Short-eared Owls continue to show well over on West Canvey Marshes, often posing nicely for photographs, they must like the attention! Winter waders and wildfowl are on the up, with around a thousand Lapwing, 50 Curlew, 50 Black-tailed Godwit, 300 Wigeon and 150 Teal across our reserves.

Pitsea Scrape is also attracting lots of birds with over 40 Snipe feeding in the mud, also look out for Water Rail dashing across the recently cut reed in front of the hide overlooking the scrape.

Lapwing by David Lee

Article by Michael Poole, Assistant Warden

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