Tues 30th June 20

Headed to the hide this morning, not because of the wind but the threat of rain and it was a good move as it saved a soaking.

From the hide:

10 Avocet (incl. GB/GY), 6 Oystercatcher (3 adults + 3 chicks), 4 Lapwing, 1 Blk T Godwit (limosa), 6 Blk T. Godwits, 11 Shelduck, 8 Mallard, 6 Teal, 33 Blk H Gulls, 32 Herring Gulls (incl. L7VT), 18 Med Gulls, 5 LBB, 2 Sandwich Tern, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Lt. Egret, Loads of Swift, & Swallows, 1 House Martin, 1 Kestrel, 2 Corn Buntings, Reed Bunting, Reed & Sedge Warblers, Linnets & Whitethroats. LH/DC/MR


Reports from today:

Max Martin

08:01 (Limosa) Blk T Godwit still on Leon's Marsh this morning. Also Common Sand circled scrape calling then carried on. 6 Blk. T Godwits just circled scrape and continued South.


Simon Cox

15:35 2 Sandwich Terns (one metal ringed) & 5 ad Med Gulls on scrape, now flown, + 5 Blackwits including limosa. Avocet GB-GY.


Pete Loud

16:23 Green Sandpiper on pool to right of Hide.(NFY).

17:22 Would have been a great shot of a Pyramidal Orchid if some selfish moron hadn’t dug it up instead of leaving it for everyone to enjoy.Just unbelievable.

17:28 The Green Sand did lift my spirits a little and was 1st this year. 5 Blackwit still on Scrape with a few Avocet, 1 Little Egret and 2 Teal. 2 Med Gulls flying past, Cuckoo by Sluice and 80+Swift feeding over arable.

At the end of June the number of species recorded at the Haven this year stands at 151

Mon 29th June 20

Very windy on the front this morning so only had a walk to the hide. 
The colour ringed (Limosa) Blk. T. Godwit from the 12th & 24th June was again on Leon's Marsh looking a quite a bit different over just 17 days 

From the Hide:

4 Canada Geese (2+2), 21 Shelduck, 10+ Mallard, 6 Teal, 11 Avocet (inc. GB/GY), 2 Oystercatcher (hopefully chicks were in long grass), 4 Lapwing, 9+ Blk T Godwits (1+ limosa) also 8 circled the scrape then continued south, 44 Blk H Gulls, 5 Med Gulls (adults), 1 Kestrel, 1 Green Woodpecker (over), a few Swallows hawking the brook and lots of Swifts over the arable.


Reports from today:


Paul Brayshaw

 07:07  Frinton- farm -golf course-seawall loop 0620 - 0705. Not surprising given the huge numbers early with lots of Swift feeding low over the fields whizzing by at eye level.  Max single point count of 720 but estimated about 2200 south during this time. Movement seemed to go high and further inland but interesting to see if it comes back
Into view when any cloud fronts come.  Also a few Sand Martin and Swallow, 6 Curlew, one Hobby south along seawall and groups of 8+14 Siskin (haven area counts only!).

19:32 Pulses of Swifts up to 500 strong heading slowly south.  Plenty over fields between Frinton and Great Holland with a Hobby in attendance (viewed from tennis club).

Sun 28th June 20

A nice walk around the site today if a bit windy, not much change bird wise with lots of youngsters about.

From the hide:

2 Canada Geese, 15 Shelduck, 10+ Mallard, 6 Teal, 17 Avocet (incl. GB/GY), 2 Lapwing, 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Curlew, 36 Blk. H. Gulls, 1 LBB, 3 Cormorants, 1 Lt. Egret, 1 Kestrel, several Swallows over the scrape and 50+ Swifts feeding over the arable.

The water level on the main scrape is getting a bit low so lets hope we get some of the forecast rain this week.

The walk to the wooden hide and back to the carpark added Mippits, Linnets, Reed & Sedge Warbler, Reed Bunting, Whitethroat and Skylark. Also note were lots of butterflies but not much else (see Haven Wildlife page).


Reports from today:


Matt Lonsdale

08:47 Clearly a movement of (Icelandic) blackwits today have not been in hide long and a group of 9 and 18 have both circled the scrape and continued south.

Sat 27th June 20

Reports from today :


Pete Loud

11:53 From Scrape Hide this morning, 1 Blackwit & 1 Curlew neither lingered for long. 1 Cuckoo flew past. Several decent groups of Swifts moving through & 1 Sand Martin. Adult Med Gull & 6 Teal.

Fri 26th June 20

Reports from today:


Paul Brayshaw

06:51 Golf course and sea wall wander- brought short by impending thunderstorm!  Counts from within haven area but part of larger movement - Curlew 6, Sand Martin 30, Swift 170. All south. Ad Med Gull on golf course. Also 6 Siskin.


John Hall

16:55 PM visit too hide. Light poor. 8 Blackwits on Leon’s Marsh, 25+Avocets including 3 Juvs, 25 Shelduck, 2 Oystercatchers with 2 chicks, lots of Swallows including 2 that landed on the entrance railings just long enough for me not to get a photo of them. Adult female Gadwall on bank of pond but no sign of mate or ducklings.
Butterfly highlight 2 Small Skippers near entrants of hide compound.

Thurs 25th June 20

Pete Loud

Over the road this morning were 3 Little Grebe on the brook, and a decent group of 250+ Starling, unfortunately no interlopers. Around site, several Lesser Whitethroat were in song with Whitethroat and Chiffchaff also. Adult Green Woodpecker was calling the fully grown chicks out of the nest hole in the car park. Blackwit on the Scrape with 28 Avocet +4 + 2 new chicks. The Oystercatchers have successfully led 3 chicks from the Tern raft to feed on Leon’s marsh and a Gadwall with 2 largish ducklings was on the pond. 
Hot weather is bringing all the Butterflies out (see Haven Wildlife page).

Wed 24th June 20

No reports received so far:

Tues 23rd June 20

Another very warm day with less wind but bird wise much the same, 2 families of Reed Warbler were being feed along the brook behind the sluice, and lots of Whitethroat and Linnet on the mounds.
From the Hide: 
27 Avocet, 2 Oystercatcher, 2 Lapwing, 23 Shelduck, 8 Mallard (+ducklings), 5 Teal, 2 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 27 Blk. H Gulls, lots of Swallows

A few more 5 Spot Burnet Moths around today (see Haven Wildlife page).

Mon 22nd June 20

Very warm with a strong breeze at the Haven today, much the same around the bushes with a few Lesser Whitethroats in song, lots of young Whitethroats on the mounds and a pair of Mute Swans on the brook behind the sluice.

From the Hide :

4 Canada Geese (2+2), 3 Cormorant, 21 Shelduck, 10+ Mallard (+lots of ducklings), 1 Teal (drake), 30 Avocet, 2 BlkWits, 2 Lapwing, 1 Oystercatcher, 26 Blk. H Gulls, 1 Lt. Egret, 1 Buzzard, 1 Cuckoo, 20+ Swallows.

The walk to the wooden hide and back to the car added Linnets, Reed Warbler, Reed Bunting, Meadow Pipit & Skylark + a family of young Pied Wagtails were being feed by the adults on the greensward near the boating club.

The Pyramidal Orchid along the front is just coming into flower, how long will it last this year?

Sun 21st June 20

Reports from today :


Pete Loud

17:27 Haven this morning was windy and overcast so spent most time in the Scrape Hide. There was a steady flow of groups of Swift heading south 70+, same with Curlew, 2+3+3+6,about 20 in total. A Cuckoo flew past a couple of times, very close, a Male and Female Peregrine flew through together behind the Scrape, as did an adult Med Gull. All the usual Redshank 1, Oystercatchers and Avocet were in attendance although Avocet were down to 12+ 4 juvs.1 Little Egret and a female Teal were also on the Scrape.

Sat 20th June 20

Reports from today : 


Pete Loud

Not much doing at the Haven this morning. Avocets have increased to 33 + 4, Curlew flew over Scrape, and Oystercatcher chick was fairing well on the fairways. Guess it will be quiet for a couple of weeks then we might  expect a few waders to start returning.

Fri 19th June 20

Much the same around the site this morning, with loads of young Whitethroats about.

From the hide :
24 Avocet, 2 Lapwing, 1 Redshank, 1 Oystercatcher, 10 Shelduck, 10+ Mallard + lots of Ducklings, 1 Teal (duck), 4 Canada Geese, 3 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 34 Blk. H Gulls, 2 Med Gulls (adults), 1 LBB Gull, 1 Barn Owl, Swallows & Swifts over the arable + Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Reed Bunting, & Linnets.

Thurs 18th June 20

No reports received so far :

Wed 17th June 20

A circular walk from the Feeding Stn. to the Wooden Hide and back was very pleasant this morning. Notable was the sound of Lesser Whitethroats back in song, also Wren, Whitethroat, Skylark, Reed & Sedge Warblers and Reed Bunting all very vocal.

From the hide : Things much the same as of late apart from 3 drake Teal on the pond to the right of the hide.

On the wildlife side 3 Emperor Dragonflies (NFY), 2 Four-Spotted Chasers, 1 Cinnabar Moth, 1 Yellow Shell, and 5+ 5 Spot Burnet moths were also noted. (see Haven Wildlife page).

Pete Loud

18:49 Haven this morning was fairly quiet, but there is always something to see. The Barn Owl was busy back and forth to the nest box and a Marsh Harrier drifted through. 3 Drake Teal on the Scrape were new in.4 Avocet chicks are doing well and the pair of Oystercatcher on the Golf Course have hatched one chick. The pair of Stonechat were in the wooden Hide area, other than that I had 3 Emperor Dragonflies which were new for the year.

Tues 16th June 20

No reports so far today (not even Ravens, sorry) :

Mon 15th June 20

Very warm at the Haven this morning and very busy in the carpark by lunchtime. 
All the summer residents were busy feeding young, a few Butterflies, Damselflies and Dragonflies were around the site but quite quiet on the whole.

From the hide : 24 Avocet (20 + 3 + 1), 1 Redshank, 2 Lapwing, 2 Oystercatchers, 4 Canada geese (2 + 2), 8+ Mallard, quite a few Swallows & Swifts over the arable, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Lt. Egret, Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler.

The walk round the marsh from the sluice to the wooden hide added a few more Reed & Sedge Warblers, Reed Bunting, Linnet, Mippit's, Goldfinch, Blackcap, Whitethroat & Lesser Whitethroat.

Paul Brayshaw

19:00 Wander round the golf course and seawall. Some lovely family parties of Whitethroats and Reed Warbler. Single  Cetti’s between raised tee and beach huts and Barn Owl hunting the grazing marsh.

    

Sun 14th June 20

Managed to pick up a Year tick whilst PRD, PL, Max & myself having a bacon roll with Matt as he prepared to leave to take up his new post at RSPB Nene Washes, all the best mate.

The year tick was a pair of Sandwich Terns heading N just offshore, otherwise it was very quiet around the bushes during a quick look around

No other reports so far :

 

Sat 13th June 20

A great day at the haven today with both Max Martin and myself picking up a life tick when Pete Loud spotted a Bee-eater heading toward us. The bird came in over the mounds, circled over the sluice then headed along the coast toward Frinton, a magic moment !!!.

Photo's Max Martin©

Pete Loud

Great morning at the Haven, obviously star bird was the Bee Eater that flew overhead as Max, Mick and myself were chatting by the Sluice just before noon. Can’t believe both Mick and Max manage to get a shot of it. The Blackwit was still on Leon’s marsh about 1:30.Still Med Gulls about, 4 Adults and 2nd summer. 1 Little Egret, several Buzzards soaring and Barn Owl hunting, must have hungry youngsters in that nest box. 1 Sandwich Tern flew past north. On the brook over the road were a pair of Tufted Duck and a Little Grebe plus a family of Lesser Whitethroat. Plenty of Butterflies and Dragonflies today, several Meadow Browns were 1st for year, as was the Large Skipper. 2 Green Hairstreak, Small Tortoiseshell, Speckled Wood and Red Admiral all noted .3+ 4 spot Chasers and 1 Hairy Dragonfly.

John Hall

18:45 Late afternoon visit to hide. Godwit 17.45 on Leon’s Marsh then flew to centre of scrape where it was mobbed by an Avocet and disappeared. Left at 18.30 with no further sign. Rest much as usual.

Fri 12 June 20

I spent a couple of hours at the Haven over lunchtime today, it was great to catch up with Pete, Matt & Dave it's been a while. 

Had a wander to the hide to have a look at colour ringed poss."limosa" Black-tailed Godwit on the scrape where I was joined by Ed Keeble.

 

A smart looking bird with moulting summer plumage and lots of colours on it's legs.

From the hide : 

22 Avocet (18+ 3+1), 2 Lapwing, 2 Redshank, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 BlkWit, 4 Canada Geese (2+2), 16 Shelduck, 8 Mallard, 2 Gadwall, 2 Cormorant, 2 Lt. Egret, 1 Grey Heron.



John Hall


First time in hide armed with plenty anti-virus. 10 Avocets 2 sitting, no sign of yesterday’s Juvs, 13 Shelducks, 2 Oyster Catchers 1 Sitting, 8 BH Gulls, 2  Canada Geese + 2 goslings, 3 Cormorants, 1 Heron.

Thurs 11th June 20

Reports from today :


Paul Brayshaw

08:19 Golf course from seawall revealed a flock of starling (28) so a slight incentive to check for rosy ;0).  Fulmar north just offshore.

Weds 10th June 20

Reports from today :

John Hall

19:02 First trip to Haven for 3 months. Noted on the scrape 16 Shelduck, 13 Avocets (2 sitting, 2 advanced Juvs), 1 Heron, 1 Canada Goose, 2 Mallard, 2 Med Gulls.

Tues 9th June 20

No reports received so far :

Mon 8th June 20

Reports from today :

Simon Cox

20:15 Haven pm: Canada pr + 2, Shelduck 9, Gadwall pr, Mallard brood 4,  Avocet 19 +3 +1, Redshank 2, Med Gull 2 ads scrape, 2 ads flying N over sea ? different, Swift 10, Cetti’s brook area.

Sun 7th June 20

Reports from today :


Pete Loud

12:35 Better day today, much less wind. Lots of Swifts about, constantly on the move and a big group over the arable 200+.Hobby was picked up chasing Swifts then flew over Hide and low over marsh before heading north. Barn Owl was seen to take prey up to one of the new nest boxes, which is good news. Male Stonechat again at moth enclosure. Marsh Harrier drifted north. Yesterday there was a new Avocet chick, one of it’s parents was a Haven colour ringed bird returning to breed.

Sat 6th June 20

No reports from today :

Fri 5th June 20


All the activity has been at the Naze this week with Darrel Stile having some great birds in the last few days, well done Darrel.

Reports from today : 

Paul Brayshaw

18:35 Wander round the golf course. 20 Swifts south, one Little Egret and two Med Gulls offshore

Thurs 4th June 20

Reports from today :


Pete Loud

Today at the Haven, 7 Barnacle Geese flew into the Scrape from the north, stayed for 10 minutes and left south. 4 Med Gulls were about, 1 Cuckoo calling then flew across the Scrape. 2 Little Egret, pair of Gadwall and a Common Tern which flew in and out briefly. At least 50 Swift were over the distant arable with 40 House Martins.

6 of 7 Barnacle Geese on the Scrape Photo Matt Lonsdale©

Tues 2nd June 20

Reports from today :


Matt Lonsdale

Just over an hour doing bushes pre work this am produced 2 Cuckoo's as the highlights.

Pete Loud

19:04 Holland Haven this evening, walked down from Frinton end. Great White Egret took flight from Scrape on approach to Hide, continuing north towards backwaters. 20 Avocet plus the 3 chicks, 2 Drake Gadwall & 2 Adult Med Gull from Hide. Interrupted Matts run along the front by Sluice, while talking he spotted 7 Sanderling that landed to feed on the beach, then 3 Little Tern passing heading north.

Mon 1st June 20

Reports from today :

Pete Loud

12:46 Haven this morning. There were 6 Adult Med Gulls and a 2nd Summer resting on Leon’s marsh, an adult LRP, flew into the Scrape and stayed for a while.15 Avocets, 3 Chicks still, Canada Goose goslings seem to have gone down to two, 1 Little Egret. Single drake Gadwall. Male Stonechat was by wooden Hide and a Hobby came in off the sea by the waylings beach huts, gained height and continued north.