| March 2012 |
contact the web author on Skype
|
2012 Nightingale Survey - can you help? click here.
Thursday 15th March 2012Latest Wildlife News - updated 14/03/12
Hockley Woods, 10:20 to 12:30
1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Green Woodpecker, 10 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Treecreeper. Paul Baker (SOG).
Billericay 10:45
1 Buzzard flying over garden being mobbed by gulls. Marion Burch.
Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 13:00 to 13:15
1 Comma. Paul Baker (SOG).
Southend Airport, 14:30 to 16:30
1 Kingfisher flew along brook towards golf course, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Skylark. Paul Baker (SOG).
Paglesham Boatyard 15:40
Thin winged Harrier, slight orange breast, possibly Montagu's Harrier today and yesterday around boat yard. Gary Dunn (www.ladyessex.com).
Paglesham Eastend, 16:10 to 16:45
1 Little Egret, 1 Short-eared Owl quartering the seawall and field edges north east of Paglesham Boatyard and showing well, 1 Mistle Thrush singing, 3 Corn Bunting. Mike Bailey (SOG).
Paglesham, 16:55
1 immature male Marsh Harrier hunting fields around access road to sewage works. Mike Bailey (SOG).
RSPB Wallasea Island, 17:30 to 18:00
2 Hen Harrier (male and female ringtails together over WBC, both flew east rather than roosting in the crop), 1 Short-eared Owl hunting the wild bird cover. Jeff Delve (SOG).
Wednesday 14th March 2012easterly, hazy, max10°
Chelmsford, Marconi Ponds Nature Reserve 07:20
1 Chiffchaff singing from top of tree, my first spring migrant of the year. Paul Forsdick.
Ferndale Road, Rayleigh, 07:35 to 08:00
1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming, 1 Skylark singing, 3 Bullfinch (2 males). Neil Chambers (SOG).
Leigh on Sea, Park View Drive 08:15
Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming extremely loudly on telegraph pole opposite house! Web Author, Kris Mee.
Abberton Reservoir and Layer Breton Causeway, 09:45 to 16:00
2 drake Goosander, Goldeneye, c.10 Great Crested Grebe, many Teal and Shoveler, Pochard, Wigeon, Tufted Duck, Mallard, Gadwall, 4 Shelduck, nesting Cormorant, 1 Egyptian Goose, Canada Goose, Greylag Goose, 2 Little Egret, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Kestrel, 1 Meadow Pipit, 4 Goldfinch, 6 Skylark, 4 Pied Wagtail, 3 Jay. Good sightings of 2 Stoat, 1 entering water and swimming 5 meters between fleeing Teal! David & Brenda Hale.
Tuesday 13th March 2012easterly, mostly cloudy, max8°
Ashingdon, Princess Gardens 06:15
1 male Blackcap singing from our overgrown ivy. David Selley.
Southchurch Park East 07:50
Male Mute Swan in Southchurch Park East seen on last years nest doing some rebuilding work. Alec Beanse.
Baxter Avenue Southend, 08:20 to 10:00
1 Peregrine Falcon on west side of Portcullis House but disturbed as preparation work to knock down building is underway. John Wright (SOG).
RSPB West Canvey Marsh 10:00 to 12:30
2 Little Egret, 3 Green Sandpiper, 30+ Curlew, 4 Heron, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Cormorant, 1 Mediterranean Gull, numerous Wigeon, Teal, Shoveler, Little Grebe, 2 Pochard, 10 Tufted Duck, 2 Shelduck, 4 Skylark, 1 Green Woodpecker, Cetti's Warbler heard. Hilary Knight.
Wat Tyler Country Park 13:00 to 15:00
Sightings from first hide only: 1 Wren, 1 Snipe, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 adult Mediterranean Gull, 2 pairs Teal, 2 pairs Mallard, 1 pair Shoveler, 2 Mute Swan. 100's of usual Gulls, 4 Lapwing, 3 Oystercatcher, Cetti's Warbler heard, 2 Great Crested Grebe, many Little Grebe, Pochard, Canada and Greylag Geese. Reports of Water Rail sightings, by other birder in hide. David & Brenda Hale.
Chelmsford, Baddow Meads 16:30
4 Goosander (two pairs, male and female) either side of Barnes Mill Lock. Paul Forsdick.
Monday 12th March 2012northerly, haze, max9°
Chelmsford, Central Park 07:15
2 Goosander (male and female) on lake alongside many Mallard, Coot, Moorhen and Black-headed Gull. Paul Forsdick.
RSPB Vange Marsh 11:00
37 Avocet, 54 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Green Sandpiper. Mike Poole.
Shoebury East Beach 11:30 to 16:30
c.200 Sanderling, c.100 Oystercatcher, Dunlin, Common, Herring and Black-headed Gull, pair of Song Thrush, Blackbird, 4 Goldfinch, Turnstone, Cormorant, 1 Ringed Plover. Redshank, Curlew, 1 Little Egret, 1 Pied Wagtail, small murmuration of Starling, Blue Tit, Carrion Crow, Green Woodpecker heard. David & Brenda Hale.
Barling (Mucking Hall Road) 17:15
2 Red-legged Partridge. Jackie Bliss.
Two Tree Island East, 17:40 to 18:45
1 Water Rail, 1 Woodcock, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Reed Bunting. Graham Ryland (SOG).
Sunday 11th March 2012west north west, scattered clouds, max14°
Chelmsford, Baddow Meads and Manor Farm 08:30 to 10:30
5 Goosander (possibly as many as 9), 2 Gadwall, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 7 Tufted Duck, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming at Sandford Mill, 3+ Green Woodpecker, 2 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Mistle Thrush, 2 Song Thrush, 1 Little Egret, 5+ Linnet, 2 Mute Swan (pair engaging in courtship), 2 Pied Wagtail, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Common Gull, 1 Herring Gull, 3 Coot, Blackbird, Black-headed Gull, Blue Tit, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Collared Dove, Dunnock, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Great Tit, Magpie, Mallard, Moorhen, Pheasant, Reed Bunting, Robin, Skylark, Starling, Wren, Woodpigeon. Paul Forsdick.
RSPB Vange Marsh c.08:35 to 11:20
Single Bearded Tit at each end of marsh, pair of Pintail, 27 Wigeon (included a pair on lagoon), 5 Gadwall, 6 Avocet, 3 Green Sandpiper on small lagoon, c.15 Black-tailed Godwit, Cetti's Warbler heard, 1 Little Egret, 10 Fieldfare just outside west end of reserve, 1 Green Woodpecker, pair of Oystercatcher. Richard Fahey.
Hockley Woods 09:45
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker 50mtrs. south west of newly coppiced area. Pat Danridge.
Gunners Park, 10:15 to 11:15
2 Red-legged Partridge, 1 Lapwing, 20 Wood Pigeon, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Song Thrush, 2 Long-tailed Tit, 200+ Starling, 6 Greenfinch. Brian Baldock (SOG).
Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 10:50
1 Skylark flew over, calling. Paul Baker (SOG).
Two Tree Island, 11:30 to 14:40
WEBS count: 4 Little Egret, 77 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 60 Teal, 38 Mallard, 1 Sparrowhawk, 7 Moorhen, 4 Coot, 220 Oystercatcher, 2 Ringed Plover, 74 Grey Plover, 564 Knot, 501 Dunlin, 16 Black-tailed Godwit, 60 Bar-tailed Godwit, 4 Turnstone, 1 Green Woodpecker, 5 Skylark, 1 Meadow Pipit, 2 Stonechat, 2 Long-tailed Tit, 3 Reed Bunting, 1 Corn Bunting. Graham Ryland (SOG).
Southend Pier, 12:30 to 13:45
1 Purple Sandpiper on ramp with Turnstone, 65 Turnstone, 3 Mediterranean Gull (2w and two 1w). Mike Bailey (SOG).
Chalkwell Park Drive, Leigh, 12:30 to 15:30
1 Buzzard west over garden at 14:00, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Redwing, 6 Goldfinch. John Wright (SOG).
Coalhouse Fort and Grasslands 15:00 to 17:30
300 Avocet on river at high tide, 30 Teal, 200+ Black-headed Gull, 25 Shelduck, 3 Cormorant, 23 Mallard, Meadow Pipit, Corn Bunting, 3 Skylark, 3 Reed Bunting, 3 Mute swan, 1 Little Egret, 4 Curlew, 12 Oystercatcher, Herring Gull, 10 Redshank, 8 Grey Plover, 15 Golden Plover, 106 Dunlin, 21 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Pied Wagtail, 2 Mistle Thrush, 2 Short-eared Owl quartering shoreline east of fort, 1 Little Owl in trees at car park side of Fort. G. Dixon.
RSPB West Canvey Marsh, 16:00 to 17:30
11 Little Grebe, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 6 Little Egret, 2 Grey Heron, 28 Curlew (Wet grassland), 1 Green Sandpiper heard, 3 Short-eared Owl on Bowers viewed from seawall, 2 in air together being mobbed by crow with 3rd sat on fencepost, 1 Cetti's Warbler heard. Martin Cracknell (SOG).
Hornchurch, 16:15
Peregrine Falcon. Sarah Bourne.
RSPB Wallasea Island, 16:30 to 17:20
3 Hen Harrier, 2 Short-eared Owl. Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).
Two Tree Island East, 17:45 to 18:00
4 Little Egret, 2 Snipe, 1 male Stonechat, 2 Cetti's Warbler singing, 1 female Reed Bunting. Paul Baker, Don Petrie (SOG).
Two Tree Island East, 18:00 to 18:50
1 Snipe, 1 Woodcock, 1 Barn Owl flew around edge of reedy pool, 1 Cetti's Warbler singing. 5 Common Pipistrelle, 1 Rabbit. John Wright, Mike Bailey, Paul Baker, Vince Kinsler, Don Petrie (SOG).
Saturday 10th March 2012westerly, scattered clouds, max16°
Shoebury East Beach, 06:45 to 07:15
1 Shore Lark on public side of beach, 1 Black Redstart on first building on mod side of beach. Lee Ebbs (SOG).
Wakering Stairs 07:00 to 08:30
1 Little Egret, C.450 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 9 Shelduck, 6 Mallard, 4 Teal on the borrowdyke, 12 Red-legged Partridge, 5 Common Pheasant, 2 Short-eared Owl, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Song Thrush singing, 3 Redwing (one in brief sub-song, possibly encouraged by the Song Thrush), 5 Skylark, 50+ Chaffinch, 2 Greenfinch. David Selley.
Shoebury East Beach, 07:30 to 08:15
1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming, 1 Shore Lark on both sides of MOD fence, 1 Meadow Pipit, 1 Black Redstart around first MOD building. Neil Chambers, John Wright (SOG).
Shoebury East Beach, 07:50 to 08:25
1 Shore Lark on the beach both sides of MOD fence, 1 Black Redstart on MOD building by metal stairs. John Wright (SOG).
Gunners Park, 08:30 to 08:35
Drive through only: More bushes have been hacked to pieces, south of children's playground. 2 Sparrowhawk (pair). John Wright (SOG).
South Fambridge, 08:40 to 09:30
Brandy Hole and back: 3 Little Grebe, 8 Great Crested Grebe, 1 female Marsh Harrier on BHF, 1 ringtail Hen Harrier hunting salt marsh at Brandy Hole, 70+ Avocet, 20+ Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Meadow Pipit, 1 Rock Pipit, 3 Reed Bunting (1 singing). Neil Chambers (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park/Vange Wick 08:55 to 12:30
1 Water Rail in front of hide but chased off by a Moorhen, drake Pintail, -100 Wigeon on Vange Wick, 25+ Teal, 5 Avocet, 15+ Black-tailed Godwit on creek (included a colour ringed Iceland bird), Cetti's Warbler heard, 1 Snipe close to hide, 17 Pochard, pair of Oystercatcher on creek. Richard Fahey.
Shoebury East Beach, 09:20 to 10:05
1 Black Redstart, 1 male Stonechat. Vince Kinsler, Sally Brierley (SOG).
Flemming Avenue, Leigh on Sea, 13:00 to 13:30
1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Goldfinch, 6 Common Frog. Brian Baldock (SOG).
Rayleigh Mount, 13:15 to 13:50
1 female Sparrowhawk, 1 female Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Rook. 1 Common Frog. Paul Baker (SOG).
Rochford Golf Course, 14:00 to 17:45
2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Skylark singing over airport, 1 Meadow Pipit flew south-west, 1 Song Thrush singing, 2 Mistle Thrush (1 singing). Neil Chambers (SOG).
Pitsea 16:15 to 16:30
1 Short-eared Owl. Phil Shaw.
Shoebury East Beach, 16:20 to 17:00
1 Green Woodpecker on roof of large wooden building, 1 Black Redstart (not present until 16:50 when seen on roof of large wooden building beyond light green one, then flycatching and feeding from gutters of light green MOD building on seaward side), 1 male Stonechat occasionally feeding on roof of first brick built MOD building. Paul Baker (SOG).
Shoebury, Friars Park, 17:05 to 17:20
2 Mute Swan, 1 Common Frog (squashed!), 1 Brown Rat. Paul Baker (SOG).
Maitland Place, North Shoebury, 17:25
Female Sparrowhawk taking a House Sparrow from thick ivy on side of house (established nesting area for sparrows - 25+ birds). After 2 - 3 minutes on the ground, Sparrowhawk flew off with kill intact. Mike & Jackie Bliss.
Friday 09th March 2012west south west, mostly cloudy, max11°
Lion Creek, 07:00 to 07:15
1 ringtail Hen Harrier, 4 Yellowhammer. Bob Young (SOG).
Shoebury East Beach 07:15 to 07:50
Shore Lark feeding on beach near the slipway then flew to the MOD compound. Black Redstart on coastguard building. Doug and Tina Holden.
Wat Tyler Country Park, 07:50 to 08:25
Hide only: 45+ Canada Goose, 11 Avocet, 3 Cetti's Warbler singing. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Shoebury East Beach, 08:00 to 08:25
1 Shore Lark on MOD beach, 50yd from fence, 1 Black Redstart on first MOD building. Paul Griggs, Mike Bailey, Bob Young (SOG).
Shoebury East Beach 08:30 to 09:15
Shore Lark showing very well situated near the MOD buildings in tideline debris. Flew overhead and landed on shingle, again feeding on tide line debris about 200ft from fence on public side of beach, Black Redstart also showing nicely, on MOD buildings by radars. Noel Barnes.
Shoebury East Beach, 10:00 to 10:15
1 Shore Lark on beach near playground, close views. Peter Collins (SOG).
Shoebury East Beach, 10:00 to 11:15
1 Shore Lark using whole length of beach between 10:30 and 11:00, often on the mud and chasing turnstones! 1 Black Redstart on pale green MOD building. Matt Bruty (SOG).
Chigborough Lakes 10:45 to 11:45
1 Glossy Ibis between Lofts Farm and Scraley Road, 1 Cetti's Warbler singing, 10 Egyptian Geese. Paul Gymer.
Eastwood Sewage Works, 12:30 to 13:15
1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff singing. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).
Chelmsford, Springfield Lock and Baddow Meads 15:45 to 16:00
2 Goosander (male and female), 5 Skylark, 1 Meadow Pipit, 7 Moorhen, 3 Magpie, 1 Robin, 1 Song Thrush, 2 Collared Dove, 2 Carrion Crow, 10+ Woodpigeon. Paul Forsdick.
Wyatts Drive 16:05
After a long absence the Thorpe Bay Red-legged Partridge has shown up again in a front garden in Wyatts Drive between Meadow Drive and Brettenham Drive. http://i648.photobucket.com/albums/uu204/zuhmevlox/Partridge.jpg. Alec Beanse.
Thursday 08th March 2012west north west, clear, max12°
Heybridge 07:30
1 Glossy Ibis feeding on a horse paddock by Chigbourough Lakes 30 feet from the road. Nigel Norton.
Shoebury East Beach, 07:45 to 08:15
1 Shore Lark on beach initially, then on the boom. Paul Baker (SOG).
Shoebury East Beach, 07:50 to 08:10
1 Shore Lark. Marc Outten (SOG).
Southend, 08:25
1 Sparrowhawk Royal Artillery Way mobbed by a Crow. Paul Baker (SOG).
Hockley Woods, 09:00 to 10:40
Mostly watching from Gusted Hall ridge: 5 Sparrowhawk (at least) distinct soaring birds over woodland, 4 Green Woodpecker, 7 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 20+ Redwing (two small flocks), 1 Mistle Thrush singing, 1 Goldcrest singing, 3 Treecreeper (singing birds). Jeff Delve (SOG).
Coalhouse Fort, East Tilbury 09:45 to 16:00
c.500 Avocet, Knot, Dunlin, Grey Plover, Shelduck, Mallard, Teal, Cormorant, Curlew, Black-tailed Godwit, Oystercatcher, Black-headed, Lesser Black-backed and Herring Gull, 2 Little Egret, 2 pair Stonechat, 2 Corn Bunting, 1 pair Reed Bunting, 1 pair Mistle Thrush, Great Tit, Blue Tit, flock of 10 House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Robin, Kestrel, 1 Green Woodpecker, Starling, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Blackbird. David & Brenda Hale.
Wat Tyler Country Park 10:30 to 12:30
Sightings: on the RSPB walk: Sparrowhawk, Greenfinch, Blackbird, House Sparrow, Collared Dove, Woodpigeon, Carrion Crow 
, Rook, Great Black-backed Gull, Moorhen, Coot, Little Grebe, Canada Goose, Greylag Goose, Shelduck, Buzzard , Lapwing, Black-tailed Godwit, Spotted Redshank , Redshank, Greenshank, Barn Owl , Kestrel, Teal, Wigeon, Curlew, Cetti's Warbler, Mediterranean Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Common Gull, Black-headed Gull, Grey Heron , Mallard, Pochard , Shoveler, Tufted Duck , Blue Tit, Great Tit, Starling, Cormorant, Wren . Terry Jeffreys.
Wat Tyler Country Park, 11:00 to 11:10
1 Buzzard over the landfill site. Marc Outten (SOG).
Hadleigh Downs, 15:30 to 16:00
1 Woodcock. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park, 15:30 to 16:20
2 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Little Egret, 1 male Marsh Harrier, 1 Water Rail (1 heard), 1 Snipe, 1 Mediterranean Gull (adult near summer), 1 Stock Dove, 2+ Cetti's Warbler. Paul Baker (SOG).
Maldon, River Chelmer 15:45 to 15:50
1 drake Green-winged Teal. Tim Davis.
Waitrose, Eastern Avenue 17:45
Little Owl behind car wash, sitting in usual tree. Don Wildish.
Wednesday 07th March 2012south westerly, light rain, Max8°
No reports
Tuesday 06th March 2012north westerly, scattered clouds, max9°
East Tilbury/Coalhouse Fort c.08:40 to 12:30
500+ Avocet, 14 Bar-tailed Godwit, 300+ Black-tailed Godwit, 2 pairs of Oystercatcher, 55 Lapwing circled over Coalhouse Fort, 1 Little Egret, at least 5 Stonechat (included 2 pairs), 1 Redwing, Fieldfare, 12+ Linnet, 10+ Corn Bunting, 1 Green Woodpecker, 48 Teal. Also a bird seen briefly in flight at Coalhouse Fort could have been a Woodcock being larger than a Snipe with a direct flight. Richard Fahey.
Shoebury East Beach, 09:30 to 11:00
20 Ringed Plover, 100+ Sanderling, 40 Redshank, 30+ Turnstone, 1 Snow Bunting. Peter Collins (SOG).
RSPB Wat Tyler Country Park 09:30 to 13:45
Sightings from hide only: 1 Bittern dropped into reeds on other side of road to the left of the hide behind `NO FISHING' sign, 1 Water Rail feeding out in open in front of hide, 6 Snipe, 2 adult Mediterranean Gull, Lapwing, 1 Black Tailed Godwit. Most water fowl now in pairs including; Shelduck, Tufted Duck, Shoveler, Teal, Mallard and Pochard, large flock of fly by Wigeon, Little Grebe, Canada and Greylag Geese, many Black-headed, Lesser Black-backed and Herring Gull, 2 Grey Heron, 2 Cormorant, 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Kestrel, Cetti's Warbler showing frequently. David & Brenda Hale.
RSPB West Canvey Marsh 10:00 to 12:30
1 Short Eared Owl (pantile area), 2 Green Woodpecker, 3 Reed Bunting, 2 Little Egret, 30+ Wigeon, 6 Tufted Duck, 6 Shoveler, 6 Skylark, 12 Curlew, Little Grebe (many), Grey Heron, Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit. Hilary Knight.
Hadleigh Downs, 15:00 to 15:30
2 Bullfinch. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).
Monday 05th March 2012north westerly, rain, max7°
Canvey Point, 09:25 to 10:40
2 Red-throated Diver, 26 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Black-necked Grebe (possibly 2 feeding in tight group of grebes between the point and the pier), 1 female Merlin gave prolonged scope views crossing from Kent to hunt on the point c.10:15. Vince Kinsler (SOG).
Shoebury East Beach, 09:30 to 10:45
1 Red-throated Diver, 4 Great Crested Grebe, 1 adult Gannet, 1 female Merlin flew north offshore at 10:35, 1 Knot, 1 Green Woodpecker. 1 Common Seal. Paul Baker (SOG).
RSPB Vange Marsh 11:00
18 Avocet, 1 Common Sandpiper, 54 Shoveler, c.250 Wigeon, c.80 Teal. Mike Poole.
Rayleigh / Eastwood, 15:30
1 Sparrowhawk by Silver Jubilee pub. Paul Baker (SOG).
Sunday 04th March 2012southerly, heavy rain and drizzle, max9°
Shoebury East Beach, 07:00 to 07:30
30+ Ringed Plover, 1 Shore Lark at base of slipway. Dave Knight (SOG).
Shoebury East Beach, 08:00 to 08:30
1 Shore Lark, 2 Snow Bunting. Mike Clarke (SOG).
Shoebury East Beach, 08:15 to 10:20
1 Shore Lark still present but often elusive; was seen at one point to fly a couple of hundred yards along the beach east into the MOD side and disappear into the next non visible bay before reappearing 20 minutes later by the boom, 1 Black Redstart 
on the buildings around the Coastwatch Hut, 2 Snow Bunting. Steve Arlow (SOG, www.birdersplayground.co.uk).
Canvey Point, 09:20 to 09:50
3 Black-necked Grebe (2 in summer plumage, drifted east on tide with small group of GCGs). Tim Bourne (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park, c.09:25 to 12:35
Hide only: 1 Marsh Harrier came close to scrape but flew east and was last seen high over South Benfleet, 1 Bearded Tit, 9 Snipe on scrape, Cetti's Warbler heard very closely and seen briefly flying, pair of Avocet, Water Rail heard, c.7 Teal, 10 Shoveler included 2 pairs on scrape, 11 Tufted Duck, 1 Little Egret flew down to marshes, pair of Oystercatcher on scrape, 10 Lapwing included displaying pair on scrape. Richard Fahey.
Leigh on Sea, Lansdowne Avenue 09:30
1 Redwing. Matt Bruty (SOG).
Shoebury East Beach, 09:30 to 10:00
2 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 21 Sanderling, 1 Shore Lark, 1 Snow Bunting. Brian Baldock (SOG).
Canvey Point, 09:50 to 10:30
2 Black-necked Grebe (at least 2 of the 3 seen earlier somewhat distantly with group of Great Crested Grebe disappearing on ebbing tide towards the pier), 11 Common Scoter, 1 adult Mediterranean Gull. Martin Cracknell, Tim Bourne (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park, 10:00 to 11:00
1 immature male Marsh Harrier, 2 Avocet, 9 Snipe, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Bearded Tit. Mike Clarke (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park, 11:00 to 13:00
16 Greylag Goose, 10 Canada Goose, 1 distant Marsh Harrier, 1 Spotted Redshank in creek, 1 Cetti's Warbler singing close to main hide. Lee Ebbs (SOG).
Shoebury East Beach, 14:00 to 15:00
1 Shore Lark (fly by from MOD area heading south west along beach, it landed but I couldn't relocate it), 1 Snow Bunting (a very bedraggled bird by boat ramp). Jeff Delve (SOG).
Saturday 03rd March 2012south westerly, mostly cloudy, max13°
Shoebury East Beach, 07:10 to 09:10
3 Red-legged Partridge (north of boom looking a bit out of place), 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Shore Lark (mostly between slipway and boom, but with a brief foray north of the boom), 2 Rock Pipit, 2 Snow Bunting feeding near boom then flew north. Neil Chambers, Martin Cracknell, Lee Ebbs, Vince Kinsler, Don Petrie, John Wright (SOG).
Southchurch, Rylands Road 08:00 to 08:05
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming on tv ariel. Dave Knight (SOG).
Shoebury East Beach, 08:50 to 09:15
1 Shore Lark. John Wright (SOG).
RSPB Vange Marsh c.9:10 to 11:15
c.18 Avocet, 320 Wigeon, 30+ Teal, 1 Little Egret, Cetti's Warbler heard, 1 Green Woodpecker. Richard Fahey.
Cambridge Road, Near Wilson Road 10:00
1 Hummingbird Hawk Moth feeding on winter flowering Viburnum x Bodnantense 'Dawn' in garden. Mike Bunker.
Wat Tyler Country Park, 15:00 to 17:10
1 immature male Marsh Harrier, 3 Avocet, 1 Ruff (creek by marina), 10 Black-tailed Godwit (in creek), 2 Spotted Redshank (in creek), 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Cetti's Warbler (singing). Neil Chambers, Martin Cracknell, Vince Kinsler (SOG).
RSPB Wallasea Island 16:30 to 17:30
By white gate: 2 Hen Harrier, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Kestrel, 1 Short-eared Owl all in the air at the same time, 3 Pheasant, 12 Crow, 7 Mallard, 4 Mute Swan, 2 Magpie, 5 Reed Bunting, flock of Corn Bunting, 15 Stock Dove. By car park: 3 Little Egret. Rob Harris.
Friday 02nd March 2012easterly, overcast, max8°
RSPB West Canvey Marsh, 10:45 to 11:05
7 Tufted Duck, 1 Water Pipit on the wet grassland area, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 4 Reed Bunting. Marc Outten (SOG).
Hanningfield Reservoir 11:30 to 16:30
Pair of Goosander, 3 drake and 8 female Goldeneye, 4 Ruff, 6 Grey Heron, c.100 Wigeon, Teal, Tufted Duck, Gadwall, Canada and Greylag Geese, Cormorant, 3 Shelduck, 2 Pochard, Shoveler, flock of at least 40 Pied Wagtail, 1 Coal Tit on feeders with Blue, Great and Long-tailed Tit, 4 Goldfinch, Dunnock, Stock Dove. Meadow Pipit. 1 Weasel. David & Brenda Hale.
RSPB Wallasea Island 15:00 to 16.00
By white gate: 1 Hen Harrier, 2 Merlin, 1 Kestrel, 2 Pheasant, 12 Crow, 9 Mallard, 2 Mute Swan, 1 Magpie, 10+ Linnet, flock of Corn Bunting, flock of Wood Pigeon. By car park: 1 Little Egret, 1 Short-eared Owl. Rob Harris.
Thursday 01st March 2012north westerly, clear, max15°
South Fambridge 07:00 to 07:30
Footpath to seawall only: 1 Grey Heron, 2 Mute Swan and c.60 Dark-bellied Brent Goose flying up-river, Blackbird, 1 Song Thrush, Robin, Wren, Dunnock, many Blue Tit and Great Tit, 3 Long-tailed Tit, many Chaffinch, 6 Goldfinch, 3 Greenfinch, 10 Linnet, 20+ House Sparrow. Appropriately for 1st March - 1 Brown Hare. David Selley.
Thames Chase Forest Centre, Upminster 09:15 to 13:45
Bullfinch (2 pairs and a single bird), 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 6 Redwing, 4 Skylark, 2 Greenfinch, 3 Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Long-tailed, Blue and Great Tit, Dunnock, Robin, Wren, Jay, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Magpie, Green Woodpecker, Blackbird, Pied Wagtail, Canada Geese, Greylag Geese, 3 Mute Swan, Great Spotted Woodpecker heard drumming. David & Brenda Hale.
Shoebury, Gunners Park 09:30
1 Pochard diving on Lagoon. John Pitts.
Wat Tyler Country Park 10:30 to 12:30
Sightings on the RSPB walk: Little Grebe, Canada Goose, Moorhen, Coot, Tufted Duck, Pochard, Carrion Crow, Magpie, Collared Dove, Woodpigeon, Rook, Shelduck, Spotted Redshank, Teal, Black-tail Godwit (ringed), Redshank, Curlew, Long-tailed Tit, Goldfinch, Blackbird, Chaffinch, Shelduck, Grey Heron, Great Black-backed Gull, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Jay, Green Woodpecker (heard), Robin, Common Gull, 2 Mediterranean Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Mallard, Herring Gull, Cetti's Warbler, Starling, Lapwing, House Sparrow. Terry Jeffreys.
Two Tree Island East, 11:00 to 12:00
1 Cetti's Warbler singing. Brian Baldock (SOG).
Hadleigh Downs, 12:45 to 13:15
1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker. 2 Adder, 1 Red Admiral, 1 Peacock Butterfly, 1 Comma. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).
Gunner's Park 13:30 to 14:30
Starling, Black-headed Gull, Carrion Crow, Magpie, Green Woodpecker, Robin, Blackbird, Woodpigeon, Feral Pigeon, Oystercatcher, Curlew, Brent Goose, Redshank, Sanderling, Herring Gull, 3 Mute Swan, 2 Little Grebe, 2 Mallard, Moorhen, Greenfinch, Pochard, Dunnock, Chaffinch, Linnet. S. Jackson.
RSPB West Canvey Marsh 14:15 to 16:45
Sightings from first hide only: 1 Green Sandpiper, 9 Curlew, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret, Common, Black-headed, Herring and 2 adult Mediterranean Gull, 1 Great Crested Grebe, many Little Grebe, Carrion Crow, Magpie, Rook, Moorhen, Coot, Shoveler, Mallard, Teal, Wigeon, 1 Shelduck, 1 pair Tufted Duck, Lapwing, 2 Meadow Pipit, Blue Tit, Starling flock, 3 Black-tailed Godwit. 3 Rabbit. David & Brenda Hale.
RSPB West Canvey Marsh, 15:00
2 Cormorant noted on reservoir on drive past, 1 Peacock Butterfly flew across Canvey Way. Graham Ryland (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park, 15:00 to 17:00
3 Pintail (2m/1f over), 2 Marsh Harrier, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Buzzard mobbed by corvids and pushed east at 15:45, 2 Peregrine Falcon on adjacent pylons, 1 Water Rail showing in front of hide, 2 Mediterranean Gull (fsp), 3 Cetti's Warbler. 1 Red Fox. Vince Kinsler, Steve Arlow (SOG).
Maldon, Near Beeleigh Abbey 15:15 to 15:45
1 male Green-winged Teal with many Common Teal in the same place as reported on the EBWS website yesterday. Paul Gymer.
Pitsea 16:00 to 16:30
1 Short-eared Owl. Phil Shaw.
RSPB Wallasea Island 16:30 to 18.00
1 Hen Harrier, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 5 Pheasant, 15 Crow, 20+ Redshank 3 Curlew, 5 Black-tail Godwit, 23 Mallard, 3 Little Egret, 7 Mute Swan, 1 Magpie, flock of Corn Bunting, flock of Stock Dove, 1 Grey Heron, 20+ Linnet. 2 Brown Hare. Rob Harris.
Subscribe to the South East Essex RSPB Latest Sightings RSS Feed
Disclaimer: 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.
© No part of this website is to reproduced without the express permission of the South East Essex RSPB Local Group.
Key:
|
|
= Photograph Available (click icon). |
| Dark red Text |
= Confirmed local rarity or red list bird. |
|
= More information is available. This will open a new window to the RSPB main site. |
Click for locations and maps of areas mentioned in our sightings reports.
Click to view aerial details of our wildlife points of interest.
Web Author's News Blog.
Web site usage - Click here for the latest analysis of our website (PDF file)
