Big County Birdwatch

What is the BCBW70?

The Essex Birdwatching Society is celebrating its 70th anniversary and we invite you to go Birdwatching this autumn. Whether it's 7 minutes in the garden, or 17 minutes looking out of your window, or 70 minutes during lunch at work, or a couple of hours in the park or a part day, or a complete day out, over the four days. On your own, with family or friends or on an organised walk at one of Essex's fantastic nature reserves we want to know how many different bird species you can find in the county.

'The BIG County Birdwatch70' runs from Friday 20th September through to Monday 23rd September 2019 throughout the rich variety of habitats in Essex. There are organised walks at many different locations including EWT Fingringhoe Wick and RSPB Rainham Marshes over this long weekend and ALL are welcome to take part. David Lindo Endorses BCBW70

'The BIG County Birdwatch70' is a 70/70 challenge. The Society is 70 - can you spot 70 species in a single day or over the four days? You can submit your sightings online or download a recording form and let us know how many birds you see, where and when. All entries will receive a certificate to commemorate taking part in this special Essex celebration challenge.

Watch David Lindo endorse BCBW70

Organised Walks

Fri 20 Sep
 Fri 20 Sep  08:45   Hatfield Forest

8:45am Hatfield Forest with Mike Rimmell - open to all (2hrs) - Meet in Kiosk carpark. Email: mikebirder111@gmail.com

 
 Fri 20 Sep  09:00   Holland Haven

9am Holland Haven with Matt Turner - meet near Clacton Sailing Club - bcbw70.haven@gmail.com 
 Fri 20 Sep  10:00   RSPB Rainham Marshes Reserve

10am RSPB Rainham Marshes Reserve - Register via RSPB Rainham Marshes Tel: 01708 899851

Email: rainham.marshes@rspb.org.uk (20 people max)
 Fri 20 Sep  14:00   Thurrock Thameside Nature Park

2pm Thurrock Thameside Nature Park with Steve Swinney : open to all. (2hrs) Contact linfordbirder@yahoo.co.uk
 Fri 20 Sep  17:30   Coalhouse Fort, East Tilbury

5:30pm Coalhouse Fort, East Tilbury with Steve Swinney - open to all (2hrs) - Meet in car park. Contact: linfordbirder@yahoo.co.uk
Sat 21 Sep
 Sat 21 Sep  09:30   RSPB West Canvey Marsh

9:30am RSPB West Canvey Marsh with Neil Sumner (2.5hrs) – (20 people max) Register via South Essex Reserves Tel: 01268 498620 Email: southessex@rspb.org.uk
 Sat 21 Sep  10:30   EWT Hanningfield Reservoir

 10:30am EWT Hanningfield Reservoir with Gerry Johnson (90mins) – (20 people max) Tel: 07775 663166 Email: gerry2johnson@aol.com
 Sat 21 Sep  10:30   Lee Valley

10:30am Lee Valley with David Hutley & Roy Woodward (2hrs) (30 people tbc) - Register at: https://ebookings.leevalleypark.org.uk/lfbook.asp?wci=selectquantity&selcentre=YS&selactivity=EBS
 Sat 21 Sep  13:30   Manningtree

1:30pm Manningtree (Meet at Co-op) to Mistley Walls with Rick Vonk - open to all (2hrs)
 Sat 21 Sep  13:30   Lee Valley

13:30am Lee Valley with David Hutley & Roy Woodward (2hrs) (30 people tbc) - Register at: https://ebookings.leevalleypark.org.uk/lfbook.asp?wci=selectquantity&selcentre=YS&selactivity=EBS
 Sat 21 Sep  14:00   RSPB Wallasea Island

2pm RSPB Wallasea Island with RSPB Guide (2hrs) - (20 people max)

Register via South Essex Reserves Tel: 01268 498620 Email: southessex@rspb.org.uk
Sun 22 Sep
 Sun 22 Sep  10:00   EWT Fingringhoe Wick

10am EWT Fingringhoe Wick with Steve Grimwade - open to all (90 mins)
 Sun 22 Sep  10:00   Walthamstow Wetlands Centre

10am Walthamstow Wetlands Centre with David Darrell Lambert (3hrs) - Meet outside visitor centre

-Register via Birdbrain UK Tel: 07977 407550 Email: david@birdbrainuk.com (30 people max)
 Sun 22 Sep  12:00   EWT Fingringhoe Wick

12 noon EWT Fingringhoe Wick with Steve Grimwade - open to all (90 mins)
 Sun 22 Sep  13:00   Rainham Marshes Reserve

1pm RSPB Rainham Marshes Reserve - Register via RSPB Rainham Marshes Tel: 01708 899851 Email: rainham.marshes@rspb.org.uk (20 people max)
 Sun 22 Sep  13:00   Walthamstow Wetlands Centre

1pm Walthamstow Wetlands Centre with David Darrell Lambert (3hrs) - Meet outside visitor centre - Register via Birdbrain UK Tel: 07977 407550 Email: david@birdbrainuk.com (30 people max)
 Sun 22 Sep  14:00   EWT Fingringhoe Wick

2pm EWT Fingringhoe Wick with Steve Grimwade - open to all (90 mins)
 Sun 22 Sep  14:00   RSPB Wallasea Island

2pm RSPB Wallasea Island with RSPB Guide (2hrs) - (20 people max)

Register via South Essex Reserves Tel: 01268 498620 Email: southessex@rspb.org.uk
Mon 23 Sep
 Mon 23 Sep  09:30   EWT Abberton Reservoir

9:30am EWT Abberton Reservoir with Steve Grimwade (Meet in centre car park)
 Mon 23 Sep  10.15   Hatfield Forest

10.15am Hatfield Forest with David Simmonds - open to all (2hrs) - Meet at Lake carpark.

Email: djsimmonds@aol.com
 Mon 23 Sep  15:00   RSPB West Canvey Marsh

3pm RSPB West Canvey Marsh with the RSPB South Essex Team (2hrs) (20 people max) Register via South Essex Reserves Tel: 01268 498620 Email: southessex@rspb.org.uk
Bring binoculars unless you have arranged to rent/borrow them from the RSPB walks when registering your place.

Next Events

‘HOOKPOD’

Fri 04-Oct
20:00
Indoor Meeting
Quaker Meeting House

‘HOOKPOD’ – Becky Ingram from Hookpod Ltd demonstrates this excellent invention that benefits the birds that roam the southern Oceans without affecting the catch yields of the fishermen. Species like the Wandering Albatross, Petrels and Shearwaters can glide over the waves safely without the fear of becoming caught by conventional fishing methods.

WALTON-on-the-NAZE & HOLLAND HAVEN

Sun 13-Oct
09:00
Field Trip
Walton-on-Naze - Non coach trip

WALTON-on-the-NAZE (CO14 8LE) & HOLLAND HAVEN (CO15 5TX) – A trip to the north-east of the county starting at the Naze and around the John Weston reserve area for winter migrants such as Short-eared Owl, Fieldfare, Redwing, Wheatear, Firecrest, Brent Geese and the possibility that a rarity might be found like Yellow-browed Warbler or Ring Ouzel or Wryneck. Then on to Holland Haven Country Park during the afternoon to complete the day in north-east Essex.
 More Events...

Latest Highlights

Monday 16 Sep
Abberton Reservoir: 2 Spoonbill, 2 Great White Egret
Sunday 15 Sep
Beckton: 1 Spotted Flycatcher
Abberton Reservoir: 2 Spoonbill, 7 Great White Egret
Bradwell Bird Observatory (BBO): 1 Osprey, 1 Peregrine Falcon, 1 Grey Phalarope
Saturday 14 Sep
Cattawade Marsh/Splodge: 4 Curlew Sandpiper, 1 Osprey
Thorndon CP (South): 1 Crossbill
Thorndon CP (North): 1 Bullfinch
Naze, The: 2 Cetti's Warbler
Beckton: 1 Great White Egret, 1 Merlin, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Lesser Redpoll
Abberton Reservoir: 2 Spoonbill, 2 Kingfisher, 5 Great White Egret, 10 Egyptian Goose, 1 Cattle Egret, 1 Cetti's Warbler

Latest News

The Big County Birdwatch 70

The Essex Birdwatching Society is celebrating its 70th anniversary and we invite you to go Birdwatching this autumn. Whether it's 7 minutes in the garden, or 17 minutes looking out of your window, or 70 minutes during lunch at work, or a couple of hours in the park or a part day, or a complete day out, over the four days. On your own, with family or friends or on an organised walk at one of Essex's fantastic nature reserves we want to know how many different bird species you can find in the county.

The Big County Birdwatch

'The BIG County Birdwatch70' runs from Friday 20th September through to Monday 23rd September 2019 throughout the rich variety of habitats in Essex. There are organised walks at many different locations including EWT Fingringhoe Wick and RSPB Rainham Marshes over this long weekend and ALL are welcome to take part. 

'The BIG County Birdwatch70' is a 70/70 challenge. The Society is 70 - can you spot 70 species in a single day or over the four days? You can submit your sightings online or download a recording form and let us know how many birds you see, where and when. All entries will receive a certificate to commemorate taking part in this special Essex celebration challenge.

Click Here for More Details


 More News...

Latest Articles

WINTER BIRDING DAY at Fingringhoe Wick EWT Reserve January 2019

For the yearly joint Winter Birding Day event with local wildlife tour company Swallow Birding it was great to see so many people come out despite a far from favourable weather forecast for the day, and join the two guided walks with tour leader Steve Grimwade around the nature reserve.  

Over 40 people enjoyed views of waders and wildfowl that included Goosander, Red-breasted Merganser, Knot, Dunlin, Redshank, Curlew, Bar-tailed Godwit, Avocet plus Buzzard, Marsh Harrier and Kingfisher which delighted everyone!

The visitor centre was buzzing with people and by the end of the day, there were just a few crumbs of cake left in the catering area with the Cherry and Almond Scones, freshly baked that morning being a particular favourite.

Thanks to the staff and volunteers and all those who visited, for making the day a great success. We look forward to repeating the day again next year.

Appeal for Essex Bird Reports

We are currently looking for short papers on Essex birds for the 2016 and 2017 Essex Bird Reports. The paper can be on identification, a particular site or indeed anything bird related provided that Essex is involved. For examples of previous papers, please see old Reports. If anyone thinks they have something suitable please contact Simon Wood through the following email essexbirdwatchingsociety@gmail.com


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