Bird Reports for September 2009
Wednesday 30th September 2009
Leigh on Sea, Park View Drive 10.30
1 Siskin in birch tree (garden first). Kris Mee.
Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 17:25
2 Grey Wagtail flew west along brook. Paul Baker (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park, 17:30 to 17:55
1 Ruff, 45 Lapwing, 6 Black-tailed Godwit, 7 Little Egret, 10 Teal, 6 Shoveler, 1 Grey Heron. Marc Outten (RSPB, SOG).
Ashingdon, Princess Gardens 17.45
1 Sparrowhawk - juvenile male caught and with some difficulty killed a starling in our garden. David Selley.
Tuesday 29th September 2009
Baxter Avenue Southend, 09:25
1 escaped Goshawk with jesses near Portcullis House. Paul Griggs (SOG).
Gunners Park 09.30 - 10.45
1 Yellow Browed Warbler in bushes at eastern end of reserve. I have not seen one before but know that they have been seen in Gunners Park. However it is the only one which ticks all the boxes in my reference books. John Pitts.
RSPB Vange Marsh, 17:35 to 18:20
2 Grey Wagtail, 11 Wigeon, 4 Snipe on saline lagoon, 2 Redshank, 6 Teal, 1 Little Egret, 1 Cetti's Warbler (heard), 1 Kestrel, 1 Kingfisher earlier on at 10.15. Marc Outten (RSPB, SOG).
Hadleigh Marshes, 18:00
2 Stonechat, 1 Green Woodpecker. Matt Bruty (SOG).
Monday 28th September 2009
Rayleigh, Ferndale Road (Garden) 05.00
2 Tawny Owl calling. Robin Peppiatt.
Hullbridge, End of Ferry Road 15:00
1 Black Swan, 30 Mute Swan. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Hockley, Lower Road 16.00
47 Pied Wagtail on lawn at Riverside Nursery. David Selley.
Westcliff Seafront, 18:00 to 18:05
2 Mediterranean Gull. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Southchurch Park East
All 6 Mute swan cygnets were on the estuary this morning at 7.30 with mum for the first time. So the fence protection at the park has done its job. All of our volunteers have played an integral part from the early days of nest conservation work right through to seeing our fully fledged birds fly out to the estuary. Also experience from previous years has been invaluable and has enabled us to assess the requirements and advise all of the park users and visitors in general. Now we have three generations of Swans on the two park ponds and all that remains is to get the three cygnets safely off of Southchurch Park West in the next couple of weeks. Bob Dobinson.
Sunday 27th September 2009
Wakering Stairs, 07:00 to 11:30
61 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 female Kestrel, 6 Snipe, 2 Whimbrel, 2 Greenshank, 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 11 Skylark (flyovers, going SW), 102 Swallow (flyovers, going SW), 36 Meadow Pipit (mostly flyovers, going SW), 3 Wheatear (1 by Haven Point, 2 near the slipway), 1 Whinchat at the bend on the approach road, 2 Stonechat (pair at Haven Point), 1 Blackcap, 2 Whitethroat, 6 Chiffchaff, 2 Reed Bunting. 2 Clouded Yellow. Don Petrie (SOG).
Two Tree Island, 09:25 to 12:10
62 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 600 Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Stonechat, 6 Swallow, 1 Chiffchaff. Graham Ryland (SOG).
Barling Magna Millenium Wildlife Park 10.20 - 11.30
1 Spotted Flycatcher, 8 Greenfinch, 4 Green Woodpecker, 4 Jay, 2 Swallow, Wren, Robin, Dunnock, 2 Curlew over, 170 Knot over the Roach. David Selley.
Benfleet Creek, 12:00 to 14:00
3 Wheatear, 4 Stonechat, 6 Reed Bunting, 15 Linnet, 30 Teal. John Wright (SOG).
Saturday 26th September 2009
Gunners Park, 07:50 to 11:45
1 Blackcap, 3 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 100 House Martin (at least), 9 Chiffchaff (at least), 100 Sanderling flew past along foreshore, 2 Reed Bunting, 2 Sparrowhawk, 1 Little Egret. 5 Clouded Yellow around the Garrison. Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).
Gunners Park, 10:30 to 12:45
1 Wheatear, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Blackcap, 9 Chiffchaff, 2 Sparrowhawk. 6 Clouded Yellow, 1 Painted Lady. John Wright (SOG).
Wakering Stairs, 12:00 to 14:15
I walked from Landwick to Gate 9, the seawall and back via the MOD road: 1 Buzzard at the west end landed briefly before flying north east at 12.55, 3 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Stonechat (a pair), 1 Peregrine Falcon, 1 Sparrowhawk, 4 Green Woodpecker (at least), 1 Whitethroat, 1 Green Sandpiper in borrowdyke, 10 Skylark, 1 Lesser Whitethroat. Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).
Paglesham Lagoon, 14:30 to 18:20
From trout fisheries: 18 Little Egret, 15 Linnet, c20 Swallow, 2 Greenshank, 1 Reed Bunting, 1 adult Mediterranean Gull, 5 Chiffchaff, 1 Skylark, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Green Woodpecker, 50+ Wigeon, 4 House Martin. 1 Comma, 1 Speckled Wood, 1 Red Admiral, 1 Clouded Yellow, 3 Painted Lady. Paul Griggs, Don Petrie (SOG).
Friday 25th September 2009
Canvey West End, 11:00 to 12:00
1 Kestrel, 2 Linnet. 5 Clouded Yellow, 6 Wall, 5 Brown Argus. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park, 12:30 to 18:00
1 Peregrine Falcon on pylons on Bowers Marsh, 1 immature male Marsh Harrier over at 12.40, 1 Buzzard over at 15.40, 1 male Sparrowhawk, 65 Lapwing, 5 Spotted Redshank, 9 Little Egret, 1 Ruff, 2 Bearded Tit, 1 Cetti's Warbler, Marc Outten (RSPB, SOG).
Canvey Point, 13:15 to 14:15
1 Peregrine Falcon, 80 Linnet on far eastern shell bank, 9 Meadow Pipit. 1 Clouded Yellow. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).
Highlands Boulevard, Leigh, 15:10 to 15:15
1 Hobby, 1 Sparrowhawk. Paul Griggs (SOG).
Gunners Park, 16:45
3 Eider on the sea. Lee Ebbs (SOG).
Westcliff Seafront, 17:20 to 17:25
1 Ring-billed Gull (Rossi on the lamp post outside Rossi). Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).
Thursday 24th September 2009
Southend Seafront, 07:25 to 07:35
1 Ring-billed Gull (adult still present), 7 Mediterranean Gull (6 adults, 1 2nd winter). Marc Outten (RSPB, SOG).
Gunners Park 07.25 to 10.15
1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Wheatear in reserve, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow/Chiff, 1 Blackcap. 2 Skua species going up river. Les Costin.
Two Tree Island (West), 14:30 to 16:30
700 Black-tailed Godwit, 150 Ringed Plover, 4 Grey Plover, 200 Golden Plover, 20 Greenshank, 1 Peregrine Falcon, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Stonechat, 1 Whitethroat, 20 Dunlin. Dave Knight (SOG).
EWT Chigborough Lakes 15.00
2 Snipe, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Redstart, 2 Sparrowhawk, 30+ Little Egret, 1 Hobby. Alec Martin.
Southend Airport 17:00
1 Buzzard flying west across the airport and then turned north. Spotted from our garden. Chris and Jackie Graham.
Tuesday 22nd September 2009
Rochford, 07:20 to 07:25
1 juvenile Hobby over garden. Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).
Canewdon Church 07.55 - 08.30
c1000 House Martin over church. The flock was visible from Scotts Hall farm about half a mile away. By 08.30 most had flown off west. Also 1 Song Thrush and 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker. David Selley.
Monday 21st September 2009
Gunners Park, 07:30 to 11:30
4 Chiffchaff, 1 Pied Flycatcher (beech road), 2 Wheatear, 200 Greenfinch, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Whitethroat, 30 Meadow Pipit. Dave Knight (SOG).
Gunners Park 07.40 to 10.30
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Wheatear, 1 Redstart (in the reserve) 5 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Willow Warbler, 1 Blackcap. Les Costin.
Canvey, Holehaven Creek 11.00 to 15.00
25 Shelduck, 7 Mallard, 19 Cormorant, 21 Little Egret, 2 Grey Heron, 2 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 6 Oystercatcher, 10 Avocet, 1 Ringed Plover, 20 Grey Plover, 49 Lapwing, 1390 Black-tailed Godwit, 810 Curlew, 662 Redshank, 411 Black-headed Gull, 66 Common Gull, 82 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 51 Herring Gull, 716 Great Black-backed Gull, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Stonechat, 3 Wheatear. Alan Shearman RSPB.
Woodham Ferrers 13.00
3 Common Buzzard circling c.2km ENE of Woodham Ferrers, and drifting away to east. Martin Johnson.
Wakering, Fleet Head, 13:00 to 14:30
7 Wheatear, 1 male Marsh Harrier, 4 Kestrel, 20 Meadow Pipit, 35 Linnet, 3 Greenshank, 23 Long-tailed Tit. Marc Outten (RSPB, SOG).
Rochford, 13:35
1 Willow Warbler briefly in apple tree, 2 Meadow Pipit over garden. Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).
Westcliff-on-sea 15:25
1 Ring-billed Gull, "Rossi" perched on a lamppost midway between the Ice Cream Parlour and the Casino. Andrew Allen.
Paglesham Lagoon, 17:00 to 18:30
2 Yellow-legged Gull (juvs/1st winters), 2 Mediterranean Gull (adults), 3 Pintail (eclipse drakes), 54 Little Grebe, 5 Little Egret, 5 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Greenshank. Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).
Southchurch Park East
All eight Swans/Cygnets took off from the park this morning at 8.15. The Female adult and the white cygnet landed in Southchurch Park West pond. I got them out, a took them back to the east pond. One cygnet cleared the fence spikes around the pond and landed inside the park side of the road hedge. One cygnet made it down to the estuary and he will be observed through the day. All the rest (7) are on the pond now. We will probably have a few more days of this. But i anticipate they will all be down on the estuary by about Wednesday and coming and going. Bob Dobinson.
Sunday 20th September 2009
Gunners Park, 07:45 to 09:40
1 Sparrowhawk, 120 House Martin, 40+ Meadow Pipit, 5 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Redstart in north-east corner of the reserve, 4 Song Thrush, 6 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Pied Flycatcher, 75 Linnet. Marc Outten (RSPB, SOG).
Langdon Hills 10:00 to 13:30
At least 6 Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Bullfinch, flock of Long-tailed Tit, 2 Song Thrush, 2 Buzzard, 2 Hobby, 1 Sparrowhawk. Andrew Cox.
Two Tree Island, 10:50 to 14:20
2 Curlew Sandpiper on scrape with Dunlin and Ringed Plover, 72 Little Egret, 684 Redshank, 266 Curlew, 67 Grey Plover, 43 Lapwing, 183 Dunlin, 56 Turnstone, 132 Ringed Plover, 389 Oystercatcher, 1 Common Sandpiper on scrape, 40 Knot, 5 Bar-tailed Godwit, 350 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Golden Plover, 2 Snipe, 1 Sandwich Tern, 43 Wigeon, 59 Teal, 24 Greenshank, 1 Kestrel, 2 Stonechat, 10 Sand Martin, 4 Swallow, 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Reed Bunting, 5 Meadow Pipit, 1 Skylark. Graham Ryland (SOG).
Wakering Stairs 10.55 - 13.55
Seen during WeBS count: 1 Turtle Dove, 430 Swallow, (more or less constant light passage), 6 House Martin, 61 Meadow Pipit, 2 Whitethroat, 2 Chiffchaff. David Selley.
Rivers Crouch and Roach Seal Trip Aboard the Lady Essex III 11.00 - 13.00
14 Black-tailed Godwit, 23 Avocet, 1 Peregrine Falcon over Potton, 3 Kestrel. 15 Common Seal. Web Author.
Rayleigh, Ferndale Road (Garden) 14.00 to 16.30
1 Hobby, 10+ Meadow Pipit (passage), 200+ Swallow (passage), Robin Peppiatt.
Hanningfield Reservoir 14.00 to 16.00
1 Snow Goose in white plumage. Jane Hale.
Rochford Golf Course, 14:30 to 18:15
50 Meadow Pipit (approx. small groups all flying NW), 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Grey Wagtail. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Thursday 17th September 2009
Two Tree Island 09.15 - 09.45
1 Merlin flying up the creek towards Benfleet, 1 Wheatear, several Whinchat (males and females), 1 female Kestrel. Terry Priest.
Wednesday 16th September 2009
Canvey Point, 06:30 to 12:30
38 Gannet, 13 Great Skua, 1 Pomarine Skua (adult pale phase - present for around 1 hour), 10 Arctic Skua, 1 Long-tailed Skua (intermediate/dark juvenile at 09:20), 1 juvenile Sabine's Gull very close inshore at the Point at 08:30, seen again at longer range 09:05, 4 Little Gull (2 adults, 2 x 1st winter), 12 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 10 Golden Plover, 1 Sparrowhawk north across the river, 1 Kestrel north across the river, 1 Marsh Harrier north across the river, 1 Hobby north across the river, 2 Merlin north across the river, 3 Pintail, 4 Guillemot, 1 Razorbill. Jeff Saward, Paul Baker, Neil Chambers (SOG).
Tuesday 15th September 2009 (The Brent are Back - 3 days later than last year!)
Canvey Seafront, 06:35 to 14:00
367 Gannet, 6 Pomarine Skua (inc 1 cracking adult which landed on the water close in straight out from us), 42 Great Skua (mostly either falling out of the sky near Northward Hill then heading out or flying in and spiralling up and over at Northward Hill), 3 Manx Shearwater (7:30, 7:42 and 9:15), 26 Arctic Skua, 5 Arctic Tern (4 juveniles), c300 Common Tern, c100 Sandwich Tern, 1 Guillemot (seen several times), 1 Pintail (north), 10 Common Scoter, 4 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 9 Snipe (two fly past flocks of 7 and 2 were unusual), 1 Peregrine Falcon (north), 1 Marsh Harrier (in Kent heading East), 1 Hobby (north), c20 Swallow, 1 House Martin, 2 Sand Martin, 2 Meadow Pipit, 5 Little Gull (4 adults), 355 Wigeon, 25 Teal, 1 Great Crested Grebe, c20 Mediterranean Gull. 2 Common Seal. Paul Baker (SOG).
Canvey Seafront, 06:30 to 18:00
3 Manx Shearwater, 465 Gannet, 9 Snipe (an unusual fly-past!), 1 Hobby, 1 Peregrine Falcon, 4 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 5 Arctic Tern, 5 Little Gull (4 ads., 1 x 1st winter), 53 Great Skua, 17 Pomarine Skua (many with spoons - including a splendid flock of 8), 38 Arctic Skua, 1 Guillemot. Jeff Saward (SOG).
Cranes Farm Road, Basildon 08:50
Female Sparrowhawk chased Collared Dove into window of opposite building, killing bird outright and proceeded to defeather and eat quarry. Daniel Butcher.
Leighbeck, Canvey Island 11:30 - 13:10
76 Gannet west and 103 east, 18 Great Skua east (incl. one group of 10), 5 Arctic Skua east, 4 Brent Goose east together, Steady movements of Sandwich, Common and 'Comic' Terns in poor visibility. Ian White.
Gunners Park, 12:00 to 14:00
1 Redstart (compound), 1 Pied Flycatcher (children's play area). Chris Lewis (SOG).
Monday 14th September 2009
Prittle Brook (Leigh on Sea), 07:30
1 Grey Wagtail. Brian Baldock (SOG).
Prittlewell Brook, 12:30
1 Sparrowhawk. Brian Baldock (SOG).
Canvey Point, 14:15 to 17:45
1 juvenile Sabine's Gull on the low-tide lagoon out from the Point at 15:00 before flying off high west, 12 Arctic Skua, 24 Arctic Tern (inc. flock of 15), 1 Black Tern, 2 Little Tern, 23 Common Scoter, 200 Wigeon, 1 Peregrine Falcon chasing a Redshank high over the river, 9 Shelduck, c50 Mediterranean Gull, 3 Gannet. Jeff Saward (SOG).
Wakering, Star Lane Pits, 15:00 to 15:50
2 Cetti's Warbler, 12 Linnet. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).
Sunday 13th September 2009
Gunners Park, 07:10 to 08:45
1 Redstart around compound in SE corner of reserve, 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Great Crested Grebe offshore, 1 adult Kittiwake offshore, 3 Common Tern offshore, 12 Little Egret feeding along southern side of 'lake'. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Westcliff Seafront, 08:55 to 09:05
1 Ring-billed Gull on beach; looking quite tatty now, 3 Mediterranean Gull (juvenile and 2 adults). Neil Chambers (SOG).
Prittle Brook (Leigh on Sea), 09:00
1 Grey Wagtail. Brian Baldock (SOG).
Gunners Park, 09:10 to 11:30
1 Redstart (same bird as yesterday around the compound at the east end of the reserve), 17 Gannet (a single juvenile flew in the Pier direction and a flock 16 of mixed ages flew upriver to the mouth of the Medway before turning around and heading out of the river again), 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Blackcap, 7 Mediterranean Gull (adults). Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).
Hadleigh Downs and Benfleet Creek 11:00 to 12:30
2 Greenshank, 1 Wheatear, 6 Golden Plover, 8 Swallow plus many Black-tailed Godwit, Lapwing and Redshank. Anita Pickles.
Daws Heath 11:30
2 Willow Warbler in the garden flitting around with Blue and Great Tits. Neil Latham.
Canvey Point, 13:55 to 16:45
6 Mediterranean Gull, 6 Swallow, 32 Little Egret, 1 juvenile Kittiwake, 3 Gannet, 4 Wigeon, 4 Arctic Skua, 1 Hobby. Paul Griggs, Steve Arlow, Paul Baker, Jeff Delve, Marc Outten, Jeff Saward, John Wright (SOG)
Gunners Park 15.00 - 16.30
1 Redstart by compound, 3 House Martin, 1 Great Crested Grebe offshore. Web Author, Kris Mee.
Canvey Point, 16:15 to 17:50
4 Arctic Skua in one flock, 1 juvenile Arctic Tern, 1 Hobby, c30 Wigeon, c30 Teal, 8 Little Egret, 6 Mediterranean Gull, 4 Sandwich Tern, c40 Common Tern. 1 Common Seal. Paul Baker (SOG).
Canvey Point, 16:55 to 18:30
2 Arctic Skua, 1 Hobby, 32 Teal, 3 Little Egret, 8 Mediterranean Gull, 20 Common Tern. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Eastwood, 18:15
1 Weasel successfully ran across A127 from central reservation to north side, just prior to 40mph zone coming from Rayleigh. Paul Baker (SOG).
Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 18:20
1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Grey Wagtail. Paul Baker (SOG).
Rivers Crouch and Roach Seal Trip Aboard the Lady Essex III
We saw a big cetacean in the river today, too big for a porpoise or dolphin. Also: Marsh Harrier, Hobby, Avocets and 11 Common Seals. Gary Dunn.
Saturday 12th September 2009
Canvey Point, 06:10 to 08:30
1 Manx Shearwater (the resident bird, flying out at first light), 3 Arctic Skua, 1 Red-throated Diver in full summer plumage, 1 Guillemot, 4 Grey Wagtail in a flock along the seawall, 4 Common Scoter, 2 Turnstone (again, feeding on biscuits), 1 Sparrowhawk north over the river. Jeff Saward, Marc Outten (RSPB, SOG).
Two Tree Island (East), 06:45 to 09:00
1 Arctic Skua (dark morph flew down river), 15 Common Scoter, 1 Red-throated Diver, 207 Wigeon, 39 Teal, 1 Peregrine Falcon, 1 Common Sandpiper, 3 Long-tailed Tit, 40+ Common Tern, 18 Sandwich Tern. Graham Ryland (SOG).
Southend, 06:50
1 Peregrine Falcon over Sutton Road. Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).
Gunners Park, 07:00 to 11:30
3 Tree Sparrow (briefly before flying high west), 30 House Martin (along seawall), 2 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Redstart in reserve around the compound, 1 Wheatear, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 16 Canada Goose flew in off sea, 4 Greylag Goose flew in off sea with the Canada Geese, 1 Reed Bunting, 3 Little Egret on pond. 2 Small Copper, 1 Clouded Yellow, 1 Weasel (a showy individual near the reserve). Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).
Rossi's Ice Cream, Westcliff, 09:00 to 09:05
1 adult Ring-billed Gull, 7 Mediterranean Gull (6 adults, 1 2nd-w), 3 Common Seal. Paul Griggs, John Wright (SOG).
Gunners Park, 09:15 to 11:30
3 Lesser Whitethroat, 7 Linnet, 8 Swallow, 5 House Martin, 2 Little Egret, 3 Tree Sparrow, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Redstart (fem/imm), 1 Mediterranean Gull (1st-w), 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Yellow Wagtail. 1 Clouded Yellow, 1 Small Heath, 4 Speckled Wood. Paul Griggs, Steve Arlow, Brian Baldock, Lee Ebbs, Dave Knight, John Wright (SOG).
Canvey Point, 12:30 to 16:45
25 Arctic Skua, 20 Mediterranean Gull (at least), 1 Arctic Tern (juvenile), 2 Little Gull (adult and juvenile), 2 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Hobby, 1 Red-throated Diver (summer plumaged), 43 Common Scoter (in one flock), 12 Little Egret. Steve Arlow, Paul Griggs, Jeff Saward, John Wright (SOG).
Canvey Seafront 16.45
30+ Common Scoter, flock heading west on Kent side of Estuary. Ron Galliers.
Friday 11th September 2009
Benfleet Creek, 08:10 to 08:15
1 Wheatear on seawall between Leigh and Benfleet, 1 Swallow, 1 Chiffchaff. Simon Watson (SOG).
Gunners Park 08.45 to 10.00
1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Whinchat, 7 Long Tailed Tit, 2 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Tree Sparrow all in the reserve area. Les Costin.
Southend, 09:05 to 12:00
1 male Peregrine Falcon on west side of Portcullis House. Can be viewed from Baxter Avenue. John Wright (SOG).
Rossi's Ice Cream, Westcliff, 09:30
1 Ring-billed Gull (Rossi on station), 2 Mediterranean Gull (adult and 2nd summer). Jeff Delve (EBS, SOG).
Gunners Park, 10:00 to 12:30
1 Wheatear, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Tree Sparrow, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Kestrel, 1 Green Woodpecker. Brian Baldock (SOG).
Gunners Park, 10:15 to 13:30
1 Tree Sparrow calling and showing well in NE corner of reserve then flew NW into main park, 1 immature Redstart around compound near sea wall, 3 Whitethroat, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Willow Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Wheatear on reserve, 1 Clouded Yellow along main EW path. Jeff Delve (EBS, SOG).
Gunners Park 11.00
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Redstart in the reserve by fence near the mound. Les Costin.
Canvey Point, 13:00 to 18:00
3 Sabine's Gull (all different juveniles at 14:40, 15:00 and 16:20), 4 Little Gull (all juveniles, one flying with a Sabines's Gull), 39 Arctic Skua, 1 Arctic Tern, 1 Sparrowhawk north over the river, 1 Marsh Harrier, 60 Wigeon, 1 Black Tern, 6 Common Scoter, 1 Manx Shearwater seen twice, mid-afternoon and again after high tide, 2 Turnstone feeding on biscuits along the seawall at high tide. Jeff Saward (SOG).
Canvey Point, 15:45 to 18:30
15 Arctic Skua nearly all migrating very high - including a flock of 6, 1 juvenile Sabine's Gull upriver, 1 Manx Shearwater upriver between 4:30 - 4:45, then out again at 6:30, 1 Yellow Wagtail south, 1 probable female Sparrowhawk crossed high to Essex from Kent, 1 Marsh Harrier in Kent, 1 juvenile Little Gull, 1 adult Arctic Tern, 5 Swallow, 6 Teal, c45 Wigeon, c35 Sandwich Tern, c85 Common Tern, c20 Mediterranean Gull. Paul Baker (SOG).
Wakering, Fleet Head 16.00 - 17.00
1 male Sparrowhawk, 1 Hobby, 1 Ring-tailed Harrier, 1 female Marsh Harrier, 300+ Golden Plover some with remnants of summer plumage. Mike Sagrott.
Braxted Park 16.00 to 18.00
1 male Golden Oriole seen once, heard very regularly. Alec Martin.
Thursday 10th September 2009
Ashingdon, Princess Gardens 06.55 - 07.05
70+ Goldfinch in a single flock moving through the garden. David Selley.
Gunners Park, 08:30 to 11:30
4 Whitethroat, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Tree Sparrow (not found by me), 20 Swallow, 2 House Martin. Dave Knight (SOG).
Eastwood Brook, 09:10
1 Grey Wagtail flew out of brook by The Bellhouse pub. Paul Baker (SOG).
Hadleigh, 09:15
1 Sparrowhawk over Daws Heath Road, mobbing a crow. Paul Baker (SOG).
Canvey Point, 12:30 to 17:00
2 Sabine's Gull (adult at 15.05, juvenile at 15.55), 11 Arctic Skua, 1 Manx Shearwater, 2 Marsh Harrier, 1 Peregrine Falcon high over river, 3 Little Tern, 1 Black Tern. 1 Harbour Porpoise. Jeff Saward
Wat Tyler Country Park 13.00
1 Spotted Flycatcher. Marc Outten, David Lee, Alan Shearman RSPB.
Canvey Point, 13:30 to 17:00
2 Sabine's Gull (adult and juvenile), 1 Manx Shearwater (flew in at 15.40, sat on water and drifted upriver), 1 Peregrine Falcon (high north across river), 1 Marsh Harrier (juvenile male east and low, mid-river), 11 Arctic Skua (just 3 groups of 5+4+2), 9 Wigeon, 5 Common Scoter (4 males). Martin Cracknell, Jeff Saward (SOG).
Southend Pier, 16:45 to 18:50
1 Arctic Skua, 1 Arctic Tern, 100 Common Tern, 50 Mediterranean Gull (at least), 1 Shoveler. Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).
Canvey Point, 16:45 to 18:40
1 Manx Shearwater flew out at 18:35pm, 9 Arctic Skua, 16 Common Scoter (flock of 11 and 5), 3 Teal, 1 Mallard, 24 Wigeon, 2 Swallow, 25 Sandwich Tern, 65 Common Tern, 25 Mediterranean Gull. Paul Baker, Don Petrie (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park, (Scrape Only) 17.30 to 19.00
3 Green Sandpiper, 36 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Spotted Redshank, 4 Grey Heron, 2 Little Egret, 50+ Lapwing, 1 Greenshank, 3 Snipe, 1 Peregrine on pylon in front of hide. David Shepherd.
Canvey Seafront, 17:30 to 19:10
1 Manx Shearwater 100 yards out from coastguards, 5 Arctic Skua, 3 Arctic Tern, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 80 Common Tern, 40 Sandwich Tern, 9 Black-tailed Godwit, 55 Wigeon. Graham Ryland (SOG).
Rossi's Ice Cream, Westcliff, 19:05 to 19:10
1 Ring-billed Gull (Rossi present again). Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).
Wednesday 09th September 2009
Canvey Point, 06:10 to 07:20
1 Pintail, 3 Arctic Skua, 1 Black Tern. Martin Cracknell, Jeff Saward (SOG).
Gunners Park, 07:45 to 08:30
3 Tree Sparrow around compound at the foot of Barge Pier, 3 Willow Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 5 Arctic Skua, 60 Swallow heading south. Marc Outten (RSPB, SOG).
Canvey Point, 12:30 to 18:15
1 summer adult Sabine's Gull at 16.10, 49 Arctic Skua including flock of 17), 30 Black Tern including flock of 26), 2 Common Scoter, 3 Marsh Harrier, 82 Mediterranean Gull (highest Canvey count on record), 2 Manx Shearwater, 6 Arctic Tern, 1 Little Tern, 1 juvenile Kittiwake, 1 Kestrel across the river. Jeff Saward (SOG).
Canvey Point, 16:35 to 18:30
15 Arctic Skua including approx. 6 pale phase adults, 1 Manx Shearwater stayed fairly distant in the estuary c.16:40, 2 Common Scoter (pair), 3 Wigeon, 4 Swallow together in 1 flock, c.15 Whimbrel, 1 Harbour Porpoise, c.30 Mediterranean Gull, 2 Marsh Harrier (1 hunting north Kent seawall, the other crossed over high from Kent to Essex just west of Pier), 3 Little Egret, c.30 Sandwich Tern, c.80 Common Tern, 1 juvenile Kittiwake. Paul Baker (SOG).
Tuesday 08th September 2009
Wick Country Park 08.00 - 08.45
1 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Cormorant. Dave Perry.
Southend Pier 16.00
1 Purple Sandpiper roosting on slipway at high tide, numbers of Common Tern, some Sandwich Tern, 1 Black Tern feeding on white bait near new pier station. Pat Dandridge.
Gunners Park, 18:45 to 19:25
45 Swallow all flying west along the coast in small groups, 1 Wheatear in reserve, 1 Whinchat in reserve. Don Petrie (SOG).
Monday 07th September 2009
Gunners Park, 07:10 to 08:00
1 male Redstart on reserve boundary then seen in hawthorn scrub, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 8 Whitethroat, 1 Whinchat, 3 Linnet (juveniles), 1 Song Thrush. Marc Outten (RSPB, SOG).
Coombe Wood, 08:00 to 09:15
1 Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Willow Warbler in garden. Jeff Saward (SOG).
Gunners Park 10.00 to 12.00
2 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Willow Warbler all South-East corner of Reserve. any Swallows and House Martins. Laurie Greenwood.
Westcliff, Rossi's Ice Cream 11.30
1 Ringed-billed Gull. John Wilson.
Gunners Park 12.00 - 15.30
1 Whinchat, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Whitethroat, 2 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Mistle Thrush. John Wilson, Ruth Clark.
Eastwood, 16:00 to 16:05
2 Mediterranean Gull (adults in anting flock over the RBS building). Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).
South Fambridge 16.30 - 17.00
70 Swallow and a few House Martin in a feeding flock with anting gulls, 55 House Sparrow in field edge scrub. Dozens of dragonfly (various) over footpath to seawall. David Selley.
Canvey Point, 16:55 to 18:00
1 juvenile Gannet upriver at 5:25pm, then straight back out again 2 minutes later, 4 Little Egret, 5 Black Tern (flock feeding around Chapman Buoy when I arrived), 15 Sandwich Tern, 55 Common Tern (approx.), 3 Mediterranean Gull (adults). Paul Baker (SOG).
Sunday 06th September 2009
Gunners Park, 07:30 to 14:30
Area from the Garrison through to the northern end of Gunners Park: 3 Spotted Flycatcher (1 in reserve and 2 along the western boundary), 1 Redstart (a very elusive male in the eastern end of the reserve was probably the best Redstart I've seen locally), 2 Whinchat in reserve, 11 Blackcap, 60 Swallow (at least, Sand Martins, House Martins and Swallows passing through in small groups), 10 Meadow Pipit (moved south early morning), 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 8 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler, 6 Lesser Whitethroat (at least), 6 Whitethroat, 1 Reed Bunting, 2 Tree Sparrow (for around 5-10 minutes only at the eastern end of the reserve), 4 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Mediterranean Gull (2nd winter flew over). Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).
Barling Pits 09.00 - 10.30
20+ Whinchat on the clay pigeon shooting field before they started shooting. Ian Douch.
Gunners Park, 09:00 to 11:00
2 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Whinchat, 1 Redstart, 6 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 6 Whitethroat, 15 Goldfinch, 6 Greenfinch, 10 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Kestrel. Brian Baldock (SOG).
Two Tree Island, 09:20 to 12:10
4 Whinchat, 4 Stonechat (2 adults and 2 juveniles), 1 Sparrowhawk, 14 Greenshank, 240 Redshank, 3 Whitethroat, 1 Reed Bunting, 2 Sand Martin. Graham Ryland (SOG).
River Roach Seal Trip Aboard The Lady Essex III, 10.00 - 12.30
14 Little Egret, 2 Bar-tailed Godwit, 2 Kestrel. 17 Common Seal. Web Author.
Highlands Boulevard, Leigh, 11:00
1 Swift. Paul Griggs (SOG).
Hadleigh Marshes, 11:00 to 12:20
1 Hobby, 1 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk, 6 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Wheatear, 6 Whinchat, 2 Stonechat, 4 Linnet. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).
Gunners Park, 11:30 to 14:30
2 Whinchat in reserve, 2 male Redstart, 4 Lesser Whitethroat, 5 Whitethroat, 4 Willow Warbler, 8 Blackcap, 1 Spotted Flycatcher in reserve, 5 Sand Martin, 1 Swallow, 1 Kestrel, 1 male Sparrowhawk, 3 Common Scoter, 4 Arctic Skua (in 1 group - small, all dark, agile skua sp. couldn't eliminate LtSkua at this range), 6 Sandwich Tern, 10 Common Tern, 3 Mediterranean Gull, 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Cetti's Warbler heard briefly in reserve. Paul Baker, Paul Griggs (SOG).
Canvey Point, 12:45 to 14:15
10 Mediterranean Gull, 5 Arctic Skua, 80 Common Tern, 21 Sandwich Tern, 1 Red-throated Diver in full summer plumage, 2 Teal, 1 Kestrel south over the river, 1 Sparrowhawk south over the river. Jeff Saward (SOG).
Canvey Island, 14:30 to 16:00
Bike ride east along north seawall: 1 Whinchat by golf course, 1 Wheatear. Martin Cracknell (SOG).
Prittle Brook (Leigh on Sea), 17:00 to 17:10
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker on tv aerial. Brian Baldock (SOG).
Saturday 05th September 2009
Canvey Lifeguards 06.15 - 06.45
1 Common Tern, 2 Little Egret, 1 Curlew, 4 Swallow, 4 Turnstone, 2 Redshank, 5 Oystercatcher, many Gulls. 3 Common Seal on Kent shore. Ron Galliers.
Pitsea 07:30 to 17:00
2 Caspian Gull (adult and 1st summer both very brief birds), 11 Yellow-legged Gull (at least - 7 (minimum) adults, a first winter and 3 juveniles), 1 Mediterranean Gull (adult), 1 Hobby over Bowers. Steve Arlow, Pete Livermore (SOG).
Gunners Park, 08:00
7 Spotted Flycatcher (possibly more!), 2 Wheatear, 3 Whinchat. Lee Ebbs (SOG).
Canvey West End, 09:00 to 12:15
1 Spotted Flycatcher (first for the site for me), 4 Blackcap, 9 Chiffchaff, 1 Cetti's Warbler (heard), 11 Whitethroat, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 40 Swallow, 12 House Martin, 3 Sand Martin, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Green Woodpecker (2 juveniles), 3 Linnet. Martin Cracknell (SOG).
North Shoebury 09.30
1 Sparrowhawk with kill on back lawn. Terry Strong.
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 09.50 - 11.45
3 Wheatear, 3 Little Tern, 2 Common Tern, 2 Curlew, 6 Little Grebe, 5 Little Egret, 4 Reed Bunting, Grey Plover, 3 Swallow. Ray Fuller.
Wakering Stairs, 12:30
1 male Redstart by lay-by 'N' battery. Lee Ebbs (SOG).
Canvey Point, 12:35 to 13:05
1 Marsh Harrier (juvenile flew in from outer estuary, then north over Leigh), 1 Red-throated Diver (superb full summer plumage just off the front - still present at 17.45), 2 Arctic Skua, 1 adult Mediterranean Gull. Martin Cracknell (SOG).
Canvey Island, Canvey Way 12:45
7 Glossy Ibis. Whilst driving onto Canvey today I picked up the flock of Ibis circling above the road. After pulling over onto the grass verge, I managed to grab for my bins enabling me to see the characteristic long down-curved bill, extended neck and legs extending beyond the tail of the birds. Marc Outten (RSPB, SOG).
Wallasea Island, 14:30 to 18:30
1 Whinchat with Wheatear by car park, 9 Wheatear (2 car park, 5 together by road to SW corner), 10 Greenshank (7 wetlands, 3 Paglesham Creek), 8 Green Sandpiper (western borrowdyke), 29 Black-tailed Godwit (most in western borrowdyke), 345 Redshank, 73 Lapwing (including leucistic bird. Closer views today and seems darker than bird from past few years.), 61 Ringed Plover, 10 Dunlin, 20 Little Egret (14 Wetlands, 6 western borrowdyke), 6 Grey Heron (on saltmarsh Paglesham Creek), 11 Yellow Wagtail (western borrowdyke), 1 Whimbrel (wetlands), 2 Curlew (Paglesham Creek), 5 Kestrel (hunting new sea wall), 1 Hobby (over Lion Creek on way back), 75 Swallow (near Loftmans), 8 House Martin (near Loftmans), 3 Sand Martin (near Loftmans), 1 Sparrowhawk (near Loftmans mobbed by hirundines), 1 Ruff (male with Redshank at east end of wetlands). Jeff Delve (EBS, SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park, 15:00 to 15:45
5 Green Sandpiper, 50 Black-tailed Godwit (at least), 5 Greenshank (at least), 3 Snipe, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Spotted Redshank. Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).
Gunners Park, 15:00 to 15:50
1 Kestrel, 1 Green Woodpecker, 5 Swallow, 3 Whinchat 5 Wheatear in EWT reserve, 16 House Sparrow. Web Author, Kris Mee.
Wakering Stairs, 16:00 to 17:10
1 Little Egret, 1 Kestrel, 3 Marsh Harrier (adult female over road, adult female and juvenile crossed Thames to Kent), c130 Oystercatcher, 17 Grey Plover, 4 Curlew, 4 Turtle Dove (4 together in same bush!), 1 Green Woodpecker, 9 Swallow, 2 Whinchat, 1 Wheatear, 9 Yellow Wagtail on ploughed fields. Web Author, Kris Mee.
Wat Tyler Country Park, 16:30 to 17:20
1 Buzzard, 1 Garganey (eclipse male), 2 Bearded Tit (heard), 1 Spotted Redshank, 3 Little Egret, 1 Peregrine Falcon, 37 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Snipe, 2 Greenshank, 20 Swallow. Paul Griggs, Martin Cracknell, Marc Outten, Don Petrie (SOG).
Friday 04th September 2009
Gunners Park, 07:10 to 08:00
1 Whinchat on the EWT reserve, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Whitethroat, 1 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, 16 Goldfinch. Marc Outten (RSPB, SOG).
Canvey Point, 09:30 to 12:00
3 Arctic Skua, 4 Sparrowhawk (including 2 juvenile males), 60+ Common Tern, 1 Black Tern, 12 Sandwich Tern, 2 Bar-tailed Godwit (one in summer plumage), 5 Little Egret. Dudley Shayler ()
Wick Country Park 10.30
1 Little Egret, 1 pair Mute Swan with juvenile, 10+ Canada Geese. Neil Phillips.
Wakering, Oxenham Farm 10.30 - 12.30
2 female Marsh Harrier, 3 Kestrel, 200+ Golden Plover. Mike Sagrott, Tony Sandeman.
Gunners Park 12.00 - 12.30
2 Spotted Flycatcher around the mounds. Ian Douch.
Lindsey Court, Wickford 16.00
1 dead female Slow Worm. Dave Perry.
Canvey Point, 17:30 to 18:35
1 Manx Shearwater lingering just upstream from the point midriver 5:35pm - 5:45pm before headed further upriver. Apparently was also present 4:50pm - 5:10pm and yesterday evening just after 7pm!, 1 Greenshank, 3 Little Egret, 1 Gannet (first-summer upriver at 6:10pm), 3 Black Tern (in one group upriver at 6:20pm), 100 Common Tern (including 2 groups of 40 both headed upriver), 10 Sandwich Tern (ones and twos lingering). Paul Baker (SOG)
Wednesday 02nd September 2009
Canvey Point, 06:00 to 07:45
Notable Tern passage at first light - all heading west: 143 Common Tern, 12 Black Tern, 18 Sandwich Tern, 3 Little Tern, 3 Arctic Tern, 1 Roseate Tern (adult at 06.25), 7 Little Egret, 9 House Martin, 17 Swallow. Jeff Saward (SOG).
Canvey Point, 10:45 to 13:00
62 Common Tern, 3 Black Tern, 13 Sandwich Tern, 30 Shelduck, 1 Greenshank, 3 Mediterranean Gull (adults). Jeff Saward (SOG).
Canvey Point, 18:40 to 19:20
2 juvenile Curlew Sandpiper flew in briefly with small flock of ringed plover, 13 Sandwich Tern, 45 Common Tern, 2 Little Tern, 7 Little Egret. Martin Cracknell (SOG).
Wednesday 02nd September 2009
Wallasea Wetlands 13.00 to 14.35
6 Little Egret, 2 Grey Heron, many Ringed Plover, Redshank and Dunlin, Harrier (species), 6 Kestrel, 4 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Wheatear. Les Costin.
Tuesday 01st September 2009
Hanningfield Reservoir 09.30 to 13.00
2 Hobby over the West Bank, 1 juvenile Garganey to the right of the Rawl hide and 2 juvenile Black Tern from the Oak Hide. Also 2 adult Yellow-legged Gull, 5 Common Ringed Plover, 2 Dunlin and 1 Turnstone. The mobile wildfowl collection today included 1 Black Swan, 1 Snow Goose and 1 Barnacle Goose. David Jobbins.
Prittle Brook (Leigh on Sea), 11:00
1 Swift. Brian Baldock (SOG).
Prittle Brook (Leigh on Sea), 12:30
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker. Brian Baldock (SOG).
Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 17:15
2 Grey Wagtail together over house along the brook. Paul Baker (SOG).