SE Essex RSPB Bird Reports for May 2002

Bird Reports for May 2002

31/05/02
Old Hall Marshes, 17:30 - 19:30: Ruddy Shelduck flying over towards Old Hall Marshes, Barn owl 2, Marsh Harrier 2, Black-tailed Godwit 30, Avocet 20, Greenshank 16, Little Tern 12-14. Nic Lindsell.
Paglesham Lagoon, 15:30 - 18:45: Green woodpecker, 7 Common Tern, 5 Ruddy Duck, 2 Gadwall, 2 Teal, 30 + Pochard, 22 Tufted Duck, 1 Little Grebe, 4 Cuckoo 1-F& 3-M, 12+ Reed Warbler, 5 Reed Bunting, 3 Yellowhammer, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Corn Bunting, pair of Kestrel, 3 Cormorant, 4 Great Crested Grebe, 4 Swift, 6 Swallow, 4 Goldfinch. Tony Howells.

29/05/02
Victoria Avenue, Southend, 20:10: 1 Hobby (same time & place as yesterday!). Paul Griggs (SOG).
Fingringhoe Wick: Jay, Starlings, Collared Doves, Carrion Crows, Magpies, Swallows, Whitethroats, Blackbirds, Little Grebes, Cormorants, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Moorhens, Coots, Chaffinches, Wrens, Shelduck, Black-headed Gulls, Nightingales, Robins, Great Tits, Pheasants, Willow Warbler, Blackcaps, Swifts, Pied Wagtails, Sand Martins, Blue Tits, Marsh Harrier, Goldfinches. Terry Strong. (Stumbled across something interesting at Fingringhoe, An area of ground where Carrion Crows were dropping eggs, mainly Lapwing and Duck of various types, to break the shells and eat the contents. The wardens knew of this activity).
Abberton Reservoir: Oystercatchers, Great Crested Grebes, Common Terns, Canada Geese, Greylag Geese, Barnacle Goose, Mute Swans, Black-headed Gulls, Rooks, Carrion Crows, Magpies, Greenfinches, Pochard, Red Crested Pochard, Goldeneye, Ruddy Ducks, Gadwalls, Mallard, Cormorants, Coots, Moorhens, Yellow Wagtails, Pied Wagtails, Dunnocks, Great Tits, Blue Tits. Terry Strong.
Heybridge Basin: House Sparrows, Black-headed Gulls, House Martins, Swallows. Terry Strong.

28/05/02
Gunners Park, Shoebury, 10:30: Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Cuckoo. Web Author.
Two Tree Island: Carrion Crows, Magpies, Skylarks, Starling Flock, Whitethroats, Blackbirds, Cuckoo, Linnets, Sedge Warbler, Swifts, Wood Pigeons, Pheasant, Collared Dove, House Sparrows, Lapwing flying over. Creek again quiet, Shelduck, Black-headed Gulls, Oystercatchers. Lagoon: 2 drake Mallard on roof of Hide, 1 Canada Goose, 20 Avocets, Ringed Plovers, Redshanks, drake Gadwall, Wren. In creek near crossing 1 Mediterranean Gull. Terry Strong.
Victoria Avenue, Southend, 20:10: 1 Hobby (at eye level - past the 8th floor office window!). Paul Griggs (SOG).

27/05/02
Wat Tyler Country Park: Water Rail, Wigeon and 4 Avocet on scrape. John Atfield.
Two Tree Island, by Scout hut: House Sparrows, usual large Starling flock, Whitethroats, Linnets, Blackbirds, Magpies, Wood Pigeons, Black-headed Gulls, Shelduck, Curlew, Collared Dove, Skylarks, Carrion Crows, 1 Avocet in creek, Oystercatchers. Lagoon: Wren, 17 Avocets, Ringed Plovers, 1 Canada Goose, Redshanks, Hybrid Mallard. Terry Strong

26/05/02
Southend, Kent Elms Corner, 10:20: Female Sparrowhawk, Flew over the A127 near Kent Elms Corner , just above roof tops, heading south. Tony Howells.

25/05/02
The Fleet, Wakering, 10:30 12:30: 3 Little Egret, 2 Sparrowhawk (displaying), 1 Hobby over derelict farm buildings along Common Road, 4 Pied Avocet, Common Tern, Cuckoo, Swift, 3 male Reed Bunting. Web Author. Help Needed: Over the past weeks myself and many others have been watching with great interest a Little Grebe that had been sitting on a nest just by the M.O.D road on the first scrape at the Fleet. It is with great sadness that we have to report that the Grebe was shot by what would appear to be an air gun in the week, the body being observed floating in the water. If anyone has any information on this senseless killing would they please contact the Southend RSPB. The RSPB will prosecute all instances of wildlife crime. (Ed).
Two Tree Island (West), 12:30 to 13:30: 31 Avocet, 1 Hobby, 1 Little Gull (reported in Benfleet Creek in the morning). Andrew Woodhouse, ../essexranger.htm Essex Ranger Service.
Wakering Stairs, 15:20 - 16:00: 2 Skylarks,1 Whitethroat, Little Egret flying over, 2 Turtle Doves fighting in flight, small flock of Shelduck,1 Red-legged Partridge by side of road. Kerri Webb.
Two Tree Island: Carrion Crows, Magpies, Wood Pigeons, Starlings very large flock, Swifts, Skylarks, Linnets, Whitethroats, Blackbirds, House Martins, House Sparrows, Robins, Greenfinches, Pheasant. Lagoon :- 28 Avocets, Ringed Plovers, male Gadwall, 1 Canada Goose, Redshanks, Oystercatchers, 1 Moorhen. Creek very quiet, Shelduck, Curlews, Black-headed Gulls. EWT side :-
Hybrid Mallard, Large flock of Feral Pigeons, Mallard, Moorhens with young, 2 Cuckoos, 2 Pairs of Little Grebes, Coots, Reed Warblers, Wrens, Dunnocks, Swallows, Large numbers of Swifts. Terry Strong.

24/05/02
Two Tree Island (by Scout Hut): Dunnock, male Stonechat (not the Pale one), Skylarks, Greenfinches, House Sparrows, Starlings, now a huge flock, Whitethroats, Linnets, Sedge Warblers, Pheasant, Cuckoo, Robin, Blackbirds. Wood Pigeons, Collared Doves. Magpies, Carrion Crows. Creek:- Black-headed Gulls, Herring Gulls, Lesser Black-backed Gulls, Numerous Oystercatchers, Curlews, Great Crested Grebe, Shelducks, Black-tailed Godwits, Mute Swan, 2 Herons, male Peregrine flying S.E. Lagoon :- 25 Avocets, 3 Ringed Plovers, 1 Canada Goose, 1 Moorhen, Redshanks, Mallard. Terry Strong.
Southchurch Road, corner of Bournemouth Park 17:55: 1 female Sparrowhawk on flats. Web Author.

23/05/02
Wat Tyler Country Park: Great Tit, Chaffinch, Reed Warblers, Pair of Shoveler, Pair of Gadwall, Mallard, Coots, Moorhens, Pair of Ruddy Duck, Numerous Canada Geese, some with Goslings, Sand Martins over scrape, Heron, 2 Avocets, Ringed Plovers, Black-headed Gulls, Herring Gulls, Lesser Black-backed Gulls, Little Grebe, Tufted Ducks, Mute Swan. Heard Chiffchaff. Terry Strong.
Corringham Recreation Ground: 1 Hobby. Jim Cockram.

22/05/02
Wat Tyler Country Park, 12:30 - 13:45: 6 Reed Warbler, 1 Bearded Tit, 8 Ruddy Duck, 3 Little Grebe, 1 Little Egret. Tony Howells.
Two tree island (west) lagoon-14.15 - 16.00: 16 Avocet, 2 Ringed Plover, Tony Howells.
The Fleet, Wakering, 18.45 - 20.20: 2 Sedge Warbler, 3 Reed Bunting, 1 Corn Bunting, 4 Goldfinch, 4 Meadow Pipit, 8 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Pied Wagtail, 8 Lapwing, pair of Shoveler, pair of Gadwall, 2 Red-legged Partridge, 10 Avocet, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Cuckoo male. Tony Howells.

21/05/02
Belfairs Nature Reserve, 15:00 - 16:30: 2 Nightingale (singing), 1 Garden Warbler (singing), 1 Grey Heron. Paul Griggs, Tony Mead (SOG).
Two Tree Island (from Scout Hut): Greenfinch, House Sparrows, Starling flock increasing, Lesser Whitethroat, Robins, Song Thrush, Blackbirds, Whitethroats, Sedge Warblers, Skylarks, male Reed Bunting, Chaffinch, Goldfinches, Large number of Linnets, Dunnocks, Swifts, Swallows, Carrion Crows, Magpies, Pair of Wood Pigeons copulating on roof of new hide. Creek:- Black-headed Gulls, Herring Gulls, Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 3 Canada Geese, 5 Shelduck, Group of 8 male Mallards, 2 Avocets feeding. Lagoon :- 28 Avocets present, 5 Ringed Plovers, 1 Canada Goose, 1 Lapwing, Numerous Redshanks, 1 Moorhen, Mallard, Hybrid Mallard. This evening, on our Roof Garden in Leigh, 1 Jackdaw. Regards Terry Strong.
The Warren, Stanford-le-Hope 16:00 - 17:30: juvenile Bearded Tit, Turtle Dove, Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, Stonechat, 2 Reed Warbler, 1 Sedge Warbler, 4 Jackdaw, 2 Jay, 2 Goldfinch, Willow Warbler, 1 Cuckoo, 6 Long-tailed Tit, House Martin, Swift, Cetti's Warbler heard singing. Tony Howells.

20/05/02
Two Tree Island, from Scouts Hut 08.00 - 08.45: House Sparrows, Lesser Whitethroat, Skylarks, Whitethroats, Sedge Warbler, Swifts, Swallows, Herring Gull, Black-headed Gulls, Goldfinches, Wren, Starlings, Carrion Crows, Magpies, Blackbirds. Lagoon
27 Avocets present, Ringed Plovers, 2 Oystercatchers, pair of Canada Geese, Mallards, Coot, Redshanks, 1 Lapwing and a possible summer plumage male Curlew Sandpiper. Terry Strong.
Hadleigh Marshes (including Benfleet Creek),11:00 - 14:00: (inc. Benfleet Creek)- Little Grebe, Moorhen, Coot, Mallard, Shelduck
Grey Heron, Kestrel, Oystercatcher, Lapwing, Redshank, Black-headed Gull, Herring and Lesser Black-backed Gulls, Common Tern, Reed and Sedge Warblers, Reed Bunting, Yellow Wagtail, Linnet, Skylark, Swallow, Swift. Also; Emperor dragonflies (male & female), Blue-tailed damselfly and many marsh frogs. Andrew Cox.
Hadleigh Marshes, 16:45 - 16:45: 1 Little Egret (Seen from train.). John Wright (SOG).
Belfairs Nature Reserve, 17:45 - 18:10: 1 Nightingale (singing), 2 Bullfinch (pair). Paul Griggs (SOG).
Hadleigh Downs, 18:30 - 18:50: 1 Hobby, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Cuckoo. John Wright (SOG).
Belfairs Woods 20.00 - 21.15:Robins, Blackbirds, Carrion Crows, Jays, Magpies, Greater Spotted Woodpeckers, Wood Pigeons, Sparrowhawks, Wren. Chiffchaff heard, Blackcap, Nightingales, Green Woodpeckers, Song Thrushes. Terry Strong.

19/05/02
Priory Park: As many as 5 Spotted Flycatchers have been seen in Priory Park recently. Steve Sanford.
Hanningfield Reservoir, 08:30 - 09:15: 2 Grey wagtails, 2 Turtle Dove, 1 Jay, 12 Common Tern on raft. Tony Howells.
Wat Tyler Country Park, 09:00 - 12:00: Great Crested Grebe 2, Little Grebe, Greenshank 1, Oystercatcher 2, Ruddy Duck, 2 male 1 female, many Reed Warblers, Reed Bunting 2, Grey Heron 1, Jay 1, Swifts 12+, House Martin 2, Greylag Geese, Canada Geese, Mute Swan 1 pair still sitting on nest, Pochard 2, Tufted Duck 10, Dunnock 1, Wren 2 male scolding each other, Cuckoo 2. Kestrel 1, Black-headed Gulls 40+, Collared Dove 5-6 pairs. Martin Itter.
Heybridge Basin, 10:30 - 11:30: Pair of Lessor Whitethroat, Garden Warbler, 4 Sedge Warbler. Tony Howells.
Tollesbury Wick and Old hall Marsh, 12:00 - 15:00: 1 Turtle Dove, 65 Black-tailed Godwit, 6 Reed Bunting, 2 Sedge Warbler,1 Little Egret, 2 Jackdaw, 4 Shoveler, 2 Ruddy Duck, 5 Meadow Pipit, 6 Goldfinch, 6 Lapwing, 2 Gadwall, 2 Grey Heron, Kestrel. Tony Howells.
Abberton Reservoir, 15:30 - 17:15: 63 Common Tern on raft, 90+ Mute Swan, 3 Black Swan, 1 Little Gull, 12 Pochard, 8 Tufted Duck, 22 Great Crested Grebe, 4 Gadwall, 3 Ruddy Duck, 2 Reed Bunting, 1 Blackcap, 1 Yellow Wagtail. Tony Howells.
Belfairs Woods, 20:20: 2 singing Nightingales reported.

18/05/02
Two Tree Island (West), 10:00 to 11:00: 20 Avocet. Steve Bunn, ../essexranger.htm Essex Ranger Service.
Wakering Stairs, 15:30 - 17:00: Large flock of Oystercatchers, large flock of Dunlin, 22 Grey Plover, 17 Sanderling, 6 Canada Geese with young, 2 Whimbrel, 30+ Curlew, 8 Turnstone, 6 Lapwing, 1 Greenshank, 2 Little Egret, 4 House Martin, 1 Marsh Harrier over Havengore Island. Tony Howells.
The Fleet, Wakering, 17:15 - 19:15: 3 Reed Warblers, 1 Sedge Warbler, 5 Reed Bunting, 2 Corn Bunting, 2 Pied Wagtails, 10 Yellow Wagtails, 4 Meadow Pipits, 1 Common Sandpiper, 8 Common Terns, 4 Whimbrel, c.4 Turtle Doves, 8 Avocet, 1 drake Shoveler, pair of Gadwall, 6 Tufted Duck, 2 Red-legged Partridge, 6 Swift, 10 Swallow, 1 Kestrel, 2 Cuckoo (1 male, 1 female), 2 Grey Heron, 2 Little Egret. Tony Howells.
Vange Marsh, 17:45 to 19:00: 13 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Ruddy Duck, 2 Greenshank, 3 Common Sandpiper, 24 Canada Geese, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Lesser Whitethroat. Paul Griggs, Mike Bailey (SOG).
Leigh on Sea, 18:05: 2 Whimbrel (Flew high E.N.E. over my garden calling. ). John Wright (SOG).
Two Tree Island: Numerous House Sparrows, large flock of Starlings with juveniles forming, Wren, Robin, Blackbirds. Creek very quiet, Black Headed Gulls, Lesser Black-backed Gulls, Greater Black-backed Gulls, Curlews, Shelduck, lone Lapwing, 7 Avocets feeding. Country Park :- Skylarks, Linnets, Numerous Whitethroats, Sedge Warblers, Meadow Pipits, Wood Pigeons, Feral Pigeons, Collared Doves, Magpies, Carrion Crows, Pied Wagtail. Lagoon :- 24 Avocets, 5 Ringed Plovers, Redshanks, Mallard, Hybrid Mallard, pair of Gadwall, Coot, and still present, Canada Goose. Terry Strong.

17/05/02
Two Tree Island: Cuckoo, has been present since at least 6/05/02, Wrens, Blackbird, Numerous Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, Reed Bunting, Linnets, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Dunnocks, Robin, Numerous Starlings with juveniles, Moorhens, Coots, Little Grebes, Mallard, Hybrid Mallard, Wood Pigeons, Collared Doves, Carrion Crows, Magpies.
Wat Tyler Country Park, 14:15 - 15:00: Little Egret, 6 Pochard, 4 Ruddy Duck, Little Grebe, Greylag Geese, Canada Geese, 2 Grey Heron, 2 Reed Warbler, 1 Hobby flew past hide about 10 feet above reeds heading towards Basildon. Tony Howells.
Canvey Point, 15:30 - 16:30: 250+ Dunlin, 170+ Oystercatcher, 75+ Ringed Plover, 27+ Turnstone, 1 Hobby flying from Kent heading for Hadleigh. Tony Howells.
Hanningfield Reservoir 18:00 - 19:00: 2 Black Tern, 4 Common Tern, Major arrival of Swifts. Chris.Cook.

16/05/02
Two Tree Island: Numerous Whitethroats, Meadow Pipits, Yellow Wagtail, Linnets, Sedge Warbler, male Wheatear, Swallows, Wren. Lagoon:- 22 Avocets, 2 Ringed Plovers, Canada Goose, (Has been around for a few days), Redshanks, Shelduck, pair of Gadwalls. EWT 18.30 Seal off Bunker point. Terry Strong.

15/05/02
Hadleigh Allotments, London Road Hadleigh: Magpie, Starling, Blackbird, Thrush, Carrion Crow, Robin, Wren, Goldfinch, Great Tit, House Sparrow, Pied Wagtail, Wood Pigeon, and sharing my waterbutt, very friendly Jackdaw. Roger Shinn.
Belton Hills, 07:30: Sparrowhawk. Tim Shaw.
Heybridge Sea Wall, 20:30: Female Ruddy Shelduck 1, Heron 2, Common Tern 14, Whitethroat 1, Reed Buntings 3, Sedge Warblers 7, Cuckoo 1, Turtle Doves 2. Nic Lindsell.

14/05/02
Belfairs Nature Reserve, 08:00: 2 Nightingale (singing), 2 Garden Warbler (singing), 1 Turtle Dove. Tony Mead (SOG).
Chalkwell Station, 08:15: 1 Hobby (About 200 metres west of the station.). John Wright (SOG).
Danbury Common, 11:30 - 13:00: 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Green woodpecker, 2 Nightingale (heard), 2 Jay. Tony Leader.
Belton Hills, 18:10: 1 Hobby flying west. Tim Shaw.
Wat Tyler Country Park 19:30: male Garganey. Jerry Stock.

13/05/02
Corringham Recreation Ground, 10:00: Hobby. Jjim Cockram.

12/05/02
East Tilbury, 09:20 - 12:15: Female Serin once more at the base of tall trees in angle of fort walls opposite the car park. Often showing well while feeding, but prone to fly up into trees and disappear for periods of up to 30 minutes. Patience normally rewarded! David Jobbins.
Gunners Park, 13:00 - 14:45: 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Sandwich Tern, 4 Sedge Warbler, 5 Whitethroat, 4 Chiffchaff, 2 Wheatear, 2 Blackcap, 2 Stock Dove. Tim Jones (SOG).
Two Tree Island 14:00: 1 Hobby flying east towards Leigh. Steven Wood .
Hadleigh Marshes, 15:00 - 16:30: 2 Stonechat (males), 1 Black-tailed Godwit (with injured leg), 1 Lapwing, 1 Gadwall (female), 1 Little Tern (in creek), 5 Common Tern (in creek). Andrew Woodhouse, ../essexranger.htm Essex Ranger Service.
Two Tree Island: 1 Little Egret, 8+ Whimbrel, 1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Cuckoo. Web Author.

11/05/02
East Tilbury: One female Serin found by Paul Wood, Also Merlin, 2 Lesser Redpolls. David Jobbins.
Shoebury East Beach, 10:00: Blackcap, Whitethroat both in scrub/swamp area at Blackgate Road end of East Beach. Ted Lester.
Abberton Reservoir, 11:00 - 13:00: 1 Corn Bunting, 1 Yellow Wagtail, Drake Red-crested Pochard, 6 Common Tern. Stephen Burt & Jon Hunter.
Two Tree Island 13:00 - 16:00: Shelduck, Mallard, Moorhen, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Ringed Plover, Grey Plover, Dunlin, Bar-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Redshank, Greenshank (3), Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Herring Gull, Common Tern (10), Little Tern (2), Wood Pigeon, Skylark, Swallow, Dunnock, Stonechat, Sedge Warbler, Whitethroat, Blue Tit, Carrion Crow, Magpie, Starling, House Sparrow, Linnet (3-4 pairs), Goldfinch, Reed Bunting, Corn Bunting. Andrew Cox.
Canvey Point, 13:00 to 14:00: 9 Gannet (out of river), 19 Great Crested Grebe. Mark Wickins (SOG).
Shoebury, 16:20: 1 Hobby (Dived into a small flock of birds in the grounds of the Gasometers. ). John Wright (SOG).
Fleet Head, 16:30 - 17:50: Little Egret, 6 Avocet, 1 Greenshank, 2 Grey Plover, 2 Whimbrel, 6 Curlew, 8 Corn Bunting (Plus, Whitethroats, Sedge Warblers, Yellow Wagtails, Reed Warblers.), 1 Cuckoo. John Wright (SOG).

10/05/02
Abberton Reservoir, 08:00 - 12:30: 3 Black Swan, 1 drake Red-crested Pochard, 6 Ruddy Duck,10 Pochard, Tufted Ducks, 6 Gadwall, 28 Great Crested Grebe, 2 pr Shoveler, 37 Common Tern on raft at lodge, 1 Nightingale, 3 Blackcap, Willow Warbler, Sedge Warbler, 2 Reed Bunting, 4 Goldfinch, 1 Bullfinch, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker. Abberton Church: 1 Great Northern Diver, swimming alongside 150 Cormorants. Tony Howells. Also: Goldhanger Road, B1026 oak tree on right just over wash bridge: 2 Little Owls. Tony Howells.
Hanningfield Reservoir, 10.00 - 11.30: 1 Pair Red-crested Pochard on causeway, Treecreeper & 1 pair of Blackcaps - peninsular wood. Common Terns 2, Gadwall 6, Pochard 4, all from hides. Nic Lindsell.
Westcliff Leisure Centre, 11:30: 1 Mediterranean Gull (first summer). Paul Griggs (SOG).
Canvey Point, 12:00 to 13:00: 39 Gannet (up river), 2 Little Tern, 2 Sandwich Tern, 20 Common Tern, 2 Great Crested Grebe. Mark Wickins (SOG).
Fingringhoe Wick, 12:45 14:30: 5 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Ruddy Duck, 1 Little Egret, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel. Tony Howells.
Fingringhoe Wick, 14:00 - 16:00: Female Blackcap 1, Nightingale 1, Whitethroat 1. Whimbrel 1, Grey Plover 22, Ringed Plover 1, Oystercatcher 16, Black-tailed Godwit 12, Bar-tailed Godwit 4, Shelduck 9, Common Terns 4 all out on Estuary as tide went out. Nic Lindsell.
Old Hall Marshes, 15:00 - 17:15: Green Woodpecker, 6 Reed Warbler, 4 Meadow Pipit, 4 Reed Bunting, Corn Bunting, 2 Common Ringed Plover, 2 Little Tern, 3 Brent Geese, 10 Greylag Geese, 4 Canada Geese, 2 Grey Heron, Ruddy Duck, Shovelers, Gadwall, Teal, 4 Turnstone, 4 Grey Plover, 8 Lapwing, 1 Avocet. Tony Howells.
Hadleigh Marshes, 14:20: 1 Hobby. Andrew Woodhouse, ../essexranger.htmEssex Ranger Service.
Two Tree Island (West), 18:15 to 18:55: Whimbrel, 1 Greenshank, 3 Grey Plover (Summer Plumage), 4 Bar-tailed Godwit, 11 Avocet, 1 Knot (Summer Plumage), 1 Canada Goose (On the scrape), 1 Brent Goose, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Stonechat (The pale male.). John Wright (SOG).
Benfleet Creek 18.45: Seen from train; 1 Little Egret at water's edge at low tide to SE of Benfleet Railway Station. Martin Johnson.
Vange Marsh, 21:00 - 22:00: 1 Little Gull, 1 Greenshank, 2 Dunlin, 1 Little Ringed Plover. One Tree Hill (close to Country Park car park) 22.30: Nightingale singing. Jerry Stock.

08/05/02
Chalkwell, 08:00: 1 Hobby (flying at roof height along Wellington Avenue). Brian Baldock (SOG).

09/05/02
Wat Tyler Country Park, 13:00 - 14:30: 2 Turtle Dove, 6 Reed Warbler, 2 Reed Bunting, 3 Little Grebe, 4 Ruddy Duck. Tony Howells.
Vange marsh 14.40 - 15.20: Greenshank, 6 Ruddy Duck, Pair of Shoveler, 12 Pochard, 6 Tufted Duck, drake Gadwall, Little Egret, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Greylag Goose, 1 Canada Goose, 2 Pied Wagtail. Tony Howells.
Hanningfield Reservoir, 16.00 - 17.00: 2 Red-crested Pochard, 8 Gadwall, Common Sandpiper, Little Grebe, Tufted ducks. Tony Howells.

08/05/02
Friars Park, Shoebury, 16:15 - 17:30: 2 Blackcap, Reed Warbler, Long-tailed Tits with 5 fledglings, 2 Goldfinch. Kerri Webb.
Wakering Old Tip, 16:30 - 17:30: 2 Little Egret, 2 Marsh Harrier, 1 Kestrel, 4 Red-legged Partridge, 2 Common Tern, 2 Turtle Dove, 1 Cuckoo, Swallows, 2 Sedge Warbler, 1 Reed Warbler, Common Whitethroats, Linnets. Web Author, Tony Howells.
Vange Marsh, 17:00 to 19:00: 1 Hobby, 3 Little Tern, 3 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Greenshank, 2 Common Tern, 2 Common Sandpiper. Steve Bunn, ../essexranger.htmEssex Ranger Service.
Gunners Park, Shoebury, 18:30 - 19:30: 50+ Turnstone off sea wall. Tony Howells.

07/05/02
Two Tree Island/Hadleigh Marsh, 15:30 - 19:00: 15 Ringed Plover, 4 Whimbrel, 7 Turnstone, 5 Common Tern, 22 Avocet, 2 Spotted Redshank, 3 Grey Heron, 8 Sedge Warbler, 3 Stonechat (2 males), Yellowhammer, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Little Grebe, 2 Meadow Pipit, 6 Lapwing, 6 Swift. Tony Howells.

06/05/02
Magnolia Nature Reserve (Dawn Chorus) 05:00am to 07:00am: 8 Blackbird (7 Male's, 1 Female), 4 Wren, 4 Magpie, 5 Robin, 2 Green Woodpecker, 3 Great Tit, 8 Wood Pigeon, 4 Jay, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Carrion Crow, 1 Blue Tit, 2 Greenfinch, 1 Linnet (Male), 1 Moorhen, 3 House Sparrow (2 Male's, 1 Female), 4 Starling, 1 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Collared Dove, 3 Whitethroat, 1 Blackcap (Male), 1 Dunnock, 1 Black-headed Gull. Paul Levey, Steve Sanford.
Hanningfield Reservoir EWT Reserve 09:10 to 11:30: 2 Pied Wagtail, 2 Dunnock, 29 Greylag Goose (9 Adult's, 20 Gosling's), 17 Mallard (6 Drake's, 3 Female's, 8 Duckling's), 37 Canada Goose (27 Adult's 10 Gosling's), 62 Coot (60 Adult's, 2 Chick's), 11 Mute Swan (7 Adult's, 4 Cygnet's), 93 Tufted Duck (50 Drake's, 43 Female's), 2 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Little Grebe (Heard Only), 4 Blackbird (3 Male's, 1 Female), 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 4 Robin, 20 Gadwall (15 Drake's, 5 Female's), 2 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Great Tit, 5 Carrion Crow, 1 Blackcap (Male), 2 Chaffinch (2 Male's), 4 Chiffchaff (Heard Only), 7 Common Swift, 2 Moorhen, 3 Black-headed Gull, 27 Cormorant, 14 Common Pochard (9 Drake's, 5 Female's), 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1 Wood Pigeon, 2 Common Tern, 1 Song Thrush, 3 Ruddy Duck (2 Drake's, 1 Female), 1 Blue Tit, 1 Treecreeper, 1 Green Woodpecker (Heard Only), 1 Magpie, 1 Cuckoo (Heard Only). Fremnalls Causeway 11:35 to 12:05: 4 Red-crested Pochard (2 Drake's, 2 Female's), 1 Pied Wagtail, 2 Grey Wagtail (1 Male, 1 Female), 2 Common Tern, 59 Black-headed Gull, 71 Coot, 40 Mallard (22 Drake's, 18 Female's), 5 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Common Shelduck, 1 Wood Pigeon, 32 Tufted Duck (17 Drake's, 15 Female's), 7 Mute Swan (2 Adult's, 5 Cygnet's), 2 Herring Gull, 2 Gadwall (1 Drake, 1 Female). Paul Levey.
Priory Park, 10:30: 6 Swift overhead. Web Author.
Maldon, Heybridge Sea Wall 11:30: First year male Osprey being mobbed by various Terns & Gulls as it headed south across the estuary. Also pair of Avocets feeding in the shallows off Heybridge mud flats. Two male Cuckoo's & 1 female, large number of Sedge Warblers singing in the gorse & single male Goldeneye out in estuary. Nic lindsell.
Fleet Head, 12:00 to 13:00: 1 Little Egret, 1 Spotted Redshank, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Greenshank, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Sedge Warbler (plus Reed Warblers and Whitethroats), 2 Avocet. Paul Baker (SOG).
Abberton Reservoir (Layer Breton Causeway) 12:55 to 13:30: 2 Ruddy Duck (1 Drake, 1 Female), 7 Mute Swan, 2 Common Pochard (1 Drake, 1 Female), 38 Cormorant, 1 Black Swan (Escape), 21 Coot, 6 Moorhen, 2 Pied Wagtail, 6 Great Crested Grebe, 13 Tufted Duck (7 Drake's, 6 Female's), 30 Canada Goose, 2 Greylag Goose, 2 Herring Gull, 1 Black-headed Gull, 4 Carrion Crow, 1 Grey Heron, 64 Mallard (36 Drake's, 28 Female's), 2 Yellow Wagtail (1 Male, 1 Female), 3 Common Tern, 1 Whitethroat. Layer-de-la-Haye Causeway 13:35 to 13:50: 2 Black Swan (Escape's), 140 Tufted Duck (75 Drake's, 65 Female's), 28 Black-headed Gull, 4 Common Pochard (2 Drake's, 2 Female's), 34 Mallard (18 Drake's, 16 Female's), 54 Coot, 3 Mute Swan, 4 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 5 Common Tern, 1 Yellow Wagtail (Female), 1 Chaffinch (Female), 1 Dunlin. Abberton Reservoir EWT Reserve 13:55 to 16:55: 9 Chaffinch (6 Male's, 3 Female's), 31 Cormorant, 1 Jay, 1 Blackbird (Male), 2 Blue Tit, 5 Greenfinch, 1 Dunnock, 1 Common Sandpiper (On Tern Raft), 35 Common Tern, 1 Oystercatcher (On Tern Raft), 26 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Coot, 1 Kestrel, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Moorhen, 8 Canada Goose, 2 Magpie, 2 Gadwall (1 Drake, 1 Female), 78 Mallard (42 Drake's, 36 Female's), 7 Mute Swan, 1 Hobby, 49 Common Swift, 2 Black Swan (Escape's), 289 Black-headed gull, 30 Tufted Duck (16 Drake's, 14 Female's), 2 Skylark, 7 Nightingale (Heard Only), 2 Little Grebe, 1 Great Tit, 4 Carrion Crow, 1 Meadow Pipit, 1 Reed Bunting (Male), 1 Whitethroat, 2 Common Pheasant (2 Male's). Abberton Church (St. Andrew's) 17:00 to 17:45: 1 Chaffinch (Male), 2 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Yellowhammer (1 Male, 1 Female), 3 Whitethroat, 2 Blue Tit, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 16 Mute Swan, 1 Great Northern Diver, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Cormorant, 1 Green Woodpecker, 25 House Martin, 32 Rook. Paul Levey.
Wakering Stairs, 13:15 to 14:00: 1 Greenshank, 2 Little Egret, 1 Grasshopper Warbler (heard only and sounded distant). Paul Baker (SOG).
Two Tree Island, 14:00 - 15:15: Avocet 19, Oystercatcher 2, Shelduck 2, Yellow Wagtail 1, Canada Goose 1, Ringed Plover 1, Common Sandpiper 1, Whitethroat 4, Female Linnet 1, Dunnock 1, Skylark 3, Redshank 6, Moorhen 1. David Lee.
Star Lane Pits, Wakering, 14:15 to 15:00: 1 Great Crested Grebe, 6 House Martin, 1 Cuckoo. Paul Baker (SOG).
Two Tree Island, 15:00 - 16:00: 1 Common Sandpiper, 12 Avocet, 4 Sedge Warbler, 15 Whitethroat, 2 Whimbrel, 1 Ringed Plover, 1 Stonechat. Stephen Burt.
Fleet Head, 15:30 to 17:00: 6 Little Egret, 2 Turtle Dove, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Spotted Redshank, 2 Greenshank, 1 Marsh Harrier (female Potton Island). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Fleet Head, Wakering, 15:30 - 17:00: 2 Spotted Redshank, 2 Greenshank, 4 Avocet, 4 Whimbrel, 2 Ringed Plover, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 3 Common Tern, 2 Red-legged Partridge, 3 Meadow Pipit, 2 Corn Bunting, 6 Reed Bunting, 2 Sedge Warbler, Kestrel, female Marsh Harrier, 2 Little Grebe, 2 Little Egret, Turtle Dove, 6 Goldfinch, Pied and Yellow Wagtail.Tony Howells.
Wakering Stairs: 20+ Ringed Plover, 2 Little Egret, 14 Whimbrel, 3 Canada Geese, Dunlin. Tony Howells.
Hadleigh Castle Country Park, 16:00: 1 Hobby (flying N/W over chapel lane car park). Steve Bunn, Bob Young.
Stanford Warren, 16:00 17:00: 1 Cetti's Warbler, 3 Sedge Warbler, 2 Cuckoo, 1 Bearded Tit, 1 Turtle Dove. Stephen Burt and Jon Hunter.
Hanningfield Reservoir, 17:00 - 17:30: 1 Hobby and at Downham 2 Turtle Dove. Kevin Rees.
Birch Lake 17:55 to 18:30: 8 Coot (6 Adult's, 2 Chick's), 1 Great Tit, 2 Mute Swan, 5 Mallard (4 Drake's, 1 Female), 5 Ruddy Duck (3 Drake's, 2 Female's), 4 Blue Tit, 2 Gadwall (1 Drake, 1 Female), 1 Moorhen, 6 Wood Pigeon, 1 Robin, 2 Grey Wagtail (2 Male's), 1 Swallow, 1 Chaffinch (Male), 1 Cuckoo (Heard Only). Paul Levey.
Tiptree Heath 18:50 to 19:10: 1 Grey Heron, 4 Blackbird (2 Male's, 2 Female's), 1 Song Thrush, 1 Jay, 3 Wood Pigeon, 2 Chaffinch (1 Male, 1 Female), 1 Robin (Heard Only), 1 Turtle Dove (Heard Only), 1 Chiffchaff. Paul Levey.
Danbury Common (National Trust) 19:40 to 20:25: 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Magpie, 4 Nightingale (2 Heard, 2 Seen), 1 Chiffchaff (Heard Only), 1 Whitethroat, 1 Blackbird (Male), 3 Linnet (2 Male's, 1 Female), 1 Carrion Crow, 2 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Wood Pigeon. Paul Levey.
Fleet Head, Wakering 19:00 - 19:45: 4 Greenshank, 2 Common Tern, Cuckoo. Web Author.
Friars Park, Shoebury, 19:50: 1 Siskin, baby Song Thrush. Kerri Webb.
Hanningfield Reservoir: One drake Red-crested Pochard; A few Common Terns, three Swallows and at least one Lesser Whitethroat. At Peartree Green (near Blackmore) one Kingfisher across the road where it bridges a tributary of the R Wid. David Jobbins.

05/05/02
Vange Marsh, 10:35 to 11:10: 1 Little Ringed Plover, 8 Swift, 40 Swallow, 3 Sand Martin, 20 House Martin, 1 Greenshank, 1 Common Sandpiper, 18 Ruddy Duck, 2 Canada Goose, 4 Great Crested Grebe (2 pairs). Paul Griggs (SOG).
Bournes Green Chase 10:35: Hobby flew over road heading north. Web Author.
Wat Tyler Country Park, 11:20 to 12:30: 3 Ruddy Duck, 2 Cuckoo, 3 Canada Goose, 1 Cetti's Warbler (heard). Paul Griggs, Mike Bailey (SOG).
Fleet Head, 13:10 to 14:20: 2 Cuckoo, 1 Greenshank, 3 Avocet, 7 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Corn Bunting, 1 Little Egret, 1 Whimbrel. Paul Griggs, Mike Bailey (SOG).
Abberton Reservoir 14:30 - 15:00: Nightingale 4 (8-10 reported singing), Common Sandpiper 2, Swallow 100+, Sand Martin 60+, Common Tern 25+. Ron Galliers.
Bournes Green, 16:40 to 16:45: 1 Hobby (harassing 2 Starlings and some pigeons by the golf driving range near Waitrose). Neil Chambers (SOG).
Canvey Seafront, 19:20 to 20:05: 20 Common Tern, 3 Grey Heron, 2 Shelduck. Paul Baker (SOG).
East Tilbury: Four or five Whimbrel and a few Curlew on the exposed mud, with two Grey Plovers and a Ringed Plover. A few Common Terns on the river and over the mud. Also Little Egret, Sand Martins (4), Swallow (1), Reed Warbler, Blackcap and Water Rail. David Jobbins.
Danbury Common (National Trust) - South East Essex RSPB Group Field Trip 09:35 to 12:07 & 13:16 to 13:25: 5 Nightingale (Heard Only), 2 Carrion Crow, 1 Pied Wagtail, 6 Linnet (3 Male, 3 Female), 3 House Sparrow (2 Male, 1 Female), 1 Starling, 1 Magpie, 1 Wood Pigeon, 2 Dunnock, 1 Jay, 2 Willow Warbler, 1 Whitethroat, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Swallow, 1 Robin, 2 Long-tailed Tit, 3 Blackbird (3 Male's), 1 Great Tit, 2 Bullfinch (1 Male, 1 Female), 1 Chaffinch (Male), 1 Blue Tit. Paul Levey.
The Backwarden EWT Reserve - South East Essex RSPB Group Field Trip 12:07 to 13:16: 1 Blackbird (Female), 1 Carrion Crow, 2 Stock Dove, 2 Nightingale (Heard Only), 2 Mallard (1 Male, 1 Female), 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Chiffchaff (Heard Only). Paul Levey

04/05/02
North Shoebury, 05:40: Cuckoo heard calling near my house. Web Author.
Two Tree Island, (West), 07:30 to 10:00: 1 Peregrine Falcon (seen from lagoon hide), 1 Yellow Wagtail, 31 Avocet (on lagoon), 5 Whimbrel, 2 Cuckoo. Steve Bunn, ../essexranger.htmEssex Ranger Service.
Rochford Golf Course, 08:00 to 12:00: 2 Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 6 Blackcap, 4 Whitethroat, 2 Lesser Whitethroat. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Vange Marsh, 16:45 to 17:45: 3 Little Egret, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Cuckoo, 100 Swift, 4 House Martin, 30 Swallow, 4 Great Crested Grebe (2 pairs, 1 pair displaying.), 12 Ruddy Duck (Plus Pochard, Tufted Duck, Gadwall, Shoveler, Shelduck). John Wright (SOG).
Fleet Head, 19:00 - 20:15: 1 Barn Owl, c.12 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Spotted Redshank, 3 Whimbrel, 2 Common Tern, 1 Sandwich Tern, 1 Corn Bunting, 1 Kestrel, c.10 Pied Avocet, 5 Greenshank, 1 Common Whitethroat. Ian Barthorpe, Web Author. Also: Large flock of Dunlin, Large flock of Bar-tailed Godwit, Albino Oystercatcher, 12 Turnstone, 18 Grey Plover. Reed Bunting male, Cuckoo. Tony Howells.
St Oysth: Common Crane reported.

03/05/02 (first report of Hobby)
Hadleigh Marsh, 10:30 to 11:00: 3 Wheatear (2 female 1 male seen from seawall), 3 Whinchat (Seen from seawall). Steve Bunn, ../essexranger.htmEssex Ranger Service.
Fleet Head, 08:00 to 10:00: 8 Spotted Redshank, 9 Whimbrel, 1 Snipe. Chris Lewis (SOG).
Benfleet Creek, 10:25: 1 Little Egret beside water's edge 200m east of Benfleet Railway Station. Martin Johnson.
Benfleet Creek, 14:00 to 15:00: 34 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Whimbrel. Chris Lewis (SOG).
Vange Marsh, 15:00 to 16:00: 1 Hobby, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Common Sandpiper. Chris Lewis (SOG).
Friars Park, Shoebury, 17:00: 1 Hobby. Paul Griggs (SOG).
Wakering Stairs, 17:10 to 18:20: 2 Little Egret, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Brent Goose, 3 Wheatear, 1 Grasshopper Warbler (singing by the faded "police dogs on patrol" sign), 1 Greenshank, 2 Yellow Wagtail. Paul Griggs (SOG).
Paglesham Lagoon, 17:15 - 20:45: Gadwall 6, Pochard 10, Wigeon 2, Little Grebe, Ruddy Duck 8, Tufted Duck many Swallow 35+, Swift 4, Yellow Wagtail 4, Avocet 2, Reed Warbler 4, Yellowhammer 5, Blackcap. River Roach wall: Grey Plover 5, Dunlin 40+, Common Terns 3, Common Sandpiper, Snipe, Barn Owl, Little Egret 2, female Wheatear, Reed Buntings 3, Cuckoo, Great Crested Grebe 2. Tony Howells.
Fleet Head, Wakering, 16:30 - 20:15: 1 female Marsh Harrier on Potton Island, 1 Barn Owl, 4 Little Egret, 2 Avocet, 1 Spotted Redshank, 5 Grey Plover,1 Little Grebe, pair Gadwall, c15 Yellow Wagtail, 8 Swallow, 2 Swift, 5 Common Whitethroat, 3 Sedge Warbler, 1 Cuckoo,1 Kestrel. Steve and Corrina Giles.
Abberton Reservoir: Great Northern Diver, 6 Wheatear and 6 Hobby over the Layer Breton Causeway reported.

02/05/02 (first report of Little Tern)
Two Tree Island, 15:00 - 16:00: 2 Little Tern seen from hide overlooking lagoon, on gravel island, directly in front of hide. Heather & Arthur McManus.
Wakering Stairs, 17:00 to 19:00: 1 Grasshopper Warbler (Same place as on Saturday), 1 Marsh Harrier (adF), 1 Whimbrel, 1 Greenshank, 1,100 Dunlin, 40 Sanderling, 110 Bar-tailed Godwit. Chris Lewis (SOG).
Fleet Head Creek, 18:15 - 20:45: 6 Reed Warbler, 2 Cuckoo, 7 Common Tern, Hen Harrier, Sparrowhawk, 2 Greenshank, 2 Spotted Redshank, 5 Avocet, 5 Grey Plover, 4 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Meadow Pipit, Yellow Wagtails, Pied Wagtails, 1 Little Egret, 1 Red-legged Partridge, 2 Corn Bunting, 1 Ruff, 1 Little Grebe. Tony Howells.

01/05/02
Hadleigh Country Park, Salvation Army footpath 13:40: 10+ Swallows. Roger Shinn.
Canvey Island, 17:30: 1 Little Egret in fields just east of Benfleet Creek. Ron Galliers.
Fleet Head, Wakering, 19:40: 2 Little Egret, Cuckoo, Sedge Warbler, Corn Bunting. Web Author.
Burnham-on-Crouch: Dotterel reported 1 miles east of the town in a field by the Reservoir from the public footpath 1mile east of Burnham Wick.