Essex bird news highlights December 2024

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Highlights at Abberton Reservoir included the drake Canvasback again from 24th, a drake Lesser Scaup occasionally throughout December and a drake Ring-necked Duck irregularly from 11th. Also on the reservoir were up to twelve Black-necked Grebes, a Slavonian Grebe, up to two Smew, Glaucous Gull 31st and a Black-throated Diver from 29th. A Green-winged Teal was at Hatfield Broad Oak from 29th.

 

A Great Grey Shrike was at Copt Hall Marshes at the end of December. A possible Eastern Yellow Wagtail was at Hamford Water to the north-west of Kirby Quay 15th & 23rd.The Pallas’s Warbler remained at The Naze until 7th and Yellow-browed Warbler was there 4th. A Shorelark was at Stone Point, East Mersea from 2nd.

 

Highlights at King George 5th reservoir­­­­­­ were a Black-throated Diver from 1st. a Great Northern Diver from 1st, and up to three Black-necked Grebes.

 

At Tollesbury Wick there were a up to two Black-throated Divers, up to three Great Northern Divers, a Long-tailed Duck and up to three Slavonian Grebes 5th. A Velvet Scoter was at Hanningfield Reservoir from 16th. A Little Auk was off The Naze 9th and Holland Haven CP 10th.

 

Single Black Brants were at West Mersea until 4th, Copt Hall Marshes, and Wallasea Island 31st. A Red-necked Grebe and Slavonian Grebe were at West Mersea 6th.