Saturday 23 September 2017

Gunners Park, 08:00 to 17:30, clear, warm, idyllic!
25 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 1 Pintail (in with the brent), 6 Common Scoter (up the thames), 1 Sparrowhawk (trying to take a starling by the 9.2inch gun pit. utter chaos. left empty handed!), 1 Kestrel (male - in the sssi), 2 Wheatear (lakeside), 1 Goldcrest (several in the conifers by tennis courts), 1 Pied Flycatcher (trees by heritage centre) [Andrew Armstrong]

Friday 22 September 2017

Vange Marsh (RSPB), 17:20 to 18:40
2 Little Egret, 5 Wigeon, 3 Pintail, 3 Little Stint (juvs), 1 Curlew Sandpiper (juv), 3 Dunlin, 12 Ruff, 15 Snipe (+), 50 Black-tailed Godwit (+), 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Kingfisher (flying up and down west side), 1 White Wagtail (+, with Pied Wags), 2 Cetti's Warbler (singing), 1 Migrant Hawker, 2 Small White [Neil Chambers]

Vange Marsh (RSPB), 15:40 to 17:20, Cloud 1/8; no wind; 22ºC; high tide 14:45 (6.01m @ Southend).
4 Little Egret, 1 Anas sp. (male, Shoveler x Cinnamon Teal), 5 Pintail, 200 Lapwing (c), 3 Little Stint, 1 Curlew Sandpiper (juv.), 3 Dunlin, 9 Ruff, 18 Snipe, 50 Black-tailed Godwit (c), 2 Spotted Redshank, 1 Green Sandpiper, 5 White Wagtail, 1 Cetti's Warbler (heard only), 3 Small Copper [Richard Howard]

Two Tree Island (West), 14:40 to 16:15, high tide 14:45ish
3 Buzzard (over the downs), 1 Kestrel, 55 Avocet, 25 Ringed Plover, 2 Grey Plover, 15 Dunlin, 200 Black-tailed Godwit (+), 40 Greenshank, 1 Meadow Pipit, 3 Cetti's Warbler (singing), 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Reed Bunting, 2 Clouded Yellow, 2 Small White, 1 Green-veined White [Neil Chambers]

Hadleigh Downs, 12:30 to 13:15, MTB course
50 Swallow, 10 House Martin, 4 Clouded Yellow, 6 Small Copper, 2 Brown Argus, 5 Wall, 2 Small Heath [Andrew Woodhouse]

Westcliff, 11:45 to 15:35
1 Sparrowhawk (low level over garden in pursuit of House Sparrows), 2 Grey Wagtail ((St.George's Drive),flew over calling), 1 Clouded Yellow (fleeting visit to garden) [Jeff Kinnerman]

Bowers Marsh (RSPB), 09:00 to 10:30, No cloud; no wind; 13ºC.
3 Pintail (young males), 1 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Ringed Plover, 4 Little Stint, 1 Ruff (male), 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 12 Swallow, 1 Cetti's Warbler (heard only), 1 Chiffchaff, 20 Bearded Tit (+), 3 Reed Bunting, 1 Large White, 3 Wall [Richard Howard]

Thursday 21 September 2017

Canvey Point, 16:25 to 17:00
60 Ringed Plover (+), 5 Dunlin, 4 Sandwich Tern [Neil Chambers]

Bowers Marsh (RSPB), 16:00 to 17:10, Cloud 3-7/8; wind SW F2; 19ºC.
1 Kestrel, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Ringed Plover, 6 Little Stint, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Cetti's Warbler (heard only) [Richard Howard, Graham Oakes]

Shoebury East Beach, 15:25 to 15:35, No small waders at all
1 Chiffchaff (+), 1 Clouded Yellow [Neil Chambers]

Gunners Park, 15:10 to 15:20
1 Goldcrest, 1 Pied Flycatcher (in trees by tennis courts), 2 Migrant Hawker [Neil Chambers]

Two Tree Island (West), 13:45 to 14:45, High tide roost
3 Little Egret, 25 Dark-bellied Brent Goose (on water nr Canvey Point ), 3 Buzzard (over Benfleet ridge), 50 Ringed Plover, 25 Dunlin, 8 Greenshank, 30 Swallow (south) [Paul Baker]

Two Tree Island (West), 13:15 to 14:45, High tide
3 Little Egret, 25 Dark-bellied Brent Goose (Benfleet Creek near Canvey Point), 3 Buzzard (over the downs), 50 Ringed Plover, 20 Dunlin, 20 Greenshank, 2 Cetti's Warbler (singing), 1 Small White, 1 Green-veined White [Neil Chambers]

Wakering Common, 10:15 to 11:05, Cloud 3/8 hazy; wind SW F2; 16ºC.
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 4 Chiffchaff, 12 Small White, 1 Green-veined White, 1 Red Admiral, 1 Peacock Butterfly, 3 Wall [Richard Howard]

Gunners Park, 10:05 to 10:30
1 Pied Flycatcher [Vince Kinsler]

Shoebury East Beach, 09:50 to 10:10, Cloud 3/8 hazy; wind SW F2-3; 16ºC. Wind too noisy to listen for Y.B.Warblers which is why I went there.
1 Little Egret, 15 Swallow (SW), 1 Chiffchaff [Richard Howard]

Bowers Marsh (RSPB), 09:30 to 11:30, Sunny with scattered cloud
2 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Ringed Plover, 4 Little Stint, 1 Ruff, 1 Green Sandpiper, 6 Migrant Hawker [Graham Oakes]

Gunners Park, 07:50 to 13:15
1 Sparrowhawk (female ), 11 Ringed Plover (together on shore), 3 Sandwich Tern (together,over estuary ), 1 Sand Martin, 221 Swallow ((All hirundines counted,south & west,07.53-09.54)), 76 House Martin, 1 Stonechat (male), 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrest (together ) [Jeff Kinnerman]

Gunners Park, 07:35 to 09:45, Cloud 3/8 hazy; wind SW F2; 14ºC.
15 Little Grebe, 5 Dark-bellied Brent Goose (flew over the reserve), 1 Green Woodpecker, 28 Sand Martin, 200 Swallow (+), 12 House Martin, 11 Meadow Pipit, 2 Blackcap (male & female), 1 Whitethroat, 12 Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrest (pines by tennis courts), 1 Pied Flycatcher (by tennis courts) [Richard Howard]

Wednesday 20 September 2017

Canvey Point, 16:30 to 18:00, Cloud 7-4/8; wind SW F2; 15ºC. Walk from the Point to seafront cafe & back.
2 Mediterranean Gull (adult & 2cy), 4 Sandwich Tern (family group) [Richard Howard]

Westcliff Seafront, 14:00 to 15:00, High tide at 13:34
2 Mediterranean Gull (adults, one missing a foot), 130 Black-headed Gull (c., 4 Pitsea darvic rings and 4 metal ringed birds), 3 Common Gull (including returning Estonian ringed individual) [Max Hellicar]

Two Tree Island (West), 13:25 to 15:40, Cloud 8/8; wind SW F2; 16ºC; high tide 13:34 (5.89m @ Southend). All birds at west end roost except Golden Plover, Curlews & terns.
2 Little Egret, 350 Oystercatcher (c), 55 Avocet, 73 Ringed Plover, 60 Golden Plover (c, dropped in off the slipway when tide dropped), 6 Grey Plover, 30 Lapwing (c), 2 Curlew Sandpiper (juvs), 56 Dunlin, 450 Black-tailed Godwit (c), 12 Curlew (in the creek when tide dropped), 200 Redshank (c), 9 Greenshank, 4 Sandwich Tern (on mud by slipway) [Richard Howard]

Two Tree Island (West), 12:30 to 13:30
100 Little Egret (Est on saltmarsh), 55 Avocet, 50 Ringed Plover (Est), 1 Curlew Sandpiper, 30 Dunlin (Est), 400 Black-tailed Godwit (Est), 60 Greenshank (Est), 2 Mediterranean Gull (Adults), 12 Sandwich Tern (Large feeding flock of gulls and terns off CP), 1 Cetti's Warbler (Heard) [Mike Clarke]

Gunners Park, 10:40 to 12:40
50 Sand Martin, 20000 Swallow (conservative estimate, incredible swathes heading west), 100 House Martin, 25 Meadow Pipit (SW), 3 Yellow Wagtail (over), 1 Redstart (Fem/imm se corner of sssi ), 2 Whinchat (north of lake ), 2 Wheatear (along sea wall ) [Vince Kinsler]

Southend Pier, 09:00 to 13:10
1 Shag (juvenile ), 125 Little Egret (all heading west in drifts), 1 Dark-bellied Brent Goose (west), 13 Mediterranean Gull (10 adult winter,2 first winter,1 second winter ), 2 Common Tern (together ), 1 Black Tern (adult winter), 4 Sand Martin (north and west ), 244 Swallow (south and west), 39 House Martin (north and west ), 20 Meadow Pipit (north) [Jeff Kinnerman]

Tuesday 19 September 2017

Rayleigh, 19:00 to 19:00
1 Sparrowhawk (female over A127 at Fairglen interchange) [Paul Baker]

Gunners Park, 18:00 to 19:00
20 Swallow, 1 Redstart (In brambles at the back of reserve ), 2 Whinchat, 1 Stonechat [Lee Ebbs]

Two Tree Island (West), 13:25 to 14:35, High tide at 12:54
14 Little Egret, 4 Canada Goose, 15 Teal (lagoon), 1 Oystercatcher, 45 Avocet (c. over estuary), 29 Ringed Plover, 4 Grey Plover, 15 Lapwing, 6 Dunlin, 500 Black-tailed Godwit (c. estimate on flight view), 100 Redshank (c., +), 12 Greenshank, 1 Turnstone, 1 Black-headed Gull (Pitsea-ringed 2LBT), 1 Sand Martin, 22 Swallow (+), 18 House Martin (+), 1 White / Pied Wagtail (over), 1 Song Thrush, 2 Cetti's Warbler (heard), 2 Chiffchaff (heard), 1 Jay, 1 Brown Rat, 1 Migrant Hawker [Max Hellicar]

Highlands Boulevard, Leigh, 09:50 to 09:50
1 Grey Wagtail [Paul Griggs]

Bowers Marsh (RSPB), 07:55 to 13:55
260 Wigeon (circa), 110 Teal (circa), 1 Marsh Harrier (female ), 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrel (females together ), 1 Hobby, 10 Avocet, 3 Snipe (together ), 23 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Greenshank, 2 Green Sandpiper (together,East Haven Creek), 1 Swift, 2 Sand Martin, 23 Swallow (+), 17 House Martin (+), 55 Meadow Pipit (circa,together ), 2 Stonechat (first year,together ), 2 Chiffchaff, 5 Bearded Tit, 3 Corn Bunting (together ) [Jeff Kinnerman]

Two Tree Island (East), 05:30 to 13:25, High tide at 12:54
1 Little Grebe, 3 Cormorant, 93 Little Egret (50 east and 20 SE at dawn from Hadleigh direction, 22 on sewage works and 81 roosting on the saltmarsh at high tide), 1 Grey Heron, 26 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 1 Wigeon, 13 Teal (+), 6 Mallard, 1 Sparrowhawk (2cy male), 1 Pheasant (h/o), 1 Water Rail, 11 Moorhen, 2 Coot, 1 Snipe (heard), 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 119 Curlew (+, high tide roost on saltmarsh), 120 Redshank (c.), 4 Greenshank (4 over creek, 3 on sewage works), 1 Collared Dove, 1 Kingfisher (off east end), 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker (heard), 6 Swallow (+), 46 House Martin (+), 32 Meadow Pipit (over), 3 White / Pied Wagtail (east together), 1 Song Thrush, 6 Cetti's Warbler (4 heard only), 18 Blackcap, 7 Chiffchaff (3 heard only), 2 Goldcrest, 1 Jay (heard), 15 Goldfinch, 3 Red Admiral [Max Hellicar]

Leigh on Sea, 05:20 to 05:25
1 Red Fox (using zebra crossing!) [Max Hellicar]

Monday 18 September 2017

Two Tree Island, 16:45 to 19:15, West side and Leigh Creek only, low tide at 18:32, sporadic but prevalent heavy rain
37 Little Egret (mostly heading west to roost (perhaps to Hadleigh Downs) in small groups at dusk), 3 Grey Heron, 65 Wigeon (east together), 19 Teal, 1 Kestrel, 1 Ringed Plover, 5 Grey Plover, 14 Lapwing, 2 Dunlin, 1 Snipe (heard), 12 Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Curlew, 107 Redshank, 5 Greenshank, 1 Green Woodpecker, 6 Meadow Pipit (over), 1 White / Pied Wagtail, 3 Pied Wagtail, 1 Wheatear (seawall west of scout hut), 2 Cetti's Warbler (heard), 1 Sedge Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff (1 seen), 2 Goldcrest, 1 Jay, 2 Linnet, 1 Reed Bunting (flyover north) [Max Hellicar]

Bowers Marsh (RSPB), 15:00 to 16:00, cold with occasional rain showers
1 Kestrel, 6 Avocet, 1 Ruff, 1 Snipe, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Meadow Pipit, 2 Whinchat (a pair along tip fence), 1 Chiffchaff, 6 Bearded Tit (showing quite well), 1 Stoat (the highlight of the visit) [Paul Baker]

Two Tree Island (West), 12:40 to 14:55, Cloud 6-8/8 with showers; wind NW F1; 16ºC; high tide 12:05 (5.54m @ Southend).
1 Osprey (flying NE - SW @ 14:30, last seen over Canvey/Coryton), 1 Wheatear (on seawall west of scout hut), 1 Cetti's Warbler (heard only), 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Chiffchaff, 6 Small White, 1 Green-veined White [Richard Howard]

Friars Park, 11:55 to 12:15, Cloud 4-5; wind NW F1; 16ºC.
1 Chiffchaff, 8 Small White, 1 Comma [Richard Howard]

Canvey Wick, 11:30 to 13:30
1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Common Lizard, 1 Clouded Yellow, 1 Small Copper, 1 Common Blue, 1 Peacock Butterfly, 1 Speckled Wood, 14 Wall, 8 Meadow Brown, 5 Small Heath [Andrew Woodhouse]

Shoebury East Beach, 11:30 to 11:50, Cloud 5/8; wind NW F1-2; 15ºC; high tide 12:05 (5.54m @ Southend).
4 Gannet (behind the boom), 14 Little Egret (in hightide roost), 2 Chiffchaff, 6 Small White, 2 Red Admiral, 1 Speckled Wood [Richard Howard]

Southend Pier, 09:30 to 13:10
5 Gannet (1 ad,4 second winter), 1 Peregrine Falcon, 175 Turnstone (+), 1 Arctic Skua (juvenile ), 8 Mediterranean Gull (5 ad winter,3 first winter ), 2 Sandwich Tern, 1 Common Tern (juvenile ), 32 Swallow (all flying north), 9 House Martin (all flying north), 1 Meadow Pipit (north) [Jeff Kinnerman]

Gunners Park, 09:25 to 11:20, Cloud 6-7/8; wind NW F1-2; 14ºC; high tide 12:05 (5.54m @ Southend).
12 Gannet (in a flock, close), 1 Little Egret, 3 Sandwich Tern, 1 Green Woodpecker, 20 Swallow (+), 100 House Martin (+), 7 Meadow Pipit, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 13 Chiffchaff, 6 Small White, 1 Speckled Wood [Richard Howard]

Sunday 17 September 2017

Tennyson Close, Leigh, 19:00 to 19:00
19 Greylag Goose [Mike Clarke]

Highlands Boulevard, Leigh, 18:50 to 19:00
19 Greylag Goose (flew NW), 1 Stock Dove [Paul Griggs]

Bowers Marsh (RSPB), 17:30 to 19:10
6 Ruddy Shelduck (Swimming about together on the main res. Last seen just after 6pm, walked round most of perimeter of res all the way to single windmill but couldn't refind (Sorry VK).), 1 Kestrel, 1 Hobby, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Ruff, 1 Spotted Redshank, 7 Bearded Tit (+) [Martin Cracknell]

Vange Marsh (RSPB), 16:45 to 17:15, Visit cut short by torrential downpour
1 Garganey, 2 Dunlin, 9 Ruff, 43 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Cetti's Warbler [Martin Cracknell]

Wat Tyler Country Park, 16:10 to 16:35
1 Cattle Egret (Still on salt marsh opposite marina, although hidden from view for first 15mins), 1 Willow Warbler [Martin Cracknell]

Southend Pier, 14:00 to 16:00
27 Gannet, 15 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Sandwich Tern [Dudley Shayler]

Bowers Marsh (RSPB), 12:00 to 16:00, Cloud 7-8/8; no wind; 14ºC.
4 Grey Heron, 6 Ruddy Shelduck, 3 Pintail, 1 Garganey (eclipse or juv. male), 1 Sparrowhawk (male by carpark), 3 Kestrel, 1 Hobby (hunting over lagoon), 1 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Ruff (male), 2 Spotted Redshank, 1 Greenshank (heard only), 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 8 Meadow Pipit, 3 Yellow Wagtail (cow field by double wind turbines), 2 Cetti's Warbler (heard only), 1 Chiffchaff, 5 Bearded Tit, 2 Reed Bunting, 6 Migrant Hawker, 4 Ruddy Darter [Richard Howard]

Graysons Close, Rayleigh, 11:00 to 11:30
1 Chiffchaff [Neil Chambers]

Bowers Marsh (RSPB), 08:30 to 14:00, Overcast
6 Ruddy Shelduck, 2 Pintail, 2 Hobby, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Ringed Plover, 1 Green Sandpiper, 30 Meadow Pipit, 1 Chiffchaff, 33 Reed Bunting, 1 Weasel [Graham Oakes]

Saturday 16 September 2017

Canvey Point, 17:40 to 18:40, Cloud 6/8; wind NW F1; 12ºC; low tide 16:05 (1.11m @ Southend).
1 Mediterranean Gull (juv), 5 Sandwich Tern [Richard Howard, Steve Arlow]

Canvey Point, 16:45 to 18:35
5 Arctic Skua, 2 Great Skua, 2 Mediterranean Gull, 20 Arctic Tern (Up river following ship), 1 Black Tern, 1 Guillemot [Steve Arlow]

Southend Seafront, 15:45 to 16:25
1 Sparrowhawk (west over foreshore), 4 Mediterranean Gull (including 1 Polish-ringed bird), 50 Carrion Crow (c., off mudflats) [Max Hellicar]

Westcliff Seafront, 14:25 to 17:15, Two visits during afternoon
10 Little Egret, 45 Black-headed Gull (including 2 Pitsea darviced birds), 1 Stock Dove (on foreshore with Feral Pigeon), 1 Chiffchaff (heard, cliff gardens) [Max Hellicar]

River Roach, 14:00 to 16:00
14 Little Egret, 18 Avocet, 7 Ringed Plover, 33 Redshank, 23 Common Seal [Graham Mee]

Southend, 12:50 to 12:50
1 Chiffchaff (heard near Prittlewell Square) [Max Hellicar]

Vange Marsh (RSPB), 12:45 to 13:25
9 Ruff (+), 20 Black-tailed Godwit (+), 1 Green Sandpiper, 8 Migrant Hawker, 3 Common Darter, 3 Ruddy Darter [Neil Chambers]

Wakering, 12:35 to 12:40
1 Mandarin Duck (immature drake on duck pond) [Steve Arlow]

Southchurch Seafront, 12:25 to 12:40
94 Ringed Plover (+), 250 Sanderling (circa, human disturbance making accurate count difficult), 1 Dunlin, 14 Turnstone, 2 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Pied Wagtail [Max Hellicar]

Wakering, 11:40 to 12:00, Common Road duck pond
1 Mandarin Duck (immature male on Common Road duck pond), 2 Mallard, 7 Moorhen, 3 House Martin, 1 Meadow Pipit (heard), 1 Migrant Hawker [Max Hellicar]

Cupid's Corner, 11:30 to 11:40
1 Hobby (flew over road), 2 Swallow, 2 Chiffchaff (heard), 1 Jay [Max Hellicar]

Shoeburyness Park, 11:15 to 11:25
5 Egyptian Goose, 2 Swallow [Max Hellicar]

Potton Creek, 11:05 to 12:25
12 Little Egret, 1 Marsh Harrier (juvenile), 5 Red-legged Partridge (on Wakering Old Tip), 18 Dunlin, 15 Greenshank [Steve Arlow]

Potton Creek, 10:50 to 11:20
3 Little Egret, 10 Dunlin (+), 20 Greenshank, 1 Meadow Pipit, 1 Reed Bunting [Neil Chambers]

Wakering, 10:45 to 10:45
1 Mandarin Duck [Neil Chambers]

Canvey Wick, 09:15 to 10:00
1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Cetti's Warbler (Heard), 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 6 Chiffchaff [Mike Clarke]

Gunners Park, 07:35 to 11:10, High tide at 09:46
1 Great Crested Grebe (east), 7 Gannet, 9 Little Egret, 3 Mute Swan, 10 Wigeon (c., east at distance), 5 Sanderling, 1 Stercorarius sp. (probable Arctic Skua distantly west), 1 Great Skua, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 3 Sandwich Tern, 1 Green Woodpecker (heard), 20 Sand Martin (c.), 40 Swallow (c., with House and Sand Martins), 250 House Martin (c., +, feeding in large groups and moving west), 93 Meadow Pipit (trickling over in small numbers, mainly heading W/S), 8 Yellow Wagtail (west in small numbers), 1 White / Pied Wagtail (over), 2 Blackcap, 1 Whitethroat, 5 Chiffchaff, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Jay (heard), 1 Small Copper [Max Hellicar]

Bowers Marsh (RSPB), 07:30 to 09:30
1 Garganey (On res), 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Peregrine Falcon, 5 Little Ringed Plover, 6 Ringed Plover, 40 Dunlin, 3 Ruff, 2 Green Sandpiper, 1 Whinchat, 8 Bearded Tit (+, showing in reeds from benches) [Tim Bourne]

Canvey Point, 07:30 to 09:00
3 Great Crested Grebe, 16 Gannet, 6 Arctic Skua, 1 Great Skua, 2 Mediterranean Gull, 8 Sandwich Tern, 20 Common Tern (Only one bird i saw close enough to id was a common...rest should be classed commic), 25 Swallow [Mike Clarke]

Gunners Park, 07:30 to 10:25
20 Gannet, 10 Little Egret (roosting on island in lake), 1 Arctic Skua (probable), 1 Great Skua, 6 Sandwich Tern, 250 House Martin (at least), 5 Yellow Wagtail [Steve Arlow]

Gunners Park, 07:25 to 10:35, Mostly sunny, light NW wind, high tide 9:45ish
7 Gannet (flew east), 6 Little Egret, 3 Sandwich Tern, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 20 Sand Martin (approx.), 20 Swallow (+), 250 House Martin (+), 30 Meadow Pipit (+, flew SW), 7 Yellow Wagtail (flew SW), 1 Grey Wagtail (flew SW), 1 White / Pied Wagtail (flew SW), 7 Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrest, 1 Reed Bunting (flew SW) [Neil Chambers]

Southend Seafront, 07:25 to 07:25
13 Mediterranean Gull [Max Hellicar]

Canvey Point, 06:10 to 08:05, From first light, sunrise c.6.30 light SW, bright and sunny by the time I left. Joined by MC c. 7.30
13 Gannet (Again at least this many 2 different groups of 6 flew upriver and a single.), 1 Snipe (Flew over calling), 3 Arctic Skua (+ at least this many a number of sightings ), 4 Sandwich Tern (+), 40 Common Tern (Those that I could be sure of were all common. One group of 4 looked better for Arctic), 1 Black Tern (+ juvenile lingering off the point early on then it or another behind a boat flew upriver ), 1 Kingfisher (On the rocks first thing, flew towards the yacht club and didn't return ), 2 Swallow (+) [Martin Cracknell]

Friday 15 September 2017

Wakering, 18:30 to 18:40
1 Mandarin Duck (1'w drake) [Neil Chambers]

Canvey Point, 17:20 to 19:00
3 Manx Shearwater (One distantly east at 17:32; a second closer west and past at 17:40; 3rd seen to east at 18:15 turned and flew back down river), 1 Common Sandpiper (Calling from saltmarsh), 4 Mediterranean Gull (+, adults), 1 Sabine's Gull (Juv west at 17:55), 3 Sandwich Tern, 12 Arctic Tern, 1 Black Tern (At least flew east) [Tim Bourne]

Bowers Marsh (RSPB), 14:40 to 16:45, Cloud 2-8/8 with rain later; wind N F1-2; 13ºC. Saline lagoon & central benches only.
5 Little Egret, 4 Grey Heron, 126 Wigeon, 4 Avocet, 4 Little Ringed Plover, 3 Ruff, 1 Snipe, 1 Greenshank, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Whinchat, 1 Wheatear, 1 Bearded Tit (heard only), 1 Reed Bunting (heard only) [Richard Howard, Graham Oakes]

Highlands Boulevard, Leigh, 13:55 to 13:55
1 Sparrowhawk [Paul Griggs]

Benfleet Downs, 11:30 to 13:30
3 Sparrowhawk, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Clouded Yellow, 1 Small Copper, 1 Brown Argus, 4 Common Blue, 3 Red Admiral, 1 Comma, 10 Speckled Wood, 9 Wall, 8 Meadow Brown, 1 Small Heath [Andrew Woodhouse]

Potton Creek, 09:40 to 10:50, Cloud 1-2/8; wind W F0-1; 15ºC; high tide 08:15 (4.81m @ Southend).
12 Little Egret, 5 Tufted Duck, 1 Kestrel, 1 Ringed Plover, 61 Golden Plover, 1 Little Stint, 26 Dunlin, 8 Greenshank, 10 Meadow Pipit, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Clouded Yellow, 1 Large White, 4 Small White, 1 Small Heath [Richard Howard]

Wakering, 09:30 to 09:30, Common Road Pond
1 Mandarin Duck (eclipse or juv. male) [Richard Howard]

Wakering, 08:00 to 08:00
1 Mandarin Duck (Juvenile male on duck pond) [Lee Ebbs]

Gunners Park, 07:05 to 09:20, Cloud 0-1/8; wind W F0-1; 8-12ºC; high tide 08:15 (4.81m @ Southend).
1 Kingfisher, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 4 Sand Martin (+), 15 Swallow, 100 House Martin (c), 9 Meadow Pipit (over, west), 1 Song Thrush, 1 Blackcap (male), 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Whitethroat, 15 Chiffchaff, 1 Small Heath [Richard Howard]

Thursday 14 September 2017

Two Tree Island (West), 18:20 to 19:20, high tide, light W wind & light rain throughout
15 Little Egret (flying west in small groups, presumably to roost), 10 Avocet (+), 15 Ringed Plover, 3 Dunlin, 600 Black-tailed Godwit (+), 28 Greenshank, 2 Cetti's Warbler (singing), 1 Reed Bunting [Neil Chambers]

Westcliff Seafront, 17:40 to 18:10, No sign of any Manxies from here for the second consecutive evening
4 Cormorant, 2 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Black-headed Gull (Pitsea-ringed 2J66) [Max Hellicar]

Gunners Park, 12:00 to 18:00, Cold, rainy
2 Manx Shearwater (Initially both went upriver but one returned and headed out to sea), 3 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Blackcap, 1 Lesser Whitethroat (Reserve), 3 Chiffchaff (Conifers west of tennis courts) [Andrew Armstrong]

Wat Tyler Country Park, 11:30 to 12:00
1 Cattle Egret, 300 Starling (one all white leucistic bird. ) [Graham Mee]

Canvey Point, 08:00 to 09:00, Cloud 4/8; wind W F2; 10º; high tide 06:52 (4.97m @ Southend). Generally quiet.
7 Little Egret, 104 Ringed Plover, 1 Arctic Skua, 20 Sterna sp. (c), 2 Sandwich Tern, 31 Swallow (west), 1 Meadow Pipit, 1 Harbour Porpoise [Richard Howard]

Wednesday 13 September 2017

Canvey Point, 18:00 to 19:10, Cloud 5/8; wind SW F3-1; 16º; high tide 18:13 (5.42m @ Southend).
1 Manx Shearwater, 4 Little Egret, 30 Sterna sp. (+), 2 Black Tern (west) [Richard Howard, Paul Baker, Neil Chambers]

Wat Tyler Country Park, 17:30 to 17:50
1 Cattle Egret (still from marina) [Max Hellicar]

Canvey Point, 17:25 to 18:40
1 Manx Shearwater (lingering), 1 Little Egret (flew across from Kent), 3 Great Skua (together high upriver at 17:25), 1 Mediterranean Gull (2nd-w), 15 Sandwich Tern, 35 Common Tern, 13 Black Tern [Paul Baker]

Highlands Boulevard, Leigh, 17:15 to 17:15
1 Sparrowhawk [Paul Griggs]

Canvey Point, 15:55 to 18:30, Strong WSW wind, heavy overcast & rain at first, then brighter with wind easing. High tide 18:15ish. Joined by PB at 17:20 & RH from 6pm
1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Manx Shearwater (on view for an hour from 17:25, last seen heading upriver), 1 Little Egret, 5 Wigeon, 1 Arctic Skua (juv seen 3 times), 3 Great Skua (together high upriver), 1 Mediterranean Gull (2'w), 15 Sandwich Tern (+), 0 Roseate Tern (probable adult with Arctics, flew east distantly), 60 Common Tern (+), 6 Arctic Tern (+, all adults), 14 Black Tern (mostly juv's) [Neil Chambers, Paul Baker]

West Canvey Marsh (RSPB), 15:15 to 15:45
1 Black-tailed Godwit (juv), 1 Green Sandpiper [Neil Chambers]

Tuesday 12 September 2017

South Benfleet, 21:25 to 21:25
1 Tawny Owl (Flee across the road infront of the car at top of Vicarage Hill) [Martin Cracknell]

Westcliff, 13:45 to 13:45
1 Swift (St George's Drive,passed through overhead) [Jeff Kinnerman]

Highlands Boulevard, Leigh, 13:00 to 15:00
1 Sparrowhawk (+), 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker [Paul Griggs]

Leigh on Sea, 11:30 to 11:30
2 Peregrine Falcon (east to west over garden constantly calling) [Graham Mee]

Highlands Boulevard, Leigh, 08:00 to 08:00
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker (over London Road), 1 Jay [Max Hellicar]

Stonehill Road, Leigh on Sea, 01:15 to 01:20
1 Badger (first back garden sighting trying to get at our rabbit. I knew that live bait would work eventually!) [Vince Kinsler]

Monday 11 September 2017

Prittle Brook (Leigh on Sea), 21:45 to 21:50
1 Badger (in garden) [Angela Baldock]

Highlands Boulevard, Leigh, 18:00 to 18:00
1 Hobby [Paul Griggs]

Canvey Way, 14:40 to 14:40
1 Buzzard [Paul Baker]

Canvey Point, 13:30 to 14:25, strong west wind, bright sun, rising tide
1 Great Crested Grebe (w/plumage on sea), 2 Little Egret (on Point), 2 Wigeon (on the Point), 1 Sparrowhawk (female hunting the Point), 1 Peregrine Falcon (female sitting out on the mud trying to surprise the Oystercatchers), 1 Knot, 19 Dunlin, 15 Sandwich Tern, 30 Common Tern, 3 Arctic Tern, 9 Black Tern, 1 Small Copper (on seawall) [Paul Baker]

Wat Tyler Country Park, 10:40 to 10:50, quick stop
1 Cattle Egret (showing well c.30m beyond creek) [Vince Kinsler]

Gunners Park, 08:50 to 10:00
2 Little Grebe, 5 Little Egret, 1 Willow Warbler [Angela Baldock]

Sunday 10 September 2017

Canvey Way, 17:25 to 17:25
1 Greenshank (flew over road) [Paul Baker]

Canvey Island, 17:15 to 17:15
1 Sparrowhawk (male hunting around the houses) [Paul Baker]

Leigh Station, 17:05 to 17:05
3 Swift (SW against strong wind) [Vince Kinsler, Mike Clarke]

Canvey Point, 16:10 to 17:05, high tide and very strong west wind
2 Common Scoter (pair ), 2 Arctic Skua (one flew purposefully low upriver), 6 Sandwich Tern, 10 Common Tern, 8 Black Tern (in 1's & 2's struggling upriver), 25 Swallow (small parties heading upriver) [Paul Baker]

Wat Tyler Country Park, 15:30 to 15:45, Quick look from Marina only
1 Little Egret (on saltmarsh opposite), 1 Common Sandpiper [Paul Baker]

Rayleigh, 15:00 to 15:00
1 Sparrowhawk (at Rayleigh Weir) [Paul Baker]

Gunners Park, 14:20 to 15:20, Overcast, strong WSW wind
1 Gannet (juv flew east), 1 Hobby (pursued by 2 Swallows over the garrison), 8 Swallow, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Small White [Neil Chambers]

Gunners Park, 09:30 to 11:20
1 Cormorant, 1 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Mute Swan, 1 Kestrel, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1 Green Woodpecker (heard), 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker (heard), 2 Swallow, 6 House Martin (+), 19 Meadow Pipit (south in small groups), 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 1 Whitethroat, 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler (singing briefly), 25 Carrion Crow, 8 House Sparrow (disappeared after around 10am, no Tree), 1 Common Blue [Max Hellicar]

Southchurch Seafront, 09:20 to 09:20
1 Meadow Pipit (heard) [Max Hellicar]

Gunners Park, 08:45 to 10:30
1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Blackcap, 1 Whitethroat, 8 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler (Singing briefly), 1 Tree Sparrow (Seen twice on the fence around the concrete pads by sea wall. ) [Lee Ebbs]

Gunners Park, 08:30 to 10:00
2 Sparrowhawk, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 12 Blackcap, 1 Garden Warbler, 3 Whitethroat, 6 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler, 1 Tree Sparrow [Vince Kinsler, Mike Clarke]

Bowers Marsh (RSPB), 08:15 to 12:00
53 Wigeon, 94 Teal, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Buzzard, 2 Hobby, 3 Pheasant, 5 Little Ringed Plover, 29 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Green Sandpiper, 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 7 Whinchat, 2 Stonechat, 5 Bearded Tit, 1 Grey Squirrel [Graham Ryland, Graham Oakes]