Bird Reports for May 2004
Monday 31st May 2004
Rochford Golf Course, 08:00 to 12:00: 3 Whitethroat (singing), 2 Blackcap (singing), 1 Chiffchaff (singing), 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Green Woodpecker. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Paglesham Lagoon: 09:15 to 10:30: Several Corn Bunting in fields nearby, 1 Little Owl on wires by the road in East End Paglesham. 2 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Yellowhammer, 1 Common Gull, 1 Common Tern and 1 Great Crested Grebe on River Roach, 2 Turtle Dove, 4 Little Grebe, Several Shelduck both on the lagoon and in the fields to the west. David Lee.
Wat Tyler Country Park 10.30 - 11.00: 2 Hobby, 4 Bearded Tit, 1 Cetti's Warbler (heard). Steve Hiscock.
Two Tree Island (West), 16:00 to 17:30: 1 Hobby watched for about 15 minutes hawking insects at times only about 100 yards distant. Dudley Shayler (SOG).
Barling Pits (walk from Kimberly Rd. to gravel pits): 2 Cuckoo, Green Woodpecker, Whitethroat, Little Grebe, 2 Shoveler, female Kestrel. Pair of Brambling in dead tree near to pit. Ron Hodgson.
Hanningfield Reservoir: 2 Red-crested Pochard, 1 Barnacle Goose, 1 Garden Warbler. Russell Clark.
Sunday 30th May 2004
Rochford Golf Course, 08:00 to 11:30: 3 Blackcap (singing), 2 Whitethroat (singing), 1 Chiffchaff (singing), 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Common Tern. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Barton Hall Farm, 09:30 to 10:15: 46 Shelduck, 4 Oystercatcher, 6 Lapwing, 1 Cuckoo, 5 Yellow Wagtail, 5 Corn Bunting. Steve Sanford (SOG).
Hadleigh Castle CP 10:15: 1 Turtle Dove in dead tree near the railway line. David Lee.
Paglesham Lagoon, 10:45 to 11:45: 4 Great Crested Grebe, 4 Little Grebe, 3 Little Egret, 8 Canada Goose (adults with 2 broods), 4 Gadwall, 21 Pochard, 28 Tufted Duck, 2 Common Tern, 1 Sedge Warbler, 5 Yellowhammer. Steve Sanford (SOG).
Two Tree Island 11.00 - 12.00: 5 pair Avocet, but only one pair appeared to be sitting on eggs. 2 Common Tern, 3 Oystercatcher, 2 Redshank, 3 Ringed Plover. The water level in the lagoon is very low at the moment. There were Skylark everywhere (on the west side) and many of them appeared to be feeding young. Yasmine Hamid.
Chalkwell 16.10: Sparrowhawk circling while the Red Arrows air display was going on. Also Hobby diving very fast from north to south east. Web Author.
Belton Gardens, Leigh 16.15: 1 Hobby flying east - undeterred by Red Arrows! Martin Johnson.
Saturday 29th May 2004
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 09.35 - 11.50: 9 Common Whitethroat, 4 Sedge Warbler, 2 Reed Bunting, 8 Swift, 2 Corn Bunting, 2 Little Egret, Cuckoo, 7 Curlew, 6 Shelduck, Turtle Dove, Greenshank, 12 Skylark singing and displaying. Ray Fuller.
Thursday 27th May 2004
Hadleigh Downs, 11:20: 1 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (calling). Andrew Woodhouse Essex Ranger Service.
Wednesday 26th May 2004
Canvey Island: Nightingale singing in the dark from bushes by the third street light from the gates at the end of Northwick Road. Jim English.
Tuesday 25th May 2004
Hanningfield Reservoir 08.30: Grey Wagtail. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Monday 24th May 2004
Hanningfield Reservoir 08.25: Grey Wagtail. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Wakering, Star Lane Pits, 14:45 to 15:30: 2 Turtle Dove, 1 Willow Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Reed Warbler, 3 Great Crested Grebe. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park, 16:15 to 17:10: 3 Bearded Tit, 1 Little Egret, 1 Turtle Dove, 1 Cuckoo, 2 Whitethroat, 6+ Reed Warbler. Graham Ryland (SOG).
Sunday 23rd May 2004
Fleet Head, 09:30 to 11:00: 1 Marsh Harrier (adult female hunting close by over the fleet), 3 Little Egret, 1 Little Owl, 1 Stonechat (male), 1 Turtle Dove, 1 Cuckoo, 16 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Reed Warbler (singing), 2 Sedge Warbler (singing), 3 Corn Bunting, 1 Reed Bunting (male). 1 Brown Hare. Paul Baker (SOG).
Gunners Park, 10:00 to 12:00: 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Little Egret, 3 Blackcap, 2 Whitethroat, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Kestrel. Brian Baldock (SOG).
Two Tree Island 10.00: 30+ Avocet, 6 Skylark, 7 Shelduck, 6 Skylark. Web Author.
Paglesham Lagoon, 10:15 to 12:45: 74 Tufted Duck, 15 Pochard, 4 Gadwall, 4 Shoveler, 6 Little Grebe, 25 Canada Goose, 3 Little Egret. John Wright (SOG).
Hampton Barns, 12:25 to 12:40: 33 Stock Dove, 6 Turtle Dove, 4 Lapwing, 1 Sparrowhawk, 4 Oystercatcher. John Wright (SOG).
Eastwood, Mayflower Close 12:30: 1 Hobby (hawking insects high over the house), 1 Kestrel (in the air with the hobby), 1 Common Pipistrelle (flew round the garden 3 times in the bright sunshine then disappeared under the neighbours eaves!). Paul Baker (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park, 13:10 to 15:25: 2 Bearded Tit, 1 Little Ringed Plover (adult), 2 Mediterranean Gull (Adult-summer, 1st-summer), 8 Greylag Goose. Paul Griggs, Steve Arlow (SOG).
Wakering Stairs: 14.45 - 17.00: 2 Hobby hunting for long periods favouring shrubs and bushes adjacent to car parking area. Marsh Harrier (fem), Cuckoo, 4 Little Egret. Ray Fuller.
Saturday 22nd May 2004
North Shoebury 06.15: Cuckoo calling from tree opposite house (better than an alarm clock!). Web Author.
Two Tree Island, 07:00 to 07:10: 1 Grasshopper Warbler. Steve Arlow (SOG).
Belfairs Woods, 07:20 to 07:10: 1 Garden Warbler (singing near recently felled area in reserve), 1 Willow Warbler, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker (A pair seen feeding 1-2 young at nest hole). Steve Arlow (SOG).
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 09.55 - 11.50: 6 Common Whitethroat, 7 Swift, 2 Sedge Warbler, 5 Shelduck, 3 Little Egret, 4 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Sand Martin, Swallow, 2 Reed Bunting, Greenshank, Sparrowhawk, Cuckoo (heard only), 10 Skylark high/singing. Ray Fuller.
Vange Marsh, 10:15 to 12:15: 150 Swift (at least), 70 Swallow, 40 House Martin, 2 Sand Martin, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Little Egret. Steve Arlow (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park, 12:30 to 15:30: 2 Yellow-legged Gull (both 2nd summers), 1 Mediterranean Gull (adult), 1 Larus sp. (an apparent 2nd summer Caspian Gull spent 40 minutes on the scrape). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Rochford Golf Course, 17:00 to 20:15: 1 Turtle Dove (singing), 1 Cuckoo (singing), 1 Lesser Whitethroat (singing), 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker. Neil Chambers (SOG).
The Fleet, Wakering 19.15 - 20.50: 6 Little Egret, 5 Grey Heron, 1 Mute Swan, 18 Shelduck, 1 Kestrel, 1 Hobby, 3 Avocet, 4 Common Tern, 1 Turtle Dove, 3 Cuckoo, 1 Barn Owl, 1 Little Owl, 6 Skylark, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Reed Warbler, 2 Corn Bunting. Web Author.
Shoebury East Beach: 1 female Black Redstart. Lee Ebbs (SOG).
Friday 21st May 2004
Hanningfield Reservoir 08.30 - 08.40: 13 Common Tern. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Priory Park, 13:20 to 14:00: 2 Grey Wagtail, 2 Green Woodpecker. Don Petrie (SOG).
Dagenham Chase: 1 Red-necked Grebe. Adrian Webb.
Thursday 20th May 2004
Canvey West End, 16:20 to 16:55: 2 Bullfinch (pair), 1 Nightingale (still singing and showing occasionally). Paul Baker (SOG).
The Fleet, Wakering 18.00 - 20.00: 1 Little Owl, 5 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Greenshank, pair Stonechat, male Reed Bunting, 1 Corn Bunting, 1 Kestrel. Steve Giles and Don Wildish.
Hadleigh: 21:00: 3 Tawny Owl (2 seen very well 3 calling). Steve Bunn, Simon Buckell (SOG).
Abberton Reservoir: Great Reed Warbler. Still present until 10am at least. Nick Green (EBS).
Wednesday 19th May 2004
Wat Tyler Country Park, 09:05 to 09:25: 1 Cetti's Warbler (singing), 3 Reed Warbler (singing), 1 Sedge Warbler (singing). Neil Chambers (SOG).
Abberton Reservoir: Great Reed Warbler. View from Layer Breton causeway - make sure you park on the left/west side of road and then look west to far reed bed. Bird distant (600+ yards) but a good scope with up to x60 magnification should help. You can hear the bird singing from the causeway. [Only the 3rd record for Essex]. Also 2 Common Sandpiper and up to 3 Hobby Nick Green (EBS).
Tuesday 18th May 2004
Basildon, Pipps Hill 14:10: 1 Red Kite flew north being mobbed by a Herring Gull. Paul Griggs (SOG). Andy Ponton.
Leigh, Highlands Boulevard 18:30: 1 Hobby. Paul Griggs (SOG).
Hockley/Hawkwell, 19:00 to 20:00: 1 Cuckoo (singing at Clements Hall). Neil Chambers, Paul Baker (SOG).
Monday 17th May 2004
Battlesbridge, 08:30 to 08:30: 1 Turtle Dove (by Rettendon Turnpike). Neil Chambers (SOG).
Canvey West End, 10:00 to 12:00: 2 Marsh Harrier (a female hunting over the reedbeds and a male flying over), 1 Bullfinch (male), 2 Stonechat (pair), 4 Cuckoo, 4 Reed Bunting, 1 Lesser Whitethroat. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).
Sunday 16th May 2004
Two Tree Island 08:30 - 11:00: 5 Whitethroat, 2 Meadow Pipit, 1 Sedge Warbler, 2 Cuckoo in flight, 3 or 4 Skylark, 10-12 Oystercatcher, 20+ Avocet, 8 Redshank, 1 Lapwing, 4 Heron, 2 Shelduck, 2 Ringed Plover, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Little Grebe, All mostly on the Lagoon or nearby. Martin Itter.
Hadleigh Downs, 10:15 to 12:00: 2 Hobby, 1 Cuckoo (Plus usual summer visitors plus an adder and marsh frogs). John Wright (SOG).
Belfairs N.R., 10:45 to 11:30: 1 Garden Warbler (seen singing). Paul Griggs (SOG).
Vange Marsh, 11:20 to 12:55: 1 Arctic Tern (dropped in for 5 minutes, then flew off high north), 2 Little Egret, 1 Greenshank, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 8+ Whitethroat, 1 Garden Warbler (singing in thickets south of lake beyond creek), 1 Sedge Warbler, 15+ Reed Warbler. Graham Ryland (SOG).
Saturday 15th May 2004
North Shoebury 05.50: 1 Cuckoo woke me up sitting in tree opposite my house. Web Author.
Gunners Park, 07:00 to 08:00: 16 Whimbrel (Single flock flying NE.), 2 Cuckoo (Plus usual summer visitors). John Wright (SOG).
Fleet Head, 08:20 to 09:45: 2 Kestrel, 3 Cuckoo, 6 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Reed Warbler (plus usual summer visitors), 1 Stonechat (male), 10 Redshank, 6 Oystercatcher. 2 Brown Hare. John Wright (SOG).
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 09.45 - 11.55: 13 Common Whitethroat, 3 Reed Bunting, 5 Sedge Warbler, 29 Shelduck, 3 Little Egret, 2 Swallow, 2 Corn Bunting, 4 Yellow Wagtail, 5 Common Tern, 26 Curlew. 9 Skylark singing and displaying. Ray Fuller.
Wakering Stairs, 10:00 to 11:30: 2 Little Egret, 200 Oystercatcher, 6 Dunlin, 15 Ringed Plover, 4 Turtle Dove, 1 Whitethroat (Lots.), 1 Peacock Butterfly, 1 Wall Butterfly. John Wright (SOG).
Stanford Warren 10.00 - 11.00: 1 Spotted Flycatcher along path near to overhanging thicket. Also 2 Turtle Dove, 1 Cuckoo, Cetti's Warbler and 1 Bearded Tit. Marco Johnston.
Leigh Cliff Gardens (below Cliff Gardens) 12.30 - 13.30: 1 Whitethroat (at least), 1 Nightingale heard (I think! It only sang very briefly, near the west end), 1 Green Woodpecker. Also Wren, Greenfinch, House Sparrow, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Starling, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Carrion Crow, Wood Pigeon and Collared Dove. Yasmine Hamid.
Westcliff Seafront 14.30: 1 Little Egret. Also 4 seals on sandbank. Yasmine Hamid.
Priory Park 14.30: pair of Grey Wagtail in brook, Mistle Thrush. Web Author.
Wakering Stairs, 15:00 to 17:30: 1 Hobby, 1 Little Egret, 3 Turtle Dove, 3 Cuckoo, 1 Greenshank, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 5 Sedge Warbler. Steve Arlow, Paul Griggs (SOG).
The Fleet (Potton road only) 15.15 - 15.50: 2 Kestrel, 2 Turtle Dove,1 Reed Warbler, 1 Yellow Wagtail. Web Author.
Wakering Stairs (road only) 16.00 - 17.00: 1 Little Egret, 1 Kestrel, 1 Hobby, 2 Turtle Dove,2 Cuckoo, 3 Yellowhammer. Web Author.
Gunners Park: 17.00: At least 5 Long-tailed Tit - mum and 4+ hungry fledglings all waiting around for her on the egde of some tree/bushes! Karen Gordon.
Vange Marsh, 17:25 to 18:15: 1 Common Sandpiper, 15 Pochard, 6 Tufted Duck, 4 Shelduck, 2 Greylag Goose, 8 Canada Goose, 2 Common Tern, 1 Great Crested Grebe. John Wright (SOG).
Friday 14th May 2004
Vange Marsh: 2 Temminck's Stint. Adrian Webb.
Vange Marsh, 12:15 to 13:00: 2 Little Egret, 1 Dunlin, 1 Wheatear, 1 Little Gull (Juvenile.), 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Common Tern. John Wright (SOG).
Vange Marsh, 14:30 to 16:00: 2 Temminck's Stint, 1 Little Gull, 2 Hobby, 2 Common Tern, 1 Little Egret. Steve Bunn, Simon Buckell (SOG).
Westcliff Seafront 16.30: 1 Little Egret. Yasmine Hamid.
Gunners Park 15.45 - 16.45: 1 Long-tailed Tit (in bushes around outside of reserve), several Whitethroats and Meadow Pipits, numerous Swallows. Karen Gordon.
Vange Marsh, 17:00 to 18:15: 2 Temminck's Stint (Still showing well in the NW corner.), 1 Dunlin, 2 Common Tern. John Wright (SOG).
Vange Marsh, 18:50 to 19:50: 2 Temminck's Stint (showing very well), 2 Common Sandpiper, 1 Hobby (also, Little Gull and Wheatear reported). Paul Baker, Jeff Saward (SOG).
Thursday 13th May 2004
Fanes Wood, Thundersley, 17:30 to 16:30: 1 Turtle Dove, 5 Whitethroat, 3 Blackcap, 3 Song Thrush, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Chiffchaff. Graham Ryland (SOG).
Vange Marsh, 17:25 to 18:35: 2 Temminck's Stint (along the north edge), 2 Little Egret, 2 Common Tern, 2 Redshank, 2 Greenshank (2+ heard), 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Whitethroat, 2 Cuckoo, 1 Peregrine Falcon (with jesses). Neil Chambers, Steve Arlow, Paul Griggs (SOG).
Wednesday 12th May 2004
Priory Park, 13:10 to 13:50: 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Grey Wagtail. Steve Sanford (SOG).
Two Tree Island 16.40 - 18.20: On or by Western Lagoon, 5 Canada Goose, 1 Shelduck, 2 Mallard, 3 Oystercatcher, 19 Avocet, 2 Ringed Plover, Redshank, 1 Sedge Warbler. On Benfleet Creek: 1 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, Common Tern. Martin Johnson.
Tuesday 11th May 2004
Hampton Barns, 08:20 to 09:00: 2 Yellow Wagtail, 8 Whitethroat, 2 Yellowhammer. Steve Sanford (SOG).
Barton Hall Farm, 09:00 to 09:30:35 Shelduck, 1 Kestrel, 1 Turtle Dove, 21 Stock Dove, 1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 5 Whitethroat, 3 Yellowhammer, 1 Corn Bunting. Steve Sanford (SOG).
River Roach, 09:30 to 10:00: 1 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Little Egret, 11 Oystercatcher, 1 Avocet, 3 Ringed Plover, 4 Grey Plover, 24 Dunlin, 8 Redshank, 4 Cuckoo (3 male, 1 female -1 male south of the river), 2 Yellowhammer. Steve Sanford (SOG).
Paglesham Lagoon, 10:30 to 11:30: 10 Mute Swan, 11 Gadwall, 10 Pochard, 53 Tufted Duck, 2 Common Tern, 150 Swift, 80 House Martin, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 5 Reed Warbler, 6 Whitethroat. Steve Sanford (SOG).
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 11.40 - 13.30: 7 Common Whitethroat, 4 Sedge Warbler, 2 Reed Bunting, 4 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 9 Shelduck, 5 Little Egret, 2 Swift, Corn Bunting, 2 Greylag Goose, Green Woodpecker, 2 Common Tern. 10 Skylark ascending/singing. Ray Fuller.
Chalkwell, London Road 14.30: Fastest Bird ever I have seen, a Hobby after a Swift over Chalkwell Park! Steve Wood.
Fanes Wood, Thundersley, 17:30 to 16:45: 1 Turtle Dove, 4 Swift, 8 Swallow, 1 Kestrel, 4 Whitethroat (100+ Early Purple Orchids in area.), 3 Blackcap. Graham Ryland (SOG).
Fleet Head, 19:25 to 20:00: 2 Cuckoo, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Blackcap, 2 Reed Warbler, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Greenshank, 20 Swallow, 2 Yellow Wagtail. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Monday 10th May 2004
Wat Tyler Country Park, 08:45 to 08:55: 1 Cetti's Warbler (singing), 1 Turtle Dove, 2 Reed Warbler, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Blackcap. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Two Tree Island 10.00 11.30: West end: Numerous Whitethroat, several Skylark, pair Grey Wagtail, pair Wren. On lagoon: 8 Avocet, 10+ Redshank, 10+ Oystercatcher, 1 Shelduck (chased off 3 Mallard), 2 Canada Geese, 1 Moorhen. East end: pair Little Grebe, pair Coot, 1 Reed Bunting, 1 Kestrel, 1 Cuckoo (showed well and "came when I called"). Lots more Whitethroat. Peter Walker.
Wat Tyler Country Park, 17:00 to 17:45: 1 Cetti's Warbler (singing), 2 Sedge Warbler, 2 Reed Warbler, 6 Greenshank (on the scrape), 29 Canada Goose (4 pairs and 21 goslings), 1 Cuckoo, 1 Little Egret. Neil Chambers, Mark Wickins (SOG).
Benfleet Creek / Hadleigh Downs 18.30 - 20.30: 1 Little Grebe, 2 Grey Heron, 2 Little Egret, 1 Mute Swan, 2 Sparrowhawk (male & female), 1 Whimbrel, 3 Common Sandpiper, 2 Common Tern, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker (calling), 1 Stonechat (male), lots of Whitethroat, Reed Warbler and Chiffchaff. Andrew Bridge.
Sunday 09th May 2004
Canvey West End, 06:00 to 10:00: 1 Nightingale (again singing and showing well by the third from last lamp post at the end of Northwick Road), 67 Whitethroat, 8 Cuckoo (including a fine 'red' bird), 2 Blackcap, 8 Lesser Whitethroat (there appears to be more 'lessers' locally this year than in any of the past 5 years), 18 Sedge Warbler, 10 Reed Bunting, 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Chiffchaff, 22 Reed Warbler, 8 Skylark, 5 Swallow, 1 Little Egret, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Wheatear (male), 2 Mediterranean Gull (adults which are probably the same birds that have been around here for a number of weeks). Steve Arlow (SOG).
The Fleet (Potton Island approach road) 08.30: 1 Red-rumped Swallow on telegraph wires, 1 male Stonechat, 2 Turtle Doves, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Little Egret, 2 Avocet. Mike Sagrott.
Two Tree Island 11.00 to 14.30: 6 Avocet in lagoon - no signs of breeding activity. 1 pair of Blackcap on the east side. Whitethroat everywhere. 2 Kestrel - one female was very prominent and aggressive. She chased one Kestrel across the whole west side of the island and repeatedly harassed a Carrion Crow over the ponds on Leigh Marsh, driving it to the ground and at one point nearly into the water. Yasmine Hamid.
Two Tree Island, 13:10 to 14:30: 27 Avocet, 1 Greenshank, 4 Skylark (minimum), 10 Whimbrel, 15 Whitethroat (at least). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Benfleet Creek, 14:30 to 16:00: 1 Little Egret, 4 Avocet, 8 Dunlin, 1 Whitethroat (many), 1 Reed Warbler (numerous), 1 Sedge Warbler (numerous), 2 Stonechat (pair). John Wright (SOG).
Billericay (East of town centre) 14.30: 1 Common Buzzard mobbed by 2 Crows and a Hobby. Russell Clark.
Hadleigh Downs, 16:10 to 17:15: 1 Cuckoo, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Whitethroat (numerous). John Wright (SOG).
Leigh, Tattersall Gardens 16.18: 7 Whimbrel calling frequently while flying west high over Marine Estate. Martin Johnson.
Saturday 08th May 2004
Wat Tyler Country Park, 09:30 to 11:30: 4 Cuckoo, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 16 Whitethroat, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Reed Bunting, 1 Whimbrel (on marina creek), 4 Swift, 9 Blackcap, 6 Chiffchaff, 10 House Martin, 60+ Swallow. Graham Ryland (SOG).
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 09.30 - 11.40: 6 Sedge Warbler, 11 Common Whitethroat, 2 Reed Bunting, 3 Little Egret, 4 Curlew, Little Grebe, 10 Shelduck, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Corn Bunting, Great Crested Grebe. 14 Skylark singing and displaying. Ray Fuller.
Canvey West End, 12:45 to 12:45: 1 Nightingale (still singing at the end of Northwick Road). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Gunners Park 15.30 - 17.00: 1 Wheatear, 2 Song Thrush, 2 Oystercatcher, 3 Stock Dove (all in reserve), 1 Kestrel, 1 Goldfinch. Karen Gordon.
Friday 07th May 2004
Wat Tyler Country Park, 08:45 to 08:55: 3 Reed Warbler, 1 Bearded Tit, 1 Whitethroat. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Southchurch Park East 09.30 - 10.00: 3 Little Grebe, 2 Reed Warbler, Swifts, Swallows. Web Author. (see our new page on Southchurch Park East)
Gunners Park - Shoebury 10.45 - 11.50: 1 Hobby, 3 Wheatear (2m, 1 f), 1 Mistle Thrush, 1 Song Thrush, 2 Stock Dove. Superb views of the Hobby inside the EWT reserve. The Hobby caught a Greenfinch and sat on one of the fence posts for ten minutes while eating its catch. Web Author, Jim Rankin.
| Unfortunately, I don't have an attachment for my digital camera to take photos through my telescope. The picture on the right of the Hobby was taken by holding up my camera to the eye piece of the scope. |  |
The Fleet - Wakering 11.45 - 12.30: 1 female Marsh Harrier over scrapes, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Kestrel. Web Author.
Thursday 06th May 2004
Hanningfield Reservoir 08.30 - 08-40: Black Swan, 2 Goldeneye (pr), 6 Common Tern. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Wednesday 05th May 2004
Hanningfield Reservoir 08.30 - 08.40: 3 Red-crested Pochard (2 drakes), Lesser Whitethroat, Chiffchaff. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park 09.30 - 11.00: 1 Cuckoo, many Common Whitethroat, 1 Common Pheasant, 1 Hobby. Steve Sanford, Web Author.
Two Tree Island (west) 13.30 - 14.45: 34 Avocet, 8 Whimbrel, 14 Curlew, 8 Ringed Plover, 11 Greenshank, 15 Dunlin, 1 Little Egret, 1 Spotted Redshank, 4 Turnstone. Steve Sanford, Web Author.
Tuesday 04th May 2004
Rochford, (by Cock Inn pub in trees and bushes by gate to Ashingdon boys football pitch) 18.45: 1 Nightingale (showed briefly but not singing) , 1 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. Russell Clark.
Canvey West End, 20:35 to 20:45: 1 Cuckoo (singing), 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Reed Warbler (singing). (No sign of Nightingale). Neil Chambers (SOG).
Monday 03rd May 2004
Canvey West End, 06:15 to 06:35: 1 Nightingale (Same place; singing and showing very well), 1 Turtle Dove, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Blackcap, 3 Whitethroat, 1 Reed Warbler. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Gunner's Park 08:00 to 09:45: 3 Wheatear (2 male, 1 female) and four Shelduck on the southern, fenced off area. 1 female Black Redstart in the bushes in the south-west corner, 2 Swallow over the southern bushes, 1 male Blackcap in the tree on the western side, 2 Jay and 1 Green Woodpecker on the eastern side, 1 Reed Warbler in the reeds at the northern end. David Lee.
Gunners Park, 08:45 to 10:15: 1 Turtle Dove, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Wheatear, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap (abundant), 1 Whitethroat (abundant). Brian Baldock (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park, 10:30 to 12:00: 2 Hobby (on pylon in front of hide), 2 Turtle Dove, 3 Bearded Tit (male & 2 female), 2 Bullfinch (males), 1 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Common Sandpiper (1 from hide near centre, 1 on Timmerman's Creek), 1 Grasshopper Warbler (from 2nd hide on Timmerman's Creek), 2 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Little Egret, 3 Cuckoo. Graham Ryland (SOG).
Wakering Stairs, 10:30 to 13:00: 1 Turtle Dove, 3 Sedge Warbler, 1 Cuckoo, 3 Wheatear, 1 Green Woodpecker, 4 Common Tern, 1 Little Tern, 5 Little Egret, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Hobby (in off the sea). Brian Baldock (SOG).
Rochford, Doggetts Pits, 19:00 to 19:50: 20 Swift, 1 Sand Martin, 30 House Martin, 25 Swallow, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Tawny Owl (hooting). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Sunday 02nd May 2004
Leigh on Sea, 08:00: 2 Blackcap (present in garden for approx 3 weeks). Brian Baldock (SOG).
Wat Tyler CP 08:00 - 11:00: 8+ Reed Warbler, 2 Reed Bunting (M), 3 Cuckoo, 2 pairs of Shelduck, 6+ Pochard, 2 pairs of Little Grebe, 1 Heron, pair of Oystercatchers on island later joined by 8 more, pairs of Tufted Duck all on the scrape or Pitseahall Fleet. Swifts. Swallows and House Martins over areas of the Park. On Timmermans Creek: 1 Black-tailed Godwit 1st Winter plumage still. 1 Little Egret, 2 Cuckoo, 1 Redshank, Pochard and a possible Gargeney (M). Martin Itter.
Rochford Golf Course, 08:30 to 11:45: 1 Cuckoo, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Whitethroat, 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Yellow Wagtail. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Hampton Barns, 09:10 to 09:45: 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 House Martin, 5 Whitethroat (singing), 1 Blackcap (singing). Steve Sanford (SOG).
Gunners Park, 09:10 to 10:45: 5 Wheatear, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Reed Warbler, 1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Chiffchaff, 15 Whitethroat, 4 Blackcap, 1 Reed Bunting, 1 Cuckoo, 8 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 2 Gannet (adults over the river), 1 Kestrel, 1 House Martin, 2 Swallow. Brian Baldock (SOG).
Wakering Rubbish Tip, 09:30 to 10:30: 1 Turtle Dove. Steve Arlow (SOG).
Barton Hall Farm, 09:45 to 10:30: 1 Kestrel, 4 Yellow Wagtail (2 males), 7 Whitethroat (singing), 2 Corn Bunting. Steve Sanford (SOG).
Paglesham Lagoon, 10:30 to 11:45: 1 Grey Heron, 4 Little Egret, 1 Scaup (drake still present), 6 Common Tern, 6 Swift, 1 Turtle Dove, 7 Reed Warbler, 15 Whitethroat, 12 Yellowhammer. Steve Sanford (SOG).
Wakering Stairs, 11:00 to 13:30: 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap, 15 Whitethroat, 2 Sedge Warbler, 2 Cuckoo, 4 Turtle Dove, 10 Common Tern, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Kestrel. 1 Whimbrel, 10 Swallow. Brimstone and Orange Tip butterflies seen. Brian Baldock (SOG).
Hadleigh Country Park (towards river) 12.00 - 15.00: 3 Whitethroat, 1 Blackcap, 1 Cuckoo (alongside railway). Ron Galliers.
Vange Marsh, 12:00 to 13:30: 1 Little Gull (1st summer), 2 Little Egret, 5 Canada Goose (+5 goslings), 2 Cetti's Warbler (heard), 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Hobby, 1 Sand Martin. Paul Griggs, Steve Arlow (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park, 13:40 to 14:50: 3 Sand Martin, 1 Mediterranean Gull (2nd-summer), 1 Yellow-legged Gull (2nd-summer), 1 Cetti's Warbler (heard), 1 Sparrowhawk, 20 Greylag Goose (+4 goslings), 15 Canada Goose. Paul Griggs, Steve Arlow (SOG).
Gunners Park, 15:00 to 15:15: 3 Wheatear, 1 Lesser Whitethroat. Paul Baker (SOG).
Benfleet Creek, 16:00 to 18:00: 5 Whimbrel, 2 Greenshank, 1 Little Egret, 25 Avocet, 1 Reed Warbler (Lots), 1 Whitethroat (Lots), 1 Kestrel. John Wright (SOG).
Gunners Park 17.15 - 18.00: 5 Wheatear. Chris Day.
Wakering Stairs, 18:15 to 19:40: 1 Barn Owl, 9 Whimbrel, 2 Cuckoo, 4 Turtle Dove, 1 Wheatear, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Little Egret. Steve Arlow (SOG).
Canvey West End, 19:10 to 19:25: 1 Nightingale (singing and showing well, approx 400 yrds from end of road), 1 Bullfinch (female), 2 Reed Warbler, 1 Cuckoo, 2 Green Woodpecker. Paul Baker (SOG).
Saturday 01st May 2004
Southchurch Park East 07.15 - 08.00: 1 Water Rail, 1 Little Egret, 1 Cormorant , 4 Sedge Warbler, 1 Song Thrush. Russell Clark.
Gunners Park, 09:15 to 10:15: 1 Ring Ouzel (male), 8 Wheatear, 8 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Swift, 3 Sandwich Tern, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 5 Whitethroat, 2 Blackcap, 1 Cuckoo. Neil Chambers (SOG).
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 09.20 - 11.50: 7 Common Tern, 6 Reed Bunting, Turtle Dove, 10 Common Whitethroat, 5 Yellow Wagtail, Little Grebe, 2 Swift, Short-eared Owl, 5 Shelduck, 4 Curlew, 2 Little Egret, 2 Swallow, 2 Corn Bunting, 2 Wheatear, Great Crested Grebe, 2 Sedge Warbler. 18 Skylark ascending/singing. Ray Fuller.
Wat Tyler Country Park 10.15 - 11.15: 2 Marsh Harrier, 3 Bearded Tit, 8+ Reed Warbler, 1 Cetti's Warbler (heard). Steve Hiscock.
Gunners Park, 11:00 to 12:30: 1 Ring Ouzel (Male still in compound), 5 Wheatear (In compound), 2 Sandwich Tern, 14 Turnstone, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Stock Dove, 8+ Whitethroat. Graham Ryland (SOG).
Hadleigh, 11:00: 1 Redstart (female in the Chapel Lane car park in bushes by the toilets). Steve Bunn Essex Ranger Service.
Leigh on Sea, 12:30 to 12:30: 2 Sparrowhawk (Together over the Broadway). John Wright (SOG).
Hanningfield Reservoir 12.58: Black Tern. 3 Little Gull. Graham Ryland (SOG).
Gunners Park 13.30 - 14.15: 1 Ring Ouzel (male), 1 Whitethroat, 4+ Wheatear. Steve Hiscock.
Hadleigh Downs, 14:30 to 16:00: 3 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Hobby, 3 Cuckoo, 6 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Pochard. Steve Bunn Essex Ranger Service.
Oxenham Farm, 14:30 to 16:00: 4 Whimbrel, 1 Little Egret, 2 Wheatear, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 1 Whitethroat (Lots), 1 Reed Warbler, 4 Sedge Warbler, 20 Swallow, 2 Turtle Dove. John Wright (SOG).
Barling Pits, 16:25 to 17:00: 2 Wheatear, 1 Little Egret, 2 Whimbrel, 4 Greenshank, 2 Reed Warbler (Sedge Warblers & Whitethroats), 6 Tufted Duck, 4 Little Grebe, 25 House Martin (Plus Swallows & Swifts). John Wright (SOG).
Gunners Park 17.30 - 18.30: 1 male Ring Ouzel in EWT reserve, 1 Red-legged Partridge, 1 Cuckoo, 5 Wheatear. Chris Day, Web Author.