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Essex Birding (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Essex Tern
- Start date
Sharp Shin
Stewart Belfield
I went to see the Gargeney on the pool at Cattewade marshes yesterday. The drake could be seen well from the road. However, I'm uncertain about whether this was an 'Essex' sighting or a 'Suffolk' sighting. My reading of the OS map would place the bird just in Suffolk, but Birdguides reports the bird as being in Essex. I suspect that Birdguides are using some 'automatic' categorisation that places Cattewade in Essex, as most of it is.
On the subject of Birdguides, I note that submissions to the Essex Birdwatching Society website are being picked up by Birdguides and re-reported there. Nothing wrong with this, but I have noticed that they translate the reports into their own language. When I had the suprise sighting at Holland Haven, a week or so back, of a lone Twite flitting around my legs, I reported this as a 'confiding' bird. I used this word to describe its rather strange behaviour, but it was obviously too anthropomophic for Birdguides who described it as "showing well". I reported the bird as present during a time gap of 15 minutes, and it wasn't present when I returned to the same spot by 'the mounds'. "Showing well" suggests some continuity in the time when one can visit to see the bird - which wasn't really the case in this instance. The primary purpose of the EBwS webpage differs from the primary purpose of the Birdguides service, and I think that the latter should be careful in the way their vicarious reports are worded.
Stewart
On the subject of Birdguides, I note that submissions to the Essex Birdwatching Society website are being picked up by Birdguides and re-reported there. Nothing wrong with this, but I have noticed that they translate the reports into their own language. When I had the suprise sighting at Holland Haven, a week or so back, of a lone Twite flitting around my legs, I reported this as a 'confiding' bird. I used this word to describe its rather strange behaviour, but it was obviously too anthropomophic for Birdguides who described it as "showing well". I reported the bird as present during a time gap of 15 minutes, and it wasn't present when I returned to the same spot by 'the mounds'. "Showing well" suggests some continuity in the time when one can visit to see the bird - which wasn't really the case in this instance. The primary purpose of the EBwS webpage differs from the primary purpose of the Birdguides service, and I think that the latter should be careful in the way their vicarious reports are worded.
Stewart
Stewart
With regards to the Garganey at Cattawade they are a Suffolk sighting, especially as you pass the County sign to view the pools.
As for the Twite at Holland Haven, the report came out on Birdguides at 1.42pm (with no time of sighting) and yet I believe you saw the birdl before midday. Did you phone the news out as you were observing the bird, as I was a little perplexed by the time difference when your email of the sighting came out.
Andrew.
With regards to the Garganey at Cattawade they are a Suffolk sighting, especially as you pass the County sign to view the pools.
As for the Twite at Holland Haven, the report came out on Birdguides at 1.42pm (with no time of sighting) and yet I believe you saw the birdl before midday. Did you phone the news out as you were observing the bird, as I was a little perplexed by the time difference when your email of the sighting came out.
Andrew.
dwatsonbirder
Well-known member
Report of a Cuckoo this am in Writtle, Ill be heading out to have a look for it this afternoon. Although its April 1st, several lecturers were touting this bird to appear in the first few days at College as an individual has been seen in the same area for the last 3 years. Would be interesting to ring the bird and see if its a returning individual.
Daniel
My Dad and I have just got back in, from a walk along both sides of the River Wid between Lawford Lane and Writtle and can we confirm that there is indeed a male Cuckoo present. It showed well both perched and in flight and was calling every now and then.
Andrew.
My Dad and I have just got back in, from a walk along both sides of the River Wid between Lawford Lane and Writtle and can we confirm that there is indeed a male Cuckoo present. It showed well both perched and in flight and was calling every now and then.
Andrew.
dwatsonbirder
Well-known member
Hi Andrew, thats great news. Ill try and have a look for it shortly. It'll be my earliest ever record by some way!
Daniel
It is my earliest ever record. I thought last year when I saw it on the 6th April was early as prior to that it has often turned up here around 10th - 15th April.
With regards to your thoughts about it being the same returning Cuckoo, I would have thought that to be true as it always favours the same stretch of trees etc. and I would have thought it an unlikely place for a new bird to drop in especially so early in the season.
It is my earliest ever record. I thought last year when I saw it on the 6th April was early as prior to that it has often turned up here around 10th - 15th April.
With regards to your thoughts about it being the same returning Cuckoo, I would have thought that to be true as it always favours the same stretch of trees etc. and I would have thought it an unlikely place for a new bird to drop in especially so early in the season.
Sharp Shin
Stewart Belfield
Hi Andrew
As reported on the EBwS website, I saw this Twite between 11.30-11.40am on 25th March, but not subsequent to that time. I emailed in the report to EBwS sometime around 1.30pm on my return home. As I described, Birdguides later re-reported the bird - taking part of the information from the EBwS site, but not the time. It was a surprising sighting for me and (to repeat) I was struck mainly by the fact that it was just one confiding bird (rather than the usual wintering flock), but I didn't really consider it a rarity worthy of phoning Birdguides. I suspect that this was a bird that was travelling north, but had become disoriented.
Yes, I agree about the Garganey(s) being a Suffolk bird, though it still reported on Birdguides today as being in Essex. Mind you, there may be half the chance that if you stood just on the Essex side you might see it through a scope (if you were that bothered!)
All the best - Stewart
Stewart
I think that Twite for Holland Haven CP is quite a rare bird indeed, so if you happen to see one another "winter", it is well worth phoning in the news asap.
As for where you stand to see a bird, surely it is the birds location and not yours that dictates what County you can tick it in.
Regards
Andrew.
I think that Twite for Holland Haven CP is quite a rare bird indeed, so if you happen to see one another "winter", it is well worth phoning in the news asap.
As for where you stand to see a bird, surely it is the birds location and not yours that dictates what County you can tick it in.
Regards
Andrew.
dwatsonbirder
Well-known member
Hi Andrew,
Nice to meet you earlier, Ill probably be having an early morning look around the campus in the next couple of days if you would like to join me.
Prizes will be given if anybody can actually tell what the bird in the picture is!
Nice to meet you earlier, Ill probably be having an early morning look around the campus in the next couple of days if you would like to join me.
Prizes will be given if anybody can actually tell what the bird in the picture is!
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a_j_steele
Well-known member
As was in the chelsmford area popped down to see the glossy ibis showing really in the sunlight today a cracking bird
Sharp Shin
Stewart Belfield
A tough call on your mystery bird Daniel. It looks so grey that the first thought is Peregrine. However, this may just be a trick of the light and it may be a Kestrel. It is very difficult to get a sense of size. How big are those posts?
What's your prize by the way? I'd take a nice summer River Warbler in Essex!
On Andrew's point about the observer's location or the bird's location, he is correct - I was just being a bit facetious. Mind you, when the bird is flying up high, I think some would argue a different story!
What's your prize by the way? I'd take a nice summer River Warbler in Essex!
On Andrew's point about the observer's location or the bird's location, he is correct - I was just being a bit facetious. Mind you, when the bird is flying up high, I think some would argue a different story!
Sharp Shin
Stewart Belfield
A futher comment is owed regarding Andrew's remark about Twite at Holland Haven. I've just read the following on the Holland Haven website:
"Further to a slightly belated report picked up from the RBA pager, was the news of a single Twite* on and around the mounds. These days, sightings of this species are a very unusual occurrence in any season at the Haven and subsequently a good bird to view there. An afternoon search of the area failed to re-locate the bird."
Gosh, now I feel even more guilty. I'll try to be quicker off the mark next time.
Stewart
"Further to a slightly belated report picked up from the RBA pager, was the news of a single Twite* on and around the mounds. These days, sightings of this species are a very unusual occurrence in any season at the Haven and subsequently a good bird to view there. An afternoon search of the area failed to re-locate the bird."
Gosh, now I feel even more guilty. I'll try to be quicker off the mark next time.
Stewart
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birdermoose
birder
Sparrowhawk would be my first guess, followed by Peregrine.
Good to see the Ibis is still around and showing well.
Daniel
Your mystery bird is a Cuckoo and your prize is...
Where did we meet earlier by the way?
The Cuckoo was still present, showing well and calling near the pond in the horses paddock this evening at 6.50pm.
With regards to offer of a walk around campus, that is very kind of you however I start work at 6am each day so I don't think it will be practical.
Your mystery bird is a Cuckoo and your prize is...
Where did we meet earlier by the way?
The Cuckoo was still present, showing well and calling near the pond in the horses paddock this evening at 6.50pm.
With regards to offer of a walk around campus, that is very kind of you however I start work at 6am each day so I don't think it will be practical.
dwatsonbirder
Well-known member
Yes its a cuckoo, the prize is in the post! Sorry Andrew, I met another birder called Andrew whilst walking around Writtle this afternoon, and I assumed (incorrectly) that this was you.
Sharp Shin
Stewart Belfield
Daniel's fuzzy bird quiz was instructive in what it probably tells us about bird 'thinking' and human thinking. Two of us thought it was a falcon or hawk, so it's not surprising that many birds mob cuckoos, presumably also thinking that it's a falcon or hawk they are trying to chase off (as well those birds that correctly know its a cuckoo and a different sort of threat). When I guessed falcon, my mind was still in the wrong season: winter not early summer! It was a very early cuckoo after all.
Thanks - Stewart
Thanks - Stewart
birdermoose
birder
A good days birding around Chelmsford.
I saw the Cuckoo in Writtle and a Willow warbler at Central park. Glossy Ibis, Red-legged partridge and Gadwall all seen on Baddow meads.
I saw the Cuckoo in Writtle and a Willow warbler at Central park. Glossy Ibis, Red-legged partridge and Gadwall all seen on Baddow meads.
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vernonbenables
New member
Definate sighting of THREE BUZZARDS soaring over
Broad Road Braintree this afternoon.
Broad Road Braintree this afternoon.
