Thurs 29th Feb 24

Another Green Sandpiper was new this morning and a Water Vole put in a brief appearance when he realised a Moorhen was eating all his apple,  otherwise much the same.

From the hide: c150 Teal, c100 Wigeon, 60+ Shoveler, 12 Pintail, 10 Mallard, 6 Gadwall, 4 Shelduck, 19 Lapwing, 8 Blkwits, 7 Avocet, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Oystercatcher, 81 Blk H Gulls, 2 Com. Gulls, 1 Med Gull, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Stonechat (pair), 6+ Brown Hare, 1 Water Vole. RJ/MR

Reports From today:

Brian Combes

Walk from Frinton to Haven and back via farm this morning included: 6 Purple Sandpiper (French Point), 2 Corn Bunting (1 on arable, 1 singing NW of where footpath leaves the golf course), 150+ Black-headed Gull (golf course first thing), 6 Mediterranean Gull (4 adults with black-headed gulls on golf course and two with gulls over arable - one first-winter, one second-winter), 5 Cetti’s (singing), 4 Stonechat (pair and two females together by golf course dump), 75 Curlew (51 south first thing, 24 on fields), 1 Sparrowhawk (flew through passerine flock in pumpkin field, singled out a skylark and eventually caught it), 80+ Starling (golf course), 30+ Skylark (arable), 13 Reed Bunting (including 3 singing and 8 with skylarks north of golf course workshop), 2 Song Thrush (singing), 15+ Linnet (pumpkin field), 20+ Chaffinch (pumpkin field), 100+ Teal, 200+ Wigeon, 36 Shoveler, 5 Pintail, 4 Gadwall, 5 Oystercatcher, 1 Buzzard, 4 Goldfinch, 8 Turnstone, 5 Avocet, 1 Goldcrest, 4 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Chinese Muntjac, 2 Chinese water deer. (12 species in song).

At the end of February the number of species recorded at the Haven this year stands at 98

 

Wed 28th Feb 24

Just a few slight adjustments today but otherwise much the same.

From the hide: 6 Canada Geese, Wigeon, Teal, 85 Shoveler, 10 Mallard, 7+ Gadwall, 6 Shelduck, 4 Pintail, 50+ Curlew, 25 Lapwing, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Golden Plover, 82 Blk. H Gulls, 2 Com. Gulls, 1 Cetti's Warbler, lots of corvids and Starling.

6 Purple Sands were on French Point with a second pair of Oystercatchers and 2 Turnstone were on the beach north of the sluice RJ/MR

 

Tues 27th Feb 24

A short visit after lunch today found things a little different with 6 Blk. T Godwits, 5 Avocet and a Green Sandpiper on the scrape. 

From the hide: c200 Teal, c100 Wigeon, 80 Shoveler, 10 Mallard, 6 Gadwall, 4 Shelduck, 4 Pintail, 35 Curlew, 34 Lapwing, 6 Blkwits, 5 Avocet, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Green Sandpiper, 91 Blk. H Gulls, 3 Com. Gulls, 1 Cetti's Warbler (heard Only). plus 2 Chinese Water Deer. MR et.al.

6 Purple Sands and 2 Turnstone were around French Point.

 

Mon 26th Feb 24

From the hide: Wigeon, Teal, 63 Shoveler, 19 Pintail, 6 Gadwall, 5 Shelduck, 32 Lapwing, c20 Curlew, 2 Oystercatcher, 77 Blk. H Gulls, 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, lots of Corvids and Starling. DC/MR

 

Sun 25th Feb 24

Very little change from yesterday.

From the hide: Lots of Wigeon and Teal, 40+ Shoveler, 6 Gadwall, 4 Shelduck, 45 Lapwing, 11 Curlew, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Snipe, 85 Blk. H Gull, 2 Com. Gull, 2 Med Gull, 2 Buzzard, loads of corvid on the arable, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, Skylark, Reed Bunting, Cetti's Warbler (heard). RJ/MR/et.al.

Sat 24th Feb 24

 A short visit again today.

From the hide: Wigeon, Teal, 55 Shoveler, 8 Shelduck, 6 Mallard, 4 Gadwall, 13 Curlew , 4 Lapwing, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Buzzard, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, Cetti's Warbler, Reed Bunting, Skylark and 2 Stonechat.

A walk to French Point added just 1 Lt. Egret out on the marsh and 6 Purple Sands on the rocks south of the point. RJ/MR

 

Fri 23rd Feb 24

Richard & Dave managed 6 Purple Sands & 2 Turnstone along the front plus a couple of Oystercatchers on the golf course.

From the hide: Much the same, lots of Wigeon, Teal & Shoveler, 6 Pintail, 6 Shelduck. 6 Mallard, c20 Lapwing, 6 Blk. T Godwits, 2 Dunlin, c40 Blk. H Gulls, 2+ Med Gulls. Also 1 Chinese Water Deer. RJ/DC/MR.