Wildlife Reports for September 2013
Monday 30th September 2013easterly, partly cloudy, max17°c
A127 Nevendon 16:20
Possible Honey Buzzard being mobbed. I was driving at the time so could not be positive about ID. Dudley Shayler.
Sunday 29th September 2013east north east, mostly cloudy, max16°c
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 07:50 to 11:30
8 Avocet and 250+ Black-tailed Godwit on Holehaven Creek, 2 Green Sandpiper, 1 Snipe, 1 immature male and 1 adult female Marsh Harrier, 1 Cetti's Warbler very close in fence at end of Holehaven Creek seawall footpath that flew into shrub below and sang from cover, c.8 Little Egret included 3 close on saltmarsh behind seawall near barrier, 20+ Teal mostly on 'pochard pool' or one by track, 1 Shoveler on 'pochard pool', 100+ Goldfinch. Richard Fahey.
Wakering Stairs 10:15 to 11:30
2105 Dark-bellied Brent Goose between Shoebury Boom and Haven Point; a group of 86 birds near the seawall included 9 juveniles - one apparent family group with 3 young and three with 2 each, 22 Little Egret on Havengore Island, 4 Stock Dove, 7 Meadow Pipit, 30 Linnet. David Selley.
Leigh on Sea 11:00 to 13:00
15 Little Egret, 3000+ Brent Goose, 1 female Peregrine Falcon, 150 Turnstone, 200 Redshank, 50 Curlew. Mike & Anita Harris.
RSPB West Canvey Marsh 11:30 to 12:00
2 Little Grebe, 10 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Redshank, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 6 Common Gull. Andrew Bridge.
RSPB West Canvey Marsh 13:30 to 14:00
Road hide only: 5 Little Grebe, 1 Little Egret, 10 Mute Swan, 50 Canada Goose, 1 Shelduck, 20 Shoveler, 50 Wigeon, 50 Teal, 1 Marsh Harrier, 15 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Common Snipe, 3 Skylark, 200 Starling. 1 male Migrant Hawker, 1 Drinker Moth Caterpillar. Mike & Anita Harris.
Langdon hills, Coombe Wood 17:30 to 17:35
1 ringtail Hen Harrier flying low over car park. David Shepherd.
RSPB Wallasea Island 17:45 to 18:10
2 Little Egret, 17 Herring Gull, 12 Black Headed Gull, 30+ Corn Bunting, 12 Carrion Crow, 3 Magpie, 30+ Woodpigeon, 20+ Stock Dove. Rob Harris.
Paglesham East End 18:20 to 18:35
5 Herring Gull, 3 Black-headed Gull, 7 Carrion Crow, 5 Magpie, 50+ Woodpigeon, 6 Pheasant, 7 Moorhen, 1 Green Woodpecker. Rob Harris.
Saturday 28th September 2013easterly, clear, max19°c
Thurrock, Thameside Nature Park 08:30 to 09:35
1 Pintail, 2 Wigeon, 80+ Teal, a few Little Egret. Richard Fahey.
RSPB Rainham Marshes 08:30 to 15:30
3-4 Marsh Harrier including adult male, immature male and at least one juvenile, 1 Hobby over Purfleet scrape, Sparrowhawk, 65 Wigeon, Little Egret, 4 Pintail on Aveley flash, several Cetti's Warbler in song. Andrew Gouldstone.
Hockley, Homefield Farm 12:00 to 14:00
Cracking views of 3 Buzzard circling over the farm, 5 Pied Wagtail, 2 Meadow Pipit, 50 Jackdaw, 12 Rook, 6 Goldfinch, 1 Chiffchaff. Dave Glover.
Friday 27th September 2013easterly, partly cloudy, max16°c
Canvey Point 08:10 to 09:00
20+ Black Tern, 1 Common Scoter, 9 Teal, 10+ Wigeon, 200+ Brent Geese, 2 Greenshank, 20+ Redshank, 50+ Ringed Plover, 3 Grey Plover, 50+ Dunlin, 6 Curlew, 5 Little Egret. Terry Blackwell.
RSPB Rainham Marshes 09:30 to 12:50
Goldfinch, House Sparrow, Collared Dove, Woodpigeon, Starling, Magpie, Rook, Crow, Teal, Moorhen, Coot, Little Grebe, Pochard, Mallard, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Cormorant, Greylag Goose, Mute Swan, Pheasant, Redshank, Gadwall, Tufted Duck, Pintail, Shelduck, Lapwing, Marsh Harrier, Kestrel, Hobby. Marsh Frog. Wood Mouse. Red Admiral and Comma Butterflies. Chris Henry.
Hanningfield Reservoir Causeway 15:00 to 15:30
150+ Tufted Duck, 40+ Pochard, 100+ Mallard, 4 Little Grebe, 12 Great Crested Grebe, 50+ Canada Geese, 70+ Greylag Geese, 100+ Black-headed Gull, 14 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 60+ Herring Gull, 7 Common Crow, 40+ Cormorant, 200+ Coot, 4 Moorhen, 8 Red Crested Pochard, 4 Gadwall, 9 Moorhen, 4 Shoveler, 20+ Mute Swan, 30+ Lapwing, 1 Blackbird. Rob Harris.
Two Tree Island East 16:00 to 17:30
c.4000 Dark-bellied Brent Goose off Old Leigh and towards Canvey Point, there were probably more as the density of birds made counting difficult - a surprising number this early, 148 Little Egret, 2 Snipe, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff. David Selley.
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 16:25 to 18:35
1 White Wagtail on coffer dam, 2 Green Sandpiper, 10+ Avocet on creek, 40+ Teal, 1 Shoveler on Manorway Fleet, a few Little Egret. Richard Fahey.
Thursday 26th September 2013easterly, partly cloudy, max18°c
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 07:45 to 10:00
1 Whinchat along by track, 1 Green Sandpiper, Chiffchaff singles heard, Water Rail heard at Manorway Fleet, 1 immature Peregrine Falcon around pylon west of Manorway Fleet, 80+ Teal mostly on creek, 1 Wigeon, drake Pochard, c.6 Gadwall and 1 Shoveler on Manorway Fleet. Richard Fahey.
RSPB Wallasea Island 13:00 to 14:20
2 Magpie, 9 Carrion Crow, 1 Marsh Harrier, 60+ Woodpigeon, 50+ Stock Dove, 5 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 5 Meadow Pipit, 20+ Lesser Black-backed Gull, 60+ Black-headed Gull, 100+ Herring Gull, 5 Greater Black-backed Gull, 2 Pheasant, 30+ Ringed Plover, 3 Black-tailed Godwit. Rob Harris.
Paglesham Churchend 21:20 to 21:30
Tawny Owl calling constantly from tree opposite Punchbowl pub. Web Author.
Wednesday 25th September 2013variable, partly cloudy, max20°c
Benfleet, Thundersley Park Road 09:15
2 Coal Tit on feeders in my garden. Jerry Stock.
Canvey Island 13:50 to 14:10
2 Buzzard one larger than the other, soaring high overhead in distance and then smaller one came over garden. Amanda.
Hockley, Riverside Nursery 16:00
13 Pied Wagtail and 2 Grey Wagtail catching crane flies on the lawn. David Selley.
Shoeburyness, Gunners Park 17:15
4 Yellow Wagtail 30+ Swallow, 1 Sand Martin, 1 Stonechat, 150+ Starling, 1 Willow Warbler, 4 Chiffchaff. Pat Dandridge.
Two tree Island East 17:30
c.1000 Brent Geese just offshore in water. Paul Rowe.
Tuesday 24th September 2013easterly, mostly cloudy, max20°c
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 16:00 to 18:20
2 Whinchat, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Wigeon on Manorway Fleet, 1 Snipe flew over Manorway Fleet, Green Sandpiper heard, 1 Chiffchaff briefly seen and calling at Manorway Fleet, Cetti's Warbler heard, c.8 Little Egret, pair of Gadwall on Manorway Fleet. Richard Fahey.
Monday 23rd September 2013easterly, mostly cloudy, max19°c
Daws Heath 04:30 and 10:30
1 Tawny Owl calling at 04:30, 1 Mistle Thrush feeding on Rowan berries on tree outside my house. Mike Sagrott.
River Chelmer, Chelmsford 07:30
1 Kingfisher by Tesco car park. Tim Davis.
Corner Corringham Road/Abbotts Hall Chase, Stanford-Le-Hope 08:55
1 Hobby flew north east at close range past bus stop. Richard Fahey.
Canvey Point 17:40 to 18:30
100+ Brent Geese, 10 Black-tailed Godwit, 25+ Ringed Plover, 9 Grey Plover, 2 Little Stint, 8 Dunlin, 100+ Oystercatcher, 10+ Redshank, 2 Curlew, 2 Common Tern, 1 Sandwich Tern, 10 Turnstone, 3 Little Egret. T. Blackwell.
Southend Hospital 18:45
1 Peregrine Falcon on chimney. Jerry Stock.
Sunday 22nd September 2013westerly, overcast, max18°c
Canvey Golf Course 08:00 to 12:00
2 Green Woodpecker, 250+ Swallow and House Martin feeding and heading south west, 20+ Meadow Pipit heading south, 12 Mallard on the 14th lake with 2 Coot, 2 Moorhen and 1 Little Egret, 300+ Common Gull feeding on emerging crane fly on most fairways. Bill Foster.
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton and Bowers Gifford Tip 08:35 to 12:00
4 Whinchat, 1 Wheatear, 2 White Wagtail among juveniles of British race watched from lagoon hide (1 pale bird may have been a third juvenile bird), 10+ Yellow-legged Gull with Great Black-backed Gull on waste ground beneath tip on other side of creek near Canvey barrier, 1 juvenile Hobby landed on fence west of Coryton before flying close to Fobbing village eating insects on the wing among Swallows, 2 Marsh Harrier single grey adult and brown juvenile, Greenshank on creek, 1 Green Sandpiper, maybe close to a 1000 Swallow hawking insects on passage over track and 1 House Martin, 1 Chiffchaff heard Manorway Fleet, a few Little Egret, 30+ Meadow Pipit, 40+ Teal, pair of Gadwall Manorway Fleet, 1 Sparrowhawk, a few Whitethroat, 50+ Goldfinch. Richard Fahey.
Ashingdon 09:20 to 09:35
Female Sparrowhawk caught and ate a Wood Mouse in the garden. Steve Sanford.
Chelmsford, Baddow Meads Area 09:30 to 11:00
1 Hobby seen catching and feeding on small bird, 1 Kestrel, 1 Cormorant, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Song Thrush, large feeding flock of 200+ Swallow and Sand Martin, separate flock of 50+ Swallow on main meadow, 30+ Carrion Crow, 5 Moorhen, 3 Mallard. Also seen but not counted: Blue Tit, Robin, Blackbird, Great Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Woodpigeon, Feral Pigeon, Collared Dove, Chaffinch, Herring Gull, Black-headed Gull. Paul Forsdick.
Southchurch Park Cricket Pitch, Southend 13:00 to 18:00
A constant flow of hundreds of Swallow passing overhead as I fielded at mid-on. Even they could not keep the gnats at bay! Dave Dove.
Wakering Stairs 15:00 to 16:00
68 Brent Geese, 7 Little Egret, 200+ Oystercatcher, steady and constant passage of Swallow and House Martin. Kris Mee, Web Author.
Leigh on Sea, Park View Drive 18:00 to 18:40
Continuing passage of Swallow and House Martin over garden south. Kris Mee, Web Author.
Wakering Stairs 11:45 to 15:10
Seen during WeBS Count: 5816 Swallow with continuing heavy passage as we left, 1 Red-rumped Swallow - superb close views as it crossed the saltmarsh just in front of our count point, 161 House Martin, 2 Sand Martin, 93 Meadow Pipit. David Selley.
Billericay
Almost constant stream of House Martin and a few Swallow this afternoon feeding over fields and heading west/south westWeat/South West. Andy Wilson.
Saturday 21st September 2013south westerly, overcast, max19°c
Wakering Stairs 10:50 to 15:20
1 Green Woodpecker, 1000+ Oystercatcher, c.30 Bar-tailed Godwit, few Curlew, 6 Ringed Plover, few Grey Plover, c.100 Redshank, 15 Little Egret, 3 Grey Heron, 5 Shelduck, Starling murmuration, of at least 1000 birds, 20 Teal, 1 Kestrel, 2 Marsh Harrier, 8 Linnet. distant tide line black with Brent Geese, plus many birds airborne, impossible to estimate numbers, many Meadow Pipit, Constant stream of Swallow over land and water all heading upriver. 1 Common Seal, many Small White Butterflies. David ∓ Brenda Hale.
Rochford, Purdey's Estate 15:10 to 15:25
c.85 House Martin and 26 Swallow west, and 10 Meadow Pipit south over Homebase car park in just over 10 minutes. David Selley.
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 15:55 to 16:25
4 Whinchat near fleet, 1 Wheatear, 2 White Wagtail, male Peregrine Falcon catching pigeon (I thought it was a Hobby until it caught up with female high by pylon and lost behind trees/bushes when together they caught a pigeon.When lI ooked next female was on pylon but flew north and soon was followed by smaller male which was seen well this time and not much bigger than largest Hobby), 2 Greenshank, pair of Shoveler on Manorway Fleet, a few Little Egret, 1 Cetti's Warbler heard at Manorway Fleet very loud but more melodic, 1 Sparrowhawk. Richard Fahey.
Wakering Stairs 16:00 to 17:15
6 Dunlin, 30 Golden Plover, 45 Grey Plover, 24 Ringed Plover, 1 Curlew, 80 Oystercatcher, 20 Knot, 16 Brent Goose, 20 Bar-tailed Godwit. Richard Mander.
Plumberow and Crabtree Woods, Hockley 17:00 to 19:00
1 Buzzard, 2 Sparrowhawk, 40 House Martin, 25 Swallow, 12 Pied Wagtail, 2 Chiffchaff, 3 Linnet, 5 Goldfinch, 15 Long-Tailed Tit, 2 Meadow Pipit. Dave Glover.
Mayflower School, Billericay 17:15
15 Pied Wagtail, 1 Green Woodpecker on school playing field. Marion Burch.
Gunners Park Reserve 17:30 to 18:00
1 Song Thrush, 6 Blackbird, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Dunnock, 12 Magpie, 2 Common Crow . Richard Mander.
Friday 20th September 2013westerly, mostly cloudy, max18°c
Billericay, Garden 08:30 to 15:00
Blackbird with juveniles, House Sparrow, Blue Tit, a Great Tit, Blackcap. 1 Comma. Chris Henry.
RSPB Rainham Marshes 10:15 to 16:30
2 Hobby, 2 Kestrel, 1 Peregrine Falcon, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Meadow Pipit, 1 Wheatear, many House Sparrow, 4 Goldfinch, c.50 Ringed Plover, c.100 Lapwing, c.100 Greylag Geese, 1 Canada Goose, 1 Snipe, 3 Black-tailed Godwit, 8 Greenshank, 8 Redshank, 4 Little Grebe, 4 Wigeon, 5 Pintail, 4 Grey Heron, 4 Little Egret, Teal, Mallard, Shoveler, Gadwall, Coot, Moorhen, 1 Swallow, few House Martin. Many Dragonflies on the wing, including Common Darter and Southern Hawker. 2 Comma Butterflies and many Small Whites. 1 juvenile Water Vole, Many Marsh Frogs in full song at times. David & Brenda Hale.
Southend, Earls Hall Avenue 12:00 to 15:00
1 Spotted Flycatcher in my garden. Pat Dandridge.
Wakering Stairs 16:50 to 17:15
8 Little Egret, 12 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, c.2700 Oystercatcher, 48 Curlew, 45 Dunlin, 105 Bar-tailed Godwit, a few Redshank, 8 Swallow, 17 Meadow Pipit. Shorter visit than intended due to harassment by zillions of mosquitoes! David Selley.
Thursday 19th September 2013south westerly, cloud, rain. max16°c
RSPB West Canvey Marsh 13:45 to 15:15
Sightings from roadside hide: 2 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Snipe, 4 Green Sandpiper, 13 Black-tailed Godwit, 14 Lapwing, 6 Curlew, many House Martin and Swallow, c.100 Black-headed Gull with 15 Common Gull in amongst roost on water, 2 Moorhen, 6 Canada Geese, 5 Greylag Geese, 3 Little Grebe, 1 Little Egret, c.200 Starling. David & Brenda Hale.
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 15:55 to 18:55
3 adult Yellow-legged Gull near favoured Canvey barrier, 1 immature female Marsh Harrier, 1 Green Sandpiper, Willow Waebler heard Manorway Fleet, 20+ Meadow Pipit, 1 Snipe, 40+ Teal, a few Little Egret, 1 very loud Cetti's Warbler heard at Manorway Fleet (probably the loudest one I've known, it was almost ear-piercing!), 1 Green Woodpecker. Richard Fahey.
Hanningfield Reservoir Causeway 17:40 to 18:10
100+ Tufted Duck, 40+ Pochard, 100+ Mallard, 2 Little Grebe, 12 Great Crested Grebe, 50+ Canada Geese, 150+ Greylag Geese, 200+ Black-headed Gull, 60+ Herring Gull, 3 Common Crow, 30+ Lesser Black-backed Gull, 5 Magpie, 50+ Cormorant, 200+ Coot, 15 Moorhen, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Little Grebe, 1 Ruddy Shelduck, 12 Red Crested Pochard, 8 Gadwall, 9 Moorhen, 7 Shoveler, 25 Mute Swan, 30+ Lapwing, 17 Mute Swan, 150+ House Martin, 100+ Swallow, 20+ Swift, 2 Magpie, 9 Carrion Crow, 15 Starling. Rob Harris.
Wednesday 18th September 2013west north west, mostly cloudy, max16°c
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 07:30 to 10:00
2 Wheatear including 1 on concrete bunker on east side of track, 1 young (maybe juvenile), Marsh Harrier, 1 Greenshank, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Whimbrel on creek, 25+ Meadow Pipit, a fair and steady passage of Swallow and small one of House Martin, 40+ Goldfinch, 1 drake Pochard and 4 Gadwall on Manorway Fleet. Richard Fahey.
EWT Fingringhoe Wick 10:10 to 15:50
1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Turnstone, c.500 Black-tailed Godwit, c.200 Redshank, c.200 Grey Plover, c.50 Curlew, 15 Little Egret, 1 Stock Dove, 1 female Pintail, Gadwall, Tufted Duck, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, 3 Common Tern, many Swallow and House Martin, 2 Little Grebe, 7 Buzzard, birds showing together in thermals, 3 of them settling on ploughed field. 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Hobby, 2 Kestrel, 2 Marsh Harrier, 1 Kingfisher - 2 sightings, possible same bird, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker. David & Brenda Hale.
RSPB West Canvey Marsh 11:30 to 13:30
1 Wood Sandpiper, 6 Green Sandpiper, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Hobby, Hilary and Colin Knight.
Abberton Reservoir 12:00 to 13:00
1 Swan Goose, 50+ Canada Geese, 60+ Greylag Geese, 6 Moorhen, 70+ Mallard, 40+ Coot, 40+ Pochard, 7 Grey Heron, 6 Little Egret, 50+ Lapwing, 1 Little Grebe, 7 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Magpie, 3 Kestrel, 50+ Cormorant, 60+ Starling, 30+ House Sparrow, 40+ Mute Swan, 100+ Black Headed Gull, 5 Common Gull, 50+ Herring Gull, 7 Lesser Black Backed Gull, 1 Egyptian Goose, 7 hybrid Geese, 1 Aylesbury Duck. Rob Harris.
Hockley, Crabtree Wood 13:00 to 15:00
1 Buzzard, 2 Sparrowhawk, 1 Chiffchaff, 5 Goldfinch, 5 House Martin, 4 Swallow, 6 Long-Tailed Tit. 3 Migrant Hawker. Dave Glover.
RSPB Wallasea Island 14:15 to 15:00
2 Little Egret, 4 Magpie, 2 Buzzard high over south of island, 2 Kestrel, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Cormorant, 40+ Starling, 12 House Sparrow, 3 House Martin, 50+ Herring Gull, 7 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 100+ Woodpigeon, 50+ Stock Dove, 20+ Carrion Crow. Rob Harris.
Abberton Reservoir, Layer Breton Causeway 16:15 to 17:00
1 female Garganey, many House Martin, few Swallow, 3 Grey Heron, 2 Egyptian Geese, 8 Great Crested Grebe, 1 pair Pochard, Shoveler, Teal, Gadwall, Tufted Duck, Mallard, 2 Pied Wagtail, Canada and Greylag Geese, few Lapwing. David & Brenda Hale.
Hockley, Plumberow and Crabtree Woods 16:30 to 18:30
2 Buzzard, 1 Sparrowhawk, 4 Green Woodpecker, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Meadow Pipit, 3 Swallow, 4 Goldfinch, 5 Chaffinch, 12 Long-Tailed Tit, 2 Chiffchaff. Dave Glover.
Tuesday 17th September 2013variable, partly cloudy, rain, max14°c
RSPB Canvey West Marsh 09:15 to 11:30
1 Lesser Yellowlegs, 1 Snipe, 4 Wigeon, 12+ Teal, 2 Green Sandpiper, 20+ Lapwing, 1 Little Grebe, 50+ Swallow, 2 Whitethroat, 2 Whinchat, 3 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Great Tit. T. Blackwell.
RSPB West Canvey Marsh 11:00 to 11:45
1 Lesser Yellowlegs from hide by the road. David Lee.
RSPB West Canvey Marsh 12:15 to 13:00
2 Whinchat, 1 Lesser Yellowlegs, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Snipe, 3 House Sparrow, 12 Carrion Crow, 1 Kestrel, 30+ Lapwing, 7 Canada Geese, Herring Gull, Black-headed Gull and Lesser Black-backed Gull. Rob Harris.
Gunners Park Shoreline 15:15 to 15:45
2 Grey Heron, 2 Little Egret, 3 Little Grebe on lake. Brian Coveney.
RSPB West Canvey Marsh
Lesser Yellowlegs. Alan Shearman.
Monday 16th September 2013westerly, scattered clouds, max15°c
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 07:40 to 09:55
1 Marsh Harrier, c.8 Yellow Wagtail, a fair passage of Swallow and House Martin, 15+ Meadow Pipit, 1 Shoveler on Manorway Fleet. 1 Water Vole swam across Manorway Fleet. Richard Fahey.
Hanningfield Reservoir 12:00 to 12:25
50+ Tufted Duck, 40+ Pochard, 100+ Mallard, 2 Little Grebe, 12 Great Crested Grebe, 50+ Canada Geese, 60+ Greylag Geese, 60+ Black-headed Gull, 30+ Herring Gull, 3 Common Crow, 16 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 5 Magpie, 12 Cormorant, 200+ Coot, 3 Moorhen, 1 Little Grebe, 26 Red Crested Pochard, 25 Mute Swan, 30+ House Martin. Rob Harris.
Thornton Meadows, Canewdon Road 13:00
1 Green Woodpecker. Rob Harris.
RSPB Wallasea Island 13:10 to 13:40
5 Magpie, 30+ Carrion Crow, 20+ House Sparrow, 2 Goldfinch, 60+ Woodpigeon, 30+ Stock Dove, 1 Kestrel, 1 Little Egret, 7 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 60+ Black-headed Gull, 10 Herring Gull. Rob Harris.
Benfleet, Fernlea Road, 16:00 to 16:10
Hummingbird Hawk Moth on buddleia in garden. Richard Gray.
Sunday 15th September 2013south westerly, partly cloudy, max16°c
Ashingdon, Princess Gardens 06:50
1 Chiffchaff in the garden. David Selley.
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 07:50 to 11:55
3 Wheatear, 10+ Yellow Wagtail and Meadow Pipit included a few new arrivals, 2 Willow Warbler in shrub up to behind Holehaven Creek seawall, c.9 Whitethroat mostly below Holehaven Creek seawall, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Whimbrel, 200 Black-tailed Godwit mostly near Canvey barrier, Hobby today over saltmarsh and seawall and later not far away on favourite thicket, 1 Sparrowhawk, Cetti's Warbler included one heard out on marsh, a few Little Egret. 1 Water Vole swam across Manorway Fleet. Richard Fahey.
RHS Hyde Hall Garden 10:30 to 14:15
1 Kestrel, 1 Hobby, 360 Swallow and 80+ House Martin in continuous passage west, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Chaffinch, 5 Greenfinch, 1 Brown Hare. David Selley.
RSPB West Canvey Marsh 12:00 14:00
1 Red-backed Shrike, 1 Chiffchaff, 6 Bar-tailed Godwit, 2 Snipe Jamie Sippitt.
Edwins Hall Road, Woodham Ferrers 12:30
A family of 4 Buzzard soaring over and then landing in a field to the north of Edwins Hall Road. I head them before I saw them (I was cycling and stopped to have a closer look). Peter Walker.
Saturday 14th September 2013northerly, cloud and rain, max15°c
Canvey Point 08:30 to 09:30
1 Arctic Skua, 1 Curlew Sandpiper, 50+ Dunlin, 12 Black-tailed Godwit, 12+ Redshanks, 3 Curlew, 1 Little Egret, 4 Ringed Plover, 2 Great Crested Grebe. T. Blackwell.
Thurrock Thameside Nature Park 09:00 to 09:53
1 Black Tern flew into Mucking Bay and then downriver, 1 Common Tern, 4 Common Sandpiper, 8 Sand Martin passed east, 60+ Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit. Richard Fahey.
Galleywood Road, Chelmsford 13:30 to 14:00
2 Swallow near Readers Corner. Paul Forsdick.
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 13:35 to 16:00
2 Wheatear, a minimum fall of 60+ Yellow Wagtail first few seen came west over track with Swallows but were unlikely to have just arrived from that direction and had probably landed earlier out on marshes, c.8 Meadow Pipit, 3 Whitethroat, a fair and steady passage of Swallow, a few House Martin, 1 Whimbrel on creek, 50+ Teal, 1 female Shoveler, 1 drake Pochard and Gadwall on Manorway Fleet, Hobby today over by shrub area where it landed on a hawthorn, 1 immature male Marsh Harrier flew towards Corringham Manorway, a few Black-tailed Godwit. Richard Fahey.
RSPB West Canvey Marsh 14:30 to 15:00
1 Red-backed Shrike, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 30+ Herring Gull, 60+ Black Headed Gull. Rob Harris.
Leigh on Sea, Park View Drive 15:00 to 15:10
6 Swallow and 50+ House Martin south over garden. Kris Mee, web Author.
Hanningfield Reservoir 15:30 to 16:00
200+ Tufted Duck, 100+ Pochard, 27 Red Crested Pochard, 5 Shoveler, 150+ Mallard, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Little Grebe, 200+ Canada Geese, 150+ Greylag Geese, 200+ Black-headed Gull, 100+ Herring Gull, 6 Common Crow, 14 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 2 Magpie, 46 Cormorant, 1 Pied Wagtail, 11 Lapwing, 5 Moorhen, 300+ House Martin, 200+ Swallow, 300+ Coot. Rob Harris.
Friday 13th September 2013variable, cloud and rain, max18°c
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton c.08:00 to 10:15
3 Avocet on creek, 1 Snipe, excellent view of immature Hobby perched along Fobbing footpath, later flying over shrub towards seawall and maybe departing, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Green Sandpiper, c.7 Whimbrel in field/lagoon, 25+ Teal, 3 Gadwall on Manorway Creek, 120+ Black-tailed Godwit, a few Little Egret, Cetti's Warbler heard, 1 gull on dirt mound seen from the viewing mound on opposite side of creek, had yellow legs and rounded head and thinish bill typical of Yellow-legged Gull but the upperparts were were a pale grey and the black primaries showed too much white. I Think it's a crossed Yellow-legged Gull. Richard Fahey.
Canvey Point 08:30 to 09:30
1 Arctic Skua, 1 Brent Goose, 100+ Dunlin, 50+ Redshank, 3 Greenshank, 40+ Ringed Plover, 10 Grey Plover, 18 Little Egret, 20+ Curlew, 6 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Sandwich Tern, 2 Common Tern. T. Blackwell.
Private Land Near Crays Hill 10:00
3 Swallow shot through. G. Dixon.
RSPB West Canvey Marsh 13:30 to 14:00
Red-backed Shrike (still along the fence line south of the roadside hide) - showing well - feeding. Peter Norgate.
Ashingdon, Princess Gardens 15:30
1 Hobby. David Selley.
Thursday 12th September 2013variable, light drizzle, max19°c
Our Brent are back! These are first sighting dates for the last few years: 16/09/12, 16/09/11, 12/09/10, 15/09/09.
RSPB West Canvey Marsh 12:40 to 14:00
1 Red-backed Shrike, 4 possibly 5 Whinchat (1 adult, others looked like juveniles), 1 Stonechat. Les Costin.
Canvey Point 14:30 to 16:00
5 Brent Geese, 300+ Wigeon, 30 Teal, 120 Grey Plover, 10 Ring Plover, 5 Knot, 100+ Dunlin, 10 Curlew, 250+ Oystercatcher, 20+ Redshank, 40+ Little Egret, 6 Common Tern, 5 Black-tailed Godwit, 6 Yellow Wagtail. T. Blackwell.
Wakering Stairs 17:00 to 18:25
4 Dark-bellied Brent Goose passing Haven Point, 17 Little Egret on Havengore Creek, 2 Kestrel, 4 Green Sandpiper flushed from ditch by Stairs Road, c.80 Swallow, 1 Meadow Pipit, 25 Linnet. David Selley.
Wat Tyler Country Park 19:00 to 19:30
1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Bearded Tit, 1 Green Sandpiper, c.40 Little Egret, 2 tame Rabbits by car park. Mick Roe.
Wednesday 11th September 2013north westerly, mostly cloudy, max16°c
EWT Hanningfield Reservoir 10:30 to 16:00
1 juvenile Osprey, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Little Stint, 8 Ringed Plover, 4 Common Sandpiper, c.500+ House Martin over entire reservoir, thinning out greatly pm, c.100 Wigeon, 4 female Pintail, c.100 Starling feeding amongst cattle, 3 Common Tern, many Teal, Shoveler, Mallard, Tufted Duck, 1 Lapwing, 2 Grey Heron, 15 Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring and Black-headed Gull, 10 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Little Grebe, Canada and Greylag Geese. David & Brenda Hale.
RSPB West Canvey Marsh 11:00
1 Red-backed Shrike on fence posts by roadside. Mick Roe.
Dawes Heath 13:45
1 female Badger seen running across Fairmead Avenue Maureen Sagrott.
Private Land Near Crays Hill 16:00
22 Goldfinch. G. Dixon.
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 16:20 to 18:50
Hobby on bush along Fobbing footpath, c.4 Green Sandpiper, 2 Snipe, c.8 Whimbrel came up from dry lagoon, 3 Teal on Manorway Fleet, probably same later at creek, 1 Little Grebe on creek (unusual at this time of year and I think probably early migrant), 1 drake Shoveler and 4 Gadwall on Manorway Fleet, c.7 Little Egret, Cetti's Warbler heard. Richard Fahey.
Tuesday 10th September 2013north westerly, light rain, max16°c
Canvey Point 08:45 to 09:30
300+ Wigeon, 25 Grey Plover, 5 Ringed Plover, 5 Black-tailed Godwit, 30+ Redshank, 50+ Curlew, 1 Whimbrel, 5 Turnstone, 10+ Dunlin, 20+ Oystercatcher, 6 Common Tern, 2 Rock Pipit, 6 Swallow, 2 Pied Wagtail. T. Blackwell.
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton c.08:35 to 11:00
1 Wheatear at close range walking back behind seawall (I think it had just arrived, seemed nervous in front of me and didn't know what to do for a while. I think I scared it off when I took out my mobile phone!), 1 adult Yellow-legged Gull near Canvey barrier, 1 Marsh Harrier, c.6 Green Sandpiper, 5 Whimbrel in field overlooked by refinery and 1 heard on creek, 1 Snipe heard, 1 Bar-tailed and 15+ Black-tailed Godwit on creek, 70+ Teal on creek and 1 on Coryton fleet lagoon with female Shoveler and drake Pochard, c.7 Little Egret, 1 Green Woodpecker. Richard Fahey.
RSPB West Canvey Marsh 10:00
1 juvenile Red-backed Shrike. Hilary and Colin Knight.
RSPB West Canvey Marsh 12:45 to 13:20
1 Juvenile Red-backed Shrike in bushes by the road, 1 Sedge Warbler. David Lee.
Rochford 15:15 to 15:30
11 House Martin - look like local birds still over the nest sites. David Selley.
Leigh on Sea, Park View Drive 18:05
Male Sparrowhawk caught House Sparrow in garden. Kris Mee, Web Author.
Monday 09th September 2013variable, cloud and rain, max14°c
Two Tree Island West 10:40 to 17:20
Sightings from scrape hide: c.300 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 juvenile Avocet, c.40 Ringed Plover, c.40 Dunlin, 20+ Greenshank, c.30 Redshank, 20 Swallow, 1 Linnet, 3 Whitethroat, 6 Grey Plover, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Common Tern, 2 Cormorant, 12 Lapwing, 1 Turnstone, many female Teal, 20 Little Egret, 2 Grey Heron. Sightings from slipway: 1 Curlew, c.100 Oystercatcher, c.100 Starling, 2 Common Gull, Lesser Black-backed and Black-headed Gull. 1 Pied Wagtail. David & Brenda Hale.
Thorpe Bay, Parkanaur Avenue, 15:00
1 Chiffchaff in our garden flitting round a large Dill plant. Ian Smith.
Sunday 08th September 2013south westerly, cloudy, rain, max19°c
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 08:40 to 11:00
1 Hobby landed on bush at by shrub area before flying west (I think this is the same local bird that hasn't migrated yet), 1 Marsh Harrier in the same place, c.9 Green Sandpiper mostly at fleet where I also flushed 1 Snipe, 2 Whimbrel in field behind seawall, 70+ Teal, 7 Gadwall at Coryton, a few Little Egret, Cetti's Warbler heard, a few Black-tailed Godwit. 1 Speckled Wood. Richard Fahey.
Paglesham, Eastend 10:05 to 11:25
3 Little Egret, 18 Golden Plover, 7 Grey Plover, 10 Lapwing, 30 Swallow passing through, 1 Sand Martin with the Swallows, 2 Pied Wagtail, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Stock Dove, c.150 House Sparrow - several flocks in hedgerows and stubble fields around the village. David Selley.
Saturday 07th September 2013south south westerly, partly cloudy, max19°c
RSPB Wallasea Island 17:15 to 18:10
Mixed flocks of Gull all over island and following tractor, 4 Magpie, 20+ Carrion Crow, 6 Goldfinch, 2 Greenfinch, 60+ Woodpigeon, 30+ Stock Dove, 1 Pheasant, 4 Corn bunting, 1 Kestrel, 1 Marsh Harrier. Rob Harris.
Hanningfield Reservoir Causeway 18:50 to 19:05
150+ Tufted Duck, 100+ Pochard, 3 Shoveler, 200+ Mallard, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 200+ Canada Geese, 150+ Greylag Geese, 200+ Black-headed Gull, 150+ Herring Gull, 7 Common Crow, 14 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 5 Magpie, 33 Cormorant, 4 Pied Wagtail, 20+ Lapwing, 180+ Coot, 3 Moorhen, 1 Little Grebe, 5 Red Crested Pochard, 5 Mute Swan. Rob Harris.
Friday 06th September 2013south westerly, mostly cloudy, max19°c
RSPB Rainham Marshes 10:00 to 16:30
Sightings from Purfleet Hide: 2 Hobby, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 female Marsh Harrier, 2 Kestrel, 5 Snipe, 8 Greenshank, 2 female Wigeon, 3 Swallow, 2 Grey Heron, 7 Little Egret, c.50 Lapwing, c.100 Starling, c.100 Greylag Geese, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, few Teal, few Mallard. Good numbers of Southern Hawker Dragonflies. David & Brenda Hale.
Two Tree Island 11:00 to 15:30
1 Whinchat west of model plane area. Scrape at High Tide: 1 Little Stint, 1 Spotted Redshank, 60+ Greenshank, 8 Knot, 4 Golden Plover, 8 Grey Plover, 200+ Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Bar-tailed Godwit, 20+ Ringed Plover, 10 Dunlin, 1 Avocet, 1 Turnstone and 30+ Redshank. East Side Sewage Pools: 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Reed Warbler in reed pool at east end, several incoming groups of Wigeon. Peter Studholme.
Hanningfield Reservoir Causeway 11:30 to 11:45
150+ Tufted Duck, 100+ Pochard, 5 Shoveler, 150+ Mallard, 5 Great Crested Grebe, 150+ Canada Geese, 170+ Greylag Geese, 100+ Black-headed Gull, 70+ Herring Gull, 7 Common Crow, 9 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 2 Magpie, 46 Cormorant, 1 Pied Wagtail, 15 Lapwing. Rob Harris.
Canvey Point 17:00 TO 18:30
2O Golden Plover, 15+ Grey Plover, 100+ Ringed Plover, 6 Turnstone, 3 Black-tailed Godwit, 50+ Redshank, 30 Curlew, 40+ Oystercatcher, 12+ Dunlin, 2 Little Egret, 20 Wigeon, 3 Common Tern. 5 Harbour Seal. T. Blackwell.
Thursday 05th September 2013variable, clear, max28°c
RSPB Wallasea Island 14:30 to 15:30
3 Magpie, 30+ Carrion Crow, 2 House Sparrow, 7 Goldfinch, 2 Greenfinch, 60+ Woodpigeon, 30+ Stock Dove, 1 Kestrel, 1 Pied Wagtail, 2 Little Egret, 1 Great Black-backed Gull, 14 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 50+ Herring Gull, 60+ Black-headed Gull. Rob Harris.
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 16:10 to 19:00
1 Hobby on north edge of marsh seen from Coryton, 1 Green Sandpiper, 3 Teal, 2 Gadwall at Coryton, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, a few Little Egret, 1 Green Woodpecker near the Canvey barrier seen from viewing mound, I spotted a Herring Gull with yellow legs but definitely different from Yellow-legged Gull with considerable white in primaries and much lighter above. Richard Fahey.
Southend, Newington Avenue
Pair of Kestrel gliding on the thermals over Newington Avenue, I also saw them a few weeks back in the same area. Sharon Hasan.
Wednesday 04th September 2013easterly, partly cloudy, max24°c
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton c.07:40 to 09:55
1 Greenshank on creek maybe same flying and calling later near shrub area, c.6 Green Sandpiper, c.15 Swallow briefly over Coryton later, 120+ Teal, a few Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Gadwall in algae on west side of track at Coryton, a few Little Egret, Cetti's Warbler heard, Green Woodpecker. A juvenile Stock Dove within gate on the east side of track at Coryton seemed uninjured and was walking about but was very approachable and only flapped its wings a bit when I got too close. It seems a bit strange that earlier a Stock dove was "sitting" in the dry area at the end of the ditch close to the track further north of here, again not too far away, but made no attempt to fly. Richard Fahey.
Hanningfield Reservoir 10:30 to 12:00
250+ Tufted Duck, 200+ Pochard, 250+ Coot, 250+ Mallard, 10 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Magpie, 60+ Mute Swan, 3 Robin, 60+ Cormorant, 2 Little Grebe, 3 Pied Wagtail, 2 Blackbird, 200+ Black-headed Gull, 25 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 150+ Herring Gull, 150+ Lapwing, 200+ Greylag Geese, 250+ Canada Geese, 5 Carrion Crow, 7 Ringed Plover, 3 Dunnock, 6 Moorhen, 2 Common Snipe, 5 Chaffinch, 2 Great Tit, 1 Blue Tit, 1 Ruddy Shelduck, 7 Grey Heron, 2 Common Tern. 3 Grey Squirrel. Rob Harris.
RSPB West Canvey Marsh 11:00 to 12:30
3 Peregrine Falcon flying over seawall towards Bowers Marsh, 6 Black-tailed Godwit, 12 Curlew, 20+ Lapwing, 6 Little Grebe. 6 Migrant Hawkers, 1 Holly Blue, 1 Common Blue. Tim Hurdley.
Wat Tyler Country Park 16:00 to 18:00
Sightings from scrape hide: 6 House Martin, 2 Swallow, 4 Pied Wagtail, 64 Black-tailed Godwit, 18 Snipe, c.40 Lapwing, 1 Hobby, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret, 1 juvenile Common Tern, 3 Stock Dove, 2 female Wigeon, 6 Canada Geese, 2 Greylag Geese, 1 drake Gadwall, many Teal, few Mallard, 1 female Tufted duck, 1 female Shoveler, few Pochard, 4 Little Grebe, c.50 Starling. Cetti's Warbler heard. David & Brenda Hale.
Tuesday 03rd September 2013variable, partly cloudy, max25°
Bradwell-on-Sea 09:15 to 11:15
1 juvenile Red-backed Shrike east of power station, 500 metres from where reserve path meets sea wall, 4 Long-tailed Tit, few Swallow, few Linnet, 1 Little Egret, 1 Oystercatcher. 1 Harbour Porpoise. David & Brenda Hale.
EWT Blue House Farm 10:30 to 14:00
1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Whinchat, 3 Wheatear, 10 Ringed Plover, 7 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Golden Plover, 1 Hobby, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Kestrel, 5 Snipe, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Sedge Warbler. 1 Slow Worm, 1 Brown Hare. Hilary and Colin Knight.
Bradwell Shell Bank 11:30 to 15:00
c.10 Swallow, c.10 House Martin, 6 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Wheatear, 100s of Oystercatcher, c.20 Turnstone, 8 Little Egret, c.20 Greenfinch, few Goldfinch, 2 Common Tern, 1 Common Gull. Dunnock, House Sparrow, 1 Kestrel. David & Brenda Hale.
Southend Hospital 19:10
1 Peregrine Falcon on chimney. Jerry Stock.
Monday 02nd September 2013westerly, clear, max25°c
Wakering, Near Oxenham Farm 07:10
1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Buzzard. Tony.
Southchurch Park East 07:15 to 08:30 and 09:00
1 Kingfisher flying around pond at 7.15am and leaving usual fishing/roosting area at 8.30am. Sighting two days earlier than previous years. 1 Green Woodpecker flying back of Shaftesbury Avenue Gardens area. Dianne Hyem, Robert Dobinson.
Shoeburyness 11:15 to 11:30
1 Buzzard soaring over Elm Road, Shoebury. John Vanderloo.
RSPB Vange Marsh 13:00 to 15:30
3 Spotted Redshank, 4 Greenshank, 2 Common Sandpiper, 5 Green Sandpiper, 24 Common Redshank, 14 Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Snipe, 100+ Lapwing, 10 Little Egret, 3 Grey Heron, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Marsh Harrier (very dark juvenile bird), 3 Little Grebe. David Shepherd,
Ashingdon, Princess Gardens 16:00 to 17:00
1 female Sparrowhawk, 4 adult Mediterranean Gull in a small anting flock, 6 Swallow. David Selley.
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton c.16:15 to 18:45
1 Whinchat fly catching on bush west of ditch, 2 adult Yellow-legged Gull near Canvey barrier seen from by wall close to cotfi dam, 1 Marsh Harrier maybe 1 later seen on fence west of Coryton, Water Rail heard at Coryton, 1 Snipe flushed from ditch near track, 2 Greenshank, a few Green Sandpiper, a few Black-tailed Godwit, 60+ teal on creek, 8 Gadwall feeding on algae on west side of Coryton track, Coryton, 1 drake Pochard at Coryton, a few Little Egret, Cetti's Warbler heard, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Sparrowhawk. Richard Fahey.
Sunday 01st September 2013westerly, clear, max20°c
Stanford-le-Hope, Abbotts Hall Chase, 07:55
1 Hobby flew south. Richard Fahey.
Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 08:00 to 11:25
1 Hobby 'hovering' and circling low at bushes along Fobbing footpath, a few Green Sandpiper, 2 Avocet on Holehaven Creek, 20+ Teal, a few Black-tailed Godwit, 5 Gadwall at Coryton, 1 Green Woodpecker, a few Little Egret, 1 Common Tern south along creek. Richard Fahey.
Plumberow and Crabtree Woods, Hockley 10:00 to 12:00
2 Buzzard, 1 Sparrowhawk, 4 House Martin, 8 Swallow, 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 6 Linnet, 2 Chiffchaff. 1 Southern Hawker, 5 Migrant Hawker. Dave Glover.
EWT Lion Creek Reserve 10:15 to 11:50
2 Little Egret, 1 Kestrel, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Turtle Dove flew from hedge just inside road entrance, 13 Swallow, 1 Curlew, 3 Whimbrel, 2 Wheatear, 5 Goldfinch, flock of c.30 House Sparrow on stubble field. David Selley.
RSPB Bowers Marsh 18:00 to 20:00
Note that this reserve is not yet officially open
1 Red-backed Shrike, 2 Wood Sandpiper, Avocet, Black-tailed Godwit. Many Great Green Bush Crickets calling and Migrant Hawker dragonfly. Photos of shrike here: http://www.uk-wildlife.co.uk/red-backed-shrike-on-bowers-marsh/. Neil Phillips.
RSPB Wallasea Island 18:15 to 19:15
1 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret, 100+ Starling, 40+ Greenfinch, 5 Linnet, 1 Skylark, 4 Corn Bunting, 1 Reed Bunting, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 20+ Carrion Crow, 4 Mute Swan, 2 Pheasant, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Sparrowhawk, 70+ Herring Gull, 3 Magpie, 40+ Woodpigeon. Rob Harris.