 10+ House Martin, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Brown Hare. Rob Harris.
Saturday 05th July 2014south westerly, scattered clouds, max22°c
East Tilbury 13:00 to 15:00
1 hunting Barn Owl, 2 Whimbrel. Mike Butler.
Friday 04th July 2014south south westerly, clear, max28°c
Southchurch Park East 08:45
1 Little Egret fishing on left-hand side of low reed bed. Robert Dobinson.
Ashingdon 10:10 to 10:20
1 Buzzard circling and thermalling, (different to Wednesday's sighting as that bird had a prominently missing right primary). David Selley.
South Woodham Ferrers 15:30
1 Buzzard being chased by crow over Marsh farm area. Alan Minister.
Thursday 03rd July 2014southerly, clear, max28°c
Ashingdon, Princess Gardens 10:00 and 18:35 to 19:10
2 Swallow - adult males on overhead wires (unusual here except during migration), 10 Swift, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Song Thrush singing on and off all day, 2 Painted Lady and many Small Tortoiseshell butterflies. David Selley.
Hanningfield. Reservoir 11:00 to 14:00
Goldfinch, Swift, Woodpigeon, Magpie, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Dunnock, Chaffinch, Mallard, Canada Goose, Coot, Cormorant, Great-crested Grebe, Carrion Crow, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Tufted Duck and ducklings, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Common Tern, Lapwing, Pochard, Domestic Goose, 3 Ringed Plover, Grey Heron, 50 Mute Swan, Starling, Greylag Goose, Mediterranean Gull, Little Egret, Moorhen, Great Black-backed Gull, Pied Wagtail, Marsh Harrier, Shelduck, Ruff, 2 Dunlin, Common Gull, Blackbird, Long-tailed Tit, Goldcrest, Robin, Gadwall, Swallow. S. Jackson & M. Hill.
Southchurch Park East 17:15
6 House Martin circling and feeding over pond surface. Robert Dobinson.
Wednesday 02nd July 2014variable, partly cloudy, max22°c
Southend, Hamstel Infant School, 10:15
A Kestrel seen briefly at the front of the Children's Centre, grabbed its prey (not seen clearly) and left. Mick H.
Ashingdon 11:25
1 Buzzard flying north east and calling. David Selley.
RSPB Wat Tyler Country Park 11:40 to 14:00
Sightings from scrape hide: 1 female Marsh Harrier, still good sightings of Bearded Tit 6 birds at least, few Reed Warbler, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Peregrine Falcon on distant pylon, 2 Swallow, 2 Stock Dove, 1 Lapwing, 1 Little Egret, 1 Oystercatcher, 1 female Tufted Duck with 1 duckling, 1 pair Great Crested Grebe with 2 young, 4 Lesser Black-backed Gull, few Black-headed Gull, 1 drake Pochard, 1 drake and 5 female Mallard, 2 pair Canada Geese - 13 gosling between them, 2 Mute Swan, c.50 Coot with many young, 4 Little Grebe and 1 young, Cetti's Warbler heard. Many Small White Butterfly. Carp showing in front of hide. David & Brenda Hale.
Southchurch Park East 12:45
1 Pied Wagtail feeding along pond edge near sluice gate. Robert Dobinson.
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 13:05 to 15:55
1 Peregrine Falcon and Hobby seen almost same time and place between Coryton and Fobbing, 2 Green Sandpiper at fleet, 1 Pied Woodpecker on Poplar overlooking Manorway Fleet, c.3 Little Egret, Cetti's Warbler heard at Coryton, 1 Sparrowhawk. Richard Fahey.
Hyde Hall Gardens 14:50
3 Common Buzzard circling high above gardens. Norman Oliver.
Tuesday 01st July 2014easterly, partly cloudy, max20°c
Hanningfield Reservoir 11:00 to 12:00
1 Oystercatcher, 2 Lapwing, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Missile Thrush, 2 Blackbird, 14 Carrion Crow, 7 Magpie, 2 Collar Dove, 40+ Woodpigeon, 5 Mute Swan, 12 Great Crested Grebe, 150+ Coot. 250+ Mallard, 100+ Tufted, 200+ Pochard, 100+ Black Headed Gull, 20+ Herring Gull, 250+ Greylag Geese, 250+ Canada Geese. Rob Harris.
RSPB Rainham Marshes 11:30 to 13:30
1 male Marsh Harrier, c.12 Little Egret, also excellent Dragonfly activity including Emperor, Four-spotted Chaser, Ruddy Darter and Black-tailed Skimmer. Andrew Gouldstone.
Southchurch Park East 17:00
1 Little Egret fishing on left-hand side of low reed bed, 1 Pied Wagtail feeding across same area. Robert Dobinson.
Bunsay Downs Golf Club, Little Baddow 17:00 to 19:00
1 Green Woodpecker, Magpie, Moorhen, Chiffchaff heard, Stonechat. Grey Squirrel, Rabbit. Chris Cole.