02/04/00 - 1845, Two Tree Island. Two Short Eared Owls were observed
, one hunting by the bridge and the other sitting in a bush by the footpath near
the entrance to the nature reserve. Also observed were one Swallow and at least 20 Stonechat.
05/04/00 - 1830, Gunners Park. Barn Owl still performing
extremely well (see our last two month's entries). Also observed was Yellowhammer
and an unusual, large, unidentified Pipit on the Essex Wildlife Trust reserve (identification
required please).
06/04/00 - (from feedback) Large numbers of Curlew (20 to 30) observed today at Wakering Stairs 400 metres from shore. Also
possible Whimbrel observed - confirmation required. Observer: Richard
Wiseman
06/04/00 - Two further Wheatears observed
in Gunners Park on the Essex Wildlife Trust Reserve area.
07/04/00 - 1800 Gunners Park. There seems to have been a fall of
Linnet in Gunners Park as a flock of at least 20 were counted, all of which
were in the Essex Wildlife Trust reserve.
08/04/00 - afternoon. Booted Eagle
sighted at East Tilbury. Black-necked Grebe observed at Abberton and, at
Hanningfield, a Red-necked Grebe and Slavonian Grebe. Also at
Hanningfield a Red-breasted Goose has been sighted although this is
presumed to be an escaped bird. Finally, Iceland Gull, Paglesham Lagoons.
At least 100 Curlews were seen at Wakering Stairs.
09/04/00 - Early morning indications are of visible migration apparent
in Suffolk and Norfolk, which means that this could be a very good day to have a
long walk in the area. Four Hooded Crows were seen at Lowestoft
along with a few Rooks and other corvids. Woodpigeons were also
recorded flying South along with flocks of Linnets. Also in Suffolk,
There were 40 Sand Martins, four Swallows and a singing Blackcap.
Reported on the Kessingland Denes just North of Benacre Sluice there were two Shorelarks
a Wheatear and two Rock Pipits. At Benacre Broad there were six Avocets,
a Grey Plover an adult male Marsh Harrier and a Sandwich Tern.
Over the cliff top there were six Sand Martins. Please let us know of any
migrant sightings you may have.
09/04/00 - 1000 Hadleigh Country Park.
Still no sign of Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers but four Great Spotted
and at least four Green Woodpeckers were observed along with six Jays
flying in line astern towards Shipwrights woods. Fifteen Avocet were counted in
and around Benfleet Lagoons.
16/04/00 - Two Ring Ouzel reported from Barling Gravel Pits. Little
Tern reported at Tollesbury. Up to four Slavonian Grebe are now at Hanningfield Reservoir.
19/04/00 - Cuckoo observed at Abberton.
21/04/00 - Barling Gravel Pits, 0600 - 1030. An early morning walk
around the Gravel Pits produced the following species: Grey Heron, Canada
Goose, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher,
Lapwing, Curlew, Redshank, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Common Tern, Cuckoo,
Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker (x4), Swallow (x5),
House Martin (x6), Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Rook, Wren, Dunnock, Sedge Warbler (x3), Reed
Warbler, Whitethroat, Long-tailed Tit, Blue
Tit, Great Tit, Chaffinch, Linnet, Yellowhammer. Also seen were two Peacock butterflies
21/04/00 - (from feedback). Wakering Stairs, Positive Sighting for Little Tern at
Wakering Stairs seen at Haven Point, hunting
along waters edge after hide tide returned 5/6 times in a half hour period.
22/04/00 - Other observations from around the area include: Black-necked
Grebe, Nightingale and four Hobbies at Abberton Reservoir. Black-necked Grebe at
Hanningfield Reservoir. Iceland Gull at
Tollesbury. Whitethroat at Gunners
Park.
22/04/00 - (from feedback) Seen at Hanningfield Reservoir today. Red-necked Grebe,
Slavonian Grebe all in summer plumage. Also Black-necked Grebe, Cuckoo,
Whitethroat, Willow warbler, Swallow and female Marsh
Harrier. Observer Hilary Knight.
23/04/00 - Barling Gravel Pits. Willow
Warbler, Sedge Warbler (x4), Whitethroat (x5).
24/04/00 - Nightingales are back at Fingeringhoe Wick - 31
territories apparently as of 22nd April. Stephen D Anderson.
26/04/00 - Round field trip by Graham and Steve to Fingringhoe,
Abberton and Hanningfield. Highlights at these locations included;
Fingringhoe: Nightingales (at least 31
singing males) the easiest to see are outside of the second disabled hide with
at least four territories in this small area. Little Grebe, Grey Heron,
Greylag Goose, Brent Goose, Canada Goose, Shelduck, Ruddy
Duck, Cuckoo, Barn Owl, Jackdaw, Waxwing, Blackcap, Whitethroat, Willow
Warbler, and Bullfinch. Driving out of Fingringhoe, turning right at
the entrance, then following this road for 50 yards until a sharp right hand
bend, parking and looking through a gap in the hedge allowed views over the
gravel pits and sand workings, at this location were observed a mixed flock of
between 600 to 1000 Swallow,
Sand Martin and House Martin. Abberton
Reservoir: Nightingale, Marsh Harrier (juvenile female), Common
Tern, and Blackcap. Hanningfield Reservoir:
Red-crested Pochard, Black-necked Grebe, Red Necked Grebe.
27/04/00 - Since my report above I have been receiving emails from
various places in the UK. It would seem that this is to be a bumper year for Sand
Martin. As an example: From Darrell Clegg; 24th April, 1500+ Sand Martins
over Colliford Lake in SE Cornwall. This is a site not noted for Sand Martins,
and is by far the largest count we have ever had in this part of Cornwall. From
Jack Harrison; Visit to Fen Drayton (between Cambridge and Huntingdon) on the
26th, 15-20 Swifts slowly drifting north - an early date and Sand
Martins in 100's if not 1000's - I have never seen so many. Massive Sand
Martin returns are expected this year as the level of rainfall in the Niger
inundation zone was close to record levels last autumn. This may also be
reflected in higher than recent numbers of Garganey and Purple Heron
- two species that suffered greatly in the dry nineties. It would be
interesting to have a report from Minsmere. There is certainly no excuse for not
seeing Sand Martins this year!
28/04/00 - Possible Red-footed Falcon is being reported from
Walton on the Naze, we are awaiting confirmation.
29/04/00 - A very productive morning (11:00 - 14:00) at Wakering
Stairs. A male Hobby perched on a post not ten feet from your author near
to the Havengore bridge and also a solitary Whimbrel
off of the stairs. The Whimbrel, according to sightings, has
been in the area for the last week. Gunners Park 1830, Four Wheatear
observed. (from feedback) Cetti's Warblers
are now back in Wakering at Star Lane Brick Works pond. One bird heard and seen
this morning. Old Hall Marshes; Spoonbill near Iron Gate Flash.
