01/12/00 - Abberton Reservoir: Drake Canvasback now seems to be back in residence, best looked for from the Layer Breton Causeway.

02/12/00 - Hadleigh Castle Country Park: Male Goosander flew over Chapel lane car park at 08.05 (Possible 1st record for the park). Adult Little Gull on Two Tree lagoon 11am for about 20 minutes then drifted into creek. Observer: Steve Bunn, Essex Ranger Service. Also at Hadleigh: Bullfinch. (per SOG). Two Tree Island: 17 Little Egret, 3 pairs of Stonechat, 20 Corn Buntings, 35 Golden Plover, Greenshank. Paglesham Lagoons: Male Hen Harrier, Rock Pipits, 3 Little Egrets, Kingfisher. (per SOG). Westcliff Seafront: Adult Mediterranean Gull. Observer: Paul Baker (SOG).

03/12/00 - A days birding around Essex produced over 43 species, the highlights were as follows: Chigborough Lakes: Grey Wagtail, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Abberton Reservoir: Common Sandpiper, Black-necked Grebe, Pintail, Bullfinch. Old Hall Marshes: Little Egret, Red-breasted Merganser, c.3,000 Brent Geese, Male Hen Harrier, C.300 Curlew, c.700 Golden Plover, Green Woodpecker, Skylark,  Reed Bunting. Observers: Steve Sanford and Web Author. River Crouch near to Brandy Hole Yacht Club: A pair of Little Grebes diving and fishing on the river and numerous Redshank and Oystercatcher also on the mudbank (mid-morning between 10.30-12.30). Observer: Mick Burgess, RSPB. Hockley Woods: 5 Nuthatch, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker. Observer: Paul Baker (SOG).

04/12/00 - Barling Tip p.m.: 2 Green Sandpiper. River Roach: 7 Red-breasted Merganser, 8 Goldeneye, 2 Little Egret, 10+ Great Crested Grebe and 35 Mute Swan. Observer: Andrew Woodhouse, Essex Ranger Service.

05/12/00 - Southend Seafront: 11 Common Seals observed on the sand bar off from Westcliff Leisure Centre at low tide. Observer: Steve Wood. A Merlin was seen flying alongside the car at Royal Artillery Way. Observer: Paul Baker (SOG).

06/12/00 - Great Amwell Gravel Pits: Female Smew, Tree Creeper. Fishers Green: 7 Barnacle Geese, 2 Green Woodpeckers, Tree Creeper, Goldcrest, 1 Shelduck. Still only 2 Long-eared Owls present. of interest were a pair of Goosanders and a female Goldeneye. Observer: D Messenger. Walton-on-the-Naze: Of interest is a report of 45 Red-throated Divers and 3 Red-breasted Mergansers observed from the pier. East Tilbury: Three Little Egrets, a first winter Little Gull, several adult Kittiwakes and a pair of Stonechats. Observer: David Jobbins.

08/12/00 - Abberton Reservoir 12.45: Drake Canvasback SW of Layer Breton causeway. Rolls Farm, near Tollesbury: 4 Slavonian Grebes and 1 male Hen Harrier. Also 3 Shorelarks Colne Point this afternoon and 1 Little Egret. Reported by Nick Green, Essex Birdwatching Society.

09/12/00 - Two Tree Island: Male Red-breasted Merganser is back on the lagoon along with 2 Little Egrets. 11 Avocet in the creek. Observer: Andrew Woodhouse, Essex Ranger Service. Wakering Stairs: 1 female Hen Harrier, 3 Little Egret. Observer: Richard Wiseman. Harlow: Captured on video...Goshawk eating a Starling. My Garden in Harlow Essex. 11.45am. Observer: Terry Rackley. The Scrub, Hawkwell: Woodcock and Green Woodpecker. Observer: Paul Baker (SOG).

11/12/00 - Two Tree Island: Kingfisher, a Little Egret and 15 Avocet in the Creek. Also reported was a Little Stint. Andrew Woodhouse, Essex Ranger Service. 21 Goosander have been reported at Wivenhoe, Middle Lake, University Campus.

12/12/00 - Reported from pagers: 2 Shorelark still on Colne Point opposite jetty embankment, Canvasback still west of Layer Breton causeway at Abberton Reservoir.

13/12/00 - Great Amwell: Bullfinch in the woods also a Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Mistle Thrush singing on top of the tree, also a Kingfisher. There was also a Black Swan which may have come from a private lake nearby. Observer: D.Messenger. Gunners Park 14:30: Curlew in nature reserve, pair of Stonechats by reserve gate, Green Woodpecker, 3 Mistle Thrush, large roost (50+)of Collard Doves by pond also group of Long-tailed Tits. large numbers mixed Gulls Dunlins and Oystercatchers on flooded parts of park. Observer: Steve Giles.

14/12/00 - Of interest on Today's bird pagers: 2 House Martin - Cromer near pier. 2 Swallow - Cromer West of pier.

15/12/00 - Lakeside Shopping Centre: Male Peregrine flew over at 10.15am. Coalhouse Fort,Tilbury: c.150 Avocet, c.100 Grey Plover,3 Stonechat, and 5 Kestrels. Observer: Jim Cockram. Abberton Reservoir: Reported Black-necked Grebe, 3 Green Sandpipers, Goosander, 2 Chiffchaffs.

16/12/00 - The weather finally allowed a full days birding, species observed during the day were as follows. Two Tree Island 08:20: Little Grebe, 3 Little Egret, Grey Heron, Shelduck, Teal, 2 Peregrine Falcon over flying lagoons and seen to perch in trees within Hadleigh Country Park. Oystercatcher, 8 Avocet, Lapwing, 6 Common Snipe, Curlew, Redshank, Dunlin, Green Woodpecker, 4 Skylark, Meadow Pipit, 2 Rock Pipit, Wren, Stonechat, Mistle Thrush. Observer: Web Author. Two Tree Island - late afternoon: 21 Little Egrets on roost, 31 Common Snipe, 4 Skylark, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel. Observers: Paul Griggs and John Wright (SOG). Wakering Stairs (Haven Point) 12:00: 5 Little Egret, 73 Common Eider offshore by Thames forts, female Hen Harrier, 2 Kestrel, female Merlin, 3 Barn Owl, 2 Short-eared Owl, Rock Pipit, Stonechat, Yellowhammer. Observers: Web Author and Harry Carmichael (SOG). Hadleigh Country Park: 1 female Merlin, Tawny Owl, Woodcock over flew. Observer: Steve Bunn, Essex Ranger Service. Walton-on-the Naze (from pier): 8 Guillemots including 2 that spent all day just off the end of the pier about 30-50ft away, 16 Red-throated Diver including one that spent 30 minutess 50ft off the end. Also, Cockatiel (!) chased out to sea by a Black-headed Gull. Observer: Paul Baker (SOG). Hanningfield Reservoir: one Black-necked Grebe between the new hide and the causeway, a Chiffchaff in bushes on the shoreline to the left of the new hide, a drake Goosander from the Rawl hide, a Great Spotted Woodpecker and many Goldcrests. Observer: David Jobbins.

17/12/00 - Wakering Stairs (Haven Point) 14:00: 63 Common Eider, 1 female Hen Harrier, 2 Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, 1 female Merlin, 2 Barn Owl. Observers: Web Author, Richard Wiseman, Phil Anderson. Eastwood Sewage Farm: 1 Tawny Owl, 1 Grey Wagtail, 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Snipe, 15 Goldcrest. Observer:  Paul Baker (SOG).

19/12/00 - Fleet Head, Wakering: 1 female Hen Harrier hunting the creek by the bridge and the island, 1 female Merlin on Potton, 1 Little Egret, 15 Corn Buntings, 18 Avocet, 1 Green Woodpecker. Two Tree Island: 80 Corn Buntings and a Green Woodpecker. Observer:  Paul Baker (SOG).

20/12/00 - Canvey Marsh: 3 Little Egrets, 2nd winter, have been here since last summer. Observer: Dave Blackwell. Abberton Reservoir: Canvasback still reported as west of Layer Breton causeway.

21/12/00 - Hadleigh Marshes: Male Hen Harrier observed from train between Leigh and Benfleet stations. Observer: Web Author. Two Tree Island: John Leeming, this morning, saw a Merlin take a Blackbird not 20 feet from him. Reported by: Terry Strong. Walton on the Naze: 40 Red-throated Diver and 5 Common Scoter reported.  Just for interest: The Linum fish ponds, Northwest of Berlin in Brandenburg Province: Nearly 3,000 Common Cranes flew into their night roost yesterday evening. Such large winter gatherings have never been recorded in Brandenburg before. Norfolk could very well be the place to see Cranes in the coming months!

22/12/00 - Two Tree Island 13:30: 1 Little Egret, 3 Green Woodpecker, 2 Reed Bunting. The Fleet, Wakering 15:00: 3 Little Egret, 112 Shelduck, 41 Corn Bunting. Observer: Web Author.

24/12/00 - Wakering Stairs:09:30: 2 Red-breasted Merganser off shore, 2 Stonechat, c.3000 Knot, c.200 Bar-tailed Godwit, Observer: Web Author. Two Tree Island: Male Red-breasted Merganser on lagoon along with Kingfisher, 1 Little Egret and 1 Greenshank. The Short-eared Owl was seen flying over the lagoon this morning. Also 1 Fieldfare on the western side. Observer: Andrew Woodhouse, Essex Ranger Service.

25/12/00 - Fleet Head, Wakering 11:10: 112 Wigeon, c.400 Shelduck, c.200 Golden Plover, c.100 Curlew, c.200 Lapwing,  female Hen Harrier, Kestrel, female Merlin. Wakering Stairs 13:00: 2 Kittiwake, 1 Gannet, 1 Arctic Skua, 1 Shorelark, 2 Stonechat. Observer: Web Author. Westcliff Seafront, east of Casino 15:30: Ring-billed Gull, adult Mediterranean Gull, adult Mediterranean Gull 1st Winter Observer: Jeff Delve.

26/12/00 - Wakering Stairs 10:30: 1 Great Northern Diver flew past just off shore, 2 Little Egret. Observer: Web Author. Also at the Stairs 15:00: Knot, Sanderling, Bar-tailed Godwit, Kingfisher, Barn Owl. Observer: Stephen D Anderson (RSPB). Goldhanger: 1 adult Great Northern Diver, 2 Slavonian Grebes, 1 Kingfisher, Green Sandpiper and a male Hen Harrier. Observer: David Jobbins. Woodcock. 11:00 a.m. Disturbed from overgrown part of garden at 30 Rutland Avenue, Southend on Sea. Took off and circled South towards Southchurch Park East. Clear view of back markings as it flew away, making a lot of noise with wind beats. Long bill clearly visible as is banked round. Observer new to area and has regularly observed Woodcocks in Bedfordshire district. This location was a surprise, and bird may have been blown off course by strong easterly winds. Observer: Dave Goddard.

27/12/00 - Wakering Stairs, Haven Point 15:45: 1 Short-eared Owl, 3 Barn Owl, 3 Little Egret. Observer: Web Author. Hanningfield Reservoir: Reported Slavonian Grebe and Red-necked Grebe.

28/12/00 - Stambridge Mill/River Roach am: 30 Skylark, 2 Corn Bunting, Black-tailed Godwit. Observers: Web Author, Steve Sanford. Wakering Stairs, Haven Point pm: 10 Little Egret, 3 Hen Harrier (1 male 2 female), 3 Kestrel, 2 Avocet, Bar-tailed Godwit, 3 Barn Owl, 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Rock Pipit. 2 Stonechat (1 male 1 female). Observers: Web Author, Paul Baker (SOG).

29/12/00 - Southend Pier: 1 Franklins Gull, 8 Mediterranean Gull. Observer: Tim Jones (SOG). Hanningfield Reservoir 11:00: 2 drake Smew off Causeway. Observer: Jeffrey Elliott. East Tilbury: 4 Little Egrets, a Green Sandpiper, 400+ Avocets, 3000-4000 Dunlin, both Godwits, and, on the river 20+ Kittiwakes and two Little Gulls. (Reliable reports over the Christmas holiday of Little Auk, Whooper Swan and Merlin). David Jobbins.

From Feedback - About 2 weeks ago, a friend in Shoebury told me of a large red bird feeding on a pigeon in her garden. On Friday. 22nd I saw what I am sure was a Red Kite circling over Shotgate, then moving off towards Rayleigh, circling again for a while before I lost sight, this was too far away to ID the wing tags. On Sunday 24th I received a report from a knowledgeable friend of a Kite climbing high over Baddow, harassed by a Gull. Reported by: John G. Meyn, Rettendon. (from Web Author: Please keep a look out for this bird and submit any sightings using the form below. Thank you).

30/12/00 - Wakering Stairs, Haven Point pm: 3 Little Egret, 3 Grey Heron, c.700 Brent Goose, Gadwall, 1 female Hen Harrier, 1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Kestrel, 1 Peregrine Falcon, c.300 Grey Plover, Kittiwake, 1 Short-eared Owl, 3 Barn Owl, Stonechat, Fieldfare, Corn Bunting. Observers: Web Author, Steve Sanford. Two Tree Island: 50+ Fieldfare, 1 Redwing, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Merlin, 1 Kestrel, numerous Reed Buntings, Goldfinches, Greenfinches, Chaffinches, 2 Rock Pipits and a pair of Red-breasted Mergansers in the creek off the slipway. Observer: Terry Strong. Southend Pier: 10+ Mediterranean Gulls (4 more at the base of the pier), 2 Little Gulls, 2 Shags, Red-throated Diver, Great Northern Diver, 5+ Guillemot. (per SOG). Fleet Head, Great Wakering 12.00 - 3.30pm: 1 Merlin (female), 1 Hen Harrier (female), 4 Red-breasted Mergansers (2 of each), 3 Little Egrets, 5 Corn Buntings, 3 Common Snipe, and 5 Hares. Observers: Steve Blackburn & Sarah Costeloe. Shoebury Coastguards: 2 adult winter Mediterranean Gull, 5 more opposite Rossi's on the seafront. In total it seems there were a minimum of 16 Mediterranean Gulls in the Southend area and possibly as many as 20. The Ring billed Gull was also present today opposite Rossi's. Southchurch Park: 7 Little Grebes and 1 Gadwall on the partially frozen pond. Observers: Vince Kinsler and Mike Bailey (SOG). Hanningfield Reservoir: 2 drake Smew from the new centre/Lyster Hide. Also five red-head Goosander from the Lyster Hide. Little Gull, Glaucous Gull  and Slavonian Grebe reported. David Jobbins.

31/12/00 - Wakering Stairs, Haven Point 08:45 - 10:00: 2 Little Egret, 2 female Hen Harrier, 1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Kestrel, 1 Peregrine Falcon, 1 Water Rail (on frozen borrowdyke behind sea wall), 7 Avocet, 1 Barn Owl, 1 Short-eared Owl, Fieldfare, Corn Bunting. Observer: Web Author. Fobbing Marsh: 3 Little Egret. Observer Jim Cockram. Hanningfield Reservoir pm: Smew (2 Male &1 Redhead), Slavonian Grebe, c.100 Great Crested Grebe, Ruddy Duck, Little Grebe, Shoveler, Teal, Tufted Duck, Goldeneye, Green Woodpecker. Hanningfield's Sighting Log made mention of an Osprey flying N.W. over the Causeway on 27th December! Also, Woodcock reported pm. Observer: Steve Sanford.