JANUARY 2005

As usual, the new year saw many birders out, eager to start their year-lists with a boost, and there were plenty of birds to keep everyone interested.

Two Shags were reported at several sites around Southend seafront throughout the month, where the Purple Sandpiper could also be found all month over every high tide, remaining loyal to the foreshore at the old gasworks pier. Slightly further along, the four Snow Buntings remained at Shoebury Common and showed well most days. In addition, a lone Snow Bunting found on Canvey on 31^st December continued its stay until the 3^rd. The White-fronted Goose flock at Wat Tyler was reported from the 1^st through to the 19^th in varying numbers. There may have been up to 26 birds present although no more than 20 were seen at any one time. Accompanying them, 80 Greylag Geese on the 1^st was notably high and a Cetti's Warbler was still singing. 14 Pintail flew by the Pier on the 1^st were unusual in terms of location. Up to 36 Ruff were around the Fleet Head area from the 1^st to the 11^th. Bunting numbers were alarmingly low with three Corn Buntings at Paglesham on the 1^st the only record of this species all month in the entire area, ten Yellowhammers were also noted there. On the 2^nd, two Pale-bellied Brent Geese and a Black Brant were found at Fleet Head. The Pale-bellies continued to be seen around the same area all month with three birds present on the 30^th, whereas the Brant wasn't seen again until 11th February at South Fambridge. A Jack Snipe flushed at Vange Marsh on the 2^nd was the only record this month and three Stonechats there included the `pale male', which superficially resembles a Siberian Stonechat and has wintered on Two Tree Island since 2001. A Woodcock and four Tawny Owls were at Hadleigh C.P. and two Barn Owls wintered around the Fleet Head area. The lonely drake Mandarin was seen again at Southchurch Hall Park from the 2^nd to the 9^th. Lesser Spotted Woodpecker normally reveal their presence from February but a pair in Hockley Woods started early this year and were seen well on the 3^rd. The Roach held a lowly count of five Red-breasted Mergansers and an unseasonal Whimbrel on the 3^rd. Last months Brambling reappeared in the Rayleigh garden on the 4^th where it showed intermittently until the 8^th. A Little Stint was located at the regular wintering site in Potton Creek on the 6^th although was not reported again. A Black-throated Diver was present off the Pier from the 9^th to the 15^th and the sole local Eider, which has persevered alone for the last few months, was seen again from the Pier on the 9^th. One of the three wintering Greenshank in the area was noted on the 9^th at Two Tree Island, other birds were at Wat Tyler and Fleet Head later in the month. 65 Stock Doves at Wat Tyler on the 9^th was a reasonable count these days. A Waxwing reported in a Westcliff garden on the 9^th offered a taste of things to come! The pager reported four Waxwings on the 10^th at the favoured location of Pitsea and after much anticipation the invasion had finally reached us. Numbers built up rapidly through the month reaching an impressive 105 on the 27^th, the first three-figure count since 1996. On the 11^th, the wintering male Marsh Harrier at Wat Tyler was joined by a female; two Chiffchaffs were also seen there, as was the now resident Peregrine. A Spotted Redshank was at Fleet Head. Five Twite were found in a Linnet flock on Two Tree Island on the 12^th. The speed of decline in the wintering numbers of this finch throughout Essex continues to give grave concern. Goldeneye numbers on the Roach reached 22 on the 13^th. The Pier gave good counts of 23 Mediterranean Gulls, 50 Kittiwakes and 23 Guillemots on the 15^th when three Bullfinch were reported from Wat Tyler. This handsome finch seems to be just maintaining its numbers with additional records this month from Hadleigh Downs, Fanes Wood, and Hockley Woods. The now regular haul-out for seals viewable from Westcliff seafront had 13 Common Seals lazing around on the 16^th. Seven Red-breasted Mergansers were on the Crouch at Fambridge on the 18^th and two Yellow-legged Gulls were reported from Vange Marsh on the 19^th. The Fleet Head area provided some interesting records on the 22^nd with a Marsh Harrier, a Common Sandpiper, a leucistic Black-headed Gull, and excellent counts of 259 Avocet and four Short-eared Owls. A further four Short-eared Owls were found roosting on Two Tree Island so numbers were quite high this winter but worryingly, there were no Hen Harrier sightings all month from anywhere in the area where two or three birds are normally guaranteed around the Wakering area. Early morning on the 23^rd, the Tawny Owl at Rayleigh Mount was heard hooting from nearby gardens and later that day the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker pair at Hockley Woods were drumming and displaying. The third wintering Chiffchaff in the area was seen in Belfairs on the 24^th with a further bird visiting a Canewdon garden on the 30^th. Cold north-east winds on the 25^th held the promise of seabird movement and a visit to the Pier proved worthwhile. Respectable counts of 29 Red-throated Divers and 90 Kittiwakes were made, and the auk numbers had increased from mid-month with an excellent peak of 59 Guillemots now present and five Razorbills provided some with a new Essex tick. A Short-eared Owl past the Pier the same day was certainly unexpected; it was mobbed by everything in the estuary. Back on land, a pair of Blackcaps were found wintering in a Shoebury garden with a female frequenting a Rayleigh garden at the end of the month. A Little Gull on the scrape at Wat Tyler was a nice surprise on the 26^th. Welcome news came on the 27^th when the female Hawfinch at Hockley Woods was found for another winter in its usual haunt around the playarea. Although more irregular than last winter in its appearances, it was present until early March. A Great Northern Diver took up station in the estuary around the Pier on the 28^th and was also seen on the 29^th and 30^th, as were two Razorbills. Both Red-necked Grebe and Slavonian Grebe were seen offshore from Gunners Park on the 28^th. A Merlin was at Fleet Head on the 29^th whilst another flew over Hockley Woods on the 30^th where the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker pair were displaying again. At Paglesham on the 30^th, a good local count of 17 Pintail was made on the lagoon, and in the nearby fields, 2000 Golden Plover could be found. 100+ Common Scoter seen flying out of the estuary from Gunners Park on the 30^th were probably displaced by the north-east wind. Another Lesser Spotted Woodpecker was found as the month closed, this time in Belfairs on the 31^st. The Ring-billed Gull at Westcliff was seen almost every day during the month and one Long-eared Owl was present throughout at a traditional roost.


FEBRUARY 2005

The Lesser Spotted Woodpecker at Belfairs N.R. was still present on the 1^st, with the pair in Hockley Woods being well watched throughout the month, and a further unpaired female also there occasionally. Incredibly, on the scrape at Wat Tyler on the 1^st, a first-winter Iceland Gull, and Glaucous Gull were both present and photographed within an hour of each other. The Glaucous Gull was reported through to the 5^th but proved difficult to connect with. A Firecrest seen in Hockley Woods on the 2^nd repeated the wintering record here of two years ago but unfortunately was not seen again. The wintering female Blackcap in a Rayleigh garden was seen on the 2^nd; with a pair in a Shoebury garden the next day, and an additional female in a Thundersley garden on the 11^th. Single Spotted Redshank and Greenshank were claimed in Tewkes Creek on the 3^rd with another Spotted Redshank along the Roach on the 17^th as was a Whimbrel and 221 Black-tailed Godwit. A Shag was on the Pier from the 6^th to the 9^th and 20 Mediterranean Gulls were present. Also on the Pier on the 6^th, last months Black-throated Diver was seen for the last time, and the Great Northern Diver and up to eight Red-throated Divers lingered. Three Razorbills and six Guillemots were offshore and remained through to the 22^nd. A Caspian Gull visited Barling Tip briefly on the 8^th, with the leucistic Black-headed Gull also there on the 8^th and 10^th, along with three wintering Green Sandpipers. It was pleasing to note that Bullfinch numbers were slightly improved, with five on Hadleigh Downs on the 9^th and three in Hockley Woods on the 11^th. None were specifically noted as being of the northern race, however given the huge numbers in the country there may well have been some in the area. The solitary Snow Bunting on Canvey, last seen on the 3^rd January was seen there again on the 10^th and 11^th, with the flock at Shoebury increasing to ten from the 12^th to the 28^th. 93 Avocet on the Roach on the 10^th was a respectable count as was 86 Great Crested Grebes off Gunners Park the next day. A Black Brant ventured across the Crouch from Blue House Farm to South Fambridge briefly on the 11^th when 94 Pintail were present on nearby Bridgemarsh Island. A surprise sighting came in the form of a Long-eared Owl, which flew over the A127 in Eastwood on the night of the 12^th in front of a birders car and conveniently landed in a tree by the roadside. The flock of 26 White-fronted Geese at Wat Tyler disappeared after the 12^th but were seen again in March. Corn Bunting numbers improved from their paltry showing last month with up to 22 birds regular around Barling mid-month and four were on Canvey. Along the Roach on the 13^th, another Black Brant was reported but the following day only a Pale-bellied Brent Goose could be found. The first of four Chiffchaffs this month was also along the Roach at Stambridge Mills on the 13^th, with the other birds in Southend, Shoebury, and Hockley Woods. A Buzzard was an exciting sight as it slowly flew over Two Tree Island on the 13^th being mobbed by the local corvids, also there on the 15^th, a Shag was released after apparently getting its head stuck down a garden drain! A first-winter Glaucous Gull at Barling Tip on the 17^th was different to the Wat Tyler bird earlier in the month. The Waxwing flock at Pitsea, which still numbered 84 birds, was seen for the last time on the 17^th, possibly moving to Basildon Town Centre and subsequently Chafford Hundred. An unusually high total of seven Nuthatch and a single Treecreeper were counted in Hockley Woods on the 20^th. Snowy conditions on the Pier on the 22^nd saw three rather unseasonal Fulmars fly upriver along with 114 Kittiwakes. In Thundersley on the 25^th, a pair of Tawny Owls with three fledged young were a good find but were only present for three days. All the other Owl species were also represented in the last week of the month with a Barn Owl at Wakering Stairs, a Little Owl on Canvey, a Long-eared Owl at the traditional roost site, and up to three Short-eared Owls on Two Tree Island. Two Lesser Redpoll were in Belfairs on the 25^th and the female Hawfinch in Hockley Woods continued to be seen with luck and patience through the month. Another popular local bird was the Purple Sandpiper along Southend seafront; it continued to be seen most days through to the 26^th when another was also reported at Wakering Stairs. The estuary continued to hold interest at the end of the month with the wintering Great Northern Diver lingering of Gunners Park on the 26^th and 27^th, along with 12 Common Scoter, and 23 Eider. Further along the coast, the Crouch hosted nine Red-breasted Mergansers on the 26^th, whilst the Roach held eight. Finally, on the 28^th, two Woodcock were seen flying around a Thundersley park, and as reliable as ever, Rossi the Ring-billed Gull remained at Westcliff.


MARCH 2005

A male Blackcap in a Benfleet garden on the 2^nd was considered to be a wintering bird as was another male in a Westcliff garden on the 5^th. At Shoebury, on the 3^rd the well watched flock of ten Snow Buntings were seen for the last time, although a solitary bird, apparently injured was seen again on the 11^th. A Pale-bellied Brent Goose was on Potton on the 4^th before moving nearby to Fleet Head on the 6^th where it was joined by a second bird and an adult Black Brant. Unlike last year, there were no further records of these two species during the spring. The regular Long-eared Owl was joined by a second bird on the 5^th. A Spotted Redshank and a Greenshank were at Vange Creek and Fleet Head respectively on the 6^th, and the Hawfinch at Hockley Woods was seen for the last time. A Lesser Spotted Woodpecker was seen from the car park at Hadleigh Downs C.P. on the 7^th whilst the popular pair in Hockley Woods were seen on just four date's mid-month. The Great Northern Diver was still at the Pier on the 8^th, with a different bird off Gunners Park on the 12^th along with 12 Eider. A Siskin on a feeder in a Rayleigh garden on the 8^th was the first in the area since December. A Buzzard was reported at Paglesham on the 9^th close to where an escaped bird was present last November. A singing Blackcap along Prittle Brook, Leigh on the 9^th may well have been the first returning migrant bird. The White-fronted Goose flock at Wat Tyler had dwindled to 11 birds and was seen on a handful of dates until the 13^th. A Barnacle Goose, presumed feral, was also present from the 6^th to the 12^th. Short-eared Owl numbers peaked mid-month with four in the Two Tree Island/Benfleet Creek area, two at Haven Point, and singles on Wallasea and Canvey. The wintering Purple Sandpiper was seen along Southend seafront on just two dates this month, on the 11^th and 24^th. The dearth of Hen Harrier records this winter was finally broken by a passage ringtail around Havengore from the 12^th to the 28^th. This being the only record since two single day sightings in December, none wintered. Rossi, the Ring-billed Gull at Westcliff seafront continued to be seen through to the 23^rd, but amazingly was joined by a second bird on the 13^th. Unfortunately Rossi's new companion only stayed for one day, although a third bird was located at Barling Tip on the 18^th; meaning three Ring-billed Gulls were in the area during one week. Perhaps gull flocks will be more closely scrutinised around Essex next March as there would appear to be a spring passage through the area at this time. Three Red-throated Divers and the Great Northern Diver at the Pier on the 13^th were the last records of each this winter. 21 Goldeneye still remained at Paglesham on the 13^th slightly down from the peak count of 28 made on the 10^th. Another first-winter Glaucous Gull was at Wat Tyler on the 13^th and the first of the months three passage Marsh Harriers in the area was also seen. Seven Lesser Redpolls in Hockley Woods on the 13^th was an excellent find and gave good views to one lucky observer, and a male Brambling was at the feeding station at Hadleigh C.P. but did not linger. An evening walk at Eastwood S.F. on the 14^th afforded good views of a Tawny Owl sunning itself in the setting sunlight, and a Cetti's Warbler gave a burst of song from a nearby filter bed, whilst two more Cetti's Warblers were heard regularly from mid-month onwards at Wat Tyler. The first migrant Chiffchaff and Wheatear arrived on the 16^th, with Hadleigh Downs hosting the former, and Gunners Park predictably hosting the latter. After this date, approximately thirty Chiffchaffs arrived at several locations over the next week, whilst a further twelve Wheatear passed through four sites by the end of the month. Butterflies were also on the wing from the 16^th onwards with Comma, Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell, and Brimstone all recorded between the 16^th and 19^th. The first Sandwich Terns of the year were two birds reported off the Pier on the 17^th. It was pleasing to record 23 Corn Buntings on Two Tree Island on the 19^th as they have been unusually scarce here this winter. A Bittern was reported briefly at Wat Tyler on the 19^th but once again eluded the majority of birders still trying to add this to their local lists. Time spent in the hope of seeing the Bittern was not wasted, as the following day at Wat Tyler an immature female Goshawk flew past the hide. Woodcock were reported from five sites this month with a Rayleigh garden and central Southend among the more unusual locations. The first of just three spring Black Redstarts was in Shoebury on the 22^nd, and the following day, the Avocets were back on the lagoon at Two Tree Island. The second and final Brambling of the month was reported in Hockley Woods on the 23^rd. The last confirmed sighting of Rossi the Ring-billed Gull at Westcliff was on the 23^rd; however there were two more reports of it on the 24^th and the 27^th. On the 24^th, a Black Redstart was in Gunners Park as was the fore-runner of a trickle of Blackcaps whose numbers rose to a peak of four by months end on Hadleigh Downs. The first Yellow Wagtail flew over Canewdon on the 25^th. A Firecrest reported at Pound Wood on the 26^th was the first of only two spring records. Swallows started arriving from the 27^th when one flew over Benfleet. A Buzzard flew over central Southend on the 27^th fitting in with a typical northward passage date. 25 Snipe on Hadleigh Marshes on the 28^th was notable as was the rather low peak winter count of Red-breasted Merganser with ten on the Roach. The final Redwing of the winter was a single bird on the relatively early date of the 31^st on a Southend school field.


APRIL 2005

On the 3^rd, two Short-eared Owls could still be found at Fleet Head, and the last Fieldfare and Goldeneye of the winter were seen with singles of each at Paglesham. Also on the 3^rd, the final Black Redstart of the spring was in Gunners Park. The second and last Firecrest of the spring was reported from Southend Cliffs on the 4^th, and a female Merlin was hunting over Two Tree Island. The first of several Whimbrel this month passed over Belton Hills on the 5^th, with 1-3 reported from four other sites this month. The first Willow Warbler was in song at Belfairs N.R. on the morning of the 5^th. Marsh Harrier were only seen on three dates this month with a male at Hadleigh Downs on the 7^th, and a female at Wat Tyler on the 17^th and 26^th. A pair of Garganey were an excellent find on Wallasea on the 9^th, with both still there on the 10^th, and the drake remaining through to the 30^th April at least although often elusive. The first Hobby passed by Chalkwell station early on the 9^th, whilst nearby at Hadleigh Downs the same day, a Buzzard passed overhead. In contrast to the arriving summer migrants, a flock of 15 Waxwings were reported from Benfleet on the 9^th. The 10^th saw an arrival of Whitethroats with a handful of birds on Two Tree Island, and Hadleigh Downs. A singing Nightingale in Gunners Park, also on the 9^th, was a good local record of a passage bird, and the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker was seen again in Hockley Woods. What was presumably last years Grasshopper Warbler re-appeared on Two Tree Island again from the 12^th and soon after settled down into a regular pattern of reeling and showing from its favoured patch of brambles. By the 23^rd it was joined by a second, less showy male, on the other side of the island. Arriving with the Grasshopper Warblers were the first two Sedge Warblers, also on Two Tree Island on the 12^th, with three the next day at Wat Tyler. The 16^th saw the first Turtle Dove reported with two at Barling whilst Gunners Park held the first Common Tern, first Cuckoo, and a superb male Redstart. A Short-eared Owl was on Canvey on the 16^th whilst the Two Tree Island bird persisted until the 21^st, as did another at Fleet Head. Sand Martins were exceptionally scarce this spring with the first record being a single at Paglesham Lagoon on the 17^th, and the only other birds recorded were three at Vange Marsh on the 24^th. Several unconfirmed and interesting records came from the Pier on the 17^th, with a Fulmar, a Gannet, an Arctic Skua, 30 Common Scoter, and six Velvet Scoter all reported by a single observer. Four Red-breasted Mergansers still frequented the Roach on the 17^th, with a single off Canvey on the 19^th. A female Merlin, possibly the Two Tree Island bird, was seen at Wallasea on the 18^th where it remained to the 25^th. The single Common Tern at Gunners Park for the last two days was joined by 17 others on the 18^th. The first confirmed Reed Warblers were two birds at Wat Tyler on the 19^th when another Turtle Dove was reported, this time at Wakering. Gunners Park proved productive on the 20^th with the first Lesser Whitethroat, another Nightingale, and a male Ring Ouzel. Although a little less exciting, 23 Brent Geese still at Two Tree Island the same afternoon were quite late. Two Little Gulls at Vange Marsh from the 21^st to the 24^th were almost expected but still greatly appreciated. The first House Martins reported were four at Fleet Head on the 23^rd. There was an obvious influx of Swifts on the 24^th with birds reported simultaneously from Southend, Two Tree Island, and Vange Marsh. Also on the 24^th came an unconfirmed report of a Ring Ouzel at Canewdon. At Vange Marsh on the 24^th, five Greenshank and four Cetti's Warblers were notable, whilst at Two Tree Island, four Adders and two Green-veined Whites were seen. A Garden Warbler was heard in Belfairs N.R. on the 25^th and again on the 29^th, with a migrant at Gunners Park on the 30^th. A probable ringtail Montagu's Harrier drifted over Wallasea on the 26^th where rather surprisingly the peak local count of Wheatear was also made with seven birds. A mid-week birder claimed a Whinchat and two Tree Pipits in Gunners Park on the 27^th. Another Buzzard passing over Hockley on the 29^th brings the spring passage to four birds reflecting this species slow but steady revival in fortunes. A Nightingale was singing from suitable habitat on Belton Hills on the 29^th where it remained into May, another was heard briefly in Thundersley on the 30^th. Ten Yellow Wagtails and 20 Corn Buntings at Wallasea on the 30^th were worthy of mention, and another Grasshopper Warbler was reliably reported, this time at Barling. Finally, on the 30^th, two adult Little Gulls were at Wat Tyler, and three Arctic Terns were seen from Gunners Park.


MAY 2005

There was an obvious passage of Wheatear from the 1^st to the 3^rd with an arrival of at least thirteen birds including six together at South Fambridge. Systematic counting of warblers on the west side of Canvey revealed a rather low peak count of five Lesser Whitethroats, along with 47 Whitethroats with a Cetti's Warbler there evidencing continued range expansion. Whimbrel numbers reached 40 at Fleet Head on the 1^st. A Common Sandpiper and a Little Ringed Plover were both at Vange on the 1^st before both moving to Wat Tyler on the 2^nd with a Common Sandpiper also at Wallasea on the 2^nd. A Green Sandpiper at Vange Marsh on the 2^nd proved to be the last of the spring. In Belfairs Woods, the Garden Warbler continued to sing through to the 10^th and a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker there on the 1^st was a good record. Early morning on the 2^nd, a Fulmar and three Gannets were a welcome surprise from the seawall at Gunners Park. Later that day a fine Purple Heron was found just outside of the recording area on Fobbing Marsh and was watched from there flying towards Wat Tyler where it was unfortunately never relocated. Wallasea on the 2^nd gave 12 Corn Buntings and 18 Yellow Wagtails. The Little Ringed Plover at Wat Tyler was last seen this month on the 7^th and the obliging Grasshopper Warbler on Two Tree Island was last heard reeling on the 8^th. The third and final Whinchat of the spring was reported from Fleet Head on the 11^th. A Nightingale heard briefly at the end of April in Thundersley was particularly vocal on the 9^th. The last Common Sandpiper of the spring was at Wat Tyler from the 13^th to the 15^th with a female Marsh Harrier also claimed on the 13^th being the only record of the month in the recording area. A White Stork flying over Benfleet creek on the 15^th was a super find but it rapidly gained height and drifted out of view, also there, a Stonechat was busy with two recently fledged young and 80 Marsh Frogs were estimated in the surrounding network of ditches. A Peregrine on Havengore on the 15^th was notable for the time of year, and five Turtle Doves were also in the vicinity. Sad news was received when all the eggs from every Avocet nest on two Tree Island went missing in suspicious circumstances on the night of the 15^th. Evidence unfortunately suggests a human perpetrator which highlights the difficulty the local conservation bodies have in balancing awareness and promotion of such beautiful birds with the need for secrecy and protection. Suffice to say, surveillance measures will be put in place for next year. A Common Buzzard was reported over Wat Tyler on the 17^th. The following day the regular Spotted Flycatcher pair had returned to their central Southend location where their numbers increased to three on the 22^nd, and to four in June. The Nightingale on Belton Hills present since the end of April was heard for the last time on the 21^st. A single Brent Goose at Two Tree Island on the 28^th was late. A Honey Buzzard flying low over one birder's house in Leigh on the 29^th was a superb record although incredibly was not even a garden tick! A White Wagtail at Fleet Head on the 29^th was surprisingly the only one of the spring and the Yellow Wagtail flock which gathers there each May reached a desperately low peak of just eight on the 31^st.


JUNE 2005

A Crossbill typically flew over Belfairs N.R. on the 1^st. On the 8^th it was pleasing to note nine singing Corn Buntings and at least 20 Yellow Wagtails at Fleet Head. The following day the sixth Common Buzzard of the year passed high over Leigh. A full summer plumage Black Tern off Wakering Stairs on the 11^th was an unusual mid-summer record. The Spotted Flycatchers in Southend had formed into two pairs by the 11^th and had the first juvenile on show from the 23^rd. The wandering Black Swan, which has been doing the rounds for the last few years, was found at its preferred location on the 12^th at Hullbridge with 40 Mute Swans. Further along the Crouch also on the 12^th at Wallasea was a cracking male Blue-headed Wagtail along with 20 Corn Buntings in the vicinity and two Green Sandpipers. As no others have been recorded in the area since 2^nd May one could speculate that these were the first returning birds. A Little Ringed Plover at Wat Tyler on 15^th may well have been a breeding adult. As many as 300 Heath Fritillaries were on the wing in Hockley Woods on the 22^nd with a Treecreeper there also a good mid-summer record. Other butterflies around at this time were 30 Purple Hairstreaks and the first Marbled White in Thundersley on the 27^th. A Greenshank in Benfleet Creek on the 27^th, followed by three Green Sandpipers and a Spotted Redshank the next day were all early signs of return migration. Finally, a Grey Wagtail at Belfairs N.R. on the 29^th was an interesting summer record and a male Marsh Harrier was reported from Wat Tyler on the 30^th.


JULY 2005

Singleton Crossbills were reported as is usual at this time of year from Belfairs N.R. on the 2^nd, 10^th, and 12^th. The last Heath Fritillaries were also in Belfairs N.R. on the 3^rd when 34 White Letter Hairstreaks could be found on Benfleet Downs. Two Tree Island on the 3^rd gave a report of a Long-eared Owl and two summering Brent Geese. Another Long-eared Owl was claimed on the 5^th, this time from Wat Tyler where two Little Ringed Plover could be found with patience through to the 19^th. Last months Black Swan had drifted a little further downstream to South Fambridge on the 8^th. Two Spotted Redshank were at Fleet Head from 8^th to 10^th, with four Ruff also there from 8^th to 11^th. Two Little Ringed Plover at Vange Marsh on the 8^th and 13^th may have been the Wat Tyler pair. Common Sandpiper return passage commenced from the 10^th with 1-2 birds at several sites through to the months end. Three Spotted Redshank passed through Wat Tyler on the 10^th and 11^th. The Yellow Wagtail flock at Fleet Head reached 30 on the 10^th and Grey Wagtail were reported from three different streamside locations mid-month. By the 11^th, two juvenile Spotted Flycatchers could be found in Southend proving successful breeding once again. More good butterflies were found on the 13^th with Marbled Whites and Brimstones reported from Wat Tyler. A juvenile Black Tern was noted at Wakering Stairs on the 17th around the time that up to 24 Avocets including three chicks gathered at Wat Tyler. A Ring-necked Parakeet was claimed in a Rayleigh garden on the 18^th but like all claims of this species locally it was not reported again. Seawatching at this time of year is typically unproductive but optimism prevailed on the 23^rd with six Gannets and the first Arctic Skua's of the autumn with three seen from the Pier. The near resident Peregrine at Wat Tyler was seen on the 24^th for the first time since 23^rd April and was probably accountable for the record from Hadleigh Downs on the 31^st. A local land owner at Canewdon was privileged to have Barn Owls successfully raise three young in a nest box. In keeping with the recent phenomena of surging Mediterranean Gull numbers at this time of year, numbers spiked up dramatically on the 25^th to reveal an Essex record of 104 along Southend seafront, the majority of which were adults with large numbers of first-summers also present. Typically Greenshank numbers started to build at Wakering Stairs reaching 53 on the 26^th. Little Tern numbers remained at a modest level with 17 off Canvey the best count of the month. Two Tree Island on the 30^th provided some interest with a fine adult summer Curlew Sandpiper, 686 Black-tailed Godwits, five Yellow-legged Gulls and two very early juvenile Wheatears. The month ended with a small movement of Marsh Harriers with three females on Havengore on the 30^th and a male at Stambridge.




AUGUST 2005

Two Black-eared Waxbills feeding in a Hawkwell garden on the 2^nd were certainly unexpected. A Common Buzzard and two Marsh Harriers were at South Fambridge on the 6^th. A further 1-3 Marsh Harriers were reported from several coastal locations throughout the month with probably about ten birds present. The 7^th saw the months only Gannet with a solitary bird from the Pier. Green Sandpiper reached a monthly peak of just six birds on the 7^th at Vange Marsh along with the Black Swan on one of its many excursions. The high numbers of Greenshank remained from late July with the 7^th being particularly notable with 53 at Two Tree Island, 47 at Wakering Stairs, and nine at Vange Marsh. Herring Gulls had raised one young on the Southend rooftops by the 8^th. Common Sandpiper peaked for the month at 20 with Vange Marsh again being the preferred site. Hummingbird Hawkmoths were seen in three gardens during the month on the 10^th, 14^th and 31^st. The Black-tailed Godwit flock at Two Tree Island reached an impressive 1,234 on the 13^th but no more than 1-2 Spotted Redshank and Little Ringed Plover were noted at just two sites, Wat Tyler and Vange Marsh, mid-month onwards. Encouragingly, Wallasea revealed 50 Yellow Wagtails including many juveniles on the evening of the 13^th and a good count of 30 Little Terns were feeding nearby in the river. A Peregrine reported at Wat Tyler on the 13^th may well have been the same bird that took a Turnstone at Canvey Point the next day. Wheatear trickled through in small numbers throughout the month with eight birds in Gunners Park on the 16^th the best count of the month. At Wat Tyler on the 18^th two young Hobby in a nest were on view from a RSPB watchpoint and a Bullfinch was also claimed, surprisingly much the rarer of the two species these days. Yet another Common Buzzard was reported, this time from Battlesbridge on the 18^th. The first proper seawatch of the season was on the 19^th at Canvey and produced no surprises although four Arctic Skua's, 18 Black Tern, and 12 Arctic Tern did their best to please. A small influx of Curlew Sandpipers occurred between the 21^st and 27^th with three birds at Vange Marsh, two in Benfleet Creek, and a single at Wakering Stairs. Ruff managed to reach a rather unexciting seven on the 21^st at Vange Marsh whilst nearby at Wat Tyler, three Cetti's Warblers were singing and reports were received that a staggering 20 different birds had been ringed there this year already. Mediterranean Gull numbers had a second spike in numbers on the 22^nd when 93 were again present around Southend seafront along with the return of our most famous visitor, Rossi, the Ring-billed Gull who returned for his seventh winter. Nearby, 200 Common Terns were roosting on the foreshore. Whinchat passage commenced on the 23^rd with a dozen birds passing through over the next five days at five locations. Vange Marsh provided some good records on the 25^th with a White Wagtail, an early Short-eared Owl, and a notable surge in Common Snipe numbers to 41 as more mud became exposed during the month. Passage Spotted Flycatchers were noted with one in Gunners Park on the 26^th and two there on the 28^th and a reliable report of two Pied Flycatchers a few days previously. Interestingly, an early Merlin was seen at Paglesham Lagoon on the 27^th with presumably the same bird seen shortly afterwards on Hadleigh Marshes. Also at Paglesham Lagoon on the 27^th, a juvenile Caspian Gull was photographed whilst 102 Ruddy Ducks there set a new local record and a Bar-headed Goose added further variety. There was a marked increase in Yellow Wagtail numbers between the 27^th and 29^th with 40 at Paglesham Lagoon, 15 in Gunners Park, and 16 on Hadleigh marshes. In the last few days of the month, 44 Little Egrets were counted at Two Tree Island on the 28^th with the roost near Wakering now seemingly abandoned, and a Garden Warbler was a good find in Gunners Park on the 28^th.


SEPTEMBER 2005

The month started well with three Little Gulls off the Pier on the 1^st, however the biggest news of the month was a Savi's Warbler trapped and ringed near Wakering Stairs on the 3^rd. Confusingly, this bird was initially reported as a Radde's Warbler until the correct information was cascaded a few days later. Yellow-legged Gulls rarely occur in any numbers in the area, the count of seven at Paglesham Lagoon on the 3^rd being the best of the autumn. Low numbers of Whinchat continued to pass through during the month with three at Gunners Park on the 4^th the best count along with 21 Yellow Wagtails and two White Wagtails also there. Two Turtle Doves at Wat Tyler on the 5^th were the only ones logged all month and were the last of the year. Spotted Flycatchers appeared from the 5^th to the 7^th with a pair and two juveniles in Thundersley and a single in Pound Wood. Mediterranean Gull numbers declined rapidly after the 6^th when 68 were along Southend seafront. Passage Siskin began passing through from the 7^th onwards with a total of 41 flying over by the months end at four locations. A flurry of Owl activity was noted between the 8^th and 13^th with two Little Owls, a Tawny Owl, and a Barn Owl all logged between these dates at various locations. The first of four Manx Shearwaters logged off Canvey this month was noted on the 9^th with two Little Gulls also there from the 9^th to the 11^th. The weekend of the 10^th and 11^th was the most productive of the autumn for seabirds off Canvey and waders at Vange Marsh. Seawatching from Canvey on the 10^th provided all four Skua's with five Pomarine Skua's, eight Arctic Skua's, a Great Skua, and the years only Long-tailed Skua which was a juvenile, as well as the seasons only Fulmar and 55 Common Scoter. A strong movement of Terns the following day saw 85 Sandwich Tern, 110 Common Tern, 18 Arctic Tern, five Little Tern, 16 Black Tern, and best of all, two adult Roseate Terns which were almost certainly the West Thurrock birds from the previous evening passing out of the estuary. Unsurprisingly the high numbers of Terns present attracted a peak autumn count of 15 Arctic Skua's and another Pomarine Skua in what was a relatively poor year for Skua's. A few miles away, Vange Marsh came up trumps with an excellent Pectoral Sandpiper, a Little Stint, and 13 Curlew Sandpipers. Unconfirmed reports of the Pectoral Sandpiper persisted through to the 12^th when a peak count of 16 Curlew Sandpiper was made. Other notable records at this time were a Garden Warbler in Gunners Park, a report of an Osprey at Wakering Stairs, a Honey Buzzard over Belfairs N.R. and organised counts of 94 Little Egrets at Two Tree Island and 61 at Canvey. An adult Hobby with two juveniles frequented Belfairs N.R. from the 13^th to the 15^th. Strong northerlies on the 16^th yielded more good birds off Canvey with a Leach's Petrel the pick of the bunch, and two Manx Shearwaters and a Razorbill adding spice. A dismal peak autumn count of six Gannets passed through as did a Great Skua, the majority of last weeks Common Scoter flock remained. Five Common Sandpipers and four Green Sandpipers at Vange Marsh also on the 16^th were the highest counts of each for the month; eight Curlew Sandpipers were still present. The only Redstart of the entire autumn was on Two Tree Island on the 17^th along with a good late autumn count of 42 Greenshank. A Great Northern Diver seen in the Thames between the 17^th and 20^th was quite exceptional. Curlew Sandpiper passage continued in good numbers from the 10^th to the 25^th with five on Two Tree Island on the 18^th the best count outside of Vange Marsh. The second Leach's Petrel of the year was reported flying out of the Thames from Canvey on the 18^th when the first Brent Geese of the winter were reported flying over the Roach at Paglesham. Marsh Harriers were unusually scarce this month, with just four birds recorded all month including one on Canvey on the 19^th. Vange Marsh on the 20^th held a most impressive 70 Common Snipe, six Spotted Redshank, five Ruff, and the second Little Stint of the autumn. The Ring-billed Gull at Westcliff was only logged twice this month, on the 6^th and the 20^th. A Common Buzzard and a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker were both seen from the car park at Hadleigh Downs on the 21^st. Patient counting of the Black-tailed Godwit flock on Two Tree Island resulted in 1325 being duly logged there on the 21^st. The last Little Ringed Plovers of the autumn were two juveniles at Vange Marsh on the 23^rd, and an early Guillemot was reported off Canvey. A Hummingbird Hawkmoth in Rayleigh on the 24^th was the only one of the month. Brent Geese returned to Two Tree Island on the 24^th, fourteen days later than last year. The last Hobby of the summer was seen at Wat Tyler on the 25^th, and a Great Skua, only the fourth of the autumn passed the Pier. A Little Stint at Vange Marsh on the 28^th was probably the same one that was seen there on the 20^th. A Purple Sandpiper at Southend seafront from the 30^th to the 5^th October was a good local record although unfortunately chose not to winter this year. Finally, on the 30^th, another Manx Shearwater was claimed off Canvey.


OCTOBER 2005

Two juvenile Scaup at Paglesham Lagoon on the 1^st were a good find. A late Sedge Warbler and a Common Tern were at Vange Marsh on the 2^nd. Grey Wagtails enjoyed a protracted and obvious passage throughout the month with approximately twenty birds recorded at a dozen sites including many suburban ones. Equally prominent was Stonechat passage this month with forty birds at ten coastal locations. Two Wheatear inland near Tesco's, Southend on the 3^rd were late and unusual in terms of location. The last Whinchat, a Whimbrel, and a Curlew Sandpiper were all in Benfleet Creek on the 3^rd. A further two Curlew Sandpipers were reported from Southend seafront on the 5^th, as was the Purple Sandpiper for the last time. A Tawny Owl visited a Benfleet garden on the 4^th. A flock of five Great Skua's off the Pier on the 5^th doubled the numbers recorded all autumn in a very poor passage, and a Little Gull was also noted. Unfortunately, this prime site for seawatching was lost on the night of the 9^th, when Southend Pier sadly caught fire for the fourth time in fifty years and is expected to remain closed now for a couple of years. The first Redwing was typically heard at night, on the 5^th flying over Eastwood. Siskin continued to pass through with a total of ten birds this month from four sites. Lesser Redpoll also usually move through this month, and one was duly recorded on Hadleigh Downs on the 8^th with another three reported on Two Tree Island on the 29^th. Remaining with passage finches, six Brambling were noted in the last half of the month and an unconfirmed report was received of four Twite on Two Tree Island on the 29^th. An Adder at Hadleigh Downs on the 8^th was notable as was a Black Redstart at Wakering Stairs the same day, constituting the sole autumn record. Gunners Park on the 9^th hosted the last House Martins of the year with a Lesser Whitethroat also there. Two Marsh Harriers took up temporary residence at Fleet Head from the 9^th to the months end with others seen at Wat Tyler on the 18^th and Two Tree Island on the 29^th. Two Wheatear were on Two Tree Island on the 14^th with the final confirmed record being a single at South Fambridge on the 16^th. The last Sandwich Tern was lingering off Two Tree Island on the 15^th whilst a Clouded Yellow at Wakering the same day was the sole autumn record. The night of the 15^th saw a broad arrival of Redwing flying over and calling at several locations. A ringtail Hen Harrier claimed at Wat Tyler on the 16^th would almost certainly have been a passage bird, whereas the Short-eared Owl on Two Tree Island on the 19^th and 20^th will hopefully remain for the winter. Fleet Head provided two Little Owls and a Merlin on the 19^th. The vanguard of a small movement of Ring Ouzels was seen in a garden in Hadleigh on the 19^th, and was quickly followed by another on Two Tree Island on the 20^th and 21^st. The last Swallow of the year was reported from Hullbridge on the 21^st. A walk to Paglesham Lagoon on the 22^nd was rewarded with a fine Slavonian Grebe, and a different Scaup to those present at the start of the month. A Red Admiral in an Eastwood garden on the 22^nd was the final butterfly record of the year. The Ring-billed Gull at Westcliff was particularly reliable from the 23^rd to the month's end. Fieldfare have been few and far between with just two birds seen, which flew over Rochford golf course on the 23^rd. They may have been associated with a thrush influx as the next day four Redwings arrived on Hadleigh Downs, and two new Ring Ouzels appeared on Two Tree Island, remaining until the 29^th. A dead but still warm Firecrest found on the pavement in central Southend on the 23^rd was an interesting if not an unfortunate record. A Common Swift over Hadleigh Downs on the 25^th was a full eight weeks later than any other Swift records and warranted very close scrutiny. Nearby, the Short-eared Owl on Two Tree Island had been joined by a second bird. A count of twelve Bearded Tits at Wat Tyler on the 30^th was the highest for some time and hopefully included some recently fledged juveniles, and 13 Greenshank still lingered on Two Tree Island.


NOVEMBER 2005

A leucistic Lapwing that has wintered around Wallasea since November 2002 returned again on the 5^th. Three Merlin present on Wallasea the same day was the best local count for several winters and a Marsh Harrier and 100 Meadow Pipits were also recorded. There was a small movement of Siskin on the 5^th with flocks of two and five flying south over Westcliff seafront, and three feeding at Barling. Little Egret peaked for the month at 42 on Two Tree Island on the 6^th. Hadleigh C.P. came up trumps on the 7^th with a Ring Ouzel and a Brambling both in the car park, whilst on the 9^th Wat Tyler scored with an Essex mega in the form of a Hooded Crow along with the semi-resident Marsh Harrier. On the 12^th, two Greenshank in Benfleet Creek represented the only record this month and nearby a single Twite was claimed at the former stronghold on Two Tree Island. A ringtail Hen Harrier was present intermittently on Potton from the 13^th to the end of the year. Nearby at Fleet Head 14 Ruff were counted. After going missing since January, three drake Mandarin were back at Friar's Park from the 13^th to the 27^th. A Short-eared Owl near Wat Tyler on the 13^th was unusual in terms of location whilst there were now three on Two Tree Island. Paglesham Lagoon on the 14^th hosted two Green Sandpipers, a confiding Barn Owl, and the first six Goldeneye of the winter. The Wat Tyler Peregrine was present throughout and was joined by a second bird from the 16^th onwards. A small movement of Woodcock between the 17^th and 24^th was noted as the temperature dropped, with 1-2 birds in Thundersley, Benfleet and Hadleigh. The falling temperatures similarly displaced two adult Whooper Swans flying in off the sea at Chalkwell on the 17th. A full day at Paglesham Lagoon on the 19^th was rewarded with a juvenile White-fronted Goose, which remained here into December, and a Pale-bellied Brent Goose, both consorting with the Dark-bellied Brent flock. The lagoon itself held a modest 14 Pintail and 229 Shoveler whilst a fly-over Lesser Redpoll added passerine interest. The ringtail Hen Harrier had been joined by a male on the 20^th with both viewable from Haven Point where they competed for airspace with two Marsh Harriers, a Merlin, two Barn Owls and two Short-eared Owls. A Bullfinch nearby at Wakering Stairs showed that this handsome finch can still be found at some of its former haunts. Several hours of birding the flat, open landscape of Wallasea on the 20^th was highly rewarding with 50 Corn Buntings and 50 Skylarks, three Green Sandpipers in the borrowdykes, a Merlin, and best of all, a flock of 30 Twite. On the adjacent Roach was a Red-throated Diver, surprisingly the areas only diver of the month. A dedicated Larus lover found the first of a remarkable run of Caspian Gulls this winter when two first-winters were identified at Paglesham Lagoon on the 26^th, three Yellow-legged Gulls were also present as was a wintering Chiffchaff. A reasonable count of 15 Corn Buntings was made at Fleet Head on the 26^th and up to three Cetti's Warblers continued to be heard at Wat Tyler. The Ring-billed Gull at Westcliff was as reliable as ever and finally, there was a nice little find in the shape of three Snow Buntings along the seawall at South Fambridge on the 27^th.


DECEMBER 2005

The months only Lesser Redpoll was a singleton at Hadleigh Downs on the 3^rd, with two Bullfinch also here. Additional records of Bullfinch this month were received from Hockley Woods and Thundersley with three at each site and a single near Rayleigh Mount. Two White-fronted Geese were found grazing at Wat Tyler on the 3^rd increasing to five on the 13^th. Fine weather on the 4^th saw many birders out and about resulting in several interesting records. The Crouch hosted a juvenile Black-throated Diver and a Common Scoter, with two Merlin also still present and a third bird in the Wakering area. Passerine numbers peaked with 55 Skylark, 13 Rock Pipit, six Yellowhammer, 23 Reed Buntings and 35 Corn Buntings all along the Crouch, whilst on Two Tree Island there were 20 Reed Buntings and 32 Corn Buntings. Last months Hooded Crow was reported again on the 4^th from near Pitsea station and at least seven Water Rails and 700 Fieldfare were at adjacent Wat Tyler. The most obliging birds of the winter were the flock of ten Snow Buntings that remained loyal to the beach along Southend seafront from the 5^th onwards, with a further single at Wakering Stairs on the 10^th. Unconfirmed reports of Waxwing consisted of three in Benfleet on the 6^th and a single at Thorpe Hall on the 10^th. Blackcap were recorded from the 10^th onwards with 1-2 birds in Rayleigh, Leigh, Benfleet and Shoebury and all typically in back gardens. At Paglesham Lagoon the Pintail flock had reached 21 on the 9^th but more surprising was the occurrence of Caspian Gulls here with up to five birds daily, with nine different birds passing through this month. A Black Brant claimed on the 10^th at Fleet Head was unfortunately not seen subsequently. At least three Marsh Harriers were in the Wakering area on the 10^th when one was seen to fly out across the estuary to Kent providing evidence of some interchange with the north Kent population. The ringtail Hen Harrier remained in the area throughout with an immature male also claimed on one date. A Common Sandpiper was found in Potton Creek on the 11^th and the Pale-bellied Brent was located near Paglesham Lagoon the next day. A Common Buzzard was reported over Battlesbridge on the 13^th and a Hawfinch was in Thundersley on the 14^th and 21^st. A brief seawatch at Wakering Stairs on the 17^th yielded the months only Great Northern Diver and now almost equally as scarce, two Eider. The only auk of the month was a Guillemot off Southend the same day. With the shorter daylight hours owl sightings became more numerous with a Tawny Owl reported over Vange Marsh on the 21^st, three Short-eared Owls on Two Tree Island, with another two at Wakering and five Barn Owls with birds at Wakering, Paglesham, Wallasea and Southend. Last weeks Pale-bellied Brent was recorded once more on the 22^nd, this time at Fleet Head. A skein of 55 White-fronted Geese were reported flying over Vange Marsh on the 26^th along with a Jack Snipe and a Green Sandpiper taking advantage of the reduced water levels. Six Siskin were feeding right in the heart of Southend town centre late on the 27^th with possibly the same flock near Leigh station the next day. A single Snow Bunting and Kittiwake could be found on Canvey Island on the 27^th. Next day some impressive passage was noted here when 28 Red-throated Divers and a Black-throated Diver were seen moving up the river and 140 Skylarks, 64 Meadow Pipits and a Hen Harrier were all watched moving across the river from Kent to Essex. A Spotted Redshank, a Greenshank and two Bearded Tits were in Benfleet Creek on the 28^th with the Bearded Tits still present on the 29^th. The single Snow Bunting on Canvey Island was still present on the 29^th when five Whooper Swans were reported flying in off the sea. A drake Mandarin returned to Southchurch Hall Park on the 29^th and the year closed with another small movement of Woodcock with singles reported at Benfleet, Thundersley and Wakering Stairs.