Essex Birding

[Essex Tern]

There doesn't seem to be a thread on Essex Birding, so thought I would start one......


Highlights from my morning at Abberton Reservoir were:



Slavonian Grebe (lifer)
Year ticks: Yellow Wagtails, House Martins, Swallows and a Blackcap.
A nice pair of Bullfinch


It was really odd seeing my first Swallows and House Martins of the year through heavy snow!

Scaup were reported, but I failed to find them.

Malvin.

[PaulE]

There doesn't seem to be a thread on Essex Birding, so thought I would start one......


Highlights from my morning at Abberton Reservoir were:



Slavonian Grebe (lifer)
Year ticks: Yellow Wagtails, House Martins, Swallows and a Blackcap.
A nice pair of Bullfinch


It was really odd seeing my first Swallows and House Martins of the year through heavy snow!


Scaup were reported, but I failed to find them.

Malvin.
Hi Malvin
good idea for a thread i quite often go across the border
my favourite sites in essex are wrabness, manningtree and fingeringhoe and i also quite often go to abberton so hopefully i will be able to contribute
would be interested to know of any other decent birding sites especially in the north of the county
cheers

[Essex Tern]

Hi Paul

My main "haunts" are Abberton, Fingringhoe and Tollesbury Wick (with a few occasional others) - I too hope that further decent sites are highlighted by this thread, that was one of my main objectives for creating it.

I feel I tend to stick to a few favourite sites, but I am sure the county has much more to offer, and hope some ideas come through this thread.

Malvin.

[skink1978]

I'm often in Essex so I will keep an eye on this thread and will contribute when I can. My girlfriend is originally from South Essex so I tend to bird areas such as Rainham Marshes, Southend etc.
I lived in Colchester for four years so also enjoy visiting sites further north such as Fingeringhoe Wick.

[Viv Connett]

Other good sites include Old Hall Marshes at Tollshunt D'Arcy (parking permit needed) and Shut Heath Wood near Great Braxted. Lesser-spots can be found there..................

Good idea starting an Essex thread BTW, have thought about it once or twice but never got round to it!

[PaulE]

hi
had reasonable day down in essex today started at cattawade saw a couple of green sandpipers and a rock pipit on the flash although failed to connect with the reported little ringed plover, thanks to the guy who told me at least four places where they had been seen, but no luck.
then this afternoon went to abberton where i managed to spot the summer plumage slav grebes and a female red crested pochard the latter being a lifer for me, thanks to the guy who confirmed the id, also pleased to see some cracking yellow wagtails and a couple of ruddy ducks although i got there to late to see the cattle egret still you can't win them all.
cheers

[Essex Tern]

Spent the morning at Abberton and got the 3 Slavonian Grebe also - much better views for me than last week.

Also had a pair of Smew diving below a Common Tern which was sitting on a post up the far end of the Layer Breton causeway.

Nice views of Blackcap and Chiffchaff in the reserve, however did not see a single Martin or Swallow throughout the morning, which after last week, was a bit of a shock.

Year list now at 99 (94 of those Essex), hoping 100 will be a swift.

Malvin.

Edit: also had a Weasel run straight across the road in front of me at the the visitor centre end of the main causeway.

[Phil Carter]

These Essex threads never really seem to get going but I thought I'd chip in anyway. Had a walk round Hythe Lagoons, Colchester yesterday. Nothing to get too excited about really but there was a Whimbrel, a couple of Greenshank, 4 Green Sandpipers, 2 pairs of Avocet, Lesser Whitethroat and Whitethroat. Also Nightingale singing across the river.
Hopefully the thread will get a few more contributors.
Phil

[PaulE]

had my first black tern at abberton earlier today
cheers

[Viv Connett]

will be off there tomorrow. Amother good site - Heybridge Gravel Pits - produced Common and Lesser Whitethroat, Reed Warbler and Common Tern and we heard Cuckoo towards Maldon but it didn't show itself. However we did get at least 4together there this time last year so it is a good site for them.

[Essex Tern]

I gave Shut Heath Wood a go last week - heard plenty of woodpeckers, however failed to see a single one! I did get my 100th bird of the year though, and that was Treecreeper.

Had a walk round Chigborough lakes this morning and saw a fair few summer birds: Whitethroat, Nightingale, Cuckoo, 3+ Turtle Doves, a House Martin and as I was leaving I finally saw a Swift.

Drove home via Abberton causeways. A pair of Slavonian Grebe are still present, as were a few Swift and a Sparrowhawk obligingly sat on a post for a while.

[Stuart Read]

Yesterday evening (2nd may) was very good at Abberton.
Looking east from the Laver de la Haye causeway there were the pair of Black-winged Stilts, 2 Black-necked Grebes, 3 LRP, 9 Greenshank, 2 Oysterctcher, a flock of 10-12 Whimbrel, up to 4 Hobby a few Yellow Wagtails & a good number of Common Terns

Stuart.

[PaulE]

Yesterday evening (2nd may) was very good at Abberton.
Looking east from the Laver de la Haye causeway there were the pair of Black-winged Stilts, 2 Black-necked Grebes, 3 LRP, 9 Greenshank, 2 Oysterctcher, a flock of 10-12 Whimbrel, up to 4 Hobby a few Yellow Wagtails & a good number of Common Terns

Stuart.
wow!
think i might pop over tomorrow if i can think of an excuse the wife will beleive
cheers

[On-Firecrest]

I went to Abberton today, dipped the stilts but got the grebe's, a load of common terns, some very showy hobbies (check my blog;)) a yellow wagtail, corn bunting and a ringed Greenshank. It's a nice place and well worth the visit.

[Essex Tern]

Picked up 6 year ticks over the weekend.

Brief stop at Abberton reservoir got me the 2 Black Necked Grebe, a number of Greenshank and 2 Hobbies waiting for the day to begin on some fence posts in the distance.

Then moved on to Old Hall Marshes and had some very nice views of Little Terns hunting low over the dykes. I also got Reed and Sedge Warbler.

I failed to get my first ever Essex Bearded Tits, however it is always nice to see 3+ Marsh Harrier and a number of Black Tailed Godwit in breeding plumage.

A nice day's birding.

Malvin.

[Phil Carter]

Saw the Red-Necked Phalarope at The Hythe last night and again this morning, it's a cracking little bird. There was a Hobby about last night and a Short-Eared Owl this morning. Other than that there are Greenshank, Avocet and Black-Tailed Godwit. Haven't seen any Little Ringed Plovers there this year though.

Phil

[jimibird]

Great, an Essex thread again, let see if we can keep this one up and running!

Im out every weekend at Fingringhoe (sat morninigs) and try to get to Abberton as much as poss.

I also like the walk from Wivenhoe to Arlesford along the old railway route. Have had all the usual suspects up there this week, Sedge and Reed Warbler, Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, Blackcap etc.

Will post report after comming weekend.

[russkie]

anyone want company on birdwalk wivenhoe area- if i can fit it in during social engagements pm me
cheers
Nigel

[jimibird]

Well this weekend went to Hythe pools on sat morning and had a nice gropper in the scrubby vegetion behind the industrial estate. I love that song!

Then I went to abberton (layer breton causeway) in the afternoon where there were thousands of swifts, quite impressive. Also had a nice grey wagtail there.

Then off to Tollesbury in the rain where the wind almost blew me off the sea wall, all the regulars plus a barn owl over the marshes. No warblers in the bushes at all due to the inclement weather!

Sunday morning went to Fingringhoe, all the regular warblers including whitethroat, lesser whitethroat, blackcap, reed warbler and a Cettis was heard. Losts of singing nightingales too. Marsh harrier over the river mobbed by gulls.

Then went to Frinton in the afternoon and Holland Haven scrape, not too much exciting about all the usual waders and gulls.

Then went to Hythe pools on the way home not much exciting there ethier!

So in all, not an earth shattering weekend but good fun none the less.

[Phil Carter]

Had a quick look at the Hythe this evening. Not a great deal to report but the Avocet numbers were up and a few pairs were mating so hopefully we'll have a bit more breeding success this year. Other than that there was Common Sandpiper and 3 Little Ringed Plovers, which have been in short supply there this year.
Phil

[jimibird]

Hythe Lagoon on sat morning, Avocet, Shelduck, Greenshank, Reed Bunting and Sedge Warbler.

Brightlinsea Marsh in the afternoon, not much about apart from fleeting glimpse of a single Hobby and ususal Gulls

Abberton on Sunday, more swifts that I have ever seen in my life, plus loads of Gulls and Common Terns. 2 Hobbies in front of the visitor centre were fun to watch.

3 Yellow Wagtails on the Layer De La Haye causeway plus the ususal.

No birding yesterday as was at a spa day with my wife, was very near to Hanningfield but was not allowed to leave spa to bird it!

Any one else get out in Essex over the weekend?

[jimibird]

Any one else been out and about in Essex over the last few days?

[Phil Carter]

Hythe Lagoons yesterday had 30+ Black-Tailed Godwit, 5 Common Sands. Greenshank, Little Ringed Plovers plus the usual 17 Avocets, Redshank and Shelduck. Cracking views of a Cuckoo as well.

Phil

[Viv Connett]

haven't had much chance to get out and about locally due to work and weather but will hopefully manage some this weekend.

Abberton/Old Hall/Mersea are on the agenda................

[jimibird]

Pretty wet at the Hythe lagoons this PM, soaking in fact!

Usual numbers of Avocet, two Little Ringed Plover, pied wag, one barwit and lots of shelduck. Linnet and reedbunting in the scrub and a few linnet around the dodgey looking warehouses on the walk in.

Jimi

[Viv Connett]

Anyone wanting to see a decent selection of waders could do worse than Old Hall Marshes at the moment. If you don't have a parking permit you will need to park at the end od the road and walk in but certainly it's well worth it just now.

This morning we had Little and Temminck's Stint, Green, Common, Curlew and Wood Sandpiper, Black and Bartailed Godwits, Redshank, Greenshank, Spotted redshank, Turnstone, Grey and Golden Plovers, Dunlin, Knot, LRP, Avocet and Lapwing. Oh, and Curlew and Whimbrel. Most of the adults still sporting stunning summer plumage.

Supporting cast included Barn Owl and Marsh Harrier.

If past years are anything to go by we can expect Pec any time soon, there has been one very autum as far as I can recall for a while now so fingers crossed.....

[ben_lewis]

Hi
This thread doesnt seem to get much input so ill try and keep it going.
This morning at Hanningfield Reservoir: 3 Black necked grebes- showing close in to the RAWL Hide, 2 Black tern, 1 Hobby, 2 Yellow legged gulls- including a huge male, 2 Green Sands and a common sand as well as the usual stuff. Shouldnt be too long until SE Essex gets some good stuff in, possibly this weekend if the Easterly winds that are predicted actually occur!
Cheers
Ben

[Fozzybear]

Although I've lived in Chelmsford all my life I've never actually been to Hanningfield reservoir - will have to try and find out the nearby bus routes and actually go!

Have started taking to walking through the Chelmer Valley nature reserve in town in Chelmsford (follows the river north past the riverside retail park - Staples and so-on), which is quite nice. A small area but it has some nice wooded areas with lots of cricket bat willow and white poplar and plenty of dragonflies and birds. Am not yet very good at bird identification (or tree identification! Am working on both, but it's a slow process.) but there are lots of the usuals, like chaffinches, blue tits, blackbirds, wood pigeons, robins, thrushes and I've seen a flock of long-tailed tits (one of my favourites) most visits, green woodpeckers and lots of other small birds and carrion crows.

Also saw a flash of a bird I didn't recognise. It was like a smallish crow, black but I saw a white flash just in front of the tail on it's back. Definitely not a magpie shape though, it had a short, slightly spread tail. It was gone so quick though that it could have been anything, or just a regular crow that'd been really poo'd on! I also saw a small, slightly thrush-like bird with lightish-brown back and wings and a pale belly and no spots, looked a bit like a large warbler. Looking around on t'internet and at my bird books I'm wondering if it was a nightingale - it was certainly skulking in the bushes and I found a video of one singing that is VERY much like the bird I saw. Would be cool if it was, haven't seen one before. :t:

Hmm... please excuse the rambling! |:D|

[ben_lewis]

Hi,
Im not sure of the bus routes to Hanningfield but Id bet on a bus going somewhere close to the reserve at Hanningfield. Nightingale would be a pretty good bird for Chelmsford have you looked up Garden Warbler too, they are a little smaller and greyer than your description but equally as skulky! As for the crow like bird...im not too sure what to suggest I can think of a few birds that have darkish back with a white area but none of them are particularly crow like ie house martin, wheatear etc. Crows do occasionally have random white feathers. Not sure if thats much help or not but good luck with IDing the birds.
Ben

[PaulE]

Although I've lived in Chelmsford all my life I've never actually been to Hanningfield reservoir - will have to try and find out the nearby bus routes and actually go!

Have started taking to walking through the Chelmer Valley nature reserve in town in Chelmsford (follows the river north past the riverside retail park - Staples and so-on), which is quite nice. A small area but it has some nice wooded areas with lots of cricket bat willow and white poplar and plenty of dragonflies and birds. Am not yet very good at bird identification (or tree identification! Am working on both, but it's a slow process.) but there are lots of the usuals, like chaffinches, blue tits, blackbirds, wood pigeons, robins, thrushes and I've seen a flock of long-tailed tits (one of my favourites) most visits, green woodpeckers and lots of other small birds and carrion crows.

Also saw a flash of a bird I didn't recognise. It was like a smallish crow, black but I saw a white flash just in front of the tail on it's back. Definitely not a magpie shape though, it had a short, slightly spread tail. It was gone so quick though that it could have been anything, or just a regular crow that'd been really poo'd on! I also saw a small, slightly thrush-like bird with lightish-brown back and wings and a pale belly and no spots, looked a bit like a large warbler. Looking around on t'internet and at my bird books I'm wondering if it was a nightingale - it was certainly skulking in the bushes and I found a video of one singing that is VERY much like the bird I saw. Would be cool if it was, haven't seen one before. :t:

Hmm... please excuse the rambling! |:D|

could your crow have been a jay although they look bright in the book or a good view in the field in a dark wood a quick glance the most noticeable feature is often the white rump and the tail description fits
cheers

[Fozzybear]

Thanks guys. I doubt it was a jay Paul, my brother also mentioned that possibility but it was definitely a black bird with just a hint of white. It was too short a glimpse to be able to give a really good description though... I'll have to keep an eye out in case I see it again. A partial albino crow is the most likely - would be good to get a photo of it if I can.

The garden warbler is certainly also a possible for the 'nightingale', although I remember thinking it looked like a smallish and plain thrush rather than robin and warbler sized. The photos I've seen seem to vary in look a lot, some look very grey-brown and some show quite a warm brown colouring with a white/brown belly. One thing is that I didn't think 'warbler' when I saw it, I distinctly remember thinking it looked 'thrushy'...

I'll probably not really be able to tie it down for sure, but it's nice to think it 'could' have been a nightingale. Would be a late leaver but they certainly are found in Essex and the late migrants leave in September (apparently) so... well, I don't know. I'll stick it on the unidentified but would be nice if it was a nightingale stack*.


*well, that's the only one on it so not really a stack! |:D|

[Essex Tern]

Got the Hanningfield Reservoir Velvet Scoter and Abberton Spoonbill in a good 3 hours or so this afternoon. I believe the Spoonbill may have now flown.

Both new birds for me and very nice birds too - the Scoter especially which was a young male just coming into adult plumage - quite a striking bird.

Malvin.

[Essex Tern]

A morning at Fingringhoe Wick produced 6 Eider, including a moulting male, not far from the jetty. Also picked up my first Fieldfare and Red Breasted Merganser of the winter, and a couple of Goldcrest.

The place was alive with flocks of Long Tailed Tit, and I also caught a fleeting glimpse of a Bullfinch.

Stopped off briefly at Abberton Reservoir on the way home and saw some very smart male Red Crested Pochard, and plenty of Ruddy Duck, which are always nice to see.

Malvin.

[Fozzybear]

Nice. Have been to the Chelmer Valley reserve north of Chelmsford town centre twice this weekend and picked up goldcrest (second time I've ever seen one), redwing (first time!), female bullfinch (first time!), siskins (first time!), great spotted woodpecker, green woodpecker, grey heron, pheasant, lots of moorhens, carrion crow, magpies, jays, kestrel, another unidentified raptor (very distant, roughly similar size to the carrion crow that was mobbing it), goldfinch, greenfinch, oodles of house sparrows, long-tailed tits, robins, song thrush, blue tits, great tits, wren, dunnock...

I think that's all. |:D|

[PaulE]

headed down south into essex today had two cracking male goosanders at a drizzley abberton first thing then went down to rainham marshes and got good views of two serin and a couple of rock pipits on the way home stopped at mistley walls where the tide was very high where we had a bit of a merganser fest i counted at least 40 which means there were probably twice that good numbers of goldeneye and pintail and a slav grebe from the quay
cheers

[PaulE]

headed down south into essex today had two cracking male goosanders at a drizzley abberton first thing then went down to rainham marshes and got good views of two serin and a couple of rock pipits on the way home stopped at mistley walls where the tide was very high where we had a bit of a merganser fest i counted at least 40 which means there were probably twice that good numbers of goldeneye and pintail and a slav grebe from the quay
cheers

[kevbainbridge1]

Hi guys first time I've contributed to this page anyway glad someones started it. I had a few days back at my old stomping grounds, catching up with an old mate Phil Carter.
Day 1: Tollesbury Wick:
Best bird of the day and quite a surprise was a Whinchat seen near shingle
hills bunker.
4 Marsh Harriers(all female)
2 Red Breasted Merganser
6 Goldeneye
1 female Peregrine
Day 2: Out with Phil and to Hythe Lagoons
1 Avocet
1 Goldcrest
and not a lot else but nice to be down at the old patch after many years. We then went on to Abberton Reservoir where we saw:
1 Smew(male)
6 Goosesander
6 Corn Bunting
Day 3: Tollesbury Wick:
Whinchat seen again,
1 Great Northern Diver seen off shingle hills.
Slav Grebe
3 Marsh Harrier
1 Peregrine falcon(male)
2 Redpoll
Good little trip of birding and doing family thing. Will make sure I contribute next time I'm back in Essex.

[Fozzybear]

Saw my first ever Fieldfare at a large apple orchard south of Great Baddow near Chelmsford on Tuesday. Not sure how big their flocks normally get but I reckon there could have been in excess of a couple of hundred Fieldfares there, and the flock was still there this morning. Still seems to be lots of windfall apples for them to eat so am guessing they'll be hanging around for a while.

No idea if this is common-or-garden or not but thought I'd stick it up in case anyone's interested - the location is on Galleywood Road just north of Deadman's Lane, near Seabrights Barn carvery. 51.70871°N, 0.48507°E

There are also a fair number of Goosanders on the little lake at Central Park in Chelmsford town centre - when I went there on the 28th of December there were 19, up from 5-6 the week before, plus a Kingfisher perching on the bank at the north end of the lake.

[Clive Watson]

Got over to Chelmsford today for the Goosanders, thanks for your help Fozzybear. 24 on the lake today, 6 males and 18 redheads. They showed well enough but the dismal weather ruined the photography quite badly. I thought it was supposed to be sunny. Also saw the Kingfisher on the lake.

[Mahsleb]

Hi I've just found this thread!
Goosanders also in Colchester on the
river between the East Mill and Castle Park
cheers

[Fozzybear]

Seems quite a good stretch of the river there Tony, I remember walking along there a year or so ago thinking it looked quite a good area for wildlife. Pre-birdwatching though, so didn't see much other than some mallards and swans.

Got over to Chelmsford today for the Goosanders, thanks for your help Fozzybear. 24 on the lake today, 6 males and 18 redheads. They showed well enough but the dismal weather ruined the photography quite badly. I thought it was supposed to be sunny. Also saw the Kingfisher on the lake.

Glad you saw them ok - good that the Kingfisher was still around too. :t:

Nice shots too... better than the ones I got.

[PaulE]

my mate and i had a productive trip to the wind tunnel known as abberton reservoir today with male and female smew,2 male and 1 female red crested pochard up to 15 gooseanders 13 of them together in one flotilla loads of goldeneye,pochard and tufties
the highlight was very well camouflaged bittern which eventually gave good views
there were also humongus numbers of coot and ruddy ducks
and a few siskins around the visitor centre
cheers

[Essex Tern]

I finally got my first Essex Bittern at Abberton today - thanks to the 2 men who initially kindly pointed him out to me - I would have hopefully got it in the end, but it did help to know exactly the angle to stand at that point in time, as it was totally obscured from most angles.

It gave really good views for what must have been half an hour or so, moving backwards and forwards in the branches and reeds, but never came right out into the open for me unfortunately.

Malvin.

[Fozzybear]

Sounds like you both had a pretty good day!

[Clive Watson]

Had another go for the Goosanders in Chelmsford on Saturday in better light....only to find they've all buggered off. I tried to salvage the day by practising flight photos on the gulls but to be honest that was a serious disappointment.

[Fozzybear]

I guessed that with the very cold weather and the rivers freezing over the lake probably would be too. I guess some 'may' have moved to join the flock at Abberton (...not Hanningfield - oops!) Reservoir as PaulE saw some there the other day.

[PaulE]

I guessed that with the very cold weather and the rivers freezing over the lake probably would be too. I guess some 'may' have moved to join the flock at Hanningfield Reservoir as PaulE saw some there the other day.
hi fozzy
goosanders i saw were at abberton i suppose they could have easily moved up from chelmsford
cheers

[Fozzybear]

hi fozzy
goosanders i saw were at abberton i suppose they could have easily moved up from chelmsford
cheers

You're absolutely right - completely misread that! |8(|

[Fozzybear]

In case anyone's interested, saw one female goosander on the lake in Central Park in Chelmsford late morning today. Didn't walk around to see if more were hiding behind the island, but this female looked reasonably relaxed and settled.

Some of the Mallards there are getting very friendly indeed (or hungry) a male and female ran right up to me when I sat at a waterside bench and were stood quietly quacking right at my feet - ok so about as common a bird as you can find but I think they're gorgeous things and these two really cheered me up after an irritating morning!

[PaulE]

i heard there were some black necked grebes in summer plumage at abberton the weekend before last do any essex birders know if they are still there as i'm thinking of heading south at the weekend and would like to see em
would be interested to know what other birds present any yellow wagtails yet? etc
cheers

[POP]

I was in a wood near Navestock Essex last weekend and had 6 Common Buzzard in the air together.

POP

[Viv Connett]

They were certainly there on Sunday just gone, also some Slav Grebes.

[Fozzybear]

Went back to Central Park in Chelmsford again this morning and now there are two female Goosanders. Spent about an hour watching and photographing* them preening, resting and occasionally diving. Also was enjoying the gulls flying around, the mallards going mental all over and one very territorial swan that kept hooshing the canada geese out of the water right at my feet!

The lovely warm sunshine and constant background of Chiffchaff song made it a very, very enjoyable time indeed!


*haven't gone through the photos yet, hoping I will have at least one or two good shots out of the huge number I took!

[PaulE]

They were certainly there on Sunday just gone, also some Slav Grebes.
hi viv
cheers for that i presume you mean at abberton
this thread is very under used it would be handy if some of you regular essex birders could update it occasionally with your sightings especially from abberton,fingeringhoe etc as i can't find a website that does the job we are lucky in suffolk that we have the bins website and we keep the suffolk thread regularly updated which has certainly put me on to birds and places i wouldn't have known about and hopefully others have benefitted from my reports
poor old fozzy seems to be a bit of a lone voice at the moment

cheers

[Fozzybear]

Well there may not be that many active Essex birders coming to the forum regularly - I don't post in the thread that often (I spend a lot more time in the garden birds area of the forum) - I don't really see much newsworthy that often, but post when I do... or think I have. ;)

Chelmsford is really getting stuffed full of Chiffchaffs at the moment, have been seeing them all over! Superb! Also noticed in some of my photos of the Goosanders at Central Park that there was a Tufted Duck in the background that I didn't even notice, which is a bit of a bummer as I really would have liked to have got a decent shot of it. Good to see they're in town though, I know there are loads at a reservoir to the east of Great Baddow (on Manor Farm just off Maldon Road). Can't beat a nice Tufty. :t:

[Viv Connett]

hi viv
cheers for that i presume you mean at abberton
this thread is very under used it would be handy if some of you regular essex birders could update it occasionally with your sightings especially from abberton,fingeringhoe etc as i can't find a website that does the job we are lucky in suffolk that we have the bins website and we keep the suffolk thread regularly updated which has certainly put me on to birds and places i wouldn't have known about and hopefully others have benefitted from my reports
poor old fozzy seems to be a bit of a lone voice at the moment

cheers


Ok if I see anything on my travels I will post it on here, I imagine a lot of Suffolk birders cross the border in the same way as we go to Suffolk!!!

[Phil Carter]

Anyone else noticed a lack of Willow Warblers in Essex over the last couple of years. I haven't actually seen one in 2 yrs and only heard 1 last year(none in '07)! I cycle to work along the Colne in Colchester and up until 2 years ago would hear them all the way in Spring. They seem to have been replaced by Blackcaps which have been very common. I heard my first two of the year this morning.
Had a pleasant walk through the Roman River Reserve on Sunday to look for Purple Toothwort( loads of it ). There were some lovely Mealy Redpolls, Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Chiff Chaffs singing and a carpet of Wood Anenomes topped off with a couple of pints in the Donkey & Buskins. Well worth a couple of hours of anyones time.
Phil

[Fozzybear]

Sounds wonderful Phil, I feel pretty calm and at peace just reading about it so walking through it you must have been like, wow, man. :hippy: |:D|

Can't answer about WW's - my first spring as a (very amateur) birdwatcher and robin stroker. ;)

[Viv Connett]

Anyone else noticed a lack of Willow Warblers in Essex over the last couple of years.



No, there seem to be several about - perhaps they just don't like Colchester!!;);););)

Try Fingringhoe, they seem to be there OK or certainly Chigborough Lakes. Seem to remember some at Abberton last year too.

[Phil Carter]

perhaps they just don't like Colchester!!;);););)



Can't really blame them for that.

I do go to Abberton, Fingrinhoe and other places where Willow Warblers used to be common(and still may be) and I'm sure if I really tried to see one I could fairly easily. My point is, you shouldn't really have to "try" though, never have before, usually just bumped into them wherever I went.

Phil

[PaulE]

well i got down to abberton today highlights were 3 summer plumage slav grebes,3 red crested pochards,2 males,a female marsh harrier and several goldeneye i walked the pennisula trail and saw some nice male reed buntings and a soaring sparrowhawk and had good views of one of the many calling chiffchaffs.
unfortunately counldn't find any black necked grebes and the yellow wagtails eluded me although other people reported seeing a couple
cheers

[Viv Connett]

well i got down to abberton today highlights were 3 summer plumage slav grebes,3 red crested pochards,2 males,a female marsh harrier and several goldeneye i walked the pennisula trail and saw some nice male reed buntings and a soaring sparrowhawk and had good views of one of the many calling chiffchaffs.
unfortunately counldn't find any black necked grebes and the yellow wagtails eluded me although other people reported seeing a couple
cheers


There were at least four yellow wagtails on Layer Breton Causeway yesterday afternoon, although they had been reported on Layer de la Haye we couldn't find any there.

[Stuart Read]

Abberton yesterday the 4 Slavonian Grebes were showing well from the Layer de la Haye causeway, along with a few Little Gulls & Yellow Wagtail, with a couple more Yellow Wags on the Layer Breton causeway.
On the way home detoured to check out a great looking flash on the Essex side of the River Stour just NW of Stratford St Mary here there were 2 Little Gulls, Common Tern & single Sand Martin.
A couple of photos from Abberton attached.

Stuart

[Big Rob]

Chelmsford is really getting stuffed full of Chiffchaffs at the moment, have been seeing them all over! Superb!

Where have you been seeing these? In Central Park?

[blokewivascope]

Maybe just me but there seems to be loads of places in essex that are under watched espesially along the essex suffolk boarder

[Big Rob]

Old Hall Marshes was great when I went a few weeks ago. Shore Lark, Merlin, Peregrine, Spoonbill, Little Egret and Marsh Harrier were all to be had, amongst others.

[Viv Connett]

Fantastic Firecrest at Abberton today, feeding less than 10ft above my head, just along the boardwalk from the visitor centre!

[Fozzybear]

Where have you been seeing these? In Central Park?

In Central Park, along the river Chelmer at the Chelmer Valley Nature Reserve, out along the river to the east around Sandford Lock and Manor Farm, plus have seen and heard them a lot around Great Baddow. I saw a Willow Warbler at Manor Farm near Sandford Mill on Friday too!

[Viv Connett]

Spoonbill still at Old Hall Marshes this morning (bear in mind parking here is by permit only) and apparently a couple of Whimbrel although missed those.

Lesser Whitethroat, several Blackcaps and a Goldcrest at Abberton this morning, assume Slav Grebes still present on the causeway but too murky to tell.

No Firecrest as yet though :C

[Fozzybear]

Very quiet at Central Park in Chelmsford, no Goosanders or Tufted Ducks at lunchtime, just the usual aggressive swan, mallards, moorhens and canada geese.

[dbradnum]

Old Hall Marshes was great when I went a few weeks ago. Shore Lark, Merlin, Peregrine, Spoonbill, Little Egret and Marsh Harrier were all to be had, amongst others.

Can you provide some more details of the Shore Lark? It's a very rare county bird (in fact, this winter, a pretty rare national bird), and I'd not heard anything about any at Old Hall.

Thanks,

[Big Rob]

Can you provide some more details of the Shore Lark? It's a very rare county bird (in fact, this winter, a pretty rare national bird), and I'd not heard anything about any at Old Hall.

Thanks,

Was seen on the 21st of March, it showed about half a mile from the entrance of the reserve, on a metal gate below where I was walking. Quite near one of the stiles, where the path curves off to the right. I told the few people about it who I spoke to (who in turn pointed out the Peregrine and Merlin), but I'm unaware as to where to report it to.

[Viv Connett]

Was seen on the 21st of March, it showed about half a mile from the entrance of the reserve, on a metal gate below where I was walking. Quite near one of the stiles, where the path curves off to the right. I told the few people about it who I spoke to (who in turn pointed out the Peregrine and Merlin), but I'm unaware as to where to report it to.


Should be reported to the warden, to find the office turn left before you go on to the car park, it's at the far end on the right.

[Big Rob]

Couldn't see any Chiffchaff in Central Park today, though it was a fleeting visit. Had a Willow Warbler near Beeleigh Abbey yesterday though.

[Fozzybear]

A few Chiffchaffs around out to the east of town on one of the farms (Manor Farm near Sandford Mill), but not that many. There were lots and lots of Whitethroat though!

[Phil Carter]

12 Greenshanks, Grey Wagtail and Ruddy Shelduck at Hythe Lagoons yesterday. Still no Willow Warblers along the river walk!! Plenty of Chiffchaffs, Blackcaps, Whitethroats, Sedge and Reed Warblers though.

Phil

[PaulE]

12 Greenshanks, Grey Wagtail and Ruddy Shelduck at Hythe Lagoons yesterday. Still no Willow Warblers along the river walk!! Plenty of Chiffchaffs, Blackcaps, Whitethroats, Sedge and Reed Warblers though.

Phil
sounds like a good walk bit of a mystery about the willow warblers thou
anybody know if there have been any black terns at abberton yet
cheers

[Fozzybear]

Both myself and Silvercrest were at Writtle separately on Saturday (it was thanks to Silvercrest that I found out about the good walks/birds at the Ag College) and both independently saw a very large crow in the area. It really was huge and significantly larger than the Carrion Crows I see a lot here but I didn't look for any distinguishing features as I didn't really know thme and at the time all I thought was "blooming heck that's a HUGE crow!!". The question is whether there are Ravens in this part of the country or not - I've heard of them being in Kent and Sussex but the Breeding Birds of Essex book I looked at suggests there are only very occasional stragglers here.

Oh, and I was pretty amazed to find two Rooks at the Chelmer Valley Nature Reserve in the middle of Chelmsford yesterday morning! I hadn't expect to see any in the local area really and certainly not in the middle of town!

[Phil Carter]

Raven is a very rare bird in Essex, less than annual I think. If you see it again try to note the tail shape. It'd be a good record if it is one. Good luck.

Phil

[Fozzybear]

Thanks Phil. Will most likely go back this week so will keep an eye out!

[Fozzybear]

Went back this morning, got just a glimpse of a big crow at a distance that may have been it as I got to the Ag College. I saw a large crow heading off south-east over the trees and I tried to look at the tail but it was at a bad angle and I only got a view of a couple of seconds before it went behind the trees. I could certainly see the back of the tail was a wide, pretty straight sided chevron shape, not a straight tail or a splayed curve like the Carrion Crows normally show. I watched lots of crows today and the shape of the tail was definitely different and this large crow wasn't banking or manoeuvring in a way that would make it splay it's tail either. However, it was too brief a view to be sure and since I've not seen a Raven before I can't say 100% one way or the other - I'd like it to be a Raven and that will colour my impressions as well.

All I can say is that it's still a 'possible' Raven from what I've seen, but I am not an experienced birdwatcher by any means and it really would need someone with a lot more experience and better eyes than me to ID it one way or the other for sure. I wouldn't be surprised if other birders would instantly say "obvious carrion crow... what a twonk!". ;)

[PaulE]

hi fozzy
there has been a raven in suffolk this year so it would seem quite possible that your bird is one did it call at all as the ones i saw in wales had a distinctive kind of "kronk" call very different from crows or rooks
cheers

[Essex Tern]

A Raven was reported in Essex on 27 April......

http://www.southendrspb.co.uk/sight99/april09.htm

and http://www.birdguides.com/iris/pictures.asp?f=202871

Malvin.

[Fozzybear]

No calls that I heard, thanks for the info Paul and Malvin... rather intriguing!

[Fozzybear]

Well the Sedge Warblers have arrived - quite a number in Chelmsford town centre along the river near the Essex Record Office today. Plenty of Blackcaps, some Chiffchaffs, Whitethroats, a Common Tern and nesting Grey Wagtails there too. Hadn't realised before how good an area this was, just a shame there's so much traffic noise there so it's hard to hear the Sedgies well (the very loud Blackcaps drowned them out a bit too!).

[Phil Carter]

Temmincks Stint at the Hythe today along with Hobby, LRP, Greenshanks, Common Sandpipers, Avocets and good numbers of Black Tailed Godwits(146 to be precise).

Phil

[Phil Carter]

At least 2 Grasshopper Warblers reeling along the Wivenhoe Trail last night.

Phil

[Johnny Allan]

Hi there,

I'm trying to find out which Counties still use the Watsonian Vice County system to record birds in and which go by whatever the political boundary may change to (and why).

The Watsonian Vice County system was set to accurately record and compare historical and modern data and it seems that there can be/is confusion when some counties no longer use this system whilst others do. Does anyone in your county have a view on this ? Discussion here if anyone has a comment:

http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=142074

ps this is not about getting more or less county ticks, more a question about uniformity in recording.

Johnny Allan

[Fozzybear]

Heard a Cuckoo while walking along the river Chelmer to the south of Chelmer Village this morning, sounded like it was over in the Manor Farm/Sandford area. Third one I've heard/seen this year and amazing to find one so close to home!

Also found a Reed Warbler nest site, at a spot I'd seen a reedie singing previously. Two rw's were stripping reeds and taking them down to the nest - pretty cool to see (well... I think so anyway!).

[TomW]

Driving home today spotted a Buzzard flying east, crossing the B1018 just south of Cressing. First one I have seen in Essex.

[Essex Tern]

A couple of hours at Old Hall Marshes yesterday afternoon produced some nice views of Marsh Harriers, including a mobbing by a flock of Avocets, a nice flight view of a Cuckoo, and I managed to get a record shot of a Bearded Tit which was only my second sighting of these in Essex.

Malvin.

Essex list: 145 Last Essex: Bearded Tit 25/4/09.

[Fozzybear]

That is VERY cool Malvin! Marsh Harriers, Avocets AND bearded Tits... and all in Essex! Amazing!

Great spot with the Buzzard too Tom - have seen one fly over here east of Chelmsford but that was the only one I'd seen around here.

[purple highflyer]

A couple of hours at Old Hall Marshes yesterday afternoon produced some nice views of Marsh Harriers, including a mobbing by a flock of Avocets, a nice flight view of a Cuckoo, and I managed to get a record shot of a Bearded Tit which was only my second sighting of these in Essex.

Malvin.

Essex list: 145 Last Essex: Bearded Tit 25/4/09.

Hi Malvin , Well done on the bearded tit , I,ve made frequent visits to old hall to get them but have not even heard them! , wich part of the reserve did you see it ?.

PH.

[Essex Tern]

Hi PH

The first time I saw some on 25/4/09, it was at the second screen in the reedbed just in front of the screen - obviously involved a rather long walk to get there though!! Saw at least 2 from there flying up and over and into the reeds.

Luckily yesterday, it was a chance sighting, just by the beginning of the short walk (Tollesbury side) - reckon they were passing from one place to another, after looking for food or something - there was a pair - I attach a picture of the other one, my Uncle took this picture.

Malvin.

[purple highflyer]

Hi PH

The first time I saw some on 25/4/09, it was at the second screen in the reedbed just in front of the screen - obviously involved a rather long walk to get there though!! Saw at least 2 from there flying up and over and into the reeds.

Luckily yesterday, it was a chance sighting, just by the beginning of the short walk (Tollesbury side) - reckon they were passing from one place to another, after looking for food or something - there was a pair - I attach a picture of the other one, my Uncle took this picture.

Malvin.

Hi Malvin
Thanks for the info , I suspected you were going to say that , yes it,s a very long walk , it must have dried out a bit now , last time i tried it I got a boot full!.
Yes def a male and female , it appears that they have retreated to the central area,I dont think any get sighted around the rest of the reseve now.
Thanks again PH

[Fozzybear]

Very quiet on here! ;)

I finally got to Hanningfield Reservoir thanks to a friend from Flickr who drives - we spent some time walking around the reserve yesterday afternoon. It was very quiet bird-wise, only a couple of birds seen or heard walking around the woods but loads out on the water when we went to the Lyster hide. Only have some 8x bins and a 70-300 zoom so I couldn't do a full-on id of all the birds but they mostly seemed to be Tufted Ducks and Pochard (so many, vastly more than I've ever seen before - possibly in excess of five hundred in the group in front of the hide, one shot I took of a portion of the group had 177 birds in it, mostly Tufties), a Little Grebe, a Great Crested Grebe in amongst the ducks, a few juvenile gulls (don't ask which type, I haven't a clue! :-O) and lots of Cormorants on the rafts.

Got some lovely close views of the dragonflies and butterflies in the woods, some gorgeous Migrant Hawkers there and lots of Ruddy Darters. Was very hot and humid but nice under the trees - saw at least one possibly badger sett and some fair sized wood ant nests there too! Was really nice to walk about there, the reserve seems really good and I shall definitely have to go back. Wish I'd taken some more cash with me as they had the Dragonfly field guide book I've been thinking of buying. Didn't think they'd do credit cards (probably wrong thinking about it now...) and my friend seemed to want to get back to her car so didn't linger, maybe next time.

Next time I'll have to check out the other hides and take a walk along the embankment by the road, plus if I go alone on the bus I'll probably be more likely to see some birds in the woods (although this time of year is pretty quiet anyway I think). If I'd just gone looking for birds to photograph I might have been disappointed but it was great to see so many ducks out on the water and as I'm getting interesting in seeing and photographing insects it was really good. Plus of course I got to go out for a walk with my friend, we haven't been walking for a little while so was nice to go out with her again.

[purple highflyer]

Hi Fozzy

Glad you managed to get to Hanningfield,that is the main problem with the reservoirs,most of the birds are at long range and you dont get the best out off these places without a scope, especially Hanningfield.
Abberton is also heaving with ducks,numbers will grow and more species will arrive over the next 2 months or so , try to get back in mid to late october to see goldeneye & pintail,anything can & does turn up at both of them,but they can also be very dull when there,s nothing about.

PH

[Fozzybear]

Thanks PH. That would be great - I've not seen Goldeneye or Pintails so would be cool to see them so close to home! Next time I'll take either my 300mm prime or my Sigma 150-500, with 1.4x teleconverter I might get a better view but it wasn't 'too' bad with a 300mm and 8x bins even if I couldn't make out what a lot of the birds were it was nice just to see so many there. I'd much prefer to see a few birds close up rather than hundreds at a distance, but it was great to have a chance to see so many in one place.

The woods are nice to walk around and I'm very easily pleased ("A blackbird!" ;)) so fortunately dullness is not too much of a problem. I can see it could be for seasoned birders more interested in looking for rarities, but probably not too bad for a Robin Stroker. |:D|

[TomW]

At Fingrinhoe Wick yesterday, upwards of 40 Greenshank roosting on the scrape, along with a few Oystercatchers and BH Gulls. Excellent views. Lots of Whitethroats about and a possible lesser W, and a brief glimpse of a Reed Bunting.

[Fozzybear]

Lots of Reed Buntings along the River Chelmer just to the east of Chelmsford, still seeing Reed Warblers and some Whitethroats here too. Had a close view of a Cormorant flying upstream there too, probably heading for Hanningfield Reservoir. I see quite a lot of Cormorants, Little Egrets and Grey Herons flying in that direction around here, sometimes over my house.

[TomW]

Late evening walk round Tollesbury Wick yesterday. Not a soul in sight and a magic sunset.
Birds everywhere, small flock of Linnet, Pied Wagtails, sedge/reed warblers, Whitethroat, Reed Bunting, Yellowhammer, Skylark. Out on the ponds large flocks of ducks, mainly Mallard, but a few Tufties, Gadwall, Shoveller, Shelduck, a few Mute Swans and Canada Geese.

Out in the creeks large flocks of gulls roosting on the islands, LBB, BH and Herring as far as I could see although they were a long way off. A few Terns as well too far away to ID.
Lots of waders, mostly Redshank and Oystercatchers, BT Godwit and Lapwing but a few Ringed plover and Turnstone, and a very nice black bellied Golden Plover.
Was hoping for an owl or two, but raptors a bit thin on the ground, only saw a single Kestrel, can't have everything.
Tom

[TomW]

Another walk round Tollesbury Wick this evening after work, just to get some air and clear the brain. Walked round past the sewage works, lots of Pied Wags and Starlings here.
Also noticed large House Sparrow flocks, 50+ by the road near the marina. Not seen that many Sparrows for a long time.

On the reserve, very quiet, not many small birds about, one or two Meadow Pipits and Reed Buntings. Two Yellow waggers were a nice find.
Still good numbers of BT Godwits and assorted ducks on the ponds, with a few Avocet.

Swallows seem to be thinning out a bit this week, and I noticed some House Martins in with them. On their way already.

I walked quickly round to the main Blackwater channel hoping to get views of the mudflats but was beaten by the tide, a few BH and LBB gulls greeted me with about 20 cormorant strung out on a shingle spit.
There were a few Lapwing and Oystercatchers dotted about and several Curlew in the distance. One close Curlew looked a little different, with a shorter more decurved bill and an obvious stripe over the eye. Its harsh alarm call as it flew off confirmed it as a Whimbrel, a first for me.
There is a large pond along this stretch which always seems to hold good numbers of birds, Canada Goose, Mallard, Shovellers, Tufties, Gadwall, Little Grebe, Avocet, BT Godwit, Redshank, Snipe, Coot.
For the rest of the reserve, I noted four Green Sandpipers flying over, at least 6 Little Egret and 3 Grey Heron, One Kestrel and one large raptor in the distance, flying towards Old Hall Marsh, probably a Marsh Harrier, but I can't be sure.
Tom

[purple highflyer]

and one large raptor in the distance, flying towards Old Hall Marsh, probably a Marsh Harrier, but I can't be sure.
Tom[/QUOTE]

Hi Tom

There has been an osprey reported in the general area over the last few days,and today at abberton .
I will be in the abberton/old hall area tomorrow,will post if I see it.

PH

[Fozzybear]

Sounds like some good sightings there!

Quite a lot of Swallows along the river Chelmer around Little Baddow - both road bridges at Little Baddow lock and Papermill Lock had a lot of activity and there were young sitting in a nearby tree being fed (a first for me, very pleased to see that). Quite a lot of Cormorant fishing activity along the river and the Common Terns seem to be changing to winter plumage. Some big flocks of greenfinches/chaffinches, tits and linnets around here too. Highlight of the day was probably a Lesser Whitethroat in the brambles near the river between Sandford lock and the A12 bypass, only the second one of those I've seen. Lots of Whitethroat around to compare it to but didn't manage to get a photo unfortunately as it was a bit far away and kept hiding.

Funny that you mention House Sparrows, I get loads in my garden now (has been a good breeding year for this colony) and the other day there were in excess of forty in my garden, plus approx the same again in Starlings. Good thing I don't do official bird counts! ;) I couldn't really make an accurate count though as there's a lot of cover, I can't see all of the garden from my window and they move around a lot... all I can say is that I could definitely see more than forty Sparrows and I get through a fair bit of seed!

[TomW]

"There has been an osprey reported in the general area over the last few days,and today at abberton"

Hi PH, I don't think the bird I saw was an Osprey, I think I would have noticed the white underbelly, even at distance. Looking in the books, it was most likely a female Marsh Harrier, given the very dark colouring and wing angle when gliding. I will keep an eye open for the Osprey though.

Fozzybear, yes I think you are right about a good breeding season for House Sparrows, I'm sure the numbers on my feeders have at least doubled this year. I have difficulty counting them as well!
Tom

[Fozzybear]

"Fozzybear, yes I think you are right about a good breeding season for House Sparrows, I'm sure the numbers on my feeders have at least doubled this year. I have difficulty counting them as well!
Tom

I certainly thought so as a large proportion of the visitors to my feeder were juveniles and there seemed to be a constant stream of new youngsters appearing. It's been very gratifying to think I've helped them a little by putting out food and providing plenty of shelter in the garden.


On another subject - how (un)likely is it to see a Buzzard during the summer here? My bird of prey identification is laughably bad but both this summer and last summer I've seen large birds of prey in the skies around Great Baddow and Little Baddow and was pretty sure they were Buzzards (I have seen some elsewhere in the country but as I say my BOP ID is awful!) but looking around I've found some things suggesting that they might not be found around here. They certainly look 'right' when I look in the field guides although I have doubts but can't think of another bird they could be. They are definitely BIG birds, tended to be gliding high up, sometimes being mobbed by other birds like Jackdaws (which looked rather small in comparison), and rarely flapping. I saw two circling each other over Little Baddow recently but by the time I got my camera out they had disappeared - very frustrating!

[Essex Tern]

Fozzybear,

Buzzards are perfectly possible in Essex, in fact Thomas Harris connects with them regularly and posts some good pictures to birdguides, taken in the Maldon area.

Unfortunately I am what you might say unlucky with birds of prey - I have seen a few very distant Buzzards, but most times I see a large bird soaring it turns out to be a Marsh Harrier or a very distant Gull!!

One of these days I will have a close encounter with a Buzzard or something different, but until then I suppose I should enjoy my Marsh Harriers - actually got excited yesterday at Fingringhoe and had a very close encounter with a large bird of prey - you guessed it - Marsh Harrier! - was beautiful though!

Malvin.

[Fozzybear]

Thanks Malvin, I feel more confident that they were buzzards now. I thought they were (especially the one I saw last year at work) as they looked big, far too large to be the usual sparrowhawk or kestrel, and I couldn't work out what else they could be.

I wouldn't mind being unlucky enough to see lots of Marsh Harriers! In fact, send some over to me if you like! ;) Strangely I get much more excited thinking about seeing a Marsh Harrier than an Osprey. I 'would' like to see an Osprey but it doesn't get me going the way Marsh Harriers do - I think I picked that up from my brother who really has a thing for them. Ospreys are sexy and mega rare and have a lot going for them but somehow for me the Harrier pips it. Then again I get a big thrill watching Kestrels hunting too, maybe I'll think differently if I'm still birdwatching in five years but there's a strong element of robin stroker to my nature so perhaps I'll still be the same! A Birder I be not. :-O

[Essex Tern]

@Fozzybear - I think I feel the same way you do about Marsh Harriers with Hen Harriers - I have never seen an Osprey, but would take another close encounter with a Hen Harrier over an Osprey any day! I actually can sit for ages watching Marsh Harriers - never get bored of them!

Today I took a lap of Old Hall - carrying more gear than is sensible! For a change I thought I would make a list, and here's what I saw today....

Swallow, Magpie, Wood Pigeon, Robin, Lapwing, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Black Headed Gull, Starling, Green Woodpecker (heard), Curlew Sandpiper, Pied Wagtail, Yellow Wagtail, Bearded Tit (heard), Redshank, Common Sandpiper, Teal, Snipe, Black Tailed Godwit, Tufted Duck, Mallard, Kestrel, Hobby, Cormarant, Wheatear, Mute Swan, Little Egret, Curlew, Reed Bunting, Marsh Harrier, Great Black Backed Gull, Herring Gull, Oystercatcher, Brent Goose, Ringed Plover, Golden Plover, Bar Tailed Godwit, Grey Plover, Dunlin, Whimbrel, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Sand Martin, Grey Heron, Linnet, Willow Warbler and Goldfinch.

Was particularly pleased with the birds highlighted in red as they are Essex firsts for me.

Malvin.

[Fozzybear]

That's a good haul! :t: A lot there I've never seen... plenty of time for that though! |:D|

Hen Harrier... yes I think I'd rather see one of those than an Osprey too. I'd need a guide book to look it up in to know what it was so I could enjoy it properly though! Otherwise I'd be spending the whole time thinking "what IS it!!?";)

[TomW]

Hi Malvin, that's not a bad days birding. Been meaning to get over to Old Hall myself soon.
Out of interest, what gear were you touting round?

I prefer to travel light with a Nikon ED50, 13-40 zoom and lightweight tripod, plus my normal birding bins, but now the evenings are drawing in, I find myself hankering after the light gathering power and range of a big scope, but hate the thought of lugging all that weight on a six mile hike.
Tom

[Essex Tern]

Hi Tom

I usually prefer to travel light too, but was glad of my big scope when I got to the far end of the reserve with the Bar Tailed Godwits. One of the main weights I was carrying was lunch and about 2 litres of drinks, but also my large scope, full size aluminium tripod, and a superzoom camera with a few other bits in my bag - and my binoculars of course.

Not quite sure how far Old Hall is to walk round, the way I did it, but the short trail is 3 miles, and the long trail 6.5 miles, suppose if you do the whole reserve like I usually do, you must be doing 9 miles or so. Incidentally I have a new lightweight tripod now which I intend to use with my small scope, I do prefer the view of the big scope, but it is good to have a choice for when I am not feeling up to lugging my full kit! I just didn't get on with a monopod with my small scope.

Malvin.

[Scoobs]

Hi all

Just joined the forum yesterday to help out with a bird id.

Thought i'd add a bit to this thread about where i go for my birds

I mainly go to Hanningfield Reservoir, Abbotts Hall farm and Blue House farm all are Essex wildlife trust sites.

I really like all 3 and you get a great variety of birds between them.

Highlights for me are:

Abbotts Hall farm - Lt Egret, Marsh Harrier, Swans, various ducks, Reed & Sedge warbler, Linnet, Cuckoo, Reed Bunting, Green woodpecker, Gold finch, Green Sandpiper. The lake hide is where i usually go and it's always quiet.

Blue House farm - Lt Egret, Marsh Harrier, Kestrel, Wheatear, Winchat, Lapwing, Avocet, various ducks including a Garganey, Meadow pipit and Hares. This place has more in the winter when the water hasn't dried up plus they've just build a third hide.

Abberton and Fingringhoe are also great visits.

[purple highflyer]

Hi all

Just joined the forum yesterday to help out with a bird id.

Thought i'd add a bit to this thread about where i go for my birds

I mainly go to Hanningfield Reservoir, Abbotts Hall farm and Blue House farm all are Essex wildlife trust sites.

I really like all 3 and you get a great variety of birds between them.

Highlights for me are:

Abbotts Hall farm - Lt Egret, Marsh Harrier, Swans, various ducks, Reed & Sedge warbler, Linnet, Cuckoo, Reed Bunting, Green woodpecker, Gold finch, Green Sandpiper. The lake hide is where i usually go and it's always quiet.

Blue House farm - Lt Egret, Marsh Harrier, Kestrel, Wheatear, Winchat, Lapwing, Avocet, various ducks including a Garganey, Meadow pipit and Hares. This place has more in the winter when the water hasn't dried up plus they've just build a third hide.

Abberton and Fingringhoe are also great visits.

Hi Stu

Welcome to the forum !, I regularly go to abberton and old hall , sometimes haningfield.
Never tried abbots hall or blue house,I thought you had to make an advanced booking to visit abbots hall , their getting most of old halls waders at the moment because the managment at old hall have let the water levels drop to kill off some kind of invasive weed ,Im EWT member , can I turn up at abbots hall any time (when open) ?

PH

[Essex Tern]

Yes indeed, welcome to the forum Stu, good to have another contributor to the Essex thread.

PH, re your query on Abbots Hall - never been there myself, but "Explore Wild Essex" says it is open Monday to Friday only, 9am to 5pm. Weekends are organised walks only, for which you must book. Also see http://www.essexwt.org.uk/visitor_centres__nature_reserves/abbotts_hall_farm/

Essex Tern.

[purple highflyer]

Hi essex tern

Thanks for the info ,as I would only visist in the week that sounds ideal for me !

PH

[Scoobs]

Hi Stu

Welcome to the forum !, I regularly go to abberton and old hall , sometimes haningfield.
Never tried abbots hall or blue house,I thought you had to make an advanced booking to visit abbots hall , their getting most of old halls waders at the moment because the managment at old hall have let the water levels drop to kill off some kind of invasive weed ,Im EWT member , can I turn up at abbots hall any time (when open) ?

PH

PH,
Abbotts Hall is a working farm open 9-5 mon to fri for anyone to visit with weekend visits needing to be booked. I believe they are, somewhen, going to put in a visitors centre which would likely increase the visitor numbers but at the moment it is usually quiet. They've got 3 hides with 2 more planned. The lake hide is my favourite.

Blue house is another working farm with 2 open hides and a 3rd just being finished. I only started going in the early this year but have been very pleased with what i've seen. During the summer the water has dried up but should be back for winter but on my last visit a couple of days ago i still saw couple swans fly over, couple lt Egrets fly over, Herons, Wheatear, Winchat, Hares, Kestrel, Lapwing and a couple other small birds i couldn't id. Winter though had much more waders and similar.

Joining the Ewt was one of the best things i have done

[Scoobs]

Yes indeed, welcome to the forum Stu, good to have another contributor to the Essex thread.

PH, re your query on Abbots Hall - never been there myself, but "Explore Wild Essex" says it is open Monday to Friday only, 9am to 5pm. Weekends are organised walks only, for which you must book. Also see http://www.essexwt.org.uk/visitor_centres__nature_reserves/abbotts_hall_farm/

Essex Tern.

Thank you Essex Tern, looks like a great place to learn.

[Essex Tern]

Have been to Old Hall Marshes 2 weekends in a row.

Last week saw my first Peregrine and Whinchats. Also had Wheatear, Black Tailed Godwit, Marsh Harrier, a lone Eider, Golden Plovers and lots of normal stuff - Reshank, Curlew, Oystercatcher.....

Today my highlights were Marsh Harriers, plenty of Kestrels, Bar Tailed and Black Tailed Godwits, the usual other waders including a Snipe and Ringed Plovers, and the best birds of the day for me were a Spotted Redshank, a probable Green Sandpiper in flight (I am rubbish at birds in flight), and what I think was probably a Little Stint (I am rubbish at birds that sit behind rocks and then fly away before I get a good look!).

Also had a very close encounter with a Wheatear - it flew straight at me and I actually thought it might land on me, but instead it landed 4 paces away on a fence post - why don't they do that when I have a camera?!?

Heard plenty of Bearded Tits, but was a bit windy for them to show I think.

On the way back to the car there were loads of tits - Blue, Great and Long-Tailed together with Goldfinches and Linnet, and in amongst them was a Willow Chaff - I favour Chiff Chaff.

[PaulE]

nice morning at abberton this morning not much water but loads of birds had distant views of the grey phalarope but didn't manage to connect with either of the white rumped sandpipers had a lively debate in one hide about a small wader but in the end we reckoned it was probably a small juv ruff good fun though trying to get the id.
did see a green sandpiper, a grey wagtail, a pair of red crested pochard, loads of godwits, ruffs and a few avocets loads of ducks, mainly shovellers,pochard,widgeon,teal and tufties,a good number in breeding plumage, a couple of pintails, a pair of black swans with cygnets, a red breasted goose, a couple of eygption geese and several great crested grebes

so all in all a very enjoyable morning

cheers

[E.T.]

me too. I did spot a Heron on the Layer Causeway, East side, with 5m of the water's edge next to the causeway, so very close. Now it didn't look like a grey Heron to me, but as I drew up I was watching the road to park, and it flew off before I could get a proper take. Q is could it possibly have been anything else?

I was suspicious that it was a heron of the purple variety :eek!: but I certainly wouldn't go so far as to claim a sighting, it was just too over in a second. Have other's seen anything?

[PaulE]

me too. I did spot a Heron on the Layer Causeway, East side, with 5m of the water's edge next to the causeway, so very close. Now it didn't look like a grey Heron to me, but as I drew up I was watching the road to park, and it flew off before I could get a proper take. Q is could it possibly have been anything else?

I was suspicious that it was a heron of the purple variety :eek!: but I certainly wouldn't go so far as to claim a sighting, it was just too over in a second. Have other's seen anything?
hi ET
i did see several herons none of em purple but the greys do adopt some strange positions and can be confusing i saw one in a field the other day and all most convinced myself it was a crane til i got a bit closer and it moved it's head

cheers

[purple highflyer]

had a lively debate in one hide about a small wader but in the end we reckoned it was probably a small juv ruff good fun though trying to get the ID

cheers[/QUOTE]

Hi PaulE

I was at abberton on fri 2nd just after the phalarope was found,we also had a strange wader that fits your discription of a small juv ruff , but to small to be one ,we mused over pectoral sandpiper(it was distant) but then it dissapeared !,also had friday , white rumped sand (adult at lb causeway),3 blacknecked grebes,spoonbill & wood sandpiper.

PH

[PaulE]

had a lively debate in one hide about a small wader but in the end we reckoned it was probably a small juv ruff good fun though trying to get the ID

cheers

Hi PaulE

I was at abberton on fri 2nd just after the phalarope was found,we also had a strange wader that fits your discription of a small juv ruff , but to small to be one ,we mused over pectoral sandpiper(it was distant) but then it dissapeared !,also had friday , white rumped sand (adult at lb causeway),3 blacknecked grebes,spoonbill & wood sandpiper.

PH[/QUOTE]

hi ph

it's interesting isn't it you get fixated into trying to turn a bird into one thing and maybe miss out on something else the bird we saw wasn't that distant and we had good views on looking at pec sand in the collins i don't think it was one the bird we saw didn't have the clean cut off on the breast it also had a white base to the bill which was what made me think ruff at the time the collins also says that female ruffs can be as small as "only slightly larger bodied than a dunlin but with longer neck and legs" which fits our bird pretty well so over all if i had to put money on it i would say ruff
nice one on the grebes and wood sand by the way they have evaded me so far this year
cheers

[purple highflyer]

Hi PaulE



hi ph

it's interesting isn't it you get fixated into trying to turn a bird into one thing and maybe miss out on something else the bird we saw wasn't that distant and we had good views on looking at pec sand in the collins i don't think it was one the bird we saw didn't have the clean cut off on the breast it also had a white base to the bill which was what made me think ruff at the time the collins also says that female ruffs can be as small as "only slightly larger bodied than a dunlin but with longer neck and legs" which fits our bird pretty well so over all if i had to put money on it i would say ruff
nice one on the grebes and wood sand by the way they have evaded me so far this year
cheers

Hi PaulE

White base to the bill would seem to favour ruff,our bird didnt have that ,but I'll never know now !.
The birds I saw were all in wigborough bay ,you need a permit from the visitor centre,the wood sand has been seen again today,the grebes may have moved out into the main body of water as the bay is getting shallower by the day !

PH

[PaulE]

Hi PaulE

White base to the bill would seem to favour ruff,our bird didnt have that ,but I'll never know now !.
The birds I saw were all in wigborough bay ,you need a permit from the visitor centre,the wood sand has been seen again today,the grebes may have moved out into the main body of water as the bay is getting shallower by the day !

PH
hi ph
wigborough bay is members only i think they have missed a trick cos i probably would have paid a bit extra to go round there
i may have another crack at the grebes this weekend if weathers ok

cheers

[purple highflyer]

hi ph
wigborough bay is members only i think they have missed a trick cos i probably would have paid a bit extra to go round there
i may have another crack at the grebes this weekend if weathers ok

cheers

Hi PaulE

Yes take your point about wig bay,as far as I know it has only been open to members for about 3 weeks as the farm is uninhabited at the moment & s/e water dont mind members with permits visiting via the farm yard,,dont know how long this situation will last.
Good luck with the grebes.

PH

[E.T.]

I've been to Fingringhoe today. As I came out of the Field Centre, smiling and waving to me on the railing to the Lake was Black Red-Start.

It then flitted along and landed again on the railing, then (I was heading back toward the car park area) back on the railing of the insect garden place.

I spent a good two minutes watching it at distance of no more than 10 yards.

Fantastic :¬)

[Fozzybear]

That's very cool! :t:

[purple highflyer]

I've been to Fingringhoe today. As I came out of the Field Centre, smiling and waving to me on the railing to the Lake was Black Red-Start.

It then flitted along and landed again on the railing, then (I was heading back toward the car park area) back on the railing of the insect garden place.

I spent a good two minutes watching it at distance of no more than 10 yards.

Fantastic :¬)

Hi ET

Yes thats cool,saw it on bird guides ,waiting to see if its seen again today,if I have time will go to try and see it ,saw the pec sand at abberton yesterday in wigborough bay (ewt members only)but if not a member you can get on with a permit holding member,I took a guy from bedfordshire on with me as he'd come to see both the pec & the white rumped sand and didnt realise that wigborough bay was permit only,well worth going as today already reported ,wr sand ,pec sand,spoonbills,jack snipe,and the black necked greebes again.

PH

[E.T.]

I am an EWT member. Been to F'hoe again this morning it (or rather a pair) has been spotted in the woodland area (but not by me).

[purple highflyer]

I am an EWT member. Been to F'hoe again this morning it (or rather a pair) has been spotted in the woodland area (but not by me).

Hi ET

Thanks , but wont get over today,and they're closed tomorrow so that will have to wait ,good chance they will stay around the area though if they're not chased around to much !.

PH

[PaulE]

i went to abberton today didn't get to go to wig bay saw the spoonbills from the trail where the soper hide used to be also saw three slav grebes from same place

cheers

[E.T.]

Hmm might walk over to abberton shortly and look at the spoonbills...

[purple highflyer]

i went to abberton today didn't get to go to wig bay

cheers

Hi PaulE

Shame you didnt get down yesterday,you could,ve gone on with me,you have to be there early to get a permit as they are few! even if you are a member,when do you think you will be able to get doen there next ?

PH

[PaulE]

Hi PaulE

Shame you didnt get down yesterday,you could,ve gone on with me,you have to be there early to get a permit as they are few! even if you are a member,when do you think you will be able to get doen there next ?

PH

i sent you a pm did you get it?

[purple highflyer]

i sent you a pm did you get it?

Yes , just replied , sorry !

PH

[PaulE]

well finally got to see the white rumped and pec sandpipers at abberton today only took us 4 hours of looking BIG THANKYOU TO PURPLE HIGHFLYER for sticking it out and being the one to spot both birds although in my defence he had seen them both before and he has got a better scope than me
very enjoyable day with a bit of excitement at the end when we thought we may have found a spotted sand at the dam but after much examination we put it done as a common with very yellow legs
still mission accomplished for me with 2 lifers

cheers

[Fozzybear]

Was really pleased on a walk this afternoon to find a Stonechat on the rough ground by the river near Barnes Lock in Chelmsford - the first one I've ever seen! I'd been wanting to go to Two Tree Island as I'd heard they were there, rather cool to find one only a short walk from my house. :t:

[purple highflyer]

Hi Fozzybear

Yes ,stonechats are always a joy ,I saw 3 at the naze last week ,2 males and a female,I like the way they are allways willing to perch in full view,makes lie much easier !.

PH

[purple highflyer]

Hi Paul

Only took 4hrs to find the White rumped ! ,he was playing elusive tough wasnt he !.
I,ve put the dodgy sandpiper out as a possible spotted so anyone who wants to go have a look can.

PH

[PaulE]

Hi Paul

Only took 4hrs to find the White rumped ! ,he was playing elusive tough wasnt he !.
I,ve put the dodgy sandpiper out as a possible spotted so anyone who wants to go have a look can.

PH

hi
yes i think that's a good plan definitely had pro spotted features hopefully it will stick and someone more familiar with the species can make a definitive judgement

cheers

[Fozzybear]

Hi Fozzybear

Yes ,stonechats are always a joy ,I saw 3 at the naze last week ,2 males and a female,I like the way they are allways willing to perch in full view,makes lie much easier !.

PH

Definitely! I'd been wanting to see one of these for ages, intending but putting off going to Two Tree Island where some had been seen. Finding one just a 5-10 minute walk from my house was amazing, I wish I'd taken my camera but the photo would have been awful as the bird was a long way off, was better really to just enjoy the sighting - I wasn't 100% sure it was a stonechat but I noted all the details I could see (it was pretty small even through my 8x bins as it was in the rough scrub across the river from me) - dark legs and beak, dark brown back and wings, warm darkish buff belly with a little white at the behind, just a hint of a neck collar and supercillium, dark brown mottled head and streaky forehead and little white patches on the wings when it flew. Almost certainly a female unless the males lose their black heads in winter.

I don't really go in for lists but I have been keeping one for birds I've seen around Chelmsford on a local group on flickr, which I started writing because I wanted to show people there the richness of wildlife in the local area (one of the guys there thought we had nothing but starlings and pigeons - was really nice to show him some of the different species just around Galleywood Common):


Blackbird
Blackcap
Black-headed Gull
Blue Tit
Bullfinch
Buzzard
Canada Goose
Carrion Crow
Chaffinch
Chiffchaff
Coal Tit
Collared Dove
Common Tern
Coot
Cormorant
Cuckoo
Dunnock
Fieldfare
Goldcrest
Goldfinch
Goosander
Great Crested Grebe
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Great Tit
Greenfinch
Green Woodpecker
Grey Heron
Grey Partridge
Grey Wagtail
Greylag Goose
Herring Gull
House Martin
House Sparrow
Jackdaw
Jay
Kestrel
Kingfisher
Lapwing
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Lesser Whitethroat
Little Grebe
Little Ringed Plover
Long-tailed Tit
Magpie
Mallard
Meadow Pipit
Mistle Thrush
Moorhen
Mute Swan
Nightingale
Pheasant
Pied Wagtail
Red-legged Partridge
Redwing
Reed Bunting
Robin
Rock Dove
Rook
Siskin
Skylark
Song Thrush
Sparrowhawk
Spotted Flycatcher
Starling
Stock Dove
Stonechat (yay!)
Swallow
Swift
Treecreeper
Tufted Duck
Water Rail
Whitethroat
Willow Warbler
Woodpigeon
Wren
Yellowhammer


That's in Chelmsford and out as far as Writtle, Galleywood and the outskirts of Little Baddow. Haven't done any birdwatching in Little Baddow or Danbury yet although I will be this autumn/winter. I've left off the possible Raven too because I couldn't confirm it - Nightingale is a touch uncertain as I saw it when I'd only just started watching so could be mistaken, but I did get a good close view of it, albeit very brief, and looking at lots of photos and video I'm pretty convinced it was one, the alternatives don't really match what I saw.

[purple highflyer]

Almost certainly a female unless the males lose their black heads in winter.

I don't really go in for lists but I have been keeping one for birds I've seen around Chelmsford on a local group on flickr, which I started writing because I wanted to show people there the richness of wildlife in the local area (one of the guys there thought we had nothing but starlings and pigeons - was really nice to show him some of the different species just around Galleywood Common):

Hi Fozzybear

Stonechat males vary a great deal in winter, I,ve seen them with almost a full black head to some that just have a "shadow" of dark feathering on the head.
Oh dear,hope thats not the slippery slope,lists are addictive you know...;)

PH

[Fozzybear]

Thanks PH. Some time ago I did start one of those 'life lists' but found I started getting annoyed when I went a while without adding to it, which really is not my thing - I am interested in watching wildlife and not ticking off names so I deleted the list off my computer. Somehow, maybe because this one is aimed at showing some of the local people in the flickr group what's around, I don't feel the same way about it. Fortunately I feel pretty relaxed about my local birdwatching so 'list angst' is unlikely here, I like to see new things of course but I'm happy as long as I see 'something'.

My List list:

1. Chelmsford area

...that is all. ;)

[purple highflyer]

Thanks PH. Some time ago I did start one of those 'life lists' but found I started getting annoyed when I went a while without adding to it, which really is not my thing - I am interested in watching wildlife and not ticking off names so I deleted the list off my computer. Somehow, maybe because this one is aimed at showing some of the local people in the flickr group what's around, I don't feel the same way about it. Fortunately I feel pretty relaxed about my local birdwatching so 'list angst' is unlikely here, I like to see new things of course but I'm happy as long as I see 'something'.

My List list:

1. Chelmsford area

...that is all. ;)

Hi Fozzybear

Nothing wrong with lists,I have a life list & this year I,ve been doing a hertfordshire & essex list because I live almost right on the border of the two counties ,admit I,ve had some angst about a few birds missed,but its all part of the game,and a game is all it is (to me anyway).
You say you like to see new things, thats the same motivation that gets a lot of people out weather it be to shetland to see a lbj or like someone I know who gets up an unearthly hour to scour the local patch before work and the information he gathers on local bird movement and numbers is staggering,we all ,in our hearts, are hoping for that day when a rare bird shows up,a list is still a list, and a bit of fun,thats all.:smoke:

PH

.

[Fozzybear]

Indeed. My problem with listing is that I started to be more concerned about the list than watching the birds - purely personal and I've nothing against listing in general, I just dislike what it brings out in me. I still feel a bit mixed about the Chelmsford list but it's only because I've somehow not experienced the list fever with that one that I've kept updating it.

If it was just a bit of fun for me I'd do it, I just am inclined to take it too seriously. I'll be out before dawn tomorrow morning for a wander along the river and up to the nature reserve though. :t:

[Essex Tern]

Hi all,

Just thought I would join the list debate.

Indeed there is nothing wrong in it, and it is up to the individual how far they want to take it - for example this year I decided not to do a year list as I felt that was taking something away from my birding enjoyment, the constant pressure to add to it and improve the total in the time allocated, i.e. a year, seemed too short for me and not that relaxing - but I have continued my life list, and have put more focus on my Essex list, which I hadn't until this year kept properly, although it was very easy to make from my life list - my Essex list isn't that far behind my life list which was quite nice to find.

It is always nice to add to any list, and that is where your style of birding comes into play - I am serious but not a twitcher, that is why I don't have a huge list, but that means there are always new birds to see which is nice to know, but I know I won't get them every time I go out, but if I do then that should be special for me. If I learn my usual species well then if something special crops up, hopefully that will make the ID process easier.

My view is that everyone keeps a list, whether it be on paper, on computer, or in their head - if you see a new bird, it is a new bird to what? - your life list of course! - no harm in keeping a record in case you start to forget things later on.

[TomW]

Nicely put Essex Tern,

I have a life list in my head, but just cannot be bothered with year lists, county lists and the like. I think I'm a walker who likes to do a bit of birding rather than the other way round.

That said I do take the birding seriously and try to identify what's in front of me, but I'm not interested in twitching and generally am happy with IDing what you would consider regular British species.

I really would not be comfortable trying to ID anything out of the ordinary unless it was obvious what it was, (eg.Tufted Puffin) as I still struggle with the normal stuff.

Hopefully I will be around Abberton early tomorrow to see if I can find any of those exotic waders, then maybe a wander round Old Hall or Tolesbury Wick.

Happy hunting

TomW

[E.T.]

Nicely put Essex Tern,

I have a life list in my head, but just cannot be bothered with year lists, county lists and the like. I think I'm a walker who likes to do a bit of birding rather than the other way round.

That said I do take the birding seriously and try to identify what's in front of me, but I'm not interested in twitching and generally am happy with IDing what you would consider regular British species.

I really would not be comfortable trying to ID anything out of the ordinary unless it was obvious what it was, (eg.Tufted Puffin) as I still struggle with the normal stuff.

Hopefully I will be around Abberton early tomorrow to see if I can find any of those exotic waders, then maybe a wander round Old Hall or Tolesbury Wick.

Happy hunting

TomW

I agree.

I did used to keep a list, but TBH, I concur with the above, I'm as happy watching a robin in the garden as looking for something rare. I just like to know what things are. :t:

[Fozzybear]

Went to Central Park in Chelmsford this morning following a tip-off from snapper1966 on flickr, who'd been told there was a Red-throated Diver seen on the lake on Saturday and Sunday. I didn't expect it to be there still but I walked down there this morning and as I started along the bank and looking out from between the willows I couldn't see anything and was pretty sure it had gone but when I got to the open paved section of bank I found the Diver was there... and only about 20 feet away from me! I got loads of photos as it preened and dove, moving slowly around the lake, really good views and it was frequently coming quite close to the bank. Snapper1966 turned up too and another birder.

Was very cool to see one here, I understand that seeing them inland is pretty rare - certainly a bird I didn't think I'd see without spending a lot of time on the coast. Really must come to this lake more often, it seems to pick up interesting birds quite often. The Kingfishers were around again on the lake and the other birder (didn't catch his name) spotted a Grey Wagtail too, probably from one of the families that were nesting along the river in the summer.

[purple highflyer]

[QUOTE=Fozzybear;1621197]Went to Central Park in Chelmsford this morning following a tip-off from snapper1966 on flickr, who'd been told there was a Red-throated Diver seen on the lake on Saturday and Sunday.

Hi Fozzybear

So , twitching aswell as keeping lists now !;),I was tempted to go myself as you dont often get close views like that ,if it had not been in quite such an advanced state of moult I would have,saw one at canvey island on saturday but that was way out.

PH

[Fozzybear]

I said to Snapper that it was the first time I'd gone to see a bird someone else had found, although I later realised that I'd sorta done that when going to see my brother in Ipswich as he took me to the park there to see the Tawny Owl and try to see the Nuthatches. This was a very long distance twitch... I walked there! Not sure of the definition but at what point do you draw the line? If you're in a hide and the guy over the other side points out a bird and you go to his bench to see it is that twitching? Looking on wikipedia they reckon:


The term 'twitcher', sometimes misapplied as a synonym for birder, is reserved for those who travel long distances to see a rare bird that would then be "ticked", or checked off, on a list.

In which case I doubt you could truly be a pedestrian twitcher unless your name is Wainwright. |:D| I did add it to the list I put in the Chelmsford group on flickr... slippery slope! :eek!:Don't think I'll be getting a pager and a helecopter to the Scillies 'just' yet though. "Where's my kagool and thermos Marjorie?" ;)

Nice to see these interesting birds in the local park, I really must keep more of an eye on this lake as it seems that there are migrants seen here quite a bit.

[purple highflyer]

Hi Fozzy bear

Yep , think you,ll have to add central park to the patch.

PH

[Fozzybear]

Indeed!

Went back to the park today, the Red-throated Diver was still there and being watched by a small group of birders, plus saw a Grey Wagtail at the narrow end of the lake. The Diver seems very settled, it was fishing and preening close to the bank where we were standing and had a nap right in front of us too, which was really nice to see.

Out along the river Chelmer east of the town there were a couple of groups of Little Grebes, a Kestrel hunting, some Reed Buntings, a Cormorant fishing in the river and a number of Stonechats too.

[Ragna]

Paul just had a look at your diver shots on flickr very impressed.If the weather looks ok on Saturday morning ill try and get over early ,picked up on birdguides that u can park in Viaduct Road is this the best place to park (dont know Chelmsford). Graham.

[Fozzybear]

Thanks Graham. At the moment it looks pretty wet for Saturday but it might improve - fingers crossed! Not sure about parking, I've lived here all my life but don't drive and none of my family do either. I saw a lot of cars down Viaduct Road this morning but whether that's a good place or not I couldn't really say.

[purple highflyer]

[QUOTE=Fozzybear;1623281]Indeed!

Went back to the park today, the Red-throated Diver was still there and being watched by a small group of birders, plus saw a Grey Wagtail at the narrow end of the lake. The Diver seems very settled, it was fishing and preening close to the bank where we were standing and had a nap right in front of us too, which was really nice to see.

Seem to remember reading somwhere that someone noted it may be blind in one eye wich could explain the unusual location/behaviour.

PH

[Fozzybear]

That had been mentioned to me but we looked and if it was then we couldn't tell.

[Fozzybear]

...could the 'milky-looking' eye be due to the protective clear eyelid? Maybe it has one that it wasn't retracting at times as thinking back I remember seeing it's eyes looking milky at times but at others were clear and red/black.

[purple highflyer]

...could the 'milky-looking' eye be due to the protective clear eyelid? Maybe it has one that it wasn't retracting at times as thinking back I remember seeing it's eyes looking milky at times but at others were clear and red/black.

Yes that could be what someone saw,hope so..

PH

[Fozzybear]

Well the Red-throated Diver is still at Central Park, still drawing quite a few birdwatchers and photographers too although was looking slightly more active when I was there and giving the photographers a bit of a time as it moved around the lake. Whether it was just feeling a bit more active or it was getting the urge to move I couldn't say as I'm really not knowledgeable enough in such matters... pretty good that it's been here for a whole week though.

It could be that rather than being injured as some people thought it just wasn't quite up to strength when it started migration and is pit-stopping here, would explain why it was sleeping a fair bit during the week and if it's getting back into shape why it's looking a little more perky today. Can't really draw any conclusions from three short spells watching it though.

[Ukwildlifeo]

I thinking of popping up to Chelmsford tommorow (Tuesday) - anyone know of the bird is still there?

[purple highflyer]

I thinking of popping up to Chelmsford tommorow (Tuesday) - anyone know of the bird is still there?

Hi UKwildlfeo

No sign today,just checked birdguides and s/e essex rspb.

PH

[Fozzybear]

I went to the lake around 4pm and couldn't see the Diver so I think it has moved on. It looked unsettled on Saturday as though it was feeling the urge to get going so I wasn't entirely surprised not to see it today.

[Ragna]

I went on Sunday morning and the birdwas very active but did look very settled amazing views down to a few feet at times but was also feeding a lot, shame its gone as i dont think ill ever get such close views again. Well worth the trip.

[Ukwildlifeo]

Bah my first ever twitch and I've ducked before I've even left!

Oh well, I'll just have to go to Scotland sometime and see them breeding!

Thanks for the heads up, and I'm gald some of you got the chance to enjoy it :)

[Fozzybear]

I may go into town later today so will make a diversion to the lake for another look just in case but am pretty sure it's boogered off. Sorry Ukwildlifeo, I know someone else who'd been wanting to go this week to see it. We were lucky it hung around for as long as it did really!

Will try to keep an eye on the lake now as it's probably the season for interesting arrivals... will report back if i find anything unusual.

Ooh yeah, there were lots of Mallards, Black-headed Gulls and Canada Geese there yesterday and I did see a few Moorhens too... any good? |:D|

[Ukwildlifeo]

Theres a report from yesterday that it was by the weir in Chelmsford but getting harassed by gulls and disappeared again http://www.southendrspb.co.uk/sightings.htm

[Fozzybear]

Just been told by Dave on flickr that the Diver has been found dead at the weir. :-C It's on that RSPB sightings page.

[Ragna]

What a shame looked perfectly healthy on Sunday and was very active and feeding well.

[E.T.]

Just been told by Dave on flickr that the Diver has been found dead at the weir. :-C It's on that RSPB sightings page.

Hmmm not good. Is there any news on causation?

[Fozzybear]

None that I've heard. Someone had seen it being harassed by Black-headed Gulls but I'm not sure you can read anything into that.

[dbradnum]

Hmmm not good. Is there any news on causation?

Yes, it was reported as badly oiled as long ago as 17th, and had presumably ingested some of this as it attempted to clear its plumage. Although sad, this isn't surprising, since when maritime birds like this (e.g. Gannet, Manx Shear) turn up inland they tend to be ill or damaged in some way.

[Fozzybear]

It wasn't mentioned by anyone I talked to (just about the reported dodgy eye) and it didn't 'look' oiled but then it's the first one I've seen so I can't exactly comment. Other people I talked to at the lake who'd seen one before didn't comment about it looking oiled or sick though. Through the week it was looking more active and fit each time I saw it, was catching fish well too so if it was oil that killed it then it flew all the way here, cleaned itself really well, got better over the next week, flew off a little way and then just dropped dead.

Might turn out to be so but doesn't really ring true to me.

[dbradnum]

Fair enough, you're entitled to your opinion (which is obviously based on having seen the bird, unlike me), but given that the comment about the bird being oiled originated from one of the most experienced and knowledgeable birders in the county, I'm happy to take his word.

The fact that it turned up in an urban park in Chelmsford is, in itself, a strong suggestion that all was not well. (In my experience, Red-throated is the least likely of the three regular divers to turn up inland, despite the fact that they're the most abundant on the sea down south). It may have been catching fish well in your opinion, but I doubt what's available in Central Park is really a substitute for its natural habitat. I certainly don't think it 'just dropped dead' - I reckon it's likely that there was a problem of some description when it arrived, and the same problem led to its unfortunate demise.

[Fozzybear]

Maybe I am wrong. I don't know that I'd recognise an oiled Diver as opposed to a healthy Diver as I've not seen one before and I wasn't having a go at the experienced and knowledgeable birder as I didn't know from your post that was the source of the information. The condition of the bird wasn't mentioned by other people watching it when I was at the lake (some had seen one before too) other than questions about the previously reported 'iffy' eye, which is why I was a rather sceptical but there wasn't a need for me to be curt (I was slightly so in another post this morning, possibly because I'm feeling not too well and am rather sore and achy today... maybe I've got a touch of this damn swine flu thing). I apologise for that, it was unneeded.

I really don't know the answer but could the bird have cleaned itself enough to appear not oiled in a day or two, enough to pass muster? The photographs I took of the Diver on Tuesday and Thursday last week are here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/paulforsdick/tags/redthroateddiver/

and there are a few in the gallery. I don't know if they're good enough to say though. If it does still look oiled and we've mistaken it for mid-moult that would explain all though.

I wonder if I'm better of keeping out of the more expert discussions and sticking to areas of the forum like ex-beeb - I am no way experienced enough in these kinds of things to have an opinion and if I'm going to wind up people because of it that's really not helpful!

[dbradnum]

No problem - hope you feel better soon! You should certainly post your opinions, regardless of experience - everyone here is learning at some level.

I think this pic: http://www.flickr.com/photos/paulforsdick/4028436473/ suggests that the underwing is oiled, it certainly looks a lot less clean than the other side: http://www.flickr.com/photos/paulforsdick/4028436675/.

I think the problem with oiled birds is that they try to clean themselves up by preening (and can therefore gradually appear less badly affected over time), but take in all the toxic pollutants in doing so. These then take a while to cause internal damage. The published advice on handling an oiled bird (e.g. one found on a beach) is to actively try to prevent it from preening, for this reason.

PS - if you want to see more divers nearby (particularly Great Northerns), then the Blackwater Estuary is excellent around high tide in the winter. Perhaps best viewed from Rolls Farm west of Tollesbury - see this map: http://www.multimap.com/maps/?qs=tollesbury&countryCode=GB#map=51.74893,0.81925|15|4&dp=os&bd=useful_information&loc=GB:51.75865:0.83039:14|tollesbury|Tollesbury,% 20Maldon,%20Essex,%20England,%20CM9%208

[Essex Tern]

Spent a few hours on the short walk at Old Hall today and managed to pick up my first ever Merlin.

Was a good day for birds of prey as it happened (which is very unusual for me as they are a bit of a bogey for me), but I managed to get Marsh Harrier, the Merlin, a Peregrine and also a Sparrowhawk as I was driving out - no Kestrel though!

I attach a couple of very dodgy pics.

[E.T.]

Nice clear views...glad you had a good day. I love watching Raptors...I was over on the sea wall near Old Hall last week and there was a pair of Marsh Harriers duelling above me, fantastic to watch...may well be the same one?

[Fozzybear]

No problem - hope you feel better soon! You should certainly post your opinions, regardless of experience - everyone here is learning at some level.

I think this pic: http://www.flickr.com/photos/paulforsdick/4028436473/ suggests that the underwing is oiled, it certainly looks a lot less clean than the other side: http://www.flickr.com/photos/paulforsdick/4028436675/.

I think the problem with oiled birds is that they try to clean themselves up by preening (and can therefore gradually appear less badly affected over time), but take in all the toxic pollutants in doing so. These then take a while to cause internal damage. The published advice on handling an oiled bird (e.g. one found on a beach) is to actively try to prevent it from preening, for this reason.

PS - if you want to see more divers nearby (particularly Great Northerns), then the Blackwater Estuary is excellent around high tide in the winter. Perhaps best viewed from Rolls Farm west of Tollesbury - see this map: http://www.multimap.com/maps/?qs=tollesbury&countryCode=GB#map=51.74893,0.81925|15|4&dp=os&bd=useful_information&loc=GB:51.75865:0.83039:14|tollesbury|Tollesbury,% 20Maldon,%20Essex,%20England,%20CM9%208

Thanks David, yes now you point that out it doesn't look right and I have a feeling I noticed it looked odd when I processed that photo but didn't think anything more of it at the time - not having seen one before I didn't realise it might be significant. Very sad and I wonder where it picked up the oil - the question is whether it could have got here from Scotland in that condition...

Interesting about the Blackwater and Tollesbury, I would like to go out to that area at 'some' point so will try to remember to keep an eye out for them when I finally make that trip. :t:


I finally got down to Southend and Two Tree Island on Tuesday, a photographer/birdwatcher I've been talking to on flickr (Dave) suggested meeting up there since lots of stuff he'd been photographing there was really interesting to me (turnstones, lots of golden and ringed plovers, teal...). Was a bit of a damp squib of a day, foggy then very dull and then drizzly/showery and the tide was against us for the big flocks at Two Tree lagoon but we still saw loads and I certainly had a great day. Rather a long post ahead and I've highlighted the birds for those that want to cut out the waffle. ;)

Picked up my first Curlews (I'd really, really wanted to see those after talking to a guy in Chelmsford the other week who'd seen a pair flying along the river near town!), some on the mud next to the pier, another at Leigh and some more at Two Tree, saw my first Dunlins too, lovely to see those little waders amongst the Turnstones (only the second time I've seen those and the first time I'd seen them actually turning stones). We spotted a Grey Heron halfway out along the pier standing in the shallow water on the east side of the pier (that gave us pause, we'd not realised how shallow the water was there!). Lots of Redshanks, one Ringed Plover and some Little Egrets near the pier too (Dave said he thought there were some Knot amongst the Dunlin too, but all I could see were lots of distant little birds and I don't know waders so couldn't say). When out at the end of the pier we saw a young Great Black Backed Gull (unless it was a Herring... but it looked right for GBB) and a first winter Mediterranean Gull posing on some posts out on the east side of the pier. Lots of Cormorants fishing and flying around here too and I saw three Brent Geese flying eastwards over the sea (both firsts for me!). we also found a solitary Pied Wagtail on the sea wall, the first one I've seen since I was in Norfolk earlier in the summer!

Moving on to Leigh-on-sea and at the very east end of the High Street we stood out on the quay and there were loads of Brent Geese (sorry no numbers, the ones I could see probably amounted to at least a hundred in this area and I could see more further out on the estuary) and amongst them were some Curlews, one or two Little Egrets, more Great Black Backed Gulls and many Black-tailed Godwits, which I'd seen at Cley before but not anything like so close! After watching those for a while and taking lots of pics here and out on the beach we went back to the car for lunch and then drove on to Two Tree Island.

Lots of Wrens and Robins and other small birds flying around at the carpark and in the scrubby bushes as we walked west towards the lagoon, quite a sizeable flock of Chaffinches in some trees there and a few Linnets too. We saw some Teal, Redshanks and another Curlew in the creek off to the right, the sound of it's calls really great to hear. At the lagoon we saw a nice group of Wigeon in the corner and ensconced in the hide we could look out to also see lots of Teal, a fair number of Avocets (my first sighting of them in Essex :t:) a few Redshank and Shovelers and a Little Egret off at the far end. We could hear more Curlews out on the estuary and all the time the Avocets calling to each other (possibly the Teal too).

After a while I went to check out the south-facing hide nearby and walking there saw a darkish animal come out from the undergrowth onto the path in the distance, pause and then scurry into the thicket on the other side. I couldn't see what it was but it was blunt faced, not a rat, a little bigger perhaps but not really big. Too bulky and large for Stoat/Weasel, I guess it could have been a Water Vole or a Mink or... I don't know. I don't know mammals 'that' well and certainly don't know what you're likely to find crossing a path on the island. I checked out the place it crossed and there was a definite run there but I couldn't say more than that. I went into the hide and opened the shutter, immediately seeing a flickr of movement in the marshy plants as something disappeared along an overgrown channel. I settled down and could see a Redshank feeding nearby, a few Shelduck out on the estuary and off in the far distance groups of more birds, way too distant to make out. I watched a Robin hopping around the weeds and then saw the movement in that channel again. I got my binoculars on it and slowly into view crept a Water Rail! I quickly grabbed my camera and took some photos, struggling at such a distance in the dingy light but managed somehow to get some photos. I rang Dave in the other hide (we were the only ones there and he asked me to if I saw anything good) and he was really pleased but had only just seen one well at another reserve (I'd seen the pics, it was a great view he got!) so stayed where he was to carry on counting. After a minute the Rail moved back into the channel and disappeared, and after a few more minutes I left too, heading back to the lagoon hide. I spotted a Blackbird and a Dunnock on the path ahead and suddenly a Sparrowhawk swooped down over my shoulder and flew really low along the path, scattering the birds and then banking around the lagoon hide and out of sight. Dashing to the hide Dave said he'd seen it come in fast and low and buzz across the water before disappearing over the bank. Pretty cool!

We chatted with another birdwatcher that came to the hide as we packed up and then headed back to the carpark before Dave kindly gave me a lift back to Chelmsford. Dave was rather miffed that we'd not seen the Turnstones on the pier itself and the big flocks of plovers but coming away having seen lots of new birds and a photo of a Water Rail I was really pleased! Even without those it was a great trip to scout out the area and see what was around, I'll be back another day when the weather is better, hopefully catching the high tide and those flocks! :t:

[TomW]

Sounds like a good day out Paul. Envious of the water rail, yet to see one of them.
I've not been to Two Tree island for some years, maybe its time for another visit!
Cheers
Tom

[E.T.]

Does sound like an enjoyable time. I think we're very lucky in this part of the world.

I've seen Gt Northern Divers on Abberton Res in years past too - and Smew too - but that would be more round Jan time. So worth a look there too.

[Fozzybear]

Thanks Tom and E.T. - yes we're pretty lucky really. It's easy to be jealous of some of the wildlife found elsewhere in the country but when you look around it's amazing how much can be found in the county.

Two Tree was really great even in the lull at low tide, but then everywhere we stopped was good!

[dcweather]

Hi Paul, make you laugh - I've been reading this thread all the way through from post1 and after a while thought this Fozzybear bloke sounds a bit like Paul, then later he comes from Chelmsford. What really clinched it for me was when I figured in the post on our trip!! Thanks for the kind words about our good day out. Since then I've had some light but not the birds! BTW - got my Kenko 1.5x
Dave

[Fozzybear]

Hi Dave! :hi: |:D|

No need to thank me for kind words about the trip, it was excellent - it's a long time since I saw so many new birds in one day, or such a bird-packed day in general! :t:

Looking at the Southend RSPB sightings page it does look like it's been hit and miss, although Sunday looks like it was pretty good - as it was a reasonable day after such rough weather on Saturday I guess the birds all came out to enjoy it. I 'nearly' went down again today, but thought I'd better stay here and do some work around the house instead. :(

Walking along the river to Chelmsford over the last few days I've not seen 'that' much but there have been good large flocks of Black-headed Gulls on the river, I saw a Goldfinch feeding on teasels for the first time (have been looking out for that behaviour since I started watching birds), a Meadow Pipit on a fencepost, lots of Little Grebes as usual and on the Baddow Meads some fair-sized flocks of Reed Buntings and Goldfinches moving amongst the rank grass. Haven't seen the Kingfishers for a little bit though.

[Essex Tern]

Finally broke my duck with rare birds, and I did it in Essex! - managed to find the Spotted Sandpiper at Abberton this morning. Was cold, wet, windy, but worth it.

[TomW]

Well done, Essex Tern. You have more determination than me!
I got as far as filling the bird feeders in the garden.
Cheers
Tom

[Essex Tern]

Cheers Tom. Think it has got to that time of year where I have to push myself a bit to go out in the miserable weather - I usually regret it if I don't go out though! But it is good to get the added bonus of a lifer, and first rare bird after making myself go out, as that won't happen too often, might get the odd lifer, but it may be a while til I get myself an Essex mega!

Guess I shall just have to keep going out, and it may happen one day, I shall be happy with lifers though, there are plenty of common birds I have yet to see, and it is special to see them first in Essex.

Re the weather, I am a bit odd actually! - I enjoy walking in the rain - it's the wind that spoils it for me, wind assisted rain isn't much fun!

Feeding the birds is an important job, well done on that.

[Fozzybear]

That's a lot of Goldfinches! Hi-rise al-fresco dining. |:D|

[E.T.]

Finally broke my duck with rare birds, and I did it in Essex! - managed to find the Spotted Sandpiper at Abberton this morning. Was cold, wet, windy, but worth it.

Excellent - that certainly is a wader (my expert eyes can tell that at first glance :t: ) ...boy I find them difficult to distinquish at times! I tend to stand gorping through the scope, bird guide open - I look back to the scope, and the bird has moved a bit (damned inconsiderate I say!)

well done (I'll have a beer on your behalf B (: )

[E.T.]

Essex Tern - That's a great photo - almost worthy of a caption competition!
Goldfinches are attractive little birds

[Essex Tern]

That's a lot of Goldfinches! Hi-rise al-fresco dining. |:D|

Essex Tern - That's a great photo - almost worthy of a caption competition!
Goldfinches are attractive little birds

I bought that feeder because we used to have a lot of bickering with birds unable to find a perch - within a week however we were visited by the birds you see on the feeder and in addition 15 to 20 more - we never had that many before (best to that point was a dozen or so), and some were even feeding on the ground which I have not had before either - so we still don't have enough perches! That was only for a few weeks though and numbers seem to have stabilised at around a dozen at a time.

Excellent - that certainly is a wader (my expert eyes can tell that at first glance :t: ) ...boy I find them difficult to distinquish at times! I tend to stand gorping through the scope, bird guide open - I look back to the scope, and the bird has moved a bit (damned inconsiderate I say!)

well done (I'll have a beer on your behalf B (: )

Cheers - I wouldn't normally have bothered with the picture in the conditions, but being my first rare bird I thought I would try for a record shot - you can just about make out the yellow legs from the dodgy picture, so it'll do for my purposes - was lucky to get anything come out really as had to wipe the rain from the lens a couple of times - not really conducive to quality photography! But I did spend more time watching the bird through my scope than trying for the photo, so my memories are more vivid than my photos.

[PaulE]

went to wrabness today looking over the stour i had great northern diver,red throated diver, red necked grebe,red breasted merganser plus loads of brent geese,pintail,goldeneye and various waders
cheers

[Fozzybear]

Sounds great Paul!

I walked into Chelmsford along the River Chelmer this morning, starting near Barnes Mill. I saw a Snipe flying east and landing in the scrubby cover on the north side of the river, the first one I've ever seen so that was pretty cool. A couple walking their dog told me a few have been seen here recently. There were also quite a lot of Stonechats feeding down along the riverbank and near the road bridge over the river there were lots of birds feeding in the snowy meadow on the south side, Blackbirds and Starlings and some Magpies and lots of smaller birds, mostly Meadow Pipits. I wasn't sure because of the distance but I thought I saw some Siskins too, although I've no idea if this is the right habitat for them.

Further on near the Springfield Lock there were lots of the usual Black-headed Gulls with a few Common Gulls amongst them, some Little Grebes, a Great Spotted Woodpecker and four Goosanders! I'd wondered if they would come back as they were in town last Christmas so really good to see them. There were three females and one male and they flew off upstream towards the town. I'll have to take a look in Central Park next time I go into town as there 'may' be more there.

A very dodgy photo of the goosanders here (I only had my teeny compact with me unfortunately):

http://www.birdforum.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=233387&d=1261229111

[E.T.]

I've just come back from a fantastic walk. From Lah de dah (layer de la haye) where I live, across to Birch, down to Abberton Reservoir Birch causeway, round to Layer causeway, dropping into the EWT visitor centre for a cup o coffee, then back up the hill to home.

So what did I see? Well the scenery was fantastic, everywhere you look was piccy post card stuff. Birdwise nothing to spectacularly unusual (but that doesn't really matter to me in the slightest). Robins by the truck load, in groups in the hedges around...I must of seen at least 100 in my (about 10 mile) walk. Got a fantastic view of a Kestrel (one of my favourite local birds - he was just siting up the top of a dead tree, not 20 yds from me. I think the bright sun and the refletion of light from the snow, seemed to make the bird's colours all the more vivid.

On the resi it was much the usuals (I was wondering whether this cold snap had brought the Smew in yet - but I didn't see one). I just enjoyed watching a pied wagtail..um...wagging. Most of the birds were pretty docile,(boy I bet they get cold feet!). there was one redshank that I watched for a time - amusing to watch. And a Grey Heron - which looked bigger than usual, he was standing very erect and tall.

So, in all a very enjoyable 5 hour excusion. Essex can be truly beautiful.

[Fozzybear]

Sounds great E.T., my kind of walk.

The Goosanders are still here in Chelmsford and more are gathering - on Saturday I saw four, on Sunday down to a pair but this morning I looked out and saw one... then looking downstream there were at least 14 more! I'm surprised they've chosen that area as it does get a fair bit of activity from people, many with dogs, and they're rather twitchy birds - this lot all took off and flew towards town when a dog walker came along the path, but was still quite a way off.

[Steve Arlow]

There has been a report of a male Pied Harrier in the Maldon / Southey Creek area during the harsh weather. This is a totally unconfirmed report from a wildfowler so it may not be anything to really get excited over, yet.

If the bird is genuine, of which there are doubts that it is, and is seen again then this will be a first for Britain and I would urge people to go and see it as Pied Harriers are just superb, quite possible the best looking harrier in the world.

[foxydave]

Hi Guys nice to see a Essex site Canvey island good place for all sorts waders and at the moment we have a ivasion of redwings and feildfares never seen so many though theres a great crop of hawthorn berries

[Fozzybear]

Loads of Redwings and Fieldfares at the moment here in Chelmsford too, wonderful to see so many so close to home. Saw them hanging out on the Baddow Meads next to the Essex Regiment Way off the Army and Navy roundabout, plus a Grey Heron and a Little Egret too.

Still a lot of Meadow Pipits around and a pair of Goosanders on the river too. Not sure if more are around, didn't get around to checking out the lake in the park.

[Essex Tern]

Spent a few hours at Abberton this morning.

Plenty of birds about including Goosander, Goldeneye, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Mute Swan, Mallard, Smew (3m & 1f), Grey Heron, Redshank, Black Tailed Godwit, B H Gull, Common Gull, Canada and Greylag, a couple of Jay, Goldfinch, Pheasant, Kestrel, Blue Tit, Chaffinch, Robin, Wren, Blackbird, G C Grebe and a few more.

And just had a Song Thrush in my garden, which is a rare occurance, so not a bad morning all told.

[Goldfynche]

Hi. I haven't long been in the forum. So have only just found the Essex thread. My local patch is Valentines park in Ilford. Which is getting an increasingly varied selection of wildfowl, of late.

[Essex Tern]

Welcome to the Essex thread Goldfynche - the more contributors the better, and I for one look forward to reading about any sightings you have, that is a part of Essex I have not explored yet.

[Goldfynche]

Thankyou for the welcome. I do a bit of video as well as photography. Here is a short sample of some recent visitors/residents to Valentines Park. Note the 'Common Gull' at the end.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhcY8dmWOXw

[Steve Arlow]

West Canvey Marshes RSPB reserve is due to open sometime in the new year. I drove past the parking lot on Christmas Day and can already see paths in place and the construction of a new hide which overlooks the roadside fleet.

This fleet has had an assortment of passage waders over the years with Wood and Curlew Sandpipers all occuring. It hasn't always been the most convenient place to stop, being on a main road and has often dried completely out by autumn, but with the new hide, parking facilities and management of the water levels this could once again prove to be a good birding area, wonder what other good areas there are here to explore when it opens.

[purple highflyer]

Hi All

Had a good day at colne point yesterday,shore lark ,water pipit,bewick swans,spoonbills and merlin the highlights , also at least 3 rock pipits and a probable twite (just caught a pink rump and white tail sides dissapearing into the undergrowth !).
note today also reported ,ring tailed hen harrier, gn diver and short eared owl.

PH

[Phil Carter]

Finally got my arse in gear and went for the Spotted Sandpiper at Abberton. Glad I did as it's a cracking bird. Also had 3 Smew (2 male, 1 redhead), Buzzard, Green Sandpiper and excellent views of Bittern.

Phil

[dbradnum]

Finally got my arse in gear and went for the Spotted Sandpiper at Abberton. Glad I did as it's a cracking bird. Also had 3 Smew (2 male, 1 redhead), Buzzard, Green Sandpiper and excellent views of Bittern.

Phil

Nice one! If anyone else is pondering whether to go and look for the sandpiper, you need to go in the next few days. There will be no access to the reservoir away from the causeways from Monday 4th Jan. Until then, you can get a permit from the visitor centre, as long as you're a member of EWT or EBS.

[Steve Arlow]

Birding starts for the new year: Westcliff Seafront had a good turnout of birds and birders in the morning.

The adult Ring-billed Gull was the main draw for year listers and for most he perfromed well until about 11.30. Also two Black-throated Divers were present, one of which has been around for three days, usually lingering just offshore around the end of the concrete outflow allowing good views through the scope, it is likely it'll be there again tomorrow morning. The second bird was further out towards mid channel. Also for the visitors were a Red-throated Diver, a drake Red-breasted Merganser,3 an immature drake Eider and 6 adult Mediterranean Gulls.

Anyone going tomorrow should be there between 9 and 11 to stand best chance of the Ring-billed and the Diver.

[Steve Arlow]

Generally Great Northern Divers are rather distant in the Thames, or anywhere else off the Essex Coast for that matter, however now is one of those special years where they linger close to the end of Southend Pier.

Today there were 5 Great Northerns all a few feet from the boardwalk with the photo opportinuties high. The last time this occured was two years ago and then 10 years before that so if you want great close up views then the pier is a must visit place, make sure to check the tidetable before you go, a couple hours either side of and upto high tide is best.

See attached images

[Fozzybear]

Cool pics Steve, I noticed a lot of activity when I looked at the RSPB south-essex sightings page, looks like it's all go down at Southend. :t:

[Steve Arlow]

The New Year tends to see a lot of activity from the local birders who are out starting new year lists. this tends to dribble away after a few weeks but I'm hoping can keep the momentum going.

In total today there were seven Great Northern Divers off Southend Pier, the five crab munchers close in and two further out into the estuary. This is the highest single count I have had in the Thames in thirty years "get them while they're hot".

[BirdPics]

i spent about an hour at Abberton Reservoir yesterday

i saw 4 Turnstones, 5 Goosanders, possible 3 Bewick swans, Goldeneye and many more

[Big Rob]

Walking to work along the river by Tesco HomePlus in Chelmsford, and there was a female Goosander in amongst a flock of gulls.

[Fozzybear]

Walking to work along the river by Tesco HomePlus in Chelmsford, and there was a female Goosander in amongst a flock of gulls.

They've been around on and off quite a bit, good to hear there's still one around - the lake in Central Park is pretty much iced over so the two males are not there any more. There were 15 on the river a couple of weeks ago. :t:

The Chelmer Valley reserve in Chelmsford was full of Redwings today, a few Fieldfares around too.

[Phil Carter]

It's been a very pleasant walk to and from work this week along the River Colne. Numbers of Goosanders have risen to 35 this morning, I see Kingfisher most days, had a Woodcock on Monday and, best of all, a Great Northern Diver fly over yesterday. Surprisingly no Siskins or Redpolls in the Alders though. Anyone else getting any?

Phil

[Fozzybear]

I've not seen any Siskins here either, my brother thought he heard some in Ipswich but wasn't sure as he's not seen them before.

Took a rather snowy walk across the Baddow meads and along the River Chelmer into Chelmsford this morning. Saw a goose (not sure species, need to check calls to see if I can ID it - was really snowing when it flew over) flying south alongside two Cormorants and near Moulsham Mill there are now 27 Goosanders gathered on the river, so it looks like they are all gathering somewhat given Phil's sightings. I saw a couple more Cormorants in that area too.

[PaulE]

I've not seen any Siskins here either, my brother thought he heard some in Ipswich but wasn't sure as he's not seen them before.

Took a rather snowy walk across the Baddow meads and along the River Chelmer into Chelmsford this morning. Saw a goose (not sure species, need to check calls to see if I can ID it - was really snowing when it flew over) flying south alongside two Cormorants and near Moulsham Mill there are now 27 Goosanders gathered on the river, so it looks like they are all gathering somewhat given Phil's sightings. I saw a couple more Cormorants in that area too.

i should imagine it's well worth checking the rivers for the likes of gooseander and other grebes/ wildfowl as the lakes and reservoirs freeze over

cheers

[Phil Carter]

57 Goosanders on the Colne this morning.

Phil

[Big Rob]

Lots of Redwing around Maldon this morning. About 20 or so flying over the Longship Way area, often settling there or in Hemmings Court and Washington Road.

[Fozzybear]

57 Goosanders on the Colne this morning.

Phil

Wow! That must have been a great sight!

Five Redwings in my garden just a few minutes ago! :t: They were gorging themselves on the ivy berries. Had one in the garden a couple of days ago so brilliant to see them back in numbers. I'd hoped to see them in the garden after seeing large numbers around the neighbourhood - what a treat! :king:

[Fozzybear]

Chelmsford (like many places it seems) is stuffed with Redwings at the moment, the parks in town are full of them and out on the Baddow Meads this morning there were loads of them feeding alongside a few Fieldfares and lots of Meadow Pipits and Reed Buntings and a big flock of Starlings. I only saw Redwings for the first time last winter so don't have much experience of them but this winter I've seen far more than last year. I took a video clip of the starlings flocking with other birds flying about after something (Sparrowhawk or Kestrel I reckon) scared them all up into the air:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/paulforsdick/4271137407/

Along the river Chelmer at Springfield Lock the Goosanders are still around and have been joined by a group of Tufted Ducks and Gadwall, first time I've seen Gadwall around Chelmsford (I'm sure they've been here regularly before though) so that was pretty nice to see. The orchards around Galleyend, south of Great Baddow, have got a healthy population of Fieldfares too. I saw more in one place last winter but overall there are as many as I saw then, if not more.

[purple highflyer]

Chelmsford (like many places it seems) is stuffed with Redwings at the moment, the parks in town are full of them and out on the Baddow Meads this morning there were loads of them feeding alongside a few Fieldfares and lots of Meadow Pipits and Reed Buntings and a big flock of Starlings. I only saw Redwings for the first time last winter so don't have much experience of them but this winter I've seen far more than last year. I took a video clip of the starlings flocking with other birds flying about after something (Sparrowhawk or Kestrel I reckon) scared them all up into the air:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/paulforsdick/4271137407/

Along the river Chelmer at Springfield Lock the Goosanders are still around and have been joined by a group of Tufted Ducks and Gadwall, first time I've seen Gadwall around Chelmsford (I'm sure they've been here regularly before though) so that was pretty nice to see. The orchards around Galleyend, south of Great Baddow, have got a healthy population of Fieldfares too. I saw more in one place last winter but overall there are as many as I saw then, if not more.

Hi Paul

It,s nice to see so many winter thrushes and like you say I havnt seen so many for a long time,trouble is the reason for there being so many about beacause of the hardship this weather is causing them,lets hope all this snow and ice will be gone in the next few days !

PH

[BirdPics]

seen a few Redwings in Maldon today, flying into peoples gardens

[Big Rob]

Chelmsford (like many places it seems) is stuffed with Redwings at the moment, the parks in town are full of them and out on the Baddow Meads this morning there were loads of them feeding alongside a few Fieldfares and lots of Meadow Pipits and Reed Buntings and a big flock of Starlings. I only saw Redwings for the first time last winter so don't have much experience of them but this winter I've seen far more than last year. I took a video clip of the starlings flocking with other birds flying about after something (Sparrowhawk or Kestrel I reckon) scared them all up into the air:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/paulforsdick/4271137407/

Along the river Chelmer at Springfield Lock the Goosanders are still around and have been joined by a group of Tufted Ducks and Gadwall, first time I've seen Gadwall around Chelmsford (I'm sure they've been here regularly before though) so that was pretty nice to see. The orchards around Galleyend, south of Great Baddow, have got a healthy population of Fieldfares too. I saw more in one place last winter but overall there are as many as I saw then, if not more.
Have you got an online map/postcodes for either of the Springfield Lock and Baddow Mead areas? Might go have a look tomorrow.

[Fozzybear]

Let me see...

this is Springfield Lock, you want to be on the south side:

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=chelmsford&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Chelmsford,+Essex,+United+Kingdom&ll=51.728434,0.486&spn=0.001758,0.004667&t=h&z=18

you can access it from the carpark off Parkway on Baddow Road, near Tesco HomePlus. At the back of the carpark is a ramp to a bridge over the river and to the right of that is a little gate that you can squeeze through at the automatic sluice. You can then walk eastwards along the river to Springfield Lock and carry on under the road bridge and then you are on the Baddow Meads.

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=chelmsford&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Chelmsford,+Essex,+United+Kingdom&t=h&ll=51.727606,0.489423&spn=0.001758,0.004667&z=18

The place I saw the big flocks was just here, on the south side of the river close to the road bridge. between the bridge and the next lock (Barnes Mill) is usually pretty good for Stonechats, Little Grebes and Reed Buntings and I did see Snipe here last month. Can be a bit hit and miss sometimes but generally get to see something. You can actually walk all the way to Maldon along the river, although I've not gone that far yet!

I've attached a photo showing the little gate you need to walk through to get to the riverside path. This is it on the online map:

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=chelmsford&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Chelmsford,+Essex,+United+Kingdom&ll=51.72944,0.479268&spn=0.000879,0.002334&t=h&z=19

[Big Rob]

Thanks alot, as it turned out I had to pick up a parcel in Chelmsford, and couldn't really handle that and birding too. The walk to the parcel depot did take me through the Central Park, however, where 8 Goosander were on the lake along with the usual Gulls, Mute Swans, Mallards and Moorhens.

[Fozzybear]

Life gets in the way sometimes doesn't it? ;) Good to hear the Goosanders were in the park, there were just two there on the tiny bit of open water when I last went there - they seem to be moving around a lot!

Not so much around on the Baddow Meads this morning, it was pretty quiet there really although it was still good as I disturbed two Jack Snipe near the road bridge! First time I've seen those, but I'd seen Snipe in the same area recently too (which had also been first sightings for me). Had to look them up in my Collins and then check photos on flickr of them flying when I got home to be sure. It's still possible they were something else, I know my limits with ID, but I'm pretty confident they were Jacks. Certainly not more Snipe - the bill was long, but quite a bit shorter than the Snipe I'd seen there recently, which had amazingly long bills compared to their bodies!

A few Redwings in the trees by the road bridge, nothing like the huge numbers I saw there earlier in the week though. At Springfield Lock I saw there were still a fair number of Tufted Ducks, lots of BH Gulls, Moorhens and Coots, a Cormorant, a number of Little Grebes and, sitting on some low branches nearby, a Little Egret. I spent a little time attempting some recordings on my camcorder (the breeze really shook my dodgy cheap tripod and it was difficult to use it to line up the shots - should have taken my big manfrotto really). Saw a female Goosander but she didn't stay long - there were a lot of canoeists using the river (there's a canoe club nearby) so the birds were rather disturbed.

I walked on up to the automatic sluice, passing a Reed Bunting in a bush and a number of Long-tailed Tits flying overhead. I crossed the river at the Essex Record Office and then walked back down to Springfield Lock along the little stub of the canal, still frozen over. I stopped on the bridge there to watch the Little Grebes (looking down on the river from the other side from where I watched the Tufted Ducks/Little Egret...) then walked on along the footpath to Chelmer Village, spotting a Fieldfare flying overhead as I crossed the rough grass. In the middle of the area some trees and bushes held a number of Blackbirds, a female Chaffinch and House Sparrow both wet from bathing, a male Chaffinch and some Magpies.

Through the tunnel under the main road, I spotted a Sparrowhawk flying over the retail park. Then, turning off at the Harvester down Mill Vue Road, I passed Barnes Mill and took the footpath through the horse paddocks ("Morning lads!") to the river and continued east beside the river to Sandford Lock, a Grey Heron standing in the fields off to the south and lots of Great and Blue Tits in the Willows. I could see Cormorants and Gulls flying over the fishing lake at Manor Farm off to the south and decided to head there. I crossed the little footbridge to Sandford Mill Road and took the footpath on the right past the cottages that leads to Manor Farm and the little reservoir there. The reservoir was iced over but I saw a bird fly across to a willow, just a glimpse but it really looked very much like a Kingfisher. Unlikely given the ice and that I've not seen any around Chelmsford for a few months but it did really give the impression of one... very intriguing!

I saw a Wren in the trees as I circled the reservoir, this spot is a favoured territory I think as I often see Wrens in this little area, but otherwise very quiet, no Yellowhammers today. Great to see the tiny Wren had survived the cold though. As I walked along the farm track across the field from the fishing lake I could see sixteen Cormorants at the far bank, many holding out their wings in the sunshine. On the near bank a number of Gadwall were feeding on the field edge, a male Wigeon amongst them (first one I've seen in the local area). Also on and around the lake I could see lots of Coots, Moorhens, BH Gulls, some Tufted Ducks, a Grey Heron, a Little Egret and a pair of Red Crested Pochard! I only recently saw some captive Red Crested Pochards on the wildfowl pond at Blakeney quay but had never seen them in the wild before. I had to take some shaky footage on my camcorder to check at home since they were so far away and having watched it: yes, definitely Red Cresteds! :t:

There were lots of gulls gathered on a nearby field but those were the last birds I really saw on the walk... I headed home very pleased indeed - two lifers and three new species I'd not seen around Chelmsford before.

[Steve Arlow]

The flock of 8 Bewicks Swans still showing nicely in the fields just north of the entrance gate to Wallasea Island wetlands today. Also the regular female Merlin again present on fence posts south of the entrance gate a female Marsh Harrier over.

Always a pleasure to see winter swans

[Steve Arlow]

Wallasea Island had a branta fest this afternoon with the discovery of a stunning adult Red-breasted Goose amongst the 1500 or so Dark-bellied Brent Geese. Also in the flock were 2 Pale-bellied Brent Geese and a adult Black Brant. Also on the island were the 8 Bewick's Swans, ringtail Hen Harrier, Marsh Harrier, Merlin and Bar Owl. Not bad for a few hours.

[purple highflyer]

Wallasea Island had a branta fest this afternoon with the discovery of a stunning adult Red-breasted Goose amongst the 1500 or so Dark-bellied Brent Geese. Also in the flock were 2 Pale-bellied Brent Geese and a adult Black Brant. Also on the island were the 8 Bewick's Swans, ringtail Hen Harrier, Marsh Harrier, Merlin and Bar Owl. Not bad for a few hours.

Hello Steve

Realy good ! ,very interested in the red breasted goose ,never been to wallasea,could you give details of any good access points/parking etc ?

PH

[Steve Arlow]

You will need to head out from Canewdon, about 4 miles North East of Southend, towards Creeksea Ferry. When on Wallasea keep going straight, ignoring the turnoffs on the left to the marina and continue to and through Grapnalls Farm, sign posted as such. Just before the houses 5 of the 13 Bewicks Swans present today were in the fields here with Mute Swans, if they're not here then they may be just the other side of the farm. After passing through the houses you will see a couple of very large green tanks. Bear left here and then right immediately right through the open gate next to the tanks, sign posted to the Wetlands. Follow this farm road to the car park at the end, room for around 20 or so cars.

Go up onto the seawall and walk east, away from the car park, for about 2miles to the far eastern end of the island. The fields at the end are favoured by the brent flock and the other Bewicks Swans. It is a fair old walk but the Red-breasted Goose is a cracker though it may take some time searching through the 1500 or so Brent to find it. Its smaller than the brent so often obscured by them. Also in the flock were two Pale-bellied Brent today but no sign of the Black Brant but it is still around. Also the tidal lagoons have plenty of waders, flocks of Avocets, Black-tailed Godwits etc and a mix of wildfowl whilst around the island it is possible to see Hen and Marsh Harriers and the Merlin is still knocking around.

[purple highflyer]

Thanks Steve ,much appreciated :t: ,get down there as soon as I can hope it hangs around a bit !

PH

[Fozzybear]

Edited to add some more info...

Went out to Walton-on-the-Naze today and had a great time. Took the 6:39am train (up at 5am, out of the house about 5:40am for the two mile walk to the train station!) and got to Walton-on-the-naze just before 8am.

Walked along the pier but the end was closed unfortunately so walked north to Hall Lane and the footpath that leads around the sea wall of the Naze (a wild area of fields, pools and channels surrounded outside the sea wall by islands and some areas of salt marsh). There were lots of Golden Plovers out on the channel at the north west end of the Naze and all around the west and north sections were Redshanks, a few Curlews, Ruff (I think - need to double-check the photos as they were a long way off!), Teal, Mallard, Gadwall, Brent and Greylag Geese, Skylarks, Meadow Pipits, Mute Swans, Oystercatchers and more. Saw a large flock of white birds wheeling around off in the distance, waders of some kind by the look, but way, way too far away to have an idea of what they were. Saw quite a lot of Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Blackbirds, Dunnocks, Robins, a couple of Pheasant, Pied Wagtails, some Jackdaws and probably Tufted Ducks but I need to check the photos against Scaup as they looked not 'quite' right (but it's unlikely - am pretty sure they were tufties). A good number of different gulls too, although I don't think there were any unusual ones... I'm no gull guru!

Saw Sanderlings for the first time along the beach at the north end of the cliffs and got a lot of fairly close-up photos of those and Dunlin, Ringed Plovers and Turnstones. Plus I saw some Grey Plovers and a few Purple Sandpipers, which I've not seen before and I understand are pretty scarce in the south-east. I saw about three or four, although I didn't look at all the birds on the beach (there were hundreds!) so may have missed some. Although I'm pretty dire at wader ID (slowly improving now I'm starting to see them) I thought as soon as I saw them 'I wonder if those are Purple Sandpipers?', so checking my book I was really pleased to see I was right - yay! :t:

Really good day and actually had some sunshine at lunchtime too! :eek!: Will upload some photos when I've had a chance to go through them - have about 380 shots to go through and am exhausted! :-O

[TomW]

That's a good days birding Paul, can get bloody cold out there on the Naze, hope you were well wrapped.
Look forward to seeing a few pics.

Cheers
Tom

[Fozzybear]

I had gloves and was wearing a fleece under my jacket but while it was a bit cold early in the day it was actually not really that cold at all - a bit blowy out on the naze but pretty mild compared to the other day here in Chelmsford! At lunchtime the sun came out and it was actually a little warm!!

[Fozzybear]

Have started working on the pics but rather than post them twice, here's a link to where I've posted them on the ex-beeb part of the forum:

http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?p=1715824

The flock of white birds off in the distance I'm pretty sure were Avocets.

[Phil Carter]

Have started working on the pics but rather than post them twice, here's a link to where I've posted them on the ex-beeb part of the forum:

http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?p=1715824

The flock of white birds off in the distance I'm pretty sure were Avocets.

Couldn't get on to that thread for some reason. Any chance of posting pics on here too. Did you get Med. Gulls on the pier, there's usually at least a couple?

Phil

[Fozzybear]

Ah, yeah - forgot that you have to subscribe to see that section of the forum. Oops! Will add some here...

Didn't see much other than feral pigeons and a blackbird (!) on the pier but it didn't help that the end half was closed off so could only go a little way along it unfortunately. There were plenty gulls around but mostly Black-headed, Herring and Black-backs with a few Commons as far as I could tell. There were quite a number of juveniles and could have been some special ones around but I don't really know gulls so don't know - I'm still learning waders at the moment, gulls can wait! ;)

Pics:

1. Avocets (I think - they were a LONG way off) over the islands west of the Naze
2. A Turnstone near the Pier
3. Sanderling at the Naze
4 and 5. Purple Sandpiper

Still have to work through the shots as I have some Ringed Plover and Dunlin shots to process as well as other general shots and a couple of videos on my compact.

[Fozzybear]

Some more shots:

6. Waders at the salt marsh on the north end of the Naze - Redshanks, a Grey Plover and, I think, a Dunlin.
7. Golden Plovers flying over the Walton Channel next to the Naze
8. Turnstone on the east beach on the Naze
9. Sanderling
10. lots of Sanderlings

Was really great kneeling down on the beach and watching the little waders scurrying around nearby. :t:

[Essex Tern]

Well done on the Purple Sandpipers - a good bird.

Sanderlings are a brilliant little bird too.

[Fozzybear]

Thanks ET, yes I really was very taken with the Sanderlings!

[TomW]

Excellent pics Paul, the light on the Sanderlings is just right. You should put them in the gallery.
Cheers
Tom

[Fozzybear]

Thanks Tom, I might put one or two in the Gallery.

Regarding the sleeping wader I thought was a Dunlin in pic 6, I found the photo of another individual which I think is the same species and unless my wader ID is right out it 'is' a Dunlin. Here's the pic - note the dark legs, dark top to the head and paler back of head as in the other photo of the sleeping bird.

Edit: have added three photos of some of the gulls I saw. Not sure about species although I think the last two may be Herring Gulls...

[Steve Arlow]

The wader is indeed a Dunlin and the gulls are all Herring with the first being a 2nd winter, the second being a 1st winter and the last being an adult.

[Fozzybear]

Thanks Steve. :t: I usually am ok with adult Herring Gulls but that one in the last shot threw me a bit. |:S| |:D|

Have uploaded another shot of the Purple Sandpiper to the gallery:

http://www.birdforum.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/291157/ppuser/69297

[purple highflyer]

Have uploaded another shot of the Purple Sandpiper to the gallery:

http://www.birdforum.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/291157/ppuser/69297[/QUOTE]

Hi Paul

Great pics ,purple sand a good bird for essex :t: ,I watched 30 + sanderling at Holland haven last weekend ,lovley bird and fascinating to watch.

PH

[Fozzybear]

Thanks PH. Not sure how many Sanderlings there were at the Naze, they were feeding along quite a long stretch of beach. I know I took a shot of some of them in one little patch and there were at least 25. Didn't think about counting them, same with the Sandpipers (I know there were at least three of those), all I know is that to me there seemed to be an awful lot of all these various lovely little waders and it was really great! :t:

[E.T.]

Thanks ET, yes I really was very taken with the Sanderlings!


My pleasure ;)


:t: (okay I know you meant Essex Tern really) :-O

[Essex Tern]

Spent a reasonable few hours at Fingringhoe Wick this morning.

Best birds of the day for me were a couple of male Bullfinches, loads of Avocet, a male Smew (never seen one on salt water before), Red-Breasted Mergansers and a nice Great Northern Diver. Had really nice views of the latter diving, preening, eating something it had caught, stretch, and finally it flew off, after a lot of effort to get airborne!

I attach a dodgy picture of the Diver in front of a flotilla of Avocet - it was the other side of the estuary so the views through my scope were far better than anything I could expect to capture on my little camera.