My 2010 List

[Beeswax]

Hiya,

 

I joined the RSPB just before Christmas and am now going on a RSPB walk every week at Pitsea Hall and will go on other RSPB walks as they come up. Here's what I've seen so far on my walks and in the back garden:-

 

Blackbird

Black headed Gull

Black tailed Godwit

Blue Tit

Carrion Crow

Chaffinch

Collared Dove

Common Gull

Coot

Cormorant

Curlew

Dunlin

Dunnock

Fieldfare

Goldfinch

Great Tit

Greenshank

Green Woodpecker

Grey Heron

Grey Plover

Herring Gull

House Sparrow

Lapwing

Little Egret

Magpie

Mallard

Moorhen

Oyster Catcher

Pheasant

Redshank

Redwing

Robin

Rook

Shelduck

Shoveler

Song Thrush

Sparrowhawk

Starling

Teal

Tree Sparrow

Turnstone

Water Rail

Widgeon

Wood Pigeon

 

I'll report regularly as the birds new to me appear!

[Ian_W]

Didn't know they did walks.

 

I think the Canvey West Marsh should be good when it opens.

[Eastside Urchin]

Good lad beeswax,they do a wednesday walk at rainham from 9.30am (for those who are lucky enough to not work or have retired) it is very good and usually run by howard vaughan who sees everything,the man is a legend.

If you ever want to come out with me let me know and i will meet up with you

[Beeswax]

Didn't know they did walks.

 

I think the Canvey West Marsh should be good when it opens.

 

Yes, Thursdays from 1030 til 1230. It's free and good for me because they lend out binoculars!

[Beeswax]

Good lad beeswax,they do a wednesday walk at rainham from 9.30am (for those who are lucky enough to not work or have retired) it is very good and usually run by howard vaughan who sees everything,the man is a legend.

If you ever want to come out with me let me know and i will meet up with you

 

I went to Rainham yesterday before coming back for the Tilbury vs. Redbridge game. I was looking at the binoculars as I need to buy a pair before I can go out on my own. How long does the walk last and do they hire out binoculars for the walk?

[Beeswax]

Yesterday at WH Smith's in Basildon I bought the RSPB "Complete Birds of Britain and Europe" by Rob Hume, published by DK, for £6 (RRP £30!) It's good value for me as a beginner but maybe useful for established birders if theyt don't have it.

 

regards,

 

Terry

[Eastside Urchin]

I have about 3 versions of this book,i think its cracking.

The collins guide is the one that most people swear by but it is hard to get apparantly

[Eastside Urchin]

Good lad beeswax,they do a wednesday walk at rainham from 9.30am (for those who are lucky enough to not work or have retired) it is very good and usually run by howard vaughan who sees everything,the man is a legend.

If you ever want to come out with me let me know and i will meet up with you

 

I went to Rainham yesterday before coming back for the Tilbury vs. Redbridge game. I was looking at the binoculars as I need to buy a pair before I can go out on my own. How long does the walk last and do they hire out binoculars for the walk?

 

 

 

The walk usually last about 2 1/2 - 3 hours.

I think they hire out binoculars but not 100% sure,best to check with them on the website,if not give them a call

Just a warning,the RSPB binoculars & scopes(more so scopes) look good and feel good when you try them but i know a few people who say they deteriorate quite quickly

I would look at opticron for a good quality binocular.

Mine cost me £330 about 4 years ago but i feel they are just as good as some of the makes which cost £800 plus

But if you buy bins,make sure you test them out thoroughly

[Beeswax]

Good lad beeswax,they do a wednesday walk at rainham from 9.30am (for those who are lucky enough to not work or have retired) it is very good and usually run by howard vaughan who sees everything,the man is a legend.

If you ever want to come out with me let me know and i will meet up with you

 

I went to Rainham yesterday before coming back for the Tilbury vs. Redbridge game. I was looking at the binoculars as I need to buy a pair before I can go out on my own. How long does the walk last and do they hire out binoculars for the walk?

 

 

 

The walk usually last about 2 1/2 - 3 hours.

I think they hire out binoculars but not 100% sure,best to check with them on the website,if not give them a call

Just a warning,the RSPB binoculars & scopes(more so scopes) look good and feel good when you try them but i know a few people who say they deteriorate quite quickly

I would look at opticron for a good quality binocular.

Mine cost me £330 about 4 years ago but i feel they are just as good as some of the makes which cost £800 plus

But if you buy bins,make sure you test them out thoroughly

 

Thanks for the tip on the RSPB bins. I was thinking of getting their 8 x 40s @ £119 but I'll think again!

[Eastside Urchin]

Beeswax,i had no idea they were only £119,thought they were nearer £200

If that is around the price range you want to spend then i would buy them.I think the main problem is with their telescopes rather than their bins.

The bins are actually made for the RSPB by viking whuch are a mid range company.

Saying that,i would test them against opticron products,i will have a look around and get some info for you

[Eastside Urchin]

Check this website out,this is where i usually get all my products from.I will try to get some dates and places for you locally where you can try out different products.this is what i done with my first decent pair of bins

[Beeswax]

Check this website out,this is where i usually get all my products from.I will try to get some dates and places for you locally where you can try out different products.this is what i done with my first decent pair of bins

 

I'd like to have a look at the website, have you got the link? I popped over to Langdon EWT reserve today as they have an optics centre over there. I must say that the advice given was better than Rainham on Saturday and I have a better idea of what I'm looking for. They do an Opticron 8 x 40 for £79 and an Opticron 10 x 42 for £139. Any thoughts on price vs. performance?

 

best wishes,

 

Terry

 

bird count = 44

[Eastside Urchin]

spoke to someone who bought the rspb 8 x 42 bins,he said he paid £180 plus for them.He said they are very good (andy thomlinsons dad who plays for hornchurch)

it was the scope that he didn't like not the bins.

I have 8 x 42,but now i would go for 10 x 42 as you get a closer range on them.

£79 sounds a bit cheap for decent bins but if you have looked through them and they feel ok then why not but i wouldn't rush into it and try anything,here is the link

 

 

 

http://www.warehouseexpress.com/category/basecategory.aspx?cat03=3042

[Beeswax]

Many thanks for the information, I'm in no rush to purchase but do want have a look at other reserves nearby such as Vange, Fobbing and Bowers marshes.

 

New birds to the list amongst today's findings :-

 

Pochard

Great Black-backed Gull

Gadwall

Canada Goose

Greylag Goose

Pied wagtail

 

 

 

birdcount = 50

[Hookey]

FYI...

 

http://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/4859012.RSPB_reveals_plan_for___5_5million_Pitsea_reserve/

[Beeswax]

FYI...

 

http://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/4859012.RSPB_reveals_plan_for___5_5million_Pitsea_reserve/

 

Thanks Joe, I'll be popping into the public consultation meeting before Saturday's game.

 

cheers,

 

Terry

[Beeswax]

add Jay to the list

 

birdcount = 51

[Eastside Urchin]

Hookster,why don't you get involved,you could even come out with us,i am already involved in a group that goes out called the boozybirders,surprise,surprise although i haven't been out with them for nearly a year as they go out weekdays and i work weekdays!!!

[Hookey]

Hookster,why don't you get involved,you could even come out with us,i am already involved in a group that goes out called the boozybirders,surprise,surprise although i haven't been out with them for nearly a year as they go out weekdays and i work weekdays!!!

 

Might do mate, might do. I'm packing in my job at the end of Feb and won't be in a hurry to find another!!!

[sjj2112]

I have about 3 versions of this book,i think its cracking.

The collins guide is the one that most people swear by but it is hard to get apparantly

 

The 2nd Edition of the Collins Guide has just been published so it should be easier to get hold of now. Definitely the best guide available for this part of the globe.