Sun 31st May 20

Reports from today : 


Pete Loud

17:29 Not much at the Haven this morning, to be expected at this time of year. Couple of adult Med Gulls about, 2 Cuckoos back of Scrape, only 12 Avocet, but 4 look like they are sitting, one of which Should be hatching soon. 3 Avocet  chicks are doing well. Moving on to Dragonflies now, 2 Broad-bodied Chasers (dipping pond), 4 Four-Spotted Chasers and 4 Hairy Dragonfly in Kirby brook to right of Hide.

At the end of May the number of species recorded at the Haven this year stands at 149.

 

Sat 30th May 20

 Reports from today :

Matt Lonsdale

2 trips to the haven today-
A morning visit had where breeders where the focus, the Male + female stonechat at end of Wooden hide reedbed. Bushes quiet with the 1st fledged Blackcap of the year from the 5 bar gate. Also Chiffs, Whitethroat, leaders and other all busy.
Farm this afternoon - Corn Bunt, Mistle Thrush, Swifts, House Sparrow and Green Woodpecker.

Not the singing Blyth's Reed I was hoping for but still time 🤞.

Fri 29th May 20

Reports from today :

Pete Loud

18:54 Haven today. Scrape 2 adult Med Gull, drake Gadwall, 2 Little Egret, 17 Avocets (3 chicks) 2 pairs sitting, Oystercatchers now sitting in Tern raft, 1 Cuckoo, 100+Swift over arable, must have been a large insect hatch. A few Butterflies about,1 Small Copper, 2 Green Hairstreak, 1 Orange tip, 6 Speckled Wood. 2 Hairy Dragonfly and several Blue-tailed & Azure Damselfly. Also noted at the dipping pond,1 Water Vole & a Newt.

Thurs 28th May 20

Reports from today :


Pete Loud

17:11 Wasn’t much to report today, 1 Adult Med Gull was on the Scrape briefly with drake Gadwall, 13 Avocets and the 3 youngsters. 1 st. year prob. Male Marsh Harrier moved through. Female Stonechat in moth enclosure and several Swifts over farmland.

Wed 27th May 20

Reports from today :


Pete Loud

16:30 Very quiet at the Haven now, all the birds have settled in to the rigours of breeding, Whitethroats, Lesser Whitethroats and Chiffchaff all seemed to be carrying food today. Drake Tufted Duck was on the brook, Male Stonechat by wooden hide, pair of adult Med Gulls over plus another adult and 1st sum later. Little Egret still on Scrape as was 11 Avocet and the 3 chicks. Not much else to report, just waiting for the big one before my return to work next week 🤞Hopefully.

Matt Lonsdale

Not PL’s mega yet but Egyptian Goose on scrape, Yellow Wag flew into fields near farm (poss breeding after all).

Photo Matt Lonsdale

Tues 26th May 20

Reports from today : 


Paul Brayshaw

19:16 Seawall run from Frinton past Haven. Turnstone on rocks, 2 Common Tern flew to scrape and 4 ad. Med Gulls cruising.

Mon 25th May 20

Reports from today :


Matt Lonsdale

07:32 Spotted Flycatcher on approach road near cut through walk. Finally!


Pete Loud

14:52 This mornings highlight was a brief view of a Swallowtail Butterfly which flew past the Sluice and over the rise towards Frinton. Rushed to pillbox for a scan, but couldn’t locate it. On brief view I suspect it was the continental one. Birds today fairly slow, 2 Little Egret on the Scrape with Turnstone, drake Shoveler and Gadwall. Pair of Tufted were on the brook by sluice, 12+ Buzzard we’re in the sky together.

Sun 24th May 20

Reports from today :


Pete Loud

10:01 Red Kite flying over farmland back of Scrape and 2 Barnacle Geese just landed in front of island.

Sat 23rd May 20

Reports from today :


Pete Loud

Haven this morning. Water levels on Leon's  Marsh have raised nicely and birds were taking advantage, with Avocet, Redshank and Lapwing, Mallard & Shelduck all making full use. A Red Kite was watched over the distant fields interacting with a Peregrine at one point. Pair of Shoveler on Scrape,12 Avocets plus 3 chicks, only 1 Lapwing chick now. Plenty of Swifts today40+, 1 2nd Summer Med Gull.

Fri 22nd May 20

Reports from today :


Pete Loud

An adult female Caspian Gull was on the roof of the sewage works this morning in with the Herring Gulls. Also 4 Siskins flew through south. Short seawatch produced 1 Fulmar south 15 Brent north and 4 Swift in off. Scrape was quiet as Leon was out there doing some Stirling work which hopefully will improve things no end. Thanks Leon.

Thurs 21st May 20

Reports from today : 


Pete Loud

16:05 Fairly quiet at the Haven this morning, some of the sitting Avocets have left after a couple of weeks incubating, wonder whether a Fox or Badger could of had anything to do with it? On the plus side, 2 Avocet were still sitting and the 3 chicks were ok, as were the Lapwing and Canada Goose youngsters. 2 Common Tern might be showing signs of setting in, seen on the island regularly lately and showing favourable behaviour . 2 Cuckoo were flying about and had 3 sightings of different Med Gulls flying over.

Wed 20th May 20

Reports from today :

Peter Newton

17:49 I am forwarding you two pics taken by Leon's daughter , one showing size against a crow , and another of bird perched showing yellow eye.  I have played with this photo on my computer , and blown it up etc... and am quite happy it is a Honey Buzzard, and on Haven list area.  PN

Pete Loud

19:04 Walk along seawall with my daughter late afternoon I could see a Common Tern on the Island, and a Ringed Plover type in far right hand back corner of Scrape which was giving me the impression it might be Little Ringed, without scope couldn’t be sure.

Tues 19th May 20

Reports from today :


Pete Loud

14:18 Things a lot quieter today. Over the road 3 Little Grebe on the brook, 2 Cuckoo & Cetti’s Warbler. From Scrape Hide, 1 Avocet pair has 3 Chicks & the 2 Lapwing chicks are doing well. An adult Male Marsh Harrier was over the distant fields, as were 4 Swifts at altitude. Cuckoo was showing on the back hedge. 2 Common Tern on the main island, 1 Common Sand, 1 Drake Shoveler.


RBA reporting Temminck's Stint on scrape at 15:06,  in hide at 15:42 no sign.


Matt Turner

15:42 I'm there at the moment and no sign, just a couple of Common Sands.
16:45 Cuckoo calling from direction of ringing compound
18:40 Wheatear on pillbox and I had a brief Bearded Tit in flight low over boardwalk earlier, couldn't get bins on but 99.9%

Mon 18th May 20


Reports from today :


Pete Loud

19:11 Haven today, started over the road with 2 Cuckoos & Cetti’s Warbler. Female Wheatear near moth enclosure was being chased off by the Male Stonechat. From pillbox at approx. 11.15 I noticed 2 small waders on Scrape , from Hide I could tell they were Stints, but I had to return via my car with a scope to identify them, hence the confirmation of 2 Temminck's not gong out till 11:45, Also 2 Common Sandpiper, 5 Tundra race Ringed Plover, usual  Avocets 2 drake & 1 female Shoveler, 1 Cuckoo & House Martin over. On Butterfly front, Large White was new also a few Orange-tip, 3 Green Hairstreak & Small Heath.

Photo Matt Lonsdale©

Pete Davis

13:30  Adult Yellow-legged Gull (over).


Dave Cummings

15:48 Spotted Flycatcher by 5 bar gate.

Sun 17th May 20

Reports from today :


Pete Loud

12:20 Started very well at the farm this morning, with a Spotted Flycatcher round the pond (NFY). Also a fine Male Greenland Wheatear on the track, plus Mistle Thrush, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Whitethroat, Corn Bunting & 2 Swift best of the rest. Marsh Harrier over the grazing marsh, 1st summer Med Gull & 2 Adults along the front. Little Egret & 2 Common sand on the Scrape from coastal path. 2 Sand Martin flew through.

22:22 Just got back from an evening walk from church down central footpath, along edge of Golf Course and back up southern path back to farm, on the hunt for Little Owl. No luck with that but to my surprise on return to the farm at approx. 9:40 what was perched up on the roof of the main barn with the solar panels but a Tawny Owl. It looked at me for a minute then flew off, quickly checked paddocks one last time for Little and upon my return it was up in exactly the same spot as before. Can’t remember when my last was at the Haven, must be more than 20 years, will have to look that up.

Sat 16th May 20

No reports received so far :

Fri 15th May 20

I had my first walk at the Haven for 9 weeks this afternoon, the brambles and stinging nettles have grown a bit in that time. Managed to get my year list to 101 with the common migrants back on site but a lot of catching up to do.

Reports from today :


Paul Brayshaw

08:16 Early morning seawall run from Frinton to the sluice and back. Very similar to yesterday - 2 Whimbrel golf course, Male stonechat, moth sanctuary. Usual scrape inhabitants.  2 Common Sand on the rocks opposite golf course flew off north.  Also at least eight Hares on view across the grazing marsh.


Pete Loud

14:35 All quiet and settling down at the Haven now, very little change. Cuckoo & Little Grebe over the road plus distant Marsh Harrier. No change on the Scrape. Wheatear on the Golf Course.
A new Butterfly for year list in Small Heath, also 1 Red Admiral, 2 Green Hairstreak , 1 Small Copper and still quite a few Orange-tip.

Thurs 14th May 20

Reports from today :


Pete Loud

17:39 Cycled through site this morning. On the Golf Course were lots of golfers enjoying the relaxing of restrictions, that was reflected in the lack of birds, only 2 Whimbrel & female Stonechat. 2 Harbour Porpoise moving north close offshore was a nice surprise. Scrape, 2 Lapwing chicks still with us, also 3 Canada Goose goslings, 2 Common Tern, 2 Gadwall, 3 Shoveler & Little Egret. Male Stonechat moth enclosure.

Wed 13th May 20

Reports from today :


Pete Loud

15:20 Still a chilly northerly wind at the Haven this morning, good news is the Car Park is now open. Only 21 Avocet on the Scrape, 3 left sitting after the gale forced the others to abandon their nests. Pair of Tufted on the pond with pair of Gadwall, pair of Shoveler and 2 Shoveler drakes. 2 Little Egret. 3 Common Sands flew from rocks at end of Sluice. Adult Gannet flew north and 2 Med Gull were on the sea. 5 Swift seen over fields.

Tues 12th May 20

Jeff Biddle got some great shots of Reed & Sedge Warblers on his walk along the side of the golf course this morning.

Mon 11th May 20

Reports from today :

Pete Loud

11:53 Haven this morning was blowing a northerly gale, was very chilly so the only course of action was to sit in the shelter. Lasted 1 1/2 hours was so cold I struggled to the Hide for a quick look to try and warm up, didn’t succeed, then was back home by 9 o’clock.

Upon reaching the roundabout at the top of the hill by Little Holland Hall at 0620 a Red Kite drifted low SW along the coast with lots of Gulls in attendance. From shelter 10 Gannets, 1 dark phase Arctic Skua (NFY), 2 Avocets & 2 Oystercatchers. Nothing of interest from the Hide, but unfortunately all the Avocets sitting on nests on the main island had all given up, too exposed to the wind, the others to the right in the more sheltered areas were still sitting tight.

16:46 Afternoon sea-watch: 3 stunning light phase Arctic Skuas very close in and 1 Lt. Tern.

Sun 10th May 20

Reports from today :


Pete Loud

Walked around site this morning. 1 Red Kite low over back hedge of car park, continuing over the road westwards. 10 Swift today, all in groups of two. 1, 1st sun & 2 ad Med Gull over raised platform. Scrape, 43 Avocet, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Common Tern, Drake Shoveler & Gadwall, 2 Little Egret. Female Stonechat briefly in moth enclosure.

Sat 9th May 20

Reports from today :

Pete Loud

Haven bike ride this morning, there were 2 Mistle Thrush, Blackcap & Cuckoo up at the Farm, several Corn Bunting & Whitethroat on track to Golf Course.11 Whimbrel & Wheatear on GC. Scrape there were 41 Avocet with 10 nests now, 3 Lapwing chicks we’re still looking good. Cuckoo was calling on back hedge & female Marsh Harrier hung around for 10 minutes or so. Still a couple of drake Shoveler and the drake Gadwall, hopefully the females are on nests. Good numbers of all the Common Warblers on site, they have all settled down to breeding now. 2 Swift over the road. Plenty of Butterflies on the wing, 10+ Orange-tip, 3 Holly Blue, Comma, Brimstone, Peacock and Small Whites.

Fri 8th May 20

Reports from today : 


Matt Lonsdale

Photo Matt Lonsdale©

Nice morning at haven.
Highlights were a Sanderling on “french point” alongside a Turnstone.

Scrape- 2 Little Egret, 2 Dunlin, Grey Heron, 36 Avocet and Lapwing (with 3 young), Cuckoo flew past.

15 Whimbrel & 1 Female Wheatear on the Golf Course.

Bushes pretty similar to of recent with 2 Lesser Whites the pick of the bunch.

Photo Matt Lonsdale©

Thurs 7th May 20

Reports from today : 


Pete Loud

15:18 Very pleasant walk round site today. Scrape, Spot Red still, Cuckoo, Reed, Sedge & Whitethroat all on view. 2 Sandwich Terns flew inland over Wooden Hide then back out to sea. Golf Course, 2 Female Wheatear and 15 Whimbrel. On the way back 2 Little Tern (NFY) slowly heading north just offshore fishing as they went.1st summer Med Gull over Golf Course and out to sea.

Wed 6th May 20

Reports from today :



Pete Loud

20:26 Cycle through site this morning, 7 Swift in total, 3 Sandwich Tern flew north. Scrape, 1 Spot Red, 5 Dunlin, (3 Greenshank briefly earlier Pete Davis), 2 Drake Shoveler. male Stonechat by moth enclosure, female on Golf Course + 15 Whimbrel.

Paul Brayshaw

20:07 Seawall run Frinton to sluice and back. 21 Whimbrel and a Wheatear on golf course, usual suspects on the scrape plus a small wader at the back that was unidentifiable with bins only into the sun...  probably a Dunlin (unless matt finds it is something different!).

Matt Lonsdale

20:39 Brief visit this evening from pillbox- the Spot Red and a single Dunlin on scrape. (Amazing to hear the Spot Red constantly calling and preening as the light fell, presumably preparing to leave tonight and seeing if it could find a companion for its onward journey).

Also Barn Owl, Swift and Cuckoo calling the best of the rest.

Tues 5th May 20

Reports from today :


Pete Loud

12:47 Bike ride hard work today due to the fresh east wind, great exercise nonetheless. Little Grebe over the road, unfortunately farmer was rolling the setaside field, wiping out the two Lapwing nests. Hopefully they will quickly get it seeded and they might try again. Sheltered out of the wind by sluice at high tide and had 1 Sandwich & 2 Common Tern heading northwards.1 Swift through over raised platform. Scrape, 1 Spotted Redshank, 3 Dunlin, 1 Little Egret, 2 Drake Shoveler, pair of Gadwall. Golf Course, 24 Whimbrel, 1 Wheatear.


Paul Brayshaw

17:57 Seawall dog walk from Frinton to southern end of golf course. 23 Whimbrel and a stonking Male Greenland Wheatear plus the usual's.

Mon 4th May 20

Reports from today :


Pete Loud

13:40 Haven bike through this morning. Over the road, 2 Pairs of Lapwing sitting, pair of Oystercatcher still thinking about it, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Cuckoo and the usual Whitethroat, Cetti‘s & Reed Warblers. Chiffchaff, Blackcap & Lesser and Common Whitethroat all by the raised platform as were a pair of Common Terns flying over the marsh and Scrape area for a few Minutes. Scrape Hide, 1 Spotted Redshank, 2 Dunlin, 1 Common Sand, 32 Avocets (6 birds sitting tight now), 24 Shelduck, 1 Drake Shoveler, Gadwall pair, 1 Cuckoo. 2 Barwit circled the marsh a few times but didn’t land.1st Summer Med Gull over. Purple Sand on the rocky point, 17 Whimbrel and Wheatear on the Golf Course. 2 Swift came in off the sea with  2 Dunlin.1 Swift crossed the track up to the farm.


Matt Lonsdale

Haven today- 5 Com Tern (3 N, 2 scrape), Sandwich Tern S, Barwit N, c20 Dunlin N, GBB Gull and Swift N. Also few Swallows both ways.
Scrape- 8 Dunlin, Spot Red, Lt. Egret, 2 Grey Heron, 3 Whimbrel.
Golf Course- 24 Whimbrel, Stonechat and Wheatear.

Farm- Wheatear, 2 Red L Partridge.

Sun 3rd May 20

Reports from today :


Pete Loud

18:16 Bike ride through the Haven this morning. Farm down to Golf Course, 1 Yellow Wag, Chiffchaff, 3 Whitethroats, 3 Corn Bunting & Cuckoo. Golf Course, 1 Wheatear, 17 Whimbrel. Scrape, 1 Spotted Redshank, 28 Avocets, 1 Snipe, pair of Gadwall, pair of Shoveler +2 drake, 2 Little Egret & 20 House Martin. Reed and Sedge in good numbers around site, plus all the common Warblers. Pair of Tufted Ducks again over the road.

Sat 2nd May 20

Reports from today:


Matt Lonsdale

20:41 Highlights today- 
Bushes - 6+ Willow Warbler + usuals but more fem Blackcap.
Scrape - 12 Dunlin, Lt. Egret, Snipe.
Golf Course - 3 Wheatear, 22 Whimbrel, Cuckoo.
Vismig - 20+ Swallow, 5+ House Martin and a sand Martin, 25+ Goldfinch and few Linnet- all mainly S).

Fri 1st May 20

Reports from today:


Pete Loud

This morning started off with a Hobby watched coming in off the sea from the shelter, then a walk to the Golf Course where 26 Whimbrel were showing plus 2 Wheatear.1 Peregrine flew over plus a good count of 35 + Common Gull, all of which were 1st summer birds. 4 Med Gulls flew overhead, (2 1st & 2 2nd Summers).Small movement of Hirundines south, 5 Sand Martin , 3 House Martin & 25+Swallow. 2 Common Tern offshore. Viewed Scrape from coastal path, apart from usual Avocets and Redshanks, I could see 4 Dunlin 1 Gadwall, 1 Shoveler and 28 Shelduck. All the Common Warblers we’re in good numbers around site.