May08
1st - The Garganey are still present but can be elusive, also seen were 2 Avocets, 1 Greenshank, 2 Ruff, 1 LRP, 1 Common Tern, 2 House Martins and a Yellow Wagtail, birds heard singing were 5 Lesser Whitethroats, 9 Common Whitethroats, 3 Chiffchaffs, 3 Blackcaps, 8 Reed Warblers and 2 Sedge Warblers. GG.
2nd - A brief visit this morning and the scrape was quiet with only 2 Avocets, 1 Ruff, 7 Blk T Godwits, 6 Dunlin and a single Yellow Wagtail being noteworthy. A Cuckoo was calling form behind the Sewage Farm and 2 Sanderlings were on the sluice. GG. Not much change this afternoon except Dunlin numbers were up to 19 and a Common Tern seen. PRD.
3rd - A late morning visit produced 2 brief Spotted Redshanks, 4 Avocets, 1 Ruff, 2 Whimbrel, 1 Greenshank, 1 Snipe, 27 Blk T Godwits, 9 Dunlin, 2 Common Terns and a Yellow Wagtail. The first of the Lapwing chicks were seen with c8 running around the meadows. KA. In addition 16 Whimbrel on the golf course and a pair of Eider off shore. PRD/CJ.
4th - Todays birds on the scrape were 1 Little Gull, 1 Knot, 1 Bar T Godwit, 3 Ruff, 2 Avocets, 2 Greenshanks, 22 Blk T Godwits, 3 Dunlin, 1 Common Tern and a female Pintail. KA/PRD
5th - A little disappointing today, birds on the scrape were 2 Common Sandpipers, 4 Sanderlings, 3 Ruff, 2 Avocets, 1 Greenshank, 5 Blk T Godwits, 6 Dunlin, 1 Common Tern, female Pintail, also a Hobby, 2 female Marsh Harriers, 1 Swift, 1 Wheatear and 1 Yellow Wagtail. PL/KA/PRD/JBS/AD/GG.
6th - 2 Wood Sandpipers on the scrape were the birds of the day also 3 Ruff, 3 Common Sandpipers, 2 Avocets, 1 Whimbrel, 6 Dunlin, 2 Blk T Godwits, 1 Common Tern and a Wheatear. GG. Mid afternoon 3 Little Terns feeding off the sluice. SC. 2 Sandwich Terns flew N. KA.
7th - Early morning on the scrape were 1 Wood Sandpiper, 3 Ruff, 3 Common Sandpipers, 2 Avocets, 2 Whimbrel, 3 Dunlin, 2 Blk T Godwits, 1 Common Tern and 1 Cuckoo. GG
8th - This morning 2 Greenshanks, 3 Ruff, 2 Common Sandpipers, 2 Avocets, 2 Common Tern, 1 female Pintail and 1 Cuckoo. KA/PR/LR/GG. This evening 1 Wood Sandpiper and a Little Gull from the hide. AD.
9th - Today on the scrape, a fine Curlew Sandpiper, 1 Wood Sandpiper, 1 Green Sandpiper, 3 Common Sandpipers, 3 Greenshanks, 3 Ruff, 3 Avocets, 2 Common Tern, 1 female Pintail, 1 Ist S Little Gull, 1 Little Egret. GG/PR/LR/SC/PC/KA/PRD. A single male Siskin flew N over the car park. GG. A report of a Grey headed Wagtail also this morning.
10th - A bit of a clear out over night but still on the scrape were 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Ruff, 3 Greenshanks, and 2 Avocets. The Grey headed Wagtaill was still present in the meadow to the right of the reed bed. SC/GG/PB/KA/VB. A probable Cory's Shearwater was seen at distance shearing towards Frinton at 0635 hrs. PL.
11th - Quiet again with only 1 Wood Sandpiper, 1 Whimbrel, 2 Ruff and a Dunlin noteworthy.KA/PRD/CJ/GG/JBS The Grey headed Wagtail was the bird generating most interest and drawing in a few admirers
13th - A Little Stint and Curlew Sandpiper on the scrape today also 4 Avocets, 1 Whimbrel, 1 female Pintail and the 1st summer Little Gull is still present. PRD/SC/PB.