Bird Reports for June 2008
Monday 30th June 2008
Prittle Brook, Westcliff 09.15 - 09.30
1 male Grey Wagtail with 2 young, 1 male Sparrowhawk (enjoying the thermals!), 1 Wren (singing). Terry Priest.
Belfairs Great Wood, 12:00 to 13:00
1 Purple Hairstreak (Dodds Grove - same site as the white admirals), 2 White Admiral, 10 Heath Fritillary. Brian Baldock (SOG).
Belfairs Woods, Dodd's Grove Site, 13:30 to 14:00
1 White Admiral (holding territory), 30 Heath Fritillary (at least), 12 Ringlet, 2 Speckled Wood, 4 Meadow Brown, 1 Large White, 1 Chiffchaff (singing). Mike Bailey (SOG).
Paglesham Lagoon, 18:00 to 20:00
4 Mediterranean Gull (2 adults, first-summer and a 2nd summer), 11 Black-tailed Godwit (flew north), 400 Black-headed Gull (at least with at least 70+ juveniles now fledged). Steve Arlow (SOG, http://www.birdersplayground.co.uk/).
Sunday 29th June 2008
RSPB Vange Marsh 06:00 - 07:30
6 Green Sandpiper, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 female Bearded Tit, good view of a Water Vole. Richard Gray.
RSPB Vange Marsh 07:15 - 08:30
1 Wood Sandpiper, 2 Spotted Redshank, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Curlew, 6 Avocet. Tim Bourne.
Rochford, North Street 07.40
12 House Martin. At least 2 active nests. David Selley.
Two Tree Island (East), 09:30 to 11:00
2 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 4 Kestrel (male,female & 2 juvs), 2 Sand Martin, 3 Swift, 1 Common Tern, 6 Blackcap, 1 Sedge Warbler, 8 Whitethroat, 1 Song Thrush, 3 Marbled White (Essex Skipper 30+). Graham Ryland (SOG).
Rochford Golf Course, 10:00 to 13:00
2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Chiffchaff (singing), 1 Whitethroat (singing), 1 Blackcap (singing). Neil Chambers (SOG).
Belfairs N.R., 11:15 to 12:15
1 Purple Hairstreak, 2 White Admiral, 10 Meadow Brown, 1 Large Skipper, 10 Ringlet, 40 Heath Fritillary, 1 Chiffchaff. Paul Baker, Don Petrie (SOG).
Belfairs Woods, 11:30 to 14:00
1 White Admiral (possibly 2 still here and showing well on and off though very active and mobile), 1 Purple Hairstreak (a bonus right next to the path by the Admiral site), 40 Heath Fritillary (at least). Steve Arlow (SOG, http://www.birdersplayground.co.uk/).
Bradwell Power Station 12.40
1 Peregrine Falcon. William Holmes.
Wakering, Fleet Head, 19:30 to 21:30
3 Little Egret, 2 Teal (drakes, one in eclipse), 19 Lapwing, 1 Ringed Plover, 7 Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Common Tern, 3 Green Woodpecker, 2 Reed Warbler (singing), 3 Whitethroat, 1500 Starling (approx., with cattle), 5 Corn Bunting (singing). Don Petrie (SOG).
Blue House Farm 20.45 - 21.15
Barn Owl hunting over fields then making a kill no more than 30 yards away. Paul Jeapes.
Wakering Stairs, 21:45 to 22:30
1 Barn Owl (at 10:15). Don Petrie (SOG).
Wallasea Wetlands
Marsh Harrier (ad. female) - last week we watched her carrying a plant stem in flight and then stopped on sea wall and appeared to feed from it - I guess stripping aphids? Hobby, one very high up hawking insects this morning. Black-tailed Gowit, 24 this morning - only had bins but extensive chestnut to belly would imply islandica. Common Sandpiper - fly by yesterday. Grey Plover - 18 presumed first year birds as all in 'winter' plumage. Avocets - 5 - have had up to 20 recently but whilst one or two have shown interest in the borrow dyke islands none has attempted nesting. Curlew - flock of 50 today - has been slowly building up from about 15 in early June. Ringed Plover - just one seen today, Common Tern - just one fishing the lagoons. Lots of juv Skylarks around and still good numbers of Yellow Wagtails and Corn Buntings including a few juvs. of the former. Meadow Pipits still singing too. Three pairs of Tufted Duck have been evident along the borrow dyke pools for the last month but as I always see both birds assume they are not breeding. Shelduck still around in reasonable numbers, I didn't count today but about 50 birds including some well grown juvs. Canada Geese - flock of over 250 move between the Crouch and the lagoons with quite a few well grown goslings, and up to 6 Greylags. Gulls - the summer build up of large gulls has seen over 750 in the eastern section alone, the majority Herring but about 30 Great-Black Backs and 20 Lessers. Interestingly all age groups represented. Black-heads in smaller numbers as most still around the colony on Bridgemarsh. Butterflies - as with most observers it has been really poor locally all spring with only Holly Blue in the garden and around Butts Hill Pond in anything like normal numbers. The seawall has produced good numbers of Small Heath but little else until this weekend. Meadow Browns and Large Whites were out in numbers today and plenty of Small / Essex skippers that would not stay still in the windy conditions. Jeff Delve.
Saturday 28th June 2008
Canewdon, Hyde Wood Lane 08.00
2 Yellowhammer, (singing males). David Selley.
Prittlewell Brook 09:00 - 10:30
5 Grey Wagtail (parents + 3 juvs.) between Westbourne Grove and Prittlewell Chase. Paul Bruty.
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 09.25 - 11.25
27 Canada Goose, 4 Curlew, 2 Reed Bunting, 3 Sedge Warbler, Great Crested Grebe, 6 Common Whitethroat, 4 Yellow Wagtail, Corn Bunting, 3 Little Egret, 3 Shelduck, Common Tern, Swallow. Ray Fuller.
Hadleigh Downs, 10:30 to 13:00
1 Sparrowhawk, 
1 Harris's Hawk, 1 Hobby, 23 Curlew, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Chiffchaff. 5 Essex Skipper, 5 Large Skipper plus lots of Black-tailed Skimmers & Emperors, 2 Comma, 15 Marbled White, 10 Ringlet John Wright (SOG).
Belfairs Woods, 11:00 to 12:30
1 Bullfinch, 2 Large Skipper, 2 White Admiral, 50 Heath Fritillary (plus), 1 Speckled Wood, 10 Meadow Brown, 2 Ringlet. Vince Kinsler (SOG).
Southend Seafront, 11:30 to 12:00
54 Mediterranean Gull (36 adults (including returning green ringed 272 + 3XE3 birds, 9 second-summers and 9 first-summers). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Ferndale Road, Rayleigh 11.50
14 Crossbill flying over garden calling, heading South. Robin Peppiatt.
Hadleigh Downs, 13:00 to 13:45
30 Small Skipper, 10 Essex Skipper, 2 Large Skipper, 5 White-letter Hairstreak, 2 Brown Argus, 1 Holly Blue, 5 Comma, 1 Speckled Wood, 12 Marbled White. Vince Kinsler (SOG).
London Hill, Rayleigh, 13:45 to 13:45
1 Common Tern flew NW over garden calling. Mike Bailey (SOG).
Belfairs Woods, 13:30 to 13:50
1 White Admiral, 30 Heath Fritillary (at least) Steve Arlow, Paul Griggs (SOG).
Belfairs N.R., 14:00 to 15:00
1 Large Skipper, 1 White Admiral, 20 Heath Fritillary, 1 Speckled Wood, 6 Meadow Brown. Paul Griggs, Steve Arlow (SOG).
Leigh on Sea, 15:00 to 15:05
1 Hobby over Eastwood Road carrying large prey being hounded by two Magpies. Graham Mee, Steve Sanford.
Hadleigh Marshes, 15:15 to 16:25
8 Avocet, 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Chiffchaff. Paul Griggs (SOG).
Belfairs Great Wood, 15:30 to 16:15
3 White Admiral seen together, flying and settled - Dodds Grove, 30 Heath Fritillary, 10 Ringlet. John Wright (SOG).
Rayleigh, 16:15 to 17:00, Ferndale Road Scrub/Woods (beside railway from Ferndale Rd to Blounts Wood)
1 Sparrowhawk (female), 1 Kestrel (male), 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 4 Blackcap (singing), 3 Chiffchaff (singing), 2 Bullfinch (pair). Don Petrie (SOG).
Blounts Wood, 17:00 to 18:00
3 Bullfinch along road on north edge of Blounts Wood. Don Petrie (SOG).
Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 18:50 to 18:50
1 Sparrowhawk (hunting over garden), 5 House Martin (at least 1 active nest along Western Approaches). Paul Baker (SOG).
Wallasea Wetlands 19.15
Marsh Harrier seen twice, firstly at 7.15pm flying from just east of the end of the road near the Wetlands carpark, watched flying towards Havengore Bridge. Then male Marsh Harrier seen at same spot (just east of the end of the Wetlands approach road), at 8pm flying back along the fields by the sea wall, going to ground by the second brackish channel eastwards from the road end. Jackie and Mike Bliss.
Friday 27th June 2008
Victoria Avenue, Southend, 08:30 to 16:00
1 female Peregrine Falcon around Portcullis House on and off for most of the day. John Wright, Paul Griggs, Don Petrie (SOG).
Southend, 15:20 to 15:30
2 Peregrine Falcon resting on Portcullis House, viewed from library car park. Dudley Shayler (SOG).
Southend, 19:30 to 19:30
1 Hobby, Eastern Avenue allotment, flew west. Dave Knight (SOG).
Thursday 26th June 2008
A127 Near Progress Road 18.45
1 Sparrowhawk flew over towards Belfairs Woods. Dan Butcher.
Wednesday 25th June 2008
Belton Hills, 06:45
1 adult Mediterranean Gull. John Wright (SOG).
Baxter Avenue Southend, 10:05 to 15:05
1 Hobby flew west at 10:05, 1 male Peregrine Falcon (13:30 - 14:00), 1 male Kestrel at 15:05. Paul Griggs (SOG).
Tuesday 24th June 2008
London Hill, Rayleigh, 08:40
4 Crossbill flew over garden calling, heading west. Mike Bailey (SOG).
Rochford, 17:40
3 Greenshank over the garden. Steve Arlow (SOG).
From Lady Essex III
Yesterday morning I had a Grey Seal and a Harbour Porpoise in the Barrow Deep and at the Knock John Sands another adult Harbour Porpoise approached the anchored boat within 10 yards, we clearly heard it breathe, it then circled the boat, something that I have not seen before. Gary Dunn (Lady Essex).
Monday 23rd June 2008
Ferndale Road, Rayleigh 07.00
2 Bullfinch, 1 Chiffchaff, 4 Goldfinch, 1 Turtle Dove (calling). Robin Peppiatt.
RSPB Vange Marsh, 11:45 to 13:30
6 Little Egret, 1 Sand Martin, 60 Swift. Banded Demoiselle in 'canal' at western end. Possibly first record for Vange Marsh. John Wright (SOG).
Belfairs N.R., 14:00 to 15:00
30 Heath Fritillary (a quick look didn't cover whole area), 10 Ringlet. John Wright (SOG).
Sunday 22nd June 2008
Hullbridge, Lords Country Golf Course 08:30 to 12:00
3 Song Thrush, 2 Mistle Thrush, 2 Green Woodpecker. Peter Collins (SOG).
Hanningfield Reservoir 09:00
2 Coal Tit. Paul and Matt Bruty.
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 09.20 - 10.40
2 Little Egret, 2 Mistle Thrush, 2 Reed Bunting, 4 Yellow Wagtail,2 Sedge Warbler, 6 Common Whitethroat,Green Woodpecker, Cuckoo, 2 Shelduck, 6 Swift, Skylark. Ray Fuller.
RSPB Vange Marsh, 10:30 to 11:00
20 Gadwall, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Little Egret, 5 Little Grebe, 15 Shoveler, 7 Teal, 1 Common Tern, 1 Kestrel. 1 Weasel. John Wright (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park, 11:15 to 12:45
1 Bearded Tit (heard), 6 Grey Heron (inc. 3 juvs.), 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Common Tern, 2 Shelduck, 4 Curlew. 1 Wood Mouse, 6 Ringlet. John Wright (SOG).
Southend, Sutton Hall 15:00
1 Yellowhammer (singing). Paul Baker (SOG).
Rochford Golf Course, 17:15 to 19:30
2 Blackcap (singing). Neil Chambers (SOG).
Saturday 21st June 2008
Wallasea Island, Essex Marina 07.55
Male Hobby chasing and seemingly effortlessly catching a passerine. Gary Dunn (Lady Essex).
Canewdon, Hyde Wood Lane 08.00
1 Little Owl on its usual telegraph pole, 2 Green Woodpecker. David Selley.
Rochford, 09:30 to 09:55
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker (juvenile on feeders and in tree (present throughout)), 1 Robin (juvenile), 1 Blue Tit (juvenile). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Rivers Crouch & Roach aboard Lady Essex III 12.30 - 14.00
Marsh Harrier over Foulness, Kestrel, Grey Heron, Little Egrets, Lots of Swift, Cormorant, Oystercatchers, Canadas and Greylag with young, Shelduck, Common Tern some carrying fish. 15 Common Seals including 3 new born. Gary Dunn (Lady Essex).
Chelmsford, Hylands Park 14.30 - 16.30
3 or 4 Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Treecreeper, numerous Swallow, some feeding fledgelings who flew out to meet parent birds in what looked like a mid air kiss, pair of Canada Geese with 2 young. Sue Haffenden.
Canvey West End, 16:00 to 17:25
1 Cuckoo, 15 Whitethroat, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Chiffchaff, 6 Linnet, 2 Skylark, 9 Reed Warbler, 1 Kestrel, 2 Reed Bunting, 1 Green Woodpecker. Martin Cracknell (SOG).
Two Tree Island (East), 17:15 to 18:15
3 Little Egret, 7 Grey Heron, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 1 Mediterranean Gull (adult), 52 Curlew, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Green Woodpecker. John Wright (SOG).
A13 Basildon Turn Off 19.08
1 female Kestrel, hunting by roadside. Terry Priest.
Friday 20th June 2008
Bowers Marshes, 07:00
2 Sparrowhawk. John Wright (SOG).
Rettendon, Hyde Hall Garden 10.00 - 12.00
Blue Tit, Great Tit, 3 Coal Tit, 2 Nuthatch, 3 Tree Sparrow, many House Sparrow, 1 female Crossbill, 5 Greenfinch, many Chaffinch all around feeders in old conifer near lower pond. Also 2 Brown Hare in wildflower meadow. David Selley.
River Roach, From Lady Essex III, 11.30 - 12.30
16 Common Seal (including 2 newborn). Marc Outten RSPB.
Thursday 19th June 2008
Rivers Crouch and Roach with BBC Film Crew Aboard Lady Essex III 12.45 - 17.30
8 Common seal including 1 newborn, 3 Avocet, Redshank, Kestrel, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Swifts, Common Tern catching fish. Gary Dunn (Lady Essex).
Southchurch, Trinity Road 19.55
1 Sparrowhawk on my lawn and thence into next door's garden. 6 Goldfinch on two nijger seed feeders, including two fledglings from same brood. Leslie Spurling.
Wednesday 18th June 2008
Belton Hills, 06:40
1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel. John Wright (SOG).
Benfleet Creek, 06:55
3 Little Egret by Canvey Road Bridge. John Wright (SOG).
Wallasea Island 10.00 - 17.05
Hundreds of Swift above pea field immediately East of Essex Marina. Gary Dunn (Lady Essex).
Southend Hospital, Prittlewell Chase 14.40
1 Hobby flew west along Prittlewell Chase viewed from hospital car park. Mike Bailey (SOG).
Prittlewell Brook 16:00
Grey Wagtail west of Westbourne Grove. Paul Bruty.
Cemetery Corner, Benfleet 18.10
1 Ring-necked Parakeet flew over calling, heading north. Andrew Bridge.
Tuesday 17th June 2008
Coombe Wood, 06:55
1 female Crossbill flying over calling, heading south. Jeff Saward (SOG).
Dunmow, Laundry Lake 07.00
1 Red Kite flying low over lake, chased by a crow. M.Jameson, M.Howell.
Benfleet Creek, 16:00 to 16:10
1 Hobby. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).
Battlesbridge, 18:00
1 Little Egret in the Crouch. Paul Baker (SOG).
Belton Hills, 18:00
1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel. John Wright (SOG).
Monday 16th June 2008
From Lady Essex III 08.53
1 Common Seal off Lion Creek, 1 Common Seal 10 feet off slipway at Creeksea Ferry Boat Inn, 1 Little Egret on slip 1 Green Woodpecker flew north over river. Gary Dunn (Lady Essex).
Loughton 12.45
Red Kite above Alderton Hill, Loughton flying west towards Roding Valley. Colin Hughes.
Sunday 15th June 2008
Coombe Wood, 10:00
1 Mediterranean Gull (Adult summer, flying low over my garden). Jeff Saward (SOG).
RSPB Vange Marsh, 10:00 to 12:00
4 Little Egret, 23 Gadwall, 9 Mute Swan, 3 Common Tern, 3 Reed Bunting (males singing), 2 Cetti's Warbler (singing), 4 Reed Warbler, 6 Sedge Warbler, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 4 Little Grebe. Black-tailed Skimmers, Emperor Dragonfly, Scarce Emerald Damselflies. John Wright (SOG).
Bradwell Power Station 17:00 - 18:00
14 Common Crossbill, 1 Hobby, 1 Sparowhawk. Tim Bourne.
Hadleigh Downs, 17:00 to 18:00
1 Cuckoo, 2 Stonechat. John Wright (SOG).
River Crouch Aboard Lady Essex III 10.00 - 12.30
Marsh Harrier showing well over Foulness, 2 Hobby over Potton, Kestrel, 4 Little Egret, 2 Grey Heron, several Common Tern catching fish. 6 Common Seals. Gary Dunn (Lady Essex).
Saturday 14th June 2008
Paglesham Lagoon, 08:10 to 11:40
2 Mediterranean Gull (adult pair), 300 Swift (at least - low down over the eastern embankment and zooming past a few feet past my ears, superb), 13 Sand Martin, 57 Pochard, 7 Great Crested Grebe (on river), 1 Turtle Dove, 1 Cuckoo. Steve Arlow (SOG, http://www.birdersplayground.co.uk/).
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 09.45 - 11.30
20 Swift, 10 Common Whitethroat, 3 Reed Bunting, 2 Common Tern, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Shelduck,Corn Bunting, 5 Swallow, Sedge Warbler, Goldfinch, 2 Skylark. Ray Fuller.
RSPB Old Hall Marshes 10.00 - 16.00
1 female and three male Marsh Harrier, Kestrel, 20 Ringed Plover, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Redshank, 7 Little Egret, 3 Grey Heron, 30 Lapwing, 4 Meadow Pipit, 9 Reed Bunting. David Flack.
Leigh on Sea, 10:15 to 10:20
2 Jackdaw (Leighville Grove). John Wright (SOG).
Hadleigh Downs, 10:30 to 11:45
1 Bullfinch. 4 Adder, 4 Meadow Brown. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).
River Crouch / Buxey Sands Aboard Lady Essex III 16.00 - 18.30
3 Avocet, Kestrel, 6 Shelduck, 4 Little Egret, 2 Redshank, 40+ Swift, 1 Fulmar. 10 Common Seal and 3 Grey Seal. Gary Dunn (Lady Essex).
Wallasea Wetlands, 16:25 to 19:15
2 Marsh Harrier (pair), 1 Peregrine Falcon (male), 1 Kestrel, 5 Yellow Wagtail, 5 Corn Bunting, 34 Knot (1 in full SP), 20 Grey Plover, 51 Lapwing, 3 Bar-tailed Godwit, 5 Tufted Duck (3m 2f), 400 Swift (at least, all moving west), 1 Greylag Goose, 63 Canada Goose, 2 Common Tern, 6 Little Egret. 1 Brown Hare. Paul Griggs, Don Petrie (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park, 17:00 to 18:30
2 Hobby, 7 Grey Heron (including juvs.), 13 Gadwall, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Shoveler, 1 Shelduck, 1 Little Egret. John Wright (SOG).
Friday 13th June 2008
Southend Cemetary, Sutton Road 09.20 - 09.35
Two pairs of Green Woodpecker, Jay, Wren, Robin, Blackbird, one fox sunbathing in the open and numerous rabbits and grey squirrels. Leslie Spurling.
Canewdon, Lion Wharf, 19.50 - 20.00
Pair of Cuckoo, in flight and at rest on telegraph wires and on abandoned wooden structure in marshes. Tim Smith.
Thursday 12th June 2008
Victoria Avenue, Southend, 09:30 to 17:00
2 Peregrine Falcon, male & female on and around Portcullis House most of day. John Wright, Paul Griggs, Don Petrie (SOG).
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 14.00 - 16.00
Little Egret, 18 Swift, 2 Swallow, House Martin, 3 Sedge Warbler, Reed Bunting, Corn Bunting, 2 Tufted Duck, Cuckoo. Ray Fuller.
Chalkwell, 17:30
15 Swift. Small Elephant Hawk Moth (dead), London Road just east of Chalkwell Park. John Wright (SOG).
Leigh on Sea, 18:40
1 Hobby over Thames Drive / London Road. Paul Baker (SOG).
Wakering Common 20.30
Barn Owl seen hunting across several fields. Chris Oakley.
Wednesday 11th June 2008
Westcliff Park Drive 13.45 - 14.00
1 Common Buzzard (pretty close to where I saw yesterday's bird!) This bird was again up very, very high. Headed off towards Southend seafront. Terry Priest.
Wat Tyler Country Park 14.00
5 adult Mediterranean Gulls on the scrape. Alan Shearman RSPB.
Tolleshunt Major, 14.15
Red Kite at around 100ft soaring over garden. Circled lazily for two or three minutes then rose very high and headed ESE. Pete Willis.
Wat Tyler Country Park, 18:20 to 19:05
2 Turtle Dove, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff (all singing to west of lifeboat museum). Neil Chambers (SOG).
Tuesday 10th June 2008
Chalkwell Park Drive, Leigh, 06:30
1 Sparrowhawk. John Wright (SOG).
Belton Hills, 06:40
1 Sparrowhawk. John Wright (SOG).
Bowers Marshes, 06:55
1 Little Egret. John Wright (SOG).
Canvey West End, 09:00 to 11:15
2 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Lapwing, 1 Cuckoo, 5 Linnet, 1 Stonechat, 4 Skylark. 1 Adder, 2 Large Skipper Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).
Southview Drive, Westcliff 13.15 - 13.20
1 Common Buzzard (only noticed it because I was watching some swifts) It was up very, very high and was soaring in the thermals. Terry Priest.
RSPB Rainham Marshes 14.00 - 16.30
3 Hobby, 2 male Garganey roosting Aveley Marsh, 2 Sedge Warbler, 5 Reed Warbler, 2 Black Swan. No sightings of Great White Egret by anyone. G.Harding.
RSPB Old Hall Marshes
1 Barn Owl hunting, 5 Marsh Harrier, 5 Reed Warbler, 8 Sedge Warbler, Grasshopper Warbler heard, Avocet, Redshank, Whimbrel, Curlew, Oystercatcher in great numbers. M.Bicknell.
Monday 09th June 2008
Rochford, 07:25
1 Siskin flew over garden calling. Steve Arlow (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park 13.30
Mediterranean Gull: an adult on the scrape today seen on the RSPB web cam. Alan Shearman RSPB.
Rochford, 15:50
1 Mediterranean Gull (2nd summer south over garden). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Wakering, Fleet Head 17.30 - 18.30
17 Avocet, 2 Yellow wagtail, 7 Brown Hare. Iain Henderson.
Leigh on Sea, 18:00
4 Jackdaw (Pall Mall). John Wright (SOG).
Sunday 08th June 2008
RSPB Rainham Marshes 08.30 - 13.00
Great White Egret, 6 Little Egret, 3 m Garganey, 3 juv. Stonechat, House Martin, Sand Martin, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, 2 Reed Warbler, 3 Sedge Warbler, Reed Bunting, 4 Hobby, 2 Kestrel. Jon & Charlie Clark.
Wallasea Island, 09:00 to 09:35
2 Marsh Harrier (1 female, 1 tatty male), 1 Hobby (hawking for insects over island), 12 Swift, 4 Skylark, 4 Yellow Wagtail, 6 Linnet, 5 Corn Bunting. Web Author, KF.
Lady Essex III Seal Trip, River Roach 10.00 - 1240
3 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Little Egret, Grey Heron, Greylag Goose (pair with two chicks), 6 Shelduck, Male Marsh Harrier flew from Foulness to Wallasea, Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon from Foulness to Wallasea, 4 Oystercatcher, 1 Avocet, 1 Curlew, 6 Common Tern. Web Author, KF.
Shotgate, Wickford 14.00 and 14.40
1 Buzzard seen over my house at 2pm circling and gaining height, drifting south. Then again much lower circling over the area at 2.40 pm, eventually mobbed by the 2 crows that are nesting up the road, drifted south. David Hope.
Rayleigh, 16:00
1 Mediterranean Gull (adult over Eastwood Road). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Leigh on Sea, 18:40 to 19:05
1 Sparrowhawk at 18.40, 1 Hobby over garden at 19.05 catching insects, 13 Swif at one time. Web Author.
Saturday 07th June 2008
Canewdon, Scotts Hall Road 07.20
1 Kestrel chased from roadside to top of farm silo by female Mallard. David Selley.
Pitsea Cemetery 08.00
Long-eared Owl in tree near car park, harrassed by pair of Blackbirds then flying of low South towards Wat Tyler Park. Blackbirds appeared to be very pleased with themselves! Gary Clinton.
Hadleigh Downs 08.00 - 08.45
Male Kestrel sighted in a tree being harassed by a Jay, 2 fields down from Chapel Lane car park entrance. Ellen Hume,Thea.
Benfleet Creek 08.15 - 10.00
1 male Peregrine Falcon (up very high), 2 Stonechat, 1 Reed Warbler, 2 Green Woodpecker (pair), 1 Sedge Warbler. Terry Priest.
Ashingdon, Princess Gardens 09.40
6 Jackdaw - as with reports from Leigh etc. very unusual here before this year. David Selley.
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 10.00 - 11.45
2 Cuckoo, 3 Little Egret, Turtle Dove, 11 Shelduck, 3 Sedge Warbler, 8 Common Whitethroat, Little Grebe, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Reed Bunting, 2 Swallow, 2 Swift, 3 Skylark. Ray Fuller.
RSPB Vange Marsh, 12:00 to 13:00
1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 6 Whitethroat, 1 Hobby, 1 Green Woodpecker. Mike Clarke (SOG).
Paglesham Lagoon, 13:00 to 15:30
1 Hobby, 1 Cuckoo, 200 Swift, 70 House Martin, 40 Sand Martin, 20 Swallow, 2 Shelduck (broods of 9 and 10), 4 Mediterranean Gull (2 1st summers and a pair of adults). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Hadleigh Downs, 14:30 to 15:45
1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Harris Hawk. John Wright (SOG).
Leigh on Sea, 16:00 to 16:05
1 Peregrine Falcon flew over the saltmarsh east end of Two Tree Island then east over Leigh. John Wright (SOG).
Friday 06th June 2008
Leigh on Sea, 21:30
1 Ring-necked Parakeet outside Arlington Rooms, London Road, chased by crow. Dave Knight (SOG).
Southend, 18:55 to 19:15
1 Peregrine Falcon (Juvenile plucking prey on Portcullis House, seen from library car park). Dudley Shayler (SOG).
Thursday 05th June 2008
Leigh on Sea, 06:30 to 06:35
2 Jackdaw (Pall Mall). John Wright (SOG).
Benfleet Creek, 06:50
4 Little Egret by Canvey road bridge, 1 Grey Heron also by road bridge. John Wright (SOG).
Bowers Marshes, 07:00
2 Cuckoo. John Wright (SOG).
Grays 09.00
Green woodpecker heard near Quarry Hill Schools. Joe French.
Grays 10.00
1 Jackdaw on neighbours chimney, 3 Swift flying overhead. Joe French.
Gunners Park 14.00 - 15.30
Fox stalking and catching young rabbit in EWT enclosure, 4 Little Egret, 2 Kestrel, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Mediterranean Gull on lake, 2 Sand Martin, 20+ House Martin, 2 male Cuckoo. Steve Wood.
Wakering, Fleet Head 1745 - 1830
2 Cuckoo. Iain Henderson.
Hadleigh Marshes, 18:00
1 Hobby. John Wright (SOG).
Wednesday 04th June 2008
Witham, Flora Road Park 13.20
2 Red Kite hunting overhead, watched for around 8 minutes excellent viewing twisting and turning in display as well remarkable. M.Bicknell.
Chalkwell Park, 08:20
1 Peregrine Falcon flew north east over A13. Paul Griggs (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park
1 Long-eared Owl. Ted Cook.
Tuesday 03rd June 2008
Hockley, 16.01
1 Goldfinch taking coconut hair from our plant holder. 2 resident Blue Tits taking food to their young in nesting box. Resident House Sparrows and Great Tits feeding. Sharon Newman.
Monday 02nd June 2008
Hullbridge, Near Anchor Public House 07.10
1 Hobby. David Chivers.
Sunday 01st June 2008
Heybridge Basin 09.00 - 10.30
1 female Cuckoo, numerous Common Tern, 3 Whitethroat, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Reed Warbler (heard many more!), 1 Reed Bunting, 3 Little Egret, lots of Oystercatcher, numerous Shelduck 1 pair with 7 ducklings. Sue Haffenden.
Wakering Stairs 09.40 - 11.40
2 Little Egret, 2 Kestrel, 320 Oystercatcher on roost, 15 Ringed Plover, 15 Redshank, 12 Turnstone, 2 Sandwich Tern, 1 Common Tern, 2 Sedge Warbler, 7 Whitethroat, 4 Cuckoo (3 male,1 female). David Selley.
River Roach Seal Trip Aboard the Lady Essex III 10.00 - 12.30
8 Common Seal, Marsh Harrier, Kestrel, Avocets, Common Terns fishing, Little Egrets, Grey Heron and 1 Brown Hare on the saltings at Foulness. Gary Dunn.
Two Tree Island, 10:00 to 12:45
1 Little Egret, 2 Kestrel, 1 Linnet, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 4 Blackcap, 1 Common Tern (west end scrape), 1 Sedge Warbler, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 30 Whitethroat (+), 2 House Martin, 3 Reed Warbler, 3 Cuckoo (2 males + 1 female), 2 Grey Heron, 3 Canada Goose, 4 Shelduck. Brian Baldock (SOG).
Rochford Golf Course, 12:00 to 16:00
1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Blackcap (singing), 4 Whitethroat (singing), 3 House Martin (around clubhouse building). Neil Chambers (SOG).
Leigh on Sea, 13:00
1 Hobby flew over my house. Dudley Shayler (SOG).
RSPB Vange Marsh, 17:50 to 18:25
1 Cetti's Warbler (singing from out on the marsh itself), 1 Marsh Frog, 3 Skylark, 7 Greylag Goose (inc a pair with 1 young), 8 Pochard, 6 Gadwall, 4 Shoveler, 2 Shelduck, 1 Redshank, 1 Cuckoo. Paul Baker (SOG).
RSPB Vange Marsh, 19:35 to 20:10
After seeing Golden Oriole at Langdon Hills! 1 Kestrel, 1 Teal (drake), 1 Common Tern. Paul Baker (SOG).