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.

 

Mon 27th July 26

Reports from today

Pete Loud

12:40 Scrape hide this morning, 3 juvenile LRP still with us, 2 Green Sandpiper, 3 Common Sandpiper, 2 Dunlin, 2 Black-wit, 5 Snipe, 6+Yellow Wagtail, 2 Med Gull, ad + juv,1 juv Yellow-legged Gull.

 

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

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

 

Thurs 16th July 26

From the hide: 10+ Canada Geese, 2 Greylags, 7 Mallard (plus 18 ducklings), 26 Curlew, c20 Lapwing, 2 Avocet, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 87 Blk H Gulls, 3 Herring Gulls, 1 Common Gull, plus a few Sand Martins & Swifts. PL/MO'H/MR

 

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

Photo Richard Jeffree©

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).

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.

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. 

Photo Peter Newton©

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.

 

Sat 4th July 26

Reports from today

Richard Jeffree

11:37 SP Cattle Egret with cows right of hide.

11:44 Flew north towards Frinton.

Photo Mike O'Hanlon©

Photo Richard Jeffree©

Photo Richard Jeffree©

 

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.

 

Thurs 2nd July 26

No reports received so far.

 

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