Bird Reports for November 2012

Friday 30th November 2012west to north west, clear, max5°c    

Daws Heath 10:00
8 Redpoll feeding on Niger seeds in my garden. Paul Rossiter.

Woodham Ferrers (Main Road and Workhouse Lane) 11:00 to 11:30
2 Fieldfare, 22 Blackbird, 50+ Wood pigeon, 4 Kestrel, 4 Jay, 3 Chaffinch, 7 Magpie, 30+ Carrion Crow, 1 Robin, 7 Chaffinch, 3 Blue Tit, 3 Great Tit. Rob Harris.

RSPB Wallasea Island 12:00 to 12:45
1 Robin, 1 Blue Tit, 1 Great Tit, 3 Little Egret, 2 Goldfinch, 5 Chaffinch, 6 Blackbird, 23 House Sparrow, 2 Meadow Pipit, 5 Skylark, 40+ Corn Bunting, 3 Reed Bunting, 1 Stonechat, 9 Pied Wagtail, 30+ Linnet, 60+ Shelduck, 10 Mallard, 2 Pheasant, 70+ Lapwing, 30+ Black-headed Gull, 10 Herring Gull, 2 Marsh Harrier, 60+ Wood Pigeon, 1 Fox. Rob Harris.

Southend Seafront, Opposite Castle Pub 13:00 to 13:30
200+ Sanderling, 30+ Ringed Plover. Web Author.

Shoebury East Beach, 13:15 to 14:15
2 Red-throated Diver, c.25 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Little Egret, 17 Common Scoter (groups of 12, 3 &am; 2 singles), 2 Goldeneye (redheads close in on the sea). Paul Baker, Don Petrie (SOG).

Dunton Caravan Park 14:00
1 Waxwing, 1 Redwing. Darren Williams.

Friars Park, 14:45 to 15:00
3 drake Mandarin Duck on the island. Paul Baker, Don Petrie (SOG).

Lake Meadows, Billericay 15:00
7 Goosander (2m, 5f), 6 Cormorant. pair Tufted Duck, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker. 1 Goldcrest. Marion Burch.

Thursday 29th November 2012north westerly, mostly cloudy, max6°c    

Hockley, Glencrofts 08:30
2 Redwing in garden feeding on berries. Irwin Lewis.

Southchurch Park East 08:45
1 male Kingfisher fishing from stick in north west of pond, flew to big Shrubbery north of pond, caught a minnow and was mobbed by gulls to south east corner, 1 adult Cormorant sitting on tidal marker post after fishing for eels. Robert Dobinson.

RSPB Vange Marsh 10:00 to 13:00
2 Marsh Harrier, 1 Sparrowhawk, 100+ Teal, 150+ Lapwing, 16 Wigeon, 90+ Shoveler, 2 Mute Swan, 6 Little Grebe, 1 Snipe, 6 Little Egret, 1 Spotted Redshank, 4 Green Sandpiper, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Curlew, 3 Cormorant. David Shepherd.

Southend Pier 12:45
2 Red-throated Diver near land end of pier. Steve Atkinson.

Abberton Reservoir 13:00 to 13:30
12 Cormorant, 250+ Black-headed Gull, 50+ Herring Gull, 6 Great Black-backed Gull, 100+ Tufted Duck, 50+ Mallard, 100+ Pochard, 100+ Shoveler, 60+ Coot, 40+ Greylag Geese, 30+ Canada Geese, 2 White-fronted Geese, 1 Egyptian Goose, 1 Swan Goose, 2 Aylesbury Duck, 1 Kestrel, 25 Mute Swan, 1 Grey Heron, 150+ Starling,1 Pied Wagtail, 7 Magpie, 300+ Carrion Crow, 300+ Wood Pigeon. Rob Harris.

Wat Tyler Country Park 13:15 to 16:00
Scrape hide only: 16 Wigeon, 6 Snipe, 80+ Lapwing, 4 Gadwall, 4 Pochard, 2 Tufted Duck, 1 adult male Marsh Harrier hunting over scrape, 3 female Marsh Harrier. David Shepherd.

Hardy's Green (near Abberton Reservoir) 13:45 to 14:00
40+ Carrion Crow, 60+ Wood Pigeon, 3 Chaffinch, 1 Kestrel, 5 Blackbird, 2 Fieldfare, 1 Robin. Rob Harris.

Wednesday 28th November 2012north north westerly, mostly cloudy, max7°c    

Eastwood, 07:50
1 Merlin over the RBS building. Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).

Tattersall Gardens, Leigh-on-Sea 10:38 to 10:40
1 Grey Wagtail on ground among flock of Chaffinches - 1st garden record. Martin Johnson.

Two Tree Island 11:00 to 15:00
1 female Peregrine Falcon swooped amongst 100's of Knot and Dunlin on scrape leaving without a kill, 2 Little Egret, c.50 Avocet, 2 Common Snipe, c,12 Turnstone, c.20 Great Black-backed Gull, c.200 Black-tailed Godwit, a few Bar-tailed Godwit, c.50 Grey Plover. David & Brenda Hale.

Maldon Recycling Depot to Northey Island 11:15 to 12:15
12 Wood Pigeon, 14 Carrion Crow, 16 Magpie, 1 Blackbird, 2 Curlew, 2 Little Egret, 90+ Avocet, 200+ Brent Goose, 30+ Wigeon, 9 Mallard, c.60 Lapwing, c.50 Dunlin, many Redshank, 2 Great Black-backed Gull, a few Black-headed Gull, 1 Little Grebe in dyke, 2 Coot, 1 Moorhen, pair of Mute Swan with 5 Cygnet. Ray Britton.

Tuesday 27th November 2012westerly to northerly, cloud and rain, max9°    

Southchurch Park East 08:25
3 Little Egret in a group moving around the pond, 3 Cormorant fishing in south east corner and a fourth preening on the post. Alec Beanse.

Chelmsford, Till Kiln, 09:00 to 09:10
1 male Siskin, 8 Goldfinch on Niger feeder in back garden. Janice Bright.

Rayleigh, 10:00
1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Meadow Pipit over. Paul Baker (SOG).

Thorpe Hall Golf Course 11:05
Little Egret by the eighth hole preening. Alec Beanse.

Hanningfield Reservoir Causeway 11:10 to 11:20
50+ Black-headed Gull, 2 Great Black-backed Gull, 12 Herring Gull, 100+ Tufted Duck, 100+ Mallard, 150+ Wigeon, 120+ Pochard, 50+ Shoveler, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Coot, 40+ Canada Geese, 30+ Greylag Geese, 80+ Cormorant, 50+ Lapwing, 9 Magpie, 30+ Carrion Crow. Rob Harris.

Canvey Seafront 13:30
Very late Swallow flying round Labworth Restaurant car park. Dave Blackwell.

Monday 26th November 2012southerly, mostly cloudy, max11°c    

Southchurch Park East 08:45 to 12:45
3 Little Egret fishing and roosting, all round pond, 1 large adult Cormorant on tidal marker post, 3 juvenile Cormorant fishing across pond then flying off one by one right above me to the estuary. 1 Green Woodpecker. Robert Dobinson.

RSPB West Canvey Marsh 11:00 to 13:00
Male Merlin being chased by a crow near middle viewing screen, 2 Short-eared Owl, female Sparrowhawk. On reservoir: Pochard, Teal, Wigeon, Shoveler, Green Sandpiper, Little Grebe, Cormorant, Common Gull, Black-headed Gull. Mike Poole.

Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 11:00 to 14:00
1 Grey Wagtail feeding and drinking from puddles on the garage flat roofs in the Close, presumably flooded out from the adjacent brook. Paul Baker (SOG).

RSPB Wallasea Island 14:00 to 14:30
26 Carrion Crow, 7 Magpie, 2 Stonechat (pair), 30+ Linnet, 40+ Corn Bunting, 5 Herring Gull, 12 Black-headed Gull, 40+ Woodpigeon, 25+ Stock Dove. Rob Harris.

Sunday 25th November 2012south westerly, light rain, max13°c    

Leigh Cockle Sheds, 10:00 to 12:00
1 Rock Pipit. Mike Clarke (SOG).

Wat Tyler Country Park 12:30 to 16:00
Sightings from first hide: 2 male and 2 female Marsh Harrier showing throughout duration and all together to roost from 15 00, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, c.40 Goldfinch, c.20 Snipe, 28 Pochard, c.20 Greylag Geese, 1 Fieldfare, c.30 Redwing, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Wren, Wigeon, Teal, Shoveler, Gadwall. 1 Fox. David Hale.

RSPB Wallasea Island, 13:30 to 15:00
1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Kestrel, 1 Peregrine Falcon, 1 Barn Owl, 1 Short-eared Owl, 40 Corn Bunting all from the white gate. Dudley Shayler (SOG).

Saturday 24th November 2012easterly, rain, max11°c    

Ashingdon, Princess Gardens 09:10 to 09:20
c.20 Long-tailed Tit, 6 Blue Tit, 2 Great Tit and 2 Goldcrest through the garden in one flock. David Selley.

Friday 23rd November 2012south westerly, mostly cloudy, max11°c    

RSPB West Canvey Marsh, 10:00 to 11:30
3 Short-eared Owl sat in the bushes to the south of the Redhill, 1 Stonechat, 16 Fieldfare, 3 Corn Bunting. Marc Outten (SOG).

RSPB Wallasea Island 14:00 to 15:30
2 Short-eared Owl in brief territorial dispute, seen from white gate, 1 Merlin seen distantly from sea wall. Mike Sagrott.

Fernlea Road, Benfleet 14:50
1 Firecrest - first garden sighting. Richard Gray.

Thursday 22nd November 2012southerly, mostly cloudy, max14°c    

Wat Tyler Country Park 10:30 to 12:30
Sightings on the RSPB walk: Around the park and creeks; Coot, Moorhen, 3 Pochard, Chaffinch, Jay, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Carrion Crow, Rook, Magpie, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Curlew, Mallard, 2 Spotted Redshank, 3 Redshank, House Sparrow, Black-headed Gull, Teal, Dunnock, Starling. On Vange Wick; Greylag Goose, 100+ Canada Goose, 2 Snow Goose, 3 Grey Heron, many Black-headed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull. From the Museum hide; 4 Little Grebe, 9 Snipe, Kestrel, 4 Gadwall, Mallard, Coot, Moorhen, Cormorant, Lapwing, Shoveler, 3 Redwing, 2 Fieldfare. Terry Jeffreys.

Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 13:30 to 16:20
1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Wigeon, c.7 Gadwall on Coryton Lagoon, 60+ Teal, 2 Fieldfare, 1 Little Egret, 1 Green Woodpecker. Richard Fahey.

Hanningfield Reservoir Causeway 14:00 to 14:15
250+ Black-headed Gull, 3 Great Black-backed Gull, 60+ Herring Gull, 100+ Tufted Duck, 100+ Mallard, 200+ Wigeon, 120+ Pochard, 23 Coot, 90+ Canada Geese, 40+ Greylag Geese, 80+ Cormorant, 250+ Lapwing, 1 Blackbird, 7 Magpie, 33 Carrion Crow. Rob Harris.

Wednesday 21st November 2012southerly, mostly cloudy, max12°c    

Southchurch Park East 08:45
5 Cormorant fishing in a line across pond, all flew off one by one at 9.00am. Robert Dobinson.

Tuesday 20th November 2012southerly, mostly cloudy, max13°c    

Cherry Orchard Lane, 08:10
1 Buzzard low over car drifting southwards. Brian Baldock (SOG).

RSPB Wallasea Island, 12:30 to 14:05
Viewed from white gate: 1 ringtail Hen Harrier, 2 Buzzard, 1 male Merlin. Ray Fuller (SOG).

Two Tree Island West 15:30
Short-eared Owl hunting, flying low over hawthorns near model airplane runway. Jane Attwell.

Monday 19th November 2012south south easterly, cloudy, rain, max11°c    

Southchurch Park East 08:45
1 Ring Ouzel on bush far south east corner of pond, when spotted flew north to other side of pond and sat on top of tall shrub. 1 Cormorant fishing. Robert Dobinson.

RSPB West Canvey Marsh 10:15 to 15:00
1 Peregrine Falcon, 2 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 immature female Marsh Harrier, 4 Green Sandpiper, 8 Common Gull, c.30 Herring Gull, c.20 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1 pair Wigeon, 6 Mute Swan, 2 Redshank, 12 Curlew, c.100 Lapwing, c.50 Stock Dove, c.1000 Starling, 3 Redwing, c.50 Fieldfare, 1 Chaffinch, c.30 Teal, 6 pair Pochard, 2 Greenfinch, 2 Goldfinch. 1 Fox, 1 Brown Hare. David & Brenda Hale.

Southchurch Park East, 11:30 to 11:40
1 Ring Ouzel (appeared to be a first winter, in bush at south west corner, flew off with a party of Blackbirds). Ray Fuller (SOG).

Two Tree Island East, 15:45 to 16:30
39 Little Egret. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).

Sunday 18th November 2012variable, clear, max10°c    

Benfleet Downs 08:15
4 Bullfinch. Richard Gray.

Southchurch Park East 08:45
1 Water Rail moving through north reed bed from middle to west of pond and back again for more than 30 minutes, 1 Cormorant fishing and sitting on tidal marker post, flew off toward estuary, 1 Kingfisher leaving pond west toward Southchurch Park, dozens of Long-tailed Tit moving between trees and shrubs. Robert Dobinson.

Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 09:05 to 13:15
1 female Marsh Harrier, pair of Peregrine Falcon, Water Rail heard at Coryton and behind seawall at Holehaven Creek, Wigeon on Coryton lagoon, c.7 Gadwall on Coryton lagoon and maybe 4 of same at Ozzedam, 80+ Teal, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Oystercatcher, 30+ Curlew, 350+ Lapwing, 1 Little Egret, Cetti's Warbler heard on marshes and behind seawall at Holehaven Creek, female Stonechat (it had prominent white stripes over eyes, giving it a Whinchat look, but wonder if it could be an eastern race), 1 Green Woodpecker. Richard Fahey.

RSPB West Canvey Marsh 11:30 to 13:00
Short-eared Owl, Redwing, Fieldfare, Wigeon, Shoveler, Teal, Curlew, Redshank, Pochard, Canada Goose. Russ Payne.

Rochford, 12:30
1 Meadow Pipit over garden, 1 Redpoll sp. over garden calling. Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).

RSPB West Canvey Marsh, 13:30 to 15:30
2 Short-eared Owl, 2 Stonechat (pair), 20 Fieldfare (at least). Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).

Two Tree Island East, 14:00 to 15:30
24 Little Egret, 2 Grey Plover, 1 Snipe, 200+ Redshank. 1 Common Seal. Dudley Shayler (SOG).

Saturday 17th November 2012southerly to westerly, overcast, max13°c    

Westcliff Seafront, 11:10 to 11:20
57 Little Egret. Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).

Wat Tyler Country Park 12:30 to 15:30
Sightings from first hide: c.50 Snipe put up from roost on scrape by male Marsh Harrier, 1 female Marsh Harrier, 2 Bearded Tit, Water Rail heard, 1 pair Wigeon, 2 Little Egret, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Peregrine Falcon, 1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Fieldfare, c.12 Redwing, 1 Great Black-backed Gull, 1 pair Stonechat, c.100 Lapwing, 8 juvenile Herring Gull, 1 Kestrel, 1 Stock Dove. David & Brenda Hale.

Hockley, Dome Village, 15:00
Peregrine Falcon low over site north towards river. I just nipped out to my shed, looked up and there it was! Unmistakable shape, size and weight, fantastic! David Hills.

Paglesham Eastend, 13:30 to 15:30
3 drake Pintail, 7 Goldeneye (2 drakes and 5 female), 103 Avocet in Barton Hall Creek, 5 Snipe, 1 Rock Pipit, 5 Reed Bunting along seawall. Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).

RSPB West Canvey Marsh 13:30 to 15:15
2 Short-eared Owl (showing really well), 2 Kestrel, pair Stonechat, Redwing, 1 female Marsh Harrier. Jim and Lin Bailey.

Billericay, Mayflower School 15:30
15 Pied Wagtail on school playing field. Marion Burch.

Friday 16th November 2012south south easterly, overcast, max9°c    

North Shoebury 11:23
Female Greater Spotted Woodpecker in garden. Terry Strong.

Wat Tyler Country Park 12:15 to 13:15
13 Common Snipe (middle causeway), 2 Grey Wagtail, 1 Water Rail, 6 Redwing, 1 Kestrel. Jim Bailey.

Thursday 15th November 2012variable, fog and mist, max8°c    

Leigh on Sea, Park View Drive 08:10 to 08:15
male and female Green Woodpecker, male and female Great Spotted Woodpecker all in garden at the same time! Kris Mee, Web Author.

RSPB West Canvey Marsh 11:00 to 14:00
3 Short-eared Owl near Pantile area, 2 Mute Swan, 1 Little Egret in flight, 2 Grey Heron, 9+ Curlew, 8+ Shelduck, 40+ Brent Geese. Amanda Vincent.

EWT Thurrock Thameside 11:40 to 16:00
c.40 Avocet, 10 Turnstone, c.50 Teal, 2 Kestrel, 1 Mute Swan, 2 Little Egret, c.20 Dunlin, c.40 Redshank, 35 Linnet, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, c.30 Curlew, 3 Shelduck, 4 Brent Geese, c.30 Goldfinch, 1 pair Stonechat, 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Lapwing. 1 Common Seal. On new feeding station, viewed from hide: 1 Robin, 2 Great Tit, 2 Blue Tit. David & Brenda Hale.

Coalhouse Fort, East Tilbury 13:35 to 15:23
13 Common Scoter on river, 1 female Merlin flew north over saltmarsh, 2 Brent Geese, 40+ Wigeon near Kent, 2 Little Egret, 1 Oystercatcher, 5 Black-tailed Godwit, 4000+ Dunlin. Richard Fahey.

Hockley, Merryfields Avenue 14:15
1 Jay visiting most days this week, looking for grubs amongst leaves on lawn. J. Jones.

Wednesday 14th November 2012southerly to easterly, scattered clouds, max12°c    

Southchurch Park East 07:55
3 Cormorant in a group fishing. Alec Beanse.

Bradwell Shellbank and Bird Observatory 10:00 to 15:00
1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Merlin, 2 Kestrel, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Green Woodpecker, c.30 Corn Bunting, 1 Mistle Thrush, c.2000 Golden Plover, 1 male Hen Harrier. On feeders: Marsh Tit, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Great tit, Blue Tit. David & Brenda Hale.

Claybury Park, Woodford Bridge 11:00
A small flock of maybe five or six red-necked Parakeets have taken up residence in Claybury Park. I saw them on odd occasions in the summer but I see them nearly every day. If not seen they can be heard. David Winn.

Southchurch Park East 12:45
2 Little Egret standing in low reedbed about 50ft away, I watched them for 15 minutes, still there when I left 1.00pm. 2 Cormorant flew in off estuary and landed 80ft away on pond. Robert Dobinson.

South Fambridge, 15:40 to 15:55
1 Short-eared Owl hunting east of village, a creature of habit? Ray Fuller (SOG).

Bradwell Power Station Nature Trail 15:30 to 16:30
1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Dunnock, 1 Wren, 2 Goldfinch, 1 Peregrine Falcon, 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Shag, c.12 Brent Geese, 6 Oystercatcher, 14 Waxwing showing well in trees and shrubs where trail meets the sea wall on eastern side of power station. David & Brenda Hale.

Tuesday 13th November 2012south south west, clear then cloud, max15°c    

RSPB West Canvey Marsh 10:15 to 13:15
1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Peregrine Falcon, 25 Fieldfare, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Corn Bunting, 1 Meadow Pipit, 2 Skylark, 10 Long-tailed Tit, 3 Green Sandpiper, 20 Curlew, 3 Redshank, many Wigeon, Teal, Shoveler, Pochard, Cetti's Warbler (heard). Hilary Knight.

Wat Tyler Country Park 12:00 to 14:30
Sightings from first hide: 1 adult female Marsh Harrier, 1 Kestrel, 1 pair Stonechat, 13 Common Snipe, 1 Peregrine Falcon, c.40 Stock Dove, 1 Water Rail crossed channel cut in front of hide, 1 Green Woodpecker, c.20 Goldfinch, 2 Jay, many Blue Tit feeding in reed bed, 10 Redwing, c.50 Lapwing, 1 Little Grebe, Shoveler, Teal, Mallard, 1 Little Egret. David Hale.

Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 13:20 to 16:15
1 Barn Owl, 1 Whimbrel on creek, 1 female Marsh Harrier, 1 Green Sandpiper heard, 3 Redwing at Coryton, 10+ Fieldfare, Cetti's Warbler heard at Coryton, 7 Wigeon including 3 at Coryton, c.45 Teal, 12 Gadwall at Coryton, 300+ Lapwing flying mostly on other side of creek. Richard Fahey.

South Fambridge 15:45 to 15:55
Short-eared Owl hunting east of village. Ray Fuller (SOG).

Hanningfield Reservoir Causeway 16:00 to 16:10
350+ Black-headed Gull, 12 Great Black-backed Gull, 40+ Herring Gull, 100+ Tufted Duck, 100+ Mallard, 30+ Coot, 200+ Pochard, 120+ Canada Geese, 40+ Greylag Geese, 2 Mute Swan, 80+ Cormorant. Rob Harris.

Monday 12th November 2012south south west, clear, rain pm, max12°c    

RSPB Wallasea Island 11:30
Male Marsh Harrier, Kestrel, pair of Stonechat, Little Egret. Judy.

Sunday 11th November 2012westerly, clear, max10°c    

1st migrant report First winter migrant report - Waxwing and Snow Bunting.

Rochford Golf Course, 07:20 to 16:00
1 Little Grebe (still eking out a lonely existence), 1 Little Egret flew south west along brook, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 30 Skylark (light passage south west during the morning), 30 Meadow Pipit (light south west passage), 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Waxwing flew north calling, 2 Fieldfare, 1 Redwing, 1 Mistle Thrush, 1 Goldcrest, 5 Siskin (group of 4 seen a few times and another flew south west), 1 Lapland Bunting flew south west calling at c.11:00). Neil Chambers (SOG).

Canewdon, Butts Hill Pond 08:00 to 08:15
15 Fieldfare, 1 female Siskin on alders. Jeff Delve (SOG).

Southchurch Park East 08:30
2 Little Egret fishing on north edge of low reed bed, flew off after 15 minutes. Robert Dobinson.

Two Tree Island, 09:15 to 12:15
46 Little Egret, 830 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 45 Wigeon, 5 Shoveler, 2 Kestrel (male and female), 1 Water Rail, 34 Ringed Plover, 5 Snipe, 217 Turnstone, 2 Green Woodpecker, 47 Skylark, 3 Meadow Pipit, 1 Song Thrush, 14 Goldfinch, 6 Linnet, 1 female Snow Bunting, as far as I know there are no previous records for the island), 9 Reed Bunting. Graham Ryland (SOG).

Hardy's Green, Essex 09:30 to 10:50
Great Grey Shrike on power lines both north and south of the red barn by the 'T' junction just north of the village. Denis Tuck.

Wat Tyler Country Park 09:50 to 11:35
1 female Marsh Harrier over scrape, 12 Teal, c.6 Shoveler, 2 Gadwall, 1 Little Egret, Cetti's Warbler heard, c.75 Lapwing. Richard Fahey.

West Mersea 10:00
3 Snow Bunting (2 female 1 male), Brent Geese, Sanderling, 2 Black-tailed Godwit numerous Curlew. Sue Haffenden.

RSPB West Canvey Marsh 10:00 to 11:30
2 Short-eared Owl, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, pair of Stonechat, adult Yellow-legged Gull, Turnstone. Mike Poole.

RSPB Wallasea Island, 10:00 to 13:00
Walked out to east end on falling tide: 16 Dark-bellied Brent Goose (small groups on wetlands), 5 Shelduck, 34 Wigeon, 45 Teal, 60+ Mallard, 3 Kestrel around lizard area, 1 Merlin (jack fast north over wetlands caused chaos), 50+ Ringed Plover, c.400 Golden Plover, 20+ Grey Plover, c.1200 Lapwing, c.800 Dunlin, 30 Curlew, 4 Turnstone, 30+ Skylark (steady passage), 15+ Meadow Pipit (steady passage), 4+ Rock Pipit, 12 Pied Wagtail, 2 Stonechat (pair near car park), 250+ Starling (steady passage in small flocks low west), 4 House Sparrow near car park, 2+ Redpoll sp. (calling high over), 20+ Reed Bunting (near car park), 16 Corn Bunting. Yellow-crowned Bishop, non breeding near car park. Jeff Delve (SOG).

Canvey Point 11:30 to 13:00
2 Swallow, 1 adult Mediterranean Gull, 7 Great-crested Grebe, 1 Rock Pipit. Andrew Gouldstone.

Gunners Park 12:30
1 Snow Bunting on the foreshore, just on the seaward side of the sea wall, immediately inside the Gunners Park fence when approaching from Southend town centre, 1 Swallow. Stephen Harris.

RSPB West Canvey Marsh 13:30 to 16:00
3 Green Sandpiper, 4 Short-eared Owl, 1 Sparrowhawk, c.25 Fieldfare, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Jay, 6 Corn Bunting beyond seawall, in bushes on far side of creek, then onto saltmarsh. Andrew Gouldstone.

Chelmsford, Sandford Mill and Cuton Lakes Road 14:00
1 Little Egret, 1 Fieldfare and in Cuton Hall Lane 1 Buzzard. Sue Haffenden.

Southchurch Park, 15:00
1 adult Mediterranean Gull. Paul Baker (SOG).

Victoria Avenue, Southend, 15:40
1 Peregrine Falcon roosting on very top corner of Alexander House. Paul Baker (SOG).

Saturday 10th November 2012westerly, partly cloudy, max11°c    

Hockley, Woodlands Road 09:00 to 09:30
3 Jay looking for food on lawn, 2 Long-tailed Tit on feeder, 4 Dunnock and 2 Wren in Elder tree in garden. David Z.

Wat Tyler Country Park, 11:30 to 11:30
1 female Bullfinch briefly in bushes behind the feeders at the RSPB Visitor Centre. Marc Outten (SOG).

RSPB Wallasea Island 13:30 to 14:15
1 Short-eared Owl, 2 Marsh Harrier, 40+ Redshank, 1 Curlew, 60+ Lapwing, 34 Carrion Crow, 3 Magpie, 70+ Stock Dove, 100+ Wood Pigeon, 150+ Corn Bunting, 2 Moorhen, 1 Robin, 150+ Starling, 23 Linnet, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Pheasant, 16 Mallard, 5 Chaffinch. Rob Harris.

Canewdon, Gardeners Lane 14:20 to 14:25
9 Goldfinch, 5 Chaffinch, 3 Blackbird, 2 Robin, 2 Dunnock, 1 Pheasant. Rob Harris.

South Fambridge, 14:35 to 16:25
17 Little Grebe, 5 Great Crested Grebe, 5 Little Egret, 2 Short-eared Owl hunting seawall just east of village together - also 1 high over fields c.1 mile east of village earlier on may have been a different bird, 10 Skylark, 8 Meadow Pipit, 1 Rock Pipit, 9 Linnet, 1 Reed Bunting (plus another bunting sp. which flew from saltmarsh with Skylarks, but didn't call). 1 Common Seal. Neil Chambers (SOG).

Hanningfield Reservoir Causeway 15:00 to 15:15
300+ Black-headed Gull, 35 Great Black-backed Gull, 60+ Herring Gull, 200+ Tufted Duck, 100+ Mallard, 50+ Coot, 200+ Pochard, 2 Goldeneye, 3 Canada Geese, 7 Mute Swan, 80+ Cormorant, 20 Carrion Crow, 2 Magpie, 1 Pied Wagtail. Rob Harris.

RSPB West Canvey Marsh 15:30
2 Short-eared Owl tumbling with crows for half an hour. Roger Shinn.

Southchurch Park East 16:05
Grey Heron in south east corner of the lake. Alec Beanse.

Friday 09th November 2012south westerly, mostly cloudy, max12°c    

Hockley/Hawkwell, 07:20
1 Tree Pipit called twice as flew over head at Hockley station. Jeff Delve (SOG).

Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 09:05 to 12:10
Pair of Peregrine Falcon on pylon at Coryton (corpse of headless Black-headed Gull behind seawall I think was taken by this bird), 1 Whimbrel on creek, 33 Wigeon, 120+ Teal, c.20 Gadwall, c.10 Shoveler, 1 Little Egret, 1 Cetti's Warbler heard at Coryton, 1 Green Woodpecker, 92 Canada Geese. Richard Fahey.

Eastwoodbury Lane, 09:40
1 Green Woodpecker at far east end of lane. Paul Baker (SOG).

EWT Abberton Reservoir 09:55 to 15:00
1 Peregrine Falcon, 2 drake Pintail, c.10 Goldeneye, c.30 Greenfinch, 1 pair Stonechat, 1 Black-necked Grebe, c.8 Great Crested Grebe, 4 Grey Heron, c.50 Pochard, 4 Kestrel, Teal, Shoveler, Tufted Duck. David & Brenda Hale.

Hanningfield Reservoir Causeway 12:00 to 12:10
300+ Black-headed Gull, 5 Great Black-backed Gull, 100+ Tufted Duck, 80+ Mallard, 100+ Pochard, 50+ Coot, 60+ Canada Geese, 40+ Greylag Geese, 9 Mute Swan, 3 Moorhen, 50+ Carrion Crow, 6 Magpie, 1 Blackbird, 3 Pied Wagtail. Rob Harris.

Eastwood Park, 14:00
1 female Sparrowhawk. Paul Baker (SOG).

Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 14:15
1 Little Egret in brook. Paul Baker (SOG).

Hardy's Green (Nr Abberton Reservoir) 14:45 To 15:00
20+ Carrion Crow, 40+ Wood Pigeon, 1 Chaffinch, 2 Kestrel, 9 Red-legged Partridge, 5 Pheasant, 1 Great Grey Shrike. Rob Harris.

EWT Abberton Reservoir 15:00 to 15:30
12 Cormorant, 350+ Black-headed Gull, 6 Great Black-backed Gull, 100+ Tufted Duck, 50+ Mallard, 100+ Pochard, 140+ Shoveler, 100+ Greylag Geese, 100+ Canada Geese, 60+ Coot, 7 Magpie, 15 Mute Swan, 1 Egyptian Goose, 1 Swan Goose, 150+ Starling, 2 Aylesbury Duck, 1 Kestrel, 2 Little Egret, 3 Pied Wagtail, 300+ Carrion Crow, 100+ Wood Pigeon, 2 Chaffinch. Rob Harris.

Rayleigh, 20:50 to 20:55
10 Redwing (several calls heard, seemed to be a steady light westwards passage). Neil Chambers (SOG).

Thursday 08th November 2012westerly, mostly cloudy, max12°c    

Southchurch Park East 08:10
Grey Heron circled park twice then few off towards Shoebury. Alec Beanse.

Southchurch Park East and Southchurch Park 09:00 to 09:15
1 Water Rail disappearing into the north west reed bed, 8ft to the left of the Kingfisher post. 9 Little Grebe in Southchurch Park. Robert Dobinson.

Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 10:00
3 Fieldfare flew south west calling. Paul Baker (SOG).

Wat Tyler Country Park 10:30 to 12:30
Sightings on the RSPB walk: Around the park and creeks: Goldcrest (heard), Coot, Chaffinch, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Carrion Crow, Rook, Green Woodpecker (heard), Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, 3 Little Egret, 10+ Redshank, Little Grebe, 2 Spotted Redshank, 3 Curlew, Cormorant, Mallard, Wood Pigeon, Starling, Collared Dove, Blackbird, Kestrel, House Sparrow, Teal, Black-headed Gull, Grey Squirrel (in owl box across Timberman's Creek). From the Museum hide: 2 Little Grebe, 13 Snipe, Kestrel, 6 Gadwall, Mallard, Coot, Moorhen, 2 Cormorant, Lapwing, Shoveler. Terry Jeffreys.

RSPB Wallasea Island 14:00 to 15:15
1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Marsh Harrier, 50+ Redshank, 2 Curlew, 40+ Lapwing, 12 Carrion Crow, 3 Magpie, 50+ Stock Dove, 80+ Wood Pigeon, 50+ Corn Bunting, 2 Stonechat, 60+ Starling, 3 Grey Heron, 1 Pheasant, 3 Mute Swan, 7 Mallard. Rob Harris.

Eastwood, 14:30
1 Woodcock (recently dead; collision victim with windows of the RBS building: specimen retained). Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).

Wednesday 07th November 2012westerly, partly cloudy, max11°c    

Leigh on Sea, Park View Drive 08:00
Male Sparrowhawk shot over our garden fence and chased a Wood Pigeon in to our Kitchen window with a huge thump (see below). Pigeon sat stunned beneath our patio table and finally flew off at 10:20. Kris Mee, Web Author.

Thurrock Thameside NR 09:00 to 12:15
1 Dunnock, 1 Wren. Denis Tuck.

Hockley 10:30
Jay feeding on grubs amongst leaves in garden. J. Jones.

Bradwell Bird Observatory 10:40 to 16:30
c.20 Corn Bunting, c.80 Common Scoter, 1 Kestrel, 1 juvenile Marsh Harrier, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 male Hen Harrier, 1 pair Merlin hunting together over the marsh and making successful kills, amazing to watch, 8 Red-breasted Merganser, c.30 Brent Geese, 10 Little Egret, Dunlin, Grey Plover, Oystercatcher, 3 Grey Heron, 6 Skylark, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Green Woodpecker. On feeders: 1 Tree Sparrow, 1 Marsh Tit, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Dunnock, Robin. David & Brenda Hale.

Hadleigh Downs, 12:00 to 13:00
7 Redwing, 1 Adder. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).

RSPB West Canvey Marsh
2 Short-eared Owl, 3 Stonechat, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk. Reservoir: 6 Green Sandpiper, 1 Redshank, 1 Turnstone (first time I have seen one on the reservoir). Pete Jackson.

Tuesday 06th November 2012west south west, partly cloudy, light rain, max10°c    

Leigh on Sea, Park View Drive 11:30 to 11:40
Male Sparrowhawk sitting in birch tree above our feeders in garden. Kris Mee, Web Author.

Thurrock Thameside NR 11:30 to 12:45
550 Black-tailed Godwit, c.476 Avocet, 129 Shelduck, 23 Curlew, 10 Teal, 6 Cormorant, 2 Common Sandpiper, 2 Meadow Pipit, 2 Skylark, 3 Stonechat (2m,1f), 1 juvenile Peregrine Falcon roosting on rocks near end of old sea wall for a least 30 minutes. Still there when I left, 1 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Swallow. Denis Tuck.

Monday 05th November 2012north westerly, partly cloudy, max10°c    

Southchurch Park East 08:10
Cormorant on lagoon trying to swallow what looked like an eel. Alec Beanse.

Southchurch Park East 07:15 to 09:00
3 Cormorant fishing across pond, 1 Grey Heron fishing on left side of low reed bed in early morning, 1 male Kingfisher perching on post north west of pond, flew to left of north shrubbery at 8.45am. Robert Dobinson.

Hanningfield Reservoir 13:00
Pair of Egyptian Geese. Judy.

Coalhouse Fort, East Tilbury 13:20 to 14:35
1 Brambling, 1 female Marsh Harrier, 400+ Avocet, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Little Egret, 1 Sparrowhawk. Richard Fahey.

Canvey Point, 14:45 to 15:35
8 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Goldeneye (redheads on sea off Point in direction of Pier throughout), 16 Mediterranean Gull (various age groups), 2 Swallow hawking insects around the point. Paul Baker (SOG).

Ashingdon, 15:40
1 Buzzard from church flew west. Dave Knight (SOG).

Sunday 04th November 2012westerly, cloud, rain, max10°c    

North Shoebury 08:37
Male Sparrowhawk on neighbours fence. Terry Strong.

Southend, Wyatts Drive 09:15
Male Sparrowhawk perched on fence post. Alec Beanse.

Southchurch Park East 09:15 to 10:15
2 Green Woodpecker feeding on top of south grass bank in park. 1 Sparrowhawk perched on shed roof out of rain in my back garden, Kensington Road. Robert Dobinson.

Maldon Promenade to Limbourne Creek 10:30 to 13:00
Moorhen, Coot, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Mute Swan, Carrion Crow, Magpie, Collard Dove, Wood Pigeon, Mallard, 1 Little Egret, 40+ Lapwing, 15-20+ Black-tailed Godwit, 15+ Wigeon, 6+ Gadwall, 10+ Shelduck, 1 Redshank, 1 Common Scoter (at range), 1 Cormorant, 5+ Knot, 5 Chaffinch, 7 House Sparrow, 8+ Teal, 3 Curlew, 10+ Grey Plover, 80-100+ Brent Geese, 20+ Canada Geese, 1 Oystercatcher, 5 Linnet, 10+ Blackbird. Joe.

Leigh on Sea, 13:50
Male Sparrowhawk sat on fence watching feeders (1st Garden record). Kris Mee, Web Author.

Hockley 16:19
12 Jackdaw in a group over, 2 Fieldfare. Terry Strong.

Saturday 03rd November 2012westerly, scattered clouds, max10°c    

Canvey Wick, 08:30 to 10:25
23 Snipe (at least), 3 Green Woodpecker, 4 Meadow Pipit, 40+ Blackbird, 5 Song Thrush, 4 Cetti's Warbler, 3 Goldcrest, 6 Long-tailed Tit, 5 Linnet. Martin Cracknell (SOG).

Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 09:20 to 12:35
1 Snow Goose viewed from over 100ft, was with large flock of Canada and 2 Greylag Geese but later it moved warily towards seawall with geese, no ring on legs, 1 female Marsh Harrier, 1 Green Sandpiper, 24 Fieldfare, 65 Wigeon, 4 Gadwall, 15+ Shoveler, 60 Teal, c.7 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Little Egret. Richard Fahey.

RSPB West Canvey Marsh, 10:30 to 10:50
15 Pochard, 2 Marsh Harrier (male and 1st winter), 1 female Kestrel, 5 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Redshank, 3 Green Sandpiper, 1 Turnstone, 1 Swallow (seems to be more late stragglers than usual). Martin Cracknell (SOG).

Two Tree Island 10:30 to 12:30
1 Swallow from slipway, 1 Little Egret, Teal, Mallard, Wigeon, Lapwing, 3 Ringed Plover, Cormorant, Curlew, Lesser Black-backed gull, 2 Common Gull from Slipway, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Oystercatcher, Redshank, Starling, Brent Goose, 1 Kestrel. Jonathan Despres.

Wat Tyler Country Park 11:45 to 15:00
Sightings from scrape hide: 1 pair Marsh Harrier, 4 Swallow, c.30 Stock Dove, c.30 Snipe flew in and remained mostly out of sight, 5 Black-tailed Godwit, Bearded Tits heard. David & Brenda Hale.

Wakering, Backing on to Common 13:00
1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Swallow. Tony.

RSPB West Canvey Marsh 15:00 to 16:00
2 Short-eared Owl, 23 Corn Bunting, 5 Green Sandpiper, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 1 Green Woodpecker. Jerry Stock.

Friday 02nd November 2012south south westerly, partly cloudy, max11°c    

Leigh on Sea 07:35 to 07:45
1000+ Wood Pigeon in three large groups heading south west. Kris Mee, Web Author.

Coalhouse Fort, East Tilbury 13:25 to 14:30
2 Brambling in thicket by churchyard wall, 300+ Avocet, 1 Stonechat, 1 Little Egret. Richard Fahey.

Abberton Reservoir 14:00 to 15:10
3 Great Crested Grebe, 50+ Herring Gull, 60+ Cormorant, 150+ Black-headed Gull, 12 Great Black-backed Gull, 100+ Tufted Duck, 50+ Mallard, 100+ Pochard, 40+ Shoveler, 100+ Greylag Geese, 100+ Canada Geese, 60+ Coot, 7 Magpie, 15 Mute Swan, 1 Egyptian Goose, 1 Swan Goose, 150+ Starling, 2 Aylesbury Duck, 2 Little Egret, 2 Pied Wagtail, 100+ Carrion Crow, 100+ Wood Pigeon, 1 Kestrel, 1 female Desert Wheatear. Rob Harris.

River Cam, Chelmsford 15:25
1 Kingfisher near Meteor Way. Tim Davis.

Thursday 01st November 2012south westerly, scattered clouds, max12°c    

Southchurch Park 08:45
1 Jay feeding on grass/grubs south east corner of park, often seen lately also in Southchurch Park East. Robert Dobinson.

Benfleet, 09:00
1 Jackdaw over garden. Graham Ryland (SOG).

Wat Tyler Country Park 09:50 to 10:20
Grey Wagtail, Swallow, Cetti's Warbler (heard), Green Woodpecker (heard), Robin. Terry Jeffreys.

South Fambridge, 10:10 to 12:30
9 Little Egret, 6 Mute Swan (including 4 young), 3 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 24 Wigeon, 1 Buzzard, c.1000 Golden Plover, 3 Grey Plover, 25 Curlew, 2 Common Sandpiper, 5 Skylark, 2 Swallow, 1 Yellowhammer. Ray Fuller (SOG).

Wat Tyler Country Park 10:30 to 12:30
Sightings on the RSPB walk: Around the park and creeks: Mute Swan, 25+ Redshank, Spotted Redshank, Cormorant, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Curlew, Moorhen, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Carrion Crow, Magpie, Rook, 50+ Greylag Goose, Wigeon, Cetti's Warbler (heard), 2 Little Egret, Mallard, Wood Pigeon, Starling, Collared Dove, Green Woodpecker (heard), 2 Kestrel, 10 Long-tailed Tit, House Sparrow, Robin, Teal, Black-headed Gull, Jay. From the museum hide: 4 Marsh Harrier, 4 Little Grebe, Gadwall, Mallard, Coot, Moorhen, 2 Pied Wagtail, Pochard, Lapwing, Avocet, Wigeon, Starling, Shoveler, 2 Swallow. Terry Jeffreys.

Daws Heath 11:30
3 Swallow flying south quite low. Neil Latham.

Shoebury Avenue Shoeburyness 14:00
Redpoll, Goldfinch, Great Tit, Blue Tit on feeders, Wren, Robin, Jay in garden. Steve Day.

Abberton Reservoir
Desert Wheatear, 3 Swallow, 1 Whooper Swan, 6 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Goldeneye, 2 Little Egret, 1 Green Sandpiper. Peregrine Falcon and Barn Owl also reported. G. Dixon.

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