October 12th

This morning we had a walk at Chamber's Wall where we counted 4 Greylag Geese, 10 Meadow Pipits, 17 Skylarks, 2 Reed Buntings, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 48 Chaffinches, 4 Song Thrushes, 6 Robins, 5 Chiffchaffs, 1 Kingfisher, 14 Lapwings and 2 Stonechats. We then had a brief look at Reculver where we saw 1 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 2 Sandwich Terns, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Jay, 1 Red-throated Diver and 1 juvenile Gannet flying E close inshore.

Derek Smith was out early and walked from Shuart to Brooksend and Plumpudding and back along the embankment. He counted 3 Common Buzzards, 4 Kestrels, 1 Water Rail, 47 Skylarks SW, 3 Great Spotted Woodpekers W, 37 Redwings SW, 6 Pied Wagtails, 4 Stonechats, 166 Chaffinches W 3 Bramblings W, 2 Greenfinches W, 13 Siskins W, 17 Chiffchaffs, 1 Firecrest, 3 Goldcrests, 9 Reed Buntings and 2 Corn Buntings.

Brendan Ryan walked from Shuart to Plumpudding and Coldharbour and back along the railway embankment this morning. His highlights included 1 Ring Ouzel, 1 Hobby, 12 Chiffchaffs, 5 Blackcaps, 1 Firecrest, 1 Goldcrest, 14 Song Thrushes, 26 Redwings, 11 Stonechats, 250 Chaffinches W, 2 Siskins, 1 Brambling and 5 Sandwich Terns. He then visited Bishopstone Glen only saw 1 Chiffchaff and 1 Red-throated Diver of note.

Ring Ouzel - Brendan Ryan

 October 11th

It was sunny and cool this morning as we walked along the seawall from Reculver to the Green Wall. We counted 45 Skylarks  flying W, 26 Meadow Pipits, 6 Mute Swans, 3 Redshank, 1 Oystercatcher, 136 Linnets flying W, 3 Stonechat, 1 Great Black-backed Gull, 15 Cormorants, 52 Ringed Plovers, 7 Turnstone, 1 Kestrel, 3 Chaffinches, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 14 Mallard, 3 Little Egrets, 4 Reed Buntings, 1 Rock Pipit flying W, 40 Golden Plovers, 1 Grey Heron, 26 Chaffinches flying W, 3 Bramblings flying W and 8 Goldfinches.

Matt was also out and walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and back along the Green Wall. He recorded 9 Stonechats, 104 Greylag Geese, 4 Kestrels, 8 Cetti's Warblers, 15 Chiffchaffs, 2 Barn Owls, 147 Golden Plovers, 2 Blackcaps, 1 Goldcrest, 1 juvenile Turtle Dove, 62 Skylarks W, 20 Corn Buntings, 7 Rock Pipits, 1 Sparrowhawk, 5 Little Egrets, 1 Grey Plover, 3 Sandwich Terns E, 3 Little Grebes, 2 Redshank, 1 Dunlin, 4 Raven, 1 Swallow W, 1 Grey Heron, 1 adult male Marsh Harrier, 1 Brambling W, 4 Tree Sparrows and 8 Long-tailed Tits.

Juvenile Turtle Dove - Matt Hindle

 October 10th

On a bright and chilly morning we walked at Reculver and counted 12 Chiffchaffs, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Grey Herons, 1 Green Sandpiper, 10 Teal, 32 Tufted Duck, 1 male Pochard, 44 Gadwall, 75 Mallard, 120 Coot, 5 Pied Wagtails, 9 Little Grebes, 13 Meadow Pipits, 19 Skylarks , 3 Mute Swans, 2 Sparrowhawks, 2 Jays and 1 Common Buzzard.

This morning Dave Smith walked fom Shuart to Plumpudding and Coldharbour. He rcorded 3 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 5 Mute Swans, 24 Mallard, 3 Coot, 150 Oystercatchers, 6 Grey Plovers, 120 Golden Plovers, 2 Lapwings, 11 Curlew, 14 Bar-tailed Godwits, 8 Redshank, 35 Turnstone, 60 Sanderling, 2 Dunlin, 1 Common Gull, 1 Little Grebe, 6 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Red-throated Diver, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, 2 Marsh Harriers, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Kestrels, 37 Skylarks, 11 Swallows, 12 Chiffchaffs, 1 Dartford Warbler, 7 Long-tailed Tits, 5 Blackcaps, 1 Firecrest, 31 Starlings, 1 Mistle Thrush, 10 Song Thrushes, 1 Wheatear, 15 Meadow Pipits, 25 Chaffinches, 2 Brambling, 1 Crossbill (185th) and 8 Corn Buntings.

 October 9th

Matt walked from Reculver to the Green Wall and birds he saw included 4 House Martins flying W, 103 Swallows flying W, 3 Marsh Harriers, 3 Ravens, 1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Mediterranean Gulls, 160 Linnets, 450 Starlings, 3 Common Buzzards, 2 Stonechats, 3 Redwings, 120 Golden Plover and 1 Greenfinch.

Peter Carr visited the area and found a Turtle Dove near the Chamber's Wall crossing.

 October 8th

On a sunny morning with a fresh northwesterly wind blowing Matt and I were joined by Dave Smith, Brendan Ryan and Jonathan Singlewood-Dodds for a seawatch at the Towers. We counted 23 Gannets E, 3 Mediterranean Gulls, 2 Curlew, 4 Red-throated Divers, 6 Great Crested Grebes, 32 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 4 Rock Pipits, 7 Wigeon W, 35 Little Gulls W, 1 Bar-tailed Godwits, 23 Skylarks in off, 3 Ravens, 1 Peregrine, 3 Sandwich Terns E, 3 Arctic Skuas W, 2 Grey Wagtails, 9 Meadow Pipits in off, 1 Grey Heron, 6 Grey Plovers W, 4 Golden Plovers W, 2 Song Thrushes in off, 1 Redwing in off and 4 Bramblings.

 October 7th

On an overcast morning we walked at Reculver and counted 6 Chiffchaffs, 6 Ravens, 1 Grey Plover, 1 Common Buzzard, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Snipe, 65 Gadwall, 2 Shoveler, 120 Coot, 80 Mallard, 3 Teal, 5 Little Grebe, 2 Pied Wagtails, 6 Mute Swans, 1 Mediterranean Gull and 1 Siskin.

After an early morning walk Matt spent most of the day at the Towers (0700-0900 and 1145-1700). He was joined for some of the afternoon by Dave and Derek Smith. His final totals were 7 Rock Pipits, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Kingfisher, 3 Stonechats, 24 Mediterranean Gulls E, 1 Short-eared Owl, 4 Red-throated Divers, 4 Pomarine Skuas (183rd), 1 Grey Wagtail, 5 Curlew, 18 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 4 Grey Plovers, 2 Little Egrets, 4 Skylarks in off, 32 Common Scoter, 1 Razorbill E, 13 Sandwich Terns, 27 Gannets E, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits W, 7 Arctic Skuas W, 2 Teal, 60 Little Gulls W, 3 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Manx Shearwaters W (184th), 4 Common Terns W and 11 Pintail W.

 October 6th

We spent the morning ringing at Shuart and saw 1 Tawny Owl, 7 Red-legged Partridges, 1 Barn Owl, 1 Golden Plover, 1 Curlew, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 140 Greylag Geese, 1 Barnacle Goose, 25 Chiffchaffs, 15 Blackcaps, 4 Ring-necked Parakeets, 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Kestrels, 12 Chaffinches W, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Stonechats, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 16 Long-tailed Tits, 6 Siskins W, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Song Thrushes, 1 Brambling and 1 Grey Wagtail.

Birds ringed 48: Wren 2, Chiffchaff 17, Blackcap 6, Cetti's Warbler 2, Robin 3, Reed Bunting 11, Blue Tit 1, Stonechat 2, Reed Warbler 1, Dunnock 2, Woodpigeon 1.

A late Reed Warbler

 October 5th

We spent a mild and sunny autumn morning ringing at Reculver where we saw 96 Gadwall, 4 Shoveler, 4 Teal, 80 Mallard, 24 Tufted Duck, 6 Little Grebes, 106 Coot, 2 Stonechats, 1 Snipe, 40 Chiffchaffs, 2 Firecrests, 1 Song Thrush, 12 Blackcaps, 37 Greylag Geese, 1 Green Sandpiper, 6 Jays, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Kestrel, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Mistle Thrush, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Sparrowhawk, 5 Siskins, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Greenfinch, 4 Pied Wagtail, 1 Kingfisher and 10 Long-tailed Tits.

Birds ringed 39: Chiffchaff 26, Long-tailed Tit 1, Blackcap 8, Robin 1, Great Tit 1, Dunnock 1, Blackbird 1.

Derek Smith was also out today having just returned from his trip to the Shetland Islands and walked from Shuart along the railway embankment and back via Coldharbour. He recorded 1 Cattle Egret flying W over Shuart Farm, 3 Little Egrets, 4 Dark-bellied Brent Geese W, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Sparrowhawk, 4 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 3 Swallows W, 9 Song Thrushes, 70 Starlings W, 2 Grey Wagtails W, 6 Stonechats, 2 Brambling W, 58 Chaffinches W, 17 Blackcaps, 55 Chiffchaffs and 1 Firecrest.

 October 4th

We spent a pleasant sunny morning ringing at Shuart where we counted 1 Water Rail, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 4 Stonechats, 3 Swallows, 20 Chiffchaffs, 31 Greylag Geese, 1 Little Owl, 1 Kingfisher, 25 Blackcaps, 1 Reed Warbler, 5 Ring-necked Parakeets, 1 Rock Pipit, 1 Mistle Thrush, 1 Hobby, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 12 Magpies, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Kestrel, 1 Green Woodpecker, 10 Linnets, 4 Siskins W, 1 Jay and 10 Skylarks.

Birds ringed 61: Chiffchaff 21, Great Tit 7, Blue Tit 4, Blackcap 21, Reed Warbler 1, Robin 3, Cetti's Warbler 2, Reed Bunting 1, Dunnock 1.

Dave Smith walked from Shuart to Plumpudding and Coldharbour and back and saw 120 Greylag Geese, 4 Canada Geese, 8 Mute Swans, 7 Wigeon, 5 Teal, 31 Mallard, 4 Coot, 21 Oystercatchers, 5 Ringed Plovers, 1 Snipe, 3 Turnstone, 2 Dunlin, 1 Common Gull, 4 Sandwich Terns, 11 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Red-throated Divers, 3 Little Egrets, 3 Grey Herons, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Great Spotted and 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Kestrels, 2 Ravens, 46 Skylarks W, 27 Chiffchaffs, 1 Dartford Warbler (182nd), 8 Blackcaps, 66 Starlings W, 1 Song Thrush, 12 Meadow Pipits, 13 Chaffinches and 13 Corn Buntings.

Brendan Ryan birded at Reculver and Bishopstone and his highlights at Reculver were 11 Grey Partridges, 39 Ringed Plovers, 56 Skylarks W, 16 Chiffchaffs and 1 Brambling and at Bishopstone 16 Chiffchaffs and 6 Little Egrets.

 October 3rd

This morning we walked at Reculver and counted 5 Cetti's Warblers, 7 Chiffchaffs, 5 Robins, 110 Coot, 2 Teal, 72 Gadwall, 95 Mallard, 35 Tufted Duck, 2 Common Buzzards, 3 Mute Swans, 9 Little Grebes, 2 Grey Herons, 5 Pied Wagtails, 2 Jays, 1 Little Egret, 2 Swallows W, 2 Rock Pipits, 2 Red-throated Divers, 1 Mediterranean Gull and 1 Grey Wagtail.

Matt was out early and walked along the seawall to Plumpudding and back along the embankment. He recorded 36 Chiffchaffs, 29 Mediterranean Gulls, 4 Ravens, 4 Grey Herons, 7 Little Egrets, 9 Rock Pipits, 26 Meadow Pipits W, 8 Sandwich Terns E, 15 Cetti's Warblers, 3 Great Crested Grebes, 6 Red-throated Divers, 82 Greylag Geese, 6 Wigeon, 1 Curlew, 6 Turnstone, 2 Gadwall, 2 Corn Buntings, 7 Stonechats, 13 Lapwings, 4 Golden Plover, 6 Siskins W, 16 Skylarks, 1 Kingfisher, 4 Grey Wagtails, 10 Grey Partridges, 1 Green Sandpiper and 1 Yellow-browed Warbler.

Adult Red-throated Diver - Matt Hindle

Dave Smith was also out and walked from Shuart to Plumpudding and Coldharbour and recorded 65 Greylag Geese, 2 Barnacle Geese, 2 Mute Swans, 6 Wigeon, 17 Mallard, 1 Coot, 15 Oystercatchers, 4 Ringed Plovers, 3 Lapwings, 2 Redshank, 1 Turnstone, 8 Mediterranean Gulls, 2 Sandwich Terns, 12 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Red-throated Diver, 4 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Kestrel, 1 Peregrine, 2 Jays, 3 Ravens, 2 Bearded Tits (181st), 15 Swallows, 37 Chiffchaffs, 9 Blackcaps, 2 Firecrests, 30 Starlings, 1 Mistle Thrush, 6 Song Thrushes, 8 Blackbirds, 3 Stonechats, 1 Grey Wagtail, 15 Pied Wagtails, 16 Meadow Pipits, 1 Rock Pipit, 11 Chaffinches and 17 Corn Buntings.

 October 2nd

We spent a sunny morning ringing at Shuart where we saw 30 Chiffchaffs, 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Marsh Hariier, 1 Redpoll, 34 Lapwings, 9 Greylag Geese, 35 Linnets, 4 Mediterranean Gulls, 15 Chaffinches, 6 Bramblings, 5 Swallows, 1 Yellowhammer, 10 Meadow Pipits, 40 Blackcaps, 2 Stonechats, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 3 Ring-necked Parakeets, 1 Green Woodpecker, 4 Cattle Egrets with cattle, 1 Sedge Warbler and 1 Grey Wagtail.

Birds ringed 69: Chiffchaff 21, Wren 1, Blackcap 33, Reed Bunting 6, Robin 2, Chaffinch 1, Blue Tit 1, Great Tit 2, Dunnock 2.

Cattle Egrets

 October 1st

We spent the morning ringing at Reculver where we recorded 2 Common Buzzards, 6 Robins, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Firecrests, 5 Goldcrests, 1 Tawny Owl calling early on, 6 Little Grebes, 111 Coot, 1 Grey Heron, 53 Tufted Duck, 77 Gadwall, 4 Shoveler, 8 Teal, 110 Mallard, 3 Jays, 2 Mediterranean Gulls, 20 Chiffchaffs, 8 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Green Sandpiper, 10 Skylarks, 2 Pied Wagtails, 4 Swallows W, 2 Siskins W, 2 Grey Wagtails, 1 Brambling, 1 Kestrel, 4 Blackcaps and 6 Chaffinches.

Birds ringed 29: Goldcrest 2, Chiffchaff 17, Long-tailed Tit 1, Blackcap 3, Robin 2, Cetti's Warbler 1, Chaffinch 1, Dunnock 1, Song Thrush 1.

Dave Smith arrived at Reculver early and found the Yellow-browed Warbler still by the car park. Other birds he saw in the area were 10 Greylag Geese, 2 Mute Swans, 7 Mallard, 4 Sandwich Terns, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 1 Green Woodpeckers, 5 Jays, 2 Skylarks, 2 Song Thrushes, 4 Stonechats, 3 Chaffinches W, 1 Siskin and 3 Corn Buntings.

Brendan Ryan also visited Reculver and his highlights were the Yellow-browed Warbler, 4 Stonechats and 9 Reed Buntings and between Chamber's Wall and Coldharbour 5 Mediterrnean Gulls, 4 Stonechats, 13 Chiffchaffs and 2 Firecrests whilst at Shuart he saw 5 Chiffchaffs, 1 Blackcap and 3 Firecrests.

Yellow-browed Warbler - Brendan Ryan

 September 30th

On a mild and damp morning with a fresh southerly wind blowing we walked at various sites at Reculver and our highlight was  2 Red-necked Grebes seen briefly at Reculver (180th). Other birds we saw were 5 Robins, 5 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 5 Chiffchaffs, 95 Mallard, 45 Gadwall, 142 Coot, 66 Tufted Duck, 6 Mute Swans, 4 Mediterranean Gulls, 2 Wigeon, 6 Little Grebes, 2 Shoveler, 2 Teal, 6 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Dunlin, 3 Grey Wagtails, 2 Ravens, 8 Sandwich Terns E, 3 Dark-bellied Brent Geese and 2 Stonechats.

Red-necked Grebes

Matt was out before us and walked from Reculver to Plumpudding along the seawall and back along the embankment. He saw 20 Chiffchaffs, 10 Rock Pipits W, 26 Sandwich Terns E, 6 Stonechats, 6 Mediterranean Gulls, 4 Grey Herons, 2 Lapland Buntings W (179th), 6 Little Egrets, 2 Red-throated Divers, 17 Cetti's Warblers, 25 Robins, 1 Wheatear, 7 Song Thrushes, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 10 Swallows W, 1 Grey Wagtail W, 7 Ravens E, 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Blackcap, 9 Reed Buntings, 1 Firecrest, 1 Little Owl, 2 Redwings, 1 Goldcrest, 4 Long-tailed tits, 51 Mallard, 2 Little Grebe, 6 Coot, 1 Golden Plover, 9 Skylarks, 5 Kestrels, 1 Green Sandpiper, 4 Corn Buntings, 1 Kingfisher, 4 Lapwings and 1 Yellow-browed Warbler at Reculver Car Park.

 September 29th

The overnight rain left a misty, murky morning that gradually brightened up as we walked along the seawall from Reculver. Birds we counted included 5 Chiffchaffs, 1 Blackcap, 8 Robins, 4 Stonechats, 1 Green Woodpecker, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 11 Redshank, 43 Linnets, 1 Red-throated Diver E, 4 Grey Herons, 4 Little Egrets, 39 Meadow Pipits, 12 Reed Buntings, 4 Sandwich Terns E, 2 Curlew, 2 Wigeon W, 2 Ringed Plovers, 17 Mallard, 95 Golden Plovers and 4 Oystercatchers.

Brendan Ryan was also out this morning and walked from Shuart to Plumpudding and back along the railway embankment. His highlights were 1 Wheatear, 1 Black Redstart, 10 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 3 Mediterranean Gulls, 2 Sandwich Terns, 21 Chiffchaffs, 11 Blackcaps, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Stonechats and 21 Reed Buntings.

 September 28th

We spent the morning ringing at another site at Shuart and saw 3 Cetti's Warblers, 4 Ring-necked Parakeets, 15 Red-legged Partridges, 15 Blackcaps, 15 Chiffchaffs, 3 Song Thrushes, 4 Swallows W, 67 Greylag Geese, 3 Stonechats, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Kestrel, 15 Reed Buntings, 2 Common Buzzards, 12 Skylarks, 2 Jays and 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers.

Birds ringed 41: Chiffchaff 11, Wren 1, Blackcap 12, Reed Buntings 13, Stonechat 2, Robin 1, Dunnock 1.