We are currently looking for short papers on Essex birds for the 2016 and 2017 Essex Bird Reports. The paper can be on identification, a particular site or indeed anything bird related provided that Essex is involved. For examples of previous papers, please see old Reports. If anyone thinks they have something suitable please contact Simon Wood through the following email essexbirdwatchingsociety@gmail.com
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Latest Highlights
| West Mersea: 2 Great Northern Diver |
| Sudbury, Suffolk: 1 Red Kite |
| University of Essex, Colchester: 6 Goosander |
| Wivenhoe: 2 Egyptian Goose |
| Thurrock Thameside Nature Park (EWT): 1 Short-eared Owl, 4 Ring-necked Parakeet, 1 Peregrine Falcon, 2 Cetti's Warbler |
| Holland Haven: 1 Little Auk |
| Bradwell Bird Observatory (BBO): 1 Merlin |
| Thorndon CP (North): 8 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Bullfinch |
| Hanningfield Reservoir: 2 Tundra Bean Goose, 1 Scaup, 4 Goosander |
| Naze, The: 1 Merlin, 1 Peregrine Falcon, 1 Cetti's Warbler |
Latest News
Hen Harrier Day at Rainham Marshes 2018 - Saturday 11 August, 11am
On Saturday 11th August RSPB Rainham Marshes is hosting an event organized by Birders Against Wildlife Crime to mark Hen Harrier Day 2018 – to celebrate hen harriers and publicise their plight.
We'd like to invite you to join us for this rally, which will include speakers and activities suitable for all, including for families! Speakers confirmed so far include David Lindo (The Urban Birder) and RSPB Director of Conservation Martin Harper. All money raised goes to Birders Against Wildlife Crime and they'll be giving an update about their raptor satellite tagging project too.
We're anticipating a busy day and are urging people to use public transport – the reserve is just a ten minute walk from Purfleet station on the C2C line. Additional car parking is also available in Purfleet at the public car park just west of the train station.
The car park will open at 8am, and the main rally with speeches is set to start at 11 am. The speeches will take place in the marquee field near the Marshland Discovery Zone so leave yourself 15 minute or so to wander down.
Join us in saying ‘We want our Hen Harriers back’! Watch this space and @HHDayLondon for more updates. Look forward to seeing you there!
More info here… http://henharrierday.org/
Ringing at Two Tree Island Nature Reserve
Essex Birdwatching Society spent an interesting & enjoyable morning with David Wilkinson down at EWT Two Tree Island Nature Reserve. David is a skilled and enthusiastic ringer, today he and his colleagues managed to ring Common Whitethroat, Eurasian Reed Warbler, Eurasian Blackcap and even a Great Spotted Woodpecker. It was an honour for the Essex Birdwatching Society to present a cheque to help with the upkeep of his nets and other equipment.
The photo is of Steve Collins, Vice-Chairman of the Essex Birdwatching Society handing over a cheque to David, accompanied by Mark Bridges the outgoing warden at EWT Two Tree Island
If you have a similar project that involves the conservation of birds in Essex, it doesn’t have to involve ringing, then please get in touch with us at essexbirdwatchingsociety@gmail.com
Latest Articles
The yearly joint Bird Migration Day event with local wildlife tour company Swallow Birding was blessed with fantastic weather. During the day, tour leader Steve Grimwade led two walks down to the excellent intertidal area on the River Colne which two years ago was arable fields and is now a rich wildlife haven!
Some wildlife highlights of the walks were three KINGFISHERS, HOBBY, COMMON BUZZARDS, LESSER & COMMON WHITETHROATS, GREENSHANK, HOBBY, TUNSTONE, BLACK & BAR-TAILED GODWITS, GREY & GOLDEN PLOVERS, DUNLIN, RINGED PLOVERS, REDSHANK and AVOCETS with many waders still in their resplendent breeding plumage which thrilled everyone.
It was not just birds, as there were also RUDDY & COMMON DARTERS, MIGRANT & SOUTHERN HAWKERS, WILLOW EMERALD DAMSELFLY and LONG-WINGED CONEHEAD, a type of bush-cricket.
The walks were very popular with around 50 people taking part.
We’ve had excellent feedback regarding the event and look forward to repeating it in 2018!