Sat 30th March 24
Reports from today:
Paul Brayshaw
13:23 Distant Red Kite towards Sladburys from pillbox above scrape. Also 16+ Buzzard and Peregrine.
13:40 Scrape and flood - 4 Oyk, 2 Redshank, 18 Avo, 39 Curlew, 22 Shoveler, 4 Kestrel, Little Egret plus the usuals, 6 Hare and a Muntjac.
13:42 Plus 2 Med Gulls.
Thurs 28th March 24
Reports from today:
Richard Jeffree
12:05 Quite over the Haven this morning, just 10 Avocet, 24 Shelduck, 2 Redshank, 60 Teal, Cetti's Warbler 2 Chinese Water Deer, Wigeon practically gone now with just a few remaining behind raised platform only migrants noted were Chiffchaff along approach rd.
Sun 24th March 24
Richard Jeffree
09:06 Red Kite again over carpark.
10:13 Female Wheatear still NR GC dump.
Matt Lonsdale
14:56 2 male Wheatear around dung heap on farm track.
Mike O'Hanlon
16:24 Female Wheatear still at GC dump.
Max Martin
17:14 Little Owl flushed from tree as you enter golf course from path that runs down from Farm
Thurs 21st March 24
A good morning walk for Brian with two site year ticks on his way through the site today.
Just a couple of R T Divers left offshore by the time we got over this morning, but 9+ Golden Plover heading south was nice.RJ/MR
From the hide: 2 Canada Geese, c100 Teal, c 80 Wigeon, 30 Shoveler, 18 Shelduck, 6 Mallard, 3 Gadwall, 33 Curlew, 28 Avocet, 10 Lapwing, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Green Sand, 1 Redshank, 1 Snipe, 60+ Blk H Gulls, 6 Herring Gulls, 1 Common Gull, 3 Buzzard, 1 Red Kite, 1 Kestrel, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Water Vole. RJ/MO'H/MR.
Reports from today
Brian Combes
08:15 Firecrest in trees south of 5 bar gate.
09:47 2 Red Kites drifting north towards Frinton.
09:52 3 Now circling above fields south of Frinton still drifting north.
10:40 Another Red Kite over Haven drifting north.
11:43 Snow Bunting on arable with Skylarks SW of 90 degree bend half way down bridleway.
17:23 Walk from Frinton to Haven and back via the farm this morning included: 1 Snow Bunting (bit unexpected - lovely), 1 Firecrest (male), 4 Red Kite (3 together and single, all coming in low over The Haven and climbing to drift off high to the north), 158 Red-throated Diver (121 on a dead flat sea early morning, counted from French Point, and 37 north), 3 Purple Sandpiper, 2 Siskin (over), 9 Chiff (6 singing), 2 Corn Bunting (1 heard from seawall singing from arable west of footpath), 80+ Black-headed Gull (golf course first thing), 6 Mediterranean Gull (all adults), 11 Cetti’s (singing), 12 Starling (north), 8 Reed Bunting (3 singing), 22 Linnet, 8 Mipit (3 singing), 124 Teal, 47 Wigeon, 25 Shoveler, 2 Gadwall, 4 Oystercatcher, 1 Snipe, 6 Buzzard (3 drifting north), 8 Goldfinch, 17 Avocet, 11 Turnstone, 1 Sparrowhawk, 5 Canada Goose (north), 2 Goldcrest, 4 Hare, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Chinese Muntjac. (14 species in song).
Wed 20th March 24
A late start for me today but what a lovely morning it was, 12 Turnstone were on the sluice and adjacent seawall and 2 R T Divers headed south as I made my way to the hide.
From the hide: 4 Canada Geese, c100 Teal, c80 Wigeon, 41 Shoveler, 28 Shelduck, 6 Mallard, 5 Gadwall, 34 Curlew, 21 Avocet, 10 Lapwing, 2 Oystercatcher, 2 Redshank, 2 Snipe, 1 Jack Snipe, 1 green Sandpiper, 106 Blk H Gulls, 5 Med Gulls, 1 Lt. Egret, 4 Buzzard, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 2 Linnet, 2 Reed Bunting, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Cetti's Warbler, plus 1 Water Vole & 1 Chinese Water Deer. RJ/ML/MR
Reports from today
Paul Brayshaw
07:24 Frinton beach huts to southern end of gc along seawall in the drizzle. Gc -140 bhg, 4 med, 2 oyk, 60 starling, 8 linnet. Seawall rocks- 2 purple sand and a turnstone. Offshore c25 rtd, single gannet and fulmar south.
Richard Jeffree
10:49 Jack.Snipe again usual spot Little Egret on flood.
Tues 19th March 24
From the hide: 2 Canada Geese, 4 Greylag, c100 Wigeon, c100 Teal, 45 Shoveler, 27 Shelduck, 6 Mallard, 40 Curlew, 18 Avocet, 12 Lapwing, 2 Oystercatcher, 106 Blk. H Gulls, 20+ Herring Gulls, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Red Kite, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Goldfinch, 2 Pied Wags, plus 1 Water Vole.
Sun 17th March 24
A very wet morning as it turned out and things were much the same again today.
From the hide: 21 Greylags (on the arable), c150 Wigeon, c100 Teal, 60 + Shoveler, 22 Shelduck, 6 Mallard, 4 Gadwall, 30+ Curlew, 23 Avocet, 8 Snipe, 1 Blkwit, 1 Green Sand, 1 Grey Heron, 40+ Blk H Gulls, 2 Med Gulls, 1 GBB, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 1 Cetti's Warbler. Plus 1 Water Vole and 1 Chinese Water Deer. RJ/MR
Sat 16th March 24
Matt had a walk down from the farm this morning and picked up two site year ticks whilst there with a Brambling and a Yellowhammer.
From the hide: 2 Canada Geese, c150 Wigeon, c100 Teal, 34 Shoveler, 19 Shelduck, 6 Mallard, 1 Gadwall, 29 Avocet, 8 Lapwing, 4 Blkwits, 2 Oystercatcher, 3 Snipe, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Red Kite, 1 Buzzard, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Water Vole, PNt/RJ/ML/MR.
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| Photo Richard Jeffree© |
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| Photo Richard Jeffree© |
Fri 15th March 24
Highlight of the morning was a Red Kite that came in from the west and gave a nice close pass over the carpark first thing, 3 Purple Sand were on the sluice rocks and a Turnstone on the sluice, on the return from the hide Purps were up to six.
From the hide: c150 Wigeon, c100 Teal, 37 Shoveler, 18 Shelduck, 6 Mallard,8 Lapwing, 7 Curlew, 2 Oystercatcher, 2 Avocet, 2 Blk T Godwits, 1 Green Sandpiper, c80 Blk H Gulls, 1 GBB, 1 Com Gull, 1 Med Gull, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Linnets, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel. RJ/MR.
Thurs 14th March 24
A Chiffchaff and a Song Thrush were singing along the Approach Rd. but otherwise quiet, Richard had 3 Siskin over the sluice on the way to the hide.
From the hide: c200 Wigeon, 100 Teal, 36 Shoveler, 11 Shelduck, 6 Mallard, 5 Gadwall, 28 Curlew, 15 Lapwing, 6 Blk T Godwit, 4 Avocet, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Green Sand, 1 Redshank, 165 Blk H Gulls, 1 LBB, 1 Common Gull, 1 Med Gull, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Peregrine, 1 Buzzard, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Goldfinch, plus 1 Muntjac Deer and 2 Water Voles. PL/RJ/MR
Reports from today:
Brian Combes
17:06 Walk from Frinton to Haven and back via farm (across a very damp golf course) this morning included: 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Chiff (singing, 1 by hide, 1 approach road), 1 Corn Bunting (1 heard singing distantly from arable west of bridleway) 100+ Black-headed Gull (golf course first thing), 1 Mediterranean Gull (1 adult with black-headed gulls on golf course), 162 Brent (north first thing), 8 Cetti’s (singing), 2 Stonechat (2 singles), 24 Curlew, 100+ Starling (a few restless flocks), 11 Reed Bunting (3 singing and 4 with chaffinch flock), 1 Song Thrush (singing), 16 Linnet (10+ with chaffinch flock), 30+ Chaffinch (pumpkin field/paddocks), 12 Mipit (3 singing), 98 Teal, 177 wigeon, 45 Shoveler, 4 Gadwall, 4 Oystercatcher, 2 Buzzard (drifting north over golf course first thing), 9 Goldfinch, 4 Avocet, 2 Goldcrest, 4 Hare (3 in arable beyond scrape, 1 in arable by footpath), 2 Grey Heron (1 north), 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Chinese muntjac. (15 species in song)
Wed 13th March 24
The site year list hit the hundred mark this morning with a Ruff spending a few moments on the flood to the right of the hide and three Knot that had a fly around as we were leaving the hide and ended up landed on the French point rocks.
From the hide: 2 Greylag Geese, c100 Wigeon, c80 Teal, 44 Shoveler, 9 Shelduck, 6 Mallard, 31 Curlew, 2 Oystercatcher, 9 Blk T Godwit, 8 Lapwing, 3 Knot, 2 Avocet, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Ruff, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Cetti's Warbler, several Meadow Pipits and 1 Water Vole. RJ/MR
Tues 12th March 24
From the hide: 37 Greylag, 2 Canada Geese, c120 Wigeon, c80 Teal, 37 Shoveler, 8 Shelduck, 6 Mallard, c30 Curlew, 18 Avocet, 10 Lapwing, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Snipe, 40+ Blk H Gulls, 6 Herring, 1 LBB, 1 Common Gull, 1 Grey Heron, lots of corvids & Starling, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 L T Tit, 1 Chinese Water Deer, 1 Muntjac.
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Mon 11th March 24
Reports from today
Simon Cox
17:10 This morning’s count (ducks scattered and mobile, hence totals approx) L Egret 2, Grey Heron 1, Canada Goose 18, Greylag 46, Shelduck 11, Wigeon 90, Teal 135, Mallard 10, Shoveler 32, Marsh Harrier 1, Kestrel 1, Moorhen 1, Lapwing 7, Avocet 14, Oystercatcher 4, Curlew 8, Brent 8 south, B-h Gull 100+, LBBG 1, H Gull 10.
Fri 8th March 24
Another day of sunshine with a cold easterly wind, the water level was still high on the scrape but the over wintering Jack Snipe showed for a short while to the delight of RJ.
From the hide: 2 Canada Geese, a few less Wigeon & Teal, 25+ Shoveler, 6 Mallard, 4 Shelduck, 2 Gadwall, 30+ Curlew, 8 Lapwing, 8 Avocet, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Jack Snipe, 1 Snipe, 1 Blkwit. (6 more dropped in after we left), 100+ Blk. H Gulls, 7 Herring Gulls, 2 LBB Gulls, 1 Com Gull, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Lt. Egret, 1 Buzzard, 1 Cetti's Warbler.
7 Purple Sands were dodging the waves south of French Point. RJ/MR et.al.
Thurs 7th March 24
Not quite spring out there today with a very chilly breeze coming in off the sea.
From the hide: 2 Canada Geese, c100 Wigeon, c100 Teal, 30+ Shoveler, 6 Mallard, 5 Shelduck, 5 Gadwall, 2 Pintail (ducks), 15 Curlew, 10 Lapwing, 8 Avocet, 2 Oystercatcher, 2 Snipe, 80+ Blk. H Gulls, 5 Herring Gulls, 2 Common Gulls, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Peregrine (on arable), 2 Marsh Harrier, 1 Buzzard, Cetti's Warbler, Reed Bunting. RJ/MR.
Tues 5th Mar 24
Just one R T Diver headed north offshore as I walked to French point this morning, no sign of the Purple sands but it was low water. Two Cetti's Warblers were interacting in the reedbed below the point, lots of wing and tail flicking and calling by one bird, not sure if this was courtship or just "get off my patch" but something I had not seen before.
From the hide: 12 Canada Geese, c100 Wigeon, c100 Teal, 50+ Shoveler, 16 Pintail, 9 Shelduck, 8 Mallard, 5 Gadwall, 30+ Curlew, 18 Lapwing, 6 Avocet, 5 Blkwits, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Jack Snipe, 70+ Blk. H Gulls, 3 Herring Gulls, 2 more Cetti's Warblers.
On the walk back 7 Turnstone were on the beach north of the sluice.
Mon 4th Mar 24
A little bit of sun brought out my first Adder of the year on the mounds, a Cetti's Warbler was singing in the same area and a single Purple Sand was on the Boating Club rocks.
From the hide: 2 Canada Geese (checking out the island), 100+ Wigeon, 100+ Teal, 70 Shoveler, 8 Mallard, 6 Shelduck, 4 Gadwall, 35 Curlew, 18 Lapwing, 4 Blk. T Godwit, 1 Green Sand, 1 Dunlin, 1 Jack Snipe, 64 Blk H Gulls, 2 Com Gulls, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 4 Skylarks, 3 Linnet, 1 Kestrel. plus 1 Chinese Water deer.
Sun 3rd Mar 24
A much nicer day today and the walk to French point showed 12 Turnstone, 2 Oystercatcher and a single Purple Sandpiper on the point just after low water, Purple sand numbers were higher as the tide pushed in. plus 2 R T Divers offshore first thing (RJ).
From the hide: 3 Canada Geese, c200 Wigeon, c150 Teal, 86 Shoveler, 8 Mallard, 4 Shelduck, 2 Gadwall, 35+ Curlew, 25 Lapwing, 10 Avocet, 2 Oystercatcher, 2 Blk T Godwits, 1 Green Sandpiper, 37 Blk. H Gulls, 1 LBB Gull, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Buzzard, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Sparrowhawk, Cetti's Warbler, Reed Bunting, lots of corvids & Starling. RJ/MR et.al.
Reports from today:
Gloria
15:19 5 Purple Sandpiper, 13 Turnstone, 27 Curlew GC and Marsh Harrier. Thanks to the nice 2 gentleman who helped us find Purple Sands.
"Your Welcome"
Richard Jeffree
18:03 Finally Barn Owl this evening (site year tick for me).
Sat 2nd Mar 24
A Kittiwake on the scrape made the wet and windy walk to the hide worthwhile this morning, otherwise much the same as of late. Offshore was no better with just two R T Divers for Richard before I arrived.
From the hide: 13 Canada Geese, c100 Wigeon, c100 Teal, 40+ Shoveler, 10+ Pintail, 6 Mallard, 5 Gadwall, 4 Shelduck, 10 Lapwing, 6 Avocet, 2 Oystercatcher, 2 Blkwits, c60 Blk. H Gulls, 3 Med Gulls, 1 Kittiwake, 1 Kestrel. RJ/MR
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Reports from today:
Richard Jeffree
10:19 Kittiwake on island on scrape.
16:54 9 each of Purple Sands + Turnstone south of French Pt and 20+ Curlew GC
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