Tuesday 31 March 2020

Highlands Boulevard, Leigh, 17:55 to 17:55
1 Sparrowhawk [Paul Griggs]

Gunners Park, 17:00 to 17:00
20 Great Crested Grebe (c.), 2 Mute Swan, 4 Shelduck, 4 Sandwich Tern [Max Hellicar]

Rochford, 14:55 to 15:00
2 Buzzard (soaring over garden) [Steve Arlow]

Belfairs N.R., 14:30 to 15:00
1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Buzzard, 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff [Andrew Woodhouse]

Belton Hills, 11:30 to 11:40
2 Sparrowhawk, 1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Chiffchaff [John Wright]

Hadleigh Downs, 11:00 to 11:15
1 Cetti's Warbler (S.E. of castle) [John Wright]

Benfleet Creek, 10:00 to 10:30
20 Black-tailed Godwit (sum plum), 3 Cetti's Warbler [John Wright]

Priory Park, 08:35 to 12:10
1 Little Egret, 1 Sparrowhawk (male), 1 Common Gull (adult), 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull (adult), 3 Stock Dove, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker (female), 1 Blackcap (male singing,east of fishing lake), 2 Goldcrest, 1 Coal Tit (singing,pos two.Mature conifers NW of park) [Jeff Kinnerman]

Doggetts Pits, 06:15 to 07:10
2 Mute Swan (pair), 4 Canada Goose (2 pairs), 4 Shelduck (still over east fields), 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Skylark, 1 Meadow Pipit, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Song Thrush, 2 Chiffchaff, 3 Chaffinch, 4 Greenfinch, 2 Goldfinch, 1 Reed Bunting (still around) [Steve Arlow]

Monday 30 March 2020

South Fambridge, 18:45 to 19:00
10 Barnacle Goose, 2 Marsh Harrier (both females together in SE reedbed on BHF), 2 Buzzard (+), 200 Golden Plover, 1 Barn Owl (way off to the east) [Paul Baker]

Two Tree Island, 18:30 to 19:45, Family walk around the island
40 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Barn Owl, 1 Cetti's Warbler (heard) [Mike Clarke]

Thorpe Bay Seafront, 16:40 to 16:40
1 Common Gull (3cy ringed in Oslo in 2018) [Max Hellicar]

Westcliff, 14:45 to 15:10, Kenilworth Gardens/Prittlewell Chase
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Goldcrest (singing,Chase High School) [Jeff Kinnerman]

Victoria Road, Rayleigh, 11:00 to 11:00
1 Sparrowhawk [Neil Chambers]

Highlands Boulevard, Leigh, 10:00 to 15:40
2 Cormorant (north), 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Stock Dove [Paul Griggs]

Doggetts Pits, 07:10 to 07:50
2 Mute Swan (pair), 4 Canada Goose (2 pairs), 2 Tufted Duck (pair), 1 Buzzard, 2 Song Thrush, 1 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff [Steve Arlow]

Sunday 29 March 2020

South Fambridge, 19:15 to 19:30, Looking across to BHF
8 Little Egret (inc a flock of 6), 10 Barnacle Goose, 1 Marsh Harrier (usual female around SE reedbed), 2 Buzzard, 15 Avocet, 2 Barn Owl (usual bird on BHF and one up the hill towards Cold Norton) [Paul Baker]

Bowers Marsh (RSPB), 17:50 to 18:20, Chill NE wind, On my cycle ride from home
3 Black-necked Grebe [Martin Cracknell]

Thorpe Bay Seafront, 16:00 to 16:00
1 Common Gull (3cy ringed in Oslo in 2018), 1 Stock Dove [Max Hellicar]

Doggetts Pits, 07:10 to 08:35
2 Mute Swan (pair), 10 Canada Goose (9 at the pits and 1 at the fishing lake north of farm), 6 Shelduck (increase on yesterday, over the same fields), 1 Shoveler (drake: new for site), 3 Tufted Duck (on the fishing lake north of farm), 1 Buzzard (north of farm), 3 Stock Dove (at the farm), 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Song Thrush, 3 Chiffchaff (2 at the pits and 1 north of the farm), 5 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Chaffinch, 1 Greenfinch, 1 Reed Bunting (only the second for the site) [Steve Arlow]

Saturday 28 March 2020

West Canvey Marsh (RSPB), 17:45 to 18:15, On my bike ride from home
1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Swallow, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Reed Bunting [Martin Cracknell]

South Fambridge, 17:15 to 18:00, short walk across the field to south of village
1 Sparrowhawk (male took down a passerine, possibly the singing Yellowhammer :-( ), 1 Buzzard (resident bird), 2 Skylark, 2 Meadow Pipit, 20 Rook (active rookery with c12 nests at least 4 of which are active), 2 Yellowhammer (males, one singing), 3 Reed Bunting, 1 Corn Bunting [Paul Baker]

Gunners Park, 16:00 to 16:00
1 Sanderling (individual ringed on Orkney in 2015), 1 Chiffchaff (feeding on foreshore) [Max Hellicar]

Thorpe Bay Seafront, 16:00 to 16:00
1 Stock Dove [Max Hellicar]

Highlands Boulevard, Leigh, 15:20 to 15:40
1 Stock Dove [Paul Griggs]

South Fambridge, 15:00 to 15:15, viewing BHF from upstairs
2 Barnacle Goose, 2 Buzzard, 150 Golden Plover [Paul Baker]

Two Tree Island (West), 15:00 to 16:00, Walked from home... island not too busy but streets on way involved close encounters
2 Great Crested Grebe, 200 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 10 Grey Plover, 50 Knot, 6 Dunlin, 1 Greenshank [Mike Clarke]

Victoria Road, Rayleigh, 11:00 to 13:00, Garden
1 Stock Dove (singing), 1 Blackcap (singing), 2 Goldcrest (1 singing), 1 Coal Tit (singing) [Neil Chambers]

Bowers Marsh (RSPB), 09:50 to 11:15, Walk from home
3 Black-necked Grebe, 1 Pintail, 2 Peregrine Falcon, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Mediterranean Gull, 3 Chiffchaff (Singing) [Tim Bourne]

Doggetts Pits, 06:15 to 07:15
2 Mute Swan (pair), 2 Greylag Goose (pair), 4 Canada Goose (2 pairs), 4 Shelduck (flying around over fields; first for the site), 1 Tufted Duck (drake still on main lake), 1 Sparrowhawk (female), 2 Green Woodpecker (by farm), 2 Skylark, 2 Song Thrush, 1 Redwing (by farm), 2 Mistle Thrush (pair by farm), 1 Blackcap (singing), 2 Chiffchaff (the usual two ), 1 Jay, 3 Chaffinch [Steve Arlow]

Friday 27 March 2020

South Fambridge, 15:00 to 15:30
10 Barnacle Goose (on BHF), 1 Marsh Harrier (female again on BHF), 4 Buzzard, 3 Snipe (new arrivals in dyke at bottom of garden) [Paul Baker]

Leigh on Sea, 12:00 to 12:00
1 Buzzard (over Belfairs Woods) [Graham Mee]

Highlands Boulevard, Leigh, 10:30 to 14:00
1 Stock Dove, 1 Rook [Paul Griggs]

Fossetts Park, 10:15 to 10:15
1 Weasel (ran across the road) [Paul Baker]

Southend, 09:40 to 09:45, Birding from the Sainsburys queue
1 Red Kite (over High St,drifted South) [Jeff Kinnerman]

Canewdon, 09:00 to 10:00
1 Blackcap (singing by BHP) [Jeff Delve]

Doggetts Pits, 06:15 to 07:15
2 Mute Swan (pair), 4 Canada Goose, 1 Tufted Duck (drake; perhaps last years bird returning), 1 Marsh Harrier (female flew east just north of farm; first site record), 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Chaffinch, 1 Greenfinch [Steve Arlow]

Thursday 26 March 2020

Lower Raypits, 15:15 to 15:15, Sunny, cold NE. walk from home round sea wall to Lion Creek
2 Shoveler (pair on lagoon), 1 Rock Pipit (sea wall) [Jeff Delve]

Leigh on Sea, 12:50 to 12:50
1 Buzzard (over SE to NW) [Graham Mee]

Highlands Boulevard, Leigh, 11:15 to 13:50
1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Buzzard, 1 Peacock Butterfly [Paul Griggs]

Hadleigh Downs, 11:00 to 12:00
1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Buzzard, 1 Blackcap (singing/showing), 7 Chiffchaff [John Wright]

Victoria Road, Rayleigh, 11:00 to 13:00, Garden
2 Goldcrest (singing), 1 Coal Tit (singing) [Neil Chambers]

Doggetts Pits, 06:10 to 07:15
2 Mute Swan (pair), 2 Greylag Goose (in fields, not seen any here in past two weeks), 15 Canada Goose (increase: pair on main lake and 13 in fields), 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Skylark (singing over the fields), 1 Song Thrush, 1 Redwing (by farm), 2 Blackcap (pair still in same place), 2 Chiffchaff (usual birds), 1 Jay [Steve Arlow]

Wednesday 25 March 2020

Wallasea Island (RSPB), 17:30 to 18:45
1 Great White Egret (In flight towards Paglesham. ), 2 Marsh Harrier (Male and female. ), 1 Barn Owl (Hunting around field by white gate. ), 1 Short-eared Owl (Hunting along southern sea wall. ) [Lee Ebbs]

Paglesham Eastend, 17:00 to 18:00, short walk with teenager son
1 Great White Egret (seen 3x in flight in SW corner of Potton), 1 Marsh Harrier (immature on Potton), 1 Buzzard, 1 Water Rail (squealing from reedbed in dyke), 3 Short-eared Owl (two on Potton & one showing very well in SE corner of Wallasea), 1 Corn Bunting (siinging), 1 Red Fox (way out on the mud in the Roach) [Paul Baker]

Doggetts Farm, 16:45 to 16:45
1 Buzzard (on top of roadside telegraph post along Brays Lane) [Paul Baker]

South Fambridge, 15:30 to 16:30
1 Marsh Harrier (adult female over BHF), 1 Sparrowhawk (thermalling to the north), 6 Buzzard (always at least 2 in the air to the north) [Paul Baker]

Coombe Wood, 14:00 to 16:00
2 Coal Tit (calling and prospecting tree holes) [Jeff Saward]

Chalkwell Park Drive, Leigh, 12:30 to 12:35
1 Sparrowhawk [John Wright]

Highlands Boulevard, Leigh, 12:10 to 13:50
2 Buzzard (displaying), 1 Peacock Butterfly [Paul Griggs]

Hadleigh Downs, 10:30 to 11:30
2 Buzzard (pair), 1 Blackcap (singing), 7 Chiffchaff, 1 Brimstone, 4 Comma [John Wright]

Victoria Road, Rayleigh, 10:00 to 15:00, Garden & environs
1 Stock Dove (singing), 1 Goldcrest (singing), 1 Coal Tit (singing - same bird as from nearby cemetery), 2 Peacock Butterfly [Neil Chambers]

Canewdon, 08:00 to 18:00, Beautiful spring day, from a cold start to warm afternoon. Garden and BHP
2 Sparrowhawk, 2 Buzzard (Pair soaring over hill), 4 Stock Dove, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Chiffchaff, 13 Chaffinch, 12 Greenfinch, 5 Goldfinch, 1 Brimstone, 1 Peacock Butterfly, 1 Comma [Jeff Delve]

South Benfleet, 07:15 to 07:15, My garden
1 Stock Dove, 1 Song Thrush (Smashing snails on a stone), 1 Blackcap (Female ) [Martin Cracknell]

Doggetts Pits, 06:30 to 07:15
3 Stock Dove, 4 Redwing (yesterday evenings birds still present), 1 Cetti's Warbler (still singing intermitently ), 2 Blackcap (pair), 2 Chiffchaff (singles at the pits and north of the farm) [Steve Arlow]

Tuesday 24 March 2020

Two Tree Island (East), 17:45 to 18:45
2 Water Rail (Heard), 1 Woodcock, 3 Cetti's Warbler (Heard), 1 Reed Bunting, 1 Red Fox [Lee Ebbs]

Doggetts Pits, 17:20 to 18:10
2 Mute Swan (pair), 6 Canada Goose (3 pairs), 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Song Thrush, 3 Redwing, 1 Mistle Thrush, 1 Cetti's Warbler (first for the site), 1 Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Chaffinch, 1 Greenfinch [Steve Arlow]

South Fambridge, 16:00 to 18:35
3 Little Egret (flock flew across to roost. The egret roost seems to be a few miles inland nr Cold Norton now but is only used by a handful), 10 Barnacle Goose (apparent pure bred birds in with 20 hybrids), 1 Buzzard (to the north), 3 Barn Owl (all on BHF), 3 Peacock Butterfly [Paul Baker]

Southend, 11:10 to 11:15, Prittlewell Chase
1 Grey Wagtail (over,calling) [Jeff Kinnerman]

Highlands Boulevard, Leigh, 11:05 to 12:45
1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Small White, 1 Peacock Butterfly [Paul Griggs]

Belton Hills, 11:00 to 11:10
3 Chiffchaff, 2 Slow-worm, 1 Brimstone, 1 Peacock Butterfly, 2 Comma [John Wright]

Southend Airport, 10:45 to 10:45
1 Buzzard (low and being mobbed by a Crow & a Herring Gull) [Paul Baker]

Belton Hills, 10:30 to 11:15, West
1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Brimstone, 1 Small White, 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 6 Peacock Butterfly, 3 Comma [Andrew Woodhouse]

Bowers Marsh (RSPB), 08:30 to 10:00
1 Black-necked Grebe (sum plum), 6 Barnacle Goose, 6 Pintail (3 pairs), 1 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Dunlin, 1 Ruff, 80 Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Bearded Tit [John Wright]

Bowers Marsh (RSPB), 06:00 to 07:00
1 Black-necked Grebe, 6 Pintail, 1 Kestrel, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Dunlin, 1 Ruff, 6 Linnet [Vince Kinsler]

Monday 23 March 2020

Wallasea Island (RSPB), 17:30 to 18:35, Viewing from White Gate only. Sunny & clear - pigging freezing towards the end
8 Little Egret (going north distantly towards Burnham to roost in 1s & 2s), 1 Marsh Harrier (ad female flew along southern seawall), 1 Buzzard (distantly over Paglesham), 1 Peregrine Falcon (adult female throughout), 3 Barn Owl, 1 Short-eared Owl (hunting southern seawall), 1 Reed Bunting, 1 Corn Bunting (singing male) [Paul Baker]

Canewdon, 17:20 to 17:20
1 Buzzard (on top of roadside lamp post at Pudsey Hall Lane) [Paul Baker]

Doggetts Pits, 16:20 to 18:15
1 Blackcap (singing), 2 Chiffchaff (singing) [Steve Arlow]

Bowers Marsh (RSPB), 14:50 to 15:40
1 Black-necked Grebe (summer plumage), 6 Pintail, 1 Little Ringed Plover (along north bank), 2 Mediterranean Gull (a pair on island with BHGulls), 2 Cetti's Warbler, 8 Bearded Tit (? pinging from every reedbed but none seen) [Paul Baker]

Canewdon, 14:00 to 14:00, Bright sunny, cold easterly
1 Siskin (female by Butts Hill Pond), 1 Slow-worm (reptile mat BHP), 1 Peacock Butterfly (garden), 2 Comma (Hydewood) [Jeff Delve]

Wat Tyler Country Park, 10:00 to 11:00, Sunny, cold east wind
2 Cetti's Warbler (singing), 6 Chiffchaff (singing) [Neil Chambers]

Sunday 22 March 2020

Canewdon, 18:30 to 18:30
1 Little Owl (Along Scotts Hall Road) [Steve Arlow]

Eastwood, 18:10 to 18:20
1 Little Owl [Lee Ebbs]

Wallasea Island (RSPB), 17:30 to 18:20
3 Cattle Egret (flew west at 18:05, from direction of Foluness/Potton, over White Gate area of island and conitnue west towards the Crouch/Fambridge), 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Peregrine Falcon [Steve Arlow]

South Fambridge, 17:00 to 18:20
2 Little Egret (flew well north to roost (Note, egrets no longer roost in Hall Wood by North Fambridge marina)), 3 Buzzard, 3 Barn Owl [Paul Baker]

Bowers Marsh (RSPB), 14:00 to 15:00
1 Black-necked Grebe (Summer plumage adult. ), 2 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Bearded Tit (Heard) [Lee Ebbs]

Belton Hills, 10:30 to 11:15, West
1 Chiffchaff, 1 Slow-worm, 2 Grass Snake, 1 Peacock Butterfly, 1 Comma [Andrew Woodhouse]

South Benfleet, 09:15 to 09:15
1 Blackcap (Male through the garden didn’t appear to be lingering ) [Martin Cracknell]

Bowers Marsh (RSPB), 06:30 to 09:00
3 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Black-necked Grebe, 9 Pintail, 2 Peregrine Falcon, 1 Little Ringed Plover [Graham Oakes, Tim Bourne]

Saturday 21 March 2020

Bowers Marsh (RSPB), 17:15 to 18:20
3 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Black-necked Grebe (west end of res), 3 Skylark, 2 Meadow Pipit, 1 Reed Bunting [Neil Chambers]

Bowers Marsh (RSPB), 15:50 to 17:25
1 Black-necked Grebe, 1 Kestrel, 2 Ruff, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 3 Bearded Tit (+) [Martin Cracknell]

Bowers Marsh (RSPB), 15:00 to 16:30
1 Black-necked Grebe (adult summer plumage), 8 Pintail [Mike Clarke]

Gunners Park, 08:30 to 11:00
2 Red-throated Diver, 8 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Kestrel, 2 Chiffchaff, 5 Common Lizard, 1 Peacock Butterfly [Lee Ebbs]

South Fambridge, 07:00 to 18:20, various times throughout the day - all sightings on Blue House
1 Marsh Harrier (ad female in the evening), 1 Hen Harrier (ringtail low east at 15:35 through Blue House Farm), 3 Buzzard, 2 Barn Owl [Paul Baker]

Friday 20 March 2020

South Fambridge, 18:15 to 18:15
1 Barn Owl (on BHF ) [Paul Baker]

Highlands Boulevard, Leigh, 16:45 to 16:45
1 Grey Wagtail [Paul Griggs]

Paglesham Lagoon, 16:00 to 17:45, Staking out my recent reedbed find, didn't go around lagoon or the Roach
10 Little Egret, 2 Goldeneye (females on lagoon), 2 Buzzard (presumed pair over Ballads Gore GC most of the time), 1 Peregrine Falcon (male low through the field right in front of me), 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Meadow Pipit, 1 Reed Bunting [Paul Baker]

Hadleigh Downs, 14:15 to 16:25
2 Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Chiffchaff [Paul Griggs]

Coombe Wood, 10:30 to 14:00, fly overs and in the trees while working in the garden today
1 Marsh Harrier (drifting over mobbed by Herring Gulls, an unexpected garden tick ), 1 Sparrowhawk (female), 1 Buzzard (also mobbed by Gulls), 1 Coal Tit (calling frequently) [Jeff Saward]

Paglesham Lagoon, 10:00 to 12:00, Cold NE wind and overcast
5 Great Crested Grebe (On river), 3 Goldeneye (Drake and 2 ducks amidst usual flicks of Tufted and Pochard. Other than a few Gadwall no dabbling ducks! ), 2 Chiffchaff (Calling at northern end of lagoon, another along main Paglesham road on return) [Jeff Delve]

South Fambridge, 10:00 to 10:00
4 Buzzard (over woodland to the north), 1 Chiffchaff (calling but not singing ) [Paul Baker]

Benfleet Station, 06:40 to 06:40
1 Cetti's Warbler (Singing from the reeds bebehind the church. ) [Simon Watson]

Thursday 19 March 2020

South Fambridge, 18:00 to 18:00
2 Kestrel (a pair seemed to have usurped the regular Barn Owl nestbox), 1 Barn Owl (on BHF) [Paul Baker]

South Benfleet, 17:50 to 18:00
1 Chiffchaff (In the garden) [Martin Cracknell]

Prittle Brook (Southend), 10:50 to 10:55, Between Victoria Avenue and Prittlewell Chase
1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Chiffchaff (singing) [Jeff Kinnerman]

Gunners Park, 08:00 to 15:30
1 Peregrine Falcon, 1 Chiffchaff (Singing by the ditch ) [Andrew Armstrong]

Southend, 07:10 to 07:10
1 Chiffchaff (still along Prittle Brook west of Gainsborough Drive) [Steve Arlow]

Wednesday 18 March 2020

West Canvey Marsh (RSPB), 18:20 to 18:40, Dusk, quick look from the roadside
16 Shelduck, 1 Swallow (Hawking low over the reservoir ), 1 Cetti's Warbler (Heard) [Martin Cracknell]

Hole Haven Creek, 17:55 to 18:15
2 Egyptian Goose (On pools in horse fields at end of Haven Road) [Martin Cracknell]

Coombe Wood, 15:30 to 16:00
1 Buzzard (mobbed by gulls and crows), 1 Coal Tit (calling repeatedly) [Jeff Saward]

Highlands Boulevard, Leigh, 15:30 to 15:30
2 Grey Wagtail [Paul Griggs]

Belfairs N.R., 12:30 to 13:35
2 Stock Dove (mating), 4 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Chiffchaff (singing) [Paul Griggs]

Vange Marsh (RSPB), 12:25 to 13:10, Overcast, SW wind
2 Pintail (pair), 10 Sand Martin (flock through NE), 5 Water Pipit (mobile along northern edge of freshmarsh / eastern reedbed - max of 5 seen together), 1 Cetti's Warbler (singing), 2 Reed Bunting [Neil Chambers]

Bowers Downs, 11:50 to 12:15
2 Kestrel (pair), 2 Chiffchaff (singing) [Neil Chambers]

Belton Hills, 10:55 to 11:20, Overcast & cool
2 Chiffchaff (singing), 1 Slow-worm [Neil Chambers]

Bowers Marsh (RSPB), 07:00 to 10:00
2 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Little Egret, 3 Barnacle Goose, 10 Pintail, 2 Kestrel, 3 Snipe, 11 Redwing, 5 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff [Graham Oakes]