Gulls are a widespread and obvious bird group in the Southend area being
found in most of our birding locations with the exceptions of just a few sites.
They can often gather in large numbers, sometimes in the thousands and are
generally easy to observe. With the many locations where gulls gather and the
huge numbers that annually winter around our shorelines this group of birds is
still greatly over looked or ignored.
There could be many reasons why many local birders choose to ignore gulls.
One of these reasons could be partly due to that fact that they are a highly
complex group with extreme care being needed to identify certain species from
another. A further reason could be 'where to begin' as there are just so many
gulls to look at. Once you've seen a flock 200 Black Headed Gulls scanning
another and then another may seem just a little boring.
Going through flocks of gulls, though, will sometimes bring its reward with
the discovery of something different, a Mediterranean Gull for instance. It may
only be a matter of time until someone finds the gull that makes it all
worthwhile, a Laughing or Franklins perhaps. American gulls yes but they have
occurred on a number of occasions on the East Coast in recent years, including
Southend.
Even if you don't find a rarity the infinite different plumage's gulls have
make gull watching fascinating.
The following are the five best gull watching locations in the Southend area.
1. Shoebury East Beach
Shoebury East Beach is amongst the best of all the sites around Southend. The
best place here is at the beach's most easterly point, at the boom near the MOD
fence. Gulls gather on the raised posts to roost and sit out the high tides. The
best time here would be during the winter months, during the evening and on a
high tide. The reason for this is that gulls from all over the area, and from
even far inland, fly out in their thousands to roost overnight just at this
location. They start to arrive early evening and increase in numbers during the
next few hours until all the posts have a bird sitting on them it and the water
in covered gulls. The high tide will keep many of the birds close to the shore
whereas low tide will have them too far out to be of any real value, the tide
goes out a very long way here.
High tides during the day can also be rewarding, the best time to visit would
be when the tide is falling and mud starts to gets exposed as many gulls will
leave the boom to feed and any gulls that had been roosting further out will
join them. Mediterranean Gulls are regular winter gulls amongst the hordes but
Iceland Gull and Ring Billed Gull have also been seen in the past year (2000).
The fields just inland of the beach road also have substantial roosting numbers
with Mediterranean Gulls being seen occasionally.
Autumn can also attract large numbers of gulls with many in mid moult just to
add to the already confusing array of plumages. Mediterranean and Ring Billed
Gulls have been noted in September with both being noted but also Yellow Legged
Gull can be more prominent.
2. Westcliff Seafront
The seafront area directly around the Westcliff Casino has, for a few years
now, been recognised as a regular Mediterranean Gull haunt. It wasn't until the
discovery of the Ring Billed Gull here in March 2000 that the true picture of
Mediterranean Gull numbers here became apparent. During 2000 an estimated 20 -
22 different individuals were noted as many people came to see the Ring Billed.
The foreshore west of Southend Pier and west to a few hundred yards past the
Rossi's Ice Cream parlour has been one of the most productive for gull sightings
in Southend in recent years. The area directly opposite Rossi is especially
favoured. This location, however, is tide reliant and for the best chance of
seeing the Ring Billed and Mediterranean Gulls the timing must be just right.
Two and half hours either side of high tide is best as mud will be just showing.
The birds move to these from their roost areas to feed. As yet, the regular Ring
Billed Gull has not been found roosting anywhere over the high tide period but
can sometimes still be found lingering around the lampposts by Rossi.
Gulls at this location are used to being thrown bread and close views of the
Ring Billed and Mediterranean Gulls can be obtained in this way. Other recent
gull sightings from the stretch of coast have included a report of a 1stWinter
Ring Billed on 2 dates in March 2001, a 1st Winter Iceland Gull on the posts of
the tide break opposite Rossi in March 2001, a possible 2nd Winter Caspian Gull,
several Yellow Legged Gulls, Kittiwake and all the usual gulls such as Black
Headed, Common, Herring, Lesser Black Backed and Great Black Backed Gulls.
Gulls numbers generally are low throughout the summer with numbers start to
build up from late July onwards with immature Mediterranean Gulls arriving at
this time. The adult Meds start to arrive from August. The Ring Billed Gull
tends to reappear from early / Mid September when it then completes its outer
primary feather moult. The possibility of discovering a rare gull here is good
as most birds are approachable and you can even watch them from the car if you
wish.
3. Southend Pier
This has got to be the best place for Mediterranean Gull in Essex. The posts
by the slip way at the Pier head around high tide always seems to have a
Mediterranean Gull on them. Since the mid 1980's when the regular singleton, '
Mike the Med', was present for many years, numbers have steadily increased.
Counts from September 2001 have numbered 16 birds together at any one time.
There are now new regular birds that have returned for several years to please
the visitors.
The Pier is more than just for Mediterranean Gulls as it has shown it can
turn up all sorts of other gulls. 2000 saw a large invasion of gulls into the
outer Thames estuary with in the region of 10,000+ being seen regularly from the
Pier. Little Gulls have often been seen from here but the rarer gulls have also
paid rewards to those hardy enough to brave the cold weather. Glaucous and
Iceland Gulls have featured in winters past as did a Ring Billed Gull for a few
lucky observers in the 80's.
Winter and autumn gales can bring impressive numbers of Kittiwakes to the
river and many can be seen close to the end of the Pier. Strong or even a light
easterly with fog on the Kent coast can result in a good day here. October 2001
saw a juvenile Sabine's Gull past.
The prize, however, must go to the lucky individual who had a superb adult
Franklin's Gull fly past while it followed a trawler. Will there ever be a
better or rarer bird seen from the Pier again?
4. Barling Tip
A rubbish tip. Must be a gull's idea of heaven. This particular dump can be
viewed from the seawall that accessible from Barling Pits east to Potton Creek.
Gulls are generally present all year round here with the non-breeding birds
staying the summer. Numbers reach their peak in winter when clouds of them can
be seen squabbling over anything from an old sock to a crisp packet. The amount
of gulls on offer here is bewildering.
I began seriously watching this site in February 2001 just before Foot and
Mouth closed down the countryside and have not been able to make any return
visits. During the half dozen or so visits that I made I discovered numerous
Mediterranean Gulls, several Yellow Legged Gulls from differing ages including
some remarkably striking 1st Winter Yellow Legged Gulls. Also several 2nd Winter
and Adult birds of this species were found. If you intend to watch the gulls
here I would suggest taking a stool or foldaway chair for a little comfort. Walk
along the seawall until you can actually see into the pit, as this will give you
the greatest field of view over the whole tip. The sun will behind you so
improving the light if it is a bright day. Strangely the gulls here are rather
nervous of people walking along the seawall and they can often be put up even
when you are still a long way away. This is surprising, as once a dump truck
appears they clamber around just a few feet away from the trucks and the
dustmen. Once the gulls had dirtied them themselves in the frenzy they often go
onto Barling Creek behind you to bathe so it's worth remembering not to make
yourself to obvious on the seawall.
Large flocks can also gather on the fields beyond the tip and even get onto
the river Roach. To look at these will take a stealthy approach below the
seawall. If you don't mind the smell and often cold wind then this could be the
place to find the larger White Winged Gulls. A Glaucous Gull was found in
February 2001 on the fields of Fleet Head, the other side of Barling Creek
opposite the tip with a large gull flock and birds there should be investigated
thoroughly also.
The tip is worked during weekdays and occasionally Saturday mornings so a trip
should be planned for these times, gull numbers are much reduced when the tip is
not in operation.
5. Leigh / Two Tree Island / Benfleet Creek complex
This is the 'original' gull watching location in Southend, which resulted in
numerous sightings of both the larger White Winged Gulls and Mediterranean Gulls
and was the location of the first twitchable Ring Billed Gull in Essex.
At Leigh Cockle Sheds, best viewed from the car park beneath the flyover,
gulls gather out on the mud but due to a recent change in practices at the sheds
only the smaller gulls are generally found. It is still possible to find the odd
good gull here.
At Two Tree Island the best gull watching site is from the end car park by
the slipway. On a rising tide gulls get pushed in closer and the area is
generally a good place in early autumn to watch Yellow Legged Gulls.
Mediterranean Gulls are also occasionally noted.
Further west along Benfleet Creek many gulls gather on the mud and a low or
falling/rising tide is best for here. Access is either from the Two Tree end,
along the footpath by the Golf Driving Range or from the Benfleet end by the
boatyard. The Seawall used to be a working rubbish tip but has long been closed
and left to revert back to nature. Yellow Legged Gulls are fairly common here
from July to September and may be present in small numbers all year. When the
tip was in operation both Glaucous and Iceland Gulls were regularly seen but are
far scarcer nowadays.
Other areas also worthy of mention is:
The River Roach / Barton Hall Creek/ Paglesham Lagoon complex.
Another very good place for gulls, especially the stretch from Stambridge Mills
to, and including, Barton Hall Creek. Yellow Legged Gulls are regular in early
autumn with a few wintering birds present. An adult Caspian Gull was seen in
early January 2001. Paglesham Lagoon regularly attracts large numbers of gulls
that come to bathe. Regular scanning of the flocks have resulted in a both
Iceland and Glaucous Gulls, Mediterranean Gulls and Yellow Legged Gulls
Canvey Point / Hole Haven Creek
Canvey Point regularly gets large numbers of gulls, especially in winter, and
Yellow Legged Gulls are seen every autumn. A Seawatch in a good easterly will
often result in numerous Kittiwakes and in autumn Sabine's Gulls have been seen
almost annually and it is possibly the premier site in Essex for this bird.
Hole Haven Creek is somewhat of an unknown quantity but large numbers of
gulls are known to use the creek. With its proximity to Tilbury Yellow Legged
Gulls must surely occur, as could some of the other scarcer gulls. A walk north
along the seawall will eventually bring you to the north side of the Pitsea
Cleanaway site. Gulls from the tip often bathe in the creek. This is perhaps the
most inaccessible site as it involves a walk in the region of a 5 - 6 miles
round trip. A long walk if you don't see anything of note.
Pitsea / Vange
Gulls can be seen easily from the main hide at Pitsea, Wat Tyler Country Park.
Mediterranean Gulls are regular, as are Yellow Legged Gulls in autumn. The gulls
bathe and roost after feeding on the Pitsea Cleanaway site. Vange Marsh also
attracts these birds but they can be a little less approachable. Yellow Legged,
Little and Mediterranean Gulls have been seen in the past year or so. Best
Access would be from either the old wood yard entrance off of the A13 or from
walking from Pitsea Rail Station.
Southchurch Park
The pond and playing fields to the east of Liftans Way often have a gull roost
over the high tide period and it is a good place to look for Mediterranean
Gulls.
Inland playing fields such as Prittlewell and Westcliff High Schools and
Blenheim Park
These fields will usually have a flock present in winter but they are generally
only made up of Black Headed and Common Gulls and birds such as Mediterranean
Gulls are often found in an association.
Gunners Park and Uncle Toms Cabin
In winter the playing field in the northeast quarter floods and a gull flock
usually forms during the life of the flood. Most are small gulls with the odd
Mediterranean but Common Gulls can often be present in reasonable numbers while
larger gulls are only part time visitors, generally coming to bathe.
Uncle Toms Cabin at nearby Shoebury Coastguards also has regular winter gull
flock over the high tide period and was the site of the Ring Billed Gull of the
winter of 1999/2000. Mediterranean Gulls are often found.
Black Headed Gull (Larus ridibundus)
A common and widespread gull in the Southend area and can be seen nearly
everywhere in the area.
photo taken by and copyright of Steve Arlow, Southend Ornithological Group
Common Gull (Larus canus)
Another abundant species in Southend but less common than the Black Headed Gull.
It can generally be found singly or in small flocks. Substantial flocks can be
found however and can even show a preference for inland playing fields.
Photos taken by and copyright of Steve Arlow, Southend Ornithological Group
Ring Billed Gull (Larus delawarensis)
A very rare vagrant from North America to the Southend area with between 5 and 8
records including several long staying birds, the 2nd Winter at Leigh cockle
Sheds in August 1985 for over a week with reappearance in March 1986 for a week.
A 3rd Year at Shoebury Coastguards from September 1999 to April 2000 and the
Adult from March to April 2000, again from September 2000 to April 2001 and then
reappearing again from September 2001 to current date (27/10/01).
Photos taken by and copyright of Steve Arlow, Southend Ornithological Group
Mediterranean Gull (Larus melanocephalus)
A once scarce bird has made a dramatic increase in the past couple of years of
or so. Indeed so much so that over 20 were seen at Westcliff seafront and over
20 from the Pier in 2000 alone. The Pier has probably surpassed even these
figures this year with 16 seen on one September day alone. Between 8 and 12 can
be seen regularly over the high tide period at the Pier Head. Mediterranean
Gulls can often be found in gull flocks all over the Southend area at nearly any
time of year.
Herring Gull (Larus argentatus)
Two races occur but it is the Scandinavian argentatus race that is the more
abundant around our shores in winter. The resident 'British' race argenteus is a
common winter visitor to our area from colonies around the country and only
breeds in very small numbers in Southend. Herring Gull is a common autumn and
winter visitor and can be found at most coastal sites with smaller numbers
inland.
Yellow Legged Gull on right, Herring Gull to left.
Photo taken by and copyright of Steve Arlow, Southend Ornithological Group
Yellow Legged Gull (Larus michahellis)
Primarily an autumn visitor to the Thames and Roach estuaries with a few being
found all year round. The Yellow Legged Gull in complex with as many as 4 or 5
different races that are potentially distinct species in their own right.
Photo courtesy of Menotti Passarella. Website: http://oystman.tripod.com/italiangulls/
Caspian Gull (Larus cachinnans)
Caspian Gull is currently only treated as a race of Yellow Legged Gull but is
placed under it's own heading as advance's in gull identification may soon bring
this bird distinct species status. This gull is a close relation to Yellow
Legged Gull and all plumage's are similar. Identification is less than straight
forward. Currently classed as a rare vagrant to the UK but observer awareness is
resulting in increased sightings. In our area there have only been two birds
that probably have been Caspian Gulls, a 2nd winter at Westcliff Seafront at the
end of 2000 and an adult along the Roach in January 2001.
bottom photo taken by and copyright of Steve Arlow, Southend Ornithological Group
Lesser Black Backed Gull (Larus fuscus)
A common bird with a peak in numbers in autumn and spring with lesser numbers in
winter but can still be found in many of the usual estuarine locations. Barling
tip is probably the prime winter location for this species. The race graellsii
is the most abundant race to occur while the intermedius race probably occurs
more frequently in late autumn and winter. fuscus has yet to be confirmed as
occurring in the UK.
Great Black Backed Gull (Larus marinus)
A common bird in autumn and winter with most along the Thames Estuary with
smaller number along the Roach Estuary. This species is scarcer inland but a few
may be found on the larger playing fields
Photo courtesy of Eugene Archer. Website:
http://www.irishbirding.com/
Little Gull (Larus minutus)
Mainly an autumn passage bird with the best locations for this dainty gull being
Canvey Seafront and the Pier with a few seen annually off of Wakering Stairs. A
few spring birds pass through with singletons being found at Vange Marsh,
Paglesham Lagoon and Fleet Head. Occasionally birds can be found in the estuary
and the Pier would be the best place to look.
Kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla)
A pelagic species that is seen annually off of Canvey Seafront and the Pier in
autumn and winter with the highest counts during strong easterly winds. Some
small numbers may winter around the Pier head, often perched next to the
Mediterranean Gulls on the slipway posts.
Sabine's Gull (Larus sabini)
A pelagic species that is a very rare visitor to the Thames Estuary on a near
annual basis. Only a few are seen each year with Canvey Being the Prime location
in strong easterly winds. Southend Pier has also recorded its share of this
dainty gull with just the odd individual being reported off Shoebury.
Glaucous Gull (Larus hyperboreus)
A rare winter visitor that is seen less than annually these days. However,
searching of winter gull flocks have resulted in a few birds being found with
most sightings being around rubbish dumps. Such birds were found on Bowers
Gifford Marsh, adjacent to Pitsea tip, a few years ago and a 3rd Year bird on
Fleet Head, adjacent to Barling Tip, in February 2001.
Photos taken on 17 February at Killybegs, Co. Donegal by Eugene Archer. Website:
http://www.irishbirding.com/
Iceland Gull (Larus glaucoides)
A rare visitor that is also less regular than it used to be. Recent sightings
include a 2nd winter bird seen at numerous sites around Paglesham and Shoebury
including several times in evening gull roosts at Shoebury East Beach in 2000. A
1st winter was seen sitting on the posts opposite Rossi's at Westcliff in March
2001. In past years most birds relate to single observer sightings but a bird
was often seen in the winter of 1986 at Leigh Cockle Sheds. Another long staying
bird would be much enjoyed.
Laughing Gull (Larus atricilla)
Extremely rare vagrant with just one local record of a 1st Winter bird flying
past Canvey Seafront on 24th February 1999. This constituted only the 3rd Essex
Record but did not linger long enough to be enjoyed by local birders.
Franklins Gull (Larus pipixcan)
Extremely rare vagrant with just one local record of an adult or 2nd winter
flying past Southend Pier on 29th December 2000. Again, like the Laughing Gull,
a bird that was only seen by the lucky finder. This North American gull was only
the 2nd or 3rd for Essex.
