Ferry Marsh, Wivenhoe, Essex

[russkie]

Hi
this will be the first of an occaisional report from my new local patch. It will include the marsh surrounds including the colne river and woodlands. It might even include the housing development if i continue to get garden birds like the Black Redstart of today.

things seem to be hotting up this week with a couple of little egrets, the usual pair of jays, redshank, numerous bh gull, lesser black -backed gull, kingfisher, 7 mute swans, kestrel, sparrowhawk, family of coot, pheasant, black-tailed godwit, curlew, yellowhammers, pied wags, house sparrows, wood pigeon, collared doves and blue tits.
still a red admiral butterfly about and a couple of dragonflies are still holding on. i have seen a fox a couple of times in the marsh and apparently muntjac deer are resident in the woods.

oops forgot the female stonechat today
cheers

[russkie]

well with a light fall of snow this morning it seems strange to talk about spring, but that has cleared to leave a fine sunny but crisp day here in the south-east.
a pair of singing chiff-chaffs are the first sure sign that spring has arrived.
large flock of brent geese are hanging around the estuary, with a report last weekend of a pair of bearded tits in the redbeds.
a pair of little egrets overwintered on ferry marsh with a few mallard, coot , moorhen and teal taking advantage of the waterlogged conditions.
several families of long-tailed tits during the winter and a few reed buntings too.
on the estuary oystercatchers, grey plover, lapwing, lots of redshank and lots of black-tailed godwit.
black-headed gulls are now showing their summer heads.
plenty of greenfinch, chaffinch and the commoner tits are around.
woodpigeons and collared doves have been feeding in the new garden with the occaisional chaffinch and blue tit. nothing to really compare the numbers I was getting in my rural durham garden but early days yet.
its nice tio have overflights of godwits, greylag, canada geese, cormorants and mute swans in the mornings and evenings going between feeding areas though.
in the woods there was the drumming of a greater spooted woodie and the call of a green woodpecker. two sightings of green woodpeckers along the estuary - one flying over the river to fingringhoe.
this'll be my first spring in this locale so im looking forward to seeing what visits - including the nightingale that has been reported in the local wood.
anyway enough of my rambling - if there are any local [wivenhoe/arlesford] birders who want to get in touch for mutual birding then let me know.
I will be getting a small motor-powered boat in the near future to use for estuary birding and photography - particularly around the small inlets between here and mersea island - so I will report on the success or otherwise.

cheers
Nigel

[russkie]

fine sunny day today so off into the woods.
total of 6 singing chiff-chaffs, treecreeper, green woodie, long-tailed tits, robin, blue tit, great tit, chaffinch, sparrowhawk, pair jays.
on river - teal, canada geese, redshank, black tailed godwits, common sand, cormorant, lbb gull, loads of black headed gulls,
dabchick,oiks, mallard.

[aythya_hybrid]

Have been working the River Colne between Ferry Marsh and the university regularly over the past 6 months as i teach at the university two days a week.

There has been a Little Stint wintering in the Wivenhoe area, which I had twice on the river just north of Ferry Marsh in february then again ten days ago. Also 2 Common Sandpiper on and off. Had 2 Med Gulls at the end of feb but not since. Prob still around though. Also has a Buzzard overhead in late feb but not since.

Come the spring, you should keep an ear open for Grasshopper Warbler on Ferry Marsh. Also, I noticed the water level is extremely high around Ferry Marsh at the mo: I reckon a garganey might be a possibility.

[russkie]

yreecreeper seen today again but in a different area so probably a second bird.
also Brimstone butterfly and 4 commas

[russkie]

this evening- first male blackcap singing from the treetop

[russkie]

this week at least 4 sedge warblers in song over the marsh,4 common tern on the river past fingringhoe, pair male blackcaps in the wood,green wood still around, canada geese nesting on the marsh, reed bunting, fine pair of yellowhammer m + f, and water vole collecting reeds for nest i presume. photos of the sedges in gallery
cheers Nigel

[russkie]

cuckoo heard this morning, plus whitethroats in the marsh along with lots of sedge warblers. yippee

[aythya_hybrid]

Finally got some Wivenhoe birding done today. Between university and the rail station:
Buzzard over the uni midday, 4 Nightingale, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, c10 Whitethroat. 2 Swift and lots of sand + house martin and swallow. 1 Greenshank settled on the Hythe, 1 Whimbrel on the river by Ferry Marsh. c5 Reed and 2 Sedge Warbler in Ferry Marsh. Also a pair of Pochard on Ferry Marsh looking like they might breed.

[russkie]

Yeah I noticed the Pochard on the swamp.
spoke to someone earlier who said last year it wasnt half as boggy - so maybe itll attract a lot more.
grey heron on there plus a dabchick, and group of greylags.

[Phil Carter]

Just thought I'd hitch a ride on this thread from the other side of the river(hope you don't mind).
I regularly watch Hythe Lagoons for my sins, so thought it'd good to compare notes. Not that there's been much to talk about so far this year, just a couple of female Garganey last month and then nothing but Black-headed gulls and Shelduck with just a few Green Sands to keep me going.
The last week or so has been better though with 2 or 3 Little Ringed Plovers, Whimbrel, 40+ Black-Tailed Godwits, half a dozen Avocet and 7 Greenshank yesterday.
On a another note, I often cycle to work along the river up towards Castle Park and twice in the last month I'm sure I've heard Cetti's Warbler opposite the Riverside Estate.
Cheers for now
Phil

[aythya_hybrid]

Good work Phil. Did see a drake Garganey fly across the river and settle on the Hythe on thursday of last week.... but sadly didn't have time to walk yound the other side to get a better look.

[russkie]

nice views of cuckoo this morning on the marsh - first one Ive seen in this country for years. also whimbrel still on the riverbank mud.
blackcap in woods , lots of sedge & whitethroats about. good views of green wood too.
welcome Phil - the more the merrier.

[aythya_hybrid]

Grasshopper Warbler reeling persistently around 2 this afternoon in bushes between the university and the river, next to where the path goes across the railway line. Decent smattering of commoner warblers too.

[Phil Carter]

There was a fine Spotted Redshank at the Hythe yesterday and the Greenshank numbers had risen to 10. Also the Avocets were starting to get jiggy with it (not sure if that's the correct ornithological term), so hopefully they'll be more successful this year than last. Unfortunately the water levels are dropping fast, anyone care to join me in a rain dance?

Phil

[russkie]

Cuckoo again this morning - calling over the reedbeds at ferry marsh.
went to the hythe 'lagoons' last week. is there just the one? or am I looking in the wrong area - very little water there at the mo.
Phil- if you fancy a little trip one day up st osyth creek on my little boat give me a pm.

cheers
NIGEL

[Larry Wheatland]

Nice reading this thread. I went to Essex Uni in the early 80's and haven't heard some of those place names mentioned since ! Glad there's still Nightingales around.

[russkie]

welcome Larry

[russkie]

today in the woods at Wivenhoe- GS Woodpecker/ green wood/ chiffchaffs/ nightingale singing/
on river LBB Gull
and on a fence post beside the river was a male cuckoo calling - then joined in flight by a female who were chased off by magpies.- first time ive ever seen male and female cuckoos together- and a lifer for my girlfriend

Nigel

[aythya_hybrid]

Grasshopper Warbler again yesterday morning, showing OK in a bush viewable from the riverside path just upstream of the junction with the path to the uni. Lesser Whitethroats, Whitethroat, Blackcap, Reed and Sedge Warbler also.

[russkie]

today there was an excavator on the river bank - digging out around the outflow which has been blocked over winter,
people were worried that the marsh would stagnate so itll help drainage- bit unfortunate for the mallard/ pochard/ geese that are nesting there however !!!!!!!!
council never seem to see the bigger picture

[Phil Carter]

Blackwit numbers on the Hythe up to 60+ with a single Barwit and Greenshank down to 4 yesterday.
Good views of Cetti's this morning opposite Riverside estate.
BTW, where exactly is Ferry Marsh?
Phil

[aythya_hybrid]

BTW, where exactly is Ferry Marsh?
Phil

Bordering the river just by the rail station, opposite Rowhedge. Glad to hear the Cetti's is still around.

Bad news re the Gropper, no sign of it today and there was a huge piece of white plastic in the bush where I saw it on sunday.

[russkie]

Hythe Pools today

7 Avocet
numerous Bh Gulls/ Shelduck/ Bck Tailed Godwit/redshank/3 little egret in the ditch
few oiks/ canada and greylag. couple of whitethroats and linnet and across the river nightingale in song

[Phil Carter]

I was there Tuesday and saw nothing on the lagoons (I think someone had walked round just before me and put everything up) but there were absolutely 100s of hirundines, were they still about?

Phil

[russkie]

just a couple of martins phil

[russkie]

pyefleet channel

took the boat out today into pyefleet

couple of little terns / oiks/ golden plover/ 2 avocet/ 3 marsh harriers/ buzzard/ curlew

Nigel

[skink1978]

A very interesting thread guys. Went to Essex uni 6 years ago, although I wasn't really a birder then (more into reptiles and beer). Still return to Colchester now and then and visited Fingringhoe Wick for Nightingale last month. Will have to check out the Wivenhoe area on my next visit. Keep up the good work.

[russkie]

slightly out of area - on the way through elmstead today - buzzard flew into a tree next to the road

Nigel

[Phil Carter]

Managed to get down to the Hythe last night for the first time in 3 weeks. Nothing too exciting but there were 4 Green Sands, LRPs, Black-Tailed Godwits and 20+ Avocets. Still plenty of water in the lagoons so hopefully we'll get a few more waders come July and August.
There were a few butterflies and moths about, Mother Shipton, Painted Lady, Small Heath, Small Skipper and Red Admiral. Some nice plants as well, nothing unusual but very pleasing on the eye, Wild Clary, Grass Vetchling(a favourite of mine), Mallows, Vetchs, Poppies,Thistles, Cranesbills, Clovers and the many grasses and Sedges. All in all a very pleasant walk.
I did manage to get 1 tick, unfortunately it was a Sheep Tick so watch out.
Phil

[aythya_hybrid]

Grasshopper Warbler has been singing and showing very well by the path by the river opposite the entrance to the Hythe on the university side. Saw it well last night and heard it from the university this morning.

[Phil Carter]

Finally caught up with the Grasshopper Warbler this morning. Excellent views at 7.45am. Thanks for the info.
Cheers
Phil

[jimibird]

Hey people,

Glad I caught up with this thread, I work this area and the surrounding area very often as I live in Colchester and work in Weeley.

At fingringhoe most weekends if im not up in Suffolk or on the Stour/ Walton/ Abberton etc

Will keep an eye out!

Jimi

[russkie]

welcome to our little thread Jim
hope to see you out and about sometime
Nigel

[Phil Carter]

....... anyone care to join me in a rain dance?

Phil

Ooops, seem to have overdone it!:eek!:

Things have been pretty quiet at the Hythe over the last couple of weeks although there have been good numbers of Avocets(up to 80) and 8 Green Sandpipers. At least there'll be some water in the lagoons this autumn for the first time in 3 years so let's hope the waders haven't forgotten where we are!

Phil

[jimibird]

I was at Tollesbury wick (EWT) yesterday, watched a storm come in over bradwell powerstation then BOOM it (the storm!) hit me and almost blew me off the sea wall. 10 mins later was sunny as you like but was drenched to the skin.

Nice views of the Marsh Harriers though, always a treat.

[Mahsleb]

Hi people
Just noticed this (very) local thread and thought I'd say hello
I've been out to Fingrighoe today (closed on Mondays, nice and quiet!)
and watched a Hobby hunting on the lake, Brilliant!
cheers
Tony

[Phil Carter]

The Avocets at the Hythe have actually managed to hatch a chick for a change. Don't think much to it's chances though as the local Black-Headed Gulls seem to have taken a fancy to it! Mum and Dad are giving them plenty of stick though so fingers crossed.
Also, Greenshank, LRP, Common Sand. and 9 Green Sands. Things are looking up.
Phil

[jimibird]

whereabout at thw hythe are you talking about - near the B&Q / uni halls of residence or further out towards Wivenhoe?

[Phil Carter]

whereabout at thw hythe are you talking about - near the B&Q / uni halls of residence or further out towards Wivenhoe?

On the other side of the river past the end of the docks towards Rowhedge.
Follow the river path and there are 2 lagoons on your right.

Phil

[jimibird]

Thanks for the Hobby info Mahsleb, went to Fingringhoe on Sat morning, did an hour in a hide by the lake and was repaid with great veiws of a pair of Hobby hunting dragonfiles over the lake. Wonderful!

Also and some other bits of the Colne Esturay over the weekend lots of Blackwits and Avocet but not much else around Fri evening and sat afternoon.

jimi

[Phil Carter]

No sign of the young Avocet at the Hythe this week unfortunately but perhaps unsurprisingly. Plenty of other Avocets though(60+), also Black-tailed godwits(40+), Green Sands.(15+), 5 LRP and 3 Common Sands. Not a bad list but a bit more variety wouldn't go amiss.
Had what I assume was a Common Buzzard over the garden on Sunday. I say assume as I couldn't rule out Red-Tailed hawk. It did have a very rufous tail! Anyone know of any escaped Red-Tails in the area or whether any of the local buzzards match this description?
Phil

[jimibird]

not to my knowledge

Jimi

[Phil Carter]

The baby avocet is alive and kicking...Hurrah! But there were 2 mangy foxes running around the edge of the lagoon looking hungry.
The number of waders was pretty much the same as earlier in the week only with a couple of extra Common Sands and a dozen or so Redshank. I know, it's all too exciting!!
Found my first Wasp Spider of the year. Only a small one but they really are fine beasts. Also had Brown Argus, never seen one here before.
Phil

[Mahsleb]

Thanks for the Hobby info Mahsleb, went to Fingringhoe on Sat morning, did an hour in a hide by the lake and was repaid with great veiws of a pair of Hobby hunting dragonfiles over the lake. Wonderful!

jimi

No prob, glad to share
I've been watching them for a couple of weeks now
Fantastic to see them
I don't think they're breeding though, maybe next year


Had what I assume was a Common Buzzard over the garden on Sunday. I say assume as I couldn't rule out Red-Tailed hawk. It did have a very rufous tail! Anyone know of any escaped Red-Tails in the area or whether any of the local buzzards match this description?
Phil

I saw two buzzards fly over Fingringhoe about 8.30 Sunday morning
i got some pics but unfortunately they're more or less sillouetted against the sky( forgot to compensate in my haste doh!) so can't comment on colouring

Great thread guys
cheers
Tony

[Mahsleb]

Hi Has anyone noticed the Juvenile(?) Peregrine
that's been hanging around the Arlesford creek
area for the past week or so?

I took some pics from the Fingringhoe side yesterday
when it tried for 4-5 minutes to grab an Avocet, but was
thwarted by their tactic of dropping onto the water
when it got too close!
It eventually gave up and last I saw of it was near
Brightlingsea church where it was harrassing gulls
feeding in the fields

Regards
Tony
B (:

[russkie]

nice tick this morning at Ferry Marsh

Water Rail - seen by me today and the missus yesterday - dunno whether winter visitor or might settle now the drainage output is clear. Also a kingfisher by the barrage 10 days ago, plus seal.

hope the predicted storms dont do much damage tonite. My little boat is moored in the village now so I can pootle up and down the river over winter - lots of brent about at the mo .

[Mahsleb]

Hi i went to look for the Water Rail
last week but didn't see it
But had a good walk back to Colchester
and saw L T Tits, Meadow Pipits, Stonechat,
Kestrel,Grey Wagtail,Snipe and Little Egret
Plus lots of Black Tailed Godwits and Redshanks

Regards
Tony

[Mahsleb]

Hi

A new Essex tick for me today!
Two Rock Pipits at Ferry Marsh
where it meets the last houses on the
waterfront! :t:

Cheers
Tony

[russkie]

water rail was out this morning at 8.00 - if you want to contact me for details send me a pm. showing really clearly about 100 yds from where i live
cheers

[russkie]

this morning on the marsh - kingfisher
yesterday - marsh harrier

also the little egret is a daily sighting.

cheers
Nigel

[russkie]

a couple of pics of the elusive water rail this morning- not brilliant but my first ever of this bird - and with my new IS lens.
merry christmas
Nigel

[Mahsleb]

Hi Nigel

Sorry I've been neglecting this thread,
just caught up with your Rail pics
Well done for that! they are very secretive birds

I managed a couple of shots of one at Minsmere
on Monday, quite funny really, it dashed across an open
bit of the reedbed which had iced over, and ended up
skidding into the reeds!

Still haven't seen the Wiv one though despite having been
there several times since Xmas including this morning
Not much about at all today not even the Rock Pipits
but the weather was dismal
On the walk back to the Hythe I saw
Fieldfare, Robin, Bkackbird, LT Tit, Song Thrush, Redshank, Oystercatcher,
Black t Godwit, Lapwing, BH Gull, LBB Gull, Little Grebe, Teal, Dunnock and Pied Wagtail

Cheers

[russkie]

Hi Tony
Water rail is still about. seen most mornings by the missus walking the dog.
last weekend 2 GS Woodies heard in the woods, pair treecreepers seen, little egret on marsh, teal about,
this morning Green Woodie yaffling.
cheers
Nigel

[Mahsleb]

Hi Tony
Water rail is still about. seen most mornings by the missus walking the dog.
last weekend 2 GS Woodies heard in the woods, pair treecreepers seen, little egret on marsh, teal about,
this morning Green Woodie yaffling.
cheers
Nigel

Hi Nigel

Had a look yesterday but no sign, heavy machinery on the marsh,
I hope they don't scare it away!
Not much of interest to report except Sparrowhawk flying high over
the woods on the other side of the railway
Could be a nest in the making?
Oh and Female Long-tailed Duck in the estuary off Fingringhoe last week
plus Bittern, Smew and Goosander off the Birch causeway at Abberton reservoir

Cheers

[russkie]

water rail this morning again
also pair chiffchaffs in wivewnhoe woods
green woodpecker

cheers
Nigel