Fri 31st Dec 21

Things were much the same as of late this morning with the exception of a pair of Shag on the sluice rocks, one of which was colour ringed. It looks like more birds from the Isle of May, more info to follow shortly hopefully.

From the pillbox: c200 Greylags (+3 hybrids), 15 Canada Geese, 5 White-fronted Geese, c150 Teal, 15 Wigeon, 4 Mallard, 2 Shoveler, 2 Avocet on the scrape, c30 Brent (on arable), c 100 Wigeon (sitting offshore), 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel. RJ/MR

A very poor year at the Haven with the year list totalling just 176 species

 

Thurs 30th Dec 21

A short visit this morning found the 5 White-fronted Geese were still with 180+ Greylags on the scrape. 

Photo Simon Cox©

From the pillbox c200 Brent were on the arable but mobile, c200 Teal, 12 Wigeon, 3 Shelduck, 2 Avocet on the scrape, the pair of Peregrines were up on the arable, otherwise quiet. S&PC/RJ/MR

 

Wed 29th Dec 21

c900 Brent on the arable prompted the farmer to get out the fireworks again today, so things were kept on the move a bit with the flock heading offshore for a few minutes before dropping back in to feed. At last 5 White-fronted Geese were picked up by Dave Cumming as they dropped in to join the 150+ Greylags on the marsh to the right of the hide.

From the hide: 15 Canada Geese, c90 Teal, 4 Wigeon, 3 Shelduck, 3 Mallard, 1 Lt. Egret, 3 Avocet, 1 Buzzard. DC/RJ/MR.

A walk to the 3rd pillbox added, 4 Mallard and a Redshank on the flooded marsh, 7 Linnets, 2 pairs of Stonechat and a brief view of the Dartford Warbler, on the return 4 Turnstone were on the beach and a raft of Wigeon sat offshore.

 

Tues 28th Dec 21

No reports received so far:

 

 

Mon 27 Dec 21

After a couple of days inside it was nice to get out in the fresh air, c900 Brent were on the arable and c300 Lapwing and loads of gulls were on the marsh alongside the Approach Rd. Still quite a few Blackbirds and a couple of Redwing around the Badger Sett.

From the hide: 220 Greylag (plus hybrids), 8 Canada Geese, 2 Brent, c160 Teal, 8 Wigeon, 8 Shoveler, 3 Shelduck, 2 Mallard, 2 Blk. T Godwits.

A walk to the 3rd pillbox was made worthwhile by 10 Sanderling with 7 Turnstone on the beach just north of French Point (Sanderling believe it or not being a Haven year tick for me), but from there it went down hill with no sign of the Dartford Warbler and at the furthest point it started to rain, it was a very wet walk back.

 

 

Sun 26th Dec 21

Reports from today:

Matt Lonsdale

14:43 Few hours @ haven this afternoon. Clearly an arrival of thrushes with lots of Blackbirds around and a Redwing on the bluethroat trail. Single Purple Sand and 3 Turnstone on sluice. 13 Snipe and 2 Dunlin flew over, 2 Avocet on the scrape and the Greylag flock looks as though it should have some other grey geese in it anytime soon.

All The best for Christmas and the New Year

 from Holland Haven Birding

Fri 24th Dec 21

 Quite a pleasant morning for a walk, but not much change on the birding front.

c900 Brent, 300 Lapwing, 6 Red L Partridge no the arable. 7 Purple Sands on the seawall beside the sluice.

From the hide: 150+ Greylag (+hybrids), c80 Teal, 30 Wigeon, 14 Shoveler, 3 Shelduck, 12 Curlew (on marsh to right), 1 Redshank, 1 Snipe, 1 Buzzard, 1 Peregrine, 1 Water Rail (heard only). RJ/MR 

Reports from today:

Richard Jeffree

12:51 Dartford Warbler showed ridiculously well at dump clump 7 Purple Sands sluice one now with only one leg.

 

Thurs 23rd Dec 21

An increase in the Brent numbers this morning with 900-1000 on the arable on the way to site.

The Purple Sands are quite mobile at the moment, 5 were near the sluice on my way along the front, Liz had 8 mid morning and there were 9 on my return. A walk to the 3rd pillbox gave a brief view of the Dartford Warbler with 2 Stonechats before they flew out to a clump of gorse in the middle of the golf course. On the way back 6 Turnstone were on the rock opposite the wooden hide and a pair of Stonechat were near the first pillbox.

Reports from today:

Liz Huxley

11:42 8 Purple Sands by sluice.

 

Wed 22nd Dec 21

Dropped in for an hour on the way to the shops lunchtime and all much the same. C800-1000 Brent on the arable with c600 Starling and 250 Lapwing.

From the hide: c200 Greylags (+ Hybrids), c100 Teal, 30 Wigeon, 12 Shoveler, 3 Shelduck, 2 Gadwall, 3 Cormorants, 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel.

 

 

Tues 21st Dec 21

Overcast skies and a light onshore wind made for a chilly but dry wander this morning, c600 Brent were up on the arable on the way in and 1 single Purple Sandpiper on the sluice (6 seen earlier PRD). Offshore 42 Wigeon were sitting on the sea, as were 3 R T Divers and a further 6 RTD's headed south. One Barnacle Goose headed north.

From the hide: 200+ Greylag, 1 Mute Swan, c80 Teal, 12 Wigeon, 7 Shoveler, 4 Shelduck, 30 Lapwing, 2 Cormorant, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel.

Reports from today:

Richard Jeffree

15:29 8 Purple Sands sluice, 600+ Brent's arable and a fieldfare in the carpark

 

Mon 20th Dec 21

A quick stop in the lay-by this afternoon gave a count of c600 Brent, 250 Greylags (+3 Hybrids), 8 Canada Geese all on the arable.

Reports from today:

Liz Huxley

12:29 13 White Fronts in off and over scrape

13:02 Also 5 Purple Sands on sluice, Dartford Warbler by golf course dump, Rock Pipit, Red-throated Diver S, 250+ Brents on arable, 200+ Lapwing.

 

Sun 19th Dec 21

Reports from today:

Matt Lonsdale

15:04 Drake Goosander close N past Golf course dump.

 

Sat 18th Dec 21

Another damp and misty morning and very quiet on the birding front, c250 Brent were on the arable + c100 Lapwing.

From the hide: Just 12 Greylags + the 2 hybrids behind the scrape, 120 Teal, 30 Wigeon, 7 Shoveler, 6 Mallard, 1 Shelduck, 20 Lapwing, 2 Buzzard, also 1 Water Rail & 1 Cetti's Warbler (heard only). MR et al.

2 Purple Sands were on the sluice and a Kestrel on the LPA pylon.

 

Fri 17th Dec 21

Big changes today in the weather and the Brent Geese otherwise much the same. Weather cold misty and wet, Brent Geese 16 on the arable.

From the hide: 100+ Greylags (+ hybrids), c200 Teal, 30 Wigeon, 11 Shoveler, 3 Shelduck, c230 Lapwing, 2 BlkWits, 2 Snipe, 1 Buzzard. DC/RJ/MR.

6 Purple Sands and a Ringed Plover were on the sluice DC/RJ.

 

Thurs 16th Dec 21

A really nice morning at the Haven today, with the sky full of calling Brent Geese, coming in from the north and moving between the arable and the sea, at one time c900 were sitting close off the beach just north of the sluice, including 1 Pale-bellied Brent. SC/MR.

8 Canada Geese were also drifting around close offshore but keeping away from the Brent, a raft of c80 Wigeon were off the raised tee and 6 Cormorants and 5 R T Divers were fishing further out and a Grey Heron headed south. No sign of the Purple Sands today.

From the pillbox: c100 Greylag, 240 Teal, 22 Shoveler, 10 Wigeon, 3 Shelduck, 6 Mallard, 1 Grey Heron on the scrape, c100 Lapwing on the arable, plus 1 Sparrowhawk and 1 Kestrel over the marsh.

Photo Simon Cox©

Reports from today:

Simon Cox

11:38 Dartford Warbler still present where previously described

 

Wed 15th Dec 21

Around a 1000 Brent were feeding on the arable beside the chippings lay-by again this morning and making regular trips to the sea around the sluice for a wash. c80 Wigeon were offshore and 7 Purple Sandpipers were along the front seen by RJ.

From the hide: 80+ Greylags (+2 hybrids), c200 Teal, 20 Wigeon, 15 Shoveler, 1 Shelduck, 2 Grey Herons, 1 Redshank, 1 Stonechat, 1 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk. RJ/MR.

Reports from today:

Richard Jeffree

13:23 7 Purple Sands this morning 3 R T Divers on sea, pair of stonechat, no sign of Dartford by me but seen by others also Pale-bellied Brent with 1000+ Brent's from layby with gate.

 

Tues 14th Dec 21

Around 800 Brent were on the fields to the west of the B1032 near the chippings lay-by this morning before moving to sit on the sea off the sluice, a single Turnstone was on the sluice rocks. MR

As the wind had dropped considerably today I decided to walk to the Frinton end of site and have a look for the Dartford Warbler, I was joined at the sluice by Peter Newton and we had a very uneventful walk to the 3rd pilldox. After a few minutes 2 pairs of Stonechat were seen on the brambles around the golf tee and the bench on the golf course shortly followed by the Dartford Warbler. All 5 birds plus a Reed Bunting, Meadow Pipit and a few Blue Tits were busy in the same area for the next 30 mins giving some great views. PNt/MR.

Things on the scrape were much the same with the addition of a Snipe and 7 Purple Sands were along the front first thing PRD/BH

 

Mon 13th Dec 21

Quite a nice morning with a very chilly breeze, Brent this morning numbered c1000, first on the arable then split up with c200 dropping onto the scrape and the remainder sitting on the sea offshore with 100+ Wigeon. 9 Purple Sands were on the sluice rocks. MR

From the hide: 100+ Greylag (+2 hybrids), c250 Teal, 24 Wigeon, 20 Shoveler, 1 Shelduck, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Buzzard, 2 Peregrine, 1 Water Rail (heard only). DC/MR

No sign of yesterday's Shag from the Haven today (seen off Frinton PBr), but info received back on the colour ringed bird showed it was another from the Isle of May (see Colour Ring Obs. page). Three Isle of May colour ringed birds on 7th Dec 2009, 10 Dec 2020 & 12 Dec 2021, Amassing!!

 

 

Sun 12th Dec 21

A good morning at the Haven this morning with Pete Loud managing to pick up the Dartford Warbler and a group of 8 Shag first seen offshore north of French Point then a bit later on the sluice rock where one was found to be colour ringed. PL/RJ/MR.

Photo Pete Loud©

Photo Pete Loud©

Another increase in Brent numbers with c600 on the arable this morning, 1 Purple Sand and 2 Turnstone on the sluice rocks, and 8 Canada Geese were sitting on the sea close offshore. 

From the pillbox: 160 Greylags (incl. 2 hybrids), 260 Teal, c26 Wigeon, 9 Shoveler, 3 Shelduck, 1 Grey Heron on the scrape, 2 Peregrine, 1 Buzzard. MR

Having met up with PL & RJ the 8 Shag were found on the sluice rocks, one sporting a nice colour ring so hopefully we will be able to find a life history in the near future.

  Reports from today:

Richard Jeffree

11:00 4 Shag off raised tee + Dartford Warbler.

11:22 Now 8 Shag together north French point.

 

Sat 11th Dec 21

Another short visit today found c 400 Brent & c100 Lapwing on the arable from the lay-by.

A pair of Stonechat were on the mounds, a large raft of Teal & Wigeon + 1 Shelduck were sitting on the sea off the sluice, 4 Turnstone were on the sluice rocks with 2 Cormorants and a number of mixed Gulls.

Over the marsh from the pillbox were c100 Greylag (incl. 2 hybrids), 1 Grey Heron, 1 Buzzard and on the scrape were c250 Teal, 10 Wigeon, 6 Shoveler, 3 Shelduck. MR

Reports from today:

Liz Huxley

11:31 Dartford Warbler with Stonechat pair at start of footpath across golf course.

 

Fri 10th Dec 21

A very chilly wind this morning but still very quiet, the Brent numbers had gone up to 250+ on the arable and Teal to 230+ on the scrape along with 15 Wigeon, 9 Shoveler, 4 Shelduck.  C100 Greylag, a few Lapwing and 1 Lt. Egret on the surrounding marsh. Just 1 Purple Sand and 1 Turnstone on the front and 1 Peregrine on the arable first thing. DC/RJ/MR.

 

 

Thurs 9th Dec 21

Quite nice out today but very quiet, 68 Brent were on the arable, c100 Greylag on the marsh south of the scrape with 80+ Lapwing. On the scrape were 80+ Teal, 10 Wigeon, 3 Shelduck, 1 Shoveler, 1 BlkWit, 1 Lt. Egret and 1 Water Rail (heard only). 3 Purple Sandpipers were on the seawall near the sluice on the way home. MR

 

Wed 8th Dec 21

Another very windy morning along the front and the sea was breaking over the seawall down towards Frinton long before high tide, 7 Purple Sandpipers were seen 5 on the seawall by the sluice and 2 on the rocks near French Point + 3 Turnstone.

From the pillbox: 54 Brent (on the arable), c100 Greylags (on marsh behind sewage works), 1 Peregrine.

On the scrape: c100 Teal, 54 Wigeon, 2 Shelduck, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Snipe.

From the approach road: 1 Lt Egret (on marsh to north), 1 Jay. MR

 

 

Tues 7th Dec 21

A very wet & windy day.

No reports received so far:

 

Mon 6th Dec 21

This afternoon 20 Brent, c250 Lapwing & c400 Starling were on the arable seen from the lay-by before the farmer arrived with his fireworks again.

From the hide: 100+ Greylag, 8 Canada Geese, 80+ Teal, 30 Wigeon, 12 Mallard, 12 Shoveler, 1 Shelduck.

On the seawall by the sluice on the way home were 11 Purple Sandpipers, 3 Ringed Plover and a Turnstone MR.

 

Sun 5th Dec 21

250 Greylags, 1 Canada Goose & 1 Brent were on the arable from the B1032 this morning + 1 Stonechat on the mounds, 9 Purple Sands and 1 Turnstone on the seawall

From the hide: 120 Teal, c40 Wigeon, 4 Mallard, 4 Shoveler, 2 Shelduck on the scrape and 1 Peregrine (on the arable first thing RJ), 1 Kestrel RJ/MR

 

Sat 4th Dec 21

Another short walk late morning in the winter sunshine, on route to the hide, a pair of Stonechats were on the mounds, 8 Canada Geese were sitting on the sea just north of the sluice, lots of gulls offshore and 3 R T Divers headed north.

From the Hide: 200+ Greylags, 9 Brent (on arable), 60 Teal, 30 Wigeon, 6 Shoveler, 4 Shelduck, c200 Lapwing, 1 BlkWit, 1 Grey Heron. MR

On the return 12 Purple Sandpipers & 2 Turnstone were on the seawall and a Shag was paddling around close offshore before heading off south S&PC/ MR.

Photo Simon Cox©

 

Fri 3rd Dec 21

Reports from today:

Richard Jeffree

14:33 Dartford Warbler still in reeds and bramble behind pillbox south of raised tee also 12  Purps at sluice.

 

Thurs 2nd Dec 21

I had a short but pleasant walk to the sluice late morning, only the second time in the last two weeks I've been out, been trying to shake off this cough and cold bug that seems to be everywhere at the moment. The 12 Purple Sandpipers were still on the seawall showing ridiculously well just north of the sluice, also noted were half a dozen Turnstone and lots of Gulls and 5 Com. Scoter (n), but it was cold, hopefully last a bit longer in the morning 🤞. RJ/MR

  

 

Wed 1st Dec 21

Reports from today:

Richard Jeffree

11:27 Scrape 89 Teal, 65 Wigeon, 12 Shoveler, 1 Blackwit. Sluice 12 Purps,  Rock Pipit,  4+ Stonechat along seawall.

11:53 Sanderling on sluice.