April 29th
On a much warmer and sunny morning we covered the Marsh from Shuart and Plumpudding to the Oyster Farm. Our total counts were 1 Turtle Dove, 3 Lapwings, 2 Mediterranean Gulls, 21 Sand Martins W, 5 Willow Warblers, 58 Whitethroats, 11 Long-tailed Tits, 4 Whitethroats, 2 Tufted Duck, 5 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Hobby, 2 Greenshank, 1 Raven, 3 Cuckoos, 1 Fieldfare, 1 Tree Pipit W, 18 Sanderling, 31 Swallows W, 2 Common Sandpiper, 2 Shoveler, 5 Yellow Wagtails, 3 Chiffchaffs, 14 Mallard, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Marsh Harrier,  13 Turnstone, 2 Ringed Plovers, 5 Wheatears, 1 Redshank, 1 Whimbrel, 4 Oystercatchers and 1 Blackcap.

Whimbrel

Derek Smith was also out early and walked from Shuart to Brooksend and Plumpudding and counted 4 Tufted Duck, 1 Peregrine, 2 Common Buzzards, 2 Sparrowhawks, 1 Turtle Dove, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Raven, 3 Wheatears, 6 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Nightingale, 5 Ring Ouzels, 2 Cetti's Warblers and 3 Corn Buntings.

Male Ring Ouzel - Derek Smith

Marc Heath walked from Reculver and recorded 1 Nightingale, 12 Common Sandpipers, 2 Cuckoos, 1 Great Northern Diver, 3 Wheatears and 2 Marsh Harriers.
Julian and Alex Perry also saw a Short-eared Owl resting in the grass.

Short-eared Owl - Alex Perry