Although I missed some of the other goodies this morning at the Essex Naze this cheeky Tree Sparrow and some good views of Little terms was enough ,my first Holly Blue of the year in the garden this afternoon.

Hobby hunting over Walton Hall Marshes this afternoon Essex Wildlife Trust EBwS Bird News BTO Essex North East #birdsofprey #birdwatching #BirdsOfX

2 Wood Sandpipers and a Temminck’s Stint on the bale field at Old Hall Marshes.

Amazing views of the Little Gull that’s been hanging around at The Naze for a while today EBwS Bird News

Happily the story continues. Back for another breeding season, our Suffolk-ringed Nightingale was caught on territory at Abberton Reservoir again today, with a brood-patched female. 🤎

Loads to see and hear at Sawbridgeworth Marsh in the brief periods when not spoilt by noisy planes or trains. Sedge, Cetti’s, Reed Warblers all busy plus Cuckoo and Reed Bunting. Ragged Robin, Marsh Valerian….
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Essex Wildlife Trust
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It was a typical early May selection of birds at Abberton today - Nightingales, 3 Garden Warbler, Common Sandpiper, Whimbrel, 2 Hobby, 4 Spoonbill & 8 Cattle Egret, latter 2 species in the heronry. Still very wet everywhere, even Billets flood is still a bit high for waders!

A pleasant walk around Abberton Res this morning. Lots of shimmering heat haze over the Res almost summer like. 3 Hobbies hawking for insects over the reserve are always great to see. The Garden Warbler by hide bay hide was singing and showing well. Also my FFY 4 Spotted Chaser.

We had some really good bird sightings at Abberton yesterday for the under-25s walk. 2 Black Terns, 3 Hobbies, close Barn Owl fly past, good views of Reed Warbler and more!

With OliCWildlife Ed and others
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It was fun to organise and lead the first Essex Birdwatching Society young birders event! We had 59 species around the Essex Wildlife Trust reserve at Abberton, including 2 Black Tern, Barn Owl, 3 Hobby, & singing Nightingales. Hopefully similar events coming in the future Ed Stan Davis

Some local birding this morning: Blake’s Wood, Baddow where 3 Garden Warbler, Cuckoo and Nightingale though no sign of LS Woodpecker. Notley scrape, LRP pair, Yellow Wag and Common Sand. Springwood Ind Estate, Braintree, 21 active Lesser BB Gull nests and 13 for Herring Gull

Turtle Dove, Yellowhammer, Whimbrel & Green Woodpecker at Wrabness on Saturday EBwS Bird News Essex Wildlife Trust

Beckton Sewage Works: 4 Grey + 1 Yellow Wagtail, Black Redstart, 12 Common Tern, 3 Oystercatchers and Common Sandpiper. #londonbirds EBwS Bird News

Sadly no sign today of the Woodchat Shrike RSPB Rainham Marshes but good numbers of Hobbies! EBwS Bird News

A lovely evening of respite at RSPB Bowers Marsh with Graham Ryland.
Drake Garganey finally gave itself up along with a very distant Black-winged Stilt.
I then heard something munching on reeds & saw a cheeky Water Vole.
Ruff, YWag, Marsh Harrier, Cuckoo, Greenshank, Whimbrel

Abberton CES season underway. Nice selection of birds caught including 2 Nightingale, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, Yellowhammer, Treecreeper and Kingfisher. Highlights a returning Nightingale 6+ years old and Lesser Whitethroat 4+ years old.

Nice to see at least 4 Turtle doves today along the Essex Stour at Wrabness EBwS Bird News Essex Wildlife Trust Operation Turtle Dove #birdwatching #birding #BirdsSeenIn2024

The distant Black-winged Stilt at RSPB Bowers Marsh this evening along with a cheeky Water Vole.
A Wall Brown butterfly in the garden earlier was good to see, too.

Our 3rd record of Marsh Harrier N over our Colchester garden today ( all in spring ) Rose Chaffer FFY on our Hawthorn, 4/5 Holly Blues, Slow Worms, Nightingales singing was very pleasant in the sunshine.

Our most recent pop-up was really good fun despite the terrible weather! A big thank you to all at Bird Aware Essex Coast for taking part and to everyone who braved the elements. Special thanks to Sandra Bell for baking 2 yummy cakes even though she couldn't come!👍 EBwS Bird News