Thurs 28th. Feb

A big change in the weather this morning but much the same bird wise.

The day started off well for me with a Bearded Tit heard in the boardwalk reed bed, and after a short wait a female dropped out of the reeds onto the decking to pick up seeds.
Along the front 2 Oystercatcher were heading south and another was on the sloice rocks.

From the hide :- c100 Teal, c70 Wigeon, 12 Shelduck, 2 Shoveler, 2 Gadwall, c60 Lapwing, 12 Curlew, 4 Blk. T Godwits, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Reed Bunting, 1 Buzzard.

On the walk back a single Adder was seen on the mounds along with the first Grass Snake of the year.  DW/TS/MR


At the end of February the total number of species recorded on the site so far this year stands at 109.

Wed 27th. Feb

From the hide 15:00-15:45 :- Wigeon & Teal, 18 Shelduck, 19 Blk. T Godwits, c75 Stock Doves, Lg. flock of Curlew, 1 Peregrine, 1 Buzzard, 1 Marsh Harrier + a pair of Stonechat on the mounds. John Hall.

At the same time a Coal Tit was again in the churchyard at Gt. Holland. Matt Lonsdale. 
I hope it’s still there in the morning.

Tues 26th. Feb


It sounds like there were a lot of Adders about today but no other reports so far.

Mon 25th. Feb


Reported this morning by Ted Sewell, a Barn Owl was in the first owl box from the hide and a single Coal Tit was again in the church yard at Gt. Holland

Sun 24th. Feb

Ian Minton added two new birds to the site year list this morning when he located a Chiffchaff* & a pair of Coal Tits* in the church yard at Gt. Holland.

Sat 23. Feb

From the hide this morning :- 14 Canada Geese, c200 Teal, c100 Wigeon, 18 Shelduck, 7 Gadwall, 3 Shoveler, c100 Lapwing, 18 Golden Plover (over), 14 Blk. T Godwits, 6 Dunlin, 3 Curlew, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Buzzard. IM/MM/MR. A Bearded Tit was again heard but not seen from the hide IM/MM. 

Around the site a Firecrest found by Pete Loud just before 10:00 showed on and off throughout the day, also noted were 3+ Goldcrests, 3 Stonechat, 2 Cetti's Warblers (both seen 1 behind the sluice, 1 at the Dipping pond) & the flock of 40+ Curlew.

Fri 22nd. Feb

Very foggy at the Haven today or at least when I arrived around lunch time.

John Hall had reported good views of a Cetti's Warbler from the lay-by on the B1032 but no sign of the Barn Owl, most likely because when he joined Ted Sewell in the hide it was showing well in the first owl box. Also noted were a few Wigeon & Teal, 16 Blk. T Godwits, 14 Shelduck, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Oystercatchers and a large flock of Lapwing.

My brief visit in the fog was rewarded with views of a Water Vole (first of the year) swimming across the brook below the raised platform.

Washing Robin

Thurs 21st. Feb

No reports so far today

Wed 20th. Feb

A walk along the front to the 3rd turret with Ian & Dave gave views of 2 Rock Pipit, 1 Purple Sandpiper, 2 Oystercatcher, and 3 Stonechat + offshore 9 Brent were heading north & 3 Cormorants south.

From the hide :- 14 Canada Geese, c200 Teal, c100 Wigeon, 26 Shelduck, 4 Shoveler, c100 Lapwing, 10 Blk T Godwit. IM/DW/MR 

On the return to the car park the first Adder of the year was located on the mounds (see "Haven Wildlife" page)

Tues 19th.Feb

First thing from the chippings lay-by 2 Barn Owls were sitting on posts quite close to each other, hopefully thinking of making use of the owl box along the hedge. M

Around 09:30 Pete Davis located a pair of Tufted Ducks* on the scrape below the raised platform and was soon joined by a few of us looking for a year tick. A Cetti's Warbler was also heard along the brook. PRD/TS/DW/MR/ML

From the hide :- 1 Mute Swan, 14 Canada Geese, c300 Teal, c100 Wigeon, 19 Shelduck, 6 Shoveler, 1 Grey Heron, 100 Lapwing, 35 Curlew, 3 Snipe, 2 Blk. T Godwits, 3 Buzzard, 2 Kestrel. Whilst at the hide a Bearded Tit was heard but not seen. PRD/ML/MR 

The 2 Tufted Duck were still in the same pool until 11:00 at least. IM

Mon 18th. Feb

At 10:00 this morning Matt Lonsdale had a Firecrest in the ringing compound.

A later ringing session netted just 1 Goldcrest ringed + 2 Blue Tits, 1 Gt. Tit. re-trapped. A single Redwing was drinking from a puddle in the lane. Pete Newton

Sun 17th.Feb

Pete Loud had a lengthy walk this morning down to the raised tee, crossing the golf course on the bridleway, along the back hedge before recrossing on the footpath and heading back to the hide sadly the only notable thing on the walk was watching a pair of Peregrine interacting over the arable before heading out toward Frinton.

From the hide this morning :- 1 Mute Swan, 48 Greylag, 17 Canada Geese, c300 Teal, c200 Wigeon, 21 Shelduck, 16 Shoveler, c300 Lapwing, c50 Curlew, 3 Blk. T Godwits, 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Buzzard. PL/MR/ML

Around 11:00 Ian Minton located a Firecrest* with 3 Goldcrest in the bushes behind the memorials, and a few minutes later the Firecrest was relocated in bushes along the brook by ML.

Sat 16th. Feb

First stop today was the chippings lay-by and within a short while 5 observers were watching a single Barn Owl sat on a post over toward the bungalows, also noted were c30 Greylags and lots of corvids out on the marsh
.
Moving on to the hide our numbers increased to 7 and it was becoming quite a social event. 
The chatter stopped abruptly when someone called 2 Bearded Tits moving through the reeds just outside the hide, but sadly within seconds they were lost to view.
From the hide :-  1 Mute Swan, 17 Canada Geese, 2 Greylags, c500 Teal, c200 Wigeon, 23 Shelduck, 8 Gadwall, c500 Lapwing, 25 Curlew, 8 Blk. T Godwits, 1 Oystercatcher, 3 Cormorants, c100 Stock Doves,1 Kestrel, 3 Buzzard, 3 Reed Bunting.  PL/MR/IM/JH/TS/ML/MM

.
On a walk to the Frinton end of the site we were joined by Emyr but the search for the elusive Beardies was again fruitless, just a few Mippits & Reed Buntings, 2 Stonechat and a Rock Pipit were added to the day list. + on the return to the car park a Goldcrest was seen over the 5 bar gate PL/MM/ML

Mid-afternoon the Beardies had met their match when a Female was ringed by Simon & Pat Cox

Late afternoon 2 Barn Owls were again reported from the chippings lay-by. PBr 

Fri 15th.Feb

A stop off at the chippings lay-by gave views of 1 Barn Owl, 2 Grey Heron, 6 Reed Buntings, 2 Chaffinch, 1 Kestrel. No sign of any grey geese. MR

From the hide :- 1 Mute Swan, 17 Canada Geese, 4 Greylags, c400 Teal, c300 Wigeon (200 were sitting on the sea on the way in), 17 Shelduck, 10 Shoveler, 6 Gadwall, 3 Cormorants, 1 Grey Heron, c500 Lapwing (on arable), 10 Blk. T Godwits, c40 Blk. H Gulls, 5 Com. Gulls, 52 Curlew (on the marsh to right of hide), 1 Peregrine (on arable), 1 Buzzard, 2 Kestrels PRD/MR

A walk to the Frinton end looking for the Bearded Tits drew a blank but an increasing number of Reed Bunting were noted along with a few Meadow Pipits and 4 Stonechat.

Around 12:30 Emyr Jones had a single Bearded Tit in the reedbed between the wooden hide and the boardwalk along with a male Stonechat (got to be in the right place at the right time Emyr).

An extensive attempt to relocate the Beardies this afternoon was again unsuccessfully PNt/LW

Thurs 14th. Feb

Photo courtesy Ted Sewell©

A walk in from the Frinton end of the site paid dividends for Ted Sewell this morning when he located 2 Bearded Tits on the boardwalk.

My morning started at the chippings lay-by where 2 Barn Owls were out quartering the marsh and along the hedge behind the set-aside were 1 Corn Bunting, 2 Reed Bunting, 2 Chaffinch and a Kestrel.









On the main site I had my first Butterfly of the year, a Peacock on the mounds. Unfortunately my walk to the boardwalk didn't relocate the Beardies but did add 4 Stonechat, 12 Meadow Pipit & 3 Reed Buntings

Wed 13th.Feb

Nothing of note was the order of the day today. A walk around the car park bushes and down to the boardwalk was all very quiet, and the scrape was almost the same as yesterday.

Pete Davis had a wander over the road and through the approach road wood and found it much the same.

No sign of the White-fronts today, although  c100 Greylag and 12 Canada Geese were on the marsh west of the B1032 mid afternoon as were 2 Barn Owls.

Tues.12th.Feb

Sunshine and a little warmth in the air makes everyone happy, Chaffinch, Goldfinch and Dunnock were all singing around the car park bushes this morning, and a Goldcrest was in the Tit flock.

From the hide :- 1 Mute Swan, 13 Canada Geese, c500 Teal, c200 Wigeon, 20 Shelduck, 9 Shoveler, 4 Gadwall, 9 Cormorant, 7 Blk. T Godwits, c500 Lapwing (on the arable), 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel. DW/CB/MR/SC/PC

The 30 White-fronted Geese were seen to fly in from Frinton and drop into the marsh behind the sewage works SC/PC. These geese were later seen on the scrape below the raised platform with 3 Greylags and 38 Curlew were on the marsh north of the approach Rd. DW/MR.

Spot The Greylag

Late afternoon the 30 White-fronts were flying around and the Barn Owl was again quartering the marsh west of the B1032 MR

11 Shoveler, 8 Blk.T Godwits & 3 Mute Swans (2 adults -1 Imm) were on the scrape, 2 Purple Sandpipers were on the same rocks as of late + the Barn Owl was still on show along with 3 Corn Buntings from the chippings lay-by PNt.

Mon 11th. Feb

The day started very chilly but soon warmed up and with little wind it was a good day for a walk. 
Around 30 White-fronted Geese dropped into the marsh below the raised platform around 09:30 DW/PRD
From the hide :- A few Greylag (around the marsh), 4 Canada Geese, c400 Teal, c300 Wigeon, 11 Shelduck, 4 Gadwall, 3 Shoveler, 1 Pintail (Drake), 8 Cormorants, 3 Grey Heron, 2 Buzzard, 1 Sparrowhawk, c80 Stock Doves + c500 Lapwing (on the arable). DW/JH/TS/PRD/MR

Mid afternoon a Barn Owl was quartering the marsh towards Fleetwood Ave. seen from the chippings lay-by, a Stonechat was in the moth sanctuary and 2 Purple Sandpipers were on first rocks north of the sluice MR.

Sun 10th. Feb

Pete Loud

Viewed from the Hide this morning :- 17 Canada’s, 4 Gadwall, 2 Shoveler, 2 Pintail*, 400+Teal, 300+Wigeon, 21 Shelduck,1 Dunlin,1 Snipe, 7 Blackwits, 35 Curlew, 500+Lapwing, 50 Golden Plover, 120 Stock Dove, 2 Buzzard, 1 Peregrine & 2 Reed Bunting.

Sat 9th.Feb

All very much the same today, the wind was still blowing a gale all morning, at least 25 White-fronts were with Greylags on the marsh west of the B1032 and just for a bit of a change c20 Canada Geese were at the back of the scrape.

A short seawatch added 5 Gannet (n), 3 R T Diver (s) and 50+ Cormorants offshore. ML/MM/IM/MR

Fri 8th.Feb

Matt Lonsdale

A seawatch from 09:45-11:30 gave 5 Gannet (n), 20+ Knot*, 2 Brent (s), 3 R T Divers & c100 Cormorants offshore.

Some of the White-fronted Geese were seen mid morning on the marsh west of the B1032 towards Gt.Holland Common Rd. with Greylags (no count made) MR.

Thurs 7th. Feb

The very strong wind made it feel quite chilly out this morning, but the arable between the lay-by and the hide must have given some shelter as mid morning 750+ Lapwing, c900 Starling and 12 Skylark were feeding there.
On the scrape Shelduck were up to 12, 4 Shoveler, 2 Gadwall + 2 Buzzard were chasing each other around whilst just 8 White-fronts dropped in to the back of the scrape. TS/CB/MR

A slightly later report from Matt Turner gave that there were still at least 19 White-fronts on site and just before 16.00 a G N Diver headed north.  

Wed 6th. Feb

A lovely morning to be out and about for a change, no sign of the main goose flock first thing from the chippings lay-by just a single Canada Goose all on his own.

Much the same from the hide this morning with c100 Wigeon, c100 Teal, 8 Shoveler (4 Drakes, 4 Ducks), 4 Shelduck, 2 Gadwall, 11 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 4 Blk. T Godwits,2 Curlew, c350 Lapwing (on the arable), 2 Buzzard, 1 Marsh Harrier. it looked a bit like spring on the back hedge with 2 Song Thrush, 2 Reed Bunting, 2 Gt.Tits & 1 each of Greenfinch and Chaffinch. PRD/DW/TS/JH/MR.

A stop in the chippings lay-by on the way back from Clacton showed the Barn Owl once again on a post over toward Fleetwood Ave and from the next lay-by c80 Greylags on one side of the field and 30 White-fronted Geese on the other + one Greylag MR

   

Tues 5th. Feb

Had a late start today 12.00-15.00.

A look from the chippings lay-by on the way in gave a Barn Owl quartering the marsh toward Fleetwood Ave.

The car park bushes held most of the residents but nothing unusual but while at the raised platform a grey goose flock dropped into the scrape below the cottages which included c80 Greylag & 29 White-fronts, this group moved between this area and the marshes on the west side of the B1032 a couple of times during my stay.

From the hide :- c100 Teal, 80 Wigeon, (around the marsh prob. loads more), 8 Shoveler (5 ducks - 3 drakes), 3 Shelduck, 2 Gadwall (a pair), 13 Curlew (over), 7 Blk. T Godwits, 1 Buzzard, 1 Grey Heron.

A look over the arable from the lay-by facing the hide gave c400 Lapwing, 1 Golden Plover, lots of Starlings & 2 Skylark.

Sun 3rd. Feb

Quiet offshore with a few Cormorant flying around, 2 R T Diver & c200 Wigeon sitting on the sea.

No sign of any White-fronts this morning but only 4 Greylags anywhere around. From the hide c100 Wigeon, c200 Teal, 4 Shelduck, 4 Shoveler, 2 Gadwall, 25 Curlew, 1 Blk. T Godwit, 1 Snipe, on the arable were c200 Lapwing & 40+ Golden Plover.

A Red Fox was at the back of the scrape for a while keeping everything on their toes.

A stop in the chippings lay-by on the way home looking for the geese gave views of a Barn Owl sitting on a post towards Fleetwood Ave. 

Sat 2nd. Feb

A seawatch from 08.30 - 10.00 for Matt & Max gave c200 Cormorants and 20+ R T Divers milling about and fishing offshore + 5 Gt. C Grebe (S), 1 Com. Scoter (N).

Picture Matt Lonsdale

Sadly I arrived at the hide seconds too late to year tick the Barn Owl that had been quartering the marsh at the back of the scrape but it was soon evident that the White-front numbers had increased overnight to c29 these birds were not in with the main Greylag flock of which only around 100 were seen. Wigeon and Teal were in small groups all over the marsh + 4 Shelduck, c100 Lapwing, 100+ Golden Plover, 23 Curlew, 4 Blk T Godwits, 1 Lt. Egret (over), 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel were also noted ML/MM/MR

Fri 1st. Feb

A very chilly and damp start to the new month but not much change on site, the 9 White-fronts were with the Greylags on the winter wheat field just north of the chippings lay-by first thing, the high point of the morning was a Fulmar* heading S for Matt Lonsdale otherwise R T Diver and Cormorants fishing offshore were about it.