Fri 30th June 23

From the hide: Lots of Shelduck & Mallard, 15 Teal, 12 Avocet, 10 Blk T Godwits, 8 Lapwing, 4 Redshank, 2 Green Sands, 1 Dunlin, 120 Blk H Gulls 5 Med Gulls, 1 LBB, 1 Lt. Grebe, Cetti's, Reed & Sedge Warblers, Reed Bunting, Linnets, 2 Yellow Wags (juvs), Pied Wags. PRD/RJ/MR et.al.

Reports from today:

Matthew Gough

08:46 Adult and very young (and very white) barn owl quartering paddocks at back of church lane Great Holland - main road end). Worth having a look towards Great Holland if at the scrape hide.

At the end of June the number of species recorded at the Haven this year stands at 148

 

Thurs 29th June 23

A few extra BlkWit's had arrived overnight and a further 5 dropped in during the morning, otherwise much the same.

From the hide: The three families of geese were on the pond and the Shelduck were all over, lots of Mallard, 14 Teal, 23 BlkWits, 18 Avocet, 5 Redshank, 5 Lapwing, 3 Oystercatcher, 1 Grey Heron, 60+ Blk H Gulls, 6 Med Gulls, 1 LBB, 1 Lt. Grebe, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Buzzard. RJ/GS/MR

 

Wed 28th June 23

Reports from today:

Brian Combes

09:15 Wood Sand briefly on scrape + Green Sand, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, Hobby.

09:56 Little Owl back of golf course by footpath.

17:16 Frinton to Haven and back via the farm this morning included: 1 Wood Sandpiper (briefly on front of scrape - lovely), 2 Blackcap (singing), 21 Pied Wag (16 together on golf course first thing), 11 Linnet, 4 Cetti’s (singing), 4 Reed Bunting (singing), 2 Hare (middle of golf course first thing - super), 2 Curlew (south), 5 Med Gull (1 south, 4 on scrape), 3 Sedge Warbler (singing), 6 Reed Warbler (singing), 2 Meadow Pipit (singing), 5 Sandwich Tern (4 south, 1 scrape), 6 Whitethroat (singing), 2 Chiff (singing), 2 Swift (well offshore, high to the south), 1 Green Sandpiper (scrape), 1 Cuckoo (typical late June hesitant song), 23 Avocet, 11 Teal, 4 Moorhen (2 juvs), 1 Little Grebe, 2 Black-tailed Godwit (scrape), 4 Redshank (1 juv), 1 Hobby (over marsh), 2 Corn Bunting (singing, 1 by footpath, 1 by bridleway), 1 Little Owl, 1 Buzzard, 1 Little Egret (farm pond); 19 species in song.

Photo Brian Combes©

Richard Jeffree

09:28 Adult Lt. Ringed Plover on scrape.

16:41 Curlew briefly and Dunlin on scrape.

 

Tues 27th June 23

The two Canada Goose and the hybrid families were back this morning, the goslings are very large now, with the hybrids goslings showing a definite 3/2 split Greylag type to Canada type. The Spotted Redshank was showing well. 

From the hide: Canada Geese, Greylag Geese, Mallard, Shelduck (just one of the small ducklings left today), 15 Teal, 1 Gadwall, 34 Avocet, 6 Lapwing, 3 Redshank, 3 Oystercatcher, 1 Spotted Redshank, 1 Blk T Godwit, 69 Blk H Gulls, 5 Med Gulls, 1 Common Gull, 1 LBB, 1 Lt Grebe, 2 Grey Heron, Whitethroat, Reed Bunting, Sedge, Reed & Cetti's Warbler, Pied Wagtail, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Buzzard. PN/MO'H/PL/MR et.al.

Reports from today:

Pete Loud

12:58 Quick visit to the hide. Water levels are very low but hopefully that is in hand. Splendid Spotted Redshank still here, 2 Juvenile Yellow Wagtail and an almost fully grown Redshank chick. 4 Med Gulls on the Sluice rocks.

Mike O'Hanlon

13:01 Record shot from this morning’s visit.

Photo Mike O'Hanlon©

 

Mon 26th June 23

A few weeks ago we were moaning about the constant wind, this morning it made things very pleasant.

From the hide:

Most of the Shelduck ducklings are now very large but the latest family of 8 seemed to be down to 2 today, lots of Mallard around plus 16 Teal, 7 Gadwall, 30 Avocet, 14 Blk T Godwits, 4 Lapwing, 1 Spotted Redshank, 1 Redshank, 80 Blk H Gull, 2 LBB's, 2 Lt. Grebe, 2 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 1 Hobby (DC), Reed, Sedge & Cetti's Warbler, Reed Bunting & Linnets. PRD/DC/MR.

 

 

Sun 25th June 23

Reports from today:

Paul Brayshaw

06:55 Gc seawall (haven area) included northbound 10 Common Scoter, 2 Sandwich Tern, with 10 Meds Gull south plus 4 on gc.  More Scoter and meds from Frinton earlier.

Pete Loud

15:53 Quiet over the Haven this morning, and very hot. Scrape 40 Avocet, 10 Blackwit and 12 Teal. Single Med Gulls flying over totalling 4, 40 Swifts over the arable. Went over to Wrabness woods with Mick and saw 12 Silver washed Fritillary.

 

Sat 24th June 23

Reports from today:

Matt Lonsdale

07:04 No sign of Franklin's Gull this morning on scrape. 4 Med Gull and 13 Blackwit.

 

Fri 23rd June 23

All was much the same again first thing. Pete Davis, Richard and myself were just getting very slightly excited when a Redshank along the front edge of the scrape turned into a Green Sandpiper, when Richard picked up a gull in flight catching insects along the back of the marsh, after a few seconds he exclaimed " that's a ------- Franklin's Gull ".

The bird spent some time hawking insect before finally coming into land on the scrape. Mid-morning it had another fly around but soon returned to the scrape where it showed well to all-comers until at least 15:30

Reports from today:

Pete Davis

10:31 MEGA: adult Franklins Gull catching insects over scrape NOW!!!

Mick Rodwell

11:29 Showing well at the moment

Steve Entwhistle

13:10 Still there

Matt Lonsdale

14:36 Franklin’s gull still here. Settled.

Chris Balchin

16:23 No sign of Franklin's currently

 

Thurs 22nd June 23

Much the same again today.

On the scrape, 72 Avocet, 6 Blk. T Godwits, 3 Oystercatcher, 2 Redshank, 2 Lapwing, 36 Blk. H Gulls, 1 Med Gull, 1 Lt. Grebe, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Cormorant, plus all the ducks and geese of recent days. MR

Reports from today

Mike O'Hanlon

10:22 8 Blackwits and circa 70 Avocets on the scrape

10:31 New clutch of Shelducklings and a loitering LBB gull which is irritating the BHGs and Avos.

 

Wed 21st June 23

A very warm breeze this morning made it hard work doing anything much, the two Kestrel chicks were keeping out of the sun in the PLA compound, most of the 68 Avocet on the scrape were just sitting around, the two ringed birds from yesterday were still out there and a Cuckoo was upsetting some Whitethroats and Meadow Pipits.

A big hatch of 5 spot Burnet Moths was evident in the area behind the sluice.

 

Tues 20th June 23

A short visit to the hide this morning found little change although in with the 50 Avocet were two colour ringed birds with a White ring on the left leg and a Blue ring on the right coded "A Y" and the second bird "7-9". The first bird was ringed as a chick at the Haven in 2010 and re-ringed in the Netherlands in 2020 the other was ringed at the same site in 2022. SC/MR

 

Mon 19th June 23

Another lovely morning but no changes of note. Lots of ducks & geese, 48 Avocet, 3 Redshank, 3 Oystercatcher (the chick is now fledged & in adult plumage), 1 Lt Grebe plus all the usual. DC/MR

 

Sun 18th June 23

Reports from today:

Brian Combes

07:51 No sign of stilts from 6:40 to 7:50; Greenshank over.

14:23 Walk from Frinton to Haven and back via farm, this morning, included: 4 Cetti’s (singing), 10 Reed Warbler (singing), 8 Linnet, 5 Reed Bunting (singing), 3 Sedge Warbler (singing), 2 Cuckoo (1 singing), 63 Avocet, 1 Little Egret (farm pond), 10 Teal, 2 Redshank, 1 Greenshank, 4 Lapwing, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Chiff (singing), 2 Blackcap (singing), 2 Swift, 8 Whitethroat (singing), 2 Corn Bunting (singing, 1 by footpath, 1 by pumpkin field, another singing bird north of hay pile by bridleway may have been a third individual); 22 species in song.

Pete Loud

12:42 No sign of the Stilts up to 10am. Scrape: 60 Avocet, 8 Teal, a new brood of 8 Shelduck, Cuckoo over back hedge and Marsh Harrier over arable. 2 Adult Med Gull flew along the front.

 

Sat 17th June 23

A great start for Pete Loud this morning when he arrived at the hide and found two Black-winged Stilts on the scrape, a new bird for the Haven as far as I know. Everything else looked much the same but no one was actually looking at anything other than the stilts which seemed settled an were showing until at least 17:15.

Reports from today:

Pete Loud  

09:11 2 Black winged Stilts on the Scrape.

Mike O'Hanlon

12:16 Stilts over the back of the island now, viewable from the pillbox.

Photo Mike O'Hanlon©

Matt Lonsdale

12:20 Still from hide.

Photo Matt Lonsdale©

Max Martin

15:40 Stilts still present on scrape.

Steve Entwhistle

17:13 2 Stilts still there behind Island at moment, on scrape.

 

Fri 16th June 23

No reports received so far.

 

 

Thurs 15th June 23

No reports received so far.

 

Wed 14th June 23

Another lovely day, the moderate N/E wind we have been moaning about for weeks is now a pleasant cooling factor in the high temperatures. 

From the hide: 5 Canada, 1 Greylag with all goslings, 18 Shelduck + ducklings, Mallard (lots), 8 Teal, 4 Gadwall, 1 Wigeon, 34 Avocet, 4 Lapwing, 2 Redshank, 2 Oystercatcher (+ flying youngster), 1 Lt. Grebe, 10+ Swallow, 2 Swift, 1 Cuckoo, 4+ Buzzard, 2 Marsh Harrier, 1 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk, plus all the warblers etc. RJ/MR

 

Tues 13th June 23

Just a quick visit to the hide this morning showed that there was very little change, the Green Sand had moved on and a Lt. Egret had moved in.

From the hide: 5 Canada-1 Greylag Goose + all goslings, 22 Shelduck +ducklings, Mallard (still new chicks appearing), 7 Teal, 2 Gadwall, 38 Avocet, 5 Lapwing, 3 Redshank, 2 Oystercatcher + chick, 1 Greenshank, 1 Blk T Godwit, 2 Cormorant, 1 Lt Egret, Reed Sedge & Cetti's Warbler, Reed Bunting, Linnet, 1 Cuckoo.

The Hybrid family, Mum & Dad with two Canada type and 3 Greylag type youngsters.

 

 

Mon 12th June 23

A nice warm morning with nothing much around the bushes, a few Whitethroats & Chiffs and a small group of Greenfinch around the Badger Sett.

From the hide: The three families of geese are all intact with the goslings now very large, 14 Shelduck + ducklings, still new families of Mallard, 7 Teal, 39 Avocet, 6+ Redshank, 6 Lapwing, 2 Oystercatcher + chick, 1 Greenshank, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Blk. T Godwit, 10 Blk. H Gulls, 4 Med Gulls, 2 LBB, 1 Cuckoo, Reed, Sedge & Cetti's Warblers, Reed Bunting, Linnet, Pied Wagtail. PRD/DC/DW/MR

A walk to the Frinton end by Pete & Dave added nothing of note.  

 

 

Sun 11th June 23

Reports from today:

Pete Loud

09:11 Good morning so far, from the Scrape hide been watching a Hobby hawking over the scrape for 15 minutes, also 2 Greenshank, 1 Green Sand, 1 Blackwit, Little Egret, pair of Tufted Duck, Marsh Harrier, 2 Cuckoo, 12 Swift, 2 Sand Martin and 4 Med Gull over.

Richard Jeffree

11:46 Sum plum Sanderling on beach French pt.

 

Sat 10th June 23

No reports received so far.

 

Fri 9th June 23

It looks like all the Avocet nests have failed on their first attempt at breeding, only 6 chicks have been seen and none have lasted very long. Hopefully they will try again with more success. All of the goslings and most of the ducklings seem to be doing ok.

From the hide: 1 Mute Swan, 5 Canada Geese, 1 Greylag, 19 Shelduck (+18 ducklings), lots of Mallard (with ducklings), 3 Teal, 39 Avocet, 11 Blk T Godwits, 8 Redshank, 6 Lapwing, 2 Oystercatcher (+ chick), 2 Greenshank, 2 Moorhen (with chicks), 1 Lt. Grebe, 3 Cormorant 1 Cuckoo, Cetti's, Reed & Sedge Warbler Sallows & 3 Swift. RJ/DC/MR.

Reports from today:

Richard Jeffree

09:43 2 Greenshank scrape +11 Blackwit

17:50 Male Whinchat bluethroat trail.

 

Thurs 8th June 23

Much the same all round again today and still blowing a gale.

From the hide: The 3 pairs of geese still have all their goslings and all are getting quite large now, 25 Shelduck (+18 ducklings), lots of Mallard (with ducklings), 5 Gadwall, 3 Teal, 1 Wigeon, 45 Avocet, 11 Blk T Godwits, 8 Redshank, 4 Lapwing, 2 Oystercatcher (+ 1 chick), 2 Lt. Grebe, 4 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Cuckoo, Swallows, House Martin, Cetti's, Reed & Sedge Warblers. RJ/MOH/MR.

  

 

Wed 7th June 23

Nothing of note around the bushes this morning with a strong N/E wind still blowing. The water level on the scrape is very good at the moment and 11 Blk. T Godwits were new in along with 25 Canada Geese.

From the hide: 30 Canada Geese, 1 Greylag, 20 Shelduck (plus ducklings), lots of Mallard (with ducklings), 5 Gadwall, 3 Teal, 1 Shoveler, 34 Avocet, 11 Blk. T Godwits, 4 Lapwing, 2 Oystercatcher, 2 Redshank, 2 Lt. Grebe, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 1 Cuckoo, Swallows, 2 House Martin plus the normal Warblers. PRD/RJ/BH/MR.

 

Tues 6th June 23

No reports received so far.

 

Mon 5th June 23

Nothing out of the ordinary found by by DC who started off at the farm this morning and PL who walked the Approach road and the Dell area on a windy and cloud covered day.

Of interest on the scrape were the five hybrid goslings, three of which seem to be destined to be mainly Greylag & two heading toward Canada with different head patterns and tail markings, it will be interesting to watch their progress.

From the hide: 5 Canada Geese, 1 Greylag (3 pairs with 18 goslings), 23 Gadwall, 18 Shelduck (+ ducklings), 10 Mallard (+ducklings), 1 Wigeon, 1 Teal, 1 Shoveler, 32 Avocet (+ 3 chicks), 3 Lapwing, 1 Oystercatcher (+ chick), 1 Redshank, 13 Blk H Gulls, 8 Herring Gulls, 4 LBB, 1 Med Gull, 2 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Lt. Egret, 2 Lt. Grebe, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 1 Cuckoo, plus the normal passerines. PL/DC/DW/MR.

 

 

Sun 4th June 23

No sign of the Gt. W Egret this morning but the first Avocet family were seen at the back of the scrape, three chicks with 2 adults in attendance. A couple of single chicks had been seen on the island during the week but on their own they probably didn't make it, the single Oystercatcher chick now almost full grown was still on the island.

From the hide:  5 Canada, 1 Greylag Goose (plus all their goslings), 18 Shelduck + ducklings, 15 Gadwall, 12 Mallard, 2 Shoveler, 3 Lapwing, 2 Oystercatcher +1, 1 Redshank, 1 Lt. Egret, 2 Cormorant, 2 Lt. Grebe, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Buzzard, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, plus all the usual passerines.

 

Sat 3rd June 23

Reports from today

Richard Jeffree

09:43 Summer Great White Egret scrape.

Photo Richard Jeffree©

 

Fri 2nd June 23

No reports received so far.

 

Thurs 1st June 23

From the hide: 1 Mute Swan, 1 Greylag-5 Canada Geese (+ Goslings), 23 Shelduck (+ ducklings), 16 Gadwall, 10+ Mallard (+ducklings), 1 Wigeon, 30 Avocet, 4 Lapwing, 3 Redshank, 2 Oystercatcher (+ chick), 2 Lt. Grebe, 20+ Swallows, 3 House Martin, 2 Swift, 3 Cuckoo, 2 Buzzard, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Med Gull, 1 Yellow Wag (thumbergi), 1 Yellow Wag (interesting), plus the normal passerines. SC/RJ/DW/MR.