Wed 30th Nov 22

Reports from today:

Richard Jeffree

10:39 Drake Goosander on scrape again.

10:40 Sorry pair.

10:43 Just flown towards Holland-on-sea.

At the end of November the number of species recorded at the Haven this year stands at 182.

 

Tues 29th Nov 22

Pete Davis had a Black T. Diver heading north just before I arrived, otherwise it was bird less offshore for the next 40 minutes. On the walk to the hide 4 Turnstone were on the sluice rocks with the gull flock, on reaching the windpump we were amazed to see a Goosander drifting across the scrape, as we always say you just never know what's next, we certainly didn't expect that. 

From the hide: 412 Teal, 38 Wigeon, 11 Shoveler, 1 Goosander, 1 Grey Heron, 35 Lapwing, 1 Oystercatcher, 2 Kestrel, 1 Buzzard. 

On the way back 2 Purple Sands were on the sluice. PRD/MR

Reports from today:

Brian Combes

08:38 Approach Road: 1 Firecrest, 1 Blackcap.

09:00 Another Firecrest NW of carpark by the little raised platform.

09:59 2 Purple Sand on rocks by northern most pillbox.

17:09 Frinton to Haven along seawall and back via farm, this morning included: 2 Firecrest (1 approach road with tit flock, 1 between carpark and sewage works by wooden platform), 2 Purple Sand, 3 Stonechat, 6 Cetti’s singing (3 golf course, 3 Haven), 3 Curlew (golf course first thing), 5 Pied Wag, 19 Blackbird, 3 Song Thrush, 1 Redwing, 2 Sparrowhawk, 2 Reed Bunting, 5 Chaffinch, 6 Goldfinch, 2 Greenfinch, 1 Redpoll (over, west), 13+ Mipit (10+ feeding on farm fields), 15+ Skylark (12+ feeding on farm fields), 1 Blackcap (female, approach road with tit flock), 5 Goldcrest, 8 Shoveler, 292 Teal, 54 Wigeon, 1 Snipe, 1 Buzzard, 44 Lapwing, 300+ Brent (feeding on fields west of tennis club).

Photo Brian Combes©

Mike O'Hanlon

12:01 2 Purps on the sluice.

Photo Mike O'Hanlon©

13:49 Still unable to get video footage of the Firecrests on the approach rd, HH but two there this morning.

Photo Mike O'Hanlon©

 

Mon 28th Nov 22

No reports received so far.

 

Sun 27th Nov 22

Reports from today:

Paul Brayshaw

09:43 Seawall alongside g c from Frinton end to northern pill box.  2 Purple Sand, 2 Stonechat.

 

Sat 26th Nov 22

Reports from today:

Pete Loud

16:27 This morning Richard had a Blackcap along the entrance road, we both walked the front adding 1 Purple Sand and Rock Pipit. 1 Stonechat was at the Raised Tee with a pair in the moth enclosure on the way back.18 Shoveler were on the Scrape with the usual Wigeon, Teal, Lapwing, 1 Shelduck and plenty of Greylags.

 

Fri 25th Nov 22

A very quiet day today, a single Firecrest showed first thing but was then elusive, lots of Blackbirds along the approach road though plus a couple of Jays.

The scrape looked much the same as yesterday, Wigeon numbers looked a bit lower, but with an extra Shelduck and a Mute Swan, a Rock Pipit was the only addition on a short walk to French Point. Raptors fared a little better with a Marsh Harrier, 3 Buzzards, 2 Sparrowhawk and a Kestrel. RJ/MR et al.

 

Thurs 24th Nov 22

The two Firecrests were along the approach road again this morning with L Tailed, Blue & Gt. Tits.

From the hide: 80+ Greylags, 5 Brent (2 Ad 3 Juvs), 330+ Teal, 130+ Wigeon, 15 Shoveler, 2 Shelduck, 28 Lapwing, 2 Pied Wags, 2 Buzzard, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel. PRD/RJ/MR et al.

Reports from today:

Mike O'Hanlon

12:51 3 Purple Sands with Turnstones on beach 100m south of Gunfleet Boating Club.

Photo Mike O'Hanlon©

 

Wed 23rd Nov 22

Reports from today:

Mike O'Hanlon

14:27 Purple Sand north of French Point now.

Photo Mike O'Hanlon©

15:22 Firecrest on HH approach rd, though elusive.

Photo Mike O'Hanlon©

 

Tues 22nd Nov 22

Quiet offshore today with just 5 Brent north and 2 R T Divers (1n 1s) plus a few gulls in a 30 min seawatch so I had a wander to the hide.

From the hide: 90+ Greylag, 1 Barnacle Goose, c300 Teal, 120+ Wigeon, 22 Shoveler, 2 Shelduck, 30+ Lapwing, 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Snipe, 2 Cormorants PRD/MR.

Reports from today:

Brian Combes

 08:02 3 Purple Sands just south of French Point.

08:48 2 Firecrest + 2 Chiff, approach road.

09:12 3 Purps now by sluice.

Photo Brian Combes©

17:55 Frinton to Haven along seawall and back this morning included: 3 Stonechat, 4 Cetti’s singing (2 golf course, 2 Haven), 3 Curlew (south), 2 Pied Wag, 1 Med Gull (south), 3 Common Scoter (south), 12 Blackbird, 2 Song Thrush, 2 Chiff (at least, approach road with tit flock), 2 Firecrest (approach road, elusive), 4 Goldcrest, 3 Purple Sand, 2 Rock Pipit, 10 Shoveler, 184 Teal, 78 Wigeon, 1 Goldfinch (south), 2 Mipit (south).

 

Mon 21st Nov 22

A quieter seawatch again today but still interesting with lots of Gannets and 8 Eider including 5 cracking males.

Totals from 09:15-11:00, 2 Brent (s), 2 Shelduck (s), 12 Teal (s), 1 Mallard (n), 8 Eider (n), 6 Com. Scoter (s), 6 R T Diver (4s 2n), 41 Gannet (37n 4s), 12 Dunlin (s), plus several Little Gulls and Cormorants. PRD/ML/DC/GS/MR.

A walk to the hide added 224 Teal, 110 Wigeon, 18 Shoveler, 4 Shelduck, 111 Lapwing, 11 Blk H Gulls, 4 Herring Gulls, 1 Kestrel. DC/MR and 2 Purple Sandpipers on the sluice MR.

 

 

Sun 20th Nov 22

Richard & I started a seawatch around 10:00, things were much quieter than of late but soon picked up with a quality bird in Little Auk,  picked up by Paul Brayshaw from the raised tee and passing us close offshore shortly afterwards. We were joined by Pete Loud for a while before another message from Paul had us pacing it out to French Point where he had a Razorbill sitting on the rocks. A good morning considering the poor start weather wise.

Totals for the morning offshore: 13 Brent (8s 5n), c50 (sitting on the sea), 4 Com. Scoter (n), 5 Gannet (n), 1 R T Diver (s), 15 Cormorant (13n 2s), 1 Grey Heron (s), 3 Gt C Grebe (2s 1n), 1 Curlew (s), 1 Little Auk (s).

Plus 1 Razorbill and 1 Purple Sandpiper on French Point rocks. PL/RJ/MR/PBr/PRD.

Reports from today:

Paul Brayshaw

10:37 Close Little Auk south past raised tee.

11:01 Razorbill close in on sea off middle pill box.

11:18 Razor currently on rocks, five Purple Sands north from the rock groyne to Frinton end.

 

Sat 19th Nov 22

A late start for me again today, Richard and I joined Simon, Laurence et al around 09:30 and Pete Davis added to our numbers shortly after that. Variable visibility meant that a lot of stuff was missed moving through at distance.

Totals for today: 354 Brent (320s 34n), 93 Com. Scoter, 42 Wigeon, 12 Shelduck, 1 Goldeneye, 6 R B Merganser (4s 2n), 2 Red T Diver, 1 Gt. C Grebe, 5+ Gannet (n), 13 Cormorant, (5s 8n), 1 Curlew (n), 4+ Lt. Gulls all south unless noted

Laurence Drumond

07:21 B T Diver south, haven shelter.

7:26 6 Scoter plus one unidentified duck sp north.

08:28 2 Goldeneye south with a Teal.

08:38 2 R B Merg south.

09:07 Goldeneye south.

 

Fri 18th Nov 22

Yet another good seawatch this morning with Pete, Richard and Dave, the high point being a ring tailed Hen Harrier coasting along close offshore.

10:00 - 11:30 Totals:  102 Brent, 42 Com. Scoter, 12 Teal, 7 Gadwall, 2 Shelduck, 2 Shoveler, 3 Goldeneye, 3 Red-breasted Merganser, 1 Red-throated Diver, 5 Gannet, 41 Lapwing, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Hen Harrier, 1 Peregrine (in off), plus a few Cormorants, and waders at distance. PRD/DC/RJ/MR

 

Thurs 17th Nov 22

Another good seawatch this morning with Pete and Richard gave totals of: 166 Brent (156s 10n), 87 Teal, 38 Wigeon, 26 Gadwall, 6 Mallard, 10 Pintail, 49 Com Scoter (46s 3n), 3 Pochard, 1 Eider, 48 Lapwing, 33 Dunlin, 7 Golden Plover, 5 Grey Plover, 1 Oystercatcher all south unless noted. Plus 5 Grey Geese sp. and 15 unidentified waders. PRD/RJ/MR

 

Wed 16th Nov 22

I joined Graham sea-watching this morning but it soon became apparent that not much of the shelter was actually out of the rain so I headed home to dry out.

Returning after lunch I was soon joined by Richard and Pete

Afternoon totals: 128 Brent, 9 Com. Scoter, 5 Teal, 1 Scaup, 1 R T Diver all south, 5 Cormorants (3s 2n), several Common Gulls and 2 Med Gulls were in the large flock of gulls around the outfall buoy RD/RJ/MR

Reports from today:

Graham Sutton

10:47 HH 08:30-10:45: Brent 19S 1 N, Eider 4S, Teal 3S 2N, Shelduck 1S, C Scoter 53S, RTD 1S, Turnstone 3S, Stock Dove 1S.

Richard Jeffree

12:14 Firecrest still approach rd.

13:32 4 Purple Sands sluice rocks.

 

Tues 15th Nov 22

A 10:00 - 11:45 seawatch this morning gave totals of 4 Brent, 101 Com. Scoter, 3 Scaup, 6 Dunlin, 1 Cormorant heading south and 13 Com. Scoter, 2 Cormorants heading north. 

  

 

Mon 14th Nov 22

I joined Simon and Dave Cummings at the shelter for a seawatch, but shortly after Simon left the mist rolled in with just a few Brent, 18 Com. Scoter and 2 R T Divers seen heading south. We headed to the hide and had 7 Turnstone & 2 Sanderling on the beach north of the sluice.

From the hide: 109 Greylag, 65 Teal, 60 Wigeon, 15 Shoveler, 3 Shelduck, 137 Lapwing, 7 Snipe, 9 Blk H Gulls, 2 Herring Gulls, 1 Water Rail (heard).

A walk to the Frinton end added just 3 Stonechat and 1 Reed Bunting but on the return 5 Purple Sandpipers & 2 Turnstone were on the sluice rocks with a mixed gull flock. DC/MR

Reports from today:

Simon Cox

17:19  0710-0910 this am: Brent 467S 16N, Eider 1, C Scoter 60, Pintail 8, only a few Teal & Wigeon, Cormorant 80+ mostly N

Graham Sutton

10:43 Light passage restarted/emerging from fog… 27 Scoter 17 Teal 10 Wigeon 25 Brent’s

12:03 Totals 1000-1200 from HH shelter: Brent 450 + 22N, Wigeon 190, Teal 24, C Scoter 70, Eider 9, Duck sp 300 in murk, RTD 4, Cormorant 58.

 

Sun 13th Nov 22

I had a two hour seawatch this morning 09:30-11:30 and was joined by Pete Loud mid-way through, very busy but not good visibility at distance.

Totals: 2149 Brent, 33 Shelduck, 18 Wigeon, 73 Common Scoter, 2 R B Merganser, 1 Blk. T Diver, 1 Red T Diver, 1 Oystercatcher (S), 1 Gt. C Grebe, 2 Brent, 1 Red T Diver (sitting on the sea), 17 Cormorant, 12 Brent (N), plus 2 Wader flocks and lots of ducks at range with no definite ID's PL/MR

Reports from today:

Matt Lonsdale

08:43 Just reached 1000 Brent from shelter. 1 Goldeneye the highlight unfortunately light too poor here when L t Duck came through.

08:49 3 Little Gulls have just gone through.

09:07 Wow, 52 Pintail for me

15:17 Bonxie going N then landed infront of tower. Somehow the 185 pintail not come through!

19:46 I could only cover 8-9 this morning  and 14:45 to 16:15. 

8-9 1.5k Brent, 58 Pintail, 3 Little Gulls, Goldeneye, few groups of Dunlin, Scoter and Shelduck, Grey Plover etc. 

14:45-16:15  Another 1.4K Brent, 1283 Pintail, Bonxie, Red T Diver, few Scoter and Wigeon, 10 Shelduck.

Pete Loud

12:29 Spent an hour or so in the shelter with Mick this morning. No scope with me, couldn’t see most of what Paul was seeing , probably just too far out , did see the 2 Mergansers, and Great Cr Grebe on the sea, hundreds of Brent passing. Walked to the pill box, not much from there but 3 Goosander flew low over my head, seemingly coming from inland and flew south close offshore.

 

Sat 12th Nov 22

A very short visit for me before a Webs count showed that the Firecrests were still showing well, even I managed to get some photo's.

Reports from today:

Paul Brayshaw

09:11 Brief foray into haven recording area along the seawall. Generally v quiet today   Southbound (haven totals) 4 Siskin, 6 Redpoll, 2 Reed Bunting, 5 Mipit plus a few Goldfinch and Chaffinch.  Offshore 7 Brent and a Gannet south.   At least six Stonechat between beach huts and northern pill box.

09:19 Forgot to add the best bird!  Imm kitt close north.

Simon Cox

 10:27 SEO flying now towards hide.

 

Fri 11th Nov 22

Reports from today:

Simon Cox

13:52 This am: Greylag c60, Shelduck 2, Shoveler 12, Wigeon c75, Teal c50, Lapwing 16, O/c 1, Purple Sand 1, Buzzard 2, Swallow 3, Firecrest 2, Goldcrest 1.

 

Thurs 10th Nov 22

A cracking start to the morning, with the two Firecrests showing down to six feet along the approach road for Richard and I, most of the time just a couple of feet apart and calling, brilliant!!. The Blackcap and a large number of Tits were also seen.

A single Turnstone flew along the front near the sluice and a couple of Cormorants were offshore. A walk to the raised tee added just 2 Stonechat and 2 Reed Buntings.

From the hide: Not much change from yesterday Greylag, Teal, Wigeon, Shoveler, Shelduck, 24 Lapwing, Buzzard and Kestrel plus another two Swallows over the scrape. RJ/MR

 

Wed 9th Nov 22

A much nicer day today, a Muntjac Deer was in the Dell, but nothing offshore. A walk along the approach road with Richard was much more rewarding with 1+ Firecrest, 1 male Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, and 5+ Goldcrest with a lot of Blue, Great and Long T Tits.

From the hide: 5 Greylag, 160+ Teal, 56 Wigeon, 15 Shoveler, 2 Shelduck, 2 Cormorant, 24 Blk H Gulls, 2 Herring Gulls, 5 Lapwing, 2 Snipe, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, plus 5 Swallows south over the scrape. RJ/MR.

Reports from today:

Mike O'Hanlon

13:13 2 Firecrest on approach road. Showing well. Just listen for the call.

Photo Mike O'Hanlon©

Photo Mike O'Hanlon©

Brian Combes

15:50 Haven: Short-eared Owl flying west between footpath and bridleway to farm.

16:15 Now high over Frinton.

17:38 Frinton/seawall/farm circuit late afternoon included: 1 Short-eared Owl (probably in off, flew west towards the farm, low over fields between the footpath and bridleway. A bit later flushed from the edge of a field and then quartered fields south of the church before flying back west and drifting high to the north), 5 Stonechat (pair by golf course dump, a pair north of dump, 1 bird between the pairs), 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Mipit, 5 Linnet, 1 Chiff (by farm), 6 Pied Wag, 1 Buzzard, 1 Barn Owl (hunting over golf course at dusk), 1 Cetti’s Warbler (singing).

 

Tues 8th Nov 22

Another very windy morning at the Haven.

From the hide: 1 Greylag, 100+ Teal, 52 Wigeon, 11 Shoveler, 2 Shelduck, 1 Cormorant, 14 Lapwing, 14 Blk H Gulls, 4 Herring Gulls, 1 GBB Gull, 2 Buzzard, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrel, 1 Cetti's Warbler. MR

A single Oystercatcher headed south along the front.

 

Mon 7th Nov 22

Nothing much to report today, not a very nice morning so I just had a few moments in the hide.

From the hide: 2 Greylag, c70 Teal, c30 Wigeon, 17 Shoveler, 3 Shelduck, a few Lapwing and Blk H Gulls, 2 Kestrel. PRD/DC/MR.

 

 

Sun 6th Nov 22

Reports from today:

Paul Brayshaw

09:44 For the blog..  seawall walk Frinton to middle pill box. Very wet, rather windy and lots of spray.  One Meadow Pipit…

Pete Loud

10:31 Not much to add from the shelter, 7 Gannet and 1 Dunlin.

 

Sat 5th Nov 22

No reports received so far:

 

Fri 4th Nov 22

The two Firecrests were showing well along the Approach Rd. again this morning for Richard and Dave plus a large tit flock and a male Blackcap. JR/DC/S&PC.

A walk down to the raised tee added 1 Turnstone on the sluice, 6+ Stonechat, Reed Bunting, Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wag and Robin along the front. Offshore 3 Brent and a Mallard headed north.

From the hide: 11 Canada Geese, 3 Greylag, c50 Teal, 38 Wigeon, 12 Shoveler, 14 Lapwing, 50 Blk H Gulls, 3 Herring Gulls, 1 Buzzard, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrel, 1 Cetti's Warbler (heard only) plus 1 Peregrine up on the arable. DC/RJ/MR.

Reports from today:

Brian Combes

17:47 Haven, seawall (Frinton to middle pillbox and back) late afternoon included: 10 Pied Wagtail, 4 Rock Pipit, 13 Mipit, 2 Reed Bunting, 1 Cetti’s Warbler (singing), 2 Stonechat, 10 Redpoll west (presumably in off), 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Barn Owl (hunting over southern end of golf course).

 

Thurs 3rd Nov 22

Reports from today:

Richard Jeffree

14:43 2x male Firecrest approach rd (neither ringed).

Brian Combes

18:47 Frinton/seawall/farm circuit late afternoon included: 4 Stonechat (1 by golf course dump, a pair north of dump, 1 by footpath to farm), 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Reed Bunting, 2 Mipit (south), 1 Chinese Water Deer (west of golf course).

 

Wed 2nd Nov 22

Not much change today, Richard had 1+ Firecrest in with the tit flock along the approach road otherwise very quiet.

From the hide: c130 Greylag, 9 Brent Geese and 30+ Lapwing on the arable, 44 Teal, 17 Wigeon, 12 Shoveler, 30 Blk H Gulls, 7 Herring Gulls, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Buzzard, 2 Kestrel. PRD/RJ/MR

Reports from today:

Paul Brayshaw

08:07 Brief foray into the haven recording area observing some pigeon and finch passage - including at least 40 of each Redpoll and Siskin as part of wider totals.  Also 2 Swallow   Offshore 2 Pintail, 6 Scoter and 6 Gannet south of note.  Female Bearded Tit immediately south of the last beach huts.

 

Tues 1st Nov 22

I joined Simon sea-watching from the shelter this morning but quite quiet: 25 Brent, 13 Lapwing, 2 Grey Plover, 1 R B Merganser (s), 7 Brent (n) plus 2 Cormorants (north, then sitting on the sea, then south).

From the hide: c150 Greylag, 9 Brent, c30 Teal, 27 Wigeon, 10 Shoveler, 13 Lapwing, 25 Blk H Gulls SC/MR