Tues 29th June 21
Two Common Sandpipers were the birds of the day today, dropping into the scrape mid-morning and settling in for the morning. All of the recent chicks seem to be getting bigger with 4 Juv. Redshanks now advanced enough to make you think you've found something good for a second or two.
3 Canada Geese, 40 Avocet, 18 Shelduck, Redshank, Lapwing, Oystercatcher, 2 Common Sands, 5 Cormorant, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Buzzard, 10+ Swifts, 10+ Swallows PRD/DW/MR
Mon 28th June 21
Lots of young birds on the scrape this morning with large chicks of Lapwing, Redshank, Oystercatcher and Avocet + a good number of new Avocet hatchlings. 3 Blk. T. Godwits dropped in before I arrived and disappeared behind the Island and another 4 had a fly round for a minute or two before heading off, a Cuckoo being fed by a Meadow Pipit on a bush along the ditch was interesting for a few minutes, otherwise much the same. PRD/DC/MR.
Sun 27th June 21
Reports from today:
Paul Brayshaw
12:08 Hobby over the marshes road at the turning to the haven car park at 11.50 as I drove past.
Pete Loud
13:43 After yesterday’s hot weather, Bee-Eaters, Roller & Glossy Ibis all on the day list, I had to pinch myself to check I wasn’t in Spain. Back down to earth today, pleased to see a Little Grebe feeding 4 large chicks on the brook over the road and by the way they were reacting there are definitely Lapwing and Oystercatcher chicks in the set-aside strip. Lots of youngsters on the Scrape, 9 Avocets, 3 Lapwing, 3 Redshank and 3 Oystercatcher were the ones that showed themselves. A fine summer Blackwit dropped in and Barn Owl was hunting on the Marsh and entering the nest box on the entrance marsh. A Few Swifts were about, 2 Curlew and 2 Sandwich Terns passed close north.
Thurs 24th June 21
At last we have 3 Oystercatcher chicks on the scrape, the pair seem to have been sitting in at least two different spots for weeks and finally success. 2 large Redshank chicks also seen today with 4 adults, plus another 4 newly hatched Avocet. Otherwise all the same.
Another NFY Butterfly with my first Meadow Brown (see Haven Wildlife page).
Wed 23rd June 21
A nice surprise for Pete Davis this morning 3 limosa type Blk. T Godwits dropped into the scrape, otherwise much the same 26 Avocet, 16 Shelduck.
Lots of young birds around today Blue Tits, Gt. Tits, Long-tailed Tits and a Coal Tit at the dipping pond were nice to see and a Cuckoo landing on the hedge just behind me at Kirby Brook was good.
Also a few more butterflies around (see Haven Wildlife page).
Reports from today:
Pete Davis
10:11 2 of 3 limosa types currently on scrape.
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| Photo Pete Davis© |
Mon 21st June 21
Things much the same on the scrape again today, three of the Avocet chicks have made it through their first few days and put on a bit of weight so hopefully they will make it now, one other seen was newly hatched.
On the scrape: 3 Canada Geese, 16 Shelduck, 5 Teal, 2 Gadwall, 32 Avocet (+ 4 chicks), 4 Lapwing, 5 Redshank, 1 Oystercatcher.
Around the site, 20+ Swift, 10+ Swallows + all the other residents.
Sun 20th June 21
It was nice to see a flock of c20 young Long-tailed Tits along the approach road on the way into site this morning and lots of singing Blackcaps around the bushes, shortly after reaching the scrape everything lifted off and a Red Kite was seen drifting S/W out over Holland-on-Sea.
On the scrape: 2 Canada Geese (+ gosling), 14 Shelduck, 7 Teal, 1 Gadwall, 34 Avocet (+ 4 chicks), 4 Redshank (+1+ chick), 3 Lapwing (+3 large chicks).
Around the marsh were Reed & Sedge Warblers, Reed Bunting, Linnets, Meadow Pipit, Skylark, Whitethroat, 6 + Swallows, 10+ Swifts.
Reports from today:
Matt Lonsdale
11:03 Brief Green Sand at the back of the scrape this morning marking the start of autumn wader passage for me.
Paul Brayshaw
13:04 Golf course seawall wander - 3cy Med Gull and a group of four Sandwich Tern north.
Sat 19th June 21
On the scrape this morning were 2 Canada Geese (+1 gosling), 9 Shelduck, 5 Teal, 1 Gadwall, 36 Avocet (+ 3 chicks), 4 Lapwing (+ 3 chicks), 4 Redshank, 4 Cormorant, 1 Lt. Egret.
Around the marsh were Sedge & Reed Warblers, Whitethroat, Linnet, Reed Bunting, Meadow Pipit & the Male Stonechat + 6+ Swallows over the pond and 20+ Swifts over the rape field. MM/MR.
Reports from today:
Max Martin
09:25 Fulmar South.
Fri 18th June 21
Very wet this morning (must be mad), on the scrape: 2 Canada Geese (+ gosling), 10 Shelduck, 10 Teal (7 dropped in during a heavy rain shower), 3 Gadwall, 21 Avocet (+ 3 chicks), 12 Lapwing, 5 Redshank, 4 Cormorants, 1 Lt. Egret, 4 Swallows, Reed & Sedge Warblers singing in the rain. DC/MR.
Wed 16th June 21
Another short visit today showed an increase in Avocet adults to 34 (+3 Chicks) and Shelduck up to 17+ otherwise all the same. A pair of Whitethroats are feeding young in front of the hide and a pair of Sedge Warblers just before the moth sanctuary.
Reports from today:
John Hall
16:18 PM visit to Haven. Scrape much the same 20+ Shelduck, 12 Avocets + 2 Chicks, Pair Canada + 1 Large Gosling, 2 Lapwings with 2 chicks, 4 Redshank enjoying a mating fest 3 Cormorants. 1 Reed Warbler.
Steve Piotrowski
17:21 28 Avocets, 3 Gadwall this morning. Fulmar & 6 Oyks N close inshore.
Mon 14th June 21
On the scrape this morning: 21 Avocet (+ 5 chicks), 3 Redshank (+1 chick), 4 Lapwing (+1 chick), 2 Oystercatcher, 2 Canada Geese (+1 gosling), 10 Shelduck, 4 Med Gulls, 1 Sandwich Tern.
A few more butterflies around today plus a cracking Cream-spot Tiger moth (see Haven Wildlife page). DC/MR.
Sat 12th June 21
Reports from today:
Pete Loud
13:35 Haven this morning. Over the road the Little Grebe was on the brook and 2 broods of Lapwing chicks on the set-aside. Lots of chicks on the Scrape with Lapwing, Redshank, Avocet and Moorhen all on view. Also on the Scrape, 3 Gadwall, 2 Teal and a Little Egret. Marsh Harrier went through early on and later 6 adult and 1 2nd Summer Med Gulls were hawking insects over the marsh with a few Black headed Gulls. Picked up a Hobby and a few Swifts over the arable. Couple of Bee Orchids over the road.
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| Photo Pete Loud© |
Matt Lonsdale
14:40 Recently fledged Gt. S Woodpecker in trees behind farm pond.
Fri 11th June 21
The only changes today were an extra Avocet chick making 6 and now 2 broods of Redshank on the scrape.
High point of the day was watching a Carrion Crow collecting dry bread left on the beach for the gulls and bringing it to the café to dip it in the dogs water bowl until it was soft enough to eat, Amazing.
No reports received so far:
Thurs 10th June 21
Very quiet by the time I got on site this morning, on the scrape 20 Avocet with 2 broods of 3 & 2, the 2 Lapwing chicks are still along the back of the scrape and 2 pairs of Redshank have been very agitated around the marsh so would think there are some little ones out there somewhere, 10 Shelduck, 3 Teal, 2 Shoveler were still around. The Stonechats are still in the moth sanctuary, with Linnet, Reed Bunting, Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler & Whitethroats around the marsh. 10+ Swallow were feeding over the pond, 2 Swifts 1 Med Gull headed over south.
Reports from today:
Matt Lonsdale
06:38 Gt. W Egret just headed N through site, from Dell over marsh. Didn’t seem to land.
Paul Brayshaw
06:42 Now heading over Frinton town. Might go over Liz’s garden!
Tues 8th June 21
Another beautiful day for a walk but as is the norm for this time of year very much the same around the site.
On the scrape: 30 Avocet (+3 chicks), 4 Lapwing (+ 2 Chicks), 3 Redshank (+ 2 chicks), 6 Shelduck, 3 Teal (drakes), 1 Shoveler, 2 Canada Geese (+ 1 gosling), 2 Barnacle Geese (over).
Mon 7th June 21
Over the road first thing there were lots of Linnets and Whitethroats, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 3 Reed Warblers, along the brook 2 Mallard families, 1 Lt. Grebe, 1 Grey Heron and on the set aside 6 Lapwing (2 with chicks), 1 Oystercatcher, 4 Red-legged Partridge, over the marsh 1 Buzzard and lots of Corvids, plus Orange Tip and Small Heath butterflies and a Latticed Heath Moth.
On the Scrape, 20+ Avocet (+2 chicks), 5 Lapwing (+2 Chicks), 3 Redshank, 1 Oystercatcher, 8 Shelduck, 4 Teal (drakes), 2 Canada Geese (+ 1 gosling), 1 Grey Heron.
The Stonechat family still doing well in the moth sanctuary. 3 Hairy Dragonfly, Azure & Blue-tailed Damselflies, 1 Green Hairstreak, 1 Red Admiral seen along Kirby Brook DC/MR
Reports from today:
Paul Brayshaw
07:25 Two adult Med on the golf course plus an increasingly good number of small Starling flocks but no pink ones yet!
John Hall
Scrape much the same. 2 Redshank. No Avo chicks seen, 2 Lapwing chicks, 3 Drake Teal briefly then disappeared behind island. Several small groups of Starlings but as Paul said no Rosies thus far. Reed and Sedge Warblers calling but not seen. Lots of Swallows but none noted with Streamers.
On the Mounds 2 Linnets and Greenfinch.
Sun 6th June 21
Reports from today:
Matt Lonsdale
08:54 Egyptian Goose on scrape.
Pete Loud
10:37
Very enjoyable walk round for a couple of hours this am. Over the road were a pair of Tufted Duck, 2 Little Grebe and a brood of 6 Mute Swan Youngsters, also 2 broods of 3 Lapwing chicks. On the Scrape were the 4 Avocet chicks and 2 Lapwing with at least 1 chick each, also 1 Egyptian Goose, 1 drake Shoveler, 1 Cuckoo and a Barn Owl hunting on the marsh. The Stonechat family are still doing well in the moth enclosure with the female seen collecting nesting material, starting another brood already? 2 Fulmar drifted south along the seawall 15 minutes apart. Lots of Small Heath Butterfly on the wing today, with Orange Tip, Holly and Common Blue all noted. Several Hairy Dragonflies seen.
Sat 5th June 21
On the scrape this afternoon: 27 Avocet with a new clutch of 4 chicks (lets hope these make it), 2 Redshank (no sign of the chicks from yesterday, fingers crossed), 4 Lapwing + 3 chicks, 2 Oystercatchers, 1 Peregrine (on arable), 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 1 Hobby, 2 Mute Swans, 1 Grey Heron. Stonechats still doing well in the moth sanctuary. DC/MR.
Fri 4th June 21
Very quiet around the site this morning, the Stonechats were still in the moth sanctuary, quite a few Linnets, Meadow Pipits & Whitethroats were in the same area.
On the scrape: 4 new Redshank chicks were along the back edge, just 1 large Lapwing chick but no sign of any Avocet chicks, otherwise all much the same. DC/MR.
Thurs 3rd June 21
Late start this morning, on the scrape: 3 Canada Geese (2+1 large gosling), 8 Shelduck, 6 Shoveler (all Drakes), 18 Avocet, 9 Lapwing (6+3 chicks), 4 Redshank, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Dunlin, 2 Med Gulls (in & out), 1 Grey Heron, 1 Cormorant, 8+ Swallows, Reed Bunting, Sedge & Reed Warbler, Cetti's Warbler & Linnets, 1 Kestrel.
The Stonechat juvs were taking longer flights today and not being feed as much by the adults, I wonder how much longer they will all be together?
A single Sandwich Tern was flying around off the sluice on the way back.
Wed 2nd June 21
Unfortunately I didn't get to see the Greenshank this morning, and no sign of any Avocet chicks but two Lapwing chicks were at the back of the scrape with some very protective adults. Two Peregrines a male and a female were up on the arable.
The Stonechat youngsters are getting more mobile and keeping the adults busy in the moth sanctuary.
Reports from today:
Steve Piotrowski
05:50 Scrape: Greenshank, Redshank & 28 Avocets.
John Hall
Greenshank still on Leon’s Marsh.
Tues 1st June 21
I started my morning over the road with lots of Butterflies, at last! (see Haven Wildlife page).
Had just a short visit to the scrape this morning, no sign of any Avocet chicks, but one Lapwing chick was along the back edge with mum (or Dad). nothing new in but otherwise same as usual. DW/MR.
Reports from today:
Paul Brayshaw
09:06 Seawall run from Frinton to above scrape and back. Quick scan showed 26 Avocet and a Redshank then a 2cy Med Gull flew in. The pair of Stonechat were busy feeding unseen young in the moth sanctuary.
