Tues 30th April 19


Max Martin visited the hide first thing and noted that the Spotted Redshank was still present. A  few minutes later on the walk back to Frinton  he had a Whimbrel In/off, a Yellow Wagtail south over the golf course, a further 3 Whimbrel flew from the rocks below the seawall and 2 Tern sp. flew north.

Pete Loud had a walk down from the farm this morning, at the church a Coal Tit was carrying food. On route were a brood of 4 Mistle Thrush,1 Marsh Harrier, 4 House Martin, 6+Corn Bunting and a flock of 34 Whimbrel in field behind Golf Course. These birds relocated to the golf course and were most likely joined by Max's birds as they now totaled 40 birds.
On his way to the hide along the seawall Pete added 6 Sandwich Tern, 1 Eider (fem), 7 Com. Scoter heading north and 12 Com. Scoter south, most of these birds were also picked up by Max at the Frinton end of the site.

From the hide :- 4 Canada Geese, 25 Shelduck, 9 Teal, 7 BlkWit's, 6 Lapwing, 6 Redshank, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Spotted Redshank, 1 Avocet, Blk-headed, Herring Gulls, 3 LBB, 2 GBB, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Cetti's, 2+ Sedge, 1+ Reed Warblers, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Peregrine. PL/CB/MR

A quick seawatch from the sluice added 26 Com. Scoter (south).

Lots of Whitethroat,Blackcaps between the sluice and the raised platform along with Chiffchaff, Less. Whitethroat, Stonechat (male).


At the end of April the total number of species recorded on the site so far this year stands at 150.

Mon 29th April 19

Pete Loud

08:50  Over the road this morning pair of Tufted Duck still,several of Lesser & Common Whitethroat, 3 Reed Warbler, Cetti's Warbler, Blackcaps & Sand Martin.

09:30  Behind raised platform, 1 Barwit, 1 Curlew & 1 Redwing.
10:00  Spotted Redshank on Scrape.
10:20  Yellow Wagtail flying over heading south.
10:43  1 Bearded Tit at the boardwalk.
11:11   Peregrine in off & over Scrape, Whimbrel close Offshore.


From the hide mid morning :- 2 Canada Geese, 24 Greylag, 14 Shelduck, 7 Redshank, 3 BlkWit's, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Spotted Redshank, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Buzzard. PRD/BW/TS/MR.


Max Martin

12:21 13 Whimbrel flying around the golf course.

Sun 28th April 19

Still windy and quite chilly on site this morning so a late start was made by some of us.

Around 10:00  Pete Loud , Ian Minton & Matt Lonsdale had 2 Yellow Wagtails fly over calling followed shortly after by a Hobby* in off the sea, another one for the site year list.

From the hide things were very quiet with just :- 4 Canada Geese, c20 Shelduck, c15 Teal, 10 Lapwing, 5 Redshank, 3 BlkWit's, 1 Dunlin, 1 Grey Heron and a few mixed gulls.

A few raptors were noted with most likely the same Hobby as earlier seen again and 2 Marsh Harriers picked up at distance by PL to add to a Sparrowhawk he had earlier + a pair of Kestrels and a single Buzzard.

A short seawatch at the sluice added 1 Gannet & 1 Gt. C Grebe heading south + a total of 5 Whimbrel. 
Finally 2 Gadwall were on the brook, a few Whitethroats and the male Stonechat were on the mounds. PL/IM/ML/MR

Sat 27th April 19

Not much happening at the Haven this morning apart from the fact that it was blowing a Gale.

A short seawatch by Pete Loud and Ian Minton had a couple of groups of Brent Geese and a few Whimbrel on the move.

A visit to the hide wasn't much better with just 2 Canada Geese, 25 Shelduck, c20 Teal, 2 Gadwall (on the brook), 8 Lapwing, 6 Dunlin, 6 Redshank, 3 BlkWit's, 2 Oystercatcher + Blk-headed & Herring Gulls, 6 LBB, 2 Common Gulls. IM/ML/MR

c20 Swallows were around the site with small groups over the scrape, along the Brook & in the Sewage Works. A few Whitethroats were managing to find some shelter around the mounds as was the female Stonechat.

A 30 min. seawatch before lunch proved no better than first thing with just 1 Fulmar which flew south and then back north again. PL/IM/ML/MR.

Fri 26th April 19

I had a good look around the site today, hoping to find a winner for Ian's competition but no luck. Lots of Blackcap and Whitethroats with a few more Lesser Whitethroat today and a new Sedge Warbler singing in the moth sanctuary area.

From the hide :-   5 Canada geese, 32 Shelduck, c20 Teal, 9 BlkWit's, 5 Redshank, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Dunlin, Blk-headed & Herring Gulls (2 colour ringed, info on Colour Ring Obs. page), 1 Yellow-legged Gull, 2 LBB, 2,GBB, 1 Grey Heron, 4 Reed Bunting, 1 Sedge Warbler, 2 Linnets, 1 Buzzard. MR.

A walk to the boardwalk added the singing Sedge (in the moth sanctuary), 4 Reed Bunting, 6 Meadow Pipits, 2 Skylark, 2 Turnstone (sluice rocks), 2 Stonechat (pair on the mounds).

Thurs 25th April 19

No reports so far today.

Wed 24th April 19


Messages from WhatsApp as not about today

John Hall

Assume from earlier today posted at 18:44

From hide 18 Shelduck, C25 Teal, 6 Avocets, 10 Blackwits, 2 Oystercatchers, 8 Lapwings, 1 Snipe, 1 Spotted Redshank,  1 Grey Heron, 1 Greylag Goose, C 30 mixed Gulls, 3 LBB,  no sign of Barwits. Cetti’s showing well on blackthorn by corner of brook. JH


Paul Braishaw

Seawall from Frinton end - 2 Yellow Wags, one Wheatear and 7 Whimbrel on golf course. Ringed Plover* on sluice. Several Whimbrel north overhead   19:24

Wow!  More notable evening dog run/cycle then!  S E Owl now on grazing marsh too 19:31