Wednesday 31 October 2018

October 31st
With a complete change in the weather we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour with no wind blowing and in bright sunshine. We counted 4 Little Egrets, 10 Skylarks, 18 Redshank, 18 Meadow Pipits, 33 Cormorants, 6 Ringed Plovers, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Stonechat, 1 Golden Plover, 8 Mute Swans, 11 Oystercatchers, 39 Goldfinches, 6 Turnstone, 1 Green Woodpecker, 12 Linnets, 4 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Curlew, 18 Mallard, 2 Sanderling, 6 Corn Buntings, 39 Lapwings W, 2 Short-eared Owls, 1 Rock Pipit and 4 Pied Wagtails.
Derek Smith was also out birding this morning and between 0800 and 1000 walked from Shuart to the embankment and counted 1 Merlin hunting near Shuart, 350 Fieldfares, 150 Redwings, 80 Blackbirds, 18 Skylarks NW, 5 alba Wagtails W, 8 Crossbills W, 38 Siskins W, 22 Chaffinches W, 15 Redpolls W, 1 Chiffchaff and 35 Goldcrests.
This afternoon we had a walk at Chamber's Wall where we saw 10 Blackbirds, 12 Redwings, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Jack Snipe disturbed from the edge of a field, 52 Fieldfares, 1 Kestrel and 1 Green Woodpecker.

Tuesday 30 October 2018

October 30th
It was a thoroughly unpleasant day with constant rain until early afternoon and a strong and chilly NW wind blowing. We visited Reculver a couple of times but all we saw for our troubles was 1 Shag, 11 Dunlin W and 2 Common Scoter sitting on a very choppy sea.

Today I received information about a Reed Warbler we had ringed on Reculver Marshes on 30th August which had flown 781 km south in 8 days and was controlled at Les Masieres, Villeton, Lot-et-Garonne, France on 7th September.

Monday 29 October 2018

October 29th
On another breezy and showery morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and then dropped in at Reculver on the way home. We saw 18 Goldfinches, 18 Skylarks, 13 Blackbirds, 12 Chaffinches, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Goldcrests, 1 ring-tailed Hen Harrier, 74 Fieldfares, 22 Lapwings, 6 Teal, 1 Cot, 79 Mallard, 8 Oystercatchers, 25 Meadow Pipits, 1 Corn Bunting and 6 Redwings.
Julian and Alex Perry were also out and walked a bit further down the seawall while we walked around Coldharbour and they saw in addition 2 Snow Buntings, 2 Bramblings and 1 Firecrest.
Richard Collins had a seawatch at Reculver from 0935 to 1215 and counted 2  Eider E, 9 Common Scoter, 7 Velvet Scoter E (188th), 2 Red-throated Divers E, 75 Dark-bellied Brent Geese E, 1 large auk W, 6 Little Gulls, 1 juvenile Sabine’s Gull feeding offshore, 6 Kittiwakes, 35 thrushes probably Fieldfares and 1 Sparrowhawk on way home.

Velvet Scoter - Richard Collins

At Minnis and Grenham Bays Terry Wilson saw 2 Snow Buntings, 22 Dark-bellied Brent Geese and 6 Sanderling.

Sunday 28 October 2018

October 28th
There was a strong and blustery NE wind blowing this morning when we arrived at Reculver where there was a small group seawatching. They said that it had been relatively slow but that there was a small trickle of birds moving through. We decided to brave the wind and walked up to Chamber's Wall but did not sea a great deal just 3 Little Egrets, 25 Linnets, 11 Cormorants, 8 Redshank, 11 Oystercatchers, 19 Ringed Plovers, 6 Goldfinches, 16 Kittiwakes E, 6 Turnstone, 1 Grey Plover, 2 Fieldfares, 6 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Stonechat, 47 Common Scoter E and 1 Gannet E.
Later Marc Heath and Julian and Alex Perry let me know what had been seen from the Towers between 0645 and 1345 and this included 237 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 122 Cormorants, 215 Common Scoter, 3 Curlew, 35 Gannets, 9 Little Egrets, 3 auk sp, 12 Great Skuas, 90 Kittiwakes, 1 Guillemot, 33 Little Gulls, 4 Dunlin, 24 Lapwings, 1 Little Auk (185th), 3 Grey Plovers, 1 male Eider, 2 Red-breasted Mergansers, 1 Black-throated Diver (186th), 3 Red-throated Divers, 1 Rock Pipit, 1 Arctic Skua and 2 Leach's Petrels flying E. Julian and Alex also had a Woodcock on the bank beside Reculver Lane.
At 0835 Julian and Alex and the other birders at the Towers had a pale Buzzard fly in off the sea which they though might be a Rough-legged Buzzard and on getting home and seeing the photos Alex managed to take it was clearly a juvenile Rough-legged Buzzard (187th).


Juvenile Rough-legged Buzzard - Alex Perry


Little Auk - Alex Perry


Terry Wilson disturbed a Woodcock from the clifftop vegetation this morning.
This afternoon we spent and hour with Richard Collins at Reculver and recorded 17 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Wigeon, 1 male Eider E, 3 Red-throated Divers, 1 Black-throated Diver, 2 Red-breasted Mergansers E, 2 large auks and 20 Fieldfares.

Saturday 27 October 2018

October 27th
I spent an hour at the Towers just after daybreak and did not see a great deal other than the local gulls. Just 235 Cormorants, 2 Eiders and 1 Dark-bellied Brent Goose. After this we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and recorded 31 Fieldfares W, 1 Grey Heron, 9 Chaffinches, 2 Coot, 52 Mallard, 11 Wigeon, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Redshank, 1 Golden Plover, 1 Common Buzzard and 6 Goldfinches.
At Grenham Bay, Terry Wilson counted 20 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 12 Redshank, 58 Oystercatchers, 8 Little Egrets and 3 Meadow Pipits.
An hour spent at Reculver this afternoon produced 53 Kittiwakes W, 10 Gannets, 1 Guillemot E, 1 Great Skua W, 62 Dark-bellied Brent Geese W, 1 Little Egret, 3 Dunlin W and 2 Shelduck W.

Friday 26 October 2018

October 26th
On an overcast morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and then along the seawall towards Reculver. We saw 7 Redwings, 2 Kestrels, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 16 Chaffinches, 1 ring-tailed Hen Harrier, 56 Fieldfares W, 6 Coot, 3 Stonechats, 31 Mallard, 22 Oystercatchers, 1 Curlew, 3 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 33 Goldfinches, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, 3 Corn Buntings, 2 Redshank, 11 Siskins W, 1 male Marsh Harrier and 2 Jays.
Marc Heath was out at Bishopstone where he found 1 Firecrest and 2 Grey Partridges.
This afternoon we arrived at Reculver to find Richard Collins already there. It was not as windy as we had expected and it was relatively quiet although before we arrived Richard had recorded 8 Gannets W, 1 Arctic Skua W, 5 Teal W and 1 Rock Pipit. A Little Egret also flew W close to the car park.
Derek Smith was out between 0800 and 1200 and walked from Shuart along the railway embankment and back via Plumpudding. Birds he saw flying west included 46 Fieldfares, 42 Redwings, 14 Skylarks, 33 Meadow Pipits, 23 Goldfinches, 34 Chaffinches, 1 Brambling, 31 Siskins, 5 Redpoll, 11 Crossbills and 3 Corn Buntings. He also saw 2 Common Buzzards, 6 Kestrels, 3 Cetti's Warblers and 35 Goldcrests.

Thursday 25 October 2018

October 25th
On a bright and breezy morning we walked from Chamber's Wall and along the seawall to the Oyster Farm. Birds we saw included 224 Fieldfares W, 33 Redwings W, 10 Blackbirds, 12 Goldfinches, 5 Mute Swans, 10 Chaffinches, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 74 Lapwings, 22 Skylarks, 5 Coot, 1 Stonechat, 38 Oystercatchers, 2 Curlews, 3 Redshank, 38 Carrion Crows, 3 Avocets W, 2 Grey Herons, 7 Corn Buntings, 1 Goldcrest, 22 Meadow Pipits, 9 Turnstone, 6 Ringed Plovers and 1 Little Egret.

Fieldfare

Wednesday 24 October 2018

October 24th
This morning we took our regular walk from Chamber's Wall to the Oyster Farm in bright sunshine and saw 2 Kestrels, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Green Woodpecker, 16 Chaffinches, 1 adult male Peregrine, 4 Stonechats, 2 Coot, 6 Corn Buntings, 32 Goldfinches, 2 Mallard, 39 Meadow Pipits, 25 Reed Buntings, 18 Oystercatchers, 3 Redshank, 9 Turnstone, 1 Little Egret, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 36 Carrion Crows, 35 House Sparrows, 14 Skylarks, 2 Goldcrests, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Jay and 1 Common Buzzard.

Meadow Pipit
It's 1545 and I've just had two flocks each of about 90 Fieldfares flying west high over my garden at Bishopstone.

Tuesday 23 October 2018

October 23rd
It was dull with a cool west wind blowing this morning as we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and back by way of the railway embankment. We recorded 2 Kestrels, 3 Redwings, 3 Chiffchaffs, 1 Green Woodpecker, 56 Cormorants, 6 Mute Swans, 1 Redpoll W, 17 Chaffinches, 1 Lapwing, 1 Sparrowhawk, 21 Mallard, 3 Corn Buntings, 11 Oystercatchers, 5 Turnstone, 2 Grey Herons, 2 Stonechats, 35 Carrion Crows, 28 Meadow Pipits, 3 Coot, 10 Common Crossbills briefly in a bush by Chamber's Wall crossing before flying west, 5 Golden Plover and 1 Fieldfare.



Common Crossbills

Monday 22 October 2018

October 22nd
What a difference a day makes! This morning dawned bright but with a cold and brisk northerly wind blowing in off the sea. I had intended to try a seawatch but instead we walked from Reculver up to Coldharbour but compared to the last few days there was little to be seen. We saw 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Redshank, 68 Linnets, 7 Oystercatchers, 4 Mute Swans, 1 Grey Heron, 69 Carrion Crows, 5 Mallard, 9 Cornorants, 35 Lapwings, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 9 Goldfinches, 1 Red-throated Diver, 1 Kestrel and 8 Blackbirds,

Sunday 21 October 2018

October 21st
On another lovely morning we arrived at Chamber's Wall at 0755 and walked up to Coldharbour and then on to the Oyster Farm. We counted 13 Redwings, 1 Brambling, 33 Chaffinches, 4 Chiffchaffs, 10 Mute Swans, 12 Blackbirds, 7 Goldcrests, 10 Robins, 46 Goldfinches, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 3 Fieldfares, 1 Short-eared Owl, 17 Skylarks W, 32 Reed Buntings, 10 Turnstone, 12 Oystercatchers, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Grey Heron, 42 Carrion Crows, 19 Meadow Pipits, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 5 Stonechats, 2 Redshank, 2 Ringed Plovers, 3 Coot, 11 Lapwings W, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Siskins W and 2 Jays.

Juvenile Goldfinch moulting into adult plumage

Marc Heath arrived at Reculver at 0715 and walked up to Coldharbour and back via the railway embankment. He recorded 21 Little Egrets E in one flock, 1 Great White Egret in the Oyster Farm, 70 Meadow Pipits W, 61 Siskins W, 2 Kingfishers, 1 Snow Bunting, 24 Ringed Plovers, 8 Turnstone, 3 Grey Herons, 2 Rock Pipits, 1 ring-tailed Hen Harrier mobbed by a Merlin, 9 Reed Buntings, 32 Skylarks, 1 Short-eared Owl, 4 Stonechats, 1 Jay, 3 Redpoll, 3 Corn Buntings, 1 Fieldfare, 1 Brambling and 1 Lapwing.
Derek Smith spent the day on the Marsh and walked from Shuart along the embankment to Reculver and then back via Coldharbour. Birds he recorded included 1 Water Rail calling at Shuart, 42 Lapwings W, 4 Bearded Tits, 730 Starlings W, 53 Skylarks W, 31 Meadow Pipits W, 19 alba Wagtails W, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker W, 6 Swallows W, 5 Cetti's Warblers, 5 Stonechats, 4 Chiffchaffs, 22 Goldcrests, 266 Siskins W, 58 Redpolls W, 128 Chaffinches W, 29 Goldfinches W, 12 Linnets W and 11 Crossbills W.

Saturday 20 October 2018

October 20th
On a stunning early autumn morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and along the seawall towards Reculver. Birds we saw included 22 Redwings, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 22 Blackbirds, 65 Chaffinches, 1 Teal, 1 Fieldfare, 8 Song Thrushes, 42 Goldfinches, 2 Brambling, 2 Siskins, 2 Grey Herons, 15 Skylarks, 4 Little Egrets, 2 Coot, 30 Reed Buntings, 66 Linnets, 4 Redshank, 12 Corn Buntings, 5 Stonechats, 37 Oystercatchers, 8 Turnstone, 52 Carrion Crows, 2 Swallows, 25 Meadow Pipits, 4 Mallard, 34 Golden Plovers, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Dunlin, 4 Goldcrests, 4 Lesser Redpoll, 2 Bearded Tits, 1 Jay and 1 Kestrel.
Dave Smith birded inland and had a Green Sandpiper fly over by Reculver Church as well as seeing good numbers of Goldcrests and Chaffinches and a small flock of Siskins flying through.
Anthea Skiffington and Bob Dewire visited Reculver and found 25 Goldcrest in the caravan bushes and 1 Wheatear by the seawall.

Friday 19 October 2018

October 19th
There were more birds about this morning during our ringing session at Shuart. In four hours we counted 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Golden Plover, 43 Brambling W, 2 Grey Herons, 1,464 Starlings W, 22 Fieldfares W, 51 Redwings W, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 56 Lapwings W, 5 Goldcrests, 31 Song Thrushes W, 87 Skylarks W, 2 Kestrels, 48 Siskins W, 1 Blackcap, 3 Sparrowhawks, 5 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 91 Chaffinches W, 1 Green Sandpiper, 4 Mallard, 8 Corn Buntings, 3 Ring-necked Parakeets, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Snipe, 10 Goldfinches, 11 Pied Wagtails and 120 Dark-bellied Brent Geese over the seawall.

Birds ringed 26: Goldcrest 3, Robin 7, Blackap 1, Reed Bunting 9, Blue Tit 1, Great Tit 1, Redwing 1, Song Thrush 3.

Dave Smith was also out this morning and had good numbers of thrushes, starlings, Redpoll and Bramblings moving west as well as seeing 1 Ring Ouzel, 1 Chiffchaff and 20+ Goldcrests.
This afternoon Matt walked from Chamber's Wall along the Green Wall and returned via Coldharbour.  Birds he recorded included 103 Chaffinches W, 126 Starlings W, 26 Goldcrests, 3 Chiffchaffs, 13 Redwings, 8 Song Thrushes, 6 Corn Buntings, 45 Skylarks, 1 Rock Pipit, 8 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Lapwings W,  3 Stonechats, 2 Wheatears, 1 Little Egret, 2 Curlew,  2 Grey Herons, 1 Fieldfare, 3 Bramblings W, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 6 Swallows W and 2 Ring Ouzels.
Derek Smith walked from Shuart along the embankment to Chamber's Wall and Reculver returning via Coldharbour between 0800 and 1800. He recorded 1 Great White Egret flying W, 1 ring-tailed Hen Harrier at Chamber's Wall, 43 Lapwings W, 68 Redwings W, 3 Fieldfares W, 12 Song Thrushes W, 8 Swallows W, 1 Grey Wagtail W, 5 alba Wagtails W and 530 Starlings W. Other birds flying west included 66 Meadow Pipits, 72 Skylarks, 423 Chaffinches, 26 Brambling, 223 Siskins, 7 Redpoll and 1 Greenfinch. He also counted 5 Chiffchaffs, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 177 Goldcrests, 2 Stonechats, 14 Reed Buntings and 12 Corn Buntings.

Great White Egret - Derek Smith

Goldcrest - Derek Smith


Chris Tedder had a walk along the seawall around lunchtime and saw 307 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Shelduck W, 26 Common Scoter W, 3 Eider E, 1 Sandwich Tern, 36 Chaffinches W, 54 Meadow Pipits, 1 Short-eared Owl in off the sea, 10 Little Egrets, 8 Grey Herons, 1 Red-throated Diver, 1 Rock Pipit, 6 Pied Wagtails, 125 Starlings, 2 Dunlin W, 15 Turnstone, 14 Oystercatchers, 25 Redshank, 3 Ringed Plovers, 1 Curlew, 1 Kingfisher, 170 Linnets, 7 Stonechats, 2 Corn Buntings, 1 Common Buzzard and 2 Kestrels.

Eider - Chris Tedder

Short-eared Owl - Chris Tedder

Thursday 18 October 2018

October 18th
It was a disappointing morning's ringing at Reculver although we saw 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Green Woodpecker, 21 Siskins W, 246 Starlings W, 3 Chiffchaffs, 3 Goldcrests, 2 Lesser Redpolls, 27 Lapwings W, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Jays, 1 Redwing, 1 Cetti's Warbler and 14 Goldfinches.

Birds ringed 5: Chiffchaff 2, Robin 1, Dunnock 1, Song Thrush 1.

After ringing Matt had a brief seawatch from Reculver and recorded 42 Dark-bellied Brent Geese W, 7 Common Scoter E, 5 Great Skuas, 1 Peregrine, 1 adult Mediterranean Gull, 14 Skylarks E, 1 Rock Pipit and 5 Gannets.
On a sunny and breezy afternoon we walked from Chamber's Wall and along the Green Wall to the seawall and Coldharbour. We saw 2 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Green Woodpecker, 4 Corn Buntings, 18 Blackbirds, 17 Redwings, 10 Song Thrushes, 2 Kestrels, 160 Starlings flying W, 1 Blackcap, 1 Marsh Harrier, 42 Dark-bellied Brent Geese W, 6 Oystercatchers, 5 Linnets, 2 Stonechats, 17 Mallard, 9 Turnstone, 1 Curlew, 3 Gannets, 1 Goldcrest and 1 Chiffchaff.

Wednesday 17 October 2018

October 17th
We spent a sunny morning ringing on the Marshes south of the railway where our highlight was catching a Redwing that seems to be good candidate for the Icelandic subspecies of Redwing, Turdus iliacus coburni. It was a large dark bird with a wing length of 128mm compared to the other Redwings we have caught so far this autumn which ranged from 116-123mm. It was paricularly dark on the crown and cheeks, had strong flank streaks and very large and dark centres to its undertail coverts.




Icelandic Redwing

Other birds we saw included 6 Long-tailed Tits, 20 Redwings, 1 Blackcap, 1 Grey Partridge, 10 Song Thrushes, 1 Barn Owl, 47 Siskins W, 83 Lapwings, 98 Golden Plover, 1 Brambling, 22 Chaffinches, 8 Mute Swans, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Yellowhammer, 21 Skylarks, 2 Stonechats, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Merlin, 1 Grey Heron, 570 Starling flying W, 1 Snipe and 9 Corn Buntings.

First winter female Stonechat

Female Corn Bunting


Birds ringed 32: Long-tailed- Tit 6, Chiffchaff 1, Blackcap 1, Reed Bunting 16, Stonechat 2, Dunnock 2, Corn Bunting 2, Redwing 1, Blackbird 1.

Derek Smith was out all day between 0830 and 1800 and walked from Shuart along the embankment and on to Coldharbour, Plumpudding, Netherhale and Brooksend. His day's totals included 1 Merlin, 1 Sparrowhawk, 30 Lapwings W, 88 Skylarks NW, 18 alba Wagtails W, 65 Redwings and 23 Fieldfares W early on, 2 Ring Ouzels, one at Netherhale and one at Chamber's Wall, 550 Starlings W, 6 Cetti's Warblers, 4 Blackcaps, 16 Chiffchaffs, 1 Yellow-browed Warbler in the sycamores by the Shuart crossing, 9 Brambling and 138 Chaffinches W, 82 Siskins W, 23 Goldcrests and 16 Corn Buntings.

Yellow-browed Warbler - Derek Smith

Tuesday 16 October 2018

October 16th
We spent the morning ringing at Shuart where it began misty but where the sun soon came out to produce a fantastic morning. We saw 4 Brambling flying W, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 19 Goldfinches, 3 Red-legged Partridges, 2 Grey Herons, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 5 Lapwings, 1 Kestrel, 45 Song Thrushes, 4 Blackcaps, 12 Redwings, 34 Reed Buntings, 6 Siskins W, 1 Snipe, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 9 Jays, 77 Stock Doves, 25 Chaffinches, 14 Skylarks, 6 Ring-necked Parakeets, 1 Golden Plover, 3 Common Buzzards, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Sparrowhawk and 10 Blackbirds.

Birds ringed 49: Wren 3, Chiffchaff 1, Robin 3, Cetti's Warbler 1, Blackcap 2, Reed Bunting 22, Chaffinch 2, Dunnock 1, Song Thrush 12, Blackbird 2.
 
This afternoon Matt walked from Bishopstone and along the cliff top to Reculver and counted 312 Chaffinches flying W, 4 Bramblings, 6 Rock Pipits, 2 Sandwich Terns, 60 Carrion Crows, 1 Common Tern, 32 Gannets flying E, 1 Kingfisher, 12 Redwing, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Jay and 6 Grey Partridges.
Chris Tedder had a brief walk at the Oyster Farm and Saw 1 Rock Pipit, 4 Stonechats, 15 Meadow Pipits, 3 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Red-throated Diver, 5 Gannets E, 11 Sandwich Terns W, 7 Grey Herons, 5 Little Egrets and 1 Peregrine. On her return walk she saw a small bird on the sea with a Black-headed Gull that turned out to be a Redwing. The gull moved closer and made a grab for the Redwing but it managed to escape losing its tail in the process and just about reached the rocks on shore.

 
Redwing and Black-headed Gull - Chris Tedder

Monday 15 October 2018

October 15th
On a muggy and mainly overcast morning we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and saw 1 Kestrel, 145 Linnets, 2 Rock Pipits, 14 Dark-bellied Brent Geese W, 19 Teal, 21 Gannets E, 16 Ringed Plovers, 1 male Common Scoter, 6 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Red-throated Diver, 1 Dunlin, 37 Turnstone, 26 Meadow Pipits, 5 Redshank, 5 Stonechats, 16 Cormorants, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Golden Plover, 30 Wigeon, 7 Corn Buntings, 26 Reed Buntings, 6 Oystercatchers, 1 Grey Partridge, 11 Mallard, 1 Curlew, 1 Grey Heron and 12 Goldfinches.
This morning Marc Heath had a Brambling in the trees at Reculver School.
Chris Tedder walked from Reculver to Coldharbour this afternoon and recorded 2 Rock Pipits, 1 Wheatear, 6 Stonechats, 22 Meadow Pipits, 5 Little Egrets, 3 Red-throated Divers, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 4 Teal W, 1 Wigeon W, 180 Oystercatchers, 5 Sandwich Terns, 1 adult Mediterranean Gull E, 64 Mallard, 1 Kingfisher, 29 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 4 Corn Buntings, 8 Reed Buntings and 2 Short-eared Owls.

Sunday 14 October 2018

October 14th
The mild weather continues but at least the wind has dropped. This morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to the Oyster Farm and saw 5 Chiffchaffs, 12 Song Thrushes, 1 Grey Partridge, 22 Chaffinches, 2 Bramblings, 19 Goldfinches, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 16 Linnets, 21 Corn Buntings, 1 Yellowhammer, 33 Reed Buntings, 2 Stonechats, 10 Oystercatchers, 2 Curlew, 1 Rock Pipit, 15 Meadow Pipits, 7 Redshank, 62 Mallard, 1 Lapwing, 14 Skylarks, 1 Wheatear, 2 Ringed Plovers, 1 Snipe, 1 Little Egret, 1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Teal, 2 Coot and 3 Swallows.
Terry Wilson was out at Grenham Bay and recorded 12 Redshank, 6 Curlew, 2 Turnstone, 56 Oystercatchers, 7 Little Egrets, 3 Pied Wagtails, 8 Gannets and 3 Sandwich Terns.
Chris Tedder had a walk along the seawall after work and recorded 8 Mute Swans, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Rock Pipit, 20 Gannets W, 3 Teal W, 3 Red-throated Divers, 1 Eider, 5 Dark-bellied Brent Geese W, 1 Curlew, 7 Fieldfare W, 3 Mallard, 1 Ringed Plover, 3 Oystercatchers, 5 Redshank, 4 Little Egrets, 3 Turnstone, 55 Linnets and 8 Meadow Pipits.

Rock Pipit - Chris Tedder

Saturday 13 October 2018

October 13th
It was yet another mild and blustery morning as we walked from Chamber's Wall to the Oyster Farm and recorded 4 Chiffchaffs, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 11 Skylarks, 3 Kestrels, 84 Mallard, 7 Sanderling, 8 Oystercatchers, 2 Coot, 48 Carrion Crows, 5 Stonechats, 11 Corn Buntings, 1 Snow Bunting, 16 Cormorants, 42 Reed Buntings, 2 Redshank, 1 Blackcap, 12 Goldfinches, 1 Brambling, 10 Chaffinches, 11 Siskins W, 6 Redwings, 12 Long-tailed Tits and 5 Song Thrushes. We also met Dave Smith who in addition to what we recorded saw 1 Fieldfare, 1 Dark-bellied Brent Goose and 2 Swallows.

Robin



Male Stonechat

Friday 12 October 2018

October 12th
On another blustery morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and on to the Oyster Farm and recorded 5 Redwings, 1 Yellow-browed Warbler, 11 Song Thrushes, 1 Green Woodpecker, 7 Chiffchaffs, 2 Blackcaps, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 11 Chaffinches, 1 Brambling, 27 Skylarks, 2 Corn Buntings, 30 Reed Buntings, 8 Mallard, 23 Linnets, 2 Stonechats, 2 Coot, 11 Oystercatchers, 1 Wheatear, 2 Kestrels, 3 Grey Herons and 1 Jay.
Dave Smith was also out this morning and walked from Reculver to Chamber's Wall and back via the railway embankment and Green Wall. Birds he saw included 1 Merlin, 1 Marsh Harrier, 5 Chiffchaffs, 2 Blackcaps, 2 Bramblings, 1 Wheatear and plenty of Song Thrushes and Redwings.
Chris Tedder had a walk from Shuart to Reculver via a very windy seawall during the late morning and afternoon. Amongst other birds she saw were 33 Chaffinches W, 22 Meadow Pipits, 8 Chiffchaffs, 1 Blackcap, 1 Jay, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Common Buzzard, 8 Skylarks, 2 Greenfinches, 1 Red-legged Partridge, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Redwings, 3 Lapwings, 3 Mute Swans, 5 Reed Buntings, 2 Corn Buntings, 2 Siskins W, 1 Brambling W, 220 Linnets, 7 Goldfinches, 4 Great Crested Grebes, 1 summer plumaged Red-throated Diver, 3 Wheatears, 1 Snow Bunting, 1 Grey Plover, 111 Oystercatchers, 11 Redshank, 15 Turnstone, 3 Ringed Plovers, 52 Mallard, 1 Kingfisher, 6 Little Egrets, 4 Grey Herons and 4 Kestrels. Amongst butterflies she saw was one Painted Lady and there were also 2 Common Seals offshore.

Wheatear - Chris Tedder

Thursday 11 October 2018

October 11th
It was still warm this morning but there was a blustery SE wind blowing as we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and the Oyster Farm. Birds we saw included 2 Chiffchaffs, 3 Bramblings, 14 Redwings, 8 Chaffinches, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 6 Grey Partridges, 1 Green Woodpecker, 6 Mallard, 20 Song Thrushes, 9 Stonechats, 8 Oystercatchers, 4 Coot, 38 Goldfinches, 7 Corn Buntings, 14 Skylarks, 25 Reed Buntings, 2 Wheatears, 15 Ringed Plovers, 3 Turnstone, 24 Linnets, 2 Redshank, 1 Rock Pipit, 1 Dunlin, 16 Cormorants, 1 Snipe, 1 Ring Ouzel, 16 Meadow Pipits, 1 Raven, 1 Siskin, 1 Blackcap and 2 Sparrowhawks.
Matt was also out on the Marsh at the same time as us but walked from Shuart to Plumpudding and on to Coldharbour and back via the railway embankment. He counted 23 Redwings, 49 Song Thrushes, 3 Goldcrests, 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Brambling,  2 Jays, 1 Hawfinch flying west over Shuart Farm at 0730, 1 Wigeon, 18 Mallard,  3 Teal, 12 Long-tailed Tits, 23 Skylarks, 1 Cettis Warbler, 77 Goldfinches W, 35 Chaffinches W, 12 Siskins W, 3 Rock Pipits W, 30 Linnets, 1 Stonechat, 1 Wheatear, 1 Little Egret, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Yellow browed Warbler on the railway embankment, 60 Starlings W, 2 Blackcaps and 2 Greenfinches.


Wheatear


Chris Tedder had a sit on the rocks at Bishopstone this afternoon and managed to see 8 Little Grebes offshore, 1 Arctic Skua E, 1 Great Skua E, 3 Gadwall, 8 Dark-bellied Brent Geese W, 12 Cormorants, 2 Stonechats and 1 Common Seal.

Little Grebes - Chris Tedder
 

Wednesday 10 October 2018

October 10th
We spent a warm and sunny morning ringing on the Marsh south of the railway and saw 14 Golden Plovers, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Chiffchaffs, 4 Bramblings, 18 Redwings, 13 Siskins, 65 Meadow Pipits, 35 Reed Buntings, 1 Kestrel, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Yellowhammers, 24 Chaffinches, 2 Mallard, 1 Jay, 1 Fieldfare, 10 Song Thrushes and 1 Corn Bunting.

Birds ringed 43: Chiffchaff 1, Wren 1, Reed Bunting 17, Linnet 1, Robin 2, Chaffinch 1, Cetti's Warbler 1, Meadow Pipit 12, Blue Tit 2, Brambling 2, Yellowhammer 1, Dunnock 1, Song Thrush 1.

First winter male Brambling
Derek Smith was out at Shuart this morning and walked along the embankment to Chamber's Wall recording 21 Skylarks W, 3 Jays, 1 Tree Sparrow E (184th), 3 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 18 Chiffchaffs, 1 Bullfinch W, 1 Redpoll SW, 48 Siskins W, 4 Brambling W and 6 Corn Buntings.

Eastern type Lesser Whitethroat - Derek Smith

After lunch Matt walked around Bishopstone Glen and the cliffs and then Reculver before meeting us at Chamber's Wall. Between us we saw 17 Chiffchaffs, 1 Blackcap, 9 Song Thrushes, 2 Rock Pipits, 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 1 Goldcrest, 2 Sandwich Terns, 13 Gannets, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 7 Siskins, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Corn Bunting, 4 Stonechats, 3 Coot, 5 Common Terns, 1 Red-throated Diver, 2 Ringed Plovers, 2 Sanderling, 7 Turnstone, 5 Oystercatchers, 1 Marsh Harrier and 5 Redshank.

Tuesday 9 October 2018

October 9th
We spent another sunny morning ringing at Reculver where we recorded 12 Chiffchaff, 1 Yellow-browed Warbler, 3 Blackcaps, 1 Little Owl, 1 Grey Wagtail W, 1 Kingfisher, 3 Green Sandpipers, 9 Song Thrushes, 3 Redwings, 3 Green Woodpeckers, 56 Siskins W, 3 Jays, 2 Mallard, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Grey Partridge, 7 alba Wagtails W, 1 Kestrel, 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 4 Mistle Thrushes, 4 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Sparrowhawks, 1 Goldcrest and 2 Lapwings.

Birds ringed 23: Chiffchaff 9, Blackcap 4, Blue Tit 1, Robin 3, Cetti's Warbler 1, Great Tit 1, Song Thrush 1, Blackbird 3.

Derek Smith spend another day on the Marsh walking from Shuart and along the embankment before visiting Netherhale and Brooksend. He counted 4 Common Buzzards, 1 Firecrest, 85 Lapwings W, 12 Redwings W, 27 Skylarks W, 37 Meadow Pipits W, 540 Chaffinches W, 2 Bramblings W, 146 Siskins W, 76 Goldfinches W, 4 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Yellow-browed Warbler in the sycamores by the Shuart crossing and 23 Reed Buntings W.

Yellow-browed Warbler - Derek Smith
During the late afternoon Chris Tedder had a Short-eared Owl hunting at the back of the Oyster Farm.

Short-eared Owl - Chris Tedder

Monday 8 October 2018

October 8th
We spent a sunny morning ringing at Shuart where we recorded 33 Bramblings, 2 Fieldfares, 9 Chiffchaffs, 1 Firecrest, 37 Redwings W, 2 Common Buzzards, 26 Song Thrushes, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 7 Grey Herons, 1 Jay, 1 Merlin, 126 Siskins W, 3 Blackcaps, 26 Skylarks, 4 Ring-necked Parakeets, 3 Sparrowhawks, 25 Goldfinches, 5 Mallard, 5 Crossbills W (183rd), 8 Lapwings W, 1 Corn Bunting, 30 Chaffinches, 2 Kestrels, 1 Yellowhammer, 25 Reed Buntings and 1 Peregrine.

Birds ringed 40: Firecrest 1, Chiffchaff 3, Blackcap 3, Cetti's Warbler 1, Goldfinch 1, Reed Bunting 18, Robin 1, Dunnock 3, Redwing 4, Song Thrush 3, Blackbird 2.

Female Firecrest

This afternoon Matt walked from Bishopstone to Coldharbour and Chamber's Wall where we met him. He saw 106 Chaffinches, 5 Chiffchaffs, 17 Siskins, 47 Skylarks, 2 Sparrowhawks, 4 Grey Partridges, 1 Redwing, 1 Common Buzzard, 45 Stock Doves, 1 Grey Heron, 9 Stonechats, 30 Meadow Pipits, 1 Marsh Harrier, 5 Song Thrushes, 1 Little Egret, 1 Kingfisher, 8 Rock Pipits, 16 Turnstone, 3 Coot and 4 Corn Bunting. As we left Chamber's Wall car park a Yellow-browed Warbler flew down the track and into a bush calling loudly.
Derek Smith was out all day between 0745 and 1700 and covered the whole of the eastern half of the Marshes from Chamber's Wall and Coldharbour in the west to Brooksend in the east. His final totals were 5 Common Buzzards, 1 Peregrine, 8 Kestrels, 2 Sparrowhawks, 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 145 Starlings W, 43 Song Thrushes W, 25 Redwings W, 2 Fieldfares W, 186 Woodpigeons W, 7 Pied Wagtails W + 25 in a ploughed field at Brooksend, 1 Grey Wagtail W, 73 Skylarks NW, 18 Meadow Pipits W, 5 Cetti's Warblers, 4 Blackcaps, 1 Willow Warbler, 25 Chiffchaffs, 2 Goldcrests, 2 Crossbills W, 11 Bramblings W, 226 Goldfinches W, 1,059 Siskins W 634 Chaffinches W and 4 Stonechats.

Sunday 7 October 2018

October 7th
With a fresh north wind blowing I arrived at Reculver at 0645 for a seawatch. I stayed for two hours but it was pretty slow. Birds seen, mainly flying W, included 114 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 14 Gannets, 21 Wigeon, 5 Sandwich Terns, 14 Teal, 4 Mediterranean Gulls, 3 Great Skuas, 4 Arctic Skuas, 3 Common Scoter and 1 Curlew.
Chris Tedder was out at Reculver and recorded 1 Short-eared Owl, 13 Fieldfares SSW, 14 Stonechats, 5 Grey Herons, 5 Little Egrets, 1 Grey Plover, 1 Curlew, 1 Whimbrel E calling, 1 Dunlin, 5 Ringed Plovers, 26 Redshank, 15 Oystercatchers, 8 Turnstone, 20 Meadow Pipits and 1 Marsh Harrier.

Male Stonechat - Chris Tedder

Dark-bellied Brent Geese - Chris Tedder

Derek Smith saw 13 Fieldfares, 65 Redwings and 4 Brambling.

Brambling - Derek Smith

Jim Bloor found a Yellow-browed Warbler (182nd) in Bishopstone Glen.

Saturday 6 October 2018

October 6th
Although the sun wasn't shining when we arrived at Chamber's Wall this morning it was quite bright. However as we walked up to Coldharbour a northerly breeze got up and started blowing in fog off the sea so the when we reached the lagoon we could hardly see the shingle bank. We struggled to see much but did manage 1 Redwing, 11 Chiffchaffs, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 7 Siskins, 1 Willow Warbler, 37 Mallard, 1 Curlew, 3 Linnets, 2 Grey Herons, 1 Wheatear, 7 Little Egrets and 14 Chaffinches.

Wheatear in the fog

Friday 5 October 2018

October 5th
On another sunny morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to the seawall and on to the Oyster Farm. Birds we saw included 3 Chiffchaffs, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Golden Plover, 1 Lapwing, 12 Corn Buntings, 1 Snipe, 21 Linnets, 42 Goldfinches, 29 Reed Buntings, 3 Sandwich Terns, 2 Kestrels, 28 Meadow Pipits, 3 Oystercatchers, 9 Little Egrets, 10 Turnstone, 35 Carrion Crows, 21 Mallard, 3 Stonechats, 1 Grey Heron and 25 Skylarks.

Common Seal
Chris Tedder had a walk from Shuart to Reculver and recorded 8 Red-legged Partridges, 3 Grey Partridges, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Redwing, 2 Common Buzzards, 8 Chiffchaffs, 7 Sandwich Terns, 44 Oystercatchers, 18 Turnstone, 12 Ringed Plovers, 1 Grey Plover, 1 Curlew, 24 Redshank, 25 Meadow Pipits, 10 Skyarks, 1 Corn Bunting and 11 Stonechats. She also found 1 Clouded Yellow and 3 Wall Browns.

Red-legged Partridges

Wall Brown

Thursday 4 October 2018

October 4th
It was a wonderful sunny morning with the sun shining brightly and no wind as we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and counted 1 Green Woodpecker, 8 Little Egrets, 1 Rock Pipit, 1 Redshank, 8 Ringed Plovers, 9 Turnstone, 15 Cormorants, 39 Goldfinches, 1 Grey Heron, 57 Oystercatchers, 3 Stonechats, 5 Corn Buntings, 1 Grey Partridge calling, 3 Common Terns, 66 Mallard, 18 Skylarks W, 2 Chiffchaffs, 12 Linnets, 1 Swallows W, 18 Reed Buntings, 32 Meadow Pipits and 1 Sparrowhawk.

Cormorant
Derek Smith walked from Shuart to the embankment and on to Chambers Wall, the Wantsum and Plumpudding between 0800 and 1300. He had a trickle of birds flying over and saw 2 Gannets E, 3 Common Buzzards, 2 Sparrowhawks, 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 2 Redwings S, 14 Song Thrushes, 1 Barn Owl roosting in hawthorns by the White Poplars being mobbed, 55 Skylarks NW, 6 alba Wagtails W,  3 Grey Wagtails W, 150 Starlings W, 23 Meadow Pipits W, 1 Rock Pipit, 5 Cetti's Warblers, 3 Blackcaps, 65 Chiffchaffs, 84 Siskins W, 35 Goldfinches W, 20 Chaffinches W, 1 Brambling W, 4 Stonechats, 20 Reed Buntings W and 5 Corn Buntings E.

Barn Owl - Derek Smith

Wednesday 3 October 2018

October 3rd
We spent the morning ringing at Shuart where we saw 3 Chiffchaffs, 10 Blackcaps, 3 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Goldcrest, 14 Siskins W, 5 Ring-necked Parakeets, 11 Skylarks, 6 Corn Buntings, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Jays and 1 Firecrest.

Birds ringed 21: Chiffchaff 2, Goldcrest 1, Wren 1, Blackcap 8, Great Tit 5, Blue Tit 1, Dunnock 2, Song Thrush 1.

Derek Smith was out for a couple of hours before work this morning and walked from Shuart along the embankment. He counted 4 Kestrels, 26 Meadow Pipits W, 1 Grey Wagtail W, 28 Skylarks NW, 4 Stonechats, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 3 Blackcaps, 14 Chiffchaffs, 1 Brambling W, 62 Siskins W and 8 Reed Buntings W.
This afternoon Matt walked from Bishopstone to Chamber's Wall and we walked from Chamber's Wall to the Wantsum outflow. Between us we saw 1 adult Peregrine, 6 Corn Buntings, 3 Grey Partridges, 31 Linnets, 4 Chiffchaffs, 4 Common Buzzards, 63 Stock Doves, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Long-tailed Tits, 40 Goldfinches, 7 Mallard, 143 Meadow Pipits, 9 Tunrstone, 3 Oystercatchers, 1 Snow Bunting, 1 Rock Pipit, 1 Redshank, 1 Little Egret, 1 summer plumaged Red-throated Diver and 2 Marsh Harriers.

Tuesday 2 October 2018

October 2nd
On a cloudy morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and back along the Green Wall. We saw 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Kestrels, 9 Chiffchaffs, 3 Golden Plovers, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Grey Herons, 32 Mallard, 4 Snipe, 13 Linnets, 7 Stonechats, 1 Rock Pipit, 2 Snow Buntings, 14 Skylarks, 36 Goldfinches, 25 Linnets, 25 Meadow Pipits, 10 Turnstone, 1 first winter Yellow-legged Gull, 3 Dark-bellied Brent Geese W, 2 Swallows W, 1 Green Woodpecker and 1 Siskin W.

First winter Yellow-legged Gull
This afternoon Chris Tedder walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and saw 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Stonechats, 10 Corn Buntings, 150 Oystercatchers, 5 Turnstone, 10 Ringed Plovers, 2 Sanderling, 2 Dunlin, 25 Redshank, 1 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 1 Great Skua, 25 Meadow Pipits, 3 Little Egrets, 2 Snow Buntings and 1 juvenile Peregrine.

Juvenile Peregrine - Chris Tedder

Julie Childs was also out and found a Merlin on the fields by the Oyster Farm as well as at least 8 Stonechats, 1 Grey Plover, 2 Ringed Plover and 2 Turnstone.

Monday 1 October 2018

October 1st
On a cool and breezy morning we arrived at our Reculver ringing site to find that most of the Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps had moved out overnight and that it was very quiet. Birds we saw included 2 Sparrowhawks, 1 Kestrel, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Grey Wagtail, 66 Stock Doves, 1 GreenWoodpecker, 2 Goldcrests, 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Grey Heron and 2 Green Sandpipers.

Birds ringed 7: Goldcrest 2, Chiffchaff 2, Wren 1, Robin 1, Blue Tit 1.

A brief look at the sea on the way home produced 40 Gannets, 11 Sandwich Terns, 6 Common Scoter and 1 Dark-bellied Brent Goose.
Chris Tedder paid a visit to Reculver after work and walked to Coldharbour. Amongst other birds she saw 2 Common Buzzards, 7 Redshank, 25 Ringed Plovers, 25 Sanderling, 5 Oystercatchers, 10 Turnstone, 1 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 2 immature Gannets W, 8 Common Gulls W, 7 Little Egrets, 4 Mute Swans, 27 Mallard, 1 Little Grebe, 2 Stonechats, 16 Meadow Pipits, 2 Rock Pipits, 1 Snow Bunting and 1 Little Owl.

Common Buzzard - Chris Tedder

Snow Bunting - Chris Tedder