Thurs 31st July 25

Reports from today

Brian Combes

07:14 Haven: Whinchat south of ‘wooden  hide’.

17:27 Walk from Frinton to Haven and back via the farm this morning included: 1 whinchat, 1 stonechat (juv, golf course dump), 1 cuckoo (juv flew over scrape), 1 grey wag (over sewage works), 1 green sandpiper, 1 ruff, 6+ common sandpiper (6 together on sea defences by French Point, 4 on the scrape were probably additional), 2 reed warbler, 8+ willow warbler, 6+ chiff, 98+ swallow (including 16 south, 30+ marsh west of carpark, 30+ over farm), 8 house martin, 17 pied wag, 2 green woodpecker, 13 linnet, 10+ sand martin, 20+ whitethroat, 10+ lesser whitethroat, 90+ starling (golf course first thing), 2 greenfinch (juvs), 5+ blackcap, 4 swift, 2 curlew, 2 avocet, 1 teal, 10 whimbrel (1 golf course first thing, flock of 9 south), 1 corn bunting.

Three of a group of 6 common sandpipers this morning.
Photo Brian Combes©

At the end of July the number of species recorded at the Haven this year stands at 145.

 

Wed 30th July 25

Reports from today

Mike O'Hanlon

10:51 Ruff on Leon’s and a Hobby hunting over scrape, marsh and arable.

Photo Mike O'Hanlon©

Photo Mike O'Hanlon©

Richard Jeffree

11:54 Wheatear boardwalk.

Pete Loud

14:02 Very busy around the bushes this morning, with Willow Warblers well into double figures, Garden Warbler was a first for the site year list, lots of Common & Lesser Whitethroats and several each of Blackcap, Reed Warbler & Chiffchaff. On the Scrape was a fine moulting ad male Ruff, joined by a Green Sandpiper and 2 Common Sandpiper, 6Teal, 3 Avocet (1 ad &  2 juvs), 2 Curlew and a Hobby that put on a show around the Scrape for half an hour. (RJ, MO’H,PL).

 

Tues 29th July 25

Reports from today

Richard Jeffree

08:58  Adult Cattle Egret back of scrape juv on Leon's, 2 Common, 1 Green Sand so far.

Mike O'Hanlon

10:30 Moulting male Whinchat on the marsh near site of old wooden hide (with PL and RJ)

11:48 Juv Whinchat just north of hide.

Photo Mike O'Hanlon©

Pete Loud

14:35 Quick roundup of Haven this morning. Bushes fairly quiet with a north westerly airflow, just a few Common and Lesser Whitethroat & 3 Willow Warblers. From the Scrape Hide, 2 Green Sands, 3 Common Sands, 5 Curlew & a flyover Black t Godwit. 1 Adult and 1 Juvenile Cattle Egret, that later on got in with the Cattle on the marsh. Walk to Sandy Point and back, 2 Whinchat & 1 Juvenile Stonechat, plus 1 Sandwich Tern offshore, Good Swift passage south late morning.(MO’H,RJ,PL)

 

Mon 28th July 25

The juvenile Cattle Egret was still on the scrape this morning before flying out late morning and dropping into the marsh over the road, 3 adult Avocet spent a very peaceful morning in the middle of the scrape, otherwise 2 Common and 1 Green Sand was about it.

From the hide: 1 Greylag, 3 Teal, 2 Mallard, 28 Lapwing, 3 Avocet, 2 Common Sands, 1 Green Sand, 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Cattle Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 84 Blk H Gulls, 1 Common Gull, 2 Herring Gulls, 3 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel.

 

Sun 27th July 25

At last the Avocets have finished their breeding and have all left the scrape, so we hope for a bit of calm to greet the Autumn migrants. 3 Common Sands, 2 Green Sands, and a Juv. Cattle Egret were the highlights today. 15 Cormorant were heading south offshore on the way to the hide

From the hide: 4 Mallard, 4 Teal, 10+ Lapwing, 3 Common Sands, 2 Green Sands, 1 Oystercatcher, 40+ Blk H Gulls, 2 Herring Gulls, 2 LBB Gulls, 1 Cattle Egret, 4 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, Reed & Sedge Warbler. RJ/MO'H/MR et.al.

Reports from today

Richard Jeffree

10:32 Juv. Cattle Egret back of scrape + 2 each of Common & Green Sand.

 

Sat 26th July 25

Reports from today

Mike O'Hanlon

15:50 This morning’s visit by myself and Richard Jeffree - (Around the Dell) Willow Warbler, Reed Warbler, Blackcap, Common Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, Chiffchaff. 

(From the Hide) 2 Green Sandpipers, 2 Common Sandpipers, 4 Avocets, 9 Teal, 14 Lapwings, 2 Oystercatchers , 2 Mallard, 5 Buzzard, 100 + Sand Martins, 100 + Swallows + a few Swifts and House Martins, 80+ BHGs.

 

Fri 25th July 25

Reports from today

Pete Loud

12:55 Very lively round the bushes today early morning. The burnt area on the Dell was again very good with several of both Lesser and Common Whitethroat, Reed  Warbler, Chiffchaff and mixed Tit flock. Very large mixed Tit flock in the bottom hedge just south of the raised platform held our first Willow Warblers of the Autumn, 1 adult and 2 or 3 juveniles, several Chiffchaff including juveniles and a few of each of Blackcap, Whitethroat and Lesser Whitethroat, Reed Warbler and lots of Long t Tits, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker. Scrape very quiet as we wait for the water level to drop a little after the recent rains, just 1 Common Sand & 2 Avocet, 1 Marsh Harrier. Nice Summer plumaged Turnstone on the rocks of French Point.(RJ,PL,MO’H, MR).

 

Thurs 24th July 25

Much cooler this morning with cloud, a steady breeze and some light rain.

From the hide: 8 Mallard, 2 Shelduck, 1 Teal, 23 Lapwing, 9  Avocet, 3 Common Sands, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Whimbrel, 66 Blk H Gulls, 1 Grey Heron, PL/RJ/MO'H/MR

Reports from today

Brian Combes

17:43 Walk from Frinton to The Haven and back via the farm this morning included: 2 Reed Warbler (passage birds in the recently burnt section of the dell - Pete and I had a very pleasant twenty minutes watching this area, full of juv warblers and tits), 3 Chiff, 4 Whimbrel (golf course first thing), 22 Curlew (golf course first thing), 4 Common Sandpiper (2 scrape, 2 sea defences), 72+ Swallow (including group of 11 south and 39+ over golf course late morning), 14 House Martin (over golf course), 10 Swift (south), 20 Pied Wag, 120+ Starling (golf course), 8 Linnet, 1 Reed Bunting (singing), 1 Hare (golf course first thing), 10 Avocet, 2 Buzzard, 1 Teal, 1 Little Owl (50m north of usual spot), 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker (farm), 2 Red-legged Partridge, 1 Corn Bunting, 1 Redshank (sea defences), 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Greenfinch, 5 Sand Martin (south).

 

Wed 23rd July 25

Hundreds of Gatekeeper butterflies were along the path from the sluice to the hide this morning along with Small Heaths, Whites and 4+ Common Blues, 2 Wasp Spiders. Richard & Mike also had a Clouded Yellow. 

A walk around the Dell area added another 18+ Wasp Spiders they seem to be coping with the fires and the rain

From the Hide: 3 Mallard, 2 Shelduck, 10 Avocet, 10 Lapwing, 4 Common Sands, 1 Oystercatchers, 1 LRP, c40 Blk H Gulls, 1 Med Gull (juv), 1 Grey Heron, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel. MO'H/RJ/PNt/MR et.al.

 

Tues 22nd July 25

Bird of the day had to be a sum plumage Knot seen on French Point by Richard & Mike on their walk around this morning, also seen were Wasp Spider & Jersey Tiger ( see Haven Wildlife page) and to finish off a Hobby over the Dell.

Photo Mike O'Hanlon©

 

From the hide: 4 Canada Geese, 1 Greylag (with 1 hybrid), 3 Mallard, 2 Shelduck, 15+ Lapwing, 9 Avocet, 5 Common Sands, 1 LRP, 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Snipe, 160+ Blk H Gulls, 2 Med Gulls, 1 LBB Gull, 2 Sandwich Terns (1 Juv.), Several Sand Martins, Swift & Swallow, 5+ Buzzard, Marsh Harrier. PL/MO'H/RJ/MR et.al.

Reports from today: 

12:01 Knot on French Pt.

 

Mon 21st July 25

Reports from today

Mike O'Hanlon

11:38 Grey Plover flew north over marshes towards Frinton

Richard Jeffree

12:56 From the hide this morning, water levels risen considerably all the LRP,s cleared out remaining birds 4 Common, 1 Green Sand, 13 Avocet, 30 Lapwing, 3 Teal, 1 Med Gull and 2 juv Marsh Harriers, nice ffy flyover Grey plover and a few Sand Martins on the walk to GC and back with MO'H.

 

Sun 20th July 25

Pete Louds early start was rewarded with an extra LRP (an adult) first thing, and by late morning 6 were dotted around the scrape plus the 1 Green & 2 Common Sands. Birds of the day waited for the shower dodgers to arrive before putting in an appearance, first a juvenile Cattle Egret shortly followed by a cracking sum plumage adult. Also of note c20 Common Gulls, 5+ Med Gulls (incl. 1 Juv.) joined the large Blk Headed Gull flock. PL/RJ/MO'H/MR.

Photo Mike O'Hanlon©

Reports from today

Pete Loud

08:33 Now 4 Little Ringed Plovers, an adult bird has joined the 3 juveniles, plus 1 Green Sandpiper and 2 common Sandpipers.

 

Sat 19th July 25

Reports from today

Pete Loud

12:28 Little change from Scrape hide this morning, still 3 juvenile LRP, adult Dunlin, 1 Blackwit, Green Sandpiper, 3 Common Sandpiper, 12 Curlew, 20 Lapwing, 2 Marsh Harrier (ad female & 1 juvenile).5 Common Tern were feeding offshore with a mixed flock of Gulls just off the Sluice on my way in, walk to Sandy point and back, 2 Whimbrel, 1 Curlew, 1 Sandwich Tern, 4 House Martins and a few Sand Martins (RJ,MO’H, PL).

 

Fri 18th July 25

Reports from today

Pete Loud

07:57 3 juvenile LRP's on the scrape this morning, 1 Adult Dunlin, 2 Redshank, 3 Oystercatcher, 1 Blackwit, 2 Common Sands, 8 House Martin through, and a steady trickle of Sand Martins, 1 Swift, 2 Gannets offshore north past the Sluice on my way in.

 

Thurs 17th July 25

From the hide: 5 Canada Geese, 4 Mallard, 2 Shelduck, 19 Curlew, 11 Blk T Godwits, 9 Lapwing, 8 Avocet, 3 Common Sands, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 LRP, 1 Dunlin, 1 Redshank, c40 Blk H Gulls, 3 Med Gulls, 1 LBB Gull, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Buzzard, 2 Kestrel plus a few Swifts, Swallows & Sand Martins. PL/RJ/MO'H/MR.

Reports from today

Brian Combes

15:35 Walk from Frinton to the hide and back via the farm this morning included: 1 greenshank (on scrape, as were the other waders unless stated, then flew north), 12 black-tailed godwit, 1 green sandpiper, 4 common sandpiper, 1 dunlin, 10 avocet, 2 turnstone (French Point), 1 redshank, 2 whimbrel (fields), 14 curlew (fields/golf course), 2 oystercatcher (French Point), 5 med gull, 2 little owl (pair, usual spot), 10 house martin, 18 swallow, 8 linnet, 11 pied wag, 1 reed bunting (singing), 70+ starling, 2 reed warbler (singing, just), 2 Cetti’s (singing), 1 whitethroat (singing), 2 grey heron, 1 little egret, 1 great spotted woodpecker (dispersing juv), 5 sand martin (south), 2 swift, 2 green woodpecker (juvs), 2 corn bunting (arable, but no song - slightly early to have stopped singing).

 

Wed 16th July 25

Small signs of autumn movement again today with 3 Blk T Godwits joining the Common Sand and Little Ringed Plover on the scrape plus a steady southerly movement of Swifts throughout the morning.

From the hide: 2 Greylags, 1 Canada Goose, 2 Mallard, 1 Shelduck, 20 Curlew, 12 Avocet, 10+ Lapwing, 3 Blk T Godwit, 1 Common Sand, 1 LRP, 1 Oystercatcher, 75 Blk H Gulls, 1 Common Gull, 2 Buzzard, 1 Red Kite, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Lt. Egret, 3 Cormorant, 200+ Swift, 10+ Swallows. PL/RJ/MO'H/MR.

 

Tues 15th July 25

It was a very windy morning at the Haven with quite a lot of cloud, the LRP & Common Sand were joined by a Blk T Godwit, but no sign of the Green Sand. Five of the Canada Geese took their first flight today but sadly the sixth couldn't get off the ground and was left on the scrape on his own, hopefully whey will be reunited shortly.

From the hide: 6 Canada Geese, 2 Greylags, 3 Shelduck, 2 Mallard, 15 Avocet, 10 Lapwing, 1 Common Sand, 1 LRP, 1 Blk T Godwit, c80 Blk H Gulls, 8 Med Gulls (incl 1 Juv - 1 2nd cal yr), 4 Pied Wags, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel. PL/PNt/RJ/MO'H/MR et.al.

 

Mon 14th July 25

Reports from today

Pete Loud

08:36 Juvenile Little Ringed Plover is still here for its 3rd day which shows the Avocets are becoming a little less aggressive, which bodes well for the autumn wader passage, a fine adult Ruff on the Scrape is new in.

08:58 1 Whimbrel in with the 32 Curlew on the marsh and a few Sand Martins heading through south.

14:03 Nice morning from the Scrape Hide today, LRP, Ruff, Green Sand, 1 Common Sand, 20 Lapwing, Whimbrel, 32 Curlew, 1 Teal, 1 Adult Hobby flew through low over the back of the scrape and a few Sand Martins, 6 adult and 1 Juvenile Mediterranean Gull. 3 Southern Migrant Hawkers in the pools along the eastern boundary path to the golf course, 1 Common Sand & 1 Whimbrel on the walk back.

Mike O'Hanlon

10:46 Green Sandpiper just flew in onto Leon’s Marsh.

Photo Mike O'Hanlon©

 

Sun 13th July 25

I managed a short visit to the hide this morning after having my grandson down for the week, the scrape was looking good and the Common Sandpipers and the LRP seen during the week were still around. Mike & Richard had a nice Southern Migrant Hawker beside the golf course (see Haven Wildlife page).

From the hide: 6 Canada Geese, 2 Greylag, 3 Shelduck, 14 Lapwing, 11 Avocet, 2 Oystercatcher, 2 Common Sands, 1 LRP, 200+ Blk H Gulls, 6 Herring Gulls, 1 Kestrel, 4 Swallow, 4 Pied Wags.

Reports from today

Simon Cox

15:15 6 Med Gulls from the hide early afternoon.

 

Sat 12th July 25

Reports from today

Mike O'Hanlon

12:50 From HH hide 11.30-12.30 Little Egret, Grey Heron, 2 Oystercatcher, 5 Shelducks (3 juvs), 9 Curlews, 7 Canada Geese (5 juvs), 11 Avocets (6 juvs), 2 Lapwings, 120 BHGs (just 3 juvs), 5 Mallard…that’s all folks!

Richard Jeffree

12:52 I had the LRP and 1 Common Sand earlier.

17:49 Little Owl again back of GC.

 

Fri 11th July 25

Reports from today

Matt Lonsdale

07:13 LRP, Common Sand and 2 Redshank on scrape. GS Woodpecker N over car park and juv Great Tit on rocks between French point and bay the best this morning.

Brian Combes

08:30 Haven: juv Stonechat by site of old wooden hide.

13:46 Walk from Frinton to the hide and back via the farm this morning included: 1 Stonechat (dispersing juv), 1 Little Ringed Plover (juv, elusive and keeping to the right edge of the scrape - best viewed by scope from next to the sea watching hide), 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker (together north of hide, dispersing juvs), 3 Yellow Wag, 1 Kingfisher (flew along ditch north of site of old wooden hide), 3 Common Sandpiper (also favouring the right edge of the scrape ), 1 Ringed Plover (over), 4 House Martin, 5 Swift, 1 Green Woodpecker, 24 Swallow, 14 Pied Wag, 45 Starling, 13 Linnet, 7 Reed Warbler (singing weakly), 4 Whitethroat (singing), 2 Med Gull, 3 Reed Bunting (singing), 33 Curlew (feeding on fields south of golf course), 15 Sand Martin (group south), 2 Redshank, 2 Corn Bunting (singing, one along footpath, one by paddocks), 2 Buzzard, 1 Cetti’s (singing), 1 Little Owl (usual place), 13 Avocet, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Chiff (singing).

Richard Jeffree

12:58 Not a lot of change on the scrape late morning no sign of LRP but 3 elusive Common Sands and just 1 Redshank, 28 Curlew and 6 Med Gulls to the right of hide nothing to report from Sandy PT and back.

 

Thurs 10th July 25

Reports from today

Richard Jeffree

10:18 Juvenile LRP + 2 Redshanks scrape.

18:49 Little Owl this evening from FP behind GC.

Mike O'Hanlon

12:08 6 Common Sandpipers on French Point, just flown north.

 

Weds 9th July 25

Reports from today.

Mike O'Hanlon

10:35 HH Hide 9.30 - 10.30am with RJ - 2 Buzzards, 1 Marsh Harrier (f), 2 Green Sands flew into ditch, Little Egret, circa 100 BHGs with 2 adult Med Gulls + 2 first summer juvs, 2 Oystercatchers on flood. 25 + BHGS on scrape, including 3 juvs. 7 Avocets. 15 Lapwings on marsh + millions of ladybirds. MO'H/RJ.

 

Tues 8th July 25

A juvenile Peregrine was seen from the hide this morning and a plague of Ladybirds around the site this afternoon otherwise much the same.

 

Mon 7th July 25

No reports received so far.

 

Sun 6th July 25

Reports from today

Richard Jeffree

12:47 No change from the hide this morning very quiet, 10 Med Gulls and 20 Curlew to the right, lots of butterflies on the wing this morning with the Marbled White putting in a appearance alongside Painted Lady and Essex Skipper.

 

Sat 5th July 25

Reports from today

Pete Loud

12:30 Short seawatch this morning produced very little except a few Swift moving and 1 Whimbrel south. From the Hide a nice flock of 23 Curlew on the marsh with 18 Lapwing, 2 Greenshank came in briefly before the inevitable Avocet onslaught saw them off, the first juvenile Med Gull of the year was in with the roosting Black/ headed along with a further 12 Adult & 1st sum. meds. Steady stream of Swifts in small numbers all morning. (RJ,PL,MO’H).

 

Fri 4th July 25

Another very quiet day at the Haven

From the hide: 2 Canada Geese (+6 Gosling), 2 Shelduck (+3 ducklings), Mallard, 18 Lapwing, c17 Avocet, 2 Oystercatcher, c60 Blk H Gull, 2 Med Gulls, 2 LBB, 1 Lt. Egret, 20+ Sand Martin, 3+ Swift, Swallow, 1 Buzzard, 3 Kestrel, 1 Gt. S Woodpecker.PL/RJ/MO'H/DC/MR.

 

Thurs 3rd July 25

Not much to say about this morning, all the nesting birds have now left the island, a lot of the Blk H Gulls were on the marsh to the right of the hide with 7 Med Gulls, the rest on Leon's Marsh or along the front edge of the scrape. Just 10 Avocet seen (of varying ages), 8 Canada Geese, (2+6), 1 Shelduck, 16 Lapwing, 2 Oystercatcher and 1 Buzzard made up the rest of the list. RJ/MR

 

Wed 2nd July 25

Reports from today.

Pete Loud 

10:23 Green Sandpiper just flew in and out briefly, a few Swift moving through and a lot of Med Gulls around, quite a few 1st. summers.

14:07 From the hide this morning, 1 Curlew, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Black-t-Godwit, 2 Redshank, but Avocets are not allowing anything to settle for very long on the Scrape at the moment, 20+ Swift, 15-20 Med Gull. (RJ,MO’H,PL).

Walk to Sandy point and back along seawall, evidence of a few waders starting to move, well offshore flock of 25 Curlew south, much closer in, 1 Whimbrel, 2 more Curlew, 1 Avocet & 3 Blackwit south, also several Med Gulls, and still a trickle of Swifts.

 

Tues 1st July 25

The island is slowly clearing of birds as the youngsters move off the nest site with the adults, some on the marsh to the right and some to Leon's Marsh. The only new bird was a Sandwich Tern that dropped in for a few minutes.

From the hide: 2 Canada Geese (+6 goslings), 2 Shelduck (+ 3 ducklings), 22 Avocet (assorted sizes), c20 Lapwing, 9 Curlew, 1 Oystercatcher, c150 Blk H Gulls, 1 Sandwich Tern, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel. MO'H/RJ/MR.