United Kingdom Ramsar wetland
Colne Estuary
229 bird species recorded; the most in January, in April and from September to October.
Sentinel-2 cloudless 2016 by EOX IT Services GmbH (contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data), CC BY 4.0, with relief shading from Copernicus WorldDEM-30
This month here
169 species in January.150 species in February.150 species in March.167 species in April.155 species in May.145 species in June.134 species in July.154 species in August.164 species in September.168 species in October.157 species in November.149 species in December.
The birds you are most likely to see in the month you choose, those that come for the season first. It opens on today's month.
NT
VU
NT
NT
NTNTVUNT
NTNT
NT
VU
NT
NT
NT
NT
NTVUNTNT
VUNTNTNTVUNTNTNTVUNT- Resident all year
- Summer visitor comes to breed
- Winter visitor comes for the winter
- Passage migrant in spring and autumn
In numbers
229 species, counted.
Our own rating, from the records only: species (50 points), threatened species (20), migrants (20) and protected status — Ramsar, IBA, SPA, observatory (10).
- 229Speciesrecorded more than once
- 107Migrantssummer, winter or passage visitors
- 10ThreatenedVulnerable, Endangered or Critically Endangered (IUCN)
- 141,821Recordsopen records within 6 km
- 14Raptors
- 5Owls
- 31Waders
- 25Gulls & seabirds
- 34Ducks & geese
- 15Herons, ibises & grebes
- 2Storks & cranes
- 85Songbirds
- 18Other birds
From open records (eBird and others, through GBIF, licensed for any use). More birdwatchers mean more records: a quiet place may have more birds than it shows.
The checklist
All 229 species.
By group, with the year in twelve cells: the darker the cell, the more often the bird is recorded that month.
Raptors14 species
JFMAMJJASOND
- Common KestrelFalco tinnunculus
- Western Marsh HarrierCircus aeruginosus
- Common BuzzardButeo buteo
- Eurasian SparrowhawkAccipiter nisus
- Red KiteMilvus milvus
- European HobbyFalco subbuteo
- Peregrine FalconFalco peregrinus
- MerlinFalco columbarius
- OspreyPandion haliaetus
- Hen HarrierCircus cyaneus
- Black-winged KiteElanus caeruleus
- Rough-legged BuzzardButeo lagopus
- European Honey-buzzardPernis apivorus
- Pallid HarrierCircus macrourusNT
Owls5 species
JFMAMJJASOND
- Western Barn OwlTyto alba
- Short-eared OwlAsio flammeus
- Tawny OwlStrix aluco
- Little OwlAthene noctua
- Long-eared OwlAsio otus
Waders31 species
JFMAMJJASOND
- Eurasian CurlewNumenius arquataNT
- RedshankTringa totanus
- Eurasian OystercatcherHaematopus ostralegusNT
- Northern LapwingVanellus vanellusNT
- DunlinCalidris alpinaNT
- Grey PloverPluvialis squatarolaVU
- Black-tailed GodwitLimosa limosaNT
- Pied AvocetRecurvirostra avosetta
- Ruddy TurnstoneArenaria interpresNT
- European Golden PloverPluvialis apricaria
- Common Ringed PloverCharadrius hiaticula
- Red KnotCalidris canutusNT
- Bar-tailed godwitLimosa lapponicaNT
- Eurasian WhimbrelNumenius phaeopus
- Common GreenshankTringa nebularia
- SanderlingCalidris alba
- Common SnipeGallinago gallinago
- Green SandpiperTringa ochropus
- Common SandpiperActitis hypoleucos
- Spotted RedshankTringa erythropus
- RuffCalidris pugnax
- Curlew SandpiperCalidris ferrugineaVU
- Eurasian WoodcockScolopax rusticola
- Little StintCalidris minuta
- Wood SandpiperTringa glareola
- Purple SandpiperCalidris maritima
- Eurasian DotterelCharadrius morinellus
- Jack SnipeLymnocryptes minimus
- Little ringed ploverCharadrius dubius
- Grey (Red) PhalaropePhalaropus fulicarius
- Red-necked PhalaropePhalaropus lobatus
Gulls & seabirds25 species
JFMAMJJASOND
- Black-headed GullChroicocephalus ridibundus
- European Herring GullLarus argentatus
- Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscus
- Great Black-backed GullLarus marinus
- Common GullLarus canus
- Common TernSterna hirundo
- Mediterranean GullIchthyaetus melanocephalus
- Sandwich TernThalasseus sandvicensis
- Little TernSternula albifrons
- Common LoonGavia immer
- Red-throated LoonGavia stellata
- Yellow-legged GullLarus michahellis
- Northern gannetMorus bassanus
- Arctic TernSterna paradisaea
- Black-throated DiverGavia arctica
- Common MurreUria aalge
- Little GullHydrocoloeus minutus
- Black-legged kittiwakeRissa tridactylaVU
- Glaucous GullLarus hyperboreus
- Pontic gullLarus cachinnans
- Black TernChlidonias niger
- Atlantic PuffinFratercula arcticaVU
- FulmarFulmarus glacialis
- Arctic SkuaStercorarius parasiticus
- RazorbillAlca torda
Ducks & geese34 species
JFMAMJJASOND
- MallardAnas platyrhynchos
- Common ShelduckTadorna tadorna
- Brent GooseBranta bernicla
- Eurasian TealAnas crecca
- Mute SwanCygnus olor
- Tufted DuckAythya fuligula
- Eurasian WigeonMareca penelope
- Greylag GooseAnser anser
- Common PochardAythya ferinaVU
- Northern ShovelerSpatula clypeata
- Canada GooseBranta canadensis
- GadwallMareca strepera
- Red-breasted MerganserMergus serrator
- Egyptian GooseAlopochen aegyptiaca
- Northern PintailAnas acuta
- Common GoldeneyeBucephala clangula
- GoosanderMergus merganser
- Barnacle GooseBranta leucopsis
- Common EiderSomateria mollissimaNT
- Velvet scoterMelanitta fuscaVU
- Common ScoterMelanitta nigra
- Greater ScaupAythya marila
- GarganeySpatula querquedula
- Bewick's SwanCygnus columbianus
- Greater White-fronted GooseAnser albifrons
- Ruddy DuckOxyura jamaicensis
- SmewMergellus albellus
- Long-tailed duckClangula hyemalisVU
- Red-breasted GooseBranta ruficollisVU
- Red-crested pochardNetta rufina
- Tundra Bean GooseAnser serrirostris
- Mandarin DuckAix galericulata
- Pink-footed GooseAnser brachyrhynchus
- Black swanCygnus atratus
Herons, ibises & grebes15 species
JFMAMJJASOND
- Little EgretEgretta garzetta
- Great CormorantPhalacrocorax carbo
- Little GrebeTachybaptus ruficollis
- Grey HeronArdea cinerea
- Great Crested GrebePodiceps cristatus
- Great White EgretArdea alba
- Western Cattle EgretBubulcus ibis
- Horned GrebePodiceps auritusVU
- Eurasian SpoonbillPlatalea leucorodia
- Red-necked GrebePodiceps grisegena
- Eared GrebePodiceps nigricollis
- ShagPhalacrocorax aristotelis
- Glossy IbisPlegadis falcinellus
- Eurasian BitternBotaurus stellaris
- Black-crowned Night-HeronNycticorax nycticorax
Storks & cranes2 species
JFMAMJJASOND
- Black storkCiconia nigra
- White StorkCiconia ciconia
Songbirds85 species
JFMAMJJASOND
- Carrion CrowCorvus corone
- Eurasian MagpiePica pica
- Eurasian Blue TitCyanistes caeruleus
- Common StarlingSturnus vulgaris
- Eurasian BlackbirdTurdus merula
- European RobinErithacus rubecula
- Great titParus major
- White WagtailMotacilla alba
- House SparrowPasser domesticus
- DunnockPrunella modularis
- European GoldfinchCarduelis carduelis
- Eurasian WrenTroglodytes troglodytes
- SkylarkAlauda arvensis
- Common LinnetLinaria cannabina
- Barn swallowHirundo rustica
- Eurasian ChaffinchFringilla coelebs
- Western JackdawColoeus monedula
- Common Reed BuntingEmberiza schoeniclus
- Common ChiffchaffPhylloscopus collybita
- WhitethroatSylvia communis
- Cetti's WarblerCettia cetti
- Meadow PipitAnthus pratensis
- European StonechatSaxicola rubicola
- Eurasian JayGarrulus glandarius
- BlackcapSylvia atricapilla
- RookCorvus frugilegus
- Eurasian Reed WarblerAcrocephalus scirpaceus
- European GreenfinchChloris chloris
- Sand MartinRiparia riparia
- Song ThrushTurdus philomelos
- Willow WarblerPhylloscopus trochilus
- Common NightingaleLuscinia megarhynchos
- European Rock PipitAnthus petrosus
- Western Yellow WagtailMotacilla flava
- Lesser whitethroatSylvia curruca
- Common House MartinDelichon urbicum
- Corn BuntingEmberiza calandra
- RedwingTurdus iliacus
- YellowhammerEmberiza citrinella
- Sedge WarblerAcrocephalus schoenobaenus
- GoldcrestRegulus regulus
- FieldfareTurdus pilaris
- Northern WheatearOenanthe oenanthe
- Bearded ReedlingPanurus biarmicus
- BullfinchPyrrhula pyrrhula
- Coal TitPeriparus ater
- Mistle ThrushTurdus viscivorus
- Garden WarblerSylvia borin
- Grey WagtailMotacilla cinerea
- Common RedpollAcanthis flammea
- Eurasian SiskinSpinus spinus
- Snow BuntingPlectrophenax nivalis
- WhinchatSaxicola rubetra
- Spotted FlycatcherMuscicapa striata
- Common FirecrestRegulus ignicapilla
- Black RedstartPhoenicurus ochruros
- BramblingFringilla montifringilla
- Northern RavenCorvus corax
- Shore LarkEremophila alpestris
- Eurasian TreecreeperCerthia familiaris
- Eurasian Tree SparrowPasser montanus
- Water PipitAnthus spinoletta
- European Pied FlycatcherFicedula hypoleuca
- Red-backed ShrikeLanius collurio
- Common Grasshopper WarblerLocustella naevia
- Eurasian NuthatchSitta europaea
- Ring OuzelTurdus torquatus
- Common RedstartPhoenicurus phoenicurus
- Black-headed buntingEmberiza melanocephala
- TwiteLinaria flavirostris
- Marsh TitPoecile palustris
- Tree PipitAnthus trivialis
- Yellow-browed WarblerPhylloscopus inornatus
- Bohemian WaxwingBombycilla garrulus
- Lanius excubitorLanius excubitor
- Lapland LongspurCalcarius lapponicus
- HawfinchCoccothraustes coccothraustes
- Willow TitPoecile montanus
- Pallas's Leaf WarblerPhylloscopus proregulus
- Rosy StarlingPastor roseus
- Common crossbillLoxia curvirostra
- WoodlarkLullula arborea
- Greenish WarblerPhylloscopus trochiloides
- Little BuntingEmberiza pusilla
- Wood WarblerPhylloscopus sibillatrix
Other birds18 species
JFMAMJJASOND
- Common Wood PigeonColumba palumbus
- Common MoorhenGallinula chloropus
- Common PheasantPhasianus colchicus
- CootFulica atra
- Eurasian Collared DoveStreptopelia decaocto
- Stock DoveColumba oenas
- Green WoodpeckerPicus viridis
- European SwiftApus apus
- Great Spotted WoodpeckerDendrocopos major
- Red-legged PartridgeAlectoris rufaNT
- Rock DoveColumba livia
- Common CuckooCuculus canorus
- European Turtle DoveStreptopelia turturVU
- Common KingfisherAlcedo atthis
- European Water RailRallus aquaticus
- Grey PartridgePerdix perdix
- Lesser Spotted WoodpeckerDryobates minor
- Rose-ringed ParakeetPsittacula krameri
Monthly presence relative to all bird records that month, so a busy month does not inflate every species.
When to go
The most species in January, in April and from September to October.
Species recorded in each month, with the usual temperature and rain.
- Jan7°/3°62 mm
- Feb7°/2°53 mm
- Mar9°/3°50 mm
- Apr12°/5°37 mm
- May16°/8°55 mm
- Jun19°/12°63 mm
- Jul21°/14°65 mm
- Aug21°/14°68 mm
- Sep18°/12°46 mm
- Oct15°/9°76 mm
- Nov11°/6°72 mm
- Dec8°/4°70 mm
- Bar: species recorded that month.
- Temperature: average maximum / minimum (NASA, 1991–2020).
- Rain: monthly total.
The place
Colne Estuary.
Biological and geological Site of Special Scientific Interest near Brightlingsea in Essex
Colne Estuary is a wetland of international importance (Ramsar) in United Kingdom.
It is also a Special Protection Area under the EU Birds Directive.
229 bird species have been recorded here more than once, in 141,821 open records.
The most recorded are the Common Wood Pigeon, the Black-headed Gull and the Carrion Crow.
39 species come for the summer, 67 for the winter and 1 only pass through.
10 are threatened worldwide, including Grey Plover, Common Pochard and European Turtle Dove.
The most species are recorded in January, in April and from September to October.
Get there and watch
- Mersea Island Holiday Parkcampsite · 2.3 km · 42 within 10 km
- The Courtyard Roomsplace to stay · 3.3 km · 51 within 10 km
- Brightlingseanearest town · 3.1 km in a straight line
- London Southend Airport (SEN)nearest airport with scheduled flights · 33 km in a straight lineCar hire at STN airport (London, Essex)Discover Cars · sponsored link↗
Plan the visit
A guided walk, a bed nearby, a car.
Some links above are affiliate links: if you book through them we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. It never changes what the data on this page says.
From above
The place and its surroundings.
The satellite image of the 6 × 6 km around the place, with the bird hides, towers and trails that OpenStreetMap shows.
Around, in OpenStreetMap
- 3bird hides within 6 kmLake Hide, Thurstable School Hide
- 1marked trails within 4 kmKing Charles III England Coast Path: Mersea Island
- 1visitor centres within 6 km
- 1viewpoints within 5 km
- 22car parks within 3 km
- 5restaurants and cafés within 3 km
- 42campsites within 10 kmMersea Island Holiday Park, Fen Farm, Brightlingsea Leisure Village and 39 more
- 51places to stay within 10 kmThe Courtyard Rooms, The Shepherd's Hide, Woodlands and 48 more
- observation towers within 6 km
Counted in OpenStreetMap, the map anyone can edit. A low number may just mean nobody has mapped it yet.
In our other atlases
Around Colne Estuary.
The lakes, beaches, islands, rivers and mountains around this place, and its night sky, in the family's atlases.
Coastya1 beaches within 10 kmWest Mersea Beach · 5.2 km
Lakeyas2 lakes within 15 kmAbberton Reservoir4.6 km² · 6.8 kmArdleigh Reservoir0.5 km² · 12 km
Figures from the sister sites' databases (Wikidata, HydroATLAS, GeoNames, OpenStreetMap). Links open when each site is online.
Other places nearby.
Colne Estuary
United Kingdom
- 89Birdyas Score
- 229Species
- 107Migrants
- 10Threatened
Abberton Reservoir
United Kingdom · 8 km
- 88Birdyas Score
- 261Species
- 122Migrants
- 14Threatened
Where these figures come from
| Name and type | Wikidata (Q22004786) · CC0 |
|---|---|
| Birds | 141,821 open bird records within 6 km (GBIF, CC0 and CC BY 4.0 only; mostly eBird, Cornell Lab of Ornithology) |
| See these records | gbif.org |
| Species | GBIF Backbone Taxonomy · CC BY 4.0; Wikidata (CC0); Wikimedia Commons |
| Altitude | Copernicus DEM GLO-30 · © DLR e.V., © Airbus Defence and Space GmbH, Copernicus/ESA |
| Temperature and rain | NASA POWER (CERES SYN1deg, 2001–2020; MERRA-2) |
| What is around | © OpenStreetMap contributors · ODbL |
| Images | EOX Sentinel-2 cloudless 2016 · CC BY 4.0; Wikimedia Commons |
| Sister atlases | Islandyas, Coastya, Lakeyas |
Every figure is an average, an estimate or a count from a public dataset. Licences and methods: data sources.
The family
Do you prefer beaches, lakes, mountains, waterfalls, islands, rivers, canyons, caves, dark skies, viewpoints, birdwatching or forests?
Same idea, other landscapes: field atlases built on open data, in seven languages.
beaches
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Every lake on Earth: water temperature, ice, depth and the shore.Visit 
mountains
Every summit in 3D: summit weather, the 0 °C line, huts and trails.Visit 
waterfalls
Every waterfall: height, flow month by month and when it roars.Visit 
islands
Every island from the sea up: size, sea temperature, ferries and 3D.Visit 
rivers
Every river from source to sea: the journey, the flow and the basin in numbers.Visit 
canyons
Every canyon cut to scale: depth to the floor, rim and floor temperatures, trails and viewpoints.Visit 
caves
Every cave with its real depth and length: the rock above, the temperature inside all year, and how to visit.Visit 
dark skies
Where the night is still dark: the sky of every place, the Milky Way month by month, the Moon, eclipses and auroras.Visit 
viewpoints
Every viewpoint with its real 360° panorama: the peaks you can name, how far you see and where the sun sets.Coming soonVisit 
birdwatching
Every bird sanctuary and wetland with the species recorded month by month: who is resident, who comes for the summer, who only passes through.You are here
forests
Every forest with its land-cover rings, what grows and lives in it, and the best months to walk it.Coming soonVisit