Southend Ornithological Group Bird News

Records submitted in the last 14 days, most recent first. Amber indicates scarce, red indicates rare (Essex requires notes or a description), magenta indicates non-native.

Saturday 14 February 2026

Bowers Marsh (RSPB), 07:45 to 10:45
1 Pink-footed Goose, 100 Barnacle Goose (+), 10 Pintail, 1 Sparrowhawk, 10 Curlew, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Stonechat, 60 Fieldfare, 1 Redwing, 3 Corn Bunting [Graham Ryland, Graham Oakes]

Gunners Park, 07:45 to 09:45, Cold 2C light NE overcast brightening later. Just sea watching from 9.2 inch gun battery.
10 Red-throated Diver (All flying east in one’s and two’s), 52 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Scaup (1st W still on lake), 30 Grey Plover (+, Flock heading E), 10 Sanderling, 16 Little Gull (Single adult feeding offshore and drifting E, then flock of 12 past east (thanks Steve) then 3 more feeding. ), 1 Rock Pipit [Jeff Delve]

Friday 13 February 2026

South Fambridge, 13:00 to 13:00
4 Buzzard, 1 Reed Bunting (male), 1 Corn Bunting [Paul Baker]

Canvey Point, 09:30 to 11:30
1 Red-throated Diver, 2 Gannet (adults flew up river), 2 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Grey Seal [John Wright]

Leigh on Sea, 08:00 to 08:00
1 Goldcrest [Max Hellicar]

Thursday 12 February 2026

Victoria Road, Rayleigh, 19:35 to 19:40
2 Tawny Owl (pair duetting) [Neil Chambers]

Leigh on Sea, 17:00 to 17:00
1 Goldcrest [Max Hellicar]

Wallasea Island (RSPB), 14:15 to 16:15, Light S breeze, 11C overcast some light showers
1 Great White Egret (S Fitz), 4 Spoonbill (South Darwin), 46 Mute Swan (Across site), 6 White-fronted Goose (On Jubilee saltmarsh then flew out onto Foulness), 9 Barnacle Goose (On Jubilee saltmarsh with Greylags, Canadas and WfG), 168 Pintail (On Darwin alone, more on Fitz and Stokes, really good numbers ), 3 Marsh Harrier (2 males), 2 Buzzard, 1 Peregrine Falcon (Usual ad female on Jubilee), 2500 Golden Plover (+), 4 Greenshank (Pool M), 2 Stock Dove (Pair in display on white elephant), 3 Skylark (Great to hear them in full song ), 3 Reed Bunting [Jeff Delve]

South Fambridge, 13:20 to 13:20
1 Barn Owl [Paul Baker]

South Fambridge, 13:15 to 13:15
1 Red Kite (over North Fambridge again, seemingly resident now), 1 Marsh Harrier (ad female), 2 Buzzard, 1 Green Woodpecker [Paul Baker]

Bowers Marsh (RSPB), 09:45 to 11:15, Usual stuff around
1 Pink-footed Goose (on Don's marsh with Greylags), 3 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 20 Fieldfare [John Wright]

Victoria Road, Rayleigh, 00:00 to 00:10
1 Tawny Owl (hooting distantly) [Neil Chambers]

Wednesday 11 February 2026

South Fambridge, 15:00 to 15:00
1 Marsh Harrier (the smart male on BHF), 5 Buzzard, 3 Redwing [Paul Baker]

Victoria Road, Rayleigh, 00:00 to 00:10
1 Tawny Owl (hooting male) [Neil Chambers]

Tuesday 10 February 2026

Leigh Seafront, 16:00 to 16:50
8 Mediterranean Gull [Max Hellicar]

West Canvey Marsh (RSPB), 13:50 to 14:50
1 Pink-footed Goose, 11 White-fronted Goose (+), 1 Buzzard, 1 Stonechat [Paul Griggs, Bob Young]

South Fambridge, 12:30 to 12:30, Not raining!
1 Red Kite (over North Fambridge again), 1 Marsh Harrier (ad female hunting BHF), 1 Buzzard, 1 Song Thrush (singing), 1 Cetti's Warbler (in full voice around the garden) [Paul Baker]

Leigh on Sea, 11:30 to 11:30, Toolstation, Progress Road
1 Grey Wagtail (in brook) [Paul Baker]

Canvey Wick, 10:20 to 13:45
1 Marsh Harrier (m), 1 Woodcock, 2 Green Woodpecker, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 7 Song Thrush (singing), 3 Redwing, 1 Cetti's Warbler (h), 7 Redpoll [Paul Griggs, Bob Young]

Wallasea Island (RSPB), 10:00 to 16:00, Initially tree planting nr Grapnells then Jubilee trail. Dull overcast but mostly dry couple of showers later
1 Great White Egret (Fitz), 4 Spoonbill (South wall of Darwin), 6 White-fronted Goose (Distantly on Tillets from Jubilee trail), 9 Barnacle Goose (Unringed and no collars with WfG and Greylags/Canadas), 3 Marsh Harrier (Causing chaos amongst massed wildfowl on lagoons), 1 Merlin (Female, initially on roof of Caroline’s hide then flew east), 1 Peregrine Falcon (Ad female on island in N Jubilee), 14 Coot (Numbers building again in N borrowdyke), 2500 Golden Plover (+, Over Pool Marsh and Beagle Lagoons), 3000 Lapwing (+), 3000 Knot (+, Over E Allfleets mid afternoon), 250 Bar-tailed Godwit (+, Flock flew in to N Jubilee early afternoon ), 4 Greenshank, 20 Skylark (+, Flock along entry road plus several singing birds ), 1 Stonechat, 1 Song Thrush (Garden of farmhouse), 2 Corn Bunting [Jeff Delve]

Wallasea Island (RSPB), 09:30 to 13:15, Along the north track only
1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Kestrel, 1 Greenshank, partial ermine Stoat, Wallasea RSPB, 10/02/26 (John Wright) (76727 bytes) partial ermine Stoat, Wallasea RSPB, 10/02/26 (John Wright) (73652 bytes) 1 Stoat (partial ermine), 1 Weasel [John Wright]

Gunners Park, 09:25 to 11:50
10 Little Grebe, 1 Scaup (on lake), 1 Kestrel, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Meadow Pipit, 1 Song Thrush, 2 Cetti's Warbler (h), 3 Greenfinch [Jeff Kinnerman]

Bowers Marsh (RSPB), 08:00 to 11:00
1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Little Egret, 200 Canada Goose (+), 100 Barnacle Goose (+), 3 Pintail, 2 Buzzard, 1 Peregrine Falcon, 1 Snipe, 11 Curlew, 2 Green Sandpiper, 3 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Stonechat, 20 Fieldfare, 2 Redwing, 1 Chiffchaff [Graham Ryland, Graham Oakes]

Southchurch Park East, 07:45 to 09:15
2 Little Grebe, 1 Little Egret, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Water Rail (h), 10 Collared Dove, 1 Cetti's Warbler (h), 1 Jay [Jeff Kinnerman]

Victoria Road, Rayleigh, 00:05 to 00:20
1 Tawny Owl (male hooting) [Neil Chambers]

Monday 09 February 2026

Bowers Marsh (RSPB), 08:30 to 13:30
1 Little Grebe, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 40 White-fronted Goose (plus), 20 Barnacle Goose (plus), 8 Pintail, 2 Ruff, 2 Mediterranean Gull [Graham Oakes]

Sunday 08 February 2026

Shoebury East Beach, 16:20 to 17:10, Cold SE light fading, just checking boom
1 Yellow-legged Gull (1st W ( thanks Steve)) [Jeff Delve]

Shoebury East Beach, 16:15 to 17:10
60 Great Crested Grebe (+), 2 Black-necked Grebe, 1 Mediterranean Gull (adult), 1 Yellow-legged Gull (1'w on boom), 1 Kittiwake (ad on boom) [Neil Chambers]

Shoebury East Beach, 15:30 to 17:15
6 Red-throated Diver (All going east), 2 Black-necked Grebe, 2 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Common Gull (Probable heinei on the boom), 1 Yellow-legged Gull (1st winter on the boom), 1 Kittiwake (Adult on the boom) [Steve Arlow]

Shoebury East Beach, 15:30 to 17:10
2 Black-necked Grebe, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Yellow-legged Gull (1st winter), 1 Kittiwake [Bob Young]

Shoebury East Beach, 14:20 to 17:10
72 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Black-necked Grebe, 2 Mediterranean Gull, 3 Little Gull (Distant adults), 1 Yellow-legged Gull (1w on the Boom. Thanks Steve…..again!), 2 Kittiwake, 1 Song Thrush [Marc Outten]

Wallasea Island (RSPB), 14:15 to 16:30
1 Great White Egret, 4 Spoonbill, 3 Marsh Harrier, 3 Kestrel, 1 Merlin, 2 Greenshank, 1 Barn Owl, 2 Stonechat [John Wright]

Rochford Golf Course, 14:00 to 15:50
2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Skylark (singing over airport) [Neil Chambers]

Gunners Park, 12:20 to 13:30
1 Scaup (1'w on lake), 1 Kestrel, 2 Stonechat (pair in reserve), 3 Cetti's Warbler (singing), 1 Firecrest (south side of concrete pad) [Neil Chambers]

Hockley/Hawkwell, 12:00 to 12:00
1 Red Kite (Very low above Cherry Lane nursery, Lower Road) [Paul Baker]

Southend Pier, 11:40 to 15:45, Bright overcast, calm seas, high tide 16:40
30 Great Crested Grebe (+, Well scattered), 4 Black-necked Grebe, 800 Knot (+, Flew over on rising tide), 1 Dunlin (In with Turnstone roost), 250 Turnstone (+, On roost till flushed twice by low flying drone!! ), 20 Mediterranean Gull (19 adults 1 2w.), 2 Little Gull (Adults, feeding along current lines), 8 Kittiwake (7 adults and 1st W following local fishing boat), 1 Common Seal, 2 Harbour Porpoise [Jeff Delve]

South Fambridge, 11:25 to 11:25
1 Red Kite (still) [Paul Baker]

South Fambridge, 10:25 to 10:25
1 Red Kite [Paul Baker]

Gunners Park, 10:20 to 14:30
5 Red-throated Diver (Flying east on rising tide !), 3 Black-necked Grebe, 1 Scaup (Sill on lake), 1 Mediterranean Gull (Adult), 2 Green Woodpecker (Pair), 2 Stonechat (Pair), 2 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Dartford Warbler (Very brief views at the west end of the reserve in gorse), 2 Firecrest (By the concrete pad) [Steve Arlow]

Gunners Park, 10:10 to 14:00
10 Little Grebe, 1 Scaup (lake ), 2 Stonechat (pair,SSSI reserve ), 1 Song Thrush, 2 Cetti's Warbler (h), 1 Firecrest, 2 Greenfinch [Jeff Kinnerman]

Gunners Park, 09:30 to 11:20, Sunny start clouding over and light SSE breeze
1 Scaup (1st W still on lake), 2 Stonechat (Pair on reserve), 2 Song Thrush (Singing), 3 Cetti's Warbler (Singing), 1 Dartford Warbler (Brief but good scope views in gorse within reserve from NW fence), 6 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Greenfinch, 6 Linnet [Jeff Delve]

Wallasea Island (RSPB), 08:30 to 10:00
2 Great White Egret, 4 Spoonbill, 30 Pintail (+), 3 Marsh Harrier, 2 Kestrel, 2 Stonechat (Pair), 1 Stoat (All white individual ) [Lee Ebbs]

Saturday 07 February 2026

Shoebury East Beach, 17:05 to 17:15
1 Caspian Gull (1w on the Boom. Thanks Steve!) [Marc Outten]

Shoebury East Beach, 17:00 to 17:10
1 Caspian Gull (1st winter on boom, cheers Steve) [Lee Ebbs]

Shoebury East Beach, 16:50 to 17:20
1 Caspian Gull (1st winter on the boom on failing light) [Steve Arlow]

South Fambridge, 15:50 to 16:00
1 Marsh Harrier (female on BHF), 1 Sparrowhawk (over North Fambridge ), 1 Barn Owl (hunting deer farm field on north side), 1 Reed Bunting [Paul Baker]

West Canvey Marsh (RSPB), 15:50 to 16:10, Scoping from Roscommon Way
1 Pink-footed Goose, 43 White-fronted Goose (+, Distant and on uneven ground, at least 43 present), 1 Sparrowhawk [Tim Bourne]

Gunners Park, 15:15 to 16:40
5 Red-throated Diver, 4 Black-necked Grebe, 1 Scaup (Still on the lake), 1 Marsh Harrier (Female type south across river), 4 Little Gull (All adults ), 8 Kittiwake, 1 Guillemot (Distantly east) [Steve Arlow]

Gunners Park, 14:30 to 15:45
5 Great Crested Grebe, 7 Black-necked Grebe, 1 Scaup, 1 Marsh Harrier, 4 Little Gull (Adults), 2 Kittiwake [Lee Ebbs, Marc Outten]

Lower Raypits, 12:45 to 16:45
1500 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 1 Marsh Harrier (Male), 1 Hen Harrier (Male), 2 Buzzard, 1 Barn Owl, 1 Stonechat [Matt Bruty]

Canvey Wick, 09:30 to 10:20
8 Redpoll (feeding on Silver Birch catkins) [John Wright]

Friday 06 February 2026

Chalkwell Park Drive, Leigh, 21:30 to 21:35, Garden Pond
15 Smooth Newt, 8 Common Frog (including a pair in amplexus) [John Wright]

Leigh Seafront, 16:05 to 16:25
1 Mediterranean Gull, 3 Little Gull (adults dip-feeding offshore) [Max Hellicar]

South Fambridge, 12:00 to 12:00
1 Little Egret (attempting to fish in my flooded lawn), 2 Marsh Harrier (Females hunting line astern on BHF), 1 Sparrowhawk (same bird as a few days ago), 1 Buzzard [Paul Baker]

Wallasea Island (RSPB), 12:00 to 14:00
2 Great White Egret, 3 Spoonbill, 2 Kestrel, 4 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Barn Owl, 1 Kingfisher, 5 Field Vole [John Wright]

West Canvey Marsh (RSPB), 12:00 to 13:30
17 White-fronted Goose, 5 Barnacle Goose, 20 Pintail (Pantiles ), 1 Buzzard, 1 Knot (From 2nd hide), 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Stonechat, 50 Fieldfare (plus) [Graham Oakes]

Wat Tyler Country Park, 11:00 to 12:15
1 Peregrine Falcon (On pylon), 1 Woodcock, 3 Fieldfare, 25 Redwing (+), 2 Raven (Flew across from Vange Wick) [Tim Bourne]

Thursday 05 February 2026

Hadleigh Marshes, 16:10 to 17:00
550 Jackdaw [Max Hellicar]

Belton Hills, 15:50 to 16:00
1 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Caspian Gull (first-winter in the pre-roost gathering offshore, viewed distantly) [Max Hellicar]

Hadleigh Downs, 15:45 to 16:15
1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Chinese Muntjac (doe), 3 Grey Squirrel [John Wright]

South Fambridge, 15:05 to 15:05
1 Little Gull (First-winter dip-feeding in the Crouch and showing a little better than earlier, making it's way downstream. Presumably same bird as earlier.) [Paul Baker]

South Fambridge, 13:25 to 13:25, Decidedly moist
1 Little Gull (first-winter heading downstream in the murk and gloom) [Paul Baker]

Wednesday 04 February 2026

South Fambridge, 15:20 to 15:20
1 Short-eared Owl (seen roosting in rough grass) [Paul Baker]

South Fambridge, 14:30 to 14:30
1 Short-eared Owl (hunting favoured area of seawall) [Paul Baker]

Gunners Park, 13:55 to 16:00, Sunny, light E, hi tide 14:20
1 Red-throated Diver (Flew out east), 40 Great Crested Grebe (C. Several groups offshore), 1 Black-necked Grebe (Drifting east on falling tide - 10 reported earlier), 1 Scaup (Still on lake), 3 Knot (With Turnstones roosting on Gog’s Berth), 1 Mediterranean Gull (Summer plumaged adult N over reserve), 3 Little Gull (Adults moving east with large group of Bh Gulls), 3 Kittiwake (Adult roosting on Gogs Berth, 2 other adults moving east with other gulls), 1 Kingfisher (At S end of main ditch ), 2 Song Thrush (Singing), 3 Cetti's Warbler (Singing birds ), 1 Dartford Warbler (Popped up briefly amidst gorse NW of reserve. Too quick for camera and not seen again) [Jeff Delve]

South Fambridge, 10:30 to 10:30
1 Sparrowhawk (female), 2 Yellowhammer (a pair at bottom of garden before being spooked by a hunting Sparrowhawk) [Paul Baker]

Canvey Wick, 10:10 to 11:45
1 Buzzard, 1 Woodcock, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Greenfinch [Bob Young]

Southchurch Park East, 10:00 to 10:10
1 Firecrest [Max Hellicar]

Chalkwell Park Drive, Leigh, 09:00 to 09:05
1 Goldcrest [John Wright]

Southchurch Park West, 09:00 to 09:10
1 Red-crested Pochard, 3 Stock Dove, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker [Max Hellicar]

Southchurch Hall Park, 08:40 to 09:00
1 Kingfisher, 1 Cetti's Warbler [Max Hellicar]

Wallasea Island (RSPB), 08:30 to 12:30
1 Great White Egret, 3 Spoonbill, 2 Marsh Harrier, 1 Buzzard, 3 Kestrel, 1 Peregrine Falcon, 700 Golden Plover (+), 1 Stonechat, 2 Corn Bunting [Graham Ryland, Graham Oakes]

Rawreth, 08:20 to 08:20
1 Red Kite (flew low south over Rawreth Lane near playing fields) [Neil Chambers]

Wallasea Island (RSPB), 08:00 to 14:25
13 Little Egret, 2 Great White Egret, 3 Spoonbill (Darwin’s Lagoon), 3 Marsh Harrier, 1 Hen Harrier (m,Grass Farm Lagoon ), 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 1 Peregrine Falcon, 750 Golden Plover (c ), 8 Grey Plover, 500 Lapwing (c ), 475 Black-tailed Godwit (c), 20 Bar-tailed Godwit (c), 2 Curlew, 1 Greenshank, 1 Barn Owl (Marsh Flats), 16 Skylark, 3 Meadow Pipit (+), 3 Stonechat (m+pair), 1 Fieldfare, 3 Corn Bunting, 1 Peacock Butterfly [Jeff Kinnerman]

Monday 02 February 2026

Gunners Park, 13:20 to 16:30, With break for lunch at Serendipity Cafe. Hi Tide 12:50
1 Black-necked Grebe (At least one distantly off coastguards), 1 Scaup (Ist W still on lake), 1 Kingfisher (Fishing S end of main ditch ), 2 Stonechat (Pair nr NW corner of reserve) [Jeff Delve]

South Fambridge, 12:30 to 12:30
1 Marsh Harrier (female, actually through my garden), 1 Short-eared Owl (still present), 1 Green Woodpecker [Paul Baker]

West Canvey Marsh (RSPB), 12:30 to 12:45, Just brief stop at Roadside Hide
1 Great Crested Grebe, 8 White-fronted Goose (+, At least 8 distantly with feral geese), 1 Red-crested Pochard (Drake resting on bank with Pochard) [Jeff Delve]

West Canvey Marsh (RSPB), 12:10 to 12:30
1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Red-crested Pochard (drake.) [Graham Ryland, Graham Oakes]

Canvey Wick, 10:15 to 12:25, Light E, heavy overcast after earlier rain
15 Goldfinch, 7 Linnet, 8 Redpoll (From Bee trail) [Jeff Delve]

Canvey Wick, 09:30 to 12:00
1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Woodcock, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 8 Redpoll [Graham Ryland, Graham Oakes]

Sunday 01 February 2026

Victoria Road, Rayleigh, 23:20 to 23:55
1 Tawny Owl (male hooting) [Neil Chambers]

Gunners Park, 15:20 to 16:45
2 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Scaup, 1 Song Thrush, 4 Greenfinch [Matt Bruty]

Gunners Park, 14:50 to 16:40
150 Great Crested Grebe, 6 Black-necked Grebe (2 groups of 3), 1 Scaup (1'w on lake), 1 Stonechat (fem in reserve), 1 Cetti's Warbler (singing) [Neil Chambers]

Canvey Wick, 14:15 to 16:40
1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Sparrowhawk, Woodcock, Canvey Wick  (Tim Bourne) (79612 bytes) 31 Woodcock (!, across site, around woodland edges and known haunts), 5 Fieldfare (Few winter thrushes ), 2 Redwing, 1 Blackcap (male, singing briefly(!) at western end), 23 Linnet (Flocks of 15 and 8), Mealy Redpoll, Canvey Wick. The large size of the birds in this group was particularly striking (Tim Bourne) (54629 bytes) 5 Redpoll (+, at least 5 Mealy Redpoll on east side of track south from crossroads, just before bridge), 2 Redpoll (Lesser Redpoll, along western-most N-S track towards sea wall) [Tim Bourne]

Vange Marsh (RSPB), 12:30 to 13:00
3 Whooper Swan (Two adults and juvenile flew from lagoon towards Bowers before heading back high over A13), 1 Red Kite, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Stonechat [Lee Ebbs]

Wakering Stairs, 12:20 to 14:40
1 Marsh Harrier (male), 1 Kestrel (Foulness), 200 Curlew (+) [Matt Bruty]

South Fambridge, 12:00 to 12:00
1 Short-eared Owl (+ still around), 1 Blue Tit (rescued from inside my woodburner after falling down the chimney) [Paul Baker]

Tennyson Close, Leigh, 10:30 to 10:35
1 Blackcap (Male in garden) [Mike Clarke]

South Fambridge, 10:00 to 10:00
1 Marsh Harrier (female on BHF), 1 Short-eared Owl (possibly two birds present on and off throughout) [Paul Baker]

Bowers Marsh (RSPB), 08:00 to 10:30
1 Great White Egret, 3 Whooper Swan (initially on main lagoon then flew west towards Vange Marsh.), 100 Barnacle Goose (+), 1 Marsh Harrier (female.), 5 Dunlin, 2 Ruff, 1 Spotted Redshank (on Saline.) [Graham Ryland, Graham Oakes]

Vange Marsh (RSPB), 07:40 to 11:20
3 Whooper Swan (the Bowers birds), 1 Pintail, 1 Water Rail (heard), 1 Green Sandpiper, 7 Meadow Pipit, 1 Stonechat, 35 Fieldfare, 1 Song Thrush, 3 Redwing [Matt Bruty]

Gunners Park, 06:00 to 13:30
10 Black-necked Grebe (feeding offshore from HQFB over high tide: a group of 7 not far offshore and a group of 3 further out), 1 Scaup (female still on lake), 1 Kestrel, 3 Meadow Pipit, 1 Stonechat (female), 11 Fieldfare, 3 Redwing, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Dartford Warbler (elusive in NW part of SSSI; presumably the bird seen here in early Dec but not since), 3 Firecrest (2 of these had been ringed on site on 13th Dec), 2 Jackdaw [Max Hellicar]

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