Fri 31st Oct 25

The early starters had a Firecrest along the Approach Rd and a single Blk T Godwit on the marsh.

From the hide: 100+ Greylag, 3 Canada Geese, 1 Hybrid, 50+ Teal, 33 Wigeon, 2 Shoveler, 1 Shelduck, c150 Lapwing (on the arable), 1 Avocet, 20 Blk H Gulls, 1 GBB Gull, Lots of Starling and Skylark, 1 Kestrel, 1 Buzzard. PL/RJ/MO'H/DC/MR.

At the end of October the number of species recorded at the Haven this year stands at 168.

 

Thurs 30th Oct 25

Reports from today

Mike O'Hanlon

10:01 Firecrest on the approach road.

Photo Mike O'Hanlon©

11:40 Goosander Now flown towards Little Clacton high

Pete Loud

11:37 3 female Goosander just landed  on the Scrape.

Photo Mike O'Hanlon©

12:40 Coal Tit on the feeders.

Photo Mike O'Hanlon©

14:57 Haven this Morning, a walk to Sandy Point along the seawall, revealed a lot of Cormorant offshore heading south (300+),not much else, couple of groups of Goldfinch and a few Meadow Pipit still moving south, 2 late Swallows south, 1 Marsh Harrier & 1 Stonechat, biggest surprise was the 3 Goosander that flew in to the Scrape, needless to say they didn’t stay long after they realised it was only a few inches deep. Good to see the Coal Tit on the feeders, after Micks hard work to keep them topped up, this bird was un-ringed so not the bird Simon caught the other week.

 

Wed 29th Oct 25

Reports From today

Steve Grimwade

19:07 Holland Haven this afternoon: Kingfisher from Hide plus 1 Avocet and 80 Golden Plover.

 

Tues 28th Oct 25

Reports from today

Mike O'Hanlon

11:47 An hour in the hide this morning from 10.45 - 113 Greylag, 1 Avocet, 14 Widgeon, 22 Teal, 1 Little Egret, 1 Cetti’s warbler, 1 Kestrel.

 

Mon 27 Oct 25

From the hide:c40 Greylag, 54 Teal, 23 Wigeon, 25 Blk H Gulls, 1 Cormorant, 53 Lapwing & c150 Starling (up on the arable), 1 Peregrine, 1 Kestrel, 1 Cetti's Warbler. MO'H/MR

Reports from today

Matt Lonsdale

06:56 Sibe chiff candidate in burnt area N of dell but hasn’t called so far.

 

Sun 26th Oct 25

Reports from today

Mike O'Hanlon

10:12 6 Fieldfares in trees along the approach road.

Sat 25th Oct 25

Reports from today

Brian Combes

08:25  Haven: Firecrest by sewage work gates.

17:51 Walk from Frinton to Haven and back via the farm this morning included: 1 Firecrest, 7 Swallow (over paddocks), 20+ Goldcrest, 11 Redpoll (south), 93 Goldfinch (south), 10 Siskin (south), 56+ Skylark (6 south, 50+ on arable), 25 Linnet (5 south), 14 Chaffinch (4 south), 38+ Mipit (8 south), 4 Chiff, 1 Blackcap, 1 Rock Pipit, 2 Reed Bunting, 4 Stonechat (2 north of hide, 2 paddocks), 9 Blackbird, 2 Curlew, 2 Buzzard, 2 Cetti’s (singing), 100+ Starling (pumpkin field).

 

Fri 24th Oct 25

From the hide: 68 Greylag, c100 Teal, 3 Wigeon, 1 Shoveler, 25 Blk H Gulls, 2 Herring Gulls, 1 Med Gull, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Cetti's Warbler (Displaying), 2 Pied Wags, 2 Buzzard. PL/DC/MO'H/MR

Reports from today

Emyr Jones

09:16 Nine Whooper Swans just landed on scrape - then took off again!

Dave Cummings

10:27 Firecrest, approach road.

 

Thurs 23rd Oct 25

I had a quick visit to the Haven today, after the rain but in a very brisk wind. A short seawatch gave just 2 Gannet south & 2 Cormorant north so I headed to the hide.

From the hide: 47 Greylag, 80+ Teal, 9 Wigeon, 4 Shoveler, 23 Blk H Gulls, 2 Herring Gulls, 3 Reed Bunting, 2 Meadow Pipit, 2 Pied Wags, 1 Cetti's Warbler and on the marsh to the right of the hide 12 Pheasants were sheltering from the wind behind one bramble bush.

 

Wed 22nd Oct 25

It was nice to see a flock of 8+ Greenfinch around the Dell this morning plus a few Chaffinch around the site, birds only seen in small numbers of late, also quite a few new Blackbirds were making a lot of noise.

From the hide 29 Greylag, 150+ Lapwing (up on the arable), 2+ Blk Headed Gulls, 1 Fieldfare (back hedge), 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Pied Wags.

Reports from today

Mike O'Hanlon

12:44 Wheatear on golf course.

Pete Loud

14:49 Haven this morning, several Chiffchaff & 1 Blackcap around the Dell, walk to Sandy Point and back along the seawall, 6+ Stonechat,1 Whinchat &1 Wheatear. Simon was ringing in the reedbed (see Ringing page) and it was good to see a flock of 25 Redpoll flying around the nets, the largest group I have ever seen at the Haven. 1 Adult Med Gull offshore.(MO’H,MR,PL).

 

Tues 21st Oct 25

A walk around the bushes this morning gave nothing out of the ordinary, 10+ Goldcrests, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap, 2 Redwing plus all the residents.

As work continues between the Scrape and the hide that area was very quiet bird wise.

 

Mon 20th Oct 25

No reports received so far.

 

 

Sun 19th Oct 25

A Catch up of the last weeks reports

Sat 11th Oct 25

See Ringing page

Mon 13th Oct 25

Matt Lonsdale

09:29 Grounded Redwing on deck in sailing club compound.

12:12 Additions In/around bushes, Overhead- 6 Redpoll (2s,4n), Swallow, 2 Grey Wag (s), 10+ Skylark (s), 9 Redwing (in/off). Several groups of Siskin. Bushes- 1 Redwing, 5+ cont Blackbirds, 15 Goldcrest, G S Woodpecker, 2 Blackcap, 5 Chiffchaff.

15:21 Around the farm early pm- 3 Fieldfare and a Redwing in/off. Couple of Chiffs and a Blackcap present as well as lots of Skylarks in northern fields.

Graham Sutton

From Haven shelter (0720-1030): Brent 245 S, Greylag 12S, Mallard 12N, Wigeon 222S, Teal 185S, Eider 1N, C Scoter 21S 19N, Shelduck 3N, R T Diver 3N, Gannet 5N, Sandwich Tern 5N 2S, Common/Arctic Tern 2N 2S, Peregrine 1 in off, Swallow 2 S, Light passage of Pipits, 1 Starling & 1 lark S/ in-off.

Tues 14th Oct 25

See Ringing page

Wed 15th Oct 25

Pete Loud

12:47 From the hide this morning, good but brief views of a nice Water Rail in the recently cleared channel. Peregrine up on the arable,14 Wigeon & 7 Teal on the pond.(SC&PL).Simon did a short ringing session in the old ringing compound behind the sewage works and ringed a fine Coal Tit which was new for the Haven Year list and several Goldcrest. Around the bushes still lots of Blackbirds, 3 Chiffchaff and a couple of Goldcrest.

Photo S&P Cox©

Emyr Jones

16:35 Black Redstart on sea wall just in front of Haven sea-watching hide just now.

Thurs 16th Oct 25

Emyr Jones

07:54 Guillemot on the sea by the raised tee.

Liz Huxley

10:38 Has now reached French Pt very close in.

Fri 17th Oct 25

Brian Combes

08:44 Haven: Yellow-browed Warbler by sewage works entrance, calling and showing briefly in sycamores + Firecrest.

16:25 Walk from Frinton to Haven and back via seawall this morning included: 1 Yellow-browed Warbler (initially called once, faintly, from deep inside the sewage works, eventually called again by gate and showed well briefly), 1 Firecrest (east end of approach road), 1 Whinchat (latish bird), 4 Stonechat, 61 Redpoll (north, as were most birds on the move today - lovely to see some in the hand too), 214 Goldfinch (north), 9 Siskin (north), 18 Skylark (north), 8 Swallow (north), 3 Fieldfare, 6 Redwing, 18 Blackbird, 9 Song Thrush, 47+ Mipit (16 north, 6 south, 25+ grounded), 7 Goldcrest, 3 Chiff, 6 Cetti’s (singing), 6 Curlew (5 golf course, 1 south), 10 Pied Wag (6 south), 8 Reed Bunting, 15 Linnet, 5 Chaffinch, 2 Greenfinch, 3 Brent (north).

Pete Loud

13:12 Yellow-browed just showed briefly in tit flock in poplars in front of feeding station by sewage works.

14:41 Unfortunately no further sightings of Yellow browed,Brambling calling other side of hedge opposed sewage farm, Peregrine overhead and several cracking male Redpoll in the hand ,Simon & Pat had a good ringing morning in the reedbed.5 Swallows north.

Matt Lonsdale

16:46 Firecrest memorials.

17:18 Ybw north of 5 bar gate near sewage works.

18:07 Haven late afternoon/early evening- Ybw ranging between feeding station and ringing comping Showed well on/off calling infrequently. Firecrest around memorials/orchard. Brambling in car park, 2 Chiffchaff, 15+ Goldcrest. 10 Fieldfare, 25 Redwing, sev. Blackbirds and Song Thrush. Rock Pipit flew over sluice area, 3+ Stonechat on brambles N of hide and 11 Swallow N.+ Coal Tit feeding station

See Ringing page

Sat 18th Oct 25

Pete Loud

09:25 Yellow-browed in small sycamore opposite entrance to car park along with 4 Goldcrest.

See Ringing page

Sun 19th Oct 25

Pete Loud

10:58 Firecrest in sycamore by car park entrance.

Graham Sutton

11:42 Haven shelter, 0715-1015:, Brent 54S, Wigeon 40S, Teal 19S, Pintail 3S, C Scoter 5N 11S, Tufted Duck 1S, GC Grebe 1N , Gannet 2N , R T Diver 4N, 10 on sea, R B Merganser 1S, Merlin 1S & back N, Med Gull 1S , Small numbers of Skylarks, Pipits S, Starlings in off. Porpoise & 2-3 Common Seals offshore.

Simon Cox

11:44 Further 3 RB Mergansers N c1040.

 

Thurs 9th Oct 25

A lot more Chiffchaffs around this morning + a few Goldcrests, a Great Spotted Woodpecker was on the feeders.

From the hide: 8+ Wigeon, 5 Mallard, 2 Teal (on the pond), 18 Blk H Gulls, 2 Lapwing,  c8 Stonechat, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Buzzard 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Kestrel.

A walk to Sandy Point (with a stop to chat with Simon & Pat (see Ringing page)), added lots of Mippits, several more Stonechat, Linnet, Pied Wags, Swallow, 1 Rock Pipit, 1+ Common Sand, MO'H/RJ/MR 

Photos Richard Jeffree©

Photos Richard Jeffree©

Reports from today

Brian Combes

17:05 Walk from Frinton to the dell and back via the seawall this morning included: 1 Redwing (over), 6 Siskin (south), 8 Redpoll (south), 91 Goldfinch (south), 45 Skylark (south), 105+ Mipit (65 south, 40+ grounded), 29 Swallow (7 south, 22 resting up on wires by the dell), 2 House Martin (south), 4 Chaffinch (south), 7 Stonechat, 7 Goldcrest, 6 Chiff (1 singing), 4 Song Thrush, 3 Pied Wag (south), 900+ Black-headed Gulls (golf course/Frinton greensward, first thing), 5 Med Gulls (4 with the b-hg, 1 south), 6 Cetti’s (singing), 14 Linnet, 4 Reed Bunting, 1 Common Sandpiper (on the sea defences), 4 Curlew, 1 Sandwich Tern, 101 Lapwing, 5 Greenfinch, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Little Egret (in-off and west).

Note

I will be away for the next few days but will do my best to catch up with anything interesting on my return.

 

Wed 8th Oct 25

Much the same as Pete's earlier report around the Dell mid morning with a few more Goldcrests along the Approach Rd. a flock of 20+ Goldfinch and a Blackcap the only additions. A nice Clouded Yellow showed well just outside the gate to the hide (see Haven Wildlife page).

 At least 8 Stonechat were in front and to the right of the hide, and a Cetti's Warbler put on a good show.

Photo Richard Jeffree©

From the hide. 19 Wigeon, 2 Teal, 12 Lapwings, 22 Blk H Gulls, 2 Buzzards, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Kestrel 

Reports from today

Pete Loud

11:41 Walk to Sandy Point and back this morning, very little visible migration, just a few Mippits and a couple of groups of Goldfinch moving, Peregrine and Marsh Harrier back of marsh, adult  Med Gull along the front and still 6+ Stonechat. Several Chiffchaff & 1 Goldcrest in the Dell first thing and still a few Swallows & House Martins about.

 

Tues 7th Oct 25

Richard and I both added Redpoll to our site year lists this morning thanks to Simon & Pat having another very successful ringing session in the reedbed (see Ringing page).

A walk to Sandy Point and back showed there was still considerable vismig underway with lots of Meadow Pipits, Reed Bunting, Linnet, Redpoll etc. and a few Swallow on the move, 8+ Stonechat & 1 Whinchat were along the edge of the golf course  2 Buzzards, 1 Kestrel were along the back hedge and 5 Mallard were fly-overs, also 1 Common Sand (flew along the front), a Lt. Egret headed south close offshore plus a Green Sand, 2 Teal, lots og Blk H Gulls were on the scrape. RJ/MR

Reports from today

Simon Cox

07:46 4 Redpolls in hand now, reedbed. 

Matt Lonsdale

08:39 Crossbill south haven greensward.

09:11 Vismig @ Haven this morning while walking dog so not full counts- 1 Crossbill, 8+ Redpoll, 25+ Siskin, 20 Chaffinch, 50+ Goldfinch. 12+ Alba Wag, 1 Grey Wag. 30+ Mipit, 5 Skylark, 1 Song Thrush and 2 Sparrow sp.. 

2 Blackcap, 5+ Chiffchaff, 3 continental Blackbirds and lots of Robins in bushes.

 

Mon 6th Oct 25

Late start this morning so I just had a walk to the hide, some remedial work on the sluice has raised the water level in the brook and there is now some water in Kirby Brook in front of the hide.

From the hide: 21 Wigeon, 4 Teal, 4 Cormorants, 16 Curlew (1 scrape, 15 on the marsh), 1 Lapwing, 76 Blk H Gulls, 1 Stonechat, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Kestrel, 1 Buzzard, 1 Sparrowhawk plus a light passage of Swallows & Mippits.

Reports from today

Pete Loud

09:45 Walk to Sandy Point and back along the front this morning , 1 Common Sandpiper, 6 Curlew on golf course, plenty of groups of Goldfinch, Linnet & Meadow Pipit moving  south, still 30+ Swallows & House Martins on the move, 4 Stonechat.

 

Sun 5th Oct 25

Reports from today

Richard Jeffree

12:14 Short visit to the Haven this morning not much change around site Ruff on scrape later on GC, 14 Widgeon on pond  at least 10 Stonechat mainly NR GC along with 2 Curlew very quiet around bushes usual Buzzard, Kestrel and Sparrowhawk.

Stonechat from the GC. Photo Richard Jeffree©

 

Sat 4th Oct 25

Another very windy day but at least it was dry this morning, overnight rain had left the scrape with a small amount of water and the Wigeon & Teal had moved over from the pond.

From the hide: 25 Wigeon, 16 Teal, 2 Cormorant, 4 Curlew, 2 Lapwing, 1 Ruff, 1 Snipe, 22 Blk H Gulls, 11 Herring Gulls, 2 Peregrine (up on the arable). RJ/MR

Richard had a walk to French Pt. and had 2 Common Sands along the front.

Reports from today

Matt Lonsdale

08:45 Short walk this morning- 3 Sanderling on beach N of sluice the highlight. Couple of Chiffs and Goldcrest in bushes. 2 Grey Wag south + couple of hirundines.

 

Fri 3rd Oct 25

The one or two brave souls that ventured out in the very wet and windy conditions this morning soon decided they were better off at home.

No Reports received so far.

 

Thurs 2nd Oct 25

Very much Groundhog Day today, 10+ Goldcrest around the bushes + a couple of Chiffchaff, 19 Wigeon off the hide pond and out to sea. From the hide, 3 Teal, a single Ruff on the scrape mud, c70 Lapwing around the marsh, 3 Grey Heron, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk. The walk to French Point added a few Stonechat, Skylark, Mippits, Linnets and a steady movement of Swallows south. PL/RJ/MR

 

Wed 1st Oct 25

Much the same as yesterday, several Goldcrest and Chiffchaff around the bushes, 21 Wigeon headed south over the sluice (having been on the hide pond earlier), Simon & Pat were having a busy time during a ringing session in the reedbed (see Ringing page). A walk to Sandy Point added well in excess of 10 Stonechat, Reed Bunting, Skylark, Linnets, Meadow Pipit and Goldfinch plus a steady stream of Swallow south, a few Lapwing were out on the marsh and a single Ruff was on the scrape on the way back, 2 Buzzard, 2 Kestrel & 1 Sparrowhawk were also noted. PL/RJ/MO'H/MR.

 

Tues 30th Sept 25

Reports from today

Brian Combes

07:45 Haven: Great White Egret west over sewage works + Ruff on golf course

17:41 Walk from Frinton to Haven and back via the farm this morning included: 1 Great White Egret (west, probably in-off), 4 Redpoll (south), 2 Ruff (scrape, earlier 1 on golf course), 5 Siskin (south), 2 Chaffinch (south), 2 House Martin (south), 25 Swallow (south), 2 Kingfisher (1 on French Point then flew north along beach, 1 brook), 3 Wheatear (1 seawall, 1 golf course, 1 bridleway), 13 Goldcrest, 14 Chiff, 4 Blackcap, 43 Skylark (23 south, 20+ on arable), 122+ Mipit (72 south 50+ grounded), 12 Stonechat (probably more, 10 between Frinton and the hide with 6+ around golf course dump, 2 along bridleway), 6 Reed Bunting, 4 Greenfinch, 6 Mediterranean Gull (on golf course first thing, also 4 over arable later), 350+ Black-headed Gull (golf course first thing), 7 Cetti’s (singing), 100+ Starling, 27 Linnet, 1 Chinese Muntjac, 1 Curlew, 1 Heron, 20+ Goldfinch, 1 Snipe (west), 3 Buzzard, 1 Sparrowhawk.

Photo Brian Combes©

At the end of September the number of species recorded at the Haven this year stands at 164.