Bird Reports for October 2008
Friday 31st October 2008
Gunners Park, 08:45 to 12:15
3 Little Egret, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Black Redstart (in SE corner of reserve, and on sea wall by old pier), 2 Stonechat, 22 Blackbird, 6 Redwing, 1 Fieldfare, 1 Siskin (flew east calling). Don Petrie
Southend Pier, 13:40 to 15:40
4 Great Crested Grebe, 15 Eider, 5 Common Scoter, 80 Turnstone (high tide roost), 10 Mediterranean Gull (5 Ad W, 4 2nd W, 1 1st W), 1 Little Gull (1st W), 2 Arctic Tern, 29 Skylark (flew NE across river in small groups). Don Petrie (SOG).
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 14.10 - 16.05
Goldcrest, 3 Long-tailed Tit, Snipe, Peregrine, Green Sandpiper, 3 Little Egret, 15 Brent Goose, 300+ Teal, 2 White Wagtail, 3 Reed Bunting, 15 Curlew, 3 Grey Plover, Shelduck, 41 Avocet, 2 Skylark. Ray Fuller.
Paglesham Lagoon & Wallasea Waterways 16:00
3 Little Egret, 2 Cormorant, 4 Goldcrest, 1 Heron, c.1000 Gulls Numerous Species, 6 Mute Swan, 4 Coot, 3 Moorhen, c.20 Mallard, c.40 Crow, c.18 Canada Geese, 2 Green Woodpecker. Nick M.
Thursday 30th October 2008
Chalkwell Park Drive, Leigh, 09:30 to 15:00
2 Goldcrest around the garden most of day. John Wright (SOG).
Gunners Park, 11:00 to 12:45
1 Firecrest 
with the Long-tailed Tits, Blackcap & Goldcrests in a roving flock in bushes adjacent to the childrens playground, 2 Goldcrest, 20 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Blackcap (female), 4 Little Egret, 1 Kestrel, 1 Redwing. John Wright (SOG).
Rossi's Ice Cream, Westcliff, 14:45 to 14:50
1 Ring-billed Gull, 1 Mediterranean Gull (adult). John Wright (SOG).
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Wednesday 29th October 2008
Shoebury Coastguards, 08:55 to 09:00
1 Shag on concrete outfall. Don Petrie (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park 09.45
male Marsh Harrier over heading west. Alan Shearman RSPB.
Cherry Orchard Lane, 10:00
1 Little Egret. Paul Baker (SOG).
Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 10:30
3 Little Egret flew over. 1 Red Admiral. Paul Baker (SOG).
Hanningfield Reservoir 10.30 - 12.30
1 male Pintail, 1 Green Sandpiper, 40 Teal, 5 Meadow Pipit, numerous Greylag, Canada Goose and Cormorants, Pied Wagtails. Sue Haffenden.
Wakering, Fleet Head 15.30 - 16.30
1 Short-eared Owl, 2 male Stonechat,1 female Stonechat, 1 v.distant Harrier. 1 Red Fox, 4 Brown Hare. Mike Sagrott.
Victoria Avenue, Southend 17.15
1 Peregrine Falcon. Mike Sagrott.
Two Tree Island
1 Kingfisher. David Lee.
Tuesday 28th October 2008
Hanningfield Reservoir 10:00 - 13:15
Numerous Coot, Tufted Duck, Canada & Greylag Geese, 25 Pintail, 18 Wigeon, 35 Teal, 10 Lapwing, 52 Shoveler, 6 Great Crested Grebe, 7 Gadwall, 2 Mute Swan, 13 Grey Heron, 5 Meadow Pipit, 2 Goldcrest, 1 Little Stint. Chris Henry.
Chelmsford, Springfield Lock 15.30
5 Little Grebe. Sue Haffenden.
Monday 27th October 2007
Orsett, Bonners Estate 08.00 Onwards
20+ House Sparrow, 10 Starling, 2 Collard Dove, 1 Wood Pigeon, 3 Dunnock, 1 Robin, 1 Green Woodpecker (male), 2 Blackbird, 2 Magpie, 1 Crow, 3 Chaffinch, 2 Goldfinch, 2 Greenfinch, 2 Blue Tit, 3 Great Tit, 1 Long-tailed Tit with the blue tits, 2 Goldcrest, 1 Heron has been flying over everyday for weeks, male Sparrowhawk in the garden twice. Steve Arnold.
North Crescent, Prittlewell, 12:15
1 Siskin flew west over garden calling. Mike Bailey (SOG).
Oxenham Farm, 11:50 to 14:00
8 Red-legged Partridge, 4 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 5 Little Egret, 3 Kestrel (single and pair together), 1 Peregrine Falcon, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Black Redstart (on farm buildings and ploughed field), 3 Stonechat, 4 White / Pied Wagtail, 4 Chaffinch, 2 Wren, 2 Goldfinch. Web Author, K.M.
Victoria Avenue, Southend, 15:20 to 15:30
2 Peregrine Falcon, both on Protcullis House, male on top ledge far left window, female on roof, 1 Sparrowhawk overhead. Web Author, K.M.
Battlesbridge, 16:30
1 Little Egret in the Crouch. Paul Baker (SOG).
A127/A130 18:00
1 Barn Owl. Daniel Butcher.
Sunday 26th October 2008
Bishopsteignton Estate 08.45 - 09.10
Male Sparrowhawk sitting in tree a few feet from bird feeder wondering where all his food has gone. Hides in shrubs around the gardens in cul de sac. John Meredith.
Leigh on Sea, 10:30
1 Sparrowhawk (Flemming Ave.). John Wright (SOG).
Prittle Brook (Leigh on Sea), 11:00 to 11:05
1 Grey Wagtail catching insects on garden pond. Brian Baldock (SOG).
Oxenham Farm, 16:00 to 17:00
1 Marsh Harrier (over Rushley), 1 Little Owl (heard calling in flight at dusk), 1 Black Redstart (male, on the roof of the stables and the main barn), 6 Goldcrest (on the approach road). Don Petrie (SOG).
Saturday 25th October 2008
Colchester, Highwoods Country Park 08.45
A pair of large birds, possibly Buzzards sitting in trees near our house, were around for at least half an hour. We would love to know if anyone else saw them to verify exactly what they were. Jan Berry.
Rochford, 09:10 to 09:30
1 Siskin (flew over garden), 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker (female on feeders). Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 09.50 - 11.45
Stonechat (m), 46 Golden Plover, 5 Grey Plover, 8 Shelduck, 15 Curlew, Great Crested Grebe, Snipe, 3 Little Egret, 2 Reed Bunting, 7 Teal, 3 Skylark. Ray Fuller.
Paglesham Lagoon, 10:30 to 15:00
1 Caspian Gull (1st winter at 11.05 briefly), 3 Yellow-legged Gull (adult, 1st winter and 2nd winter), 4 Mediterranean Gull (2 each of 1st winter and adult), 3 Pintail, 2 Pochard (blue nasal saddled male and female present but to distant to determine saddle details). Steve Arlow, Pete Livermore (SOG).
Rayleigh, 11:30
1 Sparrowhawk (female over house). Neil Chambers (SOG).
Blue House Farm 13:50
3 Pintail Duck (1M & 3F), 1 Bar-headed Goose (in with around 20 Canadian). Noel Barnes & Les Costin.
Upminster, Essex Crematorium 15.00
6 Ring-necked Parakeet (a reliable site to see these in Essex). R. Clark.
Reservoir Near Cuton Lock, Chelmsford 15.00 - 16.00
200 Greylag Goose, 7 Canada Goose, 1 male Gadwall, 1 Little Grebe, 20 Mute Swans, 100+ Mallard 1 female with new born ducklings, 3 Green Woodpecker, 20 Long-tailed Tit, 30 Red-legged Partridge. Sue Haffenden.
Shoebury, Friars Park, 17:00
3 Mandarin Duck, 1 Pintail. Lee Ebbs (SOG).
Friday 24th October 2008
Canvey Westend 07:00
Barn Owl flying about the foot of the Jetty. Paul and John Bruty.
Victoria Avenue, Southend, 10:40
1 Peregrine Falcon on Portcullis House. John Wright (SOG).
Rayne 14.55
1 Goldcrest in my garden. Mark Bicknell.
Shoeburyness 15.30
A flock of 18 to 20 goldfinch have been coming and feeding on our niger feeders for about 2 weeks we usually get about 10 or 12 every day but it's increased just of late. Robin & Tracy Guppy.
Thursday 23rd October 2008
Canvey Island, Canvey Way 08.45
7 Siskin (flew over calling). Marc Outten RSPB.
PrittleBrook Westcliff 09.15 - 09.25
1 Grey Wagtail (female, always here feeding on insects down in the dyke). Terry Priest RSPB.
RSPB Rainham Marshes 10.15 - 13.30
1 Peregrine Falcon (up on the pylons), 2 Serin , 2 Goldcrest, 40+ Goldfinch, 3 Cetti's Warbler, 20+ Fieldfare, 14 Redwing, 3 Lesser Redpoll , 30+ Reed Bunting, 1 Dartford Warbler (very close to RSPB Building), 1 possible Ring Ouzel, 10 Rook. Terry Priest RSPB.
Chelmsford, Springfield Lock 15.30
1 Kingfisher. Sue Haffenden.
Hadleigh Marshes 16.10 - 17.45
20+ Goldfinch, 2 Skylark, 1 Marsh Harrier (male), 2 Kestrel, 10+ Great Tit, 4 Little Egret. Terry Priest RSPB.
Wednesday 22nd October 2008
Coombe Wood, 08:00 to 09:00
1 Peregrine Falcon flying over westward, 2 Swallow, 2 Chiffchaff. Jeff Saward (SOG).
Priory Park 10.50
House Martin. Swooping around the westerly lake and coming down to drink. Peter Walker.
Braintree 15.05
Osprey flying over Cressing Temple, Braintree. I was attracted to it by a scattering of Wood Pigeon (around 100) the Osprey wasn't worried just kept on it course towards the Chelmsford area. Mark Bicknell.
Hockley/Hawkwell, 17:50
1 Sparrowhawk (male through gardens on Fountain Lane, Hockley). Paul Baker (SOG).
Hockley Woods, 17:55
1 Sparrowhawk (male over the road and into Hockley Woods - could have been same bird as 5 mins ago!). Paul Baker (SOG).
Tuesday 21st October 2008
Shoeburyness, 150yds From Coastguard Station
Young Kestrel in our back garden. Dennis Morgan.
Leigh on Sea
1 Pale-bellied Brent Goose. David Lee.
Leigh on Sea
2,500+ Dark-bellied Brent Geese all adults, I could not find a single juvenile amongst them, normally by now family groups are evident. 1 pale-bellied brent goose amongst the flock today. Alan Shearman RSPB.
Monday 20th October 2008
Leigh on Sea, 16:55
1 Sparrowhawk (Shirley Road). Dudley Shayler (SOG).
Sunday 19th October 2008
Ferndale Road, Rayleigh 10.00
20 Fieldfare overhead, calling heading east. Robin Peppiatt.
Wakering Stairs, 10:30 to 12:30
2 Marsh Harrier (female and imm. male), 1 Kestrel, 1 Stonechat, 1 Chiffchaff (in full song). Don Petrie (SOG).
Wakering, Fleet Head, 12:45 to 13:30
1 Peregrine Falcon, 1 Kestrel, 1 Black-headed Gull (leucistic, white except for black trailing edge to outer primaries and black underside to outer primaries), 2 Stonechat. Don Petrie (SOG).
Rochford Golf Course, 13:30 to 17:00
20 Meadow Pipit (flew SW), 6 Chaffinch (flew SW), 18 Greenfinch (flew SW), 1 Fieldfare (flew SW), 10 Redwing (flew SW), 2 Green Woodpecker. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Paglesham Lagoon, 14:30 to 17:00
17 Mute Swan, 544 Golden Plover (in field west of lagoon), 14 White / Pied Wagtail (feeding flock in ploughed field), 1 Siskin (at Hampton Barns) Don Petrie (SOG).
Wakering, Fleet Head 16.30 - 17.30
2 Marsh Harrier, 2 Kestrel. Mike Sagrott.
Victoria Avenue, Southend 18.45
1 Peregrine Falcon. Mike Sagrott.
Leigh on Sea
1 Pale-bellied Brent Goose, 1 Kingfisher. David Lee.
Saturday 18th October 2008
Wakering Stairs, 08:00 to 10:30
1670 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 1 Pale-bellied Brent Goose, 1 Kestrel, 6 Skylark (4 flew over SW, 2 singing over fields), 4 Stonechat, 2 Goldcrest, 18 Chaffinch (flew SW in small groups), 1 Lesser Redpoll (flew SW calling), 25 Goldfinch. Don Petrie (SOG).
Ashingdon, Princess Gardens 08.20
6 Redwing flying west. David Selley.
Gunners Park, 11:00 to 14:30
1 Kestrel, 6 Swallow, 9 Goldcrest, 12 Chaffinch (flock of 12 flew in off sea), 25 Siskin (flock flew in off sea and crossed park). Don Petrie (SOG).
North Fambridge 13.50
1 Common Buzzard. Jim Cockram.
Rayne 16.25
Grey wagtail in my back garden taken a drink from my pond. Mark Bicknell.
Leigh on Sea, 18:15 to 18:20
1 Common Pipistrelle. Dudley Shayler (SOG).
Friday 17th October 2008 (first report of winter Fieldfare)
Gunners Park, 10:00 to 13:00
1 Grey Phalarope (Approx 100 metres west of the old pier feeding along the tide line (10:45 for about 4 minutes) but was spooked by a crow and flew east and unfortunately wasn't relocated. ), 1 Redwing, 2 Stonechat, 2 Sparrowhawk, 10 Little Egret, 7 White / Pied Wagtail, 30 Goldfinch, 2 Goldcrest, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Kestrel. John Wright, Dave Knight (SOG).
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 10.10 - 11.55
52 Avocet, 7 Little Egret, Shelduck, Stonechat (f), 2 Reed Bunting, 2 Grey Plover, 19 Curlew, 20 Teal, Green Sandpiper, Snipe, 6 Wigeon, 23 Skylark. Ray Fuller.
Canvey West End, 10:15 to 11:45
3 Chiffchaff, 5 Goldcrest, 1 Swallow, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Green Woodpecker, 9 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Stonechat. Martin Cracknell (SOG).
Shoebury East Beach, 12:45 to 13:30
2 Skylark (flying over SW), 6 Chiffchaff, 2 Siskin (flying over SW). Don Petrie (SOG).
Rochford Golf Course, 13:50 to 15:30
1 Lesser Redpoll (flew SW, Another 6 small finches SW remained silent, but were probably Redpolls or Siskins), 18 Fieldfare (came in from east, landed in trees briefly and then continued high SW), 1 Meadow Pipit (flew over SW), 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Redwing. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Leigh, Benfleet Seawall (excluding TTI lagoon, V high tide) 14:00 - 15:30
83 Golden Plover, 34 Lapwing, c200 Curlew, male Peregrine feeding on prey 14:10-14:45 at least, male Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrel, 14 Skylark, Dunnock, 19 Meadow Pipit, 3 Pied Wagtail, Kingfisher, Cock Pheasant, 5 Stonechat, Whinchat, Greenfinch, c140 Goldfinch (3 separate flocks: 13, 23, c100 Benfleet end), 3 Reed Bunting, 54 Feral Pigeon roosting on Benfleet Creek Barrier. Paul Bruty.
Highlands Boulevard, Leigh, 18:30
1 Common Pipistrelle. Paul Griggs (SOG).
Thursday 16th October 2008
Hadleigh Downs 08.15 - 10.00
1 Common Buzzard (flying very high heading NE), 4 Redwing, 2 Song Thrush, 1 male Bullfinch, 1 Sparrowhawk (female carrying prey), 
1 Harris's Hawk, 10+ Goldfinch, 6 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Green Woodpecker (female), 1 Meadow Pipit. Terry Priest RSPB.
Southend, 10:20 to 10:30
1 Yellow-browed Warbler (seen in trees alongside the railway between the two bridges joining Scratton Road and Hamlet Road. It was very vocal). Tony Mead (SOG).
Canvey West End, 11:15 to 13:00
4 Chiffchaff (incl. 1 sub-singing in the sunshine), 3 Goldcrest, 3 Stonechat (pair + 1male), 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 5 Meadow Pipit. Martin Cracknell (SOG).
Barling Magna Millenium N.R. 14.30 - 15.10
2 Little Egret, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 5 Linnet, 1 Peregrine - put up Dunlin and Lapwing from the Roach, 3 Red Admiral. David Selley.
Wednesday 15th October 2008
Rochford, 08:00
1 Sparrowhawk over Ashingdon Road. Steve Sanford (SOG).
Tuesday 14th October 2008
Victoria Avenue, Southend 13.00 - 13.10
1 Peregrine Falcon on Portculis House. Terry Priest RSPB.
Prittle Brook (Leigh on Sea), 07:30
2 Grey Wagtail. Brian Baldock (SOG).
Monday 13th October 2008
Ashingdon, Princess Gardens 10.15
1 Sparrowhawk, female in unsuccessful dive on Collared Doves just outside our kitchen window. David Selley.
Hadleigh Marshes, 14:30 to 15:45
40 Teal, 1 Kingfisher, 22 Goldfinch. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).
Sunday 12th October 2008
Springfield Lock, Chelmsford 13.00
1 Moorhen eating a fish, 1 Little Grebe. Sue Haffenden.
Hanningfield 14.00
1 Velvet/White-winged Scoter. R Clark.
Saturday 11th October 2008
RSPB Vange Marsh, 10:00 to 11:00
12 Little Egret, 5 Green Sandpiper, 4 Greenshank, 4 Spotted Redshank, 2 Stonechat, 2 Sparrowhawk (male & female), 15 Black-tailed Godwit. John Wright (SOG).
Rayleigh, Ferndale Road 10:30 to 12:30
1 Kestrel, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, 3 Goldcrest, 8 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Bullfinch. Don Petrie (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park, 11:15 to 12:15
1 Cetti's Warbler (heard). John Wright (SOG).
Rettendon 12.00
Lesser Grey Shrike. R Clark.
South Benfleet, 12:30
1 Buzzard flew over A130 just before Canvey Island heading towards towards the tip/Bowers Marsh. John Wright (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park 14:00 - 17:15
1 Marsh Harrier (juv., hunting scrape: seen to drop down and come back up carrying a dead godwit; not sure if it made the kill), 2 Kestrel, 1 Kingfisher, 25 Black-tailed Godwit, 5 Common Snipe,2 Lapwing, 2 Green Sandpiper, 2 Bearded Tit, 1 Water Rail calling, 1 Green Woodpecker, 5000 Starling (over tip, 1000 came over to Pitsea Marsh). Teal, Shoveler, Mallard, Pochard, 100+ Greylag Geese. Andrew Cox.
Rettendon, Near Bell Crossroads 14.00
1 Grey Shrike. Very obligingly perched on top of a tv aerial 200 yards south of the crossroads. John Meyn.
Leez Lodge 14.30
1 Great Grey Shrike Leez Priory Road near Leez Lodge on power lines showing well. Mark Bicknell.
Rainham Marshes 15.00 - 15.15
Harris's Hawk. Joe French.
Two Tree Island (East), 16:00 to 17:00
1 Kingfisher. John Wright (SOG).
Friday 10th October 2008
Shoebury East Beach, 07:20 to 08:45
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 15 Meadow Pipit, 4 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler, 7 Goldcrest, 42 Goldfinch (mostly flying SW). Don Petrie (SOG).
Gunners Park, 09:00 to 13:00
1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrel (male and female), 6 Swallow, 20 Meadow Pipit, 2 Grey Wagtail, 6 Song Thrush, 2 Chiffchaff, 6 Goldcrest, 1 Siskin, 25 Goldfinch. Don Petrie (SOG).
Two Tree Island (East), 11:40
6 Swallow. Dudley Shayler (SOG).
RSPB Vange Marsh 17:30 - 18:40
1 Jack Snipe, 1 Common Snipe, 2 Green Sandpiper, Redshank, Curlew, Wigeon, Teal, Little Egret, Grey Heron. Andrew Cox.
Thursday 09th October 2008
Ferndale Road, Rayleigh 07.00 - 07.15
3 Redwing flying over, 20+ Linnet in small groups moving over. Robin Peppiatt.
Southend 13:00 through to approx. 16:00
Male and female Peregrine Falcon, one (female) on the Victoria Avenue side of Portcullis House, male on the Baxter Avenue side. I took a few photos, one is at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/fred_bear/2927966470/. Fred McLean.
Benfleet Creek / Hadleigh Marshes 13.10 - 15.55
1 female Wheatear, 2 Linnet, 5 Stonechat(4m, 1f), 2 Robin, 3 Kestrel (2f, 1m), 1 Cetti's Warbler, 10+ Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, lots of Blackbirds and Magpies, 1 male Green Woodpecker. Terry Priest RSPB.
Westcliff Sea Front, Opposite Rossi's. 13.50 - 14.30
1 Ring-billed Gull, 2 Mediterranean Gull, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 12 Little Egret, Redshank, Curlew, 14 Common Seal basking on the sandbank. David Selley.
Wednesday 08th October 2008
Shoebury East Beach, 08:15 to 09:30
2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 6 Skylark (flying over), 6 Swallow, 4 House Martin, 25 Meadow Pipit (mostly flying over), 1 Stonechat, 45 Goldfinch (mostly flying over). Don Petrie (SOG)).
Eastwood, 09:55
1 Sparrowhawk (imm. male low through gardens just west of Progress Road along A127). Paul Baker (SOG).
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 15.00 - 17.00
30+ Avocet, 6 Greenshank, 6 Little Egret, Mute Swan (juv.), 7 Teal, Curlew, 2 Grey Plover. Ray Fuller.
Tuesday 07th October 2008 (first report of winter Redwing)
Canvey Island, Canvey Way 08.50
2 Redwing. Marc Outten RSPB.
Hadleigh Downs, 11:00 to 12:00
1 Harris's Hawk. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).
Tilbury 15:00
3 Sand Martin flying south. Don Wildish.
Wallasea Wetlands
No sign of the Braod-billed Sandpiper through the day from 7am-1pm nor on high tide this evening 5-7pm.
2 Marsh Harrier (2nd yr. male and imm.), Peregrine ad., Merlin imm., Kingfisher, Grey wagtail (heard), 2 Rock Pipit, 20+ Meadow Pipit, 50 Skylark flew south over, 4 Reed Bunting, 66 Avocet, 90 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 3 Greenshank, c.150 Redshank, 17 Dunlin, 1 Curlew Sandpiper moulting to 1st winter, 1 Turnstone, 48 Ringed Plover (another 35 on the Roach), c.50 Golden Plover, 35 Grey Plover and c.200 Lapwing. Also reported - 6 Swallows over west, Kittiwake upstream along Crouch. Jeff Delve (EBS).
Monday 06th October 2008
Hadleigh Downs, 12:30 to 13:30
2 Sparrowhawk, 3 Adder. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).
Heybridge Estuary 14:00 - 15:30
30 Brent Geese, 20 Little Egret, 20 Meadow Pipit, 1 Cetti's Warbler (in reedbeds), 1 Kingfisher, 70 Shelduck, 5 Teal, 40 Cormorant, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 100 Lapwing, 2 Stonechat, 4 Chaffinch, flock of Goldfinch. Alec Martin.
Wallasea Wetlands, 17:20 to 18:30
1 Broad-billed Sandpiper (showed well, roosting on the mud with Ringed Plover). Paul Griggs, Paul Baker, Pete Livermore (SOG).
Sunday 05th October 2008
Wallasea Island, 07:00 to 08:45
1 Curlew Sandpiper, 1 Broad-billed Sandpiper (seen briefly at 7.20 by others), 2 Little Egret. Neil Chambers, Steve Arlow, Pete Livermore, Don Petrie (SOG).
Canvey Seafront, 07:15 to 08:30
1 Pomarine Skua (juv.), 1 Arctic Tern, 1 Common Tern. Jeff Saward (SOG).
Wallasea Island, 07:45 to 09:15
1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel. Paul Baker (SOG).
Wallasea Island, 13:00 to 15:05
1 Broad-billed Sandpiper (juv. showed well in SW corner of first breach by car park for 3-4 minutes at 14.40, then flew onto fields), 1 Curlew Sandpiper, 4 Little Egret, 2 Whooper Swan (adults flew over and continued east along south side of river until lost to view). Neil Chambers, Steve Arlow, Don Petrie (SOG).
Canvey Seafront, 14:15 to 17:15
3 Gannet, 2 Arctic Tern (juvs.), 2 Mediterranean Gull, 3 Common Tern, 2 Grey Wagtail (in dyke by the car park), 34 House Martin (along the seafront), 1 Red-throated Diver (close inshore, still in summer plumage). 1 Harbour Porpoise Jeff Saward (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park 14.30 - 15.00
12+ Black-tailed Godwit, Water Rail, 6+ Bearded Tit, 2 (at least) Cetti's Warbler, Little Egret, 1 Peregrine, 1 Male Marsh Harrier, 4 Stonechat, 3 House Martin. Kevin Rees.
Wallasea Wetlands, 15:00 to 18:30
1 Greenshank, 2 Kestrel. Paul Baker (SOG).
Saturday 04th October 2008
Canewdon, Hyde Wood Lane 08.00 - 08.15
120 House Sparrow, flock on field edge and in hedge, 2 Green Woodpecker, 10 Jay, 1 Kestrel. David Selley.
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 10.05 - 1145
200 +Golden Plover, 23 Avocet, 4 Curlew, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, Mute Swan, 4 Little Egret, Greenshank, Green Sandpiper, 2 Skylark. Ray Fuller.
Hadleigh Downs, 12:00 to 12:45
1 Harris's Hawk, 1 Kestrel. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).
Canvey Point, 14:10 to 15:10
2 Arctic Tern (juvs.), 2 Gannet (juvs.), 1 Great Skua, 8 Mediterranean Gull. Martin Cracknell (SOG).
Two Tree Island (East), 15:20 to 17:50
1 Peregrine Falcon (female), 1000+ Wigeon, 800+ Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 1 Pale-bellied Brent Goose, 33 Little Egret, 1 Chiffchaff (heard), 6 Shoveler, 1 Grey Wagtail. Paul Griggs, Paul Baker (SOG).
Wallasea Wetlands 17:30
1 Broad-billed Sandpiper (5th Essex record), 1 Curlew Sandpiper, 24 Dunlin, 70 Ringed Plover, 34 Black-tailed Godwit, 24 Curlew, 12 Grey Plover, 1 Turnstone, 1 Knot, 2 Greenshank, 1 Wheatear. Jeff Delve (EBS).
Rayne
Male Hen Harrier over. Mark Bicknell.
Friday 03rd October 2008
Chalkwell Park Drive, Leigh, 08:10
1 Jackdaw. John Wright (SOG).
Hanningfield Reservoir 08.30
Several Goldeneye. Kevin Rees.
Leigh on Sea, Rectory Grove 08:30 to 08:35
4 Jackdaw. John Wright (SOG).
A127 between Rayleigh and A130, 12:30
Hobby over trees near sharp right turn on A127 from Rayleigh. Dan Butcher.
Victoria Avenue, Southend, 14:10 to 14:30
1 Peregrine Falcon on Portcullis House, 1 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk. John Wright (SOG).
Canvey Point, 14:30 to 16:45
7 Common Scoter, 350 Wigeon (approx), 2 Sandwich Tern, 1 Guillemot, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 12 Little Egret. Vince Kinsler (SOG).
Leigh Creek, 15:30 to 18:45
91 Little Egret counted at high tide roost on salt marsh, 1 Pale-bellied Brent Goose with the Brent flock, 1630 Wigeon, 7 Common Scoter, 2 Peregrine Falcon (male and female). Don Petrie (SOG).
Rossi's Ice Cream, Westcliff, 17:00 to 17:05
1 Ring-billed Gull, 2 Mediterranean Gull (adults). John Wright (SOG).
Thursday 02nd October 2008
Two Tree Island (East), 12:00 to 13:00
1 Kingfisher on the old sewage tanks, 1 Black Redstart (female briefly on the pill box), 5 Golden Plover, 1 Water Rail heard by the pill box pond, 300+ Wigeon, 300+ Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 1 Kestrel, 1 Green Woodpecker. Dudley Shayler (SOG).
Chigborough 13.00 - 14.30
Several Redwing, 1 Fieldfare, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 5 Bullfinch, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great spotted Woodpecker, 10 Gadwall. Alec Martin.
Victoria Avenue, Southend, 14:45 to 14:50
1 Sparrowhawk. John Wright (SOG).
Harlow, Toddbrook Stream 15.00 - 15.30
1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Kingfisher. M Howell.
Wallasea Wetlands 15.00 - 17.00
30 Teal, 10 Mallard, 7 Shelduck (imm.), 6 Curlew, 8 Black-tailed Godwit, 48 Redshank, 3 Greenshank, 1 Knot, 2 Curlew Sandpiper, c.20 Dunlin, 2 Grey Plover, 76 Ringed Plover, 9 Lapwing, 1 Snipe, 2 Marsh Harrier (imm.and sub adult male), 2 Kestrel, Wheatear (near car park). Jeff Delve (EBS).
Gunners Park, 17:00 to 18:00
1 Wheatear, 2 Blackcap. Don Petrie (SOG).
Wednesday 01st October 2008
Southend Seafront 08.40
Hobby racing over the nightclubs towards Shoebury chasing one or two martins. Steve Wood.
Two Tree Island 11:00 to 11:10
1 Chiffchaff, 1 Water vole in the borrow dyke. David Lee.
Prittle Brook Westcliff 12.00 - 16.00
1 female Grey Wagtail here most days, feeding on insects down in the dyke. Terry Priest RSPB.
Two Two Island East 14.00 - 15.00
1 Willow Warbler, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Wheatear, 2 Reed Bunting, c.2500 Wigeon. 1 Grey Seal at east end. John Leeming.
Tewke's Creek, 18:40
1 Kingfisher flew over main road near Tewkes Creek along small drainage ditch. Paul Baker (SOG).
Hanningfield Reservoir
Goldeneye from causeway. John Atfield.