Bird Reports for May 2012
Thursday 31st May 2012westerly, partly cloudy, max20°c
Wat Tyler Country Park 10:30 to 12:30
Sightings: on the RSPB walk: Reed Warbler, Reed Bunting, Little Egret, Little Grebe, Avocet, Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Lapwing, Great Crested Grebe, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Cuckoo, Coot, Cormorant, Moorhen, Carrion Crow, Mallard, Swallow, Swift, Grey Heron, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Whitethroat, Blackcap, Chiffchaff (heard), Cetti's Warbler (heard), Kestrel, Oystercatcher, Shelduck, Rook, Jay, Jackdaw, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, House Sparrow, Stock Dove, Robin, Dunnock, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Starling, Mute Swan. Terry Jeffreys.
Southchurch Park 12:30
1 Little Egret fishing in south west corner of boating pond. Robert Dobinson.
Wednesday 30th May 2012south westerly, partly cloudy, max24°c
RSPB Vange Marsh, 07:30 to 08:15
1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Common Tern, 3 Bearded Tit (1 adult female, 2 juveniles). Bob Young (SOG).
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton c.08:30 to 11:20
pair of Egyptian Geese between Coryton and seawall, pair of Turtle Dove at Coryton, 1 Corn Bunting, Cetti's Warbler heard, 1 Little Egret, drake Pochard at Coryton, single pairs of Cuckoo on other side of creek and on marshes and a single at Coryton, 1 Swallow on lines by old bungalow at Coryton, 1 Green Woodpecker, pair of Redshank displaying over salt marsh, 3 Oystercatcher over creek. Richard Fahey.
Baxter Avenue Southend, 08:35 to 08:40
1 Peregrine Falcon soaring around. John Wright (SOG).
EWT Blue House Farm 09:40 to 16:10
Rufous female Cuckoo, 1 Buzzard, 1 pair of Marsh Harrier, 3 Hobby, Lapwing with 2 chicks, 1 Reed Warbler, 3 pair Reed Bunting, Meadow Pipit and fledglings, Barn Owl hunting along railway embankment 11:30 to 12:30 successfully catching a vole, 2 Common Tern, many Redshank, Pochard, 1 Kestrel, nesting Swallow, 2 Grey Heron, c.8 Little Egret, many fledgling Starling. David & Brenda Hale.
Tolleshunt Major 11:30
3 Buzzard over farmland and relatively low. Two of them seen regularly but three at once for the first time today. Peter Marchington.
Wallasea Island, Allfleet's Marsh 18:40 to 19:30
2 Avocet (feeding on mud edge), 26 Ringed Plover, 4 Dunlin, 2 Common Tern, 4 Little Tern, 1 Cuckoo calling from north side of crouch, 3 Swift, 1 Meadow Pipit (song flighting at east end), 6 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Sedge Warbler. Jeff Delve (SOG).
South Fambridge, 18:45 to 19:05
100 Swift moving south east in front of thunder storm, 1 Reed Warbler (singing), 2 Whitethroat (singing), 1 Yellowhammer (singing male). Neil Chambers (SOG).
Tuesday 29th May 2012easterly, partly cloudy, max19°c
Rochford, 05:00 to 06:00
1 male Cuckoo singing at 5.20am (first one for garden since April 2007), 4 Crossbill north east over garden towards Doggetts Pits from Rochford Golf Course direction. Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).
Rochford, 06:30
3 Crossbill (perhaps 4 again over garden, whilst processing my moth trap, towards Rochford Golf Course. Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).
Wat Tyler Country Park 09:45 to 14:45
3 Cetti's Warbler singing, many Reed Warbler, 1 immature Marsh Harrier, 8 Little Grebe (including juveniles), 4 Great-crested Grebe (2 juveniles), 1 drake Gadwall, Pochard, 2 drake Teal, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Common Tern, 2 Little Egret, 2 male and 1 female Cuckoo, Whitethroat, Blackcap, Chiffchaff. Andrew Gouldstone.
RSPB West Canvey Marsh 10:30 to 13:30
1 immature Little Gull, 3 Great Crested Grebe, Shelduck, Tufted Duck, Little Egret, Grey Heron,1 Corn Bunting, Reed Warbler, Wren, Whitethroat, Chaffinch, Cuckoo heard. Hilary Knight.
Canvey 12:00
1 Buzzard thermalling high above garden, 2 Crows attempting to gain height to intercept before Buzzard flew off to the south west. Chris T.
Hadleigh Castle Road 12:30
Buzzard up high on thermals put on nice lunch time display. Roger Shinn.
Paglesham Eastend, 13:00 to 14:40
1 Hobby taking keen interest in young Yellow Wagtails, 1 Turtle Dove, 3 Cuckoo (including a pair), 6 Swallow, 25 Yellow Wagtail (many juveniles), 5 Reed Warbler, 4 Reed Bunting, 9 Corn Bunting. Ray Fuller (SOG).
RSPB Vange Marsh 15:00 to 15:45
2 Cetti's Warbler singing, 4 Reed Warbler, 1 male and 1 female Bearded Tit, 2 Reed Bunting, Avocet, Cuckoo heard. Andrew Gouldstone.
Southchurch Park East 17:00
7 ducklings arrived, hatched today. Yellow Flag Iris's now open in brook. Robert Dobinson.
Monday 28th May 2012variable, mostly clear, max24°c
Canvey Point 07:00
5 Brent Geese, 2 Little Tern. Andrew Gouldstone.
Rochford 06:50 to 07:10
22 House Martin with building or refurbishment of at least four nests, 9 Swift. David Selley.
EWT Fingringhoe Wick 08:30 to 17:00
3 Bullfinch, 1 male Blackcap, many Whitethroat, 3 Turtle Dove, many Nightingale heard, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, 1 Kestrel, 2 Dunnock, 1 Green Woodpecker, c.10 Swallow, 4 Red-legged Partridge, c.30 Curlew, 10 Grey Plover, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 6 Oystercatcher, 4 Redshank. David & Brenda Hale.
Benfleet Downs, 12:30 to 15:30
1 Buzzard (mobbed by crows), 1 Hobby, 1 Cuckoo, 3 Blackcap, 3 Whitethroat, 5 Chiffchaff. 12 Marsh Frog (at least, some sun bathing on the grass), 2 Large Red Damselfly, 18 Azure Damselfly, 27 Common Blue Damselfly, 10 Blue-tailed Damselfly, 1 Emperor Dragonfly, 3 Hairy Dragonfly, 1 Four-spotted Chaser, 3 Broad-bodied Chaser, 3 Small White, 1 Holly Blue, 2 Peacock Butterfly, 1 Speckled Wood, 1 Small Heath. Sally Brierley (SOG).
Rochford, 12:50 to 12:50
1 Honey Buzzard and 1 Buzzard (same bird as yesterday based on moult in secondaries) thermalling and both being Crow mobbed before heading away in separate directions. Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).
Tolleshunt Major 13:30
2 Red Kite circling over farmland and continuing eastwards. Peter Marchington.
Two Tree Island East 17:00 to 20:00
2 Little Egret, 2 Cetti's Warbler singing, 2 male and 1 female Cuckoo, 3 Reed Warbler Singing, 1 male Yellow Wagtail, 2 Whimbrel, 4 Great Crested Grebe. Andrew Gouldstone.
Wallasea, Allfleet's Marsh 19:00 to 20:30
15 Ringed Plover (including 2 displaying pairs), 12 Dunlin, 8 Curlew, 1 Turnstone, 2 Common Tern (pair fishing), 3 Little Tern (pair courtship feeding and mating on mud at east end and another carrying small fish), 3 Cuckoo across road towards timber yard, 14 Yellow Wagtail along sea wall, 2 Sedge Warbler (singing birds, 1 near car park, other towards tower). Jeff Delve (SOG).
Sunday 27th May 2012east north east, clear, max23°c
Wakering Stairs 06:00 to 07:15
16 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 7 Mallard ducklings on borrowdyke - no adults seen, 1 Kestrel, 19 Oystercatcher including 5 pairs, 1 Curlew, 1 Cuckoo, 5 Turtle Dove - 2 displaying pairs + 1 purring, 8 Swallow, 1 Nightingale, 1 Song Thrush, 20 Whitethroat, 2 Chiffchaff, 6 Skylark, 4 Goldfinch. David Selley.
Gunners Park, 06:00 to 08:05
4 Great Crested Grebe, 23 Dark-bellied Brent Goose (18 east, 5 west), 2 Red-legged Partridge in reserve, 1 Sandwich Tern, 10 Common Tern, 3 adult Arctic Tern flew east, 1 Cetti's Warbler singing by old pond, 4 Blackcap, 4 Whitethroat. 1 Holly Blue, 1 Small Heath. Neil Chambers (SOG).
South Woodham Ferrers 06:30
2 Cuckoo flying south west over Gandalf's Ride, South Woodham Ferrers. One calling loudly. Glenn Osgood.
Hadleigh Castle Country Park 07:45 to 08:00
1 female Cuckoo, 3 Small Heaths, 2 Orange-tips. Ellen Hume.
Two Tree Island East, 07:45 to 11:15
EWT bird ringing event: 2 Dark-bellied Brent Goose (the latest I have recorded them on the island), 2 Common Tern, 2 male Cuckoo, 2 Nightingale (1 Nightingale trapped and ringed), 3 Blackbird (trapped and ringed, one was previously ringed last year), 1 Song Thrush (trapped and ringed), 2 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Sedge Warbler, 3 Reed Warbler, 3 Blackcap (trapped and ringed), 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler (trapped and ringed), 2 Jay. Graham Ryland (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park c.08:55 to 11:50
Female Marsh Harrier soaring over marshes, pair of Avocet with 4 chicks on scrape having to see off 1 Little Egret, 1 Cetti's Warbler seen and heard, at least 1 Common Tern, pair of Cuckoo, at least 3 Lapwing displaying over marshes and scrape, pair of Little Grebe with chicks and 1 "patrolling" the fleet, 5 Shoveler on scrape. Richard Fahey.
Wakering, The Fleet 09:45 to 11:00
1 female Marsh Harrier, 2 Corn Bunting, c.5 Yellow Wagtail, 1 male Cuckoo. Andrew Gouldstone.
RSPB Wallasea Island 09:50 to 11:00
Car park to mast only: 2 Little Egret, 10 Shelduck, 2 Stock Dove, 1 Swallow, 15+ Skylark, 2 Grey Wagtail, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Sedge Warbler, 2 Linnet, 12 Corn Bunting - all singing. David Selley.
Shoebury, 10:00 to 10:05
1 Orange-tip, 2 Holly Blue in back garden. Lee Ebbs (SOG).
Hadleigh 10:20
1 Buzzard seen over garden heading east. Ellen Hume.
Hadleigh Downs, 10:35 to 11:10
1 female Sparrowhawk, 2 Swallow. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).
Rayleigh, Dorothy Farm Road 11:00
1 Spotted Flycatcher seen singing from the top of a tall Conifer tree briefly before flying south, couple of gardens down from mine. Paul Adams.
Canvey Wick, 11:30 to 12:40
1 adult Mediterranean Gull, 1 Reed Warbler (singing), 1 Blackcap (singing), 3 Whitethroat (singing). 1 Hairy Dragonfly, 2 Broad-bodied Chaser, 1 Green Hairstreak, 2 Common Blue. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Rochford, Somerset Avenue 12:15 to 12:20
1 Buzzard over, being mobbed by crows. Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).
Hullbridge 15:00
1 Buzzard being harassed by two crows flying over Burnham fields. Gary & Chery Beacon.
Two Tree Island East, 15:15 to 17:15
3 Cuckoo (2 singing males and a female), 3 Blackcap (singing), 5 Whitethroat (singing). 2 Wall around pill box at east end. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 16:15
1 Cockatiel fast and low south, calling. Paul Baker (SOG).
Benfleet Downs, 17:00 to 18:30
1 Cuckoo, 4 Blackcap, 5 Whitethroat, 1 Chiffchaff. 3 Large Red Damselfly, 20 Azure Damselfly, 30 Blue-tailed Damselfly, 4 Hairy Dragonfly, 6 Small White, 3 Orange-tip, 3 Common Blue, 4 Holly Blue, 1 Speckled Wood, 1 Small Heath. Lee Ebbs (SOG).
Pitsea 18:30 to 18.55
1 Short-eared Owl. Phil Shaw.
Shoebury, Gunners Park 18:30 to 19:00
Linnet pairs, 1 singing Nightingale maybe 2, one in Apple tree and one near old tree next to lake, Cuckoo heard. 2 Common Lizard. Steve Wood.
Hockley to Paglesham Cycle 18:30 to 19:30
2 Cuckoo heard, Green Woodpecker, many Swallow, House Martin, Swift, Chaffinch, Goldfinch. 50+ Rabbit. David Z.
Rayleigh Kennedy Close, 19:30
1 Peacock (male). Tracy Bennett.
EWT Hanningfield Reservoir 20:45 to 21:15
30+ Mallard, 100+ Tufted Duck, 22 Pochard, 15 Canada Geese, 8 Greylag Geese, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 5 Blackbird, 3 Mute Swan, 14 Carrion Crow, 3 Magpie, 50+ Black-Headed Gull. Rob Harris.
Saturday 26th May 2012east north east, clear, max22°c
Two Tree island 07:15 to 09:45
2 adult Mediterranean Gull on west scrape, 6 Bar-tailed and 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Knot on west scrape, 1 male Cuckoo around eastern reed bed area, 2 singing Cetti's Warbler, 2 singing Reed Warbler, Green Woodpecker heard, 1 male and 1 female Yellow Wagtail. Andrew Gouldstone.
Benfleet Downs, 10:30 to 12:00
3 Hairy Dragonfly, 15 Four-spotted Chaser (mass emergence from one pond), 8 Broad-bodied Chaser, 1 Common Blue. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).
Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 13:00
1 Sparrowhawk thermalling. Paul Baker (SOG).
Leigh on Sea, Starvelarks Wood, Little Havens, 13:00 to 13:40
12 Heath Fritillary. Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).
Hadleigh Downs, 14:20 to 16:30
2 Cuckoo (male & female), 10 Blackcap, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Whitethroat, 2 Chiffchaff. 7 Large Red Damselfly, 45 Azure Damselfly, 5 Common Blue Damselfly, 10 Blue-tailed Damselfly, 1 Hairy Dragonfly, 1 Broad-bodied Chaser, 2 Orange-tip, 2 Peacock Butterfly, 1 Comma. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Two Tree Island West 15:00 to 16:00
1 Cuckoo, 1 Little Egret, 1 Little Stint with 8 Ringed Plover near boat slipway as tide flooded, 1 adult Mediterranean Gull, 13 Brent Geese off the slipway, 1 Whimbrel. Andrew Gouldstone.
River Roach, Lady Essex Seal Trip 15:00 to 17:15
1 female Marsh Harrier on Wallasea, 2 Avocet, 1 Sandwich Tern, 15 Common Tern, 1 full summer plumage Black Tern came right alongside boat! 6 Common Seal. Kris Mee, Web Author.
Cherry Orchard Country Park, 15:10 to 17:10
1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 2 Hobby (pair in aerial display and calling), 1 Yellowhammer (singing male). 3 Banded Demoiselle. John Wright (SOG).
Rochford Golf Course, 18:00 to 19:45
10 Swift, 2 Green Woodpecker, 3 House Martin, 1 Mistle Thrush. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 19:10 to 19:20
1 female Sparrowhawk calling overhead with prey at 19:10 and again at 19:20 without prey. Paul Baker (SOG).
RSPB Wallasea Island 19:45 to 20:30
From white gate and Farm yellow gate: 1 Short-Eared Owl, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Kestrel, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Pheasant, flock of Corn Bunting, 20+ Stock Dove, 30+ Wood Pigeon, 12 Carrion Crow, 2 Magpie, 1 Swallow. Rob Harris.
Paglesham, Plough and Sail Pub 20:30 to 20:40
40+ Wood Pigeon, 2 Carrion Crow, 1 Magpie, 1 Little Owl. Rob Harris.
Canewdon 20:55
1 Little Owl. Rob Harris.
Friday 25th May 2012easterly, clear, max21°c
Two Tree island East 06:45 to 09:30
2 Cetti's Warbler heard, 2 Reed Warbler singing, 2 male and 1 female Cuckoo, 1 male and 1 female Yellow Wagtail, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Jay, 1 Sedge Warbler. Andrew Gouldstone.
Wat Tyler Country Park 12:00 to 17:00
1 Hobby, 1 Cuckoo, male and female Marsh Harrier, 2 Common Tern, pair Little Grebe with 3 young, 2 pair of Canada Geese with broods of 4 and 5 gosling, 34 Avocet (3 young sighted), pair of Coot with 3 young, pair of Greylag with 4 gosling, 2 Reed Warbler, 2 Goldfinch, 1 pair Shoveler, many Pochard, 2 Grey Heron, 2 Little Egret. 4 Lapwing, 4 Tufted Duck. David & Brenda Hale.
Wakering, Butler's Farm, 15:45 to 16:00
5 Swallow, 3 House Martin, 3 Whitethroat. 10 Azure Damselfly, 5 Blue-tailed Damselfly. Lee Ebbs (SOG).
Thursday 24th May 2012northerly to easterly, few scattered clouds, max22°c
Mountnessing 12:20
3 Common Buzzard thermalling together. Dudley Shayler (SOG).
Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 13:00
1 Little Egret low south. Paul Baker (SOG).
Wallasea, Allfleet's Marsh, 14:00 to 17:00
WeBS count - wetlands and sea wall only: 1 Oystercatcher, 55 Ringed Plover, 3 Lapwing, 1 Little Stint (100m east of car park on edge of salt marsh), 10 Dunlin, 7 Curlew, 7 Redshank, 6 Common Tern (pair on east end island + 4 fishing), 1 Stock Dove flushed from sea wall, 2 Skylark, 9 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Sedge Warbler (singing), 1 Reed Bunting (singing), 5 Corn Bunting (singing). Jeff Delve (SOG).
Rayleigh, 15:30
1 Sparrowhawk. Paul Baker (SOG).
Paglesham, 13:00 to 16:45
Eastend to Churchend via Paglesham Creek: 4 Kestrel, 7 Common Tern, 1 Stock Dove, 3 Turtle Dove (2 at Eastend boat yard and 1 on power cables at Churchend), 3 Cuckoo, 5 Skylark, 8 Reed Warbler, 7 Whitethroat, 1 Linnet, 3 Reed Bunting, 2 Corn Bunting. Matt Bruty (SOG).
Leigh on Sea, Westleigh Avenue 15:00
1 Hobby overhead, heading towards Southend. Andrew Gouldstone.
RSPB Wallasea Island 16:30 to 17:45
10 Dunlin, 10 Ringed Plover, 35+ Stock Dove, 5 Skylark, 4 Yellow Wagtail, 4 Linnet, 50+ Corn Bunting, 1 Greenfinch, 1 Whitethroat, 7 Carrion Crow, 2 Magpie, 2 Oystercatcher, 2 Little Egret, 3 Shelduck, 1 Redshank, 5 Wood Pigeon, 30+ Black-Headed Gulls, 1 Cuckoo. Rob Harris.
Southchurch Park East 17:15
1 Little Egret fishing near south low reed bed, 2 Coot both with 1 chick, Mallard family with 2 ducklings, 1 female Mute Swan recovering well with male still sitting on nest at times. Robert Dobinson.
RSPB Wallasea Island, 17:30 to 18:45
1 Little Stint feeding with 10 Dunlin and 10 Ringed Plover but always distant and initially elusive, 3 Stock Dove, 10 Skylark, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Linnet, 8 Corn Bunting. Paul Baker (SOG).
Two Tree Island East 18:30 to 20:30
2 Cetti's Warbler heard, 4 singing Reed Warbler, Little Grebe with young, 1 male and 1 female Cuckoo. Andrew Gouldstone.
South Benfleet, St Mary's Churchyard Area 19:00
4 Swift (also present a few days, probably local nesting birds), 6 House Martin (I was getting concerned that this might be a blank breeding year in this area after just sporadic sightings until this week. Looks like just three pairs are attempting to nest in the area this year), 2 Reed Warbler (singing). Martin Cracknell (SOG).
Shoebury, Friars Park, 19:30 to 20:00
1 Grey Heron, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Yellow Wagtail (flyover), 2 Reed Warbler, 3 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff. Lee Ebbs (SOG).
Wednesday 23rd May 2012north westerly, haze, clear, max23°c
Leigh Seawall West 06:30 to 07:30
2 Stonechat (pair), 2 Yellow Wagtail (pair), 2 Corn Bunting (singing), 1 Meadow Pipit (singing and displaying), 1 Whimbrel flying over. Richard Gray.
Southend, Meadow Drive 07:25
Great Spotted Woodpecker using the joint box at the top of a telephone pole as a sounding board. Alec Beanse.
Canvey Point, 12:45 to 14:30
16 Great Crested Grebe, 78 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 65 Oystercatcher, 12 Ringed Plover, 3 Dunlin, 3 Common Tern, 3 Little Tern (east point). Vince Kinsler (SOG).
Benfleet Downs, 13:30 to 14:30
15 Large Red Damselfly, 10 Azure Damselfly, 12 Blue-tailed Damselfly, 6 Hairy Dragonfly, 1 Small Copper, 1 Wall. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).
RSPB West Canvey Marsh, 14:40 to 14:55
From road hide: 4 Little Egret, 2 Grey Heron, 3 Oystercatcher, 2 Lapwing, 1 Common Tern. Vince Kinsler (SOG).
Leigh on Sea, 16:30 to 16:35
1 Hobby flew along Shirley Road. Dudley Shayler (SOG).
RSPB Wallasea Island, 18:15 to 18:45
2 Kestrel, 15+ Ringed Plover, 1 Little Stint with Ringed Plovers just east of car park, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Cuckoo (singing), 1 Short-eared Owl hunting south east of white gate. 1 male Common Blue, 2 Small Heath. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Hockley to Paglesham Cycle 19:00 to 20:00
Many Swallow, Swift, Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Long-Tailed Tit, Jay and House Martin. David Z.
Tewke's Creek, 19:15 to 20:00
2 Canada Goose, 4 Cuckoo busy eating caterpillars at Canvey Heights. Jeff Saward (SOG).
Two Tree Island West, 20:45 to 21:15
1+ Cuckoo, 1 Skylark (singing), 1 Meadow Pipit. Paul Baker (SOG).
Kelvedon Hatch 20:50
Cuckoo heard, the first time I can remember hearing one for several years. Lesley Lee.
Two Tree Island East, 21:15 to 22:00
1+ Little Egret, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Cuckoo, 3+ Song Thrush, 4 Reed Warbler. Paul Baker (SOG).
Tuesday 22nd May 2012northerly, clear, max23°c
Gunners Park, Shoebury 05:50 to 07:20
6 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Kestrel, 5 Common Tern, 11 House Martin, 1 female Wheatear on reserve, 2 Song Thrush, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Whitethroat, 1 Chiffchaff. Matt Bruty (SOG).
Wakering, Fleet Head, 07:35 to 07:55
1 female Marsh Harrier, 1 Cuckoo. Matt Bruty (SOG).
Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 08:45
1 Hobby flew low north. Paul Baker (SOG).
RSPB Wallasea Island, 09:25 to 10:20
1 male Marsh Harrier, 21 Ringed Plover, 1 Little Stint, 11 Dunlin, 1 Cuckoo, 3 Yellow Wagtail. Matt Bruty (SOG).
EWT Fingeringhoe Wick 09:30 to 16:30
2 Buzzard, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Marsh Harrier, 3 Red-legged Partridge, 1 Turtle Dove, Chiffchaff, Dunnock, Whitethroat, Blackcap, 2 Nightingale heard both in full song, Sand Martin, Swift, Swallow, 4 pair Coot (8 young between them), Bullfinch heard, Curlew, Jay, Jackdaw. 1 Orange Tip butterfly. David & Brenda Hale.
RSPB West Canvey Marsh 10:30 to 12:30
Linnet, Whitethroat, Chaffinch, Dunnock, Corn Bunting, Lesser Whitethroat heard, 2 Mediterranean Gull, 15 Shelduck, 1 Oystercatcher, 4 Tufted Duck, Little Egret, 2 Great Crested Grebe. 2 Common Lizard. Hilary Knight.
Pitsea, Church Road, 11:50 to 12:00
1 singing male Yellowhammer. Matt Bruty (SOG).
Leigh on Sea, 12:00 to 13:00
12 Swift, 1 Swallow (unusual and flying with the swifts). 1 Orange-tip, 1 Holly Blue. Sally Brierley (SOG).
Rochford, 12:50 to 12:55
1 Hobby circling over garden. Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).
Hadleigh Downs, 13:10 to 13:15
1 Red Kite reported flying east. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).
Two Tree Island, 15:00 to 17:00
2 Knot, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 25 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Nightingale heard, 3 Blackcap. Matt Bruty (SOG).
Leigh on Sea, Park View Drive 16:10
Male Sparrowhawk low over garden being mobbed by Starlings and 3 Swift, 4 juvenile starling begging to be fed around feeders. Kris Mee, Web Author.
RSPB Wallasea Wetlands (Allfleet's Marsh), 16:10 to 17:20
2 Little Egret, 35 Ringed Plover, 1 Little Stint just east of car park with RPs/Dunlins, 4 Dunlin, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 12 Linnet. Vince Kinsler (SOG).
Cudmore Grove Country Park 17:00 to 19:50
1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Marsh Harrier, Whitethroat, Linnet, Sand Martin, Swallow, Cuckoo heard, 1 Redshank, 3 Black Tailed Godwit, 1 Dunlin, c.20 Ringed Plover, Oystercatcher, c.6 Turnstone, 1 Stock Dove, Greenfinch, Dunnock, Great Spotted Woodpecker, pair Gadwall, pair of Jackdaw nesting in local chimney, Long-tailed Tit, c.100 Wood Pigeon feeding on Meadow, 3 Lapwing, 1 Grey Heron. Many Rabbits. David & Brenda Hale.
Rochford, 18:05
3 Shelduck south. Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).
Benfleet, 19:00
1 Sparrowhawk over garden, 2 Goldfinch (nesting pair feeding in garden). Graham Ryland (SOG).
Monday 21st May 2012north westerly, partly cloudy, max16°c
South Woodham Ferrers 14:00
Red Kite circling over Ferrers Road and junction of Haltwhistle Road. Colin Fox.
Hadleigh Downs, 15:00 to 15:30
1 Cuckoo. 1 Small Copper, 1 Red Admiral. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).
Westcliff Seafront 16:30 to 17:00
Nightingale very vocal on Westcliff cliffs half way between High Street and the Services Club. Web Author.
Southchurch Park East, 18:00 to 18:30
1 Common Sandpiper feeding along edge of water, 20 Swift, 1 Sand Martin, 4 Swallow, 6 House Martin, 5 Reed Warbler, 2 Whitethroat. Lee Ebbs (SOG).
Ferndale Road, Rayleigh, 18:15 to 19:05
3 Swift, 5 Blackcap, 1 Whitethroat, 5 Chiffchaff. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Sunday 20th May 2012northerly, mostly cloudy, max15°c
Hadleigh Castle Country Park 07:45 to 08:00
3 Cuckoo. 2 males pursuing female east side of the country park. All very vocal and flying from the trees into the bushes and then out again - nearly flew into me at one point just skimmed over my head....wonderful to see them so close. Ellen Hume.
Two Tree Island East, 08:00 to 12:15
EWT summer migrants event: 1 Little Grebe, 1 Little Egret, 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 2 Cuckoo, 70+ Swift, 1 Green Woodpecker, 12 Swallow, 2 Nightingale, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Sedge Warbler, 4 Reed Warbler, 4 Blackcap, 7 Whitethroat, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Reed Bunting, 1 Red Fox, 1 Orange-tip. Graham Ryland, Sally Brierley (SOG).
Southchurch Park East 08:35
Numerous Swift, Swallow and House Martin. Alec Beanse.
Wat Tyler Country Park/Vange Wick c.08:50 to 12:35
Female and immature Marsh Harrier, 34 Avocet on scrape and a pair on creek, drake Teal on scrape, 1 Curlew on creek, Cetti's Warbler heard, c.11 Gadwall on Vange Wick and a pair on scrape, 2 pairs of Common Tern at scrape, single Cuckoo flying at hide and creek, pair of Reed Warbler in front of hide with nest material, pair of Oystercatcher at creek, a few Lapwing displaying between Pitsea Marsh and Vange Creek, 1 Great Crested Grebe with 2 chicks, single Little Egret seen from hide and at Vange Wick. Richard Fahey.
Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 09:00 to 10:00
2 Holly Blue. Paul Baker (SOG).
Canvey Point, 10:45 to 12:15
1 Peregrine Falcon, 2 Mediterranean Gull, 1+ Sandwich Tern, 20+ Common Tern, 2 Little Tern flew west, 2 Guillemot flew upriver. Tim Bourne (SOG).
Eastern Avenue 11:50
Cetti's Warbler song bursting out from the willow adjacent to the par 3 putting green at Garons Park. John Spencer.
Rochford Golf Course, 13:00 to 16:00
2 Swift, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Skylark (singing), 3 House Martin, 1 Mistle Thrush (singing), 1 Blackcap (singing), 1 Rook feeding on the fairways - unusual here. Neil Chambers (SOG).
RSPB Wallasea Island 15:00 to 16:00
11 Little Egret, 7 Shelduck, 1 Lapwing, 5 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Kestrel. 1 Hare. David Z.
Hullbridge Slipway 15:45 to 17:00
51 adult Mute Swan by slipway, 1 Kestrel, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull, few Black-headed Gull, 6 Mallard, 10 Swift, few Swallow, 20 Woodpigeon, House Sparrow in hedges alongside path. G.Dixon.
Saturday 19th May 2012south westerly, partly cloudy, max17°c
Wakering Stairs 05:00 to 07:30
1 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Kestrel, 10 Shelduck (noisy group of 5 males and 5 females with much displaying), 8 Oystercatcher (4 pairs), 3 Cuckoo, 1 Turtle Dove, 4 Swallow, 1 House Martin, 3 Nightingale, 14 Whitethroat, 2 Long-tailed Tit (pair taking food to nest), 1 Yellow Wagtail, 6 Skylark, 4 Linnet (2 pairs). David Selley.
Wat Tyler Country Park, 05:00 to 10:00
1 Egyptian Goose on Vange Wick, viewed from pillbox at Wat Tyler, 2 Oystercatcher (pair marina), 1 Common Sandpiper (marina creek), 2 Common Tern on scrape, 2 Cuckoo, 1 Nightingale (possibly 2 singing on old county tip), 2 Song Thrush (songsters), 7 Cetti's Warbler (singing males). Alan Shearman RSPB.
Shoebury, Gunners Park, 07:30 to 09:40
3 Swift, 8 Swallow, 1 Wheatear in reserve, 1 Cetti's Warbler singing at old pond, 1 Reed Warbler. Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).
Rochford 08:00 to 08:10
5 Swift, 11 House Martin. David Selley.
Rochford Golf Course, 09:00 to 13:00
2 Swift, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 6 House Martin, 1 Mistle Thrush (singing), 1 Blackcap (singing), 1 Whitethroat (singing). 1 Azure Damselfly. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Wakering Stairs, 09:50 to 10:20
MOD Road only: 2 Sparrowhawk (pair displaying over Shoebury), 2 Kestrel (pair), 1 Turtle Dove (purring), 1 Cuckoo, 1 Nightingale, 1 Lesser Whitethroat. Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).
Cudmore Grove Country Park 10:30 to 18:10
Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Whitethroat, 1 male Blackcap, 3 Black Tailed Godwit, 6 Lapwing with 3 chicks, c.20 pair Sand Martin visiting nest holes in cliff face, House Martin, Swallow, Swift, 6 Greenfinch, 3 pair of Coot with just 5 young between them, 1 pair Moorhen with 2 young, 8 Whimbrel, 1 Common Tern, many pairs of Linnet, 2 Reed Warbler, 2 pair Reed Bunting, 2 Skylark, Redshank, Oystercatcher, 1 Brent Goose, 1 Ringed Plover, c.5 Curlew. David & Brenda Hale.
Rochford, 11:10
11 Crossbill 
flew northwest east over garden calling towards Rochford Golf Course. Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).
Wat Tyler Country Park, 11:45 to 12:40
Marina only: 1 Egyptian Goose in and out of ditch behind most western pool on Vange Wick, 1 male Marsh Harrier, 12 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Whitethroat. Vince Kinsler (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park, 13:45 to 14:00
Viewing Vange Wick: 1 Egyptian Goose, 1 Snipe, 1 Black-tailed Godwit. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park, 14:55 to 15:25
2 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Egyptian Goose on Vange Wick, 1 immature male Marsh Harrier high over Pitsea, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 6 Reed Warbler, 2 Reed Bunting (pair). Paul Baker (SOG).
Thurrock, Hangman's Woods 16:30
5 Ring-necked Parakeet, 2 Green Woodpecker. Rob Lay.
Billericay 16:45
Cuckoo heard whilst flying north. Michele Rowlands.
Crays Hill (Private Land) 17:15
2 Bullfinch (pair), 2 Red-legged partridge, 1 Cuckoo heard. G. Dixon.
Wat Tyler Country Park, 15:45 to 16:30
1 Egyptian Goose on Vange Wick, 9 Pochard, 6 Tufted Duck, 1 Peregrine Falcon from scrape hide, 1 Common Sandpiper, 5 Reed Warbler. Marc Outten (SOG).
Friday 18th May 2012easterly to south westerly, mostly cloudy, max16°c
Southchurch Park East 08:45
Pair of Tufted Duck. Robert Dobinson.
RSPB West Canvey Marsh 11:00 to 12:30
1 Skylark, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Blackcap, 1 Mute Swan, many Swallow. Chris T.
Plumberow Avenue, Hockley 14:00
Swallows swooping and curving. J. Jones.
Gunners Park, 15:45 to 17:30
1 Hobby over cricket pitch, 2 Stock Dove, 6 Swift, 12 Swallow, 20 House Martin, 1 Wheatear on reserve, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 5 Whitethroat, 1 Spotted Flycatcher in pines behind tennis courts. Lee Ebbs (SOG).
Ferndale Road, Rayleigh, 18:55 to 19:25
30 Swift over south west in small groups, 6 Blackcap (singing), 3 Whitethroat (singing), 2 Chiffchaff (singing). Neil Chambers (SOG).
Thursday 17th May 2012southerly to easterly, clear, max13°c
Leigh on Sea, 09:00 to 09:30
9 Starling including four fat noisy fledglings. Sally Brierley (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park 10:30 to 12:30
Sightings on RSPB walk: Cuckoo, Reed Warbler, Cetti's Warbler, Green Woodpecker, Pochard, Coot, Moorhen, Carrion Crow, Rook, Jackdaw, Oystercatcher, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Avocet, Shelduck, Mute Swan, Snow Goose, Canada Goose, Greylag Goose, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Black-headed Gull, 2 Common Sandpiper, Nightingale (heard), Kestrel, Whitethroat, Robin, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Little Grebe, Lapwing, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Cormorant. Terry Jeffreys.
Southchurch Park East 16:10
2 Swallow perching on overhead wire. Alec Beanse.
Cherry Orchard Country Park, 19:15 to 20:40
1 Pheasant, 2 Stock Dove, 1 Little Owl (Ark Lane), 5+ Green Woodpecker, 4 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Skylark (singing), 1 White Wagtail (a probable female with the Pieds in the horse paddocks), 7 Pied Wagtail (in horse paddocks), 2 Mistle Thrush, 1 Lesser Whitethroat (singing), 6 Whitethroat (singing), 2 Chiffchaff (singing). 1 Brown Rat, 3 Rabbit. Paul Baker (SOG).
Chelmsford, Chelmer Village 19:50 to 20:00
Sparrowhawk in our garden eating what I believe was a young Blackbird. Sue Haffenden.
Wednesday 16th May 2012south easterly, partly cloudy, max13°
Maldon, Beeleigh 10:15 to 11:45
Cuckoo, Buzzard, Cetti's Warbler, Nightingale just west of Maldon by-pass. Paul Gymer.
Shoebury, Gunners Park 10:30
1 Cuckoo calling. John Pitts.
EWT Blue House Farm 10:30 to 18:30
1 Hobby, 3 Buzzard, 2 pair of Marsh Harrier (one pair mobbed by Short-eared Owl), 1 pair Yellow Wagtail, 1 pair Reed Bunting, 2 Reed Warbler, many Meadow Pipit, 2 Turtle Dove, many Swift, Swallow, House Martin, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Pied Wagtail, 2 drake Teal, 6 Oystercatcher, 2 Coot each with 1 chick, 1 female Mallard with 10 duckling, many Redshank, c.12 Shelduck, 2 Grey Heron, 8 Little Egret, 2 Kestrel. c.12 Brown Hare, 4 Common Lizard. 44 bird species in total. David & Brenda Hale.
Leigh on Sea 14:45
4 Jackdaw with at least one nest on my brother in law's roof in Pall Mall. Can hear the youngsters between the chimney pots. David Selley.
Southchurch Park East 17:30
Male Mute Swan turning two eggs, very rare for pair of Swans to lay again and seven weeks after first clutch. Excellent news and shows that people can make a difference. The female only returned Monday morning from Orsett Wildlife Hospital. 4 Mallard duckling, 1 Coot chick. Robert Dobinson.
Two Tree Island East, 19:30 to 20:45
1 male Sparrowhawk being mobbed by Swallows, 1 Cuckoo, 30 Swift, 8 Swallow, 1 Nightingale heard, 2 Cetti's Warbler heard, 1 Reed Warbler, 4 Blackcap. Lee Ebbs (SOG).
Leigh on Sea, 21:00 to 21:10
1 Common Pipistrelle over garden. Sally Brierley (SOG).
Tuesday 15th May 2012west north west, scattered clouds, max12°c
Southchurch Park East 08:45
Both resident Swans now reunited as the female Swan, injured by dog attack two weeks ago, was returned from Orsett Wildlife Hospital yesterday at 11.30am. Both Swans proceeded to oust new pair of Swans that had arrived on Sunday at 9pm, so now we are back to normal. Both Swans messing about on nest, small chance of more eggs this year. Good job by everyone all round. 1 Pair of Pochard on pond, 3+ Pairs of Swallow feeding over pond surface. Robert Dobinson.
Victoria Avenue, Southend, 11:15 to 11:35
1 Red Kite (bird picked up at 11:14 as it flew north over Southend High Street and over Alexander House. Watched as it circled high being mobbed by a Crow. Once the crow gave up the kite drifted north west at height and was lost to view heading toward Rayleigh. Paul Griggs, John Wright (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park 13:00 to 17:00
2 Cuckoo, circled scrape, then perched together overlooking reed bed, 1 male Reed Bunting, 2 Common Tern, many Swift, Swallow and House Martin, 3 pair of Greylag Geese with total of 9 Gosling, 2 pair of Canada Geese with total of 5 gosling, 2 pair of Coot with 1 chick each, Peregrine Falcon on distant pylon with kill, Cetti's Warbler heard, good sightings of Reed Warbler, 1 Wren. David & Brenda Hale.
Applerow, Eastwood, 13:35
1 Hobby heading south then east along the brook at 13:36. Don Petrie (SOG).
Baxter Avenue Southend, 16:10 to 16:20
1 Peregrine Falcon flying around west side of Portcullis House. John Wright (SOG).
Hadleigh, Castle Road 20:30
Tawny Owl perched on top of telegraph pole at dusk, stayed ten minutes. Roger Shinn.
South Fambridge, 21:00 to 21:10
1 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Reed Warbler singing. 1 Common Pipistrelle. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Monday 14th May 2012south westerly, cloud and rain, max12°c
Southchurch Park East 07:40
Little Egret in the shallows by the sluice, 2 Mute Swan. Alec Beanse.
Leigh on Sea, 09:30
1 Holly Blue (first in the garden this year). Sally Brierley (SOG).
Paglesham Lagoon, 19:15 to 20:45
6 Little Grebe, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Whimbrel, 2 Common Tern (pair), 1 Swift, 3 Sand Martin, 100 Swallow, 20 House Martin, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Corn Bunting singing. Neil Chambers (SOG).
South Fambridge, 21:00 to 21:10
1 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Reed Warbler singing. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Sunday 13th May 2012westerly to southerly, clear, max17°c
Two Tree Island West, 05:40 to 06:35
15 Black-tailed Godwit, 8 Bar-tailed Godwit, 2 Cuckoo, 10 Swift, 1 Nightingale heard from car park on the east side. Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).
Canvey Wick, 07:15 to 09:20
1 adult Mediterranean Gull over, 3 Cuckoo, 20 Swallow moving north in ones and twos, 1 Nightingale singing around the Silver Birches along Northwick Road, 1 Wheatear, 4 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 35 Whitethroat (at least), 2 Chiffchaff. 1 Green Hairstreak around small apple tree, 1 Wall. Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).
Canewdon, Hyde Wood Lane 07:20 to 07:40
3 Yellow Wagtail (2 male and 1 female), 2 Whitethroat, 6 Swallow, 1 Jay, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Mistle Thrush. David Selley.
Southchurch Park East 07:45
1 Cormorant diving for fish, 2 Reed Warblers singing. No sign of resident male Mute Swan. Alec Beanse.
Wat Tyler Country Park/Vange Wick c.08:50 to 12:10
female Marsh Harrier, 20 Avocet on scrape and 3 on Vange Wick/Creek, drake Teal on scrape, 1 Curlew, pair of Turtle Dove seen from hide, a few pairs of Reed Warbler were very extrovert in front of hide, Cetti's Warbler heard, single and pair of Little Grebe in territorial fight on fleet, 2 Common Tern, pair of Oystercatcher. Nightjar flew north at a low height over Pitsea Marsh viewed from hide and then out of sight, bird had a tawny chestnut or dead leaf colouring,very long pointed wings and long barred tail resembled a falcon and was around the same size but no bigger than a Kestrel. Not a cucloo and I have been seeing Cuckoos for the last 35 years. Richard Fahey.
RSPB Vange Marsh 08:10 to 10:40
Cuckoo, Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, Reed Bunting, Blackcap, Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, Avocet, 2 Common Tern, Black-tailed Godwit, Pied Wagtail, Greenfinch, Robin, Great Crested Grebe, Little Grebe, Shelduck, Cetti's warbler (heard), Bearded Tit (heard on east side), Swift. Terry Jeffreys.
Southend, Victoria Avenue 08:30 to 08:45
2 Peregrine Falcon on Portcullis House (male was showing on a scaffold pole, female was on ledge beneath the male). Jim Bailey.
Wakering Stairs, 09:00 to 11:30
2 Turtle Dove, 3 Cuckoo, 16 Swallow, 2 Nightingale, 4 Blackcap, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 12 Whitethroat, 5 Chiffchaff. Brian Baldock (SOG).
RSPB West Canvey Marsh, 09:40 to 12:30
4 Little Egret, 5 Mediterranean Gull (3 adult summers, a second summer and first summer), 5 Swift. Steve Arlow
Wat Tyler Country Park 10:50 to 12:00
Swallow, Curlew, Shelduck, Avocet, Little Egret, Jay, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Lapwing, Whitethroat, Dunnock, Lesser Whitethroat, Robin, Swift, Cormorant. Terry Jeffreys.
Rochford, 13:10 to 13:15
1 Starling doing a very good impression of a singing Zitting Cisticola at the back of Homebase, I wonder where he spent the winter! Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).
Wat Tyler Country Park, 13:30 to 14:30
1 Cuckoo, 1 Nightingale, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 5 Reed Warbler, 6 Blackcap, 3 Whitethroat, 1 Chiffchaff all singing. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Two Tree Island East, 14:00 to 15:00
1 Swift, 1 Swallow, 1 Nightingale heard, 1 Cetti's Warbler heard, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 1 Lesser Whitethroat heard, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Chiffchaff. Mike Clarke (SOG).
Canvey Wick, 15:40 to 16:30
5 Whimbrel, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Reed Warbler, 2 Blackcap, 2 Whitethroat, 1 Chiffchaff (all warblers singing). 2 Wall. Neil Chambers (SOG).
River Roach Seal Trip 16:00 to 17:00
Peregrine Falcon passed over towards Potton, 18 Common Tern, 4 Oystercatcher, 2 Grey Heron, Little Egret, 2 Curlew, 1 Whimbrel. 12 Common Seal. Web Author.
RSPB West Canvey Marsh, 16:40 to 17:30
2 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Little Egret, 2 Hobby over Benfleet Downs, 20 Swift. 1 Slow-worm. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Rochford Golf Course, 18:00 to 19:30
6 Swift, 1 Skylark singing, 1 Mistle Thrush singing, 2 Blackcap singing. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Saturday 12th May 2012northerly to easterly, scattered clouds, max 15°c
Two Tree Island 05:45 to 07:45
2 Cuckoo, 3 Nightingale (2 seen, 1 heard), 1 Mistle Thrush (showy bird), 3 Meadow Pipit, 2 Stonechat, lots of Greenfinch, Blackcap, Whitethroat, Chaffinch, Swift, Swallow. Jim Bailey.
Rayleigh 07:00 to 08:30
Grove playing fields to Eastwood sewage works: 1 Goldfinch in Dorothy Farm Road. Grove playing fields: 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Greenfinch, 4 Black-headed Gull. Sewage works: 1 Jay, 1 Blackcap, 3 Black-headed Gull in adjacent field, 2 Jackdaw, Pheasant heard, 2 Stock Dove, 1 Greenfinch, 1 Great Tit, 2 Blue Tit, 1 Dunnock, 2 Robin, lots of carrion Crow, Magpie and Woodpigeon throughout and lots of Swallow over filter beds, 4 Mallard flew in from south and veered west. Paul Adams.
Leigh on Sea, Park View drive 07:10 to 07:20
3 Shelduck, 5 Swift, 3 Jackdaw all over garden. Kris Mee, Web Author.
Rochford Golf Course, 08:30 to 11:45
1 Little Grebe, 2 Skylark (1 flew over, 1 singing), 1 Meadow Pipit (singing), 2 Blackcap (singing), 1 Whitethroat (singing), 1 Crossbill flew south east calling. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton c.08:40 to 11:45
11 Wheatear behaving quite secretive so maybe more, 4 Whimbrel, 1 Curlew on creek, near Canvey Island, 1 Chiffchaff heard by Manorway, 1 Blackcap heard, 3 Cuckoo included a pair, Cetti's Warbler heard, 1 female Shoveler and 3 drake Pochard at Coryton, 1 Little Egret, 2 pairs of Redshank included a displaying pair. Richard Fahey.
Gunners Park, 09:00 to 12:00
2 Mute Swan, 1 Kestrel, 11 Swift, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 100+ Swallow, 100+ House Martin, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Sedge Warbler, 6 Blackcap, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 10 Whitethroat, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler and 1 Spotted Flycatcher rear of old tennis court, 4 Goldfinch. Brian Baldock (SOG).
Wakering Stairs 09:50 to 12:00
2 Little Egret, 2 Kestrel (pair), 3 male Cuckoo, 12 Swallow, 1 Turtle Dove, 3 Nightingale, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 20 Whitethroat, 1 Reed Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap, 4 Meadow Pipit, 3 Skylark, Wren, Blackbird, Blue Tit, many Chaffinch. David Selley.
Hadleigh Downs, 10:00 to 13:50
1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Buzzard north east over Chapel Lane car park 13.30. 12 Marsh Frog (plus lots more croaking), 5 Slow-worm, 1 Grass Snake, 1 Adder, 10 Orange-tip, 4 Speckled Wood. John Wright (SOG)
Barling Pits, 10:00 to 11:30
7 Swift, 5 Swallow, 3 House Martin, 2 Sedge Warbler, 6 Reed Warbler, 5 Lesser Whitethroat, 10 Whitethroat. 3 Green-veined White, 4 Orange-tip, 1 Peacock Butterfly, 1 Wall. Lee Ebbs (SOG).
Shoeburyness Park, 12:00 to 12:15
1 Common Tern. 5 Blue-tailed Damselfly. Lee Ebbs (SOG)
Ferndale Road, Rayleigh, 12:20 to 13:15
6 Swift, 3 Wheatear (still in paddocks), 4 Blackcap (singing), 3 Whitethroat (singing), 2 Chiffchaff (singing). Neil Chambers (SOG).
Rochford 12:50
5 House Martin over last year's nest sites. David Selley.
RSPB West Canvey Marsh 13:00
2 Hobby chasing Swifts over car park. Peter Jackson.
Gunners Park, 13:30 to 16:10
5 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Marsh Harrier north at 16:10, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 15 Swift, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 30 Swallow, 20 House Martin, 4 Wheatear (2m, 2f), 1 Blackcap, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 7 Whitethroat, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler, 3 Spotted Flycatcher (rear of tennis court). 1 Brown Rat, 5 Small White, 3 Orange-tip, 2 Holly Blue. Paul Griggs, Steve Arlow, Don Petrie (SOG).
Rayleigh, 13:45 to 15:30
1 Orange-tip, 1 Holly Blue in garden. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Pitsea 14:00 to 20:00
3 Turtle Dove 15.00, 1 Short-eared Owl 18.00-18.30. Phil Shaw.
Bulphan, Thurrock 16:00
1 Marsh Harrier. Martin Everson.
Friday 11th May 2012westerly, scattered clouds, max16°c
Coombe Wood, 07:30 to 08:30
2 Coal Tit feeding in a pine tree in a garden adjacent to Coombe Wood, and behaving as a pair. Jeff Saward (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park, 09:00 to 09:40
Marina only: 1 male Marsh Harrier, 1 Hobby, 8 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Greenshank (Vange Wick), 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Whitethroat. Vince Kinsler
Two Tree Island East, 09:00 to 10:30
2 Cuckoo, 20+ Swift, 20+ Swallow, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 4 Reed Warbler, 15+ Blackcap, 10+ Whitethroat. Dave Knight, Brian Baldock (SOG).
Two Tree Island 09:50 to 17:30
Male and female Cuckoo, Coot with 3 young, many Whitethroat, Swallow, Swift, House Martin, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Reed Warbler, Cetti's Warbler heard, 2 male Reed Bunting, 2 Brent Geese, 1 Jay, many pairs of Linnet, 1 Goldfinch, Skylark, 2 Little Egret, 3 Curlew, 11 Dunlin, Black Tailed Godwit, Knot, c.20 Common Tern. 3 male and 2 female Wheatear, 1 pair Stonechat, 2 Pied Wagtail, 3 Meadow Pipit, c.10 Avocet, Black-headed Gull, Shelduck, 6 Redshank, Canada Geese with 3 gosling, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Chaffinch. c.10 Greenfinch. Comma, Peacock, Orange Tip, Red Admiral. Large hatch of St Mark's Flies. David & Brenda Hale.
Wickford 10:20 to 10:30
2 Grey Wagtail, 1 Blackbird in river Crouch overflow cutting between railway and foot Bridges. Rob Harris.
Two Tree Island West, 10:30 to 12:00
20 Knot, 10 Dunlin, 10 Common Tern, 3 Meadow Pipit (airfield), 5 Wheatear (airfield), 20+ Linnet (airfield). Dave Knight, Brian Baldock (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park, 10:30 to 14:00
1 immature male Marsh Harrier flew within 10 metres of hide, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel (pair), 24+ Avocet, 2 Cuckoo (males flying together), 4 Reed Warbler, 2 Bearded Tit, Nightingale heard by tower lookout. Kris Mee, Web Author.
Gunners Park, 13:35 to 14:25
1 Red-legged Partridge, 3 Blackcap, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 8 Whitethroat, 2 Spotted Flycatcher (one in the old tennis courts, and one north of the large pond by seawall), 6 Linnet. Marc Outten (SOG).
Shell Haven 14:30
1 male Wheatear. Nick Argent.
Branksome Avenue, Stanford-le-Hope 16:40
1 Hobby gliding over gardens. Nick Argent.
Maldon 18:00
1 Kestrel. Really surprised as it landed on my back garden fence, stayed a couple of minutes and, just as I dashed to get my camera, flew off. Neil Yardley.
Two tree Island 18:00 to 20:00
East end: 5 Wheatear on airfield, Cuckoo seen twice, 1 female Kestrel, 8 Whitethroat, 2 Skylark, 20 Linnet. West end: 1 Short-eared Owl flew round 'U' shaped pond, observed from hide from 5 metres, 1 Little Grebe on pond, 1 Wheatear on river bank, 1 Little Egret, 10 Swift, 1 Swallow, 6 Whitethroat, Nightingale heard, 1 Blackcap. G. Dixon.
Ferndale Road, Rayleigh, 18:05 to 19:15
1 Green Woodpecker, 4 Wheatear (small group in paddocks), 1 Mistle Thrush (singing), 3 Blackcap (singing), 4 Whitethroat (3 singing), 1 Chiffchaff (singing), 2 Linnet. 1 Stoat. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Two Tree Island West, 18:25 to 20:10
4 Canada Goose, 3 Pheasant, 8 Knot, 7 Dunlin, 40+ Common Tern, 3 Cuckoo, 1 Skylark, 1 Stonechat, 5 Wheatear (airfield), 4 Whitethroat, 12 Linnet. Brian Baldock (SOG).
Two Tree Island East, 20:05 to 20:10
1 Short-eared Owl. Brian Baldock (SOG).
Thursday 10th May 2012south westerly, mostly cloudy, rain, max18°c
Wat Tyler Country Park 10:30 to 12:30
Sightings: on RSPB walk: Pochard, Canada Goose, Greylag Goose, Snow Goose, Woodpigeon, Cetti's Warbler (heard), Collared Dove, Whitethroat, Rook, Carrion Crow, Oystercatcher, Curlew, Avocet, 24 Black-tailed Godwit, Shelduck, Garganey, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Swift, Jackdaw, Swallow, Starling, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Green Woodpecker, Dunnock, Chaffinch, Kestrel, Great Crested Grebe, Little Grebe, Lapwing, Coot, Moorhen, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Goldfinch, Mediterranean Gull, Black-headed Gull, Marsh Harrier. Terry Jeffreys.
Wat Tyler Country Park, 12:00
2 Turtle Dove. Marc Outten (SOG).
RSPB Wallasea Island, 13:00 to 14:00
5 Little Egret, 1 male Marsh Harrier, 1 Whimbrel, c.300 Stock Dove (single flock on wild bird cover), 8 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Wheatear, 15 Whitethroat, 12 Corn Bunting. John Wright (SOG).
Barling Pits, 14:30 to 15:15
3 Little Grebe, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 4 Common Tern, 1 Cuckoo, 10 Swift, 1 Sand Martin, 20 Swallow, 8 House Martin, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Sedge Warbler, 10 Whitethroat, 2 Reed Bunting. 3 Slow-worm, 4 Rabbit. John Wright (SOG).
Crays Hill 15:50
Pair of Turtle Dove on private land near Crays hill. G. Dixon.
RSPB Wallasea Island, 15:50 to 18:00
1 male Marsh Harrier over north end of Foulness, 6 Oystercatcher, 6 Ringed Plover, 20+ Grey Plover (only 1 summer plumaged bird), 18 Knot (including 2 pristine summer plumaged birds), 30+ Dunlin (most in summer plumage), 8 Whimbrel, 4 Curlew, 3 Common Sandpiper on Roach, 1 Arctic Tern (excellent view of one heading south down Roach), 3 Swift, 5 Swallow, 1 Meadow Pipit display flighting over salt marsh, 4 Yellow Wagtail, 5 Corn Bunting (singing birds). Jeff Delve (SOG).
Benfleet Creek, 18:40
3 Wheatear together on seawall between Leigh and Benfleet. Simon Watson (SOG).
Wednesday 09th May 2012south westerly, mostly cloudy, rain, max17°c
Brock Hill 10:20 to 10:25
1 Little Owl perched on roadside telegraph pole. David & Brenda Hale.
South Fambridge, 10:40 to 12:20
2 Avocet, 3 Common Tern, 1 Cuckoo, 3 Swift, 2 Swallow, 8 Yellow Wagtail (mainly males), 2 Wheatear, 1 Grasshopper Warbler reeling and showing well for 15 minutes (10.50 - 11.05) behind old shellfish station, 4 Reed Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 4 Reed Bunting, 6 Corn Bunting. Ray Fuller (SOG).
EWT Hanningfield Reservoir 10:30 to 16:30
1 Buzzard, 100's 0f Swift over water and woods, many House Martin over reservoir, 1 Swallow, 3 drake and 1 female, Red Crested Pochard, 1 Egyptian Goose, 4 pair of Greylag Geese with goslings, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 male Blackcap, 4 pair of Mallard with ducklings (totalling 29), 2 Dunnock, 1 Cock and 1 Hen Pheasant, c.8 Arctic Tern, 1 Black Swan, 3 Mute Swan, 1 Wren, Cuckoo heard. 1 Muntjac deer. David & Brenda Hale.
Crays Hill 14:30
1 male Bullfinch seen briefly on private land near Crays Hill. G. Dixon.
Tolleshunt D'arcy 15:00
Cuckoo at our caravan site singing away in a tree. Pam Laurie.
RSPB West Canvey Marsh, 15:55 to 17:40
2 Little Egret, 3 Whimbrel, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 female Wheatear. 9 Common Lizard, 2 Slow-worm, 10 Green-veined White, 5 Orange-tip, 2 Wall. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Hanningfield Reservoir 16:00 to 16:40
19 Mallard, 5 Pochard, 12 Tufted Duck, 2 Coot, 5 Magpie, 4 Great Crested Grebe, 8 Carrion Crow, 32 Cormorant, 9 Black-Headed Gull, 14 Greylag Geese, 30+ Swallow, 20+ House Martin, 250+ Swift. Rob Harris.
RSPB West Canvey Marsh, 17:30
1 Swift flew over road and reservoir. Graham Ryland (SOG).
Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 19:30
1 Jackdaw flew through garden, only my second ever one here. Paul Baker (SOG).
Tuesday 08th May 2012southerly, showers, max17°
Baxter Avenue Southend, 08:30 to 16:15
2 Peregrine Falcon. Male on west side of Portcullis House most of day probably due to no demolition work being carried out today. Female joined male late afternoon for a fly around. John Wright (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park 11:15 to 14:35
Main hide only: Mute Swan, Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Mallard, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Grey Heron, 3 Marsh Harrier, 1 Kestrel, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Lapwing, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, Black-headed Gull, Mediterranean Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, 4 Common Tern, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, 14+ Swift, Swallow, House Martin, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, 3 Cetti's Warbler (1 seen, 2 heard), 6+ Reed Warbler, 2 Blackcap (male and female), Whitethroat, 1 Bearded Tit, Long-tailed Tit heard, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, male Reed Bunting. 1 Red Fox which almost took the tail feathers off a Coot when it made a leap for it! Large numbers of St Mark's Flies. Kris Mee, Web Author.
Wat Tyler Country Park 12:30 to 17:45
1 female Marsh Harrier, good views as it hunted the scrape reed bed, 3 sightings of Cuckoo flying over scrape, possibly same bird. 1 Skylark. 1 Wren, Swallow, Swift, 1 House Martin, 1 Kestrel, 1 Black Tailed Godwit, 2 Common Tern, 2 pair Greylag Geese, with 2 and 3 goslings, 1 pair Shelduck, Coot with 2 young, good sightings of many Reed Warbler, 2 Goldfinch, 1 pair Long-tailed Tit, 1 Bearded Tit, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 pair House Sparrow. 1 Red Fox. Large hatch of St Mark's flies for the duration. David and Brenda Hale.
Hanningfield Reservoir 14:00 to 14:40
25 Mallard (1 female with 7 ducklings), 5 Pochard, 30+ Tufted Duck, 32 Coot, 1 Great Tit, 12 Blackbird, 7 Great Crested Grebe, 20 Carrion Crow, 28 Cormorant, 5 Magpie, 12 Starling, 8 Black-Headed Gull, 12 Greylag Geese pair with 2 Goslings, 1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Goldfinch, 5 House Sparrow, 1 Wheatear, 2 Chaffinch, 50+ Swallow, 10 House Martin, 300+ Swift. Rob Harris.
Wat Tyler Country Park, 15:10 to 15:30
1 Black-tailed Godwit on scrape, 1 Wood Sandpiper distantly on Vange Wick, viewed south west from marina, 1 Cuckoo singing south end of fleet, 1 Cetti's Warbler singing, 3 Reed Warbler singing. 3 Green-veined White. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Two Tree Island 15:30
1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Mediterranean Gull, 66 Common Tern, 25+ Bar-tailed Godwit, 50+ Knot, 20+ Dunlin, 1 Turnstone, Wheatear, Cuckoo. Richard Shepherd.
RSPB West Canvey Marsh, 15:55 to 17:40
2 Little Egret, 3 Whimbrel, 1 Common Sandpiper. 9 Common Lizard, 2 Slow-worm, 10 Green-veined White, 5 Orange-tip, 2 Wall. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Southchurch Park East 16:20
Reed Warbler singing away in the reed bed north east corner of lagoon. Alec Beanse.
Wat Tyler Country Park 16:45
1 Turtle Dove 50m west of Green Centre. Dave Cornwell.
RSPB Wallasea Island 17:00 To 17:30
1 Little Egret, 1 Short-Eared Owl, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Kestrel, 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Wheatear, 1 Chaffinch, 2 Goldfinch, 6 Greenfinch, 2 Linnet, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 5 Skylark, 3 Shelduck, 7 Mallard, 3 Magpie, 11 Carrion Crow, 6 House Sparrow, 1 Blackbird, 4 Wood Pigeon, 60+ Corn Bunting, 100+ Stock Dove, 20+ Black-Headed Gull. Rob Harris.
Hockley/Hawkwell, Gusted Hall Lane 18:00 to 18:15
1 female Sparrowhawk thermalling, 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Skylark, 2 House Martin. Paul Baker (SOG).
RSPB Wallasea Island, 18:20 to 18:50
4 Little Egret, 1 female Marsh Harrier, 2 Whimbrel, 1 Cuckoo singing south west corner, 1 Short-eared Owl sat on seawall / salt marsh post c.200m west of car park, 6 Yellow Wagtail, 80 Corn Bunting mostly on wires around Grapnells. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Chelmsford, Chelmer Village 19:00
2 Swift over. Sue Haffenden.
Two Tree Island West, 20:30 to 21:30
4 Whimbrel (heard), 30 Common Tern, 2+ male Cuckoo, 1 Nightingale heard at 20:30 from car park singing from east end, 3 Stonechat (a pair just into the west side and a further male at far west end), 1 Sedge Warbler singing. 4 Common Pipistrelle. Paul Baker (SOG).
Monday 07th May 2012southerly, cloud and rain, max14°
First Local Summer Migrant Report - Garden Warbler
Wat Tyler Country Park, 05:00 to 06:15
1 drake Garganey on the scrape, 1 male Marsh Harrier, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Whimbrel, 1 Cuckoo, 125 Swallow on Vange Wick, 2 Nightingale (one in Wat Tyler just north of the marina and one on the county tip), 1 Cetti's Warbler, 5 Reed Warbler, 4 Blackcap, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 10 Whitethroat, 4 Chiffchaff, 2 Bearded Tit. Marc Outten (SOG).
Westcliff Cliffs, 05:55 to 06:25
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff (singing), 1 Willow Warbler. Neil Chambers (SOG).
RSPB Vange Marsh, 06:20 to 06:50
1 female Wigeon, 6 Gadwall, 8 Teal, 7 Tufted Duck, 1 Cetti's Warbler. Marc Outten (SOG).
RSPB West Canvey Marsh, 06:40 to 06:50
Quick look from road: 150+ Swallow. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park, 07:00 to 07:15
1 drake Garganey on scrape, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Cuckoo (singing), 2 Reed Warbler (singing). Neil Chambers (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park, 07:30 to 08:30
1 drake Garganey, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Common Tern, 1 Turtle Dove in willow opposite Cromwell Manor on approach road, 1 Cuckoo, 4 Reed Warbler, 4 Reed Bunting. Vince Kinsler (SOG).
Two Tree island 07:00 to 09:00
East end: 2 Reed Warbler in song, 3 Sedge Warbler, 2 Cetti's Warbler in song (one showing well below reed bed hide), 1 Garden Warbler, 2 Blackcap, c.8 Whitethroat, 2 Nightingale in song (one showing well), c.20 Swift hawking over the reed bed area, 5 Swallow, 1 Little Grebe. West end: Cuckoo heard, c.12 Whitethroat, 1 Sedge Warbler, Avocet, 23 Black-tailed Godwit, 11 Bar-tailed Godwit including one male in full breeding plumage, 5 Common Tern, c.8 Linnet, 2 singing Skylark. Andrew Gouldstone.
Wat Tyler Country Park, 08:00
1 fine drake Garganey, 1 immature male Marsh Harrier, 1 adult Mediterranean Gull, 1 Cuckoo, 100 Swallow (at least), 40 House Martin (at least), 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 male Bearded Tit. Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).
Ferndale Road, Rayleigh, 08:25 to 08:50
6 Blackcap (5 male, 1 female), 2 Whitethroat (singing), 2 Chiffchaff (singing), 12 Rook over in small groups heading north east. Neil Chambers (SOG)
South Fambridge, 10:00 to 12:20
From village to Brandy Hole: 1 female Marsh Harrier, 2 Avocet, 3 Whimbrel, 1 Greenshank, 2 Cuckoo (pair), 2 Swift, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Swallow, 8 Yellow Wagtail, 8 Wheatear, 3 Reed Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 10 Whitethroat, 4 Reed Bunting, 2 Corn Bunting. Ray Fuller (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park, 10:30 to 11:30
1 drake Garganey from scrape hide, 2 Marsh Harrier, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Bearded Tit. John Wright (SOG).
London Road, Hadleigh 10:05
1 Buzzard seen circling above Morrison's store, then around 30 minutes later saw a buzzard soaring over my house (Church Road, Hadleigh) in a north easterly direction-possibly same bird? Ellen Hume.
Rochford, 10:20 to 10:30
3 Buzzard together circling and mewing over the garden, drifting west. Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).
Belfairs N.R., 11:00 to 12:00
1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Mistle Thrush, 4 Blackcap, 4 Chiffchaff. Brian Baldock (SOG).
Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 11:25
1 Sparrowhawk over. Paul Baker (SOG).
Thorpe Bay Golf Club 12:30
1 Hobby. Stephen Reeve.
Paglesham, 12:55 to 14:30
Seawall west from boatyard: 3 Whimbrel, 2 Common Tern, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Short-eared Owl hunting over fields for at least an hour, 9 Swallow, 8 Yellow Wagtail, 4 Corn Bunting. Ray Fuller (SOG).
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton c.13:00 to 15:55
6 Wheatear, c.7 Whimbrel, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Cuckoo, c.22 Curlew, 15 Pochard included 9 flying over Ozzedam and 5 at Coryton, pair of Oystercatcher, Cetti's Warbler heard. Richard Fahey.
North Fambridge 14:00
Buzzard circling above an around pylons north of B1012. Paul Adams.
Wat Tyler Country Park, 15:45 to 16:30
1 drake Garganey, 1 immature male Marsh Harrier, 1 Cetti's Warbler heard, 2 Reed Warbler, 2 Whitethroat. Lee Ebbs (SOG).
Ferndale Road, Rayleigh 16:30 to 18:00
1 Garden Warbler, 2 Blackcap, 2 Common Whitethroat, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Bullfinch, 6 Swift. Robin Peppiatt.
Sunday 06th May 2012north east to south east, cloudy, light rain, max12°
EWT Blue House Farm 09:00 12:00
Sightings on RSPB walk: Mute Swan, Canada Goose, Barnacle Goose, Shelduck, Gadwall, Teal, Mallard, Shoveler, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Pheasant, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Marsh Harrier, Kestrel, Hobby trying too take a Blackbird, Coot, Moorhen, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Lapwing, Black-tailed Godwit, Whimbrel, Curlew, Spotted Redshank in summer plumage, Greenshank, Redshank, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Common Tern, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Green Woodpecker, Skylark, Swallow, Meadow Pipit, Yellow Wagtail, Wren, Wheatear (at least 15 all along borrowdyke!), Blackbird, Song Thrush, Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Magpie, Rook, Carrion Crow, Starling, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Reed Bunting. Web Author, et al.
RSPB Wallasea Island, 09:00 to 16:30
EBwS visit followed by Wallasea Wander: 8 Little Egret, 12 Shelduck, 4 Pochard flew over north, 1 Hobby (stunning views of one chasing a Skylark and then perching up on the sea wall fence), 1 sub adult male Peregrine Falcon stooping after pigeon unsuccessfully, 5 Ringed Plover, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, c.20 Whimbrel (mobile birds feeding on salt marsh), 6 Curlew in with Whimbrel, 1 Greenshank near webcam tower, 1 Common Sandpiper, 4 Arctic Tern (3 working north along Roach and single over wetlands), 250+ Stock Dove (large flock feeding on wild bird cover still), 1 Cuckoo heard distantly in south west corner, 1 Short-eared Owl hunting sea wall west of car park, 4 Swift heading north, 5 Swallow hawking very low over rape crop, 2 Meadow Pipit (singing birds at east end), 10+ Yellow Wagtail (mostly males feeding around sea walls), 2 Whinchat (pair showing well near sluice east of car park), 2 Whitethroat (singing birds in rape), 6+ Linnet (several pairs feeding along sea wall), 10+ Reed Bunting (most in rape fields), 300+ Corn Bunting (large flocks over wild bird cover still including leucistic individual plus plenty performing on songposts). 1 Red Fox. Jeff Delve (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park Time: c.09:20 to 11:00
Immature male Marsh Harrier flew off from scrape with prey, 1 Swift, few House Martin, pair of Common Tern, pair of Reed Warbler, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, pair of Teal, 20 Avocet, 6 Gadwall, 1 drake Shoveler, 1 Little Egret, pair of Oystercatcher. Richard Fahey.
Ashingdon 09:30
Cuckoo heard. Bob.
Wakering Stairs 11:55 to 17:55
1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Peregrine Falcon, 1 Marsh Harrier, 4 Wheatear, 6 Whimbrel, c.8 Arctic Tern, many Oystercatcher, Redshank, 1 Common Sandpiper, 3 Whitethroat, Curlew, c.12 Grey Plover (several in handsome breeding colours). 1 Dark Bellied Brent Goose, 1 Skylark, 4 Meadow Pipit, 3 Dunlin, 1 Jay, 2 Swallow, 4 Black-tailed Godwit, c.12 Turnstone, 2 Grey Heron, 4 Little Egret, Cormorant, Herring Gull, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, c.8 Shelduck, 3 pair Mallard, 1 Pied Wagtail, c.8 male Blackbird, 1 Cock Pheasant, many Starling. Many Rabbit, 1 Common Seal. David & Brenda Hale.
Abberton Reservoir 15:30 to 16:00
2 Egyptian Geese, 12 Greylag Geese, 6 Mute Swan, 2 Chaffinch, 200+ Swallow, 150+ Swift, 25 Carrion Crow, 5 Magpie. Rob Harris.
Wat Tyler Country Park, 15:45 to 16:15
Viewing Vange Wick and a quick look from hide: 1 Nightingale (a few bursts of song on south east side of old tip), 1 Cetti's Warbler (singing), 2 Reed Warbler (singing), 5 Lesser Whitethroat (singing). Neil Chambers (SOG).
RSPB Vange Marsh, 16:30 to 16:45
1 Little Egret, 10 Teal, 1 Cetti's Warbler (singing), 1 Blackcap (singing). Neil Chambers (SOG).
Two Tree island 16:30 to 19:15
West end: 2 male Stonechat, 1 Cuckoo near hides, 25 Knot including three in breeding plumage, 3 Whimbrel, 4 Common Tern, Avocet. East end: 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Nightingale in song, 1 Little Grebe. Andrew Gouldstone.
Two Tree Island West, 18:00
1 Short-eared Owl. John Wright (SOG).
Saturday 05th May 2012east north east, rain and clouds, max9°
Shipwrights Wood 06:45
Treecreeper seen taking food to nest site. Richard Gray.
Two Tree Island West, 07:15 to 09:45
1 Shelduck, 8 Teal, 1 Pochard, 10 Oystercatcher, 2 Ringed Plover, 163 Knot, 1 Dunlin, 6 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 6 Common Tern, 1 Cuckoo, 4 Skylark, 8 Swallow, 1 Sedge Warbler, 10 Whitethroat, 4 Reed Bunting. John Wright (SOG).
Canvey Wick, 08:00
2 Whimbrel, 1 adult Mediterranean Gull, 3 Cuckoo, 4 Green Woodpecker, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Jay. Steve Arlow, Paul Griggs, Don Petrie (SOG).
Canvey Point, 10:20 to 12:00
1 Hobby resting on post on salt marsh, 1 Great Skua flew east, 60+ Common Tern, 15 Little Tern mostly heading down river, 1 Guillemot drifted up on the tide then flew east. Tim Bourne (SOG).
Battlesbridge, 11:20
1 Buzzard at head height along old A130 where it crosses River Crouch. Paul Baker (SOG).
South Fambridge 13:10
1 Cuckoo heard. Alexandra Burgess.
Wat Tyler Country Park, 14:15 to 16:30
1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Glossy Ibis, 1 male Marsh Harrier, 1 Hobby (probably a first-year bird), 1 Peregrine Falcon, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Common Sandpiper, 5 Swift, 15 House Martin (at least), 5 Reed Warbler. Steve Arlow, Mike Bailey, Paul Griggs, Vince Kinsler, Don Petrie (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park, 14:30 to 15:15
1 Glossy Ibis on scrape after flying from Bowers Marsh, 1 Bearded Tit. John Wright (SOG).
Wakering Stairs 15:00 to 16:30
2 Whinchat, 1 Little Egret, 4 Linnet. 1 Meadow Pipit, Kestrel, 2 Shelduck. Steve.
Two Tree Island East 16:00 to 17:15
1 Cetti's warbler heard in song, 1 Reed Warbler heard in song, 2 male Blackcap, c.8 Whitethroat, 1 male Reed Bunting, 1 Little Egret, 58 Brent Geese off the eastern end out on mudflats, 2 Whimbrel also off the eastern end, 1 Little Grebe in the reed bed pool below the hide. Andrew Gouldstone.
Canvey Wick, 16:55 to 18:30
2 Whimbrel, 1 adult Mediterranean Gull, 3 Cuckoo, 4 Green Woodpecker, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Jay. Steve Arlow, Paul Griggs, Don Petrie (SOG).
Southchurch Park
7 Cygnets hatched and on pond, 1 egg still in nest. Blue Tit nesting in tall tree opposite Swan island - the same tree that we saved in 2006 when we stopped it being cut down when it had a Green Woodpecker family nesting. The tree has been used every year since by many different birds as there are three nesting holes/habitats in tree trunk. Bob Dobinson.
Friday 04th May 2012northerly, mostly cloudy, max10°
Ashingdon, Princess Gardens 08:00 and 11:00
1 Song Thrush singing morning and evening for the last week or so, 1 Blackcap singing, 1 Grey Heron over, 70 Swift flew low north at 11:00. David Selley.
Benfleet Creek, 08:10 to 08:15
1 Cuckoo, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 4 Wheatear (3 together along seawall between Benfleet and Leigh), 4 Whitethroat. Simon Watson (SOG).
Two Tree Island East, 09:50 to 12:00
3 Little Egret, 1 Hobby chasing House Martin, 2 Nightingale (heard), 2 Song Thrush, 2 Cetti's Warbler (heard), 4 Blackcap, 6 Whitethroat. Peter Collins (SOG).
Laindon Hills 10:00 to 11:15
4 swift flying low over trees, 30+ blackcap displaying, Chaffinch, Whitethroat. Jim Bailey.
RSPB Wallasea Island, 10:00 to 11:30
Passage waders coming through at last: 16 Oystercatcher, 45 Ringed Plover, 17 Grey Plover (some in nice summer plumage), 18 Dunlin, 9 Bar-tailed Godwit (including a full summer plumaged individual), 21 Whimbrel, 8 Curlew, 1 Great Black-backed Gull (with red ring on left leg, too far to read number), 1 Common Tern, 200+ Stock Dove (most on wires near Grapnells), 2 Short-eared Owl (still hunting over wild bird cover), 2 Swift, 10 Swallow, 1 Meadow Pipit (singing bird at east end), 15+ Yellow Wagtail, 2 Whinchat (pair just before car park, two others reported later), 4 Reed Bunting (singing males), 12 Corn Bunting (singing males). Jeff Delve (SOG).
Two Tree Island West, 12:00 to 13:30
200 Oystercatcher, 40 Knot, 30 Black-tailed Godwit, 10 Common Tern, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Short-eared Owl, 4 Whitethroat. Peter Collins (SOG).
Southchurch Park East and Southchurch Park 12:30 to All Day
10+ Swift, 6+ Swallow feeding across pond and flying at close quarters 12.30am, 1 duckling one week old, male Mute Swan looking lost with all 7 cygnet eggs still inside nest mass, should have started hatching today. Southchurch Park East: 6 Cygnets hatched, Wagtails everywhere, Southchurch Park. Robert Dobinson.
Westcliff Cliffs, 13:05 to 13:45
1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Nightingale in full song on and off in cover immediately east of fenced off area, 1 female Redstart on wooden picket fence on west edge of enclosed area flew into deciduous cover next to fence, 4 Blackcap, 1 Willow Warbler singing, 1 Spotted Flycatcher 50yds west of enclosure in pines, 2 Long-tailed Tit. Vince Kinsler (SOG).
Hanningfield Reservoir 14:00 to 15:00
40+ Mallard, 20+ Tufted Duck, 2 Coot, 1 Great Tit, 6 Blackbird, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 20+ Carrion Crow, 5 Magpie, 8 Cormorant, 35 Starling, 50+ Black-Headed Gull, 35 Greylag Geese, 250+ Swallow, 40+ House Martin, 200+ Swift, 1 White Wagtail, 2 Pied Wagtail, 1 Pheasant, 12 Blackbird, 2 Chaffinch, 3 Robin. 1 Fox. Rob Harris.
Hadleigh Marshes, 14:30 to 16:20
1 Greylag Goose, 2 Shelduck, 3 Pochard, 1 Kestrel, 1 Whimbrel, 1 Short-eared Owl, 3 Skylark, 1 Sand Martin, 24 Swallow, 2 Wheatear, 4 Reed Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 16 Goldfinch. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).
Paglesham Boatyard 15:05
3 Swift. Gary Dunn (www.ladyessex.com).
Wakering Stairs 15:30 to 17:50
3 Little Egret, 3 Shelduck, 2 Kestrel flying and hunting together, 1 Cuckoo, 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Short-eared Owl, 5 Nightingale singing (2 near the level crossing and 3 from the restricted area beyond the west perimeter fence), 8 Whitethroat, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Swallow, 3 Linnet, 1 Corn Bunting. 1 Red Fox, 60+ Common Seal on low tide mud bank towards Warden Point. David Selley.
Burnham on Crouch 16:00 to 18:00
2 Common Tern, 4 Shelduck, 3 Dunnock, 1 Hobby flying low along the Promenade, probably interested in the many Swifts and Swallows in the area. 2 Pied Wagtail, 3 Oystercatcher, Barn Owl crossed low over the road at Althorne at 18:20, heading towards the river. David & Brenda Hale.
Westcliff Cliffs, 16:45 to 18:00
1 Nightingale sang briefly at 17:55, just east of picket fence plot, 1 Chiffchaff. John Wright (SOG).
RSPB Wallasea Island, 18:00 to 19:00
4 Little Egret, 12 Whimbrel, 1 Cuckoo (Grapnells), 6 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Whinchat around saltings 100m east of car park, 4 Linnet, 2 Reed Bunting, 185 Corn Bunting (impressive flock on wires near wild bird cover included the leucistic individual). Vince Kinsler (SOG).
Two Tree Island West 18:30 to 19:30
2 Short-eared Owls (1 near the lagoon, 1 within 100yds of entrance gate), 2 Cuckoo, 20+ Common Tern, 20+ Avocet, Swift, Swallow, lots of Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, Black-tailed Godwit including 1 in breeding plumage. Tim Bennett.
Westcliff Cliffs, 18:45 to 19:30
1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Blackcap (2 singing), 1 Whitethroat (singing), 1 Chiffchaff. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Thursday 03rd May 2012northerly, drizzle mostly cloud, max9°
First Local Summer Migrant Report - Spotted Flycatcher
Chalkwell Park Drive, Leigh, 06:30 to 06:35
1 Swift, 1 Green Woodpecker. John Wright (SOG).
Stanford-Le-Hope, Cloisters/Monks Haven c.11:05
1 Little Egret flew north at a low height. Richard Fahey.
Wat Tyler Country Park 12:30 to 16:30
Sightings from first hide only: 1 pair of Cuckoo, good views of birds perched near hide, 1 female Marsh Harrier, 1 male Reed Bunting, Cetti's Warbler, Reed Warbler, 2 Common Tern, pair of Coot with 2 young, many Swallow, many House Martin over scrape, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Oystercatcher. 1 Fox with 2, possibly 3, tiny cubs. David & Brenda Hale.
Brandy Hole, 13:30 to 13:40
1 male Cuckoo singing from the Yacht club. Steve Sanford (SOG).
Gunners Park, 14:00 to 14:45
1 Hobby flew low across reserve, spooking a large starling flock, before the bird went out of view behind Shoebury coastguards, 1 Swift, 10 House Martin, 4 Song Thrush, 3 Whitethroat. Lee Ebbs, Ray Fuller (SOG).
Two Tree Island East, 15:00 to 16:00
1 Cuckoo, 6 Swift, 12 Swallow, 2 House Martin, 5 Blackcap, 3 Whitethroat. Brian Baldock (SOG).
North Fambridge 16:00 to 16:10
8 Shelduck, 6 Blackbird, 2 Chaffinch, 25 Carrion Crow, 9 Magpie, 1 Swallow, 2 Swift, 7 Greylag Geese, 2 Robin, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Black-Tailed Godwit, 15 Black-Headed Gull. Rob Harris.
Southchurch Park East 16:10
c.6 Swift and 1 House Martin flying over the lagoon. Alec Beanse.
Westcliff Cliffs, 17:05 to 18:50
Cliffs above casino: 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 female Redstart (17:25 briefly), 2 Song Thrush, 3 Blackcap, 4 Whitethroat, 1 Chiffchaff (singing), 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 3 Long-tailed Tit. Paul Griggs (SOG).
Westcliff Cliffs, 18:40 to 19:45
1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Redstart (briefly at 19.10), 4 Blackcap, 3 Whitethroat, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 6 Long-tailed Tit on cliffs above casino. John Wright (SOG).
Westcliff Cliffs, 18:50 to 19:30
Cliffs above casino between Tower Court flats and war memorial: 1 Green Woodpecker, 4 Blackcap (3 male, 1 female), 2 Whitethroat, 1 Spotted Flycatcher. Neil Chambers, Don Petrie (SOG).
Southchurch Park East and Southchurch Park
5 Cygnets in Southchurch Park, 2 more eggs believed ready to hatch. 10+ Swift swooping over pond after 3.30pm. Male Swan doing nest duty but not as his mate would do, she is still at Orsett Wildlife unit (no news). All eggs feared not to hatch, they were due to hatch as from Friday in Southchurch East. Must thank the the lady with the Golden Retriever for ruining a Swans whole breeding year! Robert Dobinson.
Wednesday 02nd May 2012northerly, light rain, cloud, max14°
First Local Summer Migrant Report - Whinchat
Two Tree Island East, 06:15 to 07:00
1 Cuckoo, 5 Swift, 1 Nightingale by feeders, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 5 Whitethroat, 1 Chiffchaff. Lee Ebbs (SOG).
Two Tree Island West, 07:15 to 08:30
2 Whimbrel, 5 Common Tern, 1 Short-eared Owl, 3 Stonechat, 1 Wheatear, 1 Sedge Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 10 Whitethroat. Lee Ebbs (SOG).
Shoebury, High Street 09:20
2 Siskin over calling near the station. Marc Outten (SOG).
Gunners Park and Shoebury Common Beach, 09:30 to 14:00
10 Great Crested Grebe, 25 Gannet, 1 drake Common Scoter heading up river at 11.25, 1 female Marsh Harrier came high across the river then headed west, 1 Red-legged Partridge, 270 Sanderling on Shoebury Common Beach, many in summer plumage, 5 Sandwich Tern, 63 Common Tern, 1 Swift, 2 Green Woodpecker, 8 Swallow, 14 House Martin, 7 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Whinchat flitting on and off the bushes on the eastern end of the reserve, 4+ Wheatear on the reserve, 2 Song Thrush, 4 Blackcap, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 11 Whitethroat, 3 Chiffchaff. Marc Outten (SOG).
Crays Hill Area 09:45 to 10:15
1 Turtle Dove on private land, watched for 10 minutes, 2 male Green Woodpeckers facing each other off about one meter apart. They were moving their heads and bodies in unison in a strange almost dance like movement, I have not seen this behaviour before, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker flew over. G. Dixon.
RSPB West Canvey Marsh 10:15 to 12:30
Cuckoo, Whinchat, Wheatear, Whimbrel, Swift, Linnet, Whitethroat, Pochard, Little Egret, Stock Dove, House Martin. Terry Jeffreys.
Hanningfield Reservoir 14:00 to 14:30
27 Mallard, 5 Pochard, 30+ Tufted Duck, 22 Coot, 1 Great Tit, 6 Blackbird, 7 Great Crested Grebe, 14 Carrion Crow, 18 Cormorant, 5 Magpie, 9 Starling, 8 Black-Headed Gull, 5 Greylag Geese, 1 Jay. The whole reservoir was alive with Swallow, House Martin, Swift too many to attempt to count. Rob Harris.
Chelmsford, Army and Navy Roundabout 16:15
3 Swift seen flying over Essex Yeomanry Way towards Baddow Meads. Paul Forsdick.
RSPB West Canvey Marsh, 16:15 to 17:30
3 Little Egret, 1 Whimbrel, 5 Swift, 3 Lesser Whitethroat. 1 Common Lizard, 1 Slow-worm. Vince Kinsler (SOG).
Two Tree Island East, 18:15 to 19:50
2 Little Egret, 2 Whimbrel, 2 Cuckoo, 30 Swift+, 8 Swallow, 5 House Martin, 1+ Nightingale, 2 Cetti's Warbler heard, 1 Sedge Warbler, 5 Blackcap, 5 Whitethroat, 2 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Linnet, 1 Reed Bunting. Paul Griggs, Mike Bailey (SOG).
Rochford Golf Course, 18:30
2 Swift, 1 Green Woodpecker. Paul Baker (SOG).
Gunners Park, 18:30 to 19:00
6 Swallow, 10 House Martin, 4 Wheatear (on reserve), 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 7 Whitethroat. Lee Ebbs (SOG).
Two Tree Island West, 19:50 to 20:30
47 Knot, 32 Common Tern, 2 male Stonechat, 1 Grasshopper Warbler reeling, 1 Sedge Warbler, 3 Whitethroat, 16 Corn Bunting, 1 Bat sp. Paul Griggs, Mike Bailey (SOG).
Tuesday 01st May 2012easterly, light rain, cloudy, max17°
First Local Summer Migrant Report - Turtle Dove
Canvey Seafront, 05:40 to 07:20
2 Gannet, 5 Kittiwake, 4 Sandwich Tern, 120 Common Tern constant movement downriver close to shore. Vince Kinsler (SOG).
Watery Lane, Battlesbridge 07:00
1 Little Egret on flooded field. David Z.
Chalkwell Park Drive, Leigh, 09:00 to 09:05
1 Swift. John Wright (SOG).
RSPB West Canvey Marsh 11:00 to 13:45
6 Little Egret, 10 Shelduck, 2 Tufted Duck, 5 Pochard, 3 Grey Heron, 1 Oystercatcher, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Cuckoo, 4 Swallow, 8 Linnet, 5 Whitethroat, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 male Stonechat. 2 Adder, 3 Slow-Worm and many Common Lizard warming on mats. 1 Orange Tip Butterfly. Hilary Knight.
RSPB West Canvey Marsh, 12:00 to 13:30
3 Little Egret, 1 Short-eared Owl patrolling the Bowers seawall, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Whitethroat, 9 Corn Bunting (small flock on the public footpath along the northern boundary of the reserve). Marc Outten (SOG).
Southend, Town Centre 12:30
1 Grey Wagtail. John Wright (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park, 13:00 to 13:30
1 Turtle Dove showed well in scrub area behind green centre. Alan Shearman (SOG).
Baxter Avenue Southend, 14:00 to 15:30
1 Peregrine Falcon buzzing around Portcullis House briefly. John Wright (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park 14:15 to 14:30
1 Turtle Dove. David Lee.
Benfleet, 17:00
3 House Martin buzzing around St. Marys Church. Simon Watson (SOG).
RSPB Wallasea Island, 17:30 to 19:30
Central island plus south west corner: 20+ Shelduck (including 3 pairs in south west corner), 8 Oystercatcher (4 pairs on eastern wetland), 4 Avocet (2 pairs), 8 Whimbrel on eastern wetland, 1 Curlew on eastern wetland, 7 Redshank (3 pairs and a single), 1 Greenshank south west, 2 Common Tern fishing river Roach at east end, 150+ Stock Dove, 2 Cuckoo feeding on hawthorn bushes in south west corner, 1 Barn Owl hunting wild bird cover, 2 Short-eared Owl (one on sea wall north east corner, one hunting water vole area), 10+ Skylark (singing birds), 4 Swallow, 10+ Yellow Wagtail, 20+ Linnet (small group in wild bird cover plus at least 4 pairs elsewhere), 3 Reed Bunting singing in rape, 90+ Corn Bunting (flock of 75 over wild bird cover and singing birds around island. flock includes leucistic bird). Jeff Delve (SOG).
EWT Hanningfield Reservoir 18:00 to 18:30
3 Magpie, 2 Common Pheasant, 20 Common Crow, 15 Mallard, 4 Pochard, 22 Tufted Duck, 12 Coot, 30+ Black-Headed Gull, 3 Common Tern, 2 Swallow, 2 Great-Crested Grebe, 6 Blackbird, 1 Black Swan, 14 Greylag Geese, 15 Cormorant, 1 Pied Wagtail. Rob Harris.
Gunners Park, 18:30 to 19:30
3 Swift, 3 Wheatear on reserve, 1 Fieldfare on reserve, 4 Whitethroat. Lee Ebbs (SOG).
Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 19:00
2 Swift buzzing around for a while. Paul Baker (SOG).
Southend Pier
Turnstone, 30+ Common Tern, Great Crested Grebe. Emily Broad.