September 25th

On a showery day Matt walked from Shuart, along the embankment and back via Plumpudding and discovered there was a large arrival of Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs as well as a good westerly movement of hirundines. He counted 2 Firecrests, 1 Goldcrest, 64 Chiffchaffs, 5 "continental" Song Thrushes, 53 Blackcaps, 1 Kingfisher, 1,485 Swallows W, 2,230 House Martins W, 4 Lesser Whitethroats including a Siberian type bird, 2 Whitethroats, 34 Skylarks, 4 Grey Herons, 4 Reed Warblers, 4 Coot, 10 Mallard, 2 Marsh Harriers, 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Tree Pipit, 3 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Stonechats, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Wheatear, 1 Sand Martin, 1 Snipe, 4 Kestrels and 10 Long-tailed Tits.

During the day, Anne and I visited Reculver twice and recorded 32 Chiffchaffs, 12 Blue Tits, 1 Grey Heron, 4 Little Egrets, 10 Robins, 210 Swallows W, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 6 Tufted Duck, 1 Reed Warbler, 11 Teal, 8 Little Grebes, 52 Mallard, 30 Gadwall, 150 House Martins W, 52 Coot, 2 Shoveler, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Marsh Harrier and 17 Blackcaps.