February: A very good month for observing winter
roosts. The Starling roost along by Royal Terrace is particularly spectacular
at this time of year attracting thousands of birds - this is due to the air
temperature generally being a few degrees warmer in towns than in the open
fields. Tits and other small birds all roost together in the cold February
evenings, Pied Wagtails can often be found roosting in obvious places
in town centres. Look out for Fieldfare and Redwing roosting in
hedges or in dense shrubs. If we have a really cold spell this month please do
not forget to feed your garden birds and do keep watch for unusual visitors in your garden
as food may become harder to find in the open country.
08/02/00 - The first Waxing in Essex this year has been
sighted at Clacton on Sea. Please look out for these magnificent birds closer
to the Southend area and do let us know if you see any.
11/02/00 - Long Tailed Duck and Red Headed Smew both
reported at Abberton Reservoir.
20/02/00 - The following species were observed at Wakering Stairs between 1000 and 1300 while the author was on
the local Wetland Bird Survey: Avocet, Long Tailed Tit (x4). Sparrowhawk
(1 male and one female) and one Long Eared Owl roosting in scrub behind
the sea wall at the end of the M.O.D Wakering Stairs road. The Sparrowhawk
was observed flying into a small recess in the sea wall very close to the
observers, on closer inspection a headless Dunlin was found that had
obviously been caught earlier. Reports have been received of at least nine Barn Owls and two Short
Eared Owls in the River Crouch area. The Ring
Billed Gull first reported in October is still being observed in
its usual high tide roost at Uncle Tom's Cabin in
Shoebury. There is usually a sizeable flock of Dunlin along with Sanderling
that can be seen from the sea wall in this location.
20/02/00 - (from feedback) observed at Wat Tyler Country Park:
Rough Legged
Buzzard, Snipe, Bearded Tit, Egyptian Goose, Greenshank,
Black Tailed Godwit. Observer R.Brown
20/02/00 - Magnificent views of a Barn Owl were had at Gunners Park at 1700 this evening. The bird has,
evidently, been a regular sight for the past week at this time of the day
hunting over the entire park area and is extremely accommodating and easy to
see. The Owl appears to be a young bird with immaculate plumage and is most
likely roosting in the old M.O.D concrete block alongside the sea wall. there
is a strong possibility that this is the same bird that was observed on the
11th December 1999 at Wakering Stairs as this particular Owl has not been seen
in this location for the past few weeks. Barn Owls in the local area appear to be having a good year
so far, perhaps due to the mild winter.
23/02/00 - The Gunners Park Barn Owl has been showing
extremely well for the past two evenings. To see this wonderful bird you need
to be in the park from 15.30 onwards. The observer on this occasion was
rewarded with the Owl sitting on a post not 15 feet from his car. February
2000 will definitely be known as the month of the Owl!
24/02/00 - (from feedback) Kingfisher and
Stonechat (pr) seen today behind seawall in Gunners Park. Observer: Ken Morris.
25/02/00 - Observed from Southend Pier high tide roost: Purple Sandpiper, one Guillemot
and four Mediterranean Gulls. Observer Pat Dandridge
26/02/00 - 1645. The Gunners Park Barn Owl was performing
wonderfully yet again tonight. The Owl has become such a well known and
regular feature of the park that it is now commanding its own very
appreciative audience. If the Owl continues to make its home here, our local
group will have to conduct a recruitment drive during the coming evenings!
27/02/00 - 1100. At least 400 Avocet were observed from the
sea wall at Coalhouse Fort, East Tilbury.
28/02/00 - A Rough Legged Buzzard has been reported showing
well at Hamford water.
