Sun 1st. Sept 19
The 2 Wryneck remained in the Dell area for the fourth day, showing well for short periods but still very mobile.
Pete Loud
This morning at the Haven the bushes were a little busier. Willow Warbler 15+, Chiffchaff 1, Lesser Whitethroat 6, Whitethroat 6, Blackcap 8, Sedge Warbler 1, Coal Tit 1.
Scrape Hide, 5 Avocet, 3 Snipe, 8 Blackwits, 50+Teal, 1 Wigeon, 2 Marsh Harrier, 6 Buzzard. Also seen, 3 Whinchat, 2 Wheatear, pair of Stonechat, 4 Sand Martin, 2 Swift (IM) & the 2 Wrynecks still in the dell. Offshore were a group of 13 Sandwich Terns feeding.
Paul Braishaw
To add to PL totals there were 18 Wheatear along the seawall and golf course (within haven boundary) on my run home about midday.
Sat 31st Aug 19
The two Wryneck were in the Dell again this morning, with one reported at 07:45 by Pete Loud and 30 mins. later Ian Minton had two in the same area. The Wrynecks were present until mid-day at least.
Pete Loud
Good start this morning with the 2 Wrynecks in dell, otherwise bushes quiet. Managed 1 Reed Warbler, 2 Lesser & 6 Com. Whitethroat, 5 Blackcap, 2 Willow Warbler & Gt.Spotted Woodpecker.
Scrape,1 Snipe, 8 Blackwits, 4 Avocets, 1 Curlew, 30+Teal, 1 Wigeon, 10 Buzzard, 1 Marsh Harrier & 1 Sparrowhawk.
1 Wheatear & 1 Whinchat by wooden Hide.1 juv med Gull and group of 9 Sandwich Terns north from cafe.(IM,MM,PL).
At the end of August the total number of species recorded on the site so far this year stands at 169.
Fri 30th Aug 19
The Wryneck was located again this morning by Denis Pryor at around 06:30 in the Badger Set area and gave brief view all day although very mobile. It is possible that there are still 2 birds in the area as two groups were watching a bird at the same time in different locations although not definite.
 |
| Photo Max Martin© |
 |
| Photo Max Martin© |
A cracking male Redstart was located by Matt Lonsdale in the hedge at the bottom of the car park around 8 o'clock and re-found by Pete Davis an hour later in the same place, unfortunately it didn't show for anyone else despite much searching.
Otherwise it was much the same with 9+ Willow Warbler, Lesser & Common Whitethroat, Blackcaps (singing), and 1 Garden Warbler.
Two Whinchats were ringed this morning near the wooden hide (see Ringing page).
Been away for a few days so time for a quick catch up.
Tue 27th Aug
Matt Lonsdale made an early start as usual and reported it being quiet, having 2 Chiffchaffs, 5+ Blackcaps, 1 Lesser & 3+ Common Whitethroats plus a couple of Yellow Wagtails (over).
Wed 28th Aug
Max Martin had a Hobby (south) over the sewage works and a green wing tagged Marsh Harrier over the back of the scrape around 09:00
Pete Davis had a Spotted Flycatcher in the Dell at 09:18.
Thu 29th Aug
A great start to the day for Max Martin when he found himself a lifer in the form of our near annual end of August Wryneck in the Dell around 9 o'clock in the morning.
The Wryneck was seen throughout the day around the Dell area although elusive at times, at 15:30 RBA reported 2 Wryneck at the Haven and at tea time Pete Loud & Matt Lonsdale had the two birds sitting in the same bush
Other sightings from the day were a Coal Tit and a Spotted Flycatcher in the Dell at 09:30, a Pied Flycatcher in the Dell at 11:55, 2 Whinchat in the moth sanctuary at 18;34 and 12 Wheatear along the seawall between Holland & Frinton at 19:30.
Mon 26th Aug 19
Paul Braishaw
07:36 Scrape fairly quiet. 10 Blackwit, 3 Snipe, 2 Dunlin and a Wigeon.
Pete Loud
08:09 Pied Fly & 2 Willow Warblers at the dipping pond.
09:48 From raised platform,1 Pied Fly,1 Marsh Harrier 1 Barwit in with 2 Curlew that flew north, several Blackcaps and Whitethroats,1 Cetti’s Warbler.
11:57 Walk along seawall 1 Golden Plover, 2 Whimbrel & 3 Turnstone on seawall. 2 Whinchat by moth enclosure.
Dave Cummings
12:23 Spoonbill on scrape.
Paul Braishaw
17:55 Two spoonbill on scrape, two whinchat still by wooden hide and at least four med gull hawking over marsh and golf course.
Matt Lonsdale
19:33 2 Pied Flycatchers at bottom of orchard.
20:11 2 Spoonbill still on the scrape.
Sun 25th Aug 19
Much quieter around the bushes today, a single Pied Flycatcher was found around the Dipping pond first thing by Pete Loud & two more were in the Orchard area later in the morning (PRD) otherwise just a few Lesser & Common Whitethroats, Willow Warblers & a Chiffchaff. PRD/PL/IM/MR
Around 08:30 Matt Lonsdale had a juv. Spoonbill fly north passed the Raised Platform that seemed to land in the scrape area, at the same time he reported a prob. Tree Sparrow flying about but couldn’t locate it. Just over an hour later a Tree Sparrow was located in this area in the same bush as yesterday by Pete, Ian and myself.
Paul Braishaw had a walk from Frinton to the Farm and reported, 09:00 At least 4 Wheatear, 2 Whinchat, 4 Whitethroat paddocks Frinton side of farm pond, a Hobby over farm and 09:40 a Pied Flycatcher still at the farm. Southern edge of paddocks to right of footpath to Golf Course.
On the way to the hide a Stonechat (male) was on the mounds and 2 Wheatear (1 TDC compound / 1 on 1st. pillbox) were seen along with Swallows, House & Sand Martins.
From the hide :- c150 Greylag, c30 Teal, 8 Cormorant, 3 Grey Heron, 1 Lt. Egret, c60 Lapwing, 8 Avocet, 4 BlkWits, 2 Com. Sands, 2 Whimbrel, 1 Dunlin, 12 Curlew (over), Bearded Tits (heard only). 1 Buzzard, 2 Kestrel. PL/IM/MR
Sat 24th Aug 19
Ian Minton
08:27 10+ Wheatear in paddocks behind farm pond.
Max Martin
09:05 Tree Sparrow in brook bushes from orchard + 3 Whinchat.
 |
| Photo Max Martin© |
Tony Critcher
09:48 Hobby past hide towards Frinton. No sign of spoonbills
Matt Lonsdale
09:53 Brief Spot Fly in Dell all we can dig out in flycatcher department so far, Garden Warbler on approach road only other bird of note (PL)
11:00 Scrape- first Wigeon of the autumn, LRP, Dunlin, Common Sand, Green Sand (TC), Whimbrel, 5 Blackwit, few Avocet, Swifts and all the common hirundines.
11:43 Pied Flycatcher ringing compound.
 |
| Photo Max Martin© |
16:14 Pied fly at farm in similar place to yesterday.
16:34 2 Mistle Thrush, Whinchat and 4+ Wheatear in Farm paddocks, Also Chiffchaff.
