South East Essex RSPB Wildlife Reports for 2016
Sunday 31st July 2016west north west, partly cloudy, max22°c
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 07:43 to 10:10
2 Greenshank on lagoon, 3 Green Sandpiper, 2 Common Sandpiper, 1 Whimbrel, 3 Avocet, 1 Lapwing, c.20 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Curlew, 12 Teal and 1 Shoveler on lagoon, 8 Little Egret, 3 Little Grebe Coryton, 2 Green Woodpecker, 2 Swallow. Richard Fahey.
RSPB Bowers Marsh 08:00 to 10:00
8 Reed Warbler, 2 Avocet, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 3 Corn Bunting, 8 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Whitethroat, 2 Pochard families with young. Richard Mander.
Wakering Stairs 10:00 to 12:10
12 Little Egret and 1 Grey Heron on Havengore Island, 6 Oystercatcher, 9 Redshank, 32 Curlew, 30+ Mediterranean Gull in very large mixed gull flock on Havengore Creek, 230 Sand Martin going west, 54 Swallow with the Martins but a similar number seemed to return eastwards, 1 Green Woodpecker, 6 Stock Dove, 2 Turtle Dove - one purring and in display flight by Stairs Road level crossing, one behind Q Battery, 3 juvenile Yellow Wagtail, 2 Pied Wagtail 3 Linnet, 3 Reed Bunting. Numerous Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown and Small White as well as 4 Red Admiral and 2 Peacock butterflies. David Selley.
Benfleet Downs 11:30
2 Bullfinch. 2 Southern Migrant Hawker, 1 Silverwash Fritillary, 1 Painted Lady, 2 White Letter Hairstreak. Pete Jackson.
Benfleet 11:45
Common buzzard circling above garden before flying off to the west, also Goldfinch feeding young on grass beneath bird feeder. Keith Bartels.
Saturday 30th July 2016variable, partly cloudy, max22°c
Wat Tyler Country Park 10:00 to 10:40
3 Bearded Tit preening for ten minutes on reed stems, 4 Reed Warbler, 1 Avocet, Common Tern. Mick Roe.
Foulness Island 15:00 to 17:00
Male Marsh Harrier, 3 Common Buzzard, 5 Kestrel, 19 Little Egret, 12 Shelduck, 15 Redshank, 2 Grey Heron, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker, pair Stonechat with 2 juveniles, c.20 Yellow Wagtail mostly juveniles, c.15 Skylark including juveniles, 4 Common Whitethroat, c.200 Swallow, c.125 Sand Martin, c.100 House Martin. 14 Brown Hare. Steve and Fran Giles.
Belfairs Nature Reserve 15:30 to 16:20
White Admiral, Gatekeeper. Sue Eliott.
Westcliff-on-Sea, St George's Drive 16:41
6 Swift flew over garden. Jeff Kinnerman.
Friday 29th July 2016south westerly, partly cloudy, max25°c
RSPB Bowers Marsh 07:08 to 11:46
5 Greenfinch, c.70 Goldfinch (single flock), 50+ Swift (distant single flock), 5 Stock Dove, 4 Common Tern, 3 Corn Bunting, 4 Lapwing, 10+ Swallow, 1 Reed Bunting, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Reed Warbler, 200+ Coot (including juveniles), 2 Little Grebe, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Common Whitethroat, 2 Kestrel (both females together before parting), c.70 Avocet, 26 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Cormorant, 3 Little Egret, 1 Ruff, 2 Curlew, 3 Skylark, 8 Jackdaw (single flock), 2 Bearded Tit, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Hobby (flew low overhead), 1 Marsh Harrier (female), 1 Yellow Wagtail (juvenile), 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Grey Heron, 2 Green Sandpiper (together), 1 Green Woodpecker (juvenile), 2 House Sparrow (pair), 2 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Grasshopper Warbler (heard feeling). Common Darter, Small White, 4 Marbled White, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper (both species abundant). Jeff Kinnerman.
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 07:55 to 10:13
6 Common Sandpiper on sluice by creek, 1 Green Sandpiper, 100+ Black-tailed Godwit and 3 Avocet on lagoon, 3 Curlew, 12 Little Egret on lagoon, 1 Common Tern, 2 Cetti's Warbler singing, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Swallow. 1 Painted Lady. Richard Fahey.
River Roach Seal Trip, 11:00 to 17:00
5 Avocet, 4 Black-tailed Godwit, 9 Redshank, 5 Common Sandpiper, 13 Common Tern. 42 Common Seal. Graham Mee.
Hadleigh Castle 17:00
Young Turtle Dove feeding on the ground a foot away from my feet in the back garden under feeding station. Roger Shinn.
Ashingdon, Princess Gardens 17:00 to 18:00
1 male Sparrowhawk, 1 Sand Martin, 3 Swallow mobbing the Sparrowhawk, c.60 Swift going west. David Selley.
Thursday 28th July 2016south westerly, partly cloudy, max23°c
Two Tree Island 09:30 to 11:30
26 Starling, 1 Song Thrush, 6 Wren, 12 Whitethroat, 1 Great Tit, 1 Greenfinch, 4 Goldfinch, 3 Magpie, 4 Carrion Crow, 1 Reed Warbler, 2 Little Grebe, 2 Moorhen, 4 Mallard + 5 ducklings, 2 Lapwing, 1 Grey Heron, 8 Oystercatcher, 10 Little Egret, 350 Black-tailed Godwit, 7 Canada Geese, 10 Redshank, 4 Curlew, 16 Avocet, 22 Woodpigeon, 2 Collared Dove. Denis Warren.
Two Tree Island 10:30 to 12:20
Black-headed Gull, Woodpigeon, Common Gull, House Sparrow, Starling, Magpie, Carrion Crow, 3 Song Thrush, Coot, Mallard (with duckling), 10 Little Egret, 2 Goldfinch, 2 Moorhen (with chick), ] Collared Dove, 2 juvenile Robin, 3 Swallow, Curlew, Sedge Warbler, 3 Blackbird, 5 Whitethroat, Wren, Herring Gull, 2 Swift, Greenfinch, Dunnock, 300 Black-tailed Godwit, Avocet, Oystercatcher. Grey Heron, Redshank. many Large White, Small White, Comma, Speckled Wood, Gatekeeper. M. Hill & S. Jackson.
Wat Tyler Country Park 16:00
2 Bearded Tit. Richard Shepherd.
Wednesday 27th July 2016variable, scattered clouds, max24°c
River Roach Seal Trip, 14:15 to 17:00
18 Little Egret, 4 Greylag Goose, 1 Peregrine Falcon over Foulness, 6 Oystercatcher, 4 Redshank, 51 Common Seal. Graham Mee.
Shoebury 17:00
Red Admiral, Gatekeeper, Comma, Speckled Wood all in garden. Steve and Trish Day.
Tuesday 26th July 2016westerly, partly cloudy, max22°c
Shoebury Park Lake 10:17
5 Egyptian Geese (2 adults, 3 Juveniles doing well), 1 Grey Heron. Terry Strong.
River Roach Seal Trip 13:30 to 16:00
17 Little Egret, 2 Curlew, 5 Common Tern, 47 Common Seal. Graham Mee.
Westcliff-on-Sea, Highfield Crescent, Prittle Brook 14:44
2 Grey Wagtail (adult with juvenile). Jeff Kinnerman.
Monday 25th July 2016westerly, partly cloudy, max24°c
RSPB Vange Marsh 17:00 to 18:30
Saline lagoon: 50+ Redshank, 6 Spotted Redshank, 5 Green Sandpiper, 1 Greenshank, 8 Curlew, 10 Lapwing, 2 Avocet, 3 Common Tern, 14 Little Egret, 11 Grey Heron, 1 Marsh Harrier. David Shepherd.
Barking 20:00
30 Swift hunting, seen from my back garden. Steve Wall.
Sunday 24th July 2016westerly, partly cloudy, max24°c
Foulness Island 07:30 to 08:00
Turtle Dove heard in garden. Steve Giles.
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 07:35 to 10:10
1 Green Sandpiper over area, 4 Common Sandpiper, 2 Greenshank, 2 Whimbrel, 3 Lapwing, 1 Curlew, 1 Oystercatcher, 30+ Redshank, 3 Little Egret, 1 singing Cetti's Warbler, 2 Green Woodpecker, c.9 Long-tailed Tit Coryton (at least one juvenile), 3 singing Corn Bunting, 1 Swallow. c.8 Marbled White. Richard Fahey.
North Shoebury 10:00 to 11:00
Family of Great Tits (with several juveniles) pecking frantically at rose hips in our garden for an hour. Then Blue Tits doing same thing before being chased off by the Great Tits. Numerous fledgling House Sparrow and Starling also in garden - the third successful brood this year in both cases. Jackie Bliss.
Wakering Stairs 14:00 to 15:00
On road from Landwick to Wakering Stairs: Common Buzzard flew across road and soared for sever minutes, showing well. Also heard Turtle Dove purring from direction of the army sheds. From sea wall (almost high tide): large flocks of Curlew and Oystercatcher taking flight towards Wallasea - at least 200 Curlew in total, fly in group of 20 to 40 birds. Jackie and Mike Bliss.
Wakering Stairs 15:40 to 17:40
3 juvenile Little Egret feeding in borrowdyke, 150+ Oystercatcher, c.50 Curlew, 5 Common Sandpiper, 47 Mediterranean Gull on foreshore at Haven Point, 7 Sand Martin, 21 Swallow including 6 young being fed, 4 Stock Dove, 1 Turtle Dove purring, 4 Linnet. Small White, Green-veined White, Small and/or Essex Skipper, Red Admiral and 100s of Meadow Brown butterflies, 2 Common Lizard, 10 Rabbit. David Selley.
RSPB Wallasea Island 16:00 to 19:30
From car park to Jubilee Marsh viewpoint on the new sea wall: 10+ Little Egret, large flock of 60+ Canada Goose, large flock of 40+ Greylag Goose, 6 Cormorant, 7+ Skylark, numerous Reed Bunting, Sedge Warbler and Pied Wagtail, 4 Common Tern, 4 Mute Swan, large flocks of Black-headed Gull, 4 juvenile Lesser Black-backed Gull, 4 Carrion Crow, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Marsh Harrier, flock of 100+ Starling, 2 Curlew, 1 Oystercatcher. 8 Brown Hare, large numbers of Meadow Brown and Essex Skipper butterflies. Jackie and Mike Bliss.
Foulness Island 19:00 to 19:30
Turtle Dove, 3 Marsh Harrier, c.25 House Martin, c.25 Little Egret. 6 Brown Hare. Steve Giles.
Saturday 23rd July 2016east south east, clear, max25°c
RSPB West Canvey Marsh 08:30 to 10:00
2 Common Buzzard, 1 female Marsh Harrier, 1 Kestrel, 3 Common Tern, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 7 Reed Warbler, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 8 Reed Bunting, 13 Lapwing. 1 Adder. 12 Marbled White, 15 Gatekeeper, 1 Comma, 2 Red Admiral, 3 Small Tortoiseshell. Chris Wakeling.
Wat Tyler Country Park 11:00 to 14:00
4 Southern Migrant Hawker, 3 from ramp pond 1 male, 1 male and 1 female in tandem, 1 male near building with grass roof. Jeff Elliott.
Westcliff-on-Sea, St George's Drive 11:39
c.30 Swift together over garden. Jeff Kinnerman.
Ashingdon, Princess Gardens 13:00 to 13:05
1 Buzzard, 1 Sparrowhawk and 1 Hobby all seen within about 5 minutes while watching a small anting gull flock. David Selley.
Leigh on Sea, Park View Drive 14:35 to 14:40
2 Sparrowhawk tussling with Hobby over garden. Graham Mee.
Friday 22nd July 2016easterly, partly cloudy, max24°c
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 08:00 to 10:40
3 Greenshank, 8 Common Sandpiper, c.6 Whimbrel, 1 Avocet, 5 Lapwing, a few Curlew, 5 Teal, 1 Peregrine Falcon, 3 Oystercatcher flying over and along creek "piping", c.6 Little Egret, 1 Cetti's Warbler singing, 1 adult and 3 juvenile Little Grebe on Manorway Fleet, 1 Pochard on Manorway Fleet, 2 Greater Spotted Woodpecker, a few Corn Bunting seen/singing, 2 Swallow, 5 Stock Dove including two other side of creek, 2 juvenile Pheasant. c.8 Marbled White, 1 Red Admiral, 2 Peacock. Richard Fahey.
Thursday 21st July 2016variable, scattered clouds, max24°c
Westcliff-on-Sea, St George's Drive 06:00
1 Common Buzzard flying south east being pursued by gulls. Jeff Kinnerman.
Southend, Southbourne Grove 08:30
1 Sparrowhawk. S. Young.
Kensington Road 08:40 to 09:40
1 Grey Squirrel feeding peanuts below bird feeder. 1 Fox vixen, 2 cubs male and female doing the same last night under the garden lights, also seen regularly doing the same most mornings. Robert Dobinson.
Ashingdon, Princess Gardens 14:05
1 Silver-washed Fritillary in the garden. David Selley.
Wednesday 20th July 2016south south westerly, partly cloudy, max30°c
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 08:27 to 11:00
3 Greenshank, 2 Green Sandpiper, 1 Common Sandpiper, 4 Whimbrel, 1 Avocet, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Swift passed west, 4 Swallow included one on passage west, 2 Buzzard singles, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 juvenile/1st year Sparrowhawk (was hovering at a low height over north saltmarsh. Not seen this species do this before), 4 Little Egret, 1 singing Cetti's Warbler, c.7 Corn Bunting seen/singing, c.10 Linnet, 3 Stock Dove including Coryton pair, 2 juvenile and one adult Grey Heron on lagoon, 2 adult and 3 Canada Goose on lagoon. c.5 Marbled White, 1 Red Admiral, 1 Peacock. Richard Fahey.
Southchurch Park 08:30
2 Great Tit feeding 2-4 fledglings on both Willow trees north of footbridge, 4 Mallard ducklings out of 5 from Southchurch Park East now in Southchurch Park and fully fledged/flying. 4 different Dragonfly variants feeding across the water. Robert Dobinson.
Wat Tyler Country Park 11:15 to 12:15
1 Marsh Harrier, 4 Bearded Tit, 2 Avocet with 3 chicks, Common Tern. Mick Roe.
Westcliff-on-Sea, St George's Drive 14:00
1 adult Mediterranean Gull flew low over, calling. Jeff Kinnerman.
Leigh-on-Sea, Belton Gardens West 20:15 to 20:35
60+ Swift hawking back and forth east and west. Martin Johnsonn.
Tuesday 19th July 2016easterly, clear, max29°c
Ashingdon 09:30 to 10:00
Frequent sighting of hedgehog (first for a few years). Red Fox. Bat. Russ Randall.
Foulness Island 15:30
Common Buzzard, light coloured seen most days. Steve Giles.
Monday 18th July 2016east south east, clear, max27°c
Rayleigh, Wellington Road 03:00
1 Tawny Owl calling. Russ Payne.
Hockley, Woodlands Road 05:00 to 05:20
1 Cuckoo calling as it has done for the past four mornings. David Z.
Paglesham Lagoon and Farmland 10:00 to 12:00
2 Grey Heron, 4 Oystercatcher, 62 Mute Swan, 3 Cormorant, 8 Little Egret, 3 Corn Bunting, 12 House Martin. 2 Hare. 6 Red Admiral, 2 Comma, 4 Peacock, countless Essex Skipper, Gatekeeper, Large White. Denis Warren.
Southend, North Avenue 19:40
16 Swift flying over my back garden. Spencer Jackson.
Sunday 17th July 2016westerly, partly cloudy, max27°c
Rochford 07:45 to 08:15
26 Swift flying low and screaming around town centre nest sites. David Selley.
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 08:20 to 10:50
Juvenile Stonechat near pillbox (probably locally bred), 1 Common Buzzard Coryton, 1 Marsh Harrier, 11 Little Egret, 2 Common Tern, 3 Oystercatcher, 1 Greater Spotted Woodpecker Coryton, 1 Blackcap singing Coryton, 1 Swallow Coryton, a few Corn Bunting seen/singing. 4 Marbled White. Richard Fahey.
Wakering Stairs 09:50 to 11:50
1 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 1 Little Egret, 1 Kestrel, 440 Oystercatcher on high tide roost - seems a very high number for mid July, 48 Curlew, 8 Whimbrel, 10 Ringed Plover, 1 Meadow Pipit, 2 Skylark, 15 Swift, 163 Sand Martin - steady passage west, 34 Swallow, 2 Turtle Dove purring, 1 Green Woodpecker, 19 Whitethroat including 8 juveniles, 7 Lesser Whitethroat including 3 juveniles, 4 Chaffinch, 11 Goldfinch, 13 Linnet. Many Meadow Brown, Large and Small White, Small Skipper and Essex Skipper butterflies - of those that I got a close enough look at most seemed to be Essex Skipper. David Selley.
Hullbridge 11:30
Red Kite being mobbed by two gulls passed right over our house and circled at high level above the Rayleigh Golf Course before drifting towards Hockley/Hawkwell. Steve RJ.
Chelmsford 20:30
Very impressive Leopard Moth in garden. Patrick Green.
Saturday 16th July 2016west south west, partly cloudy, max26°c
Wakering Stairs 10:00
Curlew, 3 Mediterranean Gull (one with double white rings on left leg), Little Egret, Linnet, 1 Corn Bunting (by guards hut), Pheasant, Starling, Blackbird, Skylark, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Dunnock, Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat, Stock Dove, Wood Pigeon, Carrion Crow, Common Gull, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull (juv), Common Tern, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Grey Heron, 100+ Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover, Black-tailed Godwit, 5 Brent Geese, Chiffchaff, House Martin, Swift, Swallow, Magpie. 1 Rabbit. 2 Grey Seal. Noel Barnes.
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 13:00 to 15:15
1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Avocet, 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Marsh Harrier, 4 Little Egret, 2 Swallow, 1 female and 3 juvenile Pheasant, 3 Corn Bunting, c.8 Marbled White. Richard Fahey.
RSPB Wallasea Island 17:15 to 18:10
11 House Sparrow, 30+ Starling, 2 Blackbird, 2 Pied Wagtail, 2 Linnet, 10 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Reed Bunting, 7 Corn Bunting, 5 Skylark, 5 Mallard, 3 Magpie, 12 Carrion Crow, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Curlew, 5 Canada Geese, 3 Little Egret, 3 Common Pheasant, 15 Black-headed Gull, 1 Grey Heron, 7 Herring Gull. Rob Harris.
Ashingdon 22:25
1 Hedgehog in the garden. The first for a few years. Steve Sanford.
Friday 15th July 2016west south west, partly cloudy, max22°c
Leigh-on-Sea, Tattersall Gardens 08:50 to 11:30
Insects on large 8ft tall Hebe "Midsummer Glory" shrub in full purple flower in garden, 1 Red Admiral, 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Comma, 1 Large Cabbage White, 1 Blue sp., many Honey Bees, a few Bumble Bees. Martin Johnson.
Pound Wood 13:30
1 female Bullfinch, and Muntjac barking for about 5 minutes. Mike Sagrott.
Two Tree Island West 15:30
200+ Black-tailed Godwit, 350+ Redshank, 10+ Oystercatcher, 1 Song Thrush, 5 Linnet. Richard Shepherd.
Thursday 14th July 2016north westerly, mostly cloudy, max20°c
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 08:32 to 11:00
1 Hobby, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Common Sandpiper, 1 Green Sandpiper, c.5 Sand Martin passed west, 1 House Martin (maybe on passage with previous birds), 2 Swallow, 4 Little Egret, 2 Gadwall and 1 juvenile Little Grebe on Manorway Fleet, 2 Corn Bunting. 2 Marbled White, 1 Comma, 1 Red Admiral. Richard Fahey.
RSPB Vange Marsh 08:35 to 09:45
Common Redshank, Avocet, 6 Spotted Redshank, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Green Sandpiper, 4 Curlew. David Davies.
Hanningfield Reservoir 13:00 to 15:00
3 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 1 Black Swan, 1 Common Sandpiper, Great Crested Grebe, Little Egret. 1 Muntjac Deer. Mick Roe.
Two Tree Island East 15:00 to 16:30
22 Mallard + 7 ducklings, 10 Moorhen + 1 chick, 1 Coot + 1 chick, 2 Little Grebe + 2 chicks, 8 Curlew out on creek, 65 Black-headed Gull, 1 Common Gull, 1 Reed Bunting, 5 Whitethroat, 1 Song Thrush, 3 Blackbird, 6 Goldfinch, 3 Linnet, 35 Swallow, 1 Wren, 21 Starling, 1 Common Tern, 3 Magpie, 15 Woodpigeon. 4 Comma, 3 Red Admiral, 8 large White. Denis Warren.
RSPB Wallasea Island 16:00 to 16:55
1 Kestrel, 2 Marsh Harrier, 7 Linnet, 12 House Sparrow, 60+ Starling, 14 Corn Bunting, 5 Reed Bunting, 1 Blackbird, 2 Mallard, 15 Black-headed Gull, 1 Little Egret, 3 Common Pheasant, 7 Yellow Wagtail, 100+ Woodpigeon, 17 Herring Gull. Rob Harris.
Daws Heath 16:30
1 juvenile Sparrowhawk carrying a squawking Greenfinch flew low into my garden, nearly hit me, dropped the Greenfinch, and flew off. Greenfinch took off in mid air, and flew off, apparently relatively unharmed. Mike Sagrott.
Foulness Island 20:00 to 20:45
Barn Owl, 4 Kestrel, 4 Green Woodpecker, 7 Yellow Wagtail, Song Thrush, 5 Little Egret, c.15 Swift, at least 10 Brown Hare, young Red Fox. Steve Giles.
Wednesday 13th July 2016north westerly, partly cloudy, max19°c
Southchurch Park 08:45
1 drake Tufted Duck. Robert Dobinson.
Wat Tyler Country Park 14:30 to 15:45
2 Barn Owl, 2 Marsh Harrier, 4 Bearded Tit, Common Tern, 2 Avocet. Mick Roe.
Hanningfield Reservoir 15:15
4 drake Red-crested Pochard (two in eclipse plumage), 1 Black Swan. John Attfield.
Tuesday 12th July 2016west south west, mostly cloudy, max20°c
Southchurch Park East 08:30 and 08:45
1 drake Tufted Duck in eclipse amongst 100+ Mallard many moulting early, Reed Warbler all fledged and reed beds already much quieter, 6 Goldfinch feeding on flower heads across wildflower meadow near bowling green, Southchurch Park. Robert Dobinson.
RSPB Vange Marsh 11:00 to 12:00
1 male Marsh Harrier, 4 Swift, 1 Greenfinch, 1 Kestrel, 9 Spotted Redshank, 5 Redshank, 1 Greenshank, 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Curlew. Mick Roe.
Great Wigborough 15:15 to 15:20
1 Common Buzzard. Rob Harris.
Monday 11th July 2016south westerly, partly cloudy, max22°c
Southend, North Avenue 08:15
8 Swift flying over the back garden. Spencer Jackson.
Basildon, Lee Chapel North, Falstones 08:30
1 Sparrowhawk with its prey - which looked like a small sparrow. Maxine Newell.
Sunday 10th July 2016south westerly, mostly cloudy, max24°c
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 07:45 to 11:00
3 Green Sandpiper, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Lapwing, 3 Curlew, 3 Oystercatcher, c.20 Swift on passage, 1 House Martin on passage, 5 Swallow included 3 on passage, 1 Marsh Harrier north over Manorway, 1 Common Tern, 1 adult and 3 juvenile Little Grebe on Manorway Fleet, 3 Little Egret, 1 Cetti's Warbler singing, 1 Blackcap singing, 3 Chiffchaff singing, 1 Corn Bunting singing. 2 Marbled White. Richard Fahey.
Canewdon 08:00 to 08:15
c.10 Sand Martin - small flock west across Creeksea Ferry Road, 4 Swift, 2 Green Woodpecker - adult and juvenile on grass verge, 1 Brown Hare. David Selley.
South Fambridge 10:05 to 11:30
1 female Marsh Harrier, 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Whimbrel, 17 Swallow, 3 Skylark, 1 Meadow Pipit, 2 Reed Warbler, 10 Linnet, 8 Reed Bunting - 2 singing males and 6 juveniles, 1 Corn Bunting. David Selley.
Hadleigh Downs 11:00
2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Little Egret, Chiffchaff, Carrion Crow, Rook, Wren, Dunnock, 2 Bullfinch, Blackbird, Reed Warbler, Robin, Woodpigeon, Jay, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit. Marbled White, Meadow Brown, Large White, Common Blue, Essex Skipper, Small Skipper. Noel Barnes.
RSPB Wallasea Island 17:15 to 18:10
2 Common Pheasant, 6 Skylark, 12 Swallow, 47 Starling, 1 Kestrel, 100+ Woodpigeon, 1 Blackbird, 5 Black-headed Gull. 1 Brown Hare. Rob Harris.
Saturday 09th July 2016south westerly, partly cloudy, max24°c
Rochford 08:15
12 Swift over town centre. David Selley.
Friday 08th July 2016westerly, scattered clouds, max24°c
River Roach Seal Trip, 11:30 to 14:00
3 Little Egret, 130 Canada Goose, 4 Shelduck, 8 Avocet, 42 Common Seal + pups. Graham Mee.
Thursday 07th July 2016south south westerly, clear, max22°c
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 08:48 to 11:15
1 Green Sandpiper, 4 Curlew, 1 Lapwing, juvenile Cuckoo, 2 Little Egret, 1 singing Corn Bunting, 1 Blackcap singing Coryton, 3 Chiffchaff Coryton (included pair, singing and one heard singing nearby), 10+ Linnet. 3 Marbled White, 1 Comma. Richard Fahey.
RSPB Vange Marsh 11:15 to 12:45
2 Reed Bunting, 1 Bearded Tit, 6 Spotted Redshank, 9 Redshank, 2 Greenshank, 2 Avocet, 2 Green Sandpiper. Mick Roe.
Southend, North Avenue 13:15 to 13:20
On the garden fence around the car there were 2 Privet Hawk-moth. S. Jackson.
Foulness Island 15:30 to 16:00
Common Buzzard, Barn Owl, 2 Kestrel, Turtle Dove. Steve Giles.
Billericay 17:15
1 Hummingbird Hawk-moth feeding on valerian in garden. Came very close that I could hear the humming of it's wings. The best view I have had of this beautiful creature so far. Marion Burch.
Wednesday 06th July 2016westerly, partly cloudy, max21°c
South Woodham Ferrers 15:30
2 Turtle Dove at side of road by roundabout. Pete Jackson.
Westcliff-on-Sea, St George's Drive, 15:32
1 female Sparrowhawk flew low over back garden. Jeff Kinnerman.
Leigh on Sea, Park View Drive 16:35
Male and female Sparrowhawk over garden. Kris Mee, Web Author.
Tuesday 05th July 2016westerly, scattered clouds, max21°c
Southend, Jones Memorial Park 05:30
Little Owl sitting on the wire fence. Used to be a regular, but it's been many years since I've seen one here. Phil Lusher.
Corringham 09:00
1 Red Kite drifting at altitude. Aston Phillips.
Westcliff-on-Sea, Prittle Brook 14:37
1 Goldcrest flitting about in small shrub coming to within 1 metre from where I was watching it. 1 Comma. Jeff Kinnerman.
Foulness Island 15:30 to 16:00
Common Buzzard, 2 Turtle Dove, 7 Little Egret, c.50 Swift heading south. Hummingbird Hawk-moth. Steve Giles.
Monday 04th July 2016south westerly, partly cloudy, max21°c
Rayleigh, Fairland Close 12:30
Wren feeding young in nest box on fence at top of back garden. John Attfield.
Shoeburyness, Gunners park 13:15 to 14:45
Robin, House Sparrow, 25 Starling, 11 Woodpigeon, 2 Jackdaw, 2 Blackbird, 40 Carrion Crow (30 on the rifle butts in the SSSI), 10 House Martin, 3 Great Tit, 3 Coot, 8 Collared Dove, 3 Whitethroat, 15 Magpie, 3 Herring Gull, 50 Black-headed Gull, Oystercatcher, Pied Wagtail, Reed Bunting, Sedge Warbler, 6 Mallard + 6 ducklings, Mute Swan + 7 cygnets, Dunnock, Wren, Moorhen. Butterflies: Common Blue, Large White, Small White, Gatekeeper, Red Admiral. S. Jackson.
Sunday 03rd July 2016south westerly, partly cloudy, max20°c
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 08:30 to 11:20
1 Common Buzzard, rufous Cuckoo (probably adult female), a few Curlew, 1 Oystercatcher flying Manorway, 1 House Martin, 3 Swallow, 4 Little Egret, 3 singing Cetti's Warbler, 2 singing Corn Bunting, 1 Green Woodpecker. Richard Fahey.
Wakering Stairs 10:10 to 12:05
Seawall from Broomway to Havengore Creek: 1 Little Egret, 1 Cormorant, 10 Oystercatcher (5 pairs but no young seen), 150+ Curlew up from Pig's Bay at high tide, 3 Common Tern, 1 Sandwich Tern, 3 Kestrel, 55 Swift, 9 Sand Martin south past Haven Point and towards Kent - looked like early departing birds, 20+ House Martin, 9 Swallow, 2 Turtle Dove purring - 1 either side of Q-Battery, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Blackcap, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 15 Linnet, 1 Reed Bunting. Many Meadow Brown, a few Ringlet, Small Tortoiseshell and Red Admiral butterflies, 1 Red Fox. David Selley.
Great Wakering 11:00 to 17:00
10+ Goldfinch, 2 Robin, 3 Blue Tit, 10+ Swift, 10+ Swallow, 5+ House Martin, 1 Little Egret, 2 Common Buzzard, 1 Elephant Hawk-moth. David Grimes.
RSPB Wallasea Island 19:15 to 19:55
1 Kestrel, 1 Little Egret, 4 Shelduck, 3 Mallard, 3 Magpie, 8 Carrion Crow, 60+ Woodpigeon, 3 Reed Bunting, 7 Corn Bunting, 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Cormorant, 5 Common Pheasant, 5 Skylark, 1 House Sparrow, 2 Swift, 5 Swallow, 7 Starling, 2 Herring Gull, 4 Black-headed Gull. Rob Harris.
Saturday 02nd July 2016west south west, scattered clouds, max19°c
RSPB West Canvey Marsh 07:20 to 09:15
1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrel, 9 Skylark, 2 Lapwing, 2 Cuckoo, 6 Reed Warbler, 8 Common Tern, 7 Reed Bunting, 15 Common Whitethroat, 3 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Tufted Duck, 1 Greater Spotted Woodpecker, 25 Goldfinch, 7 Greenfinch, 1 Little Egret. Chris Wakeling.
Hanningfield Reservoir 11:40 to 11:55
1 Grey Heron, 200+ Canada Geese, 200+ Greylag Geese, 200+ Tufted Duck, 100+ Pochard, 100+ Mallard, 15 Coot, 2 Magpie, 3 Swallow, 5 Mute Swan, 25 Cormorant, 50+ Black-headed Gull, 12 Herring Gull, 7 Lapwing. Rob Harris.
Daws Heath 12:30
1 Red Kite over my garden, harried by a Herring Gull. Mike Sagrott.
Southchurch Park East 17:30
2 Coot chicks about 3-4 weeks old with parents south of Bloomfield bench, heard for weeks now but not seen until today. Robert Dobinson.
Friday 01st July 2016south westerly, mostly cloudy, max19°
Leigh on Sea, park View Drive 10:00 to 14:30
3 Great Spotted Woodpecker (pair and juvenile) on fat feeder in garden. Kris Mee, Web Author.