December

RSPB Rainham Marshes: Not much changed during December with the little immigration. Lapwing hovered around the 1800 mark and Black-tailed Godwit reached a high of 560 while Golden Plover struggled over 100 on several dates. The Spotted Redshank stayed until the 21st and a Turnstone (11th) was new. Snipe were scarce and a single Jack Snipe was seen bobbing on the 30th. Scarcest wader was a Pectoral Sandpiper that was seen on the 7th and 8th but it proved elusive with the vast Lapwing flocks. A pair of Mergansers were seen on the Thames on the 2nd along with two female Scoter the same day and a male Goldeneye on the 5th. A Gannet (29th) was not entirely unexpected and two Kittiwakes (28th) were the only ones to get past the QEII Bridge . Several Yellow-legged Gulls were around and there were single Meds seen along with at least six different Caspian Gulls. A probable Azorean Yellow-legged Gull was found on the 28th. Pintail crept into double figures and Teal leapt from 30 on the 20th to 1350 on the 21st. Most had gone again by the 23rd! Three pairs of Peregrines were using the marsh and a male Merlin was seen occasionally. The immature male Marsh Harrier dropped in and at least three Short-eared Owls were still around. Star passerines were the Bearded Tits with about four on the trails along with eight Stonechats, two Water Pipits, 14 Rock Pipits and three Corn Buntings along the foreshores. Finally, Ring-necked Parakeets reached a new county high of 155 south on the 6th.

Met Essex (LNHS Recording area): Bittern reports from the Ingrebourne and Lee Valleys were few and far between but another was seen briefly at Weald Park (14th). This site also held up to ten Goosander from the 19th. A Great Northern Diver took up residence in the Lee Valley at Nazeing from the 10th and the Black-necked Grebe flock was still in double figures on the Girling. Another was at Holyfield Lake from the 4th. A Red-crested Pochard was on Hollow Ponds on the 12th and 44 Mandarin on Strawberry Hill Pond in Epping Forest was a good count. Nearby a Hawfinch was over Woodford Green on the 5th and red Kite was over Chingford Plain on the 7th. Unseasonal late migrants included a Swallow through Ilford and a House Martin over Woodford Green (both 3rd) and a Willow Warbler in song at Belhus Woods CP the next day. Two Crossbills were over South Ockenden on the 15th and up to four Firecrests remained in Wanstead Park throughout. Down on the Thames there was a Turnstone at Creekmouth (14th) and another Grays (27th). Grays foreshore also collected five Kittiwake days late in the month with peaks of 12 (21st) and six (28th).

South East Essex: RSPB Wallasea Wetlands and the immediate area of Potton, Foulness and Wakering was the place to be in December with fantastic wildfowl and raptor spectacles that included over 4500 Brent Geese, three Pale-bellieds, up to five Short-eared Owls, 12 ring-tailed Hen Harriers, Rough-legged Buzzard from the 4th with two on the 4th, Great White Egret (31st), Spoonbill, Merlin and 250 Corn Buntings (28th) and up to six Snow Buntings throughout. The future looks very good around here! Stow Maries Aerodrome still hosted nine Short-eared Owls all month and there were other odd birds seen around the coast. Three Whooper Swans were at Blue House Farm on the 1st along with 20 Common Scoter and 15 Eider while two Spoonbills dropped in on the 31st. A Goshawk was seen over South Woodham Ferrers on the 24th and 30 White-fronted Geeses and a Little Stint were at North Fambridge on the 30th. Down on the Thames four Snow Buntings took up residence at Shoebury East Beach from the 20th and two Slavonian Grebes and 26 Red-throated Divers were recorded there on the 24th. A Purple Sandpiper was found on Southend Pier on the 9th and stayed all month while Meds peaked at 21 on the 15th when a Great Northern Diver was seen. Goosander, Goldeneye and Shag on the 21st were all good Pier birds. Canvey Wick held 15 Lesser and four Mealy Redpolls on the 26th and a Velvet Scoter was off Canvey Point from the 16th along with Black-throated Diver, Pomarine and Arctic Skuas on the 26th. Five Barnacle Geese were still at RSPB West Canvey marshes on the 2nd and a Water Pipit was at nearby RSPB Vange Marshes the same day. Nearby two Waxwings were in the village on Christmas Day. Kittiwakes made it up to Tilbury in some numbers and they were recorded most day in the last week or so along with Merlin and peregrine along with river.

North-east Essex: Highlights from the Stour included two Shags (3rd), Red-necked Grebe (all month), two Great Northern Divers and Scaup (3rd), Black-throated Diver and five Slavonian Grebes (19th). A Great White Egret was in Hamford Water (10th) with a Kite (8th), Hen Harrier and Rough-legged Buzzard (11th) and 200 Avocet and nine Lapland Buntings (23rd). A Great Grey Shrike was briefly at Holland Haven (2nd) and 28 Snow Buntings, 25 Rock and a single Water Pipit were at Colne Point on the same day. Frinton had its December moments with the following highlights: 8th: 395 Scoter, two Velvets Scoter, Fulmar, Pomarine and Great Skuas; 10th: 16 White-fronted Geese; 11th: four Velvet Scoter; 14th: Fulmar, 14 Mergansers, 18 Kittiwakes; 19th: 234 Scoter, 14 Velvet Scoters, 51 Red-throated Divers, two Black-throated Divers, two Great Northern Divers; 25th: 38 Red-throated Divers, two Pomarine Skuas, 90 Kittiwakes, 310 Common Gull; 29th: 116 Red-throated Divers, two Black-throated Divers, 254 Kittiwakes; 30th: Pomarine and Great Skua, 37 Kittiwakes, 271 Red-throated Divers, and singles of the other two; 31st: four Tundra Bean Geese, 63 Eider, 248 Scoter, four Velvet Scoter, 583 Red-throated Divers, two Pomarine Skua, two Arctic Skuas.

Mid & East Essex : The Colne was quite productive with a Great Northern Diver from the 6th on the river and at least 250 Avocets were counted. A Common Sandpiper was at Rowhedge (6th) and both Waxwing (26th) and Black Brant (17th) were seen at Wivenhoe. Across the river at Fingringhoe Wick the Glossy Ibis continued to perform and two were present on the 21st. A Great Grey Shrike arrived on the 6th and stayed till New Year and at least 21 Marsh Harriers and three Hen Harriers roosted. The Colne Point Snow Bunting commuted between there and Cudmore Grove and two Slavonian Grebes were seen off there on the 31st along with the long staying Jack Snipe. At RSPB Old Hall Marshes the Red-breasted Goose stayed till the 26th and both Pale-bellied Brent and Black Brant were also recorded in the flocks. Other notable sightings were White-fronted Geese (11 on 1st and 12 on 30th), Smew (2nd and 26th), Bewick's Swans (13 on 17th), Great Northern Diver and Slavonian Grebe (26th) and 40 Mergansers (30th). The Red-breasted Goose moved to Tollesbury Wick from the 27th and Great Northern Diver, 3600 Golden Plover and 3000 Lapwing were recorded the same day with a male Smew there on the 24th. A little further in at Osea there were two Slavonian Grebes, Red-necked Grebe and 25 Scoter on the 19th and 14 Eider, 70 Goldeneye, 25 Mergansers and 250 Fieldfare on the 24th. Maldon also hosted Smew, 34 Goldeneye and 70 Avocet on the 11th and a fine Spotted Sandpiper at nearby Hebybridge GP from the 2nd-9th was probably the best new bird in the county. Abberton Reservoir had a moderately quiet month. Highlights: 1st: redhead Smew, five Marsh Harriers, four Hen Harriers; 2nd: nine Bewick Swan's, Little Stint; 13th: 12 Bewick's Swans, 19 Goosander, Lapland Bunting; 14th: two Smew, 3000 Golden Plover; 18th: 20 Bewick's Swans, seven Whooper Swans, 27 Goosander, 16 Ruff and 20th: 37 Goosander. Inland a Red Kite was seen over Kelevden (24th), a Slavonian Grebe was at Hanningfield Reservoir (22nd) and two Mealy Redpolls were with 100 Lessers at Stanway Green on the 15th.

November

RSPB Rainham Marshes: A good selection of waders again with the low water levels working some magic. Eighteen species were recorded with the Little Stint staying till the 2nd and another on the 23rd, the Spotted Redshank all month, a record 550 Black-tailed Godwits (27th), seven Avocets, 622 Golden Plover (21st) and singles of Knot, Jack Snipe and Woodcock. The Thames was quite productive with Brent Geese on six dates, Mergansers on three dates including a record four on the 14th, Goosander (8th), Goldeneye (15th), Smew (17th), several Little Gulls and a Pomarine Skua on the 7th. A single Caspian Gull was the Larid highlight. Duck numbers were low but our leucistic female Pintail returned and three White-fronted Geese dropped in on the 12th. A couple of Marsh Harriers were seen with the immature male being regular while Peregrines were seen every day. There were two Merlin sightings and up to five Short-eared Owls were seen at the west end. Surprisingly, Yellowhammers were recorded on four dates and the first three Corn Buntings were back on the saltings (21st) while a Snow Bunting (23rd) was almost expected. A Lapland Bunting (7th) completed a good bunting month and a Brambling was with the growing finch flocks on the 7th. Three Bearded Tits arrived on the 8th and there were nine by month end. Blackcap and Chiffchaff may have been expected and the Wheatear (4th) and Ring Ouzel (23rd) not too unusual but the Sedge Warbler seen on the 20th was most definitely a tad late in leaving!

Met Essex (LNHS Recording area): Up to three Bitterns took up residence in the Ingrebourne Valley with another seen at the Bittern Watchpoint while further down the Lee Valley a Red-throated Diver on the Wm Girling 28th-30th) was a scant highlight amongst 14 Black-necked Grebes in a quiet month.Barkiing Bay hosted an Avocet and Short-eared Owl (9th) and Common Scoter and a Lapland Bunting on the deck (17th).Snow Buntings were seen at Walthamstow Reservoirs (5th) and over Barkingside (two on 6th) and Firecrests remained in Harold Hill and up to four were found in Wanstead Park. Lesser Redpoll flocks were seen at Pages Wood, Kelveden Hatch and Thorndon CP and a Hawfinch was over Woodford Green on the 2nd. Two early Waxwings were at Belhus Woods CP on the 6th and two Ravens were seen there on the 4th and 6th. A Merlin was seen over Orsett Fen (8th) and a ringtail Hen Harrier was at Upshire (19th)

South East Essex: Riverwatching off Canvey in the early days of the month was extremely productive with three awesome days as follows: 6th: three Red-throated Divers, 315 Gannet, 180 Scoter, 11 Great Skua, 10 Guillemot; 7th: nine Red-thraoted Divers, Black-thraoted Diver, 181 Gannet, five Eider, 33 Pomarine Skuas, Arctic Skua,64 Great Skuas, six Little Gulls, 17 Kittiwakes, Sandwich Tern, 134 Guillemots, four Razorbills, two Little Auks, Puffin; six Red-throated Divers, three Black-throated Divers, Great Northern Diver, Leach's Petrel, five Scaup, Pomarine Skua, three Great Skua, 26 Little Gull, Sabine's Gull, 24 Guillemot, three Razorbill, three Puffin. Another Sandiwch Tern and a Puffin were seen on the 16th....amazing! Southend Pier hosted 700 Turnstone and 15 Med Gulls (2nd), Little Auk (7th), two Great Northern Diver and Slavonian Grebe (9th) and Purple Sandpiper (14th) while Gunners Park had Little Auk and two Velvet Scoter (9th) and a Firecrest on the 1st. A Long-billed Dowitcher spent the 19th at Mucking and a White-rumped Sandpiper graced RSPB West Canvey Marshes the day before. This site also held two Spoonbills (15th) and four White-fronted and eight Pink-footed Geese from the same date as well as five Barnacle Geese from the 23rd. Up to three Short-eared Owls and 50 Corn Buntings were also recorded. RSPB Vange Marshes had five Spotted Redshanks (13th) and a Little Stint (19th)while two female Scaup took up residence at Wat Tyler CP from the 10th. A single Snow Bunting was at Benfleet Creek (11th) and Two Tree Island saw a count of 88 Avocet, 300 Knot, five Greenshank and a Merlin the next day Wakering Stairs and Potton Island held at least five Short-eared Owls, five Hen Harriers and a Merlin and two Snow Buntings there on the 20th. Foulness had ten Short-eared Owls, Rough-legged Buzzard and Pale-bellied Brent Goose on the 12th and overlooking the island form the other end on RSPN Wallasea Island there were a further three Hen Harriers, five Snow Buntings (25th) and a huge count of 360 Stock Doves (25th).The Great White Egret was seen again at North Fambridge (27th) and 14 Grey Partridge and three Short-eared Owls were seen the same day. Elsewhere there were four White-fronted Geese over Rayleigh (13th), a Waxwing in Southchurch (16th-17th), Red Kite over Rayne (27th). The Great White Egret was also seen at Bradwell along with a male Hen Harrier and a Ring Ouzel on the 13th with another Ouzel there with a White Wagtail on the 15th. Twenty-five White-fronts flew through on the 27th and huge count of 3500 Golden Plover was made. Snow Bunting reached 22 by the 30th.

North-east Essex: The first Slavonian Grebe of the season was on the Stour along with two Shags from the 5th. This increased to two on the 20th. A Red-necked Grebe arrived on the 19th and a Bittern flew past the RSPB Office on the 29th.Two Shorelarks at the Naze on the 5th quickly became three and Firecrests were seen on the 5th and 13th with a late Ouzel on 13th. Frinton had some notable movements including: 1st: Long-eared owl, two Swallow, 596 Goldfinch; 2nd: Arctic Tern, Swallow; 8th: 11 Eider, Great Northern Diver, four Pomarine Skuas, four Great Skuas and 27 Little Gulls; 9th : Black-throated Diver; 12th: 15 Eider, 253 Scoter, 103 Mergansers, two Great Northern Divers 15th: 16 White-fronted Geese; 16th: Riing Ouzel; 26th: Swallow; 29th: two Great Skua, Goosander. Nineteen White-fronts were seen at Holland Haven on the 15th and four Cranes headed out to sea on the 13th while the Snow Buntings at Colne Point reached 19 on the 19th whilst on a commute from Mersea (where they peaked at 26 on the 28th).

Mid & East Essex : Firecrest and Black Redstart were both recorded at Wivenhoe and a Great Grey Shrike was seen briefly at Elmstead Market (21st). A Rose Coloured Starling was found in West Bergholt on the 22nd. Mersea Island had a bumper month with Black Brant, Pale-bellied Brent all month and an adult Red-breasted Goose & Tundra Bean Goose with them from the 14th-21st before moving to RSPB Old Hall Marshes from the 22nd. The Glossy Ibis was around Mersea till the 9th before spending the rest of the month at Fingringhoe Wick. Other than the Snow Buntings on the point, there were also up to four Lapland Buntings, a Shorelark (13th) and two Twite (9th). A Wheatear was seen on the 9th and the Saker made another couple of appearances. Fingringhoe also held four Cranes on the 12th and up to 20 Marsh Harriers and two Hen Harriers in the roost out on the saltings. RSPB Old Hall Marshes had a good month with not only the RBG but the long staying Great White Egret that was joined by another on the 11th, 27 Eider (3rd, Smew (16th and 21st), two Swallow, nine Twite and 38 White-fronts (26th), Pomarine Skua (11th), 2315 Golden Plover (14th), 13 Marsh Harriers (28th), 20 Little Gulls, two Little Auk and a Water Pipit (8th) and a further 30 Little Gull (10th). Nearby five Tree Sparrows spent the month at Copt Hall and a Common Swift was over Peldon on the 18th. Further up the Blackwater at Goldhanger/Osea two Red-necked Grebes were seen on the 6th with a single still on the 14th when 43 Great Crested Grebes, 52 Mergansers and five Eider were also recorded. At nearby Tollesbury there were 20 Snow Buntings on the 21st and 230 Avocet on the 26th. Abberton Reservoir is now looking awesome and there was a good selection of stuff amongst the commoner wildfowl and waders including the first four Bewick's Swans from the 1st, Black-necked Grebe, two Bitterns and three Short-eared Owls (5th), the first Goosander and 14 Spotted Redshanks (13th), 250 Fieldfare (14th), 6000 Golden Plover and Little Stint (15th), six more Bewick's Swans and Red-crested Pochard (18th), Lapland Buntings (20th and 28th), Smew (20th and 28th) and a Rough-legged Buzzard (28th). Inland two Hawfinches were seen at Great Braxted and another was at Hatfield Forest while tucked away up in the far north-west there were two Ravens (10th), ten Tree Sparrows and 22 Grey Partridges (18th) around Chrishall. Hanningfield Reservoir held up to three Slavonian Grebes for most of the month with five Eider, 750 Common Gull and 200 Pied Wagtails (14th), a single Eider (27th), Common Scoter (19th and 27th) and a Firecrest (19th).

October

RSPB Rainham Marshes: Sixteen species of wader were seen on the reserve in October including a Spotted Redshank (from 20th), Curlew Sandpiper, Sanderling, Knot, two Jack Snipe, four Grey Plover, Little Stint and 323 Black-tailed Godwit. Arctic Skuas were seen on five dates with a record five on the 13th. A Long-tailed Skua on the 7th was new to the list and a Sabine's Gull was seen the same day. A few late Common and Arctic Terns were noted and the first Caspian Gulls were seen on the 10th and 22nd. Marsh Harriers were seen on several dates and the first Short-eared Owl was back on the 13th. Peregrines were seen daily and Merlin and Hen Harrier (27th) were watched hunting. Small birds were on the move in all directions with Martins and Swallows heading south and the first Fieldfares, Redwings and many finches heading west including Lesser and Mealy Redpolls, Bramblings and a few Siskins. A Bullfinch was a good find on the 28th and a Tree Sparrow (16th) was the only autumn record. Yellowhammer and Lapland Bunting both flew through and other scarce migrants including a Richard's pipit (22nd), Ring Ouzel (23rd) and a Firecrest on the 25th. Up to eight Bearded Tits were seen but none lingered. The end of the month saw a new Spoonbill drop in for a couple of hours (28th), a Black Redstart on the 29th and a Wheatear that managed to stay into November.

Met Essex (LNHS Recording area): The first Bittern was back in the Lee Valley from the 19th and another in the Ingrebourne Valley was back for the winter. Two Marsh Harriers were occasionally seen in the Valley and Woodcock and some of the first winter thrushes were seen there. A ringtail Hen Harrier was seen at Holyfield Hall Farm on the 29th and a Whooper Swan took up semi-residence on Holyfield Lake on the 9th. Two Bearded Tits were seen at Barking Bay on the 16th and a Dartford Warbler was seen there on the 23rd associating with Stonechats as usual. Woodford Green had two good flyovers with a Woodlark on eth 9th and a Hawfinch on the 10th. The only Ring Ouzel was on the 14th at Hollow Ponds and a Wheatear was at Fairlop Waters CP on the 19th with two Short-eared owls there the following day. Nine Crossbills flew over Wanstead on the 20th and another was over Bedfords Park on the 30th. The Park also hosted a Firecrest the same day and up to four were at Warley Place .

South East Essex : The star of the month was undoubtedly the Semi-palmated Sandpiper found at East Tilbury on the 1st. It stayed till the 8th and was much appreciated. The site also hosted Curlew Sandpipers and Little Stints, Pomarine Skua (1st) and four Bearded Tits (24th). RSPB Vange Marshes had 22 Spotted Redshanks on the 13th and nearby RSPB West Canvey had a Lapland Bunting on the 28th. River watching off Canvey produced some late terns with Little and Black on the 6th and Arctics and Commons as late as the 28th. The 8th saw Long-tailed and Pom Skuas amongst ten Bonxies with another ten of the latter, another Pom and a Great Northern Diver on the 13th. A final Pom Skua and a Grey Phal were seen on the 24th. A Hen Harrier was seen on Canvey on the 25th and another was seen out on Wallasea while at Blue House Farm a Spoonbill took up residence from the 4th and a Great White Egret arrived the next day and stayed until the 23rd. Six Whooper Swans flew over South Fambridge on the 29th and a Goshawk was seen over South Woodham Ferrers on the 16th. Down on the Southend seafront Brents topped 6000 on the 14th with a Black Brant there on the 10th. A further 6000 Brents were counted at Wakering the same day. Gunners Park had some good birds with Great Northern Diver, 62 Song Thrush and ten Ring Ouzels on the 13th, Yellow-browed Warblers on the 14th and 16th and Firecrest on the 27th when another was at nearby Shoebury East Beach. Bradwell Bird Obs had some notable records including a Sandwich Tern and two Short-eared Owls (13th); Yellow-browed Warbler (14th-16th) with a Pallas's Warbler on the latter date. A Rough-legged Buzzard was seen on the 20th with two Firecrests and two Lapland Buntings on the 19th and a Richard's Pipit on the 24th.

North-east Essex: Up on the Stour at Cattawade six Beaded Tits on the 23rd were notable while along the estuary six Whoopers Swans were seen on the 29th over Kirby. The Naze had some good days with a Cory's Shearwater and three Scaup (9th); 4386 Brents, Long-tailed Duck, four Scaup, ten Pom Skuas, five Short-eared Owls and two Ring Ouzels (13th); Dusky Warbler (13th-14th) and eight Twite (30th). A Long-tailed Duck was also off Holland haven on the 9th when a Manx Sheatwater was also seen. Three Spoonbills dropped inon the 20th and two were still present on the 25th when Yellow-browed and Pallas's Warblers were both found. The latter stayed till the 27th. A Glossy Ibis was seen at Colne Point on the 7th and a Pom Skua was offshore on the 9th. A Great Grey Shrike was there briefly on the 13th and at nearby St Oysth the Tree Sparrows returned and had reached 21 by the 27th when a Firecrest was also seen. Frinton recorded some mind boggling vis mig in October with 73,546 birds recorded... including 29,051 Brent Goose, 1235 Skylark, 23 Short Eared Owl, 4975 Swallow, 961 Meadow Pipit, 41 Rock Pipit, 2244 Redwing, 1803 Chaffinch, 79 Crossbill, 1128 Greenfinch, 14499 Goldfinch, 1223 Siskin, 760 Lesser Redpoll and 1283 Linnet. Other selected highlights included 57 Little Egrets (3rd) seven Spoonbills (7th); all four Skuas and Black-throated Diver (8th); 11,824 Brent, Scaup, Long-tailed Duck, 642 Scoter, Cory's and Manx Shearwater (9th); Sooty Shearwater, 10,410 Brent, 16 Pom Skuas, 13 Short-eared Owls and great Grey Shrike (13th); Pink-foot and four Scaup (15th); Hen Harrier, Purple Sandpiper, four Wheatear and Tree Pipit (17th); 11 White-fronted Geese and Black Redstart (19th); Yellow browed Warbler (25th-26th); Pallas's and Garden Warbler (26th) and Velvet Scoter and Sooty Shearwater (27th).

Mid & East Essex : Down on the Colne a single Glossy Ibis was seen at Wivenhoe on the 6th and 25th along with 300 Avocets and 500 Black-tailed Godwits on the 8th. Greenshanks at Fingringho peaked at 27 on the 1st. At Alresford 550 Redwings (and 16 Crossbills were seen and the Ibis eventually showed to all on Mersea from the 12th when two were present at Cudmore Grove. One was still knocking around Reeveshall all month but was very elusive. The coutry park also hosted a Grey Phalarope from the 14th-23rd as well as Arctic Tern (21st), Pale-bellied Brent (from 23rd), five twite (28th), three Lapland Buntings (30th) and most intriguingly a juvenile female Saker on the 24th. A Saker was also photographed at Abberton reservoir on the 16th and two Spoonbills lingered till the 9th with another single at the end of the month. Six Bearded Tits on the 16th was notable and two Rough-legged Buzzards put on a show from the 19th for a couple of days. With low water levels wader numbers were fantastic with peaks of six Little Stint, over 200 Ringed Plover and 825 Black-tailed Godwits on the 23rd. Both Snow and Lapland Buntings were seen the same day while Firecrest, Bittern, Black-necked Grebe, 31 Spotted Redshanks and four Bewick's Swans were seen on the 30th. At RSPB Old hall Marshes there was plenty to see with Red-necked Grebe (13th); Black Brant (from 19th), Great White Egret (from 17th); 30 Greenshank, Pectoral Sandpiper and Curlew Sandpiper (3rd); 12 Spotted Redshanks (26th) and a Little Bunting reported on the 28th. Two red-necked Grebes were seen at Maldon Prom on the 11th and Heybridge GPs held 22 Greenshank (30th) and a Spotted Redshank (4th) with two Curlew Sandpipers at nearby Tollesbury the same day. At least four Tree Sparrows were at Copt Hall from the 24th and Red Kites were over Birch (8th) and Chigborough (17th) and an Alpine Swift at Hanningfield Reservoir on the 25th was a real bonus. A Slavonian Grebe was also seen there on the 30th. Finally two more Rough-legged Buzzards were seen at Broads Green (22nd) and near Goldhanger (24th).

September

RSPB Rainham Marshes: With westerlies predominating it was a tricky month for migrant birds with little on the move. However a count of 46 Blackcaps on the 1st was notable along with several Whinchats and Wheatears and a single Redstart (17th). Spotted Flycatchers were recorded on several dates and a single Tree Pipit was noted on the 2nd. There was a good passage of swallows and martins and a Red-rumped Swallow was seen heading across the Thames on the 8th. Two more juvenile Cuckoos were noted and westward bound finches included a several Redpolls and over 100 Siskin. Out on the river a few terns were still moving including ten Sandwich (28th) and 15 Arctic (10th). A Manx Shearwater was battling for survival against the Great Black-backed Gulls on the 7th and a single Kittiwake was seen on the 16th. In the skies above big raptors were on the move and during the course of the month there were at least 19 Marsh Harriers (including a regular immature male) and a staggering 54 Buzzards reported! Ospreys were seen on the 9th and 10th and a beautiful male Hen Harrier was seen on the 16th.

Met Essex (LNHS Recording area): A stunning adult Sabine's Gull on the KGV Reservoir from the 10th-13th was much appreciated and kept company with five Arctic Terns, four Little Gulls and a Shag. Meanwhile on the Girling there were a further 12 Arctics Terns and five Little Gulls. A Slavonian Grebe was seen there on the 16th and Black-necked Grebes reached 29 on the 17th when ten Black Terns wer also present. Other Black and Arctic Terns were seen regularly at Crossness from Barking Bay and two Roseate Terns were a great find there on the 25th. Barking Bay also hosted a Knot and Wryneck on the 24th. Nearby a Honey Buzzard and three Arctic Skuas headed south across the Thames at Dagenham Riverside on the 16th and another Honey Buzzard was over Hornchurch on the 22nd. A juvenile Montagu's Harrier over Galley Hill was notable on the 13th. Passage passerines were almost non-existent with a Pied Flycatcher in Weald Park on the 9th and a brief Hawfinch in Belhus Woods CP on the 8th.

South East Essex: Ospreys were a key part of September with two birds lingering around Wakering Stairs with one till the 11th and others over South Fambridge and Blue House Farm (9th), the latter site again on the 14th, RSPB Wallasea Wetlands (23rd) and Canvey Island (two on 10th and one on the 9th). Three Honey Buzzards flew over Hadleigh on the 30th and up to 12 Marsh Harriers were roosting on Foulness while several Short-eared owls were in that area. News on a Northern Flicker at Blue House Farm on the 13th was potentially the biggest surprise! Seawatching off Canvey produced some good days with Manx Shearwaters on 10th (six), 13th (two), 15th (eight) and 16th (18); Med Shearwaters on 10th, 13th and 15th (three), Pomarine Skuas on 10th, 15th (two) and 16th (13), Arctic Skuas on numerous dates including 60 (10th) and 32 (16th) and Long-tailed Skuas on the 10th, 11th, 16th (two) and 17th. A Puffin was seen on yje 15th and a juvenile Sabine's Gull on the 16th. Two redstarts were also seen her on thye 9th and 10th and a Pied Flycatcher was in Gunners Park on the 18th. The Cattle Egret dropped into Wat Tyler on the 5th and a Wryneck was very showy at South Fambridge from the 9th-15th. Further upriver at Coalhouse Fort there was a few Little Stints and Curlew Sandpipers on the foreshore and a Pied Flycatcher was seen on the 13th. Plenty of terns were seen on the 16th when 25 Arctic and two Pom Skuas were also seen.

North-east Essex: Migrants were scarce at The Naze with a single Pied Flycatchers on the 3rd and 25th and ten Tree Sparrows on the 17th being the paltry highlights. A Hoopoe was in a Little Clacton garden from the 20th August until the 1st September while at nearby Colne Point a cracking juvenile Pallid Harrier on the 17th-18th became the first truly twitchable one in Essex. Holland Haven was also quiet with ten Whinchat and 16 Wheatear on the 3rd and a late Wood Sandpiper on the 29th. At Cattawade 270 Turnstone on the 2nd was exceptional. Frinton was once again thoroughly watched by Paul Brayshaw and some awesome vis mig figures were produced. Some of the totals for the month were as follows: 14,716 Swallow, 5674 House Martin, 4614 Meadow Pipit, 537 Siskin, 174 Yellow Wagtail and 25 Grey Wagtail. Other highlights included Tree Sparrows (9th, 11th and 13th), two Velvet Scoter (2nd), two Manx Shearwaters (11th), male Montagu's Harrier (13th), 54 Chiffchaff and Red Kite (15th). An amazing seawatch on the 16th produced: Fea's Petrel, four Sooty, five Manx, Cory's and two Med Shearwaters, 52 Gannet, all four skuas, Great Northern and Red-throated Diver and 420 Brent Geese! To cap it all a Great Shearwater was seen off Walton pier the same day! A Red-backed Shrike hung around Frinton from the 21st-27th and on the 22nd 16 Buzzard and seven Sparrowhawks arrived. The first Purple Sandpiper was back by the 23rd and there was a notable Med Gull passage from the 27th with 17 on that date and 23 the day after.

Mid & East Essex: An Osprey continued to be seen around the Colne between Fingringhoe and Wivenhoe for the first fortnight with 52 Greenshank at the former on the 3rd. A Pied Flycatcher was also seen at Wivenhoe with a Tree Pipit there the day before and two more over Boreham on the 10th. Seven Curlew Sandpipers were in Pyfleet Channel (7th) and Spotted Redshanks peaked at 47 at RSPB Old Hall Marshes on the 9th when 491 Meadow pipits were reported moving through. Two Ospreys were over there on the 10th. A similar count of Meadow Pipits was made at Osea Road on the 10th when two juvenile Long-tailed Skuas and an Osprey were also seen. At Abberton Reservoir a Spoonbill dropped in on several dates and there was good Buzzard passage early in the month with 20 in the first two days alone. Spotted redshanks reached 47 (2nd) and the 10th saw yet another Osprey and a flock of seven juvenile Long-tailed Skuas head through! A grey shrike at nearby Rolls Farm on the 17th-18th was subsequently identified as a juvenile Lesser Grey! Inland at Hanningfield Reservoir there was an Osprey nearby on the 1st at Stock while 2000 House Martin must have been impressive on the 7th when 500 Tufted Duck flew through, a Manx Shearwater and Black and Arctic Terns were seen. A Black-necked Grebe was found on the 10th and four more Black Terns arrived on the 25th with two Little Gulls on the 28th. A Honey Buzzard over Writtle on the 4th was the only one reported.

August

RSPB Rainham Marshes: The main event during August was in the last week when grotty weather and a vague easterly pushed some good birds up river. Terns featured heavily with the 23rd being a big day when 329 Common, 24 Arctic , five Little and a single Black were recorded but it was the two Razorbills and a Guillemot that stole the day. Five Little Gulls were also logged. Three days later on the 26th we witnessed another movement with 223 Common, two Sandwich, 20 Arctic and 17 Black Terns seen. Two more species of tern made for an astounding session with a juvenile White-winged Black and then a summer plumaged Whiskered passing through! Earlier that morning when the weather had been at its worse we also hosted two flocks totalling over 500 Golden Plover and 32 Whimbrel! Wader Passage was otherwise slow but there were some highlights including Wood Sandpipers on the 4th and 12th, Spotted Redshank (18th), up to ten Greenshank and 14 Avocet (24th), Sanderling and 13 Turnstone (24th), and Knot on four dates. Bearded Tits raised another brood and a smattering of Whinchats, Wheatears and Yellow Wagtails added interest while two Tree pipits flew over on the 20th. Yellow-legged Gulls peaked at 48 on the 16th and a juvenile Kittiwake was seen on the 30th-31st. Marsh Harriers were seen on at least six dates with mostly juveniles going through.

Metropolitan (LNHS) Essex : Wanstead Flats was a migrant trap from the 19th with nine Redstarts on seven days, Pied Flycatcher on 21st and 24th, Grasshopper Warbler on 28th, eight Tree Pipits over from the 24th, small numbers of Spotted Flycatcher, Wheatear and Whinchat and rarities such as three Arctic Terns over on the 26th and a Kittiwake on the 19th! Eighty Ring-necked parakeets on the 15th was probably a county record. Spot Flys and the chats were also logged at various other sites including the Ingrebourne Valley and Fairlop Waters CP and there were other Redstarts here and at Barking Bay . Pied Flys were also recorded in Bedfords Park on the 14th (and three Crossbills) and Weald park on the 20th when nine Spotted Flycatchers were also present. Down on the Thames the Rainham Guillemot and Little Gulls made it as far as Barking Bay and two Sandwich Terns were seen at various sites between Grays and Barking. A Shag was off the former site on the 26th. Elsewhere there were still 34 Black-necked Grebes on the Wm Girling Reservoir on the 2nd and 23 were there on the 27th when three Goldeneye and a Black Tern were also recorded. Two Garganey were at nearby Cornmill Meadows (21st) and three Ruff and an Arctic Terns were at Fishers Green on the 27th. Three Marsh Harriers were seen over Walthamstow reservoirs on the 31st.

South-east Essex : An adult and juvenile Cattle Egret were found feeding in Tewkes Creek on the 2nd and stayed for most of the month often being seen at roost on Two Tree Island (where there were 126 Little Egrets on the 12th) although the adult did appear at RSPB West Canvey Marsh on the 26th. Canvey Island also hosted 22 Sandwich Terns and 189 Turnstones at roost on the 11th and a few notable days were had seawatching with Little Gulls on the 17th, 18th and 20th; 60 Black Terns, three Pom Skuas, 24 Arctics and 13 Greats on the 23rd and 27 Black Terns, a Pom Skua and a Sabine's Gull on the 26th. RSPB Vange held 15 each of Spotted Redshank and Greenshank on the 6th while Wood Sandpipers were a regular thing at RSPB West Canvey Marsh with a Redstart there on the 20th. Wallasea Wetlands were full of waders during the month with Little Stints on several dates and a Curlew Sandpiper on the 26th while Greenshank peaked at 30 on the 14th. A Merlin was seen on the 16th and a female Montagu's Harriers was present on the 15th. This tied in nicely with a records from Bradwell on the 10th and Blue House farm on the 14th. Bradwell also had a Honey Buzzard on the 28th and was a hub for Osprey sightings with birds seen on the 21st and then every day from the 27th. Similarly a bird took up residence off Wakering from the 19th with others over Canvey (11th and 21st), Wat Tyler CP (22nd) and Coryton (23rd). Pied flycatchers were seen in Coomb Wood and Stow Marsh and Whinchats were reported at several sites including two Tree Island, Wakering and Stow Maries Aerodrome.

North-east Essex: A male Western Subalpine Warbler was a great find at Holland Haven from the 14th-16th with three Wood Sandpipers there at the same time. Two Spoonbills flew over Colne Point on the 7th and another was out on Howlands Marsh on the 20th. The regular Yellow-legged Gull was at Mistley Walls all month. A Tree Sparrow was at Stones Green on the 31st.

Mid & East Essex: Abberton Reservoir took on the appearance of waterbird zoo in August with the Marwell Park Greater Flamingo, two Black Swans, two Red-breasted Geese, Chileo Wigeon, Ruddy Shelduck and an ever increasing number of Egyptian Geese! However, there were also some good waders to be had with a Wood Sandpiper (1st), up to 54 Spotted Redshanks (24th), 12 Ruff (15th) and seven Curlew Sandpipers (27th). The Old Hall Spoonbills occasionally visited with an extra making three on the 24th. Nine Red-crested Pochards were seen on the 15th and a Tree pipit flew over on the 24th. Buzzard abounded and Marsh Harriers were regular. Elsewhere there were a couple of Black Terns through Heybridge GP and good assortment of waders on the 15th that included 240 Golden Plover, 25 Greenshank and 70 Turnstone. An Osprey cruised the Colne from the 27th and 14 Spotted Redshanks were at Alresford on the 12th with three Arctic Terns there on the 17th. A Black Redstart on the Brightlingsea seafront on the 8th was a little unseasonal and three Eider were opposite on East Mersea on the 16th where a Honey Buzzard also flew over on the 27th. The two Spoonbill stayed at RSPB Old Hall for most of the month and there were some good wader counts with highs of 31 Greenshank and 32 Whimbrel (5th), 21 Ruff, 44 Spotted Redshank, 11 Wood Sandpipers and a Sanderling (13th) and ten Curlew Sandpipers on the 31st. The Common Tern roost on the 13th reached 451 and the Yellow Wagtails roost on the 31st reached a new high of 529 along with 19 Marsh Harriers! The day before had seen tree rare site passerines with Tree Sparrow (also at nearby Salcott), Redstart and a Coal Tit all recorded! An Osprey was seen on the 15th. Eleven Red-crested Pochards were at Hanningfield reservoir on the 3rd and nine Black Terns dropped in on the 26th.

July

RSPB Rainham Marshes: The trickle of waders that started in June continued throughout July with up to six Whimbrel becoming a daily site at high tide on the posts while early Black-tailed Godwit passage peaked at 44 on the 9th. All told 19 species of wader were recorded and also included a Curlew Sandpiper (22nd), Sanderling and Turnstone (23rd) and Wood Sandpipers on the 24th and two from the 30th. Yellow-legged Gulls reached 22 on the 16th and a few terns were logged including four Blacks on 21st and a Sandwich on the 23rd. Two Wigeon returned on the 26th and an Egyptian Goose very briefly graced the reserve on the 16th. A Whinchat was an early returnee on the 17h and stayed into August and the odd Wheatear and Yellow Wagtail were reported. Two young Cuckoos were seen and even the Barn Owls came out for a change. Eyes on the skies produced fly through Turtle Dove and 13 more Crossbills (29th) and a good selection of raptors that included at least eight different Marsh Harriers, some excellent Hobby and Peregrine action, a Honey Buzzard and all too brief Red-footed Falcon (26th).

Metropolitan Essex (LNHS): Unsurprisingly quiet with highlights being three juvenile Garganey in the Ingrebourne Valley from the 4th along with ten Green Sandpipers (6th). Both Sandwich Tern and Brent Goose were logged off Grays and a juvenile Night Heron was also seen early morning there on the 19th. Red Kites were seen over Harold Hill (4th) and as a road casualty in Romford (11th) while the first Osprey of the autumn was over Hornchurch on the 23rd. After a report over Gants Hill another Red-footed Falcon was seen over Barking (26th) before being seen at Rainham. In the Lee Valley , Black-necked Grebes peaked at 36 on the 31st and three Goldeneye were also on the Wm Girling on the 16th.

South-east Essex : A Quail at Wallasea on the 3rd got the month off to a good start with three more at nearby Paglesham Churchend from the 5th. Wallasea Wetlands also hosted 12 Whimbrel (10th) and Wheatear from 30th. Twenty Med Gulls were at Wakering Stairs (24th) with an early or summering Brent Goose there on the 10th. Blue House farm hosted two Wood Sandpipers from the 23rd and RSPB Vange Marshes held up to ten Spotted redshanks and a variety of other wader species all month. An Osprey and Wheatear was at Bradwell Bird Observatory on the 31st with a Fulmar there on the 28th. A Kittiwake calling over Benfleet Downs (25th) was slightly misplaced while a Balearic Shearwater off Canvey Point (21st) was probably the county rarity for the month. The following day a Black Tern and a Guillemot were seen.

Rest of the county: Generally quiet although three Honey Buzzards, three Ospreys were seen but only Red Kite was noted. Waders were well and truly on the way back with mpressive Black-tailed Godwit counts at many sites including 600 at Heybridge (9th) and 250 on Alresford Creek (11th) where there were also 15th Spotted Redshanks. Up to 100 Little Terns were at Langenhoe Point and single Arctic and Blacks were seen at Heybridge GP. Two Spoonbills remained at RSPB Old Hall Marshes all month. To the north of the county there was a regular Yellow-legged Gull at Mistley Walls and a Little Gull there from the 11th while a Pectoral Sandpiper was seen at Holland haven from the 13th-16th. Inland there was a Black-necked Grebe (3rd) and three Spoonbills (22nd) at Hanningfield Reservoir and Crossbills were seen over Doddinghurst (seven on 17th) and over Wivenhoe (again!) with three on the 19th and 16 on the 25th. Finally, a Corncrake was heard near Maldon on the 11th.

June

RSPB Rainham Marshes: The pair of Bearded Tits that reappeared at the end of May were obviously busy and within a week two youngsters were seen following their parents around! Marsh Harriers were occasionally seen and a Red Kite was noted on the 11th. Hobbies and Peregrines were visible daily while Raven was again noted on the 10th and on the 14th when two were seen. Quiet wader wise with Avocets on the 2nd and 15th and the first returning Curlews and Green Sandpipers moved through. Little Ringed Plovers look like they may have bred and two Ringed Plovers were on the foreshore on the 15th. Med Gulls were seen regularly and Yellow-legged Gulls crept into double figures as the month drew on. Two Little Terns (4th) were notable and an adult Kittiwake on the 11th and 17th was well out of season. A Long-eared Owl was seen briefly on the 10th and 23 Crossbill headed south on the 24th. Two Scoter were seen on the 17th and two broods of Shelduck were found but although the Garganey were still present on the 3rd, no broods were seen. At least three Grasshopper Warblers started reeling again in the last week.

Metropolitan (LNHS) Essex : Another Kite filled month with eight sightings during the month including two together over Cranham and Upminster on the 7th. A Great White Egret was also seen over Upminster on the 2nd but could not be refound while a few waders began to trickle through including two Green Sandpipers at Fairlop Waters CP (6th) and eight on the Ingrebourne Valley (27th) and a tricky Temminck's Stint there on the 15th. Nine Common Scoters were at Barking Bay on the 19th and Mandarin was at Belhus Woods CP. Marsh Tits were seen at Orsett and Connaught Water and two Grasshopper Warblers were located at Tylers Common. Inline with elsewhere in the county there were Crossbills at Childerditch (7th) and Hornchurch (nine on 21st)

South-east Essex : A female Red-backed Shrike was at RSPB Vange Marshes on the 11th and two Spoonbill that arrived the previous day were still present with one till the 12th. Garganey were seen regularly and up to eight Spotted Redshanks were seen on the 18th. EWT Blue House Farm hosted two drake Garganey as well along with two Little Stints on the 7th while Red Kites were seen over Basildon on the 4th and Rayne on the 9th. Twelve Med Gulls and 24 Avocet were at Wat Tyler CP and a female Goshawk was over Laindon on the 30th. Crossbills were noted at several sites with a total of 18 over Creeksea on three dates, 15 over Langdon Hills (5th) and flocks of seven (8th) and 14 (21st) over Thundersley.

North-east Essex: Seawatching of Frinton was unsurprisingly quiet with the following movement highlights: Razorbill (4th), 56 Curlew and 22 Scoter (13th); 65 Curlew (21st); 72 Scoter, Kittiwake and Fulmar (26th). Crossbills were seen here on three dates totalling 18 birds. Three more were over Howlands Marsh (8th) while Wivenhoe picked them up heading north on seven dates with 60 birds seen including 23 on the 11th and 22 on the 24th. Eleven Spotted Redshanks were also seen there on the 19th and 30th with a Red Kite through on eth 30th. Other Kites were seen at Gallows Green and Takeley on the 8th.

Mid & East Essex: Abberton Reservoir hosted two Spoonbills on the 14th before they took up residence at RSPB Old Hall Marshes while two Sanderlings at the latter site on the 17th were very notable. At nearby Abbott's Hall an immature male Montagu's Harrier drifted through on the 30th. A Little Gull and Green Sandpiper were seen ay Heybridge GP on the 4th wit the first returning Whimbrel there on the 29th. Red Kites were seen over Boreham (2nd) and Layer (11th) and Crossbills were noted at Cudmore Grover CP (seven on 5th) and 28 at Braxted Park on the 10th.

May

RSPB Rainham Marshes: Aside from a mediocre wader passage it was a disappointing month. Birds were still moving in the first week and included a high of 75 Bar-tailed Godwits on the 1 st along with a Spotted Redshank that visited several other local sites. The 3 rd saw four each of Sanderling, Knot and Grey Plover as well as a few terns up river including four Arctics, nine Black and a single Sandwich . Six Avocet were around for a few days and another Wood Sandpiper and two Little Stints were seen on the 6 th when a Little Tern was also seen. Six more Sanderling were found on the 16 th with four again on the 27 th and 31 st . Two Ring Ouzels were found on the 2 nd with three the next day and two still on the 4 th . It was fairly quiet raptor wise with some Marsh Harrier passage but only one Kite (22 nd ) and a fine female Montagu's Harrier that drifted through on the 15 th . Spotted Flycatchers were seen on the 19 th and 27 th and a pair of Bearded Tits reappeared.

Metropolitan (LNHS) Essex : Waxwings lingered until the 4th when there were still 15 up the Mardyke but these were the last of a fantastic invasion. Black and Arctic Terns and Little Gulls were still on the Lee Valley Reservoirs in the first few days and passage Whimbrels moved through Bedfords Park (two on 1 st ) and Cranham Marsh (four on 2 nd ) while a Bar-tailed Godwit (1 st ) and Temminck's Stint (10 th ) in the Ingrebourne Valley were good finds. Further wader passage was noted at Barking Bay with two Little Stints, three Turnstones, three Grey Plover and nine Bar-tailed Godwits (1 st ) and a Spotted Redshank at nearby Dagenham Riverside on the 1 st and 2 nd . A Great White Egret flew up the Mardyke on the 4 th and Ravens were noted over Cahfford Hundred on the 1 st and Stanford Rivers on the 14 th . Ospreys were seen over Weald Park (11 th ) and the Ingrebourne Valley (21 st ) while we were once again treated to a wealth of Red Kite sightings with 11 records. A Goshawk was seen at a semi-regular site again.Quiet for small birds but a Tree Sparrow was at Five Oaks Lane , Collier Row, a Whinchat in Upshire (3 rd ) and pairs of Spotted Flycatchers encouragingly at three sites. A single Tree Pipit was on territory at Long Running for those bold enough to make a evening visit.

South-east Essex : The Night Heron was seen again on Two Tree Island on the 2 nd but not again afterwards. RSPB Vange Marshes held eight Wood Sandpipers on the 1 st -2 nd and at least one till the 6 th . Two drake Garganey were also seen regularly. An Iceland Gull dropped into Wat Tyler CP on the 3 rd -4 th and nearby RSPB West Canvey Marshes had showy Quail (17 th ) and two Black-necked Grebes from the 28 th . A Roseate Tern was seen on Two Tree Island (1 st ) and a Red-throated Diver was off Gunner Park on the same day. Wallasea Wetland still had three Hen Harriers in the first week and Blue House Farm had a Garganey and Wood Sandpiper (6 th ). A Crane flew over Thundersley on the 10 th and Crossbills were over Hockley on the 8 th (14) and Leigh on the 27 th (five). A Mealy Redpoll also visited a Leigh garden until the 18 th . The last Waxwings were 13 in Rayleigh on the 4 th .

North-east Essex : Seawatching of Frinton had its moments with Red-throated Diver, Velvet Scoter, five Fulmar, 347 Bar-tailed Godwit, Arctic Skua and seven Pomarine Skuas north. The next day 24 Arctic Terns and a Great Skuas were see with a Shag, 61 Arctic Terns and 23 Little Terns on the 4 th . The 10 th saw 1840 Swallows head north and Red-throated Diver and four Crossbills were seen on the 17 th . A total of 106 late Brent Geese were seen on the 23 rd . Elsewhere a Crane was over Holland Haven on the 12 th before dropping into St Osyth for the rest of the day. The Haven also hosted a great raptor day on the 8 th with 14 Buzzard, four Kites, four Hobbies and a Marsh Harrier through while a Temminck's Stint was found there on the 18 th . A Ring Ouzel was at St Osyth (4 th ) and Wivenhoe had eight Crossbill though on the 22 nd and a male Montagu's Harrier on the 24 th .

Mid & East Essex : Abberton Reservoir had its first Glossy Ibis for 30 minuites on the 2 nd . It was then seen over The Hythe. A Spoonbill was at the Reservoir on the 6 th along with a male Garganey, Black Tern and three Little Terns and an Osprey went through on the 17 th . The Hythe also held a male Garganey and Red-crested Pochard from the 6 th . A male Golden Oriole was singing at Friday Woods on the 9 th and a Black Stork was high over Chelmsford on the 21 st . The Maldon area still at a Ring Ouzel at Limbourne Creek on the 4 th a nearby Lofts Farm had a male Redstart on the 2 nd and Wryneck and Little Gull on the 5 th . A female Montagu's Harrier was at Bradwell on the first and probably lingered till the 7 th while a male was seen there on the 15 th and Blue-headed Wagtail and Whinchat on the 8 th . Ten Crossbills were over Burnham on the 24 th and inland there were 14 Black Terns at Hanningfield Reservoir on the 5 th and a Temminck's Stint there on the 29 th . Finally but by no means least a dead Stone Curlew in Mountnessing was found to have been ringed at Charlton St Peter in Wiltshire on the 16 th June 2010.

April 2011

RSPB Rainham Marshes: The fantastic weather brought in a flurry of migrants including countless Reed and Sedge Warblers and Whitethroats along with pulses of Wheatears that peaked at 26 on the 16th. Interestingly, up to this date they all appeared to be of the British race but a new arrival of 15 on the 19th all seemed to be of the larger, brighter, more upright Greenland Race. Within a few days we were back to British birds again so just how many Wheatears actually passed through is anyone's guess! A male Pied Flycatcher was a star find on the 6th with a male Redstart on the 10th being equally smart. At least six Grasshopper Warblers took up territory. Yellow Wagtails were recorded most days and Tree Pipits were seen on the 19th and 23rd. A Ring Ouzel was seen briefly on the 5th and another female arrived on the 19th and stayed for the rest of the month. There were plenty of Sand Martins through but very few House Martins or swallows and we had to wait until the 24th for the first Common Swift. However, its mountainous congener the Alpine Swift graced the marsh for seven glorious minutes on the 16th. The second year on the trot that we have had this imposing species. The pair of Garganey lingered on giving hope that they may stay and breed but most other duck species moved on for the summer leaving a few stragglers. The female Hen Harrier was last seen on the 2nd but Marsh Harriers and Buzzards continued to be regular with some suggestion of passage by both species while there were five sightings of Red Kite. A pair of Peregrines were around all month and a late Merlin was seen while dashing Hobbies put on a spectacular show and peaked at 22 on the 30th. The Ravens made their first appearance of the year on the 16th with both birds being seen on the 23rd. The river was fairly quiet but predictably Common Scoters were recorded with one on the 10th and five on the 13th. Terns were slow to move but by the end of the month Common, Arctic, Sandwich and Black (30th) had all been recorded along with a couple of Little Gulls (25th) and near daily Med Gull sightings from the 20th. Our first Greenshank arrived the 15th and five were here on the 22nd. A Whimbrel and five Green Sandpipers were seen on the 17th and the former reached 12 by the 30th. Singles of Spotted Redshank and Common Sandpiper were also seen along with an early Wood Sandpiper on the 20th and four together on the 23rd. The most obvious passage was from Bar-tailed Godwits that started with a single on the 27th and by the 30th there were 45 on the foreshore.

Grasshopper Warbler - RSPB Rainham Marshes - Les Harrison

Ring Ouzel - RSPB Rainham Marshes - Les Harrison

Greenland Wheatear - RSPB Rainham Marshes - Dave McGough

Metropolitan (LNHS) Essex : A second Stone Curlew of the spring put Wanstead Flats back in the limelight on the 5th and 6th and the site also attracted Ring Ouzel and Redstart (2nd), Brent Goose (5th) and Wood Sandpiper and Tree Pipit (19th). Other Ring Ouzels were in Wanstead Park (11th), Fairlop Waters CP (4th-5th and 9th-12th), Barking Bay (19th-20th), Bulphan (29th) and Wm Girling/KGV Reservoirs (13th, four on 15th, two on 16th-17th). These reservoirs also played host to a Merganser (16th), Little Gulls (17th and eight on 29th), eight Black Terns (22nd), 11 Arctic Terns and a male Garganey (28th). At Dagenham Chase another pair of Garganey dropped in (9th) along with Redstart (16th) and Grasshopper warbler and Nightingale from the 18th. Other Grasshopper Warblers were heard at Lippits Hill, Ingrebourne Valley (three), Bonnett's Farm, Upminster (two) and Netherhall GP. Two Crossbills flew over Bedfords Park on the 4th. Wood Warblers were found in song at Fishers Green (16th) and at High Beech (23rd).Two Tree Pipits were in song in the Epping Forest bufferlands, Dagenham Chase, Thorndon CP and Fairlop Waters CP. At the latter site there was also a Black-necked Grebe and early Swift (14th), Redstart (16th and a Blue-headed Wagtail (28th). Late Fieldfares lingered at Wanstead Park and Orsett (8th) with another at Barking Bay till the 22nd when a Short-eared Owl was also seen. This site also held 15 Wheatear and a Whinchat on the 24th while wader passage along the river was also good here with two Whimbrel, 20 Bar-tailed Godwits, Curlew Sandpiper, two Turnstone and eight Grey Plover on the 30th. Elsewhere, a Wood Sandpiper was in the Ingrebourne on the 25th with 45 late Golden Plover there on the 3rd. A fantastic 37 singing Cetti's Warbler were also counted here. Eyes to the skies resulted in a fantastic 18 Red Kite records across the area along with numerous Buzzards, an Osprey over Romford (1st), Marsh Harriers over Theydon Bois (17th) and Upminster (7th) and eight Glossy Ibises that headed over Leytonstone and a stunned Gary James on the 11th. And yes there were still heaps of Waxwings around with barely a blank day all month. The Grays/Chafford Hundred, Lakeside area was still holding the most with 153 together on the 23rd being the biggest single flock.

Ring Ouzel - KGV Reservoir - Roy Woodward

South-east Essex : A Purple Patch for the south-east of the county with a flurry of good birds that drew birders to the area. A night Heron was discovered on Two Tree Island on the 10th and stayed until the 27th. It was the first twitchable one in the county since Fingringhoe Wick in 1987 so was well appreciated. A Woodchat Shrike at Rettnedon on the 12th was also much admired until a Sparrowhawk had similar ideas on the 14th... Back on the coast a singing Savi's Warbler was found at Canvey Wick on the 21st and was still present the following day when a Hoopoe was discovered at RSPB West Canvey Mashes. A bee-eater was also heard here during the day! Stow Maries Airfield hosted its obliging Great Grey Shrike until the 6th and possibly the same Hoopoe was found here on the 25th and stayed until the 27th. A Spotted Flycatcher, 80 Wheatears and two Turtle Doves were also seen here on the 17th. It then came to light that a Hoopoe had also been photographed at Rayne on the 20th. The final day of the month saw four elegant Black-winged Stilts arrive at RSPB Bowers Marsh and commute between there and the Wat Tyler CP scrape all day. Meanwhile RSPB Vange marshes hosted up to six Wood Sandpipers on the same date and also had Spotted Redshank and Little Gull on the 24th. Two Tree Island also offered very good views of Nightingales and three Grasshopper Warblers along with Redstarts on the 6th and 15th and a Tree Pipit on the 17th. Other Groppers were reeling at Leigh-on-sea, Canvey Wick (two) and around South Woodham Ferrers (five). Gunners Park held Ring Ouzel (7th), Black Redstart (6th) and a ‘normal' one on the 15th but offshore things were very quiet with the best bird being an Arctic Skua off Canvey on the 26th. Three Hen harriers still hunted Wallasea Wetlands and Honey Buzzards were seen over Coombe Wood (3rd), Blue House Farm (18th) and Hockley (23rd) while Rough-legged Buzzards were seen over Cherry Orchard CP (7th) and Southchurch (12th). An Osprey was seen over Belfairs (20th) and seven Kites were logged including one over a house in Laindon West that was lucky enough to have a Crane go through the same day! A Stone Curlew was seen at Blue House farm on the 7th and a Wood warbler was a nice find at Langdon Hills on the 16th. Waxwings were still to be found in some numbers with up to 79 in the Southend area on the 9th and ten still in Rochford on the 20th.

Grasshopper Warbler - Two Tree Island - Dave Cornwell

Great Grey Shrike - Stow Maries Airfield - Dave McGough

Hoopoe - RSPB West Canvey Marshes - Pete Jackson

Night Heron - Two Tree Island - Jeff Delve

Woodchat - Rettendon - Tony Coombs

North-east Essex: Coastwatching was quiet off Frinton with highlights of a velvet Scoter (18th), two Arctic Terns (19th), four Arctic Terns, Arctic Skua, Redstart (20th), Grasshopper Warbler, Hooded Crow and Serin (24th) and 348 Knot and seven Fulmars (27th). A party of 11 Shorelarks were discovered in a field at Kirby-le-Soken on the 4th and were still around on the 7th and nearby Holland Haven held a late Rock Pipit on the 16th and a Rough-legged Buzzard on the 23rd-24th. Earlier in the month there was another Rough-leg over St Osyth (4th) with a Black Redstart there on the 3rd. Red Kites were lingering around the Thorrington Great Bentley area at eth start of the month and several others were reported.

Mid & East Essex : Red Kites featured heavily once again with at least 14 reports including several of two birds together which is very encouraging. RSPB Old Hall Marshes held a Spoonbill on the 2nd-3rd and two Scaup lingered till the 25th when a drake Garganey was also present. Whimbrel reached 87 on the 24th along with a single Wood Sandpiper and the first six Little Terns. A whinchat was seen on the 30th. A Channel Wagtail was seen with the Yellows at Abberton Reservoir on the 5th with four Garganey and a Little Gull there on the 15th. Black Terns dropped in with two on the 19th and four on the 22nd and the first Swifts were in before months end. The Black-necked Grebe stayed at Chitgborough lakes till at least the 22nd and nearby Heybridge GP had Ospreys on the 1st and 9th and a late Snow Bunting on the latter date. A male Ring Ouzel was at Limbourne Creek on from the 25th-27th and male Garganey was at Osea Road on the 22nd. Other Ring Ouzels were seen at Wivenhoe with four there on the 3rd and another on the 21st. This site also held nine Nightingales with good numbers also at Fingringhoe Wick and at least 18 in Friday Woods. Waxwings were less obvious but Chelmsford still had 100 on teh 10th and Colchester 25 on the 5th. A Black Redstart was found on Mersea Island (3rd) and a Tree Pipit and two pair of Garganey were seen there on the 18th. Another Black Redstart was at Bradwell BO (also 3rd) with Water Pipit and an Osprey the same day while early Cuckoos were at Writtle and Frinton on the 2nd. A Raven was also seen over Writtle on the 29th. Last but no means least a Chiffchaff at Hanningfield Reservoir from the 6th is looking very good to be the county's first Iberian...watch this space

Green Sandpiper - Abberton Reservoir - Sean Nixon

March 2011

RSPB Rainham Marshes: A mixture of the seasons this month with various winter visitors such as six White-fronted geese (10th), an adult Shag (8th), three male Goldeneye (6th) hinting at the winter just past while another three flocks of Waxwings (totalling 104!) pointed to northbound passage of birds heading homewards. The same could be said of the Lapland Bunting seen on 10th along with our Water and Rock Pipits, the odd Brambling and Siskin and the two different Merlins seen. The female Hen Harrier lingered all month and several Marsh Harriers were noted along with no less than five different Red Kites. Little Egrets rose to 13 and we suspect that they are nesting locally and a Great White Egret was seen briefly on the 12th. A season high of 264 Stock Doves was counted out on Wennington on the 8th. Further Gull watching produced several Caspians and a little flurry of 17 Little Gulls on the 26th and two more on the 29th. Up to 12 Avocets were seen on the river and the local Oystercatchers were definitely back. Golden Plover and Lapwings slowly departed and a Woodcock (29th) was a surprise. The first Little Ringed Plovers arrived on the 11th and the day before brought an early dapper Wheatear. Chiffchafs and Blackcaps were new in by mid-month with all three hirundines, Willow Warbler and White Wagtail before month end. Star prize went to the Garganey that arrived on the 21st with two pairs on the marsh by the 25th.Other goodies included a Short-eared owl on several dates, four pinging Bearded Tits from the 19th a male Bullfinch on two dates.

Metropolitan (LNHS) Essex: The two Ravens continued to be seen around Copped Hall at the start of the month and were occasionally seen in the Lee Valley while more controversially the Green Winged Teal lingered at Connaught Water all month. Red Kites were certainly a feature of March with 13 sightings mostly from mid month and including two together over Dagnam Park on the 25th. Also up and about were two female Goshawks at Galley Hill and Passingford Bridge and Buzzards were obvious on nicer days. Wintering Firecrests continued to be seen at Bedfords Park , Great Warley and Mores Plantation with another at Belhus Woods CP all month. The Red-crested Pochard, Marsh Tits and Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers all remained at the latter site. Other LSW's were showing well in Wanstead Flats and the Park while Mealy Redpolls were picked up in Wanstead and at Fishers Green. An Iceland Gull was seen in Barking Bay (26th) and Med Gulls were picked up at Dagenham Chase (6th and 13th) and over the Ingrebourne Valley (two on 24th) and the single White-fronted and Pink-footed Geese were still in the Lee Valley . Up to ten Black-necked Grebes were still on the Wm Girling Reservoir on the 6th along with two Scoter and a female Scaup. A pair of Mergansers flew through on the 12th and the following day there were two Scoter on Walthamstow. Fairlop Waters CP hosted Jack Snipe (25th) and Avocet (26th) and had two Little Ringed Plovers from the 23rd. Star wader though was the Stone Curlew found at Barking Bay on the 27th. Another Little Ringed Plover was on Wanstead Flats with a Common Sandpiper (16th). WheatearsThe first Wheatear was at Walthamstow Reservoirs on the 9th with a Sand Martin there the next day and another Wheatear on the KGV Reservoir on the 11th. Wanstead Flats also hosted a fine Ring Ouzel and three Wheatears on the 30th while Dagenham Chase added five Garganey and Yellow Wagtail to the migrant list the same day. The first two Willow Warblers were at Sewardstone on the 29th. There was a good scattering of Waxwings again with numbers in the Grays/Chafford/Lakeside area regularly breaking the 100 mark and peaking at 370 on the 17th.

Green Winged Teal - Connaught Water - Brenda Clayton

Stone Curlew - Barking Bay - David Morrison

South-east Essex : Hockley Woods was s good place to be birding in March with a male Goshawk displaying on several days and Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Firecrest and five Mealy Redpolls also being available for those willing to put in the time. A notable passage of 450 Chaffinches in one hour was also noted there on the 14th. The most popular bird of the month was the Great Grey Shrike found at the old airfield at Stow Maries on the 20th. A great find by the landowner. A succession of visiting birders then turned up over 30 Corn Buntings, Little Owl and even a Black redstart on the 30th. At nearby Blue House Farm a Shag was seen from the 4th-9th, with four White-fronts for the same period and a Red Kite on the 7th. Other Kites were seen over Langdon Hills (19th) and Bowers Gifford (27th). An Osprey was seen at the latter site on the 31st. Other raptors included many Buzzard sightings and at least three ringtail Hen Harriers, Merlin and Short-eared Owl at Wallasea Wetlands. A Firecrest and Tree Sparrow were seen in Benfleet on the 1st and a Black redstart and Water Pipit were both seen at Tewkes Creek on the 4th and 5th. Both Caspian and Glaucous Gulls were seen on Pitsea landfill site and Rossi the Ring-billed Gull was last seen on the 16th. A Guillemot and the year's first Sandwich Tern was seen off Gunners Park on the 27th and the first Wheatear in the area was on Canvey on the 11th. There were still a few waxwings around but no big parties were recorded.

Great Grey Shrike - Stow Maries - Chris Lowe

North-east Essex: RSPB Cattawade Marshes hosted two Little Ringed Plovers before month and seawatching off Frinton involved some passerines with Wheatears on the 10th, 19th and 25th and 515 Chaffinch north (14th). Red-throated Divers reached 83 past on the 18th and the 28th saw both Sandwich Tern and Little Gull logged. Firecrests were at The Naze on the 19th and 27th with a Black Redstart there on the former date while a Spoonbill dropped into Holland Haven on the 20th.

Mid & East Essex : Red Kites featured heavily with 11 reports even allowing for duplication. All were singles bar two over Hanningfield Reservoir on the 30th. A female Hen Harrier was seen out on Fingringhoe on the 4th with a male there on the 6th and five Crossbills over on the 15th. The Blackwater still held nine Slavonian Grebes and 250 Avocets off Rolls Farm on the 2nd and the Red-necked Grebe was last seen at Goldhanger on the 5th. Heybridge hosted 2000 Black-tailed Godwits on the 5th along with 15 Bearded Tits and a Spotted Redshank on the pits and by the 27th all three hirundines, Sedge Warbler, Little Gull and Yellow Wagtail were all on site. Nearby at Lofts Farm a Black-necked Grebe lingered till the 20th and a Firecrest was at Chigborough the same day. Abberton Reservoir still had two Smew and a Slavonian Grebe on the 12th and Little Ringed Plover, Swallow and Sand Martin by the 24th with Little Gulls and a pair of Goosanders in the last few days. Waxwings continued to be seen in small numbers although 200 were at Boreham on the 26th.

Lapland Bunting - Abberton res - Sean Nixon

February 2011

RSPB Rainham Marshes: The reappearance of our Slaty Backed Gull on the 16th stirred things up again and we were ready for the influx of visiting birders over the next few days. It showed very well at times and was seen again on the 17th, 20th, 22nd, 24th and 26th to the best of my knowledge. A juvenile Iceland Gull was seen on both the 11th and 17th with an adult Glaucous Gull on the latter date. There were several Caspian and many Yellow-legged Gull sightings. Easterly winds brought four Little Gulls up river on the 21st with another and two Kittiwakes on the 28th. Mediterranean Gulls began to appear with four on the 25th and with the gulls came a little flurry of new waders including two Turnstones (28th), 16 Avocet (20th), 106 Black-tailed Godwits (numbers have been low this winter), early Whimbrel (22nd), Common Sandpiper and 12 Oystercatchers. The Golden Plover lingered with just over 100 present and Lapwing numbers started to dwindle. Six Brent Geese were seen on the 19th and an Egyptian Goose on the 28th was unexpected. Both the immature male and female Marsh Harriers were seen occasionally and the female Hen Harrier was actually seen most days making it the first truly wintering one on the site since the 1980's! A good sign indeed. Peregrines were very active and a female Merlin was seen on several dates making hunting sorties. Parties of 80, 14 and 32 Waxwings were seen briefly and two Penduline Tits reappeared on the 7th and were then seen again on the 17th-18th. Where do they go?

Metropolitan (LNHS) Essex : The undoubted highlight of the month was the pinning down of the two errant Ravens. They were seen over Hainault Forest CP on the 9th before being located at Copped Hall in the Epping Forest buffer lands on the 13th from when they showed most days. A long awaited tick for many Essex birders. Buzzards peaked at 17 here, the original county strong hold, and a Red Kite was seen on the 27th. Firecrests continued to be seen at Bedfords Park , Romford GC and Belhus Woods CP with new birds in Grays Chalk Pit and four around Great Warley. Belhus also continued to host two Marsh Tits and a drake Red-crested Pochard as well as four White-fronted Geese (4th) and a regular Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. Other Lesser Spots were seen in Wanstead Park , a traditional site. Up to six Mealy Redpolls were still visiting a garden with 20 Lessers in Theydon Bois and another was with a flock at Gunpowder Park in the Lee valley on the 9th. The Wm Girling Reservoir hosted up to 21 Black-necked Grebes and a single Slavonian (12th) and Grey Plover on the KGV was unseasonal on the 23rd. The females of Merganser, Eider and Scuap all continued to be seen in the lower Lee Valley and a Green Winged Teal was found at Connaught Water on the 5th. Elsewhere there was a Tree Sparrow in Aldersbrook from 12th and a Jack Snipe was at Harold Wood Park on the 14th. Med Gulls were seen on Wanstead Flats and Valentines Park and a first winter dropped into Dagenham Chase on the 13th. There were many Waxwings and not a day was missed. Key areas seemed to still be around the Grays / Thurrock area, Upminster/ Hornchurch and Harold Hill with the biggest flock being 200 in Upminster on the 12th.

Raven - Copped Hall - 13th February - Graham Ekins

South-east Essex: The Slaty Backed Gull cheered up the gullers on Pitsea Tip on the 3rd by appearing in front of them. It returned on the 19th and was also seen on RSPB West Canvey Marshes later that day. An Iceland Gull was also seen there. Down on Canvey, 20 Kittiwakes followed a boat upriver on the 1st and a Black Redstart was seen at the Wick on the 4th and 12th with a Hen Harrier there on the 1st. Both Little Gull and Merlin were seen at Wat Tyler CP on the 25th with a Red Kite there on the 5th. Spotted Redshanks and Greenshanks continued to be seen on RSPB Vange Marshes while a female Goshawk was seen at nearby Sadlers Farm on the 24th. Rossi the Ring-billed Gull continued to show at Westcliff and a Purple Sandpiper was seen on Southend Pier on the 3rd and 19th with a flyby Black Brant there on the 16th. Further around the coast there were regular sightings of up to three Hen Harriers on Wallasea Wetlands and five Pale-bellied and a single Black Brant continued to be seen there till at least the 22nd. Up on the Crouch the huge Brent flock held a Red-breasted Goose on the 2nd, 9th and 18th but I have no information as to whether this is a feral bird. Six White-fronts and a single Pinkfoot were also there on the 2nd while a Black-necked Grebe and a Little Stint were noted on the 9th. Finally a Rough-legged Buzzard moved through on the 18th. Another Red Kite was over Stow Maries on the 15th and two Mealy Redpolls were again seen with Lessers at Belfairs. There were no reports of lesser Spotted Woodpecker from Hockley Woods but there were three Firecrests there on the 2nd. Waxwings were again widespread with several flocks of over 100 in the Pitsea and Rochford area.

North-east Essex: Very quiet at the top of the county with just 250 Fieldfare over Stones Green (26th) and a few hours seawatching off Frinton to report. On the 12th 56 Red-throated Divers and two Eider headed past while two Nordic Jackdaws continued to parade on the greensward. The 16th saw 11 Barnacle Geese heading north and 422 Jackdaws north on small flocks on the 11th was notable.

Mid & East Essex: Over 300 Avocets were seen on the Colne and the set aside at Sunnymead Farm, Wivenhoe continued to attract a Tree Sparrow, 100 Siskin, two Brambling and a host of buntings. A Red-throated Diver made is all the way to the Hythe on the 4th. Down onto Mersea Island the Lapland Bunting flock reached a high of 47 on the 26th and a Scaup showed well all month on a small pool. Offshore there were two Slavonian Grebes and a Shag on the 3rd and two Slavs, Great Northern Diver and 36 Great Crested Grebes on the 24th while six Med Gulls were found on the 28th. Further up the Blackwater a Red-necked Grebe was still present off Rolls Farm on the 16th while three Scaup, 15 Merganers and 200 Pintail were off Heybridge Basin on the 12th. RSPB Old Hall Marshes hosted two Scaup, a Black Brant and six White-fronts on the 16th. Slightly inland Lofts Farm had a male Smew on the 5th while six more were at Abberton reservoir for most of the month. The six Tundra Bean Geese stayed till the 12th and nine Pinkfeet and a Red-crested Pochard were seen on this latter date. The Bittern appeared on the 2nd and 5th and a male Hen Harrier showed well from the 14th. The Lapland Bunting flock was difficult to count but at least 21 were seen on the 6th. Elsewhere, Hanningfield Reservoir did not want to be left out of Slaty Backed gull action and the adult bird dropped in for a short while on the 6th much to the delight of those in the hide. An adult Caspian was seen the same day and two male Scaup were there on the 18th. Up to 20 Hawfinches (and the Red Kite) were still to be found at Braxted Park with a male Goshawk there on the 24th. Another Hawfinch was seen over the same garden in Rayne on the 10th, 11th and 14th! There were plenty of Waxwings sightings but nothing like the southern half of the county.

Slaty Backed Gull - Hanningfield Res - 6th February - Dave Acfield

Hawfinch - Braxted 7th February - Chris Lowe

Waxwings: Only three days failed to reach the 100 mark in February but this enigmatic species was recorded on every day once again. The 619 on the 5th was the first date to break the 600 mark. Just how many birds have passed through the county is difficult to say given the roving nature of many of the flocks.

January 2011

RSPB Rainham Marshes: January 1st was surprisingly memorable with nearly 100 species recorded including both Whooper and Bewick's Swans, 60 Pink-footed Geese north, a single White-fronted Goose, three Barnacle Geese, ringtail Hen Harrier, male Merlin, Snow Bunting and Waxwing! Who could ask for more? Waxwings were reported on a further six dates with a high of 29 on the 3rd. The White-front was seen again on 15th-16th and three aadults dropped in on 19th. Needless to say the adult Slaty-backed Gull that was seen on the 13th and 14th was the show stopper for January. Various reports suggest that it was seen by some people on the 15th. There were over 20 reports of Caspian Gulls with six seen on the 15th along with a Glaucous Gull on the 19th, couple of Med Gulls and an unseasonal Arctic Skua. Wetter weather prompted a wildfowl arrival and on 18th 2500 Teal were counted while on 16th there were 1122 Wigeon and 391 Gadwall. A Goosander on the 31st was the only duck of note on the Thames although a Brent goose was seen on a couple of occasions. The usual waders were reported including a couple of Avocets, Turnstone and Jack Snipe. A flurry of Lapland Buntings were seen with up to 11 reported (6th) but none lingered while Corn Buntings and Yellowhammers continued to be found along the river frontage. Tree Sparrow and Bramblings were occasionally seen with the finch flock and a Bullfnch appeared in the woodland along with a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker on the 3rd. The three Marsh Harriers continued to pop in and anoter Hen harrier was seen on the 22nd. Peregrines were daily and a female Merlin was seen every now and then. A Red Kite (5th) and female Goshawk (24th) added interest. Short-eared owls were very tricky and the Barn Owl was only seen once.

Slaty Backed Gull - RSPB Rainham Marshes - 14th January - Adrian Webb

Metropolitan (LNHS) Essex: Bitterns continued to show well with two at both Seventy Acres lake and in the Ingrebourne Valley . The Lee Valley also hosted at leat nine Smew and several Goosanders at Seventy Acres and Cetti's warblers seem to have survived here. Other Smew were at Fairlop Waters CP, Dagenham Breach in Fords and Belhus Woods CP while Goosanders reached a new high of 39 on the 12th at Weald Park . A male Red-crested Pochard was at Belhus all month. Black-necked Grebes were steady at 20 on the Wm Girling Reservoir along with two Slavonian Grebes (28th) and both Scaup and Merganser reported. Another Merganser was in Barkign bay with three Scaup on the first and three Bewick Swans flew through the same day. Nearby a Dartford Warbler was seen at the Ripple NR on the 29th-30th. A female Eider was found at Walthamstow on the 23rd and stayed till 26th. Two Pink-feet and a single White-front were to be found around Holyfield and the Egyptian Goose flock reached 25 there! Four more White-front arrived in the Ingrebourne on the 28th. Marsh Harriers continued to be seen in the Ingrebourne and a Red Kite was over Galley Hill Wood on 23rd. This site also hosted Ravens on the 4th and 18th with other nearby sightings on the 2nd, 22nd and 29th (when there were two over Friday Lake ). One was also seen over Romford on the 26th. Both our named Gulls: Casper the Caspian Gull and Valentino the Med continued to be seen at the usual haunts of the Royal Docks and Valentines Park . There were over 100 waxwings sightings during the month with not a single day missed! Peak counts of 220 in the Loughton area (4th) and of 225 at Lakeside on the 19th and a new county record of 367 there on the 22nd. Amazing! One of the birds in Hornchurch had been rung in Aberdeen back in November. Firecrests came through the cold ok with singles at Holyfield, Belhus Woods CP, Thorndon CP and Wanstead Park and two each at Romford GC and Bedfords Park . A Pied Wagtail roost at Harold Hill hit 210 on the 20th and a single Hawfinch was seen over Loughton on the 3rd. A Black Redstart was seen in Thurrock on 21st and a Yellowhammer flock at Hainault Forest reached 42.

South-east Essex: Waxwings numbers pulsated throughout the area with highs at Pitsea off 200 on 31st and 270 in Basildon . RSPB Vange Marshes hosted a Bittern on and off from the 1st and site high of 420 Teal on 14th. Wintering Spotted Redshanks and Greenshanks were also noted here. A ringtail Hen Harrier was seen on RSPB West Canvey Marshes on 30th. Rossi the Ring-billed Gull was still at Westcliff and several Caspian Gulls were seen on Pitsea Tip. Down on Southend Pier a Purple Sandpiper was seen on several dates and three Snow Buntings were seen on Canvey. Further up the coast Wallasea Wetlands still held many geese with 207 White-fronts, 5000 Dark-bellied Brent and six Tundra Bean Geese on the 4th with 2500 Wigeon the same day. A Black Brant was refound on 14th and two families of Pale-bellied Brents were seen on the 15th and 21st. Hen and Marsh Harriers were regular here. Site along the Crouch such as Paglesham Lagoon and Blue House Farm had a great month with 160 White-fronts on the 3rd and 40 Barnacle Geese on the 4th. Pink-feet and Pale-bellied Brents were also recorded here and four Bewick's Swans and a Black-necked Grebe were on the Pool all month. A Rough-legged Buzzard and up to six Water pipits were also reported. Nearby Hampton Barns still held two Tree Sparrows and the Twite remained at South Fambridge all month. A Red Kite was seen over Southend on the 9th and at Hockley Woods the Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers and Firecrest continued to entertain but there were no Hawfinches reported. Two Mealy Redpolls were with about 50 Lesser from the 19th.

Waxwing - Vange - 3rd January - David Preston

North-east Essex : Six of the Shorelarks stayed at The Naze till the 5th and a Water Pipit was seen there on the 5th. Two Purple Sandpipers were at Walton on the 2nd.The Tree Sparrow flock continued to be seen near St Osyth and nearby Howlands Marsh held good geese numbers with 88 Barnacles, 20 White-fronts and a single Pink-foot on the 12th and similar numbers on the 20th. But the 26th only 26 White-fronts were present. Fifteen Lapland Buntings were at Colne Point on 21st with a Velvet Scoter off there on the 12th. A Black Redstart was in Clacton on 3rd and there was a good spread of Waxwings but no real big flocks. Seawatching off Frinton was quite productive. Two Pale-bellied Brents and a Black Brant were seen on the 7th (later at Holland Haven till the 9th) and 332 Fieldfares coasted on 9th. Peak diver days were 15th: 162 Red-throats; 22nd: 333 Red-throats, Great Northern and three Black-throats; 23rd: 507 Red-throats, two Great Northern and a Black-throat; 30th: 59 Red-throats, Great Northern and three Black-throats. Forty Barnacle Geese went south on 24th with five more on 27th and a Pomarine Skua was seen on 26th.

Shorelark - The Naze - 2nd January - David Preston

Mid & East Essex: The biggest Waxwing flock in the area was 100 in Maldon mid-month where there was also a Black Redstart on the 9th and 23rd. Set aside at Alresford continued to attract small birds with 40 Brambling, 100 Reed Bunting, 100 Corn Bunting and 70 Yellowhammers on several dates. On the Colne there were 650 Avocet on the 3rd while several Hen and Marsh Harriers continued to roost on Langenhoe. A Lapland Bunting flock was found just onto Mersea on the 4th and had risen to 42 by the 27th. Offshore Great Northern Diver, 21 Scoter and a Scaup were seen on the 1st and off the west end of the island there was a similar assortment in the Blackwater. The best single day count was off Goldhanger on the 3rd when 310 Goldeneye, 26 Eider, three Velvet Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, 2 Scaup, Great Northern Diver, five Slavonian Grebes, Black-necked Grebe and Red-necked Grebe were all seen. Quite a haul! By the 23rd the Slavonians had reached 11 and the Red-necked Grebe and a single Black-throated Diver were present off Rolls Farm. The wild geese from late December remained at Abberton Reservoir into early January with 100 White-fronts and six each Barnacle, Tundra Bean and Pink-foot on the 1st. The last two groups stayed all month and showed very well. A Whooper Swan stayed till 2nd and six Smew (25th), Hen Harrier (30th), Slavonian Grebe (10th) and four Lapland Buntings (till at least 23rd). The Bittern was seen occasionally all month. The 13 Pale-bellied Brent Geese stayed till the 1st at Hanningfield Reservoir with seven Eider there the same day. The following day saw a bit of a raptor fest with both Hen and Marsh Harriers, Buzzard, Peregrine and Red Kite all seen. Danbury Lakes hosted 12 Goosander on the 16th and a similar number was at Mill Meadows, Billericay. The Hawfinches became almost reliable at Braxted Park with a peak of 24. This is the highest in the county for at least ten years. An immature Red Kite showed almost daily in the same area. While others were over Lawford, Inworth, Doddinghurst (100 Yellowhammers here on 21st) and Alresford. A Goshawk was seen over Friday Woods on the 24th. Bradwell Bird Observatory was quiet but there were 16 Barnacle Geese on the 2nd along with five Pale-bellied Brent Geese.

Red Kite - Braxted Park- 28th January - Chris Lowe

Ring-billed Gull - Westcliff - 31st January - Les Harrison

Waxwing Summary : Over 100 Waxwings were reported in Essex on every day in January. There were eight days with over 300, three over 400 and four over 500. Quite amazing. The 367 from Lakeside in the 22nd was achieved by carefully the birds from five photos of the trees they were in. The actual figure is more likely to have been over 400 as there were birds still on the ground feeding… A new county record.