Southend Ornithological Group Bird News

Records submitted in the last 14 days, most recent first. Amber indicates scarce, red indicates rare (Essex requires notes or a description), magenta indicates non-native.

Friday 06 March 2026

South Fambridge, 14:30 to 14:30
1 Marsh Harrier (adult male low through my garden, which was nice), 7 Corn Bunting [Paul Baker]

Canewdon, 10:00 to 16:00
1 Grey Wagtail (Came in to garden pond twice today), 1 Wren (Nest building), 2 Robin (Nest building), 13 Chaffinch (8 males, still hoping they will bring in something else), 10 Greenfinch, 10 Goldfinch [Jeff Delve]

Hockley Woods, 09:20 to 12:00
1 Buzzard, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Goldcrest, 4 Nuthatch, 4 Treecreeper, 100 Chaffinch (At least), 1 Brambling (With the Chaffinch flock), 10 Greenfinch, 2 Yellowhammer (Possibly a couple more with the Chaffinch flock ) [Steve Arlow, Bob Young]

Thursday 05 March 2026

South Fambridge, 16:30 to 16:30
1 Barn Owl, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Yellowhammer (singing from field east of garden), 1 Brimstone (female in village), 3 Peacock Butterfly [Paul Baker]

Hullbridge, 16:20 to 17:20
27 Mute Swan, 1 Pheasant (migrated north over the river and out of SOG airspace), 1 Mediterranean Gull [Max Hellicar]

Hockley Woods, 15:00 to 16:40
2 Buzzard, 1 Woodcock (Flew low over field), 2 Song Thrush (Singing), 1 Mistle Thrush (Singing nr Bull pub), 100 Chaffinch (+, Large mixed finch flock in sunflower etc field S of far west end of wood, Inc a few Linnet, Goldfinch and Greenfinch), 1 Brambling (Female with mixed finch flock ), 2 Yellowhammer (Pair ), 1 Peacock Butterfly, 1 Comma [Jeff Delve]

Rochford, 14:50 to 15:00
1 Red Kite (east over garden), 2 Buzzard (circling north of garden), 1 Stock Dove (in garden) [Steve Arlow]

Highlands Boulevard, Leigh, 14:30 to 14:30
2 Buzzard [Paul Griggs]

Lower Raypits, 12:30 to 13:30
22 Teal (Mostly paired up), 2 Shoveler (Pr on lagoon), 8 Avocet (4 pairs prospecting ), 6 Lapwing (At least 2 pairs displaying over fields), 5 Redshank (Two pairs in display on lagoon), 6 Corn Bunting, 4 Peacock Butterfly [Jeff Delve]

Leigh on Sea, 12:00 to 12:05
1 Small White [John Wright]

West Canvey Marsh (RSPB), 10:00 to 11:30
3 Great Crested Grebe, 23 White-fronted Goose, 8 Gadwall, 16 Pintail, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Buzzard, 2 Kestrel, 6 Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Mediterranean Gull, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Chinese Muntjac (on Pitsea tip) [John Wright]

Paglesham Lagoon, 09:25 to 12:10
1 Scaup (drake still on lagoon), 1 Goldeneye (drake on lagoon), 9 Buzzard, 4 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Little Owl (Hampton Barns), 1 Fieldfare, 3 Brimstone, 6 Peacock Butterfly [Steve Arlow, Bob Young]

Bowers Marsh (RSPB), 07:45 to 11:45
1 Pink-footed Goose (from gate in south west corner.), 5 Pintail, 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 1 Peregrine Falcon, 2 Water Rail, 1 Ruff, 3 Black-tailed Godwit, 6 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Water Pipit (from southern benches.), 1 Stonechat, 6 Bearded Tit, 2 Greenfinch, 2 Yellowhammer [Graham Ryland, Graham Oakes]

Wallasea Island (RSPB), 07:45 to 12:20, Bright sunny 10c light SSE. Jubilee and Caroline’s hide only
4 Great Crested Grebe (3 on Darwin, another on Pool M), 2 Great White Egret (Over Fitzroy, possibly a third earlier on Stokes), 10 Barnacle Goose (Tillets with Canadas and Greylags), 1 Red-breasted Merganser (Redhead on Darwin moved into southern part and hidden ), 3 Marsh Harrier, 1 Buzzard, 1 Peregrine Falcon (Adult female on prey Jubilee), 100 Avocet (+, Darwin - whole flock seeing off a Marsh Harrier), 5 Ringed Plover (At least two pairs displaying Jubilee), 1 Peacock Butterfly (Near office compound) [Jeff Delve]

Wednesday 04 March 2026

South Fambridge, 14:45 to 14:45
1 Red-legged Partridge (calling from field adjacent to garden), 1 Greenfinch (singing), 1 Yellowhammer (heard only), 77 Corn Bunting (in usual tree, but several others heard singing) [Paul Baker]

Tuesday 03 March 2026

Hockley/Hawkwell, 19:15 to 19:30
1 Tawny Owl (Male hooting, Gusted Hall.) [Lee Ebbs]

Wakering Stairs, 17:45 to 18:30
2 Woodcock, 1 Barn Owl, 1 Cetti's Warbler (Heard) [Lee Ebbs, John Wright]

South Fambridge, 14:00 to 14:00
1 Shoveler (drake on the river. Although common on BHF, I've never seen one on the river before), 1 Red Kite, 1 Buzzard, 1 Cetti's Warbler (singing), 5 Chaffinch, 20 Linnet, 1 Yellowhammer (male), 1 Reed Bunting (female), 10 Corn Bunting [Paul Baker]

Wallasea Island (RSPB), 11:00 to 15:15
3 Great White Egret (on Lytag lagoon), 0 Spoonbill (no sign), 1 Red-breasted Merganser (redhead with 3 Great Crested Grebes on Darwin Lagoon), 1 Goosander (drake on pools out towards Schoolhouse Lookout), 2 Marsh Harrier, 1 Buzzard, 1 Peregrine Falcon, 1 Ruff, 1 Spotted Redshank (from hide), 1 Stonechat [Steve Arlow, Bob Young]

Bowers Marsh (RSPB), 07:45 to 10:30
7 Little Grebe, 4 Great Crested Grebe, 48 White-fronted Goose, 3 Pintail, 2 Buzzard, 1 Ruff, 16 Mediterranean Gull, 12 Bearded Tit, 1 Raven [Graham Ryland, Graham Oakes]

Monday 02 March 2026

Chalkwell Park Drive, Leigh, 17:40 to 17:45
1 Common Pipistrelle [John Wright]

Canewdon, 15:00 to 16:00
20 Fieldfare (+, Over heading east), 1 Blackcap (Singing nr BHP), 1 Common Frog (Disturbed whilst cutting BHP meadow. ) [Jeff Delve]

Belfairs Woods, 14:30 to 15:00
2 Treecreeper (pair, by Tee 14.) [John Wright]

Bowers Marsh (RSPB), 13:00 to 13:30
1 Little Grebe, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 10 Pintail, 4 Mediterranean Gull [Graham Oakes]

South Fambridge, 12:00 to 12:00
2 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Cetti's Warbler (singing), 3 Peacock Butterfly [Paul Baker]

Wallasea Island (RSPB), 11:20 to 14:00, Lovely sunny day, moderate S. Jubilee and Caroline’s Hide. Hi tide 11:50. Few highlights
1 Great Crested Grebe (Darwin), 1 Great White Egret (Fitz), 5 Spoonbill (Sat on S Darwin wall then into stilling basin), 1 White-fronted Goose (Tillets), 10 Barnacle Goose (Tillets, all unmarked. ), 1 Peregrine Falcon (Female on island in Jubilee), 1200 Knot (+, Jubilee), 200 Black-tailed Godwit (Circa on Darwin ), 700 Bar-tailed Godwit (+, Jubilee), 4 Mediterranean Gull (Flyover nr compound) [Jeff Delve]

Doggetts Pits, 11:00 to 13:00
2 Great Crested Grebe (Pair), 2 Mute Swan (Pair ), 1 Egyptian Goose, 1 Pochard (Fine drake), 3 Tufted Duck (Drake and 2 females), 2 Buzzard, 1 Water Rail, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff, 6 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Brimstone, 1 Peacock Butterfly, 1 Comma [Steve Arlow]

Two Tree Island (East), 09:30 to 10:30
1 Sparrowhawk (Belton Hills), 1 Buzzard (Belton Hills), 2 Cetti's Warbler (singing), Common Lizard (John Wright) (150816 bytes) 1 Common Lizard [John Wright]

River Roach, 07:25 to 12:50, Coombes Farm to Bartonhall Creek and return to Mill Lane
4 Dark-bellied Brent Goose (BC), 3 Pintail (m+pair on river ), 3 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 1 Golden Plover, 8 Grey Plover, 1 Snipe (BC), 55 Black-tailed Godwit (c), 63 Curlew, 3 Turnstone, 3 Mediterranean Gull (ads), 10 Skylark, 18 Meadow Pipit, 3 Rock Pipit, 70 Fieldfare (c,BC ), 2 Cetti's Warbler (h), 2 Chiffchaff (Rankins CC ), 4 Greenfinch (pairs), 4 Corn Bunting, 1 Stoat (BC ), 2 Peacock Butterfly [Jeff Kinnerman]

Sunday 01 March 2026

Wallasea Island (RSPB), 12:55 to 15:05
1 Great White Egret, 5 Spoonbill, 1 White-fronted Goose (Tillets Marsh), 10 Barnacle Goose (Tillets Marsh), 3 Marsh Harrier, 1 Buzzard, 1 Merlin, 2 Ruff, 1 Spotted Redshank, 1 Stonechat [Steve Arlow]

Wallasea Island (RSPB), 08:25 to 10:15
9 Barnacle Goose (Tillets), 4 Egyptian Goose (Tillets), 5 Marsh Harrier, 1 Hen Harrier (ringtail), 1 Buzzard, 1 Peregrine Falcon, 1 Rock Pipit, 1 Stonechat (male), 1 Corn Bunting (singing) [Neil Chambers]

Roper's farm, 06:45 to 08:00
9 Little Grebe, 7 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Cetti's Warbler (singing), 1 Chiffchaff (singing) [Neil Chambers]

Saturday 28 February 2026

Lower Raypits, 15:00 to 16:20
3 Mute Swan (With goose flock), 1500 Dark-bellied Brent Goose (+, On field SW of reserve), 1 Black Brant (Superb gander with DbB), 30 Wigeon (+), 29 Teal, 10 Shoveler, 6 Lapwing (On fields to west Inc display flights ), 2 Mediterranean Gull (Flew over east ), 2 Linnet (Pair singing) [Jeff Delve]

Fleet Head, 13:30 to 15:10
2 Red-legged Partridge, 1 Grey Plover, 6 Rook, 2 Linnet [Matt Bruty]

Shoebury East Beach, 09:40 to 12:30
3 Great Crested Grebe, 200 Sanderling (+) [Matt Bruty]

Friday 27 February 2026

Belton Hills, 17:40 to 17:40
1 Cetti's Warbler [Max Hellicar]

Thursday 26 February 2026

Teletubby Park, Rochford, 13:55 to 13:55
1 Chiffchaff [Steve Arlow]

West Canvey Marsh (RSPB), 08:30 to 11:50
1 Little Egret, 350 Wigeon (c), 12 Gadwall, 6 Pintail (pairs,Pantile scrape ), 14 Pochard, 2 Marsh Harrier (m,f ), 1 Peregrine Falcon, 90 Lapwing (c), 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Curlew, 3 Mediterranean Gull (2 ads,1 1st w ), 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull (ad), 5 Skylark, 3 Meadow Pipit, 2 Rock Pipit (East Haven Creek ), 70 Fieldfare (c), 6 Cetti's Warbler (h), 1 Greenfinch [Jeff Kinnerman]

Wednesday 25 February 2026

Wakering Stairs, 17:45 to 18:30
3 Woodcock [Lee Ebbs]

Two Tree Island, 17:00 to 17:50
2 Little Grebe, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Grey Heron, 120 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 2 Teal, 3 Curlew, 2 Redshank, 1 Song Thrush, 8 Goldfinch [Angela Baldock]

Prittle Brook (Leigh on Sea), 12:00 to 12:00
5 Common Frog (spawning ) [Angela Baldock]

South Fambridge, 12:00 to 12:00
1 Sparrowhawk, 6 Buzzard, 2 Mediterranean Gull (+ calling above the river), 1 Cetti's Warbler (singing ), 6 Corn Bunting, 1 Peacock Butterfly [Paul Baker]

Canewdon, 10:30 to 11:00, Warm sunny light winds, very springlike
1 Brimstone (First butterfly of year in garden) [Jeff Delve]

Wallasea Island (RSPB), 10:20 to 13:10
2 Spoonbill, 6 Barnacle Goose, 7 Pintail (+), 2 Marsh Harrier, 4 Buzzard, 1 Whimbrel, 100 Mediterranean Gull (+, probably many more, not counted), 2 Stonechat, 2 Peacock Butterfly [Paul Griggs, Steve Arlow, Bob Young]

Bowers Marsh (RSPB), 10:00 to 11:30, Manorway track and south track only
2 Buzzard, 6 Mediterranean Gull, 3 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff (flycatching and singing briefly), 1 Raven, 1 Corn Bunting, 1 Common Lizard, 1 Peacock Butterfly [John Wright]

River Roach, 07:25 to 12:50, Coombes Farm to Bartonhall Creek and return to Mill Lane
1 Little Egret, 6 Pintail (pairs,on river), 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Buzzard, 2 Kestrel (mating pair), 2 Grey Plover, 1 Snipe (BC), 425 Black-tailed Godwit (c), 46 Curlew, 5 Turnstone, 3 Mediterranean Gull (ads), 8 Skylark, 16 Meadow Pipit, 3 Rock Pipit, 75 Fieldfare (c,BC), 1 Chiffchaff (Rankins C.C ), 15 House Sparrow (ML ), 4 Greenfinch (3m,1f), 3 Corn Bunting (BC), 2 Peacock Butterfly [Jeff Kinnerman]

Tuesday 24 February 2026

South Fambridge, 16:20 to 17:20, Sunny!
3 Red Kite (together again over North Fambridge), 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Buzzard (together again over woodland by North Fambridge), 1 Short-eared Owl (showing well throughout hunting seawall), 1 Song Thrush, 1 Cetti's Warbler (singing), 5 Yellowhammer (highest garden count here), 1 Corn Bunting (singing ) [Paul Baker]

Wallasea Island (RSPB), 14:40 to 16:20, Warm sunny calm
10 Barnacle Goose (Tillets), 1 Goosander (Drake asleep on edge of upper saltmarsh pool just NW of Crossrail viewpoint. Thanks to Ian Cotgrove for finding), 2 Marsh Harrier (Male and female over lagoons), 1 Sparrowhawk (Ad male low over N seawall and onto Pool Marsh), 1 Peregrine Falcon (Ad female again on N Jubilee island), 5 Mediterranean Gull (+, Calling birds overhead- up to 80 reported from Acresfleet and Grass Farm), 2 Stonechat (Pair east of office compound) [Jeff Delve]

Chalkwell Park Drive, Leigh, 13:30 to 13:35
1 Peacock Butterfly [John Wright]

Canewdon, 12:00 to 12:00
2 Mediterranean Gull (Over village), 1 Blackcap (Singing by BHP) [Jeff Delve]

Fleet Head, 11:40 to 13:00
700 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 2 Egyptian Goose, 3 Marsh Harrier, 1 Buzzard, 2 Kestrel, 10 Red-legged Partridge, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Corn Bunting, 8 Rabbit, 1 Peacock Butterfly [John Wright]

River Roach, 10:20 to 11:20, Via Ropers Farm footpath
1 Goldeneye (drake), 1 Red-breasted Merganser (female), 3 Marsh Harrier (Paglesham side of river), 3 Buzzard (2 Ropers Farm,1 Paglesham side of river), 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Stonechat (female) [John Wright]

Bowers Marsh (RSPB), 07:45 to 10:45
2 Little Grebe, 1 Little Egret, 1 Pink-footed Goose (from gate left of dismantled barn.), 80 Barnacle Goose (from gate left of dismantled barn.), 3 Pintail, 1 Marsh Harrier (female.), 2 Buzzard, 5 Avocet, 4 Snipe, 10 Mediterranean Gull [Graham Ryland, Graham Oakes]

Monday 23 February 2026

Victoria Road, Rayleigh, 23:30 to 23:40
1 Tawny Owl (male hooting) [Neil Chambers]

Canewdon, 14:00 to 16:00, Mostly just garden watching
1 Little Grebe (First for the spring on BHP, hope it sticks), 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker (On garden feeders), 1 Grey Wagtail (On garden pond again this afternoon), 1 Robin (Nest building in garden), 2 Song Thrush (Singing around BHP), 2 Long-tailed Tit (Very much paired up now), 11 Chaffinch (Still good numbers of finches around feeders - some song), 9 Greenfinch, 8 Goldfinch, 2 Great Crested Newt (garden pond), 8 Smooth Newt, 0 Common Frog (Sadly no sign yet ) [Jeff Delve]

South Fambridge, 14:00 to 14:00
4 Buzzard, 10 Linnet, 1 Reed Bunting, 12 Corn Bunting [Paul Baker]

Roper's farm, 12:00 to 14:00
15 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Red-breasted Merganser (Female on the Roach), 2 Marsh Harrier (Male and female ), 1 Buzzard, 7 Black-tailed Godwit, 20 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Rock Pipit [Lee Ebbs]

Highlands Boulevard, Leigh, 11:10 to 11:10
1 Peacock Butterfly [Paul Griggs]

Chalkwell Park Drive, Leigh, 09:00 to 10:00
10 Smooth Newt, 15 Common Frog (at least 15 + frogspawn) [John Wright]

Victoria Road, Rayleigh, 08:10 to 08:20
2 Stock Dove (pair), 1 Goldcrest (singing), 1 Coal Tit (singing) [Neil Chambers]

Sunday 22 February 2026

Canvey Point, 14:15 to 15:30
1 Red-throated Diver, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Mediterranean Gull (ad) [Paul Griggs, Mike Clarke]

Rochford Golf Course, 14:15 to 16:00, Sunny, mild, SW wind
1 Kestrel, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker (1 drumming), 2 Skylark, 1 Chiffchaff [Neil Chambers]

Benfleet Yacht Club, 14:05 to 14:05
1 Raven (flew over the car as we drove onto Canvey) [Paul Griggs, Mike Clarke]

Highlands Boulevard, Leigh, 11:50 to 11:50
1 Peacock Butterfly [Paul Griggs]

Hockley/Hawkwell, 11:00 to 11:00
1 Buzzard (sitting in roadside oak along Lower Road) [Paul Baker]

West Wood, 11:00 to 11:10
4 Siskin (Plus flock of 20 or so finches seen lying off as I arrived not identified) [Mike Clarke]

South Fambridge, 10:30 to 10:30
1 Buzzard [Paul Baker]

Victoria Road, Rayleigh, 00:10 to 00:15
1 Tawny Owl (male hooting) [Neil Chambers]

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