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Bird Reports for September 2007

Sunday 30th September 2007

Southchurch Park East 08.40
A great sight this morning to lift us, after losing one of our cygnets. All four cygnets flew off the pond with Mum in front at about 8.40 a.m. She took them over the Estuary, then landed on Southchurch Park herself. As we whizzed down the seafront all four flew across the prom, then up and down the estuary and settled safely on the mudflats about 1/4 mile out. It was a joy to see. Mum flew back over to Southchurch Park East within 25 min. So for the moment they are a couple again, the cygnets could well make there way back there in due course. But the job this year is close to its conclusion and is in no doubt due to a big team of 50-60 loose knit watchers. Who also benefited from a cleaned up pond, by gaining three Kingfishers. Lastly there were 9 little Egret, 8 Common Tern at the end of the water outlet near Ocean Beach. Bob Dobinson.

Wakering Stairs, 09:30 to 13:00
1 Red-backed Shrike , juvenile, south end by MOD fence, seen by me at 10:00 but apparently found earlier by another birder who also picked up the Great Grey Shrike, 1 Great Grey Shrike , appeared to be yesterday's Gunners Park bird. It was mobile I last saw it at 11:30 at Haven Point/Havengore, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Blackcap (male), 6 Chiffchaff, 15 Stonechat, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Siskin (Heard), 1 Kestrel. 2 Clouded Yellow. John Wright, Dave Knight (SOG).

Gunners Park, 10:00 to 15:00
50 Swallow (at least), 40 House Martin (including a leucistic bird - all white with the exception of slightly darker underwing coverts), 20 Sand Martin, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Sparrowhawk. Steve Arlow (SOG).

Wakering Stairs, 10:20 to 15:00
1 Red-backed Shrike , (stunning juvenile at the west end), 1 Great Grey Shrike , (the Gunners Park bird from yesterday relocated today about 200 yards from the Red-backed Shrike. Became mobile and elusive after mid morning), 8 Stonechat, 1 Lesser Whitethroat (along the road), 19 Skylark, 70 Meadow Pipit, 1 Lesser Redpoll (flew over the road calling). Steve Arlow  (SOG).

Wakering Stairs, 11:30 to 12:45
1 juvenile Red-backed Shrike, 1 Siskin (heard), 1 Blackcap (male), 12 Stonechat, 8 Chiffchaff, 1 Spotted Flycatcher. 1 Clouded Yellow. Paul Baker (SOG).

Wakering Stairs, 12:30 to 14:00
1 Red-backed Shrike (juv), 1 Great Grey Shrike (last seen about 1.30pm east of car park just after concrete path ends. Very mobile - seen 4-5 times briefly (less than 30secs each time) over a period of 5 minutes, but not seen again by 1.50pm), 50 Linnet, 2 Stonechat, 1 female Sparrowhawk. Neil Chambers (SOG).

Barling Pits, 14:15 to 15:30
4 Greenshank, 10 Little Grebe, 1 Green Woodpecker (juv.), 11 Little Egret (2 on pits, 9 Fleet Head), 200 Golden Plover. Neil Chambers (SOG).

Gunners Park 14.30
3 Stonechat, 2 Wheatear, Green Woodpecker, 1 male Spotted Flycatcher. Neil Coe.

Wakering Stairs, 15:10 to 16:15
1 Red-backed Shrike (juv. still showing very well on the fence across the seawall about half a mile south-west of the end of the road.), 1 Great Grey Shrike (showing on the red and white mast by the guns at Haven Point). Don Petrie (SOG).

Cudmore Park, East Mersea 16.00 - 16.30
1 Little Egret, 1 Kingfisher, 5 Teal, 2 Swallow, 1 Grey Wagtail seen from bird hide. M.Howell.

Benfleet Creek, 16:00 to 17:00
9 Stonechat, 5 Reed Bunting, 60 Golden Plover, 500 Curlew, 11 Little Egret, 6 Grey Heron, 5 Little Grebe, 4 Greenshank, , 700 Black-tailed Godwit, 50 Linnet, 20 Goldfinch. John Wright (SOG).

Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 16:40
1 Grey Wagtail. Paul Baker (SOG).

Saturday 29th September 2007 (First report of winter Redwing)

Highlands Boulevard, Leigh, 07:15
1 Grey Wagtail. Paul Griggs (SOG).

Canvey Point, 07:30 to 09:45
3 Gannet, 2 Arctic Skua, 2 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Peregrine Falcon hunting over the river, 2 Marsh Harrier flying together, from Kent to the Point, 1 Long-tailed Duck (juvenile female, close inshore). Jeff Saward (SOG).

Rossi's Ice Cream, Westcliff, 08:00 to 08:20
29 Little Egret, 1 Mediterranean Gull (Adult). 17 Common Seal. Paul Griggs, John Wright (SOG).

Southend Pier, 08:40 to 11:15
1 House Martin, 10 Little Egret, 13 Swallow, 8 Common Tern, 6 Arctic Skua (c.), 13 Meadow Pipit, 2 Canada Goose, 165 Golden Plover, 95 Lapwing, 3 Gannet (juv.), 12 Wigeon, c.20 Mediterranean Gull, 5 Sandwich Tern, 3 Red-throated Diver (2 sp 1 wp - heard calling to each other), 6 Kittiwake, 1 Little Gull (adult-w), 3 Dark-bellied Brent Goose. 1 Common Seal. Paul Griggs, Steve Arlow, Mike Bailey, Don Petrie, John Wright (SOG).

Canvey West End 08.45 - 09.30
3 Stonechat (pair + juv), 3 Green Woodpecker, 5 Linnet, 6 Reed Bunting, small flock of mixed tits including 4 Long-tailed Tit, I followed them for 10 minutes during which time they were briefly joined by 1 Blackcap (female) and 1 Common Whitethroat. Martin Cracknell.

Leigh on Sea 11:00
About 400 Brent Geese out towards the tide line. David Lee.

South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 11.00 - 13.10
9 Little Egret, 4 Curlew, Willow Warbler, 25 Avocet, 21 Golden Plover, Grey Plover, Reed Bunting, Greenshank, 5 Teal, Skylark. Ray Fuller.

Westcliff Casino, 11:35
1 Mediterranean Gull (ad-w). 1 Red Admiral. Paul Griggs, Steve Arlow, Mike Bailey, Don Petrie, John Wright (SOG).

Canvey Coastguards, 11.40 - 16.00
28 Brent Goose, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 8 Ringed Plover, 1 Grey Plover, 4 Redshank, 6 Arctic Skua (incl. 2 pale phases), 2 Mediterranean Gull (adult winter and second winter), 4 Little Gull (2 adults and 2 juveniles together), 8 Sandwich Tern, 40+ Common Tern, 1 Swallow. Alan Shearman RSPB.

Rossi's Ice Cream, Westcliff, 11:45
1 Mediterranean Gull (2nd-w). Paul Griggs, Steve Arlow, Mike Bailey, Don Petrie, John Wright (SOG).

Gunners Park, 12:40 to 15:50
1 Marsh Harrier (flew north), 1 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Osprey (13:00- 13:15), 20 Swallow, 3 Sandwich Tern, 2 Arctic Skua, 1 Red-throated Diver, 1 Kingfisher, 7 Stonechat, 42 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 3 Skylark, 1 Wheatear, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Red-breasted Merganser,  1 Great Grey Shrike, 2 Mediterranean Gull (adult-w, 2nd-w), 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Common Tern. Paul Griggs, Steve Arlow, Mike Bailey, Paul Baker, Neil Chambers, Ian Douch, Dave Knight, Don Petrie, John Wright. Web Author (SOG).

Wallasea Wetlands and Fields Inland 13:20 - 17:00
1 Little Stint wp, Curlew Sandpiper at least 4 juvs., 350+ Ringed Plover, 150+ Dunlin, 100+ Golden Plover, 200 Lapwing, 4 Grey Plover, 23 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Whimbrel, 2 Curlew, large gull flock 2000+ mostly Herring, Common and Black-headed Gull with a few Lesser black-backed, Greater Black-backed and a single Mediterranean Gull. Also 62 Shelduck, 80+ Teal, 40+ Mallard, 10 Brent and a superb adult female Peregrine on the seawall fence. Not many passerines around but 1 Stonechat, 1 Reed Bunting and 5 Wheatears is a little up on recent visits. Miss of the day may be the lone fly over small pipit which called like Red-throated but disappeared into the borrowdyke vegetation and couldn't be relocated! Jeff Delve (EBS).

Southend Pier 14.00 - 16.00
24 Common Tern, Kittiwake, 8 Sandwich Tern, 7 Common Scoter, Little Gull, 8 Arctic Skua (1 pale phase bird), 2 Guillemot, Great Crested Grebe. Porpoise, Common Seal. Dave Morrison.

Southend Seafront, 16:00
1 Mediterranean Gull (Adult-w). Paul Griggs, John Wright (SOG).

Canvey Seafront
3 Arctic Skua, 2 of which, following a cargo boat heading upstream, included a nice pale phase bird and about 20 terns also following the boat, 3 or 4 Sandwich Tern and a few Wigeon flocks (few hundred) were highlights. Jeff Delve (EBS).

Butts Hill Pond, Canewdon
Good numbers of migrant Blackbirds along the hedge with a few Song Thrush and 5 Redwing. Jeff Delve (EBS).

Southchurch Park East
The Cygnet known as Tufty who flew into railings on Thursday evening had suffered too badly from internal injuries and had to be put to sleep on Friday afternoon. You can be assured that Sue Schwar and her experts at SEWH Orsett, would have done their very best for it. The first Cygnet injured on Sunday afternon is doing quite well. This next week will be a test for it and after that he should be through the worst. Robert Dobinson.

Friday 28th September 2007

Canvey Seafront, 08:00 to 13:00
51 Gannet, 17 Arctic Skua, 9 Great Skua, 1 Pomarine Skua, 1 full plumaged male Eider , 1 Sparrowhawk, 9 Mediterranean Gull, 2 Arctic Tern, 8 Little Egret. Jeff Saward (SOG).

Hanningfield Reservoir 10.30
Little Gull from Rawl Hide. Laurie Greenwood.

Gunners Park 10.30
20+ Sand Martin, 100+ House Martin, 30 Swallow. 2 Wheatear. Steve Wood.

Baxter Avenue Southend, 12:00 to 14:45
1 Peregrine Falcon on Portcullis House. Paul Griggs, Don Petrie, John Wright (SOG).

Canvey Seafront, 16:45 to 17:50
2 Sooty Shearwater seen out towards Canvey Point, did not pass the coastguards that I saw, 3 Long-tailed Skua (2 adults and a juvenile flew up river in 20 minutes), 7 Arctic Skua (including several pale phases), 4 Great Skua, 32 Gannet, 3 Kittiwake, 5 Little Gull, 40 Arctic Tern (at least), 3 Sandwich Tern, 2 Mediterranean Gull (adults), 5 Common Tern, 100 Wigeon (at least). Steve Arlow (SOG).

Shoebury Coastguards, 17:35 to 18:50
1 Great Skua, 2 Long-tailed Skua (juv at 18:10 and adult at 18:20 flew out of the river), 5 Gannet, 2 Common Scoter, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 4 Little Egret, 2 Sandwich Tern. Paul Griggs, Don Petrie (SOG).

Canvey Coastguards 18.00 - 18.55
1+ Long-tailed Skua (probably the same adult bird seen twice), 5 Arctic Skua, 1 Great Skua, 8 Gannet, 3 Little Gull, 1 Mediterranean Gull (Adult), 10+ Arctic Tern, 3+ Common Tern, 2 Sandwich Tern, 13 Common Scoter, 80+ Wigeon. 2 Common Seal. Martin Cracknell.

Southchurch Park East
The Cygnet that was rescued on Wednesday (see below) was badly injured at about 6am last night. He flew into the top of the east railings and was torn open underneath. All his inners were intact and he was walking about. I got to the Orsett Wildlife Hospital by 6.45am. Air leaks are it biggest problem. I have already wadded up the railings at the point where they are exposed this morning and I have talked about the railings problem with Tony Little at the council yesterday afternoon. Sue Schwar also bought it up last night, but it is something that could not have been foreseen, but can be now addressed for the future. Bob Dobinson.

Thursday 27th September 2007 (First report of Red-Throated Diver)

Canvey Point, 07:00 to 16:00
178 Gannet (most during the morning), 28 Great Skua, 27 Arctic Skua, 4 Kittiwake, 1 Little Gull, 16 Mediterranean Gull (plus a probable Common x Med hybrid - 2nd winter plumage), 1 Red-throated Diver still in summer plumage, 1 Hen Harrier flying north, low over the river, 1 Marsh Harrier flying north, low over the river, 7 Arctic Tern, 3 Shoveler, 1500 Lapwing all heading north over the river. Jeff Saward, Simon Cox (SOG).

Rossi's Ice Cream, Westcliff, 08:55 to 09:05
9 Gannet, 4 Little Egret. 10 Common Seal. Paul Griggs (SOG).

Southend Old Gasworks Pier, 09:10 to 09:45
38 Gannet, 1 Arctic Skua, 1 Sandwich Tern, 1 Common Tern, 15 Common Scoter , 16 Mediterranean Gull (8 adult-w, 5 2nd-w, 3 1st-w), 3 Meadow Pipit, 2 Great Crested Grebe. Paul Griggs (SOG).

Canvey Point 11.00 - 12.30
1 Red Throated Diver, 1 Arctic Skua mobbing a Tern, 7 Common Scoter. Mike Sagrott.

Two Tree Island West 11.30 - 13.45
1 female Peregrine Falcon, 2 Green Woodpecker, 2 Willow Warbler, 4 Whitethroat, 1 Skylark, 1 male Kestrel, 2 Dunnock, 5 Reed Bunting (all males). Terry Priest.

South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 14.00 - 16.30
6 Little Egret, 25 Swallow, 7 Curlew, 7 Avocet, Sparrowhawk, 2 Teal, 3 Reed Bunting, Little Grebe, 2 Greenshank, Grey Plover, 2 Mute Swan, 2 Red-legged Partridge, Willow Warbler. Ray Fuller.

Two Tree Island 14.00 - 16.30
4 Stonechat (2m,2f), 28 Little Egret, c.500 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Greenshank, 2 Grey Plover, 6 Reed Bunting, 10 Teal, 12 Curlew, 2 Skylark, 3 Willow Warbler, Swallow, Green Woodpecker, Dunlin and Ringed Plover flock 300+, 75 Avocet. Ray Fuller.

Southchurch Park East, 14:50
1 Kingfisher. Steve Sanford (SOG).

Wakering, Fleet Head 15.00 - 17.30
50+ Golden Plover, 2 Greenshank, 2 male Stonechat, 1 Ringtail Hen Harrier, 6 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Snipe, 1 male Kestrel. 3 Brown Hare. Mike Sagrott.

Canvey Seafront, 16:45 to 18:00
2 Great Skua, 1 Arctic Skua (dark phase adult), 3 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 3 Mediterranean Gull (2 adults and a 2nd-winter), 2 Common Scoter, 2 Little Egret, 5 Sandwich Tern, 8 Arctic Tern, 15 Common Tern. 2 Common Seal. Paul Baker (SOG).

Stanford Warren 17:00 - 18:30
1 Jack Snipe, 2 Green Sandpiper, 2 Bearded Tit, 3 Chiffchaff. Tim Bourne.

Wednesday 26th September 2007

Benfleet, St Mary's Church 06.15
1 Sparrowhawk flying over. Martin Cracknell.

Southchurch Park East 09.00
First Cygnet had left pond this morning. I saw it flying South westerly on the estuary, along length of Southend Pier. Robert Dobinson.

Rossi's Ice Cream, Westcliff, 09:50 to 10:00
3 Mediterranean Gull (2 x ad, 1 x 2nd w), 1 Sandwich Tern sitting on groyne. Paul Baker (SOG).

RSPB Vange Marsh 14.45 - 15.45
27 Black-tailed Godwit, 7 Avocet, 3 Green Sandpiper, 4 Greenshank, 3 Spotted Redshank, 1 female Sparrowhawk. Marc Outten RSPB.

Baxter Avenue Southend, 15:55 to 16:30
1 male Peregrine Falcon on Portcullis House. Paul Griggs, Don Petrie (SOG).

Southchurch Park East 17.30
The first Cygnet that left the pond, was seen exhausted sitting down off Ocean Beach restaurant on Mud flats. So I went and picked it up and it's now back with its family. It was a very nice little reunion to see. Cygnet at Orsett hospital has damaged breast tissue/maybe bone. Operated on this afternoon its doing O.K. Robert Dobinson.

Tuesday 25th September 2007

Southchurch Park East, 07:30 to 09:30
1 Kingfisher, 4 Willow Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 3 Little Grebe. Web Author.

Baxter Avenue Southend, 09:10
1 Peregrine Falcon hunting pigeons and being mobbed by Kestrel. Paul Griggs (SOG).

Gunners Park, Shoeburyness 11.00
2 Wheatear, Green Woodpecker, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, Swallows, House Martins and 2 Sand Martins passing Through. Steve Wood.

Southchurch Park East 11.30
2 Kingfisher chasing around pond. Robert Dobinson.

Two Tree Island West 12.45 - 13.20
400+ Black-tailed Godwit, 55 Avocet, 30 Ringed Plover, 1 Grey Plover, 1 Peregrine, 1 Kingfisher (heard). John Wilson.

Southend, 13:05
1 Hobby flew over the car park of the RBS building. Steve Arlow (SOG).

Westcliff Seafront, Rossi's Ice Cream 13.30 - 13.45
1 Ring-billed Gull perched on post in sea then flew to nearby tall post on pavement. John Wilson.

Coombe Wood, 17:55
1 Sparrowhawk, large female over A13 dropping into woods, mobbed by Crows. Paul Baker (SOG).

Monday 24th September 2007

Canvey Point 10.50 to 14.15
All birds counted going up river: 39 Sandwich Tern, 21 Common/Arctic Terns, 12 Gannets(2 adults, rest juv's,imm.), Guillemot at 11.50, 4 Arctic Skua (all dark phase), 3 Great Crested Grebe and 280 Wigeon off the point at 13.30. David Morrison.

Battlesbridge, 17:45
4 Little Egret in Crouch just east of bridge. Paul Baker (SOG).

Canvey Point 18.15 - 19.00
3 Arctic Skua (2 following a container ship that had c.50 Common Tern feeding in it's wake). Martin Cracknell.

Sunday 23rd September 2007

Two Tree Island (East), 08:45 to 09:05
41 Little Egret (feeding out on the mud), 7 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 1 Black-tailed Godwit. Paul Griggs, Mike Clarke (SOG).

Two Tree Island (East), 09:00 to 09:10
48 Little Egret, 8 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 1 Sparrowhawk over Belton Hills. Web Author.

Southchurch Park East, 09:00 to 10:00
2 Kingfisher (several fly by's along the lake). Steve Arlow (SOG).

Westcliff Seafront, Rossi's Ice Cream, 09:10 to 09:20
1 Ring-billed Gull (adult out on the water), 1 Mediterranean Gull (adult-w). Paul Griggs, Mike Clarke (SOG).

Gunners Park, 09:25 to 11:25
2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Sandwich Tern, 1 Stonechat, 2 Wheatear, 8 Sand Martin, 112 House Martin, 183 Swallow, 8 Gannet, 2 Mediterranean Gull (adult-w, 2nd-w), 1 Chiffchaff, 80 Sanderling, 7 Little Egret, 23 Dark-bellied Brent Goose. 3 Clouded Yellow. Paul Griggs, Steve Arlow, Brian Baldock, Mike Clarke (SOG).

Gunners Park, 10:00 to 12:15
4 Little Egret, 8 Gannet, 4 Wheatear, 1 Chiffchaff, 338 Swallow (steady passage), 5 Sand Martin, 158 House Martin most often in flocks of between 20 and 40 birds, 1 Sandwich Tern, 1 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 2 Stonechat (pair). Steve Arlow (SOG).

Wat Tyler Country Park, 10:00 to 12:30
2 Kingfisher. Web Author.

Applerow, Eastwood, 10:45
1 Sparrowhawk. Paul Baker (SOG).

South Fambridge Seawall 11.00 to 11.35
2 Cormorant, 1 Mute Swan, flock of about 60 House Martin west along the Crouch, continuous passage of small groups of Swallow south-west. David Selley.

Chalkwell Park Drive, Leigh, 11:00 to 11:05
20 Swallow heading SW. 1 Red Admiral, 1 Speckled Wood. John Wright (SOG).

Hadleigh Marshes, 11:00 to 12:30
4 Stonechat, 3 Wheatear, 1 Snipe. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).

Wakering, Fleet Head, 11:35 to 11:50
10 Red-legged Partridge, 1 Snipe, 16 Golden Plover, 60 House Martin, 19 Swallow, 1 Green Woodpecker. Paul Griggs, Mike Clarke (SOG).

Southchurch Park East 12.30
1 Cygnet with a large chest wound from railings at end of pond. Got to Orsett Wildlife hospital within 1hr 20 min. I am told it should be O.K. I have put wadding on the top of the fence rails with foil back rockwool, so it is visible and protected in case of further incidents. Robert Dobinson.

Wakering Stairs, 12:30 to 12:45
40 Swallow (at least moving through), 25 House Martin (at least seen in a group over the seawall at the end of the road). Steve Arlow (SOG).

Benfleet Creek, 13:15 to 14:55
11 Little Egret, 1 Sparrowhawk (female), 6 Stonechat, 50 Lapwing, c.1,000 Black-tailed Godwit, 58 Wigeon, 3 Greenshank, 5 Grey Heron, 5 Reed Bunting, 6 Little Grebe. 1 Comma. John Wright (SOG).

Benfleet Creek, 14:30 to 15:40
3 Little Grebe, 1 Greenshank, c.1,500 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Skylark, 1 Reed Bunting. Paul Griggs (SOG).

Southend, 17:00 to 17:05
1 Peregrine Falcon hunting over Baxter Avenue. Dudley Shayler (SOG).

Wakering Stairs, 18:00 to 19:00
3 Wheatear (1 at Haven Point and 2 along base of sea wall), 900 Golden Plover (at Haven Point), 1 Kestrel, 5 Little Egret. Don Petrie (SOG).

Saturday 22nd September 2007

Rochford, North Street, 08.05
20 House Martin around the White Horse nests - so still appear to be our local birds. David Selley.

Two Tree Island, 09:00 to 12:00
2 Common Tern, 1 Yellow-legged Gull (west end), 13 Greenshank (on the scrape), 17 Little Egret, 3 Golden Plover (on the scrape), 1 Ringed Plover, 15 Linnet, 10 Black-tailed Godwit. Brian Baldock (SOG).

Southchurch Park East, 09.30
2 Kingfisher - one is a female on sticks at NW end of pond. Robert Dobinson.

North East Middle Deep Out from Wallasea Marina 12.15
Razorbill came up to the back of the boat while sea fishing aboard Cloud Nine and stayed for around 15 minutes diving and swimming, 7 Gannet including 2 juveniles. No sign of 'Old Bob' though! (see news page - Ed.) Chris Blake and Graham Saunders.

Southchurch Park East, 12:15 to 13:00
8 Mute Swan (2 adults 6 cygnets), 3 Little Grebe, 2 Kingfisher. Web Author.

Buxey Sands, Three miles from the Mouth of the Crouch, 15.30
100+ Little Egret, 41 Common Seal, 3 Atlantic Grey Seal. Web Author.

Hanningfield Reservoir 16:10 - 17:05
Lesser Yellowlegs , Yellow-legged Gull, 5 Red-crested Pochard, Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Ringed Plover, Curlew flew through north-west, calling, at 16:55. Neil Chambers, Paul Baker (SOG).

Belton Hills, 16:25 to 16:30
1 Clouded Yellow. John Wright (SOG).

Hanningfield Reservoir
Lesser Yellowlegs (found by Davic Acfield), 3 Ringed Plover, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Dunlin, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 adult Yellow-legged Gull, 1 Pintail. Nick Green  (EBS).

Lee Valley, Hertfordshire
2 Black-necked Grebe on Bowyer's Lake. David Lee.

Friday 21st September 2007

Benfleet Downs, 08:15
2 Wheatear on the seawall between Leigh and Benfleet. Simon Watson

Coalhouse Fort to Mucking Bay 09.00 - 14.00
36 Canada Goose, 49 Shelduck, 3 Little Grebe, 2 Hobby hawking around the small copse near East Tilbury church, excellent spectacle often looking down on them from the seawall, they were flying that low! 980 Avocet, 6 Ringed Plover, 72 Grey Plover - a few still in summer plumage, 27 Dunlin, 22 Bar-tailed Godwit, 2 Yellow-legged Gull, Sandwich Tern, 12 Common Tern, 7 Skylark, 1 Sand Martin, 26 Swallow - moving through in small groups, 1 House Martin, 6 Stonechat, 1 Wheatear, 1 Lesser Whitethroat. Alan Shearman, RSPB.

River Crouch Adjacent to Bolt Hall Farm, Canewdon 09.30
1 Bar-headed Goose hanging around with a flock of Canada Geese. Kate Broad.

South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 10.30 - 12.50
10 Little Egret, 12 Swallow, Grey Plover, 17 Curlew, Greenshank, Green Sandpiper, Sparrowhawk, 2 Teal, Little Grebe, Common Seal. Ray Fuller.

Thursday 20th September 2007

Billericay Schools, 09.40 - 09.43
3 Hobby above playing fields. Gary Dunn.

Wednesday 19th September 2007

Benfleet, 04:00 to 04:15
1 Tawny Owl calling. Probably from St.Marys Church area. Simon Watson (SOG).

Rayleigh, Ferndale Road, 07.00
4 Bullfinch. Robin Peppiatt.

Canvey Point 18.00 - 19.00
4 Arctic Skua, 2 Great Skua, 1 Guillemot, 2 Mediterranean Gull (Ad+2w), 3 Little Tern. Martin Cracknell.

Tuesday 18th September 2007

Canvey Point, 06:15 to 07:30
2 Arctic Skua, 200 Wigeon. Jeff Saward (SOG).

Southchurch Park East
3 Kingfisher are now fishing off stick placed on Sunday at NW end of Pond, a Fantastic sight. 6 Cygnets are now flying fully and the Adult Cob has now finished his moult and is almost ready to fly again. The Cygnets are some sight as they fly up and down the pond. Robert Dobinson.

Monday 17th September 2007

Coombe Wood, 11:55 to 12:00
1 Hobby heading south. Jeff Saward (SOG).

Gunners Park 12.00
100+ mixed Sand Martin and House Martin, 1 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk, Green Woodpecker, Long-tailed Tit party. Steve Wood.

Canvey Point, 14:00 to 17:00
1 Manx Shearwater , 11 Arctic Skua, 1 Pomarine Skua, 7 Mediterranean Gull (4 x adults, 1 x 2nd winter, 2 x 1st winter), 2 Sanderling, 3 Swallow, 5 House Martin, 4 Arctic Tern, 2 Little Tern. Jeff Saward (SOG).

Westcliff Seafront, 15:45 to 16:15
13 Mediterranean Gull (12 adults and 1x 2nd W.) Paul Baker (SOG).

Hadleigh Downs, 16:25
2 Wheatear, 5 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker. Simon Watson (SOG).

Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 18:15
1 Green Woodpecker. Paul Baker (SOG).

Sunday 16th September 2007

Canvey Seafront, 10:00 - 11:30
1 Kestrel, 1 Greenshank, 1 Wheatear. Andrew Cox.

Southend Pier 10:00 to 15:00
Several Common Tern, Several Sandwich Tern, Several Mediterranean Gulls three with rings: Green ring, white letters AAEZ and AEYE, Red ring, white letters 6P2. David Lee.

Canvey, Holehaven Creek, 11.30 - 13.45
22 Cormorant, 10 Little Egret, 6 Grey Heron, 7 Gadwall, 14 Teal, 33 Lapwing, 1,816 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Bar-tailed Godwit, 626 Curlew, 243 Redshank, 5 Greenshank. Alan Shearman RSPB.

RSPB Vange Marsh, 14.00 - 15.10
7 Wigeon, 18 Teal, 3 Shoveler, 2 Little Egret, 15 Lapwing, 23 Black-tailed Godwit, 5 Curlew, 5 Spotted Redshank, 8 Redshank, 5 Greenshank, 1 Green Sandpiper. Alan Shearman RSPB.

Saturday 15th September 2007

Langdon Hills, 09:15 - 14:00
5 Hobby, 1 Kestrel, 3 Sparrowhawk, 1 Treecreeper, Green Woodpeckers, Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 1 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Chiffchaff, Blackcap (both in song), Bullfinch. Andrew Cox.

South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 10.15 - 12.30
11 Swallow, 15 Curlew, 15 Little Egret, Greenshank, 2 Green Sandpiper, 4 Reed Bunting, Grey Plover, Teal. Ray Fuller.

River Roach, Middleway
22 Avocet, 2 Marsh Harrier, many Golden Plover (fantastic in the scope), 5 Ringed Plover, many Little Egret and two Canada Geese with someone shooting the latter at dawn on Sunday and 9 Common Seal. Gary Dunn.

Wakering
Yellow Wagtail seen in just harvested potato fields in Little Wakering Road. Julia Golding.

Friday 14th September 2007

Leigh on Sea 0830 - 08.45
58 Little Egret, 9 Brent Goose. Web Author.

Westcliff Seafront 09.30 - 10.00
20 Common Seal on sand bank. David Lee.

RSPB Rainham Marshes 12.00 - 16.30
2 Hobby, 3 Kestrel (2 male, 1 female), 4 White Wagtail, 1 Snipe, 2 Redshank, 1 Greenshank, 2 Bearded Tit, 30+ Reed Bunting (males + females), 1 Sedge Warbler, 7 Grey Heron, 1 Little Grebe, 3 Little Egret, 1 Curlew Sandpiper, 1 Goldfinch. Terry Priest.

Southchurch Park East 13.15
1 Kingfisher, 1 Wheatear in car park. Steve Wood.

Coombe Wood, 20:55 to 21:00
1 Tawny Owl in the trees in garden. Jeff Saward (SOG).

Thursday 13th September 2007 (The Brent Are Coming Back! - First Report)

Coombe Wood, 08:00 to 08:15
1 Spotted Flycatcher in garden. Jeff Saward (SOG).

Gunners Park 12.00
3 Little Egret, 25+ Swallow, 30+ Sand Martin with a few House Martin, Lesser Whitethroat Sparrowhawk, Kingfisher in brook. Clouded Yellow. Steve Wood.

Tewke's Creek, 13:00
1 Clouded Yellow. Jeff Saward (SOG).

Canvey Point, 13:00 to 14:30
5 Arctic Skua still loafing off the Point, 1 Arctic Tern, 1 Guillemot, 1 juvenile Little Gull , 1 Hobby (flying south to Kent). Jeff Saward (SOG).

Two Tree Island 14.30 To 17.00
15 Brent Goose flying to Old Leigh. Gareth Powell. (Exactly the same date as last year, see migration table - Ed.)

Southend Airport, 19:30 to 20:00
1 Tawny Owl. Paul Baker (SOG).

Wednesday 12th September 2007

Rossi's Ice Cream, Westcliff, 08:40 to 08:50
5 Little Egret, 2 Mediterranean Gull (Adult-w, 2nd-w). 17 Common Seal. Paul Griggs (SOG).

Leigh Sea Wall (RSPB Guided Walk) 10:00 to 13:00
1 Kingfisher (in borrowdyke), 1 Curlew Sandpiper (on Two Tree Island Lagoon), 1 Tufted Duck, 4 Little Egret, Several Greenshank, 1 Green Woodpecker, Several Common Gull. David Lee, Alan Shearman, Glenn Jacobs, Harry Crook.

Canvey Point, 13:00 to 14:00
3 Arctic Skua lingering off the Point, 3 Arctic Tern, 2 Mediterranean Gull. Jeff Saward (SOG).

Tewke's Creek, 14:30 to 15:00
1 Kingfisher. Jeff Saward (SOG).

Tuesday 11th September 2007

Leigh on Sea, 06:40
1 female Sparrowhawk over the Broadway. John Wright (SOG).

Rossi's Ice Cream, Westcliff, 08:05 to 08:10
13 Little Egret, 1 Greenshank, 3 Mediterranean Gull (Adult-w). 16 Common Seal. Paul Griggs (SOG).

Tattersall Gardens, Leigh-on-Sea 14.53
1 female Sparrowhawk flying WSW towards Hadleigh Downs. Martin Johnson.

Southchurch Park East
3 Kingfisher flying across the west side of the pond at 12.30, 14.30 on the 11th & 08.30 on the 10th. Robert Dobinson.

Monday 10th September 2007

Westcliff Seafront, 13:35 to 13:45
1 adult Mediterranean Gull. Neil Chambers (SOG).

Wakering, Fleet Head, 14:00 to 15:30
1 Little Owl, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Corn Bunting, 350 Golden Plover, 90 Lapwing, 9 Little Egret, 20 Red-legged Partridge. Neil Chambers (SOG).

Two Tree Island 14.45 - 17.00
Dead Avocet on lagoon, Wheatear, 9 Greenshank, 1000+ Dunlin with a handful of Knot, 6 Grey Plover, 20 Curlew, 14 Little Egret, 50 Bar-tailed Godwit, Common Whitethroat, Sparrowhawk scattered the Dunlin flock. Ray Fuller.

Baxter Avenue Southend, 19:40 to 19:55
2 Peregrine Falcon. Adult male and near-adult female both perched on window ledges on west side of Portcullis House, presumable to roost. Don Petrie (SOG).

Sunday 09th September 2007 (Big Little Egret Count)

Essex Marina / Wallasea Wetlands 08.30
Kingfisher around Marina again, 1 Barn Owl quartering sea wall at Wallasea wetlands. Gary Dunn.

East Tilbury 08.30 - 10.30
7 Curlew Sandpiper, 1 Green Sandpiper, 19 Knot, 70+ Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Bar-tailed Godwit, 3 Sanderling, many Avocet, 2 Little Egret. David Jobbins.

Southchurch Park East, 08.50
1 juvenile Little Egret, 1 Kingfisher on north bank of pond, perching and flying, 12 Canadian Geese flying SW to estuary 9.30. Bob Dobinson.

Foulness and Environs (from boat trip) 09.30 - 15.30
110 Little Egret, 200+ Canada Goose, 36 Greenshank, 1 Yellow-legged Gull, 200+ Golden Plover, 1 Grey Plover, 2 Bar-tailed Godwit, 2 Little Tern, 11 Avocet, 2 Marsh Harrier, 3 Hobby (2 adult, 1 juvenile), 3 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk. 20 Common Seal. Gary Dunn.

Canvey Point 10.30
4 Little Egret. T.Morgan.

Two Tree Island 10:45 - 13:00
1 Black-backed Gull, many Black-headed Gull, Redshank, Curlew, Greenshank, 6 Lapwing, 14 Oystercatcher, 1 Whitethroat (alarm call heard), 5 Wheatear, Linnets heard and 35 Little Egret. Chris Spence and Lee Trayler.

Southend Pier 11:00 - 13:00
c.100 Turnstone, 3 Common Gull, c.60 Mediterranean Gull (6x1w, 11x2w), 1 Sandwich Tern, 1 Kingfisher under pier entrance. Paul Bruty.

Wallasea Wetlands 12.00
63 Little Egret, 4 juvenile Curlew Sandpiper, 300 Ringed Plover, 10 Greenshank, 20 Redshank, 3 Bar-tailed Godwit, juvenile Marsh Harrier - probably drifted across to Foulness, female Sparrowhawk, 3 Kestrel, 2 Wheatear. Jeff delve, Nick Green (EBS).

Two Tree Island 12.30
70 Little Egret on roost. Monty Cooper.

Hadleigh Marshes, 14:30 to 15:30
3 Pochard, 1 Whinchat, 5 Stonechat, 34 Linnet, 1 Snipe. 1 Clouded Yellow. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).

Eastwood, 16:15
1 Sparrowhawk (large female, flew high west nr Progress Rd.). Paul Baker (SOG).

Leighton Road, Benfleet 18.00
1 Hobby. Andrew Bridge.

Amwell 18.30 - 19.30
3 Common Snipe, 1 Water Rail, 2 Wigeon, 4 Common Sandpiper, 1 Peregrine Falcon perched in tree to left of hide and 2 Heron. M Jameson, M Howell.

Two Tree Island 19.45
70 Little Egret on roost. Mark and Marilyn Bridges.

Saturday 08th September 2007

Southchurch East Park, 09.00
1 juvenile Little Egret. Bob Dobinson .

Canvey Point, 10:00 to 12:30
2 Arctic Skua, 4 Gannet, 1 Arctic Tern, 1 Mediterranean Gull (adult). Jeff Saward (SOG).

Lion Creek 10.30
8 Little Egret just after high tide. David Selley.

Essex Marina, Wallasea 13.28
Kingfisher flying around moorings. Gary Dunn.

Friday 07th September 2007

RSPB Rainham Marshes, 10.00 - 13.00
2 Hobby, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Little Grebe, 5 Grey Heron, 7 Little Egret, 2 Greylag Goose, 5 Gadwall, 2 Pintail, 2 Kestrel, 8 Lapwing, 1 Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Dunlin, 3 Ruff, 1 Wood Sandpiper, 2 Green Sandpiper, 5 Lesser Black-Backed Gull, 1 Yellow-legged Gull, 2 Great Black-Backed Gull, 3 Swallow, 1 White Wagtail, 2 Reed Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 2 Greenfinch, 3 Goldfinch. Steve Arnold.

Gunners Park 11.00 - 12.00
1 Spotted Flycatcher, 100+ House Martin, 25+ Swallow, Yellow Wagtail, Little Egret. Steve Wood.

Southend, 12:00 to 12:05
1 female Sparrowhawk over Victoria Circus. John Wright (SOG).

South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 13.30 - 16.00
Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, 12 Little Egret, 6 Curlew, 7 Reed Bunting, Swallow, Greenshank, Shelduck, 2 Green Woodpecker, 10 Avocet, Skylark. Ray Fuller.

Stanford Warren 18:00
Kingfisher (seen 3 times). Bradley Reeves.

Southend Airport, 18:00 to 20:00
1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Sparrowhawk (female, chasing Kingfisher furiously around the pond and probably would have got it had I not intervened with my fishing rod!), 1 Kingfisher (present throughout, fishing alongside me), 1 Tawny Owl calling from copse. 1 Common Pipistrelle, 1 Red Fox. Paul Baker (SOG).

Thursday 06th September 2007

Abbot Hall Marshes 16.00 18.00
2 reported Marsh Sandpiper, 2 Marsh Harrier, 2 Little Egret, Grey Plovers, Dunlin, Curlews. M.Howell, M.Jameson.

Wakering Stairs, 18:30 to 19:15
1 Peregrine Falcon on post out to sea, 6,000 Oystercatcher, 1 leucistic Black-headed Gull, 2 Marsh Harrier, 6 Little Egret, 2 Kestrel. 1 Red Fox chasing hares, 2 Brown Hare. Don Petrie (SOG).

Wednesday 05th September 2007

RSPB Vange Marshes 13.00 - 13.45
1 Common Buzzard (13.00 - fly over heading east), 9 Green Sandpiper, 2 Common Sandpiper, 1 Snipe. Marc Outten RSPB.

Southend, Baxter Avenue, 20:00 to 20:05
1 Peregrine Falcon on top on Portcullis House, at NW corner, then moved out of sight on roof, presumably to roost. Don Petrie (SOG).

Tuesday 04th September 2007

Baxter Avenue Southend, 17:40 to 17:45
1 near-adult female Peregrine Falcon on Portcullis House. Don Petrie (SOG).

Hanningfield Reservoir 17:45 - 18:00
Juvenile Little Gull. Neil Chambers (SOG).

Baxter Avenue Southend, 18:40 to 19:10
1 adult male Peregrine Falcon on Portcullis House, present until at least 19:10, but not present at dusk). Don Petrie (SOG).

Canvey, Tewke's Creek, 19:00 to 20:00
1 Caspian Gull (4th winter/adult, present from 1930 until dark, with LBB Gulls), 12 Greenshank, 30 Knot, 2 Common Sandpiper. Jeff Saward (SOG).

Monday 03rd September 2007

Westcliff, Rossi's Ice Cream, 09:00 to 09:05
4 Mediterranean Gull (Adult-w), 1 Little Egret. Paul Griggs (SOG).

Baxter Avenue Southend, 11:15 to 12:35
1 adult male Peregrine Falcon perched on Portcullis House. Paul Griggs, Don Petrie (SOG).

South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 14.00 - 16.30
9 Little Egret, 3 Swallow, Sparrowhawk, 2 Whimbrel, 2 Curlew, Greenshank, 10 Reed Bunting, Grey Plover, 6 Goldcrest. Ray Fuller.

Canvey Point, 16:00 to 18:30
29 Arctic Skua (inc. flocks of 12 & 7 circling high over the river), 1 Pomarine Skua (juv./1st summer), 14 Arctic Tern (also strong movement of Common and Sandwich Terns), 1 Little Gull (juv.), 9 Mediterranean Gull (3 ads., 2nd winter, 4 juv./1st winter), 26 Little Tern, 1 Common Scoter, 1 Pintail. Jeff Saward (SOG).

Southend, Baxter Avenue, 17:05 to 18:15
1 female Peregrine Falcon on Portcullis House, 1 female Sparrowhawk. Paul Griggs, Tony Mead, Don Petrie (SOG).

Hanningfield Reservoir 18:05 - 18:15
2 juvenile Little Gull, Greenshank, Common Sandpiper. Neil Chambers (SOG).

Sunday 02nd September 2007

Langdon Hills 09:00 - 14:00
6 Hobby (4 near Northlands Wood/Old Hill, 2 Dunton Plotlands), at least 3 Kestrel, at least 3 Sparrowhawk. Andrew Cox.

Hadleigh Downs, 09:20 to 11:20
1 Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Whitethroat, 1 Blackcap (singing), 1 Chiffchaff (singing), 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Green Woodpecker, 22 Linnet, 1 Whimbrel, 8 Stonechat (pr + 3 juv's. and pr + 1 juv.), 10 Yellow Wagtail all singles flying over, 1 Grey Wagtail. Neil Chambers (SOG).

Wakering Stairs, 10:00 to 10:30
1 Osprey still perched on post. Lee Ebbs (SOG).

Hadleigh Marsh 12.10
1 Swift feeding over golf range, 35 Sand Martin flying west along the Ray. David Selley.

Marsh Farm, South Woodham Ferrers 13.00 - 14.30
1 Hobby chasing approx. 6 Swallow, 100+ Black Tailed Godwit, 50+ Redshank, 50+ Golden Plover, 6 Little Egret, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Whimbrel. Martin and Marie Singleton.

Wakering Stairs, 14:30 to 15:30
1 Osprey perched on post directly south of the main access road, 46 Grey Plover. 350+ Oystercatcher including the presumed returning leucistic individual, 1 Whimbrel, 2 Kestrel, 28 Dunlin, 25 Sanderling, 4 Knot, 6 Common Tern (all adults). Mike Bailey, Claire Chambers (SOG).

Wakering Stairs, 16:10 to 17:20
1 Osprey watched on nearest big post from 16:10 to 16:30 when I left, 1 Sparrowhawk, 40 Linnet feeding in stubble field, 1 Turtle Dove. Don Petrie (SOG).

Two Tree Island (West), 16:20 to 17:30
1 Little Egret, 6 Common Sandpiper, 7 Greenshank, 1 Curlew Sandpiper, 5 Dunlin, 1 Whimbrel, 700 Black-tailed Godwit, 150 Golden Plover. All birds were on the scrape except for the Golden Plovers which were on the adjacent farmland. John Wright (SOG).

Wakering, Oxenham Farm, 17:20 to 18:10
28 Linnet, 35 Swallow on wires and fences, 3 Sand Martin, 3 Kestrel (1 on the farm and over Rushley Island), 7 Little Egret, 7 Whimbrel, 16 Canada Goose on Rushley Island. Don Petrie (SOG).

Wakering Stairs, Haven Point, 18:10 to 19:10
5 Little Egret, 300 Sanderling, 26 Greenshank, 250 Dunlin, 150 Grey Plover, 350 Bar-tailed Godwit, 4 Knot, 1 Whimbrel. Don Petrie (SOG).

Wakering Stairs, 19:10 to 19:35
1 Osprey. Still there on mid-distance post until 19:30 when it flew out to furthest big post as the tide went out. Don Petrie (SOG).

Saturday 01st September 2007

Rochford, North St / Weir Pond Rd 07.30
100+ House Martin. David Selley.

Basildon Town Centre 10:30
Common Buzzard over. Joe House.

Hadleigh Marshes, 10:30 to 13:00
1 Hobby, 3 Sparrowhawk (2F, 1M), 2 Kestrel, 15 Whitethroat, 6 Lesser Whitethroat, 10 Stonechat (2 pairs both with 3 juvs.), 5 Whinchat, 20 Linnet, 200 Swallow, 2 Marsh Frog. John Wright (SOG).

Wakering Stairs, 16:15 to 18:45
1 Osprey on posts straight out to sea from end of road. Caught a fish and fed. On show from 17:10 and still present when we left, 10 Little Egret, 900 Bar-tailed Godwit roosting opposite Haven Point, 200 Grey Plover roosting opposite Haven Point), 1 Marsh Harrier (imm. male), 18 Linnet, 16 Little Tern, 1 Kestrel. Don Petrie, Paul Griggs, Graham Mee, John Wright (SOG).

Maldon
Spotted Crake. Richard Chew (www.richardchewphotography.com).

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