Thurs 30th April 20

Reports from today : 


Pete Loud

13:47 Walk around this morning, very windy, but not too cold. Scrape, 2 Common Tern resting on main island, 24 Avocet, (at least 4 sitting now), 4 House Martin, 8 Swallow, Reed, Sedge & Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Pairs of Gadwall, 1 pair of Shoveler + Drake. Plenty of the Common Warblers everywhere. Golf Course, 20 Whimbrel, 2 Wheatear, 1 Male Stonechat. 1 Fulmar Over the Dell.


At the end of April the total number of species recorded at the Haven this year totaled 140.

Wed 29th April 20

Reports from today : 


Matt Lonsdale

09:27 Hobby just gone through south Over the road.
09:58 House Martin from raised platform.
14:44 Good morning at haven - highlights:
Vismig- Spoonbill N + circling, Hobby S, 2+ House Martin, 20+ Swallow, 1 Whimbrel S. small movement of finches.
Bushes- busy with increase in Blackcaps and Whitethroat + all other common warblers present.
Scrape- Common Sand, 6 Dunlin, 2 Blkwit, Yellow Wag, Marsh Harrier, Peg, 2 Little Egret.
Golf course - 4 Wheatear, 2 Stonechat, 23 Whimbrel.
+ another Stonechat and Med Gull across other parts of site.


Pete Loud

09:54 Hobby circling high over entrance marsh.
11:03 Spoonbill circling over scrape. Heading over Golf Course.
16:08 In addition to Matt’s List, 2 Fulmar, 1 amazingly picked up coming in across the fields from Gt Holland church direction, also 1 Peregrine and 5 Swift.



Paul Brayshaw

19:16 Frinton to sluice and back along seawall. Gc - as earlier 4 Wheatear, 2 Stonechat, 25 Whimbrel plus one Curlew and 2 Yellow Wag.  Single Blackwit the only wader of note visible on the scrape.

Tues 28th April 20

Reports from today :


Pete Loud

10:56 Didn’t stay out long this morning, fresh north easterly, pretty chilly. Scape, Little change,1 Blackwit, 25 Avocet, 2 Little Egret, pair of Shoveler + 2 Drake, pair of Gadwall + 1 Drake, 1 Reed & 1 Sedge, 2 Swallow and 2 Swift (NFY) heading low northwards over fields at back of Scrape.


Paul Brayshaw

18:52 A wet, windy, cold and frankly rather miserable dog walk from
Frinton along the seawall to the southern end of the golf course was made worthwhile by the Ouzel showing well (total lack of people a factor!) plus 31 Whimbrel.  Nothing at sea.

Mon 27th April 20


Reports from today : 


The first report of the day was unfortunately not from the Haven but a great find for Pete Davis & his dog Millie on the morning walk.


Pete Davis

10:38 Wood Warbler singing London Road end of path opposite Thorpe Road exit of Swallowdale!


Pete Loud

17:18 Haven bike ride this morning. Good numbers of all the common migrants now, Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat, Blackcap, Reed & Sedge & Swallow. 2 Chiffchaff, 4 Cetti’s, 1 Drake Tufted. Scrape fairly quiet, just the usual Avocet, Redshank & Oystercatcher. Golf Course, 2 Male Wheatear, 18 Whimbrel, 2 House Martin.


Paul Brayshaw

Frinton-farm-gc-seawall run with dogs and one teenager... unsurprisingly not many birds seen but 3 Oyks, 33 Whimbrel and a Wheatear on golf course.


Matt Lonsdale

What was seeming to be a pretty lackluster visit this evening brightened up by this Fieldfare on the groyne by the boating club (presumably just came in), Cuckoo calling, all common migrants in bushes including a Willow Warbler. Nothing of note on scrape and a Wheatear and c15 Whimbrel on golf course the best of the rest.

Sun 26th April 20

Reports from today : 


Pete Loud

13:58 Early ride through the Haven this morning. Ringtail Hen Harrier from track leading down to Golf Course at 0735 heading towards backwaters. Male Ring Ouzel still present. 2 Wheatear, 18 Whimbrel, 3 Curlew, Cuckoo, 2 Sedge, 2 Reed, 2 Lesser Whitethroat & Whitethroat all in area of Golf Course. Scrape, 24 Avocets, 2 Snipe, 2 Drake Shoveler & Several Reed & Sedge. Lesser Whitethroat & Whitethroat Sluice Bushes. Elsewhere, Whitethroats, Blackcaps, Chiffchaff, another Cuckoo 10+ Swallows & 2 Cetti’s.


Matt Lonsdale

17:23 Biked up to Naze this morning - walked round seawall.
Haven on way through - golf course, Rouzel, Wheatear, Yellow Wag N, 15+ Whimbrel and lots of Sedge Warbler.

Willow Warbler singing in bushes and pair of Tufted Duck and Little Grebe over the road.

Sat 25th April 20

Reports from today : 


Pete Loud

13:38 This Morning at the Haven, Marsh Harrier ad Male & 2nd yr female. 3 Tufted over the road, with pair of Gadwall, Lesser Whitethroat, Several Whitethroats & 2 Cetti's. Lesser Whitethroat & Whitethroat Dell. Blackcap, Whitethroat & Chiffchaff all in raised platform area. Scrape, Greenshank briefly in flight then landed over the back out of sight, Avocet 15+, Sand Martin, Gadwall, 2 Pair, Shoveler 1 drake, Wigeon 1 female. Lots of Reed and Sedge Warblers around site. Golf Course, 1 Male Ring Ouzel (very elusive) 1 Wheatear, pair of Stonechat, 2 Ad,1 1st sum, Med Gull, 16 Whimbrel & 3 Curlew. Along seawall 2 Sandwich Tern, 2 Whimbrel & Turnstone.


Max Martin

15:29 Quick walk up to scrape and only new bird of note was a Common Sandpiper on scrape. 1 Ring Ouzel was at South end of GC and 2 Sand Martins through South.


Matt Lonsdale

18:30 Late afternoon / early evening visit-
Scrape- Common Sandpiper, 16 Avocet (+ first eggs), Wigeon (fem), 15 Swallow, Sand Martin, 2 Gadwall, 2 Grey Heron, Little Egret and 2 Med Gull.
Golf Course - 1 Rouzel (Male), 17 Whimbrel, male Stonechat and Wheatear.


Paul Brayshaw

18:46 Frinton- farm- gc- seawall loop.  Two broods of Mallard at farm plus 30 Linnet on paddocks. Yellow Wag over on wall to golf course plus 360 woodpigeon on fields.  Further 50+ Linnet on golf course / seawall, Whimbrel up to 19 plus 1 Curlew, 2 Wheatear, Ouzel.

Fri 24th April 20

Reports from today : 


Paul Brayshaw

08:25 Seawall run through the site and back again.   Golf Course - 2 Ouzels, 5 Whimbrel, 1 Curlew.  Also Reed Warbler back in territory at extremes north end by beach huts.  Offshore - 3 Fulmar, 3 Common Tern.  Scrape - looked like just two Blackwits of note from brief scan from seawall.  Lots of Whitethroats and Sedge singing away.  Also small movement of Woodpigeon, Linnet, Goldfinch and Swallow.


Pete Loud


13:22 Over the road, pair of Tufted still, Little Grebe calling, 1 imm. female Marsh Harrier, Cetti’s & several Whitethroats. 3 Sparrowhawk, (pair displaying over entrance road). Raised platform, 2 Ad Med Gull over, Several Swallows, Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Whitethroat & 3+ Blackcap. Scrape, Gadwall pair, Shoveler Pair, Teal 10+, Avocets 20+, Sedge Warbler 2. Golf Course, 4 Whimbrel, 7 Wheatear & Female Stonechat. Back along seawall, 2 Purple Sandpipers & 1st sum Med Gull.

Thurs 24th April 20


Reports From today : 


Max Martin

15:27 Highlights of this mornings walk: Farm -1 Corn Bunting, 1 Yellow Wagtail. Golf course- 2 Ring Ouzels, 1 Yellow Wag, 9 Whimbrel (3 on GC rest in field between main farm footpath and GC footpath) 1 Yellow Wagtail. Scrape- 1 Bar Tailed Godwit, plus usual's, no sign of Greenshank. 1 Lesser Whitethroat along brook by sewage farm. Across the road- 1 Lesser Whitethroat and 7 Tufted Ducks.

Photo Max Martin©

Pete Loud

15:54 Did my usual cycle round today, 2 Wheatear GC, 2 Whimbrel passed offshore. Pair of Stonechat by boardwalk, Male was displaying to female, never seen that before, danced around on the ground, flicking its wings, hopping left to right in front of her, interestingly the white shoulder patches that were hardly evident before now were huge, looked like a completely different bird. Scrape 1 Greenshank that flew to marsh and eventually disappeared in the long grass, (probably the bird Harry had).1 Dunlin, 23 Avocets, 2 Shoveler, 8 Teal, 1 Reed and 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Little Egret, Several Swallows. Behind raised platform on the pool was 1 Barwit, 1 Spotted Redshank, 5 Avocets, 11 Teal, 4 Gadwall. Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Cetti’s and Whitethroat all in that area. Over the road I managed 5 Tufted, 2 Cetti’s, Blackcap, Whitethroats and Lesser Whitethroat. 4 Brimstone Butterflies today, with plenty of Small Whites, 1 Speckled Wood, 1 Orange tip and a few Peacocks. Nice surprise to get within a few feet of a Fox sunbathing in the clearing over the road.

Matt Lonsdale

15:16 Incredible - 2 Ring Ouzels still at south end of golf course + Wheatear.

Wed 22nd April 20

Reports from today : 


Pete Loud

12:20 Cycle through site today. 2 Mistle Thrush at farm, Yellow Wag, Corn Bunt, Whitethroat down track. Wheatear on GC. Whimbrel along front. 2 Sedge Wooden Hide reed bed. Scrape, Sparrowhawk, 2 Buzzard, 2 Barwit, 2 Blackwits, 1 Dunlin, 26 Avocets, 4 Curlew, 2 Whimbrel, 1 Wigeon, 20 Teal, pair of Shoveler, Reed & Sedge Warbler, Whitethroat. Quite a few Swallows and Blackcap around site, 1 Chiffchaff, Cetti’s. Over the road the pair of Tufted were still present as was the Lesser Whitethroat, also Blackcap and a few Whitethroat.


Charlotte Smith
17:27 16:00 - From scrape - 2 Barwits, 1 Whimbrel & Spotted Redshank.

2 Ring Ouzels at southern end of golf course.

Paul Brayshaw

18:34 Seawall walk from Frinton to wooden hide with dogs and one child. Golf Course - 2 Oyks, 1 Curlew, 5 Whimbrel and Ouzels all at southern end. Otherwise two single Wheatear on gc and by wooden hide.

Tues 21st April 20

Reports from today :


Pete Loud

15:58 Too windy to bike this morning, so parked in lay-by and walked to Hide and back. Pair of Tufted Duck (NFY) on brook west of the road bridge was a good start, with Lesser Whitethroat, 5+Whitethroat, 2 Cetti’s, Sparrowhawk, Marsh Harrier and Several Swallows also. Scrape, Spotted Redshank, Barwit, 27 Avocet, 8+ Redshank, 8 Curlew, 1 Whimbrel, 1 Wigeon, 2 Pair Shoveler, 30 Teal, 6 Shelduck, 8 Swallows, 2 Sedge Warbler, 2 Oystercatcher, imm Female Marsh Harrier from earlier and the adult Male Peregrine again.1st Green-veined White for me was along entrance road. (see Butterfly Year List).


Charlotte Smith

19:16 Early evening walk around site by Harry.
Highlights from the scrape were singles of Greenshank, Blackwit & Barwit.   On the golf course - 4 Curlew, 1 Whimbrel & 3 Wheatear.
Also Small Copper by sluice. (see Butterfly Year List)



Matt Lonsdale

19:18 Thought I had posted earlier-

Late morning visited added Tufted Duck (pair) and Lesser Whitethroat both over the road. Singles of Spotted Redshank and Barwit on scrape and 2cy fem Marsh Harrier still around and decent no’s of common migrant warblers in bushes.

Paul Brayshaw

19:22 Seawall run from Frinton to sluice and back 6.15-6.45. Lots of overlap with Harry’s.  Seawall and golf course - 5 Wheatear, 2 Oyk, 45 Linnet, 1 Whimbrel and 3 Curlew. Sea- 2 Sandwich Tern north. Scrape - distant quick look from seawall with bins only- Barwit and 4 Snipe.  At least 6 Whitethroat in song (plus 4 Frinton undercliff) so back in force!

Mon 20th April 20

The first Lesser Whitethroat of the year for Paul Brayshaw this morning.


Reports from today : 


Paul Brayshaw

18:12 Early morning seawall run through the haven 6-7am.   C30 Linnet and 4 Swallow north, 2 Curlew and 8 Shelduck on golf course, 4+ Whitethroat singing, Sedge Warbler by wooden hide, Lesser Whitethroat singing by sluice, quick scan of scrape from seawall- Barwit, 2 Dunlin and six Snipe.

Sun 19th April 20

Reports from today : 


Pete Loud

13:06 Biked from farm, through site this morning, back along road. 2nd year Male Marsh Harrier over fields, 4 Curlew on Golf Course, Whitethroat & Chiffchaff, 3 Whimbrel flying north close inshore, pair of Stonechat by boardwalk. Scrape, Barwit, 3 Blackwits, 2 Dunlin,24 Avocet,3 Whimbrel,6 Curlew,1 Wigeon,11 Teal, Pair of both,Gadwall & Shoveler. Heard Cuckoo by brook, stood on hide landing to look and picked up a Great W. Egret  flying towards the sewage farm from seafront/greensward direction over Scrape and continued northwards. Also 1 Sedge,1 Cetti’s, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Sand Martin & Little Egret. Several Swallows seen around site, 5 Whitethroats & couple of Chiffs & Blackcap, 1 male Peregrine.
Year 1st Orange Tip Butterfly was by entrance to car park road.


Paul Brayshaw

19:56 Seawall wall from Frinton to Wooden hide 6-7.  Gc - 2 Oyks, Yellow Wag and Wheatear; offshore northbound - 3 Whimbrel, 4 Sandwich, 16 Common and two very close Arctic Terns.

Sat 18th April 20


Reports from today :


Paul Brayshaw

16:18 Seawall walk from Frinton to sluice and back.  Golf Course - 3 Curlew, wooden hide - 3 Wheatear. Seawall Rocks - 2 Whimbrel, 2 Oyks. Sluice Bushes - 2 Whitethroat, 3 Blackcap. Scrape - Spot Red, Barwit, 6 Snipe, 3 Dunlin, 2 Med Gulls. Offshore - Fulmar and 5 Whimbrel north.


Pete Loud

18:30 Cycle ride round site late afternoon fairly quiet until reaching the Hide which proved to be quite productive.
Scrape,1 Spot Red, 1 Barwit, 3 Blackwits, 7 Snipe, 4 Dunlin, 20 Avocet, 2 Curlew, 1 Sand Martin, 5 Swallow, 1 Male Yellow Wagtail, 1 Wheatear, 2,2nd Summer Med Gulls, 1 Wigeon, 20 Teal, 4 Gadwall & 4 Shoveler.1 Whimbrel on rocks along seawall and 5 Curlew on Golf Course.

Fri 17th April 20

Reports from today :


Pete Loud

14:13 Walked round site today, far too windy to bike. Several Corn Bunting on walk from farm, cracking summer plumaged Bar-tailed Godwit on Golf Course, later on Scrape. 2 Wheatear & 2 Whimbrel also on GC.6 Whimbrel close Offshore north,1 Fulmar and 2 Sandwich Tern. Wheatear along the seawall, 2 Sedge & pair of Stonechat near wooden Hide, 2 Med Gull over. Scrape, Sedge Warbler, 5 Blackwits, 4 Snipe, 1 Whimbrel, 1 Barwit, 7 Curlew, 1 Wigeon, 20 Teal, 5 Shoveler, 4 Gadwall, 2 Little Egret, 24 Avocet, several Redshank & several pairs of Lapwing sitting. Elswhere on site 2 Whitethroat, 3 Swallow, 6 Blackcap & 2 Chiffchaff.

Thurs 16th April 20

Reports from today :


Matt Lonsdale

10:13 Visits got off to a flyer- 3 Willow Warbler, c7 Blackcap and few Chiffs and Whitethroat in bushes.
Scrape + surrounding- Spotted Redshank, 5 Dunlin, 5 Blackcap, Swallow, Reed and Sedge Warbler.

Photo Matt Lonsdale©

Of 70 species recorded this morning- highlights including bushes- Spotted Redshank, 1 Ring Ouzel (still south end of gc), 8 Wheatear, 3 Willow Warbler, 8 Blackcap, 8 Whitethroat, 6 Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, Yellow Wag, Cuckoo, c5 Chiffchaff, 5 Dunlin, 5 Blackwit, 4 Lt Egret, 2 Stonechat, Mistle Thrush and Corn Bunting + a trickle of Goldfinch N and a Swallow.

Photo Matt Lonsdale©

Wed 15th April 20


Reports from today :


Max Martin

07:34 Farm this am: 3+ Corn Bunting, 1 Yellow Wagtail (flew over), 1 Cuckoo (Calling in distant Oak tree), 2 Adult Med gulls.


Pete Loud

15:02 Bike ride through site this morning. 
Golf Course, amazingly the 2 Ring Ouzels still in attendance, also 1 Wheatear & 2 Adult Med Gull. 2 Sedge Warblers in Reed bed by wooden Hide. Pair of Stonechat moth enclosure. Scrape 2 Reed, 3 Sedge & Cetti’s Warbler on view. 1 Female Wigeon, 4 Shoveler, 1 Drake Gadwall, 10 Teal usual Avocet & Redshank numbers, 4 Snipe, Whitethroat on mounds, with another over the road. 2 Purples on rocks by Sluice. Several Swallows about site, also Blackcaps & Chiffchaff. 4 Buzzard, 10 Curlew, then the long ride home. Several Small Whites noted today, still plenty of Peacocks.
Also 2 Ad Gannet & 1 Fulmar north offshore.


Paul Brayshaw

19:38 Seawall wall from Frinton to northern pillbox where overlapped with ML. Golf course 6 Curlew, 1 Whimbrel. Offshore 7 Turnstone north.  Matt will have a more complete list!


Matt Lonsdale

1943:  scrape- a Ruff,snipe, 2 blkwit, 20 avocet, 8 redshank, 2 shoveler, 10 teal.
Wooden hide- barn owl quartering + pair of stonechat.
Over the road- pair of oyk, lapwing and gadwall.
Pair of song thrush and a chiff in car park.
Also good to see brook level has been raised.

Tues 14th April 20

Reports from today :


Max Martin

10:36 Golf Course: 2 Ring Ouzels, 1 Wheatear, 1 Whimbrel.

Photo's Max Martin©

Matt Lonsdale

16:44 Amazingly the 2 Male Ring Ouzels still in the golf course this afternoon for their 7th day!  Also a single Male Wheatear, Swallow and Coal Tit calling at Gt. Holland church.


Charlotte Smith

17:16 50 species noted whilst walking from the farm to the main hide and back.
Across the scrape - Avocet pair seen mating, Redshank, Lapwing, and Shelduck all displaying. Also female Marsh Harrier over.  Harry Elliott.


Paul Brayshaw

18:49 Seawall wall from Frinton to wooden hide and back.  Turnstone on the seawall, 2 Curlew, 2 Ouzels and a Little Egret on golf course. Single Swallow the only summer migrant. 8 Med Gulls north high overhead.

Mon 13th April 20


Just one report from today so far but understandable with the biting N/E wind that's been blowing all day


Paul Brayshaw

 18:01 Seawall wall from Frinton to grazing marsh and back (rather bracing!). 2 Oyks on golf course, handful of linnets only noted.

Sun 12th April 20

The first Cuckoo of the year today and it looks like a few more of the spring migrants have arrived.

Reports from today :


Pete Loud

12:09 Red Kite circling low over rape field at back of scrape.

15:22 Again bike ride through site today. Over marshes to start at southern end. Good start with Cuckoo crossing road by brook heading towards back of Scrape. Short walk to gate by brook, 2 Whitethroat, 1 carrying nesting material (certainly don’t hang about), 1 Female Blackcap, 2 Cetti’s, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Swallow, 2 Adult with 2 1st summer Med Gulls over, Sparrowhawk & Little Egret. Still 1 Whimbrel in with 30 Curlew by entrance road. Scrape, Red Kite, 5 Buzzard, 1 Adult Male Marsh Harrier, Sedge Warbler & Whitethroat showing nicely in front of Hide, Cetti’s, 16 Avocet, 7 Snipe, 3 Blackwits, 10 Redshank, Pair of Gadwall, 30 Teal, 5 Shoveler. Pair of Stonechat in moth enclosure and another Sedge by wooden Hide. Several Swallows, Blackcap & Chiffchaff around site. On the Butterfly front, 2 Brimstones were 1st for year, 4 Tortoiseshells, 1 Comma, probably 30+ Peacock.


Charlotte Smith

14:50  Male Ring Ouzel at farm. Flew through horse fields alongside the houses and lost from view. Male Ring Ouzel on gc - usual gorse patch by footpath, flushed by dog and not relocated. Female Marsh Harrier between gc and farm. Harry Elliot.


Matt Lonsdale

16:51 Down from farm through haven- Coal Tit, 2 Mistle Thrush, 2+ Corn Bunting, Yellow Wag, 2 Lt Egret (1 S along seawall), 1 Buzzard (s), peg (in/off), couple of swallows.


Liz Huxley

17:06 Male whinchat by the golf course this afternoon.

Photo Liz Huxley©

Paul Brayshaw

18:42 Frinton-farm-gc-wooden hide-seawall-frinton dog and kid walk loop with the added bonus of rain.  Single Buzzard, usual residents at farm paddocks (no sign of Ouzel there or on gc), seawall 2 Oyk and a Turnstone, Whinchat (thanks liz!) and Sedge Warbler at southern end of whalings. Good no's of hirundine also here with 10 Swallow and four House Martin.

Fri 10th April 20

Reports from today :


Max Martin

07:11 Common Whitethroat singing between GC Footpath and Main farm path.

Pete Loud

11:52 Biked around site today, nice and sunny but NE wind a bit chilly. 2 Ring Ouzels still with us for there 4th day, moved back down towards south end of golf course. 1 Female Wheatear also golf course.2 adult Med Gull along front,1 Whimbrel in with the 35 Curlew by entrance road. 1 Sedge Warbler doing display flights along channel that runs perpendicular from Hide. Scrape, 4 Blackwits, 15 Avocets, 2 Little Egrets, 40 Teal, 2 Gadwall, 4 Shoveler, 6 Snipe. Aground site, 4 Swallow, 3 Chiffchaff, 6 Blackcap, 2 Cetti’s Warbler, 3 Sparrowhawk & Barn Owl carrying a vole

.

Paul Brayshaw

18:26 Frinton-farm-gc (footpath)-seawall loop.  C250 Woodpigeon in fields a notable increase, single Swallow over farm the only summer migrant, 2 Oyks on gc (no sign of ousels).

Thurs 9th April 20

Reports from today :


Dennis Pryor

08:46 Ring Ouzel still on golf course 6.30 this morning.


Matt Lonsdale

11:04 First scan of scrape- Egyptian Goose, 4 Knot and 3 Dunlin. Lt Egret, 2 Blackwit still present. In bushes- c6 Blackcap and a few Chiffs so numbers down.
16:51 In addition to these, Willow Warbler in bushes, pair of Mistle Thrush at farm, 2 Rouzels still on golf course, 2 Little Egret, Grey Heron, 5 Med Gulls.


Paul Brayshaw

19:19 Evening walk around golf course and seawall.  Ousels still present, 2 Oyks on beach, 24 Curlew to roost at Hamford, 3 Avocet north offshore, Whitethroat in scrub just south of Frinton beach huts (in area) and cuckoo calling distantly from
Farm area.

Wed 8th April 20

Reports from today : 


Matt Lonsdale

08:44 Pair of LRP on scrape and first Sedge Warbler singing, 12 Blackcap and 5 Chiffchaff in bushes. Trickle of Goldfinch and Linnet North. Correction make that 3 LRP.
09:07 Four Fulmar close south.


Pete Loud

11:46  2 Male Ring Ouzel s still on Golf Course, but have moved up to the gorse clumps where bridle path crosses.
20:34 Tally for this am as follows :- 35 Curlew still entrance road marsh, 2 Mistle Thrush Farm, 2 Ring Ouzel Golf Course, 1 LRP Scrape + 3 Blackwits, 18 Avocets, 14 Snipe, 10 Redshank, Little Egret, 40 Teal and 2nd yr Male Marsh Harrier, different bird to yesterday. 1 Cetti’s , 2 Ad Med Gull, 3 Swallows. Didn’t do top end ,but PD reported several Blackcap and a couple of Chiffs.


Paul Brayshaw

18:46 Ring Ouzels still present on golf course in area just north of footpath. Not particularly showy tonight!
18:54 And a pair of adult Med Gulls flying out to sea the only other sighting of note.


Max Martin

Photo Max Martin©

Tues 7th April 20

Looks like it was a good day for spring migration today



Reports from today :

Pete Loud

19:36 Bike ride around site today starting at the farm. Adult Spoonbill flying low north over golf course, 2 Corn Bunting & at least 5 Med Gulls about site. Fulmar close south along seawall. 2 Male Ring Ouzel Golf Course, 6 Swallow around site + several Blackcap & Chiffchaff. 1 Willow Warbler, wing tagged Marsh Harrier, usual one L6. 2 Little Egret, 1 Blackwit, 14 Snipe, 18 Avocets, 12 Redshank, 25 Teal. 30 Curlew still by entrance road. On rock breakwater to right of Sluice were 7 Turnstone & 1 Purple Sand, 3 Brent on Sluice.


Matt Lonsdale

09:51 Willow Warbler singing from dipping pond platform, max has had Sand Martin over scrape. Also at least 5 Blackcap on approach road alone.

14:19 What I’m certain was a WTE from pillbox, huge broad winged and dwarfed every buzzard I’ve been looking at ever. Unfortunately no other birds harassing it and very far and distant over left of farm. Once I was convinced called Paul but unsurprisingly lost due to shake and panic I had caused myself. Stour WTE has just been seen recently at Ardleigh and now Wivenhoe but though to be about 9/10 WTE in county atm. My views will never be able to defiantly rule out other eagles sp
.
16:27 : Well a pretty epic visit to haven today-  Obviously the WTE, alongside 2+ Ring Ouzel, 2 Willow Warbler, Firecrest, 12+ Blackcap, 8+ Chiffchaff, 6 Swallow. Few Linnet moving, 2 Lt. Egret, 15 Snipe, 3 Brent, 2 Blackwit, 6+ Med Gulls.

Photo Matt Lonsdale©

Christine Pain

11:10  Anyone golf course end.  Looks like male Ring Ouzel looking from steps to beach across bunker to nearest hedge.  Have now got two.


Paul Brayshaw

18:15 One Ring Ousel still at southern end of golf course along with 2 Oyks. Gt.W Egret just stuck it’s head out of the ditch at northern end of grazing marsh. Two Little Egret also present.
18:19 1yr Med Gull on beach opposite grazing marsh.

Mon 6th April 20

Another site year tick for Matt Lonsdale this afternoon with a Yellow Wagtail and one for Paul Brayshaw this evening with Sandwich Tern.


Matt Lonsdale

17:26 Yellow Wagtail flown west from path between golf course clubhouse and farm paddocks.
19:03 In addition to Yellow Wag, a bike through site produced- Swallow (raised platform), 3 Wheatear (gc), 3 Brent Geese, 2 Blackcap, 2+ Chiffchaff, 2 Corn Bunting, 2 Blackwit, Song Thrush, Lt. Egret, 2 Red-legged Partridge, Stonechat, 2 Med Gull and 5 Snipe of 60 species recorded.


Paul Brayshaw

19:14 Sea wall walk from Frinton to sluice and back.  2 Wheatear gc, Yellow Wag by gc dump, 24 Linnet on seawall by wooden hide, Pair Stonechat moth sanctuary, Little Egret and 3 Curlew grazing marsh, Offshore 12 Brent, 3 Scoter and 2 Sandwich Tern north, Scrape area 3 Wigeon and a pair of Pintail flew over and out to sea.  18 Avocet, 2 Blackwit, 5 Snipe, 3 Dunlin, 3 Oystercatcher, 2 Med Gulls.


.

Sun 5th April 20

Reports from Haven walks today:


Max Martin

12:15 Male Wheatear Golf Course


Pete Loud

 13:53 Early walk through site today. 
Entrance road area, 4 Blackcaps, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Redwing , 20 Curlew on marsh.
Scrape,11 Dunlin, 5 Blackwit, 14 Avocet, 12 Redshank, 3 Wigeon, 20 Teal, 2 Shoveler with another 8 opposite raised platform. 
Pair of Stonechat by moth enclosure and a fly through Swallow.
Golf Course 2, 2nd Summer Med Gulls + 1, 1st summer, all later flew over Farm. Corn Bunting and Mistle Thrush finished off at the farm.


Paul Brayshaw

Seawall and car park from Frinton through to Holland and back.  Golf course - Wheatear, 34 Curlew, 2 Whimbrel.  Scrape looked as per PL's report, 2 Oyks around sluice.  One additional Whimbrel called north and five Little Gulls just gone north while I was just in the haven boundary.

Sat 4th April 20

Matt Lonsdale is building the site year list almost single handed with Swallow today's addition, but Paul Brayshaw chipped in with a S E Owl this afternoon.


Matt Lonsdale

11:16 Swallow, klaxon 🚨 one south of dell, also Blackcap approach road.
17:57 Haven late morning- early afternoon.
Swallow (s of dell), couple of Linnet in/off.
Bushes- 4 Blackcap, 3+ Chiffchaff.
Scrape- Blackwit, Snipe, 9 Redshank and 2 Med Gulls. (Lt Egret Flying)
Golf Course- nothing.


Paul Brayshaw

17:50 S E Owl from Farm, heading towards Kirby.
18:30 Usual Frinton-farm-golf course-seawall loop. Only other addition was a single Red T Diver on the sea.

Fri 3rd April 20

Just one report from the Haven today with Pete Loud out for some exercise this morning, but it did include another site year tick with the first Blackcap of the year.


Pete Loud

14:17 Long walk today, started off at the Church, walking down through the site to the entrance road and back. Knackered now, but got to keep fit for the eventual return to work. Great Spot, Coal Tit & Mistle Thrush at the farm. Firecrest where southern most footpath meets Golf Course. At last Blackcap, singing and showing along entrance road, with a nice flock of 60 Curlew still on marsh there. Ad Male Peregrine overhead, plus Sparrowhawk and 4 Buzzard. 1 Goldcrest and several Chiffs about. Water levels on Leon’s marsh and Scrape getting low, probably due to the low level of the Brooke. Water Rail showed very well, also only 8 Wigeon now, 50 Teal still, 12 Shoveler, 16 Shelduck, 10 Redshank, 2 Blackwits & pair of Stonechat by moth enclosure. Offshore very quiet, just the odd Cormorant.

Thurs 2nd April 20

Pete Davis had a possible Ib Chiff / Common Chiff with atypical song, in the large willow to the left of the raised platform around 09:40, the bird sang half a dozen times in the treetop then went quiet and couldn't be relocated by 12:30. Otherwise not much was about.



John Hall

Ventured to The Haven for my exercise today. Parked in lay-by at bottom of hill, walked through spiny and as far as raised platform. First spot was 40+ Curlew in field next to lay-by. Then in no particular order:- seen or heard 6  Chiffchaff, 20 + Blackbirds all male, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Magpie, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove. Robin, Dunnock, Wren(heard), 2 Green Woodpeckers, Moorhen, Shoveler, large mixed Gull flock following tractor. 2 Buzzards, Kestrel, Grey Heron, Crow, Jackdaw, Pied Wagtail, and finally my “Bird of the day” and NFY for me Great-Spotted Woodpecker. Hardly saw a   soul so will probably do it again some time.


Paul Brayshaw

Frinton- farm -golf course -seawall loop with those members of the family with too much energy (human and canine) produced nothing more than the residents- Mistle Thrush, Corn Bunting and 2 Green Woodpecker at the paddocks, with another two of the latter on the golf course and a Grey Heron over.

Wed 1st April 20

Two more site year ticks from the Haven today with Hen Harrier & Red Kite.

From the Haven.


Matt Lonsdale

11:10 Ringtail Hen Harrier over golf course, gained height currently over farm at Great Holland.
13:15 Bike to haven then walk through site. Highlights included- prob White Wagtail (grass, south of dell), Firecrest ( wood, end of car park), 3 Redwing (orchard), Goldcrest. Scrape- 5 Blackwit, Snipe, 6+ Redshank. Golf course- r t Hen Harrier (prob 1cy Male, then gained height), Red Kite (distantly over Frinton) and Stonechat.
Sea- 7 Shoveler and Brent N.


Pete Loud

14:07 Like Matt, decided to get on my bike today. Cycled to Gr Holland and down footpath, cross golf course, along front and return along road. Must say how nice it was to cycle along roads with little traffic, took me back to my youth. Best bird was the 1st year Male Ringtail Hen Harrier Picked up at the back edge of Golf ,Course while talking to Matt, Made all the effort worthwhile.


Paul Brayshaw

Frinton-farm - gc- seawall - Frinton kid and dog walk.  Haven area sightings - 2 ad Med Gulls, 3 Buzzard (north), Kestrel, offshore Brent (51 north, 1+32+18), 8 Red T Divers.