Fri 31st May 19

All the resident birds were busy this morning with lots of fledged young needing feeding, also a lot of Butterflies first thing before the sun went in. The female Stonechat was behind the sluice and 8+ Swallow were hawking the brook. A quick visit to the hide showed things were much the same, still 8 ducklings with 30 Shelduck and Avocets were up to 18..
A walk to the 2nd pillbox added a few Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Reed Bunting & Linnets.

Max Martin located a Spotted Flycatcher in the orchard area just before 11:00  and although it showed on and off it was unusually elusive but in the end everyone got a good view.

Photo Max Martin©

At the end of May the total number of species recorded on the site so far this year stands at 162.

Wed 29th May 19



Ian Minton 

First thing at the farm :- At least 3 young Coal Tits in churchyard trees. 
2 Yellow Wagtails on path that leads to the golf course from paddocks behind the farm pond.


John Hall

PM visit to hide produced 40+ Shelduck + 8 ducklings, 9 Avocet, 2 Oystercatchers, 3 Redshank, 2 Gadwall, 5 Cormorants, 4 Lapwings, a small number of Gulls, Large Swallow count with a few House Martins mixed in, 1 Reed Bunting, 2 Pied Wagtails. 16.00 finish.


Thu 30th May 19

This super Hobby was hunting over the marsh west of the chippings lay-by this morning, photographed just off-site but a great watch for a few minutes.

From the hide :- 38 Shelduck (ducklings not seen today), 2 Gadwall, 2 Shoveler, 18 Avocet, 7 Lapwing (4 + 3), 1 Redshank, 3 Cormorant, 1 Buzzard, 8 Swallows, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Reed Bunting. 


Pete Davis

Imm. drake Eider on sea off golf course drifting toward Sluice at 1600.

Tues 28th May 19

Just one bird of note from the site this morning,  a Spotted Flycatcher at the dipping pond, other wise much the same.

From the hide :- 41 Shelduck (33 + 8), 2 Shoveler, 2 Gadwall, 18 Avocet, 6 Redshank, 8 Lapwing (6 + 2), 1 Cormorant, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Buzzard, 1 Marsh Harrier, 8 Swallow, 2 Swift. IM/TS/DW/MR 

  

Mon 27th May 19

Much the same around the site this morning with Cetti's Warblers calling at the dipping pond, raised platform and behind the sluice, Chiffchaffs singing on the approach road and the orchard and the pair of Stonechat between the sluice and the wind pump.

From the hide :- 44 Shelduck (36 + 8 ducklings), 4 Gadwall, 9 Avocet (1st nesting pair this year with 1 egg), 6 Redshank, 7 Lapwing (4 + 3), 2 Common Sandpipers, 1 Ringed Plover, 2 Grey Heron, 2 Cormorant, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Buzzard, 1 Cuckoo, 3 Swift, 4 Swallow, 1 Sand Martin. PRD/PL/DW/MR.

Sun 26th May 19

I walked the site with Pete Loud and Matt Lonsdale this morning, but between us we couldn't turn up anything special, lots of the resident birds carrying food. The pair of Stonechat were on the bushes along side the brook behind the sluice again today.

From the Hide :- 42 Shelduck (34 + 8 ducklings), 4 Gadwall, 10 Avocet, 8 Lapwing (4 + 4 Chicks), 6 Redshank, 4 Com. Sandpipers, 1 Dunlin, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Buzzard.

The walk to the 3rd pillbox added a few Reed Bunting, Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler & Mippits.

A few Butterflies were seen incl. Red Admiral, Green Hairstreak & Brown Argus + 2 Hairy Dragonflies (see Haven Wildlife page).


    

Sat 25th May 19

Pete Loud

Fairly quiet on the bird front, 7 Avocet, 2 Common Sand, 1 Blackwit, 1 Little Egret, 1 Peregrine, 2 Shoveler, several Lapwing chicks & a brood of Shelduck. Lots of Butterflies including Red Admiral & Small Copper plus 1 Hairy Dragonfly and a Black-tailed Skimmer.

Photo Pete Loud©

Matt Lonsdale

Scrape this evening :- 4 Common Sands, 7 Avocet, a pair of Shoveler and Gadwall, Dunlin and few Redshank.

Fri 24th May 19

Spent the morning at the Naze for some very brief views of the Subalpine Warbler and the afternoon at the shops.

Just one report received so far.

John Hall

PM visit to scrape proved to be very disappointing. Whilst Shelduck numbers were in the high 30’s , everything else was poor 5 Avocets, 4 Redshanks (2 mating), no small waders, no Blackwits, a handful of Lapwings, 1 Shoveler, 1 Gadwall. I hope some of you got to see Darrell’s Subalpine a step too far for me but yet another great find for him.