Bird Reports for October 2003
Friday 31st October 2003
Westcliff Casino, 08:25 to 08:35: 1 Little Egret, 35 Black-tailed Godwit (also 3 Common Seals). Paul Griggs (SOG).
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 10.35 - 12.35: 54 Grey Plover, 7 Curlew, 15 Avocet, 8 Little Egret (all south side of Crouch), 4 Shelduck, 2 Reed Bunting, 45 Brent Goose. Ray Fuller.
Leigh on Sea (garden) 10:00: 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Goldfinch, Numerous Sparrows and Dunnocks and Collared Dove, 3 Great Tit, 4 Blue Tit. At the front of the house on mudflats; 50 Brent Geese, c.100 Dunlin. Eric Major.
Westcliff Seafront, 13:10 to 13:15: 1 Ring-billed Gull (adult again sat on a lamp post by Rossi's), 1 Little Egret. Steve Arlow (SOG).
Thursday 30th October 2003
Westcliff Casino, 08:40 to 08:50: 3 Mediterranean Gull (Adult-winters). Paul Griggs (SOG).
Wednesday 29th October 2003
Two Tree Island 08.15 - 11.00: 1 Dartford Warbler Seen twice briefly at 09.50 and 10.15hrs on saltmarsh vegetation on western lagoon c. 40 - 60m away directly in front of hide. Martin Johnson.
Tuesday 28th October 2003
Dawes-Heath, 11:30: Grey Wagtail on small waterfall Prittle brook Dawes-Heath road entrance. Roger Shinn.
Two Tree Island (West) 10:00 - 15:20: 1 Dartford warbler, 4 Little Egret, 2 Grey Heron, 25 Avocet, 3 Greenshank, 12 Black-tailed Godwit, 46 Grey Plover, 175, Golden Plover, 1 male and 1 female Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrel, female Merlin, 5 Green Woodpecker, 7 Stonechat, 1 Rock Pipit, 3 Corn Bunting, 7 Goldfinch. Paul Levey, Brian Oulds.
Abberton Reservoir: 13 Bewick's Swan reported.
Monday 27th October 2003
Two Tree Island (West), 07:30 to 08:00: 1 Dartford Warbler, 2 Mute Swan. Andrew Woodhouse, Essex Ranger Service.
Two Tree Island 08:00 - 09:20: Unusually large numbers of Skylark, 1 Twite, Reed Buntings, (a possible Lapland Bunting), Dartford Warbler still showing between lagoon and bushes and brambles near and in front of the Hide. Goldfinch and good numbers of Greenfinch, 2 Wren. In and over my car park in Leigh Broadway 1 Grey Wagtail and 7 Jackdaw. Terry Strong.
Priory Park 13:00 - 13:30: 1 Grey Wagtail. Steve Sanford.
Gunners Park (p.m.): 1 Wryneck by brook between last two bridges. Ron Hodgson.
Sunday 26th October 2003
Two Tree Island (West), 07:00 to 09:00: 1 Dartford Warbler (On the lagoon), 2 House Martin (flew over the lagoon towards Canvey), 50 Golden Plover (50+ on the Hadleigh side of the creek), 40 Avocet (40+ in Benfleet creek). Dudley Shayler (SOG).
Two Tree Island (West), 08:00 to 09:00: 1 Dartford Warbler, 2 House Martin, 15 Fieldfare (Flying west). Steve Bunn (SOG).
Two Tree Island (West), 08:10 to 11:10: 1 Dartford Warbler (on the lagoon), 6 Stonechat, 5 Reed Bunting, 1 Corn Bunting, 1 Ring Ouzel (in bushes around the single pampas grass NE of the 'crossroads' at the W. end). Neil Chambers (SOG).
Westcliff Seafront, 09:40 to 09:50: 2 Mediterranean Gull (Adults). John Wright (SOG).
Gunners Park, 10:00 to 12:30: 1 Ring Ouzel (Winter male. In the Council's fenced compound by first parking area on the left.), 1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Swallow, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Goldcrest. John Wright (SOG).
Two Tree Island (Brent Goose Watch) 10:30 - 14:30: 52 Little Egret on high tide roost, c.5,000 Brent Goose, 1 Peregrine Falcon across saltmarsh, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Water Rail, 3 Brambling reported, 2 Stonechat, Skylark, flock of Long-tailed Tit, 1 Green Woodpecker. Web Author.
Westcliff Seafront, 11:25 to 11:30: 1 Ring-billed Gull. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Two Tree Island (West) 11.30 - 13.00: 1 Dartford Warbler, 4 Bearded Tit (on brambles from lagoon hide, then flew north to borrowdyke). Stuart Bailey.
Gunners Park, 11:45 to 12:45: 1 Ring Ouzel, 1 Kingfisher (by the last bridge). Neil Chambers (SOG).
Two Tree Island (West), 12:00 to 13:00: 1 Dartford Warbler (on the lagoon), 4 Bearded Tit (2 males, a female and 1 other feeding right in front of the hide before flying off toward the borrowdyke). Andrew Woodhouse, Essex Ranger Service.
Belfairs Nature Reserve, 12:45 to 13:30: 1 Lesser Redpoll. Paul Griggs (SOG).
Highlands Boulevard, Leigh, 15:00: 1 Grey Wagtail. Paul Griggs (SOG).
Saturday 25th October 2003
Two Tree Island (West) 07:15 - 12:10: 5 Little Egret, 1 male Sparrowhawk, 42 Avocet, 200 Golden Plover, c.400 Black-tailed Godwit, 8 Skylark, 8 Stonechat (including pale male bird), 1 male Ring Ouzel, Dartford Warbler (female / 1st winter again present at the west end, seen in bushes near the hide but spent much of its time on the lagoon, 1 Swallow, 1 Goldcrest, Chaffinch, 4 Twite (one by model airplane field), 3 Snipe, 8 Reed Bunting, 3 Corn Bunting. Steve Arlow, Paul Baker, Mike Bailey, Paul Griggs, Don Petrie, John Wright (SOG), Web Author.
Two Tree Island: 07.30 - 09.30: 12 Corn Bunting - western half of island, 3 Green Woodpecker - 2 female and a male perched in the same tree together. Andrew Gouldstone.
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 09.55 - 11.35: 15 Curlew, 10 Little Egret, (4 on north side of Crouch 6 on south), 5 Brent Goose, Sparrowhawk (with a captured Meadow Pipit), 60 Wigeon, 408 Grey Plover in fields, 37 Dunlin, 3 Reed Bunting, Great Spotted Woodpecker. Ray Fuller.
Eastwood, Mayflower Close 12:45: 1 Sparrowhawk (flew low north over garden mobbed by a crow). Paul Baker (SOG).
Leigh on Sea, 17:30: 1 Sparrowhawk (Over the London Rd/Oakleigh Pk. Dr. junction). John Wright (SOG).
Friday 24th October 2003
Vange Marsh, 10:00 to 12:00: 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Common Sandpiper, 4 Ruff, 1 Knot, 1 Little Gull (juv), 82 Pochard, 192 Shoveler, 23 Snipe. Chris Lewis (SOG).
Thursday 23rd October 2003
Canvey Seafront, 08:00: 1 Leach's Petrel (about 1pm flying like a rocket against the wind), 1 Sparrowhawk (came low across the water from Kent). Dudley Shayler (SOG).
Canvey Seafront, 09:00 to 12:00: 1 Pomarine Skua, 2 Arctic Skua, 40 Little Gull, 16 Kittiwake, 1 Little Egret. Mark Wickins (SOG).
Hadleigh Castle Country Park 13:30: 1 Swallow over car park. Steve Bunn, Web Author.
Two Tree Island (West), 14:30 to 17:00: 1 Ring Ouzel (Winter male), 1 Chiffchaff. John Wright, Paul Griggs, Don Petrie (SOG).
Tuesday 21st October 2003
Two Tree Island (from Leigh bridge) 08:00: 5,000+ Brent Geese. Web Author.
Two Tree Island 14:30: Dartford Warbler near lagoon hide. Also 2 Twite and 11 Stonechat (incl. pale individual).Howard Vaughan.
Two Tree Island (West), 16:25 to 17:10: 1 Dartford Warbler (female or 1st winter seen in bushes at the north west corner of the island near the crossing point), 150 Black-tailed Godwit. Steve Arlow, Dave Knight, Jeff Saward, Mark Wickins (SOG).
Monday 20th October 2003
Canvey Seafront, 07:20 to 16:00: 1 Sabine's Gull (juv. 0915), 1 Sooty Shearwater (0950), 5 Great Skua, 4 Arctic Skua, 2 Pomarine Skua (adults with spoons), 48 Kittiwake, 2 Little Gull, 1 Grey Phalarope (on water off seafront 0900-0945), 15 Gannet, 2 Red-throated Diver. Jeff Saward, Mark Wickins (SOG).
Two Tree Island (West), 11:00 to 12:00: 1 Grey Phalarope (Down to 20 feet feeding around the low water crossing), 1 Swallow. Andrew Woodhouse, Harry Carmichael (SOG).
Sunday 19th October 2003
Gunners Park 08:00 - 09:00: Firecrest in bushes at rear of play area, Chiffchaff. Also around the Park; 2 Swallow, 2 Fieldfare, 4 Redwing, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Sparrowhawk (female). Richard Chew.
Belfairs Woods, 09:15: 1 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (By the stables/golf course car park). John Wright (SOG).
Gunners Park, 10:00 to 12:00: 3 Firecrest, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap, 1 Fieldfare, 30 Redwing, 1 Green Woodpecker. John Wright, Brian Baldock (SOG).
Two Tree Island 10:10 - 13:10: Grey Phalarope still showing well, 30 Avocet, 2 Stonechat Steve Arlow (SOG).
Gunners Park, 14:00 to 16:00: 1 Merlin (circled the park one and a half times), 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap. Dudley Shayler (SOG).
Canvey Coastguards 14.30 to 17.00: 1 Red Throated Diver up river at 14.55, 158 Wigeon, 1 light phase Arctic Skua down at 15.18, 2 Little Egret, 2 Common Scoter, 1 adult Mediterranean Gull. David Morrison.
Two Tree Island (West), 14:35 to 14:50: 1 Grey Phalarope (in creek by low water crossing point), 4 Corn Bunting, 1 Little
Egret. Paul Baker (SOG).
Saturday 18th October 2003
Little Egret Roost Count - Click here
Southend Pier 09:50: 1 Mediterranean Gull with a metal ring on the right leg. Seen on the usual slipway piles on the east side of the pier head. David Lee.
Gunners Park 10:00: 2 Firecrest, numerous Goldcrest, 2 Fieldfare and a flock of 25+ Collared Dove. Terry Strong.
Gunners Park, 10:30 to 12:50: 3 Firecrest (At least.), 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Goldcrest (Lots, but not as many as a couple of days ago. ), 20 Redwing, 1 Swallow, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker. John Wright, Brian Baldock (SOG).
Southend Pier 12.00: 7 Mediterranean Gull (incl. Green ringed P20). Stephen Harris.
Gunners Park 14:00: 2 Firecrest, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Redwing. John Bronze.
Two Tree Island 14:45: 1 Grey Phalarope in north creek feeding on the mud, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Stonechat. John Bronze.
Two Tree Island 16.00 - 16.35: 1 Grey Phalarope still showing well on north side of western lagoon. Martin Johnson.
Two Tree Island (West), 16:30 to 17:00: 1 Grey Phalarope (On the lagoon and in the north creek). John Wright (SOG).
Wakering Old Tip 17:00 - 18:30: 2 Marsh Harrier, 1 Short-eared Owl. Web Author.
Two Tree Island (East), 18:00 to 19:00: 1 Barn Owl (is it back again or did it ever leave?!) Ed, 2 Snipe. John Wright, Simon Buckell (SOG).
Shoebury Park: New Starling roost? Up to 5,000 Starling have been observed descending in to trees at Shoebury Park for the last few evenings. Web Author.
Friday 17th October 2003
Two Tree Island 09.00 - 11.00: 1 Grey Phalarope (still showing well around the edges of the lagoon), 4 Stonechat, 1 Meadow Pipit, 6 Redshank, 9 Teal, 1 Whimbrel, 2 Oystercatcher. Richard Mander.
Gunners Park 09:15 - 10:00: 1 Treecreeper (first for the park!), c.12 Goldcrest. Steve Sanford Web Author.
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 09.55 - 11.35: 15 Wigeon, 11 Little Egret, (1 on north side of Crouch 10 on south), 10 Grey Plover, 18 Curlew, 12 Little Grebe (highest number recorded here for at least 5 years), 9 Shelduck, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Greenshank, 1 Reed Bunting, 17 Brent Goose. Ray Fuller.
Gunners Park, 10:00 to 16:00: 5 Firecrest, many Goldcrest, 1 Blackcap, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Treecreeper, 2 Chiffchaff, 20 Redwing, 1 Fieldfare, 20 Swallow. Harry Carmichael, Dave Knight (SOG).
Southend Pier 12:00 - 14:30: 8 Mediterranean Gull (incl. Green ringed P20 and partially read metal ring bra* H65*). Also 1 Harbour Porpoise swimming very close and around end of pier. Steve Sanford, Web Author.
Gunners Park 16:10 17:15: 2 Firecrest, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Redwing. Web Author.
Gunners Park 17:30 - 18:20: 5 Firecrest, 2 Redwing, 1 Treecreeper, 1 Chiffchaff. John Bronze, Marc Outen.
Thursday 16th October 2003
Thundersley, 06.55: Woodcock. Flushed from beneath the shrubs at the bottom of my garden. The bird flew directly towards me, gaining height. At a distance of approx. 2 metres from me and at a height of approx. 3 metres it did a 90-degree turn and headed off South, towards Shipwrights Woods. John Bennett.
Two Tree Island 08:10: c. 3,500 Brent Geese off of Island. Web Author.
Two Tree Island (west) 08.08 - 09.15: Large mixed flock of Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Linnet, Reed Bunting, Corn Bunting and Meadow Pipit on and around the Model Aircraft field. Green Woodpecker, a pair of Jays (the first I have seen on the West side). Grey Phalarope still showing well on the Lagooon. Terry Strong.
Southend Pier, 13:15 to 14:15: 4 Manx Shearwater, 1 Fulmar, 1 Arctic Skua, 10 Kittiwake, 15 Mediterranean Gull. John Wright (SOG).
Gunners Park 13:30: Yellow-browed Warbler on mound and around children's play area, 4 Firecrest. Steve Bunn.
Hanningfield Reservoir 15:00 - 16:00: Pintail, Widgeon, 4 Snipe, 1 Ruff, 1 Dunlin, pair of Common Scoter. R Shepherd.
Gunners Park, 14:45 to 16:50: 3 Firecrest, 1 Treecreeper, 1 Goldcrest, 10 Redwing. John Wright (SOG).
Gunners Park 17:50: Yellow-browed Warbler in low bushes behind children's play area just where the footpath turns left. Web Author.
Two Tree Island 12:00: Grey Phalarope on Lagoon 12.00 (left side as viewed from hide), Cetti's Warbler (heard) East side 15.30 along with 38 Little Egret and 1000+ Brent Geese interspersed with numerous Widgeon. Trevor.
Wednesday 15th October 2003
Two Tree Island (west): 08:00 - 09:15: 1 Peregrine being mobbed by Crows and Gulls, 1 Grey Phalarope, 2 Rock Pipit by slipway. Terry Strong.
Vange Marsh, 08:00 to 10:00: 1 Kingfisher, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Little Gull (Juv), 8 Ruff, 15 Snipe, 1 Knot, 3 Goldeneye. Chris Lewis (SOG).
Gunners Park, 12:25 to 13:45: 3 Firecrest (2 together & a single. Around the mound/fenced compound area (first parking area on left). John Wright (SOG).
Canvey Seafront: 1 Little Gull, 2 Fulmar. 4 Common Scoter, 9 Pintail, 2 Arctic Skua, 1 Guillemot, 1 Rock Pipit. Jeff Sayward, Web Author.
Tuesday 14th October 2003
Two Tree Island: Grey Phalarope early morning. Steve Bunn.
Southend, 09:00: 1 Sparrowhawk (A female over Victoria Circus). John Wright (SOG).
Stow Maries 12.30: On footpath behind Prince of Wales pub Stow Maries; Marsh Harrier and a Hobby mobbed by Crows. Roger Shinn.
Canvey Seafront, 13:00 to 16:00: 2 Leach's Petrel (both long range), 10 Fulmar (at least 10), 3 Arctic Skua, 1 Pomarine Skua (juv.), 1 Black Tern, 3 Little Gull, 1 Common Tern, 1 Sparrowhawk. Jeff Saward (SOG).
Hadleigh Castle Country Park 13:30: 1 female Sparrowhawk over Chapel Lane car park. Web Author.
Two Tree Island 14:30: Grey Phalarope. Phil Anderson.
Monday 13th October 2003
Two Tree Island 12:30 - 13:30: 1 Grey Phalarope close to hide. 1 very pale Stonechat near tree stump pile, 1 Common Snipe. John Bronze.
Canvey Seafront, 12:30 to 16:00: 6 Leach's Petrel (at least 6, one close inshore for over 1 hour), 3 Arctic Skua, 1 Gannet, 11 Little Gull (all juvs.), 16 Common Scoter, 1 Red-breasted Merganser (female), 1 Eider (female), 1 Merlin (heading south). Jeff Saward (SOG).
Two Tree Island (West), 14:30: 1 Grey Phalarope (In the creek on the north side of the island, adjacent to the seat). Pat and Chris Dandridge.
Southend Pier, 14:40 to 16:15: 23 Mediterranean Gull, 4 Arctic Skua, 2 Little Gull. Harry Carmichael (SOG).
Sunday 12th October 2003
Two Tree Island 07:40 to 9:45 and 15:15 to 15:45: A.M. 1 Stonechat on tree in eastern reed beds. 1 Grey Phalarope on lagoon. P.M. 1 Grey Phalarope on lagoon working its way along the southern edge. 1 Rock Pipit on an island in the lagoon. Also about 500 Brent Geese of the eastern tip of the island. David Lee.
Wakering Stairs, 08:30 to 15:45: 1 Leach's Petrel (Seen at 13.05 by self and 3 other WeBS counters. Close, flying N. into wind, low over sea), 15 Little Egret, 1 Marsh Harrier (Juv.), 457 Golden Plover, 6 Green Sandpiper (Included flock of 5), 11 Stonechat (Included group of 6), 1 Fieldfare. Harry Carmichael (SOG).
Wakering Stairs, Haven Point, 11:30 to 14:30: 45 Gannet (only 2 adults), 1 Arctic Skua, 250 Brent Goose, 1 Hen Harrier (ringtail). Mark Wickins (SOG).
Coombe Wood, 11:40: 1 Common Buzzard (drifting north over garden). Jeff Saward (SOG).
Canvey Seafront, 12:30 to 15:45: 1 Leach's Petrel (chased by Peregrine!), 1 Long-tailed Skua (adult), 4 Arctic Skua, 1 Gannet (juv.), 5 Arctic Tern (adults), 1 Little Gull (adult), 20 Kittiwake (all adults), 2 Mediterranean Gull (adults), 1 Peregrine Falcon (chasing the Leach's!). Jeff Saward (SOG).
Two Tree Island West 13.00 - 15.30: 1 Grey Phalarope showed well, 1 Rock Pipit. Stuart Bailey.
Two Tree Island (West), 14:00 to 15:20: 1 Grey Phalarope (1st w. on the lagoon and in the creek on the north side of the lagoon/island). John Wright (SOG).
Fleet Head, Great Wakering 14.00 - 16.30: 1 Corn Bunting, 4 Stonechat, 6 Meadow Pipit, 4 Grey Heron, 11 Little Egret, 13 Mute Swan, 2 Shelduck, 40+ Redshank, 20 Lapwing, 18 Red Legged Partridge. Richard Mander.
Canvey (oil storage tanks, seen from the Waverly): 16:00: Leach's Petrel, Arctic Skua. Mike Bunker.
Two-Tree Island 15:30 - 16:30: Grey Phalarope on lagoon approached close to hide. Also a couple of Greenshank & a singing Cetti's Warbler (Eastern end). Andrew Cox.
Hadleigh Castle Country Park; 16:15 to 17:30: 1 Parakeet ( at the top of the first meadow, at the bottom end of the path from the Chapel Lane car park. Circled overhead nosily for 5 minutes before appearing to settle down to roost in the trees on the eastern side of the meadow) Also, Sparrowhawk, Green Woodpeckers and Common Pheasants. Ashley and Tim Bennett.
Saturday 11th October 2003
Gunners Park - Shoebury 07:45 - 08:50: 3 Wren, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Jay, 5 Swallow, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Stonechat (on sea wall), 37 Brent Goose, 1 Green Woodpecker. Web Author.
Stanford Warren 09:00 - 11:00: 4 Bearded Reedling, 1 drake Red-crested Pochard, 2 Little Egret, 10+ Chiffchaff - several singing, 3 Stonechat. Chris Cook.
Wakering Stairs, Haven Point 09:25 - 15:00: 7 Great Crested Grebe, 15 Little Egret, 343 Brent Goose, 15 Common Eider (off shore, 5 full summer plumage males), 2 Marsh Harrier (juv/female), 4 Hen Harrier (2 at 10:30; from the relative size looked to be a juvenile and adult female, both these birds flew south over estuary towards Elmley. 1 juv/female at 10:50; this bird flew across Havengore Island and out over the estuary. 1 juv/female at 11:15; bird low on Havengore Island and was seen again at 14:00), 1 Common Buzzard (very dark adult flew from Havengore then soared high NW over town centre at 10:20), 1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Kestrel, 1 Sandwich Tern, 1 Short-eared Owl (disturbed from borrowdyke), 8 Swallow, 2 Whinchat, 12 Goldfinch, 1 female Reed Bunting. Also 2 Grey Seal in Potton Creek. Maureen Rudge, Web Author.
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 09.35 - 11.25: 44 Goldfinch, 15 Little Egret, (6 on north side of Crouch 9 on south), 5 Reed Bunting, 6 Grey Plover, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 62 Curlew, 5 Little Grebe, 1 Greenshank. Ray Fuller.
Hadleigh Downs, 10:00 to 11:00: 2 Bullfinch. Andrew Woodhouse Essex Ranger Service.
Leigh-on-Sea, Tattersall Gardens 14.10: 1 Mediterranean Gull wheeling with several Black-headed Gulls above the Marine Estate. Martin Johnson.
Two Tree Island (West), 15:45 to 16:45: 4 Stonechat (Including the pale male.), 8 Corn Bunting. John Wright (SOG).
Hanningfield Reservoir: Grey Phalarope still present. Viewed from visitor centre but very distant swimming in the centre of the reservoir. Richard Chew.
Friday 10th October 2003
Two Tree Island East (from road bridge) 10.45 - 11.30: Approx 700 Brent Geese, 17 Little Egret, 25 Turnstone, 12 Grey Plover, 20 Curlew, 100+ Dunlin/Ringed Plover, 30+ Redshank, 1 Greenshank, 10 Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Lapwing, 15 Oystercatcher, 2 Swallow (flying over Cockle sheds). John Bennett.
Two Tree Island (from Old Leigh Bridge) 13:40 - 14:00: 76 Little Egret (on salt marsh at rising tide), c.650 Brent Goose, 1 Kestrel, 1 Grey Wagtail (flew over). Web Author.
Gunners Park, Shoebury 16:00 - 17:00: 5 Swallow, 2 Stonechat (pair by derelict wooden hut on sea wall), 31 Brent Goose (flew west), 4 Mistle Thrush, 2 Song Thrush, 1 Kingfisher (fishing in brook). Also 1 fox in EWT reserve. Web Author.
Thursday 09th October 2003
Westcliff Seafront 07:45: 5 Little Egret, skein of 52 Brent Geese. Also 7 Seals on sandbank. Web Author.
Belfairs, 08:00: 8+ Siskin, 5 Chiffchaff. Tony Mead (SOG).
Two Tree Island 08:10: c. 800 Brent Geese on eel grass. Web Author.
Two Tree Island 12:00: Grey Phalarope on lagoon (seen by at least six watchers). Ron Hodgson.
Wednesday 08th October 2003
Belfairs, 08:00: 1 Lesser Redpoll. Tony Mead (SOG).
Thundersley Glen 09:00: Strung-out flight of approx seventy Redwing flying WSW. John Bennett.
Priory Park, 13:00 - 13:30: 1 Grey Wagtail, 20 Goldfinch, 7 Mistle Thrush. Steve Sanford.
Priory Park, 14:05: 1 Siskin (flew over calling). Paul Griggs (SOG).
Hanningfield Reservoir 15:30 - 16:30: 1 Ruff, 1 Common Snipe, 2 Whooper Swan (by causeway), 1 Grey Phalarope. R Shepherd.
Tuesday 07th October 2003
Coombe Wood, 08:00: 1 Firecrest (in garden). Jeff Saward (SOG).
Southend, 15:50: 2 Sparrowhawk (Flew over Victoria Circus). John Wright (SOG).
Monday 06th October 2003
Rayleigh: 07:15: 20 Redwing heading south-west. Robin Peppiatt.
Leigh Cockle Sheds 11.00 - 11.10: 2 Grey Wagtail, 2 Pied Wagtail. John Bennett.
Sunday 05th October 2003
Rochford Golf Course, 07:35 to 16:00: 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Lesser Redpoll (presumably Lesser). Also several Skylarks, Meadow Pipits and Redwings moving prior to 11:30. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Belfairs, 08:00: 30+ Redwing, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 2+ Siskin. Tony Mead (SOG).
Hadleigh Country Park 09.00 - 10.00: 6 Redwing, 1 Male Kestrel, 1 Male and female Stonechat, (1 Clouded Yellow). Mike Sagrott.
Highlands Boulevard, Leigh, 10:00: to 17:00: 3 Redwing, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Sparrowhawk. Paul Griggs (SOG).
Prittle Brook (Leigh on Sea), 10:50: 30 Redwing (flying west). Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).
Southend Airport, 12:30: 6 Redwing (flew east). Paul Baker (SOG).
Rayleigh 15:00: 1 Redwing heading west. Robin Peppiatt.
Eastwood, (Mayflower Close) 17:10 to 17:30: 2 Grey Wagtail, 1 Sparrowhawk (female soaring and being mobbed by Black H Gull). Paul Baker (SOG).
Saturday 04th October 2003
Gunners Park 08:15 - 08:35: 100+ mixed Greenfinch and Goldfinch flock, 3 Mistle Thrush, 1 Song Thrush, 4 Long-tailed Tit, 6 Swallow. Web Author.
Southend Pier, 08:30 to 11:00: 25 Mediterranean Gull (8 adults including Green ringed birds A00 and P20 and the metal ringed German bird IA0001553, 8 2nd winters and 9 1st winters (including Green C5N and Green 3KN9 which are new birds and several unread metal rings)), 1 Grey Phalarope (a possible flew west distantly at 9.40am). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Westcliff Seafront, 08:40 to 09:00: 5 Mediterranean Gull (2 ads. 3 2nd winters). John Wright (SOG).
Wakering Stairs 09:15 - 09:35: 11 Little Egret, 42 Brent Geese, 8 Swallow, 2 Kestrel, 40+ Sanderling. Also Ringed Plover, Knot, Dunlin, Golden Plover, Grey Plover. Web Author.
Gunners Park, 09:15 to 11:15: 1 Kingfisher, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Wheatear, 2 Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaff, 4 Goldcrest, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Stonechat, 100 House Martin (Plus small numbers of Swallows.), 15 Song Thrush (An obvious increase in numbers). John Wright, Brian Baldock (SOG).
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 09.40 - 11.40: 3 Swallow, 10 Little Egret, (5 on north side of Crouch, 5 on south), 4 Curlew, 3 Little Grebe, 2 Goldfinch, 3 Greenshank, 1 Black-tailed Godwit. Ray Fuller.
Westcliff Seafront, 11:30 to 11:35: 1 Ring-billed Gull (adult again by Rossi's), 1 Mediterranean Gull (adult). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Gunners Park, 12:45 to 13:45: 1 Goldcrest, 2 Blackcap (1 male, 1fem/imm), 1 Chiffchaff, 14 House Martin (in 1 loose flock), 1 Little Egret (on foreshore), 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker. Paul Baker (SOG).
Chalkwell Park Drive, Leigh, 13:30: 1 Hobby (Cruised over the garden chased by a flock of Starlings). John Wright (SOG).