South East Essex RSPB Wildlife Reports for November 2013
November 2013
Saturday 30th November 2013north north westerly, partly cloudy, max8°c
Chelmsford, Back Garden Pond 09:30 (other times of the day recently)
1 Kingfisher. This bird arrived earlier this month and has taken 6-8 baby goldfish born in the pond this summer. It hasn't reduced the number of adult fish, too big I presume. Carol Howe.
RSPB Rainham Marshes 10:00 to 16:00
3 Marsh Harrier (1 male, 1 female, 1 juvenile), 1 Peregrine Falcon, 2 Kestrel, c.200 Lapwing, c.100 Golden Plover, 3 drake, 1 female Pintail, many Teal, Wigeon and Mallard, Shoveler, Tufted Duck, 1 Barn Owl sleeping in woodland box, c.20 Goldfinch, c.10 Redwing, few Shelduck, 3 Common Gull. David Hale.
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 14:05 to 16:10
1 noisy Whimbrel up from creek and round to other side of dam, 1 Marsh Harrier, Water Rail heard at Manorway Fleet, 2 Green Sandpiper, 7 Wigeon, 3 Shoveler and 4 Gadwall on Manorway Fleet, 1 Cetti's Warbler heard at shrub, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Green Woodpecker. Richard Fahey.
Friday 29th November 2013westerly, mostly cloudy, max10°c
RSPB Rainham Marshes 09:00 to 10:00
2 Peregrine Falcon (male and female) over Aveley Marsh, tumbling at each other, perching on nearby pylons etc, 1 immature male Marsh Harrier, c.100 Dunlin, Wigeon - good display in front of the Purfleet hide. Andrew Gouldstone.
Ashingdon, Princess Gardens 11:00 to 11:10
2 Sparrowhawk - have suspected that our now daily sightings involved more than one bird; today two were visible at the same time, albeit some distance apart. Both appeared to be females. David Selley.
RSPB Bowers Marsh 12:00 to 16:00
10 Corn Bunting, 31 Fieldfare, 4 Black-tailed Godwit, 70 Teal, 14 Mute Swan, 3 Little Egret, 3 Marsh Harrier (one was a adult male), 2 Kestrel, large flocks of Lapwing and Wigeon. David Shepherd.
Thursday 28th November 2013north north westerly, overcast, max10°c
Southchurch Park East 08:45
1 Little Egret fishing on north west corner of low reedbed. Robert Dobinson.
RSPB West Canvey Marsh 09:45 to 11:40
1 Kingfisher on tree near dyke by Pantile picnic area, 20+ Fieldfare in same area, 1 Reed Bunting, 2 Little Egret, 75+ Wigeon, 3 Green Sandpiper, 2 Mute Swan, 10+ Pochard, 9 Lapwing, 15 Curlew (flying). Keith Bartels.
EWT Abberton Reservoir 10:20 to 15:20
35 Fieldfare, 1 pair Stonechat, 1 Jay, 6 male Blackbird, 1 pair Dunnock, 1 Robin, 1 male Reed Bunting, 1 female Smew, 5 Goosander (4 drakes), few drake and female Goldeneye, 6 drake Pintail, 15 Mute Swan, 1 Snipe, 1 Green Woodpecker, many Teal, Shoveler, Tufted Duck, Mallard, Gadwall, very large numbers of Great Crested Grebe, flyover Lapwing in their Hundreds, 3 Kestrel, 1 Peregrine Falcon, 1 Marsh Harrier, 4 Grey Heron, murmuration of at least 500 Starling, 2 Stock Dove, c.12 Linnet, 2 Chaffinch, 2 Goldfinch, many Canada Geese, few Greylag Geese. David & Brenda Hale.
Southend, Wyatts Drive 14:25
1 Buff Tailed Bumble Bee apparently collecting pollen from Hollyhocks in back garden. Alec Beanse.
Wednesday 27th November 2013westerly, overcast, max10°c
RSPB Bowers Marsh 11:00 to 13:00
Teal, Little Egret, Fieldfare, Shoveler, Wigeon, Shelduck, Curlew, Redshank, Kestrel, Cormorant, pair Stonechat, pair Marsh Harrier. 3 foxes (1 dead). Jacky.
Tilbury, Coalhouse Fort 12:00
A juvenile Spoonbill on the mudflats by the water tower actively feeding on the falling tide. Also a flock of 35 Reed Bunting in the saltmarsh. Paul James.
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 13:18 to 16:00
1 Avocet on creek, 1 Snipe, 2 Green Sandpiper, 40+ Wigeon on "shrub pool", c.5 Shoveler, c.4 Gadwall on Manorway Fleet, 1 immature Marsh Harrier, 1 Little Egret, 1 Cetti's Warbler heard by Manorway reed bed. Richard Fahey.
Canvey Point 14:15 to 15:40
18 Teal, 3 Gadwall, 15+ Great crested Grebe, 50+ Brent Geese, 9 Shelduck, 28 Ringed Plover, 20+ Grey Plover, 50+ Dunlin, 5 Bar-tailed Godwit, 2 Little Egret, 10+ Curlew, 20+ Redshank, 20+ Oystercatcher, 5 Turnstone, 3 Pied Wagtail. Terry Blackwell.
Tuesday 26th November 2013north westerly, partly cloudy, max6°c
Two Tree Island West 08:15 to 10:15
1 ringtail Hen Harrier came across Benfleet Creek, across lagoon, very close to hide and headed off east, 1 Peregrine Falcon with prey feeding in fields below Hadleigh Castle, 1 Sparrowhawk, c.30 Avocet on Benfleet Creek, 1 Greenshank on lagoon, 2 Rock Pipit near southern slipway. Andrew Gouldstone.
Southchurch Park East 09:00
1 Little Egret fishing on north west corner of low reedbed. Robert Dobinson.
Magnolia Park Nature Reserve, Hawkwell 09:00 to 12:00
3 Sparrowhawk, 15 Chaffinch, 6 Goldfinch, 2 Mistle Thrush, 60 Starling, 6 Redwing, 4 Moorhen, 12 Snipe, 1 Woodcock, 40 Jackdaw. David Glover.
Hanningfield Reservoir 11:00 to 11:30
260+ Tufted Duck, 150+ Pochard, 200+ Mallard, 50+ Shoveler, 100+ Wigeon, 30+ Gadwall, 100+ Coot, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 100+ Canada Geese, 80+ Greylag Geese, 50+ Herring Gull, 150+ Black-headed Gull, 5 Magpie, 12 Carrion Crow, 80+ Cormorant, 50+ Mute Swan, 12 Woodpigeon, 2 Pied Wagtail, 7 Hybrid Duck, 4 Domestic Geese. Rob Harris.
RSPB Wallasea Island 12:30 to 13:20
2 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 26 Shelduck, 2 Mallard, 12 Teal, 2 Curlew, 30+ Dunlin 30+ Redshank, 50+ Lapwing, 1 Stonechat, 30+ Corn Bunting, 20+ Linnet, 3 Kestrel, 1 Marsh Harrier, 7 Magpie, 40+ Carrion Crow, 30+ Moorhen, 100+ Herring Gull, 50+ Black-headed Gull, 3 Mute Swan, 20+ Starling, 1 Blackbird. Rob Harris.
RSPB West Canvey Marsh 13:45 to 15:45
1 Scaup, 100+ Wigeon, 50+ Teal, 22 Pochard, 18 Shoveler, 6 Gadwall, 2 Green Sandpiper, 1 Snipe, 6 Lapwing. Terry Blackwell/
Two Tree Island West
1 Redshank, 6 Shelduck, a few Curlew, Oystercatcher, female Whitethroat near the car park, Little Egret in the creek. Mick.
Monday 25th November 2013north westerly, mostly cloudy, max7°c
Abberton Reservoir 15:00 to 15:40
20+ Canada Geese, 60+ Coot, 20+ Greylag Geese, 5 Moorhen, 100+ Mallard, 200+ Pochard, 2 Magpie, 200+ Cormorant, 14 Mute Swan, 100+ Black-headed Gull, 25 Shoveler, 100+ Carrion Crow, 1 Smew (redhead), 1 Kestrel, 1 Partridge, 1 Pheasant, 30+ Lapwing, 1 Aylesbury Duck, 1 Swan Goose, 3 hybrid Geese. Rob Harris.
Sunday 24th November 2013northerly, cloud, light rain, max8°c
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 09:23 to 12:00
1 Whimbrel on creek, male and female Stonechat, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Fieldfare, 2 Redwing, 31 Wigeon, 350+ Teal on creek, 3 drake and 2 female Shoveler, 1 Gadwall on Manorway Fleet, 1 Snipe, 2 Cetti's Warbler heard at shrub area, 3 Little Egret including 1 at Coryton on flooded lagoon. Richard Fahey.
Wat Tyler Country Park 13:00 to 14:00
1 male and 2 female Marsh Harrier, Shoveler, Gadwall, Teal, Cetti's Warbler heard. Mick Roe.
Saturday 23rd November 2013northerly, partly cloudy, max8°c
RSPB Bowers Marsh 10:00
6+ Bearded Tit - very mobile, noisy and obligingly viewable! (Same place and time last week there were 12+), Bowers Marsh is becoming a good location with 45+ species two weeks running. Andy Wilson.
Hanningfield Reservoir 11:00
15+ Teal, 1 Pied Wagtail, 75+ Cormorant, 7 Grey Herons, 100+ Greylag Geese, 3 Goldeneye, 3 Chaffinch, 5 Blue Tit, 2 Great Tit, 2 Robin. Jason Burton.
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 12:43 to 15:30
1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Green Sandpiper, 1 Little Egret, 4 Wigeon north over and 10 Gadwall, 1 drake and female Shoveler, 2 Pochard and 3 Teal on Manorway Fleet, 1 Grey Plover on creek, 1 Green Woodpecker. Richard Fahey.
Hanningfield Reservoir 15:00 to 15:40
250+ Tufted Duck, 200+ Pochard, 200+ Mallard, 50+ Shoveler, 50+ Wigeon, 30+ Gadwall, 50+ Coot, 7 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Canada Geese, 6 Greylag Geese, 8 Magpie, 250+ Herring Gull, 50+ Lesser Black-backed Gull, 250+ Black-headed Gull, 15 Greater Black-backed Gull, 35 Carrion Crow, 30+ Lapwing, 100+ Cormorant, 70+ Mute Swan, 60+ Woodpigeon, 3 Hybrid Duck, 4 Domestic Geese. Rob Harris.
Friday 22nd November 2013northerly, scattered clouds, max8°c
RSPB West Canvey Marsh 12:00
Juvenile Scaup still present among the Shoveler and Pochard in front of hide nearest the road. See http://www.uk-wildlife.co.uk/juvenile-scaup-at-rspb-west-canvey-marshes/. Neil Phillips.
RSPB Wallasea Island 12:30 to 13:30
2 Little Egret, 200+ Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 40+ Shelduck, 30+ Teal, 7 Mallard, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Ringtail Hen Harrier, 1 Kestrel, 1 Buzzard, 1 Oystercatcher, 50+ Ringed Plover, 100+ Dunlin, 50+ Lapwing, 100+ Redshank, 12 Woodpigeon, 7 Stock Dove, 10 Starling, 2 Blackbird, 1 Skylark, 5 Magpie, 40+ Carrion Crow, 4 Mute Swan, 40+ Black-headed Gull, 50+ Herring Gull, 5 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1 Meadow Pipit. Rob Harris.
Braintree 13:00
Peregrine Falcon. Landed in my garden in a thud with its kill, which was a pigeon. It coolly stayed for about 30 minutes devouring its prey before taking off with the carcass. I was about 30 feet way and it did not seem bothered by my movement. Bob Owen.
EWT Blue House Farm 10:15 to 16:15
3 Fieldfare, 1 Meadow Pipit, 2 Green Woodpecker, 12 Greenfinch, 24 Linnet, 1 Little Grebe, 1 drake Shoveler, c.15 Gadwall, 1 pair Pochard, 22 Shelduck, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 female Marsh Harrier, 2 Buzzard, 500+ Lapwing, c.100 Curlew, few Mallard, c.20 Wigeon, c.50 Teal, 1 Moorhen, c.30 Coot. Canada, Greylag, Barnacle and c.300 Brent Geese, 5 Mute Swan, very few gulls, very few Woodpigeon. Large numbers of Rook and Crow. 1 Brown Hare. David & Brenda Hale.
Thursday 21st November 2013north easterly, mostly cloudy, max7°c
Southchurch Park 09:00
1 drake Shoveler feeding near footbridge. Been around now for over 3 weeks. Robert Dobinson.
Wednesday 20th November 2013south westerly, rain, max7°c
A127/A130 11:00
1 Sparrowhawk. Rob Harris.
Hanningfield Reservoir 12:00 to 12:30
150+ Tufted Duck, 70+ Pochard, 200+ Mallard, 50+ Shoveler, 50+ Wigeon, 30+ Gadwall, 7 Teal, 50+ Coot, 1 Moorhen, 1 Ruddy Shelduck, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Canada Geese, 1 Greylag Geese, 2 Magpie, 5 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 50+ Herring Gull, 150+ Black-headed Gull, 5 Carrion Crow, 120+ Cormorant, 9 Mute Swan, 20+ Woodpigeon, 5 Hybrid Duck, 4 Domestic Geese, 2 Pied Wagtail, 1 Robin, 7 Redshank, 30+ Lapwing. Rob Harris.
Tuesday 19th November 2013north westerly, partly cloudy, max7°c
Benfleet Downs 07:30 to 09:00
3 Bullfinch (pair +1 (poss+2)) heard but difficult to see, 1 female Sparrowhawk, 1 Redwing, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Green Woodpecker, 6 Long-tailed Tit. Richard Gray.
RSPB Wallasea Island 10:30 to 13:30
1 pair Marsh Harrier, 1 ringtail Hen Harrier, 2 Kestrel, 100 + Brent Geese, many large flocks of Lapwing, c.100 Golden Plover, few Skylark, few Meadow Pipit, 1 Pied Wagtail, few large flocks of Starling, c.20 Grey Plover, c.10 Ringed Plover, c.100 Redshank, 200+ Dunlin, many Shelduck, many Teal, few Curlew, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Little Egret, 5 Mute Swan (3 juveniles), 1 male Blackbird. David & Brenda Hale.
Orsett/Little Thurrock Area 13:30
1 Common Buzzard low over field near the flyover. Richard Fahey.
Monday 18th November 2013south westerly, drizzle, max10°c
Coalhouse Fort 11:20
1 House Martin. Paul James.
RSPB Wallasea Island 14:00 to 14:30
2 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 23 Shelduck, 30 Teal, 4 Mallard, 1 Oystercatcher, 50+ Ringed Plover, 4 Curlew, 70+ Dunlin 6 Black-tailed Godwit, 80+ Redshank, 1 Stonechat, 2 Kestrel, 2 Green Woodpecker, 5 Magpie, 40+ Carrion Crow, 1 Moorhen, 100+ Herring Gull, 50+ Black-headed Gull, 3 Mute Swan, 2 Pheasant. Rob Harris.
Paglesham Churchend 14:40 to 14:50
1 Little Egret, 6 Song Thrush, 8 Chaffinch, 4 Pied Wagtail, 23 Carrion Crow, 3 Pheasant. Rob Harris.
Sunday 17th November 2013north easterly, drizzle, max10°c
RSPB Wallasea Island 07:00 to 09:30
3 Kestrel, 2 Peregrine Falcon squabbling in flight, 2 ringtail Hen Harrier (1 by the white gate, 1 by 2nd lay-by) both viewed from lay-by, 5 Stonechat, Corn Bunting, Meadow Pipit, Goldfinch, massive flock of Brent Geese behind haystack. Jim Bailey.
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 08:25 to 11:30
1 Whimbrel up calling from creek and round to Fobbing Horse, 230+ Wigeon (included a movement of 260+ south over and along creek and 70+ earlier on pool seen from track at Coryton), 2 Fieldfare, 1 immature male Marsh Harrier near Corringham Marshes, c.6 Yellowhammer on bushes along fence west of Coryton, 300+ Teal on creek, 1 Little Egret on creek, Cetti's Warbler heard out on marshes, 200+ Black-tailed Godwit flying south east of refinery. Richard Fahey.
Gunners Park, Barge Pier 10:33
2 Gannet flying just offshore towards Shoebury boom, 3 Great Crested Grebe drifting in tide. Don Wildish.
Golden Cross, Rochford, 10:40
4 Long-tailed Tit. A small group of four suddenly alighted on our feeders for about two minutes, then moved on. Richard Goring.
RSPB Bowers Marsh 10:45 to 12:15
3 Little Egret, 2 Little Grebe, 3 Bearded Tit (1m, 2f), 6 Corn Bunting, 2 Reed Bunting, 4 Cetti's Warbler (1 seen briefly, others heard only). Andrew Bridge.
Private Site Near Great Wakering 11:30 to 14:30
8 Little Egret, 4 Grey Heron, 2 Marsh Harrier, 2 Hen Harrier (1 male, 1 ringtail), Sparrowhawk, 7 Kestrel, 1 Peregrine Falcon, 1 Merlin. Steve Sanford, Steve Giles, Kris Mee, Web Author.
Tilbury, Coalhouse Fort 13:00 to 14:30
Mistle Thrush, Stonechat, Pied Wagtail, 400+ Avocet in flight, 200+ Shelduck, 2 massive flocks of Starling - 1000 birds at least awesome sight. Jim and Lin Bailey.
Saturday 16th November 2013westerly, partly cloudy, max10°c
Paglesham Churchend 06:30
2 little Owl on farm buildings back of Ingulfs Farm and one presented the other with some food and was lovely to see and watch them. John Carson.
Thurrock, Thameside Nature Park 10:10 to 11:20
1 male Stonechat, 50+ Avocet flying into bay, 5 Turnstone, 300+ Teal. Richard Fahey.
Battlesbridge 12:35
2 Common Buzzard spiralling heading south. Kris Mee, Web Author.
Thurrock, EWT Thameside Nature Park 13:00 to 14:45
3 male Stonechat, Curlew, Redshank, Kestrel, Shelduck, lots of Teal, Turnstone. Stanford Warren: 5 Cetti's Warbler heard and seen, 3 Water Rail calling. Grey Heron. Jim and Lin Bailey.
RSPB Bowers Marsh 15:00 to 17:00
31 Reed Bunting, 6 Pochard, 8 Wigeon, 1 Mute Swan, 5 Little Grebe, 2 Bearded Tit. Richard Mander.
Friday 15th November 2013northerly, partly cloudy, max9°c
Ashingdon, Princess Gardens 11:00 and 12:05
11 Fieldfare, group of 8 then 3, over going south-west. David Selley.
RSPB Bowers Marsh 12:30 to 14:30
Kestrel, large flocks of Goldfinch, Corn Bunting, Starling, Chaffinch, 6 Bearded Tit, Cetti's Warbler heard, Little Grebe, Little Egret, Skylark, Sparrowhawk, Meadow Pipit. Jim Bailey.
Thursday 14th November 2013north westerly, partly cloudy, max10°c
Southend, Cromwell Road, 12:00
3, very noisy, Jackdaw on roof, unusual to see them this far down the estuary, 2 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Great Tit in garden, Great Spotted Woodpecker very briefly on old redundant telegraph pole in garden next door. Phil Lusher.
Two Tree Island West 15:30
Wigeon, Teal, 2 Greenshank, c.6 Snipe. Richard Shepherd.
RSPB Wallasea Island 14:30 to 15:15
2 Little Egret, 15 Shelduck, 1 Pied Wagtail, 2 Pheasant, 40+ Corn Bunting, 6 Mute Swan, 5 Magpie, 70+ Redshank, 150+ Lapwing, 35+ Carrion Crow, 30+ Starling, 40+ Dunlin, 3 Curlew, 7 Herring Gull, 21 Black-headed Gull, 3 Kestrel. Rob Harris.
Wednesday 13th November 2013south westerly, clear, max10°c
Basildon, Festival Leisure Park Lake 08:45
2 Grey Wagtail. Ben Setterfield.
EWT Abberton Reservoir, Layer Breton Causeway 10:00 to 13:00
1 Bittern, 1 Water Rail, 1 Kingfisher, 6 Snipe, 1 Peregrine Falcon, 2 Kestrel, c.50 Shoveler, c.50 Pochard, many Teal, Mallard, Tufted Duck, 22 Pintail, 4 Pied Wagtail, 8 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Little Grebe, 6 Grey Heron, 2 Little Grebe, 2 Little Egret, c.10 Wigeon, 2 Common Gull, 2 Egyptian Geese, many Greylag Geese. David & Brenda Hale.
Paglesham Churchend 11.00
2 Buzzard being chased away by a crow just north of Ingulfs Farm. John Carson.
RSPB Bowers Marsh 11:30
Pair of Bearded Tit. Judy.
RSPB Wallasea Island 12:30 to 12:50
3 Mute Swan, 2 Magpie. 23 Carrion Crow, 2 Herring Gull, 1 Little Egret, 3 Stock Dove, 5 Wood Pigeon, 1 Pheasant, 3 House Sparrow, 4 Corn Bunting, 1 Starling. Rob Harris.
Two Tree Island West 13:00
1 Jack Snipe amongst 7 other Snipe on the central Island 'C' on the lagoon from the hide. Noel Barnes.
EWT Abberton Reservoir 13:15 to 15:30
3 adult and 4 juvenile Bewick's Swan, 2 Peregrine Falcon, 2 Kestrel, 1 drake Goldeneye, 2 Goldfinch, 3 Chaffinch, c.200 Starling, 6 Stock Dove, 1 female Marsh Harrier, 3 Skylark, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1 Meadow Pipit, many Cormorant, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret. David & Brenda Hale.
RSPB Bowers Marsh 13:30 to 15:30
1 Glossy Ibis, 2 Marsh Harrier, 4 Corn Bunting. David Lee.
Tuesday 12th November 2013north westerly, mostly cloudy, max13°c
Canvey Point 14:00 to 14:45
20 Gannet (adult and juvenile), 200+ Brent Geese, 100+ Wigeon, 50+ Redshank, 7 Grey Plover, 6 Curlew, 30+ Oystercatcher, 5 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Little Egret, 6 Turnstone, 5 Dunlin. 6 Common Seal. Terry Blackwell.
EWT Abberton Reservoir 16:10 to 16:30
20+ Canada Geese, 33 Coot, 12 Greylag Geese, 5 Moorhen, 100+ Mallard, 200+ Pochard, 2 Magpie, 200+ Cormorant, 28 Mute Swan, 100+ Black-headed Gull, 5 Shoveler, 200+ Carrion Crow, 1 Aylesbury Duck, 6 hybrid Geese, 1 Swan Goose. Rob Harris.
Monday 11th November 2013southerly, cloud, rain, max12°c
Cromwell Road, Southend 10:00
Last of the House Sparrows have fledged from our four nest boxes under the eves. This year was very good for breeding with at least 100 young being fledged (although we did loose a few to a persistent Sparrowhawk). Many are still around the garden. Phil Lusher.
Hanningfield Reservoir 13:00 to 14:10
5 Red Crested Pochard, 6 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Goldeneye, 4 Pintail, 2 Little Grebe, Gadwall, Teal, Tufted Duck, Wigeon. John Wilson.
Hanningfield Reservoir Causeway 14:00 to 14:20
100+ Tufted Duck, 70+ Pochard, 100+ Mallard, 50+ Shoveler, 50+ Wigeon, 30+ Gadwall, 50+ Coot, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 50+ Canada Geese, 60+ Greylag Geese, 50+ Herring Gull, 150+ Black-headed Gull, 2 Magpie, 12 Carrion Crow, 50+ Cormorant, 27 Mute Swan, 6 Woodpigeon, 3 Moorhen, 2 Hybrid Duck. Rob Harris.
Sunday 10th November 2013north westerly, few clouds, max9°c
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 08:55 to 12:00
male Brambling in hawthorn by track opposite barns, 1 Marsh Harrier north over fence west of Coryton, 1 Whimbrel flying and calling at creek, 1 Green Sandpiper, 5 Wigeon north over Manorway Fleet, 300+ Teal on creek, 1 Pochard on Manorway Fleet, Cetti's Warbler heard out on marshes, 1 Little Egret on creek. Richard Fahey.
RSPB Wallasea Island 09:30 to 10:15
Ringtail Hen Harrier, 1 Peregrine Falcon fly by, 2 Kestrel, many Corn Bunting and Meadow Pipit, Starling, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove. Lin & Jim Bailey.
EWT Thameside Nature Reserve, Thurrock 09:00 to 13:00
4 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 600+ Avocet, 1 Merlin, 2 Kestrel. Steve Sanford, Kris Mee, Web Author.
RSPB Bowers Marsh 10:30 to 14:30
Magpie, Carrion Crow, Robin, Yellowhammer, Woodpigeon, Starling, Black-headed Gull, Skylark, Fieldfare, Herring Gull, Lapwing, Little Egret, Curlew, Common Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Cormorant, Little Grebe, Coot, Wigeon, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Teal, Mallard, Grey Heron, Kestrel, Glossy Ibis, Moorhen, Shoveler, Meadow Pipit, Great Tit, Dunnock, Bearded Tit, Pied Wagtail, Linnet, Twite, Chaffinch, House Sparrow, Collared Dove, Greenfinch. S. Jackson, M. Hill.
RSPB Vange Marsh 13:00 to 16:15
7 Snipe, 2 Spotted Redshank, 4 Green Sandpiper, 4 Grey Heron, 300+ Lapwing, 150+ Wigeon, 120+ Teal, 5,Black-tailed Godwit, 10 Curlew, 6 Little Grebe, 1 Glossy Ibis dropped down for 15 minutes then flew off. David Shepherd.
RSPB Wallasea Island 14:30 to 16:30
1 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Greenshank, 1 Snow Bunting (just one at east end 100m along sea wall towards Wallasea Ness). Jeff Delve.
Saturday 09th November 2013south westerly, partly cloudy, max8°c
No reports received for this day.
Friday 08th November 2013southerly to westerly, partly cloudy, max12°c
Wickford, Wick Meadows, 08:00 to 08:15
8 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Goldfinch (a very rare sight on our garden feeders). Our resident House Sparrow numbers are now c.20, from none a few years ago. 2 Blue Tit. David & Brenda Hale.
Hockley, Plumberow Wood/Mount 11:00 to 13:00
2 Sparrowhawk circling over Crabtree Wood, 1 Buzzard on telegraph pole, 1 Reed Bunting, 4 Meadow Pipit, 30 Redwing passing overhead, 4 Brambling, 15 Chaffinch, 12 Jackdaw, 5 Goldfinch, 12 Long-Tailed Tit. David Glover.
RSPB Wallasea Island 11:00 to 13:00
6 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 500+ Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 40+ Shelduck, 30+ Teal, 7 Mallard, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Kestrel, 2 Oystercatcher, 50+ Ringed Plover, 100+ Dunlin, 70+ Golden Plover, 150 Lapwing, 20+ Black-tailed Godwit, 8 Curlew, 100+ Redshank, 60+ Woodpigeon, 50+ Stock Dove, 100+ Starling, 70+ Corn Bunting, 20+ Skylark, 50+ Linnet, 50+ Carrion Crow, 3 Magpie, 100+ Black-headed Gull, 150+ Herring Gull, 30+ Lesser Black-backed Gull. Rob Harris.
Canvey Point 12:10 to 13:00
1000+ Brent Geese, 400+ Oystercatcher, 60 Redshank, 150 Dunlin, 3 Sanderling, 9 Grey Plover, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 30 Curlew, 4 Turnstone, 20 Wigeon, 8 Common Scoter, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 7 Little Egret. Terry Blackwell.
Thursday 07th November 2013west south west, partly cloudy, max15°c
First winter migrant report - Snow Bunting
EWT Hanningfield Reservoir 10:00 to 15:30
3 Mistle Thrush, 4 Blackbird, 1 Coal Tit, many Great Tit, many Blue Tit, few Chaffinch, 1 Wren, 1 Dunnock, c.40 Pied Wagtail, 3 Goldfinch, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, c.100 Mute Swan, c.30 Great Crested Grebe, 6 Moorhen, 100's of Coot, 100's of Tufted Duck, many Greylag Geese, few Canada Geese, 50+ Cormorant, 1 Jay, 2 drake and 3 female, Pintail, many Wigeon, Teal, Shoveler, 1 Ruddy Shelduck, few Mallard, 6 Little Grebe, 15 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret, c.20 Lapwing, c.30 Lesser Black-backed Gull, many Black-headed Gull. 1 Hornet, 6 Grey Squirrel. David & Brenda Hale.
RSPB Wallasea Island (Wetlands WeBs Count) 11:50 to 15:30
1 Cormorant, 11 Little Egret, 3 Grey Heron, 1500 Dark-bellied Brent Goose (approx distantly on winter wheat at SW corner), 102 Shelduck, 119 Wigeon, 300 Teal, 77 Mallard, 2 Pintail (drakes on Roach), 2 Marsh Harrier (female and 1st winter male at east end), 1 Oystercatcher, 150 Ringed Plover on roost on pools south of materials handling area, 1160 Golden Plover, 250 Lapwing, 1 Knot, 1 Curlew Sandpiper, 900 Dunlin on roost on pools south of materials handling area, 4 Snipe flushed from saltmarsh, 70+ Black-tailed Godwit (flock dropped in to pool at central east end), 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 46 Curlew, 200 Redshank, 1 Green Sandpiper in drainage ditch, 3 Turnstone, 100+ Stock Dove (distant flock over old crop south east corner), 3 Rock Pipit, 90 Starling feeding around saltmarsh - bigger flocks across construction area, 8 Snow Bunting feeding on east end sea wall towards Wallasea Ness, 9 Reed Bunting, 6 Corn Bunting. Jeff Delve.
Wednesday 06th November 2013south westerly, cloud and rain, max15°c
Ashingdon, Princess Gardens 16:00 to 16:20
15+ Blackbird, very noticeable influx this afternoon with much alarm calling until dark. David Selley.
Tuesday 05th November 2013westerly, cloud, rain, max12°c
RSPB Wallasea Island 14:30 to 15:00
1 ringtail Hen Harrier, 1 Kestrel, 2 Little Egret, 5 Shelduck, 30+ Linnet, 40+ Corn Bunting, 1 Pheasant, 3 Mute Swan, 3 Magpie, 12 Redshank, 150+ Lapwing, 50+ Carrion Crow, 100+ Dunlin, 100+ Herring Gull, 30+ Lesser Black-backed Gull, 200+ Black-headed Gull, 20+ Common Gull. Rob Harris.
Monday 04th November 2013westerly, partly cloudy, max10°c
First winter migrant report - Fieldfare
Wat Tyler Country Park 09:45 to 12:00
Sightings from scrape hide: 1 female Marsh Harrier, 1 Kestrel, 1 Jay, 15 Snipe, c.2000 Starling over landfill, 2 Robin, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret, 1 Mute Swan, few Mallard, Shoveler, Gadwall, Teal, c.50 Lapwing, 2 Little Grebe, Cetti's Warbler heard, Bearded Tit heard, 3 Goldfinch, few Black-headed Gull. 1 Fox. David & Brenda Hale.
RSPB Bowers Marsh 12:15 to 16:30
3 Marsh Harrier, 2 Kestrel, 6 Fieldfare, 2 Redwing, 16 Greylag Geese, 15 Little Grebe, 2 Reed Bunting, 5 Goldfinch, 1 Green sandpiper, Skylark, Corn Bunting, Lapwing, Wigeon, Teal, Grey Plover, Little Egret. David Shepherd.
RSPB Bowers Marsh 12:20 to 15:30
2 female Marsh Harrier, 1 Glossy Ibis (brief and distant view of bird dropping in), 1 Kestrel, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, few Lapwing, many Lesser Black-backed Gull, many Black-headed Gull, few Herring Gull, 2 Grey Heron, 5 Little Egret, few Skylark, c.10 Goldfinch, c.15 Greylag Geese, few Mallard, few Shoveler. 1 Fox. David & Brenda Hale.
RSPB Bower Marsh 13:20
Fieldfare just north west of the great pond on main track. Cleve Bull.
Dawes Heath 21:15 to 20:00
1 Tawny Owl calling at the bottom of my garden, kept on for 45 minutes. Mike Sagrott.
Sunday 03rd November 2013west south west, partly cloudy, max12°c
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 07:40 to 10:20
6 2nd year Mediterranean Gull on island by Fobbing Horse, 3 Green Sandpiper at fleet and a single at shrub pool, 1 Snipe, 350+ Teal (all but 2 on creek), 4 Gadwall Manorway Fleet, 300+ Black-tailed Godwit east of refinery seen from Coryton. Richard Fahey.
RSPB Wallasea Island 08:30 to 09:45
1 ringtail Hen Harrier, 2 Little Egret, 1 Whimbrel, 20+ Shelduck, 3 Pied Wagtail, 20+ Skylark, 40+ Linnet, 50+ Corn Bunting, 1 Pheasant, 3 Mute Swan, 8 Magpie, 30+ Redshank, 1 Greenshank, 20+ Ringed Plover, 50+ Lapwing, 50+ Carrion Crow, 100+ Dunlin, 150+ Herring Gull, 2 Greater Black-backed Gull, 50+ Lesser Black-backed Gull, 150+ Black-headed Gull, 7 Common Gull. Rob Harris.
Bournemouth Park Road/Eastern Ave 09:15
Red Kite gliding in wind over garden. Don Wildish.
RSPB Bowers Marsh 11:00 to 13:00
4 Spoonbill, 3 Dunlin, Large numbers of Black-headed Gull, several Great Black-backed Gull, several Cormorant, 1 Skylark, 1 Meadow Pipit. David Lee.
Two Tree Island 13:00
1 Jack Snipe from lagoon hide. Barry Jackson.
Saturday 02nd November 2013south westerly, cloud, rain, max15°c
RSPB Wallasea Island 07:30 to 10:00
1 Cattle Egret in borrow dyke near conveyor and on muddy area near compound, 2 Marsh Harrier (adult male and immature female), 1 ringtail Hen Harrier, 1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Kestrel, 2 Merlin low and fast west past wild bird cover, 300 Golden Plover, 32 Grey Plover, 500 Lapwing, 350 Dunlin, 50+ Skylark, 150+ Linnet on wild bird cover, 200+ Corn Bunting on wbc and sea wall. Jeff Delve.
Southchurch Park 12:30
Drake Shoveler, beautiful colourings, feeding and preening on the lake by the café wonderful to observe so closely. Jill and John Parsons.
RSPB Wallasea Island 12:30 to 13:30
2 Little Egret, 2 Kestrel, 30+ Carrion Crow, 60+ Woodpigeon, 8 Magpie, 1 Whimbrel, 30+ Redshank, 25 Shelduck, 15 Skylark, 30+ Linnet, 20+ Corn Bunting, 7 Mute Swan, 60+ Herring Gull, 100+ Black-headed Gull, 20+ Lesser Black-backed Gull, 7 Meadow Pipit, 3 Pied Wagtail, 30+ Lapwing, 70+ Dunlin. Rob Harris.
Two Tree Island West, 14:30 to 15:30
50+ Teal, 1 Shoveler, 1 Snipe, 20+ Wigeon, Redshank, Mallard, Lapwing. Brian and Jan Coveney.
Hanningfield Reservoir 14:30 to 15:00
200+ Tufted Duck, 200+ Pochard, 250+ Mallard, 50+ Shoveler, 150+ Wigeon, 30+ Gadwall, 350+ Coot, 5 Great Crested Grebe, 100+ Canada Geese, 100+ Greylag Geese, 150+ Herring Gull, 350+ Black-headed Gull, 40+ Lesser Black-backed Gull, 11 Greater Black-backed Gull, 3 Magpie, 20+ Carrion Crow, 100+ Cormorant, 30+ Mute Swan, 1 Pied Wagtail, 30+ Woodpigeon, 4 Domestic Geese, 7 Hybrid Duck. Rob Harris.
Friday 01st November 2013southerly, mostly cloudy, max14°c
Hockley, Garden 10:00 to 13:00
1 Sparrowhawk, 12 Redwing passing over, 12 Chaffinch, 4 Brambling, 2 Goldfinch, 3 Pied Wagtail, 12 Long-Tailed Tit, 6 Blue Tit, 5 Great Tit, 1 Chiffchaff, 20 Starling, 2 Jackdaw. 2 Red Admiral. 1 Common Darter. Dave Glover.