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.

 September 19th

It was a drizzly morning as we walked at Reculver and counted 13 Chiffchaffs, 1 Common Buzzard, 120 Mallard, 55 Gadwall, 165 Coot, 1 Reed Warbler, 14 Tufted Duck, 3 Little Grebes, 6 Mute Swan, 2 Pied Wagtail, 2 Corn Buntings, 3 Stonechats, 1 Kestrel, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Wigeon, 1 Black-tailed Godwit flying N, 1 Shoveler, 7 Swallows W, 10 Sandwich Terns and 1 Curlew.

 September 18th

On a bright and breezy morning we spent the morning ringing at Reculver where we saw 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Dunlin, 2 Grey Wagtails, 1 Little Egret, 2 Firecrests, 35 Blackcaps, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 40 Chiffchaffs, 15 Goldfinches, 1 Green Woodpecker. 1 Willow Warbler, 2 Jays, 2 Pied Wagtails, 164 Coot, 5 Little Grebes, 15 Tufted Duck, 1 Snipe, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Grey Heron, 14 Corn Buntings, 1 Stonechat, 54 Gadwall, 2 Wigeon, 7 Shoveler, 6 Teal, 110 Mallard, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 4 Swallows, 6 Robins, 1 Kestrel and 2 Cetti's Warblers.

Birds ringed 53: Willow Warbler 1, Firecrest 2, Chiffchaff 18, Blackcap 24, Robin 3, Great Tit 2, Blue Tit 2, Dunnock 1.

Female Firecrest

 September 17th

On what became a wet morning we walked at various sites at Reculver and counted 13 Chiffchaffs, 1 Kestrel, 50 Gadwall, 5 Cetti's Warblers, 6 Mute Swans, 165 Coot, 2 Wigeon, 3 Little Grebes, 9 Tufted Duck, 54 Swallows W, 1 Jay, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Hobby, 1 Whimbrel W, 1 Sand Martin W and 1 Curlew.

Matt was also out this morning and walked from Reculver to Plumpudding and back along the railway embankment. He saw 2 Grey Wagtails, 12 Sandwich Terns, 4 Little Egrets, 44 Chiffchaffs, 4 Stonechats, 4 Kestrels, 38 Mediterranean Gulls, 66 Mallard, 1 Tree Sparrow flying W along the seawall (176th), 4 Turnstone, 11 Teal, 12 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Ravens, 3 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Canada Goose, 1 Common Sandpiper, 140 Linnets, 5 Blackcaps, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 4 Little Grebes, 2 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Sparrowhawk, 43 Swallows W, 4 House Martins W, 1 Redshank, 1 Greenshank and 1 Grey Heron.

 September 16th

On a cooler and breezy morning Anne and I walked at Reculver and counted 4 Cetti's Warblers, 6 Mute Swans, 150 Mallard, 12 Tufted Duck, 55 Gadwall, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Swallow, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Common Sandpiper, 165 Coot, 2 Little Grebes, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 2 Wigeon, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Pochard, 1 Keatrel, 1 Common Buzzard and 1 Grey Heron.

 September 15th

We spent an  unexpectedly breezy morning ringing at Shuart where we saw 60 Swallows flying SW, 6 House Martins, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 20 Blackcaps, 9 Reed Warblers, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 13 Greylag Geese, 1 Chiffchaff, 6 Ring-necked Parakeets, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Whitethroat, 2 Sparrowhawks, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 2 Sedge Warblers and 1 Kestrel.

Birds ringed 27: Chiffchaff 1, Blackcap 12, Reed Warbler 7, Cetti's Warbler 1, Whitethroat 1, Sedge Warbler 2, Robin 1, Dunnock 2.

Sunrise at Shuart - Matt Hindle

This morning we also caught a first year male Blackcap that had originally been ringed on August 28th at Ripon Parks, North Yorkshire flying 362 km SSE to reach Shuart.

We also received information about a first year male Blackcap we ringed at Shuart on 20th September 2025 that was controlled at Sandwich Bay Estate on 14th September 2026. 

Brendan Ryan also visited the area this morning and walked in from Shuart to Plumpudding. His sightings included 8 Mute Swans, 38 Mallard, 35 Red-legged Partridges, 1 Swift, 40 Oystercatchers, 3 Ringed Plovers, 12 Lapwings, 1 Curlew, 2 Redshank, 3 Sandwich Terns, 3 Little Grebes, 7 Little Egrets, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Hobby, 3 Ring-necked Parakeets, 54 Blue Tits, 4 Sedge Warblers, 35 Swallows, 1 Willow Warbler, 27 Chiffchaffs, 9 Cetti's Warblers, 28 Long-tailed Tits, 8 Blackcaps, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Firecrest, 23 Robins, 1 Wheatear, 23 Meadow Pipits, 1 Rock Pipit, 12 Chaffinches,11 Corn Buntings and 10 Reed Buntings.

 September 14th

On an overcast morning with the tide out we walked along the seawall from Reculver and counted 4 Cetti's Warblers, 7 newly arrived Wheatears, 3 Grey Herons, 2 Kestrels, 4 Little Egrets, 1 Sandwich Tern, 4 Redshank, 13 Wigeon W, 2 Oystercatchers, 12 Meadow Pipits, 1 Short-eared Owl hunting in the Oyster Farm, 1 Curlew, 17 Mallard, 12 Swallows in off the sea, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Golden Plover, 2 Ringed Plovers, 1 Whitethroat, 3 Stonechats, 1 Dunlin, 3 Chiffchaffs and 8 Cormorants.

Wheatear

 September 12th

On a sunny morning we walked inland at Reculver and recorded 4 Chiffchaffs, 1 Little Egret, 120 Mallard, 60 Gadwall, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Common Buzzard, 6 Mute Swans, 13 Little Grebes, 160 Coot, 18 Tufted Duck, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 7 Corn Buntings, 1 Pintail, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Willow Warbler and 20 Swallows W.

Pintail

Dave Smith was also out at Reculver and saw 7 Mute Swans, 4 Wigeon, 55 Mallard, 5 Coot, 4 Oystercatchers, 2 Ringed Plovers, 1 Lapwing, 3 Curlew, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Black-tailed Godwit on the beach and then flying W, 1 Common Sandpiper, 8 Redshank, 6 Turnstone, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 6 Sandwich Terns, 10 Little Egrets, 5 Grey Herons, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Kestrels, 2 Ravens, 4 Sedge Warblers, 1 Sand Martin, 15 Swallow, 2 House Martins, 1 Willow Warbler, 31 Chiffchaffs, 9 Stonechats, 2 Grey Wagtails, 2 Pied Wagtails, 34 Meadow Pipits and 3 Corn Buntings.

Kingfisher - Dave Smith

Clouded Yellow - Dave Smith

Wall Brown - Dave Smith