Mon 31st Aug 20

Reports from today:

Matt Lonsdale

08:05 Pied Fly in small wood behind dell, several Willow Warbler, Blackcap, Chiff, Lesser and Common Whitethroat noted already. And 4 Siskin just gone over.

Photo Matt Lonsdale©

19:22 Late afternoon/ early evening- 3 Whinchat and a Stonechat behind wooden hide. Also a Whinchat on bramble on marsh behind car park with 4 Yellow Wags. In bushes good numbers of Lesser Whitethroat but no sign of the Pied Flycatchers. At least 2 Ruff still on scrape, 13 Dunlin and a Sandwich Tern S.

Matt Turner

11:27 4 Whinchat by wooden gate/fence far right of scrape.

13:44 Tree Sparrow near raised viewing platform.

Pete Loud

15:10 With a drop in the wind gave the bushes a look this morning. Started off busy around the dell area with 1 possibly 2 Pied Flys in the copse, 4 Willow Warblers, 2 Chiffs, 5 Blackcap, 2 Whitethroat, 5 Lesser Whitethroat and 4 Siskin over. Bushes everywhere else were relatively quiet with just a few Whitethroat and Lesser Whitethroat added. On the Scrape were 3 Ruff, 1 Snipe, 1 Redshank, 4 Avocet, 2 Dunlin, 1 Med Gull, Kingfisher and 120+ Teal. 4 Whinchat, 1 Wheatear and 3 Stonechat were in the general area of the Wooden Hide.(MR,ML,MT,PL)

At the end of August the number of species recorded at the Haven this year stands at 162

 

Sun 30th Aug 20

A busy day at the Haven today with lots of sea-watching going on, Simon & Pete Loud started an hour before I arrived and several people continued after I left for lunch. SC/PL/PRD/DC/ML/Dave & Mo

My counts between 08:15 & 12:45 (incl. a short re-location to the promenade café for a bacon roll)

Heading South: 24 Wigeon, 33 Teal, 17 Pintail, 1 Com. Scoter, 1 Fulmar (+ prob. 4 more at distance), 1 Cormorant, 3 Oystercatcher, 9 Turnstone, 3 Arctic Skua, 1 Great Skua, 3 Sandwich Tern.

Heading North: 3 Shelduck, 5 Gannet, 2 Arctic Skua, 1 Kittiwake, 10 Common Tern.

In Off : 1 Kestrel, 2 Peregrine, 2 Sparrowhawk, 1 Grey Heron. Also noted were a few Swifts, lots of Swallows and one or two Sand & House Martins.

Reports from today:

Matt Lonsdale

15:05 Haven sea-watch 5+ Arctic Tern S, 4 Arctic Skua (2n,2s), Bonxie (s), 8 Gannet N, 5 Redshank (in/off, N), 2 Golden Plover (in/off), 14 Wigeon (s), Teal (N), 25+ Common Tern ,2 Sandwich Tern N, 1 Turnstone N, Swift N, 10+ House Martin S, Peregrine (in/off).

One of the 2 cracking Arctic Skuas North @ 12:30

15:22 Pied Fly in the badger set

 

Sat 29th Aug 20

Most of my morning was spent looking out to sea, after a quick look around the Dell area I joined PL & LD in the shelter and noted 50+ Teal, 1 Shoveler, 12 Golden Plover heading south, 2 Gannet, 2 Turnstone, heading north, 2 Fulmar close in front of the shelter and 1 S E Owl in off. also noted were a large number of hirundines mostly House Martin's & a lot of Swifts.  PL/LD/MR

During a short visit to the hide (where a single Common Sand was the only thing of note) 3 Skua's were reported as heading south including 1 juv. Long Tailed.

The continued sea-watch from the sluice added 42 Teal south, 18 Teal, 3 Gannet north and a Marsh Harrier that also headed north while gradually moving towards the land. PL/MR

 

Fri 28th Aug 20

Quick visit to the hide this morning, and a big influx of birds was evident from the off, sadly it was 25 Canada Geese and c100 Greylags not quite what we were hoping for.

From the hide:

97 Greylag, 25 Canada geese, 70+ Teal, 1 Shelduck, 8 Cormorants, 2 Grey Heron, 31 Lapwing, 3 Avocet, 3 Ruff, 2 Redshank, 1 Whinchat. MR

Reports from today

Liz Huxley

16:52 Not sure if Chinese Water Deer is on the Haven list, but female with juv by the pool to the right of the hide this afternoon just before the storm hit! (see Haven Wildlife page)

Also 3 Ruff, 2 Avocet, 1 Common Sandpiper, 6+ Whinchat, 4 Yellow Wagtail.

 

Thurs 27th Aug 20

Lots of birds around the bushes today but unfortunately nothing out of the ordinary, bird of the day was a Spotted Flycatcher found by Pete Davis on the hedge in the S/E corner of the scrape (not a bird seen often from the hide). 6 Mute Swans (2 Adults + 4 signets) were on the brook behind the sluice

From the hide:

60+ Teal, 3 Shelduck, 6 Cormorant, 3 Grey Heron, 20+ Lapwing, 3 Avocet, 3 Ruff, 2 Redshank, 1 Com. Sand, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Kestrel, 1 Marsh Harrier.

Around midday a Spot Fly (most likely the bird from earlier) was located from over the 5 bar gate by a visitor and shortly afterward behind the Raised Platform by Dave Cummings and myself.

Reports from today

Simon Cox

Noted during a ringing session (see Ringing page)

Early movement Swift 20+, Sand Martin 25, Swallow 100+. Wheatear 1, Moorhen pair + 4 chicks.

 

Wed 26th Aug 20

Very windy again today, making the bushes hard work, nothing of note around the Dell just a large mixed tit flock that moved across to the Dipping Pond with a couple of Lesser Whitethroats in tow.

From the hide: 

Most things were keeping their heads down giving brief views of 2 Common Sands, 1 Green Sand, 1 Snipe, to go with 60+ Teal, 1 Shelduck, 20+ Lapwing,  80+ Blk. H Gulls, 36 Herring Gulls, 6 Cormorant, 4 Grey Heron, 2 Kestrel.

A single Wheatear was on the Pillbox above the hide.

A few minutes sea-watch with PRD added nothing of note 

 

Tues 25th Aug 20

Didn't venture out this morning as it was a bit Wet & Windy, but blew the cobwebs away with a couple of hours on site this afternoon mainly looking out to sea as were Simon, PRD & PL.

Reports from today

Simon Cox

14:30  Arctic Skua N 14:25

16:09 1400-1605 Fulmar 1, Gannet 3, Arctic Skua 1.

Pete Loud

Haven seawatch (1530-1700.) Northbound 1 Gannet,1 Fulmar. Southbound, 3 Sanderling, 10 Grey Plover, 6 Common Tern & 1 Sandwich Tern.

 

Mon 24th Aug 20

I walked to site from Gt. Holland this morning and it was quite uneventful with just a Willow Warbler and a Green Woodpecker at the farm, Chiffchaff and a few Whitethroats on the way down the footpath, Wheatear on the golf course and a Stonechat + flock of Goldfinch & Linnet at golf course dump.

From the hide:

76 Greylag, c50 Teal, 2 Shoveler, 1 Shelduck, 6 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 25 Lapwing, 2 Ruff, 2 Green Sands, 1 Common Sand, 1 Wood Sand, 1 Lt. Stint, 1 Redshank, 1 Oystercatcher, 120+ Blk. H Gulls, 2 Med Gulls (1juv. 1 colour ringed adult), 1 Swift, 1 Sand Martin and a few Swallows 

Didn't make contact with Barbara Leports Redstart, although I was around the carpark bushes and approach road until 14:30, how annoying. 

Reports from today

Barbara Laport

For info only. We had a Redstart in brambles to right of pillbox behind hide this morning. It was there for so little time with Stonechat flew off towards scene but couldn't relocate. No signal to put out.

 

Sun 23rd Aug 20

A great day at the Haven today, the morning got off to a good start for Pete Loud, Max and myself with a nice Wheatear on the sluice rocks and a super juv. Sanderling on the beach.

 

Some time was spent at the Mounds with the bushes full of birds before moving on to the hide.  All the waders from recent days were still on show (see Pete's report below).

After lunch a report of a Spoonbill on the scrape had me heading back and sure enough the Spoonbill was asleep in the middle of the scrape, the day was capped off nicely a few minutes later when a Curlew Sandpiper was located at the back of the island. PRD/DP/PL/DC/MR

Reports from today

Max Martin

09:14 Highlights so far: 2 Ruff, 1 Snipe (showing very nicely on the front of the island), 1 Redshank, 1  Kingfisher, Green Sand. No sign of Little Stint

Matt Lonsdale

13:06 Spoonbill landed on scrape at 12:45 per AA.

14:13 Spoonbill came out of ditch @ back of scrape and onto scrape @ 2pm. Fully blinged up with what looks to be a Dutch scheme though PD going to investigate further as I’ve gotta go do WEBS.

17:24 Spot fly in the orchard, prob. 2 birds in sheltered corner

Pete Loud

13:40 Pleasant morning at Haven today. Wheatear was on rocks by Sluice with a Sanderling on the beach. Mounds area held Male Stonechat, 3 Willow Warblers, Blackcap & 2 Lesser Whitethroats. Elsewhere in the bushes, 2 Willow Warblers, 2 Reed Warblers, a few Whitethroat & Lesser Whitethroat and a couple of Blackcap. On the Scrape were Little Stint, Wood Sand, 3 Green Sand, 2 Common Sand, 2 Ruff, Dunlin, 3 Blackwit, 3Avocet and 60 Teal. Ad Female Peregrine sailed over and upset everything and Marsh Harrier passed through.5 Swifts today and a few Sand Martins heading south. MR,MM,PL

16:43 Juvenile Curlew Sand still showing at back of Scrape, Spoonbill still asleep, Wood Sand was showing on Leon’s Marsh and 2 Whinchat on bramble bush to left of dyke from hide.

 

Sat 22nd Aug 20

From the hide:

60 Greylag, 60 Teal, c30 Lapwing, 4 BlkWits, 3 Avocet, 3 Green Sands, 2 Dunlin, 2 Ringed Plover, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Lt. Stint, 1 Ruff, 1 Wood Sand, 1 Redshank, 1 Com. Sand, 1 Snipe, lots of Blk Headed & Herring Gulls, 2 LBB Gulls, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Kingfisher. PL/PN/MM/ML/MR.

 Reports from today

Pete Loud

19:43 Late afternoon walk saw 7 Swift and 2 Sand Martin heading south and a Pied Flycatcher in hedge by path bordering the Sewage Farm. 

Fri 21st Aug 20

Very windy this morning so headed to the shelter of the hide.

From the hide:

c90 Greylag, c60 Teal, 4 Shelduck, 30+ Lapwing, 5 Avocet, 3 Green Sands, 2 Ruff, 2 Lt. Stint, 2 Dunlin, 2 BlkWits, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Common Sand, 1 Snipe, 1 Redshank, Lots of Blk. Headed & Herring Gulls, 1 GBB Gull, 2 Common Tern (juvs), 2 Grey Heron, 2 Cormorant. PRD/DC/MR 

 

Reports from today

Simon Cox

Hide 1700-1745: Greylag 78, Avocet 4, Blackwit 4, Green S 3, single Ruff, Dunlin, Common S, Little Stint, Redshank, Starling c400, few Teal & Lapwing.

 

Thurs 20th Aug 20

At least one of the Pied Flycatchers from yesterday was still on show at the Dipping Pond this morning.

From the hide:

 66 Greylag Geese, 50+ Teal, 4 Shelduck, 5 Cormorant, 40+ Lapwing, 10 Avocet, 3 BlkWits, 3 Green Sands, 2 Lt. Stints (PRD/DW), 2 Common Sands, 1 Wood Sand, 1 Ruff, 1 Redshank, 1 Dunlin, 1 Buzzard, 2 Sparrowhawk, 1 juv. Whinchat.

1 Lt. Stint was still behind the island early evening + 1 Snipe on Leon's marsh, all the mornings waders were still present, unfortunately no sign of the Curlew Sands reported early afternoon.

 

 

Wed 19th Aug 20

A stop at the Dipping Pond on the way onto site this morning showed the Pied Flycatcher was still with us, and a return visit just before midday with Ian, Dave & John gave two birds, most likely the two from Sunday still in the same Hawthorn. 

A single Turnstone was on the sluice rocks

From the Hide:

1 Mute Swan, 6 Greylags, 50+ Teal, 4 Shelducks, 40+ Lapwing, 6 Avocet, 4 BlkWits, 3 Oystercatcher, 3 Green Sands, 2+ Common Sands, 2 Snipe, 2 Dunlin, 1 Wood Sand, 1 Ruff, 1 Redshank, c200 Blk H Gulls, 1 Juv. Med Gull, 8 Cormorant, 4 Grey Heron, 1 Buzzard (a Juv that dropped into the back of the scrape for a paddle and a drink). PRD/BW/JH/MR.

 

Tues 18th Aug 20

I headed for the hide first thing this morning with Pete Davis and apart from an obvious 11 Canada Geese that were new in, it looked quiet at first glance. Over the next hour with things dropping in and appearing from nowhere it turned out to be a good morning.

From the hide:

11 Canada Geese (flew out 09:30), 50+ Teal, 2 Shelduck,  43 Lapwing, 9 Avocet, 4 Blk T Godwit, 3 Com. Sands, 2 Green Sands, 2 Snipe, 2 Dunlin, 1 Lt. Stint. 1 Wood Sand, 1 Redshank, 1 Ruff, 260+ Blk. H Gulls, c70 Herring Gulls, 3 LBB, 1 GBB, 1 juv. Med Gull, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Kestrel, 6 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron.

 

 

Mon 17th Aug 20

I spent a lot of time around the south end of the site this morning with very little to show for my efforts, 1 Pied Flycatcher at the Dipping Pond (in the same area as yesterday), a couple of Chiffs & Willow Warblers otherwise all of the residents in small numbers. The interesting male Stonechat was again on the mounds behind the sluice.

From the hide:

30+ Lapwing, 11 Avocet, 3 Blk T Godwits, 3 Dunlin, 3 Oystercatcher, 3 Greenshank (PRD), 3 Green Sands, 2 Common Sands, 1 Ringed Plover, 1 Little Stint, 1 Wood Sand, 1 Redshank, c200 Blk. H Gulls, 60 Teal, 3 Shoveler, 8 Greylag, 2 Grey Heron, 6 Cormorant, 1 Kingfisher PRD/MM/DW/BH/MR.

At the sluice on the way back 3 Sandwich Tern headed north close offshore MM/MR

Max Martin

09:17 3 Greenshank South over carpark.

Peter Newton

17:47 4 Green Sands , 1 Wood , 2 Common , 2 Dunlin , Little Stint , 2 Black tailed Godwits still on scrape @ 5.45 viewed from pill box.

 

Sun 16th Aug 20

Reports from today:

Matt Lonsdale

07:18 Tree Pipit just gone over the dell, 2 Pied Flycatchers, c5 Lesser Whitethroat, 5 Whitethroat, Willow Warbler and few Chiffs. Very Busy!

12:09 Pied Flycatchers still showing well after lunch in the cafe.

Photo Matt Lonsdale©

12:46 2 more Pied Flycatchers at the dipping pond, taking us to 5 for the day.

Dennis Pryor

14:27 Spot Fly and Pied at dipping pond now.

Simon Cox

14:50 Had a ringing session in the reedbed this morning (see Ringing Page). Also noted 5 Ruff on scrape late morning

Pete Loud

14:48 Good morning walking around with Matt, 5 Pied Flycatchers, 3 Willow Warbler, 6 Whitethroat, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Chiffchaff, 4 Blackcap and G S Woodpecker. Tree Pipit flyover (Matt only). Scrape was busy with Little Stint, Wood Sandpiper, 2 Green & 3 Common, 3 Dunlin, 7 Blackwit, 3 Redshank, 6 Avocet, 40+Teal, 2 Shoveler and all the usual B H Gulls and Lapwing. 2 Peregrine, Marsh Harrier and 2 Buzzard were in the air together. 1 Wheatear golf course, with 3 Yellow Wag flyovers. 7 Common Tern and 3 Sandwich offshore, 8 Dunlin & 3 Golden Plover south.

 

Sat 15th Aug 20

Quick visit to the hide this morning before grandchildren duties.

50+ Teal, 8 Shelduck, 2 Shoveler, 5 Cormorant, 40+ Lapwing, 10 BlkWits, 6 Avocet, 5 Redshank, 4 Green Sands, 3 Common Sands, 3 Oystercatcher, 2 Dunlin, 1 Lt. Stint, 1 Wood Sand.

12+ Common Tern with mixed Gull flock feeding offshore + 1 Sandwich Tern, 1 Gannet heading south.

Sounds like there could be Pied Flycatchers on the way for later in the day, good luck.

Reports from today:

Pete Loud

12:25 Scrape this morning,1 Juv Little Stint, 1 Wood Sand, 4 Green Sand, 3 Common Sand, 10 Blackwit, 9 Redshank, 8 Avocet and 50+ Teal. Out to sea were 20+ Gannet, 1 Juv Kittiwake, 1 Fulmar, 17 Common Tern, 4 Sandwich Tern and Ringed Plover. Bushes today were quiet, surprisingly, 2 Chiff, 1 Blackcap was all I could find.

 

Fri 14th Aug 20

A really enjoyable morning at the Haven today with a Wood Sandpiper appearing on the scrape mid morning to join the selection of waders already on show, then 2 Red Kites drifting over the hide before heading out over Gt. Holland. A third Red Kite was seen over the B1032 from the raised platform later in the morning.

From the hide:

63 Greylag, 50+ Teal, 9 Shelduck, 2 Shoveler, 30+ Lapwing, 9 Avocet, 3 Redshank, 3 Oystercatcher, 3 Green Sands, 2 Dunlin, 1 Common Sand, 1 Little Stint, 1 Wood Sand, 6 Cormorants, 3 Grey Heron, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Red Kites, 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel + a large number of Hirundines were pushed down by low cloud mid morning incl. Swallows, Sand and House Martins. PRD/DC/MM/MR

The rather striking moulting male Stonechat, (possibly of the continental form 'rubicola ') was still present on the mounds as we returned from the hide and a Peregrine was seen over the LPA Pylon.

Photo Matt Turner©

 

Thurs 13th Aug 20

Headed straight to the hide today as Pete Davis had had a Little Stint on the scrape a bit earlier. On route a Stonechat was seen behind the sluice with Whitethroat, Linnet, Goldfinch, Pied Wags & Swallows

From the hide:

6 Graylag, 6 Shelduck, 50+ Teal, 4 Cormorant, 3 Grey Heron, 40+ Lapwing, 8 Avocet, 3 Redshank, 3 Oystercatcher, 2 Green Sands, 2 Dunlin, 1 Common Sand, 1 Lt. Stint, 1 Sandwich Tern, 140+ Blk. H Gulls. Also nice to see a group of 4+ Sedge Warblers in the brook in front of the hide. PRD/DC/JH/MR.

Reports from today:

Pete Davis

09:00 Little Stint scrape

Liz Huxley

11:12 Small red eyed damselfly at dipping pond.

Matt Turner

15:18 Little Stint still back of scrape plus 2 Green Sand at least and Common Sand

16:41 Totals from hide 15.00 - 16.15: 4 Green Sand, 2 Common Sand, 2 Grey Heron, 7 Avocet, 46 Greylag, 44 Lapwing, 2 Oyk, 3 Redshank, c40 Stock Dove, 2 Buzzard, 2 Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, 1 Little Stint, 32 Teal, Dunlin plus 3 Stonechat en route inc possible ssp. Rubicola?

17:00 Hobby buzzed scrape as I left.

17:53 Very distant Barn Owl hunting fields beyond road.

18:17 2 Sandwich Tern heading north close in.

 

Wed 12th Aug 20

This mornings early start was punctuated by an unsuccessful trip to the Naze for the Icterine Warbler. Well done Darrel !.

More luck on my return to the Haven with a good number of Wasp Spiders located and the Water Vole was very obliging  at the Dipping Pond (see Haven Wildlife page).

From a very quick visit to the hide:

2 Dunlin, 2 Green Sands, 1 Common Sand, 1 Knot, 26 Teal + Avocet, Oystercatcher, Lapwing, Blk. H Gulls, Grey Heron, Cormorant, Shelduck as of late.

On leaving site as I drove passed the 5 bar gate a bird flew across the road from the orchard area that looked interesting, after an emergency park and grabbing my bins I managed to locate a Pied Flycatcher moving between the small bushes on the greensward before being lost to view back on the other side of the road.

 

Tues 11 Aug 20

I spent the first couple of hours this morning around the Approach Rd. bushes and the Dell area for just 4+ Willow Warblers. Regulars noted were Lot of Blackbirds, Song Thrush, Lesser Whitethroat, Blackcap, Goldfinch, 3 Green and 1 Gt. Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Sparrowhawk. Nice to see plenty of House Sparrows still around the Dell and lots of Pied Wags on the Greensward.

From the hide:

10 Teal, 5 Shelduck, Mallard, 50 Lapwing, 10 Avocet, 5 Green Sands, 3 Common Sands, 3 Dunlin, 3 Oystercatcher, 2 Redshank, 75 Blk. H Gulls, 6 Cormorant, 3 Grey Heron, 1 Kestrel, 1 Buzzard. MM/MR

Mon 10th Aug 20

Headed to the hide this morning with PD to find that the children that frequent the hide in the evenings had thought it would be a laugh to secure the door from the inside and climb out of the window. (Hide re-opened late morning)

From the Pillbox:

10 Shelduck, 10 Teal, 6 Cormorant, 3 Grey Heron, 1 Lt. Egret, 33 Lapwing, 9 Avocet, 5 Green Sands, 1 Common Sand, 2 LRP's, 2 Dunlin, 1 Redshank, 130+ Blk. H Gulls, 4 Common Gulls (3 ad 1 Juv.), 3+ BlkWits. PRD/DW/BH/MM/MR

A single Wheatear and a Juv. Stonechat were along the track between the moth sanctuary and the 1st. pillbox MM/MR.

Had a good 30 mins at the Dipping Pond on the way home (see Haven Wildlife page)

Sun 9th Aug 20

Bird of the day was the Pied Flycatcher found by Matt Lonsdale near the entrance to the sewage works at around 08:30, sadly not showing by the time I arrived.

From the hide:

20+ Lapwing, 8 Avocet, 3  Dunlin, 3 Common Sands, 3 Green Sands, 2 LRP's, 1 Redshank, 100+ Blk. H Gulls, 1 Common Gull, 1 Sandwich Tern, 5 Cormorant, 2 Grey Heron, Yellow Wag. 

2 Wheatear were again on the pillbox.

Reports from today:

Matt Lonsdale 

08:26 In on the action - Pied Fly by sewage farm gate. Also in bushes 1 Willow Warbler, c10 Blackcap, 5 Lesser Whitethroat and few Whitethroat so far.

09:16 Scrape- 2 LRP's, 2 Green Sand, 3 Common Sand, 3 Dunlin, 3 Med Gull (2 juvs), Redshank and a Common Gull.

Pete Loud

08:44 Pied Fly still showing in sycamore hedge opposite Mick’s parking space.

 

Sat 8th Aug 20

Pete Loud made an early start this morning and covered most of the site, my only addition to his report was a Ringed Plover on the scrape around 08:45 which showed behind the main island for 10 mins before being flushed into the back corner and not being seen again. 

Pete returned to the hide after a walk to the Frinton end and we were joined by IM & JH for an interesting couple of hours.

Reports from today:

Pete Loud

6am start this morning, but bushes were fairly quiet, just the local Chiffs, Blackcap, a few Lesser Whitethroats, 5 Whitethroats, (less than of late) and a juv Willow Warbler. Scrape was busy with an amazing 9 Green Sandpiper with supporting cast of 2 Common Sand, 3 LRP, 4 Dunlin, 5 Redshank, 13 Avocet, 37 Lapwing, Kingfisher, 12 Teal, Med Gull and a Yellow Wag. 10 Whimbrel were out on the marsh and 3 Juvenile Stonechat by the boardwalk. 5 Swift, 7 Sand Martin and 3 House Martin were noted throughout the morning, with plenty of Swallows, 2 Wheatear on pill box. On way back from cafe a Juvenile Kittiwake flying over the dell was unusual.

 

Fri 7th Aug 20

At last a day when its not blowing a gale, but that made it feel even hotter, quite a few birds around this morning but couldn't find anything special.

From the hide:

2 Greylag, 2 Shelduck, 8 Teal, 36 Lapwing, 6 Avocet, 5 Dunlin, 3 BlkWits (2 flew out at 09:00), 1 LRP, 1 Common Sand, 1 Redshank, 61 Blk H Gulls, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Buzzard, 1 Marsh Harrier.

A nice surprise was a Cetti's Warbler that popped out of the bramble in front of the hide and showed well for a couple of minutes. DC/MR

On the Dragonfly front a Norfolk Hawker was seen again today in Kirby Brook (see Haven Wildlife page).

Reports from today:

Paul Brayshaw

08:46 Golf course and seawall showing an increase in warblers with 4 Willow, 5 Reed, 2 Sedge and a Chiff (but no sylvias).  2 Yellow Wag and four Mipit south plus a Swift and 6 Sand Martin.

Simon Cox

Simon & Pat had the nets up in the reedbed again today (see Ringing page)

Sightings Marsh Harrier & Yellow Wag. Up to 40 Swallows over reeds on & off— not sure whether mostly same birds or different groups.

Thurs 6th Aug 20

Much the same again today, all the residents + a few Willow Warblers around the bushes a nice Kingfisher along the brook below the raised platform, Goldfinch and Linnets on the mounds.

From the hide:

2 Shelduck, 13 Teal, 4 Mallard, 21 Lapwing, 7 Avocet, 5 Dunlin, 3 Oystercatcher, 1 Common Sand. 1 Green sand, 1 LRP, 1 Redshank,100+ Blk. H Gulls, 3 Med Gulls (juvs), 2 Common Gulls, 4 Cormorant, 3 Yellow Wagtails. PRD/DW/BH/MR.

Wed 5th Aug 20

All much the same around the site this morning, warm and windy.

From the hide:

23 Lapwing, 7 Avocet, 2 Dunlin, 2 LRP's, 1 Redshank, 1 Common Sand, 1 Oystercatcher, 6 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron 150+ Blk. H Gulls, 4 Mallard.

A walk to the wooden hide and back to the car added 2 Wheatear with a flock of 25+ Linnet on the grass near the 1st pillbox and a juv. Stonechat behind the sluice.

Tues 4th Aug 20

Short visit today, a brisk wind made the bushes hard work.

From the hide:

29 Greylag, 3 Shelduck, 4 Cormorant, 3 Grey Heron, 42 Lapwing, 8 Redshank, 6 Avocet, 6 Dunlin, 3 Oystercatcher, 2 Whimbrel, 1 Common Sand, 1 Green Sand, 80+ Blk. H Gulls, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Kestrel, 1 Marsh Harrier. PRD/DW/MR

On the way back to the car 7 Sandwich Tern headed N/E.

Simon & Pat were ringing in the reedbed this morning (see Ringing page) and noted 9 Whimbrel, 2 Sand Martin, 2 Yellow Wags & 2 Green Woodpeckers.

Mon 3rd Aug 20

The Mounds were very busy looking from the sluice on the walk through today with 2 Willow Warblers, Lesser & Common Whitethroat, Blackcap, Sedge & Reed Warbler, Goldfinch, Linnet & Song Thrush all noted.

I joined Pete Davis in the hide and in the hour before my arrival he had noted 8 Whimbrel, 4 Common Sands, 3 Green Sands, 2 Redshank, 2 Dunlin & 1 LRP.

From the hide 09:30 - 11:00:

28+ Greylag (+ 2 Hybrids), 3 Shelduck, 1 Mallard, 20 Lapwing, 7 Avocet, 4 Whimbrel, 4 Oystercatcher, 2 Common Sands, 2 Green Sands, 2 Dunlin, 1 Redshank, 1 LRP, 150+ Blk. H Gulls, 2 Common Gulls, 5 Cormorants, 3 Grey Heron, 3 Buzzard.

Canada/Greylag hybrids

 

No sign of the Norfolk Hawker this morning but a Southern Migrant Hawker was found in the same area (see Haven Wildlife page)

Reports from today:

John Hall

16:24 PM visit to hide flock of 60+ Greylag inc. 3 strange hybrids not dissimilar to those we had earlier in the year or was it last year. Not much else to report. 2 juv. Dunlin. 70+ B H Gulls 5 Cormorants, 2 Oystercatchers, 8 Lapwings only 4 Avocets noted, 1 Juv Shelduck. Numerous Swallows hunting over The Mounds not many over the Scrape. Leaving hide at 16.30

Sun 2nd Aug 20

Reports from today:

Paul Brayshaw

08:06 Haven area golf course and seawall - 6 Whitethroats, 2 Willow, 2 Reed Warblers (not in a breeding area but just as likely local dispersion as migrants), 2 Yellow Wag over plus 75+ Swallow, >100 Sand Martin in three groups south, 2 Golden Plover on and over cut arable, and a total of 18 Sandwich Tern south.

Matt Lonsdale

08:24 Similar here in bushes- me and PL have had 8 Willow Warblers moving along back hedge so far and few other bits and bobs.

09:30 Grey Wagtail just gone south over the car park, Willow Warblers up to 10 and bump in Blackcap numbers also. Male Marsh Harrier, 2 Green Sands and 4 dunlin in brief look on scrape.

Pete Loud

13:33 Around the Haven bushes this morning were 9 Willow Warblers and all the usual Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Whitethroat and Lesser Whitethroat numbers. Great Spotted Woodpecker still around. Scrape water levels looked better and that was reflected in an increase of birds, 2 Green Sands, 3 Common Sands, 4 Dunlin, 1 Redshank, 10 Whimbrel and 3 Med Gulls. Male Marsh Harrier was hanging around and 4 Wheatear were in the wooden Hide area. Bit of excitement on the Dragonfly front, Mick and I found a Norfolk Hawker in Kirby Brook close to the location of one 2 Years ago. Several Emperors and lots of Common Darters about.

Sat 1st Aug 20

A good morning for Pete Loud with a super Spotted Flycatcher between the sluice and the wind pump and a short while later a Red Kite behind the golf course (see report below)

The scrape held just the resident birds for me today as repair work was being carried out on the wind pump, thanks Leon, but the Spotted Flycatcher was showing well for quite a while.

My first Willow Emerald Damselfly was seen at the Dipping Pond on the way out (see Haven Wildlife).

Reports from today:

Pete Loud

Bushes this morning from 6am were fairly quiet with 2-3 Willow Warblers and 3 Chiffs near dipping pond and a couple of Blackcaps and Great Spotted Woodpecker by 5 bar gate. A fine Spot Fly was along the back edge of ringing compound along the brook with a couple of Lesser Whitethroats. From the Scrape were 1 Green Sand, 2 Teal and 11 Whimbrel. Walk to the Golf Course  provided good views of a Red Kite, Marsh Harrier and 4 Buzzards. A Wheatear was on the Seawall on the way back. Several groups of Sand Martin still on the move 30+ and a good number of Swifts over the arable. Lastly a big  thanks to Leon for a quick response to sort out the 2 Water Pumps and get them working. Much appreciated by us all.