Wed 31st Aug 22

With very little for me around the bushes, and not much more for Simon offshore we both ended up at the hide. While I was excited about 18 new Canada Geese on Leon's marsh Simon picked up a "very interesting" Gull that appeared from behind the island, after a few minutes of poor views the bird drifted back behind the island, Simons first thoughts were Sabine's Gull but as the last sighting was in 2016 could it be?. When the bird reappeared with clear views the ID was confirmed, nice one Simon. We spent the morning enjoying the Sab's so no other counts were made.

A Stint found on the scrape during the afternoon was confirmed as a Temminck's Stint as the light improved early evening (this was later decided to be not "beyond reasonable doubt" and was therefore not added to the year list)

Reports from today:

Pete Loud

09:29 Thanks for the heads up Matt. Gave it an hour before work 8-9 am. fairly quiet and light was challenging. Fulmar north 2 Oystercatcher and 5 Teal was all I saw Simon Cox turned up as I left and said he would give it an hour, so coverage will be good at least.

 Mick Rodwell

10:52 Juv Sabine’s Gull on the scrape.

11:21 Still on the scrape at the moment.

Max Martin

12:26 Showing well on Leon's Marsh.

Photo Max Martin©

Richard Jeffree

14:16 Its still here 14.15.

Pete Davis

16:42 Sabs just flown off high inland and lost to view 1640.

At the end of August the number of species recorded at the Haven this year stands at 154.

 

Tues 30th Aug 22

A Willow Warbler and 2 Lesser Whitethroats in the Dell, a Purple Sandpiper seen briefly on the sluice rocks, another Willow Warbler and Lesser Whitethroat behind the sluice and a Lt. Grebe on the brook on the way to the hide this morning.

From the hide: 40 Greylag, 60+ Teal, 7 Mallard, 7 Cormorant, 4 Lapwing, c100 Blk. H Gulls, 5 Herring Gulls, 3 LBB's, Cetti's Warbler (heard only), 2 Kestrel, 1 Buzzard, MR.

 

Mon 29th Aug 22

Very quiet around the bushes this morning just a couple of Lesser & Common Whitethroats in the Dell and a Turnstone was on the sluice with the gulls. MR

From the hide: 78 Teal, 6 Mallard, 12 Lapwing, 1 Whimbrel, 1 Ruff (NFY), 120 Blk. H Gulls, c20 Herring Gulls, 4 LBB's, 2 Caspian Gull, 8 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Buzzard, 2 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk. PRD/PL/RJ/ML/MR.

Photo Matt Lonsdale©

Photo Pete Davis©

Reports from today:

Richard Jeffree

10:41 Caspo on scrape this morning, Fulmar over approach road. Basically no migrants in bushes so far though.

Matt Lonsdale

19:20  Hobby, 2 Golden Plover and 6 Whimbrel this evening.

 

Sun 28th Aug 22

Just a short visit for me today, 5 Stonechat & 1 Whinchat were around the wood pile just north of the pillbox.

From the hide: 29 Greylag, 60+ Teal, 6 Mallard, 1 Shoveler, 12 Lapwing, 4 Redshank, 3 Snipe (RJ), 1 Greenshank, 1 Curlew, 10 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 160 Blk H Gulls, 6 herring Gulls, 3 LBB Gulls, 1 Cetti's Warbler (heard only), PRD/RJ/MR 

Reports from today:

Pete Loud

09:44 Very quiet at the Haven this morning. 3 Whitethroat was all I could find in the bushes, 1 Wheatear and 1 Whinchat by moth enclosure. Scrape,1 Blackwit, 67 Teal, 1 Shoveler and juvenile Marsh Harrier.

Richard Jeffree

11:34 Juv. Purple Sand French Pt. 4 Whimbrel past.

 

Sat 27th Aug 22

Reports from today:

Pete Davis

10:37 Male Redstart farm paddocks. Viewable from first gate on right from footpath to golf course.

Richard Jeffree

12:41 No change at the haven this morning bushes very quiet same 4+ Stonechat+ Whinchat at the log pile, much the same on the scrape 1 each of Green and Common Sand + 27 Curlew, 40 Teal, 2 Blackwit. Just leaving site when PD finds a cracking male Redstart at the farm, smart bird.

Photo Richard Jeffree©

 

Fri 26th Aug 22

A few bits and pieces about this morning including a singing Chiffchaff and a Cetti's Warbler at the Dipping Pond. 5+ Stonechat, 3 Whitethroat and a Chiffchaff were around the wood pile, and a steady movement of Swallows, Sand & House Martins were moving through.

Pete Davis picked out a juv. Caspian Gull (NFY) from the large no of Gulls on the scrape mid morning but it was soon flushed by a Marsh Harrier, the bird was later relocated on the sluice.

From the hide: 32 Curlew, 22 Lapwing, 1 Common & 1 Green Sand, 1 Snipe, 100 Blk. H Gulls, 3 LBB's, 4 Herring Gulls and a juv Caspian Gull, 44 Teal, 6 Mallard, 1 Buzzard, 1 Marsh harrier, 2 kestrel PRD/RJ/MR

 

Thurs 25th Aug 22

A steady movement of hirundines through the site on the way to the hide with lots of Swallows and quite a few House & Sand Martins and 1 Swift.

From the hide: 22 Lapwing, 1 Common Sand, 1 Green Sand, 24 Teal, 8 Mallard, 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk. PRD/RJ/MR.

Pete Davis had a short seawatch late morning which totaled just 1 Oystercatcher before Richard and I arrived and then he turned up an Arctic Skua heading south, perfect timing.

 A Cattle Egret (NFY) was seen on the scrape around 14:00 before flying to join the cows on the marsh. Sadly no sign early evening, fingers crossed for the morning.

 

Wed 24th Aug 22

From the hide: 22 Lapwing, 1 Green Sand, 1 Common Sand, 1 Blk T Godwit (briefly), 12 Blk H gulls 3 LBB's, 24 Teal, 6 Mallard, 3 Cormorant, 1 Wheatear. PRD/RJ/MR

5 Stonechat and a few Whitethroat were around the wood pile + a Hummingbird Hawkmoth was seen in the Dell.

 

Tues 23 Aug 22

Much quieter around the bushes this morning, and just 2 Stonechat and a Whitethroat on the log pile for me, Liz Huxley had a Whinchat with the Stonechat family a bit later on the sea side of the hedge.

From the hide: 30 Lapwing, 24 Curlew, 1 Green Sand, 64 Blk. H Gulls, 3 LBB's, 3 Herring, 11 Teal, 6 Mallard, 4 Cormorant, 1 Buzzard, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 20+ Swallows, 4 House Martin, 2 Sand Martin, 1 Cetti's Warbler (heard only) LH/MR et.al. Liz also had a Whimbrel on the marsh on the way from the Frinton end of the site.

 

Mon 22nd Aug 22

On the scrape this morning: 20 Lapwing, 14 Curlew, 2 Dunlin, 7 Teal, 7 Mallard, 2 Cormorant, c80 Blk. H Gulls, 4 LBB's, 4 Herring Gulls, 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 1 Cetti's Warbler. PRD/MR

The log pile just north of the pillbox way busy again with 6+ Stonechat (one a good candidate for rubicola) and several Whitethroat. PRD/MR

Reports from today:

Dennis Pryor

11:13 Two Wheatear on track from farm to golf course

11:23 Peregrine chasing kestrels and being mobbed by them below farm.

Mike O'Hanlon

16:33 Snipe at the pool beside the Haven scrape.

 

Sun 21st Aug 22

Reports from today:

Richard Jeffree

10:08 Scrape: 1 Green Sand, 28 Lapwing, 46 B H Gull, 7 Teal, 2 LBB Gull, 4 Cormorant. Logpile 5 Stonechat, 1 Whinchat, 2 Whitethroat.

 

Sat 20th Aug 22

Reports from today:

Matt Lonsdale

08:26 Haven bushes this morning - 10 Willow Warbler (all juv), 4 Lesser White, 6 White, 6+ blackcap, chiff. 3 Yellow Wag and trickle of Swallow south. Nothing on scrape.

Liz Huxley

11:05 At least 13 Wasp Spiders in long grass strip S of the Dell.

 

Fri 19th Aug 22

Around the scrape this morning: 7 Teal, 6 Mallard, 32 Lapwing, 2 Blk. T Godwit, 1 Green Sand, 2 Grey Heron, 14 Blk H Gulls, 7 LBB (3 ad 4 juvs.), 5 Herring Gull, 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel.

In a short seawatch Pete Davis had 4 Pintail (NFY) , 10+ Oystercatchers and an interesting duck heading SW possibly a Pochard but no positive id was possible. PRD/DC/MR

Reports from today: 

Pete Davis

11:30 4 Pintail SW 1135 from Sluice.

13:31 RBA reporting Pied Fly ‘by pillbox’ 1322.

Mike O'Hanlon

14:13 Pied fly on the wood pile above the scrape at the Haven.

Photo M. O'Hanlon©

Richard Jeffree

16:46 Pied fly still at log pile this afternoon.

 

Thurs 18th Aug 22

Much the same again today, 2 Green Woodpeckers and a Song Thrush joined 5 Stonechat, Whitethroats & Linnets on the wood pile near the pillbox, 2 Whinchat were in the reedbed between the wooden hide and the boardwalk, a few Meadow Pipits were along the front a Whimbrel was heard flying over and 2 Common Terns headed north.

From the hide: 42 Lapwing, 2 Curlew, 1 Green Sand, 6 Mallard, 2 Teal, 17 Blk. H Gulls, 3 LBB, 2 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk plus a few Swallows & Sand Martin and a flock of c30 Goldfinch. PRD/RJ/MR

Reports from today:

Pete loud

08:22 Absolutely dead this morning, must have been an overnight clear out. Best in 1 1/2 hours pre work was 3 Willow Warblers and 1 Gannet offshore.

 

Wed 17th Aug 22

A good morning at the Haven today with Whinchat and Wheatear showing well around the wood piles with 5 Stonechat, Com. & Lesser Whitethroat, Linnet etc.

The scrape was looking good, just a few waders 1 Dunlin,1 Redshank & 1 Green Sand joining the 45 Lapwings is a promising start.

Pete Davis had a short seawatch and picked up a dark phase Arctic Skua passing the sluice and Richard and I finally found a Pied Flycatcher on the Feeding Station fence.

Photo Richard Jeffree©

Photo Mike O'Hanlon©

Reports from today:

Dennis Pryor

06:32 Two Whinchat still just past wooden hide. 6.33 am.

06:34 Make that four.

Pete Loud

08:17 Pre work visit for 1 hour this morning, Dell area quite productive but quiet in bushes elsewhere. Willow Warbler 2, Chiff 1, Lesser Whitethroat 1 ,Whitethroat & Blackcap 3 of each, Cuckoo flew over.

Steve Piotrowski

09:47 Walk from Haven to Frinton & back: 8 Yellow Wagtails, 4 Whinchats, Wheatear, 5 Sedge & 18 Reed Warblers, 2 Chiffs, 5 Whitethroats, 2 Common Terns, 3 Curlew & 10 Whimbrel. On Scrape: 45 Lapwing, Redshank, Teal & 10 Mallard.

 

Tues 16 Aug 22

I made an earlier start today and searched the bushes over the road and along the brook but still no Flycatcher. The Dell was more productive with a tit flock that included 3+ Willow Warblers and Lesser & Common Whitethroats, a Garden Warbler was in the Elder and a Wheatear on a post at the bottom of the steps. MR

The new pump is working wonders with water on the scrape already, after filling Leon's Marsh.

From the hide: 38 Lapwing, 140 Blk H Gulls, 5 Herring Gulls, 3 LBB Gulls, 3 Kestrel, 1 Buzzard, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Grey Heron.

From the pillbox the wood pile held a good variety with Common & Lesser Whitethroats, 3+ Stonechat, 2+ Wheatear, Linnet, Goldfinch, Yellow Wag & a Tree Pipit was heard flying over but could not be located PRD/MR.

Reports from today:

Liz Huxley

16:39 5 Wheatear + 3 Whinchat near wooden hide.

 

Mon 15th Aug 22

A little bit cooler this morning, that was good news as was the fact that the new solar pump is now up and running, pumping water onto Leon's marsh and soon overflowing onto the scrape we hope.

No small waders on the scrape this morning, just 28 Lapwing, c70 Blk H Gulls, 3 LBB Gulls, a few Swallows and 2 Sand Martin. PRD/DC/MR.

A walk along the front added 3 Stonechat, Whitethroat and Linnet around the wood pile between the pillbox and the wooden hide, 6 Wheatear and a Whinchat on the bales near the wooden hide and a nice Reed Warbler in the hand at Simon's ringing table. See Ringing page.

 

 

Sun 14th Aug 22

Much the same as Pete's report below but too hot to walk far this morning.

From the hide: 30 Lapwing, 1 LRP, 1 Dunlin, 100+ Blk H Gulls, 3 LBB's, 1 Common Gull on the scrape. 1 Green Sand, 1 Redshank on the pond. 2 Buzzard, 1 Marsh Harrier.

Reports from today:

Pete Loud

11:14 Around site this morning, 3 Willow Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 10+ Whitethroat, 2 Blackcap. 5 Stonechat and Whinchat by log pile near moth enclosure. Still a juv LRP and 1 Dunlin on the mud and the juv Marsh Harrier still about.

 

Sat 13th Aug 22

Reports from today:

Pete Loud

12:08 Hard work around the bushes this morning, 2 Willow Warbler, 2 Chiff, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Blackcap and you guessed it 2 Whitethroat. Surprisingly the damp mud on the scrape held 1 LRP, 2 Ringed Plover, 5 Dunlin, 1 Redshank and 27 Lapwing plus Marsh Harrier and Wheatear from the hide. 5 Curlew flew over.

 

Fri 12th Aug 22

Looks like the scrape will dry out again over the weekend, the water level in the brook is now to low for the windpump to operate, not good timing with the autumn wader passage just getting underway.

From the hide: 28 Lapwing, 3 Dunlin, 2 LRP's, 1 Ringed Plover, c50 Blk. H Gulls, 3 Herring Gulls, 3 LBB Gulls, 6 Mallard, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Buzzard, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 2 Sand Martin and a few Swallows. PRD/DC/MR.

3 Stonechat (1 ad 2 Juvs), 1 Whinchat, 1 Garden Warbler plus Whitethroats and Linnets were around the wood pile just north of the pillbox. DC/MR 

Reports from today:

Mike O'Hanlon

07:27 Very little water in the scrape this morning. 2 LRP, 3 Dunlin seen along with 20+ BHG and 25 Lapwing.

 

Thurs 11th Aug 22

A walk to the Frinton end with Richard this morning gave views of a Whinchat and two Stonechat along the front between the pillbox and the wooden hide, another Stonechat was near the golf course dump and a Golden Plover was seen a couple of times flying along the marsh. Simon had a nice Whitethroat in the hand on our way back to the hide.

From the hide: 22 Lapwing, 4 Dunlin, 2 Golden Plover, 2 LRP's, 1 Ringed Plover, 1 Redshank, 1 Green Sandpiper, c100 Blk. H Gulls, 3 LBB Gulls, 2 Herring Gulls, 2 Shelduck, 4 Yellow Wags, 2 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel. PRD/RJ/MR

Reports from today:

Simon Cox

08:04 2 Whinchats seen so far, wooden hide/ringing site area.

See ringing report on the Ringing page.

Richard Jeffree

18:57 Female Redstart in same bush as yesterday.

 

Wed 10th Aug 22

2 or 3 Willow Warblers around the bushes this morning plus a few Whitethroats otherwise quite quiet.

From the hide: 28 Lapwing, 6 Dunlin, 3 LRP's, 2 Redshank, 1 Ringed Plover, 5 Mallard, 2 Teal, 1 Grey Heron, c80 Blk. H Gulls, 3 LBB's, 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 1 Marsh Harrier. PRD/RJ/DW/BH/MR.

Then it was off to the farm to see the Redstart

 

Reports from today:

Paul Brayshaw

06:52 Frinton-farm-gc-seawall loop.  2 Willow Warbler, 2 Gt. S Woodpecker and Hobby at farm (northern paddocks and pumpkin patch looking great for whinchat but none yet!).  Nice cluster of birds at bottom of farm footpath hedgerow (see below) with 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Willow Warbler and a Spot Fly.  Gc 16+ Curlew and 2+ Whimbrel (gradually moving to grazing marsh), another Willow Warbler, notable influx of Whitethroat with at least 14 along the front, 3 Yellow Wags. Offshore north - 3 Oyk, 5 Scoter; south - 2 Mallard.  Overhead 2 Yellow Wag, 36 Sand Martin and 4+ Swallow high south.

Dennis Pryor

10:09 Redstart paddocks at farm. Female type.

Richard Jeffree

12:18 Whinchat+2 juv Stonechat log pile near pillbox.

 

Tues 9th Aug 22

Just 1 Wood Sand, 4 Green Sands and a Yell L Gull reported today.

 

Mon 8th Aug 22

A Gt. Spotted Woodpecker was in the Dell this morning along with a few Whitethroats, House Sparrows and a Juv Willow Warbler.

From the hide: 1 Wood Sand, 6 LRP's, 1 Green Sand, 30 Lapwing, 11 Dunlin, 5 Avocet, 21 Blk. H Gulls, 4 Herring Gulls, 3 LBB, 5 Mallard, 2 Buzzard, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Green Woodpecker and a few Swallows + a Grass Snake swam across the pond to the right of the hide MR.

  

 

Sun 7th Aug 22

A wander from the café with Ian gave a Hobby in/off, a juv Sparrowhawk in the Dell, a Juv Willow Warbler in the Badger Sett and 9 House Martin Over. IM/MR 

On the scrape: 20 Lapwing, 12 Dunlin, 8 Avocet, 2 LRP's, 1 Wood Sand, 10 Teal, 6 Mallard, 1 Shelduck, 1 Cetti's Warbler and a few Swallows MR

Reports from today:

Matt Lonsdale

10:00 Haven so far this morning - On scrape, 1 Wood Sand (diff to last weekends bird by looks of it), Green Sand, 12 Dunlin, 3 LRP, 2 Redshank, 10 Teal and Snipe. 

Bushes- decent number of Blackcap, c5 Lesser Whites, juv Willow Warbler, juv Reed Warbler.

10:06 Kingfisher flew in front of hide towards brook.

 

Sat 6th Aug 22

Reports from today:

Pete Loud

10:35 2 Ringed and 4 Little Ringed Plover on the Scrape this morning, joined by 4 Dunlin, 7 Avocet, 1 Common Sand, 17 Lapwing and 7 Teal. 11 Curlew on marsh. Juv Cuckoo and 4 Willow Warblers around the dipping pond early on, a few Blackcap, Whitethroat and Lesser Whitethroat in various places around site. Female Stonechat with juvenile by golf course and Wheatear on the seawall rocks. 7 Common Tern and 2 Sandwich Tern close in off the sluice heading north, hopefully a sign of things to come as it’s been dead offshore of late.

 

Fri 5th Aug 22

A cooler day today but still a good assortment of waders on the Scrape.

From the hide: 15 Lapwing, 15 Curlew (over), 10 Avocet, 3 LRP's, 2 Green Sands, 1 Wood Sand, 1 Common Sand, c200 Blk. H Gulls, 17 Common Gulls, 4 LBB's, 4 Herring Gulls, 8 Teal, 6 Mallard, 2 Shelduck, 2 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel + a few Swallows, Linnet, Reed Bunting & a Cetti's Warbler. DC/RJ/MR.

Richard and Dave had a Southern Migrant Hawker Dragonfly and a Wheatear on a walk to Frinton, I had a Clouded Yellow on the way back to the car. 

Reports from today:

Richard Jeffree

10:54 Male Southern Migrant Hawker on pool nr. G C dump

Dave Cummings

11:38 Wheatear along sea wall.

 

Thurs 4th Aug 22

Reports from today:

Richard Jeffree

10:33 From the hide, 1 Wood Sand, 3 Green Sand, 2 Common Sand, 2 LRP's, 2 Blackwit, 2 Dunlin, 2 Redshank, 6 Avocet, 6 Teal, 2 Shelduck, 14 Lapwing, 28 Curlews over, 2 Buzzard, 1 Marsh Harrier.

Pete Davis

14:25 And a Golden Plover.

Wed 3rd Aug 22

 Another very warm day with a nice cooling breeze. Pete & Richard had Lesser & Common Whitethroat, Blackcap and Willow Warbler around the carpark bushes again this morning + a Lt. Egret over the marsh. Also lots of Wasp Spiders around (see Haven Wildlife page)

From the hide: 

10 Lapwing, 6 Avocet, 4 Curlew, 2 LRP's, 2 Redshank, 2 Dunlin, 1 Wood Sand, 1 Common Sand, 6 Mallard, 6 Teal, 2 Shelduck, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, c100 Blk. H Gulls, 2 LBB, 2 Herring Gulls.

 

Tues 2nd Aug 22

Reports from today:

Peter Newton

12:27 10.00-12.00 Julie and I walked to pillbox to view scrape. Shelduck 2 , Teal 4 , Grey Heron 1 , Marsh Harrier  2 Juvs., Avocet 6 , Lapwing 19 , Common Sandpiper 1+ , Green Sandpiper 1 , Wood Sandpiper 1 , Common Gull 2 , Black headed Gull c70 , Swift 2 , Sand Martin 10 , Swallow c70 , finished off with a Bacon and Egg Baguette and Latte .

Richard Jeffree

19:29 Haven burnt area this evening 2x Blackcap 2x Whitethroat 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Willow Warbler and a Chiff, autumn has begun.

 

Mon 1st Aug 22

Pete Davis had the briefest view of a probable Gull-billed Tern on the scrape this morning but unfortunately the bird was flushed by the herdsman tending the cattle before a positive ID could be made.

The Wood Sandpiper was still on the scrape, but still quiet elusive along with 16 Lapwing, 6 Avocet, 2 Green Sands, 1 Redshank, 1 Curlew, 3 Grey Heron, 170 Blk. H Gulls, 3 Herring Gulls, 2 LBB Gulls, 6 Mallard, 3 Teal, 2 Shelduck, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel. PRD/DC/LH/MR.