South East Essex RSPB Wildlife Reports for June 2014
Monday 30th June 2014east south east, partly cloudy, max20°c
No reports received for this day.
Sunday 29th June 2014north westerly, partly cloudy, max19⪚c
Hullbridge 07:00
Male Greater Spotted Woodpecker, Green parrot (escapee). David Flack.
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 08:50 to 11:55
1 Green Sandpiper heard at Coryton, 1 Curlew, 3 Lapwing included 1 on creek and 2 at Coryton, 1 Little Egret on creek, 2 Oystercatcher on creek, 1 Green Woodpecker. Richard Fahey.
South Fambridge to Brandy Hole 11:20 to 12:40
1 Little Egret, 2 Oystercatcher, 3 Common Tern, c.40 Swift, 2 Swallow, 2 Skylark, 4 Reed Warbler, 1 Sedge Warbler, 8 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Reed Bunting, 1 Corn Bunting. David Selley.
Leigh on Sea, Westleigh Avenue 11:30
1 Red Kite over heading west. Andrew Gouldstone.
Southchurch Park East 12:45
Pair of Pied Wagtail 20ft apart, bathing and cleaning feathers in fresh water/stubble part of the low reed bed just below new bench. Robert Dobinson.
Leigh-on-Sea, Tattersall Gardens 13:48
1 female Sparrowhawk circling and passing at about 25m medium height. Martin Johnson.
Chelmsford Cathedral Grounds 15:00 to 15:05
1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Pied Wagtail, 3 Carrion Crow, 2 Magpie, 7 Herring Gull, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull. Rob Harris.
Canewdon, Creeksea Road 21:00 to 21:05
1 Little Owl. Rob Harris.
RSPB Wallasea Island 21:10 to 21:15
1 Little Owl. Rob Harris.
Ballards Gore 21:30 to 21:32
1 Little Owl. Rob Harris.
Paglesham Eastend 21:45 to 21:46
1 Little Owl, 3 Rabbit. Rob Harris.
Saturday 28th June 2014variable, partly cloudy, max20°c
RSPB Bowers Marsh 09:30 to 11:30
1 Kestrel, 2 Reed Bunting, 2 Little Grebe with 3 young, 3 Little Ringed Plover, 6 Pochard, 2 Tufted Duck, Coot, 5 Grey Heron, 14 Canada Geese, Greylag Geese, 2 Mute Swan, Great Crested Grebe, Black-headed Gull, 1 Shoveler, Mallard, 1 Lapwing, Avocet, 2 Cormorant, 6 Little Egret, Herring Gull, 10 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Shelduck, 1 Goldfinch. 2 Emperor Dragonfly, 1 Black Tailed Skimmer Dragonfly. Chris Cole.
RSPB Bowers Marsh 10:30 to 15:00
20+ Goldfinch, 12+ Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, 2 Corn Bunting, 2 Reed Bunting, 4 Reed Warbler, 6 Avocet, Blackbird, Kestrel, Coot, Mallard, Linnet. 100's Marble White, 50+ Meadow Brown, 50+ Ringlet, 50+ Small Skipper, 2 Essex Skipper identified, Large Skipper, 2 Emperor d/Flies both ovipositing, 4 Black-tailed Skimmers, 2 Ruddy Darters, 4 Four Spots. Water Vole. Steve Jellett.
RSPB Bowers Marsh 13:00 to 15:00
Avocet, 2 Corn Bunting, 4 Black-tailed Godwit, 10 Redshank, 1 Little Ringed Plover, Shelduck with young, Little Grebe with young, Reed Bunting. Blue-tailed Damselfly, Essex Skippers, Marbled White. Trevor Chapman.
Friday 27th June 2014south south westerly, partly cloudy, max23°c
Benfleet, Thundersley Park Road 08:30
2 Coal Tit (juveniles on feeder in garden). Jerry Stock.
Wakering, Mill Barn Fishery 09:00 to 13:00
Family of 5 Green Woodpecker on Common Road all flying off together as I drove past, Buzzard circling for about 10 minutes above lake, 3 pairs of Tufted Duck, good views of a pair of Cuckoo, Robin, Willow Warbler, Reed Warbler, 2 Grey Heron fishing from the opposite bank. Phil Lusher.
Thursday 26th June 2014easterly, partly cloudy, max19°c
Coalhouse Fort, East Tilbury 10:00
Male Marsh Harrier east of fort. Graham White.
Jones Memorial Park 11:00
17 Carrion Crow in centre of playing fields, at first I thought they were rooks because of the numbers but they were crows. Very strange! pair of Whitethroat in the area where they bred last year, Wren, Robin. Phil Lusher.
Southchurch Park East 12:45
1 Little Egret fishing on north edge of low reed bed, 1 Pied Wagtail feeding on mud bank SW of pond. Also as a matter of natural ecology to all interested in an environment/pond recovering. Since the S.East Park sluice gate/pump station was rectified (Nov 2013), after at least 12 years of tidal salt water coming in. The water feed is now fresh water only. The low reed bed and west reed beds that were slowly dying. Have remarkably recovered to double its height & thrown up new reed stems in the dead stubble sections. It has been something to witness. A family of Pied Wagtails (4) bred there for the first time this year. We often see small birds bathing/drinking in the perimeter water pools. Furthermore, the water feeds Southchurch Park also. The change to that park has been equally remarkable, the island and feeding stations are now getting green and lush. It will be interesting to see the cycle after a year has passed. Robert Dobinson.
Canewdon 17:00
1 Barn Owl (almost fledged youngster in the rafters of the barn. Private site no access). Steve Sanford.
Wednesday 25th June 2014northerly to easterly, partly cloudy, max19°c
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 08:05 to 11:55
1 Hobby, 1 Common Tern that was going to and thro' between inner marshes and creek, 1 Pied Woodpecker on poplar overlooking Manorway Fleet, c.6 Little Egret, Cetti's Warbler heard at Coryton. Richard Fahey.
Tuesday 24th June 2014easterly, partly cloudy, max22°c
No reports received for this day.
Monday 23rd June 2014variable, clear, max23°c
RSPB Wallasea Island 13:00 to 13:45
1 Marsh Harrier, 6 House Sparrow, 4 Skylark, 7 Corn Bunting, 3 Reed Bunting, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 60+ Woodpigeon, 1 Blackbird, 1000+ Starling forming a Murmuration before disappearing into the Pea fields either side Grapnels, 9+ Pheasant Female with many young crossing the road near wood yard one at a time. Rob Harris.
Sunday 22nd June 2014easterly, clear, max21°c
RSPB Old Hall Marshes 08:00 to 09:00
1 Little Owl (9pm on post near car park), 1 Turtle Dove (near car park), 1 Bearded Tit, 4 Reed Bunting, 2 Water Rail (calling from reed beds), 1 Cuckoo, 2 Great Crested Grebe (adult feeding fully-grown juvenile), 4 Marsh Harrier, 4 Avocet, 1 Little Egret. Marc Anderson.
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 08:10 to 11:30
3 Green Sandpiper at fleet, 1 female Marsh Harrier, a few Lapwing, c.3 Little Egret, Cetti's Warbler heard at Coryton, 1 Common Tern at creek, a few Cuckoo, 2 Lesser Whitethroat including one seen and heard behind seawall. Richard Fahey.
Between North Fambridge and Woodham 09:00
2 Quail, one seen and one heard. 1 Marsh Harrier, 4 Peregrine Falcon high in a Thermal. G. Thompson.
Wakering Stairs 09:00 to 12:00
5 Turtle Dove (4 calling by south perimeter fence with some display flight seen and 1 just behind X1 obs tower), 1 Barn Owl caught small mammal prey and flew off towards Potton, 10 Swallow including first 2 juveniles of the season. David Selley.
The Green Gt. Horkesley, 10:00
1 Barn Owl, 1 Red Kite. The kite was seen almost over the A134 at 9.30. Mrs. Greaves.
Saturday 21st June 2014westerly, clear, max24°c
Hutton 12:00
Red Kite drifting high, from Hutton towards Rainham. Mike Sullivan.
RSPB Wallasea Island 16:00 to 18:00
2 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Grey Partridge on the sea wall by the conveyor belt, suspect they had young as they were very agitated and reluctant to leave the area. Richard Mander.
Friday 20th June 2014variable, partly cloudy, max20°c
Southchurch Park East 08:45 and 16:45
1 Five-spot Burnet Moth feeding on new Thistle flowers at SE corner of pond/near sluice gate (outside) fence. 2 Little Egret feeding on north of low reed bed 4.45pm. Robert Dobinson.
Thursday 19th June 2014variable, clear, max22°c
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 13:00 to 15:50
1 Turtle Dove at Coryton, 1 Curlew, a few Lapwing on lagoon/creek, a few Little Egret, a few Cuckoo, 1 Green Woodpecker, family of Swallow at Coryton. Richard Fahey.
Wednesday 18th June 2014northerly, scattered clouds, max20°c
No reports received for this day.
Tuesday 17th June 2014northerly, partly cloudy, max21°c
Ashingdon, Princess Gardens 21:40 to 21:50
1 Tawny Owl - male calling at dusk. David Selley.
Monday 16th June 2014northerly, mostly cloudy, max17°c
Fobbing/Corringham Marsh/Coryton me: 12:25 to 15:50
1 Peregrine flying around calling agitatedly near Corringham manorway, 2 Marsh Harrier included a male later over Corringham manorway, 2 adult and 4 juvenile Avocet on creek, pair of Pochard and 5 ducklings on Manorway Fleet, 4 juvenile Gadwall on west side of Manorway Fleet, Yellowhammer heard near Fobbing village, Cetti's Warbler heard at "Fobbing Wood" and Corringham manorway, a few Little Egret, 1 Green Woodpecker, 12 Lapwing on lagoon. Richard Fahey.
Sunday 15th June 2014north north easterly, mostly cloudy, max18°c
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 08:10 to 11:25
2 Bearded Tit on west side of Manorway Fleet, 1 Kingfisher flying along ditch and then over footpath, 1 Curlew, c.9 Little Egret, Cetti's Warbler heard at Coryton, 1 Cuckoo at Manorway Fleet, 1 Oystercatcher on lagoon, 5 Mute Swan on lagoon. Richard Fahey.
Saturday 14th June 2014northerly, partly cloudy, max19°c
Wakering Stairs 06:30 to 08:00
16 Oystercatcher including 5 nesting pairs, 3 Turtle Dove calling between Stairs Rd and Haven Point, 17 Linnet in one flock of mostly juveniles. David Selley.
Rochford 08:20 to 08:35
13 Swift screaming around 3 former nesting sites, 9 House Martin. David Selley.
Friday 13th June 2014calm, clear, max25°c
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 12:40 to 15:40
1 Kingfisher flew from other side of creek, 1 Turtle Dove across marshes, 1 female Marsh Harrier, 6 Lapwing including a juvenile on lagoon, c.7 Little Egret, Cetti's Warbler heard, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 immature Little Grebe on west side of Manorway Fleet, 1 Oystercatcher on lagoon, 1 Cuckoo. Richard Fahey.
Between North Fambridge and Woodham 17:00
Quail calling. G. Thompson.
Thursday 12th June 2014esterly, clear, max24°c
Coryton, Manorway 09:00 to 15:00
Kestrel feeding 5 chicks, 2 Oystercatcher chicks, Marsh Harrier. N. Wright.
Wednesday 11th June 2014variable, partly cloudy, max23°c
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 08:00 to 11:25
1 Kingfisher Manorway Fleet, 3 Marsh Harrier, c.12 Little Egret, Cetti's Warbler heard at Coryton, 2 Gadwall on Manorway Fleet, 1 Cuckoo behind seawall, pair of Lapwing up from lagoon and over seawall. Richard Fahey.
RSPB Bowers Marsh 09:30
1 Red Kite. Mike Sullivan.
RSPB Rainham Marshes 16:50
2 Red Kite and 1 Buzzard. Mike Sullivan.
Ashingdon, Princess Gardens 21:40
1 adult Hedgehog snuffling and trundling around in the garden. First one I've seen in ages. David Selley.
Tuesday 10th June 2014southerly to westerly, clear, max23°c
No reports received for this day.
Monday 09th June 2014variable, clear, max25°c
RSPB Wat Tyler Country Park 12:00 to 15:30
1 female Marsh Harrier, 1 pair of nest building Reed Warbler, several pairs of Bearded Tit, at least 6 birds, probably more. 1 Cetti's Warbler with begging fledgling. 1 Hobby, high over Bower's Marsh, 1 Sparrowhawk, also high over Bower's. 1 pair Great Crested Grebe with juveniles. 1 pair Canada Canada Geese with 6 gosling, 1 Turtle Dove. David & Brenda Hale
Sunday 08th June 2014southerly to easterly, partly cloudy, max24°c
Fobbing/Corringham Marshes/Coryton 07:45 to 11:55
1 adult Hobby near Fobbing village, 1 Yellowhammer heard near Fobbing village, c.6 Little Egret, Cetti's Warbler heard near village and at Coryton, 1 Lesser Whitethroat heard, 1 drake Pochard on Manorway Fleet, 2 single Cuckoo. Richard Fahey.
Great Wakering, Landwick 11:30 to 12:00
1 Hobby, 1 Turtle Dove, 2 Cuckoo, 25 Swallow mobbing the Hobby, 1 Painted Lady butterfly. David Selley.
Riverside Caravan Park 14:00 to 15:00
1 Grey Heron, 1 Pied Wagtail, 2 Mute Swan, 10 Mallard. 1 Water Vole swimming in lake. Also lost from caravan park unfortunately, African Grey Parrot flying south towards Southend On Sea. Tim Sayer.
RSPB Wallasea Island 16:00 to 16:45
4 Shelduck, 1 Pheasant, 1 Little Egret, 4 Yellow Wagtail, 12 Corn Bunting, 2 Skylark, 5 Linnet, 2 Magpie, 2 Mallard, 20+ Carrion Crow, 1 Kestrel, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Greenfinch, 20+ Lesser Black-backed Gull, 70+ Herring Gull, 2 Blackbird, 100+ Black-headed Gull, 1 Oystercatcher, 100+ Woodpigeon, 200+ Starling, 4 Reed Bunting. Rob Harris.
Saturday 07th June 2014south westerly, partly cloudy, max23°c
RSPB Wallasea Island 19:45 to 20:20
2 Skylark, 7 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Blackbird, 5 Linnet, 2 Magpie, 6 Corn Bunting, 3 Reed Bunting, 12 Carrion Crow, 30+ Starling, 2 Pheasant, 40+ Wood Pigeon, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Little Egret, 2 Mallard + Ducklings, 4 Shelduck, 3 Avocet, 12 Redshank, 2 Oystercatcher, 60+ Black Headed Gull, 70+ Herring Gull, 30+ Lesser Black Backed Gull, 1 Brown Hare. Rob Harris.
Paglesham 20:30 to 20:50
1 Little Owl, 2 Pied Wagtail, 5 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Blackbird, 6 Corn Bunting, 3 Reed Bunting, 2 Carrion Crow, 3 Magpie, 1 Pheasant, 1 Blue Tit, 12 Wood Pigeon. Rob Harris.
Friday 06th June 2014easterly, clear, max20°c
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 08:20 to 11:30
1 Turtle Dove Coryton, 1 1st year Hobby on west border fence Coryton, white beneath with finely streaked breast, 1 Marsh Harrier mobbed by Magpie over manorway reed bed, 1 Water Rail heard close to track at Manorway Fleet, c.7 Little Egret, c.7 Linnet, 1 Lapwing. Richard Fahey.
Hanningfield Reservoir Causeway 08:30 to 09:00
100+ Swift, 30 House Martin, 4 Magpie, 20+ Carrion Crow, 50+ Woodpigeon, 30+ Herring Gull, 50+ Black-headed Gull, 40+ Tufted Duck, 100+ Mallard, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Mandarin Duck, 50+ Coot, 100+ Greylag Geese + Goslings, 70+ Canada Geese, 5 Mute Swan, 40+ Cormorant. Rob Harris.
Thursday 05th June 2014westerly, partly cloudy, max20°c
Leigh on Sea, Pall Mall 07:30
9 juvenile Jackdaw - two or three broods together and making a lot of noise on my sister-in law's roof. David Selley.
Hullbridge, Watery Lane 19:00
1 Little Owl. James Parker.
Southend, Aviation Way21:35
1 Barn Owl. Les.
Wednesday 04th June 2014westerly, rain showers, max15°c
Southend, Wyatts Drive 06:55
One Male Sparrowhawk briefly perched on garden fence. Alec Beanse.
Ashingdon 17:15 to 17:40
85 Swift in feeding movement westwards away from heavy showers and towards blue sky. David Selley.
Tuesday 03rd June 2014south south west, mostly cloudy, max19°c
Coryton, Manorway 09:00 to 15:00
Marsh Harrier, female Kestrel feeding at least 3 chicks (did have 6 eggs) Peregrine Falcon, Oystercatcher, Shelduck pair, Goldfinch, Linnet, Pied Wagtail, male Chaffinch. N. Wright.
Monday 02nd June 2014variable, partly cloudy, max19°c
No reports received for this day.
Sunday 01st June 2014easterly, partly cloudy, max20°c
Hockley, Plumberow Mount/Wood 11:00 to 12:00
4 Buzzard passing over, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Treecreeper, 5 Goldfinch, 2 Greenfinch, 1 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff. David Glover.
Courtend, Foulness Island 13:00 to 13:10
2 Buzzard over garden. Steve a& Fran Giles.
Two Tree Island West 13:30 to 14:30
1 Grey Parakeet lifted from about 200 yards in from sea wall half way to the hides and flew over to Canvey. 2 Shelduck, 2 Avocet, c. 20 Oystercatcher, many Black-headed Gull, c.10 Common Tern, 5 Lapwing, Cuckoo heard, 5 Whitethroat. 2 Oak Eggars Caterpillar and 1 Brown-tail Moth Caterpillar. John Carson.