All Time Species List

All time Species List for Holland Haven. (Total 276)


As of 1st January 2020  we recognise a total of 276 full species to have been recorded within the Haven boundary. That is to say observed from within the area generally enclosed as follows. From south west to north east from the mini roundabout along the sea wall to the beginning of the Frinton beach huts, then roughly north west along the edge of the golf course to the bridle path up to Great Holland Hall horse paddocks, then roughly west/south west along Church Lane and Manor Road to the B1032, then roughly south down the B1032 to the mini roundabout. In addition the area of rough ground directly opposite the entrance road and the short track north west along the north bank of Holland Brook are also in scope as this allows views over an area of grazing marsh that although is not part of the 'Haven' proper is nonetheless contiguous in terms of habitat.

The 276 does not include any 'heard only' records (for example Golden Oriole and Quail) but does include a number of records which, for varying reasons were either never submitted to the British Birds Rarities Committee abbreviated 'BBRC' (for example Iberian Chiffchaff, Pacific Golden Plover) or in one case (Pallid Harrier) submitted but found 'not proven'. In all three examples (as with the majority of other records never submitted for BBRC scrutiny), identification was subject to concurrence by multiple experienced observers and as such meet our general criteria of 'beyond reasonable doubt'. As a principle we do not submit records for scrutiny at county level although this is of course a matter of individual choice. Where less than 5 known records have occurred we have shown the dates for each sighting where known.

1.      Mute Swan (semi resident with some local influxes. Breeds most years)

2.      Bewick’s Swan (less than annual winter visitor)

3.      Whooper Swan (less than annual winter visitor)

4.      Greater Canada Goose (regular throughout year, often breeds)

5.      Brent Goose (winter visitor. In recent years sub species Pale bellied and Black Brant annual)

6.      Red-breasted Goose (2 records, 21st February 1996 and 16th February 2012, both adults)

7.      Barnacle Goose (annual although provenance of most questionable)

8.      Greylag Goose (resident, breeds occasionally)

9.      Tundra Bean Goose (less than annual winter visitor)

10.   Taiga Bean Goose (probably less than 5 records, last confirmed 14th – 26th December 1996)

11.   Pink-footed Goose (virtually annual. Some particularly earlier records, are of semi feral birds)

12.   White-fronted Goose (annual, one record Greenland adult 25th September 2018 - 13 October 18)

13.   Shelduck (winter visitor with up to 5 plus pairs breeding most years)

14.   Egyptian Goose (virtually annual, recent increase in records)

15.   Mandarin Duck (virtually annual, recent increase in records particularly from the farm pond)

16.   Wigeon (winter visitor, odd bird occasionally over summers)

17.   Gadwall (regular throughout year, has bred)

18.   Teal (winter visitor, small number occasionally summer months)

19.   Mallard (resident with number of pairs breeding each year)

20.   Pintail (occasional each year mainly winter)

21.   Garganey (not quite annual spring and autumn visitor)

22.   Shoveler (regular throughout the year. Has bred at least once)

23.   Red-crested Pochard (5 records probably involving 2 individuals, 5th Aug 2000 and 22nd – 24th Aug 2006, 23rd Oct, 25th Nov and 9th Dec 2006)

24.   Pochard (annual in recent years. Formally less than annual)

25.   Tufted Duck (occasional throughout year, has bred)

26.   Scaup (less than annual, most records are of birds passing offshore late autumn/early winter)

27.   Eider (occasionally seen offshore throughout the year mainly late autumn/early winter)

28.   Long-tailed Duck (less than annual passing offshore)

29.   Common Scoter (seen offshore regularly throughout the year)

30.   Velvet Scoter (formally rare, recent years seen annually passing offshore)

31.   Goldeneye (annual passing offshore mainly in autumn/early winter)

32.   Smew (2 records, 20th Dec 1981 and 16th Jan 1985)

33.   Red-breasted Merganser (annual, passing offshore mainly late autumn/winter)

34.   Goosander (formally rare, in recent years virtually annual passing offshore mainly early winter)

35.   Ruddy Duck (2 records, 27th – 28th Sept 2004 and 28th – 29th Oct 2006)

36.   Red – legged Partridge (resident)

37.   Grey Partridge (much reduced, now barely annual)

38.   Pheasant (abundant resident)

39.   Red-throated Diver (present offshore other than summer)

40.   Black-throated Diver (formally rare, now virtually annual)

41.   Great Northern Diver (formally rare, now annual)

42.   Fulmar (annual in small numbers)

43.   Sooty Shearwater (less than annual, 10 plus records)

44.   Manx Shearwater (in recent years almost annual, probably due to increase sea watching)

45.   Balearic Shearwater (1 record, 1 possibly 2 passing offshore 16th Sept 2011)

46.   Storm Petrel (1 record, offshore 17th Aug 2008)

47.   Leach’s Petrel (around 5 records, all offshore late autumn)

48.   Gannet (regular offshore throughout the year especially autumn/early winter)

49.   Cormorant (present throughout the year)

50.   Shag (virtually annual in recent years, formally scarcer)

51.   Bittern (less than 5 records, all relatively recent, first record 28th Aug 2009)

52.   Night Heron (1 record, 7th May 1990)

53.   Cattle Egret (1 record, 2nd April 2007)

54.   Little Egret (1st record 14th May 2003 (2), now regular visitor throughout the year)

55.   Great White Egret (1st record 11th May 2002 (3), now occurs annually)

56.   Grey Heron (present throughout the year)

57.   Purple Heron (2 records involving 2/3 birds, 27th May 1981 and 1-2 6th Sept 2004 with 1 on 7th Sept 2004)

58.   Black Stork (1 record, 30th Sept 1991)

59.   White Stork (1 record, 18th May 2019)

60.   Glossy Ibis (3 records at least, 19th Sept 2009, 7th Oct 2009 and 30th Oct 2013.)

61.   Spoonbill (1st record 27th May 1996. Annual since 2005)

62.   Little Grebe (regularly seen throughout the year, has bred)

63.   Great Crested Grebe (occasionally seen offshore during year except in summer)

64.   Red-necked Grebe (at least 3 records, 11th Oct 1991, 8th Oct 2007 and 9th Oct 2017.)

65.   Slavonian Grebe (5 plus records, all late autumn or winter)

66.   Honey Buzzard (circa 10 records, all between May – end Sept)

67.   Black Kite (1 record, 20th May 2019)

68.   Red Kite (3 records prior to 2010, subsequently virtually annual)

69.   Marsh Harrier (regular visitor throughout the year)

70.   Hen Harrier (almost annual visitor mainly autumn/winter)

71.   Pallid Harrier (1 record, ringtail 26th-27th Apr 2014)

72.   Montague’s Harrier (11 plus records but none since 23rd Aug 2009)

73.   Goshawk (2 records 5th Apr 2014 and 17th Jan 2015)

74.   Sparrowhawk (breeding resident)

75.   Common Buzzard (first recorded 27th Sept 1986. Nowadays breeding resident and regular passage migrant)

76.   Rough-legged Buzzard (5 Records, over wintered 20th Oct 15 - 26th Apr 16)

77.   Osprey (approx 10 records, becoming more frequent over recent years)

78.   Water Rail (annual visitor)

79.   Spotted Crake (1 record, 24th Sept 1987)

80.   Corncrake (2 records 11 Sept 2013 & 22nd Sept 2013 thought to be the same bird)

81.   Moorhen (breeding resident)

82.   Coot (formally regular throughout the year but barely annual in recent years)

83.   Common Crane (4 records, 27th Feb 2002 (4), 4th Apr 2002 (2), 12th May 2011, 28th Nov 2014 (2))

84.   Stone Curlew (3 records, 9th May 1980, 17th Aug 2005 and 13th Jul 2006)

85.   Avocet (very rare prior to 2001. First bred 2008 and most years subsequently)

86.   Oystercatcher (predominately spring, summer and passage migrant. Regularly breeds)

87.   Pacific Golden Plover (1 record, moulting adult 1st October 2000)

88.   Golden Plover (regular winter visitor and passage migrant)

89.   Grey Plover (annual in small numbers)

90.   Lapwing (common winter and passage migrant. Few pairs breed)

91.   Little Ringed Plover (small numbers annually spring and autumn passage since 1996)

92.   Ringed Plover (formally bred, nowadays few on passage each year)

93.   Dotterel (2 records, 28th Sept  to 1st Oct 1989 and 9th Sept 2017)

94.   Whimbrel (regular spring and autumn passage migrant)

95.   Curlew (present in varying numbers throughout the year except late spring)

96.   Black-tailed Godwit (present in varying numbers throughout the year)

97.  Bar-tailed Godwit (regularly seen throughout the year predominantly spring and autumn)

98.   Turnstone (seen regularly throughout the year except summer)

99.   Knot (seen annually particularly passing offshore late autumn) 

100. Ruff (seen regularly in small numbers throughout the year)

101. Curlew Sandpiper (annual in small numbers)

102. Temminck’s Stint (12 plus records predominantly May. All since 2001 but none since 2014)

103. Sanderling (regular winter visitor/passage migrant, declining)

104. Dunlin (regularly seen throughout the year)

105. Purple Sandpiper (winter visitor and passage migrant in small numbers. Declining)

106. Baird’s Sandpiper (1 record, 7th to 20th October 2010)

107. Little Stint (annual in small numbers, predominantly autumn)

108. Pectoral Sandpiper (10 plus records, first 1st to 2nd May 2005. None since 2016)

109. Red-necked Phalarope (3 records, 2nd Sept 2003, 31st May 2015 and 10th-14th Oct 2017)

110. Grey Phalarope (5 plus records, first 30th Oct 2005)

111. Common Sandpiper (regular spring and autumn passage migrant)

112. Green Sandpiper (spring, late summer and early autumn passage migrant)

113. Spotted Redshank (annual passage migrant in small numbers)

114. Greenshank (annual spring and autumn passage migrant)

115. Lesser Yellowlegs (1 record, 11th – 13th October 2005)

116. Marsh Sandpiper (1 record, 28th July 2005)

117. Wood Sandpiper (annual spring and autumn passage migrant in small numbers)

118. Redshank (spring and autumn migrant. Breeds most years)

119. Jack Snipe (these days barely annual. Formally regular winter visitor)

120. Long – billed Dowitcher (1 record, 1st – 3rd Aug 1996)

121. Woodcock (barely annual in variable numbers. Predominantly late autumn and winter)

122. Snipe (present throughout the year in variable numbers other than mid summer)

123. Pomarine Skua (these days annual predominantly late autumn/early winter offshore)

124. Arctic Skua (annual offshore spring, more often autumn in varying numbers)

125. Long-tailed Skua (10 plus records, first 26th Sept 1988. Not quite annual)

126. Great Skua (annual in variable numbers. Can occur any time other than mid summer)

127. Puffin (2 records, 16th May 1997 and 30th Sept 2007)

128. Razorbill (odd individuals recorded annually predominantly late autumn/early winter)

129. Little Auk (less than annual. Sporadic, subject to periodical influxes)

130. Guillemot (seen occasionally throughout the year, predominantly late autumn)

131. Little Tern (annual in small numbers. Formally seen frequently through spring/summer)

132. Gull – billed Tern (2 records, 16th May 1997 and 2nd May 2007)

133. Caspian Tern (1 record, 1st Aug 2015)

134. Black Tern (less than annual passage migrant, predominantly autumn)

135. White – winged Black Tern (1 record, 10th Aug 2003)

136. Sandwich Tern (seen regularly throughout spring, summer and autumn)

137. Common Tern (seen frequently throughout spring, summer and autumn)

138. Roseate Tern (1 record, 16th July 2006)

139. Arctic Tern (recorded barely annually. Predominantly spring and autumn offshore passage)

140. Sabine’s Gull (3 plus records, 7th – 8th Aug 1996, 15th Oct 2005 and 5th Oct 2016)

141. Kittiwake (recorded occasionally throughout the year, predominantly late autumn)

142. Black – headed Gull (abundant, has bred)

143. Little Gull (recorded annually in small numbers)

144. Mediterranean Gull (present intermittently throughout the year. First 28th Jan 1983)

145. Common Gull (present intermittently throughout the year except mid summer)

146. Lesser Black – backed Gull (present throughout the year)

147. Herring Gull (abundant)

148. Yellow – legged Gull (occasional visitor throughout the year. First 1st Jan 1996)

149. Caspian Gull (annual visitor. First as recent as 9th Oct 2007)

150. Iceland Gull (5 records all Nov – Apr. Last 15th Nov 19)

151. Glaucous Gull (10 plus records, all between Oct – Mar. Last record 15th Jan 2008)

152. Great Black – backed Gull (seen throughout the year. Scarce mid summer)

153. Stock Dove (present throughout the year. Highest numbers autumn passage. Breeds)

154. Wood Pigeon (abundant)

155. Collared Dove (present throughout the year, breeds)

156. Turtle Dove (formally common passage migrant and breeding bird. Nowadays less than annual)

157. Cuckoo (present April to August, scarce from mid August, rare Sept/Oct)

158. Barn Owl (seen erratically throughout the year, regularly breeds on site or nearby)

159. Little Owl (until last 2 or 3 years seen regularly throughout the year. Now scarcer)

160. Tawny Owl (regular prior to 1980, subsequently very rare, 2 records, 13th May 2001 and 16 Sept 2019, has been heard calling from beyond site boundary)

161. Long – eared Owl (occasional visitor. Not annual)

162. Short – eared Owl (seen erratically throughout the year other than summer)

163. Swift (summer visitor. Scarce from mid Sept, rare Oct)

164. Alpine Swift (1 record, 7th April 2010)

165. Hoopoe (4 records, 3rd April 1966, from 23rd to 25th May 1967, 10th Jun 2013 and 18 April 2019)

166. Bee-eater (3 records, 15th May 1992, 6th Sept 1997 and 13th June 2015)

167. Roller (1 record, 30th Oct 1948)

168. Kingfisher (seen occasionally throughout the year, mainly autumn)

169. Wryneck (virtually annual since 2008, first 19th to 20th Sept 1989)

170. Green Woodpecker (breeding resident, only occasional prior to 1988)

171. Great Spotted Woodpecker (seen throughout the year, breeds nearby)

172. Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (last recorded 5th Oct 1986)

173. Kestrel (breeding resident and passage migrant)

174. Red – footed Falcon (2 records, 5th Sept 1987 and 30th July 2006)

175. Merlin (just about annual, mainly passage migrant late autumn)

176. Hobby (rare prior to 1988. These days seen erratically between mid April and mid Sept)

177. Peregrine (these days seen erratically throughout the year. Formally a real rarity)

178. Ring – necked Parakeet (5 plus records, first 1st Sept 1985)

179. Red – backed Shrike (10 plus records. First 23rd Aug 1986. Latest 8th Sept to 15thSept 2019)

180. Great Grey Shrike (5 plus records. First 17th Oct 1974. last 15th Oct 2013)

181. Woodchat Shrike (1 record, 11th – 13th June 1992)

182. Magpie (common breeding resident)

183. Jay (breeding resident and autumn passage migrant)

184. Jackdaw (common breeding resident and passage migrant)

185. Rook (seen throughout the year, occasionally breeds on site)

186. Carrion Crow (present throughout the year, breeds on site or nearby)

187. Hooded Crow (4 records, 6th Feb 1992, 1st April 1996, 22nd April 2006 and 21st Oct 2010)

188. Goldcrest (seen throughout the year predominantly late autumn. Odd pair breeds)

189. Firecrest (regular passage migrant in small numbers, predominantly early spring)

190. Blue Tit (common breeding resident)

191. Great Tit (common breeding resident)

192. Coal Tit (annual visitor. Pair bred Church last couple of years. Odd birds thought to be continental ‘atur’)

193. Bearded Tit (formally rare but annual last few years, predominantly autumn and bred 2019)

194. Woodlark (4 records, 29th Oct 1996, 4th Nov 2006, 26th Oct 2008 and 23rd Oct 2012)

195. Skylark (breeding resident and passage migrant)

196. Shorelark (7 records, First 14th Oct 1962. None since 4 on 2nd Nov 1996)

197. Sand Martin (common passage migrant and summer visitor. Formally bred)

198. Swallow (at times abundant passage migrant and summer visitor)

199. House Martin (common passage migrant and summer visitor)

200. Red – rumped Swallow (2 records, 30th April 2004 and 19th April 2015)

201. Cetti’s Warbler (breeding resident in small numbers. First recorded 3rd Nov 2005)

202. Long – tailed Tit (common breeding resident)203. Pallas’s Warbler (6 plus records, first 28th Oct 1987, last 25th Oct 2011)

204. Yellow – browed Warbler (first record max of 4 birds 27th – 30th Sept 1986. Handful of records up to 2010. Subsequently virtually annual. All mid/late autumn)

205. Wood Warbler (10 plus records. Last 7th Aug 2016. Never annual but these days a major rarity)

206. Chiffchaff (common passage migrant. Few pairs breed most years)

207. Iberian Chiffchaff (1 record, in song 5th May 2006)

208. Willow Warbler (passage migrant, has bred but not recently)

209. Blackcap (common passage migrant. Few pairs breed each summer)

210. Garden Warbler (irregular annual passage migrant)

211. Barred Warbler (10 plus records. First 20th – 21st Sept 1980. Last 3rd Sept 2016)

212. Lesser Whitethroat (passage migrant. Few pairs breed each summer)

213. Desert Warbler (1 record 20th – 21st November 1975)

214. Whitethroat (common passage migrant and breeding bird)

215. Dartford Warbler (4 records, 6th – 18th Mar 2005, 15th Nov 2007, 13th Oct 2009 and 10th Oct 2015)

216. Subalpine Warbler (1 record, 14th - 17th  Aug 2011. Thought to be Eastern)

217. Grasshopper Warbler (approx 10 records including successful breeding 2015, First 12th – 13th Sept 1990)

218. Icterine Warbler (4 records. 21st – 22nd Oct 1980, 31st Aug 1985, 22nd Sept 1986 and 10th Sept 2009)

219. Sedge Warbler (passage migrant with several pairs breeding)

220. Marsh Warbler (1, possibly 2 pairs or polygamous male, bred 2014 with birds present from 9th Jun to at least 3rd Aug when juv trapped. Singing bird on 12th Jun 2015)

221. Reed Warbler (common passage migrant and breeding bird)

222. Waxwing (erratic late autumn/winter visitor)

223. Treecreeper (occasional prior to 1988. Subsequently just 2 plus records. 24th – 30th Oct 2010 and presumed same 21st Nov 2010 and 2nd Aug 2018) 

224. Wren (common resident)

225. Starling (common resident and at times abundant passage migrant)

226. Ring Ouzel (virtually annual passage migrant in very small numbers)

227. Blackbird (common resident and passage migrant)

228. Fieldfare (regular passage migrant and winter visitor)

229. Song Thrush (one or two resident pairs augmented by passage migrants in varying numbers)

230. Redwing (regular, at times common, passage migrant and winter visitor)

231. Mistle Thrush (breeding resident in small numbers. Occasional on passage)

232. Spotted Flycatcher (regular spring and autumn passage migrant)

233. Robin (common breeding resident and at times abundant passage migrant)

234. Nightingale (less than 10 records. First 29th Aug 1990. Last 20th April 2018. Bred 2010)

235. Bluethroat (1 record, 27th April 2002 white spotted male)

236. Red – breasted Flycatcher (3 records, 19th Oct 1986, 2nd Oct 1989 and 30th Sept – 2nd Oct 2017)

237. Pied Flycatcher (almost annual in small numbers predominantly autumn)

238. Black Redstart (virtually annual in varying numbers with recent bias towards spring)

239. Redstart (annual passage migrant in small numbers predominantly in autumn)

240. Whinchat (passage migrant, vast majority in early/mid-autumn)

241. Stonechat (passage migrant, predominantly autumn with some overwintering)

242. Siberian Stonechat (1 record, female/imm male presumed ‘maura’ 14th Oct 1984)

243. Wheatear (regular, at times common, passage migrant)

244. Dunnock (common breeding resident)

245. House Sparrow (common breeding resident)

246. Tree Sparrow (recorded barely annually, predominantly autumn passage)

247. Yellow Wagtail (much reduced passage migrant, occasionally breeds. Channel/Blue Headed types virtually annual until recently, several Grey Headed recorded with last 19th May 2019 and one claimed Ashy Headed 29th and (possibly) 30th April 2001 now thought to have been a first summer male Grey Headed)

248. Citrine Wagtail (2 records. 7th – 8th May 2006 and 8th Oct 2018)

249. Grey Wagtail (passage migrant, predominantly autumn. Occasionally over winters. May have bred nearby)

250. Pied Wagtail (resident breeding bird in small numbers and passage migrant. Continental form ‘alba’ annual in spring)

251. Richard’s Pipit (4 records. 25th Sept – 1st Oct 1988, 1st – 2nd Oct 1992, 15th April 2001 and 17th Sept 2008)

252. Olive – backed Pipit ( 1 record, 12th Oct 2013)

253. Tree Pipit (rare passage migrant. Not recorded annually. Formally more frequent)

254. Meadow Pipit (common breeding resident and at times abundant autumn passage migrant)

255. Rock Pipit (winter visitor in small numbers with some modest passage most years)

256. Water Pipit (not quite annual spring passage migrant in small numbers)

257. Brambling (predominantly autumn passage in small numbers)

258. Chaffinch (resident breeding bird and passage migrant with sizeable movements/influxes in autumn)

259. Hawfinch (3 or 4 records. 14th April 1989, 5th Nov 2017, 9th Nov 2017 and one reported ‘passing over high’ on 8th Nov 1993)

260. Rosefinch (2 records. 26th May 1996 and 2nd Nov 2008. Both fem/imm male)

261. Bullfinch (formally bred. These days less than annual passage migrant)

262. Greenfinch (common resident breeding bird and passage migrant)

263. Linnet (common breeding bird and passage migrant. Few overwinter)

264. Twite (formally regular winter visitor. These days very rare with only a handful of records, virtually all of which have been late autumn)

265. Lesser Redpoll (annual in varying numbers with vast majority as autumn passage migrants)

266. Common Redpoll (3 records involving 4 birds. 30th Oct 2013, 26th Oct 2017 (2 Ad fem trapped) and 12th – 13th April 2018)

267. Crossbill (rare passage migrant. Not recorded annually)

268. Goldfinch (resident breeding bird in small numbers, common on passage, predominantly in autumn)

269. Serin (1 record. 1st Sept 1987 imm/fem)

270. Siskin (regular passage migrant predominantly in autumn. Rare in winter)

271. Snow Bunting (virtual annual late autumn/early winter passage migrant in small numbers)

272. Lapland Bunting (these days rare passage migrant. Less than annual. Formally over wintered in significant numbers)

273. Yellowhammer (formally bred and one time regular if not common passage migrant. These days barely annual passage migrant/winter visitor)

274. Little Bunting (1 record. 12th Oct 1989 trapped)

275. Reed Bunting (common breeding bird and autumn passage migrant. Few overwinter)

276. Corn Bunting (few pairs breed. Odd passage migrant. Occasional in winter)          

The sharp eyed amongst you will note that certain species, recorded more than a few times elsewhere in coastal Essex and nearby Suffolk and Kent do not appear in the '276'. This includes Black Necked Grebe which has almost certainly been recorded but the date and circumstances have been lost. Accordingly we feel it is only right that without specific details, we exclude this species until the full details become available, or, one is found diving away in the pond to the right of the hide! Other likely 'firsts' include Ortolan, Kentish Plover and Nuthatch, all of which have occurred either side of us at Colne Point and The Naze. A list of 'predicted firsts' chosen by a number of Haven regulars exists and once updated may be included elsewhere in Mick's blog.

Of the various exotic wildfowl and other cage jumpers that have occurred on site over the years there is perhaps only one or two that could in time move to the list proper. Ruddy Shelduck has occurred a couple of times at least and possibly more compelling was the Marbled Teal! As such we hold these species 'in reserve' should BOU ever promote them to an acceptable category. Of the others, the Baikal Teal might these days engender more interest but it's mid summer roamings back in the day did it no favours!

It is planned to update the list yearly so in addition to any new records in 2020 we would also be pleased to receive details of any records which have been omitted or, where errors have been made, confirmation of correct details etc which can also be included in the next version.