July 2002

31/07/02
Fleet Head, 17:35 to 18:30: 16 Little Egret, 12 Ruff, 9 Green Sandpiper, 3 Common Sandpiper, 3 Black-tailed Godwit, 8 Whimbrel, 1 Marsh Harrier (female on Potton Island). Steve Arlow, (Southend Ornithological Group).
Wakering Stairs 19.30 - 20.45: 98 Golden Plover, 32+ Greenshank, Lg Flock Oystercatcher, Turnstone, Ringed Plovers, Black-tailed Godwit, Bar-tailed Godwit, Whimbrel, Curlew, Dunlin, 7 Common Terns, Little Tern, Little Egret. Tony Howells, Web Author.
Hanningfield Reservoir: The water level continues to fall and the island is now a peninsula! habitat for waders is looking good all the way into Fishing Lodge Bay, but the latter is more disturbed by fishermen's boats. Highlights today 10am-3pm: Fremnells causeway - Ferruginous Duck (last reported 1.30pm), Oak Hide - Wood Sandpiper & Greenshank in Fishing Lodge Bay plus Redshank heard. Point Hide - 3 Garganey, 1 sub-adult Little Gull, 1 adult Black Tern, c.10 Common Sandpiper, 1 Sanderling (summer plumage), 1 Dunlin, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 110+ Lapwing, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Yellow-legged Gulls (ad. & 3S), c.30 Pied Wagtails. Nick Green EBWS.

30/07/02
Hanningfield Reservoir 08.50 - 13.45: drake Ferruginous Duck, Dunlin, c12 Common Sandpiper, 4 Red-crested Pochard (2 male, 2 female), Little Ringed Plover, juvenile Black Tern, Common Gull. Steve Sanford, Web Author. Also: Point Hide - 1 Turnstone (JTS - first thing), c.10 Common Sandpiper, 7 (5+2) Blackwits, 1 Dunlin, 1 LRP plus flyover (heard only) Ringed Plover & Greenshank, 1 subad Little Gull (same as Sunday's bird) and 3 Garganey (1 adult male & 2 juvs), 1 Black Tern 30 Pied Wagtail, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Red-crested Pochard. Nick Green EBWS. Also: 4 Red Crested Pochard, Drake Ferruginous Duck, 2 Black Tern, 12+ Little Grebe, 3 Garganey, 2 Common Sandpiper, Kingfisher. Tony Howells..
Wakering Stairs, 18:00 to 19:35: 1 Whimbrel, 480 Sanderling (many in summer plumage), 70 Bar-tailed Godwit, 72 Greenshank, 5 Golden Plover, 1 Little Egret, 1 Wood Sandpiper (flew south over the seawall near road calling at 7.32pm), 1 Mediterranean Gull (moulting adult summer). Steve Arlow, (Southend Ornithological Group).
Gunners Park, Shoebury 19.15 - 20.30: male Great Spotted Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker, 11 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Mistle Thrush, 4 Common Whitethroat, c20 Linnet, c20 Meadow Pipit, c15 Goldfinch. Steve Giles.

29/07/02
Wakering Stairs, 18:00 to 18:50: 41 Sanderling, 26 Greenshank, 1 Whimbrel, 1 Mediterranean Gull (2nd Summer), 1 Little Egret, 35 Golden Plover (in the twisted metal at Havengore, most in summer plumage). Steve Arlow, (Southend Ornithological Group).
Two Tree Island 19.30 - 20.30: 20+ Greenshank,1 Whimbrel, 1 Sparrowhawk.. Steve Blackburn & Sarah Costeloe.

28/07/02
Two Tree island 08.30 - 11.30: Avocet, Oystercatcher, Whimbrel, Lapwing, Swift, Skylark, Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Linnet, Reed Bunting, (possible) Grasshopper Warbler. Trevor Donaldson.
Hanningfield Reservoir 10.00:  2 Black Terns and 2 Black-necked Grebes. Richard Chew.
Hanningfield Reservoir 11.00 - 14.30: 2 Black-necked Grebe, (1 in summer plumage, 1 in winter), 1 Ferruginous Duck, 4 Red-crested Pochard. 
Hanningfield Reservoir 11.00 - 15.00: 2 Black-necked Grebe, 1 Little Egret, 2 Red-crested Pochard, 1 Ferruginous Duck, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Dunlin, 10 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Whimbrel, 9 Common Sandpiper, 3 Turnstone, 1 Black Tern. Stephen Harris.
Hadleigh Downs, 15:00 to 17:00: 5 Green Woodpecker (Small Red-eyed Damselfly 10 - 9 males and a female on the rectangular pond next to the railway. Also a Dark Green Fritillary reported on the marsh at lunchtime feeding on thistle.) Andrew Woodhouse, Essex Ranger Service
Canvey Point 15.00 - 17.45: 140+ Oystercatcher, 7 Ringed Plover, 5 Turnstone, Common Sandpiper, Sandwich Tern, 7 + Common Tern, Juvenile Little Gull, 7 Dunlin, Female Sparrowhawk (Landed On The Point Spooked All The Waders). Tony Howells.
Ashingdon, 16:25 to 16:55: 4 Whimbrel (3 small groups SW over my garden. Only heard the first 2 groups, and 4 birds in the third.). Neil Chambers, (Southend Ornithological Group).
Vange Marsh, 17:30 to 18:40: 3 Avocet, 9 Green Sandpiper, 28 Common Sandpiper, 2 Greenshank, 2 Dunlin  (summer plumaged) Steve Arlow, (Southend Ornithological Group).
Rochford Golf Course, 18:30 to 21:20: 1 Turtle Dove (singing), 3 Green Woodpecker. Neil Chambers, (Southend Ornithological Group).
Hanningfield Reservoir: Ferruginous Duck, 6 Red-crested Pochard, 2 Black Tern, 1 Little Egret, 2 Dunlin, 10 Black-tailed Godwit, 6 Common Sandpiper, 2 Black-necked Grebe (adult & juv). As far as the Ferruginous Duck goes, I should point out that Essex July records are not unusual. In addition, this bird's plumage looks very good with no pinioned feathers, no rings on the legs, no damaged bill, etc.. and also the bird appeared amongst an influx of Tufted Duck & Pochard (presumably from the continent?). Also its behaviour does nothing to suggest it escaped from a cage or jumped over any wires. Today for instance from the Rawl Hide this morning, it spent most if its time feeding spending 30+ seconds underwater and only 2-3 above water. Nick Green EBWS.
Hanningfield Reservoir:  Drake Ferruginous Duck, 2 Black-necked Grebes (ad + juv), 4 Red-crested Pochard, 1 Black Tern, 13 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Turnstone, 1 Whimbrel, Kingfisher, adult Mediterranean Gull. Daryl Rhymes.
Hullbridge, 20:20: 1 Montagu's Harrier (flew east). Peter Low (Southend Ornithological Group).

27/07/02
Hanningfield Reservoir 10.15: Drake Ferruginous Duck and Ringed Teal (escape). Web Author.
Canvey Point 12.00 - 14.00: Sandwich Tern - 22 (adults + young), Common Tern, Common Gull -1, Turnstone - at least 6, Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Redshank, 1 Skua spec. (imm, probably arctic). Also 1 emporer dragonfly patrolling seafront. Andrew Cox.
Hanningfield Reservoir 16.30 - 17.30: Drake Ferruginous Duck (Lyster Hide). From Hawkswood Road Drake Ringed Teal, 3 Common Sandpiper, 5 Little Grebe, 20+ Pied Wagtail, 2 Drake Ruddy Duck. Tony Howells.
Wat Tyler Country Park 18.00 - 19.15: Pr Spotted Redshank, Green Sandpiper, 4 Common Sandpiper, 3 Little Grebe, Black Tailed Godwit, 2 Green Woodpecker, 5 Teal, 10 Heron. Tony Howells.
Vange Marsh, 19.25 - 20.00: 3 Little Ringed Plover, 5 Ruff, 5 Green Sandpiper, 4 Common Sandpiper, 2 Little Grebe, 4 Ruddy Duck 3 male And 1 female,  female Reed Bunting. Tony Howells.

26/07/02
The Fleet, Wakering 20.30 - 21.10: 300+ juvenile Swallow, 2 Avocet. Web Author.
Hanningfield Reservoir: Drake Ferruginous Duck and Red-crested Pochard reported.

25/07/02
Belton Gardens, Leigh-on-Sea 07.34: 1 Sparrowhawk. Martin Johnson.
Benfleet 16.15: 1 Hobby (flying onto Jotmans farm). Stuart Bailey.
Barling Marsh 16.30 - 18.15: 2 Green Woodpecker, Little Egret, 4 Common Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, Greenshank, 3 Little Grebe, 2 Reed Warbler, 3 Yellowhammer, 2 Whimbrel, 2 Meadow Pipit. Tony Howells.
The Fleet, Wakering 18.30 To 20.15: 3 Turtle Dove, 50+ Goldfinch, Common Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, Greenshank, 4 Kestrel, 3 Little Egret, 3 Red-legged Partridge, 2 Grey Heron, 3 Whimbrel, Common Tern, Pr Reed Bunting, Female Marsh Harrier. Tony Howells.
Chalkwell Park Drive, 18:35: 1 Sparrowhawk (Female.). John Wright, (Southend Ornithological Group).
Southend, Eastern Avenue area 20.50: 1 Little Owl, 1 male Sparrowhawk. Web Author.
Gunners Park, Shoebury 19.45 - 20.30: 15 Mistle Thrush, c20 Linnet, c20 Meadow Pipit . Steve Giles 
Hanningfield Reservoir: The drake Ferruginous Duck is still present today and  has been showing very well at times. Today it has been in Fremnells Bay most of the time and this morning seemed to be hugging the eastern bank when excellent views were obtained from both the Lyster Hide and even the Visitors Centre. On the island were: 4 Red-crested Pochard and 2 Yellow-legged Gulls were seen. The reservoir could boast at total of 15 Common Sandpipers and 48 Lapwing on both shores. Nick Green EBWS.
Chelmsford: The White Stork is still present in north Chelmsford. 

24/07/02
Gunners park, Shoebury 20.05:  6 Mistle Thrush (same spot previous night). Steve Giles.
The Fleet, Wakering 20.25 - 21.00: 3 Little Egret, 2 Grey Heron, 2 Turtle Dove, 1 Kestrel, 200+ Sand Martin, 100+ Barn Swallow. Steve Giles.
Eastern Avenue area: 1 Little Owl. Web Author.
Fingringhoe Wick: female Montagu's Harrier reported.

23/07/02
Fleet Head, Wakering 18.30 - 21.10: Turtle Dove, 4 Green Sandpiper, 2 Common Sandpiper, 2 Grey Heron, female Kestrel, Whimbrel, Common Tern, Corn Bunting, Little Owl (flew from post left hand side of first barn up Into hawthorn in left hand corner). Tony Howells.
Gunners Park 19.00 - 20.30: 17(!) Mistle Thrush {feeding together on grass left side park entrance) c30 Meadow Pipit, c20 Linnet, 12 Goldfinch. Steve Giles.

22/07/02
Vange Marsh, 10:00 to 12:00: 12 Great Crested Grebe (10ad 2juv), 6 Ruddy Duck (4m2f), 32 Common Sandpiper, 11 Green Sandpiper, 1 Greenshank, 2 Ruff, 1 Hobby, 6 Common Tern (4 ad 2juv + Grass Snake). Chris Lewis, (Southend Ornithological Group).
Southend, 15:30: 1 Hobby (flew over Royston Garage, Sutton Rd). Paul Baker, (Southend Ornithological Group).
Hadleigh Area: 2 Tawny Owl reported.

21/07/02
Chelmsford by Pratt's Farm: White Stork Steve Arlow, (Southend Ornithological Group).

Southend 06:20: Peregrine Falcon on north side of A127 at Kent Elms Corner heading east just above rooftops. Tony Howells.: Tony Howells.
Fleet Head, Wakering 08.00 - 10.30: Long Tailed Tit, Marsh Harrier, Oystercatcher, Whimbrel, Black-tailed Godwit, Skylark, Grey Heron, Shelduck, Little Egret, Kestrel, Cormorant, Common Tern. Trevor Donaldson.
Burnham area: 2 Jay, 2 Turtle Dove, 8 Corn Bunting, 6 Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Yellowhammer. Tony Howells.
St Peter`s, Bradwell. 10.15 to 12.10: female Kestrel, adult Hobby,  female Montagu`s Harrier flying from St Peter's Marsh , heading towards the power station, Great Spotted Woodpecker. Tony Howells.
Braxted Park, Great Braxted, 13.00 to 13.45:  5+ Spotted Flycatcher in the main avenue of trees, pair of Grey Wagtail on bridge of lake. Tony Howells.
Wat Tyler Country Park 15.00 - 16.30: Spotted Redshank 1 or 2 adults in summer plumage, 1 adult in winter plumage, Common Gull 1 adult in summer plumage, 1 Green Sandpiper, Oystercatcher 1 adult + 1 young. Andrew Cox.
Old Hall Marsh 15.30 to 19.00: 10 Green Sandpiper, 5 Common Sandpiper, 1 juv Dunlin, 5 Snipe, Spotted Redshank, 10 Ruddy Duck 3m, 2fe,and 5 juv, 2 Shoveler, 5 Teal, 3 Little Ringed Plover, Sedge Warbler, 6+ Meadow Pipit, 44 Greylag Geese, 6 Avocet. 7 Black-tailed Godwit, female Marsh harrier, 2 Turtle Dove, 4 Little Grebe. Tony Howells.
Magnolia Nature Reserve (& Surrounding Fields), Ashingdon/Hawkwell 10:40 to 13:50: 28 Magpie, 12 Wood Pigeon, 2 Greenfinch, 2 Herring Gull, 3 Moorhen (1 ad, collecting material & building a nest, 2 juv), 6 Blackbird (5 Male, 1 Female), 5 Blue Tit (3 ad, 2 juv), 6 Robin (5 ad, 1 juv), 1 Starling, 11 House Sparrow (6 Male, 5 Female), 1 Swallow, 8 Collared Dove, 3 Swift, 4 Dunnock (3 ad, 1 juv), 31 Carrion Crow, 1 Marsh Tit, 3 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Great Tit, 1 Pied Wagtail, 2 Mistle Thrush, 1 Jay, 7 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Bullfinch (Male). Also Seen: 1 Common Lizard, 1 Grey Squirrel, 2 Rabbit. Paul Levey, Stephen Sanford.

19/07/02
Friars Park, Shoebury: 1 female Mandarin Duck (quite tame maybe an escape), and a few comma butterflys. Kerri Webb.
Fleet Head, Wakering 08:10 to 08:50: 4 Sedge Warbler (inc. 1 juvenile), 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Common Sandpiper, 18 Goldfinch, 1 Snipe, 3 Turtle Dove. Web Author.
Old Hall Marsh: White-rumped Sandpiper still reported as present on Irongate Flash at 10:15.

18/07/02
Westcliff Seafront, 17:40 to 18:10: 3 Mediterranean Gull (2 2ndSummers were just east of the Casino while an adult was along nearby Southend Seafront opposite the arcades). Steve Arlow, (Southend Ornithological Group).
Fleet Head, Wakering 18:20 to 20:35: 17 Ruff, 3 Snipe, 6 Common Sandpiper, 1 Greenshank, 1 Spotted Redshank, 5 Whimbrel,  1 Marsh Harrier (female on Potton), Green Woodpecker (adult with 2 juveniles), 5 Green Sandpiper, 1 Mediterranean Gull (adult which was different to yesterdays birds), 20 Little Egret (including 15 on the roost early in the evening). Steve Arlow, (Southend Ornithological Group).
Fleet Head, Wakering 21.00: 1 Little Owl in front of Barn on post, 2 Snipe, 4 Common and 3 Green Sandpipers in pool, 3,000+ Starlings on telegraph wires by boatyard. Jeff Elliott.
Gunners_Park: 1 Little Owl flew from the fence holding prey. also 3 Meadow Pipits, 2 Reed Warblers, 9 Linnets and a brown argus butterfly. Kerri Webb.

17/07/02
Fleet Head, Wakering 18:00 to 21:20: 2 Greenshank, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Marsh Harrier, (female on Potton Island), 2 Turtle Dove, 14 Avocet, 5 Ruff, 4 Whimbrel, 5 Mediterranean Gull (2 1stSummers and 3 adults. The adults had mostly moulted hoods except for 1 superb fully hooded bird), 7 Little Egret (On Fleet and Potton areas). Also; 42 Little Egret (on the roost), 4 Barn Owl (with 2 hunting on top of the old tip and 2 on Rushley Island). Steve Arlow, (Southend Ornithological Group).

16/07/02
Rayleigh Mount, 17:30: 1 Green Woodpecker. Paul Baker, (Southend Ornithological Group).
Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 15:00: 17 Long-tailed Tit. Paul Baker, (Southend Ornithological Group).
Hockley/Hawkwell, 19:30: 1 Sparrowhawk (flew over Clements Hall). Paul Baker, (Southend Ornithological Group).
Southend, 19:40: 1 Hobby (Flew over Garrons Sports Centre.). John Wright, (Southend Ornithological Group).

15/07/02
Chalkwell Park Drive, 08:20: 1 Sparrowhawk (Flew over my garden.). John Wright,  (Southend Ornithological Group).
Priory Park, 12:40 to 13:20: 2 Green Woodpecker (Both juveniles.), 2 Spotted Flycatcher. John Wright, (Southend Ornithological Group).
Star Lane Pits, Wakering 14:00 to 15:00:1 Turtle Dove (also several small red-eyed damselfly). Andrew Woodhouse, Essex Ranger Service
Earls Hall Avenue, 16:00: 1 Sparrowhawk (Circled high, then drifted north). Harry Carmichael, (Southend Ornithological Group).

14/07/02
Wat Tyler Country Park 08.30 - 11.00: 2 Little Egret,1 Oystercatcher, 1Grey Heron, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Long-tailed Tit, 2 Swift, 1 Greenshank. Trevor Donaldson.
Wat Tyler Country Park 09:30 - 12:30: 2 Black-tailed Godwit, c.5 Greenshank on Pitsea/Fobbing creeks, 1 Sparrowhawk. David Jobbins.

13/07/02
Hadleigh Downs, 12:15 to 16:00: 1 Sparrowhawk (female), 2 Green Woodpecker (plus White-letter & Purple
Hairstreaks). Neil Chambers, (Southend Ornithological Group).
Wakering Area 20:30: Barn Owl observed carrying prey back to building. Web Author.

12/07/02
Barling Marsh and Fleet Head 15.00 - 18.45: 2 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Greenshank, 2 Green Sandpiper, 2 Spotted Redshank, 3 Whimbrel, 5 Turtle Dove, 2 Little Egret, 2 Yellowhammer, 9 Ruff, 2 Red-legged partridge, 8 Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Green Woodpecker, 4 Little Grebe, 1 drake Ruddy Duck, 2 Teal, 2 Corn Bunting. Tony Howells.

11/07/02
Abberton Reservoir 16:15: Bar-headed Goose. Tony Howells.
Tattersall Gardens, Leigh-on-Sea, 17.45hrs: 1 Sparrowhawk. Martin Johnson.
Old Hall Marshes 17:30 - 21:10: Green Sandpiper, 2 Common Sandpiper, 3 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Ruff,  4 Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Little Grebe, 2 Ruddy Duck, 6 Shoveler, 10+ Teal, 8 Meadow Pipit, 4 Reed Bunting, 1 Brent Goose, 5 Sedge Warbler, 6 Reed Warbler, 2 Female Marsh Harrier, 6 Avocet. Also; 1 Muntjac Deer feeding on marsh. Tony Howells.
Heybridge Basin - From Hall road entrance to Ship in along sea wall 19:00: 2 Little Egret, 5 Greenshank, 1 Mediterranean Gull, Redshank, Oystercatcher, Curlew (good flocks showing over Osea island), 1 Common Gull 1, Grey Heron. Nic Lindsell.

10/07/02
Westcliff Leisure Centre, 08:15: 1 Mediterranean Gull (adult summer). Paul Griggs (Southend Ornithological Group).
Fleet Head, 14:45 to 15:30: 3 Greenshank, 1 Snipe, 3 Green Sandpiper, 3 Ruff, 5 Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Turtle Dove, 1 Reed Bunting. Paul Baker (Southend Ornithological Group).
Hadleigh Downs, 16:00: 1 Hobby. Andrew Woodhouse, Essex Ranger Service
Wat Tyler Country Park 1815-1915: Green Sandpiper, Turtle Dove, Cuckoo, Marsh Harrier, Peregrine Falcon. Steve Hiscock.

09/07/02
Westcliff Leisure Centre, 13:00: 2 Mediterranean Gull (adult & 1st-summer). Paul Griggs, Don Petrie (Southend Ornithological Group). 
Priory Park, 17:20 to 18:30: 2 Spotted Flycatcher. Harry Carmichael (Southend Ornithological Group).
Benfleet Creek 18:30 - 19:00: 2 Little Egret, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Whimbrel. Andrew Bridge.
Wat Tyler Country Park 1830-19.30: Common Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, Peregrine Falcon. Steve Hiscock.

08/07/02
Heybridge Sea Wall: Ruddy Shelduck 1 Female feeding on mud at low tide, 1 Little Egret opposite end of Maldon prom, 1 Common Sandpiper on Heybridge GP's, 4 Greenshank, 2 Whimbrel, 30+ Curlew, 20+ Shelduck, 50+ Redshank. Nic Lindsell.

07/09/02
East Tilbury 09:00 - 13:00: Black-tailed Godwit (40+), Curlew 1, Whimbrel 1, Dunlin (summer plumage) 2, Yellow Wagtail juvenile 4 with adults. At Stanford Warren: Bearded Tit 2, Cuckoo 1, Turtle Dove 2. David Jobbins, (Birds of East Tilbury)..

Vange Marsh, 10:00 - 11:00: 11 Great Crested Grebe (including 1 Juv), 2 Little Grebe (including 1 juv), 4 Little Ringed Plover, 4 Green Sandpiper, 4 Greenshank, 1 Common Sandpiper, 6 Ruddy Duck (5m1f), 75 Sand Martin. Chris Lewis, 
Wat Tyler Country Park 18:00 - 19:00: Peregrine Falcon 1, Little Egret 1, Green Sandpiper 2, Black-tailed Godwit 2, Grey Heron 7 (5 Juveniles). Andrew Bridge.
Shoebury, Trafalgar Road 16:00:  Sparrowhawk flew over with small bird in talons. Steve Giles.
Fleet Head Wakering 19:00 - 21:00: 6 Little Egret, 4 Grey Heron, 1 Hobby, 1 Kestrel, 7 Ruff, 2 Green Sandpiper, 1 Spotted Redshank, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Turtle Dove, 3 Corn Bunting. Also; 4 Hare. Steve Giles.
Wakering Old Rubbish Tip 21:30 - 21:45: Barn Owl near barn hunting and perched on post. Jeff Elliott.

06/07/02
Friars Park, Shoebury 08:45: 1 Reed Bunting singing loudly from the top of a tree. Kerri Webb.
Hanningfield Reservoir 09:30 - 13:00: 1 Little Egret, 2 Common Sandpiper, many young Blackcaps. David Jobbins.
Paglesham Boatyard to The Lagoon: 10:00 - 13:00: Little Grebe, Gadwall, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Curlew, Common Tern, Turtle Dove, Skylark, Reed Warbler, Rook, Linnet, Reed Bunting. Steve Sanford.
Priory Park 10:50: 2 Spotted Flycatcher. Web Author.
Wakering , 15:00: 1 Hobby, 1 Green Woodpecker. Paul Baker (Southend Ornithological Group).
Vange Marsh 15:15 - 16:00: 5 Ringed Plover, 3 Green Sandpiper, 4 Little Grebe, 4 Ruddy Duck. Tony Howells.
The Warren, Stanford-Le-Hope 16.20 - 19.30: 127 Avocet on estuary, Little Egret, 2 Cuckoo (1m, 1f), 2 Bearded Tit, Turtle Dove, Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, 3 Reed Buntings, Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Little Grebe. Tony Howells..
The Fleet - Wakering 12:20 - 18:00: 3 Little Egret, 5 Grey Heron, 1 male Marsh Harrier, 1 Pied Avocet, 1 Black-tailed Godwit (in summer plumage), 1 Whimbrel, 3 Green Sandpiper, 5 Ruff, 2 Mediterranean Gull, 3 Common Tern, 2 Turtle Dove, 1 Green Woodpecker, Common Whitethroat, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, many Reed Bunting, 4 Corn Bunting. Web Author.
The Fleet, Wakering 21:20: (by old barns) 1 Barn Owl, 1 Little Owl. Tony Howells.

05/07/02
Benfleet Creek 08:40: 2 Little Egret. Andrew Bridge.
The Fleet, Wakering 16:00: 1 Little Owl on gate by barn. Lee Ebbs
Barling Pits 16:45 - 19:15: 7 Turtle Dove, 2 Yellowhammer, Little Egret, Green Sandpiper, Spotted Redshank, 8 Black-tailed Godwit, Barn Owl, 3 Little Grebe, 2 Sedge Warbler, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Red-legged Partridge. Tony Howells.
The Fleet, Wakering 19:30 - 21:15: Green Woodpecker, 9 Ruff, 4 Spotted Redshank, Green Sandpiper, 2 Barn Owl, 2 Little Egret, Hobby on Powerlines. Tony Howells.
Wat Tyler Country Park 1830-1915: 1 Peregrine Falcon, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Greenshank, 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Common Tern, 4 Oystercatcher. Steve Hiscock.

04/07/02
Benfleet Creek 07:49: 1 Little Egret. Martin Johnson.
Westcliff Leisure Centre, 08:20: 1 Little Egret (Flew along the tide line, over the Leisure Centre/Casino and headed inland.). John Wright (Southend Ornithological Group).
Westcliff Leisure Centre, 10:15 to 10:30: 2 Mediterranean Gull (1st-summer & 1st-winter). Paul Griggs (Southend Ornithological Group).
Two Tree Island and Hadleigh Marsh 16:00 - 19:15:  2 Sedge Warbler, 12+ Reed Warbler, 3 Corn Bunting, 3 Stonechat (2 female. 1 male), 4 Little Grebe, 3 Little Egret, 32 Avocet, 2 Ringed Plover, 6 Greenshank, male Blackcap, 6 Meadow Pipit, 4 Yellow Wagtail, 57 Black-tailed Godwit. Tony Howells.
The Fleet, Wakering 18:00 - 20:45: 5 Little Egret, Grey Heron, 1 juvenile Marsh Harrier, 18 Pied Avocet, 8 Ruff, 1 Spotted Redshank, 2 Ringed Plover, 6 Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Whimbrel, 4 Curlew, 1 Turtle Dove, 1 Barn Owl extremely close to MOD road, 12 Corn Bunting. Steve Sanford, Steve Giles, Web Author. N.B. While walking the Fleet we observed three youths with what appeared to be an air rifle shooting at birds on the scrape and on the wires. By the time that we caught up with them they were aiming at a Greenfinch on a bush by the car parking area. They then ran off. Despite calling the police it took over an hour before a car appeared and, despite Steve Giles and myself waving to them, they then drove off. We have complained to the Police over this matter. Telephone the author if you are interested in the outcome). If anyone else should see these three youths again, please contact the Police immediately. Ed.
Craylands near Fryerns in Basildon 19:20: Rose-coloured Starling flying East. Howard Vaughan.

03/07/02
The Fleet, Wakering. 1615 - 1715: Male Marsh Harrier, Barn Owl, 1 Ruff, Green Sandpiper, Kestrel, Turtle Dove, Little Egret. Steve Hiscock.
Priory Park: 2 Spotted Flycatcher. Tony Howells.

02/07/02
Fleet Head, Wakering 15:00 - 17:10: 1 Little Owl, 3 Ruff, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Spotted Redshank, Corn Bunting, 3 Reed Warbler, Reed Bunting, 2 Meadow Pipit, 3 Red-legged Partridge, Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Kestrel (1 male, 1 female), 2 Sedge Warbler. Tony Howells.
Rayleigh, 18:00: 1 Sparrowhawk (flew over Sweyne School). Paul Baker (Southend Ornithological Group).
Mail received from Brian Coveney: A colleague at work ( Towerfield Rd Shoebury) today showed me the body of a Lesser Black-backed Gull that looked like it had been shot with an airgun pellet and then hit with a stick (a wing was broken to the extent that the bone was sticking through). The bird was ringed and the number on the ring is GF55491. (We have submitted the details to the BTO and will publish this information here when received - Please be on the look out for any signs of this disturbing activity and report such incidents to the South East Essex RSPB. Web Author).

01/07/02
Southend Seafront, Westcliff Leisure Centre, 13:00: 2 Mediterranean Gull (1st-winter and 1st-summer), 1 Kestrel. Paul Griggs, Don Petrie (Southend Ornithological Group).
Fleet Head, Wakering 20:15 - 21:15: 1 Marsh Harrier , 3 Kestrel, 5 Ruff, 1 male Ruddy Duck, 1 Turtle Dove, 2 Reed Warbler, 1 Corn Bunting. Steve Giles.
Other Information: Purple Heron still reported at Minsmere today.