Fri 30th April 21

Reports from today:

John Hall

16:44 Scrape pm: c 35 Avocets, 4 Redshank, 9 Wigeon, 2 Cormorant, 2 Oystercatchers, 2 Canada Geese, 2 Reed Buntings,  small flock (7) Linnets (over), 2 Shelduck, Cetti's, a few gulls mostly B H Gulls. There appears to be 5 maybe 6 Avocets sitting on nests.

Liz Huxley

17:39 pm visit. 42 Avocet on scrape, Common Sand Leon's marsh, male Stonechat, male Wheatear, 5 Whimbrel, 1 Med Gull.

At the end of April the number of species recorded at the Haven this year stands at 140.

 

Thurs 29th April 21

Reports from today:

Pete Davis

09:25 Common Sand sluice rocks with 4 Purple Sands.

Pete Loud

11:45 Common Sandpiper on the rocks at French point.

13:19 Over the road this morning a Little Grebe was calling on the brook, 4 Whimbrel on the marsh, Little Egret, Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Whitethroats and 2 Sedge Warblers. Common Sandpiper was on French Point with 4 Purple Sands. Behind the raised platform 3 Bar-tailed Godwits and 2 Whimbrel were on the pool.

Matt Lonsdale

16:41 Just realised this didn’t post yesterday! 

Haven early morning - Fieldfare on greensward. In bushes - Reed Warbler (approach road), 3+ Lesser Whitethroat, 10+ Whitethroat 5+ of both Chiffchaff and Blackcap. Very little on scrape bar a Snipe, few Teal and flyover Yellow Wag. Also couple of Swallows over and decent passage of N bound Linnets. 

40min seawatch this evening - Peregrine in/off and 2 Shelduck N.

16:43 Now from raised platform - 3 sum. plum. Bar-tailed Godwit, 9 Whimbrel.

Photo Matt Lonsdale©

 

Wed 28th April 21

Back to winter, windy and cold on the front again today with yesterdays hint of summer long gone.

Blackcaps, Lesser Whitethroat, lots of Wrens & Robins were around the bushes, 3 Whitethroat on the mounds, 4 Purple Sandpipers were on the sluice rocks again this morning before the tide forced them to move.

On the scrape: A high count of 50 Avocet & 14 Teal + a Marsh Harrier (PRD) was the high point with a few Redshank, 8 Lapwing, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Lt. Egret, Reed & Sedge Warblers, Reed Bunting, Cetti's Warbler & 10 + Swallows. PRD/JH/DW/MR.

 

Tues 27th April 21

The water level on the scrape was at the same level again today and the Avocet are doing well with 45 counted this morning and 3 eggs in the viewable nests.

On the Scrape: 3 Canada Geese, 12 Shelduck, 4 Teal, 6 Snipe, 6 Whimbrel (2 dropped in 4 over). 6 Lapwing, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Lt. Egret, 4+ Sedge Warbler, 1 Cetti's Warbler, Reed Bunting, Linnet, Wren, 1 Cuckoo (on back hedge), 6 Swallow, 1 Sand Martin. PRD/SC/BH/MR.

From the Raised Platform area: 6 Teal, 2 Shelduck, on the flash. Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, Chiffchaff, 2 Red-legged Partridge, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel. MR

Along the brook from the sheep pen: 2 Canada Geese, 2 Greylag, 1 Tufted Duck, 3 Mallard families, 4 Buzzard (high over the marsh), Cetti's Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Swallow, + lots of Whitethroat and Linnets MR.

Reports from today:

John Hall

16:40 A pleasant stroll around the Farm was rewarded with :-  Mistle Thrush in church grounds numerous Swallows and 1 House Martin, 3 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Great Spot, Lesser Whitethroat small flock Linnets, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, 1 Corn Bunting, flock of 20 ish Stock Doves. Fairly sure I heard Coal Tit but could not find it. Nothing earth shattering but most enjoyable. One down side, despite warm spots out of wind didn’t see a single butterfly.

 

Mon 26th Apr 21

A strong and cold wind again made it hard work around the site today, better news from the scrape with all three Avocet nests with one egg yesterday were still above water and all had 2 eggs today. 

On the scrape: 3 Canada Geese, 10 Shelduck, 8 Teal, 33 Avocet (earlier count of 40 PNt), 6 Lapwing, 6 Redshank, 4 Snipe, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Common Gull, 3 Sedge Warbler, 2 Whitethroat, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Reed Bunting, 2 Swallows, 1 Lt. Egret. PNt/BH/DC/MR.

A short visit to the farm late morning produced 2 Wheatear in the far paddock along with the normal Linnet, Goldfinch, Greenfinch etc. but birds of the day were a pair of Mistle Thrush feeding a youngster in the churchyard. DC/MR.

    

 

Sun 25th Apr 21

Great to see the Avocet's starting to breed again this year with at least 4 nests with eggs today, just got to hope with the pumps now working that the water level has reached it's max as a couple are quite close to the edge, fingers crossed.

 

Reports from today:

Pete Loud

14:11 Haven this morning was pretty windy and cold, but started over the road with a pair of Tufted Duck, 2 Sedge, Cetti’s, Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat, 2 Sand Martin and 1 Curlew & 10 Whimbrel on the marsh. A look out to sea produced 2 Ad Gannet, 2 Whimbrel, 1 Grey Plover, 1 Red throated Diver and a Tufted Duck. A White Wagtail was on the pool  behind the raised platform and later on the Scrape. 31 Avocets with 4 nests with eggs, still 10 Teal, and 2 or 3 Sedge Warblers, but not much else. Too windy to do the bushes thoroughly today.

Just a couple more photo's of yesterday's stunning Redstart, taken last evening.

Sat 24th April 21 

Reports from today:

Matt Lonsdale

07:59 Pair of Tufted Duck and Gadwall in brook. No Coot so far.

08:59  Lesser Whitethroat in badger set.

11:36 Redstart still showing superbly well in sailing club compound.

Photo Matt Lonsdale©

Pete Loud

09:10 Male Redstart in boat compound near Dell.

09:42 Redstart showing really well still.

12:46 Just a recap of my sightings this morning. Started over the road with a Cuckoo, 2 Whitethroats, Tufted and Gadwall on the brook and 6 Curlew on the marsh. 15 Whimbrel were on the entrance marsh. Around the bushes were the Redstart, Lesser Whitethroat, several Whitethroats & Blackcaps and a couple of Chiffs. A short  seawatch produced a distant Sandwich Tern, 3 Common Scoter, 1 Whimbrel and 1 Curlew. Didn’t make it to the Scrape today, but I gather there was little change.

Dennis Pryor

10:02 14 Whimbrel on golf course and 2 Wheatear on bridal way. At 6am this morning.

14:31 Redstart on road opposite boat yard and flew into boat yard.

 

Fri 23rd April 21

Reports from today:

Matt Lonsdale

07:31 Haven early morning - 3 Whimbrel (on marsh next to approach road), Willow Warbler (behind 5 bar gate), few more Whitethroat and Blackcap again. Swallow over.

Pete Loud

08:58 Great start over the road today with a Coot, quite a Haven rarity nowadays & 2 Egyptian Geese that headed in the direction of the Scrape. Swallows were into double figures including 3 Sand Martins, 9 Curlew and 2 Whimbrel were on the marsh.

14:16 Scrape this morning a Reed Warbler showed briefly in the reeds in front of the hide, not much else of note probably due to Leon doing a sterling job at the top of the wind pump. Many thanks go to him for getting the repair done and sorting out the solar pump which has already made a big difference to Leon’s Marsh. 2 Bar-tailed Godwits flew low over the moth enclosure heading north. The pair of Stonechat were still about, a Grey Wagtail went north over the Golf Course, a couple of Whitethroats, 2 Blackcaps, Chiffchaff and Sedge Warbler were the other birds of note.(DC,PL).

Steve Grimwade

16:27 4 Purple Sands by outfall plus Fulmar South and 1 Whimbrel this pm.

Max Martin

17:43 3 Wheatear still present in farm paddocks.

17:47 Also 2 Corn Bunting, 3 Whitethroat and 4 Swallows.

Thurs 22nd April 21

I started at the farm this morning and was pleased to see a large flock of Linnet, several Greenfinch & Goldfinch and a Mistle Thrush in the first paddocks along with lots of Corvids. The short cropped grass looked a picture with a covering of daisies.

The paddocks behind the pond held 3 Wheatear, 1 Mistle Thrush, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Corn Bunting and 4 Blackbirds but sadly no Ouzel.

A quick visit to the main site late morning showed that on the scrape were 1 Canada Goose, 10 Shelduck, 6 Teal, 18 Avocet, 6 Lapwing, 6 Redshank, 3 Snipe, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Ruff, 1 BlkWit, 2 Sedge Warbler, 1 Reed Bunting & 1 Water Pipit that showed very briefly on Leon's Marsh before being lost to view behind the long grass.

Reports from today:

Peter Newton

10:20 Summer. Plumage Water Pipit at the back of the scrape .

Simon Cox

18:29 pm visit: 4 Whimbrel, 3 Purple Sands, Cuckoo seen & heard, Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrels, Reed Bunting.

Paul Brayshaw

20:10 6 Whimbrel on golf course plus a few waders moving north from the adjacent seawall - 24 Whimbrel 36 Curlew plus a distant very high flock of c55 likely Barwit.

 

Wed 21st April 21

Reports from today:

Steve Piotrowski

10:14 Scrape: Ruff, 5 Redshanks, 6 Snipe, 30 Avocets, 3 Oyks, 2 Sandwich Terns over, 7 Curlew. 4 Sedge Warblers between Scrape & Wooden Hide, Wheatear, Fieldfare & several Whitethroats. From Holland Bridge: Whimbrel, 13 Curlews, 2 Oykes, 2 Sedge Warblers.

Matt Lonsdale

19:42 Haven today - am - Bushes several Chiffchaff and Blackcap again, few more Whitethroat. 2 Swallow (Over the road). Scrape- Water Pipit (left hand side, extremely elusive in reeds), Ruff, 6 Snipe. Wheatear behind flood on marsh and Siskin N. 

pm - Farm down to Golf course: 8 Wheatear (field nr ‘redstart hedge), 2 Mistle Thrush, Chiff, Blackcap in paddocks. 4 Swallow over. 

No change on main site or scrape pm, 30 min seawatch produced 2 Mallards.

 

Tues 20th April 21

Reports from today:

Pete Loud

15:30 Visit today was cut short due to the fog rolling in, needless to say a little inland on the way home lovely sunshine. Summer migrants starting to arrive in numbers at last. Started over the road with 4 Whitethroat, 3 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, 3 Swallows, 3 Cetti’s on territory and 6 Curlew. 1 Whimbrel was on the entrance marsh with several more Blackcaps and Chiffs around site. 1 Fulmar headed north low over the promenade. Whitethroat on the mounds & 6 Sedge Warblers in front of main hide + Cetti’s. Ruff still on Scrape with LRP, 6 Snipe, 2 Shoveler, 8 Teal and the usual numbers of Avocet & Redshank. 6 Whimbrel dropped in briefly, chased off by territorial Oystercatcher. A few Swallows about and at least 3 Med Gulls over.

Steve Piotrowski

18:39 

The sea fret didn’t lift mid-afternoon - couldn’t see the scrape from the pillbox - so couldn’t add much to Peter’s counts. Yellow Wag was my best bird there & there was another at the farm + 2 singing Corn Buntings. Also of interest - Whitethroats well in with 12 songsters from The Haven upstream to Hunters Bridge. Also 7 Cetti’s Warbler territories.

 

Mon 19th April 21

Quite pleasant out today, with less wind it felt a lot warmer, I stopped at the humpback bridge on the way into the site this morning and spent a very nice 30mins in that area, 3 Swallows were hawking the brook and 2 Willow Warblers were singing their heads off in the hedge to the east, a Cetti's Warbler and a Blackcap were in fine voice on the other side of the road and both showed well. The Approach Rd held 6+ Blackcap & 4+ Chiffchaff plus a cracking pair of Jay's as well as all the residents.

A least 6 Willow Warblers were around the site today with 2 more birds in bushes at the back of the sluice and a further 2 around the hide area. The scrape was much the same with 26 Avocet, 6 Redshank, 6 Snipe, 1 Ruff & 1 Dunlin of note. 

Pete Davis had the first Reed Warbler of the year in the large hawthorn between the sluice and the sea-watching hide. 5 Purple Sandpipers, 2 Turnstone and 1 Oystercatcher were on the sluice rocks. PRD/DW/DC/MR

Reports from today:

Steve Grimwade

15:37 5 Purple Sands on breakwater 1/4 mile north of outfall.

15:52 4 Whimbrel in off the sea.

Nick Gough

17:59 4 Purple Sands & a group of 9 Turnstones on sea wall near steps down to end of beach past sluice.

 

Sun 18th April 21

Another great morning with 4 Haven year ticks for me and and 1 for the site with Matt having the first Willow Warbler of the year in the Orchard area first thing.

The Willow Warbler was still along the brook near the raised platform when Pete Loud and myself walked the site later in the morning, a couple of Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps were heard along the Approach Rd on the way in. The single male Wigeon, 10 Teal, 4 BlkWits, 2 Shoveler and a few Gulls were on the flash below the raised platform and another Blackcap along the brook near the windpump

On the scrape: 2 Canada Geese, 14 Shelduck, 12 Teal, 31 Avocet (incl. GB/GY), 8 Snipe, 8 Lapwing, 5 Redshank, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Ruff, 1 LRP, 1 Sedge Warbler, 2 Swallows, 1 Red Kite (over).

A walk to the 3rd pillbox and back added 2 Med Gulls (over), 3 Whimbrel (dropped into marsh behind the golf course), 2 Oystercatcher on the rocks at French Point.

Reports from today:

Matt Lonsdale

07:41 Yellowhammer N over raised platform.

07:43 Willow Warbler orchard.

08:33 Scrape- Water Pipit (winter plumage over back of scrape). 

Colour Ringed  Avocet green over blue (left) green over yellow (right), Sedgie singing and Ruff still. Whitethroat on mounds, Wheatear in council compound, Swallow over. Unfortunately Sunday league footy calling!

Pete Loud

14:11 Another decent day out this morning starting with a Sand Martin and a couple of Swallows over the road. Several Blackcaps and Chiffs were singing around the bushes. A Willow Warbler was showing very well along the brook behind the raised platform and 4 Blackwits,10 Teal,1 Wigeon and 2 Shoveler were on the marsh. The Ruff was still on the Scrape along with 31 Avocet, LRP, 10 Snipe, a Sedge Warbler doing display flights, couple of Swallows and a Red  Kite flyover. 3 Whimbrel flew in to feed on the field behind the Golf Course.2 Adult Med Gulls flew over calling.

Paul Brayshaw

19:57 Walk into the northern part of the site along seawall and beach.  2 Whimbrel on golf course, waders still moving offshore (68 Oyk, 182 Curlew (2 flocks) with 4 Barwit and 6 Grey Plover mixed in, and finally at 1950 a Hobby in off over the beach and away into the sunset...

Sat 17th April 21

I started off over the road this morning and had a walk along the brook to the sheep pen, a nice group of linnet were around the set aside, 3 L B B Gulls with Blk. Headed & Herring Gulls on the scrape & 2 Cetti's Warblers along the brook one of which showed very well. MR

On the scrape: 2 Canada Geese, 14 Shelduck, 14 Teal, 4 Shoveler, 20 Avocet, 5 Lapwing, 5 Snipe, 5 Redshank, 3 BlkWits, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Ruff, 1 Lt. Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Buzzard, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrel, 2 GBB Gulls, 4 Greylag (over), 2 Swallows. PL/MR

Reports from today: 

Matt Lonsdale

 08:57 2 Greenshank just dropped into scrape, Sedge Warbler singing in ditch but no sign of Water Pipit.

09:01 Greenshank off already, just headed N.

13:15 Haven this morning - Bushes quiet although more blackcap (pushing double figures) and chiffchaff in similar numbers. Scrape area - 2 Greenshank, Ruff, 6 Snipe, 6 Redshank. No sign of Water Pipit though Sedgie singing. 

2 Whimbrel and a Curlew on the Golf Course. 

Vismig - 2 Siskin, c50 Goldfinch, 3 Swallow, few Chaffinches and Linnets.

 

Fri 16th April 21

A very good day today with three site year ticks all found by Pete Loud, first off he had a Sedge Warbler over the road and then after joining with the rest of us he picked up a Water Pipit on the scrape shortly followed by a male Hen Harrier a super morning all round. PL/PRD/DW/DC/MR

Reports from today:

Pete Loud

11:00 Water Pipit on Leon’s marsh and Sedge Warbler over the road.

11:47 Male Hen Harrier high over back of Marsh drifting towards Gt Holland.

14:53 Lighter winds, albeit from a chilly NE direction made for an enjoyable morning out. Starting over the road there were still 15 Curlew on the marsh, 2 Swallows, Cetti’s and a Sedge Warbler (NFY). 1 Blackcap and a few Chiffs around the bushes. Sluice rocks there was a Purple Sandpiper. On the Scrape a fine Water Pipit (NFY) in breeding plumage showed very well on Leon’s Marsh for 10 minutes before disappearing in the Long grass. A stunning ad Male Hen Harrier (NFY) gained height heading south, then drifted off north past Frinton. Male Yellow Wagtail briefly before flying off north. Also on the Scrape the Ruff was still with us, 20 Avocets, 6 Snipe, 6 Redhank, 3 Blackwits, Little Egret,15 Teal, 2 Shoveler. At least 4 Sparrowhawk and 6 Buzzard on the wing today and the Male Stonechat was still about.

Matt Lonsdale

15:05 Water Pipit still on Leon's marsh.

 

Thurs 15th April 21

Very quiet around the carpark bushes today and even the flash below the raised platform held only a couple of Shoveler, Shelduck and Teal with a few gulls

The 2 Chiffchaff's were still in the ringing compound

On the scrape were 2 Canada Geese, 12 Shelduck, 8 Teal, 2 Shoveler, 12 Avocet, 10 Snipe, 6 Lapwing, 5 Redshank, 3 Blk T Godwit, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Ruff, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Stonechat.

 

Wed 14th April 21

A short visit to the Haven this morning showed things hadn't changed a lot overnight, 2 Chiffchaffs were in the ringing compound (1 sporting a ring), on the scrape were 2 Canada Geese, 10 Shelduck, 10 Teal, 16 Avocet, 7 Redshank, 6 Lapwing, 2 BlkWits, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Ruff, 1 Lt. Egret, 1 Marsh Harrier. PL/MR.

 

Tues 13th April 21

An hour spent over the road and along the Approach Road gave 5 Blackcaps (3m, 2 fem) & 4 Chiffchaffs along with loads of Robins and all the usual stuff. The rest of the bushes were quiet with just 1 more Chiff & Blackcap around the Orchard area.

 

4 Shelduck, 2 Shoveler, a few Teal and 1 Wigeon were on the flash below the raised platform with a large number of Gulls.

From the pillbox: 14 Teal, 11 Shelduck, 2 Shoveler, 18 Avocet, 10 Lapwing, 7 Redshank, 2 Oystercatcher, 2 Snipe, 1 Ruff, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Stonechat, 2 Lt Egret, 1 Grey Heron. DW/MR.

Reports from today:

17:24 2 Chiffs ringed at Haven this am, one in Ringing Compound had some good features of Iberian. Have some photos/biometrics to discuss with others in due course.

 

Mon 12th April 21

A nice walk for me on site this morning, 2 Chiffchaff were singing in the ringing compound and a couple of Red T Divers & Cormorants offshore, the scrape looked much the same as of late, I finally managed to see the Whitethroat in the hedge between the hide and the moth sanctuary along with several Linnets, a pair of Stonechat and a Cetti's Warbler, PL & DC had a cracking Wheatear (fem) in off the sea that landed near the wooden hide giving great views, but unfortunately couldn't be re-found  a few minutes later. PL/DW/DC/MR

Reports from today:

Pete Davis

10:21 Whitethroat on footpath between farm and Golf Course.

 

Sun 11th April 21

Reports from today:

Matt Lonsdale

08:13 Short Eared Owl just flushed out of dell, flew towards car park hedge! 

13:00 Busier this morning up to c9:30 am. 

SEO obvious highlight, flushed from near steps into dell but couldn’t relocate. In bushes 3 Blackcap and 12 Chiffchaff (inc Abberant singer in ringing compound). 2 Red L Partridge came off council compound and Swallow overhead. 

Scrape - Green Sand, 15 Med Gull, 10 Snipe, 6 Redshank, 2 Wigeon, 2 Shoveler. 

Raised platform - 4 Blackwit, 2 Wigeon.

Pete Loud

11:25 Whitethroat in the brambles to right of the hide sporting a ring on it’s right leg, possibly one of Simons returning birds?

14:09 Not too bad out today in the sunshine. Nice flock of 82 Curlew on the marsh over the road and a couple of Swallows by the bridge. In addition to Matt’s report, the Ruff was still present on the Scrape also 1 Dunlin and an ad Med Gull. A Pair of Stonechat were in the same area as the female Whitethroat. couple more Swallows were seen and 4 Purple Sandpipers were on the rocks. Very quiet offshore.

 

Sat 10th April 21

Reports from today:

Pete Loud

13:10 There were 30 Curlew on the marsh over the road this morning with 2 pair of Med Gull and a singing Cetti’s. Entrance road, 2 Chiffchaff and 1 Singing Blackcap. Scrape, 29Avocet, 2 Snipe, 6 Wigeon, 15 Teal, 2 Adult & 1, 2nd sum Med Gull, 1 Little Egret. Hour seawatch just before high tide produced 3 Adult Gannet north and several Red throats feeding offshore with a couple in fine breeding plumage.

 

Fri 9th April 21

Reports from today:

Matt Lonsdale

07:05 Quick visit to Haven this morning - Orchard area- 2 Blackcaps, 3 Chiffs. Raised platform- 2 Med Gull, 10 Shoveler but no Wigeon (7 last night). 2 Wheatear on the greensward and no obvious migrants in dell. 

Good chance of a Rouzel today?

Steve Piotrowski

Male & female Wheatear still on stumps (adder area), 8 Wigeon, & 10 Shoveler raised platform. Scrape: 10 Snipe, Ruff, 6 Redshank, 20 Avocets & 2 Gadwall. Pair Stonechats east of hide. 37 Teal in area. 2 Jays, several Chiffs & Blackcaps sewage works.

Pete Loud

Quite pleasant out this morning and reflected in a few more migrants.3 House Martin were a NFY. Several Swallows and Chiffchaffs were evident & Blackcap was singing by raised platform. 3 Summer Blackwits on the marsh, Ruff still on the Scrape and Cetti’s singing in front of hide.

 

Thur 8th April 21

 An hours walk along the front mid morning gave just one addition to Pete's report below with 9 Turnstone and a Purple Sandpiper on the beach below the shelter before flying along the tideline toward Frinton.

Still very cold this morning so a nice hot coffee from the Beach Haven Cafe on the promenade was very welcome, they are now fully open again for the summer (as a take away for now) selling Hot drinks, snacks and specials, great bacon rolls!

Reports from today:

Pete Loud

15:10 Still pretty chilly at the Haven this morning, hence the lack of migrants, although I did manage to see a couple of Blackcap, 2 Chiffs & a Swallow. On the Scrape 1 Ruff, 1 Little Egret, 22 Avocet, 6 Redshank, 4 Snipe, 2 Adult Med Gull, 25 Teal, 6 Shoveler & 1 Curlew. Offshore still a few Red throats & Cormorants.

 

Wed 7th April 21

Very quiet all round this morning and bitterly cold in the wind.

On the scrape: 4 Canada Geese, c40 Teal, 12 Shelduck, 14 Avocet, 10+ Snipe, 2 Oystercatcher & a few Lapwing, offshore 6 Cormorant were milling about & 5 R T Diver headed south.

2 Purple Sandpipers were on the French Point rocks (LH).

Reports from today:

Matt Lonsdale

18:12 Yellowhammer on hedge between paddock and stubble fields showing well atm. Also Mistle Thrush on paddocks, c75 Linnet and a Corn Bunting.

Photo Matt Lonsdale©

Tues 6th April 21

From the pillbox: 4 Canada Geese, 2 Greylag, c30 Teal, 12 Shelduck, 24 Avocet, 12 Snipe, 5 Redshank, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Ruff, 1 BlkWit, 1 Curlew & a few Lapwing, 3 Cormorant, 1 Lt. Egret, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel. PL/PNt/MR

A walk as far as French Point and back to the car park added 2 Oystercatchers & 2 Turnstone on French point rocks, a pair of Stonechat along the front & 3 Purple Sands on Sluice Rocks.

Reports from today:

Matt Lonsdale

20:37 Haven today - Early am 2 Lt Egret, 2 Med Gull and few Chiffs. 

This evening - Raised Platform - 13 Wigeon (slight increase in last few days) and 2 Blackwit. 

Seawatch - southbound - 5+ Kitts (s), Gannet (imm), Com Scoter. Northbound - 3 Gannet (ad), 3 Purple Sands, lots of GBB gulls. 

On the sea - 1+ Shag, sum plum G N Diver, lots of R T Divers (inc sp bird) and lots of Cormorants although viewing difficult. (Only just realised my message at time of GND and Shag didn’t send, soz).

Scrape was quiet and difficult viewing in sun/wind.

 

Mon 5th April 21

Reports from today:

Matt Lonsdale

10:19 LRP and Ruff on scrape. Grey Wagtail between sewage work and sluice. Peregrine in/off and possible Shag offshore (brief view, couldn’t be 100%) and somehow managed to miss the Bonxie! Bit weird searching for summer migrants in snow showers.

12:31 Yellowhammer with large numbers of Corn Buntings and few Reed Buntings in stubble field east of first farm paddocks.

15:03 Haven this morning till c2pm. Bushes very quiet (bit bizarre to hear Chiffchaffs singing during snow flurries). 

Offshore - Peregrine (in/off), few Cormorants and Red T Divers. 2 Siskin N and few passerines (prob. Mipits) in/off. 

Scrape + surrounding- LRP, Ruff, 8 Redshank, 10+ Snipe, 2 Blackwit, 2 Gadwall, 5 Wigeon, 2 GBB Gulls. 2 White Wags on back of scrape (on return in afternoon). 2 Stonechat and a Rock Pipit calling (between raised tee and golf course path) but not seen. 

Farm - no sign of Black Red, Yellowhammer, 40+ Corn Bunts (proper figure prob much higher), 60 Linnet, 5 Reed Bunt all in stubble fields.

 

Sun 4th April 21

Reports from today:

Paul Brayshaw

12:29 Black Redstart still at farm paddocks favouring the fence line of the first garden (with the grey shed). Two Chiffs singing in the vicinity of the pond.

12:56 Other bits from Frinton - farm - golf course footpath - seawall loop.  45 Linnet and three Wheatear on arable, single Kestrel, Sparrowhawk and Buzzard.

Pete Loud

13:43 From the Pill box this morning, the Ruff was still on the Scrape with 39 Avocet, 8 Redshank, 1 Curlew and 20 Snipe. A distant Red Kite headed south, several Buzzard on the wing and 2 Sparrowhawk. 2 Wigeon, still about 40 Teal, 2 Adult and a 1st summer Med Gull, 2 Swallows, Little Egret and a pair of Stonechat. A Female Eider was close in drifting north with the tide and several Red throats and cormorants offshore. 36 Brent (North). 4 Chiffchaff in the bushes. Also Matt & I had a Porpoise offshore, slowly moving north.

 

Sat 3rd April 21

A trip up to the farm this afternoon to see the Black Redstart turned out to be well worthwhile, not only did the Blk. Redstart show well but a walk down to the golf course and back with PL & DC added a flock of 20+ Corn Buntings, 30+ Linnets & a Yellowhammer on the arable, plus 2 Reed Buntings & a second Yellowhammer in the paddocks hedge.

  

Reports from today:

Matt Lonsdale

09:10 Full summer plumage Gt. N Diver very distant offshore from shelter. Drifting N for past 30mins or so.

12:39 Black Redstart on farm paddocks, it’s in paddocks behind houses so best viewed with scope from last gate of on path down to Golf course.

13:08 Another or possibly same Black Redstart on roof of white house with skip outside just before church.

13:52 Haven this morning venturing into early afternoon. Highlights- 

Offshore - 1 summer plumage Gt. N Diver (on sea for c1 hour though mainly distant), 2+ Red T Divers (on), drake Eider (s), Barwit N, 2 Brent Geese N and few Cormorants offshore. 

Bushes very quiet with a few Chiffs only birds of note, Grey Wag along sewage farm hedge. 

Scrape - Ruff still, 6+ Redshank, Lt Egret, 10+ Snipe, 2 Grey Heron. 3 Siskin N, small numbers of Chaffinch and Goldfinch also. 

Farm - 1+ Black Redstart, 2 Wheatear.

Max Martin

14:05 Black Redstart still present.

Photo Max Martin©

 

Fri 2nd April 21

A late morning visit for me, from the pillbox: 4 Canada Geese, 46 Teal, 10 Shelduck, 4 Wigeon, 2 Gadwall, 38 Avocet, 12+ Snipe, 8 Redshank, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Ruff, 1 Lt. Egret, 3 Cormorant.

Nice to see 2 Chaffinch & 2 Greenfinch collecting nesting material along the track near the Feeding Stn. on the way back to the car.

Reports from today:

Pete Loud

13:35 Very cold and very quiet at the Haven this morning. Ruff still on the Scrape with 34 Avocet, 12+ Snipe & 6 Redshank. 1 Chiffchaff in the bushes and a couple of Red-throated Divers offshore.

Thurs 1st April 21

 Reports from today:

Matt Lonsdale

18:00 Haven late afternoon/evening. 

Bushes quiet with just a few Chiffchaffs of note. 

On scrape- Ruff, LRP, 6+ Redshank, 3 Balckwit, c10 Snipe and still double figures of Shoveler.

Paul Brayshaw

19:10 Quiet golf course area this evening with a single Curlew and a total of 23 Linnet along the seawall - following a light movement of the latter this morning.