Sightings - 19th October 2008

Wat Tyler Country Park

The highlight today was a Grey Wagtail flying over Vange Creek, my first record for the site and bringing my site total for bird species to 105.

During a short visit from 9 a.m. the following were recorded:

Birds (Vange Creek):

Black-tailed Godwit (1)
Common Redshank (c.50)
Curlew (2)
Little Egret (2)
Cormorant (1)
Heron (1)
Moorhen (4)
Teal (21)
Greater Black-backed Gull (2)
Lesser Black-backed Gull (1)
Black-headed Gull (c.70)
Carrion Crow (2)
Grey Wagtail (1)
Robin (1)

Photos .... Robin, Carrion Crow

Sightings - 28th September 2008

Vange Marsh

The highlight today was again the passage waders i.e. Spotted Redshank, Curlew Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper and Ruff. In addition, there was an excellent view of a Water Rail as it flew up from one of the ditches.

During a 1 hour visit in warm and sunny weather from 11 a.m. the following were recorded:

Birds:

Little Egret (5)
Heron (1)
Avocet (1)
Black-tailed Godwit (c.20)
Spotted Redshank (9)
Green Sandpiper (1)
Curlew Sandpiper (1)
Ruff (1)
Common Snipe (2)
Curlew (1)
Lapwing (c.100)
Moorhen (c.20)
Little Grebe (4)
Water Rail (1)
Cormorant (4)
Mallard (c.20)
Teal (c.50)
Wigeon (c.20)
Shoveler (2)
Black-headed Gull (c.100)
Lesser Black-backed Gull (2)
Greater Black-backed Gull (1)
Herring Gull (c.10)
Magpie (3)
Carrion Crow (4)
Pied Wagtail (c.10)

Sightings - 28th September 2008

Wat Tyler Country Park

The highlight today was an excellent close up view of a singing Cettis Warbler outside the Holly Cottage Hide. After hearing many singing birds this year, this was actually my only first sighting.

During a visit of almost 3 hours in cool and sunny weather from 8 a.m. the following were recorded:

Birds (Vange Creek):

Greenshank (1)
Common Redshank (c.40)
Curlew (3)
Lapwing (1)
Little Egret (1)
Heron (1)
Moorhen (1)
Teal (4)
Greater Black-backed Gull (1)
Lesser Black-backed Gull (1)
Black-headed Gull (7)

Birds (reedbed and area behind the craft shops):

Moorhen (1 adult and 2 juveniles)
House Sparrow (4)
Blue Tit (1)
Collared Dove (2)
Woodpigeon (c.10)

Birds (Pitseahall Fleet):

Heron (1)
Coot (c.50)
Shoveler (1 male and 2 females)
Cettis Warbler (1 heard singing)
Hirundine species (6 flying over high and south)
Stock Dove (c.15)
Magpie (9 in one group)

Birds (from the hide by Holly Cottage overlooking Pitseahall Fleet):

Green Sandpiper (1 flying through)
Black-tailed Godwit (2 groups of 9 and 2 flying over towards the main scrape)
Lapwing (2 groups of c.10 and c.20 flying over towards the main scrape)
Coot (c.50)
Moorhen (3)
Water Rail (heard only)
Little Grebe (2)
Cormorant (2 flying through)
Mallard (1 male and 2 females)
Black-headed Gull (3)
Woodpigeon (c.20)
Collared Dove (11)
Green Woodpecker (heard only)
Jay (2)
Magpie (c.10)
Cettis Warbler (1 singing next to the hide and 1 singing in the reeds on the far side of Pitseahall Fleet)
Chiffchaff (2 in the bushes and reeds next to the hide and 1 singing on the far side of Pitseahall Fleet)
Blackcap (1 male and 2 females eating blackberries in the bushes next to the hide)
Robin (2)
Wren (1)
Blackbird (4)
Song Thrush (2)
Dunnock (6)
Greenfinch (3)
Blue Tit (2)
Long-tailed Tit (5)
Pied Wagtail (2)

Mammals:

Grey Squirrel (1 adult and 1 juvenile on the roof of the craft shops and 1 in the bushes adjacent to Holly Cottage hide)
Rabbit (c.5 in the area around the craft shops)

Photos .... Grey Squirrel, Rabbit, House Sparrow, Blackcap, Collared Dove, Woodpigeon, Moorhen, Heron

Sightings - 21st September 2008

Wat Tyler Country Park

The highlight today on a brief visit was a Greenshank in Vange Creek.

During a 1 hour visit in warm and sunny weather from 11:15 a.m. the following were recorded:

Birds (Vange Creek):

Greenshank (1)
Common Redshank (5)
Curlew (3)
Little Egret (1)
Moorhen (1)
Greater Black-backed Gull (1)
Lesser Black-backed Gull (3)
Common Gull (1)
Black-headed Gull (c.20)

Birds (from the main hide overlooking the scrape and Pitseahall Fleet):

Heron (1)
Little Egret (1)
Black-tailed Godwit (6)
Coot (c.50)
Little Grebe (1)
Cormorant (6)
Teal (2)
Mallard (2)
Cettis Warbler (1 singing loudly adjacent to the hide but not seen!)
Reed Warbler (1)
Collared Dove (1)
Woodpigeon (5)
Magpie (1)

Mammals

Grey Squirrel (1 eating on the barrier fence to the main hide)

Sightings - 31st August 2008

Wat Tyler Country Park

The highlight today was my first record of Kingfisher for the year for the site. The bird perched for long periods on a post along Pitseahall Fleet, occasionally diving in to the water for fish.

In addition, I recorded my first sightings of Green Sandpiper and Little Egret for the year for the site. A group of 7 Common Snipe was also notable.

During a 1.5 hour visit in very hazy and warm weather from 10.30 a.m. the following were recorded:

Birds (from the main hide overlooking the scrape and Pitseahall Fleet):

Heron (2)
Little Egret (1)
Black-tailed Godwit (c.25)
Common Snipe (7)
Green Sandpiper (1)
Oystercatcher (2)
Coot (c.50)
Moorhen (c.5)
Water Rail (1 heard calling)
Little Grebe (1)
Cormorant (7)
Black-headed Gull (1)
Lesser Black-backed Gull (c.20)
Cettis Warbler (1 heard singing)
Bearded Tit (1 heard calling)
Swallow (5)
Turtle Dove (2)
Common Whitethroat (1)
Blackcap (1)
Chiffchaff (1)
Blue Tit (c.20)
Great Tit (1)
Long-tailed Tit (3)
Robin (1)
Blackbird (1)
Starling (c.100)
Goldfinch (3)
Magpie (2)
Woodpigeon (c.10)

Sightings - 2nd August 2008

Vange Marsh

The highlight today was a further passage wader, namely a moulting Curlew Sandpiper (my first of the year). In addition, 4 eclipse Wigeon were notable for the time of year.

During a 1 hour visit in cool and cloudy weather from 7.30 a.m. the following were recorded:

Birds:

Little Egret (1)
Avocet (5)
Black-tailed Godwit (c.100)
Common Sandpiper (c.20)
Green Sandpiper (4)
Curlew Sandpiper (1)
Ringed Plover (2)
Lapwing (c.20)
Coot (c.50)
Moorhen (c.20)
Greylag Goose (4)
Canada Goose (8)
Little Grebe (c.10)
Mallard (c.10)
Teal (c.10)
Wigeon (4)
Shelduck (2 plus 8 juveniles)
Common Pochard (4)
Shoveler (2)
Common Tern (1)
Black-headed Gull (c.100)
Lesser Black-backed Gull (c.10)
Herring Gull (c.10)
Magpie (1)
Woodpigeon (c.10)
Swallow (c.10)
Swift (c.10)
Pied Wagtail (c.20)
Starling (c.100)
Reed Warbler (several heard singing)

Butterflies:

Gatekeeper (c.5)
Small White (1)

Sightings - 26th July 2008

Wat Tyler Country Park

The aim of my visit today was to photograph butterflies, dragonflies and damselflies in the grassland area and ponds surrounding the Basildon DC office.

However, the main highlights were a large Fox that came bounding along the path as I was photographing an unidentified spider and a fly over Green Woodpecker, both new records for the year for the site for me.

During a 1.5 hour visit in sunny weather from 8.30 a.m. the following were recorded:

Butterflies:

Gatekeeper (large numbers)
Small White (large numbers)
Green-veined White (c.10)
Meadow Brown (c.5)
Peacock (3)
Red Admiral (2)
Holly Blue (1)
Marbled White (1)
Small and/or Essex Skipper (c.20)

Dragonflies and damselflies:

Common Blue Damselfly (c.5)
Blue-tailed Damselfly (c.5)
Emerald Damselfly (c.5)
Common Darter (c.5)
Ruddy Darter (c.5)

Photos .... Gatekeeper, Essex Skipper, Holly Blue and Emerald Damselfly

Visit - 23rd July 2008

Vange Marsh

The aim of my visit today was to photograph some of the numerous butterflies on my previous visit.

The weather was very hot and sunny so the butterflies were very active.

I was fortunate to photograph the Essex Skippers but less so with the Marbled Whites and Gatekeepers. A very obliging female Ruddy Darter dragonfly was an added bonus.

Photos .... Essex Skipper and Ruddy Darter.

Sightings - 20th July 2008

Vange Marsh

Another visit to the new and developing RSPB reserve today.

The highlights were the passage waders, including my first Wood Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper and Little Ringed Plover of the year, plus at least 12 Little Egrets.

During a 1.5 hour visit in sunny and windy weather from 9.00 a.m. the following were recorded:

Birds:

Little Egret (12)
Cormorant (2)
Lapwing (c.30)
Wood Sandpiper (1)
Green Sandpiper (7)
Greenshank (6)
Black-tailed Godwit (c.80)
Coot (c.50)
Moorhen (3)
Greylag Goose (4)
Canada Goose (10)
Great Crested Grebe (2)
Little Grebe (10)
Mute Swan (1)
Shelduck (2 plus 9 ducklings)
Common Pochard (1 female)
Shoveler (3)
Black-headed Gull (c.100)
Common Gull (1)
Lesser Black-backed Gull (2)
Magpie (2)
Swift (2)
Swallow (c.10)
Sand Martin (2)
House Martin (2)
Sedge Warbler (several heard singing)

Butterflies:

Marbled White (3)
Peacock (1)
Meadow Brown (1)
Gatekeeper (c.20)
Large Skipper (c.20)

Sightings - 15th June 2008

Wat Tyler Country Park

The highlight today was a fine adult Mediterranean Gull on the scrape with a mixed gull flock, my first sighting of the year.

In addition, I added Avocet, Oystercatcher and Swift to my site records for the year.

The ponds near the Basildon DC office were the main focus of my visit today and these produced a fine display of Water Lillies plus good numbers of Common Blue Damselfly, Blue-tailed Damselfly, Azure Damselfly and Large Red Damselfly.

During a 2 hour visit in sunny and warm weather from 10.30 a.m. the following were recorded:

Birds (from the main hide overlooking the scrape and Pitseahall Fleet):

Heron (2)
Avocet (2)
Oystercatcher (2)
Lapwing (3)
Coot (c.10 including 2 adults with young)
Little Grebe (1 with 2 young)
Mute Swan (1 with 3 young)
Cormorant (1)
Gadwall (2 flew over)
Mallard (3 flew over)
Mediterranean Gull (1)
Black-headed Gull (c.10)
Herring Gull (c.50)
Lesser Black-backed Gull (c.5)
Cettis Warbler (1 heard singing)
Reed Warbler (several heard singing)
Cuckoo (1 flew over plus 2 others flew low over the Basildon DC office)
Swift (c.50)

Reptiles:

Slow Worm (3)

Butterflies:

Common Blue (1)

Photos of the day .... click on the photo for a larger image.

Large Red Damselfly, Azure Damselfly, Water Lillies and Water Forget-Me-Not.

Sightings - 24th May 2008

Vange Marsh

This was my first visit to the new and developing RSPB reserve since I went to see the Pectoral Sandpiper in September 2005.

During a 1 hour visit in sunny and windy weather from 7.30 a.m. the following were recorded:

Birds:

Avocet (16)
Lapwing (4)
Common Redshank (2)
Curlew (1)
Coot (c.10)
Moorhen (2)
Greylag Goose (2)
Canada Goose (10 including a pair with goslings)
Great Crested Grebe (2)
Little Grebe (3)
Mute Swan (1)
Mallard (4)
Shelduck (2)
Common Pochard (1 female)
Black-headed Gull (c.20)
Herring Gull (c.10)
Magpie (1)
Woodpigeon (c.10)
Collared Dove (1)
Swift (5)
Sedge Warbler (2)
Reed Warbler (several heard singing)
Cettis Warbler (1 heard singing distantly)
Reed Bunting (1 male)
Common Whitethroat (1)
Blackcap (1 heard singing)
Greenfinch
House Sparrow
Long-tailed Tit (a family group of c.10 birds)
Blackbird

Butterflies:

Wall (1 by the entrance track)

Sightings - 5th May 2008

Wat Tyler Country Park

A very brief visit today in the hope of photographing the Common Lizards and Slow Worms that I found on my last visit. Unfortunately there were no Common Lizards to be seen and the very warm morning meant that the Slow Worms slithered away too quickly and before I could get my macro lens on to them!

I also added 3 further butterfly records for the year: Orange Tip (at least 10), Speckled Wood (2) and Green-veined White (1).

Cuckoo and Turtle Dove were both heard but not seen.

Photo of the day .... click on the photo for a larger image.

Sightings - 27th April 2008

Wat Tyler Country Park

An excellent visit today with plenty of highlights.

Following my last visit, I added a further 5 new bird records for the year: Cuckoo, Turtle Dove, Reed Warbler, Common Whitethroat and Lesser Whitethroat. In addition, I saw my first butterfly records of the year: a Peacock and a Small White.

I also found 4 Common Lizards and 5 Slow Worms, both new reptile records for the site for me .... a return visit to the same area with my camera and macro lens is required!

During a 1 hour visit in cool and cloudy weather from 10 a.m. the following were recorded:

Birds (in the area between Holly Cottage and the end of Pitseahall Fleet):

Chiffchaff (2)
Blackcap (3)
Common Whitethroat (2)
Lesser Whitethroat (1)
Reed Warbler (1)
Cuckoo (1)
Turtle Dove (1)
Cettis Warbler (heard only)
Robin
Dunnock
Blackbird
Wren (heard only)
Blue Tit
Great Tit (heard only)
Chaffinch
Magpie
Carrion Crow
Woodpigeon
Stock Dove
Collared Dove

Birds (Pitseahall Fleet):

Coot (c.15)
Little Grebe (1)
Great Crested Grebe (1)
Greylag Goose (2 nesting pairs)
Mallard (1 pair)
Common Pochard (1 male and 3 females)

Mammals:

Rabbit (1)

Reptiles:

Common Lizard (4)
Slow Worm (5)

Butterflies:

Peacock (1)
Small White (1)

Sightings - 12th April 2008

Wat Tyler Country Park

A sunny spring morning prompted me to visit Wat Tyler Country Park in a search for some early summer migrants.

I was not disappointed as I saw my first Chiffchaffs, Blackcaps, Swallows and House Martins of the year.

Many of the commoner birds were also singing and there was definitely a spring feel to the morning.

During a 1 hour visit in breezy, cold and sunny weather from 8 a.m. the following were recorded:

Chiffchaff (8 singing males, 4 seen)
Blackcap (3 singing males, 1 seen)
Swallow and House Martin (mixed flock of c.20 birds hawking for insects around the hedges along the approach road)
Robin
Dunnock
Blackbird
Wren (heard only)
Blue Tit
Great Tit
Chaffinch
Greenfinch
House Sparrow
Starling
Magpie
Carrion Crow
Woodpigeon
Teal (1 male and 2 females on Timbermans Creek)
Collared Dove

Sightings - 3rd February 2008

Wat Tyler Country Park

Yes, water has returned to the scrape at long last!

The highlight today was a single Common Snipe on the scrape, a bird that I see only occasionally on my visits to the site.

During a 1 hour visit in windy, cold and sunny/cloudy weather from 9 a.m. the following were recorded:

Birds (from the hide by Holly Cottage overlooking Pitseahall Fleet):

Coot (c.70)
Mallard (1 male)
Jackdaw (4)
Magpie (1)

Birds (from the main hide overlooking the scrape and Pitseahall Fleet):

Lapwing (c.60)
Common Snipe (1)
Curlew (1)
Coot (c.50)
Moorhen (7)
Great Crested Grebe (1)
Mute Swan (2)
Cormorant (1)
Teal (c.30)
Gadwall (c.20)
Wigeon (2)
Tufted Duck (1 male)
Magpie (1)
Woodpigeon (1)
Robin (1)

Visit - 27th January 2008

Wat Tyler Country Park

This was my first visit since mid-November due to personal and work commitments.

It was very encouraging to see that water has once again returned to the scrape, presumably helped by a lot of rain recently!

My binoculars and telescope will be called in to action shortly to see what is about but today the main purpose on a bright, sunny morning was to capture some photos of birds around the visitor centre, workshops and RSPB feeding station.

It was good to see and hear the Robins in full voice again .... spring can not be far away.

Photos .... Robin, Blackbird, House Sparrow, Blue Tit, Great Tit and Collared Dove.

2007 - a brief review of the year

I would like to take this opportunity of thanking all visitors to my blog during 2007. I hope you have found it interesting and informative.

My personal site records for 2007 were as follows:

Birds = 91
Mammals = 4
Butterflies = 14
Dragonflies and damselflies = 9

The total number of bird species seen increased by 3 compared with 2006, with the Spoonbill on 16th July 2007 being the highlight.

However, the number of butterfly and dragonfly/damselfly species seen decreased by 5 and 1 respectively compared with 2006, probably as a result of the very wet summer.

The number of mammal species seen was the same as 2006, with the Water Vole on 29th March 2007 being the highlight.

Sightings - 17th November 2007

Wat Tyler Country Park

Another fairly disappointing visit today. The scrape continues to have almost no water with only 5 Moorhens seen.

During a 1 hour visit in cold and cloudy weather from 9.45 a.m. the following were recorded:

Birds (Vange Creek):

Common Redshank (c.10)
Lapwing (1)
Curlew (1)
Moorhen (c.10)
Little Grebe (1)
Teal (c.30)
Wigeon (c.30)
Black-headed Gull (c.200)
Common Gull (3)
Lesser Black-backed Gull (1)
Fieldfare/Redwing (mixed flock of c.50 birds flew over)

Birds (from the main hide overlooking the scrape and Pitseahall Fleet):

Snipe (1 flew over the scrape)
Coot (c.50)
Moorhen (c.10)
Mute Swan (2)
Greylag Goose (c.60 flew over the scrape)
Great Crested Grebe (1)
Water Rail (1 heard)
Mallard (5 males and 3 females)
Shoveler (4 males and 1 female)
Gadwall (4 males and 1 female)
Teal (1 male)
Black-headed Gull (c.150)
Herring Gull (c.10)
Woodpigeon (c.20)
Magpie (c.5)
Carrion Crow (1)
Blackbird (1)
Dunnock (1)
Blue Tit (1)
Robin (1 heard singing)

Sightings - 28th October 2007

Wat Tyler Country Park

A thoroughly disappointing visit today in cold, drizzly and windy weather. The scrape has almost no water and as a consequence no birds other than 3 Moorhens, a Woodpigeon and a Magpie!

During a very short visit the following were recorded:

Birds (from the main hide overlooking the scrape and Pitseahall Fleet):

Coot (c.50)
Moorhen (4)
Mute Swan (2)
Great Crested Grebe (1)
Cormorant (2)
Mallard (5 males and 2 females)
Shoveler (3 males)
Gadwall (1 male)
Tufted Duck (2 females)
Cettis Warbler (1 heard singing)
Woodpigeon (c.50)
Magpie (1)
Carrion Crow (2)
Blackbird (1)
Robin (1 heard singing)

Wat Tyler Country Park on TV - 25th October 2007

Wat Tyler Country Park appeared in the ITV series "Thames Superhighway" on 25th October 2007.

In 1957 the River Thames was declared biologically dead yet 50 years later it is one of the cleanest metropolitan waterways in the world. In the series Miranda Krestovnikoff travelled the full 215 miles of the Thames from source to sea to uncover the surprising species that live on this historic river.

In the final part of the series, Wat Tyler Country Park was visited and the main bird hide and scrape were featured. In addition, one of the evening moth watches was shown.

Please click here and here for further information.

Sightings - 23rd Septmebr 2007

Wat Tyler Country Park

The highlight today was a group of 8 Spotted Redshank and my first Ruff of the year for the site.

During a 1 hour visit in cool and sunny/misty weather from 8.30 a.m. the following were recorded:

Birds (Vange Creek):

Little Egret (4)
Heron (1)
Spotted Redshank (8)
Common Redshank (3)
Lapwing (2)
Ruff (1)
Curlew (2)
Black-tailed Godwit (3)
Moorhen (4)
Teal (2)
Mallard (2)
Black-headed Gull (c.150)
Swallow (c.10)

Sightings - 9th September 2007

Wat Tyler Country Park

This was my first visit for some time due to work commitments and there was a noticeable drop in the water level on the main scrape. However, the number of birds was generally low too. During a 1.5 hour visit in warm but cloudy weather from 8.30 a.m. the following were recorded:

Birds (from the main hide overlooking the scrape and Pitseahall Fleet):

Heron (1)
Greenshank (1)
Green Sandpiper (1)
Black-tailed Godwit (1)
Avocet (4)
Lapwing (c.20)
Coot (c.20)
Moorhen (c.10)
Cormorant (3)
Mallard (2)
Teal (2)
Shoveler (1)
Bearded Tit (1 heard calling)
Sparrowhawk (1)
Magpie (2)
Staring (c.200)
Blue Tit (1)
Great Tit (1)

Birds (Vange Creek):

Little Egret (2)
Common Redshank (6)
Lapwing (2)
Curlew (2)
Oystercatcher (1)
Black-tailed Godwit (1)
Cormorant (1)
Moorhen (5)
Teal (3)
Black-headed Gull (c.150)
Lesser Black-backed Gull (1)

Dragonflies: Migrant Hawker (1 in front of the main hide)

Sigthings - 19th August 2007

Wat Tyler Country Park

The highlights today were my first record of Whimbrel for the site (heard calling only), my first Willow Warbler of the year for the site and a Water Rail.

During a 2.5 hour visit in warm but cloudy weather from 8.15 a.m. the following were recorded:

Birds (from the hide by Holly Cottage overlooking Pitseahall Fleet):

Coot (c.25)
Little Grebe (1)
Cormorant (1)
Mallard (1 female)
Black-headed Gull (1)
Stock Dove (4)
Woodpigeon (c.30)
Collared Dove (2)
Green Woddpecker (heard only)
Great Spotted Woodpecker (heard only)
Jay (heard only)
Robin (1 singing)
Blackbird (1 juvenile eating blackberries)
Starling (c.30)

Birds (from the main hide overlooking the scrape and Pitseahall Fleet):

Heron (1)
Little Egret (2)
Whimbrel (1 heard calling but not seen)
Green Sandpiper (1)
Common Sandpiper (1)
Black-tailed Godwit (c.20)
Avocet (5 including 1 juvenile)
Lapwing (c.30)
Water Rail (1)
Coot (c.20)
Moorhen (c.5)
Great Crested Grebe (1)
Cormorant (8)
Mallard (2 females)
Teal (c.10)
Shoveler (1 female)
Gadwall (1 male)
Black-headed Gull (4)
Lesser Black-backed Gull (1)
Bearded Tit (1 male)
Reed Warbler (1)
Cettis Warbler (1 heard singing distantly)
Swallow (4)
Blackcap (1 female)
Willow Warbler (1)
Pied Wagtail (2)
Turtle Dove(1)
Woodpigeon (c.10)
Rook (c.20)
Jay (1)
Starling (c.50)
Blue Tit (c.5)

In addition, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers were seen on a telegraph pole opposite the Basildon DC offices.

Mammals:

Rabbit (1 near the Boat Museum)
Grey Squirrel (1 opposite the craft workshops)

Sightings - 12th August 2007

Wat Tyler Country Park

During a 2 hour visit in warm and sunny weather from 8.30 a.m. the following were recorded:

Birds (from the main hide overlooking the scrape and Pitseahall Fleet):

Heron (1)
Greenshank (1)
Green Sandpiper (2)
Common Sandpiper (2)
Black-tailed Godwit (c.35)
Common Snipe (1)
Avocet (c.10)
Lapwing (c.10)
Coot (c.30 plus several juveniles)
Moorhen (c.5)
Little Grebe (1)
Great Crested Grebe (1)
Cormorant (3)
Mallard (c.5)
Teal (c.5)
Shoveler (1)
Black-headed Gull (at least c.20)
Greater Black-backed Gull (2)
Herring Gull (1)
Bearded Tit (several heard calling)
Swallow (c.10)
Pied Wagtail (2)
Collared Dove (c.5)
Woodpigeon (c.5)

In addition, a Turtle Dove was heard at the southern end of Pitseahall Fleet and a Green Woodpecker was seen in the area behind the Basildon DC offices.

Butterflies: Gatekeeper, Green-veined White, Small Heath

Damselflies: Blue-tailed Damselfly

Mammals: Rabbit (1 in the area behind the Basildon DC offices)

Photos of the day .... click on the photo for a larger image.

Gatekeeper, Green-veined White, Rabbit, Crab Spider