Bird Reports for March 2003


Monday 31st March 2003  (first summer migrant report - Yellow Wagtail)
 Fobbing Marsh 08:00: 1 Whooper Swan with two mute swan in field adjacent to Oozedam Farm. Stephen Burt & Jon Hunter.
Vange Marsh, 17:00 to 18:00: 1 Little Gull (1st winter), 1 Little Egret (no sign of Garganey reported earlier on birdnet). Vince Kinsler, Mike Bailey (SOG).
Fleet Head, 18:00 to 19:40: 3 Short-eared Owl (1 around the Potton Road and tip area with 2 on Potton Island), 1 Barn Owl (Potton Island), 1 Hen Harrier (ringtail seen over towards Rushley Island), 1 Yellow Wagtail (a fine male along the central track), 6 Avocet, 4 Canada Goose, 3 Snipe, 1 Spotted Redshank, 32 Little Egret (on the foulness roost), 1 Corn Bunting. Steve Arlow, Paul Griggs (SOG).
Stanford Warren 19:00 - 20:00: 2 Cetti's Warbler heard singing at dusk in reeds between Mucking Church and bridge over creek, Several Water Rail heard, 1 Bearded Tit heard. Stephen Burt & Jin Hunter.

Sunday 30th March 2003
 Belfairs N.R., 10:30: 1 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (calling in Dodd's Grove, by the brook). Tony Mead (SOG).
Wakering 11:30 to 12:00: 1 Oystercatcher (Leucistic bird on the saltings). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Benfleet Creek, 16:00 to 17:00: 40 Black-tailed Godwit (Plus Bar-tailed Godwits, Curlews, Turnstones, Teal, Pochard), 1 Stonechat (Male, along the borrow dyke/Hadleigh Marsh.e). John Wright (SOG).
Belfairs Woods 16:20 - 16:40: 1 Stock Dove, 1 Redwing, 1 Mistle Thrush, 3 Nuthatch. David Lee.
Hadleigh Downs 16:30 - 17:45: 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Chiffchaff,(lots singing). Stuart Bailey.
Two Tree Island (West), 17:05 to 18:00: 42 Avocet (On the lagoon), 2 Little Egret (Lagoon), 2 Snipe (Lagoon), 3 Shoveler (Males), 1 Short-eared Owl (Hunting east of the model aeroplane area and on the east side of T.T.I.). John Wright (SOG).

Saturday 29th March 2003 (first summer migrant report - Willow Warbler)
 Hadleigh Downs, 09:30 to 11:30: 18 Chiffchaff, 4 Blackcap. Andrew Woodhouse Essex Ranger Service.
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole Area 09.50 - 11.50: Great Crested Grebe, Reed Bunting x3, Canada Goose x3, Greylag Goose x2, Little Egret x3, Shelduck x14, Curlew. Ray Fuller.
Vange Marsh, 10:00 to 11:00: 1 Little Gull (1st winter), 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Cetti's Warbler (Sang briefly from reed bed), 6 Great Crested Grebe, 8 Little Grebe, 2 Wigeon (Pair, plus Pochard, Tufted Duck, Teal), 6 Chiffchaff. John Wright (SOG).
Belfairs N.R., 11:00: 1 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (calling in willows along the brook in Dodd's Grove). Tony Mead (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park, 11:00 to 12:40: 1 Mediterranean Gull (Adult summer, on the scrape displaying to Black-headed Gulls), 15 Chiffchaff, 125 Wigeon (on Bowers Marsh), 1 Water Rail (Heard). John Wright (SOG).
Rochford Golf Course, 13:00 to 16:45: 1 Redwing (singing), 1 Willow Warbler (singing), 1 Chiffchaff (singing), 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Green Woodpecker. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Wakering Stairs 14:00 - 16:00: Yellowhammer (male), Barn Owl, Little Egret, Reed Bunting, Marsh Harrier, Grey Heron, Skylark, Kestrel. Barry Jackson.
Vange Marsh, 14:00 to 14:45: 1 Little Gull (1st winter, continually "dipping" and hawking ), 1 Snipe, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Chiffchaff (singing). Paul Baker  (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park, 15:00 to 15:55: 2 Bearded Tit (heard pinging), 4 Snipe, 5 Reed Bunting, Good spot to see the Marsh Harrier 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Water Rail (heard in front of hide). Paul Baker  (SOG).
Fleet Head, Wakering 16:00: Nice winter visitor male Hen Harrier, about 100 yards south of the swing bridge on to Potton Island, hunting along the sea wall on the island side of Potton Creek. Tim Bennett.

Thursday 27th March 2003
 Chalkwell Park Drive, 06:25 to 06:45: 1 Blackcap (male in and around the garden). John Wright (SOG).
 Hadleigh Downs 13:00: 9 Chiffchaff. Andrew Woodhouse Essex Ranger Service.
Hadleigh Country Park 14:00 - 15:00: 8 Chiffchaff, 2 Short-eared Owls crossing Two Tree Island. Roger Shinn.

Wednesday 26th March 2003
The Fleet, Wakering 18:30:  Seems to be a regular Barn Owl along sea wall. Web Author.
Wakering Church 19:00: Tawny Owl flying in vicinity of church yard. Lee Ebbs.

Monday 24th March 2003
Southend Seafront, 13:00 to 13:20: Winter rarity 1 Ring-billed Gull, 1 Mediterranean Gull (2nd winter). Vince Kinsler (SOG).
Westcliff Seafront, 16:45 to 17:15: Winter rarity 1 Ring-billed Gull (Adult showing well east of the casino but also in usual area opp. Rossi's, often on the lamp posts.) John Wright (SOG).

Sunday 23rd March 2003
Chalkwell Park Drive, 10:00 to 10:05: 1 Sparrowhawk (Male, hunting through the garden. Plus 2 Brimstones in the garden.). John Wright (SOG).
Hadleigh Downs, 14:00 to 15:00: 6 Chiffchaff (Singing. Plus Peacocks, Commas & Small Tortoiseshell Butterflies.). John Wright (SOG).
Rochford Golf Course, 14:20 to 17:30: 1 Kingfisher, 2 Chiffchaff (singing), 1 Redwing (singing). Neil Chambers (SOG).
Fleet Head / Wakering Tip 16.00 - 17.45: 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Common Snipe, 2 Spotted Redshank, 3 Little Egret, 4 Black-tailed Godwit, A good place to see this bird 1 Barn Owl, 2 Short-eared Owl (1 on Rushley and 1 hunting over the old rubbish tip and Common), A good place to see this bird 1 Hen Harrier ( Male hunting on Rushley). Steve Hiscock.
Fleet Head, 16:15 to 18:20:  A good place to see this bird 1 Barn Owl (near dusk by the bridge), A good place to see this bird 1 Hen Harrier (a male over the Fleet), 3 Ruff, 2 Spotted Redshank, 1 Greenshank, 1 Little Egret, 1 Snipe, 2 Black-tailed Godwit. Steve Arlow (SOG).
Tollesbury Wick: 1 Short-eared Owl. D.Messenger.
Hanningfield Reservoir (from causeway): 2m & 1 f Red-crested Pochard, 2 Grey Wagtail, 2 White/Pied Wagtails. D.Messenger.

Saturday 22nd March 2003
Fleet Head, 08:15 to 10:00: 10 Little Egret (Fleet Head and surrounding creeks & islands.), Nice Sighting 1 Hen Harrier (Male on Potton/Rushley Is.), 1 Short-eared Owl (Potton/Rushley Is.), 3 Snipe, 300 Brent Goose. John Wright (SOG).
Two Tree Island 08:30: Short-eared Owl quartering Country Park side. 40+ Avocets on Lagoon with Pair of Gadwall, 5 Shoveler, 3 Common Snipe. Terry Strong.
Little Wakering, 09:00 to 09:10: 1 Sparrowhawk. John Wright (SOG).
The Fleet (from Wakering old tip) 09:30 - 10:50: 1 male Hen Harrier, 1 Short-eared Owl both on Rushley Island 8 Little Egret. Web Author. Also Skylarks.
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole Area 09.40 - 11.40: Greylag Goose x2, Brent Goose x93, Reed Bunting x2, Widgeon x19, Great Crested Grebe x2, Shelduck x15, Grey Plover, Wheatear, Curlew x6. Ray Fuller.
Belfairs Woods 09:45: 3 Nuthatch, 1 Coal Tit, 2 Stock Doves. Terry Strong.
Gunners Park, 09:50 to 12:00: 1 Siskin (flew over calling), 2 Green Woodpecker. Steve Arlow (SOG).
Oxenham Farm, 10:15 to 12:00: 5 Little Egret, 35 Knot, 25 Golden Plover, 40 Black-tailed Godwit. John Wright (SOG).
Westcliff Seafront 10:30 - 10:50: 2 Mediterranean Gull (both unringed 2nd summer), Winter rarity 1 Ring-billed Gull coming to bread on the beach by Rossi's. Also 1 Green Woodpecker by Casino. Stephen Harris.
Southend Pier 11:30 - 12:30: 1 winter-plumage Black-throated Diver drifted west with the tide, 2 Mediterranean Gulls (1st summers). Also one or more (probably two) Harbour Porpoises around the pierhead. Stephen Harris.
Oxenham Farm, 12:10 to 14:00: 92 Golden Plover, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Little Egret, 1 Green Sandpiper. Steve Arlow (SOG).
Gunners Park - Shoebury (off shore)  13:20 - 14:20: 39 Common Eider. Quite a number of 1st winter drakes and also one full summer drake. Web Author.
Benfleet Creek 15:00: 1 Short-eared Owl. Andy Ponton.

Friday 21st March 2003
Gunners Park, 13:00 to 14:00: 1 Blackbird (partially leucistic). Steve Arlow  (SOG).
Westcliff Seafront, 16:35 to 16:50: 1 Mediterranean Gull (2nd summer), Winter rarity 1 Ring-billed Gull (The adult again showing very well down to 15 feet on the groyne just east of Rossi). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Wakering, Rushley Island 17:10: 1 Hen Harrier (ringtail). Don Petrie (SOG).
Fleet Head, 17:10 to 18:00: 1 Barn Owl (around the barns from 17.50 onwards), 1 Little Egret, 1 Kestrel, 4 Pochard (2 pairs on boatyard pool), 8 Tufted Duck (4 pairs on boatyard pool). Don Petrie (SOG).
Gunners Park, 17:15 to 17:20: 1 White / Pied Wagtail (still on the pools to the east of the road this evening). Steve Arlow (SOG).

Thursday 20th March 2003 
Priory Park 08:00: Woodcock seen flying over priory crescent. Don Wildish.
Wat Tyler Country Park 10:00 - 11:00: 2 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Mute Swan, 1 Cetti's Warbler (singing to right of hide), 1 Reed Bunting. Stuart Bailey.
Belfairs Golf Course, 11:15 to 12:20: 1 Nuthatch (also a brimstone butterfly). Dudley Shayler  (SOG).
Little Wakering, 17:20: 600 Golden Plover (landed in fields west of the Little Wakering church) Steve Arlow  (SOG).
Paglesham Churchend 17:45 - 18:15: Barn Owl along sea wall and pair Little Owls along road to Punch Bowl. Hilary Knight.

Wednesday 19th March 2003
Westcliff Casino, 08:10 to 08:15: Winter rarity 1 Ring-billed Gull (adult), 1 Mediterranean Gull (1st-summer). Paul Griggs (SOG).
Hanningfield Reservoir 14:00 - 15:00: From Causeway - 1 drake Scaup, 1 drake Red-crested Pochard, Escaped bird 1 Ringed Teal. Ernie Hillier.

Tuesday 18th March 2003
 Little Wakering: Very rare 3 Common Crane roosting on field behind Little Wakering Church - Now scared of by farmer..
Gunners Park, Shoebury 09:55 to 11:00: 1 Grey Heron, 8 Common Eider (off shore), 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Curlew, 6 Common Redshank, 1 Common Gull, 1 Kingfisher (watched for 20 minutes fishing from trees just before end pond), Green Woodpecker, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, 3 Mistle Thrush, Long-tailed Tits, Linnets. Kingfisher also seen again at 17:30 perched on metal railing by end pond. Web Author.
Hanningfield Reservoir 11:00: Chiffchaff at EWT Reserve. John Bennett.
Westcliff Casino, 13:10 to 12:35: 5 Mediterranean Gull (1 adult-summer, 3 2nd-summer, 1 1st-summer), 1 Sanderling. Paul Griggs, Steve Arlow (SOG).
Two Tree Island 18:10 - 18:15: Still resident 1 Barn Owl. Andy Ponton.

Monday 17th March 2003
 Little Wakering: Very rare 3 Common Crane roosting on field behind Little Wakering Church.
Southend Seafront, 09:00 to 13:00: Local rarity 1 Red-necked Grebe (Pier), 1 White / Pied Wagtail ('White' Gunners), Winter rarity 1 Ring-billed Gull (Rossi), 556 Sanderling, 16 Mediterranean Gull. Chris Lewis (SOG).
Priory Park 13:00 - 13:30: 2 Green Woodpecker, 3 Goldcrest, 2-3 Grey Wagtail and 2 Goldfinch. Steve Sanford.

Sunday 16th March 2003
 Little Wakering: Very rare 3 Common Crane roosting on field behind Little Wakering Church.
 Gunners Park, 06:30 to 07:20: 1 White / Pied Wagtail (White Wagtail still on the pools on the east side of the road), 1 Grey Wagtail, 3 Green Woodpecker. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Westcliff Seafront, 07:30 to 07:45: Winter rarity 1 Ring-billed Gull, 6 Mediterranean Gull (2 ad, 2nd sum, 3 1st sum). Neil Chambers, Richard Hall (SOG).
Westcliff Seafront, 08:00 to 08:15: 6 Mediterranean Gull (2 adult summers, 2 2nd summers and 2 1st summers), Winter rarity 1 Ring-billed Gull. Steve Arlow (SOG)
Southend Pier, 08:30 to 11:00: 4 Mediterranean Gull (2 2nd summers, 1 adult summer and 1 1st summer), 3 Eider (all 1st year males), 5 Guillemot, 4 Red-throated Diver, 2 Great Northern Diver (flew east), 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 7 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Mallard (pair around the lifeboat bay). Steve Arlow, Harry Carmichael  (SOG)
Hadleigh Downs, 08:30 to 09:30: 1 Chiffchaff, 4 Kestrel. Andrew Woodhouse Essex Ranger Service.
Wat Tyler Country Park, 10:00 to 10:25: 1 Reed Bunting, 1 Water Rail, 4 Bearded Tit. Vince Kinsler (SOG).
Gunners Park, 12:00 to 12:15: 1 White / Pied Wagtail (the White Wagtail still on the flooded area east of the road). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Wakering Old Tip 15.15-16.00: 2 Little Egret, 1 Hen Harrier ( Ringtail on Rushley), 1 Sparrowhawk. Steve Hiscock.

Saturday 15th March 2003 (first summer migrant report - White Wagtail)
 Little Wakering: Very rare 3 Common Crane roosting on field behind Little Wakering Church.
 Hockley Woods 07:30 - 08:30: 20 Blue Tit, 8 Great Tit, 2 Nuthatch, 1 Greater Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Green Woodpecker, 4 Jay, 5 Long-tailed Tit. Richard Mander.
 Westcliff Seafront, 07:50 to 08:15: Winter rarity 1 Ring-billed Gull, 1 Mediterranean Gull (ad. sum, 2nd win, 2 1st sum.). Neil Chambers (SOG)
Gunners Park, 08:30 to 09:20: 2 Green Woodpecker, 16 Great Crested Grebe off shore. Neil Chambers (SOG)
Wakering Rubbish Tip, 09:50 to 11:00: 1 Hen Harrier (male on Potton Is.), 2 Sparrowhawk, 1 Sand Martin (flew through heading north), 2 Little Egret, Neil Chambers (SOG).
Thundersley 09:50: 1 Male Sparrowhawk flew in low over side gate into my garden, made a pass at the (deserted) bird table, and then perched on the open door of the gardsn shed for 2/3 minutes, before flying low over the adjacent hedge. Mike Sagrott.
Westcliff Seafront, 11:20 to 11:30: 4 Mediterranean Gull (2nd sum, 2 1st sum, 1st win (green ringed bird). Neil Chambers (SOG)
Westcliff. opposite Rossi's 13:00 - 14:00: Winter rarity Adult Ring-billed Gull, Mediterranean Gull ad in full summer plumage (in same scope view as above in brilliant sunlight), 2 2nd winter (one with near full hood), 2 1st winter, one with green leg ring. Jeff Delve.
Gunners Park - Shoebury 13:15 to 13:24: 1 Kestrel, 1 Red-legged Partridge (in EWT reserve), 3 Common Redshank, Green Woodpecker, 1 White Wagtail, 9 House Sparrow. Steve Arlow, Paul Griggs, Web Author.
Southend Pier 14:00 15:30: 1 Curlew, 20 Turnstone, 10 Redshank, 20 Oystercatcher, 30 Black-headed Gull, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 8 Brent Goose, 2 Crow. Richard Mander.
The Fleet, Wakering 14:00 - 15:00: 3 Kestrel, 11 Little Egret. Web Author.
Southchurch Hall Park 15:00: Winter visitors pair of Mandarin Duck. Tim and Adam Bennett.
Westcliff Casino, 15:20 to 15:30: 1 Mediterranean Gull (adult-summer). Paul Griggs, Steve Arlow (SOG).
Wallasea Island: 22 Mute Swan, Merlin, female, flushed from road and hunting ditch lines, 30 Fieldfare, 4 Corn Bunting, 2 Little Egret. Jeff Delve.
Stambridge: 2,000 Black-headed and Common Gulls in field opposite football ground following plough. Jeff Delve.
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole Area 09.45 - 11.45: Great Crested Grebe x3, Canada Goose x2, Shelduck x20, Little Egret x3, Kestrel, Mute Swan x5 ( in fields ), Curlew x3. Ray Fuller.

Friday 14th March 2003
 Leigh on Sea, 08:00 to 08:05: 6 Jackdaw (Around the roof tops of Pall Mall, Leigh.). John Wright (SOG)
Southend Pier 11:20 - 11:45: Local rarity Red-necked Grebe swimming and diving south-west of the Pier head of Southend Pier between 11.20-11.45 this morning. Clive Jolly.
Gunners Park, 11:55 to 12:00: Very Rare Sighting! 3 Common Crane (Crossed park from estuary. Steady direct flight SW-NE, over garrison church towards East Beach veering N. Highest, above level of  church and surrounding trees, level constant in flight over park Harry Carmichael (SOG)

Red Ringed Herring Gull: Steve Arlow observed a red ringed Herring Gull on the 11th March at Westcliff Seafront, Steve has kindly supplied the following details of the birds history:

'Thanks for the sighting. From what I can see your image I can work out that the ring is actually KLS. This bird is getting around a bit, 12 days before your sighting it was photographed at Lowestoft. Full life-history is as follows:-

21.07.02 Orfordness, Suffolk - ringed as pullus
29.10.02 Pipp's Ford, Needham Market, near Ipswich, Suffolk
27.02.03 Lowestoft, Suffolk

Thanks again and please let me know if you see any more of our red-ringed gulls.'

Wednesday 12th March 2003
 Westcliff Seafront, 08:30 to 10:00: Local Rarity 1 Ring-billed Gull (adult again opposite Rossi's on the foreshore), 7 Mediterranean Gull (3 adult summers, 1 1st winter (green ringed 3LL7), 2 1st summers and 1 2nd summer (Red 7E9)). Steve Arlow (SOG)
Wat Tyler Country Park 10:00 - 11:00: 1 Sand Martin, 3 Little Egret, 1 Cetti's Warbler (singing), 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Water Rail, 1 Kestrel. Jerry Stock.
Hanningfield Reservoir - West Bank (Permit access only) 10.30-12.00: 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Siskin, 3 Grey Wagtail, 45 Teal, 20 Goldeneye. Nick Green EBWS.
Gunners Park, Shoebury 16:15 - 17:45: Kingfisher, Grey Heron, 5 Oystercatcher,  34 Redshank, Whimbrel (in EWT reserve, also observed on 10/03/03 ) pair Teal, 7 Mistle Thrush, 3 Song Thrush, 3 Long-tailed Tit, Kestrel. Steve Giles.

Tuesday 11th March 2003 (possible summer migrant report - Chiffchaff)
 Westcliff Seafront, 08:30 to 10:45: Local Rarity 1 Ring-billed Gull (adult again present on the mudflats and pavement), 6 Mediterranean Gull (2 full adult summers, 2 2nd summers including a fully hooded bird which is a new individual and 2 1st summer birds including the French rung Green ringed bird 3LL7.), 1 Herring Gull (1st winter bird with red ring on the left leg and an unreadable metal ring on the right. RED ring was either KL3 or KL5 or RL3 or RL5. The angle in which the ring was read meant that the whole ring was not visible.). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Southchurch 12:00: Chiffchaff in garden. Observed clearly a few yards from house feeding vigorously at ground level. Rate of feeding could indicate newly arrived migrant as no Chiffchaffs observed at all during winter in area. Dave Goddard.
Priory Park 13:00 - 13:30: 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Goldcrest and 1 Chiffchaff. Steve Sanford.
Wat Tyler Country Park, 16:00 to 17:30: 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Spotted Redshank, 12 Black-tailed Godwit, 40 Curlew, 78 Shoveler, 1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Little Egret. Vince Kinsler (SOG).
Gunners Park 16:20 - 17:30: Kingfisher, Green Woodpecker, 2 Oystercatcher, 2 Long-tailed Tit. Steve Giles.

Monday 10th March 2003
Pitsea: Rare winter visitor 21 Waxwing present in the Oldwyck area of Vange at about 11.00. Robin Guppy.
Eastwood, 11:40 to 11:45: 1 Coal Tit (briefly on birdtable), 1 Nuthatch, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker. Vince Kinsler (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park 14:15: 1 Peregrine drifted right to left in the air for approx. 3 minutes passing over top of hide to the right. Also 1 Water Rail heard. Kevin Rees.
Gunners Park, Shoebury 13:30: 1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Fieldfare, 5 Mistle Thrush, 6 Eider off shore. Web Author.
Gunners Park 16:30 - 17:30: 3 Redwing, 2 Mistle Thrush, Green Woodpecker, Curlew, 7 Redshank, 2 Oystercatcher, Grey Heron, 2 pairs Teal, male Kestrel. Steve Giles.
Pagelsham Eastend 16:45 - 16:50: Male Hen Harrier hunting along ditch in Paglesham Road. Headed off towards Hampton Barns. 
Hilary Knight.

Sunday 09th March 2003 (first summer migrant report - Wheatear)
Gunners Park 08:00: 8 Mistle Thrush, 2 Redwing, 1 Fieldfare, 2 Green Woodpecker, 3 Long-tailed Tit . Richard Mander 
Two Tree Island 09:30: 40+ Avocet in creek. Web Author.
Hanningfield Reservoir 1000-1200: 2 male and 1 female Red Crested Pochard. Kevin Rees.
Southend Pier, 11:30 to 16:25: Local Rarity 1 Red-necked Grebe (a moulting adult present in the lifeboat bay all afternoon showing well. This may be the bird that was reported on pagers from here yesterday as a 1st winter ?), 11 Mediterranean Gull (3 adults, 3 2nd winters, 1 2nd summer and 4 1st winters), 6 Guillemot, 1 Red-throated Diver, 1 Kittiwake (adult), 3 Eider (close under the boardwalk included 2 immature males). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Gunners Park 11:30: 1 Mistle Thrush, 1 Redwing, 3 Fieldfare, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Kestrel. Web Author.
East Tilbury 14:00 - 15:30: 300+ Avocet and 1 possible Peregrine over Cliffe. 1 female Merlin. This bird came over sea wall and straight into a large flock of Dunlin on the tideline. She picked out her snack and drove it out of the flock and out over the river. At about 200 yards out she made the kill low over the water and then climbed high with two Black Headed Gulls in pursuit. Kevin Rees.
Chalkwell Park Drive, 14:45: 1 Mediterranean Gull (Over the garden). John Wright (SOG).
The Fleet, Wakering 15:00 - 17:00: Male Wheatear, 7 Little Egret, 5 Avocet, 4 Mute Swan, c300 Brent Geese, c60 Shelduck, 2 pairs Shoveler, 3 Little Grebe, 2 Ringed Plover, Kestrel. Steve Giles.
Wallasea Island: 17:00 - 17:50: 2 Green Sandpiper, 1 Short-eared Owl, 2,500 Brent, 38 Mute Swan. Jeff Delve and Nick Green EBWS.
Two Tree Island (East) 17.40 - 18.35: 4 Little Egret roosting, 36 Brent Goose on mudflats, 8 Shelduck on mudflats, Nice Sighting 1 Barn Owl 1 quartering ground at 18.05. Martin Johnson.

Saturday 08th March 2003
Gunners Park, Shoebury 08:40 - 09:50: 7 Oystercatcher, 6 Common Redshank, 1 Green Woodpecker, Pied Wagtail, 4 Fieldfare. Web Author.
South Famvridge / Brandy Hole Area 09.45 - 11.45: Widgeon x9, Brent Goose x16, Shelduck x41, Great Crested Grebe x3, Curlew x10, Little Egret x2, Reed Bunting x2 . Ray Fuller.
Wat Tyler Country Park, 10:35 to 11:05: 1 Cetti's Warbler (singing), Nice Sighting 1 Marsh Harrier (showing very well), 1 Water Rail (calling). Neil Chambers (SOG).

Friday 07th March 2003 (first summer migrant report - Sand Martin)
 Eastwood, 10:15 to 10:20: 2 Siskin (on nut feeder), 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker. Vince Kinsler, Mike Bailey (SOG).
 Southend Pier, 11:00 to 13:00: 8 Guillemot, 5 Mediterranean Gull (2 adults and 3 2nd winters: Note the crane at the pier head for the repair works is now in the lifeboat bay right up against the slipway, no Med Gulls were able to sit on this.), 8 Great Crested Grebe. Steve Arlow (SOG).
Southchurch Park East, 13:45 to 15:00: 4 Mediterranean Gull (2 adults & 2 1st summers). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Swan Lane, Stock 15:00: 2 Sand Martins. Kevin Rees.

Thursday 06th March 2003
 Chalkwell Park Drive, 08:30 to 08:35: 11 Redwing (Flew over the garden). John Wright (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park, 09:00 to 11:00: Worth looking out for  1 Marsh Harrier (female), 1 Cetti's Warbler (heard to sing very briefly), 2 Water Rail (calling). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Westcliff Seafront, 11:30 to 11:45: 2 Mediterranean Gull (adult summer and 1st summer) Steve Arlow (SOG).
Southchurch Park West, 11:55 to 12:00: 1 Mediterranean Gull (adult) Steve Arlow (SOG).
Priory Park, 12:45 to 13:10: 1 Green Woodpecker, 30 Redwing, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Goldcrest, 2 Long-tailed Tit. John Wright (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park 14:30 - 16:30: Scarce bird for this area 2 White-fronted Goose, Cetti's Warbler calling near main hide and Water Rail calling. Vince Kinsler (SOG), Web Author.
Two Tree Island 17:55: Worth looking out for Barn Owl observed with captured prey south of EWT entrance. Andy Ponton, Web Author.

Wednesday 05th March 2003
 Wat Tyler Country park 08:30 - 12:30: 4m+6f Tufted Ducks, 2f Little Grebe, 1 Great Crested Grebe, on the Fleet.10+ Long Tailed Tits, at Holly cottage hide 20+ Curlew, 1 Whimbrel, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit on the Creek at the Marina,   Worth looking out for 1 male Marsh Harrier over the Marsh. Martin Itter.
Pitsea, 09:00 to 09:15: Rare winter visitor 5 Waxwing (feeding on buds on central island). Vince Kinsler (SOG).
Westcliff Seafront, 12:00 to 13:00: Rare winter visitor 1 Ring-billed Gull (the adult was showing exceptionally well again this afternoon down to just a few yards.), 8 Mediterranean Gull (1 2nd summer, 3 1st summers including the green ringed bird 3LL7, 2 adults and 2 2nd winters including the red ringed bird 7E9; all showing exceptionally well this afternoon.). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park 12.00-12.30: Worth looking out for 1 Marsh Harrier (female), 2 Sparrowhawk (1 male, 1 female). Steve Hiscock.
Wat Tyler Country Park (brief visit): Worth looking out for 1 male Marsh Harrier showing well plus Sparrowhawk, Snipe and a calling Cetti's Warbler. Kevin Rees.

Tuesday 04th March 2003
Wat Tyler Country Park: The Bittern was logged in the sightings book as being seen again today. This time to the back right hand side of scrape in front of  the hide.

Monday 03rd March 2003 (first summer migrant report - Whimbrel)
Barling, 08:00 to 12:40: 1 Green Woodpecker (at Ropers Farm), 1 Larus Spp. (a 1st winter bird on the Rubbish tip seen for about 2 minutes was almost certainly a Caspian Gull. Due to brief nature of the sighting I am not going to count it though it was a dead ringer for the birds seen at Dungeness this winter. It was not seen again in the following two hours though there were thousands of gulls on the tip.), 1 Whimbrel (flew along the Roach with a Curlew calling at 8.10am), 1 Green Sandpiper (on Barling Marsh by the tip.), 104 Black-tailed Godwit, 36 Avocet, 7 Goldeneye, 11 Red-breasted Merganser (8 males and 3 females), 50 Golden Plover (flew over Paglesham), 2 Little Egret. Steve Arlow (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park 14:20 - 14:45: 2 Little Egret, 1 female Marsh Harrier, Very rare bird for Wat Tyler 1 Bittern flew across road to left of hide and landed in reeds between creek and scrape 70 yds at 10 o clock from hide. Kevin Rees. (Note: the last confirmed sighting of Bittern in the Southend area was also at Wat Tyler on 25th January 1993 - Ed).
Southend 17:45 to 17:50: 178 White / Pied Wagtail (Pre-roost gathering on car park at Tesco just off A127. Most birds then roosted in bushes bordering the car park and the mini roundabout near the petrol pumps.). Mike Bailey (SOG)

Sunday 02nd March 2003
Gunners Park 09:00 - 10:00: 1 Kestrel (male), 20 Greenfinch, 6 Robin, 6 Dunnock, 1 Blue Tit, 12 Oystercatcher, 100 Redshank, 8 Blackbird, 6 Magpie (1 nest building). Richard Mander.
Westcliff Seafront (between Casino and Rossi) 10 :15: Confirmed Sighting Adult Ring-billed Gull, Mediterranean Gulls 2 ad, 1 2nd W, 1 1st W. Jeff Delve and Nick Green. EBWS.
Southend Pier, 10:45 to 13:00: Guillemot 18, Nice Sighting Razorbill 10, Red-throated Diver 3, Great Crested Grebe 17, Eider imm male and female, Kittiwake 2 ad, Mediterranean Gulls 14 (5 adults inc. A00 and 2 Czech birds ('Praha' on metal rings), one with a total hood; 5 2nd W inc. yellow 57P ; 4 1st winter inc green ring 3LL7 and another with metal ring E-90???0). Turnstone 104, and a Tufted Duck drake on the sea! Jeff Delve and Nick Green EBWS.
Leigh Creek & Mudflats Behind Cockle Sheds 11:10: Brent Goose c 45, Knot c. 400. Martin Johnson.
Two Tree Island (Western Half inc. Lagoon and Benfleet Creek) 11.30 - 13.40: Great crested Grebe 1, Little Egret 1, Brent Goose 12, Shelduck 14, Mallard, Shoveler 2, Teal c. 30, Oystercatcher, Avocet 38, Ringed Plover, Grey Plover, Lapwing, Knot, Turnstone, Dunlin, Redshank, Greenshank 1, Bar-tailed Godwit c. 200 (over by Tewkes Creek area), Curlew, Common Snipe 7. Martin Johnson.
Oxenham Farm, Wakering 14:00 - 15:30: 5 Little Egret, 4 Kestrel, Red-legged Partridge, Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Reed Bunting. Stuart Bailey.
Fleet Head, Wakering 15:00 - 16:30: 3 Little Egret, 7 Grey Heron, 2 pairs Shoveler, 2 Little Grebe, 3 Mute Swan, 200+ Brent Geese, 40+ Shelduck, Kestrel, 30+ Meadow Pipit, 7 Skylark. Steve and Corrina Giles.
Wat Tyler Country Park 15:00 - 15:30: 1 Peregrine, 2 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk plus usual waterbirds.Nice Sighting 1 Female Marsh Harrier very visible in open field parrying with three crows and a fox. Kevin Rees.
Haven Point, Wakering looking over Havengore 15:30 - 16:45: 4 Short-eared Owl, 1 Barn Owl. Jeff Delve and Nick Green EBWS.
Two Tree Island 16:00 - 18:00: Little Egret, 2 Kestrel, Stonechat, Meadow Pipit, Corn Bunting. Stuart Bailey.
Fleet Head, Wakering: 1 Barn Owl. Jeff Delve and Nick Green EBWS

Saturday 01st March 2003
Pitsea, 08:30 to 08:45: Rare winter visitor 41 Waxwing (Aldi supermarket car park & central reservation opposite MacDonalds/Lidl's. ). John Wright (SOG).
Southend Pier, 08:35 to 10:30: 7 Mediterranean Gull (4 adults that include the French green ringed birds A00 and E02 and the Czech Republic birds, 2 2nd winters with a new Yellow ring bird 57P and a 1st winter), 2 Red-throated Diver, Nice Sighting 12 Razorbill (The largest influx into the estuary for many a year),  19 Guillemot, 1 Sparrowhawk (female flew south), 3 Kittiwake, 2 Eider, 5 Great Crested Grebe. Steve Arlow (SOG).
South Fambridge Brandy Hole Area 09.50 - 12.05: Brent Goose x76, Red Breasted Merganser x11, ( 3 female 8 male ), Grey Plover x2, Shelduck x30, Widgeon x6, Little Egret x6, Mute Swan x18 ( 16 in fields ), Great Crested Grebe. Plus the" ill fated" Porpoise towards Hullbridge . Ray Fuller.
Hockley Woods, 09:15 to 11:15: 8 Redwing, 10 Goldcrest, 6 Stock Dove, 6 Green Woodpecker, 4 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 6 Nuthatch, 2 Siskin. John Wright (SOG).
Southend Seafront, 10:50 to 10:55: 1 Mediterranean Gull (2nd winter bird was the Red ringed 7E9 bird.). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Wallasea Island 11:00 - 14:00: 5 Little Egrets, 800+ Lapwing, 2,500 Golden Plover, 2 Avocet, 44 Mute Swans, male Hen Harrier, 1 Short-eared Owl, 5 Great Crested Grebe, 6 Merganser, 33 Corn Bunting, 2 Green Sandpiper. Also: There was a creamy coloured, leucistic Lapwing amongst the flock that really stands out - observers beware!  Water Rail at the new fishing pits behind Lion House, nr Lion Creek. Jeff Delve & Nick Green EBWS.
Leigh on Sea, 11:50 to 12:00: 1 Mediterranean Gull (Adult, almost full summer plumage. On playing fields of St. Thomas More High School, Kenilworth Gardens.). John Wright  (SOG).
Magnolia Nature Reserve 13:00 - 14:00:  3 Green Woodpecker, 2 Goldcrest and 80+ Redwing. Steve Sanford.
Two Tree Island 17:00 - 17:35: 1 Short-eared Owl, 12 Corn Bunting, 8 Little Egret. Jerry Stock.
Two Tree Island: 2 Short-eared Owls seen being mobbed by crows and gulls. Joe House.

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