Sun 7th May 23

From the hide: 1 Mute Swan, still two pairs of Canada Geese (one pair with 8 goslings-one pair still sitting), 1 mixed pair Greylag/Canada with 5 goslings, 36 Shelduck, 10 Mallard, 9 Gadwall, 4 Shoveler, 1 Teal, 1 Wigeon, 26 Avocet, 4 Lapwing, 3 Redshank, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Coot, 1 Lt. Grebe, 5 Cormorant, 8 LBB Gulls, 15+ Swallows, reed Bunting, Reed, Sedge & Cetti's Warbler, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Kestrel. RJ/MR   

Reports from today:

Paul Brayshaw

09:43 Hobby high over gc from raised tee. 20+ Whimbrel on gc but getting moved around a lot.  Light southbound Swallow passage but a few House Martin and Swift

Pete Loud

Farm paddocks early morning, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Corn Bunting, 2 Blackcap and lots of Whitethroats. Cuckoo over the road was calling and very mobile. Scrape,1 Wigeon, 3 Shoveler, 1 Teal, 6Gadwall (all drakes), 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Sand Martin, 25 Avocet.

 

Sat 6th May 23

Still plenty of song around the site today, mostly Whitethroat and Blackcaps with a few Chiffchaff and Cetti's Warblers. A single Purple Sand was on the sluice rocks.

On the scrape things were much the same, the Canada Goose family still comprises 8 goslings but a new pair of 1 Greylag/1 Canada Goose have appeared with  five goslings, the second pair of Canada's are still sitting. No sign of the Garganey.

From the hide: 4 Canada Geese (+8 Goslings), 2 Canada/Greylag (+5 goslings), 20+ Shelduck, 10 Mallard, 9 Gadwall, 5 Teal, 3 Shoveler, 1 Wigeon, 24 Avocet, 4 Lapwing, 3 Ruff, 2 Redshank, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Dunlin, 1 Coot, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Lt Grebe 1 Yellow Wagtail. PRD/PNt/RJ/MR.

Reports from today:

Laurence Drumond

11:19 Really poor from the shelter this morning 2hrs, 1 adult Gannet, a 2nd summer Med Gull and a probable Common Scoter (RJ).

 

Fri 5th May 23

From the hide this morning: 1 Mute Swan, 4 Canada Geese +8 Goslings, 44 Shelduck, 14 Mallard, 9 Gadwall, 5 Teal, 3 Shoveler, 1 Garganey, 1 Wigeon, 27 Avocet, 4 Lapwing, 4 Oystercatcher, 2 Redshank, 1 Dunlin, 2 Coot, 1 Lt Grebe, 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, Reed, Sedge & Cetti's warbler, Reed Bunting, Whitethroat, Linnets RJ/DW/MR.

A Whinchat was seen along the front by JonW during the EBWS Big County Birdwatch this afternoon.

Reports from today:

Paul Brayshaw

07:19 Stonking male Greenland type Wheatear on bar field to north of footpath from Frinton first ave. to farm. Not quite sure if in the haven boundary or not..!

07:48 Nightingale singing distantly from back of Great Holland church. Target species Coal Tit showing well.

08:34 Pale phase Arctic Skua close north gc/haven seawall.

09:03 Gc extras - female Wheatear, 16 Whimbrel. 2 Purple Sands on rock opposite wooden hide. Scrape - usual's including single Mute Swan, Coot and Wigeon. 7 Ruff and 2 Dunlin flew to pools behind raised platform.

09:05 Male Garganey back of scrape.

09:38 Garganey now tucked in under the near bank just to the left of sluice to Leon’s marsh. Greenshank on flashes to right of scrape, 2 Cuckoo, Bearded Tit (female - could tell if ringed) and a Willow Warbler in scrub outside hide.

10:05 At least 9 Ruff and a Common Sand on furthest pool behind raised platform.

12:01 Red kite over Great Holland drifting towards haven (down the valley).

Matt Lonsdale

22:03 Cuckoo and Corn Bunting @ farm this evening. 17 Ruff on pools behind raised platform from lay-by.

 

Thurs 4th May 23

This Kestrel was making the most of the strong onshore wind hunting over the grassy cliff just north of the sluice otherwise it was mainly Whitethroats singing everywhere plus Cetti's Warblers and a single Lesser Whitethroat this morning.

Photo Richard Jeffree©

From the hide: 4 Canada Geese (+ 8 goslings), 30 Shelduck, 9 Gadwall, 8 Mallard, 4 Teal, 3 Shoveler, 1 Wigeon, 24 Avocet, 4 Lapwing, 3 Redshank, 2 Oystercatcher, 2 Coot, 4 Cormorant, 1 Lt. Egret, Blk H Gull, Herring Gull and 2 LBB's. RJ/MR

 

Wed 3rd May 23

From the hide: 12 Canada Geese (4+8), 2 Greylag, 1 Egyptian Goose, 34 Shelduck, 10 Mallard, 7 Gadwall, 6 Teal, 3 Shoveler, 4 Cormorant, 25 Avocet, 2 Redshank, 2 Oystercatcher, 2 Dunlin, 2 Coot, Reed, Sedge & Cetti's Warblers, Reed Bunting, Cuckoo (heard only), 3 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel. RJ/DW/MR et.al.

Photo Richard Jeffree©

Reports from today:

Richard Jeffree

12:05 1 Purple Sandpiper on rocks 3rd pillbox Whimbrel GC.

12:22 Stunning male Wheatear nr old wooden hide.

Photo Richard Jeffree©

Paul Brayshaw

18:51 A breezy walk Frinton to French point and back along seawall.  2 Purples on French point, SEO on the deck at the southern end of gc, 30 Whimbrel on gc, Turnstone north offshores.

 

Tues 2nd May 23

A very nice morning but still that slight chill in the onshore breeze, I had a wander to the hide this morning where it is definitely spring with the first brood of Canada Geese goslings on the scrape (8 little yellow balls of fluff) joining the Mallard family that have been around for a couple of days now, the Avocet are also looking very broody so hopefully they will get underway soon.

Liz Huxley had a Bearded Tit call as she arrived at the hide and then fly right along the reedbed.

From the hide: 4 Canada Geese (plus 8 goslings), 2 Greylag, 35 Shelduck, 8 Mallard, 7 Gadwall, 4 Shoveler, 4 Teal, 1 Wigeon, 27 Avocet, 4 Redshank, 4 Lapwing, 2 Oystercatcher, 2 Coot, 5 Cormorant, Cetti's, Sedge & Reed Warblers, Reed Bunting, Whitethroat, Linnet, 20+ Swallows, Sand Martin, 1 Cuckoo. PNt/LH/MR et.al.

 

Mon 1st May 23

Reports from today:

Matthew Gough

08:59 Cracking 5.30am walk from Gt.Holland to scrape and back. Highlights for me: Swallow, Blackcaps on trees at farm pond, Whitethroats, Meadow Pipits, Skylarks, around 10 Whimbrel (golf course), Reed Buntings (loads), Reed Warblers, Sedge Warblers on scrape: Water Rail (quite brown-juvenile I think- anyone else seen it?), Lapwing, Avocets (around 15), Shoveler, Shelducks, Wigeons, Gadwall, Lesser-black backed, Teal, Cettis (popped up right in front of me!), on way back Cuckoo (heard), Pied Wagtail and Corn Bunting. Sky filled with song. All glorious with the world. Note to self: Don't sleep more often.

Paul Brayshaw

09:19 Echo all of that although it’s a bit cooler now! Frinton to sluice and back additions - 25 (briefly 32) Whimbrel on gc, steady Swallow arrivals, small numbers of Linnet and Goldfinch south plus 3 Yellow Wag and a Siskin.  2 Purples on French point and two Med south. Greenshank flew over scrape and Red Kite currently in distance up the valley. Forgot to say two Coot still on scrape.

Matt Lonsdale

19:03 Drake Pochard flown around scrape calling, now gone south.