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Bird Reports for October 2006

Tuesday 31st October 2006

Wat Tyler Country Park 16.00
Widgeon, Teal, Gadwall, Shoveler, 3 Greenshank, 1 Green Sandpiper. Richard Shepherd.

Sunday 29th October 2006

Hockley Road, Basildon 07.30 - 12.00
Large numbers of Starling, Goldfinch, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Female Sparrowhawk through garden Sat 10.34am. Robin on mealworms. Chaffinch, Greenfinch in mixed numbers throughout both days. Darren Chaplin.

Billericay (Back Garden) 08.40 - 09.10
2 Redwing feeding on berries of holly tree, 1 Coal Tit on feeders. Chris Henry.

Hadleigh Marshes, 10:00 to 11:00
4 Stonechat (2 pairs), 3 Reed Bunting. John Wright (SOG).

Lea Valley Park 10.30 to 1400
4 Barnacle Geese with Canadian Geese, 3 Egyptian Geese on goose field, small flock of Wigeon and Shoveler on flooded area of goose field. Pochard seen on 70 acre lake and 1 large common carp seen when looking out of bittern hide. Also 1 Green Woodpecker and Great Spotted Woodpecker seen. Michael Howell.

Rochford Golf Course, 12:15 to 16:00
1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Grey Wagtail, 5 Skylark (flew over), 15 Redwing. Neil Chambers (SOG).

Wat Tyler Country Park 13.00 - 15.50
Fleet Hide; 2 Little Egret, 4 Grey Heron, 30-40 Coot with plenty of territory displays, 2 Little Grebe, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Cetti's Warbler seen, many more heard. 20 Wood pigeon and 30-40 Collared Dove drinking from edge of reed bed and roosting to left of Fleet Hide. 1 Shoveler, 4 Teal, 1 Widgeon. Kingfisher heard but not seen. 40 Lapwing on Scrape. Darren Chaplin.

Saturday 28th October 2006

Barling Rubbish Tip, 10:05 to 14:00
2 Caspian Gull (a very fine adult and a 1st year that was very elusive), 2 Yellow-legged Gull (1st and 2nd winters), 1 Herring Gull (leucistic adult), 30 Corn Bunting (at least), 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Stonechat, 2 Little Egret (in creek), 1 Black-headed Gull (adult leucistic in the River Roach, appears to be different to the previously seen leucistic Black-heads). Steve Arlow (SOG).

South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 09.50 11.30
3 Shelduck, 3 Brent Goose, 10 Curlew, Grey Plover, 200+ Golden Plover, 3 Little Grebe, Reed Bunting, 7 Little Egret, 2 Black Tailed Godwit, 2 Skylark. Ray Fuller.

Rivers Crouch & Roach aboard Lady Essex III 12:00 - 14:30
9 Little Egret, 2 Kestrel, 57 Avocet, c.400 Golden Plover, 1 juvenile Marsh Harrier over Foulness. 5 Common Seal in water. Web Author.

Basildon, Gloucester Park, 14:00 - 14:15
Adult Mediterranean Gull. John Wright (SOG).

Hanningfield Reservoir 15.00
1 Green Sandpiper, 1 male Peregrine Falcon, numerous Pintail, Teal, Wigeon and Shoveler from Rawl Hide. Marion Burch.

Friday 27th October 2006

Rivers Crouch & Roach aboard Lady Essex III 13:00 - 15:30
18 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 7 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 27 Wigeon, 2 Kestrel, 57 Avocet, c.200 Knot, c.400 Dunlin. 10 Common Seal. Web Author.

Woodside Park, Thundersley, 17:30 to 18:30
1 Woodcock. 2 Common Pipistrelle. Graham Ryland (SOG).

Thursday 26th October 2006

Woodside Park, Thundersley, 07:30 to 08:00
2 Green Woodpecker, 40+ Redwing. Graham Ryland (SOG).

Belton Hills 08.00
Large female Peregrine taking off from tree overlooking the estuary. Steven Wood.

Hanningfield Reservoir, West end of Causeway 08:15 - 08:40
3 Green Sandpiper, Grey Wagtail, female Sparrowhawk, 40 Pied Wagtail, 10 Meadow Pipit. Neil Chambers (SOG).

Rochford, Golden Cross 08:35
Grey Heron flew over heading south. Also Red Admiral in garden. Richard Goring.

Wednesday 25th October 2006

Rochford, Golden Cross 09:30
Grey Heron flew over. Richard Goring.

Canvey Seafront, 10:00 to 16:30
1 Merlin (female, probably the same bird that was at the Point yesterday), 1 Arctic Tern, 2 Arctic Skua, 6 Pomarine Skua, 3 Great Skua, 1 Long-tailed Skua (dark juvenile - 1545 hrs), 147 Kittiwake , 1 Little Auk  (seen 3 times between 1200 & 1345 - often close inshore ), 43 Common Scoter, 10 Mediterranean Gull (6 adults, 2x1st w., 2x2nd w.), 1 Manx Shearwater (1300 hrs.). Jeff Saward (SOG).

Hanningfield Reservoir 13.30 - 16.00
Large flock of mixed duck feeding on mud Teal/Pintail and Wigeon, also 7 Common Snipe feeding with Starlings, 3 Grey Heron, Gadwall, 3 Black Swan. M Howell, M Jameson.

Tuesday 24th October 2006 (first report of winter Red-throated Diver)

Hanningfield Reservoir 08:20
Cattle Egret at west end of Fremlins Causeway Name: Kevin Rees.

Chalkwell Seafront 10:45
1 female Wheatear. David Lee.

Canvey Point Time: 12.30 - 13.10
1 Short-eared Owl (looked up as I shut boot on car and it flew straight overhead, mobbed by 20 Starlings and 2 Carrion Crow, watched it fly along Canvey Seafront being mobbed by just about everything on the estuary until it disappeared beyond Thorney Bay), 1 juvenile Gannet, 1 Red-throated Diver (flying past heading out of estuary). Martin Cracknell.

Canvey Point, 13:15 to 14:30
 33 Pintail (single flock), 1 Gannet, 1 Merlin (hunting on the point), 1 Dark-bellied Brent Goose (very leucistic, with biscuit coloured head, neck and breast, rest of body creamy white with darker wings - weird looking!). Many Red Admirals and 1 Clouded Yellow flying past SW. Jeff Saward (SOG).

Two Tree Island (East) 16.30 - 17.30
3 Swallow, 1 Kestrel, 4,000+ Brent Geese, 2,400+ Wigeon, 2,000+ Dunlin, 39 Little Egret. In amongst the Black-tailed Godwit was one colour ringed individual RW-GW (Left leg Red above White, Right Leg Green above White, both rings above the knee). Martin Cracknell.

Hanningfield Reservoir 17:25 - 17:35
Adult Mediterranean Gull from Fremnall's Causeway. Neil Chambers (SOG).

Monday 23rd October 2006

Two Tree Island 08:15 to 11:15
2 Kestrel having some bother with crows. They even came to investigate me. Teal and Wigeon on the lagoon. 700 Golden Plover on the creek. 4 Meadow Pipit, 1 Rock Pipit by the slipway. 1 Goose of the eastern tip that looked like an albino Brent. It was the same size and shape as a Brent and was feeding with them, but had a white body and dark brown head, neck and front chest. David Lee.

Leigh on Sea, 09:00
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker In roadside trees, First Avenue. John Wright (SOG).

Chelmsford 10.00
2 Great Spotted Woodpecker. Clive Hammersley.

Hadleigh Marsh / Benfleet Creek Time: 12.00 - 13.00
3 Grey Heron, 7 Little Egret, 1 Robin, 3 Meadow Pipit, 2 Stonechat, 1 Corn Bunting, 3 Reed Bunting, 10 Goldfinch. Andrew Bridge.

South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 14.25 16.10
3 Snipe, Wheatear, 9 Little Egret, 6 Shelduck, 28 Curlew, Great Crested Grebe, 150 Teal, 10 Widgeon, Greenshank, 2 Reed Bunting, Green Sandpiper, 4 Skylark. Ray Fuller.

Sunday 22nd October 2006

Westcliff Seafront, 10:00 to 10:30
1 Ring-billed Gull (adult still present showing well), 4 Mediterranean Gull (adults), 10 Little Egret. Steve Arlow (SOG).

Two Tree Island, 11:00 to 12:00
36 Little Egret (roosting on the saltings viewable from Leigh Cockle Sheds), 3,000 Wigeon (at least), 4,000 Dark-bellied Brent Goose (at least but no sign of the Black Brant or Pale-bellied Brent reported last week). Steve Arlow (SOG).

Coombe Wood, 14:30
1 Swallow. Jeff Saward (SOG).

Wat Tyler Country Park 16:00
4 Greenshank, 2 Green Sandpiper. Richard Shepherd.

Saturday 21st October 2006

Gunners Park, 08:10 to 09:10
1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Goldcrest, 1 male Stonechat, 30 Linnet, 20 Goldfinch. John Wright (SOG).

South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 09.20 11.20
6 Avocet, Wheatear, 9 Little Egret, 12 Bar-tailed Godwit, Green Sandpiper, Greenshank, Grey Plover, 20 Golden Plover, 14 Widgeon, 14 Curlew, 24 Shelduck, 2 Reed Bunting, Teal (large flock panicked by gunmen), 6 Skylark. Ray Fuller.

Wakering, Fleet Head, 09:30 to 10:40
7 Little Egret, 26 Ruff, 280 Golden Plover, 200 Lapwing, 50 Wigeon, 100 Teal, 40 Bar-tailed Godwit. John Wright (SOG).

Hadleigh Marshes, 10:00 to 11:15
4 Stonechat, 1 Mute Swan, 13 Goldfinch, 2 Bearded Tit (males), 8 Skylark. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).

Westcliff Seafront, 10:45 to 10:50
1 adult Ring-billed Gull opposite Rossi's. Neil Chambers (SOG).

Coombe Wood, 11:00
1 Peregrine Falcon circling over high, much to the consternation of the local Crows and Magpies! Jeff Saward (SOG).

Rivers Crouch & Roach aboard Lady Essex III 11:00 - 13:30
43 Little Egret, 4 Grey Heron, 9 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 7 Wigeon, 3 Kestrel, 43 Avocet, c.200 Grey Plover, c.300 Golden Plover in field by marina, c.200 Dunlin, 50 Knot. 4 Common Seal. Web Author.

Wakering Stairs, 11:35 to 12:00
6 Little Egret, 1 Pomarine Skua flew along the shoreline harassing gulls, 1,000 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 600 Oystercatcher, 300 Bar-tailed Godwit plus hundreds of Knot, Dunlin, Redshank, Grey Plover, Turnstone, Ringed Plover. John Wright (SOG).

Westcliff Seafront, 12:00 to 12:10
1 Ring-billed Gull, 1 adult Mediterranean Gull. John Wright (SOG).

Rochford Golf Course, 14:30 to 18:00
2 Green Woodpecker, 10 Goldfinch. Neil Chambers (SOG).

Thursday 19th October 2006

Leigh on Sea, 10:45 to 15:40
c.6,000 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 1 Arctic Skua, 1 Sandwich Tern, 2 juvenile Gannet, 1 Merlin and 1 Peregrine Falcon in an aerial battle along Leigh Hills at 11:23. Peregrine being seen again at 13:46 in fast pursuit of pigeon, 1 Sparrowhawk above church being mobbed by Crow. Alan Shearman, Glen Jacobs, Web Author RSPB.

Wednesday 18th October 2006

East Tilbury, Coalhouse Fort 10.30 - 11.30
2 Great Black-backed Gull, 5 Pied Wagtail, Kestrel, Green Woodpecker, 10 Goldfinch. Chris Henry.

Wat Tyler Country Park 12.00 - 13.45
5 Shoveler, many Coot, Lapwing and Gulls, 7 Wigeon, 2 Snipe, Heron, 3 Great Black-backed Gull, 2 Shelduck. Chris Henry.

Gunners Park
Several flocks of Brent Geese flying over barge pier, 3 Cormorant on barge pier and 1 Little Egret in ditch. Tim Sayer.

Tuesday 17th October 2006

Highlands Boulevard, Leigh, 07:45
1 Grey Wagtail. Paul Griggs (SOG).

Westcliff-on-Sea, Corner Clifton Drive and Manor Road, 17:42
1 Peregrine Falcon wheeling around above block of flats. Martin Johnson.

Two Tree Island
Male blackcap in Essex WT reserve. Tony Gouldstone.

Leigh on Sea
RPSB Brent Goose Watch: Approx 6,000 Brent today and in amongst them were 1 Black Brant and 1 Pale-bellied Brent Goose. Also one with rings (white d , red 4). In a count of 1,500 brents there were 57 juveniles.

Monday 16th October 2006

Ashingdon, 08:00
1 Sparrowhawk being mobbed by 2 Crows and c. 50 Starlings. Steve Sanford (SOG).

Prittle Brook (Leigh on Sea), 08:30 to 08:45
1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Grey Wagtail, 3 White / Pied Wagtail. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).

Westcliff Seafront, 08:55 to 09:10
1 Ring-billed Gull opposite Rossi's, 2 adult Mediterranean Gull. John Wright (SOG).

Canvey West End, 10:15 to 11:50
2 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Linnet, 1 Stonechat, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 2 Skylark, 1 Green Woodpecker. 5 Clouded Yellow. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).

Canvey Point, 15:30 to 16:45
3 Gannet, 1 Mediterranean Gull (adult), 1 Rock Pipit, 13 Common Scoter, 6 Little Egret. Jeff Saward (SOG).

Wat Tyler County Park
5 Spotted Redshank on the scrape (See our webcam capture page),  2 Little Egret on the scrape and another 2 in the creek, 5 Cetti's Warbler singing around the park, 40 Wigeon in the creek. Alan Shearman RSPB.

Two Tree Island
22 Avocet in Benfleet Creek, 6 Greenshank in lagoon, 89 Little Egret in evening roost by old sewage works. Tony Gouldstone.

The Naze
80+ Redwing seen at dawn, also c.15 Song Thrush and 5 Brambling (2 ringed). Brian Meadows had a Ring Ouzel somewhere near the farm and 1 flew over the John Weston Reserve. Otherwise 2 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Stonechat, 1 flyover Redpoll. Peter Bruce saw a Jack Snipe from the Holland Haven hide this a.m. though I couldnt find it in a quick try at 13.30. Simon Cox. (EBS).

Sunday 15th October 2006

Canvey Point, 07:15 to 08:30
73 Gannet, 3 Great Skua, 2 Pomarine Skua , 2 Arctic Skua, 2 Little Gull, 3 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Common Tern, 2 Sandwich Tern, 1 Common Scoter, 1 Peregrine Falcon (being mobbed by a Pomarine Skua!). Jeff Saward (SOG).

Canvey Point Time: 07.15 - 08.50
87 Gannet, 3 Great Skua, 2 Arctic Skua, 2 Pomarine Skua one of which chased a Peregrine Falcon, 3 Mediterranean Gull (1 Ad, 2 1W), 2 Little Gull, 3 Sandwich Tern Name: Martin Cracknell.

East Tilbury 08.30 - 12.00
1 juvenile Sabine's Gull up river (first seen by Pete Merchant, identified by Paul Wood), 4 (possibly 5) Great Skua, 2 Arctic Skua, up to 40 Gannet, 1 Peregrine, c.500 Avocet, c.500 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Green Sandpiper, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 3 Little Egret, 2 Swallow, 3 Stonechat. David Jobbins.

South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 09.55 11.25
7 Little Egret (2 on north side of Crouch), 3 Green Sandpiper, Fieldfare (1st in this area this Autumn), 2 Curlew, 2 Teal, 4 Little Grebe, 7 Golden Plover, 7 Swallow, 6 Goldfinch, Reed Bunting, 6 Skylark. Ray Fuller.

Two Tree Island 10:00
1 Wheatear, Stonechat, 4 Meadow Pipit. Paul Bruty.

Rivers Crouch & Roach aboard Lady Essex III 12:00 - 17:20 (two trips)
32 Little Egret, 47 Avocet, 340 Golden Plover, 1 Marsh Harrier (with prey), 1 Hobby (south over Crouch at 13:44), 1 Sandwich Tern. 2 Common Seal. Gary Dunn, Web Author.

Southend, Bournemouth Park Road 14:20
3 House Martin,1 Sparrowhawk. Don Wildish.

Hawkwell, 16:20
1 Sparrowhawk over Main Road. Neil Chambers (SOG).

Two Tree Island
3,800 Brent Geese off Old Leigh, 1 Swallow, 39 Avocet in Benfleet Creek, 80 Little Egret in evening roost by old sewage treatment works. Tony Gouldstone.

Garden near Belfairs Wood
Merlin. Mrs Alderton.

Saturday 14th October 2006

Paglesham Lagoon 07:00 to 10:00
Goldcrest, Chiffchaff, 5 Yellowhammer, Corn Bunting, Stonechat, 2 Common Gull. John, Matt and Paul Bruty.

Canvey Point 07.35 - 08.05
1 Gannet, 1 Arctic Skua, flock of 7 Skylark. Martin Cracknell.

Canvey Point, 09:15 to 12:45
127 Gannet, 13 Great Skua, 5 Common Scoter, 1 Sandwich Tern, 5 Common Tern, 3 Swallow, 2 adult Mediterranean Gull.  Jeff Saward (SOG).

Rivers Crouch & Roach aboard Lady Essex III 11:00 - 13:40
18 Brent Geese flying in form mouth of Crouch, 18 Little Egret, 1 Common Tern, 2 Common Gull, 76 Avocet, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 34 Golden Plover. 3 Common Seals (incl. a radio tagged individual). Gary Dunn.

Gunners Park, 11:30 to 13:50
1 Kestrel, 2 Sparrowhawk, 2 Little Egret, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Goldcrest, 2 Green Woodpecker, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker. 1 Clouded Yellow, 3 Red Admiral. Paul Griggs, Don Petrie (SOG).

Basildon, Aquatels 12.00
1 Grey Wagtail. Andrew Bridge.

Wakering Stairs, 14:10 to 15:40
1,000+ Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 1 Stonechat, 9 Little Egret, 2 Kestrel. 3 Red Admiral. Paul Griggs, Don Petrie (SOG).

Hanningfield Reservoir 15.00
Numerous Pintail, Shoveler and Teal. 9 Heron and 1 juvenile Shelduck - all from Rawle Hide. Marion Burch.

Canvey Point 15:00
Kestrel (male), 4 Goldfinch, 10 Grey Plover, 50+ Curlew, 5 Little Egret, Dark-bellied Brent Geese (thousands).  John and Paul Bruty.

Rivers Crouch & Roach aboard Lady Essex III 15:00 - 17:30
9 Little Egret, 2 Sandwich Tern, 52 Avocet, 1 Kestrel, 2 Marsh Harrier. Gary Dunn.

Wakering, Fleet Head, 15:45 to 16:30
1 Green Woodpecker, 9 Corn Bunting, 2 Swallow, 1 Sand Martin, 1 Reed Bunting, 1 Kestrel, 85 Rook, 1 Jackdaw, 5 Little Egret, 1 Red-legged Partridge. Paul Griggs, Don Petrie (SOG).

Canvey Point 17.15 - 18.00
23 Gannet, 1 Great Skua, 2 Arctic Skua, 57 Curlew, 4 Little Egret flying to roost. Martin Cracknell .

Leigh on Sea
RSPB Brent Goose watch: There are now around 4,800 Brent Geese showing really well from Old Leigh, I managed to read one with rings today: right leg, light blue with two bars, left leg, green 9. Alan Shearman RSPB.

Friday 13th October 2006

Shell Haven Marshes 12.10 to 13.20
1 Common Buzzard circling overhead, 1 Peregrine falcon also circling over storage tanks. Nick Argent.

Canvey Point, 13:15 to 16:00
33 Gannet (inc. flock of 21), 3 Arctic Skua, 4 Mediterranean Gull (2 adults, 1x 2nd winter, 1x 1st winter), 5 Common Tern, 2 Scaup. Jeff Saward (SOG).

Tewke's Creek, 16:00 to 16:30
8 Little Egret. Jeff Saward (SOG).

Craven Close at Golden Cross, Rochford
Prolonged visitations by Tortoiseshell Butterflies and a couple of Red Admirals. The attraction seems to have been the Verbena Beniares. A few weeks ago we watched Humming Bird Hawk Moth. Richard Goring.

Thursday 12th October 2006 (first report of winter Redwing)

Coombe Wood, 08:00 to 08:30
20 Redwing flying in first thing this morning. Jeff Saward (SOG).

Rivers Crouch & Roach aboard Lady Essex III (private charter) 0930 to 1600
In outer Crouch Estuary; flight after flight of Brent Geese all with 30 to 40 birds, all heading West and flying low. These birds were coming in during the ebb as well as the flood. 6 Shelduck, Grey Heron, 4 Cormorant, 2 Little Egret, 1 Kestrel. 14 Common Seal 70+ Red Admiral. In Roach; 8 Brent Geese, 3 Grey Heron, 18 Little Egret, Ringed Plover, Grey Plover, Golden Plover, 2 Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, Lapwing, Wigeon, and more Red Admirals. 9 Common Seals. Gary Dunn.

Wat Tyler Country Park 15.00
4 Bearded Tit, 6 Greenshank, 1 Ruff, 1 Kingfisher,  6 Stonechat (2m, 4f). Adrian Mann.

River Crouch, Hullbridge towards Battlesbridge 15.30 - 16.30
4 Little Egret, 3 Common Tern, 26 Mute Swan. David Flack.

Hanningfield Reservoir 1700
1 male Crossbill in tall firs on Fremlins caueseway. Kevin Rees.

Hadleigh Castle Country Park (RSPB guided walk)
1 Lesser Whitethroat, 26 Jay, 4 Green Woodpecker feeding together,  3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Kestrel, 11 Skylark, 8 Meadow Pipit. 40+ Red Admiral, 1 Clouded Yellow. Alan Shearman RSPB.

Wednesday 11th October 2006

Canvey Point 14:00 to 14:20
3 Sandwich Tern, 5 Swallow. Don Wildish.

Ashingdon, Princess Gardens 17.20
2 Sparrowhawk, both female, circling low over gardens towards NE, causing panic amongst local Collared Doves and 100+ Starling to become airborne. David Selley.

Southend Seafront
Adult Peregrine Falcon irritated, but easily evading a dozen mobbing crows above Halfway House pub on the sea front at Thorpe Bay. Appeared to be anticipating a late lunch of circling doves. John Harwood.

Leigh on Sea
Brent Geese have more than doubled from yesterday with a conservative count of 4,000 today. There appears to be more family groups in the new arrivals which is encouraging! 74 Little Egret today in the high tide roost, 3 Sandwich Tern again at 3 pm exactly the same time as yesterday! Alan Shearman RSPB.

Tuesday 10th October 2006

Abberton Reservoir 11:30
1 Slavonian Grebe in winter plumage, many Coot and Gadwall. 1 Brown Hare. Michael Howell.

Abberton Reservoir 13:25
Slavonian Grebe feeding in weed with 2 Coot. Martin Jameson.

Two Tree Island West 16:00 - 17:00
200+ Golden Plover, 20+ Greenshank, 40+ Black-tailed Godwit, 50+ Oystercatcher, 30+ Ringed Plover, 40+ Avocet, 80+ Redshank, 1 Little Stint, 20+ Dunlin, 50+ Lapwing,  1 Sparrowhawk - every thing took off except the Oystercatchers. R Shepherd.

East Mersea 16:30
12 Brent Geese, large flock of Turnstone,1 female Wheatear, 1 Little Egret, large flocks of Golden Plover and Curlew,1 solitary Bar-tailed Godwit, hundreds of Knot, Redshank and Starling. Martin Jameson.

Two Tree Island (East) 16.30 to 17.44
30 Little Egret, 2 Grey Heron, 1,322 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 1,260 Wigeon, 32 Teal, c.200 Curlew. Martin Johnson.

Wallasea Island, (an hour after high tide in new wetland)
480 Golden Plover, 600 Lapwing, 2 Grey Plover, 40 Redshank, 60 Ringed Plover, 30 Dunlin, 1 Little Stint (near camera mast), 3 Curlew,1 Whimbrel, 13 Little Egret, 11 Greylag Geese, lots of distant Brent flocks out over Foulness but just 3 flew over. Also on island, 1 Wheatear, 2 Merlin, 8 Mute Swan. Jeff Delve (EBS).

Old Leigh
1,800 Brent Geese (out of a sample count of 200 there were 7 juvs.), 190 Grey Plover, 260 Dunlin, 600 Redshank, 42 Little Egret, 3 Sandwich Tern around 3pm. Alan Shearman RSPB.

Monday 09th October 2006

Southchurch Seafront 09.45 to 11.00
Juvenile Gannet, 4 Common Scoter and Common Tern. Alan Shearring.

Hanningfield Reservoir 13:00 - 14:45
Rawl Hide: 7 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Shelduck, 1 Canada Goose, 1 Pintail. Point Hide: 8 Snipe, 30 Teal, 35 Gadwall, 5 Pied Wagtail, 25 Lapwing, 15 Coot, 2 Little Stint, 5 Ringed Plover, 8 Dunlin, 1 Little Grebe, 20 Wigeon, 1 Black Swan, 7 Shoveler, 11 Tufted duck, 22 Mute swan. Wood & Car Park: Dunnock, Chaffinch, Blue and Great Tits. David Griffiths.

Sunday 08th October 2006

Chalkwell Park Drive, Leigh, 08:00
1 Chiffchaff In the garden. John Wright (SOG).

Rochford Golf Course, 08:00 to 11:20
2 Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Chiffchaff (singing), 30 Skylark (flew over SW), 10 Meadow Pipit (flew over SW), 2 Linnet (flew over). Neil Chambers (SOG).

Canvey Lifeguards 11.00
1 Arctic Skua lingering off Chapman buoy. Also c.15 Swallows flying towards Kent. At Margaretting, 1 Common Buzzard over the A12 at noon. David Jobbins.

Rivers Crouch & Roach aboard Lady Essex III Time: 12.00 - 14.15
4 Kestrels (one repeatedly diving after prey), Sparrowhawk, 20+ Little Egret, 8 Cormorant, 18 Goldfinch flying South, Three flocks of Avocet, 30+ birds each. Golden Plover, Grey Plover, Curlew, Redshank, Lapwing, 4 Wigeon, 3 Canada Geese. 9 Common Seal (very close views of 8 hauled out). Gary Dunn.

Hadleigh Marsh / Benfleet Creek Time: 13.00 - 15.00
3 Snipe, 1 Kingfisher, 3 Stonechat, 3 Whinchat, 9 Corn Bunting, 1 Reed Bunting. Andrew Bridge.

Two Tree Island (East), 13:30 to 15:00
47 Little Egret on roost, c.700 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 1 Sparrowhawk being mobbed by Crows over Leigh. web Author.

Gunners Park 14:00 to 15:00
200+ Sanderling and c.50 Turnstones on disused pier trestles at high tide. 12-15 Swallow flying over towards Kent. 4 flocks of Goldfinch, each 12-15, plus female Stonechat, Green Woodpecker, Kestrel. Tim and Ashley Bennett.

Hadleigh Marshes, 14:15 to 15:30
41 Goldfinch, 2 Stonechat, 4 Shoveler, 1 Mute Swan, 6 Meadow Pipit. 1 Clouded Yellow. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).

Rayleigh, 14:40
1 Sparrowhawk (female south over Rawreth Lane). Neil Chambers (SOG).

Saturday 7th October 2006

South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 09.30 11.10
9 Little Egret (2 on north side of Crouch), 7 Curlew, Stonechat, 2 Wheatear, Mute Swan, 4 Grey Plover, 55 Teal, Reed Bunting, 200+ Golden Plover, Greenshank, Pochard, 5 Skylark. Ray Fuller.

Southchurch Park 11.30
1 Swallow going west and a trail of mostly Peacock butterflies with some Small Tortoiseshell all heading West. The Cygnets were back and two little Grebes. 1 Cormorant fishing. Circling high were two Sparrowhawk. Name: Steve Wood.

Main Road, Hockley, 12:00
Jay hopping around the verge on Main Road, Hockley, just west of Fountain Lane. Richard Goring.

Wat Tyler Country Park 13:00
2 Green Sandpiper, 1 Black-tailed Godwit. Richard Shepherd.

Friday 06th October 2006

Canvey Seafront, 10:00 to 14:15
12 Mediterranean Gull (6 x adults, 2 x 2nd winter, 6 x 1st winter, the highest Canvey count ever?), 3 Black Tern, 5 Arctic Tern (4 adults, 1 juv.), 1 Arctic Skua, 1 Gannet (juv.), 2 Guillemot, 15 Sandwich Tern, 18 Common Tern, 1 Eider, 5 House Martin. Jeff Saward (SOG).

Thursday 05th October 2006

Hanningfield Reservoir 07:50
2 Green Sandpiper from causeway. Neil Chambers (SOG).

Canvey Seafront, 14:30 to 16:00
1 Mediterranean Gull (the resident adult), 1 Arctic Tern (juv.), 28 Pintail (including a flock of 23), 13 Sandwich Tern, 14 Swallow, 11 House Martin. Jeff Saward (SOG).

Wednesday 04th October 2006

Southchurch Park
The Southchurch Cygnets were seen at 10.30am Tuesday off the Gasworks Pier in the estuary. All four of the family were on the pond of Southchurch East from about 3.30pm and the Cygnets were being chased off by mum and dad but stayed paired up as they flew on and off the pond. Mum returned to Southchurch Park at 9am this morning, Dad as thought, is feeding still over at Southchurch East. It looks like their territory is the Southchurch Park and Estuary in the immediate area. The Cygnets have picked this up in the 2 days since leaving the Main Pond at Southchurch Park. Rob Dobinson.

Leigh on Sea
c.600 Brent Geese feeding off the seafront at low tide. Alan Shearman RSPB.

Alan Alan Shearman

Tuesday 03rd October 2006

Hanningfield Reservoir 09.30 - 12.15
Causeway: many Lapwing and a lone Ruff. Oak Hide: Ringed Plover, 3 Wigeon, 2 Snipe, many Greylag & Canada Geese and Lapwing. Kestrel swooped along waters edge. Point Hide: 2 Little Stint, 7 Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Pied Wagtail, m + f Gadwall. Rawl Hide: Shelduck, Pintail, Teal. Wood & car park: Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Chaffinch, Robin. Chris Henry.

Two Tree Island 11.00 - 12.30
300+ Dark-bellied Brent Geese on eastern end, 2 Wheatear, 1 Whinchat, 2 Stonechat and 1 Swallow on western side. Anita Pickles.

Two Tree Island, 19:00
15 Little Egret (appeared to be flying to roost). Paul Baker (SOG).

Southchurch Park
Both adult Swans & light grey Cygnet left the pond to the west at 07:30 this morning. The male would probably have landed on the pond at Southchurch East to feed, as he had not left the pond for 8 weeks after moulting. Rob Dobinson.

Monday 02nd October 2006

Hanningfield Reservoir 08:00
Female Pintail, c.100 House Martin, 10 Sand Martin, 10 Swallow. Neil Chambers (SOG).

Two Tree Island (East), 17:30 to 17:45
c.340 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 18 Little Egret. Web Author.

Southchurch Park
This morning the dark grey Cygnet (male?) flew off the pond from the Cage end to the West over Kensington Road. He was flying good & strongly cleared the houses by about 20+ft. Lets hope he has a long & healthy life. He is the first successful cygnet to leave the park since the island was built. Thanks for everyones help, including all the cage lads. Look out for the other light grey cygnet to go, she could leave soon. Bob Dobinson.

Sunday 01st October 2006

Rochford Golf Course, 07:45 to 15:00
100 Canada Goose (flew over SE), 5 Swallow, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Green Woodpecker, 4 Meadow Pipit (flying over). Neil Chambers (SOG).

South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 09.40 11.30
5 Little Egret, 7 Swallow, Reed Bunting, 10 Curlew, Shelduck, 4 Skylark. Ray Fuller.

Wakering Stairs 11.25
260 Dark Bellied Brent Goose feeding to west of the Broomway, 2 Little Egret, 12 Meadow Pipit, 2 Kestrel, 9 Swallow, 3 House Martin. David Selley.

Rivers Crouch & Roach Aboard Lady Essex III 11.30 - 13.30
12 Little Egret, 2 Common Tern, 2 Kestrel, 2 Swallow. 6 Common Seal. Web Author.

Southchurch 12.30
Lone Swallow flying low in a southerly direction over garden in Trinity Road. Leslie Spurling.

Southend Pier, 12:40 to 13:10
5 Swallow (in one flock), 3 House Martin (in one flock), 4 Mediterranean Gull (2 x 1st W and 2 x 2nd W), 1 Canada Goose (dead, floated out to sea past end of Pier!), 2 Common Tern (1 adult and 1 juv.) Paul Baker (SOG).

Paglesham Lagoon, 13:00 to 13:30
1 Little Egret, 1 Green Woodpecker, 100 Swallow (at least), 1 House Martin, 200 Canada Goose (with 1 Bar-headed Goose). Steve Sanford (SOG).

Canvey Seafront, 13:40 to 13:40
3 Black Tern together offshore from Canvey seen from P.S. Waverley, 1 Swallow. Paul Baker (SOG).

Canvey Seafront, 14:30 to 16:00
2 Mediterranean Gull (adults, on the beach), 1 Arctic Skua, 1 Arctic Tern, 15 Sandwich Tern, 7 Common Tern, 1 Hobby (juv., heading south low over the river). Jeff Saward (SOG).

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