South East Essex RSPB Wildlife Reports for October 2014
Friday 31st October 2014southerly, clear, max22°c
Abberton Reservoir 11:00 to 15:00
Great White Egret, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Mute Swan, Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Wigeon, Gadwall, Teal, Mallard, Pintail, Shoveler, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Moorhen, Coot, Lapwing, Ruff, Black-headed Gull, Woodpigeon, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Starling, Chaffinch, Swan Goose. Clouded Yellow, Red Admiral. Kevin Taylor.
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 12:53 to 15:42
1 male Brambling well seen near track and barns, 1 Yellow-legged Gull in mixed gull flock near Canvey barrier, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 male Peregrine Falcon around Manorway roundabout, 2 Marsh Harrier, c.15 Wigeon on creek, c.8 Shoveler on creek and Manorway Fleet, 1 Gadwall on Manorway Fleet, 100+ Teal on creek and a few on Manorway Fleet, 1 Green Sandpiper, c.150+ Lapwing on lagoon, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Little Egret at creek, a few Cetti's Warbler heard at Coryton, 1 Stonechat. Richard Fahey.
Two Tree Island 14:30
Short-eared Owl. The owl was perched on a post to the left of the hide overlooking the lagoon. It flew over the lagoon, turned and flew off to the left. Bob and Lin Preston.
Thursday 30th October 2014southerly, partly cloudy, max19°c
Southchurch Park East 08:40
2 Water Rail chasing each other around holt and reed bed north of usual Bloomfield bench, 2 Teal in same area, 1 is a juvenile and is now starting to get adult drake plumage so we believe we should have a pair for the next breeding season. Robert Dobinson.
Rochford 15:00 to 15:40
Many hundreds of Seven-spot Ladybirds, including melanic forms, appeared in a single very visible and dense cloud (looking like a swarm of bees), in the Roche Close area settling on walls, pavements, and people. In the nearby Square there were none. David Selley.
Daws Heath 21:00
1 female Tawny Owl calling from the bottom of my garden. Mike Sagrott.
Wednesday 29th October 2014east north east, rain, max15°c
EWT Hanningfield Reservoir 10:00 to 16:20
8 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Ruff, c.20 Meadow Pipit, c.15 Pied Wagtail, 1 Linnet, c.20 Chaffinch, 7 Grey Heron, 1 little Egret, 1 Snipe, 1 Kestrel, 1 Swallow, 1 House Martin, 7 drake and 1 female Pintail, 1 female Red-crested Pochard, 1 drake Pochard, 9 Moorhen, few Lapwing, many Great Crested Grebe, Little Grebe, c.30 Wigeon, small numbers of Teal, Mallard, Shoveler, Gadwall, 100+ Canada Geese, c.50 Greylag Geese. 3 Muntjac Deer. David & Brenda Hale.
Tuesday 28th October 2014southerly, partly cloudy, max16°c
Southchurch Park East 08:30
1 Water Rail flying (6ft away) out of reeds below Bloomfield bench to usual reed bed an into cover, 1 Water Rail calling back from other side (NW) of same reed bed, 2 Teal grooming in same Reed bed stubble area, 2 Jay squaring up to a few Magpie in back gardens of Shaftesbury Avenue. Robert Dobinson.
RSPB Wallasea Island 11:00 to 12:00
1 Hen Harrier, 3 Marsh Harrier, 1 Rough-Legged Buzzard, 2 Kestrel, 1 Peregrine Falcon, 1 Sparrowhawk, Corn Bunting, Skylark. 3+ Hare. Robin Peppiatt.
Two Tree Island 12:00 to 15:45
West side: 3 Swallow, Kingfisher on post in front of scrape hide, Marsh Harrier being mobbed by crows over downs north of Benfleet station, Greenshank, Redshank, Dunlin, 3 Snipe, few Lapwing, few Black-tailed Godwit, several Shoveler, few Wigeon, 1 Little Egret, Grey Plover, Golden Plover, 70+ Ringed Plover. East side: Long-tailed Tit, Little Grebe, Little Egret. 1 Clouded Yellow, a few Red Admiral. Peter Bowden.
Rayleigh, Ferndale Road 16:00
1 Common Buzzard. Robin Peppiatt.
Monday 27th October 2014southerly, scattered clouds, max18°c
RSPB Wallasea Island 11:00 to 15:00
1 female Merlin, 1 ringtail Hen Harrier, 3 Marsh Harrier, 1 distant Buzzard, 3+ Kestrel, large flock of both Black and Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Turnstone, 500+ Golden Plover, 150 Lapwing, 67 Redshank, 50 Ringed Plover, 13 Corn Bunting, many Meadow Pipit and Skylark, 6 Little Egret, 3 Wigeon, 13 Teal, 10 Brent Goose, probable Peregrine Falcon. Aston Phillips.
Sunday 26th October 2014south westerly, mostly cloudy, max16°c
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 09:00 to 11:40
3 Redwing, 1 Stonechat, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Kingfisher flushed from north reed bed sluice, 30+ Wigeon mostly on creek and a few at Manorway fleet, 300+ Teal mostly on creek, 1 drake Shoveler on Manorway Fleet, c.50 Lapwing on lagoon/creek, a few Black-tailed Godwit on creek, Cetti's Warbler heard at Coryton, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker at Manorway Fleet, 1 Green Woodpecker. Richard Fahey.
Wakering Stairs 10:00 to 11:40
14 Little Egret, 445 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 2 Kestrel, 1240 Oystercatcher, c.300 Dunlin, 98 Grey Plover, 48 Ringed Plover, c.250 Curlew, 29 Redshank, 39 Lesser Black-backed Gull, mixed flock of about 500 Black-headed Gull, 150 Common Gull, and 50 Herring Gull, 10 Meadow Pipit, 2 Stonechat, 18 Goldfinch, 40+ Chaffinch, 2 Siskin - possibly more with the finch flock, 1 Reed Bunting. David Selley.
River Crouch 11:30
7 Avocet crossing the river at North Fambridge. Gavin Thompson.
Hanningfield Reservoir 12:30 to 16:00
Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Grey Heron, Mute Swan, Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Wigeon, Gadwall, Teal, Mallard, Pintail, Shoveler, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Moorhen, Coot, Lapwing, Ruff, Black-tailed Godwit, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Stock Dove, Woodpigeon, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Starling, Chaffinch, Linnet. Kevin Taylor.
RSPB Wallasea Island 13:15 to 17:00
1 male, 4 female and 1 immature Marsh Harrier, 1 ringtail Hen Harrier, 3 Short-eared Owl, 2 Peregrine Falcon, 1 male Merlin, 3 Kestrel, c.15 Corn Bunting, 3 Stonechat, c.100 Linnet, 1 female Pintail. Andrew Gouldstone and Emma Stobart.
Southend Pier 14:00
25 Brent Geese swimming right by the shoreline by Sands Restaurant. Ellie.
RSPB Bowers Marsh 14:30 to 16:00
1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Marsh Harrier between East Haven and main path, 1 Green Sandpiper, dozens of Lapwing, 3 Grey Heron, dozens of Greylag and Canada Geese. Tim Bennett.
Saturday 25th October 2014south westerly, scattered clouds, max16°c
Southchurch Park East and Southchurch Park 08:10 to 08:20 and 13:00
5 Mute Swan flew full length of ponds westerly, the three cygnets flew off to estuary, did four circuits of park and landed directly in front of us, 2 Teal feeding near sluice gate, 2 Water Rail calling (squealing) from the north east side of the low reed bed, Bloomfield bench, 1 Green Woodpecker flying east along grass bank. 1 Water Rail running into reed opening, north of Bloomfield bench. Robert Dobinson.
Abberton Reservoir 13:00 to 14:15
7 Great Crested Grebe, 100+ Cormorant, 200+ Coot, 20 Mute Swan, 200+ Mallard, 7 Magpie, 200+ Pochard, 200+ Tufted Duck, 32 Shoveler, 18 Gadwall, 12 Moorhen, 5 Pied Wagtail, 2 Stonechat, 1 Chaffinch, 3 Greater Black-backed Gull, 250+ Black-headed Gull, 300+ Herring Gull, 2 Grey Heron, 9 Little Egret, 2 Kestrel, 100+ Canada Geese, 60+ Greylag Geese, 50+ Woodpigeon, 100+ Carrion Crow, 40+ Starling, 4 Goldfinch, 9 Pintail, 2 Blackbird, 2 Wren, 1 Swan Goose, 4 White Hybrid Geese. Rob Harris.
RSPB Wallasea Island 13:00 to 14:30
1 Rough-legged Buzzard, 5 Buzzard, 4 Kestrel, 1 Merlin, c.6 Marsh Harrier, 1 Sparrowhawk, many Skylark, big flocks of Starling moving around, Stonechat, Meadow Pipit, 20+ Mute Swan in off the sea. Jim and Lin Bailey.
Hockley, Riverside Nursery 15:30 to 16:10
3 Grey Wagtail with 12 Pied Wagtail on front lawns, 9 Skylark over going West, 5 Goldfinch. David Selley.
RSPB Wallasea Island 16:30 to 17:30
2 Marsh Harrier, 2 Kestrel, 1 Merlin, 1 Hen Harrier, 1 Grey Heron, 100+ Mallard, 20+ Linnet, 6 Skylark, 20+ Goldfinch, 1 Pheasant, 100+ Woodpigeon, 100+ mixed Gull Flock, 12 Carrion Crow, 30+ Starling, 20+ Black-tailed Godwit, 50+ Redshank, 60+ Lapwing. Rob Harris.
RSPB Wallasea Island 16:30 to 17:45
4 Marsh Harrier, 1 ringtail Hen Harrier, 1 Buzzard, 2 Kestrel, 1 Merlin, 1 Short-eared Owl, 30+ Goldfinch, Corn Bunting. Kris Mee, Web Author.
Friday 24th October 2014south south westerly, scattered clouds, max17°c
RSPB Wallasea Island 12:30 to 14:30
4 female and 1 male Marsh Harrier, 1 Peregrine Falcon hunting low, 2 Kestrel, 1 Short-eared Owl hunting and a possible 2nd coming in from the sea, many Meadow Pipit and Skylark. Jim Bailey.
Southchurch Park East 98:40 and 12:45
1 Teal feeding in Reed mud bed, 1 Water Rail running around same SW area this morning and another calling (squeeling) from the NE side of the same reed bed. Robert Dobinson.
Boyce Hill Golf Club 15:00
Small flock Sand Martin. Richard Shepherd.
Thursday 23rd October 2014south westerly, scattered clouds, max16°c
Two Tree Island 11:15 to 14:15
1 female Stonechat, 1 male Blackbird, 2 Great Tit, many Meadow Pipit, 2 Kestrel, many Grey Plover, many Redshank, 20 Greenshank, 1 Yellow-legged Gull, 8 Common Gull, 1 Great Black-blacked Gull, 60+ Avocet, c.30 Dunlin, c.20 Knot, few Turnstone, 4 Ringed Plover, 15 Snipe, c.100 Lapwing, 2 Curlew, 3 Oystercatcher, c.100 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit (this bird had both feet missing, a very sad sight), 100s Brent Geese, few Little Egret, 2 Turnstone, c.20 Shelduck, several Shoveler, c.30 Wigeon, many Teal. 1 Weasel, swimming to scrape island. David & Brenda Hale.
RSPB Wallasea Island 13:00 to 14:15
5 Marsh Harrier, 1 Rough-legged Buzzard, 5 Kestrel, 1 Merlin, 1 Little Egret, 2 Grey Heron, 20 Shelduck, 8 Mallard, 30+ Linnet, 12 Skylark, 20+ Goldfinch, 200+ Woodpigeon, 150+ Mixed Gull Flock, 15 Carrion Crow, 20+ Starling. Rob Harris.
Wednesday 22nd October 2014westerly, few clouds, max14°c
Wickford 07:30 to 08:30
Woodpigeon, flocks of c.50 birds at a time flying south every few minutes during the hour that I spent watching the sky. David Hale.
EWT Hanningfield Reservoir 10:00 to 16:20
2 Buzzard, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Jay, 6 Pied Wagtail, few Meadow Pipit, c.12 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Swallow, 1 Treecreeper, c.10 Chaffinch, c.20 Pintail, c.30 Lapwing, 4 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Dunlin, 1 Ruff, 1 Ringed Plover, few Great Tit, few Blue Tit, 8 Little Grebe, 1 Common Gull, 6 Great Black-backed Gull, few Pochard, Mallard, Shoveler, Tufted Duck, Gadwall, many Teal. 1 Weasel, 2 Muntjac Deer. David & Brenda Hale.
Thameside Nature Park, Thurrock 11:20
Red kite heading south. Paul Frampton.
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 12:45 to 15:43
1 Brent Goose on lagoon, 1 Whimbrel alone on creek, 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Stonechat included a male north of Manorway reed bed, 2 Buzzard included a dark bird about and a well marked one north past barrier, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Kingfisher at sluices by creek and north reed bed, 1 Water Rail heard at Manorway Fleet, c.9 Wigeon at creek and Manorway Fleet, 9 Gadwall and 5 Shoveler at Manorway Fleet, 60+ Teal mostly at lagoon and a few at Manorway Fleet, 2 Little Egret, Cetti's Warbler heard in a few spots, a few Black-tailed Godwit on lagoon, 45+ Lapwing on lagoon, 1 Little Grebe on creek. Richard Fahey.
Canvey Point 14:00 to 15:15
5 Gannet, 1500+ Brent Geese, 50 Oystercatcher, 28 Ringed plover, 2 Grey Plover, 20 Dunlin, 30+ Turnstone, 10 Little Egret, 30 Curlew, 25 Redshank, 5 Cormorant, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Knot, 20+ Meadow Pipit. T. Blackwell.
Tilbury Docks 16:30
2 Raven at the grain terminals. Paul Frampton.
Tuesday 21st October 2014westerly, rain, max16°c
Ashingdon, Princess Gardens 14:05
1 House Martin. David Selley.
Monday 20th October 2014west south west, partly cloudy, max17°c
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 08:42 to 11:40
1 immature male Ring Ouzel seen with another birdwatcher in thicket along Coryton track, 1 Stonechat, 1 Marsh Harrier, Wigeon singles at Manorway Fleet and lagoon, 4 Shoveler at Manorway Fleet, 80+ Teal mostly on lagoon, c.40 Lapwing on lagoon/creek, 10+ Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Little Egret at creek, Cetti's Warbler heard included one seen singing in bush at Coryton, 3 Little Grebe on creek, 1 Green Woodpecker at Manorway Fleet. Richard Fahey.
RSPB Wallasea Island 12:30 to 13:30
1 Rough-legged Buzzard (good views for 20 minutes), 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Peregrine Falcon, 2 Marsh Harrier, 1 Kestrel, 1 Wheatear, 2 Pheasant. Mick Roe.
RSPB Wallasea Island 13:15 to 13:45
1 Little Egret, 2 Buzzard, 2 Marsh Harrier, 1 Kestrel, 20+ Linnet, 1 male Pheasant. David Z.
Sunday 19th October 2014south westerly, partly cloudy, max20°c
Stanford Warren 10:00 to 12:30
3 Green Woodpecker, 2 Sparrowhawk, 3 Cetti's Warbler heard one seen well, Bearded Tit heard, 4 House Martin, 1 Kingfisher, 3 Stonechat. 1 Clouded Yellow on sea wall at rear of Stanford Wharf. Andrew Gouldstone.
Saturday 18th October 2014south south westerly, mostly cloudy, max21°c
Hanningfield Reservoir 09:00 to 14:15
Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Mute Swan, Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Wigeon, Gadwall, Teal, Mallard, Pintail, Shoveler, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Pheasant, Moorhen, Coot, Lapwing, Ruff, Black-tailed Godwit, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Stock Dove, Woodpigeon, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Robin, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Starling, Chaffinch. Also seen today Red Admiral Butterfly. Kevin Taylor.
Thurrock Thameside Nature Park 09:50 to 11:10
2 Yellow-legged Gull, 14 Wigeon, c.7 Teal, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Little Egret. Richard Fahey.
RSPB Vange Marsh 12:30 to 16:00
4 Green Sandpiper, 6 Curlew, 2 Little Egret, 3 Little Grebe, 10 Pied Wagtail, 150+ Wigeon, 100+ Lapwing, 1 Stonechat, 2 Gadwall, 1 Marsh Harrier, Teal, Shoveler, Tufted Duck. David Shepherd.
Friday 17th October 2014south westerly, partly cloudy, max19°c
Belton Way West, Leigh on Sea 17:16 to 17:17
1 Buzzard high up. Martin Johnson.
Thursday 16th October 2014south westerly, partly cloudy, max19°c
Canewdon, St. Nicholas Church 07:40 to 08:00
26 Blackbird including 15 on church tower, 2 Song Thrush, 7 Redwing. "Chacking" calls heard but not able to track down. David Selley.
RSPB Wallasea Island 13:00 to 13:45
7 Mallard, 6 Magpie, 100+ Woodpigeon, 60+ Linnet, 20+ Starling, 200+ mixed Gull flock, 9 Carrion Crow, 50+ Goldfinch, 100+ Greylag Geese/Canada Geese, 2 Kestrel, 2 Marsh Harrier, 1 Hen Harrier, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Merlin, 1 Stonechat, 1 Blackbird. Rob Harris.
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 13:04 to 15:45
3 Stonechat, 3 Marsh Harrier, 1 adult male Peregrine Falcon low going just north of lagoon, 1 Bearded Tit heard closely at Manorway Fleet, 1 Water Rail heard at Manorway Fleet, a few Shoveler and 3 Gadwall at Manorway Fleet, 175+ Teal nearly all on creek, 50 Lapwing on lagoon/creek, 1 Little Egret on creek, Cetti's Warbler heard including at very close range near Manorway roundabout, 10+ Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Sparrowhawk. Richard Fahey.
Paglesham Churchend 14:00 to 14:20
36 Woodpigeon, 20+ Starling, 16 Carrion Crow, 1 Kestrel, 12 Pheasant, 3 Magpie. Rob Harris.
RSPB Wallasea Island 15:55 to 16:30
Access road and car park only: 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Hen Harrier, 1 Merlin tearing about over fields just south of Grapnells Farm, 15 Stock Dove, 25 Linnet, 2 Reed Bunting. David Selley.
Wednesday 15th October 2014easterly, rain, max15°c
RSPB Rainham Marshes 09:30 to 10:00
1 Great Skua, 2 Black Tern on river, 1 ringtail Hen Harrier, 2 Marsh Harrier. Andrew Gouldstone.
RSPB Wallasea Island 12:00 to 12:30
33 Mallard, 4 Magpie, 250+ Woodpigeon, 2 Moorhen, 60+ Linnet, 40+ Starling, 100+ Black-headed Gull, 14 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 4 Greater Black-backed Gull, 150+ Herring Gull, 15 Carrion Crow, 1 Kestrel, 1 Marsh Harrier, 100+ Greylag Geese/Canada Geese. Rob Harris.
Hanningfield Reservoir 14:00 to 14:30
7 Great Crested Grebe, 120+ Cormorant, 100+ Mallard, 150+ Pochard, 150+ Tufted Duck, 2 Magpie, 100+ Coot, 30+ Woodpigeon, 6 Moorhen, 100+ Black-headed Gull, 14 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1 Blackbird, 3 Greater Black-backed Gull, 150+ Herring Gull, 30+ Starling, 12 Carrion Crow, 7 Mute Swan, 1 Robin, 2 Kestrel, 5 Collared Dove, 40+ Greylag Geese. 6 Canada Geese, 1 Grey Heron. 8 Domestic White Geese. Rob Harris.
Tuesday 14th October 2014westerly, mostly cloudy, max16°c
South Benfleet 08:30
5 Redwing, 1 Song Thrush in garden. Pete Jackson.
Two Tree Island 13:30 to 16:45
2 Ring Ouzel in area south east of main gate to east side of island. Flew off high to the west. 100+ Redwing (one group of 50ish flew south west). Also influx of Song Thrush (20+ around island). Peter Studholme.
Monday 13th October 2014south easterly, rain, max17°c
First winter migrant report - Redwing
Rayleigh, Ferndale Road 01:15
2-3 Redwing calling at night. Robin Peppiatt.
Ashingdon, Canewdon Road 15:20
2 Redwing feeding on roadside hawthorn. David Selley.
Sunday 12th October 2014north easterly, clear then rain, max15°c
RSPB Wallasea Island 16:00 to 17:05
1 Cormorant, 5 Little Egret, 2 Mute Swan, 100+ Greylag Geese, 100+ Canada Goose, 5 Shelduck, 24 Mallard, 30+ Ringed Plover, 30 Lapwing, 2 Curlew, 30+ Redshank, 20+ Mallard, 8 Grey Heron, 40+ Woodpigeon, 4 Skylark, 3 Stonechat, 50+ Starling, 7 Magpie, 100+ Goldfinch, 60+ Linnet, 8 Corn Bunting, 17 Carrion Crow, 5 Marsh Harrier, 2 Hen Harrier, 5 Kestrel, 1 Merlin, 3 Pheasant, 16 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 100+ Black-headed Gull, 70+ Herring Gull. Rob Harris.
Saturday 11th October 2014north easterly, rain, max15°c
Southchurch Park 08:50
1 Mute Cygnet returned from estuary after five days on Thursday morning and getting badly attacked by the parents. It was caught with the help of Viv at 8.50am today and placed safely on the estuary where it flew out some way. It had a red banded vinyl/paper style ring on its left leg, Number 722. Robert Dobinson.
Fobbing Marsh 12:00 to 14:00
1 Grey Heron, 1 Marsh Harrier, many Carrion Crows, Robin, Stonechat pair, Swallow and House Martin flew past. Gavin Davis.
Hockey, Woodlands Road, 13:45
3 Buzzard circling quite low. David Zeffie.
Horndon on the Hill, Lower Dunton Road 15:00
4 Pheasant, Green Woodpecker, 6 Blue Tit, 4 Great Tit, 10+ Starling, 1 Robin, 8 Carrion Crow, Pied Wagtail, 2 Collared Dove, 2 Jay. Fox with a Rabbit, many Rabbits. Gavin Davis.
Southchurch Park East 15:30 and 17:15
2 Jays squabbling in top of large willow tree right of Bloomfield bench, 1 female Teal feeding in SW corner near sluice gate. 1 Jay feeding on grass in my back garden in Kensington Road 20ft away. Robert Dobinson.
RSPB Wallasea Island 18:30 to 18:55
1 Kestrel, 4 Magpie, 6 Carrion Crow, 1 Blackbird, 5 Herring Gull, 15 Black-headed Gull, 2 Little Owl (pair) on overhead wires in Creeksea road between Wallasea and Canewdon. Rob Harris.
Friday 10th October 2014south westerly, scattered clouds, max17°c
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 08:40 to 11:30
Chiffchaff singles seen and recognised by call near lagoon and Coryton, 2 Stonechat, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Green Sandpiper flying at Coryton, 1 Water Rail heard at Manorway Fleet, Wigeon included 5 at creek and 2 earlier circling over Manorway Fleet, 2 Shoveler high west over Manorway Fleet, c.10 Gadwall at Manorway Fleet, 150+ Teal mostly on creek, 2 Black-tailed Godwit on creek, c.5 Little Egret on creek, Cetti's Warbler heard in a few spots between near seawall and Manorway, 1 Sparrowhawk. Richard Fahey.
Hanningfield Reservoir 09:40 to 13:30
Coot, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Magpie, Cormorant, Great Crested Grebe, Mute Swan, Black-headed Gull, Tufted Duck, Mallard, Teal, Gadwall, Little Grebe, Great Black-backed Gull, Carrion Crow, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Robin, Lapwing, House Martin, Canada Goose, Greylag Goose, Goldeneye, Moorhen, Pintail, Shoveler, Wigeon, Woodpigeon, Grey Heron, Ringed Plover, Goldcrest, 2 Treecreeper, Pheasant, Blackbird, Dunnock, Common Tern, Egyptian Goose, Little Egret, Chaffinch, Herring Gull, Jay, Black-tailed Godwit, Grey Wagtail, Stock Dove. Ben & Jane Mapp.
Two Tree Island 12:00
Sat for an hour and watched a Kingfisher diving on the pole just in front of the west hide on Two Tree Island. Best ever sighting for me, usually a fleeting streak of blue. Roger Shinn.
Hanningfield Reservoir Causeway 17:00 to 17:15
14 Great Crested Grebe, 70+ Cormorant, 150+ Mallard, 7 Gadwall, 150+ Pochard, 150+ Tufted Duck, 7 Magpie, 100+ Coot, 4 Pied Wagtail, 30+ Woodpigeon, 6 Moorhen, 200+ Black-headed Gull, 12 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 8 Greater Black-backed Gull, 200+ Herring Gull, 40+ Starling, 9 Carrion Crow, 5 Mute Swan. Rob Harris.
Thursday 09th October 2014south south westerly, scattered clouds, max17°c
Southchurch Park 07:50
1 Mute Cygnet severely injured by park railings in Kensington Road/Southchurch Park. I was called at 7.49am and got there in minutes to find the Cygnet struggling on the pavement. Terrible chest wound and extensive blood loss. Rushed it to Orsett Wildlife Hospital, but it died 5 miles from arrival with its head in my hand. 1 Mute Cygnet taken to OWH on Monday, had to be put down. The leg break was not repairable and Sue Schwar's vet said the infection had set in because of the chest wound. Losing two full grown flying Cygnets in four days is just terrible. Nature is a tough place to be, when this happens. Robert Dobinson.
Ashingdon, Princess Gardens 10:10 to 10:25
2 Goldcrest in the garden, 3 Skylark over. David Selley.
Hanningfield Reservoir Causeway 14:00 to 14:20
5 Lapwing, 26 Great Crested Grebe, 67 Cormorant, 50+ Mallard, 6 Gadwall, 150+ Pochard, 100+ Tufted Duck, 2 Magpie, 200+ Coot, 2 Pied Wagtail, 12 Woodpigeon, 12 Moorhen, 200+ Black-headed Gull, 7 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 5 Greater Black-backed Gull, 150+ Herring Gull, 26 Starling, 9 Carrion Crow, 4 Mute Swan, 1 Little Grebe. Rob Harris.
RSPB West Canvey Marsh 15:00 to 16:00
4 Whinchat, 1 male Kestrel. Mike Sagrott.
Wednesday 08th October 2014south south westerly, rain, partly cloudy, max18°c
RSPB Rainham Marshes 12:45 to 16:20
Sightings from Purfleet scrape hide: 2 Dunlin, c.30 Lapwing, c.10 Meadow Pipit, 1 Snipe, few Jackdaw, 10 Pied Wagtail, 1 Skylark, 1 Little Grebe, 2 Curlew, 1 Hen Pheasant, few Goldfinch, House Sparrow, Blue Tit, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Grey Heron, 2 Little Egret, 1 Kestrel, few Wigeon, Mallard, Teal, c.30 Greylag, few Canada Geese. David & Brenda Hale.
Tuesday 07th October 2014west south west, partly cloudy, max16°c
Southchurch Parks 08:25 to 12:45
4 Mute Cygnets flying circuits around Southchurch Park over S. East Pk and landing back on Southchurch Park pond, 1 Green Woodpecker flying along south grass bank to willow tree, 2 Grey Wagtail flying SW over pond towards Southchurch Park. Robert Dobinson.
RSPB Wallasea Island 16:30 to 17:30
5 Kestrel, 2 Marsh Harrier, 1 Hen Harrier, 30+ Goldfinch, 2 Wheatear, 2 Stonechat, 3 Skylark, 20+ Linnet, 30+ Starling, 4 Pheasant, 5 Magpie, 23 Carrion Crow, 100+ Herring Gull, 4 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 100+ Black-headed Gull, 1 Grey Heron, 200+ Woodpigeon, 250+ Canada Geese. Rob Harris.
RSPB Wat Tyler Country Park 16:30 to 18:45
Sightings from scrape hide: 4 Grey Wagtail, 1 Great White Egret, 1 Glossy Ibis, c.35 Little Egret, 1 Snipe, 13 Swallow, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Kestrel. David & Brenda Hale.
Stanford-le -Hope, St Margarets Avenue 18:00
3 House Martin hawking around tree tops for ten minutes before moving off west. Andrew Gouldstone.
Monday 06th October 2014southerly, mostly cloudy, max18°c
Southchurch Park 08:30 to 17:00
1 drake Mandarin Duck at east end of pond. Bad news on Cygnet; I had to get it to Orsett Wildlife Hospital at 8.30 this morning. At 3pm Sue Schwar said it had a badly fractured tibia/fibia overlapping, deep chest wound, infection set in/septicaemia. It was as bright as a button on the way to Orsett and a very strong Cygnet. Touch and go but will be further assessed. They will decide what is best for quality of life. I thought that it had sustained the injury early Thursday morning when flying to the pond/maybe on the fence surround which would explain why it stayed in the reeds for 24hrs and did not try to get out of the way of resident Mutes. Both of us could not see visible/both injuries on Friday morning, a strange one. It would dreadful to lose a Cygnet and the first for us here in 6yrs. How much work do you have to put in, its a tough one. Robert Dobinson.
RSPB Bowers Marsh 10:45 to 13:00
Old Saltings VP: 4 Common Snipe, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Ruff, 5 House Martin, 2 Black-tailed Godwit. Saline Lagoon: 1 Grey Plover, 2 Ringed Plover, 3 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 juvenile White-fronted Goose with Greylag Geese on field between barn and line of dead elms; flew with flock to fields behind barn), 1 Song Thrush, 2 Cetti's Warbler heard, 2 Egyptian Geese on fields behind barn. Ian White.
Wat Tyler Country Park 13:00 to 16:00
2 Marsh Harrier, 1 Sparrowhawk, c.10 Long-tailed Tit, 3 Swallow, 3 Blue Tit, 13 Pochard, 2 Egyptian Geese, 2 Greylag Geese, 7 Wigeon, many Gadwall, few Shoveler, Mallard, Teal, c.15 Lapwing, 1 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 4 Snipe, 16 Mute Swan. David & Brenda Hale.
Sunday 05th October 2014westerly, clear, max19°c
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 08:27 to 11:40
1 Wheatear on seawall, 1 female Marsh Harrier soaring near Fobbing village, c.18 Wigeon, c.6 Gadwall and 2 Shoveler on Manorway Fleet, a few Teal about, 2 Black-tailed Godwit on Holehaven Creek, 2 Little Egret, Cetti's Warbler heard over most of area including one in reeds where movement was visible close to Manorway footpath, 1 Pied Woodpecker along by Coryton footpath, 3 Little Grebes of 2 on creek and 1 on shrub mound pool. Richard Fahey.
Leigh on Sea, Tattersall Gardens 11:28 to 11:29
1 Common Buzzard being mobbed by 3 Carrion Crow and 1 Magpie. Martin Johnson.
BHN Nursery, East Hanningfield Road, 14:30
3 Buzzard calling and circling. Kris Mee, Web Author.
RSPB Bowers Marsh (Old Saltings & East Haven) 14:30 to 15:30
Marsh Harrier, 3 Little Stint, 3 Green Sandpiper, Black-tailed Godwit, 7 Snipe, 2 Ringed Plover, Avocet, 2 Grey Plover, Ruff, 7 Redshank. 2 Clouded Yellow. Joe Harris.
Wat Tyler Country Park 17:45 to 18:45
Glossy Ibis, 3 Marsh Harrier, 1 Sparrowhawk, 60+ Little Egret, Bearded Tit heard, 2 Egyptian Geese, Gadwall, Wigeon, Shoveler. 1 Fox. Mick Roe.
RSPB Wallasea Island 18:20 to 18:50
2 Mute Swan, 2 Mallard, 3 Magpie, 100+ Woodpigeon, 2 Pheasant, 2 Little Egret, 70+ Herring Gull, 50+ Black-headed Gull, 3 Greater Black-backed Gull, 5 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 40+ Canada Geese, 9 Carrion Crow, 1 Marsh Harrier, 4 Kestrel, 1 Skylark, 3 Corn Bunting, 20+ Linnet, 3 Meadow Pipit. Rob Harris.
Hoe Mill, River Chelmer
6 Buzzard thermalling and calling, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming. Jim Bailey.
Saturday 04th October 2014southerly, mostly cloudy, max19°c
Leigh on Sea, Park View Drive 07:10
Male Sparrowhawk gave me the fright of my life when it flew out of tree right by my head as I was refilling garden feeders. Web Author.
Thurrock, Thameside Nature Park c.10:15 to 11:25
2 Yellow-legged Gulls, 1 Wheatear, 1 Stonechat along track to reserve, 6 Swallow went through, 17 Wigeon, 25+ Teal, 17 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Little Egret. Richard Fahey.
Victoria Wharf, Leigh Old Town 10:44 to 12:30
c.4,000 Brent Geese (in one flock of 82 nearest Billet Wharf 17 were juveniles), c.1,000 Wigeon far out near the Ray. Martin Johnson.
RSPB Bowers Marsh 11:00
1 Great White Egret, 2 Whinchat, 6 Bearded Tit. Andy Wilson.
Old Leigh 11:30 to 13:30
3000+ Brent Goose flying in in droves. John Wilson.
Friday 03rd October 2014south south westerly, partly cloudy, max22°c
Southchurch Parks 08:45 to 09:45
1 Cygnet from Southchurch Park that didn't fly back yesterday was spotted buried in north reed bed after the two resident Swans were seen poking at something. Believed to have been there since yesterday as I heard a Cygnet calling once in same area last night. I managed to flush it out of reed bed and Swans chased it to sluice gate area. The Cygnet was dehydrated and very stressed. Managed to grab it and it had a superficial wound (other swans pulling/breaking its feathers out at quill base). It seemed O.K. though and the tail was up so it was taken back to Southchurch Park and greeted by other seven Mutes. It will be monitored in the next few days. Robert Dobinson.
Bradwell Power Station Nature Trail 10:00 to 14:30
1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Turnstone, 2 Oystercatcher, 6 Brent Geese, 1 Green Woodpecker, few Goldfinch, c.50 Golden Plover. c.20 Clouded Yellow Butterflies, many Great and Small Whites. David & Brenda Hale.
Leigh on Sea, Stonehill Road 11:45
5 Buzzard seen over garden and drifting from east to west. Laurie Greenwood.
Abberton Reservoir 12:30 to 13:50
4 Great Crested Grebe, 200+ Cormorant, 200+ Coot, 30 Mute Swan, 300+ Mallard, 2 Magpie, 200+ Pochard, 200+ Tufted Duck, 14 Shoveler, 25 Gadwall, 17 Moorhen, 5 Redshank, 4 Ruff, 7 Grey Wagtail, 4 Meadow Pipit, 50+ Starling, 3 Greater Black-backed Gull, 250+ Black-headed Gull, 300+ Herring Gull, 8 Grey Heron, 2 Great White Egret, 23 Little Egret, 1 Swan Goose, 50+ Canada Geese, 60+ Greylag Geese, 31 Linnet, 150+ Woodpigeon, 40+ Carrion Crow, 5 Pintail, 2 Green Sandpiper, 1 Common Sandpiper. Rob Harris.
Belton Way West, Leigh-on-Sea 12:50
1 Sparrowhawk circling high then stooped steeply at roadside tree but did not catch anything. Martin Johnson.
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 13:20 to 16:30
3 Whinchat with 3 of 6 Stonechat about and 2 Wheatear near barns and track, 1 Swallow went through, 1 Marsh Harrier flying west, maybe same later by Manorway, Green Sandpiper singles flying towards tip other side of creek and up from fleet, c.10 Wigeon either on creek or Manorway Fleet, 3 Shoveler included 1 on creek and 2 on Manorway Fleet, c.8 Gadwall on Manorway Fleet, 60+ Teal mostly on creek, 4 Little Grebe on creek, Cetti's Warbler heard about, 4 Little Egret on creek, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker by Manorway. Richard Fahey.
Bradwell Shellbank 14:45 to 16:45
12 Swallow, 1 Wren, 10 Magpie, 12 Jay, 1 Dunnock, many Goldfinch, Chaffinch, c.15 Greenfinch, 6 Red-legged Partridge, many 100s Golden Plover large distant flock, 1 Peregrine Falcon, 2 Merlin, 2 Kestrel, 1 Buzzard, 1 Sparrowhawk, few Great Tit, Blue Tit, Linnet, Curlew, Oystercatcher, Little Egret, c.50 Brent Geese. 1 Weasel, few Clouded Yellow, Red Admiral Butterflies, many Large, Small White Butterflies. David & Brenda Hale.
Thursday 02nd October 2014variable, clear, max21°c
Southchurch Parks 08:20 and 11:20
1 male Kingfisher flying from sluice gate across pond to other side of water, 2 juvenile Teal flying circuits over west end of pond. 1 Dragonfly (bluetailed), Southchurch Park East, 6 Cygnets including the one with previous flight/leg injury, all on estuary at 8.20am, 5 returned by 10.30am, Southchurch Park. Robert Dobinson.
Wat Tyler Country Park 10:20 to 10:45
2 Egyptian Geese on the scrape, small, mobile flock of Bearded Reedling in the reed beds towards the marina. David Lee.
Barling Millennium Wildlife Park 10:25 to 12:00
1 Snipe flushed from edge of small pond, 1 Kestrel, 14 Blackbird, 1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Jay, 45 Goldfinch on teasel heads, 17 Linnet, 1 Greenfinch, 2 Yellowhammer, 2 Corn Bunting. 1 Northern Water Vole, many fresh and bright Red Admiral. David Selley.
Wat Tyler Country Park 13:30 to 16:15
Sightings from scrape hide: 3 Snipe, 6 Swallow, 1 Peregrine Falcon, 1 Kestrel, c.20 Wigeon, c.20 Gadwall, few Teal, Shoveler, Mallard, 3 Little Egret, 3 Grey Heron, few Lapwing, c.1000 Starling over West Canvey Marsh, huge distant flock, 4 Little Grebe, 14 Mute Swan, 100s Black-headed Gull, few Herring and Lesser Black-backed Gull, 2 Great Black-backed Gull. Of note, scrape islands now showing, which should improve sightings. David & Brenda Hale.
RSPB Wallasea Island 14:00 to 15:30
5 Mute Swan, 2 Mallard, 3 Magpie, 100+ Woodpigeon, 2 Pheasant, 2 Little Egret, 100+ Herring Gull, 100+ Black-headed Gull, 2 Greater Black-backed Gull, 5 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 100+ Canada Geese, 9 Carrion Crow, 2 Marsh Harrier, 5 Kestrel, 2 Buzzard, 1 Skylark, 4 Corn Bunting, 20+ Linnet, 3 Meadow Pipit, 2 Yellow Wagtail. Rob Harris.
Hockley, Riverside Nursery 16:00
50+ Pied Wagtail on front lawn - there are usually a few here but not seen this many before. David Selley.
Belfairs Nature Reserve 16:05 to 16:15
Walking in Belfairs nature reserve spotted a Muntjac Deer about 20 feet into the trees. Watched for about 10 minutes as it made its way through the scrub and bushes stopping to look around and browsing as it went. It got to the path I was on, about 20 feet from me, looked directly at me, then trotted across path to the scrub the other side... followed by a small fawn! Made my day! Ellen Hume.
Wednesday 01st October 2014south westerly, mostly cloudy, max22°c
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 08:43 to 11:45
1 Chiffchaff seen closely among 1 or 2 others heard and glimpsed along and behind footpath at Coryton, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Marsh Harrier looking to the north of marshes, 2 Stonechat, 7 Wigeon, c.4 Shoveler, c.10 Gadwall on Manorway Fleet, 125+ Teal nearly all on creek, 1 Water Rail heard on Manorway Fleet, 3 Lapwing on creek, Cetti's Warbler heard over area, 2 Little Egret on creek. Richard Fahey.
Hanningfield Reservoir 11:00 to 12:00
5 Great Crested Grebe, 160+ Cormorant, 23 Mute Swan, 8 Shoveler, 250+ Mallard, 6 Gadwall, 150+ Pochard, 100+ Tufted Duck, 2 Magpie, 5 Lapwing, 200+ Coot, 2 Pied Wagtail, 12 Woodpigeon, 23 Moorhen, 1 Kestrel, 200+ Black-headed Gull, 5 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 15 Greater Black-backed Gull, 150+ Herring Gull, 9 Carrion Crow, 2 House Sparrow, 1 Long-tail Tit, 2 Blue Tit, 2 Swallow, 1 Robin, 1 Little Egret. Rob Harris.
Southchurch Parks 12:45 and 13:00
3+ Yellow Wagtail feeding from waters edge to reed bed tops and bushes, calling when flying to and from near sluice gate area to Kingfisher stick across (NW) pond, 1 Grey Wagtail feeding and flying around pond and sluice gate area. Robert Dobinson.