Tues 31st May 22

Nothing much of note again today, a single Redshank chick has joined the 7 Shelduck and 2 Mallard ducklings, the 4 Canada Goose Goslings have not been seen for a couple of days but they were quite large and should be ok. Lots of butterflies around today though.

At the end of May the number of species recorded at the Haven this year stands at 141.

 

Mon 30th May 22

A very quiet morning with nothing of note, the Shelduck still have all 7 ducklings, a third Redshank was on the scrape with a single chick and 2 Cuckoo's were calling from the same tree at the back of the sewage works which was a bit bizarre, otherwise much the same.

 

Sun 29th May 22

Another one of those days at the Haven, a very quiet walk to the hide after a late start, nothing offshore at all, a stop at the wind pump to check the back corners of the scrape showed a Redshank, a few Shelduck and not much else, but as I approached the hide everything changed with a phone call from RJ saying if I was on site a Male Montagu's Harrier was approaching the hide, I lifted my bin's and there it was drifting low across the marsh in front of me, you just never know what's round the corner. Thanks Pete & Richard. 

The rest of the morning turned into a bit of a raptor fest with Marsh Harrier, Hobby, Buzzard, Kestrel also seen.

Reports from today:

Pete Loud

09:43 Male Montagu's Harrier quartering the marshes behind scrape now.

09:50 Now going high and heading towards Clacton so worth keeping an eye out at Colne Point.

13:22 Didn’t have high expectations today with the cold NW wind, but that changed with the stunning male Montagu's Harrier. Unfortunately it didn’t stay for long, climbing high and drifting off SW down the coast. Not to be outdone the male Marsh Harrier showed very well a couple of times and Hobby. 20+ Swifts were low over the arable. Little Egret dropped into the scrape and Cuckoo flew over.(RJ,MR,ML,PL).

Matt Lonsdale

18:24 Walk down from farm and through site in pouring rain early afternoon. Yellowhammer the highlight + lots of Corn Bunts. 2 Avocet on scrape, decent numbers of Swift and Swallows + single House Martin.

 

Sat 28th May 22

Reports from today:

Pete Loud

11:42 Over the road this morning, a cracking adult male Marsh Harrier,,Little Egret, couple of Cetti’s and cuckoo. No Avocet on Scrape, but Shelduck had a brood of Seven, 4 Redshank and 2 Oystercatcher. Several Swift about today and another 2 Cuckoo behind the sewage farm with all the regular breeding Warblers noted. Lots of Butterflies about in the sunshine, Green Hairstreak and Large Skipper were year ticks for me.

 

Fri 27th May 22

The Brent Goose was still sitting on the sea when I joined Richard at the sluice + a few Herring Gulls on the sluice incl "ZTD" a bird ringed by Mike Marsh at Felixstowe.

From the hide: 2 Canada Geese (+ 4 goslings), 6 Shelduck (+7 ducklings), 2 Mallard, 2 Avocet, 2 Oystercatcher, 2 Redshank, 14 Blk H Gull, 2 Herring Gull, 1 Med Gull (Over), 1 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, Cetti's Warbler, Reed & Sedge Warblers, Reed Bunting, Whitethroat & Linnets, 10+ Swallows, 3 Swift, 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel. DC/RJ/MR 

Reports from today:

Paul Brayshaw

07:55 Sea wall run - 33 Swallow and 8 House Martin south, Greenshank calling whilst flying over marsh appeared to drop down to scrape, Cuckoo calling, offshore Little Tern north (my first this year anywhere) plus 14 (8+6) Kittiwake south - a further 44 past Frinton this morning at in groups of up to 11, assumed to be Suffolk birds on feeding trip.

Richard Jeffree

09:15 Brent Goose sluice.

 

Thurs 26th May 22

A slight improvement on yesterday with 10 Mallard, 6 Shelduck, 5 Avocet, 2 Oystercatcher, 2 Redshank, 12 Blk H Gull, 2 Herring Gull, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Lt. Egret, Linnets, Sedge & Reed Warbler, Cetti's Warbler, Buzzard, Sparrowhawk & Kestrel + 2 Cuckoo flew across the scrape together. RJ/MR

 

Wed 25th May 22

Reports from today:

Peter Newton

17:20 An hours visit to the Haven this morning, and I can honestly say the scrape was the most vacant I think I have ever seen it . 1 Avocet , 2 Shelduck , 10 Mallard and a Moorhen. A Little Egret was flying over it when I arrived.

 

Tues 24th May 22

Very pleased I was in the hide when it rained mid morning, it was a little heavy to say the least.

From the hide: 8 Canada Geese (4ad 4 goslings), 9 Shelduck, 6 Mallard, 2 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Lt. Egret, 3 Avocet (1 with yellow flag), 3 Redshank, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 LRP, a few Gulls and all the usual Warblers. DW/MR.

 

Mon 23rd May 22

A very wet morning meant that the hide was the only place to be, but apart from a brief appearance from a Little Ringed Plover it was pretty slow. One of the three pairs of Canada Geese have 4 goslings which are now quite large and the Reed Bunting, Reed & Sedge Warblers seemed much more showy in the rain.

From the hide: 10 Canada Geese (6+4), 1 Greylag, 5 Shelduck, 4 Mallard, 2 Avocet, 2 Oystercatcher, 2 Redshank, 1 LRP, 1 Lt. Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 10+ Swallows, Reed & Sedge Warblers, Reed Bunting, Linnets, & Cetti's Warbler + a Pied Wagtail feeding a youngster. MR

  

 

Sun 22nd May 22

I had a wander down to the hide this morning, all the singers were in good form and lots of Butterflies & Damselflies on the wing.

From the Hide: 5 Shelduck, 4 Mallard, 7 Avocet, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Redshank, 3 Lt. Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 8 Swallow, 1 Cetti's Warbler, Reed & Sedge Warbler, Reed Bunting, Linnet, and a Cuckoo along the back hedge.

Reports from today:

Pete Loud

12:43 Pleasant walk around site this morning, car park, up to farm and back along seawall. Barn Owl was hunting successfully on marsh, Cuckoo flew over. Up at the farm, Yellow Wag, Yellowhammer, Wheatear, couple of Swifts and Marsh Harrier. Pair of Stonechat golf course, 5 Avocet on the Scrape. (RJ,PL)

 

Sat 21st May 22

Reports from today:

Richard Jeffree

16:51 Barn Owl hunting now near scrape.

Fri 20th May 22

Reports from today:

Liz Huxley

10:34 Corn Bunting singing near wooden hide.

Richard Jeffree

18:14 15 Dunlin scrape and Marsh Harrier.

 

Thurs 19th May

Reports from today:

Richard Jeffree 

Haven bushes, usual blackcap, lesser and common whitethroat, hide sedge, reed warblers + a really showy Cetti’s warbler, Cuckoo through, 2 avo's, 2 redshank and a brief Dunlin and ringed plover after the rain. At the farm 2 corn buntings and a green woodpecker, feels like spring is over.

 

Wed 18th May 22

Another lovely morning with a light breeze and broken cloud in the afternoon. All much the same around the site today lots of butterflies and other insect but very quiet bird wise.

1 Avocet, 2 Redshank, 6 Shelduck and a few Gulls was about it on the scrape but a smart Muntjac had a wander passed the hide to give us something to look at. RJ/MR

 

Tues 17th May 22

Four summer plumage Turnstone on the sluice rocks and 10 Blk T Godwits on the scrape was about it for anything different on the bird front, quite a few Blue Tits carrying food was nice to see and the L.T. Tit flocks are building in numbers. Also 5 Green Hairstreaks was a good count.

 

Mon 16th May 22

Just a short visit today and very quiet bird wise, just the normal stuff singing around the site, nothing of note on the scrape and nothing offshore. Of note several Green Hairstreak's on the Blackthorn around the hide (see Haven Wildlife page).

 

Sun 15th May 22

Reports from today:

Pete Loud

12:54 Much cooler and a fresh NE wind. Not much to report today, 3 Avocet on the scrape, Yellow Wagtail flew over, 2 Purple Sandpipers on rocks at French Point. Pair of Stonechat were busy collecting food. 3 Gannets headed north and a Wheatear was up at the Farm.

Matt Lonsdale

16:46 3 Grey Plover on scrape.

16:51 All full summer plumage and Dunlin.

 

Sat 14th May 22

Reports from today:

Dave Cummings

14:56 4 Wheatear at farm.

Pete Loud

15:18 Nice walk around site this morning with Dave, culminating with a stop at the Haven café, a first for me this year. On the Scrape were  4 Dunlin, 1 Common Sand, 2 Oystercatcher, 2 Redshank and just 1 Avocet, also 2 Little Egrets. Walk to Frinton end produced several House Martins around beach huts, with plenty of Reed Buntings, Reed Warbler and Sedge Warbler plus Cetti’s all on territory. Female Stonechat at golf course dump, 3 Wheatear spread out. 4 Turnstone and a Dunlin on French point.1 Lesser Whitethroat, several Whitethroat, Blackcaps and a couple of Chiffchaff around site. Cuckoo showed from raised platform and a very close adult Kittiwake was a surprise from the café, also a adult and 1st summer Med Gull.

15:23 Also of interest today, a big hatch of Orange tip butterflies, plus 1 Small copper, 2 Small Heath, 2 Holly Blue , Green veined White and 4 Hairy Dragonflies.

 

Fri 13th May 22

Reports from today:

Richard Jeffree

10:53 Red Kite from hide heading to Holland-on-Sea.

11:05 LRP on scrape.

17:04 2 female Wheatear still nr. GC dump.

 

Thurs 12th May 22

Much the same around the bushes this morning, lots of Blackcap and Whitethroat singing + a couple of Chiffchaff. Three Wheatear were on the Boating Club rocks.

Photo Mike O'Hanlon©

On the Scrape: 2 Canada Geese (with 4 goslings), 5 Shelduck, 4 Mallard, 6+ Dunlin, 3 Avocet, 2 Redshank, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Buzzard, 1 Cuckoo, 10+ Swallows, 2 Sand Martin, Reed & Sedge Warbler, Cetti's Warbler.

Then off to the Naze after lunch for a look at the Blue Rock Thrush, another great find for Darrell Stile.

 

Wed 11th May 22

Another windy day with mainly cloudy skies, unfortunately we couldn't dig out any of the fall of Spotted Flycatchers experienced at the Naze this morning, but there's another day tomorrow.

From the hide:  2 Canada Geese, 1 Greylag Goose, 4 Mallard, 3 Shelduck, 5 Dunlin, 4 Avocet, 2 Redshank, 2 Oystercatcher, 10+ Swallows, 1 Swift, Reed & Sedge Warblers, Cetti's Warbler, Reed Buntings, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Buzzard, 1 Sparrowhawk.

A Chinese Water Deer was also seen around the scrape. PRD/RJ/DP/MR

A quick pop to the farm on the way home added 5 Wheatear on the recently planted field just east of the paddocks. MR

Reports from today:

Richard Jeffree

12:21 Another 2 female Wheatear + female Stonechat GC dump.

 

Tues 10th May 22

An overcast sky, strengthening wind and rain in the air, it was not the best of mornings at the Haven. Very quiet around the site as well.

On the scrape: 2 Blk T Godwits, 2 Redshanks, 1 Dunlin, 2 Shelduck, 2 Grey Heron, a few Swallows, Reed & Sedge Warbler, Reed Bunting, Cetti's Warbler. 

5 Greylag & 5 Canada Geese flew over the scrape to the other side of the road and that just about summed the morning up. PRD/MR 

Six Brown Hares were up on the arable.

 

 

Mon 9th May 22

Very quiet around the site again today and dead on the scrape just 2 Shelduck, 2 Avocet, 2 Redshank, 2 Snipe, 2 Oystercatcher a couple of Blk Headed Gulls and a Common Gull, Reed & Sedge Warblers, Reed Bunting, Linnet, Cetti's and a few Swallows. PRD/DW/DC/MR

Then a message regarding Black-winged Stilts so off to Abberton RSPB.

 

Sun 8th May 22

No reports received so far.

 

 

Sat 7th May 22

Reports from today:

Richard Jeffree

18:13  Wheatear still nr farm dump.

18:14 +male Yellow Wag.

 

Fri 6th May 22

No sign of the Wryneck this morning, but a seawatch from the café with a Bacon Roll turned up trumps when 5 Common Sands landed on the rocks in front of the café and a Fulmar and 3 Oystercatchers headed south, all very civilized.

Another Common Sand was on the scrape with 8 Avocet, 3 Redshank, 3 Lapwing, 1 Snipe, 1 Common Gull, 5 Blk H Gulls, 2 GBB Gulls, 1 Grey Heron, Reed & Sedge Warblers, Linnet & Reed Buntings RJ/DC/MR

More excitement in the afternoon when Pete Davis found a Richard's Pipit in the farm paddocks, after the initial sighting the bird moved into a longer grassed paddock and some very unfortunate timing meant that the horses owner turned up to have a clear up and the bird was not seen again, after a couple of hours of searching by Pete and several others the bird could not be relocated   

Reports from today:

Paul Brayshaw

07:12 Frinton-farm-gc loop highlights.  4 Cuckoo (3m 1f audible across the area), 5 Corn Buntings, 2 Oyk, 2 Whimbrel., 2 Yellow Wag, Song Thrush around farm. Also 4 Hare,  gc - 26+ Whimbrel, Yellow Wag; seawall - 1 Purple Sand, 2 Turnstone; offshore 14 Oyks south, Sandwich Tern north.

Brian Combes

10:18 Female Whinchat still at farm - in the fields east of main paddocks.

10:37 2 Wheatear half way down the bridleway by the pile of hay (1 first thing on seawall).

15:13 This morning: 3 Cetti’s Warbler (singing), 21 Whimbrel (golf course first thing), 26+ Swallow (a few south first thing, 10+ at the farm), 7 Reed Warbler (singing), 3 Wheatear (1 seawall first thing, 2 on fields by bridleway), 19 Whitethroat (singing), 3 Sedge Warbler (singing), 2 Cuckoo (singing), 3 Chiffchaff (singing), 6 Blackcap (singing), 2 Lesser Whitethroat (singing), 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Stonechat (male by golf course dump), 7 Linnets, 4 Corn Bunting (singing), 1 Willow Warbler (singing, edge of golf course by bridleway), 3 Buzzard, 1 Whinchat (in field, farm end of bridleway), 2 Hare, 8 House Martin (Frinton birds, collecting mud for nests on The Esplanade).

 

Thurs 5th May 22

A quiet start over the road and along the approach road first thing improved when I reached the Dell, the pale speck in the distant hawthorn looked interesting and with closer views turned out to be a Wryneck, (a great surprise as normally an autumn bird at the Haven) a couple of quick photo's followed but before the message had been sent the bird was flushed by a walker and lost to view. Joined by Richard, 15 mins of searching relocated it in the Badger Set hedge.

Photo Richard Jeffree©

 Very quiet on the scrape, the island was deserted, 6 Avocet, 3 Redshank, 3 Lapwing, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Spotted Redshank, 6 Shelduck, 3 Mallard, 1 Shoveler, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Buzzard RJ/MR

Reports from today:

Richard Jeffree

08:54 4/5 Wheatear + female Whinchat bridle path NR farm dump.

14:11 Wryneck still present left of toilet block though elusive

Pete Loud

18:11 Wryneck just showed well for a couple of minutes in bushes just behind toilet block.

 

Wed 4th May 22

A wet start this morning, 4 Turnstone and 2 Purple Sandpipers were on the sluice rocks on the way to the hide. The Spotted Redshank was still around, but nothing new had dropped in with the rain.

From the hide: 3 Canada Geese, 10 Shelduck, 6 Mallard, 2 Shoveler, 1 Gadwall, 12 Avocet, 4 Snipe, 3 Redshank, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Spotted Redshank, 3 Common Gulls, 6 Blk Headed, 2 Herring & 2 LBB Gulls, 1 Grey Heron, the Cetti's Warbler was showing well, plus Reed & Sedge Warblers, Whitethroat, Reed Bunting & Linnets.

 

Tues 3rd May 22

A very depressing morning at the Haven today, at least 4 time in the last few days irresponsible people have been walking at the back of the scrape, some with uncontrolled dogs and disturbing the nesting birds, time away from the nest has allowed the LBB Gulls to clear a lot of eggs and at least 4 Avocet, 1 Oystercatcher and 1 Lapwing have abandon their nests. This morning just 3 pairs of Avocet remained. 

It is bad enough on the country park where people are ask to keep to the paths, but out on the marsh where there is no public right of way I find it astonishing that people can't give wildlife some space.

A Wheatear was seen between the sluice and the Boating Club + a Common Sandpiper was on the scrape and a Ringed Plover dropped in mid morning. PRD/DW/BH/MR et al.

Reports from today:

Brian Small

08:52 On GC this morning: 25 Whimbrel, Golden Plover, 2 Yellow Wag. Barwit, Whimbrel and 2 Common Tern east offshore.

10:36 7 singing Corn Bunting and group of 4 non singing in fields plus Cuckoo.

 

Mon 2nd May 22

Just a short visit this morning, 5 Turnstone and a Purple Sandpiper on the sluice rocks was good for me and the showy Cetti's Warbler in front of the hide, but it looks like Pete Loud put all the work in today for a very comprehensive day list.

Reports from today:

Pete Loud

13:37 Haven and farm loop this morning. Started over the road with Cuckoo. A few Swallows were moving through earlyish including 4 Sand Martin and 2 House Martin. Spot Redshank still on scrape with 3 Snipe and the usual Avocet and Redshank. A Common Tern flew round for a while and headed off, 1 Marsh Harrier flew through. 12 Whimbrel were on the Golf course and the pair of Stonechat. At least 4 Reed Warblers around site with a few Sedge and 5 Cetti’s singing from different locations. Plenty of Whitethroat all over site with 4 Lesser Whitethroat and the usual Blackcaps and Chiffchaff. Up at the farm a Willow Warbler was singing and showing and a pair of Yellowhammer were where the bridlepath meets the Golf course with 6 Corn Bunting. 1 Turnstone was with 2 Oystercatcher on French point.

Brian Small

15:41 Greenshank on scrape but disturbed by 2 people walking across the field. Also Barn Owl late evening.

 

Sun 1st May 22

The Ring Ouzel was not on show this morning and it was very quiet around the bushes.

From the hide: 2 Canada Geese, 5 Shelduck, 3 Teal, 2 Shoveler, 2 Mallard, 24 Avocet (inc GB/GY), 4 Redshank, 2 Whimbrel, 2 Oystercatcher, 2 Lapwing, 1 Spotted Redshank, Blk headed & Herring Gulls, 2 LBB Gulls, 1 Grey Heron, Cetti's Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Whitethroat, Linnet & Reed Buntings, Swallow numbers were up with 20+ over the marsh. RJ/MR et al.

Looking for a snack

Reports from today:

Paul Brayshaw

7:50 Gc and seawall area - 33+ Whimbrel, 3 superb summer plumaged Golden Plover, 3 Song Thrush (small influx also Frinton undercliff) and a Hobby north.  Offshore 2 Sandwich Tern, 17 Whimbrel (1,14,1,1). Also 2 Wheatear in off and continuing rapidly inland, 40+ Swallow and 3 House Martin north by far my best hirundine vis-mig this year plus a few Linnet, Goldfinch and 2 Siskin.  Male Stonechat near raised tee.