South East Essex RSPB Wildlife Reports for November 2014

Sunday 30th November 2014north westerly, scattered clouds, max11°c

Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 09:05 to 11:45
1 Whimbrel, 1 Snipe, 1 Marsh Harrier, 100+ Wigeon and 500+ Teal across area, c.6 Shoveler at Manorway fleet or lagoon, c.20 Curlew up from south pool, a few Black-tailed Godwit, 60+ Lapwing, Cetti's Warbler heard over area, a few Fieldfare. Richard Fahey.

RSPB Wallasea Island 10:30 to 12:15
17 Mute Swan, 22 Greylag Goose, 15 Shelduck, 200+ Mallard, 115 Teal, 10+ Shoveler, 1 ringtail Hen Harrier, 4 Kestrel, 1 Peregrine Falcon, 1 Merlin caught pipit-sized prey and was immediately pursued (unsuccessfully) by the Peregrine, 1000+ Lapwing flock over the Crouch, Curlew, Redshank, Dunlin, 3 Stonechat, 5 Redwing, 1 Fieldfare, 21 Skylark, 7 Goldfinch, c.130 Corn Bunting - flock of 95 by Grapnells and 30+ by the accommodation area. David Selley.

Foulness Island 14:00 to 16:00
1 Common Buzzard, 2 Marsh Harrier, c.10 Kestrel, 1 Little Owl, c.75 Little Egret, c.100 Lapwing, 10 Redwing. Steve and Fran Giles.

Saturday 29th November 2014easterly. partly cloudy, max12°c

Foulness Island 10:35
Female Brambling under feeders. Steve Giles.

Two Tree Island 10:33 to 14:30
Herring Gull, Oystercatcher, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Carrion Crow, Great Black-backed Gull, Redshank, 8+ Blackbird, Magpie, Dunnock, 3+ Little Grebe, Great Tit, Blue Tit, 40+ Teal, Chiffchaff, 11+ Long-tailed Tit, Greenfinch, 7+ Little Egret, lots of Woodpigeon, 8+ Reed Bunting, 20+ Mallard, Coot, Moorhen, 35+ Lapwing, 10+ Curlew, 18+ Wigeon, 20+Shoveler, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Grey Plover, 3+ Snipe, Starling, Stonechat, 30+ Brent Goose, Feral Pigeon, Collared Dove, House Sparrow. S. Jackson & M. Hill.

Hampton Barns 11:30
2 Common Buzzard one of which was in dark phase. Pat Dandridge.

RSPB Wallasea Island 12:30 to 13:30
1 Blackbird, 3 Reed Bunting, 60+ Corn Bunting, 40+ Linnet, 30+ Shelduck, 5 Magpie, 11 Mallard, 3 Redshank, 3 Kestrel, 1 Hen Harrier, 1 Marsh Harrier, 14 Carrion Crow, 2 Pheasant 140+ Starling, 3 Stonechat, 2 Grey Heron, 23 Herring Gull, 40+ Black-headed Gull, 2 Chaffinch, 4 Mute Swan. Rob Harris.

Rayleigh, Ferndale Road 15:30
1 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. Robin Peppiatt.

Friday 28th November 2014easterly, partly cloudy, max13°c

Rayleigh, Ferndale Road 00:10
1 Tawny Owl calling. Robin Peppiatt.

EWT Abberton Reservoir 09:25 to 16:00
4 Marsh Harrier, 4 Kestrel, 1 Peregrine Falcon, 2 Buzzard, 3 Chaffinch, 14 Fieldfare, 6 Pied Wagtail, 1 Skylark, 2 Meadow Pipit, 1 Rock Pipit, c.10 Goldeneye, 150+ Shoveler many in groups creating eddy's to trap food, few Tufted Duck, Gadwall, Wigeon, Mallard, many Pochard, 1 female Red Crested Pochard, 1 Shelduck, 100s Lapwing, c.200 Golden Plover, 2 Ruff, 2 Redshank, 2 Great White Egret, 6 Little Egret, 4 Grey Heron, c.100 Greylag Geese, c.20 Canada Geese, c.50 Common Gull, many Great Crested Grebe. David & Brenda Hale.

Pound Wood, Daws Heath 10:45 to 10:50
1 male Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. Richard Gray.

Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 12:35 to 15:15
2 Marsh Harrier, 2 Stonechat, c.9 Wigeon, 250+ Teal on creek, 800+ Lapwing flying other side of creek, Cetti's Warbler heard along Manorway reed bed, 1 Little Egret, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker at Manorway Fleet. Richard Fahey.

Thursday 27th November 2014easterly, mostly cloudy, max13°c

Two Tree Island 13:10 to 13:15
Short-eared Owl over west end of the island and then flew east. David Davies.

Abberton Reservoir 14:00 to 14:30
100+ Canada Geese, 150+ Greylag Geese, 50+ Carrion Crow, 5 Magpie, 1 Blackbird, 30+ House Sparrow, 1 Redshank, 150+ Tufted Duck, 50+ Teal, 200+ Mallard, 200+ Shoveler, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Little Egret, 6 Mute Swan, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Jay, 50+ Woodpigeon, 1 Kestrel, 100+ Black-headed Gull. 26 Herring Gull, 100+ Cormorant, 100+ Coot, 2 Moorhen. 3 white Hybrid Geese, 1 Swan Goose. Rob Harris.

Wat Tyler Country Park 14:30
A pair of Bullfinch in bushes behind the RSPB Visitor Centre. David Lee.

Wednesday 26th November 2014east south east, overcast, max10°c

Hockley, Glencrofts 08:25
1 Goldcrest. A first for my garden. Irwin Lewis.

Tuesday 25th November 2014east north east, partly cloudy, max10°c

RSPB Wat Tyler Country Park 13:00 to 15:15
1 Water Rail, 1 Peregrine Falcon, 2 Marsh Harrier, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Little Grebe, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Little Egret, 100+ Lapwing up over Canvey Marsh, 2 Snipe, 5 Moorhen, c.12 Jackdaw, c.20 Greylag Geese, many Pochard, Gadwall, Teal, few Shoveler, Mallard. 1 young Fox. David & Brenda Hale.

RSPB Wallasea Island 14:15 to 15:15
3 Marsh Harrier, 2 Hen Harrier, 1 Merlin, 5 Kestrel, 40+ Corn Bunting, 5 Meadow Pipit, 7 Goldfinch, 30+ Linnet, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret, 30+ Mallard, 200+ Lapwing, 35 Golden Plover, 30+ Herring Gull, 40+ Black-headed Gull, 7 Magpie, 20+ Carrion Crow, 100+ Wood Pigeon. Rob Harris.

Monday 24th November 2014variable, clear, max24°c

Pound Wood Daws Heath 11:00 to 12:30
1 female Sparrowhawk. 1 female Muntjac Deer. Mike Sagrott.

EWT Two Tree Island 11:00 to 16:00
2 pair Stonechat, flock of female Reed Bunting 12 birds at least, many Meadow Pipit, 12 Linnet, few Great Tit, Blue Tit, Robin, Dunnock, Blackbird, 20+ Snipe, 2 Water Rail, (1 preening on concrete sluice,) c.40 Ringed Plover, 1 Avocet, 4 Curlew, 3 Turnstone, c.200 Lapwing, 4 Greenshank, 8 Little Egret, 4 Grey Heron, 100s Dunlin, 1000+ Knot, many Redshank, Grey Plover, Oystercatcher, 1 Yellow-legged Gull, 24 Common Gull, c.60 Great Black-backed Gull, few Shelduck, Teal, Mallard, Wigeon, 3 pair Shoveler, 100s Brent Geese, 1000s mixed Gulls on distant landfill. 1 Moorhen. David & Brenda Hale.

Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 12:22 to 15:30
1 Water Rail flew across Manorway Fleet identified by small size and shrill "kip-kip,kip-kip" call, 1 Kingfisher landed at close range by "tunnel" at end of reeds fleet, 1 female Marsh Harrier, 3 Stonechat, 20+ Wigeon included 10 up from flooded fleet near old bungalow, 10+ Teal, drake and female Shoveler and 7 Gadwall on Manorway Fleet, 2 Little Egret, 20+ Lapwing along creek, 10+ Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Sparrowhawk, Cetti's Warbler heard at Manorway Fleet, Little Grebe singles at creek and Manorway Fleet. Richard Fahey.

Ashingdon, Princess Gardens 14:00 to 15:30
All flying over garden: 1 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 1 female Sparrowhawk, 2 Fieldfare, 19 very vocal Jackdaw. David Selley.

Canvey Point 14:30 to 15:30
1 Red-breasted Merganser. Terry Blackwell.

Two Tree Island West and Creek 15:30
Flocks of Ringed Plover, Lapwing, Dunlin, Knot, 20+ Snipe, Wigeon, Shoveler, Teal, 1 Little Egret, Redshank, Greenshank, Grey Plover, Black-tailed Godwit. On creek: 7 Little Egret, 4 Grey Heron, 2 Curlew, 2 Cormorant, 70 Brent Geese, 6 Shelduck, Oystercatcher. Richard Shepherd.

Sunday 23rd November 2014north north westerly, rain, max13°c

No reports received for this day.

Saturday 22nd November 2014southerly, rain, max22°c

Thorpe Bay, Parkanaur Avenue, 09:00
1 Grey Wagtail at the edge of our garden pond. Ian & Marion Smith.

Billericay 09:10
1 male Blackcap in bushes in Perry Street. Marion Burch.

Mucking 10:00 to 12:00
1 Dartford Warbler (similar location to earlier reports), 4 Stonechat, 3 Skylark, 1 male Marsh Harrier, 1 female Sparrowhawk, 1 Green Woodpecker. Andrew Gouldstone.

Wakering Stairs 10:10 to 11:45
404 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 12 Shelduck, 4 Mallard, 6 Little Egret, 1 Marsh Harrier, 3 Kestrel, 2100 Oystercatcher, c.6500 Knot, c.3000 Dunlin, 125 Grey Plover, 50+ Ringed Plover, 680 Bar-tailed Godwit, 61 Redshank, 9 Turnstone, 17 Meadow Pipit, 1 Rock Pipit, 1 Skylark, 100+ Blackbird, 11 Redwing, 10 Robin, 13 Goldfinch, 5 Linnet, 1 Reed Bunting. David Selley.

EWT Hanningfield Reservoir 11:00 to 15:15
Sightings from Rawl hide: 3 Black -tailed Godwit, 4 Ruff, 11 Dunlin, 100+ Lapwing, 2 female Goldeneye, 4 Grey Heron, c.12 Chaffinch, 2 Wren, 1 Dunnock, 6 Pied Wagtail, 1 Robin, many Teal, Great Crested Grebe, few Wigeon, Shoveler, Mallard, Gadwall, Tufted Duck, 3 Mute Swan, 1 Common Gull, few Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, many Black-headed Gull, 1 Moorhen. 150+ Cormorant. 1 young Muntjac Deer. Of note: not one Coot seen today, most unusual. David & Brenda Hale.

Wat Tyler Country Park 14:40 to 16:30
2 Bittern, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Water Rail, 1 immature male Marsh Harrier, good Starling murmuration went into roost in the reeds, Cetti's Warbler heard. Andrew Gouldstone.

Friday 21st November 2014south easterly, rain, max14°c

Canvey Point 09:30 to 10:30
20 Red and Black-throated Diver all in one group flying towards Southend. Terry Blackwell.

RSPB Wallasea Island 09:30 to 13:15
3 Marsh Harriers (2 male, 1 female), 2 Peregrine Falcon, 3 Hen Harrier (2 ringtail, 1 male). Mike Hughes.

Shoeburyness, Gunners Park 13:22 to 14:30
House Sparrow, Starling, Robin, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Carrion Crow, 7+ Blackbird, 10+ Long-tailed Tit, Dunnock, 8+ Greenfinch, Feral Pigeon, Magpie, Herring Gull, Turnstone, Black Redstart, Linnet, 6+ Mute Swan, Mallard, Moorhen, Oystercatcher, 4+ Little Grebe, Rock Pipit, Grey Heron, 9+ Great Tit, 6+ Blue Tit, Green Woodpecker, Wren. S. Jackson.

Thursday 20th November 2014easterly, mostly cloudy, max12°c

First winter migrant report - Black-throated Diver

Canvey Point 09:30 to 10:45
5 Avocet, 1 Black-throated Diver, 200+ Dunlin, 100+ Oystercatcher, 30+ Brent Geese, 25 Turnstone, Little Egret, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 6 Cormorant, 2 Grey Plover. Terry Blackwell.

Southend on Sea 11:45 to 15:30
Sightings from pier head and foreshore: 1 Red-throated Diver, c.20 Mediterranean Gull, c.50 Turnstone, c.50 Brent Geese, 1 female Marsh Harrier, c.100 Oystercatcher, 12 Little Egret, 2 Curlew, 12 Redshank, 1 Common Gull, few Great Black-backed Gull, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull. 1 Common Seal. David & Brenda Hale.

RSPB Wallasea Island 14:00 to 16:00
2 Hen Harrier, 1 male 3 female Marsh Harrier, 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 female Merlin, 1 male Merlin watched for 30 minutes feeding on prey, best views ever! Russ Payne.

Wednesday 19th November 2014south easterly, partly cloudy, max12°c

Thurrock, Thameside Nature Park 11:30
1 Dartford Warbler showing well. Only person there without camera! John Meredith.

Hullbridge, Abbey Road, 14:00
1 female Goshawk searching for prey in the back garden overlooking the fields. Cheryl Beacon.

RSPB Wallasea Island 15:00 to 16:00
1 Short-eared Owl, 2 ringtail Hen Harrier, male and female Marsh Harrier, 1 Merlin, 1 Kestrel. Mike Sagrott.

Hanningfield Reservoir 16:30
1 Tawny Owl. John Wilson.

Tuesday 18th November 2014northerly, partly cloudy, max12°c

Shoeburyness, Gunners Park 09:50
1 Stonechat. John Pitts.

Shoeburyness, Gunners Park 10:00 to 12:15
Rock Pipit close to barge pier, male Black Redstart near concrete fort. Pat Dandridge.

RSPB Wallasea Island 10:30 to 13:30
1 pair Marsh Harrier, 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 rngtail Hen Harrier, 1 Kestrel, 2 male, 1 female Stonechat, many Corn Bunting, few Goldfinch, Meadow Pipit, Reed Bunting, c.20 Linnet, many small flocks of Starling, 100's Lapwing, 100's Brent Geese, 100's Wood Pigeon, few Stock Dove, few Redshank, Curlew, c.20 Shelduck, few Shoveler, Mallard. David & Brenda Hale.

RSPB Wallasea Island 12:00 to 13:15
20+ Carrion Crow, 5 Magpie, 30+ Goldfinch, 3 Reed Bunting, 30+ Corn Bunting, 40+ Linnet, 5 Kestrel, 3 Marsh Harrier, 2 Hen Harrier, 2 Stonechat, 50+ Starling, 100+ Woodpigeon, 1 Little Egret, 100+ Black-headed Gull, 100+ Herring Gull, 7 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 5 Shelduck, 1 Curlew, 20+ Redshank, 300+ Lapwing, 500+ Brent Geese, 50+ Mallard, 1 Grey Heron. 1 Weasel by white gate. Rob Harris.

Abberton Reservoir 12:30 to 14:00
1 Great White Egret, 4 Little Egret, 7 Egyptian Geese flew off west at 13:45, 4 Goldeneye, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 male Stonechat, 50 Shoveler, 4 Great Crested Grebe, 60 Teal, 300 Wigeon. John Wilson.

Monday 17th November 2014southerly to easterly, scattered clouds, max10°c

Thorpe Hall Golf Course 07:45
6 Little Egret feeding on the 8th at Thorpe Hall Golf Course. Alec Beanse.

Wat Tyler Country Park 11:00
1 Bittern, 3 Marsh Harrier, 1 Peregrine Falcon. Richard Shepherd.

Thurrock, Thameside Nature Reserve 11:30 to 14:30
Female Dartford Warbler showing well in blackberry bushes on hill. Dave blackwell.

Hanningfield Reservoir 15:00 to 15:25
29 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Grey Heron, 5 Great Crested Grebe, 9 Great Black-backed Gull, 200+ Black-headed Gull, 1 Robin, 17 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 100+ Herring Gull, 20+ Pochard, 60+ Tufted Duck, 200+ Mallard, 30+ Shoveler, 40+ Teal, 150+ Greylag Geese, 100+ Canada Geese, 1 Pied Wagtail, 12 Carrion Crow, 3 Magpie, 100+ Coot, 12 Lapwing, 200+ Cormorant, 40+ Woodpigeon, 2 Collared Dove, 1 Blackbird, 9 Domestic White Geese. Rob Harris.

Sunday 16th November 2014northerly, partly cloudy, max12°c

Ashingdon, Princess Gardens 08:00 to 08:10
1 Chiffchaff and 7 Long-tailed Tit with a small mostly Blue Tit flock. David Selley.

Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 08:57 to 11:45
1 Barn Owl flushed at end of reeds ditch near north reed bed by "tunnel" near sty but dropped to ground at close range, looking wet, bedraggled and weak but did manage to fly a short distance at low height into cover. Given the conditions I found it in, I think it's very likely to be a migrant, 1 male and female Yellowhammer by north reed bed, 1 Redwing at Coryton, 4 Stonechat over area, 1 ragged immature female Marsh Harrier at Coryton, 1 Water Rail heard in reeds at thicket north of Manorway Fleet, 130+ Wigeon and 500+ Teal mostly at lagoon/creek, 3 Gadwall at Manorway Fleet, 3 Avocet on creek, 50+ Lapwing on lagoon/creek, a few Black-tailed Godwit, c.3 Little Egret, Cetti's Warbler heard in a few spots over area, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Little Grebe on creek. Richard Fahey.

Paglesham East End 10:00 to 12:00
6 Mute Swan flying over Potton, 54 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 8 Wigeon, 11 Shelduck, 5 Mallard, 5 Little Egret, 2 Cormorant, 6 Oystercatcher, 3 Lapwing, 39 Redshank, 1 Greenshank, 4 Curlew, 30 Ringed Plover, 30 Dunlin, 3 Skylark, 10 Meadow Pipit, 60+ Blackbird in hawthorn hedges, 1 Fieldfare, 1 Reed Bunting, 2 Corn Bunting. Prolific crop of Yellow Fieldcap mushrooms along seawall by Paglesham Pool. David Selley.

RSPB Wallasea Island 12:00 to 14:00
10 Little Egret, 100+ Brent Geese, 50 Shelduck, 3 Pintail (1 drake, 2 female), 100+ Teal, 1st winter Marsh Harrier, 1 ringtail Hen Harrier, 1 Kestrel, 1 Grey Plover, 10 Golden Plover, 100+ Lapwing, 20 Redshank, 50 Black-tailed Godwit, 20 Curlew, 10 Skylark, 10 Meadow Pipit, 10 Corn Bunting. Mike & Anita Harris.

RSPB Wallasea Island 12:30 to 13:30
2 Marsh Harrier, 1 Kestrel, 2 Little Egret, 2 Curlew, 30+ Redshank, 25 Shelduck, 100+ Lapwing, 100+ Brent Geese, 40+ Mallard, 32 Teal, 4 Stonechat, 100+ Starling, 5 Magpie, 39+ Corn Bunting, 14 Carrion Crow, 40+ Linnet, 2 Pheasant, 40+ Black-headed Gull, 12 Herring Gull, 13 Goldfinch, 2 Mute Swan. Rob Harris.

Wat Tyler Country Park 13:00 to 13:45
1 Snow Goose, 1 Kingfisher, 3 Marsh Harrier, 2 Sparrowhawk. 1 Fox. Mick Roe.

Wat Tyler Country Park 13:40
c.150 Brent Geese flying overhead as we left the park, amazing site. J. Jones.

Wat Tyler Country Park 15:30 to 16:20
1 Kingfisher, 1 Bittern flying and on margin of reeds in front of white gate, small murmuration of Starling, 30+ Canada Geese, 1 Grey Heron, 4 Little Egret, 1 Snipe, 40+ Lapwing, 1 Jay. Mike and Jackie Bliss.

RSPB Wallasea Island 15:45 to 16:20
1 Kestrel, 2 Short-eared Owl, 5 Carrion Crow, 3 Magpie, 2 Corn Bunting, 12 Mallard, 60+ Lapwing. 4 Brown Hare. Rob Harris.

North Fambridge 15:00
1 Ringed Teal . Having looked on the internet today this seems to match what I saw. On private land. Gavin Thompson.

Saturday 15th November 2014sooutherly, partly cloudy, max12°c

RSPB Wallasea Island 06:00 to 09:30
2, possibly 3 Barn Owl on approach road, 1 Hen Harrier by car park, 1 Marsh Harrier, 4 Kestrel, many Brent Geese, many lapwing, Corn Bunting, 4 Short-eared Owl by car park. Jim Bailey.

Leigh on Sea, Park View Drive 07:10
Song Thrush in birch tree - sadly the first record this year. Kris Mee, Web Author.

Rayleigh, Rawreth Lane Fishing lake, 07:30 to 12:00
Kingfisher, Song Thrush, 7 Long-tailed Tit, Cormorant, Pheasant (flying). Keith Bartels.

RSPB Vange Marsh 08:20 to 10:20
On the saline lagoon: Curlew, Redshank, Green Sandpiper, Grey Heron, 5 Little Grebe, 2 Teal. On the main lagoon: 3 Mute Swan, c.40 Greylag Goose, c.20 Canada Goose (one dead), Ruff, 4 Curlew, 8 Black-tailed Godwit, 20 Snipe, 100+ Lapwing, many Teal, Wigeon, Mallard and Gadwall, 3 Pied Wagtail, Grey Heron, 6 Little Grebe. Around the perimeters: 4 Bearded Tit (2 adult, 2 juvenile in eastern reed bed), Dunnock, Chaffinch, 3 Goldfinch, 2 Meadow Pipit, 5 Great Tit, 6 Blue Tit, Robin, Song Thrush, 15 Blackbird, Cetti's Warbler heard, c.30 Stock Dove, Wren, Green Woodpecker, 2 Stonechat, remains of dead juvenile Mute Swan. Terry Jeffreys.

Wat Tyler Country Park 11:30 to 16:30
Sightings from scrape hide: 1 Bittern, 1 Glossy Ibis, c.2000 Starling, (murmuration at dusk), 1 Kingfisher, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Jay, 1 male 2 female Marsh Harrier, 2 Kestrel, c.30 Jackdaw, 3 Snipe, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 4 Little Grebe, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Pied Wagtail, 26 Greylag Geese, 2 Canada Geese, 1 Cetti's Warbler, c.20 Pochard, c.20 Gadwall, few Shoveler, Teal, Mallard, c.100 distant Lapwing (few on scrape), c.30 distant Wigeon, Great Black-backed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Black-headed Gull. 1 Fox. David Hale.

Cold Norton 15:00
Pheasant, Jay and Moorhen all on the bird table at the same time! Steve Lambeth.

RSPB Wallasea Island 15:00 to 15:45
1 Kestrel, 2 Hen Harrier, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Pheasant, 1 Wren, 1 Blackbird, 1 Robin, 1 Goldfinch, 2 Corn Bunting, 20+ Linnet, 70+ Woodpigeon, 60+ Herring Gull, 200+ Black-headed Gull, 200+ Lapwing, 200+ Brent Geese, 30+ Carrion Crow, 6 Magpie. Rob Harris.

Friday 14th November 2014southerly, partly cloudy, max14°c

Hanningfield Reservoir Causeway 14:00 to 14:30
21 Black-tailed Godwit, 17 Dunlin, 2 Grey Heron, 8 Great Crested Grebe, 6 Great Black-backed Gull, 250+ Black-headed Gull, 22 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 100+ Herring Gull, 30+ Pochard, 40+ Tufted Duck, 200+ Mallard, 30+ Shoveler, 23 Teal, 100+ Lapwing, 2 Mute Swan, 150+ Greylag Geese, 100+ Canada Geese, 3 Pied Wagtail, 12 Carrion Crow, 3 Magpie, 70+ Coot, 200+ Cormorant, 40+ Woodpigeon, 7 Collared Dove, 2 White Hybrid Duck. Rob Harris.

Wat Tyler Country Park 15:00 16:30
1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Kestrel, 1 Peregrine Falcon on pylon, 1 Bittern, 1 Water Rail (3 heard), Black-tailed Godwit, Shoveler. Jim Bailey.

Thursday 13th November 2014southerly, mostly cloudy, max13°c

RSPB Wat Tyler Country Park 11:00 to 15:00
Sightings from scrape hide: 1 Bittern flushed by Marsh Harrier at 14:45, landed in reeds in front of hide, 3 Marsh Harrier (1 male and 2 female), 1 Kestrel, 11 Snipe, 1 Green Sandpiper, 6 Little Grebe, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Mute Swan, c.50 Lapwing, 1 Yellow-legged Gull, 2 Common Gull, c.30 Gadwall, c.30 Shoveler, c.20 Pochard, 15 Teal, c.25 Wigeon flushed in distance, steady stream of Jackdaw flying south, 10 Great Black-backed Gull at least, few Mallard, huge gull flocks in distance many on scrape, 2 Pied Wagtail. David & Brenda Hale.

RSPB Wallasea Island 13:50 to 14:15
3 Hen Harrier, 1 Marsh Harrier, 3 Magpie, 31 Carrion Crow, 150+ Brent Geese, 30+ Linnet, 1 Little Egret, 5 Skylark, 50+ Starling, 100+ Woodpigeon, 1 Pheasant, 250+ Lapwing, 12 Redshank, 3 Kestrel, 250+ Black Headed Gull, 200+ Herring Gull. Rob Harris.

Wednesday 12th November 2014southerly, scattered clouds, max14°c

EWT Warley Place 10:20 to 15:50
4 Coal Tit, 4 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Nuthatch, 1 pair Blackbird, c.30 Redwing, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Jay, many Great and Blue Tit, c.20 Jackdaw, few Carrion Crow, 1 Buzzard, 1 Treecreeper, 1 Wren, 2 Robin, 2 Moorhen, few Chaffinch. 1 pair Mallard. 2 Red Admiral Butterfly. David & Brenda Hale.

Woodham Ferrers, Crows Lane 14:00 to 14:20
3 Kestrel, 30+ Starling, 3 Blackbird, 5 Chaffinch, 1 very lucky Red-legged Partridge flew over heads of beaters and away from guns during Pheasant and Partridge shoot on farm. Rob Harris.

Hanningfield Reservoir 15:00 to 15:25
16 Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Redshank, 1 Grey Heron, 12 Great Crested Grebe, 10 Great Black-backed Gull, 150+ Black-headed Gull, 12 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 70+ Tufted Duck, 200+ Mallard, 30+ Shoveler, 26 Teal, 5 Gadwall, 50+ Lapwing, 160+ Greylag Geese, 180+ Canada Geese, 1 Blackbird, 4 Pied Wagtail, 12 Carrion Crow, 6 Magpie, 5 Mute Swan, 100+ Coot, 200+ Cormorant. Very low water level. Rob Harris.

Tuesday 11th November 2014south easterly, partly cloudy, max14°c

RSPB Wallasea island 13:30 to 16:00
250+ Brent Geese, 1 Merlin hunting on seawall, 2 possibly 3 Hen Harrier, 4 Marsh Harrier, 4 Kestrel, 1 Peregrine Falcon mobbing two Marsh Harriers left of white gate, Skylark, Corn Bunting, 1 Stonechat. David Shepherd.

Eastwood, 14:40
1 Sparrowhawk perched on ivy branches atop garden fence, close to conservatory. Colin Newman.

Wat Tyler Country Park 15:45 to 16:30
2 Bittern showing quite well on far waters edge of scrape in reeds, 1 Glossy Ibis. Mick Roe.

Monday 10th November 2014south westerly, partly cloudy, max13°c

Two Tree Island West 12:50 to 15:00
1 Ring Ouzel seen in flight several times and calling in bushes behind west hide, 1 Water Rail on west lagoon, 1 male Merlin beyond Benfleet Creek on Canvey Island saltmarsh, c.5 Skylark, 1 Cetti's Warbler heard, 6 Greenshank, 1 Avocet. Andrew Gouldstone.

Wat Tyler Country Park 13:20
1 Bittern pitched into reeds 30 metres left and 20 metres in front of hide. Pete Jackson.

Wat Tyler Country Park 15:30
2 Marsh Harrier, 1 Bittern, Richard Shepherd.

Sunday 09th November 2014south westerly, partly cloudy, max13°c

First winter migrant report - Snow Bunting

Wakering Stairs 08:45
1 female Snow Bunting on concrete sea wall. Tony & Linda.

Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 08:53 to 11:40
1 Whimbrel on creek, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Stonechat, 1 Marsh Harrier around Manorway fleet, 1 Water Rail heard at very close range north of Manorway Fleet thicket, 25+ Wigeon, 400+ Teal, 10+ Shoveler either at creek or Manorway Fleet, 1 Little Egret, 1 Cetti's Warbler seen in song in reeds north of Manorway Fleet thicket among few others heard, 2 Lapwing on creek, a few Redwing and Fieldfare, 1 Sparrowhawk on tree(s) west of ditch. Richard Fahey.

RSPB Wallasea Island 13:50 to 14:25
6 Red-legged Partridge, 2 Hen Harrier, 2 Marsh Harrier, 9 Magpie, 24 Carrion Crow, 150+ Brent Geese, 150+ Linnet, 3 Little Egret, 4 Grey Heron, 4 Corn Bunting, 4 Reed Bunting, 3 Skylark, 6 House Sparrow, 1 Blackbird, 40+ Starling, 8 Mallard, 50+ Woodpigeon, 2 Pheasant, 1 Moorhen, 70+ Lapwing. Rob Harris.

Foulness Island 14:30 to 17:30
20+ Little Egret, 8 Shelduck, 3 (1 pair) Little Owl, pair Stonechat, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Redwing, 18 Jackdaw, 1 Buzzard, 1 Marsh Harrier. Kris Mee, Web Author, Steve and Fran Giles.

Rayleigh, Ferndale Road 15:30
2 Fieldfare over calling. Robin Peppiatt.

RSPB Wallasea Island 16:45 to 17:15
From white gate: 2 Short-eared Owl (at least) flying and grounded, 2 Barn Owl seen plus 1 additional Barn Owl heard simultaneously. Mike and Jackie Bliss.

Saturday 08th November 2014southerly, mostly cloudy, max15°c

Southend, Eastern Avenue 09:00
2 Ring-necked Parakeet dashing about the bushes in rough land at rear of Waitrose. Phil Lusher.

EWT Hanningfield Reservoir 11:15 to 16:35
3 Buzzard, 16 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Ruff, 1 Redshank, 13 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret, c.150 Great Crested Grebe, many Pied Wagtail, 3 Long-tailed Tit, c.12 Meadow Pipit, 3 Blue Tit, 1 Great Tit, few Chaffinch, c.100 Wigeon, 5 Goldeneye (1 drake and 4 female), many Pintail, c.20 Great Black-backed Gull, many Common Gull, large numbers of Black-headed Gull, few Lesser Black-backed Gull, many Tufted Duck, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, few Gadwall, many Little Grebe, c.50 Lapwing, many Greylag and Canada Geese. David & Brenda Hale.

RSPB Vange Marsh 13:00 to 16:00
18 Redshank, 10 Grey Heron, 12 Little Egret, 3 Snipe, 6 Curlew, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Ruff, 5 Little Grebe, 11 Greylag Geese, 250+ Lapwing, Wigeon, Teal, Shoveler. 1 dead juvenile Mute Swan near wooden gate. David Shepherd.

Friday 07th November 2014southerly, scattered clouds, max13°c

A127, Just West of A130 Junction 06:55
1 Barn Owl flying south to north over A127. Unusual to be out in the wet. Dave Dove.

Canvey Point 14:20 TO 15:20
2000+ Dunlin, 200+ Brent Geese, 70 Ringed Plover, 10 Grey Plover, 20+ Oystercatcher, 20 Curlew, 1 Sanderling, 22 Knot, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 8 Turnstone, 22 Common Scoter, 7 Great Crested Grebe, 12 Cormorant, 2 Little Egret. Terry Blackwell.

Thursday 06th November 2014southerly, clear, max12°c

RSPB Rainham Marshes 09:30 to 13:30
Greylag, Canada and Egyptian Geese, House Sparrow, Blue and Great Tit, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Wren, Starling, Dunnock, Stonechat, Collared Dove, Wood Pigeon, Coot, Moorhen, Lapwing, Wigeon, Little Grebe, Golden Plover, Curlew, Black-tailed Godwit, Shoveler, Pochard, Gadwall, Pintail, Kingfisher, Cormorant, Grey Heron, male and female Pheasant, Mute Swan, Lesser Black-backed Gull. Chris Henry.

Ashingdon, Princess Gardens 10:20
6 Fieldfare over going west. David Selley.

Priory Park 11:00
Red Admiral butterfly sunning itself in the Olde Worlde Garden. Mick Holland.

Wat Tyler Country Park 16:00 to 16:30
1 Glossy Ibis landed on scrape at 16:10, 1 Buzzard, 2 Marsh Harrier. Mick Roe.

Wednesday 05th November 2014north westerly, light rain, max10°c

Southchurch Park East 08:30
1 Little Egret feeding on point of south west reed bed then flying off towards estuary. Robert Dobinson.

EWT Abberton Reservoir 10:45 to 16:00
Sightings from visitor centre and hides: 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 female Marsh Harrier, 1 Green Woodpecker, few Skylark, 1 Chaffinch, 1 Wren, 6 Goldfinch, few Pied Wagtail, 1 pair Goldeneye, 1 Black-necked Grebe, many Great Crested Grebe, few Little Egret, few, Shoveler, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Teal, Wigeon, Pochard, Gadwall. c.100 Lapwing, 6 Ruff, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Stock Dove. 1 Hare, 1 Great Diving Water Beetle. David & Brenda Hale.

Tuesday 04th November 2014variable, partly cloudy, max11°c

Shoeburyness, Gunners Park 09:30
5 Little Egret, 11 Moorhen. John Pitts.

RSPB Rainham Marshes 09:45 to 14:45
Little Egret, Grey Heron, Mute Swan, Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Egyptian Goose, Shelduck, Wigeon, Teal, Mallard, Pintail, Shoveler, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Kestrel, Pheasant, Moorhen, Coot, Golden Plover, Lapwing, Curlew, Redshank, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Dunnock, Robin, Stonechat, Blackbird, Cetti's Warbler, Bearded Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Reed Bunting. Red Admiral. Kevin Taylor.

Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 12:30 to 15:30
1 Avocet, 1 Stonechat, 1 Green Sandpiper, c.35 Wigeon, 300+ Teal mostly on lagoon/creek, 100+ Lapwing on lagoon, a few Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Little Egret, Cetti's Warbler, 1 Sparrowhawk. Richard Fahey.

RSPB Bowers Marsh 13:00 to 16:00
5 Bearded Tit feeding on seed heads, 2 Reed Bunting, 30 Redshank, 20+ Black-tailed Godwit, 15 Little Grebe, 5 Little Egret, 1 ringtail Hen Harrier, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrel, flocks of Teal, Wigeon, Lapwing, Greylag and Canada Geese. David Shepherd.

Monday 03rd November 2014variable, mostly cloudy, max12°c

Thorpe Hall Golf Course 09:35
2 Little Egret seen on golf course. Alec Beanse.

Wat Tyler Country Park 10:30 to 16:30
Sightings from scrape hide: 1 Peregrine Falcon, 3 Marsh Harrier, 1 Kestrel, 1 Jackdaw, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 7 Snipe, 1 Dunlin, 14 Little Grebe, 1 Great Crested Grebe, few Gadwall, Shoveler, Teal, 4 Great Black-backed Gull, 1 Yellow-legged Gull, 1 Common Gull, many Herring, Lesser Black-backed and Black-headed Gull, 2 Reed Bunting, 1 Robin, 5 male Blackbird, 1 Wren, 1 Dunnock, 1 Pied Wagtail, small flocks of Starling, 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 8 Canada Geese, c.20 Greylag Geese, c.20 Wigeon. David Hale.

RSPB Wallasea Island 12:30 to 13:30
1 Hen Harrier, 2 Marsh Harrier, 1 Kestrel, 2 Little Egret, 5 Mallard, 130+ linnet, 5 Magpie, 12 Carrion Crow, 4 Pheasant, 30+ Brent Geese, 200+ Lapwing, 150+ Woodpigeon, 2 Moorhen, 100+ Herring Gull, 50+ Black-headed Gull, 40+ Starling. 1 Brown Hare. Rob Harris.

Sunday 02nd November 2014south south westerly, rain showers, max17&dweg;c

No reports received for this day.

Saturday 01st November 2014south westerly, partly cloudy, max18°c

Southchurch Park East 08:40
1 Water Rail feeding/swimming in water and reed bed stubble at far north west corner of usual reed bed, north of Bloomfield bench. Robert Dobinson.

RSPB Wallasea Island 15:30 to 16:45
2 Mute Swan, 400+ Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 3 Marsh Harrier, 2 ringtail Hen Harrier, 1 Merlin engaged in amazing aerial combat with a Skylark that lasted well over two minutes - the Skylark escaped and the bird went back to sit on its usual little mound of earth to the right of the white gate, 40+ Lapwing, 1 Short-eared Owl, 20+ Corn Bunting. Kris Mee, Web Author.

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