Bird Reports for May 2006
Wednesday 31st May 2006
Shell Haven Marshes 11.45
2 Avocet. Roger Davies.
Tuesday 30th May 2006
Wat Tyler Country Park 10:30
Drake Wigeon captured on webcam. Alan Shearman RSPB.
Southend Seafront, 13:30 to 13:35
1 Mediterranean Gull (adult, summer plumage, by the Sealife Centre). John Wright (SOG).
Lea Valley Park 13.30
6 Hobby over 70 acre lake flying amongst Swift and Martins. 2 Barnacle Geese on goose field, Cormorants with young on nests, Blackcap and Whitethroat on scrub, many Common Tern on rafts. M.Jameson and M.Howell.
Wat Tyler Country Park
Male and female Wigeon on scrape and female Marsh Harrier hunting over the reedbed between the road to the tip and the railway line. Richard Chew.
Monday 29th May 2006
Two Tree Island (West), 14:30 to 16:00
1 Common Tern on island on lagoon, 3 Turnstone (2 in superb summer plumage), 6 Dunlin, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Reed Warbler, 2 Oystercatcher, 9 Ringed Plover. Paul Baker (SOG).
Sunday 28th May 2006
East Tilbury 09:00 - 10:30
1 Cuckoo, 30 Tern sp. right across other side of river so could not get a good i.d., 1 Ruddy Shelduck. Trevor Bufton.
Benfleet Creek, 10:00 to 12:00
1 Dunlin (Two Tree Island scrape), 1 Peregrine Falcon (adult female sat on a fence post by the borrow dyke before flying off over the sea wall onto the creek saltings), 4 Stonechat (2 pairs), 1 female Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrel, 1 Oystercatcher. John Wright (SOG).
Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 12:00
1 Hobby. Paul Baker (SOG).
Hadleigh Downs, 15:30 to 17:00
1 female Sparrowhawk, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap, 6 Whitethroat. John Wright (SOG).
Wallasea Island 17:00 - 18:00
1 male Reed Bunting, Reed Warbler singing, Whitethroat, many Corn Bunting and Yellow Wagtail, Kestrel, excellent close up views of a female Marsh Harrier which I watched eating prey for about 15 minutes not far from the path! Starlings circled it for ages making alarm calls. 15 or so Avocet on scrape, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret, 2 Shelduck, several Skylark singing, Swallow, Swift. Sam Richardson.
Priory Park, 19:00 to 19:15
2 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Sparrowhawk (high south). Paul Baker (SOG).
Saturday 27th May 2006
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 09.20 - 10.55
2 Common Tern, 6 Common Whitethroat, 4 Reed Bunting, 7 Sedge Warbler, 4 Shelduck, 2 Little Egret, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Little Grebe (2 were chicks), 6 Skylark. Ray Fuller.
Leigh on Sea, 11:25 to 11:30
1 Hobby flew over Eastwood Road near Westleigh School. Dudley Shayler (SOG).
Southchurch, 11:30
1 Hobby flew low north over White Horse pub. Paul Baker (SOG).
Friday 26th May 2006
Dunton / Herongate 08:30
2 Turtle Dove, 2 Jackdaw, 2 Jay, many Blackbird, Mistle Thrush. Gary Clinton.
East Tilbury 12.15 -12.45
1 female Sparrowhawk hunting around the Fort car park, 3 Song Thrush, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Long Tailed Tit, 1 Little Egret, 1 pair Stonechat. Mike Sagrott.
Thursday 25th May 2006
Hadleigh Downs, 10:30 to 12:30
1 Garden Warbler. Andrew Woodhouse
Wat Tyler County Park 11:15 - 12:00
I walked from the marina to the boat museum and was never out of earshot of a Reed Warbler, marvellous!! Gary Clinton.
Corringham Recreation Ground 13:00
1 Hobby flew over (very fast). Jim Cockram.
Harlow 15:14
1 Sparrowhawk chasing a Collared Dove in my fathers garden. Martin Jameson.
Canvey Way 17:55
1 Jay. Near where the railway line runs under the road. Bob Sheridan.
Two Tree Island 19:00 to 19:30
18 Avocet chicks. David Lee.
Wednesday 24th May 2006
Wat Tyler Country Park 09:00 - 10:30
1 Cuckoo, 1 Cetti's Warbler, several Bearded Tit, 14 Avocet, 20 Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Little Grebe. Trevor Bufton.
Tuesday 23rd May 2006
Eastwood, 08:10
1 Sparrowhawk over Progress Road / A127. Paul Baker (SOG).
Priory Park 11:00
1 Spotted flycatcher. Peter Walker.
Wat Tyler Country Park 12:00
6+ Whitethroat,1 Little Egret, 2 Oystercatcher,1 Goldeneye, many Reed Warblers singing. Martin Jameson.
Hanningfield Reservoir 15:00
2 Black Swan, many Greylag Geese with goslings, 4 Red-crested Pochard (3 male, 1 female), Ringed Plover on island and lots Swift and Sand Martin. Also slowworm under reptile/amphibian mat. Michael Howell.
Southend Airport, 18:00 to 20:00
1 Sparrowhawk chasing off a Crow on several occasions, 2 Green Woodpecker at nest hole, 1 Skylark, 2 Common Tern. Paul Baker (SOG).
Canvey Seafront 20.00 - 20.15
6 Common Tern, 14 Great Crested Grebe (all together in one raft). Martin Cracknell.
Monday 22nd May 2006
Fields Between Ware and Harlow 14:25
1 Common Buzzard flying low over farm fields. Martin Jameson.
Hanningfield Reservoir 16:30
Numerous Swift and House Martin with a few Swallows. One Hobby enjoying the pursuits. Kevin Rees.
Sunday 21st May 2006
East Tilbury 08.00-11.00
1 male Ruddy Shelduck with Common Shelducks, 8 Kittiwake upriver (3 seen earlier by Paul Wood). David Jobbins.
Southchurch Park 10.30 - 11.00
2 Mute Swan 1 Cob and 1 Hen with only 2 cygnets remaining. Darren Chaplin.
Leigh on Sea, 16:20 - 16:25
2 Sparrowhawk (males having a punch-up over Coombes Corner!). Dudley Shayler (SOG).
Saturday 20th May 2006
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 09.25 -11.20
3 Little Egret, Common Tern, 6 Common Whitethroat, 4 Sedge Warbler, 8 Shelduck, Yellow Wagtail, 4 Great Crested Grebe, 10 Swift, Swallow, 4 Reed Bunting, Corn Bunting, 6 Skylark. Ray Fuller.
Clavering, Essex 15:45 until 16:15
A female Black Redstart 
was in my back garden for approximately 30 minutes. I also managed to photograph her. I have not seen or heard her since and there has been no sightings of a male. Paul Burford.
Friday 19th May 2006
Leigh on Sea, 06:30 to 06:35
2 Jackdaw (pair, Pall Mall). John Wright (SOG).
Southchurch Road 08:15
1 Hobby fast against wind aiming toward Southend centre and maybe the same one back at 3.15pm same direction. Steve Wood.
Thursday 18th May 2006
RSPB West Canvey & VangeMarsh, 19:00 to 20:10
4 Cetti's Warbler (singing), 2 Oystercatcher, 10 Greylag Goose, 1 Common Tern, 2 Shoveler (a pair), 1 Curlew, 1 Sedge Warbler, 4 Reed Warbler, 2 Canada Goose (a pair with several young). Paul Baker (SOG).
Wednesday 17th May 2006
Leigh on Sea, 06:35 to 06:40
1 Jackdaw (Leigh Broadway), 1 Sparrowhawk (Belton Hills). John Wright (SOG).
Benfleet Creek, 06:50
2 Little Egret in usual place by the Canvey road bridge. John Wright (SOG).
Tuesday 16th May 2006
Hanningfield Reservoir 15.30
3 Black Swan, 5 Red-crested Pochard, a number of Blackcap in woods, 1 Pink-footed Goose in field with Greylags. 1 slow worm in woods by pathway. Michael Howell.
Fanes Wood, Thundersley, 18:00 to 19:20
1 Hobby, 1 Turtle Dove, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Whitethroat, 3 Blackcap, 1 Mistle Thrush, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker. Graham Ryland (SOG).
Monday 15th May 2006
Wat Tyler Country Park 08.30
Garganey ; a cracking drake on the scrape, 1 Little Egret, 1 Hobby, 15 Black-tailed Godwit some in full summer plumage. Alan Shearman RSPB.
Hullbridge, Garden, Pooles Lane, 15:30 - 17.00
1 Greater Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Cuckoo flying overhead, 6 Goldfinch, 11 Blue Tit, 1 Robin, 3 Chaffinch, pair of Blackbirds, 30, House Sparrow, 5 Collared Dove, 2 Magpie, 2 Long-tailed Tit, 5 Greenfinch. David Flack.
Two Tree Island, 17.00 until Dusk
2 Cuckoo, 1 Whitethroat, 6 Ringed Plover, 7 Redshank, 11 Shelduck, 6 Canada Geese (inc 2 with 5 Juveniles). Graham Saunders.
Sunday 14th May 2006
Wakering, Fleet Head, 14:00 to 16:00
5 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Corn Bunting, 2 Cuckoo, 1 Wigeon, 2 Shoveler, 2 Whitethroat, 1 Reed Bunting, 2 Reed Warbler, 6 Swallow, 1 House Martin. Dudley Shayler (SOG).
Hanningfield Reservoir 15:00 - 16:30
1 Black Tern, 6 Common Tern, 4+ Swallow, 6+ Swift, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Black Cap (heard), 2 drake Red-crested Pochard, 1 Black Swan. R Shepherd.
Saturday 13th May 2006 First Report of Spotted Flycatcher
Train line area between Benfleet and Pitsea 06:00 - 09:00
1 Pheasant (by old church), 2 Corn Bunting in a tree on farm track, 1 female Marsh Harrier (followed by crow) flying towards Benfleet over large reed bed, 1 Cuckoo calling from tree top near Benfleet sewage works. 15-20 House Martin collecting mud from Benfleet Creek. Matt Bruty.
Two Tree Island (West), 06:30 to 08:00
1 Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Cuckoo, 20 Whitethroat, 1 Kestrel (female), 5 Sedge Warbler, 6 Linnet, 2 Ringed Plover. John Wright (SOG).
Benfleet Creek, 08:30 to 09:30
2 Cuckoo, 10 Reed Warbler, 5 Sedge Warbler, 4 Stonechat (two pairs), 30 Swift (moving west), 15 Swallow (moving west), 6 Little Grebe (3 pairs). John Wright (SOG).
East Tilbury (Tarmac Site) 09.30 - 09.35
2 Common Buzzard soaring over south of site, mobbed by a crow. Cleve Bull.
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 09.30 - 11.20
12 Sedge Warbler, 3 Yellow Wagtail, Cuckoo, 3 Little Egret, 2 Reed Bunting, 4 Shelduck, 22 Common Whitethroat, Corn Bunting, 2 Swallow, 6 Skylark. Ray Fuller.
Priory Park, 13:00 to 13:20
1 Spotted Flycatcher (trees around usual field beside walled garden), 1 Green Woodpecker. Don Petrie (SOG).
Hadleigh Downs, 14:00
1 Buzzard flew North West over Chapel Lane car park. Steve Bunn (SOG).
Canvey West End 19:30
1 Osprey resting on a lamp post in the middle of Roscommon Way. Eventually took off westwards towards Pitsea. Tim Bennett.
Canvey Island Golf Course 18.30
1 Kestrel, 1 Stonechat, 1 Little Egret flying, Mallards, Black-headed Gulls. Emily Broad.
Friday 12th May 2006
Hanningfield Reservoir 07:55 - 08.15
2+ Black Tern and 5 Common Tern favouring area around tern raft near west bank, viewed from extreme east end of causeway. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Pitsea Cemetery 09:40
Peregrine mobbed by crows and heading south Cuckoo calling. 6 Swift. Gary Clinton.
Benfleet Downs, 10:00 to 11:30
2 Nightingale, 1 Hobby. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).
Hanningfield Reservoir 11:30
6 Black Tern. John Atfield.
Bury St Edmunds 13.50
1 Red Kite soaring high over head travelling East. Siobhan O'Kane.
Leigh on Sea, 14:40 to 14:45
1 Red Kite seen from bedroom window over Our Lady of Lourdes school!. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).
South Essex Golf Course, A128, 18.00
1 Nightingale. Behind the 8th tee at South Essex Golf course, across the small pond. Steve.
Thursday 11th May 2006
Leigh on Sea, 06:30
1 Sparrowhawk over Elm Road. John Wright (SOG).
Hadleigh Marshes, 06:50 to 06:55
2 Cuckoo. John Wright (SOG).
Benfleet Creek, 06:55 to 07:00
2 Little Egret in the creek by the Canvey road bridge (usual place!). John Wright (SOG).
Terling/Fairstead 11:00
1 Hoopoe flushed from field on road between Terling & Flacks Green. Russ Payne.
Benfleet Downs, 12:40 to 12:45
1 Nightingale. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).
Southend Airport, 18:00 to 21:15
2 Green Woodpecker (nesting), 2 Sparrowhawk (a pair), 3 Corn Bunting. 2 Common Pipistrelle. Paul Baker (SOG).
Fishers Green / Lee Valley 18.30
c.15 Common Tern on nesting rafts, 2 Sedge Warbler, 2 Little Grebe, Nightingale heard in scrub by electric generators. Michael Howell.
Wakering Rubbish Tip, 18:30 to 19:00
1 Cuckoo (along the road), 1 Short-eared Owl (hunting over Rushley Island), 1 Harrier sp. (distant bird over towards Foulness church being mobbed by a crow was probably a Montagu's). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Eastern Avenue, Allotments
Female Wheatear observed for half an hour at close range. Jackie Bliss.
Shoeburyness
We had quite a few House Martins nesting on Shoebury Garrison last year and so far this year a couple have arrived back and have been flying to and from their old nests - hopefully 'refurbishing' them. Carol O'Leary.
Wednesday 10th May 2006
Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 08:40
1 Whitethroat (singing). Paul Baker (SOG).
Tuesday 09th May 2006
Southchurch Park 09:30
5 Mute Swan Cygnets now hatched. Robert Dobinson.
Hadleigh, Belfairs Wood 10:00 - 11:00
1 Garden Warbler singing and showing well, 2 Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Bullfinch (pair). Richard Gray.
Fanes Wood, Thundersley, 17:00 to 18:30
1 Turtle Dove, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Whitethroat, 5 Blackcap, 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Mistle Thrush, 2 Swift. Holly Blue, Early Purple Orchids. Graham Ryland (SOG).
Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 18:20
1 Ring-necked Parakeet flew in from the west, circled garden calling, then headed low north up Western Approaches. Paul Baker (SOG).
Monday 08th May 2006
Southchurch Park
Mute Swans nesting on island have hatched 2 Cygnets today. Robert Dobinson
Sunday 07th May 2006
North Shoebury 07:45
Cuckoo calling from trees near house, 8 House Martin Hawking over. Web Author. With regards to the House Martins, I tried last year to find where they were nesting without success. I would very much like to discover the location so that we can deliver one of our House Martin information packs to the residents. Ed.
East Tilbury 08:00 - 11:30
1 drake Red-breasted Merganser on river, 1 Avocet, 5 Black-tailed Godwit, 7 Bar-tailed Godwit, several Whimbrel, 7 Sanderling, Stonechat, 2 Cuckoos, 4 Common Tern. David Jobbins.
Wallasea (South Whitaker Buoy) 09.15 to 17.00 (All flying over the boat while sea fishing)
1 Leach's Petrel, 4 Gannet, 1 Swift, 5 Swallow, 15 Common Tern, 1 Kittiwake, 8 Herring Gull and 4 Fulmar including 'Old Bob' who visits the boat on most trips after our bait and bits of fish. So friendly he lets us hold him now and again (see below). Graham Saunders and Chris Blake.
Gunners Park, 09:45 to 11:00
20 Swift, 4 House Martin, 17 Whitethroat, 1 Sedge Warbler, 2 Reed Warbler, 7 Blackcap, 1 Turtle Dove, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Green Woodpecker. Brian Baldock (SOG).
Hadleigh Marshes, 11:30 to 12:30
2 Pochard, 2 Mute Swan, 2 Hobby, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Stonechat, 2 Linnet, 2 Little Grebe. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).
Gunners Park, 14:00 to 15:30
1 female Wheatear, 1 Reed Bunting, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Turtle Dove, 10+ Whitethroat, 4 Blackcap, 20 Swift, 5 Swallow. Dudley Shayler (SOG).
Paglesham Lagoon, 15:00 to 17:00
3 Skylark, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Garganey (drake), 3 Common Tern, 6 Reed Warbler, 7 Whitethroat, 2 Yellowhammer, 4 Whimbrel, 7 Yellow Wagtail, 20 Canada Goose (7 pairs, 1 with 6 chicks), 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Hobby, 20 Mute Swan, 1 Greylag Goose. 3 Small Tortoiseshell. Paul Griggs, Steve Arlow, Don Petrie (SOG).
Southend Airport, 15:20
1 Osprey flew west (roughly following the A127, and just south of it) towards Hadleigh at a height of approx 150 feet being mobbed by Black-headed Gulls, viewed from my front garden just south of Southend Airport. Mike Bailey (SOG).
RSPB West Canvey & VangeMarsh 15.30 - 16.45
1 Greenshank, 1 Common Sandpiper, 7 Avocet, 2 Common Tern, 1 Cuckoo, 4 Common Whitethroat, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Blackcap, 2 Sedge Warbler, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 4 Reed Warbler (at least), 2 Reed Bunting, 5 Swift. Martin Cracknell.
Rochford Reservoir, 17:30
1 Little Egret flew over, heading east. Paul Griggs, Don Petrie (SOG).
Paglesham Lagoon, 18:00 to 18:40
1 Garganey (drake, still in middle of lagoon around the islands), 5 Reed Warbler, 2 Sedge Warbler, 2 Shoveler, 1 Cuckoo, 5 Common Tern (inc. 2 flying back and forth towards Paglesham Church end carrying a fish), 1 Great Crested Grebe. Paul Baker (SOG).
Benfleet Downs, 19:20 to 19:55
1 Nightingale singing where track splits between 1st and 2nd dog bin, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Little Egret in the creek below. Paul Baker (SOG).
Two Tree Island
Many Whitethroat, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Cuckoo, 7 Skylark singing, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Dunlin, 4 Little Egret, 7 Redshank, 1 Turnstone, 5 Ringed Plover. Alan Shearman, RSPB.
Saturday 06th May 2006
Gunners Park, 08:30 to 10:45
1 Cuckoo, 1 Kestrel, 5 Swallow, 26 Swift, 13 Whitethroat, 4 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Reed Warbler, 2 Reed Bunting, 1 Turtle Dove (displaying), 7 Blackcap, 2 Wheatear, 1 Sedge Warbler. Brian Baldock (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park, 08:45 to 10:00
1 Little Egret, 1 Little Gull, 3 Bearded Tit, 2 Turtle Dove, 2 Cuckoo (pair), 1 Hobby, 3 Cetti's Warbler. 1 Holly Blue, 1 Orange-tip (many), 1 Green-veined White (a few). Vince Kinsler (SOG).
Hadleigh Marshes, 10:00 to 10:20
2 Mute Swan. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 10.00 - 11.35
3 Swift, 2 Swallow, Cuckoo, 6 Sedge Warbler, 4 Reed Bunting, 10 Curlew, 2 Common Tern, 2 Little Egret, 6 Goldfinch, 3 Shelduck, Yellow Wagtail, 20 + Common Whitethroat, 10 Skylark. Ray Fuller.
Rochford Golf Course, 10:15 to 14:15
5 Whitethroat (singing), 2 Blackcap (singing), 2 Turtle Dove, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Lesser Whitethroat (singing by Hall Road entrance). Neil Chambers (SOG).
Benfleet Downs, 10:30 to 10:40
2 Nightingale. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).
Southend 10:40
12 Swift hawking from seafront to Leigh (counted from 12th floor of flats). Web Author.
Paglesham Lagoon 12:00
2 drake Garganey , Cuckoo. Jeff Kinneman.
Battlesbridge, Along River East of Beeches Road, 19:50 to 20:40
1 Reed Warbler, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 2 Whitethroat (all singing). Neil Chambers (SOG).
Stanford Warren
2 Turtle Dove, 3 Cuckoo, 2 Nightingale at the end of wharf road on the right 100 yds before the entrance to woodyard. Alan Shearman, RSPB.
Friday 05th May 2006
Stanford Warren, 08.30 - 09.30
2 Cuckoo, Turtle Dove heard, 7 Whitethroat, 4 Bearded Tit showing very well close to the main path, 4 Cetti's Warbler singing, 5 Reed Warbler, Blackcap and Chiffchaff. Alan Shearman RSPB.
Mucking Bay 09.45 - 10.30
1 Whimbrel, 5 Common Tern, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Stonechat, 5 Whitethroat, 4 Reed Warbler. Alan Shearman RSPB.
Gunners Park 11:30
Nightingale singing in far corner by gorse bushes, 2 Turtle Dove heard. Steve Wood, Web Author.
Hanningfield Reservoir 12.00 - 16.00
Chiffchaff, Long-tailed Tit, many Chaffinch & Robin, 1 female Blackcap and 3 males, 3 Black Swan, 4 Shelduck, 1 Shoveler, 2 Common Tern feeding and 1 Common Tern on orange bouy, 5 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Red-crested Pochard, Common Pochard, male Pintail, pair Gadwall (reservoir), 1 Barnacle Goose (island). Also Orange Tip, Peacock and Red Admiral (Chestnut Wood) butterflies. Chris Henry.
Harlow, 13:00
The first Swifts of the year (6 in all) seen flying above my house catching lots of flies. Martin Jameson.
Benfleet Downs, 17:30 to 19:00
1 Hobby, 1 Kestrel, 2 Sparrowhawk, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 6 Whitethroat, 3 Marsh Frog, 2 Cuckoo (pair), 1 Nightingale singing by the second dog bin still, 4 Blackcap, 1 Skylark. Paul Griggs, Don Petrie (SOG).
Thursday 04th May 2006
Paglesham Lagoon 11.30 - 15.00
1 Hobby, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Kestrel, 1 Turtle Dove (heard), 4 Common Tern, 6 Pochard, 50+ Tufted Duck, 2 Little Grebe, 9 Swallow, 7 Reed Bunting, 1 female Marsh Harrier watched for half an hour over the oil seed rape fields between the lagoon and the Paglesham houses. Graham Saunders and David Galloway.
Wat Tyler Country Park 13:35
1 adult Little Gull . Graham Wallis.
Chigborough 14:00 - 18:00
1 Little Egret, 1 Buzzard, 6 Swift. John Meyn.
Wat Tyler Country Park
An adult Little Gull on the scrape was first seen on the RSPB webcam at 10.30 am and was still present till 4 pm at least. Alan Shearman, RSPB.
Benfleet Downs, 20:35 to 21:10
2 Nightingale (both still singing), 1 Barn Owl (hunting over field east of Essex Way). Neil Chambers (SOG).
Wednesday 03rd May 2006
Dunton 10:00
6 Swift screaming through the sky; marvellous! Gary Clinton.
Gunners Park 11:50
1 Hobby over, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, Turtle Dove. Steve Wood.
Wat Tyler Country Park, 16:50 to 18:00
3 Hobby, 2 Turtle Dove (singing), 2 Little Gull (adults; over the fleet viewed from the south end), 5 Reed Warbler (singing), 3 Sedge Warbler (singing), 1 Whitethroat (singing), 2 Blackcap (singing), 1 Cuckoo (singing), 2 Reed Bunting (males), 1 Water Rail (heard calling), , 10 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Cetti's Warbler (singing). Neil Chambers (SOG).
Hanningfield Reservoir 17:00
Pair Common Tern in courtship with small fish offering. Kevin Rees.
Benfleet, Vicarage Hill 18.30
18 Swift (screaming up and down hill in formation), 23 House Martin. Martin Cracknell.
Hadleigh Downs, 19:15 to 20:15
2 Nightingale (both heard singing, near western entrance and 2nd dog bin), 2 Greylag Goose, 2 Green Woodpecker. John Wright (SOG).
Chalkwell / Leigh 19:50
c.27 Swift observed from North Road flats against setting sun. Web Author.
Canvey West End 20.00 - 20.30
1 Cuckoo, 2 Linnet, 8 Common Whitethroat (viewed from sea wall, many more heard), 1 Sedge Warbler (heard). Martin Cracknell.
Benfleet Downs, 21.00
2 Nightingale still singing from usual places. Martin Cracknell.
Tuesday 02nd May 2006
Leigh on Sea, 08:00
10 Swift. John Wright (SOG).
Benfleet Creek, 09:40 to 11:50
1 Nightingale (on Downs near second dog bin), 2 Pochard (pair), 8 Swift, 17 Reed Warbler, 2 Sedge Warbler, 2 Linnet, 5 Grey Heron, 4 Reed Bunting, 2 Little Grebe, 2 Cuckoo. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).
Priory Park, 13:20 to 13:40
20 Swift, 1 Hobby. Paul Griggs, Don Petrie (SOG).
Hanningfield Reservoir 17:00
Many Swifts. Kevin Rees.
Benfleet Downs 20.45 - 21.00
2 Nightingale (singing from same locations as reported yesterday). Martin Cracknell.
Monday 01st May 2006