Tues 28th Feb 23

A Peregrine was on the arable in front of the hide first thing, viewed from the lay-by and the Whooper Swans were still with 5 Mutes in the beet field.

On the way to the hide 3 Shelduck headed south offshore and 3 Cormorants north.

From the hide: c80 Wigeon, c30 Teal, 8 Shoveler, 8 Mallard, 1 Shelduck, 40 Curlew, 30 Lapwing, 2 Oystercatcher, plus a few B H Gulls, 5 Herring, 2 GBB, 1 LBB, 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel and good views of the Water Vole again (see Haven Wildlife page). 4 Brent Geese dropped onto the marsh to the right of the hide as I was leaving. BH/MR

Three Stonechat were on the front below the sea-watching hide and 6 Purple Sands on the seawall beside the sluice.

At the end of February the number of species recorded at the Haven this year stands at 97.

 

Mon 27th Feb 23

A short visit for me again today.

From the hide: c80 Wigeon, c30 Teal, 10 Shoveler, 1 Shelduck, 40 Curlew, 30 Lapwing, 2 Oystercatcher, c80 B H Gulls, 4 Common Gulls, 2 GBB, 1 LBB plus 1 Water Vole showed well again today. DC/MR

A short visit to the farm this afternoon added 6 Fieldfare, 2 Mistle Thrush, 1 Song Thrush, Linnet, Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Skylark etc.

Reports from today:

Paul Brayshaw

07:42 Seawall run either side of dawn saw 23 Curlew onto the gc, Bearded Tit by boardwalk and six Purples at French point. 

Matthew Gough

09:40 A group of 3 Fieldfare in paddock behind Manor Farm.

Mike O'Hanlon

13:38 4 Purple Sandpipers on the sluice wall.

13:40 Beardie in the reeds north of old wooden hide.

 

Sun 26th Feb 23

The Whooper Swans are still with us with 6 Mutes in the beet field, 40 Greylag, 7 Canada Geese, 1 Grey Heron, lots of corvids from the chippings lay-by. 

8 Turnstone and 6 Purple Sands on the beach beside the sluice on the way to the hide.

From the hide: c80 Wigeon, c30 Teal, 8 Shoveler, 8 Mallard, 1 Shelduck, 20 Curlew, 11 Lapwing, 2 Oystercatcher, 100+ Blk H Gulls, 10+ Common Gulls, 10 Herring Gulls, 3 GBB, 1 LBB. MO'H/MR

Reports from today:

Mike O'Hanlon

12:15 Beardie is still in the Reed bed north of the old wooden hide

Photo Mike O'Hanlon©

13:19 Pair of Yellowhammers on lower farm path

Photo Mike O'Hanlon©

 

Sat 25th Feb 23

Reports from today:

Pete Loud

12:26 3 Golden Plover & 1 Corn Bunting up at the farm 1st thing. 3 Whoopers were in with 10 Mute in the usual Beet field and 4 Little Grebe on the brook. 500 Black headed Gull behind the tractor on the arable with 5 Med Gull and 50+ Common Gull. 20 Curlew behind scrape & 20 Lapwing.

 

Fri 24th Feb 23

The 3 Whooper Swans were showing well this morning with 5 Mute Swans from the chippings lay-by.

As I walked to the hide this morning two morters were fired from the lay-by presumably to panic the large flock of Pigeons feeding on the field between there and the hide, this of course flushed everything off the scrape. Three large flocks of Wigeon headed out to sea and everything else went in all directions. 2 Avocet dropped back in after a few minutes along with 2 Oystercatcher and a Med Gull, Shoveler and Teal returned in ones and twos and later in the morning 40 Curlew dropped onto the marsh to the right of the hide, otherwise quiet.

Reports from today:

Mike O'Hanlon

13:48 At least 6 Golden Plovers on the winter wheat north of the upper farm path

14:37 2 Mistle Thrushes on farm paddocks

Photo Mike O'Hanlon©

 

Thurs 23rd Feb 23

A definite chill in the air this morning, with the wind coming in from the northeast.

From the hide: 2 Canada Geese, c100 Wigeon, c30 Teal, 12 Shoveler, 8 Mallard, 4 Shelduck, 31 Curlew, 24 Lapwing, 3 Avocet, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, lots of gulls up on the arable. 1 Water Vole showing well for a few minutes. DW/MR et.al.

 

 Wed 22nd Feb 23

From the hide: 2 Canada Geese, c90 Wigeon, c30 Teal, 11 Shoveler, 10 Mallard, 4 Shelduck, 22 Curlew, 9 Lapwing, 2 Snipe, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Avocet, 150+ Blk H Gulls, 49 Herring Gulls, 5 Common Gulls, 2 Buzzard, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Stonechat (to right of hide).

A walk to French Point added several singing Skylark, 8 Meadow Pipit (inside seawall), 1 Oystercatcher and 6 Purple Sandpipers around French Point rocks. MR

 

Tues 21st Feb 23

I started at the chippings lay-by where the 3 Whooper Swans were to be found with 10 Mutes in the beet field, out on the marsh were 50+ Greylags.

Two Song Thrush were in song along the approach road, a couple of Greenfinch in the badger sett area and 3 Stonechat were on the bramble along side the TDC compound.

On a flat calm sea 2 Red-T-Divers were sitting offshore and a further 13 flew north, 36 Cormorant also headed north in three groups, 14 Brent and 8 Wigeon headed south and an Oystercatcher sat on the rocks at French point.

From the hide:  4 Canada Geese, c60 Wigeon, c30 Teal, 12 Shoveler, 6 Mallard, 4 Shelduck, 32 Curlew, 11 Lapwing, 4 Snipe, 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Avocet, 100+ Blk H Gulls, c40 Herring Gulls, 9 Common Gulls, 2 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel. DW/MR et.al.

 

Mon 20th Feb 23

Reports from today:

Dennis Pryor

09:58 One Corn Bunting on bend towards Frinton from farm.

 

Sun 19th Feb 23

No reports received so far

 

Sat 18th Feb 23

Another short visit late morning.

From the hide: Wigeon, Teal, 30 Shoveler, 6 Mallard, 16 Curlew, 2 Shelduck, 1 Avocet, 1 Blk. T Godwit, 1 Lapwing, 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Water Vole. PRD/PL/MR et.al.

 

Fri 17th Feb 23

A bit windy this morning but the Whooper Swans were still in the same place with some Mutes.

Three Purple Sands were on the seawall just north of the sluice but nothing offshore.

From the hide: c50 Wigeon, c30 Teal, 26 Shoveler, 6 Mallard, 2 Shelduck, 23 Curlew, 2 Oystercatcher, 2 Lapwing, 1 Avocet, 1 Blk. T Godwit, 2 Pied Wags, 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel. Plus the Water Vole again. DC/MO'H/MR

Photo Mike O'Hanlon

Photo Mike O'Hanlon

 

Thurs 16th Feb 23

Just a short visit to the hide this morning.

From the hide: 50+ Wigeon, 30+ Teal, 26 Shoveler, 4 Mallard, 2 Shelduck, 25 Curlew, 5 Lapwing, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Avocet, 1 Peregrine, 1 Kestrel, and a nice flock of Stock Doves. Plus the Water Vole showed well again. PRD/MR

Reports from today:

Peter Newton

15:33 Whoopers still present with 12 Mutes.

 

Wed 15th Feb 23

No reports received so far:

 

Tues 14th Feb 23

Another lovely day for a wander, I started at the chippings lay-by and sure enough the 3 Whooper Swans were still there with 8 Mute Swans

From the hide: c40 Wigeon, c25 Teal, 21 Shoveler, 6 Mallard, 1 Shelduck, 26 Curlew, 1 Avocet, 1 Lapwing, 1 Snipe, 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel. Plus 1 Water Vole and 4 Brown Hare.

Reports from today:

Brian Combes

15:48 6 Purple Sands just south of French Point.

16:07 Bearded Tit between wooden hide and start of boardwalk.

18:58 Afternoon walk from Frinton to south of French Point and back via farm included: 6 Purple Sand (my highest count this winter), 1 Bearded Tit (showed briefly), 4 Mipit, 2 Stonechat (pair), 1 Reed Bunting, 2 Cetti’s, 23 Curlew, 1 Yellowhammer (flew over footpath towards farm), 1 Green Woodpecker.

 

Mon 13th Feb 23

A cracking morning for a walk, but still quiet around the site.

From the hide: Wigeon & Teal, 26 Shoveler, 6 Mallard, 1 Shelduck, 25 Curlew, 5 Lapwing, 1 Avocet, 2 Peregrine, 1 Buzzard. PN/DC/MR

At the farm: c80 Linnet, c30 Chaffinch, Skylark, Goldfinch, Pied Wag, 2 Mistle Thrush DC/MR

 

Sun 12th Feb 23

Reports from today:

Pete Loud

13:49 Started off at the farm this morning with Coal Tit, Great spotted Woodpecker, Goldcrest and 2 Mistle Thrush. 3 Whoopers were still present with 9 Mutes. From the Scrape hide, the Water Rail was showing very well on several occasions, clearly enjoying the meal worms put out for it. 1 Avocet, 1 Shelduck, 22 Shoveler, 120 Wigeon.

Sat 11th Feb 23

 After checking that the Swan flock were still in the beet field I stopped at the humpback bridge and was rewarded with a super Kingfisher (nfy) that flew from the bridge and then sat at the side of the brook for several minutes.

A few R T Divers were seen offshore first thing and a walk to the Frinton end added just a Stonechat and the Curlew flock for Richard

Otherwise all much the same.

 

Fri 10th Feb 23

A sunny but chilly morning again today with not much about Richard had the 3 Whooper Swans over the road and a Greenfinch in the Badger Sett, Dave had  2 Rock Pipits and a Stonechat on a walk to Frinton and between us 2 Oystercatchers around the Boating Club rocks.

From the hide: c180 Wigeon, c80 Teal, 24 Shoveler, 4 Mallard, 35 Curlew, 1 Snipe, 2 Peregrine, 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel. Plus 1 Muntjac Deer and 1 Chinese Water Deer. DC/RJ/MR.

 

Thurs 9th Feb 23

Report from today:

Richard Jeffree

13:57 Started at the farm where G S Woodpecker could be heard drumming, 2 Green Woodpeckers seen, Linnet flock growing circa 100 plus 30 odd Chaffinch, over the road 3 Whoopers remain with 10 Mutes also seen here male Marsh Harrier, pr Stonechat and a pr Lt Grebe on the brook. 5 Purple Sands at the sluice, from the hide usual duck sp 1 Avocet, 1 Blackwit with 30 Curlew on the grazing marsh.

 

Wed 8th Feb 23

Bit of a waste of time this morning, we bid manage to see 3 Purple Sands on the sluice but that was about it. c40 Wigeon and a couple of Mallard on the pond + 4 Moorhen, couldn't see the scrape. Things obviously improved a bit in the afternoon for Richard.

Reports from today:

Richard Jeffree

16:19 Little Owl briefly back of GC, Barn Owl left box at 16.15.

 

Tues 7th Feb 23

Thick mist made things tricky this morning, I started at the farm again and found the 2 Mistle Thrush in the paddocks behind the pond and c60 Linnet & c40 Chaffinch and Mippits on the set-aside.

It seemed to be clearing so I headed for the Haven but on arrival the mist had rolled back in. No sign of anything along the front to French Pt. but the pair of Stonechat didn't let me down, plenty of Skylark singing on the way back to the hide but not many seen.

From the hide: c30 Greylag, Wigeon, Teal, 24 Shoveler, 1 Gadwall, 1 Water Rail (heard only), 2 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 1 Barn Owl.  EWJ/MR.

Reports from today:

Brian Combes

18:28 Late pm walk from Frinton to the south pillbox and back via the farm - a beautiful afternoon, clear and still, with the sea, uncharacteristically, like a mill pond. Birds included: 2 Purple Sand (east of golf course dump), Bearded Tit (just south of boardwalk), Little Owl (where the footpath leaves the golf course), 3 Stonechat, 1 Snipe, 5 Mipit, 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Buzzard, 1 Reed Bunting, 2 Mistle Thrush (pair in paddock opposite pond), 16 Chaffinch, 1 Linnet, 1 Grey Heron.

Photo Brian Combes©

 

Mon 6th Feb 23

I started the day at the farm and in bright sunshine and very little wind it was a pleasure to be out. Two Mistle Thrush were in the first paddocks (new for my Haven year list), but although I could hear them drumming I couldn't spot a G S Woodpecker, also noted were Chaffinch, Linnet, Skylark, Goldfinch, House Sparrow, Dunnock, Green Woodpecker & Buzzard.

I met Dave at the Haven and we had a walk to French Point, an Oystercatcher was on the sluice rocks, no sign of Purple Sands or the Bearded Tit but a Rock Pipit, lots of Meadow Pipits and Skylark, and 2 Stonechat was about it.

From the hide: Wigeon & Teal as of late, 25 Shoveler, 4 Shelduck, 3 Gadwall, 13 Curlew, 1 Avocet, 1 Water Rail (heard only) 1 Kestrel, 1 Buzzard. DC/MR  

 

Sun 5th Feb 23

A nice sunny start to the day but with the wind coming from the north there was a bit of a chill in the air.

The Whooper Swans were still with us along with 7 Mutes in the beet field, c40 Greylags, 7 Canada Geese, a Grey Heron and lots of Gulls & Corvids were out on the marsh. 

Pete Loud had three Greenfinch near the hump back bridge (nfy).

From the hide: c200 Wigeon, 2 Greylags, 1 Blk. T Godwit were below the raised platform and c80 Teal, 34 Shoveler, 8 Mallard, 6 Shelduck, 2 Gadwall, 35 Curlew, 40+ Stock Doves, 2 Buzzard, 2 Kestrel, 1 Peregrine were around the scrape area.  A Little Egret  flew over the scrape as we arrived and continued N/E out behind Frinton.

A walk to French Point added 1 Bearded Tit (north end of wooden hide reedbed), 2 Stonechat and 1 Rock Pipit. PL/MR

Reports from today:

Pete Loud

16:02 This morning at the farm paddocks,1 Mistle Thrush, 2 Great spot woodpeckers and still plenty of Linnet, Chaffinch and Skylark in the maize field. 3 Greenfinch by the brook over the road were new for the haven year list. The 3 Whoopers were still in their usual field. Scrape, 1 Little Egret, 35 Shoveler, 2 Gadwall, Ad male Peregrine flew over. Bearded Tit in the usual Reed bed north of the wooden hide. Rock pipit on the beach, 150 Wigeon behind the raised platform and a Blackwit.

Matt Lonsdale

15:49 Barn Owl over marsh near Gc.

16:40 3 Whopper Swans still chippings lay-by.

 

Sat 4th Feb 23

Reports from today:

Matt Lonsdale

09:01 Gt C Grebe on sea just N of French point.

09:17 Another 5 Gt C Grebe on sea N end of site.

09:46 Corn Bunting over reedbed heading towards Frinton/Gt Holland.

Richard Jeffree

09:06 Avocet on the scrape.

09:29 Beardie in reeds behind French pt.

09:55 5 Purple Sands on rocks adj. gc dump.

 

Fri 3rd Feb 23

A few more birds around the site this morning, a Song Thrush was singing in the Badger Sett and 2 more were along the approach road, a Goldcrest was in the same area as was a Sparrowhawk RJ. Pete Davis had a Firecrest around the Sewage Works entrance and a single Purple Sand was on the sluice.

From the hide: c30 Greylags, 100+ Wigeon, 4 Blk T Godwits (below Raised Platform), c80 Teal, 25 Shoveler, 9 Shelduck, 4 Mallard, 3 Gadwall, 27 Curlew, 1 Water Rail, Stock Doves (large no. on marsh to right of hide), 2 Kestrel. PRD/DC/RJ/MR.

 

Thurs 2nd Feb 23

Very quiet this morning and with reduced access due to a police incident it was just a short visit. 

A single Purple Sand was on the sluice and from the hide numbers were much the same as yesterday. A Water Rail was heard in front of the hide and a Water Vole was having a feed in the brook directly below us. RJ/MR

 

Wed 1st Feb 23

The Whooper Swans dropped back into their normal field mid-morning after having a move due to some soil sampling taking place and were soon joined by six Mutes.

A walk to the end of the boardwalk added just a pair of Stonechats, a few Skylark and 15 Curlew out on the marsh. No sign of the Bearded Tit for us.

From the hide: c40 Greylags, Wigeon, Teal, Mallard, Shoveler and Shelduck as yesterday, a Grey Heron was on the scrape and a Peregrine was up on the arable.

Two Red Foxes in super condition had a jog round the scrape before disappearing into the reedbed. RJ/MR