Essex Birding (1 Viewer)

[Sharp Shin]

I would imagine that most of these sightings relate to birds from the continent as there have always been March/April records in Essex.

Phil

Thanks Phil - I'm sure that you're right about the continental origin of these birds. Looking back in the Essex Bird Reports for Red Kites reports in April/May (which tend to be the months with the greatest totals) there were: 26 in 2008; 24 in 2007, 29 in 2006; 23 in 2005; 15 in 2004; and 9 in 2003. Before that there were only: 12 for the whole year of 2002; 11 for the whole of 2001; and 7 for the whole year of 2000. An apparent trend here, though I don't have the 1980s records (that you refer to) to hand.

If, as we assume, these spring birds are migrants from the continent, it raises questions for me about this upward trend. We know the reasons for the upward trend of 'resident' birds - reintroduction and decline in persecution - but what would explain the apparent increase in migratory birds? Is it because there is a similar swell in numbers on the continent feeding the migration, or are these birds returning 'British' birds from the swelled numbers just referred to? There may be records from tagged birds which help answer this question. Any knowledge out there on the forum?

Stewart

 

[birdermoose]

"Oh, it's just a Stone Curlew... and a Crane, and there's an Ancient Murrelet bobbing next to a Wandering Albatross and a couple of Tufted Puffins. Same old, same old."

||

I know I am bored of seeing these! I wish I could see a Woodpigeon or something now and again!
Seriously though, Yesterday at hanningfield you could tell spring had arrived, Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs and other small birds were everywhere!

 

[Phil Carter]

Thanks Phil - I'm sure that you're right about the continental origin of these birds. Looking back in the Essex Bird Reports for Red Kites reports in April/May (which tend to be the months with the greatest totals) there were: 26 in 2008; 24 in 2007, 29 in 2006; 23 in 2005; 15 in 2004; and 9 in 2003. Before that there were only: 12 for the whole year of 2002; 11 for the whole of 2001; and 7 for the whole year of 2000. An apparent trend here, though I don't have the 1980s records (that you refer to) to hand.

If, as we assume, these spring birds are migrants from the continent, it raises questions for me about this upward trend. We know the reasons for the upward trend of 'resident' birds - reintroduction and decline in persecution - but what would explain the apparent increase in migratory birds? Is it because there is a similar swell in numbers on the continent feeding the migration, or are these birds returning 'British' birds from the swelled numbers just referred to? There may be records from tagged birds which help answer this question. Any knowledge out there on the forum?

Stewart

Good question. As far as I know, Red Kite populations on the continent have suffered fairly drastic declines in recent years so maybe the birds being seen now are from the new British populations. Can't remember where the stock for the re-introductions came from, whether migratory or non- migratory populations. Spain? Have to look into it.
Phil

 

[Fozzybear]

I know I am bored of seeing these! I wish I could see a Woodpigeon or something now and again!
Seriously though, Yesterday at hanningfield you could tell spring had arrived, Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs and other small birds were everywhere!

It really does feel like spring now! Saw a Willow Warbler in Central Park in Chelmsford at just after seven this morning, a bird I've rarely seen so hearing its song was really superb and I got quite excited looking in the trees to locate it. :t:

At lunchtime I spent some time watching a pair of Blackcaps, a pair of dunnocks, a Chiffchaff and Wrens all singing away and walking home through the town this afternoon I saw a female Mallard with fourteen (!) ducklings just by the Odeon cinema.

 

[Viv Connett]

Mini raptor fest round Withan yesterday afternoon - Red Kite lazily travelling over Faulkbourne Hall then about 10 mins later over the field opposite Benton Hall Golf Club 2 buzzards - assume common but didn't have bins handy and wouldn't have pleased the drivers behind me if I'd suddenly stopped anyway..........slightly bizarre as I had been thinking about the Norfolk WTE at the time..........

 

[Joseph N]

Hello,

I'm down in Wivenhoe from Aberdeen visiting some friends at the moment and I had a singing Nightingale in the woodland along the Wivenhoe Trail this afternoon at about 13:00. Unfortunately I didn't see the bird but I managed to record it singing on my digital camera. I believe this is one of the first records of the spring in Essex of Nightingale (and one of a handful seen and heard so far in the country this year), save one at Two Tree Island on the 4th according to Birdguides, am I right? Also it was very nice to see a few Chiffchaffs here, and a good number of Black-tailed Godwits and a Common Tern on the Colne River.

Best Wishes,

Joseph

 

[Steve Arlow]

There has been an arrival of Nightingales, 3 on Two Tree, 2 at Wat Tyler in the south of the county...

Also 2 or 3 Grasshopper Warblers on Two Tree Island and 1 or 2 on West Canvey. Hope they end up performing like they did last year.

At Oaken Grange Drive in Southend the 70+ Waxwing flock still present and showing well in the morning sun.

 

[Joseph N]

There has been an arrival of Nightingales, 3 on Two Tree, 2 at Wat Tyler in the south of the county...

Also 2 or 3 Grasshopper Warblers on Two Tree Island and 1 or 2 on West Canvey. Hope they end up performing like they did last year.

At Oaken Grange Drive in Southend the 70+ Waxwing flock still present and showing well in the morning sun.

I see, thank you for making this clear Steve. Still, it's great that they are back in such numbers. Nightingale is a species you don't get up my way in Aberdeenshire, so for me its a rare and special thing hearing them.

Joseph

 

[Fozzybear]

Certainly very cool to hear them - I've only seen them a couple of times so I know how you feel about them Joseph!

Took a walk across the Baddow Meads and along the river Chelmer a little way to the east earlier this evening but didn't go far. Saw a lot though: a pair of Bullfinches near the horse paddocks, a Snipe in the stream at the south end of the Meads, lots of Linnets, Lapwings, Jackdaws, Skylarks, Green Woodpeckers, Stock Doves, Collared Doves, Long-tailed Tits, a Song Thrush, Moorhens, a Pheasant, Carrion Crows, Magpies, Woodpigeons, Mallards, Greenfinches, Chaffinches, Robins, Blackbirds, Wrens, Blackcaps and Blue Tits.

Have attached a couple of snaps taken with my compact.

 

[Fozzybear]

Headed out over the Baddow Meads again this evening but took my scope and walked along the footpath through the fields rather than along the river. Saw at least 27 Linnets feeding in the fields amongst the Lapwings (who were peewitting and sky dancing like mad), a Snipe flew from the stream ditch into the crop field, 2 Cormorant flying along the river, at least 5 Reed Bunting, 2 Pied Wagtails, 6 Mallard, 4 Magpie, 5 Skylark, 2 Feral Pigeon, 2 Collared Dove, 1 Stock Dove, 2 Jackdaw, 1 Moorhen, 2 Pheasant, 5 Red Legged Partridges, Wrens, Woodpigeons, Robins, Blackbirds, Greenfinches, Chaffinches, Carrion Crows and Starlings.

I am beginning to realise I need a decent scope as it was great to use it to scan the fields and watch the Linnets and Lapwings feeding but the image quality and focusing really isn't that good... but that's not too surprising since it's one of the £20 ones from Aldi! ||

Pic attached of some of the Linnets perching on the wires above the field.

 

[vangerover]

Night-heron, Blackcap, Grasshopper Warbler and Nightingale (heard) at Two Tree Island this evening

 

[Sharp Shin]

With the exciting exception of the Night Heron at Two Tree Island, today's Birdguides reports from Essex were all of Waxwings. As wonderful as they are, Waxwings are now rather too wintery for such a glorious spring day. My best spring experience today was a large flock (already around 100) of Sand Martins exploring nesting holes in the new quarry workings between Fingringhoe village and Fingringhoe nature reserve. The birds were all flying in synchronised unison to-and-from the holes in the sand bank.

 

[Steve Arlow]

The Night Heron is apparently only third ever to be twitchable in Essex, the last twitchable one was in 1990!.

Great evening on the island as pointed oput by VangeRover with three Nightingales singing, Grasshopper Warbler, a Short-eared Owl which spooked the heron and a flyover pair of MedGulls.

Did add Waxwing to my garden list today with 52 birds in Rochford.

 

[Fozzybear]

Night-heron, Blackcap, Grasshopper Warbler and Nightingale (heard) at Two Tree Island this evening

Very cool! Saw Nightingales down at Two Tree last year but have yet to see or hear a 'Gropper' (and of course I've not seen a Night Heron...).

 

[Steve Arlow]

The Night Heron was reported again last night on the pool overlooked by the hide on the hill at about 8pm. Best bet is to be here from about 6.30pm-7.00pm and sit it out.

The Nightingale, at least one of them, has been showing on and off by the feeders and the Grasshopper Warbler showing also on and off by the first car park on Two Tree Island early mornings. The Groppers tend to not show as well in the evenings.

Other local snippets of news for the south of the county was of a Woodchat Shrike near Wickford by the Rettendon Turnpike yesterday, several Red Kites and Common Buzzards around Leigh but of the raptors a Honey Buzzard reported over Leigh on Sea and a Rough-legged Buzzard over Southchurch, both yesterday.

Migrants are trickling in slowly with a few Cuckoos, Whitethroats, Wheatears, Swallows and Martins and various warblers

 

[The sniper]

Had 2 Cuckoos & a Gropper last night at Bonnetts wood,upminster
Also good numbers of Chiffchaffs,with at least 5 seen in a small area of bonnetts last night,at least 12 whitethroats and a lesser seen as well.

 

[Fozzybear]

I saw on the RSPB sightings page about the Shrike - good stuff around at the moment!

Saw my first Swallows of the year today! Two were zooming about the Baddow Meads on my patch this afternoon, along with a Little Egret and a Reed Bunting. Didn't hang around though as I had a slight headache and was loaded down with shopping!

 

[Viv Connett]

Woodchat shrike showing well at Rettendon about 5pm - then disappeared from view. Hope it returns.

Any more news on the Night Heron sighting last night, if anyone sees it again tonight or later please let me know - also any Groppers still there. need a weekend trip for them if they are............

 

[Steve Arlow]

Saw the Night Heron again this evening in the same place as on Sunday though it didn't appear until 7.50pm. It was at the back of the sewage tank trees and viewed poorly from the footpath when it appeared but was then seen out in the open for about 5minutes from the egret roost hide before it flew towards the reedy pool overlooked by the hide on the hill. It was then not seen again until 8.20pm when it flew out from cover and circled the island and dropped down into Leigh Creek when it was virtually dark.

Seems that it does not show itself during its day time roost at present and only beein seen late on. propbably best looked from 7pm onwards.

Still 3 Nightingales and Grasshopper Warbler singing here.

 

[Viv Connett]

Thanks Steve - may well try the weekend then!!