Sun 31st March 19

Water Pipits were the birds of the morning on the scrape with probably 7 in total with 2-5 showing well on the back edge in good light.

From the hide :- 2 Canada Geese, 1 Brent, 34 Shelduck, c40 Teal, 10 Wigeon, 2 Shoveler, 2 Gadwall, 12 Lapwing, 10 Avocet, 7 BlkWit's, 6 Redshank, 2 Oystercatcher, 94 Blk. Headed Gulls, 22 Herring Gull, 6 GBBG, 2 Common Gull, 1 LBBG, 1 Peregrine. ML/MM/MR

 On the way home 2 Turnstone were on the seawall near the sluice. MR

An afternoon visit to the hide by Matt Turner gave views of at least 4 of the Water Pipits and the Jack Snipe, not located in the morning session. Later in his visit 6 Snipe were flushed from the scrape area and the first Swallow* of the year was seen from the raised platform.

A short seawatch by Matt Lonsdale added 4 Gannet, 2 Curlew, (N), 3 Com. Scoter (S) and 3 R T Divers.


At the end of March the total number of species recorded on the site so far this year stands at 127

Sat 30th March 19

My morning started off over the road where I was greeted by my first singing Blackcap which when located turned out to be a pair, it always seems that spring has started when the Blackcaps are singing, in the same area were 2 Chiffchaff's & a Cetti's Warbler.

I joined Pete, John, Matt & Max in the hide and viewed the 2 LRP's they had reported earlier, unfortunately the Water Rail also reported didn't reappear.

From the hide :- 2 Canada Geese, c 60 Teal, 38 Shelduck, 20 Wigeon, 10 Shoveler, 2 Gadwall, 20+ Lapwing, 14 Avocet, 7 BlkWit's, 7 Redshank, 2 Snipe, 1 Dunlin (first thing only), 1 Buzzard, 1 Red Fox. No sign of the Jack Snipe at this time. Another Blackcap was singing in the area between the sluice and the wind pump.

The walk to the boardwalk and back added a good number of Reed Bunting in and out of the reedbeds and the continual sound of singing Skylark's

On the return 2 Stonechat were around the mounds area and several Chiffchaff were around the bushes.

A ringing session along the back hedge was very successful with 2 Bearded Tits and 2 Cetti's Warblers ringed (details to follow on the Ringing page) 

Fri 29th March 19

Headed for the hide this morning to see how many of yesterdays birds remained, 50% of the top four were still present in the form of the Jack Snipe & the Water Pipits. The Pipits were a bit elusive again today showing for a few minutes on the far bank or dropping onto the Tern raft before disappearing into the cover of the marsh.

From the hide :- 2 Canada Geese, c30 Wigeon, c30 Teal, 23 Shelduck, 7 Shoveler, 2 Gadwall, 20 Lapwing, 10 Avocet, 9 BlkWit's, 6 Redshank, 6 Curlew, 2 Snipe, 1 Jack Snipe, 1 Common Gull 2 LBB Gulls, Herring & Blk H Gulls, 1 Grey Heron (juv), 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Buzzard, 2 Water Pipits, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 4 Linnets, 4 Reed Bunting, 1 Chiffchaff. JH/DW/MR/Mo & Dave.

3 R T Divers feeding close offshore were a good watch for a few minutes on the flat calm sea

A few butterflies were out again mostly Peacocks with a couple of Small Tortoiseshells and 1 Brimstone (my first at the haven this year).

3+ Chiffchaff, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Goldfinch, 1 Wren were reported in the memorials area JH

Late afternoon a few Goldcrests were around the entrance to the sewage works MM.

Thurs 28th March 19

A couple of Chiffchaffs were heard on the way into the site and the male Stonechat was on the mounds.
A stop at the sluice to look out to sea added several R T Divers sitting on the sea and a few Cormorants flying around, further out a large flock of gulls were following a trawler and amongst them was a adult Gannet plunge diving a sight not often seen at the Haven.

On reaching the hide it was soon evident that we had another bird for the year list when a Lt. Ringed Plover* was noted on the front of the island, while putting a message out there was a lot of noise and commotion and on the right hand side of the scrape a Fox was paddling up to it's knees in water watched by a semi-circle of bird keeping a safe distance.

A bit later a Water Pipit was seen briefly on the Tern raft before being lost to view, this bird showed on and off for most of the day. 
A good day became a lot better 30 mins. later when a stunning drake Garganey* was found amongst  the Teal. What a morning !!! how could you better that?, by the addition of a Jack Snipe an hour later, when at one time Garganey, LRP and Jack Snipe were all in the same view, unreal. DW/PNt/MR am. PRD/LH/MT/MM/PL/ML/TS pm.

From the hide :- 6 Canada Geese 3 Greylag, c40 Teal, c25 Wigeon, 25 Shelduck, 7 Shoveler, 1 Garganey, 60+ Curlew, 14 Avocet, 12 BlkWit's, 12 Lapwing, 6 Snipe, 4 Redshank, 2 Ruff, 1 LRP, 1 Jack Snipe, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Water Pipit.

Late afternoon  a Short-eared Owl over the marsh to the right of the hide MM/MT.
and 6 Goldcrests and at least 1 Firecrest were in the memorials area MM/ML/MT.

Wed 27th March 19

The car park bushes were quite busy this morning with at least 3 Chiffchaff's, 1 Goldcrest and plenty of Chaffinch but the surprise of the morning was a Woodcock* flushed from the area just below the cars at the top of the carpark. On the way to the hide a further Chiffchaff was near the boating club and a Stonechat was between the TDC compound and the mounds.

From the hide :- 15 Greylag, 2 Canada Geese, a few Wigeon & Teal, 23 Shelduck, 10 Shoveler, 15 Avocet, 12 BlkWit's, 12 Lapwing, 4 Redshank, 1 Snipe, 4 Linnet, 3 Reed Bunting, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Buzzards, 2 Sparrowhawks. DW/JH/MR

Mid afternoon a Short-eared Owl was Quartering the marsh to the right of the hide. MR 

Late afternoon Matt Lonsdale had a Firecrest, 4 Goldcrest, 2 Chiffchaff in the car park bushes and 2 Gadwall on the brook.

Tues 26th March 19

On the walk down to the hide this morning a few minutes checking the brook hedge paid dividends, after Blue Tit, Gt. Tit, L.T.Tit and several Robins a male Blackcap* showed briefly before disappearing into the only bush with leaves on.

From the hide :- 2 Greylag, 2 Canada Geese, 41 Teal, 21 Shelduck, 15 Wigeon, 7 Shoveler,  14 Lapwing, 8 BlkWit's, 4 Avocet, 1 Ruff, 1 Knot, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 3 Reed Bunting, 1 Buzzard.

On the wildlife front a Small Tortoiseshell and Small White Butterflies were both the first of the year (See Wildlife Page).

Pete Davis

Water Pipit not quite annual at the Haven with all records in spring. Y'day's 4 was the largest number recorded together (2 records of 3 birds before) and were the earliest by nearly 2 weeks (7th April 2002)

Mon 25th March 19

On my way into the site this morning 3 Buzzards were high over the marsh west of the chippings lay-by and a Cetti's Warbler was calling along the brook near the hump backed bridge, the bushes over the road were quiet.

Heading for the hide I met up with Ted Sewell and we spent a few minutes watching a single Adder on the mounds, a female Stonechat was in the same area.

Shortly after arriving at the hide a Ruff* was noticed with 3 Redshank at the back of the scrape, this being the first this year we were happy to watch it for a while but when it passed a group of Pied Wagtails on the bank one was not a Wagtail but a Water Pipit*, we moved our attention to the mud at the back and found a total of 5 Water Pipits. Within minutes everything was flushed from the scrape by a Sparrowhawk which landed on the back edge only 10 m from where the Pipits had been. The Wagtails soon returned but it was a good 30 mins before the Pipits were relocated back in the same area and at least 3 were still showing late afternoon.

From the hide :- Ducks all much the same as of late, 15 Avocet, 12 BlkWit's, 10 Lapwing, 4 Redshank, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Ruff, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Buzzard, 1 Reed Bunting, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 5 Water Pipits.

Sun 24th March 19

Not much to report today, first thing Matt Lonsdale had Grey Wagtail in off the sea that dropped into the sewage works.
The most unusual sighting of the day had to be for Ian Minton and Pete Loud who had a Pied Crow fly over the approach road heading towards Gt. Holland.
Otherwise 1 Firecrest over the road and a couple of Chiffchaff and a few Chaffinch around the carpark bushes was about it.

Sat 23rd March 19

Pete Loud and Matt Lonsdale made an early start today with Pete having a Firecrest in the carpark bushes and a Chiffchaff in the Brook hedge between the sluice and the hide. Matt had a Firecrest along the approach road + 4 Chiffchaff, 10 Redwing, 1 Fieldfare around the bushes and another Firecrest near the 5 bar gate also noted were c100 Chaffinch (over).

From the Hide :- 4 Canada Geese, 32 Shelduck, 8 Shoveler, 2 Gadwall, Teal & Wigeon, 20+ Lapwing, 10 Avocet, 7 BlkWit's, 4 Curlew, 4 Redshank, 1 Snipe, 1 Cetti's Warbler + a pair of Bearded Tits in the reeds in front of the hide  PL/IM/TS/JH/ML/MM/MR

Pete Loud

A walk to the northern boundary produced plenty of R T Divers feeding offshore some really close in, a further Bearded Tit was heard at the start of the golf course and a male Wheatear was on the seawall near the 3rd turret & 2 Oystercatcher were on the rocks.

On the return we were alerted by Ian Minton to a Goosander* sitting on the sea close offshore from the wooden hide and as we hurried back a cracking female flew north past us at very close range. 
On the return to the carpark 3 Wheatear were on the mounds and 5 Siskin* flew over the ringing compound. At this time the carpark bushes held 3 Firecrest, 1 Goldcrest & 4 Chiffchaff.

Also noted on the mounds was 1 Adder and 2 Common Lizards (first of the year).

An afternoon sea-watch from the shelter gave 100+ R T Diver, 3 Gt. Skuas, 1 Shag (adult on the sea), 1 Common Scoter (drake), 2 G C Grebe, 40+ Gannets (adults), 9 Brent.


Later in the afternoon Matt Lonsdale found a Black Redstart* in the farm paddocks and 2 Coal Tits were again in the church yard.  

Fri 22nd March 19


Late start for me this morning so I decided to head straight for the hide, met up with Dave Welham on route and as we paused to look for the Stonechat around the mounds Pete Davis had a Hen Harrier* (adult male) from the hide steps, unfortunately by the time us oldie's got round the corner the bird had been lost to view .


From the hide :- 6 Canada Geese, 2 Greylag, Teal & Wigeon c50 of each, 20+ Shelduck, 6 Shoveler, 2 Gadwall, 26 Avocet, 18 Lapwing, 15+ Snipe, 7 Redshank, 5 BlkWits, 4 Oystercatcher, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Common Gull with Blk.-headed & Herring Gulls, 1 Buzzard,   1 Kestrel PRD/DW/MR

Around lunchtime George Brown had a Yellow-legged Gull on the scrape until 14:30 at least

Photo Max Martin©

Late afternoon Max Martin had a Peregrine over the track up to the farm,

Thurs 21st March 19

On the way into the site this morning 3 Chiffchaff were noted (1 over the road 2 along the approach road). The car park bushes were quiet and on the way to the hide the pair of Stonechat were still in the area between the pylon and the mounds.

From the hide :- 4 Greylag, 6 Canada Geese, 34 Shelduck,10 Shoveler, 2 Gadwall, + Teal & Wigeon (no count), 26 Lapwing, 12 Avocet, 5 Redshank, 4 Oystercatcher, 3 Blk. T Godwit, 3 Curlew (over), 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Reed Bunting, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Buzzard, 1 Sparrowhawk, the walk back via the wooden hide failed to turn up any Wheatears. 

Wed 20th March 19

Ted Sewell was out early this morning and had a Barn Owl on a fence post on the marsh below the sewage works entrance followed some time later by 2 Wheatear(fem.) and 4 Reed Bunting near the wooden hide.

Pete Davis walked in along the front from the mini-roundabout and had a single Wheatear (male) on the greensward between the sailing club and the LPA pylon followed by 2 more males around the wooden hide.

I had a Chiffchaff over the road and then headed to the hide on route a pair of Stonechat were noted between the Pylon and the mounds and a single Brent Goose was swimming close inshore before hauling out onto the rocks in front of the boating club.

From the hide :- 2 Mute Swans, 4 Canada Geese, 1 Greylag, c60 Wigeon, c 40 Teal, 30 Shelduck, 6 Shoveler, 52 Curlew (to right of hide), 30 Lapwing, 24 Avocet (25 late pm), 5 Redshank, 5 Blk T Godwits, 1 Buzzard, 1 Cetti's Warbler (seen for a split second for once) + a Bearded Tit was heard a couple of times but not seen.

Late afternoon Matt Lonsdale had 7 Wheatear near the boardwalk and a Chiffchaff near the raised platform.

Photo Matt Lonsdale©

Tues 19 March 19

This morning I started off around the car-park bushes and turned up nothing new just good numbers of residents, 3 Adders were on the mounds as were a pair of Stonechat and a Chiffchaff was heard but not seen in the hedge between the sluice and the wind-pump. At this time Liz Huxley was walking in from the Frinton end of site and had 20 Sanderling on the rocks along the seawall, a very good count for the Haven.

From the hide :- 2 Canada Geese, c80 Wigeon, c60 Teal, 33 Shelduck, 12 Shoveler, 2 Gadwall, 17 Lapwing, 10 Avocet, 12 Curlew, 3 BlkWit’s, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Redshank, 2 Buzzard, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel. 

The high point of the day for me was, while counting the Curlew to the right of the hide I picked up a Wheatear (first for year for me) and after putting out a message went back for a better look to find 5 in a line, shortly to increase to total of 7 another good count.
On her way back to Frinton Liz had a single Bearded Tit at the southern end of the golf course and on his way to the hide Pete Davis had a second Chiffchaff in the sewage works hedge.

Late afternoon Matt Lonsdale had a Short-eared Owl* over the marsh to the right of the hide, also noted was a 3rd. Chiffchaff and a singing Corn Bunting

Mon 18th March 19

A walk around the approach road bushes was uneventful first thing, two Buzzards were displaying to one another high over the marsh to the west of the B1032 and the resident birds were busying themselves in the much improved weather.

While I was in the approach road Pete Davis, Pete Newton & Ted Sewell were in the hide watching 2 Bearded Tits and a Kingfisher* from the hide. 
I joined Pete,Pete & Ted in the hide to find that 3 Redshank were still present and the Avocet had increased to 24.

From the hide :- 2 Mute Swan, 5 Canada Geese, 5 Greylag, c60 Wigeon, c40 Teal, 47 Shelduck, 12 Shoveler, 2 Gadwall, c30 Lapwing, 24 Avocet, 4 BlkWits, 3 Redshank, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Pied Wagtails, (1 White Wagtail) in with the Blk-headed & Herring Gulls were 5 LBB's & 2 Common Gulls. PD/PNt/TS/MR

2 Pitsea ringed Herring Gulls were also noted on site "U0RT" & "G1MT".

On the return from the hide a Chiffchaff was in the hedge along the brook between the sluice and the wind-pump TS/MR

Sun 17th March 19

A walk to the hide first thing with Max Martin proved to be a good move with a site year tick in the form of 2 Redshank* at the back of the scrape and within seconds a further 5 appeared from behind the island, also noted at this time were 17 Avocet.



Three of the Avo's were colour ringed. One of the ringed birds being GB/GY ringed on the scrape as a pullus in July 2013 by Simon Cox .

From the hide :- 2 Canada Geese, 4 Greylags, c80 Wigeon, c30 Teal, 41 Shelduck, 6 Shoveler, 4 Gadwall, 20 Lapwing, 17 Avocet, 7 Redshank, 2 Oystercatcher, 2 Curlew, 1 BlkWit, 1 Reed Bunting, 1 Sparrowhawk.


A 70 min sea-watch by John Hall gave just 5 Brent, 2 Cormorants, 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Fulmar, 1 Small Wader sp.& on the way back to the car a Gt. Spotted Woodpecker in the Dell.


Around 11:15 Paul Braishaw reported the first Wheatear* of the year on the arable beside the bridleway (Long Lane) between the golf course and the farm. 
Unfortunately this bird couldn't be relocated at mid-day but 150+ Linnets and 25 Stock Doves were in the same field ML/MM

Sat 16th March 19

Unfortunately for me I joined Matt Lonsdale on his sea-watch just after he had a Gt.N Diver lift off the sea and head south, prior to that he had 1 Fulmar, 3 Brent and 2 Shelduck, lots of Cormorants and a few R T Divers.
In the next 30mins we added 1 Fulmar, 3 Gannet (2-N 1-S), 3 Dunlin, 2 Golden Plover (S), 20+ R T Diver, and loads more Cormorants.

Well it is spring after all

From the hide :-  6 Greylag, 2 Canada Geese, c100 Wigeon, c20 Teal, 34 Shelduck, 4 Gadwall, 2 Shoveler, 30 Lapwing, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Cetti's Warbler but no sign of the Avo's or the BlkWits ML/MR

Fri 15th March 19

A few encouraging signs this morning, firstly the wind had eased a bit + on the scrape were 17 Avocet.

From the hide :- 4 Canada Geese, c100 Wigeon, 43 Shelduck, 21 Teal, 13 Shoveler, 4 Gadwall, 3 Cormorant, 30 Lapwing, 17 Avocet, 3+ Blk. T Godwit, 2 Oystercatcher + in with the Blk.-headed & Herring Gulls were 5 LBB Gulls, 1 Buzzard, 1 Barn Owl (sitting in back hedge) and a Cetti's Warbler was calling in front of the hide PRD/S&PC/JH/MR

Thurs 14th March 19

Sun 10th March 19

Since my last post we have all been saddened by the tragic news of the fire that has destroyed the Fair Isle Bird Observatory. Our thoughts are with David and Susannah, their girls and all the Islanders at this devastating time.


Thurs 14th March 19

Not much difference around the site this week still blowing a gale so the bushes were a waste of time, a couple of sea-watches produced 80+ R T Diver, 15+ Gannet and a super Grey Wagtail for Matt Lonsdale on Sunday afternoon and 9 R T Diver, 5 Cormorants, 5 GBB Gulls, 1 Common Gull for Pete Newton on Monday afternoon a male Sparrowhawk and an Adder near the ringing compound were also noted at this time.

Today from the hide :- 2 Canada Geese, c100 Wigeon, c30 Teal, 30 Shelduck, 4 Shoveler, 4 Gadwall, 3 Cormorants, c50 Lapwing, c20 Curlew, 2 Avocet.

Adder numbers have been increasing of late with 4+ around the mounds this morning

Photo Matt Turner©

   

Sun 10th March 19

Very windy !! out there this morning with some rough seas, a short seawatch from the shelter with Pete Loud gave us some superb flying displays by the Gulls offshore but otherwise just a few R T Diver and Cormorant was about it.

The walk to the hide was challenging especially around the sluice area and once there it was moving about so much it was a job to keep your bins steady. Around 120 Herring Gulls were sitting head to wind with c 30 Blk. H Gulls & 2 cracking Med Gulls, 2 Canada Geese, 22 Shelduck, 5 Gadwall, + a small number of Teal & Wigeon, no sign of any Avo's, BlkWit's, or Shoveler.
Several hundred Gulls were roosting around the pools below the raised platform along with a few Curlew.

Sat 9th. March 19

Much the same around the site this morning with the wind picking up to a near gale by mid-day .

A windswept afternoon visit by Pete Loud gave 22 Shoveler on the pools below the raised platform & 35+ Curlew about the marsh. 
From the hide :-  c70 Wigeon, c40 Teal, 35 Shelduck, 5 Gadwall, 10 Blk.T Godwits, 1 Oystercatcher, + 1 Buzzard being harried by a Peregrine.

A single Goldcrest was also noted in the car park bushes.

Fri 8th March 19

A lot less wind and some sunshine made for a much better morning walk.
Things got better still when we reached the hide, with the first two Avocet* of the year on the scrape (a day earlier than last year). After about an hour of counting the regulars Pete Davis picked up a near adult Caspian Gull* that dropped in and stayed for around 15 mins. before flying out south. 

From the hide :- 5 Greylag, 2 Canada Geese, 32 Shelduck, 12 Shoveler, 5 Gadwall, 40+ Lapwing, 9 Blk. T Godwits, 2 Avocet, 1 Dunlin, 1 Caspian Gull, 2 Common Gull. PRD/TS/JH/MR


On the mounds a male and female Adder were taking the sun (see video on "Haven Wildlife" page) 

Thurs 7th. March 19



Very windy on site this morning, but a little sun and shelter from the mounds had 2 Adders showing on the way to the hide.

From the hide :- 7 Greylag, 2 Canada Geese, 31 Shelduck, c120 Wigeon, c50 Teal, 12 Shoveler, 6 Gadwall, 50 Lapwings, 8 Curlew, 5 Blk. T Godwits, 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Buzzard, TS/CB/MR + 1 Dunlin TS/CB.

A short sea-watch on the return gave 3 R T Divers sitting on the very rough sea. MR.

Wed 6th. March

A sea watch from 12:00 - 13:00 produced 1 Gt. N Diver, 1 Red T Diver, 1 Diver spp., 2 Cormorants, 2 Carrion Crows, 2 Gt. B B Gulls, 11 Common Gulls for Pete Newton.

Mon 4th. March 19


No reports received so far today

Sun 3rd. March 19

A seawatch this morning 08:00 - 10:15 gave 35 Gannet (just 1 juv.), 8 R T Divers, 6 R B Mergansers, 2 Fulmar, 2 Wigeon, 5 Brent, 6 Dunlin, and a very nice surprise was a female Merlin just out to sea heading south carrying it’s breakfast. IM/PL

From the hide :- 14 Canada Geese, 2 Greylag, c80 Wigeon, c50 Teal, 23 Shelduck, 6 Shoveler, 4 Gadwall, 40+ Lapwing, 20+ Curlew, 9 Blk. T. Godwits, 2 Oystercatcher. PL/MR


Also in with the Teal was this strange looking individual 

Sat 2nd. March 

A seawatch from 08:00 - 09:30 gave views of 40 Gannet (all adults), 4 Gt. C Grebe, 10 R T Diver, 50+ Brent, a few Cormorants, 1 Fulmar, 3 Turnstone, 2 Dunlin. MM/ML/PL/IM.

 Photo Max Martin©

From the hide :- c80 Teal, c60 Wigeon, 20 Shelduck, 9 Shoveler, 4 Gadwall, 60 Lapwing, 20 Curlew, 5 Blk. T Godwits, 2 Snipe, 1 3cy Yellow L Gull* + 1 adult Y. L. Gull had been seen on the scrape below the raised platform earlier. MM/ML/TS/IM/PL/MR

On the return from the hide 3 Turnstone & a Purple Sandpiper were on the sluice TS/MR

2 Corn Bunting were reported on telegraph wires in the memorials area at 16:00 JH.

A single Barn Owl was over the marsh to the west of the chippings lay-by late afternoon MR

Fri 1st. March


The start of a new month but still quiet around the site.


From the hide :- c100 Wigeon, c100 Teal, 26 Shelduck, 5 Gadwall, 4 Shoveler, 52 Lapwing, 18 Curlew, 9 Blk. T. Godwits, 2 Dunlin, 1 Med. Gull, 1 Buzzard, 1 Sparrowhawk. PRD/JH/DW/TS/MR.


The scrape below the raised platform held a large mixed flock of gulls + a further 7 Shoveler and on the brook a Water Rail was seen briefly while watching 2 Water Voles swimming in and out of the reed fringe. MR