JANUARY 2022
As expected, the year got off
to a good start with many birders eager to start their yearlists. Highlights on
the 1st were a Shag at
South Fambridge, two Jack Snipe and
three Water Pipits at Vange Marsh,
the returning adult Yellow-legged Gull
at Hullbridge, a Hawfinch at Pound
Wood, and three Bramblings at
Stambridge. Birds remaining from December included small groups of White-fronted Geese at three sites, Black Brant and Pale-bellied Brent Goose at South Fambridge, Red-crested Pochard at Southchurch, and three Spoonbills, a Hen Harrier,
and a Short-eared Owl on Wallasea.
Wintering waders included a Common
Sandpiper at South Fambridge, six Green
Sandpipers and six Spotted Redshanks
at four sites each, and four Greenshanks
at three sites. There was even a Small
Tortoiseshell logged on the 1st. A male Bullfinch noted at Wat Tyler CP on the 2nd and 13th
were the only sightings this month of this much reduced resident. There was an
influx of Guillemots into the
estuary on the 3rd with 32 birds counted off the Pier along with two
Razorbills. Last year’s wintering Black Redstart at Southend Business
Park was reported on the 4th but despite searching it was not seen
subsequently. A Glossy Ibis spent
the following day on Wallasea, but disappointingly did not linger. A drake Velvet Scoter flew past Canvey on the 6th
and was the only record of this species this winter. The Ring-necked Parakeets at Thorpe Bay remained around the golf course
all winter with four together there on the 6th. A Red Admiral made the most of the weak
sunshine on the 7th. One of the Dengie Red-breasted Geese dropped in on Wallasea on the 8th
before visiting South Fambridge on the 10th, after which it spent
most of the month across the Crouch on Blue House Farm and Marsh Farm. The three
Twite which spent mid-December on
Wallasea reappeared from the 8th until the 22nd although
only two were present after the 8th. The Hawfinch at Pound Wood was joined by two more on the 9th
and 10th with one remaining through to the 12th. The
finch flock at Hampton Barns, Stambridge, attracted two Lesser Redpolls from the 12th through to the end of the
month. With 100 Chaffinches, ten Reed Buntings and Corn Buntings, and a handful of Greenfinches, Bramblings
and now two Lesser Redpolls, it made
for quite a spectacle. Two Woodcock
were seen on Canvey Wick on the 15th, with singles reported from a
further three sites this month. A Snow
Bunting was an excellent find along the Roach seawall at Barling on the 16th;
it remained through to the 28th. Merlin were in short supply this month although males were seen at
Bowers Marsh on the 16th and Barling on the 18th, with
females reported from South Fambridge and Wallasea. A movement of Red-throated Divers into the estuary
was noted mid-month when there were 60 from the 16th to the 18th,
with a Little Gull also present on
the latter date. Four Barnacle Geese
arrived on Wallasea on the 18th and increased to six by early
February. What little chance they had of being deemed truly wild was scuppered
when the colour ring on one of the birds was traced back to a ringing scheme
from north Norfolk in July last year. The 21st and 22nd
saw some excellent birds recorded starting with a male Lesser Spotted Woodpecker at Hockley Woods, which was totally
unexpected given that the last local sighting was here in 2015. Seven White-fronted Geese on Wallasea on the
21st constituted the highest local count this month, two Jack Snipe there the same day were a
good site record as was the Lapland
Bunting present on the 22nd and 23rd and which was
only the second local record in the last ten years. Whilst searching for the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker in Hockley
Woods on the 22nd a male Hawfinch
was found and was joined by a female from the 23rd; these were the
first Hawfinch sightings in Hockley
Woods, a once regular wintering site, since 2013. The Lesser Spotted Woodpecker remained for only a few short days
whereas the Hawfinches were seen
intermittently through to early March. Also present in Hockley Woods throughout
the month were up to six Nuthatches
and six Treecreepers. A flock of
twenty Siskins were found on the
edge of Hockley Woods on the 24th where they remained for a week.
Two Goosanders were photographed on
Wallasea on the 26th where they stayed through to the end of
February. Following a report of six Short-eared
Owls along the seawall at South Fambridge on the 26th, three
were found to be still present on the 27th. Although this was clearly
an influx, it was very localised as none were noted at any other sites at this
time. Meanwhile, up to three Long-eared
Owls were present all month at a traditional roost site in the south. In a predictably
quiet month for Red Kites, the only
one recorded was over Coombe Wood on the 30th. Good numbers of auks
were in the Thames once again on the 31st when 35 Guillemots and ten Razorbills were seen from Canvey Point.
FEBRUARY 2022
After
becoming fairly widespread last year, Raven reverted to its scarce
status this year with one seen over South Fambridge on the 1st and
one over Benfleet Downs on the 12th the only records this month,
following none in January. The only record of Woodcock this month was
the two seen at Canvey Wick on the 1st. Last month’s Goosander
duo was finally pinned down on Wallasea on the 1st where they
remained through to the 22nd. A sizeable flock of White-fronted
Geese visited Wallasea several times this month, with the first occasion
being on the 3rd; they appeared to be wintering on Foulness but made
the occasional sojourn to the east end of Wallasea. The first Great Northern
Diver of the year was seen intermittently from Canvey between the 1st
and the 9th and was briefly joined by a second bird on the latter
date. The first and only Black-throated Diver record of the first winter
was an individual that drifted past Canvey on the 3rd. The 800
strong Dark-bellied Brent Goose flock did the decent thing and settled
down at South Fambridge from the 4th through to early March. Within
the flock, the stand out highlight was the fine Red-breasted Goose
although a couple each of Black Brant and Pale-bellied Brent Goose
added extra variety. Auks were still present in the Thames during the first
half of the month, peaking at 15 Guillemots and four Razorbills
on the 4th; they had all departed for their breeding grounds from
the 15th with no more records in the first half of the year. Taking
a short break from South Fambridge, the Red-breasted Goose visited
Wallasea on the 5th for its second and final time this winter. The 9th
saw the first of three Blackcap records this month with a male in a
South Benfleet garden while Chiffchaff numbered just two this month.
Pleasingly, a flock of up to 21 Yellowhammers was noted inland at South
Fambridge from the 4th to the 17th; with no records from
other sites this month, this has sadly become their last stronghold. A flock of
ten Hawfinches was a great find in Hadleigh West Wood on the 13th.
With no previous records from here, they were entirely unexpected and a sign of
what can be found, as well as what probably goes undiscovered. The Hawfinches
showed through to the 26th albeit in smaller numbers, and the female
in Hockley Woods also put in an appearance mid-month. Canvey Point produced
some sawbill action mid-month, with four Red-breasted Mergansers on the
13th and a pair of Goosanders on the 20th. The
Wallasea Twite were reported again on the 14th but could not
be refound despite searching. Interestingly, South Fambridge experienced
another influx of Short-eared Owls on the 26th and 27th
with four on the former date and an impressive seven on the latter, the joint
highest ever count away from Wallasea. An early passage Brambling was a
welcome visitor to feeders in a Canewdon garden on the 26th and 27th,
and was surprisingly the only record all month. Towards the end of the month,
both Brimstone and Peacock were on the wing, bringing the number
of butterfly species up to four for the year.
MARCH 2022
A Great
Northern Diver past Canvey Point on the 2nd was the only record
this month and also the last of the winter. The hoped for spring arrival of Black-necked
Grebes at Bowers Marsh, which has become a feature of recent years, started
with one on the 2nd before being joined by a second bird from the 10th,
and rising to four from the 20th onwards. A Bullfinch or two
were present in Magnolia NR from the 3rd to the 11th;
historically this was a regular site for this species. On the 3rd the
Foulness flock of 57 White-fronted Geese visited Wallasea for the final
time this winter, whilst nearby at South Fambridge the Red-breasted Goose
was still to be found on the 5th. Seawatching on the 6th
at Canvey produced the only Great Skua sighting in the first half of the
year along with 16 Kittiwakes, the highest count during the same period.
Two male Red-crested Pochards dropped in on Bowers Marsh on the 7th,
whilst next day two Hawfinches at Hockley Woods were the last of a good
run for this species locally. Good numbers of Short-eared Owls remained
throughout the month with four still present near South Fambridge on the 10th
and a single at Bowers Marsh the same day. Chiffchaffs began arriving
from the 11th with Blackcaps following one week later from
the 18th. A spring passage of Jack Snipe has been evident at
Vange Marsh in most years recently and so it was no surprise that three were
found on the 11th with at least one remaining until the 18th.
The Red-breasted Goose was still favouring South Fambridge from the 12th
to the 14th, it will be interesting to see if it returns next
winter; meanwhile the Black Brant was also recorded here on the 13th,
19th and 20th. A small passage of Black Redstarts
was discernible during the second half of the month with birds noted at Little
Wakering on the 13th, Shoebury on the 20th, and Hockley
on the 24th. However, all were seen only by the finders as all were
in gardens. Water Pipits were recorded from Vange Marsh on two dates
mid-month with two on the 14th and 18th. Garganey
arrived back on the 15th with three at Bowers Marsh which remained
through to the end of April. The over-wintering trio of Spoonbills on
Wallasea were joined by a fourth bird on the 17th and 18th.
A Hen Harrier was also seen there on the 17th, with it or
another at South Fambridge on the 18th. In addition, an early Little
Ringed Plover was reported from Wallasea on the 18th. Nearby at
Canewdon, a light passage of Bramblings was apparent from the 18th
through to the 30th with six birds passing through one garden during
the period. A flock of six Lesser Redpolls at Cherry Orchard CP on the
20th were the only record this month, and the last of the winter. A Raven
at Haven Point on the 20th had most likely wandered across from
Foulness, likewise two at South Fambridge on the 27th were almost
certainly from across the Crouch. A Great White Egret took up residence
at Bowers Marsh from the 21st until the 16th April, and was
occasionally joined by a second individual. In what has been a good winter
locally for geese, three Tundra Bean Geese at Lower Raypits from the 23rd
until the 3rd April were probably the least expected. Seeing them in
the sunshine in the company of three Little Ringed Plovers and a White
Wagtail on the 24th was an interesting juxtaposition. A Glossy
Ibis dropped in on Wallasea on the 25th but frustratingly did
not linger. The first Sandwich Terns were logged off Gunners Park on the
26th, a day that saw four Emperor Moths attracted to a South
Fambridge garden. The last Hen Harrier sighting of the winter was a
ringtail at Lower Raypits on the 27th. Bowers Marsh hosted a pair of
Little Ringed Plovers from the 27th onwards and a typically
elusive Ring Ouzel on the 28th. Wheatears were
conspicuous by their absence this month with one photographed on Two Tree
Island on the 29th the sole record. The month finished with two Little
Gulls upriver past Canvey on the 31st, and the butterfly species
count rose to six with the addition of Small White and Comma this
month.
APRIL 2022
The first
half of the month was largely uneventful as the anticipated summer migrants and
passage migrants failed to appear. A Black
Redstart in Gunners Park on the 1st was the highlight of the
first two weeks but once again, just like the previous sightings this year, it
was only seen by the finder. A female Merlin at Canvey Point on the 4th
was the last record this winter of this delightfully diminutive falcon. The
trio of Spoonbills on Wallasea were seen together for the final time on
the 6th although a single was seen on a handful of dates over the
following week. Gunners Park held a White Wagtail on the 10th
which transpired to be the second and final sighting of the spring. The 11th
saw the first returning Whimbrels and Cuckoos with good numbers
of each recorded from many sites this month. The 12th saw a noticeable
arrival of Nightingales with six on Canvey Wick, swelling to nine a few
days later, five at Wakering Stairs, and two singles elsewhere. The Black-necked
Grebe gathering at Bowers Marsh peaked at six on the 12th, with
five reported on several dates subsequently. Just seven Dark-bellied Brent
Geese remained in the sunshine at South Fambridge, yet incredibly the Black
Brant was still to be found with them on the 13th and 14th;
two Cattle Egrets were seen flying to roost there on the 13th.
A fine male Pied Flycatcher photographed on Canvey Wick on the 14th
was an excellent spring record. The first of seven Wall Brown
butterflies sightings this month came from Fleet Head on the 15th,
and the first of two Green Hairstreaks this month was on Canvey Wick the
following day. There was a welcomed arrival of Grasshopper Warblers from
the 16th to the 19th with two at Bowers Marsh, one at West
Canvey Marsh, and one on Two Tree Island. The fields around South Fambridge
continued to attract Short-eared Owls with three still present on the 17th.
Totally unexpected was the report of a Hoopoe in a garden in Southchurch
on the 18th which was then photographed in another nearby garden the
following day. An early Hobby, the only one of the month, was hawking
near Battlesbridge on the 20th. Three Arctic Terns were off
Canvey on the 22nd, three others passed over Canvey Wick on the 24th
and a single was off the Point on the 1st May. With no Sandwich,
Little, or Black Terns this month, it was a poor tern passage
this spring. The first Small Copper of the year was seen on the 21st
in Gunners Park where the next day a Black-throated Diver flew past. A Broad-bodied
Chaser at South Fambridge on the 24th was particularly early; Large
Red Damselfly, Hairy Dragonfly, and Common Blue Damselfly
were all also seen in the latter half of the month. Two Siskins over
Hawkwell on the 24th were the last of the spring. The only
double-figure flock of Yellow Wagtails this month was 20 on Wallasea on
the 26th, the flock also hosted a smart ‘Channel Wagtail’. Two Wheatears at Oxenham Farm on the
26th was the only multiple count this month, eight singles were also
noted at several other sites. A near summer plumaged Great Northern Diver was
close inshore off Gunners Park on the 27th which, when coupled with
a Red-throated Diver off Canvey on the 1st and the Black-throated
Diver on the 22nd, meant that all three diver species were seen
this month on the Thames. A smart Black-necked Grebe was at Paglesham
Lagoon on the 27th and was a good record away from Bowers Marsh. The
first Swift of the year was at Vange Marsh on the 27th, with numbers
of all hirundines being considerably lower than usual this month. The month
closed with a report of five Cattle Egrets over Benfleet Downs on the 30th.
MAY 2022
The
flock of 20 Yellow Wagtails on Wallasea held a different ‘Channel Wagtail’ on the 1st.
On the 2nd, an immature Little Gull was found on the flood at
West Canvey Marsh where surprisingly it stayed for almost the entire month. The
Black-necked Grebes at Bowers Marsh reached an even higher peak this
month, with seven present on the 3rd and 9th reducing to
four by the month’s end. It was with some relief to have Turtle Doves
back at Wakering Stairs from the 3rd; they continue to maintain a
precarious foothold here with up to four present mid-month. Pleasingly, one or
two birds were also noted at three other sites this month although all were
likely to have been passage birds. A Long-eared Owl in the east afforded
good views most evenings from the 4th onwards. An Osprey on
Wallasea on the 8th and 9th predictably spent much of its
time sat on a post; two Wheatears there on the 8th was the only
multiple count this month, with four singles noted elsewhere in the first half
of the month. A Glossy Ibis on Wallasea on the 9th once again
eluded most of the locals as it promptly departed overnight just like the
previous two records this year. A Great White Egret was present at South
Fambridge on the 12th and 13th where an Osprey was
also present on the latter date. A female Whinchat was present along the
Roach near Stambridge on the 13th, the same day that up to three Spotted
Flycatchers arrived on Canvey Wick. Three Black-winged Stilts spent
the day on Vange Marsh, but as is often the way, they remained unsettled and
were gone the following morning. A count of 17 Wall Brown butterflies at
Wakering Stairs on the 14th was notable; smaller numbers were seen
at six other sites this month. Meanwhile, the first Painted Lady of the
year was recorded on the 18th in Gunners Park and a further 12 were
seen at several other coastal sites over the next few days including six on
Wallasea. The female Red-crested Pochard in Southchurch, which proved
popular at the start of the winter, was reportedly back again on the 18th.
Two Spoonbills were new in at Bowers Marsh on the 19th, with
another two visiting Wallasea on the 23rd. Surprise of the month,
although not entirely unexpected, was the return of the wintering Black
Guillemot, now in summer plumage, off Gunners Park again on the 20th
and 21st. A single Black-winged Stilt visited Wallasea on the
21st, however much like the previous week’s trio it was not present
the following day. A Little Tern off Gunners Park on the 21st
was the first of the year and the only sighting all month. A female Goldeneye
which unusually had wintered on the shallow flood at Bowers Marsh extended her
stay through to the 26th. In what looks to be a good year for Long-eared
Owls, two were seen hunting in the south-west on the 28th.
Remarkably, another Hoopoe was seen and photographed on the 28th
when one was seen from the seawall at Wakering Stairs. By the 29th,
the first Heath Fritillaries of the year had emerged with 11 counted in
Hockley Woods.
JUNE 2022
A Red
Kite around Benfleet on the 2nd was unsurprisingly the only
record this month. Long-eared Owls continued to be reported from four
sites throughout the month, with juveniles seen at three. One or two Little
Terns were present off Gunners Park on the 6th and 10th,
with the month’s only Black Tern also there on the 7th. Last
month’s summer plumaged Black Guillemot was also reported from Gunners
Park again on the 9th. The Heath Fritillaries in Hockley
Woods reportedly peaked at an impressive 200 on the 10th. A male Scarce
Chaser was an excellent find at Doggetts Pits on the 14th, and
was either the first or second ever local record; it was seen through to the 20th,
and remarkably, another male was also seen there on the 17th. The
warm evenings saw seven Noctule Bats over Belton Hills on the 14th
whilst the warm daytime temperatures encouraged an influx of Hummingbird
Hawkmoths which lasted through to the end of the autumn. It was pleasing to
confirm successful breeding of Grey Wagtails locally with a pair of
adults feeding two young along the Prittle Brook on the 15th. The
last Green Hairstreak of the year was on Benfleet Downs on the 15th
where several White-letter Hairstreaks were also present. The 18th
produced some interesting records; a Roseate Tern and a Razorbill
past Canvey, two reeling Grasshopper Warblers at Bowers Marsh, two Cattle
Egrets from the marina at Wat Tyler CP, the first two White Admirals
of the summer at Belfairs NR, and a Southern Emerald Damselfly along
Canvey Way. The following day, in addition to the lingering Southern Emerald
Damselfly, Canvey Way also played host to a Common Emerald and 25 Scarce
Emeralds. A fine summer plumaged Spotted Redshank at Vange Marsh on
the 19th and a Green Sandpiper at Bowers Marsh on the 23rd
signalled the start of the return wader passage. A Ring-necked Parakeet
at Rayleigh Mount on the 25th was the first record away from Thorpe
Bay this year. The first Silver-washed Fritillaries were out on the 25th
at Hockley Woods where the first Purple Hairstreaks were also noted the
next day as were six White Admirals. An immature Spoonbill on
Wallasea on the 26th was a good mid-summer sighting. An Eider
photographed off Gunners Park on the 27th was the first of the year
and the only bird of the year, up until November at least. One of the Grasshopper
Warblers at Bowers Marsh was reeling again on the 29th.
JULY 2022
Once
again, there was just one Red Kite sighting this month, which was on the
1st over Leigh and Benfleet. Following on from last year, the much
hoped for Purple Emperor action started on the 1st at
Belfairs NR with one or two seen most days through to mid-month. Little
Ringed Plovers were seen in good numbers early in the month, including
eight at West Canvey Marsh on the 1st and six at Vange Marsh;
encouragingly, juveniles hatched at four sites. A very early Willow Emerald
Damselfly on the 3rd at Canvey Way was four weeks ahead of the
next sighting. A couple of Great White Egrets roosted on the scrape at
Wat Tyler CP on the 3rd, 24th, and 29th. The
first of two Wood Sandpipers this month was at West Canvey Marsh on the
4th with the second bird at Vange Marsh five days later. A Cattle
Egret at West Canvey Marsh on the 6th ranged around the area for
the rest of the month visiting Vange Marsh and Wat Tyler CP on its travels Last
month’s Eider popped up again on the 7th, this time at
Wakering Stairs, where it was photographed once more; one or two Dark-bellied
Brent Geese were also noted there from the 9th. The first of
eight Clouded Yellows this month was seen at Vange Marsh on the 8th,
nine Painted Ladies were also noted this month. The first returning Common
Sandpiper was at Fleet Head on the 9th, with the main passage
starting from the 23rd. In what transpired to be a dreadful summer
and autumn for Garganey, the only one reported between the end of April
and the end of the year was a female at Vange Marsh on the 10th. By
contrast, Bearded Tits clearly had a good season as evidenced by a flock
of 14 juveniles which were also at Vange Marsh on the 10th. Two
immature Spoonbills were present on Wallasea from the 11th to
the 13th and one or two Ravens were seen at South Fambridge
on the 18th and 31st. A Grasshopper Warbler was
still reeling at Bowers Marsh on the 24th. Two Large Coppers
visiting a garden in Rayleigh on the 26th were almost certainly a
recent release but were interesting none the less, particularly as there was a
presumed unauthorised release on Wallasea last August. The two returning Yellow-legged
Gulls were back along the Crouch at Hullbridge on the 28th
although were not reported again all autumn. Vange Marsh held a peak of five Spotted
Redshanks this month on the 29th along with two Ruff,
three Greenshanks, and an impressive 350 Black-tailed Godwits.
AUGUST 2022
One
of last month’s Great White Egrets remained around Bowers Marsh and Wat
Tyler CP during the first half of the month, being seen on three occasions
between the 1st and the 14th. A Purple Hairstreak
in Gunners Park on the 2nd was the last of the year. On an otherwise
quiet seawatch, Arctic Terns peaked at 38 off Canvey on the 4th.
Following a record influx nationally, it was not too much of a surprise to find
a Lesser Emperor at Doggetts Pits on the 4th which was closely
followed by another at Bowers Marsh on the 6th. The first of 15 Wheatears
this month was on the seawall at Benfleet Creek on the 5th, the same
day that Willow Emerald Damselflies began emerging, with sightings from
five sites this month from the 5th onwards. Two adult Spoonbills
flying over Bowers Marsh on the 6th soon settled down there and
became a daily fixture through to the 9th September. Black-necked
Grebe and Grasshopper Warbler were both seen at Bowers Marsh for the
last time on the 7th. The Rayleigh Mount Ring-necked Parakeet
put in another raucous showing on the 8th and a Hummingbird
Hawkmoth at South Fambridge was the first of twelve local sightings this
month. The first of eight Whinchats this month was in Gunners Park on
the 8th, with the other records coming from Bowers Marsh, Fossetts
Park, South Fambridge, and West Canvey Marsh. The first Curlew Sandpiper
of the autumn was on the lagoon at Two Tree Island from the 11th to
the 13th. The 13th saw the start of a protracted passage
of Wood Sandpipers at Bowers Marsh with two birds present initially,
building to a reported seven on the 24th. One or two Cattle
Egrets continued to wander various sites between Fleet Head and Wat Tyler
CP from the 13th through to the 30th before disappearing
for the remainder of the autumn. Numbers of Little Tern are much reduced
these days so a count of 21 at Wakering Stairs on the 14th was most
welcome. The national influx of Pied Flycatchers reached our shores on
the 15th when the first of five birds was seen in a Hullbridge
garden, swiftly followed by another in a Rayleigh garden the next day, and then
one in Gunners Park on the 17th. One was then trapped and ringed on
Two Tree Island on the 21st and Gunners Park then hosted the final
bird of this arrival for several days from the 24th onwards.
Passerines were definitely on the move now with the first of three Redstarts
this month in Gunners Park on the 16th and 17th, and Wheatears
were present at six locations including five at West Canvey Marsh on the 16th.
A White Stork at West Canvey Marsh on the 16th was sporting a
blue ring which identified it as a recent release from the Knepp estate. The 17th
was arguably one of the best days of the autumn seawatching season with the
standout highlight being a Cory’s Shearwater which flew upriver past
Canvey from 15:01, and then back out again until lost to view at 15:41. Other
sightings from Canvey on the 17th included another Roseate Tern,
the first Pomarine Skua, three Arctic Skuas, and a Little Gull.
Back on land, a Garden Warbler began a protracted stay in Gunners Park
from the 18th, and the first of three Tree Pipits this year
flew over Gunners Park the next day. The 20th saw two Redstarts
and a Clouded Yellow at Wakering Stairs, with another Clouded Yellow
and a passage Turtle Dove nearby at Potton Creek, whilst an Osprey
took up station around Wakering Stairs from the 21st to the 23rd.
Two Southern Emerald Damselflies were still to be found along Canvey Way
on the 21st but were the last of the summer. On the 24th, Bowers Marsh hosted
peak counts of ten Common Sandpipers and three Whinchats; a
further five Whinchats were logged from four other sites this month. Little
Terns and Black Terns both peaked at Canvey on the 25th
with 29 of the former and 20 of the latter. Ravens maintained their
scarce status this year with just a single sighting this month of one over
South Fambridge on the 26th. On the 27th, Green
Sandpipers reached 18 at Bowers Marsh and a second Garden Warbler
joined the long stayer in Gunners Park via the mist net of the local ringing group.
Canvey Point briefly held a Curlew Sandpiper on the 27th and
30th. The 28th proved to be relatively fruitful at sea
with six Pomarine Skuas together past Canvey as well as six Arctic
Skuas and a Great Skua. Canvey continued to dominate the local news
with a brief Purple Sandpiper and 26 Arctic Terns on the 29th,
followed by an impressive 28 Arctic Skuas, two Great Skuas, and
two Little Gulls on the 31st. As a result of avian flu on the
northern breeding grounds, Great Skuas were incredibly scarce this
autumn with just three in August and none in September or October. The month
closed with a very early ringtail Hen Harrier lingering over fields
between Canewdon and South Fambridge on the 31st.
SEPTEMBER 2022
Seawatching
continued to be mediocre, although on the 1st, the only two Long-tailed
Skuas of the year were seen from Canvey along with three Arctic Skuas,
four Black Terns, and a Razorbill. The ringtail Hen Harrier
was still quartering the fields east of South Fambridge early on the 1st
and the first two Tree Sparrows of the autumn alighted briefly in Gunners
Park; the following day, there was a flock of eight Tree Sparrows in
Gunners Park. The first Spotted Flycatchers of the autumn arrived on the
2nd and 3rd with two birds at Stambridge and one at
Shoebury East Beach. In addition to the flock of eight Tree Sparrows
still present in Gunners Park on the 3rd, a Redstart began a
three day stay there also, and one of last month’s Garden Warblers put
in a final appearance. Wallasea experienced a glut of Curlew Sandpipers
from the 3rd when 12 birds were present increasing to 17 the next
day with 16 still present on the 10th. Almost in harmony with the Curlew
Sandpiper arrival, small numbers of Little Stints appeared from the
4th through to the 11th with five at Bowers Marsh, four
on Wallasea, and one at Wakering Stairs. An Osprey was seen from
Wallasea on Foulness on the 5th and was disappointingly the only
confirmed sighting all month. Ravens remained conspicuous by their
absence although a pair did put in an appearance over Bowers Marsh on the 5th
and 9th. The poor skua passage continued with a peak count this
month of just seven Arctic Skuas; no Great Skuas or Pomarine
Skuas were seen all month. The two Spoonbills visited Bowers Marsh
again on the 9th with one still there on the 11th. Whinchats
remained widespread albeit in low numbers, with three on Wallasea on the 10th
equalling the highest count of the autumn; two Wheatears also there on
the 10th was the only multiple count this month. Two Tree Pipits
over Gunners Park on the 10th concluded a very average showing for
this species. The first returning Short-eared Owls were hunting over
Wallasea on the 10th where one remained through to the 12th.
Canvey Wick hosted the last Redstart of the autumn on the 11th,
the same day that an obvious arrival of Spotted Flycatchers began, with
birds being found at five sites through to the 19th, including three
together in Gunners Park on the 14th. Willow Emerald Damselflies
put on a strong show at Doggetts Pits from the 12th to the 19th
with 15 present, whilst on Wallasea on the 12th there were five Clouded
Yellows. A frustratingly brief Wryneck showed to just one lucky
observer at Bowers Marsh on the 13th. The month’s only Pied
Flycatcher was at Shoebury East Beach on the 14th but the
juvenile Red-backed Shrike there vied for bird of the autumn. Two Siskins
flew in-off at Canvey Point on the 16th and were the first since the
spring. In keeping with a national arrival, a flock of 27 Pink-footed Geese
were watched reorienting themselves over the sea off Wakering Stairs on the 17th.
Five Guillemots and six Arctic Skuas headed upriver past Canvey
on the 18th when another three Tree Sparrows dropped in to
Gunners Park where one was still present on the 20th as was the last
of seven Wheatears this month. A ringtail Hen Harrier, possibly
the South Fambridge bird, was seen on Wallasea on the 21st and again
on the 29th. Ruff seldom feature in these summaries however
there was a small but steady build up at Bowers Marsh all month culminating in
nine there on the 23rd. A Spoonbill with an injured leg was
in Benfleet Creek on the 24th, and the month’s only Little Gull
was off Canvey. A Great White Egret was at Fleet Head on the 28th
through to October, others were at Bowers Marsh and Wallasea all month. The
month ended with yet another Tree Sparrow in Gunners Park on the 29th
along with two Siskins.
OCTOBER 2022
The
last Hobby of the year flew through Gunners Park on the 2nd.
Two Little Stints and four Willow Emerald Damselflies persisted
at Bowers Marsh through to the 5th. A Firecrest reported from
Pound Wood on the 8th was surprisingly the first local record of the
year. An early Great Northern Diver was off Gunners Park on the 9th
but soon moved on and the first returning Goldeneye flew past Canvey the
following day when the only Wheatear of the month visited Wallasea. A Red-throated
Diver at Wallasea on the 11th was the first of the autumn and a
good site record, two Wall Brown butterflies there were the last of the
year. A Black-necked Grebe spent a few days on the lagoon at Two Tree
Island from the 11th to the 15th. A Yellow-necked
Mouse was live-trapped and released on the 12th at Starvelarks
Wood, the only local site from which it has been recorded. A Firecrest
was an excellent garden visitor near Thundersley Glen on the 13th.
As the number of returning Dark-bellied Brent Geese hit four-figures off
Leigh for the first time this autumn it was not unsurprising that a Black
Brant was found among them on the 15th. Remarkably, after nearly
four years without a local record, two Dartford Warblers were found on
the 16th, with one in Gunners Park and one on Wallasea, although
just the Gunners Park bird was still present the next day. A Woodlark
flushed from a field at West Canvey Marsh on the 17th was the first
ever local ‘on the deck’ record of this less than annual visitor. Also on the
move on the 17th were five Bramblings over Gunners Park
whilst five Bearded Tits at Paglesham Lagoon on the 18th were
evidence of typical autumnal dispersal and a first for the site. Seawatching
from Canvey proved worthwhile on the 19th and 20th. The
19th produced a Red-breasted Merganser, a Pomarine Skua,
the month’s only Arctic Skua, an impressive 51 Kittiwakes, and a Razorbill.
The 20th yielded a drake Scaup, 95 Common Scoter, a Pomarine
Skua, and a dismal peak count for the month of just seven Gannets.
The lack of Great Skuas, Arctic Skuas, and Gannets this
autumn was no doubt a reflection of the impact of avian flu on their breeding
grounds. A ringtail Hen Harrier was again over Wallasea on the 21st.
A few finches were on the move from the 22nd to the 24th
with three Lesser Redpolls over Gunners Park on the 22nd, a Siskin
over Gunners Park on the 23rd, and a Brambling in Coombe Wood
on the 24th. A small arrival of Firecrests was noted from the
23rd through to the 30th with two in Gunners Park on the
23rd, one at Shoebury East Beach on the 27th, and one in
Coombe Wood on the 30th. In addition to the Firecrest at
Shoebury East Beach on the 27th, a Black Redstart was on the
nearby MOD buildings and a Black Brant and two Pale-bellied Brent
Geese were on the foreshore. Seawatching from Canvey was generally
uneventful at the end of the month with a Red-necked Grebe drifting out
on the tide on the 27th the only highlight. Two Ring-necked
Parakeets flew over Benfleet on the 29th, the same day that two Great
White Egrets headed south over Gunners Park; a single Great White Egret
remained at Bowers Marsh all month. A Merlin was seen to cross the
Thames from Kent at Canvey Point on the 30th, and the month ended
with another Spoonbill joining the long staying bird at Bowers Marsh on
the 31st.
NOVEMBER 2022
The
last Ruff and Willow Emerald Damselfly of the year were both
noted at Bowers Marsh on the 2nd. The following day, a Wheatear
was photographed at Shoebury East Beach. Being such a late date, it was quite
disappointing that it was not something much rarer. Three Little Auks
whizzed past Canvey on the 3rd, whilst the following day a Pomarine
Skua, a Razorbill, a Short-eared Owl, and 40 Kittiwakes
were all recorded there. A Firecrest was found in Hockley Woods on the 4th
along with a Nuthatch, a Coal Tit, and three Treecreepers.
A pair of Ravens were noted on the 4th over Wat Tyler CP and
a single was seen on Wallasea. The Wat Tyler CP duo were seen again on the 12th
flying towards Bowers Marsh, and the Wallasea singleton was present again on
the 13th. Finch passage was noted through Gunners Park on the 5th
with 300 Goldfinches, 15 Siskins, and 10 Lesser Redpolls
the highlights. A Shag at South Fambridge on the 6th was the
first local bird since early January; somewhat surprisingly it did not linger,
and there were no more records from anywhere all winter. The first Water
Pipit of the winter dropped in on Bowers Marsh on the 7th. The
weekend of the 12th and 13th produced a few interesting
records: a Common Sandpiper, Hen Harrier, and a Short-eared
Owl were at South Fambridge; a Goosander, two Hen Harriers,
and a very late Clouded Yellow were on Wallasea, the regular Yellow-legged
Gull returned to Hullbridge, and a typically confiding Snow Bunting
was present on both dates along the seafront at Thorpe Bay, and again on the 21st.
Three Lesser Redpolls were feeding on fennel seeds in Gunners Park on
the 18th, whilst next day one was trapped and ringed on Two Tree
Island. Seawatching from Canvey on the 19th yielded 102 Common
Scoter, a Velvet Scoter, a Razorbill, 35 Gannets, and
a drake Goosander. The only record this month of Red-breasted Merganser
was on the 21st when a redhead flew upriver past Canvey. A female Long-tailed
Duck took a liking to the borrowdyke on two Tree Island from 22nd
until the 26th where it showed well and was the highlight of the
month for many. A count of four Short-eared Owls on Wallasea on the 22nd
was the peak winter count although three were regularly seen together there
between the end of December and early January. Meanwhile, the much more
secretive Long-eared Owl numbered five at a south-west location on the 25th.
Two Spoonbills were present on West Canvey Marshes from the 25th
to the 27th, with a single seen intermittently throughout the month
on Wallasea where a Dartford Warbler was found on the 27th.
The second and final Water Pipit of the month was on West Canvey Marsh
on the 26th, the same day that a Firecrest and another Lesser
Redpoll were both trapped and ringed on Two Tree Island. The month closed
with three Little Stints on Wallasea on the 29th.
DECEMBER 2022
The
month opened with the second local Dartford Warbler of the winter in
Gunners Park on the 1st and 2nd, with the Wallasea bird
also seen on the 1st and then on two further dates this month. A Porpoise
in the Crouch off Wallasea on the 1st was notable, as was an
extremely late Swallow through Gunners Park the next day. Ring-necked
Parakeets continue to gain a foothold in the area as evidenced by a record
local count of 18 reported in Hadleigh CP on the 3rd with 12 seen
nearby along Benfleet Road on the 9th, and then a further 14 in
Thorpe Bay on the 30th. With the north-east winds the 3rd -
5th was all about seabirds in the Thames estuary. Highlights
included 15 Scaup, 37 Common Scoter, three Velvet Scoter,
a Long-tailed Duck, two Red-breasted Mergansers, a Great
Northern Diver, a Black-throated Diver, two Razorbills, 60 Kittiwakes,
and six Little Gulls. The Black-throated Diver and Great
Northern Diver continued to be reported occasionally throughout the month.
After an almost total absence of records this year, Firecrest numbers
exploded with nine in Hockley Woods on the 6th, three in Shoebury on
the 16th, and singles at a further three sites this month. A flock
of 11 White-fronted Geese arrived at West Canvey Marsh on the 4th
before relocating to Bowers Marsh on the 7th where they remained all
winter. A check on an historic Long-eared Owl roost in the south-west
revealed an impressive 11 birds leaving at dusk as well as a Short-eared Owl.
Additional Short-eared Owls were recorded from South Fambridge and
Wallasea where three were present later in the month. A Bullfinch at Wat
Tyler CP on the 10th was the first local record from all sites since
March. Two adult Whooper Swans dropped in briefly on Wallasea on the 14th
before departing south-west. The lingering Long-tailed Duck in the
estuary was seen again on the 16th from Canvey, as was a Goldeneye.
The 17th proved to be a ‘branta’ day with a Pale-bellied Brent
Goose and a Black Brant at Paglesham, whilst another Black Brant
was reported from Canvey Heights. The local ringing group trapped and ringed a Woodcock
in Gunners Park on the 17th. Surprisingly, Peacock
butterflies were noted at two sites this month, Canvey Wick on the 20th
and Leigh on the 29th. Seawatching from Canvey on the 21st
produced the winter’s peak count of Red-throated Divers with 22 noted,
and the month’s only Guillemot. Christmas Eve visits to Wallasea and
Vange Marsh were both highly successful with three Hen Harriers, three Short-eared
Owls, a Spoonbill, and a Little Stint at the former, and four
Jack Snipe with three Water Pipits at the latter. The third local
Dartford Warbler of the month was discovered at Canvey Heights on the 28th
where it remained into January. The last few days of the year were quiet, with just
a Pygmy Shrew on Canvey Wick on the 29th and two White-fronted
Geese on Vange Wick from Wat Tyler CP on the 30th the only
sightings of note.
A
reasonable total of 209 species was recorded in the area this year and included
some excellent birds once again. Bird of the year was the Red-breasted Goose
which frequented South Fambridge from January to March with occasional visits
to Wallasea. Other notable sightings included three Black Brants and
three Tundra Bean Geese, a twitchable Red-backed Shrike and Cory’s
Shearwater, the returning Black Guillemot, Hoopoe, and Wryneck.
Also seen were a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, good numbers of Hawfinch,
Woodlark, two Twite, and the first Lapland Bunting for
several years. Non-avian highlights included Purple Emperors, and two
each of Scarce Chaser and Lesser Emperor.