Holland Haven Birding

HISTORY: For many years before the current band of regulars started visiting the site, "Holland Gap" was long regarded as a 'good place to see birds'. Although until relatively recent times, most potential visitors, local or otherwise, tended to be seduced into opting for a day at nearby Colne Point or Walton-on-the-Naze, both of which sites from reputation help greater promise of seeing a 'good bird'.  "Holland Gap" first came to national prominence, or infamy, depending on your viewpoint, during November 1975, with the disgraceful suppression of a Desert Warbler, which spent two days around rank vegetation growing along the seawall bordering Frinton Golf Course. (Gladly consigned to history, it is pleasing to report that not a single incidence of similar behaviour has been noted in the intervening years and that the "Haven regulars" make every effort to ensure news of a good bird is publicised without delay).     

BIRDING THE HAVEN: Good birds can and do turn up anywhere and Holland Haven is no different. This aside, most of the 'hot spots' which have held good birds in the past, can be accessed from the large pay and display car park located at the end of a short access road that is signposted from the B1032 immediately on leaving Holland-on-Sea.

A medium sized scrape, served by a large elevated 'container hide', can be found by walking approx 500 yards north east of the car park, via the sluice. The scrape can provide good birding "year round" although spring and autumn are best for scarce waders such as Temmincks Stint and Pectoral Sandpiper. There's also a chance of outstanding local rarities, such as Lesser Yellowlegs and Marsh Sandpiper, both of which have been recorded over the last 4 years.  Cattle Egret, Citrine Wagtail and Marbled Duck have also been seen here more recently. In earlier years, the scrape and immediate area, has hosted Pacific Golden Plover, Long Billed Dowitcher, Red Rumped Swallow, Red Footed Falcon, Bluethroat and Purple Heron.

The small wooded area adjacent to the access road and nearby tree and hedge lines extending to bushes at the north east corner of the car park, are well worth a look in spring and especially autumn. Early morning is best, especially in August when large numbers of holidaymakers, can in addition to the 'resident' dog walkers, be distracting.  Over the years, these areas have held Barred Warblers, Wrynecks, Yellow Browed, Icterine and Pallas Warblers, as well as commoner migrants such as Redstarts and Pied Fly.  In May 2006, a singing Iberian Chiffchaff spent one afternoon in willows and bushes along the access road!