Fri 28th Feb 25
What a lovely morning for a walk to French Point in the sun with Skylarks singing overhead lets hope it lasts, a pair of Stonechat were in the moth sanctuary but not much else.
From the hide: Wigeon & Teal, 29 Shoveler, 8 Shelduck, 6 Mallard, c80 Lapwing, 34 Curlew, 10 Blk T Godwits, 4 Snipe, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Avocet, 1 Dunlin, 51 Blk H Gulls, 1 Common Gull plus 1 Muntjac, 6 Hares.
At the end of February the number of species recorded at the Haven this year stands at 94.
Tues 25th Feb 25
I had just a short visit this morning, 3 Med Gulls were in a large gull flock on the approach road marsh plus 8 Mallard and 2 Oystercatcher.
Nice to hear a bit more birdsong around the Dell, quite a few Blackbird, Dunnock Chaffinch & Robins around plus a Cetti's Warbler and 2 Greenfinch.
BH spent a bit of time in the hide and from his report numbers sounded much the same as yesterday.
Reports from today
Brian Combes
17:59 Walk from Frinton to The Haven and back via the farm this morning included: 6 med gull (with b-h gulls on golf course), 1 water rail (calling, Frinton end), 13 red-throated diver (8 on the sea mid-morning, 5 north), 5 purple sandpiper (together between middle and northern pillbox), 1 fieldfare (north over carpark), 3 redwing (north edge of paddocks), 7 stonechat (one pair - and five females, probably birds on the move, 2 together south of boardwalk and 3 together on seawall near northern pillbox), 2 goldcrest, 175 brent (north first thing in four groups, probably some of the birds passing Laurence), 220+ black-headed gull (golf course first thing), 8 reed bunting (5 singing), 9 linnet, 1 curlew (south), 100+ starling (golf course), 4 Cetti’s warbler (singing, including one in the dell), 19 mipit, 19 Canada goose, 27 shoveler, 1 avocet, 2 blackbird (in subsong), 3 hare (1 south of scrape and the 2 Mike photographed), 3 song thrush (singing), 2 green woodpecker, 15 black-tailed godwit (feeding on flood behind carpark), 2 oystercatcher, 2 shelduck (north), 14 pied wagtail (golf course/arable), 3 great spotted woodpecker (pair western edge of golf course, 1 drumming by farm), 1 buzzard (drifting north), 1 corn bunting (none singing, single bird near manure heap by bridleway), 2 red-legged partridge (arable north of bridleway), 5 chaffinch (1 singing). 15 species in song.
Mon 24th Feb 25
Over the road this morning, 2 Mute Swans, c350 Brent Geese (later on the sea off the sluice), Greylag & Canada Geese, Wigeon & Teal, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Barn Owl.
A walk to French Point and back through the reedbeds gave 4 Stonechat, 1 Rock Pipit, 2 Cetti's Warblers and a few Skylark, Meadow Pipit and Reed Bunting.
From the hide: c300 Wigeon, c150 Teal, 36 Shoveler, 10 Shelduck, 10 Mallard, c200 Lapwing, 30+ Curlew, 17 Blk T Godwits, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Snipe, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel.
On the way back 10 Turnstone, 4 Sanderling and 2 Purple Sands were on the sluice rocks and 2 R T Divers were sitting offshore.
Sat 22nd Feb 25
Much quieter on the marsh over the road this morning, just a few Greylag & Canada's, still lots of Wigeon & Teal.
The flat sand of the last week has been replaced by shingle along the front so not so inviting to the small waders.
From the hide: 14 Brent, 7 Canada Geese, c150 Wigeon, c100 Teal, 23 Shoveler, 10 Shelduck, 8 Mallard, c 300 Lapwing, 22 Curlew, 15 Blk T Godwit, 2 Oystercatcher, 2 Golden Plover, 1 Ringed Plover, 1 Avocet, 2 Buzzard. RJ/MR
Reports from today
Richard Jeffree
16:32 5 Med Gulls on the GC
Fri 21st Feb 25
Another addition to the year list today with a Water Rail making its first appearance of the year.
From the hide: 6 Brent Geese, 150+ Wigeon, c80 Teal, 26 Shoveler, 12 Shelduck, 10 Mallard, c 150 Lapwing, c20 Curlew, 14 Blk T Godwits, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Water Rail, 2 Peregrine, 2 Buzzard, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel. PL/RJ/MO'H/MR.
Thurs 20th Feb 25
Over the road first thing were 2 Mute Swans, c500 Brent Geese, Greylag & Canada Geese, Wigeon & Teal, 3 Grey Heron, Lots of gulls on the flash behind the bungalows inc. 2 LBB's 4+ Common Gulls, Herring & Blk Headed. RJ/MR
On the walk to French Point 5 Turnstone, 3 Sanderling were on the beach north of the sluice, otherwise a couple of Mipits and a pair of Stonechat was about it.
From the hide: Lots of Wigeon & Teal, 22 Shoveler, 7 Shelduck, 4 Mallard, 150+ Lapwing, 30+ Curlew, 13 Blk T Godwits, 2 Snipe, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Peregrine, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Buzzard. PL/RJ/MR/TOM
Reports from today
Pete Loud
11:38 2 Purple Sands on the beach just north of French Point,1 Purple, 1 Sanderling , 5 Turnstone and adult Med Gull on beach to the south, 1 Oystercatcher flew south and landed on marsh north of Scrape.
Wed 19th Feb 25
A Red Kite over the marsh on the other side of the road was a good start for me this morning, otherwise the same as of late, Greylags, Canada Geese, Wigeon, Teal, Lapwing, 2 Mute Swans plus a nice Barn Owl towards Fan Bridge.
There was a nice selection of waders on the beach north of the sluice with what turned out to be 14 Sanderling, 7 Turnstone and 7 Purple Sands. A walk down to the Frinton end added little more than 1 Mipit a Rock Pipit a couple of Skylarks and 2 Brent flocks heading south offshore. RJ/MR
From the hide: 40+ Greylags (below raised platform), 2 Brent Geese, Wigeon, Teal, 18 Shoveler, 8 Shelduck, 2 Mallard, 100+ Lapwing, 2 Blk T Godwits, 2 Peregrine (on the arable), 2 Buzzard, 6+ Brown Hares and 2 Muntjac. RJ/MO'H/MR
Reports from today
Richard Jeffree
10:19 Beach north of sluice 12 Sanderling 7 each of Purple Sands and Turnstone.
Tues 18th Feb 25
All much the same again today 2 Mute Swans, c80 Greylag, 20 Canada Geese, lots of Wigeon & Teal, 2 Buzzards from the chippings lay-by
From the hide, c150 Brent (over toward the arable), 94 Teal, 84 Wigeon, 36 Shoveler, 6 Mallard, 5 Shelduck, 134 Lapwing, 1 Lt. Grebe, 1 Buzzard.
Brian Combes
Lunchtime walk from Frinton to The Ship via footpath and back along bridleway included: pair of Stonechat, 1 Purple Sand, 2 Red-legged Partridge (on arable), 6 Mipit (golf course).
Mon 17th Feb 25
Only a short visit for me this morning, a stop at the chippings lay-by on the way in showed just the normal stuff, Greylag, Canada Geese, c 70 Brent, lots of Wigeon & Teal etc.
2 Turnstone were on the sluice rocks and 2 Sanderling on the beach north of the sluice.
From the hide: 2 Mute Swans (over), lots more Wigeon & Teal, 20+ Shoveler, 3 Shelduck, 2 Mallard, c100 Lapwing, 22 Curlew, 1 Buzzard. MR et.al.
Surprise of the morning was my first Adder of the year.
Sat 15th Feb 25
Reports from today:
Simon Cox
10:16 Pair of Pintail on scrape.
12:39 Haven totals this am: M Swan 1 juv, Brent 110 flew over, Canada G 2, Shelduck 2, Mallard 4, Wigeon 120, Teal 30, Shoveler 32, Pintail 3 (2 drakes), Lapwing 295, Oystercatcher 1, Turnstone 1. Chippings lay-by: M Swan 1 ad, G Heron 1, Greylag 28, Canada 22.
Matt Lonsdale
11:44 Walk from from Frinton end up to farm and back.
2 Peregrines up on arable, Corn Bunting by manure heap and a pair of Stonechat on the golf course.
Fri 14th Feb 25
Very chilly with the onshore breeze this morning, but it did improve a little when the sun came out. Very quiet from the hide mid morning until something flushed everything from the raised platform and approach road marsh and pushed then a bit to the north.
From the hide: Lots of Wigeon & Teal (a few less Teal today), 61 Shoveler, 4 Mallard, 3 Shelduck, 154+ Lapwing, 52 Curlew, 17 Blk T Godwits, 2 Buzzard, 2 Kestrel & 2 Muntjac Deer. PL/MR 5 Purple Sands were on the rocks south of French Pt. when we left.
Thurs 13th Feb 25
From the Chippings Lay-by: Greylags, Canada Geese, Brent Geese (c150 at distance), Wigeon & Teal, 10+ Grey Heron, 1 Buzzard, 1 Barn Owl. MO'H/MR
From the hide: Wigeon & Teal, 34 Shoveler, 6 Shelduck, 6 Mallard, 100+ Lapwing, 3 Curlew, 1 Avocet, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Buzzard, 2 Peregrine, 1 Kestrel, 1 Barn Owl. RJ/MO'H/MR et.al.
11 Blk T Godwits were on the approach road marsh with a few Curlew and lots of gulls.
Wed 12th Feb 25
A short visit to the hide for me this morning, joining Pete, Mike & Richard all seemed much the same apart from rise in the number of Shoveler to 30+ & Shelduck to 10, otherwise 100+ Lapwing, 35+ Curlew, 7 Blk T Godwits, 1 Avocet, 1 Bearded Tit, 2 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Barn Owl and the Wigeon & Teal.
Reports from today
Pete Loud
Much the same from the Scrape hide this morning, 35+ Curlew,1 Barn Owl and Sparrowhawk,1 Bearded Tit. Walk to Frinton Beach Huts and back, 1 adult Med Gull, 1 Purple Sand, 2 Turnstone, 1 Rock Pipit a few groups of Brent past and heading inland to the arable, very quite offshore at the moment with no movement at all except a couple of Cormorant.((RJ,MO’H,MR,PL)
Tues 11th Feb 25
The White-fronted Geese were still over the road this morning with quite a few Greylags and a Barn Owl was hunting along the hedge line. 11 Blk T Godwits were on the approach road marsh with lots of gulls and 2 Fieldfare were in the hedge at the bottom of the carpark.
A walk to French Point found 3 Purple Sands on the slipway at the point, a Barn Owl on the back hedge again and several Brent Geese coming along the coast and then heading inland to the arable toward Lt. Clacton.
From the pillbox: much the same as of late, large numbers of Wigeon & Teal, Shoveler & Shelduck, c150 Lapwing mostly on the marsh to the right of the hide. on the return a further 2 Purple Sands and 4 Turnstone were on the rocks in front of the Boating Club.
Mon 10th Feb 25
Very cold and rough seas with the strong easterly wind, very bracing.
4+ White-fronted Geese were with some Greylags out on the marsh from the chippings lay-by although there could have been many more.
From the hide: 17 Brent Geese, 2 Canada Geese, lots of Wigeon & Teal, 14 Shoveler, 6 Mallard, 3 Shelduck, 150 Lapwing, 1 Oystercatcher, 2 Peregrine (on the arable), 1 Buzzard.
Sun 9th Feb 25
I had a wander to French Point late morning, a Med Gull was on the sluice rocks with a single Turnstone in the mixed gull flock.c700 Brent Geese were sitting on the sea close inshore and making a fantastic noise before lifting off a returning to the arable towards Lt. Clacton.
From French Point, 27 Cormorant and 1 Shelduck headed south and a Barn Owl sat in the back hedge. From the pillbox, lots of Wigeon & Teal, c20 Shoveler, 6 Shelduck, c60 Lapwing, 24 Curlew, 2 Buzzard 1 Kestrel and a Muntjac. Plus an Oystercatcher was on the greensward as I drove out.
Reports from today
Matt Lonsdale
Mon 07:35 Haven late afternoon yesterday- 23 W F Geese still chippings lay-by. 15 Blackwit and Barn Owl from pillbox
Fri 7th Feb 25
Reports from today
Graham Sutton
10:31 Seawatch from HH shelter 0730-0945: Russian White-fronted Goose 1 N, Common Scoter 4N, RT Diver 65N 20S, Gannet 12N (all adult).
Pete Loud
12:48 Seawatch from shelter 10-11:30, 10 Red t Diver, 3 Shelduck, 2 Brent, 1 ad Gannet, 300 Lapwing north and then headed inland.
Wed 5th Feb 25
Apart from a very noisy flock of 15+ Magpies and a few Blue Tits the carpark bushes were very quiet this morning.
From the hide: 2 Greylags, lots of Wigeon & Teal, 28 Shoveler, 3 Shelduck, 2 Mallard, c200 Lapwing, 40 Curlew, 15 Blk T Godwits, 1 Golden Plover, 2 Common Gulls (with 20+ Blk H Gulls, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel. PL/MO'H/MR et.al.
Reports from today
Pete Loud
13:01 1 Purple Sand on the rocks at French Point and at least 4 Mediterranean Gulls in with a large flock of Black-headed Gulls on the sea just north of French Point.
13:25 Red Kite over Scrape.
Tues 4th Feb 25
The White-fronted Geese were over the road mid morning but dropped into the flood below the raised platform with a large number of Greylags around mid-day.
From the hide: c200 Wigeon, 80+ Teal, 26 Shoveler, 8 Mallard, 2 Shelduck, c100 Lapwing, 5 Blk T Godwit, 4 Curlew, 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel.
4 Purple Sands were on the sluice rocks on the way back to the car.
Mon 3rd Feb 25
18+ White-fronted Geese were on the marsh west of the chippings lay-by along with Greylag, Canada Geese, Wigeon & Teal, plus 2 Grey Heron and 2 Buzzard.
From the hide: Loads of Wigeon and Teal, 25 Shoveler, 9 Mallard, 100+ Lapwing, 3 Curlew, 1 Grey Heron,1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Buzzard, 1 Sparrowhawk.
Sat 1st Feb 25
A short visit to the hide this morning showed lots of Wigeon & Teal, 39 Shoveler, 3 Shelduck, 60+ Lapwing, 39 Curlew, 11 Blk T Godwits, 1 Avocet, 1 Lt Grebe, 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel. PL/MR
Reports from today.
Matt Lonsdale
12:44 20+ Whitefronts from chippings lay-by near 2nd pool on marsh @ 12:30. No sign of Bean Goose but bad light and several birds obscured.
