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Bird Reports for September 2004

Thursday 30th September 2004

Thundersley Park Road / Benfleet 08.30: 1 Sparrowhawk (female). Andrew Bridge.

Southend Seafront & Pier 14.00 - 17.00: Ring-billed Gull plus one Mediterranean Gull at Rossi's at 2pm and 1 juv. Gannet seen from end of pier through scope (at distance) at 5pm. 150 Brent Geese over pier in 30 min period 3.15 to 3.45pm. Steve Gill.

Gunners Park 16.45 - 17.00: 18 Swallow, 1 Curlew (flying over), 1 fox stalking, catching and eating a rabbit in the reserve. Iain Henderson.

Canvey Point, 18:00 to 18:30: 8 Little Egret, 2 Sandwich Tern, 1 Common Tern, 1 Mediterranean Gull (adult-winter), 10 Black-tailed Godwit. Paul Griggs (SOG).

Gunners Park 18.10 - 18.30: 2 Swallow, 5 Little Egret. Iain Henderson.

Wednesday 29th September 2004

Hanningfield Reservoir (Visitors' Centre): 20 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Coal Tit, 1 Goldcrest. Peter Walker.

Two Tree Island: Spoonbill reported flying over by Mr Parish.

Tuesday 28th September 2004

Vange Marsh, 07:30 to 08:20: 3 Little Stint, 3 Ruff (males), 1 Curlew Sandpiper, 1 Dunlin, 1 Common Sandpiper, 10 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Snipe, 5 Wigeon, 2 Little Egret. Paul Griggs (SOG).

Two Tree Island (from road bridge) 13.00 - 13.15: 80 (approx) Brent Geese swimming on south side of island. 32 Little Egret roosting on the marsh, close to the East end of the EWT reserve. John Bennett.

Gunners Park 17.45 - 18.30: 2 Chiffchaff, 5 Little Egret (on flats towards East Beach). Iain Henderson.

Monday 27th September 2004

Two Tree Island (West), 15:00 to 16:00: 1 Short-eared Owl (reported). Andrew Woodhouse Essex Ranger Service.

Rochford, Hall Road 16.30: 40 Swallow and 10 House Martin over fields catching many humid insects. Steven Wood.

Richmond Park, Benfleet 18.15: 2 Grey Wagtail. Andrew Bridge.

Canvey Point: Great Skua, 3 Sandwich Tern, 20 Brent Geese. Peter Gurr.

Southend, East Street: 2 Chiffchaff feeding off insects on walnut tree in my garden. Peter Walker.

Sunday 26th September 2004

Gunners Park, 08:30 to 10:30: 2 Grey Wagtail, 4 Sand Martin, 90 House Martin, 4 Skylark, 8 Chiffchaff, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 11 Goldcrest, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Blackcap. Brian Baldock, Dave Knight (SOG).

Pipps Hill (fishing lake) 09.00: 1 Kingfisher, 1 Grey Wagtail. Andrew Bridge.

Thundersley 09.04 - 10.00: 27 House Martin flying in WNW direction. John Bennett.

Vange Marsh, 09:20 to 10:10: 1 Curlew Sandpiper (moulting ad), 2 Little Stint (juv's), 3 Dunlin, 1 Ruff (ad male), 1 Greenshank, 21 Black-tailed Godwit, 35 Teal. Neil Chambers (SOG).

Hadleigh Marshes, 09:30 to 10:30: 21 Linnet, 26 Meadow Pipit, 1 Snipe, 2 Little Grebe. Andrew Woodhouse Essex Ranger Service.

Gunners Park 09.30 - 11.00: A very large number of Swallows and House Martins estimated at 500+ with a further 125-150 on the railings overlooking the sea which were leaving in small groups for Kent. 1 Swift, 1 Wheatear, 2 Willow Warbler, 12 Robin, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Green Woodpecker, 9 Goldfinch, 1 Kestrel, 25 Turnstone. 5 Thrush. Iain Henderson.

Saturday 25th September 2004

Two Tree Island 07:05 to 09:05: 11 Avocet (in a group in the creek between island and Canvey), 60 Dark-bellied Brent Goose and 30 Wigeon (off eastern tip). David Lee.

Canvey (Thorney Bay) 0830: 3 Swallow heading SE over river. Ron Galliers.

Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 09:45: 1 Siskin (again on the feeder! female), 12 Goldfinch, 4 Greenfinch. Paul Baker (SOG).

South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 10.05 - 11.40: 17 Little Egret (4 on north side of Crouch), 8 Curlew, Marsh Harrier (fem), Green Sandpiper, Grey Plover, Reed Bunting, circa 150 Meadow Pipit. Ray Fuller.

Tattersall Gardens, Leigh 13.50: 1 Siskin female, 8 Goldfinch, 3 Greenfinch feeding on sunflower hearts and nyger seed in RSPB Challenger feeders in my garden; could these be the same birds reported in Mayflower Close? Martin Johnson.

Friday 24th September 2004

Canvey Point, 07:00 to 09:00: 1 Purple Sandpiper (roosted at end of Beveland Rd, crippling views between 7 and 9, before moving west along foreshore and past Park Ave.), 1 Yellow Wagtail (flew overhead, south calling), 16 Common Tern, 2 Sandwich Tern, 9 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 7 Gannet (all juvs, inc a flock of 6 upriver at 8:55), 2 Kestrel (flew north from Kent), 3 Arctic Tern (juvs, maybe more with the commons), 13 Little Egret (all in Kent), 1 Common Scoter (female on the river). Paul Baker (SOG).

Chalkwell Park Drive, Leigh, 08:00: 1 Grey Wagtail (Flew over the house). John Wright (SOG).

Pipps Hill, Basildon: 09:30: 1 Kingfisher - flying north over the A127! Paul Griggs (SOG).

Gunners Park, 12:00: 1 Redstart in the reserve. Dave Knight. (SOG).

Two Tree Island East (on wide green path) 14.00 - 14.30: A Weasel played for half an hour first with two Green Woodpeckers and then whilst the Woodpeckers looked on he rough and tumbled with two Magpies often jumping a foot in the air trying to chase them which they all enjoyed no end. Roger Shinn.

Wat Tyler Country Park 17.45 - 18.45: 9 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Spotted Redshank (adults), Peregrine Falcon, 2 Water Rail calling, several Bearded Tit, Cetti's Warbler, Kingfisher, Green Woodpecker, Teal, Shoveler, 12 Little Grebe, Swallows, House Martins, Sparrowhawk (female). Andrew Cox.

Thursday 23rd September 2004

Wat Tyler Country Park, 13:00 to 13:45: 3 Bearded Tit, 6 Black-tailed Godwit. Graham Ryland (SOG).

Fanes Wood, Thundersley, 18:00 to 18:30: 1 Sparrowhawk (male with prey in talons, female yesterday), 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Chiffchaff. Graham Ryland (SOG).

Prittle Brook, Leigh on Sea, 22:10 to 22:20: 1 Tawny Owl (calling). Brian Baldock (SOG).

Tuesday 21st September 2004

Benfleet (my garden) 18.45: 2 Hummingbird Hawk Moth. Andrew Bridge.

Canewdon, Butts Hill: Over 250 Meadow Pipits in field behind pond plus Yellow Wagtail. 500+ Golden Plover near Lower Raypits. Sparrowhawk daily, 3 Chiffchaff. Also over 20 Common Lizard on our woodpile enjoying the afternoon sun! Jeff Delve. (EBS).

Sunday 19th September 2004

Gunner's Park 06.30: 1 juvenile Kittiwake (off pier), 1 Tree Pipit (flew out to sea calling), 1 Spotted Flycatcher (Playground area), 1 Common Redstart (Gorse in EWT), 2 Whinchat (EWT), 2 Goldcrest, 2 Willow Warbler. Russell Clark.

Paglesham Lagoon, 08:30 to 09:40: 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Hobby (juv), 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Yellowhammer. Neil Chambers, Paul Baker. (SOG).

Gunners Park, 08:30 to 11:30: 1 Little Egret, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Kestrel, 20 Chiffchaff, 40 Swallow, 2 Wheatear, 20 Meadow Pipit, 3 Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Pied Flycatcher. Brian Baldock, Dave Knight (SOG).

Belton Way, Leigh 08:50: 1 Sparrowhawk flying over Marine Parade east of Thames Drive. 28 Canada Geese on field west of Golf Range. David Lee.

Gunners Park, 10:00 to 10:20: 3 Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Pied Flycatcher (all on west side btw pond and pedestrian entrance), 5 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap (male). Neil Chambers, Paul Baker (SOG).

Pipps Hill (fishing lake) 10.00: 1 Grey Wagtail. Andrew Bridge.

Prittle Brook (Leigh on Sea), 13:00: 1 Grey Wagtail. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).

Two Tree Island (East), 13:00 to 16:35: 23 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 594 Redshank, 311 Curlew, 2 Whimbrel, 20 Wigeon, 103 Teal, 118 Turnstone, 375 Grey Plover, 41 Greenshank, 108 Dunlin, 209 Black-tailed Godwit (circa 200 at Canvey Point), 2 Bar-tailed Godwit, 22 Little Egret, 10 Knot, 26 Swallow, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Sandwich Tern, 1 juvenile Little Grebe, 120 Starling. Also: Clouded Yellow). Graham Ryland (SOG).

Two Tree Island (East), 15:15 to 15:45 (viewed from Belton Way East): 1 Kestrel, 52 Little Egret, 6 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 160 Turnstone (circa). Web Author.

Horndon on the Hill Recreation Field 16:00 - 18:00: 1 female and 2 male Kestrel displaying, sometimes as close as 40-50 metres away. a flock of about 20 Pied Wagtail, many House Martin and Swallows flying through, 1 Great Skua!! thermaling slowly through and then flying back again to thermal again many Goldfinch and Greenfinch all this and the Red Arrows and part of the B of B memorial flight! Martin Itter.

Saturday 18th September 2004

Leigh on Sea, 08:20: 1 Sparrowhawk (Over the A13 near Safeway). John Wright (SOG).

Gunners Park, 08:50 to 10:20: 1 Pied Flycatcher (In the bushes by the mound, near the children's play area), 10 Chiffchaff, 25 Long-tailed Tit. John Wright (SOG).

Gunners Park, 09:15 to 11:30: 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Kestrel, 1 Grey Wagtail, 4 Chiffchaff, 20 Long-tailed Tit, 8 Swallow, 1 Reed Warbler. Brian Baldock (SOG).

Leigh on Sea, 09:20 to 09:25: 1 Sparrowhawk (Flew over Eastwood Road), 2 Jackdaw. Dudley Shayler (SOG).

Southend Pier at 09.30: 1 Manx Shearwater flew West towards Canvey. Also, 1 Artic Skua (Dark phase), 3 Mediterranean Gull and several Sandwich Tern. Marco Johnston.

South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 09.40 - 11.45: 9 Little Egret (2 on north side of Crouch), Common Sandpiper, Bar-tailed Godwit, 2 Common Tern, 4 Curlew, 3 Little Tern. Ray Fuller.

Battlesbridge 10.45: 1 Hobby (hawking over the marshy area by the side of the new A130). John Pitts.

Wakering Rubbish Tip, 11:00 to 12:00: 1 Marsh Harrier (Juv. on Potton Is.), 200 Wigeon (Over Potton Is.), 4 Little Egret. John Wright (SOG).

Westcliff Seafront, 12:50 to 12:55: 1 Ring-billed Gull (Adult opposite Rossi's). John Wright (SOG).

Westcliff Seafront, 15:30 to 15:40: 1 Mediterranean Gull (adult on the sea). Paul Baker (SOG).

Southend, 16:40: 1 Hobby (South past the Bell Pub). Steve Arlow (SOG).

Friday 17th September 2004

Hadleigh Marsh 07.43: 8 Canada Goose seen from train on field north of railway line and below Hadleigh Castle. Martin Johnson.

Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 08:15 to 08:20: 1 Siskin on the niger feeder, 8 Goldfinch. Paul Baker (SOG).

Westcliff Seafront, 12:45 to 13:00: 2 Mediterranean Gull (Adults), 2 Goldcrest (On the cliffs). John Wright (SOG).

Southend, 16:40: 1 Hobby (Flew south over A127 near the Bell PH). Steve Arlow, John Wright (SOG).

Shoeburyness High School Field 18.30: 1 Wheatear. Richard Harriss.

Two Tree Island: 2,300 Godwit left a roost somewhere on or around Canvey and headed across the Thames to feed in the Yantlett Creek area. Dave Davenport.

Wednesday 15th September 2004

Benfleet Creek 07.45: 3 Little Egret just east of Benfleet station, seen from train. Martin Johnson.

Hadleigh Marshes, 16:00: 1 Wheatear. Andrew Woodhouse Essex Ranger Service.

Westcliff Seafront, 17:35 to 17:40: 1 Ring-billed Gull (adult just east of the Casino by KJ's cafe ), 3 Mediterranean Gull (2 adults and a 2nd winter). Steve Arlow, Paul Griggs (SOG).

Leigh on Sea, 18:00 to 18:10: Hummingbird Hawk Moth in my garden. Dudley Shayler (SOG).

Tuesday 14th September 2004

Thundersley (my garden) 10.00 - 11.30: 10 Goldfinch flitting between trees but not feeding. 1 Coal Tit feeding with Blue & Great Tits. Also 1 Humming Bird Hawk Moth feeding from flowers. John Bennett.

Hadleigh Marshes, 13:30 to 15:00: 1 Hobby, 3 Kestrel, 2 Sparrowhawk, 2 Snipe, 1 Wigeon, 5 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Whinchat. Andrew Woodhouse Essex Ranger Service.

Pipps Hill, Basildon 15:00 - 17:00: 1 Hobby. Also a feral Barnacle Goose flew over with Canada Geese. Paul Griggs (SOG).

Monday 13th September 2004

Rochford, Hall Road 11.30: 2 Hobby high and fast going NW. Steve Wood.

Sunday 12th September 2004

Gunners Park 08.00 - 09.15: 1 Lapwing, 2 Swift flying across Thames, 1 Wheatear, 4 Whinchat (in same small blackberry bushes in far corner of EWT reserve, 1 Marsh Harrier left Essex coast and was followed through scope all the way to Kent). Web Author.

Prittle Brook (Leigh on Sea), 08:30 to 08:45: 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Jackdaw. Brian Baldock (SOG).

Wakering Common 10.00 - 12.30: 5 Little Egret, 12 Dark Bellied Brent Goose, Wigeon, Teal, Marsh Harrier (juvenile male), 2 Sparrowhawk (female took Wood Pigeon from roof of old hut on Rushley!), Kestrel, 2 Avocet, Whinchat. Web Author.

Wakering Stairs, 12:00 to 13:00: 2 Marsh Harrier (Juvs. on Foulness), 8 Little Egret, 33 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 2 Turtle Dove, 3 Kestrel, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 6 Linnet. John Wright (SOG).

Wat Tyler Country Park, 13:00 to 13:20: 6 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Little Egret. Neil Chambers (SOG).

Hadleigh Marshes, 13:30 to 14:30: 1 Swift, 20 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Snipe. Andrew Woodhouse Essex Ranger Service.

Southchurch Park 18.45: 2 Cormorant. Steve Wood.

Saturday 11th September 2004

Westcliff Seafront, 07:50 to 08:05: 1 Ring-billed Gull (Opp. Rossi's), 2 Mediterranean Gull (Adult & 2nd W.). John Wright (SOG).

Gunners Park, 08:25 to 09:30: 2 Wheatear, 1 Whinchat, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Chiffchaff, 200 Swallow (In small groups moving S.W.). John Wright (SOG).

Rayleigh, 08:30: 1 Sparrowhawk (female over A127 just east of Rayleigh Weir). Neil Chambers, Paul Baker (SOG).

Wakering Stairs, 09:45 to 11:00: 12 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 4 Little Egret, 600 Oystercatcher (Including partial leucistic bird), 50 Knot. John Wright (SOG).

South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 09.45 - 11.45: 10 Little Egret (5 on north side of Crouch), 2 Common Sandpiper, 11 Curlew, 2 Reed Bunting, circa 100 Golden Plover, 2 Greenshank, Black-tailed Godwit. Ray Fuller.

Westcliff Seafront 09.45: 1 Ring-billed Gull. Web Author.

Wat Tyler Country Park 14.00: 1 Green Sandpiper. Yasmine Hamid.

Wakering, Potton Creek: 2 Curlew Sandpiper, 1 Male Marsh Harrier, 1 Peregrine Falcon, 1 Hobby. Lee Ebbs.

Friday 10th September 2004 (The Brent are Back! See our Brent Goose Page)

Westcliff Seafront 05.50: 1 Ring-billed Gull. Web Author. 'Rossi' was in the road with some other gulls eating discarded chips, as it was just light and I was looking on the lamposts I came very, very close to running him over!! I would have had to have resigned. Can I also apologise to the driver behind me that nearly ran in to the back of me when I braked hard.

Canvey Seafront, 06:20 to 09:00: 8 Arctic Skua, 150 (circa) Sandwich Tern, 3 Black Tern, 4 Mute Swan,  3 Wigeon, Web Author.

Two Tree Island (East), 09:30 to 09:40: 3 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 10 Wigeon. Web Author.

Hadleigh Marshes, 11:00: 1 Green Sandpiper (reported). Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).

Gunners Park 16.10 - 17.00: 1 Wheatear, 5 Whinchat. Web Author. All five Whinchat were in one small blackberry bush on the far side of the EWT reserve!

Ashingdon, 18:00 to 18:10: 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker (on garden feeder). Neil Chambers (SOG).

Langdon Hills: Several Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Nuthatch, Blue Tits, Great Tits, 2 Coal Tits, Goldcrests, Mistle Thrush, several Willow Warbler, 1 Wood Warbler, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Pied Flycatcher, Swallows, House Martins, Stock Dove, Wren, Robin. Andrew Cox.

Thursday 09th September 2004

Corringham 17.00: 1 female Redstart feeding yesterday and today in my back garden. Barry Crowley.

Priory Park, 12:30 to 13:00: 1 Spotted Flycatcher. John Wright (SOG).

Leigh, Nelson Road 13.30: 6 Ring-necked Parakeet flying west calling. Tim Shaw.

South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 16.40 - 18.20: 9 Little Egret (6 on north side of Crouch), Hobby, 4 Greenshank, 2 Reed Bunting, 12 Golden Plover, 10 Curlew. Ray Fuller.

Ballards Gore, 18:30 to 18:50: 1 Little Owl (on telegraph pole by Shepherd and Dog pub), 1 Black Redstart (in horse paddock by Punchbowl). Web Author.

Wednesday 08th September 2004

Canvey Seafront, 06:00 to 07:00: 10 Arctic Skua (Included one very nice pale phase bird.), 2 Little Gull. Dudley Shayler (SOG).

Vange Marsh, 07:00 to 09:00: 4 Cetti's Warbler, 8 Reed Warbler, 10 Sedge Warbler, 12 Green Sandpiper, 8 Common Sandpiper, 3 Spotted Redshank, 7 Ruff, 122 Shoveler,12 Greenshank, 16 Snipe. Chris Lewis (SOG).

Billericay: Raven in conflict with a Sparrowhawk over Billericay. Kevin Rees.

Tuesday 07th September 2004

Canvey Point, 06:30 to 11:30: 2 Fulmar, 13 Gannet, 97 Little Egret, 1 Pomarine Skua, 129 Arctic Skua, 6 Long-tailed Skua, 97 Great Skua, 11 Mediterranean Gull, 15 Little Gull, 75 Arctic Tern, 6 Black Tern. Jeff Saward (SOG).

Canvey Seafront, 08:00 to 08:45: 24 Arctic Skua, 1 Long-tailed Skua ((juv)), 14 Great Skua. Graham Ryland (SOG).

Canvey Point, 12:30 to 15:20: 10 Arctic Skua (at least with several lingering), 1 Great Skua, 5 Black Tern, 9 Little Gull (7 juveniles, 1 adult and 1 2nd year), 22 Wigeon, 35 Sandwich Tern (minimum). Steve Arlow (SOG).

Canvey Point, 16:40 to 19:10: 1 Mediterranean Gull (1st-winter), 2 Arctic Tern (juvs), 72 Wigeon, 1 Kestrel (flew in from Kent), 1 Little Egret, 4 Arctic Skua (3 dark and 1 pale phase). Paul Griggs, Don Petrie (SOG).

Canvey Seafront, 17:45 to 18:45: 7 Arctic Skua, 1 Great Skua. Graham Ryland (SOG).

Monday 06th September 2004

Rochford, Hall Road 09.00: Pristine adult Hobby fast over rooftops 4.45 and earlier 2.10pm. 2 Kestrel circling. Steve Wood.

Westcliff Seafront, 17:30 to 17:35: 1 Ring-billed Gull (adult again on its favourite lamp post (only gull present)). Steve Arlow (SOG).

Friars Park, Shoebury: 1 Redstart. Lee Ebbs.

Sunday 05th September 2004

Barling Gravel Pits 10.20 - 12.45: 2 Whinchat on top of bushes adjacent to shooting range, 2 Green Sandpiper, Kingfisher, Hobby, 2 Kestrel, 3 Greenshank, 3 Reed Bunting, 13 Little Egret, Yellow Wagtail, Goldfinch, Green Woodpecker, 2 Mute Swan, 5 Widgeon, circa 100 Swallow flying south. Ray Fuller.

Paglesham Lagoon, 14:05 to 18:20: 2 Marsh Harrier (adult male near Stambridge Sewage Works and a female by the lagoon), 1 Hobby, 8 Wigeon, 1 Pintail (eclipse drake), 61 Little Grebe, 1 Mediterranean Gull (2nd year), 1 Little Egret (on lagoon islands), 2 Green Woodpecker. Steve Arlow (SOG).

Bolts Farm, 15:00 to 16:00: 15 Little Egret, 1 Yellowhammer (female). Paul Griggs (SOG).

Two Tree Island 17.10 - 20.20: On high tide roost on saltings to south of island 35 Little Egret, 5 Grey Heron.  As tide ebbed the Little Egrets began to disperse from 18.10hrs, most locally into runnels in the salt marsh, or to the southern fringe of the salt marsh and southwards on the mudflats as the tide receded, some towards Leigh Creek others to Benfleet Creek, and 6 flew inland north over the Marine Estate. No egrets roosted for the night on TTI. Also seen: 22 Wigeon, 20 Black-tailed Godwit - one was banded on the tibia of each leg with identical red top half, white bottom half band. Martin Johnson.

Saturday 04th September 2004

Southend Seafront, 06:40 to 08:20: 49 Mediterranean Gull (10 1st year/juvs, 4 2nd years and 35 adults (including green ring French birds A00 + P20 and Yellow ringed (now looking a dingy white) Kent bird 31P). Steve Arlow (SOG).

Prittle Brook (Leigh on Sea), 08:00 to 08:15: 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Willow Warbler. Brian Baldock (SOG).

Gunners Park, 08:30 to 11:30: 1 Whinchat (showing in bushes just west of the end bridge), 1 Spotted Flycatcher (near the pond), 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Whitethroat, 400 Swallow (Minimum. Not counted but constant stream of birds going south), 8 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Sparrowhawk (adult female, adult male and a juvenile), 2 Kestrel, 4 Swift. Steve Arlow (SOG).

Gunners Park, 08:45 to 11:30: 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Green Woodpecker, 12 Yellow Wagtail, 6 Whitethroat, 4 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Blackcap, 2 Reed Warbler, 1 Whinchat, 1 Reed Bunting, 1 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Willow Warbler, 30 Swallow (passing through). Brian Baldock (SOG).

Two Tree Island, 09:15 to 11:30: 4 Whinchat (West end.), 600 Starling, 38 Black-tailed Godwit, 20+ Whitethroat, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Green Woodpecker, 9 Little Egret (Small Heath. Clouded Yellow. Southern Hawkers). Graham Ryland (SOG).

South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 09.35 - 12.05: 21 Little Egret (11 on north side of Crouch), 18 Bar-tailed Godwit, 17 Curlew, 4 Common Tern, 4 Common Sandpiper, 4 Greenshank, Reed Bunting, 2 Wheatear. Ray Fuller.

Gunners Park, 15:00 to 15:45: 1 Spotted Flycatcher (still in the north east corner), 2 Whinchat (one in the reserve and one north of the end bridge), 1 Lesser Whitethroat. Steve Arlow, Paul Griggs (SOG).

Fleet Head, 16:15 to 17:30: 2 Hobby, 1 Marsh Harrier (immature male), 10 Snipe, 2 Green Sandpiper, 17 Golden Plover, 130 Yellow Wagtail (minimum on Fleet Head and nearby Potton Island but could easily have been at least 200+ birds ), 16 Little Egret. Steve Arlow, Paul Griggs (SOG).

Two Tree Island 16.30 - 17.15: Roosting on saltings at high tide, 36 Little Egret, 3 Grey Heron, 476 Curlew, 1 Kingfisher. Martin Johnson.

Gunners Park (NE corner only) 17.15 - 17.30: 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 4 Goldfinch. Web Author.

Wakering Old Tip, 17:50 to 20:10: 206 Little Egret (counted going to roost on Foulness - See the Big Little Egret Count page, Ed.), 2 Avocet, 17 (mostly juvenile Shelduck, 2 Mute Swan, 7 Marsh Harrier (going to roost on Foulness), 7 Red-legged Partridge, 2 Short-eared Owl (over Foulness at dusk), 25 Greenshank, 1 Sparrowhawk, 6 Whinchat (on top of the old tip). Steve Arlow, Paul Griggs, Web Author. (SOG). Also two seals hauled out on mud in the Middleway.

Friday 03rd September 2004

Southchurch Gardens 07.00: 3 Swift with the House Martin and in the cemetery near royals one male Redstart sitting on a gravestone. Steve Wood.

Gunners Park, 08:15 to 09:45: 2 Spotted Flycatcher (in NE corner), 2 Pied Flycatcher (in NE corner), 27 Swift, 7 Sand Martin, 8 Swallow, 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 4 Yellow Wagtail (in EWT reserve), 2 Whitethroat, 4 Little Egret (off shore), 18 Goldfinch. Web Author.

Gunners Park 16.15 - 17.00: 4 Greenfinch, 17 and 14 Swift, 8 Swallow, 1 Goldfinch. Iain Henderson.

Gunners Park, 16:30 to 18:00: 3 Spotted Flycatcher (N.E.Corner by the new fence), 14 Swift. Graham Ryland (SOG).

Wat Tyler Country Park, 17:10 to 17:55: 1 Peregrine Falcon, 2 Hobby, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Green Sandpiper, 4 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Bearded Tit (heard), 1 Cetti's Warbler (heard), 1 Water Rail (heard), 10 Greenshank. Paul Griggs (SOG).

Wakering Stairs, 17:15 to 18:50: 1 Curlew Sandpiper (Juvenile again in the wader flock), 83 Sanderling, 34 Greenshank, 72 Golden Plover, 6 Wigeon (first of autumn), 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Yellow-legged Gull (adults). Steve Arlow (SOG).

Thursday 02nd September 2004

Hadleigh Downs, 14:00 to 15:00: 2 Hobby. Andrew Woodhouse Essex ranger Service.

Gunners Park 16.00 - 17.00: 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Greenfinch, 1 Kestrel, 3 Swallow. Iain Henderson.

Gunners Park, 17:30 to 19:10: 1 Spotted Flycatcher (still in the bushes in the north east corner), 2 Pied Flycatcher (in the bushes in the north east corner, these were not present yesterday evening), 5 Yellow Wagtail, 11 Swift, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Wheatear. Steve Arlow (SOG).

Two Tree Island 20.02 to 20.08: 6 Little Egret flew off from roost towards Kent (seen with telescope from Marine Parade gardens).  Martin Johnson.

Wednesday 01st September 2004

Church Road, Hockley 11.00: 3 Swift mixing with hirundines. Ross Gardner.

Hadleigh Downs, 13:30 to 15:00: 1 Swift, 1 Hobby. Andrew Woodhouse Essex ranger Service.

Orsett Cricket Ground 14.00: 2 or 3 Goldcrest. Jim Cockram.

Little Haven NR Daws Heath 15.30: 1 male Redstart. Neil Latham.

Southend, 16:30 to 16:35: 2 Mediterranean Gull (adults in an Anting flock over the car park of the new RBS building by Tesco). Steve Arlow (SOG).

Gunners Park, 17:15 to 19:05: 3 Spotted Flycatcher (in North East Corner), 2 Chiffchaff, 3 Wheatear, 52 Swift (moving south over the north east corner), 1 Mediterranean Gull (2nd year over). Steve Arlow (SOG).

Leigh, Tattersall Gardens 19.52: 3 Swift. Martin Johnson.