The EBwS Bird News provides a summary of sightings for the past 14 days.
  • Headline News highlights interesting birds categorised as locally scarce or where the EBwS requires full notes/descriptions
  • Reports provides the full details of the sightings submitted to this website as well as other records e.g. from the East London Birders Forum
  • Table provides the same information as Reports but in a tabular format
  • Photos highlights the latest photos that have been uploaded to the website

Amber indicates a local or uncommon species, red indicates EBwS requires notes, bold red indicates EBwS requires a description.

Sunday 11 Oct 2026
Hamford Water, 09:50 to 13:50, west wind, cool, clear, high tide; south shore, The Wade
2 Red-legged Partridge, 2 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 44 Wigeon, 29 Mallard, 7 Pintail, 16 Teal, 126 Avocet, 27 Lapwing, 16 Golden Plover, 14 Grey Plover, Whimbrel (Late bird), 6 Curlew, 7 Black-tailed Godwit, 9 Knot, 37 Dunlin, Jack Snipe (Flushed, NW of Kirby Quay), 2 Snipe, 181 Redshank, Greenshank, 12 Little Egret, 2 Marsh Harrier, 3 Red Kite (Drifted west), 3 Buzzard, Kingfisher, Peregrine Falcon, 50+ Skylark, Sand Martin (West, late bird), 2 Swallow (West), 4 Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrest, 4 Song Thrush, 5 Stonechat, 30+ Meadow Pipit, 2 Rock Pipit, 30+ Linnet, 4 Yellowhammer, 7 Reed Bunting [Brian Combes]
Leez Reservoir, 09:00 to 13:00
Mute Swan, 10 Mallard, 2 Moorhen, 2 Coot, Little Grebe, Grey Heron, Sparrowhawk, Red Kite, 2 Buzzard, Kingfisher (over pond next to reservoir), Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Green Woodpecker, 2 Kestrel, 7 Blue Tit, 2 Great Tit, 8 Skylark (mainly overhead), 3 Cetti's Warbler, 25 Long-tailed Tit, Chiffchaff, 6 Goldcrest, Nuthatch, Grey Wagtail, 2 Pied Wagtail, 3 Meadow Pipit, 38 Chaffinch (heard overhead throughout visit), Brambling (single heard calling amongst Chaffinches overhead), 12 Linnet, Siskin [Andy Goodey]
Rainham Marshes NR RSPB, 09:00 to 12:00
25 Greylag Goose, 2 Egyptian Goose, 50 Shoveler, 20 Gadwall, 10 Wigeon, 20 Mallard, 100 Teal, 5 Moorhen, 3 Coot, 2 Little Grebe, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, Cormorant, Glossy Ibis (1 seen and photographed on Purfleet scrape), 3 Grey Heron, 11 Cetti's Warbler (1 singing male seen, at least 10 other singing males heard), 6 Chiffchaff (2 singing males, 4 other calling birds heard, none seen), Grey Wagtail [Richard Chew]
North Weald, 05:35 to 07:05, Chilly, calm. Pre-dawn visit to Weald Common LNR and adjacent railway cutting, woods & livestock farm.
3 Egyptian Goose (In cattle field at first light. ), Buzzard, 2 Tawny Owl (One calling frequently across site until first light. 2nd bird at railway cutting.), Little Owl (Hunting around horse fields.), Green Woodpecker [Paul William]
Saturday 10 Oct 2026
Naze, The, 14:45 to 16:00
2 Brent Goose, 5 Grey Plover, 20+ Ringed Plover, 2 Curlew, Black-tailed Godwit, 15+ Turnstone, 50+ Sanderling, 10+ Redshank, Gannet (juvenile flew by close inshore), Great Spotted Woodpecker, Chiffchaff, 15+ Starling, 3 Robin, 9 Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, 2 Goldfinch [Nevada Napthine] Grey Plover at Naze, The on 10 Oct 2026, (Nevada Napthine) , Sanderling at Naze, The on 10 Oct 2026, (Nevada Napthine) , Gannet at Naze, The on 10 Oct 2026, (Nevada Napthine)
Wrabness, 09:30 to 11:00, No rain. Windy from west. Water very choppy. Tide very high.
5 Wigeon, 24 Teal, Curlew, Little Egret, Blackcap, Meadow Pipit (At winter-flooding field. Not common here.) [Simon Banks]
Naze, The, 06:45 to 12:30, cool, west wind, rising tide, mainly clear
Great Crested Grebe (Off Stone Point), 14 Turnstone, 4 Dunlin, 2 Marsh Harrier, Buzzard, 2 Green Woodpecker, Merlin, 8 Jay, 4 Skylark (South), 2 Swallow (South), 8 Cetti's Warbler (Singing), 5 Chiffchaff, Firecrest, 2 Redwing, 11 Song Thrush, Stonechat, 22 Meadow Pipit (South), 2 Rock Pipit, 13 Chaffinch, 7 Linnet, 10 Goldfinch (South), 3 Chinese Muntjac [Brian Combes]
Friday 09 Oct 2026
TM0112, 10:30 to 17:00, Victoria esplanade west mersea Seen by Steve Entwistle
5 Dark-bellied Brent Goose (Flying up river), Shelduck (Flying up river), Curlew (Flying up river), 6 Arctic Tern, Arctic Skua (10.30am Very close dark phase little white in wings ), 3 Red-throated Diver (On sea All this report off VICTORIA ESPLANADE WEST ) [Stephen Entwistle]
Rainham Marshes NR RSPB, 09:00 to 13:00, Overcast cloudy and some light rain with strong cold wind across the river and reserve
2 Pheasant, 60+ Shelduck, 150+ Shoveler, 50+ Gadwall, 4 Wigeon, 3 Pintail, 200+ Teal, Little Grebe, Lapwing, Grey Plover (Aveley Bay), 4 Curlew, 150+ Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Dunlin, 6 Common Gull, 40+ Great Black-backed Gull, 5+ Yellow-legged Gull (At least - adults in Aveley bay ), 3 Marsh Harrier, 3 Buzzard, 5 Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon, Skylark, 5 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, 4 Stonechat, Grey Wagtail, 4 Pied Wagtail, 16 Meadow Pipit, Rock Pipit (Thames foreshore), 50+ Linnet, 2 Reed Bunting [Richard Beesly ]
Tilbury, 09:00 to 10:00, Clouds, brisk SW wind, rising tide
6 Bar-tailed Godwit (On foreshore by Tilbury 2), 49 Black-tailed Godwit (On foreshore by Tilbury 2) [Paul Larkin]
North Weald, 08:40 to 09:55, Cloudy, blustery. Weald Common LNR & back via Ongar Park Wood and adjacent farmland.
3 Cormorant (Over), 2 Sparrowhawk, Red Kite, Green Woodpecker, 3 Kestrel, 7 Ring-necked Parakeet, 5 Jay, 3 Coal Tit, Skylark, 2 Chiffchaff, 3 Goldcrest, 4 Nuthatch, Treecreeper, 49+ Redwing (Groups of 14, 19 and 16 seen in quick succession passing over cattle field), 2 Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, 3 Meadow Pipit, 3 Chaffinch, 2 Bullfinch (f seen, 2nd bird calling as it flew off over Weald Common LNR), 2 Greenfinch [Paul William]
Thursday 08 Oct 2026
Bowers Marsh (RSPB), 11:00 to 13:30, Bright and clear and sunny with brisk wind across the marshes
100+ Shoveler, 70+ Teal, Avocet, 100+ Lapwing, 2 Golden Plover (Main lagoon), 18 Ringed Plover, 150+ Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew Sandpiper (Main lagoon), 6 Dunlin, 5 Snipe, 2 Greenshank, 3 Spoonbill (Main lagoon), Sparrowhawk, Marsh Harrier, 2 Buzzard, 5 Kestrel, 8 Rook, 4 Bearded Tit (At least - more calling - seen in main reedbeds from viewpoints), Skylark, 2 Swallow, Cetti's Warbler, Whinchat (Field off the manorway), 11 Stonechat, 2 Pied Wagtail, 4 Meadow Pipit, 50+ Linnet, 4 Corn Bunting, 8 Reed Bunting [Richard Beesly ]
Hanningfield Reservoir, 11:00 to 11:45, Sunny, clear, slight breeze
15 Canada Goose (More flying in as I left), 20+ Mallard, 25+ Teal, 7 Lapwing, 3 Black-tailed Godwit, Great Black-backed Gull, 2 Grey Heron, 4 Great White Egret, Buzzard [Jim Lee]
TM0112, 09:00 to 13:00, All seen off Victoria esplanade west mersea
2 Velvet Scoter (Flew up river with 6 common scoters (ony seen bt Martin Cock)), 6 Common Scoter (Flew up river with 2 velvet scoter(seen only by Martin Cock)), 10 Sandwich Tern (Going up river), 6 Arctic Tern (Staying around sea power station area & comming nearby found by Martin Cock seen AF & SE), Arctic Skua (Dark phase adult seen flying towards coast road area ), 2 Red-throated Diver (On sea), 2 Gannet (Huge around 15mins off esplanade & coast road, seen by AF,MC,SE seen earlier by Dougal Urquhart going up river off youth camp East Mersea. ), Swallow, 40 Meadow Pipit (Plus in off sea (All this tepor seen off Victoria esplanade west mersea ) [Stephen Entwistle]
TM0413, 09:00 to 13:00, Off East Mersea youth camp beach Seen by Dougal Urquhart
30 Sanderling (On Waldegraves offshore shingle Island ), 30 Mediterranean Gull, 10 Sandwich Tern, Common Tern (Sick bird on beach), 6 Red-throated Diver, 2 Little Owl (At Driving range) [Stephen Entwistle]
Bardfield, 09:00 to 09:20
25 Redwing (Low overhead heading West.) [Peter Low]
Canvey Island, Thames Estuary, 08:15 to 10:30, Bright and clear but cold and windy (NE) with a high rising tide
100+ Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 8 Wigeon, 11 Great Crested Grebe, 500+ Oystercatcher, 36 Grey Plover, 7 Curlew, 6 Turnstone, 54 Kittiwake (juveniles following ships - groups of 24+18+8+4), Mediterranean Gull, 4 Common Gull, 3 Great Black-backed Gull, 15+ Sandwich Tern, Great Skua (Juvenile in and out of estuary at 9am close to point), 8 Arctic Skua (2 pale and 6 dark phase out in estuary chasing terns and gulls ), 17 Razorbill (In small groups out in estuary - some in close to point on water), 14 Little Egret, 6 Pied Wagtail, 2 Meadow Pipit, Rock Pipit (On rocks near yacht club) [Richard Beesly ]
Wednesday 07 Oct 2026
North Weald, 10:15 to 11:55, Cool & cloudy turning to persistent light rain. Overgrown golf course, Church Lane flood meadow LNR & adjacent arable farmland.
2 Grey Heron, Little Egret, 2 Red Kite, Buzzard, 2 Kestrel, 7 Ring-necked Parakeet, 6 Jay, 7 Skylark (5 together), 14 Long-tailed Tit, 5 Chiffchaff, 2 Redwing, Song Thrush, 3 Meadow Pipit, 4 Chaffinch, 2 Greenfinch, 4 Linnet, 8 Yellowhammer (Stubble field) [Paul William]
Alresford, 09:00 to 13:00
2 Curlew Sandpiper (at high tide roost Alresford Creek), 6 Snipe, 2 Green Sandpiper, Spotted Redshank (roosting on GP Ford Lane Alresford Creek), 9 Greenshank (roosting on GP Ford Lane Alresford Creek), Gannet (juv flew up river N past Alresford Creek towards Wivenhoe) [Richard Allen]
Wivenhoe, 09:00 to 13:00
Redwing (Barrier Marsh), 5 Stonechat (Barrier Marsh) [Richard Allen]
TM0112, 09:00 to 13:00, Victoria esplanade West Mersea
Sandwich Tern (On buoy on sea seen by Andy Field ), Red-throated Diver (Flew up river landed near power station seen Andy Field ) [Stephen Entwistle]
Frinton-on-Sea, 08:30 to 13:30, Foggy start wind light Am to F4-5 pm
5 Brent Goose (South), 5 Wigeon (South), 4 Teal (South), 2 Water Rail (H. Haven scrape.), C70 Lapwing, 2 Curlew, 4 Black-tailed Godwit (Golf course.), Green Sandpiper (H. Haven scrape.), 7 Mediterranean Gull (South), 2 Sandwich Tern, Great Skua (Resting on water.), 2 Red-throated Diver (North), 8 Gannet (Most north.), Grey Heron, Green Woodpecker, 3 Skylark, 3 Swallow (North), 4 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, Blackcap, 400+ Starling (Large flock H. Haven), Blackbird, 2 Song Thrush (In off.), 20+ Robin, 5 Stonechat, 2 Grey Wagtail, C10 Meadow Pipit, Rock Pipit, 210+ Chaffinch (Flocks in off between 13:00 and 15:30 largest flock 60 birds.), Brambling, Greenfinch, 6 Linnet, 3 Goldfinch, 3 Reed Bunting, 6 Tufted Duck (South) [Peter Low]
Tuesday 06 Oct 2026
Rayne, 10:32 to 10:33
Red Kite, 2 Raven (High over village ), Woodlark (One flew west over village calling several times. Presumed different individual to that on Sunday 4th. ), 2 Redwing (first of autumn here ) [Andy Goodey]
Little Baddow, 10:05 to 12:00, Cloudy with some sunny periods, warm. Observations from Grace's Walk
Mediterranean Gull (adult winter with gull flock following farm vehicles), Red Kite, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Chiffchaff [Sean Gregory]
TL7306, 10:05 to 12:00, Cloudy with some sunny periods, warm
Kingfisher (heard), 2 Cetti's Warbler, Stonechat, 2 Grey Wagtail (by sewage works) [Sean Gregory]
Naze, The, 10:00 to 13:00, Guided walk for RSPB Chelmsford & Central Essex local group.
2 Brent Goose, 4 Mallard, 22 Teal, 3 Oystercatcher, 10 Grey Plover, 30 Ringed Plover, 3 Curlew, 20 Turnstone, 19 Sanderling, 8 Redshank, 200 Black-headed Gull, Mediterranean Gull, 5 Sandwich Tern, Red-throated Diver, Little Egret, Buzzard, Great Spotted Woodpecker, 4 Green Woodpecker, 7 Skylark, 6 Cetti's Warbler, 30 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap, 2 Stonechat, 8 Meadow Pipit, 2 Chaffinch, Brambling, 3 Greenfinch, 10 Siskin, 2 Reed Bunting [Oliver Cottis] Brambling at Naze, The on 06 Oct 2026, (Oliver Cottis)
TL7406, 10:00 to 12:00, Cloudy with some sunny periods, warm
2 Red Kite, Kingfisher (heard), Peregrine Falcon, 3 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff [Sean Gregory]
Hamford Water, 09:53 to 14:23, Light cloud. Little wind - rather sticky. Mild. Tide fairly far in at start; way out by end.
16 Red-legged Partridge (Covey and then loner), 30 Avocet, 200 Grey Plover, 25 Black-tailed Godwit, Greenshank (Just east of Landermere), 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 4 Grey Heron, Great White Egret (Near Landermere), 13 Little Egret, Sparrowhawk (Female took small bird from ground, Landermere), Green Woodpecker (Landed on telegraph post between Beaumont Quay and Landermere.), 100 Starling (None at all for most of walk, then two crowds on wires either side of Landermere - just arrived?), 2 Fieldfare, 22 Robin (Well in excess of numbers I'd expect from resident population), 3 Stonechat, 12 Greenfinch (Flock), 3 Reed Bunting [Simon Banks]
The Strood, Mersea Island, 09:00 to 13:00
2 Bar-tailed Godwit (All report seen by Dougal Urquhart & Simon patient ), Greenshank, 20 Mediterranean Gull (Plus ), 3 Red Kite, 10 Buzzard, 2 Stonechat (A pr ), 15 Corn Bunting [Stephen Entwistle]
Tilbury, 09:00 to 10:00, Broken cloud, variable wind, HT
3 Teal (On foreshore by Tilbury 2), 27 Bar-tailed Godwit (On foreshore by Tilbury 2), 14 Black-tailed Godwit (On foreshore by Tilbury 2) [Paul Larkin]
Naze, The, 06:40 to 10:40
Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Green Woodpecker, 14 Magpie (Together west), 7 Skylark (South), Swallow (South), 13 Cetti's Warbler (Singing), Yellow-browed Warbler (John Weston Reserve), 7 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap, Redwing (Over), 5 Song Thrush, 3 Stonechat, 3 Grey Wagtail (South), 18 Meadow Pipit (South), 4 Chaffinch, Brambling, 7 Linnet (South), 2 Goldfinch (South), Chinese Muntjac [Brian Combes]
Monday 05 Oct 2026
The Strood, Mersea Island, 11:34 to 13:20
10 Golden Plover, 10 Grey Plover, 28 Curlew, Bar-tailed Godwit, Turnstone, 2 Dunlin, 25 Redshank, 2 Greenshank, 2 Buzzard, 12 Skylark, Dartford Warbler (Found 11.24am by Dougal Urquhart possible adult female very mobile and elusive did show few times disappointed about 1.20pm moving along borrow dyke 150yds from seawall area of shooting butts. Photo ed Bateman & record shot Andy Field seen by SE MC EB TOMO), 3 Stonechat, 20 Linnet, Corn Bunting [Stephen Entwistle] Dartford Warbler at The Strood, Mersea Island on 05 Oct 2026, (Stephen Entwistle) , Dartford Warbler at The Strood, Mersea Island on 05 Oct 2026, (Stephen Entwistle) , Dartford Warbler at The Strood, Mersea Island on 05 Oct 2026, (Stephen Entwistle)
Tilbury, 09:00 to 10:00, Fine and sunny, light W wind, falling tide
50 Mallard (On STW outfall), 24 Bar-tailed Godwit (On foreshore by ferry terminal), 12 Black-tailed Godwit (On foreshore by ferry terminal) [Paul Larkin]
TL6806, 09:00 to 09:30, Sunny intervals
Cetti's Warbler (Singing), 2 Bullfinch (Female seen, Male heard) [Kevin Poulton]
TQ6293, 08:00 to 10:00, light westerly wind, sunny with some cloud
22 Collared Dove (On wires and in wild meadow area), Buzzard, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Kestrel (Harrying Buzzard), 55 Asian Ring-necked Parakeet (Flying as a large group and settling on trees) [Clive Tanner]
Hazeleigh Wood, 07:50 to 08:00, Fair
Black Redstart (Single male sitting on top of the fence in the garden) [Richard Dulieu] Hazeleigh Wood on 05 Oct 2026, (Richard Dulieu) , Hazeleigh Wood on 05 Oct 2026, (Richard Dulieu)
Naze, The, 06:40 to 11:00, clear, then fog slow to clear, southerly wind
13 Sanderling, Green Sandpiper, Greenshank, Sandwich Tern, 2 Grey Heron (South), Sparrowhawk, 2 Green Woodpecker, 11 Jay, 2 Skylark (South), 12 Cetti's Warbler (Singing ), Yellow-browed Warbler (John Weston Reserve), 18 Chiffchaff, 6 Blackcap, 2 Goldcrest, 2 Redwing, 8 Song Thrush, Stonechat, 20 Meadow Pipit (South), 2 Reed Bunting, Redpoll sp. (South), 3 Chinese Muntjac [Brian Combes]
Sunday 04 Oct 2026
Ingatestone SW, 15:30 to 15:31
White Stork (seen in flight from A12 south west of Ingatestone.) [Richard Allen]
Ardleigh, 14:00 to 14:00
2 Red Kite, 3 Buzzard, Yellow-browed Warbler (In mature garden. Bird not seen and call heard only once. Identification considered likely based on distinctive call, timing and habitat.) [Nevada Napthine]
Crowsheath Wood, near Hanningfield Reservoir, 13:30 to 14:00, Warm, sunny
Peregrine Falcon [Ryan Bradshaw]
North Weald, 11:15 to 14:25, Pleasantly bright & warm. Ongar Pk Wood, forest burial ground, cattle / horse farm, Weald Common LNR & adjacent areas
6 Red-legged Partridge, Grey Heron, 2 Red Kite, 3 Buzzard, 5 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Green Woodpecker, 3 Kestrel, 6 Ring-necked Parakeet, 8 Jay, 275+ Jackdaw, 6 Coal Tit, 2 Skylark, 11 Long-tailed Tit, 7 Chiffchaff (Still widespread), 4 Goldcrest, 9 Nuthatch, 2 Treecreeper, 2 Song Thrush (First sighting since mid June), Mistle Thrush, 4 Meadow Pipit, 3 Greenfinch, 5 Linnet [Paul William]
Abberton Reservoir, 10:05 to 17:00, warm and sunny
30 Pintail, Goosander, 80 Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Curlew Sandpiper (Wig Bay), 2 Dunlin, 3 Snipe, 2 Green Sandpiper, 7 Spotted Redshank (Wig Bay), 21 Spoonbill, 53 Great White Egret (inc 44 in Wig Bay), Sparrowhawk, 2 Marsh Harrier, 4 Red Kite, 8 Buzzard, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Green Woodpecker, 4 Kestrel, 5 Jay, 5 Chiffchaff, Blackcap, 3 Goldcrest, Stonechat, Grey Wagtail, 10 Meadow Pipit [Ben Mapp]
Rayne, 09:00 to 13:00
Woodlark (Single flew north over house, called three times ), 3 Meadow Pipit (north over house ), 7 Chaffinch (north over house ) [Andy Goodey]
The Strood, Mersea Island, 09:00 to 13:00, All seen by Andy Field
4 Chiffchaff (Feldy view cemetery & flycatcher corner), 3 Stonechat (1 flycatcher corner ,2 along strood channel , All this report seen by Andy Field. ) [Stephen Entwistle]
Tilbury, 09:00 to 10:00, Falling tide
12 Mallard (On STW outfall), Teal (On foreshore rocks), 16 Bar-tailed Godwit (On foreshore by Tilbury 2), 7 Black-tailed Godwit (On foreshore by Tilbury 2) [Paul Larkin]
Great Notley, 08:40 to 08:45, with Jacqui Everett
40 Starling (+ feeding on berries in palm tree in private garden) [Paul Everett]
Rayne, 08:00 to 13:00
Green Sandpiper (by river), Sparrowhawk, Red Kite, 2 Buzzard, 2 Kestrel, 2 Raven (now daily in and around village), Woodlark ( one low over village called three times ), 28 Skylark (Over village and around airfield during first hour of daylight ), 2 Chiffchaff, Stonechat, Wheatear (by airfield), 2 Grey Wagtail, 4 Meadow Pipit, 26 Chaffinch (over village and airfield area), 120 Linnet, Reed Bunting [Andy Goodey] Wheatear at Rayne on 04 Oct 2026, (Andy Goodey)
Saturday 03 Oct 2026
TL9220, 20:13 to 20:20
Tawny Owl (sitting in the road, then flew up into tree and then across road into trees) [Paul Everett]
Fingringhoe Wick NR EWT, 16:00 to 19:30, Volunteering out of hours with Jacqui Everett
2 Grey Heron, 2 Tawny Owl (1 heard, 1 seen in very different parts of the reserve), Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Magpie, 10 Jackdaw (+), Carrion Crow, 5 Blue Tit (+), Great Tit, Robin [Paul Everett]
Naze, The, 11:45 to 13:00
Yellow-browed Warbler (Sycamores.), Willow Warbler, Pied Flycatcher (Sycamores.) [Oliver Cottis]
Tilbury, 09:00 to 10:00, Broken cloud, W wind, falling tide
15 Bar-tailed Godwit (On foreshore by Tilbury 2), 4 Black-tailed Godwit (On foreshore by Tilbury 2) [Paul Larkin]
Frinton-on-Sea, 07:10 to 10:30, Sea-watch with Ed Bateman and Steve Entwistle.
118 Brent Goose (All south.), 25 Shoveler, 389 Wigeon (All south.), 4 Pintail, 38 Teal, Common Scoter (North.), 5 Oystercatcher, 5 Lapwing, Grey Plover, 2 Greenshank (South.), 12 Mediterranean Gull (South.), 150 Herring Gull, 9 Sandwich Tern, Guillemot (South.), Red-throated Diver (North.), Black-throated Diver (South.), Sooty Shearwater (North at 08:19. Middle-distance. Long-winged, dark Shearwater with typical mechanical Sooty flight.), Gannet (North.), 18 Cormorant, Grey Heron, Kestrel, 3 Skylark, 74 Swallow, 36 Meadow Pipit, Rock Pipit [Oliver Cottis]
Naze, The, 06:40 to 12:00, mainly clear, warm, SW wind, low tide
62 Wigeon (South), Green Sandpiper, Cattle Egret (Walton Hall Marshes), 2 Sparrowhawk, Marsh Harrier, Buzzard, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Green Woodpecker, Merlin, 56 Swallow (South), 9 Cetti's Warbler (Singing), 2+ Yellow-browed Warbler (1 with tit flock northern edge of common, 1+ sycamore clump), 17 Chiffchaff (1 singing), 5 Blackcap, Lesser Whitethroat, Firecrest (Hawthorn copse ), 5 Song Thrush, 4 Stonechat, Grey Wagtail (South), 18 Meadow Pipit (South), Greenfinch, Siskin (South), 3 Chinese Muntjac [Brian Combes]
North Weald, 06:05 to 06:20, Striking sunrise, cool & calm. Weald Common LNR, Ongar Pk Wood & adjacent farmland.
4 Egyptian Goose (Over at first light towards golf course.), 3 Tawny Owl (2 calling from mature trees lining heritage railway, 1 calling Ongar Pk Wood.), 88+ Rook (Left roost in railway trees at first light towards horse fields & cattle sheds.) [Paul William]
Friday 02 Oct 2026
Billericay, 14:05 to 14:40, sightings from Lake Meadows
Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Jay, 3 Goldcrest, Nuthatch, Treecreeper [Ben Mapp]
Kelvedon Hatch, 11:00 to 11:05
2 Raven (Over garden. Seen and heard sporadically over past few weeks near BT mast. ) [David Jobbins]
The Naze at Walton, 09:45 to 13:40, Warm, a bit breezy, mostly clear and sunny
10 Sanderling, 2 Little Egret, 2 Green Woodpecker, 5 Swallow, 6 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Yellow-browed Warbler (1 Sycamore clump, 1 undercliff (landslip area seaward of tower)), 4 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap, 5 Goldfinch [Simon Banks]
Old Hall Marshes NR RSPB, 09:00 to 15:00, Long loop with P. Worland. Highlights.
Water Rail, 20 Golden Plover, 2 Bar-tailed Godwit, Snipe, 2 Green Sandpiper, 6+ Spotted Redshank, C10 Greenshank, Sandwich Tern, 2 Red-throated Diver (At the point.), 4 Marsh Harrier, 3 Red Kite, Peregrine Falcon (Adult female.), 6+ Bearded Tit (Heard in 3 different areas.), 8 Swallow, 2 Stonechat, Grey Wagtail (Flyover at the Farm.) [Peter Low]
TM0013, 09:00 to 13:00
Green Woodpecker (Adult), Chiffchaff, 4 Goldfinch (All above seen by Steve Entwistle FELDY VIEW WOODLAND CEMETERY WEST MERSEA) [Stephen Entwistle]
TM0112, 09:00 to 13:00
Common Gull (On post off Victoria esplanade West mersea ), 12 Great Black-backed Gull (Plus flypass Victoria esplanade West Mersea ), 2 Sandwich Tern (Flypass from Victoria esplanade West Mersea ) [Stephen Entwistle]
TL9717, 09:00 to 13:00
Goosander (7:30 am LBC), 14 Ruff, 4 Curlew Sandpiper, Snipe, 5 Spotted Redshank [Peter Low]
Tilbury, 09:00 to 10:00, Falling tide
13 Bar-tailed Godwit (On foreshore by Tilbury 2), 6 Black-tailed Godwit (On foreshore by Tilbury 2) [Paul Larkin]
Naze, The, 06:40 to 12:45, clear, mild, SW wind
18 Sanderling, Cattle Egret (Walton Hall Marshes), Grey Heron (North), Marsh Harrier, Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Green Woodpecker, 5 Skylark (South), 32 Swallow (South, late morning), 11 House Martin (South with swallows), 12 Cetti's Warbler (Singing), 2+ Yellow-browed Warbler (1+ sycamore clump, 1 John Weston), 9 Chiffchaff, 5 Blackcap, Firecrest (hawthorn copse), Fieldfare, 4 Song Thrush, Pied Flycatcher (Sycamore clump), 4 Stonechat, 16 Meadow Pipit (South), 2 Brambling (South), 7 Linnet, Siskin (South), 4 Reed Bunting [Brian Combes]
Thursday 01 Oct 2026
Abberton Reservoir, 15:00 to 18:00
Goosander (Early female found yesterday by Ollie Cottis at Layer Brettoncauseway East, , photo by Peter Higgleton ), Snipe (LBCW SE Bank sid of bridge ), 30 Spoonbill (Sleeping in front of islands LBCW SW), 8 Great White Egret (LBCW ), Kingfisher (LBCW NE flew across ladded on fallen tree), 2 Grey Wagtail (A pr poss juv as well LBCW SE side bank near Bridge ) [Stephen Entwistle] Goosander at Abberton Reservoir on 01 Oct 2026, (Stephen Entwistle)
Mersea Island, 12:00 to 14:20
Mediterranean Gull, Pied Flycatcher (North end of Feldy View Cemetery.) [Oliver Cottis] Pied Flycatcher at Mersea Island on 01 Oct 2026, (Oliver Cottis)
Wickham Bishops, 11:30 to 11:30
Red Kite (Low over fields E of Langford Road.) [Malcolm Corbett]
TM0013, 10:00 to 15:00

Chiffchaff (Back of Feldy view woodland cemetery, seen by Steve Entwistle ), Redwing (Back of Feldy view woodland cemetery, seen by Ollie Cottis ), Pied Flycatcher (Back of Feldy view woodland cemetery, very mobile & elusive ( l saw 11.20am also seen in pm by Ollie Cottis & me (photos by Ollie Cottis))

[Stephen Entwistle] Pied Flycatcher at TM0013 on 01 Oct 2026, (Stephen Entwistle)
Old Hall Marshes NR RSPB, 09:45 to 17:00, High tide c15:50 - selected highlights
11 Pintail, Water Rail (Joyce's Head), 5 Avocet (Including CR individual), 6 Golden Plover (Abbotts Hall breach), 180+ Curlew (High tide roost on field west of Irongate ), 8+ Bar-tailed Godwit, 30+ Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Knot (Salcott Channel), Curlew Sandpiper (Joyce's Head), Snipe, 9 Spotted Redshank (Joyce's Head), 10+ Greenshank (Salcott Channel & Joyce's), 5 Sandwich Tern (Tollesbury Fleet, before high tide), 3+ Marsh Harrier, 4+ Red Kite, 5+ Buzzard, 6+ Kestrel, Merlin (Male, flying low over Tollesbury Fleet), 30+ Bearded Tit (Heard & 20+ seen, in various reedbeds), 6+ Cetti's Warbler (Heard), Wheatear (Irongate), 2 Yellow Wagtail (Irongate) [David L Smith]
Tilbury, 09:00 to 10:00, Falling tide
10 Bar-tailed Godwit (On foreshore by Tilbury 2), 7 Black-tailed Godwit (On foreshore by Tilbury 2) [Paul Larkin]
Holland Haven, 06:30 to 11:45, clear, warm, southerly wind
15 Avocet, 2 Snipe, Sparrowhawk, 8 Buzzard (6 south), 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 9 Skylark (South), 11 Swallow (South), 6 Cetti's Warbler (Singing), 5 Chiffchaff, 4 Blackcap, Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Goldcrest, 5 Song Thrush, 5 Stonechat, 2 Wheatear, Grey Wagtail (South), 2 Pied Wagtail (South), 74 Meadow Pipit (South), 4 Chaffinch, Brambling, 9 Greenfinch, 149+ Linnet (99 south, 50+ on arable), 20+ Goldfinch, 9 Reed Bunting [Brian Combes]
Wednesday 30 Sep 2026
Fingringhoe Wick NR EWT, 10:00 to 12:00
50+ Wigeon, 30+ Knot, Red-throated Diver (flew out of river towards estuary), 40+ Little Egret [Liz Huxley]
TM0013, 09:00 to 18:00
Pied Flycatcher (Back of woodland cemetery feldy view West mersea seen Martin Cock, seen SE EB CFH) [Stephen Entwistle]
North Weald, 07:45 to 09:10, Cloudy, mild. Weald Common LNR & back via Ongar Pk Wood & adjacent farmland
2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Kestrel, 5 Ring-necked Parakeet, 11 Jay (Widespread & noisy.), Coal Tit, 2 Goldcrest, 3 Nuthatch, Treecreeper, 3 Redwing (In berry laden trees & tall hedging boundary of vacated cattle field.), 4 Meadow Pipit [Paul William]
Naze, The, 06:40 to 11:45, overcast, rain, warm, southerly wind
19 Brent Goose, 6 Lapwing (In-off), 2 Sandwich Tern, 2 Green Woodpecker, Merlin (In-off, first of the autumn), 25 Swallow (South), 9 Cetti's Warbler (Singing), 2 Yellow-browed Warbler (1+ sycamore clump, 1 hawthorn copse), 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap, Lesser Whitethroat, Firecrest (Double hedge), 2 Goldcrest, 11 Song Thrush, Pied Flycatcher (Sycamore clump), Stonechat, 17 Meadow Pipit (South), 3+ Brambling (First of the autumn, 1 double hedge, 2 John Weston, later 3 together by farm gate) [Brian Combes]
Tuesday 29 Sep 2026
Writtle, 15:40 to 17:20, Warm and a light breeze. Only certain species recorded
2 Pheasant, 40 Canada Goose (Titchmarsh Reservoir ), 6 Mute Swan (Titchmarsh Reservoir ), 3 Cormorant (Titchmarsh Reservoir ), 3 Skylark (First of the autumn here.), Grey Wagtail (Heard only.), Meadow Pipit (First of the autumn here ), 35 Linnet [Andrew Allen]
Tollesbury Wick NR EWT, 14:04 to 18:27, Moderate breeze, hazy, poor visibility.
Mute Swan, 3 Wigeon, 23+ Mallard, 51+ Teal, Coot, 2 Little Grebe, 28+ Oystercatcher, 5 Grey Plover, 11+ Ringed Plover, 8 Curlew, 3 Black-tailed Godwit, Turnstone, 2 Dunlin, 22+ Redshank, 7 Cormorant, Grey Heron, Great White Egret, 5 Little Egret, 2 Marsh Harrier, 2 Buzzard, Kestrel, 3 Cetti's Warbler (Heard), 30+ Starling, 2 European Robin, 2 Stonechat, 7+ House Sparrow, 4 Pied Wagtail, 3 Meadow Pipit, 6 Linnet, 6 Reed Bunting, 5 Tufted Duck [Kara Rennie]
Canvey Island, Thames Estuary, 10:30 to 16:00, Sunny but very murky, increasing as the day went on. Se breeze, rising tide.
13 Brent Goose, Shelduck, 8 Wigeon, Teal, 7 Great Crested Grebe, Grey Plover, 60 Ringed Plover (At least.), 3 Sanderling, 24 Dunlin, 2 Mediterranean Gull (At least.), 2 Common Gull, 13 Sandwich Tern (At least.), 12 Common Tern, Great Skua (Downriver. Later it or another was on the water much closer. Eventually flew east.), Manx Shearwater (Close in, heading east.), 9 Gannet (At least.) [Andrew Cox]
Wrabness, 09:15 to 11:00, Overcast, little wind, fairly mild; rain overnight. Tide halfway.
5 Wigeon, 7 Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Turnstone, 3 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 4 Little Egret, 2 Green Woodpecker (Together), 10 Jay (4 working big field that floods. Others dotted around in and out of reserve, hyper-active. ), Blackcap (Female), 14 Fieldfare (On edge of village. Now going to claim the lone bird 2 days earlier at Horsley Cross!), Bullfinch (Calling near track from car park) [Simon Banks]
TM0013, 09:00 to 13:00
Pied Flycatcher (Feldy view woodland cemetery WEST MERSEA ( at the far back ,look NE & NW areas) seen by Andy Field ) [Stephen Entwistle]
TM0013, 09:00 to 13:00
3 Chiffchaff (AF), 2 Blackcap (A pr (tomo)), Pied Flycatcher (Mobile & elusive far NE corner seen by Andy Field ) [Stephen Entwistle]
The Strood, Mersea Island, 09:00 to 13:00
40 Black-tailed Godwit, 5 Greenshank, 2 Stonechat (A pr ), 6 Meadow Pipit (All seen by Andy Field ) [Stephen Entwistle]
Cudmore Grove CP, Mersea Island, 09:00 to 13:00
2 Chiffchaff, Blackcap (All seen by Daniel Woollard and Mollie Kirk ), 4 Stonechat, 30 Meadow Pipit (Plus seen by Daniel Woollard ), 5 Reed Bunting [Stephen Entwistle]
TM0013, 09:00 to 13:00
3 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap (A pr ALL FELDY VIEW WOODLAND CEMETERY MERSEA SEEN BY ANDY FIELD ), Pied Flycatcher (NE corner seen Andy Field ) [Stephen Entwistle]
TL7523, 08:15 to 15:00, Sunny but cool
11 Rock Dove / Feral Pigeon (Feral pigeons), 6 Wood Pigeon, 2 Collared Dove, Red Kite (I saw it three times through the day - it may have been the same one or two or more different ones), Buzzard, Ring-necked Parakeet (Extremely unusual. It flew northeast at 0845hrs over my garden. Could this be part of an expansion out of London or just an anomaly?), Jay (This has become a regular visitor and is loving the monkey nuts), 10 Blue Tit, 2 Great Tit, Swallow (Late? It flew southwest over my garden at 0905hrs), 16 Long-tailed Tit (These are regular visitors now), 54 Starling (Counted whilst collecting together at the top of my neighbour's dead fir tree) [David Lane]
Naze, The, 06:40 to 14:00, overcast and hazy, warm, easterly wind
8 Grey Plover, 24 Sanderling, 3 Sandwich Tern, Cattle Egret (Still on marsh with cattle. ), 2 Grey Heron (South), Little Egret (North), 2 Sparrowhawk, Marsh Harrier, 2 Green Woodpecker, 2 Swallow (South), 11 Cetti's Warbler (Singing), 1+ Yellow-browed Warbler (Sycamore clump), 9 Chiffchaff (1 singing), 9 Blackcap, Firecrest (John Weston), Redwing (West over John Weston, first of the autumn), 2 Song Thrush, Red-breasted Flycatcher (Stunning adult male, rather furtive, in the sycamore clump - superb find by Darrell Stile), Pied Flycatcher (Sycamore clump), 2 Redstart (1 by tidal lagoons, 1 briefly dropped into the sycamore clump), 5 Stonechat (1 on the common, 2 pairs on the marshes), Wheatear, 2 Grey Wagtail (South), 32 Meadow Pipit (South), Rock Pipit, 4 Chaffinch, 16 Linnet, 2 Siskin (South), Redpoll sp. (Over, first of the autumn), 6 Chinese Muntjac [Brian Combes]
Monday 28 Sep 2026
North Weald, 11:05 to 11:20, Bright, warming. Farmland being ploughed towards Magdalen Laver and off Weald Bridge Road.
250+ Black-headed Gull (Across 3 fields), 25+ Common Gull (17 in one field with bigger gulls), 65+ Herring Gull (39 in one field), 135+ Lesser Black-backed Gull (83 in one field with Herring Gulls), Grey Heron, 3 Red Kite, 5 Buzzard (3 landed in field amongst gulls ), 3 Kestrel (In adjacent quieter fields), 100+ Jackdaw, 75+ Rook, 150+ Starling [Paul William]
Abberton Reservoir, 10:30 to 14:00, 2 Clouded Yellow
15+ Ruff (Wig Bay), Curlew Sandpiper (Juvenile, Wig Bay), Dunlin (Wig Bay), Snipe (Wig Bay), 6 Spotted Redshank (Wigborough Bay), 2 Greenshank (LBC), 33 Spoonbill (LBC) [James Hudson]
Abberton Reservoir, 10:15 to 12:50, mainly overcast. still, mild; sightings from Layer Breton Causeway
7 Wigeon (at least), Ferruginous Duck (female/imm type west of LBC in pochard flock (with some gadwall & shoveler)), 39 Spoonbill, Red Kite (1 west of LBC; 2 north east of LBC), Buzzard, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Cetti's Warbler (singing), 6 Long-tailed Tit, Chiffchaff, Grey Wagtail (east of LBC) [Sean Gregory]
Layer Breton, 09:50 to 10:15, Garlands Farm area
Sparrowhawk, Little Owl, Kestrel, 2 Skylark, Meadow Pipit (Heard) [James Hudson]
TM0013, 09:00 to 13:00
Pied Flycatcher (Feldy view woodland cemetery West mersea at back seen by Martin Cock ) [Stephen Entwistle]
Frinton-on-Sea, 07:30 to 14:00, Light NW to Brisk NE overcast.
32 Brent Goose, 61 Wigeon (South.), 14 Pintail, 242 Teal (South.), 9 Mediterranean Gull (South), 4+ Common Gull, 16 Sandwich Tern, 2 Common Tern, Black Tern, 4 Red-throated Diver, Manx Shearwater (Close inshore heading North. ), 51 Gannet (North), 2 Grey Heron (One south at sea, one heading out to sea.), 5 Swallow [Peter Low]
Naze, The, 06:30 to 11:45, cool, mainly overcast, northerly wind
6 Brent Goose (South), 4 Grey Heron (Group headed high out to sea first thing), Sparrowhawk, 2 Green Woodpecker, 3 Swallow (South ), 13 Cetti's Warbler (Singing), Yellow-browed Warbler (Sycamore clump), 8 Chiffchaff, 7 Blackcap, Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Pied Flycatcher (2 sycamore clump, 1 double hedge), 2 Stonechat, Grey Wagtail (South), 8 Meadow Pipit (South), Rock Pipit, 2 Chinese Muntjac [Brian Combes]
Writtle, 05:20 to 05:30, Dark and still
2 Tawny Owl (Pair duetting in Brewhouse Hoppitt) [Andrew Allen]