JANUARY 2024

 

As is customary, the year got off to a good start with many birders keen to start their year lists, with the noteworthy birds present at the end of last month all still accounted for. Notable discoveries on the 1st included two Woodcock in Hawkwell, an impressive 12 Yellowhammers in Rayleigh, and a Raven over South Fambridge. Best of all, however, was a fine first-winter Caspian Gull on the River Crouch at Hullbridge which was present the following day, but not subsequently. Last month’s Sandwich Tern was noted between Canvey Point and Two Tree Island on a few occasions between the 1st and 8th, before being seen for the final time passing Thorpe Bay on the 13th. Away from Wallasea, Merlin and Hen Harrier were both recorded from Wakering Stairs on the 1st. Three Guillemot and nine Razorbill flew past Canvey Point on the 3rd with a further 14 Razorbills off the pier on the 14th; in a reversal of fortunes of these two large alcids, the latter is now the more expected species in winter in the Thames. Nine Lesser Redpoll were found at Canvey Wick on the 3rd. A Firecrest was in Hockley Woods between the 4th to 7th with another two at Shoebury all month. Other wintering passerines consisted of eight Blackcaps and five Chiffchaffs, while Water Pipits put in a poor showing with just a single at Bowers Marsh and a duo at Vange Marsh. Wintering waders this month fared only slightly better with three Spotted Redshanks, ten Greenshanks and seven Green Sandpipers. A Jack Snipe was flushed at the Airport Business Park on the 6th, while two were still present at Vange Marsh. A few days of north easterly winds from the 7th pushed birds into the estuary and produced some good records between Shoebury and Canvey. The 7th saw singles of both Black-throated and Great Northern Divers, Shag, two Red-breasted Mergansers, 60 Kittiwake, which was the only double-figure count all winter, and a winter high count of 72 Gannets. A Puffin whirred past Canvey Point on the 9th, while the following day a pair of Scaup put in a brief appearance at Shoebury East Beach. Away from the estuary there was a Merlin along the River Roach on the 7th, single Ravens cronked their way over Wat Tyler on the 7th and Rayleigh on the 8th, 12 White-fronted Geese toured West Canvey and Bowers Marshes, and two Woodcock were at their traditional site of Canvey Wick on the 11th. Also on the 11th the first butterfly of the year, a Red Admiral, was in an Ashingdon garden. Back on the Thames, the 12th saw an excellent showing of at least six Great Northern Divers, the highest local count since 2010, off of Gunners Park along with an Eider. Also on the 12th a Red-breasted Merganser was found on Wallasea Island and remained all month. A Goldeneye was a good find at Bowers Marsh between the 12th to 31st, while at their only regular site of Paglesham Lagoon numbers peaked at a measly five on the 14th. Two Ravens passed over Hullbridge on the 13th, the same day as the Canvey Wick Lesser Redpoll flock had increased to twelve. The pier was the place to be on the 14th where the Red-necked Grebe reappeared, as well as five Great Northern Divers and three Eiders, and the first local Slavonian Grebe since 2018. Long-eared Owls were conspicuous by their absence in the early part of the year so a single at a site in the south on the 14th was welcomed. The following day a Merlin was hunting rough ground at the Airport Business Park and three Firecrests were found wintering in Tile Wood. A Glossy Ibis flew along the River Roach on the 16th, and a Hawfinch flew over Tile Wood on the 17th; neither were seen again. Wallasea Island produced some good records on the 19th with 18 White-fronted Geese, a Jack Snipe, Great Northern Diver and the elusive Cattle Egret which popped up briefly for the final time this winter. Also on the 19th, a dusk vigil at Bowers Downs in the hope of Long-eared Owl proved unsuccessful but did result in a good count of four Woodcock. Two Waxwings in Shoebury on the 21st finally had the decency to stay put and attracted a steady stream of admirers until their departure on the 24th, the same day a Water Pipit took up residence at West Canvey Marsh. Late on the 24th came news of a Grey Phalarope photographed from the seafront at Thorpe Bay earlier in the day; searching on the 25th drew a blank, but the day was to be even more eventful… A speculative lunchtime visit to the end of Southend Pier on the 25th saw one incredulous observer face to face with a juvenile WHITE-BILLED DIVER! A true rarity in southern England, and the first fully documented record for the county, this imposing Arctic gaviid showed exceptionally well for the rest of the day and will surely be the highlight of the year for the fifteen or so birders who managed to connect that afternoon. Unfortunately for would be admirers gathered over the following days there was sign of the diver, although other records during this time included four Great Northern Divers and two each of Shag and Eider. Back on dry land two Firecrests were found wintering in West Wood from the 25th to 28th, a Red Kite drifted over Benfleet on the 26th, and a gaggle of eight Egyptian Geese were at Bowers Marsh on the 27th. The 28th saw a Water Pipit at Ropers Farm, two Siskin at Rochford Golf Course, nine Ruff on Wallasea Island, and a good winter record of a Little Stint at Bowers Marsh until the 29th only along with two Great White Egrets. Persistent scanning of the Brent Goose flocks finally turned up trumps on the 30th when one of the Red-breasted Geese which had been wintering on the Dengie made a much anticipated, albeit brief, visit to Wallasea. Also on Wallasea at the month’s end four Short-eared Owls could still be found, with the two Black-throated Divers, three Spoonbills and Goosander all still in situ there. Two other Short-eared Owls remained at Bowers Marsh throughout the month, while Barn Owls were noted at six sites. The White-fronted Goose at Paglesham Lagoon was also still present on the 31st, when the Barnacle Goose flock at Bowers Marsh had increased to 20.

 

 

FEBRUARY 2024

 

Three Yellowhammers and a Water Pipit were at Bowers Marsh on the 1st with another Water Pipit present at Vange Marsh until the 5th, where with the use of thermal imaging it was possible to locate four Jack Snipe. The 12 White-fronted Geese could still be found at West Canvey Marsh on the 2nd and by the 17th had increased their number to 21. Also on the 2nd the male Hen Harrier was seen on Blue House Farm from South Fambridge, and nine Siskin were at Rochford Golf Course on the 4th. Wallasea was still the place to be in the first week of the month with three Spoonbills, three Barnacle Geese, Goosander, three each of Hen Harrier and Short-eared Owl, and Merlin all noted around this time. Best of all, however, was the roaming Red-breasted Goose which dropped in for a quick wash and brush up on the 4th before soon departing once more. The 7th saw a Black Brant join the Dark-bellied Brent Goose flock at Fleet Head, but the highlight of the day was the unexpected return of the White-billed Diver which drifted past the end of the pier late morning. Pleasingly for those who travelled from far and wide the diver hung around until the 10th, but was erratic in its appearances, although could often be seen from the shoreline. With all eyes on the Thames there were several good records between Canvey Point and Gunners Park over the following week. A Long-tailed Duck was seen daily from the pier between the 7th and 11th when three Great Northern Divers and a single Black-throated Diver were joined by the Slavonian Grebe and an impressive 440 Great Crested Grebes. Shags also put on a good showing with at least three present around the pier, but Eider and Common Scoter managed just a single apiece. A Little Gull and nine Kittiwake flew past Canvey on the 8th, while Razorbills peaked at seven off of the pier on the 10th and Guillemot likewise with five on the 14th. Away from the estuary two Firecrests were still wintering in Hockley Woods on the 7th with another duo still in Tile Wood on the 11th. Two Waxwings were present in Gunners Park on the 9th and 10th, with a Water Pipit and two Raven at Wat Tyler on the latter date. Yellowhammers put in appearances with 11 in Rayleigh on the 10th and a single at South Fambridge the following day. On the 12th the roving Red-breasted Goose dropped into Wallasea once more, but this time remained for several hours before departing late in the afternoon. Six days later it was back again, this time at Fleet Head where it remained until the 19th. A Waxwing was photographed in Rochford on the 17th, but did not linger. Three Hen Harriers and four Short-eared Owls could still be found terrorising the vole population on Wallasea on the 18th, a Red Kite drifted over Benfleet on the 19th and the regular Red-crested Pochard continued to bounce around the parks in the south east of the area all month. Four Lesser Redpoll were present in Hockley Woods where they were joined by four Siskin on the 23rd and 24th, while the following day 10 Lesser Redpolls could still be found on Canvey Wick. The 23rd also saw unusually large counts of two common species with 120 Linnets at Rochford and a staggering 3,000 Black-tailed Godwits at Bowers Marsh. Also on the 23rd a Raven was mobbed over Fleet Head, while two Long-eared Owls were located at a Thameside location in the evening. The month was seen out with a Merlin along the River Roach and the reappearance of the two Waxwings in Gunners Park on the 28th.

 

MARCH 2024

 

A single Yellowhammer was at Lion Creek on the 2nd, with two more at Bowers Marsh the following day which were joined by a drake Scaup and a Great White Egret. Also on the 3rd the last two Jack Snipe of the winter were seen at Vange Marsh and 12 White-fronted Geese could still be found on West Canvey Marsh where a Water Pipit began a three week residence. The 3rd also saw a female Eider off Shoebury East Beach and nearby the two Waxwings reappeared at Gunners Park where they remained on and off until the 6th. Another Waxwing duo was found at Great Wakering on the 3rd and remained until the 13th. Between the 3rd and 9th there was a modest showing of Siskin, with eight birds at three sites, while the same period also yielded five Firecrests, with two in Tile Wood and three in Hockley Woods. The first Black-necked Grebe of the year was at the traditional site of Bowers Marsh on the early date of the 5th; numbers increased throughout the month peaking at six on the 30th. A month high of six Short-eared Owl was on Wallasea on the 6th, where a single Spoonbill remained the whole month. Also on the 6th White-fronted Goose numbers at West Canvey had increased to 23, the same day an unseasonal Hummingbird Hawkmoth was making the most of some early spring sunshine in Shoebury and the month’s only Ring-necked Parakeet was noted in Gunners Park. A visit to Fleet Head on the 6th revealed the continued presence of not one, but two, Red-breasted Geese which were also joined by a Black Brant. At the end of an eventful day an impressive dusk count was made of eight Woodcock leaving their daytime roost at Canvey Wick, while nearby a pair of Long-eared Owls were seen displaying until the 10th. The two Red-breasted Geese could still be found in the Fleet Head area over the following days, where remarkably they were joined by a third bird on the 10th and 11th; all three had been seen on the Dengie peninsula over the previous few months. A single Red-breasted Goose was seen for the final time on the 12th, and during this time up to three Pale-bellied Brent Geese and two Black Brants could also be found mingling amongst the Dark-bellied Brent Goose flocks in the area. Three Yellowhammer were present at Wat Tyler on the 8th only, while a Pale-bellied Brent Goose found on Hadleigh Marshes the same day remained in the area until the 22nd. The 9th saw both a male and female Hen Harrier on Wallasea Island with the male last seen on the 21st and the female remaining all month. On the 10th the month’s only Guillemot flew past Canvey Point, while the following day a Spoonbill was seen at Bowers Marsh where it remained on and off into June. The drake Red-breasted Merganser could still be found on Wallasea on the 13th, as could the 23 White-fronted Geese at West Canvey Marsh, although their number quickly dwindled to a single by the 18th. Some warm air on the 14th saw the emergence of the first Brimstones, Small Tortoiseshell, Commas and Peacock butterflies, the same day 14 Siskin passed over Gunners Park. After a poor winter showing of Water Pipits, the final bird at Vange Marsh was seen on the 15th, while at Bowers Marsh the following day there were now three Great White Egrets. Bittern is a very scarce bird locally, so one at Bowers Marsh briefly on the 16th was well received, as was a Swallow which flew north over Rawreth and was the earliest ever local record. Two Red Kites which drifted over Rayleigh on the 16th were the vanguard of a relatively heavy passage which included seven further records of nine birds up to the 27th. The 16th also saw the first of a flurry of Siskin records with 30 birds recorded to the month’s end, mostly on garden feeders and including a maximum of seven in Canewdon on the 22nd. The overwintering Water Pipit at Bowers Marsh was seen for the final time on the 17th, while the following day a Shag could be found resting on the Shoebury Boom. The Black Brant at Fleet Head was seen for the final time on the 18th when there was a sharp decline in the Brent Goose numbers, while the same day the first Wheatear of the year was on Wallasea; three further singles were noted over the following week. Five Yellowhammers were at Lower Raypits on the 19th when two Short-eared Owls and a Merlin could still be found on Wallasea. The 21st was a red-letter day for Wallasea where two Common Cranes flew over in the morning and a Red-crested Pochard, another 2024 island first, was present late in the day. Also on the 21st two Shag were present off of Canvey Point and the first Emperor Moth of the year was at Vange Marsh. A Short-eared Owl was at Bowers Marsh from the 22nd to 31st, with the West Canvey Marsh Water Pipit being seen for the final time the following day. A Lesser Redpoll visited garden feeders in Canewdon on the 24th. An impressive three pairs of Nuthatch were in Belfairs Wood on the 25th, when a Raven passed over Bowers Marsh before being seen again over West Canvey Marsh three days later. A report of a Bonaparte’s Gull at Bowers Marsh surfaced after dark on the 26th and would certainly have proven popular had it been confirmed. Four Cattle Egrets were present at their roost at Wat Tyler early on the 27th, while nearby the first Willow Warbler of the year was in song at Bowers Marsh and the first Little Ringed Plovers, with five birds, were at Lower Raypits. Towards the end of the month Small White and Speckled Wood were on the wing, bringing the number of butterfly species up to eight for the year, but the wintry feel couldn’t be shaken with a Merlin on Wallasea on the 29th, and Hen Harrier at Barling and Great Northern Diver off the pier on the 30th. The month was seen out with the first three Sandwich Terns of the year and the month’s only Razorbill all off of Gunners Park on the 31st.

 

 

APRIL 2024

 

The Red Kite passage continued with up to 13 birds in the first 14 days of the month including four drifting over Bowers Marsh / Wat Tyler on the 1st. Siskins were also faring well during this time with a minimum of 64 birds between the 1st and 11th, again mostly at garden feeders. A Short-eared Owl was at West Canvey Marsh on the 1st and a Wheatear was in Gunners Park the same day. The 1st also saw an early Nightingale at Canvey Wick, with an impressive 17 counted there on the 27th; twelve more at six sites during the month meant this species had its best ever year locally. Willow Warblers were also having a good year with 23 widely scattered singing birds over the course of the month. Five Black-necked Grebes were still at Bowers Marsh on the 4th, but by the 22nd only a single pair remained, and no breeding attempts were made there this year. From the 4th the expected summer visitors began to arrive, with a Lesser Whitethroat at Canvey Wick on the 8th and Cuckoo on Vange Wick on the 11th both being earliest ever records. Diligent scanning of Blue House Farm from South Fambridge on the 8th was eventually rewarded with the two drake Garganey and a Short-eared Owl. The 8th also saw a spring high count of five Wheatear at Bowers Marsh, with just a few further ones and twos through to the 23rd, and also the first in a string of Garden Warbler records from Canvey Wick which persisted into early June. A fine male Ring Ouzel spent the day parading around Oxenham Farm on the 10th, where the wandering female Hen Harrier also put in an appearance before being seen again on Wallasea on the 15th. A Hummingbird Hawkmoth was a surprise visitor to a Canewdon garden on the 11th. A Short-eared Owl and a single Great White Egret remained in situ at Bowers Marsh on the 11th, where a Cattle Egret flew over the following day. The 13th saw the first odonata on the wing with a Hairy Dragonfly at Canvey Wick, with the first Green Hairstreaks of the year there the following day. A Whooper Swan keeping company with the Mute Swans at Vange Marsh on the 15th and 16th was most unexpected, but welcome, nonetheless. The two semi-resident Spoonbills on Wallasea were joined by a third bird on the 17th only. The 17th also saw the first Wall Brown on the wing, bringing the butterfly count for the year up to 13. The first two Grasshopper Warblers of the year could be heard reeling at Bowers Marsh on the 18th; there were up to four present later in the month. Bowers Marsh also hosted a White Wagtail on the 18th and 19th, with the latter date also seeing the first Hobby of the year, over West Canvey Marsh, and the first of only two Common Sandpipers of the spring, at Battlesbridge. From the 19th a pair of Long-eared Owls could be seen displaying at a location in the south. Short-eared Owls at Canvey Wick and Two Tree Island on the 20th and a White-fronted Goose on Wallasea on the 21st were a reminder that winter wasn’t quite over, even though the first two Swifts of the year were at Bowers Marsh on the latter date. Eight Ring-necked Parakeets flew over Canvey Wick early on the 22nd, the same day that two Ravens passed over Bowers Marsh. A Jack Snipe was unexpectedly flushed on Wallasea on the 25th, where two Short-eared Owls were still present; a further three sites held single birds over the next four days. Some unsettled weather on the 27th saw eyes turn to the Thames where a Gannet, Eider and Great Skua, a very good spring record, all flew past Gunners Park. Also on the 27th a Pink-footed Goose arrived at Bowers Marsh and sought out the company of the local Greylag Geese and remained well into May. It was with some relief that the first Turtle Dove returned to Wakering Stairs on the 27th; they had increased to three by the 30th but hold a precarious toehold in the area. Black-winged Stilts are now expected, but their arrival is still cheered each year; the arrival of one at Bowers Marsh on the 29th was therefore gratefully received. It remained until 7th May and was the only record this spring. A male Redstart at Canvey Wick on the 29th would have been popular had it lingered for more than a few seconds. The month was seen out with a good spring count of 30 Arctic Terns moving upriver past Canvey Point on the 29th.

 

MAY 2024

 

The month opened with seven Ring-necked Parakeets over Canvey Wick early on the 1st and the first of five Red Kites this month which drifted over Rochford. Bowers Marsh was the place to be at the start of the month with a Wood Sandpiper found on the 1st when it could be seen in the same field of view as a Jack Snipe; the second year running this combination has occurred at this site. Three Hobby were also present at Bowers Marsh on the 1st, with the Wood Sandpiper remaining until the 4th, the Black-winged Stilt from April present until the 7th, and the Spoonbill continuing to make occasional visits throughout the month. The Pink-footed Goose from last month remained until the 17th; remarkably it was joined by a second bird for the final three days of its stay. Finally, a drake Garganey was present between the 4th and 6th before going missing until the 19th. Another Wood Sandpiper was at Fleet Head on the 2nd, when three Yellowhammers could be found at Lion Creek. Bowers Marsh hosted the final Wheatear of the spring on the 4th, and a Cattle Egret flew over Gunners Park the next day before overflying Wallasea on the 10th. The two Spoonbills on Wallasea were still present and correct on the 5th and remained all month. The only Grasshopper Warbler of the year away from Bowers Marsh was reeling at Canvey Wick on the 7th, where a high count of nine Green Hairstreak was also made. Short-eared Owls were still holding on with two on Wallasea on the 7th and 8th and a single at Canvey Wick on the 9th. A singing Cetti’s Warbler on the 8th was a long overdue island first for Wallasea and was one of at least 120 singing birds in the recording area this spring. Ravens continued to roam widely with single birds over South Fambridge on the 10th and Hadleigh Downs on the 28th. Special mention must go to the night of the 10th/11th when a pulsating display of the aurora borealis lit up skies across the UK giving many their first opportunity of witnessing this cosmic phenomenon. Exciting news came from a private site near Canewdon on the 12th in the form of two Turtle Doves, which were last seen at this traditional site in 2021. With three present later in the month, as well as a further three at Wakering Stairs, there remains a glimmer of hope that their days aren’t yet numbered. Two intriguing reports came in during the following week with an adult male Pallid Harrier reportedly flying south west over the MOD land at Shoeburyness on the 14th and a Marsh Warbler supposedly in song on Two Tree Island on the 18th; unsurprisingly neither were seen again. The long-staying female Red-crested Pochard could still be found at Southchurch Park between the 17th and 31st. Back at Bowers Marsh the first Painted Lady of the year was seen on the 17th, when another Red-crested Pochard, this time a drake, was found; it remained into June. A single Black-necked Grebe was still present there on the 24th with another at Paglesham Lagoon the following day. Also on the 24th the only Osprey of the spring was reported flying over Ashingdon. Two Scarce Chaser dragonflies were at their only local site of Doggetts Pits on the 24th with the first Scace Emerald Damselflies emerging the following day at Bowers Marsh nudging the odonata year list up to twelve. Three drake Garganey were on Wallasea Island on the 25th, and after no winter roosts were found it was pleasing to find proof that Long-eared Owl had bred successfully with three young seen in the south on the 27th. The butterfly species count rose to 20 with the first Heath Fritillaries, Meadow Brown and Essex Skippers on the wing towards the end of the month. The month ended with some cool and breezy weather on the 31st which resulted in 175 Gannet and two Fulmar, which are only just about annual nowadays, passing Canvey Point.

 

JUNE 2024

 

The drake Red-crested Pochard remained at Bowers Marsh from the 1st to the 16th, where the Spoonbill and two Yellowhammers were present all month. Other singing Yellowhammers included singles at Lower Raypits on the 2nd and the surprising location of Hadleigh Downs on the 7th. A male Bullfinch was present at a traditional site on the outskirts of Rayleigh on the 5th and was the first local record anywhere for 15 months and gives hope that this species might persist in suitable habitat in the area. Also on the 5th two Ravens flew over Rayleigh, a Red Kite drifted over Southend, a Grasshopper Warbler was reeling at Bowers Marsh and Long-eared Owls were proven to have bred at a second location with an adult accompanying two young at a site in the south west. The 7th saw the Spoonbill count on Wallasea rise to five, while on the 8th four Cattle Egrets spent the day at Bowers Marsh. After last year’s colonisation it was pleasing to note the first White-legged Damselflies at Edwards Hall Park on the 8th, their number had increased to an impressive 61 by the 22nd. Another Red Kite flew over Bowers Marsh on the 9th, 15 Gannets flew past Canvey Point on the 10th, and the Black-necked Grebe could still be found at Paglesham Lagoon on the 11th. As spring moved into summer attention turned as usual towards odonata and lepidoptera, with the first Southern Emerald Damselflies noted on the 13th, White-letter Hairstreaks and Southern Migrant Hawkers on the wing on the 16th, and the first White Admiral in Belfairs on the 17th. A male Bullfinch apparently visiting feeders in a Thorpe Bay garden on the 15th was most unusual. A Red Kite over Rochford on the 17th was the first of nine well scattered records to the month’s end, although some duplication is certain to have been involved. At West Canvey Marsh a solitary Short-eared Owl was seen on the 20th and 23rd. The Wallasea Spoonbill count increased again on the 23rd with 10 present, before being topped up to 17 by further arrivals on the 30th. All five members of the Black-necked Grebe family in the south were present and correct on the 23rd, the same day the first returning Green Sandpipers were seen, with Spotted Redshanks appearing from the 29th. The first Willow Emerald Damselfly of the year was seen on the 23rd at Benfleet Downs. A Turtle Dove was still present near Canewdon on the 27th and Nuthatches were noted at five sites this month. A daytime roosting Tawny Owl in a Rayleigh garden sporadically from the 28th was a rare treat, as was the first Purple Emperor of the year which was busily imbibing minerals from the ground in Belfairs Wood on the morning of the 29th. The first Silver-washed Fritillary of the year was in a Thundersley garden on the 29th with Gatekeepers on the wing the following day bringing the 2024 butterfly count up to 31.

 

JULY 2024

             

The regular female Red-crested Pochard continued its stay at Southchurch Park at the start of the month, with the 1st also seeing two Ravens at Bowers Downs and a Red Kite over Canvey Way, which was seen again at nearby Hadleigh Downs on the 14th. Two Black-necked Grebes were still present in the south on the 4th; numbers continued to fluctuate between two and five all month. A Turtle Dove flew over Bowers Marsh on the 4th, the same day seven Spoonbills were still present on Wallasea. The 4th was also a busy day for non-avian interest with Belfairs Wood hosting both Silver-washed Fritillary and Purple Emperor, and Hockley Woods seeing the final six Heath Fritillaries of the year along with a three figure count of Southern Migrant Hawker. Eight Southern Emerald Damselflies were at the famous ‘Canvey ditch’ on the 6th, while the next day three Spoonbills were present at Bowers Marsh, with two commuting between there and nearby West Canvey Marsh for the rest of the month. Seven White Admirals were in Belfairs Wood on the 11th, with the final one of the year there the following day. Also on the 12th a Southern Emerald Damselfly took up temporary residence in Gunners Park and a single Dark-bellied Brent Goose was eking out a lonely summer existence at Canvey Point. Five Crossbills over a Benfleet garden on the 14th were typical in timing, but were unfortunately not the precursor of an influx. The 14th also saw two juvenile Long-eared Owls at a site in the south west, with another there on the 19th. Three Turtle Doves were still present at Wakering Stairs on the 14th, with two seen again at the end of the month. Two Ring-necked Parakeets could still be found at their most reliable location of Thorpe Hall Golf Club on the 15th, the same day a Great White Egret turned up at Bowers Marsh and a Wood Sandpiper began a twelve day stay at Vange Marsh. Between the 15th and 30th four or five Painted Lady butterflies were recorded at three sites. After going missing last winter, the regular adult Yellow-legged Gull returned to its favoured stretch of River Crouch between Hullbridge and Battlesbridge on the 18th, and a Grasshopper Warbler was reeling at Bowers Marsh for the final time this year. A Silver-washed Fritillary could still be found in Belfairs Wood on the 18th, with three at Wat Tyler on the 19th and a single in Hockley Woods the next day. A good count of 37 Southern Emerald Damselflies was made on Wallasea on the 19th, and a Hummingbird Hawkmoth was seen in a South Fambridge garden on the 19th and 23rd. A Cattle Egret took a liking to the cattle herd at Bowers Marsh on the 19th and 20th, when it could often be seen in the same field of view as a Great White Egret and two Spoonbills – a situation which would have been unthinkable even a few years ago. A further five Spoonbills could still be found on Wallasea on the 19th and had increased to eleven by month’s end. Return wader passage was well underway on the 21st with the first adult Curlew Sandpiper being found on Wallasea; a further three were there on the 28th with another trio at West Canvey Marsh the same day. The first confirmed Osprey of the year was lingering over Pitsea Tip on the 21st before exiting the area south over the Thames. Patient scanning of Blue House Farm from South Fambridge revealed four Spoonbills on the 24th, the same day ten Southern Emerald Damselflies were at their usual location along Canvey Way. The 28th saw some interesting records, with an unseasonal Short-eared Owl on Wallasea, two Common Cranes heading south west over Leigh and a family party of three Whinchat at Bowers Marsh, which had presumably originated from further afield than the juvenile Stonechat which was also present. The final day of the month saw the first ‘autumn’ seawatch of the year from Canvey Point which yielded ten Kittiwakes, a Common Scoter and the first Arctic Skua of the year. The month was seen out by an Osprey which came into roost on the north side of the Crouch on the 31st and was viewable distantly from both South Fambridge and Canewdon.

 

AUGUST 2024

 

The month opened with an Arctic Skua and 21 Arctic Terns past Canvey Point on the 1st, where the over summering Dark-bellied Brent Goose was still present. The Osprey continued to be seen daily from South Fambridge until the 16th, with another over Canvey Wick on the 1st. Also on the 1st a Hummingbird Hawkmoth was present in a South Fambridge garden and 10 Spoonbills were on Wallasea Island, where numbers continued to fluctuate all month. Up to nine Spoonbills from Blue House Farm also occasionally visited the Crouch at South Fambridge from the 3rd to the 11th before possibly moving to Bowers Marsh. Fifteen Southern Emerald Damselflies on Wallasea were the last of the year, as was a single White-legged Damselfly at Edwards Hall Park two days later. The first of just two Wood Sandpipers this autumn turned up at Vange Marsh on the 3rd and remained until the 6th, during which time the site also played host to two Garganey and six Egyptian Geese. At nearby Bowers Marsh the Red-crested Pochard reappeared briefly on the 4th when a single Yellowhammer, one of just three in the area this month, was also seen. A solitary Turtle Dove was still present at Wakering Stairs on the 3rd and 4th, with two still near Canewdon on the 7th to the 9th. Two Garganey were at West Canvey Marsh on the 6th, the same day six Cattle Egrets came into roost at Wat Tyler. Short-eared Owls which were seen at South Fambridge on the 8th and Wakering Stairs on the 9th were unexpected, but less so than the Sooty Shearwater which flew past Wakering Stairs on the 9th; it had apparently also flown past Canvey Point some 90 minutes earlier. Three Black-necked Grebes remained at a site in the south from the 10th to the 15th, with a single at Bowers Marsh on the 14th. Also on the 10th 20 Arctic Terns flew past Canvey Point, a Garganey was at West Canvey Marsh and a Red Kite flew over Bowers Marsh. The next day four Spoonbills turned up at Bowers Marsh where they remained to the month’s end, and the regular Yellow-legged Gull could still be found at Hullbridge until at least the 17th. The 13th saw two Spotted Flycatchers spend the afternoon at Butts Hill Pond, Canewdon, and an interesting report of three Red Kites together over Canvey Island. Ten Black Terns could be found lingering off of Canvey Point on the 14th, with a Little Tern and a Little Gull also past there. Garganey this month were represented by a single at Bowers Marsh from the 14th to the 19th, and a good count of four at West Canvey Marsh between the 18th and the 28th. While Cattle Egrets were conspicuous by their absence, Great White Egrets fared better with several present across the area resulting in high counts of five at both Wallasea on the 15th and Bowers Marsh on the 19th. It was pleasing to note two fledged Hobbies at a site in the east on the 16th, one of at least three sites this dashing falcon was confirmed to have bred this year. Migration started to hot up on the 17th when the ringers at Gunners Park pulled a Tree Pipit, a Garden Warbler and three Grasshopper Warblers from their nets, along with a good count of 29 Willow Warblers. Gunners Park also held a Spotted Flycatcher and a Clouded Yellow, remarkably the only one of the year. Also on the 17th two Curlew Sandpiper were at Fleet Head along with a Wheatear; four more Wheatear were present there the following day with just three other singles at three sites during the final two weeks of the month. Similarly, four Whinchat were at Bowers Marsh the same day, with five other sites hosting ones and twos this month. Finally on the 17th, a male Lesser Emperor dragonfly was at West Canvey Marsh, but unfortunately as with every other record of this species locally it was a finder only observation. The 18th saw a Wood Sandpiper at Fleet Head and a Yellow-legged Gull at Vange Marsh, with a Little Stint at Bowers Marsh the following day. A Curlew Sandpiper was present on Wallasea on the 23rd and a Little Tern passed Canvey Point on the 24th. A Tree Pipit buzzed over Gunners Park on the 25th, with another on the 29th. A Garden Warbler and two Spotted Flycatchers were at Canvey Wick on the 26th, and three Curlew Sandpipers were noted at Bowers Marsh, but the highlight of the day was a Sooty Shearwater which powered east out of the estuary and was tracked between Canvey Point and Shoebury East Beach. Further passerine interest was provided towards the end of the month by another Garden Warbler, at Two Tree Island on the 27th, up to four Spotted Flycatchers between Gunners Park and Shoebury East Beach from the 27th to the 30th, and single Pied Flycatchers at Gunners Park on the 28th and 29th. A Short-eared Owl was on Wallasea on the 28th, with an Osprey there on the 28th and 29th. Another Osprey was found roosting north of the Crouch again on the 30th, with one also seen flying south over Gunners Park on the 31st. Cattle Egrets finally started appearing towards the end of the month with five in the Wat Tyler roost on the 27th, increasing to nine at nearby Bowers Marsh on the 31st. Two Curlew Sandpiper and a Short-eared Owl were present on Two Tree Island on the 29th, but with the wind swinging to the east all eyes were on the sea for the final two days of the month. The 30th saw a Balearic Shearwater, the first local record since 2013, pass Canvey Point, supported by a Manx Shearwater, 22 Gannets and five Common Scoters. A nine hour vigil on the 31st also produced some good records with the highlight being two Sooty Shearwaters, one of which was also seen passing Gunners Park. Other sightings on the 31st included 28 Gannets, 36 Arctic Skuas, four Great Skuas, 11 Little Terns, 36 Black Terns, and a Guillemot, while Southend Pier weighed in with two Fulmar, an increasingly scarce sight nowadays.

 

SEPTEMBER 2024

 

With a continuing north easterly airflow during the first week of the month the news was dominated by seawatching records from Canvey Point. The highlights on the 1st were 10 Arctic Skuas, two Great Skuas, 11 Gannets, eight Little and 22 Black Terns, with 20 Arctic Skuas on the 2nd. The forecast for the 5th promised classic conditions and observers at Canvey Point witnessed probably the best full day’s seawatching in recent times. Highlights for the day included a Sooty Shearwater, 14 Common Scoter, two each of Great and Pomarine Skua, 74 Arctic Skuas, a single Long-tailed Skua, a Sabine’s Gull, 63 Arctic, seven Little and 33 Black Terns, and a Guillemot. However, the standout highlight of the day was a Cory’s Shearwater which had been tracked along the north Kent coast and delighted observers as it flew upriver and then back out some 30 minutes later; remarkably this is the third consecutive year that this ocean going procellariid has been recorded in the Inner Thames. Things then started to quieten down, but the 7th still produced two Sabine’s Gulls and three Arctic Terns, with two Little Terns and a Black Tern on the 9th. Away from the river, the eight Spoonbills remained at Bowers Marsh on the 1st with the Garganey still lingering at nearby West Canvey Marsh, and a Pied Flycatcher paid a brief visit to the Barling Magna Millenium Park. A Wheatear, the first of 18 well scattered records this month, was at Canvey Point on the 2nd, and two Curlew Sandpipers were on Wallasea the following day. On the 3rd a Hoopoe was photographed in a Prittlewell garden, but wasn’t seen subsequently; despite several recent records this species remains very tricky to catch up with locally with just one twitchable record in the past 30 years. The following day a Tree Pipit was ringed in Gunners Park. Ospreys were well represented with singles over Shoebury East Beach on the 4th and Canvey Point on the 6th, and the Blue House Farm bird still viewable distantly on the 6th and 7th. Between the 6th and 8th there was a pulse of early autumn passerine migrants through the area. Five Tree Pipits passed over Gunners Park on the 6th with a further four on the 7th, when five also moved through Canvey Wick. Garden Warblers appeared at Bowers Marsh on the 6th, Gunners Park on the 6th to the 7th and Wakering Common on the 7th. The first Redstart of the autumn at Gunners Park on the 6th was quickly followed by four more the following day, with a duo at Wakering Stairs, and Bowers Marsh and a South Fambridge garden hosting a single apiece. Spotted Flycatchers also appeared, with singles at Canvey Wick and Wakering Stairs on the 8th and a further single at Sutton Road Cemetery on the 9th. Eleven Cattle Egrets could still be found at Bowers Marsh on the 8th, after which date their numbers tailed off, and 10 Spoonbills remained in situ on Wallasea Island. Ten Great White Egrets at Bowers Marsh on the 12th constituted another local record count for this species; six stayed to the month’s end with just two singles elsewhere. Singles of Osprey and Merlin were present at Wallasea Island on the 12th, with another Merlin at Wakering Stairs on the 15th. The last Swift of the year could be found hawking over the lagoon at Bowers Marsh on the 12th and 13th. At nearby Vange Marsh, a Lesser Yellowlegs was an excellent find on the 13th; it was erratic in its appearances being present on the 14th and 15th and then again from the 22nd to the 24th before reappearing in October. Two Little Stints also made Vange Marsh their temporary home between the 13th and 16th. A Redstart was present in a Benfleet garden on the 15th, with a Hummingbird Hawkmoth at Canewdon on the 16th. With the wind swinging back to an easterly vector all eyes were once again on Canvey Point, with the 17th seeing 12 Arctic Skuas and a Guillemot. The 18th saw a Great Skua, Sabine’s Gull, Arctic Tern and, completely unexpectedly, a Black Guillemot. A further Great Skua was seen on the 20th, two late Little Terns on the 21st were the last of the year, as was the Black Tern on the 22nd. A Red Kite drifted over Rawreth on the 20th, and a Short-eared Owl was at Wakering Stairs on the 21st. A late Pied Flycatcher put in a brief appearance at Gunners Park on the 22nd. An interesting larid at Vange Marsh on the 24th showed characteristics of Caspian Gull; ringing data confirmed it had originated from south east of Warsaw, Poland, but a hybrid origin couldn’t be ruled out. Also on the 24th a Firecrest was discovered in Gunners Park and nine Spoonbills remained at Bowers Marsh. A Hummingbird Hawkmoth was present at South Fambridge on the 28th, the same day a Raven passed over Rawreth, and the following day five Little Gulls flew by Canvey Point.

 

OCTOBER 2024

 

The weather at the start of the month once again presented the opportunity for a day’s seawatching and observers at Canvey Point on the 2nd weren’t disappointed, with the highlights including a Manx Shearwater, 16 Gannets, Red-breasted Merganser, 12 Arctic and single Long-tailed and Great Skuas, two Sabine’s Gulls, 40 Kittiwakes, four Arctic Terns and a Guillemot. Also on the 2nd a Curlew Sandpiper was present in the high tide roost at Two Tree Island, and two Ring Ouzels flew over Gunners Park. The final two Whinchat of the year were at Bowers Marsh on the 3rd, where a Spoonbill was present all month. Also at Bowers Marsh on the 3rd were eight Great White Egrets; their number quickly fell with just three remaining at the end of the month. Three Great White Egrets could also be found on Wallasea until the 20th, after which just a single bird persisted into November. Three Arctic Terns passed Canvey Point on the 5th, the same day a Short-eared Owl was patrolling West Canvey Marsh, and the final Wheatear of the year was at Oxenham Farm. The Lesser Yellowlegs made a surprise reappearance at Vange Marsh for the final time on the 6th. A Great White Egret overflying Shoebury on the 13th could conceivably have been the same which passed over Thundersley forty or so minutes later. The 13th also saw the first two Hen Harriers, including an adult male, return to Wallasea to take up their winter residence, along with a Merlin, and a Short-eared Owl at West Canvey Marsh. However, the undoubted highlight of the day was the discovery of a Great Grey Shrike at West Canvey Marsh. Just the third local record this century, following birds in 2007 and 2015, it was present briefly the following day before relocating across the creek to Bowers Marsh on the 15th where it performed well all day. A Ring Ouzel was present first thing on the 15th at Shoebury East Beach, but quickly moved on. Two Red-breasted Mergansers off Gunners Park on the 15th were back there on the 26th, but in the interim roamed widely and were also recorded from Canvey Point and Westcliff Seafront. Ten Egyptian Geese arrived at Southchurch Park East on the 16th, and were joined by five more the following day, smashing the local record count. A Yellow-browed Warbler in Gunners Park on the 16th was much anticipated and welcomed in equal measure; it remained until the 17th when an all too brief Black Redstart appeared just 100 metres away. Also on the 16th a Firecrest was at Wat Tyler, and two Siskins flew over Gunners Park. ‘Vismigging’ at Gunners Park on the 17th produced 50 Siskins and singles of Brambling and Redpoll; there were just three further Siskins and one Redpoll in the final two weeks of the month. The 19th saw Bramblings recorded at three locations, with one accompanying Goldfinches at Shoebury East Beach, one over West Canvey Marsh and three at Stambridge. The 19th also saw two Arctic Skuas and a Guillemot past Gunners Park, and a Short-eared Owl and Merlin at West Canvey Marsh, with a further Merlin record from Wallasea on the 21st. The first Velvet Scoter of the year was photographed off Canvey Point on the 23rd. A late Osprey was at Wallasea Island on the 25th, while on the 26th 33 Gannets and a single Arctic Skua were the highlights of a slow seawatch from Canvey Point. A Bittern was an excellent find at Bowers Marsh on the 27th and follows another from the same site in March; it was again present the following evening but not subsequently. Bowers Marsh also recorded a Yellow-legged Gull on the 28th and the first Woodcock of the autumn on the 29th. Red Kites were noted over Thundersley on the 28th, Canvey Heights on the 29th, and the River Roach on the 30th. A Firecrest was back on its winter territory in Hockley Woods on the 29th, and a Ring Ouzel was reported from Sutton churchyard. Belated news concerned a Dartford Warbler which was photographed on the 29th at Wallasea Island, but fortunately it remained into November, and the month was seen out by a Ring-necked Parakeet over Leigh and three Hen Harriers on Wallasea on the 30th.

 

NOVEMBER 2024

 

As with the previous two months, unsettled weather was a feature of the first few days and produced some good records from Canvey Point. A very late Common Tern could be found patrolling the river from the 1st to the 3rd, with the 2nd producing 50 Gannets, 35 Common Scoter, Goldeneye, Great, Arctic and two Pomarine Skuas, and a Little Gull. The three Hen Harriers were still on Wallasea on the 1st and were joined by a trio of Great White Egrets. Also on the 1st a further three Great White Egrets were at Bowers Marsh, while nearby a Short-eared Owl was at West Canvey Marsh and a Brambling was at Hockley Woods, with a Firecrest there the following day. Photographs confirmed the presence of at least two Dartford Warblers on Wallasea on the 2nd with at least one seen sporadically all month. Merlins were also seen on Wallasea on the 2nd and the 7th with a late Swallow present on the former date. A Little Gull passed Gunners Park on the 3rd, with a Brambling and five Siskin passing overhead; there were just nine other Siskins seen all month. A Chiffchaff at Gunners Park the same day was the first of five local records this month. A Cattle Egret popped up at Wallasea on the 5th and was joined by two others on the 7th and 8th only. A Black Redstart at Gunners Park on the 5th was typical in both location and timing, but unfortunately didn’t linger. A Spoonbill appeared at Bowers Marsh on the 6th and remained until the 18th. An Eider was off Gunners Park on the 6th, with two past Canvey Point on the 7th and an Arctic Skua there the following day. A Yellowhammer at Bowers Marsh on the 6th was the last record there this year. The regular adult Yellow-legged Gull could still be found along its favoured stretch of the River Crouch upriver of Hullbridge on the 10th. The highlight of a seawatch from Canvey Point on the 12th was a Puffin, but other records included 20 Gannets, 11 Common Scoter, Arctic Skua, 140 Kittiwakes, four Guillemots, a male Hen Harrier which flew over from Kent, and a late Swallow. Another Swallow at Shoebury East Beach on the 13th was joined by a Woodcock, while back at Canvey Point six Red-breasted Mergansers, 27 Common Scoters and a modest month high count of just nine Red-throated Divers flew past on the 14th, but the biggest surprise were the only two Purple Sandpipers of the year which dropped in for a couple of minutes before continuing on their way. Marauding flocks of Ring-necked Parakeets were at Canewdon, with five on the 14th, and Shipwright’s Wood with seven on the 17th. The 15th saw the return of White-fronted Geese for the winter, with 10 at West Canvey Marsh; by the end of the month 12 were present but ranged between here and Bowers Marsh. A Slavonian Grebe was a good find at Shoebury East Beach on the 16th and remained in the area until the 21st. The 16th also saw the wandering male Hen Harrier put in an appearance at South Fambridge, the same day the long staying Red-crested Pochard could still be found at Southchurch Park. Wallasea hosted the final Cattle Egret of the year on the 17th and 18th, with a Woodcock and two Goosander on the latter date; one Goosander remained all winter. More wet and windy weather on the 19th saw the only Leach’s Petrel of the year and a good count of 176 Kittiwakes past Canvey Point, and a Firecrest seeking the shelter of Coombe Wood. A Grey Phalarope off Gunners Park on the 20th was an excellent record, and was joined by a Great Northern Diver. Further upriver a Goldeneye was present off Canvey Point with 32 Common Scoters past there the following day. A Red Kite flew over Rochford on the 22nd. Short-eared Owl numbers remained low this month, with just a single present at Wallasea on the 26th and two at West Canvey Marsh on the 29th. Firecrests fared a little better with two at Hockley Woods on the 26th and a single at West Wood on the 28th. A Razorbill flew past Canvey Point on the 27th, with the last butterfly of the year, a Red Admiral, in Rochford on the 28th. A Red-breasted Merganser took up station on the Crouch east of South Fambridge from the 29th, the same day a Water Pipit was at Bowers Marsh. The month was seen out by two more Water Pipits, at Vange Marsh, on the 30th with 16 Common Scoters past Canvey Point and two Woodcocks at Wat Tyler. Just a single wintering Blackcap was noted, in Rayleigh on the 17th, while wintering waders were represented by seven Spotted Redshanks, six Greenshanks and five Green Sandpipers.

 

 

DECEMBER 2024

 

A solitary Great White Egret remained at Bowers Marsh on the 3rd, when it was joined by two Water Pipits and a Hen Harrier. Nearby, the first Jack Snipe of the winter was at the traditional location of Vange Marsh, and the first Redpoll of the season was at Canvey Wick. A drake Goosander at Rochford Reservoir was a surprising find at an unassuming location; predictably it didn’t linger. The 8th also saw an Arctic Skua, 68 Kittiwakes and a Puffin past Canvey Point, with the Puffin seen again two days later. Other sightings from Canvey Point on the 9th and 10th included a Great Northern Diver, eight Gannet, seven Common Scoter, Red-breasted Merganser and five Little Gulls, but the highlight was the brief appearance of the eight Kentish Bewick’s Swans which were just about visible on the south side of the estuary. Twelve White-fronted Geese popped up on Wallasea on the 10th only, while on the 15th the Bowers / West Canvey Marsh flock had increased to 24, the same figure which the Redpoll flock on Canvey Wick now numbered. A Merlin took up temporary residence at Bowers Marsh from the 11th, with a further bird seen on Wallasea on the 14th and 18th, where there were now up to five Hen Harriers, and the Goosander also being regularly seen. Two Woodcock were at Canvey Wick on the 14th, with a Long-eared Owl in the south that evening and another at a different site nearby the following day. The 14th also saw 10 Redpoll at Wakering Common, and the biggest non-avian surprise of the year in the form of three Chinese Water Deer which were photographed on Wallasea Island. This charismatic ruminant certainly wasn’t an expected addition to the local avifauna and represents the southernmost county record to date. A Short-eared Owl hunting West Canvey Marsh on the 15th was remarkable in that it meant this species was recorded in every month of 2024. Southend Pier doesn’t receive the coverage it used to, so it was pleasing to note both Great Northern Diver and Shag there on the 15th. Coombe Wood hosted a Firecrest on the 17th, a Great Northern Diver was off Canvey Point on the 18th and a Raven took a liking to the Bowers Marsh pylons on the 20th. The 22nd saw the Yellow-legged Gull remaining at Hullbridge and a Red Kite pass over Stambridge, while a Water Pipit was at West Canvey Marsh on the 23rd and 24th. Careful scrutiny of the Dunlin flock at Brandy Hole on the 24th revealed a Little Stint, the same day that six Barnacle Geese turned up on Wallasea Island; as last winter, neck collars confirmed a North Yorkshire feral origin. Walking off the Christmas excesses on the 26th resulted in an excellent find in the form of a Velvet Scoter on the River Roach at Barling, while at nearby Paglesham Lagoon Goldeneye numbered a measly three. Also on the 26th a Firecrest was in Shoebury, a Ring-necked Parakeet at Thorpe Bay and the regular Red-crested Pochard still at Southchurch Park. Short-eared Owl numbers continued to struggle this month, with just one or two at two sites, but Long-eared Owls fared better with at least 11 birds huddled together at a roost in the south on the 28th. Wintering passerine numbers were also lower than expected, with just two Chiffchaff and four Blackcap recorded this month, although Stonechat numbers did well with three sites holding at least four birds. A Goosander was an unusual find on the sea off Shoebury East Beach on the 29th and eventually found its way onto the lake at Gunners Park later that day. The 29th also saw the reappearance of the Dartford Warbler on Wallasea, 20 Redpoll at Canvey Wick, six Gannets past Canvey Point and eight Woodcock which were leaving their daytime roosts at Canvey Wick in the evening. The final two days of the month were uneventful, and the year drew to a gentle close with a Black Brant on Wallasea on the 31st.

 

A very respectable 215 species was recorded in the area this year, the highest total since 2018, and once again included some excellent birds with the White-billed Diver at the start of 2024 being the clear standout bird of the year. The total was augmented by the best seawatching season, at least in terms of variety, for many years and included Cory’s, Balearic and five Sooty Shearwaters, Leach’s Petrel, Long-tailed Skua, six Sabine’s Gulls and a Black Guillemot. Other notable sightings included Bittern, Glossy Ibis, three Red-breasted Geese, four Common Cranes, Black-winged Stilt, Lesser Yellowlegs, two Grey Phalaropes, Waxwings, Yellow-browed Warbler, and Great Grey Shrike. Non-avian highlights included the three Chinese Water Deer, Lesser Emperor, and the now expected White-legged Damselflies, Scarce Chasers and Purple Emperors.