Bird Reports for September 2005
Friday 30th September 2005
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 09.45 11.00
Wheatear, 11 Little Egret (5 on north side of Crouch), 2 Greenshank, Common Sandpiper, 5 Mute Swan, 4 Curlew, 120 Golden Plover, 90 House Martin, Skylark. Also Common Seal. Ray Fuller.
Canvey Island, Southern End of Seaview Road 10.33 - 11.45
1 Grey Wagtail, 1 adult Kittiwake came flying in east-west direction over the sea offshore, continued away westwards. 11.35 1 Manx Shearwater flew very low over the sea in east-west direction way way offshore. Through my telescope watched it clearly for two minutes as it flew in typical shearwater style of several beats of the stiff straight wings, then long glide, before beating the wings again, flight very straight. Unfortunately it did not reappear. Clive D. Jolly.
Southend Seafront, 11:50 to 12:10
98 Ringed Plover, 128 Sanderling, 4 Dunlin, 1 Purple Sandpiper 
all opposite Victoria Road at high tide. Web Author.
Two Tree Island (East), 12:30 to 12:40
18 Little Egret, 34 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 38 Shelduck. Web Author.
Wat Tyler Country Park, 13:40 to 15:00
18 Avocet, 1 Snipe, 32 Swallow, 4 House Martin, 2 Cetti's Warbler (heard), 3 Bearded Tit. Web Author.
Battlesbridge, 17:30
1 Little Egret in the Crouch, just east of humpback bridge. Paul Baker (SOG).
Thursday 29th September 2005
Chalkwell Park Drive, Leigh, 07:50
1 Sparrowhawk flew low across my garden. John Wright (SOG).
Maplin Way, Junction with Eastern Esplanade 12:10
3 Swallow. Iain Henderson.
Wednesday 28th September 2005
Vange Marsh, 12:45 to 13:30
2 Ruff, 1 Little Stint (juv.), c.200 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Ringed Plover, c.25 Snipe, 1 Dunlin, 1 Little Egret, 1 Kestrel. Paul Griggs (SOG).
Tuesday 27th September 2005
Southend Pier 08.45 - 16.45
1 Great Skua, female Common Scoter, juvenile Gannet, 4 Brent Goose all seen around high tide at 9am. Also: 11 Mediterranean Gull, 2 Common Tern, 1 Sandwich Tern, 2 House Martin, 6 Swallow. Alan Shearman RSPB.
Highlands Boulevard, Leigh, 17:55
1 Grey Wagtail. Paul Griggs (SOG).
Monday 26th September 2005
Highlands Boulevard, Leigh, 07:55
1 Grey Wagtail. Paul Griggs (SOG).
Broadmayne, Basildon 09:00
15 Canada Goose & 1 Barnacle Goose (?) These birds were flying low and parallel to the road travelling W to E, I was driving at 50mph and they went past me, they must have been doing close to 60mph! I was amazed that they could go this fast. Gary Clinton.
River Crouch - Hullbridge Anchor to Battlesbridge 11:00 - 14:00
52 Mute Swan, 22 little Egret, 23 lapwing, 4 Grey heron, 123 Redshank, 1 Greater Spotted Woodpecker,1 Crested grebe, 4 Little Grebe, 2 Cormorant. David Flack.
Wat Tyler Country Park, 12:20 to 13:00
9 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Snipe, 1 Bearded Tit, 1 Cetti's Warbler (heard), 14 House Martin, 10 Swallow. Paul Griggs (SOG).
Sunday 25th September 2005
Two Tree Island East 07:30 - 07:50
19 Brent Geese, 9 Little Egret, Kestrel perched on roof in old town. Web Author.
Gunners Park, 08:30 to 09:30
1 Little Grebe, 1 Green Woodpecker. Brian Baldock, Dave Knight (SOG).
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 10.00 11.45
3 Wheatear, 9 Little Egret, 7 Curlew, Green Sandpiper, Greenshank, Mute Swan, mixed flock of hirundines well over 100. Ray Fuller.
Wat Tyler Country Park 10:00 - 12:15
5 Mute Swan, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Hobby, 14 Avocet, 2 Snipe, 2 Cetti's Warbler (heard), 2 Bearded Tit. Web Author.
Two Tree Island, 10:00 to 14:00
9 Little Egret, 10 Swallow, 6 House Martin, 200 Golden Plover, 1 Kestrel, 19 Linnet, 4 Skylark. Paul Griggs, Don Petrie (SOG).
Benfleet Creek, 11:00 to 13:00
2 Stonechat, 6 Linnet, 1 Curlew Sandpiper (juv.), 1,000+ Black-tailed Godwit, 12 Greenshank, 85 Golden Plover, 2 Little Egret, 8 Swallow. Paul Griggs, Don Petrie (SOG).
Abberton Reservoir Layer Breton Causeway 14:30
1 Osprey, 1 Green Sandpiper. R Shepherd.
Fingringhoe Wick 15:30
200+ Avocet, 1 Greenshank, 12 Bar-tailed Godwit, 100+ Black-tailed Godwit, 18 Little Egret, 1 Guillemot. R Shepherd.
Hanningfield Reservoir 16:30
Female Marsh Harrier, 2 Green Sandpiper, 2 Common Sandpiper. R Shepherd.
Old Hall Marshes
Note that access to the site is by permit only, although visual access can be obtained from the sea wall.
Long-billed Dowitcher. Steve Arlow (SOG).
Saturday 24th September 2005 The Brent Geese Are Coming Back!
Leigh Station, 07:50 to 07:55
1 Sparrowhawk (male with prey - Collared Dove). John Wright (SOG).
Two Tree Island (East), 08:00 to 09:00
16 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 5 Little Egret, 550 Wigeon, 1 Blackcap, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Chiffchaff, 3 House Martin. John Wright (SOG).
Southend, 08:25 to 08:30
1 Mediterranean Gull (adult south over house), 7 Golden Plover (north over house). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Two Tree Island (West), 09:00 to 10:00
1 Whinchat , 1 Stonechat, 2 Lesser Whitethroat. John Wright (SOG).
Paglesham Lagoon, 09:00 to 12:00
36 Little Grebe, 337 Wigeon, 4 Little Egret, 1 Yellow-legged Gull (adult at nearby River Roach/Barton Hall Creek), 2 Pintail. Steve Arlow (SOG).
Benfleet Creek, 10:00 to 12:00
8 Little Egret, 3 Greenshank, 2 Yellow-legged Gull (adults), 1 Chiffchaff, 500 Black-tailed Godwit, 30 Grey Plover, 200 Golden Plover, 8 Swallow, 6 Grey Heron. John Wright (SOG).
Rayleigh 12:00
1 Hummingbird Hawkmoth . John Pilgrim.
Hadleigh Marshes, 12:00 to 12:30
2 Whinchat, 2 Stonechat, 20 Goldfinch, 25 Linnet, 3 Reed Bunting. John Wright (SOG).
Chalkwell Station, 14:00
1 Sparrowhawk. John Wright (SOG).
Two Tree Island 14:00 - 15:00
100's Black-tailed Godwit from east end: at least 2 (possibly 3) Kingfisher, 200 Widgeon, 20 Brent Geese, 30 Little Egret. Yasmine Hamid. 14 days later than last year, the Brent Geese are finally coming back. We are hoping that the late return may mean a good breeding year for our geese, we will have to wait and see. See our Brent Goose page for more details.
Tewkes Creek, Canvey Island 15.05
1 Kingfisher near Tewkes Creek outfall sluice. Perched briefly on post in water then flew off inland. Tim Smith.
Wakering Stairs, 15:50 to 17:00
2 Stonechat (a pair along the seawall), 1 Little Egret. Steve Arlow (SOG).
Friday 23rd September 2005
Gunners Park, 08:30 to 09:30
1 Little Grebe, 1 Green Woodpecker. Brian Baldock, Dave Knight (SOG).
Vange Marsh, 14:05 to 15:10
4 Curlew Sandpiper (juv's.), 2 Little Ringed Plover (juv's.), 244 Black-tailed Godwit, 52 Snipe, 2 Green Sandpiper, 4 Ruff, 1 Grey Wagtail, 9 Dunlin, 3 Common Sandpiper, 1 Ringed Plover, 60 Teal, 3 Reed Bunting. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Canvey Point 14.15 - 15.30
189 Wigeon, 11 sandwich Tern, 2 Kittiwake, 22 Swallow, 17 House Martin, 1 Arctic Skua, 1 Guillemot, 3 Brent Geese and 4 Common Tern. David Morrison.
Chalkwell Seafront, 18:00
1 Wheatear about 300 metres east of Chalkwell shelter. John Wright (SOG).
Thursday 22nd September 2005
Wat Tyler Country Park 11:30
13 Avocet. Web Author.
Wat Tyler Country Park, 12:15 to 12:50
1 Bearded Tit (heard), 2 Cetti's Warbler (heard), 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Little Ringed Plover (juv.), 1 Kestrel. Paul Griggs (SOG).
Wakering, Fleet Head, 17:00 to 18:25
1 Hobby, 4 Green Sandpiper, 4 Little Egret, 1 Curlew Sandpiper (in Potton Creek with Dunlin), 6 Ruff, 1 Wheatear, 5 Black-tailed Godwit. Steve Arlow (SOG).
Wednesday 21st September 2005
Hadleigh Downs, 08:10 to 08:10
1 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker in Chapel Lane car park . Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park 10:00
Peregrine Falcon on pylon over Fobbing Marsh, 8 Long-tailed Tit. Web Author.
Vange Marsh, 12:25 to 13:20
225 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Ruff, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Curlew Sandpiper, 8 Dunlin, 14 Snipe, 2 Sparrowhawk (pair). Paul Griggs (SOG).
Hadleigh Downs, 12:30 to 12:35
1 Buzzard over Chapel Lane car park heading SW. Andrew Woodhouse, Steve Bunn (SOG).
Two Tree Island (West), 14:10 to 16:30
1,325 Black-tailed Godwit, 130 Golden Plover, 85 Ringed Plover, 9 Avocet, 2 Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Greenshank, 1 Spotted Redshank, 2 Whinchat. Harry Carmichael (SOG). Also 1 Blackcap, 2 Stonechat. Web Author.
Tuesday 20th September 2005
Southend Pier 10:30 - 16:00
1 Great Northern Diver past at 11:30 towards Canvey, 3 Common Scoter (possible 1 Velvet Scoter), 28 Mediterranean Gull (incl. PA20 PAJ1), 8 Common Tern. Swallows flying south most of the day. Web Author.
Tattersall Gardens, Leigh 12:31
12.31 1 Sparrowhawk flew N low over garden, 12.35 1 Sparrowhawk flew S 20m above ground mobbed by 3 passerines, 18.01 - 18.03 stream of 25 Swallow flying S over rooftops. Martin Johnson.
Vange Marsh, 13:00 to 19:30
1 Little Stint (Juv., 3 Curlew Sandpiper (Juvs.), 8 Dunlin, 5 Ruff, 6 Spotted Redshank (Ad. Winters), 1 Greenshank, 8 Siskin (Flying over), 70 Snipe, 1 Hobby (Ad.), 300 Meadow Pipit (Flying over). Simon Buckell.
Westcliff Casino, 17:00 to 17:10
1 Ring-billed Gull (Rossi on the Casino Roof), 8 Mediterranean Gull (6 adults, 1 2nd winter and 1 1st winter on Casino Roof). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Two Tree Island (from Leigh bridge) 17:00
56 Little Egret. Web Author.
Southend Seafront, 17:20 to 18:10
13 Mediterranean Gull (8 adults, 2 2nd winter and 3 1st winters). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Chalkwell Park Drive, Leigh, 17:45
45 Swallow heading south over the garden in a loose flock. John Wright (SOG).
Monday 19th September 2005
Gunners Park 10:00 - 11:00
1 Kingfisher showing well on pond, Green Woodpecker, 2 House Martin, Chiffchaff on mound, Goldcrest on mound, 3 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Jay, 2 Siskin over flew. 1 Wall butterfly. Web Author.
Canvey West End, 10:00 to 12:00
2 Whinchat, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Kestrel, 4 Linnet, 1 Wall butterfly. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park 18:00 - 18:30
2 Green Sandpiper, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Spotted Redshank, 1 Snipe, Sparrowhawk, 1 Black Tailed Godwit. R Shepherd.
Sunday 18th September 2005
Canvey Point 06.15 to 08.45
2 Wheatear, 80 Black Tailed Godwit, 14 Little Egret, 19 Common Tern, 28 Sandwich Tern, 1 Black Tern, 2 Little Tern, Kingfisher fishing in Thames (low tide), Leach's Petrel going out at 7.40am, 5 Arctic Skua all down river, adult Mediterranean Gull and 14 Wigeon. David Morrison.
Southend Pier, 08:30 to 10:30
3 Arctic Tern, 15 Common Tern, 40 Wigeon, 2 Grey Wagtail, 8 House Martin, 23 Mediterranean Gull (6 ads, 5 2nd w, 12 juvs/1st w.). John Wright (SOG).
Wakering Stairs, 10:00 to 11:00
1 Marsh Harrier. Brian Baldock (SOG).
Two Tree Island, 10:30 to 14:30
1,903 Black-tailed Godwit, 6 Bar-tailed Godwit, 5 Curlew Sandpiper (on saltmarsh), 265 Curlew, 51 Little Egret (roosting on saltmarsh), 102 Dunlin, 55 Turnstone, 18 Greenshank, 433 Redshank, 24 Ringed Plover, 102 Grey Plover, 72 Golden Plover, 1 Wheatear, 1 Sand Martin, 8 Swallow, 1 Skylark, 9 Meadow Pipit, 1 Knot (an odd looking wader was present for a while that resembled a Knot but the bill had an obvious yellow tip and the supercilium was more pronounced and extended than usual), 1 Sandwich Tern. Graham Ryland (SOG).
Old Hall Marshes - Bale Field 11.30
Note that access to the site is by permit only, although visual access can be obtained from the sea wall.
Red-necked Phalarope feeding in the left hand lake looking from the windvane. Tim & Viv Connett.
Highlands Boulevard, Leigh, 11:45 to 12:45
1 Sparrowhawk (female with prey), 1 Grey Wagtail, 8 Greylag Goose (flew south). Paul Griggs (SOG).
Prittle Brook (Leigh on Sea), 12:00 to 12:30
4 Goldfinch feeding on nijer seed in garden. Brian Baldock (SOG).
Abberton Reservoir - Layer Breton Causeway 14.00
Osprey being mobbed by a Marsh Harrier over the reedbeds on the far west side of the reservoir. Tim & Viv Connett.
River Roach, Paglesham
50+ Brent Geese over River Roach Paglesham, flying low towards Wakering. Ray Fuller.
Saturday 17th September 2005
Two Tree Island 07:30
Male and female Whinchat. David Lee.
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 09.35 11.30
7 Little Egret, House Martin, Greenshank, 2 Curlew, 2 Mute Swan, 2 Reed Bunting, 2 Common Whitethroat. Ray Fuller.
Prittle Brook (Leigh on Sea), 10:00
1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Grey Wagtail. Brian Baldock (SOG).
Canvey Seafront, 10:30 to 12:45
1 Great Northern Diver (Present in flight and on water 10.50 to 11.30. Seen by us, D. Jobbins and others), 3 Arctic Skua, 1 Arctic Tern, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 34 Common Scoter. Harry Carmichael (SOG).
Two Tree Island 10.30 to 12.15
57 Little Egret, 3 Grey Heron, 270 Wigeon, 12 Teal, 2 Kestrel. Martin Johnson.
Two Tree Island (West), 11:00 to 12:00
42 Greenshank, 550 Black-tailed Godwit, 40 Knot, 200 Golden Plover all on lagoon. John Wright (SOG).
Two Tree Island (East), 12:00 to 12:35
1 Redstart, 1 Chiffchaff. John Wright (SOG).
Abberton Reservoir 18:00 - 19:30
1 Osprey perched in tall willow tree south west corner of Layer Breton causeway. Denise Coles.
Friday 16th September 2005
Canvey Point, 07:00 to 09:00
2 Manx Shearwater, 2 Arctic Skua, 1 Wheatear. Chris Lewis (SOG).
Vange Marsh, 09:15 to 11:00
8 Curlew Sandpiper, 22 Snipe, 4 Green Sandpiper, 5 Common Sandpiper, 4 Greenshank, 2 Ruff, 200 Black-tailed Godwit (at least), 1 Cetti's Warbler. Chris Lewis (SOG).
Canvey Seafront, 11:00 to 13:15
1 Leach's Petrel (struggled across estuary from South to North probably opposite Pier and Point) , 3 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Razorbill (flew upriver, fairly close) , 3 Arctic Skua (all dark juv's.), 1 Great Skua, 27 Common Scoter, 2 Arctic Tern (1 adult and 1 juv. but probably many more), 30 Sandwich Tern (approx.), 6 Gannet (all juv's. and sub-adult's), 100 Common Tern (approx.). Paul Baker (SOG).
Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 18:30
1 Sparrowhawk (male hunting through the gardens). Paul Baker (SOG).
Thursday 15th September 2005
Belfairs N.R., 08:00
3 Hobby (2 juv, 1 ad), 20 Siskin . Tony Mead (SOG).
Canvey Island, Golf Course 09:30 - 11:55
2 Kingfisher (1 at Tewkes Creek jetty; 1 over marsh halfway along Golf Course), 8+ Little Egret, 3 Grey Heron, 1 Greenshank (Tewkes Creek), 3 Common Sandpiper (Tewkes Creek), 6 Wheatear, 2 Whinchat, 1 Sparrowhawk (juv. fem.), 1 Yellow Wagtail (southwest), 13 House Martin and 10 Swallows (southwest in 1 hour). Also 1 Seal in creek running parallel to Golf Course. Ian White.
Wat Tyler Country Park 14:00
Spotted Redshank, Snipe, Greenshank, 5 Avocet, 5 Black-tailed Godwit, Common Sandpiper, Ruff. R Shepherd.
Wednesday 14th September 2005
Wat Tyler Country Park, 12:20 to 13:00
7 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Little Ringed Plover (juv), 1 Cetti's Warbler (heard). Paul Griggs (SOG).
Tuesday 13th September 2005
Belfairs N.R., 08:00
1 Honey Buzzard (flew north) , 1 Barn Owl, 6 Siskin, 3 Hobby (2 juv, 1 ad.) Tony Mead (SOG).
Southend Pier 09:00 - 15:00
18 Mediterranean Gull (Incl. green P20, green 3KN9 with its one foot and red PAJ1), juvenile Kittiwake, Yellow Wagtail flying around pier head for most of the morning. Web Author.
Two Tree Island Lagoon 13:00 - 15:00
3 Grey Heron, 40+ Lapwing, 3 Little Egret (on Marsh, Canvey side), 1000+ Black-tailed Godwit (feeding on creek), 6 Oystercatcher, 2 Redshank. David Flack.
Thorpe Bay 18.00
1 Sparrowhawk struck lounge window and flew off leaving decapitated Sparrow on patio. John Pitts.
Canvey Point 18.50 - 19.20
33 Little Egret flying south across river to join roost in groups of 2-12 (One group of three harassed in mid crossing by Arctic Skua). 2 Arctic Skua. 2 Black Tern. Martin Cracknell.
Monday 12th September 2005
Vange Marsh, 12:20 to 13:15
56 Snipe, 16 Curlew Sandpiper (one adult), 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 2 Grey Plover, 2 Ruff, 200 Black-tailed Godwit. No sign of Pectoral Sandpiper which had been reported earlier. Paul Griggs, Simon Buckell, Steve Bunn (SOG).
Sunday 11th September 2005
Canvey Point, 06:15 to 11:15
15 Arctic Skua, 110 Common Tern, 85 Sandwich Tern, 18 Arctic Tern (inc. flock of 14), 6 Black Tern, 5 Little Tern, 2 Roseate Tern (06:55 hrs. both adults, presumably the same two at Tilbury last night) , 2 Little Gull, 2 Gannet, 61 Little Egret (flying to Canvey Pt. at dawn from Allhallows roost ). Jeff Saward (SOG).
Rochford Golf Course, 13:15 to 16:20
1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Chiffchaff. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Leigh Marsh, 14:15 to 14:15
1 Wheatear on the seawall. Simon Watson (SOG).
Canvey Point, 15:00 to 17:00
16 Black Tern (flock of 10), 16 Arctic Tern (flock of 12), 5 Mediterranean Gull (3 x 2nd winter, 2 x 1st winter). Jeff Saward (SOG).
Wakering Stairs 15:10
Osprey (15.10) River Thames flying west, 2 Wheatear, 2 Whinchat, 6 Greenshank, 100s of hurrindines flying south. Ray Fuller.
Southend Pier, 16:00 to 17:30
1 Pomarine Skua, 35 Common Tern, 5 Sandwich Tern, 30 Mediterranean Gull (14 ads, 6 2nd w, 10 juvs/1st w.). John Wright (SOG).
Abberton Reservoir, Layer Breton Causeway 16:00
1 female Goldeneye, 1 Yellow Wagtail. R Shepherd.
Wakering Stairs, 16:20 to 17:15
12 Wigeon, 2 Wheatear, 1 Marsh Harrier (juv), 8 Greenshank, 3 Kestrel, 2 Little Egret. Don Petrie, Paul Griggs (SOG).
Vange Marsh
Pectoral Sandpiper reported still to be present this evening.
Saturday 10th September 2005 (Little Egret Count Day)
Shoebury, 07:25
1 Hobby (flew over Shoebury Road near Asda). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Gunners Park, 07:30 to 09:50
1 Garden Warbler , 1 Blackcap (female), 20 Yellow Wagtail (at least), 2 Sparrowhawk (1 male, 1 female), 3 Grey Wagtail, 2 Mediterranean Gull (1st and 2nd winters on the foreshore), 6 Black-tailed Godwit (flew over reserve). Steve Arlow, Web Author.
Canvey Seafront, 08:00 to 11:15
1 Long-tailed Skua (intermediate juv. 09.05 hrs) , 5 Pomarine Skua (in one flock, 09.55) , 8 Arctic Skua, 4 Gannet, 16 Black Tern, 5 Mediterranean Gull (4 x ads. 1 x 2nd winter), 28 Common Scoter. Jeff Saward (SOG).
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 09.25 11.00
3 Reed Bunting, 14 Swallow, 8 Little Egret (2 on north side of Crouch), 5 Curlew, 2 Green Sandpiper, 50 + Grey Plover, Marsh Harrier, 2 Greenshank, 5 Common Sandpiper, 7 Bar-tailed Godwit, 3 Skylark. Ray Fuller.
Two Tree Island 10.00 - 17.00
2 Curlew Sandpiper (1 juv and the moulting adult still), 800+ Black-tailed Godwit, 27 Greenshank, 50+ Redshank, 87 Oystercatcher, 32 Golden Plover, 1 Dunlin, 26 Knot, 2 Little Egret, Kingfisher fishing for 15 mins around the lagoon sluice, 1 Sandwich Tern west along the creek. Alan Shearman RSPB.
Vange Marsh, 11:15 to 12:45
1 Reed Bunting, 13 Curlew Sandpiper, 48 Snipe (+), 2 Ruff, 1 Little Stint, 209 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Green Sandpiper, 4 Common Sandpiper, 1 Pectoral Sandpiper (found by Simon Buckell), 2 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Turnstone, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Cetti's Warbler. Paul Griggs, Steve Arlow, Mike Bailey, Paul Baker, Simon Buckell, Steve Bunn, Lee Ebbs, Graham Ryland, John Wright. (SOG).
Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 15:00
1 Sparrowhawk. Paul Baker (SOG).
Canvey Point, 15:30 to 16:45
1 Great Skua (flew west upriver), 1 Arctic Skua (flew east out of estuary), 1 Pomarine Skua (adult with tail spoons flew west upriver), 1 Fulmar (flew east out of estuary), 3 Gannet (flew west upriver), 7 Black Tern, 55 Common Scoter. Mike Bailey, Steve Arlow (SOG).
Two Tree Island (West), 16:25 to 16:40
2 Curlew Sandpiper, 1 Common Sandpiper, 700 Black-tailed Godwit (Approx.), 25 Knot. John Wright (SOG).
Two Tree Island Eastern Half at High Water 16.30 - 20.10
79 Little Egret counted from SW corner of sewage farm area roosting on saltings to S of old sewage farm.
17.40hrs all Little Egret flushed from roost by man paddling kayak through the gullies in the saltings, the Little Egrets flew off towards the eastern end of the saltings.
18.10hrs counted from pillbox area 52 Little Egret roosting on saltings c. 300m E of sewage farm.
18.40-18.57hrs all Little Egret dispersed from roost E of sewage farm to edge of saltings as tide retreated and commenced wading in water mostly to less than half of tarsus length depth and feeding actively.
19.14hrs 1 Little Egret seen from pillbox flying from mudflat/salting edge to roost in trees on sewage farm.
By 19.30hrs heavily overcast and darkening rapidly after 19.27 sunset, no longer any Little Egrets to be seen on mudflats, they had "disappeared" without actually seeing them fly off.
19.30-19.40hrs total of 9 Little Egret flushed from trees at sewage farm by humans walking on pathway from carpark past roost and by 3 humans counting them from sea wall to E of roost site; they flew away S and did not return by 19.45hrs when I left to return to car park by slipway. I walked along the sea wall and did not see any Little Egrets while doing so. Did they all fly over to Kent?
20.10hrs looked from sea wall by car park south of Leigh Station at TTI tree roosting site- no Little Egrets seen. Martin Johnson.
Hadleigh Marshes, 16:45 to 17:30
45 Canada Goose, 1 Wheatear, 4 Corn Bunting, 250 Golden Plover, 60 Lapwing, 1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Kestrel. John Wright (SOG).
Vange Marsh, 16:55 to 17:25
1 Pectoral Sandpiper (juv), 12 Curlew Sandpiper (all juv's), 1 Little Stint, 1 Greenshank, 15 Ringed Plover, 20 Snipe, 130 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Ruff, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Common Sandpiper. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Two Tree Island (East), 17:05 to 17:40 (Observed from the top of Belton Way)
94 Little Egret, 5 Grey Heron, 46 Wigeon (common seal popped up in middle of wigeon). Web Author.
Vange Marsh, 17:20 to 18:10
1 Pectoral Sandpiper (feeding actively and visiting both north and south edges of the marsh), 1 Little Stint, 10 Curlew Sandpiper, 150 Black-tailed Godwit (+), 40 Snipe (+), 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Common Tern, 3 Ruff, 8 Greenshank, 1 Spotted Redshank. Mike Bailey, Steve Arlow (SOG).
Benfleet Creek, 18:00 to 18:15
4 Little Egret (Saltmarsh west of Canvey road bridge, near Benfleet Station). John Wright (SOG).
Friday 09th September 200555
Canvey Point, 13:30 to 15:45
1 Manx Shearwater (1440 hrs) , 2 Arctic Skua (pale phase adult & pale juv.), 2 Black Tern, 2 Little Gull (both juvs.), 4 Arctic Tern, 40 Common Tern, 25 Sandwich Tern. Jeff Saward (SOG).
Canvey Seafront, 18:45 to 19:45
3 Mediterranean Gull (all adults), 3 Arctic Skua, 55 Little Egret (at least, flying to N.Kent roost). Jeff Saward (SOG).
Southend Airport, 19:40 to 20:25
1 Tawny Owl calling frequently and very close , 1 Little Owl (calling regularly from inside airport perimeter). Paul Baker (SOG).
Thursday 08th September 2005
Hullbridge, River Crouch 10:00 - 12:00
30+ Mute Swan, 3 Redshank, 1 Greenshank, 5 Oystercatcher, 7 Great Crested Grebe, 300+ Golden Plover, 6 Little Egret, 20 Pied Wagtail, one small hawk. possibly a Merlin. David Flack.
Rayleigh, 12:45 to 12:45
1 Hobby flying low over Sainsbury's car park. Jeff Saward (SOG).
Two Tree Island 16.40 - 17.30
40 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 464+ Curlew at high tide roost on saltings. Martin Johnson.
Southend, Bournemouth Park Road 18:08
Hobby flew over garden. Don Wildish.
Wednesday 07th September 2005
Belfairs N.R., 08:00
3 Siskin. Tony Mead (SOG).
Pound Wood 16:00
1 Spotted Flycatcher. Ross Gardner.
Hanningfield Reservoir 16:30 - 16:35
4 juv. Black Terns, Ruddy Shelduck, Sparrowhawk. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Hadleigh Marsh 19.00 - 19.40
41 Canada Goose grazing in field of stubble south of railway, 1 female Kestrel. Two Tree Island 20.10: 6 Little Egret roosting in trees. Martin Johnson.
Tuesday 06th September 2005
Woodside Park, Thundersley, 17:00 to 21:00
4 Spotted Flycatcher (2 Adults +2 juvs. assumed breeding pair). Graham Ryland (SOG).
Westcliff Seafront 16:30
Large, pale immature gull: possible 2nd winter Glaucous Gull. Ross Gardner.
Southend Seafront, 17:45 to 18:50
68 Mediterranean Gull (Juveniles/1st winters: 19 including Green ringed bird M1R, 17 2nd winters and 32 adults including Green ringed bird 3KN9 that had a missing right foot). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Westcliff Seafront, 18:50 to 16:50
1 Ring-billed Gull (Rossi again opposite Rossi). Steve Arlow (SOG).
Monday 05th September 2005
Wat Tyler Country Park, 12:25 to 13:10
1 Cetti's Warbler, 3 Bearded Tit, 1 Ruff, 3 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Sparrowhawk (female), 1 Kestrel, 2 Turtle Dove, 1 Whinchat. Paul Griggs (SOG).
Canvey Point, 13:45 to 15:00
1 Great Skua , 2 Arctic Skua (pale ph. adult & juv.), 2 Little Tern, 15 Sandwich Tern. Jeff Saward (SOG).
Tewke's Creek, 15:00 to 16:00
32 Little Egret, 3 Common Sandpiper, 250 Golden Plover (approx., flew up from, and back to, Hadleigh Marsh). Jeff Saward (SOG).
Woodside Park, Thundersley, 17:30 to 19:00
2 Spotted Flycatcher, 3 Chiffchaff, 3 Green Woodpecker, 4 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 28 Greenfinch, 6 Goldfinch. Also migrant Hawker x 7. Graham Ryland (SOG).
Sunday 04th September 2005
Gunners Park, 10:00 to 12:00
21 Yellow Wagtail, 2 White / Pied Wagtail, 1 Kestrel, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Whinchat, 2 Wheatear, 6 House Martin, 5 Swallow. Brian Baldock (SOG).
Two Tree Island - Eastern Half 10.50 to 13.10
48 Little Egret roosting on saltings at high water, 2 Grey Heron, 17 Wigeon, 50 Teal. Martin Johnson.
Benfleet Creek, 11:00 to 11:10
1 Spotted Redshank. Simon Watson (SOG).
Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 12:45 to 12:45
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Sparrowhawk. Paul Baker (SOG).
Rochford Golf Course, 14:10 to 18:10
1 Green Woodpecker. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park 15:30
3 Spotted Redshank, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 3 Snipe, 6 Black-tailed Godwit, 6 Avocet, 1 Greenshank, Water Rail, Kingfisher, Hobby. Kevin Rees.
Leigh on Sea, 16:00
1 Peregrine Falcon (over home heading east). Brian Baldock (SOG).
Saturday 03rd September 2005
Paglesham Lagoon, 07:15 to 15:20
15 Wigeon, 3 Little Egret, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Marsh Harrier (juvenile), 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Mediterranean Gull (both adults and both different to the bird here last week), 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Green Sandpiper, 7 Yellow-legged Gull (3 juveniles, 2 1st summers and 2 adults). Steve Arlow (SOG).
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 09.30 11.45
Wheatear, 25 Swallow, 4 Mute Swan, 15 Bar-tailed Godwit, 3 Common Whitethroat, 7 Reed Bunting, Curlew, Sparrowhawk, Avocet, Common Tern. Ray Fuller.
Location Close to Wakering Stairs, 10:00
1 Savi's Warbler (trapped & ringed by Henry Hume. n.b. earliest British record of Radde's is 23rd Sept!). Chris Lewis (SOG). (Correction to previous report of Radde's. Ed.)
Friday 02nd September 2005
Wansfell Gardens, Thorpe Bay 09.00
1 Sparrowhawk flying in direction of Holy Trinity Church. (20 minutes later 1 Sparrowhawk with prey flying in opposite direction). John Pitts.
Hanningfield Reservoir 11:30 - 14:00
6 Blue Tit, 2 Great Tit, 20 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Coal Tit, 2 Robin, 1 Willow Warbler, 6 Little Grebe, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 12 Grey Heron, 2 Pochard, 1 Ruddy Duck, 1 Avocet, 2 Wren, many Coot, Tufted Duck and Cormorant. Richard Mander.
Thursday 01st September 2005
Southend Pier 09:45 to 16:15
Black headed Gull, Common Tern, Turnstone, Mediterranean Gull, 3 Little Gull, Sandwich Tern. Possible 3 Black Tern and 1 juvenile Actic Skua. David Lee.
Southend Pier, 10:40 to 12:15
75 Common Tern (Feeding close inside pierhead with other terns and gulls), 6 Sandwich Tern, 3 Little Tern , 5 Black Tern, 2 Little Gull (juvs.), 11 Mediterranean Gull. Harry Carmichael (SOG).