Tues 31st Jan 23

There were 9 Swans in the beet field this morning, I'm pretty sure the Whoopers were amongst them but they were just over the hill and not easy to see.

From the hide: 30 Greylags, 120 Teal, c30 Wigeon (lots more below the raised platform), 20 Shoveler, 6 Mallard, 2 Shelduck, 30 Curlew, 1 Buzzard, 2 Kestrel.

A Little Grebe was on the brook behind the sluice on the way back.

Reports from today:

Peter Newton

14:08 Just 1 Purple Sandpiper from us

Brian Combes

15:45 4 Purple Sand 100m south of French Point.

16:13 Bearded Tit northern end of boardwalk.

18:29 Late afternoon walk from Frinton to the wooden hide and back via the farm included: 4 Purple Sand, Bearded Tit (by the northern entrance to the boardwalk, calling and showing briefly), 2 Pied Wag, 1 Reed Bunting, 1 Green Woodpecker, 17 Curlew, 1 Buzzard, 2 Stonechat (pair)

At the end of January the number of species recorded at the Haven this year stands at 91.

 

Mon 30th Jan 23

The Bearded Tit was seen again by Mike O'Hanlon this afternoon after remaining hidden to several people this morning, 8 Turnstone and a couple of Stonechat was about it when Dave and I walked down to the Frinton end. Bird of the day for us was a Red Kite that flushed everything from the marsh below the raised platform before heading out towards Gt. Clacton.

From the hide: 10 Greylag, c150 Wigeon, c120 Teal, 20 Shoveler, 4 Shelduck, 4 Mallard, 1 Barn Owl (in R/H owl box), 1 Red Kite, 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel. DP/DC/MR

Reports from today:

Mike O'Hanlon

14:32 Bearded Tit between the Old Hide and the boardwalk

14:44 8 Curlews took off from HH marshes and flew towards golf course

15:57 Firecrest in the brambles just past the sewage works entrance

Photo Mike O'Hanlon©

Photo Mike O'Hanlon©

 

Sun 29th Jan 23

Reports from today:

Richard Jeffree

08:37 Female Bearded Tit still in the same general area as yesterday, at last!

 

Sat 28th Jan 23

Report from today:

Pete Loud

Over the road this morning, 2 Little Grebes we’re on the brook and the 3 Whoopers were in their usual field. On the far pool behind the raised platform a Blackwit and 10 Curlew. 7 Turnstone and 2 Purple Sand on the Sluice rocks. The Female Bearded Tit again showed very well in the small reedbed at the north end of the wooden hide reeds. A few Red-throats were offshore with 1 Great Cr. Grebe.

 

Fri 27th Jan 23

The 3 Whooper Swans were in the beet field again this morning along with 4 Mutes, a further 2 Mutes were in the distant field toward Gt. Holland Common Rd.

A few R T Divers were seen offshore, otherwise quiet. DC 

From the hide: 5 Canada Geese, 2 Greylag, 160+ Wigeon, 122 Teal, 19 Shoveler, 4 Shelduck, 23 Curlew, 2 Lapwing, 1 Blk. T Godwit, 1 Barn Owl, 1 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk. 

Also noted 6 Brown Hares and 1 Muntjac Deer. PRD/DC/MR et.al.

Reports from today:

Brian Combes

17:34 Frinton to The Haven along the seawall and back via the farm this morning included: Firecrest (approach road), 4 Cetti’s (singing, 3 along seawall, 1 Haven), Water Rail (calling from reeds, Frinton end), 2 Pied Wag, 1 Reed Bunting, 15 Curlew, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Song Thrush (1 singing), 2 Buzzard, 27 Stock Dove, 14 Shoveler, 85 Teal, 158 Wigeon, 4 Shelduck, 4 Stonechat (pair north of hide, pair north of golf course dump), 7 Mipit, 2 Green Woodpecker, 40+ Skylark (lovely to hear 1 in full song), 5 Goldfinch, 20+ Chaffinch (east of paddocks), 100+ Linnet (east of paddocks), 3 Red-throated Diver (north).

 

Thurs 26th Jan 23

A walk to the raised tee with Richard was very uneventful with 2 Stonechat, a few Skylark & Mippits along the front, 23 Curlew and a nice flock of Stock Doves on the marsh, and nothing offshore. The Bearded Tit was heard once on our walk, along Kirby Brook but was not seen.

From the hide: 2 Greylags, 150 Wigeon, 122 Teal, 16 Shoveler, 4 Shelduck, 2 Lapwing, 2 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 1 Marsh Harrier. The Harrier's flight over the scrape showed that my duck counts were well on the low side and that 3 Snipe had been tucked away somewhere. RJ/MR

Reports from today:

Paul Brayshaw

08:23 Early seawall run from Frinton to sluice and back turned into an owl fest with Barn Owl over gc (also seen Tuesday first thing by mrs b), Little Owl by gc dump and Short Eared Owl by wooden hide.  Also two Stonechat, three singing Cetti’s  plus at least three Purple Sand around French point.

 

Wed 25th Jan 23

Reports from today:

Pete Loud

14:16 Cold and very misty most of the morning. The female Bearded Tit showed very well in the reeds opposite French point, a ring on its right leg, ringed by Simon last autumn and is spending the winter with us. Scrape has defrosted and had a few Wigeon, Teal and 7 Shoveler. 36 Curlew on the marsh, snipe flew over, 1 Avocet flew over. 2 Purple Sand on the seawall and a Fieldfare in the car park bushes on the way to my car.

Photo Richard Jeffree©

Photo Richard Jeffree©

 

Tues 24th Jan 23

Not much change today, the Whooper Swans still with us as were 5 Purple Sandpipers along the front, posing for several photographers during the morning. Otherwise c30 Curlew on the marsh and c100 Brent that dropped onto the arable towards Kirby Cross, a small flock of Chaffinch and Linnet up at the farm was about it.

 

Mon 23rd Jan 23

A couple of quick stops while driving across the marshes this afternoon showed that the Whoopers were still in the same place as they have been for over three weeks now, 7 Mutes were in the same area. No sign of yesterdays Barn Owl from the next lay-by but the Short-eared Owl was quartering the same area as the other evening between the wooden hide and the boardwalk. 

Reports from today:

Peter Newton

13:23 2 Purple Sandpipers on first rocks north of French Point.

 

Sun 22nd Jan 23

Reports from today:

Matt Turner

16:30 Barn Owl hunting fields behind scrape.

 

Sat 21st Jan 23

Reports from today:

Pete Loud

14:51 The 3 Whooper Swans were sill in the beet field this morning. Long walk from the haven car park up to Gt Holland church and back. Scrape still frozen, all the Wigeon were sitting offshore and 150 Teal were behind the raised platform only visible in flight. 2 Pair of Stonechat along the front, 1 Rock Pipit and 13 Curlew. At the farm 1 Mistle Thrush, 40 Chaffinch, 100+ Linnet, 100+ Skylark, 1 Golden Plover and 150 Lapwing. 3 or 4 Red throats offshore and Gt Cr Grebe fishing close in. Oystercatcher on sluice rocks.

 

Fri 20th Jan 23

It was good to see that the 3 Whooper Swans were still in the same field this morning although not viewable from the chippings lay-by, 2 Mute Swans were close to them and a further 7 in the field to the north. 

Brian had seen the Firecrest along the approach road so I headed to the sluice. Nothing much offshore 2 or 3 R T Divers sitting on the sea, the tide was a bit high for the Purple Sands to be at that end of the site and 4 Curlew and 6 Lapwing were out on the marsh, on the walk from French Point to the hide a female Bearded Tit flew past calling and dropped into the inner reedbed just north of the wooden hide, that made the morning a bit special (see Brian's picture below).

Reports from today:

Brian Combes

08:12 4 Purple Sand east of golf course dump.

08:43 1 Purple Sand just north of sluice.

09:05 Firecrest in ivy 20m east of telegraph pole with red wire, though elusive.

12:42 Bearded Tit still north of wooden hide, calling and eventually showing well.

17:01 Frinton to The Haven along seawall and back via the farm, this morning, included: 5 Purple Sandpiper, 1 Firecrest, 1 Bearded Tit (female in reeds north of wooden hide), 5 Mipit, 2 Pied Wag, Song Thrush (singing, approach Road), 8 Blackbird, 1 Buzzard, 1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Stonechat (pair where footpath leaves the golf course, male golf course dump), 30+ Skylark (feeding in fields towards farm), 2 Rock Pipit, 1 Turnstone, 27 Lapwing (14 in fields behind scrape, 13 in off in small groups), 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Buzzard, 33 Golden Plover (31 in fields south of golf course, 2 south), 15+ Chaffinch (feeding in cleared pumpkin field), 80+ Linnet (feeding in fields east of paddocks), 5 Red-throated Diver (north), 1 Fieldfare.

Photo Brian Combes©

17:03 This Fieldfare dropped out of the sky landing on a bush by the seawall before flying inland - possibly in off.

Photo Brian Combes©

 

Thurs 19th Jan 23

Reports from today:

Mike O'Hanlon

11:36 Firecrest on approach road.

13:13 2 Purps on rocks towards raised tee and R T Diver on sea close.

13:42 3 Snipe flew towards scrape from lower farm path.

Photo Mike O'Hanlon©

Photo Mike O'Hanlon©

Richard Jeffree

15:35 S E Owl from Pillbox.

Photo Mike O'Hanlon©

 

Wed 18th Jan 23

Two addition to the year list with a Shag found by Richard beside the rocks at French Point this morning and the first Snipe of the year this afternoon. No sign of the Whoopers, but three Mute swans were in the same area so perhaps they had moved down the hill, see what tomorrow brings. 

Reports from today:

Richard Jeffree

10:59 Juv Shag French Pt.

14:44 Large Golden Plover flock back in field behind GC plus Snipe

 

Tues 17th Jan 23

Very cold this morning but nice and bright, a look round from the chippings layby showed that the Whooper Swans were still around now in their third week, also 8 Mute Swans, c30 Greylags, 4 Canada Geese, 3 Grey Heron, Teal, Mallard, 175 Lapwing and loads of Gulls and Corvids.

Quiet offshore with just a few R T Divers, 30+ Wigeon and c300 Brent sitting on the sea, 6 Turnstone were on the sluice rocks, 3 Purple Sands on French Point rocks and 12 Curlew out on the marsh. The Brent were feeding on the fields near the tennis club and the scrape was frozen and deserted. MR

 

Mon 16th Jan 23

A bit wet & windy this morning so I decided to have a seawatch from the shelter, from the start it was evident that a lot of R T Divers were on the move, in the next 90mins 500+ headed south, a good thing as the only other birds were 2 Wigeon (n), 1 Cormorant and 1 Gannet (s) at least the Gannet was a year tick.

A walk along the Approach Rd. failed to turn up the Firecrest but a Red Kite that drifted over mobbed by corvids was a bonus.

The Whoopers were still in the same place on the way home with 2 Mute Swans and a further 6 Mutes were on the marsh.

Reports from today:

Peter Newton

 16:36 Adult Med Gull was the only thing of interest in a stroll to French Point and back this p.m.

 

Sun 15th Jan 23

Another very blustery day but nice in the sun. The 3 Whooper Swans were still in the beet field, also seen from the chippings layby were 3 Mute Swans, c20 Greylags, 2 Grey Heron and lots of Gulls and Corvids. 

From the shelter of the hide things were much the same, noted were 19 Shoveler, 9 Curlew, 2 Avocet plus the normal Wigeon, Teal & Mallard PL/MR

Reports from today:

Paul Brayshaw

10:24 Seawall run Frinton to French point and back. The ‘purple 5’ still present and groups of Brent commuting into the arable from Hamford.

 

Sat 14th Jan 23

Reports from today:

Matt Lonsdale

09:43 Whopper family still from chipping lay-by. Firecrest still approach road with tit flock.

 

Fri 13th Jan 23

The 3 Whooper Swans were still in the same place in the beet field as was a Chinese Water Deer. Richard & Dave had a Marsh Harrier over and a Lt. Grebe in the ditch north of the approach road. Offshore just a few R T Divers and a single Common Scoter headed north.

From the hide: c60 Brent, c300 Wigeon, c150 Teal, 15 Shoveler, 6 Mallard, 3 Shelduck, 7 Curlew, 2 Avocet, 2 Lapwing, 1 Grey Heron, 32 Stock Dove, 1 Marsh Harrier (different bird to earlier). DC/RJ/MR.

 

 

Thurs 12th Jan 23

Reports from today:

Richard Jeffree

13:09 This morning highlights from the haven: 100+ Golden Plover flying high NE over farm Water Rail, 2 Avocets from the hide usual Wigeon and Teal, Shelduck male Stonechat and a Marsh Harrier. And the Whoopers still.

 

Wed 11th Jan 23

The three Whooper Swans were still in the beet field this morning, joined by 2 Mutes while I was watching and a further 4 Mutes were in the next field, the Firecrest was along the approach road and 20 plus Red T Divers headed south during a short seawatch. 

Richard had a wing tagged Marsh Harrier from the chippings layby.

From the Hide: c200 Wigeon, c100 Teal, 6+ Shoveler, 6 Mallard, 2 Shelduck, 20 Curlew, 4 Avocet, 2 Lapwing. PD/RJ/MR

Two Purple Sandpipers were on the seawall just north of French Point at mid-day. MR

Reports from today:

Brian Combes

09:16 Firecrest on approach road by telegraph pole with red wire down the side, though elusive

18:14 Frinton to The Haven along seawall and back via the farm, this morning, included: 19 Curlew, 1 Mipit, 2 Pied Wag, 4 Avocet, 1 Reed Bunting, 3 Whooper, 2 Song Thrush (1 briefly in subsong), 39 Greylag, 1 Firecrest, 9 Blackbird, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Buzzard, 1 Goldcrest, 2 Green Woodpecker, 87 Teal, 216 Wigeon, 3 Shoveler, 3 Stonechat (pair just west of middle pillbox, male north of golf course dump), 15+ Skylark (feeding in fields towards farm), 5 Chaffinch, 2 Rock Pipit

Richard Jeffree

09:37 3 Whoopers still chippings layby

 

Tues 10th Jan 23

Reports from today:

Mike O'Hanlon

13:19 Not a day to be out but 2 Common Gulls on GC by Raised Tee.

 

Mon 9th Jan 23

Reports from today:

Steve Grimwade

08:20 Male Goosander just flown south past French Pt plus 6 Purple Sands on sea defences.

09:39 Firecrest still along approach road in ivy by telegraph pole with red plastic on it. Also 7 Curlew, 4 Avocet, 10 Brent on scrape plus steady passage of RT Divers to South.

10:08 3 Whooper Swans still from chippings lay-by though distant.

Steve Entwhistle

11:53 Firecrest showing well at telegraph pole with red on it, passed first ramp from car park.

13:27 48 Common Scoter in flock flew north seen from sailing club. Confirmed by Paul Brayshaw. Red-throated Divers going north none stop, some times in 3's.

16:37 14:45 3 Whooper Swans from sailing club. 15:00 Firecrest again, next to telegraph pole on way out.

 

Sun 8th Jan 23

Reports from today:

Matt Lonsdale

08:38 Whooper Swan family still from chippings lay-by. Also Grey Wag.

09:24 No sign of Firecrest this morning in extensive search. Couldn’t find long-tailed tit flock though either.

16:52 Walk of farm circuit this afternoon. Brents unfortunately flushed and flew towards Hamford before I could get a good look. Highlights were 3+ Yellowhammer flew out fenced field W of Gc and 6 Fieldfare that flew over the paddocks.

Matt Turner

09:56 Med Gull over Raised platform.

10:37 Very distant large diver heading south at Holland with RTD beneath. Assume GN.

12:58 Six Purps roosting now.

13:00 Also 4 Ringed Plover, not sure if they're on the year list yet?

Pete Loud

12:58 3 Stonechat on the walk to Raised Tee this morning, and 4 Purple Sand and Rick Pipit along the wall on the way back. Little Grebe at last in the brook by the sluice. Scrape was very much same as of late. 3 Whoopers were in the beet field with 2 Mute on my way home.

 

Sat 7th Jan 23

I had a quick visit this morning before the rain, PL & Richard had been having a very uneventful seawatch so Richard and I headed to the hide to get out of the wind.

From the hide: 3 Canada Geese, c300 Wigeon, 150 Teal, 15 Shoveler, 6 Mallard, 6 Shelduck, 2 Avocet, 11 Curlew (on the marsh).RJ/MR

The 3 Whooper Swans were not viewable from the Haven this morning but were still in the same field just a bit lower down the hill, viewed from Sladbury's Lane.

 

Fri 6th Jan 23

Reports from today:

Simon Cox

12:40 Sea-watch 0825-0925: c20 Red-t Divers, 2 distant Kittiwakes S. Scrape: 4 Avocets inc colour-ringed bird. Seawall: 1 Purple Sand. Ringed Firecrest at car park end of Approach Road.

 

Thurs 5th Jan 23

From the hide: c30 Greylag, 8 Canada Geese, c300 Wigeon, c200 Teal, 12 Shoveler, 9 Shelduck, 8 Mallard, 30 Lapwing, 4 Avocet, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel. PL/RJ/MR

Reports from today:

Pete Loud

09:04 Half hour seawatch so far, 2 Common Scoter, 2 G c Grebe, 30+Red throat, 1 Auk sp, couple of Brent, 7 distant Kittiwake.

14:22 Haven this am. Seawatch,1 Razorbill, 1 Guillemot, 3 G c Grebe, 2 Common Scoter, 60+ Red t Divers, 7 Kittiwake. 6 Purple Sand and Ad Med Gull along the front. Goldcrest entrance rd. Grey Wagtail flew over car park and seemed to land in boat compound. 

8 Canada Geese on the Scrape were new for the year.

Steve Entwhistle

11:28 Red throated Diver flying South passed sluice, 3 Whooper still from chipping layby.

Liz Huxley

11:39 2 Purple Sands on rocks just S of French Pt.

11:42 Make that 5 Purple Sands.

Mike O'Hanlon

14:56 Firecrest on approach road.

Photo Mike O'Hanlon©

 

Wed 4th Jan 23

I had a couple of hours on site this morning, joining Richard who had been sea-watching earlier and had only had a few bit and pieces apart from 150-200 Red T Diver again flushed by a coaster heading along the front and lots of seals.

The 3 Whooper Swans were still on the beet field west of the B1032 viewable from the chippings lay-by.

From the hide: 2 Greylag, c300 Wigeon, c200 Teal, 10 Shoveler, 6 Mallard, 3 Shelduck, 4 Avocet, 2 Peregrine (up on the arable), 2 Buzzard, 2 Kestrel, 1 LBB Gull, 1 Redwing.

A walk to French Point added 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Stonechat, 1 Purple Sandpiper and c350 Brent that dropped onto the sea off the point before returning to the arable toward the Tennis club. RJ/MR 

Reports from today:

Liz Huxley

11:01 5 Purple Sand on rocks S of French Pt, 4 Avocet on Scrape, 8 R T Diver offshore + 3 common seal.

11:23 3 Whoopers from chippings layby (distant).

 

Tues 3rd Jan 23

Reports from today:

Brian Combes

08:45 3 Purple Sandpipers south of French Point.

09:28 3 Whoopers still present.

17:31 Frinton to Haven and back along seawall this morning included: 1 Cetti’s (singing), 8 Pied Wag, 3 Purple Sand, 2 Avocet, 3 Whooper, 1 Redwing (over approach road), 7 Blackbird, 1 Stonechat, 196 Wigeon, 14 Shoveler, 95 Teal, 1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Turnstone, 1 Pintail (north), 5 Red-throated Diver (2 on sea, 3 north), 1 Chinese water deer, 1100+ Brent (arable west of golf course).

Photo Brian Combes©

Pete Loud

13:20 5 Purple Sandpipers were on the seawall opposite the wooden hide, also 3 Turnstone and Rock Pipit. Lots of Divers offshore, a large boat heading north was putting lots up, 150- 200 flying at once was quite a sight. 6 Pintail from a short seawatch from the shelter.

 

Mon 2nd Jan 23

Reports from today:

Pete Loud

09:10 3 Whooper Swans are still there, but have moved further up the field and are very difficult to see in a dip.

09:18 2 Pintail south, a few Red throats and the drake Goosander swimming just offshore from the sluice.

15:19  Managed to add another 10 Species to the year list today. Goosander only showed early on, now seems to have moved on. 2 Great S Woodpecker up the farm with 2 Linnet, 3 Reed Bunting and a few Chaffinch in the set aside field. Cracking Black Brant in with the Brent, Rock Pipit along the seawall. 60+ Red throats offshore early on plus 4 Gt Crested Grebes.

Richard Jeffree

13:08 Adult black Brant with Brent in field back of GC Frinton end.

Mike O'Hanlon

13:28 3 Whoopers on fields west of gravel dump (2 adults and juv) + 2 Chinese water deer

Photo Mike O'Hanlon©

Photo Mike O'Hanlon©

Photo Mike O'Hanlon©

 

Sun 1st Jan 23

A good start to the day with 3 Whooper Swans from the chippings layby, but generally numbers were well down. I only managed half the day but Pete Loud, Richard and Dave made a day of it and the Year List will be pulled together in the next few day with any luck.

 

Reports from today:

Richard Jeffree

17:14 Dawn till dusk with PL and DC produced a mere 52sp for me highlights being 3 Whooper Swans, Drake Goosander, ringed female Firecrest and 4 Whitefronts, go again tomorrow.

Simon Cox

This fellow was hopping around in the chippings lay-by this am clearly unwell.

Photo Simon Cox©