Tues 11th Aug 26
From the hide: 20 Canada Geese, 4 Greylags (+ hybrids), 12+ Mallard, 3 Teal, 30 Lapwing, c25 Curlew, 17 Dunlin, 5 Green Sands, 3 Common Sands, 3 Blk T Godwits, 2 Ringed Plover, 1 Wood Sand, 1 Greenshank, 102 Blk H Gulls, 3 LBB Gulls, 3 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 10+ Pied Wags, 7+ Yellow Wags, 20+ Swallows, Sand & House Martin, 2 Buzzard. PL/RJ/BH/MR
A walk to French Point added just 2 Wheatear.
Reports from today
Brian Combes
06:55 Haven: Wood Sand still on scrape.
Mon 10th Aug 26
All the best bits happened just before I arrived and after I left, Two Ravens passed over the site early on for Richard & Mike but when they arrived at the hide it seemed quite quiet, until a Fox had a run around the scrape flushing everything out into the open and then it was waders everywhere.
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| Photo Mike O:Hanlon© |
From the hide: 2 Canada Geese, 10+ Mallard, 5 Teal, 62 Lapwing, 30+ Curlew, 12 Dunlin, 8 Green Sands, 6 Whimbrel, 2 Common Sands, 1 Wood Sand, 1 Blk T Godwit, 1 Spotted Redshank, 1 Greenshank, 70 Blk H Gulls, 3 Herring Gulls, 3 LBB Gulls, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Buzzard, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel. PL/RJ/MO'H/MR.
Reports from today
Mike O'Hanlon
09:05 2 Ravens moving south high over Haven now.
12:26 2 Wheatears and a Whinchat along sea path just north of pillbox.
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| Photo Mike O:Hanlon© |
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| Photo Mike O:Hanlon© |
Richard Jeffree
09:39 Spotted Redshank and Wood Sand on scrape.
11:39 First Wheatear of the autumn on hay bales.
Pete Loud
14:02 Quick walk along the path to the raised platform this morning, 1 Garden Warbler, Blackcap, Lesser & Common Whitethroat. On the Scrape, plenty of waders on veiw, Spotted Redshank, Greenshank, Common & Green Sandpipers, Black-wit, Dunlin, Curlew & Whimbrel. Walk to Sunny Point and and back ,2 Wheatear,1 Whinchat & 1 Stonechat.
Brian Combes
15:01 Brief early visit to Haven: 1 coal tit (calling by cottages and eventually showing, presumably the bird I heard last week), 49 swallow (39 south mainly first thing), 2 swift (south), 2 blackcap, 10+ pied wag, 1 green woodpecker.
Scrape/marsh: 7 green sandpiper (4 of these flew off south together), 3 common sandpiper, 10 dunlin, 3 snipe, 1 black-tailed godwit, 1 greenshank, 1 curlew, 1 little egret, 100+ starling, 1 Cetti’s (singing), 2 yellow wag.
Dell: 5 greenfinch (6 in total), 4 whitethroat (1 in subsong), 2 lesser whitethroat (4 in total),
Sun 9th Aug 26
Pete Loud had the first Pied Flycatcher of the year on the bottom hedge of the carpark bushes first thing, unfortunately it was lost to view after a short while and could not be relocated.
From the hide: 2 Canada Geese, 2 Greylag, 7 Mallard, 4 Teal, 2 Cormorant, 1 Lt. Egret, 66 Lapwing, 31 Curlew, 8 Whimbrel, 5 Green Sands, 4 Dunlin, 2 Common Sands, 2 Blk T Godwits, 1 LRP, 1 Wood Sand, 88 Blk H Gulls, 3 LBB Gulls, 3 Herring Gulls, 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 10+ Swallows
Reports from today
Pete Loud
09:14 Pied Flycatcher bottom of orchard
Richard Jeffree
10:47 Wood Sandpiper scrape.
Sat 8th Aug 26
Reports from today
Brian Combes
08:58 Haven first thing: 1 garden warbler (dell), 1 coal tit (by sewage works’ gates), 1 corn bunting (over), 32 swallow (22 south), 1 grey heron (high south), 9 linnet, 20+ goldfinch, 6 reed warbler, 1 green woodpecker, 1 Cetti’s (singing), 1 grey wag.
Also in dell: 1 willow warbler, 3 blackcap, 3 whitethroat, 1 chiff (3 altogether), 2 lesser whitethroat, 2 greenfinch (4 altogether).
Scrape/marsh: 3 little ringed plover, 4 green sandpiper, 3 snipe, 4 yellow wag, 8 dunlin, 1 black-tailed godwit, 3 common sandpiper, 2 teal, 10+ pied wag.
Richard Jeffree
11:10 Scrape mid morning 14 Dunlin, 5 Green, 2 Common sand, 2 LRP, 1 Greenshank, 1 Blackwit, 7 Whimbrel, 20+ Curlew, 70 BHG, 1 juv Med gull and a few House martins through.
Fri 7th Aug 26
Reports from today
Richard Jeffree
14:44 Haven this morning, quite around the bushes again with just a single Willow Warbler several Whitethroats and Lesser and a few Reed Warblers Scrape 21 Dunlin, 6 Green & 3 Common Sand's, 1 Greenshank, 1 LRP, 3 Snipe, 3 Whimbrel, 26+ Curlew, several Yellow Wagtail and a couple of Marsh Harrier.
Thurs 6th Aug 26
Reports from today
Pete Loud
12:38 A walk round the bushes was fairly quiet not much evidence of passage as yet, although Richard and I had a fine year tick with a Garden Warbler sunning itself in the hedge behind the sluice back of the sewage farm, also seen one each of Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Common & Lesser Whitethroat, circuit to Sunny Point and back along the seawall 3 Sandwich Terns & several Southern Migrant Hawkers, they seem quite established at the Haven now. From the Scrape hide, still plenty of waders on view, 4 Green Sands, 5 Common Sands, 4 LRP, 3 Black-wit, 12 Dunlin, 1 Greenshank, 4 Snipe, 1 Whimbrel & 30 Curlew, also seen several House & Sand Martins, 2 Swift, Cuckoo, Great spot Woodpecker and 2 Marsh Harrier.(RJ,PL).
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| Photo Richard Jeffree© |
Brian Combes
16:48 Haven first thing: 11 swift (south), 26 swallow (south), 3 sand martin (south), 1 hobby (zipped through south, over the car park), 1 willow warbler, 1 reed warbler (passage), 3 lesser whitethroat, 4 yellow wag, 2 black-tailed godwit, 7 green sandpiper, 5 snipe, 9 dunlin, 5 curlew, 1 greenshank (heard), 1 mute swan, 6 greenfinch, 1 buzzard, 1 Cetti’s (singing), 15+ pied wag, 5 linnet, 20+ goldfinch, 2 green woodpecker, 60+ starling.
Wed 5th Aug 26
Just a short visit to the hide this morning showed still lots of waders.
From the hide: 18 Canada Geese, 2 Greylags, 10+ Mallard, 1 Teal, 20 Lapwing, 9 Dunlin, 8 Green Sands, 4+ Common Sands, 4 Snipe, 2 Blk T Godwit, 1 LRP, c100 Blk H Gulls, 1 LBB, 10+ Pied Wags, 3+ Yellow Wags,c30 Swift (heading south), Swallows & Sand Martins, Cetti's Warbler. RJ/MR
Tues 4th Aug 26
From the hide: 20+ Canada Geese, 2 Greylags, 10+ Mallard, 50 Lapwing, 30+ Curlew, 10 Dunlin, 5 Whimbrel, 5 Green Sands, 4 Common Sands, 4 Snipe, 3 LRP's, 1 Blk T Godwit, 87 Blk H Gulls, 3 LBB's, 3 Herring Gulls, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Buzzard, 20+ Pied Wags, 6 Yellow Wags, Linnets, Goldfinch, Swallows Sand and House Martins. RJ/BH/MR
Great to see juvenile Swallow, House Martin & Sand Martin sitting on the wires over the sluice on the way out.
Reports from today
Brian Combes
07:48 Garden Warbler - dell.
17:14 Haven first thing this morning: 1 garden warbler (first of the autumn for me), 1 hobby (flew north over carpark), 3 lesser whitethroat, 4 blackcap, 1 goldcrest, 1 great spotted woodpecker (juv in dell), 36+ swallow (31+ south including 20+ feeding over scrape/marsh that then drifted south), 7 greenfinch, 7 linnet, 30+ goldfinch, 10+ pied wag, 3 little ringed plover, 1 green sandpiper, 11 curlew, 2 snipe, 9 dunlin, 1 common sandpiper, 1 gadwall, 1 green woodpecker, 3 Chinese muntjac.
Mon 3rd Aug 26
A Red Kite this morning was another raptor not been seen for a while.
From the hide: 20+ Canada Geese, 8 Greylags, 12+ Mallard, 2 Teal, 1 Gadwall, 31 Curlew, c20 Lapwing, 12 Dunlin, 4 LRP's, 3 Snipe, 3 Blk T Godwits, 3 Common Sands, 2 Green Sands, c60 Blk H Gulls, 1 Common Gull, 1 LBB, 4 Cormorant, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Red Kite, 1 Sparrowhawk, 15+ Pied Wags, 2 Yellow Wags, 1 Kingfisher, Linnet, Goldfinch & Reed Bunting. RJ/MR
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| Photo Richard Jeffree© |
Sun 2nd Aug 26
Another lovely day and a good selection of birds, including a few birds of prey not seen for a while.
From the hide: 15+ Canada Geese, 2 Greylag, 10+ Mallard, 2 Teal, 34 Lapwing, 30+ Curlew, 12 Dunlin, 6 Whimbrel, 4 Snipe, 4 Common Sands, 3 Green Sands, 3 LRP's, 2 Blk T Godwit, 2 Oystercatcher, 90+ Blk H Gulls, 7 Grey Heron, 1 Peregrine, 1 Buzzard, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Kestrel, 10+ Pied Wags, 1 Yellow Wag, a few Swallows. On the way out a Kittiwake was picked up by PL heading N/E offshore PL/RJ/MR.
Reports from today
Pete Loud
17:42 Feeding flock of Gulls just off the sluice includes at least 2 juv Arctic Terns and a Common Tern plus a couple of Med Gulls
Sat 1st Aug 26
Reports from today
Pete Loud
13:17 Our first Willow Warbler for Richard and I this morning, but little else round the bushes apart from 1 Jersey Tiger moth. From the hide, 4,juv LRP and an adult bird new in, 1 Redshank, 6 Blackwit, 3 Green Sands, 2 Common Sands, 4 Snipe, 11 Dunlin, 7 Whimbrel, 1 Juv Med Gull, 1 Kingfisher, 3 House Martin, several Yellow Wags in with the cows. A walk to Sandy point and back could only add, 1 Painted Lady and a Southern Migrant Hawker.
Fri 31st July 26
From the hide: 20+ Canada Geese, 2 Greylags, 10+ Mallard, 2 Shoveler, 2 Teal, c50 Lapwing, 30+ Curlew, 10 Dunlin, 9 Whimbrel, 5 LRP's, 3 Common Sands, 2 Green Sands, 2 Oystercatcher, 2 Snipe, 1 Blk T Godwit, 90+ Blk H Gulls, 2 Common Gulls, 1 LBB, 2 Grey Heron, 4 Yellow Wags, 10+ Pied Wags. SC/RJ/DC/TR/MR
Reports from today
Brian Combes
15:23 The Haven first thing this morning: 1 willow warbler (dell), 3 chiff, 8 swallow (south), 1 sand martin (south), 4 yellow wag, 1 grey wag, 10+ pied wag, 3 little ringed plover, 2 snipe, 1 green sandpiper, 3 common sand, 10 dunlin, 7 whimbrel, 1 black-tailed godwit, 1 golden plover (south), 31 curlew, 1 Med gull, 24 linnet, 1 Cetti’s (singing), 40+ goldfinch (post-breeding flock).
At the end of July the number of species recorded at the Haven this year stands at 148.
Thurs 30th July 26
From the hide: Greylag & Canada Geese, 10+ Mallard, 2 Shelduck, 2 Teal, 60+ Lapwing, 30+ Curlew, 9 Dunlin, 7 Whimbrel, 5 LRP's, 4 Snipe, 4 Common Sands, 3 Redshank, 2 Green Sands, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Blk T Godwit, 125 Blk H Gulls, 3 Med Gulls, 3 Herring Gulls, 1 LBB, 2 Grey Heron, 10+ Pied Wags, 1 Yellow Wag, Reed Warbler, Linnet, Goldfinch. RJ/MO'H/MR
Reports from today
Simon Cox
10:18 2 Clouded Yellows by reed-bed ringing site. (for ringing details see Ringing page).
Pete Loud
14:34 Scrape, late morning/early afternoon, 2 Juvenile LRP, 2 Adult Ringed Plover flew in for a few minutes, 1 Green Sandpiper, 4 Common Sandpiper, 8 Dunlin, 3 Redshank, 50 Lapwing, 4 Whimbrel, 23 Curlew, 2 Oystercatcher, 4 Snipe, 1 Black-wit, 1 Yellow Wagtail.(PD,PL).
Wed 29th July 26
Another very warm day with very little wind, but a good selection of birds on the scrape again this morning.
From the hide: c250 Blk H Gulls, 5+ Med Gulls, 5 herring Gulls, 2 Common Gulls, 10+ Mallard, 1 Teal, c50 Lapwing, 26 Curlew, 8 Dunlin, 7 Whimbrel, 4 Snipe, 4 LRP's, 3 Common Sands, 2 Green Sands, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Blk T Godwit, 10+ Pied Wags, 1 Yellow Wag, Linnets, Reed Warbler, Cetti's Warbler, Swallows & Sand Martins, 1 Buzzard. RJ/MO'H/MR et.al.
Reports from today
16:07 Juv Med Gull taking advantage of today's flying ants.
Photo Richard Jeffree© Photo Richard Jeffree©
Tues 28th July 26
From the hide: 10+ Mallard, 3 Teal, 31 Lapwing, 27 Curlew, 7 Whimbrel, 7 Dunlin, 4 Snipe, 3 LRP's, 3 Common Sands, 2 Green Sands, 1 Avocet, 1 Blk T Godwit, 81 Blk H Gulls, 4 Med Gulls, 2 Common Gulls, 1 LBB, 3 Sandwich Terns (over), 2 Grey Heron, 1 Kingfisher, Swallows, House & Sand Martins, Pied Wags, Linnets. PL/RJ/BH/MR et.al.
Reports from today
Brian Combes
18:03 Holland Haven first thing: 3 willow warbler (first of the autumn for me here (first at The Naze, last week), 1 by sewage works, 1 by sluice, 1 dell), 2 lesser whitethroat (in freshly burnt area of dell), probably passage birds), 6 chiff, 2 swift (south), 3 yellow wag (2 south), 12 swallow (6 south), 2 sand martin (south), 1 great spotted woodpecker (juv), 3 little ringed plover, 2 green sandpiper, 3 common sandpiper, 4 dunlin, 2 black-tailed godwit, 4 snipe, 1 avocet, 5 curlew, 1 whimbrel (heard), 32 lapwing, 2 shelduck, 1 buzzard, 1 blackcap (singing), 1 Cetti’s (singing), 1 green woodpecker (juv), 1 grey heron, 1 hare, 1 song thrush (subsong), 2 greenfinch.
Sun 26 July 26
Reports from today
Matt Lonsdale
08:29 Scrape this morning- Snipe, lrp, 3 common sand, 2 green sand, 2 avocet. Swifts and swallows moving south, grey wag in sewage works. Barn owl early evening yesterday.
Richard Jeffree
10:14 Scrape mid morning: 3 juv LRP, 2 Green Sandpiper, 2 Common Sandpiper, 2 Dunlin, 2 Snipe, 2 Avocet, 1 Med Gull, 6 Common Gull, 85 BHG, 1 Yellow Wagtail.
Sat 25th July 26
Reports from today
Pete Loud
10:32 Scrape this morning, 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Common Sandpiper, 1 LRP, 2 Avocet, 5 Whimbrel, 35 Curlew, 1 Juvenile Yellow legged Gull.
11:05 Now 2 Green Sands & Little Egret.
Richard Jeffree
15:32 Scrape this afternoon 15.00-15.30 10 Dunlin, 7 Whimbrel, 2 LRP, 2 Green Sandpiper, 2 Common Sandpiper, 4+ Yellow Wagtail.
15:40 Clouded Yellow sluice.
Fri 24th July 26
From the hide: 1 Mute Swan & 3 Canada Geese (on the brook), c30 Mallard, 2 Shelduck, 1 Teal, 49 Lapwing, 26 Curlew, 6 Whimbrel, 3 Common Sands, 2 Avocet, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 LRP, 1 Blk T Godwit, 1 Greenshank, 62 Blk H Gulls, 2 Med Gulls, 2 Common Gulls, 1 LBB, !0+ Yellow Wags, 10+ Pied Wags, Linnets, Reed Warbler, 1 Red Fox, 1 Southern Migrant Hawker. PL/RJ/MO'H/BH/MR.
Reports from today
Brian Combes
16:28 Haven first thing: 1 little ringed plover (juv), 1 snipe, 3 common sand, 2 avocet, 17 curlew, 2 whimbrel, 2 oystercatcher, 2 yellow wag (1 adult, 1 juv), 1 grey wag (juv by sluice), 13 swallow (7 south), 2 green woodpecker (juvs), 7 linnet, 12 pied wag (juvs), 1 mute swan, 1 Chinese muntjac, 1 hare.
Thurs 23rd July 26
A late start this morning meant I missed the Gt W Egret by a couple of minutes, another new bird for the site year list.
From the hide: 1 Mute Swan (on the brook), Greylag & Canada Geese, 20+ Mallard (+23 ducklings), 1 Shoveler, 32 Lapwing, 30 Curlew, 6 Whimbrel, 3 LRP's, 2 Common Sands, 2 Oystercatcher, 2 Avocet, 1 Blk T Godwit, 2 Grey Heron, 28 Blk H Gulls, 1 LBB Gull, 10+ Pied Wags, 1 Yellow Wag, 2 Buzzard, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Hobby. RJ/MO'H/MR
Reports from today
Richard Jeffree
09:43 GWE just flew in.
Photo Richard Jeffree©
Mike O'Hanlon
09:46 Now flown south towards Holland and towards the coastline.
Wed 22nd July 26
From the hide: 20+ Mallard (+18 ducklings), 3 Teal, 1 Shoveler, 28 Lapwing, 6 Curlew, 4 Whimbrel, 3 LRP's, 2 Common Sands, 2 Oystercatcher, 2 Avocet, 1 Blk T Godwit, c30 Blk H Gulls, Swift, Swallow & Sand Martin, 10+ Pied Wags, 1 Grey Wag, 2 Cormorant, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Hobby, 1 Sparrowhawk. PL/RJ/MO'H/BH/MR et.al.
Reports from today
Richard Jeffree
16:05 2 Little Owls back of GC workshop.
Tues 21st July 26
Just a short visit to the hide this morning.
From the hide: 1 Mute Swan (on the brook), 1 Greylag, 1 Canada Goose, 10+ Mallard (plus 18 ducklings), 7 Teal, 14+ Lapwing, 3 Common Sands, 2 Blk T Godwits, 2 Oystercatcher, 2 Avocet, 1 Redshank, 1 LRP, 2 Grey Heron, 73 Blk H Gulls, 3 Herring Gulls, 1 LBB Gull, 10+ Pied Wags, 1 Yellow Wag (juv), 1 Reed Warbler. PL/RJ/MO'H/BH/MR.
Simon & Pat had a ringing session this morning (see Ringing page).
Reports from today
Brian Combes
10:10 Brief early morning visit to The Haven: 3 little ringed plover (juvs), 2 common sand, 3 black-tailed godwit, 6+ yellow wag (5+ juvs 1 adult, following the cattle at back of scrape and on the marsh), 10 pied wag, 2 avocet, 8 teal, 1 goldcrest (calling by sewage works gates), 7 linnet, 1 blackcap (singing).
Mon 20th July 26
Reports from today
Pete Loud
12:08 3 juvenile Little Ringed Plovers this morning from the hide, also, 4 Avocet, 2 Common Sandpipers, 1 Black-wit, 5 Whimbrel, 22 Curlew, 1 juvenile Med Gull and several Sand Martin over. Juv. Med past Sluice on the way out.
Brian Combes
12:13 Brief early morning visit to The Haven: 2 little ringed plover (juvs), 2 common sand, 3 black-tailed godwit, 2 whimbrel, 10 curlew, 6 swallow, 1 gadwall, 4 avocet, 60+ starling, 1 Cetti’s (singing), 1 little grebe, 1 buzzard, 9 lapwing, 8 pied wag, 7 linnet, 1 green woodpecker (juv).
Sun 19th July 26
From the hide: 1 Mute Swan (on the brook), 9 Canada Geese, 1 Greylag, 10+ Mallard (+ 18 ducklings), 3 Teal, 29 Curlew, 12 Lapwing, 5 Whimbrel, 2 Oystercatcher, 2 LRP's, 2 Common Sands, 1 Blk T Godwit, 1 Green Sand, 1 Avocet, 93 Blk H Gulls, 3 Herring Gulls, 1 Med Gull, 1 LBB Gull, 1 Grey Heron, Pied Wagtails, 1 Kestrel, 1 Cetti's Warbler. PL/RJ/MO'H/EJ/MC et.al.
Reports from today
Matt Lonsdale
21:48 Pre footy check of scrape this afternoon - Singles of greenshank, common sand, avocet. Ad med gull and 2+ yellow wags. Grey wag in sewage works and juv med south.
Sat 18th July 26
Reports from today
Mike O'Hanlon
06:51 Little Stint, Common Sandpiper, 2 Redshanks on the scrape
06:57 Now 2 Common Sands and a Green Sandpiper
07:39 Early visit to the hide this morning (with BC) - 1 Avocet, 80+ BHG, 2 Common Sandpipers, 1 Green Sandpiper, 20 Lapwings, Little Stint, 12 Curlew, 3 Teal, 4 Mallard + 9 ducklings, 2 Redshanks, 1 Oystercatcher, 3 Black-tailed Godwits
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| Photo Mike O'Hanlon© |
Brian Combes
09:14 Little stint showed well in front of island. In addition: 1 goldcrest (calling by sewage works), 1 grey wag (by sewage works, 1 greenfinch).
Pete Loud
12:26 From the hide, mid to late am adult Little stint, Green Sandpiper, 2 Common Sandpipers, 1,Golden Plover, 1 Whimbrel & 24 Curlew, 1 juvenile Grey Wagtail.(DC,PD,PL)
Fri 17th July 26
A nice morning with a lot less wind, busy on the scrape, plus Southern Migrant Hawker on the wing (see Haven Wildlife page)
From the hide: 1 Greylag Goose, 6 Canada Geese, 15 Mallard (+ 21 juvs 9-9 & 3), 53 Blk H Gulls, 8 Herring Gulls, 1 Common Gull, 1 LBB Gull, 46 Lapwing, 16 Curlew, 3 Blk T Godwit, 2 Golden Plover (sum Plumage), 2 Dunlin2 Oystercatcher, 1 Avocet, 3 Cormorant.
Reports from today
Richard Jeffree
18:30 Probable Little Stint with 10 Dunlin back of scrape difficult viewing.
Matt Lonsdale
20:48 Little Stint and 10 Dunlin still on scrape this evening
Wed 15th July 26
Another day of new birds on the scrape, with a nice summer plumage Knot, adult LRP and a Yellow-legged Gull that was new for the year.
From the hide: c90 Blk H Gulls, 3 Herring Gulls, 3 LBB Gulls, 1 Yellow-legged Gull, 1 Med Gull, 29 Curlew, 25 Lapwing, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Knot, 1 LRP, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Cormorant, 1 Lt Grebe, 6 Mallard (plus 18 ducklings), plus a few Swallows, Sand Martins & Swift.
Reports from today
Pete Loud
09:24 Knot in breeding plumage on the Scrape, 27 Curlew and a Med Gull so far.
Richard Jeffree
09:47 Adult LRP back of scrape.
Tues 14th July 26
Reports from today
Pete Loud
12:24 Haven this morning: The 2 Wood Sands seem to have departed, replaced by 2 Common Sands, 3 Avocets, 2 Black t Godwits, 1 Hobby north, 6 Sand Martin and a couple of Swift north, 25 Curlew, 2 Med Gulls flew over.2 Red Kite. (RJ,MR,MO’H,PL).
Brian Combes
17:04 Brief early morning visit to Haven included: 9 swallow (7 south), 2 black-tailed godwit, 3 avocet, 2 oystercatcher, 20 lapwing, 1 little grebe, 14 curlew, 120+ starlings (two flocks on the marsh), 5 linnet, 1 Cetti’s (singing), 1 sand martin, 8 pied wag, 1 blackcap (singing).
Mon 13th July 26
A good start to the morning with 2 Wood Sandpipers on the scrape, now looking very good waterwise. Around midday the calling of Sandwich Terns alerted us to three birds overhead, two Sandwich Terns dropped straight in and the third an Arctic Tern had a couple of circuits before it also joined the large group of roosting gulls, another FFY for July.
From the hide: 70+ Blk H Gulls, 2 Herring Gulls, 2 LBB Gulls, 7 Mallard (+18 ducklings), 25 Curlew, 22 Lapwing, 2 Wood Sandpipers, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Blk T Godwit, 2 Sandwich Tern, 1 Arctic Tern, 2 Cormorants, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Lt. Grebe, 8+ Pied Wags. RJ/MO'H/DP/GS/TR/MR
Reports from today
Pete Loud
09:37 From the Scrape hide this morning, now 2 Wood Sandpipers, 1 Blackwit, 39 Curlew and 1 unseasonal Brent Goose.
Richard Jeffree
11:45 Adult Arctic Tern scrape.
Sun 12th July 26
A much nicer temperature out today with a nice cooling breeze coming in off the sea.
From the hide: 54+ Blk H Gulls, 4 Herring Gulls, 3 LBB Gulls, 3 Common Gulls, 1 GBB Gull, 1 Med Gull, 25 Curlew, 14 Lapwing, 5 Blk T Godwits, 2 Redshank, 2 Avocet, 1 Wood Sand, 4 Cormorants, 6+ Mallard (+2 x 9 ducklings), 1 Lt. Grebe, 3+ Sand Martins, 2 Swallows, 1 Hobby, 1 Kestrel. RJ/MO'H/MR
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| Photo Richard Jeffree© |
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| Photo Richard Jeffree© |
Sat 11th July 26
Reports from today
Brian Combes
06:53 Haven: wood sand still on scrape.
09:47 Brief visit to Haven this morning included: 1 wood sand (lovely), 1 greenshank, 1 whimbrel, 1 hobby (low north over marshes), 8 black-tailed godwit, 1 shoveler (male in eclipse), 1 great spotted woodpecker (over hide, will be a dispersing juv), 1 avocet, 16 curlew, 2 oystercatcher, 8 lapwing, 1 little grebe, 3 swift (north), 7 swallow (4 south), 1 chiff (singing), 2 grey heron, 16 pied wag, 50+ starling, 4 linnet, 1 hare.
Pete Loud
18:08 From the hide this morning, Wood Sandpiper, Greenshank, 1 Avocet, 4 Teal, 4 Med Gulls over. 24 Curlew, 30 Lapwing, 1 Swift. (RJ,M O’H,PL).
Fri 10th July 26
From the hide: 46 Blk H Gulls, 2 Herring Gulls, 2 LBB Gulls, 25 Lapwing, 5 Redshank, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Wood Sandpiper, 1 Greenshank, 2 Mallard (+9 ducklings), 1 Teal, 2 Grey Heron, 8+ Pied Wags, and a few Swallows. PL/RJ/MO'H/DC/MR
Reports from today
Richard Jeffree
10:03 Wood Sandpiper scrape.
Thurs 9th July 26
From the hide: 26+ Blk H Gulls, 29 Lapwings, 18 Curlew, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Dunlin, 2 Mallard (with 9 ducklings), 11 Pied Wags, Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler & Linnet, 1 Muntjac Deer. PL/RJ/MO'H/MR.
Frist Brown Argus of the year and a Humming-bird Hawk-moth, (see Haven Wildlife page).
Reports from today
Brian Combes
16:41 Brief early visit to Haven, followed by a walk from Frinton to French Point and back. Haven included: 9 swallow (4 south), 1 common sandpiper, 1 whimbrel (heard), 1 redshank, 1 reed warbler (singing), 33 lapwing, 2 oystercatcher, 7 linnet, 1 shelduck, 19 curlew, 50+ starling, 1 little egret, 1 Cetti’s (singing), 2 moorhen, 1 chiff (singing), 2 fox (adult and cub on the scrape). Seawall included: 24 pied wag, 4 reed warbler (singing), 1 sedge warbler (singing), 2 reed bunting (singing), 9 swallow (1 south), 7 swift (1 flew east out to sea), 5 linnet, 1 redshank, 20+ house martin (greensward and Esplanade, including several nests on one building - very late arriving or I missed them earlier, either way very good news).
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| Photo Brian Combes© |
Wed 8th July 26
On the walk down to the hide there were lots of butterflies around, a pair of Swans with 6 signets were on the brook behind the sluice and several Wasp Spider were found between the sluice & the hide (see Haven Wildlife page).
From the hide: 100+ Blk H Gulls, c15 Med Gulls, 1 LBB Gull, 31 Lapwing, 13 Curlew (over), 2 Oystercatcher (no sign of the chicks), 1 Lt Grebe, 1 Ruff, 1 Greenshank.
Reports from today
Mike O'Hanlon
11:37 Greenshank just landed on the scrape.
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| Photo Mike O'Hanlon© |
Tues 7th July 26
Another very warm day, and a late start for me. Lots of butterflies on the way to the hide but I didn't see the Marbled White seen by Richard a bit earlier.
From the hide: 39 Blk H Gulls, 2 Med Gulls, 23 Lapwing (incl a large chick), 2 Oystercatcher (+2 Chicks), a few Sand Martin & Swallows.
Reports from today
Peter Newton
10:53 It’s amazing how few reports of Barn Owl have been recorded over the last couple of months from the Haven, yet there are five well developed youngsters in the owl box in line from the Hide.
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| Photo Peter Newton© |
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| Photo Peter Newton© |
Pete Loud
12:02 Haven this morning, one of the juvenile Grey Wagtails was on the path by the Raised Platform. From the hide, 40 Black headed & 25 Med Gulls, 20 Lapwing & the return of 1 Avocet. On the pond a Female Gadwall had 3 ducklings, also 1 Little Grebe present 18 Curlew on the marsh, several Swift still passing through throughout the morning.
Mon 6th July 26
More water means more birds again today, 148 Blk Headed Gulls (incl several juvs.), 33 Med Gulls (incl. 1 Juv), 3 Herring Gulls, 2 LBB Gulls, 2 Common Gulls, 27 Lapwing, 2 Oystercatcher (plus 2 chicks), 6 Mallard, 2 Grey Heron, c30 Sand Martin (over heading south), 6+ Swallows, 6 Pied Wags, lots of juv. Starlings, 4 Stock Doves, several Linnets, 1 Sparrowhawk. RJ/MO'H/MR
Reports from today
Richard Jeffree
10:10 27 Med Gulls on the scrape various ages inc first juv of the year.
Sun 5th July 26
Great to see the water returning to the scrape this morning, Leon's marsh is now full and steady progress is being made across the scrape. Sadly I didn't see the Green Sand.
From the hide: 24 Lapwing, 2 Oystercatcher (+2 Chicks), 40 Blk H Gulls, 3 Herring Gulls, 1 LBB Gull, 6 Mallard, 1 Grey Heron, 17 Pied Wags, Linnets, and loads of Juv. Starlings.
Reports from today
Pete Loud
13:34 Quick visit over the road up to the cattle pen this morning, but not much doing just 2 Red Kites drifting slowly west. Another Red kite viewed from the Sewage farm cottages later could have been one of the earlier birds. From the hide, the water has filled Leon’s marsh and was now flowing onto the Scrape, it certainly didn’t take long for the water to turn up a decent wader in the Green Sandpiper found by Richard earlier it showed very well enjoying the newly created habitat. The pair of Oystercatcher on the marsh were looking after 2 newly hatched chicks.18 Curlew were the Golf Course end of the marsh. Male Southern migrant Hawker seen by the track opposite the Sewage Farm on the way back.
Fri 3rd July 26
Reports from today
Pete Loud
13:07 Very quiet over the Haven this morning, good news is Leon, has managed to get the solar pump up and running and the new channel and small pond in front of the hide has already filled with water and should flow onto the marsh and then eventually onto the scrape. 23 Lapwing including a couple of fully grown juveniles, 2 Oystercatchers. several Swift and a Sand Martin feeding high over the sewage farm, a few Painted Lady’s about and a Marbled White on the grassy slope behind the Sluice.
Wed 1st July 26
Another warm morning and all much the same, the Curlew flock using the marsh each side of the scrape seems to be building in numbers, a few Lapwing and gulls and a Lesser whitethroat was singing from behind the ringing compound.
4+ Marbled Whites were seen today along with Meadow Brown, Small & Essex Skippers, 6+ Painted Ladies, Small Heath, Small & Green-veined White plus 5 spot Burnet, Cinnabar, Latticed Heath & Shaded Broad-bar moths. PL/RJ/MO'H/MR
Tues 30th June 26
Another nice morning with some cloud cover but at least 3 possibly 5 Marbled White butterflies were seen over the meadow this morning also noted were Gatekeeper, Meadow Browns, Small & Essex Skippers, Small White, Green-veined White, Small Heath, Painted Lady.
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From the hide: 31 Blk H Gulls, 1 Med Gull, 1 Common Gull, 2 Cormorants, 1 Grey Heron, 11 Lapwing, 1 Oystercatcher, 2 Mallard (with 6 ducklings). 2 Pied Wags, 1 Cetti's Warbler. RJ/MR
Reports from today
Brian Combes
16:15 Walk from Frinton to Haven and back via the farm this morning included: 1 house martin (feeding over Frinton Greensward with swallows; no birds at the colony on Esplanade, which was still being used last year - as with the colony on Old Hall Lane at The Naze (sadly this reflects the state of the UK population which has halved since the turn of the millennium, with even more severe declines in the S and SE), 9 swift (1 south, 8 over farm drifting south), 1 corn bunting (singing, bridleway), 1 cuckoo (singing), 40 swallow, 21 pied wag (mainly juvs), 70+ starling, 10 linnet, 3 oystercatcher (south), 5 reed warbler (singing), 2 reed bunting (singing), 2 sedge warbler (singing), 9 whitethroat (singing), 5 chiff (singing), 3 blackcap (singing), 1 Cetti’s (singing), 1 song thrush (singing), 2 med gull (1 south, 1 north), 1 curlew, 1 buzzard.
At the end of June the number of species recorded at the Haven this year stands at 142.
Mon 29th June 26
No water on the scrape again today, and just the few birds in Pete's report below.
Most of the morning was spent trying to re-find Mike's Marbled White (without success for me) but as the well known law dictates Mike & Richard had a second on the way back from the Frinton end later in the morning.
Reports from today
Mike O'Hanlon
10:02 Marbled White on path to the hide from sluice
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| Photo Mike O'Hanlon© |
Pete Loud
11:20 From the hide this morning 1 Curlew, 17 Lapwing plus large chick, lots of of Butterflies about, my first Gatekeeper couple of Painted Lady’s and all the other common species.
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| Photo Pete Loud© |
Sun 28th June 26
Not much water today with the lack of wind over the last couple of days but still a few birds around
From the hide: 30+ Blk H Gulls, 2 Herring Gulls, 1 Med Gull, 1 LBB, 15 Curlew, 14 Lapwing, 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Grey Heron, 6+ Pied Wags, 2 Mallard (+ 6 ducklings on the pond), a few Swallows and a steady movement of Swifts south. PL/RJ/MO'H/TR/MR
Sat 27th June 26
Reports from today
Pete Loud
10:49 Very pleasant out this morning nice and cool, but by 10 o’clock the sun was coming out and with the heat and humidity rising it was time to go home. From the hide,18 Black-headed Gull, including 2 juveniles, unfortunately not fledged from the Haven, but wouldn’t have come from far away, possibly the backwaters or the Colne.10 Lapwing on the marsh including 1 large chick, 1 Oystercatcher also, 16 Curlew flew in to join one other on the marsh behind the pond disturbed from behind the raised platform by the Stockman checking on his Cows, the Mallard on the pond has 7 ducklings, down from 10 a week or so ago. The light Swift passage continues this morning with about 25 passing through, on the brook behind the sluice was a Canada Goose family with about 8 fully grown juveniles, presumably the ones fledged earlier in the spring, having sought out sanctuary in the brook after the scrape dried up. just a tiny amount of water on the scrape, but with no wind today the wind pump is not turning although that should soon change, you don’t get many days at the Haven with no wind. On the Butterfly front, lots of Small Whites,and quite a lot of Meadow Brown, but a real abundance of Small Skippers, one each of Red Admiral, Holly Blue & Small Heath.
Fri 26th June 26
Very, very warm out this morning, amazingly even more water on the scrape than yesterday but as there was not enough wind to turn the pump this morning that could change.
From the hide: 21 Blk H Gulls, 2 Herring Gulls, 2 Med Gulls (1 colour ringed), 1 Grey Heron, 5 Lapwing, 2 Curlew, 1 Oystercatcher, 3 Shelduck, 1 Mallard, 9+ Pied Wags.
Thurs 25th June 26
Great news this morning, there was water on the scrape, not a lot but it's a start, work has been carried out on the windpump and it is now up and running and managing to make a difference even in the current weather conditions, fingers crossed for a steady improvement.
From the hide: 11 Blk H Gulls, 9 Lapwing, 1 Oystercatcher, 6 Med Gulls (over), 7 Pied Wags, 1 Buzzard, 5+ Swallows, Linnet, Reed Bunting, Skylark, Reed Warbler.
Sun 21st June 26
Reports from today
Pete Loud
13:16 Late morning at the haven, from the hide, a recently fledged brood of Cetti’s Warblers in front of the hide being very vocal, on the pond delightful views of a Kingfisher hovering a couple of metres above the water to then plunge in to the surface, a Mallard had brood of 10 small ducklings, still 10 Lapwing and a single Oystercatcher on the marsh. Sadly still no water on the scrape, but I gather wheels are in motion to get that rectified. On walk back to car, couple of Painted Lady Butterflies and a few Holly Blues, Meadow Browns and Small Heath. A few Emperor dragonflies on the wing now.
Fri 19th June 26
A first for the site and for me today with a Bright Wave moth (a Red Data Book species). found at TM221175 around midday
Reports from today
Pete Loud
14:02 Quick visit to the Haven mid morning. 2 Curlew flew south along the hedge line at the back of the scrape, 15 Lapwing on the marsh including 2 fully grown juveniles, good to know at least a couple of Lapwings have survived to adulthood. A few Swifts were trickling through, heading south, probably a few non breeders leaving already. A few Meadow Browns and still lots of Small Heaths and many five spot Burnet moths in the grass north of the Pillbox.
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| Photo Mick Rodwell© |
Fri 12th June 26
A little better weather today and lots of young birds around the bushes, a Green Hairstreak butterfly was still hanging on over the road along with a few Holly Blues & Speckled Woods.
From the hide: 8 Lapwing, 1 Oystercatcher, 2 Blk H Gulls, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Linnets, 1 Reed Warbler 2 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel.
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