South East Essex RSPB Wildlife Reports for May 2015
Sunday 31st May 2015south south westerly, rain, max16°c
RSPB West Canvey Marsh 10:30
4 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Mute Swan, 12 Greylag Geese, 6 Swift. Norman Jones.
Saturday 30th May 2015westerly, scattered clouds, ma17°c
RSPB Bowers Marsh 07:30 to 12:30
50+ Swift, 1 Yellow Wagtail, Corn Bunting (singles and a pair viewed throughout reserve), Reed Warbler, c.50 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Ringed Plover, 11 Avocet, 2 Mediterranean Gull, 1 drake Garganey, 1 Black Swan, 1 Peregrine Falcon, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Cetti's Warbler (viewed), 1 Buzzard mobbed by 5 Carrion Crow. Jeff Kinnerman.
Rochford 07:40 to 08:00
9 Swift around usual nesting sites, 5 House Martin. David Selley.
Stambridge 08:10 to 08:25
30 House Martin very active around last year's care home nest sites, 1 Chiffchaff singing, 2 Long-tailed Tit gathering nest material around allotments. David Selley.
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 12:30 to 15:03
13 Avocet on lagoon, pair on Tufted Duck on east end of Manorway Fleet (first on here, but have seen them twice before in the same area), c.9 House Martin passed through Coryton, 1 Swallow, pair of Cuckoo, 1 Lesser Whitethroat heard, a few Cetti's Warbler heard, 1 Pochard flew over Manorway Fleet, 1 Corn Bunting seen singing near ditch and others heard, 1 Little Egret, 1 Green Woodpecker at Manorway Fleet. Richard Fahey.
Rayleigh, Ferndale Road 15:00 to 17:00
1 Hobby, 2 Bullfinch, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Common Whitethroat, 1 Blackcap, 1 Song Thrush, 2-3 Swift. Robin Peppiatt.
RSPB Wallasea Island 17:30 to 18:30
2 Little Egret, 40+ Carrion Crow, 2 Swallow, 60+ Woodpigeon, 3 Common Pheasant, 70+ Starling, 5 Corn Bunting, 7 Mallard, 1 Oystercatcher, 30+ Black-headed Gull, 1 Avocet, 5 Linnet, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Swift, 4 Reed Bunting, 3 Magpie, 1 Kestrel 2 House Sparrow. Rob Harris.
Paglesham 18:40 to 19:00
20+ Carrion Crow, 4 Swallow, 5 House Martin, 80+ Woodpigeon, 4 Common Pheasant, 40+ Starling, 4 Corn Bunting, 2 Mallard, 12 Black-headed Gull, 7 Linnet, 5 Chaffinch, 6 Blackbird, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Swift, 7 House Sparrow, 5 Magpie, 1 Kestrel, 1 Jay, 2 Blue Tit, 3 Rabbit. Rob Harris.
Friday 29th May 2015south westerly, mostly cloudy, max14°c
Markhams, Stanford/Corringham Area 14:05
1 Hobby flew northeast at a low height. Richard Fahey.
RSPB Wallasea Island 17:00 to 17:30
2 Reed Bunting, 6 Corn Bunting, 7 Linnet, 2 Meadow Pipit, 1 Blackbird, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Common Pheasant, 2 Magpie, 23 Carrion Crow, 60+ Starling, 3 Little Egret, 1 Mute Swan, 12 Mallard, 60+ Woodpigeon, 14 Herring Gull, 1 Common Gull, 30+ Black-headed Gull. Rob Harris.
EWT Hanningfield Reservoir 18:30 to 19:00
Blackbird, Woodpigeon, Starling, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Mallard, Greylag Geese, Black-headed Gull, Tufted Duck, Pochard, Cormorant, Herring Gull, Magpie, Stock Dove. S. Jackson & M. Hill.
Thursday 28th May 2015westerly, clear, max18°c
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 09:10 to 11:30
1 Common Buzzard flew off sluice by north bank, 2 sightings of single Bearded Tit along Manorway reed bed, 4 Avocet on lagoon, 15+ House Martin and 10+ Swift passed through Coryton, 1 Swallow, 1 pair and 2 single Cuckoo, a few Cetti's Warbler heard (Coryton), 2 Little Egret, 3 Oystercatcher included a pair on lagoon and 1 on creek, 3 Gadwall (1 up from dry patch by track and pair flying around further northwest), 1 Green Woodpecker. Richard Fahey.
Shoeburyness, Gunners Park 09:45
1 Great Crested Grebe swimming and fishing in the river off barge pier. John Pitts.
Billericay 13:50
Red Admiral feeding in my Billericay Garden today. Chris Henry.
RSPB Wallasea Island 17:00 to 17:30
4 Corn Bunting, 5 Linnet, 2 Blackbird, 60+ Starling, 3 Magpie, 3 Little Egret, 49+ Carrion Crow, 2 Mute Swan, 1 Moorhen, 5 Mallard, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 12 Herring Gull, 30+ Black-headed Gull, 70+ Woodpigeon, 1 Grey Heron. Rob Harris.
Foulness Island 19:45 to 20:15
Short-eared Owl, Cuckoo, 4 Kestrel, c15 House Martin. 7 Brown Hare. Steve Giles.
Southchurch Park East
1 Mute Swan Cygnet is Polish Genetic/pink legs/very white down. So the female Swan parent is 99% for sure the daughter of the original female pen Swan (also Polish) from Southchurch Park circa 2005 onwards. This is the bird that we had to move on February 2014 with her cob to N. Essex when her daughter above ousted them both. So the blood line continues and the her cygnets return as adults to breed. Robert Dobinson.
Wednesday 27th May 2015north west to south west, scattered clouds, max20°c
RSPB Bowers Marsh, 10:15 to 12:15
3 Little Egret, 4 Mute Swan, 1 Black Swan, 6 Shoveler, c.100 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Cuckoo (heard), 2 Cetti's Warbler (heard), 3 Whitethroat, 2 Reed Warbler, 4 Corn Bunting, 3 Reed Bunting. Web Author.
RSPB Wallasea Island 12:15 to 14:15
Woodpigeon, Black-headed Gull, Starling, House Sparrow, Carrion Crow, Meadow Pipit, Marsh Harrier, 6 Little Egret, Oystercatcher, Herring Gull, Yellow Wagtail, Reed Bunting, Yellowhammer, Mallard, Mute Swan, Shelduck, Pheasant, Avocet, Tufted Duck, Redshank, Skylark, Kestrel, Whitethroat. S. Jackson & M. Hill.
Stambridge, Doggetts Wildlife Park
Blackbird, Starling, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Linnet, Whitethroat, House Sparrow, Swift, Coot, Tufted Duck, Mallard, Cormorant, Chaffinch, Spotted Flycatcher, Greenfinch, Black-headed Gull, Moorhen, Blue Tit, Goldfinch, Swallow, Jay, Meadow Pipit, Dunnock, Magpie. M. Hill & S. Jackson.
Southchurch Park East and Southchurch Park
First Yellow Flag Iris near footbridge, 1 Juvenile Grey Heron and 1 Little Egret fishing along south bank, 1 Duckling rescued from sluice gate pit, 2 newly hatched Coot chicks on water below nest/north ramp of island. Robert Dobinson.
Tuesday 26th May 2015north westerly, scattered clouds, max19°c
Two Tree Island West, 10:15 to 11:30
3 Little Egret, 4 Oystercatcher, 2 Avocet, 4 Redshank, 16 Common Tern, 2 Cuckoo, 8 Whitethroat, Blackbird, Great Tit. Web Author.
Southchurch Park East and Southchurch Park
Mute Swan cygnets on water in Southchurch Park East, The north Moorhen nest on the island in Southchurch Park has a few chicks hatched. New 'Dogs on Lead and No Fishing' signs will be up by tonight. Robert Dobinson.
Wat Tyler Country Park 18:10 to 18:50
2 Black-winged Stilt on scrape for 15 minutes. Great views. Mick Roe.
Monday 25th May 2015west north west, mostly cloudy, max15°c
Chelmsford, Baddow Meads to Little Baddow 05:15 to 08:45
Seen on walk from Baddow Meads to Great Graces (Graces Walk Little Baddow) and back: 1 Cuckoo (flying west across Rumbold's Farm), 4 Yellowhammer, 3 Greater Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Oystercatcher (mating in field at Manor Farm), 2 Kestrel, 2 Pied Wagtail, 1 Chiffchaff, 10+ Whitethroat, 3 Mute Swan, 2 Moorhen, 4 Mallard, 12 Linnet, 2 Goldfinch, 1 Chaffinch, 1 Long-tailed Tit, 3 Skylark, 2 Jay, 1 Stock Dove, 2 Collared Dove, 5+ House Martin, 3 Swallow, 2 House Sparrow, 4 Magpie, 1 Reed Bunting, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Robin, 5+ Starling, 4+ Song Thrush, 6 Blackbird, 3 Wren, 4+ Blue Tit, 3+ Great Tit, 20+ Red-legged Partridge, 50+ Carrion Crow, 2 Black-headed Gull, 20+ Woodpigeon. Mammals: 1 Weasel, 4 Brown Hare, 6 Rabbit. Paul Forsdick.
Southchurch Park East and Southchurch Park 08:30 to 08:50
6 Ducklings (including three choccy hybrids), there were 7 but 6 rescued from sluice gate pit on Saturday. Preventative measures now taken on that situation. dozens of Long-tailed Tit moving between trees/shrubs, Mute cygnets hatching, very late this year, 3 Moorhen chicks (1 week old) out of five, being fed on island by adults. Robert Dobinson.
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 08:55 to 11:13
14 Avocet on lagoon, c.10 Swift, a few Cetti's Warbler heard (Coryton), c.5 Little Egret, pair of Pochard on Manorway Fleet, 1 Corn Bunting singing (Coryton), 1 Oystercatcher, pair of Redshank displaying on creek. Richard Fahey.
Shoebury 12:30
Red Kite over Shoebury seen from back garden flying high towards Southend. Jay Denny.
Woodham, Edwin's Hall Road (Hawe's Wood) 15:45 to 16:00
3 Swallow, 5 Goldfinch, 1 Whitethroat, 50+ Carrion, 5 Magpie, 60+ Woodpigeon, 2 Blackbird, 6 House Sparrow, 1 Chaffinch. Rob Harris.
Sunday 24th May 2015variable, partly cloudy, max20°c
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 08:07 to 11:00
16 Avocet on lagoon, 1 pair of Great Crested Grebe on creek north of barrier, later flew south to shrub mound pond but weren't there when I looked, pair of Cuckoo, male and female Blackcap (Coryton), a few Cetti's Warbler heard, a few Little Egret, c.5 Swallow (which were probably just passing through), pair of Corn Bunting (Coryton), pair of Gadwall around. Richard Fahey.
Ashingdon, Princess Gardens 09:45 to 09:55
1 Hobby over the garden. David Selley.
Jones Memorial Park 10:00
Heard a Cuckoo, then spotted it at the top of the Leylandii that run behind the crematorium. Had great views of a male bird before it flew off towards Sutton Hall area. Phil Lusher.
RSPB Bowers Marsh 11:30 to 13:00
1 drake Garganey, Magpie, Shelduck, Black-headed Gull, Avocet, 2 Herring Gull, Lapwing, Mute Swan, Black Swan, Gadwall (1 pair), 101 Black-tailed Godwit, Coot, Great Crested Grebe, Little Grebe, Tufted Duck, Pochard, Greylag Geese, Canada Geese, Reed Bunting, Cetti's Warbler (heard). 1 Red Fox, Cabbage White Butterfly, Emperor Dragonfly, Water Boatman. Chris Cole.
Canvey Point 15:00 to 15:15
50+ Brent Geese, 30+ Oystercatcher, 8 Curlew, 6 Common Tern, 3 Cormorant, 3 Great Crested Grebe. Terry Blackwell.
Wakering Stairs 19:15 to 20:00
1 Oystercatcher, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Grasshopper Warbler calling, 1 Grey Heron, lots of Black-headed Gull, lots of Wood Pigeon and Collared Dove, Mallard pair at nest, 3 Little Egret, 1 Green Woodpecker, Swallow. lots of Rabbit. Paul Adams.
Wakering Stairs 20:15
Cuckoo (heard). Jackie Bliss.
Saturday 23rd May 2015northerly to easterly, partly cloudy, max16°c
Chelmsford, Baddow Meads 06:30 to 07:00
1 Cuckoo, 1 Kestrel, 1 Reed Bunting, 2 Sedge Warbler, 3 Mute Swan, 3 Song Thrush, 2 Blackbird, 1 Wren, 1 Dunnock, 1 Blue Tit, 1 Great Tit, 3 Mallard, 1 Moorhen, 2 Whitethroat, 1 House Sparrow, 5 Swift. Paul Forsdick.
Rayleigh, Ferndale Road 07:00 to 16:00
Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Sparrowhawk, 1 Buzzard 1 (soaring north), 2 Chiffchaff, 2-3 Blackcap, 2 Common Whitethroat, 1 Garden Warbler (7.10am), 6 Swift, 2 Stock Dove. Robin Peppiatt.
Stambridge 08:15 to 08:25
c.20 House Martin over allotments and care home, 40+ Starling - newly fledged young crashing around all over the place. David Selley.
Hanningfield Reservoir 10:45 to 14:55
Magpie, Carrion Crow, Woodpigeon, Chaffinch, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Gadwall, Mute Swan, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Pochard, Stock Dove, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Blue Tit, Common Gull, Cormorant, Great Tit, Great Crested Grebe, Coot, Swift, Canada Geese, Shelduck, Blackbird, Dunnock, Blackcap, Greylag Geese, Moorhen, Lapwing, Red Crested Pochard, Wigeon, Shoveler, Oystercatcher, Robin, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Little Grebe, Swallow, Starling, Kestrel, Collared Dove, House Sparrow. S. Jackson & M. Hill.
Friday 22nd May 2015south westerly, scattered clouds, max20°c
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 08:45 to 11:15
1 female Marsh Harrier, 8 Avocet, Bearded Tit heard on west side of Manorway Fleet, 3 Cuckoo (including one on other side of creek), 1 Lesser Whitethroat heard, a few Cetti's Warbler heard, 3 Little Egret, 1 Gadwall (Coryton), 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Corn Bunting singing. Richard Fahey.
Chelmsford, Baddow Meads 15:45 to 16:15
1 Nightingale (the second year I have heard one singing at edge of Sandford Mill Road), 1 Blackbird, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Song Thrush, 3 Mallard, 1 Moorhen. Uncounted but also seen: Skylark, House Martin, Swift, Herring Gull, Linnet, Woodpigeon, Starling. Paul Forsdick.
Foulness Island 19:00 to 19:30
2 Cuckoo (one in garden again), 1 Barn Owl, 3 singing Corn Bunting, many Skylark. 7 Brown Hare. Steve and Fran Giles.
Thursday 21st May 2015westerly, clear. max20°c
Ashingdon, Princess Gardens 10:00 to 10:25
2 Buzzard soaring to great height. David Selley
Rochford 15:15 to 15:30
5 House Martin over the town centre. David Selley.
RSPB Wallasea Island 19:45 to 20:15
1 Oystercatcher, 30+ Black-headed Gull, 23 Herring Gull, 5 Little Egret, 2 Swallow, 1 Swift, 7 Pheasant, 2 Magpie, 60+ Woodpigeon, 2 Linnet, 3 Skylark, 3 Corn Bunting, 20+ Carrion Crow, 2 Shelduck 2 Blackbird. Rob Harris.
Wednesday 20th May 2015westerly, scattered clouds, max15°c
Priory Park 13:50 to 14:15
Blackbird, Woodpigeon, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Robin, Black-headed Gull, Song Thrush, Herring Gull, Starling, Jay, Swift, Mistle Thrush, Great Tit. S. Jackson & M. Hill.
Tuesday 19th May 2015westerly, scattered clouds, max15°c
Fyfield, Essex 09:50
1 Red Kite. Lynne.
Monday 18th May 2015south south west, mostly cloudy, max16°c
No reports received for this day.
Sunday 17th May 2015westerly, scattered clouds, max17°c
Chelmsford, Baddow Meads, 06:15 to 08:00
1 Cuckoo (first I've seen on Meads for 2-3 years), 1 Reed Warbler, 2 Reed Bunting, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Mute Swan, 1 Little Egret, 5 Skylark, 1 Swallow, 3 Swift, 1 Pheasant, 3 Song Thrush, 2 Collared Dove. Also seen but numbers not noted: Blackcap, Whitethroat, Blackbird, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Linnet, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, House Sparrow, Starling, Black-headed Gull, Mallard, Woodpigeon, Magpie, Carrion Crow. Paul Forsdick.
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 08:25 to 11:27
1 Common Buzzard, 1 Marsh Harrier drifted east over shrub mound, 8 Avocet, 1 pair of Cuckoo at Manorway Fleet, 1 Lesser Whitethroat heard, 3 Swift, 1 Corn Bunting near barns, 1 pair of Gadwall and 1 Little Grebe on Manorway Fleet. Richard Fahey.
Bowers Gifford 12:00
1 Red Kite. Barbara Warr.
South Woodham Ferrers 19:00
1 female Siskin in garden. Dawn James.
Saturday 16th May 2015Latest Wildlife News on Twitter
Stambridge Mills to Paglesham Lagoon 07:15 to 13:30
Common Whitethroat, Blackcap, Swift, Swallow, Corn Bunting, 2 Cuckoo, 12 Dunlin (all in summer plumage), 4 Grey Plover, Buzzard (singles viewed), 1 Yellow Wagtail, Reed Warbler (showed well), 6 Common Tern (on lagoon), 1 Common Sandpiper (Bartonhall Creek), 1 Whimbrel. Brown Hare, Orange Tip, Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock Butterflies. Jeff Kinnerman.
East Tilbury, Coalhouse Fort 10:30 to 11:20
4 Swift, 1 House Martin and a few Swallow passed through, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Lesser Whitethroat heard, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Little Egret, 2 Curlew, pair of Oystercatcher. Richard Fahey.
Canewdon 10.45
2 Red Kite over field North and West of church. Neil.
RSPB Wallasea Island 11:30 to 12:15
1 Blackbird, 30+ Carrion Crow, 2 Swallow, 80+ Woodpigeon, 7 Common Pheasant, 50+ Starling, 3 Corn Bunting, 20+ Mallard, 30+ Black-headed Gull, 7 Linnet, 5 Yellow Wagtail, 5 Magpie, 3 Little Egret, 1 Kestrel, 2 House Sparrow, 2 Goldfinch, 2 Robin, 2 Reed Bunting, 3 Common Tern, 30+ Herring Gull, 3 Moorhen. Rob Harris.
Foulness Island 15:10 to 15:15
Cuckoo in garden. Steve and Fran Giles.
Woodham Ferrers 16:15
Buzzard over hills. Kris Mee, Web Author.
Paglesham 18:40 to 19:10
9 Blackbird, 50+ Carrion Crow, 5 Swallow, 70+ Woodpigeon, 6 Common Pheasant, 30+ Starling, 4 Corn Bunting, 5 Mallard, 15 Black-headed Gull, 12 Linnet, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Magpie, 4 House Martin 1 Kestrel, 2 Blue Tit, 4 House Sparrow, 2 Collared Dove, 2 Chaffinch, 2 Dunnock, 1 Coot. 2 Rabbit. 1 Brown Hare. Rob Harris.
Friday 15th May 2015variable, mostly cloudy, max15°c
Canvey Golf Course 10:00 to 11:00
2 Cuckoo, 2 Swift, 2 Little Egret, 2 Shelduck, 2 Mute Swan (on nest). Terry Blackwell.
M25/M11 J27 11:10 to 11:11
1 Common Buzzard. Rob Harris.
M25/A127, J29 12:20 to 12:21
Common Buzzard. Rob Harris.
RSPB Vange Marsh 13:00 to 14:15
140+ Black-tailed Godwit (after 15 minutes these birds flew towards Vange Wick), 2 Greenshank, 2 Avocet, 4 Lapwing, 3 Reed Bunting, 2 Mute Swan with 8 cygnets, 8 House Martin. David Shepherd.
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 13:23 to 16:00
Pair of Hobby flew west over Manorway Fleet, 1 Bearded Tit along Manorway reed bed, c.8 Avocet, 1 House Martin, c.5 Swallow, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Chiffchaff singing south of Manorway, 2 Lesser Whitethroat heard, some Cetti's Warbler heard (mostly Coryton), c.4 Little Egret, 1 drake and 2 female Teal on creek, pair of Gadwall flying, 1 Little Grebe on Manorway Fleet, 3 Oystercatcher. Richard Fahey.
Foulness Island 13:30 to 15:30
4 Marsh Harrier, 3 Common Buzzard, 6 Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, 3 Cuckoo, 2 Wheatear, c.10 Yellow Wagtail, many Whitethroat and Skylark, 7 Corn Bunting, 2 Great Spotted and 1 Green Woodpecker, c.30 Little Egret, 7 Grey Heron, c12 Avocet. c.20 Brown Hare. Steve Giles.
RSPB Wallasea Island 17:20 to 18:30
2 Little Egret, 1 Blackbird, 40+ Carrion Crow, 3 Swallow, 40+ Woodpigeon, 8 Common Pheasant, 50+ Starling, 2 Shelduck, 5 Corn Bunting, 3 Oystercatcher, 30+ Black-headed Gull, 20+ Mallard, 3 Avocet, 7 Linnet, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Swift, 4 House Martin, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Red-legged Partridge, 3 Magpie, 2 Kestrel. Rob Harris.
Canvey Point 18:15 to 18:30
150+ Brent Geese, 20 Oystercatcher, 5 Little Egret, 3 Swift. Terry Blackwell.
Thursday 14th May 2015easterly, mostly cloudy, rain, max14°c
Southchurch Park
100's of Swallow, Swift and House Martin feeding across and high above the east pond surface. 20+ Swallow sitting on telephone line, west of bowling green. Robert Dobinson.
Wednesday 13th May 2015variable. clear, max17°c
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 08:40 to 11:00
2 male and 1 female Wheatear between barns and pillbox, 3 Avocet and 40+ Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Chiffchaff heard singing at Manorway Fleet, 1 Lesser Whitethroat heard, 1 Blackcap heard (Coryton), a few Cetti's Warbler heard, pair of Pochard on Manorway Fleet, 6 Gadwall (5 north in "courtship chase" earlier, one at Coryton), 1 Corn Bunting west/northwest of ditch (they're in 2 different spots here), c.4 Little Egret. Richard Fahey.
Leigh on Sea, Park View Drive 09:45 to 09:50
2 Buzzard displaying over garden. Web Author.
Hawkwell, 10:00 to 11:00
3 Buzzard (2 over Hockley Woods, 1 over Gustedhall Wood), 1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Chiffchaff in Gustedhall Wood. Web Author.
Cherry Orchard Jubilee Park, 11:10 to 11:45
1 male Sparrowhawk carrying prey, 2 Chiffchaff. Web Author.
Harold Hill 12:00
3 Buzzard circling very high on thermals. Roy Fynn.
Leigh on Sea, Park View Drive 12:20 to 12:20
Pair of Sparrowhawk displaying over Belfairs Wood. Web Author.
Hanningfield Reservoir Causeway 12:30 to 12:40
12 Canada Geese, 21 Greylag Geese, 50+ Mallard, 18 Tufted Duck, 4 Pochard, 8 Great Crested Grebe, 6 Coot, 14 Cormorant, 6 Carrion Crow, 2 Magpie, 2 Common Tern, 40+ Herring Gull, 50+ Black-headed Gull, 1 Greater Black-backed Gull, 2 Mute Swan, 12 Woodpigeon. Rob Harris.
Tuesday 12th May 2015westerly, scattered clouds, max18°c
Hanningfield Reservoir Causeway 13:35 to 13:50
30+ Canada Geese, 40+ Greylag Geese, 50+ Mallard, 2 Tufted Duck, 7 Pochard, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 15 Coot, 30+ Cormorant, 1 Blackbird, 20+ Carrion Crow, 2 Magpie, 40+ Herring Gull, 50+ Black-headed Gull, 5 Mute Swan. Rob Harris.
Wat Tyler Country Park 15:00 to 16:30
2 Hobby seen hunting together, 2 Cuckoo, 1 juvenile male Marsh Harrier, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 4 Tufted Duck, 3 Pochard, 3 Bearded Tit, also Swift and Swallow around the scrape. David Shepherd.
Leigh on Sea, park View Drive 16:00
Hobby over garden drifted north. Kris Mee, web Author.
RSPB Vange Marsh 17:00 to 18:00
106 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Greenshank, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Reed Bunting, 1 Sedge Warbler, 2 Mute Swan with 8 cygnet, 2 Oystercatcher, 3 Shelduck, 3 Lapwing, a few Swallow and House Martin. David Shepherd.
Monday 11th May 2015south westerly, partly cloudy, max22°c
Two Tree Island East and West 10:00 to 13:00
3 Cuckoo (two seen, one heard), 1 Nightingale, numerous Whitethroat, 8 Avocet on lagoon. Steve Wall.
Hullbridge, Ferry Road 11:30
1 Hobby flew over Ferry Road near Co-op shop towards Hockley. David Chivers.
Canvey Point 15:30 to 16:00
2 Little Tern, 6 Common Tern, 100+ Brent Geese, 10 Curlew, 20+ Oystercatcher, 1 Little Egret, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Mallard, 5 Cormorant, 3 Swallow. Terry Blackwell.
Sunday 10th May 2015south westerly, partly cloudy, max18°c
Great Wakering Common 08:00
2 Grey Heron, 2 Coot, 10+ Goldfinch, 4 Greenfinch, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Pheasant, 15+ Swallow. 8 Hare. David Grimes.
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 08:05 to 11:15
1 male Bearded Tit calling as it flew down into Manorway reed bed, male and female Wheatear along track, 1 Marsh Harrier (Coryton), c.6 Avocet, c.9 Swallow passed through, 3 Cuckoo, 2 Lesser Whitethroat heard, a few Blackcap and 1 Chiffchaff heard at Coryton, some Cetti's Warbler heard (mostly Coryton), 1 Little Egret, 1 pair of Pochard on Manorway Fleet, 1 Teal flying, 40+ Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Curlew on creek and 2 Oystercatcher on creek, 1 pair of Corn Bunting by ditch west of track and barns, pair of Stock Dove flew out of old bungalow, 1 Green Woodpecker. Richard Fahey.
Wakering Stairs 08:30 to 11:30
4 Shelduck, 3 Little Egret, 1 Kestrel, 6 Oystercatcher, 1 Stock Dove, 3 Turtle Dove, 2 Cuckoo, 3 Skylark, 7 Swallow, 2 House Martin, 7 Nightingale (at least, all in the thickets along the west perimeter footpath and on the MoD restricted area), 1 Song Thrush, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Reed Warbler, 4 Blackcap, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 18 Whitethroat, 2 Chiffchaff, 4 Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit and Great Tit, 10 Jay (together), 21 Goldfinch (2 flocks), 11 Linnet, 1 male Bullfinch (found by James Porter), 2 Reed Bunting. 1 Northern Water Vole and 1 Common Lizard (found by JP). David Selley.
Southchurch Park East 08:45
Reed Warblers now active in reeds north west corner of pond, first time in this area since the reeds have recovered, being now fresh water feed only. Robert Dobinson.
Basildon, Burnt Mills 11:00
Our House Martins are back! Pete and Dawn.
Foulness Island 11:00 to 12:30
Male Marsh Harrier, Common Buzzard, 4 Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, c.30 Little Egret, c.10 Grey Heron, c.30 Canada Geese, 4 Avocet, 10 Shelduck, c.30 Mallard, 2 Common Tern, 2 Cuckoo, many Skylark and Whitethroat, c.40 Swallow, c.25 Goldfinch, 3 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, 3 Linnet. 9 Brown Hare. Steve and Fran Giles.
A130 Rettendon 14:45 to 14:46
1 Common Buzzard. Rob Harris.
RSPB Vange Marsh 17:00 to 19:00
40 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Greenshank, 2 Oystercatcher, 2 Shelduck, 2 Gadwall, 3 Pochard, 2 Lapwing (one bird in display flight). David Shepherd.
RSPB Wallasea Island 18:30 to 19:00
2 Little Egret, 2 Grey Heron, 2 Swallow, 30+ Herring Gull, 50+ Black-headed Gull, 50+ Carrion Crow, 2 Magpie, 8 Pheasant, 100+ Woodpigeon, 4 Linnet, 12 Corn Bunting, 6 Skylark, 50+ Starling, 4 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Blackbird, 20+ Mallard, 2 Redshank, 3 Oystercatcher, 1 Shelduck. Rob Harris.
Saturday 09th May 2015westerly, mostly cloudy,max18°c
Wakering Stairs 06:15 to 08:05
2 Gadwall (pair), 8 Mallard (2 pairs + 4 drakes), 4 Shelduck (2 pairs), 1 Grey Heron, 1 Peregrine Falcon, 4 Oystercatcher (2 pairs), 20 Redshank, 1 Green Woodpecker, c.45 Swallow including small flock of 30+ in off the sea, 4 Stock Dove, 5 Skylark, 11 Whitethroat, 10 Chaffinch, 10 Linnet. David Selley.
Rochford 08:25
3 Swift over town centre. David Selley.
Shotgate, Wickford 10:30
1 Blackcap, 1 Lesser Whitethroat singing in the hedges opposite my house along Hodgson's Way. That's at least 3 years running we have had a Lesser Whitethroat here. If it follows the same pattern as previous years it will move into Shotgate Park in the next couple of weeks - if its the same bird of course! Also 2 Swift overhead this morning. Martin & Marie Singleton.
RSPB Wallasea Island 20:00 to 20:30
1 Whimbrel, 2 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Swallow, 12 Herring Gull, 20+ Black-headed Gull, 50+ Carrion Crow, 2 Magpie, 9 Pheasant, 60+ Woodpigeon, 4 Linnet, 2 Skylark, 15 Starling, 20+ Mallard, 1 Short-eared Owl, 2 Barn Owl. Rob Harris.
Paglesham 20:40 to 21:00
10 Black-headed Gull, 15 Carrion Crow, 1 Magpie, 90+ Woodpigeon, 7 Starling, 3 Mallard, 2 Blackbird, 7 Common Pheasant, 2 Corn Bunting, 1 Little Owl. Rob Harris.
Friday 08th May 2015variable, clear then rain, max16°c
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 08:15 to 10:30
1 Marsh Harrier northeast over Manorway Fleet earlier, male and female Wheatear by track, 4 Whimbrel (3 by shrub mound and 1 on creek), 8 Avocet on lagoon, c.5 Swallow passed through, 1 Cuckoo seen and one heard, 3 Lesser Whitethroat heard, a few Blackcap and Chiffchaff heard at Coryton, a few Cetti's Warbler heard at Coryton, 2 Little Egret, 5 Pochard on Manorway Fleet, 1 pair of Gadwall near lagoon, 3 Oystercatcher. Richard Fahey.
Two Tree Island East 11:00 to 12:00
5 Mute Swan overflew, 3 Cuckoo, 1 Nightingale singing by railway line, 1 Song Thrush, 3 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 10+ Whitethroat, 1 Chiffchaff, 3 Swallow, 1 Swift. Web Author.
Ashingdon, Princess Gardens 11:05
1 female Sparrowhawk - an especially large individual carrying prey and being mobbed by 3 Swallow. David Selley.
RSPB Canvey Wick 12:00 to 13:20
3 Cuckoo, 2 Nightingale (singing in two different locations), lots of Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Common Whitethroat, 2 pairs of Long-tailed Tit, 5+ Cetti's Warbler, 2 Sedge Warbler, 2 Reed Bunting, 2 Green Woodpecker, 4 Swift, 3 Swallow, 2 flyover Sandwich Tern. Red Fox. Tim Hurdley.
Southchurch Park east and Southchurch Park 17:15 to 17:30
2 Goldfinch feeding on wildflowers in meadow near bowling green, 1 Little Egret feeding on scrape north west reedbed from Bloomfield bench. Robert Dobinson.
Thursday 07th May 2015south westerly, scattered clouds, max17°c
Barking, Near Town Centre 07:45
12 Swift. Steve Wall.
Southend, Cromwell Road 10:00
Four of the seven House Sparrow nest boxes under the back eaves have chicks (parents are back and forth non stop). I usually get at least 3 broods so here's hoping. Phil Lusher.
Leigh on Sea, Park View drive 12:05
Buzzard descended over garden and appeared to land in Belfairs woods. Web Author.
RSPB Wallasea Island 15:30 to 16:00
1 Redshank, 2 Little Egret, 100+ Woodpigeon,2 Magpie, 6 Common Pheasant, 30+ Carrion Crow, 6 Yellow Wagtail, 8 Skylark, 6 Shelduck, 30+ Mallard, 2 Oystercatcher, 7 Linnet, 3 Corn Bunting, 7 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 60+ Black-headed Gull, 50+ Herring Gull. 2 Brown Hare. Rob Harris.
Paglesham 16:20 to 16:50
130+ Woodpigeon, 4 Magpie, 7 Common Pheasant, 6 Mallard, 50+ Carrion Crow, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Corn Bunting, 10 Linnet, 1 Common Buzzard, 60+ Black-headed Gull, 50+ Herring Gull, 3 Blackbird, 3 Greenfinch, 1 Chaffinch, 4 Swallow, 5 House Martin, 6 Starling, 1 Moorhen, 2 Coot (with chicks), 1 Blue Tit. 1 Red Fox. Rob Harris.
Hanningfield Reservoir Causeway 17:50 to 18:20
4 Great Crested Grebe, 34 Pochard, 40+ Tufted, 23 Pochard, 90+ Mallard, 6 Coot, 3 Magpie, 7 Carrion Crow, 9 Woodpigeon, 20+ Canada Geese, 30+ Greylag Geese (some with goslings), 12 Cormorant, 70+ Black-headed Gull, 80+ Herring Gull. Rob Harris.
Wednesday 06th May 2015south westerly, mostly cloudy, max14°c
Southchurch Park East 07:10
Little Egret in the crook of the reed bed by the bench. Alec Beanse.
Great Wakering 17:10
1 Sparrowhawk. David Grimes.
Hanningfield Reservoir Causeway 18:30 to 18:45
6 Great Crested Grebe, 23 Pochard, 50+ Tufted Duck, 50+ Mallard, 6 Coot, 2 Gadwall, 2 Magpie, 3 Carrion Crow, 7 Woodpigeon, 20+ Canada Geese, 12 Greylag Geese, 100+ House Martin, 100+ Swallow, 5 Cormorant, 30+ Black-headed Gull, 50+ Herring Gull. Rob Harris.
Tuesday 05th May 2015south westerly, mostly cloudy, max16°c
No reports received for this day.
Monday 04th May 2015south westerly, partly cloudy, max18°c
First Local Summer Migrant Report - Turtle Dove
Leigh on Sea, park View drive 07:30 and 10:40
4 Swift, 1 Red Kite drifted west over garden. Kris Mee, web Author.
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 08:05 to 10:30
2 adult Mediterranean Gull with Black-headed Gulls by fence west of track, 1 male Wheatear close to fence by track, 3 Whimbrel (2 close to fence by track), 1 Avocet up from lagoon, 1 Sand Martin passed through with 2 out of c.8 Swallow seen, Cuckoo (heard), 1 Reed Warbler seen singing in bush at Manorway Fleet, a few Blackcap and 1 Chiffchaff heard singing at Coryton, some Cetti's Warbler heard, 1 Little Egret, 1 Teal, pair of Gadwall at Coryton, 4 Pochard and 1 Little Grebe on Manorway Fleet, pair of Stock Dove near track, 3 Oystercatcher, 3 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Curlew. Richard Fahey.
Paglesham including River Roach and Paglesham Lagoon 09:15 to 15:00
5 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Little Grebe, 10 Little Egret, 2 Gadwall, 2 Shoveler, 1 Buzzard, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Kestrel, 4 Oystercatcher, 1 Dunlin (summer plumage), 4 Whimbrel, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 6 Common Tern (at least), 1 Swift, 2 Red-legged Partridge, 1 Cuckoo (heard), 1 Green Woodpecker, 4+ Skylark, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Cetti's Warbler (heard), 10+ Reed Warbler (heard), 1 Corn Bunting. Steve Sanford, John Goodman and Jeff Kinnerman.
Tollesbury 10:00
1 Swift.....glad to see them back in the village! Nigel Norton.
Marsh Farm, South Woodham Ferrers 10:00 to 13:00
1 Hepatic Cuckoo, 2 Kestrel, 2 Oystercatcher, 5 Linnet, 6 Reed Bunting, 1 Reed Warbler, 2 Sedge Warbler, 3 Little Egret, 4 Mute Swan. Dawn James.
Ashingdon, Princess Gardens 10:05
1 Slow Worm in the garden. David Selley.
Wakering Stairs 10:20
1 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Cuckoo, 2 Turtle Dove. David Chivers.
RSPB West Canvey Marsh 11:30 to 14:00
20+ Common Whitethroat, c10 Linnet, c.6 Sedge Warbler, 2 Cuckoo (at least), c.6 Swallow, 1 Hobby, c.10 Cetti's Warbler, c.6 Blackcap, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Kestrel. Martin and Marie Singleton.
Tollesbury 16:00
1 male Hen Harrier coming across the saltings using the strong wind to hang in the air and move very slowly looking for prey. Nigel Norton.
Wakering Stairs 16:20 to 18:00
4 Turtle Dove, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Barn Owl, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Swallow, 7 Nightingale singing (1 either side of Stairs road level crossing, 5 at south end), 5 Blackcap, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 10+ Whitethroat, 1 Chiffchaff (all warblers singing), 1 Reed Bunting singing. David Selley.
Sunday 03rd May 2015south westerly, partly cloudy, max19°c
Cold Norton 08:00
Turtle Doves are back. Steve Lambeth.
Two Tree Island East 08:00 to 10:00
2 Cuckoo, 1 Swift, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Sand Martin, 1 Nightingale, several Swallow, many Whitethroat, Brent Geese on estuary. Andy Wilson.
Canvey Golf Course 08:00 to 12:00
2 Cetti's Warbler, 5 Reed Warbler, 1 Little Egret, 2 Mute Swan at nest, 4 Chaffinch, 2 Little Grebe, 3 Green Woodpecker, 2 Mallard with 10 chicks, 2 Coot with 5 chicks, 2 Cuckoo, 1 Whitethroat. 3 Common Lizard. Bill Foster.
Wakering Stairs to Wakering Common 09:30 to 12:30
20+ Swallows, 1 Common Tern, 6+ Coot, 4 Moorhen, 1 Canada Goose, 3 Shelduck, 10+ Mallard, 2 Tufted Duck, 2 Grey Herons, 5 Little Egret, 4+ Pheasant, 2 Kestrel, 6+ Chaffinch, 6+ Oystercatcher, 4 Goldfinch, 1 Cuckoo (heard), 10+ Blue Tit, 10+ Great Tit. David Grimes.
RSPB Wallasea Island 10:00 to 10:30
From seawall above car park only: 1 Kestrel, 10 Shelduck, 12 Whimbrel, 3 Avocet, Redshank, small flock of Dunlin along Crouch, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 4 Skylark, 2 Whitethroat, 1 Reed Bunting, 3 Corn Bunting. David Selley.
Leigh-on-Sea, Tattersall Gardens 12:54
1 Swift. Martin Johnson.
RSPB Wallasea Island 15:30 to 16:30
1 Kestrel, 8 Skylark, 6 Whimbrel, 1 Wheatear, 1 Common Whitethroat, 3 Avocet, 2 Little Egret, 6 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Pied Wagtail. Richard Mander.
Two Tree Island 16:00
Swift, 2 Long-tailed Tit, Kestrel, Cuckoo heard briefly, 3 Sedge Warbler, several Whitethroat. Andrew Lewis.
Saturday 02nd May 2015easterly, mostly cloudy, max12°c
Hullbridge, River Crouch, 07:00
2 Whimbrel flying over towards Battlesbridge. David Chivers.
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 08:15 to 10:40
1 adult Mediterranean Gull with Black-headed Gulls close to fence by track, 9 Whimbrel (all in field west of track but for one near seawall), 3 Avocet on creek, 1 Cuckoo at Manorway Fleet and one heard, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Blackcap and Chiffchaff heard at Coryton, 5 Swallow, a few Cetti's Warbler heard at Coryton, 3 Teal, 2 pairs and one drake Pochard on Manorway Fleet, pair of Gadwall, 1 Curlew, pair of Oystercatcher and Redshank at creek, 1 Little Grebe on Manorway Fleet, 1 Green Woodpecker. Richard Fahey.
Hanningfield Reservoir 13:10 to 13:30
30+ Canada Geese (some with Goslings), 40+ Greylag Geese (some with goslings), 50+ Mallard, 2 Tufted Duck, 3 Blackbird, 20+ Carrion Crow, 2 Robin, 3 Magpie, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Sparrowhawk, 50+ Black-headed Gull, 40+ Herring Gull. Rob Harris.
RSPB Rainham Marshes 14:00 to 15:00
4 Cuckoo, 4 Hobby. Mike Butler.
Paglesham 17:10 to 17:35
5 House Sparrow, 12 Linnet, 14 Blackbird, 5 Corn Bunting, 2 Song Thrush, 2 Robin, 5 Chaffinch, 12 Starling, 1 Kestrel, 9 Pheasant, 7 Mallard, 4 Moorhen. Rob Harris.
RSPB Wallasea Island 17:45 to 18:20
7 Whimbrel, 2 Oystercatcher, 5 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 40+ Black-headed Gull, 50+ Herring Gull, 2 Little Egret, 1 Swallow, 8 Pheasant, 60+ Woodpigeon, 14 Linnet, 2 Magpie, 60+ Carrion Crow. Rob Harris.
Friday 01st May 2015easterly, partly cloudy, max11°c
Canvey Way 06:30
2 Kestrel (one either end of Canvey Way). Phil Lusher.
Canewdon 07:10 to 07:55
1 Grey Heron on Lambourne Hall pond, 12 Swallow around usual nest sites now, 3 Green Woodpecker, 2 Skylark, 1 Yellowhammer singing, 1 Corn Bunting singing. David Selley.
Hockley Woods 14:00
Buzzard, very light in colour (possibly a Honey Buzzard?) flying above coppiced area to south east fringe of wood. David Flack.
Battlesbridge 15:30
Cape Shelduck. John Spencer.
Hullbridge, Lubards Farm 16:00
2 Common Tern, 4 Reed Warbler (all singing). Hilary Knight.
Wakering Stairs 16:40 to 18:00
1 Ring Ouzel - male over seawall east of Broomway then into hawthorns, 5 Little Egret, 4 Shelduck (2 pairs), 2 Teal (pair), 1 Song Thrush singing, 1 Nightingale singing, 3 Blackcap singing, 1 Chiffchaff, 7 Whitethroat, many Chaffinch. David Selley.