Friday 08 Dec 2023
Wallasea Island, Crouch/Roach Estuaries, 13:30 to 16:00, Very sunny mild
2 Spoonbill, 10 Little Egret (Select species only ), 12 Marsh Harrier (At least), Hen Harrier (Ring tail), 6 Short-eared Owl (At least) [Melvin Shepherd-Wells]
Doddinghurst, 13:00 to 13:45, slight cloud, no wind
30 Wood Pigeon, 7 Ring-necked Parakeet, 3 Jay, 9 Magpie, 23 Jackdaw, 3 Carrion Crow, 7 Blue Tit, 13 Great Tit, Firecrest (Feeding in holly bush, a rarity for here. ), 2 Goldcrest, Wren, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, 5 Blackbird, 3 Redwing, 3 Bullfinch (2 male, 1 female), 6 Lesser Redpoll (With siskin flock), 5 Goldfinch, 36 Siskin (Feeding in Alders) [Gary Boyes]
Whetmead NR, nr Witham, 11:30 to 16:00, via River Walk - highlights
Little Grebe (Uncommon on site), Woodcock (Accidentally flushed from beside River Brain ), Grey Heron, Little Egret (River Walk ), 2 Sparrowhawk (Males), Kingfisher (Heard), 2 Kestrel, Skylark, 3 Goldcrest, 6+ Fieldfare, 3 Redwing, Song Thrush, 2 Grey Wagtail (AW Plant), 150+ Pied Wagtail (AW Plant ), 2 Meadow Pipit (AW Plant ), 9 Brambling (Rarely reported on site? ), 2 Greenfinch, 12+ Siskin, Harris's Hawk (River Walk - 11th year of 'freedom'? ) [David L Smith]
Great Notley, 10:30 to 12:30
3 Mute Swan, 20 Mallard (at least), 4 Moorhen, 2 Coot, 15 Black-headed Gull (at least), Great Northern Diver (still present on the Country Park lake providing excellent views for birders and photographers), Grey Heron, Sparrowhawk, 2 Goldcrest, 15 Fieldfare (at least) [Richard Chew]
Stanway Green, 10:15 to 12:00
Peregrine Falcon (Large female on pylon, Peartree Road) [Oliver Cottis]
Tollesbury Wick NR EWT, 10:10 to 13:00, Sunny, light winds. Tide going out to low tide
2 Egyptian Goose, Common Scoter (female), 2 Red-breasted Merganser (male and female), 45 Avocet, 1700 Golden Plover, 2 Marsh Harrier (male and female type), Short-eared Owl, Kestrel (female), 5 Stonechat (at least) [Mark Gregory]
Fingringhoe Wick NR EWT, 10:00 to 12:00
Great White Egret, 2 Marsh Harrier, Buzzard, Short-eared Owl [Steve Grimwade]
Two Tree Island, Leigh-on-Sea, 09:30 to 12:00, High tide sunny mild
100 Brent Goose, 20 Shelduck (Select species of 55 seen ), 20 Avocet, 6 Grey Plover, 10 Curlew, 20 Black-tailed Godwit, 150 Dunlin, 12 Snipe, Cetti's Warbler (In the open ) [Melvin Shepherd-Wells]
Langdon Hills NR EWT, 07:45 to 08:30, Sunny, chilly. Great Berry/Plotlands.
2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Green Woodpecker, 6 Long-tailed Tit (At least.), 5 Goldcrest (At least.), Fieldfare, 8 Redwing (At least.), Goldfinch (At least.) [Andrew Cox]
Naze, The, 07:30 to 12:00, clear, cold, southerly wind, high tide ebbing
2 Common Scoter (Off Stone Point ), Great Crested Grebe (Off Stone Point ), Avocet, 500+ Lapwing (Over Horsey Island ), Purple Sandpiper, 2 Snipe, 2 Red-throated Diver (Off Stone Point ), Sparrowhawk, 4 Marsh Harrier, 7 Short-eared Owl (Stone Point, later up to four over Horsey Island ), Merlin (Hunting along beach ), 2 Peregrine Falcon (Pair, Horsey Island ), 50+ Skylark (Stone Point ), 2 Chiffchaff (1 on Stone Point, 1 John Weston Reserve ), 5 Goldcrest, 18 Blackbird, 2 Redwing, 2 Song Thrush, 7 Rock Pipit, 7 Goldfinch, 6 Snow Bunting (Briefly on the tip of Stone Point ), Reed Bunting (Stone Point) [Brian Combes] Snow Bunting at Naze, The on 08 Dec 2023, (Brian Combes)
Thursday 07 Dec 2023
Birch, 13:45 to 13:55
8 Red Kite [Graham Barber ]
Canvey Island, Thames Estuary, 09:15 to 13:00, Cloudy, cold. Easterly breeze, falling tide.
6 Common Scoter (Females, down river.), 89 Sanderling (Near Chapman jetty.), 5 Mediterranean Gull (Three adults, one 2nd & one 1st winter.), Sandwich Tern (Adult, close in. Possibly two.), 5 Red-throated Diver (Heading out, distant.) [Andrew Cox]
Lofts Farm GPs, Heybridge, 08:45 to 12:30, Cloudy, moderate SSE wind, 6c but feeling colder. With Graham Barber.
3 Pheasant, 30 Mute Swan, 2 Egyptian Goose, 30 Gadwall, 25 Mallard, Pochard, 100 Rock Dove / Feral Pigeon (circa.), 4 Stock Dove, 10 Wood Pigeon (circa.), 3 Collared Dove, 18 Moorhen, 80 Coot, 6 Little Grebe, 18 Lapwing, 9 Black-headed Gull, 3 Common Gull, 4 Herring Gull, 8 Cormorant, Grey Heron, Red Kite, 3 Buzzard, Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Green Woodpecker, 2 Kestrel (Male and female.), 5 Magpie, 100+ Jackdaw, 10 Rook, 80+ Carrion Crow, 21 Blue Tit, 9 Great Tit, 22 Skylark, Cetti's Warbler, 12 Long-tailed Tit, Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, 2 Wren, 20 Starling (circa.), 15 Blackbird, 9 Fieldfare, 11 Redwing, 2 Song Thrush, 2 Mistle Thrush, 5 Robin, 4 Dunnock, 6 Meadow Pipit, 40 Chaffinch (circa.), Bullfinch (Male.), Greenfinch, 40 Linnet (circa.), 90+ Goldfinch, 3 Corn Bunting, 6 Yellowhammer, 10 Reed Bunting (circa.), 34 Tufted Duck [Malcolm Corbett]
Gosbeck's Farm, Colchester, 08:00 to 08:30
85 Lapwing, 2 Woodcock, Red Kite, Kestrel, 2 Redpoll sp. [Oliver Cottis]
Wednesday 06 Dec 2023
TL3700, 14:35 to 14:50, Cold, sunny
28 Wigeon, 4 Moorhen, 3 Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Magpie, Willow Warbler (One in the scrub at Town Mead Leisure Park, Waltham Abbey) [Thomas Simon]
Wrabness, 14:30 to 14:30
Short-eared Owl (Lovely views in field above Burial Ground.), Peregrine Falcon (Put all the waders up) [Peter Brittain]
Fingringhoe Wick NR EWT, 11:00 to 16:00, High tide c18:30 - highlights
15+ Red-breasted Merganser, Water Rail (Scrape), 6+ Marsh Harrier, Hen Harrier (Male - actively hunting, seen from Visitor Centre, Robbies and Crawshaw Hides), Buzzard, Kingfisher (Scrape), Kestrel, Merlin (Female - Geedon Marsh), Peregrine Falcon (Female - Geedon Marsh), 5+ Fieldfare, 4+ Redwing, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush (Furneaux Lane ), Tree Sparrow (Visitor Centre) [David L Smith]
East Mersea, 10:20 to 13:50, Cold, warming up. Not much wind. Clear and sunny. Some ice on still water.
500 Brent Goose, 2 Red-breasted Merganser, 32 Avocet, 2 Little Egret, 120 Carrion Crow (One flock of about 100), 30 Skylark (One flock of about 30), 4 Goldcrest, 3 Stonechat (At edge of Cudmore Grove, in same group of bushes), Rock Pipit [Simon Banks]
Barking Bay/Marsh, 09:20 to 11:20, Sunny/cold
Curlew, Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Knot, 1150 Dunlin, 40 Redshank, 4 Stonechat, 17 Meadow Pipit, 2 Lesser Redpoll [Gary A James]
Mersea Island, 09:00 to 16:30
4 Shoveler (Strood channel DU AF ), 300 Wigeon (plus Strood channel DU AF ), 550 Teal (Strood channel DU AF ), Slavonian Grebe (Off st peters Road coast road SE MC), 44 Avocet (40 Strood channel DU AF , 4 stone point MT ), 200 Golden Plover (Strood channel DU AF ), Bar-tailed Godwit (Strood channel DU AF ), 350 Dunlin (Stone point MT ), Snipe (Strood channel DU AF ), 50 Redshank (Stone point MT ), 2 Great White Egret (Possibly 3 Strood channel DU AF ), 2 Marsh Harrier ( Males Strood channel DU AF ), Hen Harrier (Male Strood channel DU AF ), Buzzard (Strood channel DU AF ), Kingfisher (Strood channel DU AF ), Merlin ("Possible" Strood channel DU AF ), 100 Skylark (Plus Strood channel DU AF ), 3 Stonechat (Strood channel DU AF ), Meadow Pipit (Stone point MT ), 200 Linnet (Plus Strood channel DU AF ), 10 Corn Bunting (Strood channel DU AF ) [Stephen Entwistle]
Fishers Green, Lea Valley, 09:00 to 15:00, Selected highlights from Swallow Birding & Wildlife guided walk (www.swallowbirding.co.uk)
4 Goosander, 4 Water Rail, Bittern, Red Kite, 6 Ring-necked Parakeet, Cetti's Warbler, Treecreeper, 2 Siskin [Steve Grimwade]
Wivenhoe, 09:00 to 13:00
Chiffchaff (In willows at back of Ferry Marsh ) [Richard Allen]
Great Notley, 09:00 to 13:00
Great Northern Diver (juvenile still present at Country Park and probably present since November 17th when seen by local park ranger who was unaware of its identity ) [Andy Goodey]
Whetmead NR, nr Witham, 09:00 to 13:00, Sun, cool
Little Egret (Feeding on the river brain ) [Barry Beischer]
Great Totham, 08:50 to 09:10, Sunny, clear sky, v.light NNW wind. -1c.
Little Owl (Usual oak, Church Road.), Grey Wagtail (Gt.Totham Hall.) [Malcolm Corbett]
Thorndon CP (South), 08:15 to 09:30, Sunny, cold. Light mist.
Buzzard, Kingfisher (Lake.), Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Green Woodpecker, Goldcrest (Singing male,), 2 Nuthatch, 2 Treecreeper, 30 Fieldfare (At least.), 20 Redwing (At least.), Mistle Thrush, 3 Goldfinch (At least.), 4 Yellowhammer (At least.) [Andrew Cox]
Tuesday 05 Dec 2023
Mersea Island, 09:00 to 13:00
4 Marsh Harrier (From maydays seawall MC ), Hen Harrier (Male flew a couple of big circuits of Ray saltings,down Ray channel back up over Bonners saltings then down again DU), Kingfisher (From maydays seawall MC ), Peregrine Falcon (From maydays seawall MC ) [Stephen Entwistle]
Naze, The, 07:30 to 12:15, overcast, patchy rain, northerly wind, cold, ebbing tide
Pale-bellied Brent Goose (Adult bird with flock of Brents feeding on the eastern edge of Horsey Island, seen from Stone Point ), 2 Gadwall, 2 Lapwing (In off), Purple Sandpiper, Snipe, 3 Marsh Harrier, 2 Buzzard, 7 Short-eared Owl (Stone Point), 2 Cetti's Warbler (Singing, John Weston Reserve ), 5 Goldcrest, 14 Blackbird, 2 Song Thrush, 8 Rock Pipit, 8 Linnet, 7 Snow Bunting (Stone Point, dropped in delightfully but briefly, before flying south), Reed Bunting [Brian Combes] Snow Bunting at Naze, The on 05 Dec 2023, (Brian Combes)
Monday 04 Dec 2023
Naze, The, 14:00 to 16:15, Drizzle, sharp southerly wind, overcast, high tide c16:00
2 Purple Sandpiper (By tidal lagoons), 6 Short-eared Owl (Stone Point), Cetti's Warbler (Singing, John Weston Reserve ), 4 Goldcrest, 10 Blackbird, 2 Redwing, Song Thrush, 7 Rock Pipit, 2 Linnet, 3 Chinese Muntjac [Brian Combes]
Canvey Island, Thames Estuary, 12:30 to 15:45, Overcast, murky. Some light rain, cold.
4 Wigeon, 3 Grey Plover, 100 Turnstone (At least.), 150 Sanderling (At least.), 7 Mediterranean Gull (Five adults, two 2nd winters.), Red-throated Diver, Sparrowhawk [Andrew Cox]
Blue House Farm EWT, North Fambridge, 09:00 to 15:00, Selected highlights from Swallow Birding & Wildlife guided walk (www.swallowbirding.co.uk)
17 Barnacle Goose (Inc 4 with white neck collars), 2 Snipe, Spotted Redshank, 5 Marsh Harrier, Red Kite, 2 Buzzard, 2 Stonechat, Water Pipit [Steve Grimwade]
Mersea Island, 09:00 to 13:00
11 Red-breasted Merganser (Maydays MC ), 2 Snipe (Maydays MC ), Great White Egret (Maydays MC ), 2 Marsh Harrier (Maydays MC ) [Stephen Entwistle]
Langdon Hills NR EWT, 08:00 to 08:45, Cloudy, damp. Cold. Plotlands/Great Berry.
3 Green Woodpecker, 2 Goldcrest, Fieldfare [Andrew Cox]
Sunday 03 Dec 2023
Nazeing GP, Lea Valley, 15:00 to 16:00
4 Goldeneye, 4 Goosander [Alan Harris]
Fingringhoe Wick NR EWT, 14:00 to 15:45
Black-throated Diver (Distantly from Geedon bay hide then swam South) [Ed Bateman]
Bradwell Bird Observatory (BBO), 09:45 to 14:45, Steady drizzle
Red-breasted Goose (Juv with 800 Brent, visible from St Peter's car park), 3 Common Scoter, Slavonian Grebe (on Blackwater near power station), 13 Sanderling, Red-throated Diver (On Blackwater near power station), Shag (adult on Blackwater near power station), 3 Brambling (power station bushes), 2 Snow Bunting (on large shingle area between Sales Point and power station) [Adrian Dally]
Saturday 02 Dec 2023
Two Tree Island, Leigh-on-Sea, 13:50 to 16:30, Misty, murky. Very cold. All waders from lagoon.
32 Brent Goose, 6 Wigeon (At least.), 74 Oystercatcher, 63 Avocet, 3 Lapwing, 14 Grey Plover, 9 Ringed Plover, 200 Bar-tailed Godwit (Approx.), 40 Black-tailed Godwit, 5000 Knot (Est.), 1000 Dunlin (At least.), 35 Redshank, Greenshank, Short-eared Owl (Western end of the island as dusk approached.), Kingfisher (Lagoon sluice.), Stonechat (Male.), 2 Rock Pipit [Andrew Cox]
Great Notley, 12:30 to 12:30, Freezing Fog with sub-zero temperature
Great Northern Diver (Still on the fishing lake at the Country Park despite the partial covering of ice. ) [John Hart]
Rainham Marshes NR RSPB, 12:03 to 14:33, Cloudy with patches of blue sky but cold and icy
11 Canada Goose, 6 Shelduck, 13 Shoveler, 6 Gadwall, 100 Wigeon, 12 Mallard, 12 Pintail, 50 Teal, 6 Wood Pigeon, 6 Moorhen, 3 Coot, 30 Avocet, 2 Curlew, Black-tailed Godwit, 5 Snipe, 14 Redshank, 5 Black-headed Gull, Cormorant, 2 Grey Heron, Kingfisher, 2 Kestrel, Jay, 8 Magpie, 41 Carrion Crow, 12 Blue Tit, 3 Great Tit, 100 Starling, Fieldfare, 6 Redwing, 2 British Robin, 50 House Sparrow, Dunnock, 2 Pied Wagtail, Chaffinch, 12 Goldfinch [Yvonne Jepson]
Abberton Reservoir, 12:00 to 12:15, Very misty, cold
3 Velvet Scoter (Juvenile/female type) [Marsh Stitchman]
Friday 01 Dec 2023
Wrabness, 10:30 to 14:00, Cold. Not windy. Mainly clear after earlier rain and hail. Some ice on puddles and Wrabness reserve floods. Tide fairly high.
6 Pintail (Flying downriver), 20 Knot, 90 Dunlin, Grey Heron, Green Woodpecker, 12 Blackbird (2 eating sloes on reserve), 5 Redwing, 4 Song Thrush, Stonechat, 6 Chaffinch, 80 Linnet (Large flock on reserve with some Goldfinches), 20 Goldfinch [Simon Banks]
Hanningfield Reservoir, 10:15 to 11:30, Snow showers, then sunny. Cold.
16 Mute Swan, 56 Wigeon, 125 Teal, Scaup (Female, Point Hide.), 10 Goldeneye, 8 Goosander, 34 Lapwing, Redshank [Andrew Cox]
Tilbury, 10:00 to 11:00, Overcast, cold, snow shower later, rising tide
12 Mallard (E of Tilbury 2), 5 Teal (E of Tilbury 2), 82 Avocet (Just E of Tilbury 2), 16 Lapwing (On foreshore by the ferry terminal), Ringed Plover (On foreshore by the ferry terminal), 4 Curlew (E of Tilbury 2), 28 Dunlin (Mainly on foreshore by the ferry terminal), 8 Redshank (On foreshore by the ferry terminal), Guillemot (Drifted up with the tide) [Paul Larkin]
Mersea Island, 09:00 to 17:00
3 Bewick's Swan (Possible Bewick's flew over packing shed Island heading Abberton direction DU), 300 Wigeon (Strood channel DU ), 200 Teal (Strood channel DU ), 8 Common Scoter (7 Flypass going west Victoria esplanade SE, 1 fm mersea quarter's DU), 20 Little Grebe (Strood channel DU ), Red-necked Grebe (Briefly Behind packing shed Island AF DU), 64 Avocet (Strood channel DU ), 50 Lapwing (Strood channel DU ), 50 Golden Plover (Strood channel DU ), 500 Knot (Plus maydays MC ), 4 Great Northern Diver (Possibly 5 , 2 Victoria esplanade 2 off st peter's coast road/(salcott channel with 3 seen)), 3 Great White Egret (1 regular Strood channel fields, 2 flew over Ray Island DU), Sparrowhawk (Maydays MC ), 7 Marsh Harrier (Maydays MC ), 50 Skylark (Strood channel DU ), 200 Starling (Strood channel DU ), 10 Fieldfare (Maydays MC 3 common seals), 2 Redwing (Maydays MC ), 3 Stonechat (1 Maydays MC , 2 Strood channel DU ), 150 Linnet (Strood channel DU ), 20 Corn Bunting (Strood channel DU ), 15 Reed Bunting (Strood channel DU ) [Stephen Entwistle]
Whetmead NR, nr Witham, 09:00 to 11:00, Frosty, calm
Great White Egret (On R. Brain, presumably same one as 27th Oct and 6th Nov.), Green Woodpecker, 9 Long-tailed Tit, Goldcrest, 15 Goldfinch [Paul Shuttleworth]
Naze, The, 07:30 to 13:00, squally rain and sleet showers gradually clearing, strong NE wind, cold, rising tide
Purple Sandpiper, Kittiwake (North), 2 Red-throated Diver (Off Stone Point ), 3 Marsh Harrier, 2 Buzzard, Barn Owl, 6 Short-eared Owl (Stone Point, later two over Horsey Island ), 3 Cetti's Warbler (Singing, 1 Sunny Point, 1 Walton Hall Marshes, 1 John Weston Reserve ), Chiffchaff, 7 Goldcrest, 500+ Starling (Three flocks on Walton Hall Marshes), 16 Blackbird, 2 Fieldfare, 3 Redwing, 2 Song Thrush, 2 Stonechat, 9 Rock Pipit, 24 Linnet, 6 Goldfinch, Reed Bunting, 3 Chinese Muntjac [Brian Combes]
Thursday 30 Nov 2023
Epping, 15:30 to 15:40
40 Ring-necked Parakeet (Pre-roost gathering, then headed south to roost elsewhere. Total Epping population must now be in excess of 60.) [Roger Emmens]
Great Notley, 12:50 to 15:30, GNCP and general patch
3 Mute Swan, 16 Mallard (11M 5F), 25 Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove (Fly over), 10 Moorhen, 2 Coot, 25 Black-headed Gull, Great Northern Diver (juvenile still on main lake), Jay, 12 Magpie, 2 Jackdaw, 7 Carrion Crow, 6 Blue Tit, 4 Long-tailed Tit, 12 Starling, 7 Blackbird (3M 4F) [Paul Everett]
Abberton Reservoir, 12:15 to 13:15, Highlights from an hour on LDHC
Canvasback (west of LDHC with Pochard flock), Smew (Redhead east of LDHC near north bank), 3 Goosander, Great White Egret, Rock Pipit [Matt Turner] Canvasback at Abberton Reservoir on 30 Nov 2023, (Matt Turner) , Canvasback at Abberton Reservoir on 30 Nov 2023, (Matt Turner) , Rock Pipit at Abberton Reservoir on 30 Nov 2023, (Matt Turner)
Canvey Island, Thames Estuary, 11:00 to 15:30, Sunny, some cloud. Rising tide. Cold.
6 Common Scoter (Heading out. Distant.), 20 Great Crested Grebe (At least.), 20 Grey Plover (At least.), 100 Turnstone (At least. Chapman Jetty & at our feet.), 100 Sanderling (At least. Chapman Jetty & at our feet.), 4 Kittiwake (Upriver.), Sabine's Gull (Probable adult. Flying out. Distant.), Mediterranean Gull (Adult.), 3 Sandwich Tern (Adults. Close in, back & forth. One settled on the Chapman Jetty.), Pomarine Skua (Pp adult upriver.), Guillemot (At least.), 2 Razorbill (At least), 4 Red-throated Diver (At least.), Great Northern Diver (Close in on the sea. Drifted east.), Short-eared Owl (Across from Kent.) [Andrew Cox]
Barking Bay/Marsh, 09:20 to 12:30, Sun/Cloud. Cold. light NE wind
3 Pink-footed Goose (Over South 09.30), 20 Teal, 3 Red-breasted Merganser (Feeding then down river @ 09.55), 47 Lapwing, Curlew, Black-tailed Godwit, 620 Dunlin, Snipe, 100 Redshank (+), Yellow-legged Gull (Adult), 2 Stonechat, 10 Meadow Pipit [Gary A James]
Mersea Island, 09:00 to 17:00
8 Red-breasted Merganser (Off monkey steps beach JN), 9 Sanderling (Monkey steps beach JN), Razorbill (Am opposite firs chase caravan park (Strood channel) DU), Great White Egret (Weedy field Strood channel, JonW), 2 Short-eared Owl (Weedy field Strood channel, JonW), Blackcap (Firs chase garden DU ), Mistle Thrush (1st returning to mistletoe entrance to firs chase caravan park DU ), 4 Stonechat (2prs Strood channel DU ), 100 Linnet (Strood channel DU ), 10 Corn Bunting (Strood channel DU ) [Stephen Entwistle]
Naze, The, 07:30 to 12:30, cold, early cloud clearing, icy northerly wind, rising tide
12 Gadwall, 5 Common Scoter (North), Great Crested Grebe, Red-throated Diver (North), 3 Marsh Harrier, Buzzard, Barn Owl, 7 Short-eared Owl (Stone point), 2 Cetti's Warbler (Singing, John Weston Reserve ), Chiffchaff, 12 Goldcrest, 17 Blackbird, 5 Redwing, 2 Song Thrush, 13 Rock Pipit, 45 Linnet (Including flock of 35 on Stone Point ), 3 Goldfinch (North), Snow Bunting (Flew west over Stone Point Lagoon ), Chinese Muntjac [Brian Combes]
Wednesday 29 Nov 2023
Thorpe Bay, 15:00 to 15:15, Good
Great Crested Grebe (Diving to feed in Estuary near beach), 6 Sanderling (Feeding on beach as tide receding) [Neil Warner]
Hamford Water, 14:15 to 16:15, cold, still, clear, ebbing tide; north shore, Bramble Island roost
8 Snipe, 2 Sparrowhawk, 22 Marsh Harrier (Coming into the roost), Short-eared Owl, 2 Cetti's Warbler (Singing), 10 Blackbird, 6 Fieldfare, 3 Redwing, 2 Stonechat (Pair), 2 Rock Pipit, 2 Reed Bunting [Brian Combes]
Wallasea Island, Crouch/Roach Estuaries, 12:00 to 15:40, Calm, sunny, some light cloud, 4c dropping to 2c later. Sightings with Brenda from sea wall up from car park.
Snipe (Fly over. Highlights only listed, 32 species for our duration. ), 2 Marsh Harrier (Females. ), 2 Hen Harrier (Ringtails, two together on one occasion. ), 10 Short-eared Owl (Estimate, SEO's were showing all over from 12 30 pm.), Kingfisher, 2 Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon (On distant low post, mobbed by SEO. ) [David Hale]
Abberton Reservoir, 11:35 to 14:10, sunny, cold
Canvasback (male east of LdLH causeway), Scaup (female east of LdLH causeway), 3 Velvet Scoter (Abberton church), Smew (redhead east of LdLH causeway), Redshank [Mark Gregory]
Fingringhoe Wick NR EWT, 11:00 to 16:00, High tide 1pm, light NW wind, part cloud.
Red-breasted Merganser, 10 Great Crested Grebe, 40 Ringed Plover, Grey Heron, 12 Marsh Harrier, 2 Hen Harrier (1 male, 1 ringtail), Buzzard, Merlin, Peregrine Falcon [Ken Hudgell]
Thorndon CP (North), 10:30 to 11:40, Sunny, cold.
2 Buzzard, Goldcrest, 2 Nuthatch (At least.), 2 Treecreeper, 20 Lesser Redpoll (At least.), 9 Goldfinch, 4 Siskin [Andrew Cox]
Fingringhoe Wick NR EWT, 10:00 to 14:45
100 Brent Goose, 300 Shelduck, 200 Wigeon, 50 Teal, 2 Water Rail, 16 Little Grebe, 260 Avocet, 100 Lapwing, 80 Golden Plover, 100 Grey Plover, 3 Ringed Plover, 10 Curlew, 110 Bar-tailed Godwit, Black-tailed Godwit, 5 Turnstone, 200 Knot, 1000 Dunlin, 200 Redshank, Sparrowhawk, 3 Marsh Harrier, Kingfisher, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker, Peregrine Falcon, 15 Skylark, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 3 Goldcrest, 20 Blackbird, 14 Fieldfare, 50 Redwing, 2 Stonechat, 3 Rock Pipit, 2 Bullfinch, Greenfinch, 4 Siskin, Yellowhammer, 2 Reed Bunting [Oliver Cottis]
Greensted Green, 10:00 to 10:00
Waxwing [Colin Undrill]
Barking Bay/Marsh, 09:15 to 11:45, Sun/cloud. Light NW wind
85 Lapwing, Curlew, 163 Dunlin, 58 Redshank, 3 Stonechat, 9 Meadow Pipit, 2 Reed Bunting [Gary A James]
Fingringhoe GP, 09:10 to 09:35
14 Canada Goose, Barnacle Goose, 18 Greylag Goose, 4 Mute Swan, 14 Mallard, 6 Teal, 14 Moorhen, 6 Coot, 2 Little Grebe, Black-tailed Godwit, 34 Snipe, 15 Skylark, 5 Meadow Pipit, Greenfinch, 3 Redpoll sp. [Oliver Cottis]
Mersea Island, 09:00 to 16:30
2 Red-breasted Merganser (A pr off Victoria esplanade SE), Red-necked Grebe (Seen in salcott channel by COLIN MAC, also seen from west mersea hard car park, SE 11.51am to 12.43pm( very difficult) second day driefly, ), 61 Great Crested Grebe (Off Coopers beach SE ), Razorbill (14.59pm Off south end of cobmarsh Island MC SE ), 2 Great Northern Diver (Off st peters coast road DU,MC SE) [Stephen Entwistle]
Old Hall Marshes NR RSPB, 09:00 to 16:30, All seen by Colin mackenzie grieve
Common Scoter (Tollesbury fleet ColinMac ), 13 Red-breasted Merganser (North channel ColinMac ), Red-necked Grebe (Salcott channel 11.51am till flew out to sea 12.43pm,also seen briefly off mersea hard SE, ,seen later in northern channel & heading again out sea off EQS at 14.26pm ,Colin Mac), Slavonian Grebe (North channel ColinMac ), 6000 Knot (Tollesbury fleet ColinMac ), 4 Great Northern Diver (2 off mersea from old hall , 2 EQs/ north channel ColinMac) [Stephen Entwistle]
Heybridge Basin, 09:00 to 15:30, Selected highlights from Swallow Birding & Wildlife Guided walk (www.swallowbirding.co.uk)
34 Great Crested Grebe, 40 Avocet, 20 Bar-tailed Godwit, 600 Black-tailed Godwit, 80 Turnstone, 700 Knot, Red-throated Diver, 2 Great Northern Diver, Sparrowhawk, Marsh Harrier, 2 Kingfisher, Ring-necked Parakeet, 5 Rock Pipit [Steve Grimwade]
Lofts Farm GPs, Heybridge, 08:45 to 12:25, Sunny, 1/8 cloud, v.light WNW to NW wind, 0-3c, frost patches. Silt Lake 3/4 frozen.
15 Pheasant (circa.), 31 Mute Swan, 2 Egyptian Goose, 21 Gadwall, 5 Mallard, 60 Rock Dove / Feral Pigeon (circa.), 20 Wood Pigeon (circa.), Collared Dove, 10 Moorhen, 73 Coot, 7 Little Grebe, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 11 Lapwing (Flying N.), 40 Black-headed Gull (circa.), 3 Common Gull, 6 Herring Gull, 8 Cormorant, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, 2 Jay, 15 Magpie, 30 Jackdaw (circa.), 25 Carrion Crow (circa.), 22 Blue Tit, 14 Great Tit, 30 Skylark (circa.), 2 Cetti's Warbler, 25 Long-tailed Tit (circa.), Chiffchaff, 8 Wren, 15 Blackbird, 5 Fieldfare, 2 Song Thrush, 15 Robin, 3 Dunnock, 60 Chaffinch (circa.), Bullfinch, 12 Greenfinch, 40 Goldfinch (circa.), Yellowhammer, 11 Reed Bunting, 18 Tufted Duck [Malcolm Corbett]
Thorndon CP (South), 08:30 to 10:30, Sunny, cold.
2 Shoveler (Pair, lake.), 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker (At least.), Green Woodpecker, 2 Kestrel, 2 Coal Tit, 4 Goldcrest (At least.), 3 Nuthatch, 3 Treecreeper, Fieldfare, 6 Redwing (At least.), Song Thrush, 2 Mistle Thrush, 6 Yellowhammer [Andrew Cox]
Great Notley, 07:40 to 08:15
Great Northern Diver (Juv still present at CP) [Matt Turner] Great Notley on 29 Nov 2023, (Matt Turner) , Great Notley on 29 Nov 2023, (Matt Turner)
Great Baddow, Chelmsford, 07:30 to 07:35, Trees behind farm shop
Firecrest (First recorded on patch ) [David Pallash]
Tuesday 28 Nov 2023
Fordham, 15:45 to 15:45, Sunny
Barn Owl (Hunting in young trees alongside Chancers Lane, on Fordham Hall estate) [Steve Hallam]
East Tilbury, 14:00 to 15:00, Fine and sunny, NW wind, HT
500 Avocet (Rafting on the Thames), Little Egret, Marsh Harrier (Female type), Hen Harrier (Grey male), Whinchat, 6 Stonechat (Three pairs) [Paul Larkin]
Littlebury, 12:00 to 15:00
19 Red Kite [Ian Dale] Red Kite at Littlebury on 28 Nov 2023, (Ian Dale)
Old Hall Marshes NR RSPB, 11:51 to 12:10
Red-necked Grebe (Salcott channel ColinMac ) [Stephen Entwistle]
Thurrock Thameside Nature Park (EWT), 10:15 to 13:25, Fine and sunny, NW wind, rising tide, only the managed retreat left uncovered
2 Greylag Goose (Golden Gates), Mute Swan (Golden Gates), 126 Shelduck (In Mucking Bay), 2 Shoveler (Golden Gates), 6 Gadwall (Golden Gates), 22 Wigeon (In Mucking Bay), 4 Teal (Two each on the pit to the south of the tip and Golden Gates), 38 Pochard (13 on the pit to the south of the tip, the rest Golden Gates), 5 Goldeneye (Including one drake, Golden Gates), 23 Coot (Five on the pit to the south of the tip, the rest Golden Gates), 2 Little Grebe (On the pit to the south of the tip), Great Crested Grebe (Golden Gates), 41 Avocet (In the managed retreat), 79 Curlew (In the managed retreat), 2 Black-tailed Godwit (Roosting on salt marsh), 4 Turnstone (In the managed retreat), 6 Dunlin (Roosting on salt marsh), 40 Redshank (Roosting on salt marsh), Ring-necked Parakeet (Golden Gates), 2 Stonechat (Pair on the tip), 107 Tufted Duck (22 on the pit to the south of the tip, the rest Golden Gates) [Paul Larkin]
Mersea Island, 09:00 to 13:44
Black Brant (10am opposite hard car park AF), 6 Little Grebe (Hard SE), 5 Great Crested Grebe (Hard SE ), Razorbill (10am Behind dabchicks sailing club 15 ft away end of coast road Andy Field (mobile got harder to find later) ), Great Northern Diver (Off hard car park (hammer head pier) AF), Great White Egret (Strood channel DU ), 3 Little Egret (Hard SE), Short-eared Owl (Strood channel DU ), 100 Skylark (Strood channel DU ), 2 Stonechat (A pr Strood channel DU ), 150 Linnet (Strood channel DU ), 15 Corn Bunting (Plus Strood channel DU ) [Stephen Entwistle]
Great Totham, 08:15 to 08:15, Sunny, clear sky, light NNW wind, 1c.
Little Owl (Usual oak, Church Road.) [Malcolm Corbett]
Thorndon CP (South), 08:10 to 09:10, Sunny, cold.
2 Shoveler (Pair, lake.), Kingfisher (Lake.), Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Green Woodpecker, Nuthatch, 7 Fieldfare (At least.), 6 Redwing (At least.), Mistle Thrush, 2 Goldfinch, Yellowhammer [Andrew Cox]
Great Notley, 07:30 to 08:30, Dry & bright
Great Northern Diver (Juv still on CP lake very close views), Grey Wagtail (Flew over) [Brian Bolton] Great Northern Diver at Great Notley on 28 Nov 2023, (Brian Bolton) , Great Northern Diver at Great Notley on 28 Nov 2023, (Brian Bolton)
Naze, The, 07:15 to 13:00, clear, cold, moderate northerly wind, high tide c12:00
2 Gadwall, Great Crested Grebe, Snipe, Razorbill (East past Stone Point just offshore, then continued north), Sparrowhawk, 2 Marsh Harrier, Buzzard, Barn Owl, 7 Short-eared Owl (Seven in the air together after being put up by a marsh harrier, then dispersed across the marsh), 5 Cetti's Warbler (Singing, 1 Sunny Point, 2 Walton Hall Marshes, 2 John Weston Reserve ), 7 Goldcrest, 105 Starling (In off in three flocks), 17 Blackbird, 2 Song Thrush, 4 Stonechat (2 pairs Walton Hall Marshes ), 11 Rock Pipit, Snow Bunting (Beach south of Stone Point ), 3 Chinese Muntjac [Brian Combes] Short-eared Owl at Naze, The on 28 Nov 2023, (Brian Combes) , Snow Bunting at Naze, The on 28 Nov 2023, (Brian Combes)
Monday 27 Nov 2023
Wat Tyler CP, Pitsea, 13:50 to 16:30, Cloudy, rain.
9 Egyptian Goose (Flew onto scrape at dusk.), 100 Wigeon (At least. Some marina, most came up from Vange Wick.), 55 Teal (Marina.), 2 Water Rail (Calling from hide area.), Little Grebe (Marina.), 2 Avocet (Marina.), 200 Lapwing (Approx 100 marina, flew over onto Vange Wick. Approx 100 on the scrape.), 2 Grey Plover (Marina.), 6 Curlew (Marina.), 24 Black-tailed Godwit (Marina.), 9 Redshank (Marina.), Greenshank (Marina.), 3 Marsh Harrier (Adult male & two females. Marina.), Buzzard, Kestrel, Grey Wagtail (Marina.) [Andrew Cox]
Great Notley, 12:55 to 14:00, GNCP - Drizzly and overcast
Pheasant (M), 5 Mute Swan, 7 Mallard (5 M 2 F ), 16 Wood Pigeon, 6 Moorhen, 2 Coot, Little Grebe, 5 Black-headed Gull, Great Northern Diver (Juvenile), Great Spotted Woodpecker (F), 2 Magpie, 2 Blackbird (F) [Paul Everett] Great Northern Diver at Great Notley on 27 Nov 2023, (Paul Everett)
Broomfield, Chelmsford, 11:00 to 12:00, Cold, raining
Blackcap (Male in holly tree in back garden.) [Kevin Poulton]
Mersea Island, 09:00 to 13:00
Razorbill (Behind dabchicks sailing club last seen drifting down hard (coast road) DU), Great Northern Diver (Off hammer head pier (hard car park ) coast road DU ) [Stephen Entwistle]
Naze, The, 07:30 to 12:00, cold, low cloud with long periods of rain, northerly wind, high tide c11:00
2 Pintail, 2 Lapwing (In off), 35 Grey Plover, 300+ Knot (Roosting, Stone Point), 700+ Dunlin (Roosting, Stone Point ), Purple Sandpiper, 4 Snipe, Great Northern Diver (North past Stone Point), Marsh Harrier, 8 Short-eared Owl (Stone Point), 5 Cetti's Warbler (Singing, 1 Sunny Point, 2 common, 2 John Weston), Chiffchaff, Blackcap, 9 Goldcrest, 42 Blackbird, 3 Redwing, 6 Song Thrush (1 in subsong ), 7 Rock Pipit, 2 Greenfinch, 21 Linnet, 10 Goldfinch, 2 Chinese Muntjac [Brian Combes]
Sunday 26 Nov 2023
Great Notley, 14:50 to 16:30, GN Country park. fading light, overcast
5 Mute Swan, 8 Mallard, Moorhen, Coot, Little Grebe, Great Northern Diver (On main lake), Grey Heron, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker, 5 Magpie, 15 Long-tailed Tit, 50 Linnet (+) [Paul Everett] Great Northern Diver at Great Notley on 26 Nov 2023, (Paul Everett) , Great Northern Diver at Great Notley on 26 Nov 2023, (Paul Everett) , Great Northern Diver at Great Notley on 26 Nov 2023, (Paul Everett)
Copt Hall, Little Wigborough, 14:00 to 15:00, Cold
Barn Owl (Hunted for a while then flew towards green barn ) [Yvonne Watling]
Langdon Hills NR EWT, 13:30 to 15:00, Cloudy, milder. Plotlands & Great Berry.
Sparrowhawk, Kingfisher (Lake.), 20 Goldfinch (At least.), 30 Siskin (At least. Flocks on alders by the lake & the Great Berry pond may have been the same birds.) [Andrew Cox]
TL8108, 13:00 to 13:20, Cold and cloudy
2 Red-legged Partridge, Pheasant, 2 Cormorant, Sparrowhawk (Female), Hen Harrier (99% probable juvenile quartering wildflower field between canal and Ulting Lane (thanks to Steve Grimwade for ID)), Kestrel, Jay, Raven (Flew over same field cronking whilst we watched the harrier), 2 Goldcrest, 20+ Wren, 50+ Fieldfare (Around Ulting Hall), Song Thrush, 25+ Chaffinch, 30 Linnet, 10+ Goldfinch, Siskin, 2 Yellowhammer, 5 Reed Bunting [Ross Wilkins]
Frinton-on-Sea, 12:30 to 12:30
6 Waxwing (Group on Elm Tree Avenue increased during the morning to six. About 100m northwest of Royden Way around the lay-by ) [Paul Brayshaw] Waxwing at Frinton-on-Sea on 26 Nov 2023, (Paul Brayshaw)
Abberton Reservoir, 10:40 to 13:00, Cold, mainly overcast; drizzle starting around 12:00; little wind. Water level fairly high.
4 Egyptian Goose, Canvasback (LDH causeway, east side), 2 Scaup, 58 Goldeneye ((Count, for what it's worth)), 4 Goosander, 50 Lapwing, 2 Redshank (LDH causeway), 2 Common Gull, 2 Great White Egret, 3 Kestrel, Cetti's Warbler (Singing from vegetation growing around base of pylon between reserve centre and Abberton church), 4 Long-tailed Tit, 80 Fieldfare (Flocks arriving from N and W), Redwing [Simon Banks]
West Canvey Marshes RSPB, 10:30 to 12:30, High Tide
10 Brent Goose, 40 Shoveler, 10 Gadwall, 45 Wigeon, 120 Teal, Pochard (Female), 20 Lapwing, 10 Curlew, Grey Heron, 2 Little Egret, Marsh Harrier (Male), Buzzard, Kingfisher, 6 Kestrel, 10 Blackbird, 30 Fieldfare, 10 Redwing, Song Thrush, 10 Dunnock (+), Pied Wagtail, 14 Meadow Pipit, 3 Chaffinch, 2 Greenfinch, 20 Goldfinch (+), 8 Corn Bunting, 25 Reed Bunting [Mike Harris]
Holland Haven, 10:15 to 12:45, Dry, overcast/hazy sun, calm, cold. High tide around 10:30. Selected highlights only.
Purple Sandpiper (Halfway between Holland Gap and Sandy Point at 12:15 as the tide fell to expose the seaweed-covered rocks), Common Sandpiper (On scrape, viewed from pillbox), Razorbill (Sitting on sea opposite shelter at 10:45, reasonably close-in, viewed for several minutes.) [Paul Hargreaves]
Frinton-on-Sea, 10:00 to 12:30, Elm Tree Avenue (51.8401632, 1.2452702)
6 Waxwing (Birds present for second day with three birds at 10:00 building up to six by early afternoon) [Brian Combes] Frinton-on-Sea on 26 Nov 2023, (Brian Combes) , Frinton-on-Sea on 26 Nov 2023, (Brian Combes)
Broadfields Farm, Cranham, 09:45 to 10:20, Cloudy, cold.
3 Goosander (Females, pond on golf course.), Great Spotted Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker, 10 Long-tailed Tit (At least.), 2 Fieldfare (At least.), 4 Redwing (At least.), 5 Goldfinch [Andrew Cox]
Great Totham, 09:15 to 09:30, Cloudy, v.light WSW wind, 1c.
8 Blackbird (Scrub adjacent Totham Pit.), Grey Wagtail (Gt.Totham Hall.) [Malcolm Corbett]
Mersea Island, 09:00 to 13:30
2 Red-breasted Merganser (A pr off ivy dock MT ), Snipe (Strood channel DU ), Great White Egret (Strood channel DU ), Short-eared Owl (Weedy field along Strood channel DU ), Merlin (Perched up at weedy field Strood channel DU ), 3 Stonechat (Strood channel DU ), 30 Corn Bunting (Strood channel DU ) [Stephen Entwistle]
Heybridge GP, 09:00 to 13:00, Cold and generally overcast
500+ Dark-bellied Brent Goose (Big flock seen over Northey Island. Family by edge of pits of 2 ads + 3 juvs), 100+ Shelduck (Lots off end of Northey Island), c10 Shoveler (Off Northey), c10 Wigeon (Very few compared with Teal), c4 Pintail (Off Northey), 100+ Teal, c7 Great Crested Grebe (Group of 4 off edge of pits), 150+ Avocet, 50+ Golden Plover (several small parties overhead), Bar-tailed Godwit, 2 Turnstone, 4 Greenshank (Roosting on island in southern pit.), Great Black-backed Gull, 2 Grey Heron (On Northey Island), 3 Little Egret, Sparrowhawk, 2 Marsh Harrier (2 or 3: female/ imm over Northey Island, female/ imm hunting over Heybridge Pits, male flew down river ), Kingfisher, 5+ Bearded Tit (Good views of 5-6 in reeds), 2+ Cetti's Warbler, 2 Stonechat (Male in reeds, female on saltmarsh), 30+ House Sparrow, Rock Pipit, 5+ Greenfinch, 20+ Linnet, 40+ Goldfinch, c10 Reed Bunting [John Buchanan]
Wix, 09:00 to 13:00
2 Great White Egret (Flew northwest along line of Bradfield Road ), 40 Skylark (+ in recently germinated cereal field), Chiffchaff (In garden) [James Davidson] Great White Egret at Wix on 26 Nov 2023, (James Davidson)
Great Notley, 09:00 to 13:00, Cold 8/8
Great Northern Diver (juvenile at Country Park, present for about three days) [Andy Goodey] Great Northern Diver at Great Notley on 26 Nov 2023, (Andy Goodey) , Great Northern Diver at Great Notley on 26 Nov 2023, (Andy Goodey)
Langdon Hills NR EWT, 08:45 to 09:45, Cloudy, cold. Plotlands& Great Berry.
2 Mute Swan (Pair, lake.), Grey Heron (Lake.), Kingfisher (Lake.), 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Green Woodpecker, 15 Goldfinch (At least.), 4 Siskin (At least.) [Andrew Cox]
St Lawrence, Dengie, 08:30 to 13:00, Sea watch over high tide in calm conditions
740 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, Velvet Scoter (female-type, north side of estuary east of Goldhanger), 5 Common Scoter (4 females), 2 Goldeneye, 42 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Slavonian Grebe (north side of estuary east of Goldhanger), Little Auk (flew west upriver at 13h00), Red-throated Diver, 2 Great Northern Diver (including adult still in partial breeding plumage), Marsh Harrier, Waxwing (flew high south at 10h45), 4 Cetti's Warbler, Chiffchaff [Adrian Dally]
The Naze at Walton, 07:30 to 11:00
Little Auk (Just west of lagoons.), 5 Short-eared Owl (Stone Point), Snow Bunting (Stone Point ) [Glen Moore] Little Auk at The Naze at Walton on 26 Nov 2023, (Glen Moore) , Little Auk at The Naze at Walton on 26 Nov 2023, (Glen Moore) , Snow Bunting at The Naze at Walton on 26 Nov 2023, (Glen Moore)