Sat 29th Feb 20

Another very wet morning, I managed to get to the hide between the showers, Ian wasn't so lucky.
From the hide : 1 Black Swan, 6 Mute Swans, 1 Canada Goose, c200 Wigeon, c100 Teal, 24+ Shoveler, 22 Shelduck, 1 Gadwall (drake), c300 Lapwing, 20+ Curlew, 1 Reed Bunting, 1 Barn Owl, 1 Kestrel. IM/MR
3 Turnstone were around the Sluice.


Now from the fair weather birders

John Hall

Sat PM 14.00 visit to scrape hide. Water very high especially in ditch.
Nice sleet shower no wonder the birds have gone into hiding. 21 Shelduck, 5 Shovelers, 4 Mute Swans,1 Black Swan, 5 Curlew, Wigeon, Teal, Lapwing still plenty but down on recent numbers 5 Greylag, 1 Oystercatcher only 2 Snipe on view no Raptors and as expected no Spoonbill, so well done Mick for your tenacity in poor weather👍


Pete Loud

15:50  Adult Med Gull off Sluice in with Gulls feeding by Haven Outfall. From Hide, 2 Barn Owls & Drake Gadwall
16:03 7 Turnstone on seawall by Sluice and pair of Stonechat by mounds.



At the end of February the total number of species recorded stands at 94

Fri 28th Feb 20

Very Windy and Very Wet this morning, even I thought I was mad, but a glance across the scrape from the wind pump showed a Spoonbill beside the island. By the time I got into the hide there was no sign of it, a scan with the bins showed it heading out s/w before being lost to view in the poor conditions. 
Amazingly 90 mins later it appeared at the back of the scrape once again, after being battered by the wind for a few minutes it flew to the marsh to the right of the hide and did another disappearing act just before Pete Davis arrived.

From the hide : 2 Mute Swans, 1 Black Swan, 2 Canada Geese, c200 Wigeon, c100 Teal, 16 Shoveler, 9 Shelduck, 1 Spoonbill, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Lt. Grebe, c200 Lapwing, 14 Curlew, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 BlkWit, 1 Buzzard, 2 Kestrel. + 1 Water Vole.

Thu 27th Feb 20

A bit chilly out this morning but when the sun came out it was quite pleasant, bird wise much the same.

From the hide : 1 Black Swan, 6 Mute Swans, 2 Canada Geese, c200 Wigeon, c 100 Teal, 16 Shelduck, 11 Shoveler, 7 Snipe, 2 BlkWits, 1 Lt. Egret, 2 Barn Owls, 1 Buzzard, 2 Kestrel. DC/MR

A single Oystercatcher was on the sluice. Nothing of note offshore.

Wed 26th Feb 20

Not around yesterday but managed to get over for a couple of hours after lunch today and it was well worth it with two Year Ticks, one of which was also a site year tick.

Pete & John had sent in reports from the morning.

 John Hall

11:22 Scrape hide 11.08  Water quite high.
Lapwings, Wigeon and Teal as per, 6 Shelduck, 6 Mute Swans, 1 Black Swan, pair Gadwall,  2 Shovelers, only 4 Snipe on view, 1 Marsh Harrier, Buzzard and Kestrel, Barn Owl. DW/JH.


Pete Davis

11:37 Ad Med Gull on Golf Course.



My afternoon visit started well with the Norwegian Rock Pipit "Z66" on the seawall north of the sluice.

From the hide : 1 Black Swan, 6 Mute Swans, c180 Wigeon, c100 Teal, 9 Shelduck, 4 Shoveler, c400 Lapwing, 24 Curlew, 10 Snipe, 2 BlkWits, 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Barn Owl.

On the return 4 Purple Sandpipers had replaced the Rock Pipit on the seawall.

 

While looking through the gulls around the outfall buoy a Blk.T. Diver headed south just inside the buoy (site year tick) but in the following 30mins the only other birds noted were a Cormorant south and another on the sluice triangle marker.

Just to finish off a good afternoon, whilst driving home a Gt. S. Woodpecker flew across the road and landed in the tree beside Lodge Farm pond (Haven year tick for me). 

Mon 24th Feb 20

Not on site today, reports so far.



John Hall

10:54 From hide 6 Mute Swans 1 Black Swan 200+ Lapwing   large numbers Wigeon & Teal too spread to count 6 Snipe 7 Shelduck 2 Shovelers 1 Oystercatcher no geese no raptors or yesterday’s Gadwall, roll on spring! Yesterday 1 Common Gull on  golf practice range (viewed from site.) 10.54 going home hopefully to miss impending rain


Pete Davis

11:26 Female Pintail still scrape plus pair Gadwall and White Wag.

Sun 23rd Feb 20

Had a walk along the front to the second pillbox this morning, 5 Turnstone were on the rocks below the seawall and 3 Brent headed south offshore, around the pillbox were 3 Meadow Pipits, 2 Reed Buntings and 2 Stonechat.

From the hide : 1 Black Swan, 7 Mute Swan, c200 Wigeon, c 150 Teal, 10 Shelduck, 2 Gadwall, c 200 Lapwing, 10+ Snipe, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Kestrel.

4 Brown Hares were up on the arable a sure sign spring is not far away.

Sat 22nd Feb 20

On route to the hide a single Oystercatcher was on the sluice, c 150 Wigeon, 3 Teal & 4 Shoveler were sitting on the sea close offshore.

From the hide : 1 Black Swan, 5 Mute Swans, c100 Wigeon, 100+ Teal, 21 Shelduck, 4 Shoveler, 1 Pintail (fem), 225 Lapwing, 16 Curlew, 3 Snipe, 2 BlkWits, 2 Kestrel, 1 Peregrine, 3 Red-legged Partridge, 1 Stock Dove. + 1 Water Vole (in front of the hide). JH/MR

Also on the way home the first Adders of the year, See Wildlife Page.

Fri 21st Feb 20

Very quiet bird wise today but at least it wasn't blowing a gale. On the way into the site a Lt. Egret was on the marsh north of the approach road. 
A walk around the approach road bushes by Dave Cummings gave just the normal Tits, Chats, Finches and Thrushes, a short sea-watch added a Gannet (NFY), a couple of R T Divers, Cormorants and an Oystercatcher heading south.
From the hide : 1 Black Swan, 1 Greylag, Wigeon, Teal, Shelduck & Mallard, c 100 Lapwing, 16 Curlew, c10 Snipe, 1 Peregrine, 2 Kestrel.  JH/DC/MR et al.

Thu 20th Feb 20


Is this wind ever going to stop, blowing a gale again this morning, Dave Welham and I had a job to stay upright a couple of times so headed to the hide.
From the Hide : 1 Black Swan, 3 Canada Geese, 1 Greylag, 210 Wigeon, 120 Teal, 6 Shelduck, 2 Shoveler, 140 Lapwing, 14 Snipe, 1 BlkWit, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Peregrine, 1 Kestrel. DW/MR.

Blk. T Godwit starting to show some summer plumage 

On the way back 3 Purple Sandpipers were on the seawall and 12 Curlew on the marsh north of the approach road.


Liz Huxley

13:31 Tad breezy this morning. Best I could manage:- 10+ snipe & 1 blackwit on the scrape; pair of stonechats on the boardwalk; 1 rock pipit; 4 purple sandpipers by the sluice.

Wed 19th Feb 20

Finally got out for a couple of hours fresh air today, and it was well worth it, I missed out on most of the raptor fest photographed by Jeff Biddle before I arrived but Peregrine, Marsh Harrier (2), Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, and Kestrel (2)  was not bad between Jeff, John, & myself.

Photo ©Jeff Biddle

Photo ©Jeff Biddle

John Hall

11:52 Scrape. Water very high birds rather sparse. 2 Mute Swans, 1 Black Swan, 2 Canada 2 Greylag, 6 Shelduck, 30+ Teal, c80 Wigeon, 1 Peregrine, 2 Marsh Harriers, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel 1 Little Egret just a few Lapwings

A few additions after John left (sorry John), 1 BlkWit, 2 Bearded Tits, 3 Snipe, + 2 Oystercatchers on the flooded marsh north of the approach road on way home.

Photos ©Jeff Biddle

Tue 18th Feb 20

Not on site again today, no reports received so far

Mon 17th Feb 20

Not out and about today, no reports received so far.

Sun 16th Feb 20

Not on site again today and no reports received so far.

Sat 15th Feb 20

A very quick visit from me today, but a lot of observers were braving the wind and reporting that things were much the same.


Dave Cummings 

12:01 4 Purple Sandpipers near sluice.

Pete Loud

14:19 Much the same at Haven this morning, nothing moving offshore, although did manage 2 Brent, 1 Red Throat, several Cormorants and an Oystercatcher. Black Swan was still in attendance, 200+Wigeon, 12 Shoveler, a few Teal, 2 Blackwit, 16 Snipe & 1 Oystercatcher plus a few Corn Buntings on the back hedge.

Paul Brayshaw

14:22 Sanderling on beach at extreme northern end of Haven area.

Nick Gough

14:36 Group of 7 Turnstones on Esplanade beach South of Cafe earlier.

Fri 14th Feb 20

Not on site today, just a couple of reports from this afternoon.


Trevor Clifford

16:10. 4 Purple Sandpipers near sluice.


John Hall

16:31. At 14.45 PM Haven visit started well with Blue, Great, Long-tailed and Coal Tits on feeders. Ringed Rock Pipit and 4 Purple Sandpipers on sea wall north of sluice. 
Scrape:- 120+ Lapwing, 3 Black-wits small numbers of Teal, 200+ Wigeon, 2 Shelduck, no Snipe showing at this time. Black Swan and 2 Canada Geese on grazing marsh and Barn Owl over. At least 4 Shovelers in front or raised platform showing from hide. 2nd Barn Owl along back hedge. 2 Shovelers now on scrape.15.54 Shutting up shop.

Thu 13th Feb 20

An awful lot of sand has been moved by the recent rough weather, just shows the power of the sea.

Very little to see out there this morning, so I headed to the hide. The Snipe were showing better today as were 2 Barn Owls after the 3 yesterday.
From the hide : 3 Mute Swans, 1 Black Swan, 8 Greylag, 2 Canada Geese, 182 Wigeon, c100 Teal, 8 Shelduck, 1 Shoveler, c300 Lapwing, 14 Curlew, 9 Snipe, 1 Water Rail, 2 Kestrel, 2 Barn Owl. CB/MR

Wed 12th Feb 20

The sunshine this morning made it feel a lot nicer, albeit still blowing a gale and bitter cold.
A walk around the Dell and the car park bushes gave just the resident Blue, Gt. & L T Tits, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Robin, Dunnock + still quite a lot of Blackbirds. The scrape below the raised platform held a large mixed Gull flock, c120 Teal, c80 Wigeon, 16+ Shoveler and 6 Shelduck and a Buzzard was on the hedge over the marsh.
A 15min look seawards added nothing at all.

From the hide : 4 Mute Swans, 1 Black Swan, 2 Greylag, 2 Canada Geese, 90 Wigeon, 80 Teal, 2 Shelduck, 258 Lapwing, 16 Snipe, 15 Curlew, 1 BlkWit, 1 Water Rail, 1 Lt. Egret, 3 Barn Owls, 3 Kestrels.

Tue 11th Feb 20

Another very windy and cold morning at the Haven, with things much the same once again.

From the hide : 1 Black Swan, 2 Mute Swans, 8 Greylag, 2 Canada Geese, 135 Wigeon, 123 Teal, 10 Shelduck, 6 Shoveler, 6 Mallard, 335 Lapwing, 10 Snipe, 1 Curlew, 1 Common Gull, 2 Kestrel.  S&PC/MR
A 30min sea-watch was beginning to look like a complete waste of time with just 13 Cormorants noted, when a pair of Pintail flew south close offshore, a welcome year tick for me. You just never know what's going to happen!!.


  

Mon 10th Feb 20

A couple of short visits to the site today, a 15min sea-watch this morning gave 38 Cormorant all heading south and 4 R T Divers (1s 3n). MR
An hour sea-watch mid-afternoon added 35 Cormorants all south, 4 R T Divers (3s 1 sitting on the sea), 1 G C Grebe (s), 6 Turnstone on the seawall, 3 Purple Sandpipers & 1 Ringed Plover on the sluice + several GBB Gulls offshore. ML/MR

On the scrape and marsh : 1 Black Swan, 2 Mute Swans, Greylag & Canada Geese, Teal, Wigeon, Shelduck, Shoveler, c300 Lapwing, 8 Curlew, 4 Snipe, 1 Barn Owl.

Sun 9th Feb 20

No Birding for me today, I had a wander down to the sluice with the camera but had a job to stand up. Amazingly some birds were still using the feeders.

Two hours before high tide.

Sat 8th Feb 20

I joined Pete Loud for a sea-watch with Max Martin and Dave Cummings, sadly just too late to see the Fulmar but 60+ Cormorant, 40+ R T Diver, 2 G C Grebe, 1 Dunlin and several Brent + c100 Wigeon and 6 Gadwall sitting on the sea made for an interesting hour.

From the Hide : 20 Greylag, 2 Canada Geese (adults), c100 Wigeon, c100 Teal, 16 Shelduck, 3 Shoveler, 2 Gadwall, 234 Lapwing, 15 Curlew, 9 Snipe, 3 BlkWit's, 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Water Rail, 2 Peregrine, 2 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk, Linnets, Reed & Corn Buntings, Bearded Tit (heard only). PL/MM/DC/MR/ et al.



Pete Loud

Highlights around site today were, Fulmar & Dunlin, both new for year, 6 Gadwall new for me, probably 40+ Red-throat offshore, 2 Great C. Grebes, several Brent, 60+ Cormorants, 2 Purple Sandpipers, 2 Oystercatcher, 3 Blackwits, 15 Curlew, Male & Female Peregrines, Barn Owl, Water Rail, pair of Stonechat and still plenty of Corn & Reed Buntings on the back hedge near set-aside. 

Fri 7th Feb 20

Another nice morning but bird wise much the same, a single Peregrine was on the arable, the Water Rail showed quite well for a few minutes and an Oystercatcher was on the scrape, a year tick for some.

From the hide : 5 Greylags, 5 Canada Geese, c150 Wigeon, c100 Teal, 9 Shelduck, 8 Curlew, 4 Snipe, 3 BlkWits, 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Lt. Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Buzzard, 1 Stonechat. ML/DC/JH/MR et al.
Two Stonechat (a pair) were on the Mounds MR.

Thu 6th Feb 20

Not on site again today, no reports so far.

Tue 4th Feb 20

I'm on first name terms with most of the birds at the Haven at the moment, every day the same old faces.
Double figures of Cormorants and R T Divers offshore this morning but not much else.
From the hide :1 Black Swan, c80 Greylag, 200 Wigeon, 120 Teal, 16 Shelduck, 12 Shoveler, 450 Lapwing, 13 Snipe, 2 Peregrine, 2 Kestrel, Corn & Reed Bunting, Yellowhammer & Linnet.

On Grandad duties tomorrow so not sure if Blog. will get updated, will do my best but if not just read today's again, I guess it will be much the same, roll on Spring.

Mon 3rd Feb 20

I spent the first half of the morning walking the approach road wood and over the road, the birds seem to be finding their voices in the sunshine early on with Song Thrush, Robin, Dunnock, Blue & Gt. Tits all in song as was a very vocal Cetti's Warbler along the drainage ditch over the road.
From the hide : 1 Black Swan (seen earlier), a few Greylags, 3 Canada Geese, c100 Wigeon, c100 Teal, 8 Shelduck, 4 Shoveler, c400 Lapwing, 8 Snipe, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Buzzard, 3 Kestrel, Corn & Reed Buntings, Linnets. PRD/JH/CP/MR

Paul Brayshaw had a good run from the Frinton end at lunchtime adding 3 new birds to the year list.


 Paul Brayshaw

Lunchtime run along the seawall from Frinton to the tower. 4 Purple Sands by sluice, 4 Stonechat, 2 Sanderling on beach near raised tee, 2 Cettis Warblers singing along golf course and Grey Wagtail by tower.

Sun 2nd Feb 20

An hour spent sea-watching with Pete Loud gave a new bird for the year list in the form of an adult Mediterranean Gull, in a mixed flock containing Common, Blk-Headed and Herring Gulls that were feeding around the outfall buoy. Also noted offshore were 20+ R T Divers, several Cormorants, 13 Brent Geese (8 n - 5 s), 2 Gt. Crested Grebe (sitting on the sea) and 1 Oystercatcher (n).

From the hide : 1 Black Swan, 2 Greylag, 7 Canada Geese (adults), c100 Wigeon, c50 Teal, 10 Shelduck, 4 Shoveler, c500 Lapwing, 4 Snipe, 1 BlkWit, 2 Grey Heron, 2 Kestrel, Stock Doves (10+ down towards the set-aside), Corn & Reed Buntings, 2+ Yellowhammers, 40+ Linnets PL/MR

Sat 1st Feb 20

The start of a new month brought very little change at the Haven, a little warmer I must admit but still very wet under foot.

Pete Loud had c70 Greylag and the Black Swan, with 22 Curlew on the marsh below the car park first thing and along the bottom hedge the Coal Tit was seen in a mixed Tit flock.

From the hide : 2 Greylag, 7 Canada Geese (adults), c100 Wigeon, c50 Teal, 12 Shoveler, 2 Shelduck, c400 Lapwing, 14 Curlew (prob. from earlier group), 8 Snipe, 3 BlkWit's, 2 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Kestrel. PL/JH/EJ/LH/MR. et al



Trevor Clifford

16:51 1 Purple Sandpiper &  2 Turnstones at the sluice.