Essex bird news highlights February 2026

​

The drake Lesser Scaup remained at Abberton Reservoir. Other highlights from there were: Glossy Ibis 11th, three Tundra Bean Geese, up to five Black-necked Grebes, Slavonian Grebe 20th, and up to four Smew.

 

A Red-breasted Goose was at Holliwell Point until 2nd and a Tundra Bean Goose was at Fisher's Green throughout February. Single Smew were at Hanningfield Reservoir 13th, Sewardstone Marsh 17th & 19th and at King George V Reservoir during February.

 

A Slavonian Grebe was at King George V Reservoir 22nd-25th and up to two Slavonian Grebes were on the Blackwater Estuary at Rolls Farm, Shinglehead Point or Thirslet Creek 1st. Up to ten Black-necked Grebes were off Gunners Park and four off Osea Island Causeway 22nd.

 

Single Black Brants were at Heybridge Basin on and off during February and others were at Northey Island causeway 16th, The Naze 18th, Tollesbury at Mill Farm Marshes 18th, Strood Channel 23rd and Redward 26th and two were at East Mersea 5th. A Glossy Ibises was at Copt Hall Marshes until 16th.

.