Bird Reports for March 2009
Tuesday 31st March 2009
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 10.10 - 12.05
2 Avocet, 3 Little Egret, 3 Brent Goose, 6 Curlew, Reed Bunting, 21 Shelduck, 6 Mute Swan, 3 Skylark. Ray Fuller.
Rivers Crouch and Roach Aboard Lady Essex III 13.00 to 16.00
1 Brent Goose, 3 Greylag Goose, 18 Teal 22 Curlew, Avocets Kestrel. 22 Common Seals and a superb 10 minute display often very close to the boat by Peregrine, this bird showed its speed agility and grace to the full jousting with a couple of crows literally yards away from us. Gary Dunn, Chris Tyas, Mark Dixon et al.
Two Tree Island Lagoon 13:30 - 16.00
c.42 Avocet, c.23 Oystercatcher, c.7 Little Egret, 2 Kestrel making use of the boxes provided on Two Tree Island, 12 Ringed Plover, c.9 Teal. Nick M.
Southend, Earls Hall Avenue 14.15
3 female 1 male Siskin, 1 female Ring-necked Parakeet all on garden feeder. Pat Dandridge.
Monday 30th March 2009
Benfleet Downs, 10:00 to 11:00
7 Chiffchaff, 1 Sparrowhawk. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).
Hadleigh Marshes, 11:00 to 12:00
8 Skylark, 1 Stonechat, 2 Linnet, 7 Shelduck, 5 Pochard, 2 Tufted Duck, 3 Little Grebe. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).
Hockley, Next to Riverside Nursery, Lower Road Hockley, Garden 12.30
Swallow. Jeff Caton, Roy Fox.
RSPB Vange Marsh, 16:00 to 17:00
3 Greenshank, 3 Green Sandpiper, 2 Swallow, 2 Gadwall, 12 Shoveler, 1 Cetti's Warbler (heard). Marc Outten RSPB.
Wallasea Wetlands, 17:00 to 18:30
1 Hen Harrier (female flew east along sea wall and onto Foulness), 1 Wheatear (near farm machinery/haystack), 16 Black-tailed Godwit (some in fine summer plumage), 20 Grey Plover, 25 Knot, 3 Dunlin. Jeff Delve (EBS).
Buxey Sands
67 Seals including 18 Grey, 22 Seals on Foulness Sands, 1 Swallow on way out, Green Woodpecker took off from wetlands sea wall and flew north over river. Gary Dunn.
Sunday 29th March 2009
Westcliff Seafront, 08:30 to 08:40
8 Grey Seal. Brian Baldock (SOG).
Gunners Park, 09:00 to 11:00
2 Sparrowhawk, 2 Little Egret, 1 Green Woodpecker, 15 Greenfinch, 4 Shelduck, 1 Curlew. Brian Baldock (SOG).
Hanningfield Reservoir 10.00 - 12.00
3+ singing Blackcap in the woods, plus several Chiffchaff. 1 Slavonian Grebe from the Oak Hide this morning, and 1 male and 1 female Red-crested Pochard around the island. 10-12 House Martin (many more seen earlier by other observers), 2 Goldeneye, 1 Sparrowhawk, and at midday 3 Common Buzzard soaring together high over the West Bank. David Jobbins (Birds of East Tilbury)..
Wat Tyler Country Park, 10:00 to 12:30
2 Little Egret, 4 Whooper Swan (adults still on Bowers marsh), 17 Mute Swan (plus Black Swan on Bowers), 2 Marsh Harrier (1st winters, one of which was a male, neither of these two birds was the 1st w male seen on the 30/1 & 14/2), 1 Kestrel, 11 Wigeon (flew east), 8 Teal, 3 Chiffchaff. John Wright (SOG).
Hockley Woods, 10:10 to 10:55
1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 6 Stock Dove, 1 Nuthatch (vocal around east end of car park again), 1 Treecreeper (singing in glade again), 1 Chiffchaff (singing in glade), 1 Tawny Owl (heard calling occasionally from NE corner of glade ), 1 Sparrowhawk (possibly two, appeared to be displaying over glade). Paul Baker (SOG).
Hyde Hall 10:15 - 14:00
1 Buzzard, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel. Andrew Cox.
Paglesham Lagoon, 10:30 to 12:45
4 Red-breasted Merganser (2m, 2f in creek), 1 Yellowhammer, 2 Corn Bunting, 4 Little Egret, 650 Black-headed Gull. Marc Outten RSPB.
Rochford, Doggetts Chase 10.40 - 12.20
1 Kestrel, 3 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Jay, 4 Song Thrush, many Blue Tit and Great Tit, 4 Long-tailed Tit, 5 Chiffchaff, 2 Cetti's Warbler in thicket at west end of fishing lake. David Selley.
Colchester Zoo, Car Park 11:00
3 Sand Martin and 2 House Martin. Nigel Norton.
Wat Tyler Country Park 11:10 to 13:00
3 Marsh Harrier, 4 Whooper Swan on Bowers Marsh. David Lee & Richard Stanley.
Two Tree Island 13.15 - 15.45
1 Kestrel (female), 4 House Martin, 6 Greenfinch, 1 Dunnock. Terry Priest, Andrew Dutton.
Wakering Stairs, 13:45 to 15:10
81 Great Crested Grebe, 10 Common Scoter, 250 Oystercatcher, 43 Grey Plover, 180 Dunlin, 60 Curlew, 1 Wheatear. Marc Outten RSPB.
Wakering, Fleet Head, 14:00 to 15:45
1 House Martin. 1 Brown Hare. Dudley Shayler (SOG).
Shoeburyness 14.30 to 17.30
5 Siskin, 4 females and 1 male on niger feeders around the garden and drinking in bird bath. Robin & Tracy Guppy.
Rochford Golf Course, 16:20 to 18:00
3 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker (drumming), 1 Mistle Thrush (singing), 1 Stock Dove (singing). Neil Chambers (SOG).
Barling Pits, 16:30 to 17:30
10 Tufted Duck, 2 Pochard, 6 Little Grebe, 1 Green Woodpecker. John Wright (SOG).
Eastern Avenue 18:40
1 Little Owl seen sitting on old tree on waste ground behind Waitrose. Don Wildish.
Saturday 28th March 2009 (first summer migrant report - House Martin)
Wat Tyler Country Park, 10:00 to 10:35
2 Marsh Harrier (imm. male + female), 1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Swallow, 2 Cetti's Warbler (heard), 1 Reed Bunting. Martin Cracknell (SOG).
Rossi's Ice Cream, Westcliff, 10:45 to 10:50
1 Ring-billed Gull (Rossi still there on the groyne showing very well). Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).
Bowers Marshes, 10:45 to 11:00
1 Black Swan, 4 Whooper Swan, 21 Mute Swan. Martin Cracknell (SOG).
Cherry Orchard Lane 11.30
1 House Martin. John Goodman.
Hadleigh Downs, 17:15 to 17:20
1 male Marsh Harrier flew low over coastal path and over fields towards castle. Matt Bruty (SOG).
Two Tree Island (West), 17:30 to 17:50
2 Short-eared Owl, both seen in flight at same time between car park and air strip. Matt Bruty (SOG).
Friday 27th March 2009
Southend High Street, 10:30
1 Grey Wagtail in centre of high street. Web Author, Kris Mee.
Abberton Reservoir 13.30 - 14.30
5 Black-necked Grebe, 2 Slavonian Grebe, 30+ Goldeneye, 50+ Tufted Duck, many Swallow, few Sand Martin and House Martin mixed in, 2 ChiffChaff, 2 Goldcrest. Alec Martin.
Wat Tyler Country Park, 17:25 to 18:00
4 Whooper Swan on Bowers Marsh viewed from the hide, 11 Mute Swan on the scrape, 14 Pochard, 4 Shoveler, 2 Cetti's Warbler (heard), 4 Little Egret, 1 adult male Marsh Harrier. Marc Outten RSPB.
Thursday 26th March 2009
Wakering, Star Lane Pits, 07:30 to 07:55
1 Water Rail, 2 Chiffchaff (heard). Matt Bruty (SOG).
Two Tree Island (West), 11:30 to 12:15
1 Swallow, 6 Bar-tailed Godwit, 15 Black-tailed Godwit, 20 Ringed Plover, 10 Dunlin, 10 Grey Plover, 20 Knot, 10 Redshank, 2 Turnstone, 6 Teal. Peter Collins.
Wat Tyler CP, Main Hide 12:45 - 14:50
1 Sparrowhawk (on scrape), 1 Little Egret, 2 Cetti's Warblers (heard), 1 Glaucous Gull (prob 2nd. winter, over fields), 4 Whooper Swan (on fields, flew in with c.10 Mute Swans and 1 Black Swan). Ian White.
Crays Hill 14.00
Baby Tawny Owl attacked and killed by Magpies below owl nest box in neighbours garden. Commotion lasted 40 minutes. Gary Dunn.
Two Tree Island (East), 14:00
75 Dark-bellied Brent Goose. John Wright (SOG).
Wednesday 25th March 2009 (first summer migrant report - Swallow)
Pitsea 10.00
1 Red Kite gliding over A13 just west of Pitsea flyover. R.Clark.
Wat Tyler Country Park 16.30 - 16.45
1 Swallow. Marc Outten, Alan Shearman RSPB.
Tuesday 24th March 2009
Rayleigh, 09:00
1 Sparrowhawk in high speed, aerial pursuit of a Starling and won. Paul Baker (SOG).
Abberton Reservoir 10.00 - 10.50
4 Black-necked Grebe, 1 Slavonian Grebe, 20 Goldeneye, 2 Red-crested Pochard, 1 White-fronted goose, 2 Red-breasted Goose, 20 Gadwall, 100+ Cormorant nesting in trees. John Wilson.
Tollesbury Wick 11.20 - 12.10
120 Avocet, 20 Shelduck, 6 Shoveler, 10 Wigeon, 20 Brent Goose, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Little Egret. John Wilson.
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 14.00 - 15.35
18 Brent Goose, 2 Canada Goose, 12 Curlew, 16 Shelduck, Little Grebe, 3 Little Egret, 6 Mute Swan, Skylark. Ray Fuller.
Southend, Baxter Avenue 14.20 - 14.40
2 Peregrine Falcon displaying around Portcullis House. Watched and listened to them calling from Sainsbury's car park. David Selley.
Rayleigh, Ferndale Road, (Garden) 19.30
2+ Tawny Owl calling. Robin Peppiatt.
Monday 23rd March 2009
Harlow, Essex 07.04
Red Kite circling next to A414 on the edge of town. Goran Raven.
Belfairs Woods, 09:00 to 13:00
4 Stock Dove (2 pairs), 1 Nuthatch, 1 Grey Wagtail, 3 Chiffchaff (singing), 15 Siskin, 10 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Redwing, 1 Kestrel (male). Paul Griggs, Tony Mead (SOG).
Danbury Ridge 11.00 - 14.30
1 Red Kite (glided over) 1 Woodcock, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Greater Spotted Woodpecker, 5 Lesser Redpoll, 2 Goldcrest, 1 Redwing. Alec Martin.
Wat Tyler Country Park, 13:00 to 14:10
1 Little Egret, 4 Whooper Swan, 12 Mute Swan, 1 Marsh Harrier (female), 2 Cetti's Warbler (heard). Web Author, Kris Mee.
Sunday 22nd March 2009
West Wood, Hadleigh 06:00 to 08:00
5 Great Spotted Woodpecker (3 drumming), 2 Green Woodpecker, 4 Stock Dove (1 singing), 2 Treecreeper (singing). Richard Gray.
Hockley Woods, 06:10 to 07:10
1 Nuthatch by car park, 10 Redwing, 11 Great Spotted Woodpecker (8+ drumming), 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Stock Dove (pair). Neil Chambers (SOG).
Wallasea Island, 07:25 to 08:30
1 Greenshank, 7 Corn Bunting singing along borrowdyke between car park and mast, 2 Little Egret, 3 Reed Bunting. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Gunners Park, 08:15 to 10:15
1 Kestrel, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Chiffchaff (singing), 1 Blackcap (singing), 1 Redwing, 2 Ringed Plover, 24 Turnstone, 1 Purple Sandpiper (feeding on breakwaters east of small pier), 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Little Egret, 2 Goldcrest. Brian Baldock (SOG).
Hanningfield Reservoir 08.30 - 12.00
1 Red Kite (over at 10.40), 1 Common Buzzard soaring over the West Bank at 10.30, 3 male and one female Red-crested Pochard, 1 Sparrowhawk, 8 Goldeneye, Chiffchaffs singing. David Jobbins.
Westcliff Seafront, 08:50 to 08:55
2 Mediterranean Gull (adults). Neil Chambers (SOG).
Two Tree Island Feeder, 09:00 to 12:00
2 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Robin, 2 Dunnock, 2 Great Tit, 1 Blue Tit, 1 Greenfinch. Graham Ryland (SOG).
Two Tree Island, 09:00 to 12:00
48 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 55 Shelduck, 1 Kestrel (male), 1 Water Rail, 2 Stonechat (male in wonderful breeding plumage), 1 Snipe, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Greenshank, 2 Little Egret, 1 Chiffchaff. Fresh Water Vole burrow east end of borrowdyke. Graham Ryland (SOG).
Paglesham Lagoon 09.20 - 11.15
18 Little Grebe, 3 Greylag Goose, 10 Canada Goose, 4 Mute Swan, 39 Shelduck, 2 Red-breasted Merganser (pair), 18 Pochard, many Tufted Duck, 2 Skylark, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Yellowhammer heard, 6 Reed Bunting (all males), about 90 Rook around rookery to NE of lagoon. David Selley.
Canvey Sea Wall, Behind the Golf Course 09.40
2 Skylark. One of the birds flew up from the path and landed on the sea wall 6 to 8 feet from me. It remained there for almost a minute before flying off. Bob Sheridan.
Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 11:00
1 Woodcock. Cracking views as flew right over the garden from the football fields to the south, over my head, and possibly went down in the brook just west of Western Approaches. Paul Baker (SOG).
Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 12:30
2 male Kestrel, 1 female Sparrowhawk. Raptors thermalling high together and drifting north, appeared to be passage birds moving together. Paul Baker (SOG).
Bradwell (St. Peter) 14:00 - 16:00
Brambling, Marsh Harrier, Sanderling, Golden Plover, Little Egret, Brent Goose. Mark D. & Jim.
Thorrington 14.30
1 Common Buzzard soaring over Clacton Road Thorrington. Clive Lewis.
Benfleet, Junction of Kimberley Road and Southview Road 15:00 to 15:40
4 Waxwing feeding on apples. Simon Watson, Paul Griggs (SOG).
South Benfleet, 15:20 to 15:30
4 Waxwing feeding on apples in Kimberley Road, just east of junction with South View Road. Don Petrie (SOG).
Ashingdon / Canewdon 16.45 - 16.55
4 Yellowhammer, (3 in the hedge by Moons Cottages, 1 very bright male singing from the usual copse in Hyde Wood Lane). David Selley.
Saturday 21st March 2009
Shipwrights Wood, Thundersley 07:00 to 08:00
2 Great Spotted Woodpecker (drumming), 1 Treecreeper (singing). Richard Gray.
West and Admirals Parks, Chelmsford 08.00
1 Kingfisher, 1 Little Egret, 2 female Goosander along river Can, 1 Chiffchaff singing near weir, 7 Common Gull on grass fields. Tony Kennelly.
Pound Wood, 08:30 to 08:50
6 Chiffchaff (singing, in Pound Wood, Little Havens & NW Belfairs Wood). John Wright (SOG).
Fingringhoe Reserve 09.30 - 12.00
Kingfisher, Common Buzzard, Marsh Harrier, 3 Little Egret, 10+ Chiffchaff singing. Dave & Beryl Knight.
Bowers Marshes, 10:00 to 09:00
4 Whooper Swan (adults still present), 1 Black Swan, 1 Buzzard (west). Steve Arlow, Pete Livermore (SOG).
Hadleigh 11.30
I found a Woodcock not moving in garden, took it to Essex Wildlife Centre but sadly died on the way. Steve Brooker.
Wakering, Fleet Head, 13:45 to 15:15
1 Merlin (female sat in field the whole time I was there), 1 Kestrel (female), 6 Skylark (at least), 6 Meadow Pipit, 1 Cetti's Warbler (singing by the fishing lakes). Martin Cracknell (SOG).
Abberton Reservoir 13.00 - 14.00
6 Black-necked Grebe, 10+ Goldeneye, 1 Slavonian Grebe. Dave & Beryl Knight.
Abberton Reservoir 13.50 - 16.00
6 Black-necked Grebe, 2 Slavonian Grebe, Gadwall, 6 Goldeneye, Kestrel, Siskin on feeders, Yellowhammer. Web Author, Kris Mee.
Benfleet, 17:10 to 17:15
5 Waxwing on junction of Kimberley Road and South View Road feeding on an apple tree. Flew off in a South Easterly direction and couldn't relocate them. Matt Bruty (SOG).
Thursday 19th March 2009
Bowers Marshes, 06:00 to 06:15
4 Whooper Swan (no Mute Swan at this time but 10 cygnus sp. visible from the train at 7.30), 1 Black Swan, 1 Yellowhammer (singing), 3 Corn Bunting (singing), 2 Green Woodpecker. Martin Cracknell (SOG).
Rayleigh Mount, 09:40
1 Blackcap singing. Paul Baker (SOG).
RSPB Vange Marsh 17:30 - 18:05
3 Avocet, 2 Green Sandpiper, 20 Shoveler, 7 Pochard, Wigeon, Teal, Mallard, 3 Mute Swan, 4 Shelduck, Reed Bunting. Andrew Cox.
Wednesday 18th March 2099
Benfleet, Vicarage Hill 06:25
1 Blackcap singing in garden. Martin Cracknell
Wakering, Star Lane Pits, 06:50 to 07:55
1 Cetti's Warbler (heard), 2 Goldcrest, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker (both drumming), 3 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Chiffchaff. Matt Bruty (SOG).
Hanningfield Reservoir 10:20 - 12.30
Blue Tit, Great Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Chaffinch, Dunnock, Wren, Robin, Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Cormorant, 5 Mute Swan, 2 pair Gadwall, 6 Red-crested Pochard (5 male 1 female), 1 Pochard, pair Goldeneye, 7 Great-crested Grebe, 1 Little Grebe, many Tufted Duck, 23 Coot, 1 Moorhen. Chris Henry & Tom Steeds.
Hockley Woods, 10:00 to 12:00
2 Lesser Redpoll, 2 Nuthatch, 2 Siskin (over), 5 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Chiffchaff. Marc Outten RSPB.
Hanningfield Reservoir 10.30 - 15.00
Bullfinch male/female, 6 Red-crested Pochard, 10 Goldeneye, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Chiffchaff singing. Dave & Beryl Knight.
Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 13:00
2 Siskin on nyjer seed feeder. Paul Baker (SOG).
Wallasea Island, 14:00 to 16:10
8 Skylark, 4 Little Egret, 1 Greenshank, 10 Ringed Plover, 1 Little Stint (with ringed plover), 6 Corn Bunting, 1 Merlin, 1 Marsh Harrier (female). Marc Outten RSPB.
Shoeburyness 15:00
3 Siskin, 2 on niger feeder and 1 on bird bath drinking in back garden, 1 returned in the evening about 17.30. Robin & Tracy Guppy.
Chelmsford, Sandford Mill 16.00
1 male Siskin, 1 Goldcrest. Sue Haffenden.
Wakering, Fleet Head, 16:40 to 17:50
800 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 1 Ruff, 4 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Marsh Harrier (female). Marc Outten RSPB.
Rayleigh, Ferndale Road (Garden) 17.00
1 Chiffchaff (singing) first of the year, 1 Sparrowhawk (display flight), 1 Skylark (song flight), Robin Peppiatt.
Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 18:00
1 female Sparrowhawk flew through garden. Paul Baker (SOG).
Tuesday 17th March 2009
Hanningfield Reservoir 10:30 to 12:00
17 Goldeneye (8 from the causeway and 9 from the RAWL hide), 1 Chiffchaff singing in the woods on the way to the Point hide, 3 Avocet on the island. David Lee.
Hadleigh Downs, 12:30 to 13:15
1 Chiffchaff (singing), 4 Peacock Butterfly, 4 Comma. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).
Canvey Island, Hilton Road 12.40
1 Kingfisher flying north along drainage sluice. Ron Galliers.
Monday 16th March 2009
Southend, Woodgrange Close
Woodcock flew in to patio windows, stunned for a few minutes and then flew off. Chris and Sue
Sunday 15th March 2009 (first summer migrant report - Wheatear)
Gunners Park, 08:30 to 11:30
2 Sparrowhawk (displaying), 3 Kestrel, 1 Wheatear (reserve), 6 Chiffchaff, 1 Goldcrest, 2 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Little Egret. Dave Knight, Brian Baldock (SOG).
Langdon Hills 09:30 - 13:30
2 Common Buzzard, 2 Sparrowhawk, 1 Nuthatch. Andrew Cox.
Wallasea Island 09.30 - 15.30
Male Hen Harrier - southeast corner in morning, Buzzard - came in from northwest, soared over weather station and drifted off high westwards about 1040. My first for the area and almost certainly a migrant, Redwing - unusually feeding by weather station on shore, 10+ Reed Bunting, wader and wildfowl numbers were well down. No summer migrants but a few Peacocks and 1 Small Tortoiseshell were recorded. Nick Green, Jeff Delve (EBS).
Hockley Woods, 10:05 to 10:55
1 Nuthatch, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Stock Dove, 2 Green Woodpecker, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker. Paul Baker (SOG).
EWT Fingringhoe 10.30 - 12.30
1 Chiffchaff, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Pochard, 100+ Shelduck, 1 Kestrel, 1 Buzzard, 50+ Curlew and numerous Brent Geese and Tufted Duck. Sue Haffenden.
Holehaven Creek - 11.00 - 14.20
1,380 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Bar-tailed Godwit, 397 Curlew, 349 Redshank, 3 Grey Plover, 47 Shelduck, 46 Wigeon, 44 Teal. Gull numbers now much reduced and no Dunlin, Avocet or Little Egret recorded. Also seen: A cracking male Wheatear on the seawall as was a Common Lizard. Alan Shearman and Rheanna Stiles RSPB.
Wakering Stairs, 11:15 to 12:45
1 Buzzard (11:35 - 11:40 heading north), 2 Kestrel, 1200 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Skylark (singing), 1 Chiffchaff (singing). Don Petrie (SOG).
Hockley Woods, 11:45 to 12:15
1 Stock Dove (singing), 1 Chiffchaff (singing), 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Green Woodpecker. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Two Tree Island, 11:55 to 15:05, WEBS count
1 Red-throated Diver, 1 Little Grebe, 2 Little Egret, 21 Shelduck, 1 Kestrel, 1 Water Rail, 74 Oystercatcher, 2 Ringed Plover, 39 Grey Plover, 480 Knot, 117 Dunlin, 1 Snipe, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Bar-tailed Godwit, 298 Curlew, 88 Redshank, 1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Skylark, 1 Meadow Pipit, 1 White / Pied Wagtail, 7 Linnet, 4 Reed Bunting, 142 Dark-bellied Brent Goose. 2 Peacock Butterfly, 1 Weasel. Graham Ryland (SOG).
Rochford, 12:40
1 Red Admiral flew over front drive, my first butterfly of the year. Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).
Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 13:00
1 Comma, 1 Grey Wagtail. Paul Baker (SOG).
Leigh on Sea, Park View Drive 13.10
1 Comma, 1 Brimstone. Kris Mee.
Gunners Park 13.30
1 Wheatear (male in reserve). Stuart Bailey, Gordon Appleton.
Gunners Park, 13:45 to 14:30
1 Kestrel (female), 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Wheatear (male in reserve). Don Petrie (SOG).
Wakering, Fleet Head, 14:00 to 15:00
21 Corn Bunting, 1 Green Sandpiper, 6 Meadow Pipit, 1 Green Woodpecker, 12 Skylark. Marc Outten RSPB.
Wakering, Fleet Head, 14:00 to 15:00
21 Corn Bunting, 1 Green Sandpiper, 6 Meadow Pipit, 1 Green Woodpecker, 12 Skylark. Marc Outten RSPB.
Two Tree Island (West), 15:50 to 16:50
9 Corn Bunting, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Reed Bunting, 5 Black-tailed Godwit. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Downham, Cock Wood 16.00
Chiffchaff (heard, not seen). Peter Walker.
Two Tree Island (West), 17:45 to 18:00
1 Short-eared Owl (good views on ground near model airfield, then briefly in flight), 1 Kestrel (male). Martin Cracknell (SOG).
Saturday 14th March 2009
Canvey Heights Country Park, 07:40 to 08:20
9 Skylark (at least), 1 Yellowhammer (female), 110 Dark-bellied Brent Goose (feeding on playing field outside CP). Martin Cracknell (SOG).
Two Tree Island - 07.50 - 10.00
3 Corn Bunting, 1 male Stonechat, On the scrape: 48 Avocet, 15 Oystercatcher, 14 Redshank, 1 Ringed Plover, Most of these were paired off. Alan Shearman RSPB.
Pitsea Rubbish Tip, 08:00 to 15:30
1 Iceland Gull (1st winter), 1 Glaucous Gull (1st winter), 3 Caspian Gull (two 1st winters and the tatty 3rd winter), 1 Yellow-legged Gull (1st winter), 5 Mediterranean Gull (at least), 1 Larus sp. (adult Black-headed x Common Gull ), 1 Larus sp. (2nd winter presumed Viking Gull - Herring x Glaucous Gull). Steve Arlow, Pete Livermore (SOG).
Hockley Woods, 08:40 to 08:55
2 Nuthatch (very vocal in car park), 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 4 Jackdaw, 1 Goldcrest. Martin Cracknell (SOG).
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 09.55 - 11.40
124 Brent Goose, 27 Canada Goose, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Little Egret, 2 Little Grebe, Red-breasted Merganser (M), 3 Curlew, 36 Wigeon, 4 Teal, 6 Shelduck, 2 Reed Bunting, 26 Mute Swan. Ray Fuller.
RSPB Vange Marsh - 10.30 - 12.45
1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Cetti's Warbler singing, 2 Green Sandpiper, 5 Avocet, 2 Curlew, Great Crested Grebe pair displaying plus a single, 21 Wigeon, 16 Shoveler, 5 Pochard, 1 drake Tufted Duck. Alan Shearman RSPB.
Rochford Golf Course, 13:30 to 16:45
3 Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Chiffchaff (singing). Neil Chambers (SOG).
Bowers Marshes, 14:30 to 15:30
4 Whooper Swan (adults), 17 Mute Swan. Don Petrie (SOG).
Two Tree Island (West), 14:40 to 18:00
5 Knot, 1 Kestrel, 1 Little Egret, 14 Linnet, 2 Mediterranean Gull (Adult-summers), 1 Stonechat (male), 2 Short-eared Owl, 28+ Corn Bunting. Paul Griggs, Steve Arlow, Paul Baker (SOG).
Hole Haven Creek, 17:20 to 17:40
960 Black-tailed Godwit (quick look over the seawall whilst checking the horse paddocks for Wheatear revealed this huge flock feeding on the falling tide). Martin Cracknell (SOG).
Canewdon 18.00 - 18.05
2 Little Owl, one in the usual place in Scotts Hall the second in an ash tree in Apton Hall Road. David Selley.
Friday 13th March 2009
Earls Hall Avenue, Garden Feeder 10.15
1 male Brambling. Pat Dandridge.
Two Tree Island 10:45 - 12:15
Twite, Short-eared Owl, 3 Greenshank, 3 Corn Bunting. David Hope.
RSPB Old Hall Marshes 11.00 - 16.00
Note that access to the site is by permit only, although visual access can be obtained from the sea wall.
1 Water Rail, 6 Marsh Harrier (all displaying), 2 Peregrine, loads of Brent Geese, 3 Eider Duck, 1 Common Seal. Alec Martin.
Basildon Golf Course 14.00 - 16.30
4 Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, Sparrowhawk, Barn Owl, small flock Goldfinch, many Long-tailed Tit. 2 Stoat. Gary Clinton.
Rivers Roach & Crouch Aboard Deplorer II 14.45 to 16.30
Lots of Curlew, Grey Plover and Avocet, Lots of Brent Geese, Cormorant with flatfish close to Potton Bridge, Hen Harrier flew north from the wetlands over the river. 15 Common Seal. Gary Dunn, Stephen Emms.
Two Tree Island (West), 17:00 to 18:00
1 Short-eared Owl showing very well and continually hunting and in view for the whole hour, 2 Skylark (singing), 8 Linnet. Paul Baker (SOG).
Thursday 12th March 2009
Pitsea, 14:40 to 14:40
1 Sparrowhawk over town centre heading slowly west. Paul Baker (SOG).
Rayleigh, 17:50
1 Woodcock flew in fast from the north, circled around Websters Way car park then headed off west over Somerfield's (possibly came from Rayleigh Mount?). Paul Baker (SOG).
Wednesday 11th March 2009
Wakering, Star Lane Pits, 07:35 to 07:50
1 Lesser Redpoll. Matt Bruty (SOG).
Hockley Woods, 08:00 to 08:45
3 Great Spotted Woodpecker (drumming), 1 Green Woodpecker, 12 Jay (including one singing and displaying, first time I've seen this!), 1 Treecreeper, 1 Stock Dove (singing). Neil Chambers, Marc Outten (SOG).
Southend Seafront 10:00 - 12:00
18 Turnstone, many Sanderling and Ringed Plover. Chris Henry.
Two Tree Island, (West End) 10.30 - 12.30
50 Teal, 33 Avocet, 75 Ringed Plover, 27 Golden Plover, Oystercatcher, Redshank, Knot, 4 Meadow Pipit, 5 Skylark, 4 Linnet, 2 Stonechat (pair), 15 Corn Bunting (still in a flock). David Selley.
Lingwood Common, Danbury 12.00 - 14.00
3 Siskin, 2 Bullfinch, 10 Lesser Redpoll, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Sparrowhawk, Many Blue Tit, Great Tit, 1 Marsh Tit. (please feel free to look on my flickr A/C http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3594/3347280064_2e171bd009_m.jpg). Alec Martin.
Danbury, Lingwood Common 12.00 - 14.00
3 Siskin, 2 Bullfinch, 10 Lesser Redpoll, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Sparrowhawk, Many Blue Tit, Great Tits, 1 Marsh Tit. Alec Martin.
Two Tree Island West 14.00
Twite, Stonechat, Linnet. Chris Henry.
Tuesday 10th March 2009
Shoeburyness, Ness Road Slipway 13.00 - 13.25
100 Sanderling, 7 Turnstone. John Wilson.
Canewdon 16.47
Barn Owl flew above the road before diving into the Essex wildlife Trust Field opposite Lion House and catching a small rodent carrying it into the brush next to the road and eating it in one go! Gary Dunn.
Wakering, Fleet Head, 17:10 to 18:10
2 Short-eared Owl (1 on Fleet Head and 1 along Rushley Island seawall), 1 Barn Owl, 4 Knot, 2 Ruff, 600 Dark-bellied Brent Goose (On Potton Island), 57 Redshank, 16 Black-tailed Godwit, 7 Shelduck, 5 Little Egret, 40 Golden Plover. Marc Outten RSPB.
Monday 09th March 2009
Rossi's Ice Cream, Westcliff, 08:15 to 08:20
1 Ring-billed Gull ('Rossi' still present), 2 Mediterranean Gull (adults). Marc Outten (SOG).
Sunday 08th March 2009
Paglesham Lagoon, 10:00 to 12:00
15 Pintail, 7 Goldeneye, 4 Little Egret, 7 Greylag Goose. Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).
Hockley Woods, 10:15 to 11:10
2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Green Woodpecker, 6 Jackdaw, 4 Stock Dove (two pairs), 3 Nuthatch all generally around the car park or just to the east. Paul Baker (SOG).
Two Tree Island, 09:30 to 11:30
1 Kingfisher, 25 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 36 Bar-tailed Godwit, 2 Greenshank, 14 Corn Bunting, 1 Reed Bunting, 2 Linnet, 3 Skylark, 2 Meadow Pipit, 2 Rock Pipit. Graham Ryland (SOG).
Benfleet Downs, 11:00 to 12:00
2 Adder, 1 Common Lizard, 1 Grass Snake. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).
Bowers Marshes 12.30 to 12.50
12 Mute Swan, 4 Whooper Swan. Martin Johnson.
RSPB Wallasea Wetlands, 14:00 to 15:00
1 Peregrine Falcon hunting just above ground level over fields, 1 Marsh Harrier (distant bird was probably Marsh Harrier), 1 Skylark, 6 Linnet, 2 Little Egret, 3 Meadow Pipit. Dudley Shayler (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park 14.10
4 Whooper Swan on Bowers Marsh visible from hide. David Lee, John Atfield.
Wat Tyler Country Park 14:40
1 Female Marsh Harrier quartering Bowers Marsh. David Lee, John Atfield.
Saturday 07th March 2009
Chalkwell Park Drive, Leigh, 07:55 to 08:05
1 female Blackcap, 1 Goldcrest in the garden. John Wright (SOG).
Bowers Marshes, 08:00
4 Whooper Swan still there. Steve Arlow, Pete Livermore (SOG).
Pitsea Rubbish Tip, 08:20
2 Caspian Gull (the manky winged third-winter still there plus a new second-winter), 2 Herring Gull (the first-winter leucistic bird and at least one, a third-winter, 'omissus' type birds amongst the hundreds of Herrings), 10 Mediterranean Gull (at least, all adults with the exception of one first-winter), 1 Black-headed Gull (leucistic adult). Steve Arlow, Pete Livermore (SOG).
RSPB Wallasea Wetlands, 08:20 to 14:20
1 Little Stint (far eastern end on high tide per Chris Tyas), 1 Greenshank (just west of tower), 16 Reed Bunting (saltmarsh near tower), 10 Corn Bunting (singing birds along field edges), 3 Rock Pipit (borrow dyke near tower), 1 Short-eared Owl (flushed from old sea wall 100m NE of tower), 200 Dark-bellied Brent Goose (at least dropped in to eastern end), 100 Knot (approx, at eastern end), 2 Adder (on new sea wall 100m W of tower). Jeff Delve (SOG).
Hanningfield Reservoir 09.30 - 12.00
1 Common Buzzard, 2 Goosander (male + female), 2 Common Snipe. David Jobbins (Birds of East Tilbury)..
Hadleigh Downs, 11:00 to 12:00
1 Woodcock, 1 Kestrel. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).
Two Tree Island 12:00
2 Twite, 2 Mediterranean Gull (m & f) female was ringed with silver metal ring on left leg & lime green ring on right), 1 peregrine falcon. Noel Barnes.
Hadleigh Downs, 12:15 to 13:45
1 Bullfinch (calling), 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Stock Dove (singing). Neil Chambers (SOG).
Eastwood, 13:40
1 Sparrowhawk ambushed a Collared Dove along Rayleigh Road. Paul Baker (SOG).
Canewdon, 14:40
3 Yellowhammer in paddocks at Gardeners Lane. Jeff Delve (EBS).
Wat Tyler Country Park 15:30 - 16:40
4 Whooper Swan on Bowers Marsh showed very well from the hide. Also 2 Marsh Harrier, an adult female and an imm. female. The latter flew along the Fleet past the hide. Andrew Cox.
RSPB Wallasea Island, 16:35
1 Hen Harrier (Ringtail in South East corner of Island). Matt Bruty (SOG).
Rochford, 17:55 to 18:00
2 Little Owl perched together In Oak tree along Apton Hall Road. Matt Bruty (SOG).
Seal Trip Aboard Lady Essex III
50+ Avocet, Curlew, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, Oystercatchers, Heron. 17 Common Seal in Middleway, 1 Grey Seal in Roach, some of the seals came up to the boat less than 6 feet away. Gary Dunn.
Friday 06th March 2009
Bowers Marshes 10:50 - 11:15
4 Whooper Swan with 7 Mute Swan, 1 Sparrowhawk. Ian White.
Wat Tyler Country Park, Marina 11:50 - 12:05
1 Spotted Redshank. Ian White.
Chigborough Lakes 12.00 - 15.00
Pair of Goldeneye, many Redwing, 10 Heron, Little Grebe, pair of Great Crested Grebe, many Bullfinch, many Potchard, many Tufted Duck, Cetti's warbler (heard). Alec Martin.
Bowers Marshes, 15:40 to 15:55
4 Whooper Swan (adults still present on the farmland), 1 Mute Swan (imm.). John Wright (SOG).
Hadleigh, 16:20
1 female Sparrowhawk low north. Paul Baker (SOG).
Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 17:50
1 Green Sandpiper in brook. Paul Baker (SOG).
RSPB Old Hall Marshes
Note that access to the site is by permit only, although visual access can be obtained from the sea wall.
3 Mash Harrier, 1 female Hen Harrier. John Atfield.
Abberton Reservoir
3 Slavonian Grebe. John Atfield.
Thursday 05th March 2009
Rayleigh, Ferndale Road (Garden) 07.00 - 07.30
3 Siskin (feeding in birch), 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker (drumming), 2 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Goldfinch, 3 Chaffinch, 1 Greenfinch, 2 Bullfinch, 2 Song Thrush, 1 Mistle Thrush, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Wren, 2 Jay, Magpie, Crow, 3 House Sparrow, Dunnock, Robin, Collared Dove, Wood Pigeon. Robin Peppiatt.
Victoria Avenue, Southend, 08:30 to 17:00
1 Peregrine Falcon on and off Portcullis House throughout day. John Wright (SOG).
Hadleigh Downs, 10:45 to 11:15
1 Woodcock. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).
Bowers Marshes, 13:00 to 13:30
4 Whooper Swan, 5 Mute Swan. Marc Outten RSPB.
Ashingdon, Princess Gardens 15.30 - 15.40
2 Sparrowhawk, a male and a female seen a few minutes apart. David Selley.
Wednesday 04th March 2009
Rayleigh, Ferndale Road 07.00
4 Siskin in garden. Robin Peppiatt.
Leigh on Sea, 07:15 to 07:20
1 Green Woodpecker in garden. Dudley Shayler (SOG).
RSPB Bowers Marshes, 10:40 to 10:45
4 Whooper Swan (adults again viewable distantly from Pitsea cemetery), 7 Mute Swan, 20 Fieldfare. Paul Baker (SOG).
Pitsea, 10:50
1 Little Egret (north over town centre). Paul Baker (SOG).
Chelmsford (Sandford Mill) 14:30
3 Common Buzzard together, 50+ Fieldfare, Redwing, Goldcrest, 5 Bullfinch, Kingfisher. Alec Martin.
Tuesday 03rd March 2009
Hockley Woods, 07:10 to 07:50
7 Great Spotted Woodpecker (5 drumming), 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Treecreeper, 1 Nuthatch (car park), 1 Redwing (play area), 1 Stock Dove (singing). Neil Chambers (SOG).
Bowers Marshes 11.00 - 11.35
4 Whooper Swan, 7 Mute Swan. (Wellingtons necessary along track!). John Wilson.
Monday 02nd March 2009
Hockley Woods, 07:30 to 08:00
4 Great Spotted Woodpecker (2 drumming), 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Nuthatch (car park), 1 Treecreeper (singing), 1 Goldcrest, 1 Redwing (play area). Neil Chambers (SOG).
Bournemouth Park Road 08:00
1 Redwing in garden (a 1st). Don Wildish.
Hanningfield Reservoir 13.15
1 Bittern. Jerry Stock.
Two Tree Island 15:30 to 16:15
1 Spotted Redshank, Large number of Knot, Dunlin and Ringed Plover on the lagoon. David Lee.
Chelmsford. River Chelmer, Sandford Mill Area 15.30 - 16.30
1 Water Rail, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Grey Wagtail and 1 Mink hunting along a tributary in and out the water, watched it for 15 minutes. Sue Haffenden.
Sunday 01st March 2009
Rochford Golf Course, 08:15 to 11:15
1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker (1 drumming), 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Stock Dove singing. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Hockley Woods, 10:10 to 10:50
1 Goldcrest, 1 Treecreeper singing in glade, 1 Nuthatch vocal around car park, 1 Stock Dove singing in glade, 2 Green Woodpecker, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Kestrel. Paul Baker (SOG).
RSPB Vange Marsh 10:15 - 12:00
2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Kingfisher (heard only), 100+ Wigeon, Teal, Shoveler, 2 Pintail (pair), Pochard, 1 Grey Partridge, 1 Water Rail, 12 Snipe, 2 Green Sandpiper, Curlew, Oystercatcher, 1 Glaucous Gull (1st winter), Reed Bunting. Andrew Cox.
Wakering Stairs 10.20 - 10.55
2 Barn Owl both hunting around the concrete blocks. Ray Fuller.
South Fambridge to Brandy Hole 10.30 - 12.50
2 Little Egret, 4 Little Grebe, 73 Shelduck, 14 Wigeon, 30 Teal, 1 Red-breasted Merganser (very smart male), 20 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 400 Dunlin, 41 Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Avocet, 20 Curlew, Oystercatcher, Redshank, a few Lapwing, 11 Meadow Pipit, 2 Skylark singing, flock of about 50 House Sparrow at Sth. Fambridge, 2 Reed Bunting. David Selley.
Belfairs N.R., 11:15 to 12:30
3 Lesser Redpoll, 23 Redwing, 4 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Nuthatch. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).
Eastwood, 12:05
1 Sparrowhawk over Whitehouse Road. Paul Baker (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park 12:15 - 15:15
1 Marsh Harrier (female, circled scrape a couple of times), 1 Peregrine (ad., on usual pylon), 2 Greenshank, 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Oystercatcher, Curlew, Redshank, Teal, Shoveler, Gadwall, Pochard. Andrew Cox.
Bowers Marshes, 12:30 to 12:40
4 Whooper Swan, 5 Mute Swan. Martin Cracknell (SOG).
Bowers Marshes, 12:45 to 12:55
4 Whooper Swan just visible in the murk from Pitsea cemetery, 7 Mute Swan, 200 Fieldfare in the cemetery, 30 Redwing. Paul Baker (SOG).
RSPB Vange Marsh, 13:00 to 13:50
1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Cetti's Warbler (heard), 8 Reed Bunting (at least, pretty mobile + vocal in the reed beds), 1 Green Sandpiper (on the saline lagoon), 1 Little Egret, 2 Grey Heron, 2 Pintail (pair), 1 Goldeneye (female). Martin Cracknell (SOG).
River Roach Aboard Lady Essex III 14.00 - 16.30
60 Avocet, c.1,000 Brent Geese, c.100 Knot, c.200 Dunlin. 8 Common Seal. Web Author, K.M.
Wallasea Island, 15:50 to 17:20
1 Hen Harrier (ad male. seen once across SE corner of island), 1 Little Stint (far end of wetlands), 1 Greenshank (just before pylon/mast), 2 Little Egret, 3 Grey Heron, 6 Reed Bunting (on salt marsh by pylon/mast). Martin Cracknell (SOG).
Hanningfield Reservoir 17.00
Bittern showing well in tiny reed bed in NW corner of small lake along Fremnells causeway. R Clark.