Bird Reports for March 2013
Sunday 31st March 2013north easterly, partly cloudy, max6°c
RSPB Vange Marsh 07:15 to 09:20
From scrape: 4 Green Sandpiper, 3 Ruff, 3 Snipe, Redshank, Spotted Redshank, Lapwing, 20+ Shoveler, 2 Oystercatcher, Mallard, Little Egret, Black-headed Gull, Teal, Wigeon, Coot, Moorhen, Cetti's Warbler (many heard). On brackish lagoon: 3 drake Pintail, 2 Mute Swan, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Tufted Duck, Mallard, Gadwall, 4 Avocet, Lapwing, 2 Oystercatcher, Shoveler, Coot, Moorhen, 2 Canada Goose, Pochard, Little Grebe, Pied Wagtail. Around the perimeter: Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Starling, 2 Redwing, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Stock Dove, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Robin, Blackbird, Cetti's Warbler (displaying at abstraction ditch), Jack Snipe, House Sparrow. Terry Jeffreys.
Rainham, Ferry Lane 08:00 to 08:45
2 female Black Redstart, 1 Wheatear, Great Crested Grebe, Chiffchaff, Chaffinch, Teal, Wigeon, Shelduck. Jim Bailey.
Hockley 08:45
5 Siskin (4 male,1 female) on garden feeder. Tim Davis.
Southchurch Park East 08:45 to 09:00
2 Teal (pair) still around after 4 days, 1 Green Woodpecker drumming in south east Copse, 2 Canada Geese flew west of estuary, over pond to golf course and then due south to estuary, Mute Swan nesting stalled due to adverse cold weather. 1 Little Egret pacing around top edge of brook at back of houses in Wyatts Drive. Robert Dobinson.
Hullbridge, Keswick Avenue 09:10
4 Siskin on feeders. Colin Knight.
Two Tree Island, 09:15 to 11:30
72 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 10 Wigeon, 12 Shoveler, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Skylark, 3 Song Thrush, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 4 Reed Bunting. Graham Ryland (SOG).
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 09:45 to 12:55
c.5 5nipe, Water Rail heard at Coryton, 80+ Wigeon, c.16 Gadwall, 100+ Teal, a few Shoveler, pair of Pochard on Coryton lagoon, a few Black-tailed Godwit, a few Oystercatcher, 1 Little Egret, 1 Green Woodpecker, a few Redwing, 3 Fieldfare. Richard Fahey.
Two Tree Island 12:00
12 Teal on foreshore of car park. Betty Watson.
Rayleigh Mount, 12:00 to 12:20
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 male Blackcap. Paul Baker (SOG).
Hanningfield Reservoir Causeway 12:30 to 12:45
160+ Black-headed Gull, 30+ Herring Gull, 30+ Common Gull, 60+ Mallard, 30+ Tufted Duck, 20 Pochard, 200+ Wigeon, 40+ Cormorant, 60+ Coot, 3 Magpie, 6 Carrion Crow, 120+ Canada Geese, 100+ Greylag Geese. Rob Harris.
RSPB Vange Marsh, 12:50 to 14:05
3 Little Grebe, 3 drake Pintail, 25 Pochard, 1 Ruff (with Lapwings), 3 Snipe, 1 Black-tailed Godwit (saline lagoon), 4 Green Sandpiper (saline lagoon), 2 Cetti's Warbler (singing - 1 in the abstraction ditch showed a couple of times briefly), 7 Chiffchaff in the abstraction ditch just north east of the north east corner of the main flood included a Siberian Chiffchaff. Neil Chambers, Don Petrie, John Wright (SOG).
Southchurch Park East 13:00
1 Water Rail broke cover three times from sides of newly clear/cleaned brook, just 10ft west on footbridge. Seen close and clearly in bright sunlight. Robert Dobinson.
Gunners Park, 13:55 to 15:55
2 Mute Swan, 1 Long-tailed Duck still on lake, 1 Kestrel, 1 Curlew. Stuart Bailey, Gordon Appleton (SOG).
Canvey Point, 14:35 to 16:55
30 Great Crested Grebe, 50 Ringed Plover, 20 Grey Plover, 30 Knot, 200 Dunlin, 20 Snipe, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 25 Turnstone, 1 adult Mediterranean Gull, 1 Skylark, 4 Meadow Pipit, 3 Rock Pipit, 3 Reed Bunting. 2 Harbour Porpoise. Neil Chambers (SOG).
RSPB West Canvey Marsh, 16:35 to 17:05
3 Little Egret, 1 Peregrine Falcon sat on wet grassland opposite roadside hide eating prey, 4 Ruff on wet grassland. Martin Cracknell (SOG).
Chalkwell Park Drive, Leigh, 18:00
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker over garden. John Wright (SOG).
North Shoebury
Song Thrush on bird table. Terry Strong.
Saturday 30th March 2013north north easterly, scattered clouds, snow, max4°c
Hockley 07:25 to 07:40
2 Siskin (pair), 1 male Great Spotted Woodpecker on garden feeders. Tim Davis.
Hockley, Glencrofts 08:20
3 Siskin on feeder. Irwin Lewis.
South Benfleet, Garden 09:00 to 09:15
1 male Blackcap, 2 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Chaffinch (pair, scarcer visitor to my garden than Blackcap). Martin Cracknell (SOG).
EWT Blue House Farm 11:15 to 18:00
Sightings from car park to new hide and back: 3 Barn Owl (2 via webcam, 1 hunting over farm from 16 00), 3 Snipe, c.150 Brent Geese, c.30 Barnacle Geese, Canada Geese, c.500 Wigeon, c.1000 Lapwing, 2 female Marsh Harrier, 1 Kestrel, 2 Little Grebe, 1 Grey Heron, 4 Little Egret, c.50 Golden Plover, 1 Redshank, 1 Peregrine Falcon, 1 Sparrowhawk, c.50 Fieldfare, 1 Wren, Gadwall, Tufted Duck, 2 Avocet, Shelduck, 30 Curlew, Shoveler, Teal, Mallard, murmuration of 1000+ Starling, 4 Stock Dove. 2 Brown Hare, 2 Rabbit. David & Brenda Hale.
North Shoebury, 11:32
Sparrowhawk over being harassed by Crow. Song Thrush in garden for second day running. First sighting in garden for about 4 years. Terry Strong.
Wat Tyler Country Park, 12:00 to 13:30
3 Mute Swan, 4 Canada Goose, 7 Teal, 5 Pochard, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Kestrel, 7 Snipe, 7 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Curlew, 4 Long-tailed Tit. Brian Baldock (SOG).
Prittlewell, Oakengrange Drive 12:20 to 12:30
1 Waxwing (just one bird seen flying north, no sign of any others despite searching). Paul Baker
North Shoebury 13:00
3 male Siskin on garden feeders, a first for our garden, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Goldfinch. Jackie Bliss.
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 13:05 to 16:35
1 Woodcock flushed from track at Coryton, 1 Spotted Redshank on lagoon, 1 Barn Owl, heard what sounded like 2 Water Rail at Coryton, 1 Marsh Harrier landed briefly at close range in manorway reed bed, 13 Brent Geese on Holehaven Creek, 80+ Avocet mostly at Holehaven Creek, 150+ Wigeon, c.6 Pintail on Holehaven Creek, 2 Snipe, 50+ Teal, a few Shoveler, 3 Bar-tailed Godwit, 300+ Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Oystercatcher, Cetti's Warbler heard, 1 Little Egret, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Sparrowhawk, 20+ Meadow Pipit north of manorway reed bed (must be on passage). 2 Snipe. Richard Fahey.
Priory Park, 17:50 to 18:30
5 Waxwing mobile around north east side of ponds, 20 Redwing including 1 singing. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Friday 29th March 2013norht to easterly, scattered clouds, max5°c
Ashingdon, Princess Gardens 08:00
1 Green Woodpecker. David Selley.
Benfleet, 08:00 to 08:10
1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Mistle Thrush over garden. Graham Ryland (SOG).
RSPB Vange Marsh, 09:15 to 10:30
1 Ruff, 14 Snipe, 11 Curlew, 1 Redshank, 4 Green Sandpiper, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Song Thrush, 6 Redwing, 3 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff. Martin Cracknell (SOG).
Belfairs Golf Course, 10:00 to 11:00
1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Mistle Thrush. Mike Clarke (SOG).
South Fambridge, 10:30 to 12:35
3 Little Grebe, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 8 Mute Swan, 650 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 4 Shelduck, 25 Wigeon, 1 Buzzard, 1 Water Rail in flooded meadow next to seawall access path, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Corn Bunting. Ray Fuller (SOG).
South Benfleet, 11:00
1 Siskin on feeders, first for several years. Martin Cracknell (SOG).
Wakering Stairs 11:00 to 12:00
3 Little Egret, 56 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 8 Shelduck, 1 Kestrel, 1 adult female Marsh Harrier, 100+ Oystercatcher, 680 Bar-tailed Godwit, 304 Curlew, 78 Grey Plover, 30 Redshank, c.300 Dunlin, 50+ Knot, 2 Common Sandpiper, 3 Great Black-backed Gull, 4 Stock Dove (2 pairs), 6 Blackbird, 1 Song Thrush, 5 Meadow Pipit, 2 Skylark. David Selley.
Blue House Farm EWT Reserve 12:30 to 16:00
1 Blue Tit, 1 Kestrel, 20+ Woodpigeon, 2 Magpie, 1 Chaffinch, 3 Robin, 2 Barn Owl (on webcam), 20+ Carrion Crow, 25+ Canada Goose, 10+ Mallard, 20+ Black-headed Gull, 100+ Brent Goose, 70+ Curlew, 1 Grey Heron, 50+ Shelduck, 100+ Lapwing, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Wheatear, 20+ Teal, 100+ Starling, 2 Marsh Harrier, 20+ Coot, 2 Moorhen, 1 Knot, 10+ Little Grebe, 6 Shoveler, 2 Snipe, 2 Oystercatcher, 10+ Gadwall, 2 Peregrine Falcon, 3 Meadow Pipit, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 2 Pochard, 2 Tufted Duck, 5+ Barnacle Goose, 100+ Wigeon, 1 Sparrowhawk, 10 Ringed Plover, 4 Dunlin, 2 Pintail, 1 Little Egret, 2 Greylag Goose, 2 Herring Gull. Note - It is very wet and muddy on the reserve and wellies are a must! Martin & Marie Singleton.
Gunners Park, 13:00 to 14:30
5 Little Grebe, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Mute Swan, 1 Long-tailed Duck still on the lake, 1 Curlew, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Mistle Thrush. Brian Baldock (SOG).
Thurrock Thameside Nature Park 13:30 to 14:30
3 Common Scoter, 100+ Avocet, Pintail, c.5 Wigeon, 100+ Teal, pair of Oystercatcher. Richard Fahey.
Rochford Golf Course, 13:55 to 16:30
1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Skylark singing over airport, 2 Song Thrush singing. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Abberton Reservoir 14:00 to 14:30
30+ Coot, 4 Moorhen, 16 Mute Swan, 150+ Herring Gull, 200+ Black-headed Gull, 7 Great Black-backed Gull, 30+ Pochard, 100+ Tufted Duck, 30+ Teal, 1 Swan Goose, 22 Greylag Geese, 25 Canada Geese, 2 Aylesbury Duck, 3 White-fronted Geese, 200+ Carrion Crow, 3 Magpie, 200+ Wood Pigeon, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Kestrel, 1 Marsh Harrier. Rob Harris.
Ashingdon Road, Garden 14:30
A Sparrowhawk got the better of Collared Dove in my garden. John Spencer.
Benfleet, Hilltop Avenue 14:30 to 15:30
6 Siskin. Gordon Appleton (SOG).
Mayflower School, Billericay 14:45
10 Mistle Thrush on school playing field. Marion Burch.
RSPB Wallasea Island 15:00 to 17:30
2 Hen Harrier (1 male, 1 female), 2 Short-eared Owl, 2 Kestrel, 100+ Corn Bunting, 2 Barn Owl (one on fence just 10 feet away), 1 Marsh Harrier, Dunlin, Knot, Oystercatcher, Curlew, 50 Brent Geese, Lapwing, Redshank, Shelduck, Teal, Mallard, Fieldfare, Blackbird, Starling, Pheasant, Carrion Crow, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Little Egret, Grey Heron. Brennan and Vince Briggs.
RSPB Wallasea Island 16:00 to 16:30
2 Grey Heron, flock of Brent Geese over Crouch, 7 Mallard, 40+ Corn Bunting, 50+ Woodpigeon, 60+ Stock Dove, 60+ Black-headed Gull, 20+ Herring Gull, 3 Magpie, 25 Carrion Crow. Rob Harris.
Canvey Seafront 16:00 to 17:00
3 Oystercatcher, 15 Turnstone, 1 Ringed Plover, 4 Redshank. 50+ Black-headed Gull, 7 Common Gull, 10 Herring Gull, 4 Great Black-backed Gull, 2 Mediterranean Gull (1 with metal ring, not read). G. Dixon.
Hanningfield Reservoir Causeway 17:00 to 17:10
100+ Black-headed Gull, 30+ Herring Gull, 30+ Mallard, 30+ Tufted Duck, 20 Pochard, 30+ Wigeon, 33 Cormorant, 20+ Coot, 3 Magpie, 6 Carrion Crow, 60+ Canada Geese, 50+ Greylag Geese, 2 Great Crested Grebe. Rob Harris.
Prittlewell, 17:15
14 Waxwing on wires at east end of Oakengrange Drive. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Thursday 28th March 2013east north east, mostly cloudy, max4°c
Leigh on Sea 08:00
2 Jackdaw - pair refurbishing last year's nest (where they successfully fledged at least four chicks) on my brother-in-law's chimney stack in Pall Mall. David Selley.
Horndon on the Hill 09:45
1 Wheatear flew from footpath into ploughed field and perched on boulder. Nick Argent.
Wat Tyler Country Park 10:30 to 12:30
Sightings on the RSPB walk: Around the park and creeks; Coot, Moorhen, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Carrion Crow, Rook, Magpie, Robin, Blackbird, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Curlew, 2 Shelduck, 15 Avocet, Mallard, Chaffinch, Little Egret, Redshank, 4 Spotted Redshank, Greenshank, House Sparrow, Common Gull, Black-headed Gull, Teal, Wigeon, Dunnock, Cetti's Warbler (heard), Starling. On Vange Wick: Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Rook, Carrion Crow, Canada Goose, Shelduck, Teal, Wigeon, Grey Heron. From the Museum hide: Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Pochard, Mallard, Coot, Moorhen, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, 7 Avocet. Terry Jeffreys.
Wat Tyler Country Park 11:30 to 11:45
Middle Timberman's Creek: 3 Spotted Redshank (looking spotty), 2 Redshank, 1 Greenshank, 15 Black-tailed Godwit. David Lee.
RSPB Wallasea Island 13:45 to 14:30
1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Kestrel, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Oystercatcher, 150+ Black-headed Gull, 50+ Herring Gull, 20+ Common Crow, 12 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 8 Mallard, 2 Greylag Geese, 40+ Brent Geese, 2 Magpie, 1 Blackbird, 200+ Woodpigeon, 60+ Stock Dove, 1 Pheasant, 5 Starling, 19 Fieldfare, 3 Song Thrush. Rob Harris.
RSPB Wallasea Island 15:50 to 16:15
1 Short-eared Owl 1 Marsh Harrier. B. Goss.
Wednesday 27th March 2013east north east, scattered clouds, max4°c
Southchurch Park East 08:45 to 12:45
1 female Teal calling for 1 drake Teal sighted at 60ft away and then flying over the female. Robert Dobinson.
Eastwood, Pinewood Avenue 09:00 to 09:05
16 Waxwing feeding on berries in tree and on the ground 6 feet from car. (SOG).
Tuesday 26th March 2013east north east, mostly cloudy, max2°c
Fobbing/Corringham Marshes/Coryton 09:30 to 12:40
1 Marsh Harrier, 4 Snipe on fleets out on heart of marshes, 20+ Avocet on creek, 25+ Wigeon mostly out on heart of marshes, c. Shoveler on fleet on heart of marshes, c.8 Gadwall, 20+ Teal, 300+ Black-tailed Godwit on creek, 20+ Lapwing on heart of marshes, 1 Little Egret, 30+ Fieldfare, 10+ Redwing, 1 Green Woodpecker, 40+ Stock Dove. Warning: there is a lot of mud over here at present in places, especially by the sty leading to the footpath to Corringham where it is very slippery! Richard Fahey.
Hanningfield Reservoir Causeway 10:15 to 10:30
40+ Mallard, 50+ Coot, 16 Cormorant, 50+ Tufted Duck, 1 Blue Tit, 1 Robin, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Blackbird, 4 Magpie, 5 Carrion Crow, 30+ Common Gull, 40+ Herring Gull, 150+ Black-headed Gull, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Chaffinch. Rob Harris.
EWT Hanningfield Reservoir 10:45 to 15:45
1 female Scaup, 1 pair Great Crested Grebe, 1 Little Grebe, 3 Goldeneye (2 drake, 1 female), 1 drake Pintail, 3 Mistle Thrush, 2 Song Thrush, 4 Snipe, 4 Fieldfare, c.12 Gadwall, Teal, Mallard, Pochard, Tufted Duck, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Treecreeper, c.12 Goldcrest, 1 Wren, 10 Long-tailed Tit, 1 pair Marsh Harrier, 3 Pied Wagtail, 1 Coal Tit. David & Brenda Hale.
Hanningfield Reservoir Causeway 12:45
230 Wigeon, 10 Greylag Geese, 2 Canada Geese, 20 Lapwing, Tufted Duck, Coot, Moorhen, Sparrowhawk spooked ducks. 7 Rabbits. G. Dixon.
South Woodham Ferrers, Burnham Road 14:05 to 14:10
1 Barn Owl. Rob Harris.
RSPB Wallasea Island 14:30 to 15:10
1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Barn Owl, 1 Kestrel, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret, 100+ Black-headed Gull, 50+ Herring Gull, 30+ Common Crow, 10 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 8 Mallard, 200+ Corn Bunting, 3 Magpie, 1 Blackbird, 200+ Woodpigeon, 100+ Stock Dove, 1 Pheasant. Rob Harris.
Ashingdon, Princess Gardens 14:55 to 16:30
Despite a top temperature of just 2 degrees, Song Thrush, several Blackbird, Great Tit and Chaffinch were all singing, and 4 or 5 Dunnock were having a spirited chase. Possibly encouraged by better light levels today. David Selley.
Monday 25th March 2013east north east, overcast, max2°c
River Chelmer, Chelmsford 07:30
2 Goosander (pair) by Riverside car park. Tim Davis.
RSPB Rainham Marshes 10:45 to 16:15
1 Barn Owl, 1 female Marsh Harrier, 1 Kestrel, 1 Green Woodpecker, 12 Snipe, c.50 Dunlin, 1 pair Pintail, 2 Golden Plover, 2 Ringed Plover, 2 Little Egret, c.50 Wigeon, Gadwall, Tufted Duck, Shelduck, 6 Curlew, Pochard, Teal, Shoveler, Mallard. David & Brenda Hale.
Private Land Near Crays Hill 13:20
1 Buzzard heading west. G. Dixon.
Sunday 24th March 2013east north east, rain, snow, max2°c
Rochford, Cherry Orchard Way 08:05
15+ Waxwing in hedgerow at Hall Road end, flew east towards Rochford. David Selley.
Hockley 08:20 to 08:25
3 Siskin (2 male, 1 female) on garden feeder. Tim Davis.
Chafford Gorges 09:00 to 10:30
12 Greylag Goose, White-fronted Goose (in with Greylags), 50 Black-headed Gull, 3 Cormorant, Sedge Warbler, Green Woodpecker, 10 Canada Goose, 20 Goldfinch, 6 Blackbird, Robin, Grey Heron, Mute Swan, 4 Great Cresed Grebe. Adam and Christina Commons.
RSPB Vange Marsh 09:15 to 11:15
From scrape: 12 Curlew, 2 Green Sandpiper, 2 Oystercatcher, 2 Shelduck, 2 Canada Goose, Mallard, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Teal, Wigeon, Carrion Crow, Cetti's Warbler (heard). On brackish lagoon: Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Mediterranean Gull, Tufted Duck, Mallard, 7 Lapwing, Shoveler, Coot, Moorhen, 3 Shelduck, 2 Canada Goose, Pochard, Great Crested Grebe, Little Grebe, Grey Heron, Pied Wagtail. Around the perimeter: Green Woodpecker, Greenfinch, Starling, 2 Redwing, Woodpigeon, Stock Dove, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Robin, Blackbird, Cetti's Warbler (heard at abstraction ditch), Wren, House Sparrow. Terry Jeffreys.
Western Road, Leigh on Sea 10:00
1 Blackcap. Allan Webb.
Shoeburyness, Shoebury Avenue 11:00 to 13:00
Male Chaffinch, Goldfinch, male and female Blackbird, Robin, Dunnock, 3 Long-tailed Tit, Magpie, male and female Great Tit, Blue Tit, 3 Starling, 4 House Sparrow. Steve Day.
Thurrock Thameside NR 11:15 to 13:30
80+ Avocet, 45 Black-tailed Godwit, 300+ Black-headed Gull, 200+ Dunlin, 3 Oystercatcher, 28 Ringed Plover, 1500 Teal, 1 Curlew, 3 Turnstone, 26 Common Scoter in middle of river, 58 Redshank, 2 Kestrel, 1 Grey Plover, 9 Meadow Pipit. Denis Tuck.
Hanningfield Reservoir 13:00 to 14:00
300+ Wigeon, 25 Carrion Crow, 20+ Lesser Black-backed Gull, 50+ Herring Gull, 250+ Black-headed Gull, 40+ Common Gull, 100+ Tufted Duck, 60+ Mallard, 1 Lapwing, 50+ Coot, 2 Moorhen, 2 Canada Geese, 8 Greylag Geese, 20+ Pochard, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Pied Wagtail, 2 Green Woodpecker, 5 Greenfinch, 23 Starling, 20+ Redwing, 40+ Woodpigeon, 12 Stock Dove, 2 Blue Tit, 2 Great Tit, 1 Robin, 5 Blackbird, 3 Song Thrush, 3 Goldfinch, 2 Long-tailed Tit. Rob Harris.
RSPB Wallasea Island 16:00 to 17:10
1 Barn Owl, 100+ Black-headed Gull, 60+ Herring Gull, 12 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 3 Grey Heron, 12 Mallard, 300+ Corn Bunting, 3 Magpie, 30+ Common Crow, 1 Kestrel, 2 Blackbird. Rob Harris.
Saturday 23rd March 2013east north east, snow, max3°c
Wickford 10:20 to 10:25
1 Sparrowhawk. very low over garden fence hunting feral pigeons on nearby bungalow roof. Rob Harris.
Tattersall Gardens, Leigh on Sea 13:20 to 13:36
1 male Sparrowhawk sitting on top of bird feeder pole and then small tree in my back garden. Martin Johnson.
Southchurch Park and Southchurch Park East
Southchurch Park: 2 Redshank, 3 Turnstone on east end of Island and 5 Turnstone feeding around pond edge. Southchurch East Park: 2 Green Woodpecker feeding on grass bank South of pond, 1 Lesser Black-Backed Gull, 1 Greater Black-Backed Gull both on water and took off together circling pond. Robert Dobinson.
Friday 22nd March 2013eastlery, mostly cloudy, max5°c
EWT Hanningfield Reservoir 09:45 to 16:15
1 drake and 4 red head Goosander, 1 female Scaup, 1 pair Pintail, 2 drake 1 female Teal, c.100 Wigeon, c.6 pair Goldeneye, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Little Gull, 1 male and 1 female Marsh Harrier, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Little Grebe, 12 drake and 1 female Shoveler, Tufted Duck, Greylag Geese, Canada Geese, 2 Mistle Thrush, c.8 Fieldfare, 1 Treecreeper, 1 Chiffchaff, 6 Long-tailed Tit, c.8 Goldcrest, 1 Wren, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Dunnock, Stock Dove, Robin, Chaffinch, 2 cock Pheasant. David & Brenda Hale.
RSPB Wallasea Island 13:00 to 13:30
2 Pheasant, 100+ Corn Bunting, 60+ Stock dove, 2 Blackbird, 3 Magpie, 100+ Black-headed Gull, 30+ Herring Gull. 1 Brown Hare. Rob Harris.
Hanningfield Reservoir Causeway 14:45 to 15:00
70+ Greylag Goose, 100+ Canada Goose, 70+ Mallard, 50+ Coot, 36 Cormorant, 150+ Tufted Duck, 2 Blackbird, 2 Magpie, 17 Carrion Crow, 30+ Common Gull, 40+ Herring Gull, 230+ Black-headed Gull, 2 Great Crested Grebe. Rob Harris.
Thursday 21st March 2013easterly, mostly cloudy, max 6°c
Great Burstead 09:00
Common Buzzard. Mick Roe.
Braintree 10:00 to 10:30
6 Common Buzzard thermalling at varying heights on same thermal. Steve Day.
RSPB Vange Marsh 10:20 to 12:30
From scrape: 12 Curlew, 4 Green Sandpiper, Spotted Redshank, 3 Shelduck, 2 Canada Goose, Teal, Wigeon, Pheasant (heard), Carrion Crow, Kestrel, Common Buzzard, Cetti's Warbler (heard). On brackish lagoon: Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Tufted Duck, Mallard, Lapwing, 2 Ruff, Shoveler, Coot, Moorhen, 5 Shelduck, 4 Canada Goose, Pochard, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Little Grebe, Grey Heron, Pied Wagtail. Around the perimeter: Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Starling, Redwing, Woodpigeon, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Robin, Blackbird, Cetti's Warbler (heard at abstraction ditch), House Sparrow. Terry Jeffreys.
A12, Mountnessing Junction 10:30
1 Common Buzzard circling low over junction. G. Dixon.
Hanningfield Reservoir Causeway 14:00 to 14:15
50+ Greylag Goose, 100+ Canada Goose, 70+ Mallard, 50+ Coot, 45 Cormorant, 2 Moorhen, 120+ Tufted Duck, 10 Pochard, 2 Mute Swan, 1 Blackbird, 5 Magpie, 12 Carrion Crow, 30+ Common Gull, 40+ Herring Gull, 5 Great Black-backed Gull, 12 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 180+ Black-headed Gull, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Great Tit, 1 Pied Wagtail. Rob Harris.
Lake Meadows, Billericay 14:45
1 drake Goosander, 2 pair Tufted Duck, 1 drake Pochard, pair Great Crested Grebe. Marion Burch.
Hanningfield Reservoir, Lyster Hide 15:00
7 Goosander (2 drake, 5 female). G. Dixon.
Two Tree island West 16:00 to 15:15
5 Waxwing perched in bush near main (first) car park, calling, then flew off west, low across island, not relocated. 22 Avocet, 1 Greenshank, 1 immature male Peregrine Falcon. Andrew Gouldstone.
Wednesday 20th March 2013north easterly, cloud, rain, max5°c
Benfleet, Thundersley Park Road 08:00 to 09:00
4 Siskin on feeders. Jerry Stock.
Stock, Downham Road, 09:45
2 Kestrel on wire 2 meters apart. G. Dixon.
Orsett, A128 10:30 to 10:35
2 Common Buzzard, 1 Kestrel. Rob Harris.
Hanningfield Reservoir 13:30 to 15:00
2 Goosander (drake & female), 1 drake Long-tailed Duck from the Lyster Hide, 8 Pochard, 24 Tufted Duck, 16 Goldeneye (5 drake). Richard Mander.
Hanningfield Reservoir Causeway 14:30 to 15:00
11 Barnacle Goose, 40+ Greylag Goose, 60+ Canada Goose, 70+ Mallard, 50+ Coot, 42 Cormorant, 50+ Wigeon, 2 Moorhen, 100+ Tufted Duck, 50+ Pochard, 5 Mute Swan, 2 Blackbird, 2 Magpie, 5 Carrion Crow, 30+ Common Gull, 40+ Herring Gull, 7 Great Black-backed Gull, 20+ Lesser Black-backed Gull, 150+ Black-headed Gull. Rob Harris.
Tolleshunt Knights 15:00
A pair of Mandarin ducks on one of our ponds. Mrs Bradley.
Tuesday 19th March 2013variable, mostly cloudy, max8°c
Abberton Reservoir, Layer Breton Causeway 10:30 to 12:20
1 Peregrine Falcon, 1 Kestrel, 3 drake and 1 female Goosander, 2 female Goldeneye. David & Brenda Hale.
Hanningfield Reservoir 11:00 to 14:00
1 Black-necked Grebe, 2 Goosander (pair), 1 drake Long-tailed Duck, 1 Treecreeper, 5 Goldcrest, 14+ Goldeneye (5 drake). Pete Jackson.
Cudmore Grove Country Park, 12:40 to 16:25
1 Water Rail, c.20 Common Snipe, c.50 Redshank, c.100 Oystercatcher, 200+ Wigeon, 50+ Golden Plover, Lapwing, Curlew, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, c.200 Brent Geese, 1 Song Thrush. 1 pair of nest building Long-tailed Tit. Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Goldfinch. 2 Adder, tempted out by temperature of 11 degree's c. David & Brenda Hale.
Hanningfield Reservoir Causeway 13:00 to 13:15
200+ Black-headed Gull, 120+ Herring Gull, 60+ Mallard, 150+ Tufted Duck, 50+ Pochard, 100+ Wigeon, 43 Cormorant, 70+ Coot, 4 Moorhen, 20+ Carrion Crow, 3 Magpie, 100+ Canada Geese, 100+ Greylag Geese, 11 Barnacle Geese, 10 Mute Swan. Rob Harris.
Hockley 15:50
2 male Siskin on garden feeder. Tim Davis.
RSPB Wallasea Island 16:00 to 17:10
3 Grey Heron, 5 Reed Bunting, 40+ Corn Bunting, 16 Mallard, 2 Little Egret, 6 Shelduck, 12 Teal, 2 Curlew, 30+ Dunlin, 7 Oystercatcher, 30+ Redshank, 30+ Dunlin, 5 Grey Plover, 3 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Kestrel, 2 Short-eared Owl, 2 Magpie, 50+ Black headed Gull, 23 Carrion Crow, 20+ Herring Gull. Rob Harris.
Monday 18th March 2013variable, mostly cloudy, max8°c
RSPB West Canvey Marsh, 09:45 to 12:30
1 Peregrine Falcon stooped on Wigeon and curlew; circled and made off to north, 2 Marsh Harrier (1 circling high made off west; 1 dark bird low over pantile picnic site), 3 Mediterranean Gull on reservoir, c.50 Curlew north of reservoir, c.60 Stock Dove, 1 Kestrel, 1 drake Pintail in front of west hide, 6 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 6 Gadwall, 1 Short-eared Owl over field near stables south of pantile track, 500+ Wigeon. Ian White.
Wickford, Great Saling 10:00
Chiffchaff in the garden. David Hope.
Rainham, Ferry Lane 10:15 to 11:50
2 Black Redstart (male & female) still on waste land, next to 'Easter Park', 22 Ferry Lane. David & Brenda Hale.
RSPB Rainham Marshes 12:55 to 16:50
Sightings from Purfleet hide and visitor centre: 1 Kingfisher, 20 + Common Snipe, 6 Meadow Pipit, 1 Wren, 1 Barn Owl, 2 female Marsh Harrier, c.50 Golden Plover, c.100 Lapwing, c.100 Dunlin, 1 pair Pintail, 1 Grey Plover, 200+ Wigeon, Teal, Shoveler, Gadwall, Tufted Duck, Pochard, Mallard, Shelduck, c.20 Curlew, 10 Redshank, 1 Kestrel. David & Brenda Hale.
Shoeburyness, Gunners Park 13:00 to 14:15
Carrion Crow, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Woodpigeon, Magpie, Blackbird, Fieldfare, Starling, Greenfinch, Robin, Chaffinch, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Great Tit, Dunnock, Collared Dove, Oystercatcher, Redshank, Turnstone, Herring Gull, Ringed Plover, Sanderling, 8 Little Grebe, Long-tailed Duck, Mute Swan, Little Egret, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Blue Tit, House Sparrow, Goldfinch, Moorhen. S. Jackson.
RSPB Wallasea Island 13:15 to 14:00
1 ringtail Hen Harrier, 2 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk. 40+ Corn Bunting, 2 Reed Bunting, 2 Blackbird, 5 House Sparrow, 1 Chaffinch, 1 male Pheasant, 3 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret, 6 Curlew, 20+ Redshank, 7 Shelduck, 20+ Mallard, 12 Carrion Crow, 3 Magpie, 50+ Stock Dove, 27 Woodpigeon, 50+ Black-headed Gull, 30+ Herring Gull. Hunting in/over WBC 1 Fox. Rob Harris.
RSPB Wallasea Island 14:00 to 15:45
Grey Heron, Reed Bunting, Mallard, Little Egret, 1 ringtail Hen Harrier, Shelduck, Teal, Curlew, Oystercatcher, Redshank, Dunlin, Grey Plover, 1 male Merlin, Kestrel. B. Goss.
Hawkwell, Magnolia Park NR 16:50 to 18:15
2 Shoveler (pair), 4 Teal (2 pairs), 10 Mallard, 7 Moorhen, 5 Snipe flushed from bulrushes - quite a surprise here, 1 Sparrowhawk, many Blue Tit and Great Tit, 2 Long-tailed Tit, very many roosting Woodpigeon, 6 Magpie. All sightings from around the square pond by the Hogarth Way entrance, most of the west side of the reserve is heavily flooded. David Selley.
Oakengrange Drive 17:30
30 Waxwing. John Goodman.
Sunday 17th March 2013southerly, partly cloudy, max7°c
Leigh on Sea, Park View Drive 07:30 16:30
Female Great Spotted Woodpecker on fat slab, 5 Chaffinch (3 male, 2 female) in garden all day. Kris Mee, Web Author.
RSPB Vange Marsh 07:40 to 10:20
Kestrel, Robin, Greenfinch, Fieldfare, 2 Redwing, 3 Mute Swan, 2 Curlew, 2 Green Sandpiper, 8 Shelduck, Wigeon, Teal, Mallard, Moorhen, Coot, Woodpigeon, Carrion Crow, Magpie, Green Woodpecker (heard), 2 Greylag Goose, 2 Canada Goose, 2 Brent Goose, 4 Snipe, 2 Pied Wagtail, House Sparrow, Reed Bunting, Tufted Duck, Herring Gull, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 4 Little Grebe, Shoveler, Blackbird, Goldfinch, Grey Heron, Pochard, Gadwall, 4+ Cetti's Warbler (calling in Eastern reed beds), Stock Dove, Blue Tit, Great Tit. Terry Jeffreys.
Ashingdon, Princess Gardens 08:10 to 08:30
20 Chaffinch - an obvious influx as we rarely see more than two or three here, 6 Goldfinch, 1 Greenfinch, 5 Blue Tit, 1 Great Tit, 1 Blackbird carrying food. David Selley.
Wat Tyler Country Park 09:25
50 Avocet on scrape. David Lee.
EWT Hanningfield Reservoir/Causeway 10:20 to 14:00
11 Barnacle Goose, Coot, Cormorant, Wigeon, Shelduck, Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Mallard, Pheasant, Black-headed Gull, Mute Swan, 5 Pied Wagtail, Great Crested Grebe, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Robin, Coal Tit, Chaffinch, Blackbird, Dunnock, Common Gull, Herring Gull, Magpie, Moorhen, Tufted Duck, Carrion Crow, Goldeneye, Long-tailed Duck (1 drake seen from Rawl Hide), Goosander (3 female), Pochard, Little Grebe, Great Black-backed Gull, Long-tailed Tit, Goldcrest, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Treecreeper, Nuthatch, Stock Dove, Gadwall, Jackdaw. Muntjac Deer. Ben M.
South Fambridge 10:10 to 11:30
900+ Dark-bellied Brent Goose (520 grazing in deer paddock at North Fambridge and c.400 on the Crouch by Bluehouse Farm), 12 Mute Swan, 16 Shelduck, 38 Wigeon, 6 Mallard, 1 Kestrel, 1 Buzzard low over field behind South Fambridge church then towards Ashingdon, 85 Lapwing, c.60 Dunlin, 18 Golden Plover, 6 Oystercatcher, 9 Chaffinch, 2 Greenfinch. David Selley.
Gunners Park 11:00
Female Long-tailed Duck on the lake, plus 4 Little Grebe, 1 Reed Bunting. Andrew Gouldstone.
RSPB Wallasea Island 12:30 to 13:00
2 Grey Heron, 1 ringtail Hen Harrier, 10 Brent Geese, 20+ Mallard, 50+ Woodpigeon, 40+ Stock Dove, 7 Carrion Crow, 100+ Herring Gull, 150+ Black Headed Gull, 3 Magpie, 40+ Corn Bunting, 7 Reed Bunting, 6 House Sparrow, 1 Blackbird. Rob Harris.
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 13:20 to 17:32
Pair of Barn Owl seen from Manorway, mostly hunting west end of marshes, 1 female Marsh Harrier, 1 Green Sandpiper, 5 Avocet, Water Rail heard at Coryton lagoon and in reed bed by Manorway, 140+ Wigeon, c.10 Gadwall, 100+ Teal, 7 Shoveler, a few Little Egret, Cetti's Warbler heard at Coryton, 75+ Fieldfare, 3 Oystercatcher, 1 Sparrowhawk, Little Grebe "trilling" on Coryton lagoon. Richard Fahey.
Rayleigh, Crown Hill 13:30
c.20 Waxwing on tree near top Crown Hill. Hilary Knight.
Abberton Reservoir 16:00 to 16:30
30+ Coot, 4 Moorhen, 3 Mute Swan, 150+ Herring Gull, 300+ Black-headed Gull, 7 Great Black-backed Gull, 30+ Pochard, 100+ Tufted Duck, 30+ Teal, 1 Swan Goose, 12 Greylag Geese, 15 Canada Geese, 2 Aylesbury Duck, 1 Pied Wagtail, 200+ Carrion Crow, 8 Magpie, 400+ Wood Pigeon, 7 Great Crested Grebe. Rob Harris.
Two Tree Island 16:20 to 17:30
1 Short-eared Owl hunting near both Hides on Island, 2 Mediterranean Gull from Lagoon hide in Benfleet Creek. Jeff Elliott.
Chelmsford, River Chelmer 16:45 to 16:50
1 Kingfisher fishing by Riverside car park. Tim Davis.
Saturday 16th March 2013southerly, cloud rain, max7°c
Vange 11:30
Male Sparrowhawk perched on my garden fence for five minutes observing silent feeders! Mick Roe.
Southchurch Park 12:45
3 Redshank on wildlife island, 7 Turnstone feeding around grass bank surrounding pond. 2 Mute Swan building nest on island (after conservation work undertaken by volunteers/park rangers on Wednesday afternoon). Robert Dobinson.
Havering, Ferry Lane, River Foreshore 16:30 to 17:15
1 male Black Redstart (follow ferry lane until arrival at lay-by near seawall, walk up to seawall and walk towards palisade fence on the right, where seawall and fence meet bird is active on foreshore below to the right). Des Newton.
Friday 15th March 2013south south westerly, cloud rain, max8°c
First Local Summer Migrant Report - Black Redstart
Hinguar School (New Garrison Road) /Gunners Park 07:40 to 11:30
Black Redstart feeding under Hinguar School Car park for 20 minutes. Only 2 Red-legged Partridges left, pair Shelduck in ditch near school and Siskin alarming in trees, Kestrel calling from roof of school. Male and Female Sparrowhawk displaying above Lake on Park Border.
Hockley 07:45 to 07:50
2 Siskin (pair) on garden feeder. Tim Davis.
North Avenue, Southend 11:15 to 11:30
Blackbird, Starling, House Sparrow, Feral Pigeon, Blue Tit, Blackcap, Goldcrest in garden. S. Jackson.
A132 Runwell 12:30
1 Common Buzzard, 1 Crow mobbing. Rob Harris.
Abberton Reservoir 13:00 to 13:30
30+ Coot, 4 Moorhen, 5 Mute Swan, 50+ Herring Gull, 100+ Black-headed Gull, 5 Great Black-backed Gull, 30+ Pochard, 100+ Tufted Duck, 30+ Teal, 2 Shelduck, 1 Swan Goose, 12 Greylag Geese, 5 Canada Geese, 2 Aylesbury Duck, 1 Pied Wagtail, 100+ Carrion Crow, 4 Magpie, 200+ Wood Pigeon, 1 Greater Crested Grebe. Rob Harris.
Canvey Point 14:35
Merlin sitting on post at the end of the saltings. T. Blackwell.
Thursday 14th March 2013northerly to southerly, partly cloudy, max6°c
North Fambridge 13:15 to 13:30
12 Wigeon, 30+ Black-headed Gull, 14 Herring Gull, 1 Little Grebe, 40+ Brent Goose, 8 Oystercatcher, 30+ Dunlin, 30+ Woodpigeon. Rob Harris.
Wat Tyler Country Park 13:40 to 15:30
Sightings from scrape hide: 9 Ruff, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 6 Snipe, 1 Sparrowhawk, 6 Avocet, 1 female Marsh Harrier, Cetti's Warbler heard. A plastic Eagle Owl, is perched on the highest point of pylon, viewed to the right of hide! Fooled us for a while. David & Brenda Hale.
Lake Meadows, Billericay 13:50 to 14:30
1 Pochard, a pair of Great Crested Grebe, 3 Goosander (1 drake, 2 female). Chris Henry.
Lake Meadows, Billericay 14:45
6 Goosander (4 drake, 2 female), 3 Mute Swan (2 adult, 1 juvenile), Tufted Duck, Pochard, pair Great Crested Grebe displaying. Marion Burch.
Wat Tyler Country Park 15:30 to 17:00
Sightings at marina: 1 Snow Goose on salt marsh with Canada Geese, c.100 Wigeon, 5 Mute Swan, 2000+ Gulls, 1 Little Egret, 6 Grey Heron, Redshank, Curlew, Shoveler, Teal, Shelduck, Mallard, 1 Jay. 3 Fox. David & Brenda Hale.
RSPB Wallasea Island 17:45 to 18:15
3 Grey Heron, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 male Hen Harrier, 1 Barn Owl, 1 Short-eared Owl, 40 Brent Geese, 20+ Mallard, 50+ Woodpigeon, 20+ Stock Dove, 50+ Black Headed Gull, 30+ Herring Gull, 1 Magpie, 7 Carrion Crow. Rob Harris.
Battlesbridge 18:45
1 Tawny Owl. Rob Harris.
Wednesday 13th March 2013north westerly to southerly, scattered clouds, max6°c
Benfleet, Asquith Gardens 09:00
Goldcrest feeding on shrubs in garden. Steve Simmons.
EWT Thurrock Thameside 11:15 to 16:30
7 Greylag Geese, 3 Brent Geese, 2 Canada Geese, 1 Kittiwake, 1 Grey Plover, 2 Turnstone, 1 Kestrel, 1 pair Wigeon, c.200 Dunlin, c.50 Lapwing, c.150 Avocet, c.50 Curlew, 100+ Teal, 3 Oystercatcher, c.150 Black-tailed Godwit, 50+ Shelduck, 3 Skylark, 6 pair Pintail, 1 female Reed Bunting, 1 pair Dunnock, 1000+ Gulls over landfill. 1 Common Seal. David & Brenda Hale.
RSPB Wallasea Island 13:00 to 13:30
1 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret, 2 Kestrel, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 ringtail Hen Harrier, 5 Oystercatcher, 40 Brent Geese, 7 Mallard, 1 Little Grebe, 5 Reed Bunting, 40+ Corn Bunting, 50+ Woodpigeon, 60+ Stock Dove, 60+ Black Headed Gull, 20+ Herring Gull, 3 Magpie, 15 Carrion Crow. Rob Harris.
Lake Meadows, Billericay 15:00
4 Goosander (3 drake, 1 female), 1 pair Pochard. 3 pair Tufted Duck. Marion Burch.
Tuesday 12th March 2013north easterly, scattered clouds, max3°c
Ashingdon, Princess Gardens 09:40 to 09:55
1 female Sparrowhawk flew low over garden, then discovered 1 Song Thrush trapped head first in several inches of snow on our greenhouse roof. Mounted a rescue operation, but by the time I got the ladder up it had freed itself, and as I reached out it flew off apparently uninjured. David Selley.
Belhus Woods 09:00 to 11:00
2 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Mealy Redpoll. Mike Butler.
Havering Riverside 11:00 to 15:00
1 male Black Redstart, 3 Rock Pipit, Chiffchaff. Mike Butler
Cudmore Grove, Mersea Island 11:30 to 13:00
1 male Wheatear on beach under cliff face. 6 Redshank, 50+ Wigeon, 50+ Dark bellied Brent Geese, 20 Lapwing, 60 Golden Plover, 10 Turnstone, 5 Skylark, 8 Tufted Duck, 2 Gadwall, 1 Shoveler. John Spencer.
Thurrock Thameside Nature Park 13:20 to 15:15
200+ Avocet, 500+ Teal, a few Turnstone. Richard Fahey.
Two Tree Island West 14:00
1 Jack Snipe, 1 Snipe, 1 Golden Plover, 80+ Avocet, 200+ Dunlin, 2 Greenshank, 1 Curlew, flock of Skylark, Ring Plover, Turnstone, Grey Plover, Redshank, 20+ Bar-tailed Godwit. Richard Shepherd.
Stanford Warren N.R./Mucking 15:15 to 16:40
1 Chiffchaff seen briefly but heard calling, pair of Gadwall on fleet cut in reed bed. Richard Fahey.
Hanningfield Reservoir Causeway 15:50 to 16:10
100+ Black-headed Gull, 30+ Mallard, 30+ Tufted Duck, 20 Pochard, 130+ Wigeon, 3 Cormorant, 20+ Coot, 3 Magpie, 6 Carrion Crow, 60+ Canada Geese, 50+ Greylag Geese, 9 Barnacle Geese. Rob Harris.
Monday 11th March 2013north north easterly, snow showers, max1°c
Wat Tyler Country Park, 11:15 to 11:20
9 Snipe, 1 Cetti's Warbler. Paul Baker (SOG).
Canvey Point, 11:40 to 12:35
Viewing from top of steps as seawall underwater: 5 adult Gannet upriver then back out again, 1 Common Scoter on sea, 3 Mediterranean Gull (1x adult, 1x 2nd-w, 1x 1st-w), 8 Kittiwake (7 adults, 1 x 1st-w), 2+ Alcidae sp., 1 Razorbill quite close in on the water. Paul Baker, John Wright (SOG).
RSPB Rainham Marshes 15:45 to 16:05
4 Pheasant, 3 Blackbird, 9 Dunnock, 12 Goldfinch, 11 Greenfinch, 5 Blue Tit, 30+ Starling, 5 Collared Dove, 6 Woodpigeon, 20 Chaffinch, 5 Coot, 20+ Lapwing, 30+ Mallard, 40+ Wigeon, 7 Reed Bunting, 20+ Black-headed Gull. A Spoonbill had been on the reserve, departed just before I arrived. Rob Harris.
Sunday 10th March 2013north easterly, snow showers, max1°c
First Local Summer Migrant Report - Sandwich Tern
Benfleet, Thundersley Park Road 08:30
6 Siskin on feeders in garden. Jerry Stock.
Leigh on Sea, Park View Drive 08:30 to 08:40
Male Siskin on sunflower heart feeders, 9 Goldfinch, 1 Blackbird, female Green Woodpecker in birch tree. Kris Mee, Web Author.
Hall Farm, South Ockendon 08:45
Red Kite flying eastbound over Hall Farm, South Ockendon. Tony Oakley.
RSPB West Canvey Marsh, 09:00 to 10:15
58 Dark-bellied Brent Goose (37 on the wet grassland. My highest count for the reserve. A further 21 flew over west), 17 Black-tailed Godwit, 6 Skylark, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Reed Bunting. Marc Outten (SOG).
Fobbing/Corringham Marshes/Coryton 09:19 to 12:45
1 female Marsh Harrier, 1 Green Sandpiper, 30+ Avocet, 1 Water Rail heard in reeds behind fence below seawall, 5 Pintail on Holehaven Creek, 100+ Wigeon and Teal, 3 Little Egret, 1 Fieldfare, 10 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Green Woodpecker, a few Oystercatcher. Richard Fahey.
RSPB Vange Marsh 09:30 to 11:30
Green Sandpiper, Redshank, 2 Shelduck, 10 Avocet, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Pied Wagtail, Kestrel, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Grey Heron, Robin, Wigeon, Teal, Gadwall, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Shoveler, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Coot, Moorhen, Little Grebe, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 11 Snipe, Green Woodpecker, Stock Dove, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Cetti's Warblers calling on eastern reed bed. Terry Jeffreys.
Southend, 12:00
2 Peregrine Falcon (pair on west side of HSBC building for a short while only). Paul Baker (SOG).
Gunners Park, 12:20 to 12:45
4 Little Grebe on lake, 7 Great Crested Grebe, 1 adult Gannet flew east, 2 Common Scoter, 1 male Stonechat. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Canvey Point, 12:40 to 13:20
Just after high tide: 42 Gannet (almost constant stream counted flying west), 1 adult Mediterranean Gull in full summer plumage, 10 adult Little Gull flying east, 1 Sandwich Tern lingering and fishing off the seawall. Martin Cracknell (SOG).
RSPB West Canvey Marsh, 13:00 to 16:30
5 Little Egret, 2 Grey Heron, 85 Dark-bellied Brent Goose (over heading west), 14 Shelduck, 763 Wigeon, 4 Gadwall, 43 Teal, 4 Pintail (2m, 2f), 34 Shoveler, 8 Pochard, 6 Tufted Duck, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Buzzard (over heading west at 13.37. At one point being mobbed by c. 100 Corvidae), 1 Kestrel, 1 Peregrine Falcon sat on the wet grassland, 3 Oystercatcher, 10 Black-tailed Godwit, 63 Curlew, 1 Green Sandpiper, 75 Stock Dove, 1 Short-eared Owl giving excellent views sat on a post in the Pantile area, 6 Skylark, 3 Reed Bunting. Marc Outten (SOG).
Lake Meadows, Billericay 15:00 to 16:15
47 Canada Geese, 60+ Black-headed Gull, 1 Common Gull, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 8 Coot, 16 Moorhen, 30 Mallard, 15+ Woodpigeon, Crow, Jackdaw, 2 Blackbird, 1 female Mandarin Duck, 4 Goosander (3 drake, 1 female). G. Dixon.
Saturday 09th March 2013north westerly, mostly cloudy, max7°c
Hockley Woods, 07:15 to 10:25
1 Sparrowhawk heard, 2 Green Woodpecker, 5 Great Spotted Woodpecker (at least), 2 Song Thrush, 3 Goldcrest, 2 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Coal Tit singing and showing well at north end of clearing near woodchip piles, 1 Treecreeper, 20+ Siskin (flock of 20 feeding in trees on west side. Several other flyovers), 4 Hawfinch 
flew into usual area together, seen for c.30 seconds before heading south west back off into the woods. Martin Cracknell, Lee Ebbs (SOG).
Hockley 07:55 to 08:10
2 Siskin (pair) and 1 male Great Spotted Woodpecker on garden feeders. Tim Davis.
Southchurch Park East 08:50
1 Redshank on north wall of island, 5 Turnstone feeding around pond. Robert Dobinson.
Hockley Woods, 08:00 to 12:00
1 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (heard but frustratingly not located), 2 Goldcrest, 6 Siskin, 4 Hawfinch at 11:15, at least 3 birds were present for five - ten minutes, but mobile, finally flying north east. Tim Bourne (SOG).
RSPB Rainham Marshes 10:00 to 13:05
Blackbird, Dunnock, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Starling, Collared Dove, Woodpigeon, Chaffinch, Coot, Lapwing, Mallard, Wigeon, Shoveler, Oystercatcher, Tufted Duck, Moorhen, Little Egret, Black- headed Gull, 1000+ Dunlin, Mute Swan, Curlew, Redshank, Snipe, Gadwall, 24 Avocet, Reed Bunting, Pintail, Little Grebe, Pochard, Shelduck, Teal, Golden Plover, Pied Wagtail, Skylark, Marsh Harrier (female), Grey Heron, Herring Gull, Canada Goose, Great Crested Grebe, Black-necked Grebe (single seen from platforms), Redwing, Robin, House Sparrow. Ben M.
Friday 08th March 2013north easterly, fog and rain, max9°c
Rochford, 14:40 to 14:45
1 male Green Woodpecker sat in tree in garden for five minutes. Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).
Thursday 07th March 2013east north east, cloud and rain, max8°c
Monks Haven, Near The Glen, Stanford-Le-Hope 09:30
18 Waxwing on telegraph lines/pole. Richard Fahey.
Chelmsford, Cormorant Walk 10:00
1 Red Kite flew over being mobbed by flock of gulls. Janice Bright.
Porchester Road, Billericay 11:00
1 male Sparrowhawk on roof of Park Lodge. Ben M.
Southend Pier 13:00
1 Shag, several Kittiwake. David Chivers.
Wednesday 06th March 2013calm, clear. max15°c
Benfleet, Villa Road 10:00
Male Blackcap on garden feeders. Richard Shepherd.
Paglesham Lagoon, 11:20 to 12:30
36 Pintail, 2 drake Scaup, 6 Goldeneye (2 on lagoon, 4 on River Roach), 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 32 Avocet on River Roach, 1 Goldcrest. John Wright (SOG).
Hanningfield Reservoir Causeway 13:00 to 13.15
60+ Black-headed Gull, 20+ Herring Gull, 40+ Mallard, 70+ Tufted Duck, 50+ Pochard, 100+ Wigeon, 13 Cormorant, 50+ Coot, 4 Moorhen, 20+ Carrion Crow, 3 Magpie, 1 Bullfinch, 60+ Canada Geese, 50+ Greylag Geese, 11 Barnacle Geese. Rob Harris.
RSPB Wallasea Island, 13:00 to 14:30
2 Little Egret, 3 Marsh Harrier (2 male, 1 female), 1 Kestrel, 30 Linnet, 15 Reed Bunting, 20 Corn Bunting. John Wright (SOG).
Oakengrange Drive, Prittlewell 13:50
5 Waxwing watched for five minutes as they were perching on the telephone wires on corner of Alton Gardens. P. North.
Gunners Park, 15:00 to 15:45
1 Long-tailed Duck still present on the lake. John Wright (SOG).
Two Tree Island, West Side 17:15 to 17:30
2 Short-eared Owl west of the flying club, on the north and south sea walls. Peter Bowden.
Tuesday 05th March 2013north easterly, clear, max12°c
Paglesham Churchend 05:40
2 Little Owl on farm buildings back of Ingulfs Farm and very vocal. John Carson.
Hornchurch 11:00
1 Redpoll on bird feeder in the garden. Ron Colvin.
North Shoebury
Sparrowhawk took Starling in garden. Terry Strong.
Two Tree Island
Spotted Redshank. Mick.
Monday 04th March 2013easterly, scattered clouds, maz7°c
Elmsleigh Drive, Prittle Brook 06:45
2 Grey Wagtail chasing each other then flew under the road bridge. Nicky Lee.
EWT Thurrock Thameside 10:15 to 12:45
4 Goldfinch, 6 Skylark, 2 Dunnock, c.500 Avocet, c.1000 Knot, 6 Common Scoter, 1 Kestrel, 1 Grey Heron, 6 Black-tailed Godwit, c.20 Ringed Plover, c.50 Redshank, 100+ Teal, 8 Shelduck, Curlew, Great Tit, Blue Tit. David &: Brenda Hale.
Lake Meadows, Billericay 10:40
1 female Mandarin Duck on lake. Ben M.
Belfairs Woods 10:45 to 13:00
1 Wren, 6 Redwing, 1 Mistle Thrush. David Lee.
Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 11:00
1 Skylark singing near airport. Paul Baker
RSPB Wallasea Island 13:00 to 14:00
3 Kestrel, 1 male Hen Harrier, 8 Moorhen, 50+ Corn Bunting, 40+ Stock Dove, 30+ Woodpigeon, 2 Magpie, 7 Carrion Crow, 1 Little Egret, 7 Herring Gull. Rob Harris.
Wat Tyler Country Park 13:15 to 15:15
Scrape hide only: 2 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 1 female Marsh Harrier, 1 Kestrel, 9 Common Snipe, c.30 Pochard, c.50 Wigeon, 12 Avocet, 1 Greenfinch, c.150 Lapwing, 5 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1 pair Great Crested Grebe, 1 pair Mute Swan, 6 Little Grebe, 3 pair Shoveler, 2 pair Gadwall, c.10 pair Mallard, c.40 Stock Dove. David & Brenda Hale.
Gunners Park 13:30 to 15:00
1 female Long-tailed Duck. David Lee.
River Chelmer, Chelmsford 16:20 to 16:25
1 Kingfisher fishing by Riverside car park. Tim Davis.
Sunday 03rd March 2013easterly, scattered clouds, max8°c
Canvey Golf Course 07:30 to 13:00
8 Chaffinch, 1 Robin, 2 Blue Tit, 2 Great Tit, 1 Wren, 1 Dunnock, 2 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Coot, 4 Moorhen, 12+ Meadow Pipit, 5 Carrion Crow. 2 Collared Dove (all during round of golf). Bill Foster.
Southend Pier 09:00 to 12:30
1 Little Egret, 25 Oystercatcher, 15 Curlew, 40 Black-Headed Gull, 2 Great Black Backed Gull, 20 Common Gull, 200 Dunlin, 20 Herring Gull, 2 Mediterranean Gull, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 20 Redshank, 30 Turnstone, 3 Kittiewake, 20 dark-bellied Brent Goose, Sanderling, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, Grey Plover. Common Seal. Adam Commons.
RSPB Vange Marsh 09:30 to 11:35
Grey Heron, Little Egret, Teal, Wigeon, Redshank, Magpie, Collared Dove, Woodpigeon, Carrion Crow, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Common Gull, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Coot, Moorhen, Shoveler, Tufted Duck, Shelduck, Pochard, Mallard, Gadwall, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Long-tailed Tit, 4+ Cetti's Warbler, one seen at abstraction ditch and others heard around eastern reed bed, 2 Pied Wagtail, House Sparrow, Marsh Harrier, Kestrel, Little Grebe, 2 Redwing, Blackbird, Green Woodpecker (heard), 2 pairs Canada Goose. Terry Jeffreys.
South Fambridge, 10:00 to 11:00
16 Little Grebe, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 300 Dark-bellied Brent Goose (at least), 6 Skylark, 25 Fieldfare, 20 Chaffinch. Mike Clarke (SOG).
South Fambridge 10:00 to 12:15
1 Little Egret, 13 Little Grebe, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Water Rail heard calling from reed bed about 200m west of seawall steps, 650 Dark-bellied Brent Goose (mostly on north bank by Blue House Farm), 3 Canada Goose, 29 Shelduck, 455 Wigeon, 2 Buzzard high over Stow Creek then drifted towards Stow Maries, 33 Avocet by mouth of Stow Creek, 415 Dunlin, c.200 Lapwing, 14 Golden Plover, small numbers of Oystercatcher, Curlew and Redshank, 3 Skylark all singing, 1 singing male Reed Bunting, 4 Chaffinch, 2 Greenfinch, c.30 House Sparrow in the village. David Selley.
Maldon Promenade 11:00 to 13:00
1 Ruddy Shelduck, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, Shelduck, Teal, Lapwing, Redshank. Sue Haffenden.
Butler's Farm, 11:15 to 11:25
10 Fieldfare. Mike Clarke (SOG).
Wakering, Star Lane Pits, 11:45 to 12:30
4 Pochard. Mike Clarke (SOG).
Electric Avenue, Westcliff 14:00 to 14:30
1 Song Thrush spent about 30 minutes investigating border beds in our garden, occasionally feeding but also seemingly enjoying basking in the sunshine. P. North.
Lady Essex Seal and Wildlife Trip 14:00 to 16:00
River Roach: 2 Little Egret, 23 Shelduck, Wigeon, Teal, Red-breasted Merganser (2 male, 1 female), 13 Avocet, 150+ Knot, 300+ Dunlin. 25 Common Seal. Web Author.
RSPB Wallasea Island, 14:15 to 16:00
2 Grey Heron, 2 Kestrel, 1 Merlin (from white gate), 1 Short-eared Owl, 53 Corn Bunting. Dudley Shayler (SOG).
Bradwell-on-sea 15:00 to 17:00
Hen Harrier, Red-throated Diver, 15 Red-breasted Merganser, Brambling. Mark & Jim.
RSPB Wallasea Island, 15:30 to 17:00
1 Hen Harrier, 3 Kestrel, 1 Grey Partridge, 1 Short-eared Owl, 60+ Corn Bunting. Brian Baldock (SOG).
Gunners Park 16:00 to 17:00
9 Lapwing, 5 Lttle Grebe, 80 Sanderling, 20 Dunlin, 50+ Turnstone, 1 Rock Pipit. Richard Mander.
Saturday 02nd March 2013north north easterly, mostly cloudy, max5°c
Barling Pits, 07:30 to 09:00
1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 2 Snipe, 1 Green Sandpiper flushed from ditch, 1 Mistle Thrush. Lee Ebbs (SOG).
Hockley 07:50 to 07:55
4 Siskin (3 female, 1 male) on garden feeder then at 10:00 4 male Siskin. Tim Davis.
West Mersea 08:15 to 14:30
300+ Brent Geese, 4 Redshank, 3 Curlew, 100+ Dunlin, 1 Cormorant, 70+ Lapwing, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Little Grebe, 33 Oystercatcher, 14 Turnstone, 1 Great Black-backed Gull, 1 Great Northern Diver. Stacey Belbin.
Eastwood 08:45
2 possibly 3 or more Siskin feeding in trees in Edwards Hall School adjacent to bus stop in Eastwood Road, opposite Progress Road. Paul Adams.
RSPB West Canvey Marsh, 08:50 to 09:25
480 Wigeon, 15 Teal, c.35 Shoveler (probably more on the wet grassland), 23 Pochard, 9 Tufted Duck, 1 female Goldeneye on the reservoir, 17 Curlew, 3 Skylark (2 in song). Marc Outten (SOG).
Paglesham Lagoon 11:30 to 12:30
2 drake Scaup in breeding plumage, 3 drake Goldeneye, 3 drake Pintail. Also in Paglesham Reach: 80+ Avocet, 19 Little Grebe together in one raft. Jeff Elliott.
EWT Fingeringhoe Wick 11:30 to 15:00
2 Red-legged Partridge (on road approaching reserve), Jay, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Chaffinch, Little Egret, Moorhen, Robin, Herring Gull, Blackbird, Long-tailed Tit, Greenfinch, Tufted Duck, Shelduck, Avocet, Curlew, Dunlin, Redshank, Wigeon, Black-headed Gull, Siskin, Little Grebe, Brent Goose, Bar-tailed Godwit, Knot, Oystercatcher, Mute Swan, Mallard, Coal Tit, Canada Goose, Pheasant, Grey Plover, Teal, Magpie, Dunnock, Woodpigeon, Lapwing, Carrion Crow, Buzzard (seen whilst driving back). Ben M.
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 13:10 to 16:50
1 Marsh Harrier flew high going south east, 100+ Avocet and 6 Pintail on Holehaven Creek, 90+ Wigeon, 50+ Teal, 5 Gadwall on Coryton Lagoon, a few Shoveler, 2 Little Egret, a few Fieldfare and Redwing. Richard Fahey.
Tolleshunt D'Arcy 13:15 to 13:20
2 Kestrel, 1 Common Buzzard. Rob Harris.
RSPB West Canvey Marsh, 13:15 to 14:35
3 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Gadwall, 1 Goldeneye (female still on reservoir), 32 Curlew. Graham Ryland (SOG).
Benfleet 13:30
1 Kingfisher by stream behind the Hoy and Helmet. Jerry Stock.
RSPB West Canvey Marsh 13:45 to 16:00
2 Short-eared Owl, 2 drake Pintail, 1 female Goldeneye. Jerry Stock.
Abberton Reservoir 14:00 to 15:00
2 Goldeneye, 40+ Teal, 30+ Coot, 4 Moorhen, 50+ Mute Swan, 3 Bewick's Swan, 50+ Herring Gull, 100+ Black-headed Gull, 5 Great Black-backed Gull, 70+ Pochard, 100+ Tufted Duck, 30+ Teal, 2 Shelduck, 1 Swan Goose, 40+ Greylag Geese, 60+ Canada Geese, 2 Aylesbury Duck, 1 Pied Wagtail, 100+ Carrion Crow, 7 Magpie, 100+ Wood Pigeon, 3 Blackbird, 2 Kestrel, 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Greater Crested Grebe, 1 Pheasant, 2 Red-legged Partridge, 1 Grey Heron, 50+ Cormorant. Rob Harris.
Two Tree Island 14:00 to 16:00
4 Greenshank, 6 Ringed Plover, 4 Grey Plover, 10+ Snipe, Avocet, Bar-Tailed Godwit, Short-Eared Owl briefly between model aircraft area and estuary. Jon Clark.
Canvey Point, 14:35 to 15:55
1 female Merlin initially perched on post on saltmarsh, flushed and chased several groups of Dunlin before flying up Benfleet Creek, 2 Rock Pipit. Tim Bourne (SOG).
River Chelmer, Chelmsford 15:00 to 15:10
1 Kingfisher fishing by Riverside car park. Tim Davis.
Rainham, Ferry Lane Seawall 15:00 to 16:00
Black Redstart, Merlin, Grey Wagtail. Mark & Jim.
RSPB Wallasea Island 15:15 to 16:15
Flock of Lapwing, flock of Brent Geese, 20+ Grey Plover, 25+ Redshank, 9 Shelduck, 7 Teal, 5 Mallard, 2 Chaffinch, 80+ Corn Bunting, 30+ Linnet, 2 Reed Bunting, 2 Magpie, 20 Carrion Crow, 70+ Stock Dove, 50+ Woodpigeon, 1 Barn Owl, 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Kestrel. Rob Harris.
Abberton Reservoir 15:30 to 16:05
Tufted Duck, Teal, Cormorant, Mute Swan, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Magpie, Goldeneye (1 drake then 2 drakes with female), Pochard, Canada Goose, Coot, Lapwing. Ben M.
Billericay, Mayflower School 16:00
8 Mistle Thrush on playing field. 1 Goldcrest in garden. Marion Burch.
Abberton Reservoir, Layer Breton Causeway 16:15 to 16:40
Drake Gooseander,50+ Mute Swan, 4 Aylesbury Duck, Cormorant, Black-headed Gull, Coot, Grey Heron, Mallard, drake Smew, Carrion Crow, Moorhen, Greylag Goose, Shelduck, Pochard, Shoveler, Gadwall, 4 Great Crested Grebe, Herring Gull, Common Gull, Woodpigeon, Lesser Black-backed Gull. Ben M.
Goldhanger 17:00
Hunting Barn Owl flying across field. Ben M.
Friday 01st March 2013north easterly, mostly cloudy, max6°c
Billericay 08:15
Wren stayed on fence post for about a 45 seconds. Ben M.
Hanningfield Reservoir 10:30 to 14:00
Kestrel, Blackbird, Blue Tit, Magpie, Great Tit, Dunnock, Mallard, Pheasant, Tufted Duck, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Chaffinch, Robin, Moorhen, Coot, Stock Dove, Mute Swan, Carrion Crow, Cormorant, Canada Goose, Black-headed Gull, Great Crested Grebe, Herring Gull, Common Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Lapwing, Pied Wagtail, Goldeneye, Teal, Pochard, Long-tailed Tit, Goldcrest, Coal Tit, Little Grebe, Wigeon, Greylag Goose. S. Jackson, M. Hill.
Southend Pier, 12:00 to 15:30
1 Shag feeding around pier head for 15 minutes, 9 Common Scoter (group of six and three west past pier), 11 Mediterranean Gull, 2 Guillemot around pier head. Alan Shearman (SOG).
RSPB Wallasea Island 13:00 to 14:15
4 Black-tailed Godwit, 50+ Dunlin, 2 Curlew, 40+ Redshank, 2 Teal, 8 Mallard, 20+ Lapwing, large flock of Brent Geese flew down Blackwater, 1 ringtail Hen Harrier, 3 Kestrel, (a male took on a Stoat and lost after a quick fight back by stoat the bird dropped it next to the drainage ditch by blue Wallasea sign} 100+ Corn Bunting, 20+ Chaffinch, 30+ Linnet, 10 Carrion Crow, 2 Magpie, 2 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 70+ Stock Dove, 50+ Woodpigeon. Rob Harris.
Southend Pier 13:00 to 16:00
10 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Common Scoter, 1 Kittiwake, 80+ Turnstone, 6+ Mediterranean Gull. G. Dixon.
Southend Hospital 15:00 to 17:00
1 Peregrine Falcon on chimney. Jerry Stock.
Gunners Park, Shoeburyness 16:10 to 16:15
1 female Long-tailed Duck on lake. Martin Johnson.
Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 16:15
14 Magpie - seemed a lot together at the same time on my lawn, almost reminiscent of a scene from The Birds! Paul Baker (SOG).
Creeksea Ferry Road (just before going onto Wallasea Island) 17:00
1 Barn Owl hunting in field on east of road. Matt G.