March 31st

The month ended sunny with a chilly NE wind blowing as Matt completed his regular walk from Reculver to Plumpudding. We walked as far as Coldharbour and between us recorded 1 Curlew, 2 Marsh Hariers, 3 Little Egrets, 1 Stonechat, 3 Shelduck, 2 Rock Pipits, 6 Mediterranean Gulls, 175 Linnets, 31 Turnstone, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 4 Bearded Tits, 4 Snipe, 2 Canada Geese, 2 Chiffchaffs, 6 Lapwings, 4 Tufted Duck, 1 Swallow, 20 Oystercatchers, 2 Greylag Geese and 16 Magpies. 

This evening I received details of the control of a first year Chiffchafff we ringed at Shuart on 24th September 2024. It was controlled on 23rd March 2025 near Warminster, Wiltshire which is 238 km W  of Shuart. 

 March 30th

On a bright and breezy morning we walked at Reculver and recorded 1 Common Buzzard, 11 Blackbirds, 27 Goldfinches, 8 Chiffchaffs, 10 Chaffinches, 6 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Redshank, 7 Teal, 18 Mallard, 16 Gadwall, 12 Tufted Duck, 16 Coot, 4 Little Grebes, 12 Linnets, 2 Blackcaps singing, 2 Greylag Geese, 2 Great Crested Grebes,  2 Mute Swans, 2 Sand Martins and 1 Dark-bellied Brent Geese.

Stock Dove

 March 29th

It was sunny again today but it felt a bit fresher with at chilly NW wind blowing. We walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and back and counted 14 Skylarks singing, 3 Kestrels, 7 Cetti's Warblers, 8 Chaffinches, 1 Chiffchaff, 11 Linnets, 2 Sand Martins, 4 Mallard, 17 Mute Swans, 1 Swallow W, 12 Turnstone, 1 Little Egret, 4 Redshank, 1 Bearded Tit, 2 Oystercatchers, 13 Dark-bellied Geese, 1 female Marsh Harrier, 3 Reed Buntings, 2 Fieldfares W and 4 Goldfinches. We also had a Raven fly over at Brook as we drove home.

Redshank

 Matt walked from Reculver to Plumpudding and back along the embankment. He saw 7 Chiffchaffs, 13 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 White Wagtail, 1 Rock Pipit, 1 Sparrowhawk, 4 Shelduck, 7 Lapwings, 4 Tufted Duck, 8 Coot, 1 Golden Plover, 2 Fieldfares, 1 Swallow W, 2 Teal, 1 Little Egret and 3 Sand Martins.

At 1120 Dave Smith had 3 Red Kites flying W over his garden at Hillborough.

 March 28th

There was a fresh west wind blowing this morning as we walked out onto the Marsh and then had a half hour look at the sea. We saw 5 Cetti's Warblers, 4 Chiffchaffs, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 105 Linnets, 6 Goldfinches, 8 Chaffinches, 12 Tufted Ducks, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 16 Mallard, 14 Gadwall, 5 Little Grebes, 16 Coot, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Greylag Goose, 1 Blackcap, 1 Little Ringed Plover (138th), 2 Sand Martins, 1 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Fulmar W, 1 adult Mediterranean Gull W and 110 Herring Gulls W in 30 minutes.

Matt was also out this morning and completed his regular walk from Reculver to Plumpudding and back along the embankment. He counted 14 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 3 Canada Geese, 2 Common Buzzards, 9 alba Wagtails W, 2 Stonechats, 6 Shelduck, 130 Linnets, 9 Chiffchaffs, 4 Little Egrets, 2 Marsh Harriers, 2 Bearded Tits, 2 Grey Herons, 2 Snipe, 2 Willow Warblers, 6 Lapwings, 2 Teal, 2 Sparrowhawks, 1 Goldcrest, 4 Shoveler, 46 Turnstone, 2 Wheatears, 1 Swallow W (139th) and 1 Black Redstart.

Wheatears - Matt Hindle

 

Willow Warbler - Matt Hindle

 March 27th 

It was yet another beautiful morning as Matt walked from Reculver to Plumudding and back along the embankment to Coldharbour where we met him to walk back to Reculver. Birds seen included 3 Grey Herons, 20 Chiffchaffs, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Stonechats, 13 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Little Egrets, 100 Linnets, 30 Mute Swans, 1 Firecrest, 2 Rock Pipits, 5 Snipe, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Shelduck, 8 Lapwings, 1 Golden Plover, 1 Greenfinch, 4 Teal, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Fieldfare, 1 Redpoll W (136th), 1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Kestrels, 1 Bearded Tit, 6 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Curlew, 1 male Wheatear (137th), 2 Sand Martins and 1 Sedge Warbler.

Firecrest - Matt Hindle

 March 26th

On another lovely sunny morning we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and back. We counted 1 Greylag Goose. 2 Little Egrets, 1 Shelduck, 1 female Marsh Harrier,  2 Oystercatchers, 8 Linnets, 57 Turnstone, 2 Stonechats, 3 Gadwall, 3 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Mallard, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 3 Great Black-backed Gulls, 8 Skylarks, 29 Mute Swans, 14 Sanderling, 3 Dunlin, 74 Dark-bellied Brent Geese and 2 Sandwich Terns flying E (135th).

Sanderling

Dave Smith was out at 0530 this morning and covered the Minnis Bay and Plumpudding areas. His highlights were 10 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 17 Mute Swans, 2 Shelduck, 5 Oystercatchers, 7 Lapwings, 4 Redshank, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 2 Little Grebes, 7 Great Crested Grebes. 1 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Common Buzzard, 7 Chiffchaffs, 1 Blackcap, 1 Firecrest, 6 Redwings and 6 Corn Buntings.

This afternoon we had a walk at Reculver and counted 3 Chiffchaffs, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Redwing, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 9 Mallard, 18 Gadwall, 12 Tufted Duck, 2 Redshank, 4 Greylag Geese, 10 Teal, 12 Coot, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Mute Swan, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Shelduck and 2 Little Grebes.

 March 25th

It was a glorious early spring morning as Anne and I walked from Reculver to the Wantsum outflow before having another short walk at Bishopstone on the way home. We saw 3 Chiffchaffs, 9 Linnets, 175 Black-headed Gulls mainly flying W, 5 Cetti's Warblers, 9 Fieldfare W, 12 Goldfinches W, 9 Meadow Pipits, 1 Corn Bunting, 22 Turnstone, 2 Skylarks, 152 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 27 Mute Swans, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Greylag Geese, 5 Shelduck, 4 Mallard, 2 Stonechats, 2 Oystercatchers, 4 Bearded Tits, 3 Great Black-backed Gulls, 8 Sand Martins and 1 adult summer plumaged Mediterranean Gull W.

Meadow Pipit on the seawall

 Matt covered the whole area this morning and walked from Netherhale along the coast to Bishopstone and back inland. He counted 58 Redwings, 5 Green Woodpeckers, 24 Chiffchaffs, 3 Goldcrests, 6 Long-tailed Tits, 9 Canada Geese, 14 Greylag Geese, 6 Barnacle Geese, 3 Kestrels, 1 Fieldfare, 15 Curlew, 20 Sanderling, 2 Stonechats, 3 Snipe, 50 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 49 Turnstone, 4 Marsh Harriers, 8 adult Mediterranean Gulls, 2 Little Egrets, 6 Great Crested Grebes, 3 Gannets, 6 Shelduck, 2 Firecrests at Coldharbour, 31 Magpies on the seawall, 1 Shoveler, 1 Kingfisher, 5 Common Scoter, 8 Sand Martins, 54 Corn Buntings, 1 female Bullfinch (133rd), 1 singing Blackcap, 15 Gadwall, 18 Tufted Duck, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Little Grebes, 12 Coot, 1 singing Willow Warbler (134th), 40 Chaffinches, 12 Common Buzzards, 1 Sparrowhawk and 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers. He also saw two Brimstone butterflies.

 March 24th

On a drab morning with a fresh and chilly north wind blowing Matt completed his regular walk to Plumpudding and we met him at Coldharbour. We saw 20 Chiffchaffs, 3 Goldcrests, 181 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 adult male Black Redstart, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Stonechat, 5 Redwings, 29 Turnstone, 6 Grey Plovers, 7 Little Egrets, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Snipe, 15 Curlew, 60 Sanderling, 2 Purple Sandpipers, 1 female Blackcap, 2 Shelduck, 2 Teal, 1 Fieldfare, 10 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 25 Mute Swans, 2 Gannets E and 1 Sedge Warbler.

Adult male Black Redstart at Reculver - Matt Hindle

 

Turnstone feeding on whelk egg cases

 March 23rd

On a morning that began damp and misty we walked along the seawall to the Green Wall where we met Matt who had walked to Plumpudding and back along the embankment. We saw 7 Chiffchaffs, 79 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Shelduck, 4 Rock Pipits, 1 Little Owl, 6 Corn Buntings, 4 Stonechats, 7 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Greylag Goose and 1 Sedge Warbler  that sang briefly and was the earliest record for the Marsh, five days earlier than one in 1989 (132nd). Other birds seen included 24 Sanderling, 1 Canada Goose, 3 Little Egrets, 2 Snipe, 9 Redshank, 2 Dunlin, 9 Curlew, 1 Common Buzzard, 10 Lapwings, 2 Goldcrests and 1 Black Redstart at Reculver.

Black Redstart - Matt Hindle

 

 March 22nd

Matt was out early and walked from Reculver along the seawall to Plumpudding and back inland whilst we were out later and walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and back. Matt's final totals were 8 Goldcrests, 1 Black Redstart, 10 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Little Owl, 2 Stonechats, 18 Chiffchaffs, 2 Water Rails, 4 Greylag Geese, 3 Little Egrets, 1 Marsh Harrier, 18 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2  Tufted Duck, 1 Shelduck, 7 Curlew, 4 Snipe, 1 Spoonbill flying E at Plumpudding at 0710 (131st), 2 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Mediterranean Gulls, 4 Dunlin, 7 Redwing, 14 Lapwings, 21 Song Thrushes, 2 Fieldfares, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Green Sandpipers, 2 Grey Partridges, 5 Corn Buntings, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 18 Gadwall, 2 Sand Martins, 3 Rock Pipits and 14 Turnstone.

Adult Spoonbill - Matt Hindle

 

Snipe - Matt Hindle

Chiffchaff - Matt Hindle

 March 21st

With limited time this morning I walked at Reculver where I saw 15 Goldfinches, 300 Woodpigeons, 1 Green Woodpecker, 5 Chiffchaffs, 12 Mallard, 12 Chaffinches, 6 Cetti's Warblers, 16 Gadwall, 12 Tufted Duck, 1 Redshank, 1 Green Sandpiper, 10 Mute Swans, 14 Coot, 4 Teal, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Little Grebes, 8 Pied Wagtails, 2 Kestrels, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 41 Dark-bellied Brent Geese and an immature Black Redstart in the carpark (127th). 

Immature Black Redstart

Matt walked along the seawall from Reculver to Plumpudding and returned along the embankment. He saw 10 Chiffchaffs, 2 Rock Pipits, 3 Curlew, 3 Red-throated Divers, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Goldcrest, 51 Woodpigeons N, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Peregrine, 3 Little Egrets, 7 Redshank, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 2 Grey Wagtails E, 60 Linnets, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 47 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Snipe, 2 Redwings, 2 Grey Herons, 12 Lapwings, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 immature male Black Redstart, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Tree Pipit  flying E along the embankment which is the earliest spring record at Reculver (128th), 1 Bearded Tit (129th) and 1 Sand Martin (130th).

March 20th

On another fantastic spring morning, Matt was out at daybreak and walked from Reculver to Plumpudding and back along the embankment to Coldharbour where we met him. He counted 27 Chiffchaffs, 25 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Little Owl, 2 Mediterranean Gulls, 30 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Greylag Geese, 100 Black-headed Gulls, 2 Shoveler, 1 Grey Partridge, 2 Shelduck, 11 Great Crested Grebes, 8 Corn Buntings, 4 Little Egrets, 3 Red-breasted Mergansers, 2 males and 1 female (124th), 12 Redshank, 1 Short-eared Owl (125th), 2 Red-throated Divers, 3 Rock Pipits, 3 Teal, 11 Coot, 3 Grey Herons, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Common Buzzards, 14 Lapwings, 1 Snipe, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Golden Plover, 1 Merlin, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Ruff flying E (126th), 2 Stonechats, 1 Curlew and 1 Firecrest at the car park.

Sunrise at Reculver - Matt Hindle

 

 March 19th

On a beautiful, early spring morning we walked from Reculver to the Wantsum ouflow with the tide going out. Birds we saw included 5 Great Crested Grebes, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 21 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 23 Linnets, 1 Little Owl (122nd), 15 Redshank, 6 Mallard, 2 Stonechats, 1 Sparrowhawk, 12 Corn Buntings, 24 Oystercatchers, 2 Ringed Plovers, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit (123rd), 1 Curlew, 12 Dunlin, 1 Water Rail, 2 Little Egrets and 1 Chiffchaff.

This afternoon we walked inland at a sunny Reculver and saw 85 Chaffinches, 1 Common Buzzard, 10 Goldfinches, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 14 Tufted Duck, 19 Gadwall, 6 Mallard, 1 Chiffchaff, 24 Teal, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 3 Greylag Geese, 2 Shelduck, 18 Coot, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 1 female Brambling and 3 Yellowhammers.

Little Owl

 March 18th

It was bright and breezy this morning as we walked at Reculver and recorded 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 18 Mallard, 4 Greylag Geese, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 12 Tufted Duck, 3 Shelduck, 16 Gadwall, 6 Teal, 2 Little Grebes, 1 Green Sandpiper, 7 Mute Swans, 1 Grey Wagtail, 3 Chiffchaffs, 2 Grey Herons, 1 Redshank, 1 Green Woodpecker, 10 Coot, 1 Kestrel, 2 Pied Wagtails and 1 Little Egret.

 March 17th

On another chilly and breezy morning Matt walked from Reculver to Plumudding before walking back along the  embankment to Chamber's Wall where we met him and then walked back along the seawall to Reculver. His morning's totals were 4 Marsh Harriers, 1 Little Egret, 375 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 7 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Ravens, 1 Chiffchaff, 11 Lapwings, 7 Coot, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Kingfisher, 3 Greylag Geese, 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls flying E, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 4 Stonechats, 1 Curlew and 1 Snipe.

 March 16th

It was a sunny morning but the cold north-easterly wind was still blowing as we walked at Reculver and then at Shuart this morning. At Reculver we recorded 10 Goldfinches, 16 Chaffinches, 5 Cetti's Warblers, 17 Mallard, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Raven, 2 Mute Swans, 3 Great Crested Grebes, 4 Shelduck, 25 Gadwall, 1 Redshank, 2 Greylag Geese, 1 Green Sandpiper, 6 Teal, 4 Little Grebes, 13 Tufted Duck, 10 Coot, 2 Chiffchaffs, 2 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Sparrowhawk, 6 Moorhens, 1 Pied Wagtail, 3 Dark-bellied Brent Geese and 12 adult Common Gulls on the sea. 

At Shuart we saw 4 Ring-necked Parakeets, 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 singing Firecrest, 2 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Jay, 10 Goldfinches, 1 Grey Heron, 5 Mallard and 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Goldfinch feeding on alder

 Derek Smith was also out this morning and covered most of the eastern half of the recording area between 0800 and 1130. His highlights included 5 Grey Herons, 1 Little Egret, 2 Little Grebes, 120 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 6 Barnacle Geese, 2 Shelduck, 27 Tufted Duck, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Marsh Harrier, 6 Lapwings, 46 Oystercatchers, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 7 Cetti's Warblers, 4 Chiffchaffs and 2 Firecrests.

This afternoon at Netherhale we counted 320 Stock Doves feeding on a newly planted field of cereal.

March 15th

With a fresh and cold, north-easterly wind blowing we spent a short time at Reculver before walking inland. We saw 18 Red-throated Divers, 3 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 large auk, 4 Gannets, 4 Great Crested Grebes, 30 Chaffinches,1 Jay, 20 Goldfinches, 11 Mallard, 4 Shelduck, 29 Gadwall, 3 Teal, 12 Tufted Duck, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 male White Wagtail, 15 Coot, 2 Little Grebes, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Green Sandpipers, 1 Redshank, 2 Mute Swans, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers and 6 Moorhens.

We then drove down to Netherhale where we saw 20 Tufted Ducks, 1 Barnacle Goose, 10 Greylag Geese, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Little Egret, 5 Ring-necked Parakeets, 2 Red-legged Partridges, 1 Merlin, 4 Mistle Thrushes and 2 Green Woodpeckers.

Male Ring-necked Parakeet

March 14th

On another cold morning there was not a great deal to see as we walked along the seawall from Reculver to the Wantsum outflow. We counted 13 Magpies, 1 Redshank, 10 Linnets, 1 Stonechat, 3 Meadow Pipits, 2 Great Black-backed Gulls, 2 Ringed Plovers, 250 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Skylark, 3 Oystercatchers, 1 Turnstone and 2 Cetti's Warblers. On our way home we also saw a Red Kite flying over the fields by Hillborough church. 

Matt was also out this morning and walked from Netherhale to Brooksend and Plumpudding. He counted 3 Firecrests, 2 Little Egrets, 4 Grey Herons, 2 Mediterranean Gulls, 2 Redwings, 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 38 Tufted Duck, 23 Greylag Geese, 6 Barnacle Geese, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 22 Coot, 2 Little Grebes, 3 Corn Buntings, 150 Starlings, 1 Water Rail, 7 Lapwings, 1 Snipe, 2 Shelduck, 60 Golden Plover and 1 Chiffchaff.

 March 13th

This morning there was a chilly northerly breeze blowing with occasional sunny periods as we walked at Netherhale and Shuart. We counted 2 Kestrels, 44 Corn Buntings, 8 Ring-necked Parakeets, 1 Little Egret, 60 Chaffinches. 20 Goldfinches, 2 male White Wagtails feeding in a recently ploughed field, 1 Jay, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Chiffchaffs, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 1 singing Greenfinch (121st), 2 Common Buzzard and 9 Greylag Geese.

Matt was out at the same time but walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and back along the embankment. He saw 2 Siskins, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Grey Herom, 5 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 17 Gadwall, 15 Tufted Duck, 19 Mallard, 5 Shelduck, 4 Greylag Geese, 1 Avocet, 25 Teal, 1 Wigeon, 16 Coot, 2 Little Grebes, 2 Redshank, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Marsh Harrier, 3 Common Buzzards, 1 Kingfiaher, 62 Corn Buntings, 1 Gannet, 2 Stonechats, 1 Snow Bunting, 350 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Canada Geese, 1 Little Egret, 5 Red-throated Divers, 4 Fieldfares, 1 Golden Plover, 40 Linnets, 2 Sparrowhawks, 1 Raven and 1 Firecrest.

March 12th

This morning we walked along the seawall at Reculver and then inland. Birds we saw included 5 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Green Woodpecker, 6 Linnets, 17 Mallard, 1 Curlew, 120 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 3 Pied Wagtails, 40 Chaffinches, 5 Shelduck, 2 Greylag Geese, 16 Coot, 23 Gadwall, 4 Teal, 16 Tufted Duck, 2 Kestrels, 4 Little Grebes, 1 Corn Bunting singing, 2 Redshank, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Snipe, 1 Water Rail, 2 Grey Herons, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Mute Swans and 10 Goldfinches.

 March 11th

With a fresh NE wind blowing this morning Matt and I spent 90 minutes seawatching at the Towers. We did not see very much but with nearly everything flying E we counted 162 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 9 Red-throated Divers, 99 Black-headed Gulls, 2 Fulmars, 28 Common Gulls, 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 1 Gannet and 1 female Common Scoter.

We stopped our seawatch at 0815 and then had a walk at Netherhale where we recorded 19 Corn Buntings, 60 Chaffinches, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Green Woodpecker, 21 Tufted Duck, 6 Gadwall, 1 Goldcrest, 2 Chiffchaffs, 5 Ring-necked Parakeets, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Mistle Thrushes, 1 male Marsh Harrier, 160 Linnets, 1 Sparrowhawk and 14 Greylag Geese.

 March 10th

This morning Matt walked from Reculver along the embankment to Plumpudding and then back along the seawall where we met him. We saw 6 Shelduck, 1 Grey Wagtail, 200 Black-headed Gulls W, 17 Curlew, 701 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 14 Great Crested Grebes, 14 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Stonechat, 2 Little Egrets, 200 Sanderling, 20 Dunlin, 11 Grey Plovers, 4 Chiffchaffs, 17 Redshank, 120 Oystercatchers, 1 Siskin W, 1 Golden Plover, 11 Lapwings, 4 Teal, 6 Gadwall, 2 Tufted Duck, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Mediterranean Gulls, 1 Red-throated Diver E, 1 Water Rail, 2 large auks E, 1 male Snow Bunting, 26 Linnets and 1 Goldcrest.

I received information this afternoon about a first year male Blackcap we ringed at Reculver on 27th August 2023. It had been controlled at Bois-de-Lessines, Hainault, Belgium on 13th April 2024. This is 203 km ESE of Reculver.

 March 9th

A Long-eared Owl was calling again at Bishopstone at 0440.

It was another mild and sunny morning as we walked inland at Reculver and then out on to the Marsh. We counted 12 Mallard, 1 Green Woodpecker, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Grey Heron, 18 Coot, 10 Tufted Duck, 2 Green Sandpipers, 1 Grey Wagtail, 12 Gadwall, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Teal, 2 Little Grebes, 2 Redwing, 2 Greylag Geese, 1 Little Egret, 1 Skylark, 14 Mute Swans, 27 Chaffinches and 1 Jay.

March 8th

On another beautiful morning, unsurprisingly, the seawall became very busy as we walked up to the Wantsum outflow and back. We managed to see 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Pied Wagtails, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Shelduck, 7 Gannets flying E, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 10 Linnets, 2 Mallard, 4 Redshank, 1 Little Egret, 9 Mute Swans, 3 Oystercatchers, 4 Meadow Pipits, 2 Turnstone, 260 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 3 Skylarks, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 male Snow Bunting, 3 Ringed Plovers and a pair of Stonechats.

Male Snow Bunting

 

Whilst we were at Reculver, Matt walked from Netherhale to Shuart and back by way of Plumpudding and Brooksend. He counted 42 Corn Buntings, 21 Lapwings, 6 Barnacle Geese, 1 Little Egret, 1 Marsh Harrier, 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 6 Siskins W, 2 Firecrests, 4 Chiffchaffs, 3 Goldcrests, 2 Common Buzzards, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 6 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 5 Gannets E, 1 Redwing, 22 Greylag Geese, 31 Tufted Duck, 17 Coot, 2 Egyptian Geese, 2 Kestrels, 1 Brambling and 2 Mediterranean Gulls.

At 2100 Marc Heath heard an Avocet (120th) flying over at Reculver. 

March 7th

After spending yesterday at Dungeness we returned to a sunny and mild Reculver this morning and walked along the seawall to Coldharbour. Birds we saw included 11 Mute Swans, 6 Cetti's Warblers, 6 Redshank, 2 Little Egrets, 4 Mallard, 6 Meadow Pipits, 1 male White Wagtail on the seawall, 6 Meadow Pipits, 1 male Snow Bunting, 10 Linnets, 1 male Marsh Harrier, 4 Great Crested Grebes, 8 Oystercatchers, 2 singing Chiffchaffs, 1 Great White Egret flying in off the sea at Coldharbour before landing in a dyke, 2 Ringed Plovers, 1 Shelduck and 166 Dark-bellied Brent Geese.

Matt was also out this morning and walked inland from Reculver to Coldharbour and then back. He counted 2 Grey Wagtails, 1 Green Sandpiper, 4 Redshank, 22 Gadwall, 17 Tufted Duck, 3 Little Grebes, 4 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Teal, 1 Rock Pipit, 2 Grey Herons, 22 Coot, 50 Linnets, 250 Chaffinches, 60 Stock Doves, 1 Common Buzzard, 11 Yellowhammers, 2 Kestrels, 3 Siskins, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Chiffchaff, 157 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Stonechats, 1 Mediterranean Gull and 70 Corn Buntings.

March 6th

Derek Smith was out between 1200 and 1330 and walked from Shuart to the railway embankment and saw 5 Greylag Geese, 1 Mash Harrier, 1 Lapwing, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 3 Cetti's Warblers and 5 Chiffchaffs.

March 5th

On a superb late winter morning we walked out onto the Marsh from Reculver. We counted 49 Mallard, 1 Chiffchaff, 68 Chaffinches, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 4 Grey Herons, 14 Tufted Duck, 12 Gadwall, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 5 Cetti's Warblers, 6 Little Grebes, 2 Redshank, 1 Green Sandpiper, 16 Coot, 2 Water Rails calling, 6 Mute Swans, 2 Teal, 2 Grey Partridges, 1 Common Buzzard, 82 Linnets, 90 Corn Buntings, 1 Skylark, 1 Reed Bunting and 1 Kestrel.

A pair of Great Crested Grebes

March 4th

At last the fog had cleared away and after a heavy overnight frost this morning dawned sunny and increasingly less cold. On our walk to Coldharbour with the tide a long way out we counted 880 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Chiffchaff calling at Reculver, 4 Meadow Pipits,  50 Linnets, 5 Mallard, 2 Reed Buntings singing, 28 Oystercatchers, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 9 Ringed Plovers, 9 Redshank, 1 Golden Plover, 7 Wigeon, 1 male Snow Bunting and 1 Grey Heron.

Male Snow Bunting posing in the sunshine

This evening at 2235 we heard a Long-eared Owl calling frequently from our back garden at Bishopstone.

March 3rd

It was another cold and very foggy morning as we walked along the seawall at Reculver. We could not see a great deal but did manage to get close views of the male Snow Bunting and a Grey Seal that had hauled itself out below the Towers. Other birds recorded include 2 Pied Wagtails, 2 Redshank, 8 Oystercatchers, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 26 Linnets, 1 Corn Bunting singing, 2 Ringed Plovers, 120 Dark-bellied Brent Geese and 1 Grey Heron.

 

Male Snow Bunting

Young Grey Seal

A foggy Towers

Matt was also out in the fog and walked from Shuart to Plumpudding and back via Brooksend. His highlights were 2 Siskins flying W (119th), 1 Firecrest and 5 Cetti's Warblers.

March 2nd

It was foggy and cold this morning as we walked at Reculver having to to use our ears more than our eyes. We recorded 20 Chaffinches, 24 Mallard, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Redshank, 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Pied Wagtails, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Water Rail, 6 Teal, 1 Grey Heron, 16 Gadwall, 10 Tufted Duck and 8 Coots.

March 1st

The month began misty and cold at Bishopstone but as we drove down onto the Marsh the sun was  shining brightly. We counted 2 Little Egrets, 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Grey Herons, 60 Chaffinches, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 6 Teal, 150 Linnets, 16 Mallard, 2 Reed Buntings, 1 Kestrel, 4 Tufted Duck, 18 Gadwall, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 12 Coot, 1 Redshank, 4 Little Grebes and 1 Little Egret.

Grey Herons

Reculver Marshes - Anne Hindle

Matt was also out this morning and walked from Shuart to the embankment and on to the Green Wall and returned by way of Plumpudding. He recorded 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 14 Mallard,  1 Grey Herom, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Goldcrest, 6 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Merlin, 7 Cetti's Warblers, 40 Lapwings, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Marsh Harriers, 9 Coot, 8 Gadwall, 2 Stonechats, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 3 Shelduck, 2 Little Egrets, 1,000 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Rock Pipit, 2 Snipe and 1 Firecrest.