Thurs 31st Oct 24

All much the same again today, but an absolutely beautiful morning weather wise.

Very quiet around the bushes, 5 Turnstone on the sluice with the gulls and 2 Red-throated Divers sitting on the sea offshore.

From the hide: c200 Greylag, 50+ Teal, 43 Wigeon, 10 Shoveler, 2 Shelduck, c80 Lapwing, 11 Blk T Godwits, 6 Snipe, 1 Water Rail (heard only), c12 Bearded Tits, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, plus 2 Lt Grebe on the brook on the way back.PL/RJ/MR.

At the end of October the number of species recorded at the Haven this year stands at 169.

 

Wed 30th Oct 24

From the hide: 210 Greylag, c40 Teal, 34 Wigeon, 10 Shoveler, 2 Shelduck, 2 Mallard, 14 Lapwing, 8 Snipe, 5 Blk T Godwit, c40 Blk. H Gulls, 6 Herring Gulls (lots more up on the arable), 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 2 Stonechat, Cetti's Warbler, Reed Bunting.

On the way back 7 Cormorant and 4 Turnstone were with the gulls on the sluice which included a colour ringed Herring gull (OVAT). BH/MR.

 

Tues 29th Oct 24

A late start for me today, on route to the hide 4 Turnstone were on the sluice rocks with 3 Cormorant and lots of gulls.

From the hide: c200 Greylag, 65 Wigeon, c60 Teal, 10 Shoveler, 2 Shelduck, 4 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 30+ Lapwing, 7 Blk T Godwits, 4 Snipe, 3 Curlew, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Kestrel, Ploughing of the arable above the scrape meant lots of gulls mainly Blk. Headed and Herring but 2 Common Gulls and 1 Med Gull were noted. MO'H/MR et.al.

Reports from today

Pete Loud

15:29 Haven this afternoon 12-3pm, 1 Great-spotted Woodpecker, 1 Grey Wagtail south, 2 Med Gull, Scrape, 1 Peregrine

 

Mon 28th Oct 24

On the way to the hide a few bits and pieces were on the move offshore with 1 Gannet, 10 Brent, 2 Cormorant, 8 Shelduck, 2 Teal all heading south .

From the hide: c200 Greylag, c60 Teal, 40+ Wigeon, 9 Shoveler, 2 Shelduck, 2 Mallard, 4 Cormorant, 20+ Lapwing, 10 Blk T Godwit, 5 Snipe, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrel. DP/MR

Reports from today

Matt Turner

14:50 1w Yellow-legged Gull was on scrape then flew south.

 

Sun 27th Oct 24

A large tit flock along the approach rd. held just 1 Goldcrest and that was about it around the bushes today. 2 Lt Grebe were on the brook behind the sluice and 3 Turnstone on the sluice rocks.

From the hide: 225 Greylag, c50 Teal, 23 Wigeon, 7 Shoveler, 4 Mallard, 2 Shelduck, 20+ Lapwing, 7 Blk T Godwit, 4 Curlew, 1 Water Rail (heard only), 4 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Buzzard, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, PL/MR et.al.

 

Sat 26th Oct 24

From the hide: 208 Greylag, c50 Teal, c 40 Wigeon, 6 Shoveler, 3 Mallard, 3 Shelduck, 100 Lapwing, 13 Blk T Godwits, 1 Snipe, 1 Water Rail, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Bearded Tit, 12 Goldfinch and 1 Swallow (Over), 3 Buzzard, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel. RJ/MR

Photo Richard Jeffree©

Reports from today

Pete Loud

12:17 Hawfinch just flown south low past pill box and over seawatching hide.(re Pete Davis).

 

Fri 25th Oct 24

The Dell and Approach Rd area was quiet again this morning, 3 Turnstone were on the sluice rocks, a walk to Sandy Point was a bit more productive with lots of Meadow Pipit & Reed Buntings, 6+ Stonechat, a single Swallow and Rock Pipit but no sign of the 4 Bearded Tits seen by Simon & Pat during their ringing session earlier.

From the hide: c130 Greylag, c30 Teal, 12 Wigeon, 10 Shoveler, 4 Mallard, 1 Shelduck, 20+ Lapwing, 13 Blk T Godwit, 5+ Snipe, 2 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Stonechat, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel. RJ/DC/MO'H/MR.

Reports from today

Simon Cox

09:00 4 Bearded Tits just flown high south over reedbed netting area.

 

Thurs 24th Oct 24

A walk around the Dell and along the Approach Rd was quiet apart from 3 showy Goldcrests in with the tit flock. A single Turnstone was with the gulls & cormorants on the sluice rocks.

From the hide: 1 Mute Swan, 206 Greylags, c30 Teal, 12 Shoveler, 7 Wigeon, 3 Shelduck, 2 Grey Heron, 26 Lapwing, 16 Blk T Godwit, 5+ Snipe, 2 Stonechat, 1 Cetti's Warbler, Skylarks & Mippits, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Buzzard, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, RJ/MO'H/MR plus 7 Bearded Tit passed the hide RJ/MO'H.

Reports from today

Richard Jeffree

12:29 4 Beardies 2 male 2 female  just north of the trapping area in reeds.

 

Wed 23rd Oct 24

From the hide: 268 Greylag, c40 Teal, 12 Shoveler, 4 Mallard, 2 Wigeon, 26 Lapwing, 12 Curlew, 5 Blk T Godwit, 4 Snipe, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel. RJ/BH/MR et.al.

Reports from today

Simon Cox

17:08 Sightings: Little Egret 1, Swallow 1, Stonechat 2, M Pipit at least 50 probably more. Only a few finch parties seen from our viewpoint.

 

Tues 22nd Oct 24

Reports from today

Pete Loud

13:30 Scrape this morning,12 Blackwit, 2 Snipe, 4 Gadwall, 3 Shelduck,, 6 Shoveler, 6 Swallow, several small groups of Goldfinch and Meadow Pipits  heading south all morning.(MR&PL)

15:44 Just sitting at the Cafe with Ian M & Pete Davis and drake Goosander just flown south very close.

 

Last week catch up

11th Oct 24

Simon Cox

15:25 Fairly quiet in reedbed area this morning. Small flocks of M Pipits, a few Reed Buntings, three finch flocks totalling 50+, probably Goldies, Kingfisher & Sparrowhawk.

13th Oct 24

Steve Grimwade

14:32 Cattle Egret with cows near Hide at Holland Haven. Also 1 Purple Sand on sluice.

Nigel Pepper

5pm Haven. Purple Sandpiper with 3 Turnstones on rocks at end of sluice. Cattle Egret with the cattle on grazing marsh.

15th Oct 24

Pete Davis

15:53 1+ Bearded Tit reeds between sea wall and golf course just west of dump. Black Red Raised Tee earlier but no sign when came through 10 mins ago

Simon Cox

17:46 Haven seawatch 0800-0930 (partly with ML who may have additions) Gannet 1 ad N, Brent 280+ S, Shelduck 20 S, Wigeon 75+ S, R-t Diver 1 S, Goldeneye 1 S.

Scrape 0945-1100: M Swan 1, G Heron 1, Cormorant 4, Greylag 132, Mallard 4, Teal 30, Wigeon 7, Shoveler 6, Shelduck 1, Lapwing 180, Curlew 4, Blackwit 1, GBB Gull 2, H Gull 30, B-h Gull 50+, Buzzard 1, Kestrel 1, Linnet 6, Cetti’s Warbler 1.

17th Oct 24

Matt Turner

13:36 Steady pulses of goldfinches south through HH - over 600 in last 90 mins.

15:04 Hooded Crow behind sewage works.

Brian Combes

18:08 Walk from Frinton to Holland Haven and back along seawall this morning included: 1 Purple Sand, 571 Goldfinch (steady movement south after the rain cleared in groups of typically between 15-25 birds, many at eye-level - lovely), 141+ Meadow Pipit (91 south, 50+ grounded), 35 Chaffinch (south), 12 Reed Bunting (6 south), 29 Skylark (south), 7 Pied Wag (south), 3 Siskin (south), 5 Swallow (south), 17 Linnet (south), 7+ Stonechat (mobile, probably 10 birds), 1 Water Rail (calling), 6 Cetti’s (singing), 3 Turnstone, 10+ Song Thrush (6+ in dell), 5 Redwing, 16+ Blackbird (8+ in dell), 1 Ringed Plover, 7 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Goldcrest, 2 Rock Pipit

18th Oct 24

Simon Cox

Just caught first Redpoll this autumn (Haven Reedbed)

Pete Loud

12:21 Hooded Crow, just visible from lay-by in arable field behind scrape, now flown to marsh behind sewage farm and out of sight.(PL&PD) new Haven tick for both of us

12:32 Hooded crow showing again on marsh behind sewage farm from B1032 lay by.

16:51 Hooded crow , showing now from lay-by near cow feeder on marsh behind sewage farm, also 4 Egyptian Geese on marsh other side of road, from chippings lay-by

Matt Lonsdale

16:06 Hooded crow under cattle feeder viewed from raised platform, Brambling and 4 Egyptian Geese, chippings lay-by

20th Oct 24

Simon Cox

12:16 Hide this morning: Grey Heron  1, Greylag 192, Canada  G 3 + 1 hybrid, Shelduck 3, Mallard 2, Shoveler 10, Teal 150, Wigeon 23, Cormorant 3, LBBG 1, H Gull 65, B-h Gull 30,   Marsh Harrier 1, Kestrel  2, Swallow 5. No sign of Hooded Crow.

 

Thurs 10th Oct 24

Several Swallows and House Martins moving through mid morning and 20+ Goldfinch dropped into the Dell sallows before moving on.

3 Turnstone were on the sluice with a large group of gulls including Herring Gull "WLA" a 12yr old regular ringed as a chick in the Port of Felixstowe.

From the hide: 33 Greylag (lots more on the marsh below the raised platform), 100+ Teal, 31 Wigeon, 4 Shoveler, c40 Lapwing, 1 Avocet, 2 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Lt. Egret, 140+ Blk H Gulls, 2 Med Gulls, 2 Peregrine (on the arable), 1 Marsh Harrier, more Swallows & House Martin, Reed Bunting & Mippits.

I will be away for the next week but hope to catch up with reports next weekend

Reports from today

Laurence Drumond

08:00 3 Gannet and Skua sp north.

08:16 Auk north, poss Razor.

08:56 RT Diver on sea off sailing club.

Simon Cox

09:01 Sooty Shearwater going north past shelter.

11:27 4 Red-throats 0845-1015

Matt Lonsdale

11:12 Pied Flycatcher farm pond

14:41 Great morning at haven- 

Highlights the sooty, pied fly and yellowhammer south. Whinchat and 3 wheatear also around the site as well as lots of pipits. Surprisingly good vismig too, inc c500 house Martin and good numbers of mipits, goldfinch, alba wags, Reed bunts etc. 

Photo Matt Lonsdale©

The Pied Fly was still present in willow in middle of pond viewed from north track @11:45

Richard Jeffree

15:55 Pied fly still present farm pond +2 chiff.

 

Wed 9th Oct 24

From the hide: 120+ Greylag, 100 Teal, 8 Wigeon, 6 Mallard, 2 Shoveler, 110 Lapwing, 11 Blk T Godwit, 1 Avocet, 1 Snipe, 70+ Blk H Gulls, 5 Herring Gulls, 2 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 2 Jay, Reed Bunting, Skylark & Mippits, plus c30 Swallow, c30 House Martin & 20 Goldfinch headed south. RJ/MR

Reports from today

Paul Brayshaw

07:43 Early run through the Haven site along the seawall and back either side of dawn. GWE flew in from north and landed on grazing marsh.  Few Mipit and Swallow moving towards the end.  Brent south offshore.

 

Tues 8th Oct 24

2 Chiffchaff's were with a large tit flock along the brook hedge between the Sluice and the Windpump plus a Little Grebe was on the brook in the same area and a Kingfisher flew through.

From the hide: 3 Mute Swan's, 120+ Greylag, c90 Teal, 30 Wigeon, 3 Shoveler, 3 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, c50 Lapwing, 10 Blk T Godwits, 1 Snipe, 1 Avocet, 106 Blk H Gulls, 4 Herring Gulls, 1 Cetti's Warbler, a few Swallows south, 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel.

 

Mon 7th Oct 24

A walk around the Approach Rd and adjacent wood gave just two Goldcrests of note in a mixed tit flock and two Chiffchaff around the Dipping Pond area plus a couple of Swallows heading south. 3 Turnstone were on the sluice with 70 Herring Gulls.

From the hide: 1 Mute Swan, c120 Greylag, 2 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, c60 Teal, 26 Wigeon, 2 Shoveler, 2 Mallard, 36 Lapwing, 11 Blk T Godwit, 2 Dunlin, 1 Snipe, 1 Avocet, 1 Buzzard, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel.

 

Sun 6th Oct 24

From the hide: 10:00-12:00, 138 Greylag, 30+ Teal, 16 Wigeon, 3 Shoveler, 2 Mallard, 2 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, c30 Lapwing, 9 Blk T Godwit, 5 Curlew, 1 Blk H Gull, 5 Herring Gulls, 5 GBB, 2 Buzzard, 1 Peregrine, 1 Kestrel, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Stonechat, c 500 Starling,

Reports from today

Simon Cox

16:57 Haven 1430-1600: L Egret 1, G Heron 1, Cormorant 4, Greylag 152, Mallard 1, Shoveler 2, Teal c30, Wigeon 17, Buzzard 2, Lapwing 20+, Blackwit 6, Snipe 2, Dunlin 1.

 

Sat 5th Oct 24

From the hide: 1 Mute Swan, 125 Greylag, 70+ Teal, 16 Wigeon, 3 Shoveler, 2 Mallard, 3 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, c70 Lapwing, 7 Blk T Godwits, 3 Curlew, 2 Snipe, 1 Avocet, 7 Buzzard, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Kestrel, c10 House Martin, 2 Stonechat, 1 Cetti's Warbler. RJ/DC/MR

On the way back 30+ Brent & 2 Cormorant headed south, plus 2 Turnstone were with the gulls on the sluice.

 

Fri 4th Oct 24

Quiet around the bushes this morning but a Caspian Gull on the sluice with the gull flock and two Turnstone was a good start.

From the hide: 100+ Greylag, 90+ Teal, 16 Wigeon, 2 Mallard, 1 Shoveler, 2 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 100+ Lapwing, 7 Blk T Godwits, 50+ Blk H Gull, 6 Herring Gull 3+ Buzzard, 2 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, c30 Swallows, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Kingfisher and 4+ Chiffchaff at the back of the hide when leaving. RJ/MR

 

Thurs 3rd Oct 24

Two Turnstone were with the gulls on the sluice and 70+ Brent headed south on the way to the hide

From the hide: c100 Greylag, 60 Teal, 15 Wigeon, 2 Mallard, 3 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, c120 Lapwing, 8 Blk T Godwit, 1 Avocet, 1 Curlew, 84 Blk H Gulls, 6 Herring Gulls, 4 Common Gulls, 2 LBB, 1 Cettis Warbler, 1 Kingfisher, 3 Swallows, 2 Buzzard, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel.

 

Wed 2nd Oct 24

The only thing of note during a walk along the approach road this morning was a flock of 10+ Siskins otherwise very quiet. Three Turnstone were on the sluice with the mixed gull flock.

From the hide: c100 Greylag, 60+ Teal, 10 Wigeon, 6 Mallard, 3 Cormorant, 2 Grey Heron, 80+ Lapwing, 12 Blk T  Godwits, 1 Snipe, 96 Blk H Gulls,  Herring Gulls, 2 Common Gulls, 1 GBB,  1 LBB, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Kestrel, 1 Cetti's Warbler,1 Wheatear, a couple of Swallows plus Meadow Pipits & Skylarks RJ/MR

 

Tues 1st Oct 24

Very quiet around the bushes this morning, two Turnstone were on the sluice with a mixed gull flock that included Herring Gull "WLA"  ringed as a chick at the Port of Felixstowe in 2012.

From the hide: c200 Greylag, 80+ Teal, 10 Wigeon, 6 Mallard, 5 Shoveler, 8 Cormorant,  2 Grey Heron, c100 Lapwing, 12 Blk T Godwit, 1 Avocet, 1 Snipe, 1 Greenshank, 30 Blk H Gulls,  3 Herring Gulls, 1 Med Gull, a few Swallows & House Martins, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Kingfisher, plus  1 Muntjac Deer. RJ/MR