South East Essex RSPB Wildlife Reports for May 2016
Tuesday 31st May 2016north north west, rain, max13°c
Off Canvey Island 17:15
6 Gannet flying over the Thames heading east off East Canvey point viewed from the MV Balmoral heading back to Southend pier. David Lee.
Monday 30th May 2016north north westerly, mostly cloudy, max16°c
Leigh on Sea, Park View Drive 10:00 to 10:15
Song Thrush in garden (first since 2009). Kris Mee, Web Author.
Chelmsford, Little Leighs 10:45
1 Red Kite , flying over fields to rear of our garden. Ben & Denise Matz.
Wat Tyler Country Park 11:30 to 13:00
1 male Lesser Whitethroat along perimeter path. Ross Gardner.
Boreham 12:25 to 12:30
1 Cuckoo calling from tree east of Boreham Hall. Tim Davis.
Daws Heath 17:00
Red Kite flying low over Westwood. Neil Latham.
RSPB Wallasea Island 19:30 to 20:06
14 Common Pheasant, 4 Shelduck, 9 Mallard, 10 Skylark, 2 Blackbird, 12 Linnet, 2 Pied Wagtail, 3 Corn Bunting, 30+ Starling, 5 House Sparrow, 1 Little Egret, 9 Swallow, 12 Herring Gull, 7 Black-headed Gull, 8 Carrion Crow, 3 Magpie, 50+ Woodpigeon. 1 Red Fox, 10 Brown Hare. Rob Harris.
Paglesham 20:15 to 20.30
8 Common Pheasant, 1 Skylark, 24 Blackbird, 7 Linnet, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Corn Bunting, 8 Starling, 9 Swallow, 1 House Sparrow, 2 Little Egret, 20+ Herring Gull, 30+ Black-headed Gull, 8 Carrion Crow, 5 Magpie, 1 Kestrel, 70+ Woodpigeon, 1 Moorhen. Rob Harris.
Sunday 29th May 2016northerly, partly cloudy, max22°c
River Roach (North), Coombe's Farm-Bartonhall Creek and Return 07:25 to 11:35
4 Common Whitethroat, 6 Stock Dove, 3 Swallow, Greenfinch, 9 Mistle Thrush (together including 3 juveniles), 2 Jay, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Pied Wagtail, 1 Song Thrush, 50+ Swift, 1 male Blackcap singing, 5 Shelduck, Reed Bunting, 2 Little Egret, 8 Redshank, 2 Great Crested Grebe, Linnet, 1 Whimbrel, Skylark, 2 Corn Bunting (together), 80+ Starling, 4 Oystercatcher, 1 Common Tern, 1 Kestrel, 2 Tufted Duck (pair), 1 Lapwing, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Chiffchaff. 4 Brown Hare. Jeff Kinnerman.
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 07:58 to 10:45
19 Swift and 3 House Martin on passage, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Black-tailed Godwit on lagoon, 1 Cuckoo (a few more present), 1 Blackcap singing at Manorway Fleet, pair of Corn Bunting, pair and single female Pochard on Manorway Fleet, 1 Little Grebe Coryton, 5 Little Egret, a few Cetti's Warbler singing, pair of Canada Goose with 3 goslings at lagoon. Richard Fahey.
Wakering Stairs 09:30 to 11:40
4 Oystercatcher, 4 Redshank, 1 Kestrel, 2 Cuckoo, 1 Turtle Dove flew over Havengore Creek to Foulness, 5 Little Egret, 13 Swift - all ones or twos in off the sea, 3 House Martin also in off sea, 9 Swallow, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 5 Skylark, 3 Whitethroat, 2 Blackcap singing, 2 Stock Dove, 2 Greenfinch. David Selley.
River Roach Seal Trip 13:00 to 15:30
6 Common Tern. 18 Common Seal. Web Author.
Brentwood, Weald Country Park 18:00 to 21:00
3 Ring-necked Parakeet, Blackcap, Jay, Cuckoo heard. 20+ Fallow Deer. Steve & Trish Day.
Saturday 28th May 2016north easterly, partly cloudy, max18°c
Westcliff, St George's Drive, 09:27 to 10:45
1 Sedge Warbler heard singing intermittently from garden before seen flying from neighbour's tree. Jeff Kinnerman.
Wakering Stairs 11:00
Turtle Dove showing well on treetops by the concrete ballistic testing bridge, female Cuckoo. Noel Barnes & les Costin.
Wat Tyler Country Park 13:03 to 13:34
c.9 Common Tern on islands, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 drake Pochard. Richard Fahey.
A132 Rettendon 16:30 to 16:35
1 Common Buzzard mobbed by 2 Carrion Crow. Rob Harris.
RSPB Wallasea Island 17:15 to 18:10
10 Common Pheasant, 4 Shelduck, 6 Mallard, 1 Oystercatcher, 20 Skylark, 15 Linnet, 30+ Starling, 2 Corn Bunting, 2 House Sparrow, 4 Little Egret, 12 Herring Gull, 7 Black-headed Gull. 2 Red Fox, 8 Brown Hare. Rob Harris.
Rayleigh, Rawreth Lane
Cuckoo calling at end of lane. John Attfield.
Friday 27th May 2016east north east, clear, max19°c
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 08:15 to 10:45
1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Oystercatcher, pair of Pochard on Manorway Fleet, 1 male Cuckoo seen and a few more present, 2 Blackcap and 1 Chiffchaff singing at Coryton, 1 Reed Warbler seen at Manorway Fleet, a few Cetti's Warbler singing, 3 Little Egret, 2 Swift and a few House Martin Coryton, 3 Corn Bunting, 8 Stock Dove at Coryton (including a pair). Richard Fahey.
RSPB Rainham Marshes 11:00 to 13:30
1 drake Garganey on Purfleet scrape, 1 Cuckoo (4 together on 26/5/16) along river wall, many Lapwing and Redshank - all with chicks, some of which now fledged. Andrew Gouldstone.
River Roach Seal Trip, 11:30 to 14:15
1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 14 Shelduck, 3 Avocet, 14 Common Tern, 12 Common Seal + 1 pup. Web Author.
Thursday 26th May 2016calm, clear, max17°c
Barling Magna Wildlife Park 11:00 to 13:00
1 Kestrel, 2 Buzzard circling high over the Roach, 4 Swallow, 1 Cuckoo calling, 4 Blackcap, 4 Whitethroat, 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Cetti's Warbler - all warblers singing, 3 Wren, 3 Chaffinch, 1 Greenfinch, 2 Linnet. Peacock, Comma, Small White, Holly Blue and Wall butterflies. David Selley.
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 13:45 to 16:18
1 Greenshank on lagoon, 1 Black-tailed Godwit still on lagoon/pools, 4 Avocet on lagoon, pair of Oystercatcher, pair of Common Tern, a few Cuckoo present, drake Pochard on Manorway Fleet, pair of Gadwall Coryton, 1 Blackcap singing at Manorway Fleet, 1 Chiffchaff singing by Manorway, 2 Reed Warbler seen at the "Fobbing reed bed", a few Cetti's Warbler singing, 2 Little Egret, 1 House Martin Coryton, 1 Green Woodpecker Manorway Fleet, 2 pairs of Stock Dove Coryton. Richard Fahey.
RSPB Wallasea Island 14:00 to 15:10
100+ Woodpigeon, 11 Carrion Crow, 3 Magpie, 15 Skylark, 2 Mute Swan, 9 Mallard, 1 Oystercatcher 30+ Herring Gull, 40+ Black-headed Gull, 12 Starling, 2 Shelduck, 1 Kestrel, 5 Common Pheasant, 2 Blackbird, 2 Reed Bunting, 9 Linnet, 3 Corn Bunting, 2 Marsh Harrier, 2 Little Egret. Rob Harris.
Wednesday 25th May 2016north westerly, mostly cloudy, max12°c
River Roach (North), Coombe's Farm-Bartonhall Creek and Return 07:09 to 11:56
1 Greenfinch, 6 Mistle Thrush, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Song Thrush, 5 Pied Wagtail, 1 male Blackcap, 2 Jay, 2 Wren, 5 Common Whitethroat, 2 Grey Heron, Reed Bunting, Skylark, 4 Linnet, 4 Oystercatcher, 10+ Redshank, 5+ Swallow, 5 Stock Dove, 17 Swift, 6 Little Egret, 3 Corn Bunting, 1 Whimbrel, 2 Pochard (pair), 6 Shelduck, 5 Curlew, 2 Common Tern, 1 Kestrel, 5 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Meadow Pipit, 1 Lapwing, 1 Greenshank, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Jackdaw, 2 Shoveler, 2 Gadwall (pair), 1 drake Teal, 2 Tufted Duck (pair), 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Little Grebe, 4 House Sparrow. 3 Brown Hare. Jeff Kinnerman.
Southchurch Park East 08:45
3 Mute Swan cygnets not on water with 2 adults but 3 visibly dead on nest. No signs of disturbance or predators/access not possible for foxes etc. and way out on edge of reeds. She sat on eggs for 6 weeks - a longer timeframe than is usual but the same as last year. Genetics/related problem from this pair of swans is a strong possibility. After 71 cygnets in 10 years from two ponds we know they return after fledging, even after a few years. The two females of the two pairs were originally hatched from either pond. Female in S. Pk was hatched as a Polish genetic (white cygnet) in 2006 and returned in 2009 to breed on the same pond, so it's a good chance the S.East Pk male could be the brother or half brother of its female. It cannot be chemical run off from golf course as all other wildfowl breeds O.K and S.E.Pk water feeds into S.Park (8 cygnets this year, all healthy) as in previous years. 70+ Swift feeding over greater pond area at 8.45pm. Robert Dobinson.
Shoeburyness, Gunners Park 09:30 to 09:45
c.5 Swift, 25/30 House Martin, 3/4 Swallow, 1 Cormorant. John Pitts.
Hanningfield. Reservoir 10:30 to 13:30
Robin, 70+ Swift, Chaffinch, Mallard, Mute Swan, Great Crested Grebe, Coot, 10 Red-crested Pochard, Stock Dove, Magpie, Black-headed Gull, Greylag Goose, Blue Tit, Common Gull, Common Tern, Shelduck, Blackbird, Moorhen, Oystercatcher, Tufted Duck, Swallow, Ruddy Shelduck, Herring Gull, Canada Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Little Egret, Little Grebe, Cormorant, Green Woodpecker, Blackcap, Great Tit, Grey Heron, Dunnock, Wren, Gadwall, Coal Tit, Kestrel, Meadow Pipit, Woodpigeon, House Sparrow, Collared Dove, Starling, Jackdaw. M. Hill & S. Jackson.
Tuesday 24th May 2016north north east, scattered clouds, max15°c
Ashingdon, Princess Gardens 05:55 to 06:15
1 Cuckoo calling - sounded quite mobile from SE to NW. David Selley.
RSPB Bowers Marsh 07:29 to 13:00
Sedge Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, 100+ Starling, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 9+ Swallow, 4 Stock Dove, 1 female Marsh Harrier, 42 Greylag Goose, 6 Lapwing, Skylark, 2 Little Egret, Reed Bunting, Shoveler, 2 Corn Bunting, Gadwall, 2+ Cetti's Warbler, c.55 Swift, 1 male Blackcap, 34 Avocet (+15 juveniles), 3 Redshank (+2 juveniles), 5 Oystercatcher, 2 Pied Wagtail, Herring Gull (a sub-adult with full turquoise plumage!), Pochard, Tufted Duck, 4 Shelduck, 7 Common Whitethroat, 16 Reed Warbler, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 1 male Bearded Tit, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 1 male Kestrel, 1 male Cuckoo, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Greenfinch. 1 Peacock, 2 Wall Brown. Jeff Kinnerman.
Southchurch Park East 09:00
1 Cygnet hatched, mum still turning eggs. Robert Dobinson.
Shoebury Park 09:55
5 Egyptian Geese (2 adult, 3 goslings, appears one gone missing). Terry Strong.
Southend, Victoria Avenue, 10:50
1 Peregrine Falcon chasing a pigeon around office blocks. Web Author.
Abberton Reservoir 12:45 to 14:20
100+ Woodpigeon, 190+ Carrion Crow, 14 Magpie, 33 Rook, 7 Goldfinch, 12 Skylark, 7 Pied Wagtail, 100+ Mute Swan, 100+ Mallard, 3 Teal, 40+ Common Tern, 2 Black Tern, 1 Little Gull, 150+ Herring Gull, 200+ Black-headed Gull, 1 Cuckoo, 7 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 100+ Greylag Geese, 100+ Canada Geese, 2 Egyptian Geese, 60+ Tufted Duck, 60+ Pochard, 100+ Starling, 50+ Shoveler Duck, 8 Swallow, 100+ Cormorant, 2 Swift, 4 Common Pheasant, 2 Blackbird, 6 Grey Heron, 2 Little Egret, 3 White Wagtail, 23 Jackdaw, 2 Red-legged Partridge, 2 Whitethroat, 2 Common Buzzard, 5 Greenfinch, 12 House Sparrow, 4 Collared Dove. Rob Harris.
Southchurch Park East 18:00
3 Cygnets hatched on nest in the sunshine. Robert Dobinson.
Monday 23rd May 2016north westerly, scattered clouds, max17°c
Southchurch Park East 08:45
1 pair of Tufted Duck being chased by resident Coot near grass bank SW corner of pond, 6 Mallard ducklings now five days old with Mum, 1 pair of Reed Warbler seen and heard just started moving in/out of new reedbed opposite Bloomfield bench. 1 Yellow Flagged Iris in bloom (1st of season) by footbridge, two weeks later than last year. Robert Dobinson.
Wat Tyler Country Park 12:45 to 13:45
1 Red-footed Falcon hunting towards RSPB Bowers Marsh, 2 Hobby, 1 Kestrel, 2 Bearded Tit, Common Tern. Mick Roe.
North Fambridge 16:00 to 16:45
4 Swallow, 5 Goldfinch, 4 Greenfinch, 2 Blue Tit, 2 Great Tit, 1 Collared Dove, 4 Woodpigeon, 3 Chaffinch, 5 House Sparrow, 2 Blackbird, 7 Starling, 1 Reed Bunting. 12 Carrion Crow, 2 Magpie, 3 Rook. Rob Harris.
Sunday 22nd May 2016variable, partly cloudy, max18°c
Leigh on Sea, Pall Mall 07:20 to 07:45
14 Swift, 3 Jackdaw. David Selley.
Fobbing and Corringham Marshes/Coryton 07:58 to 11:45
1 Black-tailed Godwit on pool below north bank (this bird will still be here for the summer I think!), 2 Avocet, 1 Oystercatcher, 2 male Cuckoo seen at Coryton among a few others heard, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, Blackcap and Chiffchaff singles both singing near Fobbing village and at Coryton, c.10 Corn Bunting seen or heard over area, 1 Little Grebe and Little Egret at Coryton, a few Cetti's Warbler singing. Richard Fahey.
Wakering Stairs 10:20 to 11:40
Seawall to Haven Point: 6 Little Egret, 1 Kestrel, 2 Oystercatcher, 3 Cuckoo - 2 males heard and a distinctly "hepatic" female seen and heard, 2 Turtle Dove heard, 2 Skylark, 2 Blackcap singing, 1 Chiffchaff singing, 12 Swallow, 6 Linnet. Orange Tip, Green-veined White. David Selley.
Hullbridge, Kendal Park and River Crouch 13:00 to 15:00
8 Blackbird, 1 Blackcap, 7 Black-headed Gull, 6 Blue Tit, 2 Carrion Crow, 10+ Collared Dove, 1 Cuckoo, 2 Dunnock, 2 Goldfinch, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 10+ House Sparrow, 1 male Kestrel, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 3 Little Egret, 1 Magpie, 23 Mute swan, 1 Reed Bunting, 3 Robin, 3 Song thrush, 30+ Starling, 2 Whitethroat, 20+ Woodpigeon, 4 Wren. Steve RJ.
Saturday 21st May 2016south south west, overcast, max18°c
Southend, Westbury Road 08:38
Male Blackcap seen perched in tree. Mick Holland.
Southend, North Avenue 09:20
1 Jay feeding on fat ball feeder, also on the bird bath. Spencer Jackson.
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 12:25 to 14:57
1 Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Avocet, 3 House Martin and a few Swift passed west, 3 Cuckoo (pair and male by Manorway Fleet), 1 Lapwing, 2 drake and 1 female Pochard on Manorway Fleet, pair of Gadwall on lagoon, 4 Little Egret included Coryton pair. Richard Fahey.
Friday 20th May 2016south south westerly, partly cloudy, max19°c
Southend, Westbury Road 08:00
Heard Blackcap singing in garden. Mick Holland.
Wat Tyler Country Park 13:30 to 14:00
1 Black-winged Stilt, 1 Buzzard, 1 Avocet, Common Tern, Cuckoo heard. Mick Roe.
Hullbridge, Kendal Park and River Crouch 14:30 to 17:00
8 Blackbird, 2 Blackcap, 1 Black-headed Gull, 5 Blue Tit, 2 Carrion Crow, 2 Chaffinch, 1 Chiffchaff, 3 Dunnock, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Green Woodpecker (heard), 2 House Sparrow, 2 Jay, 30 Mute Swan, 4 Robin, 1 Song Thrush, 3 Starling, 15+ Woodpigeon, 3 Wren (heard). Steve RJ.
RSPB Wallasea Island 19:45 to 20:30
2 Shelduck, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 30+ Starling, 12 Corn Bunting, 2 Reed Bunting, 12 Carrion Crow, 15 Common Pheasant, 20 Mallard, 7 Linnet, 60+ Woodpigeon, 5 Magpie, 16 Herring Gull, 12 Black-headed Gull. 5 Brown Hare. Rob Harris.
Thursday 19th May 2016north west to south west, partly cloudy, max18°c
RSPB Vange Marsh 10:30 to 12:25
Red-footed Falcon still showing well. Mick Roe.
Wat Tyler Country Park 12:45
Pair of Black winged Stilt. Mick Roe.
Wat Tyler Country Park 11:45 to 12:30
Pair Black-winged Stilt, 12+ Common Tern, 2 male Bearded Tit, Cetti's Warbler, 2 Reed Warbler. Web Author.
Danbury 12:10
1 Red Kite. Susan Priestley.
Southend, Westbury Road 13:00
Solitary male Blackcap using birdbath. Mick Holland.
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 13:25 to 16:00
1 Peregrine Falcon, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 9 Avocet, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Common Tern, 3 Cuckoo seen (including female and male Manorway Fleet), 1 Chiffchaff and 2 Blackcap singing Coryton, 1 Green Woodpecker, 5 Little Egret (included a pair at Coryton), a few Cetti's Warbler singing, 2 Little Grebe singles Coryton. Richard Fahey.
Prittlewell 14:15
Spotted Flycatcher hunting insects in back garden. Pat Dandridge.
Wednesday 18th May 2016southerly, mostly cloudy, max14°c
Southchurch Park and Southchurch Park East
7 Mute Swan Cygnets rescued from sluice gate pit, filthy, noisy and stressed but all O.K. and reunited with mum, dad and other cygnet, Mute Swan male from S.East Pk doing a fly past around Southchurch Pk and over pond to back to S.East Pk, 20+ Swift feeding at low level and at times head height around pond/perimeter area, 6 Mallard ducklings with parents feeding across pond Southchurch East Pk. Robert Dobinson.
Tuesday 17th May 2016south south west, mostly cloudy, max14°c
Wakering Common 04:30 to 07:00
RSPB Dawn Chorus Walk: Greylag Goose, Mallard, Pheasant, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, 1 Cuckoo, 4 Swift, 6 Skylark, Swallow, 3 Cetti's Warbler, Blackcap, Whitethroat, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Reed Warbler, Wren, Blackbird, 1 Song Thrush, Dunnock, House Sparrow, 4 Yellow Wagtail, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, 6 Linnet, 4 Corn Bunting. Steve Sanford, Kris Mee, Web Author.
Shoeburyness, Gunners Park 07:15 to 07:45
Mute Swan with 8 cygnets, 2 Great Crested Grebe, Oystercatcher, 30 Sanderling, 6 Sandwich Tern, 12 Common Tern, 1 male Cuckoo, 8 Swallow, 14 House Martin, Dunnock. Steve Sanford, Kris Mee, Web Author.
RSPB Vange Marsh 07:29 to 10:13
Sedge Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Blackcap, Cetti's Warbler, 1 female Marsh Harrier, 1 Reed Warbler (viewed, others heard), 2 Shelduck, 1 Grey Heron, Reed Bunting, 2 Avocet, 3 Oystercatcher, Shoveler, 35+ Swift, 1 female Kestrel, 2 Lapwing, 2 Bearded Tit, Pochard, 3+ Swallow, 1 Common Whitethroat (others heard), 2 Pied Wagtail (pair), 1 Little Egret, 1 Jay, 2 Mute Swan (pair with 8 cygnets), 1 Red-footed Falcon (initially perching on tree sapling amongst reeds taking flight over reed beds, viewed from East of reserve). 1 Red Fox. Jeff Kinnerman.
Wat Tyler Country Park 10:23 to 12:32
Cuckoo, Cetti's Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Chiffchaff (all heard only), 1 Cormorant, 2 Stock Dove, 3 Avocet, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 14 Common Tern, 1 Reed Warbler, Shoveler, 2 Common Whitethroat, 1 male Blackcap viewed others heard), 1 Common Buzzard (mobbed by 3 Carrion Crow), 2 Shelduck, 1 male Kestrel, 1 Barn Owl, Reed Bunting, 3 Bearded Tit, 2 Black-winged Stilt (pair on scrape). Jeff Kinnerman.
South Woodham Ferrers 11:00 to 14:00
5 House Martin, several Swift, 1 Sand Martin, 1 Sedge Warbler, several Reed Warbler, 3 Whitethroat, 1 Blackcap, 1 Kestrel, 1 Skylark. 1 Peacock, 1 Orange Tip. J. Howell.
Abberton Reservoir 13:00 to 14:45
100+ Woodpigeon, 50+ Carrion Crow, 12 Magpie, 16 Rook, 2 Goldfinch, 7 Skylark, 5 Pied Wagtail, 100+ Mute Swan, 100+ Mallard, 5 Teal, 30+ Common Tern, 2 Black Tern, 1 Little Gull, 100+ Herring Gull, 200+ Black-headed Gull, 5 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 60+ Greylag Geese, 60+ Canada Geese, Egyptian Geese, 40 Tufted Duck, 60 Pochard, 20 Starling, 50+ Shoveler Duck, 100+ Cormorant, 2 Swallow, 4 Common Pheasant, 2 Blackbird, 2 Grey Heron. Rob Harris.
Hockley, Woodlands Road, 17:30
1 Grey Heron being mobbed by a Black-headed Gull and a Crow. for the second morning in a row. David Z.
Southend, Wyatts Drive 18:14
Great Spotted Woodpecker on a bird feeder in garden. Alec Beanse.
Monday 16th May 2016east south east, partly cloudy, max16°c
Benfleet Downs 09:30 to 13:00
3 Little Egret, 1 Cormorant, 10 Oystercatcher, 2 Canada Geese, 2 Coot, 7 Mallard, 2 Pochard, 5 Shelduck, 4 Grey Heron, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 2 Mute Swan, 2 Redshank, 3 Moorhen, 1 Little Grebe, 22 Black-headed Gull, 35 Whitethroat, 2 Chiffchaff, 10 Reed Bunting, 2 Wren, 8 Starling, 3 Cetti's Warbler, 6 Robin, 4 Chaffinch, 9 Skylark, 7 Blackbird, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Yellow Wagtail (pair), 3 Swift. 2 Orange Tip, 5 Wall Brown. Denis Warren.
Westbury Road 11:00
Cuckoo heard calling then seen perched in tree in Westbury Road. Mick Holland.
North Shoebury 12:55 and 14:10
1 Common Buzzard over (garden first), Sparrowhawk over. Terry Strong.
Wat Tyler Country Park 16:00
2 Black-winged Stilt. Richard Shepherd.
Sunday 15th May 2016north westerly, scattered clouds, max16°c
Fobbing Marsh and Holehaven Creek/Coryton 07:25 to 11:00
1 Short-eared Owl earlier near Fobbing village, 1 Marsh Harrier over Manorway Fleet, 3 Swallow on passage, 3 Swift, 4 Avocet, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Lapwing circling lagoon, 2 Oystercatcher Holehaven Creek, 6 drake and 3 female Pochard on Manorway Fleet (2 females earlier on "shrub mound pool", maybe these), drake Gadwall on Manorway Fleet, c.9 Cuckoo (including 2 females), 1 Chiffchaff singing Coryton, 2 Green Woodpecker Holehaven Creek, a few Little Egret, c.5 Cetti's Warbler singing. 1 Seal on Holehaven Creek. Richard Fahey.
River Roach (North), Coombes Farm-Bartonhall Creek and Return 07:34 to 12:24
2 Common Buzzard (1 mobbed by single Carrion Crow), 3 Greenfinch, 4 Corn Bunting, 3 Long-tailed Tit, 3 Jay, 5 Stock Dove, 5 Blackcap, 2 Pied Wagtail, 3 Mistle Thrush, 6 Common Whitethroat, 6+ Linnet, 1 Cormorant, 10 Redshank, 5 Swallow, 12 Shelduck, 8+ Swift, 2 Little Egret, 2 House Martin, Skylark, 1 Blue-headed Wagtail (Central Europe race of Yellow Wagtail showing very well around paddock), 5 Oystercatcher, Reed Bunting, 1 Whimbrel, 2 Common Tern, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Kestrel (male hunting), 3 Cuckoo (2 calling together south side of river, 1 showing/calling at Bartonhall Creek), 1 Song Thrush, Chiffchaff, Reed Warbler (both heard only). 2 Brown Hare. 1 Red Admiral, 3 Orange Tip, 1 Peacock. Jeff Kinnerman.
RSPB Vange Marsh 10:00
1 female Red-footed Falcon. Mick Roe.
Wakering Stairs 10:00 to 11:30
Cupid's Chase to Morrins Point: 1 Greylag Goose, 2 Shelduck, 8 Mallard, 1 Moorhen, 2 Cormorant, 1 Turtle Dove, 3 Nightingale, 17 Whitethroat, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Blackcap, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 3 Reed Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, 7 Swallow, 4 Skylark, 2 Goldfinch, 6 Chaffinch. Small Tortoiseshell, Orange Tip and Speckled Wood. David Selley.
Shoeburyness, Gunners Park 12:35 to 14:10
House Sparrow, Starling, Black-headed Gull, Great Tit, Blue Tit, 8 Whitethroat, Carrion Crow. Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Robin, Blackbird, Sedge Warbler, Chaffinch, Magpie, Moorhen, Mallard +10 ducklings, Swallow, Herring Gull, Common Gull, Coot, Oystercatcher, Mute Swan + 8 cygnets, Greenfinch, Dunnock, Green Woodpecker, Wren. Large White, Small White, Speckled Wood, Peacock. Spencer Jackson.
River Roach Seal Trip 15:00 to 17:15
1 Little Egret, 12 Shelduck, 4 Avocet, 3 Common Tern, 2 Black Tern. 18 Common Seal. Web Author.
Saturday 14th May 2016northerly, scattered clouds, max12°c
Chelmsford, Broomfield Road 10:00
Red Kite, being mobbed and chased by crows. Stephen Parry.
Hadleigh Country Park 10:00 to 11:30
1 Cuckoo calling from east edge of grazing marsh, 2 Yellow Wagtail on seawall. Ross Gardner.
Chelmsford, Writtle 11:00
2 Little Egret, 1 Turtle Dove. Donald Williams.
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 13:37 to 16:03
1 Short-eared Owl near Fobbing village, 10+ Swift (mostly on passage), 2 Whimbrel, 9 Avocet, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, pair of Lapwing Coryton, 1 Oystercatcher, 2 Cuckoo, 1 Lesser Whitethroat singing, 3 drake and 2 female Pochard on Manorway Fleet, 1 drake Gadwall on lagoon, 2 Little Grebe singles Coryton, 4 Little Egret, 2 Cetti's Warbler singing, 1 Greater Spotted Woodpecker Coryton. Richard Fahey.
RSPB Vange Marsh 14:50
Red-footed Falcon. Steve Arlow (SOG, www.Birdersplayground.co.uk).
Friday 13th May 2016northerly, partly cloudy, max19°c
Shoeburyness, Gunners Park 09:30 to 09:45
2 Mute Swan with 8 cygnets hatched in past 48 hours, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Wren, 12 House Martin, 4 Swallow. John Pitts.
Thursday 12th May 2016east north east, clear, max21°c
Southchurch Park East 08:30
1 Reed Warbler singing on top of reed tuft, then dropping down to bottom of reed stems, along north edge of pond. Robert Dobinson.
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 08:50 to 11:30
5 Swallow on passage, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Lapwing Coryton, 5 Oystercatcher on creek, 3 Cuckoo, 1 Lesser Whitethroat singing, 1 Chiffchaff singing by manorway, 3 Pochard on Manorway Fleet, 3 Little Egret, a few Cetti's Warbler singing. Richard Fahey.
Chelmsford, Baddow Meads 09:30 to 10:30
12+ Swift, 2 House Martin, 1 Sand Martin (flying east along river), 1 Kestrel (a male hunting on south edge of meadow. Caught vole but was chased away by Carrion Crow and Magpie), 8+ Skylark, 2 Bullfinch (pair), 3 Greenfinch, 4 Chaffinch, 1 Reed Bunting, 5+ Whitethroat, 50+ Starling, 10+ Woodpigeon, 2 Collared Dove, 2 Jay, 4 Magpie, 3 Carrion Crow, 10+ Wren, 3 Dunnock, 2 Robin, 6 Blackbird, 4+ Song Thrush, 4 House Sparrow, 2 Blue Tit, 1 Great Tit, 2 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Mute Swan, 8 Mallard, 2 Moorhen. Butterflies: 1 Holly Blue, 5+ Orange Tip, 2 Small Tortoiseshell, 2 Peacock. Other invertebrates: Alder fly (still in large numbers), St Mark's Fly (lots, flying quite high from ground - air relatively still). Paul Forsdick.
RHS Hyde Hall Garden 11:30 to 14:45
45 Rook, 6 Jackdaw, 1 Kestrel, 2 Buzzard, 3 Sand Martin over garden reservoir, 2 Swallow, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap, 1 Willow Warbler, many Great Tit, Blue Tit and Chaffinch. Peacock and many Orange Tip butterflies, 1 Brown Hare, several Field Vole running around in the courtyard garden. David Selley.
Abberton Reservoir 14:00 to 15:30
100+ Woodpigeon, 50+ Carrion Crow, 23 Magpie, 5 Goldfinch, 6 Skylark, 5 Pied Wagtail, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 100+ Mute Swan, 80 Mallard, 30+ Lapwing, 40+ Common Tern, 100+ Herring Gull, 200+ Black-headed Gull, 5 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1 Franklin's Gull, 3 Swan Geese, 7 Hybrid Geese with Goslings, 60+ Greylag Geese, 60+ Canada Geese, 60 Tufted Duck, 20 Starling, 42 Shoveler Duck, 100+ Cormorant, 5 Swallow, 6 Common Pheasant, 2 Blackbird. Rob Harris.
Shoeburyness, Gunners Park 15:00 to 16:10
100+ Oystercatcher, 250+ Sanderling, Ringed Plover, Green Woodpecker, 8 House Martin. Web Author.
Two Tree Island West 17:00
8 Common Tern, 2 Little Tern, 2 Swift over Castle, 2 Little Egret, 1 Knot, 2 Dunlin, many Oystercatcher and Redshank. 2 Shelduck, Cuckoo heard. Richard Shepherd.
RSPB Wallasea Island 18:00 to 19:00
100+ Woodpigeon, 50+ Carrion Crow, 23 Magpie, 1 Goldfinch, 6 Skylark, 1 Pied Wagtail, 20+ Mute Swan, 9 Mallard, 30+ Herring Gull, 40+ Black-headed Gull, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 22 Starling, 4 Shelduck, 2 Swallow, 10 Common Pheasant, 2 Blackbird, 2 Whimbrel, 2 Reed Bunting, 3 Corn Bunting, 2 Marsh Harrier 2 Oystercatcher. 3 Orange Tip. 15 Cattle. 2 Brown Hare. Rob Harris.
Hockley 19:55 to 20:00
1 male Great Spotted Woodpecker on garden fat feeder and for the past couple of days leaving with a beak full of food. Tim Davis.
Wednesday 11th May 2016east north east, mostly cloudy, max14°c
Hadleigh, Church Road 05:50
Cuckoo heard then seen from our back door! Stayed around for about three minutes calling before flying back towards 2 Tree Island. I presume it flew in from there? Made my morning! Ellen Hume.
Billericay 08:20
2 Cuckoo flying over gardens calling. Marion Burch.
Daws Heath, Pound Wood 13:30
1 male Muntjac Deer. Mike Sagrott.
RSPB Rainham Marshes 14:00 to 17:00
1 drake Garganey, 1 Wood Sandpiper, 3 Whimbrel, 1 Greenshank, 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Cuckoo. Andrew Gouldstone.
Two Tree Island 14:30 to 17:30
39 Wood Pigeon, 1 Collared Dove, 6 Carrion Crow, 4 Magpie, 4 Pheasant (3 heard), 2 Chaffinch, 13 Greenfinch, 2 Goldfinch, 6 Blackbird, 6 Robin, 7 Wren, 1 Great Tit, 1 Song Thrush, 8 Starling, 7 Dunnock, (4 heard), 26 Whitethroat (17 heard), 9 Reed Bunting (3 heard), 5 Blackcap (3 heard), 1 Sedge Warbler (heard), 9 Cetti's Warbler (all heard), 6 Swallow, 3 Cuckoo (2 heard), 2 Canada Geese, 1 Shelduck, 9 Avocet, 5 Coot + 4 chicks, 1 Cormorant, 40 Dark Bellied Brent Geese, 4 Common Tern, 8 Oystercatcher, 2 Common Gull, 74 Black-headed Gull, 7 Little Egret, 3 Redshank, 20 Knot, 2 Little Grebe, 19 Mallard (1 with 13 ducklings), 7 Moorhen. 4 Red Admiral, 2 Orange Tip. 2 Terrapin sunbathing in the long dike at east end. Denis Warren.
Dawes Heath 15:30
1 Common Buzzard over garden being harried by a Sparrowhawk, both pursued by 2 Carrion Crows, one of which has a nest nearby with young. Mike Sagrott.
Tuesday 10th May 2016easterly, drizzle, max17°c
Southchurch Park and Southchurch Park East 08:30 to 08:45
60+ Swallow feeding on the wing and sitting on telephone wire next to bowling green, 8.30am,Southchurch Park. 50+ Swallow feeding over pond and grass field areas, 8.45am, Southchurch Park East. Robert Dobinson.
RSPB Rainham Marshes 13:00 to 14:00
1 Short-eared Owl, 2 Black Tern over Aveley Flash (up to 4 seen earlier on River Thames), 19 Grey Plover along shore of River Thames, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Knot. Andrew Gouldstone.
Monday 09th May 2016easterly, partly cloudy, max20°c
Two Tree Island West 11:55 to 12:10
Good view of 1 Cuckoo calling. Tim Davis.
Two Tree Island East and West 11:00
1 Cuckoo. Steve Wall.
Leigh on Sea, Park View Drive 14:50
Hobby drifted north over garden. Kris Mee, Web Author.
Sunday 08th May 2016easterly, clear, max23°c
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 08:45 to 11:27
Adult Mediterranean Gull with a small flock of Black-headed Gull west of track, 1 Greenshank on pools below north bank, 1 Whimbrel, 1 male Marsh Harrier, pair of Bearded Tit Manorway Fleet, 4 Cuckoo singles across area, 3 Pochard on Manorway Fleet, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 5 Lapwing, 3 Little Egret, a few singing Cetti's Warbler, 1 Blackcap singing Coryton. Richard Fahey.
Hadleigh Country Park 09:00 to 12:00
1 Cuckoo on Hadleigh Marsh (plus 1 heard calling from Two Tree Island). 1 Green Hairstreak (first I've ever seen or heard of here). Ross Gardner.
RSPB Wallasea Island 10:15 to 12:05
7 Shelduck, 2 Whimbrel, 2 Little Egret, 1 Swallow, 1 Grey Wagtail, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 6 Skylark, 1 Whitethroat, 2 Reed Warbler, 5 Linnet, 5 Reed Bunting (4 singing males), 3 Corn Bunting (singing males). David Selley.
EWT Fingringhoe Wick 12:10 to 15:00
Rook, Swallow, Buzzard, Jackdaw, Green Woodpecker, Starling, Great Tit, Blackbird, Robin, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Pied Wagtail, Black-headed Gull, Chaffinch, Blue Tit, Carrion Crow, Greylag Goose, Mallard, 8 Nightingale, Coot, Little Egret, Oystercatcher, Redshank, Magpie, Curlew, Whitethroat, Goldfinch, Little Grebe, Dunnock, Moorhen, House Martin, House Sparrow, Herring Gull, Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon. M. Hill & S. Jackson.
EWT Fingringhoe Wick 13:00 to 17:00
20+ male Nightingale singing (2 males and 1 female seen), several pairs Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Chaffinch, Oystercatcher, Black-headed Gull, Mediterranean Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Curlew, Redshank, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Robin, Blackbird, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Swallow, House Martin, Collared Dove, Wood Pigeon, Magpie, Kestrel, Cuckoo (2 heard), Little Egret, male and female Pheasant, Cormorant, Mallard (with 10 ducklings), Greylag Geese, Mute Swan, Tufted Duck, Coot, Moorhen (with 6 chicks), Wren (heard), House Sparrow. Red Tailed Bumblebee, Buff Tailed Bumblebee, Gall Wasp, Wasp, Carder Bee, Dragonfly. Brimstone, Painted Lady, Peacock, Chalk Blue. Brown Hare, Muntjac (barking), Rabbit, Grey Squirrel. Jackie and Mike Bliss.
A130 Near Battlesbridge 14:08
1 Red Kite flew over. Jeff Kinnerman, Steve Sanford.
Chelmsford, River Chelmer 15:20
2 Common Tern perched on automatic weir. Tim Davis.
Foulness Island 17:00 to 19:00
Marsh Harrier, Common Buzzard, 3 Kestrel, 6 Grey Heron, 9 Little Egret, 2 Cuckoo, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker, c.10 Linnet, many Skylark and Whitethroat. 7 Brown Hare, 4 Orange Tip, 2 Red Admiral, Comma. Steve Giles.
Wakering Stairs 17:00 to 17:20
Quick look from seawall: 14 Whimbrel in a single flock, 3 Common Tern. David Selley.
Southchurch, Kensington Road, 18:15
1 Orange Tip on the wing. Robert Dobinson.
Leigh on Sea, Woodside
Buzzard being chased away by Crow, Peregrine Falcon, possible Hen Harrier - long tailed bird with white rump. Sandy Bowles.
Saturday 07th May 2016easterly, clear, max21°c
Wakering Stairs 06:40 to 07:50
9 Shelduck around scrape, 2 Canada Goose, 4 Stock Dove, 4 Collared Dove - oddly these are quite unusual here, (and not the doves I was hoping to see), 4 Cuckoo including a pair mating, 2 Skylark, 4 Swallow, 1 Nightingale, 8 Whitethroat, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Long-tailed Tit, 7 Jackdaw over, 6 Chaffinch. 1 Brown Hare and many Rabbit. David Selley.
Rochford 08:10 to 08:20
11 House Martin. David Selley.
Leigh on Sea, park View Drive 08:15
6 Common Newt and 1 Frog in garden pond. First amphibians seen since constructing the wildlife pond late last year. Kris Mee, Web Author.
Chelmsford, Baddow Meads 09:30 to 11.00
1 Cuckoo (seen flying over river and calling from willows adjoining horse paddocks), 2 Sedge Warbler, 1 Common Tern, 1 Linnet, 10+ Whitethroat, 15+ House Martin, 2 Reed Bunting, 5 House Sparrow, 3 Song Thrush, 2 Blackbird, 4 Wren, 3 Great Tit, 2 Blue Tit, 1 Green Woodpecker, 30+ Starling, 4 Blackcap, 3 Goldfinch, 5 Carrion Crow, 10+ Woodpigeon, 3 Skylark, 3 Moorhen, 6 Mallard, 2 Black-headed Gull, 1 Herring Gull, 1 Magpie, 2 Collared Dove. Also seen: 10+ Alder Fly (Sialis lutaria), clouds of St Mark's Fly (Bibio marci), 3 Nursery Web Spider (Pisaura mirabilis), 2 Seven Spot Ladybird, 3 Peacock butterfly, 1 Small Tortoiseshell butterfly, 3 Orange Tip butterfly. Also seen but species unidentified: Crane Fly, hoverfly, Wolf Spider (huge numbers!), 1 damselfly (only a frustratingly brief glimpse), white butterfly. Plant species noted: cuckooflower, garlic mustard, meadow buttercup (id. not certain for this). Paul Forsdick.
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 13:00 to 15:30
1 Greenshank on pool near north bank, 1 Common Sandpiper, 10+ Whimbrel, 9 Avocet, 1 Marsh Harrier, 3 Cuckoo at Coryton, pair of Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Chiffchaff singing at Coryton, 1 female Teal and 2 drake Pochard on Manorway Fleet, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 5 Curlew, 1 Lapwing Coryton, 2 Little Egret, a few Cetti's Warbler singing. Richard Fahey.
Wickford 14:00 to 14:05
1 Sparrowhawk. Rob Harris.
Friday 06th May 2016easterly, clear, max19°c
Stambridge 07:30 to 08:10
c.20 House Martin around last year's nests, 3 Swallow, 2 Skylark, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Blackcap, 2 Greenfinch, 1 Yellowhammer singing by footpath behind Stambridge Meadows care home. David Selley.
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 08:55 to 11:13
Male Whinchat by track near barns, c.7 Whimbrel, 4 Avocet, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Cuckoo present, 1 Lesser Whitethroat singing, 1 Chiffchaff singing Coryton, female Teal on Manorway Fleet, pair of Oystercatcher in territorial flight, 2 Little Egret, a few Cetti's Warbler singing. Richard Fahey.
EWT Warley Place 12:30 to 13:30
1 Common Buzzard, 1 Greater Spotted Woodpecker, 4 Blue Tit, 2 Great Tit, 4 Robin, 1 Nuthatch, 3 Dunnock, 2 Moorhen, 4 Mallard, 2 Magpie, 2 Carrion Crow, 5 Blackbird. Rob Harris.
A127, West Horndon 14:00
1 Common Buzzard. Rob Harris.
Foulness Island 18:02
Turtle Dove in garden, c.50 House Martin around nest sites. Steve Giles.
Foulness Island 20:35
2 Cuckoo calling. Steve Giles.
Thursday 05th May 2016easterly, clear, max18°c
Foulness Island 07:20 to 07:30
Common Tern, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 11 Swallow. 7 Brown Hare. Steve Giles.
Ashingdon, Allerton Close, 09:10 to 09:15
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker on fat balls in garden. Steve Sanford.
Rochford 11:10 to 11:25
5 Swift low over the town centre, 5 House Martin over the hospital. David Selley.
Barling Millennium Wildlife Park 11:45 to 12:55
11 Swallow, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Song Thrush singing, 9 Whitethroat, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Willow Warbler, 6 Chaffinch, 2 Greenfinch, 5 Goldfinch. Peacock, Red Admiral, Small White and Orange Tip butterflies. David Selley.
Southchurch Park East 12:50
2 Pair of Tufted Duck feeding along edge of central south reedbed. Robert Dobinson.
RSPB Vange Marsh 16:30 to 17:30
Viewed from saline area only: 14 Greylag Geese, 2 Shelduck, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Greenshank, 2 Black-Tailed Godwit, 2 Common Tern, 2 Oystercatcher (pair mating), 6 Reed Warbler (singing only). David Shepherd.
RSPB Wallasea Island 19:15 to 19:45
1 Curlew, 9 Whimbrel, 7 Common Pheasant, 1 Little Egret, 1 Reed Bunting, 8 Starling, 70+ Woodpigeon, 5 Magpie, 6 Carrion Crow, 6 Mallard, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Corn Bunting. Rob Harris.
Southend Airport
Black Redstart outside of hangar 2. Phillip Camp.
Wednesday 04th May 2016south south east, clear, max17°c
River Roach (North), Coombes Farm-Bartonhall Creek and Return to Coombes Farm 06:58 to 10:47
3 Greenfinch, 4 Stock Dove, 1 Song Thrush, 4 Mistle Thrush, 4 Pied Wagtail, 1 Jay, 1 Chiffchaff (heard), 9 Common Whitethroat, 2 Grey Heron, 3 Oystercatcher, Skylark, 10+ Redshank, 2 Corn Bunting, 2 Whimbrel, Reed Bunting, 1 Red-legged Partridge, 1 Cormorant, 1 Little Egret, 3 House Martin, 7 Swallow, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Curlew, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Common Tern (pair, viewed male offering his mate a small fish), 2 Dunlin (both in summer plumage), 7 Mute Swan, 1 Lapwing, 1 Shoveler, 3 Gadwall, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Kestrel, 1 Cuckoo (distant, calling on south of river), 1 Blackcap (male). 1 Comma,2 Orange Tip, 3 Peacock. 3 Brown Hare. Jeff Kinnerman.
RSPB Bowers Marsh 09:00 to 12:30
1 Blackbird, 50+ Black-headed Gull, 2 Blue Tit, 50+ Carrion Crow, 7 Cetti's Warbler (heard only), 6 Chaffinch, 1 Chiffchaff (heard), 10+ Collared Dove, 2 Coot, 3 Cuckoo (all male and visible at various times over 90 minutes may have been different birds?), 7 Goldfinch, 1 Great Tit, 5 Greylag Goose, 5 Linnet, 3 Magpie, 8 Mute Swan, 5 Reed Bunting, 3 Reed Warbler (many more heard), 2 Robin, 1 Shelduck, 2 Skylark, 7 Starling, 10+ Woodpigeon, 3 Wren (heard). Steve RJ.
Canvey Wick 10:15 to 12:30
West Side: 4 Swallow near roundabout, 1 Cetti's Warbler (more heard), 1 Cuckoo (female) also males heard, 2 Blackcap (male), Lots of Whitethroat, 2 Lesser Whitethroat (more heard), 2 possibly 3 Nightingale heard only, (all just west of radio mast crossroads), 1 Reed Warbler (heard only), 1 Sedge Warbler, Marsh Harrier with Carrion Crow for company. Peter Bowden.
Thorpe Bay 11:00 to 11:20
Buzzard and Peregrine Falcon over garden. Colin Byford.
Benfleet Downs to Hadleigh Castle 11:30 to 15:30
28 Black-headed Gull, 6 Little Egret, 2 Mute Swan, 2 Shelduck, 1 Redshank, 8 Oystercatcher, 2 Canada Geese, 3 Little Grebe, 6 Pochard, 2 Shoveler (pair), 7 Moorhen, 4 Mallard + 8 ducklings, 10 Coot + 2 chicks, 17 Carrion Crow, 40 Rook, 19 Woodpigeon, 2 Pheasant, 2 Marsh Harrier, 3 Green Woodpecker, 5 Goldfinch, 3 Wren, (1 heard), 5 Cetti's' Warbler (all heard), 6 Chaffinch, 11 Starling, 14 Skylark, 27 Linnet, 30 Reed Bunting (c.15 heard), 58 Whitethroat (c.25 heard), 3 Cuckoo (2 heard at same time), 2 Swallow, 1 Blue Tit, 4 Dunnock, 3 Blackbird, 7 Robin, 2 Greenfinch. Denis Warren.
Wat Tyler Country Park 13:00 to 15:00
1 Blue Tit (nesting in public hide along creek), 1 Cetti's Warbler (heard), 2 Chaffinch, 1 Cuckoo (heard), 2 Dunnock, 2 Goldfinch, 1 Great Tit, 2 Kestrel, 2 Magpie, 1 Pheasant, 1 Wren. Steve RJ.
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 13:12 to 15:30
1 Whimbrel, 6 Avocet, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 male Cuckoo, 1 Lesser Whitethroat singing, 1 Chiffchaff singing at Coryton, 1 drake Pochard on Manorway Fleet, pair of Gadwall landed on south pool, pair of Oystercatcher, 2 Little Egret, a few Cetti's Warbler singing. Richard Fahey.
Hockley Woods 18:00 to 19:00
1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Blackcap, 2 male Pheasant, 1 Song Thrush, many Blue Tit, Great Tit, Blackbird, 4 Jay. 15+ Grey Squirrel. David Z.
Shoeburyness, Church Road 18:15
Blackcap darting round first sighting of one in our garden. Great Tits so busy feeding their young in the nest box tonight as are the Blue Tits. Jill and John Parsons.
Tuesday 03rd May 2016north westerly, scattered clouds, max16°c
RHS Hyde Hall 10:30 to 12:30
1 Willow Warbler, 4 Goldfinch, 1 Blue Tit, 1 Great Tit, 1 Song Thrush, 20+ carrion Crow, 1 Starling, 4 Canada Geese, 2 Greylag Geese, 2 Mallard, 1 Green Woodpecker. 1 Brown Hare. 1 Orange Tip, 2 Peacock. Mick Holland.
Gusted Hall Woods 11:30
Pair of Buzzard over woods. Kris Mee, Web Author.
EWT Abbotts Hall 12:00 to 13:30
1 Cuckoo, 2 Sedge Warbler, 1 Cetti's warbler, 5 Common Whitethroat, 3 Skylark, 3 Marsh Harrier, 1 Chiffchaff, 6 Linnet, 1 Jay. J. Howell.
Hullbridge, Kendal Park and River Crouch 14:00 to 16:00
3 Oystercatcher, 2 Curlew, 4 Little Egret, 1 Redshank, 2 Common Tern, 11 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 50+ Black-headed Gull, 1 Cormorant, 23 Mute Swan,2 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Goldfinch, 4 Carrion Crow, 20+ Woodpigeon, 10+ Collared Dove, 9 Starling, 3 House Sparrow, 2 Dunnock, 6 Blackbird, 4 Great Tit, 5 Blue Tit, 6 Robin, 3 Wren, 1 Chaffinch, 1 Jay, 3 Song Thrush, 1 Magpie, 1 Green Woodpecker (heard). 4 Grey Squirrel. 1 Small White. Steve RJ.
Monday 02nd May 2016south south westerly, mostly cloudy, max16°c
Southchurch Park 09:00
8 Mute Swan cygnets now, one very late hatchling on nest area on its own, seemed O.K, hopefully just not ready for the water yet. The other 7 cygnets were at the other end of the west pond with parents. They all returned after 25 minutes and were reunited, then all popped under Mum on nest for a warm up. Dozens of Swift feeding over pond area, alongside Swallow and House Martin. Robert Dobinson.
Hullbridge, Kendal Park 12:30 to 13:15
1 Green Woodpecker, 6 Blackbird, c.50 Black-headed Gull, 6 Blue Tit, 1 Carrion Crow, 2 Chaffinch, 1 Chiffchaff (heard), 10+ Collared Dove, 3 Dunnock, 3 Goldfinch, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 4 Great Tit, 3 House Sparrow, 1 Jay, 2 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Magpie, 2 Mallard, 23 Mute Swan, 2 Oystercatcher, 6 Robin, 5 Song Thrush (incl. 3 juvenile), 10+ Starling, 10+ Woodpigeon. 2 Grey Squirrel. Steve RJ.(
Leigh on Sea, Park View Drive 15:30
Single Swift over garden. Kris Mee, Web Author.
Ashingdon, Princess Gardens 17:15
1 Swift. David Selley.
Sunday 01st May 2016south westerly, clear, max18°c
RSPB Bowers Marsh 07:00 to 09:00
2 Sedge Warbler, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Stock Dove, several Common Whitethroat, 1 Corn Bunting. 1 Water Vole. David Lee.
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 07:54 to 10:53
c.15 Whimbrel (included 6 at Coryton) 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Cuckoo calling on other side of creek north of barrier, pair of Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Swallow passed through, 1 Chiffchaff singing at Coryton, 1 Avocet, Black-tailed Godwit singles on lagoon and creek, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Little Egret, a few Cetti's Warbler singing, 1 Lapwing at Coryton. Richard Fahey.
Southchurch Park 08:15 to 11:15
7 Mute Swan cygnets now hatched and all on water at 11.15am then back on nest with mum my 12.45am. 3 Moorhen chicks in around nest in NW corner of island. Robert Dobinson.
Leigh on Sea, Park View Drive 08:30
Male Great Spotted Woodpecker on fat feeder in garden. Kris Mee, Web Author.
Mucking Reserve/ Sea Wall 09:00 to 13:00
1 female Marsh Harrier, 1 Buzzard, 40+ Whitethroat, 1 Water Rail, 1 Reed Warbler, 5 Cetti's Warbler (2 seen), 1 Chiffchaff, 30+ Shelduck, 2 Cormorant, 1 possible Red-throated Diver, 5 Swallow, 3 Swift, 1 pair of Yellowhammer (my first for Essex) and 2 Little Grebe. Aston Phillips.
Thorpe Bay 09:50 and 10:15
Buzzard and Peregrine Falcon low over garden. Colin Byford.
Wakering Stairs 10:00 to 12:00
2 Canada Goose (pair), 2 Shelduck over, 4 Little Egret (2 probable pairs), 2 Oystercatcher (pair), 1 Whimbrel, 2 Kestrel, 3 Green Woodpecker, 5 Swallow, 1 female Redstart about 50m east of Stairs Road between the seawall and the large hangar building, 23 Whitethroat, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Blackcap, 2 Long-tailed Tit, 5 Linnet, 2 Goldfinch, 2 Reed Bunting (singing males). Small Tortoiseshell, Red Admiral, Small White and Green-veined White butterflies, large number of St.Mark's Flies as it warmed up. David Selley.
Hadleigh Marsh 10:50 to 10:55
2 Cuckoo viewed from cycleway one flew off onto Two Tree Island. Tim Davis.
Southchurch Park 12:00
We watched the male Mute Swan Swan with 5 Cygnets on the lake, the female had two remaining Cygnets on nest, we watched with other people as she encouraged them into the water for the first time, we left the whole family swimming together 7 Cygnets this year. Jill and John.
Shoeburyness, Gunners Park 13:20 to 15:15
50 Black-headed Gull, 8 Blackbird, 6 Blue Tit, 10 Great Tit, many Woodpigeon, 2 Jackdaw, 25 Carrion Crow, 8 Magpie, 45 Starling, 10 House Sparrow, 11, Collared Dove, 3 Robin, Chaffinch, Wren, 4 Dunnock, Green Woodpecker, Pied Wagtail, 5 Whitethroat, 10 Mallard, 4 Coot, pair Stonechat, 2 Mute Swan, Common Gull, 35 Herring Gull, 15 Oystercatcher, 3 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 10 Redshank, 2 Swallow, 2 Moorhen, Song Thrush, Chiffchaff, Greenfinch, Kestrel. S. Jackson.
RSPB Vange Marsh 16:00 to 18:00
1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Green Sandpiper, 2 Greenshank, 10 Redshank, 3 Reed Warbler singing, 1 Sedge Warbler singing, 5 Shelduck, 4 Tufted Duck, 6 Gadwall, 2 Common Tern, 20+ Swift feeding low over the marsh. David Shepherd.
RSPB Wallasea Island 17:15 to 18:00
1 Kestrel, 14 Whimbrel, 5 House Sparrow, 4 Linnet, 1 Reed Bunting, 7 Corn Bunting, 1 Whitethroat, 3 Starling, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Pied Wagtail, 100+ Woodpigeon, 2 Blackbird, 1 Oystercatcher, 6 Magpie, 15 Carrion Crow, 50 Black-headed Gull, 30 Herring Gull, 5 Common Pheasant, 1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Skylark. Rob Harris.
Ashingdon, Princess Gardens 18:00
1 Blackcap singing in the garden all afternoon. David Selley.
Canvey Wick 20:00
2 Nightingale (1 seen) in Northwick Road, 1 Cuckoo heard. 3 Fox. Mick Roe.