December 2008

RSPB Rainham Marshes: With some good cold easterly winds we had high hopes of some interesting wildfowl but although numbers of Wigeon (c550), Pintail (24) and Gadwall (130) increased the only notable duck was a female Goosander seen on 5th. Gulls were definitely on the move with a dramatic increase in the Great Black-backs and Herring Gulls of the northern race. Amongst these were nine sightings of Caspian Gull involving at least six birds, 40 Yellow-legged Gulls, a second winter Glaucous Gull (6th and then 20th-24th) and several Mediterranean Gulls. Dunlin reached a high of 1000 and Lapwing nearly 2500 with 420 Golden Plover and three wintering Ruff. Black-tailed Godwits from Iceland reached a reserve high of 500 and a single Bar-tailed Godwit was seen on 28th. Rock Pipits increased to at least 22 on the whole river stretch and seven Water Pipits were amongst them. The finch flocks of October and November had dissipated from the landfill site but we were still attracting large numbers of Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Linnets and Chaffinches to the vicinity of the visitors centre. The Serin made sporadic appearance into the New Year with two again on 22nd and two Bramblings were seen. Six Corn Buntings were mobile along the river wall and Reed Buntings began to flock. A new Dartford Warbler was found on 1st and was last seen on 18th. Out on the trails Water Rails were very evident and at least eight Cetti's Warblers were to be found and a pair of Bearded Tits was occasionally located. The 6th saw the long awaited return of Penduline Tits to the reserve and they were seen intermittently into the New Year making it four out of the last five winters and all of the last six years for the species on the marsh. There were very few thrushes. Three Short-eared owls continued to show at the west end and Peregrines became daily once again. Merlins were seen on 2nd and 29th and a couple of Buzzards were seen. A Red Kite on the 8th was unseasonal.

Metropolitan Essex: Smew were reported at several sites with at least one pair in the Seventy Acres lake complex, a male at Connaught Water, another at Dagenham Chase (15th) and a male and two red-headed frequenting the Belhus Woods CP / Grangewaters complex. Goosanders and a female Merganser were still on the KGV Reservoir and over 20 Black-necked Grebes were still to be seen on the Girling from Mansfield Hill. A male Goldeneye at Fairlop was notable for the site and was joined on 31st by a male Goosander. Thirty-five White-fronts flew over Chafford Hundred on 26th.A Rough-legged Buzzard was seen well at Holyfield hall Farm on 7th with a Hen Harrier there on 26th. The only Merlin was through Warren Gorge on 24th. The Gorge also held 23 Lesser Redpolls that day while the huge flock of Thorndon CP continued to provide hours of entertainment with Mealy Redpolls definitely making up a percentage of the group. A single Crossbill was seen there on 20th. The Ingrebourne Valley hosted an elusive Bittern, up to three Firecrests (13th), several Woodcock and a lone Tree Sparrow (6th) with the Yellowhammer flock. Three more Bitterns were seen around Seventy Acres and a Lesser Whitethroat had taken up winter residence from 7th. Other Firecrests were seen at Dagenham Chase (two from 15th), Loughton Camp (two on 15th) and South Weald. Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs appear to be around in reasonable numbers. Other good small birds included a Marsh Tit in Claybury Woods (4th) and a Black Redstart at Creekmouth (21st). Waxwings fleetingly visited the area with a single at Cornmill Meadows (18th), three through Mayesbrook Park (20th) and a single in Collier Row (22nd).

South-east Essex : The highlight of the month was undoubtedly the Waxwings that graced the area with a single in Southend on 16th to get us going followed by two more on 24th. Twelve were found at their traditional haunt in Pitsea on 23rd and although mobile stayed till New Year. Rissi continued to show along the Westcliff seafront with a Snow Bunting at the opposite end of the esplanade from 1st. A Purple Sandpiper and up to four Great Northern Divers were off the end of Southend Pier and seawatching off Shoebury produced a Slavonian Grebe from 28th. Elsewhere there were several Woodcock reported and a single Jack Snipe at Fleet Head. A Glaucous Gull was seen at East Tilbury and two Caspian Gulls were at Holehaven on 20th. The wintering Little Stint remained at Wallasea Wetlands with a fine male Hen Harrier there from 23rd. The only notable Canvey count was on 13th when two Bonxies, Great Northern Diver, Shag and Little Gull were reported. Lesser Spotted Woodpecker and a Firecrest were seen occasionally at Hockley Woods and eight Goosanders were seen in Billericay on 8th while several Spotted Redshank and Greenshanks are wintering in the Wat Tyler / Vange area.

November 2008

RSPB Rainham Marshes: Needless to say the Serins dominated Novembers birding with up to four regularly being seen but with at least seven on 13th. Three were still around on the 20th with a single seen into December. Two of the Dartford Warblers were seen at the west end of the seawall till 12th with the fine male staying all month. The Twite did like wise but was only seen occasionally with 26th being the last date. There were several late migrant records during November with a Whitethroat (till 17th), Swallows (9th and 13th), Ring Ouzel (3rd) and a Willow Warbler (25th) and a Squacco Heron shocked us all by flying past the centre window on 10th. A Snow Bunting arrived on 4th and stayed five days with another briefly on 17th. Fieldfares and Redwings were in the scrub and continued checking of the finch flocks produced a couple more Bramblings and the hoped for Tree Sparrow and Corn Bunting. An amazing 46 Stonechats were counted around the reserve on 12th and a small party of Bearded Tits have been seen on the trails along with up to eight singing Cetti's Warblers. An Arctic Skua was found on 4th and stayed all month, occasionally being joined by a second bird and Med Gulls (3rd and 29th), Kittiwakes (1st and 22nd) and Caspian Gulls (from 23rd) added interest. Duck numbers were still fairly low but included counts of Brent Geese on five dates, 22 Pintail and 121 Gadwall along with four Bewick's Swans that visited briefly on 4th while Greylag and Canada Geese flocks have reached 375 and 180 respectively. A Red-throated Diver (1st) and Common Scoter (22nd) were both notable. Lapwing (1000), Golden Plover (200), Black-tailed Godwit (300) and Dunlin (800) have slowly risen in number and amongst them we found four Grey Plover, Curlew Sandpiper (from 13th) and Little Stint (from 22nd). Our daily procession of Ring–necked Parakeets reached 64 on 16th.

Metropolitan Essex: The Lee Valley remained fairly quiet with highlights of 23 Black-necked Grebes and a Common Scoter on the Wm. Girling Reservoir on 16th, up to 12 Egyptian Geese on Fishers Green Goosefield with Merlin and Buzzard nearby on 6th and Goosanders at the Weir on 27th. A Wheatear and Firecrest were seen at Walthamstow Reservoirs (17th). Five more Goosanders were at Fairlop on 23rd with a Smew at Connaught Water on 16th. Three Jack Snipe were seen regularly at West Thurrock Marshes while Green Sandpipers were seen at Woodford Bridge and in Barking park and several Little Egrets were inland. Woodcock were put up in Hainault Forest CP (10th) and Bedfords Park (19th). Elsewhere a Dartford Warbler (6th), Bittern (7th) and Tree Sparrow (14th) were found in the Ingrebourne and Firecrests were seen at Warley, Harold Hill and Warren Gorge where a Mealy Redpoll was also found on 23rd. A huge, very mobile Redpoll flock was found at Thorndon CP on 4th and it was thought that the majority of the 400 birds were Mealies…. There must be an Arctic in there somewhere. Reports of a Rough-legged Buzzard in the Bulphan area appear to relate to a very pale buzzard but searchers found a Merlin and four Waxwings on 9th. Another Waxwing was in Brentwood on 12th. The Med Gull was still present in Valentines Park all month.

South-east Essex: Seawatching on the 1st -2nd was very productive off Canvey and Southend Pier and produced 12 Great, one Arctic and four Pomarine Skuas, Arctic Tern, eight Little Gulls, 33 Common Scoters, Purple Sandpiper, 300 Kittiwakes, Black-throated Diver and Purple Sandpiper. The month started off well with a new adult Ring-billed Gull at Holehaven Creek and Rossi still lingering around Westcliff seafront all month. Up to ten Med Gulls frequented the end of Southend Pier along with four Great Northern Divers (30th) and a couple of Purple Sandpipers. Of two Shags seen, one bore coloured Darvic rings. The same birds were seen off Shoebury where a Pale bellied and Black Brant were seen on 14th-15th. Another Brant was at nearby Wakering on the latter date at the same time. Earlier in the month on 8th there were 3150 Brent Geese at Two Tree Island and a further 3000 at Wakering which would account for the arrival of both the other forms of the species. Sixteen White-fronted Geese were on Havengore on 15th before moving to Wallasea (and increasing by one) the next day. The island also hosted both Curlew Sandpiper and Little Stint on 23rd and a Snow bunting on 27th. Gunners Park hosted a Yellow-browed Warbler on 1st-2nd with Firecrests and Black Redstarts also present. Another two Black Redstarts were on Canvey the same day. Another Firecrest was at Wat Tyler CP on 9th with a Hen Harrier there on 25th. Eight Waxwings were at Laindon on 12th but none as yet at Pitsea!

October 2008

RSPB Rainham Marshes: October got off to a great start with the first ever Treecreeper for the site on 3rd-4th. This was followed on the 8th with not one but two Yellow-browed Warblers fresh in from China . One was seen again on the 10th while Black Redstart (5th and 29th), Redstart (7th-8th) and a fine Ring Ouzel (8th) added autumnal interest. Finches were on the move with many Lesser Redpolls (including 50 on 17th), Siskins, Linnets and even a Bullfinch seen. This arrival culminated on the 22nd when no less than four Serins were found. This tiny continental finch is a very scarce visitor to Britain so when the number rose to at least five on the 29th we were gob-smacked! Two, normally coastal Twite and a few Brambling completed the month's unusual finch-fest which on the 26th totalled over 1000 birds! The 22nd also heralded a brief visit from a lanky Richard's Pipit and three Dartford Warblers that managed to find the only patch of gorse on the reserve. Gannet (6th), Arctic Skua (6th), Great Skua (12th), immature Shag (8th) and Common Scoter (18th) kept eyes on the Thames while Short-eared Owls made a welcome return to the Silt Lagoons along with one of our resident Barn Owls. Several Buzzards and a Marsh Harrier moved through and Peregrine sightings became more regular. Little Egrets lingered and a Glossy Ibis was seen briefly but well on the 21st; another new site bird. Gull watching produced a couple of Mediterraneans and the first Caspian Gulls of the autumn. Our local Cetti's Warblers began to spread out with at least eight in song on the trail circuit while three Wheatears on 31st were a little tardy in heading for Africa . Common Darters and Migrant Hawker dragonflies were still on the wing as we headed into November and even the Marsh Frogs had not given up on their croaking. The bull Grey Seal was occasionally seen showing off his eel catching skills.

Metropolitan Essex : Fairlop had a good month with a Yellow-browed Warbler on 18th, Cetti's Warbler on 15th and Red-crested Pochard the same day. A covey of Grey Partridge was the first for about 16 years while a Short-eared Owl was more expected. Late autumn passage migrants were scarce with only one Ring Ouzel (Leyton on 3rd), several Firecrests and two Bramblings. Siskins and Lesser Redpolls were seen over many sites with one Mealy in Warren Gorge on 11th where a juvenile Osprey was also present on the same day. A Spotted Flycatcher at South Weald on 2nd was getting late as was a Common Tern at Walthamstow Reservoir on 23rd. The Mediterranean Gull returned to Valentines Park for his ninth winter and a flock of Pink-footed Geese were heard over Ilford on 31st.

South-east Essex : Bird of the month was the Broad-billed Sandpiper found on 2nd at Wallasea Wetlands. It was very tidal but stayed till 6th. Two Whooper Swans were seen there on 5th. The Thames was fairly quiet during October with just one Pomarine Skua (5th) and several Arctics off Canvey. Goose checking at Leigh and Two Tree Island produced a single Pale-bellied Brent amongst the Dark-bellieds from 3rd with another at Wakering on 18th. Brents topped 2500 at Leigh on 21st with 1630 Wigeon and 91 Little Egret there on 3rd. Gunners Park hosted a Grey Phalarope on 18th and Firescrests and Black Redstarts from 30th with a Yellow-browed Warbler in central Southend on 16th. A Richard's Pipit was at East Tilbury the next day while other Black Redstarts were at Oxenham Farm from 26th and on Two Tree Island on 2nd. The first Caspian Gull of the season was at Paglesham Lagoon on 25th while Rossi the Ring-billed Gulls was usually on Westcliff patrol. Basildon 's regular Med Gull returned for his 15th winter on 14th. A Marsh Harrier over Wat Tyler (29th) and a Red Kite over Rawreth (10th) were the only raptors of note.

September 2008

Big Raptors: County wide it was a fantastic month with at least 57 Honey Buzzards recorded between 8th and 28th with peak days of 13th (21), 14th (17) and 28th (four). Nearly 40 Ospreys were reported with a resident juvenile at Canvey from 11th, seven through Abberton and several through the Stour and Bradwell. Three were together at Abbotts Hall from 1st while five were seen flying towards The Naze from Languard on 13th. There will be some duplication as birds of both species moved south but it was still an unprecedented movement. Many Common Buzzards were also on the move with several double figure site movements and in excess of 100 birds reported. Many observers noted increased Peregrine, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel activity and indeed a Finnish Kestrel was found dead on the coast. Fifteen Sparrowhawks were seen fron Frinton on 13th alone. A Goshawk was seen at Rainham on 23rd with two more through there on 27th and another at Boreham the same day. All were males. There was just one Red Kite see over Cattawade on 22nd and a Hen Harrier at Holland Haven till 4th.. However, the star raptor was completely out of the blue when Russ Neave photographed a strange falcon above his house in Maldon 13th which turned out to be a stunning Eleonora's Falcon…

RSPB Rainham Marshes: Tern passage continued with over 1500 Common, 200 Arctic, 112 Black, 25 Sandwich and three Little Terns logged with the 11th being the big day with over 800 birds being seen! Kittiwakes (7th and 24th), three Little Gulls (12th), three Brent Geese (22nd) and two Common Scoter (4th and 14th) were also seen. Marsh Harriers were seen on nine dates – all being fresh juveniles other than a fine adult male on the 7th which was very unusual for the marsh. Ospreys headed through on the 7th and 19th and Buzzards were seen on seven days including a staggering 13 on the 20th. With a national influx of Honey Buzzards under way it was not surprising that we had one on 13th and two the following day. A female Merlin was seen from 17th. A male Goshawk was seen on the 23rd with two high and east on 27th and several obliging Hobbies finished off the excellent raptor selection. There were few waders to be seen with Knot and Bar-tailed Godwit on the Thames and a Little Stint and Pectoral Sandpiper on the pools from 28th. Up to a dozen Little Egrets roosted of an evening and our third Great White Egret of the year briefly popped in on 9th. Stock Doves built up to 110 on Wennington (25th) and Turtle Doves were seen on 9th and 18th. Duck began to increase with Pintail, Wigeon, Shoveler and Gadwall on the up and a couple of Garganey were found amongst them. There was plenty of small bird activity right from the start with the third Aquatic warbler for the reserve from the 3rd – 8th. This endangered eastern European breeder attracted quite a crowd but was incredibly elusive. From 17th two Wrynecks proved equally popular but more obliging while diligent searching of the woodland produced up to four Spotted Flycatchers, a Redstart and plenty of warblers including a skulking Marsh Warbler on 14th. Out on the marsh there were a few Wheatears and peaks of 11 Whinchats and nine Stonechats, both on the 10th. Eight Tree Pipits were caught up with the Meadow Pipit migration and the first Rock Pipit of the season was seen on 20th while a couple of Redwing and a fine Ring Ouzel were seen before the month turned. A record 46 Ring-necked Parakeets were counted heading back to their roost site at Hither Green on 19th.

Metropolitan Essex: Raptors aside it was an fair month with the Thames tern passage being tracked as far as Silvertown with 350 Common, 68 Arctic , 161 Black and two Sandwich Terns being logged between 10th and 12th. Five Black Terns were at crossness on 7th when a Manx Shearwater was also found on the Thames . It was still present next day. Another Arctic Tern made it to Fairlop on 11th where a Wryneck as seen on 7th and it or another on the 12th. The site also held Little Stint (13th), Redstart (15th), Black-necked Grebe (18th) and Short-eared Owl from 21st. Bedfords Park was well watched and attracted Redstarts (7th and 9th), Pied Flycatcher (12th), Firecrest (28th) and Tree Pipits on 5th and then from 23rd-28th with two on 27th. Another Tree Pipit was seen over Tylers Common (18th). Further Pied Flycatchers were in Wanstead Park (1st with two Redstarts), and at two sites in Grays on 18th. Crossbills were recorded as singles over four sites with six more over Dagenham Chase on 8th. Siskins were noted moveing from early in the month with a peak of 80 at High Beech on 10th. The Lee valley was very quiet save for 24 Black-necked Grebes on the Wm Girling from 14th.

South-east Essex: There were a couple of good days off Canvey Manx Shearwaters on 4th and 22nd (two), Sabine's Gull (14th), two Pomarine Skuas (9th), 700 Brents by 19th, Great White Egret (26th) and three Eider 19th. The 24th was the best day with 192 Gannets, 23 Great Skuas, 25 Arctics , one Pomarine and a Long-tailed Skua. Another was seen on 6th. Gunners Park attracted a small passage of Pied Flycatchers and Redstarts from 16th with several Tree Pipits also caught up in the movement including two on 18th and four on 21st. Siskins were reported from many sites. A Dotterel there on 20th-21st also proved very popular. Two tree Island hosted 120 roosting Little Egrets on 28th and a Ring Ouzel on 25th. Rossi the Ring-billed Gull continued to be seen at Westcliff and there were still up to 30 Med Gulls around. Three Short-eared Owls were at South Fambridge on 3rd and nearby Blue House Farm had a Water Pipit on 28th. Vange was fairly quiet with Wood Sandpiper from 7th and Curlew Sandpiper and three Little Stints on 14th. A Radde's Warbler was trapped on Foulness on 27th.

August 2008

RSPB Rainham Marshes: A relatively quiet month on the reserve but busy on the Thames with a fantastic tern passage from about 16th onwards. Between then and 31st over 1200 Common, 44 Arctic, 10 Sandwich , 31 Black and a single Little logged. There was very little else noted bar a high of 14 Yellow-legged Gulls and three Kittiwakes. There were eight March Harrier days with two on two dates and two single Buzzards. Peregrines and Hobbies were regular. Wader passage was kept low due to the dropping water levels but all the usual species were seen including Wood Sandpipers, Spotted Redshank, five Avocets, 12 Greenshank, Knot four Sanderlings and both Godwits. A Garganey was seen on the 8th and Teal and Shoveler numbers slowly built up. Wheatear and Whinchat passage was very sparse but there were several Spotted Flycatchers, two reports of Tree Sparrows and single Turtle Dove, Tree Pipit, Redstart and Nightingale. There were two Yellowhammer reports and as a grand finale for the month a smart Ortolan Bunting paid a brief visit on 30th.

Metropolitan Essex: A White-winged Black Tern at Crossness outfall from 11th – 14th was viewable from both the Essex and Kent side with two there on the 12th. The outfall also hosted Black Terns with six on 21st and eight on 31st with a single Little Gull on the latter date. Other Black Terns were at Walthamstow Reservoirs on 17th and 18th. An adult Kittiwake was off West Thurrock Marshes on 16th. There was a movement of Whimbrels in the first few days with a single over Harold Hill on 1st and an amazing 38 over Stondon Massey on 2nd. Another was over the Ingrebourne on 17th when an Oystercatcher was also seen while a Spotted Redshank was on Hall Marsh the same day. A Stone Curlew (and a normal one!) was seen at Sewardstone Marsh on 30th. There were few big raptors (excluding Buzzards!) with a Red Kite in Epping Forest (2nd) and a Marsh Harrier over Creekmouth on 16th. Redstarts were seen at Weald Cricket Club on 21st, Romford 28th and at Dagenham Chase on 29th. A few Spotted Flycatchers were seen and Crossbills flew through Fairlop (eight on 23rd), Harlow (one on 23rd) and Chafford Hundred (11 on 29th).

South-east Essex: Canvey Island was well watched during August although the wind was seldom favourable. However there were peaks of 12 Arctic Skuas on 16th; 2 Great Skuas, Sooty Shearwater and Fulmar on 30th and a juvenile Sabine's and a single Pomarine Skua there on 31st. A single Brent Goose was seen there on 3rd and two Curlew Sandpipers were in the point roost on 3rd while a Marsh Harrier (14th) and Osprey (16th) headed south. Another Osprey was seen over Potton Island on 23rd and 28th. East Tilbury had a great day on 30th with a full adult Sabine's Gull, three Pomarine Skuas, nine Arctics and many terns including over 700 Common, 57 Black, and a fantastic 21 Littles and 62 Yellow-legged Gulls. RSPB Vange Marshes continued to attract waders with several Wood and Curlew Sandpipers moving through while the high tide roost at Wakering included 1500 Bar-tailed Godwits and 151 Little Terns on 2nd. Southend seafront still hosted 93 Mediterranean Gulls on 3rd while the ever faithful Rossi the Ring-billed Gull returned from his holidays to Westcliff on 30th. Wallasea Island hosted the usual wader assortment along with a Little Stint on 3rd and a Merlin was seen there on 12th.

July 2008

RSPB Rainham Marshes: Little Egrets continued to increase and by the 23rd we had a new record of 56 which included a chunky yellow-billed juvenile that caused us no end of trouble! Wader passage was light but continuous with peaks of nine Whimbrel, 15 Little Ringed Plovers, 12 Greenshank and 25 Common Sandpipers along with single Knot (29th), Wood Sandpiper (9th), Spotted Redshank (1st) and Golden Plover (24th). Yellow-legged Gulls slowly increased to a peak of 26 on 31st and several Mediterranean Gulls were seen. Small parties of Common Terns patrolled the Thames and the first Common Gulls returned on 13th. A Kittiwake on 5th and a Siskin (4th) were both unseasonal. Yellow Wagtails appeared from mid-month and two Crossbills were seen on 31st when the bird of the month, a Black Kite, was watched for several minutes. Juvenile Marsh Harriers started to move through from 22nd with two on several dates.

Metropolitan Essex: Two Ravens over Barking Bay on the 10th continued the recent trend but strangely there were no local Red Kite reports in July although there was a male Goshawk was over Wanstead on 30th to add to a belated record from Beckton on 2nd June. Green Sandpipers were reported from several wet spots including the Ingrebourne Valley and the Girling Reservoir where there were 18 on 14th. Both sites also held double figure Little Egret flocks. Three Crossbills flew over Hornchurch on 20th and 12 Ring-necked Parakeets over Creekmouth the same day was a high count for the area.

South-east Essex : Mediterranean Gulls dominated the Southend Seafront scene with a new county record of 167 on 12th. RSPB Vange Marshes is starting to come back into its own with a very good selection of waders including several Spotted Redshanks and Wood Sandpipers, 26 Green Sandpipers (27th), 26 Common Sandpipers (30th) and two Little Stints and a Curlew Sandpiper on 31st. A Ruddy Shelduck was also here on 27th and there were frequent sightings of Marsh Harrier, Med Gull and Cetti's Warbler. Wallasea Wetlands hosted some good concentrations of roosting summer plumaged Grey Plover, Bar-tailed Godwits and Knot and the wintering male Goosander returned as early as ever on 25th. Red Kites were seen over Ashingdon (13th) and Leigh (21st) and there were many Marsh Harriers in the Wakering area while the Southend Peregrine family has been very active around the town centre. Paglesham Lagoon hosted a Black-necked Grebe on 30th and a Black Stork was seen by one lucky observer low over Shoebury on the 23rd. Sixteen Crossbills passed through two more sites but the star bird of the month went to the Woodchat Shrike watched for just a few hours on Two Tree Island on the 13th.

June 2008

It was a month of Kites and Crossbills across the county.

RSPB Rainham Marshes: A relatively quiet month but still some late passage evident with Marsh Harriers daily till 3rd and a Buzzard on 4th. The same day a Great White Egret dropped in unexpectedly, stayed all day and then disappeared until the 7th and 8th when amazingly two were present on the last date. This is the third consecutive year that this imposing species has been recorded on site. Little Egrets built to about 20 with the first of the year's youngsters arriving. Return wader passage got underway early with several Green Sandpipers and a Wood Sandpiper (22nd) in the last week. A single Limosa race Black-tailed Godwit lingered and 19 were present as we headed into July. The river was quiet but the first Yellow-legged Gulls started to appear and both Little Gull (13th) and several Med Gulls were reported. At least four drake Garganey started to moult into obscurity and a Turtle Dove (4th) was only the second record for the year. Spotted Flycatcher (5th) and Firecrest (4th) were the only small migrants of note.

Metropolitan Essex: Four Red Kites kept the eyes upwards and also yielded another Raven (over Chingford) on 5th. Little Egrets were in their usual haunts with nine in the Ingrebourne being the high count. A pair of Garganey were seen there on 10th. Good breeding records included a brood of Mandarin near Brentwood, fledged Long-eared Owls and at least two new Firecrest territories. Crossbills were reported as flyovers at four sites and included 15 at Thorndon CP on 22nd. Two unseasonal Siskins were seen at Bedfords Park (9th) with a Woodlark there the same day. Similarly a Brent Goose at Walthamstow on 24th was out of place.

May 2008

RSPB Rainham Marshes: With near perfect water levels across the site it was not that surprising that May became a wader month with a staggering 24 species recorded including 21 of those in just one week! All the commoner species were recorded along with several Black and Bar-tailed Godwits, Sanderlings and Little Stints, four Knot in resplendent chestnut plumage, seven Turnstones, three Wood Sandpipers and three diminutive Temminck's Stints from 11th to 15th with four on the 16th. The Avocets remained on site despite loosing their eggs. Summer visiting warblers got down to the serious job of breeding but there were still migrants to be found with single Spotted Flycatchers on several dates and two cracking singing Firecrests on 25th. Garganey continued to be seen and at least five drakes and one duck were present as we headed into June. We hope that this rare summer visiting duck will breed this year. Little Gulls were seen at the start and end of May and the Thames hosted five species of Tern including a Little on 4th and a Black on 5th and 7th. A howling north-easterly with rain on 26th saw some real seawatching from the centre with two Fulmars and huge Gannet trying to find a way back out of the River. Up to 11 Hobbies were very obliging but despite searching we could not find the hoped for Red-footed Falcon. Marsh Harriers were recorded most days and it is becoming very difficult to ascertain how many birds are actually involved. Red Kite (14th), Buzzard and Honey Buzzard (both 31st) kept up the big bird of prey passage while a calling tawny owl on 11th was an excellent bird for Rainham.

Metropolitan Essex: Raptors ruled the month with a fine female Red-footed Falcon at Seventy Acres Lake from 15th-21st stealing the show. It was also seen at Sewardstone on its last day. Another female was seen for s few minutes at Dagenham Chase on 18th. Red Kites were seen over Havering-atte-Bower (7th), Cornmill Meadows (11th), Harlow (19th) and Hornchurch (31st). A Honey Buzzard passed over Connaught Water on 31st 45 minutes after going over Rainham and Common Buzzards were at their usual haunts. A Marsh Harrier was over the KGV Reservoir on 4th with an Osprey over Walthamstow the following day. There was little in the way of wader passage although a Bar-tailed Godwit at Walthamstow on 9th was being pursued by a hungry Peregrine. Three Fulmars were on the Thames between Grays and the QEII bridge on 26th. A Black Tern was also reported here on 23rd with at least 16 more through the KGV on 4th. A Red-rumped Swallow at Holyfield Lake on 1st was the star passerine but for only one observer while Firecrest, Redstart, Lesser Redpoll and Grasshopper Warblers were all found in Epping Forest . A Golden Oriole was seen briefly at Cornmill on 11th and 14 Nightingales were holding territory on Fishers Green Island. A Raven was seen over Goodmayes on 2nd.

South-east Essex : Definitely a raptor month with Red Kites over Landon Hills (5th) and a flock of four over Rayleigh and Canewden on 10th. An immature male Montagu's Harrier took up residence from 13th on Wallasea till 21st and an Osprey was seen there on 17th with singing Quail on 13th. Two drake Garganey were at Vange on and off and Nightingales were heard at Benfleet Downs and Wat Tyler CP where Turtle Doves were also in song. Three Cranes were seen over Hadleigh and then South Woodham Ferrers on 7th with two also seen over the latter on 16th. Seawatching off Canvey on 26th revealed a record breaking 118 Fulmars including a blue morph, two Pomarine Skuas, five Guillemots and 55 Gannet while further upriver nine Fulmar and eight Gannet made it as far as East Tilbury where the two Pomarine Skuas were still residing.

April 2008

RSPB Rainham Marshes: With high water levels the numbers of duck remained good well into April. Three Pintail stayed throughout and Tufted Ducks reached a spring high of 54 on 12th . The 16th saw three male and a single lucky female Garganey on the site. A single drake was seen on and off after this date. Two Egyptian Geese arrived on 15th and stayed a few days while a single Brent Goose bobbed up river on 16th . Wader passage was reasonable with the first Whimbrel on 12th and groups of up to seven subsequently. Two Spotted Redshanks and up to three Greenshank moved through along with 6 Ruff, Sanderling (16th ) and Turnstone (19th ) and the odd Bar-tailed Godwit or two. Seven British race Black-tailed Godwits were seen in addition to our usual flock of Icelandic birds. Two Avocets seem quite taken by the new scrape. Astonishingly, our second Stone Curlew of the spring gave excellent, if distant views, for most of the 16th . The Thames was fairly quiet but yielded a few Common Terns from 18th , 5 Arctic Terns (20th ), a Black Tern (21st ) and a flurry of Little Gulls from 20th . An Arctic Skua on 23rd was a great spring record. There was plenty of big bird of prey action with at least seven Marsh Harriers, a Buzzard, Red Kite (2nd ) and two Goshawk sightings. A female was seen on 2 nd and a male on 13th . Peregrines were regular and the last Merlin was a male seen on 11th while the first Hobby was on 22nd . Three Short-eared Owls stayed well into the month and give us hope … Small birds were well represented with some goodies among the commoner migrant fayre. A Common Redstart was seen on 9th with single Black Redstarts on 15th, 24th and 29th. A male Whinchat on the 24th with Wheatears completed the good chats. Ring Ouzels were seen on 20th and 24th with a late Fieldfare on 27th . Yellow Wagtails were largely flyovers as was a Tree Pipit (10th ) and Yellowhammer (13th ) while two water pipits stayed till 10th The find of the month was a Richard's Pipit from 27th . A new site bird! Three Grasshopper Warblers reeled from 20th with our first Garden Warbler of the season the next day.

Metropolitan Essex : A Cattle Egret was found at the sou the rn end of the Wm. Girling reservoir on 12th . It stayed till 17th and showed well at times. Little Egrets continued to be seen in favoured places but most had returned to the ir breeding sites by mid-month. Buzzards were very active and three Red Kites were seen on 5th , 15th and 24th . All were along traditional flyways. Goshawks were seen at Brentwood and Sewardstone and Peregrines continued to be reported in the southern Lee Valley . The first two Arctic Terns were off North Woolwich on 14th with a mini push of this species and Little Gull through the Lee Valley from 20 th with a peak of 25 of the latter at the KGV reservoir on 22nd . A Roseate Tern was seen off North Woolwich on 27th . Two Black-necked Grebes were still on the Girling on 6th with four more at Fairlop on 17th . Garganey were reported from Belhus Woods CP where two drakes took up residence from 9th . A single was in the Ingrebourne on 12 th and another was at Walthamstow Reservoirs on 20th -21st . A Hoopoe was seen alongside the A12 at Brentwood on 26th . Ring Ouzels were seen at Fairlop on 17th and West Thurrock Marshes (25th ) with Redstarts at the former site from 6th , at Sewardstone (5th ) and Walthamstow Reservoirs (9th ). A Black redstart was seen at the latter site on 20th . Whinchats were at Dagenham Chase (24th) and Tylers Common (27 th ) while the Chase also had Corn Bunting and flyover Tree Pipit on 23rd . Firecrests were seen at Walthamstow Reservoirs on 6th -7th and in Mayesbrook Park on 25th . Grasshopper Warblers were back at two traditional sites by mid–month. Twelve late Fieldfares and a single Redwing were at Tylers Common on 22nd and a Short-eared Owl hung on till at east 23rd .

South-east Essex : Vestiges of winter hung on at the end of Southend Pier with Black-throated Diver on 19th and a Shag and two Purple Sandpipers on 25th . Elsewhere Hen Harriers were reported at Hadleigh on 20th and Canvey on 18th . The Iceland and Glaucous Gulls were last seen at Mucking on 5th when 1100 Black-tailed Godwits were also counted. Paglesham Lagoon hosted a Slavonian Grebe from 12th -15th and the seemingly resident Long-tailed Duck all month. An Osprey over Wat Tyler CP on 26th was the only record and not a single Red Kite was recorded in the area. Common Redstarts were seen at Gunners Park from 13th -15th with Black Redstarts there on 20th and at Barling (13th ) and Rayne (25th ). Grasshopper Warbleres were in song at Wakering and RSPB Vange Marshes and the only other migrants of notes were a Firecrest on Canvey (14th ) and a Tree Sparrow in Gunners Park on 4th .

March 2008

RSPB Rainham Marshes: Unlike February March was distinctly inclement with plenty of wind, rain and even snow. Duck numbers remained high and a Goosander on 6th was very notable. Thousands of gulls moved through the reserve. They were mostly Black-headeds but included at least four Meds, one Little (30th), two Caspians, two Iceland Gulls (the juvenile intermittently till 31st and an adult seen on 5th). Oystercatchers were back and proclaiming the ir territories on the foreshore. The 9th saw a very early Little Ringed Plover back on site with two from 15th which was our first real spring day with seven Wheatears and the first two Avocets of the year. Three more were seen on 26th. Numerous Chiffchaffs, a Willow Warbler, three White Wagtails (20th) and a couple of Sand Martins and Swallows suggested a change in the wea the r. Up to four Bearded Tits and three Cetti's Warblers were on the trail circuit but Stonechat numbers dwindles to just a pair by month end. A Spotted Redshank from 28th was new for the year. The 27th saw a flock of 15 Common Scoters on the Thames all day. This movement was mirrored across East Anglia . Three Short-eared Owls continued to hunt the Silt Lagoons and three each of Marsh Harrier and Buzzard moved through from 14th. Star raptor goes to the Osprey seen heading north on 29th but the bird of the month was found next day with a fine Stone Curlew roosting up amongst the ant-hills.

Metropolitan Essex: Little Egrets were all over the area in March with at least 15 birds reported from seven sites with Mayesbrook and Harrow Lodge Parks being the most regular. Mayesbrook is being very well watched at the moment and is proving that a local patch can be worth the time and effort with excellent birds such as Water Rail, Peregrine, the first county Wheatear (11th), Brambling and female Goshawk (31st). Elsewhere winter did not really linger with a pair of Smew at Netherhall on 8th and a good scattering of Fieldfares (200 at Fairlop on 9th), Redwings and largely garden based Bramblings and Siskins. A garden in Wanstead also had two Mealy Redpolls amongst several Lessers. A Hawfinch graced another garden in Woodford Green on 22nd but did not linger. The same garden also briefly hosted the winters only Waxwing on 17th. The main migrant push was from 16th when the re were Wheatears and Sand Martins at several sites along with two early House Martins at Dagenham Chase. The KGV reservoir held three Scoters on 27th and an early Yellow Wagtail with some Whites. The only Black Redstart was at Pages Farm on 22nd and 23rd. Other signs of movement included a Red Kite over the Ingrebourne Valley (30th), Water and Rock Pipits in the Lee Valley , four Kittiwakes at Walthamstow Reservoirs (25th) and a Short-eared Owl at Fairlop on 21st-22nd.

South-east Essex: After a fairly quiet winter is was good to get some divers in the Thames Estuary with all three species being seen off the Southend Pier and Gunners Park (9th and 21st). At least three Purple Sandpipers continued to roost at the end of the Pier and up to 20 Med Gulls were on patrol while Rossi the Ring-billed stayed at Westcliff till 21st. Strong winds on 16th did not bring much up river with 23 Gannet off Canvey being the highlight. The Paglesham Lagoon Long-tailed Duck was still present on 1st and at nearby Wallasea the Little Stint and Goosander continued to winter. A Pale-bellied Brent Goose was with 4000 Dark-bellieds on 11th and a male Hen Harrier was seen on 14th and 16th. Gull watching at Holehaven started to tail off but the Glaucous Gull was seen again on 4th when the re were also three Caspians. The Glaucous Gull spent more time in March at Mucking where two were seen on 2nd with one till 22nd. Two Pomarine Skuas still patrolled the river and the Curlew Sandpiper continued to be seen up till 8th at least. Wat Tyler hosted a Marsh Harrier for most of March with three White-fronted Geese again being seen on 22nd. Wintering Spotted Redshanks and Greenshanks continued to be seen here. Two Short-eared Owls were regularly seen on Two Tree Island where a Spoonbill circled briefly on 14th. The first Wheatear was on Canvey on 15th with a scattering of Sand Martins after that time. Bramblings were reported in many gardens and parks.