December 15th
We spent the day in Northern France managing to see 74 species with the highlights being 10 Shorelarks on the beach at Grand Fort Philippe, a female Scaup at Dunkerque and a Jack Snipe at Guines.
Thursday, 15 December 2016
Wednesday, 14 December 2016
December 14th
We spent a beautiful winter's morning ringing near Chamber's Wall where we saw 98 Fieldfares, 2 Kestrels, 40 Corn Buntings, 7 Tree Sparrows, 55 Redwings, 6 Lapwings S, 2 Yellowhammers, 35 Cormorants S, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Marsh Harrier, 65 Carrion Crows, 18 Chaffinches and 80 Dark-bellied Brent Geese.
Birds ringed 22: Wren 1, Blue Tit 2, Reed Bunting 6, Dunnock 4, Song Thrush 2, Blackbird 7.
On a wonderful sunny and relatively mild winter afternoon we walked at Minnis Bay and counted 250 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 4 Great Crested Grebes, 135 Dunlin, 79 Grey Plovers, 2 Mallard, 4 Red-throated Divers, 5 Ringed Plovers, 179 Oystercatchers, 82 Sanderling, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 49 Turnstone, 26 Redshank and 1 Curlew.
On the way home we visited Marshside just as dusk was drawing in and found the Cattle Egret in its usual field.
We spent a beautiful winter's morning ringing near Chamber's Wall where we saw 98 Fieldfares, 2 Kestrels, 40 Corn Buntings, 7 Tree Sparrows, 55 Redwings, 6 Lapwings S, 2 Yellowhammers, 35 Cormorants S, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Marsh Harrier, 65 Carrion Crows, 18 Chaffinches and 80 Dark-bellied Brent Geese.
Birds ringed 22: Wren 1, Blue Tit 2, Reed Bunting 6, Dunnock 4, Song Thrush 2, Blackbird 7.
On a wonderful sunny and relatively mild winter afternoon we walked at Minnis Bay and counted 250 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 4 Great Crested Grebes, 135 Dunlin, 79 Grey Plovers, 2 Mallard, 4 Red-throated Divers, 5 Ringed Plovers, 179 Oystercatchers, 82 Sanderling, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 49 Turnstone, 26 Redshank and 1 Curlew.
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| Dark-bellied Brent Goose |
On the way home we visited Marshside just as dusk was drawing in and found the Cattle Egret in its usual field.
Tuesday, 13 December 2016
December 13th
This morning we began birding at a misty Towers and then walked from Chamber's Wall back to Reculver where we arrived just as the drizzle got heavier. Birds we saw included 93 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 830 Cormorants, 5 Shelduck W, 16 Red-throated Divers, 5 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Stonechats, 8 Mute Swans, 2 Fieldfares, 28 Redwings, 1 Goldcrest, 42 Corn Buntings, 8 Tree Sparrows, 1 Yellowhammer, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 60 Reed Buntings, 6 Lapland Buntings, 32 Skylarks, 60 Chaffinches, 51 Wigeon, 1 Little Grebe, 4 Redshank, 100 Carrion Crows, 110 Mallard, 2 Oystercatchers, 34 Common Scoter E, 1 Little Egret and 1 Kingfisher.
This morning we began birding at a misty Towers and then walked from Chamber's Wall back to Reculver where we arrived just as the drizzle got heavier. Birds we saw included 93 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 830 Cormorants, 5 Shelduck W, 16 Red-throated Divers, 5 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Stonechats, 8 Mute Swans, 2 Fieldfares, 28 Redwings, 1 Goldcrest, 42 Corn Buntings, 8 Tree Sparrows, 1 Yellowhammer, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 60 Reed Buntings, 6 Lapland Buntings, 32 Skylarks, 60 Chaffinches, 51 Wigeon, 1 Little Grebe, 4 Redshank, 100 Carrion Crows, 110 Mallard, 2 Oystercatchers, 34 Common Scoter E, 1 Little Egret and 1 Kingfisher.
Monday, 12 December 2016
December 12th
We arrived at Reculver at 0800 in bright sunshine but could see a front moving in from the west and finished our walk in cloudy conditions.
Birds we saw included 233 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 8 Common Scoter, 534 Cormorants flying out to sea from the Stour Valley, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Little Grebe, 27 Ringed Plovers, 4 Redshank, 7 Mute Swans, 1 Common Buzzard, 40 Corn Buntings, 32 Linnets, 110 Carrion Crows, 62 Mallard, 1 first winter Yellow-legged Gull W, 2 Oystercatchers, 1 Little Egret, 40 Sanderling, 2 Turnstone, 3 Goldfinches and 1 Green Woodpecker.
We arrived at Reculver at 0800 in bright sunshine but could see a front moving in from the west and finished our walk in cloudy conditions.
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| Approaching front |
Birds we saw included 233 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 8 Common Scoter, 534 Cormorants flying out to sea from the Stour Valley, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Little Grebe, 27 Ringed Plovers, 4 Redshank, 7 Mute Swans, 1 Common Buzzard, 40 Corn Buntings, 32 Linnets, 110 Carrion Crows, 62 Mallard, 1 first winter Yellow-legged Gull W, 2 Oystercatchers, 1 Little Egret, 40 Sanderling, 2 Turnstone, 3 Goldfinches and 1 Green Woodpecker.
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| Common Scoter |
Sunday, 11 December 2016
December 11th
After overnight rain the morning dawned bright and sunny as we birded the western half of the Marsh. We saw 1 Kestrel, 43 Chaffinches, 448 Cormorants, 9 Mute Swans, 36 Redwings, 54 Fieldfares, 27 Corn Buntings, 22 Reed Buntings, 56 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 14 Skylarks, 5 Stonechats, 7 Redshank, 1 Little Grebe, 115 Carrion Crow, 32 Mallard, 2 Little Egrets and 1 Golden Plover.
After overnight rain the morning dawned bright and sunny as we birded the western half of the Marsh. We saw 1 Kestrel, 43 Chaffinches, 448 Cormorants, 9 Mute Swans, 36 Redwings, 54 Fieldfares, 27 Corn Buntings, 22 Reed Buntings, 56 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 14 Skylarks, 5 Stonechats, 7 Redshank, 1 Little Grebe, 115 Carrion Crow, 32 Mallard, 2 Little Egrets and 1 Golden Plover.
Saturday, 10 December 2016
December 10th
It was very overcast and a bit drizzly this morning as we walked from Shuart to Brooksend and on to Plumpudding and counted 4 Ring-necked Parakeets, 52 Lapwings, 2 Common Buzzards, 19 Blackbirds, 31 Mute Swans, 45 House Sparrows at the Riding Centre, 3 Pied Wagtails, 37 Oystercatchers, 22 Turnstone, 1 Purple Sandpiper, 18 Redshank, 4 Sanderling, 13 Goldfinches, 45 Ringed Plovers, 28 Mallard, 6 Curlew, 1 Little Egret, 16 Linnets, 99 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Fieldfares, Little Owl and 1 Marsh Harrier.
It was very overcast and a bit drizzly this morning as we walked from Shuart to Brooksend and on to Plumpudding and counted 4 Ring-necked Parakeets, 52 Lapwings, 2 Common Buzzards, 19 Blackbirds, 31 Mute Swans, 45 House Sparrows at the Riding Centre, 3 Pied Wagtails, 37 Oystercatchers, 22 Turnstone, 1 Purple Sandpiper, 18 Redshank, 4 Sanderling, 13 Goldfinches, 45 Ringed Plovers, 28 Mallard, 6 Curlew, 1 Little Egret, 16 Linnets, 99 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Fieldfares, Little Owl and 1 Marsh Harrier.
Friday, 9 December 2016
December 9th
It was a misty, murky morning as we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and saw 4 Pied Wagtails, 8 Mute Swans, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Little Grebe, 5 Redshank, 117 Oystercatchers, 26 Ringed Plovers, 4 Turnstone, 1 Marsh Harrier, 470 Lapwings, 4 Golden Plovers, 147 Cormorants, 3 Stonechats, 90 Carrion Crows, 6 female Common Scoter, 48 Corn Buntings, 1 Wigeon, 115 Dark-bellied Brent Geese and 1 Goldcrest.
This afternoon we walked inland at Reculver and recorded 122 Cormorants flying south to roost in the Stour Valley, 5 Gadwall, 5 Mallard, 1 Teal, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Grey Heron, 4 Corn Buntings and 1 Coot.
After this, as dusk was approaching, we drove along North Stream at Marshside and refound the Cattle Egret. It hasn't got far to fly to the Reculver recording area!
It was a misty, murky morning as we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and saw 4 Pied Wagtails, 8 Mute Swans, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Little Grebe, 5 Redshank, 117 Oystercatchers, 26 Ringed Plovers, 4 Turnstone, 1 Marsh Harrier, 470 Lapwings, 4 Golden Plovers, 147 Cormorants, 3 Stonechats, 90 Carrion Crows, 6 female Common Scoter, 48 Corn Buntings, 1 Wigeon, 115 Dark-bellied Brent Geese and 1 Goldcrest.
This afternoon we walked inland at Reculver and recorded 122 Cormorants flying south to roost in the Stour Valley, 5 Gadwall, 5 Mallard, 1 Teal, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Grey Heron, 4 Corn Buntings and 1 Coot.
After this, as dusk was approaching, we drove along North Stream at Marshside and refound the Cattle Egret. It hasn't got far to fly to the Reculver recording area!
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| Cattle Egret |
Thursday, 8 December 2016
December 8th
On an overcast morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and dropped in at Reculver on the way home. We recorded 75 Cormorants, 17 Mute Swans, 19 Fieldfares, 39 Redwings, 8 Tree Sparrows, 1 Sparrowhawk, 32 Chaffinches, 34 Corn Buntings, 1 Grey Heron, 110 Carrion Crows, 1 Little Egret, 18 Common Scoter, 87 Mallard, 3 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Redshank, 1 Golden Plover, 1 Turnstone, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Snipe, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Coot and 2 Gadwall.
Julian Perry found a Snow Bunting on the beach west of Coldharbour this morning.
This afternoon I walked along under the cliffs at Minnis Bay and counted 44 Turnstone, 90 Oystercatchers, 9 Curlew, 6 Redshank, 8 Grey Plovers, 109 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Great Crested Grebe and 1 Little Egret.
On an overcast morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and dropped in at Reculver on the way home. We recorded 75 Cormorants, 17 Mute Swans, 19 Fieldfares, 39 Redwings, 8 Tree Sparrows, 1 Sparrowhawk, 32 Chaffinches, 34 Corn Buntings, 1 Grey Heron, 110 Carrion Crows, 1 Little Egret, 18 Common Scoter, 87 Mallard, 3 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Redshank, 1 Golden Plover, 1 Turnstone, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Snipe, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Coot and 2 Gadwall.
Julian Perry found a Snow Bunting on the beach west of Coldharbour this morning.
This afternoon I walked along under the cliffs at Minnis Bay and counted 44 Turnstone, 90 Oystercatchers, 9 Curlew, 6 Redshank, 8 Grey Plovers, 109 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Great Crested Grebe and 1 Little Egret.
Wednesday, 7 December 2016
December 7th
The weather changed overnight and it was much milder with a SW breeze blowing as we walked along the seawall from Reculver this morning. It was relatively quiet but we did see 86 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 4 Redshank, 5 Stonechats, 5 Oystercatchers, 148 Carrion Crows, 26 Common Scoter, 12 Mallard, 8 Goldfinches, 30 Corn Buntings, 1 Dunlin, 4 Pied Wagtails, 1 Snipe, 13 Mute Swans, 1 Tufted Duck, 2 Coot, 2 Gadwall, 1 Teal and 1 Marsh Harrier.
This afternoon Matt walked from Shuart to Plumpudding and back via Brooksend and Netherhale. Birds he counted included 5 Common Buzzards, 3 Kestrels, 2 Marsh Harriers, 3 Stonechats, 300 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Grey Heron, 37 Mute Swans, 10 Little Grebes, 7 Gadwall, 3 Tufted Duck, 8 Pochard, 4 Coot, 3 Green Woodpeckers, 8 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Jays, 2 Teal, 10 Grey Partridges and 1 Sparrowhawk.
The weather changed overnight and it was much milder with a SW breeze blowing as we walked along the seawall from Reculver this morning. It was relatively quiet but we did see 86 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 4 Redshank, 5 Stonechats, 5 Oystercatchers, 148 Carrion Crows, 26 Common Scoter, 12 Mallard, 8 Goldfinches, 30 Corn Buntings, 1 Dunlin, 4 Pied Wagtails, 1 Snipe, 13 Mute Swans, 1 Tufted Duck, 2 Coot, 2 Gadwall, 1 Teal and 1 Marsh Harrier.
This afternoon Matt walked from Shuart to Plumpudding and back via Brooksend and Netherhale. Birds he counted included 5 Common Buzzards, 3 Kestrels, 2 Marsh Harriers, 3 Stonechats, 300 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Grey Heron, 37 Mute Swans, 10 Little Grebes, 7 Gadwall, 3 Tufted Duck, 8 Pochard, 4 Coot, 3 Green Woodpeckers, 8 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Jays, 2 Teal, 10 Grey Partridges and 1 Sparrowhawk.
Tuesday, 6 December 2016
December 6th
It was a struggle to see anything this morning in thick fog but we did walk from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and back via the Green Wall and managed to hear and see 19 Fieldfares, 35 Redwings, 25 Corn Buntings, 53 Chaffinches, 1 Water Rail, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Little Grebes, 6 Tree Sparrows, 30 Reed Buntings, 2 Grey Partridges, 3 Stonechats and 1 Grey Wagtail.
As Matt was driving home he found a Cattle Egret feeding with Herring Gulls in a winter wheat field 400 metres north of Chislet Church. Hopefully it will fly into the Reculver recording area to become our 303rd species.
It was a struggle to see anything this morning in thick fog but we did walk from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and back via the Green Wall and managed to hear and see 19 Fieldfares, 35 Redwings, 25 Corn Buntings, 53 Chaffinches, 1 Water Rail, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Little Grebes, 6 Tree Sparrows, 30 Reed Buntings, 2 Grey Partridges, 3 Stonechats and 1 Grey Wagtail.
As Matt was driving home he found a Cattle Egret feeding with Herring Gulls in a winter wheat field 400 metres north of Chislet Church. Hopefully it will fly into the Reculver recording area to become our 303rd species.
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| Cattle Egret |
Monday, 5 December 2016
December 5th
This afternoon we made a brief visit to Minnis Bay where we saw 9 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Shag and 24 Great Black-backed Gulls.
We then drove to Chamber's Wall and walked out to Coldharbour and counted 89 Fieldfares, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 44 Redwings, 80 Corn Buntings, 45 Chaffinches, 3 Stonechats, 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Little Egret, 2 Little Grebes, 1 Redshank, 100 Oystercatchers, 39 Golden Plovers, 2 Curlew, 5 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Snipe and 1 Water Rail.
Later Matt was still at Chamber's Wall and had 17 Tundra Bean Geese (195th) fly round the Marsh before departing south over Wagtail Farm and back to the Stour Valley.
This afternoon we made a brief visit to Minnis Bay where we saw 9 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Shag and 24 Great Black-backed Gulls.
We then drove to Chamber's Wall and walked out to Coldharbour and counted 89 Fieldfares, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 44 Redwings, 80 Corn Buntings, 45 Chaffinches, 3 Stonechats, 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Little Egret, 2 Little Grebes, 1 Redshank, 100 Oystercatchers, 39 Golden Plovers, 2 Curlew, 5 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Snipe and 1 Water Rail.
Later Matt was still at Chamber's Wall and had 17 Tundra Bean Geese (195th) fly round the Marsh before departing south over Wagtail Farm and back to the Stour Valley.
Sunday, 4 December 2016
December 4th
It was a frosty, sunny morning as we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and then visited Reculver. We saw 3 Kestrels, 13 Fieldfares, 15 Redwings, 8 Goldfinches, 13 Mute Swans, 25 Chaffinches, 5 Tree Sparrows, 20 Corn Buntings, 75 Cormorants, 3 Stonechats, 9 Golden Plovers, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 8 Skylarks, 51 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 28 Oystercatchers, 2 Grey Plovers, 1 Curlew, 49 Mallard, 122 Carrion Crows, 3 Redshank, 15 Sanderling, 2 Little Egrets, 20 Reed Buntings, 1 Kingfisher, 25 Blackbirds, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Snipe, 4 Gadwall, 1 Teal and 2 Coot.
It was a frosty, sunny morning as we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and then visited Reculver. We saw 3 Kestrels, 13 Fieldfares, 15 Redwings, 8 Goldfinches, 13 Mute Swans, 25 Chaffinches, 5 Tree Sparrows, 20 Corn Buntings, 75 Cormorants, 3 Stonechats, 9 Golden Plovers, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 8 Skylarks, 51 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 28 Oystercatchers, 2 Grey Plovers, 1 Curlew, 49 Mallard, 122 Carrion Crows, 3 Redshank, 15 Sanderling, 2 Little Egrets, 20 Reed Buntings, 1 Kingfisher, 25 Blackbirds, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Snipe, 4 Gadwall, 1 Teal and 2 Coot.
Saturday, 3 December 2016
December 3rd
After some overnight rain it dawned sunny as we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and then visited Reculver on the way home. We counted 318 Cormorants, 15 Fieldfares, 18 Blackbirds, 26 Chaffinches, 1 Kestrel, 2 Marsh Harriers, 6 Redwing, 130 Carrion Crows, 1 Yellowhammer, 36 Corn Buntings, 21 Reed Buntings, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Lapwing, 3 Stonechats, 28 Oystercatchers, 15 Wigeon, 31 Mallard, 28 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Curlew, 13 Redshank, 2 Grey Plovers, 7 Skylarks, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Goldcrest, 2 Green Sandpipers, 1 Snipe, 2 Gadwall, 23 Mute Swans, 2 Coot and 1 Cetti's Warbler.
After some overnight rain it dawned sunny as we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and then visited Reculver on the way home. We counted 318 Cormorants, 15 Fieldfares, 18 Blackbirds, 26 Chaffinches, 1 Kestrel, 2 Marsh Harriers, 6 Redwing, 130 Carrion Crows, 1 Yellowhammer, 36 Corn Buntings, 21 Reed Buntings, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Lapwing, 3 Stonechats, 28 Oystercatchers, 15 Wigeon, 31 Mallard, 28 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Curlew, 13 Redshank, 2 Grey Plovers, 7 Skylarks, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Goldcrest, 2 Green Sandpipers, 1 Snipe, 2 Gadwall, 23 Mute Swans, 2 Coot and 1 Cetti's Warbler.
Friday, 2 December 2016
December 2nd
On a dull and overcast morning we walked along the seawall to Coldharbour and back before walking inland, Birds we saw included 40 House Sparrows at Reculver, 146 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 6 Wigeon, 31 Linnets, 19 Ringed Plovers, 1 Turnstone, 11 Oystercatchers, 6 Redshank, 3 Stonechats, 7 Common Scoter, 44 Corn Buntings, 2 Grey Plovers, 170 Carrion Crows, 49 Mallard, 1 Curlew, 35 Cormorants, 37 Mute Swans, 2 Snipe, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Tufted Duck, 2 Gadwall and 2 Teal.
On a dull and overcast morning we walked along the seawall to Coldharbour and back before walking inland, Birds we saw included 40 House Sparrows at Reculver, 146 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 6 Wigeon, 31 Linnets, 19 Ringed Plovers, 1 Turnstone, 11 Oystercatchers, 6 Redshank, 3 Stonechats, 7 Common Scoter, 44 Corn Buntings, 2 Grey Plovers, 170 Carrion Crows, 49 Mallard, 1 Curlew, 35 Cormorants, 37 Mute Swans, 2 Snipe, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Tufted Duck, 2 Gadwall and 2 Teal.
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| Female Stonechat |
Thursday, 1 December 2016
December 1st
The month dawned sunny and cold but the wind had moved round to the west as we walked from Chamber's Wall and around Coldharbour. We saw 650 Cormorants flying out to sea from the Stour Valley at dawn, 8 Mute Swans, 25 Chaffinches, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Grey Heron, 59 Mallard, 12 Redwing, 3 Fieldfare, 20 Blackbirds, 56 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 22 Skylarks, 23 Wigeon, 1 Golden Plover, 26 Corn Buntings, 3 Redshank, 33 Oystercatchers, 1 Snow Bunting, 1 Stonechat, 2 Grey Plovers, 2 Curlew, 110 Carrion Crows, 8 Goldfinches, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Tree Sparrows, 1 Sparrowhawk and 1 Green Woodpecker.
The month dawned sunny and cold but the wind had moved round to the west as we walked from Chamber's Wall and around Coldharbour. We saw 650 Cormorants flying out to sea from the Stour Valley at dawn, 8 Mute Swans, 25 Chaffinches, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Grey Heron, 59 Mallard, 12 Redwing, 3 Fieldfare, 20 Blackbirds, 56 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 22 Skylarks, 23 Wigeon, 1 Golden Plover, 26 Corn Buntings, 3 Redshank, 33 Oystercatchers, 1 Snow Bunting, 1 Stonechat, 2 Grey Plovers, 2 Curlew, 110 Carrion Crows, 8 Goldfinches, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Tree Sparrows, 1 Sparrowhawk and 1 Green Woodpecker.
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