Mon 31st July 23

Another windy day, unfortunately S/W is not the wind we would like at the moment. Around the site 2 Willow Warbler, 1 G S Woodpecker and a few other bits and pieces.

From the hide: 1 Canada Goose, lots of Mallard, 8 Teal, 23 Lapwing, 10 Blk. T Godwits, 3 Common Sands, 2 Avocet, 1 Green Sand, 1 Snipe, 1 Oystercatcher, 36 Blk. H Gulls, 15 Herring Gulls, 5 LBB's, 2 Med Gulls (1 Juv.), 2 Grey Heron, 1 Lt. Grebe, 1 Marsh Harrier (Juv.), 1 Buzzard, 2 Kestrel. PRD/PNt/MR.

Reports from today:

Mike O'Hanlon

15:21 Steady flow of Swifts south along the GC

15:23 Wheatear on the sea wall opp. GC dump

16:12 2 more Wheatears close to raised tee

Paul Brayshaw

18:56 Still 2 Wheatear by raised tee plus two more at gc dump.  16 Curlew and 4 Whimbrel on gc. Steady stream of Swifts south (prob >2000 for the day) plus Swallows and Sand Martin.

At the end of July the number of species recorded at the Haven this year stands at 153.

 

Sun 30th July 23

A strong wind blowing today but that didn't stop Pete & Richard finding a few things around the site, including a site year tick with Grey Plover and a nice Southern Migrant Hawker (see Haven Wildlife page).

Reports from today:

Pete Loud

14:37 Around the bushes this morning, 5 Willow Warblers, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Whitethroat, 1 Reed Warbler. Scrape, 5 Common Sandpipers, 3 Avocet, 9 Blackwit, 8 Teal, 15 Lapwing. 3/4 hour seawatch from cafe. Northbound, 2 Gannet, Sandwich Tern & Juv. Med Gull. Southbound, 4 Grey Plover, 1 Ringed Plover, 2 Whimbrel & 1 Oystercatcher. (RJ,PL).

 

Sat 29th July 23

Reports from today:

Pete Loud

11:32 1st Autumn look round the bushes this morning, 3 Willow Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap, 4 Lesser Whitethroat & 5 Whitethroat. Scrape, 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Common Sand, 2 Blackwit, 3 Avocet, 11 Lapwing, 2 Shoveler, 9 Teal, 1 adult & 1 Juvenile Med Gull. A Few groups of Swift and Sand Martins moving through plus 1 Grey Wagtail & 1 Whimbrel.

 

Fri 28th July 23

Very quiet all round this morning, a few Willow Warbler were calling around the site but not much else.

From the hide: Lots of Mallard, 4 Teal, 2 Shelduck, 7 Avocet, 6 Lapwing, 2 Blk T Godwits, 1 Common Sand, 1 Dunlin, 1 Whimbrel (briefly), c40 Blk. H Gulls, 2 Herring Gull, 1 Med Gull, 1 LBB, 1 Cormorant, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Lt. Grebe, 4 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel. PRD/RJ/MR et.al.

Reports from today:

Brian Combes

19:13 Walk from Frinton to Haven and back this morning: 87+ swallow (60+ feeding over northern end of golf course first thing, mostly juvs; 15 around sluice, 12 south), 2 swift (south), 3 house martin, 19 sand martin (1 with swallows over golf course, 18 south), 15 linnet, 14 curlew, 3 green woodpecker (2 juvs), 3 greenfinch (northern end of golf course), 13 pied wag, 5 common sand (2 on sea defences, 3 at back of scrape), reed warbler (4 singing, weakly, 1 juv), 4 whitethroat (juvs), 1 corn bunting (singing inland of middle pillbox,), 1 buzzard, 5 avocet, 8 teal, 2 black-tailed godwit, 20+ starling, 1 cuckoo (being chased over sewage works by sparrowhawk!), 1 sparrowhawk, 2 lesser whitethroat, 2 chiff, 1 Cetti’s warbler (singing), 1 grey heron, 1 sedge warbler (juv); 13 species in song.

 

Thurs 27th July 23

A brisk wind was blowing again this morning and everything was keeping it's head down.

From the hide: Greylag and Canada Geese (The Hybrid family were here again today with the 2 Canada / 3 Greylag goslings looking very different from each other), Mallard, 11 Teal, 3 Shoveler, 2 Shelduck, 18 Lapwing, 12 Blk. T Godwit, 4 Avocet, 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Common Sand, 30+ Blk. H Gulls, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Lt. Egret, 1 Lt. Grebe, 1 Peregrine, 1 Kestrel, a few Swifts & Swallows. RJ/BH/MR et.al.

On the way back a Kingfisher flew from the back of the sluice along the brook.

 

Wed 26th July 23

A few more birds around the site this morning, several Willow Warblers calling on the way to the hide.

From the hide: 1 Canada Goose, lots of Mallard, 11 Teal, 2 Shelduck, 13 Lapwing, 8 Avocet, 6 Curlew, 3 Blk T Godwits, 2 Common Sands, 1 Dunlin, c80 Blk H Gulls, 4 Med Gulls, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Lt. Grebe, 1 Cormorant, 1 Kingfisher, Reed & Sedge Warblers, Linnet, Reed Bunting. PRD/RJ/ML/MO'H/MR et.al.

Reports from today:

Dennis Pryor

06:32 Wheatear by Gunfleet sailing club plus a six Lt. Egret fly pass.

Matt Lonsdale

08:13 Juv Willow Warbler dipping pond

12:47 5 Willow Warbler, Gt. S Woodpecker, 4 Lesser White and 10+ of Blackcap and Whitethroat. 

Scrape- Kingfisher, 2 Common Sand, Dunlin, 4 Med Gull.

Tues 25th July 23

 A bit of a clear out after yesterdays Com. Sands just the two today plus 11 Blk T Godwits, 11 Lapwing, 8 Avocet, 30+ Blk H Gulls, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Lt. Egret, 1 Lt. Grebe, 2 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, lots of Swift and Swallows over the arable, Reed, Sedge and Cetti's Warbler. DW/BH/MR.

 

Mon 24th July 23

Much the same first thing on the scrape with 12 Lapwing, 11 Avocet, 11 Blk T Godwits, 4 Common Sands, 2 Dunlin, 1 Curlew, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Lt. Egret, plus the normal Ducks and Geese. Later in the morning another 7+ Common Sands dropped in and a Hobby flew through. PD/DC

 

Sun 23rd July 23

Another windy day with cloud, once again nice when the sun came out.

From the hide: 10 Canada Geese, Shelduck & Mallard, 2 Teal, 23 Avocet, 10 Lapwing, 6 Blk. T Godwit, 4 Common Sands, 2 Dunlin, 1 Greenshank (briefly), a few gulls, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Lt. Egret, 1 Cattle Egret (over PL/RJ), 1 Lt. Grebe, Swallows, Swifts, 4 Sand Martin and a couple of House Martin. PL/SC/RJ/ML/MR.

Reports from today:

Richard Jeffree

08:09 Cattle Egret flew straight over back of scrape and cattle and didn't stop towards Holland.

Pete Loud

13:55 Highlight this morning was the Cattle Egret that flew past the hide, a Haven life tick for me and a site year tick. Another site year tick was seen by Richard Matt and myself in an immature Yellow legged Gull that flew over the sewage farm and over our heads. On the Scrape, 4 Common Sands, 1 Greenshank, 1 Adult & 1 Juvenile Dunlin, 6 Blackwits, 23 Avocet, 11 Lapwing, 2 Teal, 1 Shoveler, 2 Little Egret, 7 Med Gull, including 3 Juveniles that flew over, 4 Sand Martin, 2 House Martin and 20+ Swift. 6 Whimbrel south offshore + 3 Common Tern.

 

Sat 22nd July 23

Reports from today:

Richard Jeffree

09:32 Scrape this morning 25 Blackwit, 18 Lapwing, 17 Avo, 2 Common Sand, Oyk, 6 Med Gulls (Inc juv), Red Kite and Hobby through.

 

Fri 21st July 23

Cloudy with a steady breeze this morning, nice when the sun came out.

From the hide: 17 Geese (7 Canada/Greylag Hybrid - 10 Canada), Mallard & Shelduck, 7 Teal, 20 Blk T Godwits, 18 Lapwing, 15 Avocet, 2 Common Sands, 1 Dunlin, 1 Greenshank (briefly), c90 Blk H Gulls, 4 Med Gulls, 5 LBB's, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Lt. Egret, 1 Lt. Grebe, 2 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk. BH/MR.

 

Thurs 20th July 23

From the hide: 17 Canada Geese, Mallard & Shelduck, 2 Teal, 2 Shoveler, 15 Avocet, 12 Blk T Godwits, 12 Lapwing, 5 Common Sands, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Lt. Egret, 1 Lt. Grebe, 80+ Blk. H Gulls, 3 Med Gulls, 100's of Swifts (over the arable being harvested) plus Swallows & Sand Martin, DW/RJ/MR.

 

 

Wed 19th July 23

Reports from today:

Richard Jeffree

09:52 Scrape this morning: Blackwit 24, Avo,s 14, Lapwing 14, Common Sand 5/6, Green Sand 1, Med Gull 6 (Inc first juv of the year), Oyks 2, Grey Heron 2, Little Egret 1, Little Grebe 1, Common + LBB Gull.

Paul Brayshaw

19:11 Single Spoonbill high south from sea wall

19:24 Very pleasant watching c60 Swallow, c50 Sand Martin and c15 House Martin plus a couple of Swifts feeding on a large insect hatch north from the raised tee to the beach huts.  Ladybirds also in huge numbers (low 1000s just on this section) - unclear if attracted by the food source or arriving in off as also on the beach.

 

Tues 18th July 23

Reports from today:

Graham Sutton

09:07 Scrape: 2 Common Sand; 1 Whimbrel (over); 15 Blackwits: 23 Avocet; 8 Med Gull (2 2nd Summer); peaks of 200 Swift; 120 Swallow; 30 Sand Martin; 1 Yellow Wag (juv).

 

Mon 17th July 23

The first Wasp Spiders of the year were located around the Dell today, a bit later a walk around the pillbox meadow looking for the Marbled White was unsuccessful but lots of other butterflies were on the wing plus other insects, see Haven Wildlife page. DC/MR

From the hide: Much the same on the scrape with 25 Avocet, 13 Blk T Godwits, 8 Lapwing, 3 Oystercatcher, 3 Common Sands, c90 Blk. H Gulls, 12 Med Gulls, 2 Common Gulls, 2 LBB's, 2 Lt. Egret, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Lt. Grebe, 1 Cormorant, Swifts, Swallows & Sand Martin, 1 Kestrel, 1 Buzzard. PRD/JS/DW/BH/DC/MR

 

Sun 16th July 23

A fantastic start to the day for Pete Loud who found a new for the site butterfly with a Marbled White on his way to the hide, great find Pete!

Reports from today:

Pete Loud

13:02 Walk to the hide this morning gave me a new Butterfly species for the Haven, a Marbled White. Been on the expected list for a while.

13:05 Scrape, 25 Avocet, 13 Blackwits, 2 Common Sand, 1 Common Tern, 8 Med Gulls, 8 Teal and still a steady trickle of Sand Martin & Swift.

Photo Pete Loud©

 

Sat 15th July 23

A bit windy out there this morning, but at least it was dry for a walk to the hide.

From the hide: Canada Geese and Greylag, Shelduck and Mallard, 11 Teal, 1 Shoveler, 22 Avocet, 12 Lapwing (+ 1 chick), 4 Blk. T Godwits, 3 Oystercatcher, 3 Common Sands, 1 Greenshank, Blk. H gulls, Herring Gulls 3 LBB's, 3 Med Gulls, 2 Common Gulls, 2 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Lt. Egret, 1 Lt. Grebe, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Buzzard, 3 Yellow Wags, Swift, Swallows & Sand Martin. PRD/PL/PNt/RJ/MR.

On the way home 7 Oystercatchers headed south offshore and 3 Common Tern came in off and headed inland. PRD/RJ/MR

Reports from today:

Pete Loud

17:34 Short visit to the Scrape 4-5PM. 1 Greenshank, 2 Common Sandpipers, 11 Lapwing plus chick, 5 Black- t Godwits, 1 Redshank, 19 Avocet, adult Med Gull, adult Little Egret and 20+Sand Martin.

 

Fri 14th July 23

No reports received so far

 

Thurs 13th July 23

Brian Combes had two Pectoral Sandpipers on Leon's marsh first thing, unfortunately they didn't stay for long.

Reports from today:

Brian Combes

08:50 2 PEC SANDS scrape.

09:09 No sign currently - last seen on the marsh on the left between hide and main body of water.

14:34 Walk from Frinton to the hide and back this morning: 2 pectoral sandpiper (delightful), 4 common sandpiper (2 on sea defences, 2 scrape), 5 redshank, 6 little egret (south over scrape), 6 teal, 4 med gull, 26 avocet, 16 black-tailed godwit, 1 Cetti’s warbler (singing), 13 goldfinch, 1 buzzard, 1 mipit (singing), 3 whitethroat (singing), 1 curlew (south), 5 reed warbler (singing), 5 reed bunting (singing), 26 linnet (flock of 22 on golf course), 40+ swift, 50+ sand martin,  20+ swallow, 15+ house martin, 12 pied wagtail, 1 corn bunting (singing inland on boardwalk)

Pete Loud

19:40 5pm visit to hide. 31 Avocet, 29 Blackwits, 3 Common Sandpiper, 9 Redshank, 12 Lapwing, plus 1 small chick, 1 Little Egret, 12 Teal, 3 Shoveler, 1 Yellow Wagtail and 60+ Swift.

 

Wed 12th July 23

Reports from today:

Richard Jeffree

11:55 Scrape this morning much the same 26 Avo's, 22 Blackwit, 3 Oyks, 2 Redshank, 2 Meds fem. Shoveller+3 juv Little Egrets.

 

Tues 11th July 23

Reports from today:

Peter Newton

12:26 Normal spread on the scrape this a.m. with 4 Grey Herons, 1 Little Egret, 4 Common Gulls, 1 Med (P.D. had 4 ) Spotted Redshank. B T Godwits + Avocet much the same recent numbers. 1 Shoveler.  Whimbrel flew South past the sluice.

 

Mon 10th July 23

A very quick visit to the hide with my grandson showed no sign of the Spot Red or the Green Sand, just 23 Blk T Godwits, 22 Avocet, 2 Common Sands and a Yellow Wagtail of note.

 

Sun 9th July 23

All much as Matt's report below before the rain, then a wet walk back to the cars

From the hide: 1 Greylag, Mallard & Shelduck, 11 Teal, 28 Avocet, 25 BlK T Godwit, 5 Lapwing, 3 Oystercatcher, 3 Redshank, 3 Curlew, 2 Common Sands, 1 Spotted Redshank, 1 Greenshank, 90 Blk H Gulls, 5 Common Gull, 5 Med Gulls, 1 LBB, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Lt. Egret, 1 Lt. Grebe, 100+ Swallows, c10 Sand Martin, lot of Swifts early on. PL/RJ/MR.

Reports from today:

Matt Lonsdale

08:09 Scrape this morning - Singles of each Spot red, geeenshank and common sand. 25 avocet including CR bird. 19 blackwit, 4 med gull and 6 teal.

 

Sat 8th July 23

No reports received so far:

 

Fri 7th July 23

The goose families were about this morning as were lots of Mallard and Shelduck, plus 35 Blk T Godwits, 18 Avocet, 6 Lapwing, 3 Oystercatcher, 2 Redshank, 1 Spotted Redshank, 1 Common Sand, 70+ Blk H Gulls, 8 Med Gulls, 1 LBB, 1 Lt. Grebe, 1 Cormorant, 10+ Swallows. DC/MR

Reports from today:

Gloria

 13:26 2 summer Spotted Redshank on scrape.

 

Thurs 6th July 23

Reports from today:

Mike O'Hanlon

10:00 Spotshank still on HH scrape.

Brian Combes

10:32 Frinton to the hide and back this morning: 3 Reed Warbler (singing), 13 Pied Wag, 12 Linnet, 6 Curlew (south, 4 and 2), 3 Cetti’s (singing), 2 Sedge Warbler (singing), 4 Reed Bunting (singing), 1 Corn Bunting (singing, 250m west of middle pillbox - not had one there before, could be heard from the seawall; that bird, or another, could also just be heard from the hide), 2 Whitethroat (singing), 64 Black-tailed Godwit (scrape), 16 Avocet, 4 Med Gull, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Song Thrush (singing), 3 Moorhen (2 juv), 20 Teal, 20+ starling, 1 Siskin (over), 1 Yellow Wag (south), 49 Sand Martin (south, none after 9:00), 32 Swallow (12 around beach huts, 20 south).

 

Wed 5th July 23

The heavy rain overnight didn't seem to have any adverse effect on the water level, things were quite busy on the scrape wader-wise again today.

From the hide: Canada/Greylag Geese, Shelduck & Mallard, 16 Teal, 4 Gadwall, 49 Blk T Godwits, 8 Avocet, 6 Lapwing, 3 Oystercatcher, 2 Common Sands, 1 Green Sand, 1 LRP, 1 Spotted Redshank, 1 Redshank (juv), 60 Blk H Gulls, 18 Med Gulls, 1 LBB, 3 Grey Heron, 2 Lt. Egret, 1 Lt. Grebe, 1 Buzzard. RJ/MR.

 

Tues 4th July 23

A good selection of waders again today but the LRP's and the Spot Red were very elusive, seen just a couple of times each during the morning.

From the hide: Canada & Greylag families, lots of Shelduck & Mallard, 18 Teal, 46 Black T Godwits, 8 Avocet, 5 Lapwing, 3 Oystercatcher, 3 Redshank, 3 Green Sands, 2 LRP's, 1 Common Sand, 1 Spotted Redshank, 50 Blk H Gulls, 23 Med Gulls, 1 Common Gull, 1 LBB, 2 Grey Heron, 2 Lt. Egret, 1 Lt. Grebe, 10+ Swift, Swallows and the usual passerines. PRD/PL/ML/DW/MR.

Reports from today:

Matt Lonsdale

08:11 Scrape this morning - 2 LRP, 2 Green Sand, Common Sand, 26 Blackwit, 17 Teal. 

 

Mon 3rd July 23

The water level is perfect at the moment and attracting a good selection of waders.

From the hide: The normal Geese and Ducks, 38 Blk T Godwits, 8 Avocet, 5 Redhank, 4 Lapwing, 3 Oystercatcher, 3 Common Sandpipers, 3 Green Sandpipers, 1 Spotted Redshank, 60 Blk H Gulls, 42 Med Gulls, 8 Herring Gulls, 2 LBB's, 1 Lt Grebe, 1 Grey Heron. SC/ML/DW/MR  

Reports from today:

Matt Lonsdale

09:57 Scrape looking great - Spot Red, 29 Blackwit, 2 Green Sand, 5 Redshank (inc juv), Common Sand and 42 Med Gulls this morning.

 

Sun 2nd July 23

Interesting this morning with 40+ Med Gulls of varying ages on the scrape + Pete's list below.

Reports from today:

Paul Brayshaw

08:35 Common Sand on seawall just south of raised tee and two Sand Martin south the only sightings of note from gc area.

Pete Loud

13:00 Haven Scrape this morning, 1 Common Sand, 2 Green Sand, 6 Curlew, 16 Blackwit, 12 Avocet, 45+ Med Gull, Hobby, Marsh Harrier, 6 Little Egret, Cuckoo, 10 Sand Martin and 1 Yellow Wag. (RJ,MR,PL).

 

Sat 1st July 23

Reports from today:

Richard Jeffree

08:45 Spotted Redshank again scrape.

08:59 Second summer Little Gull+ Spot-shank scrape.

Mike O'Hanlon

10:47 2 Green Sands on scrape.

11:00 3 Med Gulls on scrape. Spot-shank still here.

Pete Loud

13:26 Haven this morning. Scrape, 21 Black-t Godwit, 1 Spotted Redshank, 2 Green Sandpiper, 2 pair of Avocet, 1 pair with 3 juveniles, other with 1 juv, all come in from elsewhere, all our chicks were predated this year. 1 2nd summer Little Gull, flew south after a 10 minute stay. 5 Med Gull, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Little Egret and 5 Curlew over. Walk back from Frinton end, 1 Common Tern and 1 Sandwich Tern feeding offshore and a few Swifts on the move. 4 Med Gulls from the cafe. (RJ,PL).