September 30th

There had been another overnight arrival of Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs at Reculver where we spent the morning ringing. Birds we counted included 60 Chiffchaffs, 85 Blackcaps, 1 Kestrel, 4 Common Buzzards, 1 Sparrowhawk, 17 Feral Pigeons, 2 Goldcrests, 6 Grey Wagtails, 5 Jays flying W, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 23 Swallows, 46 Siskins, 6 Little Grebes, 5 Tufted Duck, 4 Gadwall, 100 Mallard, 30 Teal, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Little Egrets, 100 House Martins, 5 Mediterranean Gulls and 20 Coot.

Birds ringed 132: Chiffchaff 43, Goldcrest 2, Grey Wagtail 3, Blackcap 68, Blue Tit 1, Great Tit 4, Goldfinch 1, Cetti's Warbler 1, Chaffinch 7, Dunnock 1, Blackbird 1.

Male Goldcrest

 This morning Derek Smith walked from Shuart along the embankment and back along the seawall. He recorded 1 Red-throated Diver, 6 Grey Herons, 5 Mediterranean Gulls, 1 Curlew, 6 Swallows, 2 Tree Sparrows, 2 Bearded Tits flying high W, 19 Cetti's Warblers, 55 Blackcaps, 2 Reed Warblers, 125 Chiffchaffs and 87 Siskins W.

This afternoon Matt and Marion walked from Shuart to Coldharbour and along the embankment. They recorded 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Hobby, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Kestrel, 2 Sparrowhawks, 2 Mediterranean Gulls, 40 Turnstone, 3 Dunlin, 20 Ringed Plovers, 6 Redshank, 2 Little Grebes, 3 Bearded Tits and 6 Long-tailed Tits.

September 29th

We had originally intended to ring at Shuart but by the time Matt had put the nets up the wind had increased and so we decided to pack up and have a seawatch at Reculver instead.

Birds ringed 4: Wren 1, Chiffchaff 1, Blackcap 2.

With a fresh NW wind blowing we had what turned out to be a rather uneventful seawatch at Reculver between 0830 and 1100. We counted 15 Gannets W, 45 Common Scoter, 1 Whimbrel W, 18 Common Terns W, 2 Red-throated Divers, 7 Swallows in off the sea, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 7 Wigeon W, 1 Little Egret, 21 Sandwich Terns W, 11 Mediterranean Gulls, 1 Curlew W, 21 Dark-bellied Brent Geese W, 45 Carrion Crows on the beach, 2 large auks W and 1 adult pale phase Arctic Skua E.

September 28th

We spent eight hours ringing at Reculver where we saw 60 Chiffchaffs, 2 Common Buzzards, 14 Blackcaps, 33 Siskins W, 14 Chaffinches, 1 Tawny Owl, 1 Peregrine, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 52 Swallows flying W, 60 Teal, 5 Tufted Duck, 6 Little Grebes, 11 Gadwall, 1 Wigeon, 40 Mallard, 15 Coot, 1 Snipe, 1 first year Caspian Gull, 2 Sparrowhawks, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Shoveler, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Grey Wagtails, 8 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Raven, 3 Mediterranean Gulls and 80 House Martins flying W.

Birds ringed 83: Chiffchaff 47, Goldcrest 1, Willow Warbler 1, Long-tailed Tit 1, Blackcap 12, Great Tit 1, Robin 1, Blue Tit 5, Cetti's Warbler 2, Chaffinch 7, Goldfinch 2, Dunnock 1, Blackbird 2.

This morning Derek completed his regular walk from Shuart and along the railway embankment to Coldharbour and Plumpudding. He recorded 3 Grey Herons, 4 Common Buzzards, 3 Marsh Harriers, 1 Peregrine E, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Common Sandpiper, 4 Sandwich Terns, 14 Swallows S, 1 Common Redstart, 1 Kingfisher, 10 Siskins W, 18 Cetti's Warblers, 8 Blackcaps, 5 Reed Warblers, 105 Chiffchaffs and 1 Firecrest.

Mike Longdon also saw what was probably the same Snow Bunting that was seen yesterday but this time at Minnis Bay as well as 15 Sandwich Terns.

September 27th

This morning Anne and I walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and back again. We counted 9 Cetti's Warblers, 31 Chiffchaffs, 1 Reed Warbler, 3 Blackcaps, 1 singing Willow Warbler, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Redshank, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Little Egret, 5 Oystercatchers, 26 Teal, 500 Black-headed Gulls at Coldharbour, 11 Goldfinches, 2 Red-throated Divers, 11 Swallows in of the sea, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 11 Linnets, 8 Reed Buntings and 1 Sparrowhawk.

Adult and juvenile Oystercatchers

Dave Smith was out for two and a half hours this morning walking from Shuart and along the railway embankment and returning via Coldharbour and Plumpudding. He saw 9 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 14 Teal, 2 Little Grebes, 2 Lapwings, 95 Ringed Plovers including 16 flying high S, 5 Bar-tailed Godwits, 25 Turnstone, 2 Sanderling, 2 Dunlin, 1 Common Sandpiper, 4 Mediterranean Gulls, 2 Sandwich Terns, 2 Red-throated Divers, 3 Grey Herons, 2 Little Egrets, 4 Marsh Harriers, 1 Kestrel, 2 Reed Warblers, 11 Swallows, 2 House Martins, 45 Chiffchaffs, 3 Blackcaps, 105 Starlings flying W, 2 Stonechats and 1 Wheatear.

Between 0630 and 1100 Derek Smith walked from Shuart to Brooksend and back by way of Minnis Bay and the embankment. Birds he saw included 6 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 23 Grey Herons, 8 Little Egrets, 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Hobby, 1 Sparrowhawk, 8 Sanderling, 7 Ring-necked Parakeets, 42 Swallows S, 2 Grey Wagtails W, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Wheatears, 68 Meadow Pipits S, 3 Siskins W, 12 Cetti's Warblers, 4 Blackcaps, 36 Chiffchaffs and 1 Snow Bunting feeding on a farm track at Brooksend. Although this is very early for a returning Snow Bunting it is some way off our earliest report which was 6th September 2015.

Snow Bunting - Derek Smith

 We also had a visit from Brendan Ryan this morning and he walked from Shuart to Coldharbour and back. Birds he saw included 2 Mute Swans, 16 Mallard, 10 Teal, 8 Ring-necked Parakeets, 6 Moorhens, 5 Coot, 11 Oystercatchers, 68 Lapwings, 6 Ringed Plovers, 85 Turnstone, 6 Sanderling, 1 Redshank, 2 Common Gulls, 2 Red-throated Divers, 1 immature Gannet E, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Kestrel, 1 Jay, 23 Blue Tits, 12 Great Tits, 18 Skylarks, 4 Reed Warblers, 3 Swallows, 61 Chiffchaffs, 9 Cetti's Warblers, 5 Long-tailed Tits, 6 Blackcaps, 3 Goldcrests, 1 Firecrest, 32 Robins, 1 Wheatear, 7 Pied Wagtails, 8 Meadow Pipits, 9 Chaffinches, 14 Goldfinches and 17 Reed Buntings.

September 26th

This morning we walked at various sites in the Reculver area and saw 8 Chiffchaffs, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Little Egrets, 12 Mediterranean Gulls, 1 Green Woodpecker, 6 Tufted Duck, 1 Raven, 2 Little Grebes, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Common Sandpiper, 52 Mallard, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Wigeon, 4 Gadwall, 2 Shoveler and 3 Swallows in off.

Derek Smith walked from Shuart and along the embankment then back by way of Coldharbour and Plumpudding. Between 0630 and 1030 he counted 2 Grey Herons, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Little Grebes, 1 male Marsh Harrier, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Mediterranean Gull W, 8 Lapwings S, 1 Common Sandpiper, 4 Bar-tailed Godwits, 8 Dunlin, 3 Sandwich Terns E, 22 Swallows in off, 3 Bearded Tits, 18 Cetti's Warblers and 90 Chiffchaffs.

September 25th

On a warm and sunny morning we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and back. Birds we saw included 4 Swallows, 3 Chiffchaffs, 5 Little Egrets, 4 Stonechats, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 5 Cetti's Warblers, 12 Goldfinches, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Kestrel, 36 Mallard, 6 Mediterranean Gulls, 28 Siskins W, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Redshank, 4 Sandwich Terns, 37 Linnets, 21 Meadow Pipits, 60 Turnstone, 32 Ringed Plovers and 1 summer plumaged Red-throated Diver feeding close inshore.

Sandwich Tern

Mediterranean Gull shaking

Dave Smith was out early this morning and walked at Minnis Bay, Plumpudding and Coldharbour. He recorded 30 Red-legged Partridges, 1 Water Rail, 1 Golden Plover, 4 Ringed Plovers, 30 Turnstone, 1 Snipe W, 2 Common Sandpipers, 6 Redshank, 2 Mediterranean Gulls and 1 first year Caspian Gull (183rd) only the second positive record for the area. He also saw 2 Sandwich Terns, 3 Little Egrets, 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Kestrel, 1 Jay, 4 Reed Warblers, 3 Sand Martins, 2 Swallows, 46 Chiffchaffs, 8 Blackcaps, 1 Wheatear, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 3 Pied Wagtails W and 6 Chaffinches.

First year Caspian Gull - Dave Smith

September 24th

On a bright morning with a moderate southerly breeze blowing we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and back. We counted 187 House Martins flying W, 24 Chiffchaffs, 5 Cetti's Warblers, 17 Swallows flying W, 6 Chaffinches, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 6 Siskin flying W, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Redshank, 9 Oystercatchers, 60 Ringed Plovers, 50 Turnstones, 1 Manx Shearwater flying E off Coldharbour, 3 Sandwich Terns, 1 Teal, 1 summer plumaged Red-throated Diver fishing close inshore at Coldharbour, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Sanderling, 1 Dunlin, 1 Sand Martin flying W, 1 Pied Wagtail, 10 Mallard, 8 Wigeon, 1 Kestrel and 1 Yellow-browed Warbler  calling and showing in the bushes beside the River Wantsum (182nd).

Redshank

Derek Smith was also out this morning between 0630 and 1030 and walked from Shuart and along the railway embankment coming back via Coldharbour and Plumpudding. He saw 4 Little Grebes, 5 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Marsh Harriers, 1 Common Buzzard, 4 Kestrels, 1 Pintail W, 120 Sand Martins SE, 4,300 House Martins W, 660 Swallows W, 1 Whinchat, 4 Stonechats, 1 Tree Sparrow, 12 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Sedge Warbler, 65 Chiffchaffs, 11 Siskins and 6 Golcrests.

September 23rd

There had been another large overnight arrival of Blackcaps with 150 in our ringing area at Reculver of which we ringed 100. Other birds seen during the morning included 5 Grey Wagtails, 45 Chiffchaffs, 40 Mallard, 7 Swallows W, 6 Goldcrests, 4 Firecrests, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Jays, 80 Teal, 6 Wigeon, 3 Tufted Duck, 6 Little Grebes, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Common Buzzards, 32 Siskins W, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Long-tailed Tits and 1 Raven.

Birds ringed 146: Firecrest 4, Goldcrest 4, Willow Warbler 1, Chiffchaff 25, Long-tailed Tit 1, Great Tit 2, Robin 1, Chaffinch 2, Blackcap 100, Blue Tit 4, Grey Wagtail 1, Green Woodpecker 1.

First year Grey Wagtail

 Dave Smith was also out this morning and walked at Shuart and Minnis Bay where he counted 1 Teal, 2 Little Grebes, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 67 Lapwings, 30 Ringed Plovers, 50 Turnstone, 10 Sanderling, 9 Dunlin, 1 Snipe W, 1 Common Sandpiper, 4 Redshank, 1 Common Gull, 5 Sandwich Terns, 2 Marsh Harriers, 1 Kestrel, 2 Bearded Tits, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Sand Martin, 190 Swallows W, 3 House Martins, 40 Chiffchaffs, 105 Blackcaps, 2 Goldcrests, 2 Stonechats, 1 Wheatear, 2 Grey Wagtails W, 4 Yellow Wagtails, 4 Pied Wagtails, 25 Meadow Pipits W, 1 Rock Pipit, 7 Chaffinches W, 1 Greenfinch, 10 Goldfinches W and 245 Siskins W.

September 22nd

We spent the morning ringing at Shuart where there had been an overnight fall of Blackcaps and to a lesser extent Chiffchaffs. We recorded 100 Blackcaps, 45 Chiffchaffs, 1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Kestrels, 3 Ring-necked Parakeets, 1 Whitethroat, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Common Buzzards, 157 Siskins flying W, 1 Firecrest, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Jays, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Grey Wagtails, 12 Red-legged Partridges and 2 Swallows.

Birds ringed 118: Chiffchaff 25, Firecrest 1, Wren 3, Blackcap 82, Whitethroat 1, Great Tit 1, Dunnock 1, Blackbird 4.

Male Blackcap

Dave Smith was also out for three and a half hours and walked from Shuart to Plumpudding and along the railway embankment to Coldharbour. He counted 55 Mallard, 6 Red-legged Partridges, 52 Lapwing, 40 Ringed Plovers, 55 Turnstone, 2 Sanderling, 1 Common Sandpiper, 6 Redshank, 2 Mediterranean Gulls, 3 Grey Herons, 1 Little Egret, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Peregrine, 1 Jay, 1 Bearded Tit, 2 Sedge Warblers, 1 Reed Warbler, 3 Sand Martins, 6 Swallows, 1 Willow Warbler, 28 Chiffchaffs, 100 Blackcaps, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 2 Whitethroats, 3 Goldcrests, 2 Song Thrushes, 3 Wheatears, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 10 Chaffinches, 100 Goldfinches W and 225 Siskins W.

September 21st

We spent an overcast morning ringing at Reculver where we saw 80 Teal, 60 Mallard, 11 Gadwall, 6 Wigeon, 5 Little Grebes, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 22 Coot, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Common Sandpiper, 3 Sand Martins, 1 Swallow, 331 Siskins flying W, 5 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Grey Wagtails, 15 Chiffchaffs, 20 Blackcaps, 1 Firecrest, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Garden Warbler, 4 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Jays, 2 Willow Warblers, 2 Common Buzzards and 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Birds ringed 53: Firecrest 1, Chiffchaff 13, Long-tailed Tit 5, Willow Warbler 1, Wren 1, Blackcap 17, Garden Warbler 1, Lesser Whitethroat 1, Robin 3, Cetti's Warbler 3, Chaffinch 1, Blue Tit 2, Great Tit 4.

Male Firecrest

September 20th

This morning we began by visiting North Foreland to see the American Cliff Swallow which performed well. A welcome UK and Kent tick for the three of us. 

After this we visited Minnis Bay for an uneventful seawatch where we saw 33 Sandwich Terns, 3 House Martins, 2 Common Scoter, 1 Arctic Skua W, 10 Meadow Pipits W at sea, 1 Swallow and 1 Little Egret.

September 19th

With a strong SW wind blowing this morning there was a large westerly movement of House Martins. In one and a half hours we counted 1,600 moving through in waves over the sea and land. Looking further south there were also groups of birds moving over Chislet Marshes as far as the eye could see, however, we only counted those birds in Reculver Marshes airspace. Other birds we saw in the Reculver area included 3 Sand Martins W, 14 Swallows W, 1 Yellow Wagtail W, 5 Sandwich Terns E, 2 Common Buzzards, 58 Mallard, 9 Tufted Duck, 23 Teal, 14 Goldfinches, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Chiffchaffs, 7 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Grey Heron, 13 Wigeon, 14 Coot, 5 Gadwall and 1 Jay.

We have just received information about a first year Robin we ringed at Shuart on September 6th. It was killed by a cat at Colchester, Essex on September 13th and had flown 62 km NNW.

September 18th

This morning we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour in sunny conditions but with an increasing SW breeze blowing. Birds we saw included 1 Wheatear, 2 Pied Wagtails, 21 Goldfinches, 77 Mallard, 2 Stonechats, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Grey Herons, 1 Little Egret, 13 Meadow Pipits, 77 Swallows flying W over the sea, 2 Sand Martins W, 11 Cormorants, 1 Reed Warbler. 1 Hobby, 4 Kestrels and 1 Sandwich Tern E. We also found a Wall Brown by the Roman wall.

Wheatear

Wall Brown

September 17th

There had been a significant overnight change in the weather this morning with a fresh east wind and cloudy conditions. We had a look at Reculver and then walked inland and recorded 5 Chiffchaffs, 1 Little Owl, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 1 first year Yellow-legged Gull E, 1 Hobby, 2 Gannets E, 16 Wigeon, 115 Mallard, 15 Coot, 26 Teal, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 5 Gadwall, 3 Tufted Duck, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Grey Heron and 6 Goldfinches.

Dave and Derek Smith spent an hour and a half seawatching at Reculver and saw 1 Teal W, 15 Common Scoter E, 1 Grey Plover, 1 Dunlin, 1 Arctic Skua E, 1 large auk, 2 Mediterranean Gulls, 3 Sandwich Terns E, 8 Gannets, 1 Hobby and 2 Grey Wagtails.

September 16th

On an increasingly warm morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and counted 6 Cetti's Warblers, 8 Reed Buntings, 2 Tufted Duck, 10 Chiffchaffs, 3 Reed Warblers, 4 Blackcaps, 2 Mallard, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Grey Herons, 36 Meadow Pipits, 6 Linnets, 1 Little Egret, 3 Redshank, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Teal and 6 Robins.

Derek Smith was out at 0615 and walked from Shuart to Brooksend and Minnis Bay and then along the embankment. He counted 8 Little Egrets, 16 Grey Herons, including 8 flying W, 8 Little Grebes, 2 Hobbies, 4 Kestrels, 53 Lapwings, 2 Short-eared Owls, 6 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Wheatear, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 5 Blackcaps, 1 Lesser Whitethroats, 4 Whitethroats, 4 Reed Warblers, 36 Chiffchaffs, 1 Willow Warbler and 1 Firecrest.

Short-eared Owl - Derek Smith

Dave Smith was also out early this morning and completed his regular walk from Shuart to Plumpudding and along the embankment to Coldharbour. He saw 60 Mallard, 4 Teal, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 5 Stock Doves, 3 Lapwings, 23 Ringed Plovers, 1 Whimbrel, 6 Turnstone, 2 Sandwich Terns, 11 Grey Herons, including a group of 9 flying W, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 1 Hobby, 1+ Bearded Tits, 2 Sedge Warblers, 7 Reed Warblers, 19 Chiffchaffs, 7 Blackcaps, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Firecrest, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Wheatear, 1 Grey Wagtail, 6 Yellow Wagtails, 20 Meadow Pipits and 3 Siskons W.