September 26th

We spent an overcast morning ringing at Shuart where we saw 2 Common Buzzards, 2 Grey Herons, 1 Marsh Harrier, 18 Chiffchaffs, 8 Blackcaps, 23 Robins, 10 Goldcrests, 230 Siskins flying W, 82 Song Thrushes arriving from the NE, 6 Redwings, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 316 Swallows, 1 Greenshank, 12 Ring-necked Parakeets, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Reed Warbler, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Water Rail, 2 Pied Wagtails, 11 Skylarks, 1 Kestrel, 1 Mistle Thrush, 5 Redpoll W, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Golden Plover,  Grey Wagtail, 1 Sand Martin, 1 Peregrine, 1 Jay and 5 Long-tailed Tits.

Birds ringed 42: Wren 1, Goldcrest 3, Chiffchaff 8, Long-tailed Tit 1, Blackcap 6, Robin 10, Great Tit 1, Reed Warbler 1, Dunnock 2, Song Thrush 7, Blackbird 2.

First year "continental" Song Thrush

After our ringing session, Matt walked from Bishopstone around the Reculver area. He recorded 9 Goldcrests, 2 Sand Martins, 55 Swallows, 3 Brambling, 34 Siskin, 5 Chiffchaffs, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 2 Firecrests, 12 Song Thrushes, 1 Dunlin, 47 Gadwall, 50 Mallard, 1 Little Egret, 117 Coot, 8 Little Grebes, 2 Green Sandpipers, 2 Common Sandpipers, 9 Shoveler, 3 Wigeon, 5 Teal, 6 Tufted Duck, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Golden Plover, 4 Stonechats, 1 Water Rail, 5 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Red-throated Diver, 2 Sandwich Terns and 1 Whinchat.

Derek Smith was also out this morning and between 0715 and 1230 walked from Shuart along the embankment and Green Wall and back along the seawall. He counted 13 Greylag Geese, 5 Lapwings flying S, 2 Greenshank, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits E, 1 Snipe, 1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Common Buzzards, 1 Tawny Owl calling at 1155, several hundred Swallows flying SW, 1 Wheatear, 1 Whinchat, 1 Rock Pipit, 26 Song Thrushes, 18 Meadow Pipits S, 1 male Common Redstart, 17 Siskin W, 2 Brambling W, 7 Blackcaps, 19 Chiffchaffs and 1 Firecrest.

First year Siskin - Derek Smith

Tawny Owl - Derek Smith

Whinchat - Derek Smith