Tues 31st Mar 26
Reports from today
Ken Smith
09:10 Wheatear on sea wall north end of Frinton golf course.
Richard Jeffree
10:11 Golden Plover sluice
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| Photo Richard Jeffree© |
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| Photo Richard Jeffree© |
Mike O'Hanlon
11:27 Male Wheatear on marsh opposite French Point.
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| Photo Mike O'Hanlon© |
At the end of March the number of species recorded at the Haven this year stands at 113.
Mon 30th Mar 26
Very windy this morning so it was hard work around the bushes, 4+ Chiffchaffs and a Grey Wagtail, that was about it.
From the hide: 4 Canada Geese, 22 Teal, 19 Shelduck, 8 Shoveler, 8 Mallard, 4 Wigeon, 2 Gadwall (pair), 24 Avocet, 20+ Curlew, 12 Lapwing, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Blk T Godwit, 84 Blk H Gulls, 12 Med Gulls, 2 Pied Wags, 1 Kestrel. RJ/MR
On the way back 4 Purple Sands were on French Pt. rocks and 4+ Red T Divers were sitting on the sea off the sluice.
Sun 29th Mar 26
No sign of the Firecrest or Blackcap this morning but 3 Turnstone were on the sluice and the first Sand Martin of the year passed overhead as we headed to the hide.
From the hide: 2 Mute Swans, 6 Canada Geese, 18 Shelduck, 10 Teal, 6 Wigeon, 6 Mallard, 20 Curlew, 17 Lapwing, 16 Avocet, 3 Snipe, 2 Oystercatcher, 48 Blk H Gulls, 12 Med Gulls, 2 Common Gulls 1 Buzzard, 1 Lt. Egret, 3 Sand Martin, 3 Pied Wags. RJ/MO'H/MR
Reports from today
Mike O'Hanlon
11:20 3 Turnstones on the sluice.
Sat 28th Mar 26
A good start to the morning with a cracking male Firecrest and a Blackcap along the Approach Rd.
From the hide: 2 Mute Swans, 4 Canada Geese, 23 Shelduck, 14 Teal, 12 Wigeon, 8 Mallard, 6 Shoveler, 23 Avocet, 20+ Curlew, 11 Lapwing, 4 Oystercatcher, 3 Snipe, 142 Blk H Gulls, 15 Med Gulls, 1 Lt. Egret, 2 Skylark, 2 Linnet, 1 Grey Wag, 1 Lt. Grebe, 1 Kestrel. PD/MO'H/MR.
Reports from today
Mike O'Hanlon
10:23 Firecrest and Blackcap at the start of the approach road.
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| Photo Mike O'Hanlon© |
Matt Lonsdale
10:34 Early visit - Several Chiff, 2 Goldcrest around raised platform bushes. Little Egret on scrape + 3 pairs of Med Gull. Marsh Harrier in/off, 2 Siskin north and 5 Snipe flushed off marsh.
Fri 27th Mar 26
From the Hide: 6 Canada Geese (3 pairs), 2 Greylags, 18 Shelduck, 10 Wigeon, 10 Shoveler, 8 Teal, 15+ Curlew , 11 Lapwing, 8 Avocet, 3 Snipe, 100+ Bk H Gulls, 22 Med Gulls, 1 Common Gull, 1 Spoonbill, 1 Lt. Egret. MO'H/DC/MR
Reports from today
Brian Combes
07:11 Haven: Spoonbill still present.
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| Photo Brian Combes© |
16:54 Haven this morning: 1 spoonbill, 1 spotted redshank (calling from somewhere on scrape/ marshes), 2 Egyptian goose (flew south over scrape), 1 grey wag (scrape), 36 Mediterranean gull (first thing: 12 on Frinton greensward, 20 on golf course; later 4 on scrape - all paired adults), 5 purple sand, 1 Blackcap (singing, approach road), 2 siskin (over), 6 chiff (4 singing), 1 goldcrest, 3 red-throated diver (1 south, 2 north), 2 corn bunting (1 singing - west of footpath on arable), 3 song thrush (singing), 1 sparrowhawk, 2 greenfinch, 10 linnet, 7 pied wag, 4 Cetti’s (singing), 11 curlew, 4 reed bunting, 4 oystercatcher, 12 avocet, 13 shoveler, 2 red-legged partridge, 1 green woodpecker, 1 hare. (20 species in song.)
Mick Rodwell
09:09 Spoonbill still on the scrape.
09:59 Spoonbill just flown to marsh below raised platform
Mike O'Hanlon
10:03 Now back on the scrape feeding.
Simon Cox
17:11 This one still from Haven hide this pm. Only 2 Avocets on view, otherwise similar to recent days though Wigeon & Teal numbers reduced. Cetti’s & Chiff singing.
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| Photo Simon Cox© |
Thurs 26th Mar 26
Reports from today
Mike O'Hanlon
09:59 2 Sanderlings on the sluice.
10:52 This morning so far: Over the Clacton Road: 40 Herring gulls, 25 BHG, 38 Curlew, 2 Oystercatchers, 2 Shelducks, 3 Linnets, 2 Greenfinches, 2 Mediterranean Gulls, 3 Mallard
Dell: Song Thrush, Dunnock, Robin, Chaffinch, Red Kite (over)
From the hide: 2 Kestrels (displaying), 2 Grey Herons, 19 Mediterranean Gulls, 4 Canada Geese, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Oystercatchers (mating), 1 Little Egret, 2 Avocets, 9 Mallard, 2 Gadwall, 13 Shelducks, 7 Shovelers, 2 Wigeon, 20 Teal, 4 Curlew, 1 Snipe, 9 Lapwing, 2 Mute Swans, 1 Lt. Grebe. + 134 Black headed Gulls around and on the scrape.
Paul Gildersleve
16:06 Spoonbill on left hand scrape.
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| Photo Paul Gildersleve© |
Wed 25th Mar 26
Another one for the list today with the first Swallow of the year for Liz Huxley over the golf course, otherwise much the same and very windy.
Reports from today
Mike O'Hanlon
10:18 HH Scrape (0950 -1020) - 14 Shelduck, 1 Snipe, 6 Med Gulls, 7 Lapwing, 26 Shoveler, 2 Gadwall, 3 Mallard, 26 Teal, 2 Oystercatcher, 4 Canada geese, 1 Greylag, 25 Avocet, 11 Wigeon, 131 Black headed Gulls
Liz Huxley
10:43 1 Swallow over golf course.
Tues 24th Mar 26
Very quiet this morning, over the road were 15 Herring Gulls, 5 Blk H Gulls, 4 Greylag, 3 Shelduck, 4 Mallard, c30 Curlew, 3 Lapwing, 2 Cetti's Warbler. Around the Dell area 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Song Thrush and a couple of Greenfinch.
From the hide: 2 Mute Swans, 4 Canada Geese (2 Pairs), c35 Wigeon, c25 Teal, 26 Shoveler, 13 Shelduck, 4 Gadwall, 1 Lt. Grebe, 25 Avocet, 10 Lapwing, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 77 Blk H Gulls, 3 Med Gulls. PL/TR/MR.
Mon 23rd Mar 26
Reports from today
Mike O'Hanlon
12:45 13 Divers on sea between Sandy and French Point. Several of which, at least, identified as Red Throats
Pete Loud
14:03 Short walk over the road first thing, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Cetti’s, 25 Wigeon, 4 Teal, 6 Shoveler.
From the Hide,1 Raven landed a couple of times on the marsh behind the raised platform, was flushed by other Corvids it then flew off High to the north east. 1 Peregrine, 1 Marsh Harrier, Ruff briefly in flight, flushed by raptors.1 Blackwit, 1 Snipe, 18 Avocet, Mallard brood of 12 ducklings, 2 Gadwall, still 60+ Wigeon and 60+ Teal, 7 Med Gulls, 20 Curlew (1 showing a Yellow flag on the left leg No J7 with a yellow and metal ring on the other leg).
A walk to the beach huts and back along the front,15+ Red throats, 1 Great Crested Grebe, c5 Purple Sandpipers. (MO’H, PL).
Sat 21st Mar 26
Another addition to the site year list today with Richards Coot on the brook over the road, a cracking Yellowhammer for Matt first thing, 2 Red Kites & a S E Owl above the cottages for Richard and Simon and 2 Grey Wags along the track for myself and Tom, another good morning.
From the hide: 2 Mute Swans, 4 Canada Geese (2 Pairs), 3 Greylag, c150 Wigeon, c100 Teal, c20 Shoveler, 12 Shelduck, 8 Mallard, 5 Gadwall, c40 Curlew, 20 Lapwing, 16 Avocet, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Snipe, 1 Blk T Godwit, 148 Blk H Gulls, 6 Med Gulls, 1 GBB Gull, 1 Lt. Egret, 3 Buzzard, 2+ Red Kite, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Kestrel,
Reports from today
Matt Lonsdale
08:13 Yellowhammer on bramble at end of sewage works track where comes out seawards
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| Photo Matt Lonsdale© |
Richard Jeffree
08:45 Coot on brook over road
09:41 SEO +2 Red Kites over sewage works.
Fri 20th Mar 26
Around the site this morning, 3 Sparrowhawks high over the Approach Rd. a nice group of Greenfinch in the Dell, several singing Song Thrush and 3+ Goldcrests. On the way to the hide c30 Siskins headed north (2 flocks 10 & 20ish).
From the hide: 4 Canada Geese (2 pairs), 2 Greylags, c150 Wigeon, c80 Teal, 20+ Shoveler, 10 Shelduck, 8 Mallard, 5 Gadwall, 1 Cormorant (summer plumage), 12 Avocet, 11 Lapwing, 7 Curlew, 4 Oystercatcher, 1 Snipe, 1 Blk T Godwit, 77 Blk H Gulls, 2 Med Gulls, 1 Common Gull, 2 Buzzard, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 4 Pied Wags, 2 Grey Wags, 1 Cetti's Warbler. PL/RJ/MO'H/DC/MR.
Reports from today
Mike O'Hanlon
12:38 7 Purple Sandpipers on rocks south of Sandy Pt.
Brian Combes
16:54 Walk from Frinton to Haven and back via the farm this morning included: 2 siskin (over), 1 red kite (drifted west over farm), 4 chiff (singing), 6 goldcrest, 14 med gull (Frinton Greensward/golf course first thing), 10 Cetti’s (singing), 4 reed bunting, 11 mipit (4 singing), 5 linnet, 3 song thrush (singing), 1 black-tailed godwit, 4 curlew, 1 greenfinch, 27 shoveler, 4 gadwall, 14 avocet, 1 brent (north), 4 oystercatcher, 1 corn bunting (singing), 3 buzzard (1 high to the north, 2 sparrowhawk (drifting extremely high to the north). (19 species in song.).
Thurs 19th Mar 26
A good day today, great to see butterflies on the wing searching out the new blossom, double figures of Peacocks and a Small Tortoiseshell this morning. On the bird front Raven was new for the year and Kittiwake are not often seen on the scrape, Firecrest and Goldcrest at the sewage works gate and 5+ Buzzard, Red Kite, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel overhead can't be bad. Other numbers from the hide much the same as of late. PL/RJ/MO'H/SE/MR et.al.
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| Photo Mike O'Hanlon© |
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| Photo Mike O'Hanlon© |
Reports from today
Richard Jeffree
10:23 Adult Kittiwake scrape
10:57 2 Raven flew east over scrape Kittiwake still asleep.
Mike O'Hanlon
12:00 Kittiwake has now flown off eastwards over the sewer works
12:51 4 Purple Sandpipers on rocks north of French Pt.
Pete Loud
13:55 Firecrest and Goldcrest, in bushes to the right of sewage works gate.
Steve Entwistle
14:10 4 Purple Sandpipers still on rocks
Wed 18th Mar 26
A much nicer day today, at last a light breeze and some sunshine.
Mike started off up at the farm where the Corn Bunting was showing well again today, but the only bird of note around the bushes was a Firecrest in the Feeding Stn.
From the hide: 4 Canada Geese, 2 Greylags, c150 Wigeon, c80 Teal, C30 Shoveler, 8 Mallard, 6 Shelduck, 29 Avocet, c20 Curlew, 14 Lapwing, 3 Snipe, 2 B T Godwits, 2 Oystercatcher, c50 Blk H Gulls, 2 Med Gulls, 1 Red Kite, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Buzzard, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 1 Cetti's Warbler.
Richard & Mike's walk to Sandy Pt. added 8 Purple Sands and a Barn Owl (NFY).
Reports from today:
Mike O'Hanlon
09:31 Corn Bunting at the end of the lane down to the manure heap at the farm.
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| Photo Mike O'Hanlon© |
12:13 Barn Owl on the back hedge to the right of hide towards the golf course.
Richard Jeffree
12:25 4 Purple Sands, Sandy pt.
12:30 Now 8 Purps.
Tues 17th Mar 26
A walk around the Approach Rd and over the road produced very little, a few Canada and Greylag Geese with loads of Herring Gulls on the approach road marsh, 2 couple of Song Thrush in song plus the usual Tits and Robins.
From the hde: 6 Greylags, 4 Canada Geese (+1 hybrid), Wigeon & Teal (as of late), c30 Shoveler, 8 Shelduck, 8 Mallard, 5 Gadwall, 2+ Curlew 19 Avocet, 10 Lapwing, 4 Oystercatcher, 2 Snipe, 1 Blk T Godwit, 50 Blk H Gulls, 2 Med Gulls,1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 2 Pied Wags, RJ/MO'H/MR/LH at.al.
On the way out a Chiffchaff was calling from the brook hedge near the windpump.
Mon 16th Mar 26
A nicer morning but a walk around the site turned up very little, just a Goldcrest and a couple of singing Song Thrushes was about it for the small stuff, Greylag and Canada Geese, c150 Herring Gulls and 1 LBB were on the Approach Rd. marsh
From the hide: 4 Canada Geese, c150 Wigeon, c50 Teal, 30 Shoveler, 16 Shelduck, 10 Mallard, 5 Gadwall, 21 Avocet, 20+ Curlew, 12 Lapwing, 2 Oystercatcher, 2 Snipe, 1 Blk T Godwit, 2 Lt. Grebe, 95 Blk H Gulls 3 Med Gulls, 1 Buzzard, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 1 Chinese Water Deer. RJ/MO'H/MR.
The 2 Lt. Grebes in front of the hide seemed to be thinking about nest building, probably not the best place but who knows.
Spring is nearly here?, Richard Jeffree©
Sun 15th Mar 26
From the hide: 9 Canada Geese, 162 Wigeon, 60+ Teal, 22 Shoveler, 9 Shelduck, 5 Gadwall, 20+ Curlew, 15 Avocet, 14 Lapwing, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Lt Grebe, 80+ Blk H Gulls, 2 Med Gulls, 1 Common Gull, 1 LBB Gull, 1 Buzzard, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel. RJ/MR et.al.
A single Purple Sand was on the sluice on the way out.
Sat 14th Mar 26
Another three birds added to the year list today with a Firecrest and a Fieldfare first thing from Brian Combes and a S E Owl late afternoon by Matt Lonsdale.
From the hide: 4 Canada Geese (+1 hybrid), 2 Greylag, c150 Wigeon, c150 Teal, 20+ Shoveler, 14 Mallard, 11 Shelduck, 7 Gadwall, 31 Avocet, 30+ Curlew, 16 Lapwing, 4 Snipe, 2 Oystercatcher, 106 Bk H Guls, 4 Med Gulls, 2 Common Gulls, 4 Pied Wags, 2 Buzzard, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk RJ/TR/MR.
Brian Combes
07:51 Haven: Firecrest by sewage works gate.
10:53 Haven: Firecrest by golf course workshop
18:11 Walk from Frinton to Haven and back via the farm this morning included: 2 firecrest, 1 Fieldfare (in the dell then north), 2 redwing (north), 1 stonechat (south of sluice), 1 corn bunting (singing by east paddock, first bird singing of the year), 1 grey wag (again by manure/straw pile on bridleway), 3 chiff (2 singing), 4 goldcrest, 2 purple sand (French Point), 10 pied wag, 28+ linnet (still a flock of 20+ on arable), 1 marsh harrier, 3 med gull, 2 mipit (north), 2 sparrowhawk, 5 Cetti’s (singing), 4 oystercatcher, 3 reed warbler, 7 hare, 33 avocet, 29 shoveler, 3 song thrush (singing), 37 curlew, 2 greenfinch, 5 buzzard (3 in a kettle). (18 species in song.).
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| Corn bunting this morning (one of my favourite songsters). Photo Brian Combes© |
Matt Lonsdale
16:36 S E Owl on gate across brook to north of hide.
Fri 13th Mar 26
A much nicer day today but still with a chilly wind. The high point of this morning was probably the arrival of a third Peregrine who was soon shown the exit by our resident pair, who had earlier given a woodpigeon the fright of it's life when it managed to escape in a cloud of feathers.
From the hide: 4 Canada Geese, 2 Greylags, c200 Wigeon, c150 Teal, 30+ Shoveler, 8 Mallard, 7 Gadwall, 5 Shelduck, 43 Curlew, 23 Avocet, 17 Lapwing, 4 Oystercatcher, 3 Snipe, 1 Blk T Godwit, 140 Blk H Gulls, c40 Herring Gulls, 2 Med Guls, 2 LBB Gulls, 1 GBB Gull, 3 Peregrine, 2 Buzzard, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, RJ/MO'H/DC/MR
Reports from today
Simon Cox
17:19 Afternoon visit: Canada G 10, Greylag 13, Shelduck 4, Mallard 5, Teal 35, Wigeon 60, Shoveler 25, Gadwall 3, Lapwing 18, Avocet 23, Oystercatcher 2, Curlew 17, Kestrel 1, Peregrine 1, Med Gull 1, LBBG 2, Herring Gull 100, B-h Gull 100, Chaffinch 2 in Feeding Station.
Thurs 12th Mar 26
A very blustery morning with the wind forecast to increase throughout the day so we decided to find some shelter in the hide. A GBB Gull was noted along the front and a lone Brent Goose was making hard work of heading down the coast into the wind.
From the hide: 4 Canada Geese (1 hybrid), c300 Wigeon, c250 Teal, 30+ Shoveler, 9 Shelduck, 5 Gadwall, 24 Avocet, 16 Lapwings, 4 Oystercatcher, 1 Snipe, 72 Blk H Gulls, 2 Med Gulls, 2 Common Gulls, 2 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel. RJ/MR
Wed 11th Mar 26
Mike O'Hanlon added another bird to the Site Year List this morning with a Coal Tit in the carpark bottom hedge.
From the hide: 2 Canada Geese, c300 Wigeon, c250 Teal, 43 Shoveler, 19 Shelduck, 10 Mallard, 3 Gadwall, 21 Avocet, 20+ Curlew, 20 Lapwing, 5 Snipe, 2 Oystercatcher, 78 Blk H Gulls, 2 Med Gulls, 1 Common Gull, 2 Pied Wags, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 3 Buzzard, 1 Peregrine, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, PL/RJ/MO'H/MR/J&EF
Reports from today
Mike O'Hanlon
10:18 Coal Tit on the hedge line below the picnic tables.
Tues 10th Mar 26
From the hide:c20 Greylags, 6 Canada Geese (+2 Hybrids), c150 Wigeon, c150 Teal, 37 Shoveler, 15 Shelduck, 7 Gadwall, 34 Curlew, 12 Lapwing, 11 Avocet, 4 Oystercatcher, 2 Blk T Godwits, 1 Snipe, 1 Dunlin, 60 Blk H Gulls, 3 Med Gulls, 3 Common Gulls, 1 GBB Gull, 2 Buzzard,1 Kestrel. RJ/MO'H/MR.
On the way back at the sluice a group of 17 Oystercatchers headed north offshore followed shortly after by a further 6.
Sun 8th Mar 26
Reports from today
Brian Combes
17:19 Misty walk from Frinton to Haven and back via the farm this morning included: 1 Siskin (north), 1 grey wag (by straw/dung heap halfway along bridleway), 1 chiff (singing, approach road), 2 goldcrest (1 singing), 5 purple sand (on sea defences by northern pillbox), 2 goldfinch (north), 8 med gull (golf course first thing, all adults paired up), 7 pied wag, 5 Cetti’s (singing), 3 reed bunting, 2 oystercatcher, 1 grey heron, 13 linnet, 7 song thrush (5 singing, some probably passage birds), 2 greenfinch, 5 avocet, 38 shoveler, 2 hare, 6 sanderling (on beach near northern pillbox). (16 species in song.).
Fri 6th Mar 26
I had my first Adder of the year today although Mike & Richard had one a few days ago, otherwise very quiet
From the hide: A few Greylags, 4 Canada Geese, c150 Wigeon, c150 Teal, 46 Shoveler, 8 Shelduck, 6 Mallard, 6 Gadwall, 34 Avocet, 26 Lapwing, 17 Curlew, 4 Oystercatcher, 3 Snipe, 1 Grey Heron, c50 Blk H Gulls, 3 Med Gulls, 2 Common Gulls, 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 2 Pied Wags, 1 Cetti's Warbler. PL/RJ/MO'H/MR
Reports from today
.Mike O'Hanlon
4 Red-throated Divers on the sea just south of Sandy Point and 2 flying north
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| Photo Mike O'Hanlon© |
Tues 3rd Mar 26
Another nice day for a walk around but quite quiet, 2 Chiffchaffs, a Goldcrest and a Woodcock flushed from near the raised platform was all of note around the bushes.
From the Hide: c30 Greylags, 6 Canada Geese, c300 Teal, c250 Wigeon, 100 Shoveler, 12 Gadwall, 9 Shelduck, 8 Mallard, 45 Avocet, c30 Curlew, 20 Lapwing, 7 Snipe, 5 Blk T Godwits, 4 Oystercatcher, 2 Dunlin, 1 Grey Heron, c200 Blk H Gulls, 3+ Med Gulls, 2 Common Gulls, 5+ Buzzard, 1 Marsh Harrier, RJ/MO'H/BH/TR/MR.
Mon 2nd Mar 26
What a lovely morning, it was a pleasure to be out and about with out getting Cold, Wet or Windswept.
From the Hide: 1 Mute Swan, c50 Greylags, 8 Canada Geese, 1 White-fronted Goose, c400 Teal, c 300 Wigeon, 100 Shoveler, 12+ Gadwall, 11 Shelduck, 38 Avocet, c30 Curlew, 5 Snipe, 4 Oystercatcher, 3 Blk T Godwits, 1 Water Rail, 300 Blk H Gulls, 3 Med Gulls, 2 Peregrine, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Buzzard, RJ/MO'H/MR/June & Eddie.
