Wed 22nd Apr 26

An interesting if annoying start for Pete Loud this morning, see below.

Much the same again today with lots of bird song from the carpark bushes with all the usual culprit's, Chiffs, Blackcaps, Common & Lesser Whitethroats, Cetti's Warbler, etc.

From the hide: 3+ Canada Geese, 9 Shelduck, 8 Mallard, 2 Teal, 12 Avocet, 8 Lapwing, 2 Oystercatcher, c40 Blk H Gulls, 2 Med Gulls, 2 Grey Heron, 2 Buzzard, 2 Kestrel. PL/MR

Reports from today

Pete Loud

13:04 9:30,this morning on the shallow pool over the road at the Haven was what i am almost certain was an American Lesser Golden Plover, with no scope with me and no other birders about I decided to walk back to the car and get my telescope, but unfortunately upon my return the bird had obviously flown off and couldn’t be relocated.

 

Tues 21st Apr 26

A short visit for me today, didn't like the chilly wind but nice in the sun. most of the early migrants seem to be settling in with Chiffs, Blackcaps, Whitethroat all over and a nice group of Greenfinch in the Dell.

From the hide: 2 Canada Geese, 14 Shelduck, 8+ Mallard, 14 Avocet, 10 Lapwing, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Bar T Godwit (earlier SC), c60 Blk H Gulls, 2 Med Gulls, 1 Common Gull, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Lt. Egret, 1 Cetti's Warbler. RJ/MO'H/MR.

Reports from today

Simon Cox

17:12 From the hide this morning: Lt Egret 1, Cormorant 1, Canada G 2, Shelduck 14, Mallard 10, Avocet 15, Lapwing 6, Bar-tail 1 (circled scrape but not seen to land), Oystercatcher pair mating, Med Gull 2, B-h Gull 80, LBBG 2, H Gull 12, Song Thrush 2 in dell, Y Wagtail 1, Linnet 8, Swallow 2, Reed Bunting 1 male, Buzzard 1, usual warblers.

 

Mon 20th Apr 26

Reports from today

Mike O'Hanlon

This morning at the farm - nothing of note other than a Red Kite over and a distant Cuckoo calling, west of the farm woods

From the hide (with RJ) - 8 Avocets, 1 Sedge warbler, 1 Little egret, 3 Black-tailed godwits, 4 Greylag, 2 Canada geese, 1 Yellow wagtail, 46 Black headed gulls, 2 Mediterranean gulls, 1 Grey heron, 10 Shelducks, 10 Lapwings, 1 Kestrel, 1 Snipe, 2 Oystercatchers

Walk across marsh up to Sandy Point and back (with RJ) 2 Corn buntings, numerous Sedge, Reed warblers and buntings, 2 Oystercatchers on the rocks (north of French Point), 2 Wheatears along sea wall.

Photo Mike O'Hanlon©

Photo Mike O'Hanlon©

 

Sun 19th Apr 26

Reports from today

Mike O'Hanlon

09:50 Lesser Whitethroat to the south of raised platform in brambles.

Richard Jeffree

11:07 Cuckoo seen well back of scrape along hedge.

11:26 Whinchat still present nr concrete bridge.

 

Sat 18th Apr 26

Bird of the day for me was a cracking male Whinchat seen on the brambles to the right of the hide, but it was only one of a number of good birds today, Cuckoo, House Martin and Whinchat were new for the year, plus a good number of Wheatear, Willow Warblers, Chiffs, Whitethroats and Blackcaps. Also 3 Purple Sands and 2 Turnstone on the sluice rocks.

Photo Richard Jeffree©

Photo Richard Jeffree©

From the hide: 1 Mute Swan, 24 Shelduck, 10 + Mallard (+lots of ducklings), 2 Gadwall, 2 Teal, 14 Avocet, 10+ Lapwing, 2 Oystercatcher, c100 Blk H Gulls, 4 Med Gulls (over), 1 Lt. Egret, 2 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 1 Wheatear, 1 Whinchat, Cetti's Warbler, Willow Warbler, Linnet, Corn Bunting, Swallow. PL/RJ/MO'H/TR/J&EF/MR

Reports from today

Brian Combes

06:22 Haven: Cuckoo calling from back of golf course.

09:46 Haven: Red Kite over farm drifting north.

10:29 Haven : Whinchat, at farm in eastern most paddock in hedge bordering ploughed field.

Photo Brian Combes©

10:44 And 11+ wheatear.

16:26 Walk from Frinton to Haven and back via farm this morning included: 1 whinchat (first of the spring, lovely), 1 cuckoo  (singing, first of the spring), 6 whimbrel (golf course first thing), 1 red kite, 16 wheatear (1 seawall, at least 15 on farm arable east and south of eastern paddock), 3 willow warbler (singing), 34 swallow (including 19 south, 5 north), 3 sand martin (south), 1 siskin (over), 10 med gull (6 golf course, 2 scrape, 2 over), 2 lesser whitethroat  (singing), 16 whitethroat (singing), 6 chiff  (singing), 3 corn bunting (2 just north of hide, one of them singing and 1 south over golf course), 8 blackcap  (singing), 13 Cetti’s  (singing), 7 sedge warbler  (singing), 4 reed warbler  (singing), 15 linnet, 2 reed bunting  (singing), 2 turnstone, 2 purple sand, 6 avocet, 1 snipe, 2 greenfinch, 1 green woodpecker, 2 song thrush  (singing), 1 Chinese muntjac, 2 gadwall, 1 mute swan, 2 buzzard, 1 sparrowhawk, 1 great spotted woodpecker (drumming from wood by farm), 1 red-legged partridge, 6 hare. (26 species in song.)

Richard Jeffree

09:52 2 House Martin over

Mike O'Hanlon

10:37 Whinchat to right of hide on the brambles.

12:39 Whinchat and single Wheatear still in the easternmost paddock at the farm.

Photo Mike O'Hanlon©

13:36 Total of 6 Wheatears seen on walk across marshes and to farm and back.

15:02 2 more Wheatears in the Dell.

 

Fri 17th Apr 26

Dave, Richard & Mike had a Lesser Whitethroat (NFY) in the Dell this morning, otherwise much the same as of late with Chiffchaffs, Whitethroat, Blackcap, Song Thrush, Sedge & Reed Warblers all in song. Hobby was a nice if distant surprise and Whimbrel was a year tick for all of us in the hide.

From the hide: 3 Canada Geese, 10 Mallard, 9 Shelduck, 2 Teal, 2 Gadwall, 12 Avocet, 10 Lapwing, 3 Whimbrel, 2 Oystercatcher, 2 Snipe, 1 Curlew, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Lt. Egret, c50 Blk H Gulls, 2 Med Gulls (over), 2+ Wheatear, 2 Swallows, 2 Corn Buntings, Cetti's Warbler, Reed Warbler, Linnets, Pied Wag, Buzzard, Red Kite, Kestrel, Hobby. PL/RJ/ /MO'H/DC/MR

Reports from today

Mike O'Hanlon

11:05 2 Whimbrel on field to the right of hide.

Pete Loud

13:16 From the hide this morning, 1 Hobby distant in flight heading north east, 2 Wheatear, 1 Curlew, 2 Whimbrel, 11 Avocet. Walk to Sandy Point and back along seawall, 1 Yellow Wagtail flying over south, 3 Whimbrel flying north just offshore, 3 Purple Sand & 2 Turnstone together on  seawall. Lots of Sedge and Reed Warblers in now.(MR,RJ,DC,MO’H,PL).

 

Thurs 16th Apr 26

Quiet around the bushes again this morning, Richard had a nice Wheatear on the greensward fist thing plus a couple more late morning and a "new for year" Common Tern was on the scrape.

From the hide: 4 Canada Geese, 2 Greylag, 1 Egyptian Goose, 22 Shelduck, 8 Mallard, 5 Teal, 18 Avocet, 10+ Lapwing, 3 Curlew, 2 Oystercatcher, 62 Blk H Gulls, 2 Med Gulls, 1 Common Gull, 1 Common Tern, 1 Lt. Egret, 2 Pied Wags, Sedge Warbler, Linnets, Meadow Pipit, Cetti's Warbler. RJ/MR

Reports from today

Richard Jeffree

10:45 Common Tern on island on scrape.

14:15 Wheatear on greensward one of 3 seen today and Whitethroat holding territory by the dell.

Photo Richard Jeffree©

Photo Richard Jeffree©

Paul Gildersleve

16:38 Yellow Wag on flood.

 

Wed 15th Apr 26

Very quiet around the site this morning and on the scrape where the Med Gulls seem to have moved out as have the bulk of the Blk Headed Gulls, see what tomorrow brings.

From the hide: 2 Canada Geese, 14 Shelduck, 10+ Mallard, 10+ Lapwing, 3 Avocet, 2+ Curlew, 2 Oystercatcher, 24 Blk H Gulls, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Lt. Egret, 1 Buzzard, 2 Kestrel, 3+ Swallows, 4 Corn Bunting, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Grey Wag. RJ/MO'H/MR

Reports from today

Mike O'Hanlon

13:05 Wheatear on marsh between sluice and French Point.

13:12 Make that 2.

13:17 Both males, now fighting by the seaward log pile behind the hide.

 

Tues 14th Apr 26

A late start for me again today but it was a lovely morning for a walk around the bushes, a lot of the migrants are now back with Chiffs, Blackcaps and Whitethroats all over and the first Lesser Whitethroat heard but not seen, plus several Swallows, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Song Thrush Tits, and a Green Woodpecker around the site.

From the hide: 2 Mute Swans, 18 Shelduck, 12 Mallard, 2 Shoveler, 14 Avocet, 12 Lapwing, 6+ Curlew, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Lt. Egret, 20+ Blk H Gulls, 2 Med Gulls, Cetti's Warbler, Reed Bunting, Pied Wags. TR/MR et.al.

 

Mon 13th Apr 26

From the hide: 2 Mute Swans, 4 Canada Geese, 12 Shelduck, 12 Mallard, 4 Teal, 2 Shoveler, 2 Gadwall, 15 Avocet, 10+ Lapwing, 6+ Curlew, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Snipe, c30 Blk H Gulls, c12 Med Gulls, 1 Common Gull, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Lt. Egret, 1 Buzzard, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Kestrel, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Sedge Warbler, 2 Pied Wags, 1 Grey Wag.  RJ/MO'H/MR et.al. 

Reports from today

Dennis Pryor

10:08 10 Med Gulls to the right of hide.

Maureen

11:52 Wheatear just landed on sea wall Holland Haven after coming in from high up.

 

Sun 12th Apr 26

Reports from today

Richard Jeffree

10:28 LRP still on flood.

Brian Combes

17:15 Walk from Frinton to Haven and back via farm this morning included: 1 Brambling (north), 1 Whimbrel (on golf course first thing then north, first of the year), 2 wheatear (1 on seawall, one by muck heap on bridleway - both stunning males and with leucorhoa type plumage), 2 siskin (over), 9 whitethroat (singing), 4 sedge warbler (singing), 7 chiff (singing), 5 blackcap (singing), 18 swallow (12 south, 4 paddocks, 2 muck heap), 57 med gull (12 on Frinton greensward and 41 on golf course, first thing; 4 on scrape),  1 goldcrest (singing), 1 purple sandpiper, 3 turnstone, 9 linnet, 6 Cetti’s (singing), 15 curlew, 4 oystercatcher, 5 greenfinch, 2 song thrush (singing), 3 goldfinch (north),  1 Chinese muntjac, 2 sparrowhawk, 8 avocet, 1 little egret, 2 shoveler, 1 corn bunting (none singing), 1 green woodpecker, 1 buzzard, 2 red-legged partridge, 2 hare. (21 species in song.)

 

Sat 11th Apr 26

Reports from today

Matt Lonsdale

07:25 Unsurprisingly fairly quiet early morning visit - LRP and Little Egret on scrape. 2 Whitethroat by raised platform, plenty of Blackcaps and Chiffs. 3 Swallow around sewage works and 4 Com Scoter N the highlights.

Richard Jeffree

13:00 Additions to Matt's sightings 1st summer male Wheatear on the log pile Sedge and Reed Warbler singing on marsh and 5 Turnstone French Pt otherwise very quiet.

This morning's Wheatear
Photo Richard Jeffree©

 

Fri 10th Apr 26

A quick visit for me today late morning, I managed to pick up the Yellow Wagtail and the Bar T Godwit and both LRP's were still on the flood otherwise all was much the same.

Reports from today

Richard Jeffree

09:04 Barwit still with Curlew on marsh behind carpark/dipping pond.

09:13. Flew towards hide.

09:47 Yellow Wag still on flood. 

 

Thurs 9th Apr 26

The Reed Warbler and the Willow Warbler were still over the road this morning along with 2 Cetti's Warblers, a Swallow, Linnets and a Whitethroat, several other Whitethroats, Chiffs and Blackcaps were around the bushes on the main site.

From the Hide: 2 Canada Geese, 16 Shelduck, 12 Mallard (+at least 2 families of ducklings), 5 Shoveler, 37+ Curlew, 13 Avocet, 10+ Lapwing, 2 Oystercatcher, 2 LRP's, 1 Blk T Godwit, 60+ Blk H Gulls, 20+ Med Gulls, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Lt. Egret, 1 Wheatear, 1 Yellow Wag (late afternoon).

Another Swallow was on the wires at the sluice on the way back

Reports from today

Paul Gildersleve

16:05 Yellow Wagtail, Holland haven, back of right hand scrape?

Pete Loud

17:38 From the hide this evening, 2 LRP, 1 Barwit in with 20 Curlew feeding on the marsh to right of scrape. Several Swallow this afternoon, Whitethroat & Reed Warbler.

 

Wed 8th Apr 26

With another lovely day came a few new birds with Reed Warbler, Lt. Ringed Plover & Whitethroat added to the year list, along with several Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs and a Willow Warbler.

From the hide: 2 Mute Swans, 2 Canada Geese, 22 Shelduck,10 Mallard, 7 Shoveler, 3 Teal, 2 Wigeon, 20+ Curlew, 16 Avocet, 10 Lapwing, 2 Oystercatcher, 2 Snipe, 1 Blk T Godwit, 1 Lt. R Plover, 60+ Blk H Gulls, 10 Med Gulls, 1 Common Gull, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel. RJ/MO'H/MR

Reports from today

Richard Jeffree

08:49 Several Reed Warblers over road on brook usual first spot.

10:39 LRP on flood.

13:45 Whitethroat over road

 

Tues 7th Apr 26

A late start for me today, on the walk to the hide a Chiffchaff and a Blackcap were singing along the sewage works hedge and a Wheatear was on the Boating Club rocks, another Chiffchaff was seen near the windpump.

From the hide: Much the same, 4 Canada Geese, 8 Shelduck, 8 Mallard, 5 Teal, 5 Shoveler, 2 Wigeon, 20+ Curlew, 12 Lapwing, 2 Oystercatcher, c70 Blk H Gulls, 10 Med Gulls, 1 Common Gull, 1 Lt. Grebe, Cetti's Warbler, Reed Bunting, 2 Pied Wags, 1 White Wag.

A walk the French Pt. added, 1 Marsh Harrier, 12 Corn Buntings, Reed Bunting, Skylark, Meadow Pipit PL/RJ/MR.

 

Mon 6th Apr 26

By the time I managed to get out this morning a lot of the Wheatears had moved on, Richard and I had 2 on the Boating Club rocks and another half a dozen were on the marsh to the right of the hide.

From the hide: 2 Mute Swans, 4 Canada Geese, 10 Shelduck, 8 Teal, 6 Mallard (incl. 10 ducklings), 5 Shoveler, 2 Wigeon, c20 Curlew, 12 Lapwing, 5 Avocet, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Snipe, c80 Blk H Gulls, 30+ Med Gulls, 1 Common Gull, c6 Wheatear, Cetti's Warbler, Reed Bunting, Linnet, Skylark, 2 Swallows. RJ/DC/MR et.al. 

Reports from today

Matt Lonsdale

07:56 Willow Warbler and couple of Blackcap singing wood @ end of car park.

08:01 2 Wheatear greensward

08:30 11 Wheatear up to wooden hide. 2 moth sanctuary, 2 on marsh right of hide and 5 around pill box and woodpiles. 2 Sedge Warbler singing, Little Grebe on pond. Corn Bunting on brambles on marsh. 15+ Chiffchaff and 4 Blackcap across site also.

08:36 Wheatear everywhere. additional 5 (4 boating club rocks and one at sluice) + Swallow.

09:02 G S Woodpecker in car park, and that was the lot.

 

Sun 5th Apr 26

From the hide: 2 Mute Swans, 4 Canada Geese, 11 Shelduck, 10 Mallard (+ a female with 11 ducklings), 5 Shoveler, 4 Teal, 2 Wigeon, 30+ Curlew, 20 Avocet, 10 Lapwing, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Snipe, 170+ Blk H Gulls, 15 Med Gulls, 3 Common Gulls, 1 Lt. Egret, 1 Lt. Grebe, 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 1 Swallow, 1 Wheatear, 1 Cetti's Warbler. RJ/MO'H/MR.

 

Sat 4th Apr 26

From the hide: 2 Mute Swans 4 Canada Geese (2 pairs),  10 Shelduck, 8 Mallard, 5 Teal, 3 Shoveler, 2 Gadwall, 2 Wigeon, 20+ Curlew, 16 Avocet, 11 Lapwing, 128 Bk H Gulls, 20+ Med Gulls, 2 Common Gulls, 1 Swallow, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Reed Bunting, 2 Pied Wags, 1 Buzzard, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel.

Reports from today

Matt Lonsdale

09:05 Still quiet over haven this morning - Egyptian goose came from south and landed on pools behind raised platform. 2 blackcap singing (memorials, ringing compound), 6+ chiffchaff, 2 goldcrest. Search of ditches for sedgies proved unsuccessful. 14 med gull, 14 avocet and grey heron on scrape. Single Siskin, linnets and several small groups of woodpigeon over + Rt diver offshore.

Steve Entwistle

09:41 1 Red-throated Diver on sea from shelter  close.

12:44 4 Purple Sand  75yds south French point.

12:46 9 Flying towards sunny point direction.

Mike O'Hanlon

10:52 Blackcap along the sewer works road.

Photo Mike O'Hanlon©

Richard Jeffree

12:16 Sedge Warbler, Marsh behind French Pt.

Photo Mike O'Hanlon©

 

Fri 3rd Apr 26

Another day of strong and chilly winds, doesn't feel much like an Easter weekend to me.

3 Chiffchaffs were singing and 5 Purple Sands were on the sluice rocks on the way to the hide.

From the hide:  2 Mute Swans, 4 Canada Geese, 9 Shelduck, 8 Mallard, 4 Teal, 2 Wigeon, 2 Shoveler, 20+ Curlew, 11 Lapwing, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Avocet, 128 Blk H Gulls, 11 Med Gulls, 2 Pied Wags, 2 Cetti's Warblers 

Reports from today

Brian Combes

16:56 Walk from Frinton to Haven and back via farm this morning included: 1 yellowhammer (west over farm), 2 goldcrest, 1 blackcap (singing), 45 med gull (39 on Greensward/golf course first thing; 6 on scrape), 4 chiff (singing), 6 Cetti’s (singing), 3 reed bunting, 2 Canada goose (south), 39+ linnet (30+ still on arable), 33 curlew, 4 oystercatcher, 2 mute swan, 2 shelduck (south), 3 avocet, 1 hare, 1 greenfinch, 1 Chinese muntjac, 3 song thrush (singing), 4 shoveler, 1 buzzard.

 

Thurs 2nd Apr 26

A very chilly wind today and much quieter around the site, a few Chiffchaffs singing along with Cetti's Warblers plus the usual tits and finches

From the hide: 2 Mute Swans, 3+ Canada Geese, 10 Shoveler, 10 Mallard, 8 Shelduck, 8 Teal, 2 Wigeon, c30 Curlew, 11 Lapwing, 3 Snipe, 2 Oystercatcher, 2 Avocet, 3 Grey Heron, 1 Lt. Egret, 119 B H Gulls, 7 Med Gulls, 2 Grey Wags, 2 Pied Wags, 1 Kestrel. RJ/MO'H/MR 

 

Wed 1st Apr 26

Some very sad news this morning of the passing of Pam Roker, who with her late husband Les was a stalwart of the local birding community for many years and a main part of Holland Haven birding.  RIP Pam.

5+ Chiffchaffs and several Cetti's Warblers were seen around the site today plus a Marsh Harrier over the road first thing and a new for year Kingfisher late morning for PL thankfully the Kingfisher put in an appearance at the hide a few minutes later.

8 Red-throated Divers were sitting on the sea off the sluice.

From the hide: 2 Mute Swans, 10 Shelduck, 10 Mallard, 6 Teal, 4 Shoveler, 2 Wigeon, 2 Gadwall, 20+ Curlew, 15 Avocet, 14 Lapwing, 4 Snipe, 2 Oystercatcher, c60 Blk H Gulls, 15 Med Gulls, 1 Kingfisher, 4 Grey Heron, 1 Lt. Egret. PL/RJ/MO'H/BH/MR

Reports from today

Pete Loud

10:36 Kingfisher along the brook over the road.

Mike O'Hanlon

11:07 Kingfisher from the hide.

Photo Mike O'Hanlon©