December
RSPB Rainham Marshes: December saw wintering duck and wader numbers start to build up most of the movement occurring from about 16th after a week of colder easterly weather. Wigeon and Teal reached 650 and Pintail a respectable 39. Gadwall also increased to 70 by month end. The change in weather saw an arrival of wild geese. On the 16th the first 16 White-fronts passed through but it was the 21st that will be remembered for the 88 Barnacles, 12 Tundra Beans and six White-fronts that arrived. Thirty-nine of the Barnacles stayed into the New Year but the Tundra Beans only lasted to next morning. More was to come with another 56 White-fronts through in two flocks on 31st. Continuing the theme, three Egyptian Geese on 10th were only the 4th site record. Black-tailed Godwit, Lapwing and Golden Plover numbers fluctuated with highs of 400 (27th), 2200 (31st) and 540 (27th) respectively. Over 60 Snipe and a couple of Jack Snipe were reported and the river held a Merganser (15th), Kittiwake (12th) and Bar-tailed Godwit (7th). A Ruff was with the Lapwing flock. Adult Med Gulls were seen on several dates. Four Short-eared Owls continued to hunt the silts and the Barn Owls were seen occasionally. Two Merlins were briefly seen but up to four Peregrines were hunting the site. A final Marsh Harrier was seen on 31st. Small birds included up to six each of Bearded Tit and Corn Bunting, a small flock of Lesser Redpoll and one Mealy with the Linnet flocks and four Twite on 1st. Water and Rock Pipits continued to show well on the foreshore including the yellowy headed xantheristic individual seen in the previous two winters.
Metropolitan Essex: The Lee Valley held Smew and Goosander by mid-month with up to 15 of the latter around Holyfield Lake and a pair of the former in the Friday Lake area. Eleven Egyptian Geese on Fishers Green Goosefield on 16th was notable. Further down the valley the KGV held a Great Skua and Merganser on 9th and Black Redstart on 11th. Walthamstow Reservoirs had a Shag (3rd) and Merlin (9th). Further Smew were seen at Mollands Lane GP (pair on 7th), Connaught Water (male till 2nd) and Belhus Woods CP (two pair on 19th) and five Goosander were wintering at Weald Park . Mediterranean Gulls were seen at South Weald, Valentine's Park and Mayesbrook Park on 10th and Walthamstow Reservoir on 5th. Little Egrets turned up at eight inland sites including four at Mayesbrook Park . The Ingrebourne Valley held two Bitterns, a Short-eared Owl on 3rd and up to 15 singing Cetti's Warbler. Three Firecrests were in the Warley area with another in Hornchurch on 3rd.
South-east Essex : Paglesham Lagoon was consistently good throughout December with the Long-tailed Duck staying till 1st and Scaup till 15th with a Portuguese Shoveler and French Tufted Duck with nasal saddles. The 24th saw a single Caspian and six Yellow-legged Gulls on site. Wallasea Wetlands continued to hold a wintering Little Stint and the male Goosander from last winter returned to this atypical habitat on 5th with a male Merganser the same day. There were several reports of Merlin and Hen Harrier. Canvey Island produced eight Med Gulls, 31 Kittiwakes, Great Northern Diver and a female Merlin on 8th and a Pomarine and three Arctic Skuas on 24th while nearby Holehaven only revealed one Caspian Gull (10th). Rossi the Ring-billed Gull was regularly on patrol at Westcliff and Southend Pier held up to five Purple Sandpipers and 21 Med Gulls. A Short-eared Owl was seen irregularly on Two-Tree Island . Siskins were the only small birds of note with the sub-urban flock at Prittlebrook reaching 23 on 18th and another 30 at Leigh Station on 24th.
November
RSPB Rainham Marshes: The long-staying Turtle Dove lingered until 7th and the feeders also attracted a Brambling on 13th-14th and a couple of Lesser Redpolls. Gull watching produced Med Gulls on 3rd and 29th and a Glaucous Gull on 28th following a boat. Surprisingly no Caspians were found. The Black-tailed Godwit flock increased to 200 by 27th and up to six Jack Snipe were found. Golden Plover peaked at 90 and two Grey Plovers could be found on the foreshore. Wildfowl numbers increased slowly with a peak of 14 Pintail and about 450 Wigeon but the highlight went to the three adult Bewick's Swans that spent a couple of hours on the mud in Aveley Bay on 15th. Two female Goldeneye on 12th were noteworthy. Further river watching produced a Great Northern Diver going west on 20th. Raptors were still to be seen and there were two sightings each of female Hen and Marsh Harriers along with a female Merlin on 30th and up to three Peregrines. Short-eared Owls made a welcome return from 15th with at least five from 17th. Ring-necked Parakeets are now an almost daily sight but flocks totalling 36 on 3rd smashed out previous record of ten! There were plenty of small birds around and both Snow (2nd) and Lapland Buntings (13th) were recorded going over while a Dartford Warbler was seen briefly on 23rd with a single Yellowhammer on 4th. Bearded Tits and Cetti's Warblers were occasionally reported.
Metropolitan Essex: Two Bitterns were seen in the Ingrebourne but the re were no sightings from the Lee Valley where the highlights were two Cetti's Warblers on 17th. A female Smew was at Connaught on 11th and Goldeneye cropped up at a number of sites including Mayesbrook Park , Barking Bay and Dagenham Chase; all on 12th or 13th. Walthamstow Reservoirs held Slavonian Grebe and a fly through Arctic Skua on 19th with the grebe still being present next day. Three Pomarine Skuas over Leyton on 9th were part of a national influx. Short-eared Owls were seen over Barking (12th) and Tylers Common (14th) and at least 50 Ring-necked Parakeets were at Aveley (see Rainham) on 2nd.
South East Essex : Wallasea wetlands made the news in more ways than one in November but birdwise held Curlew Sandpiper on 4th and Great White Egret and a late Common Tern on 6th. Nearby Paglesham Lagoon also did quite well with a female Scaup from 4th-25th and a Long-tailed Duck joining it from 19th when two Whooper Swans and a Caspian Gull were also reported. A Red-necked Grebe was there on 25th. The outer Thames did not want to get left out of the Little Auk influx and several were seen off Southend Pier, Canvey and Gunners Park from 10th. Canvey also hosted Velvet Scoter (5th) and Black-throated Diver (14th) while Two Tree Island held a full adult Pomarine Skua on 10th, Black Brant (11th) and a single Short-eared Owl. Med Gulls reached about 30 on the end of Southend Pier with Bonxie, (4th), Long-tailed Duck (10th) and up to nine Purple Sandpipers (15th). Rossi was still around Westcliff Casino and Holehaven Creek hosted at least 11 different Caspian Gulls from 10th-24th. A Ring Ouzel in Gunner Park on 6th was late.
October 2007
Rainham Marshes: The month got off to a flyer with a Blyth's Reed Warbler from 4th-6th and although it was very elusive for most of its stay, it was seen and heard well enough to hopefully get the records accepted. Two Firecrest were seen at the same time and up to four Cetti's Warblers were singing by mid-month. There were two reports of Yellowhammer and two Tree Sparrows moved through on 7th with Woodlark over on 31st. Stonechat numbers increased steadily and it was no surprise that a Dartford Warbler was seen briefly on 21st. A Black Redstart was also seen on this date and a Common Redstart was around on 2nd-3rd while a male Whinchat on 20th was getting late. Finch passage was quite noticeable with good numbers of Greenfinches, Chaffinches, Linnets and Goldfinches as well as a smattering of Bramblings, Siskins, Lesser Redpolls and even a lone Mealy on 27th-28th. A Coal Tit was on the feeders on 25th and looked a likely candidate for a Continental race bird. Five Marsh Harriers and two Buzzards were reported and a ringtail Hen Harrier cruised through on 31st. The 16th saw the arrival of the second site Cattle Egret for the year. It stayed till 23rd. Amazingly a Great White Egret was found on 19th and this stayed till 24th although for a huge white bird it was astonishingly elusive! Duck started to drift back in with a handful of Pintail amongst the Wigeon and Teal. A lone Red-breasted Merganser on the River (6th) was a bonus and there were three very early White-fronted Geese from 26th and a couple of Brent Goose sightings. Gull watching produced Caspian Gulls on 1st and 24th and a few Common and Arctic Terns were seen in the first week. Two Sandwich Terns headed north on 3rd. The Black-tailed Godwit flock started to build up slowly and there were about 70 by month end. Curlew Sandpiper, Spotted Redshank and Little Stint were seen in the first week; four Avocet on the River on 25th and Jack Snipe were reported on 2nd and 21st. A Turtle Dove was found with the Collared Dove flock on 24th and was still present into November.
Metropolitan Essex: Bitterns were back in the Ingrebourne Valley and on Seventy Acres Lake by mid-month and an early Smew was at Connaught Water from 26th. Red Kite was seen over Dagenham Chase on 14th and continues the site's amazing run on this species. Buzzards aside, the only other big BOP was a Hen Harrier over The Girling Reservoir on 3rd. Good passerines were thin on the ground but Cetti's Warbler at Dagenham Chase (from 14th) was notable. A Redstart was seen at West Thurrock Marshes and the Warley area once again attracted up to eight Firecrests. A late Yellow Wagtail was at Walthamstow on 14th and a Wheatear was at Fairlop on 28th when a Tawny Owl was also seen – a new site bird. A Woodlark was over Leyton on 19th.
South East Essex : Canvey was not to be left out of the seabird movement of the north coast and clocked up a Manx Shearwater, two Sabine's Gulls, two Pomarine Skuas, 168 Gannet and 35 little Gulls on 1st and three more Pomarine's the following day. Up to 7000 Brent Geese enlivened the Leigh-on-Sea promenade with a up to two Black Brants and a Pale-bellied in tow. The Red-backed Shrike was still at Wakering on 4th and a Great Grey Shrike reappeared there on 14th when there was also a Little Auk seen. Two Purple Sandpipers were on Southend Pier from 18th. Rossi the Ring-billed Gull was around all month with the Med Gulls and further gull watching at Canvey produced a Glaucous, two Caspians, eight Yellow-legged Gulls and four Meds on 27th.
September 2007
Metropolitan Essex : It was generally a poor month inland with little in the way of movement other than around the high ground at Warley where four Redstarts, 12+ Spotted Flycatchers, Wood Warbler (3rd) and Firecrest (10th) were reported. Ring Ouzel were seen at Fairlop and in the Ingrebourne Valley (27th), the same day as the first Redwings at several sites. Spotted Flycatchers were seen at several other sites and two Tree Pipits were reported. Wheatears and Whinchats were very scarce. Up to seven Egyptian Geese were in the Lee Valley and a Grey Phalarope dropped into the KGV Res. on 22nd. Star bird was the Spotted Crake in the Ingrebourne from 16th to 26th.
Rainham Marshes: The Red-backed Shrike stayed until the 6th but the focus quickly switched to the Spotted Crake that was seen on 7th and 8th. A site first. Marsh Harrier, Buzzard and an early Hen Harrier (26th) moved through and up to five Hobbies kept us entertained into October. Long staying Curlew and Wood Sandpipers were popular and the pools also attracted a Spotted Redshank (28th) and several Ruff. The male Bearded Tits still around and Stonechat numbers increased as the month moved on. Several Tree Pipits went over along with Meadows and finches. The first Cetti's Warbler was back on 22nd with two by month end. Two Caspian Gulls were seen on 26th and both Little Gull and Kittiwake were reported from the Thames where several Arctic Terns were seen moving with Common Terns.
South East Essex : Seawatching off Canvey gave some good counts with the 27th with 178 Gannets, 28 Bonxies, 27 Artcic Skuas and Hen Harrier and 28th with two Sooty Shearwaters, three Long-tailed Skuas and a Pomarine Skua being the best days. A long-tailed Duck was seen there on 29th and a Caspian Gull on 4th. Needless to say, Rossi the Ring-billed Gull and numerous Med Gulls were around the seafront all month. The first Brents were back in the estuary from 13th while Wallasea held good numbers of waders including four Curlew Sandpipers. Seven were also seen at East Tilbury where there was also a count of 980 Avocet on 21st. An Osprey was around Wakering on 1st-2nd with another over the observers watching a Great Grey Shrike in Gunners Park on 29th. The shrike moved to Wakering the next day and was joined by a Red-backed as well!
August 2007
Metropolitan Essex : There was very little in the way of migration until the second half of the month. Redstarts were the most widespread scarcity with possibly four each through Dagenham Chase and Great Warley with another on Walthamstow Marsh on 13th where a Stone Curlew was briefly seen on 21st. Great Warley also held a Wood Warbler (27th) but Whinchats and Wheatears were scarce. A Tree Pipit at Tylers Common was the only one seen. A Wood Sandpiper took up residence at Dagenham Chase from 8th and two more were at Cornmill Meadows from 26th where there were also two Garganey. An Osprey over Dagenham Chase on 15th was on its way to Rainham. Kittiwake, Arctic Terns and Black Terns were all seen off West Thurrock Marshes on 22nd.
Rainham Marshes: A busy month with some wader passage including regular Whimbrels and godwits and a brief Wood Sandpiper (9th-11th), two Knot from 22nd, Sanderling (19th) but no stints as yet! At least five Marsh Harriers, a Red Kite (19th), two Buzzards and the Dagenham Chase Osprey (15th) moved through and Hobbies put on a spectacular display. Eight Arctic Terns on 18th was a precursor to an amazing 11 hour riverwatch on 22nd which tallied: 840 Common, 14 Arctic, 2 Little, 34 Black, nine Sandwich and an adult Roseate Tern, adult Kittiwake, Med Gull, 23 Yellow-legged Gulls and a very unseasonal immature Goldeneye. The following day three Bonxies headed high up river with another single and an Arctic Skua on 24th. Two Redstarts, Crossbill (2nd), several Whinchats, a Pied Flycatcher (31st) and Yellow Wagtails hinted at some passage but the prize went to the juvenile Red-backed Shrike that arrived and entertained on 29th.
South East Essex : Med Gulls reached a peak on 2nd of 137 along the Southend seafront area and Rossi the Ring-billed Gull returned for his ninth winter from 20th. Paglesham Lagoon produced two Yellow-legged and a Caspian Gull (11th) as well as an impressive 92 Little Grebes. Buzzards and Marsh Harriers were seen at various sites and a Hen Harrier along the Roach on 9th was early. An Osprey was seen fishing off Wakering on 19th and then inland over Rettendon the next day. East Tilbury came up trumps with a 700 Avocet (12th) and a Barred Warbler briefly on 27th. Seawatching at Canvey was occasionally excellent with all the skuas including two Long-tails on 21st, 26 Bonxies, 29 Arctic Skuas and 183 Gannet on 23rd and 65 Little Terns the following day. Canvey Point also hosted a White-rumped Sandpiper on 18th and 25th.
July 2007
Metropolitan Essex : A Spoonbill at Cornmill Meadows on 10th was probably the bird of the month before moving to Rainham the following day. A few Green and Common Sandpipers moved through the Lee Valley along with a Culrew (12th) and the KGV Reservoir hosted the first Black-necked Grebe of the season on 22nd when a Black Tern was also present. Dagenham Chase had the sandpipers and Greenshank move through along with two Med Gulls on 16th and early Redstart and Spot Fly on 30th. A Quail sang in a field alongside the Wm. Girling Reservoir on 24th-25th.
Rainham Marshes: Spoonbill number six for 2007 arrived on 11th and stayed till month end. Waders trickled through with a few Black and unusually, Bar-tailed Godwits, daily Whimbrels and Greenshanks and increasing numbers of Green and Common Sandpipers. Med Gulls were seen on several dates and the Quail was heard again on 2nd. O the r signs of autumn passage included and early Wheatear from 21st and Whinchat on 28th with a pair of Common Scoter on the Thames on 20th and the first juvenile Marsh Harrier of the season on 19th. A Sandwich Tern on 22nd was a year first.
South East Essex : Med Gulls increased all month with a peak on 28th of 89 along the Sou the nd seafront area. Up to eight were also seen at Wat Tyler CP where the re was also an Arctic Tern on 15th. A Spoonbill was seen the re from 15th after first being seen over Eastwood on 11th. An out of season Goosander continued to summer on Wallasea and a Brent Goose was at Wakering on 14th.
June 2007
Metropolitan Essex : Walthamstow Reservoirs hosted a rufous Swallow (7th) and Turnstone (9th) while two pairs of Little Egret successfully raised young. A Red Kite was over Holyfield Lake (17th) and a limosa Black-tailed Godwit was at Cornmill Meadows (23rd)
Rainham Marshes: Our immature Spoonbill stayed till 4th with our fifth of the spring (an adult) on 9th and 11th. Little Egrest peaked at 23 on 1st before dropping off during the month although the first juveniles were on site from 23rd. A male Marsh Warbler was found in full song from 2nd-4th but was disturbed late on the last day and was not seen subsequently. The fall out from the Ouse Washes wader disaster was felt at Rainham where 20 unseasonal limosa Black-tailed Godwits arrived on 20th for a few days. June is normally our one black month until the icelandica birds start returning in mid-July. Greenshank were first seen back on 17th with Green Sandpipers from 20th. Two male Garganey were still around all month but no female was ever found. A Quail was heard on 17th and 30th.
South East Essex : Avocets were breeding at several sites and at least five different Med Gulls visited Wat Tyler CP. A pair of Long-eared Owls successfully fledged young in the region.
May 2007
Metropolitan Essex : Outside of Rainham, the rest of Met Essex was very disappointing with two Ospreys (Bulphan 1st and Fairlop 14th) and five Red Kites passing through being the highlights. Walthamstow Reservoir picked up Arctic Terns from 7th with a peak of 11 and four Black Terns on 1st-2nd. A Sanderling was also there on 11th. Turtle Doves were very scarce with the only birds reported from Dagenham Chase and Sewardstone.
Rainham Marshes: The headlines should read “Mediterranean Comes to Rainham”. It was a phenomenal month that started well with a Spoonbill on 4th-5th followed by another immature from 19th to month end with no less than three on 25th. Little Egrets nearly reached 30 and a Cattle Egret on 20th-21st was only the 5th for Essex . Bar-tailed Godwit passage continued with a peak of 73 on 2nd along with single Spot Reds on 1st and 14th, up to four Avocets, Sanderlings on three dates, Little Stint from 25th and Wood Sand on 22nd. Four drake Garganey rattled around the reserve and overhead Goshawk (female on 6th), Red Kite (22nd), several Buzzards and two Marsh Harriers added interest. Arctic Terns were seen on 2nd and 27th (43) with two Black Terns with three Arctics on 28th. Two Little Gulls were also seen on 2nd and an Iceland Gull the next day was unexpected. Quails were heard on 5th and 30th and a Hoopoe briefly appeared on 9th followed on 11th by a Bee-eater that circled the centre a few times before heading off. Another Ring Ouzel showed on 5th, up to five Grasshopper Warblers were in song and single Whinchats and Spotted Flycatcher moved through. Three Turtle Doves were seen and a pair of Bearded Tits are breeding.
South East Essex : Nightingales were well in song at, at least four sites and a Wood Warbler was found at Langdon Hills on 3rd. A Temminck's Stint was found at Vange Marsh from 16th-18th with another there from 26th-28th. Red Kites were seen over Coombe Wood (21st) and Galleywood (31st). A late Great Northern Diver was off Canvey (3rd) and 79 Brents were there (14th).
April 2007
Metropolitan Essex : Spring was very slow to get going and it took most of the month to get the regulars migrants in. The Garganey reappeared at Belhus Woods (15th) with ano the r pair at Walthamstow Reservoirs (18th) with three Black Terns (30th) and Black Redstart (12th) also reported there. The KGV held onto its Great Northern Diver till 12th with the two female Eiders on 27th probably being the rarest birds of the month while a fine male Ferruginous Duck commuted between Dagenham Chase and Harrow Lodge Park over Easter. Several Little Gulls and two Little Terns were also seen there on KGV 21st. The Grey Phalarope continued its winter sojourn at Crossness till 20th and made occasional visits to the Essex side. A male Goshawk over Walthamstow (3rd) was the first in a series of area records including a female over Hornchurch (14th) and Upminster in the preceding week. Marsh Harriers moved through the Ingrebourne (21st) and Weald Park (4th) and Red Kites were seen over Harold Hill (9th), Dagenham Chase (two on 17th) and Hornchurch (30th). Three Whinchats and two Redstarts were reported and Connaught Water held Hawfinch and Wood Warbler on 26th. At least seven Grasshopper Warblers were reported from traditional areas. Ring Ouzel was the key passerine highlight with seven bird reported from 11th from five sites with a long staying male at Great Warley till 19th.
Rainham Marshes: The first half of the month was very quiet with very few migrants. Up to 150 Icelandic Black-tailed Godwits came back through from mid-month and even the Grey Phalarope popped back on 6th. Other waders included a Spotted Redshank (9th), Whimbrel (from 20th), Greenshank (from 21st), Bar-tailed Godwits (from 27th). Two Avocets seem to have taken up residence. Both Buzzard and Marsh Harrier were reported on three dates and a male Goshawk was seen off by Sparrowhawks on 14th (see above). The Thames was very quiet and the three reports of Black Tern overshadowed the one of Common! Nine Little Gulls dropped in on 9th with o the rs on 21st and 22nd. A male Garganey was seen on 16th and 20th before three drakes arrived on 30th. Small birds have included a fine male Ring Ouzel from 17th-21st, five Whinchats (24th), at least five Grasshopper Warblers, Tree Pipit (21st) and Woodlark (11th). Ten Ring-necked Parakeets on 13th was a site record.
South East Essex: A male Goshawk at Wakering (13th) and Red Kites over Benfleet (2nd) and Corringham (22nd) continued the recent run of Essex records and Marsh Harriers and Buzzard were seen at several sites. A Purple Sandpiper lingered on the Pier till 6th but otherwise the Thames was very slow. Paglesham Lagoon hosted a pair of Slavonian Grebes from 10th. Vange held the best birds with a Spoonbill over on 30th and a singing male Bluethroat early on the 14th. Four Little Gulls were seen the re next day and one lingered at Wat Tyler CP till 17th. The only Ring Ouzel was on Canvey on 18th and a Hoopoe was reported from Leigh on 28th.
March 2007
Metropolitan Essex: The Lee Valley Reservoirs continued to hold both Great Northern (till 12th) and Red-throated Divers (5th), male Ferruginous Duck (8th -17th), up to 18 Black-necked Grebes (12th), Red-breasted Merganser (17th) and 67 Goldeneye (1st) as well as the first local LRP (22nd), Wheatear (28th) and Sand Martin (11th). Elsewhere up to nine Egyptian Geese were at Fishers Green (5th) with Knot the re on 3rd. Black Redstarts were seen at Walthamstow and West Thurrock Marshes and Firecrest lingered in the usual haunts. A few Bramblings were seen in Epping Forest with one Hawfinch in Woodford Green on 15th. A Swallow was over Weald Park on 30th and a Garganey was at Belhus Woods CP (12th-26th) with a Smew the re till 13th. The White-fronted Goose was present in the Ingrebourne when not at Hanningfield! A single Red Kite over Brentwood (20th) was a poor show by recent standards. A White Stork was seen over Orsett Fen on 8th.
Rainham Marshes: Still a distinct lack of spring with a month almost devoid of any migrants bar a Wheatear and Sedge Warbler (28th) and 100 Sand Martins and LRP (29th). Waders included a record 33 Curlew (19th) when Jack Snipe was also recorded. Up to three Avocets have called in on a few occasions and Golden Plover peaked at 93 (2nd). The last Water Pipit was seen on 26th. The Penduline was seen on 3rd and 26th-27th and the Black Redstart was in song on 10th but not subsequently. Two female Bearded Tits made sporadic appearances. Four Marsh Harriers, a female Merlin and a female Goshawk passed through and nine Brent Geese were on the Thames on 29th with the Egyptian Goose paying another visit on 1st. Six Med Gulls were recorded 1st and 2nd year Caspian Gulls were located.
South East Essex : Two of the Purple Sandpipers and a Great Northern Diver remained on Southend Pier till 1st but it was generally a quiet month with Rossi and a few Med Gulls lingering at Westcliff till 22nd and the Hawfinch and Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers at Hockley Woods being the only regular birds around. A Velvet Scoter off Two Tree Island (10th) was unusual while at Wallasea the Little Stints were seen occasionally. Two Marsh Harriers lingered at Vange and a Merlin and two early Little Ringed Plovers (7th) were seen at this new RSPB holding. Swallows were seen at Runwell (9th) and Paglesham East End (13th) and a premature Wheatear was at Shellhaven on 3rd!
February 2007
Metropolitan Essex : Despite one day of snow it was still a mild, wet month and the local birdlife did not alter much from January. The Bittern on Seventy Acres lake was only seen three times and Smew in the Lee Valley stayed at around the ten mark. The Girling and KGV Reservoirs still held two Great Northern Divers all month along with up to 17 Goosanders (15th), a Red-breasted Merganser and 20 Black-necked Grebes (25th). The only real sign of passage were the sightings of four new Med Gulls in addition to the Valentines Park adult. The Royal Docks Caspian Gull was last seen on 3rd. A White-fronted Goose was found with Greylags in the Ingrebourne on 10th and was present on and off till 28th. At least six Egyptian Geese were reported. The Valley also hosted at least 21 singing Cetti's Warblers with o the rs being heard at Seventy Acres Lake , Belhus Woods CP and Warren Gorge. The Grey Phalarope continued its tour of the Thames with visits to the river between Barking Bay and Crossness on 25th-26th while West Thurrock Marshes held up to nine Avocet and three Jack Snipe (18th). Buzzards were seen at usual haunts and included an amazing ten over the Lee Valley Bird Fair on 17th. There were almost no finch flocks and just one Hawfinch (Woodford Green on 13th) and a couple of Bramblings. Up to seven Firecrests were reported in the area.
Rainham Marshes: Wildfowl and wader numbers barely altered during the month with and the only species to show a significant increase being Lapwing with 3000 present from 21st. Black-tailed Godwits stayed at around 300 (14th) and other waders included 20 Ringed Plover (10th), up to 75 Golden Plover (28th), three Ruff, up to four Turnstone, 15 Curlew (14th) and single Avocets on five dates. With the high water levels Snipe were pushed out into the open and at least 150 were seen in one flock on 14th. The Grey Phalarope was relocated in the Thames briefly on 4th. A Med Gull was seen on 3rd on the same day as a female Marsh Harrier went through. A Buzzard drifted over on 17th and Peregrines were very active. The Egyptian Goose returned on 28th and a single Brent popped in on 19th. Rock Pipits totalled 21 on 2nd and at least five Water Pipits were around. A single Penduline Tit was seen sporadically during the month and up to three elusive Black Redstarts were along the railway line. The Cetti's still held court and two Tree Sparrows remained at The Barges.
South East Essex : Southend Pier was again on form with the continued presence of up to six Great Northern Divers, single Black-throats (4th) and even a Black-necked Grebe (3rd). Three Purple Sandpipers roosted most days at the end with another by the Old Gas Works pier. Nine Med Gulls was the peak count with others at Westcliff in the company of the Ring-billed Gull. Two Snow Buntings were on the beach off Southchurch on 4th. Wallasea continued to hold three Little Stints all month with the female Goosander, Merlin, and Black Brant seen on 4th. The Brant was seen again on 18th. Hockley Woods revealed it Hawfinch and Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers to regular visitors throughout the month.
January 2007:
Metropolitan Essex: The Lee Valley was quiet with only one Bittern sighting (the Watchpoint on 6th) and low numbers of Smew and Goosander and very few winter finches or thrushes. The KGV and Girling Reservoirs however held up to three Great Northern Divers, a Red-throat, Red-necked Grebe, Slavonian Grebe and up to 24 Black--necked Grebes during the month. Elsewhere Smew were occasionally seen in the Ockenden and Belhus area with at least four male and two female involved. Five Firecrests were found in the Warley area others were in Warren Gorge and Dagenham Chase. A Mealy Redpoll was seen with about the only Siskin flock, at Belhus Woods CP on 12th. The Thames was quiet with a single Kittiwake on 17th off West Thurrock Marshes and aside from Peregrines and Buzzards the only Big BOP was a Red Kite over Dagenham Chase on 31st.
Rainham Marshes: New Years Day started well with four White-fronted Geese (two stayed till 4th) and one of the Penduline Tits. Although more elusive than in early 2006, up to three were seen regularly during the month. Waders included up to 275 Blackwit, 25 Curlew, three Grey Plover (30th), Turnstone, two Ruff, Little Stint (10th) and our spinning top Grey Phalarope that popped in on four dates between 10th and 20th. Peregrines were incredibly active and the female Merlin was seen again on 3rd. A good goose run from the 22nd saw Brent Goose then Eqyptian Goose (26th and only the fourth site record!) and five fly through Tundra Bean Geese (27th). Two Black Redstarts lurked by the railway and at least two Cetti's occupied the reed bed. Gull checking revealed at least two different second-winter Caspian Gulls and up to ten Yellow-legged Gulls. A Little Gull on 2nd was the only other gull of note. The snow on 31st produced over 210 Fieldfares but nothing else came in at all.
South East Essex : Southend Pier was a good place to see divers well with at least two Great Northerns, many Red-throats and a couple of Black-throats (13th and 27th) logged. Guillemots and Razorbills also showed well and up to three Purple Sands and 30 Med Gulls were often at the end. Two Snow Buntings frequented the seafront and Rossi was on patrol at Westcliff all month. Elsewhere two Caspian Gulls and several Yellow-legged Gulls were at Hole Haven (6th) and Wat Tyler held five White-fronts on 10th. Three Twite at Benfleet Creek (21st) were noteworthy and two Dartford Warblers were at Vange on 1st with the male staying till at least 19th. East Tilbury's wintering Smew was seen till 13th and the Cliffe Falcated Duck made it across on 6th. Both the Little Stint and Curlew Sandpiper were seen on 14th with a Little Gull at the power station on 28th. Two Little Stints were also seen regularly on Wallasea where a Goosander (from 27th) was also a good bird. Inland there were numerous Blackcap reports and Lesser Spots and Hawfinches drew people to Hockley.
December 2006:
