Friday, 31 October 2014

October 31st
The last day of October was fine and bright with a good range of species to be seen. We recorded 295 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Little Egrets, 5 Rock Pipits, 12 Redshank 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1 Common Sandpiper, 23 Cormorants, 2 Grey Wagtails, 1 Wheatear, 81 Meadow Pipits, 5 Stonechats, 5 Oystercatchers, 7 Pied Wagtails, 11 Skylarks, 1 Kingfisher, 42 Golden Plovers, 1 Lapland Bunting flying W and calling, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Merlin, 3 Snow Buntings, 2 Curlew, 22 Mallard, 1 Shelduck, 2 Redwings, 12 Song Thrushes, 3 Tree Sparrows, 67 Chaffinches, 1 Snipe, 5 Little Grebes, 4 Ringed Plovers, 300 Starlings, 2 Kestrels, 1Brambling, 1 Peregrine and 7 Clouded Yellows

Thursday, 30 October 2014

October 30th
On a mild, bright morning we walked along the seawall from Reculver towards Coldharbour and saw 21 Mute Swans, 767 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Pale-bellied Brent Goose, 6 Cormorants, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Oystercatchers, 2 Ringed Plovers, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Redshank, 5 Skylarks, 2 Pied Wagtails, 45 Meadow Pipits, 1 Jay and 2 Black Redstarts.

Black Redstart

Tuesday, 28 October 2014

October 28th
This morning we walked along the seawall from Reculver and saw 614 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Pale-bellied  Brent Goose, 1 Kestrel, 1 Redshank, 18 Meadow Pipits, 4 Pied Wagtails, 1 male Stonechat and 2 Goldfinches.

Pale-bellied Brent Goose

 
Derek Smith walked from Shuart to Chamber's Wall this morning and his highlight was a Yellow-browed Warbler at Shuart. Other birds he saw included 2 Bullfinches S at Shuart Farm, 2 Siskins S, 9 Chiffchaffs, 60 Blackbirds, 35 Redwings S, 38 Skylarks S, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Kingfisher and 1 Yellowhammer.

Yellow-browed Warbler - Derek Smith





Sunday, 26 October 2014

October 26th
A brief walk around the Towers this morning produced 276 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Kestrels, 17 Mute Swans, 2 Pied Wagtail, 6 Lapwings, 27 Cormorants, 22 Meadow Pipits and 1 Grey Plover.
This morning at Grenham Bay, Terry Wilson had 2 Grey Wagtails and 1 male Snow Bunting.
Matt had a surprise visitor to his garden near Tilmanstone while he was ringing this morning, in the shape of a Yellow-browed Warbler.

Yellow-browed Warbler - Matt Hindle

Saturday, 25 October 2014

October 25th
We spent a quiet morning ringing at Reculver and saw 1 Tree Sparrow W, 1 Redwing, 1 Brambling, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Kingfishers, 1 Water Rail, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Common Buzzard, 3 Gadwall, 5 Mallard, 1 Tufted Duck, 2 Chiffchaffs, 2 Goldcrests, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 1 Green Woodpecker, 10 Long-tailed Tits, 8 Goldfinches, 17 Siskins, 22 Chaffinches, 1 Jay, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Green Sandpiper and 8 Skylarks.

Redwing

Friday, 24 October 2014

October 24th
This morning Matt walked from Reculver and saw 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Goldcrest, 529 Brent Geese, 4 Shelduck, 55 Meadow Pipits, 1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Curlew, 4 Little Egrets, 4 Rock Pipits, 18 Redshank, 15 Oystercatchers, 70 Linnets, 26 Reed Buntings, 1 Snipe, 1 Kingfisher, 45 Golden Plovers, 1 Kestrel, 96 Mallard, 1 Water Rail, 20 Goldfinches 1 Cetti's Warbler and 1 Wigeon.
Terry Wilson birded Grenham Bay this morning and recorded 120 Brent Geese, 6 Turnstone, 2 Pied Wagtails and 8 Meadow Pipits.

Thursday, 23 October 2014

Oct 23rd
We spent the morning ringing at Reculver where we saw 2 Goldcrests, 2 Redwings, 22 Siskins W, 7 Mute Swans, 31 Chaffinches, 3 Mallard, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Kestrels, 1 Gadwall, 3 Coot, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Water Rail, 2 Chiffchaffs, 10 Song Thrushes, 3 Goldfinches, 6 Jays, 8 Robins,29 Skylarks, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Kingfisher and 2 Bramblings.
During his morning's walk round the Oyster Farm, Julian Perry saw 13 Mute Swans, 500 Brent Geese, 3 Little Egrets, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Little Grebe, 1 Kestrel, 1 Merlin hunting Skylarks, 2 Oystercatchers, 1 Snipe, 1 Curlew, 3 Redshanks, 3 Turnstones, 4 Stonechats, 3 Grey Wagtails, 3 Pied Wagtails, 9 Goldfinches and 85 Linnets.
This afternoon a walk from Chamber's Wall to Plumpudding and Coldharbour produced 553 Chaffinches W, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 3 Kestrels, 1 Marsh Harrier, 240 Brent Geese, 11 Curlew, 8 Lapwing, 1 Wheatear, 16 Turnstone, 25 Grey Plover, 80 Oystercatchers, 45 Linnets, 1 Water Rail, 3 Rock Pipits, 1 Little Egret, 2 Stonechats, 11 Corn Buntngs, 1 Kingfisher and 1 Siskin.

Dark-bellied Brent Geese

Wednesday, 22 October 2014

October 22nd
After an hour seawatching at the Towers where virtually nothing flew by Matt walked along the seawall. He saw 136 Brent Geese, 7 Common Scoter, 2 Grey Herons, 2 Stonechats, 1 Rock Pipit, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Kittiwake, 11 Ringed Plovers, 5 Turnstone, 1 Dunlin, 6 Redshank, 4 Little Egrets, 90 Golden Plover and 1 Little Grebe.
There was also a Swallow at Minnis Bay.

Tuesday, 21 October 2014

October 21st
On a stormy morning with the remnants of Hurricane Gonzalo crossing the country Matt and Anne walked along the seawall from Reculver to Coldharbour. Birds they saw included 1 Swallow, 1 Shorelark on the beach 200 metres east of the Towers, 6 Little Egrets, 30 Ringed Plovers, 58 Golden Plovers, 2 Rock Pipits, 1 Stonechat, 1 Grey Plover, 2 Turnstone, 1 Lapland Bunting W (180th) 100 Mallard, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Wheatear, 88 Brent Geese, 1 Wigeon, 1 Marsh Harrier, 45 Linnets, 30 Meadow Pipits.
This afternoon Matt had a Grey Phalarope (181st) fly W past the Towers and land on the sea by the red buoy. He also saw a Black Redstart on the Roman wall.

Sunday, 19 October 2014

October 19th
Derek Smith spent the morning walking from Shuart to Coldharbour and Chamber's Wall. He counted 17 Mute Swans on the sea at Minnis Bay, 75 Song Thrushes, 45 Blackbirds, 30 Redwings, 4 Ring Ouzels, 75 Skylarks W, 40 Meadow Pipits, 1 Tree Sparrow W, 1 Swallow, 3 Wheatears, 480 Starlings W, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 13 Chiffchaffs, 2 Stonechats, 6 Greenfinches W, 172 Chaffinches W and 2 Siskins W.

Saturday, 18 October 2014


October 18th
On another bright and breezy morning we walked along the seawall from Reculver towards Coldharbour and saw 1 Jay, 176 Chaffinches W, 1 Oystercatcher, 7 Pied Wagtails, 20 Meadow Pipits, 2 Lapwings W, 6 Skylarks W, 2 Redshank, 8 Cormorants, 18 Brent Geese, 4 Goldfinches, 8 Mute Swans, 1 Red-throated Diver and 1 Kestrel.


Starling and Goldfinches

Friday, 17 October 2014

October 17th
On a bright and breezy morning we walked along the seawall from Reculver towards Coldharbour. Birds we saw included 4 Oystercatchers 8 Pied Wagtails, 1 Kestrel, 5 Goldfinches, 45 Meadow Pipits W, 6 Skylarks, 8 Mute Swans, 11 Cormorants, 70 Brent Geese, 3 Redshank, 1 Little Egret, 1 Stonechat, 96 Chaffinches W, 1 Kingfisher, 13 Linnets, 3 Swallows W, 16 House Martins W and 2 Chiffchaffs.
Ten minutes after we left the car park Derek Smith and Patrick Giles had 3 Ravens flying W. Other birds they saw as they covered most of the Marsh between 0700 and 1300 were 2 Sparrowhawks E, 52 Golden Plover, 1 Kingfisher, 25 Skylarks W, 27 Meadow Pipits W, 22 alba Wagtails W, 44 House Martins W, 21 Swallows W, 1 Ring Ouzel, 3 Wheatears, 12 Stonechats, 6 Bearded Tits, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 33 Chiffchaffs, 14 Goldcrests, 380 Chaffinches WE, 22 Goldfinches W, 18 Reed Buntings W and 1 Corn Bunting W.
Mike and Maria Longdon had an Osprey flying in off the sea at Coldharbour towards St. Nicholas-at-Wade. They also saw 2 Swallows and Chaffinches moving W as well as 2 Clouded Yellows.
This afternoon a brief visit to Chamber's Wall produced 1 Merlin, 1 Stonechat and 26 Chaffinches W.

Thursday, 16 October 2014

October 16th
Matt was out again this morning walking from Reculver to Coldharbour and back and recorded 5 Bramblings, 3 Redwings, 5 Siskins, 27 Skylarks, 2 Grey Herons, 10 Stonechats, 63 Meadow Pipits, 2 Sparrowhawks, 8 Rock Pipits, 2 Grey Wagtails, 1 Little Egret, 12 Redshanks, 2 Kingfishers, 2 Dunlin, 48 Ringed Plovers, 1 Sanderling, 3 Wheatears, 7 Tree Sparrows, 35 Reed Buntings, 40 Linnets, 54 Brent Geese, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 3 Blackcaps, 9 Long-tailed Tits, 73 Golden Plovers, 2 Kestrels, 53 Chaffinches, 8 alba Wagtails and 1 Water Rail.



Pied Wagtail, Rock Pipit and Wheatear - Matt Hindle

Mickey Baldock found a Yellow-browed Warbler in Bishopstone Glen.
Derek Smith walked from Chamber's Wall to Plumpudding this morning and saw 2 Common Buzzards, 2 Marsh Harriers, 3 Sparrowhawks, 1 Grey Wagtail, 3 Wheatears, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Ring Ouzel, 8 Stonechats, 37 Chiffchaffs, 3 Blackcaps, 5 Cetti's Warblers and 1 Yellowhammer W.

Wednesday, 15 October 2014

October 15th
We spent the morning ringing at Shuart where we saw 62 Redwings, 10 Blackcaps, 1 Siskin, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Snipe, 38 Song Thrushes, 4 Kestrels, 3 Chiffchaffs, 2 Bramblings, 1 Redpoll, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Goldcrests, 8 Robins, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Ring Ouzels, 1 Grey Heron, 71 Lapwings, 6 Mute Swans, 4 Corn Buntings, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets and 2 Yellowhammers.
Derek Smith was also out this morning at Chamber's Wall, Coldharbour and Green Wall and recorded 115 Redwings SW, 7 Ring Ouzels, 35 Blackbirds, 65 Song Thrushes, 48 Skylarks, 3 Grey Wagtails W, 6 Swallows E, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 3 Blackcaps, 16 Chiffchaffs, 60 Reed Buntings, 1 Water Rail, 1+Bearded Tits and 16 Stonechats.
Later, whilst walking along the railway embankment from Shuart, Derek heard and saw a Dusky Warbler (179th) in the trackside bushes. This is the ninth Dusky Warbler to be found on the Marsh. Although it was constantly calling both Derek and Matt only got brief views of the bird as it moved through the bushes. Matt however managed to get the proverbial record shot.




Comma and Dusky Warbler - Matt Hindle

At Grenham Bay this morning Terry Wilson saw 58 Brent Geese, 4 Little Egrets, 1 Wheatear and 1 Grey Heron.
This afternoon Matt visited Reculver and recorded 5 Chiffchaffs, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Wheatear, 1 Rock Pipit, 2 Stonechats, 20 Skylarks, 36 Goldfinches, 2 Ring Ouzels, 1 Blackcap, 17 Song Thrushes and 6 Redwings.

Tuesday, 14 October 2014


October 14th
Matt had a productive walk from Reculver to Chamber's Wall this morning. He saw 160 Meadow Pipits, 3 Grey Wagtails, 34 Robins, 36 Chiffchaffs, 55 Song Thrushes, 4 Jays, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Common Buzzard, 15 Stonechats, 3 Kingfishers, 10 alba Wagtails, 43 Chaffinches, 5 Oystercatchers, 5 Wheatears, 2 Grey Herons, 4 Turnstone, 1 Red-throated Diver, 4 Little Egrets, 74 Reed Buntings, 1,101 Brent Geese E, 56 Golden Plovers,. 2 Marsh Harriers, 6 Kestrels, 14 Redshank, 3 Rock Pipits, 37 Ringed Plovers, 3 Snipe, 60 Skylarks, 2 Grey Plovers, 1 Curlew, 19 Mallard, 100 Linnets, 1 Teal, 710 Starlings W, 3 Redwings, 4 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Goldcrests, 8 House Martins, 4 Swallows, 41 Goldfinches, 6 Ring Ouzels, 2 Bramblings and 4 Great Spotted Woodpeckers.



Robin and Ring Ouzels - Matt Hindle
 
This afternoon a walk round Shuart produced 2 Grey Wagtails, 15 Robins, 2 Goldcrests, 7 Chiffchaffs, 2 Marsh Harriers, 25 Song Thrushes, 24 Skylarks, 1 Swallow, 1 Gannet, 3 Redwings, 6 Sanderling, 1 Blackcap, 300 Brent Geese, 4 House Martins, 9 Ring Ouzels and 1 Common Buzzard.