September 22nd

On a cloudy morning with the tide going out we walked along the seawall from Reculver to Coldharbour and back. We counted 7 Pied Wagtails, 23 Swallows W, 16 Mute Swans, 1 Grey Wagtail, 4 Little Egrets, 1 Kingfisher, 9 Cormorants, 6 Ringed Plovers, 8 Redshank, 3 Wheatears, 132 House Martins W, 1 Grey Plover, 1 Grey Heron, 89 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 18 Dunnocks in the bushes along the seawall, 2 Stonechats, 17 Oystercatchers, 54 Linnets, 3 Teal, 23 Mallard, 5 Chiffchaffs, 1 Dunlin, 1 Little Stint, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 7 Golden Plover, 12 Reed Buntings, 5 Sedge Warblers, 4 Turnstone, 17 Meadow Pipits, 57 Goldfinches, 1 Rock Pipit, 2 Sandwich Terns E and 1 Little Owl.

Dunnock

Derek Smith was also out this morning between 0700 and 1300 birding from Shuart to the Green Wall and back to Netherhale. He saw 2 Sparrowhawks, 1 Merlin in off the sea, 6 Common Buzzards, 26 Lapwings S, 8 Golden Plovers W, 3 Snipe, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Yellow Wagtails W, 5 Grey Wagtails W, 32 Meadow Pipits W, 7 Blackcaps, 3 Whitethroats, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Reed Warblers, 147 Chiffchaffs mainly on the railway embankment and 9 Cetti's Warblers.

 

Spotted Flycatcher - Derek Smith

Ruddy Darter - Derek Smith

 

Today Bob Dean counted 123 Turnstones on the rocks at Grenham Bay.

This afternoon and evening there was a significant westerly movement of hirundines numbering 100 per minute. Mainly Swallows with House Martins mixed in and the odd Sand Martin and 1 Swift.