Thurs 15th Oct 26

Quiet offshore and around the bushes this morning just a few Greenfinch & Goldfinch around the Dell, 4 Mallard on the brook and a Turnstone on the rocks with the gulls again.

From the hide: 27 Greylag, 12 Teal, 5 Shoveler, 5 Wigeon, 5 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 24 Lapwing (on the arable), 2 Curlew, 1 Water Rail, 21 Blk H Gulls, 2 Buzzard, 1 G S Woodpecker (over), 6+ Stonechat, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Swallows, Meadow Pipit Linnet & Reed Bunting, 1 Chinese Water Deer. PL/RJ/MO'H/MR

A walk to French Pt. showed that the Bearded Tit from yesterday was still around.

Reports from today

Mike O'Hanlon

11:28 Bearded Tit (f) in Simon’s ringing area just now.

Photo Mike O'Hanlon©

 

Wed 14th Oct 26

From the hide: 35 Greylag, 17 Teal, 3 Wigeon, 3 Shoveler, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Cormorant, a few Lapwing (on the arable), 6 Curlew, 3 Blk T Godwits, 1 Snipe, 1 Water Rail (heard only), 36 Blk H Gulls, 2 Med Gulls (over), 3 Buzzard, 1 Marsh Harrier, 10+ Stonechat, 1 Cetti's Warbler, Meadow Pipit, Linnet, Skylark & Reed Buntings.

Photo Richard Jeffree©

On a walk to French Pt. it was great to see a Beardie & Cetti's warbler in the hand, (see below & Ringing page).

4 Mallard were on the brook and a Turnstone on the sluice with the gulls on the way back.

Reports from today

Matt Lonsdale

08:51 Bearded Tit behind council compound, original on mounds/sluice area.

10:04 Just a short dog walk this morning but lots of bits and pieces around. Highlight the bearded tit + small arrival of thrushes. 8 redwing and handful of each song thrush and blackbird. Single sandwich tern south offshore. Decent passage overhead inc 2 brambling and 2 swallow.

Richard Jeffree

08:52 Male Brambling dell

15:02  A couple of shots from this morning

Photo Richard Jeffree©

Photo Richard Jeffree©

Pete Loud

14:45 Haven this morning, the 2 Star birds were the cracking male Brambling in the Dell bushes and the female Bearded Tit found later by Simons ringing site, luckily it found one of his mist nets so managed to see it  in the hand, presumably the bird Matt had found earlier in the day, obviously relocated to more typical habitat, plus a nice Cetti’s warbler, always nice to see these birds in the hand to really appreciate them up close. Couple of late Swallows heading south and still a trickle of Brent offshore south from the cafe.

Brian Combes

17:24 Haven first thing this morning included:10 redwing (thrushes quickly moving inland), 9 song thrush, 4 blackbird, 1 brambling (south), 1 grey wag (south), 124 goldfinch (south), 75 mipit (south + many others grounded), 53 linnet (south), 30 skylark (south), 9 chaffinch (3 south), 5 starling (west), 3 siskin (south), 3 rock pipit (2 south, 1 on French Point), 15 reed bunting (4 south), 120+ wood pigeon (moving north in two flocks first thing), 2 chiff (approach road, 1 singing), 5 stonechat, 2 goldcrest, 5 Cetti’s (singing), 4 jay, 4 black-tailed godwit, 2 shoveler, 1 Chinese muntjac.

 

Tues 13th Oct 26

Very quiet on the scrape this morning.

From the hide: 32 Greylags, 1 Brent Goose, 10 Cormorants, 12 Teal, 1 Wigeon, 1 Shoveler, 3 Blk T Godwits, 2 Curlew, 22 Blk H Gulls, 3+ Stonechat, 3 Reed Bunting, Blue, Great & L T Tits, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Song Thrush. SC/RJ/MR et.al.

Reports from today

Matt Lonsdale

10:20 Shelter- 07:50-10:00 1 velvet scoter (Drk, N), 2 gannet (N). All else south 228 wigeon, 103 Brent, 30 common scoter, 23 teal, 28 dunlin, 4 cormorant, 3 common gull. 

Limited vis-mig- 2 grey wag SW, 10 skylark, trifle of mipits and odd finch.

Steve Entwistle

12:52 Red breasted Merganser female South, 50/60 dunlin South, 1500  brent South , 2 pintail South

Peter & l

 

Mon 12th Oct 26

Reports from today

Pete Loud

13:09 Seawatch from the shelter this morning 0800-1200, strong sun made viewing difficult at times, nearly all movement to the south, strong passage of Brent with at least 2000+, 100+ Wigeon, and a few Teal, 12 Common Scoter, 1 drake Velvet Scoter, 1 Razorbill, 1 juv . Arctic Tern, 7 Arctic Skua, 30+ Gannet, 1 Sooty & 1 Manx Shearwater.

Graham Sutton

17:36 HH shelter 1440-1645 (all South): Brent 3,420, Wigeon 510, Teal 1, Pintail 1, Tufted Duck 1, C Scoter 16, Little Egret 1, Gannet 2, Curlew 1, Dunlin 8.

A few small groups of Chaffinches & Meadow Pipits S/in-off.

 

Sun 11th Oct 26

Reports from today

Pete Loud

Very quiet as of late at the Haven this morning, although a few raptors were seen from the hide, but distant over the arable, Peregrine pair, 1 Red Kite, Marsh Harrier and Sparrowhawk, 1 Swallow, 2 Stonechat on a walk to Sandy point.(PL & RJ).

 

Sat 10th Oct 26

Once again 5 minutes late to see the Glossy Ibis, but other than that very poor again today.

From the Hide: 93 Greylags, 7 Teal, 33 Blk H Gulls, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Glossy Ibis, 2 Buzzard, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, a flock of small passerines were up on the arable most likely Linnets

Reports from today

Richard Jeffree

10:05 Glossy Ibis tried to land briefly on Leon's harassed by greylags continued on SW.

 

Fri 9th Oct 26

Reports from today

Pete Loud

12:45 Seawatch from the shelter, (8:45-10:30) 1Arctic Skua, 2 Gannet (1 north, 1 southbound), 100+Brent, 5 Pintail, 1 Shoveler, a few groups of Wigeon & Teal, 80+ Dunlin, 2 Shelduck.

 

Thurs 8th Oct 26

Reports from today

Richard Jeffree

17:13 Nfy female Scaup sitting on the sea off the sailing club/ shelter.

 

Wed 7th Oct 26

The only things of note today were a group of 8 Great Black-backed Gulls on the sluice ranging through from juv. to adult, and a cracking Merlin first sitting on the back hedge then having a fly around before sitting up on the arable for a while, otherwise dire.

From the hide: 104 Greylag, 8 Teal, 120 Lapwing (on the arable), 20 Blk H Gulls, 2 LBB's, 1 Med Gull (over), 1 Buzzard, 1 Merlin, 1 Kestrel, 4 Stonechat, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Chinese Water Deer. PL/RJ/MR.

Reports from today

Steve Grimwade

17:57 Afternoon at Holland Haven: 70 Song Thrush in off, 1 Redwing in off, 100 Chaffinch in off, 2 Blackbird, 40 Meadow Pipit in off.

 

Tues 6th Oct 26

From the hide: 84 Greylags, 4 Teal, 1 Shoveler, 154 Lapwing, 22 Curlew, 1 Snipe, 1 Avocet, 54 Blk H Gulls, 2 Herring Gulls, 2 LBB's, 1 Med Gull (Over), 1 Grey Heron, 2 Cormorant, 5+ Buzzard, 4 Meadow Pipit, 3+ Chiffchaff, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Chinese Water Deer, 1 Muntjac. PL/RJ/MO'H/MR.

 

Mon 5th Oct 26

No sign of yesterday's Jack Snipe but the Cattle Egret was still around, otherwise very quiet all round apart from the Greylag's

From the hide: 1 Mute Swan, 115 Greylags, 5 Teal, 5 Cormorant, 1 Cattle Egret, c40 Lapwing, 1 Snipe, 1 Curlew, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Buzzard, 7 Swallows, 6 Pied Wags, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff. PL/RJ/MO'H/MR

 

Sun 4th Oct 26

Much the same on the scrape today with the exception of Matt's Cattle Egret first thing (still around late morning) and a Jack Snipe in the favourite spot on the back edge of the scrape to the left of the island.

 

The Cattle Egret upsetting the cows Sunday morning snooze

From the hide: 142 Greylags, 10+ Teal, 6 Shoveler, 1 Shelduck, 4 Cormorant, 1 Cattle Egret, 80+ Lapwing, 12 Curlew, 1 Snipe, 1 Jack Snipe, 1 Buzzard, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Hobby, 1 Kestrel, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff. RJ/MO'H/MR.

Reports from today

Matt Lonsdale

07:29 Cattle Egret over sewage works now landed with cows north of hide.

Richard Jeffree

10:42 Jack Snipe back of scrape found by MR.

 

Sat 3rd Oct 26

From the hide: 130+ Greylag, c20 Teal, 11 Shoveler, 1 Shelduck, 3 Cormorant, 50+ Lapwing, 52 Blk H Gulls, 6 Herring Gulls, 2 LBB's, large number of Swallows & House Martins, 10+ Pied Wags, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Chinese Water Deer. MR

Reports from today

Pete Loud

12:26 Haven this morning, round the Dell, 3 Chiffchaff and a number of Chaffinch and Goldfinch, little in the bushes but surprisingly considering we are now into October a heavy passage of Swallows and House Martins, several hundred and 3 Sand Martin seen, a few Skylarks were on the move and a few Meadow Pipits.

 

Fri 2nd Oct 26

From the hide: 130+ Greylags, 60+ Teal, 17 Shoveler, 1 Shelduck, 1 Wigeon, 80+ Lapwing, 11 Golden Plover (Fly over), 9 Avocet, 2 Ruff (PL), 82 Blk H Gulls, 3 Swallows, 1 Sand Martin, 6+ Stonechat, 2 Reed Bunting, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Buzzard, 2 Sparrowhawk. PL/RJ/MO'H/DC/PB/MR.

 

 

Thurs 1st Oct 26

From the Hide: 130+ Greylag, 60+ Teal, 54 Shoveler, 3 Wigeon, 2 Shelduck, 6 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 100+ Lapwing (mostly on the arable), 16 Avocet, 3 Snipe, 1 Water Rail, c50 Blk H Gulls, 5 Herring Gulls, 1 Med Gull, 2 Stonechat, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Swallow, 7+ Buzzard, 1 Red Kite, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Hobby, 1 Kestrel. PL/RJ/PNt./MR

Reports from today

Richard Jeffree

09:02 Brambling dell.

Photo Richard Jeffree©

Simon Cox

09:21 SEO in/off c08:00, landed on path then flew back out over seawall

12:06 Light passage of Mipits (c50), few Swallows, only saw one small flock of finches south, probably Linnets. One Clouded Yellow.

Pete Loud

13:20 Lots of finches in the Dell this morning, mainly Greenfinch & Goldfinch, 2 Chaffinch, 1 Brambling, 1 Siskin & Reed Bunting, 10+ Jays seen & 4 or 5 Great spot Woodpeckers, 2 more Brambling in the bushes behind the Sluice, from  the hide,1 Water Rail, 1 Hobby, 1 Red Kite, 2 Sparrowhawk & 10 + Buzzard, walk around to French point , 3 Stonechat & 3 Med Gulls over. Still several Clouded Yellows about today.

Brian Combes

17:29 Haven this morning included: 

149+ linnet (99 south, first significant finch passage of the autumn; 50+ on arable), 74 mipit (south), 11 swallow (south), 9 skylark (south), 2 pied wag (south), 1 grey wag (south), 1 brambling, 1 sparrowhawk, 2 wheatear, 5 stonechat, 4 goldcrest, 3 great spotted woodpecker (1 south along seawall), 1 lesser whitethroat, 5 chiff (1 singing), 4 blackcap, 5 song thrush, 9 greenfinch (including group of 7 on the golf course), 20+ goldfinch, 4 chaffinch, 9 reed bunting, 6 Cetti’s (singing), 65 lapwing, 15 avocet, 2 snipe, 8 buzzard (6 drifting south).

 

Wed 30th Sept 26

I joined the seawatch a bit earlier this morning but still two minutes to late to pick up the Sooty Shearwater, never mind Gannet & Merlin were site year ticks for me so not at all bad. 

A quick visit to the hide after the seawatch added, 1 Mute Swan, 130+ Greylag, 134 Lapwing, c100 Teal, 36+ Shoveler, 4 Wigeon, 3 Shelduck, 3 Mallard, 134 Lapwing (up on the arable), 14 Avocet, 3 Blk T Godwit, 4 Swallow, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Sparrowhawk (that took a Teal from the front of the island). PL/RJ/MO'H/MR.

Reports from today

Graham Sutton

07:33 Sooty N HH

11:01 Haven Shelter 0650-0915, Brent 48S, Wigeon 187S, Teal 32S, Pintail 1S, C Scoter 1N 8S, Gannet 1 juv offshore, Sooty Shearwater 1N, Sandwich Tern 3S

At the end of September the number of species recorded at the Haven this year stands at 167

 

Tues 29th Sept 26

Reports from today

Richard Jeffree

09:30  At least 1 poss 3 Long-tailed Skua south then north, shelter.

Simon Cox

11:20 Seawatch Haven shelter, coverage 0700-1000, with GS, RJ, PL & latterly MO’H: Manx Shearwater 3 N, Arctic Skua 5, Long-tailed Skua juv well seen by all observers, initially distant in group of 3 skuas probably all Long-tailed but this one obliged by coming closer & remaining in view for several minutes, Gannet 3, C Scoter 9, Shelduck 4, Wigeon c 30 (very approx), few Brent, Sandwich Tern 6, Commic Tern 2, Curlew 1, wader sp 2.

 

Mon 28th Sept 26

Quite a lot of birds around the Dell again today with Mike's Spotted Flycatcher the pick of the bunch, also noted 4+ Chiffchaffs, Blackcap, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Dunnock, House Sparrow, Blackbird, Blue & Great Tits

From the hide: 152 Greylags, c80 Teal, 45 Shoveler, 3 Shelduck, 3 Wigeon, 5 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 40+ Lapwing, 14 Avocet, 6 Blk T Godwit, 1 Snipe, 93 Blk H Gulls, 6 Herring Gulls, 2 LBB's, 2 Med Gulls (over), 2 Buzzard, 1 Peregrine, 3 Pied Wags, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Cetti's Warbler RJ/MO'H/TR/MR et.al.

 

Sun 27th Sept 26

Reports from today

Laurence Drumond

10:24 Arctic Skua north , shelter.

10:46 Pom Skua north.

Simon Cox

Seawatch Haven shelter this morning 0730-1020, partly with LD, RJ, PL & MO’H: Brent 484, Wigeon 230, Teal 27, Shelduck 4 (all wildfowl S), Gannet 7 N, Arctic Skua 1 N, Red-t Diver 2+, Sandwich Tern 3, Commic Tern 6+.

 

Sat 26th Sept 26

Reports from today

Matt Lonsdale

09:07 Slow morning at haven- Walk to French point and back - Light mipit passage, couple of skylark and few swallows south. Stonechat and gsw in car park. Several chiffs hedgehopping south.

Mike O'Hanlon

10:38 From the hide - 9.30 - 10.30am (with RJ) 7 Stonechat, 29 Shovelers, 18 Avocet, 4 Blackwits, 3 Widgeon, 144 Greylags, 5 Herring gulls, 1 LBB gull, 50 Lapwing, 5 Buzzards, 20 + Teal, 1 Raven, 1 Green woodpecker, 1 Kestrel, 2 Shelducks, 10 BH gulls, 3 Curlews, 3 Cormorants.

 

Fri 25th Sept 26

Very quiet around the bushes today but a Guillemot was an unexpected surprise drifting passed the sluice on the tide. On the sluice 1 Turnstone & 1 Gt B B Gull were with the Herring Gulls.

From the hide: 137 Greylags,150+ Teal, 16 Shoveler, 3 Shelduck, 5 Cormorant, 110 Lapwing, 15 Avocet, 13 Curlew, 1 Blk T Godwits,1 Snipe, 43 Blk H Gulls, 8 Herring Gulls, 2 LBB's, 6+ Pied Wags, 6+ Stonechat, 1 Whinchat, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff. PL/RJ/MO'H/DC/BH/MR.

 

Thurs 24th Sept 26

A Seawatch this morning was quiet but I was lucky enough to pick up my first Arctic Skua of the year just after I arrived, also noted were 2 Red T Divers, 5 Common Scoter a few Sandwich Terns and small groups of ducks at distance.

A walk round the bushes showed double figures of Chiffchaff but not much else of note

From the hide: 150+ Greylag, 150+ Teal, 16 Shoveler, 5 Cormorant, 114 Lapwing, 12 Avocet, 5 Curlew, 14 Blk H Gulls, 4 LBB's, 10+ Pied Wags. PL/RJ/TR/MR.

 

Wed 23rd Sept 26

From the hide: 150 Greylag, 150+ Teal, 15 Shoveler, 2 Mallard, 5 Cormorant, 60+ Lapwing, 17+ Curlew, 13 Avocet, 2 Blk T Godwits, 22 Blk H Gulls, 1 LBB, 1 Caspian Gull, 10+ Pied Wags, several Meadow Pipits. PL/RJ/MO'H/MR et.al.

Reports from today

Matt Lonsdale

08:20 Short dog walk over haven this am - 5 grey wag south, light mipit passage + few swallows. Several flocks of teal south offshore + 4 wigeon. Lt egret on scrape, 2 turnstone sluice.

Richard Jeffree

08:25 2 Arctic Skua north

Graham Sutton

11:02 HH shelter 0650-0945, Brent 2S, Mallard 2S , Pintail 8S, Wigeon 484S, Teal 185S, Shoveler 9S, Common Scoter 1S, Grey Heron 6S, Gannet 10N 5S, R T Diver 8N 4S, Whimbrel 1S, Sandwich Tern 58N 32S & distant feeding groups, Common/Arctic Tern ++ & distant feeding groups, Arctic Skua 3 loitering/chasing terns

Mike O'Hanlon

11:48 This Caspian Gull was on the scrape 10 minutes ago.

Photo Mike O'Hanlon©

 

Tues 22nd Sept 26

Lots more of the every day birds reported around the site today with the calm conditions but nothing out of the ordinary, 6 Sandwich Terns were feeding off the sluice on my way to the hide.

From the hide: 150+ Greylag, 5 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 150+ Teal, 17 Shoveler, 2 Mallard, 50 Lapwing, 7 Curlew, 3 Avocet, 2 Blk T Godwits, 1 Snipe, 24 Blk H Gulls, 2 LBB's, 5+ Pied Wags, 1 Raven, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Buzzard. PL/RJ/MO'H/MR.

 

 

Mon 21st Sept 26

From the hide: 138 Greylag, c150 Teal, 10+ Shoveler, 6 Shelduck, 2 Mallard, 1 Wigeon, 5 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, c60 Lapwing, 13 Avocet, 3 Blk T Godwits, 3 Snipe, 1 Ruff, 60+ Blk H Gulls2 LBB's, 2 Herring Gulls, 2 Buzzard, 2 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 1000+ Swallows, 100+ House Martins, 1 Swift, 1 Kingfisher, 10+ Pied Wags, 1 Wheatear. RJ/TR/MR et.al.

Sun 20th Sept 26

From the hide: 2 Mute Swans, 134 Greylag, c150 Teal, 16+ Shoveler, 6 Shelduck, 2 Mallard, 1 Wigeon, 5 Cormorant, 51 Lapwing, 19 Curlew, 13 Avocet, 4 Blk T Godwits (incl. the colour ringed bird), 3 Snipe, 1 Raven, 1 S E Owl, 1 Hobby, 3 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 10+ Pied Wags, 6+ Yellow Wags, 2 Wheatear. PL/RJ/MO'H/MR.

Reports from today 

Matt Lonsdale

08:27 SEO offshore from sluice going south.

08:35 Came in/off- was behind sewage works.

Pete Loud

13:35 From the hide this morning,1 Raven, Hobby & Short-eared Owl, 13 Avocet, 6 Yellow Wagtail. Walk back to car park, 4 Clouded Yellow and a Wall Butterfly.(RJ,MR,M O ‘H,PL).

 

Sat 19th Sept 26

Reports from today

Steve Grimwade

07:33 Hobby in off at Frinton and south over golf course at 7.30am

Matt Lonsdale

07:35 No sign of Osprey HH but Arctic skua south.

Pete Loud

10:22 Another rather disappointing seawatch from the shelter this morning 8-10 am, 1 Gannet north, Hobby south, 7 Sandwich Tern & a group of 6 Terns feeding far offshore for a while before moving off south, identified as Little Terns after much debate.(RJ,MO’H,PL).

 

Fri 18th Sept 26

From the hide: 116 Greylags, 150+ Teal, 11 Shoveler, 6+ Shelduck, 5 Mallard, 1 Wigeon, 5 Cormorant, 3 Grey Heron, c30 Curlew, 14 Lapwing, 12 Avocet, 5 Blk T Godwit, 1 Snipe, Lots of Gulls & Lapwings on the arable behind the plough, 5 Wheatear, Pied Wags, Swallows (less than of late). 5 Buzzards, 2 Kestrel. PL/RJ/MO'H/MR et.al. 

Reports from today

Brian Combes

07:14 Haven: G W Egret north.

08:44 Haven: 2 cattle egret with cows SW of scrape.

11:08 Haven: redstart still in hedge by manure heap tho very elusive.

17:49 Haven this morning included: 1 great white egret (north), 2 cattle egret, 1 redstart, 1400++ house martin (south; spectacular movement starting at 07:00, significantly easing after 09:00 - some very high, some skimming the ground, with a few very large groups; at times birds gathering in swirling flocks before moving on), 120+ swallow (south), 3 sand martin (south), 135+ mipit (75 south, 60+ feeding on arable), 2 grey wag (south), 1 yellow wag (over), 2 little egret (north), 1 grey heron (north), 1 whinchat (south of boardwalk), 2 wheatear, 2 stonechat (1 golf course, 1 farm paddocks), 13 chiff (1 singing), 2 willow warbler, 2 blackcap, 2 lesser whitethroat, 2 greenfinch, 21 linnet (south), 2 great spotted woodpecker, 6 Cetti’s (singing), 1 buzzard, 14 curlew, 11 avocet, 3 black-tailed godwit, 2 Chinese muntjac.

Graham Sutton

16:50 Just for the record, seawatching from the shelter 0730-0900 was quiet (3 Wigeon, 6 Dunlin S; 3 Sandwich Terns N) but bird of the day was  House Martin with approx 2000 S (along the seafront & also low over sea).

 

Thurs 17th Sept 26

After giving up on another very quiet seawatch Richard picked up a Caspian Gull just inside the carpark, unfortunately it flew off shortly after it was found PL/RJ/MO'H. 

From the hide: c80 Greylags, c150 Teal, 21 Shoveler, 7 Shelduck, 1 Wigeon, 4 Cormorant, c30 Lapwing, 12 Avocet, 11 Curlew, 3 Blk T Godwit (incl YN/YW (E)), Blk H Gulls, 2 Wheatear (on marsh to right of hide), Pied Wags and a few Swallows

No sign of the Shrike this morning just 2 Stonechat, 1 Whinchat and 1 Wheatear on the walk to French Pt. RJ/MO'H/MR et.al.

Reports from today

Richard Jeffree

13:34 Some Caspo's can be quite tricky not this individual classic 1st w.

Photo Richard Jeffree©

 

Wed 16th Sept 26

Reports from today

Brian Combes

08:07 Haven: Red-backed Shrike 100m south of board walk.

19:17 The Red-backed Shrike this morning. First for me at The Haven.

Photo Brian Combes©

12:45 Haven: Redstart in hedge going north from farm heap on bridleway, typically furtive.

13:03 Now Two.

19:12 Haven this morning: 

1 red-backed shrike (1st autumn bird - lovely surprise and very glad it stuck around for people), 2 redstart (1 very nice adult male and 1 female type - together in hedge by farm manure heap though very elusive), 4 whinchat, 2 stonechat, 5 wheatear, 1 goldcrest, 1 sedge warbler, 205+ swallow (south), 62+ house martin (south), 266+ mipit (216+ south, 50+ feeding on arable), 1 grey wag (south), 2 skylark (south), 2 chaffinch (south), 6 reed bunting, 12 pied wag, 7 chiff (2 singing), 2 willow warbler, 1 whitethroat, 2 blackcap, 5 Cetti’s (singing), 1 green woodpecker, 79+ linnet (60+ on arable), 2 sparrowhawk, 5 buzzard (4 drifting very high SW), 2 great spotted woodpecker. 

Scrape/marsh:12 avocet, 2 black-tailed godwit, 1 snipe, 34 curlew, 1 ruff, 1 grey heron, 4 shelduck.

Pete Loud

08:34 Juv Shrike still showing on brambles just north of Simons net rides, viewable from seawall.

09:31 Red-backed Shrike still showing well from seawall.

Richard Jeffree

09:43 3 male Stonechat, blue throat trail.

Photo Richard Jeffree©

Photo Richard Jeffree©

Photo Richard Jeffree©

19:01 Went back for seconds this afternoon had it all to myself for a while.

Photo Richard Jeffree©

Photo Richard Jeffree©

Steve Entwistle

12:16 Shrike still showing, flighty & mobile, 1 Whinchat.

Mike O'Hanlon

Photo Mike O'Hanlon©

13:27 Guillemot swimming close past Haven cafe now.

Photo Mike O'Hanlon©

Matt Lonsdale

19:12 R B Shrike still present 18:55-19:10 in reedbed brambles opp. French point.

 

Tues 15th Sept 26

As I arrived Pete, Mike & Richard were just giving up on a very poor seawatch, and the carpark bushes were not much better, the only thing of note was the continual passage of Swallows heading south.

On the way to the hide a Wheatear was on the boating club rocks and a single Bar T Godwit passed close offshore plus a large flock of Meadow Pipits were along the front. The small wooded area just inside the kissing gate and to the right of the path held a nice Spotted Flycatcher and a large tit flock that included, 2 Willow Warblers & a Chiffchaff.

From the hide: 92 Greylag, 140+ Teal, 10 Shoveler, 6 Shelduck, c90 Lapwing, 4 Curlew, 3 Blk T Godwits, 2 Snipe, 1 Ruff, 70 Blk H Gulls, 2 Spotted Flycatchers (back hedge), 1 Cetti's Warbler. PL/RJ/MO'H/BH/MR et.al.

 

 

Mon 14th Sept 26

Another Quick visit for me today, I spent a few minutes with Pete, Rich & Mike seawatching before heading to the hide, on route 2 Wheatear were on the boating club rocks as were 6 Turnstones.

From the hide: 64 Greylag, 100+ Teal, 11 Shoveler, 7 Shelduck, 3 Mallard, 1 Pintail,  20+ Lapwing, 11 Avocet, 4 Snipe, 3 Blk T Godwits, 40+ Blk H Gulls, 4 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron. 

Pete Loud

08:25 Quite lively around the dell this morning with a male Redstart, Spotted Flycatcher and all the common Warblers with several Blackcaps.

15:46 Offshore from Haven this morning was the first real Duck movement of the Autumn with over 100 Wigeon & 50+ Teal, 12 Sanderling, 4 Avocet, 2 Common Scoter, 14 Shelduck, 1 juv Kittiwake, 1 Hobby & hundreds of Swallows & House Martins, all movement to the south, walk up to Sandy point and back, 6+ Wheatear, 1 Whinchat and 4 or 5 Sandwich Terns, around the bushes, Spot Fly, Redstart, a few Willow Warblers & Chiffchaff, Reed Warbler, several Blackcap & Lesser Whitethroat, evidence of a bit of movement after yesterday’s rain.

 

Sun 13th Sept 26

Reports from today

Simon Cox

17:23 Scrape early pm: G Heron 1, Cormorant 3, Greylag 76, Shelduck 7, Mallard 2, Teal 70, Shoveler 8, Moorhen 5, Lapwing 33, Avocet 9, Curlew 3, Blackwit 2 (cr bird still present, probably a Wash bird, photo sent to Jenny Gill), Buzzard 2, B-h Gull 350 (big flock dropped on to scrape), H Gull 39, LBBG 3, Cetti’s W 1 singing.

Sat 12th Sept 26

Just a short visit for me this morning, all much the same on the scrape, Snipe up to 6 and a Pintail was about it. PL/RJ/MO'H/BH/MR 

Reports from today 

09:53 Yellow Wagtail on the Haven car park.

Photo Mike O'Hanlon©

John Sawyer

10:20 Hobby over car park.

 

Fri 11th Sept 26

On the way to the hide 2 Hobby were high over the sewage works and 3+ Wheatear were along the front. RJ/MO'H/MR

From the hide: 60+ Greylag, c140 Teal, 8 Shoveler, 7 Shelduck, 5 Mallard, 8 Cormorant, 80+ Lapwings, c30 Curlew, 8 Avocet, 3 Blk T Godwit, 1 Ringed Plover, 1 Ruff, 1 Snipe, 2 Wheatear, 1 Cetti's Warbler, lots of Swallows plus a few House Martins & Sand Martins, 4 Buzzard, 1 Red Kite, 1 Peregrine, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel. RJ/MO'H/BH/MR et.al.

 

Thurs 10th Sept 26

From the Hide: 35 Greylags, 30 Canada Geese (+ the hybrid family), c130 Teal, 10+ Shoveler, 7 Shelduck, 7 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, Lapwing (spread over the marsh and arable, no count), 14 Curlew, 8 Avocet, 4 Blk T Godwit, 3 Ruff, 1 Ringed Plover, 1 Snipe, 1 Redshank, 3+ Yellow Wags, Pied Wags, Cetti's Warbler, 1000+ Swallows, House & Sand Martins, 1 Swift, 2 Buzzard, 1 Marsh Harrier. PL/RJ/MO'H/MR et.al.

Reports from today

Brian Combes

16:42 Haven this morning included: 2 whinchat, 1 stonechat, 2 wheatear, 314+ swallow (214 south, 100+ feeding over the marshes), 61+ house martin (41 south, 20+ feeding over marshes), 5 sand martin (south), 48 mipit (south, mainly first thing), 1 coal tit (still with the tit flock), 2 willow warbler, 3 chiff (1 singing), 3 blackcap, 2 lesser whitethroat, 3 whitethroat, 25++ blue tit (appeared to be a bit of movement; including a group of 6 that launched themselves and headed towards Frinton at height (mirrored in Simon’s ringing data)), 20 linnet, 4 greenfinch, 2 buzzard, 1 great spotted woodpecker, 5 Cetti’s (singing), 1 little egret (north), 1 green woodpecker, 1 common sandpiper, 2 turnstone, 3 reed bunting. 

Scrape: 2 ruff, 5 black-tailed godwit, 1 grey heron, 22 curlew, 1 redshank, 8 avocet, 2 snipe.

One of the wheatears this morning.
Photo Brian Combes©

 

Wed 9th Sept 26

Reports from today

10:59 Honey Buzzard and Raven over fresh marsh.

11:07 3/4 Whinchat boardwalk.

12:51 Scrape this morning 1 Ringed Plover, 1 Redshank, 1 Snipe, 2 Ruff, 3 Blackwit, 30 +Curlew + the usual Teal and Lapwing. Red Kite, Buzzard, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel. 

On the walk up the marsh I was photographing a beautiful pale phase Common Buzzard when I heard a Raven cronking, located that and saw another buzzard high up above, it looked interesting through my bins so I fired off a couple of snaps, reviewing the images I could see it was a Honey Buzzard unfortunately looking up again couldn't see it so don't know what direction it went presumably south, only other birds of note were 3 Whinchat.

Photo Richard Jeffree©

 

Tues 8th Sept 26

Reports from today

Eddie Forrest

10:32 6 Cattle Egrets with cattle, South of Fann, ("humpback") bridge.  Seen from bedroom window!.

 

Mon 7th Sept 26

From the hide: 45 Greylag, 100+ Teal, 14 Shoveler, 10+ Mallard, 3 Shelduck, 7 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, c80 Lapwing, 3 Avocet, 3 Blk T Godwit, 1 Ringed Plover, 1 Snipe, 1 Bar T Godwit, 1 Ruff, c30 Blk H Gulls, 3 LBB's, 2 Red Kites, 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, Pied Wag, Meadow Pipit. Loads of Swallows, House Martins and a few Sand Martins moving south. PL/RJ/MO'H/MR.

On the way back a Wall Brown butterfly was seen near the mounds and c6 Cattle Egrets were with the cows over the road.

Reports from today

Simon Cox

07:41 Kingfisher in hand, reedbed.

(See Ringing page)

Photo Simon Cox©

Richard Jeffree

15:13 Grey Plover south past the shelter.

 

Sun 6th Sept 26

Reports from today

Mike O'Hanlon

08:57 Sea watching with PL and RJ. Picked up 4 Gannets heading north so far.

Pete Loud

09:38 Grey Plover south

10:04 Sooty Shearwater north

10:16 Manx Shearwater just gone north.

Steve Entwistle

14:52 2.40  Sooty Shearwater flying north picked up windmill, control tower, little bit behind yellow bouy, watched it go out of view to my left.

 

Sat 5th Sept 26

Reports from today

Brian Combes

10:16 Haven: 1 cattle egret with cows west of humpback bridge.

12:32 Haven this morning: 1 cattle egret, 5 whinchat (3 south of boardwalk, 2 golf course),  2 stonechat (golf course), 8 wheatear (seawall/golf course), 1 cuckoo (juv west over marsh), 9 mipit (south, first passage birds for me this autumn), 252 swallow (south), 2 sand martin (south), 1 coal tit (with tit flock), 2 grey wag (south), 1 sedge warbler, 6 yellow wag (3 south), 1 goldcrest (with tit flock), 4 willow warbler, 3 chiff (1 singing), 2 whitethroat, 2 lesser whitethroat, 4 blackcap, 1 great spotted woodpecker, 1 green woodpecker, 1 turnstone (high, west), 1 golden plover (high, west), 16 pied wag, 3 Cetti’s (singing), 1 buzzard, 1 whimbrel (south), 9 linnet, 2 reed bunting, 1 greenfinch. 

Scrape: 18 curlew, 8 avocet, 4 black-tailed godwit, 1 green sandpiper, 2 snipe, 2 shoveler, 1 marsh harrier, 1 common sandpiper.

Mike O'Hanlon

11:10 Scrape this morning (9.30 - 11 am) - 8 Yellow wagtails, 1 Wheatear, 80 Lapwing, 120+ Teal, 8 Avocets, 1 Ruff, 1 Green Sandpiper, 32 Curlew, 3 Blackwits, 1 Barwit, 5 Shelduck, 4 Shovelers, 6 Cormorants, 50 Greylags, 1 Oystercatcher, 2 Red Kites, 5 Buzzard, 2 Kestrels, 1 Mute swan, 14 Black headed gulls, 2 Cattle egret (1 flew over scrape) 1 Marsh Harrier (RJ, MOH).

12:27 Walk to Sandy Point and back over marsh and along sea wall - 3/4 Wheatears, 3 Clouded Yellows.

 

Fri 4th Sept 26

I got my timing wrong this morning and got a good soaking on the way to the hide.

From the hide: 30 Greylag, 2 Canada Geese, 100+ Teal, 10+ Mallard, 5 Shelduck, 3 Shoveler, 8 Cormorant, 1 Cattle Egret, c30 Curlew, 18 Lapwing (up on arable), 8 Avocet, 3 Ruff, 3 Snipe, 2 Blk T Godwits, 1 Green Sand, 70+ Blk H Gulls, 3 LBB Gulls, 1 Peregrine, 1 Buzzard, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Wheatear, plus a few Swallows & a couple of Sand Martin. PL/RJ/MO'H/MR.

The single Cattle Egret seen from the hide was a quick in & out but on leaving seemed to drop into the marsh over the road, on the way home a stop at the humpback bridge showed that there were 9+ Cattle Egrets with the cows out on the marsh.

 

Thurs 3rd Sept 26

From the hide: 26 Greylag, 100+ Teal, 4 Shelduck, 2 Shoveler, 8 Cormorant, 86 Lapwing, 24 Curlew, 8 Avocet, 4 Blk T Godwits, 1 Ruff, 1 Snipe, 1 Bar T Godwit, 1 Green Sand, c70 Blk H Gulls, 3 LBB's, 1 Raven, 2 Wheatear, Pied Wags, Goldfinch, lots of Starling and Swallows, no House or Sand Martins noted today PL/MR et.al.

Reports from today

Pete Loud

09:35 Hobby & Swift over the car park, still quite a few Swallows moving through, 1 Willow Warbler and 1 Whitethroat in Dell area.

10:18 Raven, flown over the scrape heading south, Grey Wagtail behind Sluice.

 

Wed 2nd Sept 26

No sign of any flycatchers this morning just a nice little flock of Greenfinch and a few Common & Lesser Whitethroats of note. A single Oystercatcher was on the sluice with the gulls and a Mute Swan on the brook.

From the hide: 17 Greylag, 80+ Teal, 7 Mallard, 4 Shoveler, 2 Shelduck, 7 Cormorant, 78 Lapwing, 13 Curlew, 7 Avocet, 3 Ruff, 2 Dunlin, 2 Blk T Godwits, 1 Green Sandpiper, 67 Blk H Gulls, 3 LBB's, 3 Herring Gulls, 1 Buzzard, 1 Sparrowhawk, 6+ Yellow Wags, 10+ Pied Wags, 2 Wheatear, lots of Swallows and one or two House & Sand Martin. RJ/MO'H/BH/MR.

 

Tues 1st Sept 26

From the Hide: 10 Greylag, 4 Cormorant, 100+ Teal, 3 Mallard, 90 Lapwing, 23 Curlew, 5 Avocet, 3 Ruff, 3 Curlew Sands, 2 Lt. Stint, 2 Snipe, 2 Blk T Godwits, 1 Bar T Godwit, 1 Green Sand, 50 Blk H Gulls, 2 LBB's, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2+ Wheatear, 1 Sedge Warbler, Loads of Swallows + House & Sand Martins & 1 Swift (RJ). PL/RJ/MO'H/TR/MR

Reports from today

Brian Combes

06:44 Haven: Alexandrine parakeet flying round dell.

09:17 Now south of dell.

17:54 Haven this morning: 1,680++ swallow (south - stunning passage first thing with birds streaming through, mostly keeping low with many birds going close past me at shin height; much lighter movement after 08:15), 340+ house martin (south, some mixed in with the swallows, others in large monospecific groups), 60+ sand martin (south), 1 spotted flycatcher, 3 yellow wag (south), 2 whinchat, 4 wheatear, 6 willow warbler, 7 whitethroat, 2 great spotted woodpecker, 2 green woodpecker, 2 buzzard, 2 sparrowhawk, 130+ linnet (flock has already formed on arable), 1 Alexandrine parakeet (!). 

Photo Brian Combes©

Scrape:1 curlew sandpiper, 3 ruff, 5 avocet, 1 green sandpiper, 1 common sandpiper, 2 black-tailed godwit, 1 snipe, 3 curlew, 7 redshank.

Richard Jeffree

08:29 Spot fly dell.

09:03 Spot fly taken up residence in the copse west of dell.

Photo Mike O'Hanlon©

 

Mon 31st Aug 26

From the hide: 10 Greylags, c100 Teal, 3 Mallard, 3 Shelduck, 7 Cormorants, c30 Lapwing, 5 Curlew Sands, 3 Curlew, 3 Snipe, 2 Ruff, 2 Blk T Godwits, 2 Common Sands, 1 Green Sand, 1 Avocet, 1 Dunlin, 44 Blk H Gulls, 4 Herring Gulls, 4+ Wheatear, plus a steady movement of Swallows, House & Sand Martins south

Reports from today

Matt Lonsdale

09:06 Haven early morning - Lots of vis-mig on walk- mainly hirundines inc. constant passage of Swallows and 5 large groups of mainly House Martins with some Sand Martin mixed in and a single Swift. 4 yellow wags, 2 grey wags and 2 siskin south too. On scrape- 13 blackwit, 1 Ruff, 1 curlew sand, 1 common sand, 1 snipe, 105 teal, yellow wag. Bushes quiet for me, 3 grey wags around sewage works/ council compound.

Richard Jeffree

16:31 Redstart still showing well this afternoon Whinchat and 3+ Wheatear along bluethroat trail.

At the end of August the number of species recorded at the Haven this year stands at 159

.

 

Sun 30th Aug 26

From the hide: 1 Mute Swan (on the brook), 8 Greylags, 70+ Teal, 10+ Mallard, 3 Shelduck, 8 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 44 Lapwings, 25 Curlew, 7 Curlew Sands, 3 Avocet, 3 Blk T Godwits, 3 Ringed Plover, 2 Ruff, 2 Dunlin, 2 Common Sands, 1 Green Sand, 1 Lt. Stint, 90 Blk H Gulls, 3 Herring Gulls, 3 LBB Gulls, 6+ Wheatear. PL/RJ/MO'H/MR et.al.

Reports from today

Mike O'Hanlon

09:16 Redstart in southernmost hedge of southernmost paddock at Farm.

Photo Richard Jeffree©

 

Sat 29th Aug 26

Reports from today

Brian Combes

07:08 Haven: 2 little stint, 1 curlew sand scrape.

07:33 3 curlew sand.

10:09 Haven: Redstart at farm in southern hedge of most southerly paddock next to footpath, though elusive.

14:30 Haven this morning: 1 pied flycatcher (orchard), 1 redstart (remained very elusive), 1 spotted flycatcher (orchard), 16 wheatear (4 on seawall, 11 on golf course, 1 by the dell), 230+ swallow (low to the south, some in large groups, the movement petering out by about 08:00), 5 house martin (south), 17 sand martin (south), 1 goldcrest (with tit flock), 1 yellow wag (south), 1 lesser whitethroat, 3 willow warbler, 3 chiff, 4 whitethroat, 17 pied wagtail, 2 Cetti’s (singing), 1 green woodpecker, 2 greenfinch. 

Scrape: 2 little stint, 4 curlew sandpiper, 1 green sandpiper, 2 ruff, 3 avocet, 1 black-tailed godwit, 1 snipe, 2 common sandpiper, 3 dunlin, 10 curlew.

Richard Jeffree

08:31 Pied and Spot Fly still orchard.

Matt Lonsdale

09:28 Spot fly feeding station. 4 curlew sands and 2 little stint on scrape.

09:30 Pied fly 5 bar gate. 

 

Fri 28th Aug 26

Just a short visit for me again today, but managed to pick up the Spotted Flycatcher plus Lesser Whitethroat.

From the hide: Canada & Greylag Geese, c30 Teal, 10+ Mallard, 2 Gadwall, 1 Shelduck, 3 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 80 Lapwing, 12++ Dunlin, 5 Curlew Sands, 3 Avocet, 3 Snipe, 2 Ruff, 2 Common Sands, 1 Green Sand, 1 Blk T Godwit, 1 Little Stint, 1 Curlew, 100 Blk H Gulls, 1 LBB Gull, 1 Sparrowhawk. RJ/MO'H/MR 

Reports from today: 

Matt Lonsdale

09:19 Pied Fly in orchard, naked eye views only of what was probably a wryneck underneath orchard trees when disturbed.

Richard Jeffree

09:58 Spot fly by metal gate.

Photo Richard Jeffree©

11:13 Now 2 Little Stints scrape+ 5 Curlew Sand.

Pete Loud

17:43 Pied Flycatcher in the orchard at 4 pm this afternoon.

 

Thurs 27th Aug 26

Reports from today

Pete Loud

12:34 Scrape hide this morning, still 5 juv Curlew Sandpipers and juv Little Stint, 2 Ruff, 20 Dunlin, couple of Green & Common Sandpipers, 23 Curlew, 1 ad Ringed Plover. Hard work round the bushes lately, but a Pied Fly showed very briefly by the five bar gate, also seen, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Common & 1 Lesser Whitethroat and Great spot Woodpecker.(RJ,PL).

 

Wed 26th Aug 26

Reports from today

Richard Jeffree

07:47 Little Stint+ 3 Curlew Sands still.

Pete Loud

12:12 Scrape this morning,1 juvenile Little Stint, 5 Curlew Sandpipers, 2 Ruff, 1 Spotted Redshank, 1 Golden plover, 40 Dunlin, 7 Snipe, 3 Black-wits, 3 Green, 2 Common Sandpiper, 4 Turnstone briefly in and out, 2 Sandwich Tern in and out, 1 Adult male Marsh Harrier, 60 Teal.(RJ, PL).

Mike O'Hanlon

14:47 This morning’s Marsh Harrier from the hide.

Photo Mike O'Hanlon©