May 31st

A very dry May ended warm and sunny as I completed my morning walk at Reculver. I counted 2 Chiffchaffs, 4 Blackcaps, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 12 Reed Warblers, 3 Whitethroats, 24 Sand Martins, 18 Tufted Duck, 22 Mallard, 2 Gadwall, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 4 Little Grebes, 4 Grey Herons, 1 Pied Wagtail, 3 Shelduck, 7 Mute Swans, 10 Coot, 9 Greylag Geese, 2 Grey Partridges and 1 Jay.

Derek Smith was out this morning at 0545 and walked from Shuart to Plumpudding and Coldharbour and back by way of Brooksend. He saw 7 Little Egrets, 5 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Shoveler, 2 Gadwall, 8 Tufted Duck, 1 Lapwing, 4 Turnstone, 4 Oystercatchers, 1 Redshank, 1 Sandwich Tern, 1 Common Tern, 1 Cuckoo, 5 Swifts W, 1 male Yellow Wagtail, 1 male Stonechat with 3 young, 1 singing Firecrest and 3 Corn Buntings.

May 30th

On a cloudy and breezy morning I walked at Reculver and recorded 3 Blackcaps, 5 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Cuckoos, 15 Reed Warblers, 6 Whitethroats, 5 Chiffchaffs, 2 pairs of Little Grebes calling, 14 Mallard, 8 Greylag Geese, 1 Green Woodpecker, 14 Coot, 14 Tufted Duck, 6 Sand Martins, 1 Gadwall, 7 Mute Swans, 1 Grey Heron and 1 Swallow.

Between 0530 and 0900 Derek Smith walked from Shuart to Plumpudding and Coldharbour returning along the embankment. He counted 3 Canada Geese flying S, 1 Little Grebe, 3 Marsh Harriers, 6 Tufted Duck, 3 Mediterranean Gulls E, 2 Common Terns, 1 Cuckoo, 2 Swifts W and 2 Stonechats with young. He also found our first Bee Orchid of the year at Shuart.

Bee Orchid - Derek Smith

May 28th

Matt was out early and walked along the seawall to Plumpudding and back along the embankment. He counted 2 Grey Herons, 4 Stonechats, 4 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Sandwich Tern, 3 Common Terns, 25 Swifts flying W, 35 Mediterranean Gulls flying E, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 12 Swallows, 3 Little Egrets, 1 Lapwing, 4 Chiffchaffs, 2 Tufted Duck, 2 Cuckoos, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 House Martins, 212 Rooks, 23 Mallard, 1 Kestrel and 1 Lesser Black-backed Gulls.

As Matt had walked along the seawall I walked inland at Reculver and recorded 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 2 Blackcaps, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 15 Sand Martins, 1 Cuckoo, 10 Mallard, 2 Gadwall, 23 Coot, 18 Tufted Duck, 5 Whitethroats, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Chiffchaff, 8 Reed Warblers,  1 Little Grebe, 1 Hobby, 2 Shelduck, 7 Mute Swans, 1 Green Woodpecker and 1 Grey Heron.

Adult Hobby resting in the sunshine and out of the wind

 May 27th

My walk this morning at a breezy Reculver produced 1 Cuckoo, 14 Sand Martins, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 8 Mute Swans, 11 Goldfinches, 17 Mallard, 13 Reed Warblers, 12 Coot, 4 Whitethroats, 5 Blackcaps, 1 Chiffchaff, 12 Tufted Ducks, 2 Shelduck, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Little Egret, 1 Pied Wagtails, 7 Greylag Geese, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Gadwall and 4 Sandwich Terns flying W. 

Male and female Tufted Ducks

Today I received information concerning two Reed Warblers that we ringed and were subsequently controlled by the East Kent Wildlife Group at Richborough a distance of 9 km from Reculver. One was a first year bird we ringed at one of our sites at Shuart on 12th September 2022 and was controlled at Richborough on 19th May 2025 and the next was ringed on Reculver Marshes south of the railway as a juvenile on 24th July 2024 and controlled at Richborough on 13th May 2025.

 May 26th

Dave Smith was out at Shuart this morning and walked from Shuart to Plumpudding and Coldharbour. He counted 2 Shelduck, 8 Tufted Duck, 2 Cuckoos, 105 Swifts flying W, 1 Ringed Plover, 3 Lapwings, 1 Redshank, 2 Turnstone, 4 Common Terns, 2 Marsh Harriers, 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Barn Owl, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Kestrel, 3 Sand Martins W, 21 House Martins W, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 1 Spotted Flycatcher at Shuart Drove (166th), 2 Stonechats and 4 Yellow Wagtails.

On another bright and breezy morning I walked inland at Reculver and saw 5 Blackcaps, 5 Cetti's Warblers, 4 Goldfinches, 20 Sand Martins, 24 Mallard, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Gadwall, 14 Reed Warblers, 1 Chiffchaff, 7 Whitethroats, 18 Tufted Duck, 12 Coot, 7 Mute Swans, 8 Greylag Geese, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Grey Partridge, 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Swallows flying W and 2 Swifts flying W.

May 25th

On a bright and breezy morning with showers passing by, I had and hour's walk at Reculver. I counted 3 Chiffchaffs, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 6 Reed Warblers, 15 Sand Martins, 12 Coot, 6 Whitethroats, 22 Mallard, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Little Grebes, 2 Blackcaps, 8 Greylag Geese, 1 Green Woodpecker, 12 Tufted Ducks, 2 Shelduck, 7 Mute Swans, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Gadwall, 4 Goldfinches and 1 Great Crested Grebe on the sea. 

Male Orange Tip

 May 24th

On a very wet morning Dave Smith walked from Shuart to Plumpudding and saw 2 Gadwall, 3 Red-legged Partridges, 1 Cuckoo, 17 Ringed Plovers, 2 Lapwings, 1 Whimbrel, 1 Redshank, 6 Sanderling, 1 Dunlin, 3 Mediterranean Gulls, 1 Common Tern, 2 Great Crested Grebes and 6 Little Egrets.

May 23rd

Matt spent a sunny morning ringing on the Marsh south of the railway and saw 2 Blackcaps, 8 Whitethroats, 5 Cetti's Warblers, 8 Common Terns, 1 Cuckoo, 5 Yellow Wagtails, 6 Sedge Warblers and 8 Reed Warblers. 

Birds ringed 14: Wren 1, Blackcap 2, Whitethroat 3, Cetti's Warbler 2, Sedge Warbler 3, Reed Warbler 3.

On a warmer afternoon I walked at Reculver and saw 3 Chiffchaffs, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 22 Sand Martins, 6 Goldfinches, 2 Blackcaps, 1 Gadwall, 16 Mallard, 13 Coot, 1 female Cuckoo calling, 2 Whitethroats, 7 Reed Warblers, 3 Shelduck, 14 Tufted Duck, 1 Pied Wagtail, 7 Mute Swans, 2 Lapwings, 8 Greylag Geese and 1 Kestrel.

Male Shelduck

May 22nd

On a chilly and overcast afternoon I had a walk at Reculver where I saw 4 Chiffchaffs, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Cuckoo, 26 Mallard, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Kestrel, 1 Gadwall, 8 Goldfinches, 16 Sand Martins, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 10 Tufted Duck, 4 Reed Warblers, 1 Grey Heron, 1 female Shoveler, 2 Shelduck, 1 Corn Bunting, 8 Greylag Geese, 1 male Marsh Harrier, 9 Coot, 2 Blackcaps and 8 Mute Swans. 

 May 21st

This afternoon I had a walk at Reculver and counted 1 Whitethroat, 2 Cuckoos, 3 Pied Wagtails, 1 Common Buzzard, 40 Sand Martins, 4 Blackcaps, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 2 Shelduck, 1 Corn Bunting, 18 Tufted Duck, 15 Coot, 24 Mallard, 2 Lapwings, 8 Greylag Geese, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 female Shoveler with the male Mallard, 3 Chiffchaffs and 1 Little Grebe.

Coot chicks

May 20th

Matt spent the morning ringing at Reculver where he saw 3 Cuckoos, 7 Cetti's Warblers, 8 Blackcaps, 4 Chiffchaff, 2 Common Sandpipers, 40 Sand Martins, 8 Greylag Geese, 9 Tufted Duck, 28 Mallard, 1 Corn Bunting, 12 Coot, 3 Gadwall, 3 House Martins, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 singing Firecrest, 5 Whitethroats, 10 Long-tailed Tits, 4 Shelduck, 7 Lapwings, 1 Grey Heron and 1 Yellow Wagtail.

Birds ringed 34: Chiffchaff 3, Long-tailed Tit 8, Blackcap 5, Robin 2, Cetti's Warbler 3, Whitethroat 2, Great Tit 1, Reed Warbler 1, Chaffinch 1, Goldfinch 1, Blue Tit 1, Dunnock 4, Song Thrush 1, Blackbird 1.

This afternoon I walked out onto the Marsh and counted 2 Blackcaps, 3 Chiffchaffs, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 female Marsh Harrier, 7 Mute Swans, 28 Sand Martins, 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Kestrel, 1 Whitethroat, 2 Reed Warblers, 1 Grey Heron, 4 Mallard, 3 Lapwings, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Skylarks, 17 Linnets, 9 Goldfinches and 15 Stock Doves.

Mute Swan family

May 19th

It was warm and sunny but with a chilly easterly breeze blowing as I had an hour's walk at Reculver this afternoon. I counted 4 Chiffchaffs, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 26 Sand Martins, 1 Corn Bunting, 2 Common Buzzards, 3 Blackcaps, 4 Shelduck, 1 Kestrel, 18 Tufted Duck, 8 Greylag Geese, 26 Mallard, 3 Whitethroats, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Lapwings, 1 Green Woodpecker, 10 Coot, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Pied Wagtails, 5 Reed Warblers, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Gadwall and 1 Grey Heron.

May 18th

On an overcast and chilly morning Matt walked at Reculver and counted 1 Cuckoo, 1 Common Sandpiper, 15 Tufted Ducks, 4 Lapwings, 2 Gadwall, 2 Little Grebes, 2 Grey Partridges, 1 Corn Bunting, 8 Mallard, 1 Green Woodpecker, 8 Greylag Geese, 80 Sand Martins, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Swift, 1 Ringed Plover, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Blackcaps, 2 Mute Swans with 5 young, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Kestrel and 1 Chiffchaff. 

Male Mallard - Matt Hindle

Male Tufted Duck - Matt Hindle

Greylag Goose family - Matt Hindle

Male Mute Swan - Matt Hindle

Lapwing - Matt Hindle

May 16th

Marc Heath saw 2 Red Kites flying W at Hillborough at 1350. 

 May 15th

Matt was out early on a cool and breezy morning and walked at Reculver where he counted 2 Blackcaps, 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Cuckoos, 4 Shelduck, 8 Greylag Geese, 2 Avocets, 80 Sand Martins, 14 Tufted Duck, 1 Gadwall, 11 Mallard, 1 Lapwing, 1 Corn Bunting, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Common Sandpipers, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 3 Little Grebes, 1 Pochard, 1 Chiffchaff, 8 Long-tailed Tits and 1 Sparrowhawk.  After this he walked along the seawall from Reculver to Coldharbour and saw 3 Mediterranean Gulls, 3 Stonechats, 2 Grey Herons, 1 Common Buzzard, 5 Little Egrets, 4 Tufted Duck, 2 Common Terns, 2 Avocets, 1 Whimbrel, 1 Chiffchaff and 1 Blackcap.

Whimbrel - Matt Hindle

Oystercatcher - Matt Hindle

Avocet - Matt Hindle

 I managed an hour's walk late this morning at Reculver and saw 6 Chiffchaffs, 3 Blackcaps, 35 Sand Martins, 6 Reed Warblers, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Gadwall, 2 Whitethroats, 6 Shelduck, 8 Greylag Geese, 17 Tufted Duck, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Corn Bunting singing, 8 Mallard, 2 Lapwings, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Little Grebe, 2 Grey Herons, 2 Sedge Warblers and 1 Green Woodpecker.

May 14th

This morning Amanda Lynch heard a male Golden Oriole singing at Shuart (165th).

May 12th

As you may have noticed I haven't been out much lately, this is because nine days ago Anne had a hip replacement operation so I've been doing other things!! In the mean time I am having to rely on what Matt and the other local birders are seeing.

This afternoon Matt visited Reculver and counted 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 17 Tufted Duck, 2 Common Sandpipers, 8 Greylag Geese, 2 Shelduck, 16 Mallard, 1 Blackcap, 1 Corn Bunting, 2 Gadwall, 6 Coot, 2 Chiffchaffs and 1 Grey Heron.

 May 11th

On a warm and sunny afternoon Matt walked inland at Reculver and counted 2 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Chiffchaff, 21 Tufted Duck, 2 Shelduck, 3 Gadwall, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Green Sandpiper, 5 Common Sandpipers, 2 Lapwings, 1 Little Egret, 8 Greylag Geese, 2 Corn Buntings, 20 Sand Martins, 1 Little Grebe, 10 Mallard and 1 Blackcap. 

 May 9th

On a bright and breezy morning Matt walked from Reculver to Plumpudding and back along the railway embankment. Birds he saw included 3 Grey Herons, 6 Stonechats, 3 Common Terns, 3 Little Egrets, 3 Redshank, 2 Shelduck, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Whimbrel, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Grey Plover, 6 Swallows, 1 Common Gull, 3 Lapwings, 2 Blackcaps, 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Corn Bunting, 3 Chiffchaffs, 3 Cuckoos, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Marsh Harrier and 1 Lesser Whitethroat.

 May 7th

During the morning and also the afternoon we saw a Hobby flying over our garden at Bishopstone on its way to and from the Sand Martin colony at Bishopstone cliffs. This evening I walked up to my car parked outside my house and saw 2 Hobbies screeching at each other as they chased one another low along the road.

 May 6th

On a cool and breezy morning Matt walked from Netherhale to Shuart and back by way of Plumpudding and Brooksend. He saw 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcaps, 4 Ring-necked Parakeets, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Marsh Harriers, 3 Lapwings, 10 Tufted Duck, 6 Greylag Geese, 12 Swallows and 1 Kestrel.

May 5th

Matt arrived at Reculver at 0600 for a seawatch and I joined him later with a fresh and chilly NE wind blowing in heavy showers. We stayed there until 0930 and counted 4 Great Crested Grebes, 4 Shelduck, 7 Common Gulls, 7 Swifts W, 2 Common Scoter, 5 Guillemots E (162nd), 6 Sandwich Terns, 2 Common Terns, 8 Little Terns E (163rd), 9 Gannets E, 1 Whimbrel W, 9 Swallows and 1 Hobby W out at sea (164th).

 May 3rd

This morning Matt walked from Reculver to Plumpudding and back inland and along the embankment. He recorded 7 Great Crested Grebes, 12 Yellow Wagtails,  4 Common Terns, 18 Shelduck, 1 Swift, 2 adult and 3 juvenile Stonechats, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 2 Little Egrets, 4 Gannets W, 19 Tufted Duck, 3 Common Sandpipers, 2 Cuckoos, 2 Whimbrel, 40 Sanderling, 4 Mediterranean Gulls, 3 Lapwings, 1 Blackcap, 5 Chiffchaffs, 3 Grey Herons, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Yellowhammer, 1 Kestrel, 4 Gadwall, 2 Grey Partridges, 16 Mallard, 8 Greylag Geese and 45 Sand Martins.

May 2nd

 Dave Smith was out this morning and walked from Shuart to Plumpudding and onto the embankment. He found the bird of the day, a second calendar year male Montagu's Harrier over the fields at Chamber's Wall (161st).

Second calendar year Montagu's Harrier  - Dave Smith

 

Second calendar year Montagu's Harrier - Matt Hindle

Other birds Dave saw included 5 Barnacle Geese, 9 Tufted Duck, 3 Cuckoos, 2 Swifts, 5 Oystercatchers, 1 Ringed Plover, 13 Lapwings, 13 Whimbrel, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Redshank, 2 Turnstone, 40 Sanderling, 2 Common Terns, 2 Sandwich Terns, 3 Little Grebes, 1 Little Egret, 3 Marsh Harriers, 8 Red Kites, 20 Common Buzzards, 2 Kestrels, 11 Swallows, 2 House Martins, 1 Firecrest, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Wheatear, 5 Yellow Wagtails and 3 Meadow Pipits.

On another beautiful morning I walked at Reculver and counted 10 Whitethroats, 2 Blackcaps, 1 Common Buzzard, 5 Chiffchaffs, 7 Reed Warblers, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 19 Tufted Ducks, 1 Swallow, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 16 Sand Martins, 13 Mallard, 6 Coot, 2 Gadwall, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Sedge Warblers, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Shelduck, 8 Greylag Geese and 2 Yellow Wagtails.

Matt was out early and walked from Reculver to Plumpudding and back along the embankment before walking inland to Bishopstone and then back to Reculver. He counted 17 Great Crested Grebes, 6 Turnstone, 4 Sandwich Terns, 5 Stonechats, 7 Little Egrets, 7 Swallows, 23 Yellow Wagtails, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, 4 Common Sandpipers, 5 Tufted Duck, 7 Common Terns, 2 Cuckoo, 45 Sanderling, 1 Redshank, 1 Grey Plover, 11 Shelduck, 1 male Greenland Wheatear, 1 White Wagtail, 2 Blackcaps, 1 Marsh Harrier, 3 Chiffchaffs, 4 Lapwings, 20 Common Buzzards, 4 Red Kites, 2 Kestrels, 1 Grey Heron, 7 Corn Buntings, 4 Grey Partridges, 60 Sand Martin and 1 Greenfinch.

Sanderling - Matt Hindle

 

A very pale Common Buzzard - Matt Hindle

Red Kite - Matt Hindle

Derek Smith was out by 0430 and walked from Shuart to Coldharbour and back via Brooksend. He saw 4 Greylag Geese, 5 Barnacle Geese, 1 Little Grebe, 7 Great Crested Grebes, 4 Little Egrets, 11 Shelduck E, 2 Marsh Harriers, 5 Common Terns, 7 Turnstone, 35 Sanderling, 2 Common Sandpipers, 5 Whimbrel, 1 Curlew, 4 Cuckoos, 12 Yellow Wagtails W and 4 Corn Buntings.

 May 1st

The month began with another warm and sunny day although it seemed to be foggy nearer the coast. I walked inland at Reculver and counted 14 Sand Martins, 6 Chiffchaffs, 5 Blackcaps, 18 Mallard, 9 Whitethroats, 9 Reed Warblers, 4 Goldfinches, 3 Swallows, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 22 Tufted Duck, 3 Gadwall, 1 male Marsh Harrier, 1 Grey Heron, 8 Coot, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 3 Sedge Warblers, 4 Shelduck, 8 Greylag Geese, 1 Kestrel, 1 Corn Bunting, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1 male Yellow Wagtail and 1 Common Sandpiper.

Greylag Goose family