April 14th
Derek Smith was out from 0600 to 1130 and walked from Shuart to Chamber's Wall and back along the seawall and on to Netherhale. His undoubted highlight was to pick up an Alpine Swift (146th) flying west over the railway embankment until lost to sight towards Reculver. It is highly likely that this was the same bird that Barry Matlock reported over Margate Station earlier this morning. This is the sixth record for the Reculver Marshes area but the first since 2nd May 1993.

Alpine Swift - Derek Smith

In addition Derek had added Reed Warbler (144th) and Cuckoo (145th) to the year list as well as seeing 2 Ravens , 2 Shoveler, 1 Little Egret, 2 Grey Herons, 3 Marsh Harriers, 1 Green Sandpiper E, 2 Grey Partridges, 26 Stock Dove E, 4 Yellow Wagtails, 63 Meadow Pipits W, 1 Wheatear, 8 Swallows W, 5 Blackcaps, 12 Whitethroats, 4 Reed Warblers, 41 singing Sedge Warblers, 10 Chiffchaffs, 3 Willow Warblers, 7 Cetti's Warblers and a ring-tailed Hen Harrier.
We covered the other half of the Marsh from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and the Oyster Farm but did not see such good birds and missed the swift by a couple of minutes. Birds we saw included 9 Whitethroats, 39 Linnets W, 1 Red-legged Partridge, 8 Goldfinches, 1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Willow Warblers, 5 Chiffchaffs, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Blackcaps, 5 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Shoveler, 11 Mallard, 10 Redshank, 3 Little Egrets, 12 Oystercatchers, 8 Ringed Plovers, 1 Reed Warbler, 7 Shelduck, 29 Meadow Pipits W, 5 Dunlin and 29 singing Sedge Warblers.
A short stroll at Reculver this afternoon produced 1 Chiffchaff, 10 Mute Swans, 3 Blackcaps, 1 Grey Partridge and 1 "purring" Turtle Dove (147th).