August 2010

RSPB Rainham Marshes: A busy month with a good selection of waders on the move including most of the commoner species. Highlights were three Turnstones (7th), Sanderling and three Wood Sandpipers (14th), 200 unseasonal Redshank (23rd) along with Greenshanks, Whimbrels, four Avocets and a couple of Knot. Terns were evident on the Thames and there were several good ‘tern days' such as the 14th with 103 Common, three Arctic and single Black and Little; the 15th with 164 Common, six Sandwich and three Black, the 23rd with 231 Common and three Sandwich and the memorable 27th when over 300 Common, nine Arctic, 16 Sandwich, three Little and four Black were recorded along with two Little Gulls, Kittiwake and Great Skua! Yellow-legged Gulls peaked at 40 and an Arctic Skua (23rd) and Black-necked Grebe (28th) added to an excellent month of river watching. A juvenile White-winged Black Tern spent the day on the pools on 17th and was a much hoped for new bird for the reserve. It almost became dinner for a Peregrine! Marsh Harriers were a regular sight with another colour-tagged Kentish bird dropping in and Hobbies really came back into their own as the month wore on and the Migrant Hawker dragonfly population exploded. An early Merlin was seen on 13th. A Cattle Egret graced us from 25th-27th and would seem to overlap with the bird on Canvey Island . Duck numbers increased and two Garganey arrived on 14th. Whinchats, Wheatears, Spotted Flycatchers and Yellow Wagtails became daily from mid-month and a Black Redstart was seen on 21st. A Pied Flycatcher dropped in on 26th and a female Serin on 7th surely hinted that our wintering birds are infact locals and not immigrants? An Ortolan Bunting was found on 31st two years and a day after the first site record and almost in the same place but like that one proved very elusive. A single Goldcrest (18th) and Tree Pipits on 25th and 31st hinted at further movement.

Metropolitan (LNHS) Essex : It was a month for small passage migrants with a plethora of sightings of all the key species across the area. Whinchats and Spotted Flycatchers were found throughout the month and several key spots became good migrant traps. Wanstead Park and the Flats held Tree Pipits on 19th and 22nd (two), Wood Warbler on 20th; Pied Flycatcher on 30th and Redstarts on 22nd (three) and two each on 23rd and 24th. The site also hosted six Black-tailed Godwits on 21st and two Goshawks on 13th. Weald Park was in fine form and from 18th-31st there was a succession of good counts. 18th: Pied Fly, two Spot Flys, Wood Warbler; 20th: Pied Fly, five Spot Flys, Wood Warbler, Redstart; 21st: 2 Pied Flys, 20 Spot Flys, 2 Wood Warbler, 5 Redstart, 20 Willow Warbler. Similar flycatcher counts were made in the following week with another Wood Warbler on 31st. Amazing! Nearby Bedfords Park also fared well with Wood Warblers (14th and 27th), Redstarts (23rd and 27th), Pied Fly (27th), Tree Pipits (26th and two on 27th) and 25 Willow Warblers (27th). Another Wood Warbler was in Goodmayes Park on 19th and there were several other Redstart records. Fairlop was among these other sites and also held Nightingale and two Tree Pipits on 22nd while a Pied Fly was in West Ham Park on 24th. Dispersed Marsh Tits were seen at Weald Park (17th) and Thorndon CP (23rd) while two Bearded Tits were in the Mardyke Valley on 16th. Red Kites were seen over the Epping area on 1st and 20th and Honey Buzzards were over Upshire (8th) and Cranham (18th) with an Osprey over Lakeside on 11th. A female Hen Harrier flew through the Royal Docks on 23rd and the Ruddy Shelduck stayed at Barking Bay till 7th with Grey Plover, Sanderling and two Whimbrel for company. A female Common Scoter was at Creekmouth on 21st.

South-east Essex : RSPB Vange Marshes was once again the hotspot for the region with a succession of good birds starting with a Garganey on the 1st and then a single Spoonbill on the 3rd. By the 8th there were three and on 23rd a fourth bird arrived leaving just one on 28th. A good selection of waders moved through with ten Spotted Redshanks (3rd) and a series of Wood Sandpipers including two on 15th. Little Stint and Temminck's were seen (28th) and a Red-necked Phalarope spent two days spinning round on 28th-29th. A Red-backed Shrike was elusive from 21st-23rd and an Osprey flew over on 26th. At least one Osprey spent from 13th at Wakering Stairs with two on 19th. Another was at Barling on 26th. The Cattle Egret reappeared at Holehaven on 17th and then roosted at Wat Tyler on 20th and 23rd (when there were 55 Little Egrets) before going awol until 27th when it reappeared mid-morning back at Holehaven. The Rainham Marshes bird was not seen in the afternoon so it could possibly have been the same energetic bird! The Egret roost on Two Tree Island attracted 92 on 13th. Canvey Island had some good days including Slavonian Grebe, five Arctic Skuas, two Great Skuas and 18 Black Terns on 15th and a huge haul on 27th with 103 Arctic, four Long-tailed, 59 Great and three Pomarine Skuas, 37 Black Terns, five Sabine's Gulls and 41 Gannets! Rossi the Ring-billed Gull was back at Westcliff from 7th. There was a good smattering of passage passerines across the area with Gunners Park naturally drawing in a Spot Flys and Redstarts along with several Tree pipits from 26th, Pied Fly (18th and 27th) and Wood Warbler (3rd). All four Skuas were also seen off here on 27th. Elsewhere there was a fall of 36 Willow Warblers at Paglesham Lagoon on 8th, a Merlin on Wallasea on 27th and a Red Kite over Hutton on 8th. As the month drew to a close a Kentish plover drew a crowd on 28th-29th with a high count of 450 Avocets at the same site.

July 2010

RSPB Rainham Marshes: One bird stole the show with a county first White-tailed Plover on 7th. There was a good supporting cast of waders through the reserve with daily Whimbrel (including 22 on 8th), Greenshank (up to eight), Little Ringed Plovers (up to 11), a Ruff (from 21st), Bar-tailed Godwit (23rd) and Turnstone (25th) as well as good numbers of Green and Common Sandpipers. Our locally bred Redshank chicks got misidentified as Wood Sandpipers on several occasions. A family of four Avocets arrived on 24th and Black-tailed Godwits peaked at 67 on 5th. A colour flagged individual was seen on several occasions and we are awaiting details of its movements. Our summering Merganser reappeared on the 6th but 28 Common Scoters on the 26th were more expected on a gloomy summers day. Yellow-legged Gulls steadily built up to over 30 towards month end and Med Gulls became more regular while Sandwich Terns were seen on several dates which is unusual this far up river. Local Common Tern families could also been seen and three Arctic Terns were seen on 25th. Hobbies were actually quite scarce but Marsh Harriers were still seen most days and included two sightings of colour-tagged birds from the Isle of Sheppey. Two Crossbills over on 6th were part of a larger local movement.

Metropolitan (LNHS) Essex : Crossbills were seen heading purposefully over several sites staring with a single over the Ingrebourne Valley on the 9th and followed by Hutton (nine on 10th), Weald park (26 on 13th) and a single over Romford Golf Club on 23rd. The Ruddy Shelduck was seen occasionally at Barkig Bay and Dagenham Dock and the Rainham marshes Scoter flock also made it this far up. Two Red Kites kept the trend going with singles over Ongar (4th) and Wanstead Flats (28th). Marsh Harriers bred successfully within the area raising three healthy young; the first time in London and South-west Essex. Elsewhere it was encouraging to report probably four families of Spotted Flycatchers in the north of the area and a Quail was heard at South Weald on 26th. Passage waders were scarce but a Whimbrel was seen on Wanstead Flats (7th) and the Lee and Ingrebourne Valleys hosted Green Sands in some numbers. The latter site also manged another Spoonbill sighting on 27th and amazingly a Cattle Egret just three days later!

South-east Essex : RSPB Vange Marshes was a wader haven during july with two Wood Sandpipers on 1st and subsequently up to ten Spotted Redshanks until 19th. Green Sandpipers peaked at 19 on 6th with two Ruff the same day while exactly 100 Black-tailed Godwits were seen on 8th. Two reeling Grasshopper Warblers continued to be heard and a brood of Pochard was discovered. A Cattle Egret roosted at Wat Tyler CP on 25th before spending the morning at the reserve next day. Canvey was quiet but a Brent Goose was seen on 12th and 13th and 115 Common Terns on 13th and 15 Sandwich Terns on 24th were notable. The traditional gathering of Med Gulls along the Southend Seafront reached 104 on 17th. Wakering Stairs also hosted a few returning waders with two Sanderling and 45 Dunlin on 18th and Wood Sandpiper and 52 Whimbrel from 24th. Two Grey partridges were also seen here and 410 Sand Martins moved through on one hour on 15th. A single Crossbill was over Belfairs NR on 14th.

June 2010

RSPB Rainham Marshes: Always a quiet month but exceptionally so this year with scant early wader passage with Whimbrel (17th), Avocet (two on 3rd and a single on 21st), Spotted Redshank (25th) and seven Black-tailed Godwits (28th). Marsh Harriers continued to be reported and Yellow-legged Gulls were in double figures by month end along with our first June record of Caspian Gull on 28th. Star of the month was the unseasonal female Red-breasted Merganser that frequented Aveley bay from 15th to 27th.

Metropolitan (LNHS) Essex : Two Quail were found on 2nd with singing males in the Mardyke and Roding valleys. A late Wheatear was in the Ingrebourne (3rd) and two pair of Spotted Flycatchers were breeding in Stapleford Tawney. A Hoopoe was seen briefly at Fairlop Waters CP on 16th with Wood Sandpiper there the same day. Another Wood Sandpiper was on Wanstead Flats the previous day. A Long-eared Owl was seen in the Mardyke and three Ravens kronked over Romford on 20th. Elsewhere a Great White Egret flew north over South Woodford on 11th with a Black Tern the same day on the Royal Albert Dock while the regular summering Ruddy Shelduck returned to Barking Bay on 19th. Grey Partridges at Navestock on 6th were notable and early dispersal was highlighted by a Siskin at Bedfords Park (22nd) and a Redstart in the Roding Valley (26th). There were eight Red Kite sightings between 6th and 29th.

South-east Essex : A Spoonbill lingered at Wat Tyler CP from 4th-8th and Grasshopper Warblers showed well on Two Tree Island and at RSPB Vange Marshes. The RSPB reserve also hosted up to three Garganey from 7th along with up to six Spotted Redshank by the 26th. Shallow water also attracted eight Green Sandpipers, two Greenshank and two Wood Sandpipers (26th) and a male Ruff (27th). A 2nd year Caspian Gull was at Tewke's Creek on 30th and by the 15th there were already 36 Med Gulls along the Southend Seafront. Red Kites were seen over South Fambridge (3rd) and Paglesham Lagoon (7th).

May 2010

RSPB Rainham Marshes: Most of the action took place in the first two days of the month before cold northerly conditions prevailed for the next two weeks. Little Stint, Sanderlings and and 17 Bar-tailed Godwits were seen on the 2nd along with three smart Black Terns and a brief Red-rumped Swallow. Turnstones were seen on the 9th and 25th with Sanderlings again on 18th (four) and 25th along with another Little Stint. Garganey dropped in on 1st and 25th and the first Shoveler and Gadwall broods were recorded while four Scoter flew up river on 9th. Smaller passage migrants were scarce with a few Wheatears, three Whinchats (1st), Turtle Dove (27th) and Spotted Flycatcher (26th). A Spoonbill eluded the dawn chorus walkers and left as they did on 23rd while a Raven was seen on 18th and 20th. Marsh Harriers and Buzzards were seen each day along with the Peregrines and up to eight agile Hobbies. Seven Red Kites moved through from 17th and a ringtail Monty was seen on 4th.

Metropolitan (LNHS) Essex : Wader passage was minimal with highlights confined to the new Langridge Scrape in the Lee Valley that hosted Wood Sandpiper (10th) and Temminck's Stint (15th) as well as a male Garganey (13th). Three night-time Whimbrel were heard over Harold Wood. A Turnstone was seen on the Lockwood and KGV and the latter site hosted Arctic Skua and Little Tern on 2nd. On the same day a Wood Warbler was in song at Fishers Green. Nightingales and Grasshopper Warblers were in their usual haunts and a Firecrest was singing at Dagnam Park on 10th. Turtle Doves were seen at several sites but most were probably transient birds. Fifty-six Stock Doves at Walthamstow Reservoirs on 7th was exceptional for the location. A Spoonbill toured the area with sightings over the Ingrebourne (14th), Seventy Acres lake (16th), Hornchurch (17th) and Grays (23rd). A Great White Egret flew up the Roding at Abridge on 31st while the only Quail was in song at Orsett Fen on 19th. Three Tree pipits were found in song in Thorndon CP but only one in Epping Forest . A grey Gyr was seen well on Millenium Mills by the Royal Docks on 9th before climbing high and north and 11 Red Kite sightings were made between 11th and 30th.

South-east Essex : Gunners Park hosted one of the star birds of May with a Red-rumped Swallow on 2nd. A Black Redstart was seen there on 4th and 12th when a an Osprey was also seen. River watching off Canvey produced a Bonxie, five Kittiwakes and nine Gannets on 2nd and 18 Scoet and a fulmar on 16th but was otherwise quiet. On the new RSPB West Canvey Marshes reserve a Woodchat graced the site on 18th with a pair of Black-necked Grebes there from 4th, Caspian Gull (7th) and Spotted Flycatcher (10th). Nearby RSPB Vange Marshes held a male Garganey from 3rd and Marsh Harriers were regularly seen. A Spoonbill was over Wallasea on 3rd and a Golden oriole sang at Canewdon on 24th. There were many Red Kite sightings and two Honey Buzzards were over Wat Tyler CP on 23rd.

Red Kites In Essex May 2010

A separate paragraph is needed for Red Kites this month; simply astonishing from an Essex perspective with 47 report totalling 62 individuals from across the county. Most were singles but there were three groups of two, three groups of three and four once. Obviously there will be some duplication. The geographical spread was in a band running from the south west to north east of the county but with so few birders in the west and north-west sectors just how many really went through? There was only one record prior to the 11th; on the 3rd at Howe Green followed by a noticeable push on the 23rd, 24th and 31st.

April 2010

RSPB Rainham Marshes: The first week of April was one to be remembered with Hoopoe (4th), Alpine Swift (5th) and Black-winged Stilt (8th) stealing the show with an accompaniment of Garganey and Ring Ouzel on the 6th. Things took a while to get going but when they did there were migrants everywhere. Three more Garganey were seen from 24th and Ouzels were also seen on 17th, 18th (three) and 20th. The common warblers were all seen including six singing Grasshoppers and a staggering 22 male Cetti's Warblers. There was a smattering of Wheatears and Whinchats were seen on 21st and 24th while both redstart species were recorded with Blacks on 10th and 18th and a fine male Common on 23rd. A Nightingale sang briefly on 24th and 25th and the first Swifts were around from 19th. A Serin jingled westwards on 18th and another Alpine Swift was seen the same day along with the first Tree Pipit for the year. Our pair of Marsh Harriers continued to be seen on and off and several others moved through along with many Buzzards. Ten were seen on 21st alone! The first Hobby arrived and a huge un-jessied female Saker was seen clutching a Black-headed Gull at great height on the 18th while a tiny (by comparison) male Peregrine dive bombed it! A female Goshawk was seen on the 24th. A few Common terns and several Arctic were noted in the last week. There was some evidence of wader passage with up to 11 Whimbrel by the 25th, Spotted Redshank (24th-25th), odd single Greenshank (including one that was killed by a Peregrine), Bar-tailed Godwit (11th-12th), seven Ruff (12th), Knot (4th-5th) and Wood Sandpiper (22nd). Also on the move were four Scoter and an unseasonal male Goosander (11th).

Metropolitan (LNHS) Essex : There was some good bird raptor passage in April with no less than seven reports of at least eight Red Kites from the 8th-21st. Goshawks were reported from Woodford Green (5th and 21st), Sewardstone (6th), and Walthamstow (17th) while a Black Kite was seen over Chingford on 19th. Ospreys were seen over Harold Hill (1st), Seventy Acres Lake (3rd), Cranham and Walthamstow (4th) and the Ingrebourne Valley and then Dagenham Chase (23rd). Marsh Harriers lingered in the Ingrebourne Valley and were probably commuting from Rainham Marshes and 44 Cetti's warblers were reported singing there. Three Cranes geaded east over Holyfield Hall Farm on 12th and a Black-tailed Godwit was on the nearby Goosefields on 15th. A Glossy Ibis was seen high over Hainault on 22nd but did not land. Elsewhere an Alpine Swift entertained in Warren Gorge from 3rd-5th and six Scoter were on the Banbury Reservoir on 1st. The Great Northern Diver was still on the KGV Reservoir on 7th and the site hosted a Hoopoe (19th), Spanish Blue-headed Wagtail and Arctic Tern (20th), Black Tern (23rd), 62 Little Gulls (24th) with 21 the next day with 120 Common Terns. A male Ring Ouzel was at Sewardstone on 2nd-3rd with others at Holyfield Hall Farm (4th) and on Wanstead Flats on 18th, 21st and 22nd. The Flats did very well in April with Redstart (7th and 21st), Tree Pipits (15th, 20th, 22nd and three on 26th), Whinchat on 20th, 22nd and 26th and a great site rarity on 21st with a Dunlin! Another Tree Pipit was seen at Fairlop (17th) and Hooded Crow over Leyton (8th) was unseasonal. Late wintering thrushes were still around with seven Fieldfare in Epping Forest (15th) and 19 at Stapleford Tawney (18th) and four Redwings in the Ingrebourne (17th) and an even later one in Dagnam Park (22nd).

South-east Essex : East Tilbury had a good day on 4th with Osprey, Merlin, Ring Ouzel and Garganey. Another Garganey was on RSPB Vange Marshes (14th-15th) and a pair were at Fleet Head from 17th. A Crane flew over Canvey on 21st and a late Jack Snipe was at Fleet Head on 9th. Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers were seen at Norsey Woods and Hockley and a Black Redstart was at Gunners Park for a few days from the 1st. The only Whinchat was on RSPB Canvey West Marshes on 25th. Nightingales were heard at several localities including two on Two Tree Island and Grasshopper Warblers were heard at RSPB Vange Marshes, South Woodham Ferrers, Fleet Head, Buttesbury Wash, Canewden and five on Two Tree Island. A male Red-backed Shrike was seen at East Tilbury on 23rd and at Buttesbury Wash on 25th-26th.

March 2010

RSPB Rainham Marshes: A fairly typical March with a mixture of winter visitors and the first trickle of summer migrants heading north. Gulls were still being scrutinised and three more Glaucous Gulls and several new Caspians were discovered. Our run of winter wildfowl continued when two adult Bewick's Swans dropped in on 7th and three fly-by White-fronted Geese on 10th completed the goose set as well! Wigeon reached a winter high of 911 on 14th and the Great Crested Grebes were already displaying. Four species of owl were encountered including four Short-eareds and an elusive Long-eared and the pair of Marsh Harriers are still around. An early Osprey was chased through on 20th and a Red Kite was seen on 29th. Little Egrets got frisky and a Great White Egret spent just a few minutes on the marsh on 13th. The first migrant was a Little Ringed Plover on 13th and up to five were seen subsequently. Greenshank (14th), Little Stint (7th) and bobbing Jack Snipe (24th-25th) hinted at northbound wader passage while from further south the first Sand Martins, Swallows and Wheatears arrived followed by an early Willow Warbler (18th) and a fine male Ring Ouzel (27th-28th). Up to seven smashing Water Pipits were on the Barges late ion the month. Surprise of the month was the brief return of a Penduline Tit on 13th-14th.

Metropolitan Essex (LNHS area): The Lee Valley saw a good number of wildfowl on the reservoirs with Slavonian Grebe at Walthamstow (till 1st), Velvet Scoter, Shag, Great Northern Diver and 20 Black-necked Grebes on the Girling on the 9th. The Scoter stayed till 23rd. Fifteen Brents were on the KGV on 18th. Up to six Smew were still to be found around Seventy Acres with two more in the east at Mollands Lane along with a Scaup on 3rd. The female Red-crested Pochard and three White-fronted Geese remained in the Ingrebourne Valley with the former being joined by a stunning drake from 26th. The two Pink-feet from Rainham were relocated at Belhus Woods CP on 7th and stayed till 14th. A Bittern remained at Seventy Acres till mid month. Fairlop Waters held Corn Bunting (6th), Jack Snipe (16th), female Garganey (19th) and male Goshawk (20th) while a staggering 34 Cetti's Warblers were in song in the Ingrebourne on 28th. A male Goosander flew through the same day and was a new bird for the site. Two Cranes were seen over the Girling reservoir on 10th and Red Kites were seen on several dates with two on 14th, two on 15th, four on 21st and three on 26th. Ravens were reported over Ilford and the Roding Valley. Firecrests continued to be seen at Havering-atte-Bower and Bedfords Park and the latter site also had a fly over Crossbill on the 7th. Migrants started to trickle in late in the month although the first Sand Martin was over the Girling on the 9th. The first Wheatears were at Walthamstow and Wanstead on the 18th with three Little Ringed Plovers the same day in the Ingrebourne where a Penduline Tit was reported on 15th. Star bird was the dashing Alpine Swift that paid several brief visits to Leyton Flats on 22nd.

South-east Essex: Relatively quiet in the south-east sector although favourites such as the Firecrests and Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers at Hockley and the Ring-billed Gull at Westcliff (till 20th) were well visited. RSPB Vange Marshes held a good variety of waders including 142 Black-tailed Godwits and a flock of 14 Ruff and a Water Pipit was there for most of March. An immature Iceland Gull was seen there on 13th while an adult Caspian was at Holehaven the same day. Another Caspian was with Rossi at Westcliff on 13th-14th. A Great Northern Diver was seen off Canvey sporadically and a single Purple Sandpiper was on Southend Pier till the 12th. East Tilbury was very good on the 2nd with 900 Avocet, 150 Snipe and two Jack Snipe while at nearby Mucking three different Glaucous Gulls were seen along with a ringtail Hen Harrier (13th) and a Crane (12th). A Waxwing paid a brief visit to a Hockley garden (3rd) and the first returning Wheatears and Sand Martins made an appearance by the 18th. A drake Garganey followed at Fobbing (23rd) with the first Sandwich Tern off Gunners Park (24th). Red kites were reported over Billericay on 26th and 27th. A Red-necked Grebe was off Ramsey Marsh on 1st and there was a smattering of migrants on the Dengie with three Black Redstarts on21st, three Firecrests and a Wheatear on 18th and a Common Swift (not Pallid!) on 28th.

February 2010

RSPB Rainham Marshes: The wildfowl theme from January continued throughout February with the two Tundra Bean Geese dropping in again on 6th, 13th and 14th and two Pink-feet arriving the next day till 17th. Twenty Brents were seen on 7th and Pintail peaked at 31 on 10th. The obliging Slavonian Grebe from the end of January was inexplicably found freshly dead on 8th. Gull watching produced about eight different Caspian Gulls and Iceland on 12th and Glaucous on 13th. Med Gulls were seen regularly and a Little Gull was caught up with a huge movement of Black-headed Gulls on 28th. Yellow-legged Gulls peaked at 24 on the foreshore with many smart adults. There were no wader surprises but a Turnstone was new on 3rd and a Jack Snipe was seen on 15th. A female Marsh Harrier was seen on 4th and a male showed very well on 27th while the Peregrines put on daily acrobatic performances. The two Serins stayed till 24th and a Penduline Tit showed closely for a few minutes on 15th before heading north. Two Bearded Tits were heard on the 12th and the Barn Owl was out all day on the 4th but appeared to have a damaged leg and was not seen subsequently.

Metropolitan (LHNS) Essex : The Great Northern Diver on the Girling Reservoir was present till at least the 19th with the Black-throated till 17th. Up to 19 Black-necked Grebes and a Red-breasted Merganser were also seen there. A Red-necked Grebe was also there on 19th which with a Slavonian Grebe available at Walthamstow Reservoirs from 15th meant that all five grebes were available in the Lee Valley on the same day. Up to seven Smew were in the Seventy Acres Lake area with about the same of Goosander while two more Smew remained at Mollands Lane, South Ockenden along with a Black-necked Grebe (3rd-8th). This area also held a ringtail Hen Harrier (3rd) and two Bitterns (3rd) while other Bitterns were seen in the Ingrebourne and at least three at Seventy Acres Lake . A female Red-crested Pochard arrived in the Ingrebourne Valley (along with thee White-fronted Geese) on 6th and a male was seen in the Roding Valley the same day. The White-fronts stayed in the valley all month and were joined by the Rainham Pink-feet on 19th and 20th. A Brent Goose was a good find at Fairlop Waters on 12th. Weald Park still held 23 Goosanders on 17th and a Scaup was seen on Walthamstow on 5th. This site held the rarity for the month with the first London record of Dusky Warbler that was found on 14th and showed well on and off till 21st. Well done Lol! The adult Med Gull continued to show well in Valentines Park . Winter finches were scarce with several small flocks of Siskins and Lesser Redpolls, two Mealies (Harold Court Wood on 3rd-8th and Fairlop on 15th) and only one Brambling (Upminster on 21st). Seven Crossbills were around Thorndon CP. Firecrests still made a good showing with nine reported with most in the Bedfords Park / Havering area. Blackcaps were similarly widespread again.

South-east Essex : The Red-breasted Goose first seen in January reappeared in February on Wakering Stairs on 7th but despite checking the 3000 strong flock regularly in the area, it was not seen again. The same day saw 180 White-fronts head over the Stairs. Wallasea Island continued to host two wintering Curlew Sandpipers and Little Stint along with 37 White-fronts on 6th. At least three ringtail and one male Hen Harrier were reported between South Fambridge , Wallasea, Potton and the Stairs. Paglesham Lagoon held two Scaup till 14th and a Smew on 6th while the eight Bewick's Swans present from the 3rd were probably part of the South Fambridge flock that had reached 13 by 25th along with a single Whooper and 56 Mutes. This latter site also held a showy Red-necked Grebe (9th-14th) and Snow Bunting (14th-17th). A single Pink-footed Goose was with Greylags on Potton on 25th. Slavonian Grebe and Great Northern Diver were off the Stairs on 14th with two Slavs and 49 Great Crested Grebes off Shoebury on 12th. Another Slav was still on Two Tree Island on 14th and the bird at Wat Tyler was present till at least 17th. Yet another was at East Tilbury from 5th. RSPB Vange Marshes hosted an adult Iceland Gull on 1st-2nd and a 1st year on 14th-15th. Two Caspian Gulls were seen there on 20th and Spoonbill dropped in on 2nd. Sixteen Ruff on 15th was a high count. Riverwatching off Canvey produced Red-necked Grebe, Great Northern and Black-throated Divers on 13th and 49 Gannets on 28th. Southend Pier was fairly quiet although at Purple Sandpiper, Red-necked Grebe (12th) and several Great Northerns were seen. The seafront produced another Purple Sandpiper with 550 Turnstone on the 21st and 41 Med Gulls and Rossi the Ring-billed were also counted that day. The three Shorelarks continued to be seen sporadically at East Tilbury till 10th and male Hen Harrier was seen on 4th along with Black Redstart (till 16th) and three Little Gulls (16th). Two Firecrests persisted at Hockley Woods where three Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers were also to be found along with two Crossbills (14th). Two Waxwings were seen in Leigh on 16th and a Hawfinch was seen near Ingrave on 23rd.

January 2010

RSPB Rainham Marshes: 2010 got off to a great start with all the goodies from the end of December making it to January 1st with both Serins and the Great Skua performing well. The Buzzard and female marsh Harrier lingered and Merlins were seen on three dates while up to six Peregrines have been around. The Short-eared Owls showed well on occasion and the Barn owl survived the cold and started showing well. Two Bitterns were seen on the 1st with other sightings on 2nd, 21st and 28th. The cold weather brought in three Mergansers (10th), Ruddy Duck (15th), three Scoter (25th) and Goldeneye (6th and two 18th) to the Thames . Three Brents on 12th were the precursor for 22 on 21st when 71 Pink-feet headed east and two Tundra Bean Geese dropped out of the flock and spent the rest of the month on the reserve. Fiver Whooper Swans were tracked across the region on 23rd and ended up roosting infront of the visitors centre where they stayed until 0750 the following morning. One was colour-ringed so we await details! Up to five Jack Snipe were seen and Woodcock became a daily occurrence and two Bar-tailed Godwits and 11 Grey Plover were on the foreshore along with a single Knot from 26th. A flock of 28 Knot were seen the next day! The Ruff flock peaked at six and 30 Oystercatcher (15th) were not only unseasonal but a site record. Gull watching proved an excellent choice for the month with no less than four juvenile Glaucous Gulls, an adult Iceland (22nd & 26th), several Meds and upwards of 20 Caspian Gulls for those with patience. A Slavonian Grebe was found in a ditch on 24th and dazzled people into February. Up to 200 Skylark were found wintereing and two Woodlarks were seen on 17th while Lapland (5th), 11 Corn and up to three Yellowhammers made it a good bunting month. The Serins stayed all month and the Bearded Tits returned for another photo session. Like elsewhere the reserve with full of thrushes during the snow.

Metropolitan (LNHS) Essex : Bitterns were obvious in January with at least five in the Seventy Acres Lake area, three in the Ingrebourne Valley and singles at Weald Park, Walthamstow Reservoirs and Grange Waters. At least four more were in the Herts section of the Lee Valley . The Wm Girling Reservoir hosted two Great Northern Divers for most of the month and they were joined on 17th by a Black-throated Diver and all stayed till at least the 24th. Black-necked grebes peaked here at 25 and the female Merganser was seen most days. There were also sightings also of Scaup and seven Brent Geese (21st). Six more Scaup flew past Lee Mouth on 10th and another was at North Woolwich on 9th. Walthamstow Reservoirs also hosted both Scaup and two Black-necked Grebes from 24th. A huge count of 694 Tufted Ducks was made on the Thames at Creekmouth on 9th. Smew in the Lee Valley were mobile but at least three male and four redhead were seen with others at Belhus Woods CP, Grange Waters, Connaught Water and the Ingrebourne Valley . About 20 Goosander were around Seventy Acres and another 25 were in Weald Park on 23rd. Six Bewick's Swans flew over the KGV and Waltham Abbey on 9th and five adult Whoopers were tracked down the Lee Valley from Holyfield lake, over Walthamstow, down to the Thames at Crossness before heading to RSPB Rainham Marshes to roost. Mandarin peaked at 85 on Connaught Water and another 12 were in Gidea Park on 22nd. Goldeneye were in the Ingrebourne Valley (3rd) and Wanstead Park . Both the regular Caspian and Med Gulls were seen at their respective haunts of KGV Dock and Valentines Park . Red Kites were seen over Hooks Marsh (8th) and Lambourne End (23rd) and male Merlins were seen at Claybury and Ingrebourne (5th) and Aveley(12th). A Short-eared Owl at Gunpowder Park was a good Lee valley record and a Long-eared was encountered at South Weald. Up to 35 Siskin were counted in Weald Park with a similar number of Lesser Redpolls at nearby Harold Court Wood attracting at least one Mealy. Small groups of Yellowhammers were found in the Havering-atte-Bower area and a Corn Bunting at Risebridge GC in Romford was the first in the area for seven years. At least 16 Firecrests were recorded and about 30 Blackcaps were seen in gardens and parks. A Black Redstart on a Chafford Hundred garden on 9th was surprise.

South-east Essex : Wat Tyler CP and RSPB Vange Marshes hosted a good selection of birds during January with a Bittern on 9th and a fine Slavonian Grebe from 23rd. Three Jack Snipe were put up and Spotted Redshanks and Greenshanks were regular. A Spoonbill dropped in on 31st and 265 Wigeon were counted on 27th when two Glaucous Gulls were reported. An immature Iceland-type was seen on 7th. Elsewhere in south Essex over 20 Caspians, ad Ring-billed, immature Kumlien's three Glaucous and an adult Iceland were seen at a private site while another similar location held two more Glaucous Gulls on 21st. Another Caspian was seen at Two Tree Island on 1st along with Spotted Redshank and a male Merlin. Hen Harriers were prominent with at least one male touring the Crouch, Wakering and Wallasea area while Red Kites were seen over Corringham (8th), North Fambridge (18th), Rayleigh Mount (21st), leigh (24th) and Ashingdon (26th). Canvey was quiet with just a Bonxie and Eider on the 9th of note while the Ring-billed Gull continued to show at Westcliff with a fine Black-throated diver often just off shore as well. Southend Pier held at least seven Great Northern Divers on 5h (and six on 17th) along with 70 Great Crested Grebes and Purple Sandpiper on 15th. A Black-necked Grebe was also seen off Westcliff on that date. A Spoonbill was seen at Leigh (10th) and Wakering (14th). A drake American Wigeon was on the Crouch on 4th. It is difficult to keep tabs on the wild swan reports but the peak counts received were of up to 12 Bewick's and a Whooper at South Fambridge (from 5th) and 13 on Wallasea (24th-25th) along with three Whoopers on Paglesham lagoon on 31st. Goose-watching on Wallasea on 24th proved fruitful with a much hoped for adult Red-breasted Goose amongst 3000 Dark-bellieds, two Pale-bellied and a single Black Brant. At Mucking a Bittern and ten Bewick's Swans were seen on 11th with a male Hen Harrier and 60 Corn Buntings the same day at East Tilbury where a Great Skua was also seen on 11th and 500 Avocets on 31st. A Shorelark was seen on the Mucking foreshore on 21st. Six Waxwings were reported at Pitsea Mount on 11th and four Twite were reported at Brandy Hole on the 9th along with a Water Pipit. A 1000 Skylark were on Wallasea on 10th and winter thrushes were everywhere along with many reports of Woodcock and garden based Blackcaps.