Bird Reports for September 2012
Sunday 30th September 2012south westerly, partly cloudy, max17°c
Paglesham Boatyard 06:35 to 06:42
Barn Owl flew over car park before quartering scrub and landing on post. Gary Dunn (www.ladyessex.com).
Two Tree Island 08:00 to 11:00
Seen on the South East Essex RSPB Walk: Species observed: c.700 Brent Goose, Canada Goose, Wigeon, Teal, Cormorant, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Oystercatcher, 36 Avocet, Ringed Plover, Grey Plover, Lapwing, Knot, Dunlin, 3Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Greenshank, Redshank, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Swallow, House Martin, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, 2 Cetti's Warbler (heard), Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Jay, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Starling, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Linnet. Web Author Et Al.
RSPB Vange Marsh 09:50 to 11:25
1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Green Sandpiper, a fair House Martin passage, a few Swallow, 1 Snipe, 1 Avocet, 25 Wigeon, 70+ Teal, 10+ Shoveler, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Redshank, Cetti's Warbler heard, 2 Little Egret, 1 Sparrowhawk. Richard Fahey.
RSPB Wallasea Island 10:50 to 12:10
6 Little Egret, 65 Redshank, 1 Common Sandpiper, 19 Curlew, 12 Black-tailed Godwit, 11 Stock Dove, 1 Merlin chasing starlings just south of car park, 14 Swallow, 3 Meadow Pipit, 5 Reed Bunting. David Selley.
River Crouch and Roach Lady Essex Wildlife Trip 11:00 to 13:00
Cormorant, flocks of Lapwing and Golden Plover, few Grey Plover, Ringed Plover, 25 Avocet, Curlew, Redshank, Dunlin, Kestrel, large flocks of gulls mostly Common and Herring but with Greater and Lesser Black-backed and Black-headed. Excellent views of 15 Common Seals. Jeff Delve (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park 12:30 to 15:15
6 Pochard, 38 Wigeon, 6 Little Grebe, 4 Mute Swan, 17 Gadwall, 17 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Snipe, 38 Coot, 11 Moorhen, c.50 Lapwing, 14 Shoveler, 1 Cormorant, 2 Teal, 6 Mallard, 1 Swallow, 1 Goldfinch, 1 Little Stint. John & Sandra Neal.
Two Tree Island East 16:00 to 17:00
590 Brent Geese, 650 Wigeon, 64 Little Egret. Andrew Gouldstone.
RSPB Wallasea Island 16:50 to 17:20
50+ Black-headed Gull, 8 Greater Black-backed Gull, 120+ Herring Gull, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Kestrel, 2 Little Grebe, 1 Oystercatcher, 10+ Linnet, 5 Magpie, 34 Carrion Crow, 100+ Woodpigeon, 60+ Stock Dove. Rob Harris.
Saturday 29th September 2012westerly, partly cloudy, max16°c
Coalhouse Fort, East Tilbury 09:25 to 11:20
1 Lesser Whitethroat, a small number of Chiffchaff, a fair Swallow passage, 1 Goldcrest, 50+ Avocet could be seen, c.16 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Little Egret, 1 Sparrowhawk. Also, somebody said they see a Yellow-browed Warbler earlier, having picked it up on it's call, then seen it for 5 minutes. Richard Fahey.
Two Tree West 09:45 to 12:30
26 Greenshank, 1 Little Stint, 1 Curlew Sandpiper, 1 Ruff, 1 Knot, 3 Bar-tailed Godwit, 8 Black-tailed Godwit, 6 Turnstone, 2 Sparrowhawk all on lagoon, 77 Avocet on Benfleet Creek, c.50 House Martin and Swallow all heading west. Andrew Gouldstone.
Friday 28th September 2012south westerly, scattered clouds, max18°c
Ashingdon, Princess Gardens 08:30 to 12:00
More or less constant westward movement of hirundines - mostly Swallows but with a couple of fair sized parties of House Martin between 11:30 and 12:00. David Selley.
RSPB Wallasea Island 12:45 to 13:20
12 House Sparrow, 7 Linnet, 17 Carrion Crow, 5 Magpie, 60+ Black-headed Gull, 5 Greater Black-backed Gull, 7 Herring Gull, 200+ Wood Pigeon, 80+ Stock Dove, 1 Little Egret, 1 Kestrel. Rob Harris.
Thursday 27th September 2012north west to south west, partly cloudy, max17°c
First winter migrant report - Short-eared Owl
Gunners Park, 07:30 to 09:10
1 juvenile Gannet offshore, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Green Woodpecker, 10 House Martin, 40 Meadow Pipit, 4 Grey Wagtail flew south west together, 2 Blackcap, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Chiffchaff, 15+ Jay (including a flock of 8 flying over high calling), 2 Siskin flew south west, 15 Linnet. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Priory Crescent 09:30 to 10:30
1 very exhausted Cuckoo. L J Purkiss.
Wallasea Wetlands, 10:00 to 11:00
2 Marsh Harrier (immature male and a female hunting south west borrowdyke and WBC), 2 Greenshank, 200 Swallow, 150 House Martin, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Goldcrest in solitary tree beside car park. Paul Baker (SOG).
Southchurch Park and Kensington Road 10:15 to 11:30
2 Jay being harassed by many Magpies on Twisted willow tree in my back garden and across all other gardens in back of Kensington Road. 2 Cygnets left Southchurch Park between 10.05 and 11.30am, I couldn't see them on the estuary though so lets hope they made it safely and are not in any back gardens. Four Cygnets left to fledge. Robert Dobinson.
RSPB Vange Marsh, 10:30 to 10:45
2 Ringed Plover, 1 Little Stint on fresh marsh with ringed plover (there were two reported earlier). Marc Outten (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park 10:30 to 12:30
Sightings: on the RSPB walk: Blue Tit, Great Tit, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Redshank, 2 Little Egret, Teal, Robin, 2 Curlew, Common Sandpiper, Kestrel, Carrion Crow, Woodpigeon, Swallow, Starling, Rook, Gadwall, 9 Black-tailed Godwit, Mallard, Cetti's Warbler (heard), Willow warbler (heard), 2 Bearded Tit, Canada Goose, Greylag Goose, Coot, Moorhen, Blackbird, Magpie, Wigeon, Little Grebe, 4 Cormorant, 2 Mute Swan, Lapwing, Shoveler. Terry Jeffreys.
Southend High School, 10:55 to 11:10
c.250 House Martin in steady flow all flying south south west. Sally Brierley (SOG).
Rochford, Purdeys Estate 11:15 to 11:30
50+ Swallow west along the Roach and over Homebase car park. David Selley.
Gunners Park, 11:15 to 12:35
1 Green Woodpecker, 100 Swallow, 50 House Martin, 5 Meadow Pipit, 2 Blackcap, 15 Chiffchaff (majority around playarea with several around tennis courts), 3 Goldcrest, 2 Siskin flew south calling. Paul Baker (SOG).
RSPB Wallasea Island, 13:15 to 13:50
1 juvenile Marsh Harrier, 1 female Sparrowhawk hunting low over island, 3 Buzzard (together headed west, well to the south of the island, perhaps over Paglesham/Stambridge), 2 Kestrel, 150 Swallow and 200 House Martin and many more all over today, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Goldcrest. 1 Chinese Muntjac between car park and WBC! Quite unexpected & surely an island first? Paul Baker (SOG).
RSPB Wallasea Island 14:00 to 14:15
1 Green Woodpecker by farm house, 12 Linnet, 9 Carrion Crow, 3 Magpie, 7 Black-headed Gull, 3 Greater Black-backed Gull, 3 Herring Gull, 60+ Wood Pigeon, 30+ Stock Dove. Rob Harris.
Hanningfield Reservoir Causeway 15:00 TO 15:10
20+ Herring Gull, 250+ Black-headed Gull, 60+ Cormorant, 12 Great Black-backed Gull, 100+ Tufted Duck, 70 Mallard, 50+ Pochard, 40+ Greylag Geese, 30+ Canada Geese, 40+ Coot, 2 Moorhen, 7 Magpie, 7 Carrion Crow, 14 Lapwing. Rob Harris.
Gunners Park 15:00 to 15:45
Tennis Court Area only: 1 Spotted Flycatcher (very elusive) 1 Willow/Chiffchaff, 3 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Jay, many flyover Swallow and House Martin. Les Costin EBS.
Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 15:20
1 Grey Wagtail. Paul Baker (SOG).
Ashingdon, Princess Gardens 15:30 to 15:40
95 House Martin quite high and drifting south east. David Selley.
Wat Tyler Country Park, 17:35 to 19:15
70+ Little Egret, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Water Rail, 11 Black-tailed Godwit, 5 Green Sandpiper, 1 Short-eared Owl hunting over Bowers, surprise of the evening, 3 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Bearded Tit. Marc Outten (SOG).
Barling
Peregrine Falcon eating a Redshank also 2 Sparrowhawk, one with carrying prey the other chasing, flock of 30 Goldfinch, 3 Swallow, Swift, 2 Littel Egret. Gary Dunn (www.ladyessex.com).
Wednesday 26th September 2012southerly, rain showers, max14°c
Canvey Point, 09:10 to 10:30
4 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Arctic Skua, 6 Common Tern. 1 Common Seal, 1 Harbour Porpoise. Vince Kinsler (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park 12:30 to 15:30
All sightings from first hide: 1 Green Woodpecker, c.30 House Martin, 2 Swallow, 1 Redshank, 2 Common Snipe, 6 Black-tailed Godwit, 9 Mute Swan, 50+ Lapwing, 2 drake 3 female Wigeon, Gadwall, Pochard, Mallard, 1 Kestrel, 1 Peregrine Falcon on pylon Teal, Cetti's Warbler heard, Bearded Tit heard, 1 Jay, Shoveler, 3 Canada Geese, Little Grebe. David & Brenda Hale.
Tuesday 25th September 2012south westerly, light rain, max12°c
Coalhouse Fort, East Tilbury 09:30 to 10:45
1 Chiffchaff heard (brief views of what was probably another one), a reasonably fair Swallow passage, 400+ Avocet, c.15 Bar-tailed Godwit arrived on mud. Richard Fahey.
Basildon, Gloucester Park Boating Lake 11:00
Where swimming pool used to be: 1 Snow Goose with Canada Geese. It has been seen before and is now back. Jane Hale.
Prittlewell Brook, 12:15 to 12:35
1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Grey Wagtail. 1 Comma. Matt Bruty (SOG).
Rayleigh, 16:20
1 Buzzard circling near A127/A130. Dudley Shayler (SOG).
Monday 24th September 2012east to south west, cloudy with rain, max16°c
Southend, 15:35 to 15:40
2 Peregrine Falcon hunting over the town. Paul Griggs (SOG).
Gunners Park, 17:45 to 18:30
10 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 8 Wigeon, 40 Sanderling, 20 Turnstone, 1 juvenile Arctic Skua down river, 2 adult Mediterranean Gull, 10 Swallow south west. Lee Ebbs (SOG).
Sunday 23rd September 2012easterly, heavy rain, max14°c
Canvey Seafront, 06:45 to 18:30
Combined Day Count for Canvey Point and then Canvey Seafront: 1 Black-throated Diver in summer plumage, 2 Fulmar, 22 Gannet, 2 Scaup, 1 Pomarine Skua (pale phase adult with spoons - 09:20), 25 Arctic Skua, 1 Long-tailed Skua (maybe 2nd winter- west at 0920, with the Pomarine), 8 Great Skua, 30 Mediterranean Gull (at least), 14 Little Gull, 5 juvenile Sabine's Gull all west at 09:45, 11:30, 12:00, 12:40, 13:49 - the highest ever day count for Canvey! 2 Arctic Tern, 4 Little Tern, 2 Black Tern, 12 Guillemot, 2 Rock Pipit. Jeff Saward, Paul Baker, Tim Bourne, Neil Chambers, Don Petrie (SOG). (this report takes the record for the most highlighted species so far! Ed.)
Wyatts Drive 07:30
Sparrowhawk snacking on Collard Dove on lawn in Wyatts Drive. Alec Beanse.
Benfleet Downs 07:45 to 07:50
1 Buzzard low over downs with 2 Crows in pursuit, flew off in a north westerly direction. Ellen Hume.
Hadleigh Castle Country Park 09:00
1 Buzzard being mobbed by 20+ corvids. Jerry Stock.
Wakering Stairs to Haven Point 10:30 to 11:30
6 Little Egret, 224 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 16 Curlew, 29 Swallow struggling into increasing SW wind, 5 Linnet. David Selley.
Baddow Meads, Chelmsford 10:40 to 11:00
4 Swallow heading east low over meadow, 6+ Carrion Crow, 1 Cormorant, 3 Woodpigeon. Paul Forsdick.
Saturday 22nd September 2012northerly to east north east, scattered clouds, max15°x
Gunners Park, 07:00 to 09:00
20 Swallow over reserve, 15 House Martin over reserve, 1 Redstart (1st winter male by mounds east of playground), 1 Cetti's Warbler heard by old pond, 2 Blackcap, 2 Lesser Whitethroat (1 tennis court, 1 reserve), 10 Chiffchaff around tennis court area, 1 Siskin heading south west over tennis courts calling. 15+ Small Copper. Lee Ebbs (SOG).
Wakering Stairs 08:15
15 Little Egret, 9 in bushes behind new pond plus 5 more taking flight from ground in front of bushes. Tony & Linda Pilkington.
Southchurch Park and Southchurch Park East 08:45 to 08:15
1 Kingfisher flying across pond in Southchurch Park East. 1 Cygnet from Southchurch Park successfully got to Estuary and sitting 500 yards out on calm sea off Camper Road. Earliest fledging for the S.Park cygnets, although the cygnet will return to pond and hopefully show the others the way in due course. Robert Dobinson.
One Tree Hill, Corringham 09:25 to 10:50
1 Chiffchaff singing. Richard Fahey.
Southchurch Park West, 12:30 to 14:00
2 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Chiffchaff. Paul Baker (SOG).
Benfleet Downs, 13:20 to 14:30
1 Buzzard circling high eastwards, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Meadow Pipit, 1 Blackcap, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Chiffchaff, 4 Siskin flew west calling. 2 Willow Emerald Damselfly, 7 Migrant Hawker, 6 Ruddy Darter, 2 Red Admiral, 1 Comma, 1 Speckled Wood, 2 Meadow Brown. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Canvey Point, 14:00 to 18:00
6 Great Crested Grebe, 2 juvenile Gannet, 35 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 170 Wigeon, 8 Teal, 2 Shoveler, 1 Common Scoter, 4 juvenile Arctic Skua, 35 Mediterranean Gull (at least, mostly adults, some 1st winters, a few 2nd winters), 2 juvenile Sabine's Gull both heading west at 15:45 and 17:00), 13 Sandwich Tern, 55 Common Tern, 2 Arctic Tern, 1 Little Tern, 1 Guillemot. 1 Common Seal. Jeff Saward, Don Petrie (SOG).
RSPB Wallasea Island 18:55 to 19:10
From car park: 1 Marsh Harrier, 26 Redshank, 11 Dunlin, 100+ Black-headed Gull, 4 Greater Black-backed Gull, 20+ Herring Gull. Rob Harris.
Friday 21st September 2012westerly to northerly, scattered clouds, max17°c
Southchurch Park East 08:45
1 male Kingfisher doing circuits of the lake and sitting on wooden marker post/NE. Robert Dobinson.
Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 09:30
1 Grey Wagtail. Paul Baker (SOG).
Two Tree Island East 15:30
c.200 Brent Geese, 67 Little Egret, 1 Osprey all seen from Belton Hills. Andrew Gouldstone.
Thursday 20th September 2012south westerly, partly cloudy, max18°c
Grays, Hathaway Road, 08:00 to 08:15
3 Ring-necked Parakeet and 1 Heron flying overhead. Joe & Jess French.
Ashingdon, St. Andrew's Church 11:45 to 12:15
7 Sand Martin and 3 Swallow over south-west, 2 Chiffchaff singing, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Jay. Many Red Admiral around ivy flowers. David Selley.
Eastwood, Belgrave Road Brook 12:10
1 Green Sandpiper. Les Costin EBS.
Hockley, Dome Village, 12:45
2 Common Buzzard on thermals drifting east. David Hills.
Heybridge 13:40 to 13:45
1 Buzzard. Rob Harris.
Abberton Reservoir 14:00 TO 14:30
9 Great Crested Grebe, 50+ Herring Gull, 60+ Cormorant, 350+ Black-headed Gull, 12 Great Black-backed Gull, 500+ Tufted Duck, 350+ Mallard, 500+ Pochard, 40 Shoveler, 6 Red Crested Pochard 22 Lapwing, 100+ Greylag Geese, 150+ Canada Geese, 60+ Coot, 45+ Mute Swan, 4 Egyptian Geese, 1 Swan Goose, 4 Moorhen, 2 Aylesbury Duck, 1 Little Egret, 2 Grey Heron, 3 Bar-tailed Godwit, 3 Swallow, 5 Pied Wagtail, 100+ Carrion Crow, 7 Magpie, 200+ Wood Pigeon. Rob Harris.
Coalhouse Fort, East Tilbury c.14:20 to 15:55
1 Whimbrel flying to Kent, 20+ Swallow passed through, 400+ Avocet. Richard Fahey.
Hanningfield Reservoir Causeway 15:30 to 15:40
300+ Black-headed Gull, 6 Great Black-backed Gull, 100+ Herring Gull, 2 Pied-Wagtail, 86 Cormorant, 250+ Tufted Duck, 200+ Mallard, 150+ Pochard, 6 Great Crested Grebe, 100+ Greylag Geese, 50+ Canada Geese, 8 Lapwing, 30 Mute Swan, 56 Coot, 2 Moorhen, 5 Magpie, 15 Carrion Crow, 70 Wood Pigeon. Rob Harris.
Gunners Park, Hinguar Playground 18:15
5 Red-legged Partridge on playground (regular most evenings), Tawny Owl heard on roadside edge, 5 House Martin overhead. Steve Wood.
Two Tree Island East 18:15 to 19:10
58 Brent Goose, c.200 Wigeon, c.150 Teal. Martin Johnson.
Southend Hospital 18:55
1 Peregrine Falcon on chimney. Jerry Stock.
Wednesday 19th September 2012westerly, scattered clouds, max17°c
Essex Way, Benfleet 10:00 to 10:10
14 Red Admiral feeding on the ivy flowers along hedge plus what I'm certain was an European Hornet - excellent views but no camera. Richard Gray.
Bradwell Observatory 15:30
2 Fulmar, Gannet, Spotted Flycatcher, Corn Bunting, Yellow Wagtail, Marsh Harrier, several Whimbrel. Les Norman EBS.
Tuesday 18th September 2012westerly, partly cloudy, max18°c
Rayleigh Mount, 08:20
9 Swallow (a tight flock flying high and south west obviously migrating). Paul Baker (SOG).
Hanningfield Reservoir Causeway 14:30 to 14:45
30+ Herring Gull, 200+ Black-headed Gull, 100+ Cormorant, 7 Great Black-backed Gull, 250+ Tufted Duck, 200+ Mallard, 100+ Pochard, 100+ Greylag Geese, 100+ Canada Geese, 80+ Coot, 40+ Mute Swan, 15 Great Crested Grebe, 4 Moorhen. Rob Harris.
Leigh on Sea 15:45
1 Swallow from sea wall. David Lee.
Monday 17th September 2012west south west, partly cloudy, max19°c
Rayleigh, Sweyne Park 11:00 to 12:00
1 Sparrowhawk attempted to take an adult Mallard but was unsuccessful, 2 Meadow Pipit, 1 Chiffchaff singing, 2 Willow Warbler. Paul Baker (SOG).
Leigh on Sea, Park View Drive 15:15
Single Swift south. Kris Mee, Web Author.
Ferndale Road, Rayleigh 12:00 to 18:00
1 Buzzard mobbed by crows, 12+ Siskin spent most of the day in Birches. 1 Sparrowhawk. Robin Peppiatt.
Hadleigh Country Park 15:00 to 16:30
1 male Kestrel, 1 Hobby catching and eating Dragonflies. In my Thundersley garden, what appeared to be a European Hornet eating a Red Admiral butterfly on the grass under a plum tree. Mike Sagrott.
Sunday 16th September 2012west south west, mostly cloudy, max18°c
The Brent Geese are Definitely Back!!
Gunners Park, 09:00 to 11:30
1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 6 Sand Martin, 60 Swallow, 15 House Martin, 1 Meadow Pipit, 1 Song Thrush, 14 Blackcap, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Whitethroat, 1 Chiffchaff, 6 Willow Warbler. Mike Clarke (SOG).
Rochford Golf Course, 09:00 to 13:00
3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 10 Swallow, 10 House Martin, 5 Chiffchaff (1 singing), 4 Siskin (1+3 heading south west). 1 Peacock Butterfly. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Two Tree Island, 09:15 to 12:30
WEBS count: 1 Great Crested Grebe, 5 Cormorant, 51 Little Egret, 1 Mute Swan, 30 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 90 Wigeon, 125 Teal, 61 Mallard, 1 adult female Pintail (my first for the Island, on the old sewage works), 14 Moorhen, 135 Oystercatcher, 14 Avocet, 33 Ringed Plover, 235 Grey Plover, 5 Lapwing, 463 Knot, 5 Dunlin, 1512 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Whimbrel, 350 Curlew, 166 Redshank, 21 Greenshank, 38 Turnstone, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 18 Swallow, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 3 Whitethroat, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Jay, 12 Linnet, 1 Reed Bunting. Graham Ryland (SOG).
Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 10:10
1 Siskin low south calling and landed in hedgerows by football pitches. Paul Baker (SOG).
Wakering Stairs 10:30 to 13:30
During WeBS count: 39 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Buzzard, 1 Sparrowhawk, 12 Sand Martin, 283 Swallow - constant light passage, 37 House Martin. David Selley.
Canvey Point, 11:30 to 13:45
1 adult summer plumage Red-throated Diver, 5 Great Crested Grebe, 38 Wigeon, 5 Teal, 1 Pintail, 5 Common Scoter, 1 Pomarine Skua (adult pale phase with spoons), 1 adult Mediterranean Gull, 9 Sandwich Tern, 35 Common Tern, 200 Swallow (at least), 15 House Martin. Jeff Saward (SOG).
Canvey Point, 12:30 to 13:45
1 summer plumage Red-throated Diver, 4 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Wigeon, 5 Common Scoter, 1 adult Pomarine Skua (pale phase with spoons), 1 adult Mediterranean Gull, 1 Sandwich Tern, 1 Common Tern. Mike Clarke (SOG).
Belton Hills 14:00
2 Swift heading south. Andrew Bridge.
RSPB Wallasea Island 14:00 to 14:15
1 Little Egret, 1 Linnet, 6 Redshank, 20 Black-headed Gull, 7 Greater Black-backed Gull, 15 Herring Gull, 7 Carrion Crow, 3 Magpie, 100+ Wood Pigeon, 1 Pied Wagtail, 7 House Sparrow, 10 Starling. Rob Harris.
Canvey Point, 15:10 to 16:30
4 Great Crested Grebe, 1 juvenile Gannet upriver, 60 Grey Plover, 30 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 juvenile Arctic Skua drifting out on the tide, 15 Sandwich Tern, 5 Common Tern, 1 Guillemot. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Private Land Near Crays Hill 15:40
1 Buzzard, high flying west. Bird very dark probably juvenile. G. Dixon.
Hanningfield Reservoir 16:00 to 16:30
50+ Herring Gull, 400+ Black-headed Gull, 60+ Cormorant, 12 Great Black-backed Gull, 350+ Tufted Duck, 200+ Mallard, 100+ Pochard, 100+ Greylag Geese, 100+ Canada Geese, 30+ Coot, 10 Mute Swan, 6 Magpie, 5 Carrion Crow. Rob Harris.
Saturday 15th September 2012westerly, clear, max20°c
Gunners Park, 06:35 to 08:25
1 male Sparrowhawk, 80+ Sand Martin, 80+ Swallow, 120+ House Martin, 1+ Tree Pipit flew over south west, 110+ Meadow Pipit (constant light passage - all heading south west), 3 Yellow Wagtail flew over south west, 2 Grey Wagtail flew over south west, 2 Wheatear along seawall, 1 Blackcap, 1 Whitethroat, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler, 30 Greenfinch, 30 Goldfinch, 15 Linnet. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Rochford 07:15 to 07:50
90 House Martin over the hospital area. I took these to be migrating birds, although half a dozen or so are still flying around the nest areas. David Selley.
Woodlands Road, Hockley 08:00
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming on tree, 2 Wren (such a loud song for such a small bird!), 2 Jay, 2 Long-tailed Tit. David Z.
Coalhouse Fort, East Tilbury c.10:20 to 11:45
1 Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Sandwich Tern, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Sand Martin, 1 House Martin, a strong passage of Swallow, 1 Kingfisher low on tree by fleet at water meadow common, c.60 Avocet, 2 Curlew, 1 Little Egret. Richard Fahey.
Paglesham Lagoon, 10:55 to 14:00
53 Little Grebe, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Buzzard circling over fields to the west of the cottages, 1 Kestrel (mobbing the Buzzard), 4 Hobby, 1 Mediterranean Gull (1st winter on lagoon), 1 juvenile Yellow-legged Gull with around 800 large gulls, 5 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Chiffchaff. Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).
Maylandsea 11:30
Common Crane flying south east over Lawling creek. Neil Higginson.
Hockley/Hawkwell, 11:45
1 Painted Lady near Hockley station. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Highlands Boulevard, Leigh, 12:40 to 12:45
1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Buzzard (spiralling high). Vince Kinsler, Mike Clarke (SOG).
Rayleigh, Ferndale Road 13:00
1 Common Buzzard, 2 Siskin, 12 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Grey Heron. 10+ Red Admiral, 10+ Comma, 2 Holly Blue all on Ivy Flowers. Robin Peppiatt.
RSPB Canvey West 14:30
4 Whinchat (2m, 2f). Andrew Bridge.
Billericay 15:30
3 Buzzard (2 adult and juvenile?) riding thermals over garden on Little Burstead side of Billericay . Also several House Martin heading south east. Andrew Wilson.
Hanningfield Reservoir Causeway 15:30 to 15:40
300+ Black-headed Gull, 16 Great Black-backed Gull, 150+ Herring Gull, 66 Cormorant, 250+ Tufted Duck, 200+ Mallard, 150+ Pochard, 200+ Greylag Geese, 100+ Canada Geese, 29 Lapwing, 2 Mute Swan, 47 Coot, 2 Moorhen, 2 Buzzard over trees behind the reed bed at back of reservoir. Rob Harris.
Leigh on Sea, Park View Drive 16:18
Buzzard low over garden heading south west. Kris Mee, Web Author.
Billericay 17:00
2 Green Woodpecker on Mayflower School playing field. Marion Burch.
Paglesham Church End 17:00
A surprising sight of a Cuckoo, flushed from a tree in the dyke walking from Paglesham Church end to the sea wall. John Spencer.
RSPB Wallasea Island, 18:15 to 18:40
2 Marsh Harrier (immature male and female), 1 Buzzard, 5 Kestrel, 2 Meadow Pipit, 1 Yellow Wagtail. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 19:50
1 Grey Wagtail west along the brook. Paul Baker (SOG).
Benfleet
1 male Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Sparrowhawk in garden, 2 Yellow Wagtail over. Pete Jackson.
Friday 14th September 2012west south west, partly cloudy, max21°c
A130 Exchange Bridge, East Side of A130 by BT building 07:40
1 Buzzard. Russ Payne.
Hanningfield Reservoir Causeway 11:30 to 11:40
20+ Herring Gull, 250+ Black-headed Gull, 30+ Cormorant, 2 Great Black-backed Gull, 50+ Tufted Duck, 20 Mallard, 20+ Pochard, 40+ Greylag Geese, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 30+ Canada Geese, 4 Coot, 2 Mute Swan, 3 Magpie, 4 Carrion Crow. Rob Harris.
Wickford, Nevendon Road Area 14:00 to 14:15
1 Sparrowhawk. Rob Harris.
Thursday 13th September 2012northerly to south westerly, partly cloudy, max18°c
RSPB Wallasea Island 14:00 TO 14:30
1 Little Egret, 1 Kestrel, 2 Linnet, 24 Redshank, 9 Lapwing, 12 Black-headed Gull, 2 Greater Black-backed Gull, 9 Herring Gull, 3 Carrion Crow, 5 Magpie, 150+ Wood Pigeon. Rob Harris.
South Benfleet, St Mary's Churchyard Area 19:00 to 19:05
27 House Martin. Martin Cracknell (SOG).
Wednesday 12th September 2012west south west, scattered clouds, max18°c
Rayleigh 10:00
2 Buzzard. Pauline Maylin.
Ashingdon, Princess Gardens 10:00 to 10:50
7 Jay, four over north-west at 10:00 followed by another three at 10:50. David Selley.
Private Land Near Crays Hill 10:40
1 male Blackcap, 2 Swallow over. G. Dixon.
Wakering Rubbish Tip, 11:00 to 11:30
3 Wheatear, 9 Goldfinch. 1 Common Blue. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).
Hockley, Dome Village 11:45
4 Buzzard over, going north towards river. David & Wendy Hills.
Southend, Cromwell Road 12:00
Spotted Flycatcher (a first for my garden) feeding over my pond and returning after each foray to the same branch of my cherry tree. Phil Lusher.
Tewke's Creek, 13:30 to 14:00
3 Little Egret, 9 Knot, 2 Dunlin, 1 Greenshank. Paul Baker, Don Petrie (SOG).
Canvey Point, 14:15 to 15:00
7 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Little Egret, 20 Wigeon, 1 Sparrowhawk (in-off and high west over Kent), 2 Buzzard (thermalling over Grain), 15 Sandwich Tern 1 Harbour Porpoise (adult moving slowly east). Paul Baker, Don Petrie (SOG).
Benfleet, Richmond Hall Playing Fields 16:00
c.20 Swallow, c.20 House Martin. M. Hayday.
Barling Hall Creek 18:20 to 18:50
15 Little Egret, 8 Greenshank, 50+ Redshank feeding on first flood tide. T. Thorneycroft.
Tuesday 11th September 2012west south west, scattered clouds, max18°c
Canewdon, 12:30 to 14:00
4 Buzzard playing in wind over small wood at TQ886938, 1 Little Owl in small oak at TQ893930, presumably one of the Scotts Hall road birds, 1 juvenile Green Woodpecker. 50+ Migrant Hawker all along hedgerows on whole footpath. Jeff Delve (SOG).
Vange 18:00
1 Buzzard circling mobbed by crows. Mick Roe.
Monday 10th September 2012south south westerly, mostly cloudy, max23°c
Gunners Park, 06:45 to 09:00
1 Sandwich Tern, 30 Common Tern, 30 Swallow, 10 House Martin, 6 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Wheatear (in reserve), 1 Reed Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Willow Warbler, 30 Greenfinch, 2 Linnet. 2 Migrant Hawker, 1 Small Copper. Neil Chambers (SOG).
RSPB Wallasea Island, 11:00 to 12:00
South west of island: 1 immature male Merlin in stubble, at one point running after presumed insect prey, 1 immature female Peregrine Falcon sat out on stubble. Jeff Delve (SOG).
EWT Blue House Farm 10:00 to 12:30
First hide: 3, Little Grebe (2 chicks plus parent), 1 Little Egret, 2 Lapwing, 1 Pied Wagtail. Second hide: 23 Coot, 3 Mute Swan, 4 House Martin. Third Hide: 15, Wigeon, 7 Shoveler, 1 Pied Wagtail, 6 Mallard, 2 Gadwall, 1 Pectoral Sandpiper, 1 Kestrel. Denis Tuck.
Stonehill Road, Leigh on Sea, 16:00 to 17:00
1 Hobby, 40 Goldfinch over south west. Vince Kinsler (SOG).
South Benfleet, St Mary's Churchyard Area 19:00 to 19:05
15 House Martin. Martin Cracknell (SOG).
Sunday 09 September 2012south westerly, mostly cloudy, max23°c
Gunners Park, 06:45 to 09:00
1 Sandwich Tern, 30 Common Tern, 30 Swallow, 10 House Martin, 6 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Wheatear (in reserve), 1 Reed Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Willow Warbler, 30 Greenfinch, 2 Linnet. 2 Migrant Hawker, 1 Small Copper. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park 09:20 to 11:10
Hide only: 1 Willow Warbler, 2 Blackcap, c.4 Swallow, 1 Greenshank, 2 Bearded Tit, 2 Snipe, c.4 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 juvenile Avocet, Cetti's Warbler heard, c.10 Teal, 2 Wigeon, c.12 Gadwall, 20+ Shoveler. Richard Fahey.
RSPB Vange Marsh, 08:40 to 09:50
1 Sparrowhawk, 16 Avocet, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 4 Ruff, 18 Snipe, 99 Black-tailed Godwit, 11 Curlew, 14 Spotted Redshank, 5 Greenshank, 3 Green Sandpiper, 3 Common Sandpiper, 1+ Bearded Tit (heard). Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).
Wakering Stairs 10:00 to 11:15
1 adult female Marsh Harrier, 1 Kestrel, 10 Stock Dove, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Jay, 157 Swallow, 2 Meadow Pipit, 4 Lesser Whitethroat, 6 Whitethroat, 2 Willow Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 12 Greenfinch, 4 Linnet. David Selley.
Gunners Park, 11:30 to 12:30
1 Swift, 60 Swallow, 40 House Martin, 1 Wheatear, 1 Blackcap, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Chiffchaff, 4 Willow Warbler. Mike Clarke, Mike Bailey (SOG).
RSPB West Canvey Marsh, 11:50 to 12:05
Quick look from 1st hide only: 3 Little Grebe, 10 Green Sandpiper. 3 Migrant Hawker, 4 Ruddy Darter. Neil Chambers (SOG).
RSPB Wallasea Island, 18:30 to 19:30
South west Borrowdyke area: 7 Red-legged Partridge (adult with 6 day old chicks!), 10+ Green Sandpiper, 30+ Linnet (wild bird cover), 30+ Corn Bunting (wild bird cover). Jeff Delve (SOG).
Pitsea 19:30
43 Little Egret. Phil Shaw.
Saturday 08th September 2012southerly to easterly, clear, max26°c
Shoebury East Beach, 06:10 to 06:50
5 Little Egret, 1 juvenile Curlew Sandpiper on MOD foreshore loosely with 5 Redshank, 8 Bar-tailed Godwit. Vince Kinsler (SOG).
Gunners Park, 08:10 to 12:35
4 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Grey Wagtail flew over old tennis courts, 3 Lesser Whitethroat (2 old tennis courts), 3 Whitethroat (1 old tennis courts), 7 Chiffchaff (3 around old tennis courts), 2 Willow Warbler (old tennis courts - one giving subsong). Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).
Wakering Stairs 08:30
1 female Marsh Harrier, 1 Turtle Dove. Tony Pilkington.
Wakering Common 08:30
1 Buzzard over Wakering Common, circled a few times, landed in a tree then took of within minutes flew low and out of site. Tony.
Southchurch Park East 08:45
1 male Kingfisher flying a circuit of pond. Robert Dobinson.
Thurrock Thameside 11:00 to 16:30
46 Canada Geese, 27 Shelduck, 3 female Teal, 1 Oystercatcher, 2 Grey Heron, 100+ Avocet, 2 drake and 13 female Mallard, c.30 Goldfinch, 100+ Starling, Curlew. 2 Harbour Porpoise, 2 Common Seal. David & Brenda Hale.
Westcliff 13:15
Initially I spotted 1 Buzzard but by the time I had come back out with my binoculars, there were 5. They circled for a good 3-4 minutes and then headed off in a southerly direction. I saw them from my back garden in Ailsa Road. Bev Tyrrell.
Canvey Island c.15:30 to 16:45
18 Sandwich Tern, 2 Little Egret, 15+ Bar-tailed Godwit, c.4 Black-tailed Godwit. Richard Fahey.
Shoebury East Beach, 16:40 to 18:00
1 Dark-bellied Brent Goose still around the rocks, 100 Sanderling (at least), 1 Little Stint with Sanderling flock, 5 Mediterranean Gull (3 adults, juvenile and 1st year), 1 Chiffchaff with Long-tailed Tits. Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).
Friday 07th September 2012westerly, clear, max26°c
The first Brent Goose report - could this mean the end of summer?!
Gunners Park, 08:30 to 12:15
2 Little Egret, 2 Green Woodpecker (including 1 juvenile), 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker by tennis courts, 1 Tree Pipit perched twice in north east corner of reserve and seen a few more times along brook on east side of reserve, heard several times too, 3 Meadow Pipit, 2 Wheatear on the reserve, 7 Blackcap (1 redhead, 6 male), 6 Lesser Whitethroat, 8 Whitethroat, 4 Willow Warbler (including 1 singing!). 2 Clouded Yellow along ditch on west side by Ness Road entrance, 3 Small Copper. Paul Baker, Don Petrie (SOG).
Ashingdon, Princess Gardens 09:40 to 10:00
1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff - both warblers singing. David Selley.
A130 Southbound Near Rettendon 15:45
2 Buzzard. David Z.
Shoebury East Beach, 16:50 to 17:10
1 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 1 juvenile Curlew Sandpiper on the MOD side of the fence on beach then flew to the rocks, 1 Mediterranean Gull (2nd year), 1 Little Tern. Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).
Shoebury East Beach, 17:45 to 19:10
6 Little Egret, 1 adult Little Stint, 1 juvenile Curlew Sandpiper, 2 juvenile Bar-tailed Godwit, 10+ Mediterranean Gull (including 3+ juveniles), 5 juvenile Common Tern flew south west. Neil Chambers, Sally Brierley (SOG).
Thursday 06th September 2012south westerly, clear, max21°c
Shoebury East Beach, 06:40 to 07:20
1 immature Shag at 07.10 on boom and feeding around legs of boom John Wright (SOG).
Gunners Park, 07:30 to 10:00
2 Tree Pipit one showing well and calling in conifers west of blockhouse at 07:35 and a second bird called from overhead which I didn't see but first bird reacted by calling back, 2 immature Yellow Wagtail, 2 Blackcap, 5 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Whitethroat, 5 Chiffchaff. John Wright (SOG).
Coombe Wood, 08:10 to 08:25
2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Willow Warbler, 2 Coal Tit in the favourite fir tree again! Jeff Saward (SOG)
Gunners Park, 08:15 to 10:00
1 Tree Pipit flying and calling around conifers immediately south west of blockhouse before flying to a large horse chestnut near the tennis courts at 08:20, 2 Blackcap, 5 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Whitethroat, 4 Chiffchaff. Don Petrie (SOG).
Southchurch Park East 09:00
1 male Kingfisher sitting on Kingfisher stick north west of water, then flew to Measuring post at north east end and flashed past me across south of lake between willow trees, 1 Cormorant flying off toward Golf course and 1 coming off estuary 10 minutes later. Robert Dobinson.
Wat Tyler Country Park 10:30 to 12:30
Sightings: on the RSPB walk: around the park and creeks; House Sparrow, Grey Heron, Whitethroat, 2 Dunnock, 22 Redshank, Black-headed Gull, Little Egret, 4 Buzzard, Mallard, Starling, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Robin, Woodpigeon, Carrion Crow, Collared Dove, Lapwing. From the Museum hide; 2 Kestrel, Wigeon, 4 Cormorant, Mallard, Gadwall, Black-tailed Godwit, Little Grebe, Coot, Moorhen, Lapwing, 9 Canada Goose. Terry Jeffreys.
EWT Blue House Farm 10:40 to 17:15
Sightings from car park and first hide: 2 Hobby giving good aerial displays over scrape, 2 Kestrel, 3 female and 1 juvenile Marsh Harrier, 2 Buzzard, c.10 Yellow Wagtail, c.10 Pied Wagtail, c. 50 Lapwing, 10+ Meadow Pipit, 30+ Stock Dove. 2 Grey Heron, 5 Little Egret c.30 Swallow. 6 Brown Hare. David & Brenda Hale.
Wat Tyler Country Park, 11:30 to 11:45
4 Buzzard circling slowly drifting north. Peter Collins (SOG).
Rochford, 13:20 to 13:40
1 Hobby circling low over garden, 11 Mediterranean Gull (10 adults and a 2nd year over gsarden with a Black-headed Gull flock), 3 Long-tailed Tit in garden. Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).
RSPB Wallasea Island, 16:00 to 18:00
1 immature male Merlin on plough south of gravel road, 1 Hobby hunting sea wall east of car park, 1 Turtle Dove feeding on stubble east of wbc reported by Paul James (ex Sussex recorder). Jeff Delve (SOG).
Southchurch Park East 17:00
1 female Mandarin Duck. Robert Dobinson.
Hanningfield Reservoir Causeway 18:50 to 19:30
50+ Herring Gull, 550+ Black-headed Gull, 60+ Cormorant, 14 Great Black-backed Gull, 350+ Tufted Duck, 200+ Mallard, 300+ Pochard, 200+ Greylag Geese, 200+ Canada Geese, 43 Coot, 38 Lapwing, 30+ Mute Swan, 2 Grey Heron, 30+ Pied Wagtail, 16 Magpie, 40+ Carrion Crow. Rob Harris.
Rettendon, Hyde Hall Area 19:55 to 20:00
1 Buzzard flying along the pylons next to A130. Rob Harris.
Wednesday 05th September 2012northerly, partly cloudy, max19°c
Shoebury East Beach, 06:00 to 06:20
1 Shag feeding around corner of booms, 4 Little Egret, 1 Hobby flew in and perched on MOD buildings. Vince Kinsler (SOG).
Canvey Point, 06:15 to 07:30
5 Great Crested Grebe, 8 Little Egret, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 23 Arctic Tern in a tight flock, flying west, 3 Swallow. Jeff Saward (SOG).
Gunners Park, 06:30 to 07:35
1 Kestrel, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 50+ Swallow, 20+ House Martin, 1 Tree Pipit over tennis courts at 07:25 calling two or three times, just above tree height heading south south east, 4 Yellow Wagtail over south together, 2 Blackcap, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 5 Willow Warbler. Vince Kinsler (SOG).
Gunners Park 07:30 to 09:00
1 Spotted Flycatcher in the trees by old tennis courts, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Garden Warbler, 2 Willow Warbler, 1 male Redstart in bushes immediately north of the firing range, 3 Wheatear on the old range, 20 Common Whitethroat, 12 Linnet. Richard Mander.
Canewdon, 10:00
Hummingbird Hawkmoth in garden, 1 Marsh Harrier (over house), 3 Kestrel (harassing the harrier), 1 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, 3 Emerald Damselfly, 2 Migrant Hawker, 2 Ruddy Darter. Jeff Delve (SOG).
Two Tree Island 14:40 to 19:00
2 Whitethroat, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Kestrel, 2 Golden Plover, c.40 Grey Plover, c.500 Black-tailed Godwit, 10 Turnstone, 13 Knot, 4 Common Gull, 2 Great Black Backed Gull, 4 Common Tern, c.50 Redshank, 10 Greenshank, 1 Grey Heron, 5 Little Egret, Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover, 15 Teal, Curlew, Lapwing. David & Brenda Hale
Eastwood Brook, 16:20 to 16:25
1 Kingfisher each side of the bridge on Western Approaches. Don Petrie (SOG).
Gunners Park, 16:30 to 16:35
1 Hobby high over garrison. John Wright (SOG).
Gunners Park, 17:15 to 17:45
1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Pied Flycatcher in tennis courts. Lee Ebbs (SOG).
Wakering Stairs, 17:30 to 17:40
1 juvenile Gannet, 1 juvenile Marsh Harrier. John Wright (SOG).
Shoebury East Beach, 18:00 to 18:30
1 immature Gannet. John Wright (SOG).
Shoebury East Beach, 18:40 to 18:50
1 Shag sitting on boom, 2 Little Egret. Paul Baker (SOG).
Gunners Park, 19:00 to 19:35
10 Swallow, 40 House Martin, 1 Yellow Wagtail (overhead), 1 Redstart calling from hawthorn clump in north east corner of reserve but not seen, 3 Willow Warbler. Paul Baker (SOG).
Tuesday 04th September 2012westerly to northerly, scattered clouds, max25°c
Canewdon, 09:00 to 11:00
Butts Hill Pond, Reserve Maintenance: 1 Buzzard low over house about 1:30pm, 1 Short-eared Owl flushed from thick bushes by path, 2 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff. Jeff Delve (SOG).
RSPB West Canvey Marsh 09:00 to 12:00
1 female Marsh harrier, 1 Hobby, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Whinchat, 3 Whitethroat, 1 Cetti's Warbler (heard), 2 Great Crested Grebe, 20+ Little Grebe, 12 Black-tailed Godwit, 10+ Green Sandpiper, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 2 Lapwing. Hilary Knight.
Gunners Park, 09:20 to 11:20
1 juvenile female Sparrowhawk, 1 adult male Kestrel, c.30 Swallow, c.15 House Martin, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Spotted Flycatcher in trees north of tennis court, 1 Pied Flycatcher showing well at times, but mostly elusive. Seen in the old tennis court and in the trees in the adjacent field. Don Petrie, Vince Kinsler, John Wright (SOG).
RSPB Wallasea Island, 11:00
Report from ecologists working on Wallasea: 1 immature Montagu's Harrier reported over south west sea wall by Paul James (ex Sussex county recorder). Jeff Delve (SOG).
Coalhouse Fort, East Tilbury 13:45 to 15:20
2 Swallow, 3 Avocet, 10+ Knot. Richard Fahey.
Gunners Park, 16:00 to 16:05
1 Pied Flycatcher in trees north of the old tennis courts. Matt Bruty (SOG).
Shoebury East Beach, 16:30 to 17:50
8 Bar-tailed Godwit, 3 Mediterranean Gull (2 adults 1 1stw), 1 Wheatear. Vince Kinsler, John Wright (SOG).
Gunners Park, 17:00 to 17:30
1 Blackcap, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Pied Flycatcher still in same place. Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).
Gunners Park, 17:00 to 18:00
Around tennis courts only: 2 Blackcap, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Willow Warbler, 1 Pied Flycatcher east of tennis courts. Jeff Delve (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park 18:00 to 19:00
1 male and 2 female Marsh Harrier seen together. Mick Roe.
Shoebury East Beach, 18:15 to 18:30
1 Shag on boom with gulls, 800+ Oystercatcher (very incomplete count), 50+ Dunlin, 12 Bar-tailed Godwit. Jeff Delve (SOG).
Gunners Park, 18:35 to 19:20
2+ Swift (with hirundines), 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaff. 3 Migrant Hawker. Neil Chambers, Lee Ebbs (SOG).
Monday 03rd September 2012westerly, partly cloudy, max24°c
Gunners Park, 08:35 to 12:00
2 Hobby together, hunting foreshore before drifting off north east, 2 Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Whinchat (in reserve), 2 Wheatear (in reserve), 6 Blackcap, 1 Garden Warbler (old tennis courts), 5 Lesser Whitethroat, 11 Whitethroat, 12 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler, 1 Spotted Flycatcher (old tennis court area). John Wright (SOG).
Gunners Park, 12:00 to 15:00
2 Green Woodpecker, 1 male Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 female/immature Redstart (in the reserve), 1 Whinchat (reserve), 2 Wheatear (reserve), 2 Blackcap, 1 Garden Warbler (old tennis courts), 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 5 Willow Warbler, 1 Spotted Flycatcher (trees outside tennis courts). Don Petrie (SOG).
Barling Pits, 12:30 to 13:30
1 Kestrel, 1 Redstart on track adjacent to, and on, mound between the 2 pits, 2 Blackcap, 4 Lesser Whitethroat, 5 Whitethroat. John Wright (SOG).
Shoebury East Beach, 13:45 to 14:00
2 Wheatear along MOD fence. John Wright (SOG).
Shoebury East Beach, 17:20 to 17:30
1 immature Shag sitting on boom amongst herring gulls. Lee Ebbs (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park, 18:00 to 18:15
1 female/immature Redstart. Alan Shearman, Marc Outten (SOG).
Gunners Park, 18:30 to 19:25
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 10 Swallow, 15 House Martin, 1 Whitethroat, 4 Willow Warbler, 1 Spotted Flycatcher in trees in north east corner of garrison, 1 Pied Flycatcher at back of old tennis courts. 6 Migrant Hawker. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Sunday 02nd September 2012westerly, partly cloudy, max20°c
Gunners Park, 08:30 to 12:00
9 Blackcap, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 12 Whitethroat, 1 Chiffchaff, 11 Willow Warbler, 2 Spotted Flycatcher in trees/bushes to south east of car park, 1 Pied Flycatcher in trees at back of old tennis courts. Tim Bourne (SOG).
Two Tree Island, 09:15 to 12:15
5 Cormorant, 11 Little Egret, 6 Grey Heron, 94 Teal, 2 Sparrowhawk, 12 Greenshank, 1 Kingfisher (flew over reed bed, we could not re-locate it), 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 14 Whitethroat, 1 Chiffchaff. 1 Common Lizard, 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Meadow Brown. Graham Ryland (SOG).
Paglesham East End 10:20 to 12:20
2 Little Egret, 1 Cormorant, 1 Marsh Harrier over Potton, 35 Redshank, 1 Common Sandpiper, 106 Lesser Black-backed Gull at Barling Ness, 300+ Swallow - continuous passage south along Paglesham Creek to the Roach (young birds still being fed around the small pond behind the seawall pillbox), 2 Whitethroat, 22 Linnet, 10 Goldfinch. David Selley.
Gunners Park, 10:50 to 11:20
2 male Blackcap (one in subsong), 1 Whitethroat, 2 Willow Warbler. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Thundersley 11:45
1 Buzzard took Woodpigeon from garden, spent some time on flat roof extension then flew off with remainder over nearby field. Phil Howe.
Two Tree Island, 14:05 to 15:20
89 Little Egret on the roost and in saltmarsh, 104 Ringed Plover, 1 Knot, 39 Dunlin, 300 Black-tailed Godwit, 30 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Whimbrel, 200 Spotted Redshank, 32 Greenshank all on lagoon over high tide, 2 Common Sandpiper. Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).
Shoebury East Beach, 16:30 to 16:40
1 immature Shag still feeding along MOD side of boom. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Gunners Park, 16:50 to 18:25
2 Green Woodpecker (1 juvenile), 10 Swallow, 20 House Martin, 1 Blackcap, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Whitethroat, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Spotted Flycatcher just south east of car park, viewed from cycle path, 120+ House Sparrow. Neil Chambers (SOG).
RSPB West Canvey Marsh, 17:00 to 18:30
2 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Kestrel, 9 Black-tailed Godwit, 5 Greenshank, 21 Green Sandpiper, 4 Common Sandpiper, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Wheatear. Martin Cracknell (SOG).
Shoebury East Beach 17:10 to 17:15
300+ Oystercatcher, 30+ Turnstone, 12 Ringed Plover, 12 Black-tailed Godwit, 23 Starling, 5 Pied Wagtail, 100+ Black-headed Gull, 11 Great Black-backed Gull, 250+ Herring Gull, 1 Little Egret, 1 Blackbird. Rob Harris.
Ferndale Road, Rayleigh 17:30
1 Osprey heading high South-East. Robin Peppiatt.
Wakering Stairs 17:30 to 18:00
10+ Turnstone, 2 Ringed Plover, 12 Black-tailed Godwit, 60+ Grey Plover, 40+ Sanderling, 100+ Black-headed Gull, 11 Great Black-backed Gull, 250+ Herring Gull, 1 Little Egret, 1 Blackbird, 2 Pied Wagtail, 40+ Swallow. Rob Harris.
RSPB Wallasea Island 18:30 to 19:00
6 Black-tailed Godwit, 6 Dunlin, 30+ Black-headed Gull, 4 Great Black-backed Gull, 20+ Herring Gull, 1 Little Egret, 1 Blackbird, 30+ Linnet, 12 Corn Bunting, 10 Swallow, 5 Magpie, 20+ Carrion Crow. Rob Harris.
Saturday 01st September 2012west south west, partly cloudy, max20°c
Canvey Point, 06:50 to 07:30
1 Osprey flew east close in at 06:55, 28 Sandwich Tern roosting on foreshore, 100+ Common Tern following dredger. 1 Harbour Porpoise showing mid river. Tim Bourne (SOG).
Rochford 07:20 to 07:50
65+ House Martin quite high over town centre. Very little activity around the nest sites now. David Selley.
Rochford Golf Course, 08:00 to 11:30
1 Little Grebe, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Canvey Point, 11:20 to 12:20
4 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Wigeon, 7 Teal, 1 Mediterranean Gull (2nd winter), 11 Sandwich Tern, 65 Common Tern, 1 juvenile Arctic Tern, 1 Guillemot. Jeff Saward (SOG).
River Roach Lady Essex Seal and Wildlife Trip 12:00 to 14:15
18 Little Egret, 1 Sandwich Tern, 1 Oystercatcher, 3 Avocet, c.20 Ringed Plover, 1 Kestrel, 1 female Marsh Harrier. 43 Common Seal. Kris Mee, Web Author.
RSPB Wallasea Island, 12:10 to 12:30
30 Ringed Plover, 6 Dunlin, 1 Common Sandpiper, 20 Linnet. 2 Painted Lady. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Southchurch Park East, 12:45 to 12:50
1 Kingfisher. Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).
Wakering Stairs 12:45 to 18:15
1 Osprey, mobbed by Peregrine while fishing and spending long periods on post, 1 female Marsh Harrier, 2 Whitethroat, c.12 Swallow, 15 Shelduck, 2 Arctic Skua harassing distant Terns, Black-tailed Godwit, Grey Plover, c.40 Sanderling, Oystercatcher, Turnstone, Dunlin. David & Brenda Hale.
Shoebury East Beach, 13:00 to 13:15
1 Osprey off Wakering Stairs on post closest to boom, 2 Common Tern, 1 Small Tortoiseshell. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Coalhouse Fort, East Tilbury c.13:15 to 14:45
1 Purple Sandpiper on "island" near old tower, 1 Whimbrel, 10 Yellow Wagtail flying south, 2 Little Egret flying north, c.8 Teal. Richard Fahey.
Shoebury East Beach, 13:40 to 15:40
1 immature Shag again present, feeding on the MOD side of the boom working its way along the boom moving away from shore. Present from 13:45 to 13:55 when it went round the corner at the end of the first stretch of the boom and was lost to view). Don Petrie (SOG).
RSPB Wallasea Island 14:00 to 14:15
4 Goldfinch, 3 Swallow, 24 Black-headed Gull, 4 Greater Black-backed Gull, 4 Herring Gull, 1 Marsh Harrier, 20+ Corn Bunting, 5 Magpie, 24 Carrion Crow, 50+ Woodpigeon, 100+ Stock Dove. Rob Harris.
Wakering Stairs, 14:00 to 17:00
5 Little Egret, 12 Wigeon, 6 Marsh Harrier (five on Havengore Island), 1 Osprey (flew in from Shoebury and landed on past south of Hole Haven Creek. It then went on a trip east past Foulness and then back over Haven Point (where I was sat) and then on to a post out from slipway), 1 Hobby (chasing waders), 300 Bar-tailed Godwit (at least), 1 Arctic Skua (harassing tern flock offshore), 2 adult Mediterranean Gull, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Wheatear (Haven Point). Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).
Wakering Stairs 14:45 to 15:05
Osprey fishing off shore. Kris Mee, Web Author.
Wakering Stairs 16:00 to 16:30
5 Little Egret, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Osprey, 1 Arctic Skua, 32 Ringed Plover, 100+ Grey Plover, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 200+ Black-headed Gull, 23 Great Black-backed Gull, 100+ Herring Gull, 3 Pied-Wagtail, 27 Swallow. Rob Harris.
Hanningfield Reservoir Causeway 19:00 to 19:30
300+ Black-headed Gull, 16 Great Black-backed Gull, 150+ Herring Gull, 20 Pied-Wagtail, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 26 Cormorant, 250+ Tufted Duck, 200+ Mallard, 150+ Pochard, 200+ Greylag Geese, 200+ Canada Geese, 18 Lapwing, 10 Mute Swan, 7 Coot, 2 Moorhen, 7 Magpie, 5 Carrion Crow. 2 young Foxes playing in grazing field. Rob Harris.