Fri 31st May 19

All the resident birds were busy this morning with lots of fledged young needing feeding, also a lot of Butterflies first thing before the sun went in. The female Stonechat was behind the sluice and 8+ Swallow were hawking the brook. A quick visit to the hide showed things were much the same, still 8 ducklings with 30 Shelduck and Avocets were up to 18..
A walk to the 2nd pillbox added a few Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Reed Bunting & Linnets.

Max Martin located a Spotted Flycatcher in the orchard area just before 11:00  and although it showed on and off it was unusually elusive but in the end everyone got a good view.

Photo Max Martin©

At the end of May the total number of species recorded on the site so far this year stands at 162.

Wed 29th May 19



Ian Minton 

First thing at the farm :- At least 3 young Coal Tits in churchyard trees. 
2 Yellow Wagtails on path that leads to the golf course from paddocks behind the farm pond.


John Hall

PM visit to hide produced 40+ Shelduck + 8 ducklings, 9 Avocet, 2 Oystercatchers, 3 Redshank, 2 Gadwall, 5 Cormorants, 4 Lapwings, a small number of Gulls, Large Swallow count with a few House Martins mixed in, 1 Reed Bunting, 2 Pied Wagtails. 16.00 finish.


Thu 30th May 19

This super Hobby was hunting over the marsh west of the chippings lay-by this morning, photographed just off-site but a great watch for a few minutes.

From the hide :- 38 Shelduck (ducklings not seen today), 2 Gadwall, 2 Shoveler, 18 Avocet, 7 Lapwing (4 + 3), 1 Redshank, 3 Cormorant, 1 Buzzard, 8 Swallows, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Reed Bunting. 


Pete Davis

Imm. drake Eider on sea off golf course drifting toward Sluice at 1600.

Tues 28th May 19

Just one bird of note from the site this morning,  a Spotted Flycatcher at the dipping pond, other wise much the same.

From the hide :- 41 Shelduck (33 + 8), 2 Shoveler, 2 Gadwall, 18 Avocet, 6 Redshank, 8 Lapwing (6 + 2), 1 Cormorant, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Buzzard, 1 Marsh Harrier, 8 Swallow, 2 Swift. IM/TS/DW/MR 

  

Mon 27th May 19

Much the same around the site this morning with Cetti's Warblers calling at the dipping pond, raised platform and behind the sluice, Chiffchaffs singing on the approach road and the orchard and the pair of Stonechat between the sluice and the wind pump.

From the hide :- 44 Shelduck (36 + 8 ducklings), 4 Gadwall, 9 Avocet (1st nesting pair this year with 1 egg), 6 Redshank, 7 Lapwing (4 + 3), 2 Common Sandpipers, 1 Ringed Plover, 2 Grey Heron, 2 Cormorant, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Buzzard, 1 Cuckoo, 3 Swift, 4 Swallow, 1 Sand Martin. PRD/PL/DW/MR.

Sun 26th May 19

I walked the site with Pete Loud and Matt Lonsdale this morning, but between us we couldn't turn up anything special, lots of the resident birds carrying food. The pair of Stonechat were on the bushes along side the brook behind the sluice again today.

From the Hide :- 42 Shelduck (34 + 8 ducklings), 4 Gadwall, 10 Avocet, 8 Lapwing (4 + 4 Chicks), 6 Redshank, 4 Com. Sandpipers, 1 Dunlin, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Buzzard.

The walk to the 3rd pillbox added a few Reed Bunting, Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler & Mippits.

A few Butterflies were seen incl. Red Admiral, Green Hairstreak & Brown Argus + 2 Hairy Dragonflies (see Haven Wildlife page).


    

Sat 25th May 19

Pete Loud

Fairly quiet on the bird front, 7 Avocet, 2 Common Sand, 1 Blackwit, 1 Little Egret, 1 Peregrine, 2 Shoveler, several Lapwing chicks & a brood of Shelduck. Lots of Butterflies including Red Admiral & Small Copper plus 1 Hairy Dragonfly and a Black-tailed Skimmer.

Photo Pete Loud©

Matt Lonsdale

Scrape this evening :- 4 Common Sands, 7 Avocet, a pair of Shoveler and Gadwall, Dunlin and few Redshank.

Fri 24th May 19

Spent the morning at the Naze for some very brief views of the Subalpine Warbler and the afternoon at the shops.

Just one report received so far.

John Hall

PM visit to scrape proved to be very disappointing. Whilst Shelduck numbers were in the high 30’s , everything else was poor 5 Avocets, 4 Redshanks (2 mating), no small waders, no Blackwits, a handful of Lapwings, 1 Shoveler, 1 Gadwall. I hope some of you got to see Darrell’s Subalpine a step too far for me but yet another great find for him.

Wed 22nd May 19

A quick visit to the hide this morning where I joined Pete Davis to view a good selection of waders on the scrape.

From the hide :- 29 Shelduck, 8 Avocet, 6 Dunlin, 6 Lapwing, 5 BlkWit's, 2 Wood Sandpipers, 2 Common Sandpipers, 1 Oystercatcher. PRD/JH/MR.


Thurs 23rd May 19

Matt Turner

Mid morning Matt reported that just 1 of the Wood Sandpipers was still on the scrape, also noted were a Hybrid Goose in with the Canada's and a Yellow Wagtail. 

Photo Matt Turner©

Photo Matt Turner©

An afternoon visit by myself added.

From the hide :- 6 Canada Geese (+ 1 Hybrid), 38 Shelduck, 2 Gadwall, 6 Dunlin, 6 Lapwing, 5 Redshank, 5 Avocet, 1 Wood Sandpiper, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Reed Bunting, 6 Swallow. 

A short walk to the second pillbox added 4 Reed Warbler, 2 Sedge Warbler, 4 Linnet. A summer plumage Turnstone was on the sluice rocks, a Cetti's Warbler behind the sluice and several Whitethroats around the mounds.

It was also a good afternoon for butterflies etc. see Haven Wildlife 

Tues 21st May 19

Another good start for Pete Davis this morning with the first Wood Sandpiper* of the year and only the second record of Barnacle Goose on the scrape first thing. also noted at this time were 1 Dunlin & 1 Ringed Plover + all the usual. PRD/TS/DW/MR

Photos Ted Sewell©

An afternoon visit to the hide produced 1 Mute Swan, 2 Canada Geese, 31 Shelduck, 1 Gadwall, 10 Lapwing (+ the first chicks from the scrape area this year with 3 singles and a group of 4 noted), 8 Redshank, 6 Avocet, 5 Dunlin, 2 Wood Sandpipers, 2 Oystercatcher, 2 Grey Plover. SC/MM/MR

Mon 20th May 19

Another great morning for Pete Davis, after Saturday's White Stork a Black Kite* reported just before 10:00 over the strood Mersea Island was seen at the Haven from the raised platform at 11:53. The bird was in the area for the next 40 mins last seen at distance by Clive Atkins from the chippings lay-by.
Darrel Stile reported the Black Kite between Thorpe-le-Soken & Weeley drifting SW @ 13:35.


An afternoon visit by John Hall

From the hide :- 25 Shelduck, 5 Redshank, 7 Avocet, 1 Oystercatcher, pair Gadwall + 1 Drake, 1 Dunlin, C 50 Gulls Herring & BH, 1 LBB, 2 Cormorants, 1 Lapwing, 1 Buzzard, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Grey Heron (heard), Reed  & Sedge Warblers, No sign of Common Sands or Greenshank up to 16.10

Sun 19th May 19

Very still and overcast this morning but no sign of yesterday's Spotted Flycatcher along the approach road.

Ian Minton was about early and viewed from the hide from 07.40 to 08.40 were  9 Avocet, 6 Redshank, 18 Shelduck, 4 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Grey Heron, 2 Swift and single Yellow Wagtail, Gadwall and Shoveler.

Pete Loud was also about early and from the farm had 1 Greenland Wheatear,1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Swift, Cuckoo & Mistle Thrush.

Pete Loud, Matt Lonsdale and myself covered most of the site between us on the way to the hide but nothing special was found. 
The group of juvenile Starlings around the Dell is growing in number and a newly fledged Robin was near the entrance to the sewage works, lots of birds are carrying food so all looking good there.The male & female Stonechat were both on the bushes between the sluice and the hide showing no sign of urgency, so perhaps our hopes that they were breeding were premature.

From the hide :- 2 Canada Geese, 25 Shelduck, 2 Gadwall, 1 Shoveler (drake), 9 Avocet, 6 Redshank, 4 Lapwing, 2 BlkWit's, 1 Turnstone, 2 Cormorant, 3 Lt. Egret,  2 Grey Heron, 2 Swift, Swallow, House & Sand Martin. PL/ML/MR/PRD

Around 11:00 Pete Loud had a Yellow Wagtail drop into the back of the scrape and once located on the ground it was seen to be a Grey-headed Wagtail, after a few minutes of showing well it moved behind the island and a short while later a similar bird was seen to fly from that area to the arable between the scrape and the B1032. The bird had not been relocated by 14:00.

Sat 18th May 19

Paul Braishaw

06:38 Insomniac trip down the scrape along the sea wall.  Usual residents incl 2 cuckoo.  Yellow Wagtail (on golf course), 4 Brent north offshore and 10 Avocet, 1 Greenshank, 1 Common Sand, Shoveler and Gadwall on the scrape. 
Other wildlife :- Fox on golf course plus 3 hare. Another 4 hare around scrape plus a Muntjac.


Ian Minton

A trip to the farm from 07.45 to 08.45 produced 2 Corn Bunting, 2 Yellow Wagtail, a flyover Avocet and 5 young Greenfinch being fed by both adults.


Max Martin

08:07 On the set aside: 2 Swift, 5+ Swallow,  2 Oystercatchers,  2 Shelduck, 1 Cuckoo, (finally!) 2 Canada Geese, 1 Coot, 2 Com. Whitethroat,1 Less Whitethroat, 7 Lapwing, 3 Redshank.
08:23 Spotted Flycatcher* along the approach road!

Photo Max Martin©

Photo Max Martin©

Pete Davis

12:04 White Stork* (new for the Haven) over Gt Holland Church heading south west!!!


Simon Cox

Mid afternoon :- Shoveler 1 (drake), Shelduck 36, Mallard 10+ 3 ducklings, Lapwing 4+, Ringed Plover 1, Grey Plover 2, Com. Sandpiper 1, Redshank 6, Greenshank 1, Avocet 7, Common Gull 1 (1st S), Pied Wag 6 (5 juvs).


Matt Lonsdale

17:00 Common Sand and Greenshank still on the scrape. Earlier Spotted Flycatcher still on approach road also flyover Hobby

Fri 17th May 19

A cloudy morning with a brisk wind made the bushes hard work, so the hide seemed the best bet.

From the hide :- 2 Canada Geese, 16 Shelduck, 2 Gadwall, 8 Redshank, 6 Avocet, 4 Lapwing, 3 Com. Sandpipers, 1 BlkWit, 1 Greenshank, 2 Cormorant, 2 Grey Heron, 8+ Swift, + Swallows, House & Sand Martins. PRD/TS/JH/MR.

A short seawatch added 1 Gannet (S) & 5 Turnstone, 2 Sandwich Tern (N).

The male Stonechat was again beside the TDC compound.

Thurs 16th May 19

Another very quiet day, nothing of any great note around the bushes. All the same as yesterday.

From the hide :- 1 Canada Goose, 9 Shelduck, 2 Gadwall, 6 Avocet, 6 Redshank, 1 Greenshank, 1 Com. Sandpiper + a good sized mixed gull flock later in the morning.

A walk to the 3rd pillbox with PRD added Reed Warbler, Reed Bunting, Skylark & Mippits + a couple of Sandwich Terns offshore on the way back.

Wed 15th May 19

A nice day for a walk is about all you can say on the birding front, everything is settled in and doing more food carrying than singing at the moment. 
Time is moving on though, the Terrapins have reappeared in the dipping pond with only one thing on their minds and my first Dragonfly & Damselfly of the Haven year were seen today (see Haven Wildlife Page).

The male Stonechat was in the area between the TDC compound and the mounds, lots of Whitethroat, few juv Pied Wags and some Linnets were on the mounds and a Cetti's Warbler was along the brook.

From the hide :- 2 Canada Geese, 18 Shelduck, 2 Avocet, 2 Redshank, 1 Greenshank, 1 Oystercatcher, 2 Cormorants, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Sedge Warbler. 4 Swallows.
A walk to the 2nd pillbox added 3+ Reed Warbler, 2 Sedge Warbler + Skylark, Meadow Pipit & Reed Buntings.

Tues 14th May 19

Not on site today and just one report from Dave Whelham of 2 Grey Plover on the scrape around mid-day.

Mon 13th May 19

The walk through the site today showed all much the same as of late with all the returned migrants settled in and 4+ Cetti's Warblers (Over the Road, Dipping Pond, Raised Platform, Behind the sluice) holding territories. Also noted were a couple of juv. Blackbirds and a juv Robin in the orchard area. 
The male Stonechat was in the mounds area and on the way down to the hide 3 Mute Swans flew over heading inland and 4 Swallows were hawking the brook.

A Green Hairstreak butterfly was seen in the bushes just outside the hide.

From the hide:- 27 Shelduck, 8 Lapwing, 4 Redshank, 2 BlkWits, 1 Avocet, 1 Com. Sandpiper, 1 Greenshank, 1 Lt. Egret, 3 Cormorant, 1 Cuckoo, 2 Reed Warbler, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Kestrel, 1 Buzzard + Reed Bunting, Linnet. .JH/DW/TS/MT/MR

On leaving the hide at least 4 Green Hairstreaks were found in a small area between the hide and the gate.

Sun 12th May 19

A much better day weather wise today but very quiet on the birding front. We were kept waiting for 5 months to get yesterday's first Coot of the year, today there were 2 on the brook between the humpbacked bridge and the metal gate, also noted over the road were 6 Shelduck, 8 Lapwing, 6 Stock Dove, 3 Reed Warbler, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Cuckoo, Whitethroat, Less. Whitethroat, Linnet & 3 Swallows hawking under the bridge.

Many Thanks to Leon Woodrow for a very quick response after a message went out saying that the hide had been left in a bit of a mess overnight, by the time I arrived all was shipshape again.

Very little to see on the scrape 9 Shelduck, 1 Lt. Egret, 1 Cormorant, 5 Redshank and a few Gulls was about it.

Sat 11th May 19


Lots of birders on site this morning, with Matt & Pete Loud doing a Haven Day List so reports may not be in order but we will see how it goes.

Paul Braishaw

Paul picked up a site year tick as he came onto the site from the Frinton end just before 07:00 in the form of 7 Pomarine Skua* heading north offshore, then 17 Whimbrel & a Wheatear on the golf course. From the pillbox above the scrape he added a few Sandwich Tern offshore and 1 Lt. Egret, 15 Dunlin, 25 BlkWit's & 5 Avocet  on the scrape + a Hobby in off. On his return to Frinton he added another Sandwich Tern, a Golden Plover & Med Gull (adult) on the golf course & another Hobby in off.

18:00  Evening seawall ride - 11 Whimbrel on golf course, Sandwich and two Common Tern north


Pete Loud 

Pete was next to have a site year ticks with a Coot* on the brook over the road.


Matt Lonsdale

07:30 1 Cuckoo, 10 Blackwit, Jay and all resident migrants by memorials. Singing Goldcrest at the feeding station.

08:15  Stonechat on the mounds. Pillbox- Little Egret, Grey Heron, Avocet, 32 Blackwit, 15 Dunlin few Swallow and a Sand Martin.

16:30  Common Tern on sluice, Hobby over the road and Coot still on the brook, Hobby offshore. 2 Barwit, 1 Whimbrel, 40+ Blkwits, 2 Common Sandpiper, 11 Dunlin, Avocet and Little Egret around sluice. Usual suspects at farm inc a Coal Tit with fecal sack.

18:20  An Auk sp. that went north past the sluice at 18:06 just confirmed by Paul as a Razorbill.

18:45 Swift over memorials


Ian Minton

09:30 - 10:15  2 Yellow Wagtails flew into last paddock on right plus 2 Mistle Thrush behind pond, Corn Bunting heard. Med Gull (adult) in paddocks behind pond .

2 Swifts flying above the farm pond.


I am sure there will be other reports and day lists to add in the near future but for now I hope this makes some sort of sense

Matt Lonsdale

Finished on 84 at the haven today. 12 hours in the field and a drive through to see if I could get Barn Owl this evening. A haven record so not too bad but I know that 90 must be possible if we get some more actual grounded passerines. No willow warbler, Whaeater or Yellow Wag.

Fri 10th May 19

A 30 min look out to sea started my morning as it was still raining when I arrived. The sailing club shelter kept me dry but only provided 2 Oystercatcher heading south. A walk to the southern end of the golf course gave 1 Stonechat (male) on the mounds with several Whitethroat, 8 Whimbrel were on the Boating Club rocks (after a short while flew north).
A look over the scrape from the pillbox showed the 20+ Dunlin were still there as was 1 Greenshank. Continuing north 19 Whimbrel and 2 Oystercatcher were on the rock breakwater (most likely including the 8 seen earlier).

 

The reedbeds held 5+ Reed Warblers, 1+ Sedge Warbler, 6+ Reed Buntings plus Skylark, Linnet and Meadow pipits on the way back.

From the hide :- 4 Canada Geese, 12 Shelduck, 1 Teal (drake), 21 Dunlin, 6 Lapwing, 5 Redshank, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Greenshank, 3 Grey Heron, 1 Lt. Egret, 1 Reed Warbler. PRD/TS/JH/MR + 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Ringed Plover TS.

Along the brook between the hide and the sluice were 2 Moorhen (with 3 chicks), 1 Gadwall, 1 Cetti's Warbler and 3 Swallows. TS/MR.

A late visit by Peter Newton at 19:30 gave that 13 Black tailed Godwits on second scrape behind Sluice Cottages was the only thing of note.

Thurs 9th May 19

No new waders on the scrape this morning, in fact it looked decidedly empty with just 4 Canada Geese, 9 Shelduck, 9 Dunlin, 6 Lapwing, 4 Avocet, 3 Redshank, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Whimbrel (over), 1 BlkWit, and a few Gulls + 1 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Buzzard, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Sand Martin, 3 Swallows + a few Linnet & Reed Bunting.

A 30 min look out to sea added nothing; just a few gulls and a Cormorant on the sluice green triangle.

Around the site were Blackcaps,Common and Lesser Whitethroats, 3+ singing Chiffchaffs 3+ Cetti's Warbler, 5 Blk. T. Godwits (on the scrape below the raised platform).

18:00 23 Dunlin on the scrape, 1 Little Tern fishing off the sluice.

Wed 8th May 19

A morning of torrential rain made it a non-birding day for me, and the lack of any reports from elsewhere makes me think it was the same for most people. Better luck tomorrow.


As it happens a couple of people did venture out.


John Hall

Sea watch 1430 -  1530. Visibility good but little to see. 3 unresolved swans N, 2 Summer plumage Dunlin S, 1 Kes several Herring gulls, 1 LBB, 2 Black-headed, 1 Juv Gannet, 1 Common Gull, Pair Mallard, 1 Grey seal. That’s all folks.


Peter Newton

30 min. sea watch from 17.15 , 1 Adult Gannet.
18 Dunlin on the scrape 18:10

Tues 7th May 19

My morning started at the chippings lay-by, the view across the set-aside gave 2 Wheatear, 2 Yellow Wagtails, + several Linnet, Skylark, Lapwing and Shelduck. A walk from the humpback bridge to the metal gate added Lesser & Common Whitethroat, Blackcap, Reed Warbler (2), Swallow & Buzzard and on the return to the bridge my first Green Hairstreak Butterfly at the Haven this year (see Haven Wildlife page).
A walk through the site to the mounds added 3 Chiffchaff,1 Willow Warbler, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 male Stonechat.

Pete Davis had a Greenshank on the scrape at 12:30 + the Spotted Redshank & 5 Dunlin

A walk to the hide around 17:00 started well with a Fulmar passing close offshore at the Sluice heading north.
From the hide :- 37 Shelduck, 6 BlkWit's, 6 Dunlin, 5 Redshank, 4 Avocet, 2 Com. Sandpipers, 1 Spotted Redshank, 1 Greenshank, 1 Ringed Plover, 1 male Stonechat.
On the way back to the car a male and female Stonechat were on the mounds, not sure if there are just 2 or 3?

Mon 6th May 19

Pete Loud started today on the track from the humpback bridge and again had 2 Wheatears and a Fieldfare on the set-aside, 2 pairs of Tufted Duck on the brook and 2 Cuckoo's.

Ian Minton, Matt Lonsdale and myself worked our way through the site but things were very quiet, lots of birds carrying food so it looks like they may be busy. Quite a few Blackcaps and Less. Whitethroats singing + a couple of Chiffchaff's. A single summer plumage Dunlin was on the scrape below the raised platform. The mounds area held the male Stonechat along with several Whitethroats and a Cetti's Warbler, 4 Swallow, 3 House Martin were along the brook.

From the hide :- 2 Canada Geese, 16 Shelduck, 10 Teal, 2 Gadwall, 1 Shoveler, 6 Avocet, 6 Lapwing, 5 Dunlin (dropped in mid morning) 4 BlkWit's, 4 Redshank, 1 Spotted Redshank, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 6 House Martins, 1 Sand Martin, 2 Whimbrel, Blk-headed, Herring Gulls (2 colour ringed), 3 LBB, 2 GBB, 1 Med Gull, Sedge & Reed Warblers. PRD/PL/IM/TS/JH/ML/MR

A walk to the Frinton end of the site gave brilliant news, when sightings at the reed bed by Golf Course confirmed Bearded Tits breeding there when a male flew in carrying food, closely followed by the female exiting. PRD/PL/ML. Fingers crossed on that one, we will have to keep a close eye on that area for a little while.
On the walk back 2 Common Sandpipers were on the seawall rocks

Sun 5th May 19

An early start for Paul Braishaw, watching from the pillbox above the hide just before 08:00 gave a 2cy Med Gull on the beach, a single Fulmar north, a Hobby and a Peregrine In off the sea and on the scrape 3 Avocet and 5 BlkWit's.
On the return to Frinton 28 Whimbrel and a nice Greenland type male Wheatear were on golf course north of raised tee.

Around 09:00 Pete Loud had a walk down the track from the humpback bridge and had a Tufted Duck on the Brook and a Wheatear and Fieldfare on the set-aside the same as yesterday.
 A bit later in the morning he went to the hide with Matt Lonsdale and reported 2 Ruff, 1 Spotted Redshank, 3 Avocet, 5 BlkWit's, 12 Teal.

A short seawatch added 7 Gannet (N) and a few Sandwich Terns + a Wheatear on the seawall IM/PL/ML/MR

A wander around the site bushes showed that at least 2 Willow Warblers were on site, also 4+ Chiffchaff, 1 Goldcrest, lots of Blackcap and Whitethroat and a few extra Less. Whitethroat. ML/IM/MR. Just before 13:00 4 Swifts were seen with Swallows and House Martins over the dipping pond  IM.

A Little Tern was also noted during a visit to the cafe at lunch time. IM/PL.

An afternoon visit to the hide gave :- 2 Canada Geese, 16 Shelduck, 12 Teal, 6 Avocet, 5 BlkWit's, 4 Redshank, 1 Spotted Redshank, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Ruff.

Sat 4th May 19

First thing this morning Ian Minton and Max Martin had a wander along the brook from the humpback bridge to the metal gate and noted 1 Tufted Duck (drake) on the brook, 1 Lt. Egret (over) and 1 Fieldfare, 1 Wheatear on the set-aside.

A short while later I joined Pete Loud, Ian & Max in the hide to view the Egyptian Goose they had reported earlier.

Also from the hide :- 2 Canada geese, 2 Greylag, 16+ Shelduck, 10 Teal, 6 Lapwing, 4 BlkWit's, 4 Redshank, 3 Avocet, 2 Oystercatcher, 2 Com. Sandpipers, 1 Spotted Redshank, Blk-headed Gulls, Herring Gulls, 9 LBB, 4 Common, 2 GBB Gulls, 30+ Swallows, 3 House Martins, 1 Sedge, 1 Reed Warblers.

On leaving the hide 4 Sandwich Terns drifted overhead before turning and heading back out to sea.

A seawatch was started at the sluice before being aborted when the skies over Frinton turned extremely black, a hasty relocation to the sailing club shelter saw us settled in just before the heavens opened.
The seawatch was very slow with 20+ Com. Scoter heading south in one group, a Sparrowhawk drifted in from offshore and a couple of Sandwich Tern headed south, but the best bird was a stunning Hobby that came in off the sea very low and close to the shelter giving great views to all.
It was now my lunch time but Pete, Ian & Max continued the seawatch from the promenade cafe and added 1 Sandwich Tern, 1 close Fulmar and 5 adult Gannets with their "Burgers." 

Fri 3rd May 19

Not on site this morning as went to Abberton to see White-winged Black Terns.

A quick visit to the hide on the way home showed things hadn't changed a lot with 5 Avocet, 5 BlkWit's 4 Redshank, 1 Spotted Redshank, 1 Com. Sandpiper + the normal stuff. PL/MR

Thurs 2nd May 19

Max Martin walked down from the farm this morning and noted 2 Yellow Wagtails (1 at the farm flying inland - 1 north over the G C), and on the golf course 25+ Whimbrel, 2 Canada Geese and a single Cuckoo + 4 Sandwich Tern heading north offshore.

Shortly after Paul Braishaw had 2 Gt. White Egrets* (NFY) heading south past the sluice. at this time the scrape held of note 1 Spotted Redshank, 3 Dunlin and 2 Med Gulls flew over calling. also offshore were 6 Fulmar and 3 Close Gannets. On his return to Frinton the Golf Course held 28 Whimbrel, a male Wheatear and 8 Yellow Wagtails.

Just before 09:00 Pete Loud had a male Common Redstart* (NFY) on the hedge near the metal gate over the road and a male Wheatear and a Fieldfare on the set-aside also 2 pairs of Tufted Duck were on the brook.

I joined Pete Loud at the sluice and a 30 min. seawatch gave 1 Shelduck, 2 Oystercatcher, and 3 Sandwich Tern heading south, 20+ Gannet heading north and a steady stream of Swallows coming in off the sea.

Around 10:30 Colin Brett had a Bar-T-Godwit on the scrape.

A walk down to the raised platform by Pete and myself added a Willow Warbler in the sewage works hedge several Whitethroat and Less. Whitethroat a couple of chiff's and on the scrape below the raised platform 2 Ruff and 2 Redshank. Next was an unsuccessful attempt to relocate the Redstart but there were now 3 Wheatear on the set-aside and a Reed Warbler was singing along the brook.
Returning to the hide gave :- 18 Shelduck, 10 Teal, 6 BlkWit's, 4 Redshank, 3 Dunlin, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Spotted Redshank, 1 Com. Sandpiper, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Buzzard.

Early evening Peter Newton had 32 Whimbrel and 3 Wheatear on the golf course from the raised tee and a smaller group of 7 Whimbrel at the south end of the course + 4 House Martin.

Wed 1st May 19

The site day started early today with Paul Braishaw having 3 Whimbrel, 2 Greylag, 2 Canada geese and a single Brent on the golf course at 06:15 and a Little Tern* (NFY) close in from the raised tee, shortly afterward a Swift* (NFY)  came in off the sea.

An hour later Max Martin had 2 Barnacle Geese* (NFY) heading north close offshore

Pete Loud and myself had a walk through the site to the sluice this morning and found that Blackcaps and Whitethroats were well established in most areas now also noted were 4+ Chiffchaffs, 4+ Cetti's Warblers, 3+ Less. Whitethroats, 2 Cuckoo, 1 Yellow Wagtail (flyover), 2 Stonechat. 
The walk to the Frinton end added 58 Common Scoter (N), 2 Oystercatcher (on rock breakwater), 6+ Sandwich Tern (N), 4 (S), 1 Little Tern (N), 4 Cormorant (S), 2 Sand Martins, 6 Swallows,  34 Whimbrel (at the back of the GC), c12 Reed Bunting, 4 Reed Warbler, 5+ Sedge Warbler, 1 Bearded Tit, Meadow Pipits and Skylarks.
The return to the hide gave 2 Canada Geese, 20+ Shelduck, 9 Teal, 8 Lapwing, 5 BlkWit's, 5 Bar T Godwits, 4 Redshank, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Spotted Redshank and a superb summer plumage Grey Plover* (NFY).

Around 14:00 Ted Sewell reported that the Grey Plover was still on the scrape and that a Greenshank had also dropped in.

At 16:35 Max Martin had no sign of the Grey Plover but a Common Sandpiper was on the scrape and within minutes a Spoonbill dropped in. 

Back of camera shot Max Martin©

While Watching the Spoonbill a Red Fox was in front of the hide (see Haven Wildlife page)