Description
Holland Haven has a great reputation for being well watched by local birders. Situated along the coast this area get lots of interesting migrants that drop into the flooded scrape or the scrubland. Right next to the car park is an area of cover with some bushes which are always worth a search though for small passerines such as, Vatroglavi kraljić, Siva muharica, Crnovrata muharica and Šarenokrili azijski zviždak.
Then as you walk towards the hide and the scrape, you need to scan the coastline. Here is a concrete structure where you may well find Morska sprutka which the site is well known for. If the tide is low and the mudflats are exposed you may see, Velika carska šljuka, Ostrigar, Laponska muljača, Srebrni vivak, Šljuka kamenjarka and Bela sprutka.
Looking out to sea one may find Obična bluna flying passed and also Riđogrli morski gnjurac alongside Crni turpan and Srednji ronac. Plus the usual suspects of gull species .
Now you can walk away from the shoreline up to the ridge where you get a good view over the marsh and grazing meadows. Keep an eye out for overwintering geese, Divlja guska , Lisasta guska and Kanadska guska. Its possible to see Vivak ,Velika carska šljuka and the odd small party of Mala carska šljuka feeding in the long grass.
Next is the flooded scrape area for such birds as, Krdža, Zviždara, Plovka kašikara, Šarena utva and Grivasta guska. Many waders can be spotted including Sabljarka, Crvenonogi sprudnik, Krivokljuni sprudnik, Polojka, Sprudnik pijukavac, Muljača and Crnotrba sprutka.
The marsh and grassland is a great hunting ground for raptors and regularly see Kukuvija, Eja močvarica, Sivi soko and the odd Poljska eja.
Details
Access
Holland Haven is northeast of Clacton-on-Sea and located between the towns of Holland-on-Sea and Frinton-on-Sea. Easy to get to by taking the B1032 Frinton Rd out of Holland-on-Sea and the turning to Holland Haven is on your Right, just outside the town. Press P on the map for directions to the parking. The cafe and toilet are back towards the town in a southwest direction.


