Bird Reports for June 2009
Tuesday 30th June 2009
Belfairs N.R., 08:00
10 White Admiral all around the reserve including an aberrant all dark one near the end of the main clearing by the Dodds Grove gate), 1 Brimstone, 2 Purple Hairstreak, 50 Heath Fritillary at least. Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).
Monday 29th June 2009
Victoria Avenue, Southend, 08:30 to 12:15
1 male Peregrine Falcon on Portcullis House, west side. John Wright (SOG).
Benfleet Creek, 12:30
2 Common Tern. Simon Watson (SOG).
Hockley Woods, 19:45 to 20:30
3 Blackcap (singing), 5 Heath Fritillary. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Sunday 28th June 2009
Benfleet Downs, 11:00 to 11:45
3 White-letter Hairstreak. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).
Chelmsford, Sandford Mill 16:30
1 Mistle Thrush, numerous Swift and a family of Bullfinch feeding young. Sue Haffenden.
Belfairs N.R., 16:30 to 17:45
6 White Admiral. Dudley Shayler (SOG).
Rochford Golf Course, 16:45 to 19:00
1 Green Woodpecker, 14 Mistle Thrush, 1 Stock Dove (singing), 1 Whitethroat (singing), 2 Blackcap (singing), 2 House Martin. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Saturday 27th June 2009
Rayleigh, Ferndale Road (Garden) 08.00 - 21.30
Day working in the garden provide a good variety of birds: 3 Cormorant, 3 Grey Heron, 2 Mallard, 1 Sparrowhawk (male), 1 Hobby, 1 Kestrel (male), 1 Pheasant (heard), 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Wood Pigeon, Collard Dove, Tawny Owl (calling 9.30pm), Swift, Swallow, House Martin, 1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Skylark, Crow, Rook, Jackdaw, 2 Jay, Great Tit, Blue Tit, 10 Long-tailed Tit, Wren, Mistle Thrush, 3 Song Thrush, Blackbird, Robin, 2 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Common Whitethroat, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, Dunnock, 1 Pied Wagtail, Starling, Greenfinch, 2 Goldfinch, Linnet, 2 Bullfinch, Chaffinch, House Sparrow. (45 species in all). Robin Peppiatt.
Hadleigh Marshes, 12:40 to 14:00
1 Little Egret, 52 Lapwing, 20 Linnet, 2 Shelduck, 4 Reed Warbler, 5 Sedge Warbler, 8 Skylark. 10 Marsh Frog. John Wright (SOG).
Hadleigh Downs, 14:00 to 16:00
2 Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Green Woodpecker. 1 Marbled White (about 80 throughout the park), 8 Ringlet. John Wright (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park, 14:30 to 14:50, (Holly Cottage Hide)
2 Turtle Dove (pair on wires and bushes opposite hide), 2 Reed Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff (singing), 2 Blackcap, 1 Jay. Martin Cracknell (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park, 14:30 to 14:50
Holly Cottage Hide: 2 Turtle Dove (pair on wires and bushes opposite hide), 2 Reed Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff (singing), 2 Blackcap, 1 Jay. Martin Cracknell (SOG).
Battlesbridge Sewage Works, 17:30 to 19:30
I walked along sea wall past sewage works for about half a mile: 9 Little Egret roosting on salt marsh across the Crouch, 1 Black Swan on sewage works pools, 2 Common Tern over, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Grasshopper Warbler reeling from rough mound 200 metres N of sewage works, 2 Reed Warbler, 1 Sedge Warbler. Don Petrie (SOG).
Southend Pier, 18:00 to 19:00
10 Common Tern. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Friday 26th June 2009
North Shoebury 10:30
Female Green Woodpecker back in garden, Jay earlier, Wrens nesting in Ivy and House Martins nesting on house next door. Terry Strong.
Prittlewell Chase 13.00 - 15.00
Jay been around most of the day, lovely colours, in front of the hospital, 2 House Martins (flew over). Terry Priest.
Star Lane Pits, 14:00 to 14:05
1 Turtle Dove (heard). Matt Bruty (SOG).
Wakering, Fleet Head, 17:00 to 18:00
6 Spotted Redshank, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Green Sandpiper, 1 Greenshank. Lee Ebbs (SOG).
Belfairs N.R., 17:55 to 18:35
3 White Admiral, 10 Heath Fritillary, 1 Chiffchaff (singing). Neil Chambers (SOG).
Thursday 25th June 2009
Baxter Avenue Southend, 08:55
1 Peregrine Falcon still present, perched on back of Portcullis House. Paul Griggs (SOG).
Belfairs N.R., 16:10 to 16:45
5 White Admiral (4 main reserve and 1 in Dodd's Grove). Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).
Belfairs N.R., 16:30 to 18:20
4 White Admiral in main ride on the east side of the bridle track that splits the reserve from Dodds Grove, 60 Heath Fritillary (most in poor shape). Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).
RSPB Vange Marsh, 18:25 to 19:15
1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Ruff (superb male with most of a gingery ruff). Martin Cracknell (SOG).
Wednesday 24th June 2009
North Shoebury 10:45
1 female Green Woodpecker in garden, 9 House Martin over. Terry Strong.
RSPB Vange Marsh, 15:40 to 16:00
1 Spoonbill 
feeding in the north-east corner of the fresh marsh, best viewed from the western seawall. Marc Outten (RSPB, SOG).
Ashingdon 17.40
2 Sparrowhawk circling together - looked like both were females. David Selley.
Tewke's Creek, 18:30 to 19:00
1 Hobby carrying prey, heading towards HDCP. Jeff Saward (SOG).
RSPB Vange Marsh, 19:25 to 20:05
1 Spoonbill, 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Ringed Plover. Peter Collins (SOG).
Canvey Point, 19:30 to 20:15
2 Whimbrel, 8 Bar-tailed Godwit, 2 Grey Plover (1 in full sum plumage), 11 Turnstone, 15 Common Tern. Martin Cracknell (SOG).
Baxter Avenue Southend, 20:40 to 20:45
1 adult female Peregrine Falcon perched on back of Portcullis House. Don Petrie (SOG).
RSPB Vange Marsh, 21:00 to 21:10
1 Spoonbill feeding in NE corner, 2 Green Sandpiper. Don Petrie (SOG).
Buxey Sands, Aboard Lady Essex III
2 Dolphin, 1 Harbour Porpoise in moorings. Also very may gulls eggs being washed off Bridgemarsh island during the very high tide. Gary Dunn.
Tuesday 23rd June 2009
Danbury, Near Maldon Road 13.30 - 13.45
1 Common Buzzard. Terry Priest.
Monday 22nd June 2009
Wat Tyler Country Park 11.00 - 12.30
5+ Scarce Emerald Damselflies. Neil.
Temple Farm, 13:15 to 13:40
3 Skylark, 2 Corn Bunting, 2 Whitethroat. Dudley Shayler (SOG).
Billet Lane Area, Near Sea Wall 14:20
4 Turtle Dove (never seen four together before, parents and young?), Small flock Goldfinch, 2 Kestrel, Grass Snake, quite a few Slow Worm. Gary Clinton.
Southend Seafront, Kursaal 17:35
1 Mediterranean Gull (adult-summer). Paul Griggs (SOG).
Sunday 21st June 2009
Prittle Brook (Leigh on Sea), 08:45 to 08:50
17 Jackdaw over my house. Brian Baldock (SOG).
South Fambridge (Towards Raypits) 11.15 - 12.30
2 Little Egret, 4 Cormorant, 6 Shelduck, 4 Oystercatcher, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 7 Skylark, 3 Corn Bunting. Good numbers of Meadow Brown and 20+ Large Skipper. David Selley.
Earls Hall Avenue 15.00 - 16.00
2 Ring-necked Parakeet, assumed to be the same two which have been in the area for the last six months, 1 Sparrowhawk. 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker. Pat Dandridge.
Canvey West End, 15:00 to 17:00
1 Cuckoo, 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Kestrel. 15+ Marbled White. Matt Bruty (SOG).
Hadleigh Downs, 16:00 to 17:30
1 Hobby, 1 Kestrel, 2 Cuckoo, 19 Lapwing, 1 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Little Egret, 2 Grey Heron, 15 Whitethroat. John Wright (SOG).
Wakering Stairs 16.40 - 18.30
4 Little Egret, 4 Whitethroat, 6 Skylark, 1 Cuckoo, 9 Oystercatcher including an adult with 2 chicks in a pea field on Stairs Road, 6 Linnet - 2 adults and 4 juveniles, 1 Bullfinch - male in cherry tree by Landwick Gate car park, 1 Weasel. David Selley.
Maldon 18:00
1 Avocet, 2 Shelduck, 2 Oystercatcher. Kerry Cobey.
Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 18:30
1 Cuckoo circled over house then headed off north west. Paul Baker (SOG).
Two Tree Island West 20.15 - 20.30
Grasshopper Warbler reeling. Pat Dandridge.
Saturday 20th June 2009
Rochford Golf Course, 08:00 to 12:00
1 Blackcap (singing), 1 Whitethroat (singing), 2 Stock Dove (pair), 1 Mistle Thrush (singing), 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker. Neil Chambers (SOG).
EWT Chigborough 10.30 - 13.00
1 Great White Egret, 30+ Little Egret, 4 Heron, 6 Bullfinch, 3 Cuckoo, Many Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Chiffchaff,1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Reed Warblers (heard many more), many Blackcap, 2 Linnet. Alec Martin.
Ongar 13.30
1 Kestrel and 1 Sparrowhawk climbing on thermals together. M.Howell, M.Jameson.
Chalkwell Park Drive, Leigh, 16:00 to 16:05
1 Jackdaw. John Wright (SOG).
Two Tree Island (West), 18:30 to 19:30
1 Stonechat (male), 3 Reed Bunting (males), 10 Linnet (inc. family party with juvs.), 1 Curlew, 6 Oystercatcher, 2 Ringed Plover, 5 Redshank, 1 Whimbrel (flew around high, calling, and then flew south), 1 Grasshopper Warbler (reeling and showing occasionally). Also: 100 spikes of pyramidal orchids. John Wright (SOG).
Friday 19th June 2009
Rochford 06.30 - 07.30
10 House Martin - 4 occupied nests. 7 Swift - 1 occupied nest with another 2 possibly in use. David Selley.
Wickford, Shotgate Park 07.15
1 Lesser Whitethroat singing near doctors surgery. Has been there all week and in the area for several weeks now. Martin Singleton.
Thursday 18th June 2009
Temple Farm, 13:00 to 13:30
5+ Skylark, 2 Corn Bunting, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Green Woodpecker. Dudley Shayler (SOG).
Littley Green, Hartford End 13.15 - 14.30
1 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Buzzard. John Wilson.
Maldon 16.30
2 Avocet, 1 Shelduck, 2 Oystercatcher feeding on waters edge, 2 Goldfinch feeding on shingle. M.Howell.
Westcliff Casino, 16:35
1 Mediterranean Gull (2nd-summer). Paul Griggs (SOG).
Stock 17.00
Red Kite. Mark.
Rochford, 17:45 to 18:00
1 juvenile Green Woodpecker in back garden. Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).
Benfleet, Boyce Hill GC 18:00 to 20:00
1 Hobby, 1 male Sparrowhawk, 4 Blackcap. Martin Cracknell (SOG).
Harlow, Passmore House 18.30
1 Hobby catching flies and eating them on the wing. M.Howell.
Heybridge 20:00
1 Avocet, 3 Cuckoo, 1 Reed Warbler, 6 Redshank. Steve Lambeth.
Wednesday 17th June 2009
Benfleet Downs, 10:25 to 12:30
25 Marbled White, 1 Ringlet, 1 White-letter Hairstreak, 1 female Adder. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).
Baxter Avenue Southend, 10:55
1 Fulmar flew south past Alexander House. Paul Griggs (SOG).
Pound Wood 11.45 to 13.00
Nightingale (heard only), Heath Fritillary, up to 40 or 50 at least. Les Costin (EBS).
Little Havens NR 13.00 to 13.45
Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff. Heath Fritillary, huge numbers uncountable in the Starvelarks Wood area. Les Costin (EBS).
Two Tree Island (West), 19:00 to 19:05
3 Stonechat (adult plus 2 juvs), 1 Cuckoo. John Wright (SOG).
Tuesday 16th June 2009
Temple Farm, 13:00 to 13:30
5+ Skylark, 2 Corn Bunting, 1 Blackcap. Dudley Shayler (SOG).
Laindon West 18:30
Hobby chasing Swifts, without success. Andrew Cox.
Monday 15th June 2009
Temple Farm, 13:00 to 13:30
3 Skylark singing, 1 Corn Bunting singing, 1 Blackcap singing. Also 1 Black Tailed Skimmer and 1 Common Blue Damselfly. Dudley Shayler (SOG).
Thundersley (Garden) 15.45 - 16.15
Jackdaw have become regular visitors to feed from my bird tables. 12 Jackdaw were feeding this afternoon prior to the thunderstorm. John Bennett.
Sunday 14th June 2009
Langdon Hills 08:45 - 12:30
Sparrowhawk, Hobby, Kestrel, Green Woodpecker, Swallow, Swift, Blackcap, Chiffchaff. Andrew Cox.
Buxey Sands, Seal Trip Aboard Lady Essex III 10.00 - 12.30
38 Common Seal, 3 Atlantic Grey Seal. Web Author.
Laindon West 13:30
1 Buzzard. Andrew Cox.
Saturday 13th June 2009
Gunners Park 10.00
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker. John Pitts.
Canewdon, 10:45
1 Hobby over school. Web Author.
London Road, Thames Drive 15:30
3 Swift screaming overhead. Tony Wenham.
Benfleet Creek, 16:00 to 17:00
4 Little Egret, 9 Lapwing. 1 Essex Skipper, 1 Marbled White. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).
Friday 12th June 2009
Thundersley, 14:30 to 18:00
500 Heath Fritillary at least, absolutely everywhere around the Starvelarks Wood clearing, 1 Meadow Brown, 1 Large Skipper. Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).
Hadleigh Downs, 16:00 to 16:30
1 Willow Warbler still at bottom of valley. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).
Belfairs Golf Course, 19:35 to 20:00
1 Grey Squirrel, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker. Paul Griggs, Mike Bailey, Don Petrie (SOG).
Leigh on Sea, Park View Drive 18:30 to 18:40
2 Mistle Thrush in and around garden. Web Author.
Leigh on Sea, Park View Drive 18.30 - 18.40
2 juvenile Mistle Thrush in and around garden. Web author, Kris Mee.
Thursday 11th June 2009
Lady Essex III (at sea)
11 Gannet, 2 Fulmar and 2 Harbour Porpoise. Gary Dunn.
Wednesday 10th June 2009
Two Tree Island (East Side) 12.30
1 Cuckoo (large juvenile) being fed by it's adoptive (considerably smaller) parent. S & R Woolley.
Tuesday 09th June 2009
Thorndon Woods 10.00
1 Black Squirrel. Gary Clinton.
Eastwood, Langley Close (Brook) 15.00
Grey Wagtail. Les Costin (EBS).
Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 19:10 to 19:15
2 Great Spotted Woodpecker (fully fledged juveniles, 1 picking aphids and blackfly off our small cherry tree and seemingly feeding it to the other). Paul Baker (SOG).
Langdon Hills
Blackbird in woods and Grey Heron walking in the road! Emily Broad and James Tully.
Wat Tyler Country Park
Blackbird, Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret, Black-headed Gulls, Long-tailed Tit, Mallard, Cuckoo heard. Rabbits, a young Fox. Emily Broad and James Tully.
Two Tree Island
Mallard, Oystercatcher, Avocets and chicks, 1 Little Egret, Black-headed Gull, Shelduck flying, Redshank, Cuckoo heard. Emily Broad and James Tully.
Monday 08th June 2009
Pound Wood, 15:00 to 16:00
2 Bullfinch (pair at crossroads along the bridle path that starts from the car park), 2 Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Jay, 3 Stock Dove. 50 Heath Fritillary, 1 Red Fox. Richard Hall (SOG).
Thundersley, Little Haven NR, 16:00 to 17:00
1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Blackcap (pair), 2 Whitethroat (pair feeding young), 1 Willow Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff. 12 Heath Fritillary. Richard Hall (SOG).
1 Mile West of Lakeside 18.30
2 Ring-necked Parakeet in some trees close to the old A13 by the Treacle Mine roundabout. Clive D.
Snakes Lane 19.15
1 male Sparrowhawk flying high above the gym car park. Terry Priest.
Sunday 07th June 2009
South Fambridge to Brandy Hole 10.45 - 12.45
4 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Little Grebe (incl. 1 sitting bird), 4 Great Crested Grebe (incl. pair displaying), 3 Sedge Warbler, 10 Whitethroat, 1 Cuckoo (male calling), 5 Skylark, 1 Reed Bunting, 7 Linnet. Many Meadow Brown and 2 Small Copper. David Selley.
Hadleigh Downs, 12:30 to 14:30
2 Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrel, 9 Shelduck, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Linnet. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).
Pound Wood, 14:00 to 15:00
1 Green Woodpecker. 79 Heath Fritillary (under power lines), 1 Brimstone, 1 Speckled Wood. Mike Bailey (SOG).
RSPB Vange Marsh 15:00 - 17:00
30 Shelduck, 4 Avocet, 20 Pochard, 6 Teal, 3 Shoveler, 1 Little Grebe, 20 Black-headed Gull, 10 Herring Gull, many Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Cetti's Warbler and Reed Bunting, 1 Hobby, 5 Moorhen, 2 Coot, 3 Blue Tit, 25 Canada Geese, 4 Lapwing, 2 Greenfinch, 1 Dunnock, 5 House Sparrow, 1 Goldfinch, Woodpigeon, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Pied Wagtail. Brennan and Vince Briggs.
Hockley/Hawkwell, 15:30
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker. Paul Baker (SOG).
Bradwell, St. Peter 16.00
1 immature male Common Rosefinch singing and showing well. R.Clark.
Ashingdon, Princess Gardens 17.10
16 Jackdaw in a single noisy flock. Obviously they have increased and spread locally but before last year even a single bird here was unusual. David Selley.
Saturday 06th June 2009
Thundersley, 12:00 to 14:00
344 Heath Fritillary in clearing in Starvelarks Wood at Little Haven EWT reserve, also 21 Meadow Brown, 7 Large Skipper, 2 Speckled Wood. Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).
Friday 05th June 2009
Two Tree Island, 08:45 to 12:00
1 Nightingale sang briefly left of feeding station, 1 Grasshopper Warbler reeling 150 yards west of airfield in scrub, 2 Kestrel, 3 Swift, 5 Swallow, 2 Sedge Warbler, 2 Reed Warbler, 3 Reed Bunting, 1 White / Pied Wagtail, 5 Linnet (3 juvs.), 1 male Stonechat, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Common Tern, 4 Ringed Plover, 4 Little Egret, 7 Skylark, 21 Whitethroat. Graham Ryland (SOG).
Thursday 04th June 2009
Eastwood, Langley Close 12.45
Grey Wagtail in brook. Les Costin (EBS).
River Crouch Aboard Lady Essex III 16.00 to 18.20
1 Brent Goose on Foulness, 38 Common Seal, 4 Grey Seal. Gary Dunn.
Wednesday 03rd June 2009
Langdon Hills Country Park 11.15 - 14.15
1 Common Buzzard (heading N/E), 2 Song Thrush, 1 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, 10+ Goldfinch, 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Yellowhammer (singing), 6 Corn Bunting, 1 Wren with 2 fledglings. Terry Priest.
Benfleet Downs, 11:20 to 14:20
1 Buzzard high west being mobbed by Sparrowhawk and Carrion Crow, 1 Sparrowhawk, 15 Common Blue, 4 Brown Argus, 6 Meadow Brown. Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).
Tuesday 02nd June 2009
Hockley Woods, 16:30 to 18:00
151 Heath Fritillary (returned to make a more comprehensive count, stunning to have 30 fritillaries dancing around you in once clearing). Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).
Belfairs N.R. Dodd's Grove, 17:15 to 17:30
50 Heath Fritillary. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).
Monday 01st June 2009
Hockley Woods, 18:30 to 19:15
50 Heath Fritillary or more in the clearings. Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).