Monthly Essex RoundupDecember 2006 Metropolitan Essex : Still not very wintry but very windy and this did bring in a few seabirds during two spells in December. A second Grey Phalarope was located at West Thurrock Marshes on 5th and was joined by the first bird on 7th. One remained till 9th. This site also held two Shags (5th), two Knot, (24th), Kittiwake (9th) and two Jack Snipe and a Leach's Petrel (7th). The 17th saw the arrival of a Great Northern Diver in the Lee Valley at Walthamstow Reservoir. It relocated to the KGV and there were three there on 27th. The Chingford Reservoirs also held 26 Black-necked Grebes, a Slavonian Grebe, four Common Scoters and a Red-throated Diver on 18th. Goldeneye, Goosander and Smew were scarce with three redheads at Grange Waters (3rd) and males there (23rd) and at Connaught Water. Four Bewick's Swans were on Holyfield Lake on 19th but there were no other wildfowl immigrations. The only Bittern sighting was at Seventy Acres on 11th. A couple of Firecrests remained but winter thrushes and finches were sparse while the two Dartford Warblers from November at a private site were still present on 9th. Peregrines were reported widely and a single Merlin whizzed through South Woodford (13th). Potentially bird of the month was a large white falcon seen at Walthamstow on 17th………. Rainham Marshes: Another good month that started very well with 15 Avocets on the river, another was seen on 14th. Dunlin peaked at 900 and Black-tailed Godwits at nearly 300 again. Up to 20 Curlew were regularly seen and two Ruff and up to 32 Golden Plover kept visitor checking the Lapwing flock. Single Brent Geese were seen on three dates and two White-fronts found on Boxing Day had multiplied to four by 31st. The immature female Hen Harrier was seen sporadically till 29th and the Merlin showed on three occasions. Up to five Peregrines were seen and female Marsh Harriers passed through on 18th and 27th. There was only one Short-eared Owl sighting (17th) and the Barn Owl appeared on 24th. Duck numbers remained stable but Pintail reached and early high with 44 on 15th. The Thames yielded a Shag on 6th, Leach's Petrels on 6th and 7th and Kittiwakes on 3rd and 7th but there were no auks or divers. Gull scanning produced an adult Caspian Gull and a first-winter Glaucous Gull (8th-9th). The female Black Redstart was around till 20th and three Tree Sparrows remained at The Barges and up to eight Water Pipits and 15 Rock Pipits frequented the foreshore. Two Cetti's sang on 18th and up to four Bearded Tits were seen. Finally our Christmas wishes came true with two different Penduline Tits from the 22nd to New Year. South East Essex: Thames watching produced most of the goodies during the month with Canvey producing 21 Gannet and Black-throated Diver (16th) and 25 Kittiwakes, two Razorbills and two Leach's Petrels (7th). Another Leach's was seen off the Pier the same day. East Tilbury faired well with Great Skua (8th-9th) and Leach's (7th). The wintering Little Stint was seen on 9th (three more were on Wallasea same day) and the male Smew stayed till New Year. Two Tree Island hosted a Slavonian Grebe (29th-39th) and a wing-tagged Red Kite on 6th. A Purple Sandpiper took up winter residence at Thorpe Bay again and offshore a count of 1060 Scoter was made on 10th. Rossi the Ring-billed Gull strutted his stuff at Westcliff all month and another smaller adult was seen at Paglesham Lagoon on 30th. This site also held at least two Caspian Gulls. Not many passerines noted but ten Twite in Southend on 13th were unusual and Vange held a Dartford Warbler from 17th. A Lapland Bunting was seen on Bowers Marsh on 23rd. Abberton Reservoir: Very quiet with two Black-necked and a Slavonian Grebe on 16th and a male Smew on 23rd the sole noteworthy records. Two Lesser Scaup type hybrids were also seen on 16th. East and North-East Essex : The Blackwater continued its pull on wintering wildfowl (and birders) and Rolls Farm produced peaks of four Great Northern (28th), 30 Red-throated (28th) and single Black-throated Divers (8th and 26th), 19 Slavonian Grebes (16th) and a Red-necked Grebe (28th) as well as records of Long-tailed Ducks, Eiders and Scoters. Unsurprisingly a Leach's Petrel was seen well on 6th. Goldhanger held three Long-tailed Ducks and 120 Goldeneye over Christmas and the Black Brant continued to be seen in the Maldon area where a Red Kite was also seen on 6th. Short-eared Owls were scarce but Marsh and Hen Harriers were reported regularly. Ninety-five Little Egrets roosted at Chigborough on 23rd. Holland Haven was again worth a visit with a Marbled Duck from 8th and Pale-bellied Brent and three Purple Sandpipers (10th). Four White-fronts and two Pink-feet were seen as the year ended. Seawatching off Frinton resulted in some very good counts including highs of 183 Red-throated Divers on 17th and 203 on 18th. This date also saw 232 Common and a Velvet Scoter, four Long-tailed Ducks, a Red-necked Grebe and five Whooper Swans on the move. Avocets peaked at 300 on the Colne and the 27th saw a juvenile Barnacle Goose with Shelduck and a Red-necked Grebe on the river while a Scaup and Shag remained on the Stour at Mistley Quay. A single Waxwing was seen briefly in Colchester on 19th. Old Hall Marshes: The Black Brant was seen occasionally and the 29th-30th saw a Great Northern Diver, Pale-bellied Brent, male Scaup, 13 Bearded Tits and at least six Marsh Harriers on site. Bradwell Bird Observatory: Only a couple of reports but the 19th saw two Pale-bellied Brents, two Slavonian Grebes, two Great Northern Divers, Black-throated Diver, Water Pipit and Merlin all from the Obs. A male Hen Harrier was seen on Boxing Day. Hanningfield Reservoir: Several Caspian Gulls were again seen during the month and a first-winter Iceland was seen well 14th. The Scaup stayed till New Year and 305 Ruddy Ducks were counted on 3rd.
November 2006 Metropolitan Essex : A fairly typical November in all but the wea the r. There was no winter push of wildfowl with the only Smew being a redhead at Connaught Water on 18th-19th. A Great White Egret made its second visit of the year to Walthamstow Reservoir (10th) and a few Little Egrets were reported from urban parks and the Lee and Ingrebourne Valleys . A Grey Phalarope off West Thurrock Marshes on 28th was possibly the bird reported off Tilbury on 25th. Casper the Caspian Gull returned to the Royal Docks on 1st and was joined by the Isle of Dogs Ring-billed Gull on that day. The Valentines Park Med Gull also reappeared during the month. The 2nd saw a regional arrival of Fieldfare and a few Redwings with 800 of the former over Sewardstone that day. A Black Redstart was at Walthamstow Reservoirs (28th) and up to four Firecrest were in usual winter haunts. Two Dartford Warblers were at a private site on 19th. Rainham Marshes: Bizarrely mild weather but an amazing list of birds for the month with a good mix of species. The river proved to be the biggest draw with Red-throated Diver (19th), Little Auk (25th) and Grey Phalarope (28th) along with two Red-breasted Mergansers (24th), 15 Avocet (26th) and Brent Geese on five dates including 12 on 22nd. A ringtail Hen Harrier arrived from 22nd with a female Merlin the same day and a male seen on 28th. At least four Peregrines have been giving amazing shows and the first Short-eared Owl came back on 22nd. Black-tailed Godwits quickly reached 240 and a Ruff, Grey Plover, Jack Snipe and up to six Curlew were all reported. Gull watching produced two Meds and at least four different Caspian Gulls along with about 15, mostly immature, Yellow-legged Gulls. There were some good passerines with two Black Redstarts (6th), up to nine Tree Sparrows (4th), seven Brambling (3rd), two Twite (9th), 3 Corn Buntings (26th), the singing Cetti's Warbler, House Martin (24th), Bullfinch (27th) and a Woodlark (9th-10th). All in all not a bad month for the opening of the reserve to the public! South East Essex: The first week saw several Little Auks in the Thames with birds off Sou the nd Pier (2nd, 4th and 6th) and off Canvey (16 on 2nd and one on 4th). These seawatches also produced two Black-throated Divers and an Arctic Skua off Canvey on 2nd and Grey Phalarope, Puffin and Goldeneye off East Tilbury on 25th. Sou the nd Pier hosted 22 Med Gulls on 4th and a Leach's Petrel on 13th. Rossi the Ring-billed Gull was at Westcliff all month and two Caspian and a Glaucous Gull were at Paglesham on 4th. A male Smew was at East Tilbury from mid-month. The only small birds of note were a Dartford Warbler on Two Tree Island (12th), a Black Redstart at Shellhaven (6th) and a single Snow Bunting at South Fambridge (4th-5th). Abberton Reservoir: Plenty of wildfowl but nothing untoward amongst the m bar two Black-necked Grebes until 4th and a Slavonian Grebe on 15th. Eight Bewick's Swans dropped in on 13th with nine the re on 15th. The first Goosander was seen on 6th and up to three Little Stints were around all month. Black Redstart and Snow Bunting were found on 8th and star bird of the month goes to the Grey Phalarope that spent two weeks from 14th bobbing round the dam. East and North-East Essex: The Blackwater started to draw in winter wildfowl with Great Northern Diver (23rd), Velvet Scoter (7th and 13th), Long-tailed Duck (7th and 19th) and several Slavonian Grebes off Rolls Farm with Mersea Island attracting seven Little Auks (2nd-5th) into the Colne. The island also hosted two Snow Buntings (5th), Black Brant (till 1st) and Pale-bellied Brent on 5th. A Purple Sandpiper at Steeple was unusual (19th). The Langenhoe raptor roost reached five Marsh Harriers, 2 Hen Harriers and a Buzzard on 5th. Further up the county Little Auks were high on the hit list and between 2nd and 5th Frinton recorded 31; The Naze, 15 and Holland Haven, 59. Frinton also recorded 20 Bramblings (4th) and three Swallow and a House Martin (12th) while Holland Haven managed 13 White-fronted Geese (1st), Purple Sandpiper (2nd-4th) and three Short-eared Owls, Pomarine Skua, Great Northern Diver on 2nd. Woodcock were reported at most coastal sites including The Naze on 6th when Tree Sparrow and Brambling were also recorded. Three Purple Sandpipers were also at Clacton (12th) while up at Dovercourt and Harwich there were six Med Gulls (6th), a Siberian Chiffchaff (6th) and 27 Twite (29th). St Osyth saw 109 Little Egrets into roost on 2nd and male Hen Harrier and Merlin on 12th. A juvenile Osprey was present at some fishing lakes at Nayland all month and made it into December. Old Hall Marshes: Very quiet with a highlight of a solitary Little Auk on 7th. Bradwell Bird Observatory: Pretty quiet although 10000 Knot, Marsh Harrier and Black Redstart were all seen on 19th. Hanningfield Reservoir: Several Caspian Gulls were seen during the month with a Black Redstart (9th) and five Bewick's Swans (2nd) being the highlights. October 2006 Metropolitan Essex: No Bitterns were reported in the Lee Valley but one was back in the Ingrebourne by the 24th. Up to 22 Black-necked Grebes were on the Girling all month and another was seen on the adjacent KGV on 27th. Two Egyptian Geese were at Walthamstow Reservoirs (17-18th) and two Little Gulls were seen there on 10th. Valentino the Med Gull was back for his 7th winter in Valentines Park from 19th and two early Goosanders were on Seventy Acres from 29th. The juvenile Arctic Tern remained until 2nd at Fairlop and an adult was at Dagenham Chase from 4th-10th. The increase in Ring-necked Parakeet sightings continues with up to nine in the Ingrebourne and two around Walthamstow. A Hoopoe was seen over Connaught Water on the 12th but could not be relocated. There was very little in the way of late autumn passage migrants with light finch and thrush movements and very low numbers of Redwings and only a handful of Fieldfares. However, three Ring Ouzels from mid month at Tylers Common, Wanstead Flats and at Fairlop were noteworthy. Up to four Firecrests were around the Warley area with other singles at Little Heath and Valentines Park . Stonechat numbers increased suddenly around the 11th with at least 12 reported including eight on Tylers Common. Late Wheatears were seen at Pages Farm (24th) and on West Thurrock Marshes (29th). Rainham Marshes: A good mix of winter and autumn on site during the month with returning duck and waders. By month end the Black-tailed Godwit flock was at 35 and Redshanks had hit 67. Single Greenshank, Grey and Golden Plovers added variety and Jack Snipe were seen on three dates including two on 9th. Despite easterly winds the Thames was quiet with four Scoter (14th), an Arctic Skua (15th) and Red-breasted Merganser (23rd) being the highlights. Rock Pipits peaked at eight and a single Water Pipit was seen on several dates. A Red-legged Partridge continues to be seen around the centre and Wood Pigeon passage on 25th reached 3200 before 0920 while up to 100 Stock Doves have been feeding on the silts. The 25th also saw a good flurry of finches with two Brambling and singles of Redpoll and Siskin amongst the commoner species. A few Redwing flocks moved through and the first two Fieldfares were seen on 18th on the same day as two immature Ring Ouzels. Two adults were also seen on 22nd with another on 28th. The following day four Tree Sparrows were found by the Barges with a respectable eight there the next day. These are the first ‘on the deck' records for several years. The last Wheatear was seen on 14th and Stonechats were in double figures by mid-month. The Cetti's Warbler was back in song from 11th and a Coal Tit on 8th and 11th was a notable site bird. Like elsewhere in Metropolitan Essex Ring-necked Parakeet sightings continue with up to three on several dates. South East Essex : It was definitely a month for looking at the Outer Thames with several good days off Canvey. The 6th saw a record 12 Med gulls on the seafront along with three late Black Terns and five Arctic Terns. The 13th -15th saw a good push up river on an easterly wind with counts of 33, 127 and 87 Gannets, 13 Bonxie (14th) and three 15th, two Pomarines (15th) and two Scaup (13th). The 24th logged no Skuas but a Short-eared Owl and a flock of 33 Pintail while the following day saw six Poms, three Bonxies and a juvenile Long-tailed Skua as well as 147 Kittiwakes, a Manx Shearwater and a single Little Auk. East Tilbury also saw movement on 15th with the only Sabine's Gull of the autumn, 40 Gannets and five Great Skuas. Over 500 Avocets were also present and on the 27th Merlin, Peregrine, male Hen Harrier and a Pom Skua were all seen. Elsewhere there were up to 6000 Brent Geese at Leigh by 17th with a couple of colour-ringed birds, a coffee coloured leucistic bird and singles of Black Brant and Pale-bellied Brent. Seventy-four Little Egrets were also seen at roost on Two Tree Island on 11th with Curlew Sandpiper and Little Stint there the next day. Wat Tyler held regular Beardies and up to five Spotted Redshanks (16th). Rossi the Ring-billed Gull was regular at Westcliff all month and two Caspian Gulls were at Barling on 28th. Abberton Reservoir: Quieter that September with a few terns lingering into October including Arctic and Black on 1st when a five Garganey, a Little Gull and four Black-necked Grebes were also seen. A Slavonian Grebe was found on 10th and up to six Little Stints and 35 Spotted Redshanks were present. East and North-East Essex: The Naze was the place to be and with a bit of perseverance a good list of species was seen: Ring Ouzels three on 16th and singles on four other dates; Grasshopper Warbler and Redstart on 1st; Black Redstart 15th; Tree Sparrow 10th and 16th; Woodlark 4th; Yellow-browed Warbler 10th; Common Swift 19th; Water Pipit 29th; Firecrest 18th and a Gibralter Point ringed Great Tit on 4th. Holland Haven fared quite well with 11 Pinkfeet (4th) and three White-fonts (15th) and Little Auk (27th), Tree Sparrow (11th), Jack Snipe (16th) and Snow Bunting (12th) in support. Fourteen more Pinkfeet were seen at Frinton on 10th. The Great White Egret at Chigborough did not make it to October but 148 Little Egrets at roost on 1st was equally impressive. Fifty-one egrets on the Stour at Mistley Quay was easily a site high. Seawatching at Frinton produced no more star terns but did result in some fascinating diurnal coastal passage with 100's of finches logged and a day high of 6459 Brent Geese south on 11th. Two Pom Skuas were also seen that day with Arctic Tern the next. The 15th saw a Long-tailed Skua head south and the first Little Auks were seen off there on 25th. A Black Brant took up residence on East Mersea from 23rd and a Spoonbill was seen briefly there on 17th. Old Hall Marshes: The 24th saw 11 Marsh Harriers pass through the site and a god count of 26 Greenshank while a ring-tail Hen Harrier and 18 Spotted Redshanks were seen on 28th. Bradwell Bird Observatory: A Pectoral Sandpiper and Buff-breasted Sandpiper were found together on Ramsey Marsh on 1st. Both were there next day with the Pec staying till 3rd. The 8th saw a single Pom Skua and a late Yellow Wag and on the 29th up to 10000 Knot, a Hen Harrier and a single Little Auk were seen Hanningfield Reservoir: Little Stints reached 12 on 3rd and two Goldeneye arrived on 7th. A first-winter Caspian Gull was found on 28th and it was joined by an adult on 31st. Star bird of the month was the Cattle Egret seen by one lucky observer on 24th. September 2006 Metropolitan Essex : The Spotted Crake from the end of August lingered at Cornmill Meadows till 7th with Little Stint the re on 9th. O the r waders were scarce. Juvenile White-winged Black Terns were reported at Holyfield Lake (14th) and KGV Reservoir (23rd), both in the Lee Valley while Arctic Terns were seen at Walthamstow Reservior (8th) and Fairlop (from 24th). Breaks in the westerlies resulted a some raptor passage with two Honey Buzzards, ten Common Buzzards, Marsh Harrier and Red Kite all reported on just four dates. Passage migrants were thin in the ground with a few Spot Flys, one Pied Fly, five Redstarts and very few Whinchats and Wheatears. A Barred Warbler at Sewardstone (9th) was notable as was a Woodlark in the Ingrebourne (1st). The only Firecrest was at Great Warley (24th) and two Tree Pipits seen was a poor show. Rainham Marshes: Unbelievably, too much water resulted in a poor wader month with no rarities and only several Spotted Redshanks and Bar-tailed Godwits and a Wood Sandpiper of note. Single Garganey were present throughout and the first Wigeon was back on 7th. The Thames was very quiet with the sole good day being the 16th when 20 Arctic Terns and a Common Scoter were seen. Gull searching yielded four different Caspian and over 20 Yellow-legged Gulls. A single Marsh Harrier was seen on 15th and 17th and was the sole big BOP all month. The cordite revealed little in the way of passage with highlights being a Pied Fly and two Garden Warblers (6th). Whinchats were scarce but Yellow Wagtails reached at least 50 (13th). South East Essex : Seawatching never really happened this year with the meagre highlights being seven Arctic Skuas and three Bonxies off Wakering Stairs (9th) and seven more Bonxies off Canvey (16th). A few skuas made it as far as Tilbury along with 18th Gannets on the 16th. This site also had a summer plumaged White-winged Black Tern fly up river on 10th and a peak of 382 Yellow-legged Gulls (2nd). Brents Geese started to return en-masse from 13th while Two Tree Island saw an increase in Black-tailed Godwits to an impressive 1200 on 5th. Marsh Harriers and Buzzards were regularly reported from the region while both Honey Buzzard (Fobbing on 17th) and Osprey (off Shoebury on 5th and 12th) were also seen. Rossi the Ring-billed Gull reappeared for the first time in four weeks (21st) and six Fieldfare over Thundersley (7th) were incredibly early. Abberton Reservoir: The reservoir was covered in birds all month with good numbers of duck and coot. Garganey were reported on several dates and up to six Black-necked Grebes lingered (18th). A moribund Gannet (18th) was a good site tick as was the roving Bough Beech White Pelican (5th-6th). Many Ruff were present and up to four Wood Sands were seen feeding on the algal mats with the m and the countless wagtails. The 11th saw four Marsh Harriers, Osprey and Red Kite all seen within an hour. Passerine rarities included both Spotted and Pied flycatchers on 18th. East and North-East Essex: The star bird for the month was the Sooty Tern seen close inshore off Frinton on 14th making an impressive Essex double in just three weeks with the Bridled Tern see at Dovercourt on 25th August. Given the paucity of drift passage in 2006, The Naze did pretty well with Pied Flycatcher (18th and 23rd), Tree Sparrow (27th), Ortolan and Temminck's Stint (17th), Wryneck (4th and 17th), Wood Warbler and Purple Sandpiper (10th), Yellow-browed Warbler (16th), Grasshopper Warbler (30th) and top of the class a Booted Warbler on 9th. Ospreys were reported at Fingringhoe Wick (till 5th), Abbotts Hall (6th), Heybridge GP (17th) and Nayland and Chigborough (24th) while the Colne Point/St Osyth area held a female Montagu's Harrier (20th), a Hoopoe (22nd-24th) and 20 Grey Partridge (28th). A second Hoopoe was seen in Lawford (1st). Holland Haven held a Pectoral Sandpiper (23rd) and the Chigborough Great White Egret lurked all month. Old Hall Marshes: Pretty quite with a Pectoral Sandpiper staying to 5th being the only wader of note. The Great White Egret dropped in on 1st, 11th and 26th and an early Bittern was seen on 13th. Bradwell Bird Observatory: The 10th saw two good birds: a Honey Buzzard and amazingly only the tenth county record of Black Guilliemot. A Pectoral Sandpiper was seen on 20th but the re was little passage movement. Hanningfield Reservoir: Birding on site continued to improve with a good sprinkling of waders during the month including up to nine Little Stints, a Sanderling and a Pectoral Sandpiper (17th). Four Black-necked Grebes were left over from August and 17 Black Terns dropped in (14th). Three different Caspian Gulls were seen from 19th. Metropolitan Essex : It was quite a good month for inland passage waders with Common and Green Sandpipers at many sites. Walthamstow Reservoirs has had No 4 drained and during the month it attracted most of the common wader species including Sanderling (3rd), Whimbrel (20th) and Wood Sandpiper (18th). The site also held two Garganey (2nd-3rd) and ano the on 16th. An early Pintail dropped in on 6th and two Red-crested Pochards were present next day. Four more were seen on the KGV on 19th) Elsewhere a Spotted Crake was found at Cornmill Meadows (30th) and a Marsh Harrier over Sewardstone (26th) was the sole interesting raptor. Ring-necked Parakeets were seen at Belhus Woods, the Ingrebourne and over East Ham. Passage migrants were thinly spread although at least 22 Spotted Flycatchers were reported from eight sites and Pied Flycatchers were at Weald Park (23rd) and in Bedfords Park from 24th while Redstarts dropped in at Dagenham Chase (21st) and Bedfords Park (27th and 29th). Tree Pipits were heard over Tylers Common (two on 19th and over Bedfords Park (27th). Rainham Marshes: A fair selection of waders passed through including good numbers of the common Tringas and at least four Wood Sandpipers (three on 15th) and a solitary Spotted Redshank (12th). Singles of Golden Plover (8th) and Bar-tailed Godwit (2nd and 14th) added variety and a lone Little Stint was elusive from 28th. Yellow-legged Gulls peaked at a low 17 on 9th and an Arctic, Sandwich and Common Tern were seen the same day. Passerine passage was slight with the first Whinchat on 15th and three the next day while Wheatear peaked at seven on 21st. The Cordite held Garden Warblers on 15th and 22nd and Spotted Flycatcher from 20th. Other notables were a Corn Bunting on 21st and Tree Pipit on 22nd. Barn Owls were confirmed to have bred on site. South East Essex : It was yet another gull month with Rossi the Ring-billed Gull returning to Westcliff for his eighth winter from 4th a full two weeks earlier than usual. Med Gulls peaked here at 51 on 6th with 21 at Paglesham Lagoon on 12th when 19 Yellow-legged Gulls were also present. This site also held an amazing 11 Caspian Gulls between 7th and 20th. At Canvey 16 Common Scoter were seen on 3rd with 15 Black Terns there (7th) and two colour ringed Little Terns (21st) including a Belgian juvenile. A Tree Pipits was over Rayne (22nd) and a Curlew Sandpiper was at Wallasea (12th) while Avocets peaked at 456 at East Tilbury (15th) Abberton Reservoir: Dropping water levels brought about a fair wader passage that included two Wood Sandpipers and a Spotted Redshank (17th) and a Little Stint (13th). Common Tern numbers hit three figures and Black Terns peaked at seven on 27th with a Little Tern on 5th. Garganey were always present and reached six on 13th when a Black-necked Grebe was also found rising to three on 20th. The Little Egret roost hit 113 on 26th while the algal mats attracted at least 160 Yellow Wagtails (24th). A Long-eared Owl was seen on 6th. East and North-East Essex : The Chigborough Great White Egret was intermittently present all month while the nearby Heybridge GPs held a Wood Sandpiper (5th) – a good local bird. Ospreys were seen over Ardleigh Reservoir (18th) and at Alresford (30th) but the re were no Red Kite reports. Holland Haven went through ano the r purple patch with ano the Pectoral Sandpiper and a Montagu's Harrier (1st) and four Wood Sandpipers (21st) while the Naze was deathly bar a Leach's Petrel (20th) and an Eider (27th). A Spoonbill was on the Stour from 28th. Old Hall Marshes: A quite month with nothing out of the ordinary bar three Curlew Sandpipers (23rd). Bradwell Bird Observatory: The 6th was probably the best day of the month with four Marsh harriers, 35 Common Scoter, Pied Flycatcher and Black Redstart while 12 Dotterel turned up on 23rd and a Spotted Flycatcher was seen on 27th. Hanningfield Reservoir: Things are definitely looking up with some good birds throughout the month including 13 Common Scoter, Black Tern and 4 Garganey on 6th and Black-necked Grebe (increasing to three by 29th), Arctic Skua and Pectoral Sandpiper on 14th. The 20th saw an eclipse male Blue-winged Teal located. It was seen next day but not subsequently but searchers found six Garganey, eight Red-crested Pochards, Osprey (23rd) and Marsh Harrier (27th). July 2006 Metropolitan Essex: Little Egrets found the re way to Dagenham Chase, (three) Fairlop and the Ingrebourne Valley (peak of 23 on 19th) and at Walthamstow Reservoirs where a pair raised three young in the heronry. The Great White Egret found at Rainham in the morning of 17th, was rediscovered by Shaun Harvey in the evening on Berwick Reservoir where it stayed till 8pm. Black-tailed godwits were reported from Dagenham Chase (six), Fairlop and the Ingrebourne Valley and Green and Common Sandpipers were widespread. Two Garganey were at Walthamstow Reservoir from 30th and a single Black Tern was on the KGV on 25 with Turnstone the re on 29th. Mandarin broods reached an all time high of at least 23. Rainham Marshes: Two Red Kites on 2nd kick started the month with a fine juvenile Marsh Harrier from 17th-23rd. Star bird was the Great White Egret found by Steve Hall on 17th. It only stayed three hours. As the water level dropped wader passage improved with good numbers of Green Sandpipers along with up to nine LRPs, two Ruff and a Wood Sandpiper from 22nd onwards. Strangely only one juvenile Med Gull was seen and the re were no terns. A Brent Goose on the river (15th) was Unseasonal and Ring-necked Parakeets were seen on both 8th and 30th (five). South East Essex : Med Gulls took over on the Outer Thames in July as is the ir want with numbers steadily rising from 39 (11th), 73 (13th), 82 (23rd), 104 (27th) and a new record of 144 (29th). Elsewhere a Caspian Gull was seen at Paglesham Lagoon (29th) and the re was a good scattering of Yellow-legged Gulls. A single Red Kite over One Tree Hill (23rd) continued the trend while a female Hen Harrier did the opposite and stayed till 19th. This is only the third July record in Essex . Curlew Sandpipers were seen at Potton Creek (29th) and East Tilbury (24th) when 240 Avocet and a Sanderling were also seen. Abberton Reservoir: Greenshank passage peaked at 34 (19th) with 38 Common Sandpipers the same day. Three Garganey from 16th had increased to five by 30th (when Wood Sandpiper and two Pintail were also reported and two female Goldeneye were definitely early returners on 19th, East and North-East Essex : Everyone assumed that the Great White Egret seen near Lofts Farm and the n the re from 22nd-23rd was the Rainham bird but this is clearly not the case and the two birds are very different. Loft's also hosted up to three Black-necked Grebes. A honey Buzzard was seen over Wix (5th) and the re were three Red Kite sightings over Maldon through the month. Abbotts Hall hosted up to 27 sooty Spotted Redshanks. Old Hall Marshes: The Heybridge Great White Egret was to prove quite wide ranging and was seen of an evening on both 23rd- 24th. The 23rd also saw 2 Wood Sandpiper, Little Stint and five Ruff. Up to three Curlew Sandpipers were seen on 14th and 411 Curlew was a good count on 16th with a Honey Buzzard on 3oth. Bradwell Bird Observatory: Eighty Whimbrel over Deal Hal (26th) was noteworthy while 30th produced 38 Sanderling and a Wheatear (30th)., Hanningfield Reservoir: A better month with some mud around the edges and consequently more waders including eight Black-tailed Gidwits, 5 LRP and 15 Common Sands (25th). Three Garganey were present from 25th and four Black Tern popped in on 16th Metropolitan Essex : There was very little evidence of passage during the month although eight more Red Kites included an amazing five toge the r over Leyton on 7th. The Spoonbill from Rainham Marshes appeared at Walthamstow on 10th and stayed albeit elusively till 18th. The Wood Warbler in Epping Forest remained on territory and for the third time in four years a Nightjar was heard on one evening. Mandarins appear to be having a good season with at least ten broods seen in the Forest . Rainham Marshes: The month started in style with a fine female Montagu's Harrier found my Mike Dennis and seen on the 3rd, 4th and 6th. Similarly elusive was a female Marsh Harrier present for the same period. A Dutch ringed Spoonbill (not an Old hall bird) spent the latter half of the 9th dozing on the reserve before escaping the next morning. Three Avocet were present at the same time; failed breeders from the site where the y were successful last year. A Buzzard (4th) and a Black Tern (19th) were the only other passage birds of note. High water levels encouraged a pair of Great Crested Grebes to prospect. South East Essex: Raptors were again in evidence with many Marsh Harrier and Buzzard records and ano the r Red Kite (Leigh, 18th) and a probable Goshawk at Gunners Park (4th). An Osprey was over Hockley (12th) and two Cranes cruised low over South Benfleet (7th) but were not relocated. A Golden Oriole was a surprise songster at Canvet Island West (10th) and ano the r male sang for five days in a wood at Bowers Gifford from 16th. Abberton Reservoir: Fairly quiet with the first returning Green Sandpipers, Greenshank and Curlews by mid-month. Marsh Harriers and Hobbies were regular and a Red Kite drifted over (21st). The 6th saw four Black Terns and two Little Gulls with ano the r of the latter on 9th when a Channel Wagtail was also seen. East and North-East Essex: A male Red-backed Shrike at The Naze on 2nd was probably bird of the month while Abbotts Hall held a good number of return passage waders on 25th with 118 Grey Plover, 3 Bar-tailed Godwits, 9 Spotted Redshanks and a Whimbrel. A Spoonbill down the Chelmer at Boreham on 3rd was a good inland find. Old Hall Marshes: The Boreham Spoonbill did not come from Old Hall as the Dutch bird was present all day. The 4th saw Little Stint on site while 24th produced 19 Spotted Redshanks, a Garganey and two Little Gulls. Bradwell Bird Observatory: A female Montagu's Harrier on 7th was the sole highlight of the month.
May 2006 Metropolitan Essex : A relatively quiet month in the area. Tern passage continued in the early days at the KGV with 15 Arctics on 1st and two Little on 7th. Drake Garganey were seen in the Ingrebourne at in Valentines Park (from 23rd). Grasshopper Warblers were showy at Tylers Common with up to four at one stage while Woodcock were roding at various Epping Forest sites. There was little in the way of wader or passerine passage and the only other notable birds were a Hoopoe in a front garden in Emerson Park for three days (from 10th) and a Wood Warbler on territory in Epping Forest from 21st; the first lingering bird for many years. Three Red Kites and two Honey Buzzards were also seen. Rainham Marshes: A lively month with a good mix of passage species. The 7th was the peak wader day with a single flock on the foreshore consisting of 16 Ringed Plover, 12 Dunlin, two Sanderling, five Turnstone, three Bar-tailed Godwits, two Grey Plover and a summer plumaged Knot. With Curlew, Whimbrel, Oystercatcher, Lapwing, Little-ringed Plover, Redshank, Greenshank, Black-tailed Godwit, Avocet and Common Sandpiper all nearby it made for quite a collection! The Knot stayed till 8th and Barwits actually peaked at nine on 1st. The 7th also saw two Arctic and ten Common Terns on the river and a Honey Buzzard over. Hobbies were regular and another Marsh Harrier went through on 28th. The two rarest birds of the month were all too brief with a Red-throated Pipit (10th) and female Ferruginous Duck (22nd). Other notable site birds included a hepatic Cuckoo (3rd & 7th), Black Tern (13th), Egyptian Goose (6th), Brent Goose (till 21st), Great Crested Grebe (7th & 15th), Tawny Owl (21st) and Barn Owl (28th) South East Essex: Ospreys were seen over Southend Airport (7th) and on a lamppost on Canvey West (13th) while a Red Kite was over Leigh (12th) continuing the bumper year. Drake Garganey were seen at Paglesham Lagoon (two 6th) and Wat Tyler CP (15th). A male Ruddy Shelduck was at East Tilbury for a few days wand 11 Kittiwakes went up river there on 22nd. Wat Tyler CP also held an adult Little Gull (4th) and a Wigeon. A Ring-necked Parakeet over Eastwood (9th) was a notable local record. Abberton Reservoir: The 4th was a good day on site with Osprey, six Black Terns and four Greenshank being seen. A late ringtail Hen Harrier was seen on 27th-28th and two adult Spoonbills dropped in on the latter date. Other highlights included a pair of Black-necked Grebes (3rd) and two male Garganey (13th). Hanningfield Reservoir: A single Scaup remained till 5th and like many places during May two male Garganey dropped in (7th). Black Terns were seen on a number of dates with a peak of seven on 12th when six Crossbills were also seen. A Wood Warbler on 25th was also notable. East and North-East Essex : A busy time around the rest of the county with plenty to keep birders out and about. Holland Haven had a purple patch from 5th when an Iberian Chiffchaff was seen and heard but unfortunately not recorded. The 7th saw a female Citrine Wagtail that tantalised till early on the 9th with three Temminck's Stints and seven Curlew Sandpipers on the 7th, Spoonbill (9th & 15th) and a male Hen Harrier (10th). Spoonbills were also reported at Langenhoe (7th) and Boreham (11th). Three Ospreys and several Red Kites moved through and a female Montagu's Harrier lingered at Colne Point (9th-15th). The Naze was generally quiet with a single Firecrest (3rd), hepatic Cuckoo and two Channel Wagtails (6th) and a Quail and seven Crossbills in the first week. The Stour at Cattawade held a twitchable Crane (14th-15th), Little Gull and two drake Garganey (18th). The third Hoopoe of the spring was at Terling on 11th and a Serin went over St Osyth (1st) but did not stop. Old Hall Marshes: Spoonbills ruled May with frequent sightings from the 7th with three on 26th being the peak but at least five birds involved including a Dutch ringed individual. Seven Hobbies headed north on 10th and Marsh Harriers were performing well. Other highlights were Temminck's Stints on 7th with two Little Stints on the former date. Bradwell Bird Observatory: Very quiet with no real passerine passage and highlights of two ringtail Hen Harriers on 7th and Curlew Sandpiper and a male Blue-headed Wagtail on 21st.
April 2006 Metropolitan Essex : A scattering of Whimbrel, Bar-tailed Godwits and Common Sandpipers hinted at overland passage while 70 Arctic Terns went through the KGV on both 29th and 30th. Six Little Gulls were off West Thurrock Mashes on 29th. The Bittern lingered at Seventy Acres till (6th) and Little Egrets were seen in the Lea, Beam and Ingrebourne Valleys . A Great White Egret was seen well at Walthamstow Reservoir (30th). Several Buzzards were seen away from breeding areas and there was a Marsh Harrier over Dagenham Chase (10th) and five Red Kite sightings between 15th and 20th. The only Osprey was over Walthamstow (18th). Return finch passage included several late Siskins and Bramblings and two out of place Hawfinches at Rainham GP (2nd) and Warren Gorge (8th). The last Redwing was at Weald Park (15th). Scarce migrants found included seven Redstarts, two male Pied Flycatchers (Fairlop and Sewardstone), Wood Warbler (Dagenham Chase, 26th) and Ring Ouzels at Warren Gorge (8th), Hornchurch CP (22nd) and Collier Row (27th). Up to four Grasshopper Warblers reeled at Tylers Common. Rainham Marshes: Spring was very slow to arrive but eventually got underway and by the end of the month most of the usual visitors were in. Wader passage was moderate with Whimbrels from the 1st with up to six during the last week; up to three Greenshank and a high of 11 Bar-tailed Godwits (30th). Black-tailed Godwits still numbered 220 on 18th. A few Dunlin, two Grey Plover (30th), three Avocets and a Jack Snipe (23rd) all moved through. Two each of Common, Arctic (30th) and Sandwich Terns (16th) moved up river but there was only one Common Scoter (17th). Little Gulls were seen on 3rd & 19th and two different Caspian Gulls were reported. A second Red Kite was seen (22nd) and a Marsh Harrier stayed for the weekend of 1st -2nd while Buzzard cruised though on 3rd. No Hobbies were seen but Peregrines were still hunting the area. Pintail stayed till 9th and a drake Garganey was seen from 25th. Late winter visitors were Redwing (8th), Mealy Redpoll (8th-10th) and still six Water Pipits on 9th. Wheatear passage was impressive with several counts over 20 and a peak of 49 on 20th when a Whinchat was also present. A pair of Ring Ouzels were found on 16th with the female staying till 22nd. Other notable passerines included Tree Pipit and Grasshopper Warbler (16th), pair Corn Bunting, singing Cetti's Warbler, Nightingale and a Coal Tit…. South East Essex: Wader passage in the outer Thames was more noticeable with peaks of 15 Greenshank at Vange and Spot Reds there and at Two Tree Island . Hangers on from the winter included Jack Snipe at Vange (9th), Iceland Gull at Wat Tyler (10th). Several Redstarts were seen and a Wood Warbler sang at Norsey Woods (25th) while Gunners Park held Ring Ouzel (15th-18th), Continental Coal Tit (16th) and a singing Golden Oriole (22nd). Hawfinches were seen again at Hockley and strays were at Wat Tyler (3rd-6th) and at Wakering Stairs (22nd). Abberton Reservoir: Generally a very quiet month. A Smew (11th) and two Scaup (14th) were left over from winter and like 2005 could be watched alongside Garganey (peak of three on 14th). A Ring-necked Duck hybrid had everyone going for a while. Nightingales were singing well and up to six Hobbies were around. Tern and wader passage was light with 12 Arctic Terns (30th) being notable and small flocks of Whimbrel being seen on many dates. Up to four Cetti's Warblers were heard and several Channel Wagtails were seen on the causeways. Hanningfield Reservoir: The 17th saw a mix of winter and summer with the five Scaup, three Black-necked Grebes and a Brambling while Arctic Tern and many hirundines were also seen. A Grasshopper Warbler (27th) was the only other bird of note. East and North-East Essex: Late winterers included the Maldon Black Brant (till 1st) and the Siberian Chiffchaff at Copford (till 2nd). Five more Red Kites continued the bumper season so far but there were no Ospreys reported. A pair of Garganey took up residence at Cattawade Marshes from 1st while Holland Haven saw a Hooded Crow (22nd) and two Water Pipits (14th). Unlike the south of the county there were very few good passage migrants with only two each of Redstart and Ring Ouzel. The Naze held Quail (27th) and Firecrest and Crossbill (23rd). Grasshopper Warblers were heard on East Mersea and at Howlands Marsh. Old Hall Marshes: The Long-billed Dowitcher stayed until 30th albeit with a day trip to Alresford before visiting Yorkshire on 1st May! The Green-winged Teal stayed till 5th when a Red Kite went through. Up to ten Marsh Harriers boded well for the breeding season. Whimbrel moved through in reasonable numbers and two Little Stints and a Little Gull were seen on 30th. Black Redstart (17th) and Nightingale were both good site birds. Bradwell Bird Observatory: The 2nd saw three Merlin, a Firecrest, two Male Brambling and a pair of Hen Harriers but it all went quiet till 29th when two Dotterel and a ten minute Black-winged Stilt entertained. The Dotterel were still present next day. March 2006 Metropolitan Essex: Bitterns remained at Seventy Acres and Berwick Ponds all month and Little Egrets remained in the Lee Valley and Mayesbrook Park . The 12th saw a Bewick's Swan and two White-fronted Geese at Holyfield Lake . The latter stayed until 19th. Two Egyptian Geese were regular here. Seventy Acres also hosted a Shag (19th) and a Red-breasted Merganser and male Scaup lingered in the lower Lee Valley . West Thurrock Marshes produced the best wader selection with Jack Snipe and up to 49 Avocets (15th) being reported. A Crossbill in the Ingrebourne Valley (12th) was unexpected and Hawfinches were still to be found at Weald Park . Migrants were almost non-existent with White Wagtail on 10th at Walthamstow being the earliest. By 24th the first Little-ringed Plover had arrived with House and Sand Martin the day after. Two Sandwich Terns (25th) over the Girling Res were notable. The same day saw five sightings of Red Kite in the area. At least two birds were involved. Rainham Marshes: Wader wise it was fairly static with the only new arrivals being four Bar-tailed Godwits (20th) and three Avocet (23rd). A late Jack Snipe was seen on the 19th when a White Stork popped in for a few hours late afternoon. Wildfowl remained much as February but Pintail peaked at 36 and six Brent Geese were seen on 22nd. Caspian Gulls were found on 18th and 23rd. In keeping with big BOP movements on the weekend of 25th-26th, both Buzzard and Red Kite were seen. Peregrines were evident and a female Merlin made three appearances. Up to three Short-eared Owls remained. Our resident Black Redstart started singing and at least two Cetti's were on territory. A Bearded Tit (9th) was the first since January and Coal Tit (12th) was a major site rarity as was a Red-legged Partridge (28th). Wheatears and Sand Martins arrived on 25th. South East Essex: Mucking Tip produced three Icelands and a Glaucous Gull during the month as well as two hybrids. Rossi remained at Westcliff all month and an adult Little Gull was again off Tilbury Power Station (6th). A Black Brant at Paglesham Lagoon (18th) was possibly a new bird. Two Red Kites were over Langdon Hills (25th). East Tilbury's resident Little Stint and Dartford Warbler were seen (6th) and the site also hosted Hen Harrier and Merlin on the same date. Two Snow buntings remained along the Southend seafront till 4th and a Red-necked Grebe was off Canvey (5th). Pitsea's Waxings reached a season high of 56 on 12th while four local sites held Lesser Spotted Woodpecker and Hockley still had its Hawfinches. The Blackwater: River watching over the high tide continued to be profitable with up to seven Great Northern Divers (12th), Black-throated Diver (12th), two Red-necked Grebes (6th), 12 Slavonian Grebes (12th), two Long-tailed Ducks including an adult male (27th). Abberton Reservoir: The 43 White-fronts stayed until 26th with two still on 31st and the Whooper Swans lingered till 12th. The Bittern and Red-necked Grebe were present all month with two of the former on 2nd. Three Slavonian Grebes were seen on 15th with another from 26th-29th. Smew and Goosanders were present throughout and a female Scaup was seen on 23rd. Only four Red-crested Pochards remained (12th). A pair of Garganey were at Abberton Manor (30th) and the first hirundines and LRP appeared from 25th with Yellow Wagtails by 29th and a Woodlark (31st). Hanningfield Reservoir: The five Scaup stayed till 26th and Goosander peaked at nine on 3rd. The Slavonian Grebe was reported again on 3rd and the first winter Caspian Gull was seen on 3rd and 12th with a Yellow-legged Gull on 16th. Several Woodcock were seen and a Long-eared Owl appeared on 5th with two Little Egrets the same day. A House Martin was seen on 25th and two Water Pipits were still present. East and North-East Essex : The Black Brant at Alresford was found to be paired to a Dark-bellied and had a hybrid youngster in tow. Loft's Farm held four Egyptian Geese and four Smew (14th) and the Curlew Sandpiper at Abbotts Hall was seen again on 24th. The Siberian Chiffchaff at Copford showed very well all month and a Hawfinch was seen there on 13th. Fridaywoods also held up to four and the Braxted birds were still being seen. Buzzards were incredibly active and Red Kites were reported on ten occasions including three sightings of two birds. The Dovercourt Twite flock peaked at 31 and contained many colour ringed English breeders. Old Hall Marshes: The 1st produced two Great Northern Divers and four Slavonian Grebes while 24 Mergansers and 156 Avocet were seen on 4th. Thirteen Barnacle Geese were seen on 6th and 11th and overwintering shanks included a Greenshank (24th) and up to 15 Spot Reds (15th). A Green-winged Teal was found on 25th and was still present on 31st when the Long-billed Dowitcher reappeared after not being seen since 11th November! Up to seven Marsh Harriers were on site in the last week. Bradwell Bird Observatory: Marsh and Hen Harriers were present all month with up to five of the latter roosting. A Rough-legged Buzzard headed north (23rd) and Merlins were regularly seen. The 12th saw both Great Northern and Black-throated Divers, two Whooper Swans and two early Whimbrel while the 30th produced a Black Redstart, Yellow Wagtail and four Brambling.
February 2006 Metropolitan Essex: The Bitterns lingered in the Lee Valley and at Berwick Ponds with the former at last getting their VIP invites to the Birdwatching Fair. Sawbills were thin on the ground with 11 Goosanders at Weald Park being the high count and a single Merganser on the KGV (11th). Two Egyptian Geese were regularly at Holyfield and a Brent Goose popped into Walthamstow (27th). Two White-fronts at Hooks Marsh (from 10th) were a poor show given the national influx. Little Egrets were seen at Dagenham Chase, Mayesbrook Park and around Harold Hill while the Avocet flock at West Thurrock Marshes remained stable at 25. An adult male Dartford Warbler was seen here on 12th and Blackcaps were reported from several urban sites although Firecrests and Chiffchaffs seemed scarce. By mid-month Lesser Spots were already drumming at Wanstead and Thorndon and up to four Hawfinches were regularly seen coming into roost at Weald Park . Rainham Marshes: The Penduline Tits delighted on and off all month with regularly four and occasionally five being seen. The supporting cast of Black Redstart, Cetti's Warblers, up to ten Water Pipits and four Peregrines kept the punters happy. Caspian Gulls were seen on 2nd, 4th, 8th and 13th and a Glaucous x Herring hybrid was photographed on 8th. Wigeon reached an impressive 1000 but Pintail remained static at 22. Blackwits piled in each day to roost, reaching the 300 mark. They were also utilizing the Stone Barges. A Firecrest was heard again on 10th and a pair of Dartfords was seen on the tip area from 19th. South East Essex : Yet more gulls …..At least four Caspian Gulls were found at Holehaven Creek along with a first-winter Iceland (11th) which moved to Mucking and the tip from 19th-25th when it was joined by a second-winter bird. A very interesting full adult bird resembling an Iceland Gull was also seen on 25th at Holehaven but is currently defying identification. Rossi the Ring-billed Gull, the Purple Sandpiper and the nine Snow buntings continued to be seen along the seafront. Another Snow Bunting was on Canvey (20th). A Hawfinch was seen again at Langdon Hills (5th) and another was at Hockley on several dates. The Waxwing flock reappeared in Pitesa on 9th with a peak of 44 on 22nd and a small flock was seen at Thorndon CP. A Great Northern Diver was off Canvey (25th) and a Salvonian Grebe was off Shoebury East Beach (12th). Hen Harriers were regular at Wakering and 15 Twite (4th) and a Pale-bellied Brent (4th) were also seen there. The eight strong Scoter flock remained all month at East Tilbury and the Dartford Warbler (18th), Little Stint and Curlew Sandpiper were reported. The Blackwater: The fortuitous tides brought even greater rewards to those prepared to stick out the weather at Rolls Farm, Tollesbury with amazing counts all month with highs of at least ten Great Northern Divers (17th), Black-throated (13th and 17th), at least one Long-tailed Duck, 25 Slavonian Grebes (19th), two Red-necked Grebes (17th) and 52 Mergansers (21st). Further up estuary the Black Brant (19th) and at least 10000 Golden Plover were at Maldon while Old Hall shared the divers and added five Barnacle Geese (2nd) two Whooper Swans (11th) and the Bittern again (9th). The Blackwater end of Mersea also pulled in Great Northern and Black-throated Diver and a Fulmar on 26th. Abberton Reservoir: The White-fronts peaked at 47 on 13th and the two Pink-feet and two Whoopers also stayed all month. Five Barncale Geese on 4th were new in and a Red-necked Grebe stayed until at least 15th. Red-crested Pochards dropped to six and up to ten Smew (20th) and Goosander were seen while an adult Caspian Gull on the apron was closer than usual. The three wintering Little Stints remained and the Bittern showed every now and then. The Redpoll flock around the centre was scrutinised and at least three Mealies were identified (26th). Hanningfield Reservoir: The five Scaup from January stayed until 13th and Goosander peaked at 15 on 5th. A Slavonian Grebe was reported on 16th and Goldeneye and Ruddy Duck reached 40 and 266 respectively. A Water Pipit remained till 28th. East and North-East Essex : Inland the Hawfinches continued to tantalise at Braxted and in general the small bird flocks of December and January had begun to disperse as the set aside strips were depleted. The Siberian Chiffchaff at Copford was well watched and eventually trapped during the month. The Colne still held two Brants with birds seen at Colne Point, Fingringhoe and Alresford while 53 White-fronts were at Howlands Marsh (14th) and another 17 at Holland Haven (10th). Twite remained at East Mersea and 30 more were at Dovercourt on 5th. Further up the Stour a Bittern was seen near Judas Gap on 5th.
January 2006 Metropolitan Essex: At least eight Bitterns were in the area with six in the Lee Valley (including Herts) with an unusual bird at Walthamstow (23rd) and two in the Ingrebourne. Smew frequented usual haunts with up to six at Belhus Woods. A Merganser on the KGV Reservoir (4th) was noteworthy but the only Scaup were two drakes at Creekmouth from 21st. Up to 27 Avocets were wintering at West Thurrock Marshes and the site also held a couple of Jack Snipe. A Knot at Dagenham Chase (23rd) was well out of place with the Lapwing flock. A Merlin was seen at Fairlop (2nd) and Peregrines were seen at several sites. The Dartford Warbler in the Ingrebourne survived the early cold snap and up to three Mealy Redpolls, 104 Yellowhammers and 86 Reed Buntings were also seen there. Mealies were also seen at Holyfield Hall Farm and Hollow Ponds (eight on 15th). Seven wintering Firecrest included five in the Warley area and a lone Hawfinch was seen at Weald Park on three dates. The only Waxwings were at Thorndon CP with eight on 12th and five on 30th. Rainham Marshes: The new year started off as a damp squib with lots of drizzle and no birds but things soon picked up especially with the reappearance of up to four Penduline Tits from 12th. The Black Redstart became ever more showy but the Dartford kept low till 27th and Bearded Tits were heard on 3rd and 15th. Up to ten Water Pipits and 30 Rock Pipits were found along the whole foreshore and Black-tailed Godwits peaked at 212 (17th). Three male Ruff included a colour-ringed and flagged bird from a programme in Holland . Five Short-eared Owls and the Barn Owl were seen and at least four Peregrines and a female Merlin were using the site. No white-wingers were seen but up to nine different Caspian Gulls were picked out mirroring the findings further downriver. South East Essex : Gulls, gulls, gulls…..At least eleven different Caspian Gulls frequented Hole Haven Creek but most appeared different to the Rainham birds! Over 30 have been seen in the county since November. Rossi continued to patrol at Westcliff and Med Gulls of all ages were often to be found. The Snow Buntings were reduced to nine along the Southend seafront and a Purple Sandpiper chose the same bit of beach to roost on from 13th. A flock of 48 White-fronted Geese were tracked up river past Canvey, Tilbury, West Thurrock and over the QEII bridge on 15th while four Pink-feet flew high over Wat Tyler (20th). Black –throated and Great Northern Divers were seen off the Pier and Canvey and a Fulmar off the Pier (8th) was unseasonal. Spotted Redshanks and Greenshanks were wintering in the tidal creeks of Benfleet and Wat Tyler. A Hawfinch was seen again at Langdon Hills (7th) and the traditional Waxwing flock appeared in Pitesa on 4th with a peak of 41 on 19th. East Tilbury had a couple of good days with two Bewick's Swans, eight Scoter, Little Stint and the Dartford Warbler on 2nd and a Scaup on 16th. Old Hall: Once again good high tides produced obliging divers, grebes and seaduck including Black-throated Divers on 1st and 30th, Great Northern, Velvet Scoter and Long-tailed Duck (5th), male Eider (7th) and 75 Goldeneye (2nd). Five Barnacle Geese (30th) and 15 Bewick's Swans (1st) moved through and 31 Pinkfeet dropped in (12th). A Bittern was seen on 30th and the usual assortment of Marsh and Hen Harriers and Merlins hunted the area. A Water Pipit on 2nd was a good site record but only seven Beardies were seen. Abberton Reservoir: Wildfowl dominated the log book with up to 21 White-fronts and two Pink-feet from 3rd, five Bewick's (5th) and two Whooper Swans (from 2nd). Red-crested Pochards reached an impressive 14 on 7th and up to five Smew and single Scaup (18th) were seen. A Red-necked Grebe (30th) was the only one of note and three Little Stints lingered with the Dunlin flock. Fifty Turnstones on 18th was probably a site record. A Bittern was seen sporadically from 21st and a Black Redstart (24th) and two Snow Buntings were the only small birds of note. Hanningfield Reservoir: Still a dearth of birds with a Red-necked Grebe on 17th being the only highlight until 22nd when two Scaup, a pair of Smew and a Slavonian Grebe were found. The Scaup increased to five on 29th. East and North-East Essex : Rolls Farm, Tollesbury was the place to be in January with fantastic winter river watching available. Peak counts included 20 Slavonian Grebes on 30th, up to six Great Northerns (30th), two Red-necked Grebes, Black-throated Diver, Velevet Scoter and Long-tailed Duck on several dates. The Colne Point area did quite well with Rough-legged Buzzard (27th), two Black Brants, Pale-bellied Brent, Water Pipit (two on 30th) and eight Tree Sparrows, two Mealy Redpolls and 111 Corn Buntings in set aside. Two Purple Sands were seen at Holland-on-Sea and another was on Mersea (24th) where another Brant was seen on 22nd. Inland 11 Goosander at Danbury Lakes (4th) was notable. The Hawfinch flock at Braxted increased to 21, an unprecedented count in recent years and another was seen in Hatfield Forest on 2nd. More set aside near Kelvedon produced an impressive 200 Brambling and three Mealy Redpolls among the commoner finches. Probably the most unseasonal record was of a Garden Warbler in Colchester with two Blackcaps (10th) while a Siberian Chiffchaff at Copford from 14th drew a crowd.
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