Fri 31st July 20

From the hide:

4 Canada Geese, 2 Greylag, 4 Grey Heron, 4 Cormorant, 26 Lapwing, 14 Dunlin, 8 Avocet, 4 Oystercatcher, 2 LRP's, 2 Green Sands, 1 BlkWit, 1 Redshank, 118 Blk. H Gulls, 2 Med Gulls (1ad. 1 Juv), 1 Kestrel, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Hobby. PRD/DC/MR

The high point of the morning was the Hobby that came over the scrape and spent a short time trying to take out a Dunlin, the maneuverability of both birds was amazing. 

A walk to the 3rd pillbox added only 9 Whimbrel on the cut marsh, 1+ Juv Stonechat near the golf course dump and 2 Wheatear between the wooden hide and the 1st pillbox.

Thurs 30 July 20

I started off at the Dipping pond with the same 3 Willow Warblers PL had seen earlier, (still very noisy) and added 3 more and 2 Chiffchaff in the approach rd. bushes + Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, Blackcap, Green & Gt. Spotted Woodpeckers and a young Sparrowhawk.

Lots of Goldfinch, 2 Blackcap & 2 Lesser Whitethroat were in the area behind the 5 bar gate.

From the hide:

18 Lapwing, 8 Avocet, 3 LRP's, 3 Dunlin, 3 Oystercatcher (2+1), 103 Blk. H Gulls, 1 Sandwich Tern, 4 Canada Geese, 2 Grey Heron, 4 Cormorant, 1 Kestrel, 1 Yellow Wagtail. JH/MM/MR

A walk to the 2nd pillbox added 8 Whimbrel on the cut marsh, 1 juv. Stonechat and 3 Wheatear (2 near wooden hide 1 on 1st pillbox). MM/MR.

Reports from today:

Paul Brayshaw

07:50 Golf course area fairly quiet.  Single Wheatear and juv Med Gull. very light trickle of Swift over the arable and a flock of ten Common Tern south was my first double figure flock of the autumn

Simon Cox

14:54 Today 9 Whimbrel, 1 Wheatear seen during ringing session (see Ringing page).

Pete Loud

17:14 Fitted in a couple of hours before a late start to work this morning.3 Willow Warblers were moving along the hedge by the dipping pond, other sightings in bushes were Chiffchaff 8, Blackcap 7, Whitethroats aplenty 15+,and Great Spotted Woodpecker. From Scrape Hide, 2 Juvenile LRP, 1 Green Sand, 1 Juvenile Redshank, 3 Adult Dunlin & 2 Juvenile Yellow Wag. Wheatear was on the pill box and Juvenile Stonechat on the mounds.

Liz Huxley

17:18 pm visit to hide:- 20+ Lapwing, 9 Avocet, 7 Dunlin, 1 Redshank, 3 LRP, 1 ad male Marsh Harrier.

Wed 29th July 20

The bushes were quite quiet this morning, around the Dell a few Whitethroat & Lesser Whitethroat & Blackcap were noted along with 2 Green & 1 Gt. Spotted Woodpecker, the House Sparrow flock numbered 50+ so it looks like they are having a good year.

The water level on the scrape is starting to look a bit low and with little rain in the forecast the warm breeze set for the next few days is a bit worrying.

Setting up my scope near the wind-pump to scan the back right hand corner of the scrape proved a good move with 2 LRP's and a Redshank tucked away round the corner.

From the Hide:

4 Canada Geese, 1 Teal, 2 Mallard, 6 Cormorant 2 Grey Heron, 19 Lapwing, 9 Avocet, 5 Dunlin, 2 Oystercatcher, 126 Blk. H Gulls, 3 Sedge Warbler, 2 Reed Warbler + the pair of Linnet are still taking nesting material into the bramble in front of the hide. MR

Reports from today:

Paul Brayshaw

 07:28 Golf course and sea wall. Steady south bound trickle of Swift and Sand Martin.  Increase in warblers with 4 Willow, 18+ Whitethroat and Garden Warbler - mainly adj to seawall, latter in hawthorn clump just south of Frinton beach huts, and a Yellow Wag south just as I was leaving haven boundary.

Liz Huxley

11:58 2 Wheatear on track near wooden hide.

John Hall

16:51 Another disappointing afternoon. Numbers of all birds well down. The only bird of merit was a Green Sandpiper which appeared and promptly disappeared into the bay, and has not shown itself since. 2 Dunlin just materialized and huge Starling flock has taken over the Scrape. Things are looking up now 2 Common  Sandpipers on Island. Wow now Little Gull l take it all back. 1 Oystercatcher. Sporadic Swallows. Leaving hide 16.50

Tues 28th July 20

From the hide:

18 Avocet, 9 Lapwing, 4 Dunlin, 3 Oystercatcher, 2 Blk. T Godwit, 1 LRP, 1 Curlew, 1 Redshank, 1 Green Sand, 110+ Blk. H Gulls, 3 Cormorant, 3 Grey Heron, 1 Lt. Egret, 4 Canada Geese + a pair of Linnet nest building in front of the hide PRD/MM/MR

A male Stonechat was on the fence near the sea-watching hide.


Reports from today:


Max Martin

09:41 LRP just dropped onto scrape.


Pete Davis

11:02 Whinchat on round bales next to golf course, 4 Whimbrel + 3 Common Tern (offshore)

John Hall

17:34 Late afternoon visit to hide returned sparse reward 4 Dunlin usual Avocet and Lapwings, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Cormorant, resident Canada Geese family 50+ BH Gulls, 4 Mallard on pond, A flock of Starlings coming and going. Nothing to save the day by close of play at 17.38.

Mon 27th July 20

An interesting 90 mins in the hide this morning with the rain showers dropping bits and pieces in all the time, most of which continued on their way shortly afterwards, these included 1 LRP, 1 Greenshank, 1 Green Sand, 1 Whimbrel, 1 Curlew, 1 Turnstone, 4 BlkWits (1 then a further 3), and a few extra Dunlin.

Settled on the scrape seemed to be :- 23 Avocet, 20 Lapwing, 6 Dunlin, 4 Oystercatcher, 3 Common Sands, 5 Cormorant, 4 Canada Geese, 3 Shelduck, 6 Teal, 1 Grey Heron, c50 Blk. H Gulls, 2 LBB, Herring Gulls. A steady movement of Swifts were also pushed down by the rain along with a good number of Swallows. PRD/JH/MR

Linnet singing in the rain

Sun 26th July 20


Reports from today:


Matt Lonsdale


08:37 Little bit of excitement this morning with the bushes alive with birds. A couple of Willow Warblers, 5+ Reed, a Sedgie and possibly a bump up in Lesser White numbers and me and PL haven’t made it past the dipping pond yet!

18:40 Slim pickings on scrape again this evening with 9 Dunlin the only birds of note but interesting to see an obvious turn over of birds with 4 juvs tonight compared to 2 in the 10 this am. Also this morning in addition to PL’s report where a singing Corn Bunting to the right of the hide.

Pete Loud

11:53 Quite productive in the Bushes early on, but very quiet by 11am on way back. 2 Willow Warblers were my 1st of the Autumn migration, 1 Adult, 1 Juvenile, 8+Chiffchaff, local family groups, 1 Sedge, 4 Reed, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 15+ Whitethroat, 2 Blackcap and Great Spotted Woodpecker. The Male Peregrine was circling high behind the sewage farm carrying prey. Scrape was a little disappointing with just 10 Dunlin, 23 Avocet and 6 Teal, 1 Snipe on Leon’s marsh 1st of Autumn period .The 8 Whimbrel were still on the marsh and groups of Sand Martin were still heading south, 30+ in total, 3 Juvenile Stonechat on the Golf Course and an adult Little Grebe with 2 fully grown young on brook behind Sluice. 

Sat 25th July 20

From the hide:

4 Canada Geese, 5 Teal, 3 Shoveler, 2 Shelduck, 3 Cormorant, 2 Grey Heron,  23 Avocet, 15 Lapwing, 11 Dunlin, 4 Oystercatcher, 2 Redshank, 1 Curlew, 40+ Blk. H Gulls.

Reports from today:

Matt Lonsdale

07:35 No sign of Wood Sand on scrape this morning with 11 Dunlin and a Redshank all so far. Out the car @ 6:30 and had 200 swift south in 90 seconds then just stopped so possibly just caught the tail of an early morning movement, 12 Sand Martin and 15 Swallow also S so far.

Pete Loud

13:14 This morning from the Scrape Hide a Greenshank dropped in for  a couple of minutes,12 Dunlin, including 4 juvs, 30 Avocet, 2 Curlew, 1 Redshank, 3 Shoveler, 5 Teal and a Kingfisher. Small passage of waders Offshore, 3 Barwit, 15 Oystercatchers, 4 Whimbrel, 3 Curlew, 2 Sanderling and 7 Teal. 1 Curlew and 8 Whimbrel on the marsh.350+ Swift and 50+ Sand Martin south throughout the morning. Male Stonechat was on the mounds.

Fri 24th July 20

Pete Davis started the day with a Wood Sandpiper on the scrape (just a day after he predicted) and later in the morning had a 1st sum Yellow legged Gull in the sewage works.

From the hide:

33 Avocet, 16 Lapwing, 16 Dunlin, 4 Oystercatcher, 4 Redshank, 2 Curlew, 1 BlkWit, 1 Wood Sandpiper, 1 Common Sandpiper, 9 Teal, 2 Shelduck,1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 2 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Juv. Stonechat. PRD/IM/DC/MR

  Reports from today:

Max Martin

14:21 Wood Sand now on Leon's Marsh. I've also had 19 Dunlin as well as 4 Redshank

Matt Lonsdale

19:56 Wood Sand (Leon’s marsh), 23 Dunlin, Turnstone (sp), 31 Avocet, 16 Lapwing, 7 Teal, 3 Redshank, Med Gull and good no’s of Swallow this evening 

In brief visit from pillbox.

Thurs 23rd July 20

From the hide:

4 Canada Geese, 10 Teal, 2 Shelduck, 33 Avocet, 17 Lapwing, 8 Dunlin, 1 Common Sandpiper, 120+ Blk. H Gulls, 2 Common Gulls, 4 Cormorant, 4 Grey Heron, 3 Kestrel, 1 Buzzard, Swallows & Swift + a steady trickle of Goldfinch moving through. PRD/MM/MR

A good day for butterflies again today see Haven Wildlife page.

Wed 22nd July 20

From the hide this morning:

33 Avocet, 20 Dunlin, 18 Lapwing, 4 Oystercatcher (2+2), 4 Canada Geese, 5 Teal, 1 Shelduck, c100 Blk. H Gulls, 4 Med Gulls (3 ad - 1 2nd sum), 2 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel. Still a lot of Swallows and a few Swift over the arable.

A Male Stonechat was near the 2nd pillbox.

Reports from today:

Pete Loud

19:10 Quick visit mid afternoon, a Male Peregrine hunting over the arable at the back of the Scrape took out a Woodpigeon, while on the Scrape were 21 Dunlin, 1 Common Sand, 28 Avocet, 2 Shelduck and 4 Teal. Juvenile Stonechat was near the boardwalk. Offshore 2 Adult Med Gull and a Curlew.

Tues 21st July 20

Quite a few Swallows feeding on the brook behind the sluice again this morning and roosting on the elder bush on the mounds, they were joined by at least 3 really smart Sand Martin. 5 Linnet & a Chiffchaff were also on the mounds. 5 Dunlin were on the sluice on my way through.

From the hide :
28 Dunlin (extra to those on the Sluice), 29 Lapwing, 28 Avocet, 1 Common Sand, 80+ Blk. H Gulls, 7 Teal, 2 Shelduck, 4 Cormorant, lots of Swallows and a few Swift over the arable.

Reports from today:


Paul Brayshaw

07:36 Early run including Frinton to wooden hide and back along the seawall (6.30-6.50) produced a steady trickle of Swift and Swallow north, two Yellow Wag south, 4 Whimbrel on golf course, c80 Linnet by golf course dump and juv. Stonechat at southern boundary of golf course.


John Hall

Hide AM 28 Dunlin(per PRD), 25 Lapwings, 2 Shelduck, 20+ Avocet, 4 Canada Geese (2+2), 6 Teal, 4 Mallard, 1 Grey Heron, c40 BH Gulls inc. 2 Juvs. 2 Oystercatchers, 1Sedge Warbler a few Swallows.

Mon 20th July 20


I managed to fluke a year tick today when Simon pulled a cracking Willow Warbler out of a bag during a short ringing session in the Badger Set (see Ringing page).

From the hide this morning :
4 Canada Geese (2+2), 9 Teal, 1 Shelduck, Mallard, 4 Cormorant, 30 Avocet, 20 Lapwing, 10 Dunlin (1 Juv.), 4 Oystercatcher (2+2), 1 Common Sandpiper, 150+ Blk H Gulls, 3 Common Gulls, 1 Med Gull, 1 Lt. Egret, 1 Kestrel. PRD/MR



Reports from today:

John Hall

16:35 Scrape 15.30, 14 Dunlin two groups 8 & 6, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 25+ Avocet, 15 Lapwings,  1 Oystercatcher. Not a Duck or Goose to be seen numerous Swallows + one or two House Martins, small flock Goldfinch flyover, 50 + B H Gulls, 1 Common Gull, leaving hide 16.35

Sun 19th July 20


Reports from today:


Matt Lonsdale

11:01 Fleeting visit to scrape early morning a little disappointing with 4 Green Sands and a Med Gull the highlights. Also a juv Stonechat on the mounds although quite well developed so I presume a migrant and not from our pair.


Pete Loud

12:51 From the raised platform this morning a Hobby gained height over the fields before stooping down on unsuspecting hirundines. The Juvenile Med Gull was on the Sluice rocks. From the Scrape hide, 4 Green Sands, 3 Common Sands, 3 Redshank, 7 Blackwit, 3 Curlew, 24+3 Avocet, 1 Dunlin, 1 Little Egret and 4 Teal. 2 Juvenile Stonechat were near the moth enclosure and 5 Whimbrel and 7 Curlew were on the cut marsh. 3 Sandwich Tern headed north along the seawall, 1 Common Tern Offshore. Only a few Swift today and 1 Sand Martin, but a group of 30+ House Martin as the drizzle started.

Sat 18th July 20


Again I had a quick visit to the hide late morning, I only found 1 of the Common Sands but did have 7 Teal, otherwise all the same as Pete's comprehensive report below


Reports from today:


Pete Loud

On the Scrape this morning, 3 Green Sandpipers, 2 Common Sandpipers, 1 Ruff, 22+3 Avocet and 2 Teal. 8 Whimbrel and 13 Curlew were feeding in the cut marsh with 2 Mistle Thrush. Still groups of Swift passing south with Swallow and Sand Martin Also, quite a lot of Swifts over the arable 150+. 2 Sandwich Terns passed close Offshore. Around the dipping pond early were 6 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap, 2 Lesser Whitethroat and flyover Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Fri 17th July 20

Reports from today:

Simon Cox

08:27 Sedge Warbler with Paris ring just caught. (see Ringing Page). 

4 Jays flew along reed-bed then turned inland, 1 Whinchat (thanks PL), Green Woodpecker, 4 Whimbrel (with PL).

Pete Loud

Early this morning a Barn Owl was on marsh behind car park and an adult Cuckoo flew south along hedge line. From Scrape Hide,10 Teal,1 Blackwit,1 Redshank, 2 Common Sand and Juvenile LRP. 6 Sandwich Tern landed in with the resting Black- headed Gulls.1 Juvenile Little Egret and an adult Marsh Harrier. A few Swift and Sand Martin we’re passing all morning. An early Whinchat was in the wooden Hide area, plus Male Stonechat and 4 Whimbrel were in with a dozen Curlew on the freshly cut marsh. Yellow Wag flew over and another Adult Cuckoo flew over the seawall, thought better of it and headed back inland.1 Juvenile Gannet north offshore and 3 Common Tern south. 2 Juvenile Stonechat were by the council enclosure on the way back.

Dave Cummings

13:31 Little Owl at the farm.

Thurs 16th July 20


Reports from today:


John Hall

11:15  Scrape AM 30.+Avocet, 9 Lapwings, 2+2 Shelduck, 6 Teal, 4 Canada 2 Adult 2 big Juvs, 1 Redshank, 2 Common Sandpipers, 1 Grey Heron flyover, Whimbrel and Sparrowhawk. Also 60+ BH Gulls, 1 Juv Med Gull, 1 LBB Gull. PRD MM JH


Pete Davis

12:38 Quiet scrape this morning, 2 Whimbrel through, 6 Curlew, 2 Common Sand, 1 Redshank, 13 Teal, 5 Shelduck, 22  Avo's and just the one Med Gull, this fine juv.


Max Martin

Juv Med Gull on Leon's Marsh Max Martin©

Simon Cox

17:53 Scrape pm: 2 Green Sands, 1 L Egret. Ad Med Gull flew S.

Wed 15th July 20

Had a wander down to the hide this morning and there had been a bit of a clear out, still no sign of the Garganey, just the Ruff, 1 Com. Sand & the LRP left of the passage birds.

From the hide:

4 Canada Geese, 4 Cormorant, 7 Teal, 32 Avocet, 11 Lapwing, 4 Oystercatcher (2+2), 1 LRP, 1 Common Sandpiper, c90 Blk. H Gulls, 4 Med Gulls (incl. 1 2nd sum, 1 Juv.), 1 Lt. Egret, 3 Kestrel, Swift, Swallow & Sand Martins, Linnet, Goldfinch & Corn Bunting.

 

Tues 14th July 20

Another good start for Pete & Max with a Garganey on the scrape with the Teal this morning.

From the hide:

 4 Canada Geese (2+2), 11 Teal, 1 Garganey, 1 Shelduck, 26+ Avocet, 1 Ruff, 1 Common Sand, 1 LRP, 1 Dunlin, 8 Lapwing, 4 Oystercatcher (2+2), 4 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 30+ Blk. H Gulls, 2 Common Gulls, 3 LBB, 2 Med Gulls, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Kestrel, 1 Barn Owl, Swallow, Swift & Sand Martin, Linnet, Reed Bunting, Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler & Corn Bunting. PRD/MM/MR.

Reports from today:

Pete Loud

17:47 No sign of the Garganey up to 4:45pm although could easily be resting up somewhere. 10 Teal  were no substitute. 26 Med Gulls were in with the Black- heads, mainly adults, 6 second summers and my 1st Juvenile of the season. On the wader front there were 5 Curlew, 1 Common Sand, 1 Dunlin, 1 Ruff, 1 Greenshank and a Juvenile Little Ringed Plover.

Mon 13th July 20

Reports from today:

Paul Brayshaw

Early morning seawall run from Frinton to sluice and back.  Scrape 12 Teal, 3 Black Wit, Ruff. Steady trickle of Swallow and Sand Martin plus a couple of Starling flocks and 4 Siskin, male Stonechat by wooden hide.

John Hall

PM visit to scrape 1530 : 12 Dunlin, 20+Avocet, 12 Lapwings, 1 Shelduck, 2 Cormorants, 60+ BH Gulls incl. 1 Juv. 1 Adult in Winter Plumage, 4 Teal  1 Ruff, leaving hide 16.35.

Sun 12th July 20

Reports from today:

Pete Loud

13:32 On the Scrape this morning: 6 Dunlin and a moulting Male Ruff were new in, 2 Green Sands were still on view. Avocets numbered around 30. Juvenile Marsh Harrier moved through and drifted off high. A  Sandwich Tern was in with roosting Black-heads for a while and still a number of Sand Martin, Swift and Swallow about.

Paul Brayshaw

19:39 Seawall and golf course wander produced 120 Swift, 45 House Martin and 8+ Sand Martin over the fields behind the golf course plus a female Stonechat

Sat 11th July 20

Great to see lots of waders on the scrape this morning, (thankfully Pete Loud had already done a count), with the water level looking really good lets hope for a good autumn passage this year.


Pete Loud

Early visit to the Scrape found 3 Green Sandpipers, 2 Common Sandpipers, 35+3 Avocets, 25 Lapwing, 2 Blackwit, 16 Teal and a Curlew. Golf Course there were 3 Whimbrel. Later visit to Scrape added another Common Sand, 1 Dunlin, Little Egret. 2 Marsh Harriers over the arable, 1 Hobby chasing Swifts then moved off north. Small numbers of Sand Martins moving through. Adult Med Gull past Sluice. Male Stonechat and Corn Bunting around moth enclosure. 3 Brown Argus today were 1st of the year, generally lots of Butterflies everywhere. See Haven Wildlife page.

Fri 10th July 20

A visit to the hide this afternoon added just 1 LRP to the numbers reported by Pete Davis in the morning.

From the hide:
3 Common Sandpipers, 2 Green Sandpipers, 2 Ruff, 2 BlkWits, 1 LRP, 6 Lapwing, 4 Oystercatchers (2+2), 28 Avocet (incl 3 chicks), 4 Shelduck, 4 Teal, Mallard, 30+ Blk. H Gulls, 2 Med Gulls, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Lt Egret, 1 Buzzard, 100+ Swift, Swallow & 3 Sand Martin over the scrape and arable. JH/MR

The 4 Canada Geese were again on the brook behind the sluice and a single Sandwich Tern headed South close offshore.

Thurs 9th July 20

Quick visit this morning and left my phone at home, not good.
The Black Redstart was still in the new TDC Compound hiding between the blocks as yesterday and the 4 Canada Geese were on the brook behind the sluice.

From the hide:
14 Avocet (incl. 3 chicks), 6 Lapwing, 2 Green Sandpiper, 2 BlkWits, 1 Ruff, 1 Shelduck, 6 Teal, Mallard, 6 Cormorant, 30+ Blk. H Gulls, 1 Med Gull, 1 LBB, 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel.

Wed 8th July 20

From the hide:

4 Canada Geese (2+2), 5 Shelduck, 7 Teal, 2 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 23 Avocet, 6 Lapwing, 4 Oystercatcher (2+2 ?), 2 Ruff, 1 Dunlin. PRD/MR.

A walk to the wooden hide added a pair of Stonechat in the moth Sanctuary and we finally found the Black Redstart and the Wheatear in the TDC compound on the way back to the car park.

Reports from today:


Liz Huxley

17:26 Pm visit - 1 Med Gull, 20 Avocet, male Ruff, 2 Corn Bunting, male Stonechat by wooden hide, 1 Whimbrel over calling.

Matt Lonsdale

19:00 Per my dad- 2 Ruff and 3 Blackwit on scrape, 2 Green Sands on pond to right of hide.

Tues 7th July 20

No luck with the Black Redstart or the Wheatear for me this morning but loads of Butterflies around.
From the Hide:
28 Avocet, 6 Lapwing, 3 Blk. T Godwits, 5 Oystercatchers (2 + 3 chicks), 1 Ruff (male), 1 Dunlin, 44 Blk. H Gulls, 4 Canada Geese (2+2).


Reports from today :


Max Martin

07:14 Black Redstart on metal railing opposite mounds!
07:29 Black Red is now settled in the pillbox area. It likes sitting in the bushes to the right of the pillbox as you walk in from the gate, as well as sitting on the pillbox it's self.
08:15 12 Blk. T Godwits on scrape, 7 of which have just flown high South.

Photo Max Martin©

Photo Max Martin©

Simon Cox

07:38 Wheatear near wooden hide.
10:05 Blk. Redstart 0945 near wooden hide in flight.


Pete Loud

07:39 Early pre work visit this morning. Male Ruff, Dunlin, Blackwit and 28 Avocet on Scrape. Nice Spotted Juvenile Wheatear along seawall and later by sea-watching Hide. Pair of Stonechat by boardwalk and another female on Golf Course. 4 Curlew over marsh, 20+ Sand Martin & 1 Barn Owl.


John Hall

15:38 PM visit to scrape hide 14.50 Ruff and BlkWits still present. Unable to locate Dunlin. Shelduck down to just one that I could see. 6 Lapwings 1 Oystercatcher and Chick C 40 BH Gulls 20 + Avocets. Decent Swallow activity 2 high flying Swifts.
17:08 Typical about to leave and I spot 2 Dunlin on Leon’s Marsh.


Nick Gough

17:06 Wheatear on soil mound near council compound 16.20

Mon 6th July 20


Another windy day along the front, but lots of Skippers and Meadow Browns in any sheltered areas on route to the hide.

From the hide:
25 Avocet (incl. 3 small chicks), 1 Ruff (ad male), 5 Oystercatcher (2+3 chicks), 3 Lapwings, 1 Blk. T Godwit (limosa), 7 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 4 Canada Geese (2+2), 8+ Mallard, 3 Teal, 1 Med Gull, 30+ Blk H Gulls, Swallow, Sand Martin & Swifts over the scrape and arable, Linnets, Goldfinch, Reed Bunting, Reed Warbler and Pied Wags all noted


Reports from today:


Paul Brayshaw

06:57 Seawall run from Frinton to wooden hide and back. 3 adult med gulls south, 2 crossbills low south calling (about 6.30). Both fem/juv. types.



Pete Davis

09:38 Nice male Ruff on scrape this morning

Photo Pete Davis©

Sun 5th July 20

Reports from today:


Pete Loud

10:50 A Barn Owl was sitting on a post by the side of the road on my way in this morning. From the Scrape: The Lamosa Blackwit was still about with all the usual Avocets, Oystercatcher and Shelduck. A Juvenile Marsh Harrier was over the fields behind the Scrape and 4 Teal on Leon’s Marsh. 2 Adult Med Gulls flew through and the Male Stonechat was by the moth enclosure. A few Swifts were trickling through all morning and a Hobby was flying by the side of the road opposite Great Holland Pits on the way home.


Matt Turner

15:00  On scrape: 5 Teal, 18 Avocet, Shelduck, 2 Oyk, several juv Pied Wag and the Limosa still present. Sand Martins and Swallows over brook and Red Eyed Damselfly plus at least four Gatekeepers on approach to hide.

Sat 4th July 20


Reports from today:


Matt Lonsdale

10:26  Top quality viewing from the hide with the limosa Godwit side by side with an Icelandica on Leon’s marsh.

10:42 It’s been joined by 3 more Icelandica.

Fri 3rd July 20


Windy around the site again today, had a wander to the hide and joined Pete Davis and Dave Cummings to find things much the same, the colour ringed Blk. T Godwit (limosa) being the high point, a 2nd sum. Med Gull & a Common Gull also notable.


Reports from today:


Pete Loud

11:56  Short visit to Haven this morning, found the colour Ringed (Lamosa) Blackwit back on Leon’s Marsh with 5 Teal. 16 Avocet +7 were on the Scrape and 2 Oystercatcher +3, Sandwich Tern x2 we’re in and out and a Sand Martin flew through. 2 Curlew passed offshore and another landed on the marsh.

John Hall

17:50 PM visit to scrape Limosa  Blackwit here for short time then flew. Shortly after a new pair flew in with one in stonking plumage. Avocets and Shelduck as per PL, 6 Cormorants, 5 Teal, 2 Oystercatchers +young. Large flock Starlings took over Leon’s Marsh. Canada Goose family on Brook along with 4 large Mallard Ducklings. Left hide17.50

Thurs 2nd July 20

Reports from today:


Pete Davis

 A juv. Yellow Wag still on pond this morning on and off, also pair of Sandwich Terns paid brief visit to scrape.

Photo Pete Davis©

Otherwise no sign LRP's but first sum Marsh Harrier, male Stonechat, 7 Teal, Sand Martin, a juv Sedge Warbler and most interesting of all this sub adult Cormorant in what appears to be suspended moult!

Photo Pete Davis©

Pete Loud

19:30 Short visit today 5-6 PM. Not much on Scrape although Leon’s been busy and got the wind pump working and water levels are already improving. 6 Teal, Peregrine carrying prey was circling over the arable a couple of Med Gulls flew over and a few decent groups of Swifts were passing for a while. Belated from yesterday evening 2 Ad LRP were still on Scrape 7PM as was a very pale non yellow Juvenile Yellow Wag.

Wed 1st July 20

A good start to the morning for Pete Davis with 2 LRPs on the scrape, but otherwise it was quiet as some work was being carried out on the wind pump. Only the 2 Oystercatchers with 3 chicks were in the grass around Leon's Marsh everything else was at the back of the scrape.

The 4 Canada Geese were on the brook behind the sluice

From the hide:

1 Shelduck, 2 Mallard, 19 Avocet (incl. a new brood of 3 chicks), 2 Lapwing, 2 LRP's, 1 Lt Egret, 65 Blk. H Gulls, 6 Med Gulls, 1 Kestrel, a few Swallows and one or two Swifts. PRD/JH/MR.

Good numbers of Butterflies around with the first Gatekeepers of the year, (see Haven Wildlife page). 

Reports from today:

Paul Brayshaw

Another 2.3k swift south by 7am today.    Majority inland.   Seawall alongside the gc had a couple of nice family groups of Linnet joining up (35+18) whilst the first fledged swallows were at the whalings beach huts.