Wildlife Reports for October 2013
Thursday 31st October 2013south westerly, cloud, rain, max13°c
Southchurch Park 12:30
1 drake Shoveler under broken tree branch in pond. Robert Dobinson.
Abberton Reservoir 14:00
4 Grey Heron, 25 Pintail, 15 Pochard, 30 Black-headed Gull, 1 Barn Owl flying by the main road. Steven Halstead.
Wednesday 30th October 2013south westerly, partly cloudy, max14°c
Off Lower Road Hockley 10:15 to 11:15
2 Buzzard being mobbed by Crows at 10:15 then at 11:15 3 Buzzard circling high over fields. Norman Oliver.
Mill Barn Fishery, Great Wakering 11:00 to 14:00
Kingfisher dashing about the lily pad lake, 2 Jay making a real racket when chasing a Blackbird, Moorhen feeding on berries at the top of a large hawthorn bush! a very friendly Robin found the maggots in my bait box very attractive, perching on the edge and helping himself, absolutely delightful! Phil Lusher.
RSPB Bowers Marsh 12:00 to 15:15
Glossy Ibis on south side of freshwater lagoon, flew off at about 1pm, 2 Spoonbill, several Cetti's Warbler heard, Skylark, Green Woodpecker. Peter Bowden.
RSPB Bowers Marsh 13:00 to 14:00
3 Spoonbill, 1 Kestrel, 1 Stonechat, 1 Water Rail, 1 Great Crested Grebe. Common Darter seen in car park. Neil Phillips.
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 14:25 to 16:55
1 Water Rail swimming into reeds on Manorway Fleet, c.7 Yellow-legged Gull, 1 Green Sandpiper, c.10 Wigeon, 4 Gadwall and 1 Shoveler on Manorway Fleet, a few 100 Teal on creek, 3 Little Grebe on creek (assume migrants), 1 Redwing. 1 Water Vole swam across Manorway Fleet. Richard Fahey.
Southchurch Park East and Southchurch Park 14:30
1 Cygnet (Polish Genetic) from Southchurch Park East landed in Southchurch Park getting harassed by resident adults. I was called by member of public and decision was made to put it on the estuary near Camper Road. I walked it out about 3rd mile to stony foreshore. Weather conditions mild westerly winds and clear sky, so all being well it will move on from the area. This was the last of the two cygnets from Sothchurch Park East to leave. So now we are back into a successful breeding cycle again there, after two tough years. Robert Dobinson.
Tuesday 29th October 2013west south west, partly cloudy, max13°c
RSPB Bowers Marsh 07:30 to 08:30
2 Green Sandpiper, 5+ Corn Bunting, 2 Skylark (singing), 2 Mute Swan, 1 Curlew. Neil Phillips.
RSPB Bowers Marsh 11:30 to 13:30
4 Spoonbill, 12 long-tailed Tit, Skylark, Reed Bunting, Corn Bunting, Cetti's Warbler (heard), Shoveler, Teal, Wigeon, Little Grebe, Lapwing, Little Egret. Hilary and Colin Knight.
Wat Tyler Country Park 14:00
1 Glossy Ibis flying overhead near the visitor centre. Neil Phillips.
Southchurch Park
1 drake Shoveler Kensington Road end of pond. Robert Dobinson.
Monday 28th October 2013south westerly (strong), partly cloudy, max17°c
No reports received for this day.
Sunday 27th October 2013south westerly, partly cloudy, max17°c
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 08:05 to 10:45
1 Marsh Harrier over shrub, Green Sandpiper singles at creek and 'shrub pool', Cetti's Warbler heard over area. Richard Fahey.
RSPB Bowers Marsh 09:00 to 11:00
Sparrowhawk, Green Woodpecker, Meadow Pipit, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Skylark (many singing), Curlew, Great Black-backed Gull, Lapwing, Kingfisher, Corn Bunting, Reed bunting, Cetti's Warblers heard, Teal, Little Egret, Grey Heron. Jim Bailey.
Hanningfield Reservoir 11:30
2 drake and 1 female Red-crested Pochard. Judy.
Saturday 26th October 2013south south westerly, mostly cloudy, showers, max17°c
RSPB Bowers Marsh 09:00
Spoonbill on freshwater lagoon, 12 Corn Bunting in trees next to car park. Mike Poole.
Leigh on Sea, Park View Drive 09:30
6 Siskin flew west over garden. Web Author.
RSPB Wallasea Island 12:30 to 13:20
1 Kestrel, 40+ Carrion Crow, 8 Magpie, 2 Pheasant, 40+ Woodpigeon, 17 Herring Gull, 5 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 20+ Black-headed Gull, 1 Reed Bunting, 3 Corn Bunting, 3 Meadow Pipit, 30+ Linnet. Rob Harris.
Hanningfield Reservoir 14:00 to 14:30
250+ Tufted Duck, 200+ Pochard, 200+ Mallard, 100+ Shoveler, 50+ Wigeon, 4 Teal, 30+ Gadwall, 3 Pintail, 250+ Coot, 35 Great Crested Grebe, 150+ Canada Geese, 150+ Greylag Geese, 300+ Black-headed Gull, 40+ Lesser Black-backed Gull, 3 Magpie, 100+ Herring Gull, 3 Moorhen, 40+ Carrion Crow, 100+ Cormorant, 40+ Mute Swan, 30+ Lapwing, 2 Redshank, 3 Pied Wagtail, 20+ Starling, 1 Blackbird, 2 Pheasant, 50+ Woodpigeon, 4 Domestic Geese, 12 Hybrid Duck. Rob Harris.
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 14:10 to 16:25
1 female Marsh Harrier, 2 Green Sandpiper, 1 Wigeon, pair of Shoveler, 3 Gadwall and 2 Pochard on Manorway Fleet. Richard Fahey.
RSPB West Canvey Marsh 15:00
1 female Brambling with small Chaffinch flock, 2 Marsh Harrier. Pete Jackson & Mick Grover.
RSPB Wallasea Island
Cattle Egret. Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).
Friday 25th October 2013south south westerly, rain and cloud, max18°c
Ashingdon, Princess Gardens 10:00 to 12:10
35+ Skylark in small groups going west all morning, 1 Sparrowhawk, 18 Lapwing south, 1 Green Woodpecker. 4 Red Admiral on ivy flowers. David Selley.
RSPB Vange Marsh 11:15 to 11:45
1 Glossy Ibis. Good views from middle view point, 2 Pintail, 2 Common Tern, 1 Kestrel being mobbed by Lapwing. David Shepherd.
Dunton (A127) 14:15 to 14:16
1 Common Buzzard. Rob Harris.
RSPB Wallasea Island 14:45 to 15:50
2 Cormorant, 1 Little Egret, 2 Grey Heron, 7 Teal, 10 Mallard, 2 Kestrel, 2 Common Buzzard, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Oystercatcher, 18 Ringed Plover, 2 Grey Plover, 40+ Lapwing, 40+ Dunlin, 6 Black-tailed Godwit, 40+ Redshank, 4 Greenshank, 31 Black-headed Gull, 38 Herring Gull, 4 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1 Great Black-backed Gull, 40+ Wood Pigeon, 2 Skylark 40+ Carrion Crow, 45 Starling, 5 Linnet, 11 Reed Bunting, 5 Corn Bunting. Rob Harris.
Thursday 24th October 2013south south easterly, partly cloudy, max17°c
Stanford Wharf NR 10:30 to 12:00
3 Redpoll sp., 2 Siskin. 6 Clouded Yellow. Marc Outten, Gareth Brookfield.
Private Site Near Great Wakering 11:00 to 12:30
Short-eared Owl, male and immature Marsh Harrier, 2 Kestrel. Steve Giles.
RSPB Vange Marsh 12:20
1 Glossy Ibis on the freshmarsh. Marc Outten, Gareth Brookfield.
Wednesday 23rd October 2013south westerly, partly cloudy, max17°c
RSPB West Canvey Marshes 17:00
Female Marsh Harrier north of reservoir, 169 Shoveler. Mike Poole.
Tuesday 22nd October 2013southerly, cloud and rain, max18°c
RSPB Rainham Marshes 15:00
1 immature male Marsh Harrier, 2 House Martin heading south. Andrew Gouldstone.
Abberton Reservoir 14:00 to 15:00
150+ Canada Geese, 200+ Coot, 200+ Greylag Geese, 5 Moorhen, 200+ Mallard, 100+ Pochard, 4 Grey Heron, 2 Little Egret, 70+ Lapwing, 5 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Magpie, 100+ Cormorant, 300+ Starling, 70+ Mute Swan, 20+ Lesser Black-backed Gull, 200+ Black-headed Gull, 12 Common Gull, 150+ Herring Gull, 100+ Shoveler, 2 Pied Wagtail, 2 Pheasant, 5 Pintail, 100+ Woodpigeon, 1 Kestrel, 1 Peregrine Falcon, 200+ Carrion Crow, 12 Jackdaw, 1 Bewick's Swan, 1 Glossy Ibis, 30+ Teal, 3 Egyptian Geese, 1 Aylesbury Duck, 6 hybrid Geese, 1 Swan Goose. Rob Harris.
Hanningfield Reservoir 15:30 to 15:40
150+ Tufted Duck, 100+ Pochard, 200+ Mallard, 70+ Wigeon, 3 Teal, 5 Great Crested Grebe, 100+ Canada Geese, 12 Gadwall, 2 Pintail, 40+ Cormorant, 250+ Coot, 4 Moorhen, 1 Blackbird, 100+ Shoveler, 150+ Greylag Geese, 100+ Black-headed Gull, 150+ Herring Gull, 200+ Lesser Black-backed Gull, 5 Magpie, 20+ Common Crow, 18 Mute Swan, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Pintail, 1 Ruddy Shelduck. Rob Harris.
Monday 21st October 2013southerly, mostly cloudy, max18°c
Hanningfield Reservoir 13:00 to 13:30
150+ Tufted Duck, 100+ Pochard, 150+ Mallard, 30+ Gadwall, 100+ Shoveler, 50+ Wigeon, 2 Teal, 1 Ruddy Shelduck, 5 Great Crested Grebe, 50+ Canada Geese, 100+ Greylag Geese, 200+ Black-headed Gull, 7 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 63+ Herring Gull, 250+ Coot, 3 Magpie, 12 Common Crow, 40+ Cormorant, 20+ Mute Swan, 35 Lapwing, 3 Pied Wagtail, 2 Chaffinch, 6 Domestic White Geese. Rob Harris.
RSPB Wallasea Island 14:00 to 14:30
1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Kestrel, 30+ Carrion Crow, 2 Magpie, 50+ Woodpigeon, 3 Meadow Pipit, 35 Linnet, 5 Corn Bunting, 2 Pied Wagtail, 2 Skylark, 50+ Black-headed Gull, 2 Common Gull, 5 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 30+ Herring Gull, 1 Great Black-backed Gull. Rob Harris.
Wat Tyler Country Park 15:00 to 15:40
2 Marsh Harrier, 1 Pintail, many Gadwall, Shoveler. Mick Roe.
Sunday 20th October 2013southerly, cloud and rain, max17°c
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 09:10 to 11:30
1 female Marsh Harrier low over Manorway Fleet, 3 Green Sandpiper, singles Water Rail heard near refinery, 2 Redwing, Chiffchaff heard, 50+ Wigeon, 2 Pochard on Manorway Fleet. Richard Fahey.
Saturday 19th October 2013southerly, cloud and rain, max16°c
South Benfleet 08:00
11 Redwing (my first garden winter migrants), 14 Long-tailed Tit. Pete Jackson.
Dunton, Langdon NR, 10:20 to 10:40
1 Chiffchaff heard. Richard Fahey.
Two Tree Island 11:30 to 15:00
3000+ Brent Geese, 200+ Ringed Plover, 67 Lapwing, 23 Curlew, 129 Little Egret, 3 Kestrel, 13 Oystercatcher, 3 Little Grebe, 14 Redshank, 100+ Starling, 6 Dunlin, 1 Curlew Sandpiper, 4 Greenshank, 60+ Teal, 20+ Mallard, 4 Grey Heron, 200+ Knot, 8 Magpie, 3 Blue Tit, 2 Great Tit, 20+ Goldfinch, 3 Greenfinch, 16 Turnstone, 3 Pintail, 20+ Wood Pigeon. N. Mackie.
Hanningfield Reservoir Causeway 15:40 to 15:55
250+ Tufted Duck, 150+ Pochard, 200+ Mallard, 2 Grey Heron, 7 Great Crested Grebe, 100+ Canada Geese, 150+ Greylag Geese, 300+ Black-headed Gull, 9 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 3 Magpie, 100+ Herring Gull, 7 Common Crow, 40+ Cormorant, 300+ Coot, 30+ Gadwall, 100+ Shoveler, 50+ Wigeon, 4 Teal, 5 Mute Swan, 30+ Lapwing, 1 Pied Wagtail, 2 Starling. Rob Harris.
Two Tree Island
2 Swallow over lagoon. John Atfield.
Friday 18th October 2013east south east, partly cloudy, max15°c
Thurrock, Thameside Nature Park 11:00 to 12:15
1 male Stonechat by track leading to riverside, 25+ Avocet, a few Wigeon, 2 Turnstone. Richard Fahey.
Wakering Stairs 15:50 to 17:05
647 Dark-bellied Brent Goose - as with other sightings so far this season about 25% were juveniles, 2 Little Egret, 48 Swallow west then a similar number back east, presumably the same birds not in a hurry to move on, 3 Meadow Pipit, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Blackcap, 2 Redwing, 22 Linnet. David Selley.
Private Site Near Great Wakering
2 juvenile Redpoll feeding on Verbena and Teasel 6ft from open door in garden. Steve Giles.
Thursday 17th October 2013westerly, partly cloudy, max18°c
Abberton Reservoir 13:00 to 14:00
2 Kestrel, 2 Common Buzzard, 130+ Canada Geese,60+ Coot, 50+ Greylag Geese, 5 Moorhen, 200+ Mallard, 90+ Pochard, 100+ Shoveler, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret, 100+ Lapwing, 50+ Starling, 2 Pied Wagtail, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Magpie, 80+ Cormorant, 40+ Mute Swan, 1 Green Sandpiper, 150+ Herring Gull, 200+ Black-headed Gull, 7 Common Gull, 14 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 40+ Black Tailed Godwit, 80+ Redshank, 60+ Woodpigeon, 200+ Carrion Crow, 8 Jackdaw, 1 Jay, 2 Pheasant, 7 Chaffinch, 8 Collared Dove, 1 Swan Goose, 1 Aylesbury Duck, 7 hybrid Geese. Rob Harris.
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 13:55 to 16:55
1 Marsh Harrier flew east at Coryton, 2 Wigeon on lagoon, 400+ Teal, 4 Pochard, 5 Gadwall and drake Shoveler. 1 Adder behind seawall. Richard Fahey.
Wednesday 16th October 2013variable. mostly cloudy, max14°c
Hanningfield Reservoir Causeway 08:45 to 09:05
100+ Tufted Duck, 80+ Pochard, 200+ Mallard, 40+ Wigeon, 100+ Canada Geese, 150+ Greylag Geese, 12 Gadwall, 1 Magpie, 40+ Cormorant, 250+ Coot, 3 Moorhen, 160+ Shoveler, 14 Black-headed Gull, 30+ Herring Gull, 2 Common Crow, 5 Mute Swan, 1 Grey Heron. Rob Harris.
South Woodham Ferrers, Marsh Farm EWT Reserve/Clements Green Creek 10:00 to 11:00
Small party 4+ Bearded Tit, 15+ Reed Bunting, 1 Kestrel, 3 Little Grebe, 1 Yellowhammer, male 2 female, 50+ Golden Plover, 1 Black=tailed Godwit, 20+ Teal, 1 Greater Black-backed Gull. Jane Baxter.
Hadleigh, Church Road, 11:05 to 12:10
1 Woodcock, a garden first and certainly a first for me! Spent much of the time in the borders. Ellen Hume.
Two Tree Island 12:25
2 Little Egret. Tony Jones.
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 14:20 to 17:00
A few Swallow passed through Coryton, 2 very shy Redwing at Coryton, 600+ Teal on lagoon and creek, a few dozen Wigeon at lagoon, 1 Shoveler at Manorway Fleet, drake and female Pochard at Manorway Fleet, Cetti's Warbler heard. Richard Fahey.
Tuesday 15th October 2013westerly, mostly cloudy, max12°c
RSPB Rainham Marshes 09:40 to 13:30
Sightings from Purfleet hide: 2 House Martin, c.50 Lapwing, 6 Wigeon, few Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, many Meadow Pipit, 1 Pied Wagtail, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret, 2 Kestrel (the female of the pair hunting successfully with only one eye), small numbers of Canada and Greylag Geese. David & Brenda Hale.
Chelmsford, River Can 10:15
2 Grey Wagtail by viaduct. Tim Davis.
Southend, Victoria Avenue 11:55
1 Peregrine Falcon south down Victoria Avenue. Richard Mander.
Rainham, Ferry Lane 13:45 to 15:40
1 Greenshank, c.60 Redshank, c.20 Linnet, 2 Lapwing, 1 Kestrel, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Pied Wagtail, 2 Mallard, 8 Teal, 1 Great Black-backed Gull, many Black-headed Gull, few Herring and Lesser Black-backed Gull. David & Brenda Hale.
Hanningfield Reservoir Causeway 14:30 to 15:00
100+ Tufted Duck, 80+ Pochard, 200+ Mallard, 70+ Wigeon, 1 Teal, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 100+ Canada Geese, 12 Gadwall, 40+ Cormorant, 150+ Coot, 3 Moorhen, 100+ Shoveler, 150+ Greylag Geese, 100+ Black-headed Gull, 50+ Herring Gull, 6 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 5 Magpie, 32 Common Crow, 18 Mute Swan, 1 Chaffinch. Rob Harris.
Woodham Ferrers, Edwins Hall Road 15:40 to 15:50
5 Pheasant, 1 Red-legged Partridge, 1 Kestrel, 3 Chaffinch, 40+ Woodpigeon, 35 Carrion Crow, 3 Magpie. Rob Harris.
Monday 14th October 2013south westerly, mostly cloudy, max12°c
Shoeburyness, Gunners Park 10:00 to 10:30
2 male, 2 female Parrot Crossbill. Tim Davis.
Wat Tyler Country Park 10:00 to 12:00
Sightings from scrape hide: 14 Snipe, c.50 Lapwing, 1 female Marsh Harrier, 1 Kestrel, 2 Jay, Teal, Mallard, Shoveler, Gadwall, Pochard, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Great Tit, 1 Blue Tit, Cetti's Warbler heard, Bearded Tit heard. 1 Fox. David & Brenda Hale.
Shoeburyness, Gunners Park 11:00 to 12:00
2 male Parrot Crossbill, 1 Jay, 50+ Brent Geese, 30+ Oystercatcher. Rob Harris.
Maldon Promenade and Limbourne Creek 11:00 to 12:30
60+ Avocet, 100 Golden Plover, 2 Corn Bunting, 10 Meadow Pipit, 1 Marsh Harrier, 3 Kestrel, 7 Little Egret, 2 Cormorant, 4 Mute Swan, 6 Brent Geese, 60+ Teal, 40+ Wigeon, 10+ Redshank, 1 Snipe, 30 Goldfinch, 15 Coot, 25 Mallard, 35-30 Lapwing. Joe.
RSPB Wallasea Island 12:30 to 13:00
1 Kestrel, 40+ Carrion Crow, 250+ Starling, 20+ Corn Bunting, 20+ Goldfinch, 3 Magpie, 20+ Herring Gull. Rob Harris.
RSPB West Canvey Marsh 12:30 to 16:30
2 Green Sandpiper, 3 Common Gull, 4 Pied Wagtail, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 7 Curlew, c.15 Wigeon, c.15 Shoveler, few Mallard, few Pochard, 1 Tufted Duck, 4 Meadow Pipit, 2 Kestrel, 1 female Marsh Harrier, 1 Reed Bunting, 2 Robin, 1 Chaffinch, 1 Blue Tit, 2 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, c.20 Canada Geese, 12 Greylag Geese, 1000+ Gulls over distant landfill site. 1 Fox. David & Brenda Hale.
Canewdon 13:10 to 13:15
1 Green Woodpecker. Rob Harris.
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 15:45 to 18:00
c.4 Yellow-legged Gull with Great-black Backed and Black-headed Gull near Canvey barrier, Water Rail heard near Manorway Fleet, 25+ Wigeon, 450+ Teal, Green Sandpiper heard, drake Pochard on Manorway Fleet, a few Little Egret on creek, Cetti's Warbler heard. Richard Fahey.
Sunday 13th October 2013westerly, mostly cloudy, rain, max12°c
Shoeburyness, Gunners Park 09:00 to 09:10
2 male, 2 female Parrot Crossbill 
. Kris Mee, Web Author.
Shoeburyness, Gunners Park 14:30 to 15:00
2 male, 2 female Parrot Crossbill, 1 Swallow, 5 Collared Dove, 12 Woodpigeon, 6 House Sparrow. Rob Harris.
Saturday 12th October 2013variable, partly cloudy, max14°c
Gunners Park 09:00 to 09:15
2 Ring Ouzel in apple tree to right between bridge and reserve fence. Jeff Elliott, Tom Ollington.
Thurrock Thameside Nature Park 09:00 to 10:15
1 Shag some 400yds out from hide on old barge, 200+ Avocet, 250+ Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Wigeon, 1 Little Egret, 100+ Goldfinch. Richard Fahey.
Shoeburyness, Gunners Park 09:30 to 11:30
1 Mistle Thrush, 15 Song Thrush, 7 Redwing, 2 Chiffchaff, male Bearded Tit, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 female and 2 male Crossbill, 3 Skylark, 1 male Blackcap. Pat Dandridge.
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 13:40 to 16:50
1 Whinchat, 1 2nd year Mediterranean Gull with Great Black-backed Gulls near Canvey barrier, a few very shy Redwing at Coryton, at least 2 White Wagtail and Pied Wagtail, 3 Green Sandpiper, 2 Snipe, 300+ Teal mostly on creek, 3 Wigeon, pair of Gadwall and drake Pochard on Manorway Creek, 1 Cetti's Warbler heard, a few Little Egret at creek. Richard Fahey.
RSPB Canvey Wick 14:00 to 16:30
3 Ring Ouzel (1 adult female, 2 1st winter in a group which flew into the cemetery. I later saw the two immature birds from Northwick Road on the western fence of the cemetery), 20+ Redwing, 5 Mistle Thrush, 2 Song Thrush, 4 Chiffchaff, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Sparrowhawk. Jerry Stock.
Abberton Reservoir 15:00 to 15:50
30+ Canada Geese, 200+ Coot, 50+ Greylag Geese, 5 Moorhen, 200+ Mallard, 90+ Pochard, 6 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret, 70+ Lapwing, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Magpie, 80+ Cormorant, 300+ Starling, 20+ Mute Swan, 150+ Black-headed Gull, 5 Common Gull, 50+ Herring Gull, 7 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 70+ Shoveler, 4 Pied Wagtail, 1 Green Sandpiper, 60+ Woodpigeon, 1 Kestrel, 1 Marsh Harrier 200+ Carrion Crow, 8 Jackdaw, 6 Pheasant, 2 Chaffinch, 5 Collared Dove, 1 Swan Goose, 1 Aylesbury Duck, 6 hybrid Geese. Rob Harris.
Friday 11th October 2013northerly, mostly cloudy, max14°c
EWT Thurrock Thameside 10:45 to 16:00
12 Gannet, 200+ Avocet, c.200 Black-tailed Godwit, c.50 Shelduck, many Teal, c.20 Grey Plover, c.30 Redshank, 2 Oystercatcher, few Dunlin, 1 Common Tern, 7 Common Scoter, 7 Mute Swan, 1 Marsh Harrier crossing Thames Kent to Essex, 1 Kestrel, c.50 Curlew, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Little Egret, 15 Brent Geese, 1 Greenshank, 6 Wigeon, few Mallard, 15 Goldfinch, 1 Pied Wagtail, 2 Great Tit, 1 Blue Tit. David Hale.
Thursday 10th October 2013north westerly, partly cloudy, max12°c
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 16:05 to 18:25
1 Water Rail flew across Manorway Fleet, 1 Peregrine Falcon flew low over Manorway Fleet, 2 Green Sandpiper, 1 Snipe, 7 Gadwall on Manorway Fleet, 1 Cetti's Warbler heard, c.7 Little Egret. Richard Fahey.
Hanningfield Reservoir Causeway 16:30 to 16:50
200+ Tufted Duck, 100+ Pochard, 200+ Mallard, 100+ Wigeon, 1 Teal, 6 Great Crested Grebe, 100+ Canada Geese, 12 Gadwall, 40+ Cormorant, 200+ Coot, 3 Moorhen, 6 Red Crested Pochard, 100+ Shoveler, 150+ Greylag Geese, 200+ Black-headed Gull, 9 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1 Magpie, 100+ Herring Gull, 2 Common Crow, 23 Mute Swan. Rob Harris.
Wednesday 09th October 2013westerly, partly cloudy, max17°c
Hockley, Plumberow and Crabtree Woods, 10:00 to 13:00
1 Buzzard, 2 Sparrowhawk, 5 Redwing, 1 Corn Bunting, 4 Meadow Pipit, 10 Long-Tailed Tit, 12 Pied Wagtail, 40 Chaffinch, 6 Greenfinch, 3 Goldfinch, 3 Great Black-backed Gull, 4 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Mistle Thrush. David Glover.
Gunners Park, Seawall Barge Pier 14:30
Pair of Wheatear flying along from Barge Pier to Coastguard Station, prolonged sightings making excellent views of these attractive birds. Jill & John Parsons.
Tuesday 08th October 2013south west, partly cloudy, max20°c
South Fambridge 09:00 to 09:30
1 Kestrel, 1 Buzzard high over North Fambridge, 135 Rook and 22 Jackdaw on freshly ploughed field, 1 Jay, 3 Skylark over west, 1 Redwing, many Chaffinch - probably 100+ but very mobile, 7 Goldfinch. David Selley.
EWT Hanningfield Reservoir 09:50 to 14:30
1 Buzzard, 1 female Marsh Harrier, 6 Meadow Pipit, c.15 Grey Heron, c.50 Mute Swan, 3 Ruff, 4 Ringed Plover, 50+ Lapwing, 1 Little Egret, 1 Moorhen, 500+ Coot, c.50 Cormorant, c.500 Tufted Duck, c.200 Wigeon, many Shoveler, Pintail, Teal, Mallard, 2 Gadwall, Greylag Geese, Canada Geese, 4 Stock Dove, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, Robin, Great Tit, Blue Tit. c.15 Lesser Black-backed Gull, few Herring Gull, many Black-headed Gull. David & Brenda Hale.
Shoeburyness, Gunners Park 10:15
1 Sparrowhawk seen low into nature reserve in pursuit of a pigeon - the latter reached cover of trees. A short time later the Sparrowhawk was seen being mobbed by 2 or 3 Magpies. Mick.
St Osyth Beach 13:00 to 14:00
18 Swallow, 300+ Starling, 70+ Woodpigeon, 14 Herring Gull, 6 Jackdaw, 9 Carrion Crow, 3 Magpie. Rob Harris.
Abberton Reservoir 14:50 to 15:45
1 Swallow, 30+ Canada Geese, 200+ Coot, 5 Grey Heron, 40+ Greylag Geese, 7 Moorhen, 70+ Mallard, 40+ Pochard, 4 Little Egret, 50+ Lapwing, 30+ Cormorant, 30+ Starling, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 7 Magpie, 6 Mute Swan, 20+ Shoveler, 250+ Black-headed Gull, 5 Common Gull, 50+ Herring Gull, 12 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 4 Pied Wagtail, 1 Swan Goose, 1 Aylesbury Duck, 70+ Carrion Crow, 9 hybrid Geese. Rob Harris.
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 15:55 to 18:30
1 Green Sandpiper up from Manorway Fleet, 1 Snipe, Water Rail heard at Manorway Fleet, pair of Shoveler and a drake Pochard at Manorway Fleet, Cetti's Warbler heard, 2 Little Egret on opposite side of fleet, 1 Sparrowhawk. Richard Fahey.
Hanningfield Reservoir 17:30 to 17:50
250+ Tufted Duck, 150+ Pochard, 200+ Mallard, 3 Little Grebe, 6 Great Crested Grebe, 100+ Canada Geese, 150+ Greylag Geese, 300+ Black-headed Gull, 9 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 3 Magpie, 200+ Herring Gull, 7 Common Crow, 40+ Cormorant, 200+ Coot, 8 Moorhen, 6 Red Crested Pochard, 4 Gadwall, 9 Moorhen, 20+ Shoveler, 16 Mute Swan, 30+ Lapwing, 50+ Wigeon, 12 Teal, 5 Pied Wagtail. Rob Harris.
Ashingdon, Princess Gardens 17:15
1 House Martin - single bird over the garden for most of the afternoon, 1 Chiffchaff singing. David Selley.
Monday 07th October 2013south westerly, mostly cloudy, max19°c
Thundersley, Asquith Gardens 11:30 to 12:30
Chiffchaff singing and seen well in garden trees. Steve Simmons.
RSPB Rainham Marsh 15:00 to 15:50
1 Kestrel, 1 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 20+ Ringed Plover, 30+ Lapwing, 1 Moorhen, 30+ Wigeon, 5 Teal, 30+ Mallard, 4 Greenfinch, 8 Goldfinch, 40+ House Sparrow, 30+ Starling, 30+ Woodpigeon, 10+ Collared Dove, 12 Herring Gull, 4 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 20+ Black-headed Gull. One Domestic Cat hiding in Bushes under bird feeders?? Rob Harris.
Wickford A132 17:35 to 17:40
2 Red-legged Partridge. Rob Harris.
Sunday 06th October 2013south westerly, few clouds, max19°c
River Crouch 07:00 to 09:30
2 Kingfisher - one near Brandy Hole, one towards Battlesbridge, pair Peregrine Falcon on Pylon along R. Crouch towards Battlesbridge. David Chivers.
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 08:20 to 11:25
1 Spotted Redshank on creek with Redshanks, 1 female Marsh Harrier, 1 Water Rail heard at Manorway Fleet, 2 Green Sandpiper, 1 Snipe, 1 Wigeon on creek, 150+ Teal on creek, c.5 Gadwall and drake Pochard on Manorway Fleet, Cetti's Warbler heard, a few Little Egret. Richard Fahey.
Coalhouse Fort 10:00 to 12:45
3 male and 2 female/immature Stonechat, c.15 Reed Bunting, 2 Sparrowhawk, 1 Peregrine Falcon, 1,080 Avocet, 330 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Common Seal. Andrew Gouldstone.
Paglesham Eastend 11:05 to 12:30
2 Buzzard thermalling and calling, 1 Great-crested Grebe, 7 Little Egret, 27 Redshank, 14 Ringed Plover, 5 Golden Plover, 1 Lapwing, 1 Green Woodpecker, 50+ Skylark and 28 Meadow Pipit in small groups west and south, 6 Goldfinch. Red Admiral, Comma and Peacock butterflies feeding on ivy flowers. David Selley.
RSPB Wallasea Island 17:00 to 17:45
2 Kestrel, 3 Mute Swan, 14 Carrion Crow, 6 Magpie, 5 Pheasant, 1 Blackbird, 1 Canada Goose, 14 Redshank, 9 Mallard, 8 Moorhen, 40+ Woodpigeon, 1 Little Egret, 2 Oystercatcher, 7 Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, 10 Black-headed Gull. Rob Harris.
RSPB Vange Marsh 17:00 to 18:30
29 Snipe, 5 Little Ringed Plover, 3 Green Sandpiper, 3 Black-tailed Godwit, 50+ Wigeon, 100+ Lapwing, 2 Bearded Tit feeding on seed heads. David Shepherd.
Rayne, Essex
Honey Buzzard over Rayne village heading south this evening. Mark Bicknell.
Saturday 05th October 2013westerly, partly cloudy, max18°c
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton and Bowers Gifford Tip 13:15 to 16:45
1 Wheatear on seawall by Holehaven Creek, 1 Sedge Warbler showed well behind shrub along track at Coryton, c.13 Yellow-legged Gull on waste ground below Bowers Gifford Tip, 1 Green Sandpiper heard, 1 Snipe, 6 Gadwall, 1 Wigeon, a drake Shoveler and Pochard on Manorway Fleet, Cetti's Warbler heard over area, 10+ Little Egret. Richard Fahey.
Friday 04th October 2013south westerly, partly cloudy, max20°c
Hanningfield Reservoir Causeway 08:30 To 08:45
150+ Tufted Duck, 100+ Pochard, 150+ Mallard, 2 Little Grebe, 5 Great Crested Grebe, 50+ Canada Geese, 100+ Greylag Geese, 20+ Black-headed Gull, 7 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 3 Magpie, 63+ Herring Gull, 12 Common Crow, 100+ Cormorant, 200+ Coot, 1 Moorhen, 6 Red Crested Pochard, 3 Gadwall, 20+ Shoveler, 20+ Mute Swan, 15 Lapwing, 9 Wigeon, 2 Teal. Rob Harris.
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton and Bowers Gifford Tip 09:20 to 11:40
1 Yellow-legged Gull on 'dirt' mound by other side of creek, 10+ Swallow, 4 Wigeon and a 110+ Teal on creek, Cetti's Warbler heard across area, a few Little Egret. Richard Fahey.
Thurrock Thameside Nature Reserve 10:00 to 11:40
67 Shelduck, 31 Curlew, 15 Redshank, 1 drake and 2 female Pintail, c.60 Teal, 2 Little Egret, 8 Skylark, 120 Starling. Denis Tuck.
RSPB Wallasea Wetlands 17:00
1 Hobby, c.20 House Martin, 150 Golden Plover. Jeff Delve.
Thursday 03rd October 2013easterly, cloud, rain, max18°c
First winter migrant report - Redwing
Canewdon Church 06:40 to 07:15
4 Redwing west at 6:40, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Green Woodpecker, Robin, Wren, Blue Tit and Great Tit all singing. David Selley.
Hockley, Plumberow Wood/Mount, 09:00 to 10:00
6 Swallow, 2 Buzzard, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Meadow Pipit, 15 Long-tailed Tit, 5 Green Woodpecker, 4 Great Spotted Woodpecker, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker heard, 3 Goldfinch, 2 Pied Wagtail, 6 Chaffinch. Dave Glover.
Two Tree Island 09:15 to 10:45
26 Greenshank on western lagoon, 1 juvenile Curlew Sandpiper on mud near slipway, c.4000 Brent Geese at the eastern end of island. Andrew Gouldstone.
Shoeburyness, Gunners Park 13:30
3 Sanderling, c.15 Ringed Plover, 4 Sandwich Tern heading east. Andrew Gouldstone.
South Woodham Ferrers, River Crouch 16:30
200+ Teal, 20+ Wigeon, 30+ Redshank, 8 Black-tailed Godwit, 25+ Lapwing, 100+ Black-headed Gull, 50+ Herring Gull, 30+ Lesser Black-backed Gull, 7+ Little Egret. Jamie Sippitt.
Private Site Near Great Wakering
5 Brambling in garden most of the day. Steve Giles.
Wednesday 02nd October 2013east south east, mostly cloudy rain, max17°c
Wat Tyler Country Park 15:00 to 16:00
2 Marsh Harrier, 3 Snipe, 2 Jay, 1 Cetti's Warbler, Wigeon, Pochard, Shoveler, Gadwall, Teal, Water Rail heard. Mick Roe.
Canvey Point 15:00 to 16:15
1000+ Brent Geese, 400+ Wigeon, 100+ Redshank, 3 Greenshank, 50+ Ringed Plover, 10 Grey Plover, 2 Golden Plover, 4 Bar-tailed Godwit, 30+ Dunlin, 5 Turnstone, 9 Little Egret, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 20+ Curlew. T. Blackwell.
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 16:05 to 18:40
2 Kingfisher at Manorway Fleet, 3 Avocet on creek, single female and adult male Marsh Harrier, 3 Green Sandpiper, c.8 Wigeon, 7 Gadwall, 1 female Pochard and 3 Shoveler on Manorway Fleet, Cetti's Warbler heard over area, a few Little Egret. Richard Fahey.
Hockley, Woodlands Road 17:30
6 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Goldcrest in elder tree in garden. David Z.
Tuesday 01st October 2013easterly, mostly cloudy, max16°c
Leigh on Sea, Park View Drive 07:23
5 Swallow south over garden. Kris Mee, Web Author.
East Tilbury 11:00 to 14:30
1 Razorbill, 1 Fulmar, 1 Little Gull, at least 4 Arctic Skua, 2 Lesser Whitethroat. Mike Butler.
Abberton Reservoir 14:00 to 15:00
30+ Canada Geese, 90+ Coot, 1 Grey Heron, 40+ Greylag Geese, 3 Moorhen, 70+ Mallard, 40+ Pochard, 7 Grey Heron, 4 Little Egret, 70+ Lapwing, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 7 Magpie, 30+ Cormorant, 30+ Starling, 20+ Mute Swan, 60+ Black-headed Gull, 5 Common Gull, 50+ Herring Gull, 7 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 9 Shoveler, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Swan Goose, 1 Aylesbury Duck, 6 hybrid Geese. Rob Harris.
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 15:50 to 18:25
1 Whimbrel on creek, 3 Marsh Harrier, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Snipe, 3 Wigeon with 7 Gadwall on Manorway Fleet, 50+ Teal mostly on creek, 1 Cetti's Warbler heard and a Great Spotted Woodpecker flew over by manorway roundabout, a few Little Egret, 1 female Sparrowhawk hunting east of track. Richard Fahey.
Hanningfield Reservoir 17:00 to 17:20
150+ Tufted Duck, 50+ Pochard, 100+ Mallard, 5 Little Grebe, 9 Great Crested Grebe, 50+ Canada Geese, 70+ Greylag Geese, 130+ Black-headed Gull, 4 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 3 Magpie, 60+ Herring Gull, 7 Common Crow, 40+ Cormorant, 200+ Coot, 4 Moorhen, 11 Red Crested Pochard, 6 Gadwall, 9 Moorhen, 12 Shoveler, 20+ Mute Swan, 50+ Lapwing, 5 Wigeon, 3 Pied Wagtail, 1 Blackbird. Rob Harris.