Wed 31st Jan 23

The Jack Snipe was prompted to have a little feed late morning after a Com Snipe settled into the reeds about a foot away from it.

Around the scrape: 130 Brent Geese, 30+ Greylags, + the hybrid family, c400 Wigeon, c300 Teal, 32 Shoveler, 10 Mallard, c300 Lapwing, 70+ Curlew, 4 Blkwits, 2 Com. Snipe, 1 Jack Snipe, 1 Cetti's Warbler (heard only), 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel. BH/MR et.al. 5 Purple Sands and 1 Turnstone were on the sluice rocks, plus a Sanderling briefly on the beach BH.

Reports from today:

Paul Brayshaw

13:27 Sea wall run Frinton to French Point and back. At least 54 Curlew on the marsh, 2 Purples by the raised tee.

At the end of January the number of species recorded at the Haven this year stands at 94

 

Tues 30th Jan 24

The Jack Snipe showed briefly late morning and 6 Purple Sands were on French Point, 4 Blkwits on the scrape and Shoveler up to 35 otherwise much the same as yesterday. LH/BH/MR

 

Mon 29th Jan 24

The Jack Snipe was still in the same place today, and actually showed a bit better, also a nice pair of Pintail were on the flood to the right of the hide.

On and around the scrape: 103 Brent Geese, c80 Greylags, 1 Canada Goose (part of the hybrid family), c400 Wigeon, c300 Teal, 10+ Mallard, 10 Shoveler, 2 Pintail, c250 Lapwing, 70 Curlew, 1 Jack Snipe.

Along the front were 5 Purple Sandpipers, 5 Turnstone, and 1 Lt. Grebe was on the brook behind the sluice. MR

 

Sun 28th Jan 24

The Jack Snipe is still with us, seen very briefly around lunchtime, otherwise same as usual, c300 Lapwing, 77 Curlew, 6 Blkwits, lots of Wigeon and Teal, 9 Shoveler, 7 Shelduck, 6 Mallard, 2 Gadwall, 30+ Greylag (+ the Hybrids), 21 Brent. S&PC/PL/MR et.al. + 2 Lt. Grebe on the brook behind the sluice.

 

Sat 27th Jan 24

No sign of the Jack Snipe this morning, but 6 Purple Sandpipers were on French Point rocks with a Turnstone and an Oystercatcher.

Out on the marsh were 2 Mute Swans, 40+ Greylag, 30+ Brent Geese, loads of Wigeon & Teal, 12 Shoveler, 8 Mallard, 3 Shelduck, c250 Lapwing, 43 Curlew, 4 Blk. T Godwits, 1 Snipe.

 After yesterdays Chinese Water Deer today we had two, and to find them both on the island with the amount of water on the scrape was a bit of a surprise, I don't know why really, the hints in the name I suppose.

  

 

Fri 26th Jan 24

The Jack Snipe was still with us today but very very elusive, only showing once in a 90min visit this morning, it did however show very well for a few minutes mid afternoon.

Around the site today: c100 Greylag, c80 Brent Geese, 500+ Teal, 400+ Wigeon, 9 Shoveler, 3 Shelduck, 2 Gadwall, c350 Lapwing, 30+ Curlew, 4 Blk T Godwit, 3+ Purple Sands, 1 Jack Snipe, 2 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel. PL/SL/MR et.al.

Also noted 5 Brown Hare, 1 Chinese Water Deer.

  

Matt Lonsdale

10:24 Blustery morning at Haven. No sign of Jack Snipe - 4 Blkwits and Grey Wag on scrape. Nice Rock Pipit along seawall, 2 Purp Sands and Turnstone on sluice rocks. Siskin over and Goldcrest near feeding station.

 

Thurs 25th Jan 24

The Jack Snipe was still with us today along with c300 Lapwing, 40 Curlew, 5 Blk T Godwit, 2 Com. Snipe, 1 Avocet, Wigeon, Teal, 18 Shoveler, 3 Shelduck, c30 Greylag (plus the hybrids). SE/MO'H/MR.

5 Purple Sandpipers were on the socks south of French Point. MR

Reports from today:

Steve Entwistle

10:38 Jack Snipe did show well 10am still in same back left corner, + Avocet, Snipe, 2 Blackwits, 40 Curlew SE MR MOh.

11:17 Jack still out of view since 10am - On photo at back Reed bed above left hand wooden post.

11:44 Showing now but very difficult.

 

Wed 24th Jan 24

Not a lot of change, the Jack Snipe was in exactly the same place as yesterday but only moved a couple of times all morning, the 3 Blkwits were still on the island and duck numbers much the same, Golden Plover were up to 100+. 3 Purple Sands were on the seawall south of French Point. c30 Greylag, 5 Canada Geese and the hybrid family were on the Approach Rd. marsh, MO'H/MR

Photo Mike O'Hanlon©

 

Tues 23rd Jan 24

It started to rain just as I got out of the car this morning, so I headed to the hide. 

It was good to to see 3 Blk. T. Godwits on the scrape after it being frozen for so long and after looking through the ducks and geese I started looking a bit closer and managed to find 2 Common Snipe, the third snipe I came across looked interesting but asleep, after a while a bit movement showed it was a Jack Snipe (NFY) so the wet walk back was well worthwhile.

From the hide: c40 Greylag, 120 Teal, 84 Wigeon, 9 Shoveler, 4 Mallard, 2 Shelduck, 1 Grey Heron, c200 Lapwing, c30 Golden Plover (on the arable), 40 Curlew (on the marsh), 3 Blk T Godwits, 2 Com. Snipe, 1 Jack Snipe, 1 Kestrel.

Reports from today:

Brian Combes

16:19 Walk from Frinton to Haven and back this morning included: 48 Curlew (7 south, 41 on fields), 3 Mipit, 1 Reed Bunting, 250+ Lapwing, 150+ Wigeon, 17 Shoveler, 99 Teal, 3 Stonechat, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Snipe, 2 Cetti’s (singing), 2 Hare (on fields west of scrape), 8 Pied Wagtail, 90+ Golden Plover, 1 Rock Pipit (French point), 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Purple Sandpiper (French Point), 110+ Black-headed Gull (golf course, first thing).

 

Mon 22nd Jan 24

Much warmer this morning but still windy, the walk along the front gave nothing offshore and just a Rock Pipit and 2 Purple Sands around the French Point rocks. 43 Greylag and 20+ Curlew were on the marsh and the Peregrine was sitting up on the arable directly inland of the second pillbox. From the hide, c 200 Lapwings, c15 Golden Plover and lots of Starlings were on the arable, c300 Teal and 200 Wigeon and 17 Brent Geese were spread around the marsh and scrape, plus 15 Shoveler, 2 Shelduck, and a pair of Gadwall. Also noted were 8+ Brown Hares, 2 Muntjac Deer and a Red Fox. MR.

 

Sun 21st Jan 24

No sign of any Golden Plover from the lay-by this morning but c200 Lapwing were upset when a Sparrowhawk flew low across the middle of the field.

On the main site: 1 Lt. Grebe, 6 Wigeon and 10 Teal were on the brook behind the sluice, 5 Purple Sandpipers on the seawall north of French Point, 40+ Curlew on the marsh and a Peregrine sitting up on the arable (NFY). c60 Wigeon and a few Teal were sitting on the sea and c300 Brent flew in and attempted to land on the frozen scrape before joining the ducks offshore. MR 

Reports from today:

Mike O'Hanlon

13:58 A single Purple Sandpiper on the shore at French Point with 5 Turnstones atm.

14:28 Now joined by a single Sanderling.

14:35 Circa 300 Brent on golf course.

 

Sat 20th Jan 24

Just a short visit for me today but still managed 2 Site Year Ticks with a Redshank over calling at the sluice on my way through and a Lt. Egret picked up by Richard flying along the marsh below the sewage works. Otherwise much the same with 2 Purple Sands on French Point (RJ), c200 Brent, c100 Golden Plover up on the arable with a good number of Lapwing, c60 Curlew on the marsh and a few Wigeon and Teal RJ/MR.

 

Fri 19th Jan 24

Reports from today:

Pete Loud

13:52 Entrance road this morning, 1 Chiffchaff and 1 Woodcock flushed, seen again much later in flight a couple of times near ringing compound. Scrape still frozen, but 80 Curlew out on the marsh, with still 2-300 Golden Plover on the arable. 80 Wigeon on the sea. 1 Marsh Harrier. 3 Stonechat. 1 Sanderling on the beach, plus 1 Purple Sand and a Turnstone on the rocks. Rock Pipit, Sluice. Farm on way home, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker (RJ,PL).

 

Thurs 18th Jan 24

Reports from today:

Richard Jeffree

11:03 Cattle Egret over marsh.

Pete Loud

14:03 4 Fieldfare south over the car park was a good start, another 11 later on north along the seawall. Cattle Egret south over the boardwalk and later on north along seawall towards Frinton. Double figures of Snipe being flushed from all over the country park. 100+ Golden Plover, 60 Curlew. No Geese about, a few Wigeon & Teal, but everywhere pretty much frozen.(RJ,PL).

 

Wed 17th Jan 24

Much the same again today, lots of Wigeon and Brent Geese sitting on the sea, plus a few Red T Divers, 2 Sanderling and 2+ Turnstone on the beach. 1 Lt. Grebe and a few Teal and Mallard on the brook behind the sluice. c60 Greylags were on the marsh below the Raised Platform with more Wigeon and Teal. 

No sign of any Golden Plover today as a lot of activity up on the arable with hundreds of gulls following the plough and the Lapwing well spread out, the Curlew flock was up to c50 birds and 2 Buzzards, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Grey Heron, 2 Snipe, Cetti's Warbler (heard only) and a Goldcrest were also noted RJ/MO'H/MR et.al.

 

Tues 16th Jan 24

A walk to French Point via the hide gave 2 Turnstone on the sluice rocks with 3 Cormorant and lots of Herring Gulls, 2 Little Grebe, 8 Mallard and 22 Teal on the brook behind the sluice.

From the hide: 15 Brent Geese, 160 Wigeon, 4 Shoveler ( Scrape frozen, all the ducks on the pond to the right of the hide), 380 Golden Plover and c200 Lapwing (on the arable), 40 Curlew.

Along the front 2 Stonechat, 12 Mippits. MR.

Reports from today

Brian Combes

17:30 Walk from Frinton to Haven and back via the farm this morning included: 1 Woodcock (flushed by raised platform), 2 Grey Wagtail (north over car park), 1 Sanderling (on beach just north of raised tee), 5 Turnstone (south of French Point), 24 Curlew (2 south, 22 on fields), 13 Mipit, 1 Reed Bunting, 350+ Lapwing, 94 Wigeon, 4 Shoveler, 8 Teal, 2 Stonechat (1 south of sluice, 1 north of wooden hide), 1 Goldcrest, 2 Green Woodpecker, 2 Mute Swan, 2 Snipe (1 flushed by wooden hide, 1 over farm), 1 Cetti’s (singing), 2 Hare (on fields south of farm), 15+ Pied Wagtail (around farm), 50+ Linnet (on  set aside), 40+ Skylark (on arable), 110+ Golden Plover (off fields and flew inland over farm), 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Rock Pipit.

 

Mon 15th Jan 24

Very cold out again today but nice in the sunshine, on a walk to the hide c150 Brent were sitting n the sea off the boating club 2 Turnstone and a Sanderling were on the beach. 

From the hide: 20 Greylags (plus the Hybrid family), 20 Brent Geese, c500 Wigeon, c100 Teal, 9 Shoveler, 1 Grey Heron, c300 Lapwing, 220 Golden Plover, 58 Curlew, 6 Blk T Godwits, 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel. SC/DP/MR.

A 30min stop in the lay-by late afternoon showed the Lapwing settling in for the night and a cracking Barn Owl quartering the hedge line between the lay-by and the hide MR.

 

Sun 14th Jan 24

Reports from today:

Pete Loud

13:46 Walk down from Gt Holland today. Both Redwing and Corn Bunting were new for the Haven Year List. Also noted, 60 Linnet, 8 Reed Bunting, 50+ Skylark, 25 Pied Wagtail. 350 Lapwing & 30 Golden Plover up on the Arable. 4 Purple Sand and a Turnstone just north of the Sluice. Nothing of note out to sea, usual suspects out on the marsh. At least 2 Whitefronts, but sitting in the grass asleep so hard to tell. (RJ,PL).

 

Sat 13th Jan 24

Pete Loud added Chiffchaff to the year list in with a flock of L T Tits during a walk through the approach road wood. A walk along the front added 5 Purple Sands and 2 Sanderling on the beach and from the hide, 2 Mute Swans, c250 Brent Geese,  90+ Greylag, 22 Canada Geese (plus the hybrid family), 14 White-fronted Geese , 1 Grey Heron, c200 Lapwing, c100 Golden Plover, 1 Snipe, c100 Wigeon, c100 Teal, c40 Shoveler, 3 Shelduck, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 1 Cetti's Warbler, PL/PNt/RJ/MR 

Reports from today:

Pete Loud

10:14 Chiffchaff in the tit flock, entrance road bushes.

Paul Brayshaw

10:32 Just back from Frinton to Mast dog jog.  Possible Shag off the sluice but no bins to confirm. 6 Purples at French Point, 2 more between northern pillbox and raised tee.  120 Brent gc, 2 singing Cetti's, Water Rail, Kingfisher on brook by sluice.

 

Fri 12th Jan 24

On a walk to the 3rd pillbox with Richard and Mike this morning we managed 5 Turnstone, 6 Purple Sands, 2 Stonechat, 2 Meadow Pipit, 2 Mute Swans, c80 Greylag, 25 Brent Geese, 14 White-fronted Geese, c200 Wigeon, c200 Teal, 30+ Shoveler, 2 Shelduck, c200 Lapwing, 25 Curlew, 1 Cetti's Warbler. RJ/MO'H/MR et.al.

Photo Steve Grimwade©

Photo Steve Grimwade©

 

Thurs 11th Jan 24

Good numbers of geese around the site this morning of 5 species. 

I joined Richard to view 10 Barnacle Geese, 14 White-fronted Geese and 30+ Curlew on the marsh below the carpark, a walk to the Raised Tee along the front added c30 Canada Geese, c30 Greylags (+ the hybrid family) behind the scrape, 4 Purple Sands on the rocks south of French Point and c350 Brent Geese were sitting on the sea on the Frinton side of the raised tee after being flushed from the golf course. Up on the arable were c300 Golden Plover, 200 Lapwing and a Sparrowhawk flew low over the marsh, 3 Stonechat and 1 Dunlin (over) were also noted. RJ/MR

Reports from today:

Richard Jeffree

09:12 14+ Whitefronts, plus 7+ Barnacle Geese behind Car Park

Mike O'Hanlon

13:12 Barnacles still with the Whitefronts beyond flood at back of scrape.

13:27 28 Canada Geese on sea just north of sluice.

13:31 6 Purple Sandpipers flew from French point to sluice.

13:53  15 Whitefronts now on own in meadow to north of hide.

 

Wed 10th Jan 24

No reports received so far.

 

Tues 9th Jan 24

Pete Loud

13:16 Still a few Red throats offshore, 1 Gannet, 1 Gt. C Grebe, 11 Shelduck, but looking into the sun not good.. Whitefronts now up to at least 14 birds. From the hide, 1 imm female Marsh Harrier, 2 Snipe, 6 Dunlin, 300+ Golden Plover, 1 Ringed Plover (briefly Leon’s marsh) 24 Curlew, 1 Cetti’s Warbler showing from hide, 1 Reed Bunting. 8 Purple Sand along seawall.

 

Mon 8th Jan 24

A strong N/E wind and occasional snow showers made it quite unpleasant along the front at times this morning.

Offshore it was quiet with just a few R T Divers on the move, 6 Wigeon and 5 Cormorant north and a Shelduck south was about it GS/MR. Graham also hade a Fieldfare (NFY) on the greensward.

Along the front 8 Purple Sands were on the rocks just south of French Point, no sign of the Whitefronts, c100 Teal and 30 Wigeon were on the scrape, lot more Wigeon, Teal and Shoveler on the marsh below the raised platform and 20+ Canada Geese on the approach road marsh MR.

 

 

Sun 7th Jan 24

Sea-watching this morning was not as busy as of late but still quite a few R T Divers about, plus drake Eider, Com. Scoter, Gt C Grebe, Razorbill, Med Gull and a few Teal and Wigeon. PL/RJ/SE/LD/MR. 7 Purple Sandpipers were on the seawall just north of the sluice and 8 possibly 9 White-fronted Geese were on the marsh to the right of the hide with 4 Greylags.

Matt had a double figure group of Blk. T Godwits that dropped in below the raised platform first thing and a Blk.T Diver and a adult Caspian Gull were also reported (LD).

On my way home 11 Red L Partridge were on the field near Lodge Farm.

Reports from today:

Richard Jeffree

08:24 7 unidentified Swans heading NE.

Brian Combes

17:30 Walk from Frinton to Haven and back this morning included: 8 Russian white-fronted geese, 6 purple sandpiper (south of French point first thing, further north later on), 2 med gull, 650+ brent (on golf course, plus 8 north), 1000+ black headed gulls (on golf course first thing), 33 shoveler, 1 Cetti’s (singing), 90+ lapwing, 1 stonechat, 3 red-throated diver (north), 200+ starling (50+ on fields north of approach road, 150+ on golf course), 8 curlew, 1 Sparrowhawk

 

Sat 6th Jan 24

Reports from today:

Pete Loud

13:22  Haven this morning, quieter offshore, 40+ Red-throats, 2 Common Scoter, 1 Shelduck. Golf course 2 or 3 Med Gulls, 1 Stonechat, 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Golden Plover over, 2 Turnstone by Sluice and 1 Marsh Harrier. 8 Whitefronts still present. (RJ,PL).

 

Fri 5th Jan 24

A 90min sea-watch with RJ was well worth the effort with 3 new birds for the year list, 2 Gannet, Blk. T Diver and Eider plus 150+ Red T Divers, 3 Com Scoter, 4 Brent, 9 Shelduck, 22 Wigeon all heading south.

23 Canada Geese were on the entrance road marsh the usual high numbers of Wigeon, Teal, Shoveler, Greylag and Lapwing were below the raised platform

Reports from today:

Richard Jeffree

10:43 Black-throated Diver initially on sea by haven buoy then flew south.

 

Thurs 4th Jan 24

I had a lovely walk down from Gt Holland this morning, although a large detour was needed to get across the flooded golf course following the footpath.

Nothing new added today but the Chaffinch flock at the farm numbered 60-70 birds. Brent numbers on the GC were at 600+ with loads of Gulls as the course was closed. Offshore 60+ Red T Diver headed south with another 50 sitting on the sea. The White-fronted Geese were still on the marsh to the right of the scrape and 2 Turnstone were on the beach near the sluice. MR

 

Wed 3rd Jan 24

Reports from today

Richard Jeffree

09:36 Drake Pintail on flood raised platform.

10:32 8 Whitefronts on marsh behind sewage works.

16:25 Late afternoon walk to the beach huts produced 8 Purple Sands, Oystercatcher and Med Gull on the GC, Water Rail (heard only) and 5 Turnstone on the return leg RJ LH SE

Steve Entwistle

14:13 8 Whitefronts still right of hide,1 close Kittiwake adult. South, 3 Com Scoter North. Paul saw both + he had another Kittiwake.

15:08 3 Purple Sandpipers 3rd pill box. Thanks to Richard & Liz.

 

Tues 2nd Jan 24

Reports from today:

Pete Loud

09:59 Seawatch for 1 hour, 200 Red t Diver, all south,1 probably 2 Razorbill, 1 Common Scoter, 89+ Wigeon sitting on the sea and 8 Canada Geese entrance marsh were a year tick.

 

Mon 1st Jan 24

As we thought the annual 1st of the year walk around the site wasn't the best we have had, but 50+ species were recorded. The full list will be sorted in the next week or so.

The 8 White-fronted Geese were still with us and 7 Purple Sands were still on the rocks south of French Point, c500 Brent Geese were on the golf course with no sign of the Pale-bellied Brent. 200-300 R T Diver and a few duck sp. were offshore first thing but it became very quiet later in the day. PL/SC/DC/RJ/MO'H/MR.