Species Woodlark | Status Three records 29th October 1996 briefly on the short grassy area in front of the scrape. Shortly after being detected it promptly flew off! 4th November 2006 passing overhead calling. 26th October 2008 passing over the sluice calling. The last few days of October and the first few of November would appear to be the prime time to listen out for this Essex rarity passing overhead.
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Skylark | Breeds in small numbers, passage migrant and winter visitor. Predominantly a passage migrant in autumn where calling birds regularly noted passing overhead with approx 100 noted on 14th December 1996. Regular wintering flocks of between 50-100 prior to 1990 however these days much reduced to barely double figures. A number of pairs breed on the grazing marsh and nearby arable.
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Shorelark | Seven records involving 12 individuals. All records quoted 14th October 1962 8th October 1979 2 on 9th November 1986 31st October 1988 26th October 1990 2 on 17th January 1995 4 on 2nd November 1996 With the exception of a single mid winter record 1n January 1995 all have occurred in a one month period between 8th October and 9th November.
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Sand Martin | Passage migrant, summer visitor, formerly bred. Bred until at least the 1960’s in the sandy cliff immediately north of the sluice. This area has since been landscaped and later concreted as part of sea defences however in 1983 several pairs nested again utilising a vertical stretch of sandy cliff exposed by an earlier severe storm. Recorded early March to October with notable passage in both spring and late summer/early autumn. 200+ passing through on 10th July 2005 and again on the 19th July 2008 are the recent maximum movement compared with c150 recorded prior to 1988.
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Swallow | Passage migrant and summer visitor. Has bred, utilising several concrete pill boxes present on the site. Present from end March to early November with noticeable passage in spring and particularly autumn. 400+ noted on the 23 September 1989 represents the largest movement recorded followed by 300+ noted on 17th September 1988 and 1st September 1996. In spring 250+ recorded on 5th May 2005 is noteworthy. A hybrid Swallow/House Martin was trapped 31st August 1992.
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Red Rumped Swallow | Single record. John Sawyer retains this species as a Haven ‘blocker’ having glimpsed an individual passing north over the scrape with Swallows on 30th April 2004.
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House Martin | Passage migrant and summer visitor. Recorded from 30th March (2008) to early/mid November with noticeable passage in both spring and particularly autumn. Odd pairs breed in the Church Lane area. Maximum movements of 1000+ noted on 30th August 1986 and 7th September 1997. In spring 80+ were present on the 30th May 2005.
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Richards Pipit | Four records On the 25th September 1988 Pete Davis found the first Haven record flying low over the southern end of the greensward during a big fall of Meadow Pipits. Initially located by call it remained faithful to this area until last seen on the 1st October 1988. On the 1st October 1992 the late Tariq Watson and Pete Loud found the second record in the grassy field immediately west of the access road. It remained until the 2nd October 1992. On the 15th April 2001 Clive Atkins found the sole spring record; an individual that was watched for less than a couple of minutes before being lost to view in the long grass immediately west of the pill box north of the sluice. Despite searching it was not subsequently relocated. On the 17th September 2008 Paul Brayshaw found an individual of indeterminate age on rough ground between the seawall and golf course. However it did not linger, disappearing inland calling minutes after its discovery.
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Tree Pipit | Passage migrant, barely annual in recent years. Prior to 1988 appeared more frequently on passage when up to 5 recorded in a single year, predominantly in autumn. 2 on 21st September 1996 is the only record of more than one on a single day. Extreme dates are 4th May 1996 and 27th September 1980. Most are noted passing overhead calling however occasional birds are found in variable habitat or perched on fences and overhead wires.
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Meadow Pipit | Passage migrant, winter visitor and breeds in small numbers. 339 recorded moving south west on 11th October 1987 is the largest single day with, in more recent times, 220+ recorded on 26th September 2008 also noteworthy. Otherwise the small breeding population is swollen most winters where small flocks can be found on the grazing marsh or nearby rough ground adjacent to the seawall.
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Rock Pipit | Occasional winter visitor, passage migrant, possibly declining. In recent years 1 to 3 birds can be found regularly wintering along the sea wall and nearby rocks from early January to March or rarely early April. These, or migrants occasionally seen on the scrape in early spring can show some characteristics of Water Pipit. Individuals or small numbers are also recorded in autumn, predominantly late October.
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Water Pipit | Recent occasional spring passage migrant. 10 records involving minimum of 16 birds. 14th April 1996 17th-18th April 1997 2 on 18th April 2000 3 on 14th April 2001 7th April 2002 3 on 18th April 2003, 1 still 19/20 with 2 again 21st April 17th April 2006 2 on 17th April 2008 19th and 20th April 2008 14th May 2008 With the vast majority found between the 17th to 19th April this is clearly the prime time to look for this cracking pipit on our scrape. The 14th May 2008 record is the only occurrence in that month and is the latest by over 3 weeks.
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Yellow Wagtail | Passage migrant and summer visitor. Appears from early April with the first juveniles from late June and stragglers most years through to early October. Breeds in ever reducing numbers on the arable. More frequent on passage although in again in much reduced numbers in recent years. Prior to 1988 around 50-100 seen regularly on passage in spring By comparison maximum day count in 2008 totalled 7 on the 22nd April. Variable numbers on passage in autumn with 26+ on the 29th August 2008 noteworthy. Blue Headed or ‘’Channel’’ types are regular in spring . Two records of Ashy Headed Single records of males on 28th to 30th April 2001 26th April 2008. Three records of Grey Headed 22 September 1988 27th April 2001 associated with a small fall of c20 ‘Yellow’ wagtails one of which showed characteristics of a flava/Citrine hybrid. 10th to 11th May 2008, also possibly since 9th May.
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Citrine Wagtail | Single record A female initially detected on the scrape by Simon Cox on the 7th May 2006 and initially identified as Citrine by Clive Johnson when heard to call, was still present the following day. At the time of its discovery the near full hide were enjoying the spectacle of 3 Temmincks Stints which had arrived earlier in the morning.
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Grey Wagtail | Passage migrant and occasional winter visitor, possibly increasing. Small numbers are seen most years, (although minimum of 30+ recorded during 2008) rarely in mid winter, occasionally in early spring with none in summer and most occurring in autumn over a protracted period from mid September to mid November. Most are detected as they pass overhead calling however individuals occasionally linger around the sewage farm with 4 present on the 19th September 2008. A total of 4 noted passing over on 3rd October 2003 is also noteworthy.
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Pied Wagtail | Resident, one or two pairs breed. In recent years up to 30+ have been seen pre-roost on the greensward in autumn. This may be a relatively modern occurrence as prior to 1988 an average of only 1 to 10 were recorded on any one day across the site. The species is omnipresent favouring amongst other areas the scrape and seawalls where has on occasion nested. White Wagtails occur annually on passage in varying numbers during April and again in autumn between August and early November with 5 together on 21st April 2001the highest count on a single day.
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Waxwing | Four records involving 18 birds 1 on 24th November 1992 15 on 3rd February 1996 (flew over) 1 on 20th November 2005 1 on 4th November 2008 In addition to the 1996 flock all other records involved individuals that have made only the briefest of visits to the Haven. The 1992 bird was seen perched on a television areal, the one seen in 2005 was found feeding on the hawthorns around the Gunfleet boat park and stayed no more than 10 minutes whilst the 2008 showed briefly twice in the sewage farm area before disappearing.
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Wren | Breeding resident Numbers difficult to assess however c5-10 pairs thought to reside across the entire site.
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Dunnock | Breeding resident with some immigration likely. Resident breeding pairs difficult to assess however 10-15 pairs thought to occur across the site. A total of 38 were trapped and rung between June and November 1987 suggesting some post breeding movement occurs through the site.
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Robin | Breeding resident with immigration in most autumns. Resident breeding pairs thought to be in the region of 10-15 pairs. 30+ on the 25th September 2008 is indicative of autumn immigration.
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Nightingale | Four records 29th August 1990 9th August 1995 17th August 1996 (juvenile) 30th April-1st May 2006 (access road, in song) The early autumn individuals may well indicate dispersal from the nearby Great Holland Pits breeding population.
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Bluethroat | Single record. On 27th April 2002 Pete Davis and Clive Johnson located a singing male at the apex of the reedy ditch and feeder stream to Holland Brook directly in front of the hide. As the bird showed and sang for no more than 10 minutes before disappearing only the lucky finders currently have this species on their Haven list. As this individual showed absolutely no sign of any white on the throat even when stretching, it is possible that it constitutes an example of the variant found in north west Spain.
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Black Redstart | Passage migrant and single mid winter record. Before 1988 1-2 regularly reported in both spring and autumn. In recent years’ numbers variable illustrated by just a single bird recorded in 2007 but 4/5 (including 2 together on 8th April) birds seen in 2008. Other than a single mid winter bird on 13th January 1990 extreme dates for spring are 3rd March 2003 and 4th May 1996 and 5th August 1990 and 25th November 1989 in autumn. 3 present 28th March 1998 is the highest number occurring on a single day.
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Redstart | Virtually annual passage migrant in autumn, rare in spring with single mid-summer record. In spring has occurred from mid April to early May. Autumn passage protracted with individuals occurring from third week of August through to mid October. Maximum day record of 7 on the 15th September 2008 with 6 on 5th September 1996 also noteworthy. Up to 5 also seen on a single day in autumn in a number of years prior to 1988. A juvenile seen on the extremely early date of 6th July 1994 may have been evidence of relative local breeding. Individuals showing characteristics of intergrades with ‘’Ehrenbergs Redstart’’ have been noted on 13th October 2001 and 14th/15th September 2008 (trapped on the latter date).
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Whinchat | Passage migrant, predominantly in autumn. These days less than annual in spring when compared to pre 1988 when 1-5 recorded regularly. Relatively common in early autumn from early/mid August through September and occasionally in to October. Latest recorded on 13th October 2008. Double figure numbers often encountered on and around fences bisecting the grazing marsh. Maximum day total 30 on 8th September 1987 with 20+ on 21st August 2005 also noteworthy.
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Stonechat | Passage migrant and winter visitor. Present from mid September to end March. Numbers appear to be increasing recently with up to 8 present from late autumn rising to 16+ on 12th December 2007 with 14 also present on several dates between end September and end December 2008. Numbers tend to reduce gradually during late winter probably due to combination of predation and hard weather dispersal. Generally found singularly, in pairs or small groups along the area bordering the sea wall. Prior to 1988 only 1-3 were recorded annually. Suggestion of relative local breeding is a record of 2 recently fledged juveniles on 26th June 1993. Siberian Stonechat On 14th October 1984 Pete Loud found a female/immature of this subspecies along the rough ground below the sea wall towards Frinton golf course. A very distinctive individual first seen in the car park on 31 March 1996 and studied closely by the finders over the next few days (by which time it had taken up residence by the sluice) was after much consideration thought to be a male of a nearby continental race which resembles Siberian Stonechat. Although never ascribed or submitted as a ‘Sibe’ by the finders a record for Siberian Stonechat submitted by person or persons unknown, was nonetheless circulated and (albeit correctly) rejected by BBRC without any reference back to the finders.
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Wheatear | Passage migrant. Rare in mid summer although has bred (single pair in 1986). Double digit day counts in spring and counts of 20-30 in autumn occur most years with maximum of 40+ recorded in September 1987 and more recently on the 29th August 2008. Earliest spring record 6th March 1997 with passage normally over by end May. In autumn first birds are returning from early August with latest record of a single bird on 10th November 2002. In addition to the sole breeding record a juvenile on the 28th June 1985 was not thought to have fledged far away. ‘Greenland’ Wheatears are regularly recorded in both later spring and autumn.
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Ring Ouzel | Barely annual passage migrant in varying numbers with majority in autumn. Usually recorded as singles with 8 to 10 on the 18th September 1996 being the maximum day count and 4+ on 26th April 1987 being the highest for spring. The earliest spring record by two weeks involved a female seen in the Church Lane paddocks on the 30th March 2008 with the latest being 2 on the 2nd June 1991. In autumn recorded between mid September and mid October with a particularly late individual seen on 1st November 1989.
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Blackbird | Breeding resident and passage migrant with noticeable autumn and early winter immigration. 100+ noted on several occasions in autumn with maximum day count 200+ 22nd October 2001. Otherwise local breeding population augmented by wintering birds with some return passage in spring.
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Fieldfare | Passage migrant and winter visitor in varying numbers. Generally seen from October to March with highest day count recorded 1500 in off the sea on 24th January 1984. Otherwise c100+ maximum have been noted on passage in both spring and autumn although 2008 was a particularly poor year for this species with very few recorded.
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Song Thrush | Breeding resident and passage migrant. One or two pairs breed at the site extremeties with some immigration during spring and, more usually, autumn with maximum of 30+ recorded on 6th October 1998.
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Redwing | Passage migrant and winter visitor in varying numbers. Generally recorded from early October with odd birds still seen through to end April some years. Maximum of c250 in off the sea on 24th January 1984. 200+ recorded on 9th April 1996 highest recorded in either passage periods. More recently 112 were recorded in the Great Holland Hall area on the 20th February 2008.
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Mistle Thrush | Breeding resident and passage migrant. Up to 5 pairs are resident favouring the golf course and Church Lane/Great Holland Hall area. Some limited spring and autumn immigration may occur. A pair nested in the porch of the doorway at Sluice Cottages in April 1995 laying 3 eggs, the fate of which is unknown.
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Cettis Warbler | Eight records involving 4+ birds Reports of single birds heard and seen on 3rd November 2005 from the hide, heard again on 12th November 2005 and seen again on 11th December 2005 probably relate to a single individual. One seen and heard on 4th November 2006 One seen briefly by the sluice on 27th September 2008 Reports of single birds heard on the 29th October 2008, 2nd November 2008 and seen on the 4th November 2008 along the access road and immediately across the B1032 almost certainly relate to one individual. With breeding confirmed at the Naze the above series of records must surely represent the initial stages of imminent colonisation?
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Grasshopper warbler | Six records involving 6 birds 12th to 13th September 1990 (trapped) 25th August 1991 (trapped) 4th August 1993 25th September 1993 30th April 2001 in song approx 100m north of the hide 6th September 2003 seen briefly in the depression just west Clacton sailing club. Certain Haven regulars are banking on the (re) commencement of regular ringing activity to add this species to their site list!
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Sedge Warbler | Summer visitor and passage migrant Arrives from mid April with the latest record a single bird seen on the 22nd October 2008. Four to five pairs breed most years with total of 16 rung in autumn 1987 suggests this population is significantly augmented by passage migrants.
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Reed Warbler | Summer visitor and passage migrant. Arrives from 3rd week of April with stragglers recorded through to end September. It is estimated that in excess of 30 pairs breed in the reeds which fringe Holland Brook and connecting channels.
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Icterine Warbler | Three records of three birds 21st to 22nd October 1980 31st August 1985 22nd September 1986 (In addition on the 28th July 2002, an unidentified Hippolais warbler seen briefly along the hedge bordering the car park showed several features consistent with Olivaceous Warbler.) It has now been over 20 years since this species has been recorded. During that time individuals have been noted at both nearby Colne Point and the Naze. Most Haven listers believe it’s ‘our turn next’! |
Dartford Warbler | Two records of two birds 6th to 18 March 2005 favouring the east/west ditch running c100m north of the hide. On the early morning of 15th November 2007 Gary Gardner found the second record in brambles adjacent to the rough ground sandwiched between the sea wall and Frinton golf course. |
Desert Warbler | Single record 20-21st November 1975. Disgracefully suppressed by the finder(s) and a handful of invited cronies, this individual ‘’favoured a 180m stretch of seawall, where it moved about amongst vegetation and grasses growing between the concrete blocks’’ (Wood, The Birds of Essex). Not an autumn passes when, on walking this stretch of seawall, the Haven regulars long for lightning to strike twice.
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Barred Warbler | Eight records involving eight individuals. 20th to 21st September 1980 24th August 1986 27th September to 4th October 1986 24th August 1987 27th August to 1st September 1990 8th to 11th September 1990 1st September 1996 21st to 22nd Sept 2001 Since the first in 1980 we are currently experiencing the longest period without a record of this species.
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Lesser Whitethroat | Summer visitor and passage migrant. Appears from 3rd week of April with stragglers seen up until 2nd week of October. Around 3-6 pairs breed annually favouring the hawthorns along the access road and in the north west corner of the car park. Evidence of passage, particularly in autumn with 20+ noted on 31st August 1996 and 15+ on 29th August and 12th September 2008.
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Whitethroat | Summer visitor and passage migrant Appears from around mid April with odd birds recorded up until end September. Up to half a dozen pairs breed across the recording area from the car park through to arable below Greta Holland Hall. Evidence of passage, particularly in autumn with 24 rung in the autumn of 1987 and 20+ noted present on 31st August 1996.
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Garden Warbler | Passage migrant, less than annual in spring, more regular in autumn. 1-5 recorded most years with 8 present during the last week of August 1990 being the largest concentration noted. Minimum of 10 recorded in 2008 including one spring record on the relatively late date of 9th June, an early ‘autumn’ bird on the 10th July and 8 others on various dates between 6th August and 13th September represented a good showing for this species.
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Blackcap | Summer visitor, passage migrant. Has wintered. Appears from late March with very late birds seen through to end November. Up to 4 pairs breed along the access road or in the bushes found in the north west corner of the car park. Passage migrant in small numbers up to 10+ with bias towards autumn rather than spring where passage is normally light and difficult to determine from local breeding birds. Maximum of 15+ noted on 1st October 1994. Occasional birds have been noted in mid winter.
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Pallas Warbler | Five records of five birds. 28th October 1987 (Garden of what was Little Holland Hall) 24th or 25th November 1987 20th-23rd October 1994 23rd-24th October 1996 22nd to 26th October 2007 (in hedge either side of pool by car park barrier). With 4 of the 5 records falling in a 7 day period between 22nd and 28th October special attention should be paid to the areas of sallow across the site should these dates coincide with a light easterly!
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Yellow Browed Warbler | Five records involving nine birds. 27th to 28th September 1986 (4 ranging between Little Holland Hall and hedge bordering car park) 3 on 30th November. 2nd October 1988 2 on 12th October 1991 24th October 2001 21st – 22nd October 2007 (in same hedge as Pallas on later date!) It is somewhat difficult to see any pattern of occurrence for this species which frustratingly turns up far more frequently 3 to 4 miles away at the Naze.
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Wood Warbler | All records quoted 31st August – 1st September 1985 16th May 1987 12th-14th August 1987 7th September 1987 9th May 1988 1988 up to 3, 22nd August, 5th Sept and 2nd October. 21st to 22nd May 1990 4th May 1997 (access road, in song). There has now been a ten year absence of this species. As such it is highly sort after by a number of later day Haven regulars!
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Chiffchaff | Passage migrant and summer visitor. Has over wintered. First arrivals noted as early as second week of March with stragglers noted through to third week of November. One or two pairs usually breed most summers favouring the small wooded area along the access road and bushes in north west corner of the car park. Passage most noted in autumn when double figure numbers are regularly recorded to a maximum of 80+ present on the early morning of the 13th September 2008. Winter records are unusual where single birds have been noted associating with the tit flock residing in the small wooded area adjacent to the car park entrance.
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Iberian Chiffchaff | Single Record On the early afternoon of the 5th May 2006 Pete Davis located a ‘Willow/Chiff’ with a strange ‘mixed’ song along the hedge line bordering the access road some 50 metres from the entrance to the car park. Suspecting ‘’Iberian Chiffchaff’’ the identification was later confirmed that day both by other observers and by reference to a CD of warbler songs of the Western Palaearctic. The bird eluded capture by mist net and as no sonogram was obtained the record, whilst undisputed, is currently inadmissible to BBRC as a first county record.
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Willow Warbler | Passage migrant and summer visitor. Can occurs as early as late March with few records after end September most years. Irregular breeding bird with one or rarely two pairs, present in bushes in north west corner of car park. Far higher numbers seen on passage particularly in early autumn with single day maximum of 30+ recorded on both the 24th August 1986 and 13th August 1987 with 23+ present on 21st August 2008. A total of 46 were rung in the autumn of 1987. 8+ noted on the 17th April 2006 and again on the 16th April 2008 represents a good showing for spring.
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Goldcrest | Passage migrant and occasional winter visitor. Rarely seen in summer. Up to 20+ regularly recorded on autumn passage with a maximum of 54 recorded on 25th October 1990. Spring passage far more modest with single figure counts the norm. A single bird seen on 1st July 2000 was an unusual mid-summer record. Odd birds can be found occasionally throughout the winter months
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Firecrest | Passage migrant. Due to the regularity with which this species can be found in spring from early/mid March to early/mid April and autumn from early September the Firecrest is the bird most immediately associated with Holland Haven and has duly been adopted as the logo of hollandhavenbirding.com. Day counts of 1-5 regularly recorded in both passage periods with 15+ mainly in the small wooded area along the access road on the 18th September 1996, representing an exceptional influx associated with the arrival of good numbers off Ring Ouzels. Extreme dates are (earliest) 8 March 1997 and (latest) 13th November 1983. After a particular late bird on the 26th November 2008 2 were found in the small conifer by the toilet block on New Years’ Eve 2008 representing the only known mid winter record.
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Spotted Flycatcher | Passage migrant. Barely annual in spring from mid May to early June with most records occurring in early autumn from the third week of August to mid/end of September. An amazing 20 present on the 9th May 1988 is by far the highest single day count and totally out of character for that time in year even for 20 years ago when the species appeared to have occurred more frequently. Conversely the highest day count in autumn is 10 on 31st August 1985. These days a day count of three or four in autumn is considered exceptional with 5 on the 14th September 2008 being the recent maximum recorded.
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Red Breasted Flycatcher | Three records of three birds. All October. 19th October 1986 2nd October 1988 2nd October 1989 From the minute sample available easterlies on 2nd October looks like a good bet to search for this species
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Pied Flycatcher | Passage migrant in autumn, rare in spring. Handful of spring records ranging from 11th April (1994) to 11th May (1991). Annual in autumn though declining with maximum day count of 14 on 18th August 1985 compared to a possible total of only 3 birds seen in the whole of 2008. These days more than 2 on a day in autumn is exceptional. Records in autumn range from 9th August (1995) to 28th September (2008).
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Bearded Tit | Six records involving eleven birds 19th October 1980 (in reeds bordering golf course) 28th March 1992 (male) 2 on 20th January 2004 (pair) 5th November 2006 3 on 21st October 2007 (reeds between golf course and seawall). 3 on 21st October 2007 with 2 still present following day 22nd In addition to being found on the same date the trio in 2008 were in exactly the same place as the three seen exactly 12 months earlier leading to some perhaps fanciful speculation that the same pair (plus surviving single offspring of that year) may be involved!
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Long Tailed Tit | Breeding resident. Difficult to assess local population numbers however between 2-4 pairs thought to breed along the access road or in woodland/gardens bordering the site. What constitutes these local breeders plus their surviving offspring congregate in mobile flocks from late summer and along with other tit species present can attract more interesting species such as Yellow Browed and Pallas Warbler. Max flock size of 27 seen on 4th September 2005 with 25+ noted on the 2nd November 2008.
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Coal Tit | Former resident now recorded less than annually All recent records quoted below. Up until cleared in 1984 bred in the conifers behind the sewage works, subsequently, what are assumed to be local wanderers or birds of the continental race, have occurred as follows 15th July 1989 10th November 1989 16th October 1990 8 on 19th September 1996 (with 5 on the21st September). 31st March 1997 2 on 3rd April 2008 (Church Lane, considered to be ‘britannicus’). The September 1996 records formed part of an unprecedented influx in to Essex of what are assumed to be the continental race ‘’ater’
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Blue Tit | Breeding resident Approx 10-15 pairs breed favouring small wooded area along access road, bushes in north west corner of car park and wooded area immediately to the north of Great Holland Hall. Post breeding tit flocks including up to 20 individuals can be encountered from late summer onwards.
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Great Tit | Breeding resident Approx 5-10 pairs breed in habitat as per Blue Tit. Up to 10 individuals can be found in post breeding mixed tit flocks from late summer onwards.
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Treecreeper | Formerly infrequent winter visitor. Nowadays a great rarity unrecorded for many years. Prior to 1988 was considered ‘’occasional’’ in winter with individuals perhaps wandering from either Great Holland Pits or the woodland immediately to the north of Great Holland Hall. As neither of these populations seem to exist in modern times (if the latter ever did) this may explain the current status of this predominantly sedentary species.
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Red Backed Shrike | Eight records involving up to ten birds. One spring record. 23rd August 1986 13th September 1988 2 or 3 on16th to 28th September 1988 23rd September 1989 27th August to 9th September 1995 male 13th May 1997 16th – 30th August 1997 7th October 1998 After a gap of ten years and despite the demise of this species as a British breeding bird we must surely be due for another record soon.
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Great Grey Shrike | Four records involving four birds. 17th October 1974 24th to 26th September 1986 12th January 1988 2nd and 3rd October 2007 The 2007 bird found by John Sawyer and Karen Aldous was appreciated by local Haven listers and visitors from further afar alike as it moved from exposed perch to perch in the rough grazing field immediately north west of the car park during its 2 day stay.
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Woodchat Shrike | Single record On the 11th June 1992 the late Tariq Watson found a female Woodchat in the hedge line that separates Frinton Golf course from the adjacent arable to the north west. It was last seen on the 13th June.
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Jay | Breeding resident One to two pairs present favouring the access road, car park and Church Lane areas. Prior to 1997 only occasionally recorded with exceptionally 6 on 11th October 1983 representing the Haven’s share of what was a major influx of Jays in to the UK that month from Europe. Jay was the first species to be recorded at the feeding station established during 2008 adjacent to the sewage farm compound.
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Magpie | Breeding resident A number of pairs are scattered in and around the wider site with post breeding groups up to 20 encountered from late summer onwards with maximum day count of 30+ recorded on 5th October 1986.
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Jackdaw | Breeding resident. Present all year with around 10-15 pairs breeding at Great Holland Church and surrounding area. Formerly bred at was what Little Holland Hall (now residential care home opposite entrance road). Groups of 20-30 up to a maximum of c50 can be found at various times on and around the grazing marsh often in company of Rooks.
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Rook | Resident. Has bred. In 2007 at least 4 nests built in trees along access road which was the first confirmed breeding for many years although this was not repeated in 2008. A rookery has traditional been used across the B1032 in trees bordering Holland Marsh. Prior to 1988 flocks numbering over 250+ have been recorded feeding on grazing marsh in late summer.
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Carrion Crow | Breeding resident. Population unknown however probably around 4-8 pairs breed in or near the recording area. Small groups are often found loitering around the seawall and grazing marsh with 30+ reported on the 19th January 2008.
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Hooded Crow | Three records involving three birds. 6th February 1992 on grazing marsh west of B1032 1st April 1996 22nd April 2006 on grazing marsh from hide A real rarity absent from most regular’s site lists. A fourth record in the near future would therefore be appreciated!
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Starling | Breeding resident. Flocks in excess of 1000 regular in autumn and early winter feeding on grazing marsh. Large roosts in hawthorns along access road noted in both autumn 1985 and 1991.
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House Sparrow | Resident. This formerly abundant resident whilst ranging widely over the site is more often found in one of the two small communities that persist (i) towards the residential area south east of the car park and (ii) Great Holland Hall. Probably no more than 25 pairs are involved in total with the later community possibly down to single figures. Flocks reaching three figures recorded regularly prior to 1988.
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Tree Sparrow | Passage migrant and formerly occasional winter visitor These days relegated to less than annual in autumn with single birds being the norm although 12 seen together on the 23rd August 2008 is the largest flock seen for some considerable time. Prior to 1988 considered as ‘’irregular’’ with some passage in autumn and early winter with odd pair occasionally present in summer. By comparison 50 years ago, on 25th October 1959, ‘’200 per hour’’ were recorded moving south west!
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Chaffinch | Breeding resident, passage migrant and winter visitor. A few pairs breed within or close by the recording area with numbers swollen, particularly in autumn by migrants. 200 an hour passing through south west noted on 25th October 1959 is the largest movement recorded. These days far more modest numbers are noted on autumn passage with max of <50 noted on the 27th October 2008 representing the highest day count for that year.
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Brambling | Passage migrant formerly wintered. Small numbers, up to around 20-30 (although only 7 recorded in 2008) seen most autumns from early October to mid November, normally passing overhead with occasionally birds remaining for short periods to feed. Rare in spring.
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Serin | Single record On the 1st September 1987 Pete Newton and Pete Loud found an immature or female in the hedge bordering the sewage farm. After the initial sighting the bird promptly disappeared.
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Greenfinch | Breeding resident, passage migrant and probable winter visitor. Around 5 to10 pairs are thought to breed across the site. In addition some passage noted particularly in autumn with small numbers passing through most years. Flocks of 50-100 recorded occasionally prior to 1988. More recently 80+ were present on 16th August 1994 and 73 recorded passing south on the 10th October 2008.
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Goldfinch | Passage migrant although odd pair may have bred. Occasional in winter. These days predominantly a light passage migrant in spring with larger numbers in autumn when, in addition to any roaming feeding flocks, significant numbers pass overhead. 750 passing through south west on 11th October 1987 is the highest day count. More recently c400 passing south in two hours on the morning of the 16th October 2008 is noteworthy. Along with Linnet, virtually disappears by November and only occasionally reported before March.
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Siskin | Passage migrant and occasional recorded in winter. Spring passage variably light with far larger numbers sometimes totalling hundreds, moving through most autumns with the vast majority passing overhead. Strangely Siskin numbers passing through, particularly in autumn appear to have significantly increased in recent years as prior to 1988 only up 10 reported as recorded in most years. 200+ moving through on both 21st and 22nd September 1996 represent the highest day counts. A single bird flying south on the 26th June 2008 was an unusual mid summer record.
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Linnet | Declining breeding resident, passage migrant and occasional winter visitor. Odd pairs still breed however predominantly a passage migrant in variable numbers more pronounced in autumn. Occasional seen in small numbers most winters (77 present at Great Holland Hall on the 20th February 2008 by far the largest recorded in recent years) however as with Goldfinch virtually disappears between November and March. Prior to 1988 heavy passage in autumn a regular event with approx 1,850 passing through south west on 11th October 1987. Feeding flocks in excess of 100 birds were also a regular occurrence. More recently highest day counts struggle to exceed 100 birds in autumn with c40 the maximum recorded in 2008.
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Twite | Formerly regular passage migrant and winter visitor. A flock of 12 feeding on rough ground below the seawall on the 21st October 2008 was the first record since 30+ on 1st December 1996. Regrettably they were flushed shortly after discovery and disappeared south. Prior to the late eighties small numbers could be regularly encountered on passage or during winter and could be found between early October and mid March. Records began to dry up during the early nineties when reports became less than annual with (until 2008), the last noted above on 1st December 1996. An exceptionally large flock of 160 were recorded briefly on rough ground by the seawall for only a few minutes on 22nd October 1986.
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Lesser Redpoll | Passage migrant. Rare in spring with virtually all records relating to birds passing overhead in autumn. Prior to 2008 up to a maximum of 30 recorded in a single day however in what was to be an excellent autumn for this species a new day record of 194 passing south overhead was set on the 16th October 2008. As with Siskin numbers of Redpoll moving through, particularly in autumn may have significantly increased in recent years as prior to 1988 an average of 1-5 on any given day were reported on passage. As virtually no Redpolls are seen perched a confirmed Meally still eludes us however we are confident that the feeding station established during the later part of 2008 will ultimately deliver this addition to the site list!
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Rosefinch | Two records On the 26th May 1996 Pete Davis and Pete Newton found a female type feeding with a small group of Linnets near one of the picnic tables adjacent to the hedge bordering the car park. After a few minutes the bird went up in to the hedge with the Linnets never to be seen again. On the 2nd November 2008 Pete Davis and Adrian Doiling found a female/immature calling from the very top of the single tree in front of the toilet block. After no more than a couple of minutes and reminiscent of the 1996 record, the bird, for no apparent reason flew off high inland until lost to view.
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Bullfinch | Formerly breeding resident now relegated to barely annual visitor. Odd pairs certainly bred in on or near the recording area until 1996 as up until this time a maximum of 5 individuals could be seen on any given day along the access road or around the bushes in the north west corner of the car park. Nowadays still recorded annually with odd individuals seen infrequently periodically throughout the year. It is likely that the majority of such recent sightings originate from the nearby relict population which persists nearby at Great Holland Pits.
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Hawfinch | Single record. On 14th April 1989 the late Tariq Watson found a single bird perched in trees bordering the car park. This is the sole acceptable record as a single bird reported in the 1993 EBR passing overhead ‘’high’’ on 8th November 1993 must surely be subject to question.
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Crossbill | Passage migrant Recorded less than annually with majority involving birds passing over between late June and mid September. These infrequent occurrences tend to coincide with general influxes in to the UK associated with this irruptive species. Of note are a series of such records over several dates during September 1990 including 14 on the 8th and a similar series of reports from 2008 totalling a minimum of 37 birds including a single flock of 14 perched in the trees by the pay machine on the 25th June with another 14 passing overhead on the 21st August.
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Lapland Bunting | Passage migrant and formerly winter visitor in significant numbers. A phenomenon from 1985 to 1992 was the regular appearance of wintering flocks of Lapland Buntings favouring the grazing marsh and nearby rough ground immediately below the seawall. Largest flock being 70 recorded on 27th November 1985 of which around 55 over wintered until mid March. From this peak numbers reduced significantly in later years with 8 on the 14th March 1992 after which the species returned to it’s previous rarity status. The earliest record in autumn was 1 on the 29th October 1989. All subsequent records to 14th March 1992 quoted below. 24 on 29th September 1993. Singles seen on 10th November, 14th and 28th December 1996 may all refer to the same bird. 2 on 20th January 2004 flying inland and appeared to land at the back of the grazing marsh but could not subsequently be relocated. 23rd November 2007 flying over calling. 2 on 17th November 2008 flying over calling. It has now been 12 years since this species has offered anything other than the meanest of fly over views.
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Snow Bunting | Late autumn migrant and occasional winter visitor. Formerly over wintered. Recorded annually ranging from singletons to flocks of up to a maximum of 45+ recorded on 27th November 1983. Usually found feeding along or just inside the seawall or passing through on passage in late autumn (maximum passage day count of 62 on 19th November 2005 including dispersed flock of c36 in off the sea). Prior to 1988 up to 30 regularly wintered.
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Yellowhammer | Formerly bred and wintered in significant numbers. Since 2000 has become somewhat of a rarity. Prior to 1988 the overspill from grain hoppers located on the grazing marsh sustained diverse flocks of seed eaters including flocks of Yellowhammers frequently in excess of 50+. In even earlier times 50 an hour were recorded passing south west on 25th October 1959. Nowadays relegated to the status of real rarity with the last record being of a single bird on the 26th March 2002, this despite a small, albeit potentially isolated population, persisting at nearby Great Holland Pits.
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Little Bunting | Single record On 12th October 1989 a 1st winter was found by Simon Cox and the late Tariq Watson hanging in a mist net erected in the old sewage farm ringing site. After release, and despite searching, the bird was never seen again.
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Reed Bunting | Breeding resident in small numbers, passage migrant and probably winter visitor. Very few are present in winter months with birds returning to the reed birds in early spring where up to 5 pairs probably breed. Numbers increase in autumn and winter through some immigration however nothing like twenty years ago when prior to 1988 autumn/winter roosts of between 50-100 birds were recorded regularly. More recently day counts rarely if ever exceed single figures at any time of year.
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Corn Bunting | Breeding resident in very small numbers. Formerly wintered in large numbers. After a period of decline, breeding numbers may be stabilising with 4 pairs present in 2008 being an increase (albeit modest) on the 3 pairs found in the favoured arable area up towards Great Holland Hall during 2007. Formerly far more common with flocks of 50-70 regularly encountered at pre roost near the golf course in the winter periods prior to 1988 with a maximum count of 100 roosting in reeds on the 17th September 1983. In recent years tends to disappear post breeding from mid/late summer although one or two are very occasionally seen at varying times of year on and around the rough ground below the sea wall and nearby grazing marsh. Despite the possible halt to the recent decline it is still feared that along with Yellowhammer and (probably) Grey Partridge this species is in terminal decline as a breeding bird destined thereafter to become a great rarity for future generations of Haven ‘’listers’’. |
