SE Essex RSPB Bird Reports for October 2002

Thursday 31st October 2002
Baxter Avenue 11:00: 1 Sparrowhawk and 1 Woodcock flew over. John Wright (SOG).
Hadleigh Downs, 12:25: 1 Tawny Owl (calling). Andrew Woodhouse, Steve Bunn Essex Ranger Service.
Gunners Park, 12:30 to 14:00: 100 Blackbird (100 + birds), 50 Redwing (50+ birds), 10 Fieldfare, 3 Mistle Thrush, 6 Song Thrush, 2 Stonechat, 1 Teal, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Kestrel, 1 Green Woodpecker. Brian Baldock (SOG).

Wednesday 30th October 2002
Eastwood, 09:20 to 14:30: 16 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Fieldfare, 12 Redwing, 2 Goldcrest. Mike Bailey, Vince Kinsler (SOG).

Tuesday 29th October 2002
Sadler's Farm: 250+ Wood Pigeon, flying SW over A13 at Sadler's Farm roundabout (Bowers Gifford). Ron Galliers.

Monday 28th October 2002
Chalkwell Park Drive, 07:25 to 07:30: c.1000 Wood Pigeon flew over the house going in a SSW direction. John Wright (SOG).
Shenfield Railway Station 07:45: C.100 Wood Pigeon SW (travelling much faster than commuter trains struggling with adverse
rail conditions!). David Jobbins.
London Road, Hadleigh 10:25: c.50 Wood Pigeon flying SSW, also smaller groups of five and six. Web Author. Note: At 07:00 this morning Landguard NR reported 10,000 Wood Pigeons travelling SSW. This movement may be related to the gales of yesterday or possibly cold weather in Scandinavia as the first Waxwing has also been reported in Scotland today. Ed.
Southend Airport 12:30: female Stonechat near scrapped Belfast aircraft, also Sparrowhawk. 2 Kingfishers seen recently along brook near St Lawrence Church. Ivan Batchelor.
Southend, 15:40: 1 Sparrowhawk (Over Victoria Circus.). John Wright (SOG).

Sunday 27th October 2002
Castle Road Hadleigh, mid gale 11.15-11.30: male Sparrowhawk devouring House Sparrow on my back lawn. Roger Shinn.
Canvey Island, 13:50: 2 Little Egret (over the Waterside Golf Course). Steve Arlow (SOG).

Saturday 25th October 2002
Paglesham Lagoon, 10:15 to 16:30: 1 Little Egret (seen several times over lagoon and nearby sea wall was presumably the same bird.), 3 Pintail (females), 4 Goldeneye (2 drakes and 2 females), 80 Shoveler (estimated as all ducks were put up by horse rider), 71 Pochard, 26 Mute Swan (moved from the Barling side of the river to the lagoon), 170 Wigeon (estimated), 11 Ruddy Duck (6 males & 5 females), 1 Peregrine Falcon (juvenile. This bird chased the Lapwings over the nearby fields west of the lagoon and then sat in the field briefly. It was probably a female judging by the birds size. see photo above), 1 Kingfisher (flew over the sea wall by the outfall). River Roach: 5 Great Crested Grebe (on the river), 103 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Red-breasted Merganser (females), 200 Golden Plover (estimated on the field west of the lagoon), 91 Shelduck, 250 Great Black-backed Gull (on field west of the lagoon). Steve Arlow (SOG). Photos from this visit are on our photo pages, click here.
Wakering Stairs 13:44 - 15:10: 1 Red-throated Diver, 787 Brent Goose, 1 female Hen Harrier, 2 Kestrel, Golden Plover, Grey Plover, Common Ringed Plover, Curlew, Turnstone, Knot, 2 Sanderling, Dunlin, 1 Swallow, Stonechat. Web Author.
South Hall Farm, 16:30: 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker. Steve Arlow (SOG).
Fishers Green Information: Following the return of at least two Bitterns, the Bittern Watch-point at Fishers Green in the Lee Valley has opened again for the winter. Bitterns regularly show down to 20 feet from the hide, perching on an old door that floats in the reeds The hide is open every day between 10.30 am and 4.00 pm and is manned by volunteers on Saturdays and Sundays until 21st March 2003. The Watch-point is signposted from Fishers Green Entrance Car Park, off Stubbins Hall Lane (signposted as Hayes Hill Farm from the B194) just North of Waltham Abbey. For more information visit http://www.leevalleypark.org.uk.

Thursday 24th October 2002
Benfleet Creek 07:48: seen from train 600m east of Benfleet Railway Station, 3 Little Egrets. Martin Johnson.
Gunners Park 12:45 - 14:00: 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Redwing, 2 Stonechat, 5 Long-tailed Tit, 3 Goldcrest. Web Author.

Wednesday 23rd October 2002
Basildon 08.20: One large Sparrowhawk flying south over Cherrydown East. Martin Johnson.
Priory Park, 13:15 to 13:45: 1 Sparrowhawk (female), 1 Grey Wagtail (along the brook). Don Petrie, Paul Griggs (SOG).

Tuesday 22nd October 2002
Priory Park 13:15 - 13:45: 2 Green Woodpeckers,3-4 Goldcrest, Steve Sanford.

Monday 21st October 2002
Westcliff Casino, 13:20 to 13:40: 1 Ring-billed Gull (adult), 3 Mediterranean Gull (2nd-winters) Paul Griggs, Don Petrie (SOG).

Sunday 20th October 2002
Hanningfield Reservoir 09:00 - 12:00: 1 Barnacle Goose, Pintail, Grey Phalarope, Swallow, House Martin, many Goldcrest. Steve Sanford, Web Author.
East Tilbury 09:30 - 12:30: 1 Little Gull (adult); 25 Common Scoter; 5 Red-breasted Merganser; 17 Brent Geese; 1 Little Egret; 1 Curlew Sandpiper; 2 Little Stints; 1 Green Sandpiper; 1 Lesser Redpoll; 40+ Swallows; 2+ House Martin; 2 Redwings; 2 Rock Pipits; several thousand Dunlin; large numbers Grey Plover, Common Ringed Plover, 3 Golden Plover, Bar- and Black-tailed Godwits. David Jobbins.
Chalkwell Seafront 10:50: 2 Ringed Plover along shoreline. Brian Radford.
Hitchcock's Meadows, Danbury, EWT Reserve: 12:00 - 16:00: 1 Firecrest, pair Bullfinch, 5 Redwing, 3 Fieldfare, 1 Siskin. Steve Blackburn and Sarah Costeloe.
Two Tree Island, Western half & Benfleet Creek 14.30-16.00: Cormorant, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Brent Goose, Shelduck, Wigeon, Teal, Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover, Grey Plover, Lapwing, Dunlin, Redshank, Greenshank, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Wood Pigeon, 2 Barn Swallow, Dunnock, Robin, 2 Stonechat, Blue Tit, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Starling. Martin Johnson.

Saturday 19th October 2002
Gunners Park - Shoebury 08:48 to 10:00: 1 Grey Heron, 5 Swallow, 1 Wheatear, 4 Song Thrush. Web Author.
Wakering Stairs 10:10 to 14:10: 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Sparrowhawk, 1 Peregrine Falcon, small groups of Swallows and Martins passing through, Whinchat, Stonechat. Web Author.
Westcliff Seafront, 08:45 to 08:50: 1 Ring-billed Gull (still present opposite Rossi's), 2 Mediterranean Gull (adult & 2nd winter). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Wakering Stairs, 10:20 to 13:20: 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 5 Stonechat, 7 Little Egret, 15 House Martin (Moving S.), 5 Swallow (Moving S.), 1 Peregrine Falcon (Perched, saltings at creek. 12.00), 1200 Brent Goose. Harry Carmichael (SOG).
Gunners Park 12:45 - 15:15: 2 Goldcrest, 2 Chiffchaff, 7 Redwing, 2 Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, 2 Jay, 2 Green Woodpecker, 8 House Martin, 16 Swallow. Off Sea Wall: 2 Arctic Skua, 270 + Sanderling, Sparrowhawk flying over to Kent, 2 Marsh Harrier one male, one juv, flying west over estuary. Tony Howells.
Wakering Stairs, 13:30 to 15:00: 16 Swallow, 1 Stonechat, 1 Grey Wagtail. Steve Arlow (SOG).
The Fleet - Wakering 15:24 to 17:00: 6 Little Egret, 2 Marsh Harrier, 37 Pied Avocet, 5 Ruff, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Stonechat, Goldfinch, Reed Bunting, 13 Corn Bunting. Steve Giles, Web Author.
The Fleet 15.30 To 17.00: 13 Corn Bunting, 20 Ruff, 30 Black-tailed Godwit, Green Sandpiper, 4 Little Egret, 8 Rook, 2 Jackdaw, 4 Greenshank, large flock of Teal. Tony Howells.
Gunners Park: Rose Necked Parakeet flying from behind the pond over towards the MOD land. Nick Bustin.
Great Amwell (near Ware): 1 Lesser Yellowlegs. seen the last 2 days on first pit by railway line. Dave Messenger.

Friday 18th October 2002
Gunners Park, 13:00 to 14:00: 1 Kestrel, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Grey Wagtail. Brian Baldock. (SOG).
Westcliff Seafront, 13:10 to 13:25: 1 Mediterranean Gull (2nd winter). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Prittle Brook (Leigh on Sea), 16:00: 3 Grey Wagtail. Brian Baldock (SOG).
Hanningfield Reservoir: 1st winter Red-necked Phalarope reported at 09:00.

Thursday 17th October 2002
Gunners Park, 13:10 to 13:50: 8 Swallow, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Blackcap (male), 3 Goldcrest, 1 Redwing. Steve Arlow (SOG).
Rutland Avenue, Southend 14:30: House Martin going north. Dave Goddard.
Gunners Park, 16:45 to 17:45: 1 Stonechat, 1 Kestrel (male), 11 Swallow. Steve Arlow (SOG).
Eastwood Sewerage Works 17:00 - 18:15: 24 + Swallow, 4 Sand Martin, 12 Pied Wagtail, 3 Mistle Thrush, 4 Green Woodpecker, Jay. Tony Howells.

Wednesday 16th October 2002
Two Tree Island 12:00 - 16:00: 4 Little Egret, 1 Stonechat, small flocks of common finches. Kevin Rees.
Southend Old Gasworks, 13:10 to 13:15: 1 House Martin (over Esplanade House car park), 1 Sparrowhawk. Steve Arlow (SOG).
Westcliff Seafront, 13:25 to 13:50: 1 Mediterranean Gull (2nd winter). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Swan Lane , Stock: Late Swallows still around. Kevin Rees.
Fishers Green: 1 Bittern has arrived in the last five days. Dave Messenger.

Tuesday 15th October 2002
Swan Lane between Stock and White Hart pub 15:00: 6 or 7 Mistle Thrush, and 3 Song Thrush, 2 Blackbird, a few Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Blue Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Jays, Magpie and Crow. Also 5 or 6 late Swallow. Kevin Rees.

Additional Brent Information
At Wakering Stairs on the 25th September, Steve Arlow (SOG) observed two Brent Geese with the following rings.
1st bird: left leg Red 6, right leg Green 7.
2nd bird: left leg Orange Y, right leg Red N.

We have now received the following information regarding these birds (as you can see, some of our Brent are real veterans of the migration route!).

R6G7 ringed as adult female 7-aug-1991 Lidia Bay, Taimyr (Russia) 74.07 North 86.52 East

OYRN ringed as adult male 18-MAY-1996 Terschellinger polder (Netherlands) 53.22 North 5.17 East

Monday 14th October 2002
Gunners Park 10:40 - 13:45: 2 male Blackcap, 2 Stonechat, Mistle Thrush, 5 Redwing, 2 Green Woodpecker, Sparrowhawk, Brambling (in hedge near pond, 4 Swallow, 3 Jay. Tony Howells.
Oxenham Farm 14-00 To 16-00: Pair of Ring Ouzel in hedge behind Anglia Water treatment compound, 200+ Collard Dove on farm buildings. Tony Howells.

Details received of the goose mentioned below are as follows:
GJG = was ringed by us on 4-AUG-1993 as a moulting adult female along the Lidia Bay in the Pyasina Delta in Taimyr (74.07 North; 86.52 East). Further information on her whereabouts will be sent to you later as we have received and processed all sightings of the season 2002-2003. Bart Ebbinge.

For information: Yamal Peninsula east of the Ural Mountains in Western Siberia and Taimyr Peninsula in Central Siberia are the most important known breeding areas for Brent Geese in the world.

Background: The Dark-bellied Brent Goose breeds in Siberia. It migrates in autumn through Denmark and Germany, to winter in France, Great Britain and the Netherlands. In spring it stages in the Wadden Sea area. The population declined in the 1930s and has recovered since the 1970s and seems to be stabilising at 250,000 300,000. The Dark-bellied Brent Goose is listed in Annex II.2 of the European Birds Directive (79/409/EEC), indicating that, owing to their population level, geographical distribution and reproductive rate throughout the Community they may be hunted only in the Member States in respect of which they are indicated. (Denmark, Germany) In the African-Eurasian Waterbird Agreement (AEWA), the Brent Goose is taken up in Category B2b, which requires Parties to regulate any taking so that it is sustainable, in order to maintain and restore the population to a favourable conservation status.

The population of the Dark-bellied Brent Goose is not threatened at present. However, the AEWA category B2b status of the Brent Goose indicates that it needs special attention, as it is dependent on (semi-)natural habitat types which are under severe threat, and because the geese frequently come into conflict with human activities. The need for an action plan was heightened by the growing interest in regulated hunting on the recovered population.

Sunday 13th october 2002
Bell Wharf, Leigh Old Town: 3,000+ Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 2,000+ Wigeon on mudflats to E and SE of Two Tree Island. One adult Dark-bellied Brent Goose which was observed 10.10 - 10.30hrs was banded on both legs and was fortunately 200m away so that I could read the bands as follows:- Left tarsus - green band lettered in white J J. Right tarsus - green band with 2 complete horizontal white bands. Martin Johnson.
Gunners Park, 09:15 to 11:15:2 Grey Wagtail, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Stonechat, 1 Swallow (50+ birds), 1 Redwing (10+ birds), 1 Kingfisher, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Green Woodpecker. Brian Baldock (SOG).
Gunners Park, 11:00 to 13:00: 1 Little Owl (Mobbed by tits and a Jay near mound before flying out of view into MOD land), 1 Blackcap (male), 10 House Martin, 4 Swallow, 8 Song Thrush, 12 Fieldfare, 4 Redwing, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Green Woodpecker, 23 Meadow Pipit (in reserve). Mike Bailey, Vince Kinsler (SOG).

Saturday 12th October 2002
Gunners Park: 10:00 - 10:45: 2 Stonechat, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Chiffchaff. Don Wildish.
Gunners Park, 11:00 to 16:00: 1 Firecrest, 1 Ring Ouzel, 5 Goldcrest, 10 Redwing (Plus lots of Blackbirds and Thrushes.), 1 Stonechat (Male.), 4 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap (Poss. 2, Females.), 1 Sparrowhawk (Female). John Wright (SOG).

Gunners Park 15:40 - 18:30: 2 Fieldfare, 3 Redwing, Kingfisher, Grey Wagtail, 2 Sparrowhawk, 23 Meadow Pipit, 12 Song Thrush, 2 Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Firecrest in willow behind play area. Tony Howells.
Gunners Park, 16:00: 1 Firecrest Brian Baldock (SOG).

Friday 11th October 2002
Gunners Park, 14:30 to 16:00: 2 Firecrest (around the mound mainly in oak), 4 Goldcrest, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap (a pair), 20 Song Thrush, 50 Blackbird, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Green Woodpecker, 10 Swallow (south). Vince Kinsler, Brian Baldock (SOG).
Gunners Park 15:00 - 16:40: 2 Firecrest, 2 Goldcrest, Kingfisher, 2 Redwing, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker. On sea wall: 102 Brent Geese, 6 Arctic Skua, 6 Kittiwake 5 Adult & 1 Juv. Tony Howells.
Wakering Stairs: 1,200+ Brent Geese. Dead Fulmar on sand, left along wall about 30 metres. Tony Howells.

Thursday 10th October 2002
Fleet Head, Wakering 16:40 - 18:20: 32 Ruff, 198 Teal, 20 Rook, 98 Lapwing, 9 Snipe, 4 Greenshank, Green Sandpiper, 12 Black-tailed Godwit, Little Stint, Marsh Harrier, eclipse Pintail, 28 Widgeon, Stonechat, 4 Little Egret, A Heron flew over to Potton Island with a weasel/stoat in its Beak. Tony Howells.

Wednesday 09th October 2002
Vange Marsh, 15:00 to 16:00: 2 Little Stint, 24 Snipe, 2 Spotted Redshank, 1 Greenshank. Vince Kinsler. (SOG).

Tuesday 08th October 2002
Ashingdon Area 11.00: 1 Redwing. Tony Howells.
Paglesham Lagoon 15:30 - 18:20: 2 Yellowhammer, 27 Golden Plover, 11 Gadwall, 16 Pintail, 4 Little Grebe, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 47 Shoveler, 97 Widgeon, 12 Ruddy Duck, 22 Tufted Duck, 10 Pochard, 28 Mute Swan, Kingfisher. Tony Howells.
River Roach: 70 Shelduck, 36 Teal, 2 Little Egret, Snipe, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 40 Widgeon, 6 Black-tailed Godwit. Tony Howells.
Gunners Park: 1 Fieldfare, 1 Stonechat. Phil Anderson.

Monday 07th October 2002
Benfleet Creek, 16:00 to 17:00: 3 Bearded Tit ( A male, female and juv along borrowdyke in first patch of reeds from the golf driving range.). Andrew Woodhouse, ../essexranger.htm Essex Ranger Service.

Sunday 06th October 2002
Gunners Park 10:30 - 11:15: Great Spotted Woodpecker, Song Thrush, Kestrel. Around mound: 15 House Martin, Chaffinch, 2 Goldcrest. Web Author.
Southend Pier 14:40 - 17:10: 1 dark/juv Pomarine Skua (first west then turned north-east and gained height), 1 Great Skua east, 1 juv Arctic Skua east, 1 Guillemot on sea, 3 Sandwich Tern, 2 Kittiwake, at least 12 Mediterranean Gulls, 1 Grey Plover east, 1 Eider east, 1 Stock Dove north. Rod Standing.
Two Tree Island: Plenty of Brent Geese and 4 Lttle Egret (3 roosting in tree). plus Redshank, Ringed Plover, Grey Plover, Dunlin, Curlew, Teal, Shelduck, Black-tailed Godwits. Dave Messenger.

Saturday 05th October 2002
East Tilbury 09:00 - 14:00: 1 Arctic Tern up river; 360 Avocets, 2 Little Stints, 1 Curlew Sandpiper, 1 female Scaup. David Jobbins.
Wat Tyler Country Park 09.45 - 10.15: 4 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Snipe. 1 Peregrine Falcon. 1 Kestrel, 1 Bearded Tit. Steve Hiscock.
Ashingdon area: We had a male Sparrowhawk in the garden at 1030 this morning attempting to breakfast on one of the 40 or so House Sparrows that were present (it failed). We visited Wat Tyler CP at 1300 hrs in time to see a Fire Engine going the other way. The 2 storey Hide opposite the old Lifeboat had caught fire causing quite a lot of damage to the upper storey. There were holes in both the front and the roof. The general opinion was that this was not an accident. Steve Sanford.

Friday 04th October 2002
Gunners Park 14:15 - 15:17: 3 Stonechat, 3 Wheatear, female Great Spitted Woodpecker, 2 Kingfisher, 1 Grey Wagtail, 20 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Goldcrest. Tony Howells.
Canvey West End, 15:00: 1 Peregrine Falcon (male on old jetty). Andrew Woodhouse, ../essexranger.htm Essex Ranger Service.
Gunners Park 17:20 - 18:15: 3 Stonechat, 1 Goldcrest. Web Author.

Thursday 03rd October 2002
Hadleigh Castle Country Park 13:20: 2 Grey Wagtail flew south over car park. Web Author.
Canvey Seafront 17:00: 1 Sparrowhawk (flying east, mobbed by Starlings). Ron Galliers.

Wednesday 02nd October 2002
Wat Tyler Country Park 12:45: 1 Peregrine Falcon. Stuart Bailey.
Gunners Park 15:30 - 16:40: 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Grey Wagtail, 3 Stonechat, Semi-albino Blackbird, 12 Long-tailed Tit. Web Author.

Tuesday 01st October 2002
Butts Hill Pond, Canewdon 08:00: 2 Chiffchaff, Grey Wagtail (a first for here), up to 30 Corn Bunting + Goldcrest (new in today). Jeff Delve.
Gunners Park, 10:25 to 12:00: 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 4 Willow Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap (F.), 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Wheatear, 1 Kingfisher, 60 Swallow (During one hour.), 200 House Martin (During one hour). Harry Carmichael (SOG).
Vange Marsh, 17:00 to 17:45: 26 Snipe, 4 Ruff, 1 Little Stint, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Ruddy Duck. Vince Kinsler (SOG).