South East Essex RSPB Wildlife Reports for May 2014

Saturday 31st May 2014northerly, partly cloudy, max18°c

Foulness Island 10:45
1 or 2 Turtle Dove heard daily. Hummingbird Hawk-moth. Steve & Fran Giles.

Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 13:15 to 16:40
1 drake Pochard over Manorway Fleet, pair of Gadwall, c.6 Little Egret, 1 juvenile Stock Dove, 2 Lesser Whitethroat heard. Richard Fahey.

Friday 30th May 2014east north east, rain, max16°c

Leigh Marshes 11:00 to 15:00
Starling, Woodpigeon, Magpie, Blackbird, lot's of Swift, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, lots of Whitethroat, Collared Dove, Black-headed Gull, Robin, Greenfinch, few Lesser Whitethroat, Great Tit, Dunnock, Chiffchaff, Moorhen, Greylag Geese, Wren, Blackcap, Little Egret, Mallard, Swallow, Coot, Oystercatcher, Herring Gull, 3+ Cuckoo, Common Gull, Ringed Plover, Feral Pigeon, Jay, 1 Brent Goose, Common Tern, Shelduck, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Redshank, Lapwing, Dunlin, Avocet, Goldfinch. S. Jackson & M. Hill.

Lower Road, Hullbridge 15:00
1 Red Kite flying low from trees on Lower Road heading north towards River Crouch. David Z.

Thursday 29th May 2014easterly, partly cloudy, max18°c

Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 13:10 to 16:25
1 Marsh Harrier, 20+ Curlew on Holehaven Creek, pair of Gadwall, Lesser Whitethroat heard, 1 Cuckoo chased by 1 Meadow Pipit, c.9 Little Egret, a few House Martin over seawall were maybe migrants, 3 Oystercatcher on Holehaven Creek, 4 Redshank in territory chase over saltmarsh behind seawall. Richard Fahey.

Heybridge Basin Near Maldon 16:45
1 female Cuckoo flying low over reed beds and calling - flew into trees. Gill West.

Wednesday 28th May 2014variable, mostly cloudy, max15°c

Abberton Reservoir 13:00 to 13:45
50+ Tufted, 100+ Mallard, 30+ Pochard, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 30+ Mute Swan, 50+ Cormorant, 1 Robin, 15+ Grey Heron, 30+ Coot, 60+ Common Crow, 2 Jay, 10 Jackdaw, 5 Magpie, 5 Goldfinch, 2 Greenfinch, 5 Chaffinch, 7 Pied Wagtail, 3 Skylark, 2 Meadow Pipit, 7 House Sparrow, 100+ Starling, 2 Oystercatcher, 7 Hybrid Geese, 50+ Greylag Geese, 50+ Canada Geese, 2 Egyptian Geese, 60+ Wood Pigeon. Rob Harris.

Tuesday 27th May 2014north westerly, rain, max14°c

Wat Tyler Country Park 11:45 to 12:15
1 pair of Cuckoo, 4 Bearded Tit. David & Brenda Hale.

Monday 26th May 2014northerly, partly cloudy, max18°c

Wakering Stairs 11:30 to 12:15
6 Oystercatcher (3 pairs), 1 Hobby, 11 Common Tern, 1 Cuckoo (apparent female disturbed from low vegetation on the sea-side of the seawall - looked an odd place but possibly prospecting Meadow Pipit nest), 2 Swallow, 1 Nightingale singing near "OPQ" Battery sign, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Whitethroat, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 5 Skylark, 5 Linnet. David Selley.

Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 13:50 to 16:50
2 Avocet, a few Swift, 1 Swallow, 1 Cuckoo, a few Little Egret, drake Pochard, 1 Lapwing. Richard Fahey.

Sunday 25th May 2014southerly, partly cloudy, max18°c

Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 08:15 to 11:55
1 Hobby over west border Coryton, 1 Marsh Harrier, Bearded Tit heard manorway reed bed, c.3 Swallow passed through, a few-dozen House Martin, a few Swift passed through, a few Cuckoo, a few Little Egret, 1 Green Woodpecker. Richard Fahey.

RSPB Wallasea Island 20:00 to 20:30
3 Little Egret, 2 Skylark, 5 Yellow Wagtail, 12 Corn Bunting, 2 Reed Bunting, 2 Blackbird, 9 Linnet, 50+ Woodpigeon, 12 Herring Gull, 30+ Black-headed Gull, 5 Pheasant, 6 Mallard, 5 Shelduck, 7 Magpie, 20+ Carrion Crow. 5 Brown Hare. Rob Harris.

Paglesham 20:40 to 21:00
1 Little Egret, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Corn Bunting, 1 Blackbird, 3 Linnet, 30+ Woodpigeon, 3 Magpie, 11 Carrion Crow, 2 Pheasant, 3 Little Owl (one on East Hall Road, One on Paglesham Road and one on the corner of Paglesham Churchend Road). Rob Harris.

Battlesbridge, Beeches Road 21:30 to 21:32
1 Little Owl. Rob Harris.

Saturday 24th May 2014southerly, rain, max17°c

Wakering Stairs and Great Wakering 09:45 to 11:50
2 singing Corn Bunting, 1 singing Nightingale, 4 Yellow Wagtail, 1 singing Turtle Dove, 1 Cuckoo, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Mediterranean Gull, 400+ Common Gull, 1 Kittiwake offshore, female Marsh Harrier, 1 Greenshank, 15 Curlew, 3 Grey Plover, 1 probable Short-tailed Bank Vole. Stuart Fisher.

RSPB Wat Tyler Country Park 10:15 to 18:30
Sightings from scrape hide: 1 pair Marsh Harrier, many Bearded Tit, (adults and juveniles showing in front of hide all day), 2 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Greenfinch, 2 Goldfinch, 3 Cuckoo, many Swift, few Swallow, few House Martin, 1 Turtle Dove, 1 Common Tern, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret, 2 Jay, 1 Oystercatcher, many Pochard, c.12 Tufted Duck, few Mallard with 9 ducklings, 4 Mute Swan, 2 pair Blackbird, 2 Blue Tit, 1 Great Crested Grebe, few Greylag Geese, 2 Little Grebe. 1 Black Mink with adult Moorhen prey. (Mink swam full length of pool, from the fleet, taking it's prey under the hide). David Hale.

Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 13:10 to 16:00
a few Swift and House Martin passed through, 1 Curlew on creek, a few Little Egret, 1 drake Pochard on manorway Fleet, 4 Oystercatcher on creek. Richard Fahey.

Friday 23rd May 2014southerly, partly cloudy, max18°c

RSPB Bowers Marsh 16:00 to 18:00
Avocet and young, 2 Lapwing, 5 Greylag Geese, 2 Canada Geese, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Common Tern, 11 Shelduck, 3 Pochard, 2 Grey Heron, 2 Tufted Duck, 4 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Little Egret, 2 Great Crested Grebe and 3 young, 1 Corn Bunting, 2 Reed Bunting, 1 Cuckoo, 2 Wood Pigeon, 3 Skylark, 1 Mute Swan, 1 Jay, Coot, Herring Gull, Black-headed Gull, Magpie. Chris Cole.

Hadleigh Castle Country Park 16:55 to 17:05
Pair of Cuckoo with the male pursuing the female from tree to tree, female very vocal. Ellen Hume.

Thursday 22nd May 2014southerly, partly cloudy, max19°c

Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 08:15 to 11:25
1 immature male Marsh Harrier, 4 Avocet on lagoon, strong passage of House Martin, a few Swallow, 2 Swift, 1 Cuckoo, c.7 Little Egret, pair of Meadow Pipit fence west border of Coryton. Richard Fahey.

Southchurch Park and Southchurch Park East 08:45 and 17:15
2 Little Egret fishing around east and west pond, Southchurch Park, 8.45am. 1 Little Egret fishing on low reed bed and next to main sluice gate. Southchurch Park East, 5.15pm, 1 Mallard duckling (chocolate hybrid), back with mum duck. Robert Dobinson.

EWT Fingringhoe Wick 09:45 to 16:15
2 Buzzard, 2 Kestrel, 1 male Marsh Harrier, 8 Grey Plover, few Curlew, 2 Avocet, 2 Redshank, 6 Common Tern, 1 pair Greylag Geese with 4 gosling, 3 Great Crested Grebe, few Oystercatcher, 1 Great Black-backed Gull, 1 pair Coot with 4 chicks, few, Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, 1 Turtle Dove, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 male Cuckoo heard, many Chiffchaff, 1 Wren, 1 male Bullfinch, few Whitethroat, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, c.6 calling Nightingale, c.20 Swift, 4 Swallow. Rabbits, many young one's. David & Brenda Hale.

Rayleigh, Near Grove Woods 11:30
Cuckoo heard calling in fields behind Grove Woods. Christine James.

Battlesbridge, Beeches Road 19:30 to 19:33
1 Barn Owl, 2 Swallow. Rob Harris.

RSPB Wallasea Island 20:00 to 20:30
1 Swallow, 1 Little Egret, 2 Skylark, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 4 Corn Bunting, 40+ Woodpigeon, 30+ Black Headed Gull, 7 Herring Gull, 2 Pheasant 5 Magpie, 20+ Carrion Crow, 4 Mallard. Rob Harris.

Wednesday 21st May 2014easterly, clear then rain, max17°c

Hanningfield Reservoir 10:30 to 11:30
1 Marsh Harrier, 9 Red Crested Pochard, 6 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Common Tern, 6 Blackcap singing, 2 Garden Warbler heard, 7 Gadwall, 2 Oystercatcher plus several young ones, 2 Shelduck. John Wilson.

Southchurch Park East and Southchurch Park 17:15 and 17:30
1 Swallow flying over water catching insects, 1 Mallard chocolate hybrid duckling missing, 1 Little Egret roosting on south of island. Robert Dobinson.

Tuesday 20th May 2014southerly, partly cloudy, max21°c

Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 08:10 to 11:15
2 Swift passed west, pair of Pochard on Manorway Fleet, a few Little Egret, 1 Green Woodpecker, a few pairs of Corn Bunting seen out on marshes among others heard. 1 Speckled Wood, 1 Fox Cub. Richard Fahey.

EWT Blue House Farm 09:45 to 17:15
18 Avocet (1 pair with 3 chicks), few Lapwing (1 pair with 4 chicks), few Mallard pairs with ducklings totalling 22, 8 Oystercatcher, Canada Geese (2 pair with 21 gosling between them), few Redshank, 3 Little Grebe, 22 Shelduck, 16 Mute Swan, 9 drake Pochard, 3 drake Shoveler, few Gadwall, few Tufted Duck, 3 pair Coot with 12 chicks between them, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Grey Heron, 3 Little Egret, 2 pair Linnet, many Reed Bunting, many Meadow Pipit, few Goldfinch, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 pair Marsh Harrier, 2 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 1 pair Barn Owl via webcam. 1 Cream Spotted Tiger Moth, 2 Common Lizard, 1 Slow Worm. David & Brenda Hale.

RSPB Wallasea Island 12:00 to 12:55
5 Magpie, 23 Carrion Crow, 60+ Woodpigeon, 12 Corn Bunting, 5 Mallard, 32 Herring Gull, 30+ Black-headed Gull, 2 Shelduck, 7 Starling, 2 Reed Bunting, 4 Skylark, 7 yellow Wagtail, 2 Whitethroat, 6 Linnet, 2 Little Egret. 5 Swallow, 1 Swift, 5 Starling, 2 Common Tern, 1 Pheasant. Rob Harris.

Monday 19th May 2014easterly, partly cloudy, max23°c

Hanningfield Reservoir 11:00 to 12:00
4 Swift, 40+ Mallard and ducklings, 30+ Tufted Duck, 20+ Pochard, 7 Red Crested Pochard, 9 Great Crested Grebe, 30+ Coot, 5 Cormorant, 12 Mute Swan, 14 Magpie, 20+ Carrion Crow, 20+ Canada Geese, 40+ Greylag Geese and goslings, 5 Blackbird, 3 Yellowhammer, 4 Domestic Geese and goslings, 1 Hobby, 1 Wren, 3 Chaffinch, 2 Robin. Rob Harris.

RSPB Wallasea Island 13:00 to 14:10
Kestrel, Quail flew north over road, Dotterel, Reed Bunting, Corn Bunting, 2 Little Egret. Terry Jeffreys.
(note, that we have had a report that 83 Quail were recently released in the local area - Ed.)

Ashingdon, Princess Gardens 15:00 to 15:30
2 Sparrowhawk circling together but appeared to both be females rather than a pair, 5 Swift at last, 5 Goldfinch. David Selley.

Southchurch Park East 17:00
1 female Pied Wagtail bathing in shallow water right-hand side of main sluice outlet, just 30ft away, 22 Mallard ducklings 1/2/5/6/8 broods, in different stages of feathering. Robert Dobinson.

RSPB Wallasea Island 17:50 to 18:10
1 Dotterel about a 1/3 of the way down ploughed brown field near white gate. Mostly in sitting position very difficult to see. Jeff Elliott.

Sunday 18th May 2014esterly, clear, max22°c

RSPB Bowers Marsh 06:00 to 07:30
Fields north and east of marsh: 1 Cuckoo calling continuously, 10+ Skylark (6 singing), 3 Yellow Wagtail (one carrying food), 3 Cetti's Warbler, 5+ Reed Warbler, 2 Blackcap, 2 Lesser Whitethroat (one singing whilst in flight similar to common), 14+ Common Whitethroat, 2 Linnet (pair), 1 Yellowhammer (male singing field opposite St Margaret's), 3 Reed Bunting, 4 Corn Bunting (singing). 1 Water Vole in ditch by car park. Richard Gray.

Stambridge 07:30 to 08:00
30+ House Martin around care home and The Rectory with much nesting activity, 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Song Thrush. David Selley.

Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 08:15 to 11:10
1 Whimbrel on creek, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Common Tern south pass opposite side of barrier, 1 Swallow, 2 pairs of Cuckoo Manorway Fleet, Cetti's Warbler heard over area, drake Pochard on Manorway Fleet, c.6 Little Egret. Richard Fahey.

Southchurch Park and Southchurch Park East 08:45 to 09:00
1 Little Egret fishing around perimeter of east pond, roosting on island and then flying off to estuary. S. Park 8.45am. 2 Reed Warbler seen scouting high reed bed area, at last. S. East Pk 9.00am. Robert Dobinson.

Shoebury, Gunners Park 09:30
1 Cuckoo calling then flying north from trees near lagoon, 1 Blackcap. John Pitts.

RSPB Wallasea Island 19:30 to 20:00
5 Magpie, 16 Carrion Crow, 60+ Woodpigeon, 5 Corn Bunting, 5 Pheasant, 7 Mallard, 12 Herring Gull, 30+ Black-headed Gull, 3 Shelduck, 7 Starling, 2 Reed Bunting, 2 Redshank, 1 Oystercatcher. 2 Linnet. Rob Harris.

Saturday 17th May 2014variable, partly cloudy, max23°c

Stambridge 07:40 to 07:50
12 House Martin around Stambridge Meadows care home. David Selley.

EWT Hanningfield Reservoir 11:30 to 15:45
2 adult Black Tern, 4 Common Tern, Red Crested Pochard, (19 drake, 5 female, 5 duckling), 1 pair Marsh Harrier, 1 pair Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, c.8 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Little Egret, 3 Little Grebe, many Great Crested Grebe, 18 Mute Swan and 7 cygnets, 1 Oystercatcher with 3 young on island, many Tufted Duck, few Mallard, few Gadwall. David & Brenda Hale.

Two Tree Island 11:45
Probable male Montagu's Harrier heading north towards Hadleigh. Mark Bridges.

Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 12:40 to 16:00
2 Avocet and 1 Black-tailed Godwit on lagoon, 1 Great Crested Grebe distant on Holehaven Creek, 14 Oystercatcher south over seawall, c.8 Little Egret, Cetti's warbler heard over area, Cuckoo calling on seawall, Lesser Whitethroat heard below Holehaven Creek seawall, a few House Martin at Coryton, 1 Green Woodpecker. Richard Fahey.

Leigh on Sea, Park View Drive 18:00 to 18:25
2 adult Magpie feeding 5 tailless young in garden. Kris Mee, Web Author.

RSPB Wallasea Island 19:00 to 19:30
3 Magpie, 12 Carrion Crow, 40+ Woodpigeon, 6 Corn Bunting, 4 Linnet, 5 Pheasant, 20 Herring Gull, 30+ Black-headed Gull, 1 Shelduck, 1 Oystercatcher, 3 Mallard. 3 Brown Hare, 1 Red Fox on right-hand pea field on road in opposite Grapnells Farm. Rob Harris.

Southchurch Park East
1 Pied Wagtail feeding 4 juveniles on low reed bed. First Yellow Flag Iris open, east of footbridge. Robert Dobinson.

Friday 16th May 2014easterly, clear, max19°c

Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 07:20 to 10:25
Probable Richard's Pipit (large, Corn Bunting size that I first took it to be. On bush at end of lagoon seen from hide. Dark chestnut-brown, thin but stouter bill than smaller pipits, very upright stance. After awhile dropped to ground by edge of water but couldn't see it. I feel virtually certain of this), 1 Marsh Harrier, c.4 Swallow passed through, Reed Warbler seen well at ditch, pair of Pochard on "shrub pond", c.9 Little Egret, Cetti's Warbler heard at shrub area, 1 Oystercatcher on creek, 3 male and 2 female Pheasant along fence west of track. Richard Fahey.

Tilbury Fort 09:30
1 Whitethroat, 2 Cuckoo flying together and later calling in the scrub, 1 Stonechat, 3 Meadow Pipit, 5 Linnet, 1 Blue Tit, 2 Mute Swan, 2 Egyptian Geese, 2 Shelduck, 2 Tufted Duck, 1 Mallard, 1 Little Grebe, 2 Moorhen nests (with eggs). 1 Wall Brown Butterfly, 12 Lackey Moth Caterpillars, 7 Brown-tail Moth Caterpillars. Jay.

RSPB Bowers Marsh 15:30 to 17:30
Avocet and young, Lapwing and young, Greylag Geese and young, Canada Geese and young, 2 Oystercatcher and young, 2 Common Tern, Shelduck, 2 Pochard, 1 Redshank, 3 Grey Heron, 2 Tufted Duck, 3 Black-tailed Godwit, Little Egret, Great Crested Grebe, Corn Bunting, Reed Bunting, Herring Gull, Black-headed Gull, Cuckoo heard. Chris Cole.

Southchurch Park East 17:15
1 male Little Egret (summer plumage) roosting on right side of low reed bed and watching the 4 Pied Wagtails juveniles being fed by 1 adult Pied Wagtail, dozens of Starling roosting/feeding in large Willow tree right of low reed bed/bench, Wren family can be heard nesting in large Ivy in same vicinity. 1 Bank Rat dragging a 2ft Silver Eel across bank near the two Kingfisher sticks. Robert Dobinson.

Leigh on Sea, Park View Drive 18:45 to 18:55
Sparrowhawk and Hobby in a spectacular aerial battle over garden. Kris Mee, Web Author.

Wakering Stairs 19:00 to 19:30
1 Turtle Dove, 2 Cuckoo. Peter and Margaret Norgate.

Great Wakering High Street 21:45
Hedgehog on the grass side of the car park of Bell House. John Carson.

Thursday 15th May 2014easterly, partly cloudy, max18°c

Ashingdon, Princess Gardens 16:15 and 16:20
1 Hobby circling over then flew off east. David Selley.

Southchurch Park East and Southchurch Park 17:15 to 20:15
1 Pied Wagtail feeding 1 juvenile Pied Wagtail along short grass border and flying across pond catching insects then returning to feed chick on grass, watched both for some time at only 15-20ft away Southchurch Park East. 1 Little Egret flew east over Sothchurch Park. Robert Dobinson.

Wednesday 14th May 2014westerly to easterly, scattered clouds, max18°c

Southchurch Park East 08:45 to 09:30
6 Ducklings, 1 day old, rescued from estuary sluice outlet, 2 very weak but recovered after a quick warm up. All 6 swimming around pond with Mum at 10.15am. Robert Dobinson.

EWT Two Tree Island 11:00 to 16:15
Sightings from east end of island: 2 Cuckoo, many Whitethroat, 2 male Blackcap, few Chaffinch, 2 Dunnock, 4 pair Wren, few Greenfinch, 2 Song Thrush, few Blackbird, 6 Swallow, 6 Swift, 1 Jay, Coot with 2 chicks, 2 Moorhen, 2 pair Mallard, 198 Brent Geese, 4 Oystercatcher, 3 Little Grebe, Cetti's Warbler, Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler heard, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Little Egret, 1 Curlew, 3 Redshank. Many Peacock Butterfly, many Small White, 1 Brimstone Butterfly. David & Brenda Hale.

Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 12:30 to 15:30
4 Wheatear by track, 2 Avocet on lagoon, a few Swallow passed through, 1 Cuckoo, pair of Pochard on Manorway Fleet, c.8 Little Egret, Cetti's Warbler heard at Coryton. Another birdwatcher told me he had seen a Red Kite, Hobby and a Marsh Harrier. Richard Fahey.

Tuesday 13th May 2014variable, partly cloudy, max14°c

Foulness Island 11:30
Turtle Dove seen in garden after hearing 1 or 2 for last couple of weeks. Steve Giles.

Canvey Point 11:30 to 13:10
6 Ringed Plover, 8 Dunlin, Wheatear, 7 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Common Tern, 20+ House Sparrow (in Beveland Road). Terry Jeffreys.

RSPB West Canvey Marsh 13:45 to 16:10
2 Goldfinch, 2 Chaffinch, 15 Whitethroat, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Little Egret, Avocet (from Pantiles hide), 3 Greylag Goose, Cuckoo (heard and seen in flight), 3 Reed Warbler, 4 Reed Bunting, 7 Swift, Swallow, 5 House Sparrow, Shelduck, male Whinchat. Terry Jeffreys.

Monday 12th May 2014westerly, partly cloudy, max17°c

Southchurch Park East 08:45
1 Duckling (full brown hybrid) 10 days old, rescued from estuary sluice gate and reunited with mum and dad. Robert Dobinson.

Hamstel Road Allotments, 09:09
2 Slow Worm seen in our compost heap. Mick Holland.

Ashingdon, Princess Gardens 09:30
5 Robin - our garden pair's second brood of 3 fledged last week and are still being fed by one bird, while the other, (presumably the female), has started gathering nest material for brood No.3. David Selley.

Southchurch Park 10:25
Pair Mute Swan with 8 cygnets on lake. The Mallard brood appears reduced to 6. John Vanderloo.

RSPB Wat Tyler Country Park 11:15 to 16:00
All sightings from scrape hide: 1 pair Cuckoo, (perched female attacked by pair of Reed Bunting, causing it to flee), 2 Goldfinch, 1 Greenfinch, c.10 Bearded Tit showing well in front of hide, 4 Shoveler, many Pochard, few Mallard, few Tufted Duck, 1 pair Shelduck, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Little Grebe, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Jay, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 5 Common Tern, few Swallow, few Swift, 1 female Marsh Harrier, pair Canada Geese with 4 gosling, Coot with chicks, Moorhen with chicks. Few Small White Butterflies. David & Brenda Hale.

Billericay 15:00
1 Red Kite and 1 Buzzard drifting over garden at the same time. The Kite looked fantastic with the sun on it's plumage. Marion Burch.

Sunday 11th May 2014westerly, mostly cloudy, max15°c

Abberton Reservoir 08:00 to 08:30
Little Egret, Cormorant, c.5000 Swift, House Martin. Willow Warbler and Cuckoo heard. Web Author et al.

Corringham Manorway c.08:30
1 Common Tern low north west. Richard Fahey.

Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 08:35 to 12:00
3 Wheatear west of track, 2 Swift and 10+ Swallow passed through, 5 House Martin, 1 Black-tailed Godwit and c.10 Curlew on Holehaven Creek, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Cuckoo seen and 1 Lesser Whitethroat heard below Holehaven Creek seawall, 2 drake and 1 female Pochard on Manorway Fleet, a few Little Egret, Cetti's Warbler heard over area. Richard Fahey.

EWT Fingringhoe Wick Nature Reserve 09:00 14:30
Greylag Goose, Shelduck, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Shoveler, Gadwall, Mallard and Chicks, Pheasant, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Stock Dove, Wood Pigeon, Turtle Dove, Collared Dove, Swift, Cuckoo (brown phase), Moorhen, Coot, Grey Heron, Little Egret, Cormorant, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Grey Plover, Lapwing, Whimbrel, Curlew, Turnstone, Redshank, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Little Tern, Common Tern, Marsh Harrier, Sparrowhawk, Little Owl by entrance, Green Woodpecker, pair Kestrel (male observed bringing a sizeable Grass Snake in for the female on the nest), Jay, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Swallow, House Martin, Long-tailed Tit, Skylark, Cetti's Warbler heard, Reed Warbler, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Garden Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Common Whitethroat, Wren, Starling, Blackbird, Robin, c.5 Nightingale, Spotted Flycatcher, House Sparrow, Dunnock, Pied Wagtail, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Bullfinch, Reed Bunting. South East Essex RSPB Guided Walk.

Hullbridge, Ambleside Gardens 11:30
1 Red Kite floating on the breeze over gardens being mobbed by crows and Gulls, then landed in a tree in someone's garden until the bird got fed up with the constant dive bombing by the locals! Awesome sight, hope they are here to stay! Gary & Cheryl Beacon.

Saturday 10th May 2014south westerly, mostly cloudy, max18°c

EWT Hanningfield Reservoir 10:30 to 16:45
All sightings from Rawl hide: 1 Osprey (bird showing well over over west bank, several attempts to catch a meal from reed beds resulting in a fish caught), 1 juvenile Little Gull, c.8 Common Tern, 2 Buzzard, 1 Peregrine Falcon, 1 Hobby, 1 male Marsh Harrier, many Swift, c.20 House Martin, 1 pair Gadwall, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Little Egret, Mallard with 7 ducklings, many Great Crested Grebe, 19 Red Crested Pochard (15 of them drakes), Canada Geese, Greylag Geese, 2 Egyptian Geese, 1 Lapwing, 1 Oystercatcher, few Tufted Duck, 2 Wren. David & Brenda Hale.

Jones Memorial Park 11:00
Pair of Turtle Dove flying over the park at speed towards Fossetts Farm, 2 Swallow hawking over playing fields, pair of Stock Dove in an old tree. Phil Lusher.

Cold Norton 14:00
Young Grass Snakes in our compost heap. Steve Lambeth.

RSPB Wallasea Island 17:15 to 17:50
4 Swift, 3 Magpie, 20 Carrion Crow, 60+ Woodpigeon, 5 Corn Bunting, 5 Pheasant, 2 Mallard, 12 Herring Gull, 30+ Black-headed Gull, 1 Little Egret, 3 Shelduck, 40+ Starling, 1 Marsh Harrier. 1 Brown Hare. Rob Harris.

Friday 09th May 2014westerly, partly cloudy, max18°c

Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 08:00 to 10:30
male and female Wheatear near pill box, pair of Common Tern south pass barrier on other side of creek, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Swift, c.4 House Martin and a few Swallow passed through, 1 Marsh Harrier, 11 Curlew, 1 Pochard on Manorway Fleet, pair of Lapwing near refinery, a few Little Egret, Cetti's Warbler heard over area, 1 Sparrowhawk. Richard Fahey.

Ashingdon 09:15
8 Swift going towards blue sky at the edge of a squally shower. Swifts with the wind and rain must mean summer! David Selley.

RSPB Wallasea Island 11:30 to 12:00
2 Swift, 3 Magpie, 15 Carrion Crow, 60+ Woodpigeon, 4 Linnet, 5 Corn Bunting, 1 Meadow Pipit, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 12 Herring Gull, 30+ Black Headed Gull, 1 Little Egret. Rob Harris.

Hanningfield Reservoir 12:20 to 12:55
50+ Swift, 34 House Martin, 9 Magpie, 20+ Carrion Crow, 20+ Woodpigeon, 2 Chaffinch, 1 Robin, 2 Blackbird, 30+ Herring Gull, 50+ Black-headed Gull, 20+ Tufted Duck, 40+ Mallard, 30+ Coot, 40+ Greylag Geese + Goslings, 20+ Canada Geese, 4 Domestic Geese. (2 with Goslings). Rob Harris.

Wakering Stairs 16:20 to 18:50
2 Canada Goose, 6 Mallard, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Kestrel, 4 Pheasant, 2 Oystercatcher, 4 Redshank, 4 Stock Dove, 2 Turtle Dove (one calling from behind X1 and one at south end by footpath railway crossing), 3 Cuckoo (including a female with a distinct brownish tinge to the grey upper plumage constantly quartering the hawthorns at the south end), 6 Swallow, 4 Meadow Pipit, 2 Wren, 4 Nightingale (all singing at south end, one seen), 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 10 Whitethroat. David Selley.

Thursday 08th May 2014south westerly, mostly cloudy, max19° c

RSPB Rainham Marshes 10:45 to 16:00
Many Swift, many Swallow, few House Martin, few Sand Martin, 1 male Kingfisher, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Oystercatcher, 4 Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler heard, 1 male Marsh Harrier, 2 Snipe, 1 Song Thrush, few Skylark, few Lapwing and 1 chick, 1 pair Canada Geese with 6 Gosling, 1 pair Little Grebe with 2 young, Coots with 1 chick, 3 Grey Heron, 4 Little Egret, few Redshank, 1 Reed Bunting, 5 Shelduck, 3 pair Tufted Duck, few Mallard, Shoveler. 2 Goldfinch, few House Sparrow. David & Brenda Hale.

Wednesday 07th May 2014westerly, scattered clouds, max17°c

Rayleigh, Wellington Road 12:30
Red kite flew over garden at tree height, floating on the breeze. Russ Payne.

Hanningfield Reservoir Causeway 12:40 to 13:00
1 Great Crested Grebe, 5 Cormorant, 1 Mute Swan, 20+ Tufted, 5 Pochard, 30+ Mallard and ducklings, 20+ Coot, 30 Herring Gull, 50+ Black-headed Gull, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 5 Magpie, 10 Greylag Geese, 6 Canada Geese, 1 Robin, 12 Carrion Crow, 2 Collared Dove, 30+ Woodpigeon. Rob Harris.

Tuesday 06th May 2014south westerly, partly cloudy, max19°c

Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 12:30 to 15:45
1 female Wheatear seen close on post by track, 20+ House Martin and a few Swift passed over Manorway Fleet, 2 Swallow, 1 Whimbrel, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Curlew, 2 drake and 1 female Pochard on Manorway Fleet, c.4 Little Egret, 1 Lapwing displaying near refinery, 1 Green Woodpecker. Richard Fahey.

Leigh on Sea 16:45
7 Swift over garden. Kris Mee, Web Author.

Leigh on Sea 19:45
5 Little Egret flew high over garden heading east. Kris Mee, Web Author.

Daws Heath 19:45
Male and female Tawny Owl making contact calls at the bottom of my garden. Mike Sagrott.

Monday 05th May 2014southerly, clear, max18°c

Chelmsford: Baddow Meads to Great Graces (Little Baddow) 04:30 to 09:00
1 Nightingale singing in trees at edge of Sandford Mill Road, near junction with Chelmer Village Way - first I've heard here!, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Common Tern, 1 Kestrel, 20+ Linnet, 50+ Starling, 5 Swallow, 3 Reed Bunting, 10+ Skylark, 2 Pheasant, 10+ Red-legged Partridge, 1 Yellowhammer, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Garden Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 2 Reed Bunting. Also seen, but uncounted: Blue tit, Great Tit, Robin, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Whitethroat, Chiffchaff, Mallard, Coot, Moorhen, Mute Swan, Canada Goose, Carrion Crow, Magpie, Jackdaw, Black-headed gull, Goldfinch, Wren. 1 Brown Hare, 6 Rabbit, 2 Muntjac Deer. Paul Forsdick.

Basildon 07:00
10 Swift over house. Jim Bailey.

Southchurch Park East 07:40
Cat from 3.5.14 sighting seen in north east corner. Nearby Mallards making a lot of noise and both Mute Swans were in close attendance until the cat left. Alec Beanse.

Two Tree Island East 08:30 to 10:00
2 Cuckoo (purring and calling), Whitethroat (too many to count), 4 Blackcap (singing males), 1 Cetti's Warbler (showing well on path near pond), 2 Lesser Whitethroat. Andy Wilson.

Hadleigh Downs 10:00 to 13:30
2 Hobby, 3 Cuckoo. 3 Common Blue, 6 Orange Tip, 4 Peacock, 1 Speckled Wood, 3 Green Veined, 9 Large White, numerous Large Red Damselfly, 4 Common Blue Damselfly, 6 Blue Tailed Damselfly, 1 Four Spotted Chaser, 2 Hairy Dragonfly. 1 Grass Snake. Pete Jackson.

Thorpe Bay, Parkanaur Avenue 11:00
1 Jackdaw in garden chased off by a Magpie. Ian Smith.

Tattersall Gardens, Leigh-on-Sea 13:02 to 13:21
2 Swift hawking high overhead. Martin Johnson.

Wat Tyler Country Park 15:00 to 16:30
From scrape hide: 2 Common Tern, 5+ Bearded Tit, 1 Greenshank on creek by screens. 8 Carp swimming in front of hide. B. Goss.

Foulness Island 15:30 to 18:30
24 Little Egret, 1 male Marsh Harrier, 5 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Avocet. Grey Plover, Dunlin, Sanderling and Knot in full summer plumage, linnet, Corn Bunting. 4 Brown Hare. Steve Giles, Web Author.

Southchurch Park East 17:30
1 Pied Wagtail feeding across shallow water left hand side of low reed bed. Watched it for 10 minutes. Robert Dobinson.

RSPB Wallasea Island 18:00 to 19:20
3 Whimbrel, 2 Curlew, 6 Oystercatcher, 6 Shelduck, 5 Pheasant, 3 Little Egret, 4 Yellow Wagtail, 9 Corn Bunting, 2 Skylark, 7 Redshank, 4 Linnet, 6 Magpie, 19 Mallard, 20+ Carrion Crow, 1 Kestrel, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 70+ Starling, 150+ Black-headed Gull, 40+ Herring Gull, 2 Oystercatcher, 100+ Woodpigeon. 4 Brown Hare. Rob Harris.

Sunday 04th May 2014southerly, clear, max15°c

RSPB Vange Marsh 07:00 to 08:35
3 Whitethroat, 5 Reed Warbler, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 5 Swift, 6 Bearded Tit (1 male, 1 female and 4 juvenile), 2 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 6 Gadwall, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Mute Swan, 1 Lapwing, 1 male Reed Bunting, 1 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Pied Wagtail, 5 Blackbird, Coot, Moorhen, Starling, Collared Dove, Woodpigeon, Canada Geese, Mallard, Cetti's Warbler heard only. B. Goss.

Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 08:35 to 11:50
3 Wheatear west side of track, c.7 Whimbrel over most of area, 1 Swallow, 2 Marsh Harrier, 1 Cuckoo on bushes behind seawall, 1 Lesser Whitethroat briefly seen in song-flight, pair each of Tufted Duck and Pochard circled together near coffer dam, pair of Stonechat on fence far west of track, 1 Spotted Woodpecker flew over creek, 2 Little Egret, Cetti's Warbler heard over area, 1 Gadwall, 1 Lapwing. Also a Hobby was seen by Peter Worland on fence west of track but had gone before I caught up with him. Richard Fahey.

Ashingdon, Princess Gardens 08:40
1 Cuckoo over going east. David Selley.

Wat Tyler Country Park 08:45 to 09:50
6+ Bearded Tit, 1 Cuckoo, 2 Common Tern, 1 Whimbrel on creek by marina. B. Goss.

Hadleigh Castle Country Park 09:05 to 09:15
Male and female cuckoo heard then 4 cuckoo seen flying from tree to tree. Looked like 3 males pursuing the female. Ellen Hume.

Paglesham Eastend 10:15 to 12:00
1 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret, 2 Common Tern over Roach, 2 Stock Dove, 3 Cuckoo, c.50 Swallow ("local" birds feeding and around nest sites but also an obvious northward trickle of new arrivals), 3 Skylark, 3 Whitethroat, 10+ Reed Warbler - constant song from reed beds inside seawall, 1 Greenfinch, 2 Yellowhammer singing along East Hall Road, 2 Reed Bunting (pair). David Selley.

Billericay 12:00
Pair of Buzzard over garden mobbed by Gulls and Crows. Marion Burch.

Benfleet 13:10
Common Buzzard soaring. Keith Bartels.

Saturday 03rd May 2014northerly to easterly, scattered clouds, max23°c

First Local Summer Migrant Report - Sandwich Tern
First Local Summer Migrant Report - Garden Warbler

Leigh Sea Wall (West) 06:30 to 08:00
3 Whimbrel (in creek), 12+ Skylark (8+ singing), 1 Meadow Pipit (singing over saltings), 2 Yellow Wagtail (pair), 1 Stonechat (splendid male), 6+ Reed Warbler (singing), 4 Linnet (2 pairs), 7+ Reed Bunting (all singing males). Richard Gray.

Wakering Stairs 15:25 to 17:10
2 Little Egret, 1 Shelduck, 8 Mallard, 10 Oystercatcher (5 pairs), 1 Sandwich Tern, 12 Swallow, 1 Green Woodpecker, 3 or 4 Cuckoo (3 calling and one probable pair flying together), 4 Skylark, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap, 9 Whitethroat, Garden Warbler (all warblers singing), 2 Blackbird, 1 Greenfinch, many Chaffinch. Several Orange Tip butterflies. Name: David Selley.

RSPB Wallasea Island 16:30 to 16:55
2 Pheasant, 4 Corn Bunting, 1 Skylark, 1 Chaffinch, 3 Magpie, 2 Mallard, 13 Carrion Crow, 20+ Starling, 1 Grey Heron, 20+ Black-headed Gull, 40+ Herring Gull, 3 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 100+ Woodpigeon 30+ Stock Dove. Rob Harris.

Southchurch Park East
A cat attacked a group of Mallard and ducklings who made a lot of noise. The newbie male Mute Swan literally flew across the pond, apparently to their rescue and saw the cat off!! Dianne Hyem.

Friday 02nd May 2014northerly, mostly cloudy, max11°c

Great Wakering, Mill Barn Fishery 08:00 to 12:00
Sparrowhawk, pair of Pochard, pair of Long-tailed Tit, Green Woodpecker, very noisy Wren singing in a bush behind me, a pair of Red-legged Partridge, 3 Common Pheasant on fields either side of access road to reservoir. 1 Brown Hare. Phil Lusher.

Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 09:10 to 11:45
1 Greenshank briefly on lagoon, c.7 Whimbrel, 1 female Marsh Harrier, 1 Swallow, 1 Turtle Dove by Manorway Fleet, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Reed Warbler heard in ditch, a few Little Egret, 3 Lapwing 1 of which was later displaying, pair of Oystercatcher flying along creek. Richard Fahey.

RSPB Wallasea Island 13:00 to 13:45
3 Whimbrel, 2 Pheasant, 4 Little Egret, 1 Reed Bunting, 5 Corn Bunting, 2 Skylark, 6 Linnet, 4 Whitethroat, 5 Magpie, 1 Blackbird, 9 Mallard, 12 Carrion Crow, 50+ Starling, 2 Swallow, 40+ Black-headed Gull, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 40+ Herring Gull, 1 Mute Swan, 2 Oystercatcher, 2 Moorhen, 1 Pied Wagtail, 100+ Woodpigeon. 4 Brown Hare. Rob Harris.

Southchurch Park East and Southchurch Park
1 Swallow feeding over pond & seen switching across both parks. 3 more ducklings (now 27) inc one chocolate hybrid in S. East Pk. 4 ducklings rescued from S. East Pk estuary sluice in last two days. Robert Dobinson.

Thursday 01st May 2014southerly to easterly, mostly cloudy, max19°c

Hockley 07:00
2 Pintail Duck heading east over Bull Wood Hockley. Ronald Goddard.

Witham, Silver End Village 07:30
Swift. S. Cook.

Wat Tyler Country Park 12:00 to 17:00
3 Common Tern chasing each other round, 1 Green Woodpecker, Cuckoo calling all day. 1 Azure Damselfly. Neil Phillips.

Foulness Island 12:40
1 Common Buzzard, 1 Lapwing. Steve Giles.

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