Key: Plain text- Resident/Regular visitor. Green- Likely to be annual. Amber- Less than annual. Red- Rarity. CAPITALS- New bird for site.
Archive: Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
September 09
1st - Pleasant conditions with moderate SW winds to start the day. An early visit to site produced 1 Swift over, 1 Wheatear near the sluice and a Sparrowhawk hunting along the back of the hedgerows. The scrape at first held 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Dunlin, 6 Blk T Godwits, 10 Shoveler and 111+ Teal. 2 Green Sandpipers dropped in after a while and 3 Sand Martins went S. KA. A mid to late afternoon visit added the imm male Marsh Harrier, 4 Swifts over and a single Snipe. PRD. Evening additions were 14 Whimbrel, while over the scrape and surrounding areas, Swallows numbered several thousand, with hundreds of these converging on the reed beds. JBS.
2nd - Generally overcast, strong SW winds with occassional light rain, though heavy rain late evening. At least 6 juv Curlew Sandpipers were on the scrape this afternoon with 4 still viewable early evening. Other notes for the scrape included 2 Dunlin, 3 of each Blk T Godwits and Snipe, 1 Common Sandpiper, 10 Curlew, 4 Oystercatchers and 9 Shoveler. PRD/MR/JBS.
3rd - Strong WSW winds throughout, mainly overcast with some sun and occasional drizzle. A morning visit to the hide saw that 2 Curlew Sandpipers were still viewable on the scrape, also 1 Common and 2 Green Sandpipers, 3 Dunlin, 2 Blk T Godwits, 6 Oystercatchers and 84 Lapwings. Teal were at 65, Shoveler at 7 and Greylag Geese numbered 248. MR. Late afternoon and a 90mins seawatch over high tide produced only 3 Common Terns, 2 Sandwich Terns and 5 Ringed Plovers. Dunlin and Shoveler were up to 6 and 9 respectively on the scrape and 3 Swifts over. PRD. A Hen Harrier was seen c17.00hrs. RP/PRD. Later evening reports were of a Hobby also over the site. JBS.
4th - Warm and bright with some cloud and increasing W winds. The ad fem Hen Harrier was again viewable from the hide during a morning visit, the imm male Marsh Harrier was also noted. The scrape held 1juv Curlew Sandpiper, 1juv LRP, 2 Dunlin, 2 Snipe, 9 Blk T Godwits and 11 Shoveler. PRD. Into the evening and scrape additions were 3 of each Curlew Sandpipers and Ruff, 2 Ringed Plovers and Dunlin were at 7. JBS. The juv Peregrine was visible and 2 Green Sandpipers dropped in. JBS/KA. 3 Swift over and 3 Wheatears (track and mounds) were seen. KA.
5th - Mainly bright with strong W winds. A Peregrine and a 2Y male Marsh Harrier were over the site this morning and 13 Yellow Wagtails headed S. 2 Spotted Flycatchers, 1 Grey Wagtail and a single Wheatear were also noted, as was a definite increase in common migrants. GG/PRD/PNt. Afternoon views across the scrape gave 1juv Curlew Sandpiper, 1 LRP, 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Snipe and 4 Dunlin. GG/AD/MR. This evening, it was apparent that the scrape and reed beds are still holding a Bittern - it was seen on the open scrape before it flew to the right, over the central channel and into reeds along the brook. JBS.
6th - Warm with some cloud and moderate W winds. The Bittern was showing again this morning but after a while it flew to reeds/dyke left, beyond the scrape area. A juv Sparrowhawk and a Marsh Harrier were around, as were singles of Green Sandpiper and LRP. JBS/MR/PL/PB/VB. Slightly later and the juv Curlew Sandpiper appeared with 1 Dunlin. Blk T Godwits were at 5, Snipe at 2, Shoveler numbered 7, while 3 Wheatears were also noted. KA/JK. Blackcaps were definitely in evidence today with c50 across the site. PL. Seawatching (14.00-16.00hrs) resulted in counts of a juv Gannet heading NE, 3 Sandwich and 3 Common Terns while 2 Pintails, a Grey Plover and 1 Oystercatcher headed SW. A single Whimbrel came in/off and landed on the seawall. PRD/MR. A later addition for the scrape was a second Curlew Sandpiper and both of these birds were still there into the evening. JBS/MR/KA.
7th - A couple of light morning showers, otherwise warm and dry with SSW winds. A morning view across the scrape yielded singles of Curlew Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, juv LRP, Dunlin and Curlew. Also 6 Blk T Godwits, 123 Teal, 8 Canada and 287 Greylag Geese. The juv Peregrine was also noted. MR. Reported for the golf course were 3 Crossbills over headed SE, a single Spotted Flycatcher and 1 Yellow Wagtail. GB. Along the seawall were 3 of each Wheatear and Whinchat, 1 Swift over. PBr. A later visit saw 1 Whinchat outside the hide, whilst on the scrape, Curlew Sandpipers were up at 5juvs, a single Snipe was additional as was another Blk T Godwit. 1 Marsh Harrier was successfully hunting. JBS.
8th - Warm, bright, very little cloud with winds turning from S to SW. A search along the fields to the golf course found 8+ Whinchats, 2 Wheatears and 4 Corn Buntings, while a check on the scrape this morning, saw the 5juv Curlew Sandpipers still visible alongside 1juv LRP, 2 Dunlin, a Green Sandpiper, 6 Blk T Godwits, a Snipe, 6 Shoveler, 104 Teal and 294 Greylag Geese. Both the juv Peregrine and a Sparrowhawk were also showing. MR. A subsequent visit saw good movements of hirundines heading S and on the scrape an additional Dunlin and 2 more Shoveler. The trees, bushes, fences and seawall provided 10 Blackcaps, 6 Chiffchaff, 1 Lesser and 4 Common Whitethroats, with Whinchats and Wheatears at 15 and 10 respectively. PRD. Late afternoon into early evening found an increase of Curlew Sandpipers to 8 and Blk T Godwits also numbered 8. On the track near to the toilet block was a Hummingbird Hawk-Moth. KA/JBS.
9th - Cool to start with moderate N winds, slightly overcast, brightening later. The Bittern made a brief appearance in front of the hide this morning before it disappeared again to the far end of the reed bed. 1 Sparrowhawk was also noted. MR/BS. Off-shore 3 Sandwich Terns headed S. SC. 3 Wheatears were seen on the turret. JBS. The scrape began today with 1juv LRP, 3 Blk T Godwits, 8 Shoveler, 89 Teal and 297 Greylag Geese which +/- a few Teal and Geese were all viewable into the evening. Curlew Sandpipers numbered 1 early on, by late morning 5 and finished this evening with 6 on the scrape, while Dunlin increased from 3 up to 7. This evening a single Common Sandpiper and 3 Snipe were also counted. MR/JBS/SC/KA.
10th - Blustery N through NE winds, some cloud but mainly bright. An Icterine Warbler was a brilliant find by Pete Loud c16.00hrs today, approx 100yds up the service road from the top carpark, by the top of the track that leads down to the memorials. The bird showed very well until 17.15hrs when it became more elusive but viewable on/off until at least 19.15hrs. PL/PRD/PB/PR/LR/KA/JBS/PNt/RP/MR/PBr. At least 3 Redstarts were on site today, 2 in the carpark areas and late afternoon 1 by the sluice. MR/PR/LR/PL. 3 Curlew Sandpipers were on the scrape this morning, this number increased to 5 this afternoon. The juv LRP, 6 Blk T Godwits and 4 Snipe alongside 6 Shoveler, 120 Teal and 312 Greylag Geese were also counted. MR/PL. A single Gannet heading N, literally flew over the sluice. PB.
11th - Cooler to start with strong NE winds throughout and some cloud. No sign of the Icterine at all today. Visits this morning saw a juv Gannet heading N, a single Wheatear by the sluice and 1 Grey Wagtail flew over. PRD/SC. This evenings visits produced 1 Green Sandpiper over, while on the scrape were 4 Curlew Sandpipers, 1 Wood Sandpiper, 1 LRP, 2 Blk T Godwits, 3 Dunlin and 7+ Snipe. KA/GG.
12th - A bright, dry day with ENE winds that varied in strength. A Woodcock was seen early morning. PRD/PNt. Initial visits to the scrape revealed 1 Wood Sandpiper, 2 juv LRPs, 3 Dunlin, 4 Snipe, (9 Snipe by mid-day.JK) 2 Curlews and 5 Wigeon. A single Shelduck dropped in. KA/IM. Across the fields up to Frinton and back along the seawall gave little of note with 2 Wheatears, 1 Whinchat, 2 Goldfinch and 4+ Oystercatchers. Just off-shore, 5 Grey Herons heading S, circled over the sluice area and then again continued S. KA. The trees and bushes were checked several times today but little was there to be seen, 4+ Lesser Whitethroats were noted. An evening seawatch produced only 20 Common Scoter heading S. KA/GG.
13th - A much cooler day, overcast with variable N through ENE winds and on/off light drizzle. Visits throughout the day gave 1 LRP, 1 Wood Sandpiper, 4 Dunlin and a brief drop-in by 2 Knot for the scrape, while trees and bushes had little again of note, 3 Yellow Wagtails and 2+ Wheatears were seen around the site, 2+ Grey Wagtails were fly-overs, 1 Hobby and 2 Marsh Harriers were located. Over 2 hours of seawatching provided 4 Arctic Skuas, 4 juv Gannets, 5 Common Scoters and 1 Wigeon all heading N, a single juv Gannet went S. MR/KA/RA/GG/JBS.
14th - A mixed day of sunny/overcast periods with occasional drizzle and N through NNE winds. Seawatching this morning from 08.30 to 11.30 saw a definite increase of off-shore movement. 1 Razorbill, 1 Pintail, 23 Gannets (mainly juvs), 2 Shelduck and 1 Curlew were all heading N. Those going S were 2 Eider (1fem+1imm drake), 30+ Common Scoter, 3 Shelduck, 28 Wigeon, 14 Teal, c20 Arctic and c10 Common Terns. 13 Cormorants also counted off-shore. The scrape held 1 Garganey, 1 Wood Sandpiper, 19 Snipe, 3 Dunlin, 2 Blk T Godwits and 10+ Wigeon of note. A male Sparrowhawk, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Wheatear and 3 Chiffchaffs were also seen. PRD/MR. A Little Gull headed S was also reported. Late afternoon into early evening, additional birds were a Manx Shearwater heading N off-shore and for the scrape 23 Curlews. JBS.
15th - NE winds and heavy rain for most of the day. A seawatch from 07.30 to 10.30 today saw counts and species much less than yesterday's 3hour session, nonetheless movement both N and S. 20 Gannets and an adult Med Gull headed N, while 2 Common Scoter, 50+ Teal and 10 Commic Terns went S. A Wood Sandpiper and 19 Snipe were again on the scrape along with 9 Dunlin, 3 Blk T Godwits, 1 Ringed Plover, 2 Pintail, 41 Wigeon, 120+ Teal and just 1 Greylag Goose. PRD/MR.
16th - NE winds again today, mainly overcast but not cold. Seawatching 08.00 to 10.30hrs yielded 112 Gannets, 6 Pintail, 1 Brent Goose and 35 Commic Terns all headed N, while 1 of each Arctic Skua and Common Scoter also 7 Wigeon went S. PRD/MR/SC. The scrape provided views of 1 Little Stint, 1 Wood Sandpiper, 1 Ruff, 1 Blk T Godwit, 4 Dunlin, 12 Snipe, 4 Curlew, 18 Wigeon, 105 Teal and some 364 Greylag Geese. PRD/MR. Noted along the greensward bushes was a Redstart and at the lower end of the carpark was a Spotted Flycatcher. MR. An Arctic Skua was also seen to head S c16.30hrs. PRD.
17th - A cold start, overcast throughout with NE winds and some occasional light drizzle. A visit to the scrape early morning saw 1 Little Stint still there along with 1 Wood Sandpiper, 7 Blk T Godwits, 9 Snipe, a single Curlew, 26 Wigeon, 101 Teal and 296 Greylag Geese. Around the trees and bushes there were Blackcap, Chiffchaff and both Lesser and Common Whitethroats visible and a Redstart was in the toilet block area. A single Yellow Wagtail and 3 Wheatears were on the greensward. MR. A brief look off-shore this evening saw a single adult Gannet head N. JBS. A Wryneck was seen earlier today on site, a report of which, for reasons known only to the 2 observers (not Haven locals), was not put out until the evening.
18th - A bright day with NE through ENE winds. Viewed from the hide until at least mid afternoon were 2 juv Little Stints, 1 Wood Sandpiper, 2 ad male Ruff, 10+ Snipe and 10 Wigeon of note. Across the site were 2 Rock Pipits, 1+ Redstart, 5 Wheatears, a Buzzard sp. and among the trees and bushes, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, 1 Reed Warbler and a Chiffchaff. Off-shore c20 Commic Terns were seen. PRD. Late afternoon saw good numbers in the Tit flocks alongside those of both Greenfinch and Chaffinch around the sluice cottages and mounds. KA. 6+ Chiffchaff and 1 Grey Wagtail were noted for this evening. JBS. 2 Buzzard sp. were also reported in/off during the day.
19th - Dry and bright with NE to ENE winds. There is no doubt that a GLOSSY IBIS was the bird of today. Luckily seen from the ringing compound, as it flew over and towards the scrape, it was subsequently seen to land briefly on the scrape by a very surprised few in the hide. A new bird for the site and a brilliant Essex tick, the Glossy Ibis unfortunately picked up almost immediately and flew strongly NE out to sea. TP/GG/PRD/PNt/JK/AM/BS. Not quite the same league but other noted species for the scrape were 2 Little Stints, 1 Wood Sandpiper, 2+ Ruff, 20+ Snipe, 1 Blk T Godwit, 2 Curlew Sandpipers (briefly), 38 Wigeon and 380+ Greylag Geese. JK/AM/SC/PC/KA/IM/PL/GG/MR. A single Redstart was in the carpark bushes. MR. Further birds noted were 13 Yellow and 5 Grey Wagtails, 12+ Wheatears, a single Whinchat and 2 Rock Pipits. GG/PRD/IM.
20th - Dry and bright after a few rain spits early on, a light NW breeze became stronger changeable winds, that went NE round to E on a weekend of very high spring tides. Dawn to 07.20hrs on the scrape were 2 Little Stints, 1 Wood Sandpiper, 8+ Snipe, 1pr Gadwall and 30+ Wigeon. 11 Blk T Godwits, 1 Ruff and 1 Dunlin all dropped in. 2 Spotted Flycatchers and 10+ Blackcaps were located near the sluice cottages, 5 Yellow Wagtails and 2 Wheatears were noted. KA. Last seen on 9th Sept, the Bittern was today seen to fly left of the scrape area. A Hobby was viewed and a further Spotted Flycatcher was over the road. PL. Other birds across the site included very high numbers of House Martins over heading N, also 11 Cormorants mid-day on the island, 1 of each Marsh Harrier, Grey Wagtail, Redstart and Chiffchaff while Wheatears increased to 6+ of which one was taken out by a Sparrowhawk! KA/MR/IM/GG/PRD. Seawatching provided 9 Gannets, 1 Arctic Tern, 1 Sandwich Tern, 11 Commics all headed N and an adult fem Eider that sat just off-shore. GG/PRD/KA.
21st - Dry and very warm with winds SW through WSW. Morning visits to the hide yielded 2 Little Stints, 1 Ruff, 7 Blk T Godwits, 10+ Snipe, 5 Curlew, 1 Dunlin, 22 of each Wigeon and Teal with Greylag Geese at 340+. 2 Stonechats and 2 Whinchats were seen near the scrape and a Hobby was again viewable. PRD/MR/IM. Off the sluice area just prior to mid-day, a Guillemot was located c30 yards out, swimming strongly SW. 5 Brent Geese flew S, a juv Oystercatcher was noted and a Grey Wagtail was on the seawall. Also seen were 3+ Corn Buntings, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Common and 1 Lesser Whitethroats and a Great Spotted Woodpecker. PRD. Afternoon visitors saw the Bittern flying from the reeds in front of the hide, as once again it headed far left of the scrape to the meadow's reed beds. Other additions were a Sparrowhawk, Curlew were up to 7, while site counts for Wheatears and Whinchat were at 6+ and 5+ respectively. MR/IM/PB.
22nd - Another mild, dry day with SW winds that strengthened throughout. The site had coverage from 07.30hrs into early evening. The scrape still held the 2juv Little Stints and a single Ruff alongside 1 Blk T Godwit, 6 Snipe, 15 Curlew, 7 Wigeon, 20+ Teal, 110 Lapwings, 2 Stock Doves, 1 Brent Goose and 312 Greylag Geese. A Green Sandpiper went over S. A Common Buzzard was seen high to the W, whilst 1juv Hobby, a 2yr male Marsh Harrier and a juv Sparrowhawk were in the scrape area. Trees, bushes, fences and greensward provided of note 2 Blackcaps, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Whinchat, 3 Wheatears and 2 Yellow Wagtails (inc 1 Blue-headed). MR/JBS/GE/SM. A morning seawatch gave 2 Bar T Godwits, 3 Knot, 1 Ruff, 1juv Med Gull, 4juv Arctic Terns and 35 Common Terns all headed S. Also going S over site and sea were 360 House Martins, 270 Swallows, c350 Meadow Pipits and 1 Grey Wagtail. GE/SM. A fem Merlin came in/off over the seawall, as did a further Hobby. JBS/MR.
23rd - Light W winds, warm and dry. Viewed across the scrape this morning were the 2juv Little Stints, a single Ruff, 17 Blk T Godwits, 18 Wigeon, 30 Teal and 312 Greylag Geese. 17 Curlew flew from the scrape to the grazing marsh and 1 Stonechat was noted. Both a Barn Owl and a Sparrowhawk were seen on site today as were 4 Wheatears and 3 Chiffchaff. MR. An evening visit to the hide saw no sign of the 2 Little Stints and no visible extras for that area, however there was good movement in the trees and bushes with Chiffchaff being prominent. JBS. Reported for the site was one S E Owl in over the fields. Leon.
24th - Mild, bright and light NW winds. From the hide this morning, the numbers on the scrape were 1 Ruff, 6 Blk T Godwits, 10 Snipe and 223 Greylag Geese. 3 Common Buzzards flew across and over the scrape, these appeared from the left as if they had come in from the coast-line. A Sparrowhawk was also noted. Movement around the trees, bushes and brook areas was again evident with counts of 19+ Chiffchaff, 10+ Blackcaps, 1+ Spotted Flycatcher (track near memorials), 1 Common and 2 Lesser Whitethroats and 1 Kingfisher. Also 1 Yellow Wagtail. A later visit provided c10 Wheatears from the turret area towards the golf course. JBS/MR. The Bittern was noted on the board for today.
25th - A very mild day, bright with fairly clear skies and W to WSW light winds. Notes on the board for earlier today, included 1 Ruff, 7 Blk T Godwits, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Barn Owl and 1 Redstart. Visits to the hide late afternoon and into early evening, provided additions of 1 Dunlin and 8+ Snipe while 140+ Lapwings were viewed in the field beyond. Blk T Godwits had reduced to only 2. From the hide to the golf course were 20+ Curlew with nothing else of note barring a single Wheatear back at the first turret. 1 Chiffchaff was by the service road and a reasonable sized L-T Tit flock was moving around the areas of the toilet block and the bushes behind the pay machine. JBS/KA.
26th - Hot and bright with light winds of variable direction SSE through W. Coverage across the site was from early this morning until evening. 3 Grey Wagtails, 9 Sky Larks and 20+ Goldfinch flew over and a Redstart was seen briefly in the vicinity beyond the mounds. The scrape began with 1 Ruff (Reeve), 1 Dunlin, 12 Blk T Godwits and 8 Snipe with views also of a Kingfisher as it flew up the centre reed bed. Later in the day, the Bittern made another appearance as it flew across the back of the scrape, 28+ Curlew were additional and 368 Greylag Geese were counted. A single Wheatear and 2 Chiffchaff were also noted. PRD/GG/PNt/KA/SC/JK/MR/JBS/IM.
27th - Weather much as yesterday but slightly stronger winds turning WNW to SSW. Little variety on the scrape as at early afternoon with only 1 Ruff, 1 Dunlin, 4 Blk T Godwits, 11+ Snipe and 9+ Wigeon. A Yellow Wagtail flew from the scrape and a single Grey Wagtail went over. An Arctic Tern was seen on the sluice before it headed S. KA. The field walk to the golf course and back along the seawall provided views of a 2yr male Marsh Harrier, 12 Curlew, 5+ Yellow Wagtails, 2+ Wheatears and 2 Oystercatchers. A Sparrowhawk was seen across the carpark area and reports of 1 Stonechat, 1 Little Owl and a fly-over Green Sandpiper were also noted. KA/GG/JBS/GS.
28th - Overcast to start and much cooler with wind direction mainly NW. A Wryneck was indeed a brilliant find by Mick Rodwell this morning. Showing well to begin with in the bush area 50yds north of the toilet block, the bird became more mobile but was still in the area 09.45hrs. A Cetti's Warbler was seen and heard in the toilet block bushes. MR/PRD/KA/SC/PC. Flyovers of note were 4 Siskins (1+3). PBr/PRD. Afternoon views of the scrape were similar to yesterday with 1 Ruff, 1 Dunlin, 4 Blk T Godwits, 10+ Snipe and 1 Curlew. Other counts included those of 172 Lapwings, 16 Wigeon, 44 Teal, 4 Canada and 22 Greylag Geese. Off-shore, 8 Gannets headed N while a Commic Tern went S. MR. No further sightings of the Wryneck were reported for later in the day.
29th - Again cool and overcast to start, becoming brighter but still some cloud with light W winds. Unfortunately the scrape is very low on water levels at present - a request has already gone in for the pump to be restarted. Very little to be seen this morning from the hide, with only 1 of each Ruff and Dunlin, 2 Blk T Godwits, 8 Snipe, 4 Wigeon and 34 Teal. 294 Greylags came in after a while. Trees and bushes held nothing of note, the greensward however provided 1 Wheatear and 15+ Meadow Pipits among the Pied Wagtails. MR. A Grey Wagtail was also noted. SC. A 1hr seawatch during the afternoon yielded 1 Great Northern Diver and 17 Gannets heading N, whilst flying S were just 2 Brent Geese. MR.
30th - The month ended with a mainly overcast day, light WNW winds and a few rain spits that came to nothing. The more or less dry scrape, not surprisingly, had little to see on it again today, with singles of Dunlin and Ruff, 10+ Snipe, 5 Blk T Godwits, 4 Wigeon and 32 Teal being the morning counts. MR. Several Blackcaps were noted in the trees/bushes. MJ. Seawatching this afternoon 14.45 to 17.15hrs, gave numbers of 80+ Common Scoter, 1000+ Brent Geese and 6 Wigeon all heading S. MR. (Good movements S of Brents & C.Scoter were also noted higher up the coastline). By late afternoon into early evening, numbers of Blk T Godwits on the scrape were up at 7, some 20+ Chiffchaffs were noted between the sluice cottages and memorials and 2 Hobbys were showing very well as they quartered this same tree and bush area. MR/JBS/KA.
