Sat 31st Oct 20

Very windy and very quiet today, Stonechat on the Mounds on the way to the hide.

From the hide:

Two lots of Mute Swans this morning 14 in all, the usual 7 (4 ads + 3 signets) were on the arable and a second group of 7 (2 ads + 5 signets) flew in from the S/E and dropped onto the marsh west of the B1032 + c200 Greylag, 5 Shelduck, 30 Lapwing, 1 Snipe, Blk. H Gulls, Herring Gulls, 3 GBB's, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Water Rail (heard only), 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel. PRD/MR.

Reports from today:

Matt Lonsdale

08:44 Green Sand flushed out of ditch near scrape, Med Gull along seawall. Few groups of Goldfinch and Siskin early doors before wind really picked up. Pretty quiet really.....

Paul Brayshaw

09:08 Not much to add from the golf course end (seawall to wooden hide and back). 10 Redpoll, 8 Linnet plus small nos of Goldfinch and Siskin.  2 Swallows south.  6 Stonechat along golf course edge and usual two Cetti's singing.

At the end of October the number of species recorded at the Haven this year stands at 180.

 

Fri 30th Oct 20

Lots of agitated Blackbirds and Redwings along the approach road this morning but we were unable to find a reason, hoping for a roosting Owl but no luck, otherwise very quiet just one Chiffchaff near the 5 bar gate and a few Tits and Goldfinch was about it. DC/MR.

Pete Davis had a brief view of a Ring-tail Hen Harrier on his way to the hide at around 10:40.

From the hide:

200+ Greylag, 1 Canada Goose (+ 6 can/greylag hybrids), couple of Teal (a gas gun on the arable is keeping the ducks away), 1 Shoveler, c20 Lapwing, Blk. H Gulls, Herring Gulls, 3 Common Gulls, 1 Water Rail & 1 Kingfisher (heard only). PRD/JH/DC/MR.

Thurs 29th Oct 20

Reports from today:

Steve Piotrowski 

08:32 Great Egret on Scrape.

11:18 One singing Corn Bunting, 67 Skylarks & large (3-figure) finch flock (mostly Linnets) best of a very wet & gloomy farm loop walk.

19:24 Very little vizmig this morning reduced to nil when rain really set in: 8 Curlew, 10 Meadow Pipits, 46 Siskin & single Redpoll.

 

Wed 28th Oct 20

A few Blackbird, Redwing and Song Thrush around the bushes today but nothing special. Two Stonechat on the mounds.

From the hide:

230 Greylag, 7 Canada Geese (1 ad Canada 6 hybrid goslings), 8 Teal, 5 Shelduck, 1 Shoveler, c50 Lapwings (mostly on the arable), 3 Redshank, Herring & Blk. H Gulls, 1 GBB, 1 Caspian Gull (1st W), 2 Buzzard, 2 Kestrel, 6 Swallows, Bearded Tits (heard only). PD/JH/MR.

Reports from today:

Paul Brayshaw

08:26 Very little vismig this am.  Seawall wall from Frinton to wooden hide (haven area totals)  Just 25 Goldfinch, 2 Siskin, 10 Mipit and a Rock Pipit south plus 7 Teal over the sea.  Still 4 Stonechat and 2 singing Cetti's.

Steve Piotrowski

14:55 Great Egret Holland Brook downstream of Fan Bridge.

16:37 Juv. White-front in Greylag flock in meadow back of Scrape.

Tues 27th Oct 20

Reports from today:

Paul Brayshaw

08:39 The wind ha picked up significantly by the time I got into the haven area this am so the initially good vismig had eased. However still small numbers of Goldfinch, Linnet, Redpoll, Siskin (incl flock of 40), Chaffinch, Mipit moving. Also an adult Med south, Scoter north and S E Owl over arable and golf course.

 

Mon 26th Oct 20

Very quiet again this morning, a few Blackbirds and Redwings and 1 Chiffchaff was about it around the bushes, the bird of the day for me was my first autumn Purple Sandpiper on the sluice. 

Grim on the scrape with just a small number of gulls, 1 Shelduck, loads of Greylag/Canada Geese, Pete Davis did manage Water Rail, Cetti's Warbler & Kingfisher but all heard only.

Reports from today:

John Hall

16:20 PM 14.40 Visit to scrape. Very poor. c170 Greylag, 2 Lapwings, 1 Shelduck, 30+ mixed BH and Herring Gulls, Kingfisher (heard only), 1 Moorhen. One redeeming factor S E Owl over grazing marsh, dropped behind reed bed not seen again departed 16.50.

 

Sun 25 Oct 20

Very quiet again today, thankfully Matt was about early to catch the vis-mig but otherwise nothing much of note, a few Stonechat and Mippits along the front, 2 Buzzards, 2 Kestrels & a Sparrowhawk on the raptor front, 9 Turnstone on the sluice rocks was about it PL/DC/RJ/MR.

Reports from today:

Matt Lonsdale

09:55 Vismig totals from shelter, all south 06:45-08:45 

6 Crossbill (1+5), 6 Lt Egret, 29 Siskin, 110 Goldfinch, 3 Reed Bunt, 35 Mipit, 10 Chaffinch, 1 Alba Wag, 3 Redwing, 25 Linnet, 4 Swallow, 4 Skylark. 

Numbers a bit disappointing really....

Sat 24th Oct 20

Nothing of note from me today, with the wind picking up well before lunch time.

Reports from today:

Pete Loud

11:20 Haven this am, small groups of finches through mainly Goldfinch and Linnet, did manage to pick out 3 Redpoll, 2 Siskin and pretty sure 3 Crossbill, be so much easier if I could only hear them. In bushes plenty of Blackbirds and Redwing but little else.1 Goldcrest was in with the tit flock and the Little Owl was again in the bottom hedge just south of the raised platform but favouring the field side.

Max Martin

11:28 Male and female Bearded Tit in reedbed In front of hide.

 

Fri 23rd Oct 20

A late start for me again today, I joined Dave Cummings at the Dell and apart from the normal stuff nothing of note was found. Two Chiffchaffs around the Dipping Pond and Mick Grover had a few Thrushes and Goldcrest along the approach road.

A call from Pete Davis who had found an unusually pale Wheatear at the other end of the site had us heading for the golf course with scope and camera in hand. Although Pete was still on the bird when we arrived it was at distance and constantly flushed by the large number of people along the front, this meant it was impossible to get a good photo to help with a positive ID, but a very interesting bird, hopefully it will still be around in the morning.

From the hide:

The scrape was very quiet, just 3 Mute Swans (on the arable), a few Teal, 27 Lapwing, 1 BlkWit, 50 Herring Gulls, 33 Blk H Gulls, until the 100+ Greylag, Canada, hybrid flock arrived.

Just before leaving Dave Cummings was amazed to pick up a Gt. White Egret making it's way along a hedge line out on the arable.

Reports from today:

Paul Brayshaw

09:36 Vis mig eased.  Haven area seawall adj to golf course. Good numbers of finches (although fewer than yesterday - perhaps the wind freshening too quickly) Goldfinch, Linnet, Siskin, Redpoll plus first real push of Woodpigeon and Stock Dove, Starlings, few Swallows, single Rock Pipit, Wheatear.  At least 4 Stonechat between northern pillbox and Frinton

 

Thurs 22nd Oct 20

I spent an hour at the south end of the site this morning, a dozen or so Goldcrest were along the approach road with lots of Blackbirds and 30+ Redwings, 2 Chiffchaff around the Dipping Pond area, but sadly no sign of the YBW heard earlier by a visitor along the car park bottom hedge.

From the hide:

3 Mute Swans (on arable), 127 Greylag, 210 Teal, 38 Wigeon, 8 Shelduck, c70 Lapwing, 16 Blk H gull, 16 Herring Gull, 10+ Swallows, 1 Water Rail (heard only).

On the return to the car a Stonechat was on the Mounds and 5 Turnstone on the sluice rocks.

Reports from today:

Paul Brayshaw

08:25 At least two Bearded Tits in reeds adj. to seawall just south of Frinton whalings beach huts.

09:03 More or the same Bearded Tits just dropped in by the northern pillbox.

09:51 Vis mig easing but (from within haven boundary) steady movement mainly of Goldfinch, Siskin, Redpoll and Linnet with a few Swallow, Skylark, Reed Bunting, 3 Rock Pipit, 2 Brambling, Peregrine and Greg Wag.

11:05 No sign of the Dusky Warbler in a quick look at 1015 but others on site thought they had heard it earlier.

Matt Lonsdale

09:20 YBW in car park per RBA.

John Hall

Scrape 15.45 C110 Greylag, 10 Wigeon, 46 Teal, 15 Lapwing, 6 Shelduck, 20 Herring Gulls, Klngfisher (heard only), 3 Mute Swans on arable, 1 Grey Heron fly by. No Canada Family no Raptors. Water on the high side. Departed 16.30.

Wed 21st Oct

Very wet out there today so birding from the kitchen window.

No reports so far.

 

Tues 20th Oct 20

From the hide:

3 Mute Swans (on arable), 147 Greylag, 120 Teal, 14 Wigeon, 6 Shelduck, 51 Lapwing (lots more on the arable), 2 Common Snipe, 1 Jack Snipe, 1 BlkWit, 1 Water Rail (heard only), 1 Cetti's Warbler (heard only), 1 Kingfisher, 1 Buzzard + lots of Gulls on the scrape and the arable.

Reports from today:

Max Martin

13:02 Dusky Warbler still present.

John Hall

16.00 visit to scrape. Greylag, Teal, Wigeon, Lapwing, as per MR only 1 Snipe located no Jack Snipe. 6 Canada/Hybrids  7 Shelduck, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Heron, Cetti’s ( heard only) Departed 16.50

 

Mon 19th Oct 20

Reports from today:

Paul Brayshaw

08:28 Pair of Bearded Tits in seawall ditch north of raised tee (couldn’t see if ringed). Also a late Yellow Wag on golf course and two Stonechat.

08:58 Dusky still present in the usual area.

Dave Cummings

11:01 Dusky showing well again on path between Tennis Club car park and water works.

Simon Cox

13:20 Pre-dawn arrival at the Ringing Compound was rewarded with Haven tick for me when badger made hasty departure! Just 3 birds ringed there (Blackbird, Robin, G’crest). Scrape: Greylag 127, Wigeon 13, Teal 95, Shelduck 6, Lapwing 120, Snipe 1, Swallow 2, Cetti’s 1. Stonechat 3 Wooden Hide area, Turnstone & Grey Squirrel on rocks.

John Hall

PM visit to scrape 16.00 70+ Lapwings, C 90 Greylag, 7 Shelduck, 1 Redshank, 52 Herring Gulls, 1 Common Gull, 5 Mallard, Teal/Wigeon not counted but I would say down on recent numbers.

 

Sun 18th Oct 20

The Dusky Warbler was still showing on and off all day, first reported just before 08:00 and still in the original area around 16:45 at least.

At the other end of the site Matt Lonsdale had a Prob. Sibe Chiffchaff at the Dipping Pond & in the middle of the site Simon & Pat had 5 Bearded Tits in the net during a ringing session in the reedbed (see Ringing page).

Reports from today

Jim Hume

07:54 Dusky Warbler still present this morning, showing on and off.

Matt Lonsdale

07:54 Good candidate for sibe chiff at dipping pond (won’t call) YBW just to right of dipping pond and loads of Redpoll over!

Max Martin

09:22 Dusky Warbler once again giving crippling views near water works!

Simon Cox

09:16 Female Beardie in hand. At least 5 more in vicinity.

10:41 4 more  Beardies in hand now inc. 2 males

Clive Atkins

15:37 Dusky showing now in same area.

 

Sat 17th Oct 20

The Dusky Warbler found by Max Martin yesterday evening was re-found and confirmed this morning but in a very difficult location without public access, while permissions were being gained the bird moved off along the hedge and was lost to view. The bird was relocated by Pete Loud within the Haven recording area late afternoon but within a few minutes made it's way back toward the original location.

I had a walk along the approach road with Ian & John and managed to pick up the Yellow-browed Warbler along with 30+ Goldcrests.

Reports From today

Max Martin

07:45 Dusky Warbler still present, haven't seen it yet but calling occasionally.

07:50 Showing very well again in same hedge as yesterday.

08:38 Just a heads up. Dusky Warbler is moving towards water works, which is where we may lose it.

08:44 I am now leaving bird still working its way down the hedge.

10:19 Woodcock flushed from carpark hedge.

Matt Lonsdale

09:26 YBW on approach road just past 2nd road hump.

10:24 Firecrest, wood at end of car park.

John Hall

09:50 Dusky. Relocated briefly by waterworks but lost towards coast along golf course hedge LH/JH

Pete Loud

15:48 Just relocated the Dusky Warbler, and now on Haven list, it has moved along almost as far as central footpath.(CSB,PL).

16:10 Dusky moved back to sewage building.

16:26 Bird has moved back to where Max first found it.

18:05 .Dusky Warbler showed very well late afternoon, still showing when we left at about 5:15. Also 4 Fieldfare over, 1 Chiffchaff, 4 Goldcrest and a nice group of 40 + Redwing.(CSB,PD,IM,PL).

Paul Brayshaw

18:02 Evening cycle along seawall and round the car park with my youngest - 24 Pied Wag and 2 Rock Pipit along seawall, 2 Fieldfare around car park, Goldcrests at speed along the approach road!

 

Fri 16th Oct 20

A quick visit to the site today before the Flu Jab, showed that there were still Goldcrests everywhere plus a few Blackbirds and Redwing, otherwise much the same. The scrape had lots of Greylag & Teal but the only birds of note were 10 Common Gulls.

Late News : Max Martin has found what looks like a Dusky Warbler on his late afternoon walk, hopefully more information to follow in the morning!!!

 

Thurs 15th Oct 20

I started my morning around the car park bushes and found that there were still plenty of Thrushes around with c40 Blackbirds, c40 Redwing, 6 Song Thrush and 10+ Goldcrest, 4 Chiffchaff, a few Blackcap, Chaffinch and Goldfinch'

A walk to the second pillbox added 5 Stonechat (2 mounds, 2 moth sanc.,1 2nd pillbox), + Skylark, Reed Bunting, Mippits and a few Goldfinch over. Also 20+ Swallows, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Buzzard, 2 Kestrel.

From the hide: 140+ Teal, c20 Wigeon, 3 Shelduck, mixed gull flock including a 1st W Caspian Gull, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Lt. Egret, 1 Cetti's Warbler (heard only), 1 Kingfisher.

Bird of the day had to be Steve Piotrowski's Twite (NFY) in with Goldfinch at the farm (see below).

An afternoon visit started well with a Firecrest at the entrance to the sewage works, then a look around the entrance road wood added another 10+ Goldcrest most in with the Tit flock.

Reports from today:

Steve Piotrowski

11:51 5 Corn Bunts (3 singing makes) beside pumpkin field at farm. Yell Wag in beet field, 3 Brambling, single Twite in Goldfinch flock, 20+ Swallows, Grey Wag on prom + Rock Pipit. Caspian Gull on scrape.

 

Wed 14th Oct 20

When I arrived on site this morning Simon was just leaving, he had been sea-watching from 07:15 - 08:45 (see report below) and said there was still a lot of movement offshore, so a sea-watch it was for me.

Sea-watch 09:15 - 10:45 Brent 192 (190s-2n), Gannet (51n), Wigeon, 63 (8s-55n), Teal (1s), Pintail (2n), R T Diver (1n), Cormorant 3 (1n-2 on the sea).

From the hide: Very quiet to start with 8 Mute Swans (4+3+1 on the arable), 115 Teal, 42 Wigeon, 1 Cormorant, 70 B H Gulls, 30 Herring Gulls, 2 Common Gulls (1 ad.- 1 1st W), 3 LBB, 1 Peregrine, 1 Buzzard, 2 Kestrel, 2 Redwing. The Greylags and the Canada + hybrids were on the grazing marsh and on the arable were c1000 Starling, c100 Lapwing and lots more Gulls.

On the return to the car it seemed there may have been a bit of a fall of Goldcrest with 1 on the mounds and 3 along the sewage works hedge.

Reports from today

Simon Cox

11:45 Haven 0715-0845: Gannet 101, R-t Diver 2, Brent 150, Med Gull 1, C. Scoter 2, Swallow 2.

Tues 13th Oct 20

Quite a few Thrushes still on site this morning mainly Blackbirds, with a few Song Thrush and Redwing, also a lot of Chaffinch and Goldfinch around the Dell and Badger Sett area, just one Chiffchaff this morning but conditions not great.

Suffolk Herring Gulls day out today, with  "CYU" "VUH" & "WLA" (all ringed by Mike Marsh in Suffolk) all on the sluice together, along with Y:956 ringed by Mike Jackson near York on 4th Nov 16. (see Colour Ring Obs. page).

From the hide

6 Mute Swans (3+3 signets), 74 Greylag, 1 Canada Goose (+7 hybrid goslings), 118 Teal, 10 Wigeon, 3 Shelduck, 6 Cormorants, 1 Grey Heron, c120 Lapwing (50 scrape, 70 on arable), 3+ Com. Snipe, 54 B H Gulls, 23 Herring Gulls, 3 LBB, 2 GBB, 1 Water Rail (heard only), 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrel.

 

Mon 12th Oct 20

A lot busier around the bushes today with 8+ Chiffchaffs, 50+ Redwings, 30 Blackbirds, 18 Song Thrush, 15 Chaffinch, lots of Goldfinch.

From the hide

c100 Greylag, 1 Canada Geese (with 7 Hybrid goslings), 120 Teal, 30 Wigeon, 8 Shelduck, 120 Lapwing, Blk.- headed & Herring Gulls, 3 Cormorants, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Buzzard, 2 Kestrel, 2 Stonechat, 1 Cetti's Warbler (heard). 

 

Sun 11th Oct 20

A few interesting birds today, Pete Loud started off well with a Little Owl in the bottom hedge near the Dipping Pond, Whinchat and Lesser Whitethroat were a bit unexpected and a Spotted Flycatcher was around the ringing compound, possibly the bird from the other day?. Pete also had S E Owl (in off) and lots of Stonechat and Redwing (see report below) and with Simon & Pat having caught a Brambling in the reedbed (see Ringing page), not a bad morning.

Reports from today

Pete Loud

13:59 Walk around site this morning started off with a Little Owl in car park lower hedge, Blackcap and Chiff at dipping pond with a few Redwing overhead. Whinchat by moth enclosure with a minimum of 15 Stonechat between mounds and Golf Course. Short-eared Owl along seawall and a large flock of Redwing (100+) took flight at back of marsh near set aside and headed inland. Female Brambling in the hand (thanks Simon & Pat) a few groups of Goldfinches on the move, but little else. Very little of note on the Scrape. Spotted Fly edge of ringing compound by mounds, 4 Swallow, Lesser Whitethroat at dipping  pond on the way out. MR,PL

Paul Brayshaw

13:09 Frinton-farm-golf course loop. Generally lots of Redwing incl. single flock of 130 over.  Farm area - 40+ Redwing, 15+ Blackbird, 2 Stonechat. Bridle path- 40 Mipit, 2 Stonechat, 25 Linnet.  Golf Course hedgerows including that from dump to tennis club c250 Redwing, most of which departed north.

 

Sat 10th Oct 20

Another nice morning, much colder but bright, the day started off slowly with 6 Chiffs the only things of note around the Dell and the Dipping Pond area and Richard Jeffree had a Spotted Flycatcher in the north/west corner of the car park. 

Paul Brayshaw was at the pillbox above the hide and had reported a Woodlark (NFY) and 6 Tree Sparrows in with the movement of Goldfinch, Siskin and Mippits heading south before picking up a large white egret sp. heading in off the sea, the bird made landfall over the golf course and headed toward the scrape and was then identified as a Cattle Egret, Richard and myself saw the bird heading toward the cattle before being mobbed by a Carrion Crow, it turned back north, landed briefly on the arable with the Greylags before lifting off and being lost to view over Gt. Holland. This was only the second record of Cattle Egret at the Haven the first being on 2nd April 2007.

Reports from today

Paul Brayshaw

08:54 Woodlark over pillbox by scrape now

09:11 6 Tree Sparrow over pillbox

09:17 Poss. GWE in off towards Frinton. Slowly coming south over golf course

09:19 Over scrape, Scale all wrong but yellow beak!!, Behind car park

09:21 Now flying north again, And south back towards cattle

09:23 Over field with geese towards lay-by,  and landed.

09:25 Visible from pillbox, In flight again towards lay-by

09:28 Now high towards Great Holland.

Richard Jeffree

09:15 Spot fly picnic table area

09:21 Cattle Egret flown South over scrape

Fri 9th Oct 20

 A nice morning for a walk around the bushes, 6+ Chiffchaffs long the car park hedge and a few Blackcap, Song Thrush & 2 Green Woodpeckers in the car park bushes was about it, plus a steady movement of mainly Goldfinch overhead with a few Swallows. DW/DC/MR

From the hide

1 Mute Swan, c60 Greylag, 12 Canada Geese (+ hybrids), 160 Teal, 22 Wigeon, 6 Shelduck, 150 Lapwing, 1 Jack Snipe, 1 Common Snipe, 4 Cormorants, 2 Buzzard, 2 Kestrel, 1 Cetti's Warbler (heard). DC/MR 

Reports from today

Paul Brayshaw

Vismig ongoing   Big influx of Stonechat with 30+ on the seawall area down to the scrape, 15+ Wheatear, Tree Pipit over, 2 Crossbill, 3 Sparrowhawk and 2 Buzzard in off.

Thurs 8th Oct 20 

A bit of excitement first thing today when the power cables out on the marsh exploded and set fire to the poles, you just never know what's next at the Haven.

I needed a sit down after all that so headed for the hide, the 2 Stonechat were on the bushes behind the sluice as usual. After a few minutes in the hide a pair of Egyptian Geese dropped in and after finding a Common Snipe on Leon's Marsh a second asleep in the reeds in the left hand corner turned out to be a Jack Snipe.

From the hide

2 Mute Swans, c70 Greylag, 6 Canada Geese (+hybrids), c150 Teal, 20 Wigeon, 7 Shelduck, 120 Lapwings, 1 Com. Snipe, 1 Jack Snipe, 1 Water Rail (heard only in front of hide), 85 B H Gulls, 14 Herring Gulls + a steady movement of swallows south plus a few House Martins

Reports from today

Paul Brayshaw

Blustery golf course and seawall wander produced 3 Wheatear, single Rock Pipit and singing Cetti’s.  Visible passage limited to a handful of Swallow, Mipit, 12 Siskin, 10 Linnet and 8 Goldfinch.  No sign of the Black Redstart.

 

 

Wed 7th Oct 20

No sign of the Yellow-browed this morning, but that was made up for by a cracking male Redstart in the Dell, the bird was a bit elusive as the area was very busy, but was seen by a few people during the morning.

Photo Trevor Clifford©

Dave & Brian on their way from the hide to see the Redstart found a Spotted Flycatcher in the Sewage works hedge where it joins the ringing compound, by lunch time this bird had moved to the other end of the hedge by the sewage works entrance gate.

 

Reports from today

Paul Brayshaw

08:35 Watching from raised tee seawall. 100s and 100s of finches still streaming through. Constant flocks and can’t keep up!  2 Crossbill and S E Owl picked up amongst the mayhem!

09:59 Black Redstart  by whalings  beach huts (viewed from within haven boundary).

Simon Cox

During a morning ringing session (see Ringing page)

Over 1,000 mixed finches thro’ with Goldies prominent, 150-200 Mipits, few Skylarks, 50-100 Swallows & few House Martins, Sparrowhawk, 2nd w Med Gull, 5 Curlew, 4+ Stonechats.

11:37 Redstart just shown again by toilet block.

Mick Grover

12:35 Spotted Flycatcher by sewage works entrance.

Richard Jeffree

18:41 SEO hunting rough grass nr old hide this evening.

 

Tues 6th Oct 20

The Yellow-browed Warbler and 2 Chiffchaffs remained faithful to the Dipping Pond area again today and around the bushes a further 4+ Chiffchaffs and a few Blackcaps and Song Thrush were noted along with lots of Blackbirds and Robins. On the way to the hide a single Wheatear was on the green between the Boating club and the sluice with 2 more on the pillbox field, 2 Stonechat were on the mounds and a further 5 on the hedge between the pillbox and the moth sanctuary.

From the hide:

Greylag, Canada Geese, Teal, Wigeon, Shelduck, Lapwing all much as yesterday + lots of Gulls on the scrape and the arable DW/BH/MR,2 Common Snipe and 1 Lt. Egret were seen early afternoon GB.

Reports from today

Paul Brayshaw

08:49 Decent bit of vis mig despite the wind and showers. From within the haven boundary on the seawall alongside the gc single yellow wag, rock pipit, wheatear, several grey wag, song thrush, skylark, redpoll  with steady flow of mipit, Alba wag, goldfinch, linnet, Siskin and swallow.  Six pintail south and six chiff along the seawall.

 

Mon 5th Oct 20

This morning the Yellow-browed Warbler was still at the Dipping Pond with 2 Chiffchaffs, showing well at times throughout the day.

Birds of the day were two Ospreys, after a heads up message from Paul at Frinton of a bird "heading south, low over the water, not too far out", we moved from the hide to the pillbox and Dave Cummings picked up a bird flying along the seawall, it climbed and after reaching the PLA pylon turned inland toward Clacton Common, then headed north and was lost to view. 

Lots of High Fives and celebrations followed as this was Pete Davis's first Osprey at the Haven in a lifetime of birding at the site. The celebrations were cut short when his second Osprey headed south, low over the water, not too far out (sounds a bit like the bird Paul had earlier), just amazing. PRD/DC/MR

From the hide

2 Mute Swans, 60+ Greylag, c30 Canada Geese (incl. some hybrids), 2 Brent Geese, c300 Teal, c30 Wigeon, 8 Shelduck, 7 Cormorants, c80 Lapwing, 1 Avocet, Blk. Headed & Herring Gulls, 1 LBB, 1 Com. Gull, 1 Kestrel, 1 Buzzard, 7+ Stonechat, 1 Cetti's Warbler (heard only). PRD/DW/BH/DC/MR

A steady passage of Goldfinch, Siskin, Linnet & Mippits were heading south plus a few Swallows

Around the bushes were 8+ Chiffchaff a few Blackcaps & Song Thrush, lots of Blackbirds & Robins.

 

Sun 4th Oct 20

Very wet out there today, but a few people braved the conditions without a huge amount of success. The Yellow-browed Warbler was still at the Dipping Pond and a Jack Snipe possibly two were on the scrape.

Reports from today

Steve Grimwade

 07:56 Yellow-browed Warbler by dipping pond.

Max Martin

10:14 Jack Snipe on Leon's marsh.

Richard Jeffree

11:34 The YBW still dipping pond 11.25.

Pete Loud

15:09 Jack Snipe just showed, briefly in channel behind Leon’s Marsh.

 

Sat 3rd Oct 20

A busy day at the Haven today with several observers putting in a lot of hours.

Reports from today

 Matt Lonsdale

10:08 YBW on approach Rd.

11:05 YBW dipping pond with tit flock.

11:59 At least 3 Crossbill south with Siskin.

14:36 Haven - 2 Redstart (1 wooden hide PL, 1 golf course outbuildings). Whinchat in farm paddocks, 2 Yellow Wag S, 1 golf course outbuildings. Full report later.

16:39 Firecrest on approach road & YBW

Max Martin

With patience the YBW showed pretty well 

One of many big Brent Geese groups

Pete Loud

17:15 Very busy at the Haven today. Seawatch from 07:15-10:00 approx. Brent 7000+, Pintail 2, Scaup 1, Tufted 2, Merganser 1, Wigeon 35+, Teal 20+, Arctic Tern 9, Common Tern 2, Sandwich Tern 5, Dunlin 25, S.E.Owl 1, Gannet 5. Around Bushes there were  2 Yellow- browed, 20 Blackcap, 6 Chiffchaffs, 3 Goldcrests, 4 Redwing, lots of Song Thrush and Robins. Overhead were several groups of Siskin, 3 Crossbill, 2 Yellow Wag, 15+ Swallow, 2 House Martin.1 Avocet on scrape, but little else of note. Redstart was by wooden Hide, 2 Whinchat on the marsh and 9 Stonechat. Ad Med Gull on the sea. Sure Matt will have a few to add, think he’s still out looking.(ML,MM,PL).

Matt Lonsdale  (some duplicates with above)

Top autumn day birding barring that one stand out bird..07:00-17:50 in field produced, personal totals- 

Bushes bursting with birds - 2 YBW, Firecrest, Redstart, 10+ Redwing, 14 Goldcrest, c30 Blackcaps, c40 Chiffchaff , 100+ Robin, c150 Song Thrush, Reed Warbler, Whinchat, Wheatear, Yellow Wag, 15 Pied Wags, 100+ Linnet, loads of Blackbirds and Chaffinch, 1 Coal Tit.

For example 1 hedge between dung heap and sewage works @ Frinton end produced 25 Song Thrush, 10 Robin, 5 Redwing and 3 Chiffchaff. 

Sea-watch 07:10-09:10 1 Scaup (S @ 08:32), 1 R B Merg N, 1 SEO (s), 3 Gannet (N) 9 Arctic Tern, 2 Common Tern, 1 Sandwich Tern, 3800 Brent Geese, 105 Com Scoter, 46 Wigeon, 10+ Teal, 2 Pintail, 2 Tufted Duck, c 40 Dunlin, 1 Red T Diver all south unless stated. 

Overhead passage - 3 Crossbill, 50+ Siskin, 12 Redpoll, 2 Yellow Wag, Grey Wag, numerous Alba Wags, 50+ Swallow, House Martin, few Linnets, Mipits, Skylarks, Goldfinches and Chaffinches. 

Scrape - Avocet, Grey Heron and Lt. Egret.

 

Fri 2nd Oct 20

Sea-watching was the order of the day today, with Simon Cox first in the shelter picking up a Leach's Petrel heading north at 08:20. Joined by Pete Davis, Dave Cummings and myself it was obvious that there was a big movement of Brent Geese south with over 1200 noted throughout the day.

Sea-watch

0700-0930: 1 Leach’s N at  0820, 10 Gannets N (8 ads), 365 Brent S, 55 Teal,  17 Wigeon, 14 Com Scoter, 35 duck sp, 25+ GBBGs. Simon Cox

09:30-11:00 683 Brent (s), 13 Gannet, 63 Teal (s), 3 Wigeon (2s 1n). PRD/DC/MR.

14:00-15:15 155 Brent (s), 13 Gannet (s), 1 Arctic Skua (s). MR.

From the hide 

2 Mute Swans, 70+ Teal, 30 Wigeon, c130 Lapwing, 1 Snipe, 6 Cormorant, Blk. Headed & Herring Gulls, 3 Common Gulls. DC/MR

 

Thurs 1st Oct 20

Very quiet again today with a couple of Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps + a few extra Dunnocks around the bushes, and a very welcome Little Stint on the scrape.

From the hide 

43 Graylag, c150 Teal, 2 Shelduck, c150 Lapwing, 1 Lt. Stint, 2 Snipe, 6 Cormorant, 1 Lt. Egret, Blk. Headed & Herring Gulls, 1 Sandwich Tern (in & Out), 3+ Stonechat, 1 Cetti's Warbler (heard only), plus a steady trickle of Swallows and House Martins.