Bird Reports for October 2000
01/10/00 - Wakering Tip: 17:00: 7 Grey Heron, 10 Little Egret, 3 Marsh Harrier (1m 2f). Two Tree Island 11:50: Six Common seals observed on sand spit by Pier. web Author. Abberton Reservoir: 5 Black-necked Grebe, 2 Grey Wagtail. Stephen Anderson. Additional Honey Buzzard reports: 1 Billericay : S.E over at 10.15am. 1 Brentwood : Weald Park South over c11.45am. 2 East Tilbury : over South at 10.25am. 3 at Hanningfield Reservoir : South over 9.30-10.45am. 3 at St.Osyth : flew S.W over. Pacific Golden Plover reported at Holland Haven. Red-backed Shrike reported at Lea Valley Country Park.
02/10/00 - The Brent Geese off of Two Tree Island have now been estimated as between 4,500 and 5,000. Yellow-browed Warbler reported at Fingringhoe Wick Geedon Bay Hide 12.50, also 10 Little Egret. (from feedback) Hadleigh Castle: Two Honey Buzzards and one Hobby 1.30pm, also Blackcap 15:00 Gunners park: Little Gull, 2000 Brent Geese. Wakering Stairs: Short Eared Owl crossing from Wakering to Kent, 10 minutes later chased back to Wakering by 7 immature Great Black-backed Gulls, 4.00pm. Alex.
03/10/00 - Gunners Park midday: 2 Pied Flycatcher, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 8 Chiffchaff, 15 Goldcrest, 30 Blackbird and a Green Woodpecker. A lot of birds were around the pond at the far end. Paul Baker (SOG).
04/10/00 - Gunners Park 13:05: 2 Spotted Flycatcher,1 Stonechat. Web Author. Also observed by the pond were a pair of Orange-cheeked Waxbills. Obviously these birds of South Africa are escapees. If you know of anyone who has lost these, please let us know. John Wright (SOG). Two more Honey Buzzards reported over Bradwell today by the Essex Bird Watching Society. Opinion would indicate that up to 250 have crossed Essex in the last week and a half.
05/10/00 - Coombe Wood: Honey Buzzard flying over low, with Crows in hot pursuit, at 0845 hrs. Headed off SW. Jeff Saward (SOG).
06/10/00 - Oxenham Farm - 1 Green Sandpiper. Fleet Head, Wakering: 144 Golden Plover, 13 Ruff, 1 Little Egret, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 female Marsh Harrier, 7 Snipe, c.40 Linnet, 120 Goldfinch. Observer Andrew Woodhouse (Essex Ranger Service & SOG). Two Common Buzzard reported from Abberton Reservoir.
07/10/00 - Gunners Park 07:20: Grey Heron, 1 male Sparrowhawk, Jay, Chaffinch, c.300 Goldfinch. Web Author. Pratincole sp. reported on River Thames at Purfleet. Southend Pier: 2 Mediterranean Gull (one showing a green ring on its leg). Paul Baker (SOG).
08/10/00 - Gunners Park - Shoebury, 08:30: 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Green Woodpecker, Swallow, Dunnock, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, Long-tailed Tit, 2 Jay, c.100 Goldfinch, 6 Blackcap. The Fleet - Wakering, 16:40: 2 Sparrowhawk, 1 Hobby, Common Snipe, Green Sandpiper, Grey Wagtail. Web author. Canvey Island: 2 Great Skua, 1 Arctic Skua and a juvenile dark phase Long-tailed Skua (0735 hrs). A Peregrine was observed hunting out over the river, a Sparrowhawk flying south across the river and a Marsh Harrier cruising down the Kent sea-wall. Jeff Saward (SOG). Canvey Island from about 9.15: Great Skua mid morning, two Common Scoter, and 2 separate Peregrines flying on-shore from the Kent side. Birdline had a report of a Laughing Gull at East Tilbury in the afternoon - does anyone know about this? Bob Tomlinson, Paul Frampton and David Jobbins.
09/10/00 - 'Rossi' the Ring-billed Gull still present this morning at Westcliff opposite Rossi's, also one Mediterranean Gull. Paul Griggs (SOG). Two Tree Island: Whinchat, Green Woodpecker, Jay, c.30 Goldfinch, 1 Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Kestrel, Meadow Pipit, 3 Little Egret, Wigeon Teal, c.12 House Martin, 1 Yellow-legged Gull, Possible Rock Pipit also Weasel and Slow-worm. Terry Strong. Canvey Island: Two Gannet and a flock of five Little Egret flying from Canvey to the Kent roost. Jeff Saward (SOG).
10/10/00 - Honey Buzzard over Belfairs this morning at 08:30. Tony Mead (sighted 5 minutes later over Leigh-on-Sea). Two Black-necked Grebes at Abberton Reservoir. Nick Green (EBWS). Two Tree Island: 1 Stonechat, Kestrel, c.12 Goldfinches, Wren, Meadow Pipits (small group), Little Grebe, 4 Little Egrets, Brent, Wigeon, Teal, Curlew (many), 1 Whimbrel, Black-tailed Godwits (many), Redshank (many), Dunlin (many), Ringed Plover (many), Sewerage Farm - Mallard + Hybrids, Common Sandpiper, Greenshank, Slipway - Lesser Black-backed Gull, Greater Black-backed Gull, Black-headed Gull, Black-tailed Godwits, Redshank, Oystercatchers, Dunlin, Ringed Plover, Grey Plover, Lapwing, 1 Cormorant feeding. Observer Terry Strong. Canvey island: Three Gannets. Jeff Saward (SOG).
11/10/00 - London Road Hadleigh 17:20: Peregrine Falcon observed flying towards Hadleigh Castle. Web Author. Two Tree Island: (Very cold & very Windy) c.60 Goldfinches chasing Kestrel, 1 Little Egret, Brent, Wigeon, Teal, Bar-tailed Godwits, Redshanks, Grey Plover, Moorhen, Pheasant 3M+1F, 16.30-17.30 Sea Wall beyond Golf Range - On Ploughed Field Large mixed Flock Lapwing & Golden Plover - Large mixed flock Linnets & Goldfinches ( In excess of 200). Observer: Terry Strong.
12/10/00 - Two Tree Island: Shelduck amongst the Wigeon and 2 Little Egret. Terry Strong. Great Amwell: Sparrowhawk in a willow tree opposite my observation point after 5 minutes it took of and set the Lapwings off in a panic also saw 15 Snipe, 2 Egyptian Geese, 2 Barnacle Geese, 2 Greylag Geese, plenty of Coot a couple of Wigeon plus other common ducks also a Bullfinch on the lane down to the pits. Dave Messenger. Three Ring Ouzels in a Westcliff garden - one is roosting. Tim Jones (SOG).
13/10/00 - Two Tree Island: 1 Stonechat, 2 Green Woodpeckers, larger numbers than usual of Robins and Blackbirds, c30, Goldfinches. One of three Kestrels seen had immaculate table manners in that it took its kill to one of the picnic benches on the country park sea-side and proceeded to eat its breakfast. Observer: Terry Strong.
14/10/00 - Gunners Park 10:00: 1 female Wheatear, 1 Redwing, 3 Stonechat, 1 Goldcrest. also Goldfinch, Swallow and Sand Martin in good numbers. Web Author. Essex River boat trip around Foulness Island 12:00 - 15:00: 23 Little Egret and 76 Avocet. Two Tree Island: 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Stonechat, large flock of Linnet, good numbers of Reed Buntings, 7 Little Egret flying down Creek, 1 Fieldfare. Observer: Terry Strong. 2 Goldcrest in tree by bus stop along Victoria avenue by Civic Centre. Observer: Paul Baker (SOG).
15/10/00 - Gunners Park 08:15: 1 female Wheatear, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great-spotted Woodpecker, 3 Stonechat, 1 Chiffchaff, 3 Goldcrest and 3 Wren. Web Author & Paul Baker (SOG). Two Tree Island: c.50-60 Goldfinch and 2 Goldcrest. Observer: Terry Strong. Canvey Point: Red-throated Diver, 11 Little Egret, Gannets, 2 Pomarine Skuas, 6 Kittiwakes, a Peregrine and a Short-eared Owl in off the sea. Also lots of Pipits, Larks and a number of Redwings in off the sea. Observer: Jeff Saward (SOG). Westcliff area: Ring Ouzel in private garden. Observer: Tim Jones (SOG).
16/10/00 - Two Tree Island: Jay, 2 Male Stonechats, Wrens, Robins, 1 Willow Tit, and an almost certain Cetti's Warbler. We have seen this bird on at least four occasions recently, but for never long enough to be absolutely sure. c.60 Teal on the Sewerage farm with Mallards and Hybrids, 1 Grey Heron. Observer: Terry Strong Gunners Park: 8 Swallow, 7 Mistle Thrush, Reed Bunting, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Green Woodpecker, Kingfisher, Redstart, Brambling, 5 Skylark, Sparrowhawk. Observer: Paul Griggs (SOG). Westcliff Seafront: Ring-billed Gull and two Mediterranean Gulls. Observer:P Steve Arlow (SOG). From Gunners Park (offshore): 5 Common Scoter. Observer Jeff Saward (SOG).
17/10/00 - Gunners Park: Chiffchaff, Reed Warbler. Observer: Paul Griggs (SOG). A 'Large Pipit sp.' (most likely a Richard's) which landed between the gorse and the Coastguard Station in the reserve part. Observer: Steve Arlow (SOG). Oxenham Farm: Black Redstart. Observer: Steve Arlow (SOG). Abberton Reservoir 15:20: Ferruginous Duck and 2 female Scaup reported from Layer Breton causeway, west end. Two Tree island: Great Spotted Woodpecker, 6 Winchats, 2 Stonechats, 1 Fieldfare, c.20 Twite.
18/10/00 - Southend Pier: THIRTEEN! Mediterranean Gulls, (4 adults, 4 2nd Winter, 5 1st Winter). One of the first years had a green ring on the left leg (probably French - maybe German). Observer: Tim Jones (SOG). Two Tree Island: 10 Little Egret, many Greenfinch and Goldfinch, c.25 Corn Bunting. Observer: Andrew Woodhouse Essex Ranger Service & (SOG). Corringham Recreation Ground: A very late Swift seen. Observer: Jim Cockram. Reports of Ferruginous Duck still at Abberton Reservoir and Rose-coloured Starling at Colchester in the Greenstead Estate along Clematis Way opposite derelict petrol station. Goldcrest whilst in a traffic jam on the along the A130 at Howe. Observer: Paul Baker (SOG).
19/10/00 - Westcliff Seafront opposite Rossi's: FIVE! adult Mediterranean Gulls. Observer: Tim Jones (SOG).
20/10/00 - Oxenham Farm, Wakering: Black Redstart. Two Tree Island: 6 Greenshank, Spotted Redshank, 5,000 Brent Geese and a Water Rail. (per SOG). Canvey Seafront: 3 Little Egrets and an adult Mediterranean Gull, also a Long-eared Owl being chased up river by gulls! Observer: Jeff Saward (SOG).Lea Valley Country Park from Bittern Watchpoint early am: Bittern, Water Rail, Treecreeper, Green Woodpecker. On the surrounding lakes were Canada Geese, Pochard, Wigeon, Teal, Shoveler, Cormorant, Tufted Duck, Great-crested Grebe, Coot, Moorhen and Mallard. Observer: Dave Messenger. The following sightings have been reported: Abberton Reservoir: 2 Bewick's Swan. Old Hall Marshes by Irongate Flash: Richard's Pipit, The Naze: Firecrest, c.50 Goldcrest, 3 Chiffchaff. 10 Bewick's Swan flying over, Great and Arctic Skua on sea. Souhend Seafront near leisure Centre: Ring-billed Gull.
21/10/00 - Oxenham Farm / Havengore: Black Redstart, female Merlin, Kingfisher, 4 Little Egret, 3+ Greenshank, Sparrowhawk, Pintail and 6+ Rock Pipit. Observers: Paul Griggs & Don Petrie (SOG). Canvey Seafront: Sooty Shearwater and & 3 Eider reported. Maplin Sands, Essex Lady II Boat Trip: 2 Gannet, 2 Great Skua, 2 Little Egret, 11 Grey Heron and 21 Common Seals. Web Author. Paglesham Lagoons: 1 Little Egret, 12 Ruddy Duck, 2 Swallow, 9 Great-crested Grebe, possible Yellow-legged Gull, Redwings and Yellowhammers (SOG).
22/10/00 - Oxenham Farm 08.15: Goldcrest observed. This bird was so tame it did everything except sit on our shoulders! Web Author & Steve Sanford. Gunners Park 13.00: a sizeable fall of Chaffinch seems to have occurred during the night, 15+ observed in the park, also male and female Green Woodpeckers sitting on fence posts next to each other. Wakering Boatyard 15.30: 27 Corn Bunting, 4 Reed Bunting, 2 Wren. Wakering Stairs 16.45: Green Woodpecker, 3 Yellowhammer. Observer: Web Author. Two tree Island: Sparrowhawk was observed to make a kill in a large group of Greenfinches, 2 Whinchat, 1 Stonechat, 2 Little Egrets.
23/10/00 - Possible Broad-Billed Sandpiper reported at The Hythe, Colchester.
24/10/00 - Two Tree Island: 2 Goldcrest, c.20 Twite, 2 Little Egrets flying up Benfleet creek.
25/10/00 - Two Tree Island: Very Windy, not much about, but 14 Little Egrets on sewerage farm, 1 Heron, a few Fieldfares, 1 Goldcrest. Observer: Terry Strong.
26/10/00 - Two Tree Island: 13 Little Egret, Green Woodpecker, 2 Reed Bunting. Observers Terry Strong & Web Author. Westcliff Seafront: Adult Ring-billed Gull and 4 Mediterranean Gulls. Maldon: 1 Bar-tailed Godwit and a few Brent Geese, a few dozen Canada Geese and approx. 6 Cormorant. Then moved on to Tollesbury wick and sighted Brent Geese between 50-100, Curlew approx 20-30, a large flock of Dunlin, Wigeon approx 50-60, Lapwings, a few Shovelers, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Stonechat, 4 Meadow Pipits, 6 Greenfinch. Observer: D Messenger.
27/10/00 - Two Tree Island: 1 Rock Pipit along sandbag bank by slipway. Observer: Terry Strong.
29/10/00 - Two Tree island 08.10: 2 Rock Pipit, many Meadow Pipit, 7 Corn Bunting, Green Woodpecker. Observer: Web Author. Southend Seafront, Westcliff: Reported 3 Mediterranean Gulls. Lea Valley Country Park Bittern reported 25ft from hide. Canvey Seafront: Merlin and Black-throated Diver. Observer: Paul Griggs (SOG).
30/10/00 - Canvey Seafront 10.20: (After a very stormy night with strong southerly winds) juvenile Long-tailed Skua, 2 Leaches Petrel 08.50 close in, Pomarine Skua, Arctic Skua, juvenile Long-tailed Skua flying along beach!, 2 Great Skua, c.15-20 Storm Petrels by 10.25am, Red-Throated Diver, Razorbill, Kittiwake, Red-breasted Merganser, 3 Little Egrets (per SOG). Two Tree Island: 1 Fieldfare, c.15 Greenfinches and a lone Linnet. Observer: Terry Strong. Storm Petrel reported at Hanningfield Reservoir am, also Red-necked Grebe.
31/10/00 - Canvey Seafront 11.18: Storm Petrel by Coastguard flying East. (per SOG). Storm Petrel still at Hanningfield Reservoir (there were three altogether the day before) but alas at about 10.30am it had an unfortunate meeting with another rarity in the shape of a Peregrine! Nick Green EBWS.