November 13th

On a cold and sunny morning we walked along the seawall at Reculver and counted 20 Golden Plover, 10 Grey Partridges, 6 Meadow Pipits, 290 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Shelduck, 3 Great Crested Grebes, 11 Redshank, 80 Stock Doves, 1 Marsh Harrier, 26 Ringed Plovers, 1 Redpoll W, 17 Oystercatchers, 2 Curlew, 2 Grey Plovers, 33 Corn Buntings, 14 Mallard, 1 Wigeon, 2 Skylarks, 2 Stonechats and 6 Redwing W.

 November 12th

This morning Anne and I walked at Reculver and counted 2 Pied Wagtails, 6 Goldfinches, 1 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Green Sandpiper, 30 Teal, 4 Wigeon, 85 Mallard, 60 Gadwall, 12 Tufted Duck, 72 Lapwings, 1 Water Rail, 1 female/immature Goldeneye, 6 Little Grebes, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker and 1 female/immature Pintail.

Whilst we were doing that, Matt seawatched at the Towers from 0745 to 0945 and counted 40 Gadwall, 45 Wigeon W, 2 Red-throated Divers, 7 Kittiwakes W, 31 Teal W, 45 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Ravens, 4 Common Scoter, 1 Razorbill, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 2 male Red-breasted Mergansers, 5 Little Gulls W, 4 Grey Plovers, 2 Gannets E, 1 Peregrine and 1 adult Mediterranean Gull.

 November 11th

This afternoon Aaron Hughes found an adult Whooper Swan (199th) on the fields south of the Oyster Farm and also saw 7 Tundra Bean Geese.

 November 10th

We spent the morning ringing at Shuart where we saw 1 Jay, 15 Redwings, 1 Firecrest, 2 Goldcrests, 1 Woodcock, 500 Stock Doves, 5 Fieldfares, 1 Kestrel, 2 Redpoll, 10 Siskins, 5 Ring-necked Parakeets, 2 Sparrowhawks, 6 Goldfinches 5 Chiffchaffs, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 10 Chaffinches, 1 Green Woodpecker, 200 Woodpigeons, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 25 Blackbirds, 11 Russian White-fronted Geese, 400 Starlings, 1 Common Buzzard and 6 Red-legged Partridges.

Birds ringed 18: Chiffchaff 4, Goldcrest 2, Robin 3, Great Tit 1, Chaffinch 1, Blue Tit 2, Song Thrush 1, Blackbird 4. We also controlled a Dutch ringed Chiffchaff.

A pale Chiffchaff

 November 9th

On a glorious late autumn morning Anne and I walked from Reculver to Coldharbour. Birds we saw included 7 Great Crested Grebes, 211 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 29 Cormorants, 3 Great Black-backed Gulls, 18 Redshank, 14 Mallard, 9 Turnstone, 30 Greylag Geese, 26 White-fronted Geese, 34 Carrion Crows, 5 Cetti's Warblers, 19 Oystercatchers, 1 Wigeon, 1 male Red-breasted Merganser fishing offshore, 6 Skylarks, 1 Shelduck, 1 Tree Sparrow, 2 Yellowhammer, Peregrine, 165 Fieldfare, 240 Stock Doves, 1 Little Egret, 3 Reed Buntings, 8 Tundra Bean Geese, 13 Meadow Pipits, 3 Sanderling, 6 Stonechats, 1 Grey Heron, 4 Common Scoter, 65 Ringed Plover roosting on ther beach, 1 Corn Bunting and 9 Robins.

Derek Smith was also out and walked from Shuart and along the embankment.He saw 3 Russian White-fronted Geese, 1 Marsh Harrier, 3 Common Buzzards, 4 Kestrels, 4 Water Rails, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Raven, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Swallows W, 6 Stonechats, 9 Redpoll W, 4 Siskins W, 2 Blackcaps, 1 Dartford Warbler, 7 Chiffchaffs, 12 Goldcrests, 2 Yellowhammers and 4 Corn Buntings.

Brendan Ryan also visited the Marsh this morning and recorded 2 Greylag Geese, 23 Russian White-fronted Geese, 8 Tundra Beaan Geese, 150 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 18 Mute Swans, 11 Mallard, 1 Teal, 1 Pocard E, 14 Red-legged Partridges, 600 Stock Doves, 2 Water Rails, 215 Oystercatchers, 28 Grey Plovers, 8 Golden Plovers, 65 Ringed Plovers, 18 Curlew, 1 Snipe, 61 Redshank, 26 Turnstone, 1 Common Gull, 3 Great Blaack-backed Gulls, 2 Little Grenes, 1 Red-throated Diver, 54 Cormoranst, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, 1 Marsh Harrier, 3 Common Buzzards, 1 Kingfisher, 3 Green and 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 2 Kestrels, 1 Merlin, 1 Ring-necked Parakeet, 56 Carrion Crows, 14 Blue Tits, 14 Skylarks, 5 Chiffchaffs, 9 Cetti's Warblers, 12 Long-tailed Tits, 5 Goldcrests, 2 Firecrests, 110 Starlings, 11 Song Thrushes, 36 Redwings, 95 Blackbirds, 120 Fieldfares, 20 Robins, 5 Stonechats, 7 Pied Wagtails, 20 Meadow Pipits, 15 Chaffinches, 5 Linnets, 8 Redpoll, 7 Goldfinches, 4 Siskin, 1 Corn Buinting and 7 Reed Buntings.

Dartford Warbler - Brendan Ryan

On the 6th November we controlled a male Reed Bunting that had been ringed at Dungeness Bird Observatory on the 11th of October and had flown 54 km NNE to reach Shuart.

 November 8th

We spent the morning ringing at Shuart where we saw 2 Common Buzzards, 42 Redpoll, 2 Woodcock, 189 Redwings, 52 Fieldfares, 1 Peregrine, 3 Bramblings, 17 Siskins, 1 Yellowhammer, 2 Stonechat, 12 Chiffchaffs, 4 Firecrests, 1 Blackcap, 20 Goldfinches, 128 Greylag Geese, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Sparrowhawk, 80 Blackbirds, 4 Goldcrests, 1 Dartford Warbler, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 1 Woodlark flying W, 9 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Snipe and 300 Starlings.

Birds ringed 69: Chiffchaff 11, Goldcrest 3, Firecrest 3, Robin 4, Blackcap 1, Reed Bunting 3, Chaffinch 1, Goldfinch 1, Song Thrush 7, Redwing 7, Fieldfare 2, Blackbird 26.

Female Fieldfare

Male Fieldfare

Dave Smith was also out this morning and walked from Reculver to Plumpudding and back. He saw 26 Russian White-fronted Geese, 8 Tundra Bean Geese, 115 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Mute Swans, 1 Shelduck, 8 Mallard, 350 Stock Dove, 2 Water Rails, 36 Oystercatchers, 19 Golden Plovers, 17 Ringed Plovers, 50 Lapwings, 4 Snipe, 17 Redshank, 3 Turnstone, 2 Little Grebes, 3 Great Crested Grbes, 1 Red-throated Dover, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Marsh Harriers, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Kestrel, 1 Merlin, 1 Raven, 43 Skylark W, 3 Chiffchaffs, 58 Long-tailed Tits, 10 Goldcrests, 1 Firecrest, 340 Starlings, 8 Song Thrushes, 60 Redwings, 55 Blackbirds, 100 Fieldfares, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Pied Wagtails, 1 Rock Pipit, 12 Chaffinches, 1 Greenfinch, 6 Redpoll, 4 Corn Buntings and 4 Yellowhammers.

This morning Derek Smith walked from Shuart and along the embankment to Coldharbour and Plunpudding. Birds he saw included 2 Little Egrets, 4 Grey Herons, 2 Little Grebes, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 8 Tundra Bean Geese, 26 Russian White-fronted Geese, 1 Tufted Duck, 2 Common Buzzards, 3 Kestrels, 1 Snipe, 63 Lapwings, 5 Water Rails, 100+ Stock Doves, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 3 Pied Wagtails, 28 Skylarks NW, 10 Stonechats, 1 Rock Pipit, 2 Mistle Thrushes W, 21 Long-tailed Tits W, 9 Goldfinches W, 47 Redpoll W, 22 Siskin W, 62 Chaffinches, 1 Greenfinch W, 7 Chiffchaffs, 14 Goldcrets, 16 Reed Buntings W, 4 Corm Buntings and 3 Yellowhammers.

 November 7th

Today there was patchy fog in the morning that eventually cleared away in the afternoon. This morning Matt walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and saw 3 Firecrests, 1 Kingfisher, 4 Goldcrests, 1 Little Egret, 2 Stonechats, 1 Sandwich Tern, 41 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 16 Wigeon, 2 Ravens, 3 Grey Plovers, 1 Curlew, 1 Rock Pipit and 1 Chiffchaff.

Anne and I had a walk at Reculver this afternoon and counted 1 Kestrel, 62 Lapwings, 1 Goldcrest, 9 Little Grebes, 60 Mallard, 43 Gadwall, 33 Teal, 72 Coot, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Mute Swans, 7 Tufted Duck, 2 Wigeon, 2 Green Sandpipers, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Common Buzzard and 2 Chiffchaffs.

Matt was also out this afternoon on the Marsh and recorded 30 Fielfares, 2 Stonechats, 1 Greenfinch, 450 Lapwings, 19 Golden Plover, 33 Russian White-fronted Geese, 3 Tundra Bean Geese, 300 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 3 Marsh Harriers, 4 Ravens, 54 Teal, 18 Wigeon, 1 Merlin, 1 Sparrowhawk, 400 Starlings and 1 Peregrine.

 November 6th

We spent the morning ringing at one of our sites at Shuart until "rain stopped play." We saw 1 Long-eared Owl, 5 Brambling, 150 Blackbirds, 1 Green Woodpecker, 4 Ring-necked Parakeets, 4 Chiffchaffs, 12 Robins, 140 Redwings, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 7 Mallard, 10 Song Thrushes, 2 Stonechats, 1 Bullfinch, 1 Greenfinch, 25 Chaffinches, 20 Siskins, 2 Redpoll, 8 Fieldfares, 2 Water Rails, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Yellowhammer, 1 Tree Sparrow and 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Birds ringed 67: Wren 1, Chiffchaff 4, Firecrest 1, Robin 6, Reed Bunting 11, Stonechat 1, Blue Tit 2, Chaffinch 5, Yellowhammer 1, Redwing 3, Song Thrush 1, Blackbird, 30. Long-eared Owl 1.

Female Long-eared Owl

This morning Derek Smith walked from Shuart along the embankment to Coldharbour and back to Plumpudding. Birds he saw included 1 Great White Egret E, 1 Little Egret, 1 Red-throated Diver, 5 Little Grebes, 8 Tundra Bean Geese (198th), 26 White-fronted Geese, 104 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Wigeon, 5 Teal, 4 Common Scoter W, 5 Red-breatsed Mergansers E, 2 Marsh Harriers, 3 Common Buzzards, 2 Kestrels, 1 Short-eared Owl in off, 83 Lapwings, 1 Green Sandpiper, 48 Redshank, 8 Curlew, 1 Water Rail, 5 Swallows W, 30 Fieldfares, 8 Stonechats, 1 Rock Pipit, 5 Brambling W, 4 Redpoll W, 73 Siskins W 4 Chiffchaffs, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Firecrest, 16 Goldcrests, 3 Corn Buntings and 3 Yellowhammers.

Five of the eight Tundra Bean Geese

Dave Smith walked from Reculver to Plumpudding and saw 25 Russian White-fronted Geese, 8 Tundra Bean Geese, 50 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 10 Mute Swans, 7 Wigeon, 13 Mallard, 10 Teal, 5 Red-breasted Mergansers, 11 Grey Partridges, 85 Oystercatchers, 20 Golden Plovers, 38 Ringed Plovers, 26 Lapwings, 8 Curlew, 1 Green Sandpipers, 63 Redshank, 12 Turnstone, 8 Sanderling, 2 Dunlin, 2 Little Gulls, 6 Little Grebes, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Great White Egret, 2 Grey Herons, 2 Marsh Harriers, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Kestrel, 1 Raven, 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Firecrest, 13 Song Thrushes, 4 Redwings, 28 Blackbirds, 2 Fieldfares, 4 Stonechats, 2 Rock Pipits and 2 Corn Buntings.

 November 5th

This morning a walk at an overcast Reculver produced 2 Redwings, 17 Teal, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 36 Gadwall, 60 Mallard, 380 Lapwings, 5 Tufted Duck, 4 Little Grebes, 1 Water Rail, 1 Redshank, 1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Robins, 1 Grey Heron, 12 Blackbirds, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Fieldfare, 500 Starlings, 8 Chaffinches, 9 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Stonechats, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Wigeon and 1 Great Crested Grebe.

Matt was out on the Marsh this afternoon for three hours and counted 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Peregrine, 6 Kestrels, 76 Golden Plover, 2 Stonechats, 2 Snipe, 400 Lapwings, 27 Wigeon, 7 Teal, 4 Gadwall, 400 Stock Doves, 7 White-fronted Geese, 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Yellowhammer, 30 Corn Buntings, 1 Redpoll, 800 Woodpigeons, 1,200 Starlings and 1 Snow Bunting.

 November 4th

Thre was still a fresh and chilly easterly wind blowing this morning as we spent an hour at Reculver and counted 31 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 4 Curlew, 1 Kittiwake E, 43 Cormorants, 1 Black Redstart, 1 Red-throated Diver, 2 Gannets E, 29 Common Scoter, 1 Oystercatcher and 8 Lapwings.

 November 3rd

This morning the wind had moved round further to the east and was blowing in frequent squally showers. Matt arrived at the Towers at 0650 and we arrived at 0750 and we all left at 0850. Matt's final totals for two hours were 3 Razorbills, 1 Black-throated Diver landing on the sea off the Towers, 169 Common Scoter, 1 Red-throated Diver, 46 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 3 Sandwich Terns, 9 Curlew, 7 Wigeon, 9 Gannets, 18 Teal, 7 Little Gulls, 1 Short-eared Owl in off the sea, 25 Kittiwakes E, 1 Raven, 52 Lapwings, 116 Oystercatchers, 1 Great White Egret flying W at sea, 1 Pomarine Skua E, 1 Great Crested Grebe and 1 Knot E.

Reculver -Matt Hindle

Terry Wilson also reported a Snow Bunting at Minnis Bay.

 November 2nd

With a fresh NNW wind blowing in showers Matt seawatched from 0620 to 1420 together with Dave and Derek Smith and one or two other birders. His final totals were 168 Dark-bellied Brent Geese W, 687 Common Scoter W and on the sea, 10 Mediterranean Gulls, 297 Kittiwakes W, 42 Gannets E, 1 Redwing in off, 1 Blackbird in off, 6 Pomarine Skuas (5W and an adult E), 41 Wigeon W, 6 Great Crested Grebes and 79 Little Gulls (76W and 3E). He also counted 2 Rock Pipits, 1 large auk, 3 Red-throated Divers, 7 Pintail W, 1 Razorbill W, 1 Peregrine, 6 Shelduck W, 6 Sandwich Terns E, 3 Skylarks, 4 grey geese W, 1 Grey Plover, 2 Great Skuas W, 1 Red-breasted Merganser W, 1 Short-eared Owl in off the sea, 25 Starlings, 1 Great Northern Diver, 3 Arctic Skuas W and 1 Raven.

 November 1st

The month began overcast and windless as we walked at Reculver and counted 13 Robins, 3 Chiffchaffs, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 5 Teal, 4 Little Grebe, 30 Gadwall, 45 Mallard, 1 Green Woodpecker, 76 Coot, 1 Water Rail, 13 Tufted Duck, 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Siskins, 1 Stonechat, 10 Skylarks, 2 Pied Wagtails, 2 Green Sandpipiers, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Little Egret and 1 Woodcock flushed from the side of the road as we drove home.

Derek Smith walked from Shuart to the embankment, Plumpudding and Brooksend and saw 23 Russian Whie-fronted Geese, 48 Dark-bellied Brent Geese W, 4 Common Buzzards, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrels, 1 Grey Wagtail W, 1 Raven, 8 Fieldfares, 25 Redwings, 1 Redpoll E, 11 Siskin W, 8 Chiffchaffs, 1 Yellow-browed Warbler and 3 Corn Buntings.

Yellow-browed Warbler - Derek Smith

Dave Smith was also out and walked on the Marsh from Reculver and counted 29 Russian White-fronted Geese, 32 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Barnacle Geese, 10 Mute Swans, 10 Egyptian Geese, 9 Shoveler, 1 Wigeon, 5 Mallard, 11 Teal, 1 Tufted Duck, 1 Water Rail, 1 Coot, 2 Grey Plovers, 30 Golden Plovers, 32 Ringed Plovers, 50 Lapwings, 17 Black-tailed Godwits E, 1 Snipe, 1 Green Sandpiper, 10 Redshank, 2 Turnstone, 5 Sanderling, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 5 Common Gulls, 2 Sandwich Terns, 2 Little Grebes, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Red-throated Divers, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Kestrel, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Song Thrush, 5 Redwings, 15 Blackbirds, 4 Fieldfares, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Brambling, 1 Redpoll and 1 Yellowhammer.

 October 31st

We spent the morning ringing at Reculver where we saw 1 Water Rail, 3 Pied Wagtails, 3 Chiffchaffs, 2 Ravens, 10 Egyptian Geese, 1 Firecrest, 2 Green Sandpipers, 9 Teal, 8 Tufted Duck, 7 Little Grebes, 1 Pochard, 2 Little Egrets, 76 Coot, 52 Gadwall, 2 Shoveler, 2 Grey Herons, 60 Mallard, 15 Blackbirds, 3 White-fronted Geese W, 20 Greylag Geese, 2 Tree Sparrows, 1 Fieldfare, 9 Redwings, 1 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 2 Sparrowhawks, 5 Goldcrests, 11 Siskins, 3 Jays, 1 Kestrel, 1 Common Buzzard, 8 Skylarks, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 3 Redpoll, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers and 1 Long-tailed Tit.

Birds ringed 20: Chiffchaff 3, Goldcrest 2, Robin 1, Cetti's Warbler 1, Chaffinch 1, Song Thrush 2, Blackbird 10.

Dave Smith walked from Reculver to Plumpudding and back along the embankment and counted 82 Russian White-fronted Geese, 4 Shoveler, 12 Red-legged Partridges, 1 Water Rail, 1 Grey Plover, 35 Golden Plover, 50 Lapwings, 1 Curlew, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 4 Little Grebes, 3 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Kestrel, 8 Goldcrests, 2 Firecrests, 12 Song Thrushes, 32 Redwings, 3 Fieldfare, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Rock Pipits and 15 Chaffinches.

Derek Smith and Kerry McDonnel walked from Shuart to Brooksend and Plumpudding. They saw 4 Russian White-fronted Geese, 2 Little Egrets, 3 Grey Herons, 3 Common Buzzards, 2 Kestrels, 2 Mediterranean Gulls, 1 Curlew, 3 Grey Plovers, 8 Redshank, 1 Raven, 550 Starlings W, 19 Song Thrushes, 60 Blackbirds, 3 Stonechats, 2 Siskins W, 2 Chiffchaffs, 6 Firecrests, 3 Goldcrests and 7 Corn Buntings. Earlier, Kerry had heard a Little Owl at Potten Streen and 2 Tawny Owls at Shuart.

 October 30th

We spent a calm and sunny morning ringing at Shuart where we saw 7 Ring-necked Parakeets, 320 Greylag Geese, 48 Russian White-fronted Geese, 6 Fieldfares, 121 Redwings flying W, 3 Brambling, 5 Siskin, 4 Common Buzzards, 65 Linnets, 6 Cetti's Warblers, 8 Chiffchaffs, 14 Skylarks W, 1 singing male Darford Warbler, 12 Song Thrushes, 2 Tree Sparrows, 2 Stonechats, 1 Kestrel, 14 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Redpoll, 15 Robins, 2 Green Woodpeckers and 1 male Ring Ouzel arriving with a flock of Redwings.

Birds ringed 46: Chiffchaff 8, Long-tailed Tit 5, Robin 7, Blue Tit 2, Great Tit 1, Cetti's Warblers 1, Reed Bunting 3, Chaffinch 1, Dartford Warbler 1, Goldfinch 1, Dunnock 1, Song Thrush 9, Redwing 1, Blackbird 5.

Male Dartford Warbler

Derek Smith arrived at Shuart at 0700 and walked to Plumpudding and Coldharbour where he found the birds of the day in the shape of 2 Penduline Tits which he saw in a dyke of phragmites before they were disturbed by a cyclist and flew high W (197th). Other birds he saw included 3 Grey Herons, 1 Little Egret, 3 Common Buzzards, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Kestrels, 18 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 137 Russian White-fronted Geese, 10 Egyptian Geese, 31 Golden Plovers, 12 Lapwings, 1 Snipe, 9 Redshank, 2 Water Rails, 2 Kingfishers, 2 Grey Partridges, 60 Blackbirds, 18 Song Thrushes, 11 Redwings, 1 Raven, 9 Magpies, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 12 Stonchats, 4 Bramblings, 1 Dartford Warbler, 7 Chiffchaffs and 1 Firecrest.

Penduline Tits - Derek Smith

Dave Smith was also out and walked from Reculver to Plumpudding and back along the embankment. He saw 140 Russian White-fronted Geese, 36 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 4 Shelduck, 3 Wigeon, 35 Mallard, 1 Water Rail, 1 Grey Plover, 30 Golden Plovers, 1 Ringed Plover, 34 Lapwings, 3 Curlew, 1 Snipe, 8 Redshank, 3 Turnstone, 5 Sanderling, 1 Sandwich Tern, 6 Little Grebes, 6 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Short-eared Owls, 1 Kestrel, 6 Chiffchaffs, a flock of 30 Long-tailed Tits flying high W, 1 Firecrest, 10 Song Thushes, 10 Redwings, 35 Blackbirds, 35 Chaffinches, 1 Greenfinch and 1 Redpoll.