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Monthly Essex Roundup

December 2009

RSPB Rainham Marshes: A very good mix of species on the reserve in December with the continued presence of the male Marsh Harrier and the arrival of two females from 23rd. They seem quite tolerant of each other so who knows. A Buzzard was daily on the Silt Lagoons and a female Merlin was seen on 11th and 28th while at least six Peregrines are using the site. A ringtail Hen Harrier (14th) was all too brief. Gull watching produced at least five Caspian Gulls and the Atlantic-type Gull was seen again on 11th. A Great Skua was a great find on 29th and was still terrorising birds on 31st and Little Gulls were seen on each of these days with counts of six, 17 and eight. A single Kittiwake was also tagging along. An unseasonal Spoonbill dropped in on 22nd. Lapwing numbers remained stable at about 1000 with about 150 Golden Plover, many Snipe and three Ruff amongst them. Black-tailed Godwits have been seen mainly at the Barges but one on the reserve on 27th was a colour ringed Icelandic bird that we saw here in January. Other notable waders included Bar-tailed Godwit and Turnstone (29th), three Avocet (18th), singles of Jack Snipe, three Woodcock (21st) and eight Grey Plover (from 18th). A pair of Bearded Tits showed very well from 19th and the two Serins remained throughout. Single Bramblings were noted and Bullfinch on 21st was a good find. A Snow Bunting was seen on 4th and 6th and a couple of Yellowhammers were also seen. Cold weather brought in 400 Fieldfare on 26th and on 18th 238 Skylark were seen heading north.

Metropolitan (LHNS) Essex : It was moth of the Firecrest with no less than 19 birds seen at 13 sites. The Bedfords Park / Havering area held at least eight and six were in Epping Forest . A Great Northern Diver took up residence on the Girling Reservoir from 2nd and up to 13 Black-necked Grebes and a Red-breasted Merganser were also seen there. Five Goosanders were on the KGV and a Hoopoe was seen on private land near there on 24th. At least two female and one male Smew were in the Seventy Acres area with another immature male on Connaught Water on 12th-13th. Another pair were on Mollands Lane GP on 26th. Wanstead Park continued to host a Goldeneye and a male Goosander there on 20th was a bonus. Ten more were at Weald Park on 19th. A Slavonian Grebe was seen at Fairlop on 20th with a Jack Snipe there the next day. Like many sites a Woodcock was also recorded. A count of 22 Mandarin at Noak Hill was the largest count in the county ever outside Epping Forest while Egyptian Geese at Holyfield matched this number. Two Bitterns were seen at the Seventy Acres Watchpoint and at least one remained in the Ingrebourne. A flock of 26 Avocets at West Thurrock Marshes on 18th was pleasing.

South-east Essex : Wallasea wetlands was excellent in December with regular sightings of male and female Hen Harriers along with Merlins and Marsh Harriers. Both Curlew Sandpiper and Little Stint are wintering and four Eider were seen there on 13th. Encouragingly, flocks of over 200 Skylarks have been seen. Paglesham Lagoon hosted a Black-necked Grebe from 13-18th and a Whooper Swan from 5th that was also seen with the Mute Swans at South Fambridge where 100 Yellowhammers were reported on 5th. Gunners Park held a Black Redstart and two Great Northern Divers on 20th when a Black-throated was seen off nearby Shoebury East Beach the same day. Another one of each were off Westcliff on 31st where Rossi the Ring-billed Gull was also on show. Two Purple Sandpipers were seen at the end of Southend Pier (5th) and Canvey had a good seawatch on 29th with Great Northern Diver, two Slavonian and Red-necked Grebe, two Velvet and three Common Scoter and eight Little Gulls. Two Tree Island had its first ever Pochard, Merlin (24th) and Greenshank (26th).Vange and Wat Tyler held wintering Greenshank and at least three Spotted Redshanks. A couple of Caspians and a possible Kumlien's were seen 30th at a private site. Further up river a Dartford Warbler was at East Tilbury (1st) and at least 20 Goosander are wintering in Billericay. Two Firecrest were wintering at Langdon Hills and a water Pipit was at Clements Green Creek on 12th. Mucking bay ended off 2009 with an adult Iceland Gull and a Little Auk on 31st.

Abberton Reservoir: The Spotted Sandpiper stayed all month and there were still Ruff, Spotted Redshank and Turnstones around as well as the commoner waders. A count of 151 Curlew on 27th was notable. The two Spoonbills stayed until 11th and a Great White Egret dropped in on 18th. Marsh Harriers and Peregrines were daily and a Hen Harrier (5th) and a couple of Merlin sightings added spice. The Bittern was seen intermittently and the Whooper Swan lingered till at least 27th while small parties of Bewick's drifted through with eight on 9th being the high count. Two Lesser Canada Geese (of quite different appearance!) arrived on 11th with one till month end. Goosanders peaked at 16 on 10th and up to two pair of Smew were around from 4th when both Black Redstart and Richard's Pipit were found.

North-east Essex : The Stour still held four Great Northern Divers on 9th and two Firecrest were at The Naze on 2nd. Seawatching off Frinton resulted on some good counts including, 169 Scoter (1st); two Velvet Scoter and 408 Brents (3rd); 67 Kittiwakes (5th); Black-throated Divers (5th, 22nd and two 28th); counts of 124 (16th) and 211 (28th) Red-throated Divers and Great Northerns (5th-22nd and 28th). Twelve Snow Buntings flew by on 19th. Down at Colne Point there was a Shorelark on 27th-28th with four Bewick's and three Spoonbills there the same day. A Water Pipit was there on 17th.

Mid & East Essex : A Firecrest was in Wivenhoe Wood on 15th. At Alresford Creek there were 613 Avocet on the Stour on 30th along with a Slavonian Grebe and Great Northern Diver, 64 Corn Bunting and a Brambling were seen there on 24th. Up to eight Marsh Harriers were out over Langenhoe along with a single Hen Harrier (21st). A Black Brant was seen again on Mersea on 4th-5th with 13 Snow Buntings there on the former date and a single Shorelark on the point on 19th. A male Pied Harrier was reported from Southey Creek on 22nd and a male Hen Harrier was seen there on 27th along with a Curlew Sandpiper. A high count of 314 Gadwall was counted at Chigborough GP on 19th along with a hybrid Gadwall x Mallard. A single Pale-bellied Brent was at Old Hall on 27th and Goosanders included six at the University of Essex , Colchester on 10th and the same in Central Park, Chelmsford on 19th. Hanningfield Reservoir held a Great Northern Diver on 2nd-3rd and 34 Goosanders on 10th.

November 2009

RSPB Rainham Marshes: With water now evident on the site the number of duck rose steadily and there were about 400 Wigeon by mid-month along with 600 Teal and 11 Pintail. There were still raptors to be had with Hen Harriers on 4th and 15th and a male Marsh Harrier that stayed from 16th – most unusual. A female Merlin was seen on three dates and Peregrines became a daily sight. Lapwing slowly rose to about 1000 and Golden Plover peaked at 194 on 20th with 280 Black-tailed Godwits roosting on 16th. A single Avocet was seen on 11th and Dunlin numbers peaked at 700 on the foreshore from 10th. Two Jack Snipe were to be found by the patient at the Crake Pool. Short-eared and Barn Owls were seen on several dates and a Little Owl on 7th was the first for at least ten years. Yellow-legged Gulls peaked at 14 (12th)and Caspian Gulls were seen on three dates. A potential Azorean (or Atlantic) Yellow-legged Gull was seen on 27th. There was quite a lot of small bird action with Yellowhammers on three dates, four Corn Buntings, a very obliging Snow Bunting (9th) and Lapland Buntings on 12th and two on 16th. Fourteen Cetti's Warblers have been in song and a Dartford Warbler was seen on 25th and 29th. Two Bearded Tits were seen on 1st and amongst the growing finch flock a single Twite was seen on four dates from 11th. Amazingly two female Serins were located on 15th and have taken up residence in the same area as last winter.

Metropolitan (LNHS) Essex : Three Bitterns returned to winter in the Ingrebourne Valley from 2nd and storms brought in a Leach's Petrel and Great Northern Diver to the Girling and KGV Reservoirs on 26th. The Girling also hosted 12 Black-necked Grebes on 27th. Fairlop faired well with Merlin (4th), two Hawfinch and three Woodcock (6th), Red-crested Pochard (12th) and four Corn Buntings (15th). Epping Forest ponds held 89 Mandarin on 22nd and three others were seen at Bedfords Park . Up to 22 Egyptian Geese were counted at Holyfield Marsh and a Goldeneye in Wanstead Park from 14th was the first for many years. The adult Caspian Gull (Caspar) returned to the KGV Dock for his eleventh winter on 15th and Valentino the Med Gull continued to be seen in Valentines Park . Another Caspian Gull was at Purfleet with six Yellow-legged Gulls on 28th. The Dartford Warbler continued to be seen on Wantead Flats till 6th and there were two Firecrests in the Park all month. Other Firecrests were seen in Woodford Green (28th), Harold Hill (two on 17th), Epping Forest (two on 22nd), Bedfords Park (up to three throughout) and Claybury Park (28th). The only Brambling was at Fishers Green (26th) and there were several small flocks of Lesser redpolls around. A Swallow over Chafford Hundred on 6th was late and the Raven showed up again, this time at Bedfords Park on 22nd.

South-east Essex : A fairly quiet spell although there were some notable sightings during November with Canvey scoring three Great Skua and an Arctic Tern on 1st, a Franklin's Gull briefly on 28th, 29th and 30th and Great Northern Diver, Long-tailed Duck, Pomarine, Arctic and seven Great Skuas on 30th. A Great Northern Diver was seen on the former date along with three Pink-well done ooted Geese. Two Tree Island hosted Great White Egret again on 6th with 3001 Dark-bellied Brent Geese on 6th and a Dartford Warbler and two Short-eared Owls on 28th. The only Pale-bellied Brent was at Wakering on 12th and Southend Pier was quite with a Purple Sandpiper on 21st being the only new bird. Rossi the Ring-billed Gulls has been at Westcliff throughout and a Leach's Petrel was picked up there and taken into care on 28th. A late Wheatear was seen on Wallasea Island on 2nd and Firecrests were seen at Belfairs NR and Hockley Woods. A House Martin at Tilbury was battling into a gale and good raptors included a Merlin in central Southend (1st), male Hen harrier on the Roach (18th) and a Rough-legged Buzzard over Roxwell on 29th.

Abberton Reservoir: The wader fest did not abate in November with high counts of 585 Black-tailed Godwits, 320 Dunlin and a Little Stint on 1st; 42 Avocet (27th); 23 Spotted Redshanks (9th) and a new site bird in the shape of a Spotted Sandpiper from 15th onwards. Goosanders arrived on 1st and had reached 18 by 15th with a female Smew on 14th and Scaup on 20th. Bewick's Swans peaked at seven on 29th with a single Whooper on 8th.Two Slavonian Grebes were found on 21st and a Black-necked Grebe was seen on 19th. A Great Northern Diver was seen on 25th. Two immature Spoonbills remained all month.

North-east Essex : The Stour was productive with good views off Mistley Quay and Wrabness of Scaup, Goldeneye and Mergansers (39 on 28th) along with Red-necked Grebe (16th-25th), Slavonian Grebe (25th) and at least four Great Northern Divers (24th). The 1st saw a Black-throated Diver, 29 Mergansers and an Arctic Tern go past The Naze while Holland Haven hosted Dartford Warbler and two Snow Buntings from 10th with three of the latter by 24th when they were joined by a Lapland Bunting till 26th. A Pom Skua headed south on 30th. Seawatching from Frinton was un-spectacular with highlights as follows: seven Whooper Swan, Arctic Skua (3rd); Hen Harrier (4th); 2659 Wood Pigeons (5th); two Pale-bellied Brent Geese, Sandwich tern and nine White-fronted Geese (6th); 17 Eider (10th); Black-throated Diver and two Bean Geese (25th) and Pomarine Skua and Sooty Shearwater (30th). A Black Redstart was found in West Clacton (3rd) and a Marsh Tit near St Osyth (9th) was encouraging.

Mid & East Essex: Fingringhoe Wick held a Short-eared Owl on 9th and nearby Mersea Island had a Black Brant, seven Twite and nine Snow Buntings on 21st. The female Ferruginous Duck returned to winter at RSPB Old Hall Marshes on 12th. Maldon saw a passage of 3980 Wood Pigeon in one hour on 7th and at Southey Creek there were 200 Corn Buntings and ringtail Hen Harrier on 27th. Inland at Pebmarsh there was a good count of 80 Yellowhammers (6th) and at Strethall there were 300 Fieldfare and a Tree Sparrow (17th). The Whooper Swan stayed at Boreham till 5th and at Hanningfield Reservoir, the Great White Egret was last seen on 1st. A juv Night Heron was present on a private estate from 19th October to 2nd November. The Dengie was slow with just two Snow Buntings at Deal Hall on 4th, a pair of Hen Harriers (8th) and Black Redstart in Burnham-on-Crouch (3rd).

October

RSPB Rainham Marshes: The raptor fest of September continued into October with Honey Buzzards on 1st, two on 2nd and another on 11th with over 20 Buzzards in addition to two daily visiting birds and Marsh harriers on the 4th when four were seen and another on 12th. A female Merlin made several visits from 3rd onwards and Peregrines became a daily spectacle. River watching produced further rewards with two immature Gannets on 5th and another on 6th and a fine juvenile Sabine's Gull on 7th. Late terns included Arctic and Sandwich on 9th and a Common on 14th. Yellow-legged Gulls peaked at 23 on 9th and at least five different Caspian Gulls were logged from 22nd. Two Little Gulls were seen on 31st.There was a little flurry of Brent Goose sightings with five on 10th and four on 14th and a single Pinkfoot on 10th while the river also hosted two Scoter (14th) and Goldeneye on 15th and 28th. A Spotted Crake was seen on the 27th-28th and the same pool also held two Jack Snipe. There were some notable passerines including a late Tree pipit on 12th and 13th and Red-throated Pipit over calling on the latter date. Woodlarks were seen on 2nd and 10th and as finch numbers increased there were sightings of six Lesser Redpolls (12th), Brambling (14th and 18th) and 13 Crossbills (21st). A Black Redstart was found on 17th and Ring Ouzels dropped in on four dates from 4th with a Yellow-browed Warbler on 11th and the first Redwings the next day. A Lapland Bunting rounded off the month nicely on 30th.

Metropolitan Essex : Grotty weather brought a Gannet to Grays on 5th with a doomed Manx Shearwater off West Thurrock Marshes on 11th that was consumed by a Great Black-backed Gull. A Whooper Swan arrived at Walthamstow Reservoir on 13th and stayed all month with a Black necked Grebe at the same time and another eight on the Girling on 10th. Another Honey Buzzard was seen over the Orsett (12th) and Marsh Harriers were seen over Aveley (11th) and the Ingrebourne (13th). A Merlin was at Holyfield Hall Farm on 10th and a dark Eleonora's Falcon was reported at Great Warley on 5th. Valentino the Med Gull returned to Valentines Park on 10th for the winter. The first Redwings were at Great Warley on 6th and at least four Firecrests seem to be wintering in that area with another at Bedfords Park where there were also 25 Lesser Redpoll on 26th. A Ring Ouzel was in the Mardyke on 26th with three Bearded Tits also there and the next day a Red-throated Pipit overflew Wanstead Park . The nearby Flats hosted two Stonechats and a male Dartford Warbler from the 31st. A Marsh Tit became a regular visitor to a Waltham Abbey garden and a Raven flew over Chingford on 22nd. There were a couple of Brambling reports and Crossbills were seen over Gidea Park (four on 13th) and Little Warley (six on 18th).

South-east Essex : Canvey Point once again held much of the attention for the month with the 5th being particularly impressive for the 1000 Gannets that moved up river along with 70 Great Skuas. Ten Great Skuas were logged on 12th and the 21st saw both Red-throated and Black-throated Divers. Two Tree Island and Leigh-on-Sea played host to up to 7000 Dark-bellied Brents with single Pale-bellied and Black Brants from 10th. The Island also hosted a Great White Egret (9th), 91 roosting Little Egrets (12th) and a Black Redstart on 30th. Two Pinkfeet flew over Southend on 3rd and a Whooper Swan arrived at Paglesham Lagoon on 17th. ‘Rossi' the Ring-billed Gull showed well at Westcliff on and off and a Glossy Ibis was seen briefly near Rochford on 8th. East Tilbury hosted a Manx Shearwater and two Great Skuas on 11th and two Hen Harriers and another Great Skua on 24th. Raptor of the month was a pale Eleonora's Falcon along Southend seafront on 29th. Fleet Head was home to up to four Tree Sparrows all month and a late Turtle Dove was there on 7th. There was a good movement of Redwing over Langdon Hills on 12th with 820 logged along with a Ring Ouzel and two Bramblings.

Abberton Reservoir: The ringed adult White-rumped Sandpiper stayed until at least the 21st and was joined briefly by a juvenile on 4th. A Grey Phalarope from 2nd-7th and a Pectoral Sandpiper (9th-11th) added interest and with 485 Black-tailed Godwits (11th), Avocets (24 on 5th), Wood Sandpiper (4th), Curlew Sandpiper (4th), Little Stint (two on 10th) and up to 23 Ruff and 32 Spotted Redshanks it was still a haven for waders. Spoonbill rose to three from 10th and two were still around at month's end. One Whooper Swan dropped in on 11th and 17th and 11 Brents on 11th was good for the site. Three Black-necked Grebes stayed till 4th and there were two Slavonians from 2nd with four on 11th. A Great White Egret came in on 17th. Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (18th), Woodlark (9th) and Snow Bunting (25th) were the best passerines.

North-east Essex : The Stour was quiet with an Osprey at Copperas Bay (11th) and a Bittern at Judas Gap (14th) being the highlights. The Naze had odd good days such as the 4th when a Ring Ouzel and two Snow Buntings were seen. The 9th saw a few seabirds moving with nine Pomarine and five Great Skuas and two Sooty Shearwaters while Tree Sparrows were seen on 13th (eight) and 22nd (four). There was a scattering of Firecrest and Yellow-broweds were located on 14th, 17th and 22nd. The 14th also saw a Great Northern Diver go by and a Lapland Bunting was seen on 18th. Holland Haven had another Glossy Ibis on 7th with Bittern there on 1st and a smattering of other goodies such as Hen Harrier (10th), Dartford Warbler, three Bearded Tits and Black Redstart (13th), Snow Bunting (17th) and Tree Sparrow (25th). Seawatching and vis mig at Frinton was on par with usual and good day counts were as follows: Skylark: 174 (1st) and 200 (8th); Pomarine Skuas on 5th, 6th and two on 10th; Yellow-browed Warblers on 8th and 10th; Ring Ouzel, Woodlark and Spotted Flycatcher on 8th; Goldfinches: 1039 (8th) and 907 (12th); Brent Geese: 2098 (9th) and 1180 (14th); Hen Harrier (10th); Short-eared Owl and Firecrest (12th) and Little Auk (20th).

Mid & East Essex: At Fingringhoe Wick there were two Black Redstarts on 10th and 5000 Wood Pigeons were counted moving over Saffron Walden on 30th with 4000 the same day over Danbury where there were 550 Redwings on 12th. The Maldon area was pretty good with 50 Little Egrets roosting on Northey Island (4th) and Curlew Sandpiper, Red Kite and Red-throated Diver the same day around the gravel pits. A White-rumped Sandpiper was seen at Limbourne Creek on 8th and Southey Creek hosted a late Hobby on 11th and a Hen Harrier on 23rd. A Whooper Swan took up residence on the pits near Boreham from 19th and a summer plumaged Red-throated Diver in the middle of Chelmsford from 15th proved very popular until its' sad demise on 27th. A Raven was also seen over Chlemsford on 2nd. Elsewhere there were four Firecrests on Mersea on 21st and two Hawfinches in Braxted Park on 31st. Hanningfield Reservoir held a male Hen Harrier on 18th and a Great White Egret took up semi-residence from 22nd. The Dengie hosted a few raptors with Red Kites over Bradwell Obs on 7th and there and Stow Maries on 18th and a Black Kite over Ramsey Marsh on 15th. There were several Merlin sightings and a Goshawk was seen on 18th. The 11th saw Firecrest and Ring Ouzel around the Obs with Tree pipit and two brief Glossy Ibises the next day. An escaped Marabou Stork was seen from the 7th-24th near Southminster and was the mysterious huge bird seen over Rainham Marshes on 24th September!

September 2009

RSPB Rainham Marshes: It was a month for raptors with sustained sky-watching producing some excellent records including at least 22 Buzzard, three Honey Buzzard (24th, 27th, 28th), 11 Marsh Harrier, Hen Harrier (27th), another Montagu's Harrier (juvenile on 20th), three Goshawks (11th, 12th, 19th) and many sightings of Sparrowhawk, Hobby, Kestrel and Peregrine. To top it all a dark morph Eleonora's Falcon graced the reserve for a few minutes on the 20th. News of the Tufted Puffin had everyone glued to the Thames and the day after (17th) a Guillemot was found, only to be topped by an even rarer Puffin on the 23rd. A Black-necked Grebe on the river on 21st was most unexpected and the first returning Great-crests were seen in the last week. Tern passage was almost non-existent with 51 Common, four Arctic and a Black on 14th being the only notable count. A male Common Scoter, three Little Gulls and two Sandwich Terns were seen the following day. Duck started to dribble back in with up to five Pintail but there was no major influx. Waders were similarly scarce with a Little Stint on 17th-18th being the highlight along with a Spotted Redshank (12th) and two Knot from 15th. The woodland held Spotted Flycatchers on several dates and a Pied Flycatcher was found on 1st. Whinchat passage was prominent with peaks of 13 on 2nd and ten on 8th while good numbers of Yellow Wagtails and Meadow Pipits moved through. Amongst them were the first Rock Pipits and three Tree Pipits. Six Tree Sparrows around the feeders were something of a surprise (8th) and a Turtle Dove on 11th would prove to be the only bird of the autumn.

Metropolitan Essex : Compared to Rainham the rest of the area was quiet raptor wise with a juvenile Montagu's Harrier over the Mardyke Valley (11th), Red Kite over Hornchurch on 25th and a very large white Gyr-type falcon over Harlow on 27th and Rainham Marshes on 29th. However, it was a month with a good spread of passage migrants with no less than 12 Tree Pipits and ten Redstarts as well as a good supporting cast of Spotted Flycatchers, Whinchats and a three Pied Flycatchers. Two different Grasshopper Warblers were seen at Bedfords Park and a Raven was at Havering-atte-Bower on 29th. Elsewhere nine Pink-footed Geese were over Chafford Hundred on 16th with a Gannet south over Walthamstow Reservoir on 30th. A Garganey was on the reservoirs on 14th with a Shag and Black-necked Grebe there on 27th. The Shag was also seen on the KGV Reservoir on 3rd.

South-east Essex : Canvey Point held much of the attention for the month with several good movement days. Sabine's Gulls were seen on several dates with two on 10th, three on 11th and a single on 14th and 16th. The 15th was the big day with 465 Gannet, 53 Great Skuas, 17 Pomarines and 38 Arctics as well as many terns and few auks while the following day added another Pomarine and a single Long-tailed Skua. A Manx Shearwater was almost resident from 2nd-12th and three were seen on 14th. Elsewhere, Med Gulls reached 50 on Southend Pier with two Purple Sandpipers there on 8th and Rossi the Ring-billed Gull showed well at Westcliff on and off. Two Caspian Gulls were at Pitsea tip on 5th and the same day an amazing seven Glossy Ibises almost touched down on Bowers Marsh but continued onwards. Two Curlew Sandpipers were at Canvey Point on 2nd and then at Two Tree Island on 18th but there were no other waders of real note. A Great White Egret was seen over Wat Tyler CP on 29th with Garganey there on 5th. Gunners Park was well watched and produced Pied Flycatcher (21st), Tree Sparrows (6th, 11th, 12th) and Redstarts on four dates. A Yellow-browed Warbler was seen there on 29th. Marsh Harriers were at several sites including three at Wakering Stairs on 5th when four Turtle Doves were also seen.

Abberton Reservoir: With dropping water levels it was not surprising that the reservoir attracted an excellent selection of waders. Spotted Redshanks increased to a high of 58 on 13th with a supporting cast of up to eight Curlew Sandpipers (9th), eight Knot (11th), Little Stint and two Avocet (6th), 100 Black-tailed Godwits, Wood Sandpipers (6th & 19th) and a ringed adult White-rumped Sandpiper from 12th into October. Marsh Harriers and Buzzards were seen almost daily but the 9th was the best raptor day with Honey Buzzard, 10 Buzzard, Red Kite, Marsh Harrier, Peregrine and six Hobbies. Other Red Kites were seen on 23rd and 28th. An adult Osprey was seen on 2nd and a juvenile went through on 6th. Merlins were reported on 6th and 28th. Black-necked Grebes reached four by 20th and a Slavonian arrived on 13th along with an immature Spoonbill. Eight Red-crested Pochards were found amongst the masses of dabbling duck. Pied Flycatchers on 16th and 19th were the passerine highlights while a juvenile Gannet on the 25th was a surprise.

North-east Essex : The Stour hosted four Sandwich Terns and an Osprey on 4 th and four Jack Snipe were at RSPB Cattawade Marshes on 16th. The Naze was very quiet with no major finds bar Honey Buzzard (6th), Redstart and Pied Flycatcher (10th), two Snow Buntings (from 16th), Treecreeper and a passage of 970 House Martin, 435 Meadow Pipit and a single Tree Pipit (20th), Quail (21st) and a Yellow-browed Warbler (29th). Holland Haven fared a little better with 15 Whinchat (8th), Icterine Warbler (10th), Wrynecks (17th & 28th) and best of all a brief Glossy Ibis (19th). Seawatching from Frinton was dire till 12th when a Sabine's Gull flew past. The 14th saw two Velvet Scoters and an Osprey go by with two each of Brambling, Crossbill and Tree Pipit in off. The following day saw a Pied Flycatcher on the seafront. The 17th saw a huge movement of Meadow Pipits with 1909 logged before 0800 along with four Tree Pipits. A further 921 were counted the next day. Other notable counts included: 21 Pink-feet (28th), summer plumage Great Northern Diver (29th & 30th), two Redwing (29th), and three White-fronts, 3369 Brents, 608 Scoter and 313 Great Black-backed Gulls on 30th. Inland, a Honey Buzzard was over Little Clacton on 12th and, bird of the month, an Isabelline Wheatear was seen by one lucky observer at Great Bromley on 27th.

Mid & East Essex : On the Colne there was a good selection of waders at Alresford including Curlew Sandpiper on 2nd and 26 Greenshank on 3rd. Honey Buzzards were seen over Friday Woods (5th), Maldon (8th) and Mersea Island (20th). Heybridge hosted 36 Greenshank and a Sanderling (13th) and Whooper Swan and Tree Pipit (27th). There were several other Tree Pipits and inland Redstarts and a single Pied Flycatcher at Crowsheath on 11th. Two touches of spring came in the form of a Bee-eater over Tolleshunt D'Arcy (18th) and a Golden Oriole singing at Braxted Park (11th). Elsewhere 600 Sanderling on the Dengie at Deal Hall on 14th was exceptional and four Quail were flushed at the Hythe on 15th. Hanningfield Reservoir held a Garganey on 1st and a Black-necked Grebe on 6th. It was a quiet month at RSPB Old Hall Marshes with notable roost counts of 378 Common Tern and five Blacks on 2nd with 18 Blacks there the preceding evening. Eleven Whinchat (6th) and 18 Green Sandpipers (3rd) added interest.

August 2009

RSPB Rainham Marshes: Although not especially hot, it was another dry month and on warm days there was often a Marsh Harrier to be seen with juveniles seen on 15 dates, with two on 22nd. Buzzards drifted over on 19th and 23rd with four together on 22nd. A Honey Buzzard moved south on 23rd and our third Red Kite of the year was seen on 7th. However, the star raptor was a male Montagu's Harrier that quartered the fields on 24th-25th. Water Rails showed amazingly well for such a skulking species and three Egyptian Geese (24th) were new for the year. Waders were a little thin on the ground but Icelandic Black-tailed Godwits, Green Sandpipers and Snipe performed very well in front of the hide. A Spotted Redshank (26th), two Turnstone (6th), 11 Whimbrel, (6th), Ruff (11th), and Sanderling (25th) were notable. Migrant small birds were definitely on the move with up to eight Whinchat (17th), Tree Sparrow and Tree Pipit (25th), several Spotted Flycatchers, Pied Flycatcher (29th), Redstart (6th and 11th) and two Crossbills (3rd).

Metropolitan Essex: The Inner Thames was fairly quiet with up to nine Black and two Sandwich Terns at Barking Bay / Crossness while another nine Blacks were seen on the KGV Reservoir. A Common Scoter was at North Woolwich (10th) and the Ruddy Shelduck continued to be seen at various Thameside sites. A couple of Black-necked Grebes were on the Girling reservoir and a Slavonian Grebe on the KGV on 31st was unusual. Egrets were seen at many sites with highs of seven in Wanstead Park on 3rd and 18 on the Girling on 9th. Wood Sandpipers were seen on Wanstead Flats (11th) and at Dagenham Chase (two on 25th). Twenty Black-tailed Godwits were in the Ingrebourne on 11th with a records 22 over Walthamstow reservoirs on 9th. There was a good fall of scarcer migrants with Redstarts on six dates at four sites involving nine birds and Pied Flycatchers in the Ingrebourne, Mayesbrook and Bedfords Park . There was a good sprinkling of Whinchats and Spotted Flycatchers and four Tree Pipits were seen from 26th. A Red Kite over Dagenham on 16th was the sole notable large BOP.

South-east Essex : Rossi the Ring-billed Gull returned for his 11th winter on 13th and 162 Med Gulls was the high count for Southend Seafront. A single Caspian Gull was seen near Canvey on 1st. Tern passage off Canvey was reasobale with peak counts of 130 Blacks on 7th and 21 Arctics on 28th. The 7th also saw the finding of a cute Kentish Plover there over the high tide. A Great Skua on 6th was the only seabird of note. A huge passage of 308 Black Terns at east Tilbury on 23rd contained a fine summer plumaged White-winged Black. The Little Egret roost on Two-Tree Island peaked at 141 on 4th and 686 Curlews were counted at Holehaven on 21st. RSPB Vange Marshes held up to 11 Spotted Redshanks on 1st and Wallasea Wetlands had a Curlew Sandpiper on 7th. An Osprey took up residence at Wakering Stairs from 7th with two there on 22nd. A Goshawk was over South Woodham Ferrers on 21st-22nd with another at Billericay on 7th. Four White Storks were seen together over Cressing Temple on 15th and had all quite probably spent the evening on the chimneys as one was still there when first observed!

Abberton Reservoir: With lowering water levels and an increase in weed it was not surprising that waders and wildfowl started to return. Spotted Redshanks gradually climbed to a high of 65 on 23rd with up to 20 Ruff (19th), two wood Sandpipers, 20 Pintail (29th), Garganey on several dates, 100's of Gadwall and Pochard, six Red-crested Pochard and a record 420 Greylag Geese. Up to two Black-necked Grebes were present throughout and Great Crested Grebes peaked at 135 on 14th. The Little Egret steadily rose with a high of 144 on 19th. Common Terns peaked at 398 on 7th with small numbers of Black Terns moving through. Nineteen on 29th was the highest number and also attracted an Arctic Tern from 26th. A Kittiwake on 23rd was a good site record. Marsh Harriers were a daily sight and an Osprey was seen on 30th.

Hanningfield Reservoir: The 11th was a good day with 12 species of wader including Turnstone, Little Stint and two Curlew Sandpipers. A Nightingale and Goshawk were seen on 16th.

East & North-east Essex : Holland Haven continued to attract a few waders with six Whimbrel (2nd) and two Little Stints (26th). A Bittern on 31st was probably the most unusual sighting and a male Montagu's Harrier was much appreciated. An Osprey was on the Stour at Langham on 10th and a colour-ringed Greenshank at Mistley on 21st had been rung on the Solent on 6th August 2005 while seven Black-tailed Godwits amongst a flock of 750 seen there the same day were all similarly banded. A Sanderling was very notable there on 26th and Ringed Plover reached an impressive 400 on 23rd. A Spoonbill was seen in Hamford Water on 15th and an immature male Montagu's Harrier was at St Osyth (31st). Along the coast at Frinton the sea-watching was slow with meagre highlights of 850 Swallows south on 14th , Little Gull (17th), 14 Scoter and 57 Whimbrel (23rd). Down on the Colne there were good wader counts at Alresford and Wivenhoe of 460 Black-tailed Godwit and 200 Avocet on 17th with 17 Spotted Redshanks and a Merlin on 21st. A Tree Pipit was seen there on 28th. An Ortolan was seen on Mersea on 19th with Wood Sandpiper (13th) and Osprey (29th) at Cudmore Grove. The Blackwater hosted the usual waders along with 17 Little tersn and an impressive 530 Greyalgs at Heybridge on 22nd with a Garganey at nearby Lofts Farm the same day. Abbotts Hall shared waders with Old Hall and also had a Merlin on 3rd and Redstart on 27th.

RSPB Old Hall Marshes: Wader peaks included 54 Spotted Redshanks (8th) and 110 Grey Plover (2nd), Curlew Sandpipers on 9th and two on 23rd and a Little Stint and four Little Ringed Plovers on 11th. Up to 360 Common Terns roosted at the far end and an Osprey dropped in on 25th when 13 Marsh Harriers were also reported. However, it was the sighting of what was probably a Lesser Spotted Eagle on 9th that caused the biggest stir!

Bradwell Bird Observatory and the Dengie: A good month with plenty of raptor activity including three different Montagu's Harriers with juveniles 16th-28th and 13th and 24th (a ringed bird) and a colour winged tagged immature male on 26th. Ramsey Marsh hosted both Curlew Sandpiper and Temminck's Stint on 5th and 55 Black Terns past Deal Hall on 6th was a county high for the month. At the Obs a Tree Sparrow was seen on 9th and 30th with a single redstart there the same day.

July 2009

RSPB Rainham Marshes: A steady passage of waders during the month with up to six Whimbrel daily and Common Sandpipers reached 12 by month end. Two Sanderling and 13 Dunlin on 15th were noteworthy and Little Egrets peaked at 26 on 3rd. Three broods of Shoveler and Tufted Duck and two of gadwall made for the best season in many years. Common Gulls moved up river in the first week and at least six different Med Gulls were logged along with over 20 different Yellow-legged Gulls. A Tawny Owl was heard on 3rd and the first juvenile Marsh Harrier of the season was seen on 30th-31st. A Spotted Flycatcher was seen on 20th and a Tree Pipit on 31st was the first real passage migrant.

Metropolitan Essex : Good numbers of Green and Common Sandpipers were recorded in the various river valleys in reservoirs with peaks of 17 and 21 respectively in the Lee valley complex on 22nd. A Little Tern on the Royal Albert Dock on 6th was unusual while a Quail was heard several times around Orsett. A Honey Buzzard was seen over Harold Hill on 22nd and for the first month this year there were no Red Kite reports. Three juvenile Egyptian Geese were seen in Barking Park on 10th and a Sandwich Tern was out of place over Woodford Green on 30th. Forty-two Crossbills were reported from seven sites from 2nd with most from 18th.

South-east Essex : Southend's Med Gulls reached a new county high in July rising from 75 on 11th to 186 on 26th. A single Caspian Gull was seen at Tewke's Creek on 29th. RSPB Vange Marshes hosted a god variety of waders with 34 Black-tailed Godwits (9th), 82 Greenshank (22nd) and nine Spotted Redshanks (28th) being the highlights. Nearby Two Tree Island held 440 Black-tailed Godwits on 11th and 67 Little Egrets roosted there on 28th. 270 Curlew roosted at Holehaven on 2nd. Three Lesser Redpolls were in Westcliff on 16th and 13 juvenile Bearded Tits were seen at Wat Tyler CP on 29th suggesting a good breeding season. Unusual big birds of prey included a female Han Harrier at Mucking (8th), Red Kite over Hockley (12th) and Osprey over Wakering Common (25th). Crossbills were over Laindon Hills (two on 17th) and Belfairs (6th).

Abberton Reservoir: Wader passage was moderate with highs of 44 Common Sandpiper (23rd) and 12 Greenshank (5th). Three Goldeneye were found and a record 16 Egyptian Geese were seen on 26th. Common Terns peaked at 280 (18th) and a single Black Tern was around from 23rd along with a single lingering Little Gull. Over 1000 Sand Martins dropped in on 12th and Little Egrets steadily rose to a high of 28 (26th). Marsh Harriers and Buzzards were regular but the highlight of the month was undoubtedly the Bittern seen on the 5th.

Hanningfield Reservoir: A few waders moved though and included seven Little Ringed Plovers (5th), five Black-tailed Godwits and a Little Stint (26th) and 12 Ringed Plover (28th).

East & North-east Essex : Holland Haven hosted Wood Sandpipers on 21st and 31st and nearby at Frinton there were some good coastal passage records including a very unseasonal Goosander (2nd), 5000 southbound Swifts (6th), Arctic Skua (10th), 61 Common and a single Velvet Scoter (12th), 47 Little Terns (17th) and Manx Shearwaters on 17th and 21st. The Naze held a Quail, two Kittiwakes and 11 summering Eider on 19th. Red Kites were seen at three sites on 1st and Tollesbury on 4th and local Marsh Harriers seem to have done well again. Inland a Redstart was found at Strethall Field along with five Grey Partridges and 17 territorial Corn Buntings while Crossbills were seen over Chelmsford (three on 11th) and at Great Holland Pits (five on 13th). The Black Redstarts started a second clutch at Bradwell Power Station.

RSPB Old Hall Marshes: The month started off well with two Cranes briefly on 2nd followed by a single Brent Goose, four Ruff and the first returning Golden Plovers on 5th. By the 8th there were 51 Golden Plovers along with 86 Black-tailed Godwits and 33 Spotted Redshanks. The latter count rose to 48 on 12th while Curlews peaked the day before on 524 when two Little Gulls were also seen. The 8th also produced a Quail. A lull till the 26th when both Temminck's Stint and Curlew Sandpiper were found.

June 2009

RSPB Rainham Marshes: There was a trickle of waders during the month with Wood Sandpiper and Knot through on 1st, Whimbrels on 3rd and 24th, Greenshank from 5th with up to five on 26th, 26 Black-tailed Godwits on 22nd, Ruff (26th), four Avocet (12th) and Grey Plover (28th). Not bad for a what is normally a quiet wader month! A Spot Fly hung around till 2nd but there were no other passerines of note until 27th when both Grey and Yellow Wagtails were seen. Two adult Med Gulls were seen regularly and four Little Gulls and two Common Gulls were seen on 26th. The first Yellow-legged Gulls were back on the river from 18th. The male Wigeon and four Teal were still around and the Ruddy Shelduck from Barking Bay made distant appearances on 1st and 16th. Up to six Hobbies made daily appearances and nine Buzzards through on 14th was exceptional for June. A female Marsh Harrier was around till 5th with an immature male present from 26th.

Metropolitan Essex: The Savi's Warbler at Seventy Acres Lake was last reported on 1st but Grasshopper Warblers were still in song with at least five between three sites in Havering. A Little Stint was seen at Belhus Woods CP on 3rd but the only other wader was a ruffed Ruff at Dagenham Chase on 26th. The Ruddy Shelduck spent most of its time in the Barking Bay / Crossness area and three broods of Mandarin were located away from Epping Forest . Red Kites were seen over Bedfords Park (3rd) and Snaresbrook (21st). A Siskin over Bedfords Park on 3rd was unseasonal.

South-east Essex: The Nightingale and Grasshopper Warbler remained on Two Tree Island all month with another Gropper at Battlesbridge on 27th. The only other real noteworthy bird was a Spoonbill at RSPB Vange Marshes on 24th.

Abberton Reservoir: A male Goldeneye on 10th and five Little Gulls on 17th were the scant highlights.

Hanningfield Reservoir: The 6th was the best day of June with a brood of Red-crested Pochards, 2000 Swifts, Grey Plover and a very unseasonal Kittiwake. Two Egyptian Geese on 16th were unusual.

East & North-east Essex: The Stour was still home to four Wigeon at RSPB Cattawade Marshes on 4th and a few Greenshank were noted. A Grasshopper Warbler was singing at Judas Gap on 24th. A new scrape at Dovercourt quickly attracted several Avocets and a Little Gull on 6th. Patch work around Sunny Mead Farm, Wivenhoe continues to reap rewards with a male Mandarin and a Black Redstart on 10th. Nearby at Alresford Creek there were signs of a poor Arctic breeding season due to late snow, with many waders on the move including 37 Bar-tailed Godwits and 17 Spotted Redshanks on 25th and 44 Bar-tails there the following day. A Great White Egret was seen at Chigborough on 20th and there were seven sightings of Red Kite between the 14th and 26th.

Dengie and Bradwell Bird Observatory: Best bird of the month in the whole county was a Common Rosefinch from 5th-7th near the Obs. It was a brown immature male but sang heartily for those gathered. A family of Black Redstarts fledged on the power station and proved an added bonus. An immature Shag was still on the Power Station outfall on 21s

May 2009

RSPB Rainham Marshes: The focus of the whole month was the 13th when at long last we were treated to some real wader passage. During the course of the day 15 species were seen including record breaking flocks of 26 Sanderling, 21 Grey Plover and seven Turnstone along with 12 Bar-tailed Godwit, 26 Ringed Plover and two Whimbrel. On the river 16 Black, 11 Arctic and two Little Terns made for a special day. Two Sandwich Terns were seen over the next four days and a Curlew Sandpipers on 14th - 15th and 31st added spice. Other waders logged were 16 ‘limosa' Black-tailed Godwits (11th), four Avocet (14th). A Red Kite (4th) and several Buzzards moved through while a female Marsh Harrier was seen on three dates. Three Spoonbills dropped in for a while on 6th with a single immature seen on 7th, 11th and 12th. Little Gulls were seen on 4th and from 12th-14th and a Caspian (13th) and a couple of Med Gulls were reported. A single Spotted Flycatcher was in the woodland on several dates from 13th and seven Whinchats was exceptional for the spring. The Dartford Warbler was seen again on 13th-14th and a Turtle Dove (7th) was the only record.

Metropolitan Essex: A Savi's Warbler in the Lee Valley at Seventy Acres from 1st and into June proved very popular and there was a good selection of interesting migrants across the area including Whinchats through Fairlop and Bedfords Park, a singing Golden Oriole in a Woodford Green garden (13th), a White Stork over Gants Hill (5th). About ten Grasshopper Warblers were on territory. Red Kites were seen over five sites with Ospreys over Wennington (10th) and Ilford (13th). Intriguingly, a Black Kite was seen each day from 3rd to 9th in the Weald Park , Bedfords Park area. There were two Goshawk sightings and Marsh Harriers were seen up the Lee and Ingrebourne Valleys and a ringtail Hen Harrier went through Chingford on 31st. A Honey Buzzard was seen the same day over Upshire. The Lee valley was not top be left out of the wader and tern passage on 13th with three Little, Black and 26 Arctic Terns at Walthamstow; 13 Black and a Little Tern on the KGV Reservoir and four more Blacks at Holyfield. Four Sandwich Terns and two Arctics were at Walthamstow Reservoirs on 14th with a male Garganey added interest. A Ruddy Shelduck at Creekmouth on 31st rounded the month up nicely.

South-east Essex: RSPB Vange Marshes was consistently good for waders with Spotted Redshank till 13th, Wood Sandpiper (3rd), six Greenshank (6th), Sanderling and four Grey Plover (13th), Temminck's Stint (14th) and a Marsh Sandpiper briefly on 11th. A Red Kite flew over there on 5th with another over South Fambridge on 17th. Nightingales and Grasshopper Warblers were in traditional spots. An Osprey was over Southend on 5th and a male Hen Harrier was late at Canewden on 29th. Seawatching off Canvey produced two Razorbill on 11th and four on 17th. The 13th saw a few terns up river with 272 Common, four Arctic and 13 Blacks with another 14 Arctic Terns and a Razorbill off Gunners Park the same day.

Abberton Reservoir: Very quiet indeed with little of note bar three Greenland Wheatears on 9th and 15 Common Sandpipers and 2 Turnstones on 13th.

Hanningfield Reservoir: Like many sites the 13th saw Black Terns on the reservoir with 36 through along with a Little Tern. Fifteen Black Terns were present the next day along with seven Red-crested Pochards, 8000 Swifts and 8 Arctic Terns.

East & North-east Essex: Twelve Red Kites were seen across the northern half of the county with Black Kites reported at Notley and Writtle on 3rd. Rough-legged Buzzards were seen over RSPB Old Hall on 11th and St Osyth 13th and there was a late Hen Harrier at Tollesbury (2nd). Wader passage was generally poor with RSPB Old Hall hosting up to five Spotted Redshanks, three Little Stints on 4th and 13th and Wood Sandpipers there and at RSPB Cattawade and Cudmore Grove. The only Curlew Sandpiper was at Colne Point on 23rd and a Temminck's Stint and 123 Black-tailed Godwits were at The Hythe on 15th-16th. A male Garganey was seen there from 20th with two more males at RSPB Old Hall on 4th. Heybridge GP hosted a very brief Red-rumped Swallow on 3rd and 20 Black terns on 14th. Others were seen at Gosfield (13th) and RSPB Old Hall. Scarce migrant passerines were just that with Wood Warblers in song at Wivenhoe (1st) and Holland Haven (4th), several Whinchats and a probable Melodious Warbler at the latter site on 13th.

April 2009

RSPB Rainham Marshes: A typically bustling April with most of the commoner summer migrants making an appearance before the end of the month. Scarcer visitors included a Redstart (8th), Blue-headed Wagtail (27th), Garden Warbler (23rd), Tree Pipit (28th), Ring Ouzel (10th, 12th and 19th) and at least three Grasshopper Warblers. Raptor passage over the reserve was fantastic with nearing 20 Buzzards, four Marsh Harriers, three Red Kites (4th and two on 18th), two Ospreys (16th and 18th), two Goshawks (male on 13th and female on 21st), the first Hobby on the 14th, female Merlin (11th and 17th) as well as Peregrine, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel. Terns were scarce but a few Common were seen along with three Arctic (19th) and a single Black (29th) and Little Gulls were seen on three dates including eight on the 6th. Twenty-two Common Scoters spent the day on the Thames on the 11th with six more on 17th. Wader passage was relatively slow with 28 Golden Plover north on 10th, four Grey Plover (16th), Knot (11th), 2 Avocet (2nd), 23 Whimbrel (9th), up to five Greenshank and four Bar-tailed Godwits, 20 Black-tailed Godwits (18th). Two pair of Garganey were found on 6th with a pair reappearing on 8th and a male staying throughout. Vestiges of winter included several Siskins, a Brambling, the Iceland Gull (till 16th) and a Tundra Bean Goose (30th). A Great White Egret flew through on 14th and a Spoonbill dropped in on 28th.

Metropolitan Essex : All in all an excellent month! Scarce migrants were well spread out with a Spotted Crake at Fairlop briefly on 2nd, Garganey at Dagenham Chase (male on 15th), Mayesbrook Park (pair on 20th) and Wanstead Park (pair on 23rd), 11 Grasshopper Warblers singing at seven sites, a Savi's Warbler at Seventy Acres Lake (from 30th), Ring Ouzels on Wanstead Flats (male on 19th and pair on 20th), Whinchats at three sites in the last week, two migrant and two territorial Tree Pipits, Wrynecks in Purfleet and Hainault Forest CP (both 25th), Redstart in the Roding Valley NR (7th), immature Purple Heron at Walthamstow Reservoirs (23rd-25th) and a Great White Egret over Ilford (5th). Late winter birds included several Siskin and Lesser Redpolls (including 20 at Cornmill Meadows on 11th), a late Redwing at Bedfords Park (9th) and Fieldfare at Mayesbrook Park (14th). Thirty Waxwings hung around Cahfford Hunderd till the 11th. Elsewhere there were very few terns on the move with just four Sandwich (8th) and an Arctic Tern (15th) caught up with Common Terns on the KGV reservoir. Up to eight Little Gulls were also seen there along with a single Black-necked Grebe on 14th. Buzzards were on the move all month and augmented the local birds with counts of 12 for Holyfield Hall Farm and six at Sewardstone (6th) being notable. A female Goshawk was seen in the Lee Valley on 1st and one or two males were reported between Beckton, Wanstead, Fairlop and South Woodford . One has the remains of jesses. Ospreys were seen over Seventy Acres Lake on the 1st and 22nd with another over Dagenham Chase on 18th. Eleven Red Kites were seen in the area (on top of the Rainham trio) with both the Ingrebourne and Bedfords Park hosting two records. Elsewhere a Marsh Harrier was seen over Bedfords Park (1st) and a White Stork was seen over Holyfield Hall Farm on 25th and then over Canning Town and Hornchurch on 28th.

South-east Essex: Amongst the commoner migrants there were Grasshopper Warblers at Two Tree Island and Wakering Stairs with Nightingales at least five sites including a showy male at Two Tree Island . The Island also hosted a Little Stint from 13th. Vange hosted a good wader selection that included up to four Spotted Redshanks while Black Redstart (2nd) and Kittiwake (21st) were good site birds. A Ring Ouzel was seen at Hadleigh CP on 5th and twenty Waxwings visited Basildon on 12th with four still on 22nd. A trip of eight Dotterel was found on Wallasea Island on 25th with five more using the same field on 29th and 30th. Wakering Stairs hosted Hen Harrier (5th) and Merlin (23rd) while the only Red Kite in the area was over Laindon on 26th.

Abberton Reservoir: March's good grebes lingered with three Slavonians till 11th and still three Black-necks on 1st. There was a good scattering of migrants with two pair of Garganey on 1st and another pair on 7th. The first Common Terns was on the 7th with 100 by 25th with Arctic Terns on 18th and 22nd and a single Little on 24th. Twenty-five Little Gulls dropped on on 6th. Singing Firecrest were found on 12th, 25th and 27th and a late Brambling was around the feeders on 18th. A male Scaup arrived on 7th and a female Mandarin was probably one of the rarest birds of the month. Buzzards were seen daily and a couple of Marsh Harriers and a single Osprey (19th) moved through. A male Goshawk was seen four times in the area and a Raven was over nearby Friday Woods on 27th.

Hanningfield Reservoir: Two Black-necked Grebes stayed till 4th with the first Yellow Wagtail the same day. Up to five Red-crested Pochards were seen on the 5th and 19th was a good gull day with four Little Gulls, two Mediterranean Gulls and a first-winter Kittiwake. A Sandwich Tern dropped in on 21st and a single Black Tern was with Commons on 24th.

East & North-east Essex: There was a new flurry of Waxwings with 16 in Manningtree till 3rd and 12 in Colchester till 10th. A late single was in Dovercourt on 27th. The Naze was very quiet with only a Redstart on 6th. Another was at Dovercourt on 22nd while nearby there were still six Tree Sparrows coming to a garden in St Osyth. Seawatching off Frinton gave two good days with 23 Gannet, 11 Fulmar, two Sandwich, 14 Common, two Arctic and four Little Terns on 18th and 402 Bar-tailed Godwits, 129 Whimbrel and 15 Fulmar on 19th. Holland Haven hosted two continental Coal Tits and Purple Sandpiper on 22nd with a female Montagu's Harrier on 25th. Ringtail Hen Harries were seen at Langenhoe (11th) and Southey Creek (28th) with a fine male at Colne Point on 19th. A Kentish Ploverwas reported at Mersea Stone on 6th and after first being seen at Heybridge GP on 13th, the Lesser Yellowlegs reappeared at the same site on 18th, staying till 22nd. At nearby Lofts Farm a Black-necked Grebe stayed till 10th and a Barnacle Goose lingered with Brents at Sothey Creek till 5th. The Hythe hosted a Ruddy Shelduck from 20th and a Honey Buzzard flew through there on 26th. There were nearly 20 ed Kite reports during April.

Dengie and Bradwell Bird Observatory: A good start to April with Redwing, seven Marsh Harriers, Firecrest and Purple Sandpiper on 5th. A Black Redstart was around the power station on 7th and 10th and on the latter date an amazing 14 Shags were on the outflow jetty. An Alpine Swift was seen briefly on 19th and Garganey were seen at various sites including, Ramsey, Deal Hall and Blue House Farm. A high tide wader roost on 27th gave a very good seasonal count of 5400 Dunlin and 1094 Grey Plover.

RSPB Old Hall Marshes: Quite a good month with at least five Marsh Harriers on site and Red Kite and Goshawk through on 4th. Whimbrel peaked at 100 by 30th while the Spoonbill remained all month and an Alpine Swift was seen briefly on 11th.

Raptor summary: The passage of common Buzzards continued with countless birds being logged including 15 together over Birch on 5th. The species is seemingly becoming very well established in the county now. There were an encouraging number of Goshawk sightings and 33 Red Kites were reported. There will undoubtedly be some duplication but it can not be long now till they take a firm hold and start breeding.

March 2009

RSPB Rainham Marshes: Another month of gulls with diligent watching producing about five Caspian, at least three different immature Icelands and two immature Glaucous as well as what appears to be a first winter Kumlien's Gull from 12th- 20th. An albino large gull caused some consternation on most days. Several Mediterranean Gulls and an adult Kittiwake (19th) and Little Gull (21st-22nd) added interest. A Bittern was seen in the forseshore reedbed on 17th and was the first for the reserve while a male Mandarin on the 12th was the first for 19 years! A record 37 Curlew were seen on 30th but there were few other waders bar a single Avocet (3rd), two limosa Black-tailed Godwits (18th), Jack Snipe (25th), three different Ruff, 140 Golden Plover (last seen on 4th) and the first Little Ringed Plover on 13th with up to six on subsequent days. The male Dartford Warbler reappeared on 10th and 13th and at least nine Cetti's Warblers were in song. A bearded Tit was seen again on 22nd and amazingly two Penduline Tits dropped in for a while on 29th. Water pipit numbers increased with at least eight on the Barges on 31st. Peregrine sightings became scarce as the local birds headed back to their nest sites but there were still raptors to be had with a Merlin (16th), Red Kite (19th), Marsh Harrier (male on 4th) and at least seven Buzzards through. A Brent Goose was seen on 4th and 5th and three White-fronted Geese flew through on 29th. A few Siskin headed north and a female Brambling entertained us around the feeders from 24th. Summer migrants were scarce but the first Swallow was amazingly early on 8th, followed by Sand Martin and Wheatear on 14th. Several Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps were in song most days and the month ended well with a singing Firecrest and a Site rarity… a Red-legged Partridge!

Metropolitan Essex: The Lee Valley was quite productive with some good birds on the major reservoirs including a Great Northern Diver and two Black-necked Grebes on the Girling (7th) with a superb Grey Phalarope on the KGV on the 6th-8th with Merganser and up to 30 Goldeneye for company. A Northern Long-tailed Tit was seen at Holyfield Hall farm on 12th. Fairlop hosted Jack Snipe on the 1st and 20th with Merlin on 26th and only the second record of Water Pipit on the 30th. The three White-fronted Geese remained in the Ingrebourne Valley all month and a staggering 26 male Cetti's Warblers were counted on 14th when Brambling and the first local Wheatear were also seen. The 8th was a special day in the valley with four Penduline Tits being seen, and about time too! We have long suspected that this is where they go when missing from RSPB Rainham Marshes. Vestiges of winter included up to 15 Waxwings still in Grays on the 12th and small flocks of Lesser Redpolls and Siskins at several sites. Only Belhus Woods CP held any Mealies with two on 30th along with one each of all three hirundines. This site also hosted the first local Sand Martin on 5th. Four Crossbills flew over Ilford on 17th. Wheatears were recorded at several sites from 14th and a Willow Warbler was singing the next day at Coppermill Stream while in the Great Warley area there were at least four singing Firecrests. A Bittern flew south over Rainham village on 4th and a female Goshawk was in Epping Forest on the 3rd. Buzzards were numerous and three Red Kites were seen from 20th.

South-east Essex : Both male and female Hen Harriers were seen on at Wallasea Wetlands during the month and the Little Stint was last reported on 18th. A Red Kite was seen over Pitsea on the 25th. Rossi the Ring-billed Gull remained Westcliff-faithful till 28th while Pitsea tip-watching produced at least four Caspian and singles of Iceland and Glaucous Gull. Another Glaucous Gull was seen at Wat Tyler CP on the 26th. The site and RSPB Vange Marshes also hosted several Marsh Harriers during March along wit the four adult Whooper Swans out on Bowers Marsh. Hole Haven Creek held an amazing 3300 Black-tailed Godwits on 21st. Five Waxwings in South Benfleet (20th-21st) and many Siskins and several Woodcocks reminded us of winter while the first Wheatear was seen at Gunners Park on 15th. A Purple Sandpiper was there on 22nd.

Abberton Reservoir: The Bittern was last seen on 1st with a pair of Smew staying till 2nd. Four Brent Geese on 1st were unusual. Black-necked and Slavonian Grebes were present all month with seven and four respectively by month end with lots of displaying taking place. A male Scaup was seen on 22nd and 28th and there were still four Goosanders on 15th along with three Red-crested Pochards. Migrant wise it was quiet with the first Sand Martin on 7th and all three species on 27th, Little Ringed Plovers from 20th and a couple of Wheatear on 15th. A Spoonbill on 29th was probably the wandering Old Hall bird.

Hanningfield Reservoir: This site held similar birds to Abberton with Bittern till 4th, Black-necked Grebe (5th), Slavonian Grebe from 19th-29th, Scaup till 19th and two Red-crested Pochards (29th). The White-fronted Goose was seen till 2nd.

East & North-east Essex: The Stour was quite productive during March with four Slavonian Grebes, 11 Green Sandpipers and 83 Pintail on 4th and Caspian Gull and White Wagtail on 16th. A White Stork flew west down river on 27th. Hamford Water was quiet although a Black Redstart was seen at Beaumont Quay on 5th and a Long-eared Owl was at The Naze on 22nd. A Cattle Egret was found at Bures on 10th and spent its time moving between counties. Holland Haven was quiet but held two Firecrests on 7th, four Purple Sandpipers on 22nd a the first Yellow Wagtail on 30th. Inland there were 400 Golden Plover at Ashen airfield on 2nd and there were still 19 Goosanders in central Chelmsford on 1st. Marsh Tits and Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers were found at several sites while a single Waxwing was at Birch on 13th-14th. Elsewhere Lapwings were displaying for the first time in 20 years in Doddinghurst Parish and Colemans Reservoir had the first House Martin. The Blackwater still hosted three Great Northern Divers, six Eider, four Shags, four Slavonian Grebes and 160 Great Crested Grebes on 14th. Heybridge GP and the Maldon area held a male Scaup and 302 Common Gulls (8th), seven wintering Greenshank (16th) and 1800 Black-tailed Godwits (22nd) while the local Brents held a single Barnacle Goose on 27th and 28th. A Black-necked Grebe returned to Lofts Farm on 27th.

RSPB Old Hall Marshes: The Black Brant remained till the 15th at least with the Pale-bellied Brent for company and the immature Spoonbill re-appeared on 21st with a Whimbrel and Hen Harrier the same day and a male Scaup the next. Wintering Spotted Redshank and Ruff peaked at 12 and 18 respectively.

Raptor summary: The Essex Buzzard population is going from strength to strength with several sites hosting multiple pairs now and ‘flocks' on warmer days not being uncommon. However, there is also quite plainly a great deal of passage activity with evidence of local birds seeing off immigrants. Over 20 were seen heading through Birch on 14th alone and many people reported birds over their houses during the month. In conjunction with this was a healthy passage of Red Kites with 13 reports of which nine were after the 19th so keep your eyes up!

February 2009

RSPB Rainham Marshes: The month started well with a flurry of Yellowhammer records and two riverside Corn Buntings. The two Penduline Tits reappeared on the 6th and were last seen on the 11th while a pair of Bearded Tits made sporadic appearances. Gull watching produced a flurry of Mediterranean , at least six Caspian Gulls and two Iceland Gulls. A female Smew on the 11th was a very rare visitor to the site (there are more records of Penduline Tit!) but no other unusual wildfowl came in with all the snow and easterly winds. Up to 300 Black-tailed Godwits still joined us at every high tide and 200 Golden Plovers spangled over the marsh. Snipe peaked at 150 on 22nd in very wet conditions on the 22nd.There was some sign of other wader passage with two Oystercatchers (17th), Greenshank and Knot (19th), Little Stint (21st) and three Avocet (25th). A pair of blackcaps were seen daily on the fat balls and the wintering Chiffchaffs had even started to sing by the end of the month while a Dartford Warbler was heard again on the 17th. A male Merlin was seen on several dates and as usual the Peregrines were active.

Metropolitan Essex: Bitterns were seen regularly at Seventy Acres Lake and occasionally in the Ingrebourne. The latter site hosted three White-fronted Geese from 27th and Barn Owls were seen regularly. The 14 Waxwings at lakeside included a bird ringed in Biggleswade and were present for most of the month before moving a short way to Chafford Hundred. Nine more were seen at Havering Plain on the 25th. A Long-eared Owl was seen in Epping Upland on the 9th. Merlins were seen at Warren Gorge (1st) and Claybury Woods (25th). The same site also hosted an impressive nine Nuthatches with another seen in another old haunt, Wanstead Park . Both sites also held Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers. Finch flocks were scarce and the only Bramblings were reported from South Ockenden, the Roding Valley and Upminster. Up to five Smew were in the Lee Valley and a Great Northern Diver was on Walthamstow Reservoir on the 3rd. The only Firecrests were at Weald Park and Great Warley (two).

South-east Essex: Some serious gulling on Pitsea tip produced at least ten different Caspian Gulls (including six on 7th), three Icelands and three Glaucous while Rossi the Ring-billed Gull was along the Westcliffe seafront all month. Elsewhere Wallasea Wetlands had a good run with the continued presence of the wintering Curlew Sandpiper and Little Stint and both the Pale-bellied and Black Brant amongst the 2400 Dark-bellieds,. Marsh, Hen Harrier and Merlin were all seen there. The Bittern was again seen at Wat Tyler CP on 16th with regular Marsh Harriers, Jack Snipe, Greenshanks and Spotted Redshanks at nearby RSPB Vange Marshes. Four Whooper Swans arrived on Bowers Marsh on 27th. A Hawfinch was seen at Hockley Woods (5th) and Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers were seen here and at Langdon Hills.

Abberton Reservoir: By recent standards a quiet month with little to report bar up to seven Smew and the resident Bittern. A Black-necked Grebe arrived on 21st and the 4th saw six Red-crested Pochards and a Merlin.

East & North-east Essex : The Naze was quiet bar several Barn and Short-eared Owls while Holland Haven had a great day on 13th with two each of Great Northern and Black-throated Diver, ten Eider and a Mediterranean Gull. Sea-watching from Frinton was slow but 125 Barnacle Geese south (22nd) and a Great Northern Diver (28th). Four Tree Sparrows were st Colne Pont (13th) Up to 500 Avocet were on the Colne with 66 Yellowhammers at Alresford and a Spoonbill at nearby Fingringhoe from 19th. The marshes there also hosted up to 11 Marsh and two Hen Harriers. River-watching off Mersea Island and Tollesbury into the Blackwater was quiet with only three Slavonian Grebes, two Great Northern Divers and an amazing 700 Great Crested Grebes and 400 Cormorants. A Fulmar was over Osea Road on 8th and nearby Southey Creek held an impressive 220 Corn and 80 reed Buntings. Eighteen Goosanders continued to be seen in Chelmsford . Waxxwings persisted around Maldon till 12th with another five in Halstead (12th-14th). Buzzard activity was amazing across the county and aside from the two at Stebbing there were Red Kites at Braxted (3rd), Woodham Mortimer (22nd) and three sightings on 26th.

Hanningfield Reservoir: The immature White-fronted Goose was still with the Greylags on 12th while out on the reservoir three Scaup were found on 23rd and a single Smew was seen on the 1st. A Bittern arrived on 28th and showed very well in a ditch. Four Buzzards on 21st was noteworthy and 14 Waxwings roosted from 18th-20th.

RSPB Old Hall Marshes: Some good days during February with a Spoonbill till 8th, two Black Brants and three Pale-bellieds among the Brent flock which were joined by three Barnacles on 11th. A female Ferruginous Duck was found on 14th and was last seen on 21st. Up to four Shags and five Eider was offshore while 23 Ruff on 17th was a high count.

Dengie Peninsular & Bradwell Bird Observatory: Quiet out on the Dengie with several ringtail Hen Harriers and Merlins being the only noteworthy birds reported.

January 2009

RSPB Rainham Marshes: The two Penduline Tits stayed till the 14th an attracted a steady stream of visitors. The 1st saw two site rarities in the shape of a Coal Tit and a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. The latter was only the second record for the site and was seen again on the 8th. Bearded Tits were seen most days with up to four present while two different Dartford Warblers were seen on the 1st and 8th. At least two Blackcaps and six Chiffchaffs are wintering and a very pale Chiffchaff of one of the eastern races has also been watched in the reedbed. Cetti's Warblers appear to have survived the worst of the cold and up to 30 Water Rails were on the trails circuit. The finch flocks around the centre were still attracting good numbers of Goldfinches, Greenfinches and Chaffinches along with Bramblings on the 18th and 30th and a final show from the Serin on 2nd. A Bullfinch (8th) was a good record. Water and Rock Pipits continue to be seen along the foreshore and the six Corn Buntings were still around. Lapwings slowly built back up to about 2000 with up to 100 Golden Plover, 15 Grey Plovers (a new record on 10th), 25 Curlew, 3 Ruff, 500 Black-tailed Godwits, 1200 Dunlin and 18 Ringed Plover making for a good wader spectacle. Small parties of Snipe were to be found and at least three Jack Snipe were also found. Both Common and Green Sandpipers are wintering. Gull numbers increased dramatically after the cold snap with upwards of 20000 in the area and careful scrutiny revealed Caspian Gulls on ten dates and Mediterranean Gulls on five. The only large bird of prey was an immature male Marsh Harrier on 26th while a female Merlin was seen well on 22nd and 25th with Peregrines being seen daily. Three Short-eared Owls quartered the west end.

Metropolitan Essex: The Lee Valley held the bulk of the good birds during January. Holyfield Lake and the Fishers Green area held up to seven Smew, three Bitterns, a Lesser Whitethroat, nine Egyptian Geese, Red Kite (11th). The Girling and the KGV reservoirs hosted up to 24 Black-necked Grebes (25th), female Scaup (25th), Red-breasted Merganser (2nd) and Great Northern Diver (18th-22nd) before it moved to Walthamstow Reservoir from 24th. This reservoir also hosted a Bittern on 9th and a Smew on 10th with other Smew were at Mollands Lane (female on 11th) and Connaught Water (male on 18th and female on 25th). A Goldeneye dropped into Fairlop on 2nd and a Goosander at Mayesbrook Park on 9th was a new site bird, as was the Pintail that arrived on 23rd. A pair of Red-crested Pochards arrived in Wanstead Park on the 9th and were still present on 23rd when five Egyptian Geese also dropped in. Nearby Wanstead Flats hosted an impressive count of 480 Common Gulls on 13th. Avocets reached a new peak of 52 at West Thurrock Marshes on 11th with three Jack Snipe there on 9th. The Bittern remained in the Ingrebourne Valley all month. Merlins were seen at South Ockenden (18th) and over Ilford (31st) but the only other passage raptor was a Marsh Harrier through Fairlop on 19th. Perhaps the most bizarre record was of a Spotted Crake seen very briefly and recorded singing at Warren Gorge on the 3rd and 12th. Firecrests were found at Dagenham Chase, Weald park, Bedfords park and in Epping Forest while Blackcaps were reported from many gardens. The Throndon Redpoll flock continues to cause ornithological havoc with 150 birds being sporadically seen including several very smart Mealies. A Hawfinch over South Woodford on 19th was the first for some time. Two Waxwings took up residence in a Romford garden from 18th but at least the 14 at Lakeside from 28th were more accessible! These included a colour-ringed individual that had only been rung in Biggleswade, Bedfordshire on 8th January!

South-east Essex : The year got off to a fine start with a host of good birds along Southend seafront with both ‘Rossi' at Westcliff and a new adult Ring-billed Gull (at Shoebury) being seen along with a Slavonian Grebe (also seen on 16th), Shag and long staying Snow Bunting. Fourteen Waxwings lingered around Pitsea till 2nd with six at Thundersley (1st) and five in central Southend (3rd). Southend Pier produced up to three Great Northern Divers, a confiding Purple Sandpiper (from 11th) and at least 40 Med Gulls (26th). A juvenile Iceland Gull was seen briefly along the front on 9th and searching at Pitsea tip produced the hoped for Glaucous Gull (23rd) with a single Caspian the same day and three more on 31st. The Wat Tyler / Vange area hosted three Jack Snipe, four Spotted Redshanks, two Greenshanks and up to three Marsh Harriers as well as a Bittern on 27th. Another was seen the same day at Golden Gates, Mucking. A Spoonbill toured both sides of the outer Thames and over flew Wat Tyler on 11th and Westcliff on 26th. Wallasea held onto its wintering Curlew Sandpiper and Little Stint and 11 Barnacle Geese flew through on 15th. The following day a male Hen Harrier was seen with a sickly Bewick's Swan there on the 28th-29th and both Black Brant and Pale-bellied Brent with the Dark-bellieds on the latter date. A Merlin was seen at Canewden on 18th and another was at East Tilbury on 6th where 23 Corn Buntings were counted on 19th. Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers were seen at Hockley and a Firecrest was seen there occasionally.

Abberton Reservoir: A Cattle Egret found on 4th got 2009 off to a flyer. It stayed till 6th and showed well at times. A Slavonian Grebe was seen on 1stm 5th and 18th with Black-necks on 12th and 18th. A Red-throated Diver on the 1st was a good site bird with Great Northern there on 6th. Smew peaked at seven on 18th and red-crested Pochards at six but only 12 Goosander were reported. The 1st also saw a male Scaup, ringtail Hen Harrier, seven Barnacle Geese and a Yellow-legged Gull. Two Bitterns were seen most days and 121 Curlew on 18th was an excellent count.

East & North-east Essex: A boat trip up the Stour on 4th produced 70 Red-breasted Mergansers, 50 Golden eye, a Great northern Diver and two Long-tailed Ducks. The LTD's were then reported for much of the month. Hamford Water recorded a Black Brant and a Pale Bellied Brent on 15th with nearby Holland Haven hosting up to 17 White-fronted Geese till the 3rd, Purple Sandpiper and two Firecrests (1st), six Waxwings (13th) and Ring-necked Parakeet and Great White Egret (17th). St Osyth had 24 White-fronts, 22 Grey Partridge and an impressive 13 Tree Sparrows on the 1st. Seawatching off Frinton produced some good diver counts with highs of 55 (2nd) and 108 (3rd) Red-throats and Black-throats on 2nd, 20th (four) and 23rd. Five Long-tailed Ducks (2nd), two Fulmars (5th) and a Red-necked Grebe (24th) were also seen along with a Firecrest on 9th. The Blackwater was starting to come good with at least five Great Northern Divers seen from Mersea, Tollesbury and Goldhanger along with six Slavonian Grebes, male Smew, two Velvet Scoters (all 4th); Whooper Swan (1st), 80 Goldeneye (10th), two Long-tailed ducks (10th-11th), 30 Mergansers and Scaup (11th). Other Smew were seen on Heybridge GP with a Bittern near there on 10th and another on the Colne near Wivenhoe on 24th. Goldhanger also hosted a fine flock of 185 Corn Buntings on 1st and 12 Snow Buntings were at Tollesbury. On Mersea Island 27 Snow Buntings was the peak count on 1st with a Curlew Sandpiper there on 21st and 26th and a Long-tailed Duck on 24th. Up to seven Marsh Harriers and a single Hen Harrier were on Langenhoe Ranges and another two Curlew Sandpipers were at Abbotts Hall on 27th. At Old Hall Marshes a ringtail Hen Harrier was seen on 5th with two each of Black Brant and Pale Bellied Brent on at least 11th. Inland 11 Hawfinches were at Braxted on 4th but there were no real finch flocks anywhere. Up to 17 Waxwings were around Maldon all month but there were no other reports. Goosanders gathered in Billericay (12), Chelmsford (20) and Colchester (14) and two Ruddy Shelduck popped into Russell Green GP on 2nd-3rd. Thirty Brents flew over Great Leighs on 31st. Winter thrushes were very scarce so a flock of 200 Fieldfare at Wishfields on 23rd was noteworthy. Buzzards were already up over breeding woods and a flurry of Red Kites around the Braxted, Stebbing area resulted in two birds being seen regularly into February. Encouragingly, Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers were seen or heard at four sites.

Hanningfield Reservoir: Two Slavonian Grebes were seen from 9th with two red-head Smew on 10th-11th. Three Scaup were found on 5th with one staying till 27th. Goosanders peaked at 21 on 5th with both Black-necked Grebe and Marsh Harrier the same day. A Sanderling on 4th was unseasonal and was seen again on 11th. The White-fronted Goose was seen again on 27th and Caspian Gulls dropped in on 1st and 10th. A Water Pipit on 9th and 20th was a good record with a Rock Pipit also reported on 5th.

Dengie Peninsular & Bradwell Bird Observatory: Aside from a few Marsh Harriers and up to three Hen Harriers it was a quiet month although 1000 Cormorants fishing in unison must have been quite a sight. The Whooper Swan continued its stay with the Mutes at Fambridge into February and a single Bewick's flew over there on the 1st.