October 16th

With limited time we spent half and hour at an increasingly damp Reculver this morning and saw 1 moulting adult Red-throated Diver, 9 Cormorant, 4 Chiffchaffs, 1 Little Egret, 4 Redshank, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 19 Ringed Plovers, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Mallard, 15 Meadow Pipits, 8 Linnets, 1 Sandwich Tern, 1 Great Crested Grebe and 1 Stonechat.

Dave Smith birded around Reculver this morning. He saw 1 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 3 Mute Swans, 2 Wigeon, 11 Mallard, 12 Grey Partridges, 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Curlew, 1 Redshank, 2 Arctic Skuas, 2 Common Gulls, 2 Arctic Terns (186th), 1 Common Tern, 13 Sandwich Terns, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Red-throated Divers, 5 Gannets, 1 Little Egret, 3 Grey Herons, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Jay, 1 Raven, 15 Skylarks, 5 Chiffchaffs, 90 Starlings, 5 Song Thrushes, 1 Redwing, 5 Stonechats, 1 Grey Wagtail, 4 Pied Wagtails, 20 Meadow Pipits, 810 Chaffinches W and 12 Corn Buntings.

Derek Smith walked from Shuart along the embankment to Chamber's Wall and Plunpudding. He recorded 3 Kestrels. 1 Tufted Duck, 75 Lapwings, 1 Water Rail, 2 Coot, 1 Kingfisher, 32 Skylarks NW, 65 Starlings W, 9 Song Thrushes, 2 Ring Ouzels, one on the embankment and one at Chamber's Wall, 6 Stonechats, 580 Chaffinches W, 21 Goldfinches W, 1 Greenfinch w, 61 Siskins W, 4 Bramblings W, 11 Chiffchaffs and 1 Firecrest.

The undoubted highlight of the afternoon was a Cory's Shearwater that was seen from the Towers by Jack and Phil Chantler and Nige Jarman (187th). It flew E and then N at about 1250 and is only the seventh Cory's Shearwater to be recorded in the Reculver area. 

After this Matt arrived at the Towers and also Julian Russell and between them they counted 6 Arctic Skuas, 35 Gannets, 2 Razorbills, 7 Red-thoated Divers, 2 Common Scoter, 391 Dark-bellied Brent Geese E, 1 Common Tern, 2 Mediterranean Gulls, 1 Arctic Tern W, 10 Grey Plovers W, 14 Little Gulls W, 22 Sandwich Terns W, 3 large auks, 2 Kittiwakes and 5 Pintail W.

 October 15th

With had limited time this morning as we had a quick walk at Reculver where we saw 4 Cetti's Warblers, 4 Chiffchaffs, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 5 Robins, 4 Teal, 60 Gadwall, 11 Mallard, 24 Tufted Duck, 115 Coot, including 2 on the sea, 3 Mute Swans, 9 Little Grebes, 5 Skylarks, 1 Water Rail, 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Pied Wagtails, 4 Sandwich Terns, 1 Grey Heron and 12 Cormorants.

Dave Smith was also out this morning and walked at Reculver Marshes. He counted 2 Greylag Geese, 4 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 9 Mute Swans, 8 Wigeon, 40 Mallard, 2 Teal, 4 Coot, 2 Grey Plovers, 9 Ringed Plovers, 47 Lapwings, 3 Curlew, 5 Redshank, 3 SandwichTerns, 6 Little Grebes, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, 1 Sparrowhawk, 4 Marsh Harriers, 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Kestrels, 1 Merlin, 1 Peregrine, 2 Ravens, 27 Skylarks, 10 Chiffchaffs, 1 Blackcap, 250 Starlings, 11 Song Thrushes, 3 Redwings, 2 Blackbirds, 11 Stonechats, 1 Wheatear, 5 Tree Sparrows, 2 Pied Wagtails, 35 Meadow Pipits, 108 Chaffinches, 57 Linnets and 30 Goldfinches.

Brendan Ryan walked from Shuart to Coldharbour and back and recorded 1 Wheatear, 3 Bearded Tits flying high S, 1 Marsh Harrier, 4 Chiffchaffs, 1 Blackcap, 8 Cetti's Warblers, 6 Stonechats, 16 Song Thrushes, 2 Redwings and also 170 Chaffinches.

 October 14th

This morning we walked along the seawall from Reculver and saw 8 Chaffinches W, 32 Meadow Pipits, 16 Sandwich Terns E, 4 Cetti's Warbler, 21 Skylarks W, 6 Grey Herons, 1 Little Egeret, 6 Redshank, 42 Linnets, 11 Goldfinches, 24 Ringed Plovers, 5 Stonechats, 9 Cormorants, 5 Oystercatchers, 1 Curlew, 4 Turnstone, 16 Corn Buntings, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Grey Plover, 5 Robins and a group of 16 Magpies.

Dave Smith was also out this morning and walked from Shuart to Plumpudding and Coldharbour and back. He saw 4 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 12 Mute Swans, 1 Tufted Duck, 10 Grey Partridges, 1 Water Rail, 2 Coot, 1 Grey Plover, 12 Ringed Plovers, 22 Lapwings, 3 Curlew, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 2 Green Sandpipers, 6 Redshank, 12 Turnstone, 2 Sanderling, 1 Common Gull, 6 Great Black-backed Gulls, 8 Sandwich Terns, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Red-throated Diver, 2 Little Egrets, 5 Grey Herons, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Marsh Harrier, 3 Common Buzzards, 1 Great Spotted and 1 Green Woodpecker, 5 Kestrels, 3 Ravens, 42 Skylarks, 1 Dartford Warbler, 15 Chiffchaffs, 190 Starlings, 9 Song Thrushes, 2 Blackbirds, 14 Stonechats, 60 Meadow Pipits, 1 Rock Pipit, 36 Chaffinches, 1 Greenfinch, 150 Linnets, 5 Redpoll, 1 Siskin, 12 Corn Buntings and 1 Yellowhammer W.

Dartford Warbler - Dave Smith

Matt was out on the Marsh at the Green Wall between 1015 and 1645 and counted 3 Stonechats, 3 Marsh Harriers, 85 Lapwings, 657 Chaffinches W, 1 Brambling W, 2 Siskins W, 3 Ravens, 55 Golden Plovers, 3 Chiffchaffs, 2 Peregrines, 1,600 Starlings, 1 Green Sandpiper, 6 Common Buzzards, 6 Kestrels, 16 Mediterranean Gulls and 1 Grey Heron.

 October 13th

On a mild and breezy morning Anne and I walked at Reculver and counted 1 Green Sandpiper, 4 Skylarks, 4 Chiffchaffs, 5 Cetti's Warblers, 1 male Pochard, 36 Tufted Duck, 2 Shoveler, 6 Teal, 125 Coot, 110 Mallard, 65 Gadwall, 1 Stonechat, 3 Redwings, 8 Little Grebes, 2 Wigeon, 4 Pied Wagtails, 42 Meadow Pipits, 5 Long-tailed Tits, 9 Grey Partridges, 4 Robins, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Little Egret and 1 Red-throated Diver.

Grey Partridge

Richard Collins visited Reculver and counted 11 Dark-bellied Brent Geese W, 2 Red-throated Divers, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Mediterranean Gull W, 11 Sandwich Terns W and 1 Ringed Plover.

 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