Strange unbirdlike sounds coming from the reedbeds in winter, are a sure sign that water rails are present. Their distinctive calls are a mixture squeals, grunts and screams, likened to the sound of an agitated pig. Water rails have been heard at both Vange Marsh and Wat Tyler Country Park. Superb views of water rails can be seen on the tv screens in the RSPB visitor centre at Wat Tyler, as the birds feed along the edge…

A single tundra bean goose has been present all week amongst the greylag goose flock on Vange Wick. The birds are best viewed from the marina in Wat Tyler Country Park. The views across the reserve are spectacular, viewing from either the marina's raised viewpoint or the pillbox viewing platform in Wat Tyler Country Park your view will be filled with literally thousands of birds. The lush wet grassland and extensive wet…

Bearded tits, surely would be better named moustached tits, as the stunning males have black moustaches rather than beards. Numbers have increased locally during November. This week seven were seen at Wat Tyler Country Park, in the reeds near the new boardwalk at the southern end of the park. A pair gave stunning views on West Canvey Marsh, again in the reeds near the gate which leads to Pantile. Also seen in the same…

On our West Canvey Marsh walk on Saturday morning up to three bramblings were seen, one or two were with the chaffinch flock along the Pantile track, view the track here: http://www.mapmate.co.uk/userzone/p/Locate/s/TQ7674484579  Another two or maybe the same two were seen later in the car park hedgerow. Also seen were five skylark, 12 curlew, 15 wigeon, 3 little egrets and a cetti's warbler was heard. This is a regular…

Join us this November for your chance to buy this years RSPB Christmas cards. Enjoy a slice of locally baked homemade cake and a hot drink as you look through a selection of seasonal RSPB goods.

There will be a wide range of cards and gifts on offer with prices to suit all pockets and don’t forget – all proceeds go to helping birds and wildlife.

Cards and gifts will be on sale in the South Essex Marshes…

Yesterday was the last day of our 'Date With Nature' event, watching the dark-bellied brent geese at Leigh-on-Sea. During the 19 days we spent on Victoria Wharf, we would like to thank the 1800 visitors who came along and spent time with us watching this annual spectacle. And a special Thank You to our wonderful team of volunteers, without their time and dedication this event would not happen, THANK YOU ALL.

Our…

Tuesday started with an immature male peregrine falcon, which flew towards us across the estuary. It flew straight over our heads and landed on top of the tallest block of flats behind us, fantastic. Brent goose numbers had reduced from 5,000 over the weekend to around 3,500 now, probably a result of high tides, fine weather and increased boat activity. They have not left us, just relocated to a quieter part of the estuary…

Time flys so quickly, tomorrow we will be starting the second week of our brent goose watch at Leigh-on-Sea. The event runs daily on Victoria Wharf, Old Leigh 10 am - 4 pm until Friday 22 October.

Yesterday there were around 5,000 dark-bellied brent geese present, and they showed very well throughout the day. It looks as if this year they have had a successful breeding season, a sample count of 1,000 geese produced 225…

Just to let you know that the page is live: http://www.rspb.org.uk/datewithnature/sites/essexcoast/

Monday 4th – Friday 22nd October: Brent Goose Watch at Leigh-on-Sea 10am – 4pm daily (weather permitting).
Come to the beautiful fishing village of Leigh-on-Sea to experience the sight and sound of some special visitors – brent geese which have flown thousands of miles from Siberia! Location: Victoria Wharf, Old Leigh (just behind the car park). Free event.

An immature spoonbill was still present on Vange Marsh on Tuesday, along with two little ringed plovers and seven spotted redshanks still. A kingfisher has been seen a couple of times near the first hide on West Canvey Marsh and a common buzzard drifted over north-east Monday lunchtime.

Two big local events this weekend!

Saturday 18th – Sunday 19th September: Magical Moth Weekend at Wat Tyler Country Park 10 am – 5…

A temminck's stint has been present all weekend on West Canvey Marsh. Feeding along the muddy edges of the reservoir, this juvenile stint has at times shown well in front of the first hide and was still present this morning. Also seen on the reserve have been whinchats, wheatear, yellow wagtails and a mixed group of swallow, house and sand martins feeding over the reservoir. A single ruff remains along with a few

The end of August/beginning of September is the prime time for finding spotted flycatchers as they stop off to feed on their long journey south. Spotted flycatchers have declined by over 50% during the last 25 years and is now a species of serious conservation concern and as such is red listed. Spotted flycatchers were regular breeders in south Essex, but sadly not any more, they are now becoming a passage migrant here…

Hot on the heels of the first red-backed shrike for Vange Marsh comes another first for the reserve!

A cracking juvenile red-necked phalarope was found late morning yesterday, and attracted a steady flow of admirers throughout the afternoon. Phalaropes are the only wader that habitually swim on water, and our juvenile did just that on the freshmarsh while picking food from the surface of the water. The man-made viewing…

Vange Marsh proves to be a big attraction for spoonbills. Yesterday another immature bird joined the two adults and immature which have been present most of August. All four are still present today. Also on the marsh are 2 ruff, 11 green sandpipers and 2 greenshanks. Warblers in the scrubland area have increased with whitethroat, lesser whitethroat, willow warbler and blackcap in varying numbers.

Last night at Wat Tyler…

A juvenile red-backed shrike was found at lunchtime, the bird is frequenting a mixed hedgerow just east of the reserve and can be elusive. In the same area were 3 bright juvenile willow warblers, 2 blackcaps, 2 whitethroats and a lesser whitethroat, while overhead 2 hobbies were hunting. The three spoonbills are still present on the marsh.

Two wood sandpipers were found yesterday on the flooded field on the southern loop trail from the car park and they were showing very well late afternoon. Also four snipe and a green sandpiper in the flooded field. Five whinchats were along the fence line in the north-west section of the reserve. Close by in Holehaven Creek a cattle egret has been feeding on the saltmarsh with little egrets at the north end of the creek…

The two adult spoonbills remain on Vange Marsh and have now been joined by an immature. One wood sandpiper is still present favouring the south-east area of the freshmarsh along with 4 little ringed plovers, 2 dunlin, 6 snipe, 6 spotted redshanks, 1 greenshank, 8 green sandpipers and 2 common sandpipers.

An event not to be missed!

Wednesday 18th August: Wild Fun at the Farm at The Salvation Army Farm, Hadleigh 10.30am…

Two adult spoonbills were found on Vange Marsh yesterday evening and have spent all day today on the freshmarsh. Also seen one wood sandpiper, 26 common sandpipers, 5 green sandpipers, greenshank, little egret and numerous black-tailed godwits many in summer plumage.

Each Tuesday during August will have a different wildlife theme in our discovery zone.

Tuesday 10th August: Save The Sumatran Rainforest Day at Wat Tyler Country Park 10.00am – 4pm
Come along to the RSPB Discovery Zone each Tuesday during August. Every Tuesday will have a different wildlife theme with a variety of children's activities. Free admission; small charge for some activities.

A well travelled avo…

Five southern migrant hawkers were found  in a ditch on vange at the end of July along with two great green bush crickets. This small hawker dragonfly has only been recorded as a vagrant in the Uk, there have been less than ten previous records, a fantastic find, nice one Les!

Hot on the heels of the hawker was the discovery of a southern emerald damselfly at Wat Tyler Country Park the first Essex record! A full account…

The Veolia ES scrape beside Wat Tyler Country Park, can be viewed from the two-teir hide located opposite, the former motorboat museum. You can also get stunning close views from within our visitor centre via CCTV, or from the comfort of your own home you can follow the action HERE on our local groups website.

Yesterday on the scrape it was fascinating watching a pair of little grebes feeding their four chicks, now little…

All the hard work by our reserves team is paying dividends. Recent sightings at Vange Marsh have included up to six spotted redshanks, 19 green sandpipers and four common sandpipers. The moulting male ruff is still present and has just a few straggly feathers of his white ruff left, over 40 black-tailed godwits can be found on the fresh marsh along with up to seven oystercatchers, redshanks and one or two greenshanks

Spotted redshanks, and there are now six on Vange Marsh! These elegant medium sized waders, are slightly larger than the redshank and in summer plumage, the adults, are almost entirely black, save for some white spotting on the wings, a white wedge on the back showing clearly in flight, and a barred tail. Also present on the marsh are six green sandpipers, two greenshanks, 15 lapwing and a dozen avocets. The drake ga…

Return migration often begins mid to late June and is most evident at this time with our wading birds. At Vange Marsh yesterday five spotted redshanks in their stunning full black summer plumage were present along with seven redshank, one greenshank and three green sandpipers. The first returning wading birds are almost always non-breeders, with failed breeders arriving in July and early August, with most birds passing…