Bird Reports for May 2003

Saturday 31st may 2003
 Paglesham Lagoon, 07:00 to 08:00: 12 Common Tern, 4 Great Crested Grebe (2 pairs), 4 Little Grebe (2 pairs), 25 Pochard (No specific count but at least 20 males showing), 20 Tufted Duck (But no specific coun.), 6 Gadwall. John Wright (SOG).
 River Roach, 08:05 to 08:15: 4 Little Egret, 1 Avocet (Along the north bank at Pag Lag). John Wright (SOG).
Paglesham, 08:15 to 09:15: 1 Skylark, 1 Yellowhammer, 1 Corn Bunting (No specific count done on these 3 species but good numbers singing around the whole area). John Wright (SOG).
Two Tree Island 0820 - 09:30: 22 Avocet, Confirmed Sighting 2 Grasshopper Warbler (bird on west side of model aeroplane strip showing very well), Reed Bunting. Web Author.
Wallasea Island, 09:30 to 10:15: 1 Little Egret, 20 House Martin (Only 5 nests being used at present on a building in the Essex Marina (Wallasea boat yard). The building has had up to 30 nests on it in recent years but at the moment is being renovated/painted and consequently is hopeless for the Hse. Martins nesting attempts). John Wright (SOG).
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole Area 10.15 - 12.05: Turtle Dove, Cuckoo, 4 Common Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler, 2 Reed Bunting, 2 Little Egret, 2 Shelduck, 2 Kestrel, Yellow Wagtail. Ray fuller.
Barling, 10:35 to 10:40: 1 Sparrowhawk. John Wright (SOG).
Barling Pits, 10:45 to 11:30: 15 Whitethroat, 5 Reed Warbler, 10 Sedge Warbler. John Wright (SOG).
Wakering Stairs  11:15 - 12:00: 1 Turtle Dove. Web Author.
Wakering Stairs, 16:30 to 16:35: 1 Hobby (showed well hunting between the seawall and the railway line), 1 Little Egret. Steve Arlow (SOG).
Two Tree Island (West), 21:45 to 21:50: Confirmed Sighting 1 Grasshopper Warbler (heard reeling quite close to southern car park between scout hut and airfield). Paul Baker (SOG).

Friday 30th May 2003
Two Tree Island (West), 06:00 to 07:00: Confirmed Sighting 2 Grasshopper Warbler (Both birds still reeling and showing well. One approx 30 yards east of model aeroplane field and the second approx 200 yards west of the field.). John Wright (SOG).

Wednesday 28th May 2003
Fleet Head, 18:20 to 19:15: 3 Little Egret, 4 Avocet, 1 Greenshank, 1 Barn Owl. Steve Arlow (SOG).
Southend Pier, 19:50 to 19:55: 1 Mediterranean Gull (Adult at the base of the pier.). John Wright (SOG).

Tuesday 27th May 2003
 Belfairs N.R., 14:20: Confirmed Sighting 1 Red Kite (high, being mobbed by crows). Tony Mead (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park, 16:35 to 16:55: 2 Reed Warbler (singing), 1 Bearded Tit, 1 Reed Bunting (singing). Neil Chambers (SOG).

Monday 26th May 2003
 Two Tree Island (West), 06:00 to 10:05: Confirmed Sighting Photo Available 2 Grasshopper Warbler (both singing males. 1 bird present 100yards east of the model airplane flying strip and the other was in Hemlock west of the model airplane flying field), 2 Cuckoo. Steve Arlow (SOG).
Fleet Head, 09:30 to 11:00: 4 Turtle Dove, 1 Barn Owl, 6 Little Egret, 4 Avocet, 4 Oystercatcher, 4 Little Grebe, 4 Tufted Duck (2 Pair.), 3 Kestrel, 10 Shelduck. John Wright (SOG).
East Tilbury 10:00 - 13:00: 2 Little Egret, 2 Shoveler, 1 Avocet, 1 Stonechat,1 Mistle Thrush, 4 Reed Warbler, 2 Whitethroat, 4 Linnet, 2 Reed Bunting. Trevor Donaldson.
Wat Tyler Country Park, 11:00 to 12:10: 2 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Hobby, 1 Kestrel, 4 Bearded Tit, 1 Turtle Dove, 2 Little Egret. Paul Griggs, Steve Arlow (SOG).
Barling Pits, 11:30 to 12:30: 10 Reed Warbler, 10 Sedge Warbler, 2 Green Woodpecker, 4 Tufted Duck, 2 Little Grebe, 6 Grey Heron. John Wright (SOG).
Vange Marsh, 12:15 to 14:00: 3 Little Egret, 1 Reed Bunting, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Cuckoo (heard), Photo Available Whitethroat family. Paul Griggs, Steve Arlow (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park 17.15 - 18.15: 1 Turtle Dove, 4 Bearded Tit, 2 Hobby. Steve Hiscock.

Sunday 25th May 2003
Benfleet Creek 06:10: Single Hobby flew across creek by Ferry Road bridge onto Canvey Island. Jim English.
Priory Park, 08:00: 2 Spotted Flycatcher (north of the Priory). Tony Mead (SOG).
East Tilbury 08:00 - 12:00: 1 Little Gull, 1 Kittiwake, 8 Avocets, 1 Short-eared Owl, 4-5 Little Egrets. David Jobbins (Birds of East Tilbury) Birds of East Tilbury Website.
Wat Tyler Country Park 12:15 - 13:35: 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Hobby, 1 Turtle Dove, 1 Cetti's Warbler (heard), Reed Warbler, 5 Bearded Tit. Stuart Bailey, Simon Buckle.

Saturday 24th May 2003
Two Tree Island (West), 06:45 to 09:45: 1 Kestrel (male), 31 Avocet, 2 Cuckoo, 4 Linnet, 1 Greenshank (heard), Confirmed Sighting Photo Available 2 Grasshopper Warbler (male showed well whilst singing). Paul Griggs, Steve Arlow, Tony Mead, John Wright (SOG).
Belfairs N.R., 10:00 to 10:30: 1 Garden Warbler (singing). Paul Griggs, Steve Arlow, Tony Mead (SOG).
Prittle Brook (Leigh on Sea), 10:00 to 10:30: 1 Sparrowhawk (flew over home), 1 Cuckoo (flew over home). Brian Baldock (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park, 10:00 to 11:00: 1 Cetti's Warbler (Singing by the scrape hide.), 1 Little Egret. John Wright (SOG).
Vange Marsh, 11:15 to 12:15: 3 Little Egret, 1 Cetti's Warbler (Singing from bushes/reeds east end of lake), 1 Common Sandpiper. John Wright (SOG).
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole Area 13.20 - 15.55: 4 Common Tern, 9 Shelduck, 4 Avocet, 3 Sedge Warbler, 6 Common Whitethroat, Great Crested Grebe, 3 Reed Bunting, 2 Little Egret, Wheatear, Cuckoo, 2 Corn Bunting, 2 Yellow Wagtail, Swallow. Ray Fuller.

Friday 23rd May 2003
Wat Tyler Country Park, 17:30 to 19:00: 1 Yellow-legged Gull (2nd summer ), 1 Cetti's Warbler (singing outside the hide), 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Turtle Dove (flew over scrape and continued up and over the tip). Mike Bailey (SOG).

Wednesday 21st May 2003
Two Tree Island (West), 07:00: Confirmed Sighting 1 Grasshopper Warbler (singing SE of flying field). Tony Mead (SOG).
Belfairs N.R, 08:00: 1 Garden Warbler (singing). Tony Mead (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park, 17:40 to 16:20: 1 Cuckoo (singing), 2 Bearded Tit, 2 Reed Warbler (singing). Also a Black Swan. Neil Chambers (SOG).

Tuesday 20th may 2003
Hadleigh Castle Country Park 13:35: 1 Hobby flew through Chapel Lane car park. Web Author.
Gunners Park 14:30 - 16:00: 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Green Woodpecker, 5 Common Whitethroat, male Blackcap, 9 Linnet, leucistic Blackbird, 5 Common Tern (off sea wall). Steve Giles.

Monday 19th May 2003
Wat Tyler Country Park, 08:10 to 08:30: 3 Reed Warbler (2 singing), 1 Cuckoo (singing), 2 Bearded Tit (heard), 1 Ruddy Duck. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Gunners Park 10:00: one Little Egret flying over sea wall onto shore. John Pitts.
Wat Tyler Country Park, 17:00 to 17:35: 2 Reed Warbler (singing), 1 Cuckoo (singing), Confirmed Sighting 1 Glaucous Gull (2nd summer. Flew in at 17:10 and still present at 17:35 at least. Dark iris and no grey on mantle. ie. different bird to a few weeks ago). Neil Chambers (SOG).

Sunday 18th May 2003
Wakering Stairs, Haven Point 09:00 - 11:00: 1 female Sparrowhawk, 2 male and 1 female Kestrel,1 Cuckoo, and 1 Hobby. Mike Sagrott.
Gunners Park 12:50 - 13:50: 1 Cuckoo (heard), 1 Mistle Thrush, 1 Whitethroat, Linnet. Stuart Bailey.
Two Tree Island 15:40 - 17:00: 30 Avocet, Ringed Plover, Skylark, Linnet. Stuart Bailey.

Saturday 17th May 2003
 Rochford Golf Course, 08:00 to 11:30: 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Whitethroat (singing), 1 Blackcap (singing). Neil Chambers (SOG).
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole Area 10.15 - 12.05: Little Egret, 3 House Martin, 4 Common Whitethroat, 2 Sedge Warbler, 2 Cuckoo, 2 Common Tern, Reed Bunting, 7 Avocet ( highest number recorded in this area for at least 5 years ), 6 Shelduck, 2 Mute Swan, 2 Yellow Wagtail, Swift. Ray Fuller.
Wat Tyler Country Park, 15:00 to 15:50: Confirmed Sighting 1 Glaucous Gull (2nd summer sat on nearest island to hide roosting with Herring Gulls from 15.10-15.50 at least), 2 Cuckoo (Female flew in front of hide closely followed by male). Mike Bailey (SOG).

Friday 16th May 2003 
Southchurch Seafront, 17:20 to 17:25: 1 Hobby, 1 Sparrowhawk. Paul Griggs (SOG).

Thursday 15th May 2003
 Prittlebrook: 06:00: 1 Lesser Whitethroat singing by footpath next to the Springfield drive allotments, opposite timber yard. Yasmine Hamid.
Fingringhoe 09:40 - 10:40: 2 Turtle Dove, 1 Little Owl, 2 Nightingale, Chiffchaff. Web Author.
Abberton Reservoir 11:15 - 12:15:  pair Gadwall, Common Terns back on the raft, 2 Nightingale (3 more heard). Web Author.
Hanningfield Reservoir 13:00 - 13:30:  2 Little Ringed Plover. Web Author.
Leigh Area 17:30 - 17:40: 1 Sparrowhawk in back garden. Peter Turner.
Ashingdon, 18:00: 1 Collared Dove (leucistic individual apparently paired with a normal looking one). Neil Chambers (SOG).

Wednesday 14th May 2003
Wat Tyler Country Park 10:45 to 12:45: Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Shoveler, 2 Hobby, 1 Water Rail (heard), Cuckoo, many Swifts, Swallows and House Martin, 1 Cetti's Warbler (heard), Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, 3 Bearded Tit. Web Author. John Atfield.
Two Tree Island (East) 21:00: Nice Sighting Barn Owl over meadow south of EWT Warden's hut. Mark Bridges.

Monday 12th May 2003
Southend Airport:  6+ House Sparrows seem to be nesting in local buildings, first sparrows I've seen on the airport for over a year, also Kestrels. Ivan Batchelor.

Sunday 11th may 2003
East Tilbury 06:30 - 13:00: 4 Little Egrets, 5 Avocet, 1 Hobby, 1 Little Gull, Stonechat. David Jobbins (Birds of East Tilbury) Birds of East Tilbury Website.

Saturday 10th May 2003
Rochford Golf Course, 08:00 to 11:30: 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Whitethroat, 1 Blackcap, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff (all singing). Neil Chambers (SOG).
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole Area 09.45 - 11.50: 5 Reed Bunting, Sedge Warbler, Kestrel, 2 Little Grebe, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Shelduck, 2 Mute Swan, Swallow, 2 Avocet, 2 Common Tern, Curlew . Ray Fuller.
Two Tree Island 16:00 - 17:00: 30 Avocet (including 1 adult bird with single orange rings on both legs, I didn't see any numbers on either ring.) 6 Ringed Plover, 8 Redshank, 4 Oystercatcher, Mallard, Shelduck, 1 Sedge Warbler, 5 Common Whitethroat, 1 Blue Tit. Richard Mander.

Friday 09th May 2003
Two Tree Island (West), 07:00 to 07:30: Confirmed Sighting 1 Grasshopper Warbler (c. 100yds onto the west end, could be heard from the car park.). Tony Mead (SOG).
Eastwood, 16:30: 1 Hobby (flew north over A127 at Kent Elms). Don Petrie (SOG).
Gunners Park 17:00 - 18:00: 30 Linnet, 1 House Martin, 3 Common Whitethroat, 12 Oystercatcher, 4 Mistle Thrush, 1 Meadow Pipit, 1 Herring Gull and a family of very young fox cubs at the west end of the nature reserve. Richard Mander.
Wat Tyler Country Park 18.30 - 19.00: 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Hobby. Steve Hiscock.

Wednesday 07th May 2003
 Two Tree Island (West), 06:50 to 07:10: Confirmed Sighting 1 Grasshopper Warbler (singing and showing well). Tony Mead (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park 18.15 -18.45: 2 Little Egret, 4 Bearded Tits (2 male, 2 female), 1 Reed Bunting (male), 1 Redshank. Steve Hiscock.

Tuesday 06th May 2003
Benfleet Creek / Hadleigh Downs 06:30 - 07:45: 2 Little Grebe, 2 Little Egret, 1 Pochard, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Hobby, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, many Common Whitethroat, Chiffchaff and Blackcap. Seen and heard many Marsh Frogs. Andrew Bridge.
Gunners Park, 07:45 to 08:45: 2 Lesser Whitethroat (singing), 1 Cetti's Warbler (singing), 1 Little Egret (flew over), 1 Cuckoo (heard). Paul Griggs (SOG).
Belfairs N.R., 08:00: 1 Garden Warbler (singing). Tony Mead (SOG).

Monday 05th May 2003
Fleet Head 15:00 - 17:00: 3 Little Egret, Avocet, pair Shoveler, 2 Whimbrel, 5 Yellow Wagtail, Cuckoo, Corn Bunting, Reed Warbler, 8 House Martin, 2 Swift. also 4 Painted Lady. Steve and Corrina Giles.

Sunday 04th May 2003
Gunners Park, 07:00 to 10:20: Photo Available 4 Cuckoo, 18 Swallow, 8 Swift, 1 Reed Warbler, Photo Available Common Whitethroat, Photo Available 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Cetti's Warbler (still singing ), 2 Common Tern, 1 Green Woodpecker, 5 Blackcap, Photo Available Greenfinch. Steve Arlow (SOG).
Two Tree Island 09:50 - 12:00: 40+ Avocet, 1 Swallow, 1 Wheatear. David Lee.
Fleet Head, 10:30 to 12:40: 5 Little Egret, 6 Spotted Redshank (summer plumaged birds in Potton Creek), 4 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Greenshank, 4 Whimbrel, 1 Cuckoo, 10 Swallow. Photo Available Red-legged Partridge. Steve Arlow (SOG).
Two Tree Island (East), 15:55 to 16:35: 1 Cetti's Warbler (still present), 2 Little Egret, 15 Whimbrel (all in one flock). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Fleet Head 16.30-18.00: 1 Cuckoo, 2 Spotted Redshank, 1 Greenshank, 4 Yellow Wagtail, 4 Whimbrel, 3 Common Tern, 1 Corn Bunting. Steve Hiscock.
Stanford Warren 18:00 - 19:30: 1 Cetti's Warbler singing; 1 Nightingale singing; Sedge and Reed Warblers; Kingfisher. David Jobbins (Birds of East Tilbury) Birds of East Tilbury Website.
Wakering Stairs, 18:15 to 19:35: 1 Wheatear (male at Haven Point), 1 Short-eared Owl (on Havengore Island), 1 Cuckoo, 221 Sanderling, 2 Little Egret, 5 Whimbrel, 1 Greenshank, 2 Turtle Dove. Steve Arlow (SOG).
Hadleigh Downs, 18:15 to 20:00: 1 Turtle Dove (singing), 1 Cuckoo (singing), 2 Lesser Whitethroat (singing), 1 Bullfinch (male). Neil Chambers (SOG).
East Tilbury 19:45 - 20:00: 1 Short-eared Owl; 1 Little Egret; 5 Avocets; 1 Stonechat. David Jobbins (Birds of East Tilbury) Birds of East Tilbury Website.

Saturday 03rd May 2003
Hadleigh Marshes, 08:00 to 10:00: 7 Wheatear (South marsh), 1 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Pochard. Steve Bunn Essex Ranger Service
Gunners Park 09:30 - 12:00: 1 Kestrel, 1 Lapwing, 1 Cuckoo, 4 Swallow, 1 House Martin, 1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Wheatear (1m, 2f), 1 Cetti's Warbler (calling), Blackcap, Common Whitethroat, Chiffchaff, Long-tailed Tits, Jay, Greenfinch, Linnets. Web Author.
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole Area 09.40 - 12.05: Wheatear, 5 Swallow, 8 Common Whitethroat, 2 Reed Bunting, Sedge Warbler, 23 Shelduck (in fields ), 5 Curlew, 4 Swift, Little Egret, 6 House Martin, 5 Common Tern. Ray Fuller.
Wat Tyler Country Park: 10:20: Unconfirmed Sighting Alpine Swift by watchpoint tower, flew over low twice - showing larger size, cream/ white belly and slower wingbeats -then flew towards Vange with common swifts. Marco Johnston.
Gunners Park 11:00 - 12:00:  20 Greenfinch, 12 Linnet, 3 Common Whitethroat, 2 Swallow, 3 Wheatear, 1 Kestrel, 1 Mistle Thrush. Richard Mander.
Barling Pits, 12:00 to 13:00: 2 Little Egret, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Sand Martin (Plus Swallows and House Martins (2)), 1 Common Tern, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Reed Warbler (Plus Sedge Warblers and Whitethroats), 1 Reed Bunting. John Wright (SOG).
Vange Marsh, 12:20 to 13:05: 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Greenshank, 1 Lesser Whitethroat. Steve Arlow (SOG).
Rochford Golf Course, 15:20 to 18:40: 2 Blackcap (singing), 2 Green Woodpecker. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Fleet Head, 15:30 to 17:35: 1 Marsh Harrier (female), 2 Greenshank, 5 Avocet, 6 House Martin, 3 Whimbrel, 2 Cuckoo, 6 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Little Egret. Steve Arlow (SOG).
Two Tree Island (West), 16:30 to 17:25: 1 Wheatear (Male), many Whitethroat, 6 Swallow, 2 House Martin. Also: Two Tree Island (East), 16:40 to 16:45: 1 Marsh Harrier (Female). John Wright (SOG), Steve Bunn.
Wat Tyler Country Park 16:30 - 18:30: Marsh Harrier showing over marshes towards A13. Pair Corn Bunting on Fleet reed bed. 3 male 1 female Greenshank on scrape. Pair of Turtle Dove flew over scrape. Cuckoo over Fleet. Martin Itter.
Two Tree Island (East) 17:30 to 18:00: 1 Cetti's Warbler (Singing). John Wright (SOG).

Friday 02nd May 2003
Fleet Head 08:25 - 08:30: 1 Short Eared Owl. Barry Chambers.
Fleet Head 16:00 - 15:30: 1 Hobby, 1 Greenshank, 1 Golden Plover, 3 House Martins. Jeff Elliott.
Fleet Head 17:25: 1 Hobby, flew over rape field low, then across fields towards Wakering Church, 1 Spotted Redshank (full summer plumage). Barry Chambers.

Thursday 01st May 2003
Wat Tyler Country Park, 17:30 to 18:15: 1 Turtle Dove (singing), 2 Bearded Tit, 2 Reed Warbler (singing), 1 Garden Warbler (singing). Neil Chambers (SOG).

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