Bird Reports for October 2012

Wednesday 31st October 2012southerly, cloudy, rain, max11°c    

Great Wakering 07:30
Tree Sparrow on my garden feeder, third day in a row. Andrew Toms.

Southchurch Park East 08:45
1 Kingfisher flying across north of pond onto top of bushes. Water rail back again. Robert Dobinson.

Billericay 09:30
2 Lesser Redpoll fighting for space on Niger feeders with 10+ Goldfinch. It is the earliest I have seen Redpolls in my garden but they have proved regular visitors each winter. Look like mature adults with very bright plumage. Andy Wilson.

Fobbing/Corringham Marshes/Coryton 09:30 to 12:05
1 Snow Goose with a large flock of Canada Geese and 2 Greylag Geese, apart from white plumage, black primaries, reddish-pink bill, bright pink legs, flat crown, dark eyes, fairly long neck and smaller, noticeably more than geese alongside but not so much, and considerably larger than Mallard. Flew off from southern field towards seawall with other geese, when primaries could be seen to be all black but then turned inland again to land from sight by Ozzedam lagoon, pair of Peregrine on pylon near manorway, 6 Fieldfare, c.10 Swallow (most over manorway), 50+ Wigeon, 90 Teal, 14 Shoveler, 4 Gadwall, 1 Stonechat, 7 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Cetti's Warbler seen at Coryton. Richard Fahey.

RSPB West Canvey Marsh 14:30 to 16:30
1 female Marsh Harrier, 1 Short-eared Owl, 2 Kestrel, 1 Swallow. Mike Sagrott.

Tuesday 30th October 2012westerly, mostly cloudy, max11°c    

Church Road, Hadleigh 09:45 to 10:00
10 Goldfinch, 1 Greenfinch on sunflower feeders, 1 Greater Spotted Woodpecker on peanut feeder and 2 Long-tailed Tit - first garden record! Ellen Hume.

RSPB Wallasea Island 15:00 to 16:10
1 Barn Owl, 1 Short-eared Owl, 2 Marsh Harrier, 1 Kestrel, 90+ Redshank, 40+ Lapwing, 5 Greater Black-backed Gull, 100+ Black-headed Gull, 50+ Common Gull, 240+ Herring Gull, 30+ Carrion Crow, 3 Magpie, 100+ Stock Dove, 1 Goldfinch, 80+ Wood Pigeon, 70+ Corn Bunting, 30+ Linnet, 2 Stonechat, 200+ Starling, 4 Grey Heron, 2 Little Egret, 1 Pheasant. Rob Harris.

Canewdon, Creeksea Ferry Road 16:20 to 16.22
1 Tawny Owl. Rob Harris.

Southchurch Park East
Male Siberian Stonechat in north east corner for the last two days. Dianne Hyem.

Monday 29th October 2012south west to west, scattered clouds, max12°c    

Leigh on Sea, Park View Drive 08:30
6 Long-tailed Tit with 1 Goldcrest (first garden record). Kris Mee.

RSPB West Canvey 09:45 to 11:45
Reservoir: 13 Green Sandpiper, 2 Redshank, 8+ Lapwing, 11 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 adult Mediterranean Gull, 2 Pochard, c.8 Shoveler, 8 Curlew in fields to north, 2 Short-eared Owl (Pantile Picnic area and on saltmarsh below seawall). Elsewhere on reserve: 1 male Yellowhammer, 1 male Sparrowhawk, 2+ Kestrel, 3 Little Egret, 3 Swallow together heading south west. Ian White.

Abberton Reservoir 13:00 to 14:30
2 Great Crested Grebe, 50+ Herring Gull, 100+ Cormorant, 100+ Black-headed Gull, 4 Great Black-backed Gull, 70+ Pochard, 100+ Tufted Duck, 100+ Mallard, 60+ Shoveler, 40+ Lapwing, 30 Greylag Geese, 50+ Canada Geese, 50+ Coot, 8 Mute Swan, 1 Egyptian Goose, 1 Swan Goose, 4 Moorhen, 2 Aylesbury Duck, 5 Pied Wagtail, 100+ Carrion Crow, 7 Magpie, 100+ Starling, 200+ Wood Pigeon, 3 Kestrel, 2 Stonechat, 1 Black Redstart, 1 female Desert Wheatear. Rob Harris.

Wat Tyler Country Park 15:30 to 16:45
1 Marsh Harrier, 8 House Martin over boatyard for a few minutes then headed south. Dave Cornwell.

Hanningfield Reservoir Causeway 15:45 to 15:50
2 Great Crested Grebe, 40+ Herring Gull, 50+ Cormorant, 250+ Black-headed Gull, 2 Great Black-backed Gull, 100+ Tufted Duck, 80+ Mallard, 100+ Pochard, 10 Lapwing, 20 Greylag Geese, 60+ Canada Geese, 50+ Coot, 2 Mute Swan, 1 Moorhen, 17 Carrion Crow, 4 Magpie, 1 Blackbird. Rob Harris.

Sunday 28th October 2012south westerly, mostly cloudy, max9°c    

Leigh on Sea, Park View Drive 06:50 to 08:20
female Great Spotted Woodpecker on fat balls, 7 Goldfinch and 6 Chaffinch (first this winter) on sunflower hearts, 14 Magpie on Pizza. Web Author.

Barling Old Pits 07:30 to 09:30
5 Fieldfare, 40+ Blackbird, 20 Redwing all feeding on red berries, 14 Little Grebe on long pond. T. Thorneycroft.

Wat Tyler Country Park 08:40 to 09:45
Hide only: 5 Marsh Harrier (2 adults male and female, 1 juvenile male 2 juvenile female), 7 Common Snipe on main island, 2 Water Rail seen 2 others heard, 1 Cetti's Warbler seen 2 heard, 2 Bearded Tit, 1 Little Grebe with 5 juveniles, 1 Kestrel, Shelduck, Shoveler, Teal, Large Groups of Mute Swan adults and juveniles. Jim Bailey.

Benfleet, 09:05 to 09:10
1 Jay in my garden, a very rare garden bird for me. Graham Ryland (SOG).

Thurrock Thameside Nature Park 09:05 to 12:05
26 Common Scoter flying, 8 Goldeneye included 7 flying and female earlier on river, c.36 Pintail flying, 6 Wigeon, 80 Teal, c.4 Turnstone, 1 Stonechat, 1 Brent Goose. Richard Fahey.

Thurrock Thameside Nature Reserve 09:15 to 16:45
126 Shelduck, 30 Common Scoter flock moving around estuary and settling on river, 2 Little Egret, 15 Redshank, 66 Curlew, 35 Dunlin, c.200 Knot, 6 Cormorant, 1 Little Gull, c.250 Black-tailed Godwit feeding along receding tide line, 6 pr Mallard, 1 Peregrine Falcon passing hide, 1 Short-eared Owl perched on road sign as I was leaving, 1 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk, 6 Skylark, 6 Meadow Pipit, small flocks of Starling feeding along sea wall, many gulls, 1 auk sp., distant. Denis Tuck.

Wat Tyler Country Park 09:30 to 09:50
RSPB Wildlife Garden: Single Tree Sparrow amongst House Sparrow flock on feeders. Mike Poole.

Two Tree Island West, 09:45 to 12:30
EWT wader watch event: 4 Cormorant, 2 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 6 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 6 Wigeon, 10 Teal, 8 Shoveler, 1 Sparrowhawk (female), 2 Moorhen, 8 Oystercatcher, 80 Avocet, 140 Ringed Plover, 1 Golden Plover, 30 Grey Plover, 37 Lapwing, 470 Knot, 1200 Dunlin, 7 Snipe, 230 Black-tailed Godwit, 18 Bar-tailed Godwit, 2 Curlew, 13 Redshank, 7 Greenshank, 11 Turnstone, 1 Skylark, 4 Meadow Pipit, 1 Pied Wagtail. Graham Ryland (SOG).

Gunners Park, 12:00 to 14:30
2 Red-throated Diver, 5 Great Crested Grebe, 2 juvenile Gannet, 110 Common Scoter (in 2 separate flocks of c.70 + c.40), 1 Velvet Scoter (with Common Scoters), 1 immature male Peregrine Falcon flew south west across estuary, 2 Meadow Pipit, 2 Redwing, 1 Goldcrest, 10 Siskin (groups of 4 + 6 north), 10 Linnet, 1 Redpoll sp. (in off with 17 Chaffinch and continued north). Neil Chambers (SOG).

Private land Near Crays Hill 14:00
3 Swallow flew over fairly high. G. Dixon.

Benfleet, Sadlers Farm Roundabout, 15:00
3 Swallow. Martin Cracknell (SOG).

RSPB Wallasea Island 16:00 to 17:10
1 Barn Owl, 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Kestrel, 20+ Redshank, 26 Lapwing, 5 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Curlew, 50+ Black-headed Gull, 50+ Common Gull, 240+ Herring Gull, 5 Greater Black-backed Gull, 13 Carrion Crow, 4 Magpie, 50+ Stock Dove, 100+ Wood Pigeon, 70+ Corn Bunting, 26 Linnet, 1 Blackbird, 150+ Starling, 4 Pheasant. 2 Stoat by car park. Rob Harris.

Saturday 27th October 2012north north westerly, showers, max7°c    

Gunners Park, 07:45 to 09:15
2 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Little Egret, 3 Common Scoter down river, 7 Swallow, 5 Redwing, 2 Goldcrest, 2 Siskin, 15 Redpoll sp. (two small groups heading north). Lee Ebbs (SOG).

Chelmsford, Baddow Meads 09:10 to 09:40
14 Lapwing, 10+ Skylark, 1 Robin, 1 Song Thrush, 4 Blackbird, 1 Cormorant. Uncounted Woodpigeon, Carrion Crow, Starling, Greenfinch, 10+ Fieldfare, Moorhen. Paul Forsdick.

East Tilbury/Coalhouse Fort 09:25 to 12:55
17 Kittiwake, 1 Lesser Redpoll overhead at C. Fort, 1 Brent Goose, 300+ Avocet, 10+ Teal, 3 Shoveler, 1 Tufted Duck, 1 Oystercatcher, c.8 Black-tailed Godwit, a few Bar-tailed Godwit, c.35 Lapwing, 4 Stonechat, 27 Stock Dove. Richard Fahey.

St Lawrence (near Bradwell) 10:00
Male Siskin on niger feeder in back garden. Steve Spicer.

Canvey Point, 10:30 to 15:00
1 Red-throated Diver, 4 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Sooty Shearwater, 26 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 9 Common Scoter, 3 Red-breasted Merganser, 1 Pomarine Skua, 1 Great Skua, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 25 Little Gull, 1 Sabine's Gull flying west, 6 Arctic Tern, 1 Guillemot, 1 Little Auk. 1 Harbour Porpoise. Sally Brierley (SOG).

Hanningfield Reservoir 12:00 to 13:00
12-15 Swallow - mostly in the bay between Oak Hide and the Fishing Lodge, 2 Goldcrest, 1 Lapwing, 1 Ruff, 12 Teal. Very few other duck but lots of Cormorants and Greylag Geese. Paul Hudson.

Chalkwell Rail Station 15:15
2 Swallow heading south east. flew around the house opposite for two minutes before departing. Richard Frisby.

Hanningfield Reservoir Causeway 15:30 to 15:40
50+ Herring Gull, 100+ Cormorant, 250+ Black-headed Gull, 12 Great Black-backed Gull, 100+ Tufted Duck, 150+ Mallard, 100+ Pochard, 30+ Shoveler, 7 Coot, 100+ Greylag Geese, 100+ Canada Geese, 3 Moorhen, 2 Magpie, 5 Carrion Crow. Rob Harris.

Coombe Wood, 17:00 to 17:20
1 Firecrest again in my garden - possibly the same bird? Jeff Saward (SOG).

RSPB Wallasea Island 17:00 to 17:30
Observed hunting simultaneously from White Gate over WBC: 1 Barn Owl, 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 female Marsh Harrier, 2 Merlin, 1 Kestrel. Jackie and Mike Bliss.

Friday 26th October 2012northerly, rain and cloud, max10°c    

Canvey Point, 07:30 to 15:00
2 Red-throated Diver, 1 Sooty Shearwater (10:10 hrs), 2 Manx Shearwater (10:00 and 10:45), 206 Gannet, 1 female Eider, 1 Long-tailed Duck (immature/female type), 55 Common Scoter, 2 female Goldeneye, 6 Red-breasted Merganser, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Sparrowhawk, 4 Pomarine Skua, 18 Great Skua, 63 Little Gull, 1 Sabine's Gull (west at 09:15), 170 Kittiwake, 2 Common Tern, 6 Guillemot, 10 Razorbill, 1 Rock Pipit. Jeff Saward, Tim Bourne, Don Petrie (SOG).

Stonehill Road, Leigh on Sea, 09:20 to 09:50
6 Siskin (2 then 4 over north). Vince Kinsler (SOG).

EWT Thurrock Thameside 10:15 to 15:15
30 Kittiwake, 12 Grey Plover, 7 Red-breasted Merganser, c.100 Shelduck, c.100 Brent Geese, 1 Peregrine Falcon, 2 Kestrel, Chaffinch, 8+ Skylark middle of river, flying east, 50+ Teal, c.200 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Razorbill, 3 Great Skua, Dunlin, 1 Osprey high flyer, heading west at 13:50, 1 Green Woodpecker. 2 Common Seal. David Hale.

Dowsetts Lane Opposite Bonnets Farm 13:00
20 Skylark feeding on the field opposite Bonnets Farm, Ramsden Heath. Biggest flock I have seen for many a long year! G. Dixon.

Abberton Reservoir 13:00 to 13:30
2 Great Crested Grebe, 50+ Herring Gull, 100+ Cormorant, 100+ Black-headed Gull, 2 Great Black-backed Gull, 70+ Pochard, 200+ Tufted Duck, 130+ Mallard, 300+ Shoveler, 50+ Lapwing, 7 Greylag Geese, 50+ Canada Geese, 50+ Coot, 12 Mute Swan, 1 Egyptian Goose, 1 Swan Goose, 2 Kestrel, 2 Aylesbury Duck, 4 Moorhen, 2 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 5 Pied Wagtail, 100+ Carrion Crow, 7 Magpie, 100+ Starling, 200+ Wood Pigeon. Rob Harris.

Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 16:00
1 Goldcrest. Paul Baker (SOG).

Wat Tyler Country Park, 17:15 to 18:00
5 Little Egret, 3 Marsh Harrier, 2 Water Rail, 1 Reed Warbler left of the scrape hide singing! 2+ Bearded Tit. Marc Outten (SOG).

Westcliff Seafront, 17:30
5 Swallow opposite the casino over the trees heading west. Sally Brierley (SOG).

Thursday 25th October 2012north easterly, mostly cloudy, max14°c    

Canvey Point, 07:30 to 15:00
2 Black-throated Diver, 1 Fulmar, 301 Gannet, 2 Long-tailed Duck (a female, seen once, and a stunning male seen frequently over an hour or so, once at very close range - superb!), 250 Common Scoter (at least), 5 Red-breasted Merganser, 1 Peregrine Falcon, 2 Pomarine Skua, 1 Arctic Skua, 20 Great Skua, 29 Little Gull, 27 Kittiwake, 1 Sandwich Tern, 3 Razorbill (at least, several other distant auk sp. probably also razor's), 1 Little Auk, 22 Swallow, 1 Rock Pipit. Jeff Saward, Tim Bourne, Don Petrie (SOG).

Ashingdon, Princess Gardens 08:30
5 Mistle Thrush - noisy little group flew east. David Selley.

Thurrock Thameside 09:50 to 16:30
10 Great Skua, 1 Arctic Skua, 4 Pomarine Skua (these Skua's showed in 2 groups, both resting on the river for some time), c.30 Brent Geese, c.300 Avocet, 1 Great Crested Grebe, c.100 Oystercatcher, 50+ Gannet (adults and juveniles), c.400 Black-tailed Godwit, c.100 Shelduck, Grey Plover, Curlew, Teal, Mallard, Common Scoter, Lapwing, 20 Dunlin, 2 Swallow, 2 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Skylark, 1 pair Stonechat, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, Goldfinch. 1 Common Seal, 1 Fox. David & Brenda Hale.

Wat Tyler Country Park 10:30 to 12:30
Sightings on the RSPB walk: Around the park and creeks: Goldcrest, Coot, Tufted Duck, Chaffinch, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Carrion Crow, Rook, Green Woodpecker, Greylag Goose, Little Egret, 10 Redshank, 3 Spotted Redshank, 4 Curlew, Mallard, 4 Bearded Tit (over), Wood Pigeon, Starling, Collared Dove, Blackbird, male Marsh Harrier, Kestrel, House Sparrow, Robin, Teal, Black-headed Gull, Jay. From the Museum hide: 2 Little Grebe, 4 Snipe, Bearded Tit, 6 Gadwall, Mallard, Coot, Moorhen, 4 Cormorant, Pied Wagtail, Pochard, Lapwing, Wigeon, Shoveler. Terry Jeffreys.

RSPB Wallasea Island 14:00 to 14:40
3 Little Egret, 3 Kestrel, 2 Goldfinch, 3 Chaffinch, 30+ Linnet, 9 Redshank, 46 Lapwing, 70 Black-headed Gull, 30+ Common Gull, 2 Greater Black-backed Gull, 40+ Herring Gull, 13 Carrion Crow, 3 Magpie, 250+ Stock Dove, 200+ Wood Pigeon, 100+ Corn Bunting, 500+ Starling. Rob Harris.

Hanningfield Reservoir Causeway 15:30 to 15:40
30+ Herring Gull, 70+ Cormorant, 100+ Black-headed Gull, 100+ Tufted Duck, 150+ Mallard, 50+ Pochard, 12 Coot, 4 Moorhen, 2 Magpie, 5 Carrion Crow, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Pied Wagtail, 1 Blackbird. Rob Harris.

Shoeburyness 16:00
1 Black Redstart in garden. John Parsons.

Wednesday 24th October 2012east north east, overcast, max16°c    

Rayleigh Mount, 08:20
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker. Paul Baker (SOG).

Leigh on Sea, Park View drive 08:35 to 08:42
Finally, after four years of watching them fly over our garden - 4 Long-tailed Tit on fat ball feeders! Kris Mee, Web Author.

Stonehill Road, Leigh on Sea, 09:35
17 Redpoll sp. low over north. Vince Kinsler (SOG).

Gunners Park 10:00 to 11:40
1 Olive-backed Pipit (fleeting views), 2 Siskin flew north, 1 Brambling, 2 Redwing flew east. Kris Mee, Web Author.

Leigh Old Town 10:40: to 15:31
c.5000 Dark-bellied Brent Goose - scattered very widely, 2 Pale-bellied Brent Goose c.200m south of Victoria Wharf. One ringed Dark-bellied Brent Goose - 50m east south east from easternmost LSC dinghy rack and about 200m west of Chalkwell Station. Left leg: Green ring with white letter K, Right leg Yellow ring with white letter H. i.e. code GK-YH. Probably the same bird as I reported on 12/10/2012 but could not read the ring lettering on that occasion. Thanks to David Low for telling me where to find this bird today. Martin Johnson.

Gunners Park 12:20 to 12:25
Great views of Olive-backed Pipit. Terry Jeffreys.

Canvey Point, 14:00 to 16:15
30 Gannet, 14 Little Egret, 23 Common Scoter, 1 Buzzard heading south over to Kent, 4 Mediterranean Gull, 2 Swallow, 1 Rock Pipit, 1 Grey Wagtail. Jeff Saward (SOG).

Gunners Park, 14:35 to 17:50
28 Swallow, 1 Olive-backed Pipit still showing at 17:50, 1 male Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaff, 8 Goldcrest. Don Petrie (SOG).

Gunners Park 17:00
Olive-backed Pipit. Having hung around for an hour and a half hoping to see it, this guy wanders up and says "What are you looking for?" We say "An olive backed Pipit." He says "Is that it over there....!!!" Bob Preston.

Tuesday 23rd October 2012northerly, fog and overcast, max14°c    

Gunners Park, 07:30 to 11:00
90 Sanderling, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Swallow, 1 Olive-backed Pipit showed reasonably well, but infrequently under and in the Horse Chestnuts next to the small stand of Pines between the blockhouse and the tennis courts, 11 Meadow Pipit, 2 Rock Pipit, 15 Redwing, 4 Goldcrest, 2 Brambling (at least). Paul Griggs, Tim Bourne, Neil Chambers, Don Petrie (SOG).

Gunners Park, 10:30 to 12:10
Mature trees and pines area 100m south west of old tennis courts: 1 Olive-backed Pipit emerged at 11:45 giving good views for 5-10 minute on bare branches before disappearing at ground level again. Matt Bruty (SOG).

Wat Tyler Country Park 11:00 to 15:00
Sightings from first hide only: 1 Redshank, 2 Green Sandpiper, 5 Common Snipe, 1 Avocet, 1 Wren, 1 Kestrel, 1 female Marsh Harrier, 1 Sparrowhawk, c.50 Stock Dove, 1 male Blackbird, Tufted Duck, Shoveler, Teal, Mallard, Gadwall, 2 Wigeon, 1 Pied Wagtail, Cormorant. David Hale.

RSPB West Canvey Marsh 12:45
Male Hen Harrier low over reserve mobbed by crows. Mike Poole.

Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 13:27 to 16:20
1 Whimbrel, 2 Fieldfare, 1 female Marsh Harrier, 1 Green Sandpiper, 3 Swallow, 4 Avocet, 11 Black-tailed Godwit, 30+ Wigeon, 80+ Teal, 20+ Shoveler, 11 Gadwall at Coryton, 1 Stonechat, 2 Little Egret, 30 Goldfinch. Richard Fahey.

Gunners Park, 14:45 to 16:00
1 Olive-backed Pipit showing well in pines between blockhouse and tennis courts, 1 Fieldfare, 15 Redwing, 2 Goldcrest. Lee Ebbs (SOG).

Friars Park, 16:15 to 16:30
2 Swallow, 5 Redwing, 1 Chiffchaff. Lee Ebbs (SOG).

Gunners Park, 16:25 to 17:55
c.110 Oystercatcher, 1 Olive-backed Pipit seen on a few occasions from 17.20 to 17.40, 5 Fieldfare, 6 Song Thrush, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Brambling (+ heard), 25 Goldfinch, 2 Redpoll sp. (over). Marc Outten, Steve Arlow, Sally Brierley, Vince Kinsler, Don Petrie (SOG).

Coombe Wood, 16:40 to 17:15
1 Firecrest. Jeff Saward (SOG).

Monday 22nd October 2012east north east, fog, max14°c    

Widford, Chelmsford 10:00
1 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. Neil Leonard.

Gunners Park, 10:00 to 14:00
1 Fieldfare in reserve, 20+ Redwing in reserve plus many overflying, 3 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, 15+ Goldcrest, 3 Brambling flew into tennis court area from tall trees to north, 2 Siskin feeding in single birch in centre of Garrison field. Tim Bourne (SOG).

Rayleigh Mount, 11:00
1 female Great Spotted Woodpecker. Paul Baker (SOG).

Private Land Near Crays Hill, 11:00
5 Redwing feeding on ground. G. Dixon.

Ashingdon, Princess Gardens 12:00
2 Goldcrest in the garden. David Selley.

Shoebury East Beach, 14:30 to 15:45
2 Brambling (both feeding with Chaffinches), 2 Redpoll sp. flew over calling. Tim Bourne (SOG).

Sunday 21st October 2012north easterly, light rain and drizzle, max13°c    

Paglesham Lagoon, 09:00 to 11:30
From Hampton Barns: 7 Little Grebe, 5 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Shag (good views on The Roach mud), 1 Great White Egret (great views on The Roach directly south of the lagoon at 10:05 before flying further east at 10:25), 52 Wigeon, 7 Gadwall, 100 Shoveler, 48 Pochard, c.60 Tufted Duck, 1 Kestrel, 1 Peregrine Falcon, c.30 Avocet, 1 Grey Plover, c.50 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Rook. 1 Stoat. Matt Bruty

Two Tree Island, 09:15 to 11:15
1 Little Grebe on old sewage works, 4 Little Egret, 2100 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 1 Black Brant (east end with brents), 57 Wigeon, 44 Teal, 1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Skylark, 3 Swallow, 1 Meadow Pipit, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 5 Reed Bunting. Graham Ryland (SOG).

RSPB Vange Marsh 09:20 to 11:00
Kingfisher, Redshank, Spotted Redshank, Kestrel, Cetti's Warbler (heard). Terry Jeffreys.

Wakering Stairs 10:45 to 11:20
2400 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 1 ringtail Hen Harrier. David Selley.

Canvey Point, 12:00 to 17:00
35 Gannet, 44 Common Scoter, 3 Red-breasted Merganser, 6 Pomarine Skua (including three with spoons), 3 Great Skua, 14 Mediterranean Gull, 1 adult Little Gull, 5 Kittiwake, 2 Common Tern, 1 juvenile Arctic Tern, 2 Rock Pipit. 1 Harbour Porpoise. Jeff Saward, Tim Bourne, Don Petrie (SOG).

RSPB Wallasea Island, 12:20 to 15:55
15 Greylag Goose, 377 Canada Goose (spread over the island in groups), 29 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 1 male Marsh Harrier, 1 Kestrel (Wood yard), 1 male Peregrine Falcon, 15 Ringed Plover, 100 Golden Plover, 1 Green Woodpecker (Grapnells), 1 Swallow, 3 Meadow Pipit, 1 Rock Pipit, 6 Pied Wagtail, 6 House Sparrow, 1 Goldfinch, 62 Linnet (2 flocks of c.40 and 22), c.50 Corn Bunting. Matt Bruty, Sally Brierley (SOG).

Thurrock Thameside NR 14:30 to 15:45
89 Shelduck, 82 Teal, 25 Curlew, 3 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Mallard (pr), 10 Redshank. Denis Tuck.

Paglesham Lagoon, 14:50 to 15:00
1 Great White Egret flew into the River Roach near Paglesham Lagoon. Dudley Shayler (SOG).

Shoebury Coastguards, 16:15 to 16:45
3 Gannet. Neil Chambers (SOG).

Saturday 20th October 2012westerly, mostly cloudy, max15°c    

Tile Wood and Little Haven's Nature Reserve, 08:00
2 Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Goldcrest, 7 Long-tailed Tit, 5 Goldfinch. 1 Small Copper. Sally Brierley (SOG).

Wat Tyler Country Park, 10:00 to 10:20
4 Pochard, 12 Snipe, 1 Cetti's Warbler. Dave Knight (SOG).

EWT Abberton Reservoir 12:00 to 18:15
1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Barn 0wl, 2 pairs of Peregrine Falcon, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Kestrel, c.1000 Golden Plover, c.1000 Rook, 2 Green Sandpiper, 3 Common Snipe, 1 pair Stonechat, 2 male Reed Bunting, c.30 Goldfinch, 2 Black-necked Grebe, 3 drake Pintail, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, c.200 Lapwing, 1 Egyptian Goose, Wigeon, Teal, Tufted Duck, 4 Great Crested Grebe, Little Grebe, 4 Grey Heron, 6 Little Egret. 45 species in total. David & Brenda Hale.

Coalhouse Fort, East Tilbury 13:30 to 14:56
100+ Avocet, 3 Bar-tailed Godwit, c.4 Black-tailed Godwit, 64 Curlew, 1 Oystercatcher, male and female Stonechat, 2 Little Egret, 30+ Linnet. Richard Fahey.

Southend, 15:30 to 15:50
2 Siskin flew west over Garons GC. Neil Chambers (SOG).

Gunners Park, 16:05 to 17:05
1 Meadow Pipit, 2 Goldcrest, 5 Chaffinch, 20 Goldfinch. Neil Chambers (SOG).

Friday 19th October 2012variable. mostly cloudy with rain, max16°c    

Gunners Park 05:45 to 08:00
1 Tawny Owl calling on fence around Hinguar school, 4 Red-legged Partridge on playing field, 3 Fieldfare and many Redwing flying over. Steve Wood.

South Fambridge 07:30 to 08:10
2 Marsh Harrier - adult female and an immature over field just inside seawall to east of village, 7 Cormorant, 16 Moorhen, 22 Canada Goose, c.300 Lapwing put up by the harriers, 65 Golden Plover. 1 Brown Hare. David Selley.

Gunners Park, 08:10 to 09:00
9 Blackbird (small group around the tennis courts), 4 Chiffchaff, 3 Goldcrest, 9 Siskin, 15 Redpoll sp. (over). Marc Outten (SOG).

Southchurch Park East 08:45
1 male Kingfisher on overhanging bush in south west corner of pond, flew to North/Middle of pond and sat on fishing post. Robert Dobinson.

Leigh Old Town 12:35 to 14:30
c.5000 Brent Goose. 18 juveniles in nearby flock of 335. Martin Johnson.

South Benfleet, Vicarage Hill 21:15 to 21:20
8 Redwing flying low over calling in the dark. Martin Cracknell (SOG).

Thursday 18th October 2012southerly, partly cloudy, max16°c    

Craven Close, Golden Cross, Rochford 09:55
1 Jay in garden. Richard Goring.

Private Land Near Crays Hill 10:10
5 Redwing. G. Dixon.

Wat Tyler Country Park 10:30 to 12:30
Sightings on the RSPB walk: Around the park and creeks: Cetti's Warbler (heard), Coot, juvenile Mute Swan, Chaffinch, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Chaffinch, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Rook, 2 Little Egret, 8 Redshank, 2 Spotted Redshank, Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Curlew, Mallard, Pied Wagtail, Wood Pigeon, Starling, Collared Dove, Blackbird, Green Woodpecker (heard), Kestrel, House Sparrow, Dunnock, 3 Goldcrest, Robin, 8 Teal, 3 Pheasant, Jay. From the Museum hide: Little Grebe, 6 Snipe, Gadwall, 8 Black-tailed Godwit, Mallard, Coot, Moorhen, 2 Cormorant, Reed Warbler (heard), female Marsh Harrier, Kestrel, 7 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Goldcrest, Lapwing, Wigeon, Shoveler. Terry Jeffreys.

RSPB Wallasea Island 14:00 to 15:30
4 Little Egret, 1 Marsh Harrier, 6 Linnet, 40+ Lapwing, 150+ Black-headed Gull, 30+ Common Gull, 40+ Herring Gull, 12 Greater Black-backed Gull, 13 Carrion Crow, 3 Magpie, 50+ Stock Dove, 40+ Wood Pigeon, 50+ Corn Bunting, 2 Mute Swan, 30+ Mallard, 2 Pied Wagtail. Rob Harris.

Hanningfield Reservoir 16:00 to 16:30
50+ Herring Gull, 150+ Cormorant, 250+ Black-headed Gull, 20+ Great Black-backed Gull, 1 Grey Heron, 100+ Tufted Duck, 150+ Mallard, 150+ Pochard, 14 Shoveler, 7 Coot, 3 Chaffinch, 150+ Greylag Geese, 200+ Canada Geese, 3 Moorhen, 7 Magpie, 37 Carrion Crow, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Mute Swan, 1 Black Swan, 1 Robin, 1 Blackcap, 2 Blue Tit, 2 Pied Wagtail, 1 Blackbird. Rob Harris.

Wednesday 17th October 2012south south west, partly cloudy, max17°c    

RSPB Rainham Marsh 11:15 to 16:50
1 female Marsh Harrier, c.100 Lapwing, 5 juvenile Yellow-legged Gull, c,25 Golden Plover, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 pair Stonechat, 13 Dunlin, 3 Curlew, c.20 Wigeon, Teal, Shoveler, 4 Shelduck, Pochard, Goldfinch, Linnet, Meadow Pipit. 1 Fox, 2 Common Shrew. David & Brenda Hale.

Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 13:35 to 15:28
1 female Marsh Harrier, 1 Green Sandpiper, 33 Avocet, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 25+ Wigeon, 10+ Teal, 10+ Shoveler, 10 Gadwall at Coryton, 40+ Curlew, 2 Little Egret, c.20 Chaffinch passed through, 10+ Stock Dove. Richard Fahey.

Friars Park, 16:45 to 17:15
1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Chiffchaff, 7 Goldcrest, 1 Crossbill (fly over calling, heading north east). Lee Ebbs (SOG).

Tuesday 16th October 2012west south west, partly cloudy, max15°c    

Hanningfield Reservoir Causeway 10:10 to 10:20
1 Pheasant, 20+ Herring Gull, 120+ Cormorant, 2 Little Egret, 50+ Black-headed Gull, 3 Great Black-backed Gull, 100+ Tufted Duck, 150+ Mallard, 70+ Pochard, 30+ Coot, 150+ Greylag Geese, 200+ Canada Geese, 5 Moorhen, 5 Magpie, 18 Carrion Crow, 2 Mute Swan. Rob Harris.

RSPB West Canvey Marsh 10:15 to 12:00
4 Swallow, 6 Black-tailed Godwit, 12 Green Sandpiper, 10 Pochard, 2 Skylark, 1 Meadow Pipit. Hilary Knight.

Monday 15th October 2012south south westerly, partly cloudy, max14°c    

Wat Tyler Country Park 09:30 to 14:00
5 Kestrel, 2 Green Woodpecker, 3 Curlew, 10 Redshank, 6 Teal, Vange Wick: 60 Greylag Geese, 1 Marsh Harrier being mobbed by a Kestrel. Scrape Hide: 40 Lapwing, 15 Shoveler, 6 Gadwall, 2 Pochard, 4 Wigeon, 4 Little Grebe, 10+ Teal, 1 Greenshank, 1 Spotted Redshank, 4 Snipe, 3 Black-tailed Godwit, 40 Greylag Geese on marsh fields, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 female Marsh Harrier hunting Together. David Shepherd.

Two Tree Island 10:00 to 16:00
1 Whimbrel, 1 Knot, Dunlin, Oystercatcher, Curlew, Redshank, Greenshank, 2 Common Snipe, Ringed Plover, Golden Plover, Grey Plover, Lapwing, 2 Grey Heron, Little Egret, 1000+ Brent Geese, 1 Buzzard, 2 Kestrel, Turnstone, Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Great Black-backed Gull, 8 Common Gull, Wigeon, Teal, Shoveler, Goldfinch, Linnet. David & Brenda Hale.

Ashingdon, Brays Lane 18:30
2 Buzzard south over Brays Lane towards Doggetts - presumably to roost nearby as it was almost dark. David Selley.

Sunday 14th October 2012north westerly, partly cloudy, max13°c    

Leigh on Sea 08:00
1 female Great Spotted Woodpecker on our birdfeeder. David Lee.

Wakering Stairs 09:15 to 12:15
Seen during WeBS Count: 4,416 Dark-bellied Brent Goose between Haven Point and Shoebury Boom, 1 Buzzard, 4 Swallow, 5 House Martin, 22 Long-tailed Tit, 8 Jay, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 187 Goldfinch in small flocks all going west. David Selley.

Wat Tyler Country Park 09:32 to 10:43
1 female Marsh Harrier, 2 Swallow, 1 Snipe, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Wigeon, c.10 Gadwall, 4 Teal, 10+ Shoveler, Cetti's Warbler heard, 1 Little Egret. Richard Fahey.

Barling Gravel Pits and Creek 11:00 to 12:00
Wren, Robin, 5 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Cormorant, 20 Goldfinch, 100+ Starling, 2 Little Grebe, 20 Lapwing, Great Tit, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Jay, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Pied Wagtail. 30+ Common Hawker, 2 Common Darter. Steve Day.

Wakering Stairs 11:00 to 14:00
1 Little Grebe, 10 Cormorant, 15 Little Egret,7 Teal, c.5000 Brent Geese, 1 immature Marsh Harrier, 1 female Sparrowhawk, 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Kestrel, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 5 Swallow, 3 Alba Wagtail, 3 Rock Pipit, 3 Ring Ouzel (2 male, 1 female) feeding in hawthorns next to seawall, halfway between the point and Havengore Bridge), 1 Chiffchaff, 7 Jay, 3 Linnet, 5 Goldfinch. Also Skylark and Meadow Pipit heard overhead during visit but few seen. 1 Small Tortoishell, 1 Large White, 1 Small White, c.10 White spp. Mike & Anita Harris.

Galleywood Common Near A12 11:10
1 Red Kite. Janice Bright.

South Fambridge, 12:45 to 15:15
2 Great Crested Grebe, 15 Little Egret, 1 Kestrel, 21 Ringed Plover, 66 Lapwing, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Redshank, 2 Meadow Pipit, 35 Goldfinch (2 flocks of 25 and 10 birds). 2 Small Copper on sheltered side of sea wall at Brandy Hole. Sally Brierley (SOG).

Leigh on Sea, Tattersall Gardens, 14:10 to 14:18
1 Common Buzzard drifting to east being mobbed by 1 Carrion Crow, 8 minutes later presumed same Buzzard re-appeared alone from east heading west and much higher. Martin Johnson.

Leigh on Sea, 15:05 to 15:10
1 Buzzard drifting south over A13 by Westleigh School. John Wright (SOG).

Pitsea 17:05
1 Short-eared Owl. Phil Shaw.

Paglesham, 19:15
1 Tawny Owl flew across road just after turning by Shepherd and Dog pub onto the Paglesham Road. Sally Brierley (SOG).

Ashingdon
2 Buzzard over the fields at Ashingdon towards Crouch valley. Lesley Guilfoyle.

Saturday 13th October 2012westerly, scattered clouds, max13°c    

Leigh on Sea, Park View Drive 08:15 to 09:40
female Great Spotted Woodpecker, male Green Woodpecker, male Blackcap, 10 Greenfinch, 10 Goldfinch all around feeders in garden. Kris Mee, Web Author.

Coalhouse Fort, East Tilbury 09:18 to 11:04
4 House Martin, 20 Brent Geese, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 7 Bar-tailed Godwit, 10+ Curlew, 100+ Avocet, 1 Oystercatcher, 2 Little Egret, 1 Stonechat, 30+ Linnet. Richard Fahey.

EWT Thurrock Thameside 09:30 to 17:00
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 4 House Martin, 12 Brent Geese, c.50 Linnet, 1 Wigeon, 1 Lapwing, 1 Kestrel, 1 Peregrine Falcon, c.10 Redshank, 2 Skylark, 3 Great Crested Grebe, c.50 Avocet, Goldfinch, 4 Dunnock, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Little Egret, Great Black-backed Gull, c.100 Shelduck, Teal, Mallard. 1 Common Seal hunting the shallows at low water and showing with what appeared to be good sized school Bass. David & Brenda Hale.

Stonehill Road, Leigh on Sea, 09:40
2 Crossbill (1 flew into top of oaks from west and 2 seen to fly off north shortly afterwards). Vince Kinsler (SOG).

South Fambridge, 10:20 to 12:30
1 Great Crested Grebe, 12 Little Egret, 6 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 11 Wigeon, 3 Buzzard (including the "resident" bird over its usual patch), 55 Golden Plover, 2 Grey Plover, 25 Curlew, 1 Common Sandpiper, 8 Swallow, 6 House Martin (with Swallows), 6 Long-tailed Tit, 5 Reed Bunting. Ray Fuller (SOG).

Gunners Park, 10:30 to 11:45
1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, c.125 House Martin (light passage flying north, plus a few Swallows), 2 Mistle Thrush, 3 Chiffchaff, 10 Goldcrest, 30 Jay (including 2 groups totaling 24 flying west), 42 Goldfinch. John Wright (SOG).

Runwell Park 11:00 to 11:30
4 House Martin chasing insects on the football fields for half an hour before heading south. Mark Hutson.

Hanningfield Reservoir 11:30 to 11:50
20+ Herring Gull, 150+ Cormorant, 250+ Black-headed Gull, 12 Great Black-backed Gull, 1 Little Egret, 2 Grey Heron, 200+ Tufted Duck, 150+ Mallard, 150+ Pochard, 60+ Coot, 150+ Greylag Geese, 200+ Canada Geese, 5 Moorhen, 3 Magpie, 7 Carrion Crow, 5 Great Crested Grebe, 16 Mute Swan, 1 Black Swan. Rob Harris.

Two Tree Island East, 14:20 to 16:00
1 Mediterranean Gull flew over, 1 Green Woodpecker, 4 Swallow, 8 House Martin with Swallow ahead of the rain, 2 Reed Bunting by sewage works hide. Sally Brierley (SOG).

North Fambridge 17:00 to 17:15
1 Curlew, 40+ Redshank, 40+ Lapwing, 1 Cormorant, 2 Blue Tit, 10 Herring Gull, 47 Black-headed Gull, 3 Great Black-backed Gull, Rob Harris.

Friday 12th October 2012westerly, mostly cloudy, max15°'c    

1st migrant report First winter migrant report - Fieldfare.

Barling Church to Little Wakering via Seawall 10:20 to 11:50 and 13:15 to 14:20
3 Green Woodpecker, Kestrel, 4 Little Egret, 2 Jay, 3 Swallow, 12 House Martin, 1 Marsh Harrier over Barling creek, 3 Fieldfare, lots of Lapwing and Redshank, 1 poorly Wood Pigeon with a growth the size of a walnut on top part of beak. 1 Great Crested Newt sadly not well and drying out, 1 Red Admiral. G & J Dunn (www.ladyessex.com).

Gunners Park, 11:45 to 13:15
5 Little Grebe, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 5 Swallow, 22 Jay in field near old tennis courts. Peter Collins (SOG).

Rettendon Turnpike 10:20
1 Buzzard. J. Jones.

Leigh Old Town 15:00 to 17:50
3000+ Brent Goose; of flock of 520 opposite the old Custom House just 24 were juveniles; farther to east one adult goose had yellow band on right leg and green band on left leg - too far away to read lettering. Martin Johnson. (we have heard recently that one of returning Brent Geese was first rung in 1991! - Ed.)

RSPB Wallasea Island 16:00 to 16:30
2 Little Egret, 2 Kestrel, 1 Marsh Harrier, 16 Linnet, 20+ Lapwing, 19 Black-headed Gull, 30+ Common Gull, 4 Greater Black-backed Gull, 5 Mallard, 40+ Herring Gull, 30+ Carrion Crow, 5 Magpie, 50+ Starling, 30+ Wood Pigeon. Rob Harris.

Ashingdon, Princess Gardens 16:10 to 16:20
30 House Martin flying west. David Selley.

Hanningfield Reservoir Causeway 17:00 to 17:15
1 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 20+ Herring Gull, 34 Cormorant, 250+ Black-headed Gull, 12 Great Black-backed Gull, 100+ Tufted Duck, 70+ Mallard, 50+ Pochard, 40+ Coot, 40+ Greylag Geese, 200+ Canada Geese, 5 Moorhen, 7 Magpie, 12 Carrion Crow, 5 Lapwing, 5 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Pied Wagtail. Rob Harris.

Thursday 11th October 2012east south east, overcast, max15°c    

Barling 10:20 to 11:00
9 Little Egret, 2 Green Woodpecker, a stream of over 60 House Martin and a few Swallow hunting over borrowdyke but heading south, Lapwing, Kestrel and 3 flights of Grey Plover. Gary Dunn (www.ladyessex.com).

Coalhouse Fort, East Tilbury 10:20 to 11:47
10+ Swallow, 2 Avocet, 3 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Knot, 3 Little Egret, male and female Stonechat. Richard Fahey.

Gunners Park, 10:20 to 13:00
1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, 5+ Goldcrest, 1 Firecrest showed well at 11:05 at western end of mounds close to playground, then probably the same bird again at 12:05 briefly in trees in centre of Garrison field. Tim Bourne (SOG).

Abberton Reservoir 13:00 to 13:15
7 Great Crested Grebe, 50+ Herring Gull, 50+ Cormorant, 200+ Black-headed Gull, 12 Great Black-backed Gull, 50+ Tufted Duck, 100+ Mallard, 60+ Shoveler, 35 Lapwing, 5 Greylag Geese, 40+ Canada Geese, 150+ Coot, 4 Mute Swan, 1 Egyptian Goose, 2 White-fronted Geese, 2 Aylesbury Duck, 12 Moorhen, 3 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 6 Pied Wagtail, 50+ Carrion Crow, 17 Magpie, 100+ Wood Pigeon. Rob Harris.

Wednesday 10th October 2012east south east, partly cloudy, max15°c    

Hanningfield Reservoir 08:30
1 Kingfisher. R. Shepherd.

Southchurch Park East 08:45
3 Cormorant fishing for eels across pond. Robert Dobinson.

RSPB West Canvey Marsh, 10:00 to 12:30
6 Green Sandpiper, 2 Cetti's Warbler (in sub-song), 7 Common Lizard, 1 Slow-worm, 1 Field Vole, 4 Migrant Hawker, 5 Ruddy Darter. John Wright (SOG).

Wat Tyler Country Park 11:00 to 16:00
Sightings from first hide: 1 female Marsh Harrier, 1 Peregrine Falcon, 1 Kestrel, 9 Common Snipe, 11 Black-tailed Godwit, c.40 Stock Dove, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Pied Wagtail, Lapwing, Wigeon, Gadwall, Teal, Shoveler, c.200 Wood Pigeon on stubble field. David Hale.

South Fambridge, 11:30 to 12:45
6 Great Crested Grebe, 11 Little Egret, 3 Mute Swan, 5 Wigeon, 1 Buzzard, c.300 Golden Plover, 24 Curlew, 1 female Bearded Tit briefly in reed beds, very rare here, 4 Goldfinch, 2 Reed Bunting. Ray Fuller (SOG).

Southchurch Park 17:30
3 Cygnets flew over Southchurch Park at about 100ft from west to east, they looked down to the pond, saw the resident pair and carried on to Southchurch Park East. They then did the same again and I kept sight of them until they turned over Wyatts Drive to the estuary. What a sight to watch three of our fledged cygnets glide over us and a great sound too. It makes all the steady progress with the two Swan families since 2005 so worthwhile. The second resident pair have fledged 21 cygnets since their arrival in 2009. Robert Dobinson.

Tuesday 09th October 2012easterly, mostly cloudy, max14°c    

Gunners Park, 09:00 to 11:20
6 Gannet, 150 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Great Skua, 3 Sandwich Tern, 7 Chiffchaff, 9 Goldcrest, 3 Reed Bunting. John Wright (SOG).

Hanningfield Reservoir 10:10 to 10:30
7 Great Crested Grebe, 40+ Herring Gull, 50+ Cormorant, 250+ Black-headed Gull, 12 Great Black-backed Gull, 200+ Tufted Duck, 100+ Mallard, 100+ Pochard, 10 Lapwing, 50+ Greylag Geese, 60+ Canada Geese, 150+ Coot, 18 Mute Swan, 7 Moorhen, 1 Jay, 6 Carrion Crow, 4 Magpie, 3 Blackbird. Rob Harris.

RSPB West Canvey Marsh 10:30 to 13:00
2 Kestrel, 2 Stonechat, 1 Reed Bunting, 2 Meadow Pipit, 1 Skylark, 1 Curlew, 1 Cetti's Warbler heard, 2 Heron, 20+ Little Grebe, 8 Green Sandpiper. Hilary Knight.

Southend Hospital 16:30 to 17:00
Peregrine Falcon on chimney. Jerry Stock.

Two Tree Island West, 17:30 to 18:00
Quick walk to the lagoon: 12 Little Egret, 25 Avocet, 22 Greenshank. John Wright (SOG).

Monday 08th October 2012easterly to northerly, partly cloudy, rain, max13°c    

Southchurch Park 08:10
4 Cygnets (last of seven) from Southchurch Park flew off pond eastwards; 1 landed in Southchurch Park East and was harassed by resident Swans, picked up and put on Estuary. One other was waiting on foreshore by Lifstan Way. Both flew toward direction of pier after while. All seven cygnets fledged very very early this year. Robert Dobinson.

Orsett, Conways Road 10:55 to 11:00
Covey of c.20 Red-legged Partridge in middle of road, crossing from ploughed field to stubble. They were slow to move, but walked onto the grass verge after some persuasion. David & Brenda Hale.

Marine Avenue, Leigh on Sea 13:10
1 Willow Warbler in my garden in Marine Avenue. David Lee.

Abberton Reservoir 16:00 to 18:00
8 Great Crested Grebe, 50+ Herring Gull, 200+ Cormorant, 300+ Black-headed Gull, 12 Great Black-backed Gull, 200+ Tufted Duck, 300+ Mallard, 300+ Shoveler, 12 Lapwing, 40+ Greylag Geese, 50+ Canada Geese, 50+ Coot, 12 Mute Swan, 2 Egyptian Geese, 1 Swan Goose, 2 Aylesbury Duck, 4 Moorhen, 15 Little Egret, 7 Grey Heron, 5 Pied Wagtail, 1 White Wagtail, 100+ Carrion Crow, 7 Magpie, 1 Kestrel, 200+ Wood Pigeon. Rob Harris.

River Roach (The Violet) 17:10 to 17:40
A constant stream on House Martin, over 60 birds and 2 Swallow heading South above the river. Gary Dunn (www.ladyessex.com).

Sunday 07th October 2012variable, scattered clouds, max14°c    

Wat Tyler Country Park 09:52 to 11:29
1 Spotted Redshank on creek, 1 Black-tailed Godwit on scrape, 3 Wigeon, c.6 Teal, 10+ Gadwall, 10+ Shoveler, c.5 Curlew, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, Cetti's Warbler heard at close range and 1 or 2 others. Richard Fahey.

South Fambridge to Brandy Hole 10:30 to 12:30
33 Little Egret (26 of which at Brandy Hole), 2 Little Grebe, 5 Great Crested Grebe, 11 Cormorant, 1 Buzzard over Stow Creek, 103 Wigeon, c.280 Golden Plover on north bank, 68 Lapwing, 30 Dunlin, 40 Redshank, 16 Curlew, 1 Jay, 3 Pied Wagtail, 14 Skylark all going south-west in twos and threes, c.50 House Sparrow at village. Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell, Comma and Small White butterflies. David Selley.

Gunners Park, 10:30 to 13:00
125 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 1 Mediterranean Gull (2nd w.), 2 Blackcap, 1 Yellow-browed Warbler (12:30 - 12:50; showing well, eastern corner of Garrison but lost to view when it moved along tree line towards old tennis courts), 12 Chiffchaff. 1 Weasel. John Wright (SOG).

Shoebury Avenue, Shoeburyness 11:00 to 12:00
8 Red Admiral, 2 Hummingbird Hawk Moths on buddliea. Steve Day.

Wakering Stairs 15:00 to 16:00
1,200 plus Brent Geese, 1 Whinchat, Grey Plover, Curlew, Dunlin. Brian Coveney.

Hockley (Wallasea Cycle) 15:30 to 17:45
1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Long-tailed Tit, 6 Pheasant, 8 Little Egret, 10+ Lapwing. David Z.

Two Tree Island East 16:00 to 18:15
2,400 Brent Geese, 86 Little Egret, 1 Cetti's Warbler heard, 6 adult Mediterranean Gull, 1 juvenile Gannet, 1 Eider, c.50 Common Scoter. Andrew Gouldstone.

Wakering Stairs 17:00 to 17:35
1,331 Dark-bellied Brent Goose including a few juveniles now, 3050 Oystercatcher on the roost, c.1100 Knot. David Selley.

Saturday 06th October 2012north westerly, partly cloudy, max15°c    

1st migrant report First winter migrant report - Redwing.

Shoebury Garrison, 09:00 to 10:30
1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 4 Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler, 8 Goldcrest, 1 Spotted Flycatcher. Dave Knight (SOG).

One-Tree-Hill, Corringham 09:30 to 10:31
2 House Martin, 14 Jay passed west, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Phylloscopus Warbler. Richard Fahey.

Church Road, Hadleigh 11:20 to 11:25
1 Chiffchaff. First time I have seen one in the garden. Ellen Hume.

West Canvey Marsh RSPB, 14:30 to 15:30
8 Little Grebe, 1 Buzzard (over at 15.20pm), 2 Green Sandpiper (from windmill hide), 5 Stock Dove, 4 Skylark. Sally Brierley (SOG).

Two Tree Island West, 15:20 to 17:00
6 Little Egret, 1 Peregrine Falcon, 50 Avocet, 161 Golden Plover, 1 Knot, 1 juvenile Curlew Sandpiper, 20 Greenshank, 1 female/immature Redstart, 1 Stonechat. Paul Griggs (SOG).

Canvey Point, 15:45 to 16:45
8 Great Crested Grebe, c.750 Dark-bellied Brent Goose (resting in large raft with Wigeon), c.250 Wigeon (until 3 jet-skis disturbed them all), 120 Oystercatcher (on point), 30 Dunlin (on point), 3 Sandwich Tern. Sally Brierley (SOG).

Leigh on Sea, Park View Drive 16:15 to 16:25
1 female Sparrowhawk spent 7 minutes of prolonged tussling with a Crow very high above garden. Kris Mee, Web Author.

Pitsea 16:35
1 Short-eared Owl; later-on, a flock of 40 Swallow flew south along Pitseahall Fleet. Phil Shaw.

Wat Tyler Country Park 17:30
1 Barn Owl landed on fence post with 2 Magpie for company first hide. Mick Roe.

Two Tree Island West, 17:30 to 18:10
1 Little Egret, 94 Oystercatcher, 45 Avocet, 87 Ringed Plover, 121 Golden Plover, 15 Lapwing, 1 Curlew Sandpiper (with Dunlin near island K), 28 Dunlin, 7 Black-tailed Godwit, 5 Curlew, 34 Redshank, 26 Greenshank. Sally Brierley

Stonehill Road, Leigh on Sea, 22:00 to 22:15
3 Redwing (heard overhead). Vince Kinsler (SOG).

Friday 05th October 2012westerly, scattered clouds, rain, max16°c    

Southchurch East 08:05
One Grey Heron flying over Southchurch East, heading south west. Alec Beanse.

Leigh on Sea, Lansdowne Avenue 09:00 to 09:05
1 Chiffchaff. Matt Bruty (SOG).

Ashingdon, Princess Gardens 10:00
1 Buzzard drifted north. We visited Marks Hall, near Coggeshall, yesterday and watched five Buzzard thermalling and constantly calling over the arboretum - sounded more like the edge of Dartmoor than lowland Essex! David Selley.

Near Bonchurch Park, Leigh on Sea 10:25
In back garden this morning at the same time: 2 Blackbird, Blue Tit, Robin, Great Tit, Wren, Jay, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Grey Squirrel. Then a Sparrowhawk burst into the garden missed the birds and landed on a tree. Stayed for a minute then left. Fantastic! NickyLee.

RSPB Wallasea Island 14:30 to 15:15
5 Little Egret, 1 Kestrel, 1 Marsh Harrier, 6 Linnet, 60+ Redshank, 16 Lapwing, 50 Black-headed Gull, 30+ Common Gull, 5 Greater Black-backed Gull, 2 Little Grebe, 40+ Herring Gull, 13 Carrion Crow, 1 Magpie, 50+ Stock Dove, 300+ Wood Pigeon, 70+ Corn Bunting. Rob Harris.

Canvey Point 14:45 to 17:30
2 Carrion Crow, 5 Woodpigeon, 10 Cormorant, 30 Black-headed Gull, Rock Pipit landed right on point 2 meters away, 4 Herring Gull, 1 Common Gull, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 4 Great Black-backed Gull, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 4 Brent Goose, 1 Grey Wagtail, 15 Turnstone, 1 Common Sandpiper. G. Dixon.

Friars Park, Shoebury 17:00
3 drake Mandarin Duck north of island in main lake, their usual place as for last winter. Jackie Bliss.

Thursday 04th October 2012west south west, scattered cloud, max16°c    

Shelley Square, Southend 07:15
2 Green Woodpecker on the ground under the hedgerow. They were there for 1 or 2 minutes before flying off. Nigel England.

Creeksea, Burnham on Crouch 09:00
Marsh Tit regular on seed feeder, Coal Tit resident past 3 years. Les Norman EBS.

Coombe Wood, 09:30 to 09:35
1 Firecrest. Jeff Saward (SOG).

Wat Tyler Country Park 10:30 to 12:30
Sightings: on the RSPB walk: Around the park and creeks; Jay, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, House Sparrow, Kestrel, Cetti's Warbler heard, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Starling, 3 Redshank, Mallard, Goldfinch, 3 Curlew, Woodpigeon, Dunnock, Pied Wagtail, Collared Dove, Ringed Plover, Teal, 2 Buzzard. From the Museum hide; Gadwall, Coot, Avocet, Wigeon, Little Grebe, Pied Wagtail, Lapwing, Moorhen, 3 Cormorant, 4 Black-tailed Godwit, 30+ Linnet, adult male Marsh Harrier. Terry Jeffreys.

Wat Tyler Country Park, 11:30 to 12:30
1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Buzzard. Peter Collins (SOG).

RSPB Vange Marsh, 13:00 to 14:00
1 Little Grebe, 2 Little Egret, 2 Shoveler, 30 Lapwing, 3 Snipe, 14 Curlew, 2 Redshank, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Swallow, 2 Cetti's Warbler heard. Peter Collins (SOG).

Coalhouse Fort, East Tilbury c.13:40 to 14:55
3 Bar-tailed Godwit, 2 Chiffchaff, a few dozen Swallow passed through, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker flying. Richard Fahey.

RSPB Vange Marsh 14:00 to 17:30
1 female Marsh Harrier, 2 Kestrel, 2 Green Sandpiper, 1 Bearded Tit, 38 Redshank, 40 Lapwing, 21 Curlew, 2 Wigeon, 5 Grey Heron, 2 Avocet, 5 Little Grebe, 4 Cormorant, 5 Little Egret, 4 Greylag Geese, Teal, Shoveler. David Shepherd.

Leigh Old Town 17:30 to 18:25
780 Brent Goose, 90 Wigeon, 1 female Sparrowhawk. Martin Jonson.

Wat Tyler Country Park, 17:35 to 17:50
1 Short-eared Owl from the scrape hide, over on Bowers. Marc Outten (SOG).

South Fambridge Road 17:40
2 Short-eared Owl, one on either side of road. Marcus Hotten.

Rayleigh, 22:35
1 Badger in front gardens/pavement on Crown Hill. Neil Chambers (SOG).

Wednesday 03rd October 2012south westerly, partly cloudy, max15°    

RSPB West Canvey Marsh 09:30 to 10:30
4 Bearded Tit in reed bed near second kissing gate. David Davies.

Gunners Park, 10:15
1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 50 Swallow, 15 House Martin, c.12 Chiffchaff, 4 Goldcrest, 2 Spotted Flycatcher (1 in just west of tennis courts, 1 north of car park and east of play area). Paul Baker, Don Petrie (SOG).

Two Tree Island West, 14:30 to 15:30
50 Little Egret seen from Leigh station on roost and saltmarsh, 1 Little Stint (smart juvenile on lagoon), c.30 Greenshank, 25 Linnet. Paul Baker, Don Petrie (SOG).

Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 18:20
1 Grey Wagtail. Paul Baker (SOG).

Tuesday 02nd October 2012south south westerly, partly cloudy, max17°c    

RSPB West Canvey Marsh 10:30 to 12:30
1 Wheatear, many Swallow and House Martin, 2 Skylark, 1 Cetti's Warbler heard, 1 Curlew, 3 Green Sandpiper, 20+ Little Grebe, 1 Mediterranean Gull. Hilary Knight.

Gunners Park, 11:00 to 13:40
1 Sparrowhawk, 80 Swallow, 7 House Martin, 21 Chiffchaff (several singing), 9 Goldcrest, 1 Spotted Flycatcher in trees at the north end of the bunker field. Don Petrie (SOG).

River Roach 11:58
Osprey in Middleway right above boat. Gary Dunn (www.ladyessex.com).

Southend, Progress Road Brook 12:15
Green Sandpiper in the brook at the bottom of the road. Paul Rossiter.

Southend, 12:40 to 12:45
1 Osprey, first seen over HSBC building being mobbed by Peregrine, then watched as it proceded to fly west toward Two Tree persued by crows. Paul Griggs (SOG).

Wat Tyler Country Park 14:07 to 14:59
Hide only: 2 Snipe, c.21 Wigeon, 10+ Gadwall, 30+ Shoveler, 4 Teal. Richard Fahey.

Gunners Park, 16:15 to 16:45
1 Green Woodpecker, 4 Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrest, 1 Spotted Flycatcher in trees by mounds. Lee Ebbs (SOG).

Gunners Park, 17:00 to 17:30
1 Green Woodpecker, 6 Chiffchaff in and around bramble surrounding tennis courts, 1 Spotted Flycatcher in trees near bunkers, Warbler sp. in yellow-browed area but could not get a firm ID. Sally Brierley (SOG).

Monday 01st October 2012south westerly, mostly cloudy, max17°c    

Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 09:00 to 09:00
2 Grey Wagtail. Paul Baker (SOG).

South Fambridge, 10:20 to 12:25
5 Great Crested Grebe, 10 Little Egret, 2 Buzzard, 3 Golden Plover, 24 Curlew, 1 Greenshank, 2 Common Tern, 5 Swallow, 1 Wheatear, 1 Goldcrest in an Oak Tree at Brandy Hole, 15 Goldfinch. Ray Fuller (SOG).

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