Sat 30th Nov 19

Not been around for a couple of days so here is an update on the report from around the site.

Fri 29th Nov.

Paul Brayshaw

Two Snow Buntings by raised tee amongst aggregate then on bridge path edge across golf course.

John Hall

From hide,  White Front still on Scrape large mixed flock of Teal and Wigeon, 6 Shelduck, 2 Mute Swans, 6 Canada/Hybrid, 250+ Greylag, 1 Buzzard, 1 Male Marsh Harrier, 2 Shovelers. DC JH.
Additionally 35+ Lapwings, 8 Brent on Scrape. 
On fence posts near Reed Hide, 2 Stonechats + 2 Kestrel (1M 1F), 1 Oystercatcher on sluice, 1 Rock Pipit on Sea wall no visible ring, Coal Tit on feeders.


Sat 30th Nov.

Max Martin

10:51 3 Long Tailed Ducks sitting on the sea floating south!
12:17 Pom Skua South
The overall totals from this mornings seawatch were were: 150+ Brent Goose, 30+ RT Divers, 2 GN Divers, 3 Long T Duck, 100+ Common Scoter, 1 Arctic Tern, 1 Pom Skua.

Thu 28th Nov 19

Pete Davis

09:56 Single Purple Sandpiper on fishtail rocks to right of Clacton Sailing Club.
10:41 Snow Bunting at raised tee.
11:44 Female Goosander on sea off Sluice drifting SW.


From the hide :- 250 Greylag, 1 W F Goose, 200 Brent on arable, c350 Teal, 100 Wigeon, 10 Shelduck, c200 Lapwing, 2 Curlew, 1 Redshank, 1 Grey Heron, 5 Lt. Grebe (in front of hide), 1 Barn Owl, 2 Kestrel, 1 Peregrine. + Rock Pipit "Z66" was on the seawall near the sluice.

Wed 27th Nov 19

A late start after the rain and very nice when the sun came out for an hour or so.

From the hide :- 2 Mute Swans, c400 Brent on the arable, 250 Greylag, 1 White-fronted Goose, c150 Wigeon, c150 Teal, 3 Shoveler, 2 Shelduck, 1 Lt. Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 264 Lapwing, 3 BlkWits, 1 Redshank, 1 Peregrine, 3 Kestrel, 2 Barn Owls. The adult Canada Goose had only 4 juvs with her today, a single juv was beside the pond and the 6th juv was not seen, is this family break up time or is something else going on ??.

John Hall

Persistent drizzle precluded  Hide viisit. A short sea watch 14.50 - 15.45 v .tendered meagre rewards 2 RTD’s close in S, a small group of Brent in off, 1 distant Sea duck looked very dark prob. Scoter S, a few GBB Gulls on sea, 1 Kestrel, resident Robin.

Tue 26th Nov 19

Started today with a walk around the carpark bushes, it was quite busy, still lots of Blackbirds, good flock of Blue, Great & L T Tits, 2 Goldcrest, a few Chaffinch & Goldfinch, 1 Gt. Spotted Woodpecker + the Coal Tit was on the feeders.

From the hide :- c400 Brent (on the arable), 225 Greylag (+1 Hybrid), 7 Canada Geese (1 + 6 Hybrids), 1 White-fronted Goose, c120 Wigeon, c120 Teal, 4 Shoveler, 200+ Lapwing, 3 BlkWits, 1 Snipe, 1 Redshank, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Lt. Grebe, 2 Kestrel, 1 Peregrine, 2 Barn Owls.

Mon 25th Nov 19

Not much change today, the White-fronted Goose was again with the Greylags and just one Peregrine was on the plouhged field otherwise most of the others were in thier places.

From the Hide :- c400 Brent (on the arable),1 White-fronted Goose, c250 Greylag, 120 Teal, c100 Wigeon, 3 Shoveler, c180 Lapwing, 3 Snipe, 2 BlkWits, 1 Redshank, 1 Peregrine, 1 Buzzard, 2 Kestrel, 1 Lt. Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Barn Owl, c20 Reed Bunting, Water Rail & Bearded Tit (heard only). PRD/MR

Pete Davis had a walk to the Frinton end and added 3 Stonechat and I had a 30 min Seawatch that gave just 4 Brent, 4 R T Divers & 1 Cormorant (S) & 1 Gannet (N). + The Coal Tit was again seen on the feeders.

Sun 24th Nov 19


Pete Loud

Bit of a Diverfest off Haven this morning with 40+ Red-throat and both Great Northern & Black- throated noted. 2 groups of Eider totalling 20 birds, also 1 Bonxie, 10 Gannet, 2 Med Gull, 50 Teal a few Brent & 2 Purple Sands. Other birds around site, 1 White-front, 1 Little Egret, 2 Peregrine, 1 Barn Owl, 1 Gadwall, 3 Shoveler, Chiffchaff, Coal Tit, 3 Stonechat, Kingfisher & Rock Pipit.


Max Martin

10:40  Single White Fronted Goose seen to land right of Brent in arable field, should be able to be seen from lay by.


Matt Lonsdale

12:11 393 Brent geese on arable, at least 85 juvs (prob lot more). + good candidate for Brant but seen briefly.

From the hide :- 250+ Greylag, 1 White-fronted Goose, 7 Canada Geese, c100 Teal, c100 Wigeon, 4 Shoveler, 3 Shelduck, 1 Gadwall, c200 Lapwing, 6 Curlew, 3 BlkWits, 1 Snipe, 1 Redshank, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Lt. Egret, 2 Lt. Grebe, 2 Water Voles. PL/ML/JL/MM/MR 

Sat 23rd Nov 19

A short seawatch first thing was not great but 2 Pom. Skuas were seen (1 south 1 north). Also noted were a few Gannet, Brent, Cormorant and Wigeon + Common & Med. Gull. IM/PL/MM/PNt/JH/MR.

The Coal Tit was again on the feeders

From the hide :- c400 Brent (on the arable) c200 Greylag, c100 Wigeon, c100 Teal, 2 Shelduck, c 200 Lapwing, 7 Curlew, 3 Snipe, 1 Blkwit, 1 Redshank, 2 Lt. Grebe, 1 Water Rail (heard only), 2 Barn Owls, 2 Kestrel, 1 Bearded Tit, 5 Mippits. PNt/MM/MR


Ian Minton

A walk around the farm from 11.30 to 13.20 - 20 Curlew, 100+ Meadow Pipit, 2 Stonechat and single Common Buzzard, Goldcrest and Chiffchaff.


Paul Brayshaw

16:15 Single Barn Owl and S E Owl over grazing marsh/ back of scrape. 2 Stonechat along golf course seawall edge. C400 Brent on arable with c200 Greylag.

Fri 22nd Nov 19

A stop in the lay-by on the way to site this morning showed an increase in Brent Geese to 400+ on the arable and the 2 Peregrines were again sitting on the ploughed field and a Barn Owl was along the back hedge.

On route to the hide a Stonechat was beside the TDC compound and the colour ringed Rock Pipit (Z66) was on the seawall beside the sluice

From the hide :- 250+ Greylag (+1 hybrid), 150+ Teal. 140+ Wigeon, 5 Shoveler, 1 Shelduck, c200 Lapwing, 6 Snipe, 3 BlkWits, 1 Redshank, 1 Lt. Grebe, 1 Water Rail (heard only), 1 Buzzard, 2 Kestrel, 2 Peregrine. IM/MR.


John Hall

PM visit 14.30 to hide large flock Brent 250+ on sea North of sluice. 
From hide 2 Barn Owls, 1 Kestrel, 1 Peregrine,  200+ Greylag, 1 Redshank, 100+ Teal, 40+ Wigeon, 1 Shelduck, 2 Lapwing, 1 Moorhen, 4 Canada + Hybrids, 3 Shovelers, closing up shop 15.20.

Thu 21st Nov 19

A bit of an improvement today although not much. Brent up on the arable up to 350+ and the Peregrine on the ploughed field did give us a couple of fly pasts.

From the hide :- 2 Mute Swans, 300+ Greylag (+1 hybrid), 7 Canada's (1+6 hybrids) 118 Wigeon, c100 Teal, 5 Shoveler, 1 Shelduck, 4 Lt. Grebe (in front of hide), 1 Snipe, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Water Rail, Bearded Tit (heard only), 2 Buzzard, 2 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Peregrine, 1 Ringed Plover (dropped in for a couple of minutes only). DC/MR

A Rock Pipit was on the seawall beside the sluice and the Coal Tit was again on the feeders.

Wed 20th Nov 19

Very quiet today not a single wader on the scrape in the hour I was in the hide.
From the hide c200 Brent (on the arable), 250 Greylag +1 Hybrid, & 7 Canada Geese (1 + 6 hybrids), c100 Teal. c100 Wigeon, 4 Shoveler, 2 Peregrine (on the ploughed field), 1 Buzzard, 2 Kestrel.
 Also noted 1 Lt. Grebe on the brook behind the sluice, 1 Stonechat on the mounds, a Coal Tit on the feeders + Lots of Blackbirds a few Tits & Chaffinch and 1 Redwing in the carpark bushes.

Tue 19th Nov 19

It was a beautiful morning for a walk along the front but Pete Davis found that there was very little to look at on the birding front, just a few Stonechat. I was a bit luckier with a Stonechat on the mounds, a Turnstone on the sluice and 2 Sanderling on the beach.

From the hide :- 200+ Brent, Greylag, Teal, Wigeon, 4 Shoveler, 4 Snipe, 3 BlkWits, 2 Lt. Grebe, 1 Water Rail (heard only), 2 Kestrel, 1 Buzzard, 1 Peregrine.

An afternoon walk by Paul Brayshaw from the Frinton end found things much the same with 4 Stonechat noted + a distant Short-eared Owl.

Mon 18th Nov 19

Had a 30 min. seawatch with Ian first thing which produced just a couple of Divers and a few Brent so wandered down to the hide, 2 Stonechat were in the area beside the TDC compound and lots of Gulls on the sluice rocks, still a lot of GBB Gulls around.
Yesterday's hybrid Goose was still in with the Greylags, it was also on the scrape in Oct. last year

17th Nov 19

29th Oct 18

From the hide :- 246 Greylag (+ 1 hybrid), 7 Canada Geese (1 ad. + 6 hybrids), 240+ Brent, 225 Teal, 115 Wigeon, 2 Shoveler, 2 Shelduck, 180+ Lapwing, 14 Curlew, 2 BlkWits, 1 Redshank, 3 Lt. Grebe, 3 Buzzard, 2 Kestrel, 2 Peregrine (on the arable watching the Pigeons and the gulls following the tractor).

Sun 17th Nov 19

Another short visit today as it was a WeBS count weekend. I headed to the hide with Ian to see if there had been any changes over the last few days and the answer was not many, Duck & Geese numbers have risen but otherwise much the same.

From the hide :-  204 Brent (on the arable), 91 Greylag (+1 Mixture), 7 Canada Geese (1 + 6 hybrids), 220+ Teal, 110 Wigeon, 2 Shoveler, 1 Shelduck, 200+ Lapwing, 3 BlkWits, 2 Curlew, 1 Redshank, 3 Bearded Tits.

Matt Lonsdale had 3 Redpoll north over the Dell at 09:15 and I had 2 Stonechat on the Boating Club rocks.

Ian Minton

A late morning, early afternoon walk along to the second pill box produced 4 Stonechat, 2 Rock Pipit, 2 Marsh Harrier including a wing tagged individual and a single Little Egret.

Sat 16th Nov 19

Pete Loud

Seawatch at the Haven this morning was a bit slow, but it added up.
1 Pom. Skua, 4 Gannet, 1 Great Northern Diver, 7 Red T. Diver, 1 Gt. Crested Grebe, 8 Pintail, 40 Com. Scoter in total, 8 Wigeon, 25 Brent, 1 Ad Kittiwake.

11:13 2 Short eared Owls on marsh to right of Hide.

Fri 15th Nov 19

I joined Pete & Ian in the shelter for a seawatch this morning and it turned out to be a good move. 
A steady movement of birds over the next two & a half hours kept us busy, although not massive totals the quality was high with Pomarine Skua, Little Auk & Iceland Gull all noted.

10:00 - 12:30 approx.   57 Brent (8n 49s), 42 Common Scoter (17n 25s), 40 Teal (s), 8 Eider (n), 7 Wigeon (n), 5 Shoveler (n), 3 Pintail (s), 2 Shelduck (s), 2 Gannet (n), 1 Cormorant (n), 1 Pom Skua (s), 1 Little Auk (n), 1 Iceland Gull (2nd winter, moved slowly north into the wind then turned and headed south at speed and was lost to view). What was thought to be a second Lt. Auk was being tossed around by a group of 10+ Gt. Black backed Gulls close offshore. PRD/IM/MR

Thu 14th Nov 19

I headed to the Haven after the rain and met Dave Cummings in the carpark, we headed to the hide as there were still some big black clouds around.

From the hide :- c100 Brent on the arable, 54 Greylag, 181 Teal, 50+ Wigeon, 4 Shoveler, 2 Shelduck, 164 Lapwing, 3 BlkWits, 2 Snipe, 1 Redshank, 3 Lt. Grebe, 1 Buzzard, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrel, 1 Merlin.  DC/MR + 1 Barn Owl (DC).

Photo Dave Cummings©

The 3 Lt. Grebe were fishing in the brook in front of the hide and a Water Vole was also seen for a short while in the same area. 
The bird of the day for me was a Merlin, sitting on the stubble field before flying to the top of the beet field and being lost to view.

On the way back an Oystercatcher and a Purple Sandpiper were on the sluice and a single Gannet headed south offshore. DC/MR.

Wed 13th Nov 19

I popped to the site for a short while this morning to find that Simon & Pat were ringing in the Feeding Stn. and had ringed a Coal Tit along with quite a few other birds (details to follow on Ringing page). A walk round the carpark bushes added 1 Goldcrest, Lots of Blackbirds, Song Thrush, Goldfinch, Chaffinch, 2 Kestrel, 1 Buzzard and 100+ Brent were on the arable.
A look at the feeders before leaving showed there were still birds about + a Grey Squirrel and what I think was a Wood Mouse picking up the scraps.

Tue 12th Nov 19

I managed to get over and fill the feeders this morning but that was about it for me, Pete Davis had been for a walk to the Frinton end and said it was a waste of time, the scrape was much the same as usual, but there was nothing to get excited about around the site today.

Mon 11th Nov 19


Very wet and windy first thing today and very quiet all round.

From the hide :- 60 Brent on the arable, 62 Greylag, 7 Canada Geese, 200 Teal, 50+ Wigeon, 2 Shoveler, 1 Lt. Egret, 104 Lapwing, 2 BlkWits, 2 Redshank. + 2 Fieldfare on the back hedge.

A 30 min seawatch added just 2 Gannet (N) very grim.

Sun 10th Nov 19

Once again today I joined Ian & Pete in the hide around 10:00, things were much the same although they had been watching 2 Water Rails & 2 Lt. Grebes in the ditch in front of the hide before my arrival.
From the hide :- 1 Mute Swan, Greylag Geese, c70 Brent (on arable), 150+ Teal, c20 Wigeon, c100 Lapwing, 5 Curlew, 2 BlkWits, 1 Redshank, 1 House Martin, 2 Kestrel, 5 Buzzard, PL/IM/MR 1 Marsh Harrier (PL).

At 11:00 Barbara Leport reported a Waxwing near the carpark so we all made a hasty exit. Pete Loud was first to join the Laport's and got a view of the Waxwing on top of one of the hawthorns beside the orchard but by the time Ian and I arrived it had flown. The next 15 mins. were spent trying to relocate it, we were joined by Matt and thankfully Pete Loud re-found the bird on the hedge alongside Manor Way just a few metres from where it was seen originally, a few minutes later it flew to the small bushes on the greensward before again being flushed and flying off along the greensward being lost to view in the area of the sailing club compound.

Pete Loud

Nice to be out this morning in the quite warm November sunshine, and if that wasn’t enough to brighten our day, then the stunning Waxwing certainly did the trick. Good that a few people on site managed to see it before it flew off. A 1st winter Kittiwake landed on the sea briefly, just off the Sluice before continuing on its way. A late House Martin was feeding over the arable from the Hide. 2 Water Rail and 2 Little Grebe were showing on and off in the channel in front of the Hide. 4 or 5 Gannets were seen offshore and a Bonxie. Other birds noted, Marsh Harrier, 4 Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, 4 Stonechat, 3 Goldcrest & 3 Redwing and all the usual fair on the Scrape.

A much better picture from the finder Barbara Leport©

Sat 9th Nov 19


A late start for me again this morning, so joined the others in the hide for a while.
From the hide :- 80+ Brent (on the arable), 5 Mute Swan (over), c50 Greylag, 7 Canada Geese, c100 Teal, 10 Wigeon, 1 Shoveler, 1 Lt. Egret, c180 Lapwing, 3 Curlew, 1 BlkWit, 1 Redshank, 1 Peregrine, 1 Buzzard, 2 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Stonechat, 1 Swallow. PL/IM/MM/MR

Pete Loud

Highlights of a walk round site this morning,1 S E Owl high south, being mobbed by Starlings, 1 Water Rail, 1 Bearded Tit, 1 Peregrine, 1 Little Egret, 1 Swallow, 4 Stonechat, 4 Goldcrest, 1 Little Owl, 2 Redwing & 2 Sparrowhawk. 1 Water Vole & Common Darter at dipping pond.

Fri 8th Nov 19

Most of the site was covered this morning with Pete Davis walking to the Frinton end and Ian Minton and I covering the Approach road, Dell & carpark bushes but all reports were of it being very quiet.

From the hide :- 83 Brent (on the arable), 64 Greylag, 7 Canada Geese ?, 150+ Teal, c60 Wigeon, 4 Shoveler, 200+ Lapwing, 3 BlkWit's, 3 Curlew, 1 Redshank, 1 Snipe, 1 Lt. Egret, 1 Cetti's Warbler (heard), 2 Stonechat, 2 Reed Bunting, 2 Buzzard, 2 Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrel.
It looks like the reason the Canada Goose youngsters only have one adult with them is probably because they are hybrids, most likely Canada/Barnacle. Pete Davis had a good look at them this morning at closer range and came to this conclusion, something noted by Dave Cummings a couple of days ago, I really should pay more attention.

On the way back from the hide 6 Turnstone were on the sluice rocks and 3 Purple Sandpipers were on the seawall. A good number of Great Black-backed Gulls were offshore again this morning, as there have been all week.  

Thu 7th Nov 19

I spent most of my morning looking out to sea, first from the shelter with Pete Davis then a bit later from the sluice area. 
Totals for the morning were :- 279 Brent (274 S - 5 N), 22 Gannet  (19 S - 3 N), 17 Com. Scoter, 14 Sanderling, 1 Curlew, 1 G. C. Grebe (all S), 250+ Starling in off, 1 Arctic Skua sitting on the sea late morning then flew N. Three Purple Sandpipers flew in from the north and landed on the sluice rocks.

The Dell was busy again today with Blackbird, Song Thrush, Redwing, House Sparrow, Goldfinch and some very smart Greenfinch.

The Scrape was much the same as of late with 1 BlkWit, 1 Redshank, Snipe, Lapwing and the normal ducks & geese CB.

Wed 6th Nov 19

I had a walk round the site with Dave Cummings today, he had walked the approach road before we met up and had a large flock of L.T. Tits but nothing of note with them. The Dell was quite busy with the normal stuff, a large group of House Sparrows, Dunnock, Robins, Goldfinch and some nice Greenfinch. 
The carpark bushes were much the same with lots of Blackbirds, a few Redwing, Song Thrush and 2 Cracking Fieldfare + 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Grey Heron and 14 Curlew on the marsh below the raised platform, and 70+ Brent on the arable.

  

The walk to the Frinton end added 1 Oystercatcher (S), 1 Cormorant (N), 10 Brent (sitting on the sea), 3+ Rock Pipit, 3 Stonechat, 10+ Mippits, 10+ Pied Wagtails, 1 Kingfisher (in front of wooden hide), 2 Kestrel, 2 Buzzard. DC/MR



Simon Cox

c80 Brent came in over the seawall & headed toward the scrape, unsure if they landed, 30+ Mippits seen during a ringing session otherwise nothing of note.


John Hall

10:09 Ringed Rock Pipit on top of sea wall by sluice.

From Hide 15:00-16:00 c130 Lapwing, 70+ Teal,  c25 Wigeon, 5 Snipe, 1 Blackwit, 1 Common Buzzard,  1 Kestrel, 1 Kingfisher, 3 Moorhen, 1 Cock Pheasant, Water Rail (heard only). 
Little Grebe in Brook. Sluice Rocks 7 GBB Gulls with B H & Herring 1 Turnstone. c35 Brent on grazing marsh large flock ( 200+) Greylag circled but didn’t land. 
Nearly 16.00 and no sign of SEO or Barn Owl my target birds. Getting cold so going home grrr.

Tue 5th Nov 19

The bushes were quiet this morning, a walk from the dipping pond to the cottages and back gave 3+ Goldcrest, 20+ blackbirds, a few L.T. Tits, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, 1 Gt. Spotted & 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Lt. Owl, 6 Curlew on the marsh below the raised platform and on the brook in that area were 1 Lt. Grebe and 2 Water Voles.

On route to the hide 1 Purple Sandpiper & 3 Turnstone were on the front where the outfall pipe leaves the seawall and on the seawall near the sluice was an old friend Rock Pipit "Z66"
This bird has been seen at the Haven in the winters of the last 3 years, it was ringed on the 30th March 2017 at Maletangen Orinithology Stn. Fraena, More & Romsdal, Norway.

From the hide :- c75 Brent on the arable, 157 Teal, 31 Wigeon, 2 Shoveler, 40 Lapwing (lots more on the arable), 6 Snipe, 2 BlkWits, 1 Redshank, 1 Cetti's Warbler (heard only), 1 Grey Heron, 2 Buzzards, 2 Kestrel.

Mon 4th Nov 19

Matt Turner

08:57 Ringtail Hen Harrier hunting behind scrape - worth getting soaked for! 4 Snipe and 2 Rock Pipit plus Sparrowhawk mobbed by crows best of rest so far.
11:20 7 Swallows south.
12:27 Firecrest and 2 Redwing in compound behind 6 bar gate.

Liz Huxley

1 Snow Bunting along seawall by golf course then N towards Frinton.


The Snow Bunting was the first of the year. The Hen Harrier didn't show again this morning after Matt's sighting just before 09:00

From the hide :- 60 Greylag, 50 Brent, 7 Canada Geese again on the arable, 100+ Teal, 16 Wigeon, 2 Shelduck, 2 Shoveler, 120 Lapwing, 4 Snipe, 1 Redshank, 1 Blkwit, 8 Curlew (over), 1 Grey Heron, 1 Water Rail (heard only), 2 Buzzard, 2 Kestrel,  the bushes & reeds around the hide held 2 Goldcrest, 3 Stonechat, 5 Reed Bunting,1 Cetti's Warbler, 5+ Blue Tits. JH/DW/BH/MT/LH/MR  

Sun 3rd Nov 19

A much better day today, I met up with Ian at the sailing club and as there was nothing moving offshore we decided to split up, he walked the approach road and found 1 Firecrest & 4+ Goldcrest along with the residents.

I spent an hour around the carpark bushes, there were still lots of Blackbirds and an increase in Redwing to double figures, 2+ Song Thrush, 1 Green Woodpecker a few Chaffinch & Greenfinch, 2 late Swallows and 1 Goldcrest. Also a steady movement of Goldfinch through the site with small groups dropping into the bushes briefly before moving on. On the way to the hide the pair of Stonechat were again on the mounds.

From the hide things looked much the same with c70 Greylag, 7 Canada Geese & c60 Brent on the arable, c100 Teal, 60+ Wigeon, 5 Shoveler, 100+ Lapwing, 2 BlkWits, 1 Redshank, 3 Buzzard, 2 Kestrel, 2 Sparrowhawk 2 Grey Heron.
While watching a Grey Heron a Gt. White Egret appeared out of the ditch at the back of the scrape which flushed 2 Grey Herons, it spent a few minutes in this area before flying to the marsh in front of the back hedge and shortly lifted off again and dropped into the marsh between the approach road and the B1032 and was lost to view.

I was still trying to relocate the Egret when a visitor ask what the bird being mobbed by two Kestrels was, the answer was a Ring-tailed Hen Harrier. The bird showed well at distance 3 or 4 times in the next hour and on a couple of occasions came very close to the hide.

Sat 2nd Nov 19

A bit of a rough sea today, this was 2 hrs before high water: 

Paul Brayshaw had 2 Purple Sandpipers on the seawall by the raised tee at 08:11 before the wind picked up.

Dave Cummins had a close encounter with a ring-tailed Hen Harrier 5 mins. before I arrived at the hide that was lost to view between the wooden hide and the golf course.

From the hide : 60+ Greylag, 50 Brent, 7 Canada Geese on the arable, 150 Teal, 54 Wigeon, 8 Shoveler, 100+ Lapwing, 1 Snipe, 1 Water Rail (while watching the rail a Weasel was seen along the ditch). DC/MR

Fri 1st Nov 19

A very damp start to the morning so headed to the hide. Two Meadow Pipits were sheltering  in the lee of the sluice and 2 Purple Sands were on the sluice rocks.

From the hide :- c70 Greylags, 37 Brent, 7 Canada Geese (up on the arable), 70 Teal, 44 Wigeon, 4 Shoveler, 8 Snipe, 2 BlkWits, 1 Redshank, 1 Water Rail, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Kingfisher (just after John left), 1 Buzzard, 2 Kestrel. JH/MR.

On the return a single Lt. Grebe was on the Brook near the wind pump. Lots of Blackbirds were still around the bushes with a few Redwing, Song Thrush & a Green Woodpecker, but no sign of any Crests (all gone to Frinton & Walton I think).