Essex Birding (1 Viewer)

[Sharp Shin]

If I went to Gunners Park and didn't see these two birds, would that be a case of 'Serindippity'?

I'll get my coat.

Stewart

 

[Steve Arlow]

Very Good, :t:

I'll be down there tomorrow morning. Didn't go today as was up to my usual gull watching.

Pitsea held the 2 juvenile Glaucous Gulls again with one of these being seen on Bowers Marsh, a huge number of gulls were using the marsh and appeared to be close to the barn near the car park, where the Glauc was seen. Also on the tip was a 2nd winter Kumlien's / Iceland Gull, its one of the other, 5 Caspian Gulls and the leucistic Great Black-backed Gull again, keep an eye out for this if visiting Bowers, its big and very white.

I've attached a few shots of the Glauc and the Iceland/Kumliens.

 

[Jhanlon]

Thanks Neil, much appreciated. All updates gratefully received as I won't be there much before noon.

 

[neil78]

The Serins are still there this morning.

 

[Steve Arlow]

Smart little birds indeed, shame they disappeared for 5 hours during the day

 

[Si Clayton]

Streetwise Turnstones

Hi, A family member photographed Turnstones feeding on the street at Westcliff seafront a few weeks ago, and sent to me for id. I've heard of Turnstones doing this rarely in other locations, I wondered if anyone else had seen this locally?
I can't see any parking tickets on them, despite being on double yellows.
Shows the adaptability of these robust birds.
Cheers

 

[Linfordbirder]

Hi, A family member photographed Turnstones feeding on the street at Westcliff seafront a few weeks ago, and sent to me for id. I've heard of Turnstones doing this rarely in other locations, I wondered if anyone else had seen this locally?
I can't see any parking tickets on them, despite being on double yellows.
Shows the adaptability of these robust birds.
Cheers

Great moment captured.

Not seen that before, but saw a Little Egret feeding along the central island of Thorpe Hall Road (Thorpe Bay) just feet from the on coming cars inc mine. Seen egrets doing similar in Florida and elsewhere but a first for me in the UK.

Didn't stop n photo otherwise I'd have got a ticket!

 

[Linfordbirder]

I was lucky and saw the Smew at Abberton today, just in the NW corner of LBC in the trees, with binoculars. Easy to find as so bright white in the sunshine, 2 males, 1 redhead. Also saw a Bittern, thanks to a very nice chap who let me look through his scope (thank you!), in the furthest reed bed east of LBC. There was also a kingfisher in the same clump of trees as the Smew. Loads of Canada and Greylags, few Goldeneye, Teal, lots of Lapwing in the surrounding fields, a few Kestrel, one of which alighted in a tree by the road nearly causing me to drive into a ditch! Note to self: when driving, DON'T look at birds!

Pleased you had a successful day.

Thanks - 2014 was a good patch year.

 

[Steve Arlow]

It would appear that, like last year with the Iceland Gull, the two Glaucous Gulls that are present on Pitsea Tip can be seen in the evening pre-roost gathering in Hole Haven Creek viewable from the seawall by Lobster Smack, Canvey Island.

 

[Steve Arlow]

The 2 Glaucs again Canvey Island in Hole Haven creek from Lobster Smack pub, good opportunity for anyone not yet seen one or not seen one for a while, evenings from about 4pm onwards

 

[Linfordbirder]

Bittern at Thameside Nature Park Mucking flew over the reeds from the SW corner of the lake (formerly known as Goldengates) at 3:45pm, before I lost it behind the islands.

I believe it was seen and reported on Sunday too, but I was very fortunate to see it yesterday, as I was conducting a count and it flew into my line of sight. Outside of a freeze, Its likely to be a tricky one to see, as the lake is very over grown, with limited (very muddy) access, no extensive views of the numerous reed beds and lots of creeks and dykes for a bittern to disappear into. The Abberton and Fisher's Green birds are probably a more reliable and easier tick but good luck if you try.

Steve

 

[a_j_steele]

Brief view of a calling bearded tit at Heybridge Basin yesterday, also great to see the numbers of Avocets out in the estuary

 

[andygolfer]

Tollesbury wick NR 8-3-2015 (pm)

Blimey , the first post in this thread for nearly a month! where is everybody?

I'll break the silence but it's not very interesting I'm afraid. Just a brief visit to Tollesbury Wick yesterday afternoon, I was intending to photograph my brother in law's boat but he had returned early so after a walk round the sea wall I spent 1/2 hour in the hide. Unfortunately I only had my 18-250 lens on the camera instead of the 100-400 so missed out slightly.
18 species noted: (in alphabetical order) black headed gull, black tailed godwit, brent goose, common gull, coot, curlew, lapwing, little egret, magpie, mallard, oystercatcher, redshank, rook, shelduck, snipe, teal, tufted duck, wigeon.

 

[Sharp Shin]

Yes, it has been silent on this thread: perhaps symptomatic of pre-Spring doldrums for birding.

However, three Spoonbill were at Holland Haven this morning. By mid-day, they had moved from the scrape to a pool nearer the car park, where they were actively feeding. My guess is that these are the same three birds that had been reported from Minsmere over the weekend.

Stewart

 

[JamesA]

Not getting out much, so little to report! Only the odd hour snatched here and there, with relatively few highlights. Had merlin and spotshank at Tollesbury last weekend, the lesser-spot at Shut Heath on Saturday morning (had it entirely to myself, which surprised me a bit), blackcap singing in Kelvedon then, finally, after numerous misses on these totally not difficult birds, the six white-fronts at Abberton yesterday.

Roll on the clocks going forwards and I'll be able to get out birding after work...

 

[Frinton BO]

Certainly not much happening offshore - a very quiet winter period. It all changed today though with a beautiful morning and a good passage following lots of Brent calling overnight - surprisingly Cormorants made up the numbers with 619 counted northbound in flocks of up to 74. Supporting cast of 14 Shag, 350 Brent, 2 GC Grebe and 17 Red Throated Diver. Plus a Black Redstart along the beach and a quick (distant) view of the Haven Spoonbills at lunchtime and it wasn't a bad day at all!

 

[Sharp Shin]

Certainly not much happening offshore - a very quiet winter period. It all changed today though with a beautiful morning and a good passage following lots of Brent calling overnight - surprisingly Cormorants made up the numbers with 619 counted northbound in flocks of up to 74. Supporting cast of 14 Shag, 350 Brent, 2 GC Grebe and 17 Red Throated Diver. Plus a Black Redstart along the beach and a quick (distant) view of the Haven Spoonbills at lunchtime and it wasn't a bad day at all!

If my guess is right, and those three Spoonbills came down from Minsmere, they should have passed right by your window!

 

[Sharp Shin]

The three Spoonbills are reported as still present at Holland Haven this morning.

I see that at least two Spoonbills remain at Minsmere, so scotch my theory that that is where the Essex birds might have come from. Also, I read that Brian Coombes saw five Spoonbills in flight yesterday morning, heading towards Horsey Island. So, perhaps the warmer weather and its ideal flying conditions have brought a mini-influx.

Stewart

 

[JamesA]

House finch reported in a Tiptree garden yesterday...

 

[Sharp Shin]

House finch reported in a Tiptree garden yesterday...

The BOU rejected the well-twitched Cornwall bird of 2010, and House Finch remains off the British List. So, the credentials of this Tiptree bird, if ever relocated, remains highly suspect.

Best to get a cheap flight to New York and you'll find plenty around there!

Stewart