Tues 30th Nov 21

No reports received so far:

At the end of November the number of species recorded at the Haven this year stands at 175.

 

Mon 29th Nov 21

No reports received so far:

 

Sun 28th Nov 21

Reports from today:

Richard Jeffree

09:42 11 Purple Sands sluice.

Matt Turner

15:18 R T Diver feeding on edge of shore by boat club. PM Green Sand on scrape and Peregrine on arable with 2 Peregrine (Maybe same bird) seen over sluice later where there were still 5 Purple Sandpipers. Other than that 10 Brent at sea, v distant skua sp. south and lots of Cormorants.

 

Sat 27th Nov 21

Reports from today:

Richard Jeffree

10:56 Now 8 Purple Sands on sluice, 31 Wigeon on sea, 2nd w Med Gull, Green Woodpecker along seawall, very quiet.

 

Fri 26th Nov 21

No reports received so far:

 

Thurs 25th Nov 21

No reports received so far:

 

Wed 24th Nov 21

Reports from today:

Liz Huxley

13:53 This morning's highlights: 4+ RT Diver, Rock Pipit, 2 Stonechat, 4 Blackwit on scrape, 7 Purple Sands on sluice, Med Gull N.

 

Tues 23rd Nov 21

Reports from today:

Steve Grimwade

08:55 16 R T Diver south from Haven and almost certainly the Puffin north but light atrocious.

10:05 G N Diver, 2 Razorbill and 11 R T Diver from raised tee.

11:19  7 Purple Sands on sluice.

Mon 22nd Nov 21

Reports from today: 

Dave Cummings

09:38 S E Owl in/off from shelter.

10:41 Woodcock flushed from reeds just before boardwalk.

Simon Cox

11:37 0800-0900 Gannet 8, GND 1 N, R-t Diver c10, Razorbill 1, C Scoter 3,  Brent 15. Scrape Teal 74, Shoveler 27, Shelduck 5, Lapwing 80, Blackwit 3, Curlew 1, Common Gull 13 (+1 at sea), Starling 150+

 

Sun 21st Nov 21

Reports from today:

Pete Loud

13:50 Very chilly in the north wind this morning. On the sea, 4 Red throated Divers, 3 Guillemot, 1 Gannet and 3 Med Gull. Purple Sand and 4 Turnstone on the Sluice. 29 Shoveler on the Scrape with 35 Wigeon and 60 Teal. An adult pair of Peregrine were giving the local Pigeons plenty of exercise over the arable, Pair of Stonechat on the marsh, goes without saying no sigh of both Dartford or Red necked Grebe.

 

Sat 20th Nov 21

Reports from today:

Max Martin

09:28 All from Raised Tee- R N Grebe still present, 1 Razorbill, 1 Guillemot, few Gannets, 7+ R T Divers

09:31 Dartford Warbler present on right side of bridge in reeds, popped up calling and has now gone back into reeds.

09:52 Bird has now moved to left hand side of bridge following a male and female Stonechat.

12:33 Close Razorbill off Shelter.

Paul Brayshaw

11:34 G N Diver (presumed earlier Frinton bird) now off the raised tee with a Gt C Grebe, Guille and several Red Throats. Also two Med Gull.

 

Fri 19th Nov 21

Another late Swallow this morning this time sitting on the wires and hawking over the Dell.

Around 8 Red T Divers were sitting on the sea with lots of gulls viewed from the sluice area, and 6 Purple Sands and 9 Turnstone were on the sluice.

From the hide: c100 Greylag (on the marsh to the south), 48 Teal, 26 Shoveler, 12 Wigeon, 4 Shelduck, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 2 Peregrine (up on the arable), 2 Stonechats. RJ/DC/MR.

RJ & DC had a walk to the Raised Tee and found that the Red-necked Grebe was still offshore at that end of the site around midday.

 

 

Thurs 18th Nov 21

The day started well with a very late Swallow that flew across the greensward and headed out toward Gt. Holland and a flock of c30 Siskins in off and headed inland.

On the sluice were 6 Purple Sands and 8 Turnstone with lots of gulls. and offshore just a couple of Guillemots.

On the Scrape: 1 Mute Swan (on the arable), c150 Greylag, 67 Teal, 29 Shoveler, 15 Wigeon, 5 Shelduck, 2 BlkWits, 1 Common Gull, 1 Lt. Egret, 2 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 13 R L Partridge (on arable). RJ/MR

A walk to the Raised Tee found that the R N Grebe was still offshore from that point as were 3 R T Divers and 2 Razorbills, also note on the way were 4+ Stonechat, a few Mipit's, Pied Wags and a Fieldfare on the golf course, the Purple Sands and Turnstone were by then on the rocks south of French point. PRD/RJ/MR

 

Wed 17th Nov 21

Not quite as busy offshore this morning but still a good selection of birds. The Red-necked Grebe was around all morning but spent a lot of time underwater and moving around a lot more, the juv. Gannet was seen first thing and Guillemot, Razorbill, Gt. N Diver and Red T Diver were also sitting on the sea. 7 Common Scoter headed north

On the scrape: c200 Greylag (on marsh to right of hide), 84 Wigeon, 58 Teal, 25 Shoveler, 8 Shelduck, c70 Lapwing, 7 BlkWits, 1 Water Rail (heard only), 1 Buzzard, 2 Sparrowhawk, 1 Peregrine (on arable). PRD/RJ/JG/S&PC/MR

Reports from today:

Simon Cox

08:53 Red N Grebe on sea 100 yds S of sluice.

John Grant

12:33 Red-necked Grebe currently north of raised tee, off Frinton beach huts. Also Woodcock in-off landed on edge of golf course. Great Northern Diver south off raised tee and 4 Red-throated Diver on sea off raised tee. Seven Corn Buntings in fields west of golf course.

 

Tues 16th Nov 21

Another magic morning offshore, with a flat calm sea and lots of birds. Bird of the day was a Red-necked Grebe which spent the whole morning between the sailing club and the sluice not too far offshore, closely followed by a Juv Gannet that was sitting among a raft of gulls until a shoal of fish arrived on the tide, then it was plunge diving through the frenzied gulls. A supporting cast of 10+ R T Divers, 8+ Guillemot, 4+ Razorbills, 1 G C Grebe a few adult Gannet & Cormorant plus 5 Purple Sand and 9 Turnstone on the sluice rocks and a Woodcock (in off) made for a good morning.  PRD/DW/MR.

On the Scrape: c100 Greylag, c60 Teal, c40 Wigeon, 20 Shoveler, 5 Shelduck, 25 Lapwing, 6 Snipe, 5 BlkWits, 1 Buzzard, 1 Peregrine (on arable). DW/MR

 

Mon 15th Nov 21

Another good day offshore with 30+ Gannets still in the area waiting for the fish to show up, then plunge diving amongst the gulls, also noted 15+ R T Divers, 4 Guillemot, 3 Razorbill, 1 Gt. C Grebe & a possible R N Grebe drifted north on the tide. 1 Med Gull, 15 Shelduck & 9 Brent headed south, 4 Common Scoter headed north.

6 Purple Sands & 3 Turnstone were on the sluice with a large mixed gull flock.

On the scrape: 2 Mute Swans, c250 Greylag, 3 hybrids, c60 Teal, 20 Wigeon, 15 Shoveler, 5 Shelduck, 90 Lapwing, 4 BlkWits, 1 Water Rail, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Buzzard. DC/MR 

 

Sun 14th Nov 21

Although the hopes of a bumper seawatch were dashed by no change in the wind direction, it was obvious that the sprat shoals were still around and watching at least 30 Gannets fishing close offshore during most of the morning was brilliant. Also noted were 26 Brent (s), 10 R T Divers (4s-3n-3 sitting on the sea), 1 Guillemot, 1 Razorbill, 6 Cormorants, 2 Med Gulls. Plus 6 Purple Sands were on the sluice rocks PL/ML/RJ/MR

On the scrape: c250 Greylags, 14 Brent (incl 9 juvs), 3 hybrids, 2 Canada Geese, 1 Mute Swan, c50 Teal, 13 Shoveler, 3 Shelduck, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Buzzard, 1 Stonechat RJ/MR.

Reports from today:

Pete Loud

 11:25 2 Fieldfare in the car park bushes early were a haven year tick for me. Great to watch Gannets feeding close offshore, probably at least 30 birds. couple of Red-throats,1 Red breasted Merganser, Guillemot & Med Gull also. Pair of Stonechat in the moth enclosure and another pair on the Golf Course. 2 Curlew flew over, 6 Purples and 4 Turnstone on the Sluice. 3 Blackwit, 8 Shoveler and a few wigeon and Teal on the Scrape.

 

Sat 13th Nov 21

Lots of Blackbirds and a few Redwing around the bushes this morning ML/RJ. and the six Purple Sands were again around the sluice area, exactly where dependant on the state of the tide.

On the scrape were: 2 Mute Swans, 270 Greylag, 23 Brent Geese, 2 Canada Geese, 3 hybrids, 62 Wigeon, 58 Teal, 11 Mallard, 11 Shoveler, 5 Shelduck, 3 BlkWits, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Buzzard, 1 Peregrine (on arable). RJ/MR.

A walk to the 3rd pillbox added 4 Stonechat, 1 Curlew, 1 Rock Pipit, 1 Pied Wag, 1 Woodcock (ML) and offshore a few Gannets were still hanging around feeding and several Brent were on the move. RJ/ML/MR.

  

 

Fri 12th Nov 21

Another quiet day with a strengthening wind and some light rain, I joined ML/RJ/DC for the last few minutes of their seawatch, too late for the Bonxies but I did have c10 Gannets, 8 Com. Scoter, 2 Med Gulls, 2 R T Diver (sitting on the sea) & a Peregrine (in off).

5+ Purple Sands and some Turnstones were on the sluice rocks as usual.

On the scrape: c150 Greylag, 3 Hybrids, 9 Canada Geese, c50 Wigeon, c30 Teal, 9 Shoveler, 5 Shelduck, 3 BlkWits, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel. DW/DC/RJ/ML/MR.

Reports from today:

Matt Lonsdale

08:31  3 Bonxie south since c07:50 from shelter, also decent numbers of Gannet.

Thurs 11th Nov 21

Another quiet day today still lots of Blackbirds and a few Song Thrushes but otherwise just the norm.

5 Purple Sands were around the sluice area with half a dozen Turnstone.

On the scrape: c200 Greylag, 4 Canada Geese, 3 hybrids, 1 Brent Goose, 55 Wigeon, 30 Teal, 13 Shoveler, 5 Shelduck, 10 Lapwing, 4 BlkWits, 1 Snipe, 1 Curlew, 2 Lt. Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Buzzard, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Kestrel. RJ/MR

 

Wed 10th Nov 21

Just a quick visit to the scrape for me today and not much change. 227 Greylag, 3 hybrids, 42 Wigeon, c30 Teal, 11 Shoveler, 5 Shelduck, 3 BlkWits, 130 Blk. H Gulls, 32 Herring Gulls, 4 Common Gulls, (+ loads more up on the arable behind the plough), 1 Grey Heron.

On the sluice rocks were 6 Purple Sands and 8 Turnstone.

 

Tues 9th Nov 21

After a late start this morning I was joined by Matt for a very uneventful walk to the 3rd pillbox, apart from a late Swallow heading south just 2 pairs of Stonechat and a few Mipit's were noted. As we started back along the top of the seawall a sharp eyed Paul Barnett (out for a bike ride) drew our attention to a small long tailed bird that had just dropped into a minute bramble bush just below the seawall and after a few minutes out popped the Dartford Warbler, thanks Paul. After 3 brief stops flying along the reedbed it was lost to view and couldn't be relocated in the next hour.

Things were quiet on the scrape although the Green Sandpiper did show itself, along with a few Greylag, 4 Canada Geese, 3 hybrids, Wigeon, Teal, Shoveler & Shelduck, 3 Mute Swans were on the arable, c20 Brent on the fields behind the golf course and on the seawall beside the sluice were 8 Turnstone and 5 Purple Sandpipers.

Reports from today:

Matt Lonsdale

10:40 Swallow south.

11:32 Dartford Warbler still by Golf course dump in reeds.

17:25 Haven this morning- Dartford Warbler still (Gc dump) and 5+ Stonechat around site. In bushes c50 Blackbirds, 15+ Redwing, Song Thrush and a Fieldfare, 2 Goldcrest, Chiffchaff, 5 Redpoll. Siskins and other finches continue to go over throughout the morning, a Swallow South poss. the last of the autumn and a Golden Plover. Green Sand, 4 Canada geese on the scrape, 5 Purps and 8 Turnstone on seawall next to sluice. 

Naze late afternoon-  No sign of Shorelark or Snow Buntings on stone point but 3 SEO and a Merlin.

 

Mon 8th Nov 21

Reports from today:

Matt Lonsdale

12:07 G N Diver now close offshore opposite Gc dump heading in Holland direction. G C Grebe N also.

12:21 Dartford Warbler in reeds along brook at start of boardwalk.

14:41 Haven this morning and early afternoon. Dartford Warbler still (presumably same bird, flew from bramble into reeds along brook just before the start of the boardwalk but no further sign). G N Diver and 5+ R T Divers offshore. 10+ Scoter N, 19 south and a G C Grebe N on sea. A group of 60+ Starling, Snipe and a SEO in off (Pc). Lots of continental Blackbirds still, with Redwings and Song Thrush in bushes. Green Sand, Lt Egret on scrape. 4 Brambling over (2 PRD), few groups of Siskins and the Bearded Tit in the reedbed complete the visit.

14:42 Also 3 Purple Sands still at French point.

Sun 7th Nov 21

Reports from today:

 Paul Brayshaw

08:32 Much quieter today.  Haven totals of note from seawall alongside gc - offshore two Razorbill, 4 Gannet south, total of 12 Rock Pipit included a very flighty group of 8 on the rocks, Golden Plover south over gc plus light Goldfinch and Siskin passage.  Stonechat at the extreme north of the recording area.

Pete Loud

13:57 Very little to report this morning. 3 Purple Sands, 1 Rock Pipit and a Stonechat along the front. Solitary Curlew on the marsh, pair of Shoveler on the Scrape with a few Teal and about 40 Blackbirds and 4 Redwing along the back hedge behind the Golf course.

Simon Cox

15:56 60 Wigeon & 7 Shoveler on pool across road from bridge

 

Sat 6th Nov 21

Unfortunately no sign of the Dartford Warbler this morning after lots of searching, a walk to the raised tee gave just 1 Razorbill off the sluice,  6 Purple Sand on the rocks between the 3rd pillbox and the raised tee, 1 Stonechat, 1 Rock Pipit, a few Mipit's and a cracking male Eider heading south on the walk back.PL/ML/DC/MR

On the scrape and marsh: 12 Mute Swans (4 on arable-8 fly over 2ad 6 juvs),c200 Greylag, 2 Canada Geese, 6 Brent, 3 hybrid Geese, Wigeon, Teal, 5 Shelduck, 3 Shoveler DC/MR 1 Green Sand PL.

Reports from today:

Paul Brayshaw

07:18 Lapland Bunting south over raised tee with two Mipits.

07:20 Snow Bunting currently on the beach north of raised tee. Reasonable Pigeon movement and a few finches plus another Blackbird influx.

07:48 Other haven area bits included Peregrine in off, Little Egret and Guillemot north, 8 Brambling south plus Siskin etc.

Matt Lonsdale

10:30 Cracking Razorbill close off sluice.

10:38 2nd Razorbill now, little more distant. Also 2 Goldcrest in bushes earlier, single Brambling. Still lots of Blackbirds (although less than yesterday) but more Redwing.

11:03 G N Diver just came in from south and landed offshore. Viewable from sluice but to north of me.

Dave Cummings

11:11 G N Diver just moved off south from sluice. Guillemot on sea from shelter earlier.

 

Fri 5th Nov 21

A better day today with a light breeze and sunshine, and a few good birds as well with another Snow Bunting, a few Woodcock and bird of the day a cracking Dartford Warbler found by Max Martin near the golf course dump. I do hope it's there tomorrow. 

Reports from today:

Mick Grover

09:31 Woodcock, just before the hide.

Dave Cummings

11:47 Snow Bunting by raised tee.

Matt Lonsdale

12:49 Snow Bunting still on seawall next to gate at raised tee.

17:31 Haven today- 07:10-14:00 then 15:00-16:30. Brilliant day. Dartford warbler (male, on bluethroat trail), Lap Bunting (over), Snow Bunting (raised tee), 3 Fieldfare, c10 Redwing, c50 Blackbirds, c5 Song Thrush, 4+ Buzzards, 200+ Starling, 2 Woodcock, 6 Brambling (5 over, 1 approach road). 

07:10-09:40 Vismig- Lap Bunt over @ 7:50 calling, 5 Brambling (4 in/off), Greenfinch, Fieldfare, Grey Wag. loads of Siskins on the move but too high and trickle of other usual bits. 

Seawatch- south unless stated, same time. Little Gull, 227 Brent (150N, 57s), 19 Wigeon, 2 Mallard, 4+ Teal, 3 Oyk, 6 Scoter N, 2 Guillemot (N), 9 Shelduck N, 2 Pintail, 3 Gannet.

Max Martin

14:39 Just had cracking views of Dartford Warbler in bramble bush opposite GC dump.

14:44 Bird flew towards me and  perched on top of the bush before entering it and has not called since, possibly moving south and using bushes for cover 🤷‍♂️

16:09 Dartford still present along Bluethroat trail just before GC dump.

 

Thurs 4th Nov 21

2 Purple Sands on the Boating Club rocks this morning and it was another very high tide, a seawatch was taking place from the shelter so hopefully a report will follow.

On the scrape & marsh: 4 Mute Swans, c40 Greylag, 1 Brent Goose, c60 Teal, c60 Wigeon, 11 Shoveler, 2 Shelduck, 1 Lt. Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Buzzard. PRD/MR.  

Reports from today:

Laurence Drumond

14:36 Sea-watch from the shelter 07.00-12.30, Small mixed flocks of Wigeon and Teal all South, odd Pintail, 30+ Common Scoter, most north,3 R B Merg ,close south, 4 R T Diver, constant presence of mostly adult Gannet all morning, to much churn to count, all north,1 Ring Plover, 3 Dunlin, 1 Curlew, 1 poss Purple Sand, 2 Bonxie north, at least 6 Kittiwake, 3 Med Gull, 3 Guillemot,1 Razorbill (Matt L ), a handful of Blackbirds in off, along with a single Redwing, many flocks of Starling (some 100+), and 34 Lapwing in off, Siskins heard overhead. 

Matt Lonsdale

16:31 Continued seawatch till 13:15 then back again 14:00-16:00. 

In addition 3 Pale-bellied Brent Geese N, 4 Eider N, lots more Brent Geese (few hundred), and Gannet. Few more R T Divers also and a single Shoveler. 100s of Starlings continued in/off making it at least a few thousand for the day. 50+ Lapwing in addition this afternoon, 2 Tree Sparrow, Brambling, few Blackbirds, Mipits and a Redwing all in/off. Walk to Frinton late morning produced just 2 Rock Pipit and a Stonechat.

 

Wed 3rd Nov 21

A good start this morning with 3 Purple Sandpipers on the sluice before the tide pushed them off. DW/RJ/ML/MR

 Then had a walk to the raised tee with Matt & RJ, the only things of note were a single R T Diver sitting on the sea, 4 Stonechat, 1 Mipit and a steady stream of Starlings coming in off the sea.

On the scrape and marsh: 4 Mute Swans (arable), c200 Greylag, 1 Canada Goose, 95 Wigeon, 67 Teal, 8 Shoveler, 1 Shelduck, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 1 Cetti's Warbler (heard only), DW/RJ/ML/MR.

Reports from today:

Matt Lonsdale

 Slower again today. 

16:26 This morning c08:00-11:30. Nearly 1000 Starling, 35 Lapwing and a couple of blackbirds in/off. Quite walk to raised tee produced 4 Stonechat and scrape quiet as well as bushes. Few cont. Blackbirds and Song Thrush. 1 R T Diver offshore.

16:28 Better this afternoon - Walk from farm around Gc edges and back. Lots more thrushes with first Fieldfare of autumn, 35+ continental Blackbirds, 20+ Redwing and c5 Song Thrush. Single Chiff and few Gannets offshore. Distinct lack of Skylarks in fields.

Photo Matt Lonsdale©

 

Tues 2nd Nov 21

Reports from today:

Matt Lonsdale

08:15 Great start to morning vismig - first hour produced Swallow, 700 Woodies, 108 Chaffinch, 72 Goldies, 2 Redpoll, 10 Brambling, 25 Siskin, 3 Rock Pipit, 4 Alba Wags + other bits. Counting difficult also Lt. Egret and 14 Snipe on scrape. Chiff on mounds.

09:20 Snow Bunting in/off then flying round calling between pillbox and French point. Haven’t seen if it’s landed + House Martin through.

09:30 2 Snow Bunting on seawall N of 2nd pillbox.

Photo Matt Lonsdale©

12:39: Excellent morning up to 11:45 at haven. Vismig difficult but 700+ Woodpigeon, 116 Chaffinch, 92 Goldfinch, 12 Redpoll, 15 Brambling, 35+ Siskin (many going over too high), 72 Linnet, 42 Mipit, 25+ Skylark (same as siskin), 3 Rock Pipit, 5 Alba Wags, 5 Reed Bunt, Sparrowhawk all south. Lt Egret and 3 House Sparrow N, Snow Bunting in/off later joined another on seawall and single late House Martin and Swallow. 

14+ Snipe, Green Sand and Lt Egret on scrape. Peregrine on arable, 2 Chiffchaff in bushes. 3+ Purple Sand (3 sluice, 2 French point prob. same), 5 Turnstone, 2 Guillemot and 2 R T Diver offshore.

 

Mon 1st Nov 21

Still windy but dry today, Matt had a few bits moving through the site early on including a Tree Sparrow but by the time I got over it was very slow, offshore a lot of Cormorant were on the move and a few Gannet still hanging around, 2 R T Diver headed north.

On the scrape were 220 Greylag, a large number of Teal & Wigeon, 9 Shoveler, 3 Shelduck, 1 Turnstone (in for a wash over high tide), a large mixed gull flock, 1 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk. 4 Mute Swans and 2 Buzzard were up on the arable.

On the return things were much the same offshore and 4 Turnstone were on the seawall beside the sluice. PNt/DW/TS/MR.

Reports from today:

Matt Lonsdale

Vismig- 07:40-08:50. 1 Tree Sparrow, 1 Brambling, 1 Redpoll, 56 Goldfinch, 13 Chaffinch, 54 Linnet, 17 Mipit, 5 Siskin, 20 Skylark, 2 Greenfinch, 4 Reed Bunt. 2 Lesser Redpoll also on track between sewage farm and ringing compound.