December 2009

RSPB Rainham Marshes: A very good mix of species on the reserve in December with the continued presence of the male Marsh Harrier and the arrival of two females from 23rd. They seem quite tolerant of each other so who knows. A Buzzard was daily on the Silt Lagoons and a female Merlin was seen on 11th and 28th while at least six Peregrines are using the site. A ringtail Hen Harrier (14th) was all too brief. Gull watching produced at least five Caspian Gulls and the Atlantic-type Gull was seen again on 11th. A Great Skua was a great find on 29th and was still terrorising birds on 31st and Little Gulls were seen on each of these days with counts of six, 17 and eight. A single Kittiwake was also tagging along. An unseasonal Spoonbill dropped in on 22nd. Lapwing numbers remained stable at about 1000 with about 150 Golden Plover, many Snipe and three Ruff amongst them. Black-tailed Godwits have been seen mainly at the Barges but one on the reserve on 27th was a colour ringed Icelandic bird that we saw here in January. Other notable waders included Bar-tailed Godwit and Turnstone (29th), three Avocet (18th), singles of Jack Snipe, three Woodcock (21st) and eight Grey Plover (from 18th). A pair of Bearded Tits showed very well from 19th and the two Serins remained throughout. Single Bramblings were noted and Bullfinch on 21st was a good find. A Snow Bunting was seen on 4th and 6th and a couple of Yellowhammers were also seen. Cold weather brought in 400 Fieldfare on 26th and on 18th 238 Skylark were seen heading north.

Metropolitan (LHNS) Essex : It was moth of the Firecrest with no less than 19 birds seen at 13 sites. The Bedfords Park / Havering area held at least eight and six were in Epping Forest . A Great Northern Diver took up residence on the Girling Reservoir from 2nd and up to 13 Black-necked Grebes and a Red-breasted Merganser were also seen there. Five Goosanders were on the KGV and a Hoopoe was seen on private land near there on 24th. At least two female and one male Smew were in the Seventy Acres area with another immature male on Connaught Water on 12th-13th. Another pair were on Mollands Lane GP on 26th. Wanstead Park continued to host a Goldeneye and a male Goosander there on 20th was a bonus. Ten more were at Weald Park on 19th. A Slavonian Grebe was seen at Fairlop on 20th with a Jack Snipe there the next day. Like many sites a Woodcock was also recorded. A count of 22 Mandarin at Noak Hill was the largest count in the county ever outside Epping Forest while Egyptian Geese at Holyfield matched this number. Two Bitterns were seen at the Seventy Acres Watchpoint and at least one remained in the Ingrebourne. A flock of 26 Avocets at West Thurrock Marshes on 18th was pleasing.

South-east Essex : Wallasea wetlands was excellent in December with regular sightings of male and female Hen Harriers along with Merlins and Marsh Harriers. Both Curlew Sandpiper and Little Stint are wintering and four Eider were seen there on 13th. Encouragingly, flocks of over 200 Skylarks have been seen. Paglesham Lagoon hosted a Black-necked Grebe from 13-18th and a Whooper Swan from 5th that was also seen with the Mute Swans at South Fambridge where 100 Yellowhammers were reported on 5th. Gunners Park held a Black Redstart and two Great Northern Divers on 20th when a Black-throated was seen off nearby Shoebury East Beach the same day. Another one of each were off Westcliff on 31st where Rossi the Ring-billed Gull was also on show. Two Purple Sandpipers were seen at the end of Southend Pier (5th) and Canvey had a good seawatch on 29th with Great Northern Diver, two Slavonian and Red-necked Grebe, two Velvet and three Common Scoter and eight Little Gulls. Two Tree Island had its first ever Pochard, Merlin (24th) and Greenshank (26th).Vange and Wat Tyler held wintering Greenshank and at least three Spotted Redshanks. A couple of Caspians and a possible Kumlien's were seen 30th at a private site. Further up river a Dartford Warbler was at East Tilbury (1st) and at least 20 Goosander are wintering in Billericay. Two Firecrest were wintering at Langdon Hills and a water Pipit was at Clements Green Creek on 12th. Mucking bay ended off 2009 with an adult Iceland Gull and a Little Auk on 31st.

November 2009

RSPB Rainham Marshes: With water now evident on the site the number of duck rose steadily and there were about 400 Wigeon by mid-month along with 600 Teal and 11 Pintail. There were still raptors to be had with Hen Harriers on 11th and 15th and a male Marsh Harrier that stayed from 16th – most unusual. A female Merlin was seen on three dates and Peregrines became a daily sight. Lapwing slowly rose to about 1000 and Golden Plover peaked at 194 on 20th with 280 Black-tailed Godwits roosting on 16th. A single Avocet was seen on 11th and Dunlin numbers peaked at 700 on the foreshore from 10th. Two Jack Snipe were to be found by the patient at the Crake Pool. Short-eared and Barn Owls were seen on several dates and a Little Owl on 7th was the first for at least ten years. Yellow-legged Gulls peaked at 14 (12th)and Caspian Gulls were seen on three dates. A potential Azorean (or Atlantic) Yellow-legged Gull was seen on 27th. There was quite a lot of small bird action with Yellowhammers on three dates, four Corn Buntings, a very obliging Snow Bunting (9th) and Lapland Buntings on 12th and two on 16th. Fourteen Cetti's Warblers have been in song and a Dartford Warbler was seen on 25th and 29th. Two Bearded Tits were seen on 1st and amongst the growing finch flock a single Twite was seen on four dates from 11th. Amazingly two female Serins were located on 15th and have taken up residence in the same area as last winter.

Metropolitan (LNHS) Essex : Three Bitterns returned to winter in the Ingrebourne Valley from 2nd and storms brought in a Leach's Petrel and Great Northern Diver to the Girling and KGV Reservoirs on 26th. The Girling also hosted 12 Black-necked Grebes on 27th. Fairlop faired well with Merlin (4th), two Hawfinch and three Woodcock (6th), Red-crested Pochard (12th) and four Corn Buntings (15th). Epping Forest ponds held 89 Mandarin on 22nd and three others were seen at Bedfords Park . Up to 22 Egyptian Geese were counted at Holyfield Marsh and a Goldeneye in Wanstead Park from 14th was the first for many years. The adult Caspian Gull (Caspar) returned to the KGV Dock for his eleventh winter on 15th and Valentino the Med Gull continued to be seen in Valentines Park . Another Caspian Gull was at Purfleet with six Yellow-legged Gulls on 28th. The Dartford Warbler continued to be seen on Wantead Flats till 6th and there were two Firecrests in the Park all month. Other Firecrests were seen in Woodford Green (28th), Harold Hill (two on 17th), Epping Forest (two on 22nd), Bedfords Park (up to three throughout) and Claybury Park (28th). The only Brambling was at Fishers Green (26th) and there were several small flocks of Lesser redpolls around. A Swallow over Chafford Hundred on 6th was late and the Raven showed up again, this time at Bedfords Park on 22nd.

South-east Essex : A fairly quiet spell although there were some notable sightings during November with Canvey scoring three Great Skua and an Arctic Tern on 1st, a Franklin's Gull briefly on 28th, 29th and 30th and Great Northern Diver, Long-tailed Duck, Pomarine, Arctic and seven Great Skuas on 30th. A Great Northern Diver was seen on the former date along with three Pink-well done ooted Geese. Two Tree Island hosted Great White Egret again on 6th with 3001 Dark-bellied Brent Geese on 6th and a Dartford Warbler and two Short-eared Owls on 28th. The only Pale-bellied Brent was at Wakering on 12th and Southend Pier was quite with a Purple Sandpiper on 21st being the only new bird. Rossi the Ring-billed Gulls has been at Westcliff throughout and a Leach's Petrel was picked up there and taken into care on 28th. A late Wheatear was seen on Wallasea Island on 2nd and Firecrests were seen at Belfairs NR and Hockley Woods. A House Martin at Tilbury was battling into a gale and good raptors included a Merlin in central Southend (1st), male Hen harrier on the Roach (18th) and a Rough-legged Buzzard over Roxwell on 29th.

September 2009

RSPB Rainham Marshes: It was a month for raptors with sustained sky-watching producing some excellent records including at least 22 Buzzard, three Honey Buzzard (24th, 27th, 28th), 11 Marsh Harrier, Hen Harrier (27th), another Montagu's Harrier (juvenile on 20th), three Goshawks (11th, 12th, 19th) and many sightings of Sparrowhawk, Hobby, Kestrel and Peregrine. To top it all a dark morph Eleonora's Falcon graced the reserve for a few minutes on the 20th. News of the Tufted Puffin had everyone glued to the Thames and the day after (17th) a Guillemot was found, only to be topped by an even rarer Puffin on the 23rd. A Black-necked Grebe on the river on 21st was most unexpected and the first returning Great-crests were seen in the last week. Tern passage was almost non-existent with 51 Common, four Arctic and a Black on 14th being the only notable count. A male Common Scoter, three Little Gulls and two Sandwich Terns were seen the following day. Duck started to dribble back in with up to five Pintail but there was no major influx. Waders were similarly scarce with a Little Stint on 17th-18th being the highlight along with a Spotted Redshank (12th) and two Knot from 15th. The woodland held Spotted Flycatchers on several dates and a Pied Flycatcher was found on 1st. Whinchat passage was prominent with peaks of 13 on 2nd and ten on 8th while good numbers of Yellow Wagtails and Meadow Pipits moved through. Amongst them were the first Rock Pipits and three Tree Pipits. Six Tree Sparrows around the feeders were something of a surprise (8th) and a Turtle Dove on 11th would prove to be the only bird of the autumn.

Metropolitan Essex : Compared to Rainham the rest of the area was quiet raptor wise with a juvenile Montagu's Harrier over the Mardyke Valley (11th), Red Kite over Hornchurch on 25th and a very large white Gyr-type falcon over Harlow on 27th and Rainham Marshes on 29th. However, it was a month with a good spread of passage migrants with no less than 12 Tree Pipits and ten Redstarts as well as a good supporting cast of Spotted Flycatchers, Whinchats and a three Pied Flycatchers. Two different Grasshopper Warblers were seen at Bedfords Park and a Raven was at Havering-atte-Bower on 29th. Elsewhere nine Pink-footed Geese were over Chafford Hundred on 16th with a Gannet south over Walthamstow Reservoir on 30th. A Garganey was on the reservoirs on 14th with a Shag and Black-necked Grebe there on 27th. The Shag was also seen on the KGV Reservoir on 3rd.

South-east Essex : Canvey Point held much of the attention for the month with several good movement days. Sabine's Gulls were seen on several dates with two on 10th, three on 11th and a single on 14th and 16th. The 15th was the big day with 465 Gannet, 53 Great Skuas, 17 Pomarines and 38 Arctics as well as many terns and few auks while the following day added another Pomarine and a single Long-tailed Skua. A Manx Shearwater was almost resident from 2nd-12th and three were seen on 14th. Elsewhere, Med Gulls reached 50 on Southend Pier with two Purple Sandpipers there on 8th and Rossi the Ring-billed Gull showed well at Westcliff on and off. Two Caspian Gulls were at Pitsea tip on 5th and the same day an amazing seven Glossy Ibises almost touched down on Bowers Marsh but continued onwards. Two Curlew Sandpipers were at Canvey Point on 2nd and then at Two Tree Island on 18th but there were no other waders of real note. A Great White Egret was seen over Wat Tyler CP on 29th with Garganey there on 5th. Gunners Park was well watched and produced Pied Flycatcher (21st), Tree Sparrows (6th, 11th, 12th) and Redstarts on four dates. A Yellow-browed Warbler was seen there on 29th. Marsh Harriers were at several sites including three at Wakering Stairs on 5th when four Turtle Doves were also seen.

August 2009

RSPB Rainham Marshes: Although not especially hot, it was another dry month and on warm days there was often a Marsh Harrier to be seen with juveniles seen on 15 dates, with two on 22nd. Buzzards drifted over on 19th and 23rd with four together on 22nd. A Honey Buzzard moved south on 23rd and our third Red Kite of the year was seen on 7th. However, the star raptor was a male Montagu's Harrier that quartered the fields on 24th-25th. Water Rails showed amazingly well for such a skulking species and three Egyptian Geese (24th) were new for the year. Waders were a little thin on the ground but Icelandic Black-tailed Godwits, Green Sandpipers and Snipe performed very well in front of the hide. A Spotted Redshank (26th), two Turnstone (6th), 11 Whimbrel, (6th), Ruff (11th), and Sanderling (25th) were notable. Migrant small birds were definitely on the move with up to eight Whinchat (17th), Tree Sparrow and Tree Pipit (25th), several Spotted Flycatchers, Pied Flycatcher (29th), Redstart (6th and 11th) and two Crossbills (3rd).

Metropolitan Essex: The Inner Thames was fairly quiet with up to nine Black and two Sandwich Terns at Barking Bay / Crossness while another nine Blacks were seen on the KGV Reservoir. A Common Scoter was at North Woolwich (10th) and the Ruddy Shelduck continued to be seen at various Thameside sites. A couple of Black-necked Grebes were on the Girling reservoir and a Slavonian Grebe on the KGV on 31st was unusual. Egrets were seen at many sites with highs of seven in Wanstead Park on 3rd and 18 on the Girling on 9th. Wood Sandpipers were seen on Wanstead Flats (11th) and at Dagenham Chase (two on 25th). Twenty Black-tailed Godwits were in the Ingrebourne on 11th with a records 22 over Walthamstow reservoirs on 9th. There was a good fall of scarcer migrants with Redstarts on six dates at four sites involving nine birds and Pied Flycatchers in the Ingrebourne, Mayesbrook and Bedfords Park . There was a good sprinkling of Whinchats and Spotted Flycatchers and four Tree Pipits were seen from 26th. A Red Kite over Dagenham on 16th was the sole notable large BOP.

South-east Essex : Rossi the Ring-billed Gull returned for his 11th winter on 13th and 162 Med Gulls was the high count for Southend Seafront. A single Caspian Gull was seen near Canvey on 1st. Tern passage off Canvey was reasobale with peak counts of 130 Blacks on 7th and 21 Arctics on 28th. The 7th also saw the finding of a cute Kentish Plover there over the high tide. A Great Skua on 6th was the only seabird of note. A huge passage of 308 Black Terns at east Tilbury on 23rd contained a fine summer plumaged White-winged Black. The Little Egret roost on Two-Tree Island peaked at 141 on 4th and 686 Curlews were counted at Holehaven on 21st. RSPB Vange Marshes held up to 11 Spotted Redshanks on 1st and Wallasea Wetlands had a Curlew Sandpiper on 7th. An Osprey took up residence at Wakering Stairs from 7th with two there on 22nd. A Goshawk was over South Woodham Ferrers on 21st-22nd with another at Billericay on 7th. Four White Storks were seen together over Cressing Temple on 15th and had all quite probably spent the evening on the chimneys as one was still there when first observed!

July 2009

RSPB Rainham Marshes: A steady passage of waders during the month with up to six Whimbrel daily and Common Sandpipers reached 12 by month end. Two Sanderling and 13 Dunlin on 15th were noteworthy and Little Egrets peaked at 26 on 3rd. Three broods of Shoveler and Tufted Duck and two of gadwall made for the best season in many years. Common Gulls moved up river in the first week and at least six different Med Gulls were logged along with over 20 different Yellow-legged Gulls. A Tawny Owl was heard on 3rd and the first juvenile Marsh Harrier of the season was seen on 30th-31st. A Spotted Flycatcher was seen on 20th and a Tree Pipit on 31st was the first real passage migrant.

Metropolitan Essex : Good numbers of Green and Common Sandpipers were recorded in the various river valleys in reservoirs with peaks of 17 and 21 respectively in the Lee valley complex on 22nd. A Little Tern on the Royal Albert Dock on 6th was unusual while a Quail was heard several times around Orsett. A Honey Buzzard was seen over Harold Hill on 22nd and for the first month this year there were no Red Kite reports. Three juvenile Egyptian Geese were seen in Barking Park on 10th and a Sandwich Tern was out of place over Woodford Green on 30th. Forty-two Crossbills were reported from seven sites from 2nd with most from 18th.

South-east Essex : Southend's Med Gulls reached a new county high in July rising from 75 on 11th to 186 on 26th. A single Caspian Gull was seen at Tewke's Creek on 29th. RSPB Vange Marshes hosted a god variety of waders with 34 Black-tailed Godwits (9th), 82 Greenshank (22nd) and nine Spotted Redshanks (28th) being the highlights. Nearby Two Tree Island held 440 Black-tailed Godwits on 11th and 67 Little Egrets roosted there on 28th. 270 Curlew roosted at Holehaven on 2nd. Three Lesser Redpolls were in Westcliff on 16th and 13 juvenile Bearded Tits were seen at Wat Tyler CP on 29th suggesting a good breeding season. Unusual big birds of prey included a female Han Harrier at Mucking (8th), Red Kite over Hockley (12th) and Osprey over Wakering Common (25th). Crossbills were over Laindon Hills (two on 17th) and Belfairs (6th).

June 2009

RSPB Rainham Marshes: There was a trickle of waders during the month with Wood Sandpiper and Knot through on 1st, Whimbrels on 3rd and 24th, Greenshank from 5th with up to five on 26th, 26 Black-tailed Godwits on 22nd, Ruff (26th), four Avocet (12th) and Grey Plover (28th). Not bad for what is normally a quiet wader month! A Spot Fly hung around till 2nd but there were no other passerines of note until 27th when both Grey and Yellow Wagtails were seen. Two adult Med Gulls were seen regularly and four Little Gulls and two Common Gulls were seen on 26th. The first Yellow-legged Gulls were back on the river from 18th. The male Wigeon and four Teal were still around and the Ruddy Shelduck from Barking Bay made distant appearances on 1st and 16th. Up to six Hobbies made daily appearances and nine Buzzards through on 14th was exceptional for June. A female Marsh Harrier was around till 5th with an immature male present from 26th.

Metropolitan Essex: The Savi's Warbler at Seventy Acres Lake was last reported on 1st but Grasshopper Warblers were still in song with at least five between three sites in Havering. A Little Stint was seen at Belhus Woods CP on 3rd but the only other wader was a ruffed Ruff at Dagenham Chase on 26th. The Ruddy Shelduck spent most of its time in the Barking Bay / Crossness area and three broods of Mandarin were located away from Epping Forest . Red Kites were seen over Bedfords Park (3rd) and Snaresbrook (21st). A Siskin over Bedfords Park on 3rd was unseasonal.

South-east Essex: The Nightingale and Grasshopper Warbler remained on Two Tree Island all month with another Gropper at Battlesbridge on 27th. The only other real noteworthy bird was a Spoonbill at RSPB Vange Marshes on 24th.

May 2009  

RSPB Rainham Marshes: The focus of the whole month was the 13th when at long last we were treated to some real wader passage. During the course of the day 15 species were seen including record breaking flocks of 26 Sanderling, 21 Grey Plover and seven Turnstone along with 12 Bar-tailed Godwit, 26 Ringed Plover and two Whimbrel. On the river 16 Black, 11 Arctic and two Little Terns made for a special day. Two Sandwich Terns were seen over the next four days and a Curlew Sandpipers on 14th - 15th and 31st added spice. Other waders logged were 16 ‘limosa' Black-tailed Godwits (11th), four Avocet (14th). A Red Kite (4th) and several Buzzards moved through while a female Marsh Harrier was seen on three dates. Three Spoonbills dropped in for a while on 6th with a single immature seen on 7th, 11th and 12th. Little Gulls were seen on 4th and from 12th-14th and a Caspian (13th) and a couple of Med Gulls were reported. A single Spotted Flycatcher was in the woodland on several dates from 13th and seven Whinchats was exceptional for the spring. The Dartford Warbler was seen again on 13th-14th and a Turtle Dove (7th) was the only record.

Metropolitan Essex: A Savi's Warbler in the Lee Valley at Seventy Acres from 1st and into June proved very popular and there was a good selection of interesting migrants across the area including Whinchats through Fairlop and Bedfords Park, a singing Golden Oriole in a Woodford Green garden (13th), a White Stork over Gants Hill (5th). About ten Grasshopper Warblers were on territory. Red Kites were seen over five sites with Ospreys over Wennington (10th) and Ilford (13th). Intriguingly, a Black Kite was seen each day from 3rd to 9th in the Weald Park , Bedfords Park area. There were two Goshawk sightings and Marsh Harriers were seen up the Lee and Ingrebourne Valleys and a ringtail Hen Harrier went through Chingford on 31st. A Honey Buzzard was seen the same day over Upshire. The Lee valley was not top be left out of the wader and tern passage on 13th with three Little, Black and 26 Arctic Terns at Walthamstow; 13 Black and a Little Tern on the KGV Reservoir and four more Blacks at Holyfield. Four Sandwich Terns and two Arctics were at Walthamstow Reservoirs on 14th with a male Garganey added interest. A Ruddy Shelduck at Creekmouth on 31st rounded the month up nicely.

South-east Essex: RSPB Vange Marshes was consistently good for waders with Spotted Redshank till 13th, Wood Sandpiper (3rd), six Greenshank (6th), Sanderling and four Grey Plover (13th), Temminck's Stint (14th) and a Marsh Sandpiper briefly on 11th. A Red Kite flew over there on 5th with another over South Fambridge on 17th. Nightingales and Grasshopper Warblers were in traditional spots. An Osprey was over Southend on 5th and a male Hen Harrier was late at Canewden on 29th. Seawatching off Canvey produced two Razorbill on 11th and four on 17th. The 13th saw a few terns up river with 272 Common, four Arctic and 13 Blacks with another 14 Arctic Terns and a Razorbill off Gunners Park the same day.

April 2009

RSPB Rainham Marshes: A typically bustling April with most of the commoner summer migrants making an appearance before the end of the month. Scarcer visitors included a Redstart (8th), Blue-headed Wagtail (27th), Garden Warbler (23rd), Tree Pipit (28th), Ring Ouzel (10th, 12th and 19th) and at least three Grasshopper Warblers. Raptor passage over the reserve was fantastic with nearing 20 Buzzards, four Marsh Harriers, three Red Kites (4th and two on 18th), two Ospreys (16th and 18th), two Goshawks (male on 13th and female on 21st), the first Hobby on the 14th, female Merlin (11th and 17th) as well as Peregrine, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel. Terns were scarce but a few Common were seen along with three Arctic (19th) and a single Black (29th) and Little Gulls were seen on three dates including eight on the 6th. Twenty-two Common Scoters spent the day on the Thames on the 11th with six more on 17th. Wader passage was relatively slow with 28 Golden Plover north on 10th, four Grey Plover (16th), Knot (11th), 2 Avocet (2nd), 23 Whimbrel (9th), up to five Greenshank and four Bar-tailed Godwits, 20 Black-tailed Godwits (18th). Two pair of Garganey were found on 6th with a pair reappearing on 8th and a male staying throughout. Vestiges of winter included several Siskins, a Brambling, the Iceland Gull (till 16th) and a Tundra Bean Goose (30th). A Great White Egret flew through on 14th and a Spoonbill dropped in on 28th.

Metropolitan Essex : All in all an excellent month! Scarce migrants were well spread out with a Spotted Crake at Fairlop briefly on 2nd, Garganey at Dagenham Chase (male on 15th), Mayesbrook Park (pair on 20th) and Wanstead Park (pair on 23rd), 11 Grasshopper Warblers singing at seven sites, a Savi's Warbler at Seventy Acres Lake (from 30th), Ring Ouzels on Wanstead Flats (male on 19th and pair on 20th), Whinchats at three sites in the last week, two migrant and two territorial Tree Pipits, Wrynecks in Purfleet and Hainault Forest CP (both 25th), Redstart in the Roding Valley NR (7th), immature Purple Heron at Walthamstow Reservoirs (23rd-25th) and a Great White Egret over Ilford (5th). Late winter birds included several Siskin and Lesser Redpolls (including 20 at Cornmill Meadows on 11th), a late Redwing at Bedfords Park (9th) and Fieldfare at Mayesbrook Park (14th). Thirty Waxwings hung around Cahfford Hunderd till the 11th. Elsewhere there were very few terns on the move with just four Sandwich (8th) and an Arctic Tern (15th) caught up with Common Terns on the KGV reservoir. Up to eight Little Gulls were also seen there along with a single Black-necked Grebe on 14th. Buzzards were on the move all month and augmented the local birds with counts of 12 for Holyfield Hall Farm and six at Sewardstone (6th) being notable. A female Goshawk was seen in the Lee Valley on 1st and one or two males were reported between Beckton, Wanstead, Fairlop and South Woodford . One has the remains of jesses. Ospreys were seen over Seventy Acres Lake on the 1st and 22nd with another over Dagenham Chase on 18th. Eleven Red Kites were seen in the area (on top of the Rainham trio) with both the Ingrebourne and Bedfords Park hosting two records. Elsewhere a Marsh Harrier was seen over Bedfords Park (1st) and a White Stork was seen over Holyfield Hall Farm on 25th and then over Canning Town and Hornchurch on 28th.

South-east Essex: Amongst the commoner migrants there were Grasshopper Warblers at Two Tree Island and Wakering Stairs with Nightingales at least five sites including a showy male at Two Tree Island . The Island also hosted a Little Stint from 13th. Vange hosted a good wader selection that included up to four Spotted Redshanks while Black Redstart (2nd) and Kittiwake (21st) were good site birds. A Ring Ouzel was seen at Hadleigh CP on 5th and twenty Waxwings visited Basildon on 12th with four still on 22nd. A trip of eight Dotterel was found on Wallasea Island on 25th with five more using the same field on 29th and 30th. Wakering Stairs hosted Hen Harrier (5th) and Merlin (23rd) while the only Red Kite in the area was over Laindon on 26th.

March 2009

RSPB Rainham Marshes: Another month of gulls with diligent watching producing about five Caspian, at least three different immature Icelands and two immature Glaucous as well as what appears to be a first winter Kumlien's Gull from 12th- 20th. An albino large gull caused some consternation on most days. Several Mediterranean Gulls and an adult Kittiwake (19th) and Little Gull (21st-22nd) added interest. A Bittern was seen in the forseshore reedbed on 17th and was the first for the reserve while a male Mandarin on the 12th was the first for 19 years! A record 37 Curlew were seen on 30th but there were few other waders bar a single Avocet (3rd), two limosa Black-tailed Godwits (18th), Jack Snipe (25th), three different Ruff, 140 Golden Plover (last seen on 4th) and the first Little Ringed Plover on 13th with up to six on subsequent days. The male Dartford Warbler reappeared on 10th and 13th and at least nine Cetti's Warblers were in song. A bearded Tit was seen again on 22nd and amazingly two Penduline Tits dropped in for a while on 29th. Water pipit numbers increased with at least eight on the Barges on 31st. Peregrine sightings became scarce as the local birds headed back to their nest sites but there were still raptors to be had with a Merlin (16th), Red Kite (19th), Marsh Harrier (male on 4th) and at least seven Buzzards through. A Brent Goose was seen on 4th and 5th and three White-fronted Geese flew through on 29th. A few Siskin headed north and a female Brambling entertained us around the feeders from 24th. Summer migrants were scarce but the first Swallow was amazingly early on 8th, followed by Sand Martin and Wheatear on 14th. Several Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps were in song most days and the month ended well with a singing Firecrest and a Site rarity… a Red-legged Partridge!

Metropolitan Essex: The Lee Valley was quite productive with some good birds on the major reservoirs including a Great Northern Diver and two Black-necked Grebes on the Girling (7th) with a superb Grey Phalarope on the KGV on the 6th-8th with Merganser and up to 30 Goldeneye for company. A Northern Long-tailed Tit was seen at Holyfield Hall farm on 12th. Fairlop hosted Jack Snipe on the 1st and 20th with Merlin on 26th and only the second record of Water Pipit on the 30th. The three White-fronted Geese remained in the Ingrebourne Valley all month and a staggering 26 male Cetti's Warblers were counted on 14th when Brambling and the first local Wheatear were also seen. The 8th was a special day in the valley with four Penduline Tits being seen, and about time too! We have long suspected that this is where they go when missing from RSPB Rainham Marshes. Vestiges of winter included up to 15 Waxwings still in Grays on the 12th and small flocks of Lesser Redpolls and Siskins at several sites. Only Belhus Woods CP held any Mealies with two on 30th along with one each of all three hirundines. This site also hosted the first local Sand Martin on 5th. Four Crossbills flew over Ilford on 17th. Wheatears were recorded at several sites from 14th and a Willow Warbler was singing the next day at Coppermill Stream while in the Great Warley area there were at least four singing Firecrests. A Bittern flew south over Rainham village on 4th and a female Goshawk was in Epping Forest on the 3rd. Buzzards were numerous and three Red Kites were seen from 20th.

South-east Essex : Both male and female Hen Harriers were seen on at Wallasea Wetlands during the month and the Little Stint was last reported on 18th. A Red Kite was seen over Pitsea on the 25th. Rossi the Ring-billed Gull remained Westcliff-faithful till 28th while Pitsea tip-watching produced at least four Caspian and singles of Iceland and Glaucous Gull. Another Glaucous Gull was seen at Wat Tyler CP on the 26th. The site and RSPB Vange Marshes also hosted several Marsh Harriers during March along wit the four adult Whooper Swans out on Bowers Marsh. Hole Haven Creek held an amazing 3300 Black-tailed Godwits on 21st. Five Waxwings in South Benfleet (20th-21st) and many Siskins and several Woodcocks reminded us of winter while the first Wheatear was seen at Gunners Park on 15th. A Purple Sandpiper was there on 22nd.

February 2009

RSPB Rainham Marshes: The month started well with a flurry of Yellowhammer records and two riverside Corn Buntings. The two Penduline Tits reappeared on the 6th and were last seen on the 11th while a pair of Bearded Tits made sporadic appearances. Gull watching produced a flurry of Mediterranean , at least six Caspian Gulls and two Iceland Gulls. A female Smew on the 11th was a very rare visitor to the site (there are more records of Penduline Tit!) but no other unusual wildfowl came in with all the snow and easterly winds. Up to 300 Black-tailed Godwits still joined us at every high tide and 200 Golden Plovers spangled over the marsh. Snipe peaked at 150 on 22nd in very wet conditions on the 22nd.There was some sign of other wader passage with two Oystercatchers (17th), Greenshank and Knot (19th), Little Stint (21st) and three Avocet (25th). A pair of blackcaps were seen daily on the fat balls and the wintering Chiffchaffs had even started to sing by the end of the month while a Dartford Warbler was heard again on the 17th. A male Merlin was seen on several dates and as usual the Peregrines were active.

Metropolitan Essex: Bitterns were seen regularly at Seventy Acres Lake and occasionally in the Ingrebourne. The latter site hosted three White-fronted Geese from 27th and Barn Owls were seen regularly. The 14 Waxwings at lakeside included a bird ringed in Biggleswade and were present for most of the month before moving a short way to Chafford Hundred. Nine more were seen at Havering Plain on the 25th. A Long-eared Owl was seen in Epping Upland on the 9th. Merlins were seen at Warren Gorge (1st) and Claybury Woods (25th). The same site also hosted an impressive nine Nuthatches with another seen in another old haunt, Wanstead Park . Both sites also held Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers. Finch flocks were scarce and the only Bramblings were reported from South Ockenden, the Roding Valley and Upminster. Up to five Smew were in the Lee Valley and a Great Northern Diver was on Walthamstow Reservoir on the 3rd. The only Firecrests were at Weald Park and Great Warley (two).

South-east Essex: Some serious gulling on Pitsea tip produced at least ten different Caspian Gulls (including six on 7th), three Icelands and three Glaucous while Rossi the Ring-billed Gull was along the Westcliffe seafront all month. Elsewhere Wallasea Wetlands had a good run with the continued presence of the wintering Curlew Sandpiper and Little Stint and both the Pale-bellied and Black Brant amongst the 2400 Dark-bellieds,. Marsh, Hen Harrier and Merlin were all seen there. The Bittern was again seen at Wat Tyler CP on 16th with regular Marsh Harriers, Jack Snipe, Greenshanks and Spotted Redshanks at nearby RSPB Vange Marshes. Four Whooper Swans arrived on Bowers Marsh on 27th. A Hawfinch was seen at Hockley Woods (5th) and Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers were seen here and at Langdon Hills.

January 2009

RSPB Rainham Marshes: The two Penduline Tits stayed till the 14th an attracted a steady stream of visitors. The 1st saw two site rarities in the shape of a Coal Tit and a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. The latter was only the second record for the site and was seen again on the 8th. Bearded Tits were seen most days with up to four present while two different Dartford Warblers were seen on the 1st and 8th. At least two Blackcaps and six Chiffchaffs are wintering and a very pale Chiffchaff of one of the eastern races has also been watched in the reedbed. Cetti's Warblers appear to have survived the worst of the cold and up to 30 Water Rails were on the trails circuit. The finch flocks around the centre were still attracting good numbers of Goldfinches, Greenfinches and Chaffinches along with Bramblings on the 18th and 30th and a final show from the Serin on 2nd. A Bullfinch (8th) was a good record. Water and Rock Pipits continue to be seen along the foreshore and the six Corn Buntings were still around. Lapwings slowly built back up to about 2000 with up to 100 Golden Plover, 15 Grey Plovers (a new record on 10th), 25 Curlew, 3 Ruff, 500 Black-tailed Godwits, 1200 Dunlin and 18 Ringed Plover making for a good wader spectacle. Small parties of Snipe were to be found and at least three Jack Snipe were also found. Both Common and Green Sandpipers are wintering. Gull numbers increased dramatically after the cold snap with upwards of 20000 in the area and careful scrutiny revealed Caspian Gulls on ten dates and Mediterranean Gulls on five. The only large bird of prey was an immature male Marsh Harrier on 26th while a female Merlin was seen well on 22nd and 25th with Peregrines being seen daily. Three Short-eared Owls quartered the west end.

Metropolitan Essex: The Lee Valley held the bulk of the good birds during January. Holyfield Lake and the Fishers Green area held up to seven Smew, three Bitterns, a Lesser Whitethroat, nine Egyptian Geese, Red Kite (11th). The Girling and the KGV reservoirs hosted up to 24 Black-necked Grebes (25th), female Scaup (25th), Red-breasted Merganser (2nd) and Great Northern Diver (18th-22nd) before it moved to Walthamstow Reservoir from 24th. This reservoir also hosted a Bittern on 9th and a Smew on 10th with other Smew were at Mollands Lane (female on 11th) and Connaught Water (male on 18th and female on 25th). A Goldeneye dropped into Fairlop on 2nd and a Goosander at Mayesbrook Park on 9th was a new site bird, as was the Pintail that arrived on 23rd. A pair of Red-crested Pochards arrived in Wanstead Park on the 9th and were still present on 23rd when five Egyptian Geese also dropped in. Nearby Wanstead Flats hosted an impressive count of 480 Common Gulls on 13th. Avocets reached a new peak of 52 at West Thurrock Marshes on 11th with three Jack Snipe there on 9th. The Bittern remained in the Ingrebourne Valley all month. Merlins were seen at South Ockenden (18th) and over Ilford (31st) but the only other passage raptor was a Marsh Harrier through Fairlop on 19th. Perhaps the most bizarre record was of a Spotted Crake seen very briefly and recorded singing at Warren Gorge on the 3rd and 12th. Firecrests were found at Dagenham Chase, Weald park, Bedfords park and in Epping Forest while Blackcaps were reported from many gardens. The Throndon Redpoll flock continues to cause ornithological havoc with 150 birds being sporadically seen including several very smart Mealies. A Hawfinch over South Woodford on 19th was the first for some time. Two Waxwings took up residence in a Romford garden from 18th but at least the 14 at Lakeside from 28th were more accessible! These included a colour-ringed individual that had only been rung in Biggleswade, Bedfordshire on 8th January!

South-east Essex : The year got off to a fine start with a host of good birds along Southend seafront with both ‘Rossi' at Westcliff and a new adult Ring-billed Gull (at Shoebury) being seen along with a Slavonian Grebe (also seen on 16th), Shag and long staying Snow Bunting. Fourteen Waxwings lingered around Pitsea till 2nd with six at Thundersley (1st) and five in central Southend (3rd). Southend Pier produced up to three Great Northern Divers, a confiding Purple Sandpiper (from 11th) and at least 40 Med Gulls (26th). A juvenile Iceland Gull was seen briefly along the front on 9th and searching at Pitsea tip produced the hoped for Glaucous Gull (23rd) with a single Caspian the same day and three more on 31st. The Wat Tyler / Vange area hosted three Jack Snipe, four Spotted Redshanks, two Greenshanks and up to three Marsh Harriers as well as a Bittern on 27th. Another was seen the same day at Golden Gates, Mucking. A Spoonbill toured both sides of the outer Thames and over flew Wat Tyler on 11th and Westcliff on 26th. Wallasea held onto its wintering Curlew Sandpiper and Little Stint and 11 Barnacle Geese flew through on 15th. The following day a male Hen Harrier was seen with a sickly Bewick's Swan there on the 28th-29th and both Black Brant and Pale-bellied Brent with the Dark-bellieds on the latter date. A Merlin was seen at Canewden on 18th and another was at East Tilbury on 6th where 23 Corn Buntings were counted on 19th. Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers were seen at Hockley and a Firecrest was seen there occasionally.