Wed 31st July 19

Max Martin started the morning with a summer plumage Knot flying south past the sluice.

A Kingfisher was seen along the brook heading toward the sluice on route to the hide MR. and a Ringed Plover was on the beach PRD

From the hide :- 14 Avocet (+ 18 Young), 3+ Com. Sandpipers, 3 Wood Sandpipers, 5 Dunlin, 1 LRP, 1 Blk.T.Godwit, 1 Snipe, 9 Lapwing, 12 Cormorant, 1 Lt. Egret, 2 Teal, 1 Shelduck, 1 Kingfisher (bird from earlier), 1 Buzzard, 2 Kestrel PRD/BW/JH/MM/MR.

At the end of July the total number of species recorded on the site so far this year stands at 163.

Tue 30th July 19

A good morning on the scrape with two Wood Sandpipers dropping in and being given time to settle in by the Avocets, plus a Coot on the pond (another rarity in recent years).

From the hide :-  2 Wood Sands, 3+ Common Sands, 1 LRP, 1 Dunlin (juv), 15 Avocet (+18 young), 14 Lapwing, 2 Teal, 13 Cormorants, 3 Grey Heron, 1 Coot, 1 Med Gull (juv.). PRD/DW/CB/MR.

Mon 29th July 19

From the hide this morning :- 16 Avocet + 19 young, 4 Common Sandpipers, 1 LRP, 1 Dunlin (juv.), 11 Lapwing, 2 Com. Tern (over), 2 Bearded Tits, 8 Cormorants, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Lt. Egret, 5 Teal, 2 Marsh Harriers, 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel + 14 Whimbrel were again on the recently cut marsh. MM/MR.

Sun 28th July 19

Not quite as busy on the scrape this morning, the Little Stint was still around as were 5 Common Sandpipers, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Greenshank, 1 Redshank. 
Also from the hide :- 12 Avocet (+16 chicks), 9 Golden Plover (fly overs), 12 Oystercatcher (fly overs), c20 Lapwing (on arable), 8 Cormorant, 2 Greylag, 3 Teal, 1 Med Gull (juv.), 3 Kestrel, 2 Marsh Harrier, 1 Buzzard. PL/MM/MR

A walk to the 3rd pillbox added 1 Stonechat (male, moth sanc.), 14 Whimbrel & 1 Curlew (on cut field), 2 Oystercatcher (on rocks), 4 Turnstone (south) + a steady stream of Swift, Swallow, House & Sand Martin heading south along the front.
The first juv. Willow Warbler of the autumn was found in the Orchard area in with a flock of L.T.Tits, Blue Tits and a Goldcrest also noted were a few juv. Blackcaps and a family of Reed Warblers were at the Dipping Pond. PL/MM/MR.

Sat 27th July 19

Pete Loud

07:52 Earlier 1 Common Tern north & 1 Whimbrel south. On the scrape, 1 Little Stint, 1 Greenshank, 2 Common Sands, 1 juv LRP, 3 Teal and Little Egret so far.
08:28 Adult Little Stint still present and settled ,Avocets not bothered.
09:05 2 Green Sandpaper, 8 Redshank dropped in to be speedily dispatched by the Avocets.
09:15 2 Wood Sandpipers now dropped into Scrape, 2 Greens in drainage ditch over back.
09:28 Up to 4 Green Sands and 4 Common Sands just dropped in.
10:53 12 Whimbrel on the golf course,with a few Sand Martin & Swift moving through.

Max Martin

13:28 Little Stint still present on the scrape. 
15:19 2 Green Sands just dropped onto scrape.

Fri 25th July 19

Lots of birds around the mounds this morning with c30 Goldfinch, c30 Swallows, 8 Meadow Pipits, Whitethroat, Less. Whitethroat all noted. A flock of 6+ Linnet were on the track near the kissing gate and a Wheatear was on the pillbox.

From the hide :- 16 Avocet (+19 chicks), 3 Com. Sandpipers, 3 Lt. Ringed Plover, 4 Lapwing, 2 Redshank, 2 Oystercatcher, 8 Cormorant, 1 Lt. Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Marsh Harrier, 1 Kestrel, c20 Swallows, 3 Swift. PRD/MR. Also 3 Bearded Tits. PRD.

Lots of Butterflies & Dragonflies around today with Brown Hawker NFY see Haven Wildlife.

Thu 25th July 19

Max Martin

09:00 Kingfisher just flown off metal railing down by sluice heading down the brook towards scrape! + Wheatear still present.
09:02 Just flown back and gone under sluice, what a beauty.
09:07 Juv Yellow wag just flown over sluice towards scrape.

From the hide :- 11 Avocet + chicks, 2+ LRP's, 2 Com. Sandpipers, 2 Oystercatchers, 4 Lapwing, 2 Redshank, 1 Blk.T.Godwit, 1 Whimbrel, 3 Cormorant, 1 Lt. Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Kestrel, 1 Marsh Harrier. MM/MR/CB.

A walk to the second pillbox added 2 Curlew, 9 Whimbrel (on cut marsh), 6 Swallow, 2 Swift, 1 Wheatear (prob same bird as earlier). MM/MR

Wed 24th July 19

Not on site today but hopefully some reports will follow after the over night rain.

Tue 23rd July 19

A very short visit to the Haven today showed that the 3 LRP's were still on the scrape as was a single Common Sandpiper.
From the hide :- 13 Avocet + 18 chicks, 3 LRP's, 1 Com. Sandpiper, 4 Lapwing, 2 Redshank, 1 Oystercatcher, 4 Cormorant, 1 Lt. Egret, 3 Bearded Tits, 2 Reed Bunting, 1 Reed Warbler. MM/MR

On the way from the hide Max Martin located a Wheatear on the 1st. pillbox. MM/MR

A few minutes later Colin Brett had up to 8 Bearded Tits in front of the hide, hopefully this means the second brood have fledged successfully.

Sun 21st July 19

It looks like the pair of Bearded Tits may have a second brood as they have been making regular trips to the island with food.

From the hide :- 13 Avocet (plus c20 chicks), 3 LRP's (juvs.), 1 Blk.T Godwit, 6 Lapwing, 4 Redshank, 2 Oystercatcher, 10 Cormorants, 1 Lt. Egret, 2 Marsh Harriers, 1 Kestrel, 2 Bearded Tit, 3+ Yellow Wagtails (juvs), 2 Sand Martins, c20 Swallows, 2 Swifts.

Sat 20th July 19


Matt Lonsdale

08:54 Scrape this morning :- 2 Yellow Wags, 4 LRP's, 2 Common Sands, 1 Little Egret and Bearded Tits making regular feeding flights.


Pete Loud

11:48 A walk to the Golf Course and back along seawall, 8 Whimbrel (On recently cut Marsh), 2 Med Gull, (1st summer & Juvenile),1 Yellow Wag, 60 Swift south & 30+ House Martin.

Fri 19th July 19

Things were a little more interesting from the hide this morning with 5 LRP's and 2 Common Sandpipers on the scrape. The Sandpipers seemed to be getting some peace on Leon's marsh and for some reason the Avocets seemed very tolerant of the LRP's. 
The same couldn't be said for two groups of Blk.T.Godwits (4 and 2) that came into the scrape during the morning, both of which were seen off by the Avo's before getting their feet on the ground.
From the hide :-  15 Avocet (+ c20 chicks), 6 Blk.T.Godwit (over), 5 LRP's, 4 Lapwing, 3 Redshank, 2 Common Sandpipers, 2 Oystercatcher, 3 Cormorant, 1 Lt. Egret, 1 Buzzard, 2 Kestrel, 1 Bearded Tit, 6 Linnet, 3 Reed Bunting, 2 Reed Warbler, 2 Goldfinch, c20 Swallows.

Thu 18th July 19

The rarest thing on site this morning was the shower of rain, hopefully more to come in the next few days as the scrape could do with a freshen up.

From the hide :-  15 Avocet (+ 23 chicks), 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Oystercatcher (+ 2 chicks), 3 Redshank, 3 Curlew, 4 Lapwing, 4 Cormorant, 2 Grey Heron, 4 Reed Bunting, 2 Reed Warbler, + a few Linnet & Goldfinch.
C150 Swift headed south just after the rain in two main groups. PRD/MR. 1 Bearded Tit put in a brief appearance PRD.


Matt Lonsdale

Haven 19:55 - 20:45
Scrape :- 1 Common Sandpiper + usuals and singing Corn Bunting.
Flyover Yellow Wagtail and 300+ swifts all south. Amazing swift passage prob more I couldn’t keep up.

Wed 17th July 19

Very, Very quiet today, the only thing to watch out for was where the single Common Sandpiper would be chased from next. It was seen on several occasions always with an Avocet a metre behind it.
All the Avocet have now left the nests and the scrape is covered with chicks and very protective adults, one family have moved onto Leon's marsh an area we hoped may be a safe haven.

Tue 16th July 19

Just the one Little Ringed Plover this morning + 1 Bearded Tit (juv) and a Yellow Wagtail (juv).

From the hide today :- 13 Avocet + c20 chicks, 4 Lapwing, 3 Redshank, 2 Oystercatcher + 2 chicks, 1 LRP, 4 Cormorant, 1 Lt. Egret, 1 Buzzard, 2 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk, 5 Reed Bunting, 4 Reed Warblers, 1 Bearded Tit (juv), 1 Yellow Wagtail (juv), 1 Sand Martin, c20 Swallows. PRD/DW/BH/MR

During a ringing session in the reed bed first thing 3 Whimbrel were seen. S&PC

Mon 15th July 19

Very quiet again today, from the hide  just 2 LRP's (1 adult, 1 juv.), 1 Common Sandpiper, 13 Avocet (+ 20+ chicks), 4 Lapwing, 2 Redshank, 2 Oystercatcher (+ 2 chicks), 10 Cormorants, 1 Shelduck, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Lt. Egret, 2 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 1 Corn Bunting, 4 Reed Bunting, 3 Reed Warblers, c30 Swallows, 3 Sand Martin, 5 Swift. PRD/MR

  

A new family of Jays along the approach Rd. this morning.

Sorry about the quality but interesting content.

Sun 14th July 19   (What a great game of Cricket)


First thing this morning it was quiet on the scrape with 1 LRP (adult), 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Lt. Egrets, 2 Sand Martin, 1 House Martin and a few Swifts of note.
The Avocet have just one bird still sitting on eggs and 20+ chicks were counted, 2 Oystercatchers + 2 Chicks were on the island.
Things brightened up when 2+ Bearded Tits arrived, calling and flitting around the reed bed, 1 making a couple of flights to the reeds on the main island and back to the drainage ditch in front of the hide. 
The high point of the morning had to be a super bright Kingfisher that put in three appearances, firstly flying around the pond to the right of the hide, then spending some time in the ditch in front of the hide before landing on a mound on Leon's Marsh (the flooded area in front of the scrape). A juv. Yellow Wagtail was also seen briefly in this area. PL/SC/MR

On route to the hide Pete Loud had a Gt. Spotted Woodpecker at the feeding station and a single Whimbrel (heading north).

Sat 13th July 19

Pete Loud

Scrape today :- 1 LRP, 1 Common Sand, 1 Little Egret, 3 Bearded Tits, 2 Sand Martin, 1 House Martin and a few Swifts. (IM,PL).

From the cafe,13.30-14.45, 4 Common Tern, 1 Ad Med Gull, 1 Curlew.

Fri 12th July 19

On the walk down to the hide this morning the sewage works hedge gave views of Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Goldfinch and Wren + lots of Swallows hawking overhead, on the mounds were lots of young Swallows, Whitethroat, Pied Wagtail and the pair of Stonechat.

I joined Pete and John in the hide to find that 2 Greenshank were new in, with just 1 Common Sandpiper.

All bar 2 of the Avocet have now got young but it is impossible to get a good count of the chicks. With the water level perfect at the moment for autumn passage this means there are a lot of places they can hide up. The pair of Oystercatcher on the island have 2 chicks. 

Thu 11th July 19

Pete Davis

Gt. White Egret headed south west over scrape at 10:20 then appeared to land on small farm res on the other side of the B1032.


Matt Lonsdale


No migrant waders as far as I could see on scrape this evening. 1 Bearded Tit, 2 Grey Heron, singing Corn Bunting, Stonechat and 15 Avocet chicks the highlights.

Wed 10th July 19

A quick visit to the hide this morning found things almost the same with 2 LRP's joining 1 Common Sandpiper, Avocet at 11 adults, 2 Juvs & 14 chicks and a single Lt. Egret was new in.
Two Oystercatchers were on the island with 2 Chicks, not sure if this is the pair from the Tern raft or a second pair that have nested on the island.
Otherwise it's just local breeders with their young all over.

Tue 9th July 19

30+ Swallows around the mounds this morning with the fledglings emerging from the back of the sluice. The male Stonechat was again in the same area.

From the hide :- 11 Shelduck (3 + 8), 27 Avocet (13 + 2 Juvs. + 12+ chicks), 6 Redshank, 4 Lapwing, 2 Oystercatcher, 2 Common Sandpipers, 2 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Marsh Harrier, c60 Swift (over the arable) PRD/CB/MR. 
1 Bearded Tit (adult male) PRD

Mon 8th July 19

A short visit for me today but all seemed much the same, the Ruff, LRP's and Dunlin had been replaced by a Common Sandpiper and the single BlkWit was back. 

From the hide :- 11 Shelduck (3 + 8 duckling, which are now taking their first flights around the scrape), 27 Avocet (15 Adults, 2 Fledged juvs, 10+ chicks), 5 Redshank, 4 Lapwing 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Blk T Godwit, 4 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, Reed & Sedge Warbler, Linnet, Reed Bunting, Bearded Tit ( Heard only), Swallow & Swift all noted.

Sun 7th July 19

Lots of birds on the mounds this morning, some being feed by adults and lots now fending for themselves, + 1 Stonechat (male).

The 2 LRP's and the Ruff were still on the scrape along with a single Dunlin. Avocet chicks reached 14 and 2 fully fledged young from elsewhere were still being guarded by their parents. 1 of the juv Bearded Tits put in a brief appearance in front of the hide.

From the hide :- 10 Shelduck (2+8), 36 Avocet (20 + 2 + 14), 6 Redshank, 6 Lapwing, 3 Oystercatcher, 2 LRP's, 1 Ruff, 1 Dunlin, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Buzzard, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Kestrel, 4 Reed Warbler, 3 Reed Bunting, 5 Linnet, 1 Bearded Tit (juv), c100 Swift (over the arable).

Sat 6th July 19

Max Martin

07:54 Juv. Gt. S Woodpecker and 7 Sand Martin's around raised platform.
08:13 Ruff and two LRP on scrape.
08:17 Single Dunlin also, of interest Yellow and Blue ringed Avocet on scrape (Blue left leg, Yellow right leg).

Matt Lonsdale

08:56 Juv Beardies in front of hide just now, singing Corn Bunting and a Med Gull over the car park earlier.

Pete Loud

09:00 Kingfisher just flown past raised platform along brook towards Sluice.

Matt Lonsdale

18:42 Little change on scrape this evening : Ruff just left south, LRP’s still present and Corn Bunting still singing. Med Gull over the scrape on arrival.

Fri 5th July 19

The slow trickle of returning waders continues, no sign of yesterdays LRP or Dunlin but a smart male Ruff was new in. A new brood of Avocet chicks were on the small island on the right hand side of the scrape but only a total of 8 seen this morning, I think some of the larger chicks are hiding up behind the island.
From the Hide :- 11 Shelduck (3 + 8), 26 Avocet, (18 + 8), 6 Lapwing, 6 Redshank, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Ruff, 4 Cormorant, 2 Reed Warbler, 2 Reed Bunting, 6 Linnet. PRD/MR/JH

Also noted, a Cuckoo flew south passed the hide first thing with a large number of Meadow Pipit in pursuit PRD.

On the mounds 5 Whitethroat, 5 Linnet, 2 Goldfinch, c 16 Swallows were sitting in the entrance to the sluice and the male Stonechat was on the bushes on the way to the hide.
Pete Davis had a Sedge Warbler feeding young on the mounds earlier.

Thu 4th July 19

A lovely sunny day today with just a light breeze. 
On the mounds on the walk down to the hide were several Whitethroat, Linnets & Swallows, a female Blackcap, a Chiffchaff & a female Stonechat, the male Stonechat was in the same place on the way back to the car.

From the Hide :- 10 Shelduck (2+8), 5 Gadwall (1+4), 30 Avocet (20+10), 8 Redshank, 6 Lapwing, 4 Oystercatcher (2+2), 2 Curlew, 1 BlkWit, 1 LRP, 1 Dunlin, 5 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron (juv), 1 Kestrel, 2 Bearded Tit (juvs), 2 Reed Warbler, 1 Sedge Warbler, 3 Reed Bunting.

Sorry about the quality of the photo but I think it's a stunning little bird even out of focus.

Matt Lonsdale

Scrape this evening :- Dunlin and LRP still present, as well as lots of Avocet young and the Oyks.
Corn bunting singing from bramble to right of hide.

Wed 3rd July 19

A couple of new wader species on the scrape this morning, when Pete Davis got to the hide first thing he reported 2 Ruff (black males) and a Common Sandpiper new in, and the 2 juv. Bearded Tits were also seen at this time.
A few more of us got to the hide by mid-morning and the 3 Waders were still showing. Another good breeding record for the year was a female Gadwall with 4 ducklings on the pond to the right of the hide.

From the hide :- 10 Shelduck (2 + 8), 5 Gadwall (1 fem. with 4 duckling), 28 Avocet (21 + 7), 8 Redshank, 6 Lapwing, 2 Oystercatcher, 2 Ruff, 1 Common Sandpiper, 6 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Med Gull (adult In & Out), 8 Swallows, 3 Sand Martin, PRD/DW/JH/MR.

12 Species of butterfly seen today inc. another NFY (see Haven Wildlife page).

Tue 2nd July 19

No sign of yesterday's visitors this morning, back to the regulars. Two more Avocet chicks were seen today making 6 to date and the 2 Bearded Tit juvs. put in a brief appearance. Also of note were a  Med Gull (2nd sum.), 2 Marsh Harriers (2cy) that drifted through mid morning and a Red Fox that caused a bit of tension for a while.

From the Hide :- 13 Shelduck (5 + 8 juvs.), 1 Teal, 22 Avocet (16 + 6 chicks), 10 Redshank, 8 Lapwing, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Curlew, 1 Med Gull (2ndS), 1 GBB Gull, c20 Blk Headed & Herring Gulls, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 2 Marsh Harriers, 2 Bearded Tit (juvs), 8 Linnet, 2 Reed Bunting, 1 Reed Warbler, c18 Swallows. PRD/MR/TS/CB

A new Butterfly for the year, Ringlet was added today, see Haven Wildlife page.

Mon 1st July 19


A little cooler on the front this morning with a brisk wind but very pleasant.
A good start to the new month with a super Spotted Redshank, an LRP and a Green Sandpiper new in along with 4 Lt. Egrets (juvs.) that were in a group to the left of the main island first thing but whilst we were watching the waders they vanished, no one saw them fly out, so who knows what else we missed.

Still just the 4 Avocet chicks but 8 Pairs sitting on eggs.

From the hide :- 2 Shelduck + 8 Ducklings, 1 Gadwall, 1 Teal, 15 Avocet + 4 chicks, 12 Redshank, 10 Lapwing, 3 Oystercatcher, 2 Curlew, 1 LRP, 1 Spotted Redshank, 1 Green Sandpiper, 5 Cormorant, 4 Lt. Egret (juvs.), 3 Grey Heron (1 adult, 2 Juvs.), 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel. DW/MR/Brian.

A Cetti's Warbler was calling from behind the sluice on the return and several family groups were feeding along the track between the Mounds and the Feeding Stn. incl. Chiffchaff, Lesser & Common Whitethroat, Robin & Goldfinch.