Sat 21st Feb 26

Still lots of ducks & geese over the road that included 30+ Canada Geese, 30+ Greylags, hundreds of Teal & Wigeon, 60+ Pintail, 40+ Shoveler, and a few Mallard & Gadwall.

From the hide: 3 Mute Swans, 70+ Greylag, 1 W F Goose, c500 Teal, c200 Wigeon, 8 Mallard, 2 Shelduck, c200 Lapwing, 13 Curlew, 4+ Snipe, 2 Oystercatcher, 2 Peregrine, 1 Red Kite, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Buzzard. PL/RJ/MR et.al.

Reports from today

Matt Lonsdale

14:07 2 Egyptian Geese in Greylags behind scrape. 4 Purp Sands on boating club rocks. 2 Peregrine and 2 Mute Swan on arable. R T Diver offshore.

 

Fri 20th Feb 26

One White-f-Goose was with c100 Greylags on the marsh below the raised platform.

From the hide: 3 Mute Swans, 30+ Greylags, 10+ Canada Geese, 1 Egyptian Goose, c500 Teal, c250 Wigeon, c60 Shoveler, 10 Mallard, 6 Shelduck, 3 Gadwall, c30 Lapwing, 7 Snipe, 2 Oystercatcher, 2 Buzzards, 2 Peregrine, 1 Red Kite, 1 Kestrel. RJ/MO'H/MR

Both the Peregrine and the Red Kite managed to find a meal this morning

 

Thurs 19th Feb 26

The site year list hit 100 today with Goosander and Bar T Godwit during Graham's second seawatch of the week.

6 Purple Sands and a Rock Pipit were along the front first thing (RJ et.al.)

From the hide: 1 Mute Swan, 140+ Greylag, 10+ Canada Geese, 1 W F Goose, (all up on the arable), c500 Teal, c150 Wigeon, 60+ Shoveler, 10+ Mallard, 4 Shelduck, 2 Pintail, 1 Gadwall, c80 Lapwing, 2 Oystercatcher, 2 Snipe. RJ/MR  

Reports from today

Matt Lonsdale

09:56 11 Pintail on site today- Pair on flood right of hide and 9 over the road. 2 Black-wits also over the road. Ad Med Gull raised platform. 

Graham Sutton

10:05 Haven Shelter (0715 - 0915): C Scoter 1 N, Goosander 11N, Cormorant 223N 1S, RT Diver 8N, Bar-tailed Godwit 1N, Oystercatcher 1N, Med Gull 1N (ad).

 

 

Wed 18th Feb 26

Another bird added to the site year list this morning with a Fulmar on Graham's seawatch.

Very rough seas and a strong wind meant we headed to the hide where things were much the same apart from the Peregrine putting on a display and getting everything very agitated a couple of times.

From the hide: 1 Mute Swan, 80+ Greylag, c500 Teal, c100 Wigeon, 60+ Shoveler, 10 Mallard, 1 Shelduck, 21 Golden Plover (over), 13 Lapwing, 2 Snipe, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Avocet, 1 LBB &1 GBB Gull, 1 Peregrine, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Buzzard. PL/RJ/MO'H/MR

Reports from today

Graham Sutton

11:22 Haven Shelter (0720-1010): Wigeon 5S, Teal 1S, C. Scoter 4S, Fulmar 1N, Gannet 3N, Cormorant 114N, GC Grebe 6N, RT Diver 14N 23S, BT Diver 1N.

 

Tues 17th Feb 26

Amazingly two Site Year Ticks this morning, as we drove along Manor Way at the top of the carpark a male Yellowhammer dropped onto the road ahead and then worked it's way up the grass bank before flying off toward the orchard (RJ/MR), then after spending an hour in the hide a Spoonbill appeared from nowhere on the marsh below the raised platform.

A single Purple Sand was on the seawall south of French Point.

From the hide: 1 Mute Swan, 130 Greylag, 8 Canada Geese, 1 White-fronted Goose, 500+ Teal, c100 Wigeon, 123 Shoveler, 8 Mallard, 6 Shelduck, c 20 Curlew, 18 Lapwing, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Avocet, 1 Snipe, 1 Spoonbill,  2 Buzzard, 1 Marsh Harrier. SC/RJ/MO'H/TR/MR.

Reports from today

Richard Jeffree

10:20 Male Yellowhammer carpark approach

11:29 Spoonbill back of raised platform

 

Mon 16th Feb 26

One Purple Sand south of French Pt., a pair of Stonechat and a few Wigeon offshore was the best of a walk to French Pt. and back to the hide.

From the hide: Wigeon & Teal numbers down a bit today, Shovelers up to 120+, 8 Mallard, 5 Shelduck, 3 Pintail (over), 1 Avocet, 1 Oystercatcher, 2 Buzzards, 1 Red Kite, PL/RJ/MO'H/TR/MR.

Reports from today

Matt Lonsdale

09:29 Haven this morning- 122 Shoveler on scrape with an Avocet and an Oyk. 2 Peregrine on arable, Rock Pipit on seawall. Med Gull and Linnet flew south.

Pete Loud

13:20 Haven late morning,1 White-fronted Goose in with Greylags on entrance marsh, Red Kite over arable behind Scrape.

 

Sun 15th Feb 26

Lovely weather for ducks, not so good for duck watchers !!

No reports received so far.

 

Sat 14th Feb 26

One White-fronted Goose was with 80+ Greylags and 10+ Canada Geese over the road this morning plus 3 Mute Swans, c200 Lapwing, 18 Blk T Godwits & 2 Curlew, still lots of Teal, Wigeon & Shoveler, 30+ Pintail, 16 Gadwall, 7 Grey Heron & 1 Lt Grebe.

Reports from today

Brian Combes

16:22 Walk from Frinton to Haven and back via sea wall first thing this morning included: 2 Med Gull (golf course first thing), 3 Reed Bunting (1 singing which is rather early), 1 Cetti’s (singing, 1 of 10 species in song), 80+ Starling, 1 Sparrowhawk, 10 Pied Wag, 2 Snipe, 150+ Wigeon (100+ sitting on the sea), 19 Linnet, 3 Mute Swan, 200+ Teal, 120+ Lapwing, 90+ Shoveler, 1 Peregrine, 4 Hare (2 boxing), 1 Buzzard, 1 Avocet, 2 Song Thrush (singing), 5 Purple Sand, 3 Stonechat.

Photo Brian Combes©

 

Fri 13th Feb 26

A Gannet was added to the site year list during this mornings seawatch otherwise just the usual Red-t-Divers, Cormorants, a G C Grebe and gulls PL/RJ/MO'H/DC

Just 84 Greylag, 4 Canada Geese (+ the hybrid) and 2 Mute Swans on the arable from the lay-by plus the 2 Peregrines in their usual place on the track.

Over the road was much the same still lots of Teal, Wigeon & Shoveler but just a few Pintail Gadwall & Mallard and 6+ Curlew.

From the hide: 5 Greylag, several hundred Wigeon & Teal, 80+ Shoveler, 6 Mallard, 150+ Lapwing, 4 Curlew, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Avocet, 2 Buzzard, 2 Peregrine (still up on the track), 1 Kestrel. PL/RJ/MO'H/DC/MR

Reports from today

Pete Loud

16:29 Joined Dave & Richard  for a seawatch this morning, for about 1 hour, still a few Red throated Divers offshore mainly heading north, although less than of late,1 adult Gannet north was new for the year list ,good numbers of Cormorant offshore,1 Gt C Grebe north and 4 Brent.

 

Thurs 12th Feb 26

A much nicer day for birding if a bit chilly first thing, from the lay-by 2 Mute Swans, 135 Greylags and 4 Canada Geese were on the arable in front of the hide but no sign of any White-fronts

Far fewer ducks on the flood on the other side of the road but still mainly Teal, Wigeon and Shoveler with a few Pintail, Shelduck, Mallard & Gadwall a few hundred Lapwing, 13 Blk T Godwits, 5+ Grey Heron, 2 Buzzard and lots of gulls.

A short seawatch noted c40 Red-throated Divers, c15 Cormorant, 1 Gt C Grebe, 4 Brent, 2 Oystercatcher, 2 Curlew RJ/MO'H/SE/MR

From the hide: Same as of late but numbers down, Teal, Wigeon, & Shoveler, 8+ Pintail, 8+ Mallard, 4 Shelduck, a Few Lapwing, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Red-legged Partridge, 2 Buzzard, 1 Peregrine. RJ/MO'H/MR.

 

 

Wed 11th Feb 26

From the lay-by 1 Mute Swan, 150 Greylag and 5 Canada Geese were on the arable east of the B1032

All much the same over the road viewed from the Chippings lay-by, lots and lots of Wigeon, Teal & Shoveler 70+ Pintail, 38 Blk t Godwits, 5 Grey Heron and lots of gulls.

From the hide: 1 Mute Swan, c30 Greylags, 10 Canada Geese, c400 Teal, c100 Wigeon, 93 Shoveler, 10+ Mallard, 6 Shelduck, 2 Gadwall, c20 Curlew, 8 Lapwing, 6 Snipe, Blk H Gulls, 1 LBB, 1 Med Gull, 3 Buzzard, 1 Peregrine, 1 Kestrel, RJ/MO'H/MR.

Reports from today

Pete Loud

10:58 Jack Snipe again this morning over the road  flushed from the same place that Richard saw it yesterday, also 30 Black t Godwits, 20 Pintail, Marsh Harrier and still plenty of Wigeon, Shoveler & Teal.

12:53 Seawatch from the shelter for 1 Hour, 14 Great crested Grebes, all south apart from 1 feeding just offshore, at least 40 Red throated Divers, mainly south, some north and a few sitting offshore, 25 Brent, 1 Dunlin, 3 Oystercatcher, 1 Pintail, a few Cormorant and a flock of 100 Wigeon sitting on the sea just offshore.

 

Tues 10th Feb 26

Very murky from the chippings lay-by this morning, just about able to ID 20+ Blk T Godwits and the usual Teal, Wigeon, Shoveler and Pintail when the visibility improved for a few minutes, then a walk around the site added nothing of note.

From the hide: 5 Mute Swans, 18 Greylag, 4 Canada Geese (+ the Can/Greylag hybrid), c250 Teal, c80 Wigeon (+ c100 sitting offshore), 50+ Shoveler, 10+ Mallard, 8 Shelduck, 14 Curlew, 10+ Lapwing, 1 Avocet PL/MO'H/MR

Reports from today

Richard Jeffree

13:25 Jack Snipe flushed from across rd., where the woodcock were.

 

Mon 9th Feb 26

No reports received so far

 

Sun 8th Feb 26

There was a lot more water on the marsh over the road this morning and still lots of ducks, loads of Wigeon, Teal & Shoveler good numbers of Pintail, 5+ Grey Heron, lots of Blk-headed & Herring Gulls plus Common Gulls & a Med Gull. The geese were all a long way off towards Fan Bridge and among the Canada's & Greylags were 20+ White-fronted Geese.

From the hide: 5 Mute Swans, Greylags, Canada Geese, Wigeon, Teal, Shoveler, Pintail, Mallard, 7 Curlew, 4 Snipe, 1 Avocet, 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Peregrine, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 1 Buzzard, 3 Meadow Pipit, 1 Reed Bunting, RJ/MO'H/MR et.al.

On the way back 2 Red-throated Divers were sitting on the sea off the sluice MR/TR

 

Sat 7th Feb 26

We started at the Chippings lay-by this morning, just a few geese down towards Fan Bridge, c10 Canada Geese and a couple of Greylags but loads of ducks again today, mostly Teal & Wigeon but 100+ Pintail and Shoveler and a few Gadwall.

Much quieter from the hide, again lots of Wigeon & Teal, 60+ Shoveler, 9 Pintail, 6 Mallard, 2 Shelduck, c40 Lapwing, 1 Avocet, 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Water Rail, 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, late morning a couple of groups of Greylag dropped onto the arable followed a few minutes later by 36 White-fronted Geese. RJ/MR.

 

Fri 6th Feb 26

I had a quick stop in the lay-by on my way back from Clacton early afternoon and there were still 80+ White-fronts with Canada & Greylag Geese on the field east of the B1032

Reports from today

Matt Lonsdale

08:05 C75 grey geese (presumably GWFG) from lay-by on b1032. Bins only.

Richard Jeffree

09:40 At least 66 White-fronts from layby.

09:51 Re-count min 85.

 

Thurs 5th Feb 26

No reports received so far

 

Wed 4th Feb 26

Reports from today

Mike O'Hanlon

13:18 6 Purple Sandpipers roosting just south of French Point.

Photo Mike O'Hanlon©

16:50 The leading White-fronts circling the scrape in front of the raised platform earlier.

Photo Mike O'Hanlon©

Pete Loud

14:27  For a change as it was calm and sunny today I thought I would start up at the Farm at Gt Holland, added 2 species to the site total, believe it or not House Sparrow and Red legged Partridge both have proved to be very elusive so far this year, sadly a sign of the times, also seen up there both Green and Great Spotted Woodpecker, lots of Skylark, a few Linnets and a Cetti’s Warbler. Later from the Hide, the 2 Peregrine were in their favoured spot on the arable track, still lots of Teal ,Wigeon & Shoveler on the flood and a Dunlin was a year tick for me. A walk to Sandy Point and back with Richard and Mike we noted 2 Stonechat, 1 Rock Pipit, 5 Sanderling & 6 Purple Sands, walking back to the car 37 Whitefronts put on a good show flying about over the entrance marsh & raised platform area loosely associated with a large Grey lag flock before heading off towards the marsh over the road.

 .

 

Tues 3rd Feb 26

It was a first Site Year Tick for February when a Knot dropped into the the marsh to the right of the hide, otherwise it was much the same but no sign of the White-fronts.

From the hide: 1 Mute Swan, c30 Canada Geese, 1 Greylag, c600 Teal, c250 Wigeon, c80 Shoveler, 4 Mallard, 2 Pintail, 2 Gadwall, 50+ Lapwing, 4 Snipe, 3 Golden Plover, 2 Blk T Godwits, 1 Avocet, 1 Knot, 1 GBB Gull, 1 Kestrel. RJ/MO'H/TR/MR/PL

6 R T Divers and a Gt C Grebe were noted offshore on the way back.

Reports from today

Mike O'Hanlon

11:20 Knot on the flood at the Haven.

 

Mon 2nd Feb 26

A quick stop at the Chippings lay-by showed that there were still loads of ducks all over the flooded marsh but the murky conditions made it hard work to pick out anything special.

From the Hide: 1 Mute Swan, Greylag & Canada Geese, 26+ White-fronted Geese, c1000 Teal, c350 Wigeon, 88 Shoveler, 9 Pintail (6f 3m), 8 Mallard, 6 Shelduck, c130 Lapwing, 3 Curlew, 2 Avocet, 2 Snipe, 1 Blk T Godwit, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Water Rail (seen briefly first thing DP/RJ), 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel. RJ/DP/MR

 

Sun 1st Feb 26

From the hide: 2 Mute Swans, lots of Greylag and Canada Geese (plus the Canada/Barnacle hybrid), 25 W F Geese, hundreds of Teal, c350 Wigeon (on the marsh & sitting offshore), c70 Shoveler, 6 Mallard, 4 Shelduck, 3 Pintail, 1 Gadwall, c20 Lapwing, 2 Blk T Godwits, 1 Avocet, 3 Pied Wags, 2 Peregrine, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Buzzard. PL/RJ/MO'H/TR/MR et.al.

 

Sat 31st Jan 26

Reports from today

Richard Jeffree

10:48 At least 4 W Fronts distantly from chippings layby pr Pintail on flood right of hide.

Matt Lonsdale

11:03 25 W F Geese on flash behind scrape (not viewable from hide) + 1 from raised platform. 4 Pintail 2m+f from pillbox, 1 female from raised platform. LBB Gull and Canada/Barnacle hybrid from chippings lay-by.

At the end of January the number of species recorded at the Haven this year stands at 90.

 

Fri 30th Jan 26

Reports from today

Richard Jeffree

11:14 14 Whitefronts back of scrape.

Max Martin

14:37 25+ Whitefronts behind raised platform, had a group of around 20 fly in with 6 already being seen on the deck

Matt Lonsdale

15:54 Still 15+ Whitefronts from raised platform although some of groups obscured

 

Thurs 29th Jan 26

Reports from today

Richard Jeffree

12:36. Very quiet around the site today practically nothing over the road except water, on the main site only birds of note were 4/5 Red-throats sitting on the sea, 2 adult Med Gulls on GC, all the common duck numbers down on recent days, 3/4 Snipe remain on there disappearing island, overall very uninspiring.

 

Wed 28th Jan 26

Reports from today

Richard Jeffree

10:20  Adult Caspian over the road on the flood. 3rd field down at the back.

12:20 This morning’s sighting - From hide - 4 Snipe, 2 Shelducks, 1 Peregrine, 1 Mute Swan, 21 Greylags, 53 Shovelers, 1 Cormorant, 1 Buzzard, 3 Mallard, 1 Cetti’s Warbler, 100+ Teal, 100+ Wigeon and 1 Chinese Water Deer, 

Over the road - 1 Woodcock, 1 Caspian Gull,  1 Buzzard

Mike O'Hanlon

11:50 At least 3 W F Geese on flood in front of wooden platform (seen from hide).

Pete Loud

15:15 From the hide this morning,1 drake Pintail on the winter flood, with plenty of Wigeon, Teal and Shoveler, 12 Curlew. Walk to French Point, 1 adult Med Gull over, heading to Golf Course & 1 immature male Marsh Harrier. 6 Purple Sandpipers were on the beach just north of French Point. 2 Adult and 1 imm. Whitefronts were in with Greylags seen from the raised Platform.(PD,PL).

 

Tues 27th Jan 26

Reports from today

Richard Jeffree

15:01 Adult Little Gull north past shelter.

 

Mon 26th Jan 26

Reports from today

Richard Jeffree

10:50 6 Purps and a Sanderling on beach by sluice.

Mike O'Hanlon

13:25 This morning from the hide with RJ - (1100 to 1230) 17 Canada Geese, 7 Greylag, 1 Canada/Greylag and 1 Canada/ Barnacle goose hybrids, 71+ Shovelers, circa 200 Teal and Wigeon each, 1 Avocet, 2 Shelducks, 2 Buzzard, 1 Mute swan, 2 pairs of Mallard, pair of Gadwall, 30 Lapwings + Med Gull on Golf Course.

 

Sun 25th Jan 26

Reports from today

Richard Jeffree

10:48 6 White-fronts just landed behind raised platform.

Pete Loud

15:16 Good to catch up with the 6 Whitefronts at long last, viewed from the raised platform with plenty of wigeon and Teal still in that area with a nice flock of Lapwing, from the hide, the female Peregrine was in her usual spot on the track down through the fields, still lots of wildfowl on the winter flood, mainly Teal but good Shoveler numbers 47 counted, 17 Curlew, Little Grebe in the ditch in front of hide. The hybrid Canada/ Barnacle was on the marsh with a few Canada Geese, first time I have seen it. nice, flock of 80 Brent flying along the front as I walked back to the car ,unbelievably a year tick for me.(MO’H, RJ,PL)

 

Sat 24th Jan 26

Reports from today

Matt Turner

14:09 6 Purps still at French Pt. 

Simon Cox

14:21 Still at least 2 Whitefronts on Holland Marshes, more geese largely obscured by hedge.

 

Fri 23rd Jan 26

The early risers this morning found that the Geese had moved to the distant fields but Marsh Harrier, Woodcock, Curlew and Common Gull were all noted. RJ/DC/SE

From the Hide: 4 Mute Swans, 19 Canada Geese, c500 Teal, 50+ Wigeon, 47 Shoveler, 6 Mallard, 2 Gadwall, 1 Shelduck, a few Lapwing, 2 Snipe, 1 Avocet, 1 Dunlin, 2 Peregrine, 1 Buzzard. RJ/MO'H/DC/MR

Reports from today

Matt Lonsdale

09:31 The 6 Whitefronts are in the arable field at the junction of Sladbury's Lane and Great Holland Common road. With Greylags and Canada’s.

Mike O'Hanlon

10:32 6 Purple Sands north of French point on beach.

 

Thurs 22nd Jan 26

On a 90min seawatch we managed to pick up 1 Blk T Diver and 3 Common Scoter otherwise it was just a steady movement of Red-throats and 6 Brent plus c100 Wigeon sitting on the sea.

From the hide: 2 Mute Swans (another 2 were in the field on the other side of the main Rd.), 18 Canada Geese (+ the hybrid Can/Greylag), c500 Teal, 29 Shoveler, a few Wigeon, 2 Mallard, 1 Shelduck, 12 Lapwing, 3+ Snipe, 1 Avocet. RJ/MO'H/MR

 

Wed 21st Jan 26

I joined this mornings seawatch late, but in time to see a steady stream of R T Divers, pick up a year tick with Common Scoter and totally miss the Razorbill. PL/RJ/MOH/GS/MR

From the hide: Greylag & Canada Geese, c600 Teal, 41 Shoveler, a few Wigeon, 1 Mallard, 1 Shelduck, 2 Snipe, 2 Pied Wags, 1 Peregrine, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Buzzard.

On the way back c100 Wigeon were sitting on the sea and 6 Purple Sands were sitting on the seawall just south of French Pt.

Reports from today

Graham Sutton

11:40 Haven shelter 0830-1100: Wigeon 300+ on sea, Common Scoter 3N, RT Diver/diver sp 118N, Razorbill 1N.

 

Tues 20th Jan 26

Reports from today

Matt Lonsdale

10:08 6 Whitefronts from chippings lay-by + 9 Mute Swans. Corn Bunting flew over + landed towards new track.

Mike O'Hanlon

11:59 From the Haven hide (11am till noon) - 38 Shoveler, circa 500 Widgeon, 1 Avocet, 2 Wigeon, Buzzard

Richard Jeffree

16:01 Afternoon visit to the site for me today produced 2 Woodcock over the road no sign of any WF's, 2 Purple Sands on the sluice, ringed adult Med Gull on the GC in amongst 500/600 Black heads, 1 Rock Pipit, 21 Pied Wags and a male Stonechat and finally 4 Brent's north.

Photo Richard Jeffree©

 

Mon 19th Jan 26

Reports from today

Pete Loud

13:18 1 Woodcock and 1 Ruff over the road and lots of Teal. Nothing else of note. Short seawatch produced very little, just 1 Red-throated Diver and a couple of hundred Cormorant north.

 

Sun 18th Jan 26

Another morning spent scanning the marsh over the road, still covered with birds incl. 30+ Canada Geese (plus the Canada/Barnacle hybrid), Greylag, 4 White-fronted Geese, Wigeon, Teal, Shoveler, Shelduck, Gadwall, Mallard, Lapwing, Curlew, 4 Ruff, 2 Redshank, 1 Blk T Godwit, a large number of Blk Headed & Herring Gulls plus Common, LBB & Caspian Gulls. A bonus for me was a Woodcock flushed as we walked back to the road.

From the hide: Lots of Teal & Wigeon, 16 Shoveler, 4 Shelduck, 1 Avocet, a few Lapwing, 4 Snipe, Skylarks, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wag, 3 Goldfinch, 2 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel.

At the sluice on the way back 1 Purple Sand was on the seawall to the north and in the 15mins we were watching c800 Cormorant passed offshore heading north in 5 or 6 long lines just amazing, plus the bonus of 1 Gt. C Grebe and a pair of Common Scoter. RJ/MO'H/TR/MR.

Reports from today

Matt Lonsdale

09:02 Spot Red heard but not seen over the hide this morning, Peregrine and Oyk only other birds of note on main site. 4 Whitefronts and 6+ Pintail over the road.

Richard Jeffree

09:29 Woodcock again in scrub adj. new path over road.

10:24 1st w Caspian Gull.

 

Sat 17th Jan 26

Another addition to the year list today with 4 White-fronted Geese (two Adults + 2 Juvs) found by Richard over the road, the flooded marsh was again loaded with birds and amongst the Greylags, Canada Geese, Wigeon & Teal we found 9 Pintail, 3 Gadwall, 2 Ruff, 1 Redshank & 1 Caspian Gull of note.

From the hide: Hundreds of Teal, Wigeon, 16 Shoveler, 4 Shelduck, 2 Peregrine, 2 Buzzard, 20+ Skylark, 2 Pied Wags. RJ/MO'H/MR

Reports from today

Richard Jeffree

09:15 4 Whitefronts over road, first pool.

09:21 6 Pintail, 2 Ruff so far.

09:44 Adult Caspian Gull furthest pool.

 

Fri 16th Jan 26

Two new birds for the year list this morning with Redshank and Pintail plus the 4 very smart Ruff were added to a few personal lists as well.

Still lots of water all around the marsh, over the road were loads of Teal, Wigeon, Shoveler, Greylag, Canada Geese, lots of gulls incl. 2 Common Gulls & 1 LBB, Lapwing & Curlew.

2 Purple Sands were on the sluice on the way to the hide.

From the hide: Hundreds of Teal plus Wigeon, Shoveler, 2 Shelduck, Lapwing, 1 Avocet, 1 Snipe, 2 Buzzard, 1 Peregrine, 1 Sparrowhawk, several Meadow Pipit, Pied Wag. SC/PL/RJ /MO'H/TR/MR

A pair of Pintail, 4 Ruff, 1 Blk T Godwit and lots more ducks were on the flood below the raised platform.

Reports from today

Richard Jeffree

09:20 2 Redshank over road on flood.

Simon Cox

11:48 Pair Pintail from raised platform

11:54 Also 4 Ruff.

 

Thurs 15th Jan 26

Had a seawatch with PL this morning, not a bad morning considering, Blk T Diver & Kittiwake were year ticks and it was 121+ Red-throats, +3 sitting on the sea in total. 

Reports from today

Pete Loud

12:36 2 hours seawatching this morning, not the best conditions with rain and limited visibility, but lots of Red-throated Divers again more than 100 all south,1 Black-throated Diver, 1 Adult  Kittiwake, 1 Adult Med Gull, 90+ Cormorant, 50+Wigeon.

 

Wed 14th Jan 26

A late start for me as usual today, I met Matt as he was leaving the Chippings Lay-by, he had found that there had been a large increase in the number of Teal overnight.

I walked from the humpback bridge to the cattle pen and Teal were everywhere along with Wigeon, Shoveler, c300 Lapwing15+ Curlew, 2 Blk T Godwits, 1 Snipe, Grey Heron, 2 Buzzards, 1 Kestrel, lots of gulls & corvids, 1 Chinese Water Deer, 1 Muntjac, 2 Brown Hares.

Chinese Water Deer

After Pete's message a short seawatch on the way to & from the hide gave a total of 46+ Red-throated Divers all heading south, 2 large rafts of Wigeon, a small group of Greylag & Canada Geese and lots of gulls.

From the hide: Again lots of Teal, c150 Lapwing, 1 Avocet, 1 Snipe, 2 Buzzards, 1 Marsh Harrier

Reports from today

Pete Loud

11:55 Still very quiet around site this morning, although very pleasant out in the sunshine, 2 Red-throated Diver south from the Sluice were year ticks, it’s been very poor offshore so far this year another year tick with an Avocet on the Scrape. High numbers of Teal from the hide,12 Shoveler, no Wigeon I could see a good raft sitting on the sea from the sluice, probably the scrape was frozen this morning, when that happens they prefer to be out offshore..

 

Tues 13th Jan 26

No sign of yesterdays Bittern this morning but still lots of Wigeon & Teal, a few Shoveler plus loads of gulls spread over the flooded marsh over the road.

Around the rest of the site was very quiet, Mike & Richards very wet walk along the front added nothing of note and from the hide was not much better but dry, c50 Teal, a few Lapwing, 2 Pied Wags on the marsh to the right and 2 Buzzards was all. Looks like a nicer day tomorrow. RJ/MO'H/MR et.al.

 

Mon 12th Jan 26

The flooding on the marshes was much more widespread this morning but everything looked much as yesterday, with lots of ducks & geese, lapwing, curlew and corvids etc. over the marsh.

A walk down the approach road with Mike added nothing of note, then the phone rang, Pete Loud who was along the track from the humpback bridge to the cattle pen had located a Bittern (the first recorded on the site since Sept 2017) in long grass west of the B1032, after a while the bird made a short flight to the edge of the reedbed and spent the next 40 mins making it's way along the edge before moving into the reeds and being lost to view. PL/RJ/MO'H/DP/S&PC/MR et.al.

I'm sure some better photos will follow

A quick visit to the hide showed the 2 Peregrines were up on the arable, 100+ Lapwing were on the ploughed field, a few Greylag and ducks were below the raised platform and 3 Purple Sands were on the beach by the sluice. 

Reports from today

Pete Loud

10:44 Bittern sitting out on the flooded field over the road viewable from the recently laid path

15:08 The Bittern was an unexpected surprise this morning couldn’t believe it when it stayed out in the open for over an hour giving a few people the opportunity to see it, although Simon and Pat were very unlucky, it disappeared into the reedy ditch a couple of minutes before their arrival. Later a walk along the front revealed 5 Purple Sandpipers on the seawall just north of French Point and a Reed Bunting which was surprisingly a new bird for the Haven year list, they are very scarce on site during the winter months.

 

Sun 11th Jan 26

The half frozen, half flooded marsh over the road held a large number of birds again today with Greylags, Canada Geese, Wigeon, Teal, Mallard & Shoveler plus c200 Lapwing, 20 Curlew, 3 Grey Heron all noted. 

A Med Gull & a GBB Gull were in with the Blk Headed & Herring Gulls along the beach and c150 Wigeon were sitting on the sea.

From the hide: c50 Teal, 6 Mallard, 120 Lapwing, 2 Peregrine, 2 Buzzard, Song Thrush, Meadow Pipit, Stock Dove & Robin.

 

Sat 10th Jan 26

What a transformation, from low water levels and everything frozen solid to full brooks and ditches and flooded marshes and the return of the ducks.

The partially flooded marsh over the road held Graylag & Canada Geese, several hundred each of Wigeon, Teal & Lapwing, 3 Grey Heron & lots of corvids.

6 Purple Sandpipers were on the beach just north of French Pt. and a large raft of Wigeon were sitting offshore.

From the hide: c400 Teal, c100 Wigeon, 6 Shoveler, 4 Mallard, 1 Shelduck, 40+ Lapwing, 3 Snipe, 2 Pied Wags, 1 Buzzard. MO'H/TR/MR.

 

Fri 9th Jan 26

Reports from today

Matt Lonsdale

10:54 Wet morning over the haven- 2 mute swan on the sea. 7 purple sand and a sanderling on beach. Large numbers of wigeon and teal on the marsh again + small group of Canada’s and greylags inc the barnacle/ Canada hybrid.

 

Thurs 8th Jan 25

No reports received so far.

 

Wed 7th Jan 26

A walk around the approach road and adjacent wood was very quiet, Gt. Tit, Blue Tit, L T Tit, Blackbird, Song Thrush and Redwing plus a Buzzard overhead and a couple of Mallard on the marsh was about it. Nothing of note along the front just a small number of Wigeon offshore and the mixed gull flock on the sluice.

From the hide: Just a few Lapwing on the marsh to the right of the hide, 5 Teal flew over, 1 Peregrine, 1 Buzzard 1 Kestrel, a few Starlings and a Pied Wagtail. Thank goodness for the Water Rail, he put on a good display again this morning with his mate the Robin, polishing off all the mealworms we put out in no time and returning just minutes after we put out some more. RJ/MO'H/MR

 

Tues 6th Jan 26

The 2 Mute Swans were still in the field west of the B1032 on the way to site this morning and a the usual flock of Greylag & Canada Geese were on the marsh near to Fan Bridge.

2 Sanderling were on the beach south of the Boating Club, 3 Purple Sands on the rocks in front of the club, a further 2 Purp's were on the beach north of the sluice, just a small raft of Wigeon sat on the sea offshore.

From the hide: c300 Golden Plover, c100 Lapwing, 66 Blk H Gulls, 2 Herring Gulls, 2 Water Rail, 2 Peregrine, 2 Buzzard, 4 Brown Hare, 1 Red Fox. MO'H/TR/MR

 

Mon 5th Jan 25

Very cold again today with overnight snow making the Haven look a picture in the morning sunshine.

On the way to site the 2 Mute Swans were still the field on the west side of the main road, a Turnstone and a Sanderling were on the beach with several gulls just south of the Gunfleet Boating Club.

From the hide: 300+ Golden Plover (on the arable), c40 Lapwing, 3 Snipe, c30 Skylark, 3 Buzzard, 1 Peregrine, 1 Sparrowhawk, c20 Blk H Gulls, 1 Common Gull. PL/MO'H/RJ/TR/MR

A Rock Pipit was on the sluice and 2 Snipe flushes from the area beside the TDC compound. 

 

Sun 4th Jan 25

Very cold again this morning, but nice in the sun. Richard had Oystercatcher, Med Gull & G B B Gull to add to the year list on his walk along the front today plus a couple of Purple Sands.

A large raft of Wigeon were sitting on the sea offshore, half a dozen Teal were standing on the frozen brook behind the sluice and a Stonechat was on the mounds

From the hide: 320+ Golden Plover (up on the arable), 50+ Lawing, 60+ Skylark, 3 Goldfinch, 2 Water Rail, 13 Blk H Gulls 3 Herring Gulls, 1 Common Gull, 3 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel. RJ/TR/MRet.al. 

Birds of the day had to be not one but two Water Rails in the half frozen Kirby Brook in front of the hide.

Video Richard Jeffree©

Photo Richard Jeffree©

Photo Richard Jeffree©

Reports from today

Pete Loud

13:21 Less wind today so quite nice out in the sunshine, mopping up a few year ticks. Great-spotted Woodpecker and Goldcrest along the entrance road bushes and Pair of Gadwall on the settling tank in the Sewage Farm. 2 Mute Swan in fields from road over the marshes.

 

Sat 3rd Jan 26

Matt Lonsdale added four new birds to the year list with Ruff, Egyptian Goose, Caspian Gull & Sanderling first thing, unfortunately only the Sanderling were still around when I got over mid-morning. 2 Purple Sands were also along the front, a pair of Stonechat around the mounds, and a raft of Wigeon sat offshore.

From the hide: The scrape and the pond were almost totally frozen this morning so birds were few and far between on the water, c200 Golden Plover were up on the arable and a few Lapwing and Teal on the marsh, 4 Shoveler dropped into the pond very briefly, a Grey Wagtail flew passed and 3 Goldfinch landed on the bramble in front of the hide. RJ/MO'H/LH/MR et.al.

 

Fri 2nd Jan 26

No reports received so far:

 

Thurs 1st Jan 26

At the start of the year we had our first of Jan walk around the site to get as many birds on the site year list as we could, it wasn't great. I think Pete, Richard, Dave, Mike & Myself had a total of just 54 with Matt adding 3 extra's on his dog walk. The full list will be posted shortly.