Monday, 30 June 2025

 


Mon 30th June 25


A nice surprise as Mike and I walked to the hide this morning, near the wind pump we spotted a butterfly that didn't fit with the normal candidates and Mike thought Marbled White but it was lost to view. On our return with PL & RJ an hour later it was relocated and was indeed a cracking Marbled White. A first for me and I think only the second for the site.


Photo Mike O'Hanlon©





From the hide: 2 Canada geese (+6 goslings), 1 Shelduck (+3 ducklings), 1 Tufted Duck, 20+ Avocet (all size chicks some almost fledged), 12 Lapwing, 3 Oystercatcher, c150 Blk H Gulls (+ lots of nearly fledged chicks), 1 Grey Heron, 1 Lt. Egret, a few Swallows, 6+ Swifts, 2+ Sand Martin, 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel. PL/RJ/MO'H/MR.



At the end of June the number of species recorded at the Haven this year stands at 139.



Sunday, 29 June 2025

 


Sun 29th June 25


No reports received so far.



Saturday, 28 June 2025

 


Sat 28th June 25


We had a day out yesterday to see some Nightjars so we finished a bit on the late side, here is a catch up from Friday.


Fri 27th June 25


From the hide: 2 Canada Geese (+6 goslings), 4 Mallard, 2 Shelduck (+3 ducklings), 2 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Lt. Egret, 16+ Avocet (lots of chicks some almost fledged), 5 Lapwing, 3 Oystercatcher, c150 Blk H Gulls, 3+ Med Gulls, a Few Swallow, Swift & Sand Martin, 1 Buzzard, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel. PL/RJ/DC/MO'H/MR.


Sat 28th June 25

Reports from today

Richard Jeffree

13:18 Short visit this morning to the hide didn't produce much change other than a close flyby G S Woodpecker receding water levels have now been averted which bodes well for autumn waders migration.



Thursday, 26 June 2025

 


Thurs 26th June 25


Some of the Blk H Gull chicks are nearly as big as the adults now and the Avocet chicks are not far behind. Several groups of Sand Martins were moving south during the morning which could have been the reason that a Hobby was in the area for a while.

From the hide: 2 Canada Geese (+6 goslings), 2 Shelduck (+3 ducklings), 2 Mallard, 16+ Avocet (+13 Chicks), 3 Oystercatcher, 2 Lapwing, c200 Blk H Gulls (+20 chicks), 10 Med Gulls, 1 Common Tern, 2 Cormorant, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Lt. Egret, 35+ Sand Martin, Reed Warbler (pair feeding young), 1 Buzzard, 1 Hobby. RJ/MR



Wednesday, 25 June 2025

 


Wed 25th June 25


Reports from today


Brian Combes

17:19 Walk from Frinton to the hide and back via the farm this morning included: 1 little owl (where the footpath leaves the golf course), 2 corn bunting (singing on arable, one west of footpath, one half way along bridleway), 2 house martin, 15 starling, 24 swallow, 12 linnet, 5 pied wag, 6 reed bunting (singing), 12 reed warbler (singing), 6 oystercatcher, 4 Cetti’s (singing), 7 whitethroat (singing), 3 sedge warbler (singing), 1 med gull, 1 little egret, 1 chiff (singing), 16 avocet (6 juv), 2 lesser whitethroat (singing), 2 buzzard, 1 swift, 1 grey heron.


Little owl this morning.Photo Brian Combes©




Tuesday, 24 June 2025

 


Tues 24th June 25


On arrival at the hide this morning we were greeted by another act of vandalism, after a week of peace the padlock had again been damaged and couldn't be opened. As this was the third padlock in as many weeks it has been decided to leave the door unlocked, we hope that those who seem to have such a great need to access the hide will have some respect for others and leave it as they find it.


No counts made today.


   

Monday, 23 June 2025

 


Mon 23rd June 25


Reports from today


Richard Jeffree

18:51 All much the same at the Haven this morning, all the chicks doing well, only concern water levels dropping rapidly, a good push of Common Swifts south totalling maybe 150-200 birds late morning PL/MO'H/RJ.



Sunday, 22 June 2025

 


Sun 22nd June 25


The early chicks of both the Blk H Gulls and the Avocet are getting quite large now and the number of gull chicks had increased this morning.

From the hide: 2 Canada Geese (+6 Goslings), 12 Shelduck (+3 ducklings), 3 Mallard, 20+ Avocet (+8 chicks), 6 Lapwing, 2 Oystercatcher, 100+ Blk H Gulls (+17 chicks), 2 Med Gulls, 1 Lt. Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel plus the usual warblers etc.



Saturday, 21 June 2025

 


Sat 21st June 25


Reports from today


Pete Loud

12:15 Short late morning visit for an hour or so, too hot to be out long, everything much the same as of late. 2 Little Egret, 2 Med Gulls, 1 Red Kite and 4 or 5 Swift, has been a trickle of Swifts through most days this week.



Friday, 20 June 2025

 


Fri 20th June 25


Absolutely nothing new today, lots of Avocet and Gull chicks plus the Redshank otherwise numbers as yesterday. RJ/DC/MO'H/MR.



Thursday, 19 June 2025

 


Thurs 19th June 25


Just for a change 6 Blk T Godwits made several attempts to land on the scrape this morning but were chased off by the adult Avocets being very parental, they were not bothered at all by a Common Tern that flew around for a few minutes but it decided not to land anyway.

From the hide: 2 Canada Geese (+6 goslings), 14 Shelduck (+3 ducklings), 4 Mallard, 21 Avocet (+13 chicks), 6 Blk T Godwit (in & out), 3 Lapwing, 1 Redshank, 1 Curlew, 60+ Blk H Gulls (+10 chicks), 2 LBB Gulls, 1 Med Gull, 2 Cormorant, 3 Grey Heron, 2 Lt. Egret, 2 Sparrowhawk, 1 Buzzard, Cetti's Warbler, Reed Warbler, Reed Bunting, Whitethroat, Linnet, etc. PL/RJ/MO'H/TH/MC/MR.



Wednesday, 18 June 2025

 


Wed 18th June 25


Another short visit this morning, the Avocet chicks seem to be doing OK c14 seen and some getting quite large, same with the Blk H Gulls, otherwise much the same, Canada Geese with Goslings, 10+ Shelduck 3 ducklings, 4 Mallard, c20 Avocet + chicks, 2 Lapwing, 2 Oystercatcher, 3 Grey Heron, 1 Lt. Egret, 2 Cormorant, Swallows, Reed Warbler & Reed Bunting, 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel. RJ/MR


 

Tuesday, 17 June 2025

 


Tues 17th June 25


Very little happening at the Haven again today, still 4 or 5 Avocet families around the scrape and some Blk H Gull chicks getting quite big on the island. A walk to Sandy point added 3 Med Gulls flying over the golf course and a single Curlew out on the marsh, and surprise bird of the day was a Kingfisher that flew over the mounds and along the seawall before heading back toward the brook.

From the hide: 2 Canada Geese (+6 goslings),  9 Shelduck (+3 ducklings), 4 Mallard, 20+ Avocet (+ chicks), 3 Lapwing, 2 Oystercatcher, 2 Cormorant, 2 Lt. Egret. PL/RJ/MR



Monday, 16 June 2025

 


Mon 16th June 25


Been away for a few days so here is a quick catch up with reports from this weekend.


Sat 14th June

Matt Lonsdale

16:20 Highlight early morning 2 Sandwich Terns flew over the scrape.


Sun 15th June

Richard Jeffree

11:30 Short visit to the hide this morning, 30 Avocets,+10 chicks usual Shelduck +3 chicks, 2 Oystercatcher with 1+ chick by pond, + 2 1st summer Med Gulls plenty of Reed Warblers not a lot else.


Mon 16th June 

Pete Loud

12:13 Much the same from the hide this morning, the Avocet chicks seem to be doing well ,also Black-headed Gulls. Pair of Oystercatcher, 1 Little Egret, 5 Med Gulls, Adult pair and 3,1st Summers. Flock of 30+ Sand Martin flew over the Scrape and headed of south, 1 Marsh Harrier. several Swift high south.(RJ&PL).



Friday, 13 June 2025

 


Fri 13th June 25


All as normal on the scrape today, 4 or 5 families of Avocet chicks and a couple more B H Gull chicks on the island, otherwise numbers as of late. 1 Red Kite and a few Swifts of note RJ/MR



Thursday, 12 June 2025

 


Thurs 12th June 25



From the hide: 2 Canada Geese (+6 goslings), 20+ Shelduck (+3 ducklings), 5 Mallard, 24+ Avocet (+ 10+ chicks), 2 Oystercatcher (+ 4 chicks), 2 Lapwing, 60+ Blk H Gulls (+ 2 chicks), 1 Med Gull (over), 2 Cormorant, 2 Lt. Egret, 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 5 Swallow, 3 Swift, Chiffchaff, Reed Bunting, Cetti's Warbler, Linnet. PL/RJ/MR.

 

Graham Sutton

17:23 3 very fresh Avocet chicks this morning, plus 5 older ones (maybe a week old?). Also Avocet with single yellow ring on right, yellow flag on left (marked with a D?). Otherwise, visit from f Marsh Harrier.

Thanks to all who cleared up the hide - I didn’t notice any damage!



Wednesday, 11 June 2025

 


Wed 11th June 25


Reports from today.


Pete Loud

13:43 Much the same this morning, just 4 or 5 Swifts hanging about, 1 1st Sum Med Gull over and 1 Red Kite, 4 Oystercatcher chicks in the grass in front of the hide and 2 bigger Chicks that must be from the pair on the island that must have moved over as well ,still several  Avocet  chicks, 2 very small ones on right of island.


Richard Jeffree

17:20 Much the same over the Haven this morning all the young Avocets and Oystercatchers doing well the only highlights being a nice Red Kite and a 1st summer Med Gull, on the down side the hide lock has been vandalized again.

17:21 5 Turnstone on my bike ride along seawall this afternoon.



Tuesday, 10 June 2025

 


Tues 10th June 25


Another very windy day, when will it ever stop blowing a gale. Looks like we may have 4 broods of 3 Avocet chicks now plus an odd 1 just hatched with parent still sitting. The 4 new Oystercatcher chicks are still with us as is the single from the other pair and 4 Blk H Gull chicks were seen on the island.




From the hide: 2 Canada Geese (+6 goslings), 24 Shelduck (+3 ducklings), 4 Mallard, 1 Gadwall, 26 Avocet (+13 chicks), 3 Lapwing, 3 Oystercatcher (+5 Chicks), 60+ Blk H Gulls (+ 4 chicks), 1 Lt. Egret, 1 Grey Heron, Reed Warbler, Linnets. PL/RJ/MR



Monday, 9 June 2025

 


Mon 9th June 25


Two surprises this morning, a Little Ringed Plover that dropped into the back of the scrape for 20 mins was the first new wader for a while, and a second brood of 4 very small Oystercatcher chicks swimming across from the island to Leon's marsh being called by their parents was the other. Lets hope it works out, as moving from the island to Leon's last year wasn't a good move.

From the hide: 2 Canada Geese (+6 goslings), 23 Shelduck (+3 ducklings),  4 Mallard, 2 Teal, 1 Gadwall, 1 Lt. Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 32 Avocet (+6 chicks), 4 Lapwing (+ 1 fledged juv.), 4 Oystercatcher (+ 5 chicks), 1 LRP, 50+ Blk H Gulls (+ 2 chicks), 5 Herring Gulls, 3 Med Gulls, 1 LBB, 2 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 5 Swallows. SC/PL/MR et.al.



Sunday, 8 June 2025

 


Sun 8th June 25


Just a short visit for us all this morning, very windy and a bit on the cold side..

From the hide: 2 Canada Geese (+6 goslings), 16 Shelduck (+3 ducklings), 4 Mallard, 1 Gadwall, 37+ Avocet (+9 chicks), 4 Oystercatcher (+ 1 chick), 50+ Blk H Gulls, 2 Med Gulls (over), plus the norm. PL/RJ/MO'H/MR.



Saturday, 7 June 2025

 


Sat 7th June 25


Reports from today


Pete Loud

14:57 Bee-Eater, flying slowly south and then west over the marsh just north of the Scrape.

15:03 Lost it now in the distance.



Friday, 6 June 2025

 


Fri 6th June 25


From the hide: 2 Canada Geese (+6 goslings), 23 Shelducks (+3 ducklings), 4 Mallard, 2 Gadwall, 1 Tufted Duck, 2 Grey Heron, 2 Lt. Egret, 26+ Avocet (+9 chicks-3 broods of 3), 9 Lapwing, 2 Oystercatcher, 50+ Blk H Gulls (+1 chick), possibly 10+ Med Gulls, 2 Peregrine, 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, plus the normal Warblers etc. RJ/MR



Thursday, 5 June 2025

 


Thurs 5th June 25


A bad start to morning, when Richard arrived he found the hide open and the place trashed, the bag of grit nicely sprinkled over the seating and floor, everything else thrown out of the windows or missing, why?.

On the bright side, the first Blk H Gull chicks were hatched this morning, and 7+ Avocet chicks were on show.

From the hide: 2 Canada Geese (+6 goslings), 17 Shelduck (+3 ducklings), 4 Mallard, 2 Gadwall, 1 Tufted Duck, 2 Cormorant, 22 Avocet (+ 7+ chicks), 6 Lapwing (+1 Juv), 2 Oystercatcher (+1 chick), 50+ Blk H Gulls (+2 chicks), plus the normal Warblers etc. RJ/MO'H/MR



Wednesday, 4 June 2025

 


Wed 4th June 25


All much the same this morning, only 3 Avocet chicks seen but hopefully more behind the island sheltering from the wind.

From the hide: 2 Canada Geese (+6 goslings), 23 Shelduck (+3 ducklings), 5 Mallard, 1 Gadwall, 1 Tufted Duck, 23 Avocet (+3 chicks), 7 Lapwing (+1 juv), 2 Oystercatcher (+1 chick), 50+ Blk H Gulls, 1 Common Gull, 2 Cormorant, 5+ Swallow, 2 Swift, Reed Bunting, Reed Warbler, Cetti's Warbler, Whitethroat, Linnet, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel. PL/RJ/MO'H/MR.


 

Tuesday, 3 June 2025

 


Tues 3rd June 25


Very windy out there today.

From the hide: 2 Canada Geese (+6 goslings), 14 Shelduck (+3 ducklings), 4 Mallard, 1 Gadwall, c20 Avocet (+7 chicks), 6 Lapwing (+1 chick), 2 Oystercatcher (+1 chick), 50+ Blk H Gulls, 3 Med Gulls, 1 Grey Heron, 6 Swallows, 1 Swift, plus the usual Warblers etc. MO'H/MR


Reports from today


Laurence Drumond

10:33 Seawatch from the shelter 06.50 -10.20,all north, 15 Common Scoter (6+9), 1 Arctic Skua, 8 Med Gull, 3 Sandwich Tern, 4 Tern sp, small very fast north possibly Black, 


Simon Cox

11:36 Another 10 C Scoter after LD left, otherwise just 2 Swifts.



Monday, 2 June 2025

 


Mon 2nd June 25


Hopes of lots of new chicks were soon dashed when just the same 4 as yesterday were on the end of the island. No sign of any Oystercatcher chicks either with the birds on longer sitting and doing a lot of flying around, hopefully there are some chicks tucked away on the island, only time will tell.

From the hide: 2 Canada Geese (+6 goslings), 24 Shelduck (+3 ducklings), 5 Mallard, 1 Lt. Egret, 28 Avocet (+4 chicks), 4 Lapwing (+1 juv), 2 Oystercatcher, 50+ Blk H Gulls, 4 Med Gulls, 1 Buzzard, Reed Bunting, Reed Warbler, Cetti's Warbler, Linnet, Swallow. PL/MO'H/MR.



Sunday, 1 June 2025

 


Sun 1st June 25


The first of the month brings the first of the Avocet chicks, five chick seen today from three different nests. Also one Oystercatcher chick seen with the second adult, the other bird still sitting.




From the hide: 2 Canada Geese (+5 goslings), 22 Shelduck (+3 ducklings), 5 Mallard, 3 Teal, 3 Grey Heron, 2 Lt. Egret, 23 Avocet (+5 chicks), 4 Lapwing (+1 chick), 2 Oystercatcher (+1 chick), 60+ Blk H Gulls, 4 Med Gulls, 4 Herring Gulls, 5 Swallow, reed Bunting, Reed Warbler, Cetti's Warbler & Linnets.