South East Essex RSPB Latest Wildlife Reports

Please fill out the form at the bottom of the page to submit your own sightings. I can also be contacted on the following telephone numbers: Home (01702) 525152 or Mobile: 07805 418751. If you happen to see a real rarity I would appreciate a text to my mobile number so that the news can be put out as quickly as possible.

Please send us ALL of your wildlife sightings - not just the birds! Note that you can also add your photographs to our Facebook page click here.

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January 2024

Wednesday 26th January 2024Latest news on Facebook    

Hullbridge, Garden 09:00 to 09:45
1 Grey Heron (perched on neighbours tree top), 1 male Blackcap on magnolia (fifth day seen), 1 pair Magpie collecting sticks for nest, 1 pair Robin, 1 Dunnock, 3 Wood Pigeon, 1 Collared Dove, 1 pair Blue Tit. 1 Grey Squirrel. Steve Jellett.

Foulness Island 13:10 to 13:15
5 Common Buzzard above house. Stephen Giles.

Tuesday 25th January 2024westerly, cloudy, max4°c

Abberton Reservoir 09:45 to 13:00
Robin, Dunnock, Pied Wagtail, 1 Water Pipit, Blackbird, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, 1 Long-tailed Tit, Starling, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Tufted Duck, Wigeon, Teal, Coot, Moorhen, Gadwall, Mallard, Goldeneye, Pochard, Pintail, Shoveler, 1m+3f Goosander, Redshank, Egyptian Geese, Bar-tailed Godwit, Cormorant, Canada Geese, Grey Heron, lone Kestrel. Chris Henry.

Shoebury, Gunners Park 10:15
1 Stonechat by the play area. John Pitts.

Canvey, Hole Haven Creek 10:20 to 12:20
120 Avocet, 50 Grey Plover, 200+ Redshank, 60 Dunlin, 40 Black-tailed Godwit, 18 Bar-tailed Godwit, 12 Curlew, 115 Shelduck, 4 Mallard, 80 Teal, 50 Wigeon, 2 Stock Dove. Terry Blackwell.

Canvey Wick 12:20 to 12:45
2 Lesser Redpoll, 2 Long-tailed Tit, 3 Blue Tit, 1 Jay. Terry Blackwell.

Hockley Woods 12:30 to 15:30
1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 2 Goldfinch, 1 Jay, 4 Magpie, 5 Redwing, 2 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker (drumming). A lot of tree removal/coppicing being undertaken around the wood. Steve Jellett.

Monday 24th January 2024variable, cloudy, max5°c

Hockley Woods 09:30 to 12:10
1 Hawfinch feeding above me at 11:40 on path back home as I thought I wasn’t going to locate it this morning. Tim Davis.

Westcliff on Sea 10:00
4 Ring-necked Parakeet flying over garden heading east towards Shoeburyness. Robin & Tracy Guppy.

Hullbridge, Garden 12:00
Male and female Blackcap in garden on Mahonia/flowering cherry/pyracantha etc. Steve Jellett.

Great Wakering 12:30
Ring-necked Parakeet flying around Little Wakering Hall Lane. Sue Pritchard.

Foulness Island 13:00 to 13:05
Black Redstart, seen and photo taken by Richard our postman. Steve Giles.

Great Wakering, New Road 14:05
1 Hen Harrier flying very low around field opposite my house. Watched for a good 4 minutes before it went over the far hedge out of site. Beautiful big brown bird with the unmistakable white rump. Terence Wheaton.

Hanningfield Reservoir Causeway 14:30 to 15:00
1 Common Gull, 50+ Herring Gull, 70+ Black-headed Gull, 2 Great Black-backed Gull, 60+ Cormorant, 34 Mallard, 7 Tufted Duck, 4 Pochard, 17 Coot, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 5 Carrion Crow, 2 Magpie, 3 Pied Wagtail, 40+ Woodpigeon. Robert Harris.

Woodham Edwin's Hall Road /Crows Lane 15:20 to 15:45
2 Common Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 1 Ringed-necked Pheasant, 2 Red-legged Partridge, 120+ Woodpigeon, 4 Blackbird, 1 Robin, 4 Blue Tit, 3 Dunnock, 200+ Carrion Crow, 23 Rook, 100+ Jackdaw, 22 Herring Gull, 40+ Black-headed Gull. Robert Harris.

Sunday 23rd January 2024calm, mostly cloudy, max7°c

Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 08:03 to 10:25
1 Great White Egret, 1 Whimbrel, 1 Avocet, 1 Marsh Harrier, 100 Teal, 6 Shoveler, 12 Gadwall [Manorway Fleet], 2 Shelduck, 12 Curlew, 2 Lapwing, 10 Blackbird, 8 Chaffinch, 2 Song Thrush, 3 Cormorant, 1 Water Rail [present Manorway Fleet], 1 Little Egret, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Green Woodpecker, 4 Stock Dove, 1 Little Grebe [present Manorway Fleet], 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Pheasant. Richard Fahey.

RSPB West Canvey 11:00 to 12:30
1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Curlew in flight, 50+ Reed Bunting, 100+ Canada Goose, 5 Pintail, 4 Wigeon, 10+ Coot, 1 Kestrel, 10+ Crow, 10+ Magpie, 2 Tufted Duck. David Z.

Foulness Island 11:15 to 13:15
4 possibly 5 Common Buzzard, 3 Marsh Harrier, 5 Kestrel, c.300 Brent Geese, c.200 Lapwing, 12 Little Egret, 3 Grey Heron, 7 Curlew, 14 Little Grebe, 2m 1f Stonechat, pair Reed Bunting, Common Snipe. Steve and Fran Giles.

Hanningfield Reservoir 12:00 to 13:30
Tufted Duck (hybrid with Pochard), 4 Pochard, 34 Goldeneye (some displaying), 8 Goosander (1m, 7f). Tom Gilbert.

Canvey Point 13:00 to 15:00
25 Red-throated Diver, 1 Guillemot, 2 Kittiwake, 254 Great Crested Grebe, 300+ Dunlin, 12 Sanderling, 1000+ Oystercatcher. Terry Blackwell.

Priory Park 15:00
2 Little Grebe. Steve Atkinson.

Saturday 22nd January 2024westerly, mostly cloudy, max7°c

South Woodham Ferrers 10:15 to 11:30
1 Red-breasted Goose and 1 Black Brant in with 400 Dark-bellied Brent Geese in field opposite Marsh Farm. Andrew Allen.

Benfleet 11:15 to 11:20
1 Red Kite over garden, drifting South-East on the breeze. Keith Bartels.

South Fambridge 11:50
1 Merlin - shot across the road by the 30mph signs coming into village, c.50 House Sparrow in the usual field edge hedgerow. David Selley.

Canvey Point 12:30 to 15:00
28 Red-throated Diver, 1 Guillemot (full summer plumage), 800+ Dark bellied Brent Geese, 30 Shelduck, 2 Teal, 150+ Golden Plover, 30 Grey Plover, 2 Ringed Plover, 300+ Oystercatcher, 300+ Dunlin, 10 Sanderling, 4 Redshank, 1 Sparrowhawk. 5 Grey Seal. Terry Blackwell.

Friday 21st January 2024westerly, partly cloudy, max9°c

Barling Magna, Ropers Farm 11:30 to 13:30
1 male Kestrel, 50+ Avocet, 12+ Little Grebe, 2 Rock Pipit, 1 Snow Bunting (200yds east of junction of footpath and sea wall). Mike Sagrott.

RSPB Vange Marsh 14:00 to 15:45
450+ Lapwing, 19 Avocet, 4 Shelduck, 5 Tufted Duck, 1 Pintail, 2 Greenshank, 2 Redshank, 1 Buzzard, 1 Sparrowhawk, Wigeon, Teal, Shoveler. David Shepherd.

Thursday 20th January 2024north north west, partly cloudy, max9°c

Hockley 07:50 to 08:30
1 male Siskin on garden feeders, 1 male Blackcap in fir tree. Tim Davis.

Abberton Reservoir 09:00 to 15:00
Blackbird, Black-headed Gull, Black-tailed Godwit, Blue Tit, Common Buzzard, Canada Goose, Carrion Crow, 1 Cattle Egret, Chaffinch, Common Gull, Coot, Cormorant, Dunlin, Dunnock, 12 Egyptian Goose, Fieldfare, Gadwall, Golden Plover, Goldeneye, Goldfinch, Goosander, Great Black-backed Gull, Great Tit, 8 Great White Egret, Great Crested Grebe, Green Woodpecker, Grey Heron, Grey Plover, Greylag Goose, Herring Gull, Kestrel, Lapwing, 4 Little Egret, Little Grebe, Magpie, Mallard, Meadow Pipit, Moorhen, Mute Swan, Pied Wagtail, Pintail, Pochard, Redshank, Robin, Rock Pipit, Rook, Scaup (1m 2f), Shelduck, Shoveler, Smew (Redhead), Snipe, Starling, Stock Dove, Stonechat, Teal, Tufted Duck, Wigeon, Wood Pigeon. Badger in front of Gwen hide. Norman Oliver, Russ Payne.

Woodham Edwin's Hall Road /Crows Lane 14:30 to 15:10
200+ Carrion Crow, 80+ Jackdaw, 160+ Woodpigeon, 3 Blackbird, 2 Blue Tit, 1 Robin, 1 Ringed-necked Pheasant, 50+ Herring Gull, 2 Kestrel. Robert Harris.

Hanningfield Reservoir Causeway 15:45 to 16:10
100+ Black-headed Gull, 80+ Herring Gull, 1 Great Black-backed Gull, 2 Common Gull, 100+ Greylag Geese, 17 Canada Geese, 32 Coot, 37 Mallard 3 Pied Wagtail, 45 Tufted Duck, 12 Pochard, 39 Wigeon, 12 Carrion Crow, 80+ Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Magpie, 2 Mute Swan, 3 Moorhen. Robert Harris.

Wednesday 19th January 2024west south west, partly cloudy, max9°c

Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 08:35 to 10:57
3 Avocet, 100 Teal, 7 Shoveler, 2 Gadwall [Manorway Fleet], 400 Lapwing, 1 Curlew, 1 Fieldfare, 3 Meadow Pipit, 1 Little Egret, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Long-tailed Tit, 4 Little Grebe [Manorway Fleet], 12 Stock Dove. Richard Fahey.

Hockley 08:15 to 08:20
1 male Siskin on garden feeders, 1 Grey Heron flew low over garden. Tim Davis.

RSPB Wallasea Island 10:00 to 11:00
1 Hen Harrier (ringtail), 3 Spoonbill, 1 Buzzard, 3 Kestrel. Tim Davis.

Barling, River Roach, Ropers Farm 10:30 to 11:45
1 Green Woodpecker (heard), c.100 Lapwing, 1 Little Egret, 1 Snow Bunting, 5 Brent Geese, 2 Rock Pipit, c.100 Avocet, 9 Little Grebe, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, c.100 Teal, c.100 Wigeon, 20+ Redshank, 40+ Shelduck, 1 Curlew, 2 Dunlin, 28 Fieldfare (LH field by farm entrance). Steve Jellett.

Canvey Point 10:45 to 13:15
32 Red-throated Diver, 1 Guillemot (in full summer plumage), 115 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Kittiwake (ad), 3 Mediterranean Gull, 300+ Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 42 Ringed Plover, 2 Sanderling, 20 Curlew, 10 Redshank. 2 Grey Seal, 2 Common Seal. Terry Blackwell.

Hanningfield Reservoir Causeway 15:15 to 15:35
2 Mute Swan, 150+ Lapwing, 43 Greylag Geese, 14 Canada Geese, 3 Goosander (1m, 2f), 37 Mallard, 32 Tufted Duck, 7 Pochard, 49 Coot, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Common Gull, 7 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 60+ Herring Gull, 80+ Black-headed Gull, 9 Carrion Crow, 3 Pied Wagtail, 100+ Cormorant. Robert Harris.

Tuesday 18th January 2024calm, clear then mist, max6°c

River Roach at Ropers Farm 09:00 to 10:30
1 Grey Heron, 3 Little Egret, 3 Oystercatcher, 10+ Redshank, 8 Shoveler, c.100 Shelduck, c.100 Teal, c.100 Wigeon, c.100 Dunlin, 1 Kestrel, 1 Wren, 4 Rock Pipit, c.100 Avocet. Steve Jellett.

Canvey Point 09:50 to 13:30
61 Red-throated Diver, 7 Guillemot, 1 Little Gull (1st winter), 125 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Shelduck. 4 Common Seal, 2 Grey Seal. Terry Blackwell.

Two Tree Island, Lagoon 12:00 to 13:30
1 Great White Egret and the usual Dunlin with some Knot, Grey Plover, Ringed Plover, Avocet, Lapwing, Oystercatcher, probable glimpse of 1 Snipe. Richard Lytheer.

Hanningfield Reservoir Causeway 15:00 to 15:25
24 Wigeon, 62 Mallard, 27 Tufted Duck, 22 Pochard, 34 Coot, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 46 Cormorant, 150+ Lapwing, 50+ Greylag Geese, 100+ Canada Geese, 3 Mute Swan, 1 Common Gull, 120+ Black-headed Gull, 70+ Herring Gull, 5 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1 Jay, 5 Magpie, 6 Carrion Crow, 33 Woodpigeon. Robert Harris.

EWT Blue House Farm 16:15
Ring-necked Parakeet silhouetted against sky whilst driving out from reserve, 1 Avocet (hide 1), 1 Snipe, 22 Curlew in field, 600+ Brent Geese. Steve Jellett.

Monday 17th January 2024calm, clear, max9°c

RSPB Bowers Marsh 14:30 to 17:00
7 Marsh Harrier (m & f), 1 Barn Owl, 2 Stonechat, 2 Reed Bunting, 10+ Meadow Pipit, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Pintail, Gadwall, Shoveler, Shelduck, Wigeon, Teal, Tufted Duck, Lapwing, Mallard. 1 Gt White Egret reported - not seen by me. Peter Bowden.

Sunday 16th January 2024west south west, clear, max9°c

Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 08:03 to 10:58
1 Great White Egret [on lagoon], 1 Green Sandpiper, 120 Teal, 11 Shoveler [2 Oozedam Farm], 2 Gadwall [Manorway Fleet], 4 Little Grebe [2 creek, pair Manorway Fleet], 100 Lapwing, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 5 Curlew, 2 Stonechat, 1 Song Thrush, 3 Yellowhammer, 1 Reed Bunting, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Long-tailed Tit, 3 Little Egret, 3 Stock Dove, 2 Shelduck. 1 Fox. Richard Fahey.

Canvey Point 08:30 to 12:15
60 Red-throated Diver, 8 Guillemot, 10 Common Scoter, 63 Great Crested Grebe, 400+ Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Shelduck, 4 Linnet. Terry Blackwell.

Abberton Reservoir 10:30 to 13: 15
House Sparrow, Starling, Collared Dove, Jackdaw, Blackbird, Woodpigeon, Blue Tit, Robin, Wren, Great Tit, Herring Gull, Carrion Crow, Redshank, Egyptian Goose, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, 15 Cormorant, Pheasant, Rook, Red-legged Partridge, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, 18 Mallard, Coot, 20 Goldfinch, Moorhen, 10 Goosander (m/f), Great Black-backed Gull, Common Gull, 30 Lapwing, 3 Great Crested Grebe, Dunnock, 20 Mute Swan, 26 Gadwall, 35 Teal, Red-necked Grebe, 12 Goldeneye, 30 Black-tailed Godwit, 35 Wigeon, 15 Dunlin, 5 Grey Heron, Long-tailed Tit, Canada Goose, Greylag Goose, 50 Tufted Duck, 10 Scaup, 15 Pochard, Smew (Redhead), Great White Egret, Stock Dove, Little Egret, Kestrel, Buzzard. S. Jackson & M. Hill.

EWT Blue House Farm 12:00 to 14:00
Red-breasted Goose (with Brent Geese seen from seawall), 3+ Stonechat, 4 Snipe, 2 Buzzard. Tom Gilbert.

RSPB Bowers Marsh 13:30
Possible Rough-legged Buzzard. NB: very pale head neck and 'shoulders' strongly resembled juvenile Rough-legged Buzzard. The bird was promptly set upon by a pair of Common Buzzard and harried from view, meaning that I didn't managed to get a clear view of the tail which would have been a clincher. I thought I would pass on the sighting all the same, in case of interest or any other possible (or otherwise) sightings in the area. Ross Gardner.

Saturday 15th January 2024variable, clear, max5°c

Canvey Point 09:30 to 10:15
1 Common Snipe, 1 Mediterranean Gull. Terry Blackwell.

Leigh on Sea, Park View Drive 13:20 to 13:22
Grey Wagtail, Great Tit, 2 Long-tailed Tit (only 3rd sighting since 2008). Graham & Kris Mee.

Friday 14th January 2024calm, clear, max8°c

Thundersley Glen 08:00 to 09:00
4 Stock Dove (at least), 1 Green Woodpecker (heard), 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker (1 drumming), 1 Song Thrush (singing), 1 Nuthatch, 1 Treecreeper (singing). Richard Gray.

Hanningfield Reservoir Causeway 11:40
4 Egyptian Geese, very vocal, numerous Greylag Geese and Lapwing, 2 Grey Heron, a few Pochard and Coot. Marion Burch.

Downham 12:00 to 12:05
1 Common Buzzard. Robert Harris.

Hanningfield Reservoir Causeway 12:15 to 12:45
80+ Canada Geese, 32 Greylag Geese, 45 Coot, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 50+ Tufted Duck, 43 Pochard, 38 Mallard, 32 Cormorant, 4 Grey Heron, 7 Carrion Crow, 160+ Lapwing, 4 Mute Swan, 3 Magpie, 1 Moorhen, 9 Woodpigeon, 100+ Black-headed Gull, 26 Herring Gull, 3 Lesser Black-backed Gull. Robert Harris.

RSPB West Canvey Marsh 12:30 to 15:00
3 White-fronted Geese (adults), 40+ Greylag Geese, 30+ Canada Geese, 12 Shoveler, 4 Pintail, 15 Pochard, 8 Tufted Duck, 50+ Teal, 100+ Wigeon, 11 Mute Swan, 2 Little Grebe, 100+ Lapwing, 1 Marsh Harrier, 6 Meadow Pipit, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Pheasant, 30 Curlew, 1 Cetti's Warbler. Terry Blackwell.

Thursday 13th January 2024south westerly, clear, max10°c

Maldon, River Chelmer 12:40 to 12:45
1 Kingfisher perched/fishing, the same or another seen along the River Blackwater at 13:10 some 600 yards from first sighting. Tim Davis.

RSPB Vange Marsh 14:00 to 15:30
5 Pintail (3 male, 2 female), 80+ Wigeon, 120+ Lapwing, 3 Shelduck, Teal, Shoveler, 2 Snipe David Shepherd.

Wednesday 12th January 2024variable, clear, max9°c

Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 09:14 to 11:27
2 Avocet, 1 Marsh Harrier, 100 Teal, 2 Shoveler, 3 Gadwall [Manorway Fleet], 100 Lapwing, 2 Stonechat, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Little Egret, 2 Cetti's warbler, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Little Grebe [Manorway Fleet, including pair], 2 Mute Swan. Richard Fahey.

A12/A130 Howe Green 12:30 to 12:35
1 Common Buzzard. Robert Harris.

Little Braxted 13:00 to 13:30
1 Common Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 1 Jay, 5 Greenfinch, 6 Blue Tit, 4 Blackbird, 21 Fieldfare, 200+ Woodpigeon, 160+ Carrion Crow. Robert Harris.

Abberton Reservoir 13:45 to 14:25
7 Cattle Egret, 2 Great White Egret, 2 Scaup, 4 Goldeneye, 600+ Tufted Duck, 6 Teal, 200+ Pochard, 60+ Mallard, 8 Goosander, 300+ Coot, 6 Moorhen, 100+ Wigeon, 200+ Lapwing, 3 Grey Heron, 37 Mute Swan, 80+ Greylag Geese, 100+ Canada Geese, 7 Pied Wagtail, 150+ Black-headed Gull. Robert Harris.

RSPB Wallasea Island 14:00 to 16:00
2 Marsh Harrier, 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Barn Owl, 2 Twite, Golden plover in hundreds. Hilary Knight.

RSPB Wallasea Island 14:30 to 16:30
2 Twite (thanks to Jeff Delve), 2 Marsh Harrier, 2 Short-eared Owl, 1 Barn Owl, 3 Spoonbill, 1 Peregrine. Russ Payne.

North Fambridge 14:50 to 15:10
150+ Lapwing, 26 Redshank, 10 Dunlin, 4 Oystercatcher, 16 Teal, 80 Wigeon, 25 Golden Plover, Common Buzzard, 30 Black-headed Gull, 9 Herring Gull. Robert Harris.

Woodham Edwin's Hall Road /Crows Lane 15:20 to 15:45
1 Kestrel, 1 Common Buzzard, 200+ Woodpigeon, 7 Blackbird, 36 Black-headed Gull, 7 Rook, 76 Jackdaw, 1 Jay, 180+ Carrion Crow, 24 Starling. Robert Harris.

Hanningfield Reservoir Causeway 16:00 to 16:20
23 Tufted Duck, 21 Pochard, 14 Mallard, 2 Moorhen, 9 Coot, 2 Mute Swan, 8 Cormorant, 60+ Herring Gull, 100+ Black-headed Gull, 5 Carrion Crow, 2 Magpie, 6 Lapwing, 28 Woodpigeon, 2 Blackbird. Robert Harris.

Tuesday 11th January 2024southerly, mostly cloudy, max10°c

Rochford Reservoir 11:50
1 Kingfisher, 1 Little Egret along the brook between reservoir and Bradley Way. Tim Davis.

Hanningfield Reservoir Causeway 15:30 to 15:45
2 Mute Swan, 26 Pochard, 43 Tufted Duck, 32 Cormorant, 1 Moorhen, 36 Coot, 40+ Woodpigeon, 9 Mallard, 4 Carrion Crow, 1 Magpie, 60+ Black-headed Gull, 31 Herring Gull, 3 Lesser Black-backed Gull. Robert Harris.

Monday 10th January 2024south south east, partly cloud, max8°c

Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 07:08 to 09:30
1 Kingfisher, 1 Whimbrel, 1 Marsh Harrier, 10 Wigeon, 2 Shoveler, 2 Little Grebe [creek], 7 Black-tailed Godwit, 50 Lapwing, 2 Curlew, 19 Stock Dove, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Pheasant. 1 Fox. Richard Fahey.

Hanningfield Reservoir Causeway 13:30 to 14:00
1 Moorhen, 24 Coot, 3 Tufted Duck, 16 Mallard, 38 Canada Geese, 5 Greylag Geese, 100+ Black-headed Gull, 31 Herring Gull, 1 Grey Heron, 63 Cormorant, 40+ Woodpigeon, 8 Carrion Crow, 5 Magpie. Robert Harris.

Woodham Edwin's Hall Road /Crows Lane 14:30 to 15:10
60+ Black-headed Gull, 40+ Herring Gull, 12 Blackbird, 1 Robin, 60+ Fieldfare, 24 Redwing, 130+ Carrion Crow, 4 Common Buzzard, 200+ Woodpigeon, 2 Greenfinch, 3 Dunnock, 1 Jay, 32 Jackdaw, 18 Common Pheasant. Robert Harris.

North Fambridge 15:20 to 15:45
120+ Wigeon, 7 Redshank, 2 Curlew, 3 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Dunlin, 1 Oystercatcher, 27 Black-headed Gull, 9 Herring Gull, 2 Blackbird, 50+ Woodpigeon, 36 Carrion Crow, 2 Magpie, 9 Starling. Robert Harris.

Sunday 09th January 2024westerly, clear, max7°c

Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 08:08 to 10:30
1 Whimbrel, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Marsh Harrier, 11 Wigeon, 90 Teal [3 Manorway Fleet], 3 Gadwall [Manorway Fleet], 15 Black-tailed Godwit, 10 Lapwing, 1 Curlew, 4 Redwing, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Meadow Pipit, 43 Stock Dove, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Little Grebe [Manorway Fleet], 1 Little Egret. Richard Fahey.

Abberton Reservoir 08:30 to 12:00
Long-tailed Duck, 12 Goldeneye, 25+ Goosander, 8+ Scaup, 50+ Coot, 10 Cormorant, Chaffinch, Rook, Common Gull, 20+ Herring Gull, Shag, 20+ Teal, 50 Pochard, 10 Shelduck, House Sparrow, Blackbird, Skylark, Starling, Moorhen, Great Crested Grebe, Slavonian Grebe, 20+ Mute Swan, 30+ Snipe, Kestrel, 5 Great White Egret, 6 Cattle Egret, 20+ Redshank, Grey Heron, 100+ Lapwing, Shoveler, Shelduck, Goldfinch. Peter Metcalfe. Name: Peter Metcalfe

RSPB Wallasea Island 13:30 to 16:15
100+ Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Pale-bellied Brent Goose (sadly no sign of Red-breasted Goose), Magpie, Marsh Harrier (m), 50+ Redshank, Pintail, Shoveler, 10+ Shelduck, 10+ Little Egret, Black-tailed Godwit, Kestrel, 3 Spoonbill, Rock Pipit, Barn Owl, Green Sandpiper, Curlew, Avocet, Dublin, Bar-tailed Godwit, Dublin, Cormorant, Pheasant, Short-eared Owl, Hen Harrier. Peter Metcalfe.

Ashingdon 15:20 to 15:25
1 Common Buzzard. Robert Harris.

RSPB Wallasea Island 15:35 to 16:25
2 Little Egret, 3 Curlew, 21 Shelduck, 100+ Wigeon, 23 Mallard, 6 Mute Swan, 3 Kestrel, 3 Marsh Harrier, 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Barn Owl, 200+ Brent Goose, 30 Herring Gull, 2 Great Black-backed Gull, 100+ Black-headed Gull, 2 Blackbird, 8 Carrion Crow, 4 Magpie, 9 Common Pheasant, 150+ Lapwing, 300+ Golden Plover, 100+ Dunlin, 30+ Grey Plover, 3 Corn Bunting, 50+ Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Grey Heron, 200+ Woodpigeon. Robert Harris.

Saturday 08th January 2024south south west, partly cloudy, max10°c

Southchurch Park East 08:27
1 Water Rail in brook shallows west of footbridge, then into reedbed cover (very elusive bird this season). Robert Dobinson.

Thorpe Bay 13:00
1 Water Rail spotted in my back garden. Marie.

Canvey Point 13:00 to 15:00
4 Red-throated Diver, 1 Guillemot, 1 Common Scoter, 4 Shelduck, 15 Wigeon, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 39 Sanderling, 12 Curlew, 1 Peregrine Falcon. Terry Blackwell.

Friday 07th January 2024west south west, clear, max6°c

Southend Pier 13:15
2 Little Auk seen from the pier head. David Davies.

Thursday 06th January 2024south south west, partly cloudy, max7°c

Pound wood 10:30 to 12:00
1 Hawfinch, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Nuthatch, 2 Buzzard, 1 Sparrowhawk, 6 Redwing, 13 Jay, 7 Goldfinch. Jeff Elliott and John Knott.

Canvey Point 11:50 to 15:10
16 Red-throated Diver, 15 Guillemot, 1 Razorbill, 1 Velvet Scoter, 40+ Great Crested Grebe, 12 Ringed Plover, 50+ Grey Plover, 59 Sanderling, 800+ Knot, 400+ Dunlin, 500+ Oystercatcher, 6 Curlew, 5 Redshank, 6 Turnstone, 2 Rock Pipit, 1 Peregrine Falcon. 8 Common Seal, 2 Grey Seal. Terry Blackwell.

RSPB Wallasea Island 14:45 to 15:35
1 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 100+ Canada Geese, 200+ Brent Geese, 150+ Wigeon, 50+ Woodpigeon, 60+ Lapwing, 40+ Shelduck, 200+ Black-headed Gull, 60+ Herring Gull, 4 Kestrel, 1 Barn Owl, 12 Common Pheasant, 5 Magpie, 9 Carrion Crow, 60+ Starling 4 Teal. Robert Harris.

Wednesday 05th January 2024westerly, clear, max6°c

Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 08:03 to 10:30
1 Whimbrel, 1 Green Sandpiper, 15 Avocet, 28 Wigeon, 100 Teal, 300 Lapwing, 6 Curlew, 16 Fieldfare, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 62 Stock Dove, 2 Linnet. Richard Fahey.

RSPB Wallasea Island 08:20 to 11:20
1 Glossy Ibis (Pool Marsh), 3 Spoonbill (Fitzroy Lagoon), 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Kestrel, 2 Snipe. Tim Davis.

Hanningfield Reservoir 10:00 to 12:15
100's of Lapwing, 50+ Cormorant, 85 Canada Geese, 3 Egyptian Geese, 15 Mallard, 50+ Coot, 38 Wigeon, 11 Tufted Duck, Little Egret, Mute Swan, 14 Greylag Geese, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 3, Blue Tit, 1 Great Tit, Robin, 2m + 3 f Goosander, pr. Goldeneye, Herring Gull, 18 Black-headed Gull, 2 Crow. Chris Henry.

Canvey Point 13:15 to 15:15
6 Red-throated Diver, 11 Guillemot, 2 Razorbill, 2 Mediterranean Gull, 4 Mallard, 39 Teal, 6 Wigeon, 500+ Oystercatcher, 200+Dunlin, 15 Redshank, 1 Rock Pipit. Terry Blackwell.

Thorpe Bay 13:20
2 Ring-necked Parakeet (one methodically trying but failing to access the birdfeeder), 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker on the birdfeeder - frightened away by the Parakeets, 5 Great Tit (also scared away by the Parakeets), 1 female Blackbird. Mark Sadler.

RSPB Vange Marsh 14:00 to 15:30
100+ Black-tailed Godwit, 12 Avocet, 30+ Lapwing, 5 Shelduck, 3 Pintail, Shoveler, 2 Buzzard. David Shepherd.

Woodham Edwin's Hall Road /Crows Lane 15:00 to 15:25
7 Common Pheasant, 4 Red-legged Partridge, 1 Kestrel, 1 Grey Heron, 200+ Carrion Crow, 5 Magpie, 4 Blackbird, 3 Chaffinch, 9 Rook, 150+ Jackdaw, 150+ Woodpigeon. Robert Harris.

North Fambridge 15:45 to 16:10
Common Pheasant, 1 Kestrel, 300+ Carrion Crow, 3 Magpie, 2 Blackbird, 40+ Rook, 100+ Jackdaw, 80+ Woodpigeon, Little Grebe, 45 Wigeon, 3 Oystercatcher, 4 Black-tailed Godwit, 50+ Lapwing, 4 Redshank, 5 Herring Gull, 9 Black-headed Gull. Robert Harris.

Tuesday 04th January 2024south westerly, light snow, max8°c

Canvey Point 10:00 to 12:45
42 Red-throated Diver, 4 Guillemot, 1 Razorbill, 1 Common Scoter, 1 Kittiwake, 7 Mediterranean Gull, 30+ Great Crested Grebe, 7 Shelduck, 1000+ Dunlin, 50+ Grey Plover. 6 Common Seal, 2 Grey Seal. Terry Blackwell.

Hockley 13:20 to 13:40
3 Siskin (2m,1f) on garden feeders during brief snow flurry. Tim Davis.

Hanningfield Reservoir Causeway 14:00 to 14:25
1 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 42 Cormorant, 3 Tufted Duck, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 36 Lapwing, 46 Mallard, 130+ Coot, 86 Canada Geese, 7 Greylag Geese, 8 Carrion Crow, 4 Magpie, 100+ Black-headed Gull, 41 Herring Gull, 3 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 42 Woodpigeon. Robert Harris.

Woodham Edwin's Hall Road /Crows Lane 14:45 to 15:10
140+ Black-headed Gull, 150+ Carrion Crow, 100+ Jackdaw, 52 Rook, 6 Blackbird, 1 Greenfinch, 60+ Starling, 7 Red-legged Partridge, 8 Common Pheasant, 1 Kestrel. Robert Harris.

Southend Airport Business Park 15:20 to 16:25
1 Black Redstart (female-type along grey boarding - same location as last winter). Tom Lantaff.

North Fambridge 15:30 to 16:10
1 Little Egret, 1 Common Buzzard, 46 Woodpigeon, 1 Curlew, 3 Redshank, 50+ Lapwing, 60+ Wigeon, 60+ Carrion Crow, 1 Magpie, 32 Jackdaw, 9 Black-headed Gull, 4 Herring Gull. Robert Harris.

Monday 03rd January 2024south westerly, mostly cloudy, max10°c

Canvey Point 09:30 to 12:50
48 Red-throated Diver, 14 Guillemot, 27 Shelduck, 2 Mediterranean Gull, 1000+ Dunlin 36 Sanderling, 54 Ringed Plover, 10 Redshank, 50+ Curlew, 20 Cormorant. 3 Grey Seal, 4 Common Seal. Terry Blackwell.

Rayleigh Mount 10:45 to 12:45
1 Jay, 2 Mallard (1 male, 1 female), 1 Song Thrush, 1 female Great Spotted Woodpecker. Max and Fauzia.

Stambridge to Paglesham Lagoon 10:45 to 13:00
10 Wood Pigeon, 6 Collared Dove, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Robin, 4 Pheasant, 7 Corn Bunting, Linnet, 100+ Carrion Crow, Kestrel, Buzzard, Marsh Harrier, 200+ Stock Dove, 20+ Gadwall, 30+ Shoveler, 8 Tufted Duck, 40 Coot, 12 Mute Swan, 20 Pochard, 10 Cormorant, 4 Little Grebe, 100+ Black-headed Gull, 20 Herring Gull, 4 Lesser Black-backed Gull. Peter Metcalfe.

RSPB Bowers Marsh 12:00
1 Black Swan. Terry Mitchell.

Woodham Edwin's Hall Road /Crows Lane 15:45 to 16:10
400+ Carrion Crow, 150+ Jackdaw, 60+ Rook, 5 Blackbird, 9 Red-legged Partridge, 6 Common Pheasant, 4 Ringed-necked Pheasant, 1 Dunnock, 50+ Woodpigeon, 1 Kestrel 1 Common Buzzard. Robert Harris.

Sunday 02nd January 2024south westerly, partly cloudy, max12°'c

Leigh on Sea, Park View Drive 08:00 to 13:00
Grey Wagtail around pond all morning. Kris & Graham Mee.

Fobbing Marsh/Coryton 08:15 to 10:45
1 Green Sandpiper [over area], 2 Avocet, 1 Marsh Harrier, 4 Wigeon, 100 Teal, 12 Shoveler [including 2 Oozedam Fm.], 4 Gadwall [Manorway Fleet], 7 Curlew, 1 Stonechat, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Little Egret, 3 Cetti's Warbler, 13 Stock Dove, 1 Pheasant. 1 Grey Squirrel. Richard Fahey.

Canvey Point 09:45 to 11:45
32 Red-throated Diver, 2 Guillemot, 4 Red-breasted Merganser (females), 15 Shelduck, 22 Teal, 2 Mallard, 150 Dark bellied Brent Goose, 4 Wigeon, 4 Mediterranean Gull, 1000+ Dunlin, 350+ Curlew, 35 Grey Plover, 1 Redshank. Terry Blackwell.

Abberton Reservoir 13:00 to 14:00
8 Cattle Egret, 1 Great White Egret, 2 Grey Heron, 6 Pied Wagtail, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Kestrel, 60+ Mute Swan, 100+ Greylag Geese, 100+ Canada Geese, 15 Goosander, 500+ Tufted Duck, 200+ Pochard, 150+ Shoveler, 150+ Mallard, 300+ Coot, 12 Goldeneye, 200+ Cormorant, 60+ Carrion Crow, 200+ Black-headed Gull, 2 Red-legged Partridge, 3 Common Pheasant. Robert Harris.

Belfairs Nature Reserve 14:00
2 Ring-necked Parakeet harassing a Sparrowhawk. Jonathan Ray-Smith.

Little Braxted 14:20 to 14:40
1 Jay, 50+ Carrion Crow, 70+ Woodpigeon, 2 Collared Dove, 5 Blue Tit, 2 Chaffinch, 5 Red-legged Partridge, 3 Common Pheasant, 2 Ringed-necked Pheasant, 1 Kestrel. Robert Harris.

North Fambridge 15:00 to 15:25
6 Shelduck, 100+ Wigeon, 2 Oystercatcher, 90+ Lapwing, 23 Golden Plover, 16 Redshank, 1 Curlew, 1 Little Egret, 8 Mallard, 4 Herring Gull, 9 Black-headed Gull, 3 Blackbird, 2 Collared Dove, 15 Woodpigeon. Robert Harris.

Woodham Edwin's Hall Road /Crows Lane 15:35 to 16:05
27 Rook, 250+ Carrion Crow, 80+ Jackdaw, 3 Kestrel, 14 Red-legged Partridge, 9 Common Pheasant, 200+ Fieldfare, 40+ Redwing, 4 Blackbird, 50+ Woodpigeon. Robert Harris.

Hanningfield Reservoir Causeway 16:15 to 16:30
100+ Canada Geese, 43 Greylag Geese, 4 Egyptian Geese, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 180+ Coot, 32 Mallard, 38 Black-headed Gull, 17 Herring Gull, 12 Carrion Crow, 1 Magpie, 8 Cormorant. Robert Harris.

Saturday 01st January 2024south westerly, partly cloudy, max15°

Hockley 09:25 to 09:30
1 male Siskin on garden feeders. Tim Davis.

Leigh on Sea, Park View Drive 10:00 to 15:00
1 Wren, 2 Jay, 8 Greenfinch, 14 Goldfinch in garden. Graham & Kris Mee.

Woodham Edwin's Hall Road /Crows Lane 15:20 to 15:45
130+ Jackdaw, 450+ Carrion Crow, 36 Rook, 1 Red-legged Partridge, 6 Common Pheasant, 2 Blackbird, 50+ Woodpigeon, 1 Blue Tit. Robert Harris.

Disclaimers: Some of our sightings are reported by a single observer (who may or may not be known to us) and will not always have been corroborated. In all cases the observers name will accompany the report. We cannot always check the sightings directly and we have to rely on the experience of the observer. The Web Author retains the right not to publish some reports until further evidence has been submitted. In the case of major rarities the observer may be asked to submit a description to the county recorders.

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For other local sightings please visit the website of the Southend Ornithological Group.