South East Essex RSPB Wildlife Reports for October 2015
October
Saturday 31st October 2015variable, haze, max14°c
RSPB Bowers Marsh 09:15 to 10:00
50+ Avocet, Pintail, Teal, Wigeon, Shoveler, Black-tailed Godwit, Lapwing, Blue Tit, Robin, Corn Bunting, Skylark, Cetti's Warbler, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Wren, Blackbird, Common Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull. Steve George.
Gunners Park 09:30 to 11:30
1 female Ring Ouzel in bushes near reserve fence, 1 Black Swan, 1 Redwing, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Long-tailed Tit, Green Woodpecker, Song Thrush, Dunnock. Mick Roe.
Gunners Park 09:30 to 12:30
1 Black Swan, 1 Lapwing, 9 Little Grebe, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Little Egret, 1 Redshank, 1 Grey Heron. Jeff Kinnerman.
Wat Tyler Country Park 12:30 to 16:00
Kestrel, Grey Heron, Pheasant, several hundred Starling on bushes near marina, Glossy Ibis - close in on marsh at south end of Timbermans creek - great views. Sparrowhawk, Little Egret, male Blackcap, c.50 Lapwing on scrape, 20+ Cormorant, Little Grebe, Marsh Harrier up from reeds in front of hide, Short-eared Owl up high harried by crows, landed at RSPB Bowers Marsh, several Canada and 1 Brent Goose. Name: Peter Bowden.
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 12:38 to 15:10
1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Snipe, 2 Green Sandpiper, 2 Stonechat, 10+ Wigeon, 30+ Teal, 3 Shoveler, 2 Gadwall and 1 Little Grebe on Manorway Fleet, 10+ Lapwing, Cetti's Warbler singles seen north end of ditch and Manorway Fleet, 2 Little Egret, Great Spotted Woodpecker and Green Woodpecker. Richard Fahey.
River Roach Seal Trip 12:45 to 15:00
8 Little Egret, 3 Grey Heron, 1 Barnacle Goose, 1 Greylag Goose, 45 Brent Goose, 100+ Canada Goose, 116 Avocet, 80 Grey Plover, 500+ Lapwing, c.1000 Knot, 43 Curlew. 7 Common Seal. Web Author.
Rayleigh, Ferndale Road 15:00
1 Buzzard circling for 10 minutes, 3 Siskin, 4 Goldcrest, 1 Fieldfare. Robin Peppiatt.
Friday 30th October 2015southerly to easterly, rain then clear, max14°c
RSPB Rainham Marshes 12:15 to 15:20
Robin, Blue Tit, Pied Wagtail, Goldfinch, Stonechat, Blackbird, Magpie, Wood Pigeon, Collard Dove, Coot, Moorhen, Lapwing, Mallard, Teal, Wigeon, Shoveler, Pintail, Gadwall, Redshank, Greenshank, Golden Plover, Curlew, Greylag Geese, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Cormorant, Short-eared Owl, Buzzard, Marsh Harrier. Wasp Spider, Terrapin. Chris Henry.
Wat Tyler Country Park 13:00 to 13:40
Glossy Ibis on scrape preening itself, then flew off towards Timbermans Creek, 1 Kestrel, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Jay, many Lapwing and Canada Geese. Mick Roe.
Thursday 29th October 2015southerly, mostly cloudy, max15°c
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 09:45 to 12:00
1 Stonechat, 1 Kingfisher by fleet, 1 Green Sandpiper, c.40 Wigeon and 300+ Teal on creek, 2 Shoveler at Manorway Fleet, c.8 Lapwing on creek, 200+ Black-tailed Godwit flew south past barrier, 1 Little Grebe on Manorway Fleet, 1 Little Egret, a few Cetti's Warbler singing. Richard Fahey.
River Roach Seal Trip, 11:00 to 13:15
15 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 300+ Wigeon, 1 ringtail Hen Harrier off Wallasea, 2 Marsh Harrier on Foulness, 2 Kestrel, 105 Avocet, 100+ Grey Plover, 200+ Lapwing, 12 Curlew, 4 Pied Wagtail, 500+ Starling. 7 Common Seal. Web Author.
Southchurch, Stanier Close 12:55 to 13:00
1 Black Redstart flitting around car park before flying to nearby rooftop. Jeff Kinnerman.
Wednesday 28th October 2015southerly, mostly cloud, max15°c
Leigh on Sea 09:30
1 male Brambling sitting/feeding in pyracantha bushes in back garden. It was with several Greenfinch. Sandy.
Abberton Reservoir 14:00 to 15:00
1 Spoonbill, 1 Great White Egret, 50+ Golden Plover, 3 Ringed Plover, 2 Little Stint, many Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit, Lapwing, Pintail, Shoveler, Wigeon, 1 Goldeneye, 2 Slavonian Grebe, 20+ Linnet, 1 Kestrel, 1 Merlin. Hilary and Colin Knight.
Shoeburyness, Gunners Park 15:00
2 Black Redstart by fort. Pat Dandridge.
Tuesday 27th October 2015easterly, mist then clear, max14°c
Shoeburyness, Gunners Park 09:30 to 10:00
Resident Mute Swans, 8 Little Grebe, 10 Moorhen, 6 Coot, 1 Goldcrest. John Pitts.
Monday 26th October 2015easterly, mostly cloudy, max26°c
Ashingdon, Princess Gardens 10:00 to 15:30
9 Jackdaw over, c.25 Skylark - small groups going southwest throughout the morning, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Greenfinch on feeders. 1 Hummingbird Hawk Moth, 3 Red Admiral, 1 Peacock and 2 Large White Butterflies. David Selley.
East Beach 10:20 to 11:40
Starling, Woodpigeon, 50+ Brent Geese, 150+ Oystercatcher, 100+ Sanderling, 30+Turnstone, 3 Cormorant, 7 Little Egret, Magpie, Black-headed Gull, Greenfinch, Chaffinch. Herring Gull, Collared Dove. S. Jackson & M. Hill.
Shoeburyness, Friars Park 11:45 to 12:55
Black-headed Gull, Woodpigeon, Herring Gull, Starling, 20 Collared Dove, Magpie, Mallard, Coot, Moorhen, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Great Tit, Blackbird, Jay, Carrion Crow, Robin, Great Spotted Woodpecker. M. Hill & S. Jackson.
Foulness Island 15:00 to 16:00
Peregrine Falcon, Common Buzzard, 3 Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, Black Redstart, 7 Little Egret, 2 Grey Heron, c.50 Shelduck. Steve Giles.
Westcliff, St Georges Drive. 16:30
1 Ringed-necked Parakeet flew over back garden initially alerting me with it's screeching call. Jeff Kinnerman.
Sunday 25th October 2015variable, clear, max13°c
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 08:35 to 11:55
1 Stonechat, Bearded Tit heard at Manorway Fleet, 2 Marsh Harrier, 1 drake Shoveler at Manorway Fleet, 10+ Teal, 500+ Black-tailed Godwit flew south, a few Grey Plover and 100+ Dunlin at Holehaven Creek, 2 Little Egret, 1 Little Grebe on Manorway Fleet, a few Cetti's Warbler heard across area. Richard Fahey.
Canvey, Tewkes Creek 09:00 to 10:00
140+ Golden Plover, 100+ Grey Plover, 150+ Redshank, 400+ Dunlin, 4 Grey Heron, 9 Little Egret, 50+ Lapwing, 10 Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Curlew, 9 Teal, 30 Wigeon 40+ Brent Geese, 1 Common Buzzard. Terry Blackwell.
Abberton Reservoir 09:30 to 15:30
Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Slavonian Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Mute Swan, Swan Goose, Spoonbill, Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Shelduck, Wigeon, Gadwall, Teal, Mallard, Pintail, Shoveler, Red Crested Pochard, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon, Moorhen, Coot, Golden Plover, Lapwing, Ruff, Black-tailed Godwit, Spotted Redshank, Green Sandpiper, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Lesser, Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black Backed Gull, Short-eared Owl, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Carrion Crow, Starling. Ring-billed Gull - Our Identification was: as very similar to Common Gull but stockier and no doubt about the yellow eye ring, also the grey wings were grey rather than the bluey grey you would see on a Common or Herring, there were many Common Gulls there and also near. Kevin Taylor.
A127 Childerditch Lane 11:22
1 Buzzard over. Terry Strong.
RSPB Rainham Marshes 13:00 to 16:00
2 Short-eared Owl mobbing Marsh Harrier, Stonechat, drake and female Shoveler, Wigeon, Teal, Pochard, 4 Snipe. Steve and Trish Day.
RSPB Wallasea Island 13:45 to 14:15
150+ Black-headed Gull, 150+ Herring Gull, 1 Little Egret, 9 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 100+ Woodpigeon, 30+ Carrion Crow, 3 Magpie, 17 Corn Bunting, 3 Common Pheasant, 2 Moorhen, 7 Mallard, 16 Redshank, 5 Mute Swan. Rob Harris.
Heybridge Basin 16:00 to 16:45
Great Grey Shrike. Kevin Taylor.
Hanningfield Reservoir Causeway 16:30 to 17:00
350+ Black-headed Gull, 250+ Herring Gull, 1 Grey Heron, 15 Mute Swan, 150+ Greylag Goose, 70+ Canada Goose, 4 Teal, 9 Wigeon, 12 Gadwall, 80+ Mallard, 40+ Shoveler, 4 Moorhen, 90+ Pochard, 100+ Tufted Duck, 40+ Cormorant, 7 Carrion Crow, 5 Magpie, 12 Great Crested Grebe, 30+ Woodpigeon, 6 Collar Dove. Rob Harris.
Saturday 24th October 2015southerly, overcast, max15°c
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 13:35 to 16:00
1 Goldcrest with a small flock of Long-tailed Tit overlooking barns, 2 Snipe, 1 Marsh Harrier, 3 Shoveler on Manorway Fleet, (a very small duck at the east end of Manorway Fleet that I at first took to be a Teal was standing by Mallards with it head tucked in it's back but when it swam away the yellow bill looked like a Shoveler. The bill colour and size is odd for this duck and I wonder if it's a crossed bird), 3 Gadwall on Manorway Fleet, 40+ Teal, 9 Lapwing flew from seawall, 60+ Black-tailed Godwit flew south, 2 Little Egret, a few Cetti's Warbler singing at Coryton, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker and Green Woodpecker. Richard Fahey.
Friday 23rd October 2015south south westerly, overcast, max14°c
No reports received for this day.
Thursday 22nd October 2015west north west, mostly cloudy, max15°c
Southchurch Park 09:05
1 Ringed-necked Parakeet flew over calling. Jeff Kinnerman.
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 09:10 to 11:33
4 Fieldfare in from seawall, 2 Snipe and Avocet, 3 Marsh Harrier (1 immature and later an adult female and a very dark, maybe male, all at Coryton), 2 Wigeon on creek, 1 drake Shoveler at Manorway Fleet, 80+ Teal, 1 Lapwing, a few Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Little Egret, a few Cetti's Warbler singing, 1 immature male Sparrowhawk, 3 Little Grebe including 1 on creek, c.15 Long-tailed Tit. Richard Fahey.
RSPB Rainham Marshes 10:30 to 15:30
2 Short-eared Owl (one very close to VC), 1 Glossy Ibis (seen twice during the day, possibly 2 birds involved as the first headed south over the Thames and appeared to keep heading south), 2 Raven near VC and over car park, 4 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk. Andrew Gouldstone.
Wednesday 21st October 2015south westerly, rain, max14°c
Daws Heath 11:30
1 female Sparrowhawk well concealed in tree at bottom of the garden, but detected by two of the local Crows and chased off. Mike Sagrott.
RSPB Vange Marsh 12:00 to 13:30
Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Dunnock, Wren, Robin, Blackbird, Great Tit, Blue Tit, House Sparrow in garden and Sparrowhawk over. Mick Roe.
RSPB Rainham Marshes 14:30
1 Short-eared Owl. Andrew Gouldstone.
Tuesday 20th October 2015north westerly, partly cloudy, max15°c
Leigh on Sea, Park View Drive 07:30 to 08:30
Evidence of migration this morning with 100+ Redwing, 18 Fieldfare and 200+ Woodpigeon all heading west over garden. Web Author.
Gunners Park 08:30 to 16:00
180+ Brent Geese, Black Redstart by pier, 3 Stonechat, 5 Skylark flyovers, 3 Redwing flyovers, male Kingfisher, 12 Little Egret (low tide rock pools), 800+ Oystercatcher (low tide). Andrew Armstrong.
RSPB Vange Marsh 11:00 to 12:30
Green Sandpiper, Black-tailed Godwit, Little Egret, Redshank, Cetti's Warbler, Redwing, Snipe, Goldfinch, Greenfinch. Mick Roe.
Southchurch Hall Park 11:30
Kingfisher spotted on a branch over the small pond near the steps. S. Whitaker.
A12 Colchester Area 12:00 to 12:10
1 Common Buzzard, 1 Hobby. Rob Harris.
Brentwood 12:50
One white deer amongst heard of about 100, too far to see if stag or doe. In field to right of Brook Street roundabout left of M25 and A12. Roy.
Southend, Warner's Park 12:55
Kestrel being harassed by a crow in vicinity of Warner's Bridge. Mick Holland.
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 13:40 to 15:58
1 Stonechat, 1 Marsh Harrier flew down into reeds east end of Manorway Fleet, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Green Sandpiper, c.15 Wigeon on creek, 5 Shoveler (3 on Manorway Fleet and 2 on creek, these last ones likely migrants), 11 Gadwall on Manorway Fleet, 80+ Teal, Little Grebe singles on Manorway Fleet and creek, 1 Little Egret, c.9 Lapwing at creek, a few Black-tailed Godwit, a very few Cetti's Warbler singing. Richard Fahey.
Two Tree Island 14:00 to 18:00
East side: Sparrowhawk, several Little Grebe, pair of Kingfisher (sewage lagoon), Teal, Reed Bunting, several Shoveler, Curlew. West side: 50+ Avocet, 30+ Greenshank, 30+ Redshank, several Snipe, pair of Grey Plover, single Golden Plover, single Black-tailed Godwit on scrape. Short-eared Owl initially up high centrally over island with crow for company, then more sightings lower over east side and creek - still with crow! Green Woodpecker, large groups of Little Egret flying west, pair of Stonechat. Peter Bowden.
Leigh on Sea, Park View Drive 15:36
Sparrowhawk being mobbed by Gulls over garden. Kris Mee, Web Author.
RSPB Rainham Marshes 16:30
1 Short-eared Owl, 1 adult male Marsh Harrier, 3 Kestrel, 1 female Sparrowhawk, Stonechat (Bearded tit reported as showing well earlier in the day). Andrew Gouldstone.
Monday 19th October 2015northerly, mostly cloudy, max15°c
Southchurch, Butterys 07:55
3 Redwing flew over. Jeff Kinnerman.
RSPB Rainham Marshes 15:00
1 Short-eared Owl, 1 female Marsh Harrier, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 male Great Spotted Woodpecker. Andrew Gouldstone.
Sunday 18th October 2015northerly, scattered clouds, max15°c
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 08:52 to 12:00
1 Spotted Redshank, c.8 House Martin and Redwing at shrub mound, 1 Fieldfare at Manorway Fleet, 1 female Marsh Harrier over area, c.40 Wigeon and 3 Shoveler on creek, 80+ Teal, 3 Little Grebe (2 on creek and 1, maybe a local bird, on Manorway Fleet), 6 Lapwing on creek, 1 Little Egret, a very few Cetti's Warbler singing, a few Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Sparrowhawk. Richard Fahey.
Eastbrookend Country Park, Barking and Dagenham 09:15 to 14:00
Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Mute Swan, Canada Goose, Teal, Mallard, Shoveler, Tufted Duck, Moorhen, Coot, Lapwing, Snipe, Green Sandpiper, Black-headed Gull, Woodpigeon, Feral Pigeon, Green Woodpecker, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Starling, Chaffinch, Greenfinch. Kevin Taylor.
Leigh on Sea, Park View Drive 13:00
Sparrowhawk and single Redwing over garden. Kris Mee, Web Author.
Wakering Stairs 13:20 to 16:35
Seen during WeBS count: 5585 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 4 Shelduck, 1 Velvet Scoter, 19 Little Egret, 2 Marsh Harrier, 2 Sparrowhawk, 1 Buzzard, 4 Kestrel, 1 Peregrine Falcon, 1 Cetti's Warbler heard, 10 Skylark, 8 Meadow Pipit, 2 Stonechat. Large and Small White and several bright and fresh looking Red Admiral butterflies. David Selley.
Barling Magna Millennium Wildlife Park 13:35 to 14:50
Black-headed Gull, Carrion Crow, Blackbird, Magpie, Woodpigeon, Blue Tit, Wren, Goldfinch, Herring Gull, Lapwing, Robin, Starling, Chaffinch, House Sparrow, Great Tit, Dunnock, Common Buzzard. S. Jackson & M. Hill.
Shoeburyness, Gunners Park 14:30 to 15:30
1 Black Redstart (showing really well around the base of barge pier) 6 Goldfinch, 20 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Goldcrest, 8 Turnstone, 1 Black Swan, 8 Little Grebe. Richard Mander.
All Saints/Sea Wall Barling Magna 15:00 to 15:50
Carrion Crow, Collared Dove, Magpie, Woodpigeon, Starling, Green Woodpecker, Herring Gull, 15 Little Grebe, Moorhen, Coot, House Sparrow, Cormorant, Little Egret, Black-headed Gull, Water Rail, Pied Wagtail, Mallard, Robin, Dunnock, Great Tit. S. Jackson & M. Hill.
Saturday 17th October 2015northerly, overcast, max13°c
Canvey Point 09:00 to 09:45
2 Swallow, 2000+ Wigeon, 1000+ Brent Geese, 4 Shelduck, 22 Cormorant, 100+ Grey Plover, 40 Redshank, 30+ Curlew, 100+ Dunlin, 16 Little Egret, 30+ Oystercatcher, 1 Turnstone. 8 Common Seal. Terry Blackwell.
Hanningfield Reservoir 09:00 to 13:45
Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Grey Heron, Mute Swan, Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Wigeon, Gadwall, Teal, Mallard, Pintail, Shoveler, Red Crested Pochard, Tufted Duck, Sparrowhawk, Moorhen, Coot, Lapwing, Black-tailed Godwit, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Woodpigeon, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Robin, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Jay, Carrion Crow, Starling. Kevin Taylor.
Wakering Stairs 12:00 to 12:30
3860 Dark-bellied Brent Goose between Shoebury Boom and the Broomway, 12 Redwing, 4 Fieldfare over, 6 Skylark. David Selley.
Leigh on Sea, Park View Drive 12:10 to 12:20
2 Fieldfare north, 25 Redwing West over garden. Kris Mee, Web Author.
Rayleigh, Fairland Close 12:35
Firecrest and Goldcrest in bird bath together. John Atfield.
East Tilbury, Coalhouse Fort 13:37 to 15:20
5 Brent Goose, 400+ Avocet, 100+ Black-tailed Godwit, 20+ Grey Plover, c.9 Ringed Plover, 500+ Dunlin, 40+ Teal, 1 Little Egret, 9 Little Grebe on moat, 20+ Skylark. 1 Seal. Richard Fahey.
Thorpe Bay 14:45
One juvenile Grey Wagtail on lawn in Wyatts Drive. Alec Beanse.
Rayleigh, Ferndale Road 15:30 to 16:00
1 Firecrest, 3-4 Goldcrest, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Meadow Pipit (over), 1 Skylark (over), 10+ Long-tailed Tit. Robin Peppiatt.
Two Tree Island East 15:45 to 18:00
65 Little Egret on salt marsh, large flock Brent Geese and Wigeon loafing offshore at high tide, 1 Stonechat, 1 immature female Peregrine Falcon, 1 adult Mediterranean Gull, c.20 Long-tailed Tit, Green Woodpecker heard. Andrew Gouldstone.
Friday 16th October 2015northerly, light drizzle, max12°c
Southchurch Park and Southchurch Park East 08:15 and 08:45
1 Cormorant circling over east pond, 1 Green Woodpecker noisily flitting between trees. Southchurch Park, 8.15am. 1 Grey Heron flying over pond towards Thorpe Bay golf course, 1 drake Tufted Duck feeding amongst ducks, resident pair of Mute Swan, Coot and Moorhen Southchurch Park East, 8.45am. Robert Dobinson.
Thursday 15th October 2015northerly, mostly cloudy, max11°c
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 09:34 to 12:00
40+ Fieldfare, 1 Hobby flew east over Manorway Fleet, 2 Marsh Harrier, 3 Stonechat near pill box, 1 Green Sandpiper at Coryton, 120+ Teal, 1 drake Shoveler and 2 Gadwall on Manorway Fleet, 2 Little Egret, a very few Cetti's Warbler heard, 1 Lapwing on creek, 100+ Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Common Buzzard on post by Fobbing Horse creek, 100+ Goldfinch, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker and Green Woodpecker. Richard Fahey.
RSPB Rainham Marshes 12:00 to 14:00
3 Stonechat, 1 House Martin, 1 Swallow, 4 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Kingfisher, 6 Redpoll (over), 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 male Marsh Harrier. Andrew Goudstone.
Two Tree Island West 16:45
Short-eared Owl - spooked it, was on the ground near dead tree stump area. Peter Bowden.
Wednesday 14th October 2015northerly, partly cloudy, max14°c
Southend, Jones Memorial Park 08:00
Flock of 5 Redwing still about. Two Jay and five Carrion Crow. P. Lusher.
Leigh on Sea, Park View Drive 09:20
22 Redwing flew south west over garden. Web Author.
Foulness Island 10:40
Male Brambling on feeder. Steve Giles.
Canvey Point 11:00 to 13:00
1500+ Brent Geese, 300+ Wigeon, 100+ Grey Plover, 30 Ringed Plover, 200+ Dunlin, 15 Redshank, 20 Curlew, 400+ Oystercatcher, 4 Turnstone, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 10 Little Egret, 12 Teal, 12 Shelduck, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 6 Cormorant. Terry Blackell.
RSPB Vange Marsh 12:00 to 13:00
4 Snipe, 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Curlew, Redshank, Little Egret, Lapwing, Teal. Mick Roe.
Wat Tyler Country Park
Glossy Ibis still present. David Lee.
Tuesday 13th October 2015northerly, mostly cloudy, max12°c
Southend, Jones Memorial Park 08:00
5 Redwing flying over playing fields. Goldcrest in garden at Cromwell Road. P. Lusher.
Galleywood Common 08:15 to 11:30
Mallard, Moorhen, Woodpigeon, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Treecreeper, Magpie, Rook, Carrion Crow. Fox. Kevin Taylor.
Southend, Pier Hill 09:30
3 Swallow flying north. Jeff. Kinnerman.
Gunners Park 10:00 to 14:00
1 male Black Redstart (by the pier), male Kingfisher, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Wren, 2 Gannet (mid channel Thames flying west to east), 2 summer plumage Red-throated Diver (mid channel, female Kestrel, 3 Goldcrest, 5 Meadow Pipit, Black Swan, Mute Swan with 3 cygnets, 60+ Starling, female Sparrowhawk. Andrew Armstrong.
Rettendon, Hyde Hall 10:30 to 11:30
Jay, Starling, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Coal Tit, female Pheasant, Hooded Crow, Woodpigeon. Mick Holland.
Wat Tyler Country Park 10:40 to 10:55
1 Glossy Ibis on Timbermans creek from the Kestrel Hide. David Lee.
Monday 12th October 2015northerly, scattered clouds, max14°c
Chelmsford, Springfield Lock 07:35
2 Grey Wagtail. Tim Davis.
Southend East Station 09:47
2 Jay. Darren Lamb.
RSPB Bowers Marsh 10:20 to 14:00
Jackdaw, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Woodpigeon, Feral Pigeon, Black-headed Gull, Green Woodpecker, Linnet, Goldfinch, Herring Gull, Reed Bunting, Starling, Little Egret, Lapwing, Common Gull, Redshank, Avocet, Great Black-backed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Cormorant, Curlew, 50 Dunlin, Gadwall, Meadow Pipit, 8 Black-tailed Godwit, Shoveler, Kestrel, Coot, Mute Swan, Tufted Duck, Wigeon, Mallard, Moorhen, Pochard, Grey Heron, Greylag Goose, Teal, Marsh Harrier, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Pied Wagtail, Collared Dove. S. Jackson & M. Hill.
Basildon, Lee Chapel North 10:30
2 Goldcrest, first for the garden. Vince Briggs.
Thorpe Bay, Burges Road 13:30
5 Swallow flying NE. Jeff Kinnerman.
Sunday 11th October 2015east north east, partly cloudy, max14°c
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 08:18 to 11:57
Few Chiffchaff, 1 Swallow Coryton, 6 Bearded Tit at north reed bed (groups of 3 each flew high south and north), 2 Stonechat, 80+ Teal, 5 Shoveler (single Manorway Fleet and 4 "shrub mound pond"), 2 Little Egret, a few Cetti's Warbler singing, 10+ Black-tailed Godwit, c.8 Lapwing, 1 Green Woodpecker. Richard Fahey.
Two Tree Island 10:00 to 11:45
12 Greenshank, 15 Avocet, 1 Grey Plover, 1 Golden Plover, 6 Snipe (other observers said they had seen at least 12), 1 Shoveler, 30+ Wigeon, 1 Little Egret, many Ringed Plover, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Moorhen, many Redshank, also extensive flocks of Brent Geese on river. Norman Jones.
Shoeburyness, Gunners Park 10:00 to 13:00
Black Swan, Little Grebe, Little Egret, Mute Swan, Mallard, Moorhen, Coot, Redshank, Black-headed Gull, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Dunnock, Blackbird, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Starling, Greenfinch, Linnet. Kevin Taylor.
Shoeburyness, Gunners Park 10:00 to 14:40
15 Goldcrest (in bunker wood and conifers by tennis courts), 2 Grey Wagtail flyover, 2 Wren, 55 Brent Geese (out over the Thames), 53 Redshank (on the Island scrape) + 30 Redshank on Gog's Berth, 5 Turnstone, several House Sparrow and Greenfinch on the compound feeders, 3 Meadow Pipit, 4 Chiffchaff, 13 Linnet, 1 Gannet (scoped mid Thames channel heading East), 60+ Starling flock, Black Swan, female Mute Swan and her three Cygnets, 1 Little Egret, Grey Heron (usual spot in the SSSI), 1 female Kestrel, several Carrion Crow, several pairs of Mallard, 5 Coot. Andrew Armstrong.
Wat Tyler Country Park 14:00 to 14:30
Glossy Ibis. Kevin Taylor.
RSPB Wallasea Island 15:30 to 16:10
3 Magpie, 40+ Carrion Crow. 30+ Woodpigeon, 50+ Lapwing, 70+ Starling, 100+ Black-headed Gull, 100+ Herring Gull, 1 Common Pheasant, 39+ Linnet, 2 Kestrel, 5 Mute Swan. Rob Harris.
Wat Tyler Park 16:15
1 Glossy Ibis in Timbermans Creek left of Kestrel Hide. David Lee.
Saturday 10th October 2015east north east, scattered clouds, max16°c
Jones Memorial Park 04:45
Tawny Owl perched on the Leylandii by the Crematorium. P. Lusher.
Westcliff, St George's Drive 09:37
1 Wheatear made a fleeting visit to my front garden before flying off. Jeff Kinnerman.
East Tilbury, Coalhouse Fort 09:45 to 11:10
4 Brent Goose, 500+ Avocet, 40+ Curlew, a few Black-tailed Godwit, 10+ Teal, 11 Little Grebe on moat, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Little Egret. Richard Fahey.
Old Leigh 10:00 to 16:00
33 Little Egret, c.6000 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 1 Sparrowhawk, 120 Ringed Plover, 40 Grey Plover, 1 Great Black-backed Gull (Orange ring left tarsus HC2T (rung 15th November 2008 Pitsea Landfill Site, Essex). Web Author.
Canvey Point 14:15 to 15:00
500+ Brent Geese, 200+ Oystercatcher, 20 Grey Plover, 1 Ringed Plover, 2 Turnstone, 8 Dunlin, 5 Cormorant, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Common Tern, 3 Little Egret. Terry Blackwell.
Friday 09th October 2015variable, partly cloudy, max16°c
Rayleigh, Ferndale Road 01:00
2-3 Redwing calling. Robin Peppiatt.
Ashingdon, Princess Gardens 06:40
2 Redwing alarm calling from neighbour's garden then flew off west. David Selley.
Gunners Park 08:30 to 14:30
Male and female Sparrowhawk, female Kestrel, 32 Siskin (2 separate mobile flocks), 3 Stonechat, 2 Jackdaw, 2 Goldcrest, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Jay, male Kingfisher, 60+ Starling, 3 Meadow Pipit, 1 Coal Tit, 4 Chiffchaff, several Greenfinch and House Sparrow on the compound bird feeders, 2 Little Egret, Grey Heron (sunning himself in the SSSI), Black Swan, female Mute Swan and three cygnets, 10+ Little Grebe, several Mallard, 3 male Blackcap, 2 large flocks of Dunlin flying past off the seawall (one heading east and later west), 5 Skylark flyover (heading north), 1 Pied Wagtail, several Carrion Crow, 15 x Goldfinch (mobile flock), large numbers of Oystercatcher at low tide. Andrew Armstrong.
Wat Tyler Country Park 10:00 to 10:40
1 Common Crane on scrape, great views! Mick Roe.
Barling Magna. Millennium Wildlife Park 11:00 to 12:45
Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Great Tit, Magpie, Black-headed Gull, Blue Tit, House Sparrow, Robin, Dunnock, Jackdaw, Woodpigeon, Starling, Jay, Long-tailed Tit, Blackbird, Green Woodpecker, Herring Gull. M. Hill & S. Jackson.
Daws Heath 12:20
6 Buzzard circling above Westwood, moving north, 2 Coal Tit on feeders in garden. Neil Latham.
Great Wakering, All Saints Church to the Sea Wall 12:55 to 13:45
Blackbird, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Coot, Moorhen, 50+ Starling, Common Buzzard, Magpie, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, House Sparrow, 10 Little Grebe, Lapwing, Black-headed Gull, Water Rail, 8 Redshank, Common Sandpiper, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 4 Great Black-backed Gull, Little Egret, Common Gull, Mallard, Robin, Collared Dove. S. Jackson & M. Hill.
Billericay 15:40
Hummingbird Hawk Moth on Verbena bonariensis. I had a marvelous close -up view of this beautiful moth. Marion Burch.
Wat Tyler Country Park 17:30 to 18:30
1 Water Rail, 2 male and 2 female Marsh Harrier, 1 Kestrel, Bearded Tit. Mick Roe.
Thursday 08th October 2015west north west, partly cloudy, max17°c
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 13:40 to 16:00
1 Wheatear on track, 1 Green Sandpiper Coryton, 20+ Teal, 1 Shoveler and 2 Gadwall on Manorway Fleet, 2 Little Egret, a few Cetti's Warbler heard, 2 Little Grebe on creek, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker Coryton. Richard Fahey.
Basildon, Burnt Mills 10:30
1 Grey Wagtail on neighbour's roof. Pete and Dawn.
Galleywood Common 14:00 to 16:30
Treecreeper, Magpie, Blackbird, Mallard, Moorhen, Wren, Woodpigeon, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Robin, Green Woodpecker, Jay, Carrion Crow. Kevin Taylor.
Abberton Reservoir 15:30 to 16:40
1 Great White Egret, 12 Little Egret, 9 Grey Heron, 40+ Teal, 200+ Mallard, 100+ Coot, 200+ Tufted Duck, 200+ Pochard, 70+ Shoveler, 60+ Lapwing, 7 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 200+ Black-headed Gull, 12 Great Black-backed Gull, 120+ Herring Gull, 150+ Cormorant, 12 Great Crested Grebe, 12 Moorhen, 20+ Mute Swan, 1 Swan Goose, 200+ Canada Geese, 200+ Greylag Geese, 9 Magpie, 13 Jackdaw, 30+ Starling, 100+ Carrion Crow, 60+ Woodpigeon, 6 Common Pheasant. Rob Harris.
Woodham, Crow Lane/Edwin's Hall Road 18:10 to 18:30
3 Magpie, 20+ Starling, 70+ Carrion Crow, 60+ Woodpigeon, 9 Common Pheasant, 60+ Red-legged Partridge, 20+ Moorhen. Rob Harris.
Wednesday 07th October 2015westerly, mostly cloudy, max16°c
Ashingdon, Princess Gardens 07:50 and 09:45
4 Jay over the garden, 1 female Sparrowhawk - had a close encounter as she flew at below head height along our driveway. David Selley.
Southchurch Park 17:00
1 drake Tufted Duck sitting on pond perimeter in the evening sun with a female Mallard and 6 ducklings (ready to fledge at 55 days). Robert Dobinson.
Tuesday 06th October 2015southerly, mostly cloudy, max17°c
Westcliff, St George's Drive 08:00
1 Grey Wagtail flew over garden. Jeff Kinnerman.
Two Tree Island East 13:00 to 14:30
34 Little Egret, 6000+ Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 8 Curlew, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Goldcrest. Web Author.
Shoebury 15:00
1 Goldcrest, 2 Chiffchaff in garden. Steve Day.
Monday 05th October 2015southerly, mostly cloudy, max19°c
RSPB Wallasea Island 15:30 to 16:30
5 Common Pheasant, 3 Red-legged Partridge, 70+ Starling, 100+ Black-headed Gull, 70+ Herring Gull, 14 Redshank, 40+ Canada Geese, 12 Mallard, 7 Magpie, 30+ Carrion Crow, 30+ Corn Bunting, 50+ Linnet, 4 Kestrel. Rob Harris.
Hanningfield Reservoir Causeway 16:30 to 17:00
350+ Coot, 100+ Mallard, 100+ Pochard, 100+ Tufted Duck, 3 Moorhen, 17 Great Crested Grebe, 160+ Cormorant, 3 Magpie, 23 Carrion Crow, 7 Pied Wagtail, 6 Collared Dove, 5 Mute Swan, 20+ Woodpigeon. Rob Harris.
Sunday 04th October 2015variable, partly cloudy, max16°c
Rayleigh, Ferndale Road 08:00 to 17:00
A day gardening produced the following: 2 Green Woodpecker, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Buzzard, 20+ Siskin (in small flocks of 3-4), 2 Bullfinch, 2 Chaffinch, 4 Greenfinch, 1 Goldfinch, 2 Redpoll, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap, 4-5 Goldcrest, 10+ Meadow Pipit (over as singles), 3 Swallow, 2 Jay, 2 Jackdaw, 2 Stock Dove, 1 Pied Wagtail. 1 Small Copper on Ivy (first record for garden). 1 Hornet. Robin Peppiatt.
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 08:20 to 11:30
1 Lesser Whitethroat very close in shrub behind seawall, a very few Chiffchaff and Swallow, 3 Snipe off "shrub mound pond", 1 Common Sandpiper on creek, 1 male Peregrine Falcon, 6 Bearded Tit Manorway Fleet (1 earlier and 6 later in the air), 2 Water Rail Manorway Fleet, a few Cetti's Warbler heard, 50+ Teal mostly on creek, 4 Shoveler on "shrub mound pond", c.5 Lapwing on creek, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 single Sparrowhawk, 1 Siskin was seen by Peter Worland earlier over Manorway Fleet, whom I met later. Richard Fahey.
East Mersea, Cudmore Grove 10:00 to 15:00
Little Grebe, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Mute Swan, Greylag Goose, Brent Goose, Shelduck, Wigeon, Teal, Mallard, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Redshank, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Woodpigeon, Kingfisher, Pied Wagtail, Wren, Robin, Blackbird, Great Tit, Jay, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Rook, Starling, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Linnet, Reed Bunting. Red Admiral. Kevin Taylor.
Westcliff, St George's Drive 13:32
1 Common Buzzard flying north, viewed from garden. Jeff Kinnerman.
Chelmsford, Springfield Lock 16:40
2 Grey Wagtail. Tim Davis.
Saturday 03rd October 2015variable, scattered clouds, max16°c
East Tilbury, Coalhouse Fort 08:45 to 11:45
1 immature male Marsh Harrier, c.200 Avocet, 5 Stonechat, 12 Brent Geese, c.15 Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrest, 11 Little Grebe, 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Cetti's Warbler (heard), 1 Little Egret, 3 Swallow. Andrew Gouldstone.
Westcliff, St George's Drive 10:15
Dotted Rustic Moth in garden. Jeff Kinnerman.
Shoeburyness, gunners Park 10:35 to 12:55
Black-headed Gull, 80 Starling, Woodpigeon, Carrion Crow, Magpie, Herring Gull, Robin, Blackbird, Great Tit, Collared Dove, Firecrest, Blue Tit, Feral Pigeon, Moorhen, Mallard, large flock of Swallow and House Martin, Dunnock, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Oystercatcher, Lesser Black-backed Gull, 8 Little Egret, Redshank, Chiffchaff, Turnstone, Kestrel, Great Black-backed Gull, Mute Swan with 3 cygnets, Black Swan, 8 Little Grebe, Goldcrest. S. Jackson & M. Hill.
Southchurch Park East 12:45
2 Grey Heron flying high from estuary due NE over pond, 1 Cormorant flying to estuary due SW over pond 5 minutes later, 2 female Teal feeding along NW reedbed edge, 1 Green Woodpecker calling out across park. 12.45am. Robert Dobinson.
East Tilbury, Coalhouse Fort 13:48 to 14:50
Immature female Marsh Harrier, 1 Chiffchaff, 20+ Swallow, 11 Little Grebe on moat, 200+ Avocet, 2 Grey Plover, 40+ Curlew, 100+ Dunlin, 100+ Teal, 3 Gadwall, 1 Great spotted Woodpecker. 4 Seal. Richard Fahey.
RSPB Wallasea Island 16:30 to 17:30
100+ Black-headed Gull, 8 Great Black-backed Gull, 100+ Herring Gull, 9 Common Pheasant, 3 Red-legged Partridge, 1 Stonechat, 40+ Corn Bunting, 60+ Linnet, 7 Starling, 4 Magpie, 30+ Carrion Crow, 60+ Canada Geese, 5 Mute Swan, 2 Common Buzzard, 2 Marsh Harrier, 3 Kestrel. Rob Harris.
Friday 02nd October 2015east north east, clear, max17°c
Southend, High Street 07:16 to 07:30
2 Grey Wagtail calling/flying over buildings. Jeff Kinnerman.
Leigh on Sea, Park View Drive 09:15
Goldcrest in garden. Web Author.
Abberton Reservoir 09:45 to 15:00
Great White Egret, 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, Kestrel, Moorhen, Coot, Lapwing, Ruff, Black-tailed Godwit, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Starling, Swan Goose. Small Copper, Red Admiral. Kevin Taylor.
Corringham Area c.12:15
1 Buzzard soaring low over and near small woodland at the bottom of Lampits Hill. Richard Fahey.
River Roach Seal Trip, 13:30 to 16:15
18 Little Egret, 2 Grey Heron, 22 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 8 Shelduck, 6 Wigeon, 2 Buzzard (over Wallasea Marina), 1 Kestrel, 18 Avocet, 24 Great Black-backed Gull, 40 Lapwing, 8 Curlew. 14 Common Seal. Web Author.
River Crouch, Towards Battlesbridge 14:30 to 16:30
3 Curlew, 12 Little Egret, 1 Buzzard, 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 female Marsh Harrier. David Chivers.
Leigh Old Town 15:15 to 18:10
1,000+ Brent Goose rafting on high tide. Martin Johnson.
Westcliff, St Georges Drive 16:20
1 Painted Lady in garden. Jeff Kinnerman.
Hullbridge, River Crouch 16:30
1 Kingfisher. Russ Payne.
RSPB Wallasea Island 18:50 to 19:10
3 Common Pheasant. 3 Brown Hare. Rob Harris.
Thursday 01st October 2015east north east, scattered clouds, max16°c
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 08:15 to 10:25
2 Spotted Redshank, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Green Sandpiper, a few Swallow Coryton, 1 Buzzard in water on fleet before flying off (the two Green Sandpipers that came off here, weren't bothered by it before I came along!), 2 sightings of Kingfisher Manorway Fleet, c.4 Cetti's Warbler heard, 1 Little Egret, 50+ Teal on creek, 1 Shoveler on Manorway Fleet, c.6 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Little Grebe on Manorway Fleet. Richard Fahey.
Leigh on Sea, Park View Drive 16:20
Male and female Sparrowhawk over garden. Web Author.