Bird Reports for October 2001

31/10/01
Canvey: 09.10hrs Seen from car on A130 Canvey Way road bridge over Benfleet Creek to south of bridge, at water's edge at low tide on Benfleet Creek, 6 Little Egrets. Martin Johnson.

For Information: We have received more detailed information on our old friends A00 and E02 the Southend Pier Mediterranean Gulls. From reports of these birds it would seem that A00, last reported on the Pier on 08/04/01, preferred to spend its summer in Le Portel, Fort de l'Heurt, Pas-de-Calais, France, coming back to the Pier sometime around the beginning of September. Bird E02, however, seems to be going for its British passport. Last reported on 08/04/01 from the Pier, it was then reported throughout the summer at Elms Farm, Icklesham, Rye, Sussex. It would appear that it returned to the Pier at the same time as A00.

30/10/01
Canewdon: Brambling in garden this morning. Jeff Delve.

29/10/01
Old Hall Marshes: Flock of 6 Bewick's Swan reported heading towards Tollesbury. also 2 Barn Owls, one female Goldeneye and one female Marsh Harrier .

28/10/01
Paglesham Lagoons: 2 Little Egret, 182 Mallard (notable duck count), male & female Goldeneye, 15 Ruddy Duck, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Green Woodpecker by South Hall Farm, 7 Little Grebe, 12 Mute Swan and a male Blackcap in the bushes at the northern end of the lagoon. Steve Arlow (SOG).
Southend Pier 09:00 - 12:00: 1 (possible) Red-throated Diver, 8 Great Crested Grebe, 8 Common Scoter, 11 Mediterranean Gull. Our old friends A00 and E02, the Calais birds, were present along with the two from last year; N MUSEUM, PRAHA, 35054 from the Czech Republic. And IA 001553 from Germany. Web Author.
The Fleet, Wakering (from the old tip) 12:45 - 15:30: 1 Little Grebe, 9 Little Egret, 9 Common Shelduck, Common Teal, 2 female adult Marsh Harrier, 1 Peregrine Falcon, 46 Avocet, 1 Stonechat, 8 Corn Bunting. Web Author.
Hanningfield Reservoir: 3 Velvet Scoter reported from the fishing lodge car park this morning.

27/10/01
Westcliff Seafront: Adult Mediterranean Gull this morning. Steve Arlow (SOG).
Wakering Stairs: 20+ Skylark and 100+ Goldfinch moving through in small groups along with a Woodlark at 11.45am. Also; pair of Stonechat, 3 Swallow, 250+ Brent Geese and 4 Little Egret. Steve Arlow (SOG).
Oxenham Farm: Male Black Redstart along the seawall, 5 Little Egret, 4 Little Grebes, 300+ Wood Pigeon and 40+ Stock Dove, Kingfisher, 3 Redwing, pair of Stonechat that could have been the Stairs birds and 2 Green Sandpipers. Steve Arlow, John Wright (SOG).
Wakering Stairs 1015-1215: c.1000 Brent Geese, c.750 Oystercatcher, 7 Little Egret, c.25 Greenshank, c.50 Goldfinch, c.50 Meadow Pipit, 3 male 2 female Stonechat, Reed Bunting, Green Woodpecker. Steve Giles.
Gunners Park, Shoeburyness 08:00: 1 Grey Heron, 2 Green Woodpecker, 4 Mistle Thrush, 20+ Goldfinch. Web Author.
Gunners Park, Shoeburyness: 10 Swallow, 6 Siskin, Green Woodpecker. John Wright (SOG).
Barling Gravel Pits: Green and Great Spotted Woodpecker, 15 Little Grebes, 7 Ruff, c700 Lapwing, 2 Swallows. John Wright (SOG).
Wakering Stairs 08:30 - 09:15: 6 Little Egret, 1 immature male Sparrowhawk, 2 Swallow, 6 pairs of Stonechat. Also, wave after wave of Goldfinch were flying by while I was standing on the top of the slope. In all 200+. Web Author.
The Fleet, Wakering 17:45: 7 Little Egret, 8 Grey Heron, 19 Corn Bunting, male Stonechat. Web Author.
Hanningfield Reservoir: 11 Goldeneye (three drakes/eight females), plus Pintail, Gadwall, Teal, Wigeon, Pochard, Sparrowhawk, 11 House Martins and a Skylark over. David Jobbins.
Newport (NW Essex): Moving south in 2 hours between 08:00-10:00; 35 Redpolls, 15 Siskins, 1 Brambling, 204 Chaffinches, 113 Goldfinches, 67 Linnets, 1 Reed Bunting, 49 Lapwings, 362 Skylarks, 44 Fieldfares, 87 Redwings, 4 Song Thrushes, 251 Starlings & 950 Woodpigeons. Stephen Patmore.
Benfleet Creek area: I was out mountain biking along the sea wall between Leigh and Benfleet between 7.30am and 8.30am on Saturday 27th, as I came to the far end of the Lagoon with the hide, I noticed 2 grebes feeding close to shore on Benfleet creek, I did not have my binoculars and the Sun was shining into my eyes, all I can say for certain was that they were not Little Grebes or Great Crested Grebes due to being a size somewhere in between. Just as the Grebes swam over to the Canvey side a Short Eared Owl flew past me low along the sea wall about 5 metres away from me going in the direction of Leigh. I also saw a Sparrowhawk being mobbed by crows by the Golf Range. Tim Shaw.
Other Reports: Spoonbill reported on Bridgemarsh Island, 5 miles south of Woodham Ferrers with Black Redstart, 6 Twite, Short-eared Owl. Also; Great Grey Shrike reported at Langenhoe Marshes near Cudmore Grove Country Park.

25/10/01
Hadleigh Country Park: 5 Fieldfare, 5 Swallow and 3 House Martin. Andrew Woodhouse, Essex Ranger Service.
Benfleet Creek seen from Benfleet Rail Station 10:05-10:20: 2 Little Egrets, 1 Cormorant. Brian Radford.

24/10/10
Hadleigh Country Park: A Water Rail was sighted within the main car park. Andrew Woodhouse, Steve Bunn. Essex Ranger Service.
Two Tree Island: 12 Little Egret on roost at 17:30 also c.3,500 Brent Geese off of eastern end of island. Web Author.
Near Felixstowe, Suffolk: Snowy Owl reported at 16:00 - presumed wild off an oil rig or ship as the bird is showing oil on its feet and plumage. located by Dolphin Pub on road to Landguard. 

23/10/01
Two Tree Island 17:00: 36 Little Egret. Paul Griggs (SOG).
Leigh Area: House Martins flying over Chalkwell Park 12.15 also Peregrine Falcon over Highcliff Drive, Leigh area at 7.45am, stooped onto estuary out of sight. Steven Wood.

22/10/01
Gunners Park, Shoeburyness 1430-1630: Sparrowhawk, Green Woodpecker, 6 Long Tailed Tit, 4 Mistle Thrush, 25+ of Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Blackbird, Song Thrush, and Blue Tit, c15 Meadow Pipit. Steve Giles.

21/10/01
Two Tree island, western end 14.45-17.05hrs:
Seen from hide at lagoon at western end watching while tide rose high driving waders off saltings. On lagoon - Little Grebe 1, Little Egret 1, Mallard 5, Teal 40 , Avocet 4 ( 3 adult, 1 1st winter), Ringed Plover 1, Lapwing 1, Redshank 20 , Greenshank 13, Snipe 5, Black-headed Gull 1, Starling 20. On Hadleigh Ray from hide 16.55hrs Cormorant 1, Brent Goose 13, Shelduck 9. On bushes between hide and Sea Scouts' hut - Corn Bunting 8. Eastern end - EWT area 17.20 - 17.45hrs: Little Egret 39 on old sewage farm filter beds and adjacent trees, Brent Goose and Wigeon in mixed rafts on tide to S & SE of saltings and small numbers on tide in saltings, total ca 4,000, Curlew ca 10. By Concrete Slipway on Hadleigh Ray 17.55 - 18.05hrs: Gulls on mudflat at ebbing tide's edge at range <100m. Black-headed Gull ca 400, Common Gull 1, Herring Gull 13, Yellow-legged Gull 1, Lesser Black-backed Gull 4, Great Back-backed Gull 70. Martin Johnson.

20/10/01
Southend Pier: Juvenile Sabine's Gull at 2.05pm that was about mid way out before flying out of the estuary. Also seen by Harry Carmichael. also here was 13 Mediterranean Gulls (5 adults, 5 2nd winters and 3 1st winters) these bird included the regular A00 & E02 birds and 2 metal rung birds with partially read rings EX35 and 555. Steve Arlow (SOG).
Gunners Park, Shoeburyness 10.00-12.30: 40+ Blackbirds, 30+ Mistle Thrush, 15+ Song Thrush, 4 Redwing, 2 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, 4 Goldcrest, 3 Swallows. Mike Bailey (SOG).
Wakering Stairs: 1 Ringtail Montagu's Harrier in off the sea at 1.15pm, 1 Greenshank, 4000+ Oystercatcher including 1 strikingly leucistic bird, 2500+  Brent Geese, 20+ Bar-tailed Godwit. Mike bailey (SOG).
Fleet Head, Wakering: 36 Corn Bunting, 1 Stonechat, 4 Green Sandpiper, 3 Little Egret. Mike Bailey (SOG).
Butts Hill Pond, Canewdon: Some noticeable passage; 60 Blackbirds, 12 Fieldfare, 5 Redwing, 6 Song Thrush, 2 Mistle Thrush, 3 Siskin, immature Sparrowhawk, 20 Skylark, possible Black Redstart - briefly on roof just as Sparrowhawk flushed everything. 4 Swallows through. Jeff Delve EBWS.
Lower Dunton Road, Near EWT Reserve 10:00: 6 Fieldfare. Jim Cockram.
Gunners Park, Shoeburyness 08:00: 8 Song Thrush, 4 Mistle Thrush, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Siskin. Web Author.

19/10/01
Southend Pier 14:45 - 16:30: 220 Gannet, 8 Pomarine Skua, 1 Red-throated Diver, 9 Eider, 19 Common Scoter, 2 Kittiwake,  8 Mediterranean Gulls (2 adults, 3 1st winter, 3 2nd winter). John Wright (SOG).
Gunners Park, Shoeburyness 15:45: Male Ring Ouzel in EWT reserve south eastern end. Steve Giles.
Leigh Area: 08:00: Distant views of a large raptor over Belfairs Golf Course with broad flappy wings and a long tail, at one point it stooped and shot up again, the rest of the time it appeared to be hanging in the air or making slow progress South. Possible Honey Buzzard or Goshawk. Paul Griggs (SOG).
Thorpe bay Petrol Station 18:00: Proving once again that it pays to keep an eye out - A male Sparrowhawk flew through forecourt about 3 feet from my head while filling car! Web Author.

18/10/01
Hadleigh Country park (vicinty) 16:00: Possible Honey Buzzard flew over heading south. Steve Bunn, Essex Ranger Service.
From Pager Reports: Report of probable Pallid Swift Cudmore Grove 3.35pm-3.39pm with 2 Swallows, then drifted towards Abberton Reservoir" Also; probable Pallid Swift at East Mersea circling Cudmore Grove old golf clubhouse at 3.44pm.

17/10/01
Gunners Park, Shoeburyness 15:30-17:00: 1 Whinchat, 2 pairs of Stonechat, 3 Mistle Thrush, c25 Goldfinch, 12 Meadow Pipit, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Grey Heron. Steve Giles.
Two tree Island, High Water 12.37hrs 6.1m Wind moderate ESE, sunny intervals. Western Lagoon 14.15 - 16.00hrs: Cormorant 3 (2 adult, 1 juvenile) perched on piles of General Booth's Jetty beyond lagoon on Benfleet Creek to west of TTI, Little Egret 1, Mallard 2 (a pair), Teal ca 50, Kestrel 1, Avocet 6, Ringed Plover 1, Golden Plover 5, Lapwing ca 90, Redshank ca 20, Greenshank 26, Curlew ca 200 rose at 15.15hrs from fields in Hadleigh marsh and flew S & SE across lagoon area towards Canvey Point, Common Snipe 34, Black-headed Gull 3, Rock Pipit 1, Meadow Pipit 1, Carrion Crow 2, Starling ca 50, Goldfinch 5; Eastern end of TTI, 16.15 - 16.30hrs on mudflats to E, SE and S of saltings,  Brent Goose 2,700 Wigeon 1,300. Martin Johnson.

16/10/01
Fleet Head, Wakering (& looking East from Wakering tip): 17 Little Egrets, 1 Merlin, c120 Avocets, 1 Curlew Sandpiper, 1 Little Stint, 20 Ruff, 3 Green Sandpiper, 1 Green & 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 10 Corn Buntings, 3 Stonechats. John Wright (SOG).
Gunners Park, Shoeburyness 14:00-16:00: female Great Spotted Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker,1 male 2 female Stonechat, c20 Goldfinch, Long Tailed Tit, Grey Heron. Steve Giles.
Southend Pier 09:30 - 10:00: up to 10 Mediterranean Gulls of various ages near the pier head, amongst Black Headed and Mew Gulls, and around 20 Turnstones. Two of the Mediterranean Gulls had rings. 1 had a green ring on its left leg, with 3 characters (unreadable from a distance), one had a plain white / metal ring on its left leg. The bird with the green ring was almost into adult winter plumage with just a few black wing tip feathers. Tony Whitehead.

15/10/01
Westcliff Seafront: Adult Ring-billed Gull 200 metres west of Rossi's at 8.50am. John Wright (SOG).
Gunners Park: Kingfisher, 9 Stonechats, Green Woodpecker & Sparrowhawk. Leigh: Sparrowhawk over my garden. John Wright (SOG).

14/10/01
Gunners Park, Shoeburyness: 1 Hobby, Grey Wagtail, a few Siskins & Redwings flying over, 5 Stonechats, 1 Whinchat, 1 Blackcap & a party of 13 Gannets flew in and then out of the estuary. John Wright, Steve Arlow (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park 09:00 - 12:00: 4 Common Snipe, 2 Redshank, 6 Spotted Redshank, 1 Dunlin, 20+ Greylag Geese, 4 Bearded Tits, 1 Avocet, 6 Ruff, many Teal, Widgeon, Shoveler and other wild fowl, 3-4 Little Grebe, 6+ Grey Heron, Green woodpecker, surprising number of Dragonflies and butterflies still about, even a few day-flying moths as well. Martin Itter
East Tilbury: Two Arctic Skuas (both juveniles) up river at about 11.55. Twelve Brent Geese on the tide. Also 14 Little Stints, 8 Curlew Sandpipers, and c.400 Avocets on the foreshore. A Merlin reported. David Jobbins.

13/10/01
Wat Tyler Country Park 08:30: Juvenile male Red  Backed Shrike showing very well in bushes by last car park opposite end of mini railway track, pair of Stonechat, Common Snipe and 2 flyover Spotted Redshank.. John Wright, Steve Arlow (SOG), Web Author et.al.
Gunners Park, Shoeburyness early morning: 11 (!) Stonechat. Chris Lewis.
The Fleet, Wakering 15:00 - 17:00: 12 Little Egret, 7 Grey Heron, 1adult female Hen Harrier, c.12 Pied Avocet, 4 Stonechat, Goldfinch, Corn Bunting. Steve Giles, Web Author.
Gunners Park 18:00:
1 Green Woodpecker, 7 Stonechat. Steve Giles, Web Author.
West Canvey:
11 Stonechat ( 5 pairs + an additional male ) and 2 Whinchat. Steve Arlow.
Of interest:
13:30, 12 seals one mile south of Rossi's basking in the sun on the Chapman sands 100 yards from the point. Roger Shinn.

12/10/01
Wat Tyler Country Park: Juvenile Red Backed Shrike observed at Wat Tyler Country Park 12.30 p.m. Perched on pylon close to Oyster Creek Car Park, flying from pylon to nearby bushes. Sighting confirmed by Ranger. Also stonechat nearby. Jean and Ernie Hillier.
Gunners Park, Shoeburyness 17:25: 1 Grey Heron, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 6 Stonechat (3 male, 3 female), 2 Mistle Thrush, 1 Jay, 2 Green Woodpecker, 11  Goldfinch. Web Author.

11/10/01
Stanford Le Hope: Juvenile Red-backed Shrike reported this evening, 2 Whinchats and a Stonechat.

10/10/01
Hadleigh Country Park, on and around log feeders, lunchtime: 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 female Pheasant, 5 Blue Tit, 8 Great Tit, 6 Goldfinch, 2 Chaffinch, 4 Greenfinch, Sparrowhawk overflew. Web Author.
Westcliff Seafront, opposite Rossi's 15:15: Adult Ring Billed Gull. Steve Giles. Also: The Adult Ring Billed Gull was on the lamp post 100 yards east of Rossi's this evening. The bird has moulted the outermost Primary feathers giving the bird a very blunt end appearance. Steve Arlow (SOG).
Priory Park (lunchtime): 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Kestrel. Steve Sanford.

09/10/01
Oxenham Farm 1600-1800: 2 Marsh Harriers (female), 1 Sparrowhawk, 5 Kestrels, 1 female Hen Harrier (first reported this winter, Ed), Little Egrets, Redshank, Greenshank, Curlew, Green Sandpiper, Steve Hiscock.
Priory Park (lunchtime): Great Spotted Woodpecker. Steve Sanford.
Tollesbury Wick: 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Barn Owl that was disturbed from his roost in the pillbox, 2 Wheatear, 1 lone Avocet, 2 Little Egret, lots of Curlew, Redshank, Shelduck, Common Sandpipers, Little & Ringed Plovers, Brent Geese, Wigeon, Shoveler, Cormorant. Also 1 duck that looked like an Eider but could not be sure, plus 2 seal grey or common. Dave Messenger.

07/10/01
World Birdwatch Day Old Leigh: For our sightings and for details of this event please see our Latest News page.
Two Tree island (Essex Ranger Service's Geese Day) Western end: ca.10 Teal, 2 Avocet, 26 Greenshank, ca.10 Grey Plover, 1 Ringed Plover,  1 Common Snipe, Redshank, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Cormorant (standing on pile on General Booth's Jetty). Eastern end 16.00 -16.45 hrs, wind S rising to gale force, driving rain, sea choppy: ca.2,000 Brent Geese, ca.500 Wigeon; resting on saltings ca.50 Curlew; 13 Little Egret, at least 11 on saltings and 2 on filter beds of old sewage farm. Martin Johnson.
East Tilbury 9.00-10.00: At least three Curlew Sandpipers and four Little Stints with Dunlin and Common Ringed Plover on the foreshore between the fort moat and the tower on the point. Also 12 Avocets and 14 Bar-tailed Godwit. Great Spotted and Green Woodpecker and Chiffchaff around the fort. David Jobbins.

06/10/01
Wakering Stairs - Haven Point 08:00 - 11:15: 11 Mute Swans flew south over towards Kent,  3 Marsh Harrier (2 male 1 female), 4 Kestrel, 1 Peregrine Falcon, Sand Martins, Swallows and House Martins in very large numbers also large numbers of Meadow Pipit. Web Author.

05/10/01
Gunners Park, Shoeburyness18:00: 1 Grey Heron, 2 Green Woodpecker, 3 Whinchat. Web Author.

03/10/01
Westcliff seafront (Rossis) 17:20: Adult Ring billed Gull. Also, Old Leigh (from the road bridge) 17:40: c3,200 Brent Geese. Paul Griggs (SOG).
Vange Marsh: Temminck's Stint, 10 Little Stints and 3 Ruff reported.