4 MAY 2026 - OLD HALL MARSHES, ESSEX

I’d agreed to go birding with John and Mike, but the choices of venue were restricted to Old Hall Marshes (for an American Golden Plover); Abberton Reservoir for possible Black Terns and a glossy Ibis); or Rainham Marsh if all else failed (for Black-winged Stilts and Ring Ouzel - which Mike missed out on John and my visit to Rainham two days before). A pick-up time of around 0800 hrs was agreed.

However, news was restricted to the plover being seen that morning on the Bale Field at Old Hall Marshes, so that was where we headed, although it wasn’t a venue I was initially keen to visit due to the very long walk involved in walking around the reserve. But I was assured that we wouldn’t need to walk that far, so I felt a tad more comfortable given the amount of walking I’d done in recent days.

It was rather cloudy skies that greeted us when we arrived shortly after 0900 hrs, although brighter conditions were promised around midday, and around 40 minutes later we approached the Bale Field, immediately south of the Salcott Channel (which itself was a tributary of the River Blackwater) where John set-up his telescope, and almost immediately claimed our target bird - a stunning, summer plumaged American Golden Plover a very long way off on the banks of one of the many managed pools constructed by the RSPB on the field for the purpose of attracting mainly water birds.

The bird wasn’t immediately obvious as it was resting directly in front of a gull, next to a European Golden Plover, which was useful for size comparison; and anyway, for most of the time seemed content to keep is head nestled into its mantle. But occasionally it lifted its head, and even chose to move right or left, when somewhat better views were obtained, though only through John’s scope (as binocular views were not so good due to the distance involved). Nearby, John found a Whimbrel, and other waders such as Little Ringed Plovers; a lone Dunlin; a Ruff, many Northern Lapwings (with their chicks) and Redshanks were also seen amongst the gulls and various duck species, including a lone Brent Goose. A couple of Hares were seen out on the open fields too.

We moved round a few hundred yards or so, where we gained slightly closer views of the American Golden Plover, and through John’s scope, were able to appreciate just what a beautiful plover it was with its partially black face, black breast and belly, white shawl on the side of the neck and upper breast, and extensive white supercilium. It is known to be a slightly smaller bird, and longer legged than the Golden Plover, although these details were hardly noticeable, given the distance of viewing. Other birds seen included Ringed Plover; three Ruff in summer plumage - one bore a striking black neck-ruff; Dunlin, and a single Common Snipe. The marsh also resounded to the scratching calls of both Reed and Sedge Warblers.

The tide was coming in along the Solcotte Channel, where between us we saw the lovely mating ritual of a pair of Great Crested Grebes (including the male offering up a wad of seaweed); around eighteen or so Grey Plovers (including several in summer plumage); four Turnstone, and a Curlew.

Being Essex, it wasn’t surprising that Essex birders formed the bulk of people out to see the American Golden Plover, and some familiar faces were seen, including some from our own neck of the woods in Hertfordshire. But the voice of one individual who I certainly hadn’t expected to run into, seemed very familiar, and when I turned around was surprised and delighted to see Jeremy Hurley who - in his day - was a well-respected Essex birdwatcher and twitcher, and a friend I hadn’t seen for almost 25 years!! Of course, it was an occasion for reminisces, but in the end, he took my e-mail address and promised to be in touch soon. It would be great if we could meet up again and go over our various birding (and other) ventures over the thirty years or so, before we eventually lost touch.

On the way back to the car, we saw several butterfly species, including Wall Brown and Small Heath, as well as a Lattice Heath Moth, which was the first I’ve ever seen anywhere.

A quick trip to Abberton Reservoir for the Glossy Ibis proved fruitless so, after a welcome Cappuccino in the visitors’ centre we made our way home. Apologies for the lack of pictures.

LATTICE HEATH

SMALL HEATH

 

 

30 APRIL/1 MAY 2026 - THORLEY QUARRY and THORLEY WASH, HERTS

30 APRIL 2026

I was persuaded by reports of a huge movement of waders on 29 April in East Anglia, to make a return visit to Thorley Quarry; and it certainly paid off.

I arrived at the site around 10.00 hrs and straight away was greeted by the sight of a Red Kite and Eurasian Buzzard circling over the lake. But as I approached over the brow of a stony hillock (created during the recent gravel excavations, now completed) the alarm calls of a Greenshank echoed out, and as I scanned the lake two Greenshank took to flight, landing on the opposite bank.

Then, as I began walking (slowly) around the perimeter of the lake, I disturbed a Common Sandpiper (a bird I’d not seen locally since 2005) which also flew to the opposite bank, where it was joined by a second. And then the call of a Green Sandpiper rang out (a bird I hadn’t seen locally since 2017) and I was just in time to see the bird fly to a slightly different area of the lake, but still on the opposite bank. Wow I thought, this was amazing.

Meanwhile a Little Ringed Plover was seen on the near bank, quite content to stay put, despite my presence, although I was conscious of the need to be cautious, given that there could well be a nest in the vicinity.

I tried to get closer views of the Greenshanks, but it was difficult to follow the birds as most of the time I was looking into the sun, and anyway I didn’t want to disturb them unduly; so, I left the site content at what I’d observed here. I also saw a party of six Common Swifts, and three Barn Swallows that were new to me for the year locally.

I went on to Southern Country Park nearby, where I heard the rattling song of a male Lesser Whitethroat (although I didn’t see the bird) and a Sedge Warbler singing in the reedbed at the northern end of the lake, although once again the bird remained unseen.

1 MAY 2026

I returned to the quarry around 0830 hrs the following day, being persuaded by Stephen Patmore (who’d alerted us to the large movement of waders in East Anglia) to get there earlier in the event new waders had called in. The two Greenshanks were still present (although still quite flighty), but no other waders were present except for a lone Little Ringed Plover.

From there I made my way on to Thorley Wash along the River Stort Navigation. On the towpath which runs along the Walbury Estate, I heard two separate male Reed Warblers singing strongly from the phragmites on either side of the path within fifty metres of each other, but neither revealed themselves, I assumed because there was relatively frequent human activity along the towpath here. But I did have particularly good views (albeit rather brief) of a male Cetti’s Warbler in the scrubby reedbed, a bird that is usually stubbornly secretive, despite its forcefully loud call. Indeed, along the entire towpath and on the reserve itself at least five different male Cetti’s were heard, which was encouraging.

I had hoped to catch up with the Cuckoo I’d heard from Thorley Quarry, but although the bird was certainly present in the area, it was calling from quite a distance away; and it wasn’t until later in the morning, that I came close to seeing the bird in the trees above my head; but it just wasn’t to be, and I had to be content with hearing its familiar springtime call.

I was surprised too that there was absolutely no evidence of the presence of Sedge Warblers, since none was heard or even seen that morning, which I confess was slightly worrying; although Common Whitethroats certainly were making their presence felt, despite arguably in less numbers than previous years.

At the northern end of the reserve, I found a juvenile Eurasian Jay, which was not a bird I see often here.

As I was about to exit the reserve to make my way north up to Twyford Lock, I recorded at least three male Banded Demoiselle Damselflies (my first of the year) and a male Large Red Damselfly, as well as several Orange-tip and Small White butterflies.

At Twyford Lock I stopped awhile on a lock-side bench talking to a couple of cyclists when I noticed a male Grey Wagtail carrying food, which mean that the birds had a nest somewhere nearby - traditionally in recent years, in the lock gates - and indeed, the bird made its way to the said gates where it dropped down to where the nest was situated actually within the gates itself, although it was completely hidden from view. The female soon followed carrying the body of a large species of dragonfly (more likely a Hairy dragonfly, minus its wings - being the only large species on the wing at this time of the year). I hung around watching the birds bring in more food and was able to take a few photographs of this attractive Wagtail.

Further along the river, almost opposite the entrance to Rushy Mead Reserve, I rested again on a riverside bench and heard the call of a Common Tern (which are seen occasionally this far up the Stort Navigation) and saw the bird flying over one of the lakes privately owned and operated as an angling club. This was very encouraging as I had no records of the species anywhere along the Stort in 2025.

RED KITE

LITTLE RINGED PLOVER

MUTE  SWAN

BANDED DEMOISELLE DAMSELFLY (M)

CARRION CROW

MARSH MARIGOLD

GREY WAGTAIL

COMMON TERN

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2 MAY 2026 – RAINHAM MARSH, RSPB NATURE RESERVE

It was just John and me today as Mike was on family duties. When John arrived to pick me up at 0730 hrs, we hadn’t sorted out a venue, but there were a few possibilities: Languard Point, Suffolk (for a Tawny Pipit); Abberton Reservoir, Essex (general birdwatching); and Rainham Marshes for Black-winged Stilts; Wood Sandpipers and Ring Ouzel. We chose the latter, arriving at the reserve around 8.15 a.m.

The reserve wasn’t due to open until 0930 hrs, so John suggested we take the river path along the Thames to where the Ring Ouzel had been seen the day before. When we arrived at the said location, the County Recorder for Essex (his name escapes me) had just seen the bird at the base of a hawthorn, although it wasn’t on show; but within minutes a Blackbird sized bird - dark brown; silvery mantle, and a somewhat indistinct georgette on its breast - flew out and away, crossing the pathway and disappeared into bushes below us. Yet within minutes it had returned to the original bush, where we got much better views of the bird, despite being quite deep within it. Yet very soon it was disturbed, and flew out once again, when we got much better views of its distinctive features as this time it flew much further away. But at least we’d ‘bagged’ it for the day and were very pleased considering that Ring Ouzels (spring and autumn migrants here) were almost always extremely elusive.

Scoping the reserve pools John eventually found the Black-winged Stilts on the far side of the reserve, so he suggested making our way to the visitor centre, then try and see if could get closer views. It proved a long drag around the reserve pathways to where we found we could view the stilts from the track, yet even so they remained distant, with heat haze beginning to interfere to some extent. There were a single Wood Sandpiper and a Ruff at the same location. Above this point, at least two Hobbys were hunting  high up in the skies, with at least three Common Terns flying over the reedbeds. Two Western Marsh Harriers were seen here too, with the song of a male Cuckoo echoing over the marsh.

Rather than walk round the entire reserve, as we’d seen our target birds, John suggested we turn back and try and find out own Green Hairstreak butterflies, which were apparently common on the reserve at this time of year. It seems that a favoured location for the species was known as the Cordite store - which was sheltered from any wind and was also an ideal sunspot.  We didn’t have long to wait, when the said Hairstreak (all males - well several in fact) made a welcome appearance, with some very good views as the insects occasionally alighted on leaves of bushes (mainly Elderberry). We also saw at least two male Small Coppers and several Peacock butterflies. And the Cuckoo we’d heard earlier, gave good views as it flew between the trees. There were also several teneral Large Red Damselflies and an adult Azure Damselfly, as well as two species of Shield Bug (although I didn't find that out until I'd examined the photos later that day) in this relatively small open area. Earlier in the day we’d also seen a few Wall Brown butterflies and at least two Hairy Dragonflies.

On the way back to the car park, we attempted to gain more views of the Black-winged Stilts, but the birds remained stubbornly distant - though from all viewpoints, the scratchy songs of Reed and Sedge Warblers pervaded, along with the deafening rattling croaking of Marsh Frogs.

GREEN HAIRSTREAK BUTTERFLY

SMALL COPPER BUTTERFLY

SMALL COPPER BUTTERFLY

WALL BROWN BUTTERFLY

DOCK BUG

GREEN SHIELD BUG

  

18 APRIL 2026 - SAWBRIDGEWORTH to BISHOP’S STORTFORD

I’d read reports of a decent fall of migrant birds along the Stort Navigation between Sawbridgeworth and Bishop’s Stortford, which included Willow Warbler; Garden Warbler; Lesser Whitethroat; Cuckoo, as well as good numbers of Common Whitethroat; Sedge Warbler; Blackcap; Swallow and House Martin. So, I took a bus to Sawbridgeworth and walked down to the towpath along the Stort Navigation, beginning there at around 8.45 a.m. The weather was clear, sunny, and reasonably warm at around 14 Degrees C with a light easterly.

Virtually the moment I set out, I began to think that it wasn’t such a good idea to choose a weekend to undertake this walk, because very soon, small groups of children (possibly scouts and girl guides - with their respective leaders) followed me in; with the usual runners; bikers and dog walkers too. But they would soon pass, I thought, so I ventured on.

Cetti’s Warblers sang vociferously - seemingly from every other bush - a stark difference from several years back when the species just didn’t occur (only rarely); and I was even lucky to see a couple (possibly paired) in the bushes across the river, although it was almost impossible to train the camera on them before they skulked back into cover. Virtually in the same location I photographed a Sedge Warbler (together with its reflection) that ‘posed’ for me near the surface of the water - and that doesn’t happen too often.

Common Whitethroats were everywhere but were always difficult to see well; as were Blackcaps, although these were not so many. A few Song Thrushes could be heard but I only managed to see just the one. Chiffchaffs too were obvious by their song but again chose not to reveal themselves. Blue Tits; Great Tits; Long-tailed Tits and a couple of pairs of Reed Buntings, along with Robins, were seen, along with a single male Greenfinch. On the river, several Moorhens and Mallards were either collecting nest material or in mating mode; whilst overhead Jackdaws; Carrion Crows; some Rook; Magpies and a lone Jay were seen.

The ‘crowds’ continued to come and go; and what with the boisterous nature of some of the kids, together with passing trains, and the planes flying to and from Stanstead Airport, it was  quite difficult at times to hear the birdsong. And really, what are radios doing being played in such idyllic surroundings…………it seems that some people just do not respect their countryside!! It wasn’t at all the quietude I expected to find; and I was becoming more frustrated by the minute. But I had no choice but to continue in the hope that soon, the situation would change for the better. But the birdlife along the river was surprisingly sparse given that spring was well underway. Maybe the cool easterly flow of winds was having a negative effect on the migrant birds - because I saw or heard no Lesser Whitethroats; Willow Warblers; Garden Warblers; Swallows or Martins; and sadly, no Cuckoos either. And that continued all the way through Spellbrook and Thorley Wash. But was good to see were Mute Swans on nests - one just south of Spellbrook Lock and the other next to Spellbrook Weir.

Butterflies too were quite sparse, although there were good numbers of Small Whites and Orange Tips, with the occasional Speckled Wood; Peacock; Red Admiral, and a Large White or two. I even saw my earliest ever Large Red Damselfly (a teneral male) at Thorley Wash, where I also saw my second ever Treecreeper for the site. In fact, the only common species seen the entire morning were swarms of St. Marks flies!

Spring wildflowers were beginning to bloom beautifully - Red Deadnettle; White Deadnettle; Dandelion; Speedwells; Lady’s Smock, and Marsh Marigold were prolific, especially on Thorley Wash Reserve.

I guess I’ll give it another go in a few days’ time, and hopefully then, the bird migration would be in full swing……………if the weather holds!

MOORHEN ON NEST

RABBIT IN GARDEN ADJOINING RIVER

SEDGE WARBLER

SONG THRUSH

WINTER WREN

MUTE SWAN ON NEST (1)

MUTE SWAN ON NEST (2)

LADY'S SMOCK WITH ATTENDANT ORANGE TIP

FEMALE ORANGE TIP

TREECREEPER THROUGH THE BRANCHES

LARGE RED DAMSELFLY - TENERAL MALE

DANDELIONS

RED DEADNETTLE

WHITE DEADNETTLE

 

 

9 APRIL 2026 – FINGRINGHOE WICK NATURE RESERVE and ABBERTON RESERVOIR, ESSEX

It was an 8.15 a.m. start from my house, and we were heading for Fingringhoe Reserve, then on the Abberton Reservoir - mainly for Spring migrants.

However, because we’d heard that a pair of Peregrine Falcons had been seen around the steeple at St. Michael’s Church, Bishop’s Stortford of late (with photographs being put online) we thought we’d have a go at seeing them - but the birds didn’t seem to be present at the time; although Mike had  a Swallow flyover here (his first for the year), so it wasn’t so much of a dip out for him. So, on to Fingringhoe, with hopefully better luck with Nightingales.

When we arrived at the car park at Fingringhoe, Nightingales were already in full song, with at least 3-4 males singing heartily from the dense vegetation of Hawthorn; Blackthorn; Brambles, and others, but none were keen to show themselves. There was also a very brief snatch of song from a Willow Warbler, and there were a few Chiffchaffs getting in on the act too.

We traipsed around the maze of bushes - never really straying far from the car park - with no more than a glimpse of one of the singing males (though at one point Mike claimed views of one male chasing another across the stony pathway behind us). But by the end of the morning we would have heard at least 12 different males singing, and possibly more.

We found ourselves splitting up briefly, when I encountered a gentleman who told me he was the recorder for reptiles on the reserve, and told me that despite there being very little activity of Adders in recent days, he’d seen a male that morning atop a bank nearby, and I went back to tell John and Mike, with the consequence that we went off to find it. We’d already looked at ‘Adder Alley’ - which was known as a good place to see these magnificent snakes - but we’d not been successful. 

We might have found the said bank, but the Adder couldn’t be found at that location, and it was a good half an hour later, whilst we three were searching in an interesting grass and sandy open area, when Mike found an adult male, basking in dappled sunlight along the track we’d walked down earlier! It was a beautifully marked individual - black zig-zagging mark the entire length of it's spine - and was approaching two feet in length. It possessed a somewhat menacing almost bejewelled ruby-red eye, and was continually tasting the air with its forked tongue. Of course, once found it didn’t stay static for very long, and soon it was working its way through the leaf litter, coursing this way and that before finally, making its way up the bank before disappearing out of view.

But a little way along, I found another male (a different individual, that was broader in the body than the first), and as we all watched, we could just about make out the form of a brown adder (a likely female) immediately behind it, although ‘she’ soon slithered out of sight. And although we tried, we didn’t find any others.  I saw the ‘recorder’ I’d met earlier again and he soon went off to find the adders for himself.

Given that it was a rather warm, sunny day, we struggled getting butterflies, with only a few Small Whites (and maybe a Green-veined too, though it was difficult to tell with flight views); a few Peacocks and a Brimstone.

On the way to Abberton, we called in at Fingringhoe Gravel Pit where we saw a huge flock of around 80 or so Sand Martins; a lone Swallow; a couple of Redshanks; two Oystercatchers, and three Buzzards overhead.

At Layer Breton Causeway there was very little activity on view, and we didn’t see any of the Cattle Egrets, that we understood were breeding here, although we did get prolonged views of European Spoonbills - including three males in full breeding plumage - as they flew in and out of the nesting area, amongst the nests of Grey Herons. Opposite, the colony of Great Cormorants was in full swing. We also saw a Little Egret in flight, but it seems none were breeding here.

Before reaching Layer De La Haye Causeway and the Essex Wildlife Trust Centre, we called in at Billett’s Farm, where we joined a small group of birding photographers looking out for the usual annual spring arrival of migrant Yellow Wagtails; and we weren’t disappointed. There were at least 12 males, almost every single one in pristine bright yellow garb - one almost needed sunglasses to view them; and a probable second year male Northern Wheatear, on the fence posts behind them.

There was little activity elsewhere too, and although migrants were coming in, it seemed that it had slowed in recent days, with the consequence that a visit to Gwen’s hide revealed little but a male Common Whitethroat; a male Reed Bunting, and the sound  of a singing male Sedge Warbler, somewhere in the scrub around the hide. We also saw two lovely Mediterranean Gulls in in flight that were in full summer plumage, and which John originally picked up on call. Disappointingly, there were no Willow Warblers singing, although one was seen by others earlier in the day. But I did see my first Speckled Wood butterfly of the year.

I held back awhile to get some quite close shots of Rooks feeding in the grass for what I assumed were grubs of some kind; but their crops were huge consequently, giving the birds the unenviable ‘tag’ of being the ugliest of all the crows species we have in the UK - though they are undeniably interesting, nonetheless.

On the way back to John’s car - following a coffee at the café - we picked up a flock of around 20 Sand Martins, and a single Swallow, before leaving for home.

ADDER (M)

ADDER (M)

ADDER (M - head, top right)

CORMORANT COLONY

EURASIAN SPOONBILL (M)

YELLOW WAGTAIL (M)

ROOK

SPECKLED WOOD BUTTERFLY

26 MARCH 2026 – IN THE BRECKS

It was a sunny cloudless morning that saw us (John, Mike, and me) setting off at 0815 hrs to the Brecklands of Norfolk and Suffolk, although it was deceptively chilly, with a moderate North Westerly, which could well have an influence on what we might see. John had his Landrover Discovery back from the garage, following necessary repairs.

Our first port of call was Lynford Arboretum, but right from the start it seemed somehow rather depleted of birds, with only a pair of Crossbills being the highlight here. Also, the usual array of snowdrops and daffodils had gone over earlier than one might normally expect, so it wasn’t in such pristine condition, although this was compensated for in no small way by the elegant, tall beeches (just coming into leaf), interspersed by aged oaks and conifers; it is such an impressive environment. After a welcome coffee at the Shepherd’s Baa, we moved off to Mayday Farm, near Thetford.

Over the years Mayday Farm (owned and operated by the Forestry Commission) has been an excellent site for birdwatching, with its extensive areas of both deciduous and coniferous woodlands interspersed with wide, open areas of scrub, suitable for many species of birds, and is renowned for less common birds such as Woodlark; Nightjar; Goshawk; Long-eared Owl, and Crossbill, despite or even because of the way the land has been managed. But, like so many of our inheritance of beautiful landscapes, the charge of modernity has shown itself here too with the introduction of parking meters, which were being installed as we arrived. One might hope of course that the proceeds go towards the upkeep of the forest, so maybe it’s not such a negative measure.

After a longish walk along an often-stony track, we came across a small trackside pool, where a couple of birdwatching photographers had set-up their cameras, waiting for birds to come down and take a drink. We were advised that Siskins; Redpolls and Crossbills had been seen throughout the morning, so we stopped awhile in the hope of getting some good close views ourselves. We didn’t have long to wait.

There was a tall conifer overlooking the pool, with a mixture of bramble and broom (or maybe gorse) and other shrubs, so there was plenty of cover. The pool was quite small in area - approximately 2 metres square - and was illuminated with bright sunlight throughout the time we were there.

The first birds to appear were Siskins (both sexes) followed by Redpolls (again, both sexes); a Goldfinch or two; a Chiffchaff; a Robin; a Blue Tit; a Chaffinch; a Great Tit; a Coal Tit, followed by a single female Crossbill, then another; then a male Crossbill; then a male and female Crossbill together; and then a lovely male Brambling. And finally, John spotted a juvenile Crossbill right at the very top of the conifer - the first juvenile either Mike or I had ever seen. What a treat!!

As the time was getting on (it was about 13.00 hrs by then) we moved off along the track hoping to get a glimpse of a Goshawk (which Mike had observed here earlier in the year) but we were to be disappointed in that that regard. But there were quite large numbers of Redpoll and Linnets along the trail, with the odd Chiffchaff and Chaffinch, although John did see a Yellowhammer too. With nothing else of note other than a female Minotaur Beetle and a lone Peacock Butterfly, we headed back to the car, with a brief stop back at the drinking pool - which was in shade by then, with few birds drinking, and headed off to Weeting (a few miles away), hoping to see Stone Curlews.

The reserve at Weeting is no longer operative as such, but the hides are still open to the public. Regrettably, there were no Stone Curlews on view either from any of the hides or indeed on the fields opposite, so it was assumed that either they hadn’t yet arrived, or the species no longer occurs there; though with little if any breeding success in recent years, it isn’t looking hopeful. The only birds present and likely to breed were several pairs of Lapwing. But scoping the fields John picked up a pair of Mistle Thrushes and a lone Fieldfare (both of which, unbelievably, were new to me for the year); then scoping more distantly, picked up a pair of Stonechats, and an early migrant female Wheatear.

To end the day, we called in at RSPB Lakenheath hoping to see a drake Garganey which had been recorded lately; but although we failed to find it, we did see a lone adult Whooper Swan; a Great Egret; a female Western Marsh Harrier and a pair of Marsh Tits. John also picked up a Little Egret and a probable Merlin, both of which Mike and I missed.

Overall, a reasonable day’s birding, with the undoubted highlight being the stunning mix of finches, and other species at the drinking pool at Mayday Farm.

REDPOLL

REDPOLL

SISKIN (M)

SISKIN (M)

SISKIN (M)

RED CROSSBILL (F)

RED CROSSBILLS (F)

RED CROSSBILL (M)

RED CROSSBILL (M)

MALE AND FEMALE RED CROSSBILLS with SISKIN

JUVENILE CROSSBILL 

BRAMBLING (M)

BRAMBLING with SISKINS and REDPOLL

COAL TIT

GOLDFINCH

MINOTAUR BEETLE (F)