Mon 31st Jan 22

Very windy and cold out of the sun this morning, things were much the same, on the scrape were c60 Teal, 14 Shoveler, 6 Wigeon, 6 Mallard, 11 BlkWits, 2 Avocet, 2 Snipe. C300 Lapwing were on the arable, around the marsh were 2 Buzzards & 30 Curlew. The pools below the raised platform held a lot of Wigeon & Teal, several more Shoveler & 4 Shelduck and in with c20 Greylags were 4 Whitefronts. PRD/DC/MR.

A stop in the lay-by mid afternoon showed 36 Whitefronts on the arable with a couple of Greylag.

At the end of January the number of species recorded at the Haven this year stands at 79

 

 

Sun 30th Jan 22

Reports from today:

Pete Loud

09:12 At last, Dartford Warbler located half way down the ditch line between where Richard saw it yesterday and the golf course, went into the hedge bordering the Golf course and worked it’s way north along the hedge line.

10:12 Grey Wagtail in flight over sewage farm.

13:25 Very pleasant out this morning in the sunshine. 2 Corn Bunting and a decent flock of 200 Linnet up at the farm, Dartford showed well on the walk down. 4 Purple Sands were on the seawall and 5 Turnstone flew past. 45 Curlew were out on the marsh and the flock of 40 Whitefronts were still on the marsh behind the raised platform. Grey wag flew over and headed towards Gt Holland. 9 Blackwits, 4 Snipe and 2 Avocet on the Scrape.

Matt Lonsdale

17:01 2 Dartford Warblers on same hedge line that runs from farm to GC mainly around bramble with birch growing out of it +15 Corn Bunting.

 

Sat 29th Jan 22

A walk to the Frinton end of the site was very quiet this morning, 7 Turnstone, 3 Purple Sands(PL), along the front, 3 Stonechat, 1 Reed Bunting at the golf course dump and 23 Curlew on the marsh was about it.

From the hide: c300 Lapwing were up on the arable and the Whitefronts were on the move returning two or three times to the pool behind the raised platform. This area also held Greylag, Teal, Wigeon, Shelduck, Shoveler and a lot of Gulls. Around the marsh: 2 Peregrine, 2 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel. On the scrape were c60 Teal, 30 Wigeon, 12 Shoveler, 1 Shelduck, 9 BlkWits, 6 Snipe, 2 Avocet. PL,RJ,MM,MR.

Later in the day the Dartford Warbler was relocated by Richard Jeffree on the bridleway between the golf club workshops and the farm, it certainly gets about this bird.

Reports from today:

Max Martin

10:22 Whitefronts just flown over hide and landed behind raised platform.

Paul Brayshaw

10:33 Two Stonechat by raised tee and two Purple Sands on seawall rocks opposite on a run through the site - hopefully the Stonechats friend will appear for PL…

 

Fri 28th Jan 22

The Whitefronts stayed on the arable long enough this morning to get a proper count and there were spot on 40, also on the field closest to the layby were 200+ Lapwings.

From the hide: just a few Greylag, c80 Teal, c60 Wigeon, 8+ Shoveler, 3 Shelduck, 9 BlkWits, 6 Snipe, 2 Avocet, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Kestrel, 1 Peregrine, 4 Buzzard. During the morning the Whitefronts moved from the arable to the pool behind the raised platform and back two or three times. DW/DC/RJ/MR.

Reports from today:

Richard Jeffree

17:52 40 Curlew grazing marsh, Rock Pipit, 3 pairs Stonechat.

 

Thurs 27th Jan 22

The Whitefronts were on the arable first thing viewable from the lay-by but before I got my scope set up they flew to the pools below the raised platform, c100 Greylags were also in that area flying in in 3 separate groups.

From the hide: On the scrape 80+ Teal, 60 Wigeon, 6+ Shoveler, 3 Shelduck, 64 Lapwing, 11 BlkWits, 2 Avocet, 2 Snipe (flushed by the Harrier) 1 Grey Heron. Around the marsh, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Peregrine  RJ/MR

Reports from today:

Richard Jeffree

 14:07  1 Purple Sand, 5 Turnstones, French pt. 3 pairs Stonechat, 5 Linnet, no sign Dartford Warbler.

 

Wed 26th Jan 22

The big news of the day was that Pete Davis finally caught up with the Dartford Warbler, showing well below the northern most pillbox. 

No other reports received so far:

 

 

Tues 25th Jan 22

A cold morning but with very little wind made for a nice walk to the 3rd pillbox with BH in hopes of finding the Dartford Warbler, sadly no luck but a pair of Stonechat, 1 Reed Bunting, 1 Rock Pipit, 1 Pied Wagtail and 7 Linnet at the dump made it worthwhile, offshore were 8+ Red-throated Divers & 20 Brent were flying around most of the morning.

From the hide: The White-fronts came in from the arable and landed to the right of the hide but are not easy to see, a Green Sandpiper was also in the flood in that area, on the scrape c80 Teal, c60 Wigeon, 10+ Shoveler, 25 Lapwing, 5 BlkWits, 2 Avocet, 1 Grey Heron and 30+ Curlew were on the marsh at the back of the scrape. BH/MR. 

Reports from today:

Brian Combes

09:20 At least 34 white fronts in field north of hide but distant and obscured by hedge.

11:50 In addition to White-fronts this morning: 32 Curlew south, 1 Reed Bunting, 4 Stonechat (2 pairs), 5 Turnstone, 7 Shoveler, 3 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Rock Pipit, 8 Red-throated Diver (6 on sea, 2 north), 1 Red Fox.

Photo Brian Combes©

 

Mon 24th Jan 22

The high point of today was a group of 40 White-fronted Geese on the marsh to the right of the hide. First picked up by Dave Cummings were 5 geese sitting out on the marsh, thought to be the five that have been around for a while, but after a few minutes there were 25 then at least 40 as more birds moved out from behind the reeds, fantastic to see such a good number. At first glance mostly adults, just a few juvs.

Four Mute Swans were on the arable in 2 pairs, 20 Greylags at the back of the scrape, on the scrape were C60 Teal, c30 Wigeon, 20 Lapwing, 2 Avocet and 30 Curlew flew over.

A walk the the Frinton end added just 1 Stonechat, 1 Rock Pipit, 1 Oystercatcher heading north offshore and 2 Turnstone were on the sluice rocks. PRD/DC/MR

 

Sun 23rd Jan 22

Reports from today:

Pete Loud

Walk along the front this morning, 30+ Red-throated Divers and 3 Great crested Grebes offshore. 4 Purple Sands by the sluice and 2 Oystercatcher and a Turnstone were flybys. 2 Pair of Stonechat, but no Dartford after extensive looking. 18 Canada’s on the marsh with 30 Curlew. On the Scrape were 3 Avocets, 4 Blackwit, 100 Lapwing and the usual Teal and Wigeon. 80 Brent made a brief visit.

 

Sat 22nd Jan 22

A short visit this morning, in nice sunshine but a very cold breeze. The scrape was again almost completely frozen but 2 Avocet, 1 BlkWit, a few Teal and a Grey Heron were finding a place to put their feet, the Green Sandpiper came in from the marsh to the right and circled, but decided against and flew out. c100 Lapwing were on the arable.

On the sluice were 1 Purple Sand and 5 Turnstone, 3 Cormorants and lots of gulls PRD/PNt/MR.

   

 

Fri 21st Jan 22

Bright but cold this morning, 4+ Purple Sands and 5 Turnstone along the front, a Stonechat on the fence at the end of the boardwalk and the Dartford Warbler in the reeds and small bramble at the southern end of the Blue-throat trail. Nothing seen offshore today.

From the hide: 2 Mute Swan were heavy enough to break the ice on frozen scrape and a few ducks were on Leon's marsh, most of the birds were on the scrape behind the sewage works and difficult to see but 10 Greylag, c100 Wigeon, c100 Teal, 8 Shoveler, 2 Shelduck were noted, c 80 Lapwing were up on the arable. DC/MR.

 

Thurs 20th Jan 22

Reports from today:

Simon Cox

14:36 This am: Brent 4, Greylag 13, Shelduck 2, Wigeon 240, Teal 80+, Shoveler 11, Lapwing 75, Avocet 2, Blackwit 6, Purple Sand 2, Turnstone 1, Curlew 19, Sanderling 1, Stonechat 2, Song Thrush 1.

Photo Simon Cox©

 

Wed 19th Jan 22

Nice to see 4 Purple Sands on the sluice rocks this morning along with 4 Turnstone and 5 Cormorants, the 2 Peregrine were up on the arable first thing but only 3 Greylags seen, not sure where they have moved to. The Green Sandpiper was again moving between the scrape and the flooded marsh to the right of the hide. Plus a Red Fox was around the marsh for most of the morning.

On the scrape: 90 Teal, 16 Wigeon, 8 Mallard, 6 Shoveler, 1 Shelduck, 56 Lapwing, 6 BlkWits, 2 Avocet, 1 Green Sandpiper, 

Reports from today:

Dennis Pryor

09:58 Four Purple Sandpipers on sluice rocks.

 

Tues 18th Jan 22

Very foggy this morning, 1 Purple Sand, 5 Turnstone & 7 Cormorant around the sluice in very poor visibility, around the bushes good numbers of the residents but nothing special.

Reports from today:

Brian Combes

11:53 Early morning walk from Frinton to the Haven. Foggy first thing. 1 Rock Pipit, 2 Pied Wagtail, 3 Red-throated Diver south, 3 Stonechat (pair south of French Point which appeared to have been roosting in the reeds and 1 further towards sluice), 1 Fox, 1 Reed Bunting, 3 Meadow Pipit. Scrape empty

Mon 17th Jan 22

Another lovely day, if a bit chilly first thing. A late start for me so I headed down to the Frinton end to join Dave Cummings who was still finding the Dartford Warbler a bit elusive, with another hour or so spent watching the Stonechat pair to no avail we headed back, back at the sluice John Grants message that the Dartford was showing had Dave hot footing it toward Frinton again and thankfully the bird is now on his list. Also noted 4 Stonechat, 2 Linnet, 1 Rock Pipit, 1 Pied Wag. PRD/JG/DC/MR

From the hide: c80 Greylags, 5 White-fronts (JG), lots of Teal & Wigeon, 2 Shelduck, 2 Shoveler, 30 Lapwing, 20 Curlew, 4 Turnstone, 2 Avocet, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Buzzard, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel. PRD/DC/MR

Reports from today:

John Grant

11:56  Highlights of my walkover survey in Haven/Gt Holland area so far today: Dartford Warbler showed 11.46 -11.50 in golf course dump area, 5 Whitefronts on arable behind scrape, female Peregrine flew north, 4 Corn Bunting on arable at Gt Holland.

Dave Cummings

13:31 Dartford Warbler still showing well at GC dump.

 

Sun 16th Jan 22

I started the morning along the approach road, a twitch for a singing Song Thrush which was new for year for me at the Haven, a great songster on a dump and misty morning.

After talking to Pete Loud who was on his way back from an hour plus looking for the Dartford Warbler, it was with no great expectations that I headed off the the Frinton end of site. After half an hour around the 3rd pillbox with nothing seen I moved back to the dump area and after 10-15 mins a pair of Stonechats appeared, after watching the pair for a while it was obvious there was a third bird around and sure enough the Dartford popped out on a small hawthorn at the back of the dump with the male Stonechat. Success at last.

Also noted at the dump were: 1 Rock Pipit, 2 Pied Wags & 7 Linnets. Offshore: 5 Cormorants, 4 Red T Divers. Around the scrape: Things looked much the same from the pillbox, and at least 3 White-fronts were in with the Greylags.

Reports from today:

Pete Newson

16:51 Late afternoon, Dartford Warbler still showing occasionally with a pair of Stonechat at the golf course dump plus 4 Barnacle Geese and 2 White-fronts in field behind scrape.

 

Sat 15th Jan 22

Had a nice walk to the Raised Tee with Pete Loud this morning, still no sign of the Dartford Warbler for us, but another great site year tick from the hide with 4 Pochard (see Pete's report below) to add to Pauls Fieldfare from earlier.

Reports from today:

Paul Brayshaw

09:40 Dartford Warbler with Stonechat at g c dump (just south of northern pillbox).

09:52 Other bits from typically quiet g c and seawall area - 2 Red-throats offshore, 16 Cormorant north, 4 Fieldfare south and a single Purple Sand.

Pete Loud

13:33 Walk to Raised Tee, failed to find the Dartford, 2 Red-throats offshore, 3 Turnstone and 2 Purple Sands along the seawall, Rock Pipit & a male Stonechat. A Goldcrest was in the entrance road bushes earlier. From the hide was surprised to pick up 4 drake Pochard that flew round the Scrape a couple of times, found it not to their liking and headed out to sea. A Water Rail flew to the front of the island and disappeared into the reeds, also 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Avocet and 2 Blackwits. (MR, PL)

 

Fri 14th Jan 22

Another beautiful day for a walk, started off at the hide but the frozen scrape held very little, just a few Teal around the edges, 1 Grey Heron in the reeds, 17 Curlew & 3 Snipe were on the marsh to the right. The marsh behind the sewage works had all the Greylags & 5 White-fronts (DW), plus lots of Teal & Wigeon, and a few Shelduck & Shoveler. DW/DC/MR

A walk to the 3rd pillbox (which included quite a lot of looking for the Dartford Warbler) added just 1 Rock Pipit, 2 Pied Wags, 2 Stonechat and a dozen of so Red T Divers sitting offshore. True to form Dick Groves who we chatted to on our way back along the front had the Dartford Warbler on his way back to Frinton.

From the pillbox on a not so frozen scrape was 1 Avocet & 1 Lt. Egret, 5+ Turnstone were on the front near the sluice. DC/MR

 

Thurs 13th Jan 22

I had a very short visit this morning and again it was a beautiful weather. 5 Turnstone were on the seawall beside the sluice and c40 Red T Divers were moving around offshore. 

A look over the marsh from the pillbox showed that the Greylags were again behind the sewage works and at least 3 White-fronts were with them, also in that area were lots of Teal & Wigeon + loads of gulls. c100 Lapwing were on the arable, 11 Snipe & 2 Curlew on the marsh right of the scrape, while on the scrape were a few Teal, Wigeon & Mallard, 2 Avocet, 2 BlkWits, 2 Grey Heron, also noted were 2 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel & a Marsh Harrier that upset things a bit as it passed over the scrape and out toward Gt. Holland. MR

 

 

Weds 12th Jan 22

A beautiful day today with a flat calm sea and sunshine, and three new birds for the site year list, Dave Welham had a Water Rail on the scrape, I had a pair of Gt. C Grebes sitting on the sea and six Snipe around the scrape and marsh.

Apart from the G C Grebes the walk down to the Frinton end was very quiet, just 2 Curlew on the marsh and 2 Turnstone on the rocks plus a Buzzard along the back of the golf course was about it.

From the hide: c 400 Brent were up on the arable, the Greylags were difficult to see behind the sewage works (White-fronts not seen), as were a lot of the ducks. On the scrape: c100 Teal, 10 Wigeon, 2 Shoveler, 4 Mallard, 6 Snipe, 2 BlkWits, 2 Avocet, 1 Green Sandpiper (PRD), 1 Grey Heron, 1 Muntjac Deer.

 

Tues 11th Jan 22

Two new birds for the site year list this morning with the Dartford Warbler finally relocated by Brian Combes and 2 Blk. T Godwits on the scrape.

On the way to site just 12 Brent were on the arable and 200+ Greylag on the ploughed potato field, in with the Greylags were at least 3 White-fronts, viewed from the lay-by.

From the hide: Another 100 Greylags were on the scrape, and Brent numbers grew to 200+ (with birds dropping from over Frinton area), 5 White-fronted Geese, 100+ Teal, c40 Wigeon, 8 Mallard, 4 Shoveler, 4 Shelduck, 22 Curlew (dropped into marsh to right of hide), 2 Blk. T Godwits, 2 Avocet, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Lt. Egret, 2 Peregrine, 2 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel. DW/MR.

 2 Turnstone and 1 Purple Sandpiper were around the sluice area.

 

Reports from today:

Brian Combes

08:36 Dartford Warbler, in isolated bush 50m south of most northern pillbox, calling then showing well briefly.

10:58 No further sign of Dartford Warbler on walk back to Frinton but single Stonechat (male) in same area. Also: 2 Avocet and 2 Shoveler on scrape, 4 Red-throated Divers (3 south, 1 north), 5 Linnet south, 1 Rock Pipit, no sign of White-fronts.

 

Mon 10th Jan 22

A short seawatch first thing, with no wind and a flat calm sea showed that c40 R T Divers were offshore + a few Cormorants and 1 Oystercatcher headed south. A walk to Frinton added just 7 Curlew out on the marsh, a single Stonechat at the golf course dump and a Turnstone on French Point rocks. c150 Brent Geese were up on the arable (but moved to the sea beside the sluice for a while before returning to feed), as were c400 Lapwing a few Golden Plover.

Two Avocet and a few Teal were on the frozen scrape, c200 Greylag were on the marsh behind the sewage works but not all viewable (White-fronts not seen), again Shelduck, Shoveler, Mallard, Wigeon, Teal, Curlew, Lapwing were all noted in this area. A Little Grebe was on the brook behind the Sluice. DC/MR.

 

Sun 9th Jan 22

Had a nice walk to the third Pillbox with Pete Loud this morning, then headed back to the hide, at least 4 of the White-fronted Geese were in with the Greylags on the marsh below the raised platform along with Teal, Wigeon, Shelduck & Shoveler. 2 Avocet were on the scrape plus lots of Teal. PL/MR.

Reports from today:

Pete Loud

13:40 Cold, but pleasant walk round this morning. 30 Curlew were on the entrance marsh, at least 3 Whitefronts in with Greylag behind raised platform and a Little Egret flew over. Walk to Golf course, still no sign of Dartford but a couple of pairs of Stonechat. 2nd Winter Med Gull passed south just offshore and the adult Peregrine pair were flying over the arable fields. 350 Lapwing were up on the arable before Peregrines moved them off. Up at the farm was a nice flock of 150+ Linnet and a couple of Corn Bunting.

 

Sat 8th Jan 22

No reports received so far:

 

Fri 7th Jan 22

No reports received so far:

 

Thurs 6th Jan 22

A very chilly morning and very quiet, but at least the sun was shining. A pair of Stonechat were on the mounds and a single Purple Sand on the sluice, the scrape was frozen and almost deserted. I left Peter Newton scanning from the pillbox and walked down to the Frinton end hoping the Dartford Warbler may be out in the sun but no luck again. Just 1 Rock Pipit and a Curlew flyover was about it. Meanwhile Peter was having more luck from the pillbox with a NFY Merlin over the fields toward Gt. Holland. The Greylags were all behind the sewage works and not easy to see, (no sign of the Whitefronts), A number of Teal were on the brook and Canada Geese, Wigeon, Shoveler and Shelduck were noted. PNt/MR

 

Wed 5th Jan 22

A good start from the lay-by this morning with 60+ Golden Plover with c300 Lapwing.

On the sluice were 1 Purple Sandpiper and 2 photographers.

A walk to the Frinton end was disappointing with just 4 Curlew on the marsh, a Rock Pipit along the front and 6 Brent Geese heading south.

From the pillbox: c200 Greylag were behind the sewage works but not all viewable, at least 3 of the Whitefronts were with them. From the hide were 14 Canada Geese, c100 Teal, c60 Wigeon, 12 Shoveler, 4 Shelduck, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Avocet, 1 Buzzard. Also 1 Red Fox.

On the return the Purple Sands had increased to 3 on the seawall.

 

Tues 4th Jan 22

Damp and miserable morning with a cold N/W wind, just 12 Brent were on the arable with c260 Lapwing and c300 Starling, from the lay-by.

A single Purple Sandpiper was on the sluice, 3 Cormorant were feeding close inshore, 3 Brent and 2 R T Divers headed north.

From the hide: c200 Greylags, 5 White-fronted Geese, 15 Canada Geese, 1 Brent Goose, c160 Teal, c80 Wigeon, 23 Shoveler, 9 Shelduck, 2 Avocet, 1 Curlew, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel. 

 

Mon 3rd Jan 22

Reports from today:

Pete Loud

13:04 Fairly quiet but a good walk nevertheless. Added 3 to the site year list, Sanderling, Reed Bunting and Sparrowhawk, with a few additions to my list. Geese were behind the raised platform and difficult to view, but could see at least 1 White front.5 Purples and Turnstone along the wall,1 Stonechat, couple of Red throats and plenty of Cormorants moving offshore.

Photo Pete Loud©

Amazingly went all 2021 without seeing one and by the 3rd Jan it’s on my list.

Matt Lonsdale

15:40 In addition to PL’s sightings this morning. 2 Peregrines on the arable, 5 Whitefronts with Greylags behind raised platform, 2 Little Grebe in brook, 2 Avocet still on scrape alongside 276 Teal, c100 Wigeon, 14 Shoveler, 10+ Shelduck.

 

Sun 2nd Jan 22

Lots of people along the front this morning, being entertained by 5 Purple Sandpipers that seemed to be completely oblivious to the extra footfall.  Matt had a walk down to the Frinton end but no sign of the Dartford Warbler.

From the pillbox: c200 Greylag, 5 Whitefronts, 1 Brent Goose, 10 Shelduck, 40 Wigeon, 40 Lapwing were on the pool below the raised platform. 15 Canada Geese, c160 Teal,12 Wigeon, 8 Shoveler, 4 Mallard, 2 Avocet were on the scrape, 2 Grey Heron on the marsh, 2 Peregrine on the arable and a pair of Stonechat on the hedge near the pillbox . A Marsh Harrier was also seen by Mo & Dave.

 

 

Sat 1st Jan 22

Not a bad day to start the new year list with a walk down from the farm, no sign of the Dartford Warbler but a nice group of Purple Sands were along the front with a Rock Pipit also seen, the 5 Whitefronts were still with the Greylags and a Green Sandpiper that dropped into the scrape was a surprise bonus. Looks like the total will be around 60 when all reports are in. S&PC/PL/DC/RJ/ML/MM/MR. 

Total for the day ended up at 62

Reports from today:

Simon Cox

09:21 At least 2 Whitefronts on arable with Greylags. Not all flock visible.

09:25 Now 5.

10:19 3 Purple Sands French Pt.