Bird Reports for May 2005
Tuesday 31st May 2005
Fanes Wood, Thundersley, 07:15 to 08:20
1 Turtle Dove, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker (feeding young at nest hole), 3 Whitethroat, 4 Blackcap, 6 Chaffinch (2 Adults +4 juvs.), 1 Chiffchaff. Graham Ryland (SOG).
Wakering, Fleet Head, 09:15 to 11:15
2 Cuckoo, 8 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Kestrel, 4 Turtle Dove, 1 Common Tern, 7 Avocet, 4 Corn Bunting, 1 Lesser Whitethroat. 1 Painted Lady, 1 Wall. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park, 13:15 to 14:00
4 Avocet, 3 Mediterranean Gull (adult-summers), 2 Little Egret, 5 Bearded Tit, 1 Water Rail (heard), 1 Cetti's Warbler. Paul Griggs (SOG).
Two Tree Island West 16.00 - 17.30
1 Hobby, 1 Kestrel, Cuckoo, 3 Little Egret, Grey Heron, 6 Ringed Plover, 7 Avocet, 8 Oystercatcher, 2 Common Tern, 8+ Redshank, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 11 Shelduck. R Shepherd.
Monday 30th May 2005
Southchurch Park
It is with a great deal of sadness that we have to report the death of two of the newly fledged cygnets in Southchurch Park. The bodies of the young birds have both been seen and predation has been ruled out as the cause of death. Both birds were seen to be alive up to 12.30 in the morning but by 14.30 had died. Possibilities that we are contemplating for the deaths are: Lack of food, poisoning by inappropriate feeding and/or pollution of the water. We will update you with news on this page. Web Author.
Fanes Wood, Thundersley, 10:00 to 12:00
1 Sparrowhawk (male), 2 Mistle Thrush (feeding young), 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker (breeding pair), 2 Green Woodpecker, 2 Cuckoo (pair), 4 Blackcap, 3 Whitethroat. 8+ Common Blue. Graham Ryland (SOG).
Abberton Reservoir, Layer Breton Causeway 17.00
2 Reed Bunting, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 20+ Swift, 10+ House Martin, 2 Swallow, 1 Egyptian Goose, 2 Black Swan, 50+ Mute Swan, 6 Great Crested Grebe. R Shepherd.
Sunday 29th May 2005
Fleet Head, 09:15 to 11:00
3 Little Egret, 4 Avocet, 1 White / Pied Wagtail (Female White Wagtail), 1 Hobby, 2 Cuckoo, 2 Green Woodpecker, 3 Corn Bunting, 6 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Blackcap, 3 Reed Warbler. 5 Brown Hare. John Wright (SOG).
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 09.50 11.45
Corn Bunting, 4 Shelduck, 5 Reed Bunting, 2 Common Tern, 4 Yellow Wagtail, 6 Sedge Warbler, 4 Curlew, 3 Little Egret, Little Grebe, Swallow, 10 Common Whitethroat, Cuckoo, Avocet, 5 Skylark. Ray Fuller.
Rushbottom Lane, 10:00 to 12:00
4 Yellowhammer, 3 Blackcap, 2 Whitethroat, 2 Mute Swan (6 cygnets), 1 Skylark, 7 Stock Dove. Emperor Dragonfly (immature). Graham Ryland (SOG).
Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 11:00
1 Cuckoo (garden first!). Paul Baker (SOG).
Priory Park, 11:30 to 12:00
1 Spotted Flycatcher. John Wright (SOG).
Two Tree Island (West), 15:00 to 16:15
1 Hobby (Hawking insects for at least 1.5 hours). Dudley Shayler (SOG).
Hanningfield Reservoir 15.30
Bar-headed Goose, 2 pair Red-crested Pochard. Ron Hodgson.
Highlands Boulevard, Leigh, 16:30 to 16:35
1 Honey Buzzard (flew over low, heading NW being mobbed by crows). Paul Griggs (SOG).
Saturday 28th May 2005
Belton Hills, 07:00 to 07:10
1 Lesser Whitethroat. John Wright (SOG).
Priory Park, 07:00 to 07:30
3 Mistle Thrush, 2 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Green Woodpecker. Web Author.
Two Tree Island (West), 07:15 to 08:00
1 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 1 Little Egret, 4 Avocet (On the scrape.), 2 Oystercatcher (On the scrape). John Wright (SOG).
Southchurch Park, 08:00 to 08:15
6 Mute Swan (pair with 4 cygnets raised on new wildlife island). Web Author. (If you want to feed swans then give them fresh bread (mould is poisonous to them), grain such as wheat or corn, and fresh greens such as lettuce or spinach. The food should be thrown onto the water so that they can swallow water with the food - feeding them on land is environmentally unsound and encourages the swans to leave the water whenever they see people which can bring them into harm from cars, dogs etc. - Ed.)
Barling Pits, 10:00 to 12:00
4 Turtle Dove, 1 Kestrel, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Little Grebe, 2 Tufted Duck (Pair). 1 Common Lizard, John Wright (SOG).
Friday 27th May 2005
Pound Lane 12.45
Turtle Dove (road kill). Gary Clinton. (Always a tragedy when we hear of this. We are, after all, talking about a bird that has migrated from Africa (maybe Senegal or Gambia) has made the flight across the Sahara and has survived intense shooting and trapping. - Ed.)
Thursday 26th May 2005
Eastwood Park, 18:55
1 Sparrowhawk (over Rayleigh Rd). Paul Baker (SOG).
Ashingdon, 20:00
1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Slow-worm (both in the garden). Neil Chambers (SOG).
Priory Park
3 Spotted Flycatcher. Peter Walker.
Canewdon 20.50
Very close up view of a Barn Owl seen flying East to West across a Private Road to the West of the Village (Lark Hill Road area). Paul Levey.
Wednesday 25th May 2005
Leigh, Cliffsea Grove, 10.00
1 Sparrowhawk circled a large fir tree in next doors garden and was chased off by a Magpie. Jenifer Akib.
Tuesday 24th May 2005
Hanningfield Reservoir 13.30
Pair Red-crested Pochard with 5 young and pair of Gadwall from Rawl Hide. 4 Great Crested Grebe, 16 Tufted Duck, 10 Cormorant, 50+ Swift, 10+ Swallow 20+ House Martin, 4 Wren, 3 Chiffchaff. Graham Saunders.
Southend Airport, 18:00 to 21:00
1 Skylark (singing), 1 Green Woodpecker (at nest hole), 1 Common Tern, 1 Turtle Dove (purring), 1 Sparrowhawk (male). Paul Baker (SOG).
Monday 23rd May 2005
Rayleigh, 08:30
3 Little Egret (in the 'big scrape' west of the new A130, just north of A127 and railway line). Paul Baker (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park (Scrub behind motorboat museum) 18.30 - 19.00
2 Turtle Dove, 5 Blackcap, 3 Whitethroat, 1 Lesser Whitethroat (1 Avocet flew over heading West). Martin Cracknell.
Sunday 22nd May 2005
Priory Park, 09:45
3 Spotted Flycatcher in usual area. Hollis Cloughton.
Two Tree Island (West), 14:00 to 16:00
7 Avocet, 6 Oystercatcher, 6 Ringed Plover, 11 Dunlin, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 12 Shelduck, 3 Little Egret. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).
Rochford Golf Course, 14:00 to 17:30
1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Blackcap (singing), 3 Whitethroat (singing). Neil Chambers (SOG).
Priory Park, 14:30 to 14:45
1 Spotted Flycatcher. Paul Griggs, Don Petrie (SOG).
Abberton Reservoir 15.00
3 Nightingale, 1 Blackcap, 1 Common Whitethroat, 27 Common Tern on raft, Turtle Doves heard, large numbers of Swifts and Sand Martins. R Shepherd.
Fleet Head, 15:10 to 16:00
2 Corn Bunting (singing), 6 Yellow Wagtail, 6 Avocet, 2 Little Egret, 1 Greenshank. Paul Griggs, Don Petrie (SOG).
Chalkwell Park Drive, Leigh, 18:30
1 Hobby (One over the house carrying a prey item, heading west). John Wright (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park
1 Kingfisher, 5+ Bearded Tit (male & 4 young), 2 Reed Bunting, 2 Turtle Dove, 2 Cetti's Warbler singing, 2 Water Rail calling, 4 Little Egret, several Lesser Whitethroat. Andrew Cox.
Saturday 21st May 2005
Leigh, Belton Hills, 06:40 to 06:45
1 Nightingale (still singing at west end of Leigh station). John Wright (SOG).
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 09.40 11.30
Turtle Dove, 10 Sedge Warbler, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, 12 Common Whitethroat, 6 Reed Bunting, 2 Common Tern, 3 Swift, Corn Bunting, 6 Yellow Wagtail (2 juveniles), Little Egret, 2 Swallow, 5 Skylark. Ray Fuller.
Hadleigh Downs, 10:00 to 12:00
2 Hobby (one was found dead in a pond on the marsh !), 4 Adder (2 male and 2 female), 4 Common Lizard, 1 Grass Snake. Andrew Woodhouse, John Wright (SOG).
Two Tree Island
1 Little Tern, 1 Common Tern, 2 Dunlin (summer plumage), 1 Black-tailed Godwit (also summer plumage), 1 Lesser Whitethroat. Shelduck, Avocet, Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover, Redshank. 1 Yellow Wagtail along Benfleet Creek. Andrew Cox.
Friday 20th May 2005
Battlesbridge, 09:15
1 Little Egret (in pool again by A130/R.Crouch). Paul Baker (SOG).
Hanningfield Reservoir (Causeway) 10.00
Common Tern, Black Swan, many Swift. Gary Clinton.
Hanningfield Reservoir 17:45-17:55
2 Common Terns, hundreds of Swifts. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Thursday 19th May 2005
Broomfield, Chelmsford 08:30
1 Hobby. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Cherry Orchard Lane, 17:15
1 Little Egret (in the brook). Paul Baker (SOG).
Wednesday 18th May 2005
Gunners Park, 10:00 to 10:45
1 Cuckoo, 12 Swallow. Web Author.
Fleet Head, (MOD road only) 11:00 to 12:00
1 Kestrel, 2 Turtle Dove, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Sedge Warbler, 3 Reed Warbler, 4 House Martin. Web Author.
Priory Park 13.30
2 Spotted Flycatcher in the usual area. Brian Allmark.
Tuesday 17th May 2005
Fobbing Vineyards 17.00
1 Nightingale. Jim Cockram.
Wakering, The Fleet 18.15 - 20.00
7 Avocet, Little Egret, Whimbrel, c.12 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Corn Bunting, Cuckoo, Turtle Dove, c.50 Swallow, c.50 House Martin. Steve Giles.
Wat Tyler Country Park
Common Buzzard flew over mobbed by Crows, 2 Turtle Dove, 1 Cuckoo. John Atfield.
Monday 16th May 2005
Thundersley, Shipwrights Drive 09.00 - 09.10
15 House Martin, flying over school and recreational field. First sighting this year at this location. John Bennett.
Canvey West End, 09:30 to 12:00
4 Cuckoo, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 5 Blackcap, 4 Linnet, 1 Cetti's Warbler (singing from scrub next to wet area approx 200 yds east of Safeways store). 1 Adder, 1 Small Heath, 9 Wall, 1 Brown Argus. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).
Two Tree Island (West), 13:00 to 14:00
4 Avocet (it appears that all the nests have been abandoned), 2 Little Tern (on lagoon), 1 Yellow Wagtail. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).
Hockley/Hawkwell, 17:15
1 Sparrowhawk (male, low and fast through gardens nr The Spa). Paul Baker (SOG).
Sunday 15th May 2005
Tollesbury Wick 09.00 - 11.00
23 Avocet, 11 Lapwing, 10 Skylark, 8 Meadow Pipit, 1 Grey Partridge, 18 Oystercatcher (some breeding), 10 Redshank, 12 Greylag Geese, Sedge Warbler (plus lots calling), Reed Bunting, Turtle Dove. 1 Hare. Neil Pavett.
Wat Tyler Country Park 10.00 to 1100
1 Bearded Tit, 1 Common Sandpiper,1 Turtle Dove. Shaun Harvey, Martin Blow.
Wakering Stairs 10.55 - 12.30
3 Yellowhammer (2 collecting nesting materials), Yellow Wagtail, Cuckoo calling and showing well. Lesser Whitethroat, Turtle Dove. Ray Fuller.
Hanningfield Reservoir 11.30 to 11.35
1 Red-crested Pochard. Shaun Harvey, Martin Blow.
Benfleet Creek, 11:35 to 12:45
1 White Stork (I was on Hadleigh Marsh at 12:35 the stork was low over the creek but gained height as it drifted west and then south west along the creek and over towards Canvey Island, south of Benfleet yacht club. I lost sight of it at 12:45 when it was at a great height), 6 Avocet, 1 Little Egret. John Wright (SOG).
Fleet Head, 13:30 to 15:45
1 Cuckoo, 2 Turtle Dove, 1 Corn Bunting, 7 Avocet, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Little Grebe (Nest building), 3 Common Tern. 1 Weasel (Crossing the MOD road). Andrew Woodhouse, Dudley Shayler (SOG).
Havengore Creek, 16:30 to 18:30
1 Peregrine Falcon (on the ground across the creek, apparently feeding), 13 Whimbrel (flying NE and calling), 1 Cuckoo (singing), 5 Turtle Dove, 4 Little Egret, 65 Sanderling (most in fine summer plumage), 500 Oystercatcher. Don Petrie (SOG).
Eastwood, Mayflower Close 17:30 to 17:35
1 Sparrowhawk (big female, spiralling over back garden again). Paul Baker (SOG).
Leigh Marshes (Old Leigh) 20:00
At least 2 Turnstone still present. Four the day before including one in full summer plumage. Ross and Chris Gardner.
Saturday 14th May 2005
Two Tree Island (lagoon) 09.15
Sightings: 1 Little Tern. Clive Dobson.
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 09.45 -11.20
Cuckoo, 4 Swift, 5 Reed Bunting, 4 Sedge Warbler, 7 Grey Plover, Little Egret, 3 Shelduck, 8 Common Whitethroat, Little Grebe, Yellow Wagtail, Great Crested Grebe, Turtle Dove, 4 Skylark. Ray Fuller.
Wat Tyler Country Park 11.30
Female Marsh Harrier, Common Sandpiper. Gary Clinton.
Rochford Golf Course, 12:00 to 15:20
1 Lesser Whitethroat (singing), 2 Whitethroat (singing), 1 Blackcap (singing), 2 Green Woodpecker. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Thursday 12th May 2005
Two Tree Island 13.30
Garden Warbler opposite first car park in bushes. Two adders and one common lizard. Beware! of a big female adder left of the path adjacent to the flying field It does not want to move even with boots placed next to it! Steven Wood.
Wat Tyler Country Park, 17:15 to 17:30
1 Reed Warbler (singing), 1 Sedge Warbler (singing), 2 Avocet. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Wednesday 11th May 2005
Potton Road/ Fleet, Wakering 10.30 - 11.25
2 Tufted Duck, 10+ Whitethroat, 4 Reed Warbler, Whinchat on fence along Potton Road, 6 Avocet, 6 Oystercatcher, 1 Greenshank, 1 Whimbrel, 1 male Shoveler, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 15+ Skylark singing, 3 Corn Bunting, 1 Reed Bunting, 1 Green Woodpecker, 40+ Shelduck, pair of Meadow Pipit carrying food to nest, Little Grebe sitting on eggs. Good numbers of Swifts and House Martins, several Swallows. Barry Chambers.
Corringham Recreation Ground 11.00
2 Hobby. Jim Cockram.
Tuesday 10th May 2005
Leigh Broadway 05.45
Behind Leigh Broadway 5 Jackdaw flying over. Terry Strong.
Benfleet Downs / Creek 19.00 - 20.30
1 Little Grebe, 2 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Sparrowhawk, 4 Hobby (2 pairs), 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 5 Swift, 6 Swallow. Andrew Bridge.
Belfairs Woods, 19:10 to 20:00
1 Garden Warbler (singing), 3 Blackcap (singing), 1 Chiffchaff (singing), 1 Willow Warbler (singing), 1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker (at least. Including female taking food to nest hole). Neil Chambers, Paul Baker (SOG).
Two Tree Island (West), 20:10 to 20:20
4 Whitethroat (singing), 1 Cuckoo (singing). Neil Chambers, Paul Baker (SOG).
Leigh Station, 20:35 to 20:50
1 Nightingale (still singing), 1 Lesser Whitethroat (singing from south side of station), 1 Blackcap. Neil Chambers, Paul Baker (SOG).
Monday 09th May 2005
Belton Hills, 06:45 to 06:50
1 Nightingale (Singing well in the usual spot). Dudley Shayler (SOG).
Fanes Wood, Thundersley, 07:15 to 08:00
1 Nightingale (Singing along Fane Lane, opposite public footpath, one of the locals states that the bird is very vocal after midnight.), 7 Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler, 2 Whitethroat, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker (pair). Graham Ryland (SOG).
Billericay, Greens Farm Lane 09.00
Nightingale singing near Scout Hut. Neil Sumner.
Westley Heights (Nr Scout Camp) 1045 - 1130
Pair of Magpie attacking a Grass Snake - I didn't know whether to intervene but decided to watch. The Maggies killed the snake in under 5 minutes and were pulling it to pieces for half an hour before I had to leave, it really was quite vicious! Gary Clinton.
Wat Tyler Country Park 12.30 to 13.30
1 Whimbrel, 1 Avocet, 3 Little Egrets, 3 Sedge Warblers, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Hobby, and at nearby Vange Marsh at 14.00 No waders at all present, but up to 7 or 8 Sedge Warblers, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Reed Bunting. Cetti's calling, but not seen. Les Costin (EBS).
Wat Tyler Country Park, 17:15 to 17:45
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Whimbrel, 3 Reed Warbler (singing), 1 Sedge Warbler (singing), 1 Cuckoo (singing), 2 Turtle Dove, 1 Avocet. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Sunday 08th May 2005
Belton Hills, 09:45 to 09:55
1 Nightingale (Still singing and showed briefly) John Wright (SOG).
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 10.00 11.25
6 Swift, 2 Sedge Warbler, 4 Shelduck, 5 Yellow Wagtail, 8 Common Whitethroat, 2 Reed Bunting, Curlew, Little Egret, Corn Bunting, Wheatear, 6 Skylark. Ray Fuller.
Two Tree Island (East), 10:30 to 11:10
1 Grasshopper Warbler (Reeling). John Wright (SOG).
Hadleigh Country Park 11.00
4 Cuckoo seen and heard at Sunday. Anita Pickles.
Rochford Golf Course, 14:00 to 17:30
2 Green Woodpecker, 3 Whitethroat (singing), 2 Blackcap (singing). Neil Chambers (SOG).
Chalkwell Park Drive, Leigh, 14:00 to 14:05
1 Jackdaw. John Wright (SOG).
Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 19:30 to 19:30
1 Sparrowhawk (appeared to be a female displaying high over the garden). Paul Baker (SOG).
Saturday 07th May 2005
Belton Hills, 08:30 to 08:45
1 Nightingale (Still in bushes in line with the west end of Leigh station platform). John Wright (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park, 10:00 to 12:00
4 Little Egret, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 5 Bearded Tit, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Avocet, 10 Sand Martin, 5 House Martin, 2 Cuckoo, 4 Whimbrel. 6 Common Lizard. John Wright (SOG).
Friday 06th May 2005
Hanningfield Reservoir 08:25 - 08:35
25+House Martin, 40+Swift seen at edge of Hanningfield reservoir in Middlemead near Hann T.W. Dave Griffiths.
Rochford Golf Course, 17:50 to 20:15
2 Green Woodpecker, 2 Blackcap (singing), 1 Whitethroat (singing). Neil Chambers (SOG).
Thursday 05th May 2005
Brentwood 07.15
2 Common Swift over Ongar Road, seen from bus. David Jobbins , Birds of East Tilbury.
Vange Marsh 07.30
7 Little Egret. Gary Clinton.
Two Tree Island (West), 13:00 to 13:50
1 Grasshopper Warbler, 1 Cuckoo. Don Petrie (SOG).
Chalkwell Esplanade 14.20
2 Little Egret. Terry Strong.
Wat Tyler Country Park, 17:40 to 17:55
1 Turtle Dove, 2 Cuckoo (1 singing), 3 Reed Warbler (singing). Neil Chambers (SOG).
Canvey Island, West End 19.40 - 20.15
2 Cuckoo, 4 Reed Warbler, 5 Sedge Warbler, 1 Willow Warbler, 12+ Common Whitethroat + 2 Whimbrel (In Holehaven Creek). Martin Cracknell.
Wednesday 04th May 2005
A13 London Road - Victoria House Corner 13.15
1 Hobby flew over heading towards Hadleigh Downs. Mike Sagrott.
Rayleigh 14.00
2 Swift flying over Rayleigh from south to north. Ernie Hillier.
Basildon, A127 15:45
1 Hobby flew west. Paul Griggs (SOG).
Hanningfield Reservoir 18.00
Hundreds of hirundine from causeway. Kevin Rees.
Benfleet Downs / Creek 19.00 - 19.45
4 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret, 1 Kestrel (male), 1 Sparrow Hawk (male), 1 Marsh Harrier (female being mobbed by crows and magpies), 4 Whimbrel. Andrew Bridge.
Wickham Bishops 19:30 to 12:00
Cuckoo calling. Tony Wenham and Wednesday Walkers.
Wakering 20.10
Unconfirmed report of Nightingale singing from behind the Exhibition Pub. Via Web Author.
Leigh Station, 20:45 to 20:50
1 Nightingale (still singing just west of station). Neil Chambers (SOG).
Tuesday 03rd May 2005
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 10.05 11.30
6 Wheatear,2 Swift, House Martin, 3 Common Tern, 7 Reed Bunting, 3 Corn Bunting, 4 Sedge Warbler, 14 Common Whitethroat, Great Crested Grebe, 5 Shelduck, Curlew, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Green Woodpecker, Swallow, Turtle Dove, Cuckoo, 15 Skylark. Ray Fuller.
Wat Tyler Country Park, 13:00 to 13:45
1 Cuckoo (female), 2 Cetti's Warbler (heard), 3 Avocet, 1 Hobby, 1 Bearded Tit, 2 Reed Bunting. Paul Griggs (SOG).
Wakering, Fleet Head 18.30 - 18.45
1 Long-tailed tit, 3 Goldfinch. Iain Henderson.
Leigh on Sea Station, North of Western end of Station 20:00- 20:35
Nightingale and Cuckoo heard at the same time! neither bird seen though. Nightingale could still be heard at the pick up car park when there where no cars about. John Bronze.
Monday 02nd May 2005
Gunners Park, 08:15 to 09:55
1 Fulmar (flying along seawall then headed inland over park before heading east), 1 Cuckoo, 2 Wheatear (females in EWT reserve), 1 Willow Warbler (singing in bushes behind play area), 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Gannet (heading east offshore), 4 Sandwich Tern (all heading east offshore), 1 Sedge Warbler (singing and seen well near play area). 9 Speckled Wood. Mike Bailey (SOG).
Wallasea Island, 08:40 to 10:15
4 Little Egret, 1 Common Sandpiper, 10 Avocet, 18 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Whinchat, 12 Corn Bunting, 2 Reed Bunting, 1 Green Woodpecker. John Wright (SOG).
Belton Hills, 09:20 to 09:25
1 Nightingale (singing just west of Leigh Station). Steve Bunn (SOG).
Two Tree Island (West), 09:30 to 10:30
1 Grasshopper Warbler (next to main path near to first mound), 38 Avocet (Lagoon 17 sitting). Steve Bunn (SOG).
Gunners Park 09:30 - 10.30
10 Common Whitethroat, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Wheatear, 4 Meadow Pipit, 1 Green Woodpecker, 10 Linnet, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Turtle Dove (heard), 10 Swallow, 1 Whimbrel, 10 Turnstone. Hundreds of Meadow Saxifrage flower heads in South West corner of reserve & around Coastguards. Robin Pepiatt.
Vange Marsh, 10:00 to 11:30
1 Hobby, 1 Sparrowhawk, 4 Common Tern, 7 Sedge Warbler, 4 Reed Warbler, 1 Greenshank, 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Reed Bunting, 5 Whitethroat, 4 Blackcap, 3 Cuckoo. Graham Ryland (SOG).
Paglesham Churchend, 10:30 to 10:35
1 Little Owl. John Wright (SOG).
Southend, 11:00
1 Sparrowhawk (Nr. Sutton Road). John Wright (SOG).
Leigh Station, 12:15 to 12:30
1 Nightingale (singing in bushes immediately north of the west end of the station platform), 2 Whitethroat. Paul Griggs (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park, 12:20 to 13:50
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Hobby, 3 Little Egret, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Cuckoo, 2 Avocet, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Reed Bunting, 2 Bearded Tit, 1 Lesser Whitethroat. Paul Baker (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park, 12:20 to 14:30
3 Hobby, 3 Little Egret, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Little Ringed Plover. Steve Arlow (SOG).
Gunners Park 14.00
3 Common Lizards, 1 Common Shrew, 1 Speckled Wood butterfly. Jenifer Akib. (With regard Gunners Park, it would be very helpful if we could have any sightings of other wildlife such as in this report. We would not, however, encourage you to lift the corrugated steel mats that have been left for monitoring purposes - Ed.)
Westcliff on Sea 18:00
3 Swift flying over. Tony Wenham.
Leigh Station, 20:30 to 20:55
1 Nightingale (singing in bushes north of west end of platform). Don Petrie (SOG).
Sunday 01st May 2005 (First report of Little Ringed Plover)
North Shoebury 04.14
Cuckoo calling opposite my house. (early morning start for dawn chorus!) Web Author.
Hadleigh Great Wood Nature Reserve 05.30 - 06.30
1 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Garden Warbler (heard). Steve Sanford Web Author.
Leigh on Sea, 06:10
1 Jackdaw (Carrying nesting material, The Broadway). John Wright (SOG).
Canvey West End, 06:15 to 09:05
Cetti's Warbler (singing occasionally only from the 'Safeways' end), 5 Lesser Whitethroat, 47 Whitethroat, 13 Reed Warbler, 2 Willow Warbler, 11 Sedge Warbler, 3 Cuckoo, 2 Stonechat (a pair), 1 Wheatear (of the Greenland form), 2 Blackcap, 8 Skylark, 4 Reed Bunting, 14 Black-tailed Godwit (flew over), 1 Swallow, 1 Chiffchaff. Also: 1 Stoat, 2 Red Fox, Steve Arlow (SOG).
Belton Hills, 06:15 to 06:20
1 Nightingale about 200 yards west of Leigh-on-Sea the Station (Belton Hill West). John Wright (SOG).
Two Tree Island (East), 06:25 to 07:15
1 Grasshopper Warbler, 4 Little Egret, 5 Whimbrel, 15 Curlew, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Greenshank, 12 Whitethroat, 3 Sedge Warbler, 2 Blackcap. John Wright (SOG).
Two Tree Island 06.45 - 08.30
1 Sparrowhawk, 45 Avocet, 2 Ringed Plover, Black-tailed Godwit, Bar-tailed Godwit, 3 Greenshank, 43 Dunlin, Cuckoo, male Stonechat, female Wheatear, Grasshopper Warbler, 3 Sedge Warbler, many Whitethroat, flock of 5 Jay heading south. Steve Sanford, Web Author.
Two Tree Island (West), 07:15 to 08:15
1 Grasshopper Warbler, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Stonechat (Male.), 2 Mediterranean Gull (Pair of adults flew over heading towards Leigh.), 15 Swallow, 3 Greenshank, 28 Avocet, 15 Whitethroat, 4 Sedge Warbler. John Wright (SOG).
Marsh Lane, Burnham-on-Crouch 08.30 - 11.00
6 Yellow Wagtail, Corn Buntings & Reed Warblers (several), 3 Grey Partridge, 3 Cuckoo, 2 Mistle Thrush, 4 Whitethroat, 8 Reed Bunting, Blackbirds, Swallow, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Blue & Great Tits, Green Woodpecker (heard). Birds seen during BTO BBS Survey this am. Just wandering along the road should easily get you Yellow Wagtails, Corn Bunting and Reed Warbler and hopefully most of the others. Martin Singleton.
Gunners Park, 08:30 to 11:00
1 House Martin, 2 Turtle Dove, 1 Reed Warbler, 15 Whitethroat, 4 Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Wheatear, 25 Swallow, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler, 3 Blackcap, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Green Woodpecker. Brian Baldock. Dave Knight (SOG).
Leigh Station 08.34 - 08.45
Nightingale singing from bushes west of station, Lesser Whitethroat. Steve Sanford, Web Author.
Two Tree Island (West), 09:00 to 10:00
2 Cuckoo, 33 Avocet, 1 Grasshopper Warbler (singing by the mound), 2 Sedge Warbler, 26 Whitethroat, 1 Yellow Wagtail. 1 Adder (the young one seen last week found dead). Paul Griggs (SOG).
Vange Marsh, 09:20 to 10:00
1 Little Ringed Plover (until 9.45am when flew high north calling), 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Greenshank, 1 Little Egret, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Cetti's Warbler. Steve Arlow (SOG).
Gunners Park 09:30 - 10:30
12 Greenfinch, 1 Wren, 3 Wheatear (1 male, 2 female), 20 Linnet, 2 Song Thrush, 1 Mistle Thrush, 2 Dunnock. Richard Mander.
South Fambridge / Brandy hole 09.30 - 11.30
6 Wheatear, Cuckoo. Ray Fuller.
Fleet Head, 11:00 to 12:20
5 Little Egret, 40 Whimbrel (Flock of 35 together on the north field and 5 on Potton.), 1 Wheatear, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Sparrowhawk (Male & female), 2 Kestrel, 2 Cuckoo, 4 Corn Bunting, 1 Reed Bunting, 1 Green Woodpecker. John Wright (SOG).
Harold Hill Romford Essex 12 30
1 Red Kite circling 500 ft travelling from south to north. B Marshall.
Leigh Station 14.15
Nightingale singing and showing well for a short time. Christine Dell, Web Author.
Hullbridge, River Crouch 15:00
2 Whimbrel (feeding on opposite shore), 3 Common Tern. Ross Gardner.
Westcliff, St James's Gardens 16.35
1 Hobby (being mobbed by Swift over St James's Avenue, drifting north east), 7 Swift. Christine Dell, Web Author.
Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 17:00 to 17:45
1 Sparrowhawk (male, actually in the garden), 1 Skylark (still singing), 30 Swift (overhead, most of the afternoon), 16 House Martin (two flocks of 11, and 5, headed south). Also: 1 Orange-tip. Paul Baker (SOG).
Wakering, 19:50 to 19:50
1 House Martin (over Stuart Close). Paul Baker (SOG).
Two Tree Island (West), 20:10 to 20:30
Grasshopper Warbler (reeling almost continually and showing occasionally), 2 Cuckoo. Paul Baker (SOG).
Leigh Station, 20:40 to 20:50
1 Nightingale (still singing continually). Paul Baker (SOG).