Sat 30th Nov 24

Reports from today

Richard Jeffree

09:26 1 Purple Sand on rocks south of French Pt.

At the end of November the number of species recorded at the Haven this year stands at 173.

 

Fri 29th Nov 24

Today we were mostly watching a Kingfisher. He spent most of the morning hovering over the pond and then returning to a spot on the brook just out of sight with or without a stickleback.

Otherwise much the same, c800 Brent, c250 Greylag, 2 Pink-footed Geese, Teal, Wigeon, Shoveler & Mallard, c100 Lapwing, 6 Curlew, 5 Snipe, 2 Avocet, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Peregrine (on the arable toward Gt Holland). 1 Chinese Water Deer. RJ/MO'H/MR et.al.

Richard Jeffree

13:05 Purple Sand on rocks south of French Pt.

13:10 x3

 

Thurs 28th Nov 24

A late afternoon visit to the Haven gave me a Haven year tick with a S E Owl & a Barn Owl hunting over the marsh toward the golf course, also noted c1000 Brent up on the arable, c250 Greylag + a couple of hybrids and a Canada Goose, and 1 Water Rail.

Reports from today

Richard Jeffree

10:22 Lone Pinkfoot still with Greylags on marsh to the right of hide, Kingfisher showed well.

10:27 Two Pinkfoot.

12:09 1 each of Purple Sands + Ringed Plover on sluice.

Photo Richard Jeffree©

Photo Richard Jeffree©

Photo Richard Jeffree©

 

Wed 27th Nov 24

From the hide: c550 Brent (on the arable), c200 Greylag, c100 Teal, 40 Wigeon, 20+ Mallard, 7 Shoveler, c100 Lapwing, 2 Avocet, 2 Curlew, 1 Snipe, 1 Water Rail (heard only), 1 Cormorant, 1 Lt. Egret, 2 Lt. Grebe, 1 Peregrine, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Buzzard. Plus 2 Ringed Plover on the sluice as we left. RJ/MR

Reports from today

Mike O'Hanlon

12:42 2 Ringed Plovers on sluice.

 

Tues 26th Nov 24

The single Pink-footed Goose was seen to drop onto the marsh to the right of the hide with a small group of Greylags on my walk to French Point, nothing of note on the walk apart from 2 flocks of 50+ Brent coming in off and a couple of Stonechat.

From the hide: c300 Greylag, c250 Brent, 1 Pink-footed Goose, c30 Teal, 5 Shoveler, 4 Wigeon, 2 Mallard, c100 Lapwing, 5 Curlew, 2 Avocet, 2 Snipe, 2 Blk T Godwit, 1 Lt. Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Buzzard, 1 Kingfisher.

Reports from today

Jeff Biddle

12:27 2 female Marsh Harriers low over back of scrape.

12:30 Huge flock of Brent dropped in on scrape.

Photo Jeff Biddle©

17:06 Looks like a female bird and Mick’s a male.

 

Mon 25th Nov 24

A Cetti's Warbler showed really well at the entrance to the sewage works as I got out of my car, a nice start to the morning.

From the hide: c350 Brent, c300 Greylag (moving between the scrape and the arable/marsh, 50+ Teal, 4 Wigeon, 3 Shoveler, 2 Mallard, c60 Lapwing (more on the arable mostly out of view), 3 Blk T Godwit, 1 Avocet, 1 Curlew, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel.

 

Sun 24th Nov 24

From the hide: 150 Greylag, 130 Brent Geese, 1 Pink-footed Goose, c100 Teal, c20 Wigeon, 7 Shoveler, 4 Mallard, 120+ Lapwing (20 on scrape, 100+ on arable), 7 Curlew, 2 Blk T Godwits, 1 Buzzard. Plus 1 Lt Grebe on the brook. RJ/MR

 

Sat 23rd Nov 24

Very windy and wet today.

From the hide: 1 Greylag, 30+ Teal, 20+ Wigeon, 1 Shoveler, 1 Blk T Godwit, 20 Blk H Gulls, 5 Herring Gulls, 5 LBB's, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Cormorant. Up on the arable c100 Brent Geese, c100 Lapwing, c75 Golden Plover, 150+ mixed gull flock.

Reports from today

Matt Lonsdale

08:13 Kitt N past shelter.

 

Fri 22nd Nov 24

Very cold but bright this morning, 2 Purple Sands were on the sluice with a Turnstone, a walk to Sandy Point added just 4 Stonechat, 3 Mippit's and a single Brent Goose on the golf course, the scrape was almost completely frozen, and a few Brent were hidden by the back hedge and some Greylags were on the marsh below the Raised Platform but mostly out of view. RJ/MO'H/MR

Reports from today

Pete Loud

12:25 Short-eared Owl in off the sea from the shelter.

12:55 Only other things of interest were a Marsh Harrier offshore flying south and 2 Little Egret also offshore flying south, a few Brent and Cormorant and 6 or 7 Wigeon & Teal.

 

Thurs 21st Nov 24

All the action was up on the arable this morning, 38 Brent Geese and c100 Lapwing with c30 Golden Plover mixed in were on the field between the hide and the lay-by, but when flushed and joined by birds from over the road Golden Plover no's were 120+.

The scrape was frozen so just 5 Greylags on the island, a smart female Marsh Harrier had a fly through, 7 Teal dropped into the pond for a while, 2 Mallard, 2 Snipe and a Redshank (heard only) were also fly overs. RJ/MR.

 

Wed 20th Nov 24

Just a short visit today, a stop at the chippings lay-by on the way in showed 100+ Lapwing and 6 Golden Plover on the arable and Greylag and Canada Geese out on the marsh (Pink's not seen).

4 Turnstone were on the sluice with the gull flock, lots of Cormorant and a few R T Divers offshore.

From the hide: Much the same as yesterday mainly Wigeon and Teal, 3 Shoveler, 2 Shelduck, 2 Mallard, 1 Blk T Godwit, 1 Snipe and 1 Kingfisher that landed in front of the for a few seconds, promising as the water level in the brook is rising. RJ/MR

Reports from today

Mike O'Hanlon

12:05 Woodcock off the sea towards the scrape just north of sluice and a R T Diver close in, in the last 15 mins.

Photo Mike O'Hanlon©

13:15 Purple Sand on sluice.

 

Tues 19th Nov 24

A quick visit to the hide during a break in the rain showed that the Pinkfeet were still around, at first on the arable with Greylags, then on the marsh behind the scrape before flying out and dropping onto the marsh on the other side of the road. 

From the hide: 20+ Greylag, 8 Pink-footed Geese (on the arable), 170 Wigeon, 120 Teal, 4 Mallard, 2 Shoveler, 2 Shelduck, 14 Lapwing, c40 Blk H Gulls, 6 Herring Gulls, 1 LBB, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel.

Reports from today

Pete Loud

12:42 Hour seawatch from about 11AM, fairly quiet but lots of Cormorants flying past and on the sea, 1 drake Red-breasted Merganser close north, 3 Common Scoter on the sea close in , 1 Shelduck, 1 adult Med Gull, and several Red-throats on the sea.

 

Mon 18th Nov 24

A mid afternoon visit was well worthwhile with 7 Whooper Swans (2 ad 5 juvs.) sitting on the sea off the sluice and an male Pintail on the scrape.

Heavy crop in poor light

Reports from today

Mike O'Hanlon

13:35 With Pete Loud this morning- - along sea wall from the sluice to raised tee 7+ R T Divers, 1st yr. Gannet (close in), Purple Sandpiper on the beach north of the sluice with Turnstone. From the hide - 8 Pinkies on the marsh, Kingfisher, Sprawk, Water Rail, suspected 1st. w Y L Gull, 200+ Greylags, 200 + Wigeon, Avocet and usual other water fowl. No sign of Snow Bunting.

13:57 +3 Little Egrets on Leon’s, 3 Golden Plover over arable, 4 Curlew on marsh.

Sun 17th Nov 24

 Reports from today

Richard Jeffree

09:18 8 pink feet still present same spot ca 50 stock dove 8 fieldfare over.

09:53 2 purple sands on rocks south of french pt.

11:19 Pinkfoots now on scrape.

Photo Richard Jeffree©

Simon Cox

14:32 Haven count this am: R-t Diver 1, Grey Heron 1, Cormorant 2, Brent 6 (on scrape), Pink-feet 8, Greylag 285, Canada 1, Shelduck 2, Mallard 2, Teal 45, Wigeon 190, Shoveler 6, Avocet 1, Lapwing 60, Blackwit 2, Curlew 8, Turnstone 2, Water Rail 2, Moorhen 5, Buzzard 1, Cetti’s W 1, Stonechat 1. Also Purple Sand 2 (RJ), Kingfisher 1 (JS), Bearded Tit 2 (RJ).

 

Sat 16th Nov 24

I stopped at the chippings lay-by on my way to site this morning to find the 8 Pink-footed Geese found by Matt Lonsdale earlier (a site year tick) still out on the marsh.

With the tide high it was quiet along the front, with a few Red T Divers & Cormorants still offshore, otherwise 4 Stonechat & a Rock Pipit was about it.

From the hide: 14 Brent Geese, 3 Greylag, 120+ Wigeon, c30 Teal, 7 Shoveler, 2 Shelduck, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Curlew, 2 Blk T Godwit, 1 Avocet, 2 Stonechat, 1 Kingfisher.

Reports from today

Matt Lonsdale

08:58 8 Pink-footed Geese on marsh from chippings lay-by.

Steve Entwistle

12:55 8 Pink-footed Geese in marsh from inside chippings yard at layby.

14:59 Seawatch with P Loud at haven. 4 Red-throated Divers (2 on sea), 2 Wigeon (flypass), 1 Great Crested Grebe (flypass), 20+ Cormorants.

 

Fri 15th Nov 24

A walk along the front to the Raised Tee was very pleasant this morning, 5 Turnstone were on the sluice and a Red-throated Diver was sitting on the sea just off the first pillbox, a single Purple Sand was on the rocks at French Point before being flushed by the rising tide. Continuing towards Frinton it was evident that quite a lot of RTD's were fishing offshore along with several Cormorant and 6 Curlew flew along the marsh.

 Joined by Dave Cummings at Sandy Point we walked on to the Raised Tee with only a few Mippits and Pied Wags noted. Thankfully on the return the Snow Bunting that has been with us for five days now was re-located along the track between the GC dump and the Boardwalk (Bluethroat Trail).

From the hide things were much the same, plus a Kingfisher showed well on reeds around the pond and the Water Rail put in another appearance PL/DC/MO'H/DG/MR et.al.

Reports from today

Dick Groves

12:12 S E Owl nr sluice.

 

Thurs 14th Nov 24

Two Purple Sands were on the Boating Club rocks first thing, then a walk to Sandy Point (joined half way by Richard) couldn't find the Snow Bunting, just Mippits a Rock Pipit and a few Cormorants offshore. Later in the morning sitting in the hide Peter Staniforth said he had seen the Snow Bunting on his walk in from Frinton, near the Raised Tee so Richard headed off toward Frinton, (results below).

From the hide: 6 Greylag, c100 Wigeon, c30 Teal, 7 Shoveler, 3 Mallard, 2 Shelduck, c20 Lapwing, 5 Blk T Godwit, 1 Avocet, 1 Curlew, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel. JS/RJ/PS/MR

Reports from today

Richard Jeffree

11:51 Very close in Red-throated Diver French pt.

11:59 Flew  north.

12:33 Snow Bunting still start of bluethroat trail /GC flighty.

Photo Richard Jeffree©

Photo Richard Jeffree©

 

Wed 13th Nov 24

A walk to Sandy Point by Richard and Graham gave no sign of the Snow Bunting this morning just a single Stonechat and a steady stream of Starling in off, plus around a hundred Cormorant sitting on the sea offshore.

From the hide: 12 Greylag, c100 Wigeon, c30 Teal, 10 Shoveler, 5 Mallard, 2 Shelduck, 20+ Lapwing, 16 Curlew, 5 Blk T Godwits, 2+ Snipe, 1 Avocet, 1 Water Rail, 300+ Blk H Gulls, 4 Herring Gulls, 1 Stonechat, 2 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Buzzard RJ/MO'H/MR et.al. 

Reports from today

Richard Jeffree

16:16 Barn Owl late afternoon with prey being harried by kestrel.

 

Tues 12th Nov 24

I had a very rewarding walk to Sandy Point this morning with BH, first a late Wheatear was very confiding, 2 Purple Sands and 4 Turnstone were on the rocks south of French Point, a Rock Pipit was on the seawall half way to Sandy Point and the Snow Bunting was on the cycle path inside the seawall by the golf course dump. Joined by PL we made our way back to the hide and found that the Snow Bunting had re-located to the track between French Point and the old wooden hide platform where it was seen yesterday.

Reports from today

Mike O'Hanlon

11:29 Wheatear and Snow Bunting still present. Snow Bunting quite mobile on path below sea wall north of French Point

Pete Loud

12:55 Short seawatch this morning was very quiet 4 or 5 adult Gannet, 1 Auk sp, 5 Wigeon, 7 Teal, 2 Brent, quite a few small groups of Starling in off. Snow Bunting was nice to catch up on and the Northern Wheatear was quite a late record, a nice flock of 25-30 Whitefronts seemed to come in off headed inland a bit then headed off north. Scrape, 1 Great White Egret flew over and headed inland, 1 Little Egret, 1ad Med Gull, 1 Snipe, 3 Avocet, 5 Blackwit and the usual selection of ducks. 3 Purple Sandpipers and 7 Turnstone were on the Sluice early on.

Graham Sutton

14:12  Seawatch from Haven 1015-1130: Pintail 2N, Eider 2N, Egyptian Goose 4S, RT Diver 25S, 4N, Purple Sandpiper 6N, Starlings arriving in off all morning in groups of 10-40 (c. 700 by the time I Ieft), also 2 Chaffinch & 2 Siskins in off/N.

 

Mon 11th Nov 24

Another late start today but well worth it, while sitting in the hide watching 10 Barnacle Geese the first of the autumn and the Water Rail, Mike O'Hanlon phoned to say he had just found a Snow Bunting along the seawall near French Point (a year tick for me) and a cracking little bird it was.

From the hide: c200 Greylag, 10 Barnacle Geese, c50 Wigeon, 42 Teal, 17 Shoveler, 4 Mallard, 1 Shelduck, 1 Grey Heron, 60+ Lapwing, 7 Blk T Godwits, 1 Avocet, 1 Snipe (flyover), 1 Water Rail, 1 Buzzard

Reports from today

Dennis Pryor

10:14 Ten Barnacle Geese dropped in front of hide

Mike O'Hanlon

12:53 Snow Bunting on sea wall by French Point.

Photo Mike O'Hanlon©

 

Sun 10th Nov 24

Just a short visit for me today.

From the hide: c180 Greylag, c60 Wigeon, c30 Teal, 17 Shoveler, 2 Mallard, 2 Shelduck, 2 Lt. Egret, 60+ Lapwing, c20 Curlew, 7 Blk T Godwits, 1 Snipe, 1 Avocet, 1 Water Rail, 20+ Fieldfare (along back hedge), 3 Stonechat, 2 Peregrine, 1 Buzzard. MR et.al.

 

Sat 9th Nov 24

On the way to the hide 3 Brent Geese were sitting on a flat calm sea and 3 Cormorant were fishing close offshore, another 2 Cormorant and 2 Turnstone were with the gulls on the sluice rocks

From the hide: c180 Greylag, c40 Teal, c40 Wigeon, 9+ Shoveler, 2 Mallard, 2 Shelduck, 1 Gadwall (drake), 8 Blk T Godwit, 1 Avocet, 1 Water Rail, 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 1 Muntjac Deer.

 

Fri 8th Nov 24

Very quiet on the scrape this morning as the noisy Greylags were not around, just one dropped in late morning, thankfully the Water Rail put on a good show.

From the hide: 1 Greylag, 105 Wigeon, c30 Teal, 15 Shoveler, 2 Shelduck, 2 Mallard, c50 Lapwing, 9 Blk T Godwits, 1 Avocet, 1 Water Rail, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Peregrine, 1 Sparrowhawk, plus 2 Muntjac Deer. RJ/DC/MO'H/MR

Photos Richard Jeffree©

Photos Richard Jeffree©

Reports from today

Matt Lonsdale

09:01 Swallow north raised platform.

 

Thurs 7th Nov 24

Very quiet around the bushes this morning with nothing of note seen. 5 Turnstone were on the sluice with the gulls

From the hide: c200 Greylag, 70+ Wigeon, c30 Teal, 15 Shoveler, 2 Shelduck, 2 Mallard, c100 Lapwing, 7 Blk T Godwit, 1 Snipe, 1 Avocet, 1 Water Rail, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Peregrine (on the arable), 1 Buzzard. Plus 1 Chinese Water Deer. JS/RJ/MR. A female Blackcap was on the brambles between the hide and the sluice on the way back. MR.

Reports from today

Mike O'Hanlon

14:05 Lunchtime with John Sawyer from the hide.

Photo Mike O'Hanlon©

 

Wed 6th Nov 24

From the hide: c200 Greylag, c40 Wigeon, c 30 Teal, 12 Shoveler, 7 Gadwall, 2 Mallard, 2 Shelduck, c40 Lapwing, 5 Blk T Godwit, 5 Snipe, 1 Avocet, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Bearded Tit, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Buzzard.

Reports from today

Mike O'Hanlon

11:31 From the hide 5 mins ago.

Photo Mike O'Hanlon©

Richard Jeffree

13:39 20 Golden Plover with Lapwing from raised platform / layby.

 

Tues 5th Nov 24

The morning was saved by the Water Rail again today, showing really well in the brook in front of the hide, otherwise apart from the Greylags numbers were down a bit. Things were better along the back hedge with Peter & Leons ringing group pulling 7 Bearded Tits from the drain just a field away from the hide ( see Ringing page). Plus a flyover Tree Pipit

From the hide: c200 Greylags, c50 Wigeon, c20 Teal, 3 Shoveler, 2 Mallard, 2 Shelduck, c30 Lapwing, 8 Blk T Godwit, 8 Curlew, 4 Snipe, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Water Rail.

 

Mon 4th Nov 24

A Firecrest was my bird of the day, in the wood just behind the Boating Club compound also Redwing, Song Thrush and several Blackbirds. A walk to French Point gave just 6 Turnstone (2 on the point and 4 on rocks to the south) and 15 Brent heading south offshore, a Water Rail was in the Reedbed near to Simons ringing rides.

From the hide: c200 Greylag, c60 Wigeon, c30 Teal, 10 Shoveler, 4 Mallard, 2 Shelduck, 6 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 14 Lapwing, 5 Blk. T Godwit, 2 Snipe, 1 Water Rail (heard only), 20 Blk H Gulls, 5 Herring Gulls, 2 Common Gulls, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Stonechat, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel.

 

 

Sun 3rd Nov 24

A Goldcrest showed well at the sewage farm entrance on the way to the hide and 4 Turnstone and 2 Purple Sands were around the sluice with the gulls.

From the hide: c200 Greylag, 2 White-fronted Geese (Ad & juv), c50 Wigeon, 42 Teal, 10 Shoveler, 2 Mallard, 2 Gadwall, 2 Shelduck, c40 Lapwing, 10 Blk T Godwits, 2 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Kestrel, 1 Water Rail (heard only) RJ/MR.

Repos from today

Matt Lonsdale

08:34 Ad+ juv Whitefront in/off and in field to left of scrape HH.

Graham Sutton

09:40 From Frinton 0650-0800:

Brent 491 S 23 N, Grey Goose sp 1S, Shelduck 2 S, Wigeon 96 S, Teal 35 S, RB Merganser 1 S, C Scoter 6S, RT Diver 2 N, Gannet 1 fishing , Med Gull 1 ad S, Arctic Skua 1 N.

Richard Jeffree

10:14 2 Whitefronts now on scrape with Greylags.

11:46 2 Purple Sands French pt.

 

Sat 2nd Nov 24

Just a bit quieter on the scrape this morning with c120 Greylag, c60 Wigeon, c40 Teal, 8 Shoveler, 2 Shelduck, c40 Lapwing, 12 Blk. T Godwits, 2 Bearded Tit, and the Water Rail showed again in front of the hide. RJ/MR.

 

Fri 1st Nov 24

We did some work this morning to open up views of the brook in front of the hide, before starting work all looked much the same on the scrape. We were very pleased that in the hour after work finished Robin & Wren were regular visitors to the work area, a Cetti's Warbler showed really well and a Water Rail put in a couple of brief appearances. Plus the Kingfisher visited the pond DC/RJ/BH/ML/MR. Thanks to all.

Reports from today

Matt Lonsdale

13:47 Highlights from this morning-light vis-mig 2 Brambling the highlights, 10+ Stonechat across the site, 6 Goldcrest in bushes, 4 Scoter and a Gannet offshore.