Wednesday 25 April 2018

Lower Raypits, 16:00 to 19:00, Strong SW with sunshine and showers some hail! Watching from hide
35 Shelduck, 5 Gadwall (pair and 3 drakes), 12 Teal (6 pairs), 37 Mallard (inc brood of 12 ducklings ), 5 Shoveler (pair and 3 drakes), 7 Pochard (2 drakes), 28 Tufted Duck (lagoon), 1 Sparrowhawk (superb male flyby), 1 Coot (lagoon), 1 Lapwing (lagoon), 5 Black-tailed Godwit (3 islandica in fsp.), 3 Redshank (lagoon), 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Common Tern (along river), 1 Cuckoo (feeding on moth caterpillars ), 20 Swallow (c feeding tight in behind cattle on fields), 2 House Martin (lagoon), 2 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Pied Wagtail, 2 Wheatear (pair on fields briefly as storm came through) [Jeff Delve]

Highlands Boulevard, Leigh, 14:00 to 17:00
1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Blackcap (m) [Paul Griggs]

Westcliff Seafront, 11:05 to 11:15
1 Peregrine Falcon (circling over Cliffs Pavilion) [Graham Mee]

Paglesham Lagoon, 10:40 to 11:40
1 Buzzard, 2 Mediterranean Gull (adults together,over), 310 Black-headed Gull (circa), 4 Common Tern, 3 Swift, 2 Sand Martin, 2 Swallow, 50 House Martin (circa), 1 Cetti's Warbler (heard only), 1 Lesser Whitethroat (heard only) [Jeff Kinnerman]

River Roach, 07:25 to 10:40, Coombes Farm to Paglesham Lagoon
3 Buzzard (one over river,two together mobbed by Carrion Crow at Bartonhall Creek), 4 Kestrel, 50 Grey Plover (circa), 70 Dunlin (circa), 71 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 6 Whimbrel (together ), 8 Stock Dove, 1 Cuckoo (heard,very distant ), 8 Swallow, 2 House Martin, 1 Yellow Wagtail (Bartonhall Creek ), 1 Wheatear (male,Bartonhall Creek ), 2 Mistle Thrush, 2 Sedge Warbler (including one heard only), 1 Reed Warbler (singing ), 3 Blackcap (one male,two heard only), 14 Whitethroat (five heard only), 4 Corn Bunting (including one at Bartonhall Creek,all singing) [Jeff Kinnerman]

Tuesday 24 April 2018

Highlands Boulevard, Leigh, 23:05 to 23:10
1 Badger (feeding in central reservation) [Paul Griggs]

Leigh on Sea, 16:10 to 16:10
1 Sparrowhawk (male in tree in garden) [Graham Mee]

Gunners Park, 09:40 to 13:20
1 Buzzard (mobbed by Herring Gull), 1 Kestrel (male hunting ), 1 Red-legged Partridge (sssi), 125 Dunlin (circa,feeding on the estuary ), 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker (male), 3 Swallow, 3 House Martin (together ), 2 Wheatear (females,sssi), 1 Song Thrush, 3 Blackcap (pair and one heard only), 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Whitethroat (including two heard only), 1 Chiffchaff (singing), 2 Speckled Wood (together ) [Jeff Kinnerman]

Highlands Boulevard, Leigh, 08:00 to 12:00
1 Blackcap (singing), 1 Goldcrest (singing), 4 Small White, 1 Orange-tip [Paul Griggs]

Bowers Marsh (RSPB), 06:30 to 09:45, Cold 10C, breezy SW, overcast. Full loop around lagoon and back to Manor Way
6 Great Crested Grebe (3 pairs nest building), 2 Anas sp. (White-cheeked or Bahama Pintail pair in ditch near barns.Look near pure bred although duck is very pale.Note also Shoveller type with Blue-winged Teal type face pattern and smaller bill on main lagoon), 1 Kestrel, 12 Lapwing, 1 Dunlin (sum plum bird), 83 Black-tailed Godwit, 9 Redshank, 2 Greenshank, 3 Common Tern, 14 Skylark, 4 Swallow, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Cetti's Warbler (singing), 22 Reed Warbler (singing birds), 3 Blackcap, 14 Whitethroat (singing birds), 3 Reed Bunting, 1 Corn Bunting (singing) [Jeff Delve]

Monday 23 April 2018

Gunners Park, 16:15 to 17:15
1 Red-legged Partridge, 3 House Martin, 1 Whinchat, 3 Wheatear, 1 Cetti's Warbler [John Wright, Vince Kinsler]

Gunners Park, 13:40 to 14:00
1 Whinchat (Male on reserve, thanks Andrew and Neil. ), 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Chiffchaff [Lee Ebbs]

Gunners Park, 13:25 to 15:15, Sunny, some cloud, SW wind
4 Great Crested Grebe (offshore), 1 Kestrel, 20 Common Tern (+, offshore), 1 Whinchat (cracking male in reserve), 3 Wheatear (1's male & 2 fem), 1 Cetti's Warbler (singing), 4 Whitethroat (2 singing), 1 Chiffchaff (singing), 14 Linnet, 2 Slow-worm, 1 Green-veined White, 1 Speckled Wood [Neil Chambers, Andrew Armstrong]

West Canvey Marsh (RSPB), 10:30 to 11:00
4 Swift [John Wright]

Canvey Wick, 10:00 to 12:00
1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Cuckoo, 3 Swallow, 3 Nightingale, 2 Reed Warbler, 4 Blackcap, 6 Lesser Whitethroat, 6 Whitethroat, 4 Chiffchaff, 4 Linnet, 4 Large White, 2 Small White, 4 Green-veined White, 2 Peacock Butterfly, 29 Speckled Wood [Andrew Woodhouse]

Canvey Wick, 09:00 to 10:30
2 Cuckoo, 6 Nightingale (singing males (1 seen by south sea wall)), 3 Cetti's Warbler, 3 Reed Warbler, 8 Blackcap, 10 Lesser Whitethroat (great to see ), 12 Whitethroat, 5 Chiffchaff, 10 Linnet (including a pair on the track collecting nesting material.), 6 Small White, 4 Peacock Butterfly, 1 Speckled Wood [Vince Kinsler]

Gunners Park, 08:00 to 17:30, Cloudy
4 Mute Swan (Two newcomers remain on the lake), 6 Shelduck (SSSI), 1 Kestrel, 2 Red-legged Partridge (Reserve), 2 Swallow, 1 Whinchat (In the SSSI ), 4 Wheatear (SSSI), 3 Cetti's Warbler (Car park scrub), 1 Blackcap, 1 Lesser Whitethroat (SSSI scrub), 12 Whitethroat (Steady increase on site. ), 14 Linnet, 2 Common Lizard, 8 Slow-worm (Under the reptile refugia), 1 Red Fox (SSSI) [Andrew Armstrong]

Highlands Boulevard, Leigh, 08:00 to 12:00
1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Blackcap (singing), 2 Small White [Paul Griggs]

Bowers Marsh (RSPB), 07:55 to 15:05
1 Black-necked Grebe (in summer plumage,showing well east and south of main lagoon ), 1 Wigeon (drake), 1 Kestrel, 36 Black-tailed Godwit (together ), 1 Whimbrel (calling,East Haven Creek ), 3 Spotted Redshank (two together flying from main lagoon calling,one in summer plumage at East Haven Creek), 1 Greenshank (East Haven Creek ), 1 Common Tern, 1 Cuckoo (on fence calling,east of twin turbines ), 3 Swift, 5 Swallow, 1 Yellow Wagtail (female,over calling), 1 Wheatear (male), 1 Cetti's Warbler (heard only), 3 Sedge Warbler (two heard only), 14 Reed Warbler (nine heard only), 8 Whitethroat (three heard only), 1 Bearded Tit (female ), 1 Corn Bunting (singing ) [Jeff Kinnerman]

Canvey Wick, 07:15 to 10:15
1 Kestrel, 1 Peregrine Falcon, 3 Cuckoo, 1 Swift, 4 Nightingale, 3 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Sedge Warbler, 2 Reed Warbler, 8 Lesser Whitethroat, 12 Whitethroat, 13 Chiffchaff, 2 Slow-worm, 2 Speckled Wood [John Wright]

Bowers Marsh (RSPB), 05:45 to 11:45, RSPB Bird survey
1 Black-necked Grebe, 1 Whimbrel, 2 Spotted Redshank, 1 Greenshank, 2 Mediterranean Gull, 2 Common Tern, 2 Cuckoo, 2 Swift, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Sedge Warbler, 14 Reed Warbler (+), 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 12 Whitethroat (+), 5 Bearded Tit, 1 Corn Bunting [Graham Ryland, Graham Oakes]

Chalkwell Park Drive, Leigh, 00:05 to 05:00
2 Badger [John Wright]

Sunday 22 April 2018

Wallasea Island (RSPB), 17:45 to 18:10, Sunny, SW wind, high tide
2 Whimbrel, 1 Common Tern, 2 Wheatear (in field by white gate) [Neil Chambers]

West Canvey Marsh (RSPB), 17:30 to 19:15, Cool SW wind, overcast after a hot sunny day
32 Shelduck, 1 Cuckoo, 2 Swallow, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Blackcap, 1 Whitethroat, 26 Linnet (Including 1 flock of 22), 3 Reed Bunting [Martin Cracknell]

Bowers Marsh (RSPB), 16:40 to 19:40, Cloud 3-4/8; wind SW F2-3; 19 - 14ºC.
1 Black-necked Grebe, 2 Anas sp. (pair plastic Pintail), 4 Wigeon (2 pairs), 1 Kestrel, 101 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 2 Spotted Redshank, 5 Common Tern, 1 Swift, 6 Swallow, 1 Cetti's Warbler (by carpark entrance), 1 Grasshopper Warbler (seen & heard, by twin wind-turbines), 2 Reed Warbler, 1 Brimstone (female), 1 Orange-tip, 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 2 Peacock Butterfly [Richard Howard, Graham Ryland]

Eastwood, 16:15 to 16:15
1 Orange-tip [Max Hellicar]

Benfleet Downs, 13:15 to 14:15
1 Sparrowhawk, 4 Blackcap, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Whitethroat, 5 Chiffchaff, 1 Adder, 1 Brimstone, 6 Orange-tip, 5 Peacock Butterfly, 1 Speckled Wood [Andrew Woodhouse]

Belfairs N.R., 12:00 to 12:15
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker (heard drumming), 1 Blackcap (h), 2 Chiffchaff (h), 1 Brimstone [Max Hellicar]

Rochford, 10:00 to 17:30, Various sky waching sessions from the garden
1 Red Kite (drifted east from the Hawkwell / Hockley Direction and continued towards Stamdbridge (long over due garden tick)), 3 Swift (First of the year for the garden), 3 Swallow (First of the year for the garden), 4 House Martin (First of the year for the garden), 1 Lesser Whitethroat (singing briefly from a couple of gardens away), 1 Holly Blue (First of the year for the garden) [Steve Arlow]

Leigh on Sea, 09:30 to 09:40
1 Grey Heron, 1 Sparrowhawk [Max Hellicar]

Hadleigh Marshes, 08:40 to 09:00
1 Grey Heron, 1 Whitethroat, 12 Marsh Frog [Max Hellicar]

Hadleigh Downs, 08:00 to 09:30
4 Tufted Duck, 2 Kestrel, 1 Green Woodpecker (h), 4 Blackcap (h), 4 Lesser Whitethroat (heard), 10 Whitethroat, 8 Chiffchaff, 2 Jay, 4 Linnet, 2 Small Tortoiseshell, 2 Peacock Butterfly, 1 Comma, 2 Speckled Wood [Max Hellicar]

South Benfleet, 07:45 to 07:45, My garden
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker (Female on fatballs) [Martin Cracknell]

Saturday 21 April 2018

Eastwood, 19:50 to 19:55
1 Little Owl (Aviation Way) [Steve Arlow]

Canvey Wick, 19:20 to 20:55, Alive with birdsong at first, chilly in the breeze by dusk.
1 Snipe (Flushed from boggy area at W end), 3 Cuckoo, 4 Nightingale (1 near seawall exit, rest near crossroads), 2 Song Thrush, 3 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Grasshopper Warbler (SW reedbed), 4 Reed Warbler, 4 Blackcap, 7 Lesser Whitethroat (At least, really good numbers), 6 Whitethroat (+), 6 Chiffchaff, 1 Reed Bunting [Martin Cracknell]

Highlands Boulevard, Leigh, 18:55 to 18:55
1 Swift [Paul Griggs, Richard Howard]

Bowers Marsh (RSPB), 18:00 to 20:00
1 Black-necked Grebe, 2 Anas sp. (pair of White-cheeked Pintail type hybrids in ditch next to entrance track north of barn. Very approachable!), 86 Black-tailed Godwit (most flew in c.1940), 2 Spotted Redshank, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 2 Sedge Warbler, 2 Reed Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Whitethroat, 2 Bearded Tit, 1 Weasel [Vince Kinsler]

Two Tree Island, 17:40 to 19:25
1 Sparrowhawk (Belton Way), 1 Grey Plover, 1 Whimbrel (flying), 2 Common Tern, 1 Nightingale (heard), 1 Sedge Warbler, 4 Blackcap, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 15 Whitethroat (at least) [Sally Brierley]

Highlands Boulevard, Leigh, 15:45 to 15:45
1 Sparrowhawk (displaying), 1 Blackcap (singing) [Paul Griggs]

Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 15:30 to 15:30
1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Greenfinch [Paul Baker]

Benfleet Creek, 15:15 to 17:15, from golf driving range up to the marshes and back
130 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 6 Black-tailed Godwit, 7 Whimbrel, 48 Curlew, 2 Turnstone, 4 Common Tern, 1 Cuckoo, 2 Swallow, 6 Sedge Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Whitethroat, 3 Marsh Frog [John Wright]

Eastwood, 14:50 to 14:55, Lundy Close
1 Wood Mouse (around feeders) [Jeff Kinnerman]

Canvey Wick, 14:10 to 16:45, Cloud 2/8; wind ENE F1-2; 18ºC.
1 Sparrowhawk (female), 2 Cuckoo (males, calling), 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Reed Warbler, 8 Whitethroat (+), 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Small White, 4 Green-veined White, 1 Orange-tip (male), 3 Small Tortoiseshell, 15 Peacock Butterfly (+), 5 Speckled Wood [Richard Howard]

Canvey Wick, 13:00 to 15:05
3 Stock Dove, 2 Cuckoo, 1 Green Woodpecker, 5 Nightingale (1 seen), 2 Song Thrush, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 4 Lesser Whitethroat, 10 Whitethroat, 1 Adder (nearly trod on it!) [Sally Brierley]

Bowers Marsh (RSPB), 12:40 to 14:00
1 Black-necked Grebe, 2 Wigeon, 1 Spotted Redshank, 1 Common Tern, 1 Green Woodpecker (h), 2 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Lesser Whitethroat (heard), 1 Whitethroat (h), 3 Bearded Tit (calling and seen), 10 Linnet, 1 Orange-tip, 2 Small Tortoiseshell, 3 Peacock Butterfly [Max Hellicar, Paul Baker]

Hadleigh Downs, 11:50 to 12:05, Warm & sunny, light E wind
2 Sparrowhawk (pair), 2 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 2 Stock Dove (singing), 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Bullfinch (fem at bottom of valley from Chapel Lane car park), 100 Marsh Frog (+), 1 Adder, 2 Brimstone, 2 Large White, 1 Small White, 10 Green-veined White, 3 Orange-tip (2 males), 2 Small Tortoiseshell, 8 Peacock Butterfly [Neil Chambers]

Thundersley, 11:35 to 11:35
1 Buzzard (circling S over A130) [Neil Chambers]

River Roach, 11:30 to 18:15
6 Mute Swan, 1 Marsh Harrier (female), 3 Buzzard (together over Foulness), 12 Oystercatcher, 3 Avocet, 2 Curlew, 18 Redshank, 1 Sandwich Tern, 6 Common Tern, 32 Common Seal, 2 Grey Seal [Graham Mee]

Bowers Marsh (RSPB), 10:45 to 12:15
1 Little Grebe, 4 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Black-necked Grebe, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Buzzard, 18 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Spotted Redshank, 2 Common Tern, 2 House Martin, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Reed Warbler, 2 Whitethroat [Sally Brierley]

Bowers Marsh (RSPB), 10:30 to 12:30
1 Black-necked Grebe, 1 Buzzard, 3 Little Ringed Plover, 3 Spotted Redshank, 3 Common Tern, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Orange-tip, 1 Small Tortoiseshell [Lee Ebbs]

Leigh on Sea, 10:15 to 10:30
1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Orange-tip [Max Hellicar]

Bowers Marsh (RSPB), 10:00 to 14:00
1 Little Grebe, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Black-necked Grebe, 2 Wigeon, 2 Gadwall, 2 Pochard, 40 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Common Tern, 2 Swallow, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Bearded Tit, 2 Reed Bunting, 1 Green-veined White, 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Peacock Butterfly [Angela Baldock]

Bowers Marsh (RSPB), 09:35 to 12:30
1 Black-necked Grebe (adult summer), 1 Buzzard, 1 Peregrine Falcon, 3 Little Ringed Plover, 27 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Spotted Redshank, 2 Common Tern, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Sedge Warbler [Steve Arlow]

Bowers Marsh (RSPB), 09:10 to 11:20, Central benches only. Clear sky, slight breeze, 12 - 18ºC.
1 Black-necked Grebe (almost full b.p.), 4 Wigeon (2 pairs), 1 Garganey (male, back of central lagoon), 1 Peregrine Falcon (male, flushed everything), 3 Little Ringed Plover (seen to fly off), 40 Black-tailed Godwit (c), 4 Spotted Redshank, 1 Little Gull (2cy bird - stayed for a couple of mins, but harrassed by B.H.Gulls), 1 Reed Warbler, 2 Whitethroat, 1 Large White, 3 Small White, 2 Orange-tip (on lane, exiting Bowers), 2 Small Tortoiseshell, 2 Peacock Butterfly [Richard Howard]

Bowers Marsh (RSPB), 08:45 to 09:25
1 Black-necked Grebe, 2 Anas sp. (feral presumed White-cheeked Pintail x Mallard hybrids - female recalls RcPochard..), 2 Wigeon (pair), 1 Garganey (drake), 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Spotted Redshank, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Sedge Warbler (singing), 1 Reed Warbler (singing), 2 Blackcap (singing), 1 Lesser Whitethroat (singing), 2 Whitethroat (singing) [Neil Chambers]

Bowers Marsh (RSPB), 08:45 to 10:30
1 Black-necked Grebe, 1 Garganey (Drake), 1 Peregrine Falcon, 3 Little Ringed Plover, 3 Spotted Redshank, 1 Little Gull, 1 Swallow, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 2 Sedge Warbler, 4 Reed Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Bearded Tit (+), 3 Reed Bunting, 1 Corn Bunting [Martin Cracknell]

Bowers Marsh (RSPB), 08:45 to 12:15
1 Black-necked Grebe, 4 Wigeon, 1 Garganey (drake), 1 Buzzard, 1 Peregrine Falcon, 4 Little Ringed Plover (3 or 4 ), 80 Black-tailed Godwit (50 on lagoon, 30 flew over), 4 Spotted Redshank, 1 Little Gull (2cy), 2 Swallow, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 5 Sedge Warbler, 2 Reed Warbler, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 5 Whitethroat, 1 Smooth Newt, 2 Brimstone, 1 Large White, 10 Green-veined White, 8 Small Tortoiseshell, 4 Peacock Butterfly, 2 Comma [John Wright]

Wakering Stairs, 08:30 to 09:00
1 Cuckoo (Heard) [Angela Baldock]

Canvey Point, 08:00 to 08:30, Sunny, a little hazy, light ENE wind, falling tide
1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Anas sp. (either Garganey or Teal flew west), 1 Kittiwake (adult few west), 4 Common Tern [Neil Chambers]

Wakering Stairs, 08:00 to 09:00
1 Kestrel, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Nightingale (Heard), 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 8 Whitethroat [Lee Ebbs]

Bowers Marsh (RSPB), 07:45 to 11:30
1 Black-necked Grebe (Absolute stunner), 1 Garganey (drake), 1 Peregrine Falcon, 3 Little Ringed Plover (1 initially on the lagoon island and 3 flew over NE. ), 3 Spotted Redshank, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Little Gull (Immature), 1 Swallow, 1 Wheatear, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 2 Reed Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Whitethroat, 1 Corn Bunting, 3 Orange-tip, 2 Peacock Butterfly [Graham Ryland, Graham Oakes]

Canvey Wick, 07:20 to 09:25
1 Little Egret, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Whimbrel, 2 Mediterranean Gull (adult pair), 2 Common Tern, 3 Cuckoo, 2 Swallow, 4 Nightingale, 1 Song Thrush, 2 Grasshopper Warbler, 1 Sedge Warbler, 2 Reed Warbler, 7 Blackcap, 7 Lesser Whitethroat, 11 Whitethroat, 2 Chiffchaff [Steve Arlow]

Canvey Wick, 06:10 to 07:40, Sunny, chilly at first
1 Common Tern, 4 Cuckoo (was watching a non-calling bird while 3 were singing simultaneously), 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker (drumming), 5 Nightingale (+, 4 or 5 singing in general area of old mast, 1 singing by gate to seawall), 2 Song Thrush, 1 Cetti's Warbler (singing), 3 Grasshopper Warbler (all reeling - one at the end of each of the N-S dead end tracks, 1 in SW reedbed), 3 Sedge Warbler (singing), 1 Reed Warbler (singing), 7 Blackcap (singing), 4 Lesser Whitethroat (3 singing), 10 Whitethroat (+, singing), 2 Chiffchaff (singing), 1 Willow Warbler (singing by gate to seawall) [Neil Chambers]

Chalkwell Park Drive, Leigh, 02:00 to 03:00
2 Red Fox, 1 Badger [John Wright]

Friday 20 April 2018

Pitsea, 18:15 to 18:20, Train station
1 Cuckoo (heard), 1 Chiffchaff (h) [Max Hellicar]

Canvey Wick, 18:10 to 20:20
1 Ring-necked Parakeet (Heard at western end), 2 Cuckoo (m, f), 4 Nightingale, 4 Cetti's Warbler (+), 2 Grasshopper Warbler, 7 Lesser Whitethroat (Numbers of blackcap and common whitethroat also), 10 Greenfinch (+, in addition to many greenfinches around the reserve, 2 apparently large, heavy bodied and short tailed finches seen from behind flying west from crossroads area, late on) [Tim Bourne]

Canvey Point, 16:00 to 17:00, No cloud; no wind - sea calm; 24ºC; High tide 16:25 (5.54m @ Southend). Very little movement.
40 Great Crested Grebe (+, mostly sat distantly on the sea), 8 Common Tern (east, in a flock) [Richard Howard]

West Canvey Marsh (RSPB), 15:00 to 16:40
3 Stock Dove, 1 Yellow Wagtail (over) [Max Hellicar]

West Canvey Marsh (RSPB), 13:45 to 15:15, No cloud; no wind; 24 - 26ºC.
2 Great Crested Grebe, 30 Shelduck (c), 10 Mallard, 6 Shoveler, 10 Tufted Duck, 1 Kestrel, 1 Cuckoo (heard only, distantly, SW corner of reserve), 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Small Tortoiseshell, 4 Peacock Butterfly [Richard Howard, Graham Oakes]

Chalkwell Park Drive, Leigh, 13:00 to 14:00
3 Holly Blue [John Wright]

Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 12:00 to 12:00
2 Sparrowhawk (a pair displaying over house) [Paul Baker]

Vange Marsh (RSPB), 11:15 to 12:10
3 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Snipe, 34 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Spotted Redshank (summer plumage), 1 Greenshank, 2 Common Tern, 1 Swallow, 4 Cetti's Warbler (h), 5 Sedge Warbler (singing), 2 Blackcap, 2 Lesser Whitethroat (h), 1 Chiffchaff (h), 1 Bearded Tit (h), 6 Green-veined White, 5 Peacock Butterfly [Max Hellicar]

Wat Tyler Country Park, 10:15 to 10:30
1 Sedge Warbler (singing by main hide), 1 Willow Warbler (singing along road by scrape), 1 Peacock Butterfly [Neil Chambers]

Wat Tyler Country Park, 10:10 to 18:00, Three visits during day, also one Tree Bumblebee seen
1 Cuckoo (heard), 7 Swallow, 2 Cetti's Warbler (h), 1 Sedge Warbler (h), 4 Blackcap, 3 Lesser Whitethroat (h), 1 Whitethroat (h), 2 Chiffchaff (h), 1 Willow Warbler (heard singing at Timberman's Creek), 14 Smooth Newt, 1 Red Fox, 1 Green-veined White, 2 Peacock Butterfly, 1 Comma [Max Hellicar]

Two Tree Island, 10:00 to 11:45
2 Whimbrel, 2 Mediterranean Gull (pair), 10 Blackcap, 20 Whitethroat (20+), 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler, 15 Green-veined White, 45 Small Tortoiseshell, 3 Peacock Butterfly, 1 Comma [John Wright]

Canvey Wick, 09:50 to 16:50, Morning visit and afternoon visit from road
1 Cuckoo (heard), 2 Nightingale (heard), 1 Cetti's Warbler (h), 1 Chiffchaff (h) [Max Hellicar]

Canvey Wick, 09:45 to 10:00
3 Nightingale (audible from Northwick Road) [Neil Chambers, Max Hellicar]

Bowers Marsh (RSPB), 09:15 to 11:15, Hot, sunny.
1 Spotted Redshank (Moulting to sum plum), 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Common Tern, 1 Grasshopper Warbler (Seen well just before windmills), 6 Reed Warbler (Singing birds, none seen), 4 Lesser Whitethroat, 5 Whitethroat [Jeff Delve]

Canvey Wick, 08:40 to 13:45, Extensive walk
2 Sparrowhawk (circling together ), 2 Mediterranean Gull (adults together calling), 1 Cuckoo (showed well,calling from fence perimeter ), 3 Nightingale (two viewed and singing,one heard only.All at vicinity of crossroads/mast), 2 Cetti's Warbler (heard only), 2 Sedge Warbler (one viewed,one heard only), 2 Reed Warbler (heard only), 8 Blackcap ( five males viewed,three heard only), 17 Lesser Whitethroat (five viewed,twelve heard only), 14 Whitethroat (nine viewed,five heard only), 10 Chiffchaff (three viewed,seven heard only), 2 Red Fox (singles), 2 Brimstone, 2 Speckled Wood [Jeff Kinnerman]

Bowers Marsh (RSPB), 08:05 to 09:40, And an additional brief mid-afternoon visit
1 Garganey (drake on main lagoon), 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 1 Oystercatcher, 2 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Common Tern, 1 Cuckoo (heard), 1 Green Woodpecker (h), 8 Skylark, 1 Yellow Wagtail (over), 1 Cetti's Warbler (h), 1 Grasshopper Warbler (heard reeling), 2 Sedge Warbler, 1 Blackcap (h), 3 Lesser Whitethroat (h), 1 Whitethroat (h), 1 Chiffchaff (h), 1 Bearded Tit (h), 3 Reed Bunting, 1 Large White, 2 Peacock Butterfly [Max Hellicar]

Bowers Marsh (RSPB), 07:40 to 09:25, Sunny, becoming very warm
1 Garganey (drake initially on Don's Marsh before relocating to main lagoon - first reported yesterday), 55 Black-tailed Godwit (+), 1 Spotted Redshank, 2 Mediterranean Gull (adult pair), 1 Common Tern, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Grasshopper Warbler (reeling just NE of windmills (heard only) - found by Max), 1 Sedge Warbler (singing), 2 Reed Warbler (singing), 1 Blackcap (singing), 2 Whitethroat (singing), 1 Bearded Tit (+), 1 Large White, 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 3 Peacock Butterfly [Neil Chambers]

Bowers Marsh (RSPB), 07:15 to 12:30, Clear sky, no wind, temp. 12 - 24ºC.
2 Wigeon (1 pair - all that remains), 1 Garganey (male, main lagoon), 57 Black-tailed Godwit (mostly in b.p.), 1 Spotted Redshank (main lagoon), 2 Mediterranean Gull (adult pair in b.p.), 1 Common Tern, 1 Cuckoo (heard only, distantly by railway line from Manor Way), 2 Swallow (over carpark), 2 Wheatear (together in stubble field SE side of Manor Way), 2 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Grasshopper Warbler (singing, by pond by twin wind turbines), 2 Reed Warbler (+), 4 Blackcap, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Whitethroat, 2 Chiffchaff, 3 Reed Bunting (+), 1 Brimstone (male), 4 Small White (+), 5 Small Tortoiseshell, 8 Peacock Butterfly (+) [Richard Howard, Graham Oakes]

Canvey Wick, 07:15 to 09:00, Beautiful sunny 24c light winds, blue sky.
3 Cuckoo (Seen well across site), 5 Nightingale (Singing around crossroads), 1 Cetti's Warbler, 8 Lesser Whitethroat, 20 Whitethroat (+), 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler (Crossroads ) [Jeff Delve]

Graysons Close, Rayleigh, 07:10 to 07:10
1 Blackcap (singing), 1 Goldcrest (singing) [Neil Chambers]

Canvey Way, 05:50 to 07:45, Breeding bird survey to edge of WCM
1 Little Egret, 3 Grey Heron, 2 Oystercatcher, 7 Skylark, 1 Swallow, 1 Cetti's Warbler (h), 6 Blackcap, 5 Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Whitethroat, 1 Chiffchaff (h) [Max Hellicar]

Thursday 19 April 2018

Rochford, 21:50 to 21:50
1 Stone Curlew (Heard calling overhead three times. Seemed to be heading north-northeast. ) [Marc Outten]

Wakering Stairs, 17:10 to 18:45
2 Whimbrel, 1 Greenshank, 2 Common Tern, 1 Swallow, 4 Blackcap, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Whitethroat, 3 Chiffchaff [Steve Arlow]

Tennyson Close, Leigh, 13:40 to 13:45
1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel (over Belfairs) [Mike Clarke]

Canvey Wick, 12:00 to 13:15
1 Cuckoo (heard only), 2 Nightingale (heard only), 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Whitethroat [Graham Ryland, Graham Oakes]

Leigh on Sea, 10:00 to 10:05
2 Sparrowhawk (circling south of garden), 1 Buzzard [Graham Mee]

Gunners Park, 09:35 to 10:40, Sunny, warm
1 Buzzard (heard only), 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 House Martin, 5 Blackcap (singing), 1 Lesser Whitethroat (singing), 1 Whitethroat (singing), 4 Chiffchaff (singing), 2 Brimstone, 3 Green-veined White, 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 2 Peacock Butterfly [Neil Chambers]

Canvey Wick, 07:40 to 09:00
1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Nightingale (heard only), 3 Cetti's Warbler (heard only), 20 Blackcap (+), 8 Lesser Whitethroat, 20 Whitethroat (+), 10 Chiffchaff (+) [Mike Clarke]

Vange Marsh (RSPB), 06:30 to 07:15
5 Snipe, 1 Green Sandpiper, 4 Cetti's Warbler (1 seen), 2 Sedge Warbler (1 either side of path up to saline lagoon), 1 Whitethroat, 2 Bearded Tit [Mike Clarke]

Two Tree Island (West), 06:15 to 07:20, checking for groppers
3 Whimbrel, 2 Mediterranean Gull [Vince Kinsler]

Highlands Boulevard, Leigh, 06:00 to 15:00
2 Mallard, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Blackcap (singing), 1 Goldcrest (singing), 3 Small White [Paul Griggs]

Wednesday 18 April 2018

Westcliff, 19:15 to 19:15
1 Coal Tit (calling,distant west from Springfield Drive@19.13) [Jeff Kinnerman]

West Canvey Marsh (RSPB), 17:00 to 19:20, Checking the 3 lookouts, and seawall. Cloud 0/8; wind NE F1-2; 20ºC.
1 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Little Egret (dropped in for a few seconds at furthest lookout), 4 Mute Swan (2 pairs), 31 Shelduck, 6 Teal, 12 Mallard, 18 Shoveler, 16 Tufted Duck, 1 Kestrel, 4 Lapwing (2 pairs), 2 Mediterranean Gull (adults, over NW to Bowers), 3 Skylark (singing), 3 Swallow (singletons, through NE), 2 Cetti's Warbler (heard only), 1 Reed Bunting (male), 6 Peacock Butterfly [Richard Howard]

Wallasea Island (RSPB), 16:20 to 18:00, Bright, sunny, moderate easterly, 16C. Walking the dog out past conveyor and back
1 Great Crested Grebe (Pool Marsh), 2 Gadwall, 4 Teal, 20 Shoveler (+), 9 Whimbrel (2 on Allfleets and 7 over west.), 1 Yellow Wagtail (fly over) [Jeff Delve]

Canewdon, 14:00 to 14:30, Garden and BHP
2 Blackcap (BHP), 1 Chiffchaff (BHP singing), 6 Great Crested Newt (3 in garden pond, 3 more in BHP main pond), 50 Smooth Newt (+, garden pond - lots of active egg laying. A few in BHP main pond and new satellite pond too), 2 Common Frog (still in BHP satellite pond ), 1 Slow-worm, 1 Grass Snake (Under reptile pad BHP), 1 Speckled Wood (BHP) [Jeff Delve]

Leigh on Sea, 11:00 to 11:15
1 Buzzard (over north), 2 Green Woodpecker (pair in garden) [Graham Mee]

Canvey Wick, 10:30 to 14:30, Sunny
1 Kestrel, 1 Cuckoo (seen and heard), 2 Nightingale (heard), 4 Blackcap, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Chiffchaff, 6 Brimstone, 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 2 Peacock Butterfly, 1 Comma, 2 Speckled Wood [Graham Oakes, Richard Howard]

Two Tree Island (East), 09:00 to 09:30
2 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Reed Warbler, 5 Blackcap, 2 Lesser Whitethroat (pair), 3 Whitethroat, 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Reed Bunting, 4 Peacock Butterfly [Vince Kinsler]

Tuesday 17 April 2018

Wallasea Island (RSPB), 18:35 to 18:35
1 Marsh Harrier (male) [Graham Mee]

Stambridge, 16:30 to 16:30, Sunny
1 Siskin (a lingering female) [Steve Sanford]

Stambridge, 13:00 to 13:10, Sunny
2 Blackcap (male and female in the garden) [Steve Sanford]

West Canvey Marsh (RSPB), 12:45 to 15:10
1 Little Egret, 1 Kestrel (male), 2 Lapwing, 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Swallow, 1 Blackcap (male), 2 Lesser Whitethroat (one showing,other heard only), 1 Whitethroat (heard only), 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 10 Peacock Butterfly (+) [Jeff Kinnerman]

Benfleet, 12:15 to 12:15
1 Brimstone (in my garden.) [Graham Ryland]

River Roach, 12:00 to 15:00
1 Buzzard (on Foulness), 12 Oystercatcher, 5 Avocet, 8 Curlew, 1 Common Tern, 6 Swallow, 14 Common Seal [Graham Mee]

Belfairs N.R., 11:30 to 12:30
1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 5 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, 10 Brimstone, 2 Small White, 4 Peacock Butterfly, 1 Comma [Andrew Woodhouse]

Wallasea Island (RSPB), 11:15 to 14:00, Brisk southerly
4 Gadwall, 24 Teal, 20 Shoveler, 1 Marsh Harrier (2cy male), 2 Little Ringed Plover (pair on east fields then flew west), 6 Lapwing (east fields), 2 Bar-tailed Godwit (east fields ), 30 Mediterranean Gull (+), 1330 Black-headed Gull (on Grass Farm / Saltpan alone!), 1 Arctic Tern (single roosting on mud at edge of Grass Farm eventually lifted its head and flew briefly to enable id), 5 Reed Bunting (singing males), 6 Corn Bunting (small flock near Grass Farm lagoons) [Jeff Delve]

Canvey Wick, 11:10 to 12:40, Short walk
1 Sparrowhawk, 21 Black-tailed Godwit (Hole Haven Creek ), 1 Whimbrel (Hole Haven Creek), 21 Curlew (Hole Haven Creek ), 2 Swallow (car park ), 4 Blackcap (one showing,all singing), 3 Lesser Whitethroat (one showing,all singing), 1 Whitethroat (singing ), 2 Chiffchaff (heard only), 1 Brimstone, 8 Peacock Butterfly (+) [Jeff Kinnerman]

South Benfleet, 11:00 to 11:00, Hillside Road garden. Sunny, warm.
1 Brimstone [Richard Howard]

Highlands Boulevard, Leigh, 10:20 to 11:30
1 Grey Heron, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Mediterranean Gull (pair of adults, over), 1 Swallow [Paul Griggs]

Bowers Marsh (RSPB), 08:00 to 09:15, to the lagoon seats only
4 Great Crested Grebe, 10 Pochard, 15 Tufted Duck, 22 Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Mediterranean Gull [Graham Oakes]

Lower Raypits, 08:00 to 11:00, Bright but 7/8 cloud, brisk SSE
2 Gadwall (pair fields), 6 Teal (2 prs lagoon, pair fields), 6 Mallard (2 drakes lagoon, 2 pairs fields), 1 Shoveler (male), 20 Tufted Duck (on lagoon), 1 Sparrowhawk (female soaring over), 1 Peregrine Falcon (ad male), 8 Oystercatcher (pair lagoon and 3 pairs on flooded fields), 8 Lapwing (1 lagoon display flighting, 7 on flooded fields), 1 Black-tailed Godwit (lagoon), 1 Green Sandpiper (fields), 1 Whitethroat (singing by hide), 8 Jackdaw (lagoon edge and fields) [Jeff Delve]

Monday 16 April 2018

Wallasea Island (RSPB), 16:35 to 18:00
33 Teal, 2 Pintail (pair), 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Kestrel, 1 Peregrine Falcon, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Northern Water Vole (by car park) [Neil Chambers]

Southend, 11:55 to 11:55
1 Red Kite (one flew north past my office window and north along Victoria Avenue being mobbed by Crows and gulls. lost to view towards the airport) [Steve Arlow]

Rochford Golf Course, 09:30 to 14:00, Warm sunny spells, brisk SSW wind
1 Buzzard, 3 Mediterranean Gull (adults with Black-headed Gull flock), 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Chiffchaff (singing) [Neil Chambers]

Graysons Close, Rayleigh, 06:30 to 06:30
1 Blackcap (singing) [Neil Chambers]

Two Tree Island, 05:25 to 05:30
1 Cuckoo (calling and audible from Leigh station platform!) [Vince Kinsler]

Sunday 15 April 2018

Wallasea Island (RSPB), 17:40 to 18:15, showery & dull - quiet!
1 Marsh Harrier (throughout), 10 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Corn Bunting (singing) [Paul Baker]

Paglesham Lagoon, 16:00 to 17:30, BTO Heronry Count
3 Great Crested Grebe (on Roach), 2 Grey Heron (visiting woodland but no sign of nest), 1 Wigeon (drake possibly with a damaged wing), 8 Teal (on Roach), 10 Black-tailed Godwit (on Roach), 7 Turnstone (flew downriver), 1 Mediterranean Gull (on Roach), 40 Swallow, 2 House Martin, 1 Cetti's Warbler (singing), 1 Sedge Warbler (singing), 3 Linnet, 23 Corn Bunting (in one flock), 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 3 Peacock Butterfly [Paul Baker]

Gunners Park, 15:55 to 16:50, Falling tide, bright, stiff SSE breeze
2 Red-legged Partridge (pair in reserve), 2 Little Gull (adults flew east), 1 Blackcap (singing) [Neil Chambers]

Ashingdon, 15:50 to 15:50
1 Swallow [Paul Baker]

Canvey Wick, 14:00 to 15:30, Light cloud/overcast
2 Red Kite (Flew over heading south), 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 5 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Weasel [Gordon Appleton, Stuart Bailey]

Tennyson Close, Leigh, 14:00 to 14:10
3 Siskin (Male and 2 females) [Mike Clarke]

Vange Marsh (RSPB), 13:55 to 14:50
20 Pochard (approx.), 6 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Spotted Redshank (saline lagoon), 2 Greenshank (saline lagoon), 2 Swallow, 1 Cetti's Warbler (singing), 1 Sedge Warbler (singing east side), 2 Blackcap (singing), 1 Lesser Whitethroat (singing), 1 Chiffchaff (singing), 1 Bearded Tit (+, heard only), 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Peacock Butterfly [Neil Chambers]

River Roach, 11:00 to 13:30
18 Shelduck, 9 Curlew, 27 Common Seal [Graham Mee]

Bowers Marsh (RSPB), 09:10 to 10:40
3 Great Crested Grebe, 5 Pochard, 2 Tufted Duck, 6 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Blackcap (singing), 2 Peacock Butterfly [Neil Chambers]

Bowers Marsh (RSPB), 08:50 to 09:30
1 Buzzard, 1 Blackcap, 1 Hawfinch (In trees by sunflower field. Thanks Graham!) [Tim Bourne]

Bowers Marsh (RSPB), 08:15 to 13:20, misty to start , brightening later
3 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Kestrel, 3 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Cuckoo (heard), 6 Skylark, 1 Swallow, 1 Hawfinch [Graham Oakes]

Wat Tyler Country Park, 08:00 to 08:00, quick look in hide
2 Swallow, 1 Sedge Warbler [Vince Kinsler]

Saturday 14 April 2018

Stambridge, 12:50 to 13:00, Sunny
2 Buzzard (displaying over the garden) [Steve Sanford]

Highlands Boulevard, Leigh, 12:30 to 14:30
1 Goldcrest (singing), 1 Small White [Paul Griggs]

Southend, 12:15 to 12:15
1 Sparrowhawk [Max Hellicar]

Fleet Head, 11:30 to 12:15
2 Egyptian Goose (On fishing lakes), 1 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Blackcap, 1 Willow Warbler (Singing from bushes around fishing lakes) [Lee Ebbs]

Wat Tyler Country Park, 10:10 to 12:10, Cloud 4-0/8; no wind; 14 - 19ºC.
2 Buzzard (circling over N end of scrape), 4 Mediterranean Gull (2 pairs on scrape), 1 Common Tern (on scrape), 2 Blackcap (singing males), 5 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler (singing from old tip opposite middle hide, Timbermans ), 1 Bearded Tit (scrape) [Richard Howard]

Wakering Stairs, 08:30 to 09:30
1 Kestrel, 2 Blackcap, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Whitethroat, 1 Chiffchaff [Lee Ebbs]

Canvey Wick, 07:30 to 09:50, Cloud 7-4/8; No wind; 11 - 15ºC.
1 Little Egret, 1 Sparrowhawk (female), 7 Mediterranean Gull (all adults in b.p., over NW towards Bowers in groups of 2, 3 & 2), 1 Cuckoo (heard twice, last time in SE corner), 3 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Song Thrush, 5 Cetti's Warbler, 9 Blackcap, 1 Whitethroat, 10 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Peacock Butterfly [Richard Howard]

Friday 13 April 2018

Canvey Wick, 18:40 to 20:15
1 Water Rail (Heard only), 11 Snipe (Flock over north), 1 Ring-necked Parakeet (Flew low west along central E-W track), 1 Cuckoo (Calling somewhere west), 3 Cetti's Warbler, 3 Blackcap, 4 Chiffchaff [Tim Bourne]

Canewdon, 18:00 to 18:00, Garden
1 Brambling (male on feeders), 1 Siskin (single female remaining on feeders) [Jeff Delve]

Wakering Stairs, 17:50 to 19:05, To Haven Point & back - overcast, cold SW wind
3 Red-legged Partridge, 2 Grey Partridge (c250m NE of car park), 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Mediterranean Gull (adults), 1 Blackcap (singing), 1 Whitethroat (male flushed from seawall), 3 Chiffchaff (2 singing) [Neil Chambers]

Leigh on Sea, 17:30 to 17:30
2 Sparrowhawk (pair south of garden) [Graham Mee]

Stambridge, 16:30 to 16:30, in the garden
12 Siskin (7 male, 5 female. Also additional 40+ flock of finches (Goldfinch, Greenfinch and Chaffinch)) [Steve Sanford]

Canvey Wick, 15:35 to 17:10, Cloud 8/8; wind F0-1 SW; 13ºC.
1 Little Egret (over SE), 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Swallow, 3 Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaff [Richard Howard, Jeff Delve]

Highlands Boulevard, Leigh, 15:25 to 15:25
1 Red Kite (flew from Belfairs towards Two Tree) [Paul Griggs]

Gunners Park, 15:15 to 16:30
2 Tufted Duck (on lake (unusual)), 1 Red-legged Partridge (SSSI area), 1 Green Woodpecker, 4 Swallow, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Wheatear (SSSI area), 1 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, 9 Linnet [Sally Brierley]

Wat Tyler Country Park, 14:55 to 16:35
1 Little Egret, 3 Pochard, 3 Tufted Duck, 1 Green Woodpecker, 5 Sand Martin, 8 Swallow, 8 House Martin, 3 Cetti's Warbler (singing), 6 Blackcap (singing), 8 Chiffchaff (singing), 1 Willow Warbler (singing from old tip opposite middle hide), 6 Smooth Newt (in pond) [Neil Chambers]

Leigh on Sea, 14:30 to 16:00
1 Grey Heron, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Swallow, 1 Blackcap (heard) [Max Hellicar]

Pitsea, 13:35 to 14:00
1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Chiffchaff (heard) [Max Hellicar]

Vange Marsh (RSPB), 11:50 to 12:30
3 Little Grebe, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Mute Swan, 2 Wigeon, 17 Shoveler, 13 Pochard, 4 Tufted Duck, 1 Kestrel, 7 Snipe, 110 Black-tailed Godwit (c.), 2 Swallow, 1 Song Thrush, 2 Cetti's Warbler (heard), 1 Blackcap (heard) [Max Hellicar]

Southend, 11:30 to 12:10
1 Firecrest (seen 11-30.and again at 14.00 in holly on corner of Cambridge road and Nelson street) [Bob Young]

Wallasea Island (RSPB), 11:00 to 12:30, Checking main pool systems, grey overcast but still, 12C,
1 Great Crested Grebe (Pool Marsh still), 12 Gadwall, 14 Teal, 6 Pintail (4 drakes), 20 Shoveler (+), 1 Marsh Harrier (ad male over reptile area), 4 Lapwing (easternmost field), 63 Mediterranean Gull (+, 31 pairs apparently nesting in Grass Farm colony, single 2nd summer, multiple other adult pairs overhead around site), 1 Short-eared Owl (high over reptile area in display type flight), 3 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Blackcap (female in willow by car park, a Wallasea tick), 1 Northern Water Vole (borrowdyke near car park) [Jeff Delve]

Southend Pier, 10:30 to 12:00
2 Great Crested Grebe, 18 Turnstone, 8 Sandwich Tern [Graham Mee]

Canvey Wick, 10:25 to 11:25, Cloud 8/8; No wind; 8ºC.
4 Curlew, 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Blackcap (male), 2 Chiffchaff, 3 Reed Bunting [Richard Howard]

Oakengrange Drive, Southend, 10:15 to 10:30
1 Waxwing [Sally Brierley]

Wat Tyler Country Park, 10:15 to 11:45
1 Little Grebe, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Little Egret, 2 Mute Swan, 2 Pochard, 3 Tufted Duck, 2 Oystercatcher, 3 Stock Dove, 1 Cuckoo (heard from northern side of perimeter path), 1 Green Woodpecker (heard), 15 Sand Martin (c., +), 7 Swallow, 8 House Martin, 1 Grey Wagtail, 4 Cetti's Warbler (heard), 6 Blackcap (singing males), 10 Chiffchaff (mostly singing), 2 Willow Warbler (heard singing, one along entrance road, one from hide overlooking creek), 1 Goldcrest (heard singing) [Max Hellicar]

Stonehill Road, Leigh on Sea, 10:00 to 12:00
1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Chiffchaff, 12 Goldfinch, 1 Siskin, 1 Lesser Redpoll [Vince Kinsler]

West Canvey Marsh (RSPB), 09:45 to 11:30
3 Little Egret, 2 Wigeon (pair), 1 Peregrine Falcon, 1 Barn Owl, 7 Swallow, 1 Fieldfare, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 1 Whitethroat, 2 Chiffchaff, 34 Corn Bunting (single flock), 4 Slow-worm [John Wright]

Lower Raypits, 09:40 to 11:00, Overcast, no wind
2 Gadwall (pair on fields), 30 Teal (approx, several small parties on flooded fields), 6 Shoveler (2 pairs on lagoon, pair on flooded field), 10 Tufted Duck (5 pairs on lagoon), 1 Sparrowhawk (one crossed track below crop level - using the tramlines as a flyway), 3 Red-legged Partridge (by track from farm), 11 Oystercatcher (9 on fields, pair lagoon), 1 Spotted Redshank (wp bird on flooded fields), 2 Redshank (pair on lagoon), 1 Greenshank (in ditch on southern fields), 3 Green Sandpiper (flooded fields), 1 Barn Owl (from track), 4 Swallow (over lagoon, one strikingly rufous below), 20 Meadow Pipit (+, several groups moving through site), 1 Yellow Wagtail (flyover), 3 Fieldfare (trees on footpath near horse paddocks by Lion Creek), 4 Redwing, 20 Corn Bunting (+, flock from track and several on reserve singing) [Jeff Delve]

Gunners Park, 09:10 to 12:50
5 Dark-bellied Brent Goose (one east,four west), 2 Tufted Duck (pair), 1 Sparrowhawk (male), 2 Red-legged Partridge (sssi), 2 Mediterranean Gull (adults together over), 1 Cetti's Warbler (singing), 2 Blackcap (pair), 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Red Fox (sssi), 1 Common Seal (offshore ) [Jeff Kinnerman]

Canewdon, 08:30 to 09:30, Heavy overcast, light winds, rain overnight stopped 7am
2 Blackcap (singing), 1 Chiffchaff (singing), 1 Willow Warbler (singing BHP), 2 Brambling (both males) [Jeff Delve]

Thursday 12 April 2018

Wallasea Island (RSPB), 18:45 to 20:15
1 Merlin (imm female probably roosting), 2 Mediterranean Gull (+ heard in the fog), 1 Yellow Wagtail (heard in the fog) [Paul Baker]

Golden Cross Road, Ashingdon, 17:50 to 18:05
2 Siskin (males with Goldfinches coming to feeders) [Neil Chambers]

Canvey Wick, 15:30 to 17:20, Cloud 8/8; wind NNW F1-2; 10ºC.
2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Cetti's Warbler, 7 Blackcap, 7 Chiffchaff, 7 Lesser Redpoll, 5 Redpoll sp. (a flock of 12 Redpolls in total, with 7 specifically identified, the other 5 were probably also Lessers, but not certain) [Richard Howard]

Westcliff, 13:55 to 13:55, St.George's Drive
2 Mediterranean Gull (adults together over garden) [Jeff Kinnerman]

Prittle Brook (Leigh on Sea), 12:15 to 12:30
1 Stock Dove, 2 Green Woodpecker (heard), 3 Blackcap (heard singing), 1 Jay [Max Hellicar]

Oakengrange Drive, Southend, 10:30 to 11:20
1 Waxwing (spent most of its time in the berry tree outside numbers 36/38 Oakengrange as well as the tall tree opposite) [Steve Arlow]

Oakengrange Drive, Southend, 09:10 to 10:05
1 Waxwing, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Blackcap (seen singing) [Paul Griggs]

Canewdon, 08:00 to 12:00, Garden watch and working in BHP
1 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff (singing around BHP), 2 Brambling (males on feeders), 3 Siskin [Jeff Delve]