Visit to St. Nicholas Church and surrounding areas – 3rd March 2026

Date: 3rd March 2026 

Time: from 8:15 a.m.

Weather: dry, sunny, light wind, 7°C to 9°C

Spring is now officially here! …. Chiffchaffs have returned!

I recorded 20 species of birds during my visit this morning including 2 additions to my 2026 site list: Chiffchaff and Cormorant

After unexpectedly recording my first Blackcap of the year during my visit on 25th February 2026, I was confident of recording my first Chiffchaff of the year on this visit. This proved to be the case with a singing male seen and photographed and 2 other singing males heard.

This is the earliest spring Chiffchaff since I started recording, previous first dates being 8th March 2025, 14th March 2024 and 20th March 2023.

My other new site record was that of 3 Cormorants flying high over the northern section of the site in an easterly direction. This is a species that I have seen every year since 2021 but always as a rare fly-over record.

The notable bird records during my visit were as follows ….

Chiffchaff: 1 singing male seen and 2 other singing males heard, all in the northern section of the site

Redwing: c.5 individuals seen in the northern section of the site

Chaffinch: 1 heard calling from bushes along the access track from Larkins Tyres plus 1 also heard calling and a male seen briefly in flight in the northern section of the site

Great Spotted Woodpecker: 2 (presumably a pair) seen flying together several times in the northern section of the site and possibly the male of this pair heard “drumming” plus 1 heard calling in close proximity to the church

Jackdaw: 4 seen flying over the northern section of the site

Black-headed Gull: summer-plumaged individual seen flying over the northern section of the site

With regard to mammals, I saw a single Grey Squirrel in the tall trees at the far end of the northern section of the site

In addition, I again saw several individual bumblebees across the site, most likely Early Bumblebees.

Species recorded during this visit were as follows (heard only records in italics):

Chiffchaff

Redwing

Chaffinch

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Jackdaw

Cormorant

Black-headed Gull

Blue Tit 

Great Tit

Robin

Dunnock

Wren

Blackbird

House Sparrow

Goldfinch

Jay

Magpie

Carrion Crow

Woodpigeon

Herring Gull

Grey Squirrel

Here are some photos from my visit ….

Photo: male Chiffchaff

Photo: Blue Tit

Photo: Robin

Site totals for 2026 to date (2025 and 2024 totals in brackets): 

Birds = 27 (50) (49)

Mammals = 3 (4) (3)

Butterflies = 0 (23) (17)

Dragonflies and damselflies = 0 (11) (11)

Reptiles = 0 (0) (0)

Amphibians = 0 (0) (0)

Total species list for the site 

Birds = 70

Mammals = 8

Butterflies = 26

Dragonflies and damselflies = 14

Reptiles = 1

Amphibians = 0

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Visit to St. Nicholas Church and surrounding areas – 1st March 2026

My visit this morning involved clearing fly-tipped litter rather than wildlife watching and photography.

However, I was able to add 2 species to my 2026 site list: Stock Dove (a single calling male in the wooded area adjacent to the access track from Larkins Tyres) and Collared Dove (a presumed pair on overhead wires by Larkins Tyres).

Site totals for 2026 to date (2025 and 2024 totals in brackets): 

Birds = 25 (50) (49)

Mammals = 3 (4) (3)

Butterflies = 0 (23) (17)

Dragonflies and damselflies = 0 (11) (11)

Reptiles = 0 (0) (0)

Amphibians = 0 (0) (0)

Total species list for the site 

Birds = 70

Mammals = 8

Butterflies = 26

Dragonflies and damselflies = 14

Reptiles = 1

Amphibians = 0

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Visit to St. Nicholas Church and surrounding areas – 25th February 2026

Date: 25th February 2026 

Time: from 8:15 a.m.

Weather: dry, sunny, light wind, 10°C to 12°C

After weeks of poor weather, grey at best and rainy at worst, this morning was sunny and relatively warm for my visit.

I recorded 19 species of birds during my visit including another addition to my 2026 site list: Blackcap

My first site record of the year, and anywhere in the UK, of Blackcap was remarkable. I heard a weakly singing male in the wooded area very close to where I live but unfortunately failed to see it.

Given my first site records of the year for the last 3 years (29^th March 2025, 27th March 2024 and 2nd April 2023), I was definitely not expecting to record Blackcap at the end of February! I think this bird was probably an over-wintering bird rather than a newly arrived spring/summer migrant.

Earlier during my visit, my Merlin app had already picked up Blackcap and Chiffchaff (which I am expecting to record for the first time this year in the next 2 weeks) but, even more bizarrely, it also picked up Waxwing, Bittern, Black Redstart and Little Ringed Plover, none of these species being remotely possible on my local patch!

The notable bird records during my visit were as follows ….

Blackcap: weakly singing male heard in the wooded area in the southern section of the site

Redwing: 1 seen along the access track from Larkins Tyres, a flock of c.15 seen in the northern section of the site and another flock of c.25 seen in the central/western section of the cemetery

Chaffinch: 1 seen briefly in flight in the northern section of the site

Great Spotted Woodpecker: 2 seen flying together in the northern section of the site

Green Woodpecker: 1 seen briefly in the south west corner of the site

Jackdaw: 1 seen flying over the northern section of the site

With regard to mammals, I saw a Red Fox in the northern section of the site and 2 Grey Squirrels in the wooded area along the access track from Larkins Tyres.

In addition, and another sign of the coming spring, I saw 3 individual bumblebees across the site, most likely Early Bumblebees.

Species recorded during this visit were as follows (heard only records in italics):

Blackcap

Redwing

Chaffinch

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Green Woodpecker

Jackdaw

Blue Tit 

Great Tit

Long-tailed Tit

Robin

Dunnock

Wren

Blackbird

Song Thrush

Goldfinch

Magpie

Carrion Crow

Woodpigeon

Herring Gull

Red Fox

Grey Squirrel

Here are some photos from my visit ….

Photo: Redwing

Photo: Redwing

Photo: Blue Tit

Photo: Blue Tit

Photo: Magpie

Photo: Magpie

Site totals for 2026 to date (2025 and 2024 totals in brackets): 

Birds = 23 (50) (49)

Mammals = 3 (4) (3)

Butterflies = 0 (23) (17)

Dragonflies and damselflies = 0 (11) (11)

Reptiles = 0 (0) (0)

Amphibians = 0 (0) (0)

Total species list for the site 

Birds = 70

Mammals = 8

Butterflies = 26

Dragonflies and damselflies = 14

Reptiles = 1

Amphibians = 0

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Visit to Noak Bridge Nature Reserve – 24th February 2026

Date: 24th February 2026

Time: from 8:46 a.m.

Weather: dry, cloudy/bright, light wind, 10°C to 12°C

During my visit to the reserve this morning, emerging Cherry Plum blossom at a few locations, together with very evident singing Song Thrushes (at least 2 males) and Robins, were some first signs of spring.

However, the continuing presence of Redwings was a reminder that winter hasn’t quite gone yet.

I am anticipating hearing the first returning singing male Chiffchaffs within the next 2 to 3 weeks, closely followed by the first returning Blackcaps in the first week of April.

During my visit, I added 3 species to my 2026 site list: Moorhen, Mallard, Carrion Crow

The notable bird records during my visit were as follows ….

Moorhen: 2 or possibly 3 birds seen on Willow Pond and 1 or possibly 2 birds on Meadow Pond plus another seen crossing the path near the storage shed (hopefully at least one pair will breed again this year on one of the ponds)

Mallard: male together with a leucistic bird seen on Willow Pond

Redwing: at least 10 seen in the eastern section of the reserve and another seen in bushes alongside the path near the storage shed

I also saw 5 Grey Squirrels: 2 in the wooded area surrounding Willow Pond, 2 in the wooded area between the storage shed and Puckles Pond and another in Thorny Wood

Species recorded during this visit were as follows (heard only records in italics):

Moorhen

Mallard

Redwing

Blue Tit

Great Tit

Long-tailed Tit

Robin

Wren

Song Thrush

Woodpigeon

Jay

Magpie

Carrion Crow

Grey Squirrel

Site totals for 2026 to date (2025 and 2024 totals in brackets):

Birds = 16 (34) (39)

Mammals = 1 (3) (3)

Butterflies = 0 (17) (12)

Dragonflies and damselflies = 0 (7) (11)

Reptiles = 0 (1) (0)

Amphibians = 0 (1) (1)

Total species list for the site:

Birds = 50

Mammals = 5

Butterflies = 23

Dragonflies and damselflies = 15

Reptiles = 2

Amphibians = 3 

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Visit to St. Nicholas Church and surrounding areas – 8th February 2026

Date: 8th February 2026 

Time: from 8:30 a.m.

Weather: dry, misty/sunny, light wind, 6°C to 9°C

My visit this morning showed that we are now in a transition period with some remaining signs of winter (Redwings still present) but the first signs of spring emerging (“drumming” Great Spotted Woodpeckers and the first snowdrops and daffodils in the churchyard and cemetery).

I recorded 18 species of birds including 3 additions to my 2026 site list: Green Woodpecker (heard only), Great Spotted Woodpecker and Goldfinch.

The notable bird records during my visit were as follows ….

Redwing: a flock of c.100 seen flying over the northern section of the site

Chaffinch: 3 seen in the northern section of the site

Goldfinch: 1 seen flying over the northern section of the site

Great Spotted Woodpecker: 1 heard “drumming” in the northern section of the site and 1 seen “drumming” on the top of the church spire

Green Woodpecker: 1 heard calling distantly in the northern section of the site

Jackdaw: 2 individuals seen flying over the northern section of the site

With regard to mammals, I saw my first Red Fox at the site in 2026, an individual in the western section of the cemetery, and 2 Grey Squirrels, 1 in the wooded area along the access track from Larkins Tyres and 1 in the area south of the church car park.

Species recorded during this visit were as follows (heard only records in italics):

Redwing

Chaffinch

Goldfinch

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Green Woodpecker

Jackdaw

Blue Tit 

Great Tit

Long-tailed Tit

Robin

Dunnock

Wren

Blackbird

Song Thrush

Jay

Magpie

Carrion Crow

Woodpigeon

Herring Gull

Red Fox

Grey Squirrel

Here are some photos from my visit ….

Site totals for 2026 to date (2025 and 2024 totals in brackets): 

Birds = 22 (50) (49)

Mammals = 3 (4) (3)

Butterflies = 0 (23) (17)

Dragonflies and damselflies = 0 (11) (11)

Reptiles = 0 (0) (0)

Amphibians = 0 (0) (0)

Total species list for the site 

Birds = 70

Mammals = 8

Butterflies = 26

Dragonflies and damselflies = 14

Reptiles = 1

Amphibians = 0

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Visit to Noak Bridge Nature Reserve – 28th January 2026

Date: 28th January 2026

Time: from 9:30 a.m.

Weather: dry, misty/sunny, light wind, 1°C to 5°C

This morning, I had my first visit of the year to the reserve which was generally very quiet in terms of the diversity and abundance of bird species.

However, I did record both singles of Redwing and Great Spotted Woodpecker, both of which I rarely see on the reserve.

I also saw 3 individual Grey Squirrels in the area between the storage shed and the Spanish Steps.

Species recorded during this visit were as follows (heard only records in italics):

Redwing

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Blue Tit

Great Tit

Long-tailed Tit

Robin

Wren

Blackbird

Song Thrush

Woodpigeon

Jay

Magpie

Herring Gull

Site totals for 2026 to date (2025 and 2024 totals in brackets):

Birds = 13 (34) (39)

Mammals = 1 (3) (3)

Butterflies = 0 (17) (12)

Dragonflies and damselflies = 0 (7) (11)

Reptiles = 0 (1) (0)

Amphibians = 0 (1) (1)

Total species list for the site:

Birds = 50

Mammals = 5

Butterflies = 23

Dragonflies and damselflies = 15

Reptiles = 2

Amphibians = 3 

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2026 Essex Birdwatching Society Conference

The 2026 Essex Birdwatching Society Conference is being held on 28^th March and tickets are on sale now.

Full details can be found here >>>> www.ebws.org.uk/2026conference  

Love nature .... act now

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Trip away from SS15 – Staines Reservoir, London – 12th January 2026

Today, I visited Staines Reservoir, a site that I am able to reach by public transport, albeit requiring a long trip to west London. 

Officially called Staines Reservoir (in the singular), the site is actually 2 reservoirs (North Basin and South Basin) separated by a narrow causeway. They lie just north of Staines and Ashford and south west of Heathrow Airport. Open access is provided via the causeway that bisects the 2 reservoirs. There is strictly no access to any other part of the reservoirs.

Staines Reservoir is hardly the most scenic birding location and there is the constant sight and sound of aircraft from the adjacent Heathrow Airport but nonetheless it is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and is particularly noted for its wintering wildfowl. It has also attracted an impressive list of species over the years including a number of rarities.

The main reason for my visit today was to see the long-staying Lesser Scaup, Greater Scaup, Great Northern Divers, Black-necked Grebes and Black Redstart. 

Lesser Scaup, a scarce vagrant duck from North America, was the definite highlight of my visit, this being only my second UK record after my first at Scotney Gravel Pits in Kent/Sussex in December 2004/January 2005.

I eventually found 2 Great Northern Divers to add to my 2026 UK year list but failed to see the Greater Scaup or Black Redstart.

I also added Ring-necked Parakeet to my 2026 UK year list following my visit, a single very noisy calling bird in Stanwell.

Remarkably, I additionally saw 3 Red Kites at Staines Reservoir with neither the location or the habitat suggesting that I would see this species.

The most notable sightings of my visit were as follows: Lesser Scaup (exceptionally close views of an adult drake), Tufted Duck (c.300 at least), Wigeon (c.30 at least), Shoveler (c.15 at least), Common Pochard (c.10 at least), Goldeneye (7), Mallard (7), Gadwall (4), Great Northern Diver (2), Black-necked Grebe (4), Great-crested Grebe (c.5 at least), Little Grebe (2), Coot (c.200 at least), Grey Heron (1), Cormorant (4), Red Kite (3), Linnet (c.20), Pied Wagtail (at least 5)

I did not take my camera with me since I knew from previous visits that photography opportunities are very limited and with a telescope being a more essential bit of kit to scan the large reservoirs for birds.

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