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
Photos
Latest Highlights
| Epping: 6 Lesser Redpoll |
| Rainham Marshes NR RSPB: 1 Peregrine Falcon, 1 Kingfisher |
| Bowers Marsh (RSPB): 5 White-fronted Goose, 4 Bearded Tit |
| Holland Haven: 9 White-fronted Goose, 2 Peregrine Falcon, 1 Purple Sandpiper |
| Great Holland Pits NR: 5 Bullfinch |
| East Mersea: 1 Black-throated Diver, 4 Great Northern Diver, 12 Slavonian Grebe |
| West Mersea: 1 Black-throated Diver, 4 Great Northern Diver |
| Abberton Reservoir: 8 Great White Egret, 1 Smew, 4 Scaup, 40 Goosander |
| Colchester: 2 Goosander |
| Hanningfield Reservoir: 1 Peregrine Falcon, 1 Goosander |
Latest News
Winter Birding Day
Winter Birding Day at Fingringhoe Wick EWT Reserve - Sunday 27th January 2019 10.00am - 4.00pm
Come along to Fingringhoe Wick EWT reserve for this annual event with the EBwS and Essex-based Wildlife holiday company ‘Swallow Birding’ for a day with guided bird walks around the nature reserve with expert guides. There will also be help with bird identification, great food and drink in the tearoom during the day and a chance to renew your EBwS subscriptions! Don’t miss out, we hope to see you there for this FREE event.
Hen Harrier Day at Rainham Marshes 2018 - Saturday 11 August, 11am
On Saturday 11th August RSPB Rainham Marshes is hosting an event organized by Birders Against Wildlife Crime to mark Hen Harrier Day 2018 – to celebrate hen harriers and publicise their plight.
We'd like to invite you to join us for this rally, which will include speakers and activities suitable for all, including for families! Speakers confirmed so far include David Lindo (The Urban Birder) and RSPB Director of Conservation Martin Harper. All money raised goes to Birders Against Wildlife Crime and they'll be giving an update about their raptor satellite tagging project too.
We're anticipating a busy day and are urging people to use public transport – the reserve is just a ten minute walk from Purfleet station on the C2C line. Additional car parking is also available in Purfleet at the public car park just west of the train station.
The car park will open at 8am, and the main rally with speeches is set to start at 11 am. The speeches will take place in the marquee field near the Marshland Discovery Zone so leave yourself 15 minute or so to wander down.
Join us in saying ‘We want our Hen Harriers back’! Watch this space and @HHDayLondon for more updates. Look forward to seeing you there!
More info here… http://henharrierday.org/
Latest Articles
The yearly joint Bird Migration Day event with local wildlife tour company Swallow Birding was blessed with fantastic weather. During the day, tour leader Steve Grimwade led two walks down to the excellent intertidal area on the River Colne which two years ago was arable fields and is now a rich wildlife haven!
Some wildlife highlights of the walks were three KINGFISHERS, HOBBY, COMMON BUZZARDS, LESSER & COMMON WHITETHROATS, GREENSHANK, HOBBY, TUNSTONE, BLACK & BAR-TAILED GODWITS, GREY & GOLDEN PLOVERS, DUNLIN, RINGED PLOVERS, REDSHANK and AVOCETS with many waders still in their resplendent breeding plumage which thrilled everyone.
It was not just birds, as there were also RUDDY & COMMON DARTERS, MIGRANT & SOUTHERN HAWKERS, WILLOW EMERALD DAMSELFLY and LONG-WINGED CONEHEAD, a type of bush-cricket.
The walks were very popular with around 50 people taking part.
We’ve had excellent feedback regarding the event and look forward to repeating it in 2018!