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.

 September 27th

We spent the morning ringing at Shuart where we saw 4 Ring-necked Parakeets, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 32 Linnets, 10 Long-tailed Tits, 5 Song Thrushes W, 4 Skylarks, 5 Stonechats, 30 Chiffchaffs, 25 Blackcaps, 2 Water Rails, 1 Kestrel, 1,500 Black-headed Gulls, 300 Herring Gulls, 1 Peregrine, 5 Meadow Pipits, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Firecrest, 10 Reed Buntings and 1 Ruff.

Birds ringed 62: Chiffchaff 22, Long-tailed Tit 1, Wren 1, Blackcap 21, Blue Tit 2, Robin 4, Stonechat 3, Reed Bunting 7, Goldfinch 1.

First year male Stonechat

Dave Smith was also out at Shuart this morning and walked to Plumpudding and Coldharbour and counted 3 Mute Swans, 10 Mallard, 8 Coot, 1 Grey Plover, 18 Ringed Plovers, 8 Lapwings, 7 Curlew, 6 Redshank, 34 Turnstone, 11 Sanderling, 1 Dunlin, 2 Mediterranean Gulls, 7 Sandwich Terns, 3 Little Grebes, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Kestrels, 1 Merlin (178th), 1 Peregrine, 28 Skylarks E, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Swallow, 15 Chiffchaffs, 3 Blackcaps, 150 Starlings W, 7 Song Thrushes, 1 Pied Flycatcher, 3 Stonechats, 1 Wheatear, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Tree Pipits W and 4 Chaffinches.

 September 26th

This morning we walked at Reculver and recorded 6 Cetti's Warblers, 80 Mallard, 130 Coot, 52 Gadwall, 38 Tufted Duck, 7 Little Grebes, 1 Shoveler, 6 Mute Swans, 1 Shelduck, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Corn Bunting, 8 Chiffchaffs, 1 Kestrel, 2 Grey Herons and 1 Raven.

 September 25th

We spent an increasingly warm morning ringing at Reculver where we saw 4 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Pied Wagtail, 3 Ravens, 2 Goldcrests, 2 Firecrests, 2 Lapwings, 122 Coot, 6 Little Grebes, 43 Tufted Duck, 43 Gadwall, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Shoveler, 3 Teal, 80 Mallard, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 20 Chiffchaffs, 10 Blackcaps, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Pied Flycatcher, 2 Common Buzzards, 5 Mediterranean Gulls, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 8 Jays flying W and 1 Grey Wagtail.

Birds ringed 30: Chiffchaff 15, Wren 1, Blackcap 5, Robin 1, Blue Tit 2, Cetti's Warbler 2 Great Tit 3, Dunnock 1.

 September 24th

We spent another morning ringing, this time at one of our sites at Shuart. Whilst we were there we saw 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 5 Cetti's Warblers, 1 calling Little Owl, 110 Greylag Geese, 2 Barnacle Geese, 3 Canada Geese, 2 Water Rails, 2 Common Buzzards, 3 Stonechats, 1 Sedge Warblers, 1 Swallow, 50 Chiffchaffs, 30 Blackcaps, 14 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Reed Warbler, 2 Firecrests and 15 Robins.

Birds ringed 92: Chiffchaff 34, Long-tailed Tits 8, Wren 1, Firecrest 2, Blue Tit 9, Blackcap 23, Robin 7, Linnet 1, Great Tit 3, Cetti's Warbler 1, Chaffinch 2, Reed Warbler 1.

We also controlled a first year male Blackcap that had been ringed at Gedling Country Park, Nottinghamshire by the South Notts Ringing Group on August 30th 2026. It had travelled 241 km SE to reach Shuart.

Whilst we were ringing Dave Smith walked from Shuart to Plumpudding and Coldharbour and counted 87 Greylag Geese, 2 Barnacle Geese, 3 Canada Geese, 4 Mute Swans, 4 Wigeon, 14 Tufted Duck, 12 Red-legged Partridges, 25 Ringed Plovers, 12 Curlew, 8 Bar-tailed Godwits, 4 Redshank, 11 Turnstone, 80 Sanderling, 5 Dunlin, 2 Sandwich Terns, 2 Little Grebes, 8 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Red-throated Diver, 3 Little Egrets, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Kestrel, 1 Raven, 2 Reed Warblers, 20 Chiffchaffs, 8 Blackcaps and 1 Firecrest.

 September 23rd

We had a very enjoyable morning's ringing at Reculver where we saw 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Spotted Redshank, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 1 Greenfinch, 1 Willow Warbler, 4 Firecrests, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Kestrel, 30 Blackcaps, 60 Chiffchaffs, 2 Reed Warblers, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 3 Goldcrests, 1 Yellow-browed Warbler (177th), 1 Green Woodpecker and 1 immature Peregrine unsuccessfully chasing a Tufted Duck. We also recorded 7 Shoveler, 6 Little Grebes, 36 Tufted Duck, 77 Gadwall, 83 Mallard, 133 Coot, 1 Snipe, 7 Teal, 3 Wigeon, 1 Hobby, 6 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Grey Wagtails, 2 Pied Wagtails, 11 Goldfinches, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Red Kite, 4 Corn Buntings and 7 Mediterranean Gulls.

Birds ringed 77: Chiffchaff 44, Yellow-browed Warbler 1, Long-tailed Tit 2, Firecrest 1, Reed Warbler 2, Blackcap 17, Blue Tit 3, Robin 1, Great Tit 3, Dunnock 2, Blackbird 1.

Yellow-browed Warbler

Yellow-browed Warbler - Matt Hindle

 September 22nd

We completed the same walk as yesterday and recorded 4 Ravens, 5 Chiffchaffs, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 5 Cetti's Warblers, 12 Cormorants, 3 Little Egrets, 3 Wheatears, 7 Reed Buntings, 3 Redshank, 16 Meadow Pipits, 11 Sandwich Terns, 3 Great Crested Grebes, 14 Mallard, 1 Grey Plover, 32 Golden Plover, 1 Turnstone, 1 Ringed Plover, 2 Mediterranean Gulls, 2 Grey Herons, 1 Tufted Duck, 6 Linnets, 1 Pied Wagtail, 4 Stonechats, 1 Curlew and 1 Green Woodpecker.

Wheatear

Grey Plover

Brendan Ryan also visited the area today and his highlights were 34 Chiffchaffs, 2 Firecrests and 1 Snipe at Bishopstone and 32 Chiffchaffs, 1 Knot and 11 Bar-tailed Godwits between Shuart and Plunpudding.

 September 21st

On a glorious, late, autumn morning with very few people about we walked along the seawall from Reculver to the Wantsum outflow. Birds we saw included 6 Mediterranean Gulls, 2 Pied Wagtails, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit W, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 5 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Redshank, 18 Cormorants, 2 Little Egrets, 33 Linnets, 6 Stonechats, 9 Meadow Pipits, 22 Reed Buntings, 2 Wheatears, 17 Golden Plovers, 2 Skylarks, 2 Grey Herons, 4 Mallard, 5 Sandwich Terns, 5 Chiffchaffs, 1 Ringed Plover, 16 Corn Buntings, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Oystercatcher, 2 Goldfinches, 18 Swallows and 1 Green Woodpecker.

Nick Hando was out around lunchtime and walked at Brooksend and Shuart. He saw 1 Whinchat, 11 Clouded Yellow butterflies, 4 Wall Browns, 2 Painted ladies and 1 Hummingbird Hawk Moth.

Today I received the ringing information of a Chiffchaff we controlled at Reculver on September 18th. It had originally been ringed, nine days before on the 9th September at Portland Bill, Dorset by the Portland Bird Observatory and had flown 271 km ENE to reach Reculver. 

 September 20th

Our walk at Reculver this morning produced 12 Chiffchaffs, 8 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Firecrest, 160 Coot, 55 Gadwall, 170 Mallard, 2 Wigeon, 1 Pintail, 6 Mute Swans, 2 Teal, 10 Swallows, 8 Little Grebes, 6 Sand Martins, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 8 Long-tailed Tits and 1 Common Buzzard.

Dave Smith was also out this morning and walked at Minnis Bay and Plumpudding. He recorded 35 Greylag Geese, 12 Mute Swans, 46 Mallard, 10 Coot, 30 Golden Plover, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Turnstone, 20 Mediterranean Gulls, 17 Sandwich Terns, 2 Little Grebes, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Barn Owl, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 3 Reed Warblers, 11 Swallows, 3 House Martins, 2 Willow Warblers, 27 Chiffchaffs, 15 Long-tailed Tits, 10 Blackcaps, 1 Firecrest, 3 Stonechats, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Pied Wagtail, 9 Meadow Pipits and 1 Corn Bunting.

On his morning walk from Shuart to Brooksend and Plumpudding, Derek Smith counted 2 Barnacle Geese, 1 Canada Goose with 6 hybrids, 130 Greylag Geese, 3 Little Egrets, 6 Common Buzzards, 12 Sandwich Terns W, 80 Sanderling, 2 Dunlin, 7 Bar-tailed Godwits, 9 Ring-necked Parakeets, 9 Cetti's Warblers and 55 Chiffchaffs.

Nick Hando was also out at Minnis Bay where he recorded 14 Curlews, 22 Bar-tailed Godwits, 8 Sandwich Terns, 1 Common Tern, 9 Little Egrets, 3 Mediterranean Gulls and 3 Sand Martins.