Sightings - 19th October 2008

Wat Tyler Country Park

The highlight today was a Grey Wagtail flying over Vange Creek, my first record for the site and bringing my site total for bird species to 105.

During a short visit from 9 a.m. the following were recorded:

Birds (Vange Creek):

Black-tailed Godwit (1)
Common Redshank (c.50)
Curlew (2)
Little Egret (2)
Cormorant (1)
Heron (1)
Moorhen (4)
Teal (21)
Greater Black-backed Gull (2)
Lesser Black-backed Gull (1)
Black-headed Gull (c.70)
Carrion Crow (2)
Grey Wagtail (1)
Robin (1)

Photos .... Robin, Carrion Crow

Sightings - 28th September 2008

Vange Marsh

The highlight today was again the passage waders i.e. Spotted Redshank, Curlew Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper and Ruff. In addition, there was an excellent view of a Water Rail as it flew up from one of the ditches.

During a 1 hour visit in warm and sunny weather from 11 a.m. the following were recorded:

Birds:

Little Egret (5)
Heron (1)
Avocet (1)
Black-tailed Godwit (c.20)
Spotted Redshank (9)
Green Sandpiper (1)
Curlew Sandpiper (1)
Ruff (1)
Common Snipe (2)
Curlew (1)
Lapwing (c.100)
Moorhen (c.20)
Little Grebe (4)
Water Rail (1)
Cormorant (4)
Mallard (c.20)
Teal (c.50)
Wigeon (c.20)
Shoveler (2)
Black-headed Gull (c.100)
Lesser Black-backed Gull (2)
Greater Black-backed Gull (1)
Herring Gull (c.10)
Magpie (3)
Carrion Crow (4)
Pied Wagtail (c.10)

Sightings - 28th September 2008

Wat Tyler Country Park

The highlight today was an excellent close up view of a singing Cettis Warbler outside the Holly Cottage Hide. After hearing many singing birds this year, this was actually my only first sighting.

During a visit of almost 3 hours in cool and sunny weather from 8 a.m. the following were recorded:

Birds (Vange Creek):

Greenshank (1)
Common Redshank (c.40)
Curlew (3)
Lapwing (1)
Little Egret (1)
Heron (1)
Moorhen (1)
Teal (4)
Greater Black-backed Gull (1)
Lesser Black-backed Gull (1)
Black-headed Gull (7)

Birds (reedbed and area behind the craft shops):

Moorhen (1 adult and 2 juveniles)
House Sparrow (4)
Blue Tit (1)
Collared Dove (2)
Woodpigeon (c.10)

Birds (Pitseahall Fleet):

Heron (1)
Coot (c.50)
Shoveler (1 male and 2 females)
Cettis Warbler (1 heard singing)
Hirundine species (6 flying over high and south)
Stock Dove (c.15)
Magpie (9 in one group)

Birds (from the hide by Holly Cottage overlooking Pitseahall Fleet):

Green Sandpiper (1 flying through)
Black-tailed Godwit (2 groups of 9 and 2 flying over towards the main scrape)
Lapwing (2 groups of c.10 and c.20 flying over towards the main scrape)
Coot (c.50)
Moorhen (3)
Water Rail (heard only)
Little Grebe (2)
Cormorant (2 flying through)
Mallard (1 male and 2 females)
Black-headed Gull (3)
Woodpigeon (c.20)
Collared Dove (11)
Green Woodpecker (heard only)
Jay (2)
Magpie (c.10)
Cettis Warbler (1 singing next to the hide and 1 singing in the reeds on the far side of Pitseahall Fleet)
Chiffchaff (2 in the bushes and reeds next to the hide and 1 singing on the far side of Pitseahall Fleet)
Blackcap (1 male and 2 females eating blackberries in the bushes next to the hide)
Robin (2)
Wren (1)
Blackbird (4)
Song Thrush (2)
Dunnock (6)
Greenfinch (3)
Blue Tit (2)
Long-tailed Tit (5)
Pied Wagtail (2)

Mammals:

Grey Squirrel (1 adult and 1 juvenile on the roof of the craft shops and 1 in the bushes adjacent to Holly Cottage hide)
Rabbit (c.5 in the area around the craft shops)

Photos .... Grey Squirrel, Rabbit, House Sparrow, Blackcap, Collared Dove, Woodpigeon, Moorhen, Heron

Sightings - 21st September 2008

Wat Tyler Country Park

The highlight today on a brief visit was a Greenshank in Vange Creek.

During a 1 hour visit in warm and sunny weather from 11:15 a.m. the following were recorded:

Birds (Vange Creek):

Greenshank (1)
Common Redshank (5)
Curlew (3)
Little Egret (1)
Moorhen (1)
Greater Black-backed Gull (1)
Lesser Black-backed Gull (3)
Common Gull (1)
Black-headed Gull (c.20)

Birds (from the main hide overlooking the scrape and Pitseahall Fleet):

Heron (1)
Little Egret (1)
Black-tailed Godwit (6)
Coot (c.50)
Little Grebe (1)
Cormorant (6)
Teal (2)
Mallard (2)
Cettis Warbler (1 singing loudly adjacent to the hide but not seen!)
Reed Warbler (1)
Collared Dove (1)
Woodpigeon (5)
Magpie (1)

Mammals

Grey Squirrel (1 eating on the barrier fence to the main hide)

Sightings - 31st August 2008

Wat Tyler Country Park

The highlight today was my first record of Kingfisher for the year for the site. The bird perched for long periods on a post along Pitseahall Fleet, occasionally diving in to the water for fish.

In addition, I recorded my first sightings of Green Sandpiper and Little Egret for the year for the site. A group of 7 Common Snipe was also notable.

During a 1.5 hour visit in very hazy and warm weather from 10.30 a.m. the following were recorded:

Birds (from the main hide overlooking the scrape and Pitseahall Fleet):

Heron (2)
Little Egret (1)
Black-tailed Godwit (c.25)
Common Snipe (7)
Green Sandpiper (1)
Oystercatcher (2)
Coot (c.50)
Moorhen (c.5)
Water Rail (1 heard calling)
Little Grebe (1)
Cormorant (7)
Black-headed Gull (1)
Lesser Black-backed Gull (c.20)
Cettis Warbler (1 heard singing)
Bearded Tit (1 heard calling)
Swallow (5)
Turtle Dove (2)
Common Whitethroat (1)
Blackcap (1)
Chiffchaff (1)
Blue Tit (c.20)
Great Tit (1)
Long-tailed Tit (3)
Robin (1)
Blackbird (1)
Starling (c.100)
Goldfinch (3)
Magpie (2)
Woodpigeon (c.10)

Sightings - 2nd August 2008

Vange Marsh

The highlight today was a further passage wader, namely a moulting Curlew Sandpiper (my first of the year). In addition, 4 eclipse Wigeon were notable for the time of year.

During a 1 hour visit in cool and cloudy weather from 7.30 a.m. the following were recorded:

Birds:

Little Egret (1)
Avocet (5)
Black-tailed Godwit (c.100)
Common Sandpiper (c.20)
Green Sandpiper (4)
Curlew Sandpiper (1)
Ringed Plover (2)
Lapwing (c.20)
Coot (c.50)
Moorhen (c.20)
Greylag Goose (4)
Canada Goose (8)
Little Grebe (c.10)
Mallard (c.10)
Teal (c.10)
Wigeon (4)
Shelduck (2 plus 8 juveniles)
Common Pochard (4)
Shoveler (2)
Common Tern (1)
Black-headed Gull (c.100)
Lesser Black-backed Gull (c.10)
Herring Gull (c.10)
Magpie (1)
Woodpigeon (c.10)
Swallow (c.10)
Swift (c.10)
Pied Wagtail (c.20)
Starling (c.100)
Reed Warbler (several heard singing)

Butterflies:

Gatekeeper (c.5)
Small White (1)

Sightings - 26th July 2008

Wat Tyler Country Park

The aim of my visit today was to photograph butterflies, dragonflies and damselflies in the grassland area and ponds surrounding the Basildon DC office.

However, the main highlights were a large Fox that came bounding along the path as I was photographing an unidentified spider and a fly over Green Woodpecker, both new records for the year for the site for me.

During a 1.5 hour visit in sunny weather from 8.30 a.m. the following were recorded:

Butterflies:

Gatekeeper (large numbers)
Small White (large numbers)
Green-veined White (c.10)
Meadow Brown (c.5)
Peacock (3)
Red Admiral (2)
Holly Blue (1)
Marbled White (1)
Small and/or Essex Skipper (c.20)

Dragonflies and damselflies:

Common Blue Damselfly (c.5)
Blue-tailed Damselfly (c.5)
Emerald Damselfly (c.5)
Common Darter (c.5)
Ruddy Darter (c.5)

Photos .... Gatekeeper, Essex Skipper, Holly Blue and Emerald Damselfly

Visit - 23rd July 2008

Vange Marsh

The aim of my visit today was to photograph some of the numerous butterflies on my previous visit.

The weather was very hot and sunny so the butterflies were very active.

I was fortunate to photograph the Essex Skippers but less so with the Marbled Whites and Gatekeepers. A very obliging female Ruddy Darter dragonfly was an added bonus.

Photos .... Essex Skipper and Ruddy Darter.

Sightings - 20th July 2008

Vange Marsh

Another visit to the new and developing RSPB reserve today.

The highlights were the passage waders, including my first Wood Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper and Little Ringed Plover of the year, plus at least 12 Little Egrets.

During a 1.5 hour visit in sunny and windy weather from 9.00 a.m. the following were recorded:

Birds:

Little Egret (12)
Cormorant (2)
Lapwing (c.30)
Wood Sandpiper (1)
Green Sandpiper (7)
Greenshank (6)
Black-tailed Godwit (c.80)
Coot (c.50)
Moorhen (3)
Greylag Goose (4)
Canada Goose (10)
Great Crested Grebe (2)
Little Grebe (10)
Mute Swan (1)
Shelduck (2 plus 9 ducklings)
Common Pochard (1 female)
Shoveler (3)
Black-headed Gull (c.100)
Common Gull (1)
Lesser Black-backed Gull (2)
Magpie (2)
Swift (2)
Swallow (c.10)
Sand Martin (2)
House Martin (2)
Sedge Warbler (several heard singing)

Butterflies:

Marbled White (3)
Peacock (1)
Meadow Brown (1)
Gatekeeper (c.20)
Large Skipper (c.20)

Sightings - 15th June 2008

Wat Tyler Country Park

The highlight today was a fine adult Mediterranean Gull on the scrape with a mixed gull flock, my first sighting of the year.

In addition, I added Avocet, Oystercatcher and Swift to my site records for the year.

The ponds near the Basildon DC office were the main focus of my visit today and these produced a fine display of Water Lillies plus good numbers of Common Blue Damselfly, Blue-tailed Damselfly, Azure Damselfly and Large Red Damselfly.

During a 2 hour visit in sunny and warm weather from 10.30 a.m. the following were recorded:

Birds (from the main hide overlooking the scrape and Pitseahall Fleet):

Heron (2)
Avocet (2)
Oystercatcher (2)
Lapwing (3)
Coot (c.10 including 2 adults with young)
Little Grebe (1 with 2 young)
Mute Swan (1 with 3 young)
Cormorant (1)
Gadwall (2 flew over)
Mallard (3 flew over)
Mediterranean Gull (1)
Black-headed Gull (c.10)
Herring Gull (c.50)
Lesser Black-backed Gull (c.5)
Cettis Warbler (1 heard singing)
Reed Warbler (several heard singing)
Cuckoo (1 flew over plus 2 others flew low over the Basildon DC office)
Swift (c.50)

Reptiles:

Slow Worm (3)

Butterflies:

Common Blue (1)

Photos of the day .... click on the photo for a larger image.

Large Red Damselfly, Azure Damselfly, Water Lillies and Water Forget-Me-Not.

Sightings - 24th May 2008

Vange Marsh

This was my first visit to the new and developing RSPB reserve since I went to see the Pectoral Sandpiper in September 2005.

During a 1 hour visit in sunny and windy weather from 7.30 a.m. the following were recorded:

Birds:

Avocet (16)
Lapwing (4)
Common Redshank (2)
Curlew (1)
Coot (c.10)
Moorhen (2)
Greylag Goose (2)
Canada Goose (10 including a pair with goslings)
Great Crested Grebe (2)
Little Grebe (3)
Mute Swan (1)
Mallard (4)
Shelduck (2)
Common Pochard (1 female)
Black-headed Gull (c.20)
Herring Gull (c.10)
Magpie (1)
Woodpigeon (c.10)
Collared Dove (1)
Swift (5)
Sedge Warbler (2)
Reed Warbler (several heard singing)
Cettis Warbler (1 heard singing distantly)
Reed Bunting (1 male)
Common Whitethroat (1)
Blackcap (1 heard singing)
Greenfinch
House Sparrow
Long-tailed Tit (a family group of c.10 birds)
Blackbird

Butterflies:

Wall (1 by the entrance track)

Sightings - 5th May 2008

Wat Tyler Country Park

A very brief visit today in the hope of photographing the Common Lizards and Slow Worms that I found on my last visit. Unfortunately there were no Common Lizards to be seen and the very warm morning meant that the Slow Worms slithered away too quickly and before I could get my macro lens on to them!

I also added 3 further butterfly records for the year: Orange Tip (at least 10), Speckled Wood (2) and Green-veined White (1).

Cuckoo and Turtle Dove were both heard but not seen.

Photo of the day .... click on the photo for a larger image.

Sightings - 27th April 2008

Wat Tyler Country Park

An excellent visit today with plenty of highlights.

Following my last visit, I added a further 5 new bird records for the year: Cuckoo, Turtle Dove, Reed Warbler, Common Whitethroat and Lesser Whitethroat. In addition, I saw my first butterfly records of the year: a Peacock and a Small White.

I also found 4 Common Lizards and 5 Slow Worms, both new reptile records for the site for me .... a return visit to the same area with my camera and macro lens is required!

During a 1 hour visit in cool and cloudy weather from 10 a.m. the following were recorded:

Birds (in the area between Holly Cottage and the end of Pitseahall Fleet):

Chiffchaff (2)
Blackcap (3)
Common Whitethroat (2)
Lesser Whitethroat (1)
Reed Warbler (1)
Cuckoo (1)
Turtle Dove (1)
Cettis Warbler (heard only)
Robin
Dunnock
Blackbird
Wren (heard only)
Blue Tit
Great Tit (heard only)
Chaffinch
Magpie
Carrion Crow
Woodpigeon
Stock Dove
Collared Dove

Birds (Pitseahall Fleet):

Coot (c.15)
Little Grebe (1)
Great Crested Grebe (1)
Greylag Goose (2 nesting pairs)
Mallard (1 pair)
Common Pochard (1 male and 3 females)

Mammals:

Rabbit (1)

Reptiles:

Common Lizard (4)
Slow Worm (5)

Butterflies:

Peacock (1)
Small White (1)

Sightings - 12th April 2008

Wat Tyler Country Park

A sunny spring morning prompted me to visit Wat Tyler Country Park in a search for some early summer migrants.

I was not disappointed as I saw my first Chiffchaffs, Blackcaps, Swallows and House Martins of the year.

Many of the commoner birds were also singing and there was definitely a spring feel to the morning.

During a 1 hour visit in breezy, cold and sunny weather from 8 a.m. the following were recorded:

Chiffchaff (8 singing males, 4 seen)
Blackcap (3 singing males, 1 seen)
Swallow and House Martin (mixed flock of c.20 birds hawking for insects around the hedges along the approach road)
Robin
Dunnock
Blackbird
Wren (heard only)
Blue Tit
Great Tit
Chaffinch
Greenfinch
House Sparrow
Starling
Magpie
Carrion Crow
Woodpigeon
Teal (1 male and 2 females on Timbermans Creek)
Collared Dove

Sightings - 3rd February 2008

Wat Tyler Country Park

Yes, water has returned to the scrape at long last!

The highlight today was a single Common Snipe on the scrape, a bird that I see only occasionally on my visits to the site.

During a 1 hour visit in windy, cold and sunny/cloudy weather from 9 a.m. the following were recorded:

Birds (from the hide by Holly Cottage overlooking Pitseahall Fleet):

Coot (c.70)
Mallard (1 male)
Jackdaw (4)
Magpie (1)

Birds (from the main hide overlooking the scrape and Pitseahall Fleet):

Lapwing (c.60)
Common Snipe (1)
Curlew (1)
Coot (c.50)
Moorhen (7)
Great Crested Grebe (1)
Mute Swan (2)
Cormorant (1)
Teal (c.30)
Gadwall (c.20)
Wigeon (2)
Tufted Duck (1 male)
Magpie (1)
Woodpigeon (1)
Robin (1)

Visit - 27th January 2008

Wat Tyler Country Park

This was my first visit since mid-November due to personal and work commitments.

It was very encouraging to see that water has once again returned to the scrape, presumably helped by a lot of rain recently!

My binoculars and telescope will be called in to action shortly to see what is about but today the main purpose on a bright, sunny morning was to capture some photos of birds around the visitor centre, workshops and RSPB feeding station.

It was good to see and hear the Robins in full voice again .... spring can not be far away.

Photos .... Robin, Blackbird, House Sparrow, Blue Tit, Great Tit and Collared Dove.

2007 - a brief review of the year

I would like to take this opportunity of thanking all visitors to my blog during 2007. I hope you have found it interesting and informative.

My personal site records for 2007 were as follows:

Birds = 91
Mammals = 4
Butterflies = 14
Dragonflies and damselflies = 9

The total number of bird species seen increased by 3 compared with 2006, with the Spoonbill on 16th July 2007 being the highlight.

However, the number of butterfly and dragonfly/damselfly species seen decreased by 5 and 1 respectively compared with 2006, probably as a result of the very wet summer.

The number of mammal species seen was the same as 2006, with the Water Vole on 29th March 2007 being the highlight.

Sightings - 17th November 2007

Wat Tyler Country Park

Another fairly disappointing visit today. The scrape continues to have almost no water with only 5 Moorhens seen.

During a 1 hour visit in cold and cloudy weather from 9.45 a.m. the following were recorded:

Birds (Vange Creek):

Common Redshank (c.10)
Lapwing (1)
Curlew (1)
Moorhen (c.10)
Little Grebe (1)
Teal (c.30)
Wigeon (c.30)
Black-headed Gull (c.200)
Common Gull (3)
Lesser Black-backed Gull (1)
Fieldfare/Redwing (mixed flock of c.50 birds flew over)

Birds (from the main hide overlooking the scrape and Pitseahall Fleet):

Snipe (1 flew over the scrape)
Coot (c.50)
Moorhen (c.10)
Mute Swan (2)
Greylag Goose (c.60 flew over the scrape)
Great Crested Grebe (1)
Water Rail (1 heard)
Mallard (5 males and 3 females)
Shoveler (4 males and 1 female)
Gadwall (4 males and 1 female)
Teal (1 male)
Black-headed Gull (c.150)
Herring Gull (c.10)
Woodpigeon (c.20)
Magpie (c.5)
Carrion Crow (1)
Blackbird (1)
Dunnock (1)
Blue Tit (1)
Robin (1 heard singing)

Sightings - 28th October 2007

Wat Tyler Country Park

A thoroughly disappointing visit today in cold, drizzly and windy weather. The scrape has almost no water and as a consequence no birds other than 3 Moorhens, a Woodpigeon and a Magpie!

During a very short visit the following were recorded:

Birds (from the main hide overlooking the scrape and Pitseahall Fleet):

Coot (c.50)
Moorhen (4)
Mute Swan (2)
Great Crested Grebe (1)
Cormorant (2)
Mallard (5 males and 2 females)
Shoveler (3 males)
Gadwall (1 male)
Tufted Duck (2 females)
Cettis Warbler (1 heard singing)
Woodpigeon (c.50)
Magpie (1)
Carrion Crow (2)
Blackbird (1)
Robin (1 heard singing)

Wat Tyler Country Park on TV - 25th October 2007

Wat Tyler Country Park appeared in the ITV series "Thames Superhighway" on 25th October 2007.

In 1957 the River Thames was declared biologically dead yet 50 years later it is one of the cleanest metropolitan waterways in the world. In the series Miranda Krestovnikoff travelled the full 215 miles of the Thames from source to sea to uncover the surprising species that live on this historic river.

In the final part of the series, Wat Tyler Country Park was visited and the main bird hide and scrape were featured. In addition, one of the evening moth watches was shown.

Please click here and here for further information.

Sightings - 23rd Septmebr 2007

Wat Tyler Country Park

The highlight today was a group of 8 Spotted Redshank and my first Ruff of the year for the site.

During a 1 hour visit in cool and sunny/misty weather from 8.30 a.m. the following were recorded:

Birds (Vange Creek):

Little Egret (4)
Heron (1)
Spotted Redshank (8)
Common Redshank (3)
Lapwing (2)
Ruff (1)
Curlew (2)
Black-tailed Godwit (3)
Moorhen (4)
Teal (2)
Mallard (2)
Black-headed Gull (c.150)
Swallow (c.10)

Sightings - 9th September 2007

Wat Tyler Country Park

This was my first visit for some time due to work commitments and there was a noticeable drop in the water level on the main scrape. However, the number of birds was generally low too. During a 1.5 hour visit in warm but cloudy weather from 8.30 a.m. the following were recorded:

Birds (from the main hide overlooking the scrape and Pitseahall Fleet):

Heron (1)
Greenshank (1)
Green Sandpiper (1)
Black-tailed Godwit (1)
Avocet (4)
Lapwing (c.20)
Coot (c.20)
Moorhen (c.10)
Cormorant (3)
Mallard (2)
Teal (2)
Shoveler (1)
Bearded Tit (1 heard calling)
Sparrowhawk (1)
Magpie (2)
Staring (c.200)
Blue Tit (1)
Great Tit (1)

Birds (Vange Creek):

Little Egret (2)
Common Redshank (6)
Lapwing (2)
Curlew (2)
Oystercatcher (1)
Black-tailed Godwit (1)
Cormorant (1)
Moorhen (5)
Teal (3)
Black-headed Gull (c.150)
Lesser Black-backed Gull (1)

Dragonflies: Migrant Hawker (1 in front of the main hide)

Sigthings - 19th August 2007

Wat Tyler Country Park

The highlights today were my first record of Whimbrel for the site (heard calling only), my first Willow Warbler of the year for the site and a Water Rail.

During a 2.5 hour visit in warm but cloudy weather from 8.15 a.m. the following were recorded:

Birds (from the hide by Holly Cottage overlooking Pitseahall Fleet):

Coot (c.25)
Little Grebe (1)
Cormorant (1)
Mallard (1 female)
Black-headed Gull (1)
Stock Dove (4)
Woodpigeon (c.30)
Collared Dove (2)
Green Woddpecker (heard only)
Great Spotted Woodpecker (heard only)
Jay (heard only)
Robin (1 singing)
Blackbird (1 juvenile eating blackberries)
Starling (c.30)

Birds (from the main hide overlooking the scrape and Pitseahall Fleet):

Heron (1)
Little Egret (2)
Whimbrel (1 heard calling but not seen)
Green Sandpiper (1)
Common Sandpiper (1)
Black-tailed Godwit (c.20)
Avocet (5 including 1 juvenile)
Lapwing (c.30)
Water Rail (1)
Coot (c.20)
Moorhen (c.5)
Great Crested Grebe (1)
Cormorant (8)
Mallard (2 females)
Teal (c.10)
Shoveler (1 female)
Gadwall (1 male)
Black-headed Gull (4)
Lesser Black-backed Gull (1)
Bearded Tit (1 male)
Reed Warbler (1)
Cettis Warbler (1 heard singing distantly)
Swallow (4)
Blackcap (1 female)
Willow Warbler (1)
Pied Wagtail (2)
Turtle Dove(1)
Woodpigeon (c.10)
Rook (c.20)
Jay (1)
Starling (c.50)
Blue Tit (c.5)

In addition, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers were seen on a telegraph pole opposite the Basildon DC offices.

Mammals:

Rabbit (1 near the Boat Museum)
Grey Squirrel (1 opposite the craft workshops)

Sightings - 12th August 2007

Wat Tyler Country Park

During a 2 hour visit in warm and sunny weather from 8.30 a.m. the following were recorded:

Birds (from the main hide overlooking the scrape and Pitseahall Fleet):

Heron (1)
Greenshank (1)
Green Sandpiper (2)
Common Sandpiper (2)
Black-tailed Godwit (c.35)
Common Snipe (1)
Avocet (c.10)
Lapwing (c.10)
Coot (c.30 plus several juveniles)
Moorhen (c.5)
Little Grebe (1)
Great Crested Grebe (1)
Cormorant (3)
Mallard (c.5)
Teal (c.5)
Shoveler (1)
Black-headed Gull (at least c.20)
Greater Black-backed Gull (2)
Herring Gull (1)
Bearded Tit (several heard calling)
Swallow (c.10)
Pied Wagtail (2)
Collared Dove (c.5)
Woodpigeon (c.5)

In addition, a Turtle Dove was heard at the southern end of Pitseahall Fleet and a Green Woodpecker was seen in the area behind the Basildon DC offices.

Butterflies: Gatekeeper, Green-veined White, Small Heath

Damselflies: Blue-tailed Damselfly

Mammals: Rabbit (1 in the area behind the Basildon DC offices)

Photos of the day .... click on the photo for a larger image.

Gatekeeper, Green-veined White, Rabbit, Crab Spider

Sightings - 4th August 2007

Wat Tyler Country Park

The highlight today was my first Brown Argus, bringing my total for butterfly species to 20 for the site.

In addition, I saw my first Small Heath, Speckled Wood and Black-tailed Skimmer of the year for the site.

During a 1 hour visit from 8.00 a.m. the following were recorded:

Butterflies: Brown Argus, Small Heath, Speckled Wood, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Large Skipper, Common Blue

Moths: Six-spot Burnet

Dragonflies: Black-tailed Skimmer, Common Darter, Ruddy Darter

Photos of the day .... click on the photo for a larger image.

Black-tailed Skimmer, Brown Argus, Common Blue, Speckled Wood

Sightings - 21st July 2007

Wat Tyler Country Park

On a warm and sunny morning, I went looking for butterflies, dragonflies and damselflies and during a 1 hour visit from 8.30 a.m. the following were recorded:

Butterflies: Green-veined White, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Essex Skipper, Red Admiral, Common Blue

Dragonflies: Ruddy Darter

Photos of the day .... click on the photo for a larger image.

Gatekeeper, Essex Skipper, Common Blue, Ruddy Darter

Sightings - 16th July 2007

Wat Tyler Country Park

The highlight today was an excellent view of the Spoonbill which was first reported yesterday. This was my first UK record since 2000 and my first for the site.

In addition, other waders were showing very well, including my first Spotted Redshank record for the year and for the site, my first records for the year of Greenshank and Green Sandpiper plus a flock of summer plumaged Black-tailed Godwit.

Common Tern and Turtle Dove were also notable.

During a 1 hour visit in warm and sunny weather from 1.30 p.m. the following were recorded:

Birds (from the main hide overlooking the scrape and Pitseahall Fleet):

Spoonbill (1)
Little Egret (2)
Heron (4)
Spotted Redshank (1)
Greenshank (4)
Green Sandpiper (2)
Black-tailed Godwit (18)
Avocet (15)
Oystercatcher (2)
Lapwing (5)
Coot (c.30 plus several juveniles)
Moorhen (c.10)
Mute Swan (2)
Canada Goose (6)
Cormorant (1)
Mallard (c.15)
Teal (c.15)
Shelduck (1 pair and 5 juveniles)
Common Tern (1)
Black-headed Gull (at least c.200)
Lesser Black-backed Gull (9)
Reed Warbler (1)
Turtle Dove (1)
Collared Dove (c.5)
Woodpigeon (c.5)

Sightings - 8th July 2007

Wat Tyler Country Park

The dawn of another warm and sunny morning prompted me to again go looking for butterflies, dragonflies and damselflies and during a 2 hour visit from 8 a.m. the following were recorded:

Butterflies: Marbled White, Peacock, Small White, Green-veined White, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Small Skipper, Ringlet

Dragonflies: Common Darter, Ruddy Darter

Damselflies: Blue-tailed Damsefly, Emerald Damselfly

Photos of the day .... click on the photo for a larger image.

Marbled White, Green-veined White, Small Skipper, Common Darter, Emerald Damselfly

Sightings - 7th July 2007

Wat Tyler Country Park

Today was my first visit in over a month due to work commitments and the fact that I have been rebuilding my main photography website .... and also the amount of rain that we have had!

With the dawn of a warm and sunny morning, I went looking for butterflies, dragonflies and damselflies and during a 2 hour visit from 8 a.m. the following were recorded:

Butterflies: Marbled White, Peacock, Small White, Green-veined White, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Large Skipper, Ringlet

Dragonflies: Common Darter, Ruddy Darter

Damselflies: Azure Damselfly, Blue-tailed Damselfy, Emerald Damselfly

Photos of the day .... click on the photo for a larger image.

Marbled White, Peacock, Green-veined White, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Large Skipper, Common Darter, Ruddy Darter, Azure Damselfly,

RSPB Vange Marsh update - 1st July 2007

Vange Marsh

From the RSPB ....

Vange Marsh:

In the May newsletter it was a concern that the hot weather of April had lowered the water across the marshes considerably and there was worry that this could affect the breeding success of the wetland birds. This problem failed to materialise because of the high levels of wet weather during May and June. The main problem to occur on the marsh was the human disturbance created on the saline lagoon area by people with unauthorised access. It is unclear what affect this had on the birds. Nethertheless many species did manage to breed in this area.

Breeding waterbirds on Vange Marsh have included: Lapwing (2 pairs), Common Tern (1 pair), Redshank (1 pair) and Shelduck (2 pairs). The Avocets reared five broods of young. Breeding passerines have included Reed Warbler, Cetti’s Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Common Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat (2 pairs) and Reed Bunting (7 pairs). Other birding highlights on Vange Marsh included a Little Gull on 2nd June, Black-tailed Godwits (40 on the 7th May), Greenshank, Little Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Green and Common Sandpiper and birds of prey such as Sparrowhawk, Hobby and Peregrine. The arrival of a Temminck’s Stint on the 16th May to 18th May was a pleasant surprise. Another Temminck's Stint was also recorded on the 26th May and it is felt because of the week gap between the sightings that this could have been a second bird.

Butterflies on the marsh have included Small and Large Skipper, Meadow Brown, Painted Lady, Ringlet and the locally scarce Marbled White butterfly.

Work on Vange Marsh this autumn will see the return of the diggers. This will be to maximise the ecological potential of the saline lagoon and some re-structuring of the lagoon islands will need to take place. Once the work is complete, some of the islands will be covered in a mixture of shingle and cockleshell others will be left with bare earth. This will create a greater diversity in nesting habitat.

Vange Wick Marsh:

Initial breeding bird surveys have shown that the increased water levels have benefited a number of wetland bird species. Moorhen and Mallard have bred, but notably there were up to 5 breeding pairs of Lapwing and 2 pairs of Redshank.

Work will soon take place to install a pump near the reservoir. This will be used to allow greater control of the water levels on Vange Wick Marsh. Water will be pumped into and out of the reservoir when needed to create the ideal water levels for over wintering or nesting birds.

Marc Outten
South Essex Reserves – Warden
Contact details: 01268 559158 / 07703 749727
Email: Marc.Outten@rspb.org.uk

Avocets breeding at Vange Marsh

Vange Marsh

Avocets are now breeding at Vange Marsh .... see also my post for 29th March 2007.

Press release from the RSPB:

Avocets decide that Vange Marsh is the place for them!

16th June 2007

Avocets are nesting on the new RSPB reserve at Vange Marsh - the year after work started to attract them.

Avocet numbers on Vange Marsh have reached a high of 37 individuals in recent weeks and it is thought there may be up to ten breeding pairs.

This elegant wading bird, the RSPB’s emblem, has been holding breeding territories on the 25-hectare reserve near Basildon for a few weeks. This is exciting news, as until 1947, these birds were absent as a breeding species in the whole of the UK. The efforts of conservation organisations, such as the RSPB, have aided the recovery of Avocet populations nationwide.

Marc Outten, reserves warden, said 'The south Essex marshes are a beautiful place that, with the right management, can be extremely inviting for wildlife and local people alike. The fact that the Avocets are nesting at Vange Marsh so soon is a great sign of things to come'.
This autumn, after the Avocets have finished breeding, the RSPB plans to carry out additional work to bring in shingle and cockleshells to lay on the ground. Avocets like this stony surface to create a shallow depression to lay their eggs in and it is hoped next year will be even better for Avocets at Vange Marsh.

Ends

Further information
Marc Outten, South Essex Reserves Warden, 07703749727
Dave Hedges, South Essex Sites Manager, 07834 257784

Photographs of Vange Marshes are available from Marc Outten at the RSPB’s South Essex Project office on 01268 559158 or Marc.Outten@rspb.org.uk

Notes for editors

1. About 80 per cent of the coastal grazing marsh in Essex has been lost since the 1930s, due to a combination of conversion to arable, building and landfill sites. However, a large and valuable area remains on the northern shore of the Thames. Vange Marsh is leased from Basildon District Council.

2. Thames Gateway: South Essex became part of the Thames Gateway in 2001, with a population of 650,000 people in the area covered by the Councils of Thurrock, Basildon, Castle Point and Southend-on-Sea. The Thames Gateway is a government Growth Area – the largest economic regeneration zone in the UK. The RSPB is working with many partners within the Thames Gateway South Essex Partnership to ensure that any development is sustainable – especially through collaboration in the Greengrid. The Greengrid sets out to make sure that there is green space – rich in wildlife and accessible to people – throughout the South Essex sub-region and that these areas are connected together. The RSPB plans to create new nature reserves here and to introduce many people – both local and new visitors – to the wealth of wildlife and landscape. The RSPB believes that its role as a green developer will protect and improve our natural resources, set the scene for sustainable economic growth and create a healthy and vibrant fabric for work, rest and play.

3. The Avocets scientific name is Recurvirostra avosetta. Avocets breed in Europe and central Asia and winter in South Africa and south Asia. The UK breeding population in 2006 was 654. It is protected as a Schedule 1 species under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981. The avocet’s habitat is mudflats, lagoons or sandy beaches where it feeds on crustaceans, insects and worms. This bird is very territorial, in many cases, warding of threats of predation from much larger bird species such as gulls.

4. Progress on the RSPB’s new nature reserves can be followed by visiting the Greengrid website www.greengrid.co.uk Information on local activities and the RSPB’s work in South Essex is on www.southeastrspb.org.uk.

Fiona Hazelton
South Essex Community Project Manager
RSPB

Sightings - 3rd June 2007

Wat Tyler Country Park

The highlights today were regular sightings of at least 5 Bearded Tits in the reedbeds in front of the main hide, good views of at least 4 Turtle Doves, good views of both a male and female Cuckoo from the main hide and the first sightings of dragonflies and damselflies of the year.

During a 3.5 hour visit in warm and sunny weather from 8.15 a.m. the following were recorded:

Birds (between Holly Cottage and south end of Pitseahall Fleet):

Blackcap (1)
Common Whitethroat (at least 5)
Turtle Dove (1 seen and another heard)
Cuckoo (heard only)
Great Spotted Woodpecker (heard only)
Green Woodpecker (heard only)
Robin (1)
Chaffinch (1)
Blackbird (2)
Woodpigeon (c.10)
Magpie (c.5)
Reed Warbler (1 singing in the reedbed at Pitseahall Fleet)
Ruddy Duck (2 males and 1 female on Pitseahall Fleet)
Common Pochard (4 males on Pitseahall Fleet)
Coot (2 pairs plus juveniles on Pitseahall Fleet)

Birds (from the hide by Holly Cottage overlooking Pitseahall Fleet):

Coot (c.10 and several juveniles)
Little Grebe (2 plus 2 juveniles)
Canada Goose (1)
Greylag Goose (2 plus 6 juveniles)
Common Pochard (5 males and 1 female)
Mallard (4 males and 2 females)
Black-headed Gull (c.10)
Cettis Warbler (heard only)
Reed Warbler (5)
Common Whitethroat (1)
Swift (2)
Turtle Dove (2)
Stock Dove (2)
Collared Dove (c.5)
Woodpigeon (c.10)
Jay (3)
Magpie (c.5)
Great Spotted Woodpecker (heard only)

Birds (from the main hide overlooking the scrape and Pitseahall Fleet):

Little Egret (2)
Heron (5)
Avocet (10)
Oystercatcher (4)
Lapwing (2)
Coot (c.10 plus several juveniles)
Moorhen (5)
Little Grebe (4)
Great Crested Grebe (1)
Mute Swan (2)
Greylag Goose (1 pair with 3 juveniles and 8 flew over)
Common Pochard (9 males and 1 female)
Mallard (c.20)
Teal (1 male and 1 female)
Shoveler (2 males and 1 female)
Shelduck (4)
Black-headed Gull (at least c.100)
Lesser Black-backed Gull (2)
Cettis Warbler (heard only)
Reed Warbler (at least 5)
Bearded Tit (at least 5)
Cuckoo (1 male and 1 female)
Turtle Dove (1)
Sparrowhawk (1 female)
Collared Dove (1)
Magpie (c.5)
Carrion Crow (2)
Woodpigeon (c.10)
Blackbird (1)
Greenfinch (1)
Blue Tit (1)
Pied Wagtail (1)

Mammals:

Rabbit (2 by the Boat Museum and 1 by the track to Holly Cottage)

Dragonflies and damselflies:

All seen around the ponds behind the Basildon DC offices.

Four-spotted Chaser (2)
Common Blue Damselfly (c.10)
Blue-tailed Damselfly (c.10)
Large Red Damselfly (c.10)

Photos of the day .... click on the photo for a larger image.

Snail sp., Four-spotted Chaser, Blue-tailed Damselfly and Large Red Damselfly