Bird Reports for March 2010
Wednesday 31st March 2010
South Essex Golf Course 08:00
2 Yellowhammer (m & f). Dave Cornwell.
RSPB Vange Marsh, 11:00 to 11:30
1 Green Sandpiper, 24 Wigeon, 4 Little Grebe, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Cetti's Warbler (heard). Vince Kinsler (SOG).
Basildon, Northlands Lake, 11:20 to 11:40
2 Swallow skimming over the lake, 2 Mute Swan with the female nesting. Terry Jeffreys.
Westcliff Sea Front (Casino) 13:00
2 Green Woodpecker on bank directly opposite casino. Noel Barnes.
Canvey Way 19:20
3 jet black Rabbits! Gary Clinton.
Tuesday 30th March 2010
South Benfleet, Vicarage Hill 08:25
1 Swallow. Martin Cracknell (SOG).
South Fambridge/Brandy Hole 10:45 to 12:30
Sand Martin, Swallow, 2 Avocet, 2 Little Egret, 9 Reed Bunting, 11 Curlew, 8 Shelduck, Corn Bunting, 25 Teal, 3 Skylark. Ray Fuller.
Romford Golf Course 12:30
1 Buzzard flying 50ft over the first tee at Romford Golf course, persued by 4 crows, flew off in south westerly direction. Paul Rossiter.
Canvey Point, 13:05 to 14:10
1 Great Northern Diver, 12 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Sandwich Tern (high above river flying strongly east), 3 Swallow (singles north across river), 1 adult Mediterranean Gull. Martin Cracknell (SOG).
Stanford-Le-Hope, Shell Haven, 15:20
1 Swallow flew fast overhead in northerly direction. Nick Argent.
Monday 29th March 2010
Hockley Woods, 08:25 to 08:35
Car park only: 2 Nuthatch (an apparent pair around the car park), 2 Stock Dove, 2 Mistle Thrush (the usual pair), 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker. Paul Baker (SOG).
Paglesham Lagoon, 11:15 to 13:30
8 Great Crested Grebe (1 on lagoon, 7 on the Roach), 2 Mute Swan (only 2 swans left where the Jubilee Cottages flock was), 3 Greylag Goose (a pair plus one apparently paired with a Canada Goose), 5 Teal (including one drake courting a female gadwall), 2 Goldeneye, 65 Black-tailed Godwit, c.700 Black-headed Gull (including one with a distinct pink flush and another with a yellow dye mark on the throat), 4 Skylark singing, 2 Swallow feeding over the NE corner of the lagoon, 2 Linnet (pair, male singing), 4 Reed Bunting. Don Petrie (SOG).
Victoria Avenue, Southend, 16:30
1 Peregrine Falcon on Portcullis House. Paul Baker (SOG).
Wakering Stairs, 16:30 to 18:30
2 Little Egret, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Barn Owl hunting the southern end, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Cetti's Warbler both singing, one just south of the slipway, one by the southern perimeter path near the railway, 2 male Linnet fighting at Haven Point, 2 Reed Bunting. Don Petrie (SOG).
Sunday 28th March 2010
RSPB Vange Marsh 17:00 to 18:30
42 Shovler, 10 Tufted Duck, 6 Wigeon, 4 Little Grebe, 1 Green Sandpiper. 1 Swallow. David Shepherd.
Sunday 28th March 2010
Hockley Woods, 07:10 to 08:20
2 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker calling c100m south of compound at 7.35, but not seen. Another calling and seen just south of car park between play area and main track at 8.05, then flew south into wood and heard again near open area at 8.15, 2 Nuthatch (car park and open area), 2 Treecreeper, 6 Stock Dove (2 singing), 8 Jay (incl. 2 singing / displaying), 9 Great Spotted Woodpecker (7 drumming), 2 Green Woodpecker, 2 Chiffchaff (singing). Neil Chambers (SOG).
Hockley Woods, 08:30 to 10:00
1 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (drumming near compound), 5 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Treecreeper, 8 Jay (including 2 pairs displaying), 6 Stock Dove. Vince Kinsler (SOG).
River Roach and Wallasea Island 08:30 - 17:00
RSPB boat trip abord Lady Essex III: 1 male Hen Harrier hunting sea wall on Wallasea Island, 23 Avocet. 2 Brown Hare boxing, 10 Common Seal in Roach. Web Author.
Wakering, Fleet Head, 08:45 to 10:15
1 Green Woodpecker, 8 Red-legged Partridge (2 pairs between Potton Road and footpath, 4 more on Wakering Tip), 3 Little Egret, 1 Green Sandpiper, 16+ Brown Hare including several 'boxing'. Neil Chambers (SOG).
RSPB Vange Marsh, 12:00 to 12:30
4 Cetti's Warbler, 1 drake Wigeon, 5 Teal, 2 Reed Bunting. Paul Baker (SOG).
Saturday 27th March 2010
First Local Summer Migrant Report - Willow Warbler and Whimbrel
Norsey Wood 07:00 to 09:30
Chiffchaff, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Dunnock, Blue Tit, Jay, Goldfinch, Bullfinch, Woodpigeon, Robin, Carrion Crow, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Mistle Thrush, Sparrowhawk, Blackcap, Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit, Wren, Song Thrush, Treecreeper, Coal Tit, Stock Dove, Redpoll, Siskin, Blackbird. Chris Huggins.
Hockley Woods, 08:30 to 09:30
1 Willow Warbler, 2 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. Tony Mead (SOG).
Westcliff Sea-front 09:30 to 09:40
16 Dark-bellied Brent Geese (10 flying past the casino and 6 swimming near Sands Restaurant). Terry Jeffreys.
Two Tree Island (West), 10:00 to 10:30
1 Whimbrel, 200 Black-tailed Godwit (most in summer plumage), 60 Knot, 50 Oystercatcher, 5 Grey Plover. John Wright (SOG).
Southend Pier 10:00 to 12:00
RSPB walk: 100+ Turnstone with 1 Knot and 1 Dunlin amongst them, Great Crested Grebe, Lesser Black-backed Gull a ll seen from Pier head. Terry Jeffreys.
Benfleet Creek, 10:30 to 12:00
10 Reed Bunting, 6 Linnet, 12 Skylark, 28 Shelduck, 3 Canada Goose, 2 Greylag Goose, 2 Wigeon, 20 Teal, 6 Meadow Pipit, 1 Kestrel, 2 Shoveler. John Wright (SOG).
Two Tree Island (East), 10:40 to 11:30
1 Cetti's Warbler singing at east end, 1 Water Rail sqealing from reedbed. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Paper Mill Lock, Little Baddow 12:00 to 15:00
2 Mute Swan, 6 Mallard, 1 Sparrohawk, 3 Buzzard, 3 Red-legged Partridge, 4 male Pheasant, 1 female Pheasant, Moorhen, Coot, large flock Woodpigeon, 2 Collared Dove, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Skylark, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Robin, 1 Dunnock, 2 Blackbird, 2 Chiffchaff (1 seen and 1 heard), 2 Long-tailed Tit, 4 Blue Tit, 2 Magpie, 2 Carrion Crow, large flocks of Jackdaw, 2 Chaffinch, 9 Goldfinch. Jane Hale.
Wat Tyler Country Park, 13:00 to 14:00
1 Bearded Tit (or 2 males pinging from main hide), 1 adult summer Mediterranean Gull on scrape, 1 Buzzard earlier in the day being mobbed over Bowers Marsh. Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).
Rochford Golf Course, 13:00 to 18:30
1 Chiffchaff (singing), 5 Green Woodpecker, 6 Mistle Thrush (2 singing), 5 Redwing. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Victoria Wharf, Leigh on Sea 14:00 to 14:20
Curlew, Little Egret. Terry Jeffreys.
RSPB Rainham Marsh 15:30 to 17:30
Ring Ouzel at rear of reserve along the path between the firing range wall and the sea wall, around 150mtrs before the upper car park by the tip. Also Short Eared Owl at 5.00pm same place. On the reserve were also Chiffchaff close to entrance and Sedge Warbler and Glaucous Gull on the far scrape. Ian Dewsnap.
Wat Tyler Country Park, 14:25 to 15:15
Main hide only: 2 Bearded Tit (pair showing well infront of the hide ), 4 Snipe, 1 Green Woodpecker (flew across scrape), 2 Cetti's Warbler (heard). Martin Cracknell (SOG).
Billericay 15:20
1 Red Kite flying quite low, flew out of sight north over Perry Street. Marion Burch.
RSPB Vange Marsh, 15:30 to 16:30
1 Kestrel, 1 Green Sandpiper (saline lagoon), 2 Cetti's Warbler, 3 Reed Bunting, 3 Bearded Tit (near saline lagoon), 1 Chiffchaff (singing on old tip). Martin Cracknell (SOG).
Wakering, Fleet Head, 17:05 to 18:25
4 Corn Bunting, 6 Meadow Pipit, 2 Grey Partridge in arable field north of the roadside fleet. Viewed from seawall adjacent to the footpath that runs past the barns: 4 Red-legged Partridge, 1 Pheasant, 2 Linnet. Marc Outten (RSPB, SOG).
Friday 26th March 2010
RSPB Vange Marsh, 06:15 to 07:10
5 Cetti's Warbler (2 abstraction ditch, 3 reed bed by saline lagoon), 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Green Sandpiper (saline lagoon), 1 Little Egret, 11 Tufted Duck (7 males), 1 Cormorant (in small pond by wooden gate to saline lagoon), 1 Jay (unusual for Vange), 1 Snipe (saline lagoon), 5 Little Grebe, 2 Water Rail, 5 Reed Bunting. Martin Cracknell (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park, 07:50 to 08:25
Overlooking RSPB Vange Wick: 3 Greenshank, 1 Spotted Redshank, 38 Black-tailed Godwit (32 in creek, 6 on Vange Wick), 3 Cetti's Warbler (singing - 1 NE of marina; 1 towards Vange Wick reservoir; 1 NW of boatyard). Neil Chambers (SOG).
RSPB Vange Marsh 09:45 to 11:15
2 Avocet, Kestrel. Terry Jeffreys.
Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 12:45
1 Small Tortoiseshell. Paul Baker (SOG).
Mountnessing Road, Billericay 13:15
1 Red Kite flying south over railway line towards Burstead. Andy Wilson.
Prittle Brook (Leigh on Sea), 14:00 to 14:10
1 Chiffchaff, 2 Grey Wagtail. Paul Griggs (SOG).
Hockley 16:45
1 female Blackcap in garden. Tim Davis.
Thursday 25th March 2010
Wat Tyler Country Park 10:30 to 12:30
Sightings: On the RSPB Walk: Red-breasted Goose (visible only from the webcam feed in the visitor centre but not from the Museum hide unfortunately), Canada Goose, Greylag Goose, Little Grebe, Mallard, Coot, Carrion Crow, Wood Pigeon, Blackbird, Magpie, 7 Grey Heron, Teal, Wigeon, Black-headed Gull, Long-tailed Tit, Robin, Ruff, Black-tailed Godwit, Greenshank, Redshank, Moorhen, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Curlew, Cormorant, Great Tit, Robin, Green Woodpecker (heard), Pied Wagtail, Pochard, 4 Avocet (on the scrape), Shoveler, Oystercatcher, Common Gull, Starling, Great Black-backed Gull, Cetti's Warbler (heard), Lapwing, Snipe, House Sparrow, Blue Tit. Also seen - Grey Squirrel. Terry Jeffreys. (general opinion on the Red-breasted Goose, given the leg rings, is that it is an escapee - Ed.).
Southchurch, 16:30
1 Sparrowhawk. Paul Baker (SOG).
Priory Park, 17:30 to 18:10
1 male Sparrowhawk roosting in among the Collared Doves on the island! Doves were not concerned at all and were roosting approximately 1m away on same branch. I've never seen this sort of behaviour before, 1 Little Egret roosting among the Collared Doves on the island. Paul Baker (SOG).
Wednesday 24th March 2010
First Local Summer Migrant Report - Sandwich Tern
RSPB Vange Marsh 07:00 to 08:30
2 Avocet, 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Oystercatcher on saline pools, 3 Cetti's Warbler, 3 Reed Bunting, 31 Shoveler, 3 Shelduck, 5 Tufted Duck. David Shepherd.
South Fambridge 07:40 to 08:10
1 Swallow on wires over old packing station, 4 Wren, 12 Chaffinch, 5 Greenfinch, 35+ House Sparrow, 44 Dark-bellied Brent Goose flying west. David Selley.
Wat Tyler Country Park 09:05
Red-breasted Goose on scrape - seen from webcam. Web Author.
Hockley Woods, 08:25 to 08:35
Car park only: 2 Nuthatch calling around the car park, and one feeding on the ground in the car park. Paul Baker (SOG).
Norsey Wood 08:30
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. Chris Huggins.
Wat Tyler Country Park 10:00 to 13:00
1 Peacock Butterfly (freed from Coopers Cottage after hibernating there presumably), and 1 Xyticus sp. Crab spider, 1 Rosemary Beetle in the Sensory Garden. Neil Phillips.
Hadleigh Downs, 11:00 to 13:00
5 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap, 5 Green Woodpecker, 4 Great Spotted Woodpecker. John Wright (SOG).
Hadleigh Marshes, 11:20 to 11:30
22 Wigeon, 20 Shelduck, 2 Shoveler, 2 Canada Goose. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).
Hadleigh Downs, 11:30 to 12:30
1 Woodcock, 1 Chiffchaff singing, 1 male Bullfinch at top of stream path. 5 Peacock Butterfly, 1 Brimstone. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).
Gunners Park, 12:45 to 14:45
1 Little Egret resting on flooded field, 1 female Kestrel, 1 Sandwich Tern on a buoy off the coastguards, 2 Green Woodpecker, 6 Meadow Pipit in the reserve, 1 female Stonechat, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Long-tailed Tit (a pair feathering their nest in the outer reserve). Don Petrie (SOG).
Hadleigh Marshes, 13:00 to 13:45
1 Stonechat (pair). John Wright (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park, 13:40 to 15:15
Scrape only: 1 Water Pipit, 9 Snipe, 1 Lapwing, 7 Pochard. Marc Outten (RSPB, SOG).
Southchurch Park East
Sadly at 1.25pm yesterday the male Swan lost his fight to live. He was brought back to the pond on Sunday but his mate was rejecting him. All the same, she was slowly coming round in the morning and communicating visually with him. His breathing was erratic early in the morning, as by now the antibiotics would have been wearing off. It was always his fight to survive and this time he lost it, which was rare for him. In the last five years, the pair had got 14 cygnets hatched and flying to the estuary and his own daughter has a mate and family in Southchurch Park West so he has a good legacy and good people that endeavour to make a difference for them. His mate has at least 5 eggs and has been sitting since Sunday, so we need to be extra vigilant for her in the next 5-6 weeks as we still do not know of the circumstances of the wing break. I was right next to him as gave up his fight and to say I am gutted is not adequate, as are many others too. The park will not be the same without him, he was a nature documentary all on his own. Bob Dobinson. (If anyone would like to help Bob and cover the vets fees that have been incurred, donations would be gratefully received. Cheques can be made payable to the Salcott Swan Sanctuary and sent directly to them at Salcott Swan Sanctuary, Waterstyle Lodge, The Street, Salcott, Essex, CM9 8HJ. Please mention this website or the Southchurch Park Swan if donating. Bob can be contacted at - Ed.)
Tuesday 23rd March 2010
First Local Summer Migrant Report - Swallow
RSPB Vange Marsh, 06:15 to 07:15
4 Cetti's Warbler heard, 6 Reed Bunting, 1 Chiffchaff singing on old tip, 7 Tufted Duck (4 drakes), 2 Oystercatcher and 1 Little Egret on saline lagoon, 1 Grey Heron in creek, 1 Water Rail heard, 2 Meadow Pipit. Martin Cracknell (SOG).
Two Tree Island, 08:30 to 10:30
1 Woodcock, 50 Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Wigeon, 2 Stonechat (pair), 4 Canada Goose, 28 Skylark. Graham Ryland (SOG).
Leigh on Sea, Park View Drive 11:30
Swift flashed past and over roof heading north twittering. Too fast for positive I.D. Kris Mee.
EWT Fobbing Marsh 11:30 to 12:15
1 drake Garganey, 1 Corn bunting, 4 Meadow Pipit (1 displaying), 1 Yellowhammer. Marc Outten (RSPB, SOG).
Hadleigh Downs, 11:45 to 12:35
1 Woodcock, 3 Peacock Butterfly. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).
RSPB Vange Marsh 13:00 to 14:20
4 Swallow, 2 Oystercatcher, Little Grebe, Kestrel (from new viewing fence). Terry Jeffreys.
Barling Hall Farm 15.45
1 Swallow flying low over horse fields then landed on wires. T Thorneycroft.
Gunners Park, 17:15 to 17:55
1 female Stonechat in SE corner of reserve, 1 male Kestrel. Paul Baker (SOG).
Wakering Stairs, 17:40 to 18:40
2 Cetti's Warbler singing - 1 by steps at S end, 1 by car park, 1200 Dark-bellied Brent Goose flew from inland out on to estuary at dusk. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Monday 22nd March 2010
First Local Summer Migrant Report - Sand Martin
South Benfleet, St Mary's Churchyard 07:25
1 Blackcap singing. Martin Cracknell (SOG).
Paglesham Lagoon, 09:00 to 10:30
1 Chiffchaff singing, 1 Wheatear in field in front of Jubilee Cottages, 2 Pintail, 4 Goldeneye (three on lagoon, one on Roach), 3 Great Crested Grebe on Roach, 3 Greylag Goose, 9 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 1 male Yellowhammer, 2 male Reed Bunting, 1 Corn Bunting singing from wires at Jubilee Cottages, 4 Grey Heron, 15 Little Egret, 35 Rook, 3 Teal, 12 Skylark, 2 Meadow Pipit. Paul Baker (SOG).
Hawkwell, 08:30
1 Sparrowhawk. Paul Baker (SOG).
Hockley Woods 10:15 to 10:20
1 Firecrest in holly trees TQ832921. Tim Davis.
Benfleet Downs, 12:00 to 12:45
1 Adder, 1 Grass Snake. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).
RSPB West Canvey Marshes, 14:30 to 15:30
1 Sparrowhawk (excellent views of female on a fence post), 1 adult Mediterranean Gull, 25 Curlew, 2 Lapwing, 10 Pochard, 2 Tufted Duck, 1 Green Sandpiper. Marc Outten (RSPB, SOG).
Wakering Stairs, Haven Point 16:30 to 17:30
160 Sanderling feeding on the tide line. David Selley.
Wakering Stairs, 17:05 to 18:20
1 Short-eared Owl perched in hawthorn c200m NE of S perimeter steps at 18.05 then flushed by magpies and flew N low over railway towards fields, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 male Sparrowhawk, 1 Cetti's Warbler singing from scrub by southern perimeter footpath. Mike Bailey (SOG).
North Shoebury 17.12
Sand Martin over. Terry Strong.
Sunday 21st March 2010Latest Wildlife News - updated 22/03/10
Hockley Woods, 07:10 to 08:10
9 Great Spotted Woodpecker (6 drumming), 3 Green Woodpecker, 2 Treecreeper, 2 Nuthatch (1 car park, 1 open area), 5 Stock Dove singing. Neil Chambers (SOG).
RSPB Vange Marsh, 07:10 to 08:35
2 Chiffchaff (singing), 4 Cetti's Warbler (1 still showing well in abstraction ditch), 5 Reed Bunting, 1 Water Rail (heard), 5 Tufted Duck (3 drakes), 6 Little Grebe, 3 Meadow Pipit. Martin Cracknell (SOG).
Rayleigh, Ferndale Road 08:00 to 12:00
2 Chiffchaff singing (1st of the year), 2 Bullfinch, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Redpoll over. Robin Peppiatt.
Langdon Hills 08:30 to 13:45
1 Buzzard, 2 Sparrowhawk, 1 Woodcock, 12 Green Woodpecker, 8 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Mistle Thrush, Song Thrush, 5 Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, 1 Nuthatch, 2 Treecreeper, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch. Andrew Cox.
Canvey Island, 08:50 to 09:10
Horse paddocks at end of Haven Road: 2 male Wheatear, 1 Cetti's Warbler singing around the reedbed again. Martin Cracknell (SOG).
Hockley Woods, 09:35 to 11:40
1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Sparrowhawk, 12 Jay, 1 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Nuthatch. Brian Baldock (SOG).
Belfairs Golf Course, 10:50 to 10:55
1 Buzzard circling very high and being bothered by a Sparrowhawk. Dudley Shayler (SOG).
Woodham, Stow Maries Airfield, 11:00
4 Buzzard displaying whilst soaring together, 1 male Blackcap. Russ Payne.
Southend Pier, 12:30 to 13:00
36 Turnstone, 1 Great Northern Diver. Marc Outten (RSPB, SOG).
Wakering Stairs, 15:30 to 19:00
1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Short-eared Owl perched on rail line 100m north of the foot crossing on the southern perimeter path. Viewed from 17:40 - 18:30, 5 Wheatear (3 around the slipway (2m + 1f) and 2m at Haven Point), 1 Chiffchaff calling and showing, but not singing, 2 Cetti's Warbler singing near the southern perimeter. Don Petrie (SOG).
RSPB Vange Marsh 16:00 to 17:00
3 Kingfisher - flying up Creek, reed ditch and perched by pond. (may have been same one) 5 Reed Bunting (flock of five), 1 Cetti's Warbler, heard, briefly glimpsed. 1 Little Egret on first island from viewing point, 2 Stonechat (m and f). Dave Cornwell.
Gunners Park, 17:00 to 18:00
1 Wheatear. Lee Ebbs.
Wakering Stairs, 18:00 to 19:00
1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Barn Owl showing ridiculously well hunting seawall, 1 Red-legged Partridge (heard), 1 Snipe, 3 Redwing, 1 male Wheatear. Paul Baker (SOG).
Saturday 20th March 2010
Hockley Woods, 07:00
2 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (a pair around the car park). Lee Ebbs (SOG).
Victoria Avenue, Southend, 09:30
1 Peregrine Falcon on Portcullis House. Paul Baker (SOG).
West Wood, 09:40 to 10:40
4 Great Spotted Woodpecker (1 drumming), 2 Green Woodpecker, 3 Treecreeper, 1 Mistle Thrush (singing). Neil Chambers (SOG).
RSPB West Canvey Marsh 10:00 to 12:30
Sightings on the RSPB walk: Magpie, Coot, Tufted Duck, Herring Gull, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Shelduck, 2 Mediterranean Gull, Canada Goose, Greylag Goose, Moorhen, Meadow Pipit, Little Grebe, Skylark, Stock Dove, Redwing, Pochard, Lapwing, Starling, Teal, Wood Pigeon, Snipe, Sparrowhawk, Mallard, Reed Bunting, Great Tit. Terry Jeffreys.
Friars Park, 11:15 to 11:45
2 Chiffchaff, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker. John Wright (SOG).
Gunners Park, 11:30 to 12:30
1 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Sanderling, 40 Knot, 28 Linnet (incl. flock of 22 near seawall behind 'lake'), 1 Reed Bunting with Linnet flock. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Rossi's Ice Cream, Westcliff, 12:05 to 12:20
1 Ring-billed Gull showing well coming to bread. John Wright (SOG).
Two Tree Island 12:30 to 14:30
Stonechat, Cetti's Warbler, c.1200 Knot, only 20 or so Dunlin, Brent Goose, 120 Avocet, 3 Greenshank, 25 Ringed Plover, Turnstone, Cormorant in channel, Shelduck, Teal, Skylark, Oystercatcher, Black-Tailed Godwit (2 into summer plumage), 3 Bar-tailed Godwit, Grey Plover. Ian Dewsnap.
Wallasea Island, 13:00 to 13:15
1 Little Egret. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Southchurch, 16:00
1 Sparrowhawk up high, mobbed by a Crow. Paul Baker (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park, 16:00 to 16:55
1 Peregrine Falcon on pylon, 2 Cetti's Warbler (heard), 6 Little Grebe. Martin Cracknell (SOG).
Friday 19th March 2010
Wat Tyler Country Park, 07:45 to 08:05
Overlooking RSPB Vange Wick: 1 Greenshank, 1 Spotted Redshank, 1 Ruff, 1 Cetti's Warbler still singing towards reservoir. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Baxter Avenue Southend, 09:00 to 11:00
1 male Peregrine Falcon on west side of Portcullis House. John Wright (SOG).
Southend Pier, 11:30
1 Purple Sandpiper on lifeboat ramp with Turnstones, c.20 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Grey Wagtail (1 at Adventure Island, 1 near WH Smiths on High Street). Richard Hall.
Priory Park, 11:45 to 12:15
1 Goldcrest singing and showing just north of priory. 1 Common Frog (plus frogspawn). Paul Baker (SOG).
Stanford-le-hope, Shell Haven, 12:50
1 male Wheatear flew across the front of my van and perched for a while on tank farm bund wall. Nick Argent.
RSPB Vange Marsh, 15:45 to 16:50
1 Kingfisher near saline lagoon viewing screen, 2 Cetti's Warbler (heard), 1 Green Sandpiper on saline lagoon, 28 Shoveler, 60 Wigeon, 2 Reed Bunting. Marc Outten (RSPB, SOG).
Thorpe Bay, Parkanaur Avenue
2 male Blackcap, 2 Long-tailed Tit on trellis, 1 Wren in jasmine. Ian and Marion Smith.
Southchurch Park East
As of early last night, Sue Morgan of the Salcott Swan Sanctuary who is nursing the the injured Swan and who's vet did a great job, said the Swan was standing, feeding well and recovering. Bonnie of the Southend dog trust, is not so sure if she can cover all the cost of the vet bill now. So any contributions to Sue Morgan would be welcome. If you can do so any cheques can be made payable Salcott Swan Sanctuary. I hope to be picking up the Swan, all being well, on Sunday, so he can go back and protect his family. Bob Dobinson.
Thursday 18th March 2010
First Local Summer Migrant Report - Wheatear
Hockley Woods, 06:10 to 07:50
2 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (male drumming and female calling in trees beside log pile briefly at 06.50 but not again), 8 Great Spotted Woodpecker (at least), 5 Green Woodpecker, 3 Nuthatch (one by car park, one by log pile, one behind compound), 25 Jay (at least), 3 Treecreeper, 1 Long-tailed Tit, 12 Stock Dove (at least six pairs), 4 Mistle Thrush, 1 Sparrowhawk. Mike Bailey, Neil Chambers, Richard Hall (SOG).
Canvey Island, 06:30 to 07:00
Horse paddocks at end of Haven Road: 12 Fieldfare, 4 Redwing, 1 Cetti's Warbler singing around reed bed at end of the road, not sure I've heard one here before, 3 Linnet. Martin Cracknell (SOG).
RSPB Vange Marsh, 07:15 to 08:15
1 Water Rail (abstraction ditch), 2 Cetti's Warbler, 5 Reed Bunting (2 singing males), 2 Snipe, 4 Meadow Pipit, 2 Little Grebe. Martin Cracknell (SOG).
Southchurch East Park 07:25
1 Greylag Goose swimming on Southchurch East honking loudly and watched by the female swan who looked agitated. Alec Beanse.
Hadleigh Downs 07.40
Single Wheatear on the ridge of the downs just east of Hadleigh Castle. Chris Seaton.
Canewdon, Hyde Wood Lane 08:05 to 08:15
1 Yellowhammer singing, 1 Song Thrush singing, many Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Blue Tit and Great Tit. David Selley.
Hockley Woods, 08:35 to 09:25
c.40 Redwing feeding on the ground in play area, 2 Nuthatch around car park and glade, 1 Green Woodpecker, 4 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 5 Jackdaw, 6 Stock Dove. Paul Baker (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park 10:30 to 12:30
Sightings On the RSPB walk: Greylag Goose, Mallard, Little Grebe, Canada Goose, Coot, Wood Pigeon, Magpie, Moorhen, Black-headed Gull, Long-tailed Tit, Oystercatcher, Teal, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Wigeon, Black-tailed Godwit, Redshank, Curlew, 5 Snipe (in Vange Creek), Sparrowhawk, Blackbird, Collared Dove, Green Sandpiper, Pheasant, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Starling, Tufted Duck, Shoveler, Pochard, Cormorant, Carrion Crow, Cetti's Warbler (heard by Museum hide), 2 Snipe (on the scrape), Pied Wagtail, Dunnock, Chaffinch, House Sparrow, Robin. Also seen - Fox, Brimstone butterfly. Terry Jeffreys.
Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 11:00 to 14:00
1 Blackbird (the 3/4trs albino bird present throughout on central reservation in front of St Laurence Church Hall), 1 Kestrel, 2 Mistle Thrush. Paul Baker (SOG).
Rochford, 14:30
1 Sparrowhawk over town centre with prey. Paul Baker (SOG).
Southchurch Park East 16:05
One Greylag Goose still on Southchurch East and still honking. No eggs visible in the swans nest and the female swan was up by the sluice preening. Alec Beanse.
Wakering Stairs, 17:05 to 18:40
1 Red-legged Partridge (heard), 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Barn Owl (one hunting nearside of Havengore the whole time I was there, the other hunting the borrowdyke from Haven Point to Broomway), 1 Marsh Harrier (came in to roost on Havengore at 18:02), 2 Little Egret, 1000 Dark-bellied Brent Goose (at least on Potton then flew out onto the mud at dark, also 1 bird with a broken wing on mud off Haven Point), 4 Canada Goose (on Potton), 1 Greylag Goose (on Potton). Also: A Renault abandoned in the mud off the Broomway. Paul Baker (SOG).
Southchurch Park East
The Swan was operated on yesterday morning and against the odds, he came through it and was holding his head up soon after. The vet/surgeon, thought he wouldn't make it through the anaesthetic as, before the surgery, he was just about hanging on. The vet weighed him before the operation and said that he was in the best condition that she he had seen a swan in regard to weight and body fat. It was the a major factor in regard to him getting through the op. The next 24hrs are crucial but it looks favourable. If all goes well, he will be picked up later or early next week and back with his mate. It has been a tough week for all who have made a difference here so fingers crossed. Bob Dobinson.
Wednesday 17th March 2010
Canvey Island, 06:15 to 07:00
Horse paddocks at end of Haven Road: 900 Black-tailed Godwit in Hole Haven Creek including several in almost full breeding plumage, 1 male Linnet singing, 2 Mute Swan (pair on pond in paddocks), 21 Curlew feeding on still very wet paddocks. Martin Cracknell (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park, 07:40 to 08:40
From marina pillbox overlooking RSPB Vange Wick: 1 Greenshank, 1 Spotted Redshank, 3 Ruff, 1 Little Egret, 1 Cetti's Warbler still singing towards reservoir, 8 Pochard (5 drakes and 3 females on floods), c.150 Wigeon. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Benfleet, 08:00
1 male Blackcap in my garden for the past week. Simon Watson (SOG).
Priory Park, 10:45
1 Chiffchaff singing its heart out from beside children's play area whilst I was waiting at the traffic lights. Paul Baker (SOG).
Two Tree Island (West), 16:40 to 17:40
5 Corn Bunting, 2 Linnet, 1 Stonechat, 2 Meadow Pipit, c.300 Knot from slipway, 5 Bar-tailed Godwit, 100 Black-tailed Godwit. 1 Brown Rat. Neil Chambers, Richard Hall (SOG).
Shoebury, Gunners Park, 16:45 to 17:25
4 Red-legged Partridge on the mountains of waste soil in SE corner, 2 Linnet, 2 Green Woodpecker, 8 Chaffinch (incl. 4 feeding on pine cones on the trees among stand of pines in SE corner), 100 House Sparrow (counted, plus many more heard in the thickets). Paul Baker (SOG).
Southchurch Park East
Swan Update: The Swan will be operated on this morning, but he is very weak indeed. So his chances are coming through are less than 50-50. We all know that these are the best monitored/fed Swans, so lets hope his superb condition gets him through. His mate in Southchurch park East now has 3 eggs and the Swan in Southchurch park 2 eggs. Bob Dobinson.
Tuesday 16th March 2010
Rossi's Ice Cream, Westcliff, 06:15 to 07:10
1 Ring-billed Gull (Rossi coming to bread, looking very smart), 1 Caspian Gull (looked to be the same 1st winter, in pool at end of concrete groyne, then in flight where it really stood out). Martin Cracknell (SOG).
Chelmsford, Baddow Meads, 07:15
East of road bridge: 2 Snipe, 3 Skylark. Paul Forsdick.
Wat Tyler Country Park, 07:40 to 08:20
From Marina overlooking RSPB Vange Wick: 1 Spotted Redshank, 2 Greenshank, 4 Ruff, 3 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Little Egret, 14+ Snipe roosting in salt marsh around creek, 1 Cetti's Warbler singing towards Vange Wick reservoir, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming, 1 Green Woodpecker, 7 Redwing, 1 female Peregrine Falcon plucking a drake Shoveler on Vange Wick for around 15 minutes before being surrounded by c.40 Carrion Crows. Flew off, trailed by the crows and then returned 5 minutes later and carried on plucking. Neil Chambers (SOG).
RSPB Vange Marsh 13:00 to 16:15
31 Shoveler, 4 Little Grebe, 11 Teal, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 5 Snipe, 3 Meadow Pipit, 4 Pied Wagtail, 2 Reed Bunting, 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Kestrel, 2 Oystercatcher, 3 Curlew, 11 Wigeon. David Shepherd.
Two Tree Island (East), 18:00
1 Water Rail (heard only). Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).
Monday 15th March 2010
Wat Tyler Country Park, 07:45 to 08:15
From pillbox overlooking RSPB Vange Wick: 4 Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Ruff, 1 Spotted Redshank, 1 Little Egret, 1 Yellow-legged Gull (adult), 2 Cetti's Warbler (1 singing on Vange Wick towards reservoir, the other still NE of pillbox). Neil Chambers (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park, 08:20 to 08:25
Motorboat museum hide: 2 Cetti's Warbler (1 singing either side of hide). Neil Chambers (SOG).
Shoebury, Gunners Park 08:35 to 10:15
13 Great Crested Grebe from near Coastguards, 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Stock Dove, 1 Little Egret, 2 Long-tailed Tit, 5+ Redwing, Very many Greenfinch, and Dunnock. Les Costin.
Rossi's Ice Cream, Westcliff, 11:35 to 12:45
1 1st winter Caspian Gull 
presumes yesterdays bird as had similar bill shape/colouration and shawl round nape highlighting paleness of head. Bird was around from at least 11:55 to 12:30 from 50-100m distance, 1 Ring-billed Gull (Rossi looking stunning and showing down to 3 feet from my head!). Vince Kinsler (SOG).
Paglesham Lagoon, 12:00 to 14:00
2 Great Crested Grebe on river, 40 Mute Swan (37 by Jubilee Cottages, 3 on lagoon), 6 Pintail (3 pairs), 84 Pochard, 102 Tufted Duck, 3 Goldeneye, 3 Reed Bunting, 1 male Yellowhammer by sea wall, 1 female Stonechat. Don Petrie (SOG).
Temple Farm, 13:20 to 13:40
2 Green Woodpecker, 3 Goldfinch, 5 Greenfinch, 1 Kestrel, 1 Merlin flushed from perimeter of Old Southendians FC, 1 Stock Dove. Dudley Shayler (SOG).
RSPB Vange Marsh, 17:00
1 Water Pipit still present in the west end of the moat, but mobile. Marc Outten (RSPB, SOG).
Thundersley, 17:30
1 male Sparrowhawk over A130 / A1245 junction. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Southchurch Park East
Some bad news: The male Swan over at Southchurch Park East has a broken right wing. I have managed to narrow down to when the injury happened to Sunday morning at around 7.30am - the dog walkers are a invaluable source of info. We have everything in place to get the Swan off the pond today, with a specialist canoe wildlife rescue team from Ilford. If it's broken it will be amputated and he will be put back with his mate as she laid her first egg on Saturday. If it is a dropped wing, then he will have to be kept in for a few weeks and strapped up which means that the female will be vulnerable at the most important time for her. The wildlife hospital in Orsett has everything in place for the Swan and the Southend dog trust is picking up the vets bill as we receive no funding from elsewhere. We will endeavour to find out from the nature of the wing break whether it is a flight accident, malicious or a dog. The chances are, because it was in the early morning, it's most probably an accident. If not we have a problem but we will cross that bridge when we come to it. I will keep you all informed. Bob Dobinson.
Sunday 14th March 2010
West Wood, Hadleigh 06:30 to 08:00
1 Green Woodpecker, 8 Great Spotted Woodpecker (at least 5 drumming), 1 female Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Treecreeper, 1 Nuthatch, 2 Stock Dove, 1 female Sparrowhawk. Richard Gray.
Westcliff Seafront, 09:00 to 11:00
1 Ring-billed Gull (Rossi briefly), 1 Mediterranean Gull (adult summer briefly), 1 Caspian Gull (1st winter for about 25 minutes. Was distant offshore for about 10 minutes and was then closer in, came to bread when thrown out, before eventually heading towards Chalkwell. Steve Arlow, Paul Griggs (SOG).
Wakering Stairs 09:00 - 12:00
Seen during WeBS count: 1 Barn Owl hunting just inside seawall, 1 Marsh Harrier, 10 Skylark, 1 Cetti's Warbler heard at Morrin's Point, 1 Reed Bunting, 2 Corn Bunting singing. David Selley.
Two Tree Island, 09:00 to 12:15
WeBS count: 4 Black-tailed Godwit, 38 Grey Plover, 18 Ringed Plover, 1650 Knot, 800 Dunlin, 1 Snipe, 51 Redshank, 1 Greenshank, 176 Oystercatcher, 270 Curlew, 2 Little Grebe, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 30 Wigeon, 25 Teal, 230 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 37 Shelduck, 1 Kestrel, 6 Skylark, 1 Meadow Pipit, 5 Reed Bunting, 3 Little Egret, 3 Linnet. Graham Ryland (SOG).
Blackwater Estuary 10:30
3 Avocet, 1 Little Egret. Karen Davies.
Harlow, Essex 11:00
1 Little Egret in horse field opposite town centre. M.Howell
Rayleigh Sewage Works and Hockley Woods 11:00 to 13:50
1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Skylark, 1 Treecreeper, at least 8 Redwing roosting, 1 Firecrest in holly near S.W. corner, 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 4 Green Woodpeckers. Anita Pickles.
Rossi's Ice Cream, Westcliff, 15:00 to 13:00
1 Ring-billed Gull (Rossi showed very well on falling tide). Steve Arlow, Don Petrie (SOG).
Two Tree Island (West), 17:00 to 18:10
2 Stonechat (pair), 2 Linnet, 2 Reed Bunting, 2 Meadow Pipit, 2 Skylark, 1 Little Egret, 21 Corn Bunting, c.3000 Starling roosting near power station on Canvey, 2 Pheasant (incl. one melanistic/dark bottle green one). Paul Baker, Neil Chambers (SOG).
Saturday 13th March 2010
Canvey West End, 06:45 to 07:00
1 Cetti's Warbler singing near end of Northwick Road, 1 Black-headed Gull (leucistic bird in Holehaven Creek). Neil Chambers (SOG).
Canvey, Hole Haven Creek, 06:45 to 09:30
1 Caspian Gull (a nice adult for c.30 minutes then flew on to tip), 1 2nd winter Yellow-legged Gull, 1 Grey Wagtail flew over, 5 Knot, c.260 Black-tailed Godwit, 10 Redwing, 2 Reed Bunting, 2 Green Woodpecker, 2 Meadow Pipit, c.65 Chaffinch, c.10 Greenfinch, c.30 Linnet, c.80 Goldfinch, 1 female Yellowhammer, 1 male Siskin with Goldfinch flock. Neil Chambers, Don Petrie (SOG).
Hockley Woods 07:30
1 female Lesser Spotted Woodpecker by clearing (wood pile) numerous calls and drumming before, during and after sighting. Tim Davis.
Leigh on Sea, Stonehill Road, 07:45 to 08:00
3 Redwing (one singing), 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker in garden. Vince Kinsler (SOG).
Ashingdon, 08:00
1 Redwing in the garden. Steve Sanford (SOG).
Hockley Woods 08:15 to 10:30
1 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker east of wood pile at clearing, 5 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Green Woodpecker, Buzzard circled for 2 minutes then drifted eastwards, Sparrowhawk, 3 pairs of Stock Dove, Nuthatch. Tim Bennett.
Belfairs N.R., 08:40 to 09:50
4 Sparrowhawk (2 pairs displaying high over woods), 1 Woodcock, 2 Lesser Redpoll at 09:35 by silver birch just south of Dodd's Grove entrance, 3 Green Woodpecker, 5 Great Spotted Woodpecker. John Wright (SOG).
Hockley Woods 09:00 to 11:30
2 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker 100 meters west behind compound, Tree Creeper, Goldcrest in same vicinity. Nuthatch in car park, 2 Stock Doves behind woodpile off main path with Redwing. Ian Dewsnap.
RSPB Vange Wick 09:30 to 11:45
1 Iceland Gull aged as faded 1st-winter coming into 1st-summer. Present from 11:00 - 11:30, 8 Ruff. Paul Baker, Mike Bailey (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park, 09:30 to 11:45
1 Redwing, 1 Reed Bunting, 1 Kestrel, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Mediterranean Gull. Paul Baker, Mike Bailey (SOG).
Benfleet, Underhill Road 09:45
1 Hen Harrier female/juvenile flying over. Richard Gray.
Canvey Point, 09:45 to 10:45
1 Great Northern Diver feeding in distance towards pier, 52 Great Crested Grebe almost all in summer plumage, mostly paired, some pairs displaying. Don Petrie (SOG).
Wat Tyler country Park 09:45 to 14:15
1 female Marsh Harrier, 20 Lapwing, 10 Snipe, Teal, Shoveler, Pochard, Tufted duck on scrape. Creek: Curlew, Redshank, more Teal, 4 Spotted Redshank, 1 Greenshank, 1 Green Sandpiper, 43 Black-tailed Godwit. These last included the colour ringed bird I saw on 20th February and another colour ringed Godwit: right leg bluish/yellow, left leg pale green. I could only see one ring on left leg. I've sent these records to the BTO. Also 18 Ruff from the marina. Andrew Cox.
RSPB West Canvey Marsh 10:00 to 12:00
1 female Marsh Harrier, 1 Little Egret. Steve Sanford, Web Author, Kris Mee.
Harlow, Essex 13:00
Pair of Bullfinch in my back garden. Michael Howell.
Belfairs Great Wood, 14:10 to 15:10
5 Lesser Redpoll together feeding in oak for 15 minutes before flying further into the wood, 1 Siskin (heard only). Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).
Southend Seafront, 17:00
3 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Little Egret by Sealife Centre. Marc Outten (RSPB, SOG).
Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 19:25
3 Oystercatcher perhaps many more, flew over calling in the dark, heading SW. Paul Baker (SOG).
Friday 12th March 2010
Rayleigh, Ferndale Road 08:30 to 09:00
1 female Sparrowhawk. Paul Baker (SOG).
Southend Pier, 09:40 to 11:15
1 Purple Sandpiper on slipway and floating yellow/black inflatable by museum, 1 Great Northern Diver, 8 Great Crested Grebe, 4 adult Kittiwake. Vince Kinsler (SOG).
Belfairs Great Wood, 10:15 to 10:30
2 Lesser Redpoll in 1st birch by the split track opposite Dodds Grove entrance, 1 Sparrowhawk. Mike Bailey, Paul Baker, Don Petrie (SOG).
Southend, Victoria Avenue. 10:15 to 17:30
1 female Peregrine Falcon on and around Maitland House and the HSBC building for most of the day. Paul Griggs, John Wright (SOG).
Grays, Long Lane 11:10
Light Blue Parrot, 3 Collared Dove. John.
Belfairs Woods, 12:45 to 13:00
1 male Siskin calling constantly atop tall birch next to redpoll tree, 2 Lesser Redpoll (same tree as earlier), 1 female Tawny Owl heard several times near Poors Lane entrance. Vince Kinsler (SOG).
Thursday 11th March 2010
Belton Hills, 06:40
5 Siskin flew over Belton Hills East calling. John Wright (SOG).
Southend, 09:15 to 13:40
1 female Peregrine Falcon on Maitland House's fire escape. Paul Griggs (SOG).
Wickford, Shotgate, Great Saling 09:30
Blackcap on the birdbath, 5 Goldfinch on the Niger feeder, Blackbird building a nest. All in my garden. David Hope.
South Fambridge/Brandy Hole 10:25 to 12:15
Common Buzzard heading south gaining height (11:05), 2 Red-breasted Merganser (pair), 4 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Corn Bunting, 3 Reed Bunting, Greenshank, 2 Grey Plover, 448 Brent Goose, Little Egret, 6 Wigeon, Long-tailed Tit. Ray Fuller.
Wat Tyler Country Park 10:30 to 12:40
Sightings on RSPB walk: Moorhen, Robin, Carrion Crow, Magpie, Little Grebe, Canada Goose, Mallard, Black-headed Gull, Pochard, Coot, Shoveler, Teal, Redshank, Wood Pigeon, Spotted Redshank, Rook, Greenshank, Black-tailed Godwit, Oyster Catcher, Grey Heron, Wigeon, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Common Gull, 15 Ruff (one with a white head, in Vange Creek), Curlew, Blackbird, Great Tit, Pheasant, Collared Dove, House Sparrow, Starling, Greylag Goose, Lapwing, Tufted Duck, Cetti's Warbler (heard), Goldfinch, Blue Tit, Chaffinch. Terry Jeffreys.
Shoebury Gunners Park, 12:30 to 13:57
Grey Heron, Woodpigeon, Carrion Crow, Magpie, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Mallard (pair), Little Egret, Oystercatcher, 40+ Turnstone, 30+ Sanderling, 30+ Dunlin, 10+ Lapwing, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Blackbird, Pied Wagtail (pair), Linnet, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Dunnock, Long-tailed Tit, Green Woodpecker, Kestrel, small mixed flock of Fieldfare and Redwing. S.Jackson.
Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 14:00
1 Grey Wagtail flew low north calling then dropped down in stream. Paul Baker (SOG).
Wickford 15:00
Grey Wagtail in Wickford Town Centre, 100+ Redwing on grass in Wickford Memorial Park. John Atfield.
Ashingdon, Princess Gardens 16:00
1 female Sparrowhawk sitting on our bird table, presumably waiting for dinner to turn up. David Selley.
Wednesday 10th March 2010
Belfairs N.R., 07:20 to 08:05
1 Lesser Redpoll (a single bird c200m south along main track in Great Wood NR from entrance opposite Dodd's Grove, then flew back towards Dodd's Grove calling), 1 female Tawny Owl calling SE of end of Poors Lane, 2 Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 08:45
1 Blackbird, 3/4trs albino with just black tail and rear. Paul Baker (SOG).
Maldon, Heybridge Basin 10:00
300+ Brent Geese on river, 500+ Black-tailed Godwit roosting on Basin, 1 Red Knot in small channel near Basin sea wall, 1 Kestrel hunting over rough ground near sea wall. Large numbers of Redshank, Oystercatcher Black-tailed Godwit, Teal, Wigeon, Shelduck and Grey Plover on mudflats of estuary. Paul Forsdick.
Southend, Victoria Avenue 10:45 to 12:45
1 female Peregrine Falcon perched on the fire escape railings of Maitland House. Paul Griggs (SOG).
Tuesday 09th March 2010
RSPB Vange Marsh, 09:30 to 10:20
1 Water Pipit (N.E. and N.W. ends, mobile), 5 Snipe, 1 Cetti's Warbler. John Wright (SOG).
Belfairs Woods Including Hadleigh Great Wood NR, 10:10 to 11:30
5 Lesser Redpoll feeding in the standard birch trees south of the western Poors Lane/Dodd's grove entrance to the main reserve, 6 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Green Woodpecker, 2 Mistle Thrush, 11 Redwing. Marc Outten, Tony Mead (SOG).
RSPB Vange Wick, 10:40 to 11:45
16 Grey Heron, 1 Red-breasted Goose (The escapee, yellow ring on left leg, on Fobbing/Vange Wick with Canada Geese, viewed from Marina mound). John Wright (SOG).
Belfairs Great Wood, 12:20 to 14:30
1 Siskin flew over Dodd's Grove calling at 13.21, 5 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Cormorant overhead, 1 Song Thrush, 62 Redwing, 10 Fieldfare. Mike Bailey, Don Petrie (SOG).
Fields Bordering the Backwarden, Danbury
2 pairs of Skylark in the field behind my house bordering the Backwarden that rise and then after a few minutes of flight, plummet to the ground so fast that I lose track at the last moment, even in fog and frost. Laurette Guest.
Monday 08th March 2010
Rochford, Craven Close, 08:15
1 Fieldfare which then hung around most of the day, guarding - and sometimes scoffing - our cotoneaster 'cornubia' berries. Richard Goring.
Wakering, Fleet Head, 08:25 to 10:35
1200 Dark-bellied Brent Goose by central track, 2 Red-legged Partridge, 20 Corn Bunting (incl. a few singing), 40 Stock Dove on Potton, 4 Canada Goose on Potton, 50 Golden Plover on Potton, 1 Rock Pipit, 100 Black-tailed Godwit. 11 Brown Hare. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Hockley Woods, 08:30 to 10:00
1 Firecrest in holly on SW perimeter path, 1 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, 4 Great Spotted Woodpecker. Bob Young (SOG).
Paglesham Eastend, 11:05 to 11:35
From boatyard east along Roach for c.1/4 mile: 5 Meadow Pipit, 3 Reed Bunting, 4 Fieldfare. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Wallasea Island, 11:50 to 12:00
1 singing Corn Bunting. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Sunday 07th March 2010
Hockley Woods 07:30 to 08:30
2 male Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers seen, as well as heard calling and drumming (1 50m from car park down the central path, 1 near compound). 2 Nuthatch, 1 Mistle Thrush. Several Great Spotted Woodpeckers drumming. 2 Green Woodpeckers (heard only), Several Redwing still present. Andrew and Peter Allen.
Hockley Woods 10:00
Buzzard flying low over the wood. Nuthatch 25 meters from car park left hand side of main path, several Great Spotted Woodpecker. Ian Dewsnap.
Hockley Woods, 11:00 to 12:00
1 singing male Firecrest in large holly trees on SW side from perimeter path, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker (1 drumming), 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Nuthatch (flew over the Firecrest), 1 Stock Dove (singing). Neil Chambers (SOG).
Rochford Golf Course, 13:40 to 15:30
2 Redwing, 1 Green Woodpecker. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park 14:30 to 15:00
1 Marsh Harrier on RSPB Bowers, c.10 Common Snipe on scrape. Web Author, Kris Mee.
Chalkwell Seafront, 15:30 to 17:30
1 adult Mediterranean Gull, 1 Sanderling. Paul Baker (SOG).
Priory Park, 17:30 to 17:50
1 Ring-necked Parakeet flew onto ivy covered tree on island at 17:40, didn't call. John Wright (SOG)
Saturday 06th March 2010
RSPB Vange Marsh, 07:30 to 09:50
1 Water Pipit NW corner of the moat by the wood yard at 07.50, along grassy edge of moat by middle mound at 08.30 then flew onto the marsh and could not be relocated, 4 Meadow Pipit, 6 Reed Bunting, 2 Cetti's Warbler (1 showing very well in abstraction ditch). Martin Cracknell (SOG).
RSPB Vange Marsh 10:00 to 12:00
Sightings on RSPB walk: Wood Pigeon, Magpie, Reed Bunting, Blackbird, Chaffinch, Meadow Pipit, Teal, Coot, Black-headed Gull, Shoveler, Moorhen, Greenfinch, Carrion Crow, Cetti's Warbler (heard), Starling, Robin, Gadwall, Little Grebe, Pied Wagtail, Oystercatcher, Curlew, Blue Tit, Wigeon, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Mallard, Little Egret, Dunnock. Terry Jeffreys.
Southend, 13:35 to 13:35
1 Sparrowhawk plunged into a tree at Porters Grange roundabout to take a sparrow. Paul Baker (SOG).
Southend Pier, 14:30 to 17:15
12 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Purple Sandpiper on south side of pier head throughout high tide i.e. not on ramp with main Turnstone flock, 15 Knot roosting with Turnstone, 92 Turnstone, 8 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Teal. Mike Bailey (SOG).
Wakering, Fleet Head, 15:45 to 17:00
2 Red-legged Partridge, 56 Corn Bunting, 1 Green Sandpiper, 21 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 2 Snipe, 4 Little Egret (3 on Potton Island). Marc Outten (RSPB, SOG).
Canvey Point, 16:00 to 17:00
1 drake Common Scoter flew upriver at 16.45, 4 Great Crested Grebe, c.4000 Black-headed Gull constant stream flying east at a rate of c.70 per minute, but not a single Mediterranean Gull!, 86 Cygnus sp. on field on Kent side. Neil Chambers, Martin Cracknell (SOG).
Priory Park, 17:30 to 18:00
1 Ring-necked Parakeet showing very well in thin ivy-covered tree on island in main pond - didn't call once). 1 Brown Rat. Mike Bailey (SOG).
Friday 05th March 2010
Hockley Woods, 06:50 to 08:00
2 Green Woodpecker, 8 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (1 between car park and clearing, a pair c.100m south of compound), 2 Nuthatch (vocal), 4 Treecreeper (2 pairs), 1 Goldcrest singing, 4 Stock Dove, 4 Redwing, 8 Long-tailed Tit. Vince Kinsler (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park, 07:50 to 08:20
From marina overlooking Vange Wick. Not many large gulls present; all waders in creek: 1 Cetti's Warbler still singing NE of marina car park, 1 Spotted Redshank, 2 Greenshank, 3 Snipe, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 12+ Ruff. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Leigh on Sea, Highlands Boulevard, 08:10 to 08:20
1 Green Woodpecker calling from tree and then searching for worms on my back garden lawn - much to the consternation of the cat watching from the window! Lyn Davies.
Paglesham Lagoon, 09:30 to 15:00
Walked in from Paglesham boatyard: 44 Pochard (including one with nasal saddle 'A3'), 52 Tufted Duck (including one with nasal saddle 'DL'), 2 Pintail (pair), 2 Red-breasted Merganser (pair on river), 4 Reed Bunting, 1 male Yellowhammer, 1 Little Egret, 7 Goldeneye (2 drakes), 1 Skylark. Mike Bailey, Don Petrie (SOG).
Shipwrights Wood, 11:45 to 12:45
4 Great Spotted Woodpecker (inc. drumming and displaying), 1 Sparrowhawk, 8 Redwing. Paul Baker (SOG).
Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 15:00 to 17:00
2 Sparrowhawk hunting low through gardens. Paul Baker (SOG).
Hockley Woods, 16:30 to 17:30
2 Firecrest (a female 200 WSW of compound this morning at 10. Visit this evening; male in holly 50m east of first log pile by main clearing), 2 Treecreeper singing in well grown coppice east of main clearing, 3 Nuthatch (singing birds near car park, at main clearing and S of compound), 3 Mistle Thrush (singing birds this evening), 1 Sparrowhawk (displaying male this morning). Jeff Delve (SOG).
Thursday 04th March 2010
RSPB Vange Marsh, 06:55 to 07:35
34 Snipe, 4 Reed Bunting, 5 Meadow Pipit, 2 Cetti's Warbler (heard). Vince Kinsler (SOG).
RSPB Vange Marsh, 08:15 to 08:50
1 Water Pipit favouring the grassy edges of the moat between the 2nd viewing mound and the wood yard, though quite mobile, 1 Reed Bunting, 29 Snipe, 3 Meadow Pipit. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Rochford, Garden, Craven Close 08:50
1 Wren. Richard Goring.
Southend, Victoria Avenue, Portcullis House, 09:00
1 Peregrine Falcon. Karen Freeman.
Wat Tyler Country Park 10:30 to 12:30
14 Ruff on Vange Creek, one with a white head and shoulders, 2 Green Woodpecker. David Lee.
Wat Tyler Country Park 10:30 to 12:30
RSPB walk: 2 Green Woodpecker (NW of pillbox), Canada Goose, Magpie, Blue Tit, Great Tit, House Sparrow, Carrion Crow, Black-headed Gull, Redshank, Teal, Moorhen, Grey Heron, 14 Ruff (in Pitsea Creek), Curlew, Wigeon, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Coot, Wood Pigeon, Mallard, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Greylag Goose, Oyster Catcher, Shoveler, Lapwing, Herring Gull, Little Grebe, Gadwall, Dunnock, Chaffinch, Robin. Terry Jeffreys.
Gunners Park 12:30 to 13:30
24 Turnstone, 12 Sanderling, along the sea wall, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Linnet, Blackbird, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Dunnock, Green Woodpecker, Pied Wagtail. S.Jackson.
Hockley Woods 12:30 to 14:30
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Green Woodpecker (heard only), 1 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker rear of the Golf Driving range loosely associating with mixed group of finches and tits but rather elusive, 2 Redwing, very many Chaffinch. Les Costin.
Canvey Point, 13:20 to 14:45
25 Common Scoter hanging around behind West Leigh buoy and Warden Point, flying frequently and landing again on the water, 2 Great Crested Grebe. 1 Red Admiral. Paul Baker (SOG).
Chelmsford, Chelmer Valley Nature Reserve c.13:30
5 Goosander - three female, two male. One female apparently 'presenting' to male, stretched out flat on water next to him. No response from male and the female then displayed aggression towards another female. Paul Forsdick.
Hadleigh Downs, 15:30 to 16:00
1 Woodcock. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).
RSPB Bowers Marshes, 15:30 to 18:00
Viewed initially from Pitsea Mount, then from the end of Church Road: 58 Greylag Goose, 39 Canada Goose, 1 Red-breasted Goose (adult of unknown origin. Seen in flight (fully winged) and actively feeding with Canada Geese from 15:40 until dusk), 1 Mute Swan, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Cetti's Warbler. Don Petrie, Mike Bailey, Marc Outten (SOG).
Rayleigh, 17:15
Field NE of Carpenters Arms Roundabout: 1 Buzzard flying low across field chased by corvids and then gaining height. Vince Kinsler (SOG).
RSPB Vange Marsh, 17:25 to 18:10
1 Water Pipit around flood/moat in most NE corner, 12 Snipe, 2 Cetti's Warbler seen chasing each other in abstraction ditch, 1 Water Rail seen well in abstraction ditch, 2 Reed Bunting, 2 Meadow Pipit. 2 Northern Water Vole. Vince Kinsler (SOG).
Wednesday 03rd March 2010
Wat Tyler Country Park, 08:55 to 10:55
1 Sparrowhawk over Pound Lane, 3 adult Mediterranean Gull on RSPB Vange Wick, 5 Ruff in creek, 1 Greenshank in creek, 1 Cetti's Warbler heard on RSPB Vange Wick, 2 Snipe in creek, 1 Little Egret. Paul Baker, Mike Bailey (SOG).
RSPB Bowers Marshes, 08:20
2 Yellowhammer. Marc Outten (RSPB, SOG).
Hockley, Rosslyn Close 10:30
Single male Waxwing eating chopped apple on my lawn, stayed for around 10 Minutes. Barry Bridge.
South Woodham 12:00
1 Buzzard. Jim Cockram.
RSPB Vange Marsh, 12:50 to 14:25
1 Water Pipit on fresh marsh in the tussocky grass opposite the central viewing mound, 38 Snipe including a wisp or 29 flying around the marsh, 62 Shoveler (numbers are down but there were over 30 on Vange Wick today). Marc Outten (RSPB, SOG).
Billericay, Lake Meadows 14:15
1 female Goosander. 50+ Redwing on field by boxing club hut. Marion Burch.
Billericay, Norsey Wood
Chaffinch, 6 Great Spotted Woodpecker, Blackbird, Great Tit, Green Woodpecker, Woodpigeon, 25 Redwing, Wren, 5 Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Jay, Robin, 2 Siskin, Carrion Crow, Chris Huggins.
Tuesday 02nd March 2010
Rochford, 07:15 to 07:35
1 Green Woodpecker in garden. Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).
Hockley Woods, 08:00 to 11:10
3 Green Woodpecker, 8 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 female Lesser Spotted Woodpecker feeding and calling as it moved through the SE section of the wood for about 400m, 3 Nuthatch calling from car park, 200m south of car park and southern clearing. Don Petrie (SOG).
Hockley Woods, 08:25 to 10:55
2 Crossbill flew north over car park at 08.32 calling - one was an adult male, 2 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker heard calling only - one at 09.47 in trees east of the clearing, 200m north of the footpath to Eastwood sewage works, 10 Great Spotted Woodpecker (at least - many drumming), 4 Green Woodpecker, 3 Treecreeper, 2 Nuthatch (1 in car park, 1 near footpath to Eastwood sewage farm, 1 male Sparrowhawk, 3 Redwing in play area, 6 Stock Dove. Mike Bailey (SOG).
Southend, 10:00
1 female Peregrine Falcon on Maitland House. Paul Griggs (SOG).
RSPB Vange Marsh 14:00 to 16:45
142 Black-tailed Godwit flew off towards Vange Wick 15.45, 5 Snipe, 45 Shoveler, 4 Teal, c.150 Wigeon, 2 Little Egret, 2 Pintails, 2 Little Grebe, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Reed Bunting, 1 Kestrel. David Shepherd.
Monday 01st March 2010
Wat Tyler Country Park 07:30 to 09:00
6 Redwing, 2 Fieldfare, 1 singing Wren, Blue Tits, House Sparrows, Redshank, 15+ Teal, 1 Shelduck (photos at http://my.opera.com/Ukwildlife/Tweets/2010/03/01/wat-tyler-country-park-birds). Neil.
Southend, Maplin Way 08:00
9 Greenfinch all on one tree at end of garden. We generally have a pair feeding in morning but have never seen that many before all together. S Ramsdale.
Canewdon 09:30 to 09:37
Yellowhammer in tree at side of road showing superbly. Gary Dunn (www.ladyessex.com).
Crays Hill 10:00 to 12:00
Garden: 2 pairs of Blue Tit building in nest boxes, 1 Greater Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Peregrine high above house heading toward Benfleet. Gary Dunn (www.ladyessex.com).
RSPB West Canvey Marshes, 10:30 to 12:00
49 Stock Dove, 2 Corn Bunting, 37 Curlew, 17 Pochard on the fleet reservoir by the road, c.400 Black-tailed Godwit, large flock high over heading east. Marc Outten (RSPB, SOG).
Hadleigh Downs, 11:30 to 13:00
1 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Woodcock, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker. 2 Adder. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).
Two Tree Island 12:30
Cetti's Warbler singing near estuary hide. Pat Dandridge.
Daws Heath, Little Havens EWT, 12:30 to 14:30
1 Buzzard came in low at treetop height from Pound Wood at 13:55 then thermalled slowly upwards between A127 and Hockley ridge until lost as a dot in the blue sky at 14:05, 2 Redwing, 26 Mallard flew west, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker. Paul Baker (SOG).